Inflatable Pool Side Wall Structural Integrity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable inflatable above-ground pools face challenges in retaining structure under hydrostatic pressure without the need for large and heavy frames, limiting their portability and setup flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a base with a bottom and side portion, featuring an inner and outer wall with inflatable air chambers between them, and air valves for inflation, allowing the pool to be set up in predefined volumes without external frames, providing structural integrity and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a frame or external support structure is used to support the pool and define its volume, then the pool retains its structure under hydrostatic pressure, but the pool becomes less portable and requires more setup space and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external frame structure from the pool system and extracts its support function into an integrated inflatable air chamber system. The air chambers are built into the pool walls themselves, eliminating the need for separate external support structures and enabling portable setup without frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inflatable air chambers filled with gas to provide structural support and maintain the pool's volume. The pneumatic pressure within these chambers counteracts the hydrostatic pressure from water, allowing the pool to retain its structure without external frames while remaining portable.
2Shape
If a frame structure is used to define the pool volume, then the pool maintains its shape and volume, but the setup process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the volume-defining function with the structural walls by integrating inflatable air chambers directly into the pool wall construction. This combination eliminates the need for separate frame assembly and allows the pool to be inflated to its final volume as a single integrated structure, reducing setup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The pool is designed with pre-formed inflatable air chambers that are ready to be inflated to the desired volume. The air valves and inflation system are pre-integrated, allowing the user to simply inflate the pool to the required volume without assembling separate frame components, thus reducing setup time.
3Ease of operation
If the pool is designed without a frame for maximum portability, then setup is easier and faster, but the pool may not retain its structure under water pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible inflatable walls that can be made from lighter materials compared to rigid frames. These flexible walls, when inflated with air, gain sufficient structural strength to withstand water pressure while maintaining portability and ease of setup without heavy frame components.
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 solution enables the pool to maintain structure and be easily set up in various locations, offering improved portability and user convenience by using inflatable air chambers to provide upward force and define the pool's volume, allowing for easy inflation, use, and deflation for storage.
Implementation Method 1
at least one inflatable air chamber defined by a volume between the inner wall and the outer wall
Implementation Method 2
at least one inflatable air chamber defined by a volume between the inner wall and the outer wall
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a fluid container comprising: a base having a bottom portion and a side portion the bottom portion and the side portion being one unitary sheet; and a side wall joined to the base at the side portion and defining an interior volume of the fluid container the side wall comprising: a first plastic material, an inner wall an outer wall at least one inflatable air chamber defined by a volume between the inner wall and the outer wall and substantially continuous throughout the side wall, and at least one air valve disposed on the outer wall and in fluid communication with the at least one inflatable air chamber. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using the same.