Worm Gear Mechanism for Automatic Pool Cleaner Directional Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction type swimming pool cleaners face issues with gear wear and high power demand due to friction and transitional periods during direction changes, particularly when using bevel gears and pulley systems, which lead to accelerated wear and reduced reliability.

Innovation Solution

The use of a worm and worm gear assembly within an oscillatable gear carrying assembly for seamless gear changes, combined with a flexible drive module and rollers, minimizes wear and power demand by allowing quick and efficient directional changes without external devices like springs or magnets, and features self-cleaning debris expulsion and integrated steering mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If bevel gears and pulley systems are used for direction changes, then steering capability is improved, but gear wear and power demand increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering capabilityVSAvoidgear wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional bevel gear mechanical system with a wheeled mechanism that rolls along the pool wall. This substitution eliminates the sliding friction and transitional wear inherent in bevel gear engagement, while maintaining steering capability through the interaction of wheels with the pool surface and cleaner body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes water flow (hydraulic principle) to provide lubrication and cooling for the drivetrain components. The water environment reduces friction between moving parts and dissipates heat, thereby reducing power demand and extending gear life without compromising steering performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid self-centering ribs are added to prevent track sliding off pulleys, then track stability is improved, but power demand increases due to high resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrack stabilityVSAvoidpower demand

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible tracks that can conform to the pool surface and pulley geometry without requiring rigid self-centering ribs. The flexibility allows the track to maintain stable contact through elastic deformation rather than rigid mechanical constraints, reducing friction and power demand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If tracks are kept in constant contact with pool surfaces for steering, then steering responsiveness is improved, but wear on tracks accelerates significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering responsivenessVSAvoidtrack wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the track by using water lubrication to reduce the coefficient of friction between the track and pool surface. This allows the track to maintain responsive contact for steering while significantly reducing wear through the lubricating effect of water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Speed

If transitional periods are reduced during gear engagement and disengagement, then steering speed is improved, but gear wear increases due to friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering speedVSAvoidgear wear

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the gear engagement/disengagement transitional period by replacing the bevel gear steering mechanism with a wheeled system that continuously rolls along the pool wall. This substitution provides instantaneous steering response without the wear associated with rapid gear engagement and disengagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution significantly reduces gear wear and power consumption while enhancing reliability, allowing for seamless directional changes and improved traction, with minimal frictional forces and wear on tracks, enabling efficient pool cleaning with reduced part count.

Implementation Method 1

an arrangement of worm and worm gears within an oscillatable gear carrying assembly is the preferred device for changing direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWorm Drive: Worm Drive

Implementation Method 2

Since the worm type gear assembly is immersed in water both cooling and lubrication is sufficient for this type of mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS10731732B2Automatic pool cleaner gear mechanism

Publication Date: 2020.08.04 NC BRANDS LP

AI summary

A gear change and gear change biasing mechanism for use in an automatic swimming pool cleaner.