Movable Bottom Pool With Flexible Membrane Gap Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing swimming pools with movable bottoms and overflows face challenges such as large construction space requirements, heat loss, and inefficiencies in water level management, leading to increased operating costs and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A swimming pool design featuring a movable bottom with a peripheral water circulation duct and a movable overflow water collection system that adjusts its position to maintain water level and provide thermal insulation, minimizing space usage and heat loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a large gap is left between the peripheral edge of the mobile platform and the side walls to allow water circulation, then water can flow freely during platform movement, but safety is compromised due to pinching risk and dirt introduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater circulationVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible waterproof membrane is introduced to cover the gap between the mobile platform and side walls during operation, allowing water circulation while preventing pinching risks and dirt introduction. The membrane acts as a flexible barrier that maintains safety while permitting fluid flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile platform is kept at a high position to form a floor, then the surface can be used as a floor, but thermal insulation of the pool is reduced due to heat escaping through the gap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloor usageVSAvoidheat loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible waterproof membrane serves dual functions: it allows water circulation during platform movement and provides thermal insulation when the platform is in the raised floor position, preventing heat escape through the gap between platform and side walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible membrane structure performs multiple functions: it enables water circulation during operation, prevents pinching hazards, blocks dirt entry, and provides thermal insulation when the platform is raised, making the system more efficient across different operational states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If secondary reservoirs are added to collect overflowing water and buffer volume variations, then water level can be maintained constant, but construction space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater level constancyVSAvoidconstruction space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane system integrates the functions of water circulation, safety protection, and thermal insulation into a single structure, eliminating the need for separate secondary reservoirs and reducing overall construction space while maintaining water level control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design achieves a compact construction footprint, maintains a consistent water level, reduces heat loss, and enhances safety by minimizing gaps between the platform and walls, while maintaining aesthetic appeal and efficient water management.

Implementation Method 1

By changing the buoyancy of the platform, it is possible to operate the platform when descending or ascending

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

a circulation duct, peripheral, arranged on the periphery of the bathing volume and of said side walls, said circulation duct having an upper mouth system and a lower mouth system communicating with the bathing volume in such a way as to allow, under the action of the mobile platform, the water to circulate through said circulation conduit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid circulation: Convection

Implementation Method 3

in the raised closed position, the mobile platform constitutes a cover closing off the bathing volume, limiting heat loss with the outside environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3538722B1Overflow pool with movable bottom
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 TECHNOPOOL
  • EP3538722B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3538722B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3538722B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention concerns a swimming pool with a movable bottom and comprising: - side walls (2) and a movable platform (3) that together define the bathing volume of the swimming pool, the platform being capable of passing from at least one low submerged position to a raised position in the open air, closing the bathing volume - a system for actuating said movable platform in order to raise or lower same, - a peripheral flow conduit, arranged at the periphery of the bathing volume and said side walls, said flow conduit having an upper mouth system and a lower mouth system communicating with the bathing volume. According to the invention, said swimming pool is an overflow pool comprising: - a main water tank containing the water of the overflowing bathing volume, a secondary tank for collecting the overflowing water and a pump system linking the buffer tanks and continuously supplying the overflowing bathing volume, - said swimming pool comprises a water collection system (7), extending at the periphery of the bathing volume and suitable for collecting the water overflowing at the periphery of the bathing volume, said water collection system being at least partially movable, being capable of passing from a low position when the platform is static to a high position (P2) for which the water collection system (7) constitutes a peripheral anti-overflow barrier (B) during movements to raise or lower the movable platform (3), in a state of said collection system that then constitutes the upper mouth system of the flow circuit.