Apparatus for cleaning surface of water in swimming pool

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning the surface of water in a swimming pool includes a housing defining a water inlet port and a water outlet port, which communicate with each other and delimit a water flow channel; and a filter means detachably provided on the housing and communicating with the water outlet port. The water flow channel includes: a first water flow channel section proximate the water inlet port; a third water flow channel section proximate the water outlet port; and a second water flow channel section connecting the first and third water flow channel sections. An inner bottom wall of the second water flow channel section is higher than inner bottom walls of the first and third water flow channel sections. With this arrangement, the apparatus can provide improved cleaning performance and reduced waste leakage.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of swimming pool cleaning and, in particular to an apparatus for cleaning the surface of water in a swimming pool.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] With the development of the social economy and the improvement of people's living standards, swimming pools are becoming increasingly popular in residential areas, parks and leisure places. However, a variety of floating debris, such as leaves, insects, dust, etc., tends to accumulate on the surface of water in swimming pools. Such floating debris not only affects the aesthetics of water pools, but may also be detrimental to water quality and hence to swimmers' health. Therefore, there is an urgent need for effectively cleaning the surface of water in swimming pools and maintaining their clean water quality.

[0003] At present, there are towed-type apparatuses for cleaning the surface of water in swimming pools on the market. Despite of reduced manual labor and improved cleaning efficiency, they are associated with a number of problems in terms of design and usage. For example, some existing cleaning apparatuses suffer from insensible water flow channel designs, which degrade their cleaning performance and operating efficiency and tend to lead to leakage of waste. Therefore, their cleaning performance remains unsatisfactory.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] In order to overcome the problems described above, the present invention provides:

[0005] an apparatus for cleaning the surface of water in a swimming pool, characterized in comprising: a housing defining a water inlet port and a water outlet port, which communicate with each other and delimit a water flow channel; and a filter means detachably provided on the housing and communicating with the water outlet port, wherein the water flow channel comprises: a first water flow channel section proximate the water inlet port; a third water flow channel section proximate the water outlet port; and a second water flow channel section connecting the first and third water flow channel sections, wherein an inner bottom wall of the second water flow channel section is higher than inner bottom walls of the first and third water flow channel sections.

[0006] Additionally, the inner bottom wall of the first water flow channel section may gradually extend obliquely upwards from the water inlet port to the second water flow channel section.

[0007] Additionally, the apparatus may be configured so that, when it stays still on the surface of water, the inner bottom wall of the second water flow channel section is higher than a water level.

[0008] Additionally, the apparatus may further comprise a connection assembly comprising a main body and a connection member rotatably connected to the main body, wherein the housing has a connection portion, to which the connection member is connected.

[0009] Additionally, the connection member may be detectably connected to the connection portion.

[0010] Additionally, the connection member may comprise a cable and a waterproof connector, the cable connected at opposite ends respectively to the main body and the waterproof connector.

[0011] Additionally, the connection portion may be located on an underside of the housing.

[0012] Additionally, the connection portion may be located proximate the water inlet port on the housing.

[0013] Additionally, the connection portion may be located at a middle location of a portion of the housing proximate and under the water inlet port.

[0014] Additionally, the housing may comprise a first shell and a second shell disposed within the first shell, the first shell defining a detachable connection structure, through which the filter means is attached to the first shell, the second shell defining the water inlet port and the water outlet port, which communicate with each other and delimit the water flow channel in the second shell.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the apparatus of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0016] Through configuring the second water flow channel section so that its inner bottom wall is higher than the inner bottom walls of the first and third water flow channel sections, when the apparatus stays still on the surface of water, waste at the end of the water outlet port does not tend to leak from the water inlet port.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a first schematic structural view of an apparatus for cleaning the surface of water in a swimming pool according to the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an exposed view of the apparatus according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view of a second shell in the apparatus according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a second schematic structural view of the apparatus according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a third schematic structural view of the apparatus according to the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a fourth schematic structural view of the apparatus according to the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Aspects, objects, and advantages of the present invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments thereof.

[0025] It is to be noted that, as used herein, the terms “center”, “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “inside”, “outside” and so on may be used herein to describe orientations or positional relationships as viewed in the annexed figures. They are for convenience and ease of description of the present invention only and do not indicate or imply that the described apparatus or element must assume, or be constructed or operated in, a particular orientation. Therefore, they are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. In addition, as used herein, the terms “first”, “second” and “third” are intended only for illustration and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, an apparatus 3 for cleaning the surface of water in a swimming pool includes a housing 32 and a filter means 33 detachably provided on the housing 32. The housing 32 defines a water flow channel 311, which extends through the housing 32 and communicates with the filter means 33. With this arrangement, during operation of the apparatus 3 for cleaning the surface of water in a swimming pool, water carrying floating debris can flow from the water flow channel 311 into the filter means 33 and be filtered therein. The filtered clean water is discharged, while the floating debris remains within the filter means 33.

[0027] Preferably, the housing 32 defines a water inlet port 3111 and a water outlet port 3112, which communicates with each other and delimit the water flow channel 311.

[0028] Preferably, the water flow channel 311 includes: a first water flow channel section 3113 proximate the water inlet port 3111; a third water flow channel section 3115 proximate the water outlet port 3112; and a second water flow channel section 3114 connecting the first water flow channel section 3113 and the third water flow channel section 3115. An inner bottom wall of the second water flow channel section 3114 is higher than inner bottom walls of the first water flow channel section 3113 and the second water flow channel section 3114. Through configuring the second water flow channel section 3114 so that its inner bottom wall is higher than the inner bottom walls of the first water flow channel section 3113 and the third water flow channel section 3115, when the apparatus 3 stays still on the surface of water, waste at the end of the water outlet port 3112 does not tend to leak from the water inlet port 3111.

[0029] Preferably, the inner bottom wall of the first water flow channel section 3113 gradually extends obliquely upwards from the water inlet port 3111 to the second water flow channel section 3114. The inclined design of the first water flow channel section 3113 enables the apparatus 3 to receive downward pressure under the action of water flow, when towed across the surface of water.

[0030] Preferably, the apparatus 3 is configured so that, when it stays still on the surface of water, the inner bottom wall of the second water flow channel section 3114 is higher than a water level 4, preventing floating debris or waste collected within the third water flow channel section 3115 from escaping into the first water flow channel section 3113 through the second water flow channel section 3114.

[0031] Preferably, the apparatus 3 is configured so that, when it stays still on the surface of water, the first water flow channel section 3113 is partially lower than the water level 4, allowing water to flow, upon the apparatus 3 being towed, into the first water flow channel section 3113, and then the second water flow channel section 3114 and the third water flow channel section 3115.

[0032] Preferably, the apparatus 3 is configured so that, when it stays still on the surface of water, the third water flow channel section 3115 is lower than the water level 4, preventing leakage of floating debris or waste collected within the third water flow channel section 3115.

[0033] Preferably, the filter means 33 is detachably attached to the housing 32. For example, the filter means 33 may be placed in a filter basket within the housing 32. In this way, a user can easily access the filter means 33 for replacement or cleaning.

[0034] Preferably, the housing 32 has a connection portion 322 for connecting an external device.

[0035] Preferably, the connection portion 322 is located on an underside of the housing 32. Connecting an external device on the underside of the housing 32 allows the housing 32 to sink more or less, when the apparatus 3 is towed by the external device across the surface of water, facilitating water inflow through the water inlet port 3111.

[0036] Preferably, the connection portion 322 is located proximate the water inlet port 3111 on the housing 32 to allow the water inlet port 3111 to sink more or less, when the apparatus 3 is moved across the surface of water, facilitating water inflow through the water inlet port 3111.

[0037] Preferably, the connection portion 322 is located at a middle location of a portion of the housing 32 proximate and under the water inlet port 3111 to allow the water inlet port 3111 to sink more or less, when the apparatus 3 is moved across the surface of water. Moreover, with this arrangement, the housing 32 moves substantially in the same direction as the connection portion 322 is towed.

[0038] Preferably, the housing 32 includes a first shell 323 and a second shell 324 disposed within the first shell 323. The first shell 323 defines a detachable connection structure 325, and the filter means 33 is attached to the first shell 323 via the detachable connection structure 325. The water inlet port 3111 and the water outlet port 3112 are defined in the second shell 324 so as to communicate with each other and delimit the water flow channel 311 in the second shell 324. This modular design of the housing 32 can facilitate manufacturing and assembly.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 32 may further define a handle 321 for facilitating lifting.

[0040] Preferably, the handle 321 is defined at a location on the housing 32 proximate the water inlet port 3111 of the water flow channel 311.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, a connection assembly 2 is also included, which includes a main body 21 and a connection member 22 rotatably connected to the main body 21. The connection member 22 is connected to the connection portion 322. Rotatably connecting the connection member 22 to the main body 21 enables the main body 21 to rotate relative to the housing 32 upon the main body 21 being towed, allowing for more smooth steering.

[0042] In some embodiments, the main body 21 and connection member 22 are integrally formed, and the connection member 22 is rotatably connected to the connection portion 322.

[0043] Preferably, the connection member 22 is detectably connected to the connection portion 322, facilitating assembly and disassembly of the apparatus 3.

[0044] In some embodiments, the main body 21 is a cable.

[0045] Preferably, the connection member 22 includes a cable 23 and a waterproof connector 24. Opposite ends of the cable 23 are respectively connected to the main body 21 and the waterproof connector 24. The connector can be electrically connected to an external device.

[0046] Preferably, the main body 21 is provided with a battery.

[0047] Preferably, the battery is directly or indirectly connected to the cable 23.

[0048] Preferably, the main body 21 is provided with a communication device directly or indirectly connected to the cable 23. With this arrangement, the main body 21 can communicate with an underwater device. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, after the waterproof connector 24 is connected to a swimming pool cleaning robot 1, the main body 21 floating on the surface of water can communicate with the swimming pool cleaning robot 1.

[0049] Preferably, the battery is directly or indirectly connected to the communication device.

[0050] The description presented above is merely that of preferred embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope thereof in any sense. Any and all changes, equivalent alternatives and modifications made according to the principles of the invention are intended to fall within the scope thereof.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cleaning the surface of water in a swimming pool comprising:a housing defining a water inlet port and a water outlet port, which communicate with each other and delimit a water flow channel; anda filter means detachably provided on the housing and communicating with the water outlet port,wherein the water flow channel comprises:a first water flow channel section proximate the water inlet port;a third water flow channel section proximate the water outlet port; anda second water flow channel section connecting the first and third water flow channel sections,wherein an inner bottom wall of the second water flow channel section is higher than inner bottom walls of the first and third water flow channel sections.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner bottom wall of the first water flow channel section gradually extends obliquely upwards from the water inlet port to the second water flow channel section.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it stays still on the surface of water, the inner bottom wall of the second water flow channel section is higher than a water level.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection assembly comprising a main body and a connection member rotatably connected to the main body, wherein the housing has a connection portion, to which the connection member is connected.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the connection member is detectably connected to the connection portion.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the connection member comprises a cable and a waterproof connector, the cable connected at opposite ends respectively to the main body and the waterproof connector.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the connection portion is located on an underside of the housing.

8. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the connection portion is located proximate the water inlet port on the housing.

9. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the connection portion is located at a middle location of a portion of the housing proximate and under the water inlet port.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first shell and a second shell disposed within the first shell, the first shell defining a detachable connection structure, through which the filter means is attached to the first shell, the second shell defining the water inlet port and the water outlet port, which communicate with each other and delimit the water flow channel in the second shell.

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