Pool Vacuum Floatation Accessory for Surface Skimming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual removal of floating debris from pool surfaces is tedious and costly, requiring frequent chemical application and cleaning tools, and existing pool vacuum systems are not designed for efficient surface skimming.

Innovation Solution

A universal floatation accessory for motorized pool vacuums that inverts the vacuum to skim debris from the pool surface, featuring a support platform, floats, a handle, an elongated guard, and a suspension system to stabilize and orient the vacuum for effective surface skimming while preventing suction against the pool walls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a pool vacuum is used for traditional bottom cleaning, then it effectively removes debris from the pool floor, but it cannot efficiently remove floating debris from the pool surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris removal efficiencyVSAvoidsurface skimming capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the pool vacuum by 180 degrees using an inversion accessory that includes a support platform, floats, and orientation mechanisms. This allows the vacuum inlet to face upward toward the pool surface instead of downward toward the bottom, enabling the same vacuum device to efficiently skim floating debris from the surface while maintaining its ability to clean the bottom when inverted back to traditional orientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If the pool vacuum is inverted to skim the surface, then it can remove floating debris, but it may get stuck on the pool walls due to suction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface skimming capabilityVSAvoidstability during operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs buoyant floats attached to the inverted vacuum assembly that provide upward buoyant force to counterbalance the downward suction force exerted by the vacuum on the pool walls. This prevents the vacuum from getting stuck or adhering to the walls while maintaining stable operation during surface skimming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary support system consisting of floats, support platforms, and positioning mechanisms that mediate between the vacuum suction force and the pool wall surface. This intermediary structure allows the vacuum to maintain proper orientation and distance from the walls, enabling effective surface skimming without wall adhesion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If manual methods are used to remove floating debris, then the process is simple with no additional equipment, but it is tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of methodVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the pool vacuum system to perform surface skimming autonomously without requiring manual intervention. The inverted vacuum with its floats and support structures self-regulates its position and operation at the pool surface, continuously removing floating debris automatically while the pool circulation system operates, thereby eliminating tedious manual labor and reducing maintenance time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables efficient and automated debris removal from pool surfaces, reducing manual effort and chemical usage by allowing the pool vacuum to skim debris effectively across the surface without getting stuck on the walls, thus improving pool maintenance efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a first float (6) and a second float (7) mounted against the support ridge (13) and the support platform (1)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

the mouth of a pool vacuum may suction debris from the surface of a pool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS11326362B2Floatation accessory for a pool vacuum

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 WRIGHT JUSTIN PAUL

AI summary

A floatation accessory for a pool vacuum is an apparatus that maintains an inverted position for a pool vacuum such that the mouth of the pool vacuum suctions debris along the surface of a pool. The apparatus includes a support platform, a first float, a second float, a support ridge, a handle, an elongated guard, and a suspension system. The support platform upholds the first float and the second float. The first float and the second float are used to float a pool vacuum that is engaged with the apparatus. The support ridge connects the first float and the second float and offsets the elongated guard from the mouth of a pool vacuum. The elongated guard offsets the mouth of a pool vacuum from the side walls of a pool. The suspension system loops a pool vacuum with the support platform, and consequently the first float and the second float.