System for adapting foot spas for use with disposable pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foot spa pumps designed for disposable use are not compatible with prior art pedicure stations that have drive hubs and cover plates different from those in U.S. Ser. No. 17/021,004.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an adapter and a disposable pump, where the adapter includes a housing with a rotor and a recess, and the disposable pump has a housing and impeller with ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic portions, allowing engagement with the basin and rotation to draw and eject water through ports, utilizing magnetic forces for alignment and rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a disposable pump is designed for simplicity and low cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but compatibility with different drive hubs is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the disposable pump and the drive hub. It includes a drive hub interface that couples to different drive hubs and transmits rotational force to the impeller, enabling compatibility without modifying the disposable pump design. This mediator allows the simple disposable pump to work with various drive hub configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed with universal compatibility features, including a standardized interface that can couple to different drive hub types and configurations. This multi-functional adapter serves multiple purposes: mechanical coupling, rotational force transmission, and compatibility adaptation, allowing a single disposable pump design to work across different spa systems.
2Reliability
If mechanical connections are used between pump and drive hub, then rotational force transmission is reliable, but complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical connections with magnetic coupling. The drive hub uses magnetic fields to transmit rotational force to the impeller through the adapter, eliminating the need for direct mechanical shafts, bearings, and seals. This substitution maintains reliable force transmission while reducing mechanical complexity and eliminating leakage paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission parameter from mechanical contact to magnetic field interaction. By using magnetic coupling, the rotational force is transmitted through magnetic attraction and repulsion forces between the drive hub and impeller, changing the fundamental parameter of force transmission from mechanical to electromagnetic, thereby reducing complexity.
3Force
If the pump housing is made entirely ferromagnetic, then magnetic coupling is strong, but water circulation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing is designed with non-uniform magnetic properties: the portion interacting with the drive hub is ferromagnetic to provide strong magnetic coupling, while the portion containing the impeller and water circulation path is non-ferromagnetic to minimize magnetic resistance. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both magnetic coupling strength and water circulation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump housing uses composite construction with different material properties in different regions. The ferromagnetic portion (such as a steel stamping) provides magnetic coupling, while the non-ferromagnetic portion (such as aluminum) provides water circulation efficiency. This composite approach combines the advantages of both material types in a single housing structure.
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 the use of disposable pumps with prior art spas that have different drive hubs and cover plates, ensuring efficient water circulation without mechanical connections, thus expanding compatibility and usability.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing magnetic forces for alignment and rotation
Implementation Method 2
the impeller can include a portion that is ferromagnetic and a portion that is not ferromagnetic
Data Source
AI summary
A system for use with a spa adapted for use with a pump having a drive hub. The system comprises an adapter and a disposable pump. The adapter: has a housing defining a recess, a rotor in the recess and an operative position; and is adapted, when operatively positioned: for rotation of the rotor upon rotation of the drive hub. The disposable pump has: a housing having a pair of sides and a void, one of the sides defining an intake and a port, the intake communicating with a center of the void and the port communicating with a void periphery; an impeller in the void; and an operative position adjacent the adapter. The disposable pump is adapted, when operatively positioned, for rotation upon rotation of the drive hub and consequent rotation of the rotor, to draw water through the intake and eject water through the one or more ports.