Autonomous Pool Cleaner With Onboard Filter and Wireless Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) face challenges with unsightly and obstructive hoses or electrical cords, and the difficulty of removing filters without exposing users to water and debris.
Innovation Solution
The development of APCs with on-board filters that can be easily removed while the cleaner remains in the pool, utilizing on-board batteries for power and a docking station for recharging and filter access, eliminating the need for external hoses or cords, and enabling autonomous operation with electronic communication and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic cleaners use fluid-conveying hoses to connect with water-circulation pumps, then debris evacuation function is improved, 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 in an onboard container, eliminating the need for continuous hose connection while maintaining debris evacuation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary solution - a robotic cleaner with onboard debris container that acts as a mediator between the pool environment and the filtration system, allowing debris collection without requiring visible hoses or cords in the pool
2Power
If robotic cleaners use electrical cables connected to drive motors, then motive power is improved, but the cables become unsightly and obstruct pool activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful electrical cable from the system by implementing wireless power transmission technology, allowing the robotic cleaner to maintain full motive power without visible cables extending into the pool
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical cable connection with a wireless power transmission system (such as electromagnetic induction or radio frequency energy transfer), substituting a physical tether with a field-based energy transfer mechanism
3Reliability
If pressure-side hydraulic cleaners contain filters within their bodies, then debris filtration is improved, but the cleaners must be removed from pools to empty filters exposing users to water and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the robotic cleaner automatically returns to its charging station, which simultaneously serves as a debris discharge station, allowing the filter to be emptied automatically without human intervention or pool entry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the charging station function with the debris collection and discharge function, combining multiple operations (charging, filter emptying, and cleaner storage) into a single integrated station located outside the pool
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 allows for untethered operation of APCs within pools, easy filter removal and cleaning without external tethers, and facilitates autonomous operation with electronic communication, enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing on-board batteries for power
Implementation Method 2
a docking station for recharging
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.