Directional control for dual brush robotic pool cleaners

摘要

A method and apparatus for accurately controlling the directional and turning movement of a self-propelled robotic pool cleaner having at least one pair of rotational support members for propelling and cleaning along a surface of a pool or tank include accelerating at least one pair of the rotational support members from a stopped position to a first predetermined rotational rate for a first predetermined time period to propel the pool cleaner in a first direction along the pool surface, continuing the rotation at the first rotational rate for a second predetermined time period; and increasing to a second higher rotational rate, such that the cleaner is propelled at a maximum normalized rate during straight-line movement for cleaning the pool. The duration of straight-line movement is incrementally advanced by a signal that is manually generated by a user switch or a magnet that is brought into proximity of a reed switch mounted inside the cleaner's housing.