Swimming Pool Cover Profile with Selective Light Transmittance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rollable swimming pool cover profiles with opaque top walls and grooves prevent algae growth but result in an unattractive striped pattern due to visible black and transparent wall combinations, and condensation droplets are noticeable, affecting aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
Profiles with internal hollow channels and top walls that selectively transmit infrared light while blocking visible light, ensuring energy absorption for pool heating while minimizing visible light transmission to hide algae and condensation, featuring specific light transmittance ratios and plastic compositions that absorb or reflect light differently across spectra.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the top wall of the profile is made transparent to maximize sunlight transmission for pool heating, then energy absorption is improved, but algae growth in grooves is promoted and condensation droplets become visible
Solution Approach 1:
The profile structure implements different optical properties in different locations: the top wall is transparent to allow sunlight transmission for heating, while the groove area is made opaque to prevent algae growth and hide condensation droplets. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between maximizing energy transmission and preventing harmful effects in specific zones.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the top wall at the groove location is made opaque to prevent algae growth, then algae development is limited, but a striped pattern appears on the swimming pool cover
Solution Approach 1:
The top wall is formulated with a light-reflecting composition that has a specific reflectance spectrum, causing it to reflect sunlight in a way that matches the surrounding transparent wall areas. This color/reflectance matching technique makes the opaque groove area visually blend with the transparent portions, eliminating the striped pattern while maintaining algae prevention functionality.
3Loss of information
If the groove top wall is made opaque to hide contaminants, then visibility of leaves and dead insects is reduced, but the homogeneous appearance of the pool cover is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The opaque top wall material is specifically designed with optical properties that match the surrounding transparent wall areas. By adjusting the reflectance and color characteristics of the opaque material, it visually blends with the transparent portions, making the groove area indistinguishable from the rest of the profile surface while effectively hiding contaminants within the groove.
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 reduces the visibility of striped patterns and condensation droplets, maintaining efficient energy transfer for pool heating while limiting algae growth and hiding contaminants, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the swimming pool cover.
Implementation Method 1
the first top wall has a first relative light transmittance for infrared light and a second relative light transmittance for visible light, wherein the ratio (one minus the second relative light transmittance)/(one minus the first relative light transmittance) is at least 1.10
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
Profile (1) for manufacturing a slat for a swimming pool cover, wherein the profile (1) is made of plastic, wherein the profile (1) comprises one or more internal channels (8), wherein the profile (1) comprises a first top wall (5) located above the one or more channels (8), wherein the first top wall (5) has a first relative light transmittance for infrared light and a second relative light transmittance for visible light, wherein the ratio (1 - the second relative light transmittance)/(1 - the first relative light transmittance) is at least 1.10. The invention further concerns the use of a plastic composition in a swimming pool cover, said plastic composition being adapted to transmit infrared light better than visible light.