Method and apparatus for providing orientation related electrical signals from a robotic pool cleaner having an orientation sensor to a remote power supply via a two-wire cable
A robotic pool cleaner for cleaning surfaces of a pool including a housing having an upper portion disposed over a base to define an interior chamber. The base includes a water inlet and the upper portion has at least one water discharge port for discharging filtered water. Rotatably-mounted supports support and guide the cleaner along a pool surface. A filter assembly filters water drawn through the water inlet. An electric motor mounted in the interior chamber is configured to move the cleaner on a pool surface. The electric motor receives power from a remote power source via a two-wire power cable. An electrical circuit having at least one orientation sensor is provided on-board the cleaner. The circuit is configured to provide an electrical signal to the remote power supply over the two-wire cable when the cleaner changes its orientation by a predetermined amount with respect to the pool surface.
1. A method for cleaning a surface of a pool with a robotic pool cleaner having an electric motor for moving the cleaner, the cleaner being electrically connected to a remotely located power supply via a two-wire electrical power cable for providing power to the electric motor, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving, at the electric motor, electrical power with a first polarity from the remote power supply via the two-wire electrical power cable;
performing a cleaning operation on a surface of the pool;
causing movement of the cleaner with respect to a surface of the pool thereunder;
providing an electrical signal from the cleaner to the remote power supply over the two-wire electrical power cable when the cleaner moves with respect to the surface of the pool as detected via a sensor mounted in or on the cleaner;
again receiving electrical power with the first polarity over the two-wire electrical power cable after the electrical signal is provided back to the remote power supply; and
receiving electrical power with reversed polarity over the two-wire electrical power cable after the electrical signal is provided back to the remote power supply and before again receiving electrical power with the first polarity over the two-wire electrical power cable.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the performing a cleaning operation step comprises the steps of:
drawing water and debris into the cleaner via at least one inlet;
filtering and retaining the debris in a filter assembly; and
discharging the filtered water back into the pool.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the electrical signal comprises providing a pulsed signal to the remote power supply over the two-wire electrical power cable.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the electrical signal comprises providing a coded signal to the remote power supply over the two-wire electrical power cable.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the electrical signal comprises providing a modulated signal to the remote power supply over the two-wire electrical power cable.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing the electrical signal step further includes interrupting power to the electric motor for a predetermined time via a timer delay circuit coupled to an output of the orientation sensor.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of causing the cleaner to climb a side wall of the pool.
8. A method for cleaning a surface of a pool with a robotic pool cleaner having an electric motor for moving the cleaner, the cleaner being electrically connected to a remotely located power supply via a two-wire electrical power cable for providing power to the electric motor, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving, at the electric motor, electrical power with a first polarity from the remote power supply via the two-wire electrical power cable;
performing a cleaning operation on a surface of the pool;
causing movement of the cleaner with respect to a surface of the pool thereunder;
providing an electrical signal from the cleaner to the remote power supply over the two-wire electrical power cable when the cleaner moves with respect to the surface of the pool as detected via a sensor mounted in or on the cleaner;
again receiving electrical power with the first polarity over the two-wire electrical power cable after the electrical signal is provided back to the remote power supply; and
receiving electrical power reversed polarity over the two-wire electrical power cable after a predetermined time period lapses, and reversing a direction of movement of the cleaner.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of detecting, at the remote power supply, the electrical signal over the two-wire electrical power cable.
10. The method of claim 1 in which the sensor is an orientation sensor and the step of causing movement of the cleaner with respect to a surface of the pool thereunder comprises changing orientation of the cleaner with respect to the surface of the pool thereunder.