Robotic Cleaner Illuminator Optic for Uniform Light Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic vacuum cleaners lack effective illumination systems that provide uniform and consistent lighting for navigation and status indication, leading to potential navigation challenges and unclear status communication to users.
Innovation Solution
The robotic cleaner incorporates an illuminator assembly with a light guide configured to diffuse light, featuring a light diffusing material and a light emitting diode (LED) positioned to reflect light before incidence on the light receiving surface, ensuring a more uniform intensity and allowing for customizable patterns and colors to indicate the cleaner's status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a light guide is used to diffuse light from LED sources, then the illumination coverage area is increased, but the uniformity of illumination intensity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the optical properties at different locations within the light guide. Specifically, the light guide includes a light diffusing material with spatially varying diffusion characteristics - areas closer to the LED sources have different optical properties than areas farther away, allowing each region to contribute appropriately to achieving uniform overall illumination across the large coverage area.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple LED light sources are used to illuminate a wide region, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary component between the LED light sources and the target area. This single light guide structure replaces the need for multiple separate illumination systems, as it can distribute light from a small number of LEDs across a large coverage area through its diffusing properties, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If light is reflected before incidence on the light receiving surface, then the illumination uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light reflection function directly into the light guide structure itself. The light guide incorporates reflective surfaces and light diffusing material in an integrated design, eliminating the need for separate reflection components. This combination achieves improved illumination uniformity while minimizing additional device complexity.
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
The solution provides a more uniform and consistent illumination for navigation and status indication, enhancing the robotic cleaner's ability to communicate its state to users through light patterns and colors, thereby improving user interaction and navigation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The illuminator optic includes a light diffusing material such that light received within the illuminator optic is diffused when traveling therethrough
Implementation Method 2
light sources are disposed between the printed circuit board and the illuminator optic such that emitted light is reflected at least once before being incident on the light receiving surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A robotic cleaner may include a body and an illuminator assembly. At least a portion of the illuminator assembly may be disposed within the body. The illuminator assembly may include an illuminator optic configured to emit light from an illumination surface and an illumination guide configured to direct light into the illuminator optic. The illumination guide may have a cavity. The cavity may include a reflecting surface and a directing surface, the reflecting surface being positioned opposite the directing surface.