Transparent Swimming Pool Cover Profiles with Opaque Groove Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transparent swimming pool cover profiles lose their attractive appearance over time due to dirt accumulation and algae growth, making maintenance and cleaning complex, especially in the longitudinal fastening grooves where visibility is compromised.

Innovation Solution

Designing the lower side of the longitudinal channel and the upper wall of the longitudinal fastening groove to be at least partially opaque, with the opaque areas covering the longitudinal fastening groove, ensuring good thermal insulation and minimizing algae growth, while maintaining a transparent appearance by limiting opaque portions to less than 40% when viewed from above or below.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the longitudinal channel is made transparent to maintain aesthetic appearance, then light can pass through to heat the water, but dirt and algae accumulation becomes visible and compromises appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmissionVSAvoiddirt and algae visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making specific portions of the longitudinal channel opaque (the lower side facing the fastening groove and the upper wall of the groove) while keeping other portions transparent. This allows light transmission for heating where needed while creating opaque zones that hide dirt and algae accumulation in areas where visibility would compromise aesthetics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If opaque areas are added to hide dirt and algae, then appearance is maintained, but thermal insulation and light transmission are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt and algae visibilityVSAvoidlight transmission for heating
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent strategically places opaque portions only in specific locations (lower side of the longitudinal channel facing the fastening groove and the upper wall of the groove) rather than making the entire channel opaque. This minimizes the impact on light transmission and thermal heating while effectively hiding dirt and algae in the areas where they would be most visible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the longitudinal fastening groove is made visible to allow cleaning access, then maintenance is easier, but appearance is compromised due to dirt accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning accessVSAvoiddirt accumulation visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the upper wall of the longitudinal fastening groove opaque to hide dirt accumulation and create a privacy screen, while maintaining access to the groove for cleaning purposes. The opaque portion is strategically located to conceal the groove from view while still allowing maintenance personnel to access and clean it when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The opaque upper wall of the longitudinal fastening groove acts as an intermediary element that serves dual purposes: it conceals the groove and its contents from view to maintain appearance, while still allowing access to the groove for cleaning operations. This intermediary structure resolves the conflict between aesthetics and maintenance access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 opaque design effectively hides dirt and algae, maintaining the pool cover's attractive appearance and reducing algae growth, while ensuring sufficient transparency and privacy protection, with the opaque areas acting as a privacy screen and light cover, thus enhancing the pool cover's appearance and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

at least one lower side of the longitudinal channel, facing the longitudinal fastening groove, is at least partially opaque

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the air-filled longitudinal channels of the profiles insulate the water surface from the surrounding environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

These swimming pool cover profiles have a transparent top surface and an opaque underside, preferably as transparent green, transparent blue, transparent yellow, or transparent pink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3418474B1Transparent swimming pool cover profile
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 DURECHAIN SPRL
  • EP3418474B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3418474B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

In the case of a transparent swimming pool cover profile with at least one longitudinal channel and with at least one longitudinal fastening groove on one longitudinal side, with the longitudinal channel being arranged at least partially above the longitudinal fastening groove, an appearance that is as attractive as possible, even after a longer period of use, can be ensured by at least one lower, to the longitudinal fastening groove directed side of the longitudinal channel and / or at least one upper wall of the longitudinal attachment groove are formed at least partially opaque.