Vector Nozzle Control for Multi-Surface Pool Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pool cleaning devices struggle to efficiently navigate and clean various surfaces within a pool, including the bottom, walls, and water surface, while maintaining stability and direction control.

Innovation Solution

A pool cleaning device equipped with a fluid ejecting unit, vector nozzle, and a second driving unit that rotates the nozzle to align its outlet with discharge openings, allowing water to be ejected in different directions for thrust and pressure control, combined with a waterflow guiding unit to direct water flow effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If water is ejected through a fixed nozzle, then the structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to different cleaning surfaces and directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different cleaning surfacesVSAvoidnozzle rotation mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic one capable of rotation. The second driving unit enables the nozzle to rotate and align its outlet with different discharge openings, allowing the device to adapt to various cleaning surfaces (bottom, walls, water surface) while maintaining a relatively compact structure through controlled rotational movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating nozzle mechanism enables a single ejection unit to serve multiple functions by directing water flow toward different discharge openings. This allows the same nozzle to clean different surfaces (bottom, side walls, water surface) and provide different functions (thrust generation, cleaning pressure) without requiring separate nozzles for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple discharge openings are provided, then the device can clean various surfaces, but the housing structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to clean bottom, walls and water surfaceVSAvoidhousing with multiple discharge openings
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented with multiple discrete discharge openings positioned at different locations and orientations. Each discharge opening serves a specific cleaning function (bottom cleaning, wall cleaning, water surface cleaning), allowing the device to handle various cleaning surfaces while maintaining a modular and organized housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple discharge openings are integrated into the housing to enable a single device to perform multiple cleaning functions. By combining several discharge openings with the rotatable nozzle system, the housing achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate devices for each cleaning surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If water flow direction is fixed, then the thrust direction is stable, but the device cannot change movement direction efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement direction change capabilityVSAvoidnozzle rotation control system
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle rotation system transforms the fixed water flow direction into a dynamic one. The second driving unit enables the nozzle to rotate and realign with different discharge openings, allowing the device to change movement direction efficiently by redirecting water ejection toward appropriate discharge openings based on the desired travel direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system determines the required water ejection direction based on the pool cleaning device's current position, orientation, and cleaning objectives. This feedback mechanism enables intelligent adjustment of the nozzle rotation and water flow direction to optimize movement and cleaning efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 the pool cleaning device to efficiently traverse and clean the pool's surfaces by generating thrust and pressure in multiple directions, ensuring stability and adaptability to different operational states.

Implementation Method 1

a second driving unit configured to drive the vector nozzle to rotate so that the outlet of the vector nozzle is at least partially aligned with one of the at least two discharge openings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVector nozzle rotation:

Implementation Method 2

The filtered and purified water can be discharged into the pool, and the discharged water can be used as a thrust to the pool cleaning device, so as to provide the thrust for the pool cleaning device to travel in the water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid ejection thrust: Reaction (physics)

Implementation Method 3

a waterflow guiding unit configured to guide the water ejected from the outlet of the vector nozzle to one of the at least two discharge openings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWaterflow guidance:

Implementation Method 4

the at least one signal transmitting component is a magnetic component; and the at least one signal receiving component is a Hall sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4582656A1Pool cleaning device and method for controlling the same
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 SHENZHEN AIPER INTELLIGENT CO LTD
  • EP4582656A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4582656A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3A
  • EP4582656A1 patent drawingFigure 3B~3C

AI summary

Disclosed are a pool cleaning device and a corresponding control method. The pool cleaning device includes: a fluid ejecting unit including a fluid channel through which water flows and a vector nozzle, an inlet of the vector nozzle being rotatably connected with the fluid channel; a first driving unit configured to drive water to be ejected from an outlet of the vector nozzle via the fluid channel; a housing, with at least two discharge openings arranged thereon; and a second driving unit configured to drive the vector nozzle to rotate so that the outlet of the vector nozzle is at least partially aligned with one of the at least two discharge openings.