In-Pool Docking Station and Associated Methods

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/653,010, filed on May 29, 2024, and entitled IN-POOL DOCKING STATION AND ASSOCIATED METHODS, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The invention relates to self-propelled swimming pool cleaners and other battery-driven robots or cleaners, and more particularly, to docking stations for such battery-driven cleaners.

Numerous cleaning devices capable of self-propelled movement within swimming pools and spas currently exist. The most common of these devices are self-propelled swimming pool cleaners, which often are either hydraulic or robotic in type. Hydraulic cleaners vary water flow for movement, while robotic cleaners typically employ electric motors to cause motion. Hydraulic pool cleaners, furthermore, subdivide into “pressure-side” and “suction-side” cleaners, with pressure-side cleaners being fluidly connected to outputs of pumps of pool water circulation systems and suction-side cleaners being fluidly connected to inputs of such pumps.

Battery-driven pool cleaners are becoming increasingly popular. Depending on the duration of the cleaning cycle, battery-driven pool cleaners may require charging at various time intervals or frequencies utilizing charging stations. Charging stations typically may be of two types—a “pool cleaner garage,” or docking stations. Pool cleaner garages are embedded inside of the pool wall, stairs, or floor, and usually must be planned during pool construction. Docking stations may be placed in or around an already constructed pool, such as on the wall or on the floor of the pool. However, providing power to such docking stations is challenging because regulations require an offset distance between the pool and a shore power source (such as at least 3 meters). As such, cabling must be run from a shore power source, through a transformer, and across the pool deck to the docking station. Such cabling is unsightly and may be difficult to make safe and aesthetically pleasing. Moreover, while docking stations may provide flexibility for location, anchoring such docking stations with sufficient rigidity is challenging, as pool owners are averse to drilling into the pool deck, coping, or wall.

Embodiments covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

According to certain embodiments, a docking station for a self-propelled pool cleaner includes a solar panel.

According to some embodiments a docking station for a self-propelled pool cleaner includes a support connecting a base and a dock of the docking station.

According to various embodiments, a docking station includes an in-pool dock supported on a wall of the pool without mechanical fasteners.

According to some embodiments, a docking station includes an in-pool dock configured to supply power to a self-propelled pool cleaner and without external power cables.

According to certain embodiments, a docking station includes a base, an adjustable support, and an in-pool dock, and the in-pool dock is positionable on a wall of a pool.

According to various embodiments, a wall-mounted docking station for a self-propelled pool cleaner may be supported relative to a pool without mechanical fasteners or external power.

According to certain embodiments, a docking station may be adjustable to (i) a shape of coping and (ii) an angle of a wall of the pool.

According to some embodiments, a method of docking a self-propelled pool cleaner with a wall-mounted dock includes (i) causing the self-propelled pool cleaner to climb a wall of a pool, (ii) at or proximate a waterline of the pool, controlling the self-propelled pool cleaner to be in a horizontal orientation, and (iii) causing the self-propelled pool cleaner to move in a horizontal direction to approach the dock.

According to some embodiments, a method includes docking a self-propelled pool cleaner with a wall-mounted dock while the self-propelled pool cleaner is in a horizontal orientation.

According to various embodiments, a method includes docking a self-propelled pool cleaner with a vertically-oriented dock while the self-propelled pool cleaner is in a horizontal orientation.

According to certain embodiments, a method includes deploying a self-propelled pool cleaner from a wall-mounted dock while the self-propelled pool cleaner is in a horizontal orientation.

According to various embodiments, a pool system includes a wall-mounted dock and a self-propelled pool cleaner. The wall-mounted dock may include an upward-curving hook, the self-propelled pool cleaner may include a downward-curing hook, and the self-propelled pool cleaner is configured to dock with and deploy from the dock while in a horizontal orientation.

According to certain embodiments, a docking station for a self-propelled pool cleaner comprising a base positionable on a surface above a pool or spa, a docking station for a pool cleaner positionable within water of the pool, and a support connecting the base and the dock and conforming to coping of the pool or spa.

Various implementations described herein can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

Described herein are docking stations and associated methods for self-propelled pool cleaners. Compared to traditional docking stations, the systems and methods described herein may provide a sturdy, in-pool docking station which does not require a mechanical anchor or device other than the weight of the base. Additionally, or alternatively, the in-pool docking station may not require external power cables. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein optionally allow for horizontal docking between the self-propelled pool cleaner and the dock, which may eliminate the mechanical release typically required for deploying the self-propelled pool cleaner from the dock and/or eliminating complex vertical alignment and/or other control of the pool cleaner for docking the pool cleaner with the dock.

In certain embodiments, the docking stations described herein optionally include a solar panel. While the solar panel may be provided at various locations on and/or relative to the docking station, in certain embodiments, the solar panel may be provided as a base of the docking station and/or with a base of the docking station. Compared to traditional docking stations with external cables connected to an external power source, the solar panel with the docking station may eliminate external cables needed to provide power to the dock and for charging the pool cleaner. In some embodiments, the solar panel may form a sturdy base to which the dock is anchored, thereby allowing for installation of the docking station without mechanical fasteners. In certain embodiments, the solar panel may be provided on a pool deck adjacent to the pool and/or at an otherwise appropriate position. Optionally, the solar panel may be a walk-on solar panel, although it need not be in other embodiments. In various embodiments, the solar panel may have gripping or friction features promoting engagement with the surface of the pool deck (or other location), such as but not limited to rubberized features.

Optionally, the solar panel may include various means for controlling the temperature of the solar panel, such as but not limited to a cover or material at least partially encapsulating the solar panel providing thermal insulation and/or which remains cool to the touch in the sun, a water circulation system to circulate pool water through the solar panel construction, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired.

In some embodiments, the solar panel includes a human-machine interface, such as but not limited to a screen, display, speaker, etc., which may provide output to a user and/or receive input from a user. In certain embodiments, the solar panel may include a communication module such that the docking station may wirelessly communicate with one or more remote devices, such as a user device, cloud, remote device, and/or as otherwise desired. Optionally, the docking station may be configured as an above-water communication station for relaying pool cleaner information to and/or from the user or internet.

Additionally, or alternatively, the docking stations described herein may include a support connecting the dock with the base (which may or may not include the solar panel). In some embodiments the support may be rigid and/or generally maintaining its shape, while in other embodiments, the support may be movable, adjustable, flexible, articulated, and/or otherwise be a shapeable structure (hereinafter “flexible support”). The flexible support may be semi-flexible and/or may be shaped to the coping and wall angle of the pool, thereby allowing the docking station to sufficiently conform to the shape of the pool and provide a sturdy base for an in-pool docking station without requiring a mechanical anchor other than the weight of the base.

The flexible support may be continuous (e.g., monolithic) or articulated (e.g., with a plurality of segments) as desired. In certain embodiments, the flexible support is an articulated support and may be adjustable between a locked (or tensioned) configuration, in which the articulated support retains its shape, and an unlocked (or loosened) configuration, in which the shape of the articulated support may be adjusted. Optionally, the articulated support may be adjusted between the locked and unlocked configurations utilizing an internal cable, which optionally may provide power to the dock. In embodiments with the internal cable, the cable may be tensioned or loosened (optionally via a toggle latch or other mechanism), which in turn may allow for or arrest movement between individual segments of the articulated support. Optionally, the articulated support may allow for the articulated support and the dock to be folded flat against the base and/or the solar panel, such as for transportation and shipping. In other embodiments, the flexible support may be folded and/or shaped as desired using various means or mechanisms.

Additionally, or alternatively, the systems and methods described herein may provide improved docking control between the pool cleaner and the dock. In certain embodiments, the improved docking may allow the pool cleaner to approach the dock without needing to know the exact location of the dock. In various embodiments, the improved docking includes causing the pool cleaner to climb a wall of the pool, controlling the pool cleaner to be in a horizontal orientation along the wall, and causing the pool cleaner to travel horizontally along the wall until positioned over the dock. In certain embodiments, the pool cleaner may travel horizontally upon reaching a predetermined depth and/or may maintain the depth of the pool cleaner while travelling horizontally.

In various embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may provide horizontal docking between the pool cleaner and a wall-mounted dock. Traditionally, wall-mounted docking stations engage a pool cleaner while the pool cleaner is in a vertical orientation, meaning that an axis extending from a front to a back of the pool cleaner (and on which either side motive elements are provided) extends perpendicular to a pool floor. Horizontal docking described herein refers to an orientation of the pool cleaner in which the axis extending from the front to the back of the pool cleaner is parallel to the pool floor. In various embodiments, the horizontal docking described herein may allow for the pool cleaner to simply drive on or off the dock without requiring a mechanical release as typically required with vertical docking stations. In some embodiments, the horizontal docking may be facilitated by an upward-curving hook on the dock and a downward-curving hook on the pool cleaner.

Various other benefits and advantages may be realized with the systems, devices, and methods provided herein, and the aforementioned advantages should not be considered limiting.

illustrate a docking stationfor a pool cleaner according to embodiments. The docking stationgenerally includes a base, a dock, and one or more supportsconnecting the dockwith the base.

In various embodiments, and as illustrated in, for example, in use at a pool, the basemay be provided on a deck surface(and/or other surface surrounding the pool), and the dockmay be supported on and/or proximate to a wallof the pool. In certain embodiments, the dockmay be supported at and/or proximate to a waterline of the poolas illustrated in. In this regard, the docking stationmay be considered an in-pool docking station allowing for in-pool docking of a pool cleaner with the dock.

The basein general may have a weight and size suitable for anchoring the dockrelative to the poolwithout requiring separate mechanical fasteners or anchors. As such, while the baseis illustrated as generally rectangular in, it need not be in other embodiments, and the basemay be constructed from various materials and/or may have various shapes and/or sizes as desired.

Optionally, the basemay include one or more gripping or friction features, which may promote engagement between the baseand the deck surface, thereby improving stability and/or positioning of the baseon the deck surface. Various materials may be utilized as the gripping or friction features, such as but not limited to rubbers, resins, fibers, metals, and/or other non-slip and/or slip-resistant materials as desired. Moreover, the gripping or friction featuresmay be provided in various shapes, sizes, arrangements, and/or locations on the baseas desired. In the embodiment illustrated in, the gripping or friction featuresare one or more coversextending along at least a portion of a perimeter of the base, and the gripping or friction features include rubber. In other embodiments, the gripping or friction featuresmay be provided continuously or discontinuously along the perimeter of the base, at discrete locations on the base(such as, but not limited to, one or more corners of the base), and/or on a lower side (e.g., facing the deck surface) of the base). Other arrangements, shapes, patterns, and sizes of gripping or friction featuresmay be utilized as desired.

In certain embodiments, the baseincludes an electronics enclosurefor housing electronic components and/or systems of the docking station. The enclosuremay be provided at various locations relative to the base, and the particular position illustrated should not be considered limiting.

Optionally, the enclosureincludes human-machine interface (HMI)with one or more features for providing information to a user and/or for receiving input from a user. In the embodiment illustrated in, the HMIincludes a displayand a button; however, in other embodiments other displays, buttons, speakers, dials, keys, knobs, switches, other HMI features (real or virtual), and/or combinations thereof may be utilized with the HMIas desired. The information provided to the user via the HMImay be various information as desired, such as but not limited to a charging status of the pool cleaner, a filter status of the pool cleaner, a cleaning or operational status of the pool cleaner, a power level of the docking station, a power source for the docking station, a communication status, system information (e.g., obtained from the pool cleaner, sensors, user, etc.), and/or various other information as desired.

In various embodiments, the docking station includes one or more communication modules allowing for wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.) with external or remote devices. External or remote devices may include, but are not limited to, external control devices, the internet, cloud services, smartphones, other user devices, combinations thereof, and/or other devices or systems as desired. The communication modules may be provided with the electronics enclosureand/or as otherwise desired on the docking station. The docking stationwith wireless communication may function as an above-water communication station to relay cleaner information (and/or other information) to and from remote devices. In certain embodiments, the docking stationwith wireless communication may facilitate communication to and from an underwater pool cleaner at least while the pool cleaner is docked with the docking station.

In some embodiments, and as illustrated in, the baseoptionally is or includes one or more solar panels. Compared to traditional docking stations which obtain power from an external source and thus require external cabling, the docking stationwith the solar panelas the base(or on the base) may eliminate a need for external cabling, thereby providing an improved visual appearance and improved safety. The solar panelmay be various solar panels as desired. Optionally, the solar panelmay be a walk-on solar panel(e.g., a solar panel with a construction able to withstand a user walking on it), although it need not be in other embodiments. In various embodiments, the solar panelas or part of the basemay have sufficient weight and arrangement for anchoring the dock.

Optionally, the solar panelmay include various means for controlling the temperature of the solar paneland/or removing excess heat. With reference to, non-limiting examples of means for temperature control include one or more coversthat wholly or partially cover the solar panel(see, e.g.,), a thermally insulating materialwhich wholly or partially encapsulates the solar panel(see, e.g.,), cooling fins, heat sinks, air cooling systems, water cooling systems, combinations thereof, and/or other systems as desired. In one non-limiting example, a temperature control system for the solar panelmay include one or more pumpsfor circulating pool water through the solar paneland back to the pool(see, e.g.,). Other techniques or combinations of techniques for controlling the temperature of the solar panelmay be utilized as desired.

In other embodiments, the baseneed not include the one or more solar panels.

The dockof the docking stationmay have various constructions suitable for selectively engaging the pool cleaner and/or charging the pool cleaner. As a non-limiting example, and as illustrated in, for example, the dockmay include one or more charging locationsfor charging an onboard power source of the pool cleaner and/or for communicating with the pool cleaner. Various charging features may be utilized at the one or more charging locations, such as but not limited to a feature for contactless charging of the pool cleaner (e.g., via induction) or contact charging.

Optionally, the dockmay include one or more support mechanisms for at least temporarily supporting the pool cleaner on the dock. Support mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, latches, hooks, magnets, electromagnets, combinations thereof, and/or other support mechanisms as desired. As discussed in detail below with reference to, in certain embodiments the dockincludes a support mechanism facilitating horizontal docking of the pool cleaner with the dock.

As mentioned, the dockis connected to the basevia the one or more supports.

In some embodiments, the one or more supportsmay be rigid and/or may maintain their general shape. In some embodiments, rigid supportsmay maintain an orientation and/or positioning of the dockrelative to the base, although in other embodiments, rigid supportsmay be adjustable to change the orientation and/or positioning relative to the basewhile maintaining their general shape.

In other embodiments, the one or more supportsare flexible supportsand have an adjustable shape and/or may be adjustable to change a relative orientation between to the dockand/or the base. In one non-limiting example, the flexible supportsmay be articulated (e.g., include a plurality of segments), although they need not be articulated in other embodiments, and the flexible supportsmay be adjustable via other techniques or mechanisms as desired, such as but not limited to the use of a bendable material, a shape memory material, malleable materials, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired. In the embodiment illustrated in, and as discussed below, the supportsare flexible supports that have an adjustable shape and/or are adjustable relative to the baseand/or the dock. In some non-limiting examples, regardless of whether the supportsare flexible or rigid, the supportsmay be positionable between a stowed configuration (see, e.g.,) and a deployed configuration (see, e.g.,). In other optional embodiments, regardless of whether the supportsare flexible or rigid, the supportsmay maintain their general orientation relative to the base(such as in the deployed configuration).

In certain embodiments, the supportsmay extend from the baseon the deck surfaceand into the pooland hold the dockat an appropriate position and with rigidity against and/or in proximity to the wall. In certain optional embodiments, the supportsmay electrically connect the dockwith the base(e.g., providing a data communication and/or power connection). Optionally, the supportsare connected to the baseat least partially via the electronics enclosure.

While two supportsare illustrated with the docking station, in other embodiments, any number of supportsmay be utilized, such as one support, two supports, and/or more than two supports. As mentioned, in some embodiments, the supportsare flexible supportsand are adjustable relative to the base, which in turn allows for positioning of the dockrelative to the base. In certain embodiments, the flexible supportsmay be semi-flexible such that the flexible supportsmay be shaped to conform to structures or surfaces, such as but not limited to the copingand/or the angle of the wall. In some embodiments, and as discussed in detail below, the flexible supportsare articulated supportsand may have an unlocked (or loosened) configuration in which the articulated supportsmay be formed into a desired shape or profile, and a locked (or tensioned) configuration in which the articulated supportsretain their shape.

As mentioned, the supportsas rigid supportsand/or flexible supportsmay have various constructions as desired. In one non-limiting example, and as best illustrated in, the supportsare flexible supports, such as articulated supports. In this non-limiting example, an articulated supportmay include a plurality of support segments, an internal cableextending through the plurality of support segments, a cable anchor, and a cable toggle. The number of support segmentsincluded with the articulated supportshould not be considered limiting, and in various embodiments, the number of support segmentsmay be controlled to control a relative distance and/or positioning of the dockrelative to the base.

As illustrated in, in certain embodiments, adjacent ends,of adjacent support segmentsmay include engagement features,that prevent or restrict relative movement of the adjacent support segmentswhen the engagement features,are engaged. Optionally, the engagement features,provide incremental changes in relative position between the adjacent support segments, although it need not be incremental in other embodiments. In the embodiment illustrated in, the engagement features,are teeth,; however, in other embodiments, other suitable engagement features may be utilized, such as but not limited to ribs and grooves, pins and apertures, and/or other features as desired.

The internal cableextends through the plurality of support segmentsand includes at least the cable anchor. The internal cablemay be selectively tensioned or loosened to control relative positioning of the support segments. In some embodiments, the cable togglemay be included to control the tension of the internal cable. As a non-limiting example, the cable toggleoptionally may be a toggle latch that is selectively raised () or lowered () to control tension in the internal cable. However, in other embodiments, other tension control mechanisms may be utilized as desired. In certain embodiments, in addition to being tensioned or loosened to control shaping of the articulated supportsas discussed in detail below, the internal cableoptionally may provide the electrical connection (e.g., data and/or power) between the dockand the base. In other embodiments, another cable for data and/or power may be provided extending through the support segments(e.g., in adjacent cavities, apertures, etc.), and the internal cable providing data and/or power may not be the cable that tensions the segments.

As illustrated in, in the locked or tensioned configuration, the internal cablemay be tensioned such that the adjacent support segmentsare drawn together and such that the engagement features,are engaged. As mentioned, engagement between the engagement features,prevents or limits relative movement between adjacent support segments, thereby locking the support segmentsinto place and retaining the overall shape of the articulated support. As illustrated in, in the unlocked or loosened configuration, the tension in the internal cableis released, and adjacent support segmentsmay be movable out of engagement and thereby movable relative to each other. As a non-limiting example, in the unlocked configuration, the articulated supportmay be adjustable from a linear orientation (see, e.g.,) to a shaped orientation (see, e.g.,). The particular orientations, shaping, and/or adjustment of the articulated supportillustrated should not be configured limiting. In other embodiments, other types of flexible supportsmay have an adjustable shape using various mechanisms and/or features as desired.

Optionally, the articulated supportsmay be pivotable relative to the basewhile in the locked configuration, thereby allowing for relative movement between the articulated supportsand the dockrelative to the base while the articulated supportsretain their shape and rigidity. In some embodiments, the pivoting of the articulated supportsrelative to the basemay allow for the docking station to have a stowed configuration (see, e.g.,), and a deployed configuration (see, e.g.,). In other embodiments, flexible supportsmay be pivotable and/or otherwise movable relative to the baseand/or the dockusing various mechanisms as desired.