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 portable surface cleaning apparatus with adjustable task lighting that can be directed towards a desired location, integrated into the hand-carried body or hand-held tool, providing focused illumination to enhance visibility in dimly lit areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional surface cleaning devices are used without additional lighting, then the device structure remains simple, but illumination in dimly lit areas is insufficient making it difficult to locate spots and stains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lighting function with the surface cleaning device by integrating a light source, power source, and control circuitry into the existing device structure. This merging approach provides necessary illumination while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through shared components and housing integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface cleaning device is enhanced with multiple functions: it performs both cleaning operations and provides illumination. The device can operate in modes including cleaning only, lighting only, or both simultaneously, making it adaptable to various lighting conditions and user needs without requiring separate lighting equipment.
2Ease of operation
If fixed illumination is provided on the cleaning device, then some areas are lit, but the user's line of sight is obstructed and control over illumination is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system incorporates adjustable features including variable intensity control and selectable operating modes (cleaning mode, lighting mode, both modes). The illumination can be dynamically adjusted to provide optimal lighting without obstructing the user's view, and the system can switch between different operational states based on user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting is designed to provide localized illumination at specific areas of interest on the surface being cleaned, rather than uniform lighting across the entire device. This allows targeted illumination of spots and stains while maintaining clear user visibility and control.
3Illumination intensity
If adjustable task lighting is integrated into the hand-carried body, then illumination control and visibility are improved, but the device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs energy-efficient LED light sources that have long operational lifetimes and low power consumption. The power source is sized to provide adequate illumination while minimizing weight, and the overall lighting system is designed to be lightweight relative to the total device mass, accepting the weight increase as necessary for functional capability.
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 locate debris on surfaces, even in poorly lit conditions, improving the cleaning experience and confidence in the cleaning process.
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
Data Source
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 surface cleaning apparatus. Power to the task lighting can be controlled by a switch. The task lighting can be adjustable relative to the hand-carried body, and can be directed to illuminate a desired location.