AUTOMATIC SWIMMING POOL CLEANER SYSTEMS WITH WATER DETECTION MECHANISMS

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/657,282, filed on Jun. 7, 2024, and entitled AUTOMATIC SWIMMING POOL CLEANER SYSTEMS WITH WATER DETECTION MECHANISMS, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to automatic swimming pool cleaners (self-propelled pool cleaners) for cleaning water-containing vessels such as swimming pools and spas and more particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to self-propelled pool cleaners with water detection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Swimming pools and spas often include equipment that perform various actions relating to the water of the swimming pools or spas. As examples, a swimming pool or spa system may include robotic cleaners such as but not limited to self-propelled pool cleaners, pumps for circulating the water, heaters for heating the water, etc. Some equipment for swimming pools or spas may include water sensors (commonly two metal pins) that detect water based on contact of water with the sensors completing an electrical circuit between with the two metal pins. However, traditional contact water sensors are susceptible to corrosion and provide a location on the equipment where waterproofness may be compromised and/or the risk of water leakage into the equipment is increased.

SUMMARY

Embodiments covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

According to certain embodiments, a self-propelled pool cleaner may detect water using a metal component configured to contact water. The metal component may perform part of one or more of a navigation operation, water chemical sensing, and/or a cleaning operation of the self-propelled pool cleaner.

According to some embodiments, a self-propelled pool cleaner may detect water using a metal component in contact with and at least partially within a waterproof cavity, wherein a primary function of the metal component is not water detection.

According to certain embodiments, a self-propelled pool cleaner may detect water based on contact of a pump of the self-propelled pool cleaner with water.

According to various embodiments, a self-propelled pool cleaner may detect water based on contact of a motor housing of the self-propelled pool cleaner with water.

According to some embodiments, a self-propelled pool cleaner may to detect water based on contact of a traction motor of the self-propelled pool cleaner with water.

According to certain embodiments, a method includes detecting water based on contact of a pump with water.

According to various embodiments, a method includes detecting water based on contact of a motor with water.

According to some embodiments, a method includes detecting water based on contact of a metal component of an self-propelled pool cleaner with water, wherein the metal component is configured to perform part of a navigation operation, water chemical sensing, and/or cleaning operation of the self-propelled pool cleaner.

A self-propelled pool cleaner configured to detect water using a metal component configured to contact water, wherein the metal component has a primary function other than water sensing.

A method comprising detecting water based on contact of a metal component of an self- propelled pool cleaner with water, wherein the metal component has a primary function other than water sensing.

Various implementations described herein can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The specification makes reference to the following appended figures, in which use of like reference numerals in different figures is intended to illustrate like or analogous components.

FIG. 1 illustrates a pool cleaner according to embodiments.

FIG. 2 is another view of the pool cleaner of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are systems and methods for detecting water without additional (or dedicated) detection systems and/or additional metal parts for detecting water. Detecting water as used herein refers to both the detection of the presence or absence of water.

In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may utilize metal elements or parts that already exist on the self-propelled pool cleaner to detect water, thereby eliminating the need for additional metal parts and/or the watertightness considerations typically required for such additional metal parts. In other words, in various embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may detect water based on contact of metal elements or parts with water and that have a primary function other than water sensing. In various embodiments, the metal elements or parts on the self-propelled pool cleaner may be those configured to contact water. Non-limiting examples of primary functions of such metal components include but are not limited to navigation operations, water chemical sensing (e.g., pressure sensing, pH sensing, etc.), cleaning operations, coverings, protective and/or structural functions (e.g., a housing), fastening components, combinations thereof, and/or other functions other than water sensing. Non-limiting examples of such metal elements or parts include but are not limited to a body of a pump, a body of a traction motor, a flange of the pump, housings for components, other motors, chemical sensors, pressure sensors, and/or other metal elements on the self-propelled pool cleaner already contacting water. Additionally, or alternatively, the systems and methods described herein may detect water based on a power consumption of components of the self-propelled pool cleaner in contact with water. As non-limiting examples, the systems and methods described herein may detect water based on a change in power consumption by a pump of the self-propelled pool cleaner, traction motors of the self-propelled pool cleaner, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired. Various other benefits and advantages may be realized with the systems, devices, and methods provided herein, and the aforementioned advantages should not be considered limiting.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are representations of a self-propelled pool cleaner 10 according to embodiments. The self-propelled pool cleaner 10 may be a robotic cleaner using electrical power for movement and cleaning. Alternatively, the pool cleaner 10 may be a hydraulic cleaner and/or other self-propelled pool cleaner 10 as desired. The self-propelled pool cleaner 10 generally includes a housing 12, one or more motive elements 14 (e.g., wheels, tracks, etc.), and one or more cleaning devices. The self-propelled pool cleaner 10 may include one or more traction motors 16 (e.g., for causing movement via the one or more motive elements 14), a pump 18, a filter, a controller 20, and/or various other features or combinations of features on or within the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 as desired. In certain embodiments, the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 includes an on-board power source, such as but not limited to one or more on-board batteries. Non-limiting examples of self-propelled pool cleaners 10 may include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,316,534, 9,488,154, 8,578,538, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0303810, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

In various embodiments, the pool cleaner 10 includes the onboard control system or controller 20, which may include one or more processing units and/or one or more memory devices. The processing unit may be various suitable processing devices or combinations of devices including but not limited to one or more application specific integrated circuits, digital signal processors, digital signal processing devices, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units, and/or a combination thereof. The one or more memory devices may be any machine-readable medium that can be accessed by the processor, including but not limited to any type of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or other storage medium, and is not to be limited to any particular type of memory or number of memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored. Moreover, as disclosed herein, the term “storage medium,” “storage” or “memory” can represent one or more memories for storing data, including read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and/or other machine readable mediums for storing information. The term “machine-readable medium” includes, but is not limited to, portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, wireless channels, and/or various other storage mediums capable of storing that contain or carry instruction(s) and/or data.

In certain embodiments, one or more components of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 are metal elements that contact water during normal operation of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 within a swimming pool or spa. As one non-limiting example, a metal element in contact with water may include a body or housing 26 of the traction motors 16 may contact and be exposed to water while the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 travels within the swimming pool or spa. As another non-limiting example, a metal element in contact with water may include a flange of the pump 18 which may be exposed to and/or contact water externally and/or as water is pumped through the self-propelled pool cleaner 10. As yet another non-limiting example, a metal element in contact with water may include a pump motor body or housing 24 of the pump 18 which may contact and be exposed to water during operation of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10.

Optionally, the metal components of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 exposed to and in contact with water may be those metal components at least partially within a waterproof cavity 22 of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10. Optionally, the waterproof cavity 22 may at least partially house the controller 20 of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10.

In various embodiments, the metal components of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 may perform various operations during normal operation of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10. As non-limiting examples, the metal components may perform operations such as but not limited to a navigation operation (e.g., driving one or more motive elements), a cleaning operation (e.g., pumping water through the self-propelled pool cleaner 10), water chemical sensing (e.g., pressure sensing, pH sensing, etc.), combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired.

In various embodiments, the metal components of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 may have a primary function other than water detection. Non-limiting examples of primary functions of such metal components include but are not limited to navigation operations, cleaning operations, coverings, protective and/or structural functions (e.g., a housing), fastening components, combinations thereof, and/or other functions other than water sensing. Non-limiting examples of such metal elements or parts include but are not limited to a body of a pump, a body of a traction motor, a flange of the pump, housings for components, other motors, chemical sensors, pressure sensors, and/or other metal elements on the self-propelled pool cleaner already contacting water.

Additionally, or alternatively, the systems and methods described herein may detect water based on a power consumption of components of the self-propelled pool cleaner in contact with water. As non-limiting examples, the systems and methods described herein may detect water based on a change in power consumption by a pump of the self-propelled pool cleaner, traction motors of the self-propelled pool cleaner, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired.

The aforementioned examples of metal components of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 normally exposed to water should not be considered limiting, and various other components on the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 may be metal components.

Compared to traditional water detection systems which have required dedicated metal pins for water detection, the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 and/or the controller 20 onboard the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 may detect water using existing elements of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 and/or without requiring such additional detection systems.

In some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 may detect water based on contact of one or more metal elements of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 with water. In such embodiments, one or more wires 28 may extend from the one or more metal components to the controller 20 such that the controller 20 may detect water based on contact of the metal component with water. As non-limiting examples, FIG. 1 illustrates the wire 28 extending from the pump motor housing 24 (as the metal component) to the controller 20, and FIG. 2 illustrates the wire 28 extending from the traction motor housing 26 (as the metal component) to the controller 20. In some embodiments, the controller 20 may detect water based on contact of the metal component with water by completing an electrical circuit when water is present and/or as otherwise desired.

In some embodiments, a single metal component may be utilized as the contact for detecting water. As a non-limiting example, only the pump motor housing 24 and/or only a traction motor housing 26 may be utilized. In other embodiments, a plurality of metal components may be utilized. As non-limiting examples, the pump motor housing 24 and one or more of the traction motor housings 26 may be utilized, a plurality traction motor housing 26 may be utilized, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired.

Additionally, or alternatively, to water detection based on contact with the one or more metal components, the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 may detect water based on power consumption by one or more power-consuming components of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10. Power-consuming components of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 include but are not limited to the pump motor of the pump 18, the traction motors 16, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired.

In such embodiments, the controller 20 may monitor the power consumption of one or more of the power-consuming components and may detect water based on various changes in power consumption. Non-limiting examples of changes in power consumption monitored by the controller 20 may include, but are not limited to, a rate of power consumption, the power consumption compared to a threshold, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired. As a non-limiting example, the controller 20 may identify a presence of water based on the pump motor having a first rate of power consumption and may identify an absence of water based on the pump motor having a second rate of power consumption different from the first rate of power consumption. As a further non-limiting example, the controller 20 may identify a presence of water based on the traction motors consuming power at or above a threshold level. Various other techniques may be utilized by the controller 20 to identify water based on the power consumption of one or more components of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10.

As illustrated, the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 may detect water without requiring additional and/or dedicated water detection systems as conventionally required. The self-propelled pool cleaner 10 may detect water by utilizing one or more existing metal elements on the self-propelled pool cleaner 10 and/or based on power consumption by one or more components of the self-propelled pool cleaner 10. Compared to traditional approaches with dedicated water detection systems, the systems and methods described herein may provide an improved waterproofness and/or a reduced risk of water leakage into the equipment. Various other benefits and advantages may be realized with the systems, devices, and methods provided herein, and the aforementioned advantages should not be considered limiting.

Exemplary concepts or combinations of features of the invention may include:

• • A. A self-propelled pool cleaner configured to detect water using a metal component configured to contact water, wherein the metal component is configured to perform part of a navigation operation, water chemical sensing, and/or a cleaning operation of the self-propelled pool cleaner.
  • B. The self-propelled pool cleaner of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the metal component is a pump of the self-propelled pool cleaner.
  • C. The self-propelled pool cleaner of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the metal component is a pump motor housing of the pump.
  • D. The self-propelled pool cleaner of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the metal component is a traction motor of the self-propelled pool cleaner.
  • E. The self-propelled pool cleaner of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the metal component is a traction motor housing of the traction motor.
  • F. The self-propelled pool cleaner of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising at least one motive element driven by the traction motor.
  • G. The self-propelled pool cleaner of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising a controller configured to detect water based on contact of the metal component with water.
  • H. A self-propelled pool cleaner configured to detect water using a metal component in contact with and at least partially within a waterproof cavity, wherein a primary function of the metal component is not water detection.
  • I. A self-propelled pool cleaner configured to detect water based on contact of a pump of the self-propelled pool cleaner with water.
  • J. A self-propelled pool cleaner configured to detect water based on contact of a motor housing of the self-propelled pool cleaner with water.
  • K. A self-propelled pool cleaner configured to detect water based on contact of a traction motor of the self-propelled pool cleaner with water.
  • L. The self-propelled pool cleaner of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the self-propelled pool cleaner configured to detect water based on contact of a housing of the traction motor cleaner with water.
  • M. A method comprising detecting water based on contact of a pump with water.
  • N. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein detecting water is based on contact of a housing of the pump with water.
  • O. A method comprising detecting water based on contact of a motor with water.
  • P. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein detecting water is based on contact of a housing of the motor with water.
  • Q. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the motor is a pump motor or a traction motor.
  • R. A method comprising detecting water based on contact of a metal component of a self-propelled pool cleaner with water, wherein the metal component is configured to perform part of a navigation operation, water chemical sensing, and/or cleaning operation of the self-propelled pool cleaner.
  • S. A self-propelled pool cleaner configured to detect water using a metal component configured to contact water, wherein the metal component has a primary function other than water sensing.
  • T. A method comprising detecting water based on contact of a metal component of a self-propelled pool cleaner with water, wherein the metal component has a primary function other than water sensing.
  • U. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program code, which when executed by a processor is configured to cause the processor to perform the method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements.
  • V. A self-propelled pool cleaner comprising at least one metal component configured to contact water, wherein the self-propelled pool cleaner is configured to detect water based on contact of the metal component with water, and wherein the at least one metal component comprises at least one of a motor or a pump of the self-propelled pool cleaner with water.
  • W. The self-propelled pool cleaner of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the metal component is the motor, and wherein the motor is a traction motor.
  • X. The self-propelled pool cleaner of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the metal component is the pump.

These examples are not intended to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive in any way, and the invention is not limited to these example embodiments but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of any claims ultimately drafted and issued in connection with the invention (and their equivalents). For avoidance of doubt, any combination of features not physically impossible or expressly identified as non-combinable herein may be within the scope of the invention. Further, although applicant has described devices and techniques for use principally with self-propelled pool cleaners, persons skilled in the relevant field will recognize that the present invention conceivably could be employed in connection with other objects and in other manners. Finally, references to “pools” and “swimming pools” herein may also refer to spas or other water containing vessels used for recreation, training, or therapy and for which cleaning of debris is needed or desired.