Systems and methods for contact self-protection for automatic swimming pool cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) with on-board power sources face issues with electrical contact damage, corrosion, surface deterioration, and safety concerns due to the need for charging, which can lead to visual unappealing and potentially hazardous situations.

Innovation Solution

A charging system with a self-protection mechanism that selectively exposes or shields electrical contacts on APCs and charging stations, using movable protective covers that can automatically cover or uncover the contacts based on the APC's position, and includes cleaning mechanisms to maintain contact integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical contacts are exposed for charging, then charging functionality is enabled, but the contacts are susceptible to damage, corrosion, and safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contact durabilityVSAvoidcharging accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is designed to be movable between covered and uncovered positions, allowing the electrical contacts to be protected during storage and transport while being accessible during charging operations. This dynamic structure resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to adapt its state based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A protective cover is introduced as an intermediary element between the electrical contacts and the external environment. This cover shields the contacts from damage, corrosion, and safety hazards while allowing controlled access during charging, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If electrical contacts are continuously exposed, then charging is always accessible, but the contacts suffer from damage, corrosion, and surface deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging accessibilityVSAvoidcontact corrosion and damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover transitions between covered and uncovered states dynamically, providing continuous protection except during active charging operations. This resolves the contradiction by minimizing exposure time while maintaining operational accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes self-cleaning mechanisms that automatically clean the electrical contacts during the cover transition or charging process, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring continuous protection without compromising charging accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If protective covers are added to electrical contacts, then safety and aesthetics are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety hazardsVSAvoidprotection system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is designed as a thin, flexible structure that can easily cover and uncover the electrical contacts without adding significant weight or complexity. This resolves the contradiction by providing effective protection while maintaining a simple overall system design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover functionality is integrated with the charging station or APC housing structure, combining multiple functions (protection, aesthetics, and structural support) into a single element, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining safety benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If self-cleaning mechanisms are implemented, then contact integrity is maintained, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact surface integrityVSAvoidcleaning mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning mechanism is designed to operate automatically using the existing charging process or cover transition motion, eliminating the need for separate power sources or control systems. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining contact integrity through self-cleaning without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning mechanism serves multiple functions: it cleans the electrical contacts, lubricates the protective cover movement, and may provide corrosion protection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230344252A1Systems and methods for contact self-protection for automatic swimming pool cleaner

Publication Date: 2023.10.26 ZODIAC POOL CARE EURO

AI summary

A charging system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) includes one or more electrical contacts and a protection system that selectively prevents access to and/or or allows contact with the one or more electrical contacts. In some cases, the protection system may selectively clean the one or more electrical contacts. In certain cases, the protection system may prevent access to and/or allow contact with the one or more electrical contacts based on a position of the APC.