Drive module for submersible autonomous vehicle

• US 10,301,837 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2017
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, LLC (Fluidra, S.A.)
• Original Assignee: Aqua Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Durvasula, Kameshwar, Hanan, Ethan, Londono, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Tyler J
• Application Number:
  US15/848,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20180127999A1
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 19/00 Marine propulsion not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 5/02 of paddle wheels, e.g. of stern wheels
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1636 Suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0206 specially adapted to water vehicles

Abstract

A drive module for submersible autonomous vehicles is disclosed. The drive module includes a propulsion element configured to engage and rotate against a surface, a motor configured to drive the propulsion element, and a controller configured to cause the motor to drive the propulsion element. The drive module also includes a housing configured to be removably, releasably coupled to the exterior of a submersible autonomous vehicle. The motor and the controller are disposed within the housing.

Claims

1. A self-contained drive module for attachment to a submersible autonomous vehicle, the drive module comprising:

a propulsion element configured to engage and rotate against a surface;

a first motor configured to drive the propulsion element;

a second motor configured to drive an internal system of the submersible autonomous vehicle;

a controller configured to cause the first motor to drive the propulsion element and the second motor to drive the internal system; and

a housing configured to be removably coupled to the exterior of the submersible autonomous vehicle, wherein the first motor, the second motor, and the controller are disposed substantially within the housing.

2. The self-contained drive module of claim 1, further comprising:

a power source configured to supply power to the controller and the motor.

3. The self-contained drive module of claim 2, wherein the drive module is electrically isolated from electrical components within the submersible autonomous vehicle.

4. The self-contained drive module of claim 2, further comprising:

a waterproof interface that can be coupled to an external power source to charge the power source.

5. The self-contained drive module of claim 1, further comprising:

a communications module configured to establish a wireless connection with a control system within the submersible autonomous vehicle.

6. The self-contained drive module of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to communicate, via the communications module, with the control system within the submersible autonomous vehicle to retrieve drive instructions or internal system instructions for the controller.

7. The self-contained drive module of claim 1, wherein the propulsion element comprises at least one of a wheel and an endless tread.

8. The self-contained drive module of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises:

at least one processor configured to;

control the motor in accordance with drive instructions; and

control the internal system based on internal system instructions.

9. The self-contained drive module of claim 8, wherein the controller further comprises:

a memory storing the drive instructions and the internal system instructions, and the drive module is operatively isolated from control systems within the submersible autonomous vehicle.

10. The self-contained drive module of claim 1, wherein the internal system is a pump system.

11. The self-contained drive module of claim 1, wherein the submersible autonomous vehicle comprises a pool cleaner.

12. The self-contained drive module of claim 11, wherein the submersible pool cleaner includes a fluid propulsion drive system.

13. A submersible autonomous pool cleaner comprising:

a main body including an exterior surface with a first side and a second side; and

a drive module that is releasably coupled to the exterior surface of main body wherein the drive module extends from the first side to the second side when coupled to the main body and includes a propulsion element, a motor configured to drive the propulsion element, and a controller configured to cause the motor to drive the propulsion element.

14. The submersible autonomous pool cleaner of claim 13, wherein the propulsion element is a first propulsion element disposed on the first side of the exterior surface and the drive module further comprises:

a second propulsion element disposed on the second side of the exterior surface.

15. The submersible autonomous pool cleaner of claim 14, wherein the motor is a first motor and the drive module further comprises:

a second motor configured to drive the second propulsion element, the controller being further configured to cause the second motor to drive the second propulsion element.

16. The submersible autonomous pool cleaner of claim 13, wherein the motor is a first motor and the drive module further comprises:

a second motor configured to drive an internal system of the submersible autonomous pool cleaner.

17. The submersible autonomous pool cleaner of claim 16, wherein the first motor, the second motor, and the controller are sealed within a watertight portion of a housing of the drive module and a motor shaft extends out of a sealed opening in the watertight portion of the drive module housing to connect the second motor to the internal system.

18. The submersible autonomous pool cleaner of claim 17, wherein the motor shaft is a first motor shaft, the sealed opening is a first sealed opening, and a second motor shaft extends out of a second sealed opening in the watertight portion of the drive module housing to connect the first motor to the propulsion element.

19. The submersible autonomous pool cleaner of claim 18, wherein the first motor shaft is perpendicular to the second motor shaft.

20. The submersible autonomous pool cleaner of claim 13, wherein the drive module further comprises:

a power source configured to deliver the power to the controller and the motor.