Movable Pond Cover with Nested Rigid Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pool cover devices require a significant amount of space around the pool for their uncovered position and are cumbersome to move between covering and uncovering positions.
Innovation Solution
A mobile pool cover device comprising two rigid structures with horizontal and vertical displacement means, allowing for a retracted configuration that occupies less space and easy, motorized movement between positions, forming a flat and solid platform when covering the pool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a rigid plate is used to cover the pool, then a flat floor surface is formed above the pool, but a significant amount of space around the pool is required for the uncovered position
Solution Approach 1:
The cover device consists of two superimposable structures that can be stacked one on top of the other in the uncovered position, similar to nested dolls. This nesting arrangement reduces the space required from the full pool surface area to only the perimeter area needed to accommodate the stacked structures, resolving the contradiction between forming a flat surface and minimizing space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover device incorporates motorized means for moving the structures horizontally and vertically, transforming a static rigid plate into a dynamic system. The structures can be automatically positioned between covered and uncovered states, making the device easy to operate while maintaining the ability to form a flat surface when needed.
2Area of moving object
If the device is made mobile to reduce space usage, then less space is required on the periphery, but the device becomes cumbersome to move between positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with motorized actuation systems. Electric motors drive the horizontal and vertical movement of the structures, eliminating the need for manual handling and making the device easy to operate despite its size and weight. This substitution resolves the contradiction between compact storage and ease of movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces motorized means as intermediary elements between the control system and the structures. These motors act as mediators that handle the heavy lifting and moving tasks, allowing the structures to be easily repositioned without direct human intervention, thus resolving the contradiction between reduced space requirements and operational ease.
3Strength
If two structures are used to form a flat platform, then a solid surface is created, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two structures are designed to be superimposable and stackable, with the second structure fitting over the first. This nesting design allows the structures to be stored compactly when not in use, minimizing the space required to the perimeter area. The nesting principle resolves the contradiction between creating a solid platform and managing device complexity by providing an organized, space-efficient configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The two structures are merged into a single functional unit with coordinated movement mechanisms. The motorized means control both structures simultaneously, and they work together to form the flat platform. This merging approach reduces operational complexity despite having two structures, as they are managed as an integrated system rather than separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a mobile device for covering a pool (10), comprising a lower rigid structure (20) and an upper rigid structure (30), means (24) for moving the structures relative to each other between a retracted configuration in which the lower structure (20) is positioned under the upper structure (30) and a deployed configuration in which the structures are juxtaposed and able to cover the pool together, and means (24) for moving the structures between a pool-covered position and a pool-uncovered position. This device further comprises means (35) for leveling the upper structure (30) and the lower structure (20) in the deployed configuration, so as to form a flat platform covering the pool and usable as a terrace.