Swimming Pool Skimmer with Adjustable Swivels and Winged Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional skimmers for swimming pools and spas face challenges in maintaining optimal positioning due to fluctuations in the waterline and misalignment of return lines, leading to inefficient debris removal.
Innovation Solution
The skimming device features multiple swivels for vertical adjustment and leveling, a buoyant head with a wing-like leading edge to create a 'blade' of water for smooth debris entry, and a ball joint for accommodating misalignments, along with a by-pass valve for pressure relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional skimmers are installed at the normal waterline, then they can filter debris from the pool surface, but they fail to maintain optimal positioning when waterline fluctuations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The skimmer head is made dynamically adjustable through multiple swivels that allow vertical positioning changes and leveling adjustments. This enables the device to adapt to fluctuating waterlines while maintaining optimal debris collection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows changing of positional parameters (vertical height and angular orientation) through the multiple swivels mechanism, enabling adaptation to different waterline conditions while maintaining effective skimming operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If return lines are fixed in position, then they provide stable water flow, but they cause misalignment with the skimmer inlet leading to inefficient debris removal
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the return line and skimmer head incorporates multiple swivels that provide dynamic alignment capability. This allows the skimmer head to be oriented correctly relative to the fixed return line while maintaining stable water flow from the return line.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple swivels introduce angular adjustment dimensions to the system, allowing alignment in multiple rotational directions. This resolves the misalignment issue between fixed return lines and skimmer inlet by adding orientational degrees of freedom.
3Device complexity
If water flow enters the filter directly without a blade structure, then the system is simpler, but debris entry is turbulent and collection efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A blade structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the water flow source and the filter. This blade creates a controlled water blade that guides debris smoothly into the filter, reducing turbulence and improving collection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade structure changes the flow parameters by creating a thin, controlled water blade with reduced turbulence. This transformation of flow characteristics improves debris entry into the filter while the adjustable blade position allows optimization of flow conditions.
4Device complexity
If the skimmer head is fixed in position, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot accommodate misalignments with return lines
Solution Approach 1:
The skimmer head assembly incorporates multiple swivels that provide dynamic adjustment capability for both vertical positioning and angular orientation. This enables the head to accommodate misalignments with return lines while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into multiple adjustable joints (swivels) rather than a single fixed connection. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of vertical and angular parameters, enabling accommodation of various misalignments.
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
Enhances debris collection efficiency by ensuring consistent positioning and uniform water flow into the filter, effectively trapping debris while minimizing backflow and accommodating waterline fluctuations and misalignments.
Implementation Method 1
These devices utilize the Venturi principle, employing the pressurized water output by the pump to create a local low-pressure region. This local region evacuates nearby surface water from the pool together with entrained debris.
Implementation Method 2
a buoyant head with a wing-like leading edge to create a 'blade' of water for smooth debris entry
Data Source
AI summary
Skimming devices may use pressurized water from, for example, a return line of a swimming pool or spa. The devices may be adjustable vertically and levelled relative to an upper water surface (waterline) of a pool. They additionally may create “blades” of debris-laden pool water entering their floating heads so as to move debris smoothly and efficiently over wings or foils into associated filters.