Vacuum Nozzle Side Lighting to Reduce Power Consumption Near Obstacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nozzle devices for vacuum cleaners have difficulty illuminating dirt accumulation areas near walls and obstacles, as these areas are often in the shadow of the nozzle and require constant lighting, which wastes power and is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle device with side-mounted light-emitting sources that can be controlled to vary their power or coverage based on proximity to obstacles, using proximity sensors to activate lighting only when necessary, reducing power consumption and improving visibility of dirt accumulation areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If side lighting is continuously activated to illuminate dirt accumulation areas near walls, then visibility of dirt is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system transitions from static continuous operation to dynamic conditional operation. The control unit dynamically adjusts lighting activation based on real-time proximity sensor data, enabling the system to adapt its illumination behavior to actual cleaning needs and reduce unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when proximity sensors detect obstacles within a predetermined distance. This periodic activation pattern maintains effective illumination of dirt accumulation areas while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous operation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If side lighting is activated only when near obstacles, then power consumption is reduced, but visibility of dirt accumulation areas may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control through proximity sensors that continuously monitor the distance to obstacles. This feedback mechanism ensures lighting is activated at the precise moment when dirt accumulation areas near walls become visible concerns, maintaining adequate visibility while minimizing power consumption by avoiding premature or unnecessary activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system activates in advance when proximity sensors detect obstacles approaching within the predetermined distance, ensuring that dirt accumulation areas are illuminated before the nozzle reaches them. This preliminary action maintains visibility while reducing power consumption by activating lighting only when and where needed.
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 effectively conserves power by activating side lighting only when near obstacles, enhancing visibility of dirt accumulation areas without constant illumination, thus improving cleaning efficiency and reducing battery drain in cordless vacuum cleaners.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light-emitting source arranged at a side of the nozzle device and configured to emit light from the respective side of the nozzle device
Data Source
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AI summary
A nozzle device (1) is intended for use in a cleaning appliance such as a vacuum cleaner, and is configured to be moved over a surface (100) to be cleaned. The nozzle device (1) comprises at least one light-emitting source (20, 30) arranged at a side of the nozzle device (1) and configured to emit light from the respective side of the nozzle device (1), and a controlling arrangement (32) configured to vary at least one parameter of the at least one light-emitting source (20, 30) in relation to actual circumstances of a cleaning action between a functional value and at least one default value which is different from the functional value, and to set the functional value of the parameter when the respective side is in the vicinity of an obstacle on the surface (100) to be cleaned.