Self-Cleaning Overflow Collection System for Swimming Pools

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surge water/overflow water collection systems for swimming pools require frequent and labor-intensive cleaning, leading to high maintenance efforts and costs, with deposits forming on the collection tank walls and bottom that need separate removal.

Innovation Solution

A self-cleaning surge water/overflow water collection system with an injection pipeline encircling the container edge, continuously flushing the inner surface with clean water from the water treatment system, and a variable spray head device for thorough cleaning, reducing deposits and maintenance needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional overflow collection system is used, then water overflow and surface washing functions are provided, but deposits form on the collection tank walls and bottom requiring frequent manual cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effortVSAvoiddeposits on tank walls
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-cleaning by using the overflow water flow itself to flush the collection tank walls and bottom. The injection pipeline introduces clean water at strategic points to create flushing action that continuously removes deposits without requiring manual intervention, making the system clean itself during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful deposits are extracted from the collection tank by introducing clean water through the injection pipeline that flows along the walls and bottom, carrying away accumulated dirt and preventing deposit formation. This separates the cleaning function from manual operation and integrates it into the water circulation system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If manual cleaning of the collection tank is performed frequently, then deposits are removed, but maintenance time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposits removalVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning action is made continuous rather than periodic. The injection pipeline operates continuously during system operation, constantly flushing the tank walls and bottom to prevent deposit accumulation. This transforms cleaning from a discrete manual task into a continuous automated process that occurs during normal system operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs its own cleaning function without external intervention. The water circulation system doubles as a cleaning system, using the same water flow to both operate the pool facility and maintain the collection tank, eliminating the need for separate manual cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the collection tank is emptied and disinfected regularly, then hygiene is maintained, but water loss and energy costs for heating increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehygiene maintenanceVSAvoidwater loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Hygiene maintenance is achieved through continuous flushing rather than periodic emptying. The injection pipeline continuously introduces clean water to prevent deposit formation and maintain hygiene, eliminating the need to empty and refill the tank regularly. This maintains water quality through continuous circulation and flushing while preserving the water already in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding water through frequent emptying and refilling, the system recovers and reuses the water continuously. The injection pipeline introduces relatively small amounts of clean water to maintain hygiene, while the bulk of the water in the collection tank is preserved and continuously circulated, significantly reducing water loss compared to periodic emptying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

Significantly reduces maintenance and energy costs, eliminates deposits on the tank walls and bottom, and conserves rinsing water by maintaining a clean and efficient collection process.

Implementation Method 1

an injection pipeline (8) which completely or partially encircles the container edge (6) and is provided with openings or nozzles (10) through which the inner wall surface (12) of the collection container (2) is continuously flushed with clean water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

The collecting container 2 preferably has a connection 1 provided for the drain pipe 3 with a pre-filter 5 and a dirt trap 5', cf. figure 5

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP2226450B1Swell overflow collection system for swimming pools, whirlpools, water aerobics pools, therapy pools and similar
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 KUHLING & HAUERS SCHWIMMBADTECHN
  • EP2226450B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2226450B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The container (1) has an injection pipe (8) circulating partially or completely around an inner side of a container edge (6). The injection pipe is provided with openings or nozzles (10) for flushing of an inner wall surface of the container with pure water. The injection pipe is connected to a pure water circuit over a bypass pipeline, and a base (14) of the container is provided with a gap (18) that is guided to a suction groove (16) for collecting dirt particles. The suction groove has a suction support (20), and a suction pipeline is connected to the suction support.