EP1352138B1 - Lateral transmission casing for self-propelled running apparatus for cleaning an immersed surface - Google Patents

Abstract

A lateral transmission casing for a self-propelled running swimming pool cleaner, comprises a housing, an input shaft provided with elements for removable coupling with a clutch shaft of the apparatus, at least an output shaft provided with elements for removable coupling with a running member of the apparatus, elements for transmitting the powering rotary movement between the input shaft and each output shaft, the housing bearing and guiding the shafts and the transmission elements. Detachable mounting elements enable the casing to be rigidly and removably fixed into a single-piece assembly on the side of the apparatus. The invention also concerns an apparatus equipped with such a casing, and its maintenance.

Description

The invention relates to a transmission device for self-propelled rolling machine surface cleaner immersed in a liquid, in particular pool. Such a device is known from US-A-6 155 657. It extends to a self-propelled rolling machine cleaner. immersed surface in a liquid, in particular a swimming pool having at least one transmission device according to the invention.

Some pool cleaners are of the type rolling stock, that is to say comprising rotary rolling members (rollers, wheels, wheels, tracks ....) about transverse axes of rotation at least substantially parallel to the running surface of the apparatus defined by these rolling, corresponding to the surface on which the device moves. Of such devices may be self-propelled, that is, incorporate and less a motor (electric, hydraulic ...) causing at least one shaft motor, the rotary motion of which must be transmitted to at least one rolling to drive it in rotation.

In a particular known variant, to which the invention is advantageously applied, the self-propelled apparatus comprises minus an electric motor powered by a plunging waterproof electrical cable in the pool, and whose output shaft (rotor) forms a motor shaft. Such motorized electrical apparatus is also generally equipped (see, for example, EP-0,314,259, FR-2,584,442, US-5,569,371 ...) of a suction electric pump of waste and a filter bag for waste recovery.

In other known variants to which the invention also applies (eg US-5,435,031, WO-99/63185), the motor shaft can be driven by a hydraulic motor (turbine) and / or by a suction flow of water created by a pumping facility outside the pool and connected to the device by a suction pipe.

The device is, most often, operating more or less automatic and is generally qualified robot.

In these self-propelled rolling machines, transmission are organs that are complex and often subject to wear and tear. deterioration and increase the cost and reliability. Most often, for For reasons of cost, these transmission devices are of the belt type. In this However, it is known that the distance between the pulleys receiving the belt must to be precise, which raises problems of accuracy of sizing and manufacturing. Indeed, the devices are low-cost devices whose Manufacturing accuracy must be kept low. Belt and / or pulleys are subject to wear that may lead to breakage or blockage of the transmission. When belt tensioners are provided, these are expensive and require regular adjustments of the belt tension. In addition, the tended belt has the effect of exerting significant radial forces on the bearings of the motor shaft and rolling members which, therefore, are also subject to rapid wear, except when using special bearings or bearings expensive. These radial forces are even more important when tensioners of belt are provided.

Moreover, in case of failure of the transmission device, maintenance is complex and therefore expensive. In particular, the change of a Bearing usually requires complete, relatively long and costly disassembly of the device. During these maintenance operations, the device is unavailable for cleaning the pool.

The invention therefore aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing a simple, reliable, inexpensive transmission device that does not no radial forces on the bearings of drive shafts or running gear which can be manufactured with low manufacturing tolerances - especially similar to other parts of the device and compatible with a traditional manufacturing by molding of synthetic material, which does not require no regular adjustments and maintenance is easy.

More particularly, the invention aims to propose a transmission device which can be easily and quickly replaced in case of failure.

The invention aims more particularly at proposing a transmission device little subject to wear in operation, and therefore more high reliability and longevity as belt transmission devices known. The invention also aims to propose a transmission device that does not requires no regular adjustments such as belt devices.

The invention aims more particularly at proposing a transmission device compatible with different shapes and sizes devices, that is to say allowing the realization of a range of different shapes and dimensions at lower cost, with the same features of transmission.

The invention also aims to propose a rolling apparatus self-propelled pool cleaner -particularly of the motor type electric- presenting the same advantages, simple, inexpensive, reliable, of long life, inexpensive to manufacture, easy and fast maintenance, and whose service availability is improved-in particular, little affected by the maintenance operations of the transmission-.

• un carter rigide,
• un tourillon d'entrée monté librement rotatif autour d'un axe de rotation par rapport au carter, et doté de moyens d'accouplement démontable, à un arbre moteur de l'appareil également doté de moyens d'accouplement démontable conjugués de ceux du tourillon d'entrée, ce tourillon d'entrée étant adapté pour être accouplé à l'arbre moteur lorsque la cassette est montée sur l'appareil,
• au moins un tourillon de sortie monté librement rotatif autour d'un axe de rotation transversal par rapport au carter, et doté de moyens d'accouplement démontable à un organe de roulement porté par l'appareil, rotatif autour d'un axe de rotation transversal, à l'extérieur de la cassette, ledit organe de roulement étant également doté de moyens d'accouplement démontable conjugués de ceux du tourillon de sortie, ce tourillon de sortie étant adapté pour être accouplé audit organe de roulement ou dudit arbre d'entraínement lorsque la cassette est montée sur l'appareil,
• des moyens de transmission du mouvement moteur rotatif entre le tourillon d'entrée et chaque tourillon de sortie, le carter portant et guidant les tourillons et les moyens de transmission, et
• des moyens de montage démontable adaptés pour permettre la fixation rigide amovible autorisant un montage et un démontage de la cassette en un ensemble d'un seul tenant sur un côté de l'appareil, le tourillon d'entrée étant accouplé à un arbre moteur et chaque tourillon de sortie étant accouplé à un organe de roulement.

To this end, the invention relates to a transmission device for a self-propelled immersed surface cleaner (in particular a swimming pool) for transmitting the rotary motor movement of at least one motor shaft, carried by the apparatus, to organs rotary bearing around transverse axes of rotation to drive the moving apparatus, characterized in that it is formed of a lateral transmission cassette comprising:

• a rigid housing,
• an input trunnion mounted freely rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the housing, and provided with removable coupling means, to a motor shaft of the apparatus also having removable coupling means conjugated with those of the trunnion input, this input trunnion being adapted to be coupled to the motor shaft when the cassette is mounted on the apparatus,
• at least one output trunnion freely rotatably mounted about a transverse axis of rotation relative to the casing, and provided with coupling means that can be dismounted to a rolling member carried by the apparatus, rotatable about a transverse axis of rotation on the outside of the cassette, said rolling member being also provided with removable coupling means conjugated with those of the output trunnion, this output trunnion being adapted to be coupled to said running member or said drive shaft when the cassette is mounted on the device,
• means for transmitting the rotary motor movement between the input trunnion and each output trunnion, the casing carrying and guiding the trunnions and the transmission means, and
• demountable mounting means adapted to allow the removable rigid attachment allowing assembly and disassembly of the cassette into a unitary assembly on one side of the apparatus, the input trunnion being coupled to a motor shaft and each outlet pin being coupled to a rolling member.

Throughout the text, the terms "transversal", "longitudinal" and "lateral" are defined with reference to the normal direction of advancement of the apparatus on a submerged surface (in particular bottom or side wall of swimming pool).

The device according to the invention consists of a cassette in one piece pre-set-that is to say, the various constituent elements are adapted, adjusted and optimized in their choice, positioning and operation before mounting on the apparatus (in particular for the manufacture in factory or maintenance shop) - which can be assembled and removed from a single quickly and simply in relation to the other constitutive elements of the device. This design simplifies the assembly and operations of maintenance, and optimize the different elements of the transmission cassette in favor of greater reliability and longer life, at lower cost cost. In addition, the same transmission cassette can be used with different models (shapes, dimensions, types of operation) of the apparatus, without its being necessary for each model to make adjustments, adjustments, or machining or specific assembly operations. Just plan for different models the same distance between centers and coupling means compatible on each drive shaft and each running gear.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the means of transmission includes gears - in particular consist of of engrenages-. More particularly, advantageously and according to the invention, the transmission means comprise a series of successive gears between the input trunnion which includes a gear meshing with one of these sprockets, and each output trunnion which also includes a gear wheel meshing with one of these pinions, and each pin and pinion is freely rotatably mounted around an axle carried by the casing -particularly secured housing, preferably formed by the housing. Advantageously and according the invention, each gearset comprises an odd number of gears same diameter. Advantageously and according to the invention, all the gears are identical, which reduces manufacturing costs. The gear train then presents a transmission ratio equal to 1. As a variant, nothing prevents provide a transmission ratio different from 1 (reduction or reduction) or a reversal of the direction of rotation.

Advantageously and according to the invention, all the trunnions Inlet and outlet can also be formed from identical parts, allowing also reduce manufacturing costs. In this case, all the means of transmission has a transmission ratio equal to 1. Advantageously and according to the invention, all the pins and pinions are rotatable about axes of transverse parallel rotation, when the cassette is mounted on the device, to those of the running gear and motor shafts of the aircraft. All axes of rotation of a cassette according to the invention are therefore parallel to each other, which simplifies manufacturing.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the housing is formed of two half-shells extending at least substantially perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the output trunnions (vertically when the machine is driving on a horizontal surface) and in the longitudinal direction, one on each side journals and transmission means, these two half-shells being assembled to each other according to a generally peripheral joint plane longitudinal. Advantageously and according to the invention, the two half-shells are assembled to one another by screws and / or bolts passing through the axis of the gears. This results in particular better rigidity of these axes and precise guidance and reliable gears and trunnions. The transverse axes of rotation can be worn at each end or defined by each half-shell. In particular, advantageously and according to the invention, the axes of rotation of the gears are formed by the crankcase -particularly by one and / or the other of the half-shells-. In one advantageous embodiment according to the invention, each pin is mounted freely rotatable relative to the housing by two end bearings comprising each a cylindrical housing formed by the casing receiving a ring in antifriction synthetic material which in turn receives a cylindrical extension axial of the trunnion.

Moreover, advantageously and according to the invention, the housing, the journals and the transmission means (including the gears) are in synthetic material. The crankcase and / or the journals and / or the means of transmission can be advantageously made of molded synthetic material especially by injection. A transmission cassette according to the invention is advantageously entirely of synthetic material, with the exception possibly screws, bolts or other rigid assembly means that it includes or is used for mounting on the device, which may be metal. These assembly means can also be made of rigid synthetic. The cassette according to the invention is thus not subject to corrosion, is light and inexpensive.

Furthermore, advantageously, a transmission device (cassette) according to the invention is of generally triangular shape isosceles (form defined by its rigid housing), and includes an entrance trunnion at its top median superior, and an exit trunnion at each of its lower vertices front and rear for coupling to front and back.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the input trunnion is adapted to be disposed in axial extension of the motor shaft when the cassette is mounted on the device. Similarly, advantageously and according to the invention, the output trunnion is adapted to be arranged in extension axial position of the running gear when the cassette is mounted on the device. In furthermore, advantageously and according to the invention, the casing is an outer casing receiving, enclosing and wrapping the journals and said means for transmission by protecting them from the outside, and includes, on the side facing the center of the apparatus, for each pin, a light adapted to allow the coupling of this pin, through the housing, to a motor shaft or to a running gear. Advantageously and according to the invention, the means removable coupling of each pin are of the type coupling with mating means of the driving shaft or a rolling member by simple implementation relative-especially-dog. The coupling is thus obtained automatically by simple assembly and fixing from the cassette to the camera.

Moreover, advantageously and according to the invention, said dismountable mounting means comprise rigid assembly means of the casing of the cassette to at least one other element of the apparatus -particularly to a central transverse rigid motor casing of the device-. Advantageously and according the invention, said dismountable mounting means comprise screws and / or tightening bolts. The fixing of the cassette is thus simple, precise, reliable and rigid.

Furthermore, advantageously and according to the invention, the transmission device also carries itself at least one rolling member of the apparatus, this rolling member being driven or not by the movement engine. Advantageously and according to the invention, the transmission device includes a track adapted to be driven by the trunnion inlet and form a longitudinal lower strand of contact with the soil function of rolling member of the apparatus. The cassette according to the invention thus itself at least one rolling member driven by the movement engine. Alternatively or in combination, it can also carry at least one wheel, roulette, roller ... driven or not by the motor movement.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the caterpillar is formed of an endless belt passing around the entrance trunnion and each exit pin. Advantageously and according to the invention, each trunnion comprises two flanges parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pin, adapted to form a roller of reception and training of the caterpillar.

In the case where the means of transmission are gears, advantageously and according to the invention, the toothed wheel of each trunnion is interposed between the two flanges. Advantageously and according the invention, the caterpillar comprises notches or internal teeth adapted to fit between the flanges of the trunnions. These notches or internal teeth limit the Lateral movements of the caterpillar and more particularly prevent the caterpillar to get out of his normal position. In addition, advantageously and according to the invention, the caterpillar is made of flexible synthetic material. It involves advantageously transverse external anti-slip teeth.

The invention extends to a self-propelled rolling apparatus submerged surface cleaner (especially pool cleaner) comprising at least a motor shaft, rotating rolling members about axes of rotation transversal devices to drive the apparatus on the move, and means of transmission to transmit rotary motor motion of each shaft each rolling member, characterized in that the means for transmission comprise at least one transmission device (cassette) according to the invention.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the apparatus comprises two transmission devices (cassettes) according to the invention, one on each side. Advantageously and according to the invention, the apparatus comprising a crankcase central transverse rigid, is characterized in that the transmission devices are fixed rigidly respectively at each lateral end of the housing motor, thus forming a rigid frame generally shaped generally H on which other components of the apparatus are reported and fixed.

• une paroi transversale avant et une paroi transversale arrière s'étendant entre les deux dispositifs de transmission latéraux à l'avant et à l'arrière à distance du carter moteur de façon à ménager un passage pour l'eau, et à former une ouverture inférieure,
• un fond, doté d'entrées d'eau, adapté pour refermer l'ouverture inférieure,
• et un capot supérieur couvrant les parois transversales, les dispositifs de transmission latéraux et le carter moteur, ce capot étant doté d'un orifice supérieur d'évacuation d'eau, de sorte qu'un circuit hydraulique est ménagé depuis les entrées du fond, à l'avant et à l'arrière entre les parois transversales et le carter moteur et entre les dispositifs de transmission latéraux, et jusqu'à l'orifice du capot. Avantageusement et selon l'invention, le carter moteur est moulé au plus juste (aux jeux près nécessaires au montage, au fonctionnement et au moulage du carter moteur) autour des éléments qu'il contient et présente des formes arrondies favorisant la circulation d'eau.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the apparatus comprises:

• a front transverse wall and a rear transverse wall extending between the two lateral transmission devices at the front and at the rear away from the crankcase so as to provide a passage for the water, and to form a lower opening ,
• a bottom, with water inlets, adapted to close the lower opening,
• and an upper cover covering the transverse walls, the lateral transmission devices and the crankcase, this hood being provided with an upper water discharge opening, so that a hydraulic circuit is formed from the bottom inlets, at the front and rear between the transverse walls and the crankcase and between the lateral transmission devices, and to the hole of the hood. Advantageously and according to the invention, the crankcase is molded as accurately as possible (with the necessary clearance necessary for the assembly, operation and molding of the crankcase) around the elements it contains and has rounded shapes favoring the circulation of water. .

The crankcase is of hydrodynamic shapes and causes only a small pressure drop in the pumping of water. Advantageously and according to the invention, the crankcase comprises an engine central upper axis orthogonal to the running surface and driving a propeller pump located outside the crankcase under the hood opening, this propeller being adapted to generate a flow of water in the apparatus.

In addition, advantageously and according to the invention, the substance carries a filter interposed on the circuit of the water between the entrances of the bottom and the orifice exhaust hood.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the apparatus comprises two separate independent motors, each of these engines having a tree engine coupled to one of two transmission devices.

The running gear can be wheels, wheels, rollers ... in one piece, or alternatively with drive shaft and trim (s) wear (foam (s), brush (es), tread (s) ...). An apparatus according to the invention is advantageously characterized in that it comprises two pairs of independent running gear, namely a pair of running gear front and a pair of rear running gear, the two running gear of the same pair being arranged in coaxial extension of one another, one two being coupled to one of the two transmission devices, while the other is coupled to the other transmission device. Independent rollers and independent motors make it possible to control the apparatus according to all straight or curved trajectories.

In an apparatus according to the invention, all rotating members transmission of the motor drive movement of the device are worn by -Inparticularly integrated in- a removable lateral cassette of transmission according to the invention.

Moreover, advantageously and according to the invention, each motor shaft is rotatable about a transverse axis, and the input trunnion and the output pins of each transmission device are rotatable around transverse parallel axes, these different axes being at least substantially parallel to a running surface defined by the running gear, corresponding to the surface on which the device is to move.

An apparatus according to the invention is thus of design simple, rigid, reliable, wear-free, safe and economical. Its maintenance is easy and requires no adjustment. It is easy and economical to change hydraulic or aesthetic characteristics, in particular by adapting the shape of the transverse front and rear walls and / or the top cover.

• on démonte de l'appareil au moins une cassette latérale de transmission, dite cassette défaillante, sur laquelle une opération de maintenance doit être effectuée,
• on monte sur l'appareil, à la place de chaque cassette défaillante, une cassette de transmission en état de fonctionnement pour rendre l'appareil opérationnel. On effectue une opération de maintenance sur chaque cassette de transmission défaillante alors qu'elle est démontée de l'appareil. En variante, on peut même considérer les cassettes de transmission comme des éléments jetables, c'est-à-dire qu'on les met au rebut en tant que déchets lorsqu'elles sont défaillantes. Avantageusement et selon l'invention, immédiatement après avoir démonté au moins une cassette défaillante, on monte une nouvelle cassette de transmission en état de fonctionnement, différente, en remplacement de chaque cassette défaillante préalablement démontée, de sorte que l'appareil est rendu immédiatement opérationnel.

The invention extends to a method of maintenance (maintenance or repair) of an apparatus according to the invention, characterized in that:

• at least one lateral transmission cassette, called a failing cassette, is removed from the device, on which a maintenance operation must be carried out,
• in the place of each failing cassette, a transmission cassette is mounted in the operating state to make the apparatus operational. A maintenance operation is performed on each failed transmission cassette while it is dismounted from the apparatus. Alternatively, the transmission cassettes can even be considered as disposable elements, that is, they are discarded as waste when they fail. Advantageously and according to the invention, immediately after having disassembled at least one faulty cassette, a new transmission cassette is mounted in a different operating state, replacing each faulty cassette previously dismantled, so that the apparatus is made immediately operational. .

The invention also relates to a transmission device, a apparatus, and a maintenance method characterized in combination by all or part of the characteristics mentioned above or below.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective éclatée d'un appareil selon un mode de réalisation préférentiel de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique en perspective de l'appareil de la figure 1 à l'état assemblé,
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique en perspective éclatée d'une cassette de transmission selon l'invention,
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique en perspective de la cassette de la figure 3 à l'état assemblé,
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique de dessous avec une coupe partielle de l'appareil de la figure 2,
• la figure 6 est une vue schématique en coupe verticale transversale de l'appareil de la figure 1,
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique en coupe verticale longitudinale de la figure 1.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention appear on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment shown in the figures in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in the assembled state,
• FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a transmission cassette according to the invention,
• FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the cassette of FIG. 3 in the assembled state,
• FIG. 5 is a schematic view from below with a partial section of the apparatus of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 6 is a schematic view in transverse vertical section of the apparatus of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view in longitudinal vertical section of FIG.

In Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a device (or robot) according to the invention rolling self propelled electric surface cleaner immersed in particular of a swimming pool, comprising a casing 1 central transverse rigid motor in rigid synthetic material containing two independent electric motors 83, one on each side, each driving a rotating motor shaft 2 transverse opening projecting laterally outside the crankcase 1. In the central part, the crankcase 1 encloses a third electric motor 70 whose drive shaft, said pump shaft 71, opens vertically upwards to the outside of the casing 1 motor for the drive of a propeller 3 of upper pumping outside the crankcase 1 engine.

The apparatus according to the invention also comprises two cassettes 6 lateral transmission according to the invention, one on each side. Each transmission cassette 6 is fixed rigidly but removable, in one unit in one piece, respectively at each end 7 side of the crankcase 1. Each cassette 6 forms a lateral flange extending longitudinally towards the front and towards the rear of the casing 1 engine, to form a rigid frame 72 generally H-shaped on which the others parts of the apparatus are attached and fixed, namely a top cover 5, a handle 8 for maneuvering; front 9 and rear 10 transverse walls extending between the two cassettes 6 and the top cover 5, and at the front and, respectively, at the rear of the casing 1 motor and defining between them and with the cassettes 6, in lower part, a lower opening closed by a bottom 11 with inputs water valve 66 with valves allowing the entry of water upwards but prohibiting the water outlets down. The bottom 11 carries a filter bag 12 incorporated in the casing 73 thus constituted by the cover 5, the transverse walls 9, 10 and the cassettes 6. The filter bag 12 has two pockets extending to the front and, respectively at the rear of the crankcase 1 engine, between the crankcase and each transverse wall 9, 10.

The transverse walls before 9 and rear 10 are endowed, in their lower part, of non-return 74 check valves adapted to prevent the water inlet from the outside into the housing 73 during the operation of the apparatus but to allow, by gravity, the exit of the water contained in the casing 73. When the propeller 3 is not active, the water contained in the casing 73 is automatically drained by gravity by the drain flaps 74 when the device came out of the water.

As rolling gear, the apparatus comprises two front rollers 13 (one front left and one front right), extending between the two cassettes 6, and at the front of the transverse wall before 9, to the outside of the hydraulic circuit formed in the housing 73, and transversely and in axial extension of one another, rotatable about a parallel transverse axis on the surface on which they roll, each of these rolling bodies before 13 being coupled, respectively, to one of the side cassettes 6; and two rolls rear 14 (a left rear roller and a right rear roller) extending between the two cassettes 6 and at the rear of the rear transverse wall 10, outside of the hydraulic circuit formed in the housing 73, and transversely and in axial extension of one another, rotatable about a transverse axis parallel to the surface on which they roll, each of these rear rolling members 14 being coupled, respectively, to one of the cassettes 6 side. Both rollers of the same pair of rollers front 13 or rear 14 are independent from each other, in rotation, that is to say, not integral in rotation, each of them they being driven by one of the motors 83 (left or right), to the motor shaft 2 (left or right) from which it is connected by a transmission cassette 6.

Each roll 13, 14 comprises a main shaft 17 cylindrical, and a peripheral lining 18 for example foam and / or formed of brushes, integral in rotation with the shaft 17, but which can be replaced in case of wear. The shafts 17 of the two rollers front 13 or rear 14 are cylindrical in revolution and telescopic one in the other axially of so that they can be moved closer to the central part of the device to be uncoupled cassettes 6 side and disassembled from the device, or, conversely, distance from each other for the purpose of mating with cassettes. shafts 17 of the rollers 13, 14 are also guided by a central bearing 15, 16 secured to the front wall 9, arranged between the two rollers before 13 or rear 14. This bearing 15, 16 comprises a notch 15 for receiving the shaft 17 of larger diameter of one of the rollers 13, 14 and a locking hook 16 pivoting so that it can be folded over the indentation 15 and the shaft 17 for the assembly of the rollers or on the contrary, released from the notch 15 for the disassembly of the rollers 13, 14. The two rear rollers 14 are similar with the front rollers 13, transverse axis parallel to that of the front rollers 13, and mounted and driven in a manner similar to the front rollers 13. The bearings 15, 16 secured to the transverse walls 9, 10 guiding the rollers 13, 14 undergo little effort radially. Indeed, the two rolls of the same pair are telescopic and therefore guided and held radially relative to each other while being free to rotate relative to each other, and are also guided and their opposite ends by the cassettes 6.

The rollers 13, 14 define a rolling plane of the apparatus corresponding to the immersed surface on which it moves. The 2 engine shafts of the aircraft are coaxial and parallel to this running surface. The pump shaft 71 of the third motor driving the propeller 3 is orthogonal to this rolling plane, so that the propeller 3 is adapted to create a flow of water in the orthogonal direction away from the running surface (vertically towards the high when the submerged surface is horizontal) from the entrances 66 below the crankcase 1 and between the transverse walls 9, 10, the cassettes 6 and the casing 1 motor, and up to an upper discharge port 4 formed in the top cover 5 of the appliance through which the water is discharged from the device up. The filter bag 12 extends to the front and rear of the housing motor 1 and its opening is associated with the periphery of the bottom 11 so that this filter bag 12 is interposed on the water circuit between the entries 66 and the outlet port 4. The casing 1 can be molded just around the engines 70, 83 and organs therein, for the sake of a smaller footprint, a increased rigidity, and hydrodynamic rounded external shapes. When the propeller 3 is active, the water is driven upwards and does not can not come out through the drain valves 74 by gravity.

A waterproof power supply cable 19 is connected to inside the crankcase 1, for the supply and control of the different motors 70, 83, and this cable 19 passes through the top cover 5 by one of the lights 79 for fixing the handle 8 so that it can be connected to a source external power supply to the unit and the pool.

The two side cassettes 6 are identical. Indeed, each cassette 6 has a symmetry with respect to a median transverse plane orthogonal to the running surface and therefore to the surface on which the apparatus moves. This plane of symmetry is thus notably vertical when this surface is horizontal. The frame 72, and more generally the apparatus, are globally symmetrical with respect to the same median transverse plane orthogonal to the plane of rotation, and this plane of symmetry of the robot coincides with the plane of symmetry of each cassette 6. The frame 72 and the apparatus are also generally symmetrical relative to a median longitudinal plane orthogonal to the running surface.

Each transmission cassette 6 comprises a housing external rigid (the other elements of the cassette 6 being incorporated in this housing 20). This housing 20 is formed of two half-shells 20a, 20b including a half-shell internal 20a closest to the crankcase 1 of the apparatus, fixed to the housing motor 1 of the apparatus, and an external half-shell 20b furthest from the crankcase motor 1 of the device. Each half-shell extends at least substantially orthogonal to the running surface and in the longitudinal direction, and two half-shells 20a, 20b are assembled to one another in a plane 21a, 21b globally longitudinal peripheral. The half-shells 20a, 20b are made of rigid synthetic molded.

The inner half-shell 20a includes a stem upper middle 22 extending transversely towards the center of the apparatus of so that it can be fixed by a screw 23 to the crankcase 1, above the shaft 2. The handle 8 has two ends 76, each of them being endowed of a hook 77 adapted to be engaged in a light 78 of the bracket 22 and to Crochet at this bracket 22. The hood 5 is provided with lights 79 allowing the passage of the hooks 77 through the cover 5, and the insertion of jumpers of 80 lock adapted to lock the hooks 77 in position lock picking. Each light 79 of the cover 5 is larger than the hook 77, of so that a locking jumper 80 can be inserted into this light 79 to the rear of the hook 77, between the hook 77 and the edge facing the light 79 to push the hook 77 laterally into the hooking position with the 22. To remove the handle 8, it is necessary to remove the riders from 80 locking by axially extracting the lights 79 of the cover 5, which allows to push the hooks 77 laterally in the light 78 of the 22 and in the lights 79 of the cover 5, to release the brackets 22, then extract them axially out of these light 78, 79. To go up the handle 8, reverse operations are performed.

The handle 8 is thus fixed on the brackets 22 of the cassettes 6, so on the frame 72, through the cover 5 removably. He is at note that this attachment of the handle 8 to the frame 72 also secures the hood 5 to frame 72, the hooks 77 and riders 80 having an outer portion larger than the lights 79 of the cover 5, so that the cover 5 is held against the brackets 22 cassettes 6.

The inner half-shell 20a also comprises two lower side brackets 24 also extending transversely to the center of the apparatus to be placed above a lower lateral rim of the 1 and to be fastened to it by means of screws 26. Between the brackets 22, 24, the inner half-shell 20a is shaped to receive the lateral end 7 of the crankcase 1, the driving shaft 2 can be coupled to an input trunnion 27 of the cassette 6 accessible via a light 43 through the inner half-shell 20a, axially facing the drive shaft 2.

The input trunnion 27 is freely rotatably mounted by compared to the cassette 6, between the two half-shells 20a, 20b, about an axis of transverse rotation, and receives the motor movement of the motor shaft 2. For this to do, each half-shell 20a, 20b defines a cylindrical housing 28a, 28b receiving a ring 29a, 29b, synthetic material antifriction, which receives itself an axial cylindrical extension 30a, 30b of the input spigot 27 allowing its rotation guidance in the ring 29a, 29b.

The cylindrical axial extension 30a extending on the side of the internal half-shell 20a is extended by four interlocking pins 31 forming coupling means that can be removed from the driving shaft 2. The driving shaft 2 is itself equipped with a cross dog 32 adapted to receive the pins 31 of interconnection of the input spindle 27 when the cassette 6 is in place on the housing 1. The counters 31 and the cross 32 of interconnection thus realize means removable coupling by simple relative positioning, dog type, the pins 31 extending axially engaging in notches conjugated with the cross 32.

The cassette 6 also includes two output journals 33, 34, namely a front output journal 33 and a rear output journal 34, adapted to be coupled, through the housing 20, to the shaft 17 of one of the front rollers 13 or respectively rear 14. Each output trunnion 33, 34 is freely rotatable about a transverse axis of rotation, like the trunnion 27. The front and rear output journals 34 are identical to the input pin 27 and guided relative to the casing 20 of the cassette 6, as the input trunnion, with cylindrical housings 35a, 35b front and 36a, 36b rear half-shells 20a, 20b, and baques material anti-friction front 37a, 37b and rear 38a, 38b, each output pin 33, 34 comprising a cylindrical axial extension 39a, 39b, respectively 40a, 40b, engaged in the ring 37a, 37b, 38a, 38b corresponding. The two pins of output 33, 34 also include, on the inner side of the apparatus, pieces 41, respectively 42, of interconnection adapted to the coupling of the journal 33, 34 to a cross of interconnection 46, respectively 47, extending at the axial end side of the shaft 17 of the roller 13, 14 opposite. The clutch pins 31, 41, 42 different trunnions 27, 33, 34 extend through circular lights 43, 44, 45 formed through the inner half-shell 20a to cooperate with the interconnection crosses 32, 46, 47 opposite and perform the coupling removable through the housing 20. The input pins 27 and output 33, 34 can be formed from identical parts, thereby reducing the costs of manufacturing.

Between the input pin 27 and each of the pins of output 33, 34, the cassette 6 comprises a series of successive gears 48, 49 intermeshing two by two, mounted freely rotatable about axes of rotation transverse (parallel in pairs and to the axes of rotation of the journals 27, 33, 34), and meshing on the one hand with a toothed wheel 50 of the input pin 27 and, on the other hand, with a toothed wheel 51, respectively 52, of the output trunnion 33, respectively 34. Preferably, each gear train 48, 49 comprises an odd number of gears and the different gears have the same diameter. The different gears can thus be identical, for the benefit of an economy Manufacturing. When the motor shaft 2 is coupled to the input trunnion 27, it the drive rotates, and each of the output journals 33, 34 is driven also in rotation in the same direction and at the same speed by the trains of gears 48, 49. The axes of rotation of the different gears 48, 49 can be simply formed of cylindrical transverse extensions 53 adapted to to receive a cylindrical bore of the different gears, these extensions 53 extending outwardly from the inner half-shell 20a of which they are solidarity. Preferably, the two inner and outer half-shells 20a and 20b are assembled to each other by screws 54 passing through the axes of rotation of the gears 48, 49, that is to say by the transverse extensions 53. The different gears 48, 49 then have a light for the passage of these screws 54 assembly, and the outer shell 20b includes pads 55 abutting against the axial end of the transverse extensions 53 formed by the half-shell internal 20a, these pads 55 being adapted to receive the screws 54 self-tapping, so that their nets are engaged with these pads 55 which act as tapping.

In variant not shown, or in combination, the pads 55 can be secured in a way that can not be dismantled (welding, gluing, etc.) to extensions 53, the half-shells 21a, 20a then being unmountable.

The inner half-shell 20a also comprises grooves 64, respectively 65, receiving extreme lateral edges 81 of the wall transverse front 9 and 82 of the rear transverse wall 10, and the stems lower sides 62 are provided with apertures through which screws 63 allowing the assembly of the transverse walls 9, 10, cassettes 6 and the hood 5. The transverse walls 9, 10 are thus embedded in the grooves 64, 65 of the cassettes 6 and extend between these two cassettes 6 over the entire height of the cassettes 6 at the grooves 64, 65. The screws 63 tighten the walls transverse 9, 10 and the cover 5 towards each other on the cassettes 6. In the example shown they are introduced into wall lights transverse 9, 10 to be screwed into screwing studs forming threads of the hood 5.

The bottom 11 can be fixed on the transverse walls 9, 10 and / or the side cassettes 6 by screws and / or elastic hooks or others removable fixing means so as to close the lower opening formed by the transverse walls 9, 10 and the lateral cassettes 6. The bottom 11 is fixed in a detachable manner to the frame 72, in particular to the lateral cassettes 6, by resilient hooks 75 cooperating with a groove 76 secured to the half-shell internal 20a. The transverse walls 9, 10 and the top cover 5 are carried by the cassettes 6 thanks to the grooves 64, 65 and the brackets 62 and screws 63. To disassemble the device, for example for a maintenance operation, it simply remove the rollers 13, 14 by releasing the hooks 16, and remove the screw 63, and extract the jumpers 80 to disassemble the handle 8. The walls transverse 9, 10 and the cover 5 dissociate from the frame 72. To disassemble the walls transverse 9, 10, it is necessary to disassemble a cassette 6 (because of the grooves 64, 65). The cable 19 passes through the hood and does not allow the complete separation of the cover 5 and the frame 72. Nevertheless, just slide the cover 5 along the cable 19, so that maintenance is possible and easy. Editing is done by performing the reverse operations. The aesthetics of the device can be the subject of many variants.

The outer half-shell 20b also has preferably a central upper bracket 56 intended to extend over the upper central stem 22 of the inner half-shell 20a and secured thereto with crankcase 1 above the motor shaft 2.

Furthermore, the cassette 6 according to the invention comprises advantageously a chenille 57 formed of an endless belt passing around input pins 27 and output 33, 34 so as to be driven scrolling continuous by these journals 27, 33, 34 and forming a longitudinal lower strand 58 of contact with the ground acting as rolling member driven device. For guiding the track 57, each trunnion 27, 33, 34 comprises advantageously two lateral parallel flanges 59 perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pin 27, 33, 34, on either side of the toothed wheel 50, 51, 52, of to form a roller of reception and drive of the caterpillar 57. This latter advantageously comprises notches or inner teeth 60 adapted to between the two flanges 59. Similarly, the caterpillar 57 comprises advantageously notches or external teeth 61, or any other anti-slip member equivalent able to come into contact with the ground. Such a lateral caterpillar facilitates the training of the device during the passage of stairs or in the ruptures of slope or inclined walls.

The different gears 48, 49, the pins 27, 33, 34 and the half-shells 20a, 20b can be made entirely of synthetic material rigid, and the track 57 of flexible synthetic material, so that the cassette 6 transmission device according to the invention is entirely made of synthetic material, the exception possibly of the assembly screws 23, 26, (assembly of the cassette 6 on the apparatus) and 54 for assembling the half-shells 20a, 20b. These screws 23, 26, 54, moreover, may also be made of synthetic. The entire transmission thus produced is not subject to the corrosion and is of great reliability of operation in water. The device according to the invention is free of moving metal part or organ of metal friction. All the moving (rotating) elements necessary for transmission of the motor movement from the motor shafts 2 to the organs (rollers 13, 14 and chenille 57) are fully incorporated in the two side cassettes 6 and carried by these cassettes 6. If one of the cassettes 6 requires a maintenance operation, it is easy to disassemble the device and replace it with a new cassette, then repair the cassette in the workshop. During the repair, the device remains operational in the pool.

The different cassettes 6 are made with a very small number of different parts and their manufacturing cost is low. So is same apparatus according to the invention.

The invention can be the subject of numerous variants of embodiment with respect to the preferred embodiment represented as well with regard to the transmission cassette (s) 6, as regards the apparatus according to the invention. In particular, the transmission cassette 6 can be applicable to a self-propelled device whose drive motor is not electric but for example hydraulic. In the simplified versions, the transmission of the motor movement between the input pin 27 and each output pin 33, 34 can be made only via the track 57 which makes drive belt office (the cassette is then free of gears). The number of gears of the gear trains can be different from three. It the same goes for the number of exit pins that can be distinct from two (one only output trunnion or more than two output trunnions). The trunnions of exit may not drive rollers, but drive shafts integral in rotation of wheels or wheels ... or even be directly coupled to running gear without separate drive shaft (for example end flanges of these wheels, rollers, rollers ...). The apparatus according to the invention may comprise rolling members motorized (mounted free in rotation) and / or coupled running gear successively to each other and not directly independently to a transmission cassette. An apparatus according to the invention may comprise only one drive motor, a motor shaft, and a side cassette of transmission, the other side cassette being free of transmission means and used only for guiding the running gear and, where appropriate, the caterpillar. On the contrary, in the preferred embodiment shown, the apparatus according to the invention comprises two drive motors 83, one on each side, and two cassettes 6 lateral transmission both provided with means 48, 49, 57 transmission. It is then possible to steer the device according to the speed of each engine 83.

Maintenance of the transmission of a device according to the invention is small and simple. In the event of a faulty cassette, it suffices dismantle the so-called failed transmission cassette (that is to say on which a The maintenance operation must be carried out as preventive maintenance or that it presents a malfunction (wear, rupture ...)). To do this, he simply unscrew the screws 63 to dissociate the failed cassette 6 walls transverse 9, 10 and the cover 5, to remove the handle 8 and to remove the screws 23, 26 to disassemble the cassette 6 of the crankcase 1. We put a cassette 6 in condition of operation by reverse operations to make the device again operational. A new transmission cassette 6 in working order different from the failed cassette (new or formed from a repaired cassette) may be immediately put in place, the device being immediately operational without adjustment. The cassettes 6 disassembled can be the object of operation (s) of maintenance or even be scrapped as waste.

Claims (34)

1. A transmission device for a self-propelled rolling apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface, intended for transmitting the rotary driving movement of at least one driving shaft (2), carried by the apparatus, to running members (13, 14, 57) rotatable around transverse axes of rotation in order to drive the apparatus in displacement, which device is formed of a lateral transmission casing (6) comprising:

   a rigid housing (20),

   an input journal (27) mounted so as to be freely rotatable around an axis of rotation with respect to the housing (20), and provided with means (31) for demountable coupling to a driving shaft (2) of the apparatus, likewise provided with means (32) for demountable coupling mating with those (31) of the input journal (27), this input journal (27) being adapted to be coupled to the driving shaft (2) when the casing is mounted on the apparatus,

   at least one output journal (33, 34) mounted so as to be freely rotatable around a transverse axis of rotation with respect to the housing (20), and provided with means (41, 42) for demountable coupling to a running member (13, 14), carried by the apparatus, rotatable around a transverse axis of rotation, outside the casing (6), the said running member (13, 14) likewise being provided with means (46, 47) for demountable coupling mating with those of the output journal (33, 34), this output journal (33, 34) being adapted to be coupled to the said running member (13, 14) when the casing (6) is mounted on the apparatus,

   means (48, 49, 57) for transmission of the rotary driving movement between the input journal (27) and each output journal (33, 34), the housing (20) bearing and guiding the journals (27, 33, 34) and the transmission means (48, 49, 57), and

   demountable mounting means (22 to 26) adapted to enable the rigid removable fixing, allowing mounting and demounting, of the casing (6) in a single-piece assembly on one side of the apparatus, the input journal (27) being coupled to a driving shaft (2) and each output journal (33, 34) being coupled to a running member (13, 14).
2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the transmission means include gear trains (48, 49).
3. A device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the transmission means comprise a train of successive pinions (48, 49) between the input journal (27), which comprises a toothed wheel (50) meshing with one of these pinions, and each output journal (33, 34), which also comprises a toothed wheel (51, 52) meshing with one of these pinions, and in that each journal (27, 33, 34) and each pinion (48, 49) is mounted so as to be freely rotatable around an axle carried by the housing (20).
4. A device according to claim 3, characterised in that all the journals (27, 33, 34) and pinions (48, 49) are rotatable around transverse axes of rotation.
5. A device according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the axes of rotation of the pinions (48, 49) are formed by the housing (20).
6. A device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the housing (20) is formed of two half-shells (20a, 20b) extending at least substantially perpendicularly to the axes of rotation of the output journals (33, 34) and in the longitudinal direction, one on each side of the journals (27, 33, 34) and transmission means (48, 49, 57), and mounted to each other at an overall longitudinal peripheral mounting plane (21a, 21b).
7. A device according to claim 6 and one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the two half-shells (20a, 20b) are mounted to each other by means of screws and/or bolts (54) passing through the axle of the pinions (48, 49).
8. A device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the housing (20), the journals (27, 33, 34) and the transmission means (48, 49, 57) are made of synthetic material.
9. A device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that each journal (27, 33, 34) is mounted so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the housing (20) by means of two end bearings, each comprising a cylindrical seat (28a, 28b, 35a, 35b, 36a, 36b) formed by the housing (20) and receiving a ring (29a, 29b, 37a, 37b, 38a, 38b) made of antifriction synthetic material which receives an axial cylindrical extension (30a, 30b, 39a, 39b, 40a, 40b) of the journal (27, 33, 34).
10. A device according to one of claims 1 to 9, which is overall in the shape of an isosceles triangle and comprises an input journal (27) at its median upper vertex, and an output journal (33, 34) at each of its front and rear lower vertices so as to couple them to front running members (13) and rear running members (14).
11. A device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the housing (20) is an outer housing (20) enclosing and receiving the journals (27, 33, 34) and the said transmission means (48, 49, 57), and comprises, on the side oriented towards the centre of the apparatus, for each journal, an aperture (43, 44, 45) capable of enabling the coupling of this journal (27, 33, 34), through the housing (20), to a driving shaft (2) or to a running member (13, 14).
12. A device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the means (31, 41, 42) for demountable coupling of each journal (27, 33, 34) are of the type producing the coupling with mating coupling means (32, 46, 47) of the driving shaft (2) or of a running member (13, 14) by simple relative movement into place - in particular of the positive clutch type.
13. A device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the said demountable mounting means (22 to 26) include means for rigid assembly of the housing (20) of the casing (6) with at least one other element (1) of the apparatus.
14. A device according to claim 13, characterised in that the said demountable mounting means (22 to 26) include means for rigid assembly with a transverse central rigid motor housing of the apparatus.
15. A device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the said demountable mounting means (20 to 26) include clamping screws (23, 26) and/or bolts.
16. A device according to one of claims 1 to 15, which bears at least one running member (57) of the apparatus.
17. A device according to claim 16, which comprises a crawler track (57) adapted to be driven to move along by the input journal (27) and form a longitudinal bottom strand (58) for contact with the ground acting as a running member of the apparatus.
18. A device according to claim 17, characterised in that the crawler track (57) is formed of an endless belt passing around the input journal (27) and each output journal (33, 34).
19. A device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterised in that each journal (27, 33, 34) comprises two flanges (59) parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the journal (27, 33, 34), and adapted to form a roller for receiving and driving the crawler track (57).
20. A device according to one of claims 3 to 19, characterised in that the toothed wheel (50, 51, 52) of each journal (27, 33, 34) is interposed between the two flanges (59).
21. A device according to claim 20, characterised in that the crawler track (57) comprises inner notches or teeth (60) capable of being inserted between the flanges (59) of the journals (27, 33, 34).
22. A device according to one of claims 17 to 21, characterised in that the crawler track (57) is made of flexible synthetic material.
23. A self-propelled rolling apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface, comprising at least one driving shaft (2), running members (13, 14, 57) rotatable around transverse axes of rotation in order to drive the apparatus in displacement, and transmission means for transmitting the rotary driving movement of each driving shaft (2) to each running member (13, 14, 57), characterised in that the transmission means comprise at least one transmission device (6) according to one of claims 1 to 22.
24. An apparatus according to claim 23, which comprises two transmission devices (6) according to one of claims 1 to 22, one on each side.
25. An apparatus according to claim 24, comprising a central transverse rigid motor housing (1), characterised in that the transmission devices (6) are rigidly fixed respectively to each lateral end (7) of the motor housing (1), thus forming an overall H-shaped, rigid frame on which the other constituent elements of the apparatus are mounted and fixed.
26. An apparatus according to claim 25, which comprises:

    a front transverse wall (9) and a rear transverse wall (10) extending between the two lateral transmission devices (6) at the front and rear at a distance from the motor housing (1) so as to provide a passage for the water, and to form a bottom opening,

    a base (11), provided with water inlets (66) and adapted to close the said bottom opening,

    and a top hood (5) covering the transverse walls (9, 10), the lateral transmission devices (6) and the motor housing (1), this hood (5) being provided with a top orifice (4) for the evacuation of water, so that a hydraulic circuit is provided from the inlets (66) of the base (11), at the front and rear between the transverse walls (9, 10) and the motor housing (1) and between the lateral devices (6), and up to the orifice (4) of the hood (5).
27. An apparatus according to claim 26, characterised in that the motor housing (1) is moulded as close as possible around the elements which it contains and has rounded shapes promoting the water circulation.
28. An apparatus according to one of claims 25 and 26, characterised in that the motor housing (1) comprises an upper central motor, its shaft being orthogonal to the running plane and driving a pumping propeller (3) arranged outside the motor housing (1) under the orifice (4) of the hood (5), and capable of generating a flow of water in the apparatus.
29. An apparatus according to one of claims 26 to 28, characterised in that the base (11) bears a filter (12) interposed in the water circuit between the inlets (66) of the base (11) and the drain orifice (4) of the hood (5).
30. An apparatus according to one of claims 24 to 29, which comprises two independent separate motors, each of these motors having a driving shaft (2) coupled to one of the two transmission devices (6).
31. An apparatus according to one of claims 24 to 30, which comprises two pairs of independent running members (13, 14), namely a front pair of running members (13) and a rear pair of running members (14), the two running members of the same pair being arranged as a coaxial extension of each other, one of them being coupled to one of the two transmission devices (6), while the other is coupled to the other transmission device (6).
32. An apparatus according to one of claims 23 to 31, characterised in that each driving shaft (2) is rotatable about a transverse axis, and wherein the input journal (27) and the output journals (33, 34) of each transmission device are rotatable around transverse parallel axes, these different axes being at least substantially parallel to a running plane defined by the running members (13, 14, 57).
33. A method for maintaining the transmission of an apparatus according to one of claims 23 to 32, characterised in that:

    at least one lateral transmission casing (6), called a deficient casing (6), on which a maintenance operation is to be carried out, is demounted from the apparatus,

    a transmission casing (6) in working order is mounted on the apparatus, in place of each deficient casing, to make the apparatus operational.
34. A method according to claim 33, characterised in that, immediately after demounting at least one deficient casing (6), a different new transmission casing in working order is mounted, as a replacement of each previously demounted deficient casing, in order to immediately make the apparatus operational.

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