Autonomous Pool Cleaner with Docking Station for Cordless Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) face challenges with unsightly and obstructive hoses or electrical cords, which complicate debris removal and require cumbersome filter access, often necessitating the cleaner to be removed from the pool.
Innovation Solution
The development of APCs with on-board batteries and filters that can be easily accessed and emptied while in the pool, utilizing a docking station for recharging and communication, allowing untethered operation without external hoses or cords, and enabling autonomous navigation and debris management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If hydraulic cleaners use fluid-conveying hoses to connect with water-circulation pumps, then debris evacuation is enabled, but the hoses become unsightly and obstruct pool activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful element (fluid-conveying hose) from the system by transitioning to a robotic cleaner that collects debris internally and deposits it at a docking station, eliminating the need for long hoses extending through the pool environment
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station serves as an intermediary between the robotic cleaner and the filtration system, allowing debris transfer without requiring direct hose connections through the pool space
2Power
If robotic cleaners use electrical cables connected to drive motors, then motive power is provided, but the cables remain unsightly and obstruct pool activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical cable from the operational environment by using a rechargeable battery pack integrated into the robotic cleaner, allowing the unit to operate autonomously without tethered power supply
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic cleaner carries its own power source (rechargeable battery pack) and autonomously recharges at the docking station, making the system self-sufficient without external cable connections during operation
3Reliability
If pressure-side hydraulic cleaners contain filters within their bodies, then debris filtration is achieved, but the cleaners must be removed from pools to access and empty filters
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station acts as an intermediary that receives debris from the robotic cleaner's internal container and transfers it to an external collection system, allowing filter maintenance without removing the cleaner from the pool
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic cleaner autonomously returns to the docking station when its internal container is full, and the docking station automatically transfers debris to its collection system, eliminating manual intervention for filter maintenance
Data Source
AI summary
Swimming pool cleaners may operate autonomously within pools and spas. The cleaners need not include any external hoses or cords, and their bodies may be oriented at pool waterlines so as to make their on-board filters readily accessible for removal. The cleaners may dock at docking stations for various purposes, including (but not limited to) for charging any on-board battery and communicating electronically with the docking station or other external equipment.