Motion detection and control for automated pool cleaner
DCFirst Claim
1. An automated power-driven pool cleaning apparatus utilized for cleaning the surface of a bottom or side wall of a pool or tank and including a programmable control device for directing movement of said apparatus across the wall, said apparatus comprising:
- a motion translating member mounted for contacting the surface of the wall being cleaned, said motion translating member moving as said apparatus moves across the surface;
a signal transmitter for transmitting signals in accordance with movement of said motion translating member; and
a sensor mounted to receive signals from said signal transmitter and for providing an output indicative of signals received to the programmable control device, which is programmed to change a direction of movement of said apparatus when the output of said sensor indicates that said apparatus has not moved within a prescribed period of time, wherein said signal transmitter is responsive to normal movement of said motion translating member to transmit at least one signal during each unit of time equal in duration to the prescribed period of time, and wherein the output of said sensor indicates that said apparatus has not moved within the prescribed period of time when no signal is received by said sensor within the prescribed period of time.
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Abstract
An automated power-driven pool cleaning apparatus is provided with a motion translating member that contacts the surface being cleaned, an associated signal transmitter and a sensor that is connected to the pool cleaner'"'"'s programmed electronic control device, or chip, so that when the cleaner is moving, the mtm moves the signal transmitter past the sensor thereby providing an intermittent signal. When the cleaner stops moving, no intermittent signal is received and after a predetermined period of time, the control device causes the cleaner'"'"'s drive means to move the cleaner in a different direction.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An automated power-driven pool cleaning apparatus utilized for cleaning the surface of a bottom or side wall of a pool or tank and including a programmable control device for directing movement of said apparatus across the wall, said apparatus comprising:
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a motion translating member mounted for contacting the surface of the wall being cleaned, said motion translating member moving as said apparatus moves across the surface;
a signal transmitter for transmitting signals in accordance with movement of said motion translating member; and
a sensor mounted to receive signals from said signal transmitter and for providing an output indicative of signals received to the programmable control device, which is programmed to change a direction of movement of said apparatus when the output of said sensor indicates that said apparatus has not moved within a prescribed period of time, wherein said signal transmitter is responsive to normal movement of said motion translating member to transmit at least one signal during each unit of time equal in duration to the prescribed period of time, and wherein the output of said sensor indicates that said apparatus has not moved within the prescribed period of time when no signal is received by said sensor within the prescribed period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification