Spa Cover Stowage Device with Pneumatic Lever Arms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users with reduced strength and those in challenging environmental conditions face difficulties in removing spa covers due to their weight and design, which can obstruct vision and be susceptible to wind damage.

Innovation Solution

A movement assistance and stowage device featuring a mounting body with an elbow lever arm, control lever arm, and pneumatic cylinder that securely positions the spa cover below the spa opening's upper edge, allowing easy removal and storage while preventing wind-induced movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the spa cover is made heavier with more insulative material, then the insulation performance is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased weight making it difficult for users with reduced strength to remove

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidease of removal

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spa cover is divided into multiple separate portions rather than a single continuous structure. These portions can be independently manipulated and removed, reducing the effort required to move the cover while maintaining insulation performance through the combined coverage of all portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A mechanical assistance device with lever arms and pneumatic cylinders is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the spa cover. This device provides mechanical advantage to reduce the force needed by users to remove and reposition the cover portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the spa cover is positioned vertically above the spa opening for storage, then the cover is easily accessible, but the harmful factors worsen due to wind susceptibility and vision obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidwind damage and vision obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spa cover portions are repositioned from a vertical storage position above the spa opening to a horizontal or angled position adjacent to and below the spa opening. This dimensional change eliminates vision obstruction and reduces wind exposure while maintaining easy accessibility through the adjacent positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The design accepts that the cover needs to be accessible for storage but converts the harmful vertical positioning into a beneficial adjacent-below positioning that eliminates wind damage and vision obstruction while still providing easy access through the mechanical assistance device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If the spa cover is made as a single continuous structure, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the awkwardness of lifting and moving the entire structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidease of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous spa cover structure is segmented into multiple separate portions that can be independently manufactured, handled, and positioned. This segmentation makes the cover easier to move and manipulate while still providing complete coverage when assembled, and the portions can be connected through simple joining mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 users to easily and safely remove and store spa covers, even in adverse conditions, without obstructing vision and minimizing the risk of wind-induced damage.

Implementation Method 1

a pneumatic cylinder which provides mechanical cooperation with the spa cover through the channel bracket and the elbow lever arm and the control lever arm and the mounting body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatics:

Implementation Method 2

an elbow lever arm and a control lever arm which are pivotally carried within the mounting body and which provide mechanical cooperation with the spa cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS12098570B2Movement assistance and stowage device for a spa cover

Publication Date: 2024.09.24 LEISURE CONCEPTS

AI summary

A movement assistance and stowage device for a spa cover that is movable relative to a spa opening from a first position at least partially occluding the spa opening, to a second position removed from the spa opening and stowed adjacent the spa body and, when stowed, the spa cover is not substantially above an upper peripheral edge of the spa body, the movement assistance and stowage device providing a mounting body secured to a side portion of the spa body and carrying a pivoting lever arm and a pivoting control lever arm, and both pivoting arms are connected to, and extend between, the mounting body and a channel bracket on a lateral peripheral edge of the spa cover, and pneumatic cylinders extend between the mounting body and lever arm to provide mechanical advantage and control to movement and stowage of the spa cover.