Patent Publication Number: US-7220930-B2

Title: Floor care appliance with an electro luminescent switch panel

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to controls and in particular to a display panel for a floor care appliance having at least one indicator light for indicating a status of an operational feature of the appliance wherein the indicator light is electro luminescent lighting. In another embodiment of the invention, the electro luminescent lighting is used to backlight at least one switch used to control an operational feature of the appliance wherein the backlighting indicates a status of the operational feature associated with a particular switch. 
     2. Summary of the Prior Art 
     Floor care appliances are well known in the art. Typical floor care appliances include upright vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners, hard floor cleaners, and extractors. It is known to provide floor care appliances with one or more indicator lights to indicate a status or mode of a particular operational feature which may or may not be combined with an associated switch for lighting the switch to show the status of the operational feature. Many floor care appliances have a switch for controlling a mode of the appliance including the speed of the suction motor, agitator motor, nozzle height, etc. Some of these cleaners have an indicator light to display the status of these features located on a panel on the handle or other conspicuous area on the appliance. The indicator light may be combined with an associated switch to indicate the status of the appliance with respect to the position of the switch. 
     An example of such a floor care appliance can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,182 issued to Basler which provides an electronic control system for a vacuum cleaner that has two user-selectable bag change modes. In a maximum suction bag change mode, the electronic control system of vacuum cleaner will shut off the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner bag has filled and the suction power of the unit has been degraded as a result. If the maximum fill bag change mode is selected, the electronic control system will shut off the vacuum cleaneronly afterthe bag has filled to the maximum extent allowable. The control system has indicator lights to display to the user whether the maximum suction or the maximum fill mode has been selected. The control system also has an optical dust sensor based on one-piece lens units located in the vacuum cleaner handle for monitoring the frequency with which dust particles flow into the vacuum cleaner. The control system can automatically adjust the power setting of the vacuum cleaner based on the measured frequency. 
     However, it is heretofore unknown to use electro luminescent lighting on a floor care appliance to indicate the status or mode of an appliance operational feature. It is also unknown to use electro luminescent lighting for lighting an associated switch to show the status or mode of the operational feature. Most floor appliance lighting indicators use an ordinary light bulb or light emitting diode (LED) for indicator and/or switch lighting. The electro luminescent lighting provides a stylish and readily adaptable source of lighting for indicating the status or mode of various operational features of a floor care appliance when used as solely as an indicator or in combination with an associated switch. Therefore, the present invention fulfills a need not found in the prior art. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved floor care appliance having one or more mode indicator lights lighted by electro luminescent lighting. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved floor care appliance having one or more switches to control a mode or operational feature of the appliance wherein the switches are backlighted by electro luminescent lighting when the associated mode or operational feature is enabled. 
     It is yet further an object of this invention to provide an improved floor care appliance having one or more switches to control a mode or operational feature of the appliance wherein the switches are backlighted by electro luminescent lighting when the associated mode or operational feature is enabled and wherein the one or more switches are embedded in at least two layers of a film and are surrounded by an electro luminescent field. 
     It is yet still a further object of this invention to provide an improved floor care appliance having one or more switches to control a mode or operational feature of the appliance wherein the switches are backlighted by electro luminescent lighting when the associated mode or operational feature is enabled and wherein the one or more switches are of the capacitive sensing type. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved floor care appliance having one or more switches to control a mode or operational feature of the appliance wherein the switches are backlighted by electro luminescent lighting when the associated mode or operational feature is enabled and wherein the one or more switches can be mounted on a curved surface such as the handle of the floor care appliance. 
     It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a flexible sheet having one or more electrical switches each being backlighted by an associated electro luminescent light embedded between adjacent layers of a film wherein the electrical switches controls a machine function and the sheet can be mounted on a flat, non-flat, curved, contoured, or other surface. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a display panel for a floor care appliance is provided having a plurality of indicator lights for indicating the status or mode of a particular operational feature of the appliance when enabled wherein only one mode can be enabled at a time. The indicator lights are lighted by electro luminescent lighting and each light is covered by a semi-transparent lens which is labeled with the particular mode. A single slide switch in combination with a microprocessor is used to toggle the appliance between successive modes. Examples of the various floor care appliance modes or operational features include turning the suction motor on and off, adjusting the speed of the suction motor, turning the agitator on and off, adjusting the height of the suction nozzle, dispensing of cleaning solution, and/or level of cleaning solution in the solution reservoir. 
     In a second embodiment of the invention, a display panel for a floor care appliance is provided having a plurality of indicator lights for indicating when a particular mode or operational feature of the appliance is enabled wherein more than one mode can be enabled at a time. The indicator lights are lighted by electro luminescent lighting and each light is covered by a semi-transparent lens. A switch is associated with each of the indicator lights for controlling the associated mode or operational feature. The indicator light is lighted when the associated mode or operational feature is enabled. Examples of the various floor care appliance modes or operational features include turning the suction motor on and off, adjusting the speed of the suction motor, turning the agitator on and off, adjusting the height of the suction nozzle, dispensing of cleaning solution, and/or level of cleaning solution in the solution reservoir. 
     In a third embodiment of the invention, the electro luminescent lighting is used to backlight at least one switch used to control an operational feature of the appliance wherein the backlighting indicates a status of the operational feature associated with a particular switch. The switch or switches are formed partially from layers of film with opposing contacts embedded in adjacent layers of film. Each switch is surrounded by an electro luminescent field that glows when the mode or operational feature the switch controls is enabled. Each switch is connected to a microprocessor senses when the switch is pressed and the opposing contacts momentarily meet. The microprocessor in turn either turns the associated mode or operational feature on or off depending on the previous state of the mode. The microprocessor also controls the current flowing through the electro luminescent field and allows the current to flow when the switch turns the associated mode or operational feature on. The current and electro luminescent light remain on until the switch is pressed again the associated mode or operational feature is turned off. 
     In a fourth embodiment of the invention, a display panel for a vacuum cleaner such as an upright vacuum cleaner is provided having a plurality of indicator lights lighted by electro luminescent lighting for indicating when a particular mode or operational feature of the cleaner is enabled and one or more switches that are backlighted by electro luminescent lighting for indicating when a particular mode or operational feature of the cleaner controlled by the switch is enabled. Cleaner modes or operational features that can be controlled by switches backlighted by electro luminescent lighting or having an indicator light lighted by electro luminescent lighting include height of the suction nozzle, the agitator being turned on or off, the type of floor being cleaned, i.e., bare floor or carpeting, whether the self propelling feature is on or off, the suction mode being in quiet mode or automatic mode, and an electronic dirt finder indicating whether the surface being cleaned is clean or still dirty. 
     In a fifth embodiment of the invention, a display panel for a carpet cleaner such as an extractor is provided having a plurality of indicator lights lighted by electro luminescent lighting for indicating when a particular mode or operational feature of the cleaner is enabled and one or more switches that are backlighted by electro luminescent lighting for indicating when a particular mode or operational feature of the cleaner controlled by the switch is enabled. Cleaner modes or operational features that can be controlled by switches backlighted by electro luminescent lighting or having an indicator light lighted by electro luminescent lighting include the cleaning mode, i.e. wash, rinse or auto, the agitator being turned on or off, the type of floor being cleaned, i.e., bare floor or auto, heated cleaning being on or off, the suction mode being in maximum, quiet, or off, and a moisture sensor for detecting and indicating if the floor surface is dry or wet. 
     In a sixth embodiment of the invention, a display panel for a bare floor cleaning machine is provided having a plurality of indicator lights lighted by electro luminescent lighting for indicating when a particular mode or operational feature of the cleaner is enabled and one or more switches that are backlighted by electro luminescent lighting for indicating when a particular mode or operational feature of the cleaner controlled by the switch is enabled. Cleaner modes or operational features that can be controlled by switches backlighted by electro luminescent lighting or having an indicator light lighted by electro luminescent lighting include the cleaning mode, i.e. wet or dry, the agitator being turned on, off, or gentle, heated cleaning being on or off, the suction mode being in maximum, quiet, or off, and a moisture sensor for detecting and indicating if the floor surface is dry or wet. 
     In a seventh embodiment of the invention, an electrical switch and an electro luminescent light are embedded in layers of film to form a flexible sheet that can be mounted on a flat, curved or other non-flat surface. The electroluminescent light can be used to backlight the switch to represent that the function or operational feature the electrical switch is controlling is energized. Alternately, electro luminescent light can be used to backlight the switch to represent that the function or operational feature the electrical switch is controlling is de-energized. A plurality of one or more electrical switches can be embedded in the flexible sheet each having an associated electro luminescent light. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings for a better understanding of the invention, both as to its organization and function, with the illustration being only exemplary and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner having a control and display panel having one or more indicator lights lighted by electro luminescent lighting, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partially cutaway enlarged view of cleaner handle for a floor care appliance such as the one shown in  FIG. 1  having a control and display panel having one or more indicator lights lighted by electro luminescent lighting, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a partially cutaway enlarged view of cleaner handle for a floor care appliance such as the one shown in  FIG. 1  having a control and display panel having one or more indicator lights lighted by electro luminescent lighting, according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially cutaway enlarged view of cleaner handle for a floor care appliance such as the one shown in  FIG. 1  having a control and display panel having one or more switches backlighted by electro luminescent lighting, according to the third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a partially cutaway enlarged view of cleaner handle for a floor care appliance such as a vacuum cleaner having a control and display panel having one or more switches backlighted by electro luminescent lighting, according to the fourth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a partially cutaway enlarged view of cleaner handle for a floor care appliance such as an extractor having a control and display panel having one or more switches backlighted by electro luminescent lighting, according to the fifth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a partially cutaway enlarged view of cleaner handle for a floor care appliance such as a bare floor machine having a control and display panel having one or more switches backlighted by electro luminescent lighting, according to the fifth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view of a film electrical switch and electro luminescent lighting arrangement utilized in the second through fifth embodiment embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of a circuit utilizing a microprocessor to control one or more features of a floor care appliance such as the one shown in  FIG. 1  upon receiving an input from an associated switch and for lighting or extinguishing an associated electro luminescent light based upon the input from the switch, for use in the first through sixth embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shown is an upright vacuum cleaner  10  having a display panel  500  having a plurality of electro luminescent indicator lights  510 – 514  for indicating the status or mode of a particular operational feature of the cleaner  10  when enabled wherein only one mode can be enabled at a time, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Such an upright cleaner  10  typically has an upright portion  200  pivotally connected to a suction nozzle  100 , a handle  210  at the distal end of the upright portion  200 , a suction motor (not shown) fluidly connected to the suction nozzle  100 , and a particle filtering and collecting arrangement  300  fluidly connected to the suction motor (not shown) and the suction nozzle  100  for filtering and collecting dirt particles. Display panel  500  is typically located on the front, curving face of handle  210  within easy reach of the vacuum cleaner  10  user. Although display panel  500  is shown on an upright vacuum cleaner display panel  500  could be installed on any other type of floor care or other appliance including a canister vacuum cleaner, bare floor cleaner, or an extractor without affecting the scope of the invention. The electro luminescent indicator lights  510 – 514  are formed by embedding an electrode layer and a electro luminescent phosphor layer in [thin] layers of film separated by an inner capacitive dieelectric layer. The construction of an electro luminescent light is detailed more fully hereinbelow and illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Electro luminescent lights embedded in layers of film are used as indicator lights or other purposes and are commercially available for purchase from suppliers such as Novatech Industries, Inc. of Skippack, Pa. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , display panel  500  is mounted on the front, contoured face  211  of cleaner handle  210 . The layers of film the electro luminescent indicator lights  510 – 514  are embedded between the layers of film to facilitate the mounting of the display panel  500  on a curved surface such as the curved face  211  of handle  210 . Each electro luminescent indicator lights  510 – 514  may be covered by a semi-transparent lens of differing colors which may be labeled with the particular mode or cleaner operational feature the electro luminescent indicator light  510 – 514  is associated with. A single slide switch  520  in combination with a microprocessor  1510  such as the one shown in  FIG. 9  is used to toggle the cleaner  10  between successive cleaner modes or operational features. Slide switch  520  is biased in the open position and upon application of a force will move to the closed position. Releasing the force will allow sliding switch  520  to return to the open position. Pressing slide switch  520  will cause the microprocessor  1510  ( FIG. 9 ) to toggle the cleaner to the next successive mode. For example, with the cleaner initially off and no modes enabled, pressing slide switch  520  and releasing will cause the microprocessor  1510  ( FIG. 9 ) to toggle cleaner  10  to the next mode, which could be turning the suction motor on at its highest speed, which will also cause indicator light  510  to illuminate. Pressing slide switch  520  again and releasing it will cause the microprocessor  1510  ( FIG. 9 ) to toggle the cleaner to the next successive mode, which could be a medium suction motor speed, and cause the next successive indicator light  511  to light and extinguish the previous indicator light  510 . Pressing slide switch  520  once again will cause the microprocessor  1510  ( FIG. 9 ) to toggle cleaner  10  to the next mode, which could be turning the suction motor on at its lowest, which will also cause indicator light  512  to illuminate and extinguish the previous indicator light  511 . Continued pressing and releasing slide switch  520  will cause the microprocessor  1510  ( FIG. 9 ) to toggle to the next successive mode, cause the next successive indicator light to light, and then extinguish the previous indicator light, etc., until the cleaner has been toggled through all modes. The final pressing of slide switch  520  will toggle cleaner  10  to off so that no cleaner  10  modes are enabled and none of indicator lights  510 – 514  are lighted. Other cleaner  10  modes or operational features that could be controlled by display panel  500  include turning the agitator (not shown) on and off, or adjusting the height of the suction nozzle  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , shown is a display panel  600  for a floor care appliance such as the one shown in  FIG. 1  having a plurality of indicator lights  610 – 615  for indicating when a particular mode or operational feature of the appliance is enabled wherein more than one mode can be enabled at a time, according to a second embodiment of the invention. The indicator lights  610 – 615  are lighted by electro luminescent lighting and each of indicator lights  610 – 615  are covered by a semi-transparent lens. Each of a plurality of switches  620 – 625  are associated with each of the indicator lights  610 – 615  for controlling the associated mode or operational feature. The indicator lights  610 – 615  are lighted when the associated mode or operational feature is enabled. Examples of the various floor care appliance modes or operational features that could be controlled by switches  620 – 625  and indicated by indicator lights  610 – 615  include turning the suction motor on and off, adjusting the speed of the suction motor, turning the agitator on and off, adjusting the height of the suction nozzle, dispensing of cleaning solution, and/or level of cleaning solution in the solution reservoir. The operation of the modes of the appliance  10  in conjunction with switches  620 – 625  and the associated electro luminescent indicator lights  610 – 615  may be controlled by a microprocessor  1510  such as the one shown on  FIG. 9 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , shown is a display panel  700  mounted on the handle  210  of a floor care appliance, according to a third embodiment of the invention. The display panel  700  is comprised of a plurality of switches  720 – 725  used to control an operational feature or mode of the appliance wherein electro luminescent backlighting indicates the status of the operational feature or mode associated with a particular switch  720 – 725 . The switches  720 – 725  are formed a pair of opposing contacts separated by a dielectric and embedded in layers of film. The switch embedded between layers of a film gives the switch the feeling when pressed of a “no touch” switch. The switch may also actually be a “no touch” or “capacitive sensing” type switch or other type of membrane switch without affecting the scope of the invention. Each of switches  720 – 725  are mounted above an associated electro luminescent light that lights when the mode or operational feature the switch  720 – 725  controls is enabled. Each of switches  720 – 725  are connected to a microprocessor  1510  like the one shown in  FIG. 9  which senses when the switches  720 – 725  are pressed and the opposing contacts momentarily meet. The microprocessor  1510  ( FIG. 9 ) in turn either turns the associated mode or operational feature on or off depending on the previous state of the mode. The microprocessor  1510  ( FIG. 9 ) also controls the current flowing to the electro luminescent lights and allows the current to flow when switches  720 – 725  turn the associated mode on. The current and electro luminescent lighting remain on until the switch  720 – 725  is pressed again and the associated mode is turned off. The microprocessor  1510  ( FIG. 9 ) may be programmed so that only one mode at a time may be enabled and the associated switch  720 – 725  lighted. The microprocessor  1510  ( FIG. 9 ) may also be programmed so that more than one mode at a time may be enabled and the associated switch  720 – 725  lighted. A more detailed description of the operation of a microprocessor  1510  such as the one shown in  FIG. 9  in conjunction with a plurality of switches and an associated electro luminescent light is detailed more fully hereinbelow. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , shown is a display panel  800  on the handle  210  of a floor care appliance such as a vacuum cleaner, according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. The display panel  800  includes a plurality of switches  815 , 820 ,  830 , 835 , 840 , 850 , 860 , 870 , 875 , and  880  backlighted by electro luminescent lighting for indicating when a particular mode or operational feature of the cleaner is enabled. The display panel  800  also includes indicator lights  810 , 825 , 845 , 865 , 885 , 890  and  895  lighted by electro luminescence. The switches backlighted by electro luminescent lighting can include a suction nozzle height up switch  815  and a down switch  820 , an agitator on/off switch  830 , floor type switch  835 , i.e. bare floor, or an automatic mode switch  840 , a self propelling mode on/off switch  850  or automatic mode switch  860 , suction mode selection switches for maximum suction mode  870 , quiet mode  875  or off  880 . Each of the aforementioned switches are backlighted by electro luminescence when the particular feature or mode being controlled is enabled. Indicator lights  810  and  885  are always lighted unless the appliance is turned off entirely. Indicator lights  825 , 845  and  865  are lighted when the associated function or operational features is turned on. Indicator lights  890  and  895  are lighted when the electronic dirt finder detects that the carpet is clean, or dirty, respectively. The operation of the appliance modes through the plurality of switches  815 , 820 , 830 , 835 , 840 , 850 , 860 , 870 , 875  and  880  backlighted by electro luminescent lighting and the plurality of indicator lights  810 ,  825 ,  845 ,  865 ,  885 ,  890  and  895  is controlled by a microprocessor  1500  such as the one shown in  FIG. 9 . described more fully hereinbelow. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , shown is a display panel  900  located on the handle  210  of a floor care appliance such as an extractor, according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The display panel  900  includes a plurality of switches  915 ,  920 ,  930 ,  935 , 945 , 950 , 960 , 965  and  970  backlighted by electro luminescent lighting for indicating when a particular mode or operational feature of the cleaner is enabled. The display panel  900  also includes indicator lights  910 , 925 , 940 , 955 , 975 , 980  and  985  lighted by electro luminescence. Display panel  900  includes a switch  915  for selecting a wet cleaning mode, a switch  920  for selecting a dry cleaning mode, an on/off switch  930  and gentle switch  935  for an agitator mode, an on/off switch  940  and a gentle switch  950  for a heated cleaning mode, a maximum suction switch  960 , a quite suction mode switch  965 , and an off switch for the suction mode. There is an indicator light  980  for detecting a dry floor condition and an indicator light  985  for detecting a wet floor condition for a moisture sensor feature. Indicator lights  910  and  975  are always lighted unless the appliance is turned off entirely. Indicator lights  925 ,  940  and  955  are lighted when the associated function is turned on. The operation of the cleaner modes through the plurality of switches  915 , 920 , 930 , 935 ,  945 , 950 , 960 , 965  and  970  backlighted by electro luminescent lighting and the indicator lights  925 ,  940  and  955  lighted by electro luminescent lighting is controlled by a microprocessor  1500  such as the one shown in  FIG. 9 . described more fully hereinbelow. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , shown is a display panel  1000  for a floor care appliance such as a bare floor cleaning machine, according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The display panel  1000  includes a plurality of indicator lights  1010 ,  1030 ,  1047  and  1080  lighted by electro luminescent lighting for indicating when a particular mode or operational feature of the cleaner is enabled and a plurality of switches  1015 ,  1020 ,  1025 ,  1035 ,  1040 ,  1045 ,  1050 ,  1055 ,  1065 ,  1070  and  1075  that are backlighted by electro luminescent lighting for indicating when a particular mode or operational feature of the cleaner controlled by the switch is enabled. Switches for controlling various cleaner modes or operational features include a wash switch  1015 , a rinse switch  1020  and an automatic mode switch  1025  for selection of the cleaning mode, an on/off switch  1035 , a bare floor switch  1040 , and an automatic mode switch  1045  for selection of the agitator mode, an on/off switch  1050 , gentle mode switch  1055  for selection of the heated cleaning mode, a maximum suction switch  1065 , a quiet suction switch  1070 , and an off switch  1075  for selection of the suction mode. Indicator lights  1010  and  1080  are always lighted unless the appliance is turned off entirely. Indicator lights  1030 ,  1047  and  1060  are lighted when the associated function is turned on. Indicator lights  1085  and  1090  indicate a dry or wet floor condition, respectively, for the moisture sensor feature. The operation of the cleaner modes through the plurality of switches  1015 ,  1020 ,  1025 ,  1035 ,  1040 ,  1045 ,  1050 ,  1055 ,  1065 ,  1070  and  1075  and the indicator lights  1010 ,  1030 ,  1047  and  1080  are controlled by a microprocessor  1500  such as the one shown in  FIG. 9 . described more fully hereinbelow. 
     The details of construction of a membrane switch such as the one described heretofore being backlighted by electro luminescent lighting is shown in  FIG. 8 . Such an electrical switch and electro luminescent light arrangement is especially conducive to mounting on a non-flat or curved surface on a machine including floor care or other appliances. There is virtually no limit to the number of applications it may be used for. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the layers comprising the electro luminescent light is physically located above the layers wherein the switch contacts are embedded. The arrangement includes substrate film layer  1200  which allows the electro luminescent light to pass therethrough. Beneath film layer  1200  is electro luminescent phosphor layer  1211  surrounded by a film layer  1210 . Directly beneath film layer  1200  and electro luminescent phosphor layer  1211  is an inner capacitive dielectric layer  1215 . Beneath dielectric layer  1215  is rear capacitive electrode layer  1221  which is surrounded on its periphery by an encapsulating dielectric layer  1220 . Another encapsulating dielectric layer  1230  also sits beneath rear capacitive electrode layer  1221 . Electrons from the current flowing from the rear capacitive electrode layer  1221  passing through the inner capacitive dielectric layer  1215  bombard the electro luminescent phosphor layer  1211  causing the phosphor to glow and produce light. The current flowing to the rear capacitive electrode layer  1221  is controlled by a membrane switch located in film layers  1240 – 1270  beneath rear capacitive electrode layer  1221 . A first contact layer  1240  is located beneath dielectric layer  1230  is surrounded by a dielectric layer  1245 . Directly beneath first contact layer  1240  is a dielectric layer  1255  comprised of a layer of air, other gas, or vacuum. Surrounding dielectric layer  1255  is a dielectric layer  1250  comprised of a film. Beneath dielectric layer  1255  is a second contact layer  1261  surrounded by a dielectric layer  1260 . Beneath second contact layer  1261  and dielectric layer  1260  is an encapsulating dielectric layer  1270 . Dielectric layer  1250  provides the support to form the dielectric layer  1255  between first contact layer  1240  and second contact layer  1261 . A force in the direction of arrow  1300  on the outer surface of substrate  1200  is transmitted through layers  1200 , 1211 , 1215 , 1221 , 1230  to first contact layer  1240  which causes first contact layer  1240  to flex and pass through dielectric layer  1255  and make contact with second contact layer  1261 . A microprocessor  1510  like the one shown in  FIG. 9  is connected to first contact layer  1240  and second contact layer  1261  and detects when first contact layer  1240  contacts second contact layer  1261 , even if only momentarily. The microprocessor  1510  ( FIG. 9 ) is programmed to turn the current on to rear capacitive electrode layer  1221  to cause the electro luminescent phosphor layer  1211  to glow and give off light. The microprocessor  1510  ( FIG. 9 ) is programmed to remember whether the current to rear capacitive electrode layer  1221  is on or off so that subsequent contact between first contact layer  1240  and second contact layer  1261  will turn the current off if the current was previously on or turn the current on if the current was previously off. The microprocessor  1510  ( FIG. 9 ) can also be used to control an operational feature of the appliance associated with the switch/electro luminescent light arrangement wherein the electro luminescent light being on or off can be associated with a state or mode of an operational feature of the appliance  10 . 
     Finally, shown in  FIG. 9  is a block schematic diagram of an exemplary circuit utilizing a plurality of switches  1540 A to  1540 F for controlling a state or mode of a particular operational feature of an appliance such as floor care appliance or cleaner  10  wherein one each of a plurality of electro luminescent lights  1530 A to  1530 F is associated with each of said plurality of switches  1540 A to  1540 F. The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 9  although there could be a plurality of switches  1540 A to  1540   n  each associated with one each of a plurality of electro luminescent lights  1530 A to  1530   n  without affecting the scope of the invention wherein n is the total number of electro luminescent lights and switches. The plurality of switches  1540 A to  1540   n  are input to microprocessor  1510  through a first bus connector  1570  which connects to a complementary second bus connector  1504 . The microprocessor  1510  is provided operating power by a steady DC voltage Vcc and connected to ground  1550 . The outputs of the microprocessor  1510  are connected to a plurality of transistors CS 1  to CS n  wherein one of each of said transistors CS 1  to CS n  is associated with one each of said switches  1540   a  to  1540  F and the associated electro luminescent lights  1530 A to  1530 F. Note that instead of transistors transistors CS 1  to CS n  that one or more relays or other switches could be used to perform the same function. In the preferred embodiment, there are transistors CS 1  to CS n . 
     Each of the electro luminescent lights  1530 A to  1530 F is supplied AC power from an inverter circuit  1555  which inputs DC power/from Vcc and connected to ground  1550 . Upon receiving an input from one of said switches  1540 A to  1540 F, microprocessor  1510  sends a corresponding output to the associated transistor  1520 A to  1520 F. In the case where it is desired to illuminate one of the electroluminescent lights  1530 A to  1530 F, as when a cleaner  10  function or operational feature is turned on for instance, one of switches  1540 A to  1540 F is pressed which causes current from Vcc to be input to microprocessor  1510 . Microprocessor  1510  causes a corresponding output to the associated transistor  1520 A to  1520 F. When transistor  1520 A to  1520 F senses the output, it allows AC current to flow from the inverter  1555  to the associated electro luminescent light  1530 A to  1530 F to ground  1550  and the associated electro luminescent light  1530 A to  1530 F is illuminated. The associated electro luminescent light  1530 A to  1530 F remains illuminated until the associated switch  1540 A to  1540 F is pressed again and the microprocessor  1510  turns of the output to the associated transistor  1520 A to  1520 F. The microprocessor  1510  also may control the feature of the cleaner  10  the switches  1540 A to  1540 F and electroluminescent lights  1530 A to  1530 F are associated with by supplying a corresponding output to another group of transistors controlling the feature. The manner in which the associated operational feature is controlled is not shown and is not part of the invention. The microprocessor  1510  can be programmed in a variety of ways to control the cleaner  10  operational feature that the switches  1540 A to  1540 F and electro luminescent lights  1530 A to  1530 F are associated with. For example, it may not be desirous or possible for certain features to be enabled simultaneously so microprocessor  1510  can be programmed to not allow these certain features to be enabled simultaneously. It may also be desired to only operate certain cleaner  10  operational features in a designated sequence which microprocessor  1510  can be programmed to control. There are an infinite number of ways the microprocessor  1510  can be programmed to control the operational features of the cleaner  10  and the illumination of the associated electro luminescent lights  1530 A to  1530 F according to the input from switches  1540 A to  1540 F. 
     It should be clear from the foregoing that the described structure clearly meets the objects of the invention set out in the description&#39;s beginning. It should now also be obvious that many changes could be made to the disclosed structure which would still fall within its spirit and purview.