Mechanical Pool Cleaner Direction Change Structure Without Electronic Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pool cleaners face inefficiencies in changing direction when encountering walls or obstacles, with time-based systems leading to significant efficiency loss and complex, costly electronic solutions, while mechanical systems risk detachment at excessive angles.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical direction change structure for pool cleaners, featuring a swinging unit, abutting unit, and stopping unit that interact through rotational forces and water resistance to achieve stable direction changes without electronic control, utilizing a stopping unit that interferes with or detaches from the abutting unit to alter movement direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanical reversing structure is designed to enable bidirectional movement of the cleaning component, then the cleaning coverage and effectiveness are improved, but the structural complexity and number of moving parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebidirectional cleaning capabilityVSAvoidmechanical reversing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a complex mechanical reversing structure to change the direction of the cleaning component, the patent inverts the approach by using the drive wheel's rotation direction control to achieve bidirectional movement. The drive wheel can rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise, directly driving the cleaning component forward or in reverse, thereby eliminating the need for additional reversing mechanisms while maintaining cleaning versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive wheel serves multiple functions: it provides forward propulsion, enables reverse movement, and controls the cleaning component's direction. By making the drive wheel multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated reversing mechanisms, thus simplifying the overall structure while achieving bidirectional cleaning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the drive wheel is designed to rotate in multiple directions to control cleaning component movement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the control precision and mechanical reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectional controlVSAvoiddrive wheel control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drive wheel's rotation direction is dynamically controlled based on the cleaning requirements. The system can switch between clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation to adapt to different cleaning scenarios, providing ease of operation. The dynamic control is achieved through a simple motor control mechanism that switches rotation direction without complex mechanical reversing parts, thereby maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If a fixed cleaning component design is used, then the manufacturing precision and structural stability are improved, but the adaptability to different cleaning needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning component structureVSAvoidcleaning coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning component's position and orientation are made dynamically adjustable through the drive wheel's controlled rotation. While the cleaning component's physical structure remains fixed and precisely manufactured, its functional position relative to the pool surface can be adjusted by changing the drive wheel's rotation direction and speed, thereby achieving adaptability to different cleaning needs without compromising manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4394146B1Mechanical direction change structure for pool cleaner, and pool cleaner
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 WYBOTICS CO LTD
  • EP4394146B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4394146B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4394146B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a mechanical direction change structure for a pool cleaner, and a pool cleaner. The mechanical direction change structure includes a direction change device provided on a pool cleaner body and swingable relative to a pool cleaner, where the direction change device is provided with an abutting unit, and at least one stopping unit rotatable relative to the direction change device; when the pool cleaner is traveling, the stopping unit is in contact with the abutting unit, such that the direction change device maintains a basically stationary state relative to a shell; and when the pool cleaner changes a direction, the stopping unit gradually detaches from the abutting unit and rotates relative to the abutting unit. The stopping unit is rotatable relative to a swinging element. The stopping unit rotates to contact or detach from the abutting unit, thereby enabling the pool cleaner to travel and change its direction. When the pool cleaner is traveling, the swinging element maintains a stationary state relative to the pool cleaner body. When the pool cleaner stops, the swinging element is restored to achieve a direction change. The present disclosure features a simple structure, convenient mounting, and smooth operation, and eliminates the need for an auxiliary direction change through an electrical control part.