Removable Pool Filter with Central Wall for Debris Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing swimming pool cleaning devices face issues with clogged filters due to debris with densities similar to water, leading to reduced filtration efficiency and increased maintenance, as well as difficulty in removing and cleaning the heavy, water-filled devices.

Innovation Solution

A swimming pool cleaning device with a filtration system featuring a central filtering wall that creates swirling movements around a liquid evacuation tube, preventing rapid debris accumulation and allowing for efficient separation of debris without significant filter clogging, and a removable filtration basket for easy maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a linear filtration system is used, then the filter structure is simple, but the filter gradually clogs reducing filtration efficiency and water flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter structureVSAvoidfiltration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static linear filtration system into a dynamic rotational system. The filtration device rotates to create centrifugal force that actively separates debris from water, preventing clogging while maintaining continuous filtration efficiency. This dynamic approach replaces the passive linear flow with an active separation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The filtration device operates in periodic cycles: rotating to separate debris, then pausing for automatic backwashing. This periodic operation allows the filter to maintain high efficiency by periodically clearing accumulated debris through reverse flow, preventing the gradual clogging that occurs in continuous linear systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the cleaning device is almost entirely filled with water for effective cleaning, then cleaning performance is improved, but it becomes difficult to remove from the basin due to heavy weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidease of removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the cleaning device into separable components: the main body that remains in the pool and the detachable filtration device. This segmentation allows the filtration device to be removed independently for cleaning and maintenance without requiring removal of the entire water-filled cleaning system, solving the weight and ease of operation problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filtration device is extracted as a separate removable component from the main cleaning apparatus. This extraction allows users to remove and clean the filtration device independently without having to empty or remove the entire cleaning system from the pool, maintaining both effective cleaning performance and ease of maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If the filter is designed to be fully enclosed for structural integrity, then strength is improved, but it becomes difficult to clean due to its shape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration device is segmented into an outer housing and an inner filter element. The inner filter element can be independently removed from the outer housing, allowing users to access and clean the filter media without damaging or disassembling the structurally integral outer housing. This maintains structural integrity while enabling easy cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element is extracted as a separate removable component from the filtration device housing. This allows the filter element to be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance while the outer housing remains intact and structurally sound, solving the contradiction between enclosed structural integrity and cleanability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of repair

If a removable filtration device is used, then maintenance access is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system is segmented into a permanent main body and a removable filtration device. This segmentation provides easy maintenance access to the filtration components while keeping the overall system design relatively simple, as the removable module contains all necessary filtration and rotation mechanisms in one compact unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable filtration device is designed as a universal module that can be detached and reattached to the main cleaning body. This multi-functional design allows the same filtration device to serve both operational and maintenance functions, reducing overall system complexity while improving maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device maintains a consistent water flow rate and reduces the need for frequent filter cleaning, allowing for effective debris separation and easy maintenance without direct contact with debris.

Implementation Method 1

a pump creating a circulation of liquid between said liquid inlet and said liquid outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 2

at least one filtration system comprising a pump creating a circulation of liquid between said liquid inlet and said liquid outlet and passing through at least one filtration device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3060731B1Pool-cleaning apparatus having a removable filtration device
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 ZODIAC POOL CARE EURO
  • EP3060731B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3060731B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3060731B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a swimming pool cleaning apparatus comprising: at least one hydraulic liquid circulation circuit between at least one liquid inlet (3) and at least one liquid outlet (4), and through a removable filtration device of the cleaning apparatus. The filtration device comprises at least one filtration chamber (8) comprising: a cover (2), a filtration basket (17), the hydraulic fluid circulation circuit comprising a liquid discharge tube (20) emerging from the apparatus through an opening (4) formed in the cover (2) of the filtration device, the filtration basket (17) comprising a central filtering wall (9) surrounding the liquid discharge tube (20) over at least a part of its length.