Submersible Aquarium Cleaner With Adjustable Suction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for cleaning aquarium gravel or sand are tedious, messy, and stressful for fish, as they require removing and storing tank occupants, and often involve unpleasant odors and chemical treatments.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held submersible aquarium power cleaner with a water pump assembly, filter, and adjustable suction control, which draws debris from the bottom of the tank while keeping the substrate suspended, allowing for efficient cleaning without disturbing the fish or requiring tank water removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional siphoning pump method is used to clean gravel or sand, then waste products can be removed from the aquarium, but a substantial volume of water must be drained and the process is tedious and messy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the necessary function (removing waste debris) from the traditional siphoning method by using a pump assembly that selectively removes debris while maintaining water in the aquarium, eliminating the need to drain substantial water volumes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines multiple functions into one unit: it acts as both a cleaning device for substrate and an auxiliary filtration system, capable of operating in different modes (cleaning mode and filtration mode) to address multiple aquarium maintenance needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If traditional cleaning method is used, then waste can be removed, but tank occupants must be removed and stored which is stressful to their health

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidstress to fish

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables cleaning operations to proceed without human intervention regarding fish handling - the system automatically allows cleaning while fish remain in the tank, with the pump and filtration working autonomously to maintain water quality during the process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If traditional cleaning method is used, then debris can be removed, but the process involves unpleasant odors and chemical treatments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidodors and chemical pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device converts the harmful accumulation of waste debris into beneficial cleaned water by using the pump assembly to extract debris and the filtration system to purify water, transforming the waste problem into a water purification opportunity that improves aquarium quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Productivity

If pump assembly operates at high suction force, then debris can be effectively captured, but substrate may be excessively disturbed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris capture efficiencyVSAvoidsubstrate disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs dynamic control of the pump assembly's suction force, allowing adjustment between high suction for effective debris capture and lower suction to prevent excessive substrate disturbance, adapting the cleaning intensity to the specific aquarium conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The device effectively captures debris and cleans water, minimizing disturbance to fish and users, and can be used as an auxiliary filtration system or for siphoning, providing a more efficient and hygienic maintenance process.

Implementation Method 1

a water pump assembly having an impeller rotatably connected to an electric motor, the impeller being in fluid communication with the intake compartment; a power switch for controlling power to the electric motor, wherein rotation of the impeller draws aquarium water and debris through the nozzle and into the filtering compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpeller rotation creating suction: Impeller

Implementation Method 2

rotation of the impeller draws aquarium water and debris through the nozzle and into the filtering compartment, where the debris is captured and retained by the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10349637B2Hand-held submersible aquarium power cleaner

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 WATER TECH LTD

AI summary

A hand-held submersible aquarium power cleaner for cleaning debris from an aquarium, includes an elongated housing having an intake compartment and a filtering compartment therein. A nozzle is positioned at a front end of the housing and is in fluid communication with the intake compartment, wherein a selectively openable channel is provided between the intake compartment and the filter compartment. A filter is disposed in fluid communication with the filter compartment. A water pump assembly has an impeller rotatably connected to an electric motor, wherein the impeller is in fluid communication with the intake compartment. A power switch controls power to the electric motor so that rotation of the impeller draws aquarium water and debris through the nozzle and into the filtering compartment, where the debris is captured and retained by the filter and cleansed water is discharged into the aquarium.