Adjustable Pool Floor Mechanism with Stopping Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Swimming pools pose a safety risk for non-swimmers and young children due to varying depths, necessitating a mechanism to adjust the pool floor depth safely and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical system for adjusting the surface level, comprising a moveable surface, a mechanism between the moveable and fixed surfaces, a force transfer mechanism, and stopping rods that allow axial and radial displacement to restrict movement, enabling safe and adjustable pool depth settings without the need for electric or mechanical control mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical system with stopping rods is used to adjust pool floor depth, then safety and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stopping rods are designed to automatically engage with the fixed surface at predetermined positions, enabling the moveable surface to self-regulate its depth without requiring external control mechanisms. The system uses the inherent mechanical interaction between the stopping rods and fixed surface to limit axial movement, providing safety through automatic depth restriction rather than active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth adjustment mechanism is divided into discrete axial positions defined by multiple stopping rods at different locations. Each stopping rod represents a segmented depth level, allowing the pool floor to be adjusted to specific predetermined depths. This segmentation provides controlled safety levels while maintaining relatively simple mechanical structures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stopping rods are used to restrict radial movement, then stability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stopping rods are positioned in advance at predetermined radial locations to prevent excessive radial displacement of the moveable surface. By pre-positioning these mechanical stops, the system ensures stability without requiring high-precision active control mechanisms. The stopping rods act as passive mechanical limits that accommodate manufacturing tolerances while maintaining operational stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple mechanical system is used instead of electric control mechanisms, then ease of manufacture and reliability are improved, but adjustability precision may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic depth adjustment capability through the force transfer mechanism that can move the moveable surface axially between different stopping rod positions. While the stopping rods define discrete positions, the mechanical system allows smooth transitions between these positions, providing practical adjustability without requiring complex electric control systems. The scissor mechanism enables continuous motion control while maintaining simple mechanical construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for adjusting surface level, comprising a moveable surface; a mechanism adapted to be disposed between and coupled to the moveable surface and a fixed surface; a force transfer mechanism configured to be coupled to the mechanism for displacement of the moveable surface relative to the fixed surface; and a plurality of stopping rods, disposed between the moveable surface and the fixed surface, which are operative for restricting an axial movement of the moveable surface relative to the fixed surface in a first mode of operation and for restricting a radial movement of the moveable surface relative to the fixed surface in a second mode of operation.