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

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for cleaning a surface immersed in a liquid, such as the walls of a swimming pool basin containing water.
• a liquid such as the walls of a swimming pool basin containing water.
• surface cleaning devices comprising a filtration chamber having a rigid lower wall extending opposite the surface to be cleaned and between two axles carrying rolling members intended to roll on the surface to be cleaned, at least one inlet.
• a hydraulic circuit is formed in the apparatus so that a circulation of liquid can be established in the filtration chamber from and through the liquid inlet (s) and through the filter (s) , under the effect of pumping means.
• the pumping means are integrated in the device, in particular in the filtration chamber.
• the liquid inlets of the bottom wall are generally fitted with non-return valves (US-2002/0104790).
• Such a valve is most often formed of an elastic membrane in bending fixed inside the retaining zone on one side of the inlet, or of a rigid articulated leaf.
• These non-return valves nevertheless prove to pose efficiency and / or design problems.
• an elastic membrane must be provided stiff enough to be recalled and applied forcefully against the entry. But, in this case, it generates in operation a significant pressure drop affecting the hydraulic efficiency of the pumping means. If the membrane is too flexible, it risks presenting a permanent deformation during use allowing the retrograde flow and impurities to pass. Both in the case of a flexible membrane and a rigid leaf, it frequently happens that impurities of large dimensions and / or of specific shapes (leaves, pine needles, etc.) become trapped in the liquid inlet.
• valve in particular between the valve and the wall portion forming the seat of this valve.
• the valve remains open, and impurities can emerge in a retrograde direction through the entry of liquid.
• the operation of extracting a device from the liquid is often carried out by successive irregular pulls exerted on a pipe or cable connected to the device. These irregular pulls can cause alternative variations in pressure at the level of the valves which can be caused to open while allowing untimely backflow of impurities in the retrograde direction. This drawback seriously affects the efficiency of the device since when the user extracts the device from the liquid after a cleaning cycle, the submerged surface is considered to be particularly clean.
• the invention therefore relates to a submerged surface cleaning device comprising: - a filtration chamber having: • a rigid lower wall extending opposite the surface to be cleaned and between two axles carrying rolling elements intended to roll on the surface to be cleaned, • at least one liquid inlet into the filtration chamber, each liquid inlet being formed through this lower wall and provided with a non-return device, • at least one filter extending at a distance from each inlet of liquid so that a solid impurity retention zone is defined between the liquid inlet (s) and the filter (s), - a hydraulic circuit adapted to form a circulation of liquid through the liquid inlet (s) and into the filtration chamber, under the effect of pumping means, characterized in that at least one non-return device for a liquid inlet consists of a conduit , says led non-return, adapted to extend into the retention zone from the liquid inlet and said bottom wall by presenting a free end opening into the retention zone, and to prevent at least the passage of impurities in the direction retrograde from the retention
• non-return conduit allows, for a minimal cost, to avoid any untimely backflow of impurities when the pumping means are stopped and / or when the device is extracted from the liquid, even if the latter is carried out by successive pulls. It also induces a very low pressure drop, almost zero, and in any case much lower than that due to a valve.
• the invention can be the subject of different embodiments, in particular according to the general architecture of the device.
• said liquid inlet fitted with a non-return duct being located in the lower part of the filtration chamber, the filter (s) extending above this liquid inlet, the non-return duct extends in the retaining zone upwards at least when the pumping means are active and when the device is facing a portion of horizontal surface.
• the duct has the effect of raising the entry of the liquid into the retention zone to a height greater than the base of the retention zone, which limits the possibilities of discharge of the impurities by gravity.
• the non-return duct has one end opening into the upper part of the retention zone under the filter (s) and at a distance from the filter (s).
• the height of the non-return duct in the retaining zone is greater than half that of the retaining zone.
• the non-return duct is rigid. In the case where it extends upwards, it then forms a liquid supply chimney in the retention zone.
• the non-return duct comprises at least one distal part (that is to say the one furthest from the corresponding liquid inlet) formed by a flexible sleeve capable of flatten out on itself and close spontaneously when the pumping means are inactive. When the pumping means are active, the liquid and the impurities circulate in the flexible sleeve which is inflated by the flow of liquid.
• This phenomenon of flattening of the sleeve can, depending on the flexibility of the sleeve, be obtained as soon as the pumping means stop, taking into account the pressure which can then prevail in the retaining zone, and the possible deformation of the ) flexible filter (s) which are wholly or partly pressed against the flexible sleeve.
• the flexible sleeve prevents, when it is flattened, any reflux of impurities outside the retaining zone, even if it can happen that an impurity such as a sheet, a pine needle or the like remains blocked in the flexible sleeve.
• the flexible sleeve is adapted so as not to be able to turn spontaneously on itself in the retrograde direction.
• the material which constitutes it, the shape of its cross section (rather elongated) and the length of the flexible sleeve, are chosen to avoid any untimely reversal in use, in particular during the extraction of the device from the liquid when the pumping means are inactive.
• the constituent material should not be too flexible.
• the material constituting the flexible sleeve can be chosen to be as flexible as possible as long as this condition remains satisfied (absence of risk of untimely reversal).
• the flexible sleeve is preferably non-elastic or weakly elastic in bending.
• the flexible sleeve is formed from a material based on synthetic fibers - notably resistant to the liquid in question, for example polyester fibers -.
• the non-return pipe must be at least sealed against solid impurities contained in the retention zone. It may also preferably be substantially liquid-tight, but nothing prevents it on the contrary from having a certain permeability to the liquid.
• the non-return duct comprises a rigid base extending in the retaining zone from the liquid inlet and adapted to receive the flexible sleeve.
• the flexible sleeve is adapted to be able to be mounted on the base in a removable manner to allow the change of this flexible sleeve.
• This mounting can be achieved by elastic clamping of the mounting end of the flexible sleeve, which has removable quick fixing means, for example a cuff or an elastic ring in traction, and / or buckle and hook fittings (NELCRO ®), and / or a rigid annular rib in traction of the sleeve elastically engaged in a groove in the base, or any other equivalent means forming a quick removable assembly.
• the free end of the non-return duct opens horizontally or downwards. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in the case of a rigid non-return pipe extending upwards. In this case, it avoids a drop of impurities from the retention zone in the non-return duct by gravity.
• a non-return duct comprising a flexible distal sleeve extending substantially horizontally from its base.
• the free end of the non-return duct - that is to say that of the flexible sleeve - opens upwards, and this, whether the flexible sleeve extends upwards, or on the contrary, more or less horizontally. Indeed, in all cases, the impurities cannot flow back into the flexible sleeve which will flatten, as indicated above.
• the non-return duct is adapted to form at least one baffle from the liquid inlet.
• One can for example provide a single baffle, or two successive baffles in two orthogonal directions.
• Such a baffle can be formed by the rigid mounting base of the flexible sleeve. It has the effect of causing a portion of the wall to form a screen between the retaining zone and the exterior of the liquid inlet, in any direction normal to the wall in which this liquid inlet is formed.
• the non-return device according to the invention consisting of said non-return duct, this non-return device is free from any other means preventing impurities from flowing back towards the outside, and in particular is free from any valve.
• each non-return device fitted to each liquid inlet of the rigid lower wall consists of a non-return duct.
• each of the liquid inlets is provided with such a non-return device specific to this liquid inlet.
• all the non-return devices of the same device according to the invention are identical.
• the retaining zone having at least one concave retaining volume generally elongated horizontally between two end portions, at least one liquid inlet is arranged in the lower part and offset towards the side of an end portion of the concave holding volume.
• Such a concave retaining volume is for example formed by a pocket of a filter bag.
• the device has, for each concave retaining volume, a single liquid inlet.
• the device has two concave retaining volumes on either side of a transverse crankcase, each having a liquid inlet at the bottom, the two liquid inlets being opposite one another.
• one of the liquid inlets is offset on one side of the device, while the other liquid inlet is offset on the other side of the device.
• the device according to the invention is also advantageously characterized in that it has at least two liquid inlets arranged on either side of a median transverse zone of the lower wall.
• each liquid inlet is flared towards the axle to which it is closest.
• an apparatus comprises at least one pumping member located in the upper part of the apparatus, and at least one electric motor device for driving this pumping member.
• the electric motor device and each pumping member are incorporated in the filtration chamber and / or carried by a rigid casing wall delimiting this filtration chamber.
• an apparatus is also characterized in that said rigid lower wall is removably mounted relative to a rigid casing wall which defines a lower opening closed by the lower wall, and in that it comprises a mounted filter on the rigid bottom wall so as to cover each liquid inlet.
• the filter is mounted on said bottom wall so as to extend at least substantially around the periphery of the bottom opening when said bottom wall is in place.
• the filter is mounted on the periphery of said lower wall which adjoins the periphery of the lower opening of the rigid casing wall.
• the invention further relates to a submerged surface cleaning device characterized in combination by all or some of the characteristics mentioned above or below.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view in vertical section of an example of an electrical cleaning device according to a first embodiment according to the preferred variant of the invention, shown with the active pumping means
• - Figure 2 is a view similar to the figure 1 representing the device when the pumping means are inactive, in particular during an extraction of the device from the water
• - Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1
• - Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an apparatus similar to that of Figures 1 to 3, but according to a second embodiment according to another v ariante of the invention
• - Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an apparatus similar to that of Figures 1 to 3 but according to a third embodiment according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, shown with the means of active pumping
• - Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the device when the
• the engine block 1 drives, on the one hand, rolling members such as transverse rollers 2 and / or lateral belts 3, and, on the other hand, at least one pumping member 4 such as a propeller located in the upper part of the device.
• the apparatus also comprises an external rigid wall 5 of casing defining around the engine block 1 and inside the enclosure defined by this rigid wall 5, a filtration chamber 6 containing, in the example shown, a bag filter 7.
• This wall 5 of the casing can be formed from several pieces assembled together.
• the bottom bottom 8 of the rigid wall 5 is removable, and provided with water inlets 9a, 9b, as shown in FIG. 7.
• This bottom 8 carries rigid rods 10a, 10b which support two pockets l ia, 1 lb of the bag filter 7 each forming a retaining volume l ia, 11b of solid impurities, each of these two pockets extending respectively on one side of the engine block 1, transversely along this engine block 1.
• the filter bag 7 thus defines a retention zone 12 of impurities, comprising these two pockets and a central part which connects them under the engine block 1.
• the filter bag 7 is carried by the removable bottom 8 so that it can be dismantled with this bottom 8 for cleaning the retention zone 12 to rid it of impurities extending between the filter bag 7 and the water inlets 9a, 9b.
• the rigid casing wall 5 defines a lower opening closed by the bottom 8, this lower opening being released when the bottom 8 is removed from the casing wall 5.
• the filter bag 7 is mounted on the bottom 8 so as to extend at least substantially around the periphery of the lower opening when the bottom 8 is in place on the casing wall 5. When the bottom 8 is removed, the filter bag 7 is extracted through the lower opening.
• the bottom 8 is mounted on the casing wall 5 with its peripheral edges which adjoin the peripheral edges of the lower opening, possibly with partial overlap and / or interlocking of these peripheral edges. The bottom 8 is held in place by screws and / or legs and / or elastic locking hooks or other removable quick fixing means.
• the filter bag 7 has a lower main opening delimited by its peripheral edges which are secured in the vicinity of the peripheral edges of the bottom 8, for example in a groove formed by parallel ribs along these edges towards the inside of the chamber. filtration.
• a hydraulic circuit is formed from each of the water inlets 9a, 9b formed on the lower bottom 8, to an upper water outlet 13 immediately above the pumping member 4, through the filter bag 7 and into the filtration chamber 6.
• the bottom 8 is provided with two water inlets 9a, 9b, namely a water inlet for each of the pockets l ia, 1 lb formed by the bag of filtering 7, that is to say on one side and the other of the engine block 1.
• each water inlet 9a, 9b forms at least one baffle in the longitudinal direction movement of the device so that a portion of wall 14 forms a screen in any normal direction a u bottom 8, between the retaining zone 12 and the outside of the bottom 8.
• Each water inlet 9a, 9b is also in the form of a flared recess from an at least substantially median transverse area of the bottom 8 to zone opposite the pocket ia, 11b, corresponding to the filter bag 7 (FIG. 7).
• each water inlet 9a, 9b is extended inside the retaining zone 12 by a base rigid 15 (forming the baffle and the wall portion 14 described above), the extreme internal part 16 of which is in the form of a cylinder (in the mathematical sense of the term), of section not necessarily symmetrical in revolution, and which can be polygonal, for example rectangular, with an axis oriented perpendicular to the bottom 8 and opposite the submerged surface 17, that is to say vertically upwards when this submerged surface 17 is horizontal.
• the end part 16 of the base 15 forms a cylindrical peripheral surface 18 (in the mathematical sense of the term) with a curved or polygonal base, not necessarily symmetrical in revolution, for example rectangular as shown.
• This range 18 is adapted to receive a lower end 19 of a flexible sleeve 20 extending upward in the retaining zone 12.
• the lower end 19 of the flexible sleeve 20 is for example formed of a cuff or an elastic ring tightened elastically on the cylindrical surface 18 of the base 15.
• the flexible sleeve 20 is held on the base 15 but can be easily separated from this base 15 in order to change the flexible sleeve 20 if necessary.
• Other means of fixing the flexible sleeve 20 on the base 15 can be provided (loops and hooks, rigid rib in a groove, etc.).
• these fixing means are of the type allowing a quick removable fixing of the flexible sleeve 20.
• the device shown in FIG. 1 comprises two flexible sleeves 20a, 20b, one for each of the water inlets 9a, 9b, respectively.
• Each flexible sleeve 20a, 20b extends upwards in the pocket l ia, 11b formed by the filter bag 7, and forms, in this pocket l ia, 1 lb, a non-return duct having an upper free end 21a , 21b opening into the retaining zone 12 immediately under the filter bag 7 held in the high position by the rods 10a, 10b.
• the flexible sleeve 20 extends over the greater part of the height of the retaining zone 12.
• the flexible sleeve 20 is formed of a flexible material, preferably non-elastic or not very elastic in bending, and is adapted to be able to flatten on itself and spontaneously close when the pumping member 4 is stopped and inactive, as shown in FIG. 2.
• the flexible sleeve 20 is for example formed from a synthetic fabric, for example a polyester fabric.
• the flexible sleeve 20 has a height such that it cannot turn over on itself.
• its cross section is elongated, for example rectangular as shown or oblong, and this asymmetry of shape also prevents any inversion of the flexible sleeve on itself.
• the nature of the material used and the thickness of the wall of the flexible sleeve gives it sufficient bending stiffness to prevent this reversal.
• the flexible sleeve is flexible enough to be able to flatten on itself when the pumping means are inactive, but rigid enough not to turn on itself spontaneously under the effect of the suction pressure towards outside the water inlets 9a, 9b when the device is extracted from the liquid.
• the upper end 21 of the flexible sleeve which opens into the retaining zone 12 is oriented generally upwards. This orientation is not important insofar as, as soon as the pumping member 4 is stopped, this upper end 21 is flattened on itself and is plugged, so that no impurity can fall by gravity inside the flexible sleeve 20.
• a flexible sleeve 20 having a certain elasticity of shape and a shape at rest with its upper end 21 flattened and closed, when the pumping means are inactive. When the pumping member 4 is driven, this upper end 21 is then opened by the flow aspirated by the pumping member 4.
• Such a flexible sleeve 20 actually performs a double function. In a first function, it forms a device for unidirectional circulation of the impurities from the corresponding water inlet 9a, 9b towards the retaining zone 12 by preventing any backflow in the retrograde direction of these impurities.
• This non-return conduit has one end upper free 23 which opens horizontally transversely into the upper part of the retaining zone 12, immediately under the filter bag 7.
• This alternative embodiment achieves a high point in the circuit for the entry of impurities and water into the retaining 12 so that when the pumping member 4 stops and when the device is extracted from the water, the impurities fall in the lower part of the retaining zone against the bottom 8, and are not driven in a retrograde direction in the non-return duct 22.
• the open end 23 of the non-return duct 22 remains open, the risk that one or more impurities pass (s) in the retrograde direction is not completely excluded .
• Figures 5 and 6 show a third embodiment which differs from the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 in that there is provided a flexible sleeve 24 extending generally horizontally and transversely in the retaining zone, and not up as before. As can be seen in FIG. 5, when the pumping member 4 is active, the water and the debris freely penetrate into the retaining zone 12, creating only a very small pressure drop in the hydraulic circuits.
• the flexible sleeve 24 falls back against the bottom 8, flattens and closes on itself preventing any untimely return of impurities in the retrograde direction. Again, even if impurities remain trapped inside the flexible sleeve 24, the latter having taken the forms of these impurities and, because of its flexibility, blocks the impurities it contains and prevents the passage of other impurities .
• This third embodiment can nevertheless have the disadvantage of faster and more significant fouling of the flexible sleeve because it is in the lower part of the retaining zone where the impurities accumulate as and when used. of the device. As seen in Figure 7, the two water inlets 9a, 9b, are opposite one another, that is to say on one side and the other of the device .
• the invention can be the subject of very many other alternative embodiments than those shown only by way of nonlimiting examples in the figures, in particular as regards the constitution of the non-return duct 15, 20, 22, 24, its mounting relative to the bottom 8 and relative to each liquid inlet 9a, 9b, formed in and through this bottom 8.
• the invention applies not only to an appliance cleaner with electric motor (s) as shown in the figures, but with any other category of apparatus for cleaning the surface immersed in a liquid, since this apparatus has a filtration chamber provided with at least one inlet liquid formed through a lower rigid wall and at least one filter. It is particularly advantageous for equipping at least one liquid inlet disposed under a filter when the device is moving opposite a horizontal submerged surface.
• only some of the liquid inlets in the filtration chamber can be equipped with such a non-return duct, others being fitted with a valve, or even no non-return device if this is not necessary, for example depending on the shape of the hydraulic circuit formed in the filtration chamber.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Filtration Of Liquid (AREA)
• Cleaning In General (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=34945415

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (37)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 2004
  • 2004-04-14 FR FR0403884A patent/FR2869058B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2005
  • 2005-04-13 EP EP05757071A patent/EP1735510A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-04-13 CA CA002558765A patent/CA2558765A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-04-13 WO PCT/FR2005/000891 patent/WO2005103416A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2005-04-13 US US11/578,160 patent/US20070251032A1/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events