Solar Pool Skimmer Navigation With Sensor-Guided Paddlewheels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional automatic pool cleaning devices lack intelligent directional and navigational control, often getting trapped in obstacles and failing to efficiently cover the entire pool surface due to reliance on mechanical means without intelligence.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous pool skimming system with a catamaran-like body, independently controlled paddlewheels, distance sensors, and solar power, enabling precise navigation and debris collection into a removable basket, using processing units to plan and execute traversal paths across the pool surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical means (arms, bumpers, wheels) are used for redirection, then the device can physically redirect itself after encountering obstacles, but the device lacks intelligent directional control and gets trapped in tight corners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical redirection systems (arms, bumpers, wheels) with an intelligent control system that uses sensors and processors to autonomously navigate obstacles. The robot employs electronic directional control through independently controllable paddlewheels, allowing it to sense obstacles and intelligently redirect itself without physical contact, thereby eliminating the trapping issue while maintaining redirection capability.
2Productivity
If devices travel the same route repeatedly without intelligent control, then the mechanical structure remains simple, but the entire pool surface is not covered and cleaning efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service navigation system where the robot autonomously plans and executes its own traversal paths using onboard sensors and processing units. The system independently maps the pool boundaries, calculates optimal cleaning routes, and adjusts its trajectory in real-time to ensure complete surface coverage. This intelligent self-navigation dramatically improves cleaning productivity while the modular architecture keeps the overall system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates continuous feedback loops where sensors constantly monitor the robot's position, orientation, and environmental conditions. This feedback information is processed to dynamically adjust the traversal path, ensuring complete pool surface coverage. The system learns from its environment and adapts its route planning in real-time, improving cleaning efficiency without requiring overly complex predetermined mechanisms.
3Use of energy by moving object
If solar cells are used to power the system, then energy consumption is minimized and environmental impact is reduced, but the system requires sufficient sunlight and may have limited operational duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by incorporating a rechargeable battery that complements the solar cells. During daylight hours, the solar cells charge the battery, storing energy for use during nighttime or cloudy conditions. This hybrid power system dynamically adjusts between solar and battery power sources, extending the operational duration beyond what solar cells alone could provide while maintaining low overall energy consumption and environmental friendliness.
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 system effectively and efficiently clears pool surfaces of debris, avoiding obstacles and ensuring thorough cleaning with minimal human intervention, suitable for various pool sizes and shapes, while minimizing energy consumption through solar power.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply operable to power the processing units and the motors from energy supplied by the solar cells
Implementation Method 2
Two or more paddlewheels may be coupled to the body. An independent motor may drive each paddlewheel
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods can support an autonomous pool skimming system. The pool skimming system may have a body with two or more hulls. Two or more paddlewheels may be coupled to the body. An independent motor may drive each paddlewheel. The motors may be independently controllable to support steering. The pool skimming system may have one or more processing units, two or more distance sensors, one or more solar cells, and a power supply operable to power the processing units and the motors from energy supplied by the solar cells. One or more processing modules may configure the processing units to plan and execute a traversal path across the surface of a body of water, such as a swimming pool, to collect debris into a removable basket. A portion of the traversal path may be established according to signals from distance sensors.