RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/990,488, filed on May 8, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus for cleaning a pool. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the disclosure relate to structural features of apparatus to facilitate cleaning pools having a varying elevations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Swimming pools commonly require a significant amount of maintenance. Beyond the treatment and filtration of pool water, the surface of the pool must be scrubbed regularly. Additionally, leaves and other debris often times elude a pool filtration system and settle on the bottom surface of the pool. Conventional means for scrubbing and/or cleaning a pool, e.g., nets, handheld vacuums, etc., require tedious and arduous efforts by the user, which can make owning a pool a commitment.
Automated pool cleaning devices, such as the TigerShark cleaner or the SharkVac cleaner by Hayward, have been developed to routinely navigate over the pool surfaces, cleaning as they go. A pump system continuously circulates water through an internal filter assembly capturing debris therein. A rotating cylindrical roller (formed of foam and/or provided with a brush) can be included on the bottom of the unit to scrub the pool walls.
Known features of automated pool cleaning devices that allow them to traverse surfaces to be cleaned in an efficient and effective manner are beneficial. Notwithstanding, such knowledge in the prior art, features which provide enhanced cleaner traversal of pool surfaces to be cleaned that have varying surface elevations remain a desirable objective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates to apparatus for facilitating operation of a pool cleaner in cleaning surfaces of a pool containing water. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can provide improved traction and cleaning for portions of a pool surface that have changes in elevation forming positive and negative corners. For example, exemplary pool cleaning apparatus disclosed herein can include, but is not limited to, a relief structure formed by a base portion and side panels of a housing of a pool cleaning device and/or a relationship of the relief structure to inlet apertures of the pool cleaning device to facilitate improved cleaning by, and/or improved traction of, the pool cleaning device when climbing and/or descending various surface features of a pool.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an automated pool cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a first wheel assembly, and a second wheel assembly. The housing includes a base portion having an intake port. The first wheel assembly is disposed proximate to a front end of the housing and the second wheel assembly is disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing. A relief is formed in the base portion between the first and second wheel assemblies.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an automated pool cleaning apparatus is disclosed that includes a housing having a base portion, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly, and an adjustable intake port. The first wheel assembly is disposed proximate to a front end of the housing and the second wheel assembly disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing. The adjustable intake port is disposed with respect to the base portion between the first and second wheel assemblies. The intake port being biased towards an immersed surface during a cleaning operation in a pool.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an automated pool cleaning apparatus is disclosed that includes a housing having a base portion, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly, a first rotatable intake channel, and a second rotatable intake channel. The first wheel assembly is disposed proximate to a front end of the housing and the second wheel assembly disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing. The first rotatable intake channel is disposed with respect to the base portion and proximate to an axis of the first wheel assembly. The first rotatable intake channel rotates to be oriented towards an immersed surface during a cleaning operation in a pool. The second rotatable intake channel is disposed with respect to the base portion and proximate to an axis of the second wheel assembly. The second rotatable intake channel rotates to be oriented towards an immersed surface during a cleaning operation in a pool.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of cleaning an immersed surface of a swimming pool is disclosed. The method includes traversing a first horizontal portion of the immersed surface by an automated pool cleaning apparatus having a housing that includes a base portion with at least one intake port, a first wheel assembly disposed proximate to a front end of the housing, a second wheel assembly disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing, and a relief formed in the base portion between the first and second wheel assemblies. The method also includes transitioning from the first horizontal portion to a first vertical portion, wherein an intersection of the first horizontal portion and the first vertical portion form a positive corner. The method further includes receiving the positive corner by the relief as the automated pool cleaning apparatus transitions from the first horizontal portion to the first vertical portion.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure the relief formed in the base of the housing can be bounded by a first and second transition region and a clearance associated with the relief can be greater than a clearance associated with the first and second transition regions. The clearance of the relief can generally increase from the first transition region to an apex and can generally decrease from the apex to the second transition region. The relief can have a generally concave arched configuration and can be configured to receive a positive corner of an immersed surface corresponding to a transition from a generally horizontal portion of the immersed surface to a generally downwardly depending vertical portion of the immersed surface as the apparatus moves over the positive corner. Intake ports of the apparatus can be disposed on the relief, proximate to the relief, and/or spaced away from the relief, and can include an intake aperture and/or an intake channel.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the adjustable intake port can have a retracted position in which the adjustable intake port is housed substantially within the housing and a protracted position in which the adjustable intake port protrudes from the base portion away from the housing. The adjustable intake port is formed in the relief.
Any combination and/or permutation of embodiments is envisioned. Other objects, functions, features, and benefits will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To assist those of ordinary skill in the art in making and using the disclosed apparatus, reference is made to the appended figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of an exemplary cleaner assembly in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 depicts a left side elevational view of the cleaner of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 depicts a right side elevational view of the cleaner of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 depicts a top plan view of the cleaner of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 depicts a bottom plan view of the cleaner of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 depicts a partial cross-section of the cleaner of FIG. 1 with the handle removed, with portions of the motor drive assembly being represented generally without section, and with directional arrows added to facilitate discussion of an exemplary fluid flow through the pool cleaner.
FIGS. 7A-C illustrate schematically an exemplary operation of the cleaner of FIG. 1 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8 depicts a partial cross-section of another exemplary embodiment of a cleaner assembly that has rotating suction intake channels.
FIGS. 9A-D illustrate schematically an exemplary operation of the cleaner of FIG. 8 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 10-11 depict a partial cross-section of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaner assembly that has a retractable suction intake channel.
FIGS. 12A-D illustrate an exemplary operation of the cleaner of FIGS. 10-11 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 13-14 depict variations of a relief structure that can be formed on an underside of a cleaner assembly in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS According to the present disclosure, advantageous apparatus are provided for cleaning a an immersed surface of a pool that has a varying elevation. More particularly, the present disclosure, includes, but is not limited to, discussion of a relief structure formed by a base portion and side panels of a housing of a pool cleaning device and/or a relationship of the relief structure to inlet apertures of the pool cleaning device to facilitate improved cleaning by, and/or improved traction of, the pool cleaning device when climbing and/or descending various surface features of a pool (e.g., stairs, benches, etc.).
With initial reference to FIG. 1, a cleaner assembly 10 generally includes a cleaner 100 and a power source such as an external power supply 50 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Power supply 50 generally includes a transformer/control box 51 and a power cable 52 in communication with the transformer/control box 51 and the cleaner 100.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, the cleaner 100 generally includes a housing assembly 110, a lid assembly 120, wheel assemblies 130, roller assemblies 140, a filter assembly 150 and a motor drive assembly 160, which shall each be discussed further below.
The housing assembly 110 and lid assembly 120 cooperate to define internal cavity space for housing internal components of the cleaner 100. In exemplary embodiments, the housing assembly 110 may define a plurality of internal cavity spaces for housing components of the cleaner 100. The housing assembly 110 includes a central cavity defined by base 111 and side cavities defined by side panels 112. The central cavity may house and receive the filter assembly 150 and the motor drive assembly 160 (FIG. 6). The side cavities may be used to house drive transfer system components, such as the drive belts 165, which are typically used to transfer power from the motor drive assembly 160 to the wheel assemblies 130 and the roller assemblies 140. The drive belts 165 generally extend around and rotatably drive the wheel assemblies 130 and the roller assemblies.
The housing assembly 110 typically includes filtration intake apertures 113 (see, in particular, FIGS. 5-6) located, for example, on the bottom (underside) and/or side of the housing assembly 110. The intake apertures 113 are generally configured and dimensioned to correspond with openings, e.g., intake channels 153, in the filter assembly 150, as described in more detail herein. The intake apertures 113 and intake channels 153 can be large enough to allow for the passage of debris such as leaves, twigs, etc. However, since the suction power of the filtration assembly 150 may depend in part on surface area of the intake apertures 113 and/or intake channels 153, it may be advantageous, in some embodiments, to minimize the size of the intake apertures 113 and/or intake channels 153, e.g., to increase the efficiency of the cleaner 100. The intake apertures 113 and/or intake channels 153 may be located such that the cleaner 100 cleans the widest area during operation. For example, the front intake apertures 113 for the cleaner 100 can be positioned towards the middle of the housing assembly 110, while the rear intake apertures 113 can be positioned towards the sides of the housing assembly 110. In exemplary embodiments, intake apertures 113 may be included proximal the roller assemblies 140 to facilitate the collection of debris and particles from the roller assemblies 140 (see, in particular, FIG. 5). The intake apertures 113 can advantageously serve as drains for when the cleaner 100 is removed from the water.
The cleaner 100 is typically supported/propelled about a pool by the wheel assemblies 130 located relative to the bottom of the cleaner 100. The wheel assemblies 130 are usually powered by the motor drive assembly 160 (FIG. 6) in conjunction with the drive transfer system, as discussed herein. In exemplary embodiments, the cleaner 100 includes a front pair of wheel assemblies 130 aligned along a front axis Af and a rear pair of wheel assemblies 130 aligned along a rear axis Ar. Each wheel assembly 130 may include a bushing assembly (not shown) aligned along the proper corresponding axis Af or Ar, and axially connected to a corresponding wheel, e.g., by means of and in secured relationship with an axle.
The cleaner 100 can include roller assemblies 140 to scrub the walls of the pool during operation. In this regard, the roller assemblies 140 may include front and rear roller assemblies 140 operatively associated with said front and rear sets of wheel assemblies, respectively (e.g., wherein the front roller assembly 140 and front set of wheel assemblies 130 rotate in cooperation around axis Af and/or share a common axle).
While the four-wheel, two-roller configuration discussed herein advantageously promotes device stability/drive efficiency, the current disclosure is not limited to such configuration. Indeed, three-wheel configurations (such as for a tricycle), two-tread configurations (such as for a tank), tri-axial configurations, etc., may be appropriate, e.g. to achieve a better turn radius, or increase traction. Similarly, in exemplary embodiments, the roller assemblies 140 may be independent from the wheel assemblies 130, e.g., with an autonomous axis of rotation and/or independent drive. Thus, the brush speed and/or brush direction may advantageously be adjusted, e.g., to optimize scrubbing.
In exemplary embodiments, the housing assembly 110 may include a cleaner handle 114, e.g., for facilitating extraction of the cleaner 100 from a pool.
In exemplary embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 1-3 and 5-6 the base 111 and side panels 112 can form a relief 117 on an underside of the cleaner 100. The relief 117 can be formed on an underside of the cleaner 100 between front and rear axes Af and Ar of the wheel assemblies 130. In some embodiments, the relief 117 can have a generally concave arched or curved configuration having an apex 119 that can be generally disposed, for example, at a midpoint between the front and rear axes Af and Ar of the wheel assemblies 130. When the cleaner 100 is viewed from either side, as shown in FIGS. 2-3, for example, the side panels 112 are shown as having a generally curved bottom portion 127. For example, the bottom portion 127 of the side panels 112 can include a first curved portion 129 to accommodate one of the wheel assemblies 130 disposed about the front axis Af, a second curved portion 131 corresponding to the relief 117, and a third curved portion 133 to accommodate one of the wheel assemblies 130 disposed about the rear axis Ar.
Beginning at a front end 137 of the side panels 112, with reference to FIGS. 2-3, the bottom portion 127 can extend radially with respect to the front axis Af by approximately ninety degrees from the front end 137 to a first transition region 139 to form the first curved portion 129. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the bottom portion 127 of the cleaner 100 can generally curve from the front end 137 downwardly towards a plane 141 such that a distance D between the bottom portion 127 and the plane 141, measured perpendicularly to the plane 141, generally decreases along the first curved portion 129 from front end 137 to the first transition region 139. The plane 141 can correspond to a planar surface upon which each of the wheels of the wheel assemblies 130 can rest (e.g., a plane extending generally tangentially with respect to a portion of the wheels in contact with the planar surface).
Continuing towards a rear end 145 of the cleaner 100 in FIGS. 2-3, the bottom portion 127 of the side panels 112 curve away from the plane 141 towards the apex 119 and then curves towards the plane 141 from the apex 119 to a second transition region 147 to form the second curved portion 131 of the bottom portion 127 of the side panels 112 such that the distance D generally increases from the first transition region 139 to the apex 119 and then decreases from the apex to the second transition region 147. To form the third curved portion 133, the bottom portion 127 can extend radially with respect to the rear axis Ar by approximately ninety degrees from the second transition region 147 to the rear end 145 of the cleaner 100. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the bottom portion 127 of the cleaner 100 can generally curves upwardly in the third curved portion 133 from the second transition region 147 away from the plane 141 such that the distance D generally increases from the second transition region 147 to the rear end 145.
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the contour of the relief 117 formed in the base 111 can correspond to the second curved portion 131 of the side panels 112. For example, the base 111 can include a curved surface portion 149 that extends between the first and second transition regions 139 and 147. Beginning at the first transition region 139, the curved surface portion 149 of the base 111 can generally curve away from the plane 141 to the apex 119 and then can curve towards the plane 141 from the apex 119 to the second transition region 147 such that the distance D generally increases from the first transition region 139 to the apex 119 and then decreases from the apex to the second transition region 147.
In some embodiments, the relief 117 formed by the curved surface portion 149 of the base 111 and second curved portion 131 of the side panels 112 can provide an increased clearance (e.g., the distance D) between the an underside of the cleaner 100 and the plane 141 compared to the portions of the underside of the cleaner 100 between the front end 137 and the first transition region 139 and between the second transition region 147 and the rear end 145 of the cleaner 100. While an exemplary embodiment of the relief 117 has been illustrated as a generally smooth concaved curve, those skilled in the art will recognize that exemplary embodiments of the relief can have different configuration and/or shapes.
As one example, with reference to FIG. 13, in some embodiments, a relief 117′ can have a wedge-shaped or triangular profile when viewed from a side of a cleaner 100′. For embodiments having the wedge-shaped or triangular profile, the relief 117′ can include a linear segment 131A between the first transition region 139 and the apex 119′, for which the distance D increases linearly from the first transition region 139 to the apex 119′ and a linear segment 131B between the apex 119 and the second transition region 147, for which the distance D decreases linearly from the apex 119′ to the second transition region 147.
As another example, with reference to FIG. 14, in some embodiments, a relief 117″ can have a trapezoidal profile when viewed from a side of a cleaner 100″. For embodiments having the trapezoidal profile, the relief 117″ can include a linear segment 131C extending upwardly from the first transition region 139 and a trapezoidal base portion that forms an apex 119″, for which the distance D remains constant, a linear segment 131D extending generally parallel to the plane 141 along the trapezoidal base portion, and can include a linear segment 131E extending downwardly from the trapezoidal base portion to the second transition region 147, for which the distance D decreases linearly from the trapezoidal base portion to the second transition region 147.
Referring again to FIG. 6, the filter assembly 150 is depicted in cross-section and the motor drive assembly 160 is depicted generally. The filter assembly 150 includes one or more filter elements (e.g., side filter panels 154 and top filter panels 155), a body 151 (e.g., walls, floor, etc.), and a frame 156 configured and dimensioned for supporting the one or more filter elements relative thereto. The body 151 and the frame 156 and/or filter elements generally cooperate to define a plurality of flow regions including at least one intake flow region 157 and at least one vent flow region 158. More particularly, each intake flow region 157 shares at least one common defining side with at least one vent flow region 158, wherein the common defining side is at least partially defined by the frame 156 and/or filter element(s) supported thereby. The filter elements, when positioned relative to the frame 156, form a semi-permeable barrier between each intake flow region 157 and at least one vent flow region 158.
In exemplary embodiments, the body 151 defines at least one intake channel 153 in communication with each intake flow region 157, and the frame 156 defines at least one vent channel 152 in communication with each vent flow region 158. Each intake flow region 157 defined by the body 151 can be bucket-shaped to facilitate trapping debris therein. For example, the body 151 and frame 156 may cooperate to define a plurality of surrounding walls and a floor for each intake flow region 157.
The body 151 of the filter assembly 150 is depicted with the frame 156 shown integrally formed therewith. The body 151 has a saddle-shaped elevation and is configured, sized, and/or dimensioned to be received for seating in the base 111 and the frame 156 is configured, sized, and/or dimensioned to fit over the motor drive assembly 160. When the filter assembly 150 is positioned within the housing assembly 110, the motor drive assembly 160 in effect divides the original vent flow region 158 into a plurality of vent flow regions 158, with each of the vent flow regions 158 in fluid communication with the intake openings defined by the apertured support 162A of the impeller 162C (see FIG. 6).
The motor drive assembly 160 generally includes a motor box 161 and an impeller unit 162. The impeller unit 162 is typically secured relative to the top of the motor box 161, e.g., by screws, bolts, etc. In exemplary embodiments, the motor box 161 houses electrical and mechanical components which control the operation of the cleaner 100, e.g., drive the wheel assemblies 130, the roller assemblies 140, and the impeller unit 162.
In exemplary embodiments, the impeller unit 162 includes an impeller 162C, an apertured support 162A (which defines intake openings below the impeller 162C), and a duct 162B (which houses the impeller 162C and forms a lower portion of the filtration vent shaft). The duct 162B is generally configured and dimensioned to correspond with a lower portion of the vent channel 152 of the filter assembly 150. The duct 162B, vent channel 152, and vent aperture 122 may cooperate to define the filtration vent shaft which, in some embodiments, extends up along the ventilation axis Av and out through the lid 121. The impeller unit 162 acts as a pump for the cleaner 100, drawing water through the filter assembly 150 and pushing filtered water out through the filtration vent shaft. An exemplary filtration flow path for the cleaner 100 is designated by directional arrows depicted in FIG. 6.
The motor drive assembly 160 is typically secured, e.g., by screws, bolts, etc., relative to the inner bottom surface of the housing assembly 110. The motor drive assembly 160 is configured and dimensioned so as to not obstruct the filtration intake apertures 113 of the housing assembly 110. Furthermore, the motor drive assembly 160 is configured and dimensioned such that cavity space remains in the housing assembly 110 for the filter assembly 150.
The motor drive assembly 160 can include a tilt switch for automatically navigating the cleaner 100 around a pool, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,632, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference, discloses tilt features that can be advantageously incorporated as well as features for turning the cleaner.
The primary function of the pump motor is to power the impeller 162C and draw water through the filter assembly 150 for filtration. More particularly, unfiltered water and debris are drawn via the intake apertures 113 of the housing assembly 100 through the intake channels 153 of the filter assembly 150 and into the one or more bucket-shaped intake flow regions 157, wherein the debris and other particles are trapped. The water then filters into the one or more vent flow regions 158. With reference to FIG. 6, the flow path between the intake flow regions 157 and the vent flow regions 158 can be through the side filter panels 154 and/or through the top filter panels 155. The filtered water from the vent flow regions 158 is drawn through the intake openings defined by the apertured support 162A of the impeller 162C and discharged via the filtration vent shaft.
As shown in FIG. 5, which depicts a bottom plan view of the cleaner 100, in some embodiments, the intake apertures 113 can be disposed proximate to the first and second transition regions 139 and 147. For example, in the present embodiment, the intake apertures 113 can be disposed between the first transition region 139 and the front end and between the second transition region 147 and the rear end such that the intake apertures 113 are separated by the relief 117. In some embodiments, the intake apertures 113 can be disposed between the front axis Af and the first transition region 139 and between the second transition region 147 and the rear axis Ar such that the intake apertures a disposed inward from the wheel assemblies 130 and roller/scrubbers 140, but outward from the relief 117. While intake apertures 113 have been illustrated as being disposed outwardly from the relief 117, those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the intake apertures 113 can be disposed between the first and second transition regions 139 and 147 such that one or more of the intake apertures 113 are formed on the relief 117.
Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 6, to facilitate easy access to the internal components of the cleaner 100, the lid assembly 120 includes a lid 121 which is pivotally associated with the housing assembly 110. For example, the housing assembly 110 and lid assembly 120 may include hinge components 115, 125, respectively, for hingedly connecting the lid 121 relative to the housing assembly 110. Note, however, that other joining mechanisms, e.g., pivot mechanism, a sliding mechanism, etc., may be used, provided that the joining mechanism effect a removable relationship between the lid 121 and housing assembly 110. In this regard, a user may advantageously change the lid assembly 120 back and forth between an open position and a closed position, and it is contemplated that the lid assembly 120 can be provided so as to be removably securable to the housing assembly 110.
The lid assembly 120 may advantageously cooperate with the housing assembly 110 to provide for top access to the internal components of the cleaner 100. The filter assembly 150 may be removed quickly and easily for cleaning and maintenance without having to “flip” the cleaner 100 over. In some embodiments, the housing assembly 110 has a first side in secured relationship with the wheel assemblies 130 and a second side opposite such first side and in secured relationship with the lid assembly 120. The lid assembly 120 and the housing assembly 110 may include a latch mechanism, e.g., a locking mechanism 126, to secure the lid 121 in place relative to the housing assembly 110.
The lid 121 is typically configured and dimensioned to cover an open top-face of the housing assembly 110. The lid 121 defines a vent aperture 122 that cooperates with other openings (discussed below) to form a filtration vent shaft. For example, the vent aperture 122 is generally configured and dimensioned to correspond with an upper portion of a vent channel 152 of the filter assembly 150. The structure and operation of the filtration vent shaft and the vent channel 152 of the filter assembly are discussed in greater detail herein. Note that the vent aperture 122 generally includes guard elements 123 to prevent the introduction of objects, e.g., a user's hands, into the vent shaft. The lid assembly 120 can advantageously include one or more transparent elements, e.g., windows 124 associated with the lid 121, which allow a user to see the state of the filter assembly 150 while the lid assembly 120 is in the closed position. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the entire lid 121 may be constructed from a transparent material.
Referring now to FIGS. 7A-C, embodiments of the cleaner 100 can be configured to clean an immersed surface 200 of a pool including the bottom and side walls of the pool as well as the stairs, benches, or other surface features, such as a shelf or platform. The cleaner 100 can clean horizontal and vertical immersed surfaces of the pool (e.g., by climbing a descending the vertical surfaces). In exemplary embodiments, the relief 117 of the cleaner 100 can be configured to improve suction and/or traction of the cleaner 100 with respect to transitions between generally vertical and generally horizontal surfaces of the pool compared to conventional cleaners having a flat or substantial planar base portion, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upon transitioning from vertical and horizontal surfaces of a pool.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the cleaner 100 can traverse the immersed surface 200 of a pool to be cleaned, which includes transitions from a substantially horizontal portion 202 to a substantially vertical portion 204. As the cleaner 100 can descends from the horizontal portion 202, the wheels of the wheel assemblies 130 disposed proximate to the front end 137 of the cleaner 100 can begins to roll or slide down the vertical portion 204 and a positive corner 208 formed at a transition between the horizontal portion 202 and the vertical portion 204 can be received by the relief 117. During this transition from the horizontal portion 202 to the vertical portion 204, the relief 117 can slide over the positive corner 208 of the surface 200 to advantageously allow the intake apertures 113 of the cleaner 100 to remain in close proximity to the immersed surface 200 to maintain a sufficient suction force of the cleaner 100 to the surface 200 to clean the surface 200 and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner 100 to have traction against the surface 200.
As shown in FIG. 7B, after the transition from the horizontal portion 202 to the vertical portion 204, the cleaner 100 can clean the vertical portion 204. For example, when the length of the vertical portion 204 exceeds the length of the cleaner 100, the cleaner 100 can descend the vertical portion 204 such that the wheels at the front and rear of the cleaner 100 can be in contact with the vertical portion 204 so that the intake apertures are in proximity to the vertical portion 204 of the surface 200 to maintain a suction force that advantageously allows the cleaner 100 to roll and/or slide down the vertical portion 204 to clean the vertical portion 204 of the surface. By utilizing the relief 117 to allow the intake apertures 113 and/or front wheels of the cleaner 100 to remain in close proximity as the cleaner 100 traverses the positive corner 208 of the surface 200, exemplary embodiments provide improved cleaning of the vertical portion 204 upon descending from the positive corner 208 compared to conventional cleaners having flat or planar base portions, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upon traversing a positive corner 208. The cleaner 100 can continue to traverse the surface 200 to transition from the vertical portion 204 to a horizontal portion 210 via a negative corner 212 as shown in FIG. 7C.
While FIGS. 7A-C generally illustrate the cleaner 100 descending from horizontal portion 202 to horizontal portion 210 of the surface 200, those skilled in the art will recognize that the cleaner 200 can ascend or climb from horizontal portion 210 to horizontal portion 202 in a similar manner such that the relief 117 advantageously allows the intake apertures 113 to be in sufficient proximity to the surface 200 as the cleaner 100 transition from the vertical portion 204 to the horizontal portion 202 via the positive corner 208.
Exemplary embodiments of the pool cleaner 100 may be provide a windowed top-access lid assembly for a pool cleaner, a bucket-type filter assembly for a pool cleaner, and quick-release roller assembly for a pool cleaner, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/211,720, entitled, Apparatus for Facilitating Maintenance of a Pool Cleaning Device, published Mar. 18, 2010 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0065482, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, exemplary embodiments of the cleaner 100 may be provided with an adjustable buoyancy/weighting distribution which can be used to alter the dynamics (motion path) of the cleaner when used in a swimming pool, spa or other reservoir, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/938,041, entitled Pool Cleaning Device with Adjustable Buoyant Element, published May 3, 2012 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0103365, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a cleaner 300 in accordance with the present disclosure having variations relative to the cleaner 100 disclosed above. More particularly, the cleaner 300 can include rotatable or pivotal intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353. In exemplary embodiments, the intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353 can rotate or pivot to align with an immersed pool surface to be cleaned. In some embodiments, the intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353 can be weighted and/or biased such that the orientation of the cleaner 300 determine a direction in which each of the intake apertures 313 and the intake channels 353 rotate. In some embodiments, the cleaner 300 can be programmed to rotate or pivot the intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353 based on, for example, one or more electrical signals from one or more sensors 395, such as accelerometers and/or gyroscopes, that can be processed by the cleaner 300 to determine and control an orientation of the intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353. In some embodiments, the intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353 can rotate or pivot in response to the suction force itself, which may force the intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353 to align with the surface to maintain suction to the surface.
The intake apertures 313 and intake channels 353 can be rotatable by, for example, approximately forty-five (45) degrees to approximately one hundred eighty (180) degrees and can be configured to maintain a generally parallel relationship to an immersed surface. In exemplary embodiments, the intake apertures 313 and intake channels can be disposed proximate the front and rear axes Af and Ar to improve suction and traction of the cleaner 300 during elevational transitions of the pool surfaces to be cleaned as described in more detail herein.
As can be appreciated from FIG. 8, the cleaner 300 has many components in common with the cleaner 100 described above. For example, the relief 317 formed by the base 311 and side panels (312 in FIGS. 9A-9D), the motive/drive elements, such as wheel assemblies, drive belts and roller/scrubber 340, the cleaning/filtering apparatus and function including the impeller motor 360, filter assembly 350 impeller assembly 362, vent channel 352 are all substantially the same and operate the in the same manner as in cleaner 100. As in cleaner 100, the cover 320 is hinged at hinge 315 to provide access to the interior of the cleaner 300.
Referring now to FIGS. 9A-D, embodiments of the cleaner 300 can be configured to clean an immersed surface 400 of a pool including the bottom and side walls of the pool as well as the stairs, benches, or other surface features, such as a shelf or platform. The cleaner 300 can clean horizontal and vertical immersed surfaces of the pool (e.g., by climbing a descending the vertical surfaces). In exemplary embodiments, the relief 317, rotatable intake apertures 313, and/or rotatable intake channels of the cleaner 300 can be configured to improve suction and traction of the cleaner with respect to transitions between generally vertical and generally horizontal surfaces of the pool compared to conventional cleaners having a flat or substantial planar base portion.
As shown in FIG. 9A, the cleaner 300 can traverse the immersed surface 400 of a pool to be cleaned, which transitions from a substantially horizontal portion 402 to a substantially vertical portion 404. As the cleaner 300 descends from the horizontal portion 402, the wheels of the wheel assemblies 330 disposed proximate to the front end 337 of the cleaner 300 can begin to roll or slide down the vertical portion 404 and a positive corner 408 formed at a transition between the horizontal portion 402 and the vertical portion 404 can be received by the relief 317. During this transition from the horizontal portion 402 to the vertical portion 404, the relief 317 can slide over the positive corner of the surface, and the intake apertures 313 and intake channels 353 of the cleaner 300 can rotate to have an orientation to maintain a sufficient suction to the surface 400 to clean the surface 400 and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner 300 to have traction against the surface 400. For example, the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis Af can rotate clockwise by a total of approximately ninety (90) degrees as the cleaner 300 traverses the positive corner 408 such that the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis Af are approximately perpendicular to the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis Ar.
As the rear end of the cleaner 300 traverses the positive corner 408, the intake aperture 313 and/or the intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis Ar can rotate clockwise by a total of approximately ninety (90) degrees such that when the wheels proximate to the rear end are in contact with the vertical portion 404, the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis Af are approximately parallel to the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis Ar, as shown in FIG. 9B.
Referring now to FIG. 9B, after the transition from the horizontal portion 402 to the vertical portion 404, the cleaner 300 can clean the vertical portion 404. For example, when the length of the vertical portion 404 exceeds the length of the cleaner 300, the cleaner 300 can descend the vertical portion 404 such that the wheels at the front and rear of the cleaner 300 can be in contact with the vertical portion 404 so that the intake apertures 313 are in proximity to the vertical portion 404 of the surface to maintain a suction force that advantageously allows the cleaner 300 to roll and/or slide down the vertical portion 404 to clean the vertical portion 404 of the surface 400. By utilizing the relief 317 to allow the intake apertures 313 and/or front wheels of the cleaner 300 to remain in close proximity as the cleaner 300 traverses the positive corner 408 of the surface 400, exemplary embodiments provide improved cleaning of the vertical portion 404 upon descending from the positive corner 408 compared to conventional cleaners having flat or planar base portions, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upon traversing a positive corner 408.
The cleaner 300 can continue to traverse the surface to transition from the vertical portion 404 to a horizontal portion 410 via a negative corner 412 as shown in FIG. 9C. As the cleaner 300 traverses the negative corner 412, the intake apertures 313 and/or the intake channels 353 can rotate to have an orientation to maintain a sufficient suction to the surface 400 to clean the surface and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner 300 to have traction against the surface 400. For example, the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis Af can rotate counter clockwise by a total of approximately ninety (90) degrees as the cleaner 300 traverse the negative corner 412 such that the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis Af are approximately perpendicular to the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis Ar. As the rear end of the cleaner traverses the negative corner 412, the intake aperture 313 and/or the intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis Ar can rotate counter clockwise by a total of approximately ninety (90) degrees such that when the wheels proximate to the rear end are in contact with the horizontal portion 410, the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis Af are approximately parallel to the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis Ar, as shown in FIG. 9D.
While FIGS. 9A-D generally illustrate the cleaner 300 descending from horizontal portion 402 to horizontal portion 410 of the surface 400, those skilled in the art will recognize that the cleaner 300 can ascend from horizontal portion 410 to horizontal portion 402 in a similar manner such that the relief 317 advantageously allows the cleaner 300 to maintain suction and/or traction with the surface 400 as the cleaner 300 traverse negative and positive corners 412 and 408, respectively.
FIGS. 10-11 show an alternative embodiment of a cleaner 500 in accordance with the present disclosure having variations relative to the cleaner 100 disclosed above. More particularly, the cleaner 500 can include at least one intake channel 553A that can extend through an intake aperture 513. In exemplary embodiments, a length L of the intake channel 553A can be compressed to a retracted position (FIG. 10) and expanded to a protracted position (FIG. 11). When the intake channel 553A is in the retracted position (FIG. 10), the intake channel 553A can be generally flush with or slightly protruding from the intake aperture 513. In the present embodiment, the intake channel 553A can be disposed at a midpoint of the cleaner 500 between the front and rear axes Af and Ar.
In exemplary embodiments, the intake channel 553A can be formed from a flexible membrane 592 and a resilient member 594, which is a biasing means, such as a coil spring, each of extending between a guide member 590 and an intake support structure 595. The resilient member 594 can be disposed in the membrane 592, such that the resilient member 594 is encased with the membrane 592, and is an example of biasing means for urging or dynamically biasing the intake channel 553A towards the protracted position. In exemplary embodiments, the force applied by the resilient member 594 to urge the intake channel 553A to the protracted position is generally slightly less than the suction force generated by the cleaner during cleaning operation so that the resilient member 594 does not push the cleaner 500 away from the surface of the pool during the cleaning operation, but still remains at and/or proximate to the surface. While exemplary embodiments of the cleaner 500 have been shown as including a resilient member 594 to urge the intake channel 553A between a retracted position and a protracted position, those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments may include alternative configurations and/or structures to move the intake channel 553A between a retracted and protracted positions. For example, in some embodiments, the intake channels 553B may be rotatably or pivotally mounted in the cleaner 500 to move the intake channel 553B between the retracted and protracted positions.
The guide member 590 is configured at an inlet of the of the intake channel 553A and forms a free end of the intake channel 553A, which is configured to engage a surface of the pool during a cleaning operation of the surface. The intake support structure 595 can be disposed at an end of the intake channel 553A opposite the guide member 590 and can form one or more outlets of the intake channel 553A. For example, in the present embodiment intake support structure 595 can operatively couple the intake channel 553A to intake channels 553B, which can be in fluid communication with the intake flow region 557 so that fluid (and debris) flowing through the intake channel 553A can ultimate enter the intake flow region 557.
As can be appreciated from FIGS. 10-11, the cleaner 500 has many components in common with the cleaner 100 described above. For example, the relief 517 formed by the base and side panels, the motive/drive elements, such as wheel assemblies 530, drive belts (not shown) and front and rear roller/scrubber 540, the cleaning/filtering apparatus and function including the impeller motor 560, filter assembly 550, impeller assembly 562, vent channel 552 are all substantially the same and operate the in the same manner as in embodiments of the cleaners 100 and 300. As in cleaners 100 and 300, the cover 520 is hinged at hinge 515 to provide access to the interior of the cleaner 500.
Referring now to FIGS. 12A-D, embodiments of the cleaner 500 can be configured to clean an immersed surface 600 of a pool including the bottom and side walls of the pool as well as the stairs, benches, or other surface features, such as a shelf or platform. The cleaner 500 can clean horizontal and vertical immersed surfaces of the pool (e.g., by climbing and/or descending the vertical surfaces). In exemplary embodiments, the relief 517 and/or intake channel 553A can be configured to improve suction and/or traction of the cleaner 500 with respect to transitions between generally vertical and generally horizontal surfaces of the pool compared to conventional cleaners having a flat or substantial planar base portion.
As shown in FIG. 12A, the cleaner 500 can traverse the immersed surface 600 of a pool to be cleaned that transitions from a substantially horizontal portion 602 to a substantially vertical portion 604. As the cleaner 500 can descends from the horizontal portion 602, the wheels disposed proximate to the front end 537 of the cleaner 500 can begin to roll or slide down the vertical portion 604 and a positive corner 608 formed at a transition between the horizontal portion 602 and the vertical portion 604 can be received by the relief 517. During this transition from the horizontal portion 602 to the vertical portion 604, the relief 517 can slide over the positive corner 608 of the surface 600, and the intake aperture 553A of the cleaner 500 can be compressed into the body of the cleaner such that the intake channel 553A is in the retracted position and is generally flush with the relief 517 to maintain a sufficient suction to the surface 600 to clean the surface 600 and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner to have traction against the surface 600.
Referring now to FIG. 12B, after the transition from the horizontal portion 602 to the vertical portion 604, the cleaner 500 can clean the vertical portion 604. For example, when the length of the vertical portion 604 exceeds the length of the cleaner 500, the cleaner 500 can descend the vertical portion 604 such that the wheels at the front and rear of the cleaner can be in contact with the vertical portion 604 so that the intake aperture 553A extends from the body such that the intake channel 553A protrudes from the relief 517 (e.g., a protracted position) and the guide member 590 of the intake channel 553A is positioned proximate to the surface 600 being cleaned (e.g., in contact with the surface) to maintain a suction force that advantageously allows the cleaner 500 to roll and/or slide down the vertical portion 604 to clean the vertical portion 604 of the surface 600. By utilizing the relief 517 to allow the intake apertures 513 and/or front wheels of the cleaner 500 to remain in close proximity as the cleaner 500 traverses the positive corner 608 of the surface 600, exemplary embodiments provide improved cleaning of the vertical portion 604 upon descending from the positive corner 608 compared to conventional cleaners having flat or planar base portions, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upon traversing a positive corner.
The cleaner 500 can continue to traverse the surface 600 to transition from the vertical portion 604 to a horizontal portion 610 via a negative corner 612 as shown in FIG. 12C. As the cleaner 500 traverses the negative corner 612, the intake channel 553A can further extend from the body of the cleaner 500 (e.g., a further protracted position) to maintain a sufficient suction to the surface 600 to clean the surface 600 and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner 500 to have traction against the surface. As the rear end 545 of the cleaner traverses the negative corner 612 and the wheels of the cleaner rest upon the horizontal portion 610, the intake channel 553A compresses towards the body of the cleaner 500, as shown in FIG. 12D, but can still protrude from the body of the cleaner 500.
While FIGS. 12A-D generally illustrate the cleaner 500 descending from horizontal portion to horizontal portion of the surface, those skilled in the art will recognize that the cleaner can ascend from horizontal portion to horizontal portion in a similar manner such that the relief 517 advantageously allows the cleaner 500 to maintain suction and/or traction with the surface as the cleaner 500 traverse negative and positive corners.
Although the teachings herein have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and implementations thereof, the disclosed systems and methods are not limited to such exemplary embodiments/implementations. Rather, as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art from the description taught herein, the disclosed systems and methods are susceptible to modifications, alterations and enhancements without departing from the spirit or scope hereof. Accordingly, all such modifications, alterations and enhancements within the scope hereof are encompassed herein.
