Spa Manifold Suction Bulkhead Safety Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current suction bulkheads in spas are often located at the base, creating a dangerous level of suction that can pose a risk to users, particularly increasing the risk of harm or drowning due to their proximity to the main volume of the spa.
Innovation Solution
A suction bulkhead assembly or manifold is positioned behind the JetPak removable seat back and towards the base, providing increased and more efficient suction while maintaining user accessibility and safety by relocating the suction point away from the main spa area, with multiple manifolds allowing for safer and more efficient water circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If suction bulkheads are placed at the base of the spa to maximize water suction, then water circulation efficiency is improved, but the suction force becomes dangerously high posing risk to users
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single suction bulkhead into multiple smaller suction ports distributed across the base of the spa. This segmentation reduces the suction force at each individual port while collectively maintaining effective water circulation. The multiple ports are positioned to draw water from different locations, preventing excessive suction concentration at any single point and thereby reducing danger to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction ports are strategically positioned at specific locations across the spa base rather than concentrated in one area. Each port has localized suction characteristics optimized for its position, creating varying suction zones that collectively achieve efficient circulation without creating dangerously high suction forces at any single location.
2Ease of operation
If suction bulkheads are exposed and accessible within the main body of the spa, then user accessibility is improved, but the risk of harm or drowning increases due to proximity to main volume
Solution Approach 1:
The suction bulkhead components are extracted from the main water volume area and repositioned to the base of the spa. This extraction removes the primary suction hazard from the area where users are most vulnerable, while the base positioning maintains accessibility for maintenance purposes. The suction ports are integrated into the base structure rather than being exposed in the main bathing area.
Solution Approach 2:
The base of the spa serves as an intermediary structure that houses the suction ports away from the main water volume. This intermediate positioning allows the suction system to function effectively while creating a physical separation between the hazardous suction points and the users in the main spa area, thereby reducing drowning risk.
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
The solution enhances safety and efficiency by reducing the suction force from any single manifold, preventing excessive suction while maintaining effective water circulation and filtration, thus minimizing the risk of harm to users.
Implementation Method 1
The pump is pulling water from within the spa through the suction bulkhead and pushing that same water back into the spa
Data Source
AI summary
A spa suction bulkhead or manifold is described. The manifold may be placed behind a removable seat back of the spa or other removable structure. The manifold may have a top portion connected to a main suction line and a main pump line. The top portion may have a cylindrical wall in the center, such that the top portion is divided into a central opening (in fluid communication with the main pump line) and an outer ring portion (in fluid communication with the main suction line). The manifold may also have a cover with a central opening and a plurality of holes formed therein. A spa removable seat back containing jets may fit at its base into the central opening of the cover in fluid connection with the main pump line and allowing the outer ring portion and cover to be exposed for water intake.