Integrated Sanitization Chamber for Pool Cleaner
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pool cleaning technologies do not effectively integrate sanitization processes, leading to inadequate prevention of bacterial growth and microbial contamination in swimming pools, requiring separate systems for cleaning and sanitization.
Innovation Solution
A pool cleaner with an integrated sanitization chamber that diverts a fraction of the liquid flow through a sanitization chamber, where sanitization agents can be introduced, and the flow rate is retarded to enhance sanitization, allowing for simultaneous filtering and sanitizing capabilities using a single suction system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate sanitization system is used in addition to the suction system, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sanitization chamber with the suction system housing, integrating two separate functions (suction and sanitization) into a single unified system. The sanitization chamber is positioned within the housing and receives a fraction of the liquid flow from the suction pump, eliminating the need for a completely separate sanitization system while maintaining both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction system is designed to perform multiple functions: it both cleans debris from the pool and provides liquid flow to the sanitization chamber for bacterial control. The single pump and housing structure serve dual purposes, making the system universal rather than requiring specialized separate systems for each function.
2Reliability
If all liquid is diverted through the sanitization chamber, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but flow rate and cleaning productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of diverting all liquid through the sanitization chamber, the system diverts only a fraction (partial action) of the liquid flow. This is achieved through the chamber inlet positioned to receive portions of the liquid from the pump outlet. The partial diversion provides sufficient sanitization while maintaining adequate overall flow rate for cleaning productivity.
3Productivity
If liquid flow rate through the sanitization chamber is high, then cleaning productivity is improved, but sanitization effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses partial action by diverting only a fraction of the liquid through the sanitization chamber. This ensures that the liquid flow rate within the chamber is sufficiently reduced to allow effective sanitization contact time, while the overall system maintains high productivity through the main un-diverted flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The sanitization chamber acts as an intermediary element that receives a portion of the liquid flow from the pump. This intermediary positioning allows the chamber to slow down and treat the liquid without impeding the overall system flow rate, as the main flow continues through the primary path unaffected by the chamber processing time.
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 integrated sanitization chamber effectively sanitizes the pool water by reducing bacterial growth and microbial contamination, simplifying maintenance and reducing costs by combining filtering and sanitizing functions within a single system.
Implementation Method 1
a filter located between the at least one liquid inlet and the pump and configured to trap debris in the drawn liquid
Implementation Method 2
the sanitization chamber configured to sanitize the liquid that is flowing through the sanitization chamber and to retard a flow rate of the liquid that is flowing through the sanitization chamber relative to a flow rate of the remaining outflow liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A pool cleaner includes a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, a propulsion system, and a suction system including a motorized pump for drawing liquid through the inlet and expelling it through the outlet. A filter located between the inlet and the pump is configured to trap debris. A sanitization chamber that includes a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet is integrated into the housing such that the chamber inlet is located downstream of the pump and is configured to divert a fraction of the liquid that is outflowing from the pump into the chamber inlet, the remaining outflowing liquid flowing out through the liquid outlet. The sanitization chamber is configured to sanitize the liquid that is flowing through the sanitization chamber and to retard a flow rate of the liquid that is flowing through the sanitization chamber relative to a flow rate of the remaining outflow liquid.