EP1303675A1 - Pressure-fed vacuum swimming pool cleaning robot and method - Google Patents

Pressure-fed vacuum swimming pool cleaning robot and method

Info

Publication number
EP1303675A1
EP1303675A1 EP01949568A EP01949568A EP1303675A1 EP 1303675 A1 EP1303675 A1 EP 1303675A1 EP 01949568 A EP01949568 A EP 01949568A EP 01949568 A EP01949568 A EP 01949568A EP 1303675 A1 EP1303675 A1 EP 1303675A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piping
robot
injector
vacuum
pipe
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP01949568A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1303675B1 (en
Inventor
Jacques-Alexandre Habif
Marc Idoine
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Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1303675A1 publication Critical patent/EP1303675A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1303675B1 publication Critical patent/EP1303675B1/en
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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

  • the present invention relates, in general, to the field of swimming pool maintenance equipment.
  • an automatic swimming pool cleaning robot comprising at least one body terminated by a suction head, an unstable valve housed in the body, and a piping for suction of which a first end is fixed to the body and connected to the suction head through the unstable valve and of which a length section, succeeding the first end and constituting or preceding a second end of the piping in a suction direction , is subjected in operation to a vacuum created by a vacuum source, the unstable valve being set in motion by the vacuum and discontinuously putting the suction head in communication with the second end of the piping.
  • Robots of this type are well known in the prior art, as shown for example by patent documents FR 2 302 151, US 5 014 382, or EP 0 633 371. Whatever their type, automatic cleaning robots are designed to be immersed in a swimming pool and to move by themselves to the bottom of the swimming pool by sucking up the impurities and any foreign bodies which may be there. These robots traditionally fall into two categories, depending on whether they are actuated by a suction pump, or by a source of pressurized water.
  • the movements of the former are obtained by recovering the kinetic energy of a periodically established and abruptly interrupted current of water, while the latter move either through a paddle motor powered by the water source under pressure, either by ejecting a stream of water and preserving the momentum, like a rocket.
  • the robots actuated by a suction pump are conventionally lighter, so that they can, if necessary, not only clean the flat bottoms of a swimming pool, but also the ramps and even the vertical walls of the latter. this.
  • Robots supplied with vacuum also have the advantage of having only a very small number of moving parts, which moreover have excellent robustness with respect to any cause of fouling or wear, in comparison with propellers, belts and any ball bearings that pressure-powered robots generally have.
  • the robots supplied with vacuum are conventionally connected to the swimming pool filtration pump, so that they cannot be used permanently.
  • the robots supplied with pressure if they can actually be used permanently, on the other hand have a weight such that they generally require the use of a booster.
  • the invention which is situated in this context, aims to propose a cleaning robot which combines at least one advantage of robots supplied with pressure with those of robots supplied with vacuum.
  • the robot of the invention is essentially characterized in that it further comprises a recovery filter selectively connected, in operation, to the second end of the piping, and a Venturi effect injector installed on said piping length section and having an inlet orifice, external to the piping and selectively connected in operation to a source of pressurized water, and a nozzle outlet, internal to the piping and pointing substantially in the suction direction, this injector itself constituting, in operation, the source of vacuum.
  • the robot of the invention may further comprise a plug selectively closing the inlet port of the injector, and be designed so that the filter is connected to the second end of the piping in a removable manner, which results in that this robot can also be put into operation by closing the inlet orifice of the injector and connecting the second end of the piping to an external vacuum source, like a robot supplied with vacuum so standard.
  • the piping may include two conduits connected to the body at its first end, a connector with three mutually communicating branches, including two lateral branches connecting the two conduits together and a central branch, and a common pipe connecting the central branch of the connector to the second end of the piping , the injector being installed on the common piping.
  • the unstable valve may include at least one first seat subjected to vacuum and a shutter oscillating between a closed position, in which it closes the first seat, and a release position, in which it releases the first seat, a return system being provided so that the oscillating shutter, at least when it reaches one of its shutter and release positions, is attracted to the other of these positions.
  • the invention also relates to a process for the functional upgrading of an automatic swimming pool cleaning robot designed to be supplied with vacuum, this process being characterized in that it comprises a step consisting in providing this robot with a Venturi effect injector selectively supplied with pressure.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a robot incorporating the main features of the invention, as well as optional features, given by way of example; and
  • Figure 2 is a detail view in enlarged section, showing the same reference numeral as Figure 1 and essentially representing a variant of one injector with Venturi effect.
  • a robot according to the invention comprises, in a known manner, a body 1, a suction head 2, an unstable valve 3, and a suction pipe 4.
  • the unstable valve 3 is housed in the body 1, which ends with the suction head 2 itself provided with a skirt 20 which is applied in operation on the surface to be cleaned.
  • the second end 42 of the suction pipe 4 which constitutes the upper end of this pipe when the robot rests on the bottom of the pool, follows the first end 41 in the suction direction indicated by the arrow A.
  • the second end 42 of the pipe 4 is connected, by means of a flexible pipe 8, to a source of vacuum formed by a suction pump 5e, the vacuum created by this 5th pump being installed in particular in a length section 40 of the pipe 4, intermediate between the first end 41 and the second end 40, or constituting the latter.
  • the unstable valve 3 is set in motion, and puts itself, discontinuously, the suction head 2 in communication with the second end 42 of the piping 4, that is to say that the water flow established by vacuum between the suction head 2 and the length section 40 of the piping 4 is chopped, not regular nor a fortiori constant.
  • the robot is equipped with a lower support 101 and an upper support 102, on which are respectively mounted, in separately adjustable positions, a weight 11 and a float 12 which together ensure the stability of the robot in water.
  • the robot of the invention is specific in that it further comprises a recovery filter 6, and an injector 5 with a Venturi effect.
  • the recovery filter 6 takes the form, for example, of a pocket and is connected in operation, preferably removably, to the second end 42 of the pipe 4.
  • Venturi effect injector 5 The purpose of the Venturi effect injector 5 is to constitute itself, in operation, the source of vacuum in particular necessary for the operation of the unstable valve 3.
  • This injector 5 is installed on the length section 40 of the pipe 4 and has an inlet orifice 51 which is external to the pipe 4 and which is connected in operation to a source of pressurized water such as a tap. 7, and an outlet nozzle 52, which is arranged inside the piping 4 and which points at least approximately in the suction direction A, so as to circulate the water coming from the tap 7 in this direction A
  • the robot of the invention further comprises a plug 53 capable of closing the inlet orifice 51 of the injector 5, and if the filter 6 is well connected to the second end 42 of the piping 4 so removable, then this robot can also be put into operation, in the traditional way, by connecting the second end 42 of the pipe 4 to the external vacuum source 5e and closing the inlet orifice 51 of the injector by the cap 53.
  • the invention is illustrated on a particular type of vacuum robot, it is applicable to all vacuum robots, and in particular those of which the movement is obtained by periodically interrupting a flow of water set in motion by suction.
  • the unstable valve 3 comprises an ' oscillating shutter, which in this case takes the form of a corner hammer 30, and which cooperates with at least one valve seat such as 31, subject to depression.
  • the shutter 30 is arranged and urged so as to oscillate between a closed position, in which it closes the seat 31, and a release position, in which it releases this seat 31.
  • the valve actually comprises a second seat 32, substantially symmetrical with the seat 31 relative to the intermediate position of the shutter 30, and the latter is, in a manner known per se, alternately attracted towards the seat 31 and towards seat 32 by the stream of water which is established alternately in the vicinity of seat 32 and seat 31, respectively.
  • the pipe 4 comprises in this case two rigid conduits 401 and 402 which, at the first end 41 of this pipe, are directly mounted on the body 1, and which are connected to the second end 42 of the pipe 4 by means of a connection 43 with three branches.
  • the three branches 403, 404, and 405 of the connector 43 communicate with each other and include two lateral branches 403 and 404 and a central branch 405.
  • the lateral branches 403 and 404 connect the two conduits 401 and 402 together.
  • the central branch 405, for its part, leads to a common pipe 406 which defines the second end 42 of the pipe 4, and on which the injector 5 is installed.
  • the water present in the pipe 401 still has a zero or very low speed, so that the head 2 no longer feels the suction created in the common pipe 406, and that it can be detached easily. of the surface being cleaned.
  • the robot since the robot has complete freedom of movement relative to this surface and its rigid structure receives the kinetic energy of the interrupted flow, it undergoes displacement.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
  • Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

An automatic swimming pool cleaning robot is disclosed, comprising a body, a suction head, an unstable valve, a suction pipe having an upper end, a recuperating filter connected to the upper end, and a venturi injector, wherein the unstable valve is activated to activate the robot. The robot combines the advantages of vacuum-fed robots and pressure-fed robots.

Description

ROBOT NETTOYEUR DE PISCINE A DEPRESSION ALIMENTE EN DEPRESSION, ET PROCEDE ROBOTIC POOL CLEANER WITH PRESSURE SUPPLIED IN DEPRESSION, AND METHOD
La présente invention concerne, de façon générale, le domaine des équipements d'entretien de piscine.The present invention relates, in general, to the field of swimming pool maintenance equipment.
Plus précisément, l'invention concerne, selon l'un de ses aspects, un robot de nettoyage automatique de piscine, comprenant au moins un corps terminé par une tête d'aspiration, un clapet instable logé dans le corps, et une tuyauterie d'aspiration dont une première extrémité est fixée au corps et reliée à la tête d'aspiration à travers le clapet instable et dont une section de longueur, succédant à la première extrémité et constituant ou précédant une seconde extrémité de la tuyauterie dans une direction d'aspiration, est soumise en fonctionnement à une dépression créée par une source de dépression, le clapet instable étant mis en mouvement par la dépression et mettant de façon discontinue la tête d'aspiration en communication avec la seconde extrémité de la tuyauterie .More specifically, the invention relates, according to one of its aspects, to an automatic swimming pool cleaning robot, comprising at least one body terminated by a suction head, an unstable valve housed in the body, and a piping for suction of which a first end is fixed to the body and connected to the suction head through the unstable valve and of which a length section, succeeding the first end and constituting or preceding a second end of the piping in a suction direction , is subjected in operation to a vacuum created by a vacuum source, the unstable valve being set in motion by the vacuum and discontinuously putting the suction head in communication with the second end of the piping.
Les robots de ce type sont bien connus dans l'art antérieur, comme le montrent par exemple les documents de brevets FR 2 302 151, US 5 014 382, ou EP 0 633 371. Quel que soit leur type, les robots de nettoyage automatique de piscine sont conçus pour être immergés dans une piscine et pour se déplacer tous seuls au fond de la piscine en aspirant les impuretés et éventuels corps étrangers qui peuvent s'y trouver. Ces robots se rangent traditionnellement en deux catégories, selon qu'ils sont actionnés par une pompe aspirante, ou par une source d'eau sous pression.Robots of this type are well known in the prior art, as shown for example by patent documents FR 2 302 151, US 5 014 382, or EP 0 633 371. Whatever their type, automatic cleaning robots are designed to be immersed in a swimming pool and to move by themselves to the bottom of the swimming pool by sucking up the impurities and any foreign bodies which may be there. These robots traditionally fall into two categories, depending on whether they are actuated by a suction pump, or by a source of pressurized water.
En général, les mouvements des premiers sont obtenus par récupération de l'énergie cinétique d'un courant d'eau périodiquement établi et brusquement interrompu, alors que les seconds se déplacent soit grâce à un moteur à aubes alimenté par la source d'eau sous pression, soit par éjection d'un courant d'eau et conservation de la quantité de mouvement, à la manière d'une fusée.In general, the movements of the former are obtained by recovering the kinetic energy of a periodically established and abruptly interrupted current of water, while the latter move either through a paddle motor powered by the water source under pressure, either by ejecting a stream of water and preserving the momentum, like a rocket.
Cependant, les caractéristiques techniques de ces robots dépendent, de façon assez marquée, de la catégorie à laquelle ils appartiennent.However, the technical characteristics of these robots depend, quite markedly, on the category to which they belong.
Ainsi, les robots actionnés par une pompe d'aspiration sont classiquement plus légers, de sorte qu'ils peuvent, le cas échéant, curer non seulement les fonds plats d'une piscine, mais également les rampes et même les parois verticales de celle-ci.Thus, the robots actuated by a suction pump are conventionally lighter, so that they can, if necessary, not only clean the flat bottoms of a swimming pool, but also the ramps and even the vertical walls of the latter. this.
Les robots alimentés en dépression ont également l'avantage de ne comporter qu'un très petit nombre de pièces mobiles, lesquelles présentent de surcroît une excellente robustesse vis-à-vis de toute cause d'encrassement ou d'usure, en comparaison avec les hélices, courroies et éventuels roulements à billes que comportent généralement les robots alimentés en pression.Robots supplied with vacuum also have the advantage of having only a very small number of moving parts, which moreover have excellent robustness with respect to any cause of fouling or wear, in comparison with propellers, belts and any ball bearings that pressure-powered robots generally have.
Cependant, pour éviter l'emploi d'une pompe d'aspiration supplémentaire, les robots alimentés en dépression sont classiquement branchés sur la pompe de filtration de la piscine, de sorte qu'ils ne peuvent pas être utilisés en permanence.However, to avoid the use of an additional suction pump, the robots supplied with vacuum are conventionally connected to the swimming pool filtration pump, so that they cannot be used permanently.
De leur côté, les robots alimentés en pression, s'ils peuvent effectivement être utilisés en permanence, ont en revanche un poids tel qu'ils exigent en général l'emploi d'un surpresseur.On the other hand, the robots supplied with pressure, if they can actually be used permanently, on the other hand have a weight such that they generally require the use of a booster.
Enfin, alors que les robots alimentés en pression sont immédiatement opérationnels à leur mise en marche, les robots alimentés en dépression sont éventuellement sujets à des défauts d'amorçage, qui ne peuvent être réglés que par des manipulations supplémentaires.Finally, while the robots supplied with pressure are immediately operational when they are started, the robots supplied with vacuum are possibly subject to priming faults, which can only be adjusted by additional manipulations.
L'invention, qui se situe dans ce contexte, a pour but de proposer un robot de nettoyage qui associe au moins un avantage des robots alimentés en pression à ceux des robots alimentés en dépression. A cette fin, le robot de l'invention, par ailleurs conforme à la définition générique qu'en donne le préambule ci-dessus, est essentiellement caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre un filtre de récupération sélectivement raccordé, en fonctionnement, à la seconde extrémité de la tuyauterie, et un injecteur à effet Venturi installé sur ladite section de longueur de tuyauterie et présentant un orifice d'entrée, externe à la tuyauterie et sélectivement raccordé en fonctionnement à une source d'eau sous pression, et une buse de sortie, interne à la tuyauterie et pointant sensiblement dans la direction d'aspiration, cet injecteur constituant lui- même, en fonctionnement, la source de dépression.The invention, which is situated in this context, aims to propose a cleaning robot which combines at least one advantage of robots supplied with pressure with those of robots supplied with vacuum. To this end, the robot of the invention, moreover conforms to the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that it further comprises a recovery filter selectively connected, in operation, to the second end of the piping, and a Venturi effect injector installed on said piping length section and having an inlet orifice, external to the piping and selectively connected in operation to a source of pressurized water, and a nozzle outlet, internal to the piping and pointing substantially in the suction direction, this injector itself constituting, in operation, the source of vacuum.
Non seulement un tel robot garde tous les avantages d'un robot alimenté en dépression, dont il conserve la structure et le principe de déplacement, mais il acquiert aussi les avantages des robots alimentés en pression, notamment la capacité d'être immédiatement opérationnel à sa mise en marche et la possibilité d'être utilisé en permanence .Not only does such a robot keep all the advantages of a robot supplied with vacuum, of which it retains the structure and the principle of movement, but it also acquires the advantages of robots supplied with pressure, in particular the capacity to be immediately operational at its start-up and the possibility of being used permanently.
De surcroît, compte tenu de son poids modeste, un tel robot fonctionne sans requérir de surpresseur, de sorte qu'il parvient à pallier un inconvénient largement répandu dans la catégorie des robots alimentés en pression.In addition, given its modest weight, such a robot operates without requiring a booster, so that it manages to overcome a drawback widely spread in the category of robots supplied with pressure.
Le robot de 1 ' invention peut en outre comprendre un bouchon obturant sélectivement l'orifice d'entrée de l' injecteur, et être conçu de façon que le filtre soit raccordé à la seconde extrémité de la tuyauterie de façon amovible, ce dont il résulte que ce robot peut également être mis en fonctionnement par obturation de l'orifice d'entrée de l' injecteur et raccordement de la seconde extrémité de la tuyauterie à une source de dépression externe, à la manière d'un robot alimenté en dépression de façon standard.The robot of the invention may further comprise a plug selectively closing the inlet port of the injector, and be designed so that the filter is connected to the second end of the piping in a removable manner, which results in that this robot can also be put into operation by closing the inlet orifice of the injector and connecting the second end of the piping to an external vacuum source, like a robot supplied with vacuum so standard.
Dans un mode de réalisation possible mais non limitatif de l'invention, la tuyauterie peut comprendre deux conduits reliés au corps à sa première extrémité, un raccord à trois branches mutuellement communicantes, incluant deux branches latérales reliant les deux conduits entre eux et une branche centrale, et une canalisation commune reliant la branche centrale du raccord à la seconde extrémité de la tuyauterie, l' injecteur étant installé sur la canalisation commune de la tuyauterie.In a possible but non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the piping may include two conduits connected to the body at its first end, a connector with three mutually communicating branches, including two lateral branches connecting the two conduits together and a central branch, and a common pipe connecting the central branch of the connector to the second end of the piping , the injector being installed on the common piping.
De même, le clapet instable peut comprendre au moins un premier siège soumis à la dépression et un obturateur oscillant entre une position d'obturation, dans laquelle il obture le premier siège, et une position de dégagement, dans laquelle il libère le premier siège, un système de rappel étant prévu pour que 1 ' obturateur oscillant, au moins lorsqu'il atteint l'une de ses positions d'obturation et de dégagement, soit attiré vers l'autre de ces positions.Likewise, the unstable valve may include at least one first seat subjected to vacuum and a shutter oscillating between a closed position, in which it closes the first seat, and a release position, in which it releases the first seat, a return system being provided so that the oscillating shutter, at least when it reaches one of its shutter and release positions, is attracted to the other of these positions.
L'invention concerne également un procédé de valorisation fonctionnelle d'un robot de nettoyage automatique de piscine conçu pour être alimenté en dépression, ce procédé étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une étape consistant à doter ce robot d'un injecteur à effet Venturi sélectivement alimenté en pression. D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de 1 ' invention ressortiront clairement de la description qui en est faite ci-après, à titre indicatif et nullement limitatif, en référence au dessin annexé, dans lequel :The invention also relates to a process for the functional upgrading of an automatic swimming pool cleaning robot designed to be supplied with vacuum, this process being characterized in that it comprises a step consisting in providing this robot with a Venturi effect injector selectively supplied with pressure. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given below, by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawing, in which:
- la Figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe d'un robot intégrant les caractéristiques principales de l'invention, ainsi que des caractéristiques optionnelles, données à titre d'exemple; et la Figure 2 est une vue de détail en coupe agrandie, reprenant les mêmes chiffre de référence que la figure 1 et représentant essentiellement une variante de 1' injecteur à effet Venturi. Un robot conforme à 1 ' invention comprend, de façon connue, un corps 1, une tête d'aspiration 2, un clapet instable 3, et une tuyauterie d'aspiration 4.- Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a robot incorporating the main features of the invention, as well as optional features, given by way of example; and Figure 2 is a detail view in enlarged section, showing the same reference numeral as Figure 1 and essentially representing a variant of one injector with Venturi effect. A robot according to the invention comprises, in a known manner, a body 1, a suction head 2, an unstable valve 3, and a suction pipe 4.
Le clapet instable 3 est logé dans le corps 1, lequel est terminé par la tête d'aspiration 2 elle-même munie d'une jupe 20 qui est appliquée en fonctionnement sur la surface à nettoyer.The unstable valve 3 is housed in the body 1, which ends with the suction head 2 itself provided with a skirt 20 which is applied in operation on the surface to be cleaned.
Une première extrémité 41 de la tuyauterie d'aspiration 4, qui constitue l'extrémité inférieure de cette tuyauterie lorsque le robot repose sur le fond de la piscine, est fixée au corps 1 et reliée à la tête d'aspiration 2 à travers le clapet instable 3.A first end 41 of the suction pipe 4, which constitutes the lower end of this pipe when the robot rests on the bottom of the pool, is fixed to the body 1 and connected to the suction head 2 through the valve. unstable 3.
La seconde extrémité 42 de la tuyauterie d'aspiration 4, qui constitue l'extrémité supérieure de cette tuyauterie lorsque le robot repose sur le fond de la piscine, succède à la première extrémité 41 dans la direction d'aspiration indiquée par la flèche A.The second end 42 of the suction pipe 4, which constitutes the upper end of this pipe when the robot rests on the bottom of the pool, follows the first end 41 in the suction direction indicated by the arrow A.
Dans le cas des robots connus alimentés par dépression, la seconde extrémité 42 de la tuyauterie 4 est reliée, par l'intermédiaire d'un tuyau souple 8, à une source de dépression constituée par une pompe d'aspiration 5e, la dépression créée par cette pompe 5e s 'installant notamment dans une section de longueur 40 de la tuyauterie 4, intermédiaire entre la première extrémité 41 et la seconde extrémité 40, ou constituant cette dernière.In the case of known robots powered by vacuum, the second end 42 of the pipe 4 is connected, by means of a flexible pipe 8, to a source of vacuum formed by a suction pump 5e, the vacuum created by this 5th pump being installed in particular in a length section 40 of the pipe 4, intermediate between the first end 41 and the second end 40, or constituting the latter.
Grâce à cette dépression, qui est transmise jusqu'à la première extrémité 41 de la tuyauterie 4, le clapet instable 3 est mis en mouvement, et met lui-même, de façon discontinue, la tête d'aspiration 2 en communication avec la seconde extrémité 42 de la tuyauterie 4, c'est-à-dire que le débit d'eau établi par dépression entre la tête d'aspiration 2 et la section de longueur 40 de la tuyauterie 4 est haché, et non pas régulier ni a fortiori constant.Thanks to this vacuum, which is transmitted to the first end 41 of the piping 4, the unstable valve 3 is set in motion, and puts itself, discontinuously, the suction head 2 in communication with the second end 42 of the piping 4, that is to say that the water flow established by vacuum between the suction head 2 and the length section 40 of the piping 4 is chopped, not regular nor a fortiori constant.
De façon également connue, le robot est équipé d'un support inférieur 101 et d'un support supérieur 102, sur lesquels sont respectivement montés, dans des positions séparément réglables, un poids 11 et un flotteur 12 qui assurent ensemble la stabilité du robot dans l'eau.In a manner also known, the robot is equipped with a lower support 101 and an upper support 102, on which are respectively mounted, in separately adjustable positions, a weight 11 and a float 12 which together ensure the stability of the robot in water.
Le robot de l'invention est spécifique en qu'il comprend en outre un filtre de récupération 6, et un injecteur 5 à effet Venturi.The robot of the invention is specific in that it further comprises a recovery filter 6, and an injector 5 with a Venturi effect.
Comme le montre la figure, le filtre de récupération 6 prend par exemple la forme d'une poche et se trouve raccordé en fonctionnement, de préférence de façon amovible, à la seconde extrémité 42 de la tuyauterie 4.As shown in the figure, the recovery filter 6 takes the form, for example, of a pocket and is connected in operation, preferably removably, to the second end 42 of the pipe 4.
L' injecteur 5 à effet Venturi a pour vocation de constituer lui-même, en fonctionnement, la source de dépression notamment nécessaire au fonctionnement du clapet instable 3.The purpose of the Venturi effect injector 5 is to constitute itself, in operation, the source of vacuum in particular necessary for the operation of the unstable valve 3.
Cet injecteur 5 est installé sur la section de longueur 40 de la tuyauterie 4 et présente un orifice d'entrée 51, qui est externe à la tuyauterie 4 et qui est raccordé en fonctionnement à une source d'eau sous pression telle qu'un robinet 7, et une buse de sortie 52, qui est disposée à 1 ' intérieur de la tuyauterie 4 et qui pointe au moins approximativement dans la direction d'aspiration A, de manière à faire circuler l'eau provenant du robinet 7 suivant cette direction A. Si le robot de l'invention comprend en outre un bouchon 53 susceptible d'obturer l'orifice d'entrée 51 de l' injecteur 5, et si le filtre 6 est bien raccordé à la seconde extrémité 42 de la tuyauterie 4 de façon amovible, alors ce robot peut également être mis en fonctionnement, de façon traditionnelle, par raccordement de la seconde extrémité 42 de la tuyauterie 4 à la source de dépression externe 5e et obturation de l'orifice d'entrée 51 de l' injecteur par le bouchon 53.This injector 5 is installed on the length section 40 of the pipe 4 and has an inlet orifice 51 which is external to the pipe 4 and which is connected in operation to a source of pressurized water such as a tap. 7, and an outlet nozzle 52, which is arranged inside the piping 4 and which points at least approximately in the suction direction A, so as to circulate the water coming from the tap 7 in this direction A If the robot of the invention further comprises a plug 53 capable of closing the inlet orifice 51 of the injector 5, and if the filter 6 is well connected to the second end 42 of the piping 4 so removable, then this robot can also be put into operation, in the traditional way, by connecting the second end 42 of the pipe 4 to the external vacuum source 5e and closing the inlet orifice 51 of the injector by the cap 53.
Bien que 1 ' invention soit illustrée sur un type particulier de robot à dépression, elle est applicable à tous les robots à dépression, et en particulier ceux dont le mouvement est obtenu par interruption périodique d'un flux d'eau mis en mouvement par aspiration.Although the invention is illustrated on a particular type of vacuum robot, it is applicable to all vacuum robots, and in particular those of which the movement is obtained by periodically interrupting a flow of water set in motion by suction.
En général, et notamment dans l'application particulière illustrée, le clapet instable 3 comprend un ' obturateur oscillant, qui prend en l'occurrence la forme d'un marteau en coin 30, et qui coopère avec au moins un siège de clapet tel que 31, soumis à la dépression.In general, and in particular in the particular application illustrated, the unstable valve 3 comprises an ' oscillating shutter, which in this case takes the form of a corner hammer 30, and which cooperates with at least one valve seat such as 31, subject to depression.
L'obturateur 30 est agencé et sollicité de manière à osciller entre une position d'obturation, dans laquelle il obture le siège 31, et une position de dégagement, dans laquelle il libère ce siège 31.The shutter 30 is arranged and urged so as to oscillate between a closed position, in which it closes the seat 31, and a release position, in which it releases this seat 31.
A cette fin, lorsqu'il atteint l'une quelconque de ses positions d'obturation et de dégagement, l'obturateur 30 est attiré vers l'autre de ces deux positions. Dans le mode de réalisation particulier illustré, le clapet comprend en fait un second siège 32, sensiblement symétrique du siège 31 par rapport à la position intermédiaire de l'obturateur 30, et ce dernier est, de façon connue en soi, attiré alternativement vers le siège 31 et vers le siège 32 par le courant d'eau qui s'établit alternativement au voisinage du siège 32 et du siège 31, respectivement.To this end, when it reaches any of its shutter and release positions, the shutter 30 is attracted to the other of these two positions. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the valve actually comprises a second seat 32, substantially symmetrical with the seat 31 relative to the intermediate position of the shutter 30, and the latter is, in a manner known per se, alternately attracted towards the seat 31 and towards seat 32 by the stream of water which is established alternately in the vicinity of seat 32 and seat 31, respectively.
Pour ce faire, la tuyauterie 4 comprend en l'occurrence deux conduits rigides 401 et 402 qui, à la première extrémité 41 de cette tuyauterie, sont directement montés sur le corps 1, et qui sont reliés à la seconde extrémité 42 de la tuyauterie 4 par l'intermédiaire d'un raccord 43 à trois branches.To do this, the pipe 4 comprises in this case two rigid conduits 401 and 402 which, at the first end 41 of this pipe, are directly mounted on the body 1, and which are connected to the second end 42 of the pipe 4 by means of a connection 43 with three branches.
Les trois branches 403, 404, et 405 du raccord 43 communiquent entre elles et comprennent deux branches latérales 403 et 404 et une branche centrale 405.The three branches 403, 404, and 405 of the connector 43 communicate with each other and include two lateral branches 403 and 404 and a central branch 405.
Comme le montre la figure, les branches latérales 403 et 404 relient entre eux les deux conduits 401 et 402. La branche centrale 405, quant à elle, conduit à une canalisation commune 406 qui définit la seconde extrémité 42 de la tuyauterie 4, et sur laquelle est installé l' injecteur 5.As shown in the figure, the lateral branches 403 and 404 connect the two conduits 401 and 402 together. The central branch 405, for its part, leads to a common pipe 406 which defines the second end 42 of the pipe 4, and on which the injector 5 is installed.
Lorsque la canalisation commune 406 est mise en dépression alors que l'obturateur est appliqué sur le siège 31, aucune circulation d'eau n'est possible dans le conduit 401, alors qu'un courant d'eau de vitesse croissante s'établit à travers le conduit 402.When the common pipe 406 is placed under vacuum while the shutter is applied to the seat 31, no water circulation is possible in the conduit 401, while a stream of water of increasing speed is established at through conduit 402.
Dans ces conditions, la différence entre les pressions qui s'établissent sur les faces latérales de l'obturateur 30 provoque une attraction de cet obturateur vers le siège 32.Under these conditions, the difference between the pressures which are established on the lateral faces of the shutter 30 causes an attraction of this shutter towards the seat 32.
Dés que l'obturateur 30 s'applique sur le siège 32, le flux d'eau qui s'était établi à vitesse relativement élevée dans le conduit 402 est brusquement interrompu, 1 ' énergie cinétique de ce flux étant transmise à la structure rigide du robot .As soon as the shutter 30 is applied to the seat 32, the flow of water which had been established at relatively high speed in the duct 402 is suddenly interrupted, the kinetic energy of this flow being transmitted to the rigid structure of the robot.
Or, à cet instant, l'eau présente dans le conduit 401 a encore une vitesse nulle ou très faible, de sorte que la tête 2 ne ressent plus l'aspiration créée dans la canalisation commune 406, et qu'elle peut se décoller facilement de la surface en cours de nettoyage.However, at this instant, the water present in the pipe 401 still has a zero or very low speed, so that the head 2 no longer feels the suction created in the common pipe 406, and that it can be detached easily. of the surface being cleaned.
Ainsi, dans la mesure où le robot a toute liberté de mouvement par rapport à cette surface et où sa structure rigide reçoit l'énergie cinétique du flux interrompu, il subit un déplacement.Thus, since the robot has complete freedom of movement relative to this surface and its rigid structure receives the kinetic energy of the interrupted flow, it undergoes displacement.
Comme le siège 31 a été libéré par l'obturateur 30, un flux d'eau à vitesse croissante s'établit dans le conduit 401.As the seat 31 has been released by the shutter 30, a flow of water at increasing speed is established in the duct 401.
Dans ces conditions, l'obturateur 30 est attiré vers l'obturateur 31 et un nouveau cycle de fonctionnement, identique à celui qui vient d'être décrit, commence. Under these conditions, the shutter 30 is attracted to the shutter 31 and a new operating cycle, identical to that which has just been described, begins.

Claims

REVENDI CATI ONS REVENDI CATI ONS
1. Robot de nettoyage automatique de piscine, comprenant au moins un corps (1) terminé par une tête d'aspiration (2), un clapet instable (3) logé dans le corps (1), et une tuyauterie d'aspiration (4) dont une première extrémité (41) est fixée au corps (1) et reliée à la tête d'aspiration (2) à travers le clapet instable (3) et dont une section de longueur (40) , succédant à la première extrémité (41) et constituant ou précédant une seconde extrémité (42) de la tuyauterie (4) dans une direction d'aspiration (A), est soumise en fonctionnement à une dépression créée par une source de dépression (5, 5e) , le clapet instable (3) étant mis en mouvement par la dépression et mettant de façon discontinue la tête d'aspiration (2) en communication avec la seconde extrémité (42) de la tuyauterie (4) , caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre un filtre de récupération (6) sélectivement raccordé, en fonctionnement, à la seconde extrémité (42) de la tuyauterie (4) , et un injecteur (5) à effet Venturi installé sur la section de longueur (40) et présentant un orifice d'entrée (51), externe à la tuyauterie (4) et sélectivement raccordé en fonctionnement à une source d'eau sous pression (7), et une buse de sortie (52), interne à la tuyauterie (4) et pointant sensiblement dans la direction d'aspiration (A), cet injecteur (5) constituant lui-même, en fonctionnement, la source de dépression. 1. Automatic swimming pool cleaning robot, comprising at least one body (1) terminated by a suction head (2), an unstable valve (3) housed in the body (1), and a suction pipe (4 ) of which a first end (41) is fixed to the body (1) and connected to the suction head (2) through the unstable valve (3) and of which a length section (40), succeeding the first end ( 41) and constituting or preceding a second end (42) of the piping (4) in a suction direction (A), is subjected in operation to a vacuum created by a vacuum source (5, 5e), the valve unstable (3) being set in motion by the depression and discontinuously putting the suction head (2) in communication with the second end (42) of the piping (4), characterized in that it further comprises a filter recovery (6) selectively connected, in operation, to the second end (42) of the piping (4), and a Venturi effect injector (5) installed on the length section (40) and having an inlet orifice (51), external to the piping (4) and selectively connected in operation to a source of pressurized water (7), and an outlet nozzle (52), internal to the piping (4) and pointing substantially in the suction direction (A), this injector (5) itself constituting, in operation, the source of depression.
2. Robot suivant la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre un bouchon (53) obturant sélectivement l'orifice d'entrée (51) de l'injecteur (5), et en ce que le filtre (6) est raccordé à la seconde extrémité (42) de la tuyauterie (4) de façon amovible, ce dont il résulte que le robot peut également être mis en fonctionnement par obturation de l'orifice d'entrée (51) de l'injecteur et raccordement de la seconde extrémité (42) de la tuyauterie à une source de dépression externe (5e) .2. Robot according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a plug (53) selectively closing the inlet orifice (51) of the injector (5), and in that the filter (6) is removably connected to the second end (42) of the piping (4), which means that the robot can also be put into operation by closing the inlet port (51) of the injector and connection from the second end (42) from the piping to an external vacuum source (5e).
3. Robot suivant l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la tuyauterie (4) comprend deux conduits (401, 402) reliés au corps à sa première extrémité (41) , un raccord (43) à trois branches mutuellement communicantes (403, 404, 405), incluant deux branches latérales (403, 404) reliant les deux conduits (401, 402) entre eux et une branche centrale (405) , et une canalisation commune (406) reliant la branche centrale (405) du raccord à la seconde extrémité (42) de la tuyauterie, l'injecteur (5) étant installé sur la canalisation commune (406) de la tuyauterie . 3. Robot according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piping (4) comprises two conduits (401, 402) connected to the body at its first end (41), a connector (43) with three mutually communicating branches (403, 404, 405), including two lateral branches (403, 404) connecting the two conduits (401, 402) between them and a central branch (405), and a common pipe (406) connecting the central branch (405) of the connector at the second end (42) of the pipe, the injector (5) being installed on the common pipe (406) of the pipe.
4. Robot suivant l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le clapet instable (3) comprend au moins un premier siège (31) soumis à la dépression et un obturateur (30) oscillant entre une position d'obturation, dans laquelle il obture le premier siège (31) , et une position de dégagement, dans laquelle il libère le premier siège (31), et en ce que l'obturateur oscillant (30), au moins lorsqu'il atteint l'une de ses positions d'obturation et de dégagement, est attiré vers l'autre de ces positions. 4. Robot according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the unstable valve (3) comprises at least a first seat (31) subjected to vacuum and a shutter (30) oscillating between a closed position, in which it closes the first seat (31), and a release position, in which it releases the first seat (31), and in that the oscillating shutter (30), at least when it reaches one of its shutter and release positions, is drawn to the other of these positions.
5. Procédé de valorisation fonctionnelle d'un robot de nettoyage automatique de piscine conçu pour être alimenté en dépression-, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une étape consistant à doter ce robot d'un injecteur à effet Venturi sélectivement alimenté en pression. 5. Process for the functional enhancement of an automatic swimming pool cleaning robot designed to be supplied with vacuum, characterized in that it comprises a step consisting in providing this robot with a Venturi effect injector selectively supplied with pressure.
EP01949568A 2000-07-24 2001-06-28 Pressure-fed vacuum swimming pool cleaning robot and method Expired - Lifetime EP1303675B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0009682 2000-07-24
FR0009682A FR2812015B1 (en) 2000-07-24 2000-07-24 POOL PRESSURE PRESSURE POOL CLEANER ROBOT AND METHOD
PCT/FR2001/002068 WO2002008547A1 (en) 2000-07-24 2001-06-28 Pressure-fed vacuum swimming pool cleaning robot and method

Publications (2)

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EP1303675A1 true EP1303675A1 (en) 2003-04-23
EP1303675B1 EP1303675B1 (en) 2005-08-31

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EP01949568A Expired - Lifetime EP1303675B1 (en) 2000-07-24 2001-06-28 Pressure-fed vacuum swimming pool cleaning robot and method

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US (1) US7168120B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1303675B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE303488T1 (en)
AU (2) AU2001270697B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2416872A1 (en)
DE (1) DE60113122T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2248355T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2812015B1 (en)
NZ (1) NZ524132A (en)
RU (1) RU2271425C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2002008547A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA200301419B (en)

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CA2416872A1 (en) 2002-01-31
RU2271425C2 (en) 2006-03-10
US20040010867A1 (en) 2004-01-22
EP1303675B1 (en) 2005-08-31
ZA200301419B (en) 2004-03-12
US7168120B2 (en) 2007-01-30
NZ524132A (en) 2004-08-27
AU2001270697B2 (en) 2005-11-17
ES2248355T3 (en) 2006-03-16
FR2812015A1 (en) 2002-01-25
AU7069701A (en) 2002-02-05
FR2812015B1 (en) 2003-01-24
WO2002008547A1 (en) 2002-01-31
DE60113122D1 (en) 2005-10-06
ATE303488T1 (en) 2005-09-15
DE60113122T2 (en) 2006-06-29

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