Spa Shell Component Sealing via Retaining Member Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for sealing components in spa shells, such as using gaskets or silicone, often result in leaks due to inconsistent application and require manual cleaning or removal of excess sealant.

Innovation Solution

A system for sealing through-components in spa shells, which includes a through-component body with a flange, a gasket, a spacer, and a nut with injection ports for applying a sealant and venting air, ensuring a secure and leak-proof seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If silicone is applied to seal gaps around through-components, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but application consistency deteriorates leading to excess or missing sealant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidapplication consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-positions the sealant within the retaining member before the sealing operation. The sealant is loaded into the retaining member's sealant reservoir and positioned to be dispensed through the dispensing aperture, ensuring consistent application without manual intervention during the sealing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining member acts as an intermediary device between the sealant and the gap to be sealed. It controls the sealant delivery through its dispensing aperture and guides the sealant into the gap around the through-component, ensuring precise and consistent application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual cleaning is performed to remove excess silicone, then sealing quality is improved, but manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to self-regulate sealant application through the controlled dispensing aperture and venting mechanism. The sealant is dispensed in controlled amounts and the venting aperture allows air escape to prevent over-pressurization, eliminating the need for manual cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If through-components are installed in spa shell, then functional requirements are met, but water leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent installationVSAvoidleak prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining member serves as an intermediary sealing device between the through-component and the spa shell. It includes a dispensing aperture that seals around the through-component and a venting aperture that manages pressure during sealing, preventing water leakage while maintaining component functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12233021B2System and method for sealing components in a spa shell

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 BULLFROG INT L C

AI summary

Disclosed are systems and methods for sealing components in a spa shell. A through-component body, such as a spa jet, extends from the inner side of the spa shell to an outer side of the spa shell. A retaining member includes at least one injection port, and retains the through-component body in place on the outer side of the spa shell. A sealant is injected into the at least one injection port to seal a space between the outer side of the spa shell and the through-component body.