Pool cleaner impeller subassembly

• US 10,767,382 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2018
• Issued: 09/08/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Hayes, Graham M., Teuscher, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Prince, Fred
• Application Number:
  US15/886,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20180328065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 21016711, 21016716, 21016717, 210232, 2104161, 2104162, 15 17
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/001 Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/385 by centrifuging suspensions centrifuges B04B
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/42 from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/002 Construction details of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2203/008 Mobile apparatus and plants, e.g. mounted on a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners that remove debris from water using a plurality of cyclonic flows, or that include a removable impeller subassembly, a check valve for a debris canister, a particle separator assembly having a handle that locks to the pool cleaner, a modular roller drive gear box, or a roller latch that secures a roller to the pool cleaner. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to the check valve and the roller latch themselves. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a filter medium for pool cleaners that includes embossments providing flow channels for water, and to roller assemblies for pool cleaners. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners including alternative pump motor engagements. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners power supplies that include a potted and contoured power board assembly, and to kickstands therefor. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pool cleaner caddy, and removable wheels therefor.

Claims

1. A pool cleaner for a pool or spa, comprising:

a canister that collects and retains debris from water being cleaned by the pool cleaner, including an inlet, a top, and a bottom having an opening, the canister having an inner chamber, an outlet being provided proximal the top;

an impeller subassembly that expels the cleaned pool water from the outlet into the pool or spa, comprising;

a sleeve having a first end and a second end;

a shaft including a first end and a second end, the shaft positioned within the sleeve, the shaft being rotatable within the sleeve;

an impeller engaged with the first end of the shaft; and

a guard secured to the sleeve proximal the outlet,

at least a portion of the impeller subassembly being positioned within the inner chamber with the sleeve and shaft extending therethrough with the second end of the sleeve being adjacent the opening;

wherein the guard can be disengaged allowing the impeller subassembly to be removed from the inner chamber as a single unit.

2. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein the guard is a diffuser that includes a shroud defining an inner chamber and the impeller is positioned within the inner chamber of the shroud and radially spaced from the shroud.

3. The pool cleaner of claim 2, wherein the shroud includes an open end having a plurality of fins, the impeller being axially spaced from the fins.

4. The pool cleaner of claim 1, comprising at least one bearing positioned about the shaft and between the shaft and the sleeve,

wherein the shaft is configured to slide axially within the at least one bearing.

5. The pool cleaner of claim 4, wherein the shaft further comprises a first coupling member configured to engage a second coupling member of a motor.

6. The pool cleaner of claim 5, wherein the shaft slides axially within the at least one bearing upon engagement with the second coupling member and absorbs impact forces.

7. The pool cleaner of claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes a plurality of mounting bosses and the guard includes a plurality of mounting protrusions configured to be secured with the plurality of mounting bosses to secure the guard to the sleeve.

8. The pool cleaner of claim 1, comprising a filter medium disposed within the inner chamber.

9. An impeller subassembly for a pool cleaner that cleans water of a pool or spa, comprising:

a sleeve having a first end and a second end;

a shaft including a first end and a second end, the shaft positioned within the sleeve, the shaft being rotatable within the sleeve;

an impeller engaged with the first end of the shaft; and

a guard secured to the sleeve,

wherein the impeller subassembly expels cleaned water from an outlet into the pool or spa, is configured to be removably secured to a debris container that collects and retains debris from the water being cleaned, and can be removed from said debris container as a single unit.

10. The impeller subassembly of claim 9, wherein the guard is a diffuser that includes a shroud defining an inner chamber and the impeller is positioned within the inner chamber of the shroud and radially spaced from the shroud.

11. The impeller subassembly of claim 10, wherein the shroud includes an open end having a plurality of fins, the impeller being axially spaced from the fins.

12. The impeller subassembly of claim 9, comprising at least one bearing positioned about the shaft and between the shaft and the sleeve,

wherein the shaft is configured to slide axially within the at least one bearing.

13. The impeller subassembly of claim 12, wherein the shaft further comprises a first coupling member configured to engage a second coupling member of a motor.

14. The impeller subassembly of claim 13, wherein the shaft slides axially within the at least one bearing upon engagement with the second coupling member and absorbs impact forces.

15. The impeller subassembly of claim 9, wherein the sleeve includes a plurality of mounting bosses and the guard includes a plurality of mounting protrusions configured to be secured with the plurality of mounting bosses to secure the guard to the sleeve.

16. The impeller subassembly of claim 9 in combination with the pool cleaner.

17. The impeller subassembly of claim 9 in combination with the debris container.

18. The impeller subassembly of claim 9, wherein the shaft further comprises a first coupling member configured to engage a second coupling member of a motor.

19. The impeller subassembly of claim 18 in combination with the motor.

20. The impeller subassembly of claim 19, wherein the impeller is configured to be rotationally driven by the motor through at least the shaft to expel cleaned water into the pool or spa.