Pool Cleaner Drive Mechanism And Associated Systems And Methods

Abstract

The present disclosure provides improved swimming pool cleaner drive mechanisms and associated methods. More particularly, the present disclosure provides an improved pool cleaner drive mechanism that includes a motor that powers the: (i) wheel(s) and (ii) drive member of the pool cleaner. A pool cleaner having a housing, a drive mechanism, one or more wheels, and a drive member is provided. The drive mechanism includes a gear drive and a motor associated with the housing. The motor powers the one or more wheels to move in a forward direction or a reverse direction and provides steering of the wheels. The motor also powers the drive member (e.g., a rotating drive member such as a propeller, impeller, fan, rotor, suction fan) into an ON and OFF position/state to propel the swimming pool cleaner. Embodiments are also directed to systems/methods of driving a swimming pool cleaner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drive mechanism for a swimming pool cleaner comprising:
 a swimming pool cleaner housing;   at least one wheel in mechanical communication with the swimming pool cleaner housing;   a drive member disposed within the swimming pool cleaner housing;   a gear drive disposed within the swimming pool cleaner housing; and   a motor disposed within the swimming pool cleaner housing;   wherein the motor powers the at least one wheel and the drive member.   
     
     
         2 . The drive mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is an electric motor. 
     
     
         3 . The drive mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the motor powers the at least one wheel to move in a forward direction or a reverse direction. 
     
     
         4 . The drive mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the motor powers the at least one wheel to control a steering of the at least one wheel. 
     
     
         5 . The drive mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the motor powers the drive member into an ON state to propel the swimming pool cleaner housing. 
     
     
         6 . The drive mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the drive member is selected from the group consisting of propeller, impeller, fan, rotor and suction fan. 
     
     
         7 . The drive mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the gear drive includes a dog clutch. 
     
     
         8 . A method of moving a swimming pool cleaner comprising:
 providing a swimming pool cleaner housing having at least one wheel and a drive member;   providing a gear drive and a motor disposed within the swimming pool cleaner housing; and   powering the at least one wheel and the drive member with the motor.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising powering the at least one wheel to move in a forward direction or a reverse direction; and
 powering the at least one wheel to control a steering of the at least one wheel.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising powering the drive member into an ON state to propel the swimming pool cleaner housing. 
     
     
         11 . A swimming pool cleaner drive mechanism assembly comprising:
 a swimming pool cleaner housing;   a motor at least partially disposed within the swimming pool cleaner housing, the motor operably mounted with respect to: (i) a drive member, and (ii) a first gear;   a first gearing mechanism operably mounted with respect to: (i) the first gear, and (ii) a first wheel axle;   a first wheel member operably mounted with respect to the first wheel axle;   wherein the motor is configured to provide power to the drive member to rotate the drive member;   wherein the motor is configured to provide power to the first gear to rotate the first gear; and   wherein the first gearing mechanism is configured to utilize the rotational motion of the first gear to rotate the first wheel axle and the first wheel member.   
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first gear is operably mounted with respect to plurality of gears, and the first gearing mechanism is operably mounted with respect to the first gear and the plurality of gears;
 wherein the rotational motion of the first gear rotates the plurality of gears; and   wherein the first gearing mechanism is configured to utilize the rotational motion of the first gear and the plurality of gears to rotate the first wheel axle and the first wheel member.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the motor is operably mounted with respect to the drive member and to the first gear via a shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the motor is operably mounted with respect to the drive member via a first shaft; and
 wherein the motor is operably mounted with respect to the first gear via a second shaft.   
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the motor is operably mounted with respect to the drive member via: (i) a shaft, and (ii) a second gearing mechanism;
 wherein when the motor provides power to the drive member, the motor is configured to provide power to rotate the shaft; and   wherein the second gearing mechanism is configured to utilize the rotational motion of the shaft to rotate the drive member.   
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first gearing mechanism is further operably mounted with respect to a second wheel axle;
 wherein a second wheel member is operably mounted with respect to the second wheel axle; and   wherein the first gearing mechanism is configured to utilize the rotational motion of the first gear to rotate: (i) the first wheel axle and the first wheel member, and (ii) the second wheel axle and the second wheel member.   
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein a second wheel member is operably mounted with respect to the first wheel axle; and
 wherein the first gearing mechanism is configured to utilize the rotational motion of the first gear to rotate the first wheel axle and the first and second wheel members.   
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the drive member is selected from the group consisting of propeller, impeller, fan, rotor and suction fan. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein when the drive member is rotated by the motor, the drive member is configured to suck in and eject water relative to the housing and to thereby propel the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first wheel axle is operably mounted with respect to a belt tensioner device;
 wherein the motor is configured to provide power to the first gear to rotate the first gear in a first direction or a second direction; and   wherein the first gearing mechanism is configured to utilize the rotational motion of the first gear to rotate the first wheel axle and the first wheel member in the first direction or the second direction.