This invention generally relates to the field of motor driven pool cleaning vehicle. More particularly, this invention relates to the structure for driving the pool cleaning vehicle located outside the interior volume of the housing of the pool cleaning vehicle.
As shown in
As can be easily seen from
Similarly with respect to
As described above, both embodiments include the drive motor within the interior space. In both embodiments the filter bag for collecting reft from the filtered water. Quite clearly, the smaller the interior space, the less refuse can be collected. Thus, there is a need for increasing the space available for refuse collection and for doing so in a manner, which allows the pool cleaning vehicle to maintain all of its functions.
In order to increase the useable interior space, it would be advantageous to reduce the number of elements in the housing of the pool cleaning vehicle.
Additionally, as the pool cleaning vehicle travels around the pool, it runs over various obstacles. Additionally, the elevation in the pool changes somewhat dramatically. It has been found helpful, just like in automobiles, to have a center of gravity that is lower rather than higher.
What is needed is a pool cleaning vehicle which maximizes interior space and also lowers the center of gravity, while allowing the pool cleaning vehicle to function in its normal manner.
The structure, in accordance with the present invention, is an internal drive assembly for a pool cleaning vehicle. The internal drive moves the motor assembly from the interior of the pool cleaning vehicle to a location in close proximity to the drive assembly for the pool cleaning vehicle.
Thus, it is an object of this invention is to provide an internal drive assembly for a pool cleaning vehicle which is location outside of the interior of the pool cleaning vehicle to provide greater space for the filtering assembly.
It is an additional object of this invention to provide such internal drive assembly for a pool cleaning vehicle having a roller drive assembly has the internal drive assembly located within the drive roller itself.
In accordance with the objects set forth above and as will be described and as will become herein, the internal drive assembly in accordance with this invention, comprises:
an internal drive propulsion assembly for a pool cleaning vehicle, the vehicle including a housing defining a body shell and the body shell having an interior for storage of a filter bag, and the pool cleaning vehicle including a drive mechanism including drive means for traveling around the underwater surface of the pool, the internal drive propulsion assembly comprising:
motor means for propelling the drive mechanism, the motor means mounted outside the interior of the body shell.
Additionally, in another exemplary embodiment, the vehicle includes a microprocessor. The microprocessor controls the movement of the vehicle, including left and right turns and its ability to escape from various obstacles.
In an exemplary embodiment of the internal drive assembly in accordance with the invention, the drive motor assembly is located within the drive roller embodiment of the pool cleaning vehicle. The drive assembly includes a gear assembly and the gear assembly is connected to the internal gear assembly of the drive roller, which, upon activation of the motor assembly correspondingly moves the drive roller.
In the wheel embodiment of the pool cleaning vehicle in accordance with the invention, the drive motor assembly is located outside the interior of the body shell and the internal drive assembly including a gear assembly is in close proximity to the drive wheel assembly and the drive wheel assembly including a gear assembly for mating connection with the internal drive gear assembly. Upon activation of the motor, the drive wheels correspondingly move.
It is an advantage of this invention to provide an internal drive assembly located outside of the interior body shell of the pool cleaning device.
For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein:
An exemplary embodiment of the internal drive assembly 50 for a pool cleaning device 200 in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to
Illustrated in
The drive wheel 30 is securely and removably mounted on an axle 32, in a manner conventional with pool cleaning vehicles. The drive wheel 30 includes an internal gear 34 having an opening 36 concentric with the axle opening of the drive wheel 30. Similar to the drive wheel 30, the gear 34 slides over the axle 32 and fits securely on the axle 32 so that the pinion gear 54 meshes properly with the internal gear 34. Thus, when the rotor of the motor M turns, the drive wheel 30 turns.
The drive wheel 30 is locked in placed by a lock washer 38. The lock washer 38 is mounted concentric with the internal gear opening 36 and drive wheel 30.
The internal gear 34 in one embodiment is a separate element which is located as shown in
The housing 52 hermetically seals the drive motor M. This protects the motor M against damage that can be caused by the pool water and similar environmental issues. The drive wheel 30 rotates freely on the axle 32. And, as mentioned above does so in response to rotation by the motor M.
It will be appreciated that, although not shown, within the housing 52, the motor M, in another embodiment includes reduction gearing. This has the advantage of reducing drag, and consequently wear. As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, the greater the rotation and speed of the motor M the greater the wear rate on the seal. Therefore, by reducing the gearing and turning the motor M slower as the rotor or shaft exits the housing 52, the sealed casing is maintained longer.
With particular reference to
In another embodiment, the additional gear 56 serves as a further reduction gear for the drive assembly 50. In another embodiment, the additional gear is used to drive another device. Thus, the same motor M is used to drive more than one device.
With particular reference to
In this embodiment, wear and tear is shared among the number of idler gears, which could be as many as three. In other embodiments, more than three gears can be used. Also, this embodiment allows the distance between the output shaft and the wheel axle 32 to be reduced. Finally, as can be seen from
In the embodiment shown in
With particular respect to
The motor assembly slides into position in the interior 42 of the roller drive 40. A locking ring 70 includes a detent 72 extending therefrom. The detent 72 is sized and shaped to fit in the journal 46. Upon complete insertion into the interior 42, the motor assembly is journaled within the interior 42.
As shown in
While the foregoing detailed description has described several embodiments of the internal drive assembly 50 in accordance with this invention, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. Particularly, there are a variety of propulsion assembly used by pool cleaning vehicles, and each of them is within the spirit and scope of the invention providing the drive motor M is located outside the interior of the body shell. It also will be appreciated that there are various modifications to the internal drive that are within the spirit and scope of the invention herein and that of particular interest is the ability of the motor assembly to remain outside the interior of the body shell and not the specific type of gearing or drive chosen for operation. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by the claims as set forth below.
This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 12/116,068 filed on May 6, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,220,096), the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
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Number | Date | Country |
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2599413 | Dec 1987 | FR |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20120304403 A1 | Dec 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12116068 | May 2008 | US |
Child | 13530076 | US |