Rotating Scrubber Tail for Pool Cleaner Wear Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pool cleaner sweep tails with stationary scrubbers wear unevenly and require frequent replacement or manual repositioning due to their non-rotatable design, which limits their effectiveness and efficiency in scrubbing pool surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A sweep tail design featuring a hose with a rotating scrubber system, including a first bearing coupled to the hose, a second rotating bearing, and a scrubbing element that can spin freely, allowing for even wear and improved scrubbing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the scrubber is made stationary or non-rotatable by coupling it directly to the hose, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the scrubber wears unevenly and requires frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The scrubber is designed to rotate freely around the hose instead of being stationary. A bearing system allows the scrubber to spin as the hose moves through the pool, distributing wear evenly across the entire scrubber surface and extending its usable life
Solution Approach 2:
A bearing is introduced as an intermediary component between the hose and the scrubber. This bearing enables rotational movement while maintaining the structural connection, solving the problem of uneven wear without requiring direct rigid coupling
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the scrubber is made rotatable around the hose, then the wear is distributed evenly and lifespan is extended, but the structure becomes more complex with additional bearing components
Solution Approach 1:
The scrubber's rotation is achieved through self-service mechanics. As the hose moves and flexes during pool cleaning operations, the bearing system automatically allows the scrubber to rotate in response to these movements, eliminating the need for external motors or complex drive mechanisms
3Productivity
If the scrubber is stationary, then the structure is simple, but drag increases and cleaning efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The scrubber transitions from a static to a dynamic configuration. The ability to rotate allows the scrubber surface to continuously present fresh areas to the pool surface, improving cleaning efficiency while the bearing system keeps the mechanism relatively simple
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 rotating scrubber system ensures more even wear and reduced drag, enhancing the cleaning efficiency and extending the lifespan of the scrubbers by allowing them to wear uniformly as they spin while whipping around the pool surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The second bearing is capable of rotating around the first bearing and the scrubbing element is capable of rotating with the second bearing around the first bearing
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a sweep tail for a pool cleaner including a hose, a connector coupled to a first end of the hose and connecting the hose to the pool cleaner, and a scrubber coupled to the hose near a second end of the hose. The scrubber can include a first bearing coupled to and positioned around the hose, a second bearing positioned around the first bearing, and a scrubbing element positioned around the second bearing. The second bearing is capable of rotating around the first bearing and the scrubbing element is capable of rotating with the second bearing around the first bearing.