Ceiling-Mounted Pool Edge Marking Plates for Backstroke Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Backstroke swimmers in indoor swimming pools face challenges with orientation due to limited visibility of pool edges, leading to potential collisions and reduced physiological benefits from tension and posture improvements.
Innovation Solution
A thin plate with distinct markings on its front and back sides is mounted perpendicular to the water surface and parallel to the pool boundary, allowing swimmers to perceive a color change from green to red as they approach the edge, providing a reliable orientation aid without needing to turn their head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If backstroke swimmers swim with body extended on back, then physiological benefits (spine relief, posture improvement) are maximized, but orientation capability deteriorates making it difficult to judge pool length and detect edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary orientation aid system consisting of ceiling-mounted plates with color-coded markings that serve as a mediator between the swimmer's limited orientation capability and the pool edge detection requirement. These plates provide visual reference points that help swimmers maintain proper backstroke form while still being able to orient themselves and detect pool boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/oral orientation method (turning head, hyperextension) with an optical system (ceiling-mounted visual markers). Instead of requiring physical head movements that disrupt swim form, the system uses visually detectable markers on the ceiling that swimmers can perceive while maintaining proper body position and stroke mechanics.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If swimmers turn head or hyperextend for better orientation, then orientation capability improves, but muscle tension increases and physiological benefits are diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling-mounted plates serve as an intermediary orientation reference that eliminates the need for disruptive head turning or hyperextension. Swimmers can maintain neutral head position and proper backstroke mechanics while using the visual markers on the ceiling to detect pool edges and maintain orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical orientation method (head turning, body hyperextension) with an optical detection system (visual markers on ceiling). This allows swimmers to obtain orientation information without engaging in mechanical actions that create muscle tension and reduce the physiological benefits of backstroke.
3Ease of operation
If ceiling mounting is used for orientation aid, then ease of operation improves (no head turning needed), but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The orientation aid system is segmented into multiple independent ceiling-mounted plates distributed throughout the pool. Each plate is a simple, self-contained unit with color-coded markings, allowing the system to provide comprehensive orientation coverage without requiring complex integrated mechanisms. This modular approach simplifies both installation and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple replicated plates with standardized color-coded markings mounted on the ceiling. Instead of complex electronic or mechanical systems, identical copies of the orientation plate are distributed throughout the pool, providing consistent visual references. This copying approach reduces device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the use of a thin plate (20) for marking the boundary of a swimming pool, wherein the thin plate (20) has a flat front surface (22) and a flat back surface (23) bounded by a narrow circumferential rim (21), wherein the front surface (22) is provided with a first marking and the back surface (23) is provided with a second marking different from the first marking, and wherein the thin plate (20) also has fastening means (24) for mounting the plate (20) in the edge region of a swimming pool, for example on a ceiling structure (18), wherein the fastening means are designed such that the plate (20) can be oriented perpendicular to the water surface (12) and parallel to a boundary (15) of the swimming pool. The invention also relates to a correspondingly equipped indoor swimming pool.