Pool cleaning vehicle with rotating and stationary scrubbing elements

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a submersible pool cleaning vehicle (PCV) having both cleaning and scrubbing structures. The PCV includes spaced wheels and several sets of scrubbing members. Each of the scrubbing members includes a plurality of scrubbing elements. The PCV also includes a cleaning brush for dislodging particulates. In one exemplary embodiment, the PCV includes a fixed scrubbing member and two rotating scrubbing members. The rotating scrubbing member act cooperatively and create a current after dislodging particulates and dirt from the pool surface. The rotating scrubbing members direct the current carrying such dislodged material toward the intakes of the PCV so that it can be permanently removed from the pool water.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automated fully submersible pool cleaning vehicle (PCV) for sanitizing water in a swimming pool, the PCV, comprising:
 a housing having a bottom and an exterior and an interior and including at least one intake member and a vacuum member for drawing water into the housing through the intakes, the housing including a filter member for filtering water drawn into the housing through the intakes and an outlet for expelling the filtered water back into the pool;   a chassis attached to the housing and being generally within the interior;   drive means attached to the chassis for propelling the PCV throughout the surface of the pool, the drive means including spaced apart wheels for receiving power from the drive means;   a cleaning member attached to the housing;   a first set of scrubbing members extending from the bottom and the scrubbing members being proximate to the intake member;   whereby, as the PCV moves around the pool surface the scrubbing members contact the surface of the pool and dislodge dirt and debris and whereby the vacuum member absorbs the dislodged dirt and debris to facilitate sanitizing the pool water.   
     
     
         2 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the PCV includes a second scrubbing member and at least a second intake member, the second scrubbing member is located proximate to the second intake member. 
     
     
         3 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the PCV includes a second scrubbing member and at least a second intake member, the second scrubbing member is located proximate to the second intake member. 
     
     
         4 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the second scrubber member is attached to the bottom of the housing and extends from the housing in a predetermined direction and the second scrubber member includes rotating bristles, the rotating bristles have a direction of rotation generally perpendicular to the direction from which the second scrubber member extends from the bottom of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the PCV includes a third scrubbing member, identical to the second scrubbing member and at least a third intake member, the third scrubbing member is located proximate to the third intake member; and the second and third members being spaced apart. 
     
     
         6 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing member includes a plurality of scrubbing elements. 
     
     
         7 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing elements define a plurality of bristles and the bristles taken together define a scrubbing element having frusta-conical shape. 
     
     
         8 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the scrubbing member includes a plurality of scrubbing elements. 
     
     
         9 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the scrubbing elements define a plurality of bristles and the bristles taken together define a scrubbing element having frusta-conical shape. 
     
     
         10 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 6  or  8 , wherein the scrubbing elements are made from a material specifically designed for scrubbing pool surfaces. 
     
     
         11 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing member is easily detached from re-attachable to the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning member defines a rotating brush connected to the bottom of the housing adjacent the intakes. 
     
     
         13 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the brush is easily detached from the wheels and easily re-attached to the housing. 
     
     
         14 . An automated fully submersible pool cleaning vehicle (PCV) for sanitizing water in a swimming pool, the PCV, comprising:
 a housing having a bottom and an exterior and an interior and including at least one intake member and a vacuum member for drawing water into the housing through the intakes, the housing including a filter member for filtering water drawn into the housing through the intakes and an outlet for expelling the filtered water back into the pool;   a chassis attached to the housing and being generally within the interior;   drive means attached to the chassis for propelling the PCV throughout the surface of the pool, the drive means including spaced apart wheels for receiving power from the drive means;   a cleaning member attached to the housing;   a first set of scrubbing members extending from the bottom and the scrubbing members being proximate to the intake member, the scrubbing members being stationary;   whereby, as the PCV moves around the pool surface the scrubbing members contact the surface of the pool and dislodge dirt and debris and whereby the vacuum member absorbs the dislodged dirt and debris to facilitate sanitizing the pool water.   
     
     
         15 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the PCV includes a second scrubbing member mounted on the bottom of the housing, the second scrubbing member rotates and directs water flow toward the intakes. 
     
     
         16 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the PCV includes a third scrubbing member mounted on the bottom of the housing, spaced apart from the second scrubbing member, the third scrubbing member rotates and directs water flow toward the intakes. 
     
     
         17 . The PCV as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the second and the third scrubbing members rotate cooperatively, creating a current flow which directs water toward the intakes.