SMART BOAT FOR SWIMMING POOL MAINTENANCE

• US 20200135000A1
• Filed: 10/25/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: King Abdul AZIZ University
• Original Assignee: King Abdul AZIZ University
• Inventors: ASIRI, Saeed
• Granted Patent: US 10,713,918 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/00 Vessels specially adapted for water sports or leisure; Body-supporting devices specially adapted for water sports or leisure water sports boards B63B32/00; swimming frameworks A63B35/00; propulsion arrangements actuated by muscle power B63H16/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/76 with halogens or compounds of halogens C02F1/4674 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/42 from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/008 Mobile apparatus and plants, e.g. mounted on a vehicle for biological treatment C02F2203/008
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/06 pH
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/29 Chlorine compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/24 Separation of coarse particles, e.g. by using sieves or screens
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0011 associated with a remote control arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0206 specially adapted to water vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/084 by monitoring physical movement characteristics of the water
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold

Abstract

A swimming pool Smart Boat for pool maintenance and water safety is described. The Smart Boat includes chlorine and pH sensors for monitoring water quality and is capable of releasing chemicals into the pool water based on monitoring. A screen panel is configured to trap debris in the pool. Additionally, the Smart Boat provides for water safety by monitoring water disturbances which indicate a swimmer has entered the pool and sending an alert based on the detection of a disturbance. A remote control unit provides alerts and controls navigation, the release of chemicals and the screen panel position.

Claims

1. A smart boat for swimming pool maintenance and water safety, comprising:

a hull having bottom, front, rear, first side and second side and a central axis extending from the front side to the rear side;

a propeller located at the rear of the hull;

a first rudder located at the rear of the hull near the first side;

a second rudder located at the rear of the hull near the second side;

a first sliding gate, located on the first side of the hull, the first sliding gate including at least one reservoir of chlorine;

a second sliding gate, located on the second side of the hull, the second sliding gate including at least one reservoir of acid;

a first slider-crank mechanism located on the first side of the hull and operatively connected to the first sliding gate;

a second slider-crank mechanism located on the second side of the hull and operatively connected to the second sliding gate;

a screen panel located at the front of the hull, wherein the screen panel is connected to helical gears which raise or lower the screen panel;

a plurality of motors, wherein each of the propeller, the screen panel and the first and second slider-crank mechanisms is connected to at least one motor of the plurality of motors;

a vibration sensor located on the rear of the hull;

a chlorine sensor located at the front of the hull;

a pH sensor located at the front of the hull;

a rechargeable battery;

at least one lighting unit;

a communications unit located within the hull;

a controller located in the hull, the controller operatively connected to the motors, the battery, the lighting unit and the communications unit; and

wherein the controller is further operatively connected to receive measurement signals from the vibration sensor, the chlorine sensor and the pH sensor.

2. The smart boat of claim 1,

wherein the first slider-crank mechanism further comprises a first slider base and a first slider gate having four chlorine reservoirs, each chlorine reservoir configured to hold a quantity of a chlorine;

wherein the second slider-crank mechanism further comprises a second slider base and a second slider gate having four acid reservoirs, each acid reservoir configured to hold a quantity of acid;

wherein a first movement of the first slider gate towards the front of the hull releases a quantity of the chlorine from a first chlorine reservoir into the water;

wherein a first movement of the second slider gate towards the front of the hull releases a quantity of the acid from a first acid reservoir into the water.

3. The smart boat of claim 2,

wherein the first slider crank mechanism further comprises a first slider rod and a first slider crank rod,

wherein the first slider rod comprises a perpendicular pin at a first end configured for connecting to a slot in the first slider gate,

wherein the first slider rod comprises a pivot pin at a second end,

wherein the first slider crank rod comprises a first end configured for connecting to the pivot pin of the first slider rod,

wherein the first slider crank rod comprises a first shaft hole configured to connect to a shaft of a first motor of the plurality of motors;

wherein the second slider crank mechanism further comprises a second slider rod and a second slider crank rod,

wherein the second slider rod comprises a perpendicular pin at a first end configured for connecting to a second through hole in the second slider gate,

wherein the second slider rod comprises a pivot pin at a second end;

wherein the second slider crank rod comprises a first end configured for connecting to the pivot pin of the second slider rod,

wherein the second slider crank rod comprises a second shaft hole configured to connect to a shaft of a second motor of the plurality of motors.

4. The smart boat of claim 1, wherein a decorative fountain is located at the front of the hull, the decorative fountain connected to a tapered plenum attached to a water scoop located beneath the hull.

5. The smart boat of claim 1,

wherein the first rudder comprises a first rudder arm, a first rudder joint, a first rudder pin and a first steering rod, wherein first rudder arm and the first rudder joint are connected together, and the first steering rod is connected at a first end to the first rudder arm by the first rudder pin and at a second end to a third motor;

wherein the second rudder comprises a second rudder arm, a second rudder joint, a second rudder pin and a second steering rod, wherein second rudder arm and the second rudder joint are connected together, and the second steering rod is connected at a first end to the second rudder arm by the second rudder pin and at a second end to the third motor;

wherein the fourth motor is connected through a first relay to the shaft of the propeller and the fifth motor is connected through a second relay to the shaft of the propeller.

6. The smart boat of claim 5, wherein the screen panel further comprises:

a boat net, a first net shaft and a second net shaft, gears, wherein the gears comprise a first and second turning pinion gear, a first and second lifting pinion gear, a worm gear, a worm gear turning shaft, the worm turning gear shaft having a first end, a second end and a center;

wherein the first end of the first net shaft is connected to a first side of the boat net and the second end of the first net shaft is connected to the first lifting pinion;

wherein the worm gear is operatively connected to the center of the worm gear turning shaft;

wherein the first end of the second net shaft is connected to a second side of the boat net, the second side of the boat net opposing the first side of the boat net, and wherein the second end of the second net shaft is connected to the second lifting pinion;

wherein the first side of the worm gear turning shaft is further connected to the first turning pinion;

wherein the second side of the worm gear turning shaft is further connected to the second turning pinion;

wherein the worm gear is operatively connected to a fourth and fifth motor of the plurality of motors;

wherein the first turning pinion gear and the first lifting pinion gear intermesh to provide raising of the screen panel when the fourth motor turns the worm gear in a first direction; and

wherein the second turning pinion gear and the second lifting pinion gear intermesh to provide lowering of the screen panel when the fifth motor turns the worm gear in a second direction opposite the first direction.

7. The smart boat of claim 1, further comprising an electronics cover and a top cover;

wherein the electronics cover is placed over the motors, communication unit, battery and controller;

wherein the electronics cover is hermetically sealed to protect the motors, communication unit, battery and controller;

wherein the top cover is connected to a framework on the first and second sides of the hull, and is located above the electronics cover;

wherein the top cover is transparent and comprises a plurality of solar cells on an underside of the cover,

wherein the solar cells are configured to generate electricity from rays of the sun impinging on the cover;

wherein the top cover is electrically connected to the battery; and

wherein the battery is configured to be recharged by electricity generated by the solar cells.

8. The smart boat of claim 1, further comprising a remote control unit,

wherein the remote control unit is operatively connected to receive communications from the communication unit and to transmit control signals to the communication unit;

wherein the remote control unit includes a display;

wherein the display is configured to display first alerts regarding swimming pool chemical status and second alerts regarding the motions of a body in the swimming pool;

wherein the display includes a user interface, wherein the user interface is configured to receive user input regarding the first and second alerts, and to transmit first and second control signals to the communication unit based on the user input.

9. The smart boat of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to operate the motors to actuate the propeller to propel the boat, move the rudders to steer the boat, turn the worm gear to lift the screen panel and actuate the first and second slider-crank mechanisms based upon control signals received from the remote control unit.

10. The smart boat of claim 1, wherein the vibration sensor, the chlorine sensor and the pH sensor are configured to transmit measurement signals to the controller, and wherein the controller has circuitry configured to receive the measurement signals, process the measurement signals to determine an alert status, and control the communications unit to transmit the alert status to the remote control.

11. The smart boat of claim 10, the controller further comprising a sound generator,

wherein the sound generator produces a whistling noise when an alert status is determined;

and

the controller further actuates the lighting unit to flash lights when the alert status is determined.

12. A method for controlling a smart boat for swimming pool maintenance and water safety, the swimming pool containing a volume of water, comprising:

a steering process, including;

receiving, at a communication unit operatively coupled to a controller, a forward navigation control signal from a remote control unit;

actuating, by the controller, a first motor coupled to a propeller, wherein the actuation of the first motor rotates the propeller in a clockwise direction causing the smart boat to move forward;

receiving, at the communication unit, a reverse navigation control signal from the remote control unit;

actuating, by the controller, a second motor coupled to the propeller, wherein the actuation of the second motor rotates the propeller in a counterclockwise direction causing the smart boat to move backwards;

receiving, at the communication unit, a rudder control signal from the remote control unit;

actuating, by the controller, a third motor, causing at least one rudder to move to a first side or to a second side, wherein movement of the rudder causes the smart boat to move in a leftwards direction or in a rightwards direction;

a chemical maintenance process, including;

measuring, by a chlorine sensor, the quantity of chlorine in the swimming pool water; and

actuating, by the controller, a fourth motor to release a quantity of chlorine into the water.

13. The method for controlling the smart boat of claim 12, the chemical maintenance process further including:

receiving, by a controller operatively connected to the chlorine sensor, the measurement of the quantity of chlorine;

processing, by the controller, the measurement of the quantity of chlorine to determine whether the quantity of chlorine is below a chlorine threshold level;

transmitting, by the communication unit, a chlorine alert signal to the remote control unit when the quantity of chlorine is below the chlorine threshold level;

displaying, on a display of the remote control unit, the chlorine alert;

receiving, at a user interface of the remote control unit, a user input related to the alert and generating a chlorine control signal;

transmitting the chlorine control signal to the communications unit of the controller;

receiving, by the controller, the chlorine control signal;

actuating a first slider-crank mechanism by the fourth motor, the first slider-crank mechanism further operatively connected to a first sliding gate having a plurality of chlorine reservoirs, wherein actuating the fourth motor causes the first slider-crank mechanism to open the first sliding gate and release the quantity of chlorine into the water;

measuring, by an acid sensor, the quantity of acid in the swimming pool water;

receiving, by the controller which is operatively connected to the acid sensor, the measurement of the quantity of acid;

processing, by the controller, the measurement of the quantity of acid to determine whether the quantity of acid is below an acid threshold level;

transmitting, by the communication unit, an acid alert signal to the remote control unit when the quantity of acid is below the acid threshold level;

displaying, on a display of the remote control unit, the acid alert;

receiving, at a user interface of the remote control unit, a user input related to the acid alert and generating an acid control signal;

transmitting the acid control signal to the communications unit of the controller;

receiving, by the controller, the acid control signal;

actuating, by the controller, a fifth motor operatively connected to a second slider-crank mechanism, the second slider-crank mechanism further operatively connected to a second sliding gate having a plurality of acid reservoirs, wherein actuating the fifth motor causes the second slider-crank mechanism to move the second sliding gate to release a quantity of acid into the water.

14. The method for controlling the smart boat of claim 12, further comprising:

a water safety process, including;

measuring, by a turbulence sensor within the smart boat, vibrations caused by turbulence of the water in the swimming pool, wherein high turbulence indicates that a body has entered the swimming pool;

receiving, by the controller which is operatively connected to the turbulence sensor, measurements of the vibrations;

processing, by the controller, the measurements of the vibrations to determine whether the vibrations are above a turbulence threshold level;

sounding, by a sound generator operatively connected to the controller, a whistle noise to alert at least one listener that a body has entered the swimming pool;

actuating, by the controller, a lighting unit on the smart boat, wherein actuating the lighting unit causes the lighting unit to flash lights;

transmitting, by the communication unit, a turbulence alert to the remote control unit when the vibrations are above the turbulence threshold level;

displaying the turbulence alert on the remote control display;

sounding an alarm, by a sound generator within the remote control unit, to notify at least one user that a body has entered the swimming pool.

15. The method for controlling the smart boat of claim 12, further comprising:

a debris collection process, including;

receiving, at the user interface of the remote control unit, a user input regarding operation of a screen panel of the smart boat;

transmitting, by the remote control unit, a screen panel control signal to the communications unit of the smart boat;

receiving, by the communication unit, the screen panel control signal;

actuating at least one of a first relay connected to the first motor to raise the screen and a second relay connected to the second motor to lower the screen panel, based on the screen panel control signal.

16. The method for controlling the smart boat of claim 12, further comprising:

a power generation process, including;

connecting a top cover to the smart boat, wherein the top cover is transparent and comprises a plurality of solar cells on an underside of the top cover, generating, with the solar cells, electricity from rays of the sun impinging on the cover;

electrically connecting the top cover to the battery; and

recharging the battery by the electricity generated by the solar cells.

17. The method for controlling the smart boat of claim 12, further comprising:

connecting a decorative fountain to the front of the smart boat, the decorative fountain having a tapered plenum attached to a water scoop located beneath the smart boat;

operating the first motor to cause the boat to move forward;

scooping water by the water scoop as a result of the forward motion;

compressing the water through the tapered plenum;

generating a fountain of water due to the compressing.

18. A system for swimming pool maintenance and water safety, comprising:

a smart boat, wherein the smart boat includes a propulsion system, a steering system, at least one chemical sensing system including at least one chemical sensor, a water turbulence measuring system including a water turbulence sensor, a chemical replenishing system, a debris collection system, a controller having processing circuitry and a communication unit;

a remote control unit for transmitting control signals to the communication unit to actuate the propulsion system, steer the smart boat, replenish chemicals and operate the debris collection system;

wherein the controller receives chemical measurement signals from the at least one chemical sensor regarding a level of chemical in the swimming pool water, processes the signals, compares the chemical measurement signals to a threshold level, and transmits, by the communication unit, an alert to the remote control unit when the level of chemical is below a chemical threshold level;

wherein the remote control unit receives the alert, displays the alert upon a display operatively connected to the remote control unit and sounds an alarm to notify a user of the alert;

wherein the remote control unit further comprises a user interface to receive a user input regarding the alert, generates a control signal based on the user input and transmits the control signal to the communication unit;

wherein the controller receives the control signal from the communication unit and transmits at least one actuation signal to replenish the chemical;

wherein the controller further receives water turbulence measurement signals from the water turbulence sensor regarding the turbulence in the swimming pool water, processes the water turbulence measurement signals, compares the water turbulence measurement signals to a threshold level, and transmits, by the communication unit, an safety alert to the remote control unit when the water turbulence measurement is above a water turbulence threshold level;

wherein the remote control unit receives the safety alert, displays the safety alert upon a display operatively connected to the remote control unit and sounds an alarm to notify a user of the safety alert.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the user interface of the remote control further comprises buttons for generating control signals to propel the boat forward, propel the boat backwards, steer the boat to the left or right, raise or lower a screen panel of the debris collection system and release chemicals.