Pool cleaning device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pool brooms are inefficient for cleaning modern pool surfaces with complex contours, often causing damage and requiring excessive effort, as they are difficult to maneuver and ineffective in removing contaminants without dispersing them in the water.

Innovation Solution

A microfiber pool broom head with a hinged base member and upturned distal ends, allowing for flexible movement and easy attachment/removal of a microfiber cloth, which is designed to fit pool contours and reduce contamination dispersion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If conventional nylon brushes are used for cleaning pool surfaces, then cleaning coverage area is increased, but the device cannot effectively clean contoured surfaces and corners

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverage areaVSAvoidability to clean contoured surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The broom head is designed with a flexible, contoured shape that can dynamically adapt to different pool surfaces including walls, floors, corners, and steps. The flexible nature allows the broom head to conform to irregular geometries while maintaining effective cleaning contact across various surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The broom head incorporates a contoured, curved design rather than a flat rigid structure. This curvature enables the broom to follow and clean contoured pool surfaces, corners, and irregular geometries effectively while maintaining broad cleaning coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If rigid nylon brushes are used for cleaning, then structural strength is maintained, but surface damage occurs and maneuverability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidsurface damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from rigid nylon to a flexible material that can deform and conform to surfaces. This parameter change eliminates surface damage while maintaining structural integrity through the flexible construction that can absorb stresses without causing harm to pool surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The broom head utilizes a flexible shell construction that allows it to adapt to surfaces without rigid contact. This flexibility prevents surface damage while the overall structure maintains sufficient strength for effective cleaning through its resilient design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If wide lateral span brushes are used for efficient cleaning of planar walls, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but access to corners and crevices is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidaccess to corners and crevices
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible broom head can dynamically adjust its shape and orientation to access corners and crevices while maintaining broad cleaning coverage on planar surfaces. The flexibility allows the wide span design to conform to irregular geometries, combining the advantages of both wide coverage and corner access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If conventional brushes are used for cleaning, then cleaning action is provided, but contaminants are dispersed in pool water

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning actionVSAvoidcontaminant dispersion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the cleaning mechanism parameter from abrasive bristle contact to gentle flexible surface contact. This parameter change allows effective cleaning action while preventing contaminant dispersion, as the flexible material collects and contains contaminants rather than scattering them into the pool water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3583277B1Pool cleaning device
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 AQUATIC ENTERPRISES PTY LTD
  • EP3583277B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3583277B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4A
  • EP3583277B1 patent drawingFigure 4B~5

AI summary

A device for cleaning a swimming pool comprising a base member. The base member having a first base portion and a second base portion. A socket disposed on the base member, and the first base portion the and second base portion each respectively having a hinge end and a distal end. The second base portion hinge end is attached to the first base portion hinge end forming a hinge of the base member. A microfibre cloth removably mountable to the base member; and wherein the second base portion is configured to move between a first position and a second position, in which the first position is an operating position and the second position is a cloth removal position.