Surface cleaning equipment lighting system

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum body defining an agitation chamber, an agitator, and an illumination system. The agitator is at least partially rotatably disposed within the agitation chamber and includes an agitator body defining an illumination chamber. The illumination system is at least partially disposed within the illumination chamber and includes at least one light source. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum body defining an agitation chamber, an agitator at least partially rotatably disposed within the agitation chamber, an illumination system coupled to the vacuum body and including at least one light source, and a light guide configured to redirect light emitted from the at least one light source in a first direction to a second direction.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 201980064138.9 (the corresponding international application application number is PCT / US2019 / 054176), application date October 2, 2019, priority date October 2, 2018, and invention title "Surface Cleaning Equipment Lighting System".

[0002] Cross-reference to related applications

[0003] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 740,096, filed October 2, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0004] This disclosure relates generally to surface treatment equipment, and more specifically to lighting systems for surface cleaning equipment. Background Technology

[0005] Surface treatment equipment may include a vacuum cleaner configured to extract debris from a surface (e.g., a floor). The vacuum cleaner may include a surface cleaning head having one or more brush rollers configured to agitate the surface (e.g., a carpet) to push debris into an airflow generated by a suction motor of the vacuum cleaner. The debris within the airflow may then be deposited in a debris collector (e.g., a bag) for later disposal. In some applications, the suction motor and / or agitator are powered by one or more batteries (e.g., rechargeable batteries). Attached Figure Description

[0006] These and other features and advantages will be better understood by reading the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0007] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vacuum cleaner including a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0008] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of a vacuum cleaner including a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0009] Figure 3 An embodiment according to this disclosure is shown. Figure 1 and 2 A schematic diagram of one embodiment of a lighting system.

[0010] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the lighting system.

[0011] Figure 5An embodiment according to this disclosure is shown. Figure 1 and 2 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of the lighting system. Detailed Implementation

[0012] In brief, this disclosure provides a vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum body defining an agitation chamber, an agitator, and an illumination system. The agitator is at least partially rotatably disposed within the agitation chamber and includes an agitator body defining an illumination chamber. The illumination system is at least partially disposed within the illumination chamber and includes at least one light source. The illumination system may be fixed relative to the vacuum body and / or rotatable with the agitator. Light emitted by the illumination system may pass through the agitator body and optionally through a portion of the vacuum body. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum body defining an agitation chamber, an agitator at least partially rotatably disposed within the agitation chamber, an illumination system coupled to the vacuum body and including at least one light source, and a light guide configured to redirect light emitted from the at least one light source in a first direction to a second direction.

[0013] Figure 1 and 2 Exemplary embodiments of vacuum cleaners 10 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are shown, each vacuum cleaner including an illumination system 102. As explained herein, the illumination system 102 may be configured to illuminate the area being cleaned, provide an aesthetic appearance, and / or serve as an input and / or output device (e.g., but not limited to providing information about the status of one or more parameters of the vacuum cleaner). The term vacuum cleaner 10 is intended to refer to any type of vacuum cleaner, including but not limited to manually operated vacuum cleaners 100 and robotic vacuum cleaners 200.

[0014] Now go to Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a manually operated vacuum cleaner 100 is generally shown. The manually operated vacuum cleaner 100 may include any vacuum cleaner known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to head-integrated vacuum cleaners, upright vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners, stick vacuum cleaners, and central vacuum cleaners. It should be understood that the manually operated vacuum cleaner 100 shown is for illustrative purposes only, and the manually operated vacuum cleaner 100 may not include… Figure 1 All features shown, and / or may include Figure 1 Additional features not shown. For illustrative purposes only, the manually operated vacuum cleaner 100 (… Figure 1The surface treatment head 112 may include a debris compartment 104, one or more filters 106, one or more suction motors 107, a fluid conduit 108, a handle 110, and a nozzle or surface treatment head 112. The surface treatment head 112 may include one or more rotatable agitators 114 and / or one or more wheels 116. The rotatable agitator 114 may be driven by one or more motors disposed within the manually operated vacuum cleaner 100 and may be at least partially disposed in an air inlet 118, for example, formed in the body 120 of the surface treatment head 112. As a non-limiting example, the agitator 114 may include a rotatable liner bar with multiple bristles. The surface treatment head 112 may optionally include a power source (such as one or more batteries) and / or a power cord. As explained herein, the handheld vacuum cleaner 100 (e.g., but not limited to the surface treatment head 112) may include one or more lighting systems 102.

[0015] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an example of a robotic vacuum cleaner 200 is shown. It should be understood that the robotic vacuum cleaner 200 shown is for illustrative purposes only, and the robotic vacuum cleaner 200 may not include... Figure 2 All features shown, and / or may include Figure 2 Additional features not shown. The robotic vacuum cleaner 200 may include an air inlet 118 fluidly coupled to a debris compartment 104 and a suction motor 107. The suction motor 107 draws debris into the air inlet 118 and deposits it into the debris compartment 104 for later disposal. The robotic vacuum cleaner 200 may optionally include one or more agitators 114 at least partially disposed within the air inlet 118. The agitators 114 may be driven by one or more motors disposed within the robotic vacuum cleaner 200. As a non-limiting example, the agitator 114 may include a rotatable liner bar with multiple bristles. The robotic vacuum cleaner 200 includes a plurality of wheels 208 coupled to respective drive motors 210. Thus, each wheel 208 can be generally described as being driven independently. The robotic vacuum cleaner 200 can be steered by adjusting the rotational speed of one of the plurality of wheels 208 relative to the other of the plurality of wheels 208. One or more side brushes 218 may be positioned such that a portion of the side brush 218 extends at least (e.g., beyond) the periphery defined by the vacuum housing 120 of the robotic vacuum cleaner 200. The side brushes 218 may be configured to push debris in the direction of the air inlet 118, such that debris located outside the periphery of the vacuum housing 120 can be collected. For example, the side brushes 218 may be configured to rotate in response to activation of the side brush motor 220.

[0016] User interface 222 may be provided to allow a user to control the robotic vacuum cleaner 200. For example, user interface 222 may include one or more buttons corresponding to one or more features of the robotic vacuum cleaner 200. The robotic vacuum cleaner 200 may optionally include a power source (such as one or more batteries) and / or one or more movable buffers 212 disposed along a portion of a periphery defined by the vacuum housing 120 of the robotic vacuum cleaner 200. The movable buffers 212 may be displaced in response to engaging (e.g., contacting) at least a portion of an obstacle spaced apart from the surface to be cleaned. Thus, the robotic vacuum cleaner 200 may avoid getting stuck between the obstacle and the surface to be cleaned. As explained herein, the robotic vacuum cleaner 200 may include one or more lighting systems 102.

[0017] Now go to Figure 3 The image generally shows a close-up perspective view of a vacuum cleaner 10 having one embodiment of the lighting system 102 according to this disclosure. As used herein, the term vacuum cleaner 10 is intended to refer to any type of vacuum cleaner, including but not limited to handheld vacuum cleaner 100 and robotic vacuum cleaner 200. Therefore, although the lighting system 102 is shown in combination with the surface treatment head 112 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 100, it should be appreciated that the lighting system 102 may also be included in any vacuum cleaner, including but not limited to the robotic vacuum cleaner 200.

[0018] The vacuum cleaner 10 includes a vacuum body or housing 120 defining at least one air inlet 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the air inlet 118 is formed on the bottom surface 302 of the vacuum housing 120. One or more agitators 114 are at least partially disposed within the vacuum housing 120, for example, within an agitator chamber 304 formed at least partially by the vacuum housing 120. A portion of the agitator 114 may extend beyond the air inlet 118 and may be configured to contact the surface to be cleaned (e.g., floor and / or carpet). One or more electric motors 306 may be directly or indirectly coupled to the agitator 114 (e.g., using a drivetrain 308, such as gears, belts, etc.) to rotate the agitator 114 within the air inlet 118 in any manner known to those skilled in the art. The agitator 114 may include an agitator body 310 and one or more agitation features 312, such as, but not limited to, bristles (e.g., continuous and / or discontinuous rows and / or tufts of bristles), felt, flexible strips (e.g., rubber strips, etc.), flexible and / or rigid sidewalls, etc. The agitator body 310 may be referred to as an elongated agitator body 310 because the length of the agitator body 310 along the pivot axis PA may be greater than the width or height (e.g., diameter) of the agitator body 310. For example, the length of the agitator body 310 along the pivot axis PA may be at least twice the width or height (e.g., diameter) of the agitator body 310, or at least four times the width or height (e.g., diameter) of the agitator body 310.

[0019] refer to Figure 4 It roughly shows Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the agitator body 310. The agitator body 310 may include one or more illumination chambers 402 configured to receive at least a portion of one or more illumination systems 102. The illumination chambers 402 may extend along all or part of the elongated agitator body 310. For example, one or more of the illumination chambers 402 may extend from a first opening adjacent to a first end of the elongated agitator body 310 to a second opposing opening adjacent to a second opposing end of the elongated agitator body 310. Alternatively (or additionally), one or more of the illumination chambers 402 may be located in a central region of the elongated agitator body 310 (i.e., not opening to the first and second ends), and / or may extend partially from one end of the elongated agitator body 310 toward the other end.

[0020] The lighting chamber 402 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the lighting system 102. For example, the lighting system 102 may include one or more light sources 404 coupled to the support surface 406. According to one embodiment, the light source 404 may include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs); however, it should be appreciated that the light source 404 may include any light source known to those skilled in the art. According to one embodiment, one or more of the light sources 404 may be configured to emit light in the visible light spectrum. For example, one or more of the light sources 404 may be configured to emit white light (i.e., a combination of light having wavelengths from about 400 nm to about 700 nm). White light can be used to illuminate areas approaching the vacuum cleaner 10. Alternatively (or additionally), one or more of the light sources 404 may be configured to emit light of another color, such as, but not limited to, red, yellow, blue, green, orange, etc. The light source 404 may be configured to emit light in a specific wavelength range and / or pattern to transmit information to a user. For example, light source 404 can emit light within one or more specific wavelength ranges and / or modes to transmit information about one or more parameters of the vacuum cleaner 10, including but not limited to: battery life, suction power, status of filter 106, remaining capacity of debris compartment 104, amount of debris picked up (i.e., degree of dirt on the vacuum-suctioned surface), remaining runtime, operating time (i.e., how long the vacuum cleaner has been operating), error and mode communication, etc. Alternatively (or additionally), light source 404 can be adjusted by the user to emit light within different wavelength ranges.

[0021] According to one embodiment, one or more of the light sources in light source 404 can be configured to emit light in the infrared (IR) spectrum (i.e., light with wavelengths from about 700 nm to 1 mm). For example, the IR light emitted by light source 404 can be used for navigation purposes, such as detecting obstacles in a room.

[0022] According to another embodiment, one or more of the light sources in light source 404 may be configured to emit light in the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum (i.e., light with wavelengths from 10 nm to 400 nm). For example, the UV light emitted by light source 404 may be used to disinfect vacuum cleaner 10. Thus, UV light can reduce the growth of bacteria and / or mold on vacuum cleaner 10 (e.g., on agitator 114 and / or within agitator chamber 118). Alternatively (or additionally), the UV light emitted by light source 40 may be configured to be absorbed by debris on agitator 114 (e.g., debris such as hair and / or fur entangled around agitator 114). UV light can break down hair and / or fur. For example, UV light can break protein bonds within hair and / or fur, making it easier for the hair / fur to break into smaller fragments / segments that can be removed from agitator 114 and collected in debris compartment 104. Agitator 114 and / or vacuum housing 120 may optionally be formed of a UV-resistant material. For example, the agitator 114 and / or vacuum housing 120 may be formed of UV-resistant plastic and / or of a material having one or more UV-resistant coatings / layers and / or UV stabilizers. Non-limiting examples of UV-resistant plastic materials include acrylic, polyetherimide (PEI), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0023] One or more of the light sources 404 may be energized when the vacuum cleaner 10 is powered (i.e., when the vacuum cleaner 10 is operated to remove debris from the surface). For example, one or more of the light sources 404 may be energized whenever the vacuum cleaner 10 is powered, and / or one or more of the light sources 404 may be selectively energized. Alternatively (or additionally), one or more of the light sources 404 may be energized when the vacuum cleaner 10 is de-energized (i.e., when the vacuum cleaner 10 is not operated to remove debris from the surface).

[0024] According to one embodiment, the light source 404 can be powered when the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on and / or in a storage cradle (e.g., coupled to a storage cradle). Some or all of the light sources 404 can be configured to emit light (e.g., but not limited to UV light) that is substantially entirely contained within the vacuum cleaner 10 (e.g., the UV light emitted by the light source 404 is largely invisible to the user). This embodiment can allow the light source 404 to emit light for a longer period of time (thus enhancing the ability of the light source 404 to break down debris entangled around the agitator 114). As described above, the light source 404 can be coupled to one or more support surfaces 406. According to one embodiment, the support surface 406 may include a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB may include any necessary circuitry, such as, but not limited to, power regulators, voltage regulators, sensors, etc. Alternatively, the support surface 406 may include any mounting surface to which the light source 404 can be secured.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the lighting system 102 is fixedly disposed within the lighting chamber 402 about a pivot axis PA (i.e., the lighting system 102 does not move relative to the vacuum housing 120, and the agitator 114 rotates about the lighting system 102). The agitator body 310 may be formed of a transparent and / or translucent material that allows at least some of the light emitted by the light source 404 disposed within the lighting chamber 402 (e.g., but not limited to, visible light, UV light, and / or IR light) to pass through the agitator body 310. Alternatively, one or more of the agitation features 312 may be formed of a transparent and / or translucent material that allows at least some of the light emitted by the light source 404 disposed within the lighting chamber 402 to pass through the agitation feature 312. According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the body 120 may be formed of a transparent and / or translucent material that allows at least some of the light emitted by the light source 404 disposed within the lighting chamber 402 to pass through the body 120. For example, the body 120 may include a transparent and / or translucent cover or cap 408 extending over (and optionally partially defining) the agitator chamber 118. The cover / cap 408 may function as a window allowing a user to at least partially see inside the agitator chamber 118, and through which at least a portion of the agitator 114 and lighting system 102 may be seen from the outside when the vacuum cleaner 10 is in normal use (i.e., when cleaning a floor). As used herein, a material is considered transparent if at least 90% of the light intersecting with it passes through it, and a material is considered translucent if at least 30% of the light intersecting with it passes through it.

[0026] Optionally, one or more seals 410 (e.g., but not limited to O-rings) may be provided to seal at least a portion of the lighting chamber 402 (e.g., the portion including the light source 404) from debris in the agitation chamber 118. For example, one or more seals 410 may be provided adjacent to each end of the lighting chamber 402.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the lighting system 102 may be configured to rotate together with the agitator 114. The light source 404 may be directly coupled to the agitator body 310 and / or may be fixed within one or more lighting chambers 402 formed within the agitator body 310. The light source 402 may include a power source separate from the rest of the vacuum cleaner 10. For example, the light source 404 may include a separate battery and / or may be powered by a magnetic induction system in which rotation of the agitator 114 can induce a current to power the light source 404. Alternatively, one or more rotatable electrical connections may be provided between the agitator 114 and the vacuum housing 120 to provide power to the light source 404.

[0028] Now go to Figure 5This generally illustrates an example of a vacuum cleaner 10 including another embodiment of the lighting system 102 according to this disclosure. As mentioned above, although the lighting system 102 is shown in combination with the surface treatment head 112 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 100, it should be appreciated that the lighting system 102 may also be included in any vacuum cleaner including but not limited to the robotic vacuum cleaner 200.

[0029] The lighting system 102 includes one or more light sources 404 and one or more waveguides, light guides, and / or light pipes 502. The light source 404 may include any light source known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to one or more LEDs. The light source 404 may be configured to emit light generally in the direction of the waveguide, light guide, and / or light pipe 502. The waveguide, light guide, and / or light pipe 502 may include one or more light-receiving surfaces and one or more light-emitting surfaces. Optionally, the waveguide, light guide, and / or light pipe 502 may include one or more lenses, diffusers, etc., configured to emit light in a desired lighting pattern. One such lighting pattern includes illuminating an area in the vicinity and in front of the vacuum cleaner 10 (e.g., in front of and near the surface treatment head 112 and / or body 120).

[0030] Waveguide, light guide, and / or light pipe 502 may be configured to direct light passing through it from a first direction (i.e., the direction emitted from light source 404) to a second different direction (e.g., a desired illumination pattern). One example of waveguide, light guide, and / or light pipe 502 may include a structure utilizing total internal refraction. Some of the light emitted from light source 404 may be used to illuminate areas to the left and / or right and / or in front of (and / or behind) vacuum cleaner 10. According to one embodiment, waveguide, light guide, and / or light pipe 502 may include at least an upper surface through which substantially no light passes (i.e., less than 10% of the light passes). Preventing light from being emitted through this upper surface substantially prevents light from being emitted directly toward the user, which could result in undesirable glare.

[0031] The light guide 502 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the light emitted by one or more light sources 404. The light sources 404 may be mounted anywhere on the vacuum cleaner 10. For example, the light source 404 may be located inside the agitation chamber 304, inside the illumination chamber 402, and / or outside the agitation chamber 304 and the illumination chamber 402 (e.g., mounted on / in the vacuum housing 120). According to one embodiment, the light guide 502 is formed from a transparent agitator window in the vacuum body 120. Alternatively (or additionally), the light guide 502 is formed from a transparent agitator window in the vacuum body 120.

[0032] Back Figure 1 and 2The vacuum cleaner 10 may include one or more debris sensors 169. The debris sensors 169 may be configured to generate signals based on the amount of debris within and / or near the agitator chamber 304. The light source 404 of the lighting system 102 may be configured to change color based on the amount of debris detected by the debris sensors 169.

[0033] While the principles of the invention have been described herein, those skilled in the art will understand that this description is by way of example only and not as a limitation on the scope of the invention. Other embodiments, in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein, are also covered within the scope of the invention. Modifications and substitutions made by those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of the invention, which is not limited to anything other than the following claims.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum body defining an agitation chamber; an agitator at least partially rotatably disposed within the agitation chamber; a lighting system coupled to the vacuum body, the lighting system comprising at least one light source; and a light guide configured to redirect light emitted from the at least one light source in a first direction to a second direction, wherein the light guide redirects light emitted by the at least one light source using total internal refraction; wherein the light guide comprises a transparent or translucent window to the agitation chamber and is formed from a portion of the vacuum body.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the agitator rotates around the lighting system.

3. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum body defining an agitation chamber; an agitator at least partially rotatably disposed within the agitation chamber; at least one light source; and a light guide comprising a transparent or translucent window partially defining the agitation chamber, the light guide configured to redirect light emitted from the at least one light source in a first direction to a second direction, wherein the light guide redirects light emitted by the at least one light source using total internal refraction.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the at least one light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the light guide is formed from a portion of the vacuum body.

6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the at least one light source is configured to emit light in the ultraviolet spectrum.

7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the light source changes color based on one or more parameters of the vacuum cleaner.

8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the one or more parameters of the vacuum cleaner comprise battery life.

9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the one or more parameters of the vacuum cleaner comprise suction power.

10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the one or more parameters of the vacuum cleaner comprise a state of a filter.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the one or more parameters of the vacuum cleaner comprise a remaining capacity of a debris compartment.

12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the one or more parameters of the vacuum cleaner comprise an amount of debris picked up.

13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the one or more parameters of the vacuum cleaner comprise a remaining run time.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the light source changes color and / or pattern based on one or more parameters of the vacuum cleaner.

15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the vacuum cleaner is a robotic vacuum cleaner.

16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the light source changes color based on a debris sensor. ​ ​ 17. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the vacuum cleaner is a handheld vacuum cleaner.

18. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: A vacuum body that defines a stirring chamber; A suction motor, which is fluidly connected to the agitation chamber and at least one filter; An agitator, wherein the agitator is at least partially rotatably disposed within the agitation chamber; At least one light source; as well as A cover extending above and partially defining the agitator chamber, the cover including a window configured to allow a user to at least partially see inside the agitator chamber, the window including a light guide configured to receive light emitted by the at least one light source and redirect the light using total internal refraction to illuminate an area approaching the vacuum cleaner.

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