VACUUM CLEANER WITH PROJECTED DISPLAY

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner is provided for cleaning a surface. The vacuum cleaner includes a main body, a tool, a projection surface, and a projector. The tool has a connector end for connection to the main body and a cleaner end opposite the connector end. The projection surface is provided on the tool, for displaying projected information thereon. The projector is configured for casting a projection including the projected information onto the projection surface.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface, the vacuum cleaner comprising: a main body, a tool with a connector end for connection to the main and a cleaner end opposite the connector end, a projection surface, provided on the tool, for displaying projected information thereon, and a projector for casting a projection comprising the projected information onto the projection surface.

2. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool comprises a cleaner head provided at its cleaner end.

3. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projection surface is provided on a top surface of the cleaner head.

4. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projection surface is configured for being detachably mounted to at least two different locations on the tool, or at least one location on the tool and at least one location on the main body.

5. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second projection surface, provided on the main body.

6. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tool comprises a wand.

7. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the projection surface is mounted to the wand.

8. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cleaner head is connected to the wand by a hinge and wherein the projection surface is mounted to a portion of the hinge that is fixedly mounted to the wand.

9. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cleaner head is connected to the wand by a hinge, and wherein the projector is configured for adjusting the projection in dependence of an angular position of the hinge.

10. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 6, configured for being used in a stick mode with the wand attached to the main body and in a handheld mode with the wand removed from the main body.

11. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 10, wherein the projector is configured for adjusting the projection in dependence of a switch between the handheld mode and the stick mode.

12. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 10, wherein the projector is arranged to be coupled to an optical fibre in such a way that, in the handheld mode, the projection is cast onto the projection surface via the optical fibre.

13. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the projection surface is mounted to the wand via a slidable mount that is freely movable between a cleaner end and a connector end of the wand.

14. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 13, wherein the projector is configured for adjusting the projection in dependence of a position of the slidable mount relative to the wand.

15. A vacuum cleaner for cleaning a floor surface, the vacuum cleaner comprising: a wand with a connector end and a cleaner end, a cleaner head provided at the cleaner end of the wand, a projection surface for displaying projected information thereon and being configurable to be selectively provided at the cleaner end of the wand or at the connector end of the wand, a slidable mount that is freely movable between the cleaner end and the connector end of the wand, and a projector, mounted to the slidable mount, for casting a projection comprising the projected information onto the projection surface.

16. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 15, wherein the projection surface is mounted to the slidable mount.

17. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 15, wherein the projector is adaptably mounted to the slidable mount such that the projection can be selectively casted in either the direction of the cleaner end or in the direction of the connector end of the wand.

18. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projection surface is made of an at least partially transparent material.

19. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 18, wherein the projector is configured for adjusting a background colour of the projection and/or a colour of the projected information in dependence of a colour and/or texture of the surface.

20. A detachable element configured for attachment to a tool of a vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface, the detachable element comprising: a projection surface for displaying projected information thereon, and a projector for casting a projection comprising the projected information onto the projection surface.

21. The detachable element as claimed in claim 20, wherein the tool comprises a wand and wherein the detachable element is a slidable mount that is configured to be freely movable over at least a portion of the wand.

22. The detachable element as claimed in claim 20, wherein the detachable element comprises a first detachable element part and a separate or separable second detachable element part, the first detachable element part comprising the projection surface and the second detachable element part comprising the projector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 schematically shows a vacuum cleaner with a projection surface on the cleaner head.

[0024] FIG. 2 schematically shows a vacuum cleaner with a projection screen mounted near the cleaner end of the wand.

[0025] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a vacuum cleaner with a projection system that can be used in different configurations.

[0026] FIGS. 5a and 5b show a vacuum cleaner with an adjustable projection screen.

[0027] FIGS. 6a and 6b show a vacuum cleaner with an adjustable projector.

[0028] FIGS. 7a and 7b show a further example of a projection system that can be used in different configurations.

[0029] FIGS. 8a and 8b show an example of a projection system that can be used with different types of vacuum cleaners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] FIG. 1 schematically shows a vacuum cleaner 100 with a projection surface 31 on the cleaner head 20. The vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a main body 60 that comprises some of the core functional units of the vacuum cleaner 100, such as a motor for driving a suction fan and providing the suction power that is used for cleaning the floor surface. Of course, the use of the vacuum cleaner 100 is not limited to floors only. It can also clean other surfaces. The main body 60 may additionally comprise one or more filters for filtering dust and other dirt out of the suction air stream and a reservoir or bag for the collection of the filtered out dust and dirt. Alternative means for separating dirt particles from the suction air stream, such as, e.g., cyclonic particle separators can be used too. Power and control electronics may be provided for powering and controlling at least the motor. The motor and other electronic components may be battery powered, in which case the main body 60 may additional comprise a battery pack 80.

[0031] A grip or handle 70 is mounted to the main body to enable a user to grip and handle the vacuum cleaner during use. The main body 60 is mounted to a connector end of a wand 10. At the other end of the wand 10, a cleaner head 20 is provided that, during use, is moved over the surface to be cleaned, typically a floor surface. The cleaner head 20 shown in FIG. 1 extends in a direction, generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wand 10. Alternatively, the cleaner head may have a different shape, e.g. to enable reaching narrower, less accessible, places. A well-known example of a narrower cleaner head is a crevice tool. Crevice tools are typically the preferred type of cleaner heads used in handheld vacuum cleaners (see FIGS. 4 and 8a), but can also be used in stick type vacuum cleaners 100 as shown in FIG. 1. The cleaner head 20 is preferably mounted to the cleaner end of the wand 10 via a hinge 50 that allows for pivoting of the cleaner head 20 relative to the wand 10, such that the user has can choose to hold the cleaner head 20 closer to or further away from his own feet without the cleaner head 20 loosing contact with the floor surface. The joint 50 may be a simple hinge joint that only allows rotation of the wand 10 relative to the cleaner head 20 in a forward/backward direction. Preferably, the joint 50 is a ball joint that allows for moving the wand 10 in all directions.

[0032] In alternative embodiments of the invention (not shown), the main body 60 may be separate from the wand 10 and configured for riding over the floor surface. In that event, a hose may connect the main body 60 to the connector end of the wand 10. The user holds the wand 10 by the connector end and pulls the main body 60 through the room while using the wand 10 to move the cleaner head 20 over the floor surface.

[0033] A projector 40 is provided at the grip end of the wand 10. In this embodiment, the projector 40 is attached to an upper surface of the main body 60, but in other embodiments it may, e.g., be mounted to the wand 10 itself. The projector 40 is coupled to a controller that provides the images and/or data to be projected to the projector 40. The projector 40 emits a light beam in a direction generally parallel to the wand 10 and towards the projection surface 31 on top of the cleaner head 20. The projection surface 31 is preferably substantially flat and uniformly coloured to improve the legibility of the projected information. Preferably, the projector 40 is mounted on an electronically controllable swivel that can change the projection direction in dependence of the relative orientation of the projection surface 31.

[0034] It is to be noted that, throughout this description, the terms ‘projection’, ‘projected image’ and ‘projected information’ may be used interchangeably to refer to the image and information the user can see on the projection screen or projection surface 31. Such information may include text, images and other graphics and could include moving graphics as well as full-blown video or animation.

[0035] The cleaner head 20 is connected to the cleaner end of the wand 10 via a hinge 50. During use of the vacuum cleaner 100, the user moves the cleaner head 20 over the floor surface, while keeping its bottom surface generally parallel and in contact therewith. The hinge 50 allows the cleaner head 20 to pivot relative to the wand 10 and the user to vary his distance and orientation relative to the cleaner head 20. As a result of the pivotal movement, the angle of incidence of the projection onto the projection surface 31 changes, which may lead to displacement and deformation of the projection. Optionally, this deformation can be compensated for by adjusting the projection. For this purpose, an angle sensor may measure the current hinge angle and send it to the controller. Alternatively, a camera (not shown), e.g. provided adjacent the projector 40, may monitor the image that is projected on the projection surface 31. The controller can then use the camera image to determine when and how the projection has been displaced or deformed.

[0036] Based on the measured hinge angle or obtained camera image, the controller may then adapt the projection in order to compensate for the changed orientation of the projection surface 31. Adapting the projection may, e.g., be done by purposely deforming the image to be projected in such a way that it compensates for the deformation caused by the pivoting motion. Alternatively or additionally, the orientation of the projector 40 relative to the wand 10 may be adjusted mechanically or a lens or mirror in or near the projector 40 may be moved. Of course, different strategies for compensating for the changed orientation of the projection surface 31 may be combined.

[0037] FIG. 2 schematically shows a vacuum cleaner 200 with a projection screen 32 mounted near the cleaner end of the wand 10. The projection screen 32 comprises the projection surface on which the projection is displayed. In this embodiment, the projection screen 32 is mounted to the wand 10, above the hinge 50 that moves relative to the wand 10. Alternatively, the projection screen 32 may be mounted to a non-moving upper portion of the hinge 50 that is fixedly attached to the wand 10. Although, compared to the embodiment of

[0038] FIG. 1, this embodiment needs extra parts (the screen 32, mounting elements) that may add to the total weight and cost of the vacuum cleaner 200, it obviates the need to adjust the projection when the cleaner head 20 pivots relative to the wand 10. The projection surface 32 is preferably uniformly coloured. White or other light colours are very suitable for providing sufficient contrast between the projected information and the background it is projected onto.

[0039] The projection surface 32 may be transparent or semi-transparent to allow the user to simultaneously read the projected information and keep an eye on the cleaner head 20 or the floor surface he is cleaning. The projection screen 32 may be provided as a flexible film, but it can also be more rigid. Even though it may be transparent, the projection screen 32 preferably has a size such that it does not completely obscure the view of the cleaner head 20. The projection may be such that it appears to be projected on the floor surface or cleaner head 20. A background colour and/or a colour of the projected information may be continuously or periodically adapted in dependence of the colour and texture of the floor surface in order to improve the readability of the information. Different profiles may be selectable for different floor types, floor colours or user preferences. Such profiles may be user selected or automatically activated in dependence of sensor input. A camera may be provided for that and other purposes, e.g. together with the projector 40 or in the cleaner head 20.

[0040] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a vacuum cleaner 200 with a projection system that can be used in different configurations. FIG. 3 shows the vacuum cleaner 200 in stick mode, i.e. with the wand 10 attached. In this mode, the vacuum cleaner 200 and the projection system function in the same way as the vacuum cleaner 100 of FIG. 2. However, in addition to the features already described above with reference to FIG. 2, this vacuum cleaner 200 now further comprises a projection screen 33 that is pivotably mounted and, optionally, a projection transformer 44 that are both mounted to the connector end of the wand 10.

[0041] When, as in FIG. 3, the vacuum cleaner 200 is in stick mode, the pivotable projection screen 33 is ‘hidden’ under the wand 10. The projection transformer 44 has a long throw lens and is positioned such that it receives the projection from the projector 40 and focuses the projection onto the projection screen 32 at the cleaner end of the wand 10. Alternatively, the projection may be focused onto the cleaner head 20, as in FIG. 1.

[0042] When the wand 10 is removed for handheld use of the vacuum cleaner 200, as shown in FIG. 4, also the projection transformer 44 is removed. In handheld mode, the wand 10 may, e.g., be replaced by a tool 11 or a cleaner head that is attached directly to the main body. In this handheld mode, the pivotable projection screen 33 is pivoted upward. This pivoting may be caused by, e.g. a biased spring (not shown) or by manual configuration by the user. The projector 40 now directly projects onto the pivotable screen 33, which is nicely provided in the line of view between the user and the surface he is cleaning. It is to be noted that similar functionality can be provided when replacing the pivotable projection screen 33 by a simple mountable second projection screen that is mounted to tool 11 or to the main body 60 of the vacuum cleaner 200 when in handheld mode only. This mountable second projection screen may be the original projection screen 32, but now mounted to either the cleaner end or the connector end of the tool 11,. In all embodiments, the projection film or screen may be removable and can be replaced if accidentally damaged.

[0043] The main function of the projection transformer 44 is to selectively provide a sharp projection on either the first projection screen 32 or on the pivotable projection screen 33, depending on the use of the vacuum cleaner 200 in stick mode or handheld mode. For this purpose, the vacuum cleaner 200 may, e.g., comprise a wand sensor (not shown) that is configured to detect the presence of the wand 10 and its connection to the main body 60. Such a sensor could, e.g., be a mechanical switch that is triggered by the mounting and dismounting of the wand 10 or by the pivoting of the pivotable projection screen 33. Alternatively, an electric contact sensor or an optical sensor is used for that purpose.

[0044] If no optical transformer 44 is used for focusing the projection during stick mode use, the transformer functionality may be embodied in the projector 40 itself. For example by mechanically manipulating lenses or mirrors comprised in the projector unit 40. Alternatively, the functionality of the projection transformer 44 may be partially or fully embodied in software that transforms the projection in such a way that the same projector 40 will project sharp images on either the cleaner end projector screen 32 when in stick mode or on the pivotable projection screen 33 during handheld mode use.

[0045] It is noted that, although the invention is typically beneficial for vacuum cleaners that can be used in both stick mode and handheld mode, it may also be used in handheld vacuum cleaners that cannot be used in stick mode. Also in a handheld vacuum cleaner, it can be beneficial to project information on a projection screen near the cleaner head; e.g. to project the information such that it can be read while looking at the surface being cleaned, or just because that appears to be a more practical location to install a reasonably sized display screen.

[0046] FIGS. 5a and 5b show a vacuum cleaner 300 with an adjustable projection screen 34. In FIG. 5a, the projection screen 34 is provided at the cleaner end of the wand 10. In FIG. 5b, the projection screen 34 is provided at the connector end of the wand 10. In this embodiment, the projection screen 34 is mounted to a slidable element 90 that, in use, can easily be slid over the wand 10 between the cleaner end and connector end positions. Preferably, when the wand 10 is removed for using the vacuum cleaner 300 in handheld mode, the slidable element 90 can be slid onto an end portion of the tool 10 close to the main body 60. Such an end portion may remain attached to said main body 60 when the remaining wand portion is removed. Alternatively, the slidable element 90 is made up of two parts that can be connected together for attaching the slidable element 90 to the wand or tool 10. The slidable element 90 makes it very easy to put the projection screen 34 in different positions for different uses. In addition to using the projection screen 34 at the cleaner end or the connector end of the wand, it may be possible to use it in one or more intermediate positions. Sensors may be provided for measuring the exact position of the slidable element 90 relative to the wand 10. Preferably, an auto-focus mechanism is provided for automatically adapting the projection to the position of the projection screen 34. Instead of a slidable element 90, a detachable element may be used and the wand 10 (or a different tool) may comprise one or more positions whereto the detachable element can be attached.

[0047] FIGS. 6a and 6b show a vacuum cleaner 400 with an adjustable projector 41. The adjustable projector 41 is provided on a slidable element 91, similar to the one described above with reference to FIGS. 5a and 5b. Because the projector 41 is not directly mounted to the main body 60, it is preferably configured for wireless communication with a control unit in that main body 60. In use, the main controller of the vacuum cleaner 400, or a dedicated projection controller communicating therewith sends the data or image to be projected to the adjustable projector 41 using this wireless communication. The adjustable projector 41 is rotatably mounted to the slidable element 91. When at the cleaner end of the wand 10 (FIG. 6a), the projector 41 is rotated such that it projects an image in the direction of the cleaner head 20, such that the projection is shown on a projection screen 35 mounted to the cleaner end of the wand 10, or to a cuff encircling the wand 10 and coupling the wand 10 to the cleaner head 20.

[0048] In this embodiment, the projection screen 35 can be taken from one end of the wand 10 and mounted to the other end, when the user desires to do so, for example when switching between stick mode and handheld mode. In FIG. 6b, the projection screen 35 is mounted to the connector end of the wand 10 or to a bin cuff encircling the wand 10. The slidable element 91 is slid towards the connector end too, e.g. to a part that remains attached to the main body 60 when working in handheld mode. The projector 41 is then rotated over 180° in order to be able to project onto the remounted projection screen 35. In this embodiment, the projection screen 35 is at least partially transparent in order to allow for projection from either side of the screen 35, while keeping the projection visible for the user. When projected from the rear, the projected image is mirrored in order to make it readable from the user's perspective.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, the projection screen may be mounted to the slidable element 91 too. This makes it even easier to change the position of the projection screen. Because the projector 41 will move over the wand together with the screen, no adjustment of the projection is needed to compensate for the changing screen position. However, the data displayed may still depend on the projection screen position and/or cleaning mode. The projector 41 and the projection screen may together be rotatable with respect to the slidable element 91.

[0050] FIGS. 7a and 7b show a further example of a projection system that can be used in different configurations. In this vacuum cleaner 500, the projector 42 is embodied in the housing of the battery pack 80. It is noted that such positioning of the projector 42 may also be advantageous in other embodiments, e.g. in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5. Mounting the projector 42 close to the battery pack 80 has the additional advantage that it simplifies the design of the power electronics for the projector 42 and can help in balancing the weight of the device 500. A projection screen 36 is now mounted to a side of the cleaner end of the wand 10 in order to prevent the wand 10 from obstructing the path for the projection from the projector 42 to the projection screen 36. The projection screen 36 may be mounted such as to keep at a constant angle relative to the projector 42.

[0051] Alternatively, the projection screen 36 is rotatable by the user around an axis perpendicular to the wand 10. If such rotation is made possible, the projection is preferably automatically adjusted to the current angle in order to provide the user with clearly readable information in all possible orientations of the projection screen 36. A sensor may be provided in the projection screen mount to detect the orientation of the projection screen. Alternatively, a camera may be provided at the main body 60 or may accompany the projector 42. Images captured by this camera are processed to derive the projection screen orientation therefrom.

[0052] In an even more advanced embodiment, an angle sensor for monitoring the current hinge angle, as described above with reference to FIG. 1, may be provided to obtain information about the position and orientation of the projection screen 36 relative to the floor surface.

[0053] This information may then be used to adapt the projection accordingly, e.g. by adjusting the orientation of the projection screen 36 relative to the wand and/or by adjusting the projection sent out by the projector 42.

[0054] FIG. 7b shows an alternative way of using the projector 42 of this vacuum cleaner 500, not requiring the presence of the mounted projection screen 36. This could be useful in stick mode, as shown in this figure, as well as in handheld mode. An optical fibre 92 is connected to the output of the projector 42. The connection between the projector 42 and the optical fibre 92 can be made in a conventional way using a push or screw fitting. The other end of the optical fibre 92 leads to a projection surface 37 on top of the main body 60. There the other end may be held in place by a simple mechanical connector, allowing the optical fibre 92 to project the projected information onto the projection surface 37. The end of the optical fibre 92 may comprise a lens that ensures that a properly focused projection is shown on the projection surface. Alternatively, the optical fibre 92 may be connected to a projection hub (not shown) that does the same.

[0055] The projector 42 may include a sensor that detects when the optical fibre 92 is connected and the projected information may be changed or adjusted in response thereto. Further, because the projection surface 37 on the main body will probably have a different colour and texture than the projection screen 36 shown in FIG. 7a (which may be partly transparent), also background colours, font size and other graphical aspects of the projected image may be adapted to increase legibility and ease of use.

[0056] FIGS. 8a and 8b show an example of a projection system that can be used with different types of vacuum cleaners 400, 600. The projection system shown here uses a slidable element 91 to which a projector 41 and a screen 35 are mounted. Separate front and rear mounting positions for the screen 35 may be arranged on the slidable element 91 for enabling both front and rear projection similar to what is shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b. Alternatively, the slidable element 91 can be detached from the tool 11 or wand 10 and turned over 180° before it is reattached, in order to enable both front and rear projection without requiring a second mounting position for the screen 35 or a pivot for rotating the projector 41.

[0057] In other embodiments, separate slidable elements may be used for carrying the projector 41 and the screen 35 and the separate slidable elements can be attached in different order and/or at different orientations to enable to provide useful projections for different vacuum cleaners and/or for vacuum cleaners that are used in different modes.

[0058] Instead of slidable elements, otherwise detachable or displaceable elements may be used. The wand 10 or tool 11 will then comprise one or more positions that are suitable for the attachment of the detachable element. In a further example, the projector surface and/or the projector may be provided on special connector pieces that can be inserted in between the main body 60 and the wand 10 or tool 11 and/or in between the wand 10 or tool 11 and a cleaner head 20 that is to be attached thereto.

[0059] It will be appreciated that the description above describes a large number of different embodiments with different features and combination of features. Where such features are described in relation to one or a few possible embodiments only, it should be clear that, if technically possible, these features can also be used in the other embodiments. The specific exemplary embodiments are therefore not to be understood to limit the scope of the invention in any way. As always, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.