Sliding Pump Support Structure for Tight-Space Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support structures for whirlpool tubs and pools require significant space and effort for assembly and disassembly, and often necessitate draining the water to access and maintain the motor or pump, leading to increased downtime and costs.
Innovation Solution
A support structure comprising a first and second support member portion with a sliding mechanism, allowing easy assembly and disassembly in confined spaces, capable of retaining components up to 20 kg in a stable manner, and featuring vibration-damping materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump is fixed to the base plate using rubber brackets with cut-outs in the insulation layer, then the pump can be securely retained, but the insulation blocks the view of ribs or recesses on the base plate, making it difficult to determine proper placement without relocating the pump
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing predefined attachment locations on the base plate with visible ribs or recesses that indicate where the pump should be positioned. The insulation layer includes cut-outs at these predefined locations, allowing the pump to be correctly positioned without needing to see the base plate features, thus resolving the contradiction between secure retention and placement accuracy.
2Reliability
If the pump is secured to the base plate from the bottom using nuts, then the pump can be firmly fixed, but the nuts can only be accessed after draining the water from the pool, increasing downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the fixation mechanism into two independent parts: the pump can be attached to the base plate from the top using brackets that engage with predefined locations, while the nuts for securing from the bottom remain as an optional secondary fixation method. This allows the pump to be installed or maintained by accessing only the top side, eliminating the need to drain the pool for routine maintenance while maintaining firm fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the rubber brackets - that mediate between the pump and the base plate. These brackets can be attached from the top side of the base plate, providing sufficient fixation for maintenance purposes without requiring access to the bottom side where nuts would be located, thus reducing maintenance downtime while maintaining fixation strength.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional fixed support structure is used for the pump, then the pump is stable, but the support structure occupies valuable space and requires significant effort for assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the support structure movable rather than fixed. The base plate can be detached from the structural components of the tub or pool, allowing the pump to be easily removed and repositioned. This dynamic design maintains stability during operation while enabling simple assembly and disassembly without requiring significant effort or occupying excessive space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the support structure into separate modular components: the base plate, the pump mounting structure, and the structural attachments. These segmented parts can be easily assembled and disassembled independently, reducing the complexity of the overall assembly process while maintaining stability when connected. The modular design also reduces the space required for assembly operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a support structure comprisinga first support member portion (10), anda second support member portion (20) adapted to be fixed to the first support member portion (10) in various relative positions with respect to the first support member portion (10) along a slide direction.The support structure is characterised in thatthe first support member portion (10) comprisesa base plate (15),a sliding edge (17) protruding from the base plate (15) and defining a slide surface, anda tab (11) arranged spaced apart from the slide surface of the sliding edge (17), said tab (11) defining a groove (35) adapted for receiving an edge (34) of the second support member portion (20) extending along the slide direction, andthe second support member portion (20) comprises a cut-out (23) on the edge (34) of the second support member portion (20) extending along the slide direction adapted to enable the second support member portion (20) to be placed on the slide surface of the first support member portion (10).