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(11) | EP 0 989 257 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | System for cleaning bottoms of swimming pools |
| (57) System for cleaning swimming pool bottoms, of use in the cleaning of all types of
swimming pool and in general tanks, vats, basins and similar devices which hold water,
which consists of a tank provided with a lid (4) having hermetic seal, as a suction
and filtration chamber, equipped with a number of nozzles and incorporating on the
inside a cage (7) which holds a strainer (8), one nozzle (3) being connected to a
motorised suction pump (10), while a second nozzle (6) is connected through the corresponding
pipe (11) to an extractor hood (12), capable of being moved over the bottom of the
swimming pool to be cleaned, and through a third nozzle (9), fitted with a hermetic
seal, the water tank can be filled up to the upper nozzle (6) for connection to the
suction pipe (11). |
[0001] The following invention, as expressed in the title of the present specification, consists of system for cleaning the bottom of swimming pools, which is of use for the cleaning the bottom of all types of swimming pools and in general deposits filled with water, whereby the object of the cleaning system is to perform the cleaning of the swimming pools returning the water to it once cleaned, which signifies a major saving in water, and consequently, a significant financial saving, as well as representing an ecological step forward which affects society as a whole since water is a scarce resource.
[0002] The swimming pool bottom cleaning system, is based on a hermetically closed tank that acts as suction chamber, which incorporates on its inside a strainer through which is made to pass all water drawn in from the pool that is carrying impurities, by the corresponding motorised pump, and which is returned to the pool free from impurities.
[0003] Thus, the suction chamber defined by a tank fitted with a lid with hermetic seal, has an upper intake nozzle to which is joined the suction pipe which at its other extremity is connected to an extractor hood and a lower nozzle to which a motorised pump is coupled, there being optionally a third upper nozzle for the filling of the tank.
[0004] In this manner, an economical swimming pool bottom cleaning system is obtained, by making a minimal investment, enhanced even further with respect to the significant saving in water achieved, which results in a very considerable financial saving, said system being possible to adapt to new swimming pool installations in the actual assembly of the purifier plant.
FIELD OF APPLICATION.
[0005] The swimming pool bottom cleaning system is of application for the cleaning of all types of swimming pool and in general of tanks, vats, basins, etc., holding water, it being possible to mount the system based on a hermetically sealed tank on a trolley which can be displaced around the perimeter of the pool to be cleaned, or else it can be coupled to the purifier plant installation of the swimming pool but employed independently.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.
[0006] It is general knowledge that with the passage of time a residue of dirt gradually builds up on the bottom of swimming pools which must be removed, by means of periodic cleaning.
[0007] Thus, the standard water purifying and filtering installations incorporated in swimming pools, comprise a motorised pump that is mounted below the water level of said pools, since in this way the water pump is always full on the inside, since normally water pumps lack suction power when empty and develop the thrust force on the discharge only when working with a water load.
[0008] As a consequence of the foregoing, when it is necessary to pump water and the motorised pump is situated at a height above the level of the water that has to be extracted, it is essential to install on the submerged suction pipe extremity a unidirectional check valve in order to maintain the whole suction pipe or duct full of water into the inside of the pump body, as in the case of the standard motorised pumps for wells and when the pump is mounted higher up than the level of the water.
[0009] The problem occurs when the swimming pools in addition to water contain impurities which gradually accumulate as a result of the wind, the surroundings and the users, for which reason the need arises to clean the bottoms of said pools periodically.
[0010] This is why the pumps that draw the water from the swimming pools are installed at a level lower than that of the water that has to be sucked in. Thus, it is usual that the cleaning of swimming pool bottoms be done with the same pump, but discharging both the water and the impurities, directly into the outflow.
[0011] In this manner, the bottom of a swimming pool is cleaned in a period of approximately one hour, which implies that between 10,000 and 12,000 litres of water are poured into the sewage system with the significant financial cost that this means for the proprietor and for society in general, since water is a scarce resource.
[0012] If the cleaning of the swimming pool bottom is done through the purifier incorporated in the installation in order to save the water, by returning it to the swimming pool, the purifier becomes blocked and has to be washed several times, discharging the water into the outflow, which increases the workload in the cleaning process and the purifier filtration operation becomes more complicated, for an end result which also signifies pouring water into the sewage system when washing and cleaning the purifier.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.
[0013] In this specification a description is given of a system for cleaning swimming pool bottoms, which is of use in cleaning the bottoms of all types of swimming pool, and in general of tanks, vats, basins, etc., holding water, the system consisting of a suction chamber defined by a tank fitted with a hermetically sealing lid, equipped with a series of nozzles and incorporating on its inside a cage holding a removable strainer, one nozzle being connected to a motorised suction pump, while a second nozzle is connected, through the corresponding pipe, to an extractor hood that can be moved over the bottom of the pool to be cleaned, and a third nozzle fitted with a hermetic seal for filling the water tank up to the upper connecting nozzle to the suction duct for water from the extractor hood.
[0014] The tank body, which defines the suction chamber, has at the bottom end the nozzle connected to the motorised pump, whilst the body of the lid with hermetic seal has the nozzle for connecting to the suction duct as well as the filling nozzle, the latter being likewise fitted with a hermetic seal, so that in this implementation the body of the sealing lid of the water tank body incorporates a pair of nozzles.
[0015] Likewise, the body of the tank, can incorporate at its lower end the nozzle connected to the motorised pump and at the upper end have the connection nozzle for the suction duct as well as the filling nozzle, having the lid with hermetics seal, the lid body of which being easily handled when dismantled as it lacks both the intake nozzle and the filling nozzle.
[0016] The cage that holds the filtration strainer for the water sucked up from the swimming pool which contains the impurities from the bottom, is housed in the upper part of the tank body, capable of being dismantled to effect its cleaning, so that when it is desired to clean the strainer, it suffices to dismantle the lid of the tank and clean and wash the strainer by hand.
[0017] In the operation of the system the motorised pump sucks in the water filtered by the strainer, feeding it back into the swimming pool through a pipe, while the vacuum produced in the suction chamber defined by the tank causes the swimming pool water to be drawn up through the suction pipe, from the extractor hood that can be moved over the bottom of the swimming pool, entering the tank through the intake nozzle in order to be filtered on passing through the strainer, leaving the clean water to be sucked in by the motorised pump and returned to the swimming pool, with a major saving in water which translates into a meaningful financial saving, and an ecological benefit.
[0018] The tank, that defines the suction chamber, with the motorised pump coupled to the corresponding nozzle, can be mounted on a trolley that can be moved by hand, which in the cleaning of the swimming pool shall be pushed around the perimeter of the same resulting in a facility easy to employ by the user.
[0019] Likewise, the tank with the motorised pump coupled to the pertinent nozzle can be mounted together with the general purifier system of the swimming pool installation, but being independent in operation.
[0020] To complete the description given hereunder, and for the purpose of facilitating a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the present specification is accompanied with a set of drawings, in the figures of which, by way of illustration but in no manner limiting, the most characteristic details of the invention are shown.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DESIGNS.
[0021]
Figure 1. Shows a sectional view on a longitudinal diametrical plane of the suction chamber defined by a tank equipped with a lid having a hermetic seal, the body of the tank having a water outlet nozzle, while the sealing lid has an inlet nozzle for water drawn up from the swimming pool and a filling nozzle, being incorporated on the inside of the tank a strainer on a caged support in which impurities accumulate that are carried by the water sucked in before it is returned to the pool once cleaned and filtered.
Figure 2. Shows a sectional view on a longitudinal diametrical plane of the suction chamber defined by the tank equipped with a lid with hermetic seal, according to a variation in the practical embodiment, in which the actual tank body incorporates the inlet nozzle for water drawn from the swimming pool, the filling nozzle and the coupling nozzle for the motorised pump in the outlet of clean water to be returned to the swimming pool incorporating in its inside the strainer on the caged supporting body.
Figure 3. Shows a view in elevation, of the swimming pool bottom cleaning system, in which the suction chamber defined by the tank is sectioned, on a longitudinal diametrical plane in standard use, it being possible to see how the water drawn in from the swimming pool circulates through the tank in order to be cleaned and returned to the swimming pool after cleansing.
Figure 4. Shows a top view of an installation in which the cleaning system is built into the standard purifier group plant, it being possible to employ one system or the other independently.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL EMBODIMENT.
[0022] In the light of the figures commented above and in accordance with the numbering plan adopted, it can be observed how the swimming pool bottom cleaning system is based on a suction chamber defined by a tank equipped with a lid with hermetic seal and provided with a number of nozzles which in its inside incorporates a cage supporting a removable strainer for filtering the water drawn in from the swimming pool and carrying impurities.
[0023] Thus, the tank can adopt the shape of the body 15 which at its lower part includes the nozzle 3 for connection to the motorised suction pump 10 and the lid 4 with hermetic seal 5 in which lid body is incorporated the nozzle 6 for connecting the pipe 11 which at its other extremity is connected to the extractor hood 12 which can be moved over the bottom of the swimming pool, and the nozzle 9, fitted with hermetic seal, for the filling of the tank, should this be required.
[0024] Likewise, in the inside of the tank 15 there is a cage 7 which holds a strainer 8 through which flows the water drawn in from the swimming pool in order to be filtered, the tank body 15 having means to support and retain in position the cage 7 which permit its simple dismantling.
[0025] Moreover, the tank can be constituted by the body 17 which incorporates all the nozzles and the lid 16 with hermetic seal, so that the body 17 incorporates the lower nozzle 3 for connection to the motorised pump 10, the nozzle 6 for connection to the swimming pool water suction pipe 11 the other extremity of which is connected to the extractor hood 12 which can be moved over the bottom of the swimming pool, by means of the pole 13, and the filling nozzle 9 provided with a hermetic seal. Likewise, on the inside of the body 17 is mounted the cage 7 which holds the strainer 8.
[0026] Thus, when it is wished to clean the strainer 8, it is sufficient to remove the lid with hermetic seal, in order to withdraw the strainer 8 and clean it by hand employing a minimum quantity of water.
[0027] In accordance with the two practical embodiments of the water reservoir tank and of the filtration strainer 8 in the case in which the lid 16 does not incorporate any nozzle, manipulation is more straightforward, though in practice both embodiments fulfil their function perfectly.
[0028] Starting from the basic and essential structure described, the operation of the system shall be as follows:
[0029] The start-up of the motorised pump 10 connected to the nozzle 3 of the tank, which serves as suction chamber, results in the clean water held in the tank being sucked out, creating a vacuum in said tank which causes the water to be drawn up from the bottom of the swimming pool, without requiring any kind of valve, carrying impurities, so that the water enters the tank through the nozzle 6 that is connected to the suction pipe 11 which at its other extremity is connected to the extractor hood 12 that is progressively moved over the bottom of the swimming pool by means of the standard pole 13.
[0030] In this fashion, the clean water drawn by the motorised pump 10 from the inside of the tank is replaced in the swimming pool through the pipe 14, so obtaining a major saving in water and consequently a significant financial saving also.
[0031] In order to facilitate the cleaning of the bottom of the swimming pool and the task of the user, the assembly of tank plus motorised pump 10 coupled to the nozzle 3, can be mounted on a trolley 18 which can be moved by hand around the perimeter of the swimming pool when this is being cleaned.
[0032] Thus, the cleaning system can be implemented with a minimum of financial investment, for the cleaning of already existing swimming pools, in a task that is both simple and comfortable to carry out.
[0033] In brief, the basis of the invention is that the water pump sucks up the impurities without requiring a check valve by means of the suction produced in a chamber (tank) full of water which is hermetically sealed, producing the intervening suction force between the motorised pump 10 and the swimming pool, in which the water level is below that of the motorised pump 10.
[0034] Likewise, the swimming pool bottom cleaning system, instead of operating independently and in a transportable manner by having the filtration and suction chamber as a unit mounted on a trolley, can be coupled to the swimming pool purifier plant installation, for the purpose of incorporating it into a single service unit, in which case it performs the same function independently of the purifier, with no impact on the operation or performance of the latter.
[0035] In this manner, it is mounted in the same installation, but is independent of the swimming pool purifier, and by having the filter removable, permits all the impurities to be extracted which have been separated from the water, cleaning the filter or strainer 8 by hand, replacing it in position and enabling the swimming pool bottom cleaning to continue without loss of the water which is returned to the swimming pool through the pertinent pipe.
[0036] When it is wished to install the suction and filtration chamber (tank)directly in the installation of a swimming pool purifier installation, this can be done very simply, being achieved by means of a bypass system and when mounting said chamber in the assembly a return pipe is fitted to it for sending the clean water directly to the swimming pool.
[0037] In this manner, the suction and filtration chamber completes its mission independently of the purifier filter with dirt from the pool itself, by not interfering with the purifier's function, so that each independent element performs the function intended for it; the purifier has the function of maintaining the correct state of the swimming pool water in general, and the suction and filtration chamber (tank) that of separating impurities from the water withdrawn from the swimming pool without any loss of water through being able to dismantle the filtration system for cleaning by hand and re-assemble it in order to continue with its function.
[0038] Thus, it can be seen from figure 4 of the designs, how the general suction pipe 21 of the motorised pump 10, coupled to the nozzle 3, has a branch 22 which is connected to the suction nozzle 6 of the tank 16-17, with coupling of the pipe 23 which returns to pipe 21, it being possible to cut off the flow by means of manual valve 24 and opening valves 25 and 26 in order to let the water flow in the direction indicated by the arrows 27 and 28.
1. SYSTEM FOR CLEANING BOTTOMS OF SWIMMING POOLS, which is of use in the cleaning of
the bottom of all types of swimming pool and in general tanks, vats, basins and like
devices which hold water, characterised in that the system comprises a tank provided
with lid with hermetic seal, as a suction and filtration chamber, fitted with a number
of nozzles and incorporating in its inside a cage (7) which supports a removable strainer
(8), there being one nozzle (3) connected to a motorised suction pump, whilst a second
nozzle (6) is connected, through the pertinent pipe (11) to an extractor hood (12),
capable of being moved over the bottom of the swimming pool to be cleaned, and by
a third nozzle (9), fitted with a hermetic seal, through which the water tank may
be filled up to the upper nozzle (6) for connection to the suction pipe (11).
2. SYSTEM FOR CLEANING BOTTOMS OF SWIMMING POOLS, according to claim 1, characterised
in that the tank body (15) has on the lower part the nozzle (3) connected to the motorised
pump (10) while the lid (4) with hermetic seal has the nozzle (6) for connection of
the suction pipe (11) and the filling nozzle (9) fitted with a hermetic seal.
3. SYSTEM FOR CLEANING BOTTOMS OF SWIMMING POOLS, according to claim 1, characterised
in that the tank body (17), has on the lower part the nozzle (3) connected to the
motorised pump (10), and on the upper part has the nozzle (6) for connection of the
suction pipe (11) and the filling nozzle (9), the tank having the lid (16) with hermetic
seal.
4. SYSTEM FOR CLEANING BOTTOMS OF SWIMMING POOLS, according to claim 1, characterised
in that the cage (7) which holds the strainer (8) for filtration of the water drawn
from the swimming pool which is carrying impurities from the bottom, is situated in
the upper part of the tank body in a manner capable of dismantling for its cleaning.
5. SYSTEM FOR CLEANING BOTTOMS OF SWIMMING POOLS, according to preceding claims, characterised
in that in the operation of the cleaning system, the motorised pump (10) draws the
filtered water through the strainer (8) returning it to the swimming pool via a pipe
(14), while the vacuum produced in the tank causes the water from the swimming pool
to enter the tank through the nozzle (6) in order to be filtered on passing through
the strainer (8), after being drawn up through the pipe (11) from the extractor hood
(12) capable of being moved over the bottom.
6. SYSTEM FOR CLEANING BOTTOMS OF SWIMMING POOLS, according to preceding claims, characterised
in that the assembly of the tank with the motorised pump (10), connected to the nozzle
(3), is mounted on a trolley (18) which can be moved by hand.
7. SYSTEM FOR CLEANING BOTTOMS OF SWIMMING POOLS, according to claims 1 to 5, characterised
in that the tank with the motorised pump (10) connected to the nozzle (3) is mounted
together with the general purifier system of the swimming pool, being independent
in its action.