Pool Cleaner Inlet Flow Director With Scouring Jets

Solution Overview

Problem

Submersible pool cleaners often struggle to dislodge debris adhered to the pool surface and may lose debris due to the venturi effect vacuum's inefficiency, leading to incomplete cleaning.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of an inlet flow director with scourers and jets that spray fluid streams to dislodge debris and direct it towards the intake, combined with a retractable skirt to enhance debris collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a venturi effect vacuum is used to remove debris, then debris can be suctioned into the cleaner, but debris adhered to the pool surface cannot be dislodged and may drift away

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris collection efficiencyVSAvoiddebris removal completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The scouring jets perform preliminary action by dislodging adhered debris from the pool surface before the venturi vacuum attempts to suction it. The jets spray fluid streams that loosen and move debris toward the intake, ensuring it is ready for successful collection by the vacuum system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The scouring jets act as an intermediary mechanism between the pool surface and the venturi vacuum. Instead of relying solely on the vacuum to pull debris directly from adhered positions, the jets serve as a mediating force that transfers debris from the surface into the suction zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the venturi effect vacuum is used, then debris can be removed from the pool, but the vacuum cannot dislodge adhered debris and may lose debris due to drift

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris removal rateVSAvoiddebris loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The scouring jets perform preliminary action by dislodging adhered debris from the pool surface before the venturi vacuum attempts to suction it. The jets spray fluid streams that loosen and move debris toward the intake, ensuring it is ready for successful collection by the vacuum system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The scouring jets act as an intermediary mechanism between the pool surface and the venturi vacuum. Instead of relying solely on the vacuum to pull debris directly from adhered positions, the jets serve as a mediating force that transfers debris from the surface into the suction zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively dislodges and directs debris into the cleaner, improving the efficiency of debris collection and ensuring thorough pool cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

The one or more jets are oriented to spray fluid streams to dislodge the debris from a pool surface to direct the debris toward the intake portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

Pool cleaners may use a venturi effect vacuum to remove debris from a pool surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250389131A1Pool cleaner with scouring jets

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 PENTAIR INC

AI summary

An inlet flow director for a pool cleaner is disclosed. The inlet flow director includes a collector having an intake portion. The inlet flow director also includes a scourer connected to the collector, the scourer having one or more side walls. The inlet flow director further includes one or more jets positioned in and extending through the one or more side walls. The one or more jets direct debris toward the intake portion.