Submersible Pool Panel Asymmetry and Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing submersible pool covers face issues such as unbalanced panels due to air supply devices, loss of tightness from end box gluing, requirement for ballast that interferes with cleaning robots, and large deflections leading to potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves flexible pipes and modular elements with alternating long and short sections, two types of boxes for perfect sealing, a control circuit with touch screen programmable controller, and a process for assembling panels into standard lengths to avoid exceptional transport and artisanal assembly challenges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air supply device is positioned at the front extending the panel, then the panel can be covered with a cover, but the panel becomes unbalanced
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply device is extracted from the front extension position and relocated to the rear box position, separating the air supply function from the panel edge structure. This relocation eliminates the balancing issue while maintaining the covering operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel structure uses asymmetric element arrangement with alternating long and short elements, creating an asymmetric weight distribution that compensates for the air supply device position and restores panel balance.
2Ease of manufacture
If end boxes are simply glued to hold hollow elements together, then assembly is simplified, but tightness is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The end boxes are pre-assembled with the hollow elements in a controlled manufacturing environment, allowing for precise fitting and sealing before final installation. This preliminary assembly ensures tightness while maintaining assembly simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing intermediary element is introduced between the end boxes and hollow elements to ensure tightness. This intermediary component maintains the simplicity of the gluing process while preventing water infiltration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If ballast is added to panels, then panels become stable, but passage of cleaning robots is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The panel uses a flexible membrane structure that provides inherent stability without requiring heavy ballast. The flexible nature of the membrane allows cleaning robots to pass underneath without obstruction, eliminating the conflict between stability and robot passage.
4Adaptability or versatility
If covers with moving elements are used, then pool covering is achieved, but large deflections occur under water displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The panel employs dynamic elements that can move and adjust their position in response to water displacement forces. This dynamic capability allows the panel to adapt to changing conditions while minimizing deflections and maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel structure utilizes elements with variable parameters (such as adjustable stiffness or geometry) that can change in response to water forces, allowing the panel to maintain low deflection across different operating conditions while preserving pool covering capability.
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
This design achieves minimal deflections, improved safety, and easier assembly, eliminating the need for expert installation, while maintaining watertightness and preventing accidents by using flexible pipes and modular elements with a control circuit for precise air supply.
Implementation Method 1
the compressed gas distributor means feeds a manifold capable of supplying gas to each of the modular elements
Implementation Method 2
the wall has an indentation in which a seal is housed, thus forming a peripheral tongue which is clipped into the end part of the modular elements enclosing both said modular elements and the seal
Implementation Method 3
flexible pipes passing longitudinally through said boxes
Data Source
Figure 1A~1G
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a submersible flexible panel (1a, 1 b) for a swimming pool, the panel having an upper face and a lower face and comprising hollow profile sections assembled together. The panel includes at one end at least one supply opening for filling with water and, at the other end, at least one water discharge opening connected to a distribution means (P) for distributing compressed gas reaching the profile sections (2a, 2b). The upper face of the panel is capable of forming the cover of the pool in the raised position and the bottom of the pool in the submerged position. The panel comprises the profile sections assembled therebetween with one end assembled with the L-shaped boxes (3b) of the hoses (8) forming a collection means. The profile sections are assembled transversely by, alternatively, a profile section of standard length (2a) and a profile section of reduced length (2b), forming a parquet-style assembly. The manufacturing method includes the following main steps: main step (A) of manufacturing the various components; main step (B) of moving said components; main step (C) of assembly; main step (D) of parquet-style assembly; main step (E) of longitudinal assembly and; main step (F) of assembling boxes; main step (G) of placing a cover so as to obtain a deck and cover assembly having the same length and width as the pool.