Patent Description:
There is a growing need to provide an efficient pool cleaning robot that can maintain a reasonable filtering capability during long periods of time.

The invention is defined by a pool related platform according to claim <NUM> and a corresponding method of operating such a pool related platform of claim <NUM>.

Because the illustrated embodiments of the present invention may for the most part, be implemented using electronic components and circuits known to those skilled in the art, details will not be explained in any greater extent than that considered necessary as illustrated above, for the understanding and appreciation of the underlying concepts of the present invention and in order not to obfuscate or distract from the teachings of the present invention.

There may be provided a pool related platform (PRP) that includes a filtering unit, a entrapment cell and a flow control unit that may act as virtually a uni-directional value - while keeping an inlet of the flow control unit open. The flow control unit may be without movable elements- which increases the durability and reliability of the flow control unit.

The PRP may be any platform that may perform an operation related to a fluid of a pool - cleaning, changing chemical composition, monitoring, and the like. Examples of a PRP include a pool robot that differs from a pool cleaning robot (PCR), a PCR, a floating unit, a skimmer, and the like. Any example related a PCR may be applied mutatis mutandis, to any other PRP.

For simplicity of explanation the following examples will refer to a PCR.

<FIG> depicts pool related platform such as PCR <NUM>, that includes a housing <NUM> (or a hollow body), wheels <NUM>, tracks <NUM>, cleaning brushes <NUM>, a water outlet <NUM> (second fluid opening) and the water inlet <NUM> (first fluid opening), drive motor <NUM>, controller <NUM> and sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a hydraulic trajectory of drawn-in or sucked-in water of a swimming pool or tank, by a pool cleaning robot while submerged underwater, from the water inlet <NUM> all the way to the water outlet <NUM> by means of an impeller <NUM> and a pump motor <NUM>, passing by a flexible flap (non-return valve <NUM>) element which is pulled open when the drawing of water is in the first rotational direction. The water is filtered in the filter assembly section of the main filter chamber <NUM>. <FIG> further depicts the reverse movement of water when there is provided a second rotational direction of water within the hydraulic path between the outlet <NUM> and the water inlet <NUM>. In this specification, it is effectively a backwash mode but not in the traditional meaning of an operation of purging through dirt or debris out of the hydraulic system path but rather as a means of self-cleaning of the filter or filters.

The second rotational direction or the said backwash operation may be applied after the pool cleaning robot has finished its cleaning cycle and is in a standstill position. Namely, backwash mode may be initiated after cycle time ended and all engines or motors were shut-off.

The fine dirt particles will therefore be released from the main filter chamber <NUM> to eventually settle within the entrapment cell <NUM>.

When in second water flow direction, or in the "backwash mode", the water is forced against the external side of the at least one filter screen or mesh <NUM> thereby impacting the mesh and releasing the dirt attached onto the internal side of the said mesh.

This "backwash mode" process could be intermittent i.e.: in consecutive or intermittent back-forth suction pulses. Namely, the backwash pulses may be executed in both directions within the hydraulic path. The impeller may rotate CW (clockwise) for a few seconds or CCW, backwards or forward for a few seconds to improve dirt release.

Depending on filter cleanliness, the entire process may last a minute or up to <NUM> minutes. Filter cleanliness is measured using impeller motor RPM and electrical current measurements and/or a separate internal pressure sensor.

All electrical cables, wiring, motors or sensors are regulated by a smart computer PCB located in a sealed compartment, possibly in the vicinity of the pump motor (<NUM>) and/or a drive motor (not shown).

The said automatic backwash mode may be overridden by an end user, external to the pool, to remotely initiate by means of a smart wireless or wired device to command a start and/or end of the said backwash initiation process. The end user may be made aware or messaged in mid cleaning cycle of a clogged filter. The ends user will switch-off the pool cleaning robot and press a dedicated backwash button ,in an app or RCU, to start the said self-cleaning backwash process.

<FIG> depicts a filter assembly <NUM> that packages all the components of a PCR filtering system. That will include the filter screens or meshes that constitute the filtering media. There could be one layered filter insert or multiple inserts each with different filtering characteristics that may even one onto the other to form a multi layered filter media (not shown).

Depicted is filter screen mesh <NUM> that may be a rough filter mesh with small filtering pores (filtering fine dirt particles or dust) which is the main concern with filter pores clogging. A second, fine filter mesh (filtering coarse or large debris such as leaves) is not depicted but any backwashed water impacting the outer filter wall will impact one, two or more filter layers to accomplish the self-cleaning effect of this specification.

The said filter assembly <NUM> includes a main filter chamber removably connected to a dirt entrapment cell <NUM> that is preferably attached to bottom of the main filter chamber <NUM>.

There is provided a release latch <NUM> that in a first instance, may cause release and opening of the bottom section (or floor) of the filter assembly section <NUM>. That will effectively also release and open the entrapment cell assembly <NUM> that will remain attached on a hinge.

<FIG> both depict the bottom section (or floor) of the filter assembly section <NUM> being also the top section of the entrapment cell assembly <NUM>.

The end user pulling out the filter assembly from the PCR housing has two options. To visually inspect both the volume of dirt in the main filter chamber and in the entrapment cell. The end user my choose to open just the bottom entrapment cell bottom lid for cleaning and washing <NUM> or to also release and open the main filter chamber to clean the main filter.

<FIG> depicts the top lid of the entrapment cell (that is also the bottom floor base of the main filter chamber) that includes an inlet (referred to as an entrapment cell inlet <NUM>. There may be provided multiple such inlets, symmetrically or non-symmetrically aligned. The figure also illustrates the first fluid inlet <NUM>. <FIG> also illustrates the width axis - corresponding to a transverse axis of the PCR.

<FIG> depicts two flow control units <NUM>' and <NUM> - located at both sides of the first fluid inlet <NUM>. The flow control unit has V-shaped inlet that is defined by the flow control elements. The flow control unit includes two sets of two flow control elements each - denoted <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

The inlet allows dirt to get into and through the entrapment inlet but prevents or minimizes any return of dirt from the entrapment cell to the main filter chamber. Double or more such V-shaped elements (flow barriers) may be envisaged. Shapes other than V-shaped elements may be provided- curved, partially curved, and the like.

<FIG> depicts a double inlet opening the principle by which the inlet passage between the main filter chamber and the entrapment chamber may remain open throughout any rotational direction suction mode. The shape and arrangement of the entrapment cell inlet is based on the principle and geometrical arrangement whereby the primary water flow - when in suction mode or in a first rotational direction - when water is drawn from the inlet - has a reduced velocity power because of the countering opposing flow of water. In other words, the countering pressure of the water at the opposing dirt flow direction holds the water and especially dirt (<NUM>) from flowing back into main filter chamber.

<FIG> illustrates an open bottom <NUM> of the entrapment cell that is rotatably coupled to the filtering unit or other parts of the entrapment cell. The bottom is at an open position for cleaning dirt from the entrapment cell. <FIG> illustrates an entrapment cell <NUM> that as a whole is rotatably coupled to the filtering unit.

<FIG> depicts the release latch <NUM> that can release and open the bottom main filter cover.

<FIG> depicts the second latch that opens the bottom entrapment cell lid <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a removable entrapment cell bottom cover <NUM>. It includes a bottom entrapment cell lid with hinges and main water inlet passage.

<FIG> depicts the entrapment base cell <NUM> that may be constructed of opaque material or a transparent polymer allowing to view the dirt quantity inside the said cell.

<FIG> illustrates example of flow control unit <NUM> or <NUM>'.

The first example illustrates two pairs of positively sloped flow control elements and negatively sloped flow control elements - such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

The second example illustrates three pairs of positively sloped flow control elements and negatively sloped flow control elements - such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

The third example illustrates two pairs of curved elements - such as <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' and <NUM>'.

The fourth example illustrates that the flow control unit defines a fluid path <NUM> between the flow control elements and through the inlet.

Examples to the distances between sloped elements (width of the fluid path) may be one till ten millimetres, below one millimetre, between <NUM> and <NUM> millimetres, and above. The width may be determined based on the sizes of the filtering unit, the water velocity during backwash, the pumping power during backwash, and the like.

<FIG> also illustrates the distance <NUM> between bottom ends of sloped flow control elements of a pair of elements, a distance <NUM> between consecutive pairs, and a length <NUM> of sloped flow control elements.

There is provided pool related platform that may include a drive mechanism for moving the pool cleaner (for example wheels <NUM>, tracks <NUM>, drive motor (not shown)), a housing (<NUM>) that has a first fluid opening (for example water inlet <NUM> when filtering), a second fluid opening (for example water outlet <NUM> in filtering), a filtering unit that comprises a filtering element (for example filter assembly <NUM> including filter screen or mesh <NUM> and located in main filter chamber <NUM>), a fluid flow mechanism (for example impeller <NUM>, pump motor <NUM>) for inducing a flow of fluid through the filtering unit in a first direction during a filtering process, and for inducing a flow of the fluid through the filtering element at another direction during a backwash process, an entrapment cell (<NUM>) and a flow control unit (<NUM>, <NUM>') that include a flow control element (for example <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', and <NUM>') and an inlet (<NUM>) that is maintained open during the filtering process and the backwash process. The flow control unit is configured to allow debris and fluid from the filtering unit to enter the entrapment cell, and is configured to substantially prevent a flow of fluid and debris from the entrapment cell to the filtering unit. Substantially prevent - may include preventing by at least <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> percent).

The entrapment cell may be located below the filtering unit.

The flow control unit may include a plurality of flow control elements.

The at least one portion of at least one of the flow control elements may not be parallel to the inlet. In <FIG> the flow control elements are sloped.

At least one portion of at least one of the flow control elements may be curved.

The flow control unit may include two or more sets of sloped flow control elements. For example two sets - the first set includes flow control elements <NUM> and <NUM>, and the second set includes flow control elements <NUM> and <NUM>.

Different flow control elements may be of the same shape and size - or may differ from each other by shape and/or size.

The flow control unit may include one or more inlets and two or more sets of sloped flow control elements per each inlet of the one or more inlets.

The PRP may include an additional flow control unit (<NUM>'). The first fluid opening <NUM> may be located between the flow control unit and the additional flow control unit.

A set of sloped flow control elements may include comprises a positively sloped flow control element (for example <NUM>, <NUM>) and a negatively sloped flow control element (for example <NUM>, <NUM>).

A distance (denoted <NUM> in <FIG>) between bottom ends of the positively sloped flow control element and the negatively sloped flow control element is smaller than a distance (denoted <NUM>') between upper ends of the positively sloped flow control element and the negatively sloped flow control element.

The sloped flow control elements may be plates or may differ from platesmay have an elliptical cross section, a polygon cross section, and the like.

The distance between bottom ends of the positively sloped flow control element and the negatively sloped flow control element may be smaller than (i) a length (denoted <NUM> in <FIG>) of the positively sloped flow control element , and (ii) a length of the negatively sloped flow control element.

The length of each one of the positively sloped flow control element and the negatively sloped flow control element is smaller than a width (see <FIG>) of each one of the positively sloped flow control element and the negatively sloped flow control element.

The width of each one of the positively sloped flow control element and the negatively sloped flow control element may exceed half of a width of the housing.

The positively sloped flow control element and the negatively sloped flow control element are symmetrical about a symmetry axis.

According to the invention, each set of sloped flow control elements includes a positively sloped flow control element and a negatively sloped flow control element.

The sets may be parallel to each other. One or more sets may not be parallel to each other.

Two or more sets of sloped flow control elements may consist of two sloped flow control elements.

The sloped flow control elements of the two or more sets of sloped flow control elements may be static.

The entrapment cell may be positioned between the filtering unit and a bottom of the housing.

The PCP may include a sensor (denoted <NUM> in <FIG>) for sensing when the filtering element is clogged to a predefined level.

The PCP may include a controller (denoted <NUM> in <FIG>) that is configured to trigger the backwash process when the sensor senses that the filtering element is clogged to the predefined level.

The sensor may be configured to sense a pressure within the pool cleaner.

As stated, the said sensor configured to sense an adverse low pressure (vacuum) or a high pressure within the pool cleaner may initiate a backwash process or notify the ends user to such effect.

The sensor may be configured to monitor at least one of a pump motor and an impeller of the fluid flow mechanism.

Method <NUM> may be executed by any of the PCP illustrated above.

Method <NUM> may include step <NUM> of moving, by a drive mechanism, the pool related platform. The moving may be executed during a filtering process and/or a backwash process. The PCP may maintain still during the backwash process.

Method <NUM> may also include step <NUM> of inducing, by a fluid flow mechanism, a flow of fluid through a filtering unit of the pool related platform in a first direction during a filtering process.

Step <NUM> may be followed by step <NUM> of filtering fluid, by the filtering unit, during the filtering process.

Method <NUM> may also include step <NUM> of inducing, by the flow of the fluid, a flow of fluid through the filtering element at another direction during a backwash process.

Method <NUM> may also include step <NUM> of allowing, by a flow control unit, a flow of and debris from the filtering unit to an entrapment cell, and substantially preventing, by the flow control unit, a flow of fluid and debris from the entrapment cell to the filtering unit. The flow control unit includes a flow control element and an inlet that is maintained open during the filtering process and the backwash process.

The pool cleaning robot may include a filter assembly or a filtering unit; an entrapment cell or entrapment cell; an impeller; a pump motor arranged to rotate the impeller; a driving unit arranged to move the pool cleaning robot; cleaning brushes; wheels and/or tracks; and a housing that may include an internal body space; and at least a first water suction inlet and at least a first water outlet. The impeller may be arranged to rotate along a first rotational direction. The rotation of the first impeller along a first rotational direction causes fluid to be drawn through the inlet and to follow a path within the said housing space during which the fluid is filtered by the filter to provide filtered fluid that exits through the first outlet of the housing;.

The first inlet may be proximate to a first movable flap that may be arranged to move between an inlet closing position and a fluid directing position.

The first movable inlet flap when positioned at the inlet closing position may be arranged to prevent particles to exit the pool cleaning robot.

The first movable inlet flap may be arranged to move to an open position by the fluid suction force applied against which is caused by the rotation of the first impeller along the first rotational direction (suction mode).

The drawn-in water and dirt particles mixture are retained on the inside of the screens or meshes of the main filter elements or within the main filter chamber.

The dirt particles remain attached onto the filter screen meshes and the filtered water continues to be drawn to exit through the pores and to continue to flow out through the pool cleaning robot outlet.

The housing may include multiple inlets that are located between the filter assembly and the housing wall; and wherein each inlet may be proximate to a movable flap or non-return valve.

The impeller may be arranged - when rotating along a second rotational direction - that is opposite to the said first rotational direction - to perform a backwash operation.

The initiation of such a backwash comes from a sensor system that includes either an impeller RMP current measurement (low RPM means filter is clogged), or a pressure sensor that senses changes of water pressure levels inside the pool cleaning robot; or, a system of both types sensors where the results are stored in the pool cleaning robot memory.

The second rotational direction or the said backwash operation may be applied after the pool cleaning robot has finished its cleaning cycle and is in a standstill position. Namely, all engines or motors are shut-off.

The backwash system applied in this specification has the water flowing in reverse from the water outlet, through the hydraulic path, towards the external filter screen or screens. The water impacts the filter screens and vibrates them to release trapped dirt and debris on the internal side of the screen (inside of the main filter chamber). The released dirt may settle down gravitationally towards the bottom of the main filter chamber.

A part of the said reversed backwash water may traverse and push against the screen mesh pores to assist with the releasing of trapped dirt particles on the inside mesh surfaces.

Only a small volume of water may traverse the said screens because the reversed hydraulic path has no open outlet on its second end when operating in the second rotational direction. In other words, the hydraulic path is blocked and cannot flow through. This blockage occurs because the at least one, flexible flap (or non-return valve) at the pool cleaning robot inlet, that opens-up only during the first rotational direction - is closed. Secondly, and this will be discussed in greater detail further-on, the fine dirt entrapment cell or entrapment cell is effectively a sealed box, made of solid material that is not arranged to be permeable to allow water to flow through the dirt entrapment cell walls.

The said solid material may be made of transparent polymer to allow an end user to visually inspect if the entrapment cell is full and needs emptying, cleaning or washing.

The filter assembly may be arranged to be constructed of two interconnected functional chambers or spaces.

Namely, the main filter chamber unit, may consist of one or more filter screens or filtering meshes to filter various size debris drawn from the inlet. For example, a large porosity mesh for larger debris, such as leaves, followed by a smaller porosity filter mesh to trap finer dirt such as silt or sand. Any combination of different sized mesh porosities are possible.

For ease of filter service cleaning, attached onto the said main filter chamber may be connected an entrapment cell assembly that is removably attached onto the lower, bottom section of the main filter chamber by means of moveable hinges.

Following a filter assembly removal from the hollow body or housing (for service cleaning) there are provided a few options to the end uses:.

In order to release the entrapment cell from the main filter chamber, there may be provided a latch that may pulled or pushed to release a clip attaching both parts.

Another latch is provided for the opening of the entrapment cell.

The entrapment cell assembly may further consist of two detachable sub parts: a) an entrapment cell cover and b) an entrapment cell housing.

Both said cover and housing may be disconnected to empty dirt, dust or silt contents and washing of same.

More importantly, when the pool cleaning robot is engaged in drawing water in the second rotational direction while performing the said backwash operation, the flexibility of the entrapment cell arrangement, may allow additional water, albeit a relatively small volume of water, to pass through the filter screen mesh after the initial, vibrating water impacts against the screens.

The impeller is electronically and independently controllable.

Claim 1:
A pool related platform (<NUM>), comprising:
a drive mechanism for moving the pool related platform;
a housing (<NUM>) that has a first fluid opening (<NUM>) and a second fluid opening (<NUM>);
a filtering unit (<NUM>) that comprises a filtering element;
a fluid flow mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) for inducing a flow of fluid through the filtering unit (<NUM>) in a first direction during a filtering process, and for inducing a flow of the fluid through the filtering element at another direction during a backwash process;
an entrapment cell (<NUM>); and
a flow control unit (<NUM>); and
wherein the flow control unit (<NUM>) is configured to allow debris and fluid from the filtering unit (<NUM>) to enter the entrapment cell (<NUM>), and is configured to substantially prevent a flow of fluid and debris from the entrapment cell (<NUM>) to the filtering unit (<NUM>);
wherein the pool related platform is characterized by the flow control unit (<NUM>) comprising an inlet (<NUM>) that is defined by sets of flow control elements, each set of the sets comprising a positively sloped flow control element (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>') and a negatively sloped flow control element (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'), wherein for each set, a distance (<NUM>) between bottom ends of the positively sloped flow control element and the negatively sloped flow control element is smaller than a distance (<NUM>') between upper ends of the positively sloped flow control element and the negatively sloped flow control element; wherein the inlet (<NUM>) is maintained open during the filtering process and the backwash process.