Two-wheel actuator steering system and method for pool cleaner

• US 9,476,216 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2014
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Kumar, Satheesh, Maurya, Om Prakash, Sanwal, Narender
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, DUNG V
• Application Number:
  US14/204,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20140251038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/10 using gearings with differential power outputs on opposite sides, e.g. twin-differential or epicyclic gears
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18296 Cam and slide

Abstract

Some embodiments provide a pool cleaner including a first drive wheel, a second drive wheel, a turbine paddle, and a steering system. The turbine paddle is configured to rotate based on water movement through the pool cleaner. The steering system is engaged with the first drive wheel, the second drive wheel, and the turbine paddle and is driven by rotation of the turbine paddle. The steering system includes a cam with a first cam profile and a second cam profile different from the first cam profile. The steering system is configured to drive the pool cleaner in forward, reverse, and turn movements by rotating the first drive wheel based on the first cam profile and rotating the second drive wheel based on the second cam profile.

Claims

1. A pool cleaner comprising:

a first drive wheel;

a second drive wheel;

a turbine paddle rotating based on water movement through the pool cleaner; and

a steering system engaged with the first drive wheel, the second drive wheel, and the turbine paddle,

the steering system being driven by rotation of the turbine paddle,

the steering system including a cam with a first cam profile and a second cam profile different from the first cam profile; and

the steering system driving the pool cleaner in forward, reverse, and turn movements by rotating the first drive wheel based on the first cam profile and rotating the second drive wheel based on the second cam profile.

2. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein the steering system drives the pool cleaner in forward, reverse, and turn movements in a timed cycle based on the first cam profile and the second cam profile, and wherein the steering system is configured to continuously repeat the timed cycle during operation of the pool cleaner.

3. The pool cleaner of claim 2, wherein the steering system rotates the first and second drive wheels in forward and reverse directions at different times within the timed cycle.

4. The pool cleaner of claim 2, wherein the steering system drives the pool cleaner in forward, reverse and turn movements in the timed cycle by independently rotating the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel.

5. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein the first cam profile includes a first surface, the first surface having a first annular portion and one or more of a first indent and a first protrusion, and the second cam profile includes a second surface, the second surface having a second annular portion and one or more of a second indent and a second protrusion.

6. The pool cleaner of claim 5 further comprising a first actuator in communication with the first surface of the first cam profile and a second actuator in communication with the second surface of the second cam profile.

7. The pool cleaner of claim 6, wherein the cam rotates based on the rotation of the turbine paddle, the first actuator includes a first actuator pin in contact with the first surface of the first cam profile as the cam rotates, and the second actuator includes a second actuator pin in contact with the second surface of the second cam profile as the cam rotates.

8. The pool cleaner of claim 7, wherein first actuator causes the first wheel to rotate in a forward direction when the first actuator pin is in contact with the first annular portion of the first surface and causes the first wheel to rotate in a reverse direction when the first actuator pin is in contact with the one or more of the first indent and the first protrusion, and wherein the second actuator causes the second wheel to rotate in a forward direction when the second actuator pin is in contact with the second annular portion of the second surface and causes the second wheel to rotate in a reverse direction when the second actuator is in contact with the one or more of the second indent and the second protrusion.

9. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein the pool cleaner is configured to provide suction for cleaning continuously as the steering system drives the pool cleaner in the forward, reverse, and turn movements.