Solar Powered Automatic Swimming Pool Cover Reel Assembly and Control System Driven by a Mini Direct Current (DC) Motor

Abstract

A system that is used as a pool cover control system includes a remote control, a height-adjustable base, a unit housing, a controller unit, and a motor. The remote control is used to transfer a signal. The transferred signal is received by a remote control signal receiver of the controller unit. When received, the signal is transferred to the motor through a polarity reversing switch. The rotational direction of the motor is determined by the polarity reversing switch. The motor is powered by a rechargeable battery which is recharged by at least one solar panel attached to a solar panel stand. The motor transfers rotational momentum to a gear assembly that consists of a drive gear and a torque gear. Next, the gear assembly transfers rotational momentum to a rotation shaft. A reel interface connected to the rotation shaft controls the pool cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools comprises:
 a remote control;   a height-adjustable base;   a unit housing;   a solar panel stand;   a controller unit;   a motor;   a reel interface;   at least one solar panel;   the controller unit comprises a remote control signal receiver, a polarity reversing switch, and a rechargeable battery;   the unit housing adjacently mounted onto the height adjustable base;   the solar panel stand being rotatably mounted onto the unit housing, opposite to the height-adjustable base;   the solar panel being mounted onto the solar panel stand;   the solar panel being electrically connected to the rechargeable battery;   the rechargeable battery being electrically connected to the motor through the polarity reversing switch and the remote control signal receiver;   the remote control signal receiver being electronically connected to the polarity reversing switch;   the remote control being communicably coupled to the remote control signal receiver; and   the motor being torsionally connected to the reel interface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the solar panel is adhered onto the solar panel stand. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 a gear train; 
 a rotation shaft; 
 the motor being mechanically coupled to the gear train, wherein the motor rotatably drives the gear train; 
 the gear train being mechanically coupled to the rotation shaft, wherein the gear train rotatably drives the rotation shaft; and 
 the rotation shaft being axially connected to the reel interface. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in  claim 3  comprises:
 the rotation shaft traversing out of the unit housing; and 
 the reel interface being concentrically positioned onto the rotation shaft. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in  claim 3  comprises:
 the gear train comprises an input gear, a plurality of intermediate gears, and an output gear; 
 the input gear being rotatably and internally mounted within the unit housing; 
 the plurality of intermediate gears being rotatably and internally mounted within the unit housing; 
 the output gear being rotatably and internally mounted within the unit housing; 
 the motor being axially connected to the input gear; 
 the input gear being engaged to the plurality of intermediate gears; 
 the plurality of intermediate gears being serially engaged to each other; 
 the plurality of intermediate gears being engaged to the output gear; and 
 the rotation shaft being axially connected to the output gear. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 the height adjustable base comprises a base plate, a first tubular section, and a second tubular section; 
 the first tubular section being connected normal to the base plate; 
 the second tubular section being telescopically engaged with the first tubular section, opposite to the base plate; and 
 the unit housing being rotatably mounted onto the second tubular section, opposite to the first tubular section. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in  claim 6  comprises:
 a screw locking mechanism; 
 the screw locking mechanism comprises an at least one screw and a plurality of receiving holes; 
 the plurality of receiving holes traversing through the second tubular section; 
 the plurality of receiving holes being distributed along the second tubular section; 
 the at least one screw positioned into one of the plurality of receiving holes; and 
 the at least one screw being fixed to the first tubular section. 
 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 an incremental rotation mechanism; 
 the solar panel stand being rotatably mounted onto the unit housing by the incremental rotation mechanism; and 
 the incremental rotation mechanism being a hermetic seal between the solar panel stand and the unit housing. 
 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools comprises:
 a remote control;   a height-adjustable base;   a unit housing;   a solar panel stand;   a controller unit;   a motor;   a reel interface;   at least one solar panel;   a gear train;   a rotation shaft;   the controller unit comprises a remote control signal receiver, a polarity reversing switch, and a rechargeable battery;   the unit housing adjacently mounted onto the height adjustable base;   the solar panel stand being rotatably mounted onto the unit housing, opposite to the height-adjustable base;   the solar panel being mounted onto the solar panel stand;   the solar panel being electrically connected to the rechargeable battery;   the rechargeable battery being electrically connected to the motor through the polarity reversing switch and the remote control signal receiver;   the remote control signal receiver being electronically connected to the polarity reversing switch;   the remote control being communicably coupled to the remote control signal receiver;   the motor being torsionally connected to the reel interface;   the solar panel being adhered to the solar panel stand;   the motor being mechanically coupled to the gear train, wherein the motor rotatably drives the gear train;   the gear train being mechanically coupled to the rotation shaft, wherein the gear train rotatably drives the rotation shaft; and   the rotation shaft being axially connected to the reel interface.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in  claim 9  comprises:
 the rotation shaft traversing out of the unit housing; 
 the reel interface being concentrically positioned onto the rotation shaft; 
 the gear train comprises an input gear, a plurality of intermediate gears, and an output gear; 
 the input gear being rotatably and internally mounted within the unit housing; 
 the plurality of intermediate gears being rotatably and internally mounted within the unit housing; 
 the output gear being rotatably and internally mounted within the unit housing; 
 the motor being axially connected to the input gear; 
 the input gear being engaged to the plurality of intermediate gears; 
 the plurality of intermediate gears being serially engaged to each other; 
 the plurality of intermediate gears being engaged to the output gear; and 
 the rotation shaft being axially connected to the output gear. 
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in  claim 9  comprises:
 a screw locking mechanism; 
 the height adjustable base comprises a base plate, a first tubular section, and a second tubular section; 
 the first tubular section being connected normal to the base plate; 
 the second tubular section being telescopically engaged with the first tubular section, opposite to the base plate; 
 the unit housing being rotatably mounted onto the second tubular section, opposite to the first tubular section; 
 the screw locking mechanism comprises an at least one screw and a plurality of receiving holes; 
 the plurality of receiving holes traversing through the second tubular section; 
 the plurality of receiving holes being distributed along the second tubular section; 
 the at least one screw positioned into one of the plurality of receiving holes; and 
 the at least one screw being fixed to the first tubular section. 
 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in  claim 9  comprises:
 an incremental rotation mechanism; 
 the solar panel stand being rotatably mounted onto the unit housing by the incremental rotation mechanism; and 
 the incremental rotation mechanism being a hermetic seal between the solar panel stand and the unit housing. 
 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools comprises:
 a remote control;   a height-adjustable base;   a unit housing;   a solar panel stand;   a controller unit;   a motor;   a reel interface;   at least one solar panel;   a gear train;   an incremental rotation mechanism;   the controller unit comprises a remote control signal receiver, a polarity reversing switch, and a rechargeable battery;   the unit housing adjacently mounted onto the height adjustable base;   the solar panel stand being rotatably mounted onto the unit housing, opposite to the height-adjustable base;   the solar panel being mounted onto the solar panel stand;   the solar panel being electrically connected to the rechargeable battery;   the rechargeable battery being electrically connected to the motor through the polarity reversing switch and the remote control signal receiver;   the remote control signal receiver being electronically connected to the polarity reversing switch;   the remote control being communicably coupled to the remote control signal receiver;   the motor being torsionally connected to the reel interface;   the solar panel being adhered to the solar panel stand;   a rotation shaft;   the motor being mechanically coupled to the gear train, wherein the motor rotatably drives the gear train;   the gear train being mechanically coupled to the rotation shaft, wherein the gear train rotatably drives the rotation shaft;   the rotation shaft being axially connected to the reel interface;   the solar panel stand being rotatably mounted onto the unit housing by the incremental rotation mechanism; and   the incremental rotation mechanism being a hermetic seal between the solar panel stand and the unit housing.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in  claim 13  comprises:
 the rotation shaft traversing out of the unit housing; and 
 the reel interface being concentrically positioned onto the rotation shaft. 
 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in  claim 13  comprises:
 the gear train comprises an input gear, a plurality of intermediate gears, and an output gear; 
 the input gear being rotatably and internally mounted within the unit housing; 
 the plurality of intermediate gears being rotatably and internally mounted within the unit housing; 
 the output gear being rotatably and internally mounted within the unit housing; 
 the motor being axially connected to the input gear; 
 the input gear being engaged to the plurality of intermediate gears; 
 the plurality of intermediate gears being serially engaged to each other; 
 the plurality of intermediate gears being engaged to the output gear; and 
 the rotation shaft being axially connected to the output gear. 
 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in  claim 13  comprises:
 the height adjustable base comprises a base plate, a first tubular section, and a second tubular section; 
 the first tubular section being connected normal to the base plate; 
 the second tubular section being telescopically engaged with the first tubular section, opposite to the base plate; and 
 the unit housing being rotatably mounted onto the second tubular section, opposite to the first tubular section. 
 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for controlling the cover used on pools as claimed in  claim 16  comprises:
 a screw locking mechanism; 
 the screw locking mechanism comprises an at least one screw and a plurality of receiving holes; 
 the plurality of receiving holes traversing through the second tubular section; 
 the plurality of receiving holes being distributed along the second tubular section; 
 the at least one screw positioned into one of the plurality of receiving holes; and 
 the at least one screw being fixed to the first tubular section.