Random motion suction cleaner

• US 3,892,282 A
• Filed: 07/18/1972
• Issued: 07/01/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stanley S. Wulc
• Original Assignee: Stanley S. Wulc
• Inventors: Wulc, Stanley S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friaglia, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pekar, John A.
• Application Number:
  US05/272,846
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 180/6.5,79,79.1,6.28,2,98 15/1.7 56/10.2 46/244R
• US Class Current: 180/6.5
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners

Abstract

A self-propelled device adapted to move along the bottom of swimming pools or other water tanks in a random pattern to clean the surface thereof. The cleaner has low-voltage motors for driving, sensing means to sense contact with walls, and electronic logic means to direct the motion of the cleaner according to certain requirements. The cleaner has a suction inlet, a strainer, and is connected by means of a hose to a relatively high-voltage pump above the water level. The logic means provides for lock-out of spurious signals, pause times, and turning by selected drive wheel reversals. Various modifications and broad applications of certain of the principles are possible.

Claims

1. A random motion vehicle having a forward end and normally adapted to move in a straight line with said forward end leading across a horizontal surface, to sense an obstacle, to turn away from said obstacle, and to continue to move in a changed direction with said forward end leading, said vehicle comprising, a base, said base supporting the following means, only a left side forward end obstacle contact sensing means and a right side forward end obstacle contact sensing means, a left side independent drive means and a right side independent means, each said drive means including at least one motor and at least one wheel, each said wheel being rotatable only in a plane parallel to the direction of motion of said vehicle and driving a horizontal surface-contacting traction belt, a logic and control means operatively connected to said drive means and said sensing means to turn said vehicle to change said direction of motion, by sensing an obstacle contact sensing signal from one of said sensing means causing said logic and control means to initiate a programmed cycle of inStruction signals to said drive means, said cycle being;

left and right drive means pause, left and right drive means reverse;

left and right drive means pause;

one of said drive means drive reverse and the other of said drive means drive forward, left and right drive means pause;

left and right drive means resume normal forward drive.

2. A method of controlling a random motion vehicle having a first and second side, and a front and back, so that normal operation is in a straight line with said front leading and so that obstacles are turned from without a repeated pattern, a sensing means on each of said sides, and independent drive means on each of said sides, each of said drive means being capable of forward or reverse motion, comprising the steps of normally operating both drive means forward to provide straight line vehicle motion in a first direction, and when an obstacle is contacted by said sensing means on said first side, automatically turning said vehicle from said obstacle by operating both said drive means in reverse motion, then operating said drive means on said first side in forward motion and said drive means on said second side in reverse motion until said turn is completed, and then resuming normal straight line forward motion of said vehicle in a second direction by operating both said drive means forward.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein after said contact is made by said sensing means on said first side, said sensing means on said second side is inoperative until all steps have been completed.

4. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein between each of the recited steps, there is provided a period of pause during which both drive means are inoperative.