Pool Cleaner Hydrocyclonic Separator and Roller Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swimming pool cleaners face issues with clogged filter elements, reduced suction performance, and difficulty in handling debris, as well as getting stuck on obstacles during cleaning, leading to incomplete pool cleaning.
Innovation Solution
The swimming pool cleaner incorporates a hydrocyclonic particle separator assembly with a canister subassembly and drive assembly featuring six driven brushed rollers, allowing for efficient debris separation and improved navigation over pool surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional filter elements (bags, mesh, baskets) are used to trap debris, then debris containment is achieved, but the filter surface area becomes clogged quickly reducing suction performance
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is segmented into multiple independent filter bags arranged in parallel within the debris container. Each filter bag provides additional filtration surface area, distributing the debris load across multiple surfaces rather than a single large surface that clogs quickly. This segmentation maintains suction performance by preventing any single filter surface from becoming completely blocked.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple filter bags are nested or arranged within the debris container structure, with each bag containing filtration media. The nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space while providing cumulative filter surface area. Debris is captured on the outer surfaces of nested bags, preserving inner bag surfaces for continued filtration.
2Reliability
If filter elements are cleaned or replaced frequently to maintain performance, then suction performance is maintained, but maintenance time and user handling of debris increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrocyclone separator automatically separates and collects debris in the debris container, eliminating the need for users to manually clean filter surfaces during operation. The system self-maintains filtration performance by continuously removing captured debris from the filter bags, reducing maintenance time and user exposure to debris.
Solution Approach 2:
Debris captured on filter surfaces is automatically discarded into the debris container through the hydrocyclone separation process. The clean water is recovered and recirculated, while debris is collected and removed from the filtration system, reducing the frequency and time of manual filter cleaning.
3Productivity
If the cleaner encounters obstacles (lights, drains) during traversal, then cleaning coverage is achieved, but the cleaner gets stuck resulting in incomplete cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The six driven rollers are designed to perform multiple functions: propulsion along pool surfaces, negotiation of obstacles, and navigation through tight spaces. Each roller can independently adjust its rotation and pressure, allowing the cleaner to universally handle various pool surface conditions and obstacle types without getting stuck.
Solution Approach 2:
The driven rollers dynamically adjust their operation based on surface conditions and obstacles encountered. The rollers can increase or decrease rotation speed, modify applied pressure, and coordinate with adjacent rollers to navigate over lights, drains, and other obstacles, maintaining traversal reliability while achieving complete cleaning coverage.
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 enhances debris separation and filtration efficiency, reduces the likelihood of the cleaner getting stuck, and facilitates easier maintenance by improving the cleaning process and reducing operational issues.
Implementation Method 1
Fluid being pulled through the canister subassembly and intake enters the canister body at the tangential inlet forming a cyclonic flow (e.g., a first cyclonic flow) about a first axis within the canister body and between the canister body and the filtering medium
Implementation Method 2
The example first cyclonic flow includes debris-laden fluid having small and large debris, with the large debris being separated from the flow through cyclonic action and contact with the canister body and the filtering medium
Implementation Method 3
A motor housing includes a pump motor operatively connected to an impeller for same. Fluid being pulled through the canister subassembly and intake
Implementation Method 4
The filtering medium is positioned within the canister, the one or more cyclone containers are positioned within the filtering medium
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners that remove debris from water using a plurality of cyclonic flows, or that include a removable impeller subassembly, a check valve for a debris canister, a particle separator assembly having a handle that locks to the pool cleaner, a modular roller drive gear box, or a roller latch that secures a roller to the pool cleaner. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to the check valve and the roller latch themselves. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a filter medium for pool cleaners that includes embossments providing flow channels for water, and to roller assemblies for pool cleaners. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners including alternative pump motor engagements. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners power supplies that include a potted and contoured power board assembly, and to kickstands therefor. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pool cleaner caddy, and removable wheels therefor.