Pool cleaner with hydraulic timer assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pool cleaners often require scrubber assemblies for operation and are limited in vacuuming debris during reverse motion or turning, as their drive systems affect vacuum functionality.
Innovation Solution
A pool cleaner design featuring a housing with wheels, a distributor manifold, and a timer disc assembly that allows independent directional control and vacuuming in both forward and reverse directions, using a rotating timer disc with slots to align with different outlet ports for propulsion and a separate vacuum assembly for continuous debris collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If vacuum systems are integrated with drive systems in conventional pool cleaners, then the drive system can provide propulsion, but vacuuming capability is lost during reverse motion or turning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pool cleaner into separate functional modules: the drive system (hydraulic turbine with directional control valves) and the vacuum system (venturi vacuum generator with debris collection) are independently configured. This segmentation allows the vacuum system to operate autonomously during all directional movements without being constrained by drive system operations, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic turbine assembly serves multiple independent functions: it provides bidirectional propulsion through directional control valves while simultaneously powering the venturi vacuum generator for continuous debris collection. This multi-functionality allows the single drive system to enable both movement and vacuuming operations during forward, reverse, and turning motions, achieving universal operation across all movement states.
2Adaptability or versatility
If scrubber assemblies are used as wheels for driving robotic cleaners, then driving function is provided, but the cleaner cannot operate without them as they are essential
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential driving function from the scrubber assemblies and transfers it to a hydraulic turbine assembly that receives water from the pool circulation system. This extraction allows the cleaner to operate with alternative wheel configurations or smooth wheels, eliminating the mandatory dependence on scrubber assemblies while maintaining bidirectional driving capability through hydraulic control valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using water pressure from the pool circulation system to drive the hydraulic turbine assembly, which in turn powers both the directional control valves and the venturi vacuum generator. This hydraulic system provides flexible bidirectional propulsion without mechanical contact with scrubber assemblies, enabling operational flexibility and reducing structural complexity.
3Productivity
If conventional pressure side cleaners use integrated vacuum and drive systems, then propulsion is achieved, but vacuuming is limited to forward motion only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a timer disc assembly with multiple outlet ports that pre-configures hydraulic flow paths for different operational phases. The timer disc rotates to sequentially align different outlet ports with the hydraulic turbine, predeterminedly setting up the system for forward motion, reverse motion, and turning operations. This preliminary configuration ensures the venturi vacuum generator receives continuous water flow for debris collection during all movement states, maximizing cleaning coverage and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control through a rotating timer disc that continuously adjusts hydraulic flow distribution to the directional control valves and venturi vacuum generator. As the timer disc rotates, it dynamically redirects water flow to enable seamless transitions between forward, reverse, and turning motions while maintaining continuous vacuum operation, thereby improving both productivity and ease of operation across all movement phases.
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
Enables precise directional control and continuous debris collection during all movement states, including forward, reverse, and turning, improving cleaning efficiency and coverage without the need for permanent scrubber assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
a timer disc assembly configured to receive water from the distributor manifold
Implementation Method 2
a venturi vacuum assembly configured to receive water from the distributor manifold independent from the timer disc assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A pool cleaner comprises a housing including at least two wheels, a supply mast, and a timer disc assembly configured to receive water from the supply mast. The timer disc assembly includes an outer housing, a plurality of outlet ports extending through the outer housing, and a rotating timer disc positioned within the outer housing adjacent to the plurality of outlet ports. The timer disc assembly also includes at least one stationary port seal liner positioned between one of the plurality of outlet ports and the rotating timer disc. The at least one stationary port seal liner includes an elastomeric piece and a liner piece, and the liner piece is in contact with the rotating timer disc.