Pool Cleaner Depth Matching for Multi-Level Flat-Area Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pool cleaning apparatuses struggle to accurately detect and clean flat areas with different heights at the bottom due to cost or application scenario limitations, lacking a positioning function.

Innovation Solution

A pool cleaning apparatus equipped with sensors to measure distance from the water surface to the pool bottom, allowing it to dive to target flat areas based on depth matching, and optionally using user input or preset rules to select cleaning targets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the pool cleaning apparatus is equipped with positioning function to accurately detect flat areas, then the cleaning precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of flat areasVSAvoidpositioning function complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a simpler sensor-based detection system. The sensor measures distance to the pool bottom to identify flat areas, eliminating the need for sophisticated mechanical positioning while achieving accurate detection of cleaning targets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The pool cleaning apparatus uses its own movement and sensor measurements to automatically identify and locate flat areas for cleaning. The system serves itself by detecting depth variations and autonomously determining cleaning targets without external positioning assistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Area of stationary object

If the pool cleaning apparatus moves to detect and clean multiple flat areas, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the cleaning time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverage of flat areasVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus performs preliminary detection of flat areas by measuring distance to the pool bottom while moving on the water surface. By identifying all target flat areas in advance and planning the cleaning sequence, the system optimizes the cleaning path and reduces total cleaning time while ensuring complete coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning apparatus dynamically adjusts its movement pattern based on detected flat area locations. The system optimizes its trajectory to efficiently visit multiple flat areas, adapting its path in real-time to minimize travel time while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 efficient and accurate cleaning of multiple flat areas by determining their depths and adjusting movement to match target areas, enhancing cleaning efficiency and user experience.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining, by at least one sensor of the apparatus, information on a distance from the apparatus to a bottom of the pool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEcho: Echo

Data Source

PatentEP4685313A1Method and apparatus for cleaning pool
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SHENZHEN AIPER INTELLIGENT CO LTD
  • EP4685313A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4685313A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4685313A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for cleaning a pool. The method may include controlling an apparatus for cleaning the pool to move on a water surface of the pool, obtaining, by at least one sensor of the apparatus, information on a distance from the apparatus to a bottom of the pool during a movement of the apparatus on the water surface, and controlling the apparatus to dive from a position on the water surface where the information on the distance is obtained to a bottom area corresponding to the position on the water surface for cleaning in a case where the distance matches a depth of a target flat area in the pool.