Swimming Pool Cleaner Discs With Recessed Pockets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional discs for automatic swimming pool cleaners have flat lower surfaces, which limit localized suction and wear resistance, hindering effective cleaning, especially when transitioning over pool surfaces and navigating obstacles.
Innovation Solution
The discs feature recessed areas or pockets on their lower surfaces with downward projections that act as contact and wear surfaces, enhancing localized suction and preventing frictional wear, allowing for improved adherence and cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the lower surface of the disc is made flat, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the localized suction force is insufficient and wear resistance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The disc lower surface is designed with recessed areas (pockets) at specific locations rather than being uniformly flat. These recessed areas create localized zones of increased suction force and are positioned to contact specific pool surfaces during cleaning operations. This local quality modification enhances wear resistance and cleaning effectiveness in critical areas while maintaining overall structural simplicity and ease of manufacture.
2Device complexity
If the lower surface of the disc is made flat, then the device complexity is low, but the localized suction force is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed areas are strategically positioned on the disc lower surface to create localized suction zones. These pockets concentrate suction force at specific locations where contact with the pool surface occurs, enhancing cleaning effectiveness without requiring a complete redesign of the entire disc structure. The simple pocket geometry maintains low device complexity while achieving improved localized suction.
3Reliability
If recessed areas with projections are added to the disc, then localized suction and wear resistance are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed areas with downward projections are added only at specific locations on the disc lower surface where contact with the pool surface is required. This localized modification provides wear resistance and enhanced suction force exactly where needed, rather than requiring complex modifications across the entire disc structure. The projections within the pockets serve dual purposes as both structural elements and wear surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed areas serve multiple functions simultaneously: they create localized suction zones, provide wear surfaces through their downward projections, and maintain structural integrity. By combining these functions into a single integrated feature, the design achieves improved wear resistance and suction force without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 increases suction force in localized regions and prevents wear, enabling more effective cleaning and navigation over pool surfaces, including obstacles like drains and corners.
Implementation Method 1
recessed areas, or pockets, are configured to provide increased suction in localized regions
Implementation Method 2
the projections function as contact, or wear, surfaces as the cleaners to which the discs are attached move throughout pools
Data Source
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AI summary
Discs having recessed areas, or pockets, in their undersides are detailed. The pockets allow provision of increased suction in localized regions, especially useful when the body of an associated cleaner pivots from side to side. Downwardly-extending wear surfaces may be present as well within the pockets.