Pool Cleaner Scrubbing Elements for Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current submersible automated pool cleaning vehicles (PCVs) are inadequate in thoroughly cleaning pool surfaces, leading to dirt and debris buildup, which can cause algae formation and unbalanced pool water, and embedded particles pose a risk of fatal consequences, necessitating frequent and costly pool draining.
Innovation Solution
A sanitizing structure for PCVs featuring spaced-apart free-spinning wheels with rotating brushes and scrubbing members, including bristles forming a frustoconical shape, that dislodge dirt and debris from the pool surface and suck them up through intakes, ensuring thorough cleaning and prevention of particle embedding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional PCVs with basic cleaning mechanisms are used, then the device complexity is low, but the cleaning effectiveness is insufficient leading to dirt and debris buildup on pool surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into multiple independent scrubbing elements (rotating brushes and stationary scrubbing members) that can be positioned at different locations on the PCV. Each element independently performs scrubbing functions, allowing the system to achieve thorough cleaning without requiring a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple cleaning mechanisms (rotating brushes attached to wheels and stationary scrubbing members) into a single integrated PCV system. This merging of functions allows the vehicle to perform comprehensive cleaning tasks while maintaining a manageable overall structure.
2Reliability
If thorough cleaning of every square millimeter of the pool surface is attempted, then the cleaning effectiveness improves, but the time and resources required become impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The PCV is designed to continuously scrub and clean the pool surface as it moves along, with rotating brushes and stationary scrubbing members constantly in contact with the surface. This continuous cleaning action during traversal eliminates the need for repeated passes or additional cleaning time.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCV performs cleaning functions autonomously as it moves through the pool, with its scrubbing elements automatically contacting and cleaning the surface without requiring external intervention or additional time investment.
3Reliability
If multiple scrubbing elements and rotating brushes are added to the PCV, then the cleaning effectiveness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheels of the PCV serve dual functions: providing mobility for the vehicle and supporting rotating brushes for cleaning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cleaning mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining effective cleaning capability.
4Device complexity
If the PCV uses spaced-apart wheels with rotating brushes instead of drive tracks, then the structure is simplified, but the ability to maintain consistent contact with the pool surface for thorough cleaning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating brushes are positioned to contact specific local areas of the pool surface as the PCV moves, with multiple brushes at different locations ensuring comprehensive coverage. This localized approach maintains effective cleaning with a simpler wheel-based drive structure.
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 sanitizing structure effectively automates the removal of dirt and debris from pool surfaces, maintaining clean water and preventing long-term buildup, reducing the need for frequent pool draining and ensuring pool surface safety.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum member for drawing water into the housing through the intake member
Implementation Method 2
the housing including a filter member for filtering water drawn into the housing through the intakes
Implementation Method 3
the cleaning member defines a rotating brush connected to the bottom of the housing... the scrubbing members contact the surface of the pool and dislodge dirt and debris
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a submersible pool cleaning vehicle (PCV) (20) having both cleaning and scrubbing structures. The PCV includes spaced wheels (30) and several sets of scrubbing members (60,62,64). Each of the scrubbing members includes a plurality of scrubbing elements. The PCV also includes a cleaning brush (42) for dislodging particles. In one exemplary embodiment, the PCV includes a fixed scrubbing member (60) and two rotating scrubbing members (62,64). The rotating scrubbing members act cooperatively and create a current after dislodging particles and dirt from the pool surface. The rotating scrubbing members direct the current carrying such dislodged material toward the intakes of the PCV so that it can be permanently removed from the pool water.