EP0721033B1 - Automatischer Beckenreiniger - Google Patents

Automatischer Beckenreiniger Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0721033B1
EP0721033B1 EP96105686A EP96105686A EP0721033B1 EP 0721033 B1 EP0721033 B1 EP 0721033B1 EP 96105686 A EP96105686 A EP 96105686A EP 96105686 A EP96105686 A EP 96105686A EP 0721033 B1 EP0721033 B1 EP 0721033B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pair
valve
chamber
exits
liquid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP96105686A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0721033A2 (de
EP0721033A3 (de
Inventor
Terry Roy Jackson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
KREEPY KRAULY Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
KREEPY KRAULY Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by KREEPY KRAULY Pty Ltd filed Critical KREEPY KRAULY Pty Ltd
Publication of EP0721033A2 publication Critical patent/EP0721033A2/de
Publication of EP0721033A3 publication Critical patent/EP0721033A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0721033B1 publication Critical patent/EP0721033B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • E04H4/1663—Self-propelled cleaners the propulsion resulting from an intermittent interruption of the waterflow through the cleaner

Definitions

  • THIS invention relates to cleaners for submerged surfaces. More particularly it relates to suction operable automatic swimming pool cleaners.
  • Suction operable automatic swimming pool cleaners are known in the art.
  • One such a cleaner is disclosed in US Patent 4,023,227.
  • This machine comprises a body having a planar peripheral region defining a main inlet and which region is releasably engageable with a surface to be cleaned.
  • the body comprises a head defining the aforementioned main inlet, a chamber and a pair of symmetrical exits from the chamber.
  • the body further comprises a pair of similar elongate drive tubes communicating with the pair of exits; and a coupling arrangement connected to the pair of drive tubes and defining an outlet. In use, the body is connected via the outlet to an inlet of a pump and filtration system of a swimming pool.
  • a symmetrical valve having planar continuous faces for oscillating in the chamber and for intermittently varying the flow of water through the body, thereby to impart kinetic energy to the body, causing the body to move automatically over the surface to be cleaned. As the body moves over the surface, debris is sucked up from the surface through said inlet.
  • apparatus for cleaning a surface submerged in a liquid
  • the apparatus comprising a body defining a flow passage therethrough extending between a main inlet and an outlet from the body; the body comprising a head defining the main inlet, a chamber and a pair of exits comprising a first exit member and a second exit member from the chamber; a pair of elongate drive tubes comprising a first tube member and a second tube member communicating with the pair of exits; and a coupling arrangement connected to the first and second drive tubes and defining the outlet; the apparatus further comprising a pivotal valve located in the chamber, the pivotal valve having a pair of opposed sealing faces comprising a first face member and a second face member for cooperating with a pair of seats comprising a first seat member and a second seat member at said pair of exits, in use, alternately and repeatedly to obstruct said exits, the apparatus being characterised in that at least one pair of members of said pair of exits, said pair of elongate drive
  • first and second tube members may have different diameters and/or the first and second exit members may have different diameters and/or the first and second faces may be asymmetrical about a centre axis of the valve etc.
  • a baffle plate may be provided between the main inlet and the chamber and a port may be defined off-centre in the baffle plate.
  • valve may be mounted off-centre in the chamber.
  • At least one hole may be defined in each of said opposed sealing faces in asymmetrical regions of the opposed faces.
  • Two further inlets may be defined in asymmetric regions in opposed sidewalls of the head in a region upstream from the valve.
  • the apparatus may further comprise liquid guide means for imparting whirling motion to liquid flowing through at least part of the body.
  • the means for intermittently varying the flow of liquid through the body is preferably located downstream of the liquid guide means for imparting whirling motion to liquid flowing through at least part of the body.
  • the liquid guide means for imparting whirling motion to liquid flowing through at least part of the body comprises a plurality of curvilinear projections provided in said peripheral region of the body and defining a plurality of curvilinear channels between them.
  • the plurality of curvilinear projections may be provided on a face of a footpad, which is mountable on the body in the peripheral region thereof.
  • the liquid guide means for imparting whirling motion to liquid flowing through at least part of the body may alternatively or in addition comprise at least two further inlets defined in asymmetric regions in opposed sidewalls of the body.
  • the two further inlets may have different sizes.
  • At least one of said first and second elongate drive tubes may comprise at least one axially extending internal strake.
  • the head of the apparatus may comprise external fins which are inclined relative to a general plane of said peripheral region.
  • the apparatus may comprise a bumper assembly arching out from the body, the bumper assembly is preferably made of a material having a specific gravity greater than that of water.
  • a suction operable automatic swimming pool cleaner according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 in figure 1.
  • the cleaner comprises a body 12 comprising a head 14, first and second elongate drive tubes 16, 18 extending from the head 14 and a coupling arrangement 20.
  • the body defines a flow passage for water therethrough extending between a main inlet 26 to the body and an outlet 41 from the body.
  • the head 14 has a planar peripheral region 22 provided by a flange 24.
  • the main inlet 26 is defined in the peripheral region.
  • Main inlet 26 communicates with a lower chamber 28 which is bounded by a baffle plate 29 defining a port 30 communicating with a chamber 32 for pivotal hammer valve 34.
  • Chamber 32 has first and second exits 36 and 38 communicating with the elongate drive tubes 16 and 18 respectively.
  • Coupling arrangement 20 comprises a swivel coupling 40 defining outlet 41 and which coupling, in use, is connectable via a flexible hose (not shown), to an inlet of a pump and filtration system (also not shown) of a swimming pool.
  • valve 34 having opposed sealing faces 34.1 and 34.2 is mounted off-centre in chamber 32 and, in use, pivots under the influence of water flow through chamber 32, between a first position wherein it obstructs exit 36 and a second position wherein it obstructs exit 38.
  • a footpad 42 is removably mountable on flange 24.
  • the footpad 42 comprises a circular body 43 defining a central hole 44, which , in use, communicates with main inlet 26.
  • a plurality of curvilinear projections 46 defining a plurality of curvilinear channels 48 extending from the outer periphery of the footpad inwardly towards the hole 44.
  • At least some of the projections 46 are made of a porous resilient material.
  • the projections 46 made of the aforementioned material act like suction pads and serve to improve traction of the footpad 42 on the surface being cleaned.
  • the aforementioned curvilinear channels impart whirling motion to the water entering the body.
  • Water is also admitted through further inlets 50 and 52, which also impart whirling motion to the water admitted.
  • the apparatus assumes the attitude illustrated in figure 1 on a submerged horizontal surface to be cleaned.
  • suction is applied to the apparatus 10 by the said pump, water entraining debris enters the body via curvilinear channels 48 in footpad 42, hole 44 and main inlet 26.
  • the operation of the cleaner described hereinbefore may be improved by providing asymmetry between the members of one or more pairs of corresponding parts of the cleaner.
  • the two drive tubes 16, 18 and/or exits 36 and 38 may have slightly different diameters.
  • the sealing of the hammer valve 34 on seats 36.1 and 38.1 respectively may be different. This may be achieved by mounting a symmetrical valve 34 off-centre in chamber 32. It may also be achieved by providing the valve 34 with asymmetrical curved sealing faces as shown at C in the broken lines in figure 7.
  • Another or additional way to achieve asymmetry is to provide asymmetrical positioned holes 64.1 and 64.2 in valve 34, one of which 64.2 straddles one edge of the corresponding valve seat 38.1, in chamber 32.
  • a plurality of holes may be provided in the hammer. It has been found that such holes reduce noise emitted by the cleaner during operation.
  • Asymmetry may also be achieved by offsetting port 30.
  • each drive tube 16, 18 comprises a plurality of axially and radially inwardly extending internal strakes 53. These strakes serve to straighten the flow of water as it passes through the drive tubes 16, 18.
  • a clearance 53 between swivel coupling 40 and a bearing 54 which is a friction fit in the body of coupling arrangement 20.
  • a washer 56 is supported on an inwardly directed flange 58 on the body below the lower end of the coupling 40 and is so shaped that water drawn into the coupling arrangement through the clearance 53 is directed along the inside wall of the coupling 40 in the same direction as the main water flow. This arrangement not only reduces vortices in flow in the region of the coupling arrangement 20, but also increases the flow towards the pump.
  • the bumper arrangement 60 shown in figure 1 is made of a material having a specific gravity greater than that of water. This increased weight together with the leverage effect of being applied at a distance from the body 12, improves the ability of the cleaner 10 to turn off a sidewall (not shown) of a swimming pool (also not shown).
  • the external fins 62 on the head 14 are slightly inclined relative to the plane of the peripheral region 22. These fins act like airfoils to press the cleaner 10 into closer contact with the surface being cleaned.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
  • Cleaning And De-Greasing Of Metallic Materials By Chemical Methods (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)

Claims (14)

  1. Vorrichtung für das Reinigen einer Fläche unter einer Flüssigkeit, die einen Körper (12) umfasst, der einen Strömungsdurchlass (28, 32, 16, 18, 20) durch sich selbst definiert, der sich zwischen einem Haupteinlass (36) und einem Auslass (41) aus dem Körper erstreckt, wobei der Körper einen Kopf (14) umfasst, der den Haupteinlass definiert, ferner eine Kammer (32) und ein Paar von Ausgängen aus der Kammer mit einem ersten Ausgang (36) und einem zweiten Ausgang (38); einem Paar von Steuerrohren mit einem ersten Rohr (16) und einem zweiten Rohr (18), die mit dem Paar von Ausgängen in Verbindung stehen; sowie eine Kopplungsanordnung (20), die mit dem ersten und zweiten Steuerrohr verbunden ist und den Auslass definiert; wobei die Vorrichtung weiter ein in der Kammer befindliches Pendelventil (34) umfasst, das ein Paar einander gegenüberliegender Verschlussflächen mit einer ersten Fläche (34.1) und einer zweiten Fläche (34.2) hat, um mit einem Paar von Ventilsitzen zusammenzuwirken, das aus einem ersten Ventilsitz (36.1) und einem zweiten Ventilsitz (38.1) an dem benannten Paar von Ausgängen besteht, um im Einsatz wechselweise und wiederholt die benannten Ausgänge zu versperren, wobei die Vorrichtung dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass zumindest eines der Paare von dem benannten Paar von Ausgängen, dem benannten Paar von länglichen Steuerrohren, dem benannten Paar von Verschlussflächen und dem benannten Paar von Ventilsitzen asymmetrisch ist.
  2. Vorrichtung gemäss Anspruch 1, in der eine Prellplatte (20) zwischen dem Haupteinlass (26) und der Kammer vorhanden ist und worin ein Durchlass (30) aussermittig in der Prellplatte definiert ist.
  3. Vorrichtung gemäss einem der Ansprüche 1 und 2, worin das Ventil aussermittig in der Kammer angebracht ist.
  4. Vorrichtung gemäss einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, worin zumindest ein Loch (64.1, 64.2) in jeder der benannten Verschlussflächen des Ventils definiert ist.
  5. Vorrichtung gemäss einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, worin zumindest zwei weitere Einlässe (50, 52) in asymmetrischen Bereichen in gegenüberliegenden Seitenwänden (14.1) des Kopfes in einer Zone stromaufwärts vom Ventil definiert sind.
  6. Vorrichtung gemäss einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5 mit Führungsorganen (48) für die Flüssigkeit, um der durch zumindest einen Teil des Körpers strömenden Flüssigkeit Wirbelbewegung zu erteilen.
  7. Vorrichtung gemäss Anspruch 6, worin das Organ für die zeitweilige Veränderung des Flüssigkeitsstromes durch den Körper stromabwärts von den Führungsorganen für die Flüssigkeit angeordnet ist, die der durch zumindest einen Teil des Körpers strömenden Flüssigkeit Wirbelbewegung erteilen sollen.
  8. Vorrichtung gemäss Anspruch 7, worin die Führungsorgane für die Flüssigkeit, die der durch zumindest einen Teil des Körpers strömenden Flüssigkeit Wirbelbewegung erteilen sollen, eine Mehrzahl von gekrümmten Vorsprüngen (46) umfassen, die in der benannten Aussenpartie des Körpers angeordnet sind und zwischen sich eine Mehrzahl gekrümmter Kanäle (48) definieren.
  9. Vorrichtung gemäss Anspruch 8, worin die Mehrzahl der gekrümmten Vorsprünge auf einer Stirnfläche der Fussplatte (42) angelegt ist, die in der Aussenpartie des Körpers auf diesem angebracht ist.
  10. Vorrichtung gemäss einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 9, worin die Führungsorgane für die Flüssigkeit, die der durch zumindest einen Teil des Körpers strömenden Flüssigkeit Wirbelbewegung erteilen sollen, zumindest zwei weitere, in asymmetrischen bereichen der einander gegenüberliegenden Seitenwände (14.1) des Körpers definierte Einlässe (50, 42) umfassen.
  11. Vorrichtung gemäss Anspruch 10, worin die beiden weiteren Einlässe unterschiedliche Grösse aufweisen.
  12. Vorrichtung gemäss einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, worin zumindest eines der benannten länglichen Steuerrohre, das erste oder das zweite, zumindest eine sich in axialer Richtung erstreckende innere Leitrippe (53) aufweist.
  13. Vorrichtung gemäss einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, worin der Kopf Aussenrippen (62) trägt, die beziiglich einer allgemeinen Ebene der benannten Aussenpartie geneigt sind.
  14. Vorrichtung gemäss einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 13 mit einer aus dem Körper hervorgewölbten Pralleinheit (60), die aus einem Material hergestellt ist, dessen spezifisches Gewicht höher als das von Wasser ist.
EP96105686A 1991-11-20 1992-11-19 Automatischer Beckenreiniger Expired - Lifetime EP0721033B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU88025/91A AU8802591A (en) 1991-11-20 1991-11-20 Improvements in automatic pool cleaners
AU88025/91 1991-11-20
EP92119752A EP0543387B1 (de) 1991-11-20 1992-11-19 Automatischer Beckenreiniger

Related Parent Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92119752.1 Division 1992-11-19
EP92119752A Division EP0543387B1 (de) 1991-11-20 1992-11-19 Automatischer Beckenreiniger

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0721033A2 EP0721033A2 (de) 1996-07-10
EP0721033A3 EP0721033A3 (de) 1996-10-16
EP0721033B1 true EP0721033B1 (de) 1999-05-12

Family

ID=3763275

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92119752A Expired - Lifetime EP0543387B1 (de) 1991-11-20 1992-11-19 Automatischer Beckenreiniger
EP96105686A Expired - Lifetime EP0721033B1 (de) 1991-11-20 1992-11-19 Automatischer Beckenreiniger

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92119752A Expired - Lifetime EP0543387B1 (de) 1991-11-20 1992-11-19 Automatischer Beckenreiniger

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0543387B1 (de)
AU (1) AU8802591A (de)
DE (2) DE69220187T2 (de)
ES (2) ES2103869T3 (de)
ZA (1) ZA928984B (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002070837A1 (en) * 2001-03-07 2002-09-12 Zoltans Pool Products Pty Ltd Automatic pool cleaner with flip flop valve
WO2002075082A1 (en) * 2001-03-20 2002-09-26 K.K.Australia Pty Ltd An improved valve arrangement for an automatic pool cleaner

Families Citing this family (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ZA944756B (en) * 1993-07-09 1995-02-16 Zarina Holdings Cv Swimming-pool cleaner operating head
US5546982A (en) * 1994-10-28 1996-08-20 Baracuda International Corp. Automatic swimming pool cleaners and associated components
AU721028B2 (en) * 1995-07-06 2000-06-22 Kreepy Krauly Australia Pty Ltd Automatic cleaners for sweeping and cleaning swimming pools
US5617606A (en) * 1996-02-29 1997-04-08 Baracuda International Corp. Fluted swimming pool cleaner discs
GB2322539B (en) * 1997-02-26 2000-06-28 Michael Chandler Pool cleaning apparatus
US5930856A (en) * 1997-04-08 1999-08-03 Baracuda International Corp. Automatic swimming pool cleaners and associated components
US6049933A (en) * 1997-08-12 2000-04-18 Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. Bumper assemblies for swimming pool cleaners
US5882512A (en) * 1997-11-05 1999-03-16 Baracuda International Corporation Automatic swimming pool cleaners and associated components and systems
US6226826B1 (en) * 1999-02-05 2001-05-08 Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. Bumper assemblies for swimming pool cleaners
FR2812015B1 (fr) 2000-07-24 2003-01-24 Jacques Alexandre Habif Robot nettoyeur de piscine a depression alimente en pression , et procede
US6436720B1 (en) 2000-09-15 2002-08-20 Cellular Process Chemistry, Inc. Residence time providing module/apparatus
US6423217B1 (en) * 2000-09-15 2002-07-23 Letro Products, Inc. Pool cleaner having vortex drive tube
US6625833B1 (en) * 2000-09-15 2003-09-30 Pentair Pool Products, Inc. Pool cleaning apparatus with adjustable bumper assembly
AU2002234433B8 (en) * 2001-03-07 2002-09-19 Zoltans Pool Products Pty Ltd Automatic pool cleaner with flip flop valve
US6473928B1 (en) * 2001-05-15 2002-11-05 Polaris Pool Systems, Inc. Magnetic control valve for a suction powered pool cleaner
FR2830559B1 (fr) * 2001-10-04 2003-12-19 Alain Habif Aspirateur de bassin mu par la force hydraulique
CN2821043Y (zh) * 2005-08-12 2006-09-27 王怀平 自动清洁器底板
US8082617B2 (en) * 2005-09-13 2011-12-27 Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. Automatic swimming pool cleaners
WO2008096205A1 (en) * 2007-02-06 2008-08-14 Zodiac Pool Care South Africa (Pty) Limited Swimming pool cleaner
KR101622716B1 (ko) * 2014-09-24 2016-05-19 엘지전자 주식회사 로봇 청소기

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1889603A (en) * 1931-03-20 1932-11-29 Jordie J Johnston Device and apparatus for cleaning tanks and the like
US3046583A (en) * 1960-02-08 1962-07-31 Emil J Drennan Swimming pool cleaner
DE1684604A1 (de) * 1966-01-19 1971-03-18 Robert Conrad Absaugegeraet fuer Schwimmbecken
US3753496A (en) * 1971-12-20 1973-08-21 E Boyd Converging vortex apparatus for separating oil from water
CA1066462A (en) * 1975-02-25 1979-11-20 Fernand L.O.J. Chauvier Apparatus for cleaning submerged surfaces
US4193156A (en) * 1976-08-19 1980-03-18 Daniel Jean Velere Denis Chauvier Apparatus for cleaning submerged surfaces
US4208752A (en) * 1976-08-23 1980-06-24 Hofmann Helmut J Cleaning apparatus for submerged surfaces
NZ203376A (en) * 1982-03-09 1987-02-20 Daniel J V D Chauvier Swimming pool cleaner with rotatable"bumpers"on a carrier element
US4642833A (en) * 1985-03-14 1987-02-17 Coxwold (Proprietary) Limited Valve assembly
FR2604351A1 (fr) * 1986-09-30 1988-04-01 Dentraygues Michel Mecanisme de propulsion d'un aspirateur de bassin
FR2635282B1 (fr) * 1988-08-15 1994-10-28 Bph Patent Holding Ag Appareil pour le nettoyage de piscines

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002070837A1 (en) * 2001-03-07 2002-09-12 Zoltans Pool Products Pty Ltd Automatic pool cleaner with flip flop valve
WO2002075082A1 (en) * 2001-03-20 2002-09-26 K.K.Australia Pty Ltd An improved valve arrangement for an automatic pool cleaner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0721033A2 (de) 1996-07-10
ES2103869T3 (es) 1997-10-01
EP0543387A3 (en) 1993-09-01
EP0721033A3 (de) 1996-10-16
AU8802591A (en) 1993-06-17
ZA928984B (en) 1994-05-20
DE69220187D1 (de) 1997-07-10
ES2131889T3 (es) 1999-08-01
DE69229187T2 (de) 1999-10-28
DE69229187D1 (de) 1999-06-17
DE69220187T2 (de) 1997-10-02
EP0543387A2 (de) 1993-05-26
EP0543387B1 (de) 1997-06-04

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