Surface cleaning apparatus with lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface cleaning apparatuses face challenges with inadequate illumination of debris around the device and limited user interface communication, leading to inefficient cleaning and user experience issues.
Innovation Solution
The surface cleaning apparatus incorporates a lighting system with multiple lighting zones around its housing, a sensor to generate data, and a controller to process this data, enabling the emission of visible light in various states to improve illumination and user communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If brighter lights are used to illuminate the cleaning surface, then illumination intensity is improved, but power consumption and apparatus weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning light sources at specific locations around the cleaning head (front, rear, and side surfaces) to provide targeted illumination where debris is most likely to be found. This localized approach ensures adequate lighting without requiring excessive overall brightness, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining effective visibility of the cleaning surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple independent light sources distributed around the cleaning head rather than using a single bright light. This segmentation allows each light source to operate at lower power while collectively providing sufficient illumination, thus resolving the contradiction between illumination intensity and power consumption.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple lighting zones are added around the housing, then illumination coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system serves multiple functions: it illuminates the cleaning surface, indicates operational status, and provides visual feedback to the user. By combining these functions into a single integrated system with multiple lighting zones, the patent achieves comprehensive illumination coverage without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same lighting infrastructure supports both cleaning and communication functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the illumination function with the user interface communication function into a single lighting system. The same light sources that illuminate the cleaning surface can also convey status information through different lighting patterns or colors, thereby achieving multiple goals without adding separate systems and reducing overall complexity.
3Loss of information
If user interface information is enhanced, then information communication is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited line of sight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions user interface communication from a two-dimensional display requiring direct line of sight to a three-dimensional visual field using lighting zones around the cleaning head. Status information is conveyed through lights positioned on multiple surfaces (front, rear, sides), allowing users to perceive operational status from various angles and distances, thereby improving information communication without compromising ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system acts as an intermediary between the device's internal operational state and the user. Instead of requiring direct observation of displays or indicators, the lighting zones translate operational information into visible light patterns that can be perceived from a distance and various angles, enhancing communication while maintaining ease of use.
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 enhanced illumination of the cleaning surface and improved user interaction, making it easier to detect debris and communicate status effectively, thus enhancing the cleaning process and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of lighting zones carried by the housing and configured to emit visible light
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes an illumination system having lighting to illuminate a floor surface or other area being cleaned. The lighting for the illumination system includes a plurality of lights, light sources, and/or lighting zones disposed around a housing of the apparatus. The illumination system can output a condition, status, state, alert or error to a user by emitting visible light and varying an intensity, color, wavelength, temperature, or animation of the light. Methods for operating the illumination system are also provided.