Patent Application
20140263087
The present disclosure relates to swimming pool cleaners and associated systems and methods and, more particularly, to automatically rechargeable pool cleaners for reducing user interaction/supervision and swimming pool cleaning time.
Robotic swimming pool cleaners are generally designed to move along the swimming pool floor and/or walls to clean the necessary surfaces from, e.g., debris, sediment, and the like. The motion of robotic swimming pool cleaners can be preprogrammed, reactive to the pool environment, random motion or a combination thereof. In general, electrical power is provided to the robotic swimming pool cleaner through a power cable extending from the swimming pool cleaner and connecting to a power source in the periphery of the swimming pool.
The combination of preprogrammed and/or random motion of the swimming pool cleaner with the plurality of power cables implemented generally creates issues relating to power cable entanglement. In particular, as the swimming pool cleaner moves along the floor, walls and/or water line of the swimming pool, the plurality of power cables implemented can become twisted and/or entangled with, e.g., other power cables, structures around the periphery of the swimming pool, the swimming pool cleaner, or the like, thus limiting the motion of the swimming pool cleaner. Power cable entanglement can create a need for user interaction and/or supervision to ensure that the swimming pool cleaner can freely move along the entire surface area of the swimming pool floors, walls and/or water line. In addition, swimming pool cleaners can require user interaction and/or supervision for installing the swimming pool cleaner in the pool on a daily basis, for recharging the swimming pool cleaner, and for emptying the wet and/or dirty debris bag or container of the swimming pool cleaner after the swimming pool has been cleaned.
Thus, despite efforts to date, a need remains for swimming pool cleaners which reduce the amount of user interaction and/or supervision and the swimming pool cleaning time.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplary docking station for a swimming pool cleaner is provided that generally includes a housing. The housing of the docking station includes communication means for communicating with the swimming pool cleaner. The housing also includes an opening configured and dimensioned to at least partially receive the swimming pool cleaner. Upon receipt of the swimming pool cleaner in the opening of the housing, the docking station can, e.g., automatically recharge a battery of the swimming pool cleaner, automatically clean a debris container of the swimming pool cleaner, combinations thereof, and the like.
The docking station can generally include a docking station battery. In some embodiments, the docking station includes, e.g., an electrical cable connecting the docking station to a power source, inductive charging means, and the like, for charging the docking station battery. The communication means generally includes a communications system, e.g., a wireless communications system, wired communication system, and the like. The docking station generally includes a user interface, e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI) for programming the docking station and/or the swimming pool cleaner. The docking station also includes an access door for accessing a docking station debris container. The docking station may include an alarm for unwanted intrusion. Further, the docking station generally includes a locking mechanism for detachably securing the swimming pool cleaner within the opening of the housing when the swimming pool cleaner is docked at the docking station.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplary swimming pool cleaner for a swimming pool is provided that includes a housing and a vision system. The housing includes a motor, a storage device and a processing device. The vision system includes sensors (e.g., camera) and programming stored on the storage device for processing by the processing device (and control of the pump motor and/or other components relating to navigation). The sensor (e.g., turbidity sensor), and/or other means for identifying debris located in the swimming pool, provide location information to the processor and/or other means for directing the swimming pool cleaner to the debris.
In some embodiments, the motor can be, e.g., an electronically commutated motor. The swimming pool cleaner includes a controller for regulating actuation of the motor. The motor (e.g., single or dual motor) generally powers at least one of movement of the swimming pool cleaner and suction of a suction pump impeller. In some embodiments, the swimming pool cleaner can include two separate motors for powering the movement of the swimming pool cleaner and suction of the suction pump impeller. The vision system can be in communication with at least one of the controller and the motor. Upon identifying debris located in the swimming pool, the vision system can actuate the motor to direct the swimming pool cleaner to the debris. The vision system can also actuate the motor to slow down the swimming pool cleaner upon reaching the debris. The vision system can further actuate the motor to increase suction of the suction pump impeller upon reaching the debris.
In some aspects, the swimming pool cleaner can includes a light, e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED), an ultraviolet (UV) light, and the like, on a bottom surface of the swimming pool cleaner. The wavelength for the UV light can be, e.g., about 254 nanometers (nm), for disinfecting and/or killing bacteria and other undesired organisms in the swimming pool. In some embodiments, the light can define a helical shape to increase the amount of surface-to-surface exposure between the light and the water. The swimming pool cleaner generally includes a rechargeable battery disposed in (or outside of) the housing for powering the swimming pool cleaner. The swimming pool cleaner can include, e.g., an electrical cable connected to a power source, inductive charging means (e.g., inductive coupling), and the like, for recharging the rechargeable battery.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplary method of regulating a swimming pool cleaner in a swimming pool is provided that generally includes providing a housing that includes a motor, a storage device and a processing device. The method includes providing a vision system stored on the storage device. The vision system includes means for identifying debris located in the swimming pool and means for directing the swimming pool cleaner to the debris. The method also includes identifying, via the vision system, debris located in the swimming pool and directing the swimming pool cleaner to the debris.
The housing can include a controller for regulating actuation of the motor. The method generally includes actuating the motor via the vision system to slow down the swimming pool cleaner upon reaching the debris. The method generally includes actuating the motor via the vision system to increase suction of a suction pump impeller upon reaching the debris. In general, the method includes actuating a light positioned on a bottom surface of the swimming pool cleaner to disinfect at least one of a wall, a floor and water of the swimming pool. The method also includes powering the swimming pool cleaner with a rechargeable battery disposed in the housing. The method generally includes recharging the rechargeable battery with, e.g., an electrical cable connected to a power source, inductive charging means of the swimming pool cleaner, and the like.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplary method of maintaining a swimming pool cleaner is provided that generally includes providing a housing. The housing includes communication means for communicating with the swimming pool cleaner and an opening configured and dimensioned to at least partially receive the swimming pool cleaner. The method includes receiving the swimming pool cleaner in the opening. The method generally also includes at least one of automatically recharging a battery of the swimming pool cleaner and automatically cleaning a debris container of the swimming pool cleaner upon receipt of the swimming pool cleaner in the opening.
The housing generally includes a docking station battery. The method generally includes charging the docking station battery with, e.g., an electric cable connecting the docking station to a power source, inductive means, and the like. The method generally includes communicating with the swimming pool cleaner via the communication means to determine a need for recharging the battery of the swimming pool cleaner and/or cleaning the debris container of the swimming pool cleaner. In general, the method includes detachably securing the swimming pool cleaner within the opening of the housing.
In accordance with embodiment of the present disclosure, an exemplary swimming pool cleaner system for a swimming pool is provided that generally includes a swimming pool cleaner and a docking station. The swimming pool cleaner generally includes a battery and a debris container. The docking station generally includes an opening configured and dimensioned to at least partially receive the swimming pool cleaner, as well as a debris container (e.g., basket). Upon receipt of the swimming pool cleaner in the opening of the housing, the docking station can at least one of automatically recharge the battery of the swimming pool cleaner and automatically clean the debris container of the swimming pool cleaner.
Other objects and features will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.
To assist those of skill in the art in making and using the disclosed swimming pool cleaners and associated systems and methods, reference is made to the accompanying figures, wherein:
With reference to
The cleaner 200 includes a housing 202 which includes a plurality of components therein. For example, the housing 202 includes a motor, e.g., an electronically commutated motor, a storage device, and a processing device therein (not shown). The housing 202 also includes a debris container (not shown) for collecting the debris collected from the swimming pool 102. The housing 202 defines a bottom surface 204 which, in some embodiments, includes a light, e.g., a UV light, for disinfecting the swimming pool 102 walls, floor, and/or water. In particular, the light can help in maintaining the sanitation of the swimming pool 102 environment. An exemplary UV light is discussed further below with reference to
The housing 202 may include an LED light(s) for visual/entertainment effects and/or to indicate where the cleaner 200 is located in the swimming pool 102.
The cleaner 200 generally includes wheels 206, e.g., rollers, tracks, and the like, for moving the cleaner 200 in the swimming pool 102. The cleaner 200 can also include a controller (not shown) within the housing 202. The controller can be actuated by the processing device to actuate the motor for movement of the cleaner 200 and/or suction of the suction pump impeller. The cleaner 200 also includes a rechargeable battery (not shown) within (or outside of) the housing 202 for powering the cleaner 200. However, as described above, it should be understood that alternative sources of power can also be used for powering the cleaner 200.
The system 100 of
The docking station 300 generally includes a housing 302. The housing 302 can include communication means for communicating with the cleaner 200, e.g., sending and/or receiving signals to and from the cleaner 200. For example, the communication means can be wireless or wired communication means.
The docking station 300 generally includes a battery pack (not shown) inside the housing 302 and an electric cable 308, e.g., a self-reeling electric cord which connects the docking station 300 to a power source (not shown), e.g., a pool cleaner power supply or an electric outlet, for recharging the battery pack. In the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, the cleaner 200 and/or the docking station 300 can include programmed therein data related to a vision system (not shown). For example, the vision system can include a PCB (not shown) disposed inside the cleaner 200 and/or the docking station 300 and a storage device, e.g., a hard drive, a flash drive, an optical drive, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and the like, capable of receiving and storing the programming of the vision system. A processing device (not shown), such as a microprocessor, inside of the cleaner 200 and/or the docking station 300 can access the programmed data related to the vision system for actuating the motor (not shown), e.g., an electrically commutated motor of the cleaner 200, such as a brushless DC electric motor. The vision system includes one or a plurality of sensors (including sensing systems, for example) for acquiring information from which the location of debris can be inferred from the programming of the vision system. This may include pressure sensor(s), flow sensor(s), distance sensor(s), optical sensors, heat sensors, turbidity sensors, pH sensors, and/or other sensors, including sensor systems, for example. In particular, the sensors of the vision system can interact with the controller and/or processing device to identify areas on the pool floor, walls and/or water line where debris or dirt exists in the swimming pool 102, such as at the bottom (on the horizontal or vertical walls) and/or at the surface.
If an area of debris is located by the vision system or other sensor, the vision system can communicate with one or more motors of the cleaner 200, to actuate, or control the speed of, the motor of the cleaner 200 such that the cleaner 200 travels to the area of debris for cleaning. Navigation may also be controlled in accordance with algorithm. For example, if an area of debris is located, the vision system can communicate with the cleaner 200 to drive and/or steer the wheels 206 of the cleaner 200 in the direction of the area of debris. The cleaner 200 can initially be sped up to a constant speed until reaching the area of debris. Once the area of debris is reached (or an area near the area of debris is reached) the cleaner 200 can be actuated to slow down. In some embodiments, upon reaching the area of debris, the cleaner 200 can also be actuated via the vision system to start and/or increase the suction of the suction pump impeller to collect the debris in the swimming pool into the debris container located in the housing 202 of the cleaner 200.
The vision system can include programming which identifies, e.g., coordinates, around the swimming pool 102 and/or senses the layout of the swimming pool 102 such that the vision system can monitor the position of the cleaner 200 in the swimming pool 102 at all times. The vision system can also include at least one sensor which identifies areas of debris by sensing areas of optical contrast, for example, generated by a foreign object, debris and/or dirt. In some embodiments, the exemplary vision system optimizes the cleaning cycle of the cleaner 200 by generally cleaning the swimming pool 102 where the vision system detects debris, rather than focusing on cleaning areas of the swimming pool 102 which may already be clean. The cleaner 200 thereby uses energy in an efficient manner for a prolonged period of time.
With continued reference to
In particular, the cleaner 200 can travel along the swimming pool 102 walls, floor and/or water line and the docking station 300 can monitor the level of electricity remaining in the battery, i.e., the battery life, of the cleaner 200. When the battery life of the cleaner 200 is below a predetermined level, the docking station 300 can communicate with the cleaner 200 such that the cleaner 200 travels to the docking station 300 and docks to the docking station 300 by at least partially entering the opening 324 on the bottom end 322 of the housing 302. Upon entry into the opening 324, a valve or an alternative opening (not shown) of the cleaner 200 can be actuated to automatically open such that the debris container of the cleaner 200 can be cleaned/emptied into the debris container of the docking station 300. Thus, as the cleaner 200 enters the opening 324, the valve can be opened and the debris from the debris container of the cleaner 200 can be, e.g., sucked out, washed out, and the like, into the debris container of the docking station 300. Similarly, when the cleaner 200 enters the opening 324, the battery of the cleaner 200 can be automatically recharged by the battery pack located in the docking station 300.
As described above, the battery pack of the docking station 300 can receive power from, e.g., the electric cable 308, a self-generating device powered by the flow of water through a skimmer (not shown), inductive charging means (e.g., inductive coupling in a cleaner), and the like. In some embodiments, the opening 324 can include a locking mechanism (not shown) for detachably securing the cleaner 200 within the opening 324. Upon completing the cleaning of the debris container and/or recharging of the battery of the cleaner 200, the cleaner 200 can be released to continue cleaning of the swimming pool 102. During an inactive state of the cleaner 200, i.e., when the cleaner is not cleaning the swimming pool 102, the cleaner 200 can return and “dock” at the docking station 300 until the cleaning cycle is initiated. The docking station 300 thereby acts as a “parking garage” for the cleaner 200. In some embodiments a skimmer (not shown) can be connected to the docking station 300 and can provide a housing for the cleaner 200, including a charging capability for the battery of the cleaner 200 and debris dumping into the skimmer for cleaning the debris container of the cleaner 200. The interaction between the docking station 300 and the cleaner 200 creates an optimized cleaning program of the swimming pool 102 as opposed to random action cleaners generally used in the industry.
In some embodiments, the skimmer includes a generator for generating electricity from water flowing therethrough. This electricity can then be provided from the skimmer to the cleaner in accordance with the methods of power transfer described herein, for example.
The self-cleaning of the debris container, e.g., a debris bag, and/or the self-charging of the battery of the cleaner 200 creates a self-contained system 100 which requires minimum settings and/or user interaction on a daily basis. Other advantageous aspects of the system 100 include, e.g., the wireless applications of the system 100 prevent the tangling of electric cables, manual work from the user to install the cleaner 200 in the swimming pool 102 is reduced, no additional space is required for storage of the cleaner 200 during inactive periods, no user interaction is required to clean the debris bag or container of the cleaner 200, the cleaner 200 generally cleans the swimming pool 102 in a faster time period due to the vision system, the efficient cleaning based on the vision system increases energy efficiency, the cleaner 200 and/or docking station 300 can be preprogrammed for a cleaning mode and/or path, and the like.
Turning now to
The docking station 300′ generally includes a housing 302′ that defines a substantially L-shaped configuration. The housing 302′ includes a mating surface 320′ for positioning on an edge 104′ of the swimming pool 102′ such that a top end 326′ of the docking station 300′ is positioned above the edge 104′ of the swimming pool 102′ and a bottom end 322′ of the docking station 300 is positioned below the water. The docking station 300′ can include an access door 312′ which permits a user to access, e.g., a user interface and/or joystick for programming and/or controlling the docking station 300′ and/or the cleaner 200′. Similar to the docking station 300 described above, docking station 300′ and/or the cleaner 200′ can be programmed with a visual system for optimizing the cleaning modes or path for cleaning the swimming pool 102′. The docking station 300′ also includes an opening 324′ at the bottom end 322′ configured and dimensioned to receive a cleaner 200c′ oriented in a docking orientation. The docking station 300′ can communicate and/or provide power to the cleaner via an electric cable 304′ and/or through a wireless communication. The docking station 300′ can be powered by a power source connected to the docking station 300′ by an electric cable (not shown) and/or wirelessly through inductive charging means.
With reference to
In some embodiments, the exemplary cleaners discussed herein, e.g., cleaner 200, can include a light positioned on a bottom surface 204 for sanitation purposes.
The UV light, e.g., UV light 400, can be carried by a bottom surface of any of the cleaners herein discussed. More specifically, the underside of the cleaner can carry a vessel monolithically, or modularly (removable), formed therewith that includes an internal cavity for receiving and electrically connecting the light 400 to an electric power source supplied from within the cleaner. The cavity can be dimensioned define a height of distance D (not shown). As would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, by configuring the light 400 in a helical or swirl shape, a greater surface-to-surface contact area (between the light and the water) can fit within distance D of the cavity when compared to a light having a straight configuration. Thus, a greater amount of, e.g., UV light, can be provided to disinfect and/or kill bacteria and other undesired organisms in a swimming pool 102.
Thus, the exemplary self-contained systems described herein permit cleaners to perform cleaning operations in a swimming pool while minimizing the interaction and/or supervision of users. In addition, the exemplary self-contained systems optimize the cleaning modes and/or paths taken by the cleaner, thus reducing the time required for cleaning a swimming pool and efficiently preserving battery life of the cleaner.
In some embodiments, it is contemplated that any of the cleaners described herein may be “top only” or “bottom only,” for example, as opposed to “top/bottom.” In some embodiments, it is contemplated that, in addition to or as an alternative to electricity, the source of power may be negative water pressure, such as a suction hose extending from the cleaner to the fluid circulation line of the swimming pool, or positive water pressure, such as a positive pressure water hose extending from a booster pump, for example, to the cleaner.
Although described herein as an electric cleaner 200, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that alternative sources of power can be provided to the cleaner 200 and/or docking station 300, e.g., inductive charging, positive and/or negative pressure, materials which create their own power, and the like, while the internal intelligence (e.g., a processing device, a printed circuit board (PCB), a controller, and the like) can still be powered through electricity. In particular, the alternative source(s) of power can provide the necessary power for propulsion, steering and/or control of the cleaner 200. In embodiments where the cleaner 200 is a positive pressure cleaner using water pressure, a booster pump (not shown) can be implemented as a power source.
While exemplary embodiments have been described herein, it is expressly noted that these embodiments should not be construed as limiting, but rather that additions and modifications to what is expressly described herein also are included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein are not mutually exclusive and can exist in various combinations and permutations, even if such combinations or permutations are not made express herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/789,388, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61789388 | Mar 2013 | US |
