EP3673126B1 - Swimming pool cleaning apparatus having a debris separation device operating by centrifugal spinning and filtration - Google Patents

Swimming pool cleaning apparatus having a debris separation device operating by centrifugal spinning and filtration Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3673126B1
EP3673126B1 EP18778879.9A EP18778879A EP3673126B1 EP 3673126 B1 EP3673126 B1 EP 3673126B1 EP 18778879 A EP18778879 A EP 18778879A EP 3673126 B1 EP3673126 B1 EP 3673126B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filtration
separation device
swimming pool
liquid
debris
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP18778879.9A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3673126A1 (en
Inventor
Philippe Pichon
Philippe BLANC TAILLEUR
E. Keith MC QUEEN
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
Original Assignee
Zodiac Pool Care Europe SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Zodiac Pool Care Europe SAS filed Critical Zodiac Pool Care Europe SAS
Priority claimed from PCT/EP2018/075795 external-priority patent/WO2019057968A1/en
Publication of EP3673126A1 publication Critical patent/EP3673126A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3673126B1 publication Critical patent/EP3673126B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
    • E04H4/14—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
    • E04H4/16—Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for specially adapted for cleaning
    • E04H4/1654—Self-propelled cleaners
    • 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
    • E04H4/12—Devices or arrangements for circulating water, i.e. devices for removal of polluted water, cleaning baths or for water treatment
    • E04H4/1209—Treatment of water for swimming pools
    • E04H4/1245—Recirculating pumps for swimming pool water

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of equipment for swimming pools. It relates more particularly to an autonomous swimming pool cleaning device of the robot type comprising a water circuit to be cleaned and at least one means of filtering debris present in suspension in the water.
  • the invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a surface immersed in a liquid, such as a surface formed by the walls of a basin, in particular of a swimming pool. More specifically, the invention refers to a mobile swimming pool cleaning robot. Such a cleaning robot performs said cleaning by traversing and brushing the walls of the swimming pool, and by sucking any debris towards a filter adapted to collect said debris.
  • Debris is understood here to mean all the particles present within the basin and having a surface or volume measurement within a predetermined interval, the limits of which are functions of the technical characteristics of the robot, so that, on the one hand, the lower limit allows the entry of said particles into the filtration device, and, on the other hand, the upper terminal prevents the exit of said particles from the filtration device.
  • Such debris can comprise, for example, pieces of leaves, microalgae, etc., this debris being normally deposited at the bottom of the basin or stuck on the side walls of the latter.
  • the robot is supplied with energy by an electric cable connecting the robot to an external control and power unit.
  • Such devices include a body, members for driving said body on the submerged surface, a filtration chamber formed within the body and comprising a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, a hydraulic circuit for circulating liquid between the body. inlet and outlet through a filter device.
  • the filtering device is removable and extractable from the body of the device without having to return the cleaning device.
  • These devices have automatic programs for cleaning the bottom of the pool and possibly the side walls of the pool. Such a program determines a cleaning of the swimming pool in a predetermined time.
  • the robot is removed from the water by the user at the end of the cycle or at regular intervals, when the filter can no longer perform its functions due to an overflow of particles (leaves, microparticles, etc.), and needs to be cleaned.
  • the outdoor robot control and power unit emits a light signal when this filter cleaning operation must be carried out.
  • the object of the invention is to remedy this drawback in particular.
  • the device for separating debris suspended in a liquid comprises the technical features of claim 1.
  • washing pool cleaning apparatus refers to an apparatus for cleaning an immersed surface, that is to say typically an apparatus, mobile within or at the bottom of a swimming pool, and suitable for carrying out filtration. debris deposited both at the bottom and on a wall.
  • a swimming pool cleaning robot comprises means for automated management of movements at the bottom and on the walls of the swimming pool to cover the entire surface to be cleaned.
  • liquid is used here to name the mixture of water and debris, or particles, in suspension in the swimming pool or in the fluid circulation circuit within the cleaning device.
  • debris separation denotes any form of segregation of suspended debris to produce, at the outlet of the separation device, a liquid freed from its debris.
  • the means of segregation can in particular comprise means of centrifugation or filtration.
  • the centrifugation means advantageously allow mechanical separation of the particles, via centrifugal force.
  • the separation device comprises a supply or admission channel for the liquid opening in a tangential direction into a debris separation chamber, or filtration chamber, defining a substantially cylindrical volume, said debris chamber. filtration communicating with the centrifuged debris collection tank.
  • the liquid supply channel opens tangentially to a cylindrical wall of the filtration chamber.
  • the liquid supply channel is configured, in shape and size, so as to conduct a high velocity of the liquid laden with debris.
  • the invention also meets the following characteristics, implemented separately or in each of their technically operative combinations.
  • the filtration chamber and the centrifuged debris collection tank communicates through an opening present in the cylindrical wall of the filtration chamber.
  • the opening is preferably placed in the lower part of the cylindrical volume of the filtration chamber, when the separation device is in place in the body of the robot.
  • the centrifuged debris collection tank forms a radial protuberance external to the cylindrical volume defined by the filtration chamber, from the cylindrical wall.
  • the centrifuged debris collection pan extends radially outside the filtration chamber from the cylindrical wall.
  • the axis of the filtration chamber is preferably parallel to a horizontal XY plane of the cleaning apparatus.
  • the centrifuged debris collection tank is in the lower part of the separation device when said separation device is inserted into the body of the robot.
  • the debris whose size and density are important with respect to the liquid are centrifuged and pushed against the peripheral wall of the filtration chamber while continuing their circular movement induced by the movement of the liquid then are expelled towards the collection bin when they arrive near it.
  • the separation device also comprises a filtration device.
  • the filtration device is arranged in the center of the filtration chamber. Thus, lighter and smaller debris, those that are not centrifuged, are filtered out.
  • the filtration device comprises a tangential filtration device.
  • the filtration device comprises a front filtration device.
  • the front filtration device is inserted in the tangential filtration device in a removable manner, which allows easy cleaning and great compactness of the device.
  • the separation device is such that the filtration device is removable from said debris separation device. This also favors easy cleaning of the swimming pool cleaner.
  • the separation device comprises two side faces, one of the faces forming a cover and being mounted hermetically, removably, on the filtration chamber.
  • the filtration device forms a mainly cylindrical volume mounted coaxially in the central part of the filtration chamber, and configured to separate the internal volume of said chamber from at least one outlet for filtered liquid.
  • the invention is characterized in that the separation device comprises, between the filtration chamber and the centrifuged debris collection tank, a baffle formed by a part of the cylindrical wall of the filtration chamber extending above the tank. collection of centrifuged debris.
  • the separation device comprises, between the filtration chamber and the debris collection tank, a baffle forming a wall of convex continuity with the cylindrical wall of the chamber.
  • a baffle creates an area in which the velocity of the liquid is low compared to its velocity in the centrifugal filtration chamber. As a result, the debris naturally comes to settle in said collection bin and remain there.
  • this baffle makes it possible to homogenize the peripheral speed in the filtration chamber and thus improve the centrifugation of the debris. It also makes it possible to generate a reverse circulation in the trap zone thus preventing the debris from re-entering the filtration chamber.
  • the baffle determines an angular opening ( ⁇ ) of approximately 60 ° from the filtration chamber towards the collection tank.
  • the invention relates in a second aspect to a swimming pool cleaning device comprising a separation device as explained above, the separation device being removably mounted in the swimming pool cleaning device.
  • the axis of the cylindrical filtration chamber is parallel to a horizontal XY plane of the apparatus.
  • the axis of the cylindrical filtration chamber is parallel to a transverse axis Y of the apparatus.
  • the invention also relates to a modification kit for a swimming pool cleaning device, said kit comprising a separation device as explained, and means for adapting this separation device to the body of the swimming pool cleaning device. .
  • the invention also relates to a submerged surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 11.
  • the invention finds its place within a technical swimming pool environment, for example an in-ground swimming pool of the family type.
  • a submerged surface cleaning system comprises, in the present example embodiment, a cleaning apparatus 10, referred to below as a swimming pool cleaning robot, and a power supply and control unit for said swimming pool cleaning robot (not illustrated on the figures).
  • this supply and control unit can be integrated into the cleaning device.
  • the swimming pool cleaning robot 10 is shown according to an embodiment given here by way of example, in figures 1, 2 and 3 .
  • the type of swimming pool cleaning robot 10 is here with water ejection inclined towards the rear of the cleaning device, relative to the running surface of the swimming pool cleaning robot.
  • the swimming pool cleaning robot 10 comprises a body 11 and drive and guide members 12 of the body 11 on a submerged surface.
  • these drive and guide members 12 consist of wheels arranged sideways to the body 11 (see in particular figure 1 ).
  • the drive and guide members define an XY guide plane on a submerged surface by their points of contact with said submerged surface.
  • Said guide plane is generally substantially tangent to the submerged surface at the point at which the swimming pool cleaning robot is located.
  • Said XY guide plane is for example substantially horizontal when the swimming pool cleaning robot moves on a submerged surface of the pool bottom.
  • top and bottom are defined along a straight line Z, perpendicular to said guide plane XY, a “bottom” element being closer to the guide plane than a top element.
  • the guide plane is said to be horizontal, and the direction perpendicular to this plane is said to be vertical.
  • the axis of movement of the robot is called the longitudinal axis X, and the axis perpendicular to this direction in the guide plane is called the transverse axis Y.
  • the swimming pool cleaning robot 10 further comprises a motor 13 driving said drive and guide members 12, said motor 13 being, in the present example, supplied with energy by the command and control unit via a cable flexible waterproof 14, part of which is visible on the figures 1 to 4 , at the point of insertion of this cable 14 into the body 11 of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10.
  • the swimming pool cleaning robot 10 has at least one liquid inlet 15 and one liquid outlet 16.
  • the liquid inlet 15 is located at the base of the body 11 (in other words under the latter according to the vertical axis Z), that is to say immediately opposite a submerged surface on which the swimming pool cleaning robot 10 moves in order to be able to suck up the debris accumulated on said submerged surface.
  • the swimming pool cleaning robot 10 usually comprises a brush, for example with multiple concentric blades, intended to come off the particles, or debris, deposited on the walls of the swimming pool.
  • the liquid outlet 16 is located here at the rear and in the upper part of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10 in the longitudinal direction X.
  • the liquid outlet 16 is made in a direction oriented towards the rear of the pool. the device.
  • This arrangement is not, however, limiting, and a water outlet substantially perpendicular to the guide plane XY, that is to say oriented vertically (direction Z) if the swimming pool cleaning robot 10 rests on the bottom of the pool. swimming pool, is also possible.
  • the apparatus comprises a hydraulic circuit connecting the liquid inlet 15 to the liquid outlet 16.
  • the hydraulic circuit is adapted to be able to ensure circulation of liquid from the liquid inlet 15 to the liquid outlet 16.
  • the apparatus comprises for this purpose a circulation pump comprising the motor 13 of the electric type already mentioned, and a propeller 17 (see figure 4 ), said motor 13 driving the propeller 17 in rotation, said propeller 17 being arranged in the hydraulic circuit.
  • the apparatus comprises a device for separating debris suspended in a liquid, hereinafter referred to as the separation box 18.
  • the separation box 18 disposed, on the hydraulic circuit, downstream of the liquid inlet 15.
  • This control box separation 18 is advantageously, but not necessarily, of the extractable type from the body 11 of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10. This arrangement is illustrated by figure 5 .
  • the separation box 18 firstly comprises a substantially cylindrical volume, the internal part of which forms a filtration chamber 22.
  • the axis of this cylindrical volume is, in this non-limiting example of an embodiment, parallel to the transverse axis Y of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10.
  • the separation box 18 is completed in the lower part by a tank 23 for storing, or collecting, debris, said tank 23 coming in continuity with the cylindrical volume in the lower part thereof.
  • the debris collection tank 23 is not contained in the cylindrical volume.
  • the debris collection bin communicates with the cylindrical volume.
  • the separation box 18 is completed in the front part by an inlet channel, or supply, for liquid 24 in said cylindrical filtration chamber 22, this liquid inlet channel 24 being connected to the liquid inlet 15 .
  • the separation box 18 is disassembled in the form, on the one hand, of a box body 20, and, on the other hand, of a filter assembly 21.
  • the box body 20 comprises in its upper part a gripping handle 19, here produced integrally with said box body 20, and adapted to allow the extraction of the separation box 18 from the body 11 of the robot. pool cleaning 10.
  • the handle 19 is movable relative to the housing body 20.
  • the substantially cylindrical volume forming the filtration chamber 22 consists of a cylindrical wall 201 (of axis here parallel to the transverse axis Y when the housing separation 18 is mounted on the body 11 of the robot 10), and two lateral faces (perpendicular to this transverse axis Y), the cylindrical wall 201 and a first lateral face, called the external lateral face, of the cylindrical volume forming the filtration chamber 22 being included in the housing body 20, while the second lateral face, called the internal lateral face, is included in the filter assembly 21.
  • the liquid inlet channel 24 and the filtration chamber 22 partly form the debris centrifugation means.
  • the liquid inlet channel 24 has a substantially rectangular elongated section in the horizontal plane XY.
  • the water inlet channel which connects the liquid inlet 15 to the filtration chamber 22 in the front part thereof, presents in the vertical plane XZ a slightly curved profile ending in the upper part 24a of said liquid inlet channel 24 in a direction of the flow of water that is substantially vertical.
  • the liquid inlet channel 24 is thus disposed in its upper part 24a tangentially to the cylindrical wall 201 of the filtration chamber 22.
  • the liquid intake channel 24 then merges with the filtration chamber 22, the wall of which is cylindrical has in this place an opening, called a mouth, allowing the entry of liquid almost tangentially to the cylindrical wall 201 on its internal face.
  • the flow of liquid in the filtration chamber 22 is tangential to the wall, which gives the liquid a rotational movement within said filtration chamber 22, the speed of this flow being determined by various parameters including the power of the fluid circulation pump, the cross section of the liquid inlet 15 and the pressure drops in the liquid circuit.
  • This generates a centrifugation effect of predetermined intensity for the most dense particles, present in the liquid and therefore driven in circular motion in the cylindrical volume of the filtration chamber 22.
  • the centrifuged particles are collected in the debris collection tank 23.
  • the centrifugation effect is also obtained from a suitable geometry of the liquid inlet channel 24 and of the filtration chamber 22, and from a suitable size of the mouth.
  • the debris collection tank 23, arranged under the filtration chamber 22, has in the longitudinal vertical plane XZ a section formed in the front part by the curved wall of the liquid inlet channel 24, in the rear part by a flat surface, here disposed tangentially to the cylindrical wall 201 of the housing body 20. These two walls are in the present example arranged in substantially perpendicular planes.
  • this section of the collection tank 23 is therefore open to the filtration chamber 22 over at most a quarter of the circumference of said cylindrical filtration chamber 22.
  • the precise angle ⁇ ( figure 9 ) the angular opening of the cylindrical chamber towards the collection tank 23 is determined by the choice of the length of a part of the cylindrical wall of the filtration chamber 22 extending above the collection tank 23 and forming thus a baffle 34 which constrains the circulation of the liquid.
  • the angular opening ⁇ of the cylindrical filtration chamber 22 towards the debris collection tank 23 is approximately 60 ° of the circumference of said cylindrical filtration chamber 22. Lower or higher values of this opening angle ⁇ are however possible.
  • the effect of the baffle 34 is to create within the collection tank a zone of almost zero liquid velocity, which allows the debris centrifuged in the cylindrical filtration chamber 22 to come and settle in the collection tank 23 and d 'remain there without being again drawn into the flow by the rapid movement of the liquid in the filtration chamber 22.
  • the filter assembly 21 can be removed from the housing body 20, to allow the user to clean the interior of the housing body 20 and the filter assembly 21. In the closed position, the filter assembly 21 is hermetically assembled on the housing body 20.
  • the means for hermetically fixing the filter assembly 21 on the housing body 20 are of a type known to those skilled in the art and as such fall outside the scope of the present invention. The same applies to the means for fixing the separation box 18 to the body 11 of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10.
  • the filter assembly 21 comprises a support plate 25, forming the second lateral face of the filtration chamber 22 mentioned above, and two coaxial filters 26, 27.
  • the external filter 26 is of the mesh filter type supported by a structure of support, here represented by three circles connected by four spacers.
  • This filter is made of a material suitable for retaining particles larger than 300 microns. This value is given as an indication; it can vary between 200 and 700 ⁇ m.
  • This filter collects large non-centrifuged particles (pieces of leaves or grass). This filter can be used on its own outside of the pool's use period to remove large debris such as leaves.
  • the internal filter 27 is of the accordion cartridge filter type. It is suitable for retaining particles in suspension in the liquid having dimensions greater than 50 microns. The folds allow to significantly increase the filtering surface and thus to limit the clogging of this filter
  • the diameter of the internal filter 27 is adapted to be inserted within the external filter 26 with a clearance less than a few millimeters. For each of these two filters 26, 27, the water to be filtered enters through the part outside the filter and the filtered water outlet by the part inside said filter. In this way, the water which has passed through the two coaxial filters 26, 27 exits via the axial zone of the filter assembly 21.
  • the support plate 25 has in its central part an axial opening 28, intended to come opposite the axial zone of the filters 26, 27, when the latter are assembled in the separation box 18 and to allow the filtered water outlet from the separation box via this second side end wall.
  • the diameter of this axial opening is substantially identical to the internal diameter of the filter cartridge 27, from so as to limit the pressure drops in the hydraulic circuit.
  • the housing body 20 has an axial opening (28 on the figures 4 , 7 and 9 ) in the central part of the first end wall of the cylindrical volume, so as to provide another outlet for filtered liquid at the other end of the coaxial filters 26, 27, when these are assembled in the separation box 18 .
  • the two coaxial filters 26, 27 are clamped between, on one side, the lateral face of the body of the box 20 forming the first lateral face of the separation box 18 and, on the other hand, the support plate 25 forming the second side face of the separation box 18, when the filter assembly 21 is mounted in the body of the box 20 to form the separation box 18.
  • This assembly of the two coaxial filters 26, 27 on the side faces of the separation box 18 is airtight to avoid as much as possible the passage of unfiltered water to the water circulation pump.
  • the body of the housing 20 and the support plate 25 are made of plastic or other suitable material, by techniques known to those skilled in the art, for example molding, gluing, etc.
  • the separation box 18 is inserted, when it is assembled on the body 11 of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10, between two flat walls 29 in the form of discs (only one of these flat walls being visible on the figures 5 and 6 ). These flat walls 29 here protect the side faces of the body of the box 20 and allow better guidance during the placement of the separation box 18.
  • these flat walls 29 have fixing points 31 (see figure 1 ) on the frame of the body 11 which determine the positioning of the separation box 18 vis-à-vis the body 11 of the robot 10 and in particular allow the positioning of the water inlet channel 24 above the inlet d 'water 15 (see figures 4 and 8 ) to ensure continuity of the liquid flow.
  • each of these flat walls 29 has at its center an opening 30 (see figure 5 ) intended for the passage of filtered water, said opening 30 coming opposite the corresponding axial opening 28 of the body of the housing 20 when the latter is assembled on the body 11 of the robot 10.
  • each of the flat walls 29 comprises a seal adapted to ensure a seal of the filtered water circuit, when the robot 10 is in use.
  • the robot 10 comprises a filtered water collector tube 31.
  • This filtered water collector tube 31 shaped substantially in a “U” shape, is arranged in the rear part of the body 11 of the robot, and comprises two lateral arms 32, each of these arm 32 connecting to a side wall 29 at the axial opening 30.
  • the two side arms 32 meet above a water intake area 33 of the propeller 17 of the fluid circulation pump. In this way, the water collected at the outlet from the two side faces of the separation box 18, through the side walls 29, is returned to the circulation pump and discharged at the rear of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10.
  • the filtered water collecting tube 31 has a geometry such that the water outlet of the tube is located at the bottom. look from the water inlet of the liquid circulation pump.
  • the side walls 29 and the filtered water collecting tube 31 are therefore specific to the robot model 10, while the separation box 18 is unchanged. for a set of robots.
  • the other particles in suspension in the liquid, continue to rotate in the cylindrical chamber and are gradually sucked towards the filter assembly by the effect of the vacuum created by the liquid circulation pump.
  • the largest particles (diameter greater than 300 microns) are retained by the external filter 26, which they constantly sweep tangentially under the effect of the circulation of fluid in the filtration chamber 22.
  • This external filter can be assimilated. 26 to a tangential filtration device. They thus contribute to continuously unclog this external filter 26.
  • the smallest particles (dimensions less than 300 microns) pass through the external filter 26, and the liquid flow is then substantially frontal at the outlet of the external filter 26 and at the inlet of the filter.
  • internal filter cartridge 27 which constitutes favorable conditions for the use of this type of filter.
  • This internal filter 27 can be likened to a front filtration device. As the internal filter 27 becomes clogged, the suction pressure decreases in the liquid circuit, at unchanged pumping power, and the circulation speed decreases in the filtration chamber 22, which reduces the effect of sweeping of the external filter by large particles and therefore increases the clogging of this external filter. All the while, the larger debris remains in the debris collection pan 23, the internal liquid velocity of which is very low compared to the velocity in the chamber. filtration 22.
  • an alert signal is sent to the user of the pool cleaning robot 10, who then takes it out of the pool, extracts the box separation 18, opens it to extract the filter assembly 21, dismantles the external filter 26 and the internal filter 27, and cleans them with plenty of water, as well as the collection tank 23.
  • the filtration efficiency is significantly improved by the use of centrifugation and segregation of centrifuged debris in conjunction with a filtration device at two levels, tangential and frontal, which reduces the number of filter cleanings to be carried out by the user for the same total quantity of debris extracted from the liquid.
  • the figure 10 illustrates two curves obtained for two cleaning devices which differ only in the size of the mouth. Each curve is a delimitation curve between the particles that will be centrifuged and those that will not, depending on the density and size (diameter) of the particles.
  • Curve 1 was obtained for a cleaning device with a rectangular shaped mouth 38 mm high, inducing a fluid speed of about 0.75 ms -1 in the filtration chamber 22 for a liquid flow rate of 15 m 3 h -1 .
  • Curve 2 was obtained for a cleaning device with a rectangular mouth of height 20 mm, inducing a speed of the fluid of about 1.15 ms -1 in the filtration chamber 22 for a liquid flow rate of 15 m 3 h -1 .
  • a liquid non-return valve of a type known per se is arranged in the upper part of the water inlet channel 24.
  • the axis of the cylindrical filtration chamber is not parallel to the transverse axis Y, but takes another orientation, parallel to the horizontal plane XY or not.
  • the arrangement in which the cylindrical chamber has an axis parallel to the transverse axis Y of the robot is however advantageous in that it minimizes the gyroscope effects during the turns of the robot in the basin.
  • each outlet 28 is connected to an independent collecting tube 31 which conducts the clean water to a water inlet zone 33 of each propeller 17 for circulating fluid.
  • Each propeller 17 is driven by an independent pump motor 13 and pushes the water towards an independent outlet located at the rear of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Filtration Of Liquid (AREA)
  • Centrifugal Separators (AREA)

Description

La présente invention relève du domaine des équipements pour piscines. Elle concerne plus particulièrement un appareil de nettoyage de piscine autonome de type robot comprenant un circuit d'eau à nettoyer et au moins un moyen de filtrage de débris présents en suspension dans l'eau.The present invention relates to the field of equipment for swimming pools. It relates more particularly to an autonomous swimming pool cleaning device of the robot type comprising a water circuit to be cleaned and at least one means of filtering debris present in suspension in the water.

Préambule et art antérieurPreamble and prior art

L'invention concerne un appareil nettoyeur de surface immergée dans un liquide, telle qu'une surface formée par les parois d'un bassin, notamment d'une piscine. Plus spécifiquement, l'invention fait référence à un robot mobile de nettoyage de piscine. Un tel robot de nettoyage réalise ledit nettoyage en parcourant et brossant les parois de la piscine, et en aspirant les débris éventuels vers un filtre adapté à collecter lesdits débris. On entend ici par débris toutes les particules présentes au sein du bassin et ayant une mesure de surface ou de volume comprise dans un intervalle prédéterminé dont les bornes sont fonctions des caractéristiques techniques du robot, de sorte que, d'une part, la borne inférieure autorise l'entrée desdites particules dans le dispositif de filtration, et, d'autre part, la borne supérieure empêche la sortie desdites particules du dispositif de filtration. De tels débris peuvent comprendre par exemple des morceaux de feuilles, microalgues, etc., ces débris étant normalement déposés au fond du bassin ou collés sur les parois latérales de celui-ci.The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a surface immersed in a liquid, such as a surface formed by the walls of a basin, in particular of a swimming pool. More specifically, the invention refers to a mobile swimming pool cleaning robot. Such a cleaning robot performs said cleaning by traversing and brushing the walls of the swimming pool, and by sucking any debris towards a filter adapted to collect said debris. Debris is understood here to mean all the particles present within the basin and having a surface or volume measurement within a predetermined interval, the limits of which are functions of the technical characteristics of the robot, so that, on the one hand, the lower limit allows the entry of said particles into the filtration device, and, on the other hand, the upper terminal prevents the exit of said particles from the filtration device. Such debris can comprise, for example, pieces of leaves, microalgae, etc., this debris being normally deposited at the bottom of the basin or stuck on the side walls of the latter.

Le plus couramment, le robot est alimenté en énergie par un câble électrique reliant le robot à une unité extérieure de commande et d'alimentation.Most commonly, the robot is supplied with energy by an electric cable connecting the robot to an external control and power unit.

Actuellement, il existe différents appareils nettoyeurs de surface immergée, notamment à dispositif de filtrage démontable. De tels appareils comprennent un corps, des organes d'entraînement dudit corps sur la surface immergée, une chambre de filtration ménagée au sein du corps et comportant une entrée de liquide, une sortie de liquide, un circuit hydraulique de circulation de liquide entre l'entrée et la sortie à travers un dispositif de filtrage. En outre, dans ces dits appareils de nettoyage, le dispositif de filtrage est amovible et extractible du corps de l'appareil sans devoir retourner l'appareil de nettoyage. De tels appareils de nettoyage sont décrits notamment dans les documents WO 2016/181065 et FR 2 989 596 de la demanderesse.Currently, there are various submerged surface cleaning devices, in particular with removable filtering device. Such devices include a body, members for driving said body on the submerged surface, a filtration chamber formed within the body and comprising a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, a hydraulic circuit for circulating liquid between the body. inlet and outlet through a filter device. Besides, in these so-called cleaning devices, the filtering device is removable and extractable from the body of the device without having to return the cleaning device. Such cleaning devices are described in particular in the documents WO 2016/181065 and FR 2 989 596 of the plaintiff.

Ces appareils disposent de programmes automatiques de nettoyage du fond du bassin et éventuellement des parois latérales du bassin. Un tel programme détermine un nettoyage de la piscine en un temps prédéterminé. Généralement, le robot est retiré de l'eau par l'utilisateur à la fin du cycle ou à intervalles réguliers, lorsque le filtre ne peut plus assurer ses fonctions en raison d'un trop plein de particules (feuilles, microparticules etc.), et nécessite d'être nettoyé. Dans certains modèles récents, l'unité extérieure de commande et d'alimentation du robot émet un signal lumineux lorsque cette opération de nettoyage du filtre doit être réalisée.These devices have automatic programs for cleaning the bottom of the pool and possibly the side walls of the pool. Such a program determines a cleaning of the swimming pool in a predetermined time. Generally, the robot is removed from the water by the user at the end of the cycle or at regular intervals, when the filter can no longer perform its functions due to an overflow of particles (leaves, microparticles, etc.), and needs to be cleaned. In some recent models, the outdoor robot control and power unit emits a light signal when this filter cleaning operation must be carried out.

L'action de nettoyage du filtre par l'utilisateur impose à ce dernier de sortir le robot de la piscine pour extraire le filtre logé au sein de son corps, puis de vider le filtre et enfin de le laver à grande eau, par exemple au moyen d'un tube d'arrosage. Ces opérations sont potentiellement salissantes pour l'utilisateur dans la mesure où le risque de contact avec les débris et boues de filtration est non négligeable. Ces opérations de nettoyage constituent donc pour l'utilisateur une source de désagréments.The action of cleaning the filter by the user requires the latter to take the robot out of the swimming pool to extract the filter housed within its body, then to empty the filter and finally to wash it with plenty of water, for example with water. using a garden hose. These operations are potentially messy for the user insofar as the risk of contact with debris and filtration sludge is not negligible. These cleaning operations therefore constitute a source of inconvenience for the user.

L'invention a pour but de remédier notamment à cet inconvénient.The object of the invention is to remedy this drawback in particular.

Exposé de l'inventionDisclosure of the invention

L'invention vise sous un premier aspect un dispositif, ou boîtier, de séparation de débris en suspension dans un liquide, pour appareil de nettoyage de piscine, ledit appareil de nettoyage de piscine comprenant :

  • un corps,
  • au moins un circuit hydraulique de circulation de liquide entre au moins une entrée de liquide et au moins une sortie de liquide, et à travers le dispositif de séparation de débris en suspension dans le liquide,
  • au moins une pompe de circulation de fluide installée dans le circuit hydraulique.
The invention relates in a first aspect to a device, or casing, for separating debris suspended in a liquid, for a swimming pool cleaning device, said swimming pool cleaning device comprising:
  • a body,
  • at least one hydraulic circuit for circulating liquid between at least one liquid inlet and at least one liquid outlet, and through the device for separating debris suspended in the liquid,
  • at least one fluid circulation pump installed in the hydraulic circuit.

Le dispositif de séparation de débris en suspension dans un liquide comporte les caractéristiques techniques de la revendication 1.The device for separating debris suspended in a liquid comprises the technical features of claim 1.

On appelle "appareil de nettoyage de piscine" un appareil pour le nettoyage d'une surface immergée, c'est-à-dire typiquement un appareil, mobile au sein ou au fond d'un bassin de piscine, et adapté à effectuer la filtration de débris déposés tant au fond que sur une paroi. Un tel appareil est communément connu sous le nom de robot de nettoyage de piscine, lorsqu'il comporte des moyens de gestion automatisée des déplacements au fond et sur les parois de la piscine pour couvrir toute la surface à nettoyer.The term "swimming pool cleaning apparatus" refers to an apparatus for cleaning an immersed surface, that is to say typically an apparatus, mobile within or at the bottom of a swimming pool, and suitable for carrying out filtration. debris deposited both at the bottom and on a wall. Such a device is commonly known under the name of a swimming pool cleaning robot, when it comprises means for automated management of movements at the bottom and on the walls of the swimming pool to cover the entire surface to be cleaned.

On nomme ici par abus de langage "liquide" le mélange d'eau et de débris, ou particules, en suspension dans la piscine ou dans le circuit de circulation de fluide au sein de l'appareil de nettoyage.The term “liquid” is used here to name the mixture of water and debris, or particles, in suspension in the swimming pool or in the fluid circulation circuit within the cleaning device.

On désigne par « séparation de débris » toute forme de ségrégation des débris en suspension pour produire en sortie du dispositif de séparation un liquide débarrassé de ses débris. Les moyens de ségrégation peuvent notamment comporter des moyens de centrifugation ou de filtration.The term “debris separation” denotes any form of segregation of suspended debris to produce, at the outlet of the separation device, a liquid freed from its debris. The means of segregation can in particular comprise means of centrifugation or filtration.

Les moyens de centrifugation permettent avantageusement une séparation mécanique des particules, via la force centrifuge.The centrifugation means advantageously allow mechanical separation of the particles, via centrifugal force.

Selon l'invention, le dispositif de séparation comporte un canal d'amenée, ou d'admission, du liquide débouchant selon une direction tangentielle dans une chambre de séparation des débris, ou chambre de filtration, définissant un volume sensiblement cylindrique, ladite chambre de filtration communicant avec le bac de collecte de débris centrifugés.According to the invention, the separation device comprises a supply or admission channel for the liquid opening in a tangential direction into a debris separation chamber, or filtration chamber, defining a substantially cylindrical volume, said debris chamber. filtration communicating with the centrifuged debris collection tank.

En d'autres termes, le canal d'amenée du liquide débouche tangentiellement à une paroi cylindrique de la chambre de filtration.In other words, the liquid supply channel opens tangentially to a cylindrical wall of the filtration chamber.

Le canal d'amenée du liquide est configuré, en forme et taille, de sorte à conduire une vitesse importante du liquide chargée en débris.The liquid supply channel is configured, in shape and size, so as to conduct a high velocity of the liquid laden with debris.

Selon des modes de réalisation particuliers, l'invention répond en outre aux caractéristiques suivantes, mises en œuvre séparément ou en chacune de leurs combinaisons techniquement opérantes.According to particular embodiments, the invention also meets the following characteristics, implemented separately or in each of their technically operative combinations.

Dans un mode de réalisation, la chambre de filtration et le bac de collecte de débris centrifugés communique par une ouverture présente dans la paroi cylindrique de la chambre de filtration. L'ouverture est préférentiellement disposée en partie basse du volume cylindrique de la chambre de filtration, lorsque le dispositif de séparation est en place dans le corps du robot.In one embodiment, the filtration chamber and the centrifuged debris collection tank communicates through an opening present in the cylindrical wall of the filtration chamber. The opening is preferably placed in the lower part of the cylindrical volume of the filtration chamber, when the separation device is in place in the body of the robot.

En d'autres termes, le bac de collecte de débris centrifugés forme une excroissance radiale externe au volume cylindrique défini par la chambre de filtration, depuis la paroi cylindrique. Le bac de collecte de débris centrifugés s'étend radialement à l'extérieur de la chambre de filtration, depuis la paroi cylindrique. L'axe de la chambre de filtration est préférentiellement parallèle à un plan horizontal XY de l'appareil de nettoyage.In other words, the centrifuged debris collection tank forms a radial protuberance external to the cylindrical volume defined by the filtration chamber, from the cylindrical wall. The centrifuged debris collection pan extends radially outside the filtration chamber from the cylindrical wall. The axis of the filtration chamber is preferably parallel to a horizontal XY plane of the cleaning apparatus.

Le bac de collecte de débris centrifugés est en partie basse du dispositif de séparation lorsque ledit dispositif de séparation est inséré dans le corps du robot.The centrifuged debris collection tank is in the lower part of the separation device when said separation device is inserted into the body of the robot.

Avec un tel dispositif de séparation, les débris dont la taille et la masse volumique sont importantes vis-à-vis du liquide sont centrifugés et poussés contre la paroi périphérique de la chambre de filtration en continuant leur mouvement circulaire induit par le mouvement du liquide puis sont expulsées vers le bac de collecte lorsqu'ils arrivent à sa proximité.With such a separation device, the debris whose size and density are important with respect to the liquid are centrifuged and pushed against the peripheral wall of the filtration chamber while continuing their circular movement induced by the movement of the liquid then are expelled towards the collection bin when they arrive near it.

Dans un mode de réalisation particulier permettant une très bonne séparation des débris dans le liquide, le dispositif de séparation comporte également un dispositif de filtration.In a particular embodiment allowing very good separation of the debris in the liquid, the separation device also comprises a filtration device.

Dans un exemple de réalisation, le dispositif de filtration est agencé au centre de la chambre de filtration. Ainsi, les débris plus légers et plus petits, ceux qui ne sont pas centrifugés, sont filtrés.In an exemplary embodiment, the filtration device is arranged in the center of the filtration chamber. Thus, lighter and smaller debris, those that are not centrifuged, are filtered out.

Dans ce cas, dans un mode plus particulier de réalisation, le dispositif de filtration comporte un dispositif de filtration tangentielle.In this case, in a more particular embodiment, the filtration device comprises a tangential filtration device.

Dans un mode de réalisation, le dispositif de filtration comporte un dispositif de filtration frontale.In one embodiment, the filtration device comprises a front filtration device.

Plus particulièrement dans ce cas, le dispositif de filtration frontale est inséré dans le dispositif de filtration tangentielle de façon amovible, ce qui permet un nettoyage aisé et une grande compacité du dispositif.More particularly in this case, the front filtration device is inserted in the tangential filtration device in a removable manner, which allows easy cleaning and great compactness of the device.

Dans un mode de réalisation particulier, le dispositif de séparation est tel que le dispositif de filtration est amovible dudit dispositif de séparation de débris. Ceci est également favorable à un nettoyage aisé de l'appareil de nettoyage de piscine.In a particular embodiment, the separation device is such that the filtration device is removable from said debris separation device. This also favors easy cleaning of the swimming pool cleaner.

Dans ce cas, dans un mode de réalisation plus particulier, le dispositif de séparation comporte deux faces latérales, une des faces formant couvercle et étant montée hermétiquement, de façon amovible, sur la chambre de filtration.In this case, in a more particular embodiment, the separation device comprises two side faces, one of the faces forming a cover and being mounted hermetically, removably, on the filtration chamber.

Dans un mode de réalisation particulier, le dispositif de filtration forme un volume principalement cylindrique monté coaxialement dans la partie centrale de la chambre de filtration, et configuré pour séparer le volume interne de ladite chambre d'au moins un orifice de sortie de liquide filtré.In a particular embodiment, the filtration device forms a mainly cylindrical volume mounted coaxially in the central part of the filtration chamber, and configured to separate the internal volume of said chamber from at least one outlet for filtered liquid.

L'invention est caractérisée en ce que le dispositif de séparation comporte, entre la chambre de filtration et le bac de collecte de débris centrifugés, une chicane formée par une partie de la paroi cylindrique de la chambre de filtration venant se prolonger au dessus du bac de collecte de débris centrifugés.The invention is characterized in that the separation device comprises, between the filtration chamber and the centrifuged debris collection tank, a baffle formed by a part of the cylindrical wall of the filtration chamber extending above the tank. collection of centrifuged debris.

Dans un mode de réalisation particulier, le dispositif de séparation comporte, entre la chambre de filtration et le bac de collecte de débris, une chicane formant paroi de continuité convexe avec la paroi cylindrique de la chambre.In a particular embodiment, the separation device comprises, between the filtration chamber and the debris collection tank, a baffle forming a wall of convex continuity with the cylindrical wall of the chamber.

Une chicane créée une zone dans laquelle la vitesse du liquide est faible au regard de sa vitesse dans la chambre de filtration par centrifugation. De ce fait, les débris viennent naturellement se déposer dans ledit bac de collecte et y demeurer. De plus, cette chicane permet d'homogénéiser la vitesse périphérique dans la chambre de filtration et ainsi améliorer la centrifugation des débris. Elle permet également de générer une circulation inverse dans la zone piège évitant ainsi que les débris ne repartent dans la chambre de filtration.A baffle creates an area in which the velocity of the liquid is low compared to its velocity in the centrifugal filtration chamber. As a result, the debris naturally comes to settle in said collection bin and remain there. In addition, this baffle makes it possible to homogenize the peripheral speed in the filtration chamber and thus improve the centrifugation of the debris. It also makes it possible to generate a reverse circulation in the trap zone thus preventing the debris from re-entering the filtration chamber.

Plus particulièrement, la chicane détermine une ouverture angulaire (α) d'environ 60° de la chambre de filtration vers le bac de collecte.More particularly, the baffle determines an angular opening (α) of approximately 60 ° from the filtration chamber towards the collection tank.

L'invention vise sous un second aspect un appareil de nettoyage de piscine comportant un dispositif de séparation tel qu'exposé ci-dessus, le dispositif de séparation étant monté de façon amovible dans l'appareil de nettoyage de piscine.The invention relates in a second aspect to a swimming pool cleaning device comprising a separation device as explained above, the separation device being removably mounted in the swimming pool cleaning device.

Plus particulièrement dans ce cas, l'axe de la chambre de filtration cylindrique est parallèle à un plan horizontal XY de l'appareil.More particularly in this case, the axis of the cylindrical filtration chamber is parallel to a horizontal XY plane of the apparatus.

Alternativement, l'axe de la chambre de filtration cylindrique est parallèle à un axe transversal Y de l'appareil.Alternatively, the axis of the cylindrical filtration chamber is parallel to a transverse axis Y of the apparatus.

L'invention vise également un kit de modification pour appareil de nettoyage de piscine, ledit kit comportant un dispositif de séparation tel qu'exposé, et des moyens d'adaptation de ce dispositif de séparation sur le corps de l'appareil de nettoyage de piscine.The invention also relates to a modification kit for a swimming pool cleaning device, said kit comprising a separation device as explained, and means for adapting this separation device to the body of the swimming pool cleaning device. .

L'invention concerne également un appareil nettoyeur de surface immergée selon la revendication 11.The invention also relates to a submerged surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 11.

Présentation des figuresPresentation of figures

Les caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention seront mieux appréciés grâce à la description qui suit, description qui expose les caractéristiques de l'invention au travers d'un exemple non limitatif d'application.The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better appreciated thanks to the description which follows, a description which sets out the characteristics of the invention through a non-limiting example of application.

La description s'appuie sur les figures annexées dans lesquelles :

  • La figure 1 illustre une vue en perspective d'un appareil de nettoyage de piscine mettant en œuvre un dispositif de séparation de débris tel qu'exposé,
  • La figure 2 illustre une vue de face du même appareil,
  • La figure 3 illustre une vue de dessus du même appareil,
  • La figure 4 est une vue en coupe de l'appareil de nettoyage, selon un plan vertical longitudinal,
  • La figure 5 illustre le démontage de l'ensemble filtre dudit boitier de séparation,
  • La figure 6 illustre le démontage du boitier de séparation extrait du corps de l'appareil,
  • La figure 7 est une vue en coupe de l'appareil de nettoyage, selon un plan vertical longitudinal,
  • La figure 8 illustre plus en détails les éléments constitutifs de l'ensemble filtre,
  • La figure 9 illustre les lignes de courant au sein de l'appareil de nettoyage, lorsque celui-ci est en fonctionnement au sein d'une piscine,
  • La figure 10 illustre deux courbes de délimitation entre les particules qui seront centrifugées et celles qui ne le seront pas obtenues, pour deux exemples d'appareils de nettoyage.
The description is based on the appended figures in which:
  • The figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a swimming pool cleaning apparatus implementing a debris separation device as set forth,
  • The figure 2 illustrates a front view of the same device,
  • The figure 3 illustrates a top view of the same device,
  • The figure 4 is a sectional view of the cleaning device, along a longitudinal vertical plane,
  • The figure 5 illustrates the removal of the filter assembly from said separation box,
  • The figure 6 illustrates the dismantling of the separation box extracted from the body of the device,
  • The figure 7 is a sectional view of the cleaning device, along a longitudinal vertical plane,
  • The figure 8 illustrates in more detail the constituent elements of the filter assembly,
  • The figure 9 illustrates the current lines within the cleaning device, when the latter is in operation within a swimming pool,
  • The figure 10 illustrates two delimitation curves between the particles which will be centrifuged and those which will not be obtained, for two examples of cleaning devices.

Description détaillée d'un mode de réalisation de l'inventionDetailed description of an embodiment of the invention

L'invention trouve sa place au sein d'un environnement technique de piscine, par exemple une piscine enterrée de type familial.The invention finds its place within a technical swimming pool environment, for example an in-ground swimming pool of the family type.

Un système de nettoyage de surface immergée comporte, dans le présent exemple de réalisation, un appareil de nettoyage 10, appelé plus loin robot de nettoyage de piscine, et une unité d'alimentation et de commande dudit robot de nettoyage de piscine (non illustrée sur les figures). Dans une variante, cette unité d'alimentation et de commande peut être intégrée à l'appareil de nettoyage.A submerged surface cleaning system comprises, in the present example embodiment, a cleaning apparatus 10, referred to below as a swimming pool cleaning robot, and a power supply and control unit for said swimming pool cleaning robot (not illustrated on the figures). In a variant, this supply and control unit can be integrated into the cleaning device.

Le robot de nettoyage de piscine 10 est représenté selon un mode de réalisation donné ici à titre d'exemple, en figures 1, 2 et 3 . Sur ces figures, le type de robot de nettoyage de piscine 10 est ici à éjection d'eau inclinée vers l'arrière de l'appareil de nettoyage, relativement au plan de roulement du robot de nettoyage de piscine.The swimming pool cleaning robot 10 is shown according to an embodiment given here by way of example, in figures 1, 2 and 3 . In these figures, the type of swimming pool cleaning robot 10 is here with water ejection inclined towards the rear of the cleaning device, relative to the running surface of the swimming pool cleaning robot.

Le robot de nettoyage de piscine 10 comprend un corps 11 et des organes d'entraînement et de guidage 12 du corps 11 sur une surface immergée. Dans le présent exemple, ces organes d'entrainement et de guidage 12 sont constitués de roues disposées de façon latérale au corps 11 (voir notamment figure 1).The swimming pool cleaning robot 10 comprises a body 11 and drive and guide members 12 of the body 11 on a submerged surface. In the present example, these drive and guide members 12 consist of wheels arranged sideways to the body 11 (see in particular figure 1 ).

Les organes d'entraînement et de guidage définissent un plan de guidage XY sur une surface immergée par leurs points de contact avec ladite surface immergée. Ledit plan de guidage est généralement sensiblement tangent à la surface immergée au point auquel se trouve le robot de nettoyage de piscine. Ledit plan de guidage XY est par exemple sensiblement horizontal lorsque le robot de nettoyage de piscine se déplace sur une surface immergée de fond de piscine.The drive and guide members define an XY guide plane on a submerged surface by their points of contact with said submerged surface. Said guide plane is generally substantially tangent to the submerged surface at the point at which the swimming pool cleaning robot is located. Said XY guide plane is for example substantially horizontal when the swimming pool cleaning robot moves on a submerged surface of the pool bottom.

Dans tout le texte les notions « haut » et « bas » sont définies le long d'une droite Z, perpendiculaire audit plan de guidage XY, un élément « bas » étant plus proche du plan de guidage qu'un élément haut. Par abus de langage, le plan de guidage est dit horizontal, et la direction perpendiculaire à ce plan est dite verticale. L'axe de déplacement du robot est dit axe longitudinal X, et l'axe perpendiculaire à cette direction dans le plan de guidage est dit axe transversal Y.Throughout the text, the concepts “top” and “bottom” are defined along a straight line Z, perpendicular to said guide plane XY, a “bottom” element being closer to the guide plane than a top element. By abuse of language, the guide plane is said to be horizontal, and the direction perpendicular to this plane is said to be vertical. The axis of movement of the robot is called the longitudinal axis X, and the axis perpendicular to this direction in the guide plane is called the transverse axis Y.

Comme on le voit mieux sur la figure 4 , le robot de nettoyage de piscine 10 comprend en outre un moteur 13 entraînant lesdits organes d'entraînement et de guidage 12, ledit moteur 13 étant, dans le présent exemple, alimenté en énergie par l'unité de commande et de contrôle via un câble souple étanche 14, dont une partie est visible sur les figures 1 à 4, au point d'insertion de ce câble 14 dans le corps 11 du robot de nettoyage de piscine 10.As can be seen better on the figure 4 , the swimming pool cleaning robot 10 further comprises a motor 13 driving said drive and guide members 12, said motor 13 being, in the present example, supplied with energy by the command and control unit via a cable flexible waterproof 14, part of which is visible on the figures 1 to 4 , at the point of insertion of this cable 14 into the body 11 of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10.

Toujours en référence à la figure 4, le robot de nettoyage de piscine 10 présente au moins une entrée de liquide 15 et une sortie de liquide 16. L'entrée de liquide 15 est située à la base du corps 11 (en d'autres termes sous celui-ci selon l'axe vertical Z), c'est-à-dire immédiatement en regard d'une surface immergée sur laquelle se déplace le robot de nettoyage de piscine 10 afin de pouvoir aspirer les débris accumulés sur ladite surface immergée. Comme on le voit sur la figure 1 notamment, le robot de nettoyage de piscine 10 comporte usuellement une brosse, par exemple à multiples lamelles concentriques, destinée à venir décoller les particules, ou débris, déposées sur les parois de la piscine.Still with reference to the figure 4 , the swimming pool cleaning robot 10 has at least one liquid inlet 15 and one liquid outlet 16. The liquid inlet 15 is located at the base of the body 11 (in other words under the latter according to the vertical axis Z), that is to say immediately opposite a submerged surface on which the swimming pool cleaning robot 10 moves in order to be able to suck up the debris accumulated on said submerged surface. As seen on the figure 1 in particular, the swimming pool cleaning robot 10 usually comprises a brush, for example with multiple concentric blades, intended to come off the particles, or debris, deposited on the walls of the swimming pool.

La sortie de liquide 16 se situe ici à l'arrière et en partie haute du robot de nettoyage de piscine 10 selon la direction longitudinale X. Dans le présent exemple, la sortie de liquide 16 se fait dans une direction orientée vers l'arrière de l'appareil. Cette disposition n'est cependant pas limitative, et une sortie d'eau sensiblement perpendiculaire au plan de guidage XY, c'est-à-dire orientée verticalement (direction Z) si le robot de nettoyage de piscine 10 repose sur le fond de la piscine, est également envisageable.The liquid outlet 16 is located here at the rear and in the upper part of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10 in the longitudinal direction X. In the present example, the liquid outlet 16 is made in a direction oriented towards the rear of the pool. the device. This arrangement is not, however, limiting, and a water outlet substantially perpendicular to the guide plane XY, that is to say oriented vertically (direction Z) if the swimming pool cleaning robot 10 rests on the bottom of the pool. swimming pool, is also possible.

L'appareil comprend un circuit hydraulique reliant l'entrée de liquide 15 à la sortie de liquide 16. Le circuit hydraulique est adapté pour pouvoir assurer une circulation de liquide depuis l'entrée de liquide 15 vers la sortie de liquide 16. L'appareil comprend à cet effet une pompe de circulation comprenant le moteur 13 de type électrique déjà cité, et une hélice 17 (voir figure 4), ledit moteur 13 entraînant l'hélice 17 en rotation, ladite hélice 17 étant disposée dans le circuit hydraulique.The apparatus comprises a hydraulic circuit connecting the liquid inlet 15 to the liquid outlet 16. The hydraulic circuit is adapted to be able to ensure circulation of liquid from the liquid inlet 15 to the liquid outlet 16. The apparatus comprises for this purpose a circulation pump comprising the motor 13 of the electric type already mentioned, and a propeller 17 (see figure 4 ), said motor 13 driving the propeller 17 in rotation, said propeller 17 being arranged in the hydraulic circuit.

L'appareil comprend un dispositif de séparation de débris en suspension dans un liquide, appelé par la suite boîtier de séparation 18. Le boitier de séparation 18 disposé, sur le circuit hydraulique, en aval de l'entrée de liquide 15. Ce boitier de séparation 18 est avantageusement, mais non nécessairement, de type extractible du corps 11 du robot de nettoyage de piscine 10. Cette disposition est illustrée par la figure 5 .The apparatus comprises a device for separating debris suspended in a liquid, hereinafter referred to as the separation box 18. The separation box 18 disposed, on the hydraulic circuit, downstream of the liquid inlet 15. This control box separation 18 is advantageously, but not necessarily, of the extractable type from the body 11 of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10. This arrangement is illustrated by figure 5 .

Comme il apparait sur les figures 1 à 4, le boitier de séparation 18 comprend en premier lieu un volume sensiblement cylindrique dont la partie interne forme chambre de filtration 22. Lorsque le boitier de séparation 18 est inséré dans le corps 11 du robot 10, l'axe de ce volume cylindrique est, dans le présent exemple non limitatif de réalisation, parallèle à l'axe transversal Y du robot de nettoyage de piscine 10. Le boitier de séparation 18 est complété en partie inférieure par un bac 23 de stockage, ou bac de collecte, de débris, ledit bac 23 venant en continuité du volume cylindrique en partie basse de celui-ci. En d'autres termes, le bac 23 de collecte de débris n'est pas contenu dans le volume cylindrique. Le bac de collecte de débris est communicant avec le volume cylindrique.As it appears on figures 1 to 4 , the separation box 18 firstly comprises a substantially cylindrical volume, the internal part of which forms a filtration chamber 22. When the separation box 18 is inserted into the body 11 of the robot 10, the axis of this cylindrical volume is, in this non-limiting example of an embodiment, parallel to the transverse axis Y of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10. The separation box 18 is completed in the lower part by a tank 23 for storing, or collecting, debris, said tank 23 coming in continuity with the cylindrical volume in the lower part thereof. In other words, the debris collection tank 23 is not contained in the cylindrical volume. The debris collection bin communicates with the cylindrical volume.

Le boitier de séparation 18 est complété en partie avant par un canal d'admission, ou d'amenée, de liquide 24 dans ladite chambre de filtration 22 cylindrique, ce canal d'admission de liquide 24 étant relié à l'entrée de liquide 15.The separation box 18 is completed in the front part by an inlet channel, or supply, for liquid 24 in said cylindrical filtration chamber 22, this liquid inlet channel 24 being connected to the liquid inlet 15 .

Comme on le voit sur la figure 6 , le boitier de séparation 18 se démonte sous la forme, d'une part, d'un corps de boitier 20, et, d'autre part, d'un ensemble filtre 21. Dans le mode de réalisation décrit ici à titre d'exemple non limitatif, le corps de boitier 20 comporte en sa partie haute une poignée de préhension 19, ici réalisée de manière monobloc avec ledit corps de boitier 20, et adaptée à permettre l'extraction du boitier de séparation 18 du corps 11 du robot de nettoyage de piscine 10. Alternativement, la poignée 19 est mobile par rapport au corps de boitier 20.As seen on the figure 6 , the separation box 18 is disassembled in the form, on the one hand, of a box body 20, and, on the other hand, of a filter assembly 21. In the embodiment described here by way of non-limiting example, the box body 20 comprises in its upper part a gripping handle 19, here produced integrally with said box body 20, and adapted to allow the extraction of the separation box 18 from the body 11 of the robot. pool cleaning 10. Alternatively, the handle 19 is movable relative to the housing body 20.

Toujours en référence à la figure 6, on constate que le volume sensiblement cylindrique formant chambre de filtration 22 se compose d'une paroi cylindrique 201 (d'axe ici parallèle à l'axe transversal Y lorsque le boitier de séparation 18 est monté sur le corps 11 du robot 10), et de deux faces latérales (perpendiculaires à cet axe transversal Y), la paroi cylindrique 201 et une première face latérale, dite face latérale externe, du volume cylindrique formant chambre de filtration 22 étant comprises dans le corps de boitier 20, tandis que la seconde face latérale, dite face latérale interne, est comprise dans l'ensemble filtre 21. Une fois assemblé l'ensemble filtre 21 sur le corps de boitier 20 de façon hermétique, on détermine effectivement ainsi un volume cylindrique pour la chambre de filtration 22.Still with reference to the figure 6 , it can be seen that the substantially cylindrical volume forming the filtration chamber 22 consists of a cylindrical wall 201 (of axis here parallel to the transverse axis Y when the housing separation 18 is mounted on the body 11 of the robot 10), and two lateral faces (perpendicular to this transverse axis Y), the cylindrical wall 201 and a first lateral face, called the external lateral face, of the cylindrical volume forming the filtration chamber 22 being included in the housing body 20, while the second lateral face, called the internal lateral face, is included in the filter assembly 21. Once the filter assembly 21 has been assembled on the housing body 20 in a hermetic manner, it is possible to thus effectively determines a cylindrical volume for the filtration chamber 22.

La paroi cylindrique 201 présente deux ouvertures :

  • une ouverture pour permettre l'entrée de liquide dans la chambre de filtration,
  • une ouverture pour permettre le passage des débris vers le bac de collecte des débris.
The cylindrical wall 201 has two openings:
  • an opening to allow liquid to enter the filtration chamber,
  • an opening to allow the passage of debris to the debris collection bin.

Le canal d'admission de liquide 24 et la chambre de filtration 22 forment en partie les moyens de centrifugation de débris. Le canal d'admission de liquide 24 présente dans le plan horizontal XY une section sensiblement rectangulaire allongée. Dans le présent exemple de réalisation, du fait de la forme du corps 11 du robot, le canal d'admission d'eau, qui relie l'entrée de liquide 15 à la chambre de filtration 22 en la partie avant de celle-ci, présente dans le plan vertical XZ un profil légèrement incurvé se terminant en partie haute 24a dudit canal d'admission de liquide 24 par une direction du flux d'eau sensiblement verticale. Le canal d'admission de liquide 24 est ainsi disposé en sa partie haute 24a tangentiellement à la paroi cylindrique 201 de la chambre de filtration 22. Le canal d'admission de liquide 24 vient alors fusionner avec la chambre de filtration 22, dont la paroi cylindrique présente en cet endroit une ouverture, dite bouche, permettant l'entrée de liquide presque tangentiellement à la paroi cylindrique 201 en sa face interne. De cette manière, le flux de liquide dans la chambre de filtration 22 est tangentiel à la paroi, ce qui confère au liquide un mouvement de rotation au sein de la dite chambre de filtration 22, la vitesse de ce flux étant déterminée par divers paramètres dont la puissance de la pompe de circulation de fluide, la section de l'entrée de liquide 15 et les pertes de charge dans le circuit de liquide. On génère ainsi un effet de centrifugation d'intensité prédéterminée pour les particules, les plus denses, présentes dans le liquide et donc entrainées en mouvement circulaire dans le volume cylindrique de la chambre de filtration 22. Les particules centrifugées sont récupérées dans le bac 23 de collecte de débris.The liquid inlet channel 24 and the filtration chamber 22 partly form the debris centrifugation means. The liquid inlet channel 24 has a substantially rectangular elongated section in the horizontal plane XY. In the present exemplary embodiment, due to the shape of the body 11 of the robot, the water inlet channel, which connects the liquid inlet 15 to the filtration chamber 22 in the front part thereof, presents in the vertical plane XZ a slightly curved profile ending in the upper part 24a of said liquid inlet channel 24 in a direction of the flow of water that is substantially vertical. The liquid inlet channel 24 is thus disposed in its upper part 24a tangentially to the cylindrical wall 201 of the filtration chamber 22. The liquid intake channel 24 then merges with the filtration chamber 22, the wall of which is cylindrical has in this place an opening, called a mouth, allowing the entry of liquid almost tangentially to the cylindrical wall 201 on its internal face. In this way, the flow of liquid in the filtration chamber 22 is tangential to the wall, which gives the liquid a rotational movement within said filtration chamber 22, the speed of this flow being determined by various parameters including the power of the fluid circulation pump, the cross section of the liquid inlet 15 and the pressure drops in the liquid circuit. This generates a centrifugation effect of predetermined intensity for the most dense particles, present in the liquid and therefore driven in circular motion in the cylindrical volume of the filtration chamber 22. The centrifuged particles are collected in the debris collection tank 23.

L'effet de centrifugation est également obtenu à partir d'une géométrie adaptée du canal d'admission de liquide 24 et de la chambre de filtration 22, et d'une dimension adaptée de la bouche.The centrifugation effect is also obtained from a suitable geometry of the liquid inlet channel 24 and of the filtration chamber 22, and from a suitable size of the mouth.

L'homme du métier est en mesure, au vu de ses connaissances, de définir les conditions et les géométries particulières pour permettre une centrifugation des débris en suspension dans un liquide.Those skilled in the art are able, in view of their knowledge, to define the conditions and the particular geometries to allow centrifugation of the debris in suspension in a liquid.

Le bac 23 de collecte de débris, disposé sous la chambre de filtration 22, présente dans le plan vertical longitudinal XZ une section formée en partie avant par la paroi incurvée du canal d'admission de liquide 24, en partie arrière par une surface plane, ici disposée de façon tangentielle à la paroi cylindrique 201 du corps de boitier 20. Ces deux parois sont dans le présent exemple disposées dans des plans pratiquement perpendiculaires.The debris collection tank 23, arranged under the filtration chamber 22, has in the longitudinal vertical plane XZ a section formed in the front part by the curved wall of the liquid inlet channel 24, in the rear part by a flat surface, here disposed tangentially to the cylindrical wall 201 of the housing body 20. These two walls are in the present example arranged in substantially perpendicular planes.

En sa partie supérieure, cette section du bac de collecte 23 est donc ouverte sur la chambre de filtration 22 sur au maximum un quart de la circonférence de ladite chambre de filtration 22 cylindrique. L'angle précis α ( figure 9 ) d'ouverture angulaire de la chambre cylindrique vers le bac de collecte 23 est déterminé par le choix de la longueur d'une partie de la paroi cylindrique de la chambre de filtration 22 venant se prolonger au-dessus du bac de collecte 23 et formant ainsi une chicane 34 qui contraint la circulation du liquide. Dans le présent exemple de réalisation, l'ouverture angulaire α de la chambre de filtration 22 cylindrique vers le bac de collecte de débris 23 est de 60° environ de la circonférence de ladite chambre de filtration 22 cylindrique. Des valeurs inférieures ou supérieures de cet angle d'ouverture α sont cependant envisageables.In its upper part, this section of the collection tank 23 is therefore open to the filtration chamber 22 over at most a quarter of the circumference of said cylindrical filtration chamber 22. The precise angle α ( figure 9 ) the angular opening of the cylindrical chamber towards the collection tank 23 is determined by the choice of the length of a part of the cylindrical wall of the filtration chamber 22 extending above the collection tank 23 and forming thus a baffle 34 which constrains the circulation of the liquid. In the present exemplary embodiment, the angular opening α of the cylindrical filtration chamber 22 towards the debris collection tank 23 is approximately 60 ° of the circumference of said cylindrical filtration chamber 22. Lower or higher values of this opening angle α are however possible.

L'effet de la chicane 34 est de créer au sein du bac de collecte une zone de vitesse presque nulle du liquide, ce qui permet aux débris centrifugés dans la chambre de filtration 22 cylindrique de venir se déposer dans le bac de collecte 23 et d'y demeurer sans être à nouveau entraînés dans le flux par le mouvement rapide du liquide dans la chambre de filtration 22.The effect of the baffle 34 is to create within the collection tank a zone of almost zero liquid velocity, which allows the debris centrifuged in the cylindrical filtration chamber 22 to come and settle in the collection tank 23 and d 'remain there without being again drawn into the flow by the rapid movement of the liquid in the filtration chamber 22.

L'ensemble filtre 21 est démontable du corps de boitier 20, pour permettre à l'utilisateur de nettoyer l'intérieur du corps de boitier 20 et l'ensemble filtre 21. En position fermée, l'ensemble filtre 21 est assemblé de façon hermétique sur le corps de boitier 20.The filter assembly 21 can be removed from the housing body 20, to allow the user to clean the interior of the housing body 20 and the filter assembly 21. In the closed position, the filter assembly 21 is hermetically assembled on the housing body 20.

Les moyens de fixation hermétique de l'ensemble filtre 21 sur le corps de boitier 20 sont de type connu de l'homme du métier et sortent en tant que tels du cadre de la présente invention. Il en va de même des moyens de fixation du boitier de séparation 18 sur le corps 11 du robot de nettoyage de piscine 10.The means for hermetically fixing the filter assembly 21 on the housing body 20 are of a type known to those skilled in the art and as such fall outside the scope of the present invention. The same applies to the means for fixing the separation box 18 to the body 11 of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10.

L'ensemble filtre 21 comprend une platine de support 25, formant la seconde face latérale de la chambre de filtration 22 citée plus haut, et deux filtres coaxiaux 26, 27. Le filtre externe 26 est de type filtre à mailles soutenu par une structure de support, ici figurée par trois cercles reliés par quatre entretoises. Ce filtre est réalisé en matériau adapté à retenir des particules de dimensions supérieures à 300 microns. Cette valeur est donnée à titre indicatif ; elle peut varier entre 200 et 700 µm. Ce filtre permet de collecter les grosses particules non centrifugées (morceaux de feuilles ou d'herbe). Ce filtre peut être utilisé seul en dehors de la période d'utilisation de la piscine pour éliminer les gros débris tels que les feuilles.The filter assembly 21 comprises a support plate 25, forming the second lateral face of the filtration chamber 22 mentioned above, and two coaxial filters 26, 27. The external filter 26 is of the mesh filter type supported by a structure of support, here represented by three circles connected by four spacers. This filter is made of a material suitable for retaining particles larger than 300 microns. This value is given as an indication; it can vary between 200 and 700 µm. This filter collects large non-centrifuged particles (pieces of leaves or grass). This filter can be used on its own outside of the pool's use period to remove large debris such as leaves.

Le filtre interne 27 est de type filtre cartouche en accordéon. Il est adapté à retenir des particules en suspension dans le liquide ayant des dimensions supérieures à 50 microns. Les plis permettent d'augmenter significativement la surface filtrante et ainsi de limiter le colmatage de ce filtreThe internal filter 27 is of the accordion cartridge filter type. It is suitable for retaining particles in suspension in the liquid having dimensions greater than 50 microns. The folds allow to significantly increase the filtering surface and thus to limit the clogging of this filter

Le diamètre du filtre interne 27 est adapté à venir s'insérer au sein du filtre externe 26 avec un jeu inférieur à quelques millimètres. Pour chacun de ces deux filtres 26, 27, l'entrée d'eau à filtrer se fait par la partie extérieure au filtre et la sortie d'eau filtrée par la partie intérieure audit filtre. De la sorte, la sortie de l'eau ayant traversé les deux filtres coaxiaux 26, 27 se fait par la zone axiale de l'ensemble filtre 21.The diameter of the internal filter 27 is adapted to be inserted within the external filter 26 with a clearance less than a few millimeters. For each of these two filters 26, 27, the water to be filtered enters through the part outside the filter and the filtered water outlet by the part inside said filter. In this way, the water which has passed through the two coaxial filters 26, 27 exits via the axial zone of the filter assembly 21.

A cet effet, la platine de support 25 présente en sa partie centrale une ouverture axiale 28, destinée à venir au regard de la zone axiale des filtres 26, 27, lorsque ceux-ci sont assemblés dans le boitier de séparation 18 et à permettre la sortie d'eau filtrée hors du boitier de séparation par cette seconde paroi d'extrémité latérale. Le diamètre de cette ouverture axiale est sensiblement identique au diamètre interne de la cartouche filtrante 27, de manière à limiter les pertes de charge dans le circuit hydraulique. De même, de façon symétrique par rapport au plan vertical longitudinal XZ, le corps de boitier 20 présente une ouverture axiale (28 sur les figures 4, 7 et 9) en la partie centrale de la première paroi d'extrémité du volume cylindrique, de manière à ménager une autre sortie de liquide filtré à l'autre bout des filtres coaxiaux 26, 27, lorsque ceux-ci sont assemblé dans le boitier de séparation 18.For this purpose, the support plate 25 has in its central part an axial opening 28, intended to come opposite the axial zone of the filters 26, 27, when the latter are assembled in the separation box 18 and to allow the filtered water outlet from the separation box via this second side end wall. The diameter of this axial opening is substantially identical to the internal diameter of the filter cartridge 27, from so as to limit the pressure drops in the hydraulic circuit. Likewise, symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal vertical plane XZ, the housing body 20 has an axial opening (28 on the figures 4 , 7 and 9 ) in the central part of the first end wall of the cylindrical volume, so as to provide another outlet for filtered liquid at the other end of the coaxial filters 26, 27, when these are assembled in the separation box 18 .

On comprend que les deux filtres coaxiaux 26, 27 sont serrés entre, d'un côté, la face latérale du corps du boitier 20 formant première face latérale du boitier de séparation 18 et, d'un autre côté, la platine support 25 formant seconde face latérale du boitier de séparation 18, lorsque l'ensemble filtre 21 est monté dans le corps du boitier 20 pour former le boitier de séparation 18. Cet assemblage des deux filtres coaxiaux 26, 27 sur les faces latérales du boitier de séparation 18 est hermétique pour éviter autant que possible le passage d'eau non filtrée vers la pompe de circulation d'eau.It is understood that the two coaxial filters 26, 27 are clamped between, on one side, the lateral face of the body of the box 20 forming the first lateral face of the separation box 18 and, on the other hand, the support plate 25 forming the second side face of the separation box 18, when the filter assembly 21 is mounted in the body of the box 20 to form the separation box 18. This assembly of the two coaxial filters 26, 27 on the side faces of the separation box 18 is airtight to avoid as much as possible the passage of unfiltered water to the water circulation pump.

Dans le présent exemple de réalisation, le corps du boitier 20 et la platine de support 25 sont réalisés en matière plastique ou autre matériau adapté, par des techniques connues de l'homme du métier, par exemple moulage, collage etc.In the present exemplary embodiment, the body of the housing 20 and the support plate 25 are made of plastic or other suitable material, by techniques known to those skilled in the art, for example molding, gluing, etc.

Comme on le voit notamment sur les figures 5 et 6 qui illustrent un mode non limitatif de réalisation, le boitier de séparation 18 vient s'insérer, lorsqu'il est assemblé sur le corps 11 du robot de nettoyage de piscine 10, entre deux parois planes 29 en forme de disques (une seule de ces parois planes étant visible sur les figures 5 et 6). Ces parois planes 29 viennent ici protéger les faces latérales du corps du boitier 20 et permettre un meilleur guidage lors du placement du boitier de séparation 18.As can be seen in particular on figures 5 and 6 which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment, the separation box 18 is inserted, when it is assembled on the body 11 of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10, between two flat walls 29 in the form of discs (only one of these flat walls being visible on the figures 5 and 6 ). These flat walls 29 here protect the side faces of the body of the box 20 and allow better guidance during the placement of the separation box 18.

Par ailleurs, ces parois planes 29 comportent des points de fixation 31 (voir figure 1) sur le châssis du corps 11 qui déterminent le positionnement du boitier de séparation 18 vis-à-vis du corps 11 du robot 10 et permettent en particulier le positionnement du canal d'admission d'eau 24 au-dessus de l'entrée d'eau 15 (voir figures 4 et 8) pour assurer une continuité du flux liquide.Furthermore, these flat walls 29 have fixing points 31 (see figure 1 ) on the frame of the body 11 which determine the positioning of the separation box 18 vis-à-vis the body 11 of the robot 10 and in particular allow the positioning of the water inlet channel 24 above the inlet d 'water 15 (see figures 4 and 8 ) to ensure continuity of the liquid flow.

On comprend qu'il est alors possible de concevoir des jeux de parois planes 29 différents selon des modèles de robots divers, tout en conservant un seul modèle de boitier de séparation 18, de manière à permettre d'adapter a posteriori un tel nouveau boitier de séparation 18 sur un robot préexistant, en démontant la partie filtrante préexistante du châssis d'un robot de nettoyage de piscine 10, puis en y fixant des parois latérales adaptées 29 dont la géométrie aura été adaptée à cet effet. Il est ainsi possible de définir un ensemble de kits d'adaptation du nouveau boitier de séparation 18 sur un certain nombre de modèles antérieurs, par exemple, dans le cas de la géométrie du boitier de séparation 18 décrite ici à titre non limitatif, des modèles de robot présentant une arrivée d'eau 15 s'étendant latéralement, et une sortie d'eau 16 disposée en partie arrière du corps 11 du robot, le filtre d'origine étant retiré par le dessus du robot. Cette disposition confère une plus grande flexibilité d'usage du boitier de séparation, et permet d'améliorer les performances de filtration de robots préexistants.It is understood that it is then possible to design different sets of flat walls 29 according to various robot models, while retaining a single model of separation box 18, so as to make it possible to adapt to a posteriori such a new separation box 18 on a pre-existing robot, by removing the pre-existing filtering part of the frame of a swimming pool cleaning robot 10, then by fixing therein suitable side walls 29 whose geometry will have been adapted for this purpose. It is thus possible to define a set of adaptation kits for the new separation box 18 on a certain number of earlier models, for example, in the case of the geometry of the separation box 18 described here without limitation, models robot having a water inlet 15 extending laterally, and a water outlet 16 arranged at the rear of the body 11 of the robot, the original filter being removed from above the robot. This arrangement gives greater flexibility of use of the separation box, and makes it possible to improve the filtration performance of pre-existing robots.

Chacune de ces parois planes 29 comporte en son centre une ouverture 30 (voir figure 5) destinée au passage de l'eau filtrée, ladite ouverture 30 venant en regard de l'ouverture axiale 28 correspondante du corps du boitier 20 lorsque celui-ci est assemblé sur le corps 11 du robot 10. De même, chacune des parois planes 29 comporte un joint adapté à assurer une étanchéité du circuit d'eau filtrée, lorsque le robot 10 est en cours d'utilisation. Ces joints sont de matériau et de géométrie connus en soi de l'homme du métier.Each of these flat walls 29 has at its center an opening 30 (see figure 5 ) intended for the passage of filtered water, said opening 30 coming opposite the corresponding axial opening 28 of the body of the housing 20 when the latter is assembled on the body 11 of the robot 10. Likewise, each of the flat walls 29 comprises a seal adapted to ensure a seal of the filtered water circuit, when the robot 10 is in use. These seals are of material and geometry known per se to those skilled in the art.

Comme on le voit notamment sur les figures 1 à 3, 5 et 6, le robot 10 comporte un tube collecteur d'eau filtrée 31. Ce tube collecteur d'eau filtrée 31 conformé sensiblement en « U », est disposé en partie arrière du corps 11 du robot, et comporte deux bras latéraux 32, chacun de ces bras 32 se raccordant à une paroi latérale 29 au niveau de l'ouverture axiale 30.As can be seen in particular on figures 1 to 3 , 5 and 6 , the robot 10 comprises a filtered water collector tube 31. This filtered water collector tube 31 shaped substantially in a “U” shape, is arranged in the rear part of the body 11 of the robot, and comprises two lateral arms 32, each of these arm 32 connecting to a side wall 29 at the axial opening 30.

Les deux bras latéraux 32 se réunissent au-dessus d'une zone d'admission d'eau 33 de l'hélice 17 de la pompe de circulation de fluide. De la sorte, l'eau collectée en sortie des deux faces latérales du boitier de séparation 18, à travers les parois latérales 29, est ramenée vers la pompe de circulation et évacuée à l'arrière du robot de nettoyage de piscine 10.The two side arms 32 meet above a water intake area 33 of the propeller 17 of the fluid circulation pump. In this way, the water collected at the outlet from the two side faces of the separation box 18, through the side walls 29, is returned to the circulation pump and discharged at the rear of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10.

Ainsi qu'il a été cité plus haut, dans le cas de l'adaptation du boitier de séparation nouveau à un robot préexistant, le tube collecteur d'eau filtrée 31 présente une géométrie telle que la sortie d'eau du tube est située au regard de l'entrée d'eau de la pompe de circulation de liquide. Dans ce cas d'une adaptation d'un boitier de séparation 18 à un robot préexistant, les parois latérales 29 et le tube collecteur d'eau filtrée 31 sont donc spécifiques au modèle de robot 10, alors que le boitier de séparation 18 est inchangé pour un ensemble de robots.As mentioned above, in the case of adapting the new separation box to a pre-existing robot, the filtered water collecting tube 31 has a geometry such that the water outlet of the tube is located at the bottom. look from the water inlet of the liquid circulation pump. In this case of an adaptation of a separation box 18 to a pre-existing robot, the side walls 29 and the filtered water collecting tube 31 are therefore specific to the robot model 10, while the separation box 18 is unchanged. for a set of robots.

Mode de fonctionnementOperating mode

Dans le présent exemple de mise en œuvre, lors de la mise en fonctionnement du robot, un mouvement de circulation rapide du liquide à filtrer se met en place au sein de la chambre de filtration 22 cylindrique autour de l'axe de celle-ci. Comme on l'a vu plus haut, les particules les plus lourdes sont centrifugées et viennent progressivement se déposer au sein du bac de collecte 23.In the present exemplary implementation, when the robot is put into operation, a rapid movement of the liquid to be filtered takes place within the cylindrical filtration chamber 22 around the axis thereof. As we have seen above, the heaviest particles are centrifuged and are gradually deposited in the collection tank 23.

Par contre, les autres particules, en suspension dans le liquide, continuent à tourner dans la chambre cylindrique et sont progressivement aspirées vers l'ensemble filtre par l'effet de la dépression crée par la pompe de circulation de liquide. Les particules les plus grosses (diamètre supérieur à 300 microns) sont retenues par le filtre externe 26, qu'elles viennent balayer en permanence tangentiellement sous l'effet de la circulation de fluide dans la chambre de filtration 22. On peut assimiler ce filtre externe 26 à un dispositif de filtration tangentielle. Elles viennent ainsi contribuer à décolmater continuellement ce filtre externe 26. Les particules les plus petites (dimensions inférieures à 300 microns) traversent le filtre externe 26, et le flux de liquide est alors sensiblement frontal en sortie du filtre externe 26 et en entrée du filtre interne 27 à cartouche filtrante, ce qui constitue des conditions favorables d'utilisation de ce type de filtre. On peut assimiler ce filtre interne 27 à un dispositif de filtration frontale. Au fur et à mesure du colmatage du filtre interne 27, la pression d'aspiration diminue dans le circuit de liquide, à puissance de pompage inchangée, et la vitesse de circulation diminue dans la chambre de filtration 22, ce qui diminue l'effet de balayage du filtre externe par les grosses particules et augmente donc le colmatage de ce filtre externe. Pendant tout ce temps, les plus gros débris restent dans le bac de collecte de débris 23, dont la vitesse liquide interne est très faible au regard de la vitesse dans la chambre de filtration 22.On the other hand, the other particles, in suspension in the liquid, continue to rotate in the cylindrical chamber and are gradually sucked towards the filter assembly by the effect of the vacuum created by the liquid circulation pump. The largest particles (diameter greater than 300 microns) are retained by the external filter 26, which they constantly sweep tangentially under the effect of the circulation of fluid in the filtration chamber 22. This external filter can be assimilated. 26 to a tangential filtration device. They thus contribute to continuously unclog this external filter 26. The smallest particles (dimensions less than 300 microns) pass through the external filter 26, and the liquid flow is then substantially frontal at the outlet of the external filter 26 and at the inlet of the filter. internal filter cartridge 27, which constitutes favorable conditions for the use of this type of filter. This internal filter 27 can be likened to a front filtration device. As the internal filter 27 becomes clogged, the suction pressure decreases in the liquid circuit, at unchanged pumping power, and the circulation speed decreases in the filtration chamber 22, which reduces the effect of sweeping of the external filter by large particles and therefore increases the clogging of this external filter. All the while, the larger debris remains in the debris collection pan 23, the internal liquid velocity of which is very low compared to the velocity in the chamber. filtration 22.

Au-delà d'un seuil de baisse de pression prédéterminé dans le circuit de fluide, un signal d'alerte est envoyé à l'utilisateur du robot de nettoyage de piscine 10, qui sort alors celui-ci de la piscine, extrait le boitier de séparation 18, l'ouvre pour en extraire l'ensemble filtre 21, démonte le filtre externe 26 et le filtre interne 27, et les nettoie à grande eau, ainsi que le bac de collecte 23. Le rendement de filtration est nettement amélioré par l'utilisation de centrifugation et ségrégation de débris centrifugés conjointement à un dispositif de filtration à deux niveaux, tangentiel et frontal, ce qui réduit le nombre de nettoyages de filtres à réaliser par l'utilisateur pour une même quantité totale de débris extrait du liquide.Beyond a predetermined pressure drop threshold in the fluid circuit, an alert signal is sent to the user of the pool cleaning robot 10, who then takes it out of the pool, extracts the box separation 18, opens it to extract the filter assembly 21, dismantles the external filter 26 and the internal filter 27, and cleans them with plenty of water, as well as the collection tank 23. The filtration efficiency is significantly improved by the use of centrifugation and segregation of centrifuged debris in conjunction with a filtration device at two levels, tangential and frontal, which reduces the number of filter cleanings to be carried out by the user for the same total quantity of debris extracted from the liquid.

Des simulations, au moyen d'un logiciel de modélisation CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamic), ont été réalisées pour déterminer si une particule sera centrifugée ou non. En paramétrant la densité et la taille de la particule, on résout les équations de quantité de mouvement de la particule (les forces prises en compte étant le poids, la poussée d'Archimède, la force de trainée et la force de masse ajoutée).Simulations, using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamic) modeling software, were performed to determine whether a particle will be centrifuged or not. By setting the density and size of the particle, we solve the particle's momentum equations (the forces taken into account are weight, Archimedean thrust, drag force and added mass force).

En analysant la trajectoire de la particule, il est possible de déterminer si celle-ci rentrera en contact avec le filtre externe 26, et donc le traversera ou viendra s'y plaquer, ou si celle-ci sera centrifugée et restera en rotation et/ou viendra se piéger dans le bac de collecte.By analyzing the trajectory of the particle, it is possible to determine whether the latter will come into contact with the external filter 26, and therefore will cross it or will come to be placed there, or if the latter will be centrifuged and will remain in rotation and / or will get trapped in the collection bin.

La figure 10 illustre deux courbes obtenues pour deux appareils de nettoyage qui se différentient uniquement au niveau de la dimension de la bouche. Chaque courbe est une courbe de délimitation entre les particules qui seront centrifugées et celles qui ne le seront pas, selon la densité et la taille (diamètre) des particules.The figure 10 illustrates two curves obtained for two cleaning devices which differ only in the size of the mouth. Each curve is a delimitation curve between the particles that will be centrifuged and those that will not, depending on the density and size (diameter) of the particles.

La courbe 1 a été obtenue pour un appareil de nettoyage avec une bouche de forme rectangulaire de hauteur 38 mm, induisant une vitesse du fluide d'environ 0.75 m s-1 dans la chambre de filtration 22 pour un débit de liquide de 15 m3 h-1.Curve 1 was obtained for a cleaning device with a rectangular shaped mouth 38 mm high, inducing a fluid speed of about 0.75 ms -1 in the filtration chamber 22 for a liquid flow rate of 15 m 3 h -1 .

La courbe 2 a été obtenue pour un appareil de nettoyage avec une bouche de forme rectangulaire de hauteur 20 mm, induisant une vitesse du fluide d'environ 1.15 m s-1 dans la chambre de filtration 22 pour un débit de liquide de 15 m3 h-1.Curve 2 was obtained for a cleaning device with a rectangular mouth of height 20 mm, inducing a speed of the fluid of about 1.15 ms -1 in the filtration chamber 22 for a liquid flow rate of 15 m 3 h -1 .

Pour chaque appareil de nettoyage et courbe associée, les particules se trouvant dans la zone inférieure à la courbe ne peuvent pas être centrifugées. Celles se trouvant dans la zone supérieure peuvent être centrifugées. On constate qu'avec l'appareil de nettoyage présentant la bouche de dimension la plus faible, on centrifuge plus de particules.For each cleaning device and associated curve, particles in the lower area of the curve cannot be centrifuged. Those in the upper zone can be centrifuged. It can be seen that with the cleaning device having the mouth of the smallest dimension, more particles are centrifuged.

VariantesVariants

Dans une variante de réalisation, non limitatif, un clapet anti-retour de liquide de type connu en soi est disposé en partie haute du canal d'admission d'eau 24.In a non-limiting variant embodiment, a liquid non-return valve of a type known per se is arranged in the upper part of the water inlet channel 24.

Dans une autre variante de réalisation, l'axe de la chambre de filtration cylindrique n'est pas parallèle à l'axe transversal Y, mais prend une autre orientation, parallèle au plan horizontal XY ou non. La disposition dans laquelle la chambre cylindrique présente un axe parallèle à l'axe transversal Y du robot est cependant avantageuse en ce qu'elle minimise les effets de gyroscope lors des virages du robot dans le bassin.In another variant embodiment, the axis of the cylindrical filtration chamber is not parallel to the transverse axis Y, but takes another orientation, parallel to the horizontal plane XY or not. The arrangement in which the cylindrical chamber has an axis parallel to the transverse axis Y of the robot is however advantageous in that it minimizes the gyroscope effects during the turns of the robot in the basin.

Dans une autre variante de réalisation, chaque sortie 28 est mise en relation avec un tube collecteur 31 indépendant qui conduit l'eau propre vers une zone d'admission d'eau 33 de chaque hélice 17 de circulation de fluide. Chaque hélice 17 est entrainée par un moteur de pompe indépendant 13 et pousse l'eau vers une sortie indépendante située à l'arrière du robot de nettoyage de piscine 10.In another variant embodiment, each outlet 28 is connected to an independent collecting tube 31 which conducts the clean water to a water inlet zone 33 of each propeller 17 for circulating fluid. Each propeller 17 is driven by an independent pump motor 13 and pushes the water towards an independent outlet located at the rear of the swimming pool cleaning robot 10.

Claims (14)

  1. Device (18) for separating out debris suspended in a liquid, for a swimming pool cleaning apparatus, said cleaning apparatus comprising:
    - a body (11),
    - at least one hydraulic circuit circulating liquid between at least one liquid inlet (15) and at least one liquid outlet (16), and through the device (18) for separating out debris suspended in the liquid,
    - at least one fluid circulation pump installed in the hydraulic circuit,
    the device (18) for separating out debris suspended in a liquid including means for the centrifugal spinning of the debris suspended in the liquid, a tank (23) for collecting said centrifugally separated debris, and a liquid supply duct (24) opening into a filtration chamber (22) defining a substantially cylindrical volume, tangentially to a cylindrical wall (201) of said filtration chamber, said filtration chamber (22) communicating with the tank (23) for collecting the centrifugally separated debris,
    characterised in that the separation device (18) includes, between the filtration chamber (22) and the tank (23) for collecting the centrifugally separated debris, a deflector (34) formed by a portion of a cylindrical wall (201) of the filtration chamber (22) that is extended above the tank (23) collecting the centrifugally separated debris, when the separation device is in position in the body of the cleaning apparatus.
  2. Separation device (18) according to claim 1, characterised in that the filtration chamber (22) and the tank (23) collecting the centrifugally separated debris communicate by an opening present in the cylindrical wall of the filtration chamber.
  3. Separation device (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it also includes a filtration device (21).
  4. Separation device (18) according to claim 3, characterised in that the filtration device (21) includes a tangential filtration device (26).
  5. Separation device (18) according to claim 3, characterised in that the filtration device (21) includes a front filtration device (27).
  6. Separation device (18) according to claim 4 and 5, characterised in that the front filtration device (27) is inserted into the tangential filtration device (26) detachably.
  7. Separation device (18) according to claim 3, characterised in that the filtration device (21) can be detached from said debris separation device (18).
  8. Separation device (18) according to claim 1, characterised in that it includes two lateral faces, with one of the faces (25) forming a cover and being hermetically mounted, detachably, on the filtration chamber (22).
  9. Separation device (18) according to claim 1, characterised in that the filtration device (21) forms a mainly cylindrical volume mounted coaxially in the central portion of the filtration chamber (22), and configured to separate the internal volume of said chamber (22) from at least one orifice (28) of filtered liquid outlet.
  10. Separation device (18) according to claim 1, characterised in that the deflector (34) determines an angular opening (α) of about 60° from the filtration chamber (22) to the collecting tank (23).
  11. Swimming pool cleaning apparatus (10) characterised in that it includes a separation device (18) according to one of claims 1 to 10, the separation device (18) being detachably mounted in the swimming pool cleaning apparatus (10).
  12. Swimming pool cleaning apparatus (10) according to claim 11, characterised in that the axis of the cylindrical filtration chamber (22) is parallel to a horizontal plane XY of the apparatus (10).
  13. Swimming pool cleaning apparatus (10) according to claim 11, characterised in that the axis of the cylindrical filtration chamber (22) is parallel to a transversal axis Y of the apparatus (10).
  14. Modification kit for a swimming pool cleaning apparatus (10), said kit including a separation device (18) according to one of claims 1 to 10, and means for adapting (29, 31) this separation device (18) on the body (11) of a swimming pool cleaning apparatus (10).
EP18778879.9A 2017-09-22 2018-09-24 Swimming pool cleaning apparatus having a debris separation device operating by centrifugal spinning and filtration Active EP3673126B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201762561841P 2017-09-22 2017-09-22
FR1762981A FR3071530B1 (en) 2017-09-22 2017-12-22 POOL CLEANER WITH CENTRIFUGATION AND FILTRATION DEBRIS SEPARATION DEVICE
PCT/EP2018/075795 WO2019057968A1 (en) 2017-09-22 2018-09-24 Swimming pool cleaning apparatus having a debris separation device operating by centrifugal spinning and filtration

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3673126A1 EP3673126A1 (en) 2020-07-01
EP3673126B1 true EP3673126B1 (en) 2021-11-03

Family

ID=61802128

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18778879.9A Active EP3673126B1 (en) 2017-09-22 2018-09-24 Swimming pool cleaning apparatus having a debris separation device operating by centrifugal spinning and filtration

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US11111686B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3673126B1 (en)
AU (1) AU2018335965B2 (en)
ES (1) ES2904917T3 (en)
FR (1) FR3071530B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD995018S1 (en) * 2021-11-19 2023-08-08 Beijing Smorobot Technology Co., Ltd. Swimming pool cleaning robot
USD992844S1 (en) * 2022-10-11 2023-07-18 Shenzhen Seauto Technology Co., Ltd. Cleaning robot

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2989596B1 (en) * 2012-04-24 2014-04-25 Zodiac Pool Care Europe CENTERED FILTRATION IMMERSION SURFACE CLEANER APPARATUS
IL221876A (en) 2012-09-11 2016-12-29 Shlomi-Shlomi Idan Filter for pool cleaning apparatus including backwash
EP3031651B1 (en) * 2012-12-22 2018-04-25 Maytronics Ltd. Underwater station for pool cleaning robots
EP3093413B1 (en) 2013-09-11 2020-05-13 Maytronics Ltd. Pool cleaning robot
FR3012500B1 (en) 2013-10-25 2016-09-16 Zodiac Pool Care Europe SWIMMING POOL CLEANER APPARATUS WITH EXTRACTIBLE FILTRATION DEVICE
CA2973369C (en) 2015-01-26 2020-06-30 Hayward Industries, Inc. Swimming pool cleaner with hydrocyclonic particle separator and/or six-roller drive system
FR3036126B1 (en) * 2015-05-12 2017-06-09 Zodiac Pool Care Europe SWIMMING POOL CLEANER APPARATUS WITH EXTRACTIBLE FILTRATION DEVICE FROM SIDE WALL
ES2832574T3 (en) * 2016-02-11 2021-06-10 Maytronics Ltd Self-cleaning pool cleaner
US9896858B1 (en) * 2017-05-11 2018-02-20 Hayward Industries, Inc. Hydrocyclonic pool cleaner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2904917T3 (en) 2022-04-06
US11111686B2 (en) 2021-09-07
AU2018335965B2 (en) 2024-03-28
AU2018335965A1 (en) 2020-04-09
US20200270891A1 (en) 2020-08-27
FR3071530A1 (en) 2019-03-29
FR3071530B1 (en) 2021-02-19
EP3673126A1 (en) 2020-07-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2255049B1 (en) Cleaner apparatus for a submerged surface with a protuberance which accelerates the inlet flow
EP2235291B1 (en) Apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface with easy drainage
EP3294971B1 (en) Pool cleaning apparatus with a filtration device that can be extracted via a lateral face
EP0996355B1 (en) Vacuum cleaner with tangential separation of trash
EP2235295B1 (en) Apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface and having a pumping engine outside the hydraulic system
EP2235296B1 (en) Submerged-surface cleaning apparatus with angled filtration system
EP3060731B1 (en) Pool-cleaning apparatus having a removable filtration device
FR2865918A1 (en) CYCLONE DUST COLLECTION DEVICE FOR A VACUUM CLEANER
FR2839435A1 (en) CYCLONE TYPE DUST COLLECTION DEVICE FOR VACUUM CLEANER EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC DUST REMOVAL MEANS.
FR2870140A1 (en) MULTI-SPEAKER DUST COLLECTION DEVICE FOR A VACUUM CLEANER
FR2870100A1 (en) Dust collecting device for vacuum cleaner, has cyclone body including cyclone parts, and hoods connected to upper part of body for directing movement of air between cyclone parts
EP2919915B1 (en) Swimming-pool filtering device
FR2847450A1 (en) Cyclone dust collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner, has dust receptacle to obtain dust and contaminants separated from air by centrifugal force of vortex air current in cyclone body and grill to prevent flow of dust
FR2836359A1 (en) Grill assembly for cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus, has fine contaminant blocking material e.g. paper filter which communicates with grill passage to filter out fine contaminants entering into passage
FR2854047A1 (en) Cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner, has double impeller grill assembly to prevent air from flowing back via air outlet port, and fine dust collecting unit to collect dust which is not removed by assembly
EP3673126B1 (en) Swimming pool cleaning apparatus having a debris separation device operating by centrifugal spinning and filtration
FR2967922A1 (en) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FILTRATION OF DEBRIS.
EP3744927B1 (en) Upright vacuum cleaner with double filter for cleaning swimming pools
EP1629163B1 (en) Water circulation unit with increased throughput for swimming pools, and filter unit comprising the same
FR2989596A1 (en) Apparatus for cleaning surface immersed in swimming pool, has external area including assigning unit to assign liquid circulating in external area by rotational movement around portion of filtering section of tubular wall
WO2019057968A1 (en) Swimming pool cleaning apparatus having a debris separation device operating by centrifugal spinning and filtration
FR2899086A1 (en) Water-air separator for a vacuum cleaner with water, comprises a flat brush provided with a hair or a group of hairs arranged radially on the disc or on a cylinder, and an unit to perform sealing between the rotating brush and a pipe
FR3080879A1 (en) VACUUM CLEANER FOR CLEANING SWIMMING POOLS

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20200326

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20210517

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

RAP3 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1444084

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20211115

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602018026150

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20211103

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1444084

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20211103

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2904917

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20220406

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220203

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220303

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220303

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220203

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220204

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602018026150

Country of ref document: DE

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20220804

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20220924

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20220930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211103

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220924

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230525

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220930

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220924

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220924

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20230925

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230927

Year of fee payment: 6

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20231002

Year of fee payment: 6