External Battery Block Venting for Automatic Pool Cleaners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) face limitations in battery placement and charging mechanisms, with traditional designs either housing batteries within the cleaner body or requiring external cables for recharging, which can be cumbersome and limit flexibility and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A modular battery block is designed to attach externally to the APC chassis, allowing for easy attachment and removal, and includes a venting system to manage gas production, with a charging system that maintains the battery block's seal and connectivity to the APC's motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If batteries are housed within the APC body, then the cleaner has a compact design, but the battery is difficult to access for replacement and charging
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into a removable battery pack that can be easily detached from the APC body. The battery pack is designed as a separate modular unit with its own housing, allowing users to access, remove, replace, and recharge the battery without disassembling the entire cleaner device.
2Ease of operation
If external cables are used for recharging, then the battery can be charged, but the charging process becomes cumbersome and reduces ease of use
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is designed to be self-contained with integrated charging capabilities. The pack can be recharged independently by placing it in a charging cradle or using a wireless charging surface, eliminating the need for users to manually connect cables to the APC body. The system serves itself by allowing direct battery replacement and independent recharging.
3Ease of operation
If the battery block is made removable and external, then ease of replacement and charging is improved, but the seal and water-resistance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is extracted from the internal housing and placed in an external removable pack. This extraction allows the battery to be completely separated from the water-exposed environment of the APC body, eliminating the need for complex waterproof seals at the battery interface. The battery pack can be removed and replaced without compromising the water-resistance of the main device.
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 modular battery block provides a flexible and efficient power solution for APCs, enabling easy replacement and charging while maintaining a sealed and water-resistant design, enhancing user convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an automatic swimming pool cleaner (i) comprises a chassis and (ii) is powered by at least one battery attached to the chassis and accessible from externally of the chassis
Implementation Method 2
an automatic swimming pool cleaner includes (i) at least one battery and (ii) an arrangement for venting gas produced by the at least one battery
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic swimming pool cleaner may include a modular battery block attachable to a component of the automatic swimming pool cleaner. The modular battery block may include at least one battery or other source of electrical power that is accessible from externally of the chassis. A venting system or arrangement may be included for venting the modular battery block, such as venting gas produced by at least one battery. Supplying electrical power to an automatic swimming pool cleaner having a chassis and an motor may include (i) attaching a modular battery block to the chassis so as to form an integrated device, and (ii) causing an electrical connection within the integrated device between the motor and at least one battery of the modular battery block.