Pool cleaner power coupling

• US 10,156,083 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2017
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Ortiz, Gary, Peastrel, Mark, Teuscher, Scott, Hayes, Graham M., Marciano, Edward Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): Prince, Fred
• Application Number:
  US15/592,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20180328062A1
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 21016716, 21016717, 2104161, 2104162, 15 17
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/001 Cylindrical or annular brush bodies
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/02 power-driven carriers
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1618 Hand-held powered cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1636 Suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners that remove debris from water using a plurality of cyclonic flows, or that include a removable impeller subassembly, a check valve for a debris canister, a particle separator assembly having a handle that locks to the pool cleaner, a modular roller drive gear box, or a roller latch that secures a roller to the pool cleaner. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to the check valve and the roller latch themselves. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a filter medium for pool cleaners that includes embossments providing flow channels for water, and to roller assemblies for pool cleaners. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners including alternative pump motor engagements. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners power supplies that include a potted and contoured power board assembly, and to kickstands therefor. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pool cleaner caddy, and removable wheels therefor.

Claims

1. A pool cleaner, comprising:

a chassis having a motor box housing;

a motor box mounted within the motor box housing;

a pump motor positioned within the motor box, the pump motor having a rotor including a first magnetic member that extends out from the motor box; and

a debris container including a rotatable shaft having a first end and a second end, and an impeller mounted to the first end of the rotatable shaft, the second end of the rotatable shaft including a second magnetic member configured to magnetically couple to the first magnetic member;

wherein the debris container is mounted on the chassis with the first magnetic member magnetically coupled with the second magnetic member, the pump motor driving rotation of the rotatable shaft through the magnetic coupling of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member.

2. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein the debris container further comprises a sleeve surrounding the rotatable shaft, and the pump motor further comprises a guide fillet, the sleeve configured to engage the guide fillet to center the rotatable shaft with the pump motor.

3. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein the pump motor is a brushless DC outer rotor motor.

4. A pool cleaner, comprising:

a chassis having a motor box housing;

a motor box mounted within the motor box housing;

a stator including a plurality of electromagnets, the stator positioned within the motor box; and

a debris container including a rotatable shaft having a first end and a second end, and an impeller mounted to the first end of the rotatable shaft, the second end of the rotatable shaft having a plurality of permanent magnets and configured to be placed adjacent to the stator;

wherein the debris container is mounted on the chassis with the electromagnets of the stator positioned adjacent the plurality of permanent magnets of the rotatable shaft, the stator driving rotation of the rotatable shaft through electromechanical interaction between the plurality of electromagnets of the stator with the plurality of permanent magnets of the shaft.

5. The pool cleaner of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the rotatable shaft extends from a bottom of the debris container and is positioned within the motor box when the debris container is mounted on the chassis.

6. A pool cleaner, comprising:

a chassis having a motor box housing;

a motor box mounted within the motor box housing;

an inductive coupling transmitter circuit positioned within the motor box; and

a debris container including a pump motor having an inductive coupling receiver circuit, a rotatable shaft rotatably driven by the pump motor, and an impeller, the rotatable shaft having a first end and a second end with the impeller mounted to the first end of the rotatable shaft;

wherein the debris container is mounted on the chassis with the inductive coupling receiver circuit positioned adjacent the inductive coupling transmitter circuit, the inductive coupling receiver circuit receiving electrical power from the inductive coupling transmitter circuit and providing the pump motor with electrical power to drive rotation of the rotatable shaft.

7. The pool cleaner of claim 6, wherein the debris container further comprises a sleeve, and the pump motor and rotatable shaft are positioned within the sleeve.

8. The pool cleaner of claim 6, wherein the pump motor is a brushless DC outer rotor motor.

9. A pool cleaner, comprising:

a chassis having a motor box housing;

a motor box mounted within the motor box housing;

a power circuit including a plurality of pins positioned within the motor box, the plurality of pins extending out from the motor box; and

a debris container including a pump motor having a contact plate, a rotatable shaft rotatably driven by the pump motor, and an impeller, the rotatable shaft having a first end and a second end with the impeller mounted to the first end of the rotatable shaft;

wherein the debris container is mounted on the chassis with the contact plate engaged with the pins, the contact plate receiving electrical power from the pins and providing the pump motor with electrical power to drive rotation of the rotatable shaft.

10. The pool cleaner of claim 9, wherein the pins are spring-loaded pogo pins.

11. The pool cleaner of claim 9, wherein the debris container further comprises a sleeve, and the pump motor and rotatable shaft are positioned within the sleeve.

12. The pool cleaner of claim 9, wherein the pump motor is a brushless DC outer rotor motor.