Hydrocyclonic Pool Cleaner With Segmented Filter and Roller Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swimming pool cleaners face issues with clogged filter elements, reduced suction performance, and difficulties in navigating around obstacles, leading to incomplete cleaning and manual handling of debris.
Innovation Solution
The swimming pool cleaner incorporates a hydrocyclonic particle separator assembly with a canister subassembly and drive assembly featuring six driven brushed rollers, allowing for efficient debris separation and improved navigation over pool surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional filter elements (bags, mesh, baskets) are used to trap debris, then debris containment is achieved, but the filter elements quickly become clogged and occluded, reducing suction performance and requiring frequent cleaning or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is segmented into multiple independent filter elements (first filter element, second filter element, third filter element) arranged in parallel. This segmentation allows debris to be distributed across multiple surfaces, preventing any single element from becoming completely clogged and maintaining continuous filtration capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter elements are nested within a common housing structure, with each filter element contained within the same assembly. This nested arrangement allows for compact integration of multiple filter elements while enabling independent access and cleaning of each element without disassembling the entire filter housing.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional filter elements are used, then debris is trapped, but the filter elements have limited surface area that becomes clogged prior to the debris retention volume being filled to capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The total filtration surface area is segmented across multiple filter elements, significantly increasing the overall debris retention capacity. The parallel arrangement of three filter elements provides substantially more surface area for debris capture compared to a single element, allowing the system to hold more debris before requiring cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter elements are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration within the housing, utilizing vertical and radial space efficiently. This spatial arrangement maximizes the debris retention volume while maintaining adequate filtration surface area, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the filtration capacity.
3Ease of operation
If users manually clean or replace filter elements, then debris is removed, but users must directly handle the filter element and debris, and open the cleaner lid which may result in debris and water getting on them
Solution Approach 1:
The filter elements are designed to be independently extractable from the housing through openable lids on the housing. This allows users to remove and clean filter elements separately without opening the main cleaner enclosure, isolating the debris-containing filter elements from the user's working environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure acts as an intermediary barrier between the user and the debris. Users interact with the housing exterior and remove filter elements through designated access points, preventing direct contact with debris and water that would occur if the main cleaner lid had to be opened.
4Productivity
If the cleaner encounters obstacles (lights, drains) during cleaning, then the cleaner must navigate around them, but the cleaner can get stuck for the duration of a cleaning period, resulting in incomplete cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner employs a dynamic navigation system with multiple driven rollers that can independently adjust their rotation and speed. This dynamic control allows the cleaner to adapt its movement in real-time when encountering obstacles, enabling it to navigate around lights, drains, and other pool features without getting stuck, thereby maintaining consistent cleaning performance throughout the entire pool surface.
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 solution enhances debris separation and filtration efficiency, reduces manual handling of debris, and ensures complete pool cleaning by effectively navigating around obstacles and maintaining suction performance.
Implementation Method 1
hydrocyclonic particle separator assembly with a canister subassembly
Implementation Method 2
hydrocyclonic particle separator assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners that remove debris from water using a plurality of cyclonic flows, or that include a removable impeller subassembly, a check valve for a debris canister, a particle separator assembly having a handle that locks to the pool cleaner, a modular roller drive gear box, or a roller latch that secures a roller to the pool cleaner. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to the check valve and the roller latch themselves. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a filter medium for pool cleaners that includes embossments providing flow channels for water, and to roller assemblies for pool cleaners. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners including alternative pump motor engagements. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners power supplies that include a potted and contoured power board assembly, and to kickstands therefor. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pool cleaner caddy, and removable wheels therefor.