Directional control for dual brush robotic pool cleaners
First Claim
1. A method of controlling the directional movement of a self-propelled robotic pool cleaner comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a pool cleaner having a first and second pair of dual brushes co-axially mounted at opposite ends of the pool cleaner for rotation on axles that are transverse to the direction of movement, the first pair of brushes being mounted on one side and the second pair of brushes mounted on the opposite side of the cleaner, the pool cleaner being propelled by the rotation of the brushes, said pool cleaner having at least one drive motor operatively connected to the first pair of brushes for synchronous drive;
b. activating the at least one drive motor to propel the pool cleaner in a first direction along a generally straight path by the synchronous rotation of the first and second pair of brushes;
c. stopping and reversing the drive motor to rotate the first pair of brushes at a greater angular rotational velocity than the second pair of brushes thereby pivoting the pool cleaner through a predetermined angular change in direction; and
d. resuming the synchronous rotation of the second pair of dual brushes with the first pair of brushes, whereby the pool cleaner moves in a second direction along a generally straight path that is angularly displaced from the first direction.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-propelled robotic pool cleaner (100) has a first pair of driven brushes (12, 14) and second pair of free brushes co-axially mounted for rotation on axles (16) at the opposite ends of the pool cleaner that are transverse to the direction of movement. The first pair of brushes are mounted on one side and are driven by a drive motor (110); the second pair of brushes are mounted on the opposite side of the cleaner. A rotational delay clutch (30) is co-axially positioned between each pair of the first and second brushes so that reversing the drive motor causes the first pair of driven brushes to temporarily rotate at an angular rotational velocity that is greater than that of the second pair of brushes, thereby pivoting the pool cleaner through a predetermined angular change in direction before the synchronous rotation of the second pair of dual brushes is initiated by the engagement of the clutch. Following each reversal, the pool cleaner moves in a new direction along a generally straight path that is angularly displaced from its prior path. A highly efficient cleaning program permits the use of a battery to power the drive and water pump motors in pool cleaners that ascend the side walls as well as cleaning the bottom surface.
42 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of controlling the directional movement of a self-propelled robotic pool cleaner comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a pool cleaner having a first and second pair of dual brushes co-axially mounted at opposite ends of the pool cleaner for rotation on axles that are transverse to the direction of movement, the first pair of brushes being mounted on one side and the second pair of brushes mounted on the opposite side of the cleaner, the pool cleaner being propelled by the rotation of the brushes, said pool cleaner having at least one drive motor operatively connected to the first pair of brushes for synchronous drive;
b. activating the at least one drive motor to propel the pool cleaner in a first direction along a generally straight path by the synchronous rotation of the first and second pair of brushes;
c. stopping and reversing the drive motor to rotate the first pair of brushes at a greater angular rotational velocity than the second pair of brushes thereby pivoting the pool cleaner through a predetermined angular change in direction; and
d. resuming the synchronous rotation of the second pair of dual brushes with the first pair of brushes, whereby the pool cleaner moves in a second direction along a generally straight path that is angularly displaced from the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A self-propelled robotic pool cleaner comprising:
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a. a pool cleaner housing having a first and second pair of dual brushes co-axially mounted at opposite ends of the housing for rotation on axles that are transverse to the direction of movement, the first pair of brushes being mounted on one side and the second pair of brushes mounted on the opposite side of the cleaner, the pool cleaner being propelled by the rotation of the brushes;
b. at least one reversible drive motor operatively connected for synchronously driving the first pair of brushes c. a controller for controlling the direction of rotation of the at least one drive motor and thereby the directional movement of the pool cleaner; and
d. a rotational delay clutch assembly that is co-axially positioned between each pair of the first and second brushes, whereby a reversal in the direction of rotation of the first pair of driven brushes temporarily disengages the clutch from the second pair of brushes thereby pivoting the pool cleaner through a predetermined angular change in direction before initiating the synchronous rotation of the second pair of brushes, whereby the pool cleaner moves in a direction along a generally straight path that is angularly displaced from the direction prior to the reversal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification