Projected Status Display for Vacuum Robot Cleaning Station Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning stations for vacuum robots lack effective status displays, making it difficult to visually indicate operating states, especially in low-light conditions, and often require app-based monitoring for status updates.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a projection apparatus, such as LED lights or a light guide, to project the operating status onto the vacuum robot, floor surface, or surrounding wall, providing clear and easily visible display surfaces for charging and emptying processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light is used on the housing for status indication, then the device complexity is reduced, but the visibility and usefulness of the status display deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent projects the status display from a two-dimensional light source on the housing to a three-dimensional projection on the vacuum robot surface, floor, or wall. This dimensional transition creates a much larger effective display area while using the same basic light-emitting components, thereby improving visibility without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a projection apparatus as an intermediary between the light source and the display surface. This intermediary component takes the light from the housing and projects it onto external surfaces (vacuum robot, floor, or wall), creating a magnified status display that is easily visible from a distance while keeping the actual light-emitting hardware simple and compact.
2Device complexity
If no status display is provided at the cleaning station, then the device complexity is minimized, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users must rely on app-based monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning station provides self-service status information through the projection apparatus that automatically displays operating states (charging, emptying, faults) on accessible surfaces. Users can obtain status information directly from the projected display without needing to access an app or interface, making the system self-explanatory and easier to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection apparatus serves as an intermediary that translates internal system states into external visual information. By projecting status symbols onto surfaces visible to users, the system bridges the gap between internal operations and user awareness, eliminating the need for app-based monitoring while adding minimal complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a small light on the housing is used for status indication, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the detectability of operating status deteriorates in low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The projection apparatus transforms a small, compact light source into a large-area display by projecting the light pattern onto external surfaces. This dimensional expansion makes the status indicators clearly visible in low-light conditions while keeping the actual light-emitting components small and inexpensive to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses different colored lights (red, yellow, green) to indicate different operating states. These colored projections are highly visible against various background surfaces, especially in low-light conditions, while using standard LED components that are inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
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
Enables clear and efficient visualization of operating statuses, including charging and emptying processes, even in varying ambient lighting conditions, enhancing user interaction and fault detection.
Implementation Method 1
the projection apparatus has a plurality of LED lights which are arranged side by side on the housing and are designed to be activated in order to project the operating status
Implementation Method 2
the projection apparatus has on the housing at least one light guide which is designed to be illuminated by at least one LED light arranged in the housing, the light guide being designed to emit light guided by the illumination for projecting the operating status
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning station for vacuum robots for cleaning floor surfaces, the cleaning station having a housing, the housing having an electrical interface, the interface being designed to contact a vacuum robot approaching the cleaning station for charging, the housing having a suction device, the suction device being designed to empty a vacuum robot approaching the cleaning station for emptying. The housing has at least one status display, the status display being designed to display an operating status of the interface and/or the suction device, wherein the status display comprises at least one projection apparatus. The projection apparatus is designed to project the operating status of the interface and/or the suction device onto the vacuum robot which has approached and/or onto the floor surface and/or onto a wall surface surrounding the cleaning station.