EP2235292B1 - Apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface with removable filtration device - Google Patents

Apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface with removable filtration device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2235292B1
EP2235292B1 EP08863594A EP08863594A EP2235292B1 EP 2235292 B1 EP2235292 B1 EP 2235292B1 EP 08863594 A EP08863594 A EP 08863594A EP 08863594 A EP08863594 A EP 08863594A EP 2235292 B1 EP2235292 B1 EP 2235292B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shell
liquid
hollow body
filtering
shells
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Application number
EP08863594A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2235292A2 (en
Inventor
Philippe Pichon
Emmanuel Mastio
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Zodiac Pool Care Europe SAS
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Zodiac Pool Care Europe SAS
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Application filed by Zodiac Pool Care Europe SAS filed Critical Zodiac Pool Care Europe SAS
Publication of EP2235292A2 publication Critical patent/EP2235292A2/en
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/14—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
    • E04H4/16—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for specially adapted for cleaning
    • E04H4/1654—Self-propelled cleaners

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a surface cleaner device immersed in a liquid, in particular a swimming pool.
  • the access hatch to the filtering device is located at the base of the hollow body, the liquid inlets then necessarily being equipped with non-return devices such as valves.
  • non-return devices such as valves.
  • the invention aims to provide a submerged surface cleaner device whose performance ratio / cost is greatly improved over that of prior devices. More particularly, the invention aims to provide such a device whose cost can be substantially lowered, for equivalent performance, or even greater than those of known devices.
  • the invention also aims at providing such an apparatus, the filtering device of which can be easily dismounted without any specific tool and extracted from the filtration chamber without major difficulties.
  • the invention also aims at providing such an apparatus, the filtering device of which can be cleaned in a particularly convenient manner.
  • the invention also aims at providing such an apparatus which has high hydraulic (flow, suction, etc.) and filtering performances.
  • the invention also aims at providing such an apparatus that can have an access hatch located on the top of the apparatus and with a filtering device having a large debris storage volume and a simple hydraulic circuit which induces small losses of charge.
  • An apparatus comprising such a filter device with two shells assembled to one another so that once assembled they form a filter housing in one piece easily extractable from the device, is particularly practical to use.
  • a filter housing has a first shell which serves as a debris recovery bag and a second shell which serves as a liquid inlet conduit and partially obstruct the debris recovery bag so that when the device is operating on a submerged surface, the debris are housed in the debris recovery bag without being able to come out through the liquid inlet.
  • the two shells are adapted to be dissociated from one another, once the filter housing extracted from the device. Therefore, it is particularly convenient to clean the filter device by separating the two shells from each other and removing the debris stuck in the first shell. Once the first shell forming the cleaned debris collection bag, a user can assemble the shells to one another and reinsert the filter housing thus formed in the device.
  • this particular arrangement allows both to maintain high hydraulic performance (flow, suction) and filtering, while improving access to the filtering device and facilitating the cleaning of this filtering device.
  • this filtering device can have a large volume of debris storage without loss of harmful load.
  • the two shells are assembled to one another so as to be dissociated from one another by simple manipulation without tools.
  • the shells are assembled to one another by reversible embedding means.
  • the front opening of the first shell extends around the periphery of a rear wall of the second shell and the inlet opening.
  • the two shells are assembled to one another according to a junction zone which extends generally transversely and orthogonally to the longitudinal direction.
  • the second shell forms at least one liquid inlet duct extending from a lower end of this inlet duct opening at the base of the hollow body and constituting a liquid inlet.
  • the filter housing thus formed comprises a lower end which opens at the base of the hollow body and which constitutes a liquid inlet.
  • this filter housing forms the "dirty" part, called dirty circuit, of the hydraulic circuit of the device, that is to say the part of the hydraulic circuit capable of transporting debris.
  • the filter housing being removable, the dirty circuit is completely removable. A user can therefore clean the entire dirty circuit of the device and thus restore to a device according to the invention its initial performance.
  • the second shell has a rear transverse separation wall extending transversely to the front of the debris recovery volume, between each liquid inlet and said inlet opening provided at an upper end of said duct. input.
  • This transverse rear wall acts as a non-return wall so that debris that has passed this wall can no longer emerge through the liquid inlet, even when the pumping device is stopped, which eliminates the need to spare valves or other non-return devices on the liquid inlets.
  • the inventors have found that the arrangement of this wall on the path of the liquid between each liquid inlet and each liquid outlet, which at first sight may seem unfavorable from the point of view of hydraulic performance (flow, suction,. ..), actually improves filtration performance by generating turbulence at in the filtering device which permanently maintain debris suspended in the filtering device, thus avoiding clogging of the walls of the filtering device, and ultimately promoting the hydrodynamic performance of the filtering device and the hydraulic circuit.
  • the pressure losses induced by the arrangement of a wall on the hydraulic path are compensated by maintaining the initial permeability of the filtering walls of the filtering device.
  • the periods of service between which the device must be cleaned are longer and especially of substantially constant duration, to the benefit of greater comfort of use.
  • the first shell comprises a rigid frame adapted to impose a three-dimensional shape to these peripheral walls, and a filter sheet extending into openings formed by the rigid frame.
  • said first shell has a decreasing transverse cross section from front to rear.
  • a filtering device whose transverse cross section is decreasing from front to rear makes it possible to ensure filtration of the essentially tangential type of the liquid circulating in the filtering device.
  • a convergent shell also causes a swirling of the liquid flowing in this shell, which ensures a continuous unclogging of the walls of the hull having the effect of restoring to the various walls of the hull their initial permeability.
  • said first shell has a horizontal upper wall extending from the front opening, and a lower rear wall inclined rearwardly and upwardly since a bottom portion of the first shell, to an upper rearmost portion.
  • At least one of the shells has a handle for handling the filter housing.
  • Such a handle allows easy handling of the filter housing when the two shells are assembled to one another.
  • said access hatch is formed on an upper wall of the hollow body.
  • Such an apparatus is particularly practical to handle since the extraction of the filtering device from the apparatus does not impose delicate manipulations of the apparatus. In particular, it is not necessary to return the device to remove the filter device for cleaning. Disassembly of the filter device can be achieved while the device is at rest, in its normal position, on a horizontal surface.
  • an apparatus according to the invention is free of a check valve of liquid.
  • an apparatus comprises at least one liquid outlet out of the hollow body, said rear outlet, shifted rearwardly with respect to the filter housing.
  • an apparatus comprises a rear outlet generating a flow of liquid oriented with a longitudinal component towards the rear.
  • an apparatus can be provided with a pump motor - in particular an electric pump motor - and a drive device - notably comprising at least one electric drive motor - whose power is reduced, and therefore consumption and reduced costs.
  • a pump motor in particular an electric pump motor - and a drive device - notably comprising at least one electric drive motor - whose power is reduced, and therefore consumption and reduced costs.
  • This also results in a lower overall volume and a lower weight of the device which, in addition to the savings made, is an important advantage for the user, particularly in terms of handling, transport and storage of the device.
  • an apparatus comprises a motorized device for pumping the liquid between each liquid inlet and each liquid outlet via the filter housing.
  • the invention further relates to a submerged surface cleaner apparatus characterized in combination by all or some of the features mentioned above or below.
  • An apparatus comprises a hollow body 1 and rolling bodies 2, 3, 4 for guiding and driving the hollow body 1 on a surface immersed in a main direction of advancement, referred to as the longitudinal direction, parallel to the surface submerged.
  • This hollow body 1 is formed mainly of a concave casing delimiting a main enclosure.
  • This concave casing is for example made by molding or rotational molding.
  • This housing is preferably made of a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, PMMA or any equivalent material.
  • This hollow body 1 has a central chamber adapted to receive a filtration chamber.
  • This central chamber is delimited by a lower wall extending in a substantially horizontal plane; by sidewalls extending generally in vertical planes; by a front wall extending generally in a vertical plane, orthogonal to the planes of the vertical side walls; and by a rear wall extending generally in a vertical plane orthogonal to the planes of the vertical side walls.
  • the bottom wall has an opening extending transversely to the vicinity of the front wall so that liquid can enter the central chamber through this lower transverse opening. This opening forms an inlet 9 of liquid in the hollow body 1.
  • the rear wall comprises a cylindrical opening forming a liquid outlet out of the hollow body 1.
  • This liquid outlet 10 formed in the rear wall of the housing is longitudinally offset from the inlet 9 of liquid formed in the bottom wall.
  • this liquid outlet 10 is arranged in the upper part of the casing so that it is also vertically offset from the inlet 9 of liquid.
  • this central chamber this inlet 9 of liquid and this liquid outlet 10 forms a filtration chamber 8.
  • This filtration chamber 8 further comprises a hydraulic circuit adapted to ensure a flow of liquid between the inlet 9 of liquid and the outlet 10 of liquid through a filtering device 11.
  • the inlet 9 of liquid and the outlet 10 of liquid are centered on a same longitudinal vertical plane of the apparatus.
  • the central chamber of the hollow body 1 is adapted to receive a filtering device 11.
  • the filter device 11 comprises two shells, a first shell 55 forming a debris recovery pocket and a second shell 49 adapted to be assembled to the first shell 55 so as to form a filter housing.
  • the first shell 55 which forms a debris recovery pocket of the filtering device 11 has filtering walls 56, 57, 58, 59 extending rearwardly from an opening 64 before. These walls 56, 57, 58, 59 filtering are adapted to retain any debris carried by the liquid and to allow the flow of liquid out of this first shell 55.
  • the second shell 49 forms a liquid inlet duct 15 in the hollow body 1 which extends from a lower end of this inlet duct 15 opening at the base of the hollow body 1 and constituting an inlet 9 of liquid.
  • the first shell 55 comprises, at its lower front end, pins 68 which protrude from the plane of the opening 64 of the first shell 55.
  • These pins 68 have shapes and dimensions shaped and conjugated with lights 69 formed in tabs 70 integral with the lower rear end of the inlet duct 15, and substantially perpendicular to the rear wall 16 of the duct, so that these pins 68 can snap into the lights 69 and allow a mechanical connection of the lower ends of the first shell 55 and the second shell 49.
  • the first shell 55 has at its upper front end an element 71 adapted to be housed in a cleat 72 arranged at the upper end of the front wall of the duct 15 so as to allow the assembly between the upper ends of the first shell 55 and the second shell 49.
  • This element 71 protrudes relative to the plane of the opening 64 and has a ruler which extends downwards, not shown in the figures, and adapted to fit into the cleat 72.
  • the end the cleat 72 facing the first shell 55 is further bevelled to facilitate the insertion of the ruler of the element 71 in the cleat 72.
  • this cleat 72 is flexible in compression so that it can deform downwardly when nesting between the element 71 and this cleat 72.
  • This flexibility in compression also allows a user to exert a downward pressure on the cleat 72, for example with his thumb, which allows disengage the ruler of the element 71 of the cleat 72, thus causing a separation of the upper ends of the first shell 55 and the duct 15.
  • the assembly between the first shell 55 and the second shell 49 is made by assembling first the lower ends to one another and then fitting the upper ends into one another. Hull separation is accomplished by first disengaging the upper ends of each other and then disengaging the lower ends of each other. Assembly and separation of the first 55 and the second shell 49 can therefore be easily performed without tools by a user.
  • This relative assembly between the first shell 55 and the second shell 49 is adapted so that once assembled, the second shell 49 closes said opening 64 before the first shell 55, with the exception of a liquid inlet passage. constituting an opening 54 for entering the liquid into the first shell 55, the section of this inlet opening 54 being smaller than that of the opening 64 before the first shell 55.
  • the first shell 55 which forms the debris recovery pocket is formed of a rigid frame 26 and a filtering web - in particular a filtering cloth - extending into openings formed by this framework.
  • the filtering device 11 is therefore self-supporting and can be easily manipulated by a user.
  • this filter device 11 forms an extractable filter housing whose lower end defined by the lower end of the inlet duct 15 forms the inlet 9 of liquid in the hollow body 1.
  • the first shell 55 has a decreasing transverse cross section from the front opening 64 towards the liquid outlet 10 so as to form a convergent filtration chamber of the tangential type of the liquid flowing between the opening 64 and the outlet 10 of the liquid.
  • the first shell 55 has a bottom filter wall 56 inclined backwards and upwards from a bottom portion of the first shell 55.
  • This lower inclined wall 56 forms with the longitudinal direction an angle which in the example shown is of the order of 45 °.
  • This first shell 55 further comprises a generally horizontal upper wall 57 and extending rearwardly from the front opening 64.
  • This filtering upper wall 57 is connected to the filtering lower wall 56 by a portion 61 upper extreme rear curve.
  • the rearwardly curved portion 61 has a minimum transverse cross-section while the portion of the first shell 55 opposite this curved portion 61, i.e., at the front opening 64, has maximum cross section.
  • the first shell 55 has a decreasing transverse cross section from the front opening 64 to the rearwardly curved portion 61, that is to say towards the rear outlet 10.
  • the first shell 55 has a cross section having the shape of a right triangle, the lower wall 56 inclined forming the hypotenuse.
  • the apparatus also includes, as shown especially on the figure 3 , a hatch 6 access to this device 11 filtering.
  • This access hatch 6 forms an upper wall of the hollow body 1 and covers the latter.
  • this hatch 6 is formed on the top of the device so that a user of the device can easily open the hatch 6 and extract the filter device 11.
  • the access hatch 6 is articulated to the body 1 of the apparatus by hinges 23 arranged at the rear of the apparatus.
  • the filtering device 11 is a device mounted in the central chamber 1 of the hollow body 1 in the manner of a drawer.
  • the rigid frame 26 of the filtering device 11 further has two ribs 25 extending laterally on each side of the filtering device 11. These ribs are preferably formed on the side walls of the inlet duct 15 since this duct has no filter walls. However, they could according to other embodiments be arranged on the side walls of the filter walls, for example on the frame 26 of the first shell. Wherever these ribs 25 have shapes and dimensions shaped and conjugate shapes and dimensions of grooves 24 integral with the hollow body 1. These grooves 24 integral with the hollow body 1 extend vertically along the inner faces of the vertical side walls of the hollow body 1. The ribs 25 of the filtering device 11 are therefore adapted to cooperate with the grooves 24 of the hollow body 1 of the apparatus
  • the extraction of the filtering device 11 results from a displacement in translation of the filtering device 11 along the grooves 24 of the hollow body 1.
  • a user can easily remove the filtering device 11 from the hollow body 1 for example to clean it.
  • a user can easily, as indicated above, separate the two shells forming this device. This user can thus clean the first shell which forms the debris recovery pocket, as well as the second shell 49 which forms the inlet duct 15 and the liquid inlet 9 arranged at the lower end of the inlet duct 15 .
  • the user can easily assemble these shells 49, 55, as indicated above, and reintroduce without difficulty the filtering device 11 in one piece into the hollow body 1 by orienting the filtering device 11 so that the ribs 25 of the filtering device 11 are in view the grooves 24 of the hollow body, and then sliding the filtering device 11 in the hollow body 1.
  • the filtering device 11 further comprises a handle 28 formed on an upper portion of the filtering device 11 so as to facilitate the handling of the filtering device 11.
  • a user can easily assemble / disassemble the filtering device 11 via this handle 28 when the device is out of the liquid and rests on a horizontal surface.
  • the handle 28 is an extension of the rear portion of the bolt 71 on which a user can exert pressure to release the bolt 71 of the keeper 72 formed in the second shell 49 as mentioned above.
  • an apparatus comprises a motorized liquid pumping device comprising an electric pumping motor 12 having a rotary motor shaft 13 coupled to a pumping propeller 14 interposed in the hydraulic circuit so as to generate a flow of liquid therebetween the inlet 9 of liquid and the outlet 10 of liquid.
  • the liquid outlet 10 is directly opposite the pumping propeller so that the liquid flows out of the liquid outlet 10 in a direction corresponding to the flow of liquid generated by the pumping propeller, this flow having a speed oriented along the axis 51 of rotation of the propeller 14.
  • the pumping propeller 14 has an orientation for generating a liquid flow with a horizontal component to the rear.
  • the pumping propeller 14 interposed in the hydraulic circuit between the liquid inlet 9 and the liquid outlet 10 has an inclined axis of rotation making, with said longitudinal direction and with the theoretical rolling plane 50, an angle ⁇ different from 90 °.
  • This propeller 14 is rotated by the electric pumping motor 12 which has preferably, a rotating motor shaft 13 parallel to the axis of rotation of the propeller 14.
  • the electric pumping motor 12 is arranged under the hydraulic circuit, entirely outside this hydraulic circuit which entirely bypasses the pump motor 12 from above.
  • the rotary shaft 13 of the pump motor 12 passes through an inclined lower wall defining the hydraulic circuit.
  • the seal is provided by an O-ring 18.
  • the figure 8 comprises a representation of the circulation of liquid in the hollow body 1 of the apparatus.
  • This circulation is schematically represented on the figure 8 by the arrows 66.
  • Liquid enters the hollow body 1 through the inlet 9 of liquid arranged under the apparatus.
  • This liquid passes into the second shell 49 forming the liquid inlet duct 15 to reach the first shell 55 which forms a debris recovery pocket.
  • This debris recovery pouch allows the liquid to pass through the filter cloth and retains solid debris.
  • the filtered liquid then reaches the liquid outlet 10 and is ejected at the rear of the apparatus, in the basin from which it comes.
  • the liquid outlet 10 facing the pumping propeller 14 the liquid flows out of the apparatus through this outlet with a speed V oriented along the axis 51 of the pumping propeller 14 and having a component longitudinally rearward which induces by reaction forces, whose resultant has a longitudinal component of forward drive which participates in driving the apparatus on the immersed surface.
  • the orientation of the hydraulic reaction force created by this output flow, and therefore the amplitude of its longitudinal component, depend on the inclination ⁇ , relative to the theoretical rolling plane 50, of the axis 51 of rotation. of the propeller and the liquid outlet.
  • this inclination ⁇ is between 15 ° and 45 °.
  • the electric pumping motor is arranged under the hydraulic circuit, entirely outside this hydraulic circuit, so that the filtering device 11 of the hydraulic circuit can be removed from the apparatus by the top of the hydraulic circuit. the device as before mentioned, without being bothered by the pumping motor.
  • Only the pumping propeller 14 is arranged in the hydraulic circuit so as to ensure the flow of liquid.
  • This pumping propeller 14 is arranged at the rear of the apparatus, close to the liquid outlet 10. In other words, the pump propeller 14 and the liquid outlet 10 form the end portion of the hydraulic circuit.
  • the electric motors for driving and pumping can be of all types known. According to a preferred embodiment, these electric motors are low voltage motors. They can be powered by a power supply external to the device via an electric cable, not shown in the figures, which is connected to the device at an input zone 19 of the electrical cable in the apparatus, as shown on the figure 1 .
  • the rolling members for guiding and driving the apparatus comprise a front axle comprising front driving wheels, one on each side, and a rear axle comprising 3 non-drive rear wheels, one on each side.
  • the apparatus comprises brushes 4 arranged at the front of the apparatus. These brushes 4 are intended to ensure a brushing of the immersed surface and to move the brushed debris towards the rear of the apparatus towards the inlet 9 of liquid arranged under the apparatus.
  • the apparatus further comprises at least one electric motor for driving the front 2-wheel drive wheels.
  • the apparatus comprises two drive motors, one on each side, respectively for the independent drive of each of the front wheels.
  • each front wheel 2 has an internal toothing 5 cooperating with a pinion driven by the corresponding drive motor 20.
  • the apparatus comprises two coaxial front brushes 4.
  • Each brush 4 is adapted to be rotated about an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
  • Each brush 4 comprises a plurality of fins 41 extending radially from a brush shaft forming the axis of rotation of the brush 4.
  • the fins 41 are for example made of rubber made of a resistant plastic material.
  • the brushes 4 are preferably also rotated from at least one electric drive motor 2 of the front wheels 2 via a gear system.
  • the rolling members consist of front 2-wheel, non-driving rear 3 and brush 4 which participate in driving and guiding the device on the immersed surface.
  • the rolling members 2, 3, 4 have areas intended to come into contact with the immersed surface which are coplanar and define a theoretical rolling plane 50.
  • the longitudinal direction of advancement of the apparatus is parallel to this theoretical plane of rolling.
  • the front wheels 2 preferably have a diameter of between 100 mm and 500 mm, in particular between 150 mm and 250 mm. According to the embodiment of the figures, the front wheels 2 have a diameter of the order of 200mm. In this way, these front wheels 2 facilitate the crossing of obstacles and have improved motor skills.
  • their peripheral tread is formed or coated with a non-slip material.
  • the front wheels 2 and the brushes 4 constitute forward driving members 2, 4 which extend projecting forwardly with respect to the other components of the apparatus, in particular the hollow body, so as to form the end part. before the aircraft and coming first into contact with an obstacle encountered during the forward movement.
  • the apparatus also comprises a maneuvering handle 7 allowing a user to wear the device to immerse in a liquid and out of the latter.
  • This handle 7 is preferably arranged opposite the liquid outlet 10 so that when the hollow body 1 is suspended by this handle, the device switches spontaneously under the effect of gravity in a position in which the liquid outlet 10 is located under the inlet 9 of liquid, which allows a drain of the device.
  • the appliance is moved from the cleaning position to the emptying position, the debris sucked by the appliance is held in the filtering device and is not likely to come out of the appliance.
  • the filtering device 11 may form more than one liquid inlet.
  • the invention applies to a bidirectional apparatus capable of retrograde movement.

Abstract

Detailed is a device for cleaning an immersed surface including a body and members for driving the body over the immersed surface; a filtration chamber which is provided in the body and which has: a liquid inlet; a liquid outlet; a hydraulic circuit for flow of liquid between the inlet and the outlet through a filtering device, wherein the filtering device includes a first filtering shell which extends towards the rear of the body, from a front opening; a second shell which is fitted to the first shell at the front thereof, these shells being able to be fitted together so as to form an integral filtering casing; in which case the second shell closes the front opening of the first shell, with the exception of a liquid inlet passage; the two shells being able to be separated from each other by disengaging the front opening of the first shell which acts as an opening for emptying this shell.

Description

L'invention concerne un appareil nettoyeur de surface immergée dans un liquide, en particulier de piscine.The invention relates to a surface cleaner device immersed in a liquid, in particular a swimming pool.

Certains appareils nettoyeurs de piscine connus comprennent :

  • un corps creux et des organes de guidage et d'entraînement dudit corps sur la surface immergée selon une direction principale d'avancement, dite direction longitudinale,
  • une chambre de filtration ménagée dans ledit corps creux et présentant :
    • . au moins une entrée de liquide située à la base dudit corps creux,
    • . au moins une sortie de liquide hors du corps creux située à distance de la base du corps creux,
    • . un circuit hydraulique adapté pour assurer une circulation de liquide entre chaque entrée et chaque sortie de liquide à travers un dispositif de filtrage monté amovible dans la chambre de filtration,
  • une trappe d'accès au dispositif de filtrage, ménagée sur une paroi extérieure du corps creux et adaptée pour permettre le démontage et l'extraction du dispositif de filtrage hors du corps creux en vue de son nettoyage.
Some known pool cleaner devices include:
  • a hollow body and guiding and driving members of said body on the submerged surface in a main direction of advancement, said longitudinal direction,
  • a filtration chamber formed in said hollow body and having:
    • . at least one liquid inlet located at the base of said hollow body,
    • . at least one liquid outlet out of the hollow body located at a distance from the base of the hollow body,
    • . a hydraulic circuit adapted to ensure a circulation of liquid between each inlet and each liquid outlet through a filtering device removably mounted in the filtration chamber,
  • an access hatch to the filtering device, formed on an outer wall of the hollow body and adapted to allow disassembly and extraction of the filter device from the hollow body for cleaning.

Dans certains de ces appareils connus (cf. par exemple US 6 013 178 ), la trappe d'accès au dispositif de filtrage est située à la base du corps creux, les entrées de liquide étant alors nécessairement équipées de dispositifs anti-retour tels que des clapets. Or, cette disposition n'est pas commode pour l'utilisateur qui doit préalablement renverser l'appareil, ce qui peut l'endommager et par ailleurs provoquer des écoulements de liquide intempestifs désagréables.In some of these known devices (see for example US 6,013,178 ), the access hatch to the filtering device is located at the base of the hollow body, the liquid inlets then necessarily being equipped with non-return devices such as valves. However, this arrangement is not convenient for the user who must previously reverse the device, which can damage it and also cause unwanted liquid flow unpleasant.

Dans d'autres appareils connus (cf. par exemple US 6409916 ), la trappe d'accès est disposée au-dessus de l'appareil, mais le circuit hydraulique présente alors un cheminement particulièrement tortueux qui nécessite notamment l'utilisation d'un dispositif de pompage puissant et donc consommateur en énergie. Le document US 2002/104790 décrit un appareil nettoyeur de surface immergée, qui comprend les caractéristiques du préambule de la revendication 1.In other known devices (for example, see US 6409916 ), the access door is disposed above the device, but the hydraulic circuit then has a particularly tortuous path that requires in particular the use of a powerful pumping device and therefore energy consumer. The document US 2002/104790 discloses a submerged surface cleaner apparatus which comprises the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Dans ce contexte, l'invention vise à proposer un appareil nettoyeur de surface immergée dont le rapport perfonnances/coût est grandement amélioré par rapport à celui des appareils antérieurs. Plus particulièrement, l'invention vise à proposer un tel appareil dont le coût peut être sensiblement abaissé, pour des performances équivalentes, voire supérieures à celles des appareils connus.In this context, the invention aims to provide a submerged surface cleaner device whose performance ratio / cost is greatly improved over that of prior devices. More particularly, the invention aims to provide such a device whose cost can be substantially lowered, for equivalent performance, or even greater than those of known devices.

L'invention vise également à proposer un tel appareil dont le dispositif de filtrage peut être aisément démonté sans outil spécifique et extrait de la chambre de filtration sans difficultés majeures.The invention also aims at providing such an apparatus, the filtering device of which can be easily dismounted without any specific tool and extracted from the filtration chamber without major difficulties.

L'invention vise également à proposer un tel appareil dont le dispositif de filtrage peut être nettoyé de manière particulièrement commode.The invention also aims at providing such an apparatus, the filtering device of which can be cleaned in a particularly convenient manner.

L'invention vise également à proposer un tel appareil qui présente des performances hydrauliques (débit, aspiration, ...) et de filtrage élevées.The invention also aims at providing such an apparatus which has high hydraulic (flow, suction, etc.) and filtering performances.

L'invention vise également à proposer un tel appareil pouvant présenter une trappe d'accès située sur le dessus de l'appareil et avec un dispositif de filtrage présentant un grand volume de stockage des débris et un circuit hydraulique simple qui induit de faibles pertes de charge.The invention also aims at providing such an apparatus that can have an access hatch located on the top of the apparatus and with a filtering device having a large debris storage volume and a simple hydraulic circuit which induces small losses of charge.

Pour ce faire, l'invention concerne un appareil nettoyeur de surface immergée comprenant :

  • un corps creux et des organes de guidage et d'entraînement dudit corps creux sur la surface immergée selon une direction principale d'avancement, dite direction longitudinale,
  • une chambre de filtration ménagée dans ledit corps creux et présentant :
    • . au moins une entrée de liquide située à la base dudit corps creux,
    • . au moins une sortie de liquide hors du corps creux située à distance de la base dudit corps creux,
    • . un circuit hydraulique adapté pour assurer une circulation de liquide entre chaque entrée et chaque sortie à travers un dispositif de filtrage sous l'effet d'un dispositif de pompage.
    caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de filtrage comprend :
  • une première coque présentant des parois périphériques filtrantes s'étendant vers une extrémité longitudinale du corps creux déterminant l'arrière du corps creux, à partir d'une ouverture avant de cette première coque et délimitant, vers l'arrière, un volume de récupération des débris, lesdites parois filtrantes étant adaptées pour retenir les éventuels débris véhiculés par le liquide et pour autoriser l'écoulement du liquide hors de cette première coque,
  • une deuxième coque assemblée à la première coque à l'avant de celle-ci, ces deux coques et leur assemblage relatif étant adaptés de façon que :
    • . les deux coques peuvent être assemblées l'une à l'autre de façon à former un boîtier filtrant d'un seul tenant monté dans la chambre de filtration de façon à être amovible alors que l'appareil repose en position de nettoyage sur une surface horizontale, ce boîtier filtrant pouvant être inséré d'un seul tenant dans la chambre de filtration et extrait d'un seul tenant hors de cette chambre de filtration,
    • . lorsque les deux coques sont assemblées l'une à l'autre, la deuxième coque referme ladite ouverture avant de la première coque, à l'exception d'un passage d'entrée du liquide constituant une ouverture d'entrée du liquide dans ledit volume de récupération des débris, la section de cette ouverture d'entrée étant plus petite que celle de l'ouverture avant de la première coque,
    • . les deux coques assemblées peuvent être déplacées l'une par rapport à l'autre, après extraction du boîtier filtrant hors de la chambre de filtration, en dégageant ladite ouverture avant de la première coque faisant office d'ouverture de vidange de cette première coque.
To do this, the invention relates to a submerged surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
  • a hollow body and guide and drive members of said hollow body on the immersed surface in a main direction of advancement, said longitudinal direction,
  • a filtration chamber formed in said hollow body and having:
    • . at least one liquid inlet located at the base of said hollow body,
    • . at least one liquid outlet out of the hollow body located at a distance from the base of said hollow body,
    • . a hydraulic circuit adapted to ensure a circulation of liquid between each inlet and each outlet through a filter device under the effect of a pumping device.
    characterized in that the filtering device comprises:
  • a first shell having filtering peripheral walls extending towards a longitudinal end of the hollow body defining the rear of the hollow body, from a front opening of this first shell and defining, aft, a recovery volume of the debris, said filtering walls being adapted to retain any debris carried by the liquid and to allow the flow of liquid out of this first shell,
  • a second hull assembled to the first hull at the front thereof, these two hulls and their relative assembly being adapted so that:
    • . the two shells can be assembled to one another so as to form a single filter housing mounted in the filter chamber so as to be removable while the apparatus is in the cleaning position on a horizontal surface , this filter housing can be inserted in one piece into the filtration chamber and extracted in one piece out of this filtration chamber,
    • . when the two shells are assembled to each other, the second shell closes said front opening of the first shell, with the exception of a liquid inlet passage constituting a liquid inlet opening in said volume debris recovery, the section of this inlet opening being smaller than that of the front opening of the first shell,
    • . the two assembled hulls can be moved relative to each other, after extraction of the filter housing out of the filtration chamber, by releasing said opening before the first hull acting as drain opening of this first shell.

Un appareil selon l'invention comprenant un tel dispositif de filtrage à deux coques assemblées l'une à l'autre de façon qu'une fois assemblées elles forment un boîtier filtrant d'un seul tenant aisément extractible de l'appareil, est particulièrement pratique à l'utilisation. En effet, un tel boîtier filtrant présente une première coque qui fait office de poche de récupération des débris et une seconde coque qui fait office de conduit d'entrée de liquide et vient obstruer en partie la poche de récupération des débris de telle sorte que lorsque l'appareil est en fonctionnement sur une surface immergée, les débris viennent se loger dans la poche de récupération des débris sans pouvoir ressortir par l'entrée de liquide. De plus, les deux coques sont adaptées pour pouvoir être dissociées l'une de l'autre, une fois le boîtier filtrant extrait de l'appareil. Dès lors, il est particulièrement commode de nettoyer le dispositif de filtrage en séparant les deux coques l'une de l'autre et en procédant à l'extraction des débris coincés dans la première coque. Une fois la première coque formant la poche de récupération des débris nettoyée, un utilisateur peut assembler les coques l'une à l'autre et réinsérer la boîtier filtrant ainsi formé dans l'appareil.An apparatus according to the invention comprising such a filter device with two shells assembled to one another so that once assembled they form a filter housing in one piece easily extractable from the device, is particularly practical to use. Indeed, such a filter housing has a first shell which serves as a debris recovery bag and a second shell which serves as a liquid inlet conduit and partially obstruct the debris recovery bag so that when the device is operating on a submerged surface, the debris are housed in the debris recovery bag without being able to come out through the liquid inlet. In addition, the two shells are adapted to be dissociated from one another, once the filter housing extracted from the device. Therefore, it is particularly convenient to clean the filter device by separating the two shells from each other and removing the debris stuck in the first shell. Once the first shell forming the cleaned debris collection bag, a user can assemble the shells to one another and reinsert the filter housing thus formed in the device.

En outre, les inventeurs ont constaté que cet agencement particulier permet à la fois de conserver des performances hydrauliques (débit, aspiration) et de filtrage élevées, tout en améliorant l'accès au dispositif de filtrage et en facilitant le nettoyage de ce dispositif de filtrage. En particulier, ce dispositif de filtrage peut présenter un grand volume de stockage des débris sans perte de charge nuisible.In addition, the inventors have found that this particular arrangement allows both to maintain high hydraulic performance (flow, suction) and filtering, while improving access to the filtering device and facilitating the cleaning of this filtering device. . In particular, this filtering device can have a large volume of debris storage without loss of harmful load.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, les deux coques sont assemblées l'une à l'autre de façon à pouvoir être dissociées l'une de l'autre par simple manipulation sans outils.Advantageously and according to the invention, the two shells are assembled to one another so as to be dissociated from one another by simple manipulation without tools.

Par exemple, selon une variante de l'invention, les coques sont assemblées l'une à l'autre par des moyens d'encastrement réversible.For example, according to a variant of the invention, the shells are assembled to one another by reversible embedding means.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, l'ouverture avant de la première coque s'étend sur le pourtour d'une paroi arrière de la deuxième coque et de l'ouverture d'entrée.Advantageously and according to the invention, the front opening of the first shell extends around the periphery of a rear wall of the second shell and the inlet opening.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, les deux coques sont assemblées l'une à l'autre selon une zone de jonction qui s'étend globalement transversalement et orthogonalement à la direction longitudinale.Advantageously and according to the invention, the two shells are assembled to one another according to a junction zone which extends generally transversely and orthogonally to the longitudinal direction.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, la deuxième coque forme au moins un conduit d'entrée de liquide s'étendant à partir d'une extrémité inférieure de ce conduit d'entrée débouchant à la base du corps creux et constituant une entrée de liquide.Advantageously and according to the invention, the second shell forms at least one liquid inlet duct extending from a lower end of this inlet duct opening at the base of the hollow body and constituting a liquid inlet.

Un tel agencement est particulièrement efficace étant donné que le boîtier filtrant ainsi formé comprend une extrémité inférieure qui débouche à la base du corps creux et qui constitue une entrée de liquide. Ainsi, ce boîtier filtrant forme la partie « sale », dite circuit sale, du circuit hydraulique de l'appareil, c'est-à-dire la partie du circuit hydraulique susceptible de transporter des débris. Le boîtier filtrant étant démontable, le circuit sale est intégralement démontable. Un utilisateur peut donc nettoyer l'intégralité du circuit sale de l'appareil et redonner ainsi à un appareil selon l'invention ses performances initiales.Such an arrangement is particularly effective since the filter housing thus formed comprises a lower end which opens at the base of the hollow body and which constitutes a liquid inlet. Thus, this filter housing forms the "dirty" part, called dirty circuit, of the hydraulic circuit of the device, that is to say the part of the hydraulic circuit capable of transporting debris. The filter housing being removable, the dirty circuit is completely removable. A user can therefore clean the entire dirty circuit of the device and thus restore to a device according to the invention its initial performance.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, la deuxième coque présente une paroi arrière de séparation transversale s'étendant transversalement à l'avant du volume de récupération des débris, entre chaque entrée de liquide et ladite ouverture d'entrée ménagée à une extrémité supérieure dudit conduit d'entrée.Advantageously and according to the invention, the second shell has a rear transverse separation wall extending transversely to the front of the debris recovery volume, between each liquid inlet and said inlet opening provided at an upper end of said duct. input.

Cette paroi arrière transversale fait office de paroi anti-retour de telle sorte que les débris ayant passés cette paroi ne peuvent plus ressortir par l'entrée de liquide, y compris à l'arrêt du dispositif de pompage, ce qui supprime la nécessité de ménager des clapets ou autres dispositifs anti-retour sur les entrées de liquide.This transverse rear wall acts as a non-return wall so that debris that has passed this wall can no longer emerge through the liquid inlet, even when the pumping device is stopped, which eliminates the need to spare valves or other non-return devices on the liquid inlets.

En outre, les inventeurs ont constaté que l'agencement de cette paroi sur la trajectoire du liquide entre chaque entrée de liquide et chaque sortie de liquide, qui de prime abord peut sembler défavorable du point de vue des performances hydrauliques (débit, aspiration, ...), permet en réalité d'améliorer les performances de filtration par la génération de turbulences au sein du dispositif de filtrage qui maintiennent en permanence les débris en suspension dans le dispositif de filtrage, évitant ainsi le colmatage des parois du dispositif de filtrage, et favorisant finalement les performances hydrodynamiques du dispositif de filtrage et du circuit hydraulique.In addition, the inventors have found that the arrangement of this wall on the path of the liquid between each liquid inlet and each liquid outlet, which at first sight may seem unfavorable from the point of view of hydraulic performance (flow, suction,. ..), actually improves filtration performance by generating turbulence at in the filtering device which permanently maintain debris suspended in the filtering device, thus avoiding clogging of the walls of the filtering device, and ultimately promoting the hydrodynamic performance of the filtering device and the hydraulic circuit.

En d'autres termes, les pertes de charges induites par l'agencement d'une paroi sur le trajet hydraulique sont compensées par le maintien de la perméabilité initiale des parois filtrantes du dispositif de filtrage. De plus, les périodes de service entre lesquelles l'appareil doit être nettoyé sont plus longues et surtout de durées sensiblement constantes, au bénéficie d'un plus grand confort d'utilisation.In other words, the pressure losses induced by the arrangement of a wall on the hydraulic path are compensated by maintaining the initial permeability of the filtering walls of the filtering device. In addition, the periods of service between which the device must be cleaned are longer and especially of substantially constant duration, to the benefit of greater comfort of use.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, la première coque comprend une ossature rigide adaptée pour imposer une forme tridimensionnelle à ces parois périphériques, et une nappe filtrante s'étendant dans des ouvertures ménagées par l'ossature rigide.Advantageously and according to the invention, the first shell comprises a rigid frame adapted to impose a three-dimensional shape to these peripheral walls, and a filter sheet extending into openings formed by the rigid frame.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, ladite première coque présente une section droite transversale décroissante de l'avant vers l'arrière.Advantageously and according to the invention, said first shell has a decreasing transverse cross section from front to rear.

Un dispositif de filtrage dont la section droite transversale est décroissante de l'avant vers l'arrière permet d'assurer une filtration du type essentiellement tangentielle du liquide circulant dans le dispositif de filtrage. Une telle filtration principalement tangentielle limite le colmatage par des débris obstruants (tels que des feuilles mortes) sur les parois filtrantes du dispositif, ce qui garantit, y compris après une longue période de fonctionnement, une bonne aspiration et un bon filtrage. En outre, il semblerait qu'une telle coque convergente entraîne aussi un tourbillonnement du liquide circulant dans cette coque, ce qui assure un décolmatage continu des parois de la coque ayant pour effet de restituer aux différentes parois de la coque leur perméabilité initiale.A filtering device whose transverse cross section is decreasing from front to rear makes it possible to ensure filtration of the essentially tangential type of the liquid circulating in the filtering device. Such mainly tangential filtration limits clogging by clogging debris (such as dead leaves) on the filter walls of the device, which ensures, even after a long period of operation, good suction and good filtering. In addition, it seems that such a convergent shell also causes a swirling of the liquid flowing in this shell, which ensures a continuous unclogging of the walls of the hull having the effect of restoring to the various walls of the hull their initial permeability.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, ladite première coque présente une paroi supérieure horizontale s'étendant à partir de l'ouverture avant, et une paroi arrière inférieure inclinée vers l'arrière et vers le haut depuis une portion de fond de la première coque, jusqu'à une portion extrême arrière supérieure.Advantageously and according to the invention, said first shell has a horizontal upper wall extending from the front opening, and a lower rear wall inclined rearwardly and upwardly since a bottom portion of the first shell, to an upper rearmost portion.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, l'une au moins des coques présente une poignée de manipulation du boîtier filtrant.Advantageously and according to the invention, at least one of the shells has a handle for handling the filter housing.

Une telle poignée permet une manipulation aisée du boîtier filtrant lorsque les deux coques sont assemblées l'une à l'autre.Such a handle allows easy handling of the filter housing when the two shells are assembled to one another.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, ladite trappe d'accès est ménagée sur une paroi supérieure du corps creux.Advantageously and according to the invention, said access hatch is formed on an upper wall of the hollow body.

Un tel appareil est particulièrement pratique à manipuler étant donné que l'extraction du dispositif de filtrage de l'appareil n'impose pas de manipulations délicates de l'appareil. En particulier, il n'est pas nécessaire de retourner l'appareil pour retirer le dispositif de filtrage en vue de son nettoyage. Le démontage du dispositif de filtrage peut être réalisé alors que l'appareil est au repos, dans sa position normale, sur une surface horizontale.Such an apparatus is particularly practical to handle since the extraction of the filtering device from the apparatus does not impose delicate manipulations of the apparatus. In particular, it is not necessary to return the device to remove the filter device for cleaning. Disassembly of the filter device can be achieved while the device is at rest, in its normal position, on a horizontal surface.

Avantageusement, un appareil selon l'invention est exempt de clapet anti-retour de liquide.Advantageously, an apparatus according to the invention is free of a check valve of liquid.

Avantageusement, un appareil selon l'invention comprend au moins une sortie de liquide hors du corps creux, dite sortie arrière, décalée vers l'arrière par rapport au boîtier filtrant.Advantageously, an apparatus according to the invention comprises at least one liquid outlet out of the hollow body, said rear outlet, shifted rearwardly with respect to the filter housing.

Avantageusement, un appareil selon l'invention comprend une sortie arrière générant un flux de liquide orienté avec une composante longitudinale vers l'arrière.Advantageously, an apparatus according to the invention comprises a rear outlet generating a flow of liquid oriented with a longitudinal component towards the rear.

Ces agencements permettent de concevoir l'appareil de façon à récupérer directement au moins une partie de l'énergie hydraulique résiduelle dans le flux de sortie pour participer à l'entraînement de l'appareil.These arrangements make it possible to design the apparatus so as to directly recover at least a portion of the residual hydraulic energy in the output stream to participate in driving the apparatus.

En conséquence, à performances d'aspiration et de nettoyage équivalentes, un appareil selon l'invention peut être doté d'un moteur de pompage -notamment un moteur électrique de pompage- et d'un dispositif d'entraînement -notamment comprenant au moins un moteur électrique d'entraînement- dont la puissance est réduite, et donc de consommation et de coûts réduits. Il en résulte également un volume général et un poids plus faibles de l'appareil ce qui, outre l'économie réalisée, est un avantage important pour l'utilisateur, notamment en termes de manipulations, de transport, et de stockage de l'appareil.Consequently, with equivalent suction and cleaning performance, an apparatus according to the invention can be provided with a pump motor - in particular an electric pump motor - and a drive device - notably comprising at least one electric drive motor - whose power is reduced, and therefore consumption and reduced costs. This also results in a lower overall volume and a lower weight of the device which, in addition to the savings made, is an important advantage for the user, particularly in terms of handling, transport and storage of the device.

Avantageusement, un appareil selon l'invention comprend un dispositif motorisé de pompage du liquide entre chaque entrée de liquide et chaque sortie de liquide via le boîtier filtrant.Advantageously, an apparatus according to the invention comprises a motorized device for pumping the liquid between each liquid inlet and each liquid outlet via the filter housing.

L'invention concerne en outre un appareil nettoyeur de surface immergée caractérisé en combinaison par tout ou partie des caractéristiques mentionnées ci-dessus ou ci-après.The invention further relates to a submerged surface cleaner apparatus characterized in combination by all or some of the features mentioned above or below.

D'autres caractéristiques, buts et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description suivante qui présente à titre d'exemple non limitatif un mode de réalisation de l'invention, en référence aux dessins annexés ; sur ces dessins :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un appareil nettoyeur selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe d'un appareil nettoyeur selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
  • la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'un appareil selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention dont la trappe est ouverte,
  • la figure 4 est une vue schématique en coupe d'un appareil nettoyeur selon un mode de réalisation dont le dispositif de filtrage est en cours d'extraction de l'appareil,
  • la figure 5 est une vue schématique en coupe d'un appareil nettoyeur selon un mode de réalisation dont le dispositif de filtrage est totalement extrait de l'appareil,
  • la figure 6 est une vue schématique en perspective du dispositif de filtrage d'un appareil selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention comprenant deux coques assemblées l'une à l'autre,
  • la figure 7 est une vue schématique en perspective du dispositif de filtrage de la figure 6 représentant les deux coques séparées l'une de l'autre,
  • la figure 8 est une vue schématique en coupe simplifiée de la figure 2 représentant l'appareil en fonctionnement sur une surface immergée.
Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description which, by way of nonlimiting example, shows one embodiment of the invention, with reference to the appended drawings; in these drawings:
  • the figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention,
  • the figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of a cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention,
  • the figure 3 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention with the hatch open,
  • the figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment, the filtering device of which is being extracted from the apparatus,
  • the figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment, the filtering device of which is completely extracted from the apparatus,
  • the figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the filtering device of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention comprising two shells assembled to one another,
  • the figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the filtering device of the figure 6 representing the two hulls separated from each other,
  • the figure 8 is a schematic view in simplified section of the figure 2 representing the apparatus in operation on a submerged surface.

Sur les figures, les échelles et les proportions ne sont pas strictement respectées et ce, à des fins d'illustration et de clarté.Figures, scales and proportions are not strictly adhered to for the purpose of illustration and clarity.

Dans toute la description détaillée qui suit en référence aux figures, sauf indication contraire, chaque pièce de l'appareil nettoyeur est décrite telle qu'elle est agencée lorsque l'appareil est en déplacement normal sur une surface immergée horizontale selon un sens privilégié d'avancement, par rapport auquel l'avant et l'arrière sont définis.Throughout the following detailed description with reference to the figures, unless indicated otherwise, each part of the cleaning apparatus is described as it is arranged when the apparatus is in normal displacement on a horizontal immersed surface in a preferred sense of advancement, with respect to which front and rear are defined.

Un appareil selon l'invention comprend un corps 1 creux et des organes 2, 3, 4 roulants de guidage et d'entraînement du corps 1 creux sur une surface immergée selon une direction principale d'avancement, dite direction longitudinale, parallèle à la surface immergée.An apparatus according to the invention comprises a hollow body 1 and rolling bodies 2, 3, 4 for guiding and driving the hollow body 1 on a surface immersed in a main direction of advancement, referred to as the longitudinal direction, parallel to the surface submerged.

Ce corps 1 creux est formé principalement d'un carter concave délimitant une enceinte principale. Ce carter concave est par exemple réalisé par moulage ou rotomoulage. Ce carter est de préférence réalisé en un matériau thermoplastique, tel que le polyéthylène, le polypropylène, l'ABS, le PMMA ou tout matériau équivalent.This hollow body 1 is formed mainly of a concave casing delimiting a main enclosure. This concave casing is for example made by molding or rotational molding. This housing is preferably made of a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, PMMA or any equivalent material.

Ce corps 1 creux présente une enceinte centrale adaptée pour recevoir une chambre de filtration. Cette enceinte centrale est délimitée par une paroi inférieure s'étendant dans un plan sensiblement horizontal ; par des parois latérales s'étendant globalement dans des plans verticaux ; par une paroi avant s'étendant globalement dans un plan vertical, orthogonale aux plans des parois latérales verticales ; et par une paroi arrière s'étendant globalement dans un plan vertical orthogonal aux plans des parois latérales verticales.This hollow body 1 has a central chamber adapted to receive a filtration chamber. This central chamber is delimited by a lower wall extending in a substantially horizontal plane; by sidewalls extending generally in vertical planes; by a front wall extending generally in a vertical plane, orthogonal to the planes of the vertical side walls; and by a rear wall extending generally in a vertical plane orthogonal to the planes of the vertical side walls.

La paroi inférieure présente une ouverture s'étendant transversalement au voisinage de la paroi avant de telle sorte que du liquide peut rentrer dans l'enceinte centrale par cette ouverture inférieure transversale. Cette ouverture forme une entrée 9 de liquide dans le corps 1 creux.The bottom wall has an opening extending transversely to the vicinity of the front wall so that liquid can enter the central chamber through this lower transverse opening. This opening forms an inlet 9 of liquid in the hollow body 1.

La paroi arrière comprend une ouverture cylindrique formant une sortie 10 de liquide hors du corps 1 creux. Cette sortie 10 de liquide ménagée dans la paroi arrière du carter est longitudinalement décalée de l'entrée 9 de liquide ménagée dans la paroi inférieure. De plus, cette sortie 10 de liquide est agencée dans la partie haute du carter de telle sorte qu'elle est également verticalement décalée de l'entrée 9 de liquide.The rear wall comprises a cylindrical opening forming a liquid outlet out of the hollow body 1. This liquid outlet 10 formed in the rear wall of the housing is longitudinally offset from the inlet 9 of liquid formed in the bottom wall. In addition, this liquid outlet 10 is arranged in the upper part of the casing so that it is also vertically offset from the inlet 9 of liquid.

Comme représenté notamment sur la figure 2, cette enceinte centrale, cette entrée 9 de liquide et cette sortie 10 de liquide forme une chambre 8 de filtration. Cette chambre 8 de filtration comprend en outre un circuit hydraulique adapté pour assurer une circulation de liquide entre l'entrée 9 de liquide et la sortie 10 de liquide à travers un dispositif 11 de filtrage.As shown in particular on the figure 2 this central chamber, this inlet 9 of liquid and this liquid outlet 10 forms a filtration chamber 8. This filtration chamber 8 further comprises a hydraulic circuit adapted to ensure a flow of liquid between the inlet 9 of liquid and the outlet 10 of liquid through a filtering device 11.

De préférence, l'entrée 9 de liquide et la sortie 10 de liquide sont centrées sur un même plan longitudinal vertical médian de l'appareil.Preferably, the inlet 9 of liquid and the outlet 10 of liquid are centered on a same longitudinal vertical plane of the apparatus.

L'enceinte centrale du corps 1 creux est adaptée pour recevoir un dispositif 11 de filtrage. Le dispositif 11 de filtrage comprend deux coques, une première coque 55 formant une poche de récupération des débris et une deuxième coque 49 adaptée pour être assemblée à la première coque 55 de manière à former un boîtier filtrant.The central chamber of the hollow body 1 is adapted to receive a filtering device 11. The filter device 11 comprises two shells, a first shell 55 forming a debris recovery pocket and a second shell 49 adapted to be assembled to the first shell 55 so as to form a filter housing.

La première coque 55 qui forme une poche de récupération des débris du dispositif 11 de filtrage présente des parois 56, 57, 58, 59 périphériques filtrantes s'étendant vers l'arrière à partir d'une ouverture 64 avant. Ces parois 56, 57, 58, 59 filtrantes sont adaptées pour retenir les éventuels débris véhiculés par le liquide et pour autoriser l'écoulement du liquide hors de cette première coque 55.The first shell 55 which forms a debris recovery pocket of the filtering device 11 has filtering walls 56, 57, 58, 59 extending rearwardly from an opening 64 before. These walls 56, 57, 58, 59 filtering are adapted to retain any debris carried by the liquid and to allow the flow of liquid out of this first shell 55.

La deuxième coque 49 forme un conduit 15 d'entrée de liquide dans le corps 1 creux qui s'étend à partir d'une extrémité inférieure de ce conduit 15 d'entrée débouchant à la base du corps 1 creux et constituant une entrée 9 de liquide.The second shell 49 forms a liquid inlet duct 15 in the hollow body 1 which extends from a lower end of this inlet duct 15 opening at the base of the hollow body 1 and constituting an inlet 9 of liquid.

L'assemblage entre la première coque 55 et la deuxième coque 49 peut être réalisé par divers moyens. Par exemple et tel que représenté sur la figure 5, la première coque 55 comprend, au niveau de son extrémité inférieure avant, des tenons 68 qui s'étendent en saillie du plan de l'ouverture 64 de la première coque 55. Ces tenons 68 présentent des formes et dimensions conformées et conjuguées à des lumières 69 ménagées dans des languettes 70 solidaires de l'extrémité inférieure arrière du conduit 15 d'entrée, et sensiblement perpendiculaire à la paroi 16 arrière du conduit, de telle sorte que ces tenons 68 peuvent s'enchâsser dans les lumières 69 et permettre une liaison mécanique des extrémités inférieures de la première coque 55 et de la deuxième coque 49. En outre, la première coque 55 présente au niveau de son extrémité supérieure avant un élément 71 adapté pour venir se loger dans un taquet 72 ménagé au niveau de l'extrémité supérieure de la paroi avant du conduit 15 de manière à permettre l'assemblage entre les extrémités supérieures de la première coque 55 et de la seconde coque 49. Cet élément 71 fait saillie par rapport au plan de l'ouverture 64 et présente une réglette qui s'étend vers le bas, non représentée sur les figures, et adaptée pour venir s'emboîter dans le taquet 72. L'extrémité du taquet 72 orientée vers la première coque 55 est en outre biseautée pour faciliter l'insertion de la réglette de l'élément 71 dans le taquet 72. De plus, ce taquet 72 est flexible en compression de telle sorte qu'il peut se déformer légèrement vers le bas lors de l'emboîtement entre l'élément 71 et ce taquet 72. Cette flexibilité en compression permet également à un utilisateur d'exercer une pression vers le bas sur le taquet 72, par exemple avec son pouce, ce qui permet de désengager la réglette de l'élément 71 du taquet 72, entraînant ainsi une séparation des extrémités supérieures de la première coque 55 et du conduit 15. L'assemblage entre la première coque 55 et la seconde coque 49 est réalisé en assemblant d'abord les extrémités inférieures l'une à l'autre, puis en emboîtant les extrémités supérieures l'une dans l'autre. La séparation des coques est réalisé en désengageant d'abord les extrémités supérieures l'une de l'autre, puis en désengageant les extrémités inférieures l'une de l'autre. L'assemblage et la séparation de la première 55 et de la seconde coque 49 peuvent donc être aisément réalisés sans outils par un utilisateur.The assembly between the first shell 55 and the second shell 49 can be achieved by various means. For example and as represented on the figure 5 , the first shell 55 comprises, at its lower front end, pins 68 which protrude from the plane of the opening 64 of the first shell 55. These pins 68 have shapes and dimensions shaped and conjugated with lights 69 formed in tabs 70 integral with the lower rear end of the inlet duct 15, and substantially perpendicular to the rear wall 16 of the duct, so that these pins 68 can snap into the lights 69 and allow a mechanical connection of the lower ends of the first shell 55 and the second shell 49. In addition, the first shell 55 has at its upper front end an element 71 adapted to be housed in a cleat 72 arranged at the upper end of the front wall of the duct 15 so as to allow the assembly between the upper ends of the first shell 55 and the second shell 49. This element 71 protrudes relative to the plane of the opening 64 and has a ruler which extends downwards, not shown in the figures, and adapted to fit into the cleat 72. The end the cleat 72 facing the first shell 55 is further bevelled to facilitate the insertion of the ruler of the element 71 in the cleat 72. In addition, this cleat 72 is flexible in compression so that it can deform downwardly when nesting between the element 71 and this cleat 72. This flexibility in compression also allows a user to exert a downward pressure on the cleat 72, for example with his thumb, which allows disengage the ruler of the element 71 of the cleat 72, thus causing a separation of the upper ends of the first shell 55 and the duct 15. The assembly between the first shell 55 and the second shell 49 is made by assembling first the lower ends to one another and then fitting the upper ends into one another. Hull separation is accomplished by first disengaging the upper ends of each other and then disengaging the lower ends of each other. Assembly and separation of the first 55 and the second shell 49 can therefore be easily performed without tools by a user.

Cet assemblage relatif entre la première coque 55 et la seconde coque 49 est adapté pour qu'une fois assemblés, la seconde coque 49 referme ladite ouverture 64 avant de la première coque 55, à l'exception d'un passage d'entrée du liquide constituant une ouverture 54 d'entrée du liquide dans la première coque 55, la section de cette ouverture 54 d'entrée étant plus petite que celle de l'ouverture 64 avant de la première coque 55.This relative assembly between the first shell 55 and the second shell 49 is adapted so that once assembled, the second shell 49 closes said opening 64 before the first shell 55, with the exception of a liquid inlet passage. constituting an opening 54 for entering the liquid into the first shell 55, the section of this inlet opening 54 being smaller than that of the opening 64 before the first shell 55.

La première coque 55 qui forme la poche de récupération des débris est formée d'une ossature 26 rigide et d'une nappe filtrante - notamment un tissu filtrant- s'étendant dans des ouvertures ménagées par cette ossature. Le dispositif 11 de filtrage est donc autoporteur et peut être aisément manipulé par un utilisateur. En outre, ce dispositif 11 de filtrage forme un boîtier filtrant extractible dont l'extrémité inférieure définie par l'extrémité inférieure du conduit 15 d'entrée forme l'entrée 9 de liquide dans le corps 1 creux.The first shell 55 which forms the debris recovery pocket is formed of a rigid frame 26 and a filtering web - in particular a filtering cloth - extending into openings formed by this framework. The filtering device 11 is therefore self-supporting and can be easily manipulated by a user. In addition, this filter device 11 forms an extractable filter housing whose lower end defined by the lower end of the inlet duct 15 forms the inlet 9 of liquid in the hollow body 1.

De plus, la première coque 55 présente une section droite transversale décroissante de l'ouverture 64 avant vers la sortie 10 de liquide de façon à former une enceinte convergente de filtration du type tangentielle du liquide circulant entre l'ouverture 64 et la sortie 10 de liquide.In addition, the first shell 55 has a decreasing transverse cross section from the front opening 64 towards the liquid outlet 10 so as to form a convergent filtration chamber of the tangential type of the liquid flowing between the opening 64 and the outlet 10 of the liquid.

Selon le mode de réalisation des figures, la première coque 55 présente une paroi 56 inférieure filtrante inclinée vers l'arrière et vers le haut depuis une portion de fond de la première coque 55. Cette paroi 56 inférieure inclinée forme avec la direction longitudinale un angle, qui dans l'exemple représenté est de l'ordre de 45°.According to the embodiment of the figures, the first shell 55 has a bottom filter wall 56 inclined backwards and upwards from a bottom portion of the first shell 55. This lower inclined wall 56 forms with the longitudinal direction an angle which in the example shown is of the order of 45 °.

Cette première coque 55 comprend en outre une paroi 57 supérieure globalement horizontale et s'étendant vers l'arrière à partir de l'ouverture 64 avant. Cette paroi 57 supérieure filtrante est reliée à la paroi 56 inférieure filtrante par une portion 61 courbe extrême arrière supérieure. La portion 61 courbe extrême arrière présente une section droite transversale minimale alors que la portion de la première coque 55 à l'opposée de cette portion 61 courbe, c'est-à-dire, au niveau de l'ouverture 64 avant, présente une section droite transversale maximale. Ainsi, la première coque 55 présente une section droite transversale décroissante de l'ouverture 64 avant vers la portion 61 courbe extrême arrière, c'est-à-dire vers la sortie 10 arrière. En d'autres termes, la première coque 55 présente une section droite transversale ayant la forme d'un triangle rectangle, la paroi 56 inférieure inclinée formant l'hypoténuse.This first shell 55 further comprises a generally horizontal upper wall 57 and extending rearwardly from the front opening 64. This filtering upper wall 57 is connected to the filtering lower wall 56 by a portion 61 upper extreme rear curve. The rearwardly curved portion 61 has a minimum transverse cross-section while the portion of the first shell 55 opposite this curved portion 61, i.e., at the front opening 64, has maximum cross section. Thus, the first shell 55 has a decreasing transverse cross section from the front opening 64 to the rearwardly curved portion 61, that is to say towards the rear outlet 10. In other words, the first shell 55 has a cross section having the shape of a right triangle, the lower wall 56 inclined forming the hypotenuse.

L'appareil comprend également, tel que représenté notamment sur la figure 3, une trappe 6 d'accès à ce dispositif 11 de filtrage. Cette trappe 6 d'accès forme une paroi supérieure du corps 1 creux et recouvre ce dernier. Dans le mode de réalisation représenté, cette trappe 6 est ménagée sur le dessus de l'appareil de telle sorte qu'un utilisateur de l'appareil peut aisément procéder à l'ouverture de la trappe 6 et extraire le dispositif 11 de filtrage. De préférence, la trappe 6 d'accès est articulée au corps 1 de l'appareil par des charnières 23 agencées à l'arrière de l'appareil.The apparatus also includes, as shown especially on the figure 3 , a hatch 6 access to this device 11 filtering. This access hatch 6 forms an upper wall of the hollow body 1 and covers the latter. In the embodiment shown, this hatch 6 is formed on the top of the device so that a user of the device can easily open the hatch 6 and extract the filter device 11. Preferably, the access hatch 6 is articulated to the body 1 of the apparatus by hinges 23 arranged at the rear of the apparatus.

De préférence, le dispositif 11 de filtrage est un dispositif monté dans l'enceinte 35 centrale du corps 1 creux à la façon d'un tiroir. Pour ce faire, l'ossature 26 rigide du dispositif 11 de filtrage présente en outre deux nervures 25 s'étendant latéralement de chaque côté du dispositif 11 de filtrage. Ces nervures sont de préférence ménagées sur les parois latérales du conduit 15 d'entrée étant donnée que ce conduit ne présente pas de parois filtrantes. Néanmoins, elles pourraient selon d'autres modes de réalisation être aménagées sur les parois latérales des parois filtrantes, par exemple sur l'ossature 26 de la première coque. Où quelle soient, ces nervures 25 présentent des formes et dimensions conformées et conjuguées aux formes et dimensions de rainures 24 solidaires du corps 1 creux. Ces rainures 24 solidaires du corps 1 creux s'étendent verticalement le long des faces intérieures des parois latérales verticales du corps 1 creux. Les nervures 25 du dispositif 11 de filtrage sont donc adaptées pour coopérer avec les rainures 24 du corps 1 creux de l'appareilPreferably, the filtering device 11 is a device mounted in the central chamber 1 of the hollow body 1 in the manner of a drawer. To do this, the rigid frame 26 of the filtering device 11 further has two ribs 25 extending laterally on each side of the filtering device 11. These ribs are preferably formed on the side walls of the inlet duct 15 since this duct has no filter walls. However, they could according to other embodiments be arranged on the side walls of the filter walls, for example on the frame 26 of the first shell. Wherever these ribs 25 have shapes and dimensions shaped and conjugate shapes and dimensions of grooves 24 integral with the hollow body 1. These grooves 24 integral with the hollow body 1 extend vertically along the inner faces of the vertical side walls of the hollow body 1. The ribs 25 of the filtering device 11 are therefore adapted to cooperate with the grooves 24 of the hollow body 1 of the apparatus

Ainsi, l'extraction du dispositif 11 de filtrage résulte d'un déplacement en translation du dispositif 11 de filtrage le long des rainures 24 du corps 1 creux. Un utilisateur peut donc aisément retirer le dispositif 11 de filtrage du corps 1 creux en vue par exemple de procéder à son nettoyage. Une fois le dispositif 11 de filtrage extrait, un utilisateur peut aisément, comme indiqué précédemment, séparer les deux coques formant ce dispositif. Cet utilisateur peut donc nettoyer la première coque qui forme la poche de récupération des débris, ainsi que la seconde coque 49 qui forme le conduit 15 d'entrée et l'entrée 9 de liquide agencée à l'extrémité inférieure du conduit 15 d'entrée. Une fois la première coque 55 et la seconde coque 49 nettoyées, l'utilisateur peut aisément assembler ces coques 49. 55, comme indiqué précédemment, et réintroduire sans difficultés le dispositif 11 de filtrage d'un seul tenant dans le corps 1 creux en orientant le dispositif 11 de filtrage de sorte que les nervures 25 du dispositif 11 de filtrage soient en regard des rainures 24 du corps creux, puis en coulissant le dispositif 11 de filtrage dans le corps 1 creux.Thus, the extraction of the filtering device 11 results from a displacement in translation of the filtering device 11 along the grooves 24 of the hollow body 1. A user can easily remove the filtering device 11 from the hollow body 1 for example to clean it. Once the filter device 11 is extracted, a user can easily, as indicated above, separate the two shells forming this device. This user can thus clean the first shell which forms the debris recovery pocket, as well as the second shell 49 which forms the inlet duct 15 and the liquid inlet 9 arranged at the lower end of the inlet duct 15 . Once the first hull 55 and the second hull 49 have been cleaned, the user can easily assemble these shells 49, 55, as indicated above, and reintroduce without difficulty the filtering device 11 in one piece into the hollow body 1 by orienting the filtering device 11 so that the ribs 25 of the filtering device 11 are in view the grooves 24 of the hollow body, and then sliding the filtering device 11 in the hollow body 1.

Le dispositif 11 de filtrage comprend en outre une poignée 28 ménagée sur une portion supérieure du dispositif 11 de filtrage de manière à faciliter les manipulations du dispositif 11 de filtrage. En particulier, un utilisateur peut aisément monter/démonter le dispositif 11 de filtrage par l'intermédiaire de cette poignée 28 lorsque l'appareil est hors du liquide et repose sur une surface horizontale. Selon un mode de réalisation particulièrement avantageux, la poignée 28 est le prolongement de la portion arrière du pêne 71 sur laquelle un utilisateur peut exercer une pression pour dégager le pêne 71 de la gâche 72 ménagée dans la seconde coque 49 comme mentionné précédemment.The filtering device 11 further comprises a handle 28 formed on an upper portion of the filtering device 11 so as to facilitate the handling of the filtering device 11. In particular, a user can easily assemble / disassemble the filtering device 11 via this handle 28 when the device is out of the liquid and rests on a horizontal surface. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the handle 28 is an extension of the rear portion of the bolt 71 on which a user can exert pressure to release the bolt 71 of the keeper 72 formed in the second shell 49 as mentioned above.

Selon l'invention, un appareil comprend un dispositif motorisé de pompage de liquide comprenant un moteur 12 électrique de pompage présentant un arbre 13 rotatif moteur accouplé à une hélice 14 de pompage interposée dans le circuit hydraulique de façon à y générer un débit de liquide entre l'entrée 9 de liquide et la sortie 10 de liquide. La sortie 10 de liquide est directement en regard de l'hélice de pompage de sorte que le liquide s'écoule hors de la sortie 10 de liquide selon une direction correspondant au débit de liquide généré par l'hélice de pompage, ce débit ayant une vitesse orientée selon l'axe 51 de rotation de l'hélice 14.According to the invention, an apparatus comprises a motorized liquid pumping device comprising an electric pumping motor 12 having a rotary motor shaft 13 coupled to a pumping propeller 14 interposed in the hydraulic circuit so as to generate a flow of liquid therebetween the inlet 9 of liquid and the outlet 10 of liquid. The liquid outlet 10 is directly opposite the pumping propeller so that the liquid flows out of the liquid outlet 10 in a direction corresponding to the flow of liquid generated by the pumping propeller, this flow having a speed oriented along the axis 51 of rotation of the propeller 14.

L'hélice 14 de pompage présente une orientation permettant de générer un débit de liquide avec une composante horizontale vers l'arrière.The pumping propeller 14 has an orientation for generating a liquid flow with a horizontal component to the rear.

De préférence, l'hélice 14 de pompage interposée dans le circuit hydraulique entre l'entrée 9 de liquide et la sortie 10 de liquide présente un axe de rotation incliné faisant, avec ladite direction longitudinale et avec le plan 50 théorique de roulage, un angle α différent de 90°. Cette hélice 14 est entraînée en rotation par le moteur 12 électrique de pompage qui présente, de préférence, un arbre 13 rotatif moteur parallèle à l'axe de rotation de l'hélice 14.Preferably, the pumping propeller 14 interposed in the hydraulic circuit between the liquid inlet 9 and the liquid outlet 10 has an inclined axis of rotation making, with said longitudinal direction and with the theoretical rolling plane 50, an angle α different from 90 °. This propeller 14 is rotated by the electric pumping motor 12 which has preferably, a rotating motor shaft 13 parallel to the axis of rotation of the propeller 14.

Selon l'invention, le moteur 12 électrique de pompage est disposé sous le circuit hydraulique, entièrement à l'extérieur de ce circuit hydraulique qui contourne entièrement le moteur 12 de pompage par le dessus. L'arbre 13 rotatif du moteur 12 de pompage traverse une paroi 30 inférieure inclinée délimitant le circuit hydraulique. L'étanchéité est assuré par un joint 18 torique.According to the invention, the electric pumping motor 12 is arranged under the hydraulic circuit, entirely outside this hydraulic circuit which entirely bypasses the pump motor 12 from above. The rotary shaft 13 of the pump motor 12 passes through an inclined lower wall defining the hydraulic circuit. The seal is provided by an O-ring 18.

La figure 8 comporte une représentation de la circulation de liquide dans le corps 1 creux de l'appareil. Cette circulation est représentée schématiquement sur la figure 8 par les flèches 66. Du liquide entre dans le corps 1 creux par l'entrée 9 de liquide agencée sous l'appareil. Ce liquide passe dans la seconde coque 49 formant le conduit 15 d'entrée de liquide pour atteindre la première coque 55 qui forme une poche de récupération des débris. Cette poche de récupération des débris laisse passer le liquide par le tissu filtrant et retient les débris 60 solides. Le liquide filtré atteint alors la sortie de liquide 10 et est éjectée à l'arrière de l'appareil, dans le bassin d'où il provient.The figure 8 comprises a representation of the circulation of liquid in the hollow body 1 of the apparatus. This circulation is schematically represented on the figure 8 by the arrows 66. Liquid enters the hollow body 1 through the inlet 9 of liquid arranged under the apparatus. This liquid passes into the second shell 49 forming the liquid inlet duct 15 to reach the first shell 55 which forms a debris recovery pocket. This debris recovery pouch allows the liquid to pass through the filter cloth and retains solid debris. The filtered liquid then reaches the liquid outlet 10 and is ejected at the rear of the apparatus, in the basin from which it comes.

La sortie 10 de liquide étant en regard de l'hélice 14 de pompage, le liquide s'écoule hors de l'appareil par cette sortie avec une vitesse V orientée selon l'axe 51 de l'hélice 14 de pompage et ayant une composante longitudinale vers l'arrière qui induit par réaction des efforts, dont la résultante présente une composante longitudinale d'entraînement orientée vers l'avant qui participe à l'entraînement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée.The liquid outlet 10 facing the pumping propeller 14, the liquid flows out of the apparatus through this outlet with a speed V oriented along the axis 51 of the pumping propeller 14 and having a component longitudinally rearward which induces by reaction forces, whose resultant has a longitudinal component of forward drive which participates in driving the apparatus on the immersed surface.

L'orientation de l'effort de réaction hydraulique créé par ce flux de sortie, et donc l'amplitude de sa composante longitudinale, dépendent de l'inclinaison α, par rapport au plan 50 théorique de roulage, de l'axe 51 de rotation de l'hélice et de la sortie 10 de liquide. De préférence, cette inclinaison α est comprise entre 15° et 45°.The orientation of the hydraulic reaction force created by this output flow, and therefore the amplitude of its longitudinal component, depend on the inclination α, relative to the theoretical rolling plane 50, of the axis 51 of rotation. of the propeller and the liquid outlet. Preferably, this inclination α is between 15 ° and 45 °.

Selon l'invention, le moteur électrique de pompage est disposé sous le circuit hydraulique, entièrement à l'extérieur de ce circuit hydraulique, de telle sorte que le dispositif 11 de filtrage du circuit hydraulique peut être retiré de l'appareil par le haut de l'appareil comme précédemment mentionné, sans être gêné par le moteur de pompage. Seule l'hélice 14 de pompage est agencée dans le circuit hydraulique de manière à pouvoir assurer le débit de liquide. Cette hélice 14 de pompage est agencée à l'arrière de l'appareil, à proximité de la sortie 10 de liquide. En d'autres termes, l'hélice 14 de pompage et la sortie 10 de liquide forment la partie terminale du circuit hydraulique.According to the invention, the electric pumping motor is arranged under the hydraulic circuit, entirely outside this hydraulic circuit, so that the filtering device 11 of the hydraulic circuit can be removed from the apparatus by the top of the hydraulic circuit. the device as before mentioned, without being bothered by the pumping motor. Only the pumping propeller 14 is arranged in the hydraulic circuit so as to ensure the flow of liquid. This pumping propeller 14 is arranged at the rear of the apparatus, close to the liquid outlet 10. In other words, the pump propeller 14 and the liquid outlet 10 form the end portion of the hydraulic circuit.

Les moteurs électriques d'entraînement et de pompage peuvent être de tous types connus. Selon un mode préférentiel de réalisation, ces moteurs électriques sont des moteurs basse tension. Ils peuvent être alimentés par une alimentation électrique extérieure à l'appareil par l'intermédiaire d'un câble électrique, non représenté sur les figures, qui est relié à l'appareil au niveau d'une zone 19 d'entrée du câble électrique dans l'appareil, tel que représenté sur la figure 1.The electric motors for driving and pumping can be of all types known. According to a preferred embodiment, these electric motors are low voltage motors. They can be powered by a power supply external to the device via an electric cable, not shown in the figures, which is connected to the device at an input zone 19 of the electrical cable in the apparatus, as shown on the figure 1 .

Dans le mode préférentiel de réalisation de l'invention représenté sur les figures, les organes roulants de guidage et d'entraînement de l'appareil comprennent un essieu avant comprenant des roues 2 avants motrices, une de chaque côté, et un essieu arrière comprenant des roues 3 arrières non motrices, une de chaque côté.In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the rolling members for guiding and driving the apparatus comprise a front axle comprising front driving wheels, one on each side, and a rear axle comprising 3 non-drive rear wheels, one on each side.

En outre, de préférence et tel que représenté sur les figures, l'appareil comprend des brosses 4 agencées à l'avant de l'appareil. Ces brosses 4 sont destinées à assurer un brossage de la surface immergée et à déplacer les débris brossés vers l'arrière de l'appareil en direction de l'entrée 9 de liquide agencée sous l'appareil.In addition, preferably and as shown in the figures, the apparatus comprises brushes 4 arranged at the front of the apparatus. These brushes 4 are intended to ensure a brushing of the immersed surface and to move the brushed debris towards the rear of the apparatus towards the inlet 9 of liquid arranged under the apparatus.

L'appareil comprend en outre au moins un moteur 20 électrique d'entraînement des roues avant 2 motrices. De préférence, l'appareil comprend deux moteurs d'entraînement, un de chaque côté, respectivement pour l'entraînement indépendant de chacune des roues 2 avant. Pour ce faire, chaque roue 2 avant présente une denture 5 interne coopérant avec un pignon entraîné par le moteur 20 d'entraînement correspondant.The apparatus further comprises at least one electric motor for driving the front 2-wheel drive wheels. Preferably, the apparatus comprises two drive motors, one on each side, respectively for the independent drive of each of the front wheels. To do this, each front wheel 2 has an internal toothing 5 cooperating with a pinion driven by the corresponding drive motor 20.

Ces brosses 4 peuvent être de tous types. Selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, l'appareil comprend deux brosses 4 avant coaxiales. Chaque brosse 4 est adaptée pour être mise en rotation autour d'un axe s'étendant selon une direction perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale. Chaque brosse 4 comprend une pluralité d'ailettes 41 s'étendant radialement d'un arbre de brosse formant l'axe de rotation de la brosse 4. Les ailettes 41 sont par exemple en caoutchouc en en un matériau plastique résistant.These brushes 4 can be of all types. According to one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises two coaxial front brushes 4. Each brush 4 is adapted to be rotated about an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each brush 4 comprises a plurality of fins 41 extending radially from a brush shaft forming the axis of rotation of the brush 4. The fins 41 are for example made of rubber made of a resistant plastic material.

En outre, les brosses 4 sont de préférence également entraînées en rotation à partir d'au moins un moteur 20 électrique d'entraînement des roues 2 avant par l'intermédiaire d'un système à engrenages.In addition, the brushes 4 are preferably also rotated from at least one electric drive motor 2 of the front wheels 2 via a gear system.

Ainsi, dans le mode de réalisation représenté, les organes roulants sont constitués des roues avant 2 motrices, des roues 3 arrières non motrices et des brosses 4 qui participent à l'entraînement et au guidage de l'appareil sur la surface immergée. Quoi qu'il en soit, les organes roulants 2, 3, 4 présentent des zones destinées à venir au contact avec la surface immergée qui sont coplanaires et définissent un plan 50 théorique de roulage. La direction longitudinale d'avancement de l'appareil est parallèle à ce plan 50 théorique de roulage.Thus, in the embodiment shown, the rolling members consist of front 2-wheel, non-driving rear 3 and brush 4 which participate in driving and guiding the device on the immersed surface. In any event, the rolling members 2, 3, 4 have areas intended to come into contact with the immersed surface which are coplanar and define a theoretical rolling plane 50. The longitudinal direction of advancement of the apparatus is parallel to this theoretical plane of rolling.

Les roues avant 2 présentent de préférence un diamètre compris entre 100 mm et 500 mm, notamment compris entre 150 mm et 250 mm. Selon le mode de réalisation des figures, les roues avant 2 présentent un diamètre de l'ordre de 200mm. De la sorte, ces roues avant 2 facilitent le franchissement d'obstacles et présentent une motricité améliorée. Avantageusement, leur bande de roulement périphérique est formée ou revêtue d'un matériau antidérapant.The front wheels 2 preferably have a diameter of between 100 mm and 500 mm, in particular between 150 mm and 250 mm. According to the embodiment of the figures, the front wheels 2 have a diameter of the order of 200mm. In this way, these front wheels 2 facilitate the crossing of obstacles and have improved motor skills. Advantageously, their peripheral tread is formed or coated with a non-slip material.

Les roues 2 avant et les brosses 4 constituent des organes roulants avants moteurs 2, 4 qui s'étendent en saillie vers l'avant par rapport aux autres éléments constitutifs de l'appareil, notamment le corps creux, de façon à former la partie extrême avant de l'appareil et à venir en premier en contact avec un obstacle rencontré au cours du déplacement vers l'avant.The front wheels 2 and the brushes 4 constitute forward driving members 2, 4 which extend projecting forwardly with respect to the other components of the apparatus, in particular the hollow body, so as to form the end part. before the aircraft and coming first into contact with an obstacle encountered during the forward movement.

De plus, selon un mode de réalisation préférentiel de l'invention, l'appareil comprend également une poignée 7 de manoeuvre permettant à un utilisateur de porter l'appareil pour l'immerger dans un liquide et le ressortir de ce dernier. Cette poignée 7 est de préférence agencée à l'opposée de la sortie 10 de liquide façon que lorsque le corps 1 creux est suspendu par cette poignée, l'appareil bascule spontanément sous l'effet de la gravité dans une position dans laquelle la sortie 10 de liquide est située sous l'entrée 9 de liquide, ce qui permet une vidange de l'appareil. Lors du passage de l'appareil de la position de nettoyage à la position de vidange, les débris aspirés par l'appareil sont maintenus dans le dispositif de filtrage et ne sont pas susceptibles de ressortir de l'appareil.In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus also comprises a maneuvering handle 7 allowing a user to wear the device to immerse in a liquid and out of the latter. This handle 7 is preferably arranged opposite the liquid outlet 10 so that when the hollow body 1 is suspended by this handle, the device switches spontaneously under the effect of gravity in a position in which the liquid outlet 10 is located under the inlet 9 of liquid, which allows a drain of the device. When the appliance is moved from the cleaning position to the emptying position, the debris sucked by the appliance is held in the filtering device and is not likely to come out of the appliance.

I1 va soi que l'invention peut faire l'objet de nombreuses variantes de réalisation et applications.It goes without saying that the invention can be the subject of numerous variants and applications.

Par exemple, selon un mode de réalisation non représenté sur les figures, le dispositif 11 de filtrage peut former plus d'une entrée de liquide.For example, according to an embodiment not shown in the figures, the filtering device 11 may form more than one liquid inlet.

En outre l'invention s'applique à un appareil bidirectionnel capable de mouvement rétrograde.In addition, the invention applies to a bidirectional apparatus capable of retrograde movement.

Claims (15)

  1. An apparatus for cleaning an immersed surface comprising:
    - a hollow body (1) and members (2, 3, 4) for guiding and actuating said hollow body (1) over the immersed surface in a main orientation of advance, called the longitudinal orientation,
    - a filtration chamber (8) provided in said hollow body (1) and which has :
    . at least one liquid inlet (9) located at the base of said hollow body (1),
    . at least one liquid outlet (10) out of the hollow body (1), located remotely from the base of said hollow body (1),
    . a hydraulic circuit which is capable of providing a circulation of liquid between each liquid inlet (9) and each liquid outlet (10) through a filtering device (11) under the action of a pumping device (12, 13, 14),
    the filtering device (11) comprising:
    - a first shell (55) which has peripheral filtering walls (56, 57, 58, 59), which extend towards a longitudinal end of the hollow body (1) defining the rear of the hollow body (1) from a front opening (64) of this first shell and which delimit, towards the rear, a space for recovering debris, said filtering walls (56, 57, 58, 59) being capable of retaining any debris (60) conveyed by the liquid and allowing the flow of liquid from this first shell (55),
    - a second shell (49) which is fitted to the first shell (55) at the front thereof, these two shells (49, 55) and their relative assembly being adapted in such a manner that:
    . the two shells (49, 55) can be fitted together so as to form a filtering casing (49, 55) in one piece which is removably mounted in the filtration chamber (8) as the device is resting in the cleaning position on a horizontal surface, this filtering casing (49, 55) being able to be inserted in one piece into the filtration chamber (8) and removed in one piece from this filtration chamber (8), characterised in that
    . when the two shells are fitted together, the second shell (49) closes said front opening (64) of the first shell (55), with the exception of a liquid inlet passage which constitutes a liquid inlet opening (54) into the debris recovery space, the cross-section of this inlet opening (54) being smaller than that of the front opening (64) of the first shell (55),
    . the two assembled shells (49, 55) can be moved relative to each other, after removing the filtering casing (49, 55) from the filtration chamber (8), by disengaging said front opening (64) of the first shell (55) which acts as an opening for emptying this first shell (55).
  2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the two shells (49, 55) are fitted together so as to be able to be disengaged from each other by means of simple operating without any tools.
  3. An apparatus according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the front opening (64) of the first shell (55) extends over the periphery of a rear wall (16) of the second shell (49) and the inlet opening (54).
  4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the two shells (49, 55) are fitted together along a connection zone which generally extends transversely and orthogonally relative to the longitudinal orientation.
  5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the second shell (49) forms at least one liquid inlet conduit (15) which extends from a lower end of this inlet conduit (15) and which opens at the base of the hollow body (1) and which constitutes a liquid inlet (9).
  6. An apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the second shell has a rear transverse separation wall (16) which extends transversely at the front of said debris recovery space, between each liquid inlet (9) and said inlet opening (54) provided at an upper end of said inlet conduit (15).
  7. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said first shell (55) comprises a rigid frame (26) which is capable of imposing a three-dimensional shape on these peripheral walls, and a filtering sheet which extends into openings which are provided by the rigid frame (26).
  8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that said first shell (55) has a transverse regular cross-section which decreases from the front to the rear.
  9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that said first shell (55) has a horizontal upper wall (57) which extends from the front opening and a lower wall (56) which is inclined towards the rear and upwards from a base portion of the first shell (55) as far as an upper rear extreme portion (61).
  10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that at least one of the shells (49, 55) has a handle (28) for operating the filtering casing (49, 55).
  11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that it further comprises, for access to the filtering device, a flap (6) which is provided on an outer wall of the hollow body (1) and which is capable of allowing the filtering device (11) to be disassembled and removed from the hollow body (1) in order for it to be cleaned, and characterized in that said access flap (6) is provided on an upper wall of the hollow body.
  12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that it does not have any liquid non-return valve.
  13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that it comprises at least one liquid outlet (10) out of the hollow body (1) which is referred to as the rear outlet and which is offset towards the rear relative to the filtering casing (49, 55).
  14. An apparatus according to claim 13, characterised in that it comprises a rear outlet (10) which generates a flux of liquid which is orientated with a longitudinal component towards the rear.
  15. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that it comprises a motorized device (12, 13, 14) for pumping liquid between each liquid inlet (9) and each liquid outlet (10) via the filtering casing.
EP08863594A 2007-12-21 2008-12-17 Apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface with removable filtration device Active EP2235292B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0708996A FR2925551B1 (en) 2007-12-21 2007-12-21 IMMERSE SURFACE CLEANER APPARATUS WITH DISMANTLING FILTER DEVICE
PCT/FR2008/052339 WO2009081038A2 (en) 2007-12-21 2008-12-17 Apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface with removable filtration device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2235292A2 EP2235292A2 (en) 2010-10-06
EP2235292B1 true EP2235292B1 (en) 2011-08-31

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08863594A Active EP2235292B1 (en) 2007-12-21 2008-12-17 Apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface with removable filtration device

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US8393031B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2235292B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE522678T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2008339700B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2709851C (en)
ES (1) ES2371996T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2925551B1 (en)
PT (1) PT2235292E (en)
WO (1) WO2009081038A2 (en)
ZA (1) ZA201005169B (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2009081038A2 (en) 2009-07-02
CA2709851A1 (en) 2009-07-02
ATE522678T1 (en) 2011-09-15
AU2008339700B2 (en) 2014-10-09
PT2235292E (en) 2011-12-21
CA2709851C (en) 2016-02-09
ES2371996T3 (en) 2012-01-12
EP2235292A2 (en) 2010-10-06
AU2008339700A1 (en) 2009-07-02
FR2925551A1 (en) 2009-06-26
ZA201005169B (en) 2011-12-28
US20110000032A1 (en) 2011-01-06
WO2009081038A3 (en) 2009-09-24
FR2925551B1 (en) 2010-01-22
US8393031B2 (en) 2013-03-12

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