The invention relates to a device for cleaning a submerged surface with a propelling water jet.
Devices that clean submerged surfaces with propelling water jets usually include water jet propulsion means that generate a propelling water jet, and means for orienting the propelling water jet that allow orienting said water jet in two opposing propulsion directions, referred to as longitudinal, capable of imparting to the cleaning device two opposing directions of movement along an axis of movement.
Such cleaning devices, in particular those described in patents FR 2896005 and FR 2586054, simply consist of a turbine or a propelling nozzle powered by either onboard drive means or by the discharge circuit of the tank or pool filtration system, and constitute a range of devices designed to travel over the bottom of tanks or pools at a cost that is significantly less than the cost of sophisticated devices designed to travel over the bottom and side walls of the tanks or pools.
However, by their design, these cleaning devices prove unable to ensure complete and systematic coverage of the entire surface of the tanks or pools without requiring human intervention. Indeed, especially in certain situations such as at the end of a sweep over a surface to be cleaned, positioning at the bottom of a slope, etc., such cleaning devices can become stuck with no possibility of escape other than through human intervention.
The present invention aims to overcome this disadvantage and to provide a cleaning device that combines the advantages of current devices with a propelling water jet (simplicity, low cost . . . ) and the ability to clean efficiently the entire surface of the bottoms of tanks or pools without requiring human intervention.
Another aim of the invention is to provide a cleaning device that is simple to use in an optimal manner.
To this end, the invention firstly provides a cleaning device in which the means for orienting the propelling water jet are suitable for orienting the propelling water jet not only in two opposing longitudinal propulsion directions, but also in at least a third propulsion direction, referred to as lateral, in which said water jet is oriented in a bisecting direction relative to the longitudinal axis of movement, suitable for exerting a force capable of causing the cleaning device to pivot by oversteering.
For simplicity in the description, the cleaning device according to the invention is described herein as positioned on a bottom wall of a tank or pool such as a swimming pool, and terms such as upper, lower, above, below, etc. are to be interpreted relative to such positioning.
Such a device for cleaning with a propelling water jet is thus designed to carry out:
This cleaning device can thus perform movement sequences that incorporate longitudinal displacements and “turns” which, with appropriate programming of said movement sequences determined in particular according to the shape and size of the tank or pool, allow effective cleaning of the entire bottom surface of the tank or pool without requiring human intervention.
According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the means for orienting the propelling water jet are suitable for orienting the water jet in two opposing lateral propulsion directions that are symmetrical relative to the axis of movement.
For this purpose, the cleaning device according to the invention advantageously comprises means for controlling the means for orienting the propelling water jet, to generate movement sequences comprising longitudinal displacements along the axis of movement, alternating in the two movement directions, and turns in at least one direction of rotation.
The cleaning device can thus pivot in both directions and therefore has increased movement capability.
In addition, the means for orienting the propelling water jet are advantageously adapted, according to the invention, so that in each lateral propulsion direction, the propelling water jet is ejected near one of the longitudinal ends of the cleaning device, with an orientation at least substantially orthogonal to the axis of movement.
Thus, when the cleaning device comprises a body supported by two rolling assemblies rotatable about axes of rotation, the propelling water jet is advantageously centered, in each lateral propulsion direction, on the axis of rotation of one of the rolling assemblies.
This arrangement provides a maximum torque in each lateral propulsion direction of the propelling water jet, and thus ensures effective and rapid pivoting of the cleaning device.
Moreover, according to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the means for orienting the propelling water jet comprise:
In addition, the means for orienting the propelling water jet advantageously comprise, according to the invention, fixed propulsion outlets:
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the water jet propulsion means comprise a radial turbine rotated about the other axis of rotation by motor means, and:
According to this embodiment, the water suction enabling water filtration and the creation of the propelling water jet are achieved by means of a simple turbine which thus ensures both the filtration and propulsion functions.
According to this embodiment, in addition and in an advantageous manner according to the invention:
In addition, the rotary distributor then comprises, advantageously according to the invention, water passage openings arranged opposite the feed opening of the suction chamber and adapted to be unblocked in each of the lateral propulsion positions, and to be blocked in the two longitudinal propulsion positions.
With this arrangement, in the lateral propulsion positions, the suction chamber is fed directly by water entering through the upper water passage openings. Therefore, when pivoting, the cleaning device is not subjected to the adhesive force generated by the negative pressure caused by drawing water through the suction holes (Bemoulli effect).
In addition, when pivoting, the flow from the suction chamber is independent of the fill level and/or clogging level of the filtration means. Therefore, the amplitude of the pivots remains constant regardless of the fill level and/or clogging level, and can be precisely determined.
For simplicity of manufacture, and in particular in order to create these water passage openings, the cleaning device preferably comprises a shroud adapted to accommodate the rotary distributor, in which are formed the fixed propulsion outlets as well as holes intended to match with said water passage openings in each of the two lateral propulsion positions.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device comprises a body having the form of a frame defining a volume able to accommodate a removable filtration pan containing the filtration means and equipped with a lower wall in which each suction port is arranged.
Furthermore, the shape of the body is advantageously adapted so that the cleaning device can be placed on its side in a position permitting removal of the filtration pan. Thus, access to the filtration pan and removal and reinstallation of this pan are greatly facilitated.
In addition, the cleaning device further comprises, advantageously according to the invention, on either side of each suction port, along the longitudinal axis of movement, a lip extending along the edge of said suction port, of a height adapted to define, above the submerged surface, a suction passage of reduced cross-section.
This arrangement leads to accelerating the flow through the suction passages and generates “water jets” in contact with the tank or pool wall, which efficiently clean said wall.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the indexing means comprise radial stop members projecting from the periphery of the rotary distributor, and an abutment member associated with actuating means able to move said abutment member between positions where it catches the stop members and positions where it is retracted relative to said stop members.
Furthermore, according to this embodiment and advantageously according to the invention:
Furthermore, advantageously according to the invention, these actuating means are electrically powered and have an active state, obtained when power is being received, of maintaining the abutment member in its position of catching the stop members defining the lateral propulsion positions of the rotary distributor, and a passive state, obtained in the absence of power, of maintaining the abutment member in its position of catching the stop members defining the longitudinal propulsion positions of the rotary distributor.
Thus the actuating means are supplied power only during the pivoting phases of the cleaning apparatus, meaning the phases of shorter duration.
As a preferred embodiment of such indexing means:
Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment by way of non-limiting example. In these drawings:
and
The cleaning device according to the invention represented in
This cleaning device firstly comprises a body 1 having the general form of a frame defining an inside volume that is substantially rectangular and parallelepipedic. This body 1 is supported by two axles, a front axle 3 and a rear axle 4, positioned at each of the longitudinal ends of said body; two wheels are mounted on the ends of each axle: two front wheels 5, 6 and two rear wheels 7, 8.
Conventionally, the two axles 3, 4 are mounted to rotate about parallel axes of rotation (x), and thus define a longitudinal axis of movement (y) of the cleaning device that is orthogonal to said axes of rotation (x).
As is particularly visible in
Moreover, the cradle 9 is housed inside a removable filtration pan 13, and defines a support surface for a filtration bag 12 suitable for collecting filtered material, such as suspended solids, settling inside said filtration pan.
This filtration pan 13 has a generally rectangular parallelepipedic shape combined with that of the inside volume 2 defined by the body 1, and comprises, as is particularly visible in
As can be seen in
The filtration pan 13 further comprises a lower wall 13a in which two suction ports 14, 15 are provided, rectangular in this example, arranged so that the longitudinal axes of symmetry of said suction ports are aligned along the same axis, which is parallel to the axis (x) of rotation of the wheels 5-8.
In addition, as represented in
As represented in
The cleaning device according to the invention further comprises two shroud plates 17, 18 adapted to be superimposed and positioned on the body 1, said plates being shaped so as to define:
To this end, the bottom plate 17, adapted to be secured to the body 1, comprises a center hole 24 formed so as to be centered on the axis of rotation (z) of the radial turbine 11, on the periphery of which is formed an annular track 25 for supporting and guiding the rotary distributor 19.
This bottom wall 17 also comprises four channels 20a-23a formed starting from the annular track 25 and consisting of:
The second plate, which is the upper plate 18, has a shape complementary to that of the bottom wall 17 and:
In addition, the dome 28 is pierced by four holes 29-32 distributed radially about the axis of rotation (z) and aligned in pairs along two axes y1 and y2 substantially offset angularly relative to the longitudinal axes of the radial arms 26 of the lateral propulsion outlets 22, 23.
The rotary distributor 19 firstly comprises a cylindrical suction chamber 33 arranged to accommodate the radial turbine 11 and equipped with an upper feed opening 34.
The suction chamber 33 also communicates with a radial propulsion duct 35 arranged so as to be positioned in the continuity of the fixed propulsion outlets 20-23 during the rotation of the rotary distributor 19.
Furthermore, as is particularly visible in
The rotary distributor 19 further comprises, on the periphery of the suction chamber 33, a radial annular perforated wall 38, discontinued in the angular section corresponding to the location of the propulsion duct 35, said radial wall further forming, with said suction chamber, the base of a cap 39 defining a feed enclosure of the upper feed opening 34 of the suction chamber 33.
This cap 39 further comprises, externally, a central conical recess 40 for locking in translation the rotary distributor 19 by means of a pin 41 integral with the dome 28 so that it extends into said recess.
The cap 39 also comprises two openings 42, 43 arranged to come into coincidence with the openings 30, 32 of the dome 28 that are aligned on axis y1 in one of the lateral propulsion positions (
Lastly, the rotary distributor comprises a radial annular band 44 running along the periphery of the base of the cap 39, adapted for positioning on the annular track 25 of the bottom plate 17.
The cleaning device also comprises means for indexing the angular position of the rotary distributor 19, to allow positioning the propulsion duct 35 so it faces and lies in the continuity of each of the fixed propulsion outlets 20-23.
These indexing means firstly comprise a lever 45 extending radially relative to the axis of rotation (z), hinged on an axis 46 orthogonal to said axis of rotation (z), and having a latch-shaped end 45b adjoining the peripheral region of the annular band 44 of the rotary distributor 19.
The indexing means also comprise means for actuating the lever 45, comprising an electromagnet 47 having a finger 48 arranged parallel to the axis of rotation (z), perpendicular to the end 45a of the lever 45 opposite the latch 45b, so as to cause said lever to tilt, lowering the latch 45b when said electromagnet is supplied with power.
These actuating means further comprise a spring 49 positioned under the arm of the lever 45 that comprises the latch 45b, causing said lever to tilt and raise said latch when said electromagnet 45 is not being supplied with power.
Lastly, the indexing means comprise radial stop members 50-53 protruding from the periphery of the annular band 44 of the rotary distributor 19, and positioned so that each one defines one of the propulsion positions of said rotary distributor.
In addition, the two stop members 52, 53 defining the lateral propulsion positions of the rotary distributor 19 are located at the same height along the axis of rotation (z), and are staggered along this axis (z) relative to the two stop members 50, 51 defining the longitudinal propulsion positions of said rotary distributor, which themselves are located at a same height. Specifically:
It should also be noted that the stop member 50 defining one of the longitudinal propulsion positions consists of the concave wall 36 acting as a deflecting member.
Lastly, the cleaning device comprises a cover 54 covering the shroud elements 17 consisting of the lower and upper plates 18.
This cover 54 is provided with a handle 55 for grasping the cleaning device for transport. This handle 55 extends parallel to the axis (x) of rotation of the wheels 5-8, and is located on the rear portion of the cover 54, forming an additional support base for the cleaning device in the position shown in
According to the cleaning device of the invention, and firstly, the rotation of the radial turbine 11 generated by supplying power to the centrifugal pump 10 causes water to be suctioned into the suction chamber 33 through fluid passageways represented in
The water drawn into the suction chamber is propelled into the propulsion duct 35 as a propelling water jet, causing rotation of the rotary distributor 19 due to the presence of the deflecting elements 36, 37 and causing the movements (pivoting and longitudinal displacements) of the cleaning device.
Selection of the movement sequences is achieved by programming the means for powering the electromagnet 47 according to the following general principles:
It is understood that other versions may also be considered and allow two successive pivots . . . .
However, the most common movement sequences comprise:
For example, in the case of a rectangular pool, these sequences are combined to perform cycles comprising:
It should also be noted that, as represented in
In addition, when pivoting, the flow from the suction chamber is independent of the fill level and/or clogging level of the filtration pan 13. Therefore, the amplitude of the pivots remains constant regardless of the fill level and/or clogging level and can be precisely determined.
It is therefore possible to program the pivoting to avoid winding phenomena in the power cord.
It should also be noted that, according to the principle of the invention, the cleaning device could have two lateral propulsion outlets 22, 23 as described above, or could have a single lateral propulsion outlet 22 or 23, two lateral propulsion outlets 22 (or 23) each placed at one of the ends of the cleaning device, on the same side of said device, or even three or four lateral propulsion outlets.
Such a cleaning device with propelling water jet and having a simple centrifugal pump 10 therefore performs:
It therefore combines the advantages of current devices having a propelling water jet (simplicity, low cost . . . ) and the ability to clean the entire surface of the bottom walls of tanks or pools in an efficient manner with no need for human intervention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
12 54892 | May 2012 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/FR2013/051185 | 5/28/2013 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2013/178935 | 12/5/2013 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
342247 | Osborne | Jan 1969 | A |
3422478 | Osborne | Jan 1969 | A |
4835809 | Roumagnac | Jun 1989 | A |
D304505 | Maier | Nov 1989 | S |
6412133 | Erlich | Jul 2002 | B1 |
7805792 | Roumagnac | Oct 2010 | B2 |
20070157413 | Roumagnac | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20080235887 | Horvath et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1 022 411 | Jul 2000 | EP |
2 586 054 | Feb 1987 | FR |
2 896 005 | Jul 2007 | FR |
WO 9009498 | Aug 1990 | WO |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report issued in PCT/FR2013/051185, dated Nov. 14, 2013. |
Written Opinion issued in PCT/FR2013/051185, dated Nov. 14, 2013. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20150143643 A1 | May 2015 | US |