Pool Water Outlet Venting to Reduce Suction Entrapment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pools with single or dual water outlets pose safety risks due to powerful suction that can draw users' body parts or hair into the outlet, and large spacing between outlets wastes space and reduces production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A water circulation system with an air inlet and outlet assembly that introduces ambient air into the water outlet path when blocked, reducing negative pressure and preventing suction, and an auxiliary suction assembly that communicates only when the filter is disconnected, ensuring continuous fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single water outlet is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the safety risk increases due to powerful suction that can draw users' body parts or hair into the outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The water outlet is divided into multiple outlets (first water outlet and second water outlet) arranged at different positions. When one outlet is blocked, the other can still discharge water, reducing the suction force at the blocked outlet and preventing users' body parts or hair from being drawn in.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If two water outlets are provided to reduce suction force, then the safety risk is reduced, but the available space is wasted due to large spacing requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The two water outlets are arranged at different vertical heights (first water outlet at higher position, second water outlet at lower position) rather than only horizontal spacing. This vertical arrangement reduces the horizontal space requirement while maintaining the safety function of reducing suction force at blocked outlets.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If filters are installed at water outlets to prevent suction, then the safety risk is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is removed from the water outlet structure. Instead, the patent uses multiple water outlets arranged at different positions to achieve the safety function. When one outlet is blocked, the other outlet can still discharge water, reducing suction force without requiring a filter assembly.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple water outlets are spaced far apart, then the safety function is improved, but the production efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal spacing to vertical arrangement of water outlets. The first water outlet is positioned at a higher elevation than the second water outlet, allowing safety functionality with reduced horizontal distance between outlets, thereby improving production efficiency.
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
Reduces the risk of injury by minimizing suction force at the water outlet, maintaining fluid flow, and providing filtering functionality without wasting space.
Implementation Method 1
the suction at the water outlet may draw the user's body or hair against or into the water outlet
Implementation Method 2
The auxiliary suction assembly is in fluid communication with the water outlet assembly when the water outlet assembly is disconnected from a filter
Data Source
AI summary
A water circulation system for a pool comprises a water outlet assembly mounted to an inner wall of a pool, and in communication with an external pump through a water outlet pipe. The system also includes an air inlet assembly mounted to the pool a distance from the water outlet assembly, and an air outlet assembly attached to the water outlet assembly and in communication with the water outlet assembly. An air inlet passage connects the air inlet assembly to the air outlet assembly, so external air can enter the air inlet assembly and enter the water outlet assembly through the air outlet assembly. Air is introduced to the water outlet by the air outlet when the water outlet assembly is blocked, reducing negative pressure at the water outlet and reducing risk that a portion of a user's body is drawn against or into the water outlet.