Above-Ground Pool Drainage Valve Structure to Prevent Inlet Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainage devices for above-ground pools face issues such as deformation due to direct contact with the ground or pool bottom, leading to reduced lifespan and increased shipping costs due to inflexibility, and water leakage from deformed drainage inlets.
Innovation Solution
A drainage device with a flexible drainage pipe, a drainage pipe holder made of a harder material, and a drainage valve design that includes a connecting member spaced apart from the water inlet periphery to prevent deformation, along with reinforcing members and a drainage pipe connector to ensure bendability and secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If an inflexible drainage pipe made of hard material is used, then the drainage pipe can maintain its shape and provide structural stability, but it causes damage to the drainage pipe and pool bottom due to direct contact, shortening the effective life
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage pipe is made from a flexible material that can bend and conform to the pool bottom surface, eliminating direct contact damage between the rigid pipe and the pool bottom or ground, thereby extending the effective life of the drainage device while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the drainage pipe are changed from hard and inflexible to flexible, allowing the pipe to adapt to surface irregularities and prevent damage through deformation rather than rigid contact
2Stability of the object's composition
If an inflexible drainage pipe is used, then the drainage pipe can maintain its shape, but it cannot be bent and is inconvenient to pack and ship, resulting in increased cost
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible material allows the drainage pipe to be bent and compacted for efficient packaging and shipping, reducing package size and transportation costs, while the material's inherent flexibility enables easy installation and configuration during deployment
3Strength
If high-frequency welding is used to fix the overmolded part, then the drainage valve can be securely attached to the pool bottom, but the overmolded part near the drainage inlet causes deformation of the drainage inlet, resulting in water leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member is separated from the drainage inlet periphery, creating a distinct zone that prevents heat and deformation from the welding process from affecting the drainage inlet, thereby maintaining sealing precision while still achieving secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting member acts as an intermediary element between the drainage valve and the pool bottom, providing a dedicated attachment zone that isolates the drainage inlet from the welding process and prevents deformation
4Device complexity
If the connecting member is formed close to the water inlet periphery, then the drainage valve can be compactly designed, but the drainage inlet deforms during welding, causing water leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member is extracted or spaced apart from the water inlet periphery, creating a protective zone that prevents welding-induced deformation from reaching the drainage inlet, thereby maintaining both compact design and sealing reliability
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
Prevents deformation of the drainage inlet, reduces package size and cost, and ensures effective sealing to prevent water leakage, while maintaining flexibility for easy installation and use.
Implementation Method 1
a drainage pipe holder connected to the inlet end of the drainage pipe, the drainage pipe holder formed of a material having a hardness greater than a hardness of the drainage pipe
Implementation Method 2
a connecting member disposed circumferentially around the water inlet periphery, such that the connecting member is radially spaced apart from the water inlet periphery
Implementation Method 3
a drainage device having a certain bendability, thereby reducing a package size and the cost
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 2d~3b
AI summary
A drainage device (20) for an above-ground pool (10), and an above-ground pool (10) including the drainage device are provided. The drainage device includes a drainage pipe (22), with inlet (222) and outlet ends (223), and a drainage valve connected to the inlet end of the drainage pipe. The drainage valve includes a water inlet periphery (222b), defining a water inlet in fluid communication with the inlet end of the drainage pipe, and a connecting member (224) disposed circumferentially around the water inlet periphery. The connecting member is radially spaced apart from the water inlet periphery. The connecting member may be formed by injection molding around the water inlet periphery.