Electrochemical chlorine generator assembly for use in pool cleaner

• US 9,353,541 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2012
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, LLC (Fluidra, S.A.)
• Original Assignee: Aqua Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Porat, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilkins, III, Harry D
• Application Number:
  US13/613,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20130001074A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4674 with halogen or compound of halogens, e.g. chlorine, bromine
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4618 Supplying or removing reactants or electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2305/02 Specific form of oxidant
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/12 as part of household appliances such as dishwashers, laundry washing machines or vacuum cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1281 Devices for distributing chemical products in the water of swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3255 using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS

Abstract

An automated self-propelled pool cleaner having a housing, a water pump for moving water through the housing and drive means for moving the pool cleaner over the surface of a salt water pool to be cleaned includes an electrochemical chlorine generator assembly mounted in the housing having an electrochemical cell that is manually releasable from its mounting system in order to permit the cell to be safely secured in place inside the housing for operation and manually removed when necessary for maintenance, repair or replacement by the user without special tools or training.

Claims

1. A robotic pool cleaner having an exterior housing and an electrochemical chlorine generator assembly mounted inside the housing, the electrochemical chlorine generator assembly comprising a plurality of conductive electrodes forming a cell, the electrodes being operatively connected to generator terminals for receiving power from a power source, a case constructed of a non-conductive material in which the plurality of electrodes are mounted, the case having passages for the movement of pool water across the chlorine-generating surfaces of the electrodes, mounting means on the case for securely engaging corresponding receiving means on a structural member of the pool cleaner housing for securing the electrochemical chlorine generator assembly in an operable position in which the generator terminals are in mating contact with power conductors mounted in the pool cleaner, and manually releasable engagement surfaces for separating the mounting and receiving means to thereby permit removal of the electrochemical chlorine generator assembly from the interior of the pool cleaner housing.

2. The pool cleaner of claim 1 which includes a biasing member to urge the mounting means and the receiving means into secure engagement.

3. The pool cleaner of claim 2 in which the surfaces of the mounting means and receiving means are configured to slidingly pass each other against the force applied by the biasing member.

4. The pool cleaner of claim 1 in which the manually releasable engagement surface is part of the receiving means.

5. The pool cleaner of claim 1 in which each of the mounting means and receiving means includes at least one contact surface configured to engage a corresponding surface, the respective contact surfaces extending generally transverse to the direction of relative movement between the mounting and receiving means.

6. The pool cleaner of claim 1 in which the mounting and receiving means comprise a projecting T-shaped flange and a T-shaped open channel for receiving the flange in sliding relation.

7. The pool cleaner of claim 1 in which the case includes a manual gripping surface to facilitate its engagement with, and removal from the receiving means.

8. The pool cleaner of claim 1, where the receiving means is an integral portion of the structural member of the pool cleaner.

9. The pool cleaner of claim 1, where the receiving means is securely attached to the structural member of the pool cleaner.

10. An electrochemical chlorine generator assembly configured for mounting inside a robotic pool cleaner housing, the electrochemical chlorine generator assembly comprising:

a. an electrochemical cell formed from a plurality of conductive electrodes operatively connected to generator terminals for receiving power from a power source,

b. a case constructed of a non-conductive material in which the plurality of electrodes are mounted, the case having passages for the movement of pool water across the chlorine-generating surfaces of the electrodes,

c. mounting means on the case for securely engaging corresponding receiving means,

d. receiving means configured and dimensioned for assembly to, or formed with a member of the pool cleaner housing for securing the electrochemical chlorine generator assembly in an operable position in which the generator terminals are in mating contact with power conductors mounted in the pool cleaner,

e. the mounting means including manually releasable engagement surfaces for separating the mounting and receiving means to thereby permit removal of the electrochemical chlorine generator case from the interior of the pool cleaner housing.

11. The assembly of claim 10 which includes a biasing member to urge the mounting means and the receiving means into secure engagement.

12. The assembly of claim 11 in which the biasing force is provided by an integrally-molded flexible polymeric member formed in the mounting means.

13. The assembly of claim 10 in which the cell is separable from the case for repair and replacement.

14. The assembly of claim 10 in which the cell and case are constructed as a disposable unitary structure.

15. The assembly of claim 10 in which the mounting and receiving means are fabricated from a chlorine-resistant polymeric material.

16. The assembly of claim 10 in which the cell is maintained in an operating position by engagement of a plurality of opposed interlocking members.

17. A robotic pool cleaner having an exterior housing and an electrochemical chlorine generator assembly mounted inside the housing, the electrochemical chlorine generator assembly comprising a plurality of conductive electrodes forming a cell, the electrodes being operatively connected to generator terminals for receiving power from a power source, a case constructed of a non-conductive material in which the plurality of electrodes are mounted, the case having passages for the movement of pool water across the chlorine-generating surfaces of the electrodes, at least one mounting member on the case for securely engaging at least one corresponding receiving member on a structural member of the pool cleaner housing for securing the electrochemical chlorine generator assembly in an operable position in which the generator terminals are in mating contact with power conductors mounted in the pool cleaner, and manually releasable engagement surfaces for separating the at least one mounting and receiving members to thereby permit removal of the electrochemical chlorine generator assembly from the interior of the pool cleaner housing.

18. An electrochemical chlorine generator assembly configured for mounting inside a robotic pool cleaner housing, the electrochemical chlorine generator assembly comprising:

a. an electrochemical cell formed from a plurality of conductive electrodes operatively connected to generator terminals for receiving power from a power source,

b. a case constructed of a non-conductive material in which the plurality of electrodes are mounted, the case having passages for the movement of pool water across the chlorine-generating surfaces of the electrodes,

c. at least one mounting member on the case for securely engaging at least one corresponding receiving member,

d. the at least one receiving member configured and dimensioned for assembly to, or formed with a structural member of the pool cleaner housing for securing the electrochemical chlorine generator assembly in an operable position in which the generator terminals are in mating contact with power conductors mounted in the pool cleaner,

e. the at least one mounting member including manually releasable engagement surfaces for separating the mounting and receiving members to thereby permit removal of the electrochemical chlorine generator case from the interior of the pool cleaner housing.