Multipurpose vacuum cleaner for pool cleaning

Abstract

MULTI-PURPOSE POOL CLEANING VACUUM CLEANER Submersible vacuum cleaner (100) for cleaning an artificial basin such as a swimming pool, comprising a main body (10, 20), a suction turbine or propeller (21) coupled to an electric motor (22), a battery (23), a suction inlet (30), a pre-filter (40) providing initial filtration, and a discharge outlet (50), said vacuum cleaner having a removable fitting (51) that can be attached to the discharge outlet for connecting a hose to discharge the vacuumed water outside the basin, and a removable filter element (52) that can be attached to the discharge outlet to provide a second, finer filtration than the first, said discharge outlet being designed to receive, one at a time, the fitting or the filter element. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Multipurpose vacuum cleaner for cleaning swimming pools technical field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of pool maintenance devices and the like, in particular submersible vacuum cleaners, and relates more specifically to a modular, multifunctional vacuum cleaner for cleaning swimming pools. State of the art

[0002] For cleaning swimming pools, there are a multitude of so-called autonomous vacuum cleaners, insofar as they are powered by an on-board battery.

[0003] These vacuum cleaners are often distinguished by basic parameters, including autonomy, power, weight, filtration fineness, etc.

[0004] It sometimes happens that these vacuum cleaners, despite their great diversity, do not properly eliminate very fine debris.

[0005] Very fine and volatile debris can accumulate in large quantities on the bottom of swimming pools, especially after a sandstorm (such as a Saharan dust cloud) or flocculation, which creates an algae deposit. This problem is often encountered when pools are reopened after the winter period.

[0006] Conventional autonomous vacuum cleaners used for routine maintenance can vacuum up very fine deposits but their filters release fine particles which cloud the pool water and then slowly settle again.

[0007] Autonomous vacuum cleaners equipped with very fine pleated cartridge filters, such as the one described in patent FR3095827 filed by the applicant, can capture this type of deposit, but the pleated filters quickly become clogged when large quantities of deposits need to be removed. This necessitates multiple cleanings during operation. Furthermore, according to patent FR3095827, the fine filter(s) must be specially manufactured to fit the body of the vacuum cleaner, which can pose cost and availability problems in various distribution networks.

[0008] Fine deposits can also be vacuumed with a brush connected to the suction line of the pool's filtration system, but they are not stopped by the sand filters and return to the pool, clouding the water. For pools with cartridge filtration, this operation would very quickly clog the filter, rendering the suction ineffective.

[0009] The only effective solution for permanently eliminating large quantities of volatile deposits is to vacuum the bottom and discharge the loaded water directly into the sewer.

[0010] Two means of disposal are currently available for this operation: 1. Use the pool filtration pump.

[0011] This solution is only practical for swimming pools equipped with a sand filtration system that has a drain valve. In the case of cartridge filtration, the pump's discharge hose would need to be disconnected before the filter and connected to the drain. In both cases, since these pumps operate at high flow rates of several m³ / h, this operation results in a very large quantity of water being discharged into the sewer. 1. Use a gravity siphon.

[0012] This process can only function if there is a siphon discharge point located below the water level in the pool. In this case, its efficiency depends on the difference between the water level in the pool and the level of the discharge point. For proper operation, this difference should be on the order of 0.5 to 1 meter, which is not always possible. This low-flow operation is very slow and consumes a large quantity of water.

[0013] Thus, current systems are not universal and require very large quantities of water during their operation. Presentation of the invention

[0014] The present invention aims to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art described above by providing a self-contained and universal solution for permanently removing large quantities of fine and volatile deposits using a self-contained vacuum cleaner that can also be used for routine maintenance. This versatile device also offers significant economic advantages.

[0015] To this end, the present invention relates to a submersible vacuum cleaner for cleaning an artificial basin such as a swimming pool, comprising a main body, a suction turbine or propeller coupled to an electric motor, a battery, a suction inlet, an optional pre-filter providing initial filtration, and a discharge outlet. This vacuum cleaner is notable in that it includes a fitting allowing a hose to be connected to the discharge outlet to expel the suctioned water from the basin, and a removable filter element that can be attached to the discharge outlet to provide a second, finer filtration than the first, and in that said discharge outlet is designed to receive, one at a time, the hose or the filter element.

[0016] Thus, the vacuum cleaner becomes versatile and ensures: • a classic filtration when neither pipe nor filter element is fixed to the discharge outlet; • additional finer filtration when the filter element is fixed to the discharge outlet; and • a direct discharge into the sewer of the aspirated water which contains unfiltered fine particles in suspension.

[0017] Unlike conventional pool vacuums that discharge filtered water directly into the pool, the multi-purpose pool vacuum according to the invention is configured to discharge the vacuumed water, laden with fine particles, outside the pool via any flexible hose. It therefore reduces water consumption compared to using a filtration system and, unlike a siphon, can be used regardless of the terrain surrounding the pool.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, the fitting is removable and the discharge outlet is designed to receive, one at a time, said fitting or the filter element.

[0019] The vacuum cleaner can therefore be marketed as a kit with different fittings and filter elements.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment, the filter element is a pleated cartridge.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment, the fitting comprises a base, which may be fixed on a neck of a discharge pipe passing through the discharge outlet, and a fitting allowing the pipe to be connected.

[0022] According to an advantageous aspect, the discharge outlet is eccentric with respect to the axis of the main body, in order to allow for easier configuration of the different functions of the vacuum cleaner.

[0023] Advantageously, the vacuum cleaner broom further includes a protective grid for the suction turbine or propeller.

[0024] According to a particular embodiment, the vacuum cleaner brush further includes a locking lever to rigidly hold the filter element on the discharge outlet.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the filter element is placed in a protective grid or cage.

[0026] The fundamental concepts of the invention having been set out above in their most elementary form, other details and features will become clearer from the reading of the following description and with regard to the attached drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example an embodiment of a multi-purpose vacuum cleaner, in accordance with the principles of the invention. Presentation of the drawings

[0027] The figures are given for illustrative purposes only to aid in understanding the invention without limiting its scope. The various elements may be represented schematically and are not necessarily to scale. On All figures, identical or equivalent elements, bear the same numerical reference.

[0028] It is thus illustrated in:

[0029] [Fig-1]: a front perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a method of publication of the invention;

[0030] [Fig.2]: a rear perspective view of the vacuum cleaner broom;

[0031] [Fig.3]: a front view of the vacuum cleaner broom;

[0032] [Fig.4]: a longitudinal section, along the section plane AA, of the [Fig.3];

[0033] [Fig. 5]: a side view of the vacuum cleaner equipped with a... according to a first confi figure of the invention;

[0034] [Fig.6]: a view from below of the vacuum cleaner broom of [Fig.5];

[0035] [Fig.7]: a front view of the vacuum cleaner according to the first configuration;

[0036] [Fig.8]: a longitudinal section, along the section plane AA, of the [Fig.7]. Detailed description of implementation methods

[0037] It should be noted that certain technical elements well known to the person skilled in the art are described here to avoid any insufficiency or ambiguity in the understanding of the present invention.

[0038] In the embodiment described below, reference is made to a versatile, self-contained vacuum cleaner, primarily intended for removing fine debris from the bottom of swimming pools. This non-limiting example is given for a better understanding of the invention and does not preclude the use of the vacuum cleaner for cleaning other types of pools.

[0039] In this description, the term "vacuum brush" refers to an automatic pool cleaning device, having an elongated shape and intended to be handled by a user.

[0040] Figures 1 to 3 represent a multi-purpose vacuum cleaner 100, comprising a debris collection compartment 10, a sealed functional housing 20, surmounting said compartment and containing suction and power supply means, a suction nozzle 30 at the lower end of the debris compartment 10, intended to be flush with the surface to be cleaned, and a pre-filter 40 placed inside the debris compartment 10, of which only the grid is visible in the figures.

[0041] The vacuum cleaner 100 advantageously includes a multi-purpose discharge outlet 50, which can be connected either to a discharge pipe to the sewer of water laden with fine particles that have passed through the pre-filter 40, or to a filter cartridge providing finer filtration than that of the pre-filter 40 as will be described later.

[0042] The debris collection compartment 10 defines a useful volume in which debris sucked up and blocked by the pre-filter 40 located therein can be collected.

[0043] The walls of the debris compartment 10 can be transparent to allow The user can view the level of debris in the compartment for cleaning purposes.

[0044] The debris compartment 10 may have any shape, for example frustoconical, circular or elliptical base, or pyramidal with rectangular or other polygonal base, said shape converging towards the suction mouth 30 to increase the velocity of the water sucked in at the inlet.

[0045] In addition, the suction mouth 30 has a valve 31 which opens under the effect of suction and closes in the absence of suction to prevent debris from falling back into the water of the basin.

[0046] The debris compartment 10, at its end opposite the suction mouth 30, is connected in a sealed and removable manner to the functional housing 20 by means of a locking lever 60.

[0047] The functional housing 20, according to the embodiment example in [Fig.4], defines an internal volume containing the suction and power supply means.

[0048] These suction and power supply means include, for example, a turbine or propeller 21, coupled to an electric motor 22, and a power supply battery 23 for providing the electrical energy required by the motor 22. The battery 23 is rechargeable and can be fixed or removable, thus ensuring autonomy for the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0049] The functional housing 20 also includes an on / off button, and may optionally have other electronic components, known to those skilled in the art, such as a power controller, a power regulator with a control knob, battery charge status indicators, etc.

[0050] The functional housing 20 is surmounted by a handle head 70 for attaching a handle or any other means of gripping the vacuum cleaner broom 100.

[0051] For the purposes of understanding the invention, the debris collection compartment 10 and the functional housing 20 can be considered as constituting a single element which will be called the "main body" of the vacuum cleaner.

[0052] The discharge outlet 50, according to the illustrated embodiment, is positioned on an eccentric part 25 of the main body.

[0053] The discharge outlet 50 is designed to receive at least two different outlets, including a discharge pipe to the sewer such as a garden hose and a filter cartridge, so as to make the vacuum cleaner 100 versatile and multifunctional.

[0054] Figures 1 to 4 represent the first configuration in which the discharge outlet 50 is intended to receive a discharge pipe to evacuate the aspirated water and the fine deposits suspended therein to the outside of the basin.

[0055] The discharge outlet 50 is provided for this purpose with a removable fitting 51, according to The illustrated example allows a pipe to be fixed directly or via another suitable fitting.

[0056] According to the illustrated example, the fitting 51 comprises a hollow base 511 surmounted by a tubular nozzle 512, the assembly allowing the passage of water towards the drain pipe.

[0057] The fitting 51 can be fixed to the discharge outlet 50 in particular by clipping or screwing its base 511 onto a neck 551 of a discharge conduit 55.

[0058] The discharge conduit connects the suction conduit of the vacuum cleaner broom 100 to the discharge outlet 50.

[0059] In order for the discharge pipe to be securely fixed to the nozzle 512, the latter has one or more collars of progressive diameters adapting to conventional garden hoses.

[0060] Of course, the shape and method of fixing the fitting may differ from the illustrated example.

[0061] As mentioned above, the discharge outlet 50 is offset from the main body of the vacuum cleaner 100. This facilitates the connection of a hose according to the first configuration, but also allows the mounting of a filter cartridge according to a second configuration.

[0062] Figures 5 to 8 represent the vacuum cleaner 100 according to this second configuration in which the discharge outlet 50 receives a filter cartridge 52 which ensures finer filtration than that achieved by the pre-filter 40.

[0063] The purpose of this second level of filtration is to eliminate fine debris that has passed through the pre-filter 40.

[0064] Indeed, the pre-filter 40 is a primary filter with a "coarse" mesh that blocks the largest debris and allows the finest debris to pass through. In other words, it has a mesh size adapted to prevent the passage of the debris considered to be the largest, which constitutes a major part of the debris, at least the visible debris, but which is not small enough to filter the finest debris. Therefore, the risk of clogging of this primary filter is limited.

[0065] The filter cartridge 52, according to the illustrated example, has a hollow cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section, defining filtering side walls characterized by their thickness and porosity. These filter walls are suitable for filtering fine particles and can be of different types, preferably pleated fabric so as to considerably increase the filtering surface area of ​​the cartridge.

[0066] The filter cartridge 52 can be attached to the discharge outlet 50 by screwing, clipping, or any other quick-release fastening method. The attachment is made at an annular rim of the discharge outlet 50 equipped with suitable means such as than a thread, clips, etc.

[0067] The filter cartridge 52 is preferably placed in a transparent grid or cage allowing its level of fouling to be seen for the purpose of cleaning or replacement.

[0068] The vacuum cleaner 100 thus described is therefore characterized by its universal discharge outlet 50 which gives it versatility in operation, namely: classic filtration in the absence of a hose connection or filter cartridge; additional finer filtration with the filter cartridge; and discharge of water to the sewer when said outlet is connected to a hose via the fitting.

[0069] It is apparent from the present description that certain non-essential elements of the vacuum cleaner can be modified, replaced or removed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

Claims

1. Submersible vacuum cleaner (100) for cleaning an artificial basin such as a swimming pool, comprising a main body (10, 20), a suction turbine or propeller (21) coupled to an electric motor (22), a battery (23), a suction mouth (30), a pre-filter (40) ensuring a first filtration, and a discharge outlet (50), said vacuum cleaner being characterized in that it comprises a connector (51), making it possible to connect a pipe to the discharge outlet to evacuate the water sucked towards the outside of the basin, and a removable filter element (52) which can be fixed on the discharge outlet to ensure a second filtration finer than the first filtration, and in that said discharge outlet is designed to receive, one at a time, the pipe or the filter element (52).

2. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the connector (51) is removable and the discharge outlet (50) is adapted to receive, one at a time, said connector or the filter element (52).

3. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter element (52) is a pleated cartridge.

4. Vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the connector (51) comprises a base (511), capable of being fixed on a neck (551) of a discharge conduit (55) passing through the discharge outlet (50), and a nozzle (512) allowing the pipe to be connected.

5. A vacuum cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein the discharge outlet (50) is eccentric relative to the axis of the main body (10, 20).

6. Vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a protective grid for the suction turbine or propeller (21).

7. A vacuum cleaner according to any preceding claim, further comprising a locking lever (65) for rigidly holding the filter element (52) on the discharge outlet (50).

8. A vacuum cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter element (52) is placed in a protective grid or cage.

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