Adjustable Buoyancy Pool Cleaner for Adaptive Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated pool cleaning devices require tedious efforts to navigate efficiently and effectively clean pool surfaces, as they lack features that adapt to different pool shapes and surfaces, leading to inefficient cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
The pool cleaner features adjustable buoyancy elements that can be positioned to alter the center of buoyancy relative to the center of gravity, allowing for controlled orientation and motion paths, including straight-line movement and turning, by utilizing a combination of buoyant and motive elements to engage with the pool surfaces, thereby optimizing cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional automated pool cleaning devices are used, then the cleaning process can be automated, but the navigation efficiency and cleaning effectiveness are poor due to inability to adapt to different pool shapes and surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The buoyant element is made adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the cleaner, allowing dynamic repositioning to change the center of buoyancy. This enables the cleaner to adapt its orientation and motion characteristics dynamically based on the specific pool geometry and cleaning requirements, resolving the contradiction between automation and cleaning efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cleaner has fixed buoyancy characteristics, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different pool shapes and surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The buoyant element is divided into multiple segments or positioned in multiple alternative locations along the longitudinal axis. By selectively positioning these segmented buoyant elements, the cleaner can adjust its center of buoyancy to adapt to different pool shapes without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure, thus balancing adaptability with structural simplicity.
3Productivity
If the cleaner uses fixed motion paths, then the control system is simple, but it cannot efficiently clean various pool surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner utilizes adjustable buoyancy parameters (position of buoyant element) to change its motion characteristics and orientation. By varying the buoyancy parameter, the cleaner can adapt its motion path and cleaning effectiveness for different pool surfaces without requiring a complex control system, as the adaptation is achieved through passive buoyancy adjustment rather than active control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the pool cleaner to navigate pool surfaces more efficiently, ensuring thorough cleaning while reducing user effort, adapting to various pool shapes and surfaces, and maintaining effective operation both on the floor and walls.
Implementation Method 1
at least one buoyant element exerting a buoyancy force contributing to a biasing of said cleaner toward at least one specific orientation when said cleaner is in the water
Implementation Method 2
said resultant buoyant force and the gravitational force acting as a couple biasing said cleaner toward said specific orientation
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic pool cleaner has a plurality of components, some of which have a density greater than water, giving the cleaner an overall negative buoyancy. The cleaner has a buoyant element which is adjustable in position relative to the center of gravity of the cleaner. Adjusting the position of the buoyant element changes the probable motion path of the cleaner on the pool floor and on the walls to allow the cleaner to execute a variety of motion paths to clean various parts of the pool. The adjustable element may be slidably positioned by a handle extending through a slot in the housing or be slidable on a slide band attached to the housing, which may be pivotable, translatable and rotatable, providing an additional range of position alternatives. A selected position is held by a detent or other holding mechanism. The adjustable element permits the cleaner to be adapted to clean various pool shapes and surfaces.