Swimming Pool Cleaner With Hydraulic Valve Cut-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swimming pool cleaners are either noisy and bulky due to the need for rigid tuning tubes to control valve cycle frequency, or they are prone to blocking with debris, especially in sandy environments, as they rely on restrictive flow designs that hinder efficient debris pickup and operation.
Innovation Solution
A compact cleaner design incorporating a flow-control-diverter that regulates flow between primary and secondary channels, eliminating the need for rigid tuning tubes, and featuring a hydraulic valve cut-off for quiet operation, debris guidance, and a plenum chamber to ensure uninterrupted flow, using a hard valve with a 'water cushion' effect to minimize noise and prevent debris blockage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rigid tuning tubes are used to control valve cycle frequency, then the valve cycling is controlled, but the cleaner becomes noisy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rigid tuning tube from the system entirely. Instead, it uses a flow control diverter with a secondary channel that creates a water cushion to control valve cycling frequency, eliminating the bulky component while maintaining the desired oscillation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic principles by creating a water cushion through the secondary channel flow. This water cushion absorbs the valve closing shock and controls the cycling frequency without requiring rigid mechanical tuning tubes, thus reducing noise and size.
2Reliability
If rigid valves are used to interrupt flow, then durability is improved, but noise levels increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a water cushion as an intermediary between the hard valve and the housing. This water cushion absorbs the impact when the valve closes, allowing the use of durable hard valves while significantly reducing the noise that would otherwise be generated by direct metal-to-metal contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic damping through the water cushion created in the secondary channel. This allows the hard valve to close smoothly without creating excessive noise, combining the durability of hard valves with the noise reduction benefits typically associated with flexible valves.
3Ease of operation
If restrictive flow designs are used, then valve control is achieved, but debris pickup efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flow into two separate channels: a primary channel for debris-laden water and a secondary channel for creating the water cushion. This segmentation allows the system to maintain restrictive flow control for valve operation while ensuring that the primary channel remains open for efficient debris pickup and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different flow characteristics to different parts of the system. The secondary channel has restrictive flow to create the water cushion for valve control, while the primary channel maintains open, high-volume flow for efficient debris pickup. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between valve control and debris pickup efficiency.
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 results in a cleaner that is quieter and more durable than existing designs, with improved debris handling and flow efficiency, as it maintains a larger water volume flow and effectively diverts debris, reducing noise and operational issues while preventing blockages.
Implementation Method 1
Valve has cutaway sides and hinged mechanism for improved durability and debris digestion. The insert is shaped as to create an enlarged gap between the valve inlet face and insert as valve returns to open position so as to allow debris entering the secondary channel to progress freely to outlet. In conjunction with the insert hydraulic cut-off technology creates extremely quiet operation. Valve has cutaway sides and hinged mechanism for improved durability and debris digestion.
Implementation Method 2
Some cleaners on the market rely on a flexible valve membrane ref U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,833 Stoltz; Andries J. (Pretoria, ZA), Kallenbach; Dieter H. F. (Sandton, ZA) to interrupt flow while others rely on a rigid valve member ref U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,068 Hofmann. Both of these valves have advantages and disadvantages. Typically the flexible valves will be better in Sandy environments and quieter in operation, whereas the harder valves will be more durable though noisier.
Implementation Method 3
For this invention an insert also referred to as a flow-control-diverter is provided to perform a multi task operation in that it functions as a means: 1. Control flow between a primary and secondary channel to effectively negate the use of a rigid or tuning tube between valve and hose.
Data Source
AI summary
A suction powered swimming pool cleaner connected to the filtration pump by a hose of varying length according to the size of the pool that need be cleaned. Unit comprises of a interruption type valve member moving forward in a stepwise manner thereby cleaning the pool surface. Valve oscillation and debris controlled by means of a flow-control-debris-diverter with aided waterbuffer technology for quiet operation.