Swimming Pool Cleaner Water Distribution System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swimming pool cleaners lack efficient mechanisms for uniformly distributing water flow through vacuum tubes, leading to areas of concentrated and reduced flow, which affects their ability to effectively clean both pool surfaces and walls.
Innovation Solution
A swimming pool pressure cleaner with a water distribution system that includes a turbine-driven gear reduction stack and Geneva gear mechanism, allowing for automatic switching between cleaning modes and ensuring uniform water flow distribution through a network of jet nozzles, enabling efficient cleaning of both pool surfaces and walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If jet nozzles are arranged to discharge pressurized water in general alignment with the flow of water through the vacuum tube, then the structure is simple, but this results in areas of concentrated water flow and areas with significantly reduced flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the orientation of different jet nozzles within the vacuum tube. Instead of all nozzles discharging in the same direction, they are arranged at different angles (e.g., some parallel to flow, some perpendicular, some at 45 degrees) to create locally different flow patterns that collectively achieve uniform overall distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The jet nozzle system is segmented into multiple independently oriented nozzles rather than a single unified discharge arrangement. This segmentation allows each nozzle to contribute differently to the overall flow distribution, preventing concentration in any single area while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Extent of automation
If a timer assembly with turbine and gear reduction stack is used to automatically switch between cleaning modes, then automation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timer assembly operates autonomously using the pool's own pressurized water supply to drive the turbine. The system self-regulates the timing cycles and automatic mode transitions without external control, using the available water pressure and flow to power the mechanical timing mechanism and valve actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic principles by employing pressurized water to drive the turbine and operate the timer mechanism. The water-powered turbine converts hydraulic energy into mechanical rotation, which then drives the gear reduction stack and controls the automatic switching between cleaning modes through hydraulic actuation of valves.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cleaner is designed to clean both pool walls and surface, then versatility is improved, but the ability to maintain uniform water flow distribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts water flow distribution by automatically reconfiguring the jet nozzle orientations and vacuum tube positions based on the current cleaning mode (wall cleaning vs. surface skimming). The timer assembly periodically switches between modes, and the jet nozzles adapt their discharge patterns to maintain uniform flow distribution appropriate for each specific cleaning task.
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 cleaner effectively transitions between modes, ensuring thorough cleaning of both pool surfaces and walls with a uniform water flow distribution, enhancing cleaning efficiency and preventing debris from escaping.
Implementation Method 1
The timer assembly includes a turbine that is rotated by the pressurized water, and drives a gear reduction stack that drives a Geneva gear.
Implementation Method 2
swimming pool cleaners can utilize jet nozzles that discharge pressurized water to generate a vacuum or suction effect
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid distribution system for an underwater pool cleaner comprises an inlet body having an inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid, a valve assembly body in fluid communication with the inlet of the inlet body and including a plurality of fluid outlets, a first one of the outlets provides fluid for propelling the underwater pool cleaner in a forward direction and a second one of the outlets provides fluid for propelling the underwater pool cleaner in a reverse direction, and a valve subassembly fluidicly driven by the supply of pressurized fluid and periodically switching the supply of pressurized fluid from the first one of the outlets to the second one of the outlets to periodically change direction of propulsion of the underwater pool cleaner.