Magnetic Tension Members for Swimming Pool Formwork

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for constructing in-ground swimming pools are time-consuming, often requiring weeks to months to complete, as they involve separate pouring of walls and floors, and lack efficient systems for maintaining the desired pool shape and wall spacing during construction.

Innovation Solution

A form system comprising outer and inner form panels with magnetic tension members that allow for rapid assembly and alignment, enabling simultaneous pouring of walls and floors, and utilizing support members to maintain the desired wall space and shape, reducing construction time and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional methods are used for constructing in-ground swimming pools with separate pouring of walls and floors, then structural integrity is maintained, but construction time increases to weeks or months

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the wall and floor pouring operations into a single simultaneous process by using an integrated form system where outer and inner form panels create a complete mold structure that allows concrete to be poured for both walls and floors at the same time, eliminating the sequential process of conventional construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The form system is pre-assembled with outer and inner form panels, support members, and tension members positioned to maintain proper wall spacing and alignment before concrete pouring begins, allowing immediate simultaneous pouring of walls and floors without requiring separate preparation steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If conventional form systems are used without efficient tension members, then assembly is simpler, but the ability to maintain desired pool shape and wall spacing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveform system assemblyVSAvoidpool shape accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems for tension members with magnetic coupling, where magnets embedded in the form panels attract and hold the tension members in place, simplifying assembly while maintaining precise control over wall spacing and pool shape

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The tension members act as intermediary elements between the outer and inner form panels, physically connecting them and maintaining the precise spacing required for wall thickness, while the magnetic coupling provides the connecting force without requiring complex mechanical fasteners

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If rapid assembly methods are used with magnetic tension members, then construction time is reduced to days, but the complexity of the form system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction speedVSAvoidform system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The form system is divided into modular outer form panels and inner form panels that can be independently assembled and then quickly connected using magnetic tension members, allowing rapid assembly while maintaining system organization and manageability despite the increased complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Magnetic coupling replaces complex mechanical fastening systems, allowing tension members to be quickly attached and detached without tools or complex assembly procedures, significantly reducing assembly time while the magnetic components are integrated into the panel designs to minimize overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 described method significantly reduces in-ground swimming pool construction time from weeks to days, allowing for faster completion and improved precision in achieving the desired pool shape and wall configuration, compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

at least one magnet adjacent one of the first and second ends of the outer wall panel... at least one tension member to be magnetically coupled to the at least one magnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS10871000B2Swimming pool form system including tension members and related methods

Publication Date: 2020.12.22 POOLING TOGETHER LLC

AI summary

A form system for a swimming pool may include outer form panels to be coupled in side-by-side relation corresponding to a desired swimming pool shape. Each outer form panel may include an outer wall panel having opposing first and second ends to be coupled to respective first and second opposing ends of adjacent outer wall panels and a magnet adjacent one of the first and second ends of the outer wall panel. Inner form panels may be coupled in side-by-side relation, and support members couple the outer form panels in spaced relation from the inner form panels to define a wall space therebetween. The form system may also include a tension member to be magnetically coupled to the at least one magnet between adjacent ones of the outer form panels so that the tension member extends across the wall space and between adjacent inner form panels.