BE1030603B1 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, comprising a ring light guide with a light entry surface (9) and an annular light exit surface (1), which is designed in such a way that light incident on the light entry surface (9) is guided to the light exit surface (1) and is emitted homogeneously there, comprising a Body extending between the light entry surface (9) and the light exit surface (1), which has a coupling element (8) for coupling the light incident on the light entry surface (9) into the body and is designed such that part of the coupled light from the Light exit surface (1) is directed away.

Description

Description

Vacuum cleaner

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. In particular, the invention relates to one

Vacuum cleaner with an actuating element such as a button, switch, button or the like. and a device that allows a user of the vacuum cleaner to operate the

Actuating element displays. For example, such a device can be a

Be a ring light guide, in the middle of which the actuating element is integrated. Such a ring light guide usually has a light-emitting diode and a tongue for coupling in the light from the

Light emitting diode, a ring and elements for splitting and directing the light. However, one problem with such ring light guides is the inhomogeneity of the light that is coupled out.

The invention therefore presents the problem of providing a vacuum cleaner with a ring light guide which is designed to couple out light with a satisfactory homogeneity.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a vacuum cleaner with the features of

Claim 1 solved. Advantageous refinements and further developments of the invention result from the following subclaims.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention, in addition to providing homogeneous light extraction, are that only one light-emitting diode is used to illuminate the

Ring light guide is required.

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, having a ring light guide with a

Light entry surface and an annular light exit surface, which is designed such that light incident on the light entry surface is guided to the light exit surface and is emitted homogeneously there, having a between the light entry surface and the

Light exit surface extending body, which has a coupling element for coupling the light incident on the light entry surface into the body and is designed such that part of the coupled light is directed away from the light exit surface.

The ring light guide preferably serves the user as a display element when the

Actuating element of the vacuum cleaner, which is preferably positioned centrally in the ring light guide.

Preferably, only the light exit surface of the ring light guide is visible to the user. This is preferably embedded flush in a housing cover of the vacuum cleaner.

In a preferred embodiment, the body has a light splitting section with a first recess, which is designed to split the coupled-in light such that a first part of the coupled-in light is guided through the first recess. The light is preferably divided into several parts at the first recess. s This divides the light in such a way that only the required amount of light is supplied

Light exit surface is guided. The light splitting section with the first is preferred

Recess designed to divide the light into three parts. The middle part leaves the

Ring light guide preferably has a central radius pointing upwards

Light exit surface, and the side parts are preferably reflected on inclined surfaces of the first recess and directed into an annular part or ring of the ring light guide. Preferably, the first recess widens away from the light entry surface at a first opening angle, which is between 60° and 110°, preferably between 70° and 100°. The direction and position information refers to a light entry and a light exit into the ring light guide, whereby the light entry into the ı5 ring light guide is at the bottom and a light exit from the ring light guide is at the top.

In a preferred embodiment, the body has an optical intermediate element along the light path between the first recess and the light exit surface with a lower surface which has an upper boundary surface of the first recess and a

Light coupling surface for coupling from the first recess to the optical

Intermediate element incident light forms. The optical intermediate element is preferably designed as a prism. The optical intermediate element serves to avoid hotspots in the area of light coupling and is preferably geometrically separated from the light path

Rest of the ring light guide. This achieves great effectiveness and accuracy

Dosing of the isolated and forwarded light is possible.

The first recess is preferably delimited laterally from the optical intermediate element upwards by a first deflection surface, which forms a first angle between 55 ° and 65 ° to the plane of the light coupling surface or to the plane of the light exit surface, and / or by a second deflection surface, which forms a second angle between 10° and 20° to the plane of the light input surface or to the plane of the light exit surface.

The deflection surfaces are preferably positioned in such a way that they allow some of the light to pass through

Redirect light refraction so that areas that are too dark are supplied with additional light.

This further improves the homogeneity of the emerging light.

In a preferred embodiment, the optical intermediate element is designed as one

To deflect part of the light out of the light path. A lower radius in the first recess for light distribution allows more light to penetrate towards the light exit surface than is required. It is therefore advantageous to collect the majority of this light on an underside of the optical intermediate element and to radiate it radially inwards, in the direction of the optical intermediate element, through a front inclined surface of the optical intermediate element

Redirect the actuating element so that the light does not penetrate to the light exit surface.

Preferably, the optical intermediate element has an upper flattened tip, which is designed to transmit only an amount of light that is necessary for a homogeneous

Light distribution on the exit surface is required. In order to redirect part of the light in such a way that it does not reach the light exit surface, the optical

Intermediate element preferably has a tip angle in the range of 45 to 60 °, which is designed to deflect a large part of the light radially inwards, while a small part of the light is transmitted through a very narrow flattening at an upper end of the optical intermediate element, so that at the The right amount of light is available on the light exit surface. The flattening preferably has a width of m

Range of 0.2mm +/- 0.1mm.

The body preferably has a second recess, which is between the optical

Intermediate element and the light exit surface is arranged. This makes it optical

Intermediate element separated from the rest of the component at the top and bottom. As a result, light no longer spreads vertically through the component through total reflection from bottom to top, but only through the air. This separation contributes significantly

Homogenization of the light distribution.

In a preferred embodiment, the body has one or more multiply curved reflection surfaces, which direct the coupled light in the direction of the

Light exit surface reflects/reflects. The curvatures are preferably chosen so that the light is deflected evenly distributed in the direction of the exit surface. A

Inclination angle of the multi-curved reflection surface(s) in the direction of

Light exit area preferably increases. The multiply curved reflection surface is preferably symmetrical. Each side preferably has several, for example two, three or four, segments that have different inclinations. Each is preferred

Side made of three segments with different inclinations. The steeper the angle is in relation to the light exit surface, the more light is coupled out in this area. In order to ensure homogeneous light emission behavior on the light exit surface, it is necessary that the intensity of the light in areas where less light is available

Decoupling is increased. Preferably, a first change in curvature of the multiply curved reflection surface occurs after approximately 90° at a first position and a second one

Change in curvature after approximately 150° at a second position in the circumferential direction, measured from the coupling element. An angle at the first position is preferably 185 +/-5°, more preferably 187°. An angle at the second position is preferably 215 +/-10°,

more preferably 217°. All surface segments that belong to the multi-curved reflection surface are preferably constructed helically and do not represent a plane.

Preferably, the one or more multiply curved reflection surfaces are/are present

Viewing the body in the direction of the light exit surface arranged in a ring behind the light exit surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the multiply curved reflection surfaces and/or the light exit surface have a rough surface. The rough surface on the

Reflective surfaces improve the direction of the light in the direction of the coupling surfaces.

A scattering effect is achieved by means of the rough surface on the decoupling surfaces.

This allows the user to do this even when viewing the ring light guide slightly from the side

perceive light. The rough surface can be designed, for example, as an erosion structure. If the top of the light exit surface has a roughened surface structure, the light is scattered for better perception from different viewing directions.

However, some of the light will not emerge from the light exit surface, but will

BACK reflected inwards. This reflection also occurs due to the rough

Surface structure is not directed, but also scattered. The same applies to the light that is reflected or partially emerges from the multi-curved reflection surface(s).

The optical intermediate element is preferably in the form of a prism

Light path between the first recess and the one or more curved ones

Reflective surfaces arranged.

The body is preferably axially asymmetrical. In particular, it preferably has none

Rotational symmetry about an axis of rotation which runs perpendicular to the plane of the light exit surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the body is mirror-symmetrical to one

Plane of symmetry, which runs perpendicular to the plane of the light exit surface.

The body is preferably formed in one piece from a transparent or translucent material. The ring light guide preferably has or consists of a transparent plastic or slightly diffuse plastic with a refractive index of approximately 1.5.

The entire ring light guide is preferably designed symmetrically.

In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum cleaner also has a

Light-emitting diode arranged on the light entry surface. The vacuum cleaner preferably has a single light-emitting diode which is arranged on the light entry surface. You don't need several LEDs, just one. This reduces costs and

Material saved.

The ring light guide preferably also has a lens. The lens preferably has one

Radius of 2.5 mm +/-1mm. The lens is preferably designed to focus the incoming light to a certain extent through its lens curvature and to that

To conduct coupling element. The coupling element is preferably designed as a tongue.

The light-emitting diode is preferably positioned below the lens and shines vertically upwards.

The light emitted by the light-emitting diode then preferably shines into the lens from below and is focused to a certain extent by the curvature of the lens and through that

Coupling element guided further upwards. This light is then preferably partially reflected on the two side surfaces of the first recess and preferably in the actual one

Ring steered in tangential direction. From there it preferably hits the multi-curved reflection surface(s) and is deflected upwards.

The vacuum cleaner can be any type of vacuum cleaner. The ı5 vacuum cleaner is preferably designed as a hand or stick vacuum cleaner.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows

Fig. 1 is a side view of a vacuum cleaner according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial top view of the vacuum cleaner shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the ring light guide shown in Fig. 2 and one

Led;

Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view of the ring light guide shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a partial perspective side view of the ring light guide shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a partial plan view of the ring light guide shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a further perspective partial side view of the one shown in Fig. 2

ring light guide;

Fig. 8 is a partial side view of the ring light guide shown in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the ring light guide shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a vacuum cleaner according to the invention. The vacuum cleaner is designed as a handheld vacuum cleaner. It has a handle 21 and a separator 22. It can optionally be coupled with a suction pipe 23 and a floor nozzle 24.

Fig. 2 shows a partial top view of the vacuum cleaner shown in Fig. 1. Shown is the handle 21, in which an actuating element 25 is integrated, which is positioned centrally in a ring light guide (not shown) with a light exit surface 1.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the ring light guide shown in Fig. 2 and a

Led. The ring light guide is arranged on a light-emitting diode 10, which is designed

Emit light, which is shown in dashed lines in Fig. 3. The ring light guide has a

Lens 9, which is designed to focus the light emitted at a predetermined angle by the light-emitting diode 10 s, which shines into the lens 9 from below, to a certain degree through the lens curvature and further through a coupling element 8 in the form of a tongue to guide above. The ring light guide has a first recess 7, which is designed to divide the light. The light is partially reflected on two side surfaces of the first recess 7 and directed into the actual ring 2 in a tangential direction. From there the light hits multi-curved reflection surfaces 3 of the

Ring light guide 2 and is deflected upwards. The curvatures of the multiply curved reflection surfaces 3 are chosen so that the light is evenly distributed and deflected upwards in the direction of a light exit surface 1. The multiple curved ones

Reflection surfaces 3 and the light exit surface 1 have a rough surface in order to achieve a ı5 scattering effect. To prevent that from happening through the bottom radius at first

Recess 7 for light distribution more light penetrates towards the light exit surface 1 than required, the ring light guide has an optical intermediate element 6, which is designed to collect part of the light on its underside and through a front inclined one

to deflect the surface radially inwards in the direction of the actuating element (not shown),

So that the light does not reach the light exit surface 1. An upper flattened tip of the optical intermediate element 6 only allows the required amount of light to pass upwards, which is required for a homogeneous light distribution on the light exit surface 1. Two inclined deflection surfaces 5 are positioned on the side of the optical intermediate element 6

Redirect part of the light coming from below through light refraction so that it is too dark

Areas are additionally supplied with light. The optical intermediate element 6 is upwards and downwards from the remaining component through the first recess 7 and a second

Recess 4 separated.

Fig. 4 shows a partial perspective view of the ring light guide shown in Fig. 2. 4 shows the lens 9, an area of light coupling with the coupling element 8 frontally,

As well as a part of the first recess 7. The lens 9 has a radius R1, which is, for example, 2.5mm +/-1mm. The focusing effect of the lens 9 with the radius R1 on the light, which is indicated by dashed lines, can be seen. In the further course, the light is divided into three parts at the first recess 7 to divide the light. The middle part leaves the ring light guide upwards through the central radius and the side parts are reflected on the inclined surfaces of the first recess 7 and directed into the annular part of the ring light guide. The opening angle of the first recess 7 for light distribution W1 is, for example, 86°, in particular 85° +/- 15°, and the angle

W2 of the lateral edge surfaces of the coupling element 8 to the adjoining multiply curved reflection surface 3, for example 102°, in particular 100° +/- 15°.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective partial side view of the ring light guide shown in Fig. 2 and in particular of the coupling element 8 and the lens 9. The light is indicated by dashed lines.

Fig. 6 shows a partial top view of the ring light guide shown in Fig. 2 and in particular a quarter segment of the ring light guide from the perspective of a user

Vacuum cleaner, which looks vertically onto the light exit surface 1. Also shown is an exemplary light beam, shown in dashed lines, which is directed from the first recess (not shown) into the ring 2 for light distribution and is reflected there on its inner and outer cylindrical surface (see shown) until it is coupled out at the light exit surface 1.

Fig. 7 shows a partial side view of the ring light guide shown in Fig. 2. A decoupling of the light shown in dashed lines on the top of the light exit surface 1 is shown. Since the top has a roughened surface structure, the light is better

Perception from different viewing directions, scattered. However, part of the light will not emerge from the light exit surface 1, but will be reflected back inwards.

Due to the rough surface structure, this reflection is also not directed, but also scattered. The same applies to the light that is curved several times

Reflection surface 3 is reflected on the underside of the ring 2 or partially emerges. The multi-curved reflection surface 3, like the entire ring light guide, is symmetrical.

Each side consists of three segments (not shown), with different slopes. The steeper the angle is in relation to the light exit surface 1, the more light there is in it

area decoupled. A first change in curvature of the multi-curved

Reflection surface 3 occurs after approximately 90° at position W3 and the second after approximately 150°

Position W4 in the circumferential direction, measured from the coupling element 8. The angle

W3 is dimensioned, for example, at 187°, in particular 185 +/-5°, and the angle W4, for example, at 217°, in particular 215 +/-10°. All surface segments that belong to the multiply curved reflection surface 3 are constructed helically and do not represent any

level.

Fig. 8 shows a partial top view of the ring light guide shown in Fig. 2 and in particular an area of the light coupling from a frontal view, while Fig. 9 shows a

Cross-sectional view of the area shown in Fig. 8 in the plane of symmetry of the

Ring light guide shows. It is shown that the dashed light comes from the

The coupling point radiates upwards at a wide angle. Since the light-emitting diode (not shown) shines directly upwards with a very high intensity, part of this light must be redirected so that it does not reach the coupling surface. This is achieved by the optical intermediate element 6 with a tip angle W7=50° (50° +/- 5°), which is designed to deflect a large part of the light radially inwards. However, a small proportion of the light is transmitted through a very narrow flattening at the upper end of the optical intermediate element 6, so that the correct light is transmitted to the light exit surface 1

amount of light is available. The flat has a width of L1, which is, for example, 0.2mm. The ring light guide has two deflection surfaces 5, which deflect the light coming from below so that it is homogeneous on the light exit surface 1

Light distribution is created. An angle W6 of the deflection surfaces 5 is based on the

Horizontal, for example 18°, especially 15 +/-5°. Adjacent surfaces towards the optical intermediate element 6 are inclined at an angle W5, which is, for example, 58°, in particular 60° +/-5°, so that no light can penetrate there.

List of reference symbols 1 light exit surface 2 ring 3 multi-curved reflection surface 4 second recess 5 deflection surface 6 intermediate element 7 first recess 8 coupling element 0 9 lens

LED 21 Handle 22 Separator 23 Suction tube 24 Floor nozzle

Actuator

Claims (14)

Patent claims 1. Vacuum cleaner, having a ring light guide with a light entry surface (9) and an annular light exit surface (1), which is designed in such a way that light incident on the light entry surface (9) is guided to the light exit surface (1) and is emitted homogeneously there, having an between the light entry surface (9) and the light exit surface (1), which has a coupling element (8) for coupling the light incident on the light entry surface (9) into the body and is designed such that part of the coupled light from the light exit surface ( 1) is redirected away. 2. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that the body has a light dividing section with a first recess (7), which is designed to divide the coupled-in light such that a first part of the coupled-in light is guided through the first recess (7). . ı5 3. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, characterized in that the first recess (7) widens away from the light entry surface (9) at a first opening angle, which is between 60° and 110°, preferably between 70° and 100°. 4. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the body has an optical intermediate element (6) along the light path between the first recess (7) and the light exit surface (1) with a lower surface which has an upper boundary surface of the first recess (7) and forms a light coupling surface for coupling light incident from the first recess (7) onto the intermediate element (6). 5. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, characterized in that the first recess (7) is delimited laterally from the optical intermediate element (6) upwards by a first deflection surface (5) which leads to the plane of the light input surface or to the plane of the light exit surface (1) forms a first angle between 55° and 65°, and/or by a second deflection surface (5), which forms a second angle between 10° and 20° to the plane of the light input surface or to the plane of the light exit surface (1). . 6. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the optical intermediate element (6) is designed to deflect part of the light out of the light path. 7. Vacuum cleaner according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the body has a second recess (4) which is arranged between the optical intermediate element (6) and the light exit surface (1). 8. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body has one or more multiply curved reflection surface(s) (3) which reflect/reflect the coupled-in light in the direction of the light exit surface (1). 9. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, characterized in that the one or more multiply curved reflection surface (s) (3) is/are arranged in a ring behind the light exit surface (1) when viewing the body in the direction of the light exit surface (1). 10. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or more multiply curved reflection surface (s) (3) and / or the light exit surface (1) have a rough surface. ı5 11. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body is axially asymmetrical, in particular has no rotational symmetry about an axis of rotation which runs perpendicular to the plane of the light exit surface. 12. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body is mirror-symmetrical to a plane of symmetry which runs perpendicular to the plane of the light exit surface. 13. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body is formed in one piece from a transparent or translucent material. 14. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a light-emitting diode (10) arranged on the light entry surface (9).