Self-Propelled Robotic Pool Cleaner Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-propelled robotic pool cleaners are ineffective in removing debris from the top surface of pool water, as they primarily focus on cleaning submerged areas and lack the capability to efficiently skim floating debris, which takes considerable time to reach the skimmer in above-ground systems.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled robotic pool cleaner that can change orientations from upright to inverted while submerged, allowing it to climb pool walls and float on the surface for skimming debris, powered by rechargeable batteries that can be recharged via solar panels, with integrated intake and discharge ports for efficient water filtration and debris removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robotic pool cleaner is designed to clean submerged surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness on pool floor and walls is improved, but the ability to remove floating debris from the water surface is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The pool cleaner is designed with dynamic orientation change capability, allowing it to transition between upright position for submerged surface cleaning and inverted position for surface skimming. The inversion mechanism enables the same device to adapt its cleaning function based on operational mode, combining both submerged cleaning and surface skimming capabilities in one system.
2Reliability
If an above-ground skimmer system is used to filter floating debris, then debris removal is achieved, but the time required for debris to reach the skimmer is considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic pool cleaner autonomously navigates to the water surface and performs skimming operations independently. Equipped with its own propulsion system and control mechanisms, the device can actively seek out and collect floating debris without relying on passive water circulation to bring debris to a fixed skimmer location, significantly reducing debris collection time.
3Productivity
If the pool cleaner inverts itself to skim the water surface, then floating debris can be removed efficiently, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pool cleaner is designed as a multi-functional device that performs both submerged surface cleaning and water surface skimming using the same basic structure. The inversion mechanism serves dual purposes: enabling surface skimming operation and positioning solar panels for optimal sunlight exposure during floating operation, thereby justifying the added complexity through multiple functional benefits.
4Use of energy by moving object
If solar panels are positioned on the bottom surface for recharging, then battery recharging efficiency is improved when floating, but the device must invert itself which increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The pool cleaner is designed so that when inverted on the water surface, the solar panels positioned on the bottom surface become exposed to sunlight at an optimal angle. This orientation creates an equipotential condition where the solar panels are maximally exposed to solar energy while the device floats, enabling efficient battery recharging during surface operation without requiring additional active positioning adjustments.
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 simultaneous cleaning of submerged surfaces, wall climbing, and surface skimming, significantly reducing the time required to remove floating debris and optimizing battery recharging, thus providing comprehensive pool cleaning and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
where power to the cleaner is provided via on-board rechargeable batteries, capturing sunlight via solar panels positioned along its inverted bottom surface to recharge the internal batteries
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic pool cleaner can operate while submerged to clean floor and side wall surface areas of the pool. A second embodiment of the pool cleaner can clean debris while skimming water along the top surface of the pool water. A third embodiment of the pool cleaner when inverted from submerged cleaning mode into skimmer mode, exposes on its bottom surface solar panels by which the pool cleaner's internal batteries can be recharged. A fourth embodiment of the pool cleaner includes different combinations of the submerged cleaning mode, the skimming mode and the battery charging mode.