Any pool owner will tell you that the Kreepy Krauly [link] does not move randomly across the bottom of the pool as advertised, but instead will always follow a repetitive path that consistently misses the debris in the areas outside it. Some will also tell you that this device was spawned in the pit
of hell.
The solution to this problem does not lie in shorter, longer or twisted hoses, nor in any of the gadgets available to make the path more random. These only create a new path that is no less repetitive. The solution is simply to move the debris outside the path of the pool cleaner into the path of the pool cleaner.
The Pool Manta achieves this by gliding from one end of the pool to the other, two or three times a day, disturbing anything lying on the bottom enough to move it somewhere more likely to be sucked up.
Preliminary design features include:
- A Manta Ray shaped device with a wing span of about 1.5 m.
- Symmetrical about its transverse, coronal and sagittal planes so that it can fly in both directions, so no tail but two heads.
- Magnetic head fins that dock with a coated magnetic strip that runs along the edge of the pool at water level.
- While docked, the solar panels on the wings will harness the energy necessary to power the motor housed within the body that causes the wings to flap in a debris disturbing way.
- Once fully charged, a small electromagnetic switch would release it from its dock and the Manta would take flight, away from the side of the pool.
- Fins that direct the Manta towards the bottom.
I don't imagine much more than two or three flaps would be necessary, after which the Manta's power would be exhausted. It would then float to the surface and drift to the side to dock and recharge for its next flight.
The time taken to charge would of course be variable, but long enough to result in hours being wasted staring at the pool waiting to see it fly. Hours that would previously have been spent cleaning up what the Kreepy couldn't.