US20260009255A1
POOL CLEANING DEVICE
Publication
Application
Classifications
IPC Classifications
CPC Classifications
Applicants
Bestway Inflatables & Material Corp.
Inventors
Xianglin Zeng, Wenhua Hu, Qingshui SONG
Abstract
A pool cleaning device includes a housing, a drive assembly, and a water spray housing. The housing includes a water inlet and a water outlet. The drive assembly is disposed inside the housing and includes an output shaft. The water spray assembly is rotatably disposed on the housing and is in fluid communication with the water outlet. The water spray assembly includes a water spray housing and an impeller, which is disposed in the water spray housing and is connected to the output shaft. Water is driven by the drive assembly into the water spray assembly and then ejected from the water spray assembly to drive the pool cleaning device. No additional water pump is required for the pool cleaning device. The pool cleaning device also includes a reversing blade for reversing the cleaning and an adjustment switch for controlling the cleaning path.
Figures
Description
FIELD
[0001]The present disclosure relates to pool cleaning apparatuses, and in particular to a pool cleaning device for a pool.
BACKGROUND
[0002]Demand for swimming pools and for above-ground pools is rising, and accordingly, there is a need for convenient and quick cleaning devices to meet the demand for cleaning the pool. For an above-ground swimming pool, as use increases, the inside of the pool produces algae, debris, leaves and other dirt. Accordingly, it is necessary to use a pool cleaning device to clean the pool, especially the bottom of the pool, regularly to maintain hygiene.
[0003]Pool cleaning devices are often equipped with a hydraulic drive assembly to drive the pool cleaning device to move the device within the pool to clean the bottom of the pool. When the pool cleaning device is used, an additional water pump is used, and the water pump is connected to the hydraulic drive assembly via a water tube to supply high pressure water to the hydraulic drive assembly. The hydraulic drive assembly accordingly drives the pool cleaning device to move within the pool by way of the high pressure water supplied by the water pump to the hydraulic drive assembly. The water pump is arranged outside the pool and the water tube is located inside the pool, which can become entangled during the movement of the pool cleaning device, which affects a desired and proper operation of the pool cleaning device, resulting in decreased performance of the pool cleaning device.
SUMMARY
[0004]For the foregoing technical problems, the present disclosure provides a pool cleaning device. The pool cleaning device includes: a housing, having a water inlet and a water outlet; a drive assembly disposed inside the housing and having an output shaft extending at least partially through the water outlet; and a water spray assembly rotatably disposed on the housing and in fluid communication with the water outlet, the water spray assembly including: a water spray housing; and an impeller disposed in the water spray housing and connected to the output shaft.
[0005]In one embodiment, the housing also includes at least one through hole, and the pool cleaning device includes a charging base including: at least one base, one of the at least one base being disposed at a location of a respective one of the at least one through hole; at least one charging post, one of the at least one charging post extending in a vertical direction and being disposed on a respective one of the at least one base, and including: a conductive rod extending in the vertical direction and being disposed within a respective one of the at least one through hole; and a sealing layer disposed on the conductive rod and covering at least part of the conductive rod.
[0006]In one embodiment, the at least one base includes: a first base having a first extension extending along a side wall of the first base; and a second base spaced apart from the first base and having a second extension extending along a side wall of the second base toward the first extension; wherein the first extension and the second extension are spaced apart from each other so as to define a slot between the first extension and the second extension.
[0007]In one embodiment, the drive assembly includes: a motor housing having a first part and a second part sealingly connected to the first part; and a motor assembly disposed within a second chamber jointly defined by the first part and the second part; wherein the conductive rod extends from the interior of the second chamber through the first part and is sealingly connected to the first part.
[0008]In an embodiment, the motor housing also includes a mounting plate disposed on an inner surface of the first part and extending toward the interior of the second chamber, the mounting plate defining a mounting space with the first part of the motor housing; and the motor assembly comprises: a motor comprising the output shaft extending in the vertical direction through the water outlet; a PCB disposed within the mounting space and spaced apart from the first part, the PCB and the first part having a sealant disposed therebetween; and a battery pack comprising a battery pack housing and a battery cell located within the battery pack housing, the battery pack housing and the battery cell having a sealant disposed therebetween.
[0009]In an embodiment, the housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing, the water outlet is disposed on the upper housing, the water inlet is disposed on the lower housing, and the upper housing and the lower housing are detachably connected to define a first chamber.
[0010]In an embodiment, the pool cleaning device further comprises: a handle assembly disposed on the upper housing and comprising: a handle frame connected to the upper housing and extending downward toward the lower housing; and a resilient handle disposed on and hingedly connected to the handle frame, the handle comprising a boss extending toward the first chamber.
[0011]In an embodiment, the lower housing comprises a flange extending away from the first chamber, the boss of the handle being adapted to the flange to disassemble or assemble the upper housing and the lower housing.
[0012]In an embodiment, the pool cleaner device further comprises a reversing assembly comprising: a reversing blade disposed on the housing and comprising a rotating shaft and an opening having a first end wall, the reversing blade being rotatably connected to the housing by the rotating shaft; and a sliding plate comprising a baffle plate extending from a surface of the sliding plate toward the interior of the opening, the sliding plate being mounted on the opening of the reversing blade and adapted to slide relative to the reversing blade toward or away from the rotating shaft of the reversing blade; and an elastic member disposed inside the opening and located between the baffle plate and the first end wall of the opening, the clastic member being configured to switch between a compressed state and a released state.
[0013]In an embodiment, a limiting projection is disposed on the housing, and the limiting projection comprises a first wall and a second wall extending upward in the vertical direction; the sliding plate abuts against the second wall when the elastic member is in the compressed state, so that the reversing blade is at a first angle to the vertical direction; and the sliding plate rotates over the second wall and against the first wall when the elastic member is in the released state, so that the reversing blade is at a second angle to the vertical direction; wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle.
[0014]In an embodiment, one of the reversing blade and the sliding plate is provided with a guide groove extending in a sliding direction of the sliding plate; and the other of the reversing blade and the sliding plate is provided with a guide rail that matches the guide groove.
[0015]In an embodiment, the pool cleaning device further comprises: a wheel chamber extending in a first direction and disposed on the lower housing of the housing, wherein the wheel chamber is provided with a first constraint structure and a second constraint structure on both sides along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, respectively; and a front wheel comprising: a wheel body spaced apart within the wheel chamber; and an axle spanning the wheel chamber in the second direction and comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the axle is rotatably connected to the first constraint structure, and the second end of the axle oscillates in the first direction within a constraint range of the second constraint structure to steer the front wheel.
[0016]In an embodiment, the second constraint structure comprises: a limiting plate; and an adjustment switch disposed on the lower housing of the housing and comprising a stop lever opposite and spaced apart from the limiting plate in the first direction; wherein the second end is configured to oscillate between the limiting plate and the stop lever.
[0017]In an embodiment, the adjustment switch also comprises a shift lever connected to the stop lever, and an angle of greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 180 degrees is formed between the stop lever and the shift lever.
[0018]In an embodiment, the pool cleaning device further comprises: a wheel chamber cover disposed on the lower housing of the housing and comprising an arc-shaped sliding groove; wherein the sliding groove comprises a first limiting end and a second limiting end, and an end of the shift lever is disposed within the sliding groove and slidably positioned between the first limiting end and the second limiting end; the axle is arranged between the wheel chamber cover and the lower housing of the housing; when the end of the shift lever is located at the first limiting end of the sliding groove, the stop lever and the limiting plate define a first range of oscillation at the second end of the axle; when the end of the shift lever is located at the second limiting end of the sliding groove, the stop lever and the limiting plate define a second range of oscillation at the second end of the axle; and the first range of oscillation is greater than the second range of oscillation.
[0019]In an embodiment, the first constraint structure comprises a first stop post and a second stop post, the first stop post and the second stop post being spaced apart in the first direction; and the first end of the axle is disposed between the first stop post and the second stop post and is in rotatable contact with the first stop post and the second stop post.
[0020]In an embodiment, when the first range of oscillation is set: forward movement of the pool cleaning device shifts the second end of the axle against the stop lever and the pool cleaning device is directed forward and to the left; and rearward movement of the pool cleaning device shifts the second end of the axle against the limiting plate and the pool cleaning device is directed rearward and to the right.
[0021]In an embodiment, when the second range of oscillation is set: forward movement of the pool cleaning device shifts the second end of the axle against the stop lever and the pool cleaning device is directed forward and straight relative to a major axis of the pool cleaning device; and rearward movement of the pool cleaning device shifts the second end of the axle against the limiting plate and the pool cleaning device is directed rearward and to the right.
[0022]In an embodiment, a pool cleaning device includes: a housing having a water inlet and a water outlet; a drive assembly disposed inside the housing and having an output shaft extending at least partially through the water outlet; and a water spray assembly rotatably coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the water outlet, wherein the water spray assembly includes a water spray housing and an impeller disposed in the water spray housing, wherein the impeller is connected to the output shaft of the drive assembly, wherein the impeller receives water through the water outlet, and the water spray housing projects the water from the impeller and out of the water spray housing and provides a driving force for the pool cleaning device; a reversing blade coupled to the housing and pivotable relative to the housing in response to movement of the pool cleaning device.
[0023]In an embodiment, wherein a resistance force provided by water during movement pivots the reversing blade to a forward pivoted position or a rearward pivoted position, such that forward movement of the pool cleaning device pivots the reversing blade to the rearward pivoted position and rearward movement of the pool cleaning device pivots the reversing blade to the forward pivoted position; wherein the reversing blade is moveable to an upright positioned between the forward and rearward pivoted position in response to a buoyant force applied to the reversing blade when the pool cleaning device is stationary; wherein the water spray assembly is blocked from rotation during forward and rearward movement when the reversing blade is in the forward or rearward pivoted position; wherein the water spray assembly is rotatable when the reversing blade is in the upright position, such that when movement of the pool cleaning device is blocked by a pool wall, the reversing blade will move from the forward or rearward pivoted position to the upright position, and the water spray assembly will rotate to drive the pool cleaning device in an opposite direction; wherein at least one wheel of the pool cleaning device is configured to oscillate within an adjustable oscillation range to adjustable set a forward and/or rearward cleaning path of the pool cleaning device.
[0024]The beneficial effects of the present disclosure are as follows. The pool cleaning device of the present disclosure is equipped with a drive assembly and a water spray assembly. Water in the pool is driven by the drive assembly into the water spray assembly and then ejected from the water spray assembly to power the pool cleaning device. Therefore, no additional water pump is required for the pool cleaning device of the present disclosure, nor a water tube is used to connect the pool cleaning device inside the pool, which facilitates the use of the pool cleaning device of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025]With reference to non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure will be further described in the following detailed description in view of several drawings.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0051]The objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described with reference to specific embodiments of the present disclosure and corresponding figures. As will be apparent, the described embodiments are example embodiments of the present disclosure. Additional embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure accordingly fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0052]In the present disclosure, the directional term “vertical direction” refers to a direction generally along the height of a pool cleaning device; the directional term “upper” refers to a direction away from the ground in a vertical direction; and the directional term “lower” refers to a direction toward the ground in the vertical direction. The directional term “first direction” refers to a direction generally along forward or backward movement of the pool cleaning device, and for an oval-shaped pool cleaning device of the present disclosure, generally refers to a direction along a major axis of the pool cleaning device; and the directional term “second direction” refers to a direction generally perpendicular to the first direction, and for the oval-shaped pool cleaning device of the present disclosure, generally refers to a direction along a minor axis of the pool cleaning device. The directional term “rear” refers to a direction generally along a backward direction of the pool cleaning device; and the directional term “front” refers to a direction generally opposite to the “rear” direction.
[0053]
[0054]As shown in the cross-section of
[0055]The drive assembly 6 is disposed inside the housing 2 (i.e., within the first chamber 206) and includes an output shaft 614 that extends at least partially through the water outlet 202.
[0056]The water spray assembly 4 is rotatably disposed on the housing 2 and is in fluid communication with the water outlet 202. For example, the water spray assembly 4 is rotatably disposed at the position of the water outlet 202 by an optional bearing 207. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the water spray assembly 4 may be rotatably connected to the housing 2 in other ways. In one example, the water spray assembly 4 may be provided with an annular sliding groove, and the housing 2 may have a flange which fits into the sliding groove. The water spray assembly 4 includes a water spray housing 403 and an impeller 41 disposed in the water spray housing 403. The impeller 41 is connected to the output shaft 614 of the drive assembly 6, and the output shaft 614 is configured to drive the impeller 41 to rotate about its axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the water spray housing 403 optionally includes an upper housing 401 and a lower housing 402, where the upper housing 401 and the lower housing 402 are connected to form the water spray housing 403. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the water spray housing 403 may also have other structure, for example, the water spray housing 403 may be integrally formed, or the water spray housing may have more than two connected portions.
[0057]During operation of the pool cleaning device 1, the output shaft 614 of the drive assembly 6 drives the impeller 41 to rotate at a high speed. Thus, under the drive of the impeller 41, water from the pool will enter the water flow channel 20 through the water inlet 201 and then be routed via the flow channel 20 (indicated via arrows B) into the water spray assembly 4 through the water outlet 202, and finally, the water is sprayed out of the water spray assembly 4. For example, the water spray assembly 4 includes a nozzle 404 on a circumferential side wall. The water is ejected from the nozzle 404, and a corresponding water flow path is generated, as indicated by arrows in
[0058]As the water spray assembly 4 rotates relative to the housing 2, the direction of the flow of water from the water spray assembly 4 also changes, thereby providing power to the pool cleaning device 1 in other directions. It can therefore be understood that when the pool cleaning device 1 of the present disclosure is used, there is no need to additionally provide the pool cleaning device 1 with a water pump (as described in the prior art), which reduces the production cost of the pool cleaning device 1, and facilitates the use of the pool cleaning device 1 of the present disclosure. Moreover, because no additional water pump is required, there is no need for a water tube connected between a water pump and the pool cleaning device (as described in the prior art), thereby solving the problem of entanglement of the water tube, and further facilitating the use of the pool cleaning device 1 of the present disclosure.
[0059]In an embodiment, the pool cleaning device 1 is generally oval-shaped and the pool cleaning device 1 is configured to move forward or backward in a first direction L (i.e., in a direction along a major axis Y of the pool cleaning device 1). It will be appreciated that the housing 2 may also be of other shapes, for example circular or polygonal, etc., which will not be repeated here. For purposes of discussion, the solution of the present disclosure will be shown and described in the case where the housing 2 is generally oval-shaped.
[0060]In an embodiment, the output shaft 614 is directly connected to the impeller 41. In other words, the output shaft 614 is not connected to the impeller 41 by any reduction mechanism. This arrangement helps to reduce the noise generated by the pool cleaning device 1 during an operation, thereby improving the user's experience. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the output shaft 614 may also be coupled to the impeller 41 through a reduction mechanism (e.g., a gearbox), thereby reducing the rotational speed of the impeller 41 in the case of an excessive rotational speed of the output shaft 614. This arrangement reduces the load on the impeller 41 and extends the life of the impeller 41. It will be appreciated that the output shaft 641 may also be connected to the impeller 41 via intermediate structure without the use of gear reduction.
[0061]As also shown in
[0062]As shown in
[0063]The first charging post 71a is disposed in the first through hole 205a, and the second charging post 71b is disposed in the second through hole 205b. Each charging post includes a conductive rod 711 and an optional sealing layer 714. Each conductive rod 711 is disposed in a corresponding through hole. Optionally, each conductive rod 711 extends in the vertical direction H. The sealing layer 714 is disposed on the conductive rod 711 and covers at least part of the conductive rod 711 to prevent the water from seeping from a gap between the conductive rod 711 and the corresponding through hole to an internal electrical part of the pool cleaning device 1. For example, the sealing layer 714 covers a circumferential side surface of the conductive rod 711, and a top surface 713 of the conductive rod 711 is exposed from the sealing layer 714. After the pool cleaning device 1 is taken out of the water, the conductive rod 711 protrudes upward from the housing 2 in the vertical direction H. If there is water on the conductive rod 711, the water flows downward under gravity and quickly leaves the conductive rod 711, and it is difficult to retain the water on the conductive rod 711 to form water build-up, and thus no water build-up is present on the first base 72a and the second base 72b of the charging base and no corrosion of the conductive rod 711 is caused.
[0064]In an embodiment, the conductive rod 711 is made of an inert metal material, for example, but not limited to, stainless steel, titanium, etc. In this way, the conductive rod 711 possesses good rust resistance. In a humid environment, the top surface 713 of the conductive rod 711 is also less prone to the formation of a poorly conductive oxide layer, thereby avoiding an increase in the contact resistance of the charging plug (as described below) with the charging post and/or a decrease in the charging efficiency of the pool cleaning device 1 due to an oxide layer formed on the top surface 713 of the conductive rod 711.
[0065]As also shown in
[0066]As also shown in
[0067]
[0068]When the charging plug 73 is connected to the charging base 7, as shown in
[0069]As also shown in
[0070]As shown in
[0071]With reference now to
[0072]The conductive rod 711 extends from the second chamber 603 of the motor housing 60 through the first part 621 to the exterior of the motor housing 60. The conductive rod 711 is sealingly connected to the first part 621 to avoid a failure of the motor assembly 61 caused by water from an external environment entering the second chamber 603 along the conductive rod 711. In an embodiment, the conductive rod 711 is disposed on the first part 621 of the motor housing 60 by an encapsulation structure such that the sealing layer 714 is sealingly connected to the first part 621 of the motor housing 60.
[0073]As shown in
[0074]The first part 621 and the second part 622 of the motor housing 60 are detachably connected. In this way, the motor housing 60 can be opened as needed to maintain, repair, or replace the motor 611, the battery pack 612, or the PCB 613, etc.
[0075]As also shown in
[0076]As shown in
[0077]With reference to
[0078]The following description is based on the handle assembly 212 on the right side in the orientation shown in
[0079]With reference to
[0080]As also shown in
[0081]The upper housing 21 is above the lower housing 22 in the vertical direction H, and the handle 213 extends downward in the vertical direction H. In this way, when the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22 are assembled together, the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22 are aligned and the upper housing 21 is pressed down toward the lower housing 22. The outwardly extending flange 224 of the lower housing 22 will push the corresponding boss 214 of the upper housing 21 outward in the second direction W, and accordingly the handle 213 is elastically deformed away from the upper housing 21 in the second direction W. After the boss 214 has passed the corresponding flange 224, the handle 213 will resiliently move back in the second direction W and return toward the upper housing 21 so that the boss 214 engages with the corresponding flange 224, thereby connecting the upper housing 21 with the lower housing 22. This facilitates the assembly of the upper housing 21 and the lower housing 22.
[0082]When detachment and separation of the upper housing 21 from the lower housing 22 is desired, the handle 213 may be pulled slightly outward to separate the boss 214 from the corresponding flange 224. Then, the upper housing 21 may be moved upwardly so that the upper housing 21 disengages from the lower housing 22. In this way, individual components disposed within the housing 2 can be maintained and/or replaced as needed. For example, the filter screen 203 can be removed from the housing 2 and cleaned and/or replaced. In the prior art, the upper and lower housings are usually connected by a fit of a snap and a hook. However, the fit of the snap and hook is susceptible to dirt and sand and is hard to separate, which makes it difficult to separate the upper and lower housings. According to the technical solution of the present disclosure, however, a user may separate the upper housing 21 from the lower housing 22 by merely manually slightly pulling the handle 213 outward to separate the boss 214 and the flange 224. The whole operation process is therefore effectively not affected by the dirt and sand, and is convenient for the user to operate.
[0083]As shown in
[0084]In an embodiment, the handle frame 215 is integrally formed with the handle 213 for case of manufacture. In other embodiments, the handle frame 215 may be integrally formed with the upper housing 21, and then the handle 213 may be connected to the handle frame 215.
[0085]With reference back to
[0086]The reversing blade 31 is configured to allow or prevent rotation of the water spray assembly 4 relative to the housing 2, so as to enable the pool cleaning device 1 to switch the direction of movement. For example, when the nozzle 404 of the water spray assembly 4 faces rearward (as shown in
[0087]The reversing blade 31 can also be used as a handle for the pool cleaning device 1, thereby eliminating the need to configure the pool cleaning device 1 with an additional handle, which reduces the number of parts of the pool cleaning device 1, and thus reduces the cost of the pool cleaning device 1.
[0088]As also shown in
[0089]Specifically, as shown in
[0090]As also shown in
[0091]As shown in
[0092]It should be noted that when the sliding plate 32 abuts against the vertically aligned second wall 242 (the lower height position), the reversing blade 31 is prevented from freely rotating relative to the housing 2 in its direction of rotation due to a friction between the sliding plate 32 and the second wall 242, and therefore the pool cleaning device 1 cannot be automatically reversed in the pool. Thus, when the user first uses the pool cleaning device 1, the user first needs to push or lift the reversing blade 31 upward toward the vertical direction H in rotation with respect to the housing 2 until the sliding plate 32 rotates over the second wall 242. At this lifted position, when the pool cleaning device is used, the reversing blade 31 can oscillate and reciprocate between the obliquely arranged first walls 241 of the two oppositely arranged limiting projections 243, to accordingly cooperate with the corresponding structures on the water spray assembly 4 to provide the automatic reversing of the pool cleaning device within the pool. Because the first wall 241 extends obliquely downward from the upper end of the second wall 242 toward the rotating shaft 311 of the reversing blade 31, the first wall 241 does not impede the rotation of the reversing blade 31 under a combined effect of the buoyancy and thrust force of the water. In this way, when the pool cleaning device 1 moves in the water, the reversing blade 31 can rotate relative to the housing 2 under the combined effect of the buoyancy and thrust force of the water, and the pool cleaning device 1 can automatically reverse in the water.
[0093]Also according to the reversing assembly 3 of this structure, the elastic member 33 is protected by the opening 312, which makes the pool cleaning device 1 less susceptible to a failure. It should be noted that after the sliding plate 32 rotates over the second wall 242, the baffle plate 324 abuts against the second end wall 314 of the opening 312 (as shown in
[0094]In an alternative embodiment, the sliding plate 32 may also be provided at only one end of the U-shape of reversing blade 13. In this way, it is only necessary to provide the limiting projection on the corresponding side of the housing 2 in the second direction W.
[0095]With reference again to
[0096]As shown in
[0097]Turning now to
[0098]Optionally, as shown in
[0099]The front wheel 51 includes a wheel body 511 and an axle 512. The wheel body 511 is disposed within the wheel chamber 222 and is spaced apart from two side walls 225 of the wheel chamber 222. The axle 512 spans the wheel chamber 222 in the second direction W, a first end 521 of the axle 512 is rotatably connected to the first constraint structure 25, and a second end 522 of the axle 512 is adapted to oscillate in the first direction L within a constraint range of the second constraint structure 26. In this way, when the pool cleaning device 1 is used, the oscillation of the second end 522 of the axle 512 can be controlled according to the actual cleaning situation, so as to properly steer the wheel body 511, thereby changing a movement trajectory of the pool cleaning device 1.
[0100]As also shown in
[0101]As also shown in
[0102]As also shown in
[0103]With further reference to
[0104]The user may accordingly manually push either the stop lever 263 or the shift lever 264 so that the end of the shift lever 264 is located at the first limiting end 271 of the sliding groove 273, thus forming a first range of oscillation between the stop lever 263 and the limiting plate 261 at the second end 522 of the axle 512 (the state of the lever 263 shown in
[0105]To adjust the oscillating range, the user may also push either the stop lever 263 or the shift lever 264 so that the end of the shift lever 264 is located at the second limiting end 272 of the sliding groove 273, which forms a second range of oscillation between the stop lever 263 and the limiting plate 261 at the second end 522 of the axle 512 (as shown in
[0106]With reference back to
[0107]As shown in
[0108]The instructions for using a pool cleaner 1 are described below on the basis of a further embodiment.
[0109]First, a power switch of the pool cleaner 1 is turned on and a first color (e.g., green) indicator light is on and flashing. At this point, the pool cleaner 1 is in a standby state. Next, the pool cleaner 1 in the standby state is put into a pool to be cleaned. A water level sensor of the pool cleaner 1 is switched on, the first color indicator light is solid, and after 5 seconds a motor starts to work. During operation, the motor is suspended for 10 seconds every 3 minutes. During the pause, the first color indicator light is solid. When it is necessary to stop using the pool cleaner 1, the pool cleaner 1 is taken out of a water surface and the power switch of the pool cleaning device is turned off to stop the pool cleaner 1.
[0110]When a supply voltage of a battery bank is lower than 6.5 V, a second color (e.g., red) indicator light is on and flashing. After 2 to 5 minutes of flashing, the second color indicator light goes out and the pool cleaner 1 stops working.
[0111]In the process of charging the pool cleaner 1, the second color indicator light is on and flashing. When the pool cleaner 1 is fully charged, the first color indicator light is solid.
[0112]A charge protection voltage for the pool cleaner 1 is 8.4 V. A charging power supply is a DC power supply provided by a USB interface, with a charging voltage of 5 V and a charging current of 1 A to 2 A. Whether the power switch of the pool cleaner 1 is turned on does not affect charging.
[0113]The foregoing descriptions represent illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. A person skilled in the art may make various changes and variations to the present disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements made without departing from the spirit and principle of the present disclosure shall fall within the scope of the claims of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
| 1 Pool cleaning device | |
| 2 Housing | |
| 20 Water flow channel | |
| 201 Water inlet | 202 Water outlet |
| 203 Filter screen | 204 Shaft hole |
| 205a First through hole | 205a Second through hole |
| 206 First chamber | 207 Bearing |
| 21 Upper housing | |
| 210 Clearance | |
| 212 Handle assembly | 214 Boss |
| 213 Handle | 216 Flexible connection |
| 215 Handle frame | 217 Screw |
| 22 Lower housing | |
| 222 Wheel chamber | 224 Flange |
| 225 Side wall of wheel chamber | |
| 24 Cover plate | |
| 241 First wall | 242 Second wall |
| 243 Limiting projection | |
| 25 First constraint structure | |
| 251 First stop post | 252 Second stop post |
| 26 Second constraint structure | |
| 261 Limiting plate | 262 Adjustment switch |
| 263 Stop lever | 264 Shift lever |
| 27 Wheel chamber cover | |
| 271 First limiting end | 272 Second limiting end |
| 273 Sliding groove | |
| 3 Reversing assembly | |
| 31 Reversing blade | |
| 311 Rotating shaft | 312 Opening |
| 313 First end wall | 314 Second end wall |
| 315 Guide rail | |
| 32 Sliding plate | |
| 324 Baffle plate | 325 Guide groove |
| 33 Elastic member | |
| 4 Water spray assembly | |
| 401 Upper housing | 402 Lower housing |
| 403 Water spray housing | 404 Nozzle |
| 41 Impeller | |
| 5 Wheel assembly | |
| 51 Front wheel | |
| 511 Wheel body | 512 Axle |
| 521 First end of axle | 522 Second end of axle |
| 52 Rear wheel | |
| 6 Drive assembly | |
| 60 Motor housing | |
| 601 Mounting plate | 602 Mounting space |
| 603 Second chamber | |
| 61 Motor assembly | |
| 611 Motor | 612 Battery pack |
| 613 PCB (Printed Circuit Board) | 614 Output shaft |
| 615 Battery pack housing | 616 Battery cell |
| 617 Sealant | |
| 621 First part | 622 Second part |
| 7 Charging base | |
| 71a First charging post | 71b First charging post |
| 711 Conductive rod | 713 Top surface |
| 714 Sealing layer | 72a First base |
| 72b Second base | 722a First extension |
| 722b Second extension | 723 Slot |
| 73 Charging plug | |
| 731 Partition plate | 732 Bottom plate |
| 733 Top box | 734a First electrode plate |
| 734b Second electrode plate | 735 Mating plate of top box |
| 736a First spring | 736b Second spring |
| 737 Power connector | 738 Wire |
| 8 Rectangular pool | |
| 81 First position in rectangular pool | 82 Second position in rectangular pool |
| 83 Second position in rectangular pool | 84 Pool wall of rectangular pool |
| 85 Trajectory of pool cleaning device in rectangular pool |
| 9 Circular pool | |
| 91 First position in circular pool | 92 Second position in circular pool |
| 93 Third position in circular pool | 94 Pool wall of circular pool |
| 95 Trajectory of pool cleaning device in circular pool |
| L First direction | H Vertical direction |
| W Second direction | A Sliding direction of sliding plate |
| B Water flow path | |
| X Minor axis | Y Major axis |
| α1 First angle | α2 Second angle |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pool cleaning device comprising:
a housing having a water inlet and a water outlet;
a drive assembly disposed inside the housing and having an output shaft extending at least partially through the water outlet; and
a water spray assembly rotatably coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the water outlet,
wherein the water spray assembly includes:
a water spray housing; and
an impeller disposed in the water spray housing and connected to the output shaft of the drive assembly,
wherein the impeller receives water through the water outlet, and the water spray housing projects the water from the impeller and out of the water spray housing and provides a driving force for the pool cleaning device.
2. The pool cleaning device according to
at least one base disposed at a location of a respective through hole formed in the housing;
at least one charging post extending in a vertical direction and disposed on the at least one base,
wherein the at least one charging post includes:
a conductive rod extending through the through hole; and
a sealing layer disposed on the conductive rod and covering at least part of the conductive rod;
wherein the at least one base comprises:
a first base having a first extension extending along a side wall of the first base; and
a second base spaced apart from the first base and having a second extension extending along a side wall of the second base toward the first extension;
wherein the first extension and the second extension are spaced apart from each other and define a slot between the first extension and the second extension.
3. The pool cleaning device according to
a motor housing having a first part and a second part sealingly connected to the first part; and
a motor assembly disposed within a second chamber defined by the first part and the second part;
wherein the conductive rod extends from an interior of the second chamber through the first part and is sealingly connected to the first part.
4. The pool cleaning device according to
wherein the motor assembly includes:
a motor including the output shaft of the drive assembly, the output shaft extending in the vertical direction through the water outlet;
a PCB disposed within the mounting space and spaced away from the first part of the motor housing, the PCB and the first part of the motor housing having a sealant disposed therebetween; and
a battery pack comprising a battery pack housing and a battery cell located within the battery pack housing, the battery pack housing and the battery cell having a sealant disposed therebetween.
5. The pool cleaning device according to
6. The pool cleaning device according to
7. The pool cleaning device according to
a handle frame connected to the upper housing and extending downward toward the lower housing; and
a resilient handle disposed on and hingedly connected to the handle frame, the handle including a boss extending inwardly toward the housing;
wherein the lower housing includes a flange extending outwardly away from the housing, wherein the boss of the handle is sized and configured to correspond to the flange to selectively disassemble or assemble the upper housing and the lower housing.
8. The pool cleaning device according to
a reversing blade pivotably coupled to the housing;
wherein the reversing blade pivots toward the housing into a forward or rearward pivoted position in response to a resistance force during driven movement of the pool cleaning device;
wherein the reversing blade pivots upwardly away from the housing into a raised position in response to a buoyant force when the pool cleaning device is stationary;
wherein the reversing blade engages corresponding structure of the water spray assembly when in the forward or rearward pivoting position and block rotation of the water spray assembly relative to the housing;
wherein the reversing blade releases the corresponding structure of the water spray assembly when in the raised position and allows rotation of the water spray assembly to reverse the direction of the water being expelled from the water spray assembly and the driven direction of the pool cleaning device.
9. The pool cleaning device of
10. The pool cleaning device of
an opening having a first end wall,
a sliding plate comprising a baffle plate extending from a surface of the sliding plate toward the interior of the opening, the sliding plate being mounted on the opening of the reversing blade and adapted to slide relative to the reversing blade toward or away from the rotating shaft of the reversing blade; and
an elastic member disposed inside the opening and located between the baffle plate and the first end wall of the opening, the elastic member being configured to switch between a compressed state and a released state;
wherein one of the reversing blade and the sliding plate comprises a guide groove extending in a sliding direction of the sliding plate; and the other of the reversing blade and the sliding plate comprises a guide rail that matches the guide groove.
11. The pool cleaning device according to
a limiting projection is disposed on the housing, and the limiting projection comprises a first wall and a second wall extending upward in the vertical direction;
the sliding plate abuts against the second wall when the elastic member is in the compressed state, so that the reversing blade is at a first angle to the vertical direction; and
the sliding plate rotates over the second wall and against the first wall when the elastic member is in the released state, so that the reversing blade is at a second angle to the vertical direction; wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle;
wherein the reversing blade is free to pivot to the forward or rearward pivoted position from the second angle;
wherein the reversing blade is blocked from pivoting to the forward or rearward pivoted position from the first angle.
12. The pool cleaning device according to
a wheel chamber extending in a first direction and disposed on the lower housing of the housing, wherein the wheel chamber comprises a first constraint structure and a second constraint structure on both sides along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, respectively; and
a front wheel comprising:
a wheel body disposed between the first and second constraint structures within the wheel chamber; and
an axle spanning the wheel chamber in the second direction and comprising a first end and a second end,
wherein the first end of the axle is rotatably supported at the first constraint structure, and the second end of the axle oscillates in the first direction within a constraint range of the second constraint structure to steer the front wheel.
13. The pool cleaning device according to
a limiting plate; and
an adjustment switch disposed on the lower housing of the housing and comprising a stop lever opposite and spaced away from the limiting plate in the first direction;
wherein a spacing between the limiting plate and the stop lever adjustably defines the constraint range of the second constraint structure;
wherein the second end of the axle is configured to oscillate between the limiting plate and the stop lever within the constraint range of the second constraint structure.
14. The pool cleaning device according to
15. The pool cleaning device according to
a wheel chamber cover disposed on the lower housing of the housing and comprising an arc-shaped sliding groove;
wherein the sliding groove comprises a first limiting end and a second limiting end, and an end of the adjustment switch is disposed within the sliding groove and slidably positioned between the first limiting end and the second limiting end;
the axle is arranged between the wheel chamber cover and the lower housing of the housing;
wherein when the end of the adjustment switch is located at the first limiting end of the sliding groove, the stop lever and the limiting plate set a first range of oscillation at the second end of the axle;
wherein when the end of the adjustment switch is located at the second limiting end of the sliding groove, the stop lever and the limiting plate set a second range of oscillation at the second end of the axle; and
wherein the first range of oscillation is greater than the second range of oscillation;
wherein the adjustment switch is actuatable to set different cleaning paths for the pool cleaning device depending on the shape of the pool.
16. The pool cleaning device according to
the first constraint structure comprises a first stop post and a second stop post, the first stop post and the second stop post being spaced apart in the first direction; and
the first end of the axle is disposed between the first stop post and the second stop post and is in rotatable contact with the first stop post and the second stop post.
17. The pool cleaning device according to
when the first range of oscillation is set:
forward movement of the pool cleaning device shifts the second end of the axle against the stop lever and the pool cleaning device is directed forward and to the left; and
rearward movement of the pool cleaning device shifts the second end of the axle against the limiting plate and the pool cleaning device is directed rearward and to the right.
18. The pool cleaning device according to
when the second range of oscillation is set:
forward movement of the pool cleaning device shifts the second end of the axle against the stop lever and the pool cleaning device is directed forward and straight relative to a major axis of the pool cleaning device; and
rearward movement of the pool cleaning device shifts the second end of the axle against the limiting plate and the pool cleaning device is directed rearward and to the right.
19. A pool cleaning device comprising:
a housing having a water inlet and a water outlet;
a drive assembly disposed inside the housing and having an output shaft extending at least partially through the water outlet; and
a water spray assembly rotatably coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the water outlet, wherein the water spray assembly includes a water spray housing and an impeller disposed in the water spray housing, wherein the impeller is connected to the output shaft of the drive assembly, wherein the impeller receives water through the water outlet, and the water spray housing projects the water from the impeller and out of the water spray housing and provides a driving force for the pool cleaning device;
a reversing blade coupled to the housing and pivotable relative to the housing in response to movement of the pool cleaning device.
20. The pool cleaning device according to
wherein the reversing blade is moveable to an upright positioned between the forward and rearward pivoted position in response to a buoyant force applied to the reversing blade when the pool cleaning device is stationary;
wherein the water spray assembly is blocked from rotation during forward and rearward movement when the reversing blade is in the forward or rearward pivoted position;
wherein the water spray assembly is rotatable when the reversing blade is in the upright position, such that when movement of the pool cleaning device is blocked by a pool wall, the reversing blade will move from the forward or rearward pivoted position to the upright position, and the water spray assembly will rotate to drive the pool cleaning device in an opposite direction;
wherein at least one wheel of the pool cleaning device is configured to oscillate within an adjustable oscillation range to adjustably set a forward and/or rearward cleaning path of the pool cleaning device.