Pool cleaner with drive motor navigation capabilities

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10774556-B2
Application number	US-201715586288-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 4, 2017
Priority date	May 25, 2016
Publication date	Sep 15, 2020
Grant date	Sep 15, 2020

Abstract

A pool cleaner for cleaning a pool, the pool cleaner may include a filtering element for filtering fluid; at least one sensor for sensing an actual yaw of the pool cleaner and an actual orientation of the pool cleaner; at least one steering element that is configured to move the pool cleaner along a cleaning path, during a cleaning process of a certain region of a sidewall of the pool; wherein the cleaning path comprises a cleaning path segment that has a cleaning path segment yaw that is a non-vertical yaw; wherein the certain region is fully submerged; and a controller that is configured to control the at least one steering element, based on the actual yaw of the pool cleaner.

First claim

We claim:

1. A pool cleaner for cleaning a pool, the pool cleaner comprising:
a filtering element for filtering fluid;
at least one sensor for sensing an actual yaw of the pool cleaner and an actual orientation of the pool cleaner;
at least one steering element that is configured to move the pool cleaner along a cleaning path, during a cleaning process of a certain region of a sidewall of the pool;
wherein the cleaning path mostly includes horizontal cleaning path segments that have a cleaning path segment yaw that is a horizontal yaw; wherein the certain region is fully submerged; and
a controller that is configured to control the at least one steering element, based on the actual yaw of the pool cleaner.

2. The pool cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the at least one steering element is configured to move the pool cleaner at a forward direction along the horizontal cleaning path segments.

3. The pool cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the at least one steering element is configured to move the pool cleaner at a backward direction along the horizontal cleaning path segments.

4. The pool cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the at least one steering element comprises a jetting module.

5. The pool cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the at least one steering element comprises a steering module that is configured to independently drive different interfacing elements of the pool cleaner; wherein each said interfacing element interfaces between the pool cleaner and the pool.

6. The pool cleaner according to claim 5 wherein the at least one steering element further comprises a jetting module.

7. The pool cleaner according to claim 5 wherein the at least one steering element further comprises a maneuverable handle.

8. The pool cleaner according to claim 5 wherein the at least one steering element further comprises a jetting module and a maneuverable handle.

9. The pool cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the at least one steering element is configured to move the pool cleaner along the horizontal cleaning path segments while a longitudinal axis of the pool cleaner is tilted in relation to the horizontal cleaning path segments by a tilt angle that is smaller than ninety degrees.

10. The pool cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the at least one steering element is configured to move the pool cleaner along the horizontal cleaning path segments while a longitudinal axis of the pool cleaner is parallel to the horizontal cleaning path segments.

11. The pool cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the at least one steering element is configured to move the pool cleaner along each horizontal cleaning path segment while opposite sidewalls of the pool cleaner that differ from a front of the pool cleaner, are located on opposite sides of the each horizontal path segment.

12. The pool cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the at least one steering element is configured to turn the pool cleaner when moving between the horizontal cleaning path segments while maintaining contact with the pool sidewall.

Assignees

• Korenfeld Semion
• Witelson Shay
• Maytronics Ltd

Inventors

• Korenfeld Semion
• Witelson Shay

Classifications

• G05D1/628

  following the obstacle profile, e.g. a wall or undulated terrain · CPC title

• G05D1/648

  Performing a task within a working area or space, e.g. cleaning · CPC title

• G05D1/00

  Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots (drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles B60W60/00) · CPC title

• E04H4/1654 Primary

  Self-propelled cleaners · CPC title

• C02F1/001

  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 title