Client:
PENTAIR
Year:
2022
Role:
Industrial Design, User Research, Product Testing
The Pentair "Pool Tools" program aimed to transform everyday pool maintenance into an experience that feels as effortless as it is effective.
By designing a cohesive lineup of tools—tailored for specific tasks like skimming, vacuuming, and debris removal—the program sought to balance functionality with an elevated aesthetic. My role involved conducting research to understand user needs and pain points, and translating those insights into thoughtful, detail-oriented industrial design solutions in collaboration with the broader design and product development team.
Skimmer baskets and pool rakes are ubiquitous in pool care. Traditionally, these tools serve simple yet essential functions:
Skimmer Baskets: Installed in pool skimmers, they trap floating debris such as leaves and insects to prevent it from clogging the pool’s filtration system. Current offerings often prioritize simplicity, but lack features that make them easy to handle or add multifunctionality.
Pool Rakes: Long-handled nets are used to manually collect debris from the pool’s surface and bottom. While effective in concept, existing designs require significant physical effort, particularly when removing debris stuck to the pool floor.
These tools perform their jobs but leave much to be desired in terms of user experience. Our goal was to elevate them beyond their baseline functionality, integrating innovations that would save time and reduce physical strain for the user.
Research. Test. Repeat.
The team was charged with finding opportunity spaces to expand what the term "Pool Tool" could mean and the benefits it could offer users. Our design process began with observational studies and interviews, capturing the real-world challenges of pool maintenance. These insights informed early sketch iterations, which were refined into prototypes for testing and refinement.
Effortful Cleaning: Pool rakes required repeated passes to dislodge stubborn debris, making the process tedious and physically demanding.
Lack of Integrated Solutions: Users expressed frustration with needing multiple tools for maintenance tasks like cleaning and monitoring water temperature.
Ergonomic Strain: Many existing tools lacked user-friendly grips and handles, leading to discomfort during prolonged use.
Durability Concerns: Frequent exposure to chemicals, UV rays, and water caused premature wear and tear in traditional designs.
Visual Disconnection: The lack of cohesion among tools made them feel like disparate parts rather than a unified system.
Designing tools that work smarter.
Prototypes - from low to high-fidelity - were rigorously tested for validation in both simulated and real-world pool environments.
Performance Trials: Tools were evaluated for cleaning efficiency and ease of use under varying conditions.
Material Validation: Components were exposed to harsh chemical and environmental conditions to ensure longevity and reliability.
The Power Pool Rake: Enhanced Bottom Cleaning
The Power Pool Rake addressed the challenges of pool-floor debris removal through new-to-the-market features:
Integrated Spray Jets: Strategically positioned water jets loosen debris stuck to the pool floor, ensuring efficient collection in a single pass.
Optimized Rake Shape: A wide, curved rake head maximized surface coverage, minimizing the effort required to sweep debris into the net.
Lightweight Durability: Reinforced polymers combined strength and maneuverability, allowing the rake to be durable without feeling cumbersome.
Key Innovation: By integrating a powered water jet system, the rake transformed from a passive tool into an active cleaning solution, significantly reducing cleaning time and effort.
Engineering the Spray Jet System
For the Power Pool Rake, the concept of integrated water jets brought with it a host of challenges. Balancing power and portability proved to be a significant hurdle.
Compact High-Pressure Pump: Finding a lightweight pump that could generate sufficient pressure without requiring a wired power source was a meticulous process. Initial prototypes were either too bulky or underpowered, forcing us to refine our material choices and pump designs repeatedly.
Dynamic Spray Angles: Ensuring the spray jets remained effective regardless of the rake’s angle required extensive experimentation. Users naturally push and pull the rake at varying inclines, so we needed a nozzle design that self-leveled or maintained consistent spray dynamics. This required iterating on pivoting mechanisms and flow rate calibrations until we struck the right balance.
Waterproof Electronics: Integrating electronics into a tool constantly exposed to water added complexity. Early prototypes faced leakage issues, which required redesigning housing components and experimenting with advanced sealing techniques.
The Thermo Skimmer Basket: Multi-Functional Simplicity
The Thermo Skimmer Basket redefined this essential tool by merging debris collection with water temperature monitoring.
Dual-Functionality: A built-in thermometer allowed users to check water temperature without the need for additional equipment.
Ergonomic Handle: Designed with intuitive grips, the handle made removing and emptying the basket more comfortable.
Durable Construction: UV-resistant materials and corrosion-proof metals ensured the basket would endure prolonged exposure to sunlight, water, and chemicals.
Key Innovation: The seamless integration of a thermometer into the skimmer basket’s handle streamlined routine maintenance, making it more efficient and less cumbersome.
Ensuring Skimmer Basket Functionality
The Thermo Skimmer Basket posed its own set of design challenges, particularly in integrating the thermometer without compromising the basket’s performance:
Ergonomic Balance: Early prototypes struggled with the weight and placement of the thermometer. Users found the handle awkward to grip, particularly when the basket was full of debris. Adjusting the handle’s geometry and refining its weight distribution were key to resolving this issue.
Temperature Accuracy: The thermometer needed to provide reliable readings while being durable enough to endure exposure to harsh chemicals and UV light. Selecting the right materials and sensor technology required extensive testing and refinement.
Ease of Rotation: The design team had to ensure special care went into the tolerances of the basket wall-cleaning assembly, ensuring the mechanism could spin with ease without being flimsy and preventing buildup of leaves and debris inside of the squeegee system.
"Pool Tools" combines professional-grade performance with an approachable design:
For Users: Tools that are comfortable, efficient, and built to last make pool maintenance less of a chore. The Power Pool Rake and Thermo-Skimmer Basket save time and reduce physical strain while delivering professional-grade results.
For Professionals: Durable, high-performance tools reduce downtime and improve productivity.
For Pentair: The cohesive design language strengthens brand identity and positions Pentair as a leader in premium pool care solutions, for pros, consumers, and "pro-sumers" alike.