Vacuum Cleaner Motor Speed Indicator With Rotating Light Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum cleaners lack a clear and recognizable indication of the adjusted or selected suction power, making it difficult for users to optically monitor and select appropriate suction power levels for different cleaning applications.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner with a motor speed control switch and an illuminatable motor speed indicator featuring a circular or annular ring pattern of lights, controlled by a controller that activates and deactivates lights at a rate corresponding to the suction motor's rotation speed, creating a visible light spot that rotates to indicate the suction power, and uses sensors to detect additional operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional indicator arrangements with one or more lights are used to indicate operating conditions, then the vacuum cleaner can provide optical indication to the user, but the indication of adjusted or selected suction power is not sufficiently recognizable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by successively activating and deactivating multiple lights in a circular or annular pattern at different rates. Each light succession rate corresponds to a specific motor rotation speed, creating a periodic visual signal that rotates at a rate proportional to the suction power level. This periodic activation pattern makes the suction power indication highly recognizable while using simple light elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes by employing lights of different colors (e.g., red, yellow, green) to indicate different operating conditions and suction power levels. The color of the rotating light spot provides immediate visual feedback about the current suction power setting, enhancing recognizability without increasing device complexity.
2Loss of information
If multiple lights are arranged in a circular or annular ring pattern and activated successively to create a rotating light spot, then suction power can be clearly indicated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the light indicator system to serve multiple functions: indicating motor rotation speed, showing suction power levels, and signaling different operating conditions. The same circular arrangement of lights and control circuitry provides comprehensive feedback for various operational states, reducing the need for separate indicator systems and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the activation rate of the lights to correspond to different motor rotation speeds. The controller adjusts the light succession rate as a parameter to match the motor speed, creating a direct visual correlation between light rotation and suction power without requiring complex mechanical linkages or additional sensing components.
3Measurement precision
If the light succession rate is made dependent on the actual motor rotation speed using sensors, then accurate optical monitoring is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using a sensor to detect the actual motor rotation speed and feeding this information back to the controller. The controller then adjusts the light succession rate based on the detected motor speed, ensuring accurate optical monitoring. This closed-loop feedback system achieves precise indication while using standard sensor and controller components available in vacuum cleaners.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes self-service by having the system automatically adjust the light indication based on motor speed without requiring manual intervention. The sensor continuously monitors motor speed and the controller automatically synchronizes the light rotation rate, providing self-regulating accurate indication that reduces the need for manual calibration or adjustment mechanisms.
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
Provides a readily visible and easily recognizable symbolic indication of suction power, enabling users to select appropriate power levels for various cleaning tasks and monitor operating conditions, such as airflow resistance and dust filter bag fill state.
Implementation Method 1
The lights may be any light emitting elements, such as light emitting diodes, incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent light bulbs, electroluminescent elements, or optical fibers conducting and emitting light from one or more light sources.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner includes a variable speed suction motor and an illuminatable motor speed indicator having plural lights arranged in a circular pattern or annular ring pattern, for example around a motor speed control switch. A control unit includes an indicator controller and a motor controller that respectively control the illuminatable indicator and the motor, based on inputs from the motor speed control switch and optionally at least one sensor that senses operating conditions of the vacuum cleaner. The lights are successively activated and deactivated to create a visible light spot that appears to rotate around the circular or annular ring pattern at a light rotation rate related to and indicative of the motor rotation speed. Thereby the indicator allows the vacuum suction power to be visually monitored.