"A SWIMMING POOL CONTROLLER"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a filter system. In particular the invention relates to a swimming pool controller which is less susceptible to damage from short circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A swimming pool controller is an integral part any domestic swimming pool. The swimming pool controller normally controls the operation of at least the pump and an electrical cell of swimming pool filter system. Swimming poo! controllers can be programmed for very simple operations through to extremely complex operations depending on the site.

Most swimming pool controllers include a housing which is mounted to a wall adjacent to the filter, pump and electrolytic cell. The swimming pool controller also includes a user interface which is electrically connected to an electric circuit board. The user interface enables a user to input commands which are then processed using the electric circuit board. The user inputs determine the output from the electric circuit board.

Typically the swimming controller is protected from the weather. For example, the swimming pool controller may be located within a shed, or under the eave of the house. However, although out of the weather, most swimming pool controllers are susceptible to contact with insects and small animals. When the swimming pool controller is operated, the electric circuit board generates heat. This heat often attracts insects such as ants, moths, and termites, and animals such as geckos and skinks. These insects and animals are typically able to pass through gaps in the housing and come into contact with the electric circuit board. This contact can often cause a short circuit in the electric circuit board destroying the electric circuit board.

One way in which to prevent insects and animals entering the housing is to produce a gapless housing. Unfortunately a gapless housing does not allow dissipation of heat from the electric circuit board. This can cause the electric circuit board to over heat destroying the circuit board. In extreme circumstances the electric circuit board can catch fire. Insect meshing can be provided within the housing to prevent the ingress of animals and insects. However, there is a substantial labour cost for installation of a mesh. Further, many insect meshes are electrically conductive and also prone to deterioration. Deterioration of the mesh can create a short circuit of the electric circuit board . Also the mesh can become clogged with dust.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention is to overcome or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages or provide the consumers with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, although not necessarily the only of the broadest form, the invention recites in a swimming pool controller able to control at least one swimming pool pump, the swimming pool controller including: a user interface for providing an input;

an electrical circuit board electrically connected to the user interface and;

a housing at least partially surrounding the electrical circuit board; wherein a non-electrically conductive liquid is located within the housing to at least partially immerse the electrical circuit board.

The housing is typically sealed using a lid. The lid may be used to mount the electrical circuit board. The lid may also be used to mount the user interface.

In another form the invention resides in a filter system comprising:

a controller able to control at least a pump, the controller including an electric circuit board located within a housing;

a filter having a filter body; wherein the housing is mounted to the filter body and non-electrically conductive liquid is located within the housing to at least partially cover the electrical circuit board.

Preferably the housing of the controller is at least partially located within the filter body. More preferably, the housing is located entirely within the filter body.

In yet another form the invention resides in a filter for a swimming pool, the filter including,

a filter body having a filter tank;

a filter valve located adjacent to the filter tank;

a conduit extending from the filter valve to adjacent a base of the filter tank; and

a distributor fluid ly connected to the conduit, the distributor including at least two passages to d istribute water from the conduit along a base of the tank.

wherein the distributor is of unitary construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention, by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a filter system according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line A - A of the filter system shown in Figure 1 and

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the filter system of

Figure 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT

Figures 1 to 3 show a filter system 10 which is used to both filter water from a swimming pool as well as control the operation of a swimming pool pump and electrolytic cell. It should be appreciated that the filter system 10 may be used to control other aspects of swimming pool operations.

The filter system 10 includes a controller 100 and a filter 200. The controller 100 is used to control electrical equipment associated with the pool such as a pump and electrolytic cell. However it should be appreciated that the controller 100 may be used to control in other components of the pool such as lights and automatic closing.

The controller 100 includes a user interface 1 10, an electric circuit board 120, a housing 130 and a lid 140.

The user interface 1 10 is a typical user interface found on current pool controllers. The user interface 1 0 may utilize analogue inputs or digital inputs or a combination of both depending on design criteria. It should be appreciated that a person skilled in the art would be able to readily design an appropriate user interface 1 10.

The electric circuit board 120 outputs control signals to electrical pool equipment such as pumps, electrolytic cells and the like components. As such, the electrical circuit board 120 is electrically connected to these components by electrical wires (not shown). The electric circuit board 120 in this embodiment is a printed circuit board.

The housing 130 is made from plastics and is sized to surround the electric circuit board 120. However, it should be appreciated that the size, shape and the material of the housing 130 may be varied by a person skilled in the art depending on design criteria.

The lid 140 is used to seal the housing 130. The lid 140 is also used to mount the electrical circuit board 120 and the user interface. A lid o- ring 141 is used to assist in sealing the lid 140 to the housing 30.

Non-electrically conductive liquid 150 is located with the housing 130 to cover the electrical circuit board. For a person skilled in the art would be aware of the selections of non-electrically conductive liquid . However an example may include a mineral oil.

The filter 200 is used to filter swimming pool water. The filter 200 includes a filter body 210, a filter valve 220, a conduit 230 and a distributor 240.

The filter body 210 includes a filter tank 250, a cap 260 and a clamp 270. The filter tank 250 is a blow moulded plastic tank having a series of longitudinally extending ribs 251 forming sides of the filter tank 250. A large tank aperture 252 is located within a top of the filter tank 250. A corresponding lip 253 is formed around the large tank aperture 252.

The cap 260 is located over the large tank aperture 252 of the filter tank 250. A cap o-ring 261 is used to mount the cap 260 to the filter tank 250. The cap 260 includes the controller housing 130 of the controller 100, a conduit aperture 262 for positioning of the conduit 220 and a filter valve aperture 263 for mounting the filter valve 220.

The clamp in 270 is used to hold the cap onto the filter tank 250. The clamp 270 is formed from two clamp members 271 . The two clamp members 271 are located over the lip 253 of the filter tank 250 and the periphery of the cap 260 to hold the cap 260 onto the filter tank 250. Clamp fasteners 272 are used hold the clamp members 271 together.

The filter valve 220 is a standard filter valve which is used on current swimming pool filters. A person skilled in the art would be able to select the appropriate filter valve based on their knowledge. The filter valve 220 is located within the filter aperture 263 of the cap 260.

The conduit 220 is a standard conduit as is known to a person skilled in the art, The conduit 220 extends between the filter valve 220 and the base of the filter tank 250. The conduit extends through and is held in position by the conduit aperture 262 of the cap 260.

The distributor 240 is fluidly connected to the conduit 230 for distributing swimming pool water evenly along the base of the filter tank 250. The distributor 240 is sized so that it is able to be located through the large tank aperture 252 of the filter tank 250. The distributor 240 is formed from an integrally formed plastic disc 241 that includes a series of passageways

242 that extend radially through the disc 241 . A conduit attachment portion

243 is located at the top of the disc 241 for connecting the disc 241 to the conduit 220. The passageways 242 extend outwardly from the conduit attachment portion 243. Feet 244 are located in the bottom of the disc 241 .

The filter system 10 is assembled by placing the conduit 220 into the attachment portion 243 of the distributor 240. The distributor 240 and conduit 220 are then located through the large tank aperture 252 of the filter tank 250. The distributor 240 is then located at the bottom of the filter tank 240 with the feet contacting the bottom of the filter tank 250, Filter media (not shown) is then located within the filter tank 250.

The cap 260 with associated cap o-ring 261 is located over the large tank aperture 252 of the filter tank 250 so that the conduit 220 extends through the conduit aperture 262 of the cap 260. The clamping members 271 of the clamp 270 are then placed around the lip 253 and the cap 260 to secure the cap 260 to the filter tank 250. Cap screws 272 are located through the clamp members 271 to clamp the cap 260 to the filter tank 250. The filter valve 220 is then located within the filter aperture 263 of the cap 260 so that the conduit 220 is fluidly connected to the filter valve 220.

The housing 30 is then filled with non-electrically conducted liquid 150. The lid o-ring 141 is then located around the top of the housing 130. The circuit board 120 is located within the non-electrically conductive fluid 150 and the lid 140 sealed to the top of the housing 130 using the lid o- ring 141 . The user interface 1 10 is then attached to the lid 140. A cover (not shown) can also be placed over the user interface 1 10 and filter valve 220 for aesthetic purposes.

It should be appreciated that a person skilled in the art may vary the order in which the filter system is assembled.

In use, the electric circuit board 130 of the controller 100 is entirely covered with non-electrically conducted fluid 150. Therefore, the potential for a short circuit of the electric circuit board being caused by an animal or insect is remote.

A further advantage provided by the filter system 10 is due to the housing 130 being located within the filter tank 250. As the filter tank 250 is filled with swimming pool water in use, the water cools housing which in turn cools the non-electrically conductive liquid 150 which in turns cools the electric circuit board 130.

In this specification, the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprising" or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system, method or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modification may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.