Pool Cleaning Robot Waterline Detection With Buoyancy Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current swimming pool robots struggle to accurately determine when they emerge from the water surface during cleaning, leading to ineffective cleaning operations at the waterline.

Innovation Solution

The swimming pool robot incorporates a water-leaving detector with a buoyancy device and sensing mechanism to accurately detect when it emerges from the water surface, utilizing a housing design with separate chambers to optimize water flow and reduce energy consumption, and includes a water flow velocity detection system to monitor filter clogging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a water-leaving detector with buoyancy device and sensing device is added to detect emergence from water surface, then measurement precision of waterline detection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterline detection accuracyVSAvoiddetector structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buoyancy device is nested within the housing structure, and the sensing device is integrated with the buoyancy device. The buoyancy device moves between first and second positions within the housing, triggering the sensing device to transmit different signals. This nesting approach achieves accurate waterline detection while minimizing additional structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the housing design includes separate chambers for water flow optimization, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into separate chambers that are interconnected, allowing optimized water flow paths. This segmentation enables the robot to reduce energy consumption by controlling water flow through specific chambers based on operational needs, while the modular chamber design integrates smoothly into the overall housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a water flow velocity detection system is added to monitor filter clogging, then reliability of cleaning operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning operation reliabilityVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water flow velocity detection system provides real-time feedback on water flow conditions through the filter. By monitoring flow velocity changes, the system can detect filter clogging and adjust cleaning operations accordingly, ensuring reliable cleaning performance. The feedback mechanism is integrated into the existing control system, minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances cleaning accuracy at the waterline and reduces energy consumption by optimizing water flow and detecting filter blockages, ensuring efficient and effective pool cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

The water-leaving detector comprises a buoyancy device and a sensing device. The buoyancy device is configured to be movable between a first position and a second position... The buoyancy device may move between the first position and the second position based on whether the swimming pool robot is exposed to the waterline

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP4660396A1Swimming pool robot
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 SHENZHEN AIPER INTELLIGENT CO LTD
  • EP4660396A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4660396A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4660396A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a swimming pool robot, which comprises: a housing, a filter module, a water pump module, and an out-of-water detection module, the out-of-water detection module comprising a buoyancy unit and a sensing unit; the swimming pool robot is provided with a water drainage module, and the housing has formed therein a first cavity communicated with a water inlet, the first cavity being located at the front end of the swimming pool robot in the advancing direction, and the first cavity being communicated with/closed relative to the outside via the water drainage module; the swimming pool robot is provided with a control module, a cleaning module, and a drive module, the control module being respectively in signal connection with the drive module and the out-of-water detection module; the drive module simultaneously controls the movement of the swimming pool robot and cleaning module; the water pump module comprises a guide component and a power water pump, and the water outlet, the guide component, and the power water pump are successively connected; the housing has formed therein the first cavity and a second cavity which are arranged separately; the bottom of the housing is provided with a flow channel for reducing resistance when the swimming pool robot moves; and the bottom of the housing is further provided with an inwardly recessed cavity area.