DE102010000607B4 - Household vacuum cleaner that can be used as a base station for an automatically movable suction and/or sweeping device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a household vacuum cleaner (1) that can be used as a base station (15) for an automatically movable suction and/or sweeping device (16). In order to further improve a base station of the type in question, in particular with regard to further use, it is proposed that the base station (15) - be designed for movement, - be provided with a location-independent power supply, - have its own motor/fan unit ( 6); Sweeping device (16) docking point (41) accessible in the course of an automatic process, for supplying energy and preferably emptying the dust of the suction and/or sweeping device (16).

Description

The invention relates to a household vacuum cleaner that can be used as a base station for an automatically movable suction and/or sweeping device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Suction and/or sweeping devices that can be moved automatically are used in particular in the household sector, in particular for autonomous cleaning as a result of suction and/or brushing of the floor. For this purpose, devices of this type have electrically operated suction/blower units and/or brushes driven by electric motors. The vacuumed and/or brushed dirt is collected in a device-internal container. It is also known to provide such a device with electronics, in particular for detecting obstacles, more preferably also for creating a travel and behavior strategy, and also preferably for detecting and evaluating call and/or guidance signals for the device . In this case, the power supply is further preferably provided by accumulators that are in the device and correspondingly carried along by it. It is also known to assign a preferably stationary base station to the suction and/or sweeping device in order to charge it and, if necessary, also to dispose of the dirt collected in the container inside the device. In this regard, it is also known to connect such a base station to the household network.

The publications U.S. 2007/0157415 A1 and ES 2 238 196 A1 disclose a base station with a location-independent energy supply, a motor/blower unit, a dirt collection space and a connection point for a suction hose or an attachment. The base station has a docking point for power supply and dust removal that is accessible in a predetermined position for a suction or sweeping device.

From the U.S. 2010/0011529 A1 is also known that a base station emits signals for targeting the suction and / or sweeper.

From the U.S. 2007/0157420 A1 Finally, a base station that can be moved by means of wheels is known in the form of a hand-held canister vacuum cleaner.

In view of the prior art described above, a technical problem of the invention is seen in further improving a base station of the type in question, in particular with regard to more extensive use.

This problem is solved first and foremost by the subject matter of claim 1, according to which the base station switches between a base station functionality and a vacuum cleaner functionality as a result of a change in its position in space relative to a vertical. As a result of the proposed solution, a base station for so-called cleaning robots or a household vacuum cleaner suitable for further use as a hand-held cleaning device with extended benefits is created in an advantageous manner. The base station can be used in the usual way as a household vacuum cleaner, for example for areas that cannot be reached by the automatically movable suction and/or sweeping device. In this regard, conventional stick-guided vacuum cleaners are proposed as household vacuum cleaners, for example an electric vacuum cleaner according to FIG EP 0 893 962 B1 . Household vacuum cleaners that can be moved on the floor in the form of towed devices are preferably used in this context, for example a household vacuum cleaner according to FIG DE 44 39 416 A1 .

Its vacuum cleaner housing is supported on the floor via non-driven travel rollers, with the motor/fan unit provided in the vacuum cleaner being more preferably connected in terms of flow via a connected suction hose to a suction nozzle used for floor or above-floor processing. In particular, the vacuum cleaner is rolled over the floor by means of a train via the suction hose. For this purpose, the vacuum cleaner, and accordingly also the base station formed thereby, is provided with a location-independent power supply, e.g. in the form of accumulators arranged in the vacuum cleaner or in the base station, more preferably in the form of one, the free mobility of the vacuum cleaner or the base station in a sufficiently large effective range allowing electric connection cable for connecting the vacuum cleaner or the base station to the household network. Electrical connection cables with lengths of 5 m - 20 m, more preferably 10 m, are preferably used here. According to the usual design of household vacuum cleaners, a dirt collection space is formed in the vacuum cleaner or in the base station created thereby. This can be a so-called cyclone separator. In this case, the arrangement of a dust filter bag for filtering out dirt and dust particles from the suction air flow built up via the motor/fan unit on the vacuum cleaner side is preferred. The power supply of the household vacuum cleaner and preferably the motor/blower unit on the vacuum cleaner side can advantageously be used to supply power to the accumulator-operated suction and/or sweeping device, more preferably also for emptying the dust from the collection container provided in the suction and/or sweeping device. This, a base station so to speak Defining supply and / or disposal options are preferably used in only one predetermined position of the household vacuum cleaner, moreover can only be activated in this position. In this predetermined position of the household vacuum cleaner, it offers a docking point for the suction and/or sweeping device, which is approached by the autonomously movable device as a result of the automatic process. The specified position of the base station or of the household vacuum cleaner is preferably an orientation that has changed relative to the usual orientation of the base station for use as a household vacuum cleaner, more preferably a position of the household vacuum cleaner in which it is, for example, a side that is not accessible to the robot during household vacuum cleaner operation offers, in which side the docking point for the suction and / or sweeping device is formed. A predetermined position of the household vacuum cleaner for offering as a base station is also possible through a predetermined relative orientation of the household vacuum cleaner in space. In one embodiment, the docking point of the household vacuum cleaner is a coupling section in the area of the suction line on the vacuum cleaner side to the suction mouth or to an attachment, for example a coupling of a suction hose connected to the household vacuum cleaner, via which coupling a suction nozzle or an attachment is connected for use as a household vacuum cleaner. In this context, it is known to provide the suction hose for the electrical supply of any attachments with corresponding electrical lines, which also have electrical coupling means in the area of the suction coupling. Correspondingly, such an air flow interface and possibly an electrical interface can be used to empty dust and supply power to a suction and/or sweeping device.

Further features of the invention are explained below, also in the description of the figures, often in their preferred assignment to the subject matter of claim 1 or to features of other claims. However, they can also be of importance in an assignment to only individual features of claim 1 or of the respective further claim, or in each case independently.

In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the base station has a separately running suction line leading to the suction device in addition to a suction mouth or an attachment of the base station when forming a suction device for the suction and/or sweeping device. Accordingly, preferably two flow paths are provided within the base station to be acted upon via the same motor/fan unit within the base station or within the household vacuum cleaner, namely a flow path which leads to a suction mouth on the vacuum cleaner or to an attachment for use of the base station as a household vacuum cleaner and a Flow path for using the household vacuum cleaner as a base station, with a corresponding flow connection to a dust discharge line of the suction and/or sweeping device. In a preferred embodiment, this separately running suction line ends in the docking point accessible for the suction and/or sweeping device in the course of an automatic process, in which more preferably at the same time energy can be supplied to the device-side accumulators as a result of corresponding electrical interfaces.

According to the invention, the base station switches between a base station functionality and a vacuum cleaner functionality as a result of a change in its position in space relative to a vertical. For this purpose, in a further preferred embodiment, sensor means, e.g. in the form of inclination sensors, and/or mechanical means, e.g. in the form of pushbuttons that can be shifted, are provided in the household vacuum cleaner, which detect the corresponding position of the vacuum cleaner in the room, in particular the position that base station function leads. In the course of switching the functionality, there is also preferably a switching of the flow paths within the household vacuum cleaner, so that in the vacuum cleaner function the suction path is activated, preferably via a suction hose to the suction mouth or to the attachment, while this is blocked in the base station function and however, the suction line to the docking point is released. The electrical interface in the area of the docking point is also preferably activated or can be activated exclusively in the detected base station function.

In combination with this, the base station can be switched between the base station functionality and the vacuum cleaner functionality by the suction and/or sweeping device, for example as a result of a vacuum cleaner-side, mechanically acting button being disengaged by the suction and/or sweeping device brought into the docking position, further, for example, also as a result of a signal transmission originating from the suction and/or sweeping device. In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the suction and/or sweeping device emits a light or radio signal, which is received and evaluated by the household vacuum cleaner, based on which evaluation a corresponding switchover takes place.

In this context, it is further preferably provided that the base station emits an optical and/or acoustic signal for guidance of the suction and/or sweeping device and/or an opti cal and/or acoustic signal reflected. In this regard, reference is made to the German patent applications with the file numbers DE 10 2009 059 212 , DE 10 2009 059 214 , DE 10 2009 059 215 and DE 10 2009 059 216 referred. From these, a method for targeting an automatically movable device, in particular a suction and/or sweeping device, is known, for example for targeting such a device to a base station. The content of these patent applications is hereby included in its entirety in the disclosure of the present invention, also for the purpose of including features of these patent applications in claims of the present invention.

Advantageously, the base station also has means for data communication between the base station and the suction and/or sweeping device. It is further preferred that the automatically movable device and the household vacuum cleaner or the base station formed by it can exchange information via contacts in the docking point or via optical signal paths, e.g. in such a way that the automatically movable device can communicate with the household vacuum cleaner or the base station via a high-frequency current signal, which is modulated by the actual charging current in the docking position and can be separated from this by electrical filters, informs that the automatically movable device should be sucked out and/or that the accumulators should be fully charged. In a further preferred embodiment, this information technology coupling is established via the mechanical and/or electrical coupling in the area of the docking point.

The household vacuum cleaner or the base station and the automatically moveable device are preferably provided with devices that enable the automatically moveable device to approach the household vacuum cleaner and thereby establish a connection between the suction channel systems of the two coupling partners. This coupling preferably allows the household vacuum cleaner with its blower and dust retaining filter to suck up the dirt that has accumulated in the automatically movable device, so that the user no longer has to manually empty the collection container in the automatically movable device. The coupling of the suction channels of the two coupling partners (household vacuum cleaner and automatically moving device) is preferably produced in that the automatically moving device pushes a nozzle into a suitable receptacle of the household vacuum cleaner in the area of the docking point by the automatically moving device moving up close to the household vacuum cleaner . In an advantageous embodiment, the coupling point is sealed against leakage with a sealing element (soft components such as an O-ring). A reversal of the arrangement is also possible, so that the nozzle on the household vacuum cleaner and the corresponding receptacle on the automatically movable device are formed here. The suction channel system in the household vacuum cleaner preferably has a further suction channel from the mechanical coupling point to the dirt collection chamber on the vacuum cleaner side between the motor/blower unit on the vacuum cleaner side and the connection on the vacuum cleaner side of a suction hose that is preferably provided. In normal operation of the household vacuum cleaner, this additional suction channel has no function. Only in a state in which the automatically moveable device is coupled to the household vacuum cleaner does the latter suck the device out—possibly after a corresponding signaling request from the automatically moveable device. In a preferred embodiment, the household vacuum cleaner is designed in such a way that it is possible to switch between these two states of the suction channel system in order to only have to flow through the required subsystem. In this case, the switchover preferably takes place via flaps or valves in the suction channel system of the household vacuum cleaner, which can be switched over to form a base station.

Furthermore, the household vacuum cleaner or the base station and the automatically movable cleaning device are provided with devices that enable the household vacuum cleaner to transmit electrical energy to the automatically movable device. This is preferably done for the purpose of charging the accumulators on the device. Energy (in this case electricity) is transferred from the household vacuum cleaner or from the base station to the device via the electrical contacts. The latter stores the energy in the device's internal battery system. This electrical or energetic coupling is preferably activated in parallel with the mechanical coupling by moving the device towards the household vacuum cleaner. Contacting electrical contacts are also preferably used here, with the contacts being more preferably shaped in the sense of a plug-in connection. Alternatively, contactless transmission, for example inductive transmission, is also possible. The electrical energy is transmitted as direct voltage or alternating voltage, preferably in different frequency bands. In this way, energy can be transmitted from the household vacuum cleaner or base station to the device in the form of DC voltage, unidirectional or bidirectional communication between the coupling partners being more preferably enabled at the same time via AC voltage in different frequency ranges. The energy transmission is preferably only set up when a so-called handshake has been carried out between the coupling partners and/or the automatically movable device has carried out a corresponding handshake gives signal. In this case, the communication is preferably secured with low currents (a few mA). As a result of this configuration, electric shocks are avoided if the user accidentally touches the electrical contacts in the decoupled position.

Next, the household vacuum cleaner or the base station and the automatically movable device are provided with devices that enable an exchange of information between the two coupling partners. For example, the device can inform the household vacuum cleaner that the dirt container inside the device has to be vacuumed out or that the charging cycle of the accumulators has ended. This interface can be set up, for example, by optical signals (light signals), radio signals, acoustic signals (preferably ultrasound) or electrical signals.

In addition, a technical sensor coupling is preferably provided. The creation of the various couplings is based on the cleaning device moving so close to the household vacuum cleaner or the base station that a physical connection between the two coupling partners is established, for example by inserting a suction pipe into a corresponding receptacle in the case of mechanical coupling. In the sensor-technical coupling that is also planned, the household vacuum cleaner or the base station and the cleaning device are equipped with devices that interact with each other (in each case in one direction or also bidirectionally) and that support the cleaning device in precisely approaching the coupling position, e.g. by an optical direction finder in the household vacuum cleaner or is provided in the base station. This interface is preferably constructed using optical signals (light signals), radio signals, acoustic signals (preferably ultrasound), which interface is preferably activated exclusively in the base station function.

Switching between the vacuum cleaner functionality and the base station functionality is preferably carried out mechanically, with the suction channel for the suction of the automatically movable device being able to be closed in the base station function via a flap or a valve. In this respect, it is further preferred that, in order to use the household vacuum cleaner as a base station, the household vacuum cleaner is set up on a side or rear surface that is approximately vertically aligned in the vacuum cleaner function, whereby a mechanical release element, e.g. a slide, is acted upon in order to switch between the both suction channel systems, more preferably for activating or for providing the further electrical and/or optical interfaces.

In this regard, a further development provides that the household vacuum cleaner is provided with an electronic tilt switch and electrical actuators (electric motor, lifting magnets). The tilt switch detects changes in the position of the household vacuum cleaner, with the result of corresponding signals from the tilt switch, the actuator or actuators change over the suction channel system accordingly. Furthermore, such a signal preferably also activates or provides the additional electrical or optical interfaces.

Analogous to the switching of the suction channel system of the household vacuum cleaner, a correspondingly designed suction channel system of the automatically movable device can also be switched between conventional suction operation and coupled operation. Since the cleaning device should preferably work without any user intervention, automatic switching via electrical actuators is preferred in this respect, which automatic switching is achieved, for example, as a result of mechanical intervention in the coupled position and/or as a result of signal transmission in the coupled position.

When using light-optical means, a light source in the form of an LED or laser diode is preferably used. The light used is preferably visible, for example red light with a wavelength of 650 nm, more preferably infrared in the range of 700-980 nm, more preferably 900-980 nm Photodiode, a PSD element, a phototransistor, a photoresistor, a CMOS element or CCD element, with PSD elements and CMOS/CCD elements being extended in the form of lines or surfaces, while the elements listed below have a more punctiform effect. In this respect, an element is preferably used which matches the light source in terms of its reception range (wavelength).

Optionally, further optical elements can be assigned to the optical elements (light sources and/or receivers), more preferably for forming a transmission beam and transmission cone or for forming a reception cone. In this regard, optical elements can be lenses (converging lenses, diverging lenses, also designed as Fresnel lenses, aspherical or spherical), as well as diaphragms (circular, slit-shaped or of any shape, designed as separate parts or integrated in the housing of the household vacuum cleaner or cleaning device), prisms, Mirrors (planar, concave, convex, free-form), light guides, free-form elements or optical filters (preferably color filters or narrow-band interference filters ter, which are tuned to the wavelength of the light used).

Both in the light source and in the light-sensitive element, optical elements are also understood to mean protective or cover plates in the optical beam path, which serve to mechanically protect the optical device.

Optical filters are preferably provided in the light source and/or the light-sensitive element, which are as transparent as possible for the intended optical wavelength but as little transparent as possible for others. Optical filters can be provided as separate elements or integrated with other optical elements (e.g. tinting or coating of lenses, protective windows, etc.). Coloring, coating or vaporization are also possible in this regard.

The light signal is preferably modulated (sinusoidal, rectangular, triangular or any) in a defined frequency. An amplifier is associated with the light-sensitive element, which is further associated with a filter which is tuned to this frequency and modulation form. The amplifier therefore only emits the light signal received from the target as a signal and no ambient or interfering light. A second modulation (frequency or amplitude) can be placed over this first modulation in order to transmit information.

• 1 in perspektivischer Darstellung einen Haushaltsstaubsauger in einer Basisstation-Funktion mit einem selbsttätig verfahrbaren Saug- und/oder Kehrgerät in einer Koppelstellung zu dem Haushaltsstaubsauger;
• 2 den Haushaltsstaubsauger in einer schematischen Vertikalschnittdarstellung, die Staubsauger-Funktion betreffend;
• 3 eine der 2 entsprechende Darstellung, jedoch die Basisstation-Funktion betreffend;
• 4 den Haushaltsstaubsauger in der Basisstation-Funktion gemäß 3 sowie das selbsttätig verfahrbare Gerät in einer schematischen Vertikalschnittdarstellung, eine Zwischenstellung im Zuge des Anfahrens des Gerätes an die Basisstation betreffend;
• 5 das selbsttätig verfahrbare Gerät in einer schematischen Vertikalschnittdarstellung, eine zweite Ausführungsform betreffend;
• 6 die Koppelstellung des Reinigungsgerätes gemäß 5 an den die Basisstation anbietenden Haushaltsstaubsauger;
• 7 den Haushaltsstaubsauger in der Basisstation-Funktion und ein in Andockstellung verbrachtes selbsttätig verfahrbares Reinigungsgerät, jeweils in einer schematischen Vertikalschnittdarstellung, eine dritte Ausführungsform betreffend.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing, which merely shows several exemplary embodiments. It shows:

• 1 a perspective view of a household vacuum cleaner in a base station function with an automatically movable suction and/or sweeping device in a coupled position to the household vacuum cleaner;
• 2 the household vacuum cleaner in a schematic vertical sectional view, relating to the vacuum cleaner function;
• 3 one of the 2 Corresponding representation, however, relating to the base station function;
• 4 according to the household vacuum cleaner in the base station function 3 as well as the automatically movable device in a schematic vertical sectional representation, an intermediate position in the course of moving the device to the base station;
• 5 the automatically movable device in a schematic vertical sectional view, relating to a second embodiment;
• 6 the coupling position of the cleaning device according to 5 to the household vacuum cleaner offering the base station;
• 7 the household vacuum cleaner in the base station function and an automatically movable cleaning device placed in the docking position, each in a schematic vertical sectional view, relating to a third embodiment.

Shown and described is first with reference to the 1 until 3 a household vacuum cleaner 1 in the form of a floor-moving towed device, also known as the "Vorwerk Tiger".

The household vacuum cleaner 1 initially has a housing 2 which is essentially closed on all sides. This is supported on the floor 4 in the usual operating position via rollers 3 that can be rotated freely and partially pivoted about a vertical axis. The rollers 3 are arranged in the area of a housing base 5 which is aligned at least approximately parallel to the floor 4 when the vacuum cleaner is in operation.

A motor/fan unit 6 is accommodated in the housing 2 . For the power supply of this unit 6, the vacuum cleaner 1 has an electric cable 7 routed to the outside for connecting the vacuum cleaner 1 to the household network.

The motor/fan unit 6 has an intake side and an exhaust side in the usual form. On the exhaust side, an exhaust channel 8 leads to an exhaust grille 9 provided on the housing cover side.

On the intake side, an intake duct 10 is connected to the motor/fan unit 6 and opens into a dirt collection space 11 formed in the housing 2 . In the latter, a filter bag 12 shown schematically in the illustrations is suspended, which filter bag 12 has an air-permeable wall.

A suction connector 13, which expands outwards via the housing 2 and is in turn connected in a flow-tight manner to a suction hose 14 leading to an attachment nozzle (not shown) or the like, opens into the filter bag 12 on the top side.

In vacuum cleaner operation, the motor/fan unit 6 sucks, for example via an attachment nozzle, further via the suction hose 14 and the suction connection piece 13 through the filter bag 12, with dirt and dust particles being filtered out within the filter bag 12. The air sucked in via the suction hose 14 flows around the motor/fan unit 6 blown out freely through the outlet grille 9.

The household vacuum cleaner 1 can also be used as a base station 15 for an automatically movable suction and/or sweeping device 16, in particular for supplying energy, more preferably also for emptying the dust of the suction and/or sweeping device 16.

For this purpose, the household vacuum cleaner 1 has a further flow path, further a suction line 17, which at one end opens freely to the outside in the housing floor 5 and at the other end is assigned to the entry side of the filter bag 12 at the top of the dirt collection chamber 11 .

In addition, the vacuum cleaner 1 has control/regulation electronics 18 . On the one hand, this controls a light source 19 arranged in the housing base for free emission to the outside. This is preferably an LED. Furthermore, two electrical contacts 20 provided on the housing bottom side are connected to the electronic control/regulation system 18 . Electrical contacts 20 and light source 19 are positioned in the immediate vicinity of the outlet of the suction line 17, further corresponding to the arrangement described above, the mouth of the suction line 17, the light source 19 and the electrical contacts 20 in accordance with the vacuum cleaner function 2 point downwards towards the floor 4.

In order to use the vacuum cleaner 1 as a base station 15, its position in space is changed, in particular placed on the rear surface 21 directed in the opposite direction in the usual travel direction r of the household vacuum cleaner 1. After this, the housing base 5 extends essentially in a vertical plane, as a result of which the opening of the suction line 17 and the light source 19 as well as the electrical contacts 20 are arranged essentially in a horizontal direction.

In the region of the rear surface 21, a slide 22 is provided which is spring-loaded outwards in a preferred embodiment. This protrudes beyond the outer surface of the rear surface 21 in such a way that when the vacuum cleaner 1 is parked on the rear surface 21, a sliding displacement of the slide 22 against the spring force acting on it due to the weight of the vacuum cleaner 1 is triggered. The setting up of the household vacuum cleaner 1 in the substantially vertically oriented base station function is correspondingly detected by the slide 22 . Alternatively, an electronic inclination sensor can also be provided in the household vacuum cleaner 1 .

Depending on the position of the slider 22 or the measurement result of an inclination sensor that may be provided, either the area where the suction connection piece 13 opens into the filter bag 12 or the area where the suction line 17 opens into the filter bag 12 is released, while the other connection area is blocked. For this purpose, closure flaps 23 , 24 are provided on the opening side of the suction connection piece 13 or the suction line 17 that can be pivoted inwards into the filter bag 12 . The actuation of the same is shown only schematically in the figures, preferably via a mechanical sliding/rotating mechanism, further e.g. 24 acting actuators, e.g. magnetically controllable actuators.

Is in accordance with the usual vacuum cleaner position 2 If the closure flap 24 of the suction line 17 is closed as a result of the outwardly displaced position of the slide 22 and the closure flap 23 of the suction connection piece 13 is opened accordingly, then these positions are reversed when the vacuum cleaner 1 is in operation as a base station 15 as a result of the slide displacement, so that thereafter according to the to a floor treatment nozzle or the like via the suction hose 14 is blocked in terms of flow by the closure flap 23, while when the motor/fan unit 6 is started up, suction air is sucked in as a result of the open closure flap 24 via the suction line 17, which opens freely to the outside through the housing base 5 , which suction air is sucked through the filter bag 12 for filtering out dirt and dust particles in accordance with a conventional vacuum cleaner operation.

The suction and/or sweeping device 16, which has a circular outline in the illustrations, can be moved freely on the floor 4 by means of electrically driven traversing wheels 25, with the device 16 being moved accordingly in the manner of a robot. The traversing wheels 25 pass through a base 26 of a device housing 27.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, the device 16 is designed as a suction device, for which purpose a suction line 29 is provided which opens out into the base 26 in the form of a suction mouth 28 . This suction line 29 leads to a dust collection space 30 of the device 16. The necessary suction air flow is provided by a motor/fan unit 31 provided in the device 16, which in the direction of flow is located behind the dust collection space 30 is arranged. The suction air, freed from dust and dirt, is freely blown out through an outlet grille 32 .

The electric power supply for the motor/fan unit 31 and the electric drive for the travel wheels 25, as well as an electronic control/regulation system 33 provided in the device 16, is provided via a rechargeable battery 34 provided in the device 16.

The control/regulation electronics 33 preferably have a microcontroller and a non-volatile memory for controlling and regulating the device 16, in particular with regard to its travel and behavior strategy. In addition, the battery charge state is preferably also monitored via the electronic control/regulation system 33 .

The device 16 is provided with a drain line 35 so that the dust collection chamber 30 on the device side does not have to be emptied by hand by the user. This opens at one end into the dust collection chamber 30 and extends below the housing cover of the device 16 essentially in a horizontal extension up to the circumferential housing wall 36, freely passing through this in the form of a conically tapering connection piece 37 towards the free end.

As further from the representations in the 5 and 6 as can be seen, in one embodiment the section of the discharge line 35 forming the connecting piece 37 can be shifted in a sliding manner in the axial direction of the connecting piece 37, which sliding displacement can be achieved against the force of a spring (not shown). The spring presses the connecting piece 37 in the direction of the position that protrudes beyond the housing wall 36 . Depending on the sliding position of the connecting piece 37, a closure cap 38 arranged pivotably in the area of the openings of the suction line 29 and the emptying line 35 into the dust collection chamber 30 is actuated, further - as in the previously described household vacuum cleaner 1 - as a result of a mechanically acting sliding/rotating mechanism or an electrically activatable actuator. Thus, in the fully outwardly shifted position of the connecting piece 37, the closure cap 38 is held in a position in which it closes the discharge line 35 in its mouth area toward the dust collection chamber 30 and at the same time releases the mouth area of the suction line 29. As a result of a sliding displacement of the connecting piece 37 inwards in the direction of the interior of the housing, the closure cap 38 is pivoted in such a way that the suction line 29 leading to the suction opening 28 on the bottom is blocked and the emptying line 35 freely opens into the dust collection chamber 30 .

The emptying line 35, in particular the free outwardly protruding connecting piece 37 is arranged in terms of height so that its longitudinal axis in the base station functional position of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to 3 lies in a horizontal plane containing the longitudinal axis of the suction line 17 on the vacuum cleaner side.

Also vertically to the floor 4 at the same distance from the electrical contacts 20 on the vacuum cleaner (with reference to the base station position) are provided below the area where the connection piece is pushed through in the housing wall 36 lie free.

Provided above the connecting piece 37 is an outwardly exposed light receiver 40 recessed into the housing wall 36, which preferably extends in the same horizontal plane as the light source 19 of the vacuum cleaner 1 in the base station position.

The mouth of the suction line 17 on the vacuum cleaner side and the electrical contacts 20 form a docking point 41 on the vacuum cleaner side or base station side, for the energy supply and preferred emptying of dust from the suction and/or sweeping device 16.

To empty the dust collection chamber 30 and/or to charge the accumulator 34, the suction and/or sweeping device 16 moves automatically to the vacuum cleaner 1 serving as the base station 15, with the device being precisely guided to it via the optical signal path between the light source 19 on the vacuum cleaner and the light receiver 40 on the device 16 to the docking point 41, for example, is achieved in the form of a light guide beam.

The coupling of the device 16 to the base station 15 is based on several effect levels. So initially on a mechanical coupling, in that the connecting piece 37 of the device 16 engages in the freely outwardly opening suction line 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 . This coupling point is advantageously sealed with a sealing element.

In an embodiment of the device 16 according to the 5 and 6 is in the course of the mechanical coupling of the suction line 17 supporting connection piece 37 of the device 16 shifted backwards towards the interior of the housing of the device 16, under accordingly the pivoting displacement of the device-side closure cap 38 into the position that shuts off the suction line 29 (cf. 6 ).

Another effect level is the electrical or energetic coupling, in which energy is transmitted from the vacuum cleaner 1 or from the base station 15 to the device 16 via the electrical contacts 20 on the vacuum cleaner and the electrical mating contacts 39 on the device, for further storage in the rechargeable battery 34 on the device A state of charge check is preferably carried out via the device-side control/regulation electronics 33, alternatively via the electronics 18 of the base station 15.

At the same time, there is also an information technology coupling for the exchange of information between the base station 15 and the device 16, further, for example, for the device 16 to notify the base station 15 as to whether the dust collection chamber 30 has to be vacuumed out as a result of a previously carried out level measurement and/or whether the accumulator 34 needs to be charged. The above-described light source 19 and the light receiver 40 are used for this purpose, with the base station 15 and the device 16 also preferably each having at least one light source 19 and a light receiver 40 in order to enable bidirectional communication between the coupling partners.

In addition, an information technology coupling is achieved via the electrical contacts 20 and electrical counter-contacts 39, alternatively via the optical path described above. This enables the device 16 to inform the vacuum cleaner 1 or the base station 15 via a high-frequency current signal, which is modulated by the actual charging current and can be separated from it by electrical filters, that it is emptying the dust collection chamber 30 of the device 16 should and/or should charge the accumulator 34. A so-called handshake can also be carried out via this information technology coupling, in order, for example, to avoid electric shocks, only allowing the application of high voltage to the electrical contacts 20 on the vacuum cleaner when a corresponding signal is sent to the vacuum cleaner 1 via the sweeping device 16 . The communication in this regard is preferably secured with low currents of a few mA, for example 20 to 100 mA.

In 7 an alternative embodiment is shown, in particular with regard to the data communication between the suction and/or sweeping device 16 and the household vacuum cleaner 1 or base station 15.

The device 16 has a distance measuring system 42 rotating about a vertical axis x. Such a distance measuring system 42 is from DE 10 2008 014 912 A1 known. The content of this patent application is hereby included in its entirety in the disclosure of the present invention, also for the purpose of including features of this patent application in claims of the present invention.

At least in the area of the housing bottom 5 horizontally covered by the distance measuring system 42 , the vacuum cleaner 1 has a surface area 43 like a sensor surface, which is particularly accessible for the rotating distance measuring system 42 . This accessibility preferably lies in a special characteristic of the shape, in particular the surface structure, further, for example, through structures that are repeated in the scanning direction of the distance measuring system 42 rotating about the vertical axis x. A corresponding method and a corresponding device is from the German patent application with the reference number DE 10 2009 003 748 known. Their content is hereby also included in its entirety in the disclosure of the present invention, also for the purpose of including features of this utility model application in claims of the present invention. Alternatively, the accessibility consists of a surface that is particularly easy to detect and that stands out compared to the rest of the vacuum cleaner 1, in particular compared to the rest of the housing base 5 and also the rest of the environment.

This accessibility can also consist of an active sensor system that triggers a signal via an information technology coupling between the device 16 and the vacuum cleaner 1 each time it is swept by the measuring beam of the distance measuring system 42 . In this case, this information technology coupling can be provided particularly favorably by an optical transmission link or a radio link. The device 16 detects the angular position of the rotating distance measuring system 42 at which a signal from the vacuum cleaner 1 is detected, whereupon the device 16 can thus detect the relative direction to the vacuum cleaner 1, similar to a direction finder buoy.

Reference List

1

household vacuum cleaner

2

Housing

3

roller

4

floor

5

caseback

6

motor/blower unit

7

connecting cable

8th

exhaust channel

9

exhaust grille

10

intake duct

11

dirt collection space

12

filter bag

13

suction connection piece

14

suction hose

15

base station

16

Suction and/or sweeping device

17

suction line

18

control electronics

19

light source

20

electrical contacts

21

back surface

22

slider

23

closure flap

24

closure flap

25

misconduct

26

floor

27

device housing

28

suction mouth

29

suction line

30

dust collection room

31

motor/blower unit

32

exhaust grille

33

control electronics

34

accumulator

35

drain line

36

housing wall

37

connecting piece

38

closure flap

39

Electro counter contact

40

light receiver

41

docking station

42

distance measuring system

43

surface area

right

travel direction

x

vertical axis

Claims (5)

Household vacuum cleaner (1) that can be used as a base station (15) for an automatically movable suction and/or sweeping device (16), the base station (15) - being designed for movement, - being provided with a location-independent energy supply, - having its own motor/ blower unit (6), - has a dirt collection space (11), - is provided with a connection point for a suction hose (14) and/or an attachment - and one, in a predetermined position of the base station (15), for the suction - and/or sweeping device (16) in the course of an automatic process accessible docking point (41), for supplying energy and preferably emptying the dust of the suction and/or sweeping device (16), characterized in that the base station (15) as a result of a change in its position switches in space relative to a vertical between a base station functionality and a vacuum cleaner functionality. household vacuum cleaner claim 1 , characterized in that the base station (15), when a suction device is formed for the suction and/or sweeping device (16), has a separate suction line (17) leading to the suction device in addition to a suction mouth or an attachment of the base station (15). . Household vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base station (15) can be switched between the base station functionality and the vacuum cleaner functionality by the suction and/or sweeping device (16). Household vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base station (15) for guiding the suction and/or sweeping device (16) emits an optical and/or acoustic signal and/or a signal generated by the suction and/or sweeping device (16) emitted optical and / or acoustic signal reflected. Household vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base station (15) has means for data communication between the base station (15) and the suction and/or sweeping device (16).

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