EP2240653B1 - Apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface including a brushing device driven by members for driving the apparatus on the submerged surface - Google Patents

Apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface including a brushing device driven by members for driving the apparatus on the submerged surface Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2240653B1
EP2240653B1 EP08863577A EP08863577A EP2240653B1 EP 2240653 B1 EP2240653 B1 EP 2240653B1 EP 08863577 A EP08863577 A EP 08863577A EP 08863577 A EP08863577 A EP 08863577A EP 2240653 B1 EP2240653 B1 EP 2240653B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wheel
pinion
brushing
hollow body
brushing device
Prior art date
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Application number
EP08863577A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2240653A2 (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
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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-cleaning apparatus immersed in a liquid, in particular a pool-side cleaner.
  • These devices provide a cleaning of the immersed surface of a basin by suction of debris present on this immersed surface. These debris are sucked at a liquid inlet and filtered by a filtering device. The filtered liquid is reinjected into the pool through a liquid outlet.
  • some comprise own means for driving the brushing device, that is to say independent of the drive members of the device on the immersed surface.
  • the drive members of the apparatus on the submerged surface and the rotating drive members of the brushing device are heavy, bulky and energy consuming members. Therefore, such a device has a large footprint and weight, which leads in particular to an increase in the hydraulic drag of this device.
  • Such devices do not allow easy maintenance.
  • the replacement of a brushing device of such an apparatus in case of wear of the latter, or to replace it with a device more adapted to the immersed surface to be cleaned or more adapted to the material of the submerged surface liner, polyester, concrete, etc., requires the disassembly of the drive members, in particular caterpillars. This operation is delicate and requires the intervention of a specialized technician:
  • these devices by the existence of tracks, prohibit having a ground clearance to prevent blockages of the device, for example on a bottom drain of a pool.
  • liquid of the apparatus generally arranged in a central portion of the base of the apparatus.
  • the brushing is performed at the speed of rotation of the wheels, which does not allow the sliding brushes on the immersed surface, and therefore limits the effectiveness of brushing.
  • the wheel drive is efficient and provides a large ground clearance.
  • the choice of the brush material must be determined according to the type of pool to be cleaned, especially according to its physical properties, dimensional, use, etc.
  • the object of the invention is to overcome these disadvantages and to provide a submerged surface cleaner which can combine the advantages of the independently driven brush apparatus with the advantages of the wheel drive apparatus without, however, presenting their respective disadvantages.
  • the invention aims to provide such an apparatus that can both be driven by at least one wheel and include at least one brushing device of the immersed surface.
  • the invention also aims at providing a submerged surface cleaning apparatus comprising at least one brushing device which can be disassembled and replaced independently of the drive wheels of the apparatus on the immersed surface.
  • the invention also aims at providing such an apparatus which is not confronted with the antinomic choice between a brush made of hard material and a brush made of soft material.
  • the invention is directed to such an apparatus whose speed of displacement on a submerged surface is independent of the material in which the brushing device is formed.
  • the invention also aims at providing such an apparatus of which at least one brushing device is rotated by at least one drive wheel.
  • the invention also aims to provide such a device whose cost is reduced compared to known devices and whose cleaning performance is equivalent or improved.
  • the invention applies to any immersed surface cleaner apparatus, which can be electric drive, hydraulic or mixed.
  • the object of the invention is more particularly to provide such an apparatus which is of the self-propelled type and with an onboard drive motor motor (s).
  • Such an apparatus makes it possible to drive a brush via at least one wheel.
  • This wheel ensures, by means of its integral ring gear and the brush pinion, the rotation of the brush around a brushing axis in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the wheel.
  • Such an apparatus therefore has a smaller size and weight than those of prior devices with brushes driving independently of the drive of the apparatus on the submerged surface.
  • the hydraulic drag of such an apparatus according to the invention is therefore reduced compared with known apparatus.
  • the rotation drive mechanism of the brushing device of an apparatus according to the invention also has a better compactness than the drive mechanisms of the prior art by the direct drive of the brush by the wheel, which eliminates a gear or belt.
  • Such a mechanism is simple and has a limited number of parts.
  • an apparatus according to the invention makes it possible to guarantee a speed of the apparatus on a constant immersed surface whatever the brushing device mounted on the apparatus.
  • an apparatus according to the invention makes it possible to separate the driving function of the apparatus from the brushing function of the submerged surface. The wheels move the apparatus on the submerged surface and the brushing device scrubs the immersed surface by sliding on the submerged surface regardless of the speed of the brush and whatever the material of the brushing device.
  • this brushing device being rotated by means of a brush pinion geared in a ring gear, this brushing device can be disassembled without requiring disassembly of all the drive members of the brush. the device on the immersed surface.
  • disassembly of the brushing device can be achieved by dismounting only one wheel of the apparatus.
  • disassembly of the brushing device can be achieved by off-axising the brushing device so that the brush pinion can be disengaged from the ring gear.
  • such a wheeled device can have a significant ground clearance.
  • the wheel driven in rotation by the guiding and driving members of the apparatus on the immersed surface may be a driving wheel - that is to say that the driving members directly actuate the wheel which causes the displacement of the hollow body on the submerged surface or passive - that is to say that the drive means causes the displacement of the hollow body on the immersed surface, which causes the rotation of the rotatably mounted wheel relative to the hollow body.
  • At least one rotary drive wheel of a brushing device is a driving wheel of the hollow body on the submerged surface
  • Such a driving wheel is therefore initiator of the movement of the hollow body of the apparatus on the submerged surface to be cleaned.
  • the drive of the apparatus on the submerged surface can be operated by electrical means, hydraulic means or mixed hydraulic and electrical means.
  • the internally toothed crown of the wheel allows not only to transmit to the brush pinion, a rotary movement allowing the rotation of the brush around the brushing axis, but also to transmit to the wheel itself, via the wheel pinion, a rotary motor movement which ensures the movement of the device on the submerged surface.
  • each ring gear internally secured to a wheel -motor or passive- is a peripheral ring with internal teeth.
  • the transmission between an electric motor and the wheel sprocket may comprise different gears, belts or equivalent means.
  • each wheel pinion is arranged at one end of a shaft, said intermediate transmission shaft, comprising at the end opposite the wheel pinion, a pinion, said intermediate gear, geared in a pinion said motor pinion, integral with the drive shaft of an electric drive motor.
  • Such an apparatus comprises at least one electric motor whose motor shaft comprises at least one motor pinion.
  • This motor pinion is geared in an intermediate gear, secured to an intermediate shaft.
  • This intermediate shaft comprises at the end of the shaft opposite to the intermediate gear, the wheel pinion geared in the inner ring gear.
  • the wheel gear, the intermediate gear, the intermediate shaft and the motor pinion form a transmission adapted to transmit to the wheels a torque for moving the device on the immersed surface.
  • the structure of this transmission is such that the electric motor drives the motor shaft in rotation in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheels.
  • the intermediate gear allows the use of a conventional DC electric motor, for example a brush motor having a rotation speed of the order of 120 revolutions / min which develops a power of less than 5 W.
  • An apparatus according to the invention is therefore little energy consumer.
  • the drive shaft, the intermediate shaft and the driving axle are parallel and extend along a direction, said transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
  • the drive members of the apparatus on the immersed surface comprise two parallel axles extending along the transverse direction, each axle comprising at least two wheels respectively arranged at each of the transverse ends of the axle. axle, at least one of the axles comprising at least one drive wheel.
  • the two parallel axles are driving axles comprising at least two drive wheels respectively arranged at each of the transverse ends of this axle.
  • each driving wheel is provided with a ring gear with internal teeth adapted to be rotated by a wheel pinion, itself driven in rotation by means of an intermediate shaft, itself driven. rotating by means of a motor pinion mounted on the motor shaft of an electric motor.
  • the drive members of the apparatus on the immersed surface comprise a single driving axle.
  • each driving wheel of each driving axle is a non-directional wheel with internal teeth.
  • the absence of directional wheels on the drive axle provides an axle whose manufacture is facilitated due to the absence of directional members such as steering knuckles.
  • An apparatus comprising such an axle is therefore economical to manufacture.
  • a non-directional wheel axle is robust.
  • the apparatus comprises two axles, a front axle engine comprising non-directional wheels on which are fixed crowns internally geared and adapted to drive, by means of gears of brush, a brush cleaning the immersed surface extending between these two wheels, and an axle non-engine rear including non-directional wheels.
  • the rear axle may also comprise, according to a variant of the invention, a brushing device driven in rotation about a transverse axis by the wheels of the rear axle.
  • only the front axle comprises a brushing device.
  • a brushing device according to the invention can have various shapes and structures.
  • each brushing device is formed of at least one brush comprising a central core extending along the transverse direction and a plurality of fins extending radially from the central core and parallel to the transverse direction.
  • the fins of the brush may be made of various materials, in particular of rubber, of a thermoplastic material, or generally of a material having an elastic compressive and flexural stress during contact of the fin with the immersed surface. to allow the rotation of the brush and allow the displacement of the debris housed on the submerged surface to the liquid inlet provided at the base of the body of the apparatus.
  • the brushing device comprises two coaxial brushes, each brush being coupled to a wheel.
  • each wheel pinion has a pitch and a diameter identical to the pitch and the diameter of each brush pinion.
  • the brushing device has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the wheel integral with the ring gear in which is engaged the brush pinion which drives it in rotation.
  • Such an apparatus thus has a configuration in which the speed of rotation of the brushing device around its brushing axis is greater than the speed of rotation of the wheels.
  • said brushing device is arranged at a longitudinal end of the hollow body and extends in a direction, said transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, such that said brushing axis extends according to said transverse direction.
  • said brushing device is connected to the hollow body so that the device rests on the immersed surface, at the longitudinal end where the brushing device is arranged, essentially on the brushing device.
  • the hollow body is formed mainly of a concave casing delimiting a main enclosure, this casing having openings respectively formed at the base of the casing and at the rear of the casing, these openings respectively forming each inlet of the casing. liquid and each liquid outlet.
  • the invention further relates to an apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface characterized in combination by all or some of the characteristics mentioned above or below.
  • An apparatus comprises, as represented in particular on the figures 1 , 2 and 5 a hollow body 1 and rolling bodies 2, 3, 4 for guiding and driving the hollow body 1 on a surface immersed in at least one preferred direction of advancement and in a main direction of advancement, referred to as the longitudinal direction, parallel to the immersed surface.
  • This hollow body 1 is formed mainly of a concave casing delimiting a main enclosure.
  • This concave casing is for example produced 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 transverse opening in the bottom wall of the housing forms the liquid inlet 9 of the apparatus and the cylindrical opening in the rear wall of the apparatus forms the liquid outlet of the apparatus.
  • the inlet 9 of liquid and the outlet 10 of liquid are offset longitudinally, but both centered on the same longitudinal vertical plane of the device.
  • the central chamber of the hollow body 1 is adapted to receive a filtering device 11.
  • the filtering device 11 is arranged between the inlet 9 of liquid and the outlet 10 of liquid.
  • This filtering device 11 can be of any known type.
  • the filtering device 11 comprises a rigid armature and a filtering web -particularly a filtering cloth- carried by this rigid armature.
  • a filtering device 11 is therefore self-supporting and can be easily manipulated by a user.
  • the apparatus also comprises a hatch 6 for access to this filtering device.
  • 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 in the manner of a drawer.
  • the rigid annature of the filtering device 11 has two ribs extending laterally on each side of the filtering device 11. These ribs have shapes and dimensions shaped and conjugated to the shapes and dimensions of grooves integral with the hollow body 1. These grooves integral with the hollow body 1 extend vertically along the inner faces of the vertical side walls of the hollow body 1. The ribs of the filtering device 11 are therefore adapted to cooperate with the grooves 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 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 reintroduce the filtering device 11 into the hollow body 1 by orienting the device 11 to filtering so that the ribs of the filtering device 1 are facing the grooves 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.
  • an apparatus comprises a motorized liquid pumping device comprising a pumping motor 12 having a rotating motor shaft 13 coupled to a pumping propeller 14 interposed in the hydraulic circuit so as to generate a flow of liquid between 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 an electric pumping motor 12 which preferably has 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 delimiting the hydraulic circuit.
  • the seal is provided by an O-ring 18.
  • the figure 6 comprises a representation of the circulation of liquid in the hollow body 1 of the apparatus.
  • This circulation is represented schematically on the figure 6 by arrows 66.
  • Liquid enters the hollow body 1 through the inlet 9 of liquid arranged under the apparatus. This liquid passes into a liquid inlet column 15 to reach the filtering device 11.
  • This filtering device 11 passes the liquid through the filter cloth and retains the 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 pumping motor is disposed 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 apparatus as previously 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 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 further comprises at least one electric motor for driving the front 2-wheel drive wheels.
  • the apparatus comprises two drive motors 20a, 20b, one on each side, respectively for the independent drive of each of the front wheels 2.
  • each front wheel 2 has a peripheral ring 5 with internal teeth. and secured to this wheel 2.
  • the apparatus comprises two coaxial front brushes 4 extending one from the other in a direction, said transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
  • Each brush 4 is adapted to be rotated about an axis extending in the transverse direction by a wheel 2.
  • 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 rotated from at least one motor 20a, 20b electric driving the front wheels 2 through the wheels 2 and a gear system.
  • Each electric motor 20a, 20b comprises a motor shaft comprising a motor gear 44.
  • This pinion 44 motor is geared in an intermediate pinion 21, integral with an intermediate shaft 22.
  • This intermediate shaft 22 comprises at the end of the shaft opposite to the intermediate pinion 21, a wheel pinion 45 geared in the ring gear 5 inner teeth.
  • the wheel pinion 45, the intermediate pinion 21, the intermediate shaft 22 and each pinion 44 engine forms a transmission adapted to transmit to the wheels 2 a torque for moving the device on the immersed surface.
  • the structure of this transmission is such that each electric motor 20a, 20b drives a motor shaft in rotation in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheels 2.
  • the peripheral crown 5 with internal teeth of each wheel 2 before driving cooperates with a pinion 42 of brush attached to one end of the shaft of a brush 4 so that a rotation of the wheel 2 drives via the ring 5 with internal teeth and the pinion 42 brush, the rotation of the shaft of the brush 4, and therefore the rotation of the brush 4.
  • the different gears of the transmission may be sprockets with straight teeth or helical teeth.
  • the wheel pinion 45 and the inner ring gear 5 are made of a thermoplastic material resistant to water.
  • These pinions can for example be made of Delrin®, Nylon® or an equivalent material.
  • the peripheral ring comprises 94 teeth and the wheel pinion has seventeen teeth so that the reduction ratio is of the order of five.
  • the pinion 42 of the brush is identical to the wheel pinion 45.
  • each brush 4 has an outer diameter of between 40 mm and 200 mm.
  • the brush 4 has an outer diameter of the order of 100 mm.
  • the brush 4 has in operation an outside diameter of the order of 100 mm while at rest, it has a diameter of the order of 102 mm. This is explained by the fact that the brush 4 has a flexible structure in compression so that it crashes a little during the operation of the apparatus and ensures effective brushing of the immersed surface.
  • the electric motors 20a, 20b and the pump motor 12 can be of any known type. 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 consist of the front wheels 2 driving, rear wheels 3 non-driving and brushes 4 which participate in the driving and guiding of 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 200 mm. In this way, these wheels 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 front driving members which extend projecting forwardly with respect to the other components of the apparatus, in particular the hollow body, so as to form the front end portion of the device and to come first in 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 outlet 10 of liquid so that when the hollow body 1 is suspended by this handle, the apparatus switches spontaneously under the effect of gravity in a position in which the outlet 10 liquid 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 pinions may have different pitch diameters, pitches and numbers of teeth.
  • the invention applies to a bidirectional apparatus capable of retrograde movement.

Abstract

Detailed is a device for cleaning an immersed surface including a body, members for driving this body over the immersed surface in a longitudinal direction, including a wheel, a device for brushing the immersed surface, a mechanism for rotating the brushing device about a brushing axis, wherein the driving mechanism of the brushing device includes: an internally toothed ring which is fixedly joined to a wheel, a brush pinion which is fixedly joined to the brushing device and which is engaged in the ring of this drive wheel in such a manner that a rotation of this drive wheel brings about a rotation of the brushing device about the brushing axis thereof in the same rotation direction.

Description

L'invention concerne un appareil nettoyeur de surface immergée dans un liquide, en particulier un appareil nettoyeur de parois de piscine.The invention relates to a surface-cleaning apparatus immersed in a liquid, in particular a pool-side cleaner.

Les appareils nettoyeurs de piscine connus comportent :

  • un corps creux,
  • des organes de guidage et d'entraînement de ce corps creux sur la surface immergée selon une direction principale d'avancement, dite direction longitudinale.
Known pool cleaner devices include:
  • a hollow body,
  • guide and driving members of this hollow body on the immersed surface in a main direction of advancement, said longitudinal direction.

Ces appareils assurent un nettoyage de la surface immergée d'un bassin par une aspiration des débris présents sur cette surface immergée. Ces débris sont aspirés au niveau d'une entrée de liquide et filtrés par un dispositif de filtrage. Le liquide filtré est réinjecté dans le bassin par une sortie de liquide.These devices provide a cleaning of the immersed surface of a basin by suction of debris present on this immersed surface. These debris are sucked at a liquid inlet and filtered by a filtering device. The filtered liquid is reinjected into the pool through a liquid outlet.

Pour améliorer le nettoyage de la surface immergée, certains appareils comprennent en outre :

  • un dispositif de brossage de la surface immergée monté rotatif par rapport au corps creux autour d'un axe de brossage,
  • un mécanisme d'entraînement en rotation du dispositif de brossage autour de son axe de brossage.
To improve the cleaning of the immersed surface, certain apparatuses furthermore comprise:
  • a device for brushing the immersed surface rotatably mounted relative to the hollow body around a brushing axis,
  • a mechanism for rotating the brushing device around its brushing axis.

Parmi ces appareils connus, certains (cf. par exemple EP 0 905 334 ) comprennent des moyens propres d'entraînement du dispositif de brossage, c'est-à-dire indépendants des organes d'entraînement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée.Of these known devices, some (see for example EP 0 905 334 ) comprise own means for driving the brushing device, that is to say independent of the drive members of the device on the immersed surface.

Les organes d'entraînement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée et les organes d'entraînement en rotation du dispositif de brossage sont des organes lourds, volumineux et consommateurs en énergie. Dès lors, un tel appareil présente un encombrement et un poids importants, ce qui conduit notamment à une augmentation de la traînée hydraulique de cet appareil.The drive members of the apparatus on the submerged surface and the rotating drive members of the brushing device are heavy, bulky and energy consuming members. Therefore, such a device has a large footprint and weight, which leads in particular to an increase in the hydraulic drag of this device.

Il existe d'autres appareils comprenant des dispositifs de brossage directement entraînés en rotation par les organes d'entraînement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée. Parmi ces appareils, certains présentent des organes d'entraînement comprenant des chenilles latérales (cf. par exemple FR 2 729 995 , US 5 337 434 , US 4 168 557 ) adaptées pour assurer d'une part le déplacement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée et d'autre part la rotation des dispositifs de brossage.There are other devices comprising brushing devices directly rotated by the drive members of the apparatus on the immersed surface. Among these devices, some have drive members comprising side tracks (see for example FR 2 729 995 , US 5,337,434 , US 4,168,557 ) adapted to ensure on the one hand the movement of the device on the immersed surface and on the other hand the rotation of the brushing devices.

De tels appareils ne permettent pas une maintenance aisée. En particulier, le remplacement d'un dispositif de brossage d'un tel appareil, en cas d'usure de ce dernier, ou pour le remplacer par un dispositif plus adapté à la surface immergée à nettoyer ou plus adapté au matériau de la surface immergée - liner, polyester, béton, etc.-, nécessite le démontage des organes d'entraînement, en particulier des chenilles. Cette opération est délicate et nécessite l'intervention d'un technicien spécialisé:Such devices do not allow easy maintenance. In particular, the replacement of a brushing device of such an apparatus, in case of wear of the latter, or to replace it with a device more adapted to the immersed surface to be cleaned or more adapted to the material of the submerged surface liner, polyester, concrete, etc., requires the disassembly of the drive members, in particular caterpillars. This operation is delicate and requires the intervention of a specialized technician:

De plus, ces appareils, de par l'existence de chenilles, interdisent de disposer d'une garde au sol permettant d'éviter les blocages de l'appareil, par exemple sur une bonde de fond d'une piscine.In addition, these devices, by the existence of tracks, prohibit having a ground clearance to prevent blockages of the device, for example on a bottom drain of a pool.

En outre, les surfaces de contact entre les chenilles et la surface immergée sont étendues, ce qui occasionne d'importantes pertes énergétiques par frottement, et impose l'utilisation de moteurs électriques puissants.In addition, the contact surfaces between the tracks and the immersed surface are extended, which causes significant energy losses by friction, and requires the use of powerful electric motors.

Il existe également des appareils présentant des organes d'entraînement à roues motorisées (cf. par exemple EP 0 565 226 ). Ces roues présentent des surfaces à aspérités réparties sur la périphérie de la roue de telle sorte que ces roues possèdent une fonction de brossage.There are also devices with motorized wheel drive members (see for example EP 0 565 226 ). These wheels have surfaces with asperities distributed around the periphery of the wheel so that these wheels have a brushing function.

En pratique, le brossage réalisé par de tels appareils est peu efficace, étant donné qu'il est réalisé au niveau des roues latérales du robot de telle sorte que les débris sont projetés vers l'arrière des roues et non pas vers l'entrée de liquide de l'appareil agencée en général dans une partie centrale de la base de l'appareil.In practice, the brushing performed by such devices is inefficient, since it is performed at the side wheels of the robot so that the debris are projected to the rear of the wheels and not to the entrance of the robot. liquid of the apparatus generally arranged in a central portion of the base of the apparatus.

De plus, le brossage est réalisé à la vitesse de rotation des roues, ce qui ne permet pas le glissement des brosses sur la surface immergée, et limite donc l'efficacité du brossage.In addition, the brushing is performed at the speed of rotation of the wheels, which does not allow the sliding brushes on the immersed surface, and therefore limits the effectiveness of brushing.

En revanche, l'entraînement par roues est efficace et permet de disposer d'une garde au sol importante.On the other hand, the wheel drive is efficient and provides a large ground clearance.

Un autre inconvénient des appareils connus réside dans le fait que la vitesse de déplacement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée est dépendante du matériau dans lequel sont formées les brosses. Dans ces appareils connus, une brosse en matériau dur confère de la motricité à l'appareil mais ne permet pas un brossage efficace car la brosse n'est pas bien adaptée au glissement sur la surface immergée. Une telle brosse ne fait que rouler sur la surface immergée. En revanche, une brosse en matériau moins dur confère moins de motricité mais elle s'use vite et nécessite un remplacement régulier pour conserver de bonnes propriétés de brossage.Another disadvantage of known apparatus lies in the fact that the speed of movement of the apparatus on the immersed surface is dependent on the material in which the brushes are formed. In these known devices, a hard material brush provides traction to the apparatus but does not allow effective brushing because the brush is not well adapted to sliding on the immersed surface. Such a brush only rolls on the immersed surface. On the other hand, a brush made of a less hard material gives less traction but it wears quickly and requires regular replacement to maintain good brushing properties.

Dès lors, dans les appareils connus, le choix du matériau des brosses doit être déterminé en fonction du type de bassin à nettoyer, notamment en fonction de ses propriétés physiques, dimensionnelles, d'utilisation, etc.Therefore, in known devices, the choice of the brush material must be determined according to the type of pool to be cleaned, especially according to its physical properties, dimensional, use, etc.

L'invention vise à pallier ces inconvénients et à fournir un appareil nettoyeur de surface immergée qui puisse combiner les avantages des appareils à brosses à entraînement indépendant avec les avantages des appareils à entraînement par roues, sans néanmoins présenter leurs inconvénients respectifs.The object of the invention is to overcome these disadvantages and to provide a submerged surface cleaner which can combine the advantages of the independently driven brush apparatus with the advantages of the wheel drive apparatus without, however, presenting their respective disadvantages.

En particulier, l'invention vise à fournir un tel appareil qui puisse à la fois être entraîné par au moins une roue et comprendre au moins un dispositif de brossage de la surface immergée.In particular, the invention aims to provide such an apparatus that can both be driven by at least one wheel and include at least one brushing device of the immersed surface.

L'invention vise également à fournir un appareil nettoyeur de surface immergée comprenant au moins un dispositif de brossage qui peut être démonté et remplacé indépendamment des roues d'entraînement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée.The invention also aims at providing a submerged surface cleaning apparatus comprising at least one brushing device which can be disassembled and replaced independently of the drive wheels of the apparatus on the immersed surface.

L'invention vise également à fournir un tel appareil qui ne soit pas confronté au choix antinomique entre une brosse en matériau dur et une brosse en matériau mou.The invention also aims at providing such an apparatus which is not confronted with the antinomic choice between a brush made of hard material and a brush made of soft material.

En particulier, l'invention vise un tel appareil dont la vitesse de déplacement sur une surface immergée est indépendante du matériau dans lequel est formé le dispositif de brossage.In particular, the invention is directed to such an apparatus whose speed of displacement on a submerged surface is independent of the material in which the brushing device is formed.

L'invention vise également à fournir un tel appareil dont au moins un dispositif de brossage est entraîné en rotation par au moins une roue d'entraînement.The invention also aims at providing such an apparatus of which at least one brushing device is rotated by at least one drive wheel.

L'invention vise également à fournir un tel appareil dont le coût est réduit par rapport aux appareils connus et dont les performances de nettoyage sont équivalentes, voire améliorées.The invention also aims to provide such a device whose cost is reduced compared to known devices and whose cleaning performance is equivalent or improved.

L'invention s'applique à tout appareil nettoyeur de surface immergée, qui peut être à entraînement électrique, hydraulique ou mixte.The invention applies to any immersed surface cleaner apparatus, which can be electric drive, hydraulic or mixed.

L'invention vise néanmoins plus particulièrement à proposer un tel appareil qui soit du type automoteur et à moteur(s) électrique(s) d'entraînement embarqué(s).The object of the invention is more particularly to provide such an apparatus which is of the self-propelled type and with an onboard drive motor motor (s).

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

  • un corps creux,
  • des organes de guidage et d'entraînement de ce corps creux sur une surface immergée selon une direction principale d'avancement, dite direction longitudinale, comprenant au moins une roue,
  • au moins un dispositif de brossage de la surface immergée monté rotatif par rapport au corps creux autour d'un axe, dit axe de brossage,
  • un mécanisme d'entraînement en rotation d'un dispositif de brossage par rapport au corps creux autour de son axe de brossage, caractérisé en ce que ledit mécanisme d'entraînement d'un dispositif de brossage comprend :
  • au moins une couronne à denture intérieure solidaire d'une roue,
  • au moins un pignon, dit pignon de brosse, engrené dans une couronne d'une roue et relié au dispositif de brossage de telle sorte qu'une rotation de cette roue dans un sens entraîne une rotation du pignon de brosse et une rotation du dispositif de brossage autour dudit axe de brossage dans le même sens que le sens de rotation de la roue.
To this end, the invention relates to a submerged surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
  • a hollow body,
  • guide and driving members of this hollow body on a surface immersed in a main direction of advancement, said longitudinal direction, comprising at least one wheel,
  • at least one device for brushing the immersed surface rotatably mounted relative to the hollow body about an axis, called the brushing axis,
  • a mechanism for rotating a brushing device with respect to the hollow body about its brushing axis, characterized in that said drive mechanism of a brushing device comprises:
  • at least one ring gear internally secured to a wheel,
  • at least one pinion, referred to as the brush pinion, meshing in a ring of a wheel and connected to the brushing device in such a manner that a rotation of this wheel in one direction causes a rotation of the brush pinion and a rotation of the brushing device around said brushing axis in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the wheel.

Un tel appareil permet l'entraînement d'une brosse par l'intermédiaire d'au moins une roue. Cette roue assure, par l'intermédiaire de sa couronne dentée solidaire et du pignon de brosse, la rotation de la brosse autour d'un axe de brossage dans le même sens que le sens de rotation de la roue. Un tel appareil présente donc un encombrement et un poids inférieurs à ceux des appareils antérieurs à brosses à entraînement indépendant de l'entraînement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée. La traînée hydraulique d'un tel appareil selon l'invention est donc réduite par rapport aux appareils connus.Such an apparatus makes it possible to drive a brush via at least one wheel. This wheel ensures, by means of its integral ring gear and the brush pinion, the rotation of the brush around a brushing axis in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the wheel. Such an apparatus therefore has a smaller size and weight than those of prior devices with brushes driving independently of the drive of the apparatus on the submerged surface. The hydraulic drag of such an apparatus according to the invention is therefore reduced compared with known apparatus.

Le mécanisme d'entraînement en rotation du dispositif de brossage d'un appareil selon l'invention présente également une meilleure compacité que les mécanismes d'entraînement de l'art antérieur par l'entraînement directe de la brosse par la roue, ce qui élimine un engrenage ou une courroie. Un tel mécanisme est simple et comporte un nombre limité de pièces.The rotation drive mechanism of the brushing device of an apparatus according to the invention also has a better compactness than the drive mechanisms of the prior art by the direct drive of the brush by the wheel, which eliminates a gear or belt. Such a mechanism is simple and has a limited number of parts.

De plus, un appareil selon l'invention permet de garantir une vitesse de l'appareil sur une surface immergée constante quelle que soit le dispositif de brossage monté sur l'appareil. En particulier, un appareil selon l'invention permet de dissocier la fonction d'entraînement de l'appareil de la fonction de brossage de la surface immergée. Les roues assurent le déplacement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée et le dispositif de brossage assure le brossage de la surface immergée par glissement sur la surface immergée quelle que soit la vitesse de la brosse et quel que soit le matériau du dispositif de brossage.In addition, an apparatus according to the invention makes it possible to guarantee a speed of the apparatus on a constant immersed surface whatever the brushing device mounted on the apparatus. In particular, an apparatus according to the invention makes it possible to separate the driving function of the apparatus from the brushing function of the submerged surface. The wheels move the apparatus on the submerged surface and the brushing device scrubs the immersed surface by sliding on the submerged surface regardless of the speed of the brush and whatever the material of the brushing device.

De plus, le dispositif de brossage étant entraîné en rotation par l'intermédiaire d'un pignon de brosse engrené dans une couronne à denture intérieure, ce dispositif de brossage peut être démonté sans nécessiter le démontage de l'ensemble des organes d'entraînement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée.In addition, the brushing device being rotated by means of a brush pinion geared in a ring gear, this brushing device can be disassembled without requiring disassembly of all the drive members of the brush. the device on the immersed surface.

Selon une première variante, le démontage du dispositif de brossage peut être réalisé en démontant uniquement une roue de l'appareil. Selon une autre variante, le démontage du dispositif de brossage peut être réalisé en désaxant le dispositif de brossage de telle sorte que le pignon de brosse puisse être désengrené de la couronne à denture intérieure.According to a first variant, disassembly of the brushing device can be achieved by dismounting only one wheel of the apparatus. According to another variant, disassembly of the brushing device can be achieved by off-axising the brushing device so that the brush pinion can be disengaged from the ring gear.

De plus, un tel appareil à roues peut présenter une garde au sol importante.In addition, such a wheeled device can have a significant ground clearance.

La roue entraînée en rotation par les organes de guidage et d'entraînement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée peut être une roue motrice - c'est-à-dire que les organes d'entraînement actionnent directement la roue qui provoque le déplacement du corps creux sur la surface immergée- ou passive - c'est-à-dire que les organes d'entraînement provoque le déplacement du corps creux sur la surface immergée, qui occasionne la rotation de la roue montée rotative par rapport au corps creux-.The wheel driven in rotation by the guiding and driving members of the apparatus on the immersed surface may be a driving wheel - that is to say that the driving members directly actuate the wheel which causes the displacement of the hollow body on the submerged surface or passive - that is to say that the drive means causes the displacement of the hollow body on the immersed surface, which causes the rotation of the rotatably mounted wheel relative to the hollow body.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, au moins une roue d'entraînement en rotation d'un dispositif de brossage est une roue motrice du corps creux sur la surface immergéeAdvantageously and according to the invention, at least one rotary drive wheel of a brushing device is a driving wheel of the hollow body on the submerged surface

Une telle roue motrice est donc initiatrice du mouvement du corps creux de l'appareil sur la surface immergée à nettoyer.Such a driving wheel is therefore initiator of the movement of the hollow body of the apparatus on the submerged surface to be cleaned.

L'entraînement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée peut être opéré par des moyens électriques, des moyens hydrauliques ou des moyens mixtes hydrauliques et électriques.The drive of the apparatus on the submerged surface can be operated by electrical means, hydraulic means or mixed hydraulic and electrical means.

Néanmoins, avantageusement et selon l'invention, lesdits organes d'entraînement du corps creux sur la surface immergée comprennent :

  • au moins un moteur électrique d'entraînement,
  • au moins un pignon, dit pignon de roue, engrené dans une couronne à denture intérieure d'une roue motrice et adapté pour être entraîné en rotation par un moteur électrique d'entraînement, de telle sorte que la mise en rotation de ce pignon de roue par ce moteur électrique entraîne la rotation de cette roue motrice.
Nevertheless, advantageously and according to the invention, said bodies for driving the hollow body onto the immersed surface comprise:
  • at least one electric drive motor,
  • at least one pinion, referred to as the wheel pinion, meshing with a ring gear of a driving wheel and adapted to be driven in rotation by an electric drive motor, so that the rotation of this wheel pinion by this electric motor drives the rotation of this drive wheel.

La couronne à denture intérieure solidaire de la roue permet non seulement de transmettre au pignon de brosse, un mouvement rotatif permettant la rotation de la brosse autour de l'axe de brossage, mais également de transmettre à la roue elle-même, par l'intermédiaire du pignon de roue, un mouvement rotatif moteur qui assure le déplacement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée.The internally toothed crown of the wheel allows not only to transmit to the brush pinion, a rotary movement allowing the rotation of the brush around the brushing axis, but also to transmit to the wheel itself, via the wheel pinion, a rotary motor movement which ensures the movement of the device on the submerged surface.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, chaque couronne à denture intérieure solidaire d'une roue -motrice ou passive- est une couronne périphérique à denture intérieure.Advantageously and according to the invention, each ring gear internally secured to a wheel -motor or passive- is a peripheral ring with internal teeth.

La transmission entre un moteur électrique et le pignon de roue peut comprendre différents pignons, courroies ou moyens équivalents.The transmission between an electric motor and the wheel sprocket may comprise different gears, belts or equivalent means.

Néanmoins, avantageusement et selon l'invention chaque pignon de roue est agencé à une extrémité d'un arbre, dit arbre intermédiaire de transmission, comprenant à l'extrémité opposée au pignon de roue, un pignon, dit pignon intermédiaire, engrené dans un pignon, dit pignon moteur, solidaire de l'arbre moteur d'un moteur électrique d'entraînement.Nevertheless, advantageously and according to the invention each wheel pinion is arranged at one end of a shaft, said intermediate transmission shaft, comprising at the end opposite the wheel pinion, a pinion, said intermediate gear, geared in a pinion said motor pinion, integral with the drive shaft of an electric drive motor.

Un tel appareil comprend au moins un moteur électrique dont l'arbre moteur comprend au moins un pignon moteur. Ce pignon moteur est engrené dans un pignon intermédiaire, solidaire d'un arbre intermédiaire. Cet arbre intermédiaire comprend à l'extrémité de l'arbre opposée au pignon intermédiaire, le pignon de roue engrené dans la couronne périphérique à denture intérieure. Le pignon de roue, le pignon intermédiaire, l'arbre intermédiaire et le pignon moteur forme une transmission adaptée pour transmettre aux roues un couple permettant le déplacement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée. La structure de cette transmission est telle que le moteur électrique entraîne l'arbre moteur en rotation selon un sens inverse au sens de rotation des roues. Le pignon intermédiaire permet l'utilisation d'un moteur électrique conventionnel à courant continu, par exemple un moteur à balais présentant une vitesse de rotation de l'ordre de 120 tours/min qui développe une puissance inférieure à 5 W.Such an apparatus comprises at least one electric motor whose motor shaft comprises at least one motor pinion. This motor pinion is geared in an intermediate gear, secured to an intermediate shaft. This intermediate shaft comprises at the end of the shaft opposite to the intermediate gear, the wheel pinion geared in the inner ring gear. The wheel gear, the intermediate gear, the intermediate shaft and the motor pinion form a transmission adapted to transmit to the wheels a torque for moving the device on the immersed surface. The structure of this transmission is such that the electric motor drives the motor shaft in rotation in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheels. The intermediate gear allows the use of a conventional DC electric motor, for example a brush motor having a rotation speed of the order of 120 revolutions / min which develops a power of less than 5 W.

Un appareil selon l'invention est donc peu consommateur en énergie.An apparatus according to the invention is therefore little energy consumer.

De préférence, l'arbre moteur, l'arbre intermédiaire et l'essieu moteur sont parallèles et s'étendent le long d'une direction, dite direction transversale, perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale.Preferably, the drive shaft, the intermediate shaft and the driving axle are parallel and extend along a direction, said transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, les organes d'entraînement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée comprennent deux essieux parallèles s'étendant le long de la direction transversale, chaque essieu comprenant au moins deux roues agencées respectivement à chacune des extrémités transversales de l'essieu, l'un au moins des essieux comprenant au moins une roue motrice.Advantageously and according to the invention, the drive members of the apparatus on the immersed surface comprise two parallel axles extending along the transverse direction, each axle comprising at least two wheels respectively arranged at each of the transverse ends of the axle. axle, at least one of the axles comprising at least one drive wheel.

Selon une variante de l'invention, les deux essieux parallèles sont des essieux moteurs comprenant au moins deux roues motrices agencées respectivement à chacune des extrémités transversales de cet essieu.According to a variant of the invention, the two parallel axles are driving axles comprising at least two drive wheels respectively arranged at each of the transverse ends of this axle.

Selon cette variante, avantageusement, chaque roue motrice est munie d'une couronne à denture intérieure adaptée pour être entraînée en rotation par un pignon de roue, lui-même entraîné en rotation par l'intermédiaire d'un arbre intermédiaire, lui-même entraîné en rotation par l'intermédiaire d'un pignon moteur monté sur l'arbre moteur d'un moteur électrique.According to this variant, advantageously, each driving wheel is provided with a ring gear with internal teeth adapted to be rotated by a wheel pinion, itself driven in rotation by means of an intermediate shaft, itself driven. rotating by means of a motor pinion mounted on the motor shaft of an electric motor.

Selon une autre variante de l'invention, les organes d'entraînement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée comprennent un unique essieu moteur.According to another variant of the invention, the drive members of the apparatus on the immersed surface comprise a single driving axle.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, chaque roue motrice de chaque essieu moteur est une roue non directionnelle à denture intérieure.Advantageously and according to the invention, each driving wheel of each driving axle is a non-directional wheel with internal teeth.

L'absence de roues directionnelles sur l'essieu moteur permet de disposer d'un essieu dont la fabrication est facilitée en raison de l'absence d'organes directionnels tels que des fusées de direction. Un appareil comprenant un tel essieu est donc économique à fabriquer. En outre, un essieu à roues non directionnelles est robuste.The absence of directional wheels on the drive axle provides an axle whose manufacture is facilitated due to the absence of directional members such as steering knuckles. An apparatus comprising such an axle is therefore economical to manufacture. In addition, a non-directional wheel axle is robust.

Selon une variante avantageuse de l'invention, l'appareil comprend deux essieux, un essieu avant moteur comprenant des roues non directionnelles sur lesquelles sont fixées des couronnes à dentures intérieures et adaptées pour entraîner, par l'intermédiaire de pignons de brosse, une brosse de nettoyage de la surface immergée s'étendant entre ces deux roues, et un essieu arrière non moteur comprenant des roues non directionnelles.According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the apparatus comprises two axles, a front axle engine comprising non-directional wheels on which are fixed crowns internally geared and adapted to drive, by means of gears of brush, a brush cleaning the immersed surface extending between these two wheels, and an axle non-engine rear including non-directional wheels.

L'essieu arrière peut également comprendre, selon une variante de l'invention, un dispositif de brossage entraîné en rotation autour d'un axe transversal par les roues de l'essieu arrière.The rear axle may also comprise, according to a variant of the invention, a brushing device driven in rotation about a transverse axis by the wheels of the rear axle.

Selon une autre variante, seul l'essieu avant comprend un dispositif de brossage.According to another variant, only the front axle comprises a brushing device.

Un dispositif de brossage selon l'invention peut présenter diverses formes et structures.A brushing device according to the invention can have various shapes and structures.

Néanmoins, avantageusement et selon l'invention, chaque dispositif de brossage est formé d'au moins une brosse comprenant une âme centrale s'étendant le long de la direction transversale et une pluralité d'ailettes s'étendant radialement de l'âme centrale et parallèlement à la direction transversale.Nevertheless, advantageously and according to the invention, each brushing device is formed of at least one brush comprising a central core extending along the transverse direction and a plurality of fins extending radially from the central core and parallel to the transverse direction.

Les ailettes de la brosse peuvent être réalisées en divers matériaux, notamment en caoutchouc, en un matériau thermoplastique, ou de manière générale en un matériau présentant un contrainte élastique en compression et en flexion lors du contact de l'ailette avec la surface immergée de manière à autoriser la rotation de la brosse et permettre le déplacement des débris logés sur la surface immergée vers l'entrée de liquide ménagé à la base du corps de l'appareil.The fins of the brush may be made of various materials, in particular of rubber, of a thermoplastic material, or generally of a material having an elastic compressive and flexural stress during contact of the fin with the immersed surface. to allow the rotation of the brush and allow the displacement of the debris housed on the submerged surface to the liquid inlet provided at the base of the body of the apparatus.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, le dispositif de brossage comprend deux brosses coaxiales, chaque brosse étant accouplée à une roue.Advantageously and according to the invention, the brushing device comprises two coaxial brushes, each brush being coupled to a wheel.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, chaque pignon de roue présente un pas et un diamètre identiques au pas et au diamètre de chaque pignon de brosse.Advantageously and according to the invention, each wheel pinion has a pitch and a diameter identical to the pitch and the diameter of each brush pinion.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, le dispositif de brossage présente un diamètre inférieur au diamètre de la roue solidaire de la couronne dans laquelle est engrené le pignon de brosse qui l'entraîne en rotation.Advantageously and according to the invention, the brushing device has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the wheel integral with the ring gear in which is engaged the brush pinion which drives it in rotation.

Un tel appareil présente ainsi une configuration dans laquelle la vitesse de rotation du dispositif de brossage autour de son axe de brossage est supérieure à la vitesse de rotation des roues.Such an apparatus thus has a configuration in which the speed of rotation of the brushing device around its brushing axis is greater than the speed of rotation of the wheels.

Avantageusement, un appareil selon l'invention comprend en outre une chambre de filtration ménagée dans le corps creux de l'appareil et qui présente :

  • au moins une entrée de liquide dans le corps creux située à la base dudit corps,
  • au moins une sortie de liquide hors du corps creux située à distance de la base dudit corps,
  • au moins un circuit hydraulique adapté pour assurer une circulation de liquide entre au moins une entrée de liquide et au moins une sortie de liquide à travers au moins un dispositif de filtrage, sous l'effet d'un dispositif de pompage.
Advantageously, an apparatus according to the invention further comprises a filtration chamber formed in the hollow body of the apparatus and which presents:
  • at least one liquid inlet in the hollow body located at the base of said body,
  • at least one liquid outlet out of the hollow body located at a distance from the base of said body,
  • at least one hydraulic circuit adapted to ensure a flow of liquid between at least one liquid inlet and at least one liquid outlet through at least one filter device, under the effect of a pumping device.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, ledit dispositif de brossage est agencé à une extrémité longitudinale du corps creux et s'étend selon une direction, dite direction transversale, perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale, de telle sorte que ledit axe de brossage s'étend selon ladite direction transversale.Advantageously and according to the invention, said brushing device is arranged at a longitudinal end of the hollow body and extends in a direction, said transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, such that said brushing axis extends according to said transverse direction.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, ledit dispositif de brossage est relié au corps creux de manière que l'appareil repose sur la surface immergée, au niveau de l'extrémité longitudinale où est agencé le dispositif de brossage, essentiellement sur le dispositif de brossage.Advantageously and according to the invention, said brushing device is connected to the hollow body so that the device rests on the immersed surface, at the longitudinal end where the brushing device is arranged, essentially on the brushing device.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, le corps creux est formé principalement d'un carter concave délimitant une enceinte principale, ce carter présentant des ouvertures ménagées respectivement à la base du carter et à l'arrière du carter, ces ouvertures formant respectivement chaque entrée de liquide et chaque sortie de liquide.Advantageously and according to the invention, the hollow body is formed mainly of a concave casing delimiting a main enclosure, this casing having openings respectively formed at the base of the casing and at the rear of the casing, these openings respectively forming each inlet of the casing. liquid and each liquid outlet.

L'invention concerne en outre un appareil nettoyeur d'une surface immergée caractérisé en combinaison par tout ou partie des caractéristiques mentionnées ci-dessus ou ci-après.The invention further relates to an apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface characterized in combination by all or some of the characteristics 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 de dessus d'un appareil nettoyeur selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique de côté d'un appareil nettoyeur selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
  • la figure 3 est une vue schématique en coupe d'un appareil nettoyeur selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
  • la figure 4 est une vue schématique en perspective du mécanisme d'entraînement du dispositif de brossage par les roues de l'appareil selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
  • la figure 5 est une vue schématique en perspective de dessous d'un appareil nettoyeur selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
  • la figure 6 est une vue schématique en coupe simplifiée de la figure 3 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 diagrammatic perspective view from above of a cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention,
  • the figure 2 is a schematic side view of a cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention,
  • the figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of a cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention,
  • the figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the drive mechanism of the brushing device by the wheels of the apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention,
  • the figure 5 is a schematic perspective view from below of a cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention,
  • the figure 6 is a schematic view in simplified section of the figure 3 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 tel 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 de l'appareil sont définis.Throughout the detailed description which follows with reference to the figures, unless otherwise indicated, 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 forward, relative to which the front and back of the apparatus are defined.

Un appareil selon l'invention comprend, tel que représenté notamment sur les figures 1, 2 et 5, un corps 1 creux et des organes 2, 3, 4 roulants de guidage et d'entraînement du corps 1 creux sur une surface immergée dans au moins un sens privilégié d'avancement et selon une direction principale d'avancement, dite direction longitudinale, parallèle à la surface immergée.An apparatus according to the invention comprises, as represented in particular on the figures 1 , 2 and 5 a hollow body 1 and rolling bodies 2, 3, 4 for guiding and driving the hollow body 1 on a surface immersed in at least one preferred direction of advancement and in a main direction of advancement, referred to as the longitudinal direction, parallel to the immersed surface.

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 produced 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 3, 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 3 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.

L'ouverture transversale ménagée dans la paroi inférieure du carter forme l'entrée 9 de liquide de l'appareil et l'ouverture cylindrique ménagée dans la paroi arrière de l'appareil forme la sortie 10 de liquide de l'appareil.The transverse opening in the bottom wall of the housing forms the liquid inlet 9 of the apparatus and the cylindrical opening in the rear wall of the apparatus forms the liquid outlet of the apparatus.

De préférence, l'entrée 9 de liquide et la sortie 10 de liquide sont décalées longitudinalement, mais toutes deux centrées sur un même plan longitudinal vertical médian de l'appareil.Preferably, the inlet 9 of liquid and the outlet 10 of liquid are offset longitudinally, but both centered on the same longitudinal vertical plane of the device.

L'enceinte centrale du corps 1 creux est adaptée pour recevoir un dispositif 11 de filtrage. Le dispositif 11 de filtrage est agencé entre l'entrée 9 de liquide et la sortie 10 de liquide.The central chamber of the hollow body 1 is adapted to receive a filtering device 11. The filtering device 11 is arranged between the inlet 9 of liquid and the outlet 10 of liquid.

Ce dispositif 11 de filtrage peut être de tous types connus.This filtering device 11 can be of any known type.

Par exemple, le dispositif 11 de filtrage comprend une armature rigide et une nappe filtrante -notamment un tissu filtrant- portée par cette armature rigide. Un tel dispositif 11 de filtrage est donc autoporteur et peut être aisément manipulé par un utilisateur.For example, the filtering device 11 comprises a rigid armature and a filtering web -particularly a filtering cloth- carried by this rigid armature. Such a filtering device 11 is therefore self-supporting and can be easily manipulated by a user.

L'appareil comprend également une trappe 6 d'accès à ce dispositif 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 comprises a hatch 6 for access to this filtering device. 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 centrale à la façon d'un tiroir. Pour ce faire, l'annature rigide du dispositif 11 de filtrage présente deux nervures s'étendant latéralement de chaque côté du dispositif 11 de filtrage. Ces nervures présentent des formes et dimensions conformées et conjuguées aux formes et dimensions de rainures solidaires du corps 1 creux. Ces rainures solidaires du corps 1 creux s'étendent verticalement le long des faces intérieures des parois latérales verticales du corps 1 creux. Les nervures du dispositif 11 de filtrage sont donc adaptées pour coopérer avec les rainures du corps 1 creux de l'appareilPreferably, the filtering device 11 is a device mounted in the central chamber in the manner of a drawer. To do this, the rigid annature of the filtering device 11 has two ribs extending laterally on each side of the filtering device 11. These ribs have shapes and dimensions shaped and conjugated to the shapes and dimensions of grooves integral with the hollow body 1. These grooves integral with the hollow body 1 extend vertically along the inner faces of the vertical side walls of the hollow body 1. The ribs of the filtering device 11 are therefore adapted to cooperate with the grooves 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 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 nettoyé, un utilisateur peut sans difficultés réintroduire le dispositif 11 de filtrage dans le corps 1 creux en orientant le dispositif 11 de filtrage de sorte que les nervures du dispositif 1 de filtrage soient en regard des rainures 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 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 filtering device 11 has been cleaned, a user can easily reintroduce the filtering device 11 into the hollow body 1 by orienting the device 11 to filtering so that the ribs of the filtering device 1 are facing the grooves 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.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.

De préférence, un appareil comprend un dispositif motorisé de pompage de liquide comprenant un moteur 12 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.Preferably, an apparatus comprises a motorized liquid pumping device comprising a pumping motor 12 having a rotating motor shaft 13 coupled to a pumping propeller 14 interposed in the hydraulic circuit so as to generate a flow of liquid between 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 un 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 an electric pumping motor 12 which preferably has 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 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 delimiting the hydraulic circuit. The seal is provided by an O-ring 18.

La figure 6 comporte une représentation de la circulation de liquide dans le corps 1 creux de l'appareil. Cette circulation est représentée schématiquement sur la figure 6 par des flèches 66. Du liquide entre dans le corps 1 creux par l'entrée 9 de liquide agencée sous l'appareil. Ce liquide passe dans une colonne 15 d'admission de liquide pour atteindre le dispositif 11 de filtrage. Ce dispositif 11 de filtrage 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 éjecté à l'arrière de l'appareil, dans le bassin d'où il provient.The figure 6 comprises a representation of the circulation of liquid in the hollow body 1 of the apparatus. This circulation is represented schematically on the figure 6 by arrows 66. Liquid enters the hollow body 1 through the inlet 9 of liquid arranged under the apparatus. This liquid passes into a liquid inlet column 15 to reach the filtering device 11. This filtering device 11 passes the liquid through the filter cloth and retains the 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 °.

De préférence, le moteur 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.Preferably, the pumping motor is disposed 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 apparatus as previously 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.

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.

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 20a, 20b d'entraînement, un de chaque côté, respectivement pour l'entraînement indépendant de chacune des roues avant 2. Pour ce faire, chaque roue avant 2 présente une couronne 5 périphérique à denture interne et solidaire de cette roue 2.The apparatus further comprises at least one electric motor for driving the front 2-wheel drive wheels. Preferably, the apparatus comprises two drive motors 20a, 20b, one on each side, respectively for the independent drive of each of the front wheels 2. To do this, each front wheel 2 has a peripheral ring 5 with internal teeth. and secured to this wheel 2.

Selon le mode de réalisation des figures, l'appareil comprend deux brosses 4 avant coaxiales en prolongement l'une de l'autre dans une direction, dite direction transversale, perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale. Chaque brosse 4 est adaptée pour être mise en rotation autour d'un axe s'étendant selon la direction transversale par une roue 2. 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 un matériau plastique résistant.According to the embodiment of the figures, the apparatus comprises two coaxial front brushes 4 extending one from the other in a direction, said transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each brush 4 is adapted to be rotated about an axis extending in the transverse direction by a wheel 2. 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.

Les brosses 4 sont entraînées en rotation à partir d'au moins un moteur 20a, 20b électrique d'entraînement des roues avant 2 par l'intermédiaire des roues 2 et d'un système à engrenages.The brushes 4 are rotated from at least one motor 20a, 20b electric driving the front wheels 2 through the wheels 2 and a gear system.

Chaque moteur 20a, 20b électrique comprend un arbre moteur comprenant un pignon 44 moteur. Ce pignon 44 moteur est engrené dans un pignon 21 intermédiaire, solidaire d'un arbre 22 intermédiaire. Cet arbre 22 intermédiaire comprend à l'extrémité de l'arbre opposée au pignon 21 intermédiaire, un pignon 45 de roue engrené dans la couronne 5 périphérique à denture intérieure. Le pignon 45 de roue, le pignon 21 intermédiaire, l'arbre 22 intermédiaire et chaque pignon 44 moteur forme une transmission adaptée pour transmettre aux roues 2 un couple permettant le déplacement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée. La structure de cette transmission est telle que chaque moteur 20a, 20b électrique entraîne un arbre moteur en rotation selon un sens inverse au sens de rotation des roues 2.Each electric motor 20a, 20b comprises a motor shaft comprising a motor gear 44. This pinion 44 motor is geared in an intermediate pinion 21, integral with an intermediate shaft 22. This intermediate shaft 22 comprises at the end of the shaft opposite to the intermediate pinion 21, a wheel pinion 45 geared in the ring gear 5 inner teeth. The wheel pinion 45, the intermediate pinion 21, the intermediate shaft 22 and each pinion 44 engine forms a transmission adapted to transmit to the wheels 2 a torque for moving the device on the immersed surface. The structure of this transmission is such that each electric motor 20a, 20b drives a motor shaft in rotation in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheels 2.

En d'autres termes, la couronne 5 périphérique à denture interne de chaque roue 2 avant motrice coopère avec un pignon 42 de brosse fixé à une extrémité de l'arbre d'une brosse 4 de telle sorte qu'une rotation de la roue 2 entraîne par l'intermédiaire de la couronne 5 à denture interne et du pignon 42 de brosse, la rotation de l'arbre de la brosse 4, et donc la rotation de la brosse 4.In other words, the peripheral crown 5 with internal teeth of each wheel 2 before driving cooperates with a pinion 42 of brush attached to one end of the shaft of a brush 4 so that a rotation of the wheel 2 drives via the ring 5 with internal teeth and the pinion 42 brush, the rotation of the shaft of the brush 4, and therefore the rotation of the brush 4.

Les différents pignons de la transmission peuvent être des pignons présentant des dentures droites ou des dentures hélicoïdales.The different gears of the transmission may be sprockets with straight teeth or helical teeth.

De préférence, le pignon 45 de roue et la couronne périphérique 5 à denture interne sont réalisés en un matériau thermoplastique résistant à l'eau. Ces pignons peuvent par exemple être réalisés en Delrin®, en Nylon® ou en un matériau équivalent. Selon le mode de réalisation des figures, la couronne 5 périphérique comporte 94 dents et le pignon 45 de roue présente dix-sept dents de telle sorte que le rapport de réduction est de l'ordre de cinq. Selon le mode de réalisation des figures, le pignon 42 de brosse est identique au pignon 45 de roue.Preferably, the wheel pinion 45 and the inner ring gear 5 are made of a thermoplastic material resistant to water. These pinions can for example be made of Delrin®, Nylon® or an equivalent material. According to the embodiment of the figures, the peripheral ring comprises 94 teeth and the wheel pinion has seventeen teeth so that the reduction ratio is of the order of five. According to the embodiment of the figures, the pinion 42 of the brush is identical to the wheel pinion 45.

De préférence, chaque brosse 4 présente un diamètre extérieur compris entre 40 mm et 200 mm. Selon le mode de réalisation des figures, la brosse 4 présente un diamètre extérieur de l'ordre de 100 mm. Selon ce mode de réalisation, la brosse 4 présente en fonctionnement un diamètre extérieur de l'ordre de 100 mm alors qu'au repos, elle présente un diamètre de l'ordre de 102 mm. Cela s'explique par le fait que la brosse 4 possède une structure souple en compression de sorte qu'elle s'écrase un peu lors du fonctionnement de l'appareil et assure un brossage efficace de la surface immergée.Preferably, each brush 4 has an outer diameter of between 40 mm and 200 mm. According to the embodiment of the figures, the brush 4 has an outer diameter of the order of 100 mm. According to this embodiment, the brush 4 has in operation an outside diameter of the order of 100 mm while at rest, it has a diameter of the order of 102 mm. This is explained by the fact that the brush 4 has a flexible structure in compression so that it crashes a little during the operation of the apparatus and ensures effective brushing of the immersed surface.

Les moteurs 20a, 20b électriques et le moteur 12 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 20a, 20b and the pump motor 12 can be of any known type. 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 .

Selon le mode de réalisation représenté sur les figures, les organes roulants sont constitués des roues avant 2 motrices, des roues arrière 3 non motrices et des brosses 4 qui participent à l'entraînement et au guidage de l'appareil sur la surface immergée. 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.According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the rolling members consist of the front wheels 2 driving, rear wheels 3 non-driving and brushes 4 which participate in the driving and guiding of 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.

Les roues avant 2 présentent de préférence un diamètre compris entre 100 mm et 500mm, 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 200 mm. De la sorte, ces roues 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 200 mm. In this way, these wheels 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 avant 2 et les brosses 4 constituent des organes roulants avants moteurs 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 front driving members which extend projecting forwardly with respect to the other components of the apparatus, in particular the hollow body, so as to form the front end portion of the device and to come first in 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 de 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 outlet 10 of liquid so that when the hollow body 1 is suspended by this handle, the apparatus switches spontaneously under the effect of gravity in a position in which the outlet 10 liquid 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.

Il va de 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 many variants and applications.

Par exemple, selon un mode de réalisation non représenté sur les figures, les pignons peuvent présenter des diamètres primitifs, des pas et des nombres de dents différents.For example, according to an embodiment not shown in the figures, the pinions may have different pitch diameters, pitches and numbers of teeth.

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),
    - members (2, 3) for guiding and actuating this hollow body (1) over an immersed surface in a main orientation of advance, referred to as the longitudinal orientation, comprising at least one wheel (2),
    - at least one device (4) for brushing the immersed surface, rotatably mounted relative to the hollow body (1) about an axis, referred to as the brushing axis,
    - a mechanism for rotating a brushing device (4) relative to the hollow body (1) about its brushing axis thereof, characterised in that said actuating mechanism of a brushing device (4) comprises:
    - at least one internally toothed ring (5) which is fixedly joined to a wheel (2),
    - at least one pinion, referred to as a brush pinion (42), which is engaged in a ring (5) of a wheel (2) and which is connected to the brushing device (4) in such a manner that a rotation of this wheel (2) in one direction brings about a rotation of the brush pinion (42) and a rotation of the brushing device (4) about its brushing axis thereof in the same direction as the rotation direction of this wheel (2).
  2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one wheel (2) for rotating a brushing device is a wheel for actuating the hollow body over the immersed surface.
  3. An apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that said
    members (2, 3) for actuating the hollow body over the immersed surface comprise:
    - at least one electric actuating motor (20),
    - at least one pinion, referred to as a wheel pinion (45), which is engaged in an internally toothed ring (5) of a drive wheel (2) and which is capable of being rotated by means of an electric actuating motor (20), in such a manner that this wheel pinion (45) being caused to rotate by this electric motor (20) brings about the rotation of this drive wheel (2).
  4. An apparatus according to claim 3, characterised in that each wheel pinion (45) is arranged at one end of a shaft, referred to as the intermediate transmission shaft (22), comprising at the opposite end a pinion, referred to as an intermediate pinion (21), which is engaged in a pinion, referred to as a drive pinion (44), which is fixedly joined to the drive shaft of an electric actuating motor (20).
  5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that said members (2, 3) for actuating the apparatus over the immersed surface comprise two parallel axles which extend in one orientation, which is referred to as the transverse orientation, perpendicular relative to the longitudinal orientation, each axle comprising at least two wheels which are arranged at each of the transverse ends of the axle, respectively, at least one of the axles comprising at least one drive wheel (2).
  6. An apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the two parallel axles are drive axles comprising at least two drive wheels (2) which are arranged at each of the transverse ends of this axle, respectively.
  7. An apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that said members (2, 3) for actuating the apparatus over the immersed surface comprise a single drive axle.
  8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that each drive wheel (2) is a non-guiding wheel with an internal toothed arrangement.
  9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that said brushing device (4) is formed by at least one brush which comprises a central core which extends in an orientation, referred to as the transverse orientation, perpendicular relative to the longitudinal orientation, and a plurality of fins which extend radially from the central core and in a parallel to the transverse orientation.
  10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the brushing device (4) comprises two coaxial brushes, each brush being coupled to a wheel.
  11. An apparatus according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that each wheel pinion (45) has a pitch and a diameter which are identical to the pitch and diameter of each brush pinion (42).
  12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the brushing device (4) has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the wheel (2) which is fixedly joined to the ring (5) in which the brush pinion (42) which rotates it is engaged.
  13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that it comprises a filtration chamber (8) which is provided in said body (1) and which has:
    . at least one liquid inlet (9) into the hollow body (1), located at the base of said body (1),
    . at least one liquid outlet (10) out of the hollow body (1), located remotely from the base of said body (1),
    . at least one hydraulic circuit which is capable of providing a circulation of liquid between at least one liquid inlet (9) and at least one liquid outlet (10) through at least one filtering device (11), under the action of a pumping device (12, 13, 14).
  14. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that said brushing device (4) is arranged at a longitudinal end of the hollow body (1) and extends in an orientation, referred to as the transverse orientation, perpendicular relative to the longitudinal orientation, in such a manner that said brushing axis extends in said transverse orientation.
  15. An apparatus according to claim 14, characterised in that said brushing device (4) is connected to the hollow body (1) in such a manner that the apparatus rests on the immersed surface, in the region of the longitudinal end where the brushing device (4) is arranged, substantially on the brushing device (4).
EP08863577A 2007-12-21 2008-12-17 Apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface including a brushing device driven by members for driving the apparatus on the submerged surface Active EP2240653B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0708993A FR2925548B1 (en) 2007-12-21 2007-12-21 IMMERED SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS COMPRISING A BRUSHING DEVICE DRIVEN BY THE DEVICE DRIVING DEVICES ON THE IMMERED SURFACE
PCT/FR2008/052336 WO2009081036A2 (en) 2007-12-21 2008-12-17 Apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface including a brushing device driven by members for driving the apparatus on the submerged surface

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2240653A2 EP2240653A2 (en) 2010-10-20
EP2240653B1 true EP2240653B1 (en) 2011-09-28

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08863577A Active EP2240653B1 (en) 2007-12-21 2008-12-17 Apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface including a brushing device driven by members for driving the apparatus on the submerged surface

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US8393029B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2240653B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE526474T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2008339697B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2709848C (en)
ES (1) ES2374137T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2925548B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2009081036A2 (en)
ZA (1) ZA201005168B (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20110000030A1 (en) 2011-01-06
ZA201005168B (en) 2012-01-25
WO2009081036A3 (en) 2009-09-11
FR2925548B1 (en) 2012-08-10
AU2008339697A1 (en) 2009-07-02
CA2709848A1 (en) 2009-07-02
FR2925548A1 (en) 2009-06-26
ES2374137T3 (en) 2012-02-14
EP2240653A2 (en) 2010-10-20
WO2009081036A2 (en) 2009-07-02
AU2008339697B2 (en) 2014-09-11
ATE526474T1 (en) 2011-10-15
CA2709848C (en) 2015-10-06
US8393029B2 (en) 2013-03-12

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