Lights for surface cleaning devices

Abstract

Various illustrative surface cleaning devices and methods of using surface cleaning devices are provided. In an exemplary implementation, a surface cleaning device includes a light source configured to illuminate a surface being cleaned by the surface cleaning device to help show debris on the surface for cleaning. The light source is configured to emit blue light.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to surface cleaning devices and, more particularly, to lights for surface cleaning devices.BACKGROUND

[0002] Surface cleaning devices are configured to clean surfaces such as floors and other surfaces. A surface cleaning device can be, for example, a vacuum cleaner (dry, wet, or wet / dry), a powered sweeper, a flat pad mop, or other type of surface cleaning device.

[0003] Some surface cleaning devices include an agitator in the form of a cleaning pad, a brushroll, bristles, etc. configured to agitate the surface being cleaned in order to more effectively remove debris, e.g., dirt, food crumbs, and other debris, from the surface. Some surface cleaning devices that include an agitator also include a light source configured to illuminate the surface being cleaned to help show debris on the surface for cleaning, which may help a user controlling the surface cleaning device to better clean the surface by moving the agitator over the debris. However, the light emitted by a surface cleaning devices may not be effective because, for example, surface cleaning devices can be used to clean a variety of different types of surfaces that have different colors. The light may not illuminate dirt on debris on some surfaces as well as on surfaces having a different color.SUMMARY

[0004] In general, lights for surface cleaning devices and methods of using lights for surface cleaning devices are provided.

[0005] In one aspect, a surface cleaning device is provided that in one implementation includes a cleaning head, a lens, and a light. The cleaning head is configured to be moved over a surface to be cleaned. The lens is at the cleaning head. The light is at the cleaning head and is configured to emit blue light through the lens to illuminate the surface to be cleaned and to illuminate debris on the surface.

[0006] The surface cleaning device can vary in any number of ways. For example, the blue light can have a wavelength in a range of 400 nm to 494 nm. Further, a maximum current of the light can be, for example, 350 mA or 700 mA.

[0007] For another example, the blue light can have a wavelength in a range of 455 nm to 485 nm.

[0008] For yet another example, the surface cleaning device can also include an agitator at the cleaning head, and the agitator can be configured to rotate to agitate debris on the surface to be cleaned. Further, the cleaning head can be configured to move in a forward direction over the surface to be cleaned, the agitator can be located at a forward portion of the cleaning head, and the light and the lens can be located laterally of the agitator and at the forward portion of the cleaning head; the surface cleaning device can also include an actuator configured to be actuated by a user and thereby cause the light to begin emitting the blue light and the agitator to begin rotating; the surface cleaning device can also include a fluid reservoir configured to hold a cleaning fluid, and the surface cleaning device can also include a fluid distributor configured to apply the cleaning fluid to the agitator and / or the surface to be cleaned; and / or the surface cleaning device can also include a motor configured to drive the rotation of the agitator, and the surface cleaning device can also include a power supply configured to supply power to the light and to the motor.

[0009] For yet another example, the blue light can be configured to illuminate a region on the surface to be cleaned, a first corner of the region can be at the lens, a first side of the region can extend from the first corner to a second corner of the region, the second corner can be located laterally outward of the cleaning head on a first side of the cleaning head, the first side can be at a first angle from a front surface of the cleaning head, the first angle can be in a range of 120° to 140°, a second side of the region can extend from the first corner to a third corner of the region, the third corner can be located laterally outward of the cleaning head on a second side of the cleaning head that is opposite to the first side of the cleaning head, the second side can be at a second angle from the front surface of the cleaning head, and the second angle can be in a range of 1° to 25°. Further, a center axis of the region can be at an angle of 70° from the front surface of the cleaning head, and / or the region can have a substantially triangular shape. Further, the region can be located entirely forward of an agitator that is at the cleaning head and that is configured to rotate to agitate debris on the surface to be cleaned. Further, the light and the lens can be located to one side of the agitator.

[0010] For still another example, the surface cleaning device can also include a debris container at the cleaning head, and the debris container can be configured to hold the debris collected from the surface.

[0011] For another example, the surface cleaning device can also include an upright section pivotally coupled to the cleaning head, the surface cleaning device can also include an actuator at the upright section, and the actuator can be configured to be actuated by a user and thereby cause the light to begin emitting the blue light.

[0012] In another implementation a surface cleaning device includes a cleaning head, an agitator, and a light. The cleaning head is configured to be moved over a surface to be cleaned. The agitator is at the cleaning head and is configured to rotate to agitate debris on the surface to be cleaned. The light is at the cleaning head and is configured to emit blue light to illuminate a region on the surface to be cleaned. The blue light has a wavelength in a range of 400 nm to 494 nm. A first side of the region extends from a first corner of the region to a second corner of the region. The second corner is located laterally outward of the cleaning head on a first side of the cleaning head. The first side is at a first angle from a front surface of the cleaning head. The first angle is in a range of 120° to 140°. The second side of the region extends from the first corner to a third corner of the region. The third corner is located laterally outward of the cleaning head on a second side of the cleaning head that is opposite to the first side of the cleaning head. The second side is at a second angle from the front surface of the cleaning head. The second angle being in a range of 1° to 25°.

[0013] The surface cleaning device can have any number of variations. For example, the blue light can have a wavelength in a range of 455 nm to 485 nm.

[0014] For another example, the first angle can be in a range of 125° to 140°, and the second angle can be in a range of 1° to 20°. Further, a center axis of the region can be at an angle of 70°from the front surface of the cleaning head.

[0015] For yet another example, the first angle can be in a range of 120° to 130°, and the second angle can be in a range of 8° to 25°. Further, a center axis of the region can be at an angle of 70°from the front surface of the cleaning head.

[0016] For still another example, the surface cleaning device can also include a lens at the cleaning head, the light can be configured to emit the blue light through the lens, and the first corner of the region can be at the lens. Further, the light and the lens can be located to one side of the agitator.

[0017] For another example, the region can be located entirely forward of the agitator.

[0018] For yet another example, the region can have a substantially triangular shape.

[0019] For another example, the surface cleaning device can also include an upright section pivotally coupled to the cleaning head, the surface cleaning device can also include an actuator at the upright section, and the actuator can be configured to be actuated by a user and thereby cause the light to begin emitting the blue light.

[0020] For still another example, the surface cleaning device can also include a debris container at the cleaning head, and the debris container can be configured to hold the debris collected from the surface.

[0021] For yet another example, the cleaning head can be configured to move in a forward direction over the surface to be cleaned, the agitator can be located at a forward portion of the cleaning head, and the light can be located laterally of the agitator and at the forward portion of the cleaning head; the surface cleaning device can also include an actuator configured to be actuated by a user and thereby cause the light to begin emitting the blue light and the agitator to begin rotating; the surface cleaning device can also include a fluid reservoir configured to hold a cleaning fluid, and the surface cleaning device can also include a fluid distributor configured to apply the cleaning fluid to the agitator and / or the surface to be cleaned; and / or the surface cleaning device can also include a motor configured to drive the rotation of the agitator, and the surface cleaning device can also include a power supply configured to supply power to the light and to the motor.

[0022] For another example, a maximum current of the light can be 350 mA.

[0023] For yet another example, a maximum current of the light can be 700 mA.

[0024] In another aspect, a method of using a surface cleaning device as described herein is provided.

[0025] In another aspect, a light assembly as described herein is provided. The light assembly can be configured to be used, for example, with a surface cleaning device.

[0026] In another aspect, a method of using a light assembly as described herein is provided. The light assembly can be configured to be used, for example, with a surface cleaning device.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] This disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one implementation of a surface cleaning device;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a surface cleaning head of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another implementation of a surface cleaning device that is an example of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an upper portion of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 3;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lower portion of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 3;

[0033] FIG. 6 is a top view of a lower portion of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 3;

[0034] FIG. 7 is another perspective view of a lower portion of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 3;

[0035] FIG. 8 is another perspective view of a lower portion of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 3;

[0036] FIG. 9 is a front view of a lower portion of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 3;

[0037] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a light assembly of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 3;

[0038] FIG. 11 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the light assembly of FIG. 10;

[0039] FIG. 12 is another perspective cross-sectional view of the light assembly of FIG. 10;

[0040] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the light assembly of FIG. 10;

[0041] FIG. 14 is another perspective view of a portion of the light assembly of FIG. 10;

[0042] FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the light assembly of FIG. 10;

[0043] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a lens of the light assembly of FIG. 10;

[0044] FIG. 17 is a side view of the lens of FIG. 16;

[0045] FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the lens of FIG. 16;

[0046] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a cleaning head base of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 3;

[0047] FIG. 20 is another perspective view of the cleaning head base of FIG. 19;

[0048] FIG. 21 is a top schematic view of a region of light emitted from the surface cleaning device of FIG. 3;

[0049] FIG. 22 is a front view of a lower portion of another implementation of a surface cleaning device that is an example of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 1;

[0050] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a light assembly of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 22;

[0051] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a portion of the light assembly of FIG. 23;

[0052] FIG. 25 is another perspective view of a portion of the light assembly of FIG. 23;

[0053] FIG. 26 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the light assembly of FIG. 23;

[0054] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a lens of the light assembly of FIG. 23;

[0055] FIG. 28 is a side view of the lens of FIG. 27;

[0056] FIG. 29 is another perspective view of the lens of FIG. 27;

[0057] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a cleaning head base of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 22;

[0058] FIG. 31 is another perspective view of the cleaning head base of FIG. 30;

[0059] FIG. 32 is a top schematic view of a region of light emitted from the surface cleaning device of FIG. 30;

[0060] FIG. 33 is a top annotated view of a region of light emitted from another implementation of a surface cleaning device that is an example of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 1;

[0061] FIG. 34 is a side schematic view of two lenses; and

[0062] FIG. 35 is perspective view of another implementation of a lens.

[0063] It is noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] Certain embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices, systems, and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0065] Further, in the present disclosure, like-named components of the embodiments generally have similar features, and thus within a particular embodiment each feature of each like-named component is not necessarily fully elaborated upon. Additionally, to the extent that linear or circular dimensions are used in the description of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods, such dimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in conjunction with such systems, devices, and methods. A person skilled in the art will recognize that an equivalent to such linear and circular dimensions can easily be determined for any geometric shape.

[0066] Various illustrative surface cleaning devices and methods of using surface cleaning devices are provided. In an exemplary implementation, a surface cleaning device includes a light source configured to illuminate a surface being cleaned by the surface cleaning device to help show debris (e.g., dirt, hair, food crumbs, and other debris) on the surface for cleaning, which may help a user controlling the surface cleaning device better clean the surface by moving the surface cleaning device, e.g., a cleaning head of the surface cleaning device, over the debris. The light source is configured to emit blue light. Using blue light may provide one or more benefits.

[0067] For example, types of colorblindness involving blue are much less common than other types of color blindness, such as red-green colorblindness involving red and green. Thus, the light emitted by the surface cleaning device being blue is more likely to be seen effectively by more individuals than other colors such as red and green.

[0068] For another example, blue light is particularly effective in illuminating dirt and debris on surfaces having a color opposite to blue on the color wheel, including yellow-colored surfaces, orange-colored surfaces, and tan-colored because of the contrast of blue with yellow and tan. Many hardwood floors have an orange, yellow, or tan color, which may make the surface cleaning device particularly effective for cleaning on these floors. Similarly, the surface cleaning device may be particularly effective for cleaning on any floor type with an orange component, yellow component, or tan component.

[0069] For yet another example, blue light is particularly effective in showing yellow-colored, orange-colored, or tan-colored debris on the surface being illuminated with the blue light because of the contrast of blue with color opposite to blue on the color wheel, including yellow, orange, and tan. Various common types of debris, such as bread crumbs and oat cereal, have a tan color, which may make the surface cleaning device particularly effective in highlighting this debris on a surface being cleaned. Yellow and tan are common hair colors for people and for pets, which may make the surface cleaning device particularly effective in highlighting such hair on a surface being cleaned.

[0070] In an exemplary implementation, the surface cleaning device includes an agitator in the form of a cleaning pad, a brushroll, bristles, etc. configured to agitate the surface being cleaned in order to more effectively remove debris from the surface. The light is configured to illuminate an area of the surface being cleaned to help show debris on the surface being cleaned, which may help a user controlling the surface cleaning device to better clean the surface by moving the agitator over the debris.

[0071] Various exemplary embodiments of surface cleaning devices and components of surface cleaning devices are described in, for example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18 / 231,532 entitled “Improved Surface Cleaning Material And Method Of Manufacturing The Same” filed Aug. 8, 2023, U.S. patent application No. Ser. No. 18 / 791,504 entitled “Debris Containers For A Cleaning Apparatus” filed Aug. 1, 2024, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18 / 795,153 entitled “Fibrous Material And Roller Compositions For Floor Cleaners” filed Aug. 5, 2024, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0072] FIG. 1 shows one implementation of a surface cleaning device 100 configured to clean a surface 101, e.g., a floor or other surface. The surface cleaning device 100 includes a light assembly 122 including a light source configured to illuminate the surface 101 configured to be cleaned by the surface cleaning device 100. The light assembly 122 is discussed further below.

[0073] The surface cleaning device 100 includes an upright section 102 and a surface cleaning head 104 (also referred to herein as a “cleaning head”). The upright section 102 is pivotally coupled to the surface cleaning head 104. As in this illustrated implementation, the upright section 102 can include a power supply 106, e.g., rechargeable battery or other power source. Alternatively or in addition, the surface cleaning device can be configured to operatively connect to an external power supply, such as via a cord plugged into a wall socket.

[0074] The surface cleaning device 100 includes a fluid reservoir 108, at the upright section 102 in this illustrated implementation, that is configured to receive a cleaning fluid, e.g., water, a mixture of water and a cleaning chemical, and / or other cleaning fluid. The surface cleaning device 100 includes a pump 118, at the upright section 102 in this illustrated implementation, that is configured to urge cleaning fluid from the fluid reservoir 108. The surface cleaning device 100 of FIG. 1 is configured to clean the surface 101 without the use of suction.

[0075] The surface cleaning device 100 also includes a boiler 110, at the upright section 102 in this illustrated implementation, that is fluidly coupled to the fluid reservoir 108. The boiler 110 is configured to heat fluid from the fluid reservoir 108, e.g., to generate steam. In some implementations, the surface cleaning device 100 is not configured to generate steam and the boiler 110 is omitted.

[0076] The surface cleaning head 104 includes an agitator 112, e.g., a brush roll, bristles, etc., an agitator motor 114 configure to drive, e.g., rotate, the agitator 112, and a debris container 116 configured to collect at least a portion of the debris agitated from the surface 101 to be cleaned using the surface cleaning device 100. In other implementations, the upright section 102 includes the debris container 116.

[0077] The surface cleaning head 104 includes a fluid distributor 120 that is fluidly coupled to the fluid reservoir 108. The fluid distributor 120 is configured to distribute fluid to the agitator 112 and / or to the surface 101 to be cleaned. The fluid distributor 120 can include, for example, a nozzle configured to directly apply a cleaning fluid to the surface 101 to be cleaned and a manifold configured to deliver the cleaning fluid directly to the agitator 112. In some implementations, the fluid distributer 120 is configured to directly apply the cleaning fluid to the surface 101 to be cleaned at a location forward of the surface cleaning head 104 relative to a direction of forward travel.

[0078] In implementations in which the surface cleaning device 100 is configured to generate steam, the fluid distributer 120 can include, for example, a steam manifold, e.g., having a plurality of steam delivery apertures, configured to deliver steam directly to the agitator 112 and a nozzle configured to apply steam directly to the surface 101 to be cleaned.

[0079] In some implementations, the surface cleaning head 104 includes one or more of the power supply 106, the fluid reservoir 108, and the boiler 110. Such a configuration may allow the surface cleaning head 104 to be used interchangeably with other devices while being able to apply the cleaning fluid. For example, the surface cleaning head 104 can be configured to removably couple with an upright section of a vacuum cleaner, with a suction source of the vacuum cleaner being configured to be disabled with the surface cleaning head 104 attached thereto. In such an implementation, the surface cleaning head 104 is configured to function as a vacuum cleaning accessory configured to provide a wet sweeping or a steam sweeping functionality to the vacuum cleaner, and / or a power supply of the vacuum cleaner is configured to provide power to the surface cleaning head 104.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 2, the surface cleaning head 104 of the illustrated implementation of FIG. 1 includes a head body 124 and a neck 126 pivotally coupled to the head body 124. The neck 126 is configured to pivot about one or more pivot axes relative to the head body 124. The neck 126 is configured to receive a portion of the upright section 102 of the surface cleaning device 100 to pivotally couple the upright section 102 to the surface cleaning head 104.

[0081] The neck 126 of the surface cleaning head 104 in this illustrated implementations include an electrical connector 128 and a fluid coupling 130. The electrical connector 128 is configured to electrically couple the power supply 106 to the surface cleaning head 104, e.g., to provide power to the agitator motor 114 at the cleaning head 104. The power supply 106 is also configured to provide power to the light assembly 122, although in some implementations the light assembly 122 can include its own power supply. The fluid coupling 130 is configured to fluidly couple the fluid distributor 120 with the fluid reservoir 108 and the boiler 110 (if the surface cleaning device 100 includes the boiler 110). In some implementations, the neck 126 includes one or both of the fluid reservoir 108 and the boiler 110 (if the surface cleaning device 100 includes the boiler 110).

[0082] The agitator motor 114 is configured to cause the agitator 112 to rotate in a forward direction of rotation R1 about a longitudinal axis of the agitator 112. By the agitator 112 rotating in the forward direction of rotation R1, the agitator 112 is configured to propel debris on the surface 101 to be cleaned in a direction into the cleaning head 104 and thus in a direction of the debris container 116 in the cleaning head 104 configured to collect debris therein.

[0083] As in this illustrated implementation, the cleaning head 104 can include a squeegee 132. The squeegee 132 is configured to cooperate with the agitator 112 to deliver debris into the debris container 116. In an exemplary implementation, the squeegee 132 is shaped and / or positioned such that the agitator 112, when rotating, urges debris to move along the squeegee 132 and into the debris container 116. As such, at least a portion of the squeegee 132 extends between the surface 101 to be cleaned and the head body 124 and between at least a portion of the agitator 112 and at least a portion of the debris container 116.

[0084] The agitator 112 can in at least some uses of the surface cleaning device 100 absorb at least a portion of fluid distributed by the fluid distributor 120. The absorbed fluid can be dirty fluid that has debris from the surface 101 to be cleaned entrained therein. As such, it may be desirable to strip the absorbed fluid from the agitator 112 periodically, e.g., with each complete rotation of the agitator 112, to maintain a substantially consistent cleaning performance. Thus, as in this illustrated implementation, the cleaning head 104 can include a fluid stripper 134 configured to cooperate with the agitator 112 to transfer fluid from the agitator 112 and into the debris container 116. In other words, the fluid stripper 134 is configured to remove at least a portion of the fluid absorbed in the agitator 112.

[0085] In this illustrated implementation the debris container 116 includes a solid debris chamber 136 and a fluid debris chamber 138. The solid debris chamber 136 is configured to collect at least a portion of the solid debris (e.g., debris not capable of being entrained within the cleaning fluid) agitated from the surface to be cleaned 101. The fluid debris chamber 138 is configured to collect at least a portion of the fluid transferred from the agitator 112 and into the debris container 116. Collection of solid debris separately from fluid debris may allow solid debris to be emptied from the debris container 116 separately from collected fluid debris, which as mentioned above can include dirty fluid. Such a configuration may make emptying the debris container 116 easier and thus improve user experience.

[0086] As mentioned above, the surface cleaning head 104 includes the light assembly 122. The light assembly 122 is not visible in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2. The light assembly 122 includes a light source and a lens.

[0087] The light source of the light assembly 122 includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other type of light(s). The light source is configured to emit blue light. In an exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 400 nm to 495 nm. In another exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 455 nm to 495 nm. In yet another exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 455 nm to 485 nm. In still another exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 400 nm to 494 nm. In yet another exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 475 nm to 494 nm. In still another exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 475 nm to 490 nm. In yet another exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 485 nm to 494 nm. In still another exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 465 nm to 475 nm.

[0088] Blue light that has a wavelength 455 nm or higher, e.g., in a range of 455 nm to 485 nm, in a range of 455 nm to 495 nm, in a range of 475 nm to 494 nm, in a range of 475 nm to 490 nm, in a range of 485 nm to 494 nm etc., has a deeper blue color than blue light that has a wavelength less than 455 nm. The deeper blue color may allow for increased brightness of the blue light while maintaining the blue color of the light on the surface 101 to be cleaned instead of the blue color being washed out and thus appearing to a user as being more white than blue and being less effective in illuminating debris on the surface 101 to be cleaned. For example, a maximum current of the light is 700 mA with the wavelength being 455 nm or higher whereas a maximum current for a blue light that has a wavelength less than 455 nm is half less (350 mA) or even lower.

[0089] The light source of the light assembly 122 is operatively coupled to the power supply106, e.g., with wiring extending between the light source and the power supply 106, to allow the power supply 106 to provide power for the light source. In some implementations the light assembly 122 can include its own power supply configured to provide power for the light source. The power supply 106 supplying power for the light source may allow the light source to emit light automatically when the power supply 106 is activated to power cleaning of the surface 101 without any control signal needing to be transmitted to the light assembly 122 for illumination of the light source using a power supply of the light assembly 122. The light assembly 122 including its own power supply may allow for wiring to be omitted between the light source and the power supply 106, which may save room in the pivotal coupling between the upright section 102 and the cleaning head 104 for other components and / or may ease manufacturing of the surface cleaning device 100.

[0090] The light emitted by the light source is configured to pass through the lens before reaching the surface 101 to be cleaned. The lens is configured to disperse the emitted light to better illuminate a region on the surface 101 to be cleaned than without the lens being present.

[0091] The light assembly 122 also includes a support structure configured to support the light source and the lens. The support structure can have a variety of configurations as appropriate for a particular surface cleaning device, e.g., having shape, size, etc. as appropriate for the particular surface cleaning device.

[0092] In general, the closer the light source is to the surface 101 to be cleaned, the better the light source can illuminate the surface 101. In an exemplary implementation, the light source is located up to about 20 mm from the surface 101 to be cleaned. Above 20 mm, the efficacy of the light source is reduced. For example, the light source can be located up to about 10 mm from the surface 101 to be cleaned. For another example, the light source can be located at a height in a range of about 1 mm to about 20 mm from the surface 101 to be cleaned. For another example, the light source can be located at a height in a range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm from the surface 101 to be cleaned. For another example, the light source can be located at a height in a range of about 10 mm to about 20 mm from the surface 101 to be cleaned. For another example, the light source can be located at a height in a range of about 15 mm to about 20 mm from the surface 101 to be cleaned. For another example, the light source can be located at a height in a range of about 10 mm to about 15 mm from the surface 101 to be cleaned.

[0093] FIG. 3 shows one implementation of a surface cleaning device 200 configured to clean a surface and including a light assembly 222 (also see FIGS. 9-15). The surface cleaning device 200 is one example of the surface cleaning device 100 of FIG. 1. Thus, the surface cleaning device 200 is configured and used similar to the surface cleaning device 100 of FIG. 1 discussed above and like-named components of the surface cleaning device 200 are not necessarily discussed in detail below.

[0094] The surface cleaning device 200 in this illustrated implementation is not configured to generate steam and thus does not include a boiler or other component(s) related to generating steam but, in other implementations, can be configured to generate steam and include a boiler and other component(s) related to generating steam.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 3, the surface cleaning device 200 in this illustrated implementation includes an upright section 202 (also see FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8) and a surface cleaning head 204 (also see FIGS. 5-9 and 21) pivotally coupled to the upright section 202 at a multi-axis pivot joint 205. The upright section 202 is non-removably coupled to the surface cleaning head 204 in this illustrated implementation.

[0096] The surface cleaning head 204 of the surface cleaning device 200 includes components including the light assembly 222, a fluid distributor 220 (also see FIGS. 5, 7, and 8), an agitator 212 (also see FIGS. 5 and 7-9), an agitator motor (obscured in FIG. 3), a squeegee 232 (also see FIGS. 5, 7, and 8), a fluid stripper (obscured in FIG. 3), and a debris container (obscured in FIG. 3). The fluid distributer 220 in this illustrated implementation is configured to directly apply the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned at a location forward of the surface cleaning head 204 relative to a direction of forward travel. The agitator motor in this illustrated implementation is configured to cause the agitator 212 to rotate in a forward direction of rotation about a longitudinal axis of the agitator 212. The squeegee 232 in this illustrated implementation is shaped and positioned such that the agitator 212, when rotating in the forward direction, urges debris to move along the squeegee 232 and into the debris container. In this illustrated implementation the debris container includes a solid debris chamber and a fluid debris chamber.

[0097] The upright section 202 of the surface cleaning device 200 includes components including a power supply (obscured in FIG. 3), a fluid reservoir (obscured in FIG. 3), and a pump (obscured in FIG. 3). The power supply in this illustrated implementation is configured to provide power for the light assembly 222.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 4, the surface cleaning device 200 includes a first actuator 209. The first actuator 209 is configured to be actuated by a user to power on the surface cleaning device 200. The first actuator 209 is a button in this illustrated implementation but can have other configurations, e.g., a trigger, a lever, a touchscreen, etc. Actuation of the first actuator 209 is configured to activate the power supply to allow the power supply to begin supplying power to one or more components of the surface cleaning device 200, e.g., a microprocessor or other controller, etc. For example, the actuation of the first actuator 209 can be configured to close a switch to close a circuit including the power supply and the one or more components. The first actuator 209 is located at the upright section 202 in this illustrated implementation but can be located elsewhere.

[0099] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upright section 202 includes a handle 203 configured to facilitate user handling of the surface cleaning device 200. As shown in FIG. 4, the surface cleaning device 200 includes a second actuator 207 at the handle 203. The second actuator 207 is configured to be actuated to activate cleaning of a surface by the surface cleaning device 200. Actuation of the second actuator 207 is configured to activate the light assembly 122 to provide illumination of the surface to be cleaned. Actuation of the second actuator 207 is also configured to activate the agitator motor to cause rotation of the agitator 212. The second actuator 207 is a trigger in this illustrated implementation but can have other configurations, e.g., a button, a lever, a touchscreen, etc.

[0100] In some implementations, the surface cleaning device 200 can include a single actuator configured to be actuated by a user to power on the surface cleaning device 200 and to activate cleaning of a surface by the surface cleaning device 200.

[0101] As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the light assembly 222 in this illustrated implementation includes a light source 223, a lens 225, and a support structure 227. FIGS. 13-15 also show the lens 225 and the support structure 227. The light source 223 is omitted in FIGS. 13-15. FIGS. 16-18 show the lens 225 as a standalone element.

[0102] The light source 223 in this illustrated implementation is configured to emit blue light similar to that discussed above regarding the light source of the light assembly 122 of FIG. 1. Thus, as discussed above, in an exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 400 nm to 495 nm. In another exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 455 nm to 495 nm. In yet another exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 455 nm to 485 nm. In yet another exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 475 nm to 494 nm. In still another exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 475 nm to 490 nm. In yet another exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 485 nm to 494 nm. In still another exemplary implementation, the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 465 nm to 475 nm.

[0103] The light source 223 is a single LED in this illustrated implementation. In other implementations, the light source 223 can be a plurality of LEDs and / or other type of light source, or can be a single light source other than an LED.

[0104] The light source 223 in this illustrated implementation is configured to be powered by the surface cleaning device's power supply. The light source 223 is operatively coupled to the power supply via wiring (omitted or obscured in the figures) that extends between the light source 223 and the power supply.

[0105] As discussed above, actuation of the second actuator 207 is configured to cause the light source 223 to emit light, e.g., by causing the power supply to begin providing power to the light source 223.

[0106] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the light source 223 is located rearwardly of the lens 225. Thus, light emitted by the light source 223 must pass through the lens 225 before exiting the light assembly 222 to illuminate a surface to be cleaned by the surface cleaning device 200.

[0107] In this illustrated implementation the lens 225 is a convex lens having a convex optical surface 225a, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 16-18. The convex portion of the lens 225 that defines the convex optical surface 225a has an ovular cross-sectional shape in a top-bottom direction, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0108] The support structure 227 is configured to support the light source 223 and the lens 225 to facilitate attachment of the light assembly 222 to the cleaning head 204. The particular configuration of the support structure 227 is an example only as the support structure 227 can vary, e.g., in size and shape, based on a particular surface cleaning device's configuration including configuration of the surface cleaning device's particular light assembly.

[0109] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the support structure 227 includes a pair of holes 227a. The light source 223 includes a support plate 223a having a corresponding pair of holes 223b aligned with the support structure's pair of holes 227a. The two pairs of holes 227a, 223b are configured to receive the wiring that connects the light source 223 and the power supply. In other implementations, another number of holes for wiring may be provided or no holes may be provided at all, e.g., based on the particular power supply configuration of the surface cleaning device.

[0110] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 7, and 9, the light assembly 222 is located at a front corner of the cleaning head 204. The light assembly 222 is located at a left front corner of the cleaning head 204 in this illustrated implementation but could instead be located at a right front corner of the cleaning head 204.

[0111] In an exemplary implementation, the light assembly 222 is assembled including the light source 223, the lens 225, and the support structure 227 before the light assembly 222 is non-removably attached to a base 229 (see FIGS. 19 and 20) of the cleaning head 204. By assembling the light assembly 222 prior to the light assembly's attachment to the cleaning head base 229, positioning of the light source 223 and the lens 225 relative to one another may be more accurate and location of the light source 223 and the lens 225 relative to the base 229 may be more accurate. As discussed further below, and location of the light source 223 and the lens 225 relative to the base 229 affects where light emitted by the light source 223 will be directed to a surface being cleaned by the surface cleaning device 200.

[0112] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, with the light assembly 222 attached to the base 229 of the cleaning head 204, the lens 225 is exposed to allow the light passing therethrough to illuminate a surface to be cleaned by the surface cleaning device 200. The light assembly 222 is configured to be contained within the base 229 except for the lens 225 through which the blue light is emitted. The base 229 containing the light assembly 222 may help protect the light source 223 from damage, such as if the cleaning head 104 bumps against a structure such as furniture, a wall, or other structure as the cleaning head 204 is being moved along a surface being cleaned. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the base 229 has an opening 229a through which the lens 225 is configured to protrude with the light assembly 222 attached to the base 229. FIG. 9 shows the lens 225 protruding through the opening 229a.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 19, the base 229 defines a protruding roof surface 229b and a protruding side surface 229c. The protruding roof surface 229a and the protruding side surface 229c are configured to help protect the lens 225 with the light assembly 222 attached to the base 229.

[0114] The protruding roof surface 229b is configured to help prevent material that may fall on or otherwise be on a top of the cleaning head 204 from moving onto the lens 225 where the material could obscure the light being shined through the lens 225. As shown in FIG. 7, the protruding roof surface 229b is located above the lens 225 and extends forwardly beyond the lens 225. FIG. 6 also shows that the protruding roof surface 229b extends forwardly beyond the lens 225 because the lens 225 is not visible in the top view of FIG. 6. The protruding roof surface 229b extending forwardly beyond the lens 225 may help prevent material that may fall on or otherwise be on a top of the cleaning head 204 from moving onto the lens 225 and may help prevent the lens 225 from being damaged if a front of the cleaning head 204 bumps against a structure such as furniture, a wall, or other structure.

[0115] The protruding side surface 229c is configured to help prevent material from moving laterally in an inward direction toward the agitator 212 and onto the lens 225 where the material could obscure the light being shined through the lens 225. As shown in FIG. 7, the protruding side surface 229c is located laterally outward from the lens 225 and extends forwardly beyond the lens 225. FIG. 8 also shows that the protruding side surface 229c extends forwardly beyond the lens 225 because the lens 225 is not visible in the perspective view of FIG. 8. The protruding side surface 229c extending forwardly beyond the lens 225 may help prevent material from moving laterally inward and onto the lens 225 and may help prevent the lens 225 from being damaged if the left front corner or left side of the cleaning head 204 bumps against a structure such as furniture, a wall, or other structure.

[0116] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the light assembly 222 is located laterally of (e.g., to the left side of) of the agitator 212. At least the lens 225 of the light assembly 225 is located forwardly of the agitator 212. The lens 225 being located forwardly of the agitator 212 may help the blue light emitted by the light source 223 through the lens 225 illuminate the surface to be cleaned forwardly of the agitator 212 to help a user push the surface cleaning device 200 forwardly to move the agitator 212 over the debris.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 21, the light emitted by the light source 223 and through the lens 225 is configured to illuminate a region R on a surface to be cleaned using the surface cleaning device 200. The region R is located entirely forwardly of the cleaning head 204 to help illuminate an area on the surface to be cleaned that a user can push the surface cleaning device 200 over and / or toward. A portion of the region R closest to the light assembly is brighter than a remainder of the region R.

[0118] The region R has a substantially triangular shape. A first corner C1 of the triangular region R is at the lens 225. A first side S1 of the triangular region R extends from the first corner C1 to a second corner C2 of the triangular region R that is located laterally outward of the cleaning head 204 on a left side of the cleaning head 204. The second corner C2 is located forwardly of the first corner C1 and thus forwardly of the cleaning head 204. A second side S2 of the triangular region R extends from the first corner C1 to a third corner C3 of the triangular region R that is located laterally outward of the cleaning head 204 on a right side of the cleaning head 204. The third corner C3 is located forwardly of the first corner C1 and thus forwardly of the cleaning head 204. A third side S3 of the triangular region R extends from the second corner C2 to the third corner C3. The third side S3 is thus located forwardly of the cleaning head 204.

[0119] In actual practice, the third side S3 will not be as defined as shown in FIG. 21 due to light fading the farther away from the light source. Corresponding, the second and third corners C2, C3 will not be as defined as shown in FIG. 21.

[0120] The first side S1 is at a first angle α relative to a front surface 204a of the cleaning head 204. The first angle α defines an angle at which the first side S1 extends from the first corner C1 to the second corner C2. In an exemplary implementation, the first angle α is in a range of 125° to 140°. In another exemplary implementation, the first angle α is in a range of 125° to 139°. In yet another exemplary implementation, the first angle α is in a range of 125° to 130°. In still another exemplary implementation, the first angle α is in a range of 130° to 139°. In another exemplary implementation, the first angle α is 130°. In yet another exemplary implementation, the first angle α is in 139°. In still another exemplary implementation, the first angle α is 125°.

[0121] The second side S2 is at a second angle θ relative to the front surface 204a of the cleaning head 204. The second angle θ defines an angle at which the second side S2 extends from the first corner C1 to the third corner C3. In an exemplary implementation, the second angle θ is in a range of 1° to 20°. In another exemplary implementation, the second angle θ is in a range of 2° to 20°. In yet another exemplary implementation, the second angle θ is in a range of 2° to 15°. In yet another exemplary implementation, the second angle θ is in a range of 2° to 10°. In still another exemplary implementation, the second angle θ is in a range of 10° to 15°. In another exemplary implementation, the second angle θ is 10°. In yet another exemplary implementation, the second angle θ is in 2°. In still another exemplary implementation, the second angle θ is 15°.

[0122] A center axis A1 of the region R extending from the lens 225 is defined by the first and second angles α, θ. A third angle δ of the center axis A1 relative to the front surface 204a of the cleaning head 204 is defined by the formula: (α+θ) / 2. For example, if the first angle α is 130° and the second angle θ is 10°, the third angle δ is 70°.

[0123] FIGS. 22 and 23 show another implementation of a light assembly 322 of a surface cleaning device that is the same as the surface cleaning device 200 of FIG. 3 except for the light assembly 322 and size and shape changes of a cleaning head 304 to accommodate the different light assembly 322. Like the light assembly 222 of FIGS. 9 and 10, the light assembly 322 of FIGS. 22 and 23 includes a support structure 327, a lens 325, and a light source (obscured in the figures) located rearwardly of the lens 325. FIGS. 24-26 also show the lens 325 and the support structure 327. The light source is omitted in FIGS. 24-26. FIGS. 27-29 show the lens 225 as a standalone element.

[0124] The light source in this illustrated implementation of the light assembly 322 is a single LED configured to emit blue light similar to that discussed above regarding the light source of the light assembly 122 of FIG. 1 and the light source 223 of FIGS. 11 and 12. However, the light source can have other configurations, as discussed above.

[0125] In this illustrated implementation the lens 325 is a convex lens having a convex optical surface 325a, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 26-29. The lens 325 in this illustrated implementation has a partially cylindrical side cross-sectional shape, as shown in FIG. 26. The convex portion of the lens 325 that defines the convex optical surface 325a has a rectangular cross-sectional shape in a top-bottom direction, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.

[0126] The generally ovular lens 225 of FIG. 10 provides a greater dispersion angle than the generally cylindrical lens 325 of FIG. 23. The generally cylindrical lens 325 of FIG. 23 provides better “light sheeting,” e.g., a more narrow vertical spread, that focuses the light into a thinner, flatter sheet than the generally ovular lens 225 of FIG. 10.

[0127] The support structure 327 is configured to support the light source and the lens 325 to facilitate attachment of the light assembly 322 to the cleaning head 304 and, in particular, to a base 329 of the cleaning head 304. FIGS. 30 and 31 show the cleaning head base 329 as a standalone element. The support structure 327 is the same as the support structure 327 of the light assembly 222 of FIGS. 9 and 10 except for being different in size and shape based on this particular surface cleaning device's configuration including configuration of the surface cleaning device's particular light assembly 322.

[0128] As shown in FIG. 32, the light emitted by the light source of the light assembly 322 and through the lens 325 is configured to illuminate a region G on a surface to be cleaned using the surface cleaning device. The region G is located entirely forwardly of the cleaning head 304 to help illuminate an area on the surface to be cleaned that a user can push the surface cleaning device over and / or toward. A portion of the region G closest to the light assembly is brighter than a remainder of the region G.

[0129] The region G has a substantially triangular shape. The illuminated region G of the implementation of FIG. 32 is similar to the illuminated region R of the implementation of FIG. 21 except that the region's triangular shape is different because of the different lens 325.

[0130] A first corner N1 of the triangular region G is at the lens 325. A first side D1 of the triangular region G extends from the first corner N1 to a second corner N2 of the triangular region G that is located laterally outward of the cleaning head 304 on a left side of the cleaning head 304. The second corner N2 is located forwardly of the first corner N1 and thus forwardly of the cleaning head 304. A second side D2 of the triangular region G extends from the first corner N1 to a third corner N3 of the triangular region G that is located laterally outward of the cleaning head 304 on a right side of the cleaning head 304. The third corner N3 is located forwardly of the first corner N1 and thus forwardly of the cleaning head 304. A third side D3 of the triangular region G extends from the second corner N2 to the third corner N3. The third side D3 is thus located forwardly of the cleaning head 304.

[0131] In actual practice, the third side D3 will not be as defined as shown in FIG. 32 due to light fading the farther away from the light source. Corresponding, the second and third corners N2, N3 will not be as defined as shown in FIG. 32.

[0132] The first side D1 is at a first angle β relative to a front surface 304a of the cleaning head 304. The first angle β defines an angle at which the first side D1 extends from the first corner N1 to the second corner N2. In an exemplary implementation, the first angle β is in a range of 120° to 130°. In another exemplary implementation, the first angle β is in a range of 120° to 127°. In yet another exemplary implementation, the first angle β is in a range of 125° to 127°. In still another exemplary implementation, the first angle β is in a range of 120° to 125°. In another exemplary implementation, the first angle β is 125°. In yet another exemplary implementation, the first angle β is in 127°. In still another exemplary implementation, the first angle β is 120°.

[0133] The second side D2 is at a second angle φ relative to the front surface 304a of the cleaning head 304. The second angle φ defines an angle at which the second side D2 extends from the first corner N1 to the third corner N3. In an exemplary implementation, the second angle φ is in a range of 8° to 25°. In another exemplary implementation, the second angle φ is in a range of 10° to 22°. In yet another exemplary implementation, the second angle φ is in a range of 10° to 15°. In yet another exemplary implementation, the second angle φ is in a range of 15° to 22°. In still another exemplary implementation, the second angle φ is 15°. In yet another exemplary implementation, the second angle φ is in 10°. In still another exemplary implementation, the second angle φ is 22°.

[0134] A center axis A2 of the region G extending from the lens is defined by the first and second angles β, φ similar to that discussed above with respect to FIG. 21. A third angle σ of the center axis A2 relative to the front surface of the cleaning head 304 is defined by the formula: (β+φ) / 2. For example, if the first angle α is 130° and the second angle θ is 10°, the third angle δ is 70°. For example, if the first angle β is 125° and the second angle φ is 15°, the third angle σ is 70°.

[0135] Sides of a region of light on a surface being cleaned by a surface cleaning device that extend from a lens of the surface cleaning device, such as the first and second sides S1, S2 of the region R of FIG. 21 and the first and second sides D1, D2 of the region G of FIG. 32, are well defined and are thus readily apparent to a user looking at the region. Depending on a curvature of the lens, the side of the region at a larger angle from the surface cleaning head's forward surface may bow inwardly instead of being a substantially straight line like the other side extending from the lens. FIG. 33 illustrates one example such bowing.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 33, a light source (obscured in FIG. 33) of a light assembly (obscured in FIG. 33) attached to a cleaning head 404 of a surface cleaning device is providing a blue light on a region E of a surface 401 being cleaned using the surface cleaning device. The surface cleaning device is the same as the surface cleaning device 200 of FIG. 3 except for the light assembly and size and shape changes of the cleaning head 404 to accommodate the different light assembly.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 33, the blue light emitted by the light source and through a lens (obscured in FIG. 33) of the light assembly is configured to illuminate the region E entirely forwardly of the cleaning head 404 to help illuminate an area on the surface to be cleaned that a user can push the surface cleaning device over and / or toward. FIG. 33 also shows that a portion P of the region E closest to the light assembly is brighter than a remainder of the region E.

[0138] The region E has a substantially triangular shape. A first corner K1 of the triangular region E is at the lens. As shown in FIG. 33, a first side I1 of the triangular region E extends from the first corner K1 to a second corner of the triangular region E that is located laterally outward of the cleaning head 304 on a left side of the cleaning head 304. The second corner is located forwardly of the first corner K1 and thus forwardly of the cleaning head 304. The first side I1 bows inwardly toward the end of the first side I1 nearer the second corner. A non-bowed first side I1′ is shown in FIG. 33 for reference. Lines along the first side I1 and reference first side I1′ are overlaid on the image shown in FIG. 33 for ease of identification and illustration.

[0139] A second side I2 of the triangular region E extends from the first corner K1 to a third corner of the triangular region E that is located laterally outward of the cleaning head 304 on a right side of the cleaning head 304. The third corner C3 is located forwardly of the first corner C1 and thus forwardly of the cleaning head 304. The second side I2 does not bow. A line along the second side I2 is overlaid on the image shown in FIG. 33 for ease of identification and illustration.

[0140] FIG. 33 also shows that a third side of the triangular region E is less defined than the first and second sides of the triangular region E due to light fading the farther away from the light source.

[0141] Changing a curvature of the lens will correct the bowing of the first side I1 to be like the reference first side I1′. FIG. 34 shows a first lens 425 representing a lens of the light assembly of FIG. 33 that provides for the bowed first side I1 of FIG. 33. FIG. 34 also shows a first light source 423 of the light assembly including the first lens 425. FIG. 34 also shows a second lens 525 of a light assembly that provides for the reference first side I1′ of FIG. 33. FIG. 34 also shows a second light source 523 of the light assembly including the second lens 525. The first and second lenses 425, 525 are each a convex lens having a convex optical surface. As shown in FIG. 34, the second lens 525 is less curved than the first lens 425, which provides for less light leakage. As also shown in FIG. 34, the second light source 523 is less curved than the first light source 423.

[0142] As mentioned above, a lens having a convex optical surface can have a variety of shapes, e.g., an ovular cross-sectional shape in a top-bottom direction as shown for example in FIGS. 9 and 10 showing the lens 225, a partially cylindrical side cross-sectional shape as shown for example in FIG. 26 showing the lens 325, or other shape. FIG. 35 illustrates another embodiment of a lens 625 having a convex optical surface. The lens 625 is configured and used similar to the other lens described herein except that the lens 625 of FIG. 35 is a toric lens having a toric shape.

[0143] The subject matter described herein can be implemented in analog electronic circuitry, digital electronic circuitry, and / or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structural means disclosed in this specification and structural equivalents thereof or in combinations of them. The subject matter described herein can be implemented as one or more computer program products, such as one or more computer programs tangibly embodied in an information carrier (e.g., in a machine-readable storage device), or embodied in a propagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus (e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers). A computer program (also known as a program, algorithm, software, software application, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data, in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code).

[0144] The processes and logic flows described in this specification, including the method steps of the subject matter described herein, can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions of the subject matter described herein by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus of the subject matter described herein can be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

[0145] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processor of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices). The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0146] The techniques described herein can be implemented using one or more modules. As used herein, the term “module” refers to computing software, firmware, hardware, and / or various combinations thereof. At a minimum, however, modules are not to be interpreted as software that is not implemented on hardware, firmware, or recorded on a non-transitory processor-readable recordable storage medium (i.e., modules are not software per se). Indeed “module” is to be interpreted to always include at least some physical, non-transitory hardware such as a part of a processor or computer. Two different modules can share the same physical hardware (e.g., two different modules can use the same processor). The modules described herein can be combined, integrated, separated, and / or duplicated to support various applications. Also, a function described herein as being performed at a particular module can be performed at one or more other modules and / or by one or more other devices instead of or in addition to the function performed at the particular module.

[0147] One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, this disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0148] The present disclosure has been described above by way of example only within the context of the overall disclosure provided herein. It will be appreciated that modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims may be made without departing from the overall scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning device, comprising:a cleaning head configured to be moved over a surface to be cleaned;a lens at the cleaning head; anda light at the cleaning head configured to emit blue light through the lens to illuminate the surface to be cleaned and to illuminate debris on the surface.

2. The surface cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 400 nm to 494 nm.

3. The surface cleaning device of claim 2, wherein a maximum current of the light is 700 mA.

4. The surface cleaning device of claim 2, wherein a maximum current of the light is 350 mA.

5. The surface cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 455 nm to 485 nm.

6. The surface cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising an agitator at the cleaning head, the agitator being configured to rotate to agitate debris on the surface to be cleaned.

7. The surface cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the cleaning head is configured to move in a forward direction over the surface to be cleaned;the agitator is located at a forward portion of the cleaning head; andthe light and the lens are located laterally of the agitator and at the forward portion of the cleaning head.

8. The surface cleaning device of claim 6, further comprising an actuator configured to be actuated by a user and thereby cause the light to begin emitting the blue light and the agitator to begin rotating.

9. The surface cleaning device of claim 6, further comprising a fluid reservoir configured to hold a cleaning fluid; anda fluid distributor configured to apply the cleaning fluid to the agitator and / or the surface to be cleaned.

10. The surface cleaning device of claim 6, further comprising a motor configured to drive the rotation of the agitator; anda power supply configured to supply power to the light and to the motor.

11. The surface cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the blue light is configured to illuminate a region on the surface to be cleaned;a first corner of the region is at the lens;a first side of the region extends from the first corner to a second corner of the region, the second corner being located laterally outward of the cleaning head on a first side of the cleaning head;the first side is at a first angle from a front surface of the cleaning head, the first angle being in a range of 120° to 140°;a second side of the region extends from the first corner to a third corner of the region, the third corner being located laterally outward of the cleaning head on a second side of the cleaning head that is opposite to the first side of the cleaning head; andthe second side is at a second angle from the front surface of the cleaning head, the second angle being in a range of 1° to 25°.

12. The surface cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising an upright section pivotally coupled to the cleaning head; andan actuator at the upright section, the actuator being configured to be actuated by a user and thereby cause the light to begin emitting the blue light.

13. A surface cleaning device, comprising:a cleaning head configured to be moved over a surface to be cleaned;an agitator at the cleaning head, the agitator being configured to rotate to agitate debris on the surface to be cleaned; anda light at the cleaning head, the light being configured to emit blue light to illuminate a region on the surface to be cleaned;wherein the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 400 nm to 494 nm;a first side of the region extends from a first corner of the region to a second corner of the region, the second corner being located laterally outward of the cleaning head on a first side of the cleaning head;the first side is at a first angle from a front surface of the cleaning head, the first angle being in a range of 120° to 140°;a second side of the region extends from the first corner to a third corner of the region, the third corner being located laterally outward of the cleaning head on a second side of the cleaning head that is opposite to the first side of the cleaning head; andthe second side is at a second angle from the front surface of the cleaning head, the second angle being in a range of 1° to 25°.

14. The surface cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the blue light has a wavelength in a range of 455 nm to 485 nm.

15. The surface cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the first angle is in a range of 125° to 140°; andthe second angle is in a range of 1° to 20°.

16. The surface cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the first angle is in a range of 120° to 130°; andthe second angle is in a range of 8° to 25°.

17. The surface cleaning device of claim 13, further comprising a lens at the cleaning head;wherein the light is configured to emit the blue light through the lens; andthe first corner of the region is at the lens.

18. The surface cleaning device of claim 17, wherein the light and the lens are located to one side of the agitator.

19. The surface cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the region is located entirely forward of the agitator.

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