Hinged Pool Cover Sliding Assembly to Reduce Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pool cover assemblies experience excessive wear and potential damage due to the movement of the sliding assembly, which affects the functionality of the pool cover system.
Innovation Solution
A hinged sliding assembly is introduced, comprising a hinged rope lock member coupled to a slider member via a snap-fit connection, allowing for reduced pivoting and twisting, thereby minimizing wear and damage to the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional sliding assembly is used to move the pool cover along the track, then the pool cover can be extended and retracted, but excessive wear and potential damage occur on the pool cover and sliding assembly due to movement and pivoting
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding assembly incorporates a hinged rope lock member that allows dynamic adjustment and controlled pivoting motion. The hinge mechanism enables the rope lock member to adapt to track irregularities while maintaining connection, reducing stress and wear on components during the extension and retraction of the pool cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod member acts as an intermediary element connecting the slider member to the hinged rope lock member. This intermediate connection allows for relative movement and pivoting between components, accommodating operational requirements while distributing mechanical stress and reducing wear on individual parts.
2Ease of operation
If the sliding assembly allows movement between components to facilitate pool cover operation, then ease of operation is improved, but excessive wear and damage to components results
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged connection between the rod member and rope lock member provides controlled dynamics, allowing necessary pivoting for operation while constraining excessive movement that would cause wear. The hinge enables smooth adaptation to operational demands without compromising component durability.
3Reliability
If the rope lock member is rigidly connected to prevent pivoting, then wear is reduced, but the ability to accommodate operational movements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection creates a semi-rigid, semi-flexible joint that permits controlled pivoting motion during operation while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to minimize wear. This dynamic connection adapts to operational requirements without excessive movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod member serves as an intermediary that transmits force while accommodating controlled pivoting through the hinged connection. This intermediate element allows the system to maintain wear reduction while preserving necessary adaptability for operational movements.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a hinged sliding assembly for a pool cover assembly including a slider member having a rod member and defining an opening, wherein the slider member is coupleable to a pool cover, and a hinged rope lock member coupled to the rod member and positioned at least partially within the opening, wherein the hinged rope lock member is coupleable to a rope of the pool cover.