Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a ring light guide with a light entry surface (9) and an annular light exit surface (1), which is designed such that light incident on the light entry surface (9) is directed to the light exit surface (1) and emitted homogeneously there, comprising a body extending between the light entry surface (9) and the light exit surface (1), which has a coupling element (8) for coupling the light incident on the light entry surface (9) into the body and is designed such that a part of the coupled light is directed away from the light exit surface (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. In particular, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with an actuating element such as a button, switch, key, or the like, and a device that indicates to a user of the vacuum cleaner that the actuating element has been activated. For example, such a device can be a ring light guide in the center of which the actuating element is integrated. Typically, such a ring light guide comprises a light-emitting diode (LED), a tongue for coupling the light emitted by the LED, a ring, and elements for splitting and directing the light. However, a problem with such ring light guides is the inhomogeneity of the emitted light.

[0002] DE 102008042472 A1 discloses a ring light guide with a light entry surface and an annular light exit surface, wherein the light incident on the light entry surface is guided to the light exit surface and emitted homogeneously there. The body of the ring light guide has a coupling element for coupling the light incident on the light entry surface, wherein a portion of the coupled light is directed away from the light exit surface. Additionally, the body has a light-splitting section with a first recess, which splits the coupled light so that a portion of the coupled light is guided through the recess.

[0003] The invention therefore addresses the problem of providing a vacuum cleaner with a ring light guide designed to extract light with satisfactory homogeneity.

[0004] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a vacuum cleaner having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are set forth in the following dependent claims.

[0005] The advantages achievable with the invention, besides providing homogeneous light extraction, are that only one light-emitting diode is required to illuminate the ring light guide.

[0006] The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a ring light guide with a light entry surface and an annular light exit surface, which is designed such that light incident on the light entry surface is directed to the light exit surface and emitted there homogeneously, comprising a body extending between the light entry surface and the light exit surface, which has a coupling element for coupling the light incident on the light entry surface into the body and is designed such that a part of the coupled light is directed away from the light exit surface.

[0007] The ring light guide preferably serves as an indicator for the user when the vacuum cleaner's operating element is activated, which is preferably positioned centrally within the ring light guide. Preferably, only the light-emitting surface of the ring light guide is visible to the user. This surface is preferably flush-mounted in a housing cover of the vacuum cleaner.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the body has a light-division section with a first recess, which is configured to divide the coupled light such that a first portion of the coupled light is guided through the first recess. Preferably, the light is divided into several portions at the first recess. This divides the light so that only the required amount of light is directed to the light-emitting surface. Preferably, the light-division section with the first recess is configured to divide the light into three portions. The middle portion preferably exits the ring light guide upwards through a central radius towards the light-emitting surface, and the lateral portions are preferably reflected at inclined surfaces of the first recess and directed into an annular section or ring of the ring light guide.Preferably, the first recess widens away from the light-entry surface at a first opening angle between 60° and 110°, preferably between 70° and 100°. The direction and position specifications refer to a light entry and a light exit into the ring light guide, wherein the light entry into the ring light guide is located at the bottom and a light exit from the ring light guide is located at the top.

[0009] According to the invention, the body has an optical intermediate element along the light path between the first recess and the light exit surface, with a lower surface that forms an upper boundary surface of the first recess and a light coupling surface for coupling light incident from the first recess onto the optical intermediate element. The optical intermediate element is preferably designed as a prism. The optical intermediate element serves to prevent hotspots in the area of ​​light coupling and is preferably geometrically separated from the rest of the ring light guide in the light path. This achieves high efficiency and enables precise metering of the shielded and transmitted light.

[0010] Preferably, the first recess is bounded laterally and upwards from the optical intermediate element by a first deflecting surface, which forms a first angle between 55° and 65° with the plane of the light coupling surface or the plane of the light exit surface, and / or by a second deflecting surface, which forms a second angle between 10° and 20° with the plane of the light coupling surface or the plane of the light exit surface. The deflecting surfaces are preferably positioned such that they redirect a portion of the light by refraction, thereby providing additional light to areas that are too dark. This further improves the homogeneity of the emitted light.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the optical intermediate element is designed to deflect a portion of the light out of the light path. Due to a lower radius at the first recess for light splitting, more light can penetrate towards the light-emitting surface than is required. Therefore, it is advantageous to capture most of this light on a lower surface of the optical intermediate element and deflect it radially inwards, towards the actuating element, by means of a front inclined surface of the optical intermediate element, so that the light does not reach the light-emitting surface. Preferably, the optical intermediate element has a flattened upper tip designed to allow only the amount of light to pass through that is necessary for a homogeneous light distribution at the emission surface.To deflect a portion of the light so that it does not reach the light-emitting surface, the optical intermediate element preferably has a tip angle in the range of 45 to 60°, which is designed to deflect a large portion of the light radially inwards, while a small portion of the light is transmitted through a very narrow flattening at an upper end of the optical intermediate element, ensuring that the correct amount of light is available at the light-emitting surface. The flattening preferably has a width in the range of 0.2 mm ± 0.1 mm.

[0012] Preferably, the body has a second recess located between the optical intermediate element and the light-emitting surface. This separates the optical intermediate element from the rest of the component both above and below. As a result, light no longer spreads vertically through the component from bottom to top via total internal reflection, but only through the air. This separation significantly contributes to the homogenization of the light distribution.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the body has one or more multiply curved reflective surfaces that reflect the coupled-in light towards the light-emitting surface. The curvatures are preferably selected such that the light is deflected uniformly towards the emission surface. The angle of inclination of the multiply curved reflective surface(s) preferably increases towards the emission surface. The multiply curved reflective surface is preferably symmetrical. Each side preferably has several segments, for example two, three, or four, with different inclinations. Preferably, each side consists of three segments with different inclinations. The steeper the angle relative to the emission surface, the more light is coupled out in that area.To ensure homogeneous light emission at the light-emitting surface, it is necessary to increase the intensity of the output coupling in areas where less light is available. Preferably, a first change in curvature of the multiply curved reflective surface occurs after approximately 90° at a first position, and a second change in curvature occurs after approximately 150° at a second position in the circumferential direction, measured from the input coupling element. An angle at the first position is preferably 185° ± 5°, more preferably 187°. An angle at the second position is preferably 215° ± 10°, more preferably 217°. All surface segments belonging to the multiply curved reflective surface are preferably helically constructed and do not form a plane.

[0014] Preferably, one or more multiply curved reflective surfaces are arranged in a ring shape behind the light-emitting surface when viewing the body in the direction of the light-emitting surface.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the multiply curved reflective surfaces and / or the light-emitting surface have a rough surface. The rough surface on the reflective surfaces improves the direction of the light towards the output surfaces. A scattering effect is achieved by means of the rough surface on the output surfaces. This allows the user to perceive the light even when viewing the ring light guide from a slightly oblique angle. The rough surface can, for example, be designed as an EDM structure. If the top surface of the light-emitting surface has a roughened surface structure, the light is scattered for better perception from different viewing angles. However, some of the light will not exit the light-emitting surface but will be reflected back inwards. This reflection is also scattered due to the rough surface structure.The same applies to the light that is reflected or partially exits the multiply curved reflective surface(s).

[0016] Preferably, the optical intermediate element is arranged, for example in the form of a prism, in the light path between the first recess and the multiply curved reflective surfaces.

[0017] Preferably, the body is axially asymmetric. In particular, it preferably has no rotational symmetry about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the plane of the light-emitting surface.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the body is mirror-symmetrical about a plane of symmetry which is perpendicular to the plane of the light-emitting surface.

[0019] Preferably, the body is formed in one piece from a transparent or translucent material. The ring light guide preferably comprises or consists of a transparent or slightly diffuse plastic with a refractive index of approximately 1.5. Preferably, the entire ring light guide is symmetrical.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum cleaner further comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) arranged on the light-entry surface. Preferably, the vacuum cleaner has a single LED arranged on the light-entry surface. Instead of multiple LEDs, only one is required, thus saving costs and material.

[0021] Preferably, the ring light guide further comprises a lens. The lens preferably has a radius of 2.5 mm ± 1 mm. Preferably, the lens is configured to focus the incoming light to a certain degree by means of its lens curvature and direct it to the coupling element. The coupling element is preferably designed as a tongue. Preferably, the light-emitting diode (LED) is positioned below the lens and shines vertically upwards. The light emitted by the LED then preferably enters the lens from below and is focused to a certain degree by the lens curvature and directed further upwards by the coupling element. This light is then preferably partially reflected at the two side surfaces of the first recess and preferably directed tangentially into the actual ring. From there, it preferably strikes the multiply curved reflective surface(s) and is deflected upwards.

[0022] The vacuum cleaner can be any type of vacuum cleaner. Preferably, it is a handheld or stick vacuum cleaner.

[0023] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Fig. 1 a side view of a vacuum cleaner according to the invention; Fig. 2 a partial top view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the in Fig. 2 shown ring light guide and a light-emitting diode; Fig. 4 a perspective partial view of the in Fig. 2 shown ring light guide; Fig. 5 a perspective partial side view of the in Fig. 2 shown ring light guide; Fig. 6 a partial top view of the in Fig. 2 shown ring light guide; Fig. 7 another perspective partial side view of the in Fig. 2 shown ring light guide; Fig. 8 a partial side view of the in Fig. 2 shown ring light guide; and Fig. 9 a cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 8 shown ring light guide.

[0024] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a side view of a vacuum cleaner according to the invention. The vacuum cleaner is designed as a handheld vacuum cleaner. It has a handle 21 and a separator 22. It can optionally be connected to a suction tube 23 and a floor nozzle 24.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a partial top view of the in Fig. 1 The vacuum cleaner shown. Shown is the handle 21, into which an actuating element 25 is integrated, which is positioned centrally in a ring light guide (not shown) with a light-emitting surface 1.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the in Fig. 2 The ring light guide shown and a light-emitting diode. The ring light guide is arranged on a light-emitting diode 10, which is designed to emit light which is in the Fig. 3 The ring light guide is shown with dashed lines. It has a lens 9 designed to focus the light emitted at a predetermined angle by the LED 10, which enters the lens 9 from below, to a certain degree by means of the lens curvature, and to direct the light further upwards by means of a coupling element 8 in the form of a tongue. The ring light guide has a first recess 7 designed to split the light. The light is partially reflected at two side surfaces of the first recess 7 and directed tangentially into the actual ring 2. From there, the light strikes multiply curved reflective surfaces 3 of the ring light guide 2 and is deflected upwards. The curvatures of the multiply curved reflective surfaces 3 are selected such that the light is deflected evenly upwards towards a light-emitting surface 1.The multiply curved reflective surfaces 3 and the light-emitting surface 1 have a rough surface to achieve a scattering effect. To prevent more light than necessary from penetrating towards the light-emitting surface 1 through the lower radius at the first recess 7 for light distribution, the ring light guide has an optical intermediate element 6. This element is designed to capture a portion of the light on its underside and deflect it radially inwards, towards the actuating element (not shown), by means of a front inclined surface, so that the light does not reach the light-emitting surface 1. An upper flattened tip of the optical intermediate element 6 allows only the necessary amount of light to pass upwards, which is required for a homogeneous light distribution at the light-emitting surface 1.Two inclined deflecting surfaces 5 are positioned to the side of the optical intermediate element 6. These surfaces redirect a portion of the light coming from below by refraction, thus illuminating areas that are too dark. The optical intermediate element 6 is separated from the rest of the component above and below by the first recess 7 and a second recess 4.

[0027] Fig. 4 shows a perspective partial view of the in Fig. 2 shown ring light guide. Fig. 4 The figure shows lens 9, a section of the light coupling with the coupling element 8 facing forward, and part of the first recess 7. Lens 9 has a radius R1, which is, for example, 2.5 mm + / - 1 mm. The focusing effect of lens 9 with radius R1 on the light, indicated by dashed lines, is visible. Subsequently, the light is split into three parts at the first recess 7. The central part exits the ring light guide upwards through the central radius, and the lateral parts are reflected at the inclined surfaces of the first recess 7 and directed into the annular part of the ring light guide. The opening angle of the first recess 7 for light distribution W1 is, for example, 86°, in particular 85° + / - 15°, and the angle W2 of the lateral edge surfaces of the coupling element 8 to the adjoining multiply curved reflection surface 3 is, for example, 102°, in particular 100° + / - 15°.

[0028] Fig. 5 shows a perspective partial side view of the in Fig. 2 The ring light guide shown, and in particular the coupling element 8 and the lens 9. The light is indicated by a dashed line.

[0029] Fig. 6 shows a partial top view of the in Fig. 2 The ring light guide shown, and in particular a quarter segment of the ring light guide from the perspective of a vacuum cleaner user looking perpendicularly at the light-emitting surface 1, is depicted. Also shown is an exemplary, dashed-line light beam that is directed from the first recess (not shown) to the light splitting point in the ring 2 and is reflected there at its inner and outer cylindrical surfaces until it is coupled out at the light-emitting surface 1.

[0030] Fig. 7 shows a partial side view of the in Fig. 2 The diagram shows the ring light guide. The light, depicted with a dashed line, is coupled out at the top of the light-emitting surface 1. Because the top surface has a roughened texture, the light is scattered for better visibility from different viewing angles. However, some of the light does not exit at the light-emitting surface 1 but is reflected back inwards. This reflection is also scattered due to the rough surface texture. The same applies to the light that is reflected or partially emitted from the multiply curved reflective surface 3 on the underside of the ring 2. The multiply curved reflective surface 3, like the entire ring light guide, is symmetrical. Each side consists of three segments (not shown) with different inclinations. The steeper the angle relative to the light-emitting surface 1, the more light is coupled out in that area.The first change in curvature of the multiply curved reflective surface 3 occurs after approximately 90° at position W3, and the second after approximately 150° at position W4 in the circumferential direction, measured from the coupling element 8. The angle W3 is, for example, 187°, particularly 185° ± 5°, and the angle W4 is, for example, 217°, particularly 215° ± 10°. All surface segments belonging to the multiply curved reflective surface 3 are helically constructed and do not form a plane.

[0031] Fig. 8 shows a partial top view of the in Fig. 2 shown ring light guide and in particular an area of ​​light coupling from a frontal view, while Fig. 9 a cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 8The area shown is in the plane of symmetry of the ring light guide. It is shown that the light, depicted with a dashed line, radiates upwards from the coupling point at a wide angle. Since the light-emitting diode (not shown) radiates directly upwards at a very high intensity, some of this light must be deflected so that it does not reach the output coupling surface. This is achieved by the optical intermediate element 6 with a tip angle W7 = 50° (50° + / - 5°), which is designed to deflect most of the light radially inwards. However, a small portion of the light is transmitted through a very narrow flattening at the upper end of the optical intermediate element 6 so that the correct amount of light is available at the light output surface 1. The flattening has a width L1, which is, for example, 0.2 mm.The ring light guide has two deflecting surfaces 5 that deflect the light coming from below in such a way that a homogeneous light distribution is created at the light exit surface 1. The angle W6 of the deflecting surfaces 5, relative to the horizontal, is, for example, 18°, in particular 15° ± 5°. The surfaces adjacent to the optical intermediate element 6 are inclined at an angle W5, for example, 58°, in particular 60° ± 5°, so that no light can penetrate them. Reference symbol list

[0032] 1 Light emission surface 2 Ring 3 Multi-curved reflection surface 4 Second recess 5 Deflection surface 6 Intermediate element 7 First recess 8 Coupling element 9 Lens 10 Light-emitting diode 21 Handle 22 Separator 23 Suction tube 24 Floor nozzle 25 Actuating element

Claims

1. Vacuum cleaner comprising an annular light guide which has a light entry surface (9) and an annular light exit surface (1) and is configured such that light incident on the light entry surface (9) is directed to the light exit surface (1) and emitted homogeneously there, comprising a body which extends between the light entry surface (9) and the light exit surface (1), comprises a coupling element (8) for coupling the light incident on the light entry surface (9) into the body and is configured such that a part of the coupled light is directed away from the light exit surface (1), the body comprising a light splitting portion which has a first recess (7) and is configured to split the coupled light such that a first part of the coupled light is directed through the first recess (7), characterised in that the body comprises an optical intermediate element (6) along the light path between the first recess (7) and the light exit surface (1), the intermediate element having a lower surface which forms an upper boundary surface of the first recess (7) and a light coupling surface for coupling light incident on the intermediate element (6) from the first recess (7).

2. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterised in that the first recess (7) widens away from the light entry surface (9) at a first opening angle which is between 60° and 110°, preferably between 70° and 100°.

3. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterised in that the first recess (7) is bounded laterally from the optical intermediate element (6) upwards by a first deflection surface (5) which forms a first angle of between 55° and 65° to the plane of the light coupling surface or to the plane of the light exit surface (1), and / or by a second deflection surface (5) which forms a second angle of between 10° and 20° to the plane of the light coupling surface or to the plane of the light exit surface (1).

4. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the optical intermediate element (6) is designed to deflect part of the light out of the light path.

5. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the body comprises a second recess (4) which is arranged between the optical intermediate element (6) and the light exit surface (1).

6. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the body comprises one or more reflective surface(s) (3) which has / have multiple curves and reflects / reflect the coupled light in the direction of the light exit surface (1).

7. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, characterised in that the one or more reflective surface(s) (3) which has / have multiple curves is / are arranged in an annular shape behind the light exit surface (1) when the body is viewed in the direction of the light exit surface (1).

8. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the one or more reflective surface(s) (3) which has / have multiple curves and / or the light exit surface (1) comprise(s) a rough surface.

9. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the body is axially asymmetrical, in particular it has no rotational symmetry about an axis of rotation which extends perpendicularly to the plane of the light exit surface.

10. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the body is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry which extends perpendicularly to the plane of the light exit surface.

11. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the body is formed integrally from a transparent or translucent material.

12. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by a light-emitting diode (10) which is arranged on the light entry surface (9).

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