Illuminating Bubbler Housing with Nested Light Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminating pool return fittings are too bulky, obstructing the submersible light fixture and making it inaccessible for installation and servicing, which is costly and inefficient in terms of manufacturing and shipping.
Innovation Solution
A compact pool return fitting design with a housing featuring a first chamber for fluid intake and a second chamber for the submersible light fixture, where the second chamber is retained within the first, allowing for a transparent lens to expel fluid over the light fixture, ensuring water resistance and easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing pool return fittings are designed with traditional housing structures, then they can accommodate the submersible light fixture, but the housing becomes too bulky and obstructs the light fixture, making it inaccessible for installation and servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for the bubbler mechanism and a second chamber for the submersible light fixture. This segmentation allows each component to be housed separately, eliminating obstruction and improving accessibility while reducing overall housing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional single-chamber vertical arrangement to a horizontal side-by-side configuration where the bubbler housing and light fixture housing are positioned adjacent to each other. This dimensional reorganization eliminates obstruction and improves serviceability.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing pool return fittings are designed with traditional housing structures, then they can accommodate the bubbler mechanism, but the housing becomes too bulky for affordable shipping and available shelving space in retail
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the housing into two separate chambers for the bubbler and light fixture, the patent reduces the overall volume required compared to a traditional single-chamber design. This compact configuration lowers shipping costs and improves retail shelving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The second chamber for the light fixture is retained within the first chamber for the bubbler mechanism, creating a nested configuration. This nesting approach minimizes the external dimensions of the housing while accommodating both components, thereby reducing shipping and retail space requirements.
3Ease of repair
If the submersible light fixture is positioned in traditional configurations, then it can be integrated with the pool return fitting, but it becomes inaccessible without specialized tools and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of the bubbler mechanism and light fixture into distinct chambers allows the light fixture to be accessed independently through the second opening, eliminating the need for specialized tools and complex servicing procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The light fixture is extracted from the traditional integrated housing and placed in a separate second chamber with its own opening. This extraction enables easy access and removal of the light fixture without disassembling the entire pool return fitting assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A pool return fitting having a housing with a first chamber and second chamber. The second chamber is retained within the first chamber. The first chamber has a first pipe connection configured to receive a fluid. The first chamber has a first opening bordering a third chamber of an integrally formed support structure. The second chamber has a second pipe connection configured to receive a conduit. The second chamber has a second opening configured to retain a submersible light fixture. A transparent lens is connected to the integrally formed support structure and has opening. Fluid flows from the first opening of first chamber into a third chamber of the integrally formed support structure, over a lens of the submersible light fixture retained by the second chamber, and through an opening of the transparent lens to be expelled from the third chamber into the surrounding fluid external of the housing.