Magnetic Aquarium Pump Mounting for Flexible Bracketless Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aquarium pumps are less than ideal due to mechanical brackets that obstruct viewing and are limited by their location, necessitating a more flexible and unobtrusive mounting solution.
Innovation Solution
A magnetically supported fluid pump assembly using outer and inner mounts with permanent magnets and soft magnetic materials to allow bracketless mounting on any desired position on the aquarium glass wall, enabling flexible placement and rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical brackets are used to support the pump, then the pump can be mounted and supported, but the brackets obstruct viewing of the aquarium contents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical bracket support system with a magnetic field-based support system. Permanent magnets mounted on the aquarium glass wall magnetically attract and hold the pump assembly, eliminating the need for mechanical brackets that would obstruct viewing. The magnetic field acts as an invisible support mechanism that provides reliable pump mounting without any physical obstructions in the aquarium view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the mechanical bracket component from the support system entirely. By using magnetic attraction between the permanent magnets on the glass wall and the magnetic components on the pump assembly, the support function is achieved without the bracket structure, thereby eliminating the viewing obstruction problem while maintaining pump support stability.
2Reliability
If the pump is located at a fixed position determined by the bracket, then the pump can be supported, but the pump placement flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic positioning capability through the magnetic support system. The pump assembly can be freely positioned at any location on the aquarium glass wall where permanent magnets are mounted, and the magnetic attraction maintains stable support. This allows the pump to be dynamically repositioned to optimize water circulation patterns while maintaining reliable support, providing both stability and placement flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic support system serves multiple functions: it provides stable pump support, enables flexible positioning at any glass wall location, and allows easy repositioning to optimize circulation. The same magnetic attraction mechanism that provides stable support also enables universal placement flexibility across the entire aquarium glass surface.
3Force
If heavy pump weight is supported by brackets, then the pump can be mounted, but the mounting location is restricted to bottom or bracket positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical bracket force transmission system with a magnetic field-based force system. The permanent magnets on the glass wall generate magnetic attraction forces that directly support the pump weight without requiring mechanical brackets. This magnetic force system can be applied at any location on the glass wall, providing both adequate weight support and unrestricted mounting location options.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic attraction force generated by the permanent magnets acts as a counterbalancing force to support the pump weight. The magnetic force effectively counteracts gravity, holding the pump assembly in position at any desired location on the glass wall without requiring mechanical support structures that would limit placement options.
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
Provides unobstructed viewing and adjustable water circulation without mechanical supports, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and functionality of aquariums.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic attractive forces between the at least one outer permanent magnet and the at least one inner permanent magnet are sufficiently strong to permit mounting of the outer mount and the inner mount on opposite sides of a glass tank wall
Implementation Method 2
The outer permanent magnet, the inner permanent magnet, and the soft magnetic material collectively form a magnetic circuit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The present invention relates to fluid pump assemblies in general, and in exemplary embodiments to fluid pump assemblies that are magnetically supported in position, and to related kits and methods useful to circulate water in aquariums. The fluid pump assembly (10) comprises an outer mount (20), an inner mount (30), and a pump (40). The outer mount includes at least one outer permanent magnet (22-25); the inner mount includes at least one inner permanent magnet (32-35); and the pump includes at least one soft magnetic material (36). The outer permanent magnet, the inner permanent magnet, and the soft magnetic material collectively form a magnetic circuit.