Drive controls principally for automatic swimming pool cleaners

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12000169-B2
Application number	US-202016966575-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 16, 2020
Priority date	Jul 18, 2019
Publication date	Jun 4, 2024
Grant date	Jun 4, 2024

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for counteracting, e.g., drift of automatic swimming pool cleaners are detailed. In particular, a drifting cleaner may recover its movement by altering traction speed of the motive element(s) on one side of its body. Such alteration may occur when the cleaner is travelling along a generally horizontally-oriented pool bottom, climbing up or down a wall, or otherwise moving within a pool.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising:
a. a body;
b. an orientation sensor;
c. a controller;
d. at least one drive mechanism;
e. a first motive element on a first side of the body; and
f. a second motive element on a second side of the body opposite the first side; and in which the at least one drive mechanism is configured to drive the first motive element at a different speed than the second motive element upon command of the controller when the orientation sensor senses that the body is oriented in a manner other than planned while the automatic swimming pool cleaner is climbing a wall.

2. A method of causing an automatic swimming pool cleaner having a body to counteract a deviation from an intended course while the automatic swimming pool cleaner is climbing a wall.

3. A method according to claim 2 in which counteraction of the deviation from the intended course occurs by driving a first motive element on a first side of the body at a different speed than a second motive element on a second side of the body opposite the first side.

Assignees

• Zodiac Pool Care Europe

Inventors

• Dallet Florent
• Duffaut Simon

Classifications

• G05D2111/52

  generated by inertial navigation means, e.g. gyroscopes or accelerometers · CPC title

• G05D1/646

  Following a predefined trajectory, e.g. a line marked on the floor or a flight path · CPC title

• G05D2105/10

  for cleaning, vacuuming or polishing · CPC title

• G05D2109/15

  Climbing vehicles · CPC title

• G05D2107/29

  Swimming pools · CPC title