Robotic Pool Cleaner Power-Wash Assembly for Debris Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-propelled robotic pool cleaners face challenges in effectively lifting and capturing dirt and debris from the pool surface due to insufficient water turbulence, leading to reduced efficiency and increased wear on centrifugal pumps from high rotational rates.
Innovation Solution
A robotic pool cleaner design featuring a dual propeller motor system with a power wash assembly that includes a transmission assembly to reduce the rotational rate of a centrifugal pump, using a drive belt and pulley system to transfer power from a first water pump to a centrifugal pump, which discharges filtered water as a pressurized jet to lift debris, while maintaining efficient debris capture and reducing pump wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the centrifugal pump is mounted directly on the drive shaft of the electric motor, then the pump receives high rotational rate power, but the high rotational rate reduces the useful life of the centrifugal pump
Solution Approach 1:
A belt drive system is introduced as an intermediary between the electric motor and the centrifugal pump. The belt drive transmits power from the motor to the pump while reducing the rotational speed, thereby protecting the pump from excessive rotational rates and extending its service life while maintaining effective power transmission.
2Productivity
If water is discharged through inlet ports in the baseplate, then debris is drawn into the cleaner, but the water flow is insufficient to create required turbulence to lift heavy debris from the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The function of creating water turbulence to lift debris is extracted from the baseplate inlet ports and assigned to a dedicated power wash assembly with nozzles. This assembly discharges pressurized water streams onto the pool surface beneath the cleaner, creating the necessary turbulence to lift heavy debris into suspension where it can be captured by the inlet ports.
3Productivity
If pressurized water jets are used to stir up debris, then debris lifting effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of the cleaning apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor serves multiple functions: it directly drives the propeller for propulsion and, through the belt drive system, powers the centrifugal pump for the power wash assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate motors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining debris lifting effectiveness.
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 design enhances debris removal efficiency while reducing the centrifugal pump's rotational rate, thereby extending its lifespan and maintaining cleaning effectiveness with reduced maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a second water pump that is a centrifugal pump... discharging filtered water through an outlet nozzle positioned beneath the base in the form of a pressurized stream
Implementation Method 2
a first water pump having an electric motor; activating the first water pump and moving the cleaner along a surface of the pool; drawing water and debris from beneath the cleaner through the water inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic pool cleaner includes a housing having an inlet and a discharge port, and an interior chamber with a filter therein. Rotatably-mounted supports guide the cleaner along a pool surface. A water pump includes a drive shaft having a first end coupled to a propeller. The water pump draws water and debris from beneath the cleaner through the inlet, such that debris is retained by the filter and filtered water exits through the discharge port. A power-wash assembly includes a transmission for transferring rotational movement from the pump drive shaft to a drive shaft of a centrifugal pump. The centrifugal pump has an inlet in fluid communication with filtered water from the interior chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with a nozzle positioned beneath the housing to discharge filtered water in a water jet to dislodge and lift debris from the surface of the pool.