Vacuum Cleaner Indication Light Guide for Moving Joint Wiring Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing indication lighting devices in electric appliances, such as vacuum cleaners, face challenges in reducing weight and improving operability due to the need for thick wiring to prevent disconnection when the moving part is adjusted, which complicates weight reduction efforts.

Innovation Solution

The use of an optical waveguide with prisms in the moving part to transmit light from a fixed part light source, allowing light to be reflected and propagated to an indication part, reducing the need for extensive electrical wiring and enabling weight reduction of both the fixed and moving parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wiring material is used to connect the fixed part casing to the moving part casing, then electrical connection is achieved, but the width of the fixed part casing and moving part casing increases and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidweight of vacuum cleaner

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical wiring system with an optical transmission system. A light guide (optical waveguide) is used to transmit light signals from the fixed part casing to the moving part casing, eliminating the need for electrical wiring between these components. This substitution of mechanical/electrical connection with optical connection resolves the contradiction by removing the weight penalty of thick wiring while maintaining reliable signal transmission across the movable joint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If wiring width is increased to prevent disconnection during moving part adjustment, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiring connection reliabilityVSAvoidwiring structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the complex wiring structure by replacing it with a simple optical waveguide system. The light guide uses total internal reflection to transmit light signals through the moving part without requiring complex connectors or thick wiring. This substitution dramatically simplifies the structure while maintaining reliable signal transmission during moving part adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide acts as an intermediary between the fixed part casing and moving part casing. Instead of directly connecting electrical components through complex wiring, the optical signal is transmitted through the light guide which can flexibly accommodate the movement and positioning changes of the moving part without disconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Weight of moving object

If the number of electric wire from fixed part to moving part is reduced, then weight is reduced, but light transmission reliability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of vacuum cleanerVSAvoidlight transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical wiring with an optical waveguide system that transmits light signals. This substitution maintains reliable light transmission while eliminating the need for multiple electrical wires. The light guide uses total internal reflection to efficiently transmit light from the fixed part to the moving part, ensuring reliable indication functionality with minimal material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution reduces the weight of the vacuum cleaner by minimizing electrical wiring and improving operability, allowing the indication lighting to function effectively across multiple locking positions of the moving part.

Implementation Method 1

the light emitted from the light source is reflected on the reflection surfaces of the optical waveguide at respective locating positions of the moving part to be propagated toward the indication part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9946008B2Indication lighting device and vacuum cleaner including the same

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An indication lighting device provided is capable of reducing the number of electric wiring from a fixed, part to a moving part when an indication part is provided in the moving part's side. The indication lighting device makes indication by emitting light from a light source arranged in a fixed part to an optical waveguide arranged in a moving part, reflecting the light incident on the optical waveguide by reflection surfaces of prisms of the optical waveguide to an indication part provided in a tip side of the optical waveguide to be propagated, and emitting the light propagated inside the optical waveguide through the indication part.