Operating device and cleaning appliance which can be carried on the back
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Solution Overview
Problem
Backpack cleaning devices face challenges in handling due to the need for direct visual contact with the operating device, leading to inefficient energy use and shortened cleaning times, as operators must set the device down to activate it, causing unintended activation and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An operating device with haptically distinguishable touch elements and a display device for energy supply status, allowing activation and mode switching without direct visual contact, featuring a separate housing and optional fastening to clothing for ergonomic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operating device is arranged on the cleaning device housing, then the device structure is simple, but the operator cannot operate it without direct visual contact, leading to unintended activation and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The operating device is separated from the cleaning device and arranged separately on the operator's body (belt, clothing, or handheld). This segmentation allows the operator to control the cleaning device without needing visual contact with the housing-mounted controls, preventing unintended activation while the cleaning device operates autonomously once activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating device acts as an intermediary between the operator and the cleaning device. It transmits control signals to activate or deactivate the cleaning device and provides visual feedback about operational status and energy levels, enabling operation without direct visual contact with the cleaning device housing.
2Productivity
If the operating device requires direct visual contact for operation, then control precision is high, but the operator must set the device down to activate it, shortening cleaning time
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the operating device from the cleaning device housing and positioning it on the operator's body, the operator can continuously control the cleaning device without interrupting work to set it down. This maintains high cleaning productivity while improving operational convenience through ergonomic positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating device is positioned in advance on the operator's body (belt, clothing, or hand) before cleaning operations begin. This preliminary positioning ensures the device is readily accessible throughout the cleaning process, eliminating interruptions and maximizing cleaning time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons are provided for different functions, then device functionality is enhanced, but the operating device becomes more complex and harder to operate without visual contact
Solution Approach 1:
Different buttons on the operating device are designed with distinct local qualities - different shapes, sizes, positions, or tactile characteristics - allowing the operator to identify and operate them by touch alone. This enables multiple functions to be accessed without visual contact while maintaining intuitive operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating device incorporates visual indicators (such as LED lights or display elements) that change color or illuminate to indicate different operating modes and energy levels. This provides visual feedback about device functionality without requiring the operator to visually locate and identify multiple buttons, simplifying the operational interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to improve the handleability of an operating device for controlling, in particular for activating and deactivating, a cleaning device and/or an energy-supply device of a cleaning appliance which can be carried on the back, which operating device comprises a control-signal generator for generating control signals relating to the cleaning device which is to be controlled and/or the energy-supply device, and also comprises a signal transmitter for transmitting the control signals, wherein the control-signal generator comprises at least one first contact element for activating and deactivating the cleaning device, it is proposed that the operating device should comprise at least one second contact element for activating and deactivating a mode of operation of the cleaning device, and that the at least one first contact element and the at least one second contact element should be designed such that they can be distinguished haptically.