Modular swimming pool cleaner

• US 10,407,931 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2017
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, LLC (Fluidra, S.A.)
• Original Assignee: Aqua Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Zerweck, Jason, Klebanov, Alexsandr, Londono, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Winner, Tony H
• Application Number:
  US15/687,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20180066443A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 180 9, 180 91, 180 71
• CPC Class Codes: B60F 3/0015 comprising tracks specially adapted therefor articulated tracks for vehicles, in general B62D55/20
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/06 with tracks without ground wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/084 Endless-track units or carriages mounted separably, adjustably or extensibly on vehicles, e.g. portable track units B62D55/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners

Abstract

A modular pool cleaning robot is disclosed. The pool cleaning robot includes easily replaceable and/or interchangeable parts and allows for various end-user selectable configurations without the use of tools and without complex and time-consuming large-scale disassembly. Among these parts are a chassis and drive assembly. The drive assembly is removable securable to the chassis via a snap engagement effectuated by pressing the drive assembly against the chassis, without the use of any external fasteners or any tools. The drive assembly detaches from the chassis when a lateral force is exerted on the drive assembly.

Claims

1. A motorized, submersible, automatic cleaning device comprising:

a chassis;

a drive assembly that is removably secured to the chassis via a snap engagement effectuated by pressing the drive assembly against the chassis, wherein the drive assembly detaches from the chassis upon exertion of a lateral force on the drive assembly without the use of any separate fasteners or any tools.

2. The motorized, submersible, automatic cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the chassis comprises:

a front end and a rear end; and

a side extending between the front end and the rear end, wherein the drive assembly is removably secured to the side.

3. The motorized, submersible, automatic cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the chassis comprises:

an upper chassis; and

a lower chassis disposed beneath and coupled to the upper chassis, wherein the drive assembly is removably secured to the lower chassis.

4. The motorized, submersible, automatic cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the snap engagement comprises:

a releasable engagement between a detent included on the drive assembly and an opening defined by the chassis.

5. The motorized, submersible, automatic cleaning device of claim 4, wherein the lateral force detaches the drive assembly from the chassis when the lateral force disengages the detent from the opening.

6. The motorized, submersible, automatic cleaning device of claim 4, wherein the drive assembly further comprises:

a plurality of clasps, wherein the drive assembly is further removably secured to the chassis by engaging the plurality of clasps with a plurality of couplers included on the chassis.

7. The motorized, submersible, automatic cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of clasps slidably engage the plurality of couplers before the detent is releasably secured in the opening to effectuate the snap engagement.

8. The motorized, submersible, automatic cleaning device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of clasps and the plurality of couplers releasably secure the drive assembly to the chassis with respect to an x-direction and a z-direction that is perpendicular to the x-direction while the detent and the opening releasably secure the drive assembly to the chassis with respect to a y-direction that is perpendicular to the x-direction and the z-direction.

9. The motorized, submersible, automatic cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly is rapidly, removably coupled to the chassis without disassembling or rearranging any other parts or assemblies included in the motorized, submersible, automatic cleaning device.