Pool Skimmer Communication Relay for Submerged Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pool and spa systems face challenges in effectively communicating with submerged devices due to their submerged nature, limiting their communication capabilities with external devices.
Innovation Solution
An automatic skimming device that navigates along the pool surface functions as a communication unit for submerged devices, enabling improved communication between submerged equipment and external devices, including onboard user interfaces and various communication modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a device is submerged within the pool, then it can clean submerged surfaces effectively, but its communication capabilities with external devices are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a surface device as an intermediary between the submerged cleaning device and external devices. The surface device receives communication signals from the submerged device and relays them to external systems, eliminating the need for complex communication modules in the submerged device while maintaining effective communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication function is segmented into two parts: the submerged device handles cleaning operations, while the surface device handles communication operations. This separation allows the submerged device to remain simple and focused on cleaning, while the surface device manages all communication complexities with external systems.
2Reliability
If the skimming device has onboard user interface and communication modules, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surface device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a skimming device for cleaning operations and as a communication unit for external devices. This universal design allows it to handle multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated devices, thereby improving communication capability while managing device complexity through consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
Pool systems for swimming pools or spas may include one or more automatic skimming devices which function as a communication unit for one or more submerged devices. The one or more skimming devices may function as a communication unit by communicating with another device, which may be submerged or external to the pool. Additionally, or alternatively, the skimming device may function as a communication unit by providing a user interface remote from the submerged device and which may be utilized to interact with the submerged device.