Surface cleaning apparatus with task lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface cleaning devices lack effective illumination in dimly lit or confined areas, obstructing the user's line of sight and limiting control over illumination, making it difficult to locate and clean spots and stains.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning apparatus with adjustable task lighting integrated into a portable extraction cleaner, featuring a hand-carried body with a main housing, motor/fan assembly, supply and recovery tanks, and a hand-held cleaning tool, where the task light is positioned on the tool body or main housing to provide focused illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If illuminated surface cleaning devices are used to improve illumination in dimly lit areas, then illumination is provided, but user line of sight is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the light source on the underside of the cleaning head, directing illumination downward onto the surface being cleaned. This spatial arrangement allows the light to illuminate the work area without being positioned in the user's direct line of sight, effectively resolving the contradiction between providing illumination and maintaining clear visibility for the operator.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional surface cleaning devices are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but illumination in dimly lit areas is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the illumination function directly into the cleaning head by mounting the light source on the underside of the housing. This merging of lighting and cleaning functions into a single integrated unit adds illumination capability without requiring separate lighting equipment or complex auxiliary systems, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning head is designed to perform multiple functions: cleaning surfaces and illuminating dimly lit areas. By incorporating the light source into the cleaning head, the device becomes universally applicable in various lighting conditions without requiring separate specialized equipment, thereby adding functionality with minimal complexity increase.
3Illumination intensity
If fixed illumination is provided on cleaning devices, then illumination is available, but control over illumination direction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an adjustable positioning mechanism that allows the light source to be moved and repositioned according to different cleaning needs. This dynamic adjustability enables the user to direct illumination precisely where needed on the surface being cleaned, providing adaptability and control over illumination direction while maintaining a relatively simple fixed mounting structure.
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 better spot and stain cleaning by allowing users to easily find and treat stains in dimly lit locations, improving cleaning accuracy and confidence with adjustable and directed lighting.
Implementation Method 1
a task light on the hand-carried body, the task light emitting visible light outwardly from the hand-carried body toward a location adjacent to the hand-carried body
Implementation Method 2
a source of suction in fluid communication with the conduit to draw the cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned and through the nozzle and the conduit to the recovery tank
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes task lighting. The task lighting can be provided on a hand-carried body or housing of the apparatus, on a hand tool of the apparatus, or both. The task lighting can be adjustable, and can be directed to illuminate a desired location.