Swimming Pool Roller Slat with Pivoting Profile Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller shutters for swimming pools face issues with foam strip insertion complexity and expense, as well as temperature gradient-induced stress in slat profiles, particularly when not rolled correctly or when in contact with water.
Innovation Solution
The roller shutter design features a profile wall that can be opened and closed relative to an associated wall, with detachable fasteners allowing for foam strip insertion and mitigating stress through snap connections, which also serve as hinges, and includes a housing with lugs for reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a laterally closed profile forming at least one chamber is used for foam strip insertion, then insulation is improved, but the insert process becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The profile wall is designed to be dynamically openable and closable relative to the associated wall, transforming a static closed structure into a dynamic one that can open for foam strip insertion and then close for insulation. This resolves the contradiction by allowing easy insertion while maintaining insulation when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile is segmented into two separate walls that can move relative to each other, with the first wall being openable and closable. This segmentation allows the insertion process to be simplified while maintaining the insulating chamber structure when closed.
2Ease of manufacture
If detachable fasteners are used to allow foam strip insertion, then ease of manufacture is improved, but structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fasteners are designed as detachable elements that allow the profile wall to be opened and closed dynamically. This enables easy foam strip insertion during manufacturing while maintaining sufficient structural strength when closed for normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable fasteners are pre-configured to allow easy insertion of foam strips during manufacturing before the profile is deployed. This preliminary action capability is built into the design without compromising the overall structural integrity.
3Stress or pressure
If snap connections are used as hinges between walls, then stress from temperature gradients is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The snap connections function as hinges that allow the profile walls to move dynamically in response to temperature gradient stresses. This dynamic capability enables the structure to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, reducing stress accumulation while using a relatively simple snap connection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap connection hinge allows changes in the relative position and angle of the profile walls in response to temperature changes. This parameter change capability enables the structure to adapt to thermal conditions, reducing stress while maintaining a simple connection design.
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 simplifies foam strip insertion, enhances insulation, and reduces stress from temperature gradients by allowing for multiple chambers and snap connections that act as hinges, improving the overall performance and durability of the roller shutter.
Implementation Method 1
the foam of the profile lifts off the profile if it is not rolled up correctly and if the foam comes into direct contact with the water in the pool
Implementation Method 2
discharging the stresses of the material due to expansions due to a temperature gradient
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A roller shutter for covering swimming pools is described, consisting of a plurality of floating slats whose longitudinal sides are hinged to one another, each slat (1) comprising a wall (2) and a wall (3). According to the invention, one of the walls (3) of the slat (1) has a hinge (10) around which the wall (3) can be pivoted towards or away from the wall (2) in order to open and close the slat (1) in a snap-like manner.