Floor Unit Light Guide Layout for Multi-Edge Cleaning Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor cleaning devices, such as vacuum cleaners, lack optimal illumination of areas to the side and behind the nozzle, making it difficult for users to see dirty areas and assess cleaning results effectively.

Innovation Solution

The light output area of the light guide is arranged along the front, side, and rear edges of the floor unit, utilizing LEDs and optical fibers to provide continuous illumination around the cleaning path, enhanced by a reflector and lens for efficient light distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the light guide is only arranged at the front edge of the nozzle, then the structure is simple, but the illumination coverage is insufficient and areas to the side and behind the nozzle are not illuminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidlight guide arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is segmented into multiple sections arranged at different edges of the floor unit. Specifically, light guides are arranged at the front edge, side edges, and rear edge, dividing the illumination function across multiple locations to achieve comprehensive coverage while maintaining manageable complexity at each segment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination is extended from a single-dimensional front-edge arrangement to a multi-dimensional configuration by adding light guides at side edges and rear edge, creating a circumferential illumination pattern that covers all areas around the floor unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If the light guide illuminates only the area directly in front of the nozzle, then the device complexity is low, but the visibility of dirty areas and cleaning results is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of cleaning areaVSAvoidlight guide configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The visibility function is segmented by placing light guides at multiple edges (front, side, rear) to provide distributed illumination across the entire cleaning path, ensuring that both dirty areas ahead and cleaned areas behind remain visible

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light guides are positioned to illuminate areas before they are cleaned (front edge) and areas after cleaning (rear edge), providing continuous visibility of both the work ahead and the results achieved

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design improves the visibility of the cleaning area by illuminating all sides and behind the cleaning device, enhancing cleaning efficiency and visibility of cleaning results.

Implementation Method 1

the light source being configured to emit light, the light guide being configured to receive light emitted by the light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

the optical fiber having a light output area, the light output area being configured to emit light received from the light source onto a floor to be cleaned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical fiber transmission: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP4696208A1Floor unit for a floor cleaning device and floor cleaning device
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP4696208A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4696208A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4696208A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a floor unit for a floor cleaning device with a main direction of movement, wherein the floor unit has a front edge and at least one further edge, wherein the further edge is arranged at an angle to the front edge, wherein the floor unit has a light source and a light guide, wherein the light source is configured to emit light, wherein the light guide is configured to receive light emitted by the light source, wherein the light guide has a light output area, wherein the light output area is configured to emit light received from the light source onto a floor to be cleaned, wherein the light output area of ​​the light guide is arranged along the front edge and the further edge.