EP2240654B1 - Submerged-surface cleaning apparatus with angled pumping impeller - Google Patents

Submerged-surface cleaning apparatus with angled pumping impeller Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2240654B1
EP2240654B1 EP08864710A EP08864710A EP2240654B1 EP 2240654 B1 EP2240654 B1 EP 2240654B1 EP 08864710 A EP08864710 A EP 08864710A EP 08864710 A EP08864710 A EP 08864710A EP 2240654 B1 EP2240654 B1 EP 2240654B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid
pumping
hollow body
liquid outlet
hydraulic circuit
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Application number
EP08864710A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2240654A2 (en
Inventor
Philippe Pichon
Emmanuel Mastio
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Zodiac Pool Care Europe SAS
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Zodiac Pool Care Europe SAS
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Publication of EP2240654A2 publication Critical patent/EP2240654A2/en
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/14—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
    • E04H4/16—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for specially adapted for cleaning
    • E04H4/1654—Self-propelled cleaners

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a surface-cleaning apparatus immersed in a liquid, in particular a pool-side cleaner.
  • the axis of the pumping propeller is generally vertical (see for example FR 2567552 , WO 0250388 , FR 2586054 , EP 1022411 ), in particular to generate an application force by suction of the device on the immersed surface.
  • this vertical arrangement of the axis of the pumping propeller induces a relatively large vertical space, which results in a high hydraulic resistance to the advance of the apparatus, and therefore in a large energy consumption.
  • the document FR 2896005 discloses a submerged surface cleaner which comprises the features of the preamble of claim 1.
  • the invention aims to provide a submerged surface cleaner device whose performance / cost ratio is greatly improved over that of prior devices.
  • the invention aims to provide such a device whose cost can be substantially lowered for equivalent performance, or better than those of known devices.
  • the invention applies to any pool cleaner device of the type mentioned above, which can be including 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).
  • each hydraulic circuit can be designed and sized to minimize pressure losses and optimize filtration performance.
  • an apparatus according to the invention can be provided with a much lower power driving device, and thus with reduced consumption and costs. This also results in a lower overall volume and a lower weight of the apparatus which, in addition to the economy achieved, is an important advantage for the user, particularly in terms of handling, transport and storage of the apparatus. .
  • an apparatus having an inclined axial pumping propeller may have a greater length available for the hydraulic circuit, all other things being equal, which makes it possible to have the pumping propeller at a distance from the engine pumping greater than the distance separating the propeller from the engine in a vertical axial pumping propeller apparatus. Therefore, the pressure losses induced by the presence of the motor on the hydraulic path are lower because deviations and tortuosities of the hydraulic path are minimized.
  • the liquid flow at the pump propeller can be substantially parallel to the axis of the pump propeller.
  • an apparatus according to the invention comprising an inclined pump may have a large ground clearance, without nevertheless having significant overall vertical dimensions. Such ground clearance reduces the risk of blocking the device for example on a bottom drain of a pool.
  • liquid inlet being offset longitudinally from the liquid outlet, and the axis of the propeller of the pumping device being inclined so as to allow an inclined liquid flow between this inlet and this liquid outlet, the debris suction flow present on the immersed surface generated by the pumping device can also be inclined.
  • This inclined suction flow can allow debris to be sucked up slightly in front of or behind a liquid inlet of the apparatus, depending on the direction of movement of the apparatus, the inclination of the propeller , the arrangement of the liquid inlets, and the shape of the hydraulic circuit.
  • an inclination of the helix in a direction substantially parallel to the direction connecting the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet allows suction of debris located in front of the liquid inlet.
  • This suction can facilitate the suction of debris at the feet of vertical walls of a swimming pool for example, while such a suction would not be possible if the pumping propeller was vertical at the foot of the entrance of liquid.
  • An apparatus comprises at least one liquid pumping device comprising a pumping motor having a rotary motor shaft coupled to at least one axial pumping propeller which has an inclined axis of rotation.
  • the rotating motor shaft of a pumping device coupled to a pumping propeller may be vertical, horizontal, or have any inclination with respect to the longitudinal direction. Nevertheless, advantageously and according to the invention, each pumping motor has an inclined rotary motor shaft making, with the longitudinal direction, a non-zero angle and different from 90 °. This allows, like the inclination of the axis of rotation of the pump propeller, to reduce the vertical size of the device and thus reduce the hydraulic drag of the device.
  • an apparatus comprises a hatch access to the filtering device formed on an upper wall of the hollow body and adapted to allow the disassembly of the filter device and its passage through the access hatch.
  • an apparatus according to the invention comprises a hatch access to the filtering device formed on a front wall of the hollow body and adapted to allow the disassembly of the filter device and its passage through the access door.
  • the filtering device can be simply removed from the device, from above the device and / or from the front of the device, without the need to return the device.
  • the extraction of the filtering device is done with the device in horizontal position, ie with the device in its normal position of displacement. It is the inclination of the pumping device in an apparatus according to the invention which allows this advantageous extraction from above and / or from the front of the apparatus.
  • each pump motor has a rotary shaft coaxial with the axis of rotation of an axial pumping propeller.
  • An axial pumping propeller of a pumping device of an apparatus according to the invention is disposed in a hydraulic circuit of the apparatus so that the axis of the propeller is neither horizontal nor vertical.
  • a good compromise consists in choosing an inclination that allows both to maintain a satisfactory suction level of debris, that is to say in particular that limits the pressure losses, and to ensure a substantial reduction in the clutter vertical of the cleaning device so as to reduce the hydraulic drag of the device on the immersed surface.
  • each pumping propeller has an inclined axis of rotation making with said longitudinal direction an angle between 15 ° and 60 ° -not of the order of 30 ° -.
  • the inclination of the axis of rotation of the helix is such that the flow of liquid leaving the apparatus has a horizontal component greater than its vertical component.
  • the axis of rotation of each pumping helix interposed in a hydraulic circuit is parallel to the inclined mean direction passing through the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet connected by this hydraulic circuit.
  • the inventors have determined that such an inclination makes it possible to optimize the flow of liquid between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, which thus makes it possible to optimize the suction level of the debris.
  • At least one liquid outlet out of the hollow body is substantially coaxial, within 5 °, to the axis of rotation of an axial pumping propeller.
  • At least one liquid outlet is arranged exactly opposite the pumping helix so that the liquid flows out of the apparatus through this liquid outlet in a direction corresponding to that the flow of liquid generated by the axial pumping propeller.
  • an apparatus according to the invention can be provided with a much lower power driving device, and thus with reduced consumption and costs. This also results in a lower overall volume and a lower weight of the apparatus which, in addition to the economy achieved, is an important advantage for the user, particularly in terms of handling, transport and storage of the apparatus. .
  • the hollow body of a device according to the invention can be made of several parts assembled to each other by all types of assembly means, or by a single piece such as a molded part.
  • the hollow body is formed mainly of a concave casing delimiting a main enclosure, this casing having openings respectively formed in a lower part of the casing and in a rear part of the casing, these openings forming respectively said said liquid inlet (s) and said liquid outlet (s).
  • Such a housing is formed in one piece by molding.
  • this housing is made of a thermoplastic material adapted to remain in an aqueous medium for a long time.
  • a material is for example an ABS plastic which by its constitution has a thermal resistance to aging, an ability to endure strokes, rigidity for mounting elements in the housing and ease of molding.
  • Such a housing defines a main enclosure adapted to receive a filtration chamber and at least one pumping device of liquid.
  • Each pumping device comprising a propeller with an inclined axis of rotation and a motor shaft motor, preferably inclined in the same direction as the axis of the propeller, can be arranged at different points of the hydraulic circuit which it circulates. liquid.
  • each pump motor of each hydraulic circuit is arranged below the inclined direction passing through the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet offset longitudinally with respect to this liquid inlet interconnected by this hydraulic circuit.
  • each pumping device makes it possible to shift the center of gravity of the apparatus towards the bottom of the latter. Indeed, the pumping devices represent a significant part of the total weight of the device.
  • an apparatus also comprises a propeller fairing surrounding the axial pumping propeller over its entire height.
  • Such a propeller fairing extends at least over the entire height of the axial pumping propeller. For example, downstream and upstream of the axial pumping propeller, the propeller fairing can extend beyond the propeller and form a liquid outlet channel to the liquid outlet out of the hollow body of the propeller. the device.
  • An apparatus according to the invention can be driven in displacement on the submerged surface by all types of means.
  • an apparatus according to the invention can be driven in displacement by hydraulic means, electrical means, or mixed hydraulic and electrical means.
  • said drive members of said body on the immersed surface comprise at least one electric drive motor.
  • Such an electric motor may be an electric motor powered by one or more accumulators housed in the housing of the apparatus or an electric motor powered by a domestic electrical network, such as the urban electricity network, via an electric cable.
  • a domestic electrical network such as the urban electricity network
  • an electric motor is a very low voltage electric motor.
  • each pumping device is preferably a very low voltage electric motor.
  • Each electric pumping motor can also be powered, either by accumulators housed in the housing, or by means of a domestic electrical network, such as the urban electrical network, and an electrical cable connecting the apparatus to this unit. domestic electrical network.
  • the electric drive motor of the cleaning apparatus and each motor of each pumping device are powered by the same source of electrical energy.
  • each electric drive motor is a unidirectional drive motor.
  • an apparatus comprises at least one axle with directional or non-directional wheels which extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
  • At least one of these wheels is driving.
  • Such wheels are advantageously rotated via at least one electric drive motor.
  • These wheels are mounted on an axle which extends in a direction perpendicular to the main direction of travel. A rotation of the wheels therefore causes the robot to move along the main direction of travel.
  • An apparatus according to the invention may further comprise a device which makes it possible to modify the direction of movement of the apparatus when it encounters a vertical wall.
  • This change of direction device can be of all types known.
  • an apparatus comprises a single hydraulic circuit, this circuit comprising one or more liquid inlets located at the base and in front of said hollow body and one or more liquid outlets located at a distance from the base of the body. at a rear portion of said body.
  • Such an apparatus having at least one liquid inlet located towards the front of the apparatus in the lower part and at least one liquid outlet located towards the rear of the apparatus and away from the base of the apparatus allows to suck debris littered on the submerged surface in the normal direction of movement of the apparatus.
  • a liquid ejection by a rear high exit in an inclined direction away from the base of the body contributes to keep the cleaner pressed against the immersed surface while participating in the drive of the apparatus on the submerged surface.
  • the apparatus according to the invention comprises a single liquid inlet, and a single liquid outlet connected by a single hydraulic circuit.
  • this unique hydraulic circuit comprises a single pumping device comprising a single pumping electric motor having a rotating motor shaft coupled to a single pumping propeller inclined rotation axis.
  • the invention further relates to a cleaning apparatus characterized in combination by all or some of the features mentioned above or hereinafter.
  • 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.
  • An apparatus comprises a hollow body 1 and rolling bodies 2, 3, 4 for guiding and driving the hollow body 1 on a surface immersed in at least one privileged direction of advancement and in a main direction of advancement, said 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 made by molding or rotational molding.
  • This housing is preferably made of a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, PMMA or any equivalent material.
  • This hollow body 1 has a central chamber 35 adapted to receive a filtration chamber.
  • This central chamber is delimited by a lower wall extending in a substantially horizontal plane; by side walls 36 extending generally in vertical planes; by a front wall 37 extending generally in a vertical plane, orthogonal to the planes of the vertical side walls 36; and a rear wall 38 extending generally in a vertical plane orthogonal to the planes of the vertical side walls 36.
  • the lower wall has an opening extending transversely adjacent the wall 37 before such 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 38 includes a cylindrical opening forming a liquid outlet 10 out of the hollow body 1.
  • This liquid outlet 10 formed in the rear wall 38 of the casing is longitudinally offset from the liquid inlet 9 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 liquid inlet 9 and this liquid outlet 10 form a filtration chamber 8.
  • This filtration chamber 8 further comprises a hydraulic circuit adapted to ensure a flow of liquid between the inlet 9 of liquid and the outlet 10 of liquid through a filtering device 11.
  • the inlet 9 of liquid and the outlet 10 of liquid are centered on a same longitudinal vertical plane of the apparatus.
  • the central chamber 1 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. None prevents the access hatch 6 from extending least partially forward.
  • the access hatch 6 is articulated to the body 1 of the apparatus by hinges 23 arranged at the rear of the apparatus.
  • the filtering device 11 is a device mounted in the central chamber 1 of the hollow body 1 in the manner of a drawer.
  • the rigid armature 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 sizes 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 filtering device 11 so that the ribs of the filtering device 11 are facing the grooves of the hollow body and then sliding the filtering device 11 into the hollow body 1.
  • the filtering device 11 further comprises a handle 28 formed on an upper portion of the filtering device 11 so as to facilitate the handling of the filtering device 11.
  • a user can easily assemble / disassemble the filtering device 11 via this handle 28 when the device is out of the liquid and rests on a horizontal surface.
  • the rolling members for guiding and driving the apparatus comprise a front axle comprising front-wheel drive wheels, one on each side, and a rear axle comprising 3 non-drive rear wheels, one on each side.
  • the apparatus comprises brushes 4 arranged at the front of the apparatus. These brushes 4 are intended to ensure a brushing of the immersed surface and to move the brushed debris towards the rear of the apparatus towards the inlet 9 of liquid arranged under the apparatus.
  • the apparatus further comprises at least one electric motor for driving the front 2-wheel drive wheels.
  • the apparatus comprises two drive motors, one on each side, respectively for independent driving of each of the front wheels 2.
  • each front wheel 2 has an internal toothing 5 cooperating with a pinion 45 driven by the corresponding drive motor.
  • the apparatus comprises two coaxial front brushes 4.
  • Each brush 4 is adapted to be rotated about an axis extending in a direction, said transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
  • Each brush 4 comprises a plurality of fins 41 extending radially from a brush shaft forming the axis of rotation of the brush 4.
  • the fins 41 are for example made of rubber made of a resistant plastic material.
  • the brushes 4 are preferably also rotated from at least one electric drive motor 2 of the front wheels 2 via a gear system.
  • the internal toothing of each wheel 2 before driving cooperates with a pinion 42 fixed to one end of the shaft of a brush 4 so that a rotation of the wheel 2 leads through of the toothing 5 and the pinion 42, the rotation of the shaft of the brush 4, and thus the rotation of the brush 4.
  • the rolling members consist of the front wheels 2 driving, rear wheels 3 non-driving and brushes 4 which participate in driving and guiding the apparatus 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 direction Longitudinal progress of the apparatus is parallel to this theoretical plane of rolling.
  • the front wheels 2 preferably have a diameter of between 100 mm and 500 mm, in particular between 150 mm and 250 mm. According to the embodiment of the figures, the front wheels 2 have a diameter of the order of 200mm. In this way, these front wheels 2 facilitate the crossing of obstacles and have improved motor skills.
  • their peripheral tread is formed or coated with a non-slip material.
  • the front wheels 2 and the brushes 4 constitute front driving members 2, 4 which extend projecting forwardly with respect to the other components of the apparatus, in particular the hollow body, so as to form the end part. before the aircraft and coming first into contact with an obstacle encountered during the forward movement.
  • the apparatus also comprises a maneuvering handle 7 allowing a user to wear the device to immerse in a liquid and out of the latter.
  • This handle 7 is preferably arranged opposite the liquid outlet 10 so that when the hollow body 1 is suspended by this handle, the 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 circulation of liquid in the hollow body 1 of the apparatus is schematically represented on the figure 7 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 has porous walls adapted to let the liquid pass but to retain the solid debris 60. The filtered liquid then reaches the liquid outlet 10 and is ejected into the pool from where it comes from the back of the device.
  • the intake column 15 forms a non-return wall 16 preventing debris having reached the filtering device 11 to come out through the liquid inlet 9 when the pump 12 is stopped.
  • An apparatus further comprises a motorized liquid pumping device comprising an electric pumping motor 12 having a rotary motor shaft 13 coupled to a pumping propeller 14 interposed in the hydraulic circuit so as to generate a liquid flow therein. between the liquid inlet 9 and the liquid outlet 10 connected by this hydraulic circuit.
  • 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, an angle ⁇ which is not zero and different from 90 °.
  • the pumping propeller 14 is adapted to generate a flow of liquid oriented along its axis 51 towards the liquid outlet 10 away from the base of the hollow body 1.
  • 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.
  • each pump motor 12 has an inclined motor rotating shaft 13 making, with the longitudinal direction, the same non-zero angle ⁇ and different from 90 °.
  • the axis 51 of rotation of the pumping propeller 14 interposed in the hydraulic circuit is parallel to the inclined mean direction passing through the liquid inlet 9 and the liquid outlet 10 connected by this hydraulic circuit.
  • the longitudinal offset between the liquid inlet 9 and the liquid outlet 10 is determined by the inclination of the pump.
  • the longitudinal offset between the liquid inlet 9 and the liquid outlet 10 is greater than 50% -in particular 75% -of the overall size of the apparatus along the longitudinal direction.
  • the device has a greater length available for the hydraulic circuit, all things being equal, which minimizes the deviations and tortuosities of the hydraulic path and therefore the pressure drops.
  • angle ⁇ determines the vertical compactness of the device.
  • An apparatus according to the invention thanks to its inclined pumping axis, has a reduced hydraulic drag compared to a known device with a vertical pumping axis.
  • the angle ⁇ is of the order of 30 ° relative to the horizontal longitudinal direction.
  • the transverse liquid inlet 9 formed in the bottom wall of the casing has a section substantially equal to the section of the liquid outlet 10 formed in the rear wall of the casing.
  • This inlet 9 of transverse liquid has a substantially rectangular shape whose length is of the order of seven times the width.
  • the liquid outlet 10 has a substantially circular shape whose radius is of the order of one and a half times the width of the liquid inlet 9.
  • the pump motor 12 is housed in a sealed housing 17.
  • This sealed casing 17 has an axial opening allowing the passage of the rotating motor shaft 13. This opening is preferably sealed by an O-ring 18 arranged between the motor shaft 13 and the opening of the casing 17.
  • the pump motor 12 is preferably powered by means of a sealed electrical cable connecting the device to a domestic electrical network.
  • the figure 1 presents the input zone 19 of the electrical cable in the device.
  • This power supply cable of the pump motor 12 is not shown in the figures for the sake of clarity.
  • the pump motor can be of any known type.
  • the pump motor 12 is a low voltage motor.
  • the displacement of the device according to the invention on the immersed surface to be cleaned is achieved by means of the front wheels 2.
  • These front wheel 2 are for example driven in rotation by means of an electric motor.
  • This electric motor is powered by the same power supply cable as the pump motor.
  • each electric motor 20 is also arranged in the sealed casing 17 in which the pump motor 12 is arranged.
  • Each electric motor is preferably a low voltage electric motor.
  • an apparatus according to the invention which has an overall height of 250 mm and which is equipped with a pump motor with a power output of 80 W can produce a liquid flow rate of the order of 18 m 3 / h. .
  • the total power consumed for the operation of this device driven at an average speed of the order of 10 m / min, is of the order of 85W.
  • a device according to WO 0 250 388 equipped with the same pumping motor and the same height produces a flow rate of about 15 m 3 / h.
  • the total power consumed for the operation of this prior device driven at the same average speed is of the order of 105 W. It is therefore found that an apparatus according to the invention has an improvement of the order of 20% of its performance compared to an earlier device comparable to WO 0 250 388 .
  • the apparatus may comprise several liquid inlets, several liquid outlets and several hydraulic circuits, for example one on the left and one on the right.
  • the invention applies to a bidirectional apparatus capable of retrograde movement.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)

Abstract

Detailed is a device for cleaning an immersed surface including a body and members for driving the body over the immersed surface, a filtration chamber which is provided in the body and which has: a liquid inlet located at the base of the body; a liquid outlet arranged opposite the base of the body; a hydraulic circuit for flow of liquid between this liquid inlet and this liquid outlet through a filtering device; a liquid pumping device including a pumping motor which has a rotating drive shaft which is coupled to a pumping propeller which is interposed in the hydraulic circuit, wherein the liquid outlet is longitudinally offset from the liquid inlet and the pumping propeller has an inclined rotation axis which forms, with the longitudinal direction, an angle which is not equal to zero and which is different from 90°.

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.

Certains appareils nettoyeurs de piscine connus comportent :

  • un corps creux et des organes d'entraînement dudit corps sur la surface immergée dans au moins un sens d'avancement privilégié et selon une direction principale d'avancement, dite direction longitudinale,
  • une chambre de filtration ménagée dans ledit corps et présentant :
    • 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 creux,
    • au moins un circuit hydraulique adapté pour assurer une circulation de liquide entre au moins une entrée et au moins une sortie à travers au moins un dispositif de filtrage,
    • au moins un moteur de pompage -notamment un moteur de pompage électrique alimenté par un câble reliant le corps de l'appareil à une source extérieure émergée d'énergie électrique- présentant un arbre rotatif moteur accouplé à au moins une hélice de pompage axial interposée dans au moins un circuit hydraulique de façon à y générer un débit de liquide entre chaque entrée et chaque sortie.
Some known pool cleaner devices include:
  • a hollow body and drive members of said body on the immersed surface in at least one preferred direction of advancement and in a main direction of advancement, said longitudinal direction,
  • a filtration chamber formed in said body and having:
    • 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 hollow body,
    • at least one hydraulic circuit adapted to ensure a circulation of liquid between at least one inlet and at least one outlet through at least one filtering device,
    • at least one pump motor -especially an electric pump motor powered by a cable connecting the body of the apparatus to an external source of electrical energy-having a rotary motor shaft coupled to at least one axial pumping propeller interposed in at least one hydraulic circuit so as to generate a flow of liquid between each input and each output.

Dans ces appareils connus à pompe motorisée, l'axe de l'hélice de pompage est en général vertical (cf. par exemple FR 2567552 , WO 0250388 , FR 2586054 , EP 1022411 ), de façon notamment à générer une force d'application par aspiration de l'appareil sur la surface immergée.In these known apparatus with motorized pump, the axis of the pumping propeller is generally vertical (see for example FR 2567552 , WO 0250388 , FR 2586054 , EP 1022411 ), in particular to generate an application force by suction of the device on the immersed surface.

Or, les inventeurs ont maintenant déterminé que cette disposition est en fait extrêmement défavorable du point de vue des performances de l'appareil. En particulier, cette disposition verticale de l'axe de l'hélice de pompage induit un encombrement vertical relativement important, ce qui se traduit par une résistance hydraulique à l'avancement de l'appareil élevée, et donc par une consommation énergétique importante.Now, the inventors have now determined that this provision is actually extremely unfavorable from the point of view of the performance of the apparatus. In particular, this vertical arrangement of the axis of the pumping propeller induces a relatively large vertical space, which results in a high hydraulic resistance to the advance of the apparatus, and therefore in a large energy consumption.

De plus, cette disposition de l'axe de l'hélice augmente, de par le poids et l'encombrement importants qu'elle induit, le coût de fabrication et d'utilisation d'un tel appareil nettoyeur de surface immergée. Le document FR 2896005 décrit un appareil nettoyeur de surface immergée qui comprend les caractéristiques du préambule de la revendication 1.In addition, this arrangement of the axis of the propeller increases, by the weight and bulk it induces, the cost of manufacture and use of such a submerged surface cleaner device. The document FR 2896005 discloses a submerged surface cleaner which comprises the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Dans ce contexte, l'invention vise à proposer un appareil nettoyeur de surface immergée dont le rapport performances/coût est grandement amélioré par rapport à celui des appareils antérieurs.In this context, the invention aims to provide a submerged surface cleaner device whose performance / cost ratio is greatly improved over that of prior devices.

Plus particulièrement, l'invention vise à proposer un tel appareil dont le coût peut être sensiblement abaissé pour des performances équivalentes, voire meilleures, que celles des appareils connus.More particularly, the invention aims to provide such a device whose cost can be substantially lowered for equivalent performance, or better than those of known devices.

L'invention s'applique à tout appareil nettoyeur de piscine du type mentionné ci-dessus, qui peut être notamment à entraînement électrique, hydraulique ou mixte.The invention applies to any pool cleaner device of the type mentioned above, which can be including 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 d'une surface immergée comprenant :

  • un corps creux et des organes de guidage et d'entraînement dudit corps sur la surface immergée dans au moins un sens d'avancement privilégié et selon une direction principale d'avancement, dite direction longitudinale,
  • une chambre de filtration ménagée dans ledit corps creux et présentant :
    • au moins une entrée de liquide dans le corps creux située à la base dudit corps creux,
    • au moins une sortie de liquide hors du corps creux située à distance de la base du corps creux,
    • 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,
      • au moins un dispositif de pompage de liquide comprenant un moteur de pompage présentant un arbre rotatif moteur accouplé à au moins une hélice de pompage axial interposée dans un circuit hydraulique de façon à y générer un débit de liquide entre chaque entrée de liquide et chaque sortie de liquide reliées par ce circuit hydraulique,
        caractérisé en ce que :
      • chaque sortie de liquide est décalée, selon ladite direction longitudinale, de chaque entrée avec laquelle elle est en communication par un circuit hydraulique,
      • chaque hélice de pompage axial interposée dans un circuit hydraulique entre une entrée de liquide et une sortie de liquide présente un axe de rotation incliné faisant, avec ladite direction longitudinale, un angle non nul et différent de 90° et adapté pour générer un débit de liquide orienté selon son axe vers cette sortie de liquide en s'éloignant de la base dudit corps.
To do this, the invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface comprising:
  • a hollow body and guiding and driving members of said body on the submerged surface in at least one preferred direction of advancement and in a main direction of advancement, referred to as the longitudinal direction,
  • a filtration chamber formed in said hollow body and having:
    • at least one liquid inlet in the hollow body located at the base of said hollow body,
    • at least one liquid outlet out of the body hollow located at a distance from the base of the hollow body,
    • at least one hydraulic circuit adapted to ensure a circulation of liquid between at least one liquid inlet and at least one liquid outlet through at least one filtering device,
      • at least one liquid pumping device comprising a pumping motor having a rotary motor shaft coupled to at least one axial pumping helix interposed in a hydraulic circuit so as to generate there a liquid flow between each liquid inlet and each outlet of liquid connected by this hydraulic circuit,
        characterized in that
      • each liquid outlet is offset, in said longitudinal direction, from each input with which it is in communication by a hydraulic circuit,
      • each axial pumping propeller interposed in a hydraulic circuit between a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet has an inclined axis of rotation making, with said longitudinal direction, a non-zero angle different from 90 ° and adapted to generate a flow of liquid oriented along its axis towards this liquid outlet away from the base of said body.

Les inventeurs ont en effet constaté que le simple fait d'incliner l'axe de chaque hélice de pompage axial et l'orientation générale de chaque circuit hydraulique permet en pratique à la fois de conserver les performances d'aspiration et de filtrage de l'appareil, tout en diminuant considérablement son encombrement vertical, et donc sa traînée hydraulique. En outre, chaque circuit hydraulique peut être conçu et dimensionné de façon à minimiser les pertes de charge et à optimiser les performances de filtration. En conséquence, à performances d'aspiration et de nettoyage équivalentes, un appareil selon l'invention peut être doté d'un dispositif d'entraînement de puissance beaucoup plus faible, et donc de consommation et de coûts réduits. Il en résulte également un volume général et un poids plus faibles de l'appareil ce qui, outre l'économie réalisée, est un avantage important pour l'utilisateur, notamment en termes de manipulations, de transport, et de stockage de l'appareil.The inventors have indeed found that the simple fact of tilting the axis of each axial pumping propeller and the general orientation of each hydraulic circuit allows in practice both to maintain the suction and filtering performance of the device, while significantly reducing its vertical size, and therefore its hydraulic drag. In addition, each hydraulic circuit can be designed and sized to minimize pressure losses and optimize filtration performance. As a result, with equivalent suction and cleaning performance, an apparatus according to the invention can be provided with a much lower power driving device, and thus with reduced consumption and costs. This also results in a lower overall volume and a lower weight of the apparatus which, in addition to the economy achieved, is an important advantage for the user, particularly in terms of handling, transport and storage of the apparatus. .

En outre, à hauteur équivalente, un appareil présentant une hélice de pompage axial inclinée peut présenter une plus grande longueur disponible pour le circuit hydraulique, toutes choses étant égales par ailleurs, ce qui permet de disposer l'hélice de pompage à une distance du moteur de pompage supérieure à la distance séparant l'hélice du moteur dans un appareil à hélice de pompage axial vertical. Dès lors, les pertes de charge induites par la présence du moteur sur le trajet hydraulique sont plus faibles car les déviations et les tortuosités du trajet hydraulique sont minimisées. Le flux de liquide au niveau de l'hélice de pompage peut dont être sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de l'hélice de pompage.In addition, at equivalent height, an apparatus having an inclined axial pumping propeller may have a greater length available for the hydraulic circuit, all other things being equal, which makes it possible to have the pumping propeller at a distance from the engine pumping greater than the distance separating the propeller from the engine in a vertical axial pumping propeller apparatus. Therefore, the pressure losses induced by the presence of the motor on the hydraulic path are lower because deviations and tortuosities of the hydraulic path are minimized. The liquid flow at the pump propeller can be substantially parallel to the axis of the pump propeller.

De plus, un appareil selon l'invention comprenant une pompe inclinée peut présenter une garde au sol importante, sans néanmoins présenter des dimensions hors tout verticales importantes. Une telle garde au sol réduit les risques de blocage de l'appareil par exemple sur une bonde de fond d'une piscine.In addition, an apparatus according to the invention comprising an inclined pump may have a large ground clearance, without nevertheless having significant overall vertical dimensions. Such ground clearance reduces the risk of blocking the device for example on a bottom drain of a pool.

De plus, l'entrée de liquide étant décalée longitudinalement de la sortie de liquide, et l'axe de l'hélice du dispositif de pompage étant incliné de manière à permettre une circulation de liquide inclinée entre cette entrée et cette sortie de liquide, le flux d'aspiration de débris présents sur la surface immergée généré par le dispositif de pompage peut également être incliné.In addition, the liquid inlet being offset longitudinally from the liquid outlet, and the axis of the propeller of the pumping device being inclined so as to allow an inclined liquid flow between this inlet and this liquid outlet, the debris suction flow present on the immersed surface generated by the pumping device can also be inclined.

Ce flux d'aspiration incliné peut permettre une aspiration des débris légèrement à l'avant ou à l'arrière d'une entrée de liquide de l'appareil, selon le sens de déplacement de l'appareil, l'inclinaison de l'hélice, l'agencement des entrées de liquide, et la forme du circuit hydraulique. En particulier, dans le cas d'un circuit hydraulique sensiblement rectiligne entre l'entrée et la sortie de liquide, une inclinaison de l'hélice selon une direction sensiblement parallèle à la direction reliant l'entrée de liquide à la sortie de liquide, permet une aspiration des débris situés à l'avant de l'entrée de liquide. Cette aspiration peut faciliter l'aspiration des débris au niveau des pieds de parois verticales d'une piscine par exemple, alors qu'une telle aspiration ne serait pas possible si l'hélice de pompage était verticale à l'aplomb de l'entrée de liquide.This inclined suction flow can allow debris to be sucked up slightly in front of or behind a liquid inlet of the apparatus, depending on the direction of movement of the apparatus, the inclination of the propeller , the arrangement of the liquid inlets, and the shape of the hydraulic circuit. In particular, in the case of a substantially straight hydraulic circuit between the inlet and the liquid outlet, an inclination of the helix in a direction substantially parallel to the direction connecting the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet, allows suction of debris located in front of the liquid inlet. This suction can facilitate the suction of debris at the feet of vertical walls of a swimming pool for example, while such a suction would not be possible if the pumping propeller was vertical at the foot of the entrance of liquid.

Un appareil selon l'invention comprend au moins un dispositif de pompage de liquide comprenant un moteur de pompage présentant un arbre rotatif moteur accouplé à au moins une hélice de pompage axial qui présente un axe de rotation incliné.An apparatus according to the invention comprises at least one liquid pumping device comprising a pumping motor having a rotary motor shaft coupled to at least one axial pumping propeller which has an inclined axis of rotation.

L'arbre rotatif moteur d'un dispositif de pompage accouplé à une hélice de pompage peut être vertical, horizontal, ou présenter une inclinaison quelconque par rapport à la direction longitudinale. Néanmoins, avantageusement et selon l'invention, chaque moteur de pompage présente un arbre rotatif moteur incliné faisant, avec la direction longitudinale, un angle non nul et différent de 90°. Cela permet, à l'instar de l'inclinaison de l'axe de rotation de l'hélice de pompage, de diminuer l'encombrement vertical de l'appareil et donc de réduire la traînée hydraulique de l'appareil.The rotating motor shaft of a pumping device coupled to a pumping propeller may be vertical, horizontal, or have any inclination with respect to the longitudinal direction. Nevertheless, advantageously and according to the invention, each pumping motor has an inclined rotary motor shaft making, with the longitudinal direction, a non-zero angle and different from 90 °. This allows, like the inclination of the axis of rotation of the pump propeller, to reduce the vertical size of the device and thus reduce the hydraulic drag of the device.

Avantageusement, un appareil selon l'invention comprend une trappe d'accès au dispositif de filtrage ménagée sur une paroi supérieure du corps creux et adaptée pour permettre le démontage du dispositif de filtrage et son passage par cette trappe d'accès.Advantageously, an apparatus according to the invention comprises a hatch access to the filtering device formed on an upper wall of the hollow body and adapted to allow the disassembly of the filter device and its passage through the access hatch.

En variante ou en combinaison, un appareil selon l'invention comprend une trappe d'accès au dispositif de filtrage ménagée sur une paroi avant du corps creux et adaptée pour permettre le démontage du dispositif de filtrage et son passage par cette trappe d'accès.Alternatively or in combination, an apparatus according to the invention comprises a hatch access to the filtering device formed on a front wall of the hollow body and adapted to allow the disassembly of the filter device and its passage through the access door.

Dans ces deux variantes, le dispositif de filtrage peut être extrait simplement de l'appareil, par le dessus de l'appareil et/ou par l'avant de l'appareil, sans nécessiter de retourner l'appareil. L'extraction du dispositif de filtrage se fait donc avec l'appareil en position horizontale, c'est à dire avec l'appareil dans sa position normale de déplacement. C'est l'inclinaison du dispositif de pompage dans un appareil selon l'invention qui permet cette extraction avantageuse par le dessus et/ou par l'avant de l'appareil.In these two variants, the filtering device can be simply removed from the device, from above the device and / or from the front of the device, without the need to return the device. The extraction of the filtering device is done with the device in horizontal position, ie with the device in its normal position of displacement. It is the inclination of the pumping device in an apparatus according to the invention which allows this advantageous extraction from above and / or from the front of the apparatus.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, chaque moteur de pompage présente un arbre rotatif coaxial à l'axe de rotation d'une hélice de pompage axial.Advantageously and according to the invention, each pump motor has a rotary shaft coaxial with the axis of rotation of an axial pumping propeller.

Une telle variante permet d'une part un accouplement simple entre l'hélice de pompage axial et l'arbre moteur et confère d'autre part à un appareil selon l'invention un encombrement vertical minimal.Such a variant allows on the one hand a coupling between the axial pumping propeller and the motor shaft and on the other hand gives an apparatus according to the invention a minimum vertical space requirement.

Une hélice de pompage axial d'un dispositif de pompage d'un appareil selon l'invention est disposée dans un circuit hydraulique de l'appareil de telle sorte que l'axe de l'hélice n'est ni horizontal, ni vertical. Un bon compromis consiste à choisir une inclinaison qui permet à la fois de maintenir un niveau d'aspiration satisfaisant des débris, c'est-à-dire notamment qui limite les pertes de charges, et d'assurer une réduction substantielle de l'encombrement vertical de l'appareil nettoyeur de manière à réduire d'autant la traînée hydraulique de l'appareil sur la surface immergée.An axial pumping propeller of a pumping device of an apparatus according to the invention is disposed in a hydraulic circuit of the apparatus so that the axis of the propeller is neither horizontal nor vertical. A good compromise consists in choosing an inclination that allows both to maintain a satisfactory suction level of debris, that is to say in particular that limits the pressure losses, and to ensure a substantial reduction in the clutter vertical of the cleaning device so as to reduce the hydraulic drag of the device on the immersed surface.

Selon une variante de l'invention, chaque hélice de pompage présente un axe de rotation incliné faisant avec ladite direction longitudinale un angle compris entre 15° et 60° -notamment de l'ordre de 30°-.According to a variant of the invention, each pumping propeller has an inclined axis of rotation making with said longitudinal direction an angle between 15 ° and 60 ° -not of the order of 30 ° -.

De préférence, l'inclinaison de l'axe de rotation de l'hélice est telle que le flux de liquide sortant de l'appareil présente une composante horizontale supérieure à sa composante verticale.Preferably, the inclination of the axis of rotation of the helix is such that the flow of liquid leaving the apparatus has a horizontal component greater than its vertical component.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, l'axe de rotation de chaque hélice de pompage interposée dans un circuit hydraulique est parallèle à la direction moyenne inclinée passant par l'entrée de liquide et la sortie de liquide reliées par ce circuit hydraulique. Les inventeurs ont déterminé qu'une telle inclinaison permet d'optimiser le débit de liquide entre l'entrée de liquide et la sortie de liquide, ce qui permet donc d'optimiser le niveau d'aspiration des débris.Advantageously and according to the invention, the axis of rotation of each pumping helix interposed in a hydraulic circuit is parallel to the inclined mean direction passing through the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet connected by this hydraulic circuit. The inventors have determined that such an inclination makes it possible to optimize the flow of liquid between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, which thus makes it possible to optimize the suction level of the debris.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, au moins une sortie de liquide hors du corps creux est sensiblement coaxiale, à moins de 5° près, à l'axe de rotation d'une hélice de pompage axial.Advantageously and according to the invention, at least one liquid outlet out of the hollow body is substantially coaxial, within 5 °, to the axis of rotation of an axial pumping propeller.

Selon une variante avantageuse de l'invention, au moins une sortie de liquide est agencée exactement en regard de l'hélice de pompage de sorte que le liquide s'écoule hors de l'appareil par cette sortie de liquide selon une direction correspondant à celle du débit de liquide généré par l'hélice de pompage axial.According to an advantageous variant of the invention, at least one liquid outlet is arranged exactly opposite the pumping helix so that the liquid flows out of the apparatus through this liquid outlet in a direction corresponding to that the flow of liquid generated by the axial pumping propeller.

Les inventeurs ont en effet constaté que cet agencement particulier permet non seulement à la fois de conserver les performances d'aspiration et de filtrage de l'appareil, tout en diminuant considérablement son encombrement vertical, et donc sa traînée hydraulique, mais également de récupérer directement, sans perte de charge, au moins une partie de l'énergie hydraulique résiduelle dans le flux de sortie pour participer à l'entraînement de l'appareil.The inventors have indeed found that this particular arrangement not only allows both to maintain the suction performance and filtering of the device, while significantly reducing its vertical size, and therefore its hydraulic drag, but also to recover directly , without loss of load, at least a portion of the residual hydraulic energy in the output stream to participate in driving the device.

En conséquence, à performances d'aspiration et de nettoyage équivalentes, un appareil selon l'invention peut être doté d'un dispositif d'entraînement de puissance beaucoup plus faible, et donc de consommation et de coûts réduits. Il en résulte également un volume général et un poids plus faibles de l'appareil ce qui, outre l'économie réalisée, est un avantage important pour l'utilisateur, notamment en termes de manipulations, de transport, et de stockage de l'appareil.As a result, with equivalent suction and cleaning performance, an apparatus according to the invention can be provided with a much lower power driving device, and thus with reduced consumption and costs. This also results in a lower overall volume and a lower weight of the apparatus which, in addition to the economy achieved, is an important advantage for the user, particularly in terms of handling, transport and storage of the apparatus. .

Le corps creux d'un dispositif selon l'invention peut être réalisé de plusieurs pièces assemblées les unes aux autres par tous types de moyens d'assemblage, ou par une seule pièce telle qu'une pièce moulée.The hollow body of a device according to the invention can be made of several parts assembled to each other by all types of assembly means, or by a single piece such as a molded part.

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 dans une partie basse du carter et dans une partie arrière du carter, ces ouvertures formant respectivement ladite(lesdites) entrée(s) de liquide et ladite(lesdites) sortie(s) 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 in a lower part of the casing and in a rear part of the casing, these openings forming respectively said said liquid inlet (s) and said liquid outlet (s).

Un tel carter est formé d'une seule pièce par moulage. De préférence, ce carter est réalisé en un matériau thermoplastique adapté pour rester longtemps dans un milieu aqueux. Un tel matériau est par exemple un plastique ABS qui de par sa constitution présente une résistance thermique au vieillissement, une capacité à endurer des coups, une rigidité permettant le montage d'éléments dans le carter et une facilité de moulage.Such a housing is formed in one piece by molding. Preferably, this housing is made of a thermoplastic material adapted to remain in an aqueous medium for a long time. Such a material is for example an ABS plastic which by its constitution has a thermal resistance to aging, an ability to endure strokes, rigidity for mounting elements in the housing and ease of molding.

Un tel carter définit une enceinte principale adaptée pour recevoir une chambre de filtration et au moins un dispositif de pompage de liquide. Chaque dispositif de pompage comprenant une hélice à axe de rotation inclinée et un moteur à arbre moteur, de préférence incliné selon la même direction que l'axe de l'hélice, peut être agencé à différents endroits du circuit hydraulique dont il assure la circulation de liquide.Such a housing defines a main enclosure adapted to receive a filtration chamber and at least one pumping device of liquid. Each pumping device comprising a propeller with an inclined axis of rotation and a motor shaft motor, preferably inclined in the same direction as the axis of the propeller, can be arranged at different points of the hydraulic circuit which it circulates. liquid.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, chaque moteur de pompage de chaque circuit hydraulique est agencé en-dessous de la direction inclinée passant par l'entrée de liquide et la sortie de liquide décalée longitudinalement par rapport à cette entrée de liquide reliées entre elles par ce circuit hydraulique.Advantageously and according to the invention, each pump motor of each hydraulic circuit is arranged below the inclined direction passing through the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet offset longitudinally with respect to this liquid inlet interconnected by this hydraulic circuit.

Un tel agencement de chaque dispositif de pompage permet de décaler le centre de gravité de l'appareil vers le bas de ce dernier. En effet, les dispositifs de pompage représentent une partie importante du poids total de l'appareil.Such an arrangement of each pumping device makes it possible to shift the center of gravity of the apparatus towards the bottom of the latter. Indeed, the pumping devices represent a significant part of the total weight of the device.

Avantageusement, un appareil selon l'invention comprend également un carénage d'hélice entourant l'hélice de pompage axial sur toute sa hauteur.Advantageously, an apparatus according to the invention also comprises a propeller fairing surrounding the axial pumping propeller over its entire height.

Un tel carénage d'hélice s'étend au moins sur toute la hauteur de l'hélice de pompage axial. Par exemple, en aval et en amont de l'hélice de pompage axial, le carénage d'hélice peut s'étendre au-delà de l'hélice et former un canal de sortie de liquide vers la sortie de liquide hors du corps creux de l'appareil.Such a propeller fairing extends at least over the entire height of the axial pumping propeller. For example, downstream and upstream of the axial pumping propeller, the propeller fairing can extend beyond the propeller and form a liquid outlet channel to the liquid outlet out of the hollow body of the propeller. the device.

Un appareil selon l'invention peut être entraîné en déplacement sur la surface immergée par tous types de moyens.An apparatus according to the invention can be driven in displacement on the submerged surface by all types of means.

En particulier, un appareil selon l'invention peut être entraîné en déplacement par des moyens hydrauliques, des moyens électriques, ou des moyens mixtes hydrauliques et électriques.In particular, an apparatus according to the invention can be driven in displacement by hydraulic means, electrical means, or mixed hydraulic and electrical means.

Néanmoins, avantageusement et selon l'invention, lesdits organes d'entraînement dudit corps sur la surface immergée comprennent au moins un moteur électrique d'entraînement.Nevertheless, advantageously and according to the invention, said drive members of said body on the immersed surface comprise at least one electric drive motor.

Un tel moteur électrique peut être un moteur électrique alimenté par un ou plusieurs accumulateurs logés dans le carter de l'appareil ou un moteur électrique alimenté par un réseau électrique domestique, tel que le réseau électrique urbain, par l'intermédiaire d'un câble électrique. De préférence, un tel moteur électrique est un moteur électrique très basse tension.Such an electric motor may be an electric motor powered by one or more accumulators housed in the housing of the apparatus or an electric motor powered by a domestic electrical network, such as the urban electricity network, via an electric cable. Preferably, such an electric motor is a very low voltage electric motor.

De même, le moteur de pompage de chaque dispositif de pompage est de préférence un moteur électrique très basse tension. Chaque moteur électrique de pompage peut également être alimenté, soit par des accumulateurs logés dans le carter, soit par l'intermédiaire d'un réseau électrique domestique, tel que le réseau électrique urbain, et d'un câble électrique reliant l'appareil à ce réseau électrique domestique. De préférence, le moteur électrique d'entraînement de l'appareil nettoyeur et chaque moteur de chaque dispositif de pompage sont alimentés par la même source d'énergie électrique.Likewise, the pumping motor of each pumping device is preferably a very low voltage electric motor. Each electric pumping motor can also be powered, either by accumulators housed in the housing, or by means of a domestic electrical network, such as the urban electrical network, and an electrical cable connecting the apparatus to this unit. domestic electrical network. Preferably, the electric drive motor of the cleaning apparatus and each motor of each pumping device are powered by the same source of electrical energy.

Avantageusement et selon l'invention, chaque moteur électrique d'entraînement est un moteur d'entraînement unidirectionnel.Advantageously and according to the invention, each electric drive motor is a unidirectional drive motor.

Avantageusement, un appareil selon l'invention comprend au moins un essieu à roues directionnelles ou non directionnelles qui s'étend selon une direction perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale.Advantageously, an apparatus according to the invention comprises at least one axle with directional or non-directional wheels which extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Au moins une de ces roues est motrice. De telles roues sont avantageusement mises en rotation par l'intermédiaire d'au moins un moteur électrique d'entraînement. Ces roues sont montées sur un essieu qui s'étend selon une direction perpendiculaire à la direction principale d'avancement. Une rotation des roues entraîne donc un déplacement du robot selon la direction principale d'avancement.At least one of these wheels is driving. Such wheels are advantageously rotated via at least one electric drive motor. These wheels are mounted on an axle which extends in a direction perpendicular to the main direction of travel. A rotation of the wheels therefore causes the robot to move along the main direction of travel.

Un appareil selon l'invention peut comprendre en outre un dispositif qui permet de modifier la direction de déplacement de l'appareil lorsqu'il rencontre une paroi verticale. Ce dispositif de changement de direction peut être de tous types connus.An apparatus according to the invention may further comprise a device which makes it possible to modify the direction of movement of the apparatus when it encounters a vertical wall. This change of direction device can be of all types known.

Avantageusement, un appareil selon l'invention comprend un unique circuit hydraulique, ce circuit comprenant une ou plusieurs entrées de liquide situées à la base et à l'avant dudit corps creux et une ou plusieurs sorties de liquide situées à distance de la base du corps au niveau d'une portion arrière dudit corps.Advantageously, an apparatus according to the invention comprises a single hydraulic circuit, this circuit comprising one or more liquid inlets located at the base and in front of said hollow body and one or more liquid outlets located at a distance from the base of the body. at a rear portion of said body.

Un tel appareil présentant au moins une entrée de liquide située vers l'avant de l'appareil dans la partie basse et au moins une sortie de liquide située vers l'arrière de l'appareil et à distance de la base de l'appareil permet d'aspirer les débris jonchés sur la surface immergée dans le sens normal de déplacement de l'appareil.Such an apparatus having at least one liquid inlet located towards the front of the apparatus in the lower part and at least one liquid outlet located towards the rear of the apparatus and away from the base of the apparatus allows to suck debris littered on the submerged surface in the normal direction of movement of the apparatus.

De plus, une éjection de liquide par une sortie haute arrière selon une direction inclinée qui s'éloigne de la base du corps concourt à maintenir l'appareil nettoyeur plaqué contre la surface immergée tout en participant à l'entraînement de l'appareil sur la surface immergée.In addition, a liquid ejection by a rear high exit in an inclined direction away from the base of the body contributes to keep the cleaner pressed against the immersed surface while participating in the drive of the apparatus on the submerged surface.

De préférence, l'appareil selon l'invention comprend une seule entrée de liquide, et une seule sortie de liquide reliée par un circuit hydraulique unique.Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention comprises a single liquid inlet, and a single liquid outlet connected by a single hydraulic circuit.

De préférence, ce circuit hydraulique unique comprend un dispositif de pompage unique comprenant un moteur électrique de pompage unique présentant un arbre rotatif moteur accouplé à une hélice de pompage unique à axe de rotation incliné.Preferably, this unique hydraulic circuit comprises a single pumping device comprising a single pumping electric motor having a rotating motor shaft coupled to a single pumping propeller inclined rotation axis.

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

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 arrière d'un appareil nettoyeur selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
  • la figure 5 est une vue schématique d'un carter d'un appareil selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
  • la figure 6 est une vue schématique en perspective de dessous d'un appareil nettoyeur selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
  • la figure 7 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 rear view of a cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention,
  • the figure 5 is a schematic view of a housing of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention,
  • the figure 6 is a schematic perspective view from below of a cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention,
  • the figure 7 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 telle qu'elle est agencée lorsque l'appareil est en déplacement normal sur une surface immergée horizontale selon un sens privilégié d'avancement par rapport auquel l'avant et l'arrière de l'appareil sont définis.Throughout the following detailed description with reference to the figures, unless indicated otherwise, each part of the cleaning apparatus is described as it is arranged when the apparatus is in normal displacement on a horizontal immersed surface in a preferred sense of forward relative to which the front and back of the apparatus are defined.

Un appareil selon l'invention comprend un corps 1 creux et des organes 2, 3, 4 roulants de guidage et d'entraînement du corps 1 creux sur une surface immergée 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 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 privileged direction of advancement and in a main direction of advancement, said 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 made by molding or rotational molding. This housing is preferably made of a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, PMMA or any equivalent material.

Ce corps 1 creux présente une enceinte 35 centrale adaptée pour recevoir une chambre de filtration. Cette enceinte 35 centrale est délimitée par une paroi inférieure s'étendant dans un plan sensiblement horizontal ; par des parois 36 latérales s'étendant globalement dans des plans verticaux ; par une paroi 37 avant s'étendant globalement dans un plan vertical, orthogonale aux plans des parois 36 latérales verticales ; et par une paroi 38 arrière s'étendant globalement dans un plan vertical orthogonal aux plans des parois 36 latérales verticales.This hollow body 1 has a central chamber 35 adapted to receive a filtration chamber. This central chamber is delimited by a lower wall extending in a substantially horizontal plane; by side walls 36 extending generally in vertical planes; by a front wall 37 extending generally in a vertical plane, orthogonal to the planes of the vertical side walls 36; and a rear wall 38 extending generally in a vertical plane orthogonal to the planes of the vertical side walls 36.

La paroi inférieure présente une ouverture s'étendant transversalement au voisinage de la paroi 37 avant de telle sorte que du liquide peut rentrer dans l'enceinte 35 centrale par cette ouverture inférieure transversale. Cette ouverture forme une entrée 9 de liquide dans le corps 1 creux.The lower wall has an opening extending transversely adjacent the wall 37 before such 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 38 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 38 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 38 includes a cylindrical opening forming a liquid outlet 10 out of the hollow body 1. This liquid outlet 10 formed in the rear wall 38 of the casing is longitudinally offset from the liquid inlet 9 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.

Cette enceinte 35 centrale, cette entrée 9 de liquide et cette sortie 10 de liquide forment 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.This central chamber, this liquid inlet 9 and this liquid outlet 10 form a filtration chamber 8. This filtration chamber 8 further comprises a hydraulic circuit adapted to ensure a flow of liquid between the inlet 9 of liquid and the outlet 10 of liquid through a filtering device 11.

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

L'enceinte 35 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 1 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. Rien n'empêche que la trappe 6 d'accès s'étende au moins partiellement vers l'avant. 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. Nothing prevents the access hatch 6 from extending least partially forward. Preferably, the access hatch 6 is articulated to the body 1 of the apparatus by hinges 23 arranged at the rear of the apparatus.

De préférence, le dispositif 11 de filtrage est un dispositif monté dans l'enceinte 35 centrale du corps 1 creux à la façon d'un tiroir. Pour ce faire, l'armature 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 fonnes 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 1 of the hollow body 1 in the manner of a drawer. To do this, the rigid armature 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 sizes 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 difficulté 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 11 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 filtering device 11 so that the ribs of the filtering device 11 are facing the grooves of the hollow body and then sliding the filtering device 11 into the hollow body 1.

Le dispositif 11 de filtrage comprend en outre une poignée 28 ménagée sur une portion supérieure du dispositif 11 de filtrage de manière à faciliter les manipulations du dispositif 11 de filtrage. En particulier, un utilisateur peut aisément monter/démonter le dispositif 11 de filtrage par l'intermédiaire de cette poignée 28 lorsque l'appareil est hors du liquide et repose sur une surface horizontale.The filtering device 11 further comprises a handle 28 formed on an upper portion of the filtering device 11 so as to facilitate the handling of the filtering device 11. In particular, a user can easily assemble / disassemble the filtering device 11 via this handle 28 when the device is out of the liquid and rests on a horizontal surface.

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 avant motrices, une de chaque côté, et un essieu arrière comprenant des roues 3 arrière 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-wheel drive wheels, one on each side, and a rear axle comprising 3 non-drive rear wheels, one on each side.

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

L'appareil comprend en outre au moins un moteur 20 électrique d'entraînement des roues avant 2 motrices. De préférence, l'appareil comprend deux moteurs 20 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 denture 5 interne coopérant avec un pignon 45 entraîné par le moteur 20 d'entraînement correspondant.The apparatus further comprises at least one electric motor for driving the front 2-wheel drive wheels. Preferably, the apparatus comprises two drive motors, one on each side, respectively for independent driving of each of the front wheels 2. To do this, each front wheel 2 has an internal toothing 5 cooperating with a pinion 45 driven by the corresponding drive motor.

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

En outre, les brosses 4 sont de préférence également entraînées en rotation à partir d'au moins un moteur 20 électrique d'entraînement des roues avant 2 par l'intermédiaire d'un système à engrenages. Selon ce mode de réalisation, la denture 5 interne de chaque roue 2 avant motrice coopère avec un pignon 42 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 denture 5 et du pignon 42, la rotation de l'arbre de la brosse 4, et donc la rotation de la brosse 4.In addition, the brushes 4 are preferably also rotated from at least one electric drive motor 2 of the front wheels 2 via a gear system. According to this embodiment, the internal toothing of each wheel 2 before driving cooperates with a pinion 42 fixed to one end of the shaft of a brush 4 so that a rotation of the wheel 2 leads through of the toothing 5 and the pinion 42, the rotation of the shaft of the brush 4, and thus the rotation of the brush 4.

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

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

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

De plus, selon un mode de réalisation préférentiel de l'invention, l'appareil comprend également une poignée 7 de manoeuvre permettant à un utilisateur de porter l'appareil pour l'immerger dans un liquide et le ressortir de ce dernier. Cette poignée 7 est de préférence agencée à l'opposée de la sortie 10 de liquide façon que lorsque le corps 1 creux est suspendu par cette poignée, l'appareil bascule spontanément sous l'effet de la gravité dans une position dans laquelle la sortie 10 de liquide est située sous l'entrée 9 de liquide, ce qui permet une vidange de l'appareil. Lors du passage de l'appareil de la position de nettoyage à la position de vidange, les débris aspirés par l'appareil sont maintenus dans le dispositif de filtrage et ne sont pas susceptibles de ressortir de l'appareil.In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus also comprises a maneuvering handle 7 allowing a user to wear the device to immerse in a liquid and out of the latter. This handle 7 is preferably arranged opposite the liquid outlet 10 so that when the hollow body 1 is suspended by this handle, the 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.

La circulation de liquide dans le corps 1 creux de l'appareil est représentée schématiquement sur la figure 7 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 présente des parois poreuses adaptées pour laisser passer le liquide mais retenir les débris 60 solides. Le liquide filtré atteint alors la sortie de liquide 10 et est éjectée dans le bassin d'où il provient à l'arrière de l'appareil.The circulation of liquid in the hollow body 1 of the apparatus is schematically represented on the figure 7 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 has porous walls adapted to let the liquid pass but to retain the solid debris 60. The filtered liquid then reaches the liquid outlet 10 and is ejected into the pool from where it comes from the back of the device.

Selon le mode préférentiel représenté sur les figures, la colonne 15 d'admission forme une paroi 16 anti-retour empêchant les débris ayant atteint le dispositif 11 de filtrage de ressortir par l'entrée 9 de liquide lorsque la pompe 12 est arrêtée.According to the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the intake column 15 forms a non-return wall 16 preventing debris having reached the filtering device 11 to come out through the liquid inlet 9 when the pump 12 is stopped.

Un appareil selon l'invention comprend en outre un dispositif motorisé de pompage de liquide comprenant un moteur 12 électrique de pompage présentant un arbre 13 rotatif moteur accouplé à une hélice 14 de pompage interposée dans le circuit hydraulique de façon à y générer un débit de liquide entre l'entrée 9 de liquide et la sortie 10 de liquide reliées par ce circuit hydraulique.An apparatus according to the invention further comprises a motorized liquid pumping device comprising an electric pumping motor 12 having a rotary motor shaft 13 coupled to a pumping propeller 14 interposed in the hydraulic circuit so as to generate a liquid flow therein. between the liquid inlet 9 and the liquid outlet 10 connected by this hydraulic circuit.

Selon l'invention, 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, un angle α non nul et différent de 90°.According to the invention, 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, an angle α which is not zero and different from 90 °.

L'hélice 14 de pompage est adaptée pour générer un débit de liquide orienté selon son axe 51 vers la sortie 10 de liquide en s'éloignant de la base du corps 1 creux.The pumping propeller 14 is adapted to generate a flow of liquid oriented along its axis 51 towards the liquid outlet 10 away from the base of the hollow body 1.

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.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.

De préférence, chaque moteur 12 de pompage présente un arbre 13 rotatif moteur incliné faisant, avec la direction longitudinale le même angle α non nul et différent de 90°.Preferably, each pump motor 12 has an inclined motor rotating shaft 13 making, with the longitudinal direction, the same non-zero angle α and different from 90 °.

De préférence, l'axe 51 de rotation de l'hélice 14 de pompage interposée dans le circuit hydraulique est parallèle à la direction moyenne inclinée passant par l'entrée 9 de liquide et la sortie 10 de liquide reliées par ce circuit hydraulique.Preferably, the axis 51 of rotation of the pumping propeller 14 interposed in the hydraulic circuit is parallel to the inclined mean direction passing through the liquid inlet 9 and the liquid outlet 10 connected by this hydraulic circuit.

Dès lors, le décalage longitudinal entre l'entrée 9 de liquide et la sortie 10 de liquide est déterminé par l'inclinaison de la pompe.Therefore, the longitudinal offset between the liquid inlet 9 and the liquid outlet 10 is determined by the inclination of the pump.

De préférence, le décalage longitudinal entre l'entrée 9 de liquide et la sortie 10 de liquide est supérieur à 50% -notamment 75%- de la dimension hors tout de l'appareil le long de la direction longitudinale.Preferably, the longitudinal offset between the liquid inlet 9 and the liquid outlet 10 is greater than 50% -in particular 75% -of the overall size of the apparatus along the longitudinal direction.

Dès lors, le circuit hydraulique reliant cette entrée 9 de liquide et cette sortie 10 de liquide s'étend sur plus de 50% -notamment 75%- de la dimension hors tout de l'appareil le long de la direction longitudinale.Consequently, the hydraulic circuit connecting this liquid inlet 9 and this liquid outlet extends over more than 50% -in particular 75% -of the overall size of the apparatus along the longitudinal direction.

A hauteur équivalente, l'appareil présente une plus grande longueur disponible pour le circuit hydraulique, toutes choses égales par ailleurs, ce qui permet de minimiser les déviations et tortuosités du trajet hydraulique et donc les pertes de charge.At equivalent height, the device has a greater length available for the hydraulic circuit, all things being equal, which minimizes the deviations and tortuosities of the hydraulic path and therefore the pressure drops.

Le choix de l'angle α détermine la compacité verticale de l'appareil. Un appareil selon l'invention, grâce à son axe de pompage incliné, présente une traînée hydraulique réduite par rapport à un appareil connu à axe de pompage vertical.The choice of angle α determines the vertical compactness of the device. An apparatus according to the invention, thanks to its inclined pumping axis, has a reduced hydraulic drag compared to a known device with a vertical pumping axis.

Sur les figures, l'angle α est de l'ordre de 30° par rapport à la direction longitudinale horizontale.In the figures, the angle α is of the order of 30 ° relative to the horizontal longitudinal direction.

De préférence, l'entrée 9 de liquide transversale ménagée dans la paroi inférieure du carter présente une section sensiblement égale à la section de la sortie 10 de liquide ménagée dans la paroi arrière du carter.Preferably, the transverse liquid inlet 9 formed in the bottom wall of the casing has a section substantially equal to the section of the liquid outlet 10 formed in the rear wall of the casing.

Cette entrée 9 de liquide transversale présente une forme sensiblement rectangulaire dont la longueur est de l'ordre de sept fois la largeur. La sortie 10 de liquide présente une forme sensiblement circulaire dont le rayon est de l'ordre d'une fois et demi la largeur de l'entrée 9 de liquide.This inlet 9 of transverse liquid has a substantially rectangular shape whose length is of the order of seven times the width. The liquid outlet 10 has a substantially circular shape whose radius is of the order of one and a half times the width of the liquid inlet 9.

Rien n'empêche de prévoir d'autres dimensions et d'autres formes de section de l'entrée de liquide et de la sortie de liquide.Nothing prevents the provision of other dimensions and other forms of section of the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet.

Le moteur 12 de pompage est logé dans un carter 17 étanche. Ce carter 17 étanche présente une ouverture axiale permettant le passage de l'arbre 13 rotatif moteur. Cette ouverture est de préférence étanchéifiée par un joint 18 torique agencé entre l'arbre 13 moteur et l'ouverture du carter 17.The pump motor 12 is housed in a sealed housing 17. This sealed casing 17 has an axial opening allowing the passage of the rotating motor shaft 13. This opening is preferably sealed by an O-ring 18 arranged between the motor shaft 13 and the opening of the casing 17.

Le moteur 12 de pompage est de préférence alimenté par l'intermédiaire d'un câble électrique étanche reliant l'appareil à un réseau électrique domestique.The pump motor 12 is preferably powered by means of a sealed electrical cable connecting the device to a domestic electrical network.

La figure 1 présente la zone 19 d'entrée du câble électrique dans l'appareil. Ce câble d'alimentation électrique du moteur 12 de pompage n'est pas représenté sur les figures à des fins de clarté.The figure 1 presents the input zone 19 of the electrical cable in the device. This power supply cable of the pump motor 12 is not shown in the figures for the sake of clarity.

Le moteur de pompage peut être de tous types connus.The pump motor can be of any known type.

Selon un mode préférentiel de réalisation, le moteur 12 de pompage est un moteur basse tension.According to a preferred embodiment, the pump motor 12 is a low voltage motor.

Comme indiqué précédemment, de préférence, le déplacement de l'appareil selon l'invention sur la surface immergée à nettoyer est réalisé par l'intermédiaire des roues 2 avant motrices. Ces roues 2 avant motrices sont par exemple entraînées en rotation par l'intermédiaire d'un moteur 20 électrique. Ce moteur 20 électrique est alimenté par le même câble d'alimentation électrique que le moteur 12 de pompage.As indicated above, preferably, the displacement of the device according to the invention on the immersed surface to be cleaned is achieved by means of the front wheels 2. These front wheel 2 are for example driven in rotation by means of an electric motor. This electric motor is powered by the same power supply cable as the pump motor.

De préférence, chaque moteur 20 électrique est également agencé dans le carter 17 étanche dans lequel est agencé le moteur 12 de pompage.Preferably, each electric motor 20 is also arranged in the sealed casing 17 in which the pump motor 12 is arranged.

Chaque moteur électrique est de préférence un moteur électrique basse tension.Each electric motor is preferably a low voltage electric motor.

On constate qu'un appareil selon l'invention qui présente une hauteur hors tout de 250 mm et qui est équipé d'un moteur de pompage de 80 W de puissance peut produire un débit de liquide de l'ordre de 18 m3/h. La puissance totale consommée pour le fonctionnement de cet appareil entraîné à une vitesse moyenne de l'ordre de 10 m/min, est de l'ordre de 85W. En comparaison, un appareil selon WO 0 250 388 équipé d'un même moteur de pompage et de même hauteur produit un débit de l'ordre de 15 m3/h. En outre, la puissance totale consommée pour le fonctionnement de cet appareil antérieur entraîné à la même vitesse moyenne est de l'ordre de 105 W. On constate donc qu'un appareil selon l'invention présente une amélioration de l'ordre de 20% de ses performances par rapport à un appareil antérieur comparable à WO 0 250 388 .It can be seen that an apparatus according to the invention which has an overall height of 250 mm and which is equipped with a pump motor with a power output of 80 W can produce a liquid flow rate of the order of 18 m 3 / h. . The total power consumed for the operation of this device driven at an average speed of the order of 10 m / min, is of the order of 85W. In comparison, a device according to WO 0 250 388 equipped with the same pumping motor and the same height produces a flow rate of about 15 m 3 / h. In addition, the total power consumed for the operation of this prior device driven at the same average speed is of the order of 105 W. It is therefore found that an apparatus according to the invention has an improvement of the order of 20% of its performance compared to an earlier device comparable to WO 0 250 388 .

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

Par exemple, selon un mode de réalisation non représenté sur les figures, l'appareil peut comprend plusieurs entrées de liquide, plusieurs sorties de liquides et plusieurs circuits hydrauliques, par exemple un à gauche et un à droite.For example, according to an embodiment not shown in the figures, the apparatus may comprise several liquid inlets, several liquid outlets and several hydraulic circuits, for example one on the left and one on the right.

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

Claims (15)

  1. An apparatus for cleaning an immersed surface comprising:
    - a hollow body (1) and members (2, 3, 4) for guiding and actuating said body (1) over the immersed surface in at least one direction and in a main orientation of advance, referred to as the longitudinal orientation,
    - 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 the hollow 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),
    . at least one liquid pumping device (12, 13, 14) comprising a pumping motor (12) having a rotating drive shaft (13) which is coupled to at least one axial pumping propeller (14) which is interposed in a hydraulic circuit in order to generate therein a flow of liquid between each liquid inlet (9) and each liquid outlet (10) which are connected by this hydraulic circuit,
    - each liquid outlet (10) is offset, in said longitudinal orientation, from each liquid inlet (9) with which it is in communication via a hydraulic circuit, characterised in that:
    - each axial pumping propeller (14) which is interposed in a hydraulic circuit between a liquid inlet (9) and a liquid outlet (10) has an inclined rotation axis (51) which forms, with said longitudinal orientation, an angle which is not equal to zero and which is different from 90° and which is capable of generating a flow of liquid which is orientated along its axis thereof towards this liquid outlet (10), in the direction away from the base of said body (1).
  2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises, for access to the filtering device, a flap (6) which is provided on an upper wall of the hollow body (1) and which is capable of allowing the filtering device to be disassembled and to pass through this access flap (6).
  3. An apparatus according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that it comprises, for access to the filtering device, a flap (6) which is provided on a front wall of the hollow body (1) and which is capable of allowing the filtering device to be disassembled and to pass through this access flap (6).
  4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that each pumping motor (12) has an inclined rotating drive shaft (13) which forms, with the longitudinal orientation, an angle which is not equal to zero and which is different from 90°.
  5. An apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that each pumping motor (12) has a rotating shaft (13) which is coaxial relative to the rotation axis (51) of an axial pumping propeller (14).
  6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the rotation axis (51) of each axial pumping propeller (14) interposed in a hydraulic circuit is parallel with the middle inclined orientation which extends via the liquid inlet (9) and the liquid outlet (10) which are connected by this hydraulic circuit.
  7. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that at least one liquid outlet (10) out of the hollow body (1) is substantially coaxial, to within 5°, relative to the rotation axis (51) of an axial pumping propeller (14).
  8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the hollow body (1) is formed principally by a concave housing which delimits a main enclosure (35), this housing having openings which are provided in the lower portion of the housing and at the rear of the housing, respectively, these openings forming said liquid inlet(s) (9) and said liquid outlet(s) (10), respectively.
  9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that each pumping motor (12) of each hydraulic circuit is arranged below the inclined orientation which extends via the liquid inlet (9) and the longitudinally offset liquid outlet (10), which are connected by means of this hydraulic circuit.
  10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it comprises a propeller fairing (48) which surrounds the axial pumping propeller (14) over its entire height thereof.
  11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that said members (2, 3, 4) for actuating said body (1) over the immersed surface comprise at least one electric drive motor (20).
  12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that it comprises at least one axle which has guide or non-guide wheels (2) and which extends in an orientation perpendicular relative to the longitudinal orientation.
  13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that it comprises a single hydraulic circuit, this circuit comprising one or more liquid inlet(s) (9) located at the base and at the front of said hollow body (1) and one or more liquid outlet(s) (10) located remotely from the base of the hollow body (1) in the region of a rear portion of said hollow body (1).
  14. An apparatus according to claim 13, characterised in that it comprises a single pumping device (12, 13, 14) which comprises a single pumping motor (12) which has a rotating drive shaft (13) which is coupled to a single pumping propeller (14) having an inclined rotation axis (51).
  15. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that each pumping propeller (14) has an inclined rotation axis (51) which forms, with the longitudinal orientation, an angle of between 15° and 60°.
EP08864710A 2007-12-21 2008-12-18 Submerged-surface cleaning apparatus with angled pumping impeller Active EP2240654B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0708998A FR2925553B1 (en) 2007-12-21 2007-12-21 IMMERSE SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS WITH INCLINED PUMPING PROPELLER
PCT/FR2008/052370 WO2009081060A2 (en) 2007-12-21 2008-12-18 Submerged-surface cleaning apparatus with angled pumping impeller

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2240654A2 EP2240654A2 (en) 2010-10-20
EP2240654B1 true EP2240654B1 (en) 2011-08-31

Family

ID=39832298

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08864710A Active EP2240654B1 (en) 2007-12-21 2008-12-18 Submerged-surface cleaning apparatus with angled pumping impeller

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US8393032B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2240654B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE522682T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2008339719B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2709896A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2372791T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2925553B1 (en)
PT (1) PT2240654E (en)
WO (1) WO2009081060A2 (en)
ZA (1) ZA201005172B (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2009081060A2 (en) 2009-07-02
ES2372791T3 (en) 2012-01-26
US8393032B2 (en) 2013-03-12
AU2008339719B2 (en) 2015-01-22
ZA201005172B (en) 2011-12-28
US20110000033A1 (en) 2011-01-06
CA2709896A1 (en) 2009-07-02
WO2009081060A3 (en) 2009-09-11
FR2925553B1 (en) 2010-03-12
ATE522682T1 (en) 2011-09-15
EP2240654A2 (en) 2010-10-20
FR2925553A1 (en) 2009-06-26
AU2008339719A1 (en) 2009-07-02
PT2240654E (en) 2011-12-22

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