Pool Cleaner Obstacle Detection for Automatic Direction Changes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Swimming pool cleaners struggle to efficiently navigate around pool walls and obstacles due to their inability to automatically detect and respond to these features, leading to reduced cleaning efficiency and prolonged operation times.
Innovation Solution
An obstacle touching detecting device is integrated into the swimming pool cleaner, utilizing sensors and trigger units to detect obstacles and control the cleaner's direction, allowing for automatic changes in movement to avoid walls and obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cleaner uses time-based control for turning, then the control system remains simple, but the cleaner cannot automatically detect walls or obstacles, leading to inefficient cleaning and prolonged operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/time-based control with sensor-based detection. The sensor detecting module automatically identifies walls and obstacles, eliminating the need for time-based turning control and significantly improving cleaning efficiency without requiring complex detection systems
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaner performs self-detection of walls and obstacles through the integrated sensor system. The trigger unit and sensor detecting module enable the cleaner to autonomously identify its environment and adjust its cleaning path without external intervention or complex control algorithms
2Loss of time
If the cleaner waits until the end of the set time period to reverse, then the control logic remains simple, but the cleaner struggles against walls or obstacles for a long period without movement
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor detecting module performs preliminary detection of walls and obstacles before the cleaner encounters them. By detecting obstacles in advance, the system can proactively adjust the cleaning path and avoid time-wasting struggles against walls or obstacles
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger unit provides real-time feedback to the controller when a wall or obstacle is detected. This feedback mechanism enables the cleaner to immediately reverse or adjust its path upon detecting an obstacle, eliminating the need to wait until the end of the set time period and reducing time loss
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 device enhances the cleaner's ability to efficiently navigate and clean the pool by enabling automatic direction changes, improving flexibility and reducing operational inefficiencies, particularly beneficial for battery-powered cleaners.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor detecting module is a Hall sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An obstacle touching detecting device for a swimming pool cleaner includes a main functional portion of the cleaner and a sensor obstacle touching detecting device. The main functional portion of the cleaner includes a cleaner main body, a controller module, and a power-driven actuating device. The controller module and the power-driven actuating device are connected to the cleaner main body. The sensor obstacle touching detecting device includes a trigger unit connected to the cleaner main body and a sensor detecting module electrically connected to the controller module. The controller module is electrically connected to the power-driven actuating device. The trigger unit works collaboratively with the sensor detecting module to trigger the sensor detecting module to generate a detection signal. An automatic detection is performed when the cleaner touches the wall or other obstacles, and the cleaner is controlled to change direction automatically.