Intelligent polisher/buffer with selective color-matching light

Abstract

An improved buffer/polisher for treated painted surfaces, including painted cars, automobiles, vehicles and the like, including surfaces with state-of-the-art, hardened coats of paint or finish, includes built-in source of illumination, disposed on the housing, direct light downwardly and toward the work surface. The source of illumination emits light with a color temperature above 4500 degrees Kelvin, more preferably at 5000 degrees Kelvin or greater. Even more preferably, the source of illumination is switchable to include light with a color temperature including 5000 degrees Kelvin (mimicking daylight at 10-11 am) and 6500K (mimicking daylight at 12 noon). The source of illumination may comprise one or more LEDs, and the polishing pad may assume a random orbital motion.

Claims

1. An improved polisher adapted to remove scratches and imperfections in painted surfaces, comprising: a housing defining a front, a back, a top and a bottom; an elongated handle extending from the back of the housing; a motor within the housing defining an axis of rotation; a circular polishing pad coupled to the motor and extending from the bottom of the housing, the polishing pad being adapted to receive a sheet of circular polishing paper to treat a work surface; a source of illumination disposed on the front of the housing in opposing relation to the elongated handle extending from the back of the housing, the light from the source being directed outwardly and downwardly to provide unobstructed illumination of the work surface; and wherein the source of illumination emits light with a color temperature above 4500 degrees Kelvin to enhance the visualization of scratches and imperfections in the work surface as they are removed by the polisher.

2. The improved polisher of claim 1, wherein the source of illumination emits light with a color temperature of 5000 degrees Kelvin or greater.

3. The improved polisher of claim 1, wherein the source of illumination is switchable to include light with a color temperature including 5000 degrees Kelvin, and light with a color temperature including 6500 degrees Kelvin.

4. The improved polisher of claim 1, further including a dimmer to control the intensity of light emitted by source of illumination.

5. The improved polisher of claim 1, wherein the source of illumination comprises one or more light-emitting diodes.

6. The improved polisher of claim 1, further including mechanical components causing the polishing pad to assume a random orbital motion.

7. The improved polisher of claim 1, wherein the source of illumination includes at least one first LED having a color temperature of 5000 degrees Kelvin, and at least one second LED having a color temperature of 6500 degrees Kelvin; and a control enabling a user to select between the first and second LED.

8. The improved polisher of claim 1, further including a dimmer to control the intensity of light emitted by source of illumination.

9. The improved polisher of claim 1, further including a user-graspable knob extending from the top of the housing.

10. The improved polisher of claim 1, further including a power cord extending from a proximal end of the elongated handle.

11. The improved polisher of claim 1, wherein the motor is operated by a rechargeable battery disposed in the housing or elongated handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an oblique drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a front view showing the LED module; and

(3) FIG. 3 is an exploded view describing major components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(4) Prior to describing the invention in detail, certain definitions will be provided as follows: 1) A Lumen of light refers to a measure the relative intensity or brightness from a single source, such as the amount of light generated by one candle. 2) The Kelvin Scale is an extension of the Celsius scale based on the color of the light emitted from a hypothetical black body. The Kelvin scale refers to the amount of energy needed to transform a black body into a corresponding color expressed with a numerical value in (degrees) K. 3) Color Temperature refers to the perceived color of a light source, as interpreted by the human eye, measured in the Kelvin scale. Colors with lower Kelvin temperatures are considered warm, as they containing orange to red light, whereas colors with higher Kelvin temperatures are considered cool (i.e., more blue light). 4) Daylight is taken to mean normal daylight at mid-day, when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, with an effective color temperature of about 5578K. 5) Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a scale from 0 to 100 percent indicating how accurate a given light source is at rendering color when compared to a reference light source. The higher the CRI, the better the color rendering ability.

(5) This invention is directed to an intelligent buffer/polisher with a built-in illuminator optimized for revealing scratches and surface defects, particularly in painted surfaces. In the preferred embodiment, the tool is a hand-held orbital polisher, and the illuminator is an LED illuminator that can be switched between color temperatures optimized for identifying true color, surface conditions and flaws. In the most preferred embodiment, the LEDs are switchable between light having a color temperature including 5000K and light having a color temperature including 6500K.

(6) FIG. 1 is an oblique representation of the tool, which includes a hand-held body including housing pieces 23, 30, and knob 5. An electric motor is disposed in the handle portion, and a gear box generally under the knob changes the axis of rotation from horizontal top downward toward backing plate 65. A series of counter weights between the gear box and backing plate 65 convert the axial rotation into a pseudo-random orbital motion. The backing plate 65 includes a surface configured to receive polishing paper, typically through a hook-and-loop (i.e., Velcro) attachment mechanism.

(7) The front of the tool supports an LED module 40. As better seen in FIG. 2, the module includes a plurality of individual LED chips, some operative to emit light including a color temperature of 5000K and others operative to emit light having a color temperature including 6500K. In the preferred embodiment, one set of lights produces illumination centered on 5000K, and a second set of lights produces illumination centered on 6500K.

(8) A switch toward the front of the unit enables a user to choose between either of the color temperatures. In the preferred embodiment, the switch is a pushbutton switch that cycles between light and 5000K, light at 6500K, and dimmed light at 6500K. In other embodiments, the switch cycles between light and 5000K, dimmed light at 5000K, light at 6500K, and dimmed light at 6500K. While simultaneous light at both color temperatures is possible it may be confusing to a user. However, in accordance with a further alternative embodiment, the light may automatically transition between light at 5000K to light at 6500K at a slow and gradual period on the order of a few seconds or more, thereby allowing the user to visualize true color and defects without having to manually switch between color temperatures.

(9) An ON/OFF switch and rotary speed-control dial in the region of 22 enables a user to activate the tool and adjust the speed of rotation regardless of the selected color temperature(s).

(10) The built-in light module is designed and positioned to illuminate an area above and to each side of the polishing pad surface. The strategic placement of the light is very important. Specifically, approximately 75 percent of the concentration of lumens is directly above the polishing pad. It has been discovered that the placement shown above the pad represents a user's primary focal point. The light adjustment switch provides for 1800 lumens spread over 180 degrees. The output is then switchable between 5000 K (mimicking daylight at 10-11 am) and 6500K (mimicking daylight at 12 noon). The CRI (color rendering index) at both color temperatures is 97, or nearly ideal.

(11) FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the tool calling out major components. Note that every components is not represented, and not all components shown are, or need to be, identified to communicate the invention. The housing of the tool comprises components 18, 23, 30. The motor in the handle comprises rotor 12 and stator 17. Electrical cord 38 feeds power to electrical components 19, 20, 21, 22 through power switch 36. Item 32 refers to electrical control board that operates the LED module.

(12) The rotor turns gear 9 in gear box 8 which, in turn, drives gear 50. Gear 50 drives a series of mechanical components and counterweights such as 59 causing backing plate to assume a random orbital motion. The LED illuminator includes components 41, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47. Part 44 is the substrate that holds the LEDs and part 41 represents the color temperature selection switch. Knob 5 may be unscrewed if not desired, and handle 1 which connects to shroud 2 may be used instead to steady the tool during use.