US20150322684A1 - Pool Cleaning Device Having Relief Formed in a Base Portion Thereof - Google Patents
Pool Cleaning Device Having Relief Formed in a Base Portion Thereof Download PDFInfo
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- US20150322684A1 US20150322684A1 US14/706,502 US201514706502A US2015322684A1 US 20150322684 A1 US20150322684 A1 US 20150322684A1 US 201514706502 A US201514706502 A US 201514706502A US 2015322684 A1 US2015322684 A1 US 2015322684A1
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- Prior art keywords
- cleaner
- intake
- pool
- relief
- assembly
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
- E04H4/14—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
- E04H4/16—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for specially adapted for cleaning
- E04H4/1654—Self-propelled cleaners
Definitions
- the present disclosure generally relates to apparatus for cleaning a pool. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the disclosure relate to structural features of apparatus to facilitate cleaning pools having a varying elevations.
- swimming pools commonly require a significant amount of maintenance. Beyond the treatment and filtration of pool water, the surface of the pool must be scrubbed regularly. Additionally, leaves and other debris often times elude a pool filtration system and settle on the bottom surface of the pool. Conventional means for scrubbing and/or cleaning a pool, e.g., nets, handheld vacuums, etc., require tedious and arduous efforts by the user, which can make owning a pool a commitment.
- a pump system continuously circulates water through an internal filter assembly capturing debris therein.
- a rotating cylindrical roller formed of foam and/or provided with a brush
- exemplary pool cleaning apparatus can include, but is not limited to, a relief structure formed by a base portion and side panels of a housing of a pool cleaning device and/or a relationship of the relief structure to inlet apertures of the pool cleaning device to facilitate improved cleaning by, and/or improved traction of, the pool cleaning device when climbing and/or descending various surface features of a pool.
- an automated pool cleaning apparatus includes a housing, a first wheel assembly, and a second wheel assembly.
- the housing includes a base portion having an intake port.
- the first wheel assembly is disposed proximate to a front end of the housing and the second wheel assembly is disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing.
- a relief is formed in the base portion between the first and second wheel assemblies.
- an automated pool cleaning apparatus includes a housing having a base portion, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly, and an adjustable intake port.
- the first wheel assembly is disposed proximate to a front end of the housing and the second wheel assembly disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing.
- the adjustable intake port is disposed with respect to the base portion between the first and second wheel assemblies. The intake port being biased towards an immersed surface during a cleaning operation in a pool.
- an automated pool cleaning apparatus includes a housing having a base portion, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly, a first rotatable intake channel, and a second rotatable intake channel.
- the first wheel assembly is disposed proximate to a front end of the housing and the second wheel assembly disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing.
- the first rotatable intake channel is disposed with respect to the base portion and proximate to an axis of the first wheel assembly.
- the first rotatable intake channel rotates to be oriented towards an immersed surface during a cleaning operation in a pool.
- the second rotatable intake channel is disposed with respect to the base portion and proximate to an axis of the second wheel assembly.
- the second rotatable intake channel rotates to be oriented towards an immersed surface during a cleaning operation in a pool.
- a method of cleaning an immersed surface of a swimming pool includes traversing a first horizontal portion of the immersed surface by an automated pool cleaning apparatus having a housing that includes a base portion with at least one intake port, a first wheel assembly disposed proximate to a front end of the housing, a second wheel assembly disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing, and a relief formed in the base portion between the first and second wheel assemblies.
- the method also includes transitioning from the first horizontal portion to a first vertical portion, wherein an intersection of the first horizontal portion and the first vertical portion form a positive corner.
- the method further includes receiving the positive corner by the relief as the automated pool cleaning apparatus transitions from the first horizontal portion to the first vertical portion.
- the relief formed in the base of the housing can be bounded by a first and second transition region and a clearance associated with the relief can be greater than a clearance associated with the first and second transition regions.
- the clearance of the relief can generally increase from the first transition region to an apex and can generally decrease from the apex to the second transition region.
- the relief can have a generally concave arched configuration and can be configured to receive a positive corner of an immersed surface corresponding to a transition from a generally horizontal portion of the immersed surface to a generally downwardly depending vertical portion of the immersed surface as the apparatus moves over the positive corner.
- Intake ports of the apparatus can be disposed on the relief, proximate to the relief, and/or spaced away from the relief, and can include an intake aperture and/or an intake channel.
- the adjustable intake port can have a retracted position in which the adjustable intake port is housed substantially within the housing and a protracted position in which the adjustable intake port protrudes from the base portion away from the housing.
- the adjustable intake port is formed in the relief.
- FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of an exemplary cleaner assembly in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 2 depicts a left side elevational view of the cleaner of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 depicts a right side elevational view of the cleaner of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 depicts a top plan view of the cleaner of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 depicts a bottom plan view of the cleaner of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 6 depicts a partial cross-section of the cleaner of FIG. 1 with the handle removed, with portions of the motor drive assembly being represented generally without section, and with directional arrows added to facilitate discussion of an exemplary fluid flow through the pool cleaner.
- FIGS. 7A-C illustrate schematically an exemplary operation of the cleaner of FIG. 1 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 8 depicts a partial cross-section of another exemplary embodiment of a cleaner assembly that has rotating suction intake channels.
- FIGS. 9A-D illustrate schematically an exemplary operation of the cleaner of FIG. 8 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIGS. 10-11 depict a partial cross-section of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaner assembly that has a retractable suction intake channel.
- FIGS. 12A-D illustrate an exemplary operation of the cleaner of FIGS. 10-11 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIGS. 13-14 depict variations of a relief structure that can be formed on an underside of a cleaner assembly in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- advantageous apparatus are provided for cleaning a an immersed surface of a pool that has a varying elevation. More particularly, the present disclosure, includes, but is not limited to, discussion of a relief structure formed by a base portion and side panels of a housing of a pool cleaning device and/or a relationship of the relief structure to inlet apertures of the pool cleaning device to facilitate improved cleaning by, and/or improved traction of, the pool cleaning device when climbing and/or descending various surface features of a pool (e.g., stairs, benches, etc.).
- a cleaner assembly 10 generally includes a cleaner 100 and a power source such as an external power supply 50 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- Power supply 50 generally includes a transformer/control box 51 and a power cable 52 in communication with the transformer/control box 51 and the cleaner 100 .
- the cleaner 100 generally includes a housing assembly 110 , a lid assembly 120 , wheel assemblies 130 , roller assemblies 140 , a filter assembly 150 and a motor drive assembly 160 , which shall each be discussed further below.
- the housing assembly 110 and lid assembly 120 cooperate to define internal cavity space for housing internal components of the cleaner 100 .
- the housing assembly 110 may define a plurality of internal cavity spaces for housing components of the cleaner 100 .
- the housing assembly 110 includes a central cavity defined by base 111 and side cavities defined by side panels 112 .
- the central cavity may house and receive the filter assembly 150 and the motor drive assembly 160 ( FIG. 6 ).
- the side cavities may be used to house drive transfer system components, such as the drive belts 165 , which are typically used to transfer power from the motor drive assembly 160 to the wheel assemblies 130 and the roller assemblies 140 .
- the drive belts 165 generally extend around and rotatably drive the wheel assemblies 130 and the roller assemblies.
- the housing assembly 110 typically includes filtration intake apertures 113 (see, in particular, FIGS. 5-6 ) located, for example, on the bottom (underside) and/or side of the housing assembly 110 .
- the intake apertures 113 are generally configured and dimensioned to correspond with openings, e.g., intake channels 153 , in the filter assembly 150 , as described in more detail herein.
- the intake apertures 113 and intake channels 153 can be large enough to allow for the passage of debris such as leaves, twigs, etc.
- the suction power of the filtration assembly 150 may depend in part on surface area of the intake apertures 113 and/or intake channels 153 , it may be advantageous, in some embodiments, to minimize the size of the intake apertures 113 and/or intake channels 153 , e.g., to increase the efficiency of the cleaner 100 .
- the intake apertures 113 and/or intake channels 153 may be located such that the cleaner 100 cleans the widest area during operation.
- the front intake apertures 113 for the cleaner 100 can be positioned towards the middle of the housing assembly 110
- the rear intake apertures 113 can be positioned towards the sides of the housing assembly 110 .
- intake apertures 113 may be included proximal the roller assemblies 140 to facilitate the collection of debris and particles from the roller assemblies 140 (see, in particular, FIG. 5 ).
- the intake apertures 113 can advantageously serve as drains for when the cleaner 100 is removed from the water.
- the cleaner 100 is typically supported/propelled about a pool by the wheel assemblies 130 located relative to the bottom of the cleaner 100 .
- the wheel assemblies 130 are usually powered by the motor drive assembly 160 ( FIG. 6 ) in conjunction with the drive transfer system, as discussed herein.
- the cleaner 100 includes a front pair of wheel assemblies 130 aligned along a front axis A f and a rear pair of wheel assemblies 130 aligned along a rear axis A r .
- Each wheel assembly 130 may include a bushing assembly (not shown) aligned along the proper corresponding axis A f or A r , and axially connected to a corresponding wheel, e.g., by means of and in secured relationship with an axle.
- the cleaner 100 can include roller assemblies 140 to scrub the walls of the pool during operation.
- the roller assemblies 140 may include front and rear roller assemblies 140 operatively associated with said front and rear sets of wheel assemblies, respectively (e.g., wherein the front roller assembly 140 and front set of wheel assemblies 130 rotate in cooperation around axis A f and/or share a common axle).
- the current disclosure is not limited to such configuration. Indeed, three-wheel configurations (such as for a tricycle), two-tread configurations (such as for a tank), tri-axial configurations, etc., may be appropriate, e.g. to achieve a better turn radius, or increase traction.
- the roller assemblies 140 may be independent from the wheel assemblies 130 , e.g., with an autonomous axis of rotation and/or independent drive.
- the brush speed and/or brush direction may advantageously be adjusted, e.g., to optimize scrubbing.
- the housing assembly 110 may include a cleaner handle 114 , e.g., for facilitating extraction of the cleaner 100 from a pool.
- the base 111 and side panels 112 can form a relief 117 on an underside of the cleaner 100 .
- the relief 117 can be formed on an underside of the cleaner 100 between front and rear axes A f and A r of the wheel assemblies 130 .
- the relief 117 can have a generally concave arched or curved configuration having an apex 119 that can be generally disposed, for example, at a midpoint between the front and rear axes A f and A r of the wheel assemblies 130 .
- the side panels 112 are shown as having a generally curved bottom portion 127 .
- the bottom portion 127 of the side panels 112 can include a first curved portion 129 to accommodate one of the wheel assemblies 130 disposed about the front axis A f , a second curved portion 131 corresponding to the relief 117 , and a third curved portion 133 to accommodate one of the wheel assemblies 130 disposed about the rear axis A r .
- the bottom portion 127 can extend radially with respect to the front axis A f by approximately ninety degrees from the front end 137 to a first transition region 139 to form the first curved portion 129 .
- the bottom portion 127 of the cleaner 100 can generally curve from the front end 137 downwardly towards a plane 141 such that a distance D between the bottom portion 127 and the plane 141 , measured perpendicularly to the plane 141 , generally decreases along the first curved portion 129 from front end 137 to the first transition region 139 .
- the plane 141 can correspond to a planar surface upon which each of the wheels of the wheel assemblies 130 can rest (e.g., a plane extending generally tangentially with respect to a portion of the wheels in contact with the planar surface).
- the bottom portion 127 of the side panels 112 curve away from the plane 141 towards the apex 119 and then curves towards the plane 141 from the apex 119 to a second transition region 147 to form the second curved portion 131 of the bottom portion 127 of the side panels 112 such that the distance D generally increases from the first transition region 139 to the apex 119 and then decreases from the apex to the second transition region 147 .
- the bottom portion 127 can extend radially with respect to the rear axis A r by approximately ninety degrees from the second transition region 147 to the rear end 145 of the cleaner 100 .
- the bottom portion 127 of the cleaner 100 can generally curves upwardly in the third curved portion 133 from the second transition region 147 away from the plane 141 such that the distance D generally increases from the second transition region 147 to the rear end 145 .
- the contour of the relief 117 formed in the base 111 can correspond to the second curved portion 131 of the side panels 112 .
- the base 111 can include a curved surface portion 149 that extends between the first and second transition regions 139 and 147 . Beginning at the first transition region 139 , the curved surface portion 149 of the base 111 can generally curve away from the plane 141 to the apex 119 and then can curve towards the plane 141 from the apex 119 to the second transition region 147 such that the distance D generally increases from the first transition region 139 to the apex 119 and then decreases from the apex to the second transition region 147 .
- the relief 117 formed by the curved surface portion 149 of the base 111 and second curved portion 131 of the side panels 112 can provide an increased clearance (e.g., the distance D) between the an underside of the cleaner 100 and the plane 141 compared to the portions of the underside of the cleaner 100 between the front end 137 and the first transition region 139 and between the second transition region 147 and the rear end 145 of the cleaner 100 .
- an exemplary embodiment of the relief 117 has been illustrated as a generally smooth concaved curve, those skilled in the art will recognize that exemplary embodiments of the relief can have different configuration and/or shapes.
- a relief 117 ′ can have a wedge-shaped or triangular profile when viewed from a side of a cleaner 100 ′.
- the relief 117 ′ can include a linear segment 131 A between the first transition region 139 and the apex 119 ′, for which the distance D increases linearly from the first transition region 139 to the apex 119 ′ and a linear segment 131 B between the apex 119 and the second transition region 147 , for which the distance D decreases linearly from the apex 119 ′ to the second transition region 147 .
- a relief 117 ′′ can have a trapezoidal profile when viewed from a side of a cleaner 100 ′′.
- the relief 117 ′′ can include a linear segment 131 C extending upwardly from the first transition region 139 and a trapezoidal base portion that forms an apex 119 ′′, for which the distance D remains constant, a linear segment 131 D extending generally parallel to the plane 141 along the trapezoidal base portion, and can include a linear segment 131 E extending downwardly from the trapezoidal base portion to the second transition region 147 , for which the distance D decreases linearly from the trapezoidal base portion to the second transition region 147 .
- the filter assembly 150 is depicted in cross-section and the motor drive assembly 160 is depicted generally.
- the filter assembly 150 includes one or more filter elements (e.g., side filter panels 154 and top filter panels 155 ), a body 151 (e.g., walls, floor, etc.), and a frame 156 configured and dimensioned for supporting the one or more filter elements relative thereto.
- the body 151 and the frame 156 and/or filter elements generally cooperate to define a plurality of flow regions including at least one intake flow region 157 and at least one vent flow region 158 .
- each intake flow region 157 shares at least one common defining side with at least one vent flow region 158 , wherein the common defining side is at least partially defined by the frame 156 and/or filter element(s) supported thereby.
- the filter elements when positioned relative to the frame 156 , form a semi-permeable barrier between each intake flow region 157 and at least one vent flow region 158 .
- the body 151 defines at least one intake channel 153 in communication with each intake flow region 157
- the frame 156 defines at least one vent channel 152 in communication with each vent flow region 158 .
- Each intake flow region 157 defined by the body 151 can be bucket-shaped to facilitate trapping debris therein.
- the body 151 and frame 156 may cooperate to define a plurality of surrounding walls and a floor for each intake flow region 157 .
- the body 151 of the filter assembly 150 is depicted with the frame 156 shown integrally formed therewith.
- the body 151 has a saddle-shaped elevation and is configured, sized, and/or dimensioned to be received for seating in the base 111 and the frame 156 is configured, sized, and/or dimensioned to fit over the motor drive assembly 160 .
- the motor drive assembly 160 in effect divides the original vent flow region 158 into a plurality of vent flow regions 158 , with each of the vent flow regions 158 in fluid communication with the intake openings defined by the apertured support 162 A of the impeller 162 C (see FIG. 6 ).
- the motor drive assembly 160 generally includes a motor box 161 and an impeller unit 162 .
- the impeller unit 162 is typically secured relative to the top of the motor box 161 , e.g., by screws, bolts, etc.
- the motor box 161 houses electrical and mechanical components which control the operation of the cleaner 100 , e.g., drive the wheel assemblies 130 , the roller assemblies 140 , and the impeller unit 162 .
- the impeller unit 162 includes an impeller 162 C, an apertured support 162 A (which defines intake openings below the impeller 162 C), and a duct 162 B (which houses the impeller 162 C and forms a lower portion of the filtration vent shaft).
- the duct 162 B is generally configured and dimensioned to correspond with a lower portion of the vent channel 152 of the filter assembly 150 .
- the duct 162 B, vent channel 152 , and vent aperture 122 may cooperate to define the filtration vent shaft which, in some embodiments, extends up along the ventilation axis A v and out through the lid 121 .
- the impeller unit 162 acts as a pump for the cleaner 100 , drawing water through the filter assembly 150 and pushing filtered water out through the filtration vent shaft.
- An exemplary filtration flow path for the cleaner 100 is designated by directional arrows depicted in FIG. 6 .
- the motor drive assembly 160 is typically secured, e.g., by screws, bolts, etc., relative to the inner bottom surface of the housing assembly 110 .
- the motor drive assembly 160 is configured and dimensioned so as to not obstruct the filtration intake apertures 113 of the housing assembly 110 .
- the motor drive assembly 160 is configured and dimensioned such that cavity space remains in the housing assembly 110 for the filter assembly 150 .
- the motor drive assembly 160 can include a tilt switch for automatically navigating the cleaner 100 around a pool, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,632, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference, discloses tilt features that can be advantageously incorporated as well as features for turning the cleaner.
- the primary function of the pump motor is to power the impeller 162 C and draw water through the filter assembly 150 for filtration. More particularly, unfiltered water and debris are drawn via the intake apertures 113 of the housing assembly 100 through the intake channels 153 of the filter assembly 150 and into the one or more bucket-shaped intake flow regions 157 , wherein the debris and other particles are trapped. The water then filters into the one or more vent flow regions 158 . With reference to FIG. 6 , the flow path between the intake flow regions 157 and the vent flow regions 158 can be through the side filter panels 154 and/or through the top filter panels 155 . The filtered water from the vent flow regions 158 is drawn through the intake openings defined by the apertured support 162 A of the impeller 162 C and discharged via the filtration vent shaft.
- the intake apertures 113 can be disposed proximate to the first and second transition regions 139 and 147 .
- the intake apertures 113 can be disposed between the first transition region 139 and the front end and between the second transition region 147 and the rear end such that the intake apertures 113 are separated by the relief 117 .
- the intake apertures 113 can be disposed between the front axis A f and the first transition region 139 and between the second transition region 147 and the rear axis A r such that the intake apertures a disposed inward from the wheel assemblies 130 and roller/scrubbers 140 , but outward from the relief 117 . While intake apertures 113 have been illustrated as being disposed outwardly from the relief 117 , those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the intake apertures 113 can be disposed between the first and second transition regions 139 and 147 such that one or more of the intake apertures 113 are formed on the relief 117 .
- the lid assembly 120 includes a lid 121 which is pivotally associated with the housing assembly 110 .
- the housing assembly 110 and lid assembly 120 may include hinge components 115 , 125 , respectively, for hingedly connecting the lid 121 relative to the housing assembly 110 .
- other joining mechanisms e.g., pivot mechanism, a sliding mechanism, etc.
- a user may advantageously change the lid assembly 120 back and forth between an open position and a closed position, and it is contemplated that the lid assembly 120 can be provided so as to be removably securable to the housing assembly 110 .
- the lid assembly 120 may advantageously cooperate with the housing assembly 110 to provide for top access to the internal components of the cleaner 100 .
- the filter assembly 150 may be removed quickly and easily for cleaning and maintenance without having to “flip” the cleaner 100 over.
- the housing assembly 110 has a first side in secured relationship with the wheel assemblies 130 and a second side opposite such first side and in secured relationship with the lid assembly 120 .
- the lid assembly 120 and the housing assembly 110 may include a latch mechanism, e.g., a locking mechanism 126 , to secure the lid 121 in place relative to the housing assembly 110 .
- the lid 121 is typically configured and dimensioned to cover an open top-face of the housing assembly 110 .
- the lid 121 defines a vent aperture 122 that cooperates with other openings (discussed below) to form a filtration vent shaft.
- the vent aperture 122 is generally configured and dimensioned to correspond with an upper portion of a vent channel 152 of the filter assembly 150 .
- the structure and operation of the filtration vent shaft and the vent channel 152 of the filter assembly are discussed in greater detail herein.
- the vent aperture 122 generally includes guard elements 123 to prevent the introduction of objects, e.g., a user's hands, into the vent shaft.
- the lid assembly 120 can advantageously include one or more transparent elements, e.g., windows 124 associated with the lid 121 , which allow a user to see the state of the filter assembly 150 while the lid assembly 120 is in the closed position.
- the entire lid 121 may be constructed from a transparent material.
- embodiments of the cleaner 100 can be configured to clean an immersed surface 200 of a pool including the bottom and side walls of the pool as well as the stairs, benches, or other surface features, such as a shelf or platform.
- the cleaner 100 can clean horizontal and vertical immersed surfaces of the pool (e.g., by climbing a descending the vertical surfaces).
- the relief 117 of the cleaner 100 can be configured to improve suction and/or traction of the cleaner 100 with respect to transitions between generally vertical and generally horizontal surfaces of the pool compared to conventional cleaners having a flat or substantial planar base portion, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upon transitioning from vertical and horizontal surfaces of a pool.
- the cleaner 100 can traverse the immersed surface 200 of a pool to be cleaned, which includes transitions from a substantially horizontal portion 202 to a substantially vertical portion 204 .
- the wheels of the wheel assemblies 130 disposed proximate to the front end 137 of the cleaner 100 can begins to roll or slide down the vertical portion 204 and a positive corner 208 formed at a transition between the horizontal portion 202 and the vertical portion 204 can be received by the relief 117 .
- the relief 117 can slide over the positive corner 208 of the surface 200 to advantageously allow the intake apertures 113 of the cleaner 100 to remain in close proximity to the immersed surface 200 to maintain a sufficient suction force of the cleaner 100 to the surface 200 to clean the surface 200 and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner 100 to have traction against the surface 200 .
- the cleaner 100 can clean the vertical portion 204 .
- the cleaner 100 can descend the vertical portion 204 such that the wheels at the front and rear of the cleaner 100 can be in contact with the vertical portion 204 so that the intake apertures are in proximity to the vertical portion 204 of the surface 200 to maintain a suction force that advantageously allows the cleaner 100 to roll and/or slide down the vertical portion 204 to clean the vertical portion 204 of the surface.
- exemplary embodiments provide improved cleaning of the vertical portion 204 upon descending from the positive corner 208 compared to conventional cleaners having flat or planar base portions, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upon traversing a positive corner 208 .
- the cleaner 100 can continue to traverse the surface 200 to transition from the vertical portion 204 to a horizontal portion 210 via a negative corner 212 as shown in FIG. 7C .
- FIGS. 7A-C generally illustrate the cleaner 100 descending from horizontal portion 202 to horizontal portion 210 of the surface 200
- the cleaner 200 can ascend or climb from horizontal portion 210 to horizontal portion 202 in a similar manner such that the relief 117 advantageously allows the intake apertures 113 to be in sufficient proximity to the surface 200 as the cleaner 100 transition from the vertical portion 204 to the horizontal portion 202 via the positive corner 208 .
- Exemplary embodiments of the pool cleaner 100 may be provide a windowed top-access lid assembly for a pool cleaner, a bucket-type filter assembly for a pool cleaner, and quick-release roller assembly for a pool cleaner, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/211,720, entitled, Apparatus for Facilitating Maintenance of a Pool Cleaning Device, published Mar. 18, 2010 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0065482, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- exemplary embodiments of the cleaner 100 may be provided with an adjustable buoyancy/weighting distribution which can be used to alter the dynamics (motion path) of the cleaner when used in a swimming pool, spa or other reservoir, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/938,041, entitled Pool Cleaning Device with Adjustable Buoyant Element, published May 3, 2012 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0103365, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a cleaner 300 in accordance with the present disclosure having variations relative to the cleaner 100 disclosed above.
- the cleaner 300 can include rotatable or pivotal intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353 .
- the intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353 can rotate or pivot to align with an immersed pool surface to be cleaned.
- the intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353 can be weighted and/or biased such that the orientation of the cleaner 300 determine a direction in which each of the intake apertures 313 and the intake channels 353 rotate.
- the cleaner 300 can be programmed to rotate or pivot the intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353 based on, for example, one or more electrical signals from one or more sensors 395 , such as accelerometers and/or gyroscopes, that can be processed by the cleaner 300 to determine and control an orientation of the intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353 .
- the intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353 can rotate or pivot in response to the suction force itself, which may force the intake apertures 313 and/or intake channels 353 to align with the surface to maintain suction to the surface.
- the intake apertures 313 and intake channels 353 can be rotatable by, for example, approximately forty-five (45) degrees to approximately one hundred eighty (180) degrees and can be configured to maintain a generally parallel relationship to an immersed surface.
- the intake apertures 313 and intake channels can be disposed proximate the front and rear axes A f and A r to improve suction and traction of the cleaner 300 during elevational transitions of the pool surfaces to be cleaned as described in more detail herein.
- the cleaner 300 has many components in common with the cleaner 100 described above.
- the relief 317 formed by the base 311 and side panels ( 312 in FIGS. 9A-9D ), the motive/drive elements, such as wheel assemblies, drive belts and roller/scrubber 340 , the cleaning/filtering apparatus and function including the impeller motor 360 , filter assembly 350 impeller assembly 362 , vent channel 352 are all substantially the same and operate the in the same manner as in cleaner 100 .
- the cover 320 is hinged at hinge 315 to provide access to the interior of the cleaner 300 .
- embodiments of the cleaner 300 can be configured to clean an immersed surface 400 of a pool including the bottom and side walls of the pool as well as the stairs, benches, or other surface features, such as a shelf or platform.
- the cleaner 300 can clean horizontal and vertical immersed surfaces of the pool (e.g., by climbing a descending the vertical surfaces).
- the relief 317 , rotatable intake apertures 313 , and/or rotatable intake channels of the cleaner 300 can be configured to improve suction and traction of the cleaner with respect to transitions between generally vertical and generally horizontal surfaces of the pool compared to conventional cleaners having a flat or substantial planar base portion.
- the cleaner 300 can traverse the immersed surface 400 of a pool to be cleaned, which transitions from a substantially horizontal portion 402 to a substantially vertical portion 404 .
- the wheels of the wheel assemblies 330 disposed proximate to the front end 337 of the cleaner 300 can begin to roll or slide down the vertical portion 404 and a positive corner 408 formed at a transition between the horizontal portion 402 and the vertical portion 404 can be received by the relief 317 .
- the relief 317 can slide over the positive corner of the surface, and the intake apertures 313 and intake channels 353 of the cleaner 300 can rotate to have an orientation to maintain a sufficient suction to the surface 400 to clean the surface 400 and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner 300 to have traction against the surface 400 .
- the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis A f can rotate clockwise by a total of approximately ninety (90) degrees as the cleaner 300 traverses the positive corner 408 such that the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis A f are approximately perpendicular to the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis A r .
- the intake aperture 313 and/or the intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis A r can rotate clockwise by a total of approximately ninety (90) degrees such that when the wheels proximate to the rear end are in contact with the vertical portion 404 , the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis A f are approximately parallel to the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis A r , as shown in FIG. 9B .
- the cleaner 300 can clean the vertical portion 404 .
- the cleaner 300 can descend the vertical portion 404 such that the wheels at the front and rear of the cleaner 300 can be in contact with the vertical portion 404 so that the intake apertures 313 are in proximity to the vertical portion 404 of the surface to maintain a suction force that advantageously allows the cleaner 300 to roll and/or slide down the vertical portion 404 to clean the vertical portion 404 of the surface 400 .
- exemplary embodiments provide improved cleaning of the vertical portion 404 upon descending from the positive corner 408 compared to conventional cleaners having flat or planar base portions, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upon traversing a positive corner 408 .
- the cleaner 300 can continue to traverse the surface to transition from the vertical portion 404 to a horizontal portion 410 via a negative corner 412 as shown in FIG. 9C .
- the intake apertures 313 and/or the intake channels 353 can rotate to have an orientation to maintain a sufficient suction to the surface 400 to clean the surface and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner 300 to have traction against the surface 400 .
- the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis A f can rotate counter clockwise by a total of approximately ninety (90) degrees as the cleaner 300 traverse the negative corner 412 such that the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis A f are approximately perpendicular to the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis A r .
- the intake aperture 313 and/or the intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis A r can rotate counter clockwise by a total of approximately ninety (90) degrees such that when the wheels proximate to the rear end are in contact with the horizontal portion 410 , the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis A f are approximately parallel to the intake aperture 313 and intake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis A r , as shown in FIG. 9D .
- FIGS. 9A-D generally illustrate the cleaner 300 descending from horizontal portion 402 to horizontal portion 410 of the surface 400
- the cleaner 300 can ascend from horizontal portion 410 to horizontal portion 402 in a similar manner such that the relief 317 advantageously allows the cleaner 300 to maintain suction and/or traction with the surface 400 as the cleaner 300 traverse negative and positive corners 412 and 408 , respectively.
- FIGS. 10-11 show an alternative embodiment of a cleaner 500 in accordance with the present disclosure having variations relative to the cleaner 100 disclosed above.
- the cleaner 500 can include at least one intake channel 553 A that can extend through an intake aperture 513 .
- a length L of the intake channel 553 A can be compressed to a retracted position ( FIG. 10 ) and expanded to a protracted position ( FIG. 11 ).
- the intake channel 553 A can be generally flush with or slightly protruding from the intake aperture 513 .
- the intake channel 553 A can be disposed at a midpoint of the cleaner 500 between the front and rear axes A f and A r .
- the intake channel 553 A can be formed from a flexible membrane 592 and a resilient member 594 , which is a biasing means, such as a coil spring, each of extending between a guide member 590 and an intake support structure 595 .
- the resilient member 594 can be disposed in the membrane 592 , such that the resilient member 594 is encased with the membrane 592 , and is an example of biasing means for urging or dynamically biasing the intake channel 553 A towards the protracted position.
- the force applied by the resilient member 594 to urge the intake channel 553 A to the protracted position is generally slightly less than the suction force generated by the cleaner during cleaning operation so that the resilient member 594 does not push the cleaner 500 away from the surface of the pool during the cleaning operation, but still remains at and/or proximate to the surface.
- exemplary embodiments of the cleaner 500 have been shown as including a resilient member 594 to urge the intake channel 553 A between a retracted position and a protracted position, those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments may include alternative configurations and/or structures to move the intake channel 553 A between a retracted and protracted positions.
- the intake channels 553 B may be rotatably or pivotally mounted in the cleaner 500 to move the intake channel 553 B between the retracted and protracted positions.
- the guide member 590 is configured at an inlet of the of the intake channel 553 A and forms a free end of the intake channel 553 A, which is configured to engage a surface of the pool during a cleaning operation of the surface.
- the intake support structure 595 can be disposed at an end of the intake channel 553 A opposite the guide member 590 and can form one or more outlets of the intake channel 553 A.
- intake support structure 595 can operatively couple the intake channel 553 A to intake channels 553 B, which can be in fluid communication with the intake flow region 557 so that fluid (and debris) flowing through the intake channel 553 A can ultimate enter the intake flow region 557 .
- the cleaner 500 has many components in common with the cleaner 100 described above.
- the relief 517 formed by the base and side panels, the motive/drive elements, such as wheel assemblies 530 , drive belts (not shown) and front and rear roller/scrubber 540 , the cleaning/filtering apparatus and function including the impeller motor 560 , filter assembly 550 , impeller assembly 562 , vent channel 552 are all substantially the same and operate the in the same manner as in embodiments of the cleaners 100 and 300 .
- the cover 520 is hinged at hinge 515 to provide access to the interior of the cleaner 500 .
- embodiments of the cleaner 500 can be configured to clean an immersed surface 600 of a pool including the bottom and side walls of the pool as well as the stairs, benches, or other surface features, such as a shelf or platform.
- the cleaner 500 can clean horizontal and vertical immersed surfaces of the pool (e.g., by climbing and/or descending the vertical surfaces).
- the relief 517 and/or intake channel 553 A can be configured to improve suction and/or traction of the cleaner 500 with respect to transitions between generally vertical and generally horizontal surfaces of the pool compared to conventional cleaners having a flat or substantial planar base portion.
- the cleaner 500 can traverse the immersed surface 600 of a pool to be cleaned that transitions from a substantially horizontal portion 602 to a substantially vertical portion 604 .
- the wheels disposed proximate to the front end 537 of the cleaner 500 can begin to roll or slide down the vertical portion 604 and a positive corner 608 formed at a transition between the horizontal portion 602 and the vertical portion 604 can be received by the relief 517 .
- the relief 517 can slide over the positive corner 608 of the surface 600 , and the intake aperture 553 A of the cleaner 500 can be compressed into the body of the cleaner such that the intake channel 553 A is in the retracted position and is generally flush with the relief 517 to maintain a sufficient suction to the surface 600 to clean the surface 600 and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner to have traction against the surface 600 .
- the cleaner 500 can clean the vertical portion 604 .
- the cleaner 500 can descend the vertical portion 604 such that the wheels at the front and rear of the cleaner can be in contact with the vertical portion 604 so that the intake aperture 553 A extends from the body such that the intake channel 553 A protrudes from the relief 517 (e.g., a protracted position) and the guide member 590 of the intake channel 553 A is positioned proximate to the surface 600 being cleaned (e.g., in contact with the surface) to maintain a suction force that advantageously allows the cleaner 500 to roll and/or slide down the vertical portion 604 to clean the vertical portion 604 of the surface 600 .
- exemplary embodiments provide improved cleaning of the vertical portion 604 upon descending from the positive corner 608 compared to conventional cleaners having flat or planar base portions, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upon traversing a positive corner.
- the cleaner 500 can continue to traverse the surface 600 to transition from the vertical portion 604 to a horizontal portion 610 via a negative corner 612 as shown in FIG. 12C .
- the intake channel 553 A can further extend from the body of the cleaner 500 (e.g., a further protracted position) to maintain a sufficient suction to the surface 600 to clean the surface 600 and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner 500 to have traction against the surface.
- the intake channel 553 A compresses towards the body of the cleaner 500 , as shown in FIG. 12D , but can still protrude from the body of the cleaner 500 .
- FIGS. 12A-D generally illustrate the cleaner 500 descending from horizontal portion to horizontal portion of the surface, those skilled in the art will recognize that the cleaner can ascend from horizontal portion to horizontal portion in a similar manner such that the relief 517 advantageously allows the cleaner 500 to maintain suction and/or traction with the surface as the cleaner 500 traverse negative and positive corners.
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Abstract
Description
- The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/990,488, filed on May 8, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus for cleaning a pool. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the disclosure relate to structural features of apparatus to facilitate cleaning pools having a varying elevations.
- Swimming pools commonly require a significant amount of maintenance. Beyond the treatment and filtration of pool water, the surface of the pool must be scrubbed regularly. Additionally, leaves and other debris often times elude a pool filtration system and settle on the bottom surface of the pool. Conventional means for scrubbing and/or cleaning a pool, e.g., nets, handheld vacuums, etc., require tedious and arduous efforts by the user, which can make owning a pool a commitment.
- Automated pool cleaning devices, such as the TigerShark cleaner or the SharkVac cleaner by Hayward, have been developed to routinely navigate over the pool surfaces, cleaning as they go. A pump system continuously circulates water through an internal filter assembly capturing debris therein. A rotating cylindrical roller (formed of foam and/or provided with a brush) can be included on the bottom of the unit to scrub the pool walls.
- Known features of automated pool cleaning devices that allow them to traverse surfaces to be cleaned in an efficient and effective manner are beneficial. Notwithstanding, such knowledge in the prior art, features which provide enhanced cleaner traversal of pool surfaces to be cleaned that have varying surface elevations remain a desirable objective.
- The present disclosure relates to apparatus for facilitating operation of a pool cleaner in cleaning surfaces of a pool containing water. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can provide improved traction and cleaning for portions of a pool surface that have changes in elevation forming positive and negative corners. For example, exemplary pool cleaning apparatus disclosed herein can include, but is not limited to, a relief structure formed by a base portion and side panels of a housing of a pool cleaning device and/or a relationship of the relief structure to inlet apertures of the pool cleaning device to facilitate improved cleaning by, and/or improved traction of, the pool cleaning device when climbing and/or descending various surface features of a pool.
- In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an automated pool cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a first wheel assembly, and a second wheel assembly. The housing includes a base portion having an intake port. The first wheel assembly is disposed proximate to a front end of the housing and the second wheel assembly is disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing. A relief is formed in the base portion between the first and second wheel assemblies.
- In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an automated pool cleaning apparatus is disclosed that includes a housing having a base portion, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly, and an adjustable intake port. The first wheel assembly is disposed proximate to a front end of the housing and the second wheel assembly disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing. The adjustable intake port is disposed with respect to the base portion between the first and second wheel assemblies. The intake port being biased towards an immersed surface during a cleaning operation in a pool.
- In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an automated pool cleaning apparatus is disclosed that includes a housing having a base portion, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly, a first rotatable intake channel, and a second rotatable intake channel. The first wheel assembly is disposed proximate to a front end of the housing and the second wheel assembly disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing. The first rotatable intake channel is disposed with respect to the base portion and proximate to an axis of the first wheel assembly. The first rotatable intake channel rotates to be oriented towards an immersed surface during a cleaning operation in a pool. The second rotatable intake channel is disposed with respect to the base portion and proximate to an axis of the second wheel assembly. The second rotatable intake channel rotates to be oriented towards an immersed surface during a cleaning operation in a pool.
- In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of cleaning an immersed surface of a swimming pool is disclosed. The method includes traversing a first horizontal portion of the immersed surface by an automated pool cleaning apparatus having a housing that includes a base portion with at least one intake port, a first wheel assembly disposed proximate to a front end of the housing, a second wheel assembly disposed proximate to a rear end of the housing, and a relief formed in the base portion between the first and second wheel assemblies. The method also includes transitioning from the first horizontal portion to a first vertical portion, wherein an intersection of the first horizontal portion and the first vertical portion form a positive corner. The method further includes receiving the positive corner by the relief as the automated pool cleaning apparatus transitions from the first horizontal portion to the first vertical portion.
- In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure the relief formed in the base of the housing can be bounded by a first and second transition region and a clearance associated with the relief can be greater than a clearance associated with the first and second transition regions. The clearance of the relief can generally increase from the first transition region to an apex and can generally decrease from the apex to the second transition region. The relief can have a generally concave arched configuration and can be configured to receive a positive corner of an immersed surface corresponding to a transition from a generally horizontal portion of the immersed surface to a generally downwardly depending vertical portion of the immersed surface as the apparatus moves over the positive corner. Intake ports of the apparatus can be disposed on the relief, proximate to the relief, and/or spaced away from the relief, and can include an intake aperture and/or an intake channel.
- In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the adjustable intake port can have a retracted position in which the adjustable intake port is housed substantially within the housing and a protracted position in which the adjustable intake port protrudes from the base portion away from the housing. The adjustable intake port is formed in the relief.
- Any combination and/or permutation of embodiments is envisioned. Other objects, functions, features, and benefits will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
- To assist those of ordinary skill in the art in making and using the disclosed apparatus, reference is made to the appended figures, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of an exemplary cleaner assembly in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 2 depicts a left side elevational view of the cleaner ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 depicts a right side elevational view of the cleaner ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 depicts a top plan view of the cleaner ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 depicts a bottom plan view of the cleaner ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 6 depicts a partial cross-section of the cleaner ofFIG. 1 with the handle removed, with portions of the motor drive assembly being represented generally without section, and with directional arrows added to facilitate discussion of an exemplary fluid flow through the pool cleaner. -
FIGS. 7A-C illustrate schematically an exemplary operation of the cleaner ofFIG. 1 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 8 depicts a partial cross-section of another exemplary embodiment of a cleaner assembly that has rotating suction intake channels. -
FIGS. 9A-D illustrate schematically an exemplary operation of the cleaner ofFIG. 8 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIGS. 10-11 depict a partial cross-section of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaner assembly that has a retractable suction intake channel. -
FIGS. 12A-D illustrate an exemplary operation of the cleaner ofFIGS. 10-11 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIGS. 13-14 depict variations of a relief structure that can be formed on an underside of a cleaner assembly in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. - According to the present disclosure, advantageous apparatus are provided for cleaning a an immersed surface of a pool that has a varying elevation. More particularly, the present disclosure, includes, but is not limited to, discussion of a relief structure formed by a base portion and side panels of a housing of a pool cleaning device and/or a relationship of the relief structure to inlet apertures of the pool cleaning device to facilitate improved cleaning by, and/or improved traction of, the pool cleaning device when climbing and/or descending various surface features of a pool (e.g., stairs, benches, etc.).
- With initial reference to
FIG. 1 , acleaner assembly 10 generally includes a cleaner 100 and a power source such as anexternal power supply 50 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.Power supply 50 generally includes a transformer/control box 51 and apower cable 52 in communication with the transformer/control box 51 and the cleaner 100. - Referring now to
FIGS. 1-6 , the cleaner 100 generally includes ahousing assembly 110, alid assembly 120,wheel assemblies 130,roller assemblies 140, afilter assembly 150 and a motor drive assembly 160, which shall each be discussed further below. - The
housing assembly 110 andlid assembly 120 cooperate to define internal cavity space for housing internal components of the cleaner 100. In exemplary embodiments, thehousing assembly 110 may define a plurality of internal cavity spaces for housing components of the cleaner 100. Thehousing assembly 110 includes a central cavity defined bybase 111 and side cavities defined byside panels 112. The central cavity may house and receive thefilter assembly 150 and the motor drive assembly 160 (FIG. 6 ). The side cavities may be used to house drive transfer system components, such as thedrive belts 165, which are typically used to transfer power from the motor drive assembly 160 to thewheel assemblies 130 and theroller assemblies 140. Thedrive belts 165 generally extend around and rotatably drive thewheel assemblies 130 and the roller assemblies. - The
housing assembly 110 typically includes filtration intake apertures 113 (see, in particular,FIGS. 5-6 ) located, for example, on the bottom (underside) and/or side of thehousing assembly 110. Theintake apertures 113 are generally configured and dimensioned to correspond with openings, e.g.,intake channels 153, in thefilter assembly 150, as described in more detail herein. Theintake apertures 113 andintake channels 153 can be large enough to allow for the passage of debris such as leaves, twigs, etc. However, since the suction power of thefiltration assembly 150 may depend in part on surface area of theintake apertures 113 and/orintake channels 153, it may be advantageous, in some embodiments, to minimize the size of theintake apertures 113 and/orintake channels 153, e.g., to increase the efficiency of the cleaner 100. Theintake apertures 113 and/orintake channels 153 may be located such that the cleaner 100 cleans the widest area during operation. For example, thefront intake apertures 113 for the cleaner 100 can be positioned towards the middle of thehousing assembly 110, while therear intake apertures 113 can be positioned towards the sides of thehousing assembly 110. In exemplary embodiments,intake apertures 113 may be included proximal theroller assemblies 140 to facilitate the collection of debris and particles from the roller assemblies 140 (see, in particular,FIG. 5 ). Theintake apertures 113 can advantageously serve as drains for when the cleaner 100 is removed from the water. - The cleaner 100 is typically supported/propelled about a pool by the
wheel assemblies 130 located relative to the bottom of the cleaner 100. Thewheel assemblies 130 are usually powered by the motor drive assembly 160 (FIG. 6 ) in conjunction with the drive transfer system, as discussed herein. In exemplary embodiments, the cleaner 100 includes a front pair ofwheel assemblies 130 aligned along a front axis Af and a rear pair ofwheel assemblies 130 aligned along a rear axis Ar. Eachwheel assembly 130 may include a bushing assembly (not shown) aligned along the proper corresponding axis Af or Ar, and axially connected to a corresponding wheel, e.g., by means of and in secured relationship with an axle. - The cleaner 100 can include
roller assemblies 140 to scrub the walls of the pool during operation. In this regard, theroller assemblies 140 may include front andrear roller assemblies 140 operatively associated with said front and rear sets of wheel assemblies, respectively (e.g., wherein thefront roller assembly 140 and front set ofwheel assemblies 130 rotate in cooperation around axis Af and/or share a common axle). - While the four-wheel, two-roller configuration discussed herein advantageously promotes device stability/drive efficiency, the current disclosure is not limited to such configuration. Indeed, three-wheel configurations (such as for a tricycle), two-tread configurations (such as for a tank), tri-axial configurations, etc., may be appropriate, e.g. to achieve a better turn radius, or increase traction. Similarly, in exemplary embodiments, the
roller assemblies 140 may be independent from thewheel assemblies 130, e.g., with an autonomous axis of rotation and/or independent drive. Thus, the brush speed and/or brush direction may advantageously be adjusted, e.g., to optimize scrubbing. - In exemplary embodiments, the
housing assembly 110 may include acleaner handle 114, e.g., for facilitating extraction of the cleaner 100 from a pool. - In exemplary embodiments, with reference to
FIGS. 1-3 and 5-6 thebase 111 andside panels 112 can form arelief 117 on an underside of the cleaner 100. Therelief 117 can be formed on an underside of the cleaner 100 between front and rear axes Af and Ar of thewheel assemblies 130. In some embodiments, therelief 117 can have a generally concave arched or curved configuration having an apex 119 that can be generally disposed, for example, at a midpoint between the front and rear axes Af and Ar of thewheel assemblies 130. When the cleaner 100 is viewed from either side, as shown inFIGS. 2-3 , for example, theside panels 112 are shown as having a generallycurved bottom portion 127. For example, thebottom portion 127 of theside panels 112 can include a firstcurved portion 129 to accommodate one of thewheel assemblies 130 disposed about the front axis Af, a secondcurved portion 131 corresponding to therelief 117, and a thirdcurved portion 133 to accommodate one of thewheel assemblies 130 disposed about the rear axis Ar. - Beginning at a
front end 137 of theside panels 112, with reference toFIGS. 2-3 , thebottom portion 127 can extend radially with respect to the front axis Af by approximately ninety degrees from thefront end 137 to afirst transition region 139 to form the firstcurved portion 129. As shown inFIGS. 2-3 , thebottom portion 127 of the cleaner 100 can generally curve from thefront end 137 downwardly towards aplane 141 such that a distance D between thebottom portion 127 and theplane 141, measured perpendicularly to theplane 141, generally decreases along the firstcurved portion 129 fromfront end 137 to thefirst transition region 139. Theplane 141 can correspond to a planar surface upon which each of the wheels of thewheel assemblies 130 can rest (e.g., a plane extending generally tangentially with respect to a portion of the wheels in contact with the planar surface). - Continuing towards a
rear end 145 of the cleaner 100 inFIGS. 2-3 , thebottom portion 127 of theside panels 112 curve away from theplane 141 towards the apex 119 and then curves towards theplane 141 from the apex 119 to asecond transition region 147 to form the secondcurved portion 131 of thebottom portion 127 of theside panels 112 such that the distance D generally increases from thefirst transition region 139 to the apex 119 and then decreases from the apex to thesecond transition region 147. To form the thirdcurved portion 133, thebottom portion 127 can extend radially with respect to the rear axis Ar by approximately ninety degrees from thesecond transition region 147 to therear end 145 of the cleaner 100. As shown inFIGS. 2-3 , thebottom portion 127 of the cleaner 100 can generally curves upwardly in the thirdcurved portion 133 from thesecond transition region 147 away from theplane 141 such that the distance D generally increases from thesecond transition region 147 to therear end 145. - As shown in
FIGS. 3 , 4, and 6, the contour of therelief 117 formed in the base 111 can correspond to the secondcurved portion 131 of theside panels 112. For example, the base 111 can include acurved surface portion 149 that extends between the first andsecond transition regions first transition region 139, thecurved surface portion 149 of the base 111 can generally curve away from theplane 141 to the apex 119 and then can curve towards theplane 141 from the apex 119 to thesecond transition region 147 such that the distance D generally increases from thefirst transition region 139 to the apex 119 and then decreases from the apex to thesecond transition region 147. - In some embodiments, the
relief 117 formed by thecurved surface portion 149 of thebase 111 and secondcurved portion 131 of theside panels 112 can provide an increased clearance (e.g., the distance D) between the an underside of the cleaner 100 and theplane 141 compared to the portions of the underside of the cleaner 100 between thefront end 137 and thefirst transition region 139 and between thesecond transition region 147 and therear end 145 of the cleaner 100. While an exemplary embodiment of therelief 117 has been illustrated as a generally smooth concaved curve, those skilled in the art will recognize that exemplary embodiments of the relief can have different configuration and/or shapes. - As one example, with reference to
FIG. 13 , in some embodiments, arelief 117′ can have a wedge-shaped or triangular profile when viewed from a side of a cleaner 100′. For embodiments having the wedge-shaped or triangular profile, therelief 117′ can include alinear segment 131A between thefirst transition region 139 and the apex 119′, for which the distance D increases linearly from thefirst transition region 139 to the apex 119′ and alinear segment 131B between the apex 119 and thesecond transition region 147, for which the distance D decreases linearly from the apex 119′ to thesecond transition region 147. - As another example, with reference to
FIG. 14 , in some embodiments, arelief 117″ can have a trapezoidal profile when viewed from a side of a cleaner 100″. For embodiments having the trapezoidal profile, therelief 117″ can include alinear segment 131C extending upwardly from thefirst transition region 139 and a trapezoidal base portion that forms an apex 119″, for which the distance D remains constant, alinear segment 131D extending generally parallel to theplane 141 along the trapezoidal base portion, and can include alinear segment 131E extending downwardly from the trapezoidal base portion to thesecond transition region 147, for which the distance D decreases linearly from the trapezoidal base portion to thesecond transition region 147. - Referring again to
FIG. 6 , thefilter assembly 150 is depicted in cross-section and the motor drive assembly 160 is depicted generally. Thefilter assembly 150 includes one or more filter elements (e.g.,side filter panels 154 and top filter panels 155), a body 151 (e.g., walls, floor, etc.), and aframe 156 configured and dimensioned for supporting the one or more filter elements relative thereto. Thebody 151 and theframe 156 and/or filter elements generally cooperate to define a plurality of flow regions including at least oneintake flow region 157 and at least onevent flow region 158. More particularly, eachintake flow region 157 shares at least one common defining side with at least onevent flow region 158, wherein the common defining side is at least partially defined by theframe 156 and/or filter element(s) supported thereby. The filter elements, when positioned relative to theframe 156, form a semi-permeable barrier between eachintake flow region 157 and at least onevent flow region 158. - In exemplary embodiments, the
body 151 defines at least oneintake channel 153 in communication with eachintake flow region 157, and theframe 156 defines at least onevent channel 152 in communication with eachvent flow region 158. Eachintake flow region 157 defined by thebody 151 can be bucket-shaped to facilitate trapping debris therein. For example, thebody 151 andframe 156 may cooperate to define a plurality of surrounding walls and a floor for eachintake flow region 157. - The
body 151 of thefilter assembly 150 is depicted with theframe 156 shown integrally formed therewith. Thebody 151 has a saddle-shaped elevation and is configured, sized, and/or dimensioned to be received for seating in thebase 111 and theframe 156 is configured, sized, and/or dimensioned to fit over the motor drive assembly 160. When thefilter assembly 150 is positioned within thehousing assembly 110, the motor drive assembly 160 in effect divides the originalvent flow region 158 into a plurality ofvent flow regions 158, with each of thevent flow regions 158 in fluid communication with the intake openings defined by theapertured support 162A of theimpeller 162C (seeFIG. 6 ). - The motor drive assembly 160 generally includes a motor box 161 and an
impeller unit 162. Theimpeller unit 162 is typically secured relative to the top of the motor box 161, e.g., by screws, bolts, etc. In exemplary embodiments, the motor box 161 houses electrical and mechanical components which control the operation of the cleaner 100, e.g., drive thewheel assemblies 130, theroller assemblies 140, and theimpeller unit 162. - In exemplary embodiments, the
impeller unit 162 includes animpeller 162C, anapertured support 162A (which defines intake openings below theimpeller 162C), and aduct 162B (which houses theimpeller 162C and forms a lower portion of the filtration vent shaft). Theduct 162B is generally configured and dimensioned to correspond with a lower portion of thevent channel 152 of thefilter assembly 150. Theduct 162B,vent channel 152, and ventaperture 122 may cooperate to define the filtration vent shaft which, in some embodiments, extends up along the ventilation axis Av and out through thelid 121. Theimpeller unit 162 acts as a pump for the cleaner 100, drawing water through thefilter assembly 150 and pushing filtered water out through the filtration vent shaft. An exemplary filtration flow path for the cleaner 100 is designated by directional arrows depicted inFIG. 6 . - The motor drive assembly 160 is typically secured, e.g., by screws, bolts, etc., relative to the inner bottom surface of the
housing assembly 110. The motor drive assembly 160 is configured and dimensioned so as to not obstruct thefiltration intake apertures 113 of thehousing assembly 110. Furthermore, the motor drive assembly 160 is configured and dimensioned such that cavity space remains in thehousing assembly 110 for thefilter assembly 150. - The motor drive assembly 160 can include a tilt switch for automatically navigating the cleaner 100 around a pool, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,632, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference, discloses tilt features that can be advantageously incorporated as well as features for turning the cleaner.
- The primary function of the pump motor is to power the
impeller 162C and draw water through thefilter assembly 150 for filtration. More particularly, unfiltered water and debris are drawn via theintake apertures 113 of thehousing assembly 100 through theintake channels 153 of thefilter assembly 150 and into the one or more bucket-shapedintake flow regions 157, wherein the debris and other particles are trapped. The water then filters into the one or morevent flow regions 158. With reference toFIG. 6 , the flow path between theintake flow regions 157 and thevent flow regions 158 can be through theside filter panels 154 and/or through thetop filter panels 155. The filtered water from thevent flow regions 158 is drawn through the intake openings defined by theapertured support 162A of theimpeller 162C and discharged via the filtration vent shaft. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , which depicts a bottom plan view of the cleaner 100, in some embodiments, theintake apertures 113 can be disposed proximate to the first andsecond transition regions intake apertures 113 can be disposed between thefirst transition region 139 and the front end and between thesecond transition region 147 and the rear end such that theintake apertures 113 are separated by therelief 117. In some embodiments, theintake apertures 113 can be disposed between the front axis Af and thefirst transition region 139 and between thesecond transition region 147 and the rear axis Ar such that the intake apertures a disposed inward from thewheel assemblies 130 and roller/scrubbers 140, but outward from therelief 117. Whileintake apertures 113 have been illustrated as being disposed outwardly from therelief 117, those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of theintake apertures 113 can be disposed between the first andsecond transition regions intake apertures 113 are formed on therelief 117. - Referring to
FIGS. 1-4 and 6, to facilitate easy access to the internal components of the cleaner 100, thelid assembly 120 includes alid 121 which is pivotally associated with thehousing assembly 110. For example, thehousing assembly 110 andlid assembly 120 may include hingecomponents lid 121 relative to thehousing assembly 110. Note, however, that other joining mechanisms, e.g., pivot mechanism, a sliding mechanism, etc., may be used, provided that the joining mechanism effect a removable relationship between thelid 121 andhousing assembly 110. In this regard, a user may advantageously change thelid assembly 120 back and forth between an open position and a closed position, and it is contemplated that thelid assembly 120 can be provided so as to be removably securable to thehousing assembly 110. - The
lid assembly 120 may advantageously cooperate with thehousing assembly 110 to provide for top access to the internal components of the cleaner 100. Thefilter assembly 150 may be removed quickly and easily for cleaning and maintenance without having to “flip” the cleaner 100 over. In some embodiments, thehousing assembly 110 has a first side in secured relationship with thewheel assemblies 130 and a second side opposite such first side and in secured relationship with thelid assembly 120. Thelid assembly 120 and thehousing assembly 110 may include a latch mechanism, e.g., alocking mechanism 126, to secure thelid 121 in place relative to thehousing assembly 110. - The
lid 121 is typically configured and dimensioned to cover an open top-face of thehousing assembly 110. Thelid 121 defines avent aperture 122 that cooperates with other openings (discussed below) to form a filtration vent shaft. For example, thevent aperture 122 is generally configured and dimensioned to correspond with an upper portion of avent channel 152 of thefilter assembly 150. The structure and operation of the filtration vent shaft and thevent channel 152 of the filter assembly are discussed in greater detail herein. Note that thevent aperture 122 generally includesguard elements 123 to prevent the introduction of objects, e.g., a user's hands, into the vent shaft. Thelid assembly 120 can advantageously include one or more transparent elements, e.g.,windows 124 associated with thelid 121, which allow a user to see the state of thefilter assembly 150 while thelid assembly 120 is in the closed position. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that theentire lid 121 may be constructed from a transparent material. - Referring now to
FIGS. 7A-C , embodiments of the cleaner 100 can be configured to clean an immersedsurface 200 of a pool including the bottom and side walls of the pool as well as the stairs, benches, or other surface features, such as a shelf or platform. The cleaner 100 can clean horizontal and vertical immersed surfaces of the pool (e.g., by climbing a descending the vertical surfaces). In exemplary embodiments, therelief 117 of the cleaner 100 can be configured to improve suction and/or traction of the cleaner 100 with respect to transitions between generally vertical and generally horizontal surfaces of the pool compared to conventional cleaners having a flat or substantial planar base portion, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upon transitioning from vertical and horizontal surfaces of a pool. - As shown in
FIG. 7A , the cleaner 100 can traverse the immersedsurface 200 of a pool to be cleaned, which includes transitions from a substantiallyhorizontal portion 202 to a substantiallyvertical portion 204. As the cleaner 100 can descends from thehorizontal portion 202, the wheels of thewheel assemblies 130 disposed proximate to thefront end 137 of the cleaner 100 can begins to roll or slide down thevertical portion 204 and apositive corner 208 formed at a transition between thehorizontal portion 202 and thevertical portion 204 can be received by therelief 117. During this transition from thehorizontal portion 202 to thevertical portion 204, therelief 117 can slide over thepositive corner 208 of thesurface 200 to advantageously allow theintake apertures 113 of the cleaner 100 to remain in close proximity to the immersedsurface 200 to maintain a sufficient suction force of the cleaner 100 to thesurface 200 to clean thesurface 200 and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner 100 to have traction against thesurface 200. - As shown in
FIG. 7B , after the transition from thehorizontal portion 202 to thevertical portion 204, the cleaner 100 can clean thevertical portion 204. For example, when the length of thevertical portion 204 exceeds the length of the cleaner 100, the cleaner 100 can descend thevertical portion 204 such that the wheels at the front and rear of the cleaner 100 can be in contact with thevertical portion 204 so that the intake apertures are in proximity to thevertical portion 204 of thesurface 200 to maintain a suction force that advantageously allows the cleaner 100 to roll and/or slide down thevertical portion 204 to clean thevertical portion 204 of the surface. By utilizing therelief 117 to allow theintake apertures 113 and/or front wheels of the cleaner 100 to remain in close proximity as the cleaner 100 traverses thepositive corner 208 of thesurface 200, exemplary embodiments provide improved cleaning of thevertical portion 204 upon descending from thepositive corner 208 compared to conventional cleaners having flat or planar base portions, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upon traversing apositive corner 208. The cleaner 100 can continue to traverse thesurface 200 to transition from thevertical portion 204 to ahorizontal portion 210 via anegative corner 212 as shown inFIG. 7C . - While
FIGS. 7A-C generally illustrate the cleaner 100 descending fromhorizontal portion 202 tohorizontal portion 210 of thesurface 200, those skilled in the art will recognize that the cleaner 200 can ascend or climb fromhorizontal portion 210 tohorizontal portion 202 in a similar manner such that therelief 117 advantageously allows theintake apertures 113 to be in sufficient proximity to thesurface 200 as the cleaner 100 transition from thevertical portion 204 to thehorizontal portion 202 via thepositive corner 208. - Exemplary embodiments of the
pool cleaner 100 may be provide a windowed top-access lid assembly for a pool cleaner, a bucket-type filter assembly for a pool cleaner, and quick-release roller assembly for a pool cleaner, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/211,720, entitled, Apparatus for Facilitating Maintenance of a Pool Cleaning Device, published Mar. 18, 2010 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0065482, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, exemplary embodiments of the cleaner 100 may be provided with an adjustable buoyancy/weighting distribution which can be used to alter the dynamics (motion path) of the cleaner when used in a swimming pool, spa or other reservoir, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/938,041, entitled Pool Cleaning Device with Adjustable Buoyant Element, published May 3, 2012 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0103365, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. -
FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a cleaner 300 in accordance with the present disclosure having variations relative to the cleaner 100 disclosed above. More particularly, the cleaner 300 can include rotatable orpivotal intake apertures 313 and/orintake channels 353. In exemplary embodiments, theintake apertures 313 and/orintake channels 353 can rotate or pivot to align with an immersed pool surface to be cleaned. In some embodiments, theintake apertures 313 and/orintake channels 353 can be weighted and/or biased such that the orientation of the cleaner 300 determine a direction in which each of theintake apertures 313 and theintake channels 353 rotate. In some embodiments, the cleaner 300 can be programmed to rotate or pivot theintake apertures 313 and/orintake channels 353 based on, for example, one or more electrical signals from one ormore sensors 395, such as accelerometers and/or gyroscopes, that can be processed by the cleaner 300 to determine and control an orientation of theintake apertures 313 and/orintake channels 353. In some embodiments, theintake apertures 313 and/orintake channels 353 can rotate or pivot in response to the suction force itself, which may force theintake apertures 313 and/orintake channels 353 to align with the surface to maintain suction to the surface. - The
intake apertures 313 andintake channels 353 can be rotatable by, for example, approximately forty-five (45) degrees to approximately one hundred eighty (180) degrees and can be configured to maintain a generally parallel relationship to an immersed surface. In exemplary embodiments, theintake apertures 313 and intake channels can be disposed proximate the front and rear axes Af and Ar to improve suction and traction of the cleaner 300 during elevational transitions of the pool surfaces to be cleaned as described in more detail herein. - As can be appreciated from
FIG. 8 , the cleaner 300 has many components in common with the cleaner 100 described above. For example, therelief 317 formed by thebase 311 and side panels (312 inFIGS. 9A-9D ), the motive/drive elements, such as wheel assemblies, drive belts and roller/scrubber 340, the cleaning/filtering apparatus and function including theimpeller motor 360,filter assembly 350impeller assembly 362,vent channel 352 are all substantially the same and operate the in the same manner as in cleaner 100. As in cleaner 100, thecover 320 is hinged athinge 315 to provide access to the interior of the cleaner 300. - Referring now to
FIGS. 9A-D , embodiments of the cleaner 300 can be configured to clean an immersedsurface 400 of a pool including the bottom and side walls of the pool as well as the stairs, benches, or other surface features, such as a shelf or platform. The cleaner 300 can clean horizontal and vertical immersed surfaces of the pool (e.g., by climbing a descending the vertical surfaces). In exemplary embodiments, therelief 317,rotatable intake apertures 313, and/or rotatable intake channels of the cleaner 300 can be configured to improve suction and traction of the cleaner with respect to transitions between generally vertical and generally horizontal surfaces of the pool compared to conventional cleaners having a flat or substantial planar base portion. - As shown in
FIG. 9A , the cleaner 300 can traverse the immersedsurface 400 of a pool to be cleaned, which transitions from a substantiallyhorizontal portion 402 to a substantiallyvertical portion 404. As the cleaner 300 descends from thehorizontal portion 402, the wheels of the wheel assemblies 330 disposed proximate to thefront end 337 of the cleaner 300 can begin to roll or slide down thevertical portion 404 and apositive corner 408 formed at a transition between thehorizontal portion 402 and thevertical portion 404 can be received by therelief 317. During this transition from thehorizontal portion 402 to thevertical portion 404, therelief 317 can slide over the positive corner of the surface, and theintake apertures 313 andintake channels 353 of the cleaner 300 can rotate to have an orientation to maintain a sufficient suction to thesurface 400 to clean thesurface 400 and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner 300 to have traction against thesurface 400. For example, theintake aperture 313 andintake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis Af can rotate clockwise by a total of approximately ninety (90) degrees as the cleaner 300 traverses thepositive corner 408 such that theintake aperture 313 andintake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis Af are approximately perpendicular to theintake aperture 313 andintake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis Ar. - As the rear end of the cleaner 300 traverses the
positive corner 408, theintake aperture 313 and/or theintake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis Ar can rotate clockwise by a total of approximately ninety (90) degrees such that when the wheels proximate to the rear end are in contact with thevertical portion 404, theintake aperture 313 andintake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis Af are approximately parallel to theintake aperture 313 andintake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis Ar, as shown inFIG. 9B . - Referring now to
FIG. 9B , after the transition from thehorizontal portion 402 to thevertical portion 404, the cleaner 300 can clean thevertical portion 404. For example, when the length of thevertical portion 404 exceeds the length of the cleaner 300, the cleaner 300 can descend thevertical portion 404 such that the wheels at the front and rear of the cleaner 300 can be in contact with thevertical portion 404 so that theintake apertures 313 are in proximity to thevertical portion 404 of the surface to maintain a suction force that advantageously allows the cleaner 300 to roll and/or slide down thevertical portion 404 to clean thevertical portion 404 of thesurface 400. By utilizing therelief 317 to allow theintake apertures 313 and/or front wheels of the cleaner 300 to remain in close proximity as the cleaner 300 traverses thepositive corner 408 of thesurface 400, exemplary embodiments provide improved cleaning of thevertical portion 404 upon descending from thepositive corner 408 compared to conventional cleaners having flat or planar base portions, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upon traversing apositive corner 408. - The cleaner 300 can continue to traverse the surface to transition from the
vertical portion 404 to ahorizontal portion 410 via anegative corner 412 as shown inFIG. 9C . As the cleaner 300 traverses thenegative corner 412, theintake apertures 313 and/or theintake channels 353 can rotate to have an orientation to maintain a sufficient suction to thesurface 400 to clean the surface and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner 300 to have traction against thesurface 400. For example, theintake aperture 313 andintake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis Af can rotate counter clockwise by a total of approximately ninety (90) degrees as the cleaner 300 traverse thenegative corner 412 such that theintake aperture 313 andintake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis Af are approximately perpendicular to theintake aperture 313 andintake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis Ar. As the rear end of the cleaner traverses thenegative corner 412, theintake aperture 313 and/or theintake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis Ar can rotate counter clockwise by a total of approximately ninety (90) degrees such that when the wheels proximate to the rear end are in contact with thehorizontal portion 410, theintake aperture 313 andintake channel 353 disposed proximate to the front axis Af are approximately parallel to theintake aperture 313 andintake channel 353 disposed proximate to the rear axis Ar, as shown inFIG. 9D . - While
FIGS. 9A-D generally illustrate the cleaner 300 descending fromhorizontal portion 402 tohorizontal portion 410 of thesurface 400, those skilled in the art will recognize that the cleaner 300 can ascend fromhorizontal portion 410 tohorizontal portion 402 in a similar manner such that therelief 317 advantageously allows the cleaner 300 to maintain suction and/or traction with thesurface 400 as the cleaner 300 traverse negative andpositive corners -
FIGS. 10-11 show an alternative embodiment of a cleaner 500 in accordance with the present disclosure having variations relative to the cleaner 100 disclosed above. More particularly, the cleaner 500 can include at least oneintake channel 553A that can extend through anintake aperture 513. In exemplary embodiments, a length L of theintake channel 553A can be compressed to a retracted position (FIG. 10 ) and expanded to a protracted position (FIG. 11 ). When theintake channel 553A is in the retracted position (FIG. 10 ), theintake channel 553A can be generally flush with or slightly protruding from theintake aperture 513. In the present embodiment, theintake channel 553A can be disposed at a midpoint of the cleaner 500 between the front and rear axes Af and Ar. - In exemplary embodiments, the
intake channel 553A can be formed from aflexible membrane 592 and aresilient member 594, which is a biasing means, such as a coil spring, each of extending between aguide member 590 and anintake support structure 595. Theresilient member 594 can be disposed in themembrane 592, such that theresilient member 594 is encased with themembrane 592, and is an example of biasing means for urging or dynamically biasing theintake channel 553A towards the protracted position. In exemplary embodiments, the force applied by theresilient member 594 to urge theintake channel 553A to the protracted position is generally slightly less than the suction force generated by the cleaner during cleaning operation so that theresilient member 594 does not push the cleaner 500 away from the surface of the pool during the cleaning operation, but still remains at and/or proximate to the surface. While exemplary embodiments of the cleaner 500 have been shown as including aresilient member 594 to urge theintake channel 553A between a retracted position and a protracted position, those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments may include alternative configurations and/or structures to move theintake channel 553A between a retracted and protracted positions. For example, in some embodiments, theintake channels 553B may be rotatably or pivotally mounted in the cleaner 500 to move theintake channel 553B between the retracted and protracted positions. - The
guide member 590 is configured at an inlet of the of theintake channel 553A and forms a free end of theintake channel 553A, which is configured to engage a surface of the pool during a cleaning operation of the surface. Theintake support structure 595 can be disposed at an end of theintake channel 553A opposite theguide member 590 and can form one or more outlets of theintake channel 553A. For example, in the present embodimentintake support structure 595 can operatively couple theintake channel 553A tointake channels 553B, which can be in fluid communication with theintake flow region 557 so that fluid (and debris) flowing through theintake channel 553A can ultimate enter theintake flow region 557. - As can be appreciated from
FIGS. 10-11 , the cleaner 500 has many components in common with the cleaner 100 described above. For example, therelief 517 formed by the base and side panels, the motive/drive elements, such aswheel assemblies 530, drive belts (not shown) and front and rear roller/scrubber 540, the cleaning/filtering apparatus and function including theimpeller motor 560,filter assembly 550,impeller assembly 562,vent channel 552 are all substantially the same and operate the in the same manner as in embodiments of thecleaners cleaners cover 520 is hinged athinge 515 to provide access to the interior of the cleaner 500. - Referring now to
FIGS. 12A-D , embodiments of the cleaner 500 can be configured to clean an immersedsurface 600 of a pool including the bottom and side walls of the pool as well as the stairs, benches, or other surface features, such as a shelf or platform. The cleaner 500 can clean horizontal and vertical immersed surfaces of the pool (e.g., by climbing and/or descending the vertical surfaces). In exemplary embodiments, therelief 517 and/orintake channel 553A can be configured to improve suction and/or traction of the cleaner 500 with respect to transitions between generally vertical and generally horizontal surfaces of the pool compared to conventional cleaners having a flat or substantial planar base portion. - As shown in
FIG. 12A , the cleaner 500 can traverse the immersedsurface 600 of a pool to be cleaned that transitions from a substantiallyhorizontal portion 602 to a substantiallyvertical portion 604. As the cleaner 500 can descends from thehorizontal portion 602, the wheels disposed proximate to thefront end 537 of the cleaner 500 can begin to roll or slide down thevertical portion 604 and apositive corner 608 formed at a transition between thehorizontal portion 602 and thevertical portion 604 can be received by therelief 517. During this transition from thehorizontal portion 602 to thevertical portion 604, therelief 517 can slide over thepositive corner 608 of thesurface 600, and theintake aperture 553A of the cleaner 500 can be compressed into the body of the cleaner such that theintake channel 553A is in the retracted position and is generally flush with therelief 517 to maintain a sufficient suction to thesurface 600 to clean thesurface 600 and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner to have traction against thesurface 600. - Referring now to
FIG. 12B , after the transition from thehorizontal portion 602 to thevertical portion 604, the cleaner 500 can clean thevertical portion 604. For example, when the length of thevertical portion 604 exceeds the length of the cleaner 500, the cleaner 500 can descend thevertical portion 604 such that the wheels at the front and rear of the cleaner can be in contact with thevertical portion 604 so that theintake aperture 553A extends from the body such that theintake channel 553A protrudes from the relief 517 (e.g., a protracted position) and theguide member 590 of theintake channel 553A is positioned proximate to thesurface 600 being cleaned (e.g., in contact with the surface) to maintain a suction force that advantageously allows the cleaner 500 to roll and/or slide down thevertical portion 604 to clean thevertical portion 604 of thesurface 600. By utilizing therelief 517 to allow theintake apertures 513 and/or front wheels of the cleaner 500 to remain in close proximity as the cleaner 500 traverses thepositive corner 608 of thesurface 600, exemplary embodiments provide improved cleaning of thevertical portion 604 upon descending from thepositive corner 608 compared to conventional cleaners having flat or planar base portions, which often cannot maintain suction and/or traction upon traversing a positive corner. - The cleaner 500 can continue to traverse the
surface 600 to transition from thevertical portion 604 to ahorizontal portion 610 via anegative corner 612 as shown inFIG. 12C . As the cleaner 500 traverses thenegative corner 612, theintake channel 553A can further extend from the body of the cleaner 500 (e.g., a further protracted position) to maintain a sufficient suction to thesurface 600 to clean thesurface 600 and/or to enable the wheels of the cleaner 500 to have traction against the surface. As therear end 545 of the cleaner traverses thenegative corner 612 and the wheels of the cleaner rest upon thehorizontal portion 610, theintake channel 553A compresses towards the body of the cleaner 500, as shown inFIG. 12D , but can still protrude from the body of the cleaner 500. - While
FIGS. 12A-D generally illustrate the cleaner 500 descending from horizontal portion to horizontal portion of the surface, those skilled in the art will recognize that the cleaner can ascend from horizontal portion to horizontal portion in a similar manner such that therelief 517 advantageously allows the cleaner 500 to maintain suction and/or traction with the surface as the cleaner 500 traverse negative and positive corners. - Although the teachings herein have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and implementations thereof, the disclosed systems and methods are not limited to such exemplary embodiments/implementations. Rather, as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art from the description taught herein, the disclosed systems and methods are susceptible to modifications, alterations and enhancements without departing from the spirit or scope hereof. Accordingly, all such modifications, alterations and enhancements within the scope hereof are encompassed herein.
Claims (1)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US14/706,502 US20150322684A1 (en) | 2014-05-08 | 2015-05-07 | Pool Cleaning Device Having Relief Formed in a Base Portion Thereof |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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US201461990488P | 2014-05-08 | 2014-05-08 | |
US14/706,502 US20150322684A1 (en) | 2014-05-08 | 2015-05-07 | Pool Cleaning Device Having Relief Formed in a Base Portion Thereof |
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US20150322684A1 true US20150322684A1 (en) | 2015-11-12 |
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US14/706,502 Abandoned US20150322684A1 (en) | 2014-05-08 | 2015-05-07 | Pool Cleaning Device Having Relief Formed in a Base Portion Thereof |
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Cited By (6)
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EP3567188A1 (en) * | 2018-05-08 | 2019-11-13 | Aquatron Robotic Technology Ltd. | Pool cleaner with stair identification capability |
US10487733B2 (en) | 2011-12-06 | 2019-11-26 | Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. | Multiple turboshaft engine control method and system for helicopters |
US20200239241A1 (en) * | 2013-10-13 | 2020-07-30 | Maytronics Ltd. | Pool cleaning robot having an interface |
US11124983B2 (en) | 2020-02-19 | 2021-09-21 | Pavel Sebor | Automatic pool cleaner |
USD1020143S1 (en) * | 2022-11-22 | 2024-03-26 | Degrii Co., Ltd. | Swimming pool cleaner |
USD1024465S1 (en) * | 2022-04-19 | 2024-04-23 | Poolelf Smart Technology Co., Ltd. | Swimming pool cleaner |
-
2015
- 2015-05-07 US US14/706,502 patent/US20150322684A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US10487733B2 (en) | 2011-12-06 | 2019-11-26 | Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. | Multiple turboshaft engine control method and system for helicopters |
US20200239241A1 (en) * | 2013-10-13 | 2020-07-30 | Maytronics Ltd. | Pool cleaning robot having an interface |
US11884498B2 (en) * | 2013-10-13 | 2024-01-30 | Maytronics Ltd. | Pool cleaning robot having an interface |
EP3567188A1 (en) * | 2018-05-08 | 2019-11-13 | Aquatron Robotic Technology Ltd. | Pool cleaner with stair identification capability |
US10954683B2 (en) * | 2018-05-08 | 2021-03-23 | Aquatron Robotic Technology Ltd. | Pool cleaner with stair identification capability |
US11124983B2 (en) | 2020-02-19 | 2021-09-21 | Pavel Sebor | Automatic pool cleaner |
US11674325B2 (en) | 2020-02-19 | 2023-06-13 | Pavel Sebor | Automatic pool cleaner |
USD1024465S1 (en) * | 2022-04-19 | 2024-04-23 | Poolelf Smart Technology Co., Ltd. | Swimming pool cleaner |
USD1020143S1 (en) * | 2022-11-22 | 2024-03-26 | Degrii Co., Ltd. | Swimming pool cleaner |
USD1022362S1 (en) * | 2022-11-22 | 2024-04-09 | Degrii Co., Ltd. | Swimming pool cleaner with controller |
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