Rollable Pool Cover Profile with Opaque Groove Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rollable swimming pool cover profiles with opaque grooves to prevent algae growth result in an unattractive striped pattern and excessive heating, leading to potential warping due to uneven sunlight absorption.
Innovation Solution
A profile with internal hollow channels and multiple layers of different plastic compositions for the top and bottom walls, where the second opaque layer prevents sunlight from entering the groove, reducing algae growth while allowing for independent adjustment of optical properties to minimize the striped pattern and reduce heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the top wall and side wall of the groove are made opaque to prevent algae growth, then algae development is limited, but the swimming pool cover develops an unattractive striped zebra-like pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different parts of the profile: the groove area has opaque walls to block light and prevent algae, while the non-groove areas maintain transparency or different opacity to ensure homogeneous appearance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by making the opaque property specific to where it is needed (groove) rather than universal.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile is segmented into distinct functional zones: groove regions with opaque walls for algae prevention, and non-groove regions with transparent or differently opaque walls for aesthetic appearance. This segmentation allows each zone to fulfill its specific function without compromising the overall appearance of the pool cover.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the top wall of the groove is made opaque to prevent algae growth, then light is blocked from entering the groove, but the profile absorbs excessive sunlight causing warping
Solution Approach 1:
The opaque property is applied locally only to the groove walls where light blocking is needed for algae prevention, rather than making the entire top wall opaque. This localized application allows sunlight to be absorbed in non-groove areas for heating the pool water while preventing algae in the groove, thus avoiding excessive overall heating and warping.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-blocking function is extracted and applied specifically to the groove region only, separating the algae prevention function from the overall heat absorption function. This allows the pool cover to maintain beneficial sunlight absorption for water heating while preventing algae in the specific groove areas where stagnant water exists.
3Temperature
If the groove is made transparent to allow sunlight through, then heating of pool water is maximized, but algae growth occurs in the stagnant water of the groove
Solution Approach 1:
Different optical properties are assigned to different regions: the groove walls are made opaque to block light and prevent algae, while the non-groove areas remain transparent to allow sunlight through for water heating. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying light transmission only where it benefits heating without promoting algae.
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 solution effectively limits algae growth, prevents the striped pattern, and reduces the risk of warping by allowing for controlled sunlight absorption and transmission, maintaining a homogeneous appearance and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the second top wall comprises a first opaque layer of plastic made of a first plastic composition... because this second top wall is opaque, light is prevented from entering the groove such that algae growth in the groove is limited
Implementation Method 2
the bottom wall comprises a second opaque layer of plastic made of a second plastic composition... sunlight is maximally absorbed by the underside of the profiles, whereby this heat can be released again to the swimming pool water to thereby heat up the swimming pool water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Profile (1) for manufacturing a slat for a swimming pool cover, the profile (1) being made of plastic, wherein the profile (1) comprises at least one internal hollow channel (8), wherein the profile (1) has a first top wall (5) above the hollow channel (8), wherein the profile (1) has a bottom wall (4) under the hollow channel (8), wherein the first top wall (5) and the bottom wall (4) are interconnected by connecting walls (7), wherein the profile (1) is provided with a lateral groove (3) having a second top wall (6), for receiving a coupling member (2), wherein the second top wall (6) comprises a first opaque layer (10) of plastic made of a first plastic composition, wherein the bottom wall (4) comprises a second opaque layer (11) of plastic made of a second plastic composition, wherein the first plastic composition is different from the second plastic composition.