BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to the field of swimming pool/spa cleaning devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a swimming pool or spa cleaner having a wall docking feature.
Related Art
Swimming pool and spa cleaners are well-known devices often used by pool owner and/or maintainers to ensure removal of dirt, debris, and other objects from the surfaces (e.g., floors and walls) of swimming pools and spas. These pool cleaners are generally categorized by their source of power and include positive pressure pool cleaners, suction (negative pressure) pool cleaners, and robotic/electric pool cleaners. Positive pressure pool cleaners are in fluidic communication with a source of pressurized water. This source of pressurized water could include, for example, a booster pump or pool filtration system. Generally, this requires a hose running from the pump or system to the swimming pool cleaner through which pressurized water is provided to the pool cleaner. Some positive pressure pool cleaners discharge the pressurized water through one or more internal nozzles to create a suction effect at a bottom opening of the swimming pool cleaner, drawing debris through the bottom opening and into a retention device, e.g., a debris bag, of the swimming pool cleaner. Additionally, some positive pressure pool cleaners discharge a portion of the pressurized water externally through one or more nozzles to cause locomotion of the pool cleaner.
On the other hand, suction pool cleaners are in fluidic communication with a suction source that draws water from the pool through the suction pool cleaner. This is often achieved through the implementation of a suction hose that is connected between the suction pool cleaner and the suction source, which can be a wall fitting in communication with the suction side of a pool pump. This suction effect causes water and debris to be drawn through the suction pool cleaner and in turn the suction hose to a filter basket where the debris is collected. Additionally, suction pool cleaners can utilize the water being drawn therethrough to cause the pool cleaner to move across the pool walls.
Finally, many robotic/electric pool cleaners utilize electric power provided through an electrical cable or wire from an external power source or from an internal power source (e.g., internal battery) to move and operate. In particular, the electrical power received by the pool cleaner is often used to power various internal motors and pumps. The motors can be utilized to turn wheels or circulate continuous tracks in order move the pool cleaner along the pool walls. Additionally, the motors and/or pumps can be used to generate a suction effect at a bottom opening of the pool cleaner to draw debris into a container within or on the pool cleaner.
While robotic/electric cleaners offer convenient cleaning of pools/spas without requiring fluidic connections to pool/spa filtration systems, one drawback of such cleaners is that they must be removed from the pool/spa in order to empty the debris canister of the cleaner or to perform other functions, such as recharging or replacing a rechargeable battery of the cleaner or to perform other functions associated with the cleaner. Since such cleaners are often heavy, it can be tedious and/or dangerous for a homeowner or other individual to have to lift the cleaner out of the pool. Accordingly, what would be desirable is an automatic pool/spa cleaner with a wall docking feature which addresses these, and other, needs.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure relates to an automatic pool/spa cleaner with a wall docking feature. The cleaner includes a housing, a removable debris canister, a plurality of traction wheels, and an exhaust port. During a cleaning cycle, the cleaner cleans debris from surfaces of a pool or spa. At the completion of the cleaning cycle, the cleaner travels upward along a wall of the pool or spa, toward an upper edge of the pool or spa (e.g., toward a coping stone surrounding the periphery of the pool or spa), such that at least a portion of the canister is positioned above the water line of the pool or spa, and remains in that position in order to allow an operator to detach the debris canister from the cleaner, thereby allowing for easy access to, and emptying of, the canister and without requiring the cleaner to be removed from the pool or spa. Additionally, when docked against the wall, the cleaner can be easily recharged. Further, easy access to a rechargeable battery of the cleaner is provided, as well as other components of the cleaner. Docking can be facilitated by one or more rotatable arms of the cleaner which rotate into a position against an edge of the pool or spa, allowing the cleaner to hang from the edge of the pool or spa. Further, a projection or ledge could be proved on a surface of a pool or spa wall above the water line of the pool or spa, and the cleaner can travel to and suspend itself from the projection or ledge. Still further, a cable retention system could be provided for automatically supplying, tensioning, and reeling in a power and/or communications cable associated with the cleaner. The cleaner can optionally dock with the cable retention system and expel debris from the cleaner into a cavity of the cable retention system. Additionally, the cable retention system could include a water feature and a cylindrical passageway that allows the cable retention system to be positioned above a skimmer while allowing removal of the skimmer cover and access to a skimmer basket through the passageway. A “touch-free” debris basket could also be provided for allowing insertion/removal of the debris basket through the passageway.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing features of the invention will be apparent from the following Detailed Description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1-4 are diagrams illustrating a first embodiment of the pool/spa cleaner of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing steps carried out by the pool/spa cleaner of the present disclosure;
FIGS. 6-7 are diagrams illustrating a second embodiment of the pool/spa cleaner of the present disclosure;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the pool/spa cleaner of the present disclosure;
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the pool/spa cleaner of the present disclosure, wherein a cable retention system is provided;
FIG. 10 is a top view of the cable retention system of FIG. 9; and
FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cable retention system of FIG. 11, wherein a touch-free debris basket can be accessed through a passageway of the cable retention system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure relates to an automatic pool or spa cleaner with integral docking feature, as discussed in detail below in connection with FIGS. 1-11.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the pool/spa cleaner 10 of the present disclosure. The cleaner 10 includes a housing 12, a removable debris canister 14, drive means for driving the cleaner 10 such as a plurality of traction wheels 16 (and associated drive motor), and an exhaust port 18. During a cleaning cycle, the cleaner 10 cleans debris from surfaces of a pool or spa 20. After completion of the cleaning cycle, the cleaner 10 travels upward along a wall 22 of the pool or spa 20, toward an upper edge 24 of the pool or spa 20 (e.g., toward a coping stone surrounding the periphery of the pool or spa 20), such that at least a portion of the canister 14 is positioned above the water line of the pool or spa 20. As illustrated, the cleaner 10 travels in an upward direction indicated by arrow B, against the wall 22 of the pool or spa 20. Such travel is facilitated by a stream of water expelled from the exhaust port 18 as illustrated by arrow A, such that the force of water being expelled from the exhaust port 18 causes the cleaner 10 to stay positioned against the wall 22 as the cleaner 10 travels up the wall 22.
Turning to FIG. 2, when the cleaner 10 has reached an appropriate “stopping” or “docking” or “parking” location (e.g., a location such that at least a portion of the canister 14 and/or housing 12 and/or other component of the cleaner 10 is positioned above the water level of the pool or spa 20 as noted above), the cleaner 10 engages (e.g., rotates) one or more hanging arms 30 so that the cleaner 10 is suspended from the upper edge 24 of the pool or spa 20 (e.g., the arms 30 suspend the cleaner 10 from the upper edge 24, against the wall 22). Specifically, the arms 30 can be rotated as indicated by arrow C such that a transverse portion 32 of the arm 30 rests against the edge 24 (e.g., rests against an upper surface of coping stones around the edge of the pool or spa 20). It is noted that the cleaner 10 could include one or more sensors (e.g., proximity sensor or other sensor) for detecting when the cleaner has reached the stopping/parking/docking location shown in FIG. 2. For example, such sensor could detect when the cleaner 10 is positioned against the wall 22 and is a certain (e.g., pre-defined) distance from the edge 24 of the pool or spa 20), and/or whether the sensor is not submerged in water (indicating that at least a portion of the cleaner 10 is above the water line). It is further noted that the cleaner 10 could be programmed to perform a certain number of docking/parking re-attempts, e.g., in circumstances where an initial attempt by the cleaner 10 to dock/park itself is unsuccessful, or if the cleaner 10 does not stay within the docked/parked position for a certain period of time (e.g., of the cleaner 10 is moved from the docked/parked location).
As seen in FIG. 3, after the cleaner 10 is suspended from the edge 24 of the pool or spa 20, the canister 14 can be ejected as indicated by arrow D from the housing 12 of the cleaner 10 so that an individual can access the canister 14 and empty debris therefrom. Of course, the canister 14 need not be ejected, and instead, could be detached by the individual from the housing 12 and subsequently emptied, without requiring removal of the cleaner 10 from the pool or spa 20. If desired, other features of the cleaner 10 could be accessed, such as a rechargeable battery or other component, when the cleaner 10 is suspended from the edge 24. When the canister 14 is emptied, it can be re-attached to the housing 12 of the cleaner 10, whereupon the arms 30 can be automatically rotated away from the upper edge 24 (e.g., to a “storage” or “home” position within the cleaner 10), and the cleaner 10 can then automatically descend down the wall 22 and down into the pool/spa, so as to continue cleaning or to perform other functions within the pool or spa 20.
Turning to FIG. 4, when the cleaner 10 is suspended from the edge 24 by the hanging arms 30, 30′, additional features of the cleaner 10 can be accessed, such as an inductive charging port 44 on the cleaner for recharging a battery of the cleaner. In such circumstances, a power cable 40 (for supplying electrical power for charging a battery of the cleaner) having an inductive coupling 42 could be mated to the inductive charging port 44 of the cleaner 10 in order to inductively transfer electrical power to the cleaner 10. Of course, the coupling need not be inductive, and a non-inductive connection could be provided if desired. Still further, when suspended from the edge 24, a battery of the cleaner 10 can be easily accessed, thereby facilitating easy replacement of the battery without requiring removal of such battery from the cleaner 10. Also, other components of the cleaner 10 could easily be accessed or serviced.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing steps 50 carried out by the cleaner of the present disclosure. In step 52, a determination is made by the cleaner as to whether an end of a cleaning cycle is detected. If so, step 54 occurs, wherein the cleaner climbs a wall of the pool and stops at a predetermined location (e.g., at a location such that at least part of the cleaner is positioned above the water level of a pool or spa). Next, step 56 occurs, wherein the cleaner deploys a capture feature (e.g., the arms 30, 30′ discussed above) in order to suspend the cleaner in position at the predetermined location. Finally, in step 58 the cleaner is deactivated so that an individual can access and empty the debris canister of the cleaner, recharge the cleaner, or perform some other task associated with the cleaner (e.g., replacing a battery of the cleaner, repairing or servicing the cleaner, etc.). The processing steps 50 could be embodied as computer-readable instructions stored in a suitable memory associated with the cleaner (such as non-volatile memory) and executed by a processor of the cleaner. Alternatively and/or additionally, the processing steps 50 could be stored remote from the cleaner (e.g., in one or more remote memories in communication with the cleaner), and could be transmitted to the cleaner for execution. Still further, the cleaner could be remotely commanded (e.g., over an Internet-of-Things (IoT) connection) via one or more remote devices in communication with the cleaner, such as a cellular telephone, computer system, personal computer, cloud computer, etc.
It is noted that the cleaner of the present invention could be suspended at a desired location in a pool or spa using suspension means other than the hanging arms 30, 30′ discussed above. In this regard, FIGS. 6-7 are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of the cleaner of the present disclosure, indicated generally at 110, wherein the cleaner navigates to a suspension projection or ledge 152, engages such protection or ledge 152, and is suspended in position from the projection or ledge 152. The projection or ledge 152 could be attached to a wall 122 of the pool or spa 120, or formed integrally therewith. As with the embodiment of the cleaner discussed in connection with FIGS. 1-5, the cleaner 110 includes a housing 112, a canister 114, traction wheels 116, and an exhaust port 118. At the end of a cleaning cycle, the cleaner 110 travels upwardly against the wall 122 of the pool or spa 120, toward the projection or ledge 152. A stream of exhaust water expelled from the exhaust port 118 exerts force in the direction indicated by arrow A′ to position the cleaner 110 against the wall 122, and to facilitate upward travel of the cleaner 110 up the wall 122. Optionally, the cleaner 110 could include one or more gripping tracks 150 attached to the wheels 116, if desired. As shown in FIG. 7, when the cleaner 110 is at a desired location (e.g., near the edge 124 of the pool or spa 120), the cleaner 110 engages with the projection or ledge 152 (e.g., by way of a latch or other suitable mechanism), to suspend the cleaner 110 in the desired position. The canister 114 can then be accessed by a user, as well as a rechargeable battery or other feature of the cleaner 110.
Additional features of the cleaner of the present disclosure are also possible. For example, the cleaner could be buoyant, such that it could float to the water surface and near the wall at a desired time/location. Also, the cleaner could be attached to or capture a tether that can be used to pull the cleaner toward a wall or other surface. Still further, the debris canister of the cleaner could itself be buoyant, to allow the canister to be easily retrieved from the surface of the water. Additionally, the debris canister could include a battery pack for powering the cleaner, so that the battery pack can be easily removed from the cleaner and charged independently from the cleaner. Even further, the cleaner could include a second battery for powering the cleaner, and which is charged by the battery of the canister when the canister is attached to the cleaner. Finally, the cleaner could be programmed to automatically locate and couple with the canister when the user “drops” the canister into the pool/spa water (e.g., after emptying the canister).
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the cleaner of the present disclosure, indicated generally at 210. In this embodiment, the cleaner 210 includes a retractable power cord/cable 224 that supplies electrical power to the cleaner 210 and a cord retraction/extension mechanism 223 which automatically lengthens or shortens the cable 224 so as to alleviate coiling or kinking of the power cord/cable 224 during operation of the cleaner 210. The mechanism 223 could include a tensioner bar that automatically tensions the cable 224, or some other type of mechanism (e.g., a driven motor under the control of a controller of the cleaner 210) that automatically lengthens or shortens the cable 224 as the cleaner 210 is in operation. The cleaner 210 could be programmed to automatically adjust the speed with which the mechanism 223 winds or unwinds the cable 224, as well as the tension applied to the cable 224. Additionally, the rate of extension or retraction (or tensioning) of the cable 224 could automatically adjusted by the mechanism 223 based on the rate of travel/speed of the cleaner 210. The features discussed herein in connection with FIG. 8 could be utilized in combination with any of the other embodiments of the invention discussed herein.
It is noted that the cable 224 could be coupled to a power supply 226 positioned external of the pool/spa 220, or to a power port 228 (e.g., an inductive coupling/port) positioned on/within or forming part of a wall 222 of the pool/spa 220. As with the prior embodiments of the invention, the cleaner 210 could include a housing 212, a removable debris canister 214, traction wheels 216, and an exhaust port 218 that expels water and exerts force which retains the cleaner 210 in position against the wall 222 of the pool/spa 210. It is additionally noted that, in any of the embodiments discussed herein, the cleaner could map the distance between the “home” or docking position of the cleaner and the current location of the cleaner (e.g., for calibration and/or navigation purposes), and could also include a map of the pool/spa for identifying the location of the home/docking position.
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the pool/spa cleaner of the present disclosure, indicated generally at 300, wherein a cable retention system 330 is provided. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, an underwater cleaner 310 is provided and is tethered to the cable retention system 330 by a cable or cord 320. The cable retention system 330 could be positioned on a “deck” or other surface 250 adjacent to an edge of the pool/spa, as shown (and, as described in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 10-11, proximal to a skimmer of the pool/spa while allowing access to a skimmer basket of the pool/spa through a passageway formed in the cable retention system 330). The cable or cord 320 provides power to the cleaner 310 and/or communications with the cleaner 310. The cable retention system 330 automatically supplies, tensions, and reels in the cable 320. The cleaner 310 can remain docked with and/or near the cable retention system 330 when not in use (e.g., at a suitable docking/parking location on the wall of a pool/spa 260). When the cleaner 310 is activated to clean the pool/spa 260 (e.g., during a cleaning operation), the cable retention system 330 releases the cable 320 from the retention system 330 so that the cleaner 310 can freely traverse the walls and floor of the pool/spa 260 to clean the pool/spa 260. Optionally, during cleaning, the cable retention system 330 can tension the cable 320 so that excess lengths of cable and/or tangling of such excess lengths of cable are avoided as the cleaner 310 cleans the pool/spa 260. When a cleaning cycle is complete and the cleaner 310 travels back to a docking/parked position (such as adjacent to the cable retention system 330), the cable retention system 330 automatically retracts the cable 320 into the cable retention system 330.
The cable retention system 330 includes a housing 332 and cylindrical passageway 340 extending through the housing 332 of the cable retention system 330, about which the cable 320 is coiled or reeled and stored within the housing 332. Specifically, a coiled/reeled portion 338 of the cable 320 is coiled/reeled about the cylindrical passageway 340 and stored in an internal cavity 334 of the cable retention system 330. The cylindrical passageway 340 includes an upper aperture 350, which will be discussed in greater detail below in connection with FIG. 10. An end 336 of the cable 320 could extend out from the cable retention system 330 and could be connected to a power source for supplying electrical power via the cable 320 to the cleaner 310 and/or to any electrical components of the cable retention system 330. A port 344 receives the cable 320, such that portions of the cable 320 can freely travel through the port 344 (e.g., when the cable 320 is “payed out” or extended/supplied when the cleaner 310 is performing a cleaning operation, and when the cable 320 is reeled back into the cable retention system 330). A drive mechanism 341 having a drive motor and associated drive/control electronics could mechanically drive a cable reel 339 about which the coiled/reeled portion 338 of the cable is coiled or reeled, so as to automatically supply cable to the cleaner 310 as needed (e.g., when the cleaner 310 is performing a cleaning operation), to automatically tension the cable 320 when the cleaner 310 is performing a cleaning operation, and to automatically reel the cable 320 into the cable retention system 330 when the cleaner 310 is finished performing a cleaning operation. The cable reel 339 could be coaxially aligned with the cylindrical passageway 340 (e.g., the cylindrical passageway 340 extends through the cable reel 339 and is coaxial with the cable reel 339), and could rotate around the passageway 340 as the cable is reeled onto the reel 339.
The cable retention system 330 could collect debris gathered by the cleaner 310. In this regard, a debris port 342 could be provided, such that the cleaner 310 can travel toward and dock with the debris port 342 (in the direction indicated by arrow E) when it is necessary to empty debris from the cleaner 310. When docked with the debris port 342, the cleaner 310 can expel debris from the cleaner 310, through the debris port 342, and into the internal cavity 334 of the cable retention system 330, for storage of the debris and subsequent removal from the cable retention system 330. Additionally, if the cable retention system 330 is positioned near a skimmer (as discussed below in connection with FIGS. 10-11), the cable retention system 330 could include a pump 343 that is periodically activated to empty debris from the cable retention system 330 and into a skimmer of the pool/spa. Also, the pump 343 could be selectively operated to power a water feature 346, so that a column of water 348 could be expelled from the cable retention system 330, providing a water fountain or water feature for a pool/spa. Such water fountain or feature could be illuminated by an illumination system (e.g., via one or more incandescent or LED lights positioned in the cable retention system 330), if desired.
FIG. 10 is a top view of the cable retention system of FIG. 9. As can be seen, the cable retention system 330 is positioned proximal to (e.g., above) a skimmer 354 of the pool/spa 260, such that a cover 352 of the skimmer 354 is accessible through the cable retention system 330. More specifically, the cover 352 is positioned within the upper aperture 350 of the cylindrical passageway 340 of the cable retention system 330, such that the user can reach through the upper aperture 350, down through the cylindrical passageway 340 formed in the housing 332, and remove both the cover 352 and a skimmer basket through the cylindrical passageway 340 (e.g., for emptying the skimmer basket and replacing it, as needed). The water column 348 expelled by the cable retention system 330 flows into the pool/spa 260, and can assist with directing debris into the skimmer 354. Additionally, it is noted that the various embodiments of the cleaners disclosed herein could be programmed to periodically travel toward the skimmer 354 and expel debris into the skimmer 354, so as to empty debris from the cleaner. In such circumstances, the water column 348 could assist in directing such debris into the skimmer 354.
FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cable retention system of FIG. 11, wherein a touch-free debris basket 362 can be accessed through the passageway 340 of the cable retention system 330. The basket 362 includes a basket portion 360 configured to sit within a sump 370 of the skimmer 354, two (or more) vertical extensions 366 which are attached at ends 368 to the basket portion 360, and a handle 364 connected to ends of the vertical extensions 366. The ends 368 vertical extensions 366 could be permanently mounted to the basket portion 360 or removably attached thereto, e.g., by way of a snap fit or other type of removable attachment. A user can grasp the handle 364 and pull the basket 362 out of the skimmer 354 and through the passageway 340 along the direction indicated by arrow F, and can subsequently empty debris the basket portion 360 without having to touch (contact) the basket portion 360.
Having thus described the system and method in detail, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is not intended to limit the spirit or scope thereof. It will be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make any variations and modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. All such variations and modifications, including those discussed above, are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
Patent Application
20250012107
