Surface cleaning apparatus with lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning apparatuses have inadequate illumination, particularly around the device, and limited user interface capabilities, making it difficult for users to effectively interact and receive information during operation.
Innovation Solution
The surface cleaning apparatus is equipped with an advanced illumination system that provides greater than 180 degrees of illumination around the base, including headlights, sidelights, and taillights, and a controller that processes sensor data to control lighting zones and animations for improved visibility and user communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If brighter lights are used to improve illumination, then illumination intensity is improved, but power consumption and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is divided into multiple independent light sources positioned at different locations (front, rear, and sides) around the apparatus. Each light source can be controlled independently or in groups, allowing selective illumination of different areas without requiring all lights to operate at maximum intensity simultaneously, thus reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adequate illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions around the apparatus are illuminated with appropriate light intensity based on local needs. The front headlight provides bright illumination for forward viewing, while sidelights and taillights provide supplementary illumination at lower power levels for peripheral areas, creating locally optimized illumination without uniformly high power consumption across all lights.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple light sources are added to provide comprehensive illumination, then illumination coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system serves multiple functions: it provides visibility for the user, communicates operational status and alerts to the user, and highlights debris on the surface. By integrating these multiple functions into a single illumination system with controllable light sources, the patent achieves comprehensive functionality without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system combines visibility provision and user communication functions into a single integrated system. The same light sources used for illuminating the surface also serve as visual indicators for operational status, alerts, and notifications, merging multiple functions into one system rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
3Loss of information
If traditional user interfaces are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but information communication to user is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system acts as an intermediary communication channel between the apparatus and the user. Instead of relying solely on traditional interfaces (displays, buttons), the patent uses controllable light sources to convey operational status, alerts, and information visually to the user, providing an additional communication pathway that enhances information delivery without requiring complex interface hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system uses different light colors or intensity patterns to communicate different types of information to the user. By varying the color or activation pattern of light sources, the system can indicate different operational states, warnings, or status conditions, providing rich information communication through simple visual cues without requiring complex interface elements.
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 enhanced illumination system improves visibility of debris and facilitates better user interaction by providing comprehensive lighting and intuitive communication through lighting animations and states, enhancing the cleaning experience.
Implementation Method 1
the lighting is configured to emit visible light onto the surface to be cleaned to produce an illumination zone extending greater than 180 degrees around the base
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.