Autonomous Pool Cleaner Scheduling to Avoid Swimmer Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pool cleaners require user intervention for operation, leading to potential neglect of cleaning cycles, unsuitable cycle initiation, and continuous cleaning that disrupts pool use.
Innovation Solution
Implementing systems and methods for autonomous pool cleaner control, including detection of pool cover status, scheduling based on user input and predictions, and swimmer mode operation to minimize interference with pool use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pool cleaners operate continuously without interruption, then cleaning productivity is improved, but pool usability deteriorates due to disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The pool cleaner operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The system schedules cleaning operations during specific time windows when the pool is not in use, such as early morning before sunrise, late evening after sunset, or during weekends. This periodic operation pattern allows the cleaner to maintain high productivity while preserving pool usability during peak hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning schedule is dynamically adjusted based on real-time pool usage detection. When the pool is detected to be in use (through sensors detecting swimmers or recent use), the cleaner automatically pauses or reschedules its operation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the cleaning operation flexible rather than rigid, allowing the system to optimize between productivity and usability based on actual conditions.
2Extent of automation
If pool cleaners operate without user intervention, then automation level is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential neglect of cleaning cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The pool cleaner system performs self-service through autonomous scheduling and operation. It automatically detects pool usage conditions, schedules its own cleaning cycles, navigates to cleaning locations, and executes cleaning operations without requiring user intervention. This self-service capability maintains high automation while improving reliability through consistent automated execution rather than dependent user action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors detect pool usage conditions and this information feeds back to the control system. Based on this feedback, the cleaner automatically adjusts its scheduling and operation. This feedback loop ensures reliable cleaning cycle execution by continuously monitoring conditions and adapting the cleaning schedule accordingly, preventing neglect through automated response to detected conditions.
3Productivity
If pool cleaners initiate cleaning cycles at any time, then cleaning frequency is improved, but harmful factors increase due to disruption during pool use
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of pool usage conditions before initiating cleaning cycles. Sensors detect whether the pool is currently in use or recently used, and this preliminary information determines whether a cleaning cycle should be scheduled. By performing this detection action in advance, the system can proactively avoid scheduling cleanings during problematic times, maintaining high cleaning frequency while preventing disruption to pool use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary anti-action by detecting and preventing potential harmful disruptions before they occur. When sensors indicate that the pool is likely to be in use soon or is currently in use, the system preemptively pauses or reschedules cleaning operations. This preliminary preventive measure eliminates the harmful effect of disruption without requiring waiting until disruption occurs, allowing the system to maintain cleaning frequency while protecting pool usability.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-propelled pool cleaner is operable in a swimming pool or spa and may be controlled pursuant to various operating modes. In some aspects, the self-propelled pool cleaner may have optimized operation based on a status of other components of a pool system. Additionally, or alternatively, the self-propelled pool cleaner may have improved control to minimize interference with use of the pool by a user, based on electricity costs, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired such that the pool cleaner may operate at preferred and/or desired times.