Robot Pool Cleaner Filter Anti-Blocking via Reverse Flow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robot swimming pool cleaners face inefficiencies due to filter screen blockages, requiring frequent manual cleaning, which is inconvenient and reduces cleaning efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a deposition chamber, garbage filtering and collecting mechanism, and one-way valves to create a reverse water flow for self-cleaning, flushing dirt to a deposition chamber and preventing filter screen blockages, ensuring prolonged high cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the robot swimming pool cleaner uses a filter screen to intercept dirt, then the cleaning efficiency is improved, but the filter screen easily blocks and requires frequent manual cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidmanual cleaning frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-cleaning mechanism where the water pump creates reverse water flow to automatically flush the filter screen. The deposition chamber collects dirt and the system periodically reverses pump rotation to clean the filter screen without human intervention, making the system serve itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the dirt accumulation problem from the main cleaning path by creating a separate deposition chamber. Dirt is diverted into this separate chamber through the second one-way valve, isolating it from the filter screen and preventing blockage in the main water flow path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the filter screen intercepts dirt in the housing, then water quality is improved, but suction is reduced due to blockage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater qualityVSAvoidsuction capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a second filter screen in the deposition chamber as an intermediary structure. This second filter allows water to pass through while trapping larger dirt particles in the deposition chamber, maintaining water quality without blocking the main suction path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The filtering function is segmented into two stages: the first filter screen in the main water path handles fine filtration, while the second filter screen in the deposition chamber handles coarse particle separation. This segmentation prevents the main filter from being overwhelmed by large debris.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Duration of action of moving object

If the robot swimming pool cleaner operates continuously, then cleaning coverage is improved, but filter screen blockage occurs more frequently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoidmanual cleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuous operation by implementing automatic periodic cleaning cycles. The water pump alternates between forward rotation (cleaning mode) and reverse rotation (self-cleaning mode), eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous useful action without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic reverse rotation of the water pump to create intermittent self-cleaning cycles. This periodic action flushes accumulated dirt from the filter screen at regular intervals, preventing progressive blockage and maintaining long-term continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 self-cleaning function maintains higher cleaning efficiency over time by automatically flushing and storing dirt, reducing manual intervention and extending the service life of the cleaner.

Implementation Method 1

the rotation direction of the water pump is controlled by the control mechanism, to form a water flow from the first opening to the second opening inside the housing, or form a water flow from the second opening to the third opening inside the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater flow:

Implementation Method 2

the first opening is provided with a first one-way valve that may be opened towards an inner side of the housing, the third opening is provided with a second one-way valve that may be opened towards an outer side of the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOne-way valve mechanism: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP4403724A1Robot swimming pool cleaner with filter screen Anti-blocking function
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 SHENZHEN AIPER INTELLIGENT CO LTD
  • EP4403724A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4403724A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4403724A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A robot swimming pool cleaner with a filter screen anti-blocking function, including a housing. The interior of the housing is provided with a filtering mechanism (3) and a deposition chamber (105), the housing is provided with a first opening (103) communicated with a water inlet chamber, a second opening (104) communicated with a water pump chamber, and a third opening (106) communicated with the deposition chamber, the third opening is provided with a garbage filtering and collecting mechanism (5), the first opening is provided with a first one-way valve and the third opening is provided with a second one-way valve. A water pump may form a reverse water flow, thereby flushing the filtering mechanism, dirt is flushed to the deposition chamber and the garbage filtering and collecting mechanism for temporary storage, avoiding blockage of the filtering mechanism.