DESCRIPTION

[0001]The present invention relates to a recirculation assembly for pools. Additionally, the present invention relates to a pool system comprising said recirculation assembly.

[0002]In particular, the present invention belongs to the field of recirculation and filtration assemblies for pools, i.e. those assemblies which, firstly, move the water inside a pool, preventing it from stagnating and, secondly, filter it, cleaning it of the undesired presence of dirt, typically insects and/or leaves.

[0003]In detail, solutions of recirculation assemblies for pools are known in the state of the art, comprising special pump assemblies suitable for carrying out said operations of moving the water.

[0004]Furthermore, solutions of recirculation assemblies are known in the state of the art, comprising sand filters. Such filters allow the water in the pool to be purified of suspended solid residues, causing them to cross the sand. A typical problem of such solutions is related to the need to have to clean the sand, used as a filtering agent, regularly, as well as change the same every few years. Dismantling and disposing of these types of filter are laborious and costly with the relative disadvantages for the user.

[0005]Furthermore, solutions of recirculation assemblies comprising cartridge filters are known in the state of the art. Such solutions overcome, in part, the above drawback of solutions with sand filters, besides being lighter and more compact; however, they are less reliable as said filters can easily get clogged. Such solutions require frequent cleaning and maintenance, which is an obvious disadvantage to the user. [0006]Additionally, recirculation assemblies comprising fossil flour filters are known in the state of the art. Such filters reach elevated filtering capacities, e.g. up to 5 microns, but they are more costly and equally difficult to keep in good working order. In fact, the fossil flour must be replaced regularly, and periodic manual maintenance is required with consequent costs. The cleaning is complex in this embodiment too and in some cases, the discharging of the dirty water is prohibited by municipal regulations, with a further disadvantage to the user.

[0007]It is the object of the present invention to provide a recirculation assembly, which belongs to the above field of the art, effectively overcoming the above problems. [0008]Such an object is achieved by the recirculation assembly according to claim 1. Additionally, such an object is also achieved by the pool system according to claim 16. The claims dependent thereon demand protection for further features and include further technical advantages.

[0009]Additionally, further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010]- figure 1 represents a schematization of a filtration system for pools according to the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

[0011]- figure 1 represents a detailed schematization of the recirculation assembly according to the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

[0012]- figure 2 shows a perspective view with parts separated of the recirculation assembly according to the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

[0013]- figure 2a illustrates a side view of the recirculation assembly indicated in figure 2;

[0014]- figure 3 shows a front view with parts separated of the recirculation assembly according to the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment; and [0015]- figure 4 shows a sectional view along the sectional plane V-V of the recirculation assembly indicated in figure 3.

[0016]With reference to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 indicates the recirculation assembly as a whole. The present invention also relates to a pool system 900 comprising said recirculation assembly 1.

[0017]According to the present invention, said pool system 900 comprises a pool 950 and a hydraulic pool circuit 910 fluidically connected to said pool 950.

[0018]The dimensions and features of the pool 950 and the circuit 910 are not limiting at all and are not the subject of the present invention.

[0019]In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic pool circuit 910 comprises at least one return pipe 911 and at least one delivery pipe 912.

[0020]Therefore, in other words, the recirculation assembly 1 is fluidically connectable to the hydraulic pool circuit 910, thus, it is fluidically connectable to the pool 950. In other words, the recirculation assembly 1 is arranged between the return pipe 911 and the delivery pipe 912.

[0021]According to a preferred embodiment, the recirculation assembly 1 comprises at least one return mouth 61 fluidically connectable to the return circuit 911 and at least one delivery mouth 62 fluidically connectable to the delivery circuit 912

[0022]According to the present invention, the recirculation assembly 1 comprises a pump assembly 9 suitable for commanding the circulation of water in the hydraulic pool circuit 910.

[0023]In other words, the pump assembly commands the water flow crossing the recirculation assembly 1.

[0024]According to the present invention, the pump assembly 9 is suitable for carrying out a water suction action, thus performing the movement thereof in the pool system 900.

[0025]According to the present invention, the recirculation assembly 1 comprises a filter group 2, suitable for carrying out operations of filtering the water, by filtering it from the dirt present.

[0026]According to the present invention, the filter group 2 comprises a filtering member 3crossable by the water flowing towards the pump assembly 9. In other words, the filter group 2 is fluidically upstream of the pump assembly 9. The filter group 2 preferably filters the water so as to prevent the dirt from reaching the pump assembly 9, potentially damaging it.

[0027]In a preferred embodiment, the filtering member 3 comprises a mesh filter 30crossable by the water flow. [0028]Said mesh filter 30 is preferably made of a material suitable for withstanding corrosion.

[0029]Said mesh filter 30 is preferably made of a material belonging to the family of metal materials. [0030]Said mesh filter 30 is preferably made of a material belonging to titanium alloys.

[0031]Said mesh filter 30 is preferably made of a material belonging to the family of polymer materials.

[0032]Said mesh filter 30 is preferably made of nylon. [0033]According to a preferred embodiment, said mesh filter 30 comprises a plurality of passages suitable for allowing the water flow, being suitable for retaining the solid residues.

[0034]According to a preferred embodiment, said mesh filter 30 is of the washable mesh type (RLA).

[0035]For example, said mesh filter 30 is of the mesh 400 type.

[0036]Said mesh filter 30 preferably has openings of between 20 and 45 microns, it preferably has openings of about 28 microns.

[0037]According to a preferred embodiment, the filtering member 3 is tubular, being radially crossable on filtration. The filtering member 3 is preferably crossable on filtration from the outside inwards. [0038]According to the present invention, the filter group 2 comprises a filtration chamber 4 housing the filtering member 3. The filtering member 3 preferably divides the filtration chamber 4 into a clean region RP, into which filtered water flows, and into a dirty region RS, into which water to be filtered flows and in which the dirt is collected.

[0039]According to the present invention, the filtration chamber 4 comprises a bottom wall 42, in which a discharge mouth 420 is obtained. [0040]In a preferred embodiment, the filtering member 3 extends along an axis X-X. Said axis X-X is preferably orthogonal to the bottom wall 42 of the filtration chamber 4.

[0041]According to a preferred embodiment, the axis X-X extends substantially in a vertical direction. In fact, the bottom wall 42 is preferably in a position parallel to the base plane on which the recirculation assembly 1 is positioned.

[0042]The filtering member 3 preferably extends from said bottom wall 42.

[0043]According to a preferred embodiment, said discharge mouth 420 is fluidically connected to the dirty region RS.

[0044]According to the present invention, the filter group 2 comprises cleaning means 5 suitable for carrying out operations of cleaning of the filtering member 3.

[0045]According to the present invention, the filter group 3 is configurable in a filtration configuration, in which the water flows reaching the pump assembly 9 being subjected to filtration operations by the filter group 2. [0046]According to the present invention, the filter group 3 is further configurable in a cleaning configuration, in which the water flowing towards the pump 9 is interrupted and operations of cleaning the filtering member 3 are carried out.

[0047]According to the present invention, in the cleaning configuration, the cleaning means 5 carry out operations of cleaning the filtering member 3.

[0048]In particular, according to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning means 5 are suitable for removing the solid residues deposited on the filtering member 3, i.e. the solid residues deposited on the mesh filter 30.

[0049]According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning means 5 remove the deposited solid residues, which accumulate in time on the filtering member 3 crossed by the water.

[0050]According to the present invention, in the cleaning configuration, the water is discharged from the filtration chamber 4 through the outlet mouth 420. [0051]According to a preferred embodiment, the water, discharged in the cleaning operations, flows through the outlet mouth 420 also on the thrust of the force of gravity.

[0052]According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning means 5 comprise a nozzle 55, preferably a plurality of nozzles 55.

[0053]According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one nozzle 55 is suitable for dispensing a cleaning jet onto the filtering member 3, preferably in an opposite direction to the filtration direction of the filtering member 3. Therefore, said cleaning jet is preferably suitable for favoring the removal of dirt present on the filtering member 3 in order to be discharged through the outlet mouth 42. [0054]According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one nozzle 55 is housed inside the filtering member 3. According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one nozzle 55 preferably emits a cleaning jet having a radial and inward-outward direction. [0055]According to a further preferred embodiment, the cleaning means 5 comprise at least one rod-like cleaning element 52.

[0056]Said rod-like cleaning element 52 preferably extends in length parallel to the axis X-X. [0057]According to a preferred embodiment, the rod-like cleaning element 52 comprises the at least one nozzle 55.

[0058]The rod-like cleaning element 52 preferably comprises a plurality of nozzles 55 equally spaced apart along the length thereof. [0059]According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning jet is a jet of water. The nozzle 55 preferably dispenses a direct jet of water onto the filtering member 3.

[0060]According to a preferred variant, the cleaning means 5 comprise a compressor unit 59 and a compressed air circuit 590, which fluidically connects the compressor unit 59 to the at least one nozzle 55.

[0061]According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning jet is a jet of air. The nozzle 55 preferably dispenses a direct jet of air onto the filtering member 3. [0062]According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning jet is a mixed jet of air-water. The nozzle 55 preferably dispenses a jet of air, but being positioned radially spaced apart from the filtering member 3, said jet of air also pushes the water present between the nozzle and filtering member 3, so that the jet of air-water reaches the filtering member 3.

[0063]According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning means 5 comprise a motor group 57 engaged with the filtering member 3 suitable for commanding the rotation thereof about the axis X-X. [0064]The filtering member 3 is preferably rotationally guided by the motor group 57 so as to cause the removal of dirt accumulated therein and thereon.

[0065]According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning means 5 comprise both the at least one nozzle 55 and the motor group 57. The synergistic action of both preferably allows an effective cleaning of the filtering member 30. [0066]According to a preferred embodiment, the motor group 57 is suitable for rotationally guiding the filtering member 30 both in one direction and in the other. The motor group 57 is preferably suitable for rotationally guiding the filtering member 30 both in the operations of filtration and cleaning. Said two rotations preferably occur in two opposite directions. [0067]According to a preferred embodiment, the recirculation assembly 1 further comprises flow management means 7, commandable in an opening position and in a closing position, in which they allow or prevent the water flow through the mouths comprised in the recirculation assembly 1, respectively.

[0068]According to a preferred variant, said flow management means 7 comprise a first management element 71 and a second management element 72 suitable for managing the flow of water through the at least one delivery mouth 62 and the discharge mouth 420, respectively. [0069]According to a further preferred variant, said flow management means 7 comprise a third management element 73 suitable, in the cleaning configuration, for preventing the flow of water through the return mouth 61. [0070]Said flow management elements are preferably motorized. Said flow management elements are preferably electrically commandable.

[0071]For example, the flow management elements are preferably electro-valves, preferably solenoid valves. [0072]According to a preferred embodiment, the recirculation assembly 1 is also fluidically connectable to an auxiliary hydraulic circuit 600, e.g. to the domestic hydraulic pool circuit.

[0073]According to a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary hydraulic circuit 600 comprises an auxiliary inlet pipe 611 and an auxiliary discharge pipe 612.

[0074]According to a preferred embodiment, the above- described cleaning operations are carried out by means of said auxiliary hydraulic circuit 600. [0075]In fact, the auxiliary hydraulic circuit 600 is preferably fluidically connected to the discharge mouth 420. The discharging of the dirty water takes place in the auxiliary hydraulic circuit 600. In particular, the discharge pipe 612 is fluidically connected to the discharge mouth 420 so that the discharge of the dirty water takes place in said discharge pipe 612.

[0076]According to a preferred embodiment, the filter group 2 further comprises an inlet mouth 410 suitable for fluidically connecting the recirculation assembly 1 to the auxiliary hydraulic circuit 600. Said inlet pipe 611 is preferably fluidically connected to said inlet mouth 410. In other words, the filtration chamber 4 is tillable by the water circulating in the auxiliary hydraulic circuit 600. [0077]According to a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary hydraulic circuit 600 is fluidically connected to the rod-like element 52 . The water coming in from the auxiliary hydraulic circuit preferably accesses the filtration chamber 4 through said rod-like element 52 through the at least one nozzle 55.

[0078]According to a preferred embodiment, the filter group 2 is configurable in a filling configuration in which the filtration chamber 4 is filled by the water circulating in the auxiliary hydraulic circuit 600. [0079]In other words, according to a preferred embodiment, the filter group 2 is configured in said filling configuration after a cleaning configuration.

[0080]According to a preferred embodiment, in said filling configuration, the delivery mouth 62 and the discharge mouth 420 are closed by the first management element 71 and by the second management element, respectively 72. [0081]In other words, in the filling configuration, the filter group 2, in particular, the filtration chamber 4, is fluidically isolated from the hydraulic pool circuit 910.

[0082]In the filling configuration, the water circulating in the auxiliary hydraulic circuit 600 preferably completely fills the filtration chamber 4 and is successively allowed to flow through the delivery mouth 62.

[0083]In other words, the water flowing in the auxiliary hydraulic circuit 600, after the operations carried out in the cleaning configuration, fills the filtration chamber 4, emptied of the dirty water, so as to allow, in the successive filtration configuration, the flow through the delivery mouth 62 on the action of the pump assembly 9.

[0084]According to a preferred variant, the flow management means 7 also comprise a fourth management element 74 suitable for managing the water flow coming in through the inlet mouth 410.

[0085]The above fourth management element 74 is preferably also motorized. The fourth management element 74 is preferably commandable electrically. [0086]Said fourth management element 74 is preferably an electro-valve, e.g. a solenoid valve.

[0087]The pump assembly 9 preferably operates on suction. [0088]According to a preferred embodiment, the pump assembly 9 comprises an inverter, i.e. a current inverter, suitable for commanding the operating speed of the pump assembly 9.

[0089]The inverter is preferably commandable as a function of the needs of the recirculation assembly 1, e.g. the flow rate of water to be filtered. [0090]Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the water flowing in the auxiliary hydraulic circuit 600 is used to integrate the water of the hydraulic pool circuit flowing through the filter group 2 e.g. if there is a lower amount of water in the filtrating chamber 4 than a minimum threshold value. According to a preferred embodiment, air is preferably prevented from entering the pump assembly 9.

[0091]According to a preferred embodiment, the recirculation assembly 1 comprises detection means 10 suitable for detecting the characteristics of the water circulating inside the recirculation assembly 1.

[0092]According to a preferred embodiment, the recirculation assembly 1 further comprises a speed detection device 100 suitable for detecting the speed and/or flow rate of water exiting the filter group 2. [0093]According to a preferred embodiment, the speed detection device 100 is arranged between the filter group 2 and the pump assembly 9.

[0094]Said speed detection device 100 is preferably a flowmeter, e.g. an electromagnetic flowmeter, or a turbine flowmeter or a throttling flowmeter.

[0095]According to a preferred embodiment, the speed detection device 100 is suitable for detecting the need to carry out operations of cleaning the filter group 2. In other words, the speed detection device 100 is suitable for detecting a change in the speed and/or flow rate of water with respect to the optimum speed and/or flow rate, detecting a state of clogging of the filtering member 30. [0096]According to a further embodiment, the detection means 10 comprise a pressure detection device 110 suitable for detecting the differences in pressure of the flow in two different points.

[0097]According to a preferred embodiment, the pressure detection device 110 comprises probes and/or sensors

110', 110" arranged in different points so as to detect the difference between the detected pressures.

[0098]According to a preferred embodiment, the pressure detection device 110 detects the pressure differential between the dirty region RS and the clean region RP. [0099]According to a preferred embodiment, the detection means 10 are operatively connected to the inverter and the pump assembly 9 is operably commanded as a function of what is detected by the speed detection device 100 and/or the pressure detection device 110.

[00100] According to a preferred variant, the recirculation assembly 1 comprises an electronic command unit 11 suitable for commanding the filter group 2 in the cleaning configuration. [00101] The electronic command unit 11 preferably commands a cleaning configuration as a function of the detection carried out by the detection means 10.

[00102] According to a preferred embodiment, the electronic command unit 11 is connected to the filter group 2, in particular, to the cleaning means 5, and to the flow management means 7.

[00103] The electronic command unit 11 is preferably also operatively connected to the inverter.

[00104] The electronic command unit 11 preferably commands a filling configuration after the cleaning configuration. According to a preferred embodiment, the electronic command unit 11 commands a filling configuration at the same time as the cleaning configuration . [00105] According to a preferred embodiment, in the cleaning configuration, first a cleaning jet is dispensed by the rod-like element 52, comprising compressed air, suitable for removing dirt from the mesh filter 30, and then a cleaning jet of water for rinsing the mesh filter 30.

[00106] According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning operations, and thus the cleaning configuration, have a duration of between 2 and 5 minutes. Preferably, the cleaning jet comprising compressed air has a duration of about 1-2 minutes, and the cleaning jet comprising water has a duration of about 2-3 minutes.

[00107] In yet a further preferred embodiment, the electronic command unit 11 is suitable for communicating and transmit data to an external electronic device and/or to a "cloud" server.

[00108] Said external electronic device is preferably, for example, a smartphone, a tablet and/or a PC, and allows the user to take advantage of the information relating to the operation of the recirculation assembly 1 and/or to command and/or program the operation thereof, e.g. the duration of stay of the filter group 2 in the cleaning configuration and/or the frequency with which a cleaning configuration is commanded.

[00109] The electronic command unit 11 is preferably suitable for interacting with the voice assistant present on a smartphone, e.g. "Siri" or "Alexa".

[00110] The electronic command unit 11 is preferably commandable by the user through a hardware interface, e.g. a keyboard or "touch" display. [00111] According to a preferred embodiment, the electronic command unit 11 is designed for the integrated control and command of further sensors and devices of the pool system 900, such as, for example, light devices, technology-based chemical detection sensors, multi- functional pumps (dosing pumps, heat pumps) and sterilizers.

[00112] According to a preferred embodiment, the recirculation assembly 1 comprises a container body 150 suitable for housing all of the above-described components.

[00113] Said container body 150 is preferably suitable for withstanding the action of weathering and maintain a desired operating temperature therein.

[00114] In other words, the container body 150 is made of resistant materials, e.g. belonging to metal alloys and/or plastic alloys.

[00115] The container body 150 preferably comprises special containment walls 155.

[00116] Some of the above-described fluidic openings and/or mouths are preferably obtained on said containment walls 155.

[00117] According to a preferred embodiment, the container body 150 is positionable on a support plane, or in some embodiments, is positionable in a special housing obtained in the ground.

[00118] According to a preferred embodiment, the container body 150 also contains therein the other previously described components, as shown by way of example in figures 2, 3 and 4. [00119] The container body 150 preferably comprises a fan 151 and at least one air vent 152.

[00120] According to a preferred embodiment, said fan 151 is commanded on moving by the electronic command unit 11. [00121] According to a preferred embodiment, the delivery mouth 62 is arranged on the top of a delivery pipe 620 extending from the bottom wall 42, housed in the clean region RP of the filtration chamber 4. The raised position of the delivery mouth 62 preferably allows an efficient filling of the filtration chamber 4, as well as an efficient trajectory of the water in the filtrating member 30.

[00122] As shown in figures 2, 3 and 4, the recirculation assembly 1 comprises specific fluidic pipes suitable for allowing the fluidic connections between the aforesaid components and circuits.

[00123] Innovatively, the recirculation assembly and the pool system which comprises it extensively accomplish the preset purpose, overcoming the typical problems of the prior art.

[00124] Advantageously, in fact, the recirculation assembly, according to the present invention, eliminates the need to have to carry out specific operations of manually cleaning the filtering elements. Advantageously, it eliminates the need, typical of solutions of the state of the art, to have to carry out operations of periodic maintenance of the filtering members upstream of the pump assembly.

[00125] Advantageously, in fact, the recirculation assembly is self-cleaning, as the cleaning configuration of the filter group can be carried out in correspondence with specific circumstances. Advantageously, the recirculation assembly is suitable for carrying out the operations of cleaning, for example, at a predetermined time interval, and/or detect a state of clogging of the filtering member.

[00126] Furthermore, advantageously, the recirculation assembly according to the present invention eliminates the disadvantages of the user having to dispose of and/or replace the filtering members and the accumulated solid residues.

[00127] According to an advantageous aspect, the recirculation assembly is fluidically connectable to an auxiliary hydraulic circuit, into which the accumulated solid residues are automatically discharged.

[00128] Advantageously, therefore, the recirculation assembly offers a pool system and, at the same time, the water in the pool is constantly in optimum working conditions . [00129] Advantageously, in fact, the filtering capacity of the recirculation assembly is greater than the commonest recirculation systems on the market. Advantageously, the mesh filter has a greater filtering capacity than the known sand filters. [00130] According to another advantageous aspect, the cleaning configuration carries out specific operations of cleaning suitable for bringing the filtering member back into an initial working state. Advantageously, the mesh filter undergoes operations of washing and rinsing. [00131] Advantageously, the cleaning actions include dispensing a special cleaning jet, resulting in the removal of dirt from the filtering member.

[00132] Advantageously, the cleaning actions include the movement of the filtering member so as to result in the removal of dirt from the filtering member. [00133] Advantageously, embodiments are provided, in which the filtering member is synergistically subjected to a cleaning jet and to a simultaneous movement.

[00134] According to an advantageous aspect, the recirculation assembly comprises an electronic command unit, which allows the user to monitor the state of the pool system.

[00135] Furthermore, advantageously, the recirculation assembly is commandable both locally, through a hardware interface, and in smart mode, through an external electronic device, a voice assistant, or through a "cloud" server.

[00136] According to a further advantageous aspect, the recirculation assembly operates efficiently both in a special pit, thus, beneath the level of the ground where the pool is found, and is housable in a container body, which allows it to operate on the ground level where the pool is found.

[00137] Advantageously, the pump assembly always operates in optimum conditions.

[00138] Advantageously, the possibility of having an oversized pump assembly suitable for implementing a suction action through a clogged or semi-clogged filter group is obviated. [00139] Advantageously, the presence of water inside the filtering chamber is also ensured following the operations of discharging.

[00140] Advantageously, the recirculation assembly is compact and silent. [00141] Advantageously, the recirculation assembly has a container body with an attractive design.

[00142] It is apparent that, in order to meet contingent needs, those skilled in the art could make changes to the above-described invention, all contained in the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.