Pool cleaner light module.

pool cleaner.

PATENT TITLE No. 348976

<td>Headlines):</td><td>PENTAIR WATER POOL AND SPA, INC.</td>

<td>Address:</td><td>1620 Hawkins Avenue, Sanford, North Carolina, 27330, USA</td>

<td>Denomination:</td><td>LIGHTING MODULE FOR SHELTER CLEANER.</td>

<td>Classification:</td><td>CIP: G02B6 / 43; E04H4 / 16 CPC: G02B6 / 43; E04H4 / 16</td>

<td>Inventor (s):</td><td>BRIAN DEERY; JOHN LIPSKI; LEONARD RICHIUSO; SURESH GOPALAN</td>

<td></td><td>REQUEST</td>

<td>Number: MX / a / 2014/014737</td><td>International Presentation Date: June 04, 2013 PRIORITY</td>

<td>Country:</td><td>Date: Number:</td>

<td>US</td><td>June 4, 2012 13 / 488,135</td>

Validity: Twenty years

Expiration Date: June 4, 2033

Issue Date: May 24, 2017

The reference patent is granted based on articles 1 ?, 2 · section V, 6th section W, and 59 of the Industrial Property Law.

In accordance with article 23 of the Industrial Property Law, this patent has a validity of twenty years, non-extendable, counted from the date of presentation of the international application and is subject to payment of the fee to keep the rights in force.

Whoever signs this title does so Based on the provisions of articles 6^or Sections III and Zlbisíhte the Industrial Property Law (Official Gazette of the Federation (DQF) 2 // 06/1991, amended on 08/02/1994, 10/25/1996, 12/26/1997, 05/17 / 1999, 01/26/2004, 06/16/2005, 01/25/2006, 05/06/2009, 06/01/2010, 06/18/2010, 06/28/2810, 01/27/2012 and 04/09/2012)} articles 1 », 3» fraction V subsection a), 4^or and 12th sections I and III of the Regulations of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (DOF 12/14/1999 amended on 07/01/2002, '15/07/2004 07/28/2004 and 09/07/2007); items 1^or, 3^or, 4^or, 5^or fraction V subsection a), 16 fractions I and til and 30 of the Organic Statute of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (DOF 12/27/1999, amended on 10/10/2002, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007), 1 “. 3 "and β" subsection 8) of the Agreement that delegates powers to the Deputy General Directors, Coordinator, Divisional Directors, Heads of Regional Offices, Divisional Deputy Directors, Departmental Coordinators and other subordinates of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (DOF 12/15 / 1999, amended on 02/04/2000, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007).

This document is signed with an advanced electronic signature (FIEL), based on articles 7 BIS 2 of the Industrial Property Law; 3 of its Regulations, and 1 section III, 2 section V, 26 BIS and 26 TER of the Agreement establishing the guidelines for the use of the Payment and Electronic Services Portal (PASE) of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, in the procedures indicated.

THE DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF PATENTS

NAHANNY CANAL REYES

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NAHANNY MARISOL CANAL REYES | 00001000000403252793 | Administration Service

Tax | 1695 || MX / 2017/53231 | MX / a / 2014/014737 | PCT patent title | 1223 | GAGV | Page (s) | TVZ6 MOk 1AJ E VxrjP + 4rpnd H l4As =

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Arenal No. 550. Floor 1, Pueblo Santa María Tepepan, Xochimiico 16020, Mexico City (55) 53340700 www.gob.mx/inipi

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ALDE CLEANER LIGHTING MODULE ^ AD ----- BACKGROUND

Automated pool cleaners include components to drive pool cleaners along the floor and side walls of a pool, either in a random or deliberate manner, to vacuum debris on and adjacent to the floor and side walls. For example, conventional pressure side washers and suction cleaners often use hydraulic turbine assemblies as drive systems to drive one or more wheels. Robotic cleaners often include a motor or other mechanical systems powered by an external power source to drive one or more wheels.

Although automated pool cleaners operate with little manual operator interaction, it is sometimes difficult for the operator to quickly determine if the pool cleaner is working properly or efficiently. For example, an operator may see the pool cleaner moving along the pool floor, but not realize that the cleaner does not vacuum or vacuum very little until after hours or days when a large amount of residue is left behind. have settled on the pool floor. This may be due to mechanical failure in robotic cleaners, or insufficient suction or pressure in suction-driven or pressure-driven pool cleaners. Additionally, an operator must wait to see if the pool cleaner moves to determine if it operates. If the pool cleaner is programmed to operate at night, the operator should turn on lights in or around the pool just to see if the pool cleaner operates. This can be a tedious task that many operators do not pay attention to, and as a result,

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These operators do not realize that the henna cleaner has not epwocte until a large amount of debris has settled on the pool floor.

COMPENDIUM

Some embodiments of the invention provide a lighting module for a pool cleaner. The lighting module includes an outer housing or housing, a paddle wheel, a generator, and at least one light emitting diode (LED). The outer housing may be removably coupled to the pool cleaner and includes a flow directing portion or portion located in a fluid path of the pool cleaner. The paddle wheel is located adjacent to the flow directing portion and rotates in response to fluid flow through the fluid path. The generator is coupled to the paddle wheel and generates power through the rotation of the paddle wheel. The LED is coupled to the generator and receives generated power from the generator to illuminate an area adjacent to the pool cleaner.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a pool cleaner that receives fluid flow from a pool hose and includes a supply pole and a lighting module. The lighting module includes a housing capable of being removably attached to the supply post and the pool hose, and directing the flow of fluid from the pool hose to the supply post. The lighting module also includes a generator located within the housing and a paddle wheel attached to the generator. The paddle wheel and generator generate electrical power by using fluid flow directed through the housing. The lighting module further includes at least one light emitting diode coupled to the generator. The diode that emits light receives the energy generated by the generator and

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illuminates an area adjacent to the pool cleaner.

A method of operating an alb cleaner accordance with some embodiments of the invention includes receiving fluid flow through the pool cleaner and generating electrical power by using a paddle wheel positioned to receive at least a portion of the fluid flow. and a generator coupled to the paddle wheel. The method also includes determining a fluid flow pressure, and operates at least one light emitting diode according to a first operation if the pressure is sufficient for normal operation of the pool cleaner, and operating the at least one emitting diode. light according to a second operation if the pressure is not sufficient for the normal operation of the pool cleaner. The first and second operations may include operating the light emitting diode with a first color and a second color, respectively, or in a constantly visible flashing manner, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a side view of a light emitting diode (LED) in-line lighting module, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, coupled to a pool cleaner.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the in-line LED module of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the in-line LED module of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the in-line LED module of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an internal LED module according to another embodiment of the invention.

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Fioura 6 is a Darcial view in reverse of the internal LED module of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an LED tube module in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the LED tube module of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the in-line LED module and pool cleaner of Figure 1.,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any of the embodiments of the invention is explained in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the configuration of the components that are presented in the following description or illustrated. in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of other practices or it can be carried out in various ways. Also, it should be understood that the phraseology and terminology used in this document is for the purpose of description and should not be construed as a limitation. The use of "includes", "comprises" or "has" and its variations in this document is intended to cover the articles listed below and their equivalents, as well as additional articles. Unless otherwise specified, the terms "mounted", "attached", "supported", and "attached" and corresponding variations are widely used and encompass direct and indirect mounts, connections, supports, and attachments. Therefore, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

The following discussion is presented to allow a person with

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WlUTtlM skill in the art of making and using the embodiments of the invention. Various modifications to the embodiments illustrated will be readily visible to those of skill in the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the embodiments of the invention. Thus, the embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but must be given the widest scope consistent with the principles and characteristics described herein. The following, detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which similar elements in the different figures have similar reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, illustrate selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the invention. Skilled technicians will recognize that the examples provided herein have many alternatives for use and fall within the scope of the embodiments of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention provide an LED module for a pool cleaner. The LED module can provide functional and aesthetic uses by illuminating the surroundings of the pool cleaner, highlighting debris within the pool, and / or transmitting information about the pool cleaner to the user or operator. The LED module is capable of having the modalities of a single color light beam, modalities of a multicolored light beam, and / or modalities of color changes. In addition, the LED module can be removably assembled to the pool cleaner internally or externally, as described below.

Figure 1 illustrates an inline light emitting diode (LED) module 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, for use with a pool cleaner in a swimming pool or spa system. The inline LED module 10 may be positioned across the fluid path of the pool cleaner 12, for example, between a supply post 14 of the pool cleaner 12 and a pool hose coupling adapter 16. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a lower portion 18 of the in-line LED module 10 may be coupled to the supply post 14, for example, through a snap-lock connection between holes 20 in the lower portion 18 and the extension portions 22 of the supply post 14. An upper portion 24 of the in-line LED module 10 may be coupled to the pool hose coupling adapter 16, for example, with a friction fit. The pool hose coupling adapter 16 can receive a pool hose (not shown) in fluid communication with a filter pump or pool booster pump or spa system to supply water to the pool cleaner 12. The LED module Line 10 may include an outer housing 26 with a paddle wheel housing 28, a generator 30, a paddle wheel 32 (as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 9), and a tube housing 34. Tube housing 34 may include lower portion 18 and upper portion 24, described above, as well as LED housings 36 that at least partially include one or more LEDs 38.

In one embodiment, the pool cleaner 12 may be a pressure driven pool cleaner. As a result, water from the filter pump or booster pump is pushed through the pool hose into the fluid path of the pool cleaner 12, in order to operate the pool cleaner 12. More specifically, the water is propelled through the pool hose, the hose coupling adapter 16, the tube housing 34 of the in-line LED module 10, and onto the supply pole 14.

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TOWtlM paddles 32 is located considerably within the paddle wheel 28 and extends into the tube housing 34. The tube housing 34 acts as a fluid directing part of the in-line LED module 10 to supply the flow. of fluid from the pool hose to the supply post 14 and through the paddle wheel 32. Thus when the water flows through the tube casing 34, the paddle wheel 32 rotates. Paddle wheel 32 is coupled to generator 30 (for example, a shaft 40 from generator 30 connects to paddle wheel 32) so that, hydraulically, rotation of paddle wheel 32 causes generator 30 to produce power to operate the LEDs 38 and their related circuits.

As shown in Figure 3, the generator 30 can be stored within a generator housing 42 that extends into the paddle wheel housing 28. A rubber sealing ring 44 can be located between a first side 46 of generator 30 and the paddle wheel 32 (eg, within the generator housing 42) to prevent the flow of water passing through the tube housing 34 and the paddle wheel housing 28 from reaching the generator 30. Generator housing 42 and paddle wheel housing 28 may include coupling holes 45 to receive fasteners to mate generator housing 42 with paddle wheel housing 28 and to allow easy removal of generator 30 for replace or repair it. A second, opposite side 48, of generator 30 may be stored within generator housing 42 with a conductor cover 50, as shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, conductor cover 50 may expose one or more conductors 52 of generator 30 through openings in conductors 53. Lead wires (not shown) can electrically connect leads

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MOUCANO • UHCríBAD wwmui conductors 52 through the generator housing 42 to -¾¾ pore to provide power to the LEDs 38. For example, the lead wires can be routed through the access holes 54 in the housings to LED 36, as shown in Figures 1 and 4.

As shown in Figure 4, the LEDs 38 may be located generally downward and outward and / or the LED housings 36 may be patterned to generally reflect the light from the LEDs 38 outward and downward to illuminate the LEDs. around the pool cleaner (for example, the pool floor or walls near the pool cleaner 12). LEDs 38 may include internal control circuitry programmed to control me! lighting time and / or the color of the LEDs 38. In some embodiments, external control circuits for the LEDs 38 and / or other components of the in-line LED module 10 can be stored within the generator housing 42 and the cables Drivers can provide power from the generator 30 and control from the control circuits to the LEDs.

In other embodiments, LEDs 38 may be positioned to illuminate other areas surrounding the pool cleaner 12. For example, LEDs 38 may be positioned to illuminate upward and / or outward to convey information to the pool user, such as an indication that the pool cleaner is operating or has yet to operate (eg, through color change, blinking, etc.). The downward LEDs 38, as described above, may also have this function of transmitting information to the user. Also, in some embodiments, the pool cleaner 12 may be a vacuum powered pool cleaner, in which the flow of water through the fluid path of the pool cleaner 12 is reversed with

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IMPI ντπντο MMKUMO * UnOREtMD iwoumui compared to the previously described pressure driven pool cleaner modality. In those embodiments, the online LED module 10 operates the same as described above.

Figure 5 illustrates an internal LED module 56 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The internal LED module 56 may operate in a similar manner to the in-line LED module 10 described above and may be located within the pool cleaner 12 and at least partially within the fluid path of the pool cleaner 12. In general, the fluid path of the pool cleaner 12 may include any components in which the fluid is directed through the pool cleaner 12, such as the pool hose coupling adapter 16, the supply post 14, a hose sweep, a manifold, pulse jets, a coordinate mount, a hydraulically driven wheel mount, a vacuum cleaner mount, etc.

The internal LED module 56 can include an outer housing 26, a paddle wheel 32, a conductor cover 50, power cables 63, and LEDs 38. The outer housing 26 can house a generator 30, which can be coupled to a paddle wheel 32 through a generator shaft and can be substantially isolated from the paddle wheel 32 by a seal plate and a rubber seal ring. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the outer housing 26 may include a flow director 58 that directs the flow of water from the fluid path through the paddle wheel 32. As a result, the paddle wheel 32 rotates. , which causes the rotation of the generator shaft to generate power for the LEDs 38.

The internal LED module 56 can be located anywhere

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IMIVnUf · HUMAN · MU MOHEDA »inside the pool cleaner 12 so that the flow director '68 enters the fluid path and receives the water flow to redirect it to the paddle wheel 32. For example, the internal LED module 56 may be located within the pool cleaner 12 so that the flow director 58 extends into the supply post 14 or to a manifold 100 of the pool cleaner 12. As shown in Figure 9, the manifold 100 can substantially surround a suction post 101 of the pool cleaner 12 and can receive fluid flow through the supply post 14. Generally, the fluid path runs from the supply post 14 to the manifold 100 and the manifold 100 distributes the fluid path of the water flow received by the supply post 14 to various parts of the pool cleaner 12 for operation, as to a flow outlet 102 for a timer assembly (not shown), a sweep hose 104, a vacuum assembly 106, etc. In another example, the internal LED module 56 may be located further forward than the manifold 100 (for example, compared to the upstream positioning of the manifold near the supply post 14) and closer to the timer assembly, the hose sweep 104, vacuum assembly 106, or another hydraulically operated pool cleaner assembly 12. The outer housing 26 may include a mountable portion 60 with holes 62 to allow an operator to attach the inner LED module 56 to a chassis or other component within the pool cleaner 12 when using fasteners (not shown).

With respect to the generator 30 in Figures 5 and 6, a second side 48 of the generator 30 is enclosed in the outer casing 26 by the conductor cover 50. The conductor cover 50 allows access to the power cables.

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power supply 63 to connect to conductors 52 eiiUt ^ mreradoi · 30 (for example, through openings of conductor 53 in the cover of conductor 50). The openings 53 can extend to the sides of the conductor cover 50, as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6, or can extend from a rear of the contact cover 50, as shown in the contact cover. 50 of Figures 1-4 with respect to the in-line LED module 10. The power cords are then connected to LEDs 36 (eg, with housings, for LEDs 38, as shown in Figures 5 and 6) to power and / or control LEDs 38. LEDs 38 may include drive circuitry. control (eg, internal control circuits adjacent to the LEDs 38 and / or external control circuits stored in the outer casing 26) to control the illumination time and / or the color of the LEDs 38.

LEDs 38 may be located in one or more locations along the length of the pool cleaner 12 to illuminate the area surrounding the pool cleaner 12. For example, the LEDs 38 may be located near the bottom sides of the pool cleaner 12 to illuminate the pool floor or walls near the pool cleaner 12. In another example, LEDs 38 may be located near the front of the pool cleaner 12 to illuminate debris in the path of the pool cleaner 12. In another example, LEDs 38 may be located near the rear of the cleaner. pool 12 to illuminate a hook (not shown) that follows the path of pool cleaner 12 to scrub pool surfaces. LEDs 38 may be located substantially outside of pool cleaner 12, or they may be at least partially recessed within pool cleaner 12 and protected by exterior covers 64 (as shown in Figure 1) of the pool cleaner.

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12. In any of these modes, the extoRUibo U4 covers are removable to allow removal or replacement of LEDs 38, power cables 63, and / or internal LED module 56.

Figure 7 illustrates an LED tube module 66 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The LED tube module 66 may be removably attached to an assembly assembly (not shown) on one of the outer covers 64 of the pool cleaner 12. The LED tube module 66 may include a bracket 68, a cap 70, one or more batteries 72, wedges 74, a first printed circuit board (PCB) 76, a second PCB 78, and LEDs 38. The first PCB 76 and the second PCB 78 can be located along opposite ends of the LED tube module 66 and can be connected by the wedges 74. The batteries 72 can be clamped in place between the first PCB 76, the second PCB 78, and the two wedges 74, as shown in Figure 7. The second PCB 78 may include a battery spring 80 and the first PCB 76 may include a battery tab 82, or vice versa, to connect to the terminals of the batteries 72 to power the circuit on the first PCB 76 and / or the second PCB 78 as well as LEDs 38. LEDs 38 can be connected to first PCB 76 or second PCB 78 and directed away from the outer ends of the LED tube module 66 to illuminate both ends of the LED tube module 66 . Consequently, either end of the LED tube module 66 (for example, the end portions of the bracket 68 and the cap 70) may include transparent portions 83 to allow the light from the LEDs 38 to shine out of the LED tube module 66. In some embodiments, the entire outer casing 26 of the LED tube module 66 (eg, bracket 68 and cap 70 are included) may be constructed of transparent material.

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The bracket 68 and the cover 70 may form a waterproof housing 26 around the LEDs 38, the batteries 72, the first PCB 76, and the second PCB.

PCB 78. According to one embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure

8, the bracket 68 may include a closed first end 84 and a second open end 86 and can extend a portion of the total length of the LED tube module 66. Adjacent to the second end 86, the bracket 68 can include an opening 88, as shown shown in Figure 8, of a size that allows the insertion of batteries 72 between the first PCB 76 and the second PCB 78. The cap 70 may extend a portion of the full length of the LED tube module 66 to cover at least the second open end 86 and the opening 88 of the bracket 68 when the cover 70 is mounted on the bracket 68. As shown in Figure 8 , the second open end 86 of the bracket 68 may include a threaded portion 90, and an inner end of the cap 70 may include a threaded portion 92 for engagement with the bracket 68. As a result, bracket 68, and cap 70 can be screwed apart to provide access to LED tube module 66 to replace batteries 72 or LEDs 38.

As described above, bracket 68 and cover 70 can provide a waterproof housing 26 for LEDs 38, first PCB 76, second PCB 78, and batteries 72. More specifically, to prevent water 20 from entering the LED tube module 66 when it is assembled, an O-ring 94 can be embedded on the bracket 68 between the closed first end 84 and the opening 88 and can engage the cap 70 when cap 70 and bracket 68 are assembled or screwed together (eg, through threaded portions 90, 92).

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ΙΜΠΤυΤ * · 'miXICa * · ^ Μ Μ nuxiki * uINDUSTRIAL at any location along the exterior surface of the pools, for example in a mounting kit on one of the covers 64 of the pool cleaner 12. Therefore Thus, a user can detach the LED tube module 66 from the attached part to use it as an external light under or over the water, to replace the batteries 72, to replace the LEDs 38, etc. The first PCB 76 may include circuitry such as one or more capacitors 96 and a motion sensor 98. The motion sensor 98 may be used to detect substantial movement of the pool cleaner 12 (e.g., movement that indicates that the pool cleaner operates ) and can be connected to the internal control circuits of the LEDs 38 for the operation signals of the LEDs 38 only when the pool cleaner 12 is in motion. In another embodiment, the LED tube module 66 can be attached to a pool cleaner chassis 12 or to a bottom of one of the covers 64, and the LEDs 38 can illuminate through louvers, holes, or transparent parts in the covers. 64.

The aforementioned embodiments 10, 56, 66 describe LEDs 38 that illuminate when the pool cleaner 12 operates, either with electrical power generated when the pool cleaner 12 receives water from a pool hose or through battery power. based on the signals from the motion sensor. Therefore, LEDs 38 can provide functional as well as aesthetic uses. More specifically, the illuminated LEDs 38 can give a quick signal to an operator that the pool cleaner 12 is operating. In some embodiments, the control circuits of the LEDs 38 and / or additional control circuits of the LED modules 10, 56, 66 (such as the external control circuit in the generator housing 28 or on the first PCB 76) can control the color and / or illumination time of the LEDs 38 based on the pressure of water entering the

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pool cleaner 12, for the hydraulically 10, 56 qim LED modules or the pool cleaner 12 speed of the battery powered 66 battery LED tube module. For example, if the pool cleaner 12 does not receive sufficient water pressure, and as a result it does not vacuum properly, the paddle wheel 32 of the LED modules 10, 56 will rotate more slowly. Also, if the pool cleaner 12 moves slower, for example due to an obstruction, mechanical failure, etc., the motion sensor 98 may not send or emit different signals to the control circuits. Either case can be communicated to the operator by programming LEDs 38 with different colors (for example, green for sufficient flow or speed of movement, red for flow or insufficient flow speed) or at a different frequency (for example, constant lighting for flow. or sufficient movement speed, blinking for flow or insufficient movement speed).

In addition, the LED control circuits can operate the LEDs 38 in a unicolor mode (for example, where all LEDs 38 illuminate the same color), in a multi-color mode (for example, where different LEDs 38 illuminate in different colors, for example example where one side of the pool cleaner 12 is lit red and the other side of the pool cleaner 12 is lit purple), or a color change mode (e.g. where LEDs 38 illuminate in a first color for a period of time, and a second color for a second period of time, etc.). The color change mode may be convenient for an operator to indicate when the pool cleaner 12 is finished operating. For example, LEDs 38 may illuminate a first color during most of the pool cleaner operation, and then illuminate a second color for the last ten minutes of the pool cleaner operation so the operator knows

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M1H1WI · MIXICAN »MURMIIDA1 &lt;χηυ? ΠΗΑΐ that the operation of the pool cleaner is almost full Caria one day the LED modules 10, 56, 66 can be easily removed from the pool cleaner 12 to allow its repair or replacement of components, such as LEDs 38, generators 30, batteries 72, etc.

In addition, in some embodiments of the invention, the LED modules 10, 56, 66 may be capable of being connected to an electrical supply and / or a controller (not shown) of the pool cleaner 12. The electrical supply can power the devices. LEDs 38, while the controller can provide additional information about the pool cleaner 12 to turn on the LEDs 38 in accordance with other operations of the pool cleaner 12. For example, the pool cleaner controller may include a sensor to determine when the debris bag needs to be emptied. The pool cleaner controller can communicate this necessary action to the LED control circuits, and the LED control circuits can light the LEDs 38 in a certain way to alert the operator of the necessary actions.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the invention was described above with particular embodiments and examples, the invention is not necessarily that limited, and that numerous other embodiments, examples, uses, modifications, and deviations from embodiments are intended to be encompassed. by the claims appended hereto. The complete description of each patent and publication cited herein is incorporated by reference, as if each patent or publication were individually incorporated by reference herein. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.