Pool Cleaner Impeller Subassembly and Hydrocyclonic Separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swimming pool cleaners face issues with clogged filter elements, reduced suction performance, and difficulties in navigating around pool obstacles, leading to incomplete cleaning and manual handling of debris.
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, including convex and concave areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional filter elements (bags, mesh, baskets) are used to trap debris, then debris can be contained, but the filter elements quickly become clogged and occluded, reducing cleaner performance and requiring frequent cleaning or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is divided into multiple filter elements arranged in parallel within the debris retention area. This segmentation allows the debris-capturing surface area to be distributed across multiple elements, preventing any single element from becoming completely clogged and blocking the entire flow path. When one element becomes occluded, fluid can still pass through other elements, maintaining cleaner performance and reducing maintenance frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter elements are nested within the debris retention area such that debris is captured on the surface of the filter elements while the retained debris volume increases as elements become clogged. This nesting arrangement allows the system to continue operating even when filter elements are occluded, as the debris retention area provides additional capacity before performance degradation occurs.
2Reliability
If traditional filter elements are used, then debris can be trapped, but users must directly handle the filter element and debris, and open the cleaner lid to retrieve the basket, resulting in debris and water getting on them
Solution Approach 1:
The filter elements are designed to be extractable from the debris retention area without requiring users to open the cleaner lid or directly handle the basket. The entire filter assembly can be removed as a unit through the skimmer opening, allowing users to clean or replace filter elements without exposure to debris and water inside the cleaner.
Solution Approach 2:
The skimmer opening serves as an intermediary access point for removing and maintaining filter elements. Instead of requiring direct access to the basket interior through the lid, users can insert tools or hands through the skimmer opening to retrieve and service the filter elements, eliminating the need to open the lid and preventing debris from contaminating users.
3Productivity
If the cleaner traverses pool surfaces brushing debris, then cleaning coverage is achieved, but the cleaner encounters obstacles like lights and drains, causing it to get stuck and resulting in partial cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner incorporates a drive system with multiple independently controllable rollers that can dynamically adjust their rotation speeds and directions. When encountering obstacles, the system can modulate the rotation of specific rollers to navigate around obstacles such as lights and drains, preventing the cleaner from getting stuck and ensuring complete pool surface coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive system allows for real-time parameter changes in roller rotation speeds and directions based on encountered conditions. By varying these parameters, the cleaner can adapt its movement pattern to overcome obstacles, maintain traversal reliability, and achieve complete cleaning coverage without getting stuck.
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 manual handling of debris, and ensures complete pool cleaning by effectively navigating around obstacles, extending the life of pool filters and reducing maintenance time.
Implementation Method 1
hydrocyclonic particle separator assembly with a canister subassembly
Implementation Method 2
hydrocyclonic particle separator assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is directed to an impeller subassembly (850) for a pool cleaner, comprising a sleeve (1080), a shaft (1078) positioned within the sleeve and being rotatable with respect to the sleeve, a retention ring (1088) connected to the shaft, an impeller (1082) engaged with a first end of the shaft and a guard (1076) secured to the sleeve, said impeller subassembly being configured to be removably engaged to a debris container of a pool cleaner.