Hinged Flap Skimmer with Buoyancy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skimmer devices for swimming pools fail to adapt to varying water levels, leading to inconsistent surface current creation and poor retention of impurities, requiring modifications to the skimmer and involving mechanical complexities.
Innovation Solution
A floating device with a hinged flap and flexible, elastic tabs for removable attachment to the skimmer, allowing it to adjust with water level changes and create a powerful surface current without mechanical guides, ensuring impurity retention and easy installation/removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed flap device is used in the skimmer, then a surface current is created, but the device cannot adapt to varying water levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the flap movable rather than fixed. The flap is hinged to the base and can rotate freely, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position in response to varying water levels and flow conditions. This dynamic adjustment ensures the device maintains effectiveness across different operational conditions without compromising reliable surface current creation.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical guide system with slides and racks is used, then the flap can be positioned, but the device becomes complex and prone to blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex mechanical guide system (slides, racks, and mechanical positioning mechanisms) from the device. Instead of using these elaborate positioning systems, the invention relies on the simple hinged flap mechanism that naturally positions itself through rotation, eliminating the problematic mechanical guides while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical positioning system with a hydraulic/fluid-based solution. The flap's position is controlled by water pressure and flow rather than mechanical actuators, eliminating the need for complex mechanical guides and reducing the risk of blocking from debris.
3Productivity
If the skimmer opening is partially closed by a fixed flap, then surface current is generated, but the device requires skimmer modification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the flow control function from the skimmer structure itself. The base with the hinged flap is designed as a standalone removable component that interfaces with the existing skimmer opening. This segmentation allows the flow control functionality to be added without permanently modifying the skimmer, enabling easy installation and removal while maintaining productivity.
4Ease of operation
If a removable attachment system is used, then installation is simple, but the device may detach during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle through water pressure acting on the base. The hydrostatic pressure of the water against the base creates a holding force that prevents the removable attachment system from detaching during operation, balancing the simplicity of removable installation with operational reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device maintains a consistent and powerful surface current across varying water levels, effectively retains impurities during operation, and allows for simple installation and removal without modifying the skimmer, addressing the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
The base 10 is made of a material having negative buoyancy and the flap 20 is made of a material having positive buoyancy
Implementation Method 2
the sucked up water falls through an opening located under the stream of water so as to obtain a falling effect
Implementation Method 3
a volume taken only from the surface so that a favorable current is created at the surface which tends to lead the floating matter towards said skimmer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6A~6D
AI summary
The device has a base portion (10) that is provided with a negative floatability and a flap (20) with a positive floatability articulated relative to the base portion. The positive floatability is provided for the upper edge of the flap to be even with the surface of the water. The articulation is provided with a hinge (22). The hinge is a flexible blade made of polymer material with width of the flap fastened on edges to the base portion.