MOVABLE SUBMERGED INTERFACE FOR POOL EXIT

Abstract

An interfacing system for pool related platform (PRP) autonomous exit from a pool assistance, the interfacing system includes a pool surface interface that is positioned on an external surface; and a submerged interface that is mechanically coupled to the pool surface interface and is configured to interface with the PRP and convert a PRP rotation of a PRP interfacing element to a movement of a portion of the submerged interface from a lower position in which the portion of the submerged interface is inclined at a first angle to an upper position in which the portion of the submerged interface is inclined as a second angle that is smaller than the first angle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pool cleaning robots are manually extracted from a pool—in order to replace filters, clean filters, recharge a battery—and the like.

There is a growing need to provide an efficient autonomously method for exiting a pool cleaning robot from the pool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate an example of different positions of an interfacing system that includes a floating unit;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an interfacing system that includes a floating unit;

FIGS. 4-5 illustrate an example of different positions of an interfacing system that includes a floating unit;

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate an example of an interfacing system that includes a gear based mechanism;

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate an example of a track of a pool related platform and a pool related platform interface;

FIGS. 12-22 illustrate examples of an interfacing system; and

FIG. 23 illustrates an example of a method.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

According to an embodiment, a pool related platform (PRP) is any platform that may perform an operation related to a fluid of a pool-cleaning, skimming, changing chemical composition, monitoring, and the like. Examples of a PRP include a pool cleaning robot (PCR), a pool robot that differs from a PCR, and the like. Any example related a PCR may be applied mutatis mutandis, to any other PRP.

According to an embodiment there is provided an interfacing system for PRP autonomous exit from a pool assistance, the interfacing system includes (i) a pool surface interface that is positioned on an external surface; and (ii) a submerged interface that is mechanically coupled to the pool surface interface and is configured to interface with the PRP and convert a PRP rotation of a PRP interfacing element to a movement of a portion of the submerged interface from a lower position in which the portion of the submerged interface is inclined at a first angle to an upper position in which the portion of the submerged interface is inclined as a second angle that is smaller than the first angle.

According to an embodiment, each angle of the first angle and the second angle is defined between the portion of the submerged interface and either the waterline or the external surface. When the portion is not flat—the angle may be taken from a tangent to a point of the portion (for example the central point), or to a virtual line between the proximal end and the distal end of the portion, and the like. In FIG. 3 the virtual lines passes through axes 28 and 29.

The submerged interface is submerged in the sense that at least one portion of the submerged interface is below fluid during at least a start of the PRP autonomous exit. The at least portion may be at least a portion of track 27 of FIG. 4, at least a portion of submerged interface body 22 of FIGS. 1-3, at least a portion of body 82 and/or distal rod 46 and/or intermediate rod 61 of FIG. 6, and the like.

According to an embodiment the interfacing mechanism includes a gear based mechanism configured to convert the PRP rotation to the movement of the portion of the submerged interface between the lower position to the upper position. Examples of an interfacing mechanism that includes a gear based mechanism are illustrated in FIGS. 6-10.

According to an embodiment, the interfacing system includes a floating unit, wherein the submerged interface is configured to convert the PRP rotation to a movement of the floating unit, wherein then movement of the floating unit induces the portion of the submerged interface to move between the lower position to the upper position.

The floating unit may consist of a float, may consist essentially of a float or may comprise a float and one or more additional elements such as but not limited to a frame.

Examples of an interfacing mechanism that include a floating unit are illustrated in FIGS. 1-5.

According to an embodiment, the portion of the submerged interface is movable between a lower position in which it is inclined at a first angle (for example a 90 degrees angle—or between 70-90 degrees or below 70 degrees, and the like) and an upper position in which it is inclined at a second angle (for example between 45 and 10 degrees). The second angle is much smaller (for example by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 degrees and the like) than the first angle. According to an embodiment the second angle facilitates an autonomous exit while the first angle does not facilitate the autonomous exit.

The change in the inclination is contributed by having a pool related platform (PRP) moves on the submerged interface (towards the top of the submerged interface) and changes the position of a floating unit that causes the submerged interface to floating unit to the upper position. The angle change of the submerged interface allows the PRP to roll itself up and out of the pool, providing autonomously existing of the PRP.

According to an embodiment the RPP is oriented in relation to the waterline by a small angle that may does not exceed 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 degrees and the like.

The floating unit position is changed, due to the movement of the PRP from a front floating unit position in which it is closer to the top of the submerged interface to a rear floating unit position in which it is closer to the lower end of the submerged interface.

According to an embodiment, when first contacting the submerged interface the PRP has to climb on the submerged interface-using fins that extend upwards and using toothed PRP wheels or toothed tracks. According to an embodiment, the PRP climbs on the interface by using different solutions, as illustrated in the specification.

According to an embodiment there is provided an interfacing system PRP exit from a pool assistance, the interfacing system includes a pool surface interface that is positioned on an external surface, a floating unit and an submerged interface that is mechanically coupled to the pool surface interface and is configured to interface with the PRP and convert a PRP rotation of a PRP interfacing element to a movement of the floating unit, the movement of the floating unit induces the submerged interface to move from a lower position in which the submerged interface is inclined at a first angle to an upper position in which the submerged interface is inclined as a second angle that is smaller than the first angle.

According to an embodiment, the pool surface interface is fixed to the external surface by any mechanical means—for example using mechanical fasteners, using bolts or screws, and the like.

According to an embodiment the pool surface interface is maintained static in relation to the external surface by placing heavy enough elements on the pool surface interface. Heavy enough may be at least 5, 10, 15 kilograms, or any weight that will prevent the pool surface interface from moving towards the pool and even falling into the pool during the PRP exit process.

According to an embodiment the pool surface interface has friction inducing elements (such as a rough lower surface) for increasing the friction between the external surface and the pool surface interface.

According to an embodiment, the movement of the floating unit is from a proximal end of the submerged interface towards the distal end of the submerged interface.

According to an embodiment, the interfacing system includes a floating unit stopper that is configured to prevent the floating unit from exiting a distal position of the floating unit during a phase of the exit of the pool.

According to an embodiment, the interfacing system includes a floating unit stopper release unit that is configured to stop a preventing of the floating unit from exiting the distal position of the float.

According to an embodiment, the submerged interface includes fins the extend upwards and are fit to toothed PRP wheels.

According to an embodiment, the submerged interface facilitates a movement of the PRP in relation to the interfacing system during an entirety of the exit from the pool.

According to an embodiment, the submerged interface is configured to facilitate a movement of the PRP in relation to the interfacing system only during a part of the exit from the pool.

According to an embodiment, the submerged interface is configured to facilitate a movement of the PRP in relation to the interfacing system only after the floating unit reaches a distal position.

According to an embodiment, the submerged interface includes a PRP stopper that is configured to maintain the PRP at a defined location during a portion of the exit from the pool.

According to an embodiment, the submerged interface includes a PRP stopper that is configured to maintain the PRP at a defined location during a first phase of the exit from the pool.

According to an embodiment, the interfacing system includes a PRP rotating interface that is rotatable by the PRP, the PRP rotating interface is in mechanical communication with a pully system that is configured to move the floating unit.

According to an embodiment, the submerged interface includes a PRP stopper release that is configured to release the PRP stopper at an end of the first phase, thereby allowing the PRP to propagate towards a proximal end of the submerged interface during a second phase of the exit from the pool.

According to an embodiment, the PRP stopper release is integrated with a floating unit interface.

According to an embodiment, the submerged interface includes a ratchet mechanism that is configured to lock the submerged interface to the pool surface interface during the second phase of the exit from the pool thereby maintaining an angular relationship between the submerged interface and the pool surface interface.

According to an embodiment, the submerged interface includes a ratchet release mechanism that once contacted by the PRP is configured to unlock the submerged interface from the pool surface interface.

According to an embodiment, the interfacing system includes a hook that is configured to interface with the PRP.

According to an embodiment there is provided a method for assisting a pool related platform (PRP) exit from a pool assistance, the method includes: interfacing, by an submerged interface of an interfacing system, with the with the PRP; the submerged interface is mechanically coupled to a pool surface interface; and converting, by the submerged interface, a PRP rotation of a PRP interfacing element to a movement of a floating unit of the interfacing system, the movement of the floating unit induces the submerged interface to move from a lower position in which the submerged interface is inclined at a first angle to an upper position in which the submerged interface is inclined as a second angle that is smaller than the first angle.

In FIGS. 1-2 the PRP interfaces with a hook or any other PRP interface 30 that contacts the PRP and causes the floating unit (such as float 20) that coupled (for example by rope or other mechanical coupling unit 32) to the hook or other PRP interface) to move as a result of the movement of the PRP. FIGS. 1-2 also illustrates a submerged interface body 22 that includes fins that extend upwards 23 to support protrusions of a track of the PRP. The submerged interface body 22 is rotatably coupled to holding mechanism 10. The holding mechanism is an example of a pool surface interface.

According to an embodiment, the fins that extend upwards are positioned on a planar sheet of the submerged interface body 22—or on any other shaped base.

The interfacing system of FIG. 3 differs from the interfacing system of FIGS. 1-2 by including an interface 33 such as a cylinder, sheave, wheel that interfaces with the rope or other mechanical coupling unit 32.

In FIGS. 2 and 3 the interfacing system is in the upper position and in FIG. 1 the interfacing system is in the lower position.

In FIGS. 1-2 the PRP interfaces with a hook or any other PRP interface 30 that contacts the PRP and causes the floating unit (such as float 20) that coupled (for example by rope or other mechanical coupling unit 32) to the hook or other PRP interface) to move as a result of the movement of the PRP

In FIGS. 4-5 the body of the submerged interface body includes a track 27 that is rotated by the PRP, and is positioned between two axes 28 and 29. The track 27 has or supports or is connected to movable fins 25 (movable by the rotation of the track) that extend upwards when facing the PRP.

In FIG. 4-5, the floating unit is positioned within an inner space formed by track 27 and is coupled to the track 27 by a fins to float coupling unit 26.

As indicated above, the fins of the submerged interface are movable and the PRP moves the fins while moving. The movement of the fins moves the floating unit, using a fin to floating unit coupling unit.

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate an example of an interfacing system that includes a gear based mechanism.

In FIG. 6-10 the PRP climbs while rotating one or more rotational elements of a transmission system that converts the rotation induced by the PRP to a rotation of a body (and the PRP) in relation to the pool-especially the rotation of a right and left proximal gears (denoted 53 and 43 respectively) in relation to corresponding right and left curved threaded interfaces (denoted 52 and 42 respectively) that mesh with the right and left proximal gears. The right and left curved threaded interfaces are fixed—and the rotation elevates the PRP and the body until the PRP is substantially horizontal—or otherwise is positioned to be able to progress to the upper surface—and exit the pool.

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate left and right distal gears (denoted 55 and 45 respectively) that are rotated by the wheels of the PRP, thereby rotating left and right threaded tracks (denoted 59 and 49 respectively) that rotate left and right intermediate gears that rotate the left and right proximal gears that mesh with the left and right curved threaded interfaces.

FIGS. 6 and 10 illustrate contact elements 63 that are contacted by the PRP while moving upwards-which cause the movement of the rotational elements of the transmission system to move.

FIGS. 12-22 illustrates an interfacing mechanism that includes a pool surface interface that is positioned on an external surface such as upper plate 110, first part of buoy release 120 that once contacted by the PRP pull cable 160 that releases (see second part of buoy release) the buoy unit 150 and allows the buoy to move from a proximal position to a distal position, a fetched release unit 130, a ratches mechanism 140, a buoy interface 152 that moves along with the bout unit and may interface with a buoy stopper 240, a buoy rails 160 allowing the buoy unit to move in parallel to the submerged interface-especially to the PRP mounting frame 210 and the frame sidewalls 220, PRP stopper 170, and PRP rotating interface 190.

FIG. 12 also illustrates (Dashed line) a position of a PRP 10 when stopped by the PRP stopper 170 and while the PRP rotates the PRP rotating interface.

FIG. 14 illustrates a wall release interface 230 that is rotatably coupled to the PRP mounting frame and once pushed downwards by the buoy unit 150 rotates about its axis and moves the distal end of the submerged interface from the sidewall of the pool.

FIG. 15 illustrates the buoy interface 152 in contact with the buoy stopper 180, and also illustrated the second part of the buoy release 122—the distal end of cable 160 that once pulley—moves the buoy stopper upwards and away from the buoy. FIG. 15 also illustrates that the PRP stopper release 240 is integrated with the buoy interface 152.

FIG. 17 illustrates (i) the PRP stopper 170 at a stopping position and at a release position, (ii) the PRP stopper release 240 moving towards the external part of the PRP stopper 172, and (iii) the pulley 200 rotatable by the PRP and moving the buoy unit.

FIG. 18 illustrates the PRP stopper release 240 as starting to contact the PRP stopper 172.

FIG. 19 illustrates the first part of the buoy release 120 and the second part of the buoy release 123 and the buoy stopper 180.

FIGS. 20-21 illustrates the different phases of the PRP exit from the pool. The components illustrated in this figure include upper plate 110, buoy unit 150, PRP stopper 170, PRP rotating interface 190 and PRP 10.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example of the ratchet mechanism 140 and the ratchet release mechanism 142.

Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B-according to an embodiment, the PRP interfacing element 190 interfaces with a track of the PRP, the track 210 has internal protuberances 215 that mesh with a toothed element (for example—one or more toothed wheels or cylinders) of the PRP and has external protuberances 212 that mesh with the PRP interfacing element 190.

According to an embodiment, the external protuberance have sloped sidewalls for better interfacing with the PRP interfacing element 190—and the distance 203 between adjacent external protuberance (212 and 213) corresponds to the tangential distance (193) between adjacent protuberances (191 and 192) of the PRP interfacing element 190.

According to an embodiment, the external protuberances 212 have a trapezoid cross section—or at least have a portion having a trapezoid cross section—as illustrated in FIG. 11B. According to an embodiment the external protuberances includes a central portion that extends above that portion.

According to an embodiment, the PRP interfacing element is rotatably coupled to the PRP by any other means—for example being rotatably coupled to a shaft rotated by a PRP motor.

According to an embodiment the PRP interfacing element includes a track that meshed with a corresponding track of the PRP.

According to an embodiment, the PRP interfacing element is temporarily detached to PRP and/or temporarily locked to the PRP—thereby allowing the PRP interfacing element (or a part thereof) to rotate due to the rotation of a rotating element of the PRP.

According to an embodiment the temporary locking or temporary attachment is controlled by or triggered by one or more sensors.

According to an embodiment, the PRP interfacing element is rotatably coupled to the PRP in a contactless manner—for example via magnetic coupling or by via inductance coupling.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example of method 300 for assisting a PRP exit from a pool assistance.

According to an embodiment, method 300 includes step 310 of converting, by a submerged interface of an interfacing system, a PRP rotation of a PRP interfacing element to a movement of a portion of the submerged interface from a lower position in which the portion of the submerged interface is inclined at a first angle to an upper position in which the portion of the submerged interface is inclined as a second angle that is smaller than the first angle.

According to an embodiment, step 310 is followed by step 320 returning the portion of the submerged interface to the lower position following a completion of the exit.

According to an embodiment, the movement of the floating unit is from a proximal end of the submerged interface towards the distal end of the submerged interface.

According to an embodiment, the method includes preventing, by a floating unit stopper, the floating unit from exiting a distal position of the floating unit during a phase of the exit of the pool.

According to an embodiment, the method includes stopping to prevent, by a floating unit stopper release unit, the floating unit from exiting the distal position of the float.

According to an embodiment, the submerged interface includes s fins that extends upwards and fit the toothed PRP wheels.

According to an embodiment, the method includes facilitating, by the submerged interface, a movement of the PRP in relation to the interfacing system during an entirety of the exit from the pool.

According to an embodiment, the method includes facilitating, by the submerged interface, a movement of the PRP in relation to the interfacing system during only a part of the exit from the pool.

According to an embodiment, the method includes facilitating, by the submerged interface, a movement of the PRP in relation to the interfacing system only after the floating unit reaches a distal position.

According to an embodiment, the method includes maintaining, by a PRP stopper, the PRP at a defined location during a portion of the exit from the pool.

According to an embodiment, the method includes maintaining, by a PRP stopper, the PRP at a defined location during a first phase of the exit from the pool.

According to an embodiment, the converting includes rotating a PRP rotating interface by the PRP, the PRP rotating interface is in mechanical communication with a pully system that is configured to move the float.

According to an embodiment, the method includes releasing, by a PRP stopper release, the PRP stopper at an end of the first phase, thereby allowing the PRP to propagate towards a proximal end of the submerged interface during a second phase of the exit from the pool.

According to an embodiment, the PRP stopper release is integrated with a floating unit interface.

According to an embodiment, the method includes locking, by a ratchet mechanism, the submerged interface to the pool surface interface during the second phase of the exit from the pool thereby maintaining an angular relationship between the submerged interface and the pool surface interface.

According to an embodiment, the method includes unlocking the submerged interface from the pool surface interface, by a ratchet release mechanism, once contacted by the PRP

According to an embodiment, method 300 is executable by any of the interfacing system illustrated in the specification.

Any reference to the term “comprising” or “having” should be interpreted also as referring to “consisting” of “essentially consisting of”. For example—a pool cleaning robot that comprises certain components can include additional components, can be limited to the certain components or may include additional components that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the pool cleaning robot-respectively.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Moreover, the terms “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the boundaries between logic blocks are merely illustrative and that alternative embodiments may merge logic blocks or circuit elements or impose an alternate decomposition of functionality upon various logic blocks or circuit elements. Thus, it is to be understood that the architectures depicted herein are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality.

Any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that boundaries between the above described operations merely illustrative. The multiple operations may be combined into a single operation, a single operation may be distributed in additional operations and operations may be executed at least partially overlapping in time. Moreover, alternative embodiments may include multiple instances of a particular operation, and the order of operations may be altered in various other embodiments.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An interfacing system for pool related platform (PRP) autonomous exit from a pool assistance, the interfacing system comprising: a pool surface interface that is positioned on an external surface;a submerged interface that is mechanically coupled to the pool surface interface and is configured to interface with the PRP and convert a PRP rotation of a PRP interfacing element to a movement of a portion of the submerged interface from a lower position in which the portion of the submerged interface is inclined at a first angle to an upper position in which the portion of the submerged interface is inclined as a second angle that is smaller than the first angle.

2. The interfacing system according to claim 1, comprising a floating unit, wherein the submerged interface is configured to convert the PRP rotation to a movement of the floating unit, wherein then movement of the floating unit induces the portion of the submerged interface to move between the lower position to the upper position.

3. The interfacing system according to claim 2, wherein the movement of the floating unit is from a proximal end of the submerged interface towards the distal end of the submerged interface.

4. The interfacing system according to claim 3, comprising a floating unit stopper that is configured to prevent the floating unit from exiting a distal position of the floating unit during a phase of the exit of the pool.

5. The interfacing system according to claim 4, comprising a floating unit stopper release unit that is configured to stop a preventing of the floating unit from exiting the distal position of the float.

6. The interfacing system according to claim 2, wherein the submerged interface comprises fins that extends upwards and fit the toothed PRP wheels.

7. The interfacing system according to claim 2, wherein the submerged interface facilitates a movement of the PRP in relation to the interfacing system during an entirety of the exit from the pool.

8. The interfacing system according to claim 1, wherein the submerged interface is configured to facilitate a movement of the PRP in relation to the interfacing system only during a part of the exit from the pool.

9. The interfacing system according to claim 1, wherein the submerged interface is configured to facilitate a movement of the PRP in relation to the interfacing system only after the floating unit reaches a distal position.

10. The interfacing system according to claim 1, wherein the submerged interface comprises a PRP stopper that is configured to maintain the PRP at a defined location during a portion of the exit from the pool.

11. The interfacing system according to claim 1, wherein the submerged interface comprises a PRP stopper that is configured to maintain the PRP at a defined location during a first phase of the exit from the pool.

12. The interfacing system according to claim 11, comprising a PRP rotating interface that is rotatable by the PRP, the PRP rotating interface is in mechanical communication with a pully system that is configured to move the float.

13. The interfacing system according to claim 11, wherein the submerged interface comprises a PRP stopper release that is configured to release the PRP stopper at an end of the first phase, thereby allowing the PRP to propagate towards a proximal end of the submerged interface during a second phase of the exit from the pool.

14. The interfacing system according to claim 13, wherein the PRP stopper release is integrated with a floating unit interface.

15. The interfacing system according to claim 13, further comprising a ratchet mechanism that is configured to lock the submerged interface to the pool surface interface during the second phase of the exit from the pool thereby maintaining an angular relationship between the submerged interface and the pool surface interface.

16. The interfacing system according to claim 15, further comprising a ratchet release mechanism that once contacted by the PRP is configured to unlock the submerged interface from the pool surface interface.

17. The interfacing system according to claim 1, comprising a hook that is configured to interface with the PRP.

18. The interfacing system according to claim 1, wherein the interfacing mechanism comprises a gear based mechanism configured to convert the PRP rotation to the movement of the portion of the submerged interface between the lower position to the upper position.

19. The interfacing system according to claim 18, wherein the pool surface interface comprises one or more elements of the gear based mechanism, and the submerged interface comprises one or more other elements of the gear based mechanism.

20. The interfacing system according to claim 18, wherein the pool surface interface comprises a curved threaded mechanism, and the submerged interface comprises a gear that meshes with the curved threaded mechanism.

21. The interfacing system according to claim 20, wherein the submerged interface comprises one or more other gears rotatable by the PRP rotation of the PRP interfacing element.

22. The interfacing system according to claim 1, comprising a PRP rotating interface that is rotatable by the PRP.

23. The interfacing system according to claim 22, wherein the PRP rotating interface comprises protrusions that are spaced apart by a distance that correspond to a distance between adjacent protrusions of the PRP.

24. A method for assisting a pool related platform (PRP) exit from a pool assistance, the method comprises: converting, by a submerged interface that is mechanically coupled to a pool surface interface, a PRP rotation of a PRP interfacing element to a movement of a portion of the submerged interface from a lower position in which the portion of the submerged interface is inclined at a first angle to an upper position in which the portion of the submerged interface is inclined as a second angle that is smaller than the first angle.