Tamper-Resistant Water Distribution Tower for Inflatable Waterpark Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inflatable structures in waterparks become hot and dry under intense sunlight, leading to uncomfortable surfaces for patrons and increased wear and tear, while conventional sprinkler systems are challenging to maintain due to user tampering and neglect.

Innovation Solution

A tamper-resistant water distribution system featuring a water distribution tower with a rotatable sprinkler head and hose system, where the tower is designed to be inaccessible to patrons, and a retaining device prevents unauthorized removal of the hose, ensuring consistent wetting and cooling of surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a conventional sprinkler system is installed for wetting and cooling surfaces, then the cooling effect is achieved, but the system becomes vulnerable to user tampering and neglect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface temperatureVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sprinkler head is nested within the tower structure, specifically positioned within an internal aperture that is inaccessible to users. The hose passes through the tower section and is retained by a retaining device, creating a nested configuration where critical components are protected inside the tower. This nesting approach allows the cooling function to be maintained while preventing user tampering with the sprinkler system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the tower is made accessible to patrons for hose removal, then ease of operation improves, but tampering and unauthorized removal increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehose accessibilityVSAvoiduser tampering
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A retaining device acts as an intermediary between the hose and the tower aperture. This retaining device includes a retaining plate with a central aperture that allows the hose to pass through while preventing complete removal. The collar on the hose fits through the central aperture but is retained by the retaining plate, creating a controlled interface that permits necessary operation while preventing tampering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of repair

If the hose is made easily removable for maintenance, then ease of repair improves, but unauthorized removal by users increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehose removalVSAvoidunauthorized removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining device can be removed from the tower structure, extracting the constraint mechanism temporarily. This allows authorized maintenance personnel to easily remove the hose for repair by simply taking out the retaining device. After maintenance, the retaining device is reinstalled to prevent unauthorized removal. This approach separates the maintenance function from the tamper-prevention function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 system effectively maintains surfaces at lower temperatures through wetting and cooling, reducing friction and wear, while preventing user tampering and ensuring the longevity of the inflatable structures.

Implementation Method 1

The water emitter is elevated out of reach... effectively maintains surfaces at lower temperatures through wetting and cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporative cooling: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

effectively maintains surfaces at lower temperatures through wetting and cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConductive cooling: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3634595B1Tamper-resistant water distribution system and devices for waterpark
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 CONNELLY SKIS LLC
  • EP3634595B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3634595B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3634595B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for waterparks or other uses wherein the system combines an electric pump system that can draw water from a lake, a pool or the sea, and pump it through a hose system and sprinklers that can wet objects on or in the water such as a waterpark. It can be connected to floating platforms or other structures that can elevate the sprinklers off the water. The system features an inflatable platform that has an inflatable tower that allows a hose to extend from underwater, through the center of the tower, to a spray nozzle atop the tower that sprays water in any direction. The system can also be attached to any other waterpark structure with various fittings. This will allow a slow drip of water on some items so as to keep them slippery and wet.