EP2314799B1 - Guiding device for a device for automatic cleaning of a surface submerged in a liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (100) has a sleeve connected to a cleaning main portion (104) including an inlet and an outlet through which the liquid is ejected. An orifice is arranged on one of the lateral faces of the sleeve. A cover unit is provided to selectively cover or not cover the orifice when the cleaning device main portion is moving or immobilized in a linear manner along the immersed surface. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) method of cleaning immersed surface of swimming pool; and (2) guide device for automatic system for cleaning immersed surface.

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic cleaning device for cleaning submerged surfaces in a liquid. In particular, the invention relates to a cleaning device comprising means capable of directing such a cleaning device, so that it does not abut against a wall, such as a wall of a pool. The present invention also relates to the use of the aforementioned cleaning device.

In known manner, such a device for automatically cleaning a surface immersed in a liquid is used to clean and / or remove "effortlessly" for the user, all types of debris, such as leaves, insects or various dirt, which can be found for example in the pool of a pool during use. An example of such an automatic cleaning system may be a pool vacuum cleaner.

So that the cleaning is done without much effort for the user, it is necessary that the swimming pool vacuum cleaner includes a guiding device able to advance it automatically (and not manually) and to unlock it if it stops against a wall of a swimming pool, to allow the vacuum cleaner to move on all the surfaces of the bottom of the swimming pool, in order to carry out its operations of cleaning. Therefore, it is desirable to have a vacuum cleaner that is as autonomous as possible.

Various guiding devices for pool vacuums are known in the state of the art.

In particular, the document WO99 / 22100 describes a guide device attached to a submersible swimming pool vacuum cleaner, to direct it more easily away from the positions in contact with the side walls of the pool. This guiding device comprises elongated rods extending from a connecting ring attached to the hose connector of the vacuum cleaner. Gears forming part of the vacuum connection drive the guide device and cause the ends of the rods coming into contact with a side wall of the pool to lift and push the vacuum cleaner away from said side wall. The connecting ring and therefore the rods can rotate freely over a limited arc about an axis of rotation of the coupling, defined by the movement of a gear tooth between stops. The ability of the rods to rotate freely within this arc eliminates the problem of excessive entrainment affecting the vacuum under the action of the guiding device. In addition, the rods extend radially outwardly and downwardly from the fitting ring, so that when they come into contact with a side wall of the pool, the tips of the rods make a movement of the rod. rack type against the surface of these side walls, which produces an upward force acting on the vacuum cleaner and reducing friction between the parts of the vacuum cleaner in contact with the ground and the bottom surface of the pool, thereby easier rotation of the vacuum necessary for its movement on the bottom surfaces of the pool to be cleaned.

The document US 5,930,856 describes another solution to direct and unblock a vacuum cleaner facing a wall. The guide device described comprises a rudder system and a preferably curved resistance plate. This plate is connected to the rudder system by a cylinder which is adapted to abut on the rudder of the rudder system so as to lock it in a neutral position relative to the stream of water leaving the rudder system. In this position, the guide device allows the vacuum cleaner to advance in a straight line. When the vacuum cleaner encounters a wall and no longer advances, the resistance plate is no longer subject to the water resistance induced by the movement causing a slight rebound of the plate. The cylinder slides slightly causing the release of the rudder which can now move to the left or to the right, redirecting the vacuum so as to move away from the wall.

These mechanisms, however, have the disadvantage of being quite complex. In addition, the rods or the rudder, which are not protected, can be damaged easily enough thus causing a malfunction or even the stop of the automatic guidance system.

The object of the present invention is to propose a new device for automatically cleaning a submerged surface which avoids all or some of the aforementioned drawbacks.

1. a) un premier orifice sur une des faces latérales dudit manchon,
2. b) des moyens pour couvrir sélectivement ledit premier orifice de manière à :
   1. i) couvrir ledit premier orifice lorsque le corps bouge sensiblement linéairement le long de la surface immergée, et
   2. ii) ne pas couvrir ledit premier orifice lorsque le corps est bloqué et ne peut plus bouger sensiblement linéairement le long de la surface immergée.
   De par ces caractéristiques a) et b), le dispositif de nettoyage présente l'avantage de pouvoir guider de manière linéaire un système de nettoyage automatique tel qu'un aspirateur de piscine dans lequel il est inséré ou de le faire pivoter lorsque celui-ci est bloqué par un mur.
   De préférence, les moyens pour couvrir sélectivement ledit premier orifice comprennent :
3. c) une plaque de résistance adaptée à pivoter par rapport audit manchon, et
4. d) un cache, connecté à ladite plaque de résistance, apte à couvrir ou découvrir ledit premier orifice selon le pivotement de la plaque de résistance.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for automatically cleaning a surface immersed in a liquid, comprising a body, capable of moving substantially linearly along the immersed surface, and a sleeve connected to said body comprising an inlet and an outlet through which the liquid is discharged when said cleaning device is running, comprising:

1. a) a first orifice on one of the lateral faces of said sleeve,
2. b) means for selectively covering said first orifice so as to:
   1. i) covering said first orifice when the body moves substantially linearly along the immersed surface, and
   2. ii) not covering said first orifice when the body is blocked and can not move substantially linearly along the immersed surface.
   With these characteristics a) and b), the cleaning device has the advantage of being able to linearly guide an automatic cleaning system such as a pool vacuum cleaner in which it is inserted or to rotate it when the latter is blocked by a wall.
   Preferably, the means for selectively covering said first orifice comprises:
3. c) a resistance plate adapted to pivot relative to said sleeve, and
4. d) a cover, connected to said resistance plate, adapted to cover or discover said first orifice according to the pivoting of the resistance plate.

Advantageously, the means for selectively covering said first orifice further comprise a float which allows the resistance plate to pivot relative to the sleeve.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the resistance plate has the shape of an arc whose concavity is opposite to the outlet of the sleeve.

Preferably, the means for selectively covering said first orifice are connected to the sleeve by an axis, said axis being situated opposite the outlet of the sleeve relative to the floating center of the float.

Advantageously, the float adjoins the resistance plate on the outside of the arc and is arranged above said cache.

Preferably, said cleaning device comprises a first wall disposed inside the sleeve and adapted to direct liquid passing through said sleeve towards said first orifice.

Advantageously, said cleaning device comprises a second orifice on a lateral face of the sleeve opposite that comprising the first orifice, the second orifice having a size smaller than the first orifice.

In particular the cleaning device comprises a second wall disposed inside the sleeve and adapted to direct liquid passing through said sleeve towards said second orifice.

According to another characteristic of the cleaning device, the body comprises a water inlet adapted to receive a liquid comprising debris and filtration means for separating the debris from the liquid and retain only the debris.

Preferably, said cleaning device is intended to be connected to a pump and the body further comprises an exhaust passage through which the liquid is discharged when said cleaning system is running.

Advantageously, said means for selectively covering said first orifice are arranged at the outlet of said exhaust passage.

Said cleaning device further comprises a connecting piece adapted to rotate relative to the body about a vertical axis (X), the sleeve being fixed to said connecting piece, so that it is able to rotate freely relative to a vertical axis X and with respect to the vacuum body.

An object of the present invention also relates to the use of said cleaning device according to one of the above characteristics for cleaning the immersed surfaces of a pool, such as the bottom.

• un corps comprenant une entrée de liquide et une sortie de liquide, dite première sortie de liquide,
• un manchon (tuyau), de section cylindrique, connecté audit corps, et comprenant une sortie de liquide, dite seconde sortie de liquide, par laquelle le liquide est rejeté selon un chemin sensiblement parallèle à l'axe du manchon,
• un premier orifice sur une des faces latérales du manchon à travers lequel le liquide est rejeté selon un chemin sensiblement perpendiculaire audit manchon,
• une plaque de résistance adaptée pour pivoter par rapport au manchon et comprenant des moyens pour couvrir sélectivement ledit premier orifice.

The present invention may also relate to an automatic submerged surface cleaning device comprising:

• a body comprising a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, called the first liquid outlet,
• a sleeve (pipe), of cylindrical section, connected to said body, and comprising a liquid outlet, said second liquid outlet, through which the liquid is discharged along a path substantially parallel to the axis of the sleeve,
• a first orifice on one of the lateral faces of the sleeve through which the liquid is discharged in a path substantially perpendicular to said sleeve,
• a resistance plate adapted to pivot relative to the sleeve and comprising means for selectively covering said first orifice.

• une entrée de liquide apte à recevoir et à contenir le liquide, tel que de l'eau de piscine, comprenant des débris,
• des moyens, au moins partiellement disposés à l'intérieur du corps, afin de séparer les débris du liquide et de retenir lesdits débris séparés du liquide,
• un premier orifice disposé sur une des faces latérales du manchon,
• des moyens pour couvrir sélectivement ledit premier orifice.

The present invention may also relate to an automatic liquid-immersed surface cleaning device comprising a body and a sleeve connected to said body through which the liquid is discharged when said cleaning device is in operation, comprising:

• a liquid inlet adapted to receive and contain the liquid, such as pool water, comprising debris,
• means, at least partially disposed within the body, for separating the debris from the liquid and for retaining said separated debris from the liquid,
• a first orifice disposed on one of the lateral faces of the sleeve,
• means for selectively covering said first orifice.

Finally, the present invention may also relate to a guiding device for an automatic cleaning system for immersed surfaces, displaceable by water jet, characterized in that it comprises a sleeve cylindrical, intended to be traversed by the jet of water, having on one of its lateral faces a hole, a pivoting system comprising a resistance plate, a float and a cover, the resistance plate being able to rotate in a first direction the pivoting system so that the cover covers said hole, and the float being able to rotate in a second direction, opposite to the first, the pivoting system so that the cache releases said hole and that the outgoing water through said hole causes rotation of the sleeve.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely for illustrative purposes and not limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• la figure 1 représente une vue de profil d'un dispositif de nettoyage automatique selon la présente invention comportant les moyens pour couvrir sélectivement un premier orifice;
• la figure 2 représente une vue de profil et agrandie des moyens pour couvrir sélectivement un premier orifice de la figure 1 dans une deuxième position d'inclinaison;
• la figure 3 représente une vue de dessus et en coupe partielle des moyens pour couvrir sélectivement un premier orifice illustrés à la figure 1 dans une première position d'inclinaison;
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus et en coupe des moyens pour couvrir sélectivement un premier orifice de la figure 1 également dans la première position d'inclinaison.
• la figure 5 est une vue de derrière des moyens pour couvrir sélectivement un premier orifice illustrés à la figure 1 dans la deuxième position d'inclinaison;
• et la figure 6 est une vue de profil des moyens pour couvrir sélectivement un premier orifice illustrés à la figure 3 dans la première position d'inclinaison et montrant un second orifice.

On these drawings:

• the figure 1 is a side view of an automatic cleaning device according to the present invention comprising the means for selectively covering a first port;
• the figure 2 represents a profile view and enlarged means for selectively covering a first hole of the figure 1 in a second recline position;
• the figure 3 represents a view from above and partially in section of the means for selectively covering a first orifice illustrated in FIG. figure 1 in a first inclination position;
• the figure 4 is a view from above and in section of means for selectively covering a first orifice of the figure 1 also in the first inclination position.
• the figure 5 is a back view means for selectively covering a first orifice shown in the figure 1 in the second recline position;
• and the figure 6 is a profile view of the means for selectively covering a first orifice illustrated in FIG. figure 3 in the first inclination position and showing a second orifice.

Referring to the figure 1 means for selectively covering a first orifice, hereinafter referred to as guiding means 1 (since they make it possible to redirect the cleaning device 100), are shown. These guide means are intended to be fixed to an automatic cleaning device 100, such as a pool vacuum cleaner.

A swimming pool vacuum cleaner, as well as its operation, will be briefly described before describing in more detail the guiding device 1.

Referring to the figure 1 , an automatic pool cleaner 100 suitable for the present invention is composed of a body 104 having a wall of circular section and extending along a vertical axis. This body 104 is hollow. It has at its lower end, a base 102 in which there is one (or more) orifice (s) suction (not visible on the figure 1 ) and at its upper end, a circular orifice, said water suction port 105, which is coaxial with the cylindrical section of the body 104. This suction port 105 is connected to a flexible hose 106 by the intermediate of a connection 107, the pipe 106 being itself connected to a discharge mouth of the pool. In addition, between this pipe 106 and the suction port 105 is the connecting piece 107 having an exhaust passage of the water 103. The water comes under pressure via the pipe 106. This pressure is created by the pump of the filtration system of the pool, which returns the water to the pool via the "water return" which is connected to the pipe 106. The flow of water from the pipe 106 is redirected in the connection 107 to the Exhaust passage 103. The water passes through a nozzle near the entrance of the exhaust passage, which creates a "venturi" system: the water is accelerated by the jet, which creates a suction of additional water from the port of the base 102. The connection 107 is further adapted to rotate freely relative to the body 104 about a vertical axis X. Finally, inside the hollow body 104 and arranged more particularly between the suction ports and the water outlet orifice 105, there is a filter (not shown) capable of collecting any debris and impurities from the sucked water. The filtered water is then discharged through the exhaust passage of the water 103. In addition, the body 104 of the vacuum cleaner may comprise rollers 101 so as to keep the vacuum cleaner at a sufficient distance from the floor of the pool. to allow its movement and a good suction of impurities and other debris.

This vacuum cleaner 100 operates under water pressure. For this, it is connected by the flexible hose 106 to a mouth of the filtered water discharge from the pool (not shown). The pressure of the water discharge has the effect of creating a central suction and swirling by a venturi effect, which will induce a jet of water that will itself move the vacuum cleaner 100. The jet of water will come out at the level the exhaust water outlet 103 of the vacuum cleaner 100. With the mentioned system, the vacuum cleaner will be able to move and cross the surface of a pool. Such a swimming pool vacuum operated by the hydraulic energy of the pool water recycling system is described in particular in the patent US4,835,809 of Roumagnac which belongs to the public domain.

The guiding device 1 makes it possible to direct and reposition the vacuum cleaner when the latter collides with a wall.

This guiding device 1 comprises, as represented on the Figures 1 to 4 : a cylindrical sleeve 2 on which is fixed by means of an axis 11, a pivoting system 3.

The cylindrical sleeve 2 has a first end 8 corresponding to the inlet of the sleeve 2 and a second end 9 corresponding to the outlet of the sleeve, the first end 8 being adapted to fit at the outlet of the exhaust passage 103 of the connecting piece 107. Since this is free to rotate about a vertical axis X relative to the body 104, the sleeve 2, which is connected to the connecting piece through the passage 103, is also free in rotation about the X axis relative to the body 104 of the cleaning system 100.

When the jet of water leaves the passage 103 of the vacuum cleaner 100, it is thus brought from the end 8 to the end 9 of the sleeve 2, and allows all as explained above, the propulsion of the vacuum cleaner 100 .

The sleeve 2 also has a first orifice 7 on one of its lateral faces. This first orifice 7 has a diameter much smaller than the inlet of the sleeve 2, that is to say at the end 8.

Inside the sleeve 2 and more particularly at the first orifice 7 is also arranged a wall 12. This wall 12 is adapted to direct liquid passing through the sleeve 2 to the first orifice 7. As will be described below, the first orifice 7 and the wall 12 have the function of causing the rotational movement of the guiding device 1 and the connecting piece around the axis X with respect to the body 104.

This pivoting system 3 comprises three parts: a resistance plate 4, a float 5 and a cover 6.

Resistance plate 4 has the shape of an arc whose concavity is opposed to the outlet of the sleeve, that is to say opposite the end 9. Moreover, as shown in FIG. figure 1 , the inside of the arc of the resistance plate 4 is intended to cope with the movement, the direction of the vacuum cleaner 100 when it is running. Thus, the resistance plate 4 faces the flow of water.

The float 5 adjoins the resistance plate 4 from the outer side to the arc, in other words, it is located between the resistance plate 4 and the outlet of the sleeve (end 9). It is furthermore fixed to the resistance plate 4 by a latching system 19, 10 as illustrated in FIG. figure 3 .

Below the float 5 and also adjacent the resistance plate 4 on the outer side to the arc, is disposed the cover 6. This is in the form of a hollow cylindrical half-sleeve which is secured to the level of its upper face, the float 5. Unlike this one, however, and thanks to its half-sleeve shape, the cover 6 is able to cover, but not close, the first port 7. Indeed, depending on whether the pivoting system 3 will be subjected to the action of the resistance plate 4 or that of the float 5, the first port 7 will be covered or not.

Finally, this pivoting system 3 is connected to the cylindrical sleeve 2 by an axis 11. This axis 11, as shown in FIG. figure 2 , connects two ends of the resistor plate 4 at two ends of the sleeve 2, one being on the face having the first port 7 and the other on the opposite side. The axis 11 is located in particular between the inlet of the sleeve 2 and the floating center of the float 5. This axis 11 has the function of allowing pivoting of the pivoting system 3 between two positions: a first position in which the cache 6 covers the first orifice 7 of the sleeve 2 (arrow 14) and a second position in which the cover 6 does not cover this first hole 7 (arrow 13), but releases it (position of the figure 2 ).

Referring to the figure 6 , the sleeve further comprises, on the lateral face opposite to that already comprising the first orifice 7, a second orifice 15. This second orifice 15 has a diameter smaller than that of the first orifice. It has been found that the vacuum cleaner, with a single orifice, tends to rotate slightly in the same direction when the vacuum moves on a submerged surface, which can also create a problem of "pipe memory" 106 which will tend to twist. The effect of this second orifice 15, in combination with a pressure regulator upstream of the pipe 106, is to make the displacement more linear.

The sleeve comprises in this variant a second wall 16 disposed inside the sleeve and adapted to direct liquid passing through said sleeve towards said second orifice 15.

In an alternative embodiment, it is also possible, in order to avoid the memory effect of the pipe 106, that the position of the resistance plate 4 and the sleeve 2 is reversible. In this embodiment, the resistor plate 4 is easily dismounted and refixed on the sleeve 2 but on the face opposite to that where it was previously fixed and always with its curved arc in the opposite direction to the outlet of the sleeve 9 and the sleeve is rotated 180 °. In this way, the top of the vacuum cleaner will turn in a other meaning and there will be no memory effect of the pipe. The user could do this simple manipulation periodically.

As shown by Figures 5 and 6 , it is also possible that the cover 6 and the float 5 form a single piece 5 bis which serves both as a float to raise the resistance and cover plate to discover or cover the first port 7.

The operation of this guiding device 1 is as follows.

As mentioned above, the pool cleaner operates and advances with the hydraulic energy of the recycle water (from the water discharge mouth) causing a jet of water discharged from the end 9 of the sleeve 2 , driving itself the propulsion of the cleaning system 100. Thus, during its operation, the resistance plate 4 comes to face the flow of water and exerts a force greater than that of the float 5, so the pivoting system is located in the first position (arrow 14) in which the cover covers the orifice 7. In this case, the vacuum advances substantially linearly, propelled by the jet of water out of the end 9 of the sleeve 2.

When the vacuum cleaner encounters an obstacle, such as a wall or the steps of a swimming pool, the vacuum cleaner can no longer advance, so no force is exerted on the resistance plate 4, so the force of the float 5 becomes greater than that of the resistance plate 4. The float 5 by its degree of flotation allows pivoting in the second position of the pivoting system (arrow 13) and allows an uprising of the assembly releasing the first orifice 7. The jet of water leaving the outlet of the exhaust passage 103 of the vacuum cleaner 100 is therefore directed further through the wall 12 to the first port 7. The jet of water leaving the orifice 7 causes the rotation of the device guide 1 about the X axis and relative to the body 104, so that the flow exiting the end 9 of the sleeve is redirected. Thus redirected, the vacuum is again subjected to the pressure of the water discharge inducing the venturi effect and the jet of water out of the end 9 allowing the displacement of the vacuum cleaner 100. The flow of water which exercises again on the resistance plate 4 will make the pivoting system 3 turn back to its first position (arrow 14) and the cover will again cover the orifice 7. Consequently, the guiding device 1 will alternate between these two positions. throughout its operation depending on whether the vacuum cleaner encounters an obstacle or not.

Although the invention has been described in connection with a particular embodiment, it is obvious that it is not limited thereto and that it comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if they are within the scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. A device (100) for automatically cleaning a surface submerged in a liquid, comprising a body (104), capable of moving substantially linearly along the submerged surface, and a sleeve (2) connected to said body (104) comprising an inlet (8) and an outlet (9) through which the liquid is discharged when said cleaning device (100) is in operation, characterized in that said device comprises:

   a) a first orifice (7) on one of the side faces of said sleeve (2),

   b) means (1) for selectively covering said first orifice (7) so as to:

   i) cover said first orifice (7) when the body (104) moves substantially linearly along the submerged surface, and

   ii) not cover said first orifice (7) when the body (104) is blocked and can no longer move substantially linearly along the submerged surface.
2. The automatic cleaning device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the means (1) for selectively covering said first orifice comprise:

   c) a resistance plate (4) adapted to pivot relative to said sleeve (2), and

   d) a mask (6), connected to said resistance plate, able to cover or uncover said first orifice according to the pivoting of the resistance plate (3).
3. The automatic cleaning device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the means (1) for selectively covering said first orifice also comprise a float (5) that allows the resistance plate (3) to pivot relative to the sleeve (2).
4. The automatic cleaning device (100) according to one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the resistance plate (4) assumes the shape of an arc whereof the concavity is opposite the outlet (9) of the sleeve (2).
5. The automatic cleaning device (100) according to one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the means (1) for selectively covering said first orifice (7) are connected to the sleeve (2) by an axis (11), said axis (11) being situated opposite the outlet (9) of the sleeve (2) relative to the floatation center of the float (5).
6. The automatic cleaning device (100) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the float (5) adjoins the resistance plate (4) on the side outside the arc and is arranged above said mask (6).
7. The automatic cleaning device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a first wall (12) arranged inside the sleeve (2) and able to orient liquid passing through said sleeve (2) toward said first orifice (7).
8. The automatic cleaning device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a second orifice (15) on a side surface of the sleeve (2), opposite that comprising the first orifice (7), the second orifice (15) having a smaller size than the first orifice.
9. The automatic cleaning device (100) according to claim 8, comprising a second wall (16) arranged inside the sleeve (2) and able to orient liquid passing through said sleeve (2) toward said second orifice (15).
10. The automatic cleaning device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (104) comprises a water inlet able to receive a liquid comprising debris and filtration means for separating the debris from the liquid and retaining only the debris.
11. The automatic cleaning device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, intended to be connected to a pump, wherein the body (104) also includes an escape passage (103) through which the liquid is discharged when said cleaning device (100) is in operation.
12. The automatic cleaning device (100) according to claim 11, wherein said means (1) for selectively covering said first orifice are arranged at the outlet of said escape passage (103).
13. The automatic cleaning device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a connecting piece (107) that can rotate relative to the body (104) around a vertical axis (X), the sleeve being fixed to said connecting piece (107), so that it can freely rotate relative to a vertical axis X and relative to the body (104) of said cleaning device (100).
14. A use of said automatic cleaning device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, for cleaning submerged surfaces of a swimming pool, such as the bottom.

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