Modular 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 while charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If batteries are housed within the cleaner body, then the cleaner has a compact design, but battery replacement and charging are difficult and require disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented from the cleaner body into a separate removable battery pack. This allows the battery to be independently accessed, replaced, and charged without disassembling the cleaner housing, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery is extracted from the internal housing and placed in an external removable pack that attaches to the cleaner. This extraction enables easy removal and charging of the battery without requiring access to the cleaner's internal components, resolving the contradiction between compact design and ease of battery maintenance.
2Ease of operation
If external cables are used for recharging, then charging can be performed, but the process is cumbersome and limits flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
A docking station serves as an intermediary between the power source and the battery pack. The docking station automatically establishes electrical connection when the battery pack is placed on it, eliminating the need for manual cable connection and disconnection, thereby simplifying the charging process while providing a structured charging mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system is designed to be self-service through automatic connection at the docking station. When the battery pack is placed on the dock, electrical contacts automatically engage to begin charging, and automatically disconnect when charging is complete or the pack is removed, eliminating manual intervention and reducing operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the battery block is made modular and externally attachable, then flexibility and ease of replacement are improved, but the risk of water ingress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is designed as a sealed unit that can be easily replaced if water ingress occurs. Rather than attempting to make the entire system perfectly waterproof, the design accepts that external components may be exposed to water and provides a simple replacement mechanism, thereby maintaining reliability through ease of replacement rather than through complex sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station acts as an intermediary that provides a controlled environment for battery charging. The battery pack only needs to be waterproof enough for pool operation, and the docking station provides protection during charging, effectively dividing the waterproofing requirement between two components rather than requiring the battery pack to be completely waterproof.
4Reliability
If a venting system is added to manage gas production, then battery safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting system converts the potentially harmful gas production from batteries into a controlled and beneficial function. By providing dedicated vent pathways, the system safely directs gas away from sensitive components and the pool environment, transforming a safety hazard into a managed operational feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting system is implemented locally at specific critical points around the battery pack and docking station, rather than as a comprehensive system throughout the entire cleaner. This localized approach provides necessary safety functionality while minimizing the addition of complex components and mechanisms.
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 design provides a flexible and efficient power solution for APCs, enabling easy battery replacement and charging without water ingress, 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
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.