CN109288446B

CN109288446B - Floor cleaning device and method for operating a floor cleaning device

Info

Publication number: CN109288446B
Application number: CN201810827222.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: G.哈克特; L.希伦; G.伊森伯格; H.凯茨; R.欧特曼; A.施密特; S.佩特佐尔德; C.豪斯伯格
Original assignee: Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
Current assignee: Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
Priority date: 2017-07-25
Filing date: 2018-07-25
Publication date: 2022-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2038-07-25
Also published as: EP3449792B1; CN109288446A; DE102017116747A1; EP3449792A1; TW201907846A; JP2019025322A; ES2799182T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor cleaning appliance (1), in particular in the form of a manually guided vacuum cleaner, wherein the floor cleaning appliance (1) has at least one electrically driven cleaning motor (2) which can be operated in different operating modes, one or more operating elements (9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3) for manual input of operating preset values (10) by a user, and an electronic control device (6), wherein at least one logical association of at least one operating preset value with one of the operating modes is stored in the electronic control device (6), wherein the at least one logical association is modified by a common data display and input device (13), wherein the data display and input device (13) is connected to the floor cleaning appliance (1) via a data transmission path (12). The cleaning intensity, the cleaning quality or the power of the motor used can be individually preselected, wherein configuration data (8.0 to 8.3) are stored in a configuration memory (8) for this purpose.

Description

Floor cleaning device and method for operating a floor cleaning device

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for operating a floor cleaning appliance, for example a handheld vacuum cleaner, having at least one electrically driven cleaning motor which can be operated in different operating modes, one or more operating elements for manually inputting operating presets by a user, and an electronic control device, in which at least one logical association of at least one operating preset with one of the operating modes is stored.

The invention further relates to a floor cleaning device for carrying out the method.

Background

Floor cleaning appliances are known, for example, from the documents DE 102016118248 a1, DE 102012109627 a 1. The handheld vacuum cleaner described here has a suction fan driven by a suction fan motor and an accessory device which likewise has a motor. The negative pressure in the suction line can be detected by a pressure sensor.

Document DE 102015100977 a1 describes a cleaning robot with an optical measuring device for determining the type of floor.

A method is known from DE 102014110083 a1, in which manual parameters can be detected in a motor-driven device.

Document DE 102016101040 describes a device by means of which the suction cross section of the suction channel on the suction cleaning device can be adjusted.

The suction cleaning appliance and in particular the handheld vacuum cleaner have an operating area with operating elements, which are formed, for example, by switches. The user can input the operational preset value by means of the switch. The user can thus operate the device, for example, by actuating a switch, for example, with a suction fan of maximum power. The operating mode is modified by actuating further operating elements, for example to allow the fan to be operated at reduced power or to not exceed a certain low pressure of the suction power. Furthermore, the operating parameters of the floor cleaning appliance can be adapted to the specific floor type by actuating the operating element.

The association of the operational preset values with the determined floor type is fixedly integrated in the electronic control unit and cannot be modified by the user.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a means by which different operating modes of a floor cleaning appliance can be adapted to the individual requirements of the user.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a method for operating a floor cleaning appliance and a floor cleaning appliance for carrying out the method.

According to the invention, the logical association of the operating preset values and the operating modes, which are stored in the electronic control unit, can be changed by the user. For this purpose, a universal data display and input device is used, which can be connected to the floor cleaning appliance via a data transmission path. The operating mode can also be modified by means of a common data display and input device, for example, a further operating mode associated with the operating element can be added to a list of predefined different operating modes. One or more operating elements can be provided, which can each be associated with an operating mode, so that when the operating element is actuated, the operating mode associated therewith or in a corresponding relationship is assumed. The assignment or correspondence can be changed from the outside. The data transmission path may be a transmission line designed to be connected by wire, and may be implemented by a USB cable, for example. Preferably, however, the floor scrubbing apparatus or its control device communicates wirelessly with the data display and input device. This may be achieved through a WLAN connection, e.g. WPS. For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous if the floor cleaning appliance is integrated in a local area network, in particular a WLAN network. However, the data exchange between the data display and the input device can also be effected via another wireless protocol, for example via bluetooth. It is also conceivable to carry out the data exchange via a mobile radio network. The floor cleaning appliance can have, for example, an assignment memory in which different configurations are stored, wherein each configuration corresponds to an association. The association is selected by a graphical display in a data display and input device, wherein for this purpose data from an external computing device (cloud) can also be used, by means of which data suggestions are made to the user, for example to which operating mode the particular floor type is suitable for cleaning. It is particularly advantageous if the floor cleaning appliance has a floor detection sensor, for example an ultrasonic sensor, by means of which the quality of the floor to be cleaned is detected. The floor to be cleaned may be graded in floor type, for example, hard floor or carpet category. The floor sensor can be arranged in the accessory device for this purpose. However, this specification provides that the user manually presets the floor type. The data processing program interacts with or is operated by the data display and input device, by means of which the user can use the list of different floor types. The user can select from this list the floor type, which is taken into account for the cleaning task that the user has personalized. The user can then assign a suitable operating mode from the cleaning parameter list for each conceivable floor type. The different operating elements can be logically associated with different floor types, so that manipulation of a certain operating element results in the floor cleaning appliance itself being adjusted to the most suitable parameters for cleaning that floor type. It is also possible to provide an operating mode different from the preset value. The operating modes include, inter alia, cleaning intensity, cleaning quality, and the push-pull force with which the floor cleaning appliance must slide on the floor. The minimum or maximum push-pull force is referred to herein. The operating mode also includes the rotational speed and in particular the minimum or maximum rotational speed of the one or more electrical machines. Furthermore, the operating mode can be the cross-sectional area of the suction channel, the suction power or a minimum underpressure in the suction channel. The accessory device may have mechanical elements, such as sealing lips, the position of which may be used as an operation mode. If the floor scrubbing apparatus is a battery operated apparatus, the additional mode of operation may be a minimum battery operating time or a maximum volume. Configuration data is generated by means of a data display and input device, said configuration data being stored in a memory of the floor cleaning appliance. The resulting correlation or the operating parameters for the electric motor obtained thereby can be transmitted to an accessory device, for example a brushing device. However, it is also provided that the accessory device has its own configuration memory, in which the configuration is stored. Furthermore, the floor cleaning appliance can be operated in an automatic mode, in which the floor recognition sensor can detect the floor type, for example by detecting a negative pressure or a sliding force in the suction channel. The operating parameters can then be adjusted on the basis of the ground type value thus detected. If the data display and input device is designed in such a way that the user is provided with a recommendation for selecting the operating mode, provision can also be made for the advantages and disadvantages of the floor mode, such as for example the cleaning quality, the volume, the operability and/or the battery operating time of the battery device, to be displayed to the user. In order to set the operating mode and in particular the suction parameters, in particular the current floor can be identified and grouped into floor groups. If the sensor is assigned to an accessory device, this information is transmitted to the control device of the floor cleaning appliance. The user can make suggested, but freely selectable, settings for the floor type. The user can also choose whether to treat other floors belonging to the same floor group in this way during semi-automatic operation. Alternatively, it may be a comprehensive routine that derives parameters detected from the surface to another surface. This can be achieved by measuring the sliding force.

The floor cleaning appliance is improved by the measures described above in such a way that the operating modes of a specific user can be used by actuating the different operating elements, wherein one of the operating modes can also be an automatic mode. The change of the logical link between the operating preset values and the operating modes required for this purpose is effected by means of a common data display and input device, wherein the assignment data is changed in a configuration memory of the electronic control unit.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a handheld guided vacuum cleaner 1, with an accessory device 3 and an operating field 9 and a wireless communication path 12 with a data display and input device 13 designed as a smartphone,

fig. 2 shows a block diagram.

Detailed Description

The floor cleaning appliance 1 according to the invention has a suction fan 2 which has an electric motor. Furthermore, a program-controlled electronic control device 6, which may be formed by a microcontroller or the like together with external equipment, is located inside the housing of the floor cleaning appliance 1. An operating field 9 with operating elements 9.0, 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 is located outside the housing, wherein these operating elements each relate to a switch or a pushbutton. The suction nozzle of the floor cleaning appliance 1 is inserted into an accessory device 3, which may have, for example, a brush roller driven by an electric motor.

The control commands are indicated by reference numeral 5, and the electronic control device 6 can output control commands to the electric motor of the suction fan 2 or of the accessory device 3, for example for presetting the rotational speed of the electric motor, the output power of the electric motor or other operating parameters.

A sensor 4 is provided, by means of which, for example, the floor characteristics of the floor to be cleaned can be detected. The sensor data 7 of the sensor 4 are transmitted to the electronic control device 6. The sensor 4 can be assigned to the suction device 2 or to the accessory device 3. If the sensor 4 is associated with the accessory device 3, a line connection can be provided between the accessory device 3 and the control device 6, via which the sensor data are transmitted.

The operating elements 9.0, 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 are connected to the electronic control unit 6 via data lines. An operating preset value can be input through the data line. This is achieved by actuating one or more actuating elements 9.0, 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3.

Configuration data 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 are held in the configuration memory 8, wherein this relates to a logical link between an operating mode for operating the suction fan 2 or the accessory device 3 and an operating preset value 10, which operating preset value 10 is individualized by the actuation of one of the operating elements 9.0 to 9.3. The actuation of one of the actuating elements 9.0 to 9.3 effects a specific predetermined operating value 10. The association between the specific predetermined operating value 10 and the determined operating mode is stored between the configuration data 8.0 to 8.3. During the actuation of one of the operating elements 9.0 to 9.3, the operating mode associated with the operating element and assigned configuration data 8.0 to 8.3 is transmitted to the suction fan 2 or the accessory device 3. The suction fan 2 or the accessory device 3 is then operated, for example, in a limited power range.

The configurations 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 saved in the configuration memory 8 can be modified in the data display and input device 13. For this purpose, the electronic control device 6 communicates with a communication interface 16 of a data display and input device 13 via a communication interface 11 and a data transmission path 12. This may involve a WLAN connection, a connection via a mobile radio network, or a personalized, for example wired, data transmission.

The screen of the data display and input device 13 shows the user a list 14 of floor types in which typical floors to be cleaned are displayed, such as hard floors, maps, wooden floors, etc. Typical and/or desired operating parameters for controlling the suction parameters or other directions of the suction fan or accessory device are provided in the suction parameter list 15, which the user can employ, but also or modify.

The user can determine which floor the user is to clean at what intensity by selecting the mode for a particular user. Alternatively, the preset levels/positions of the actuating elements 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 can be adapted and modified. Each operating element thus forms a personalized function key.

The reprogramming of the functions of the function keys is preferably effected by means of an application on the mobile terminal device. On the screen of the data display and input device 13 it can be shown which accessory device is currently being used. The operating parameter menu of the accessory device is controllably modified by input on the data display and input device 13. Parameters are determined, for example, for the cleaning intensity or the sliding force of the floor cleaning appliance 1 itself or the communication of the floor cleaning appliance 1 with the accessory device 3. These parameters may also be determined for different accessory devices. The suction power can furthermore be preset, for example, by adjusting the sealing lip or by limiting the motor power. The suction power can be achieved by changing the operating parameters of the suction fan 2 of the accessory device 3 and the main device.

In addition, the user can also be shown the desired effect of his pre-selected settings, such as cleaning quality, volume, operability or battery run time, on the data display and input device 13.

The setting of the individualized operating mode is preferably carried out using a ground detection sensor 4, which is, for example, an ultrasonic sensor and identifies different ground types. The sensors can be associated with the accessory device, so that the information of the accessory device is transmitted via the main device to the data display and input device 13. The user can then make the desired settings for each floor type and in particular for the current floor type. Additional floor types can be selected via the catalog 14 and assigned to the individual settings. The floor-type list 14 indicates all the floor types available to the user and, via the suction-parameter list 15, can provide recommendations with respect to the cleaning modalities with which the respective floor type can be cleaned ideally. The user may accept the preset value or make a modification.

Alternatively, it may be a comprehensive routine that derives parameters detected from one surface to another surface, for example by measuring the slip force in one surface type, which is then derived to another, similar surface type.

The desired configuration is then transmitted via the data communication path 12 to the electronic control unit 6, where it is stored in the configuration memory 8.

In particular, two alternatives are provided for operating the floor cleaning appliance 1. In a first alternative, the floor cleaning appliance controls its suction fan 2 or the accessory device 3 according to a personalized stored configuration. In a second alternative, the accessory device 3 has its own control means 6, in which the configuration can be stored.

Reference numeral 9.0 may denote a main operation element for power on and off. The main operating element can also be referred to as an operating element, by means of which a factory setting can be set. Alternatively, however, the reference numeral 9.0 may also denote a specific operating element, which is not manipulated using a personalized configuration, but rather a factory-set configuration. The factory equipment may for example be saved in the main configuration 8.

It is also possible to use data provided by an external computer when configured by means of the data display and input device 13. Experience values, which are provided by the users of the user group, can be used.

List of reference numerals

1 floor cleaning device

2 suction device

3 Accessory device

4 ground identification sensor

5 control instruction

6 control device

7 sensor data

8 configuration memory

8.0 Main configuration

8.1 configuration data

8.2 configuration data

8.3 configuration data

9 operating area

9.0 Main operating element

9.1 operating element

9.2 operating element

9.3 operating element

10 run preset value

11 communication interface

12 data transmission path

13 data display and input device

14 ground type catalog

15 pumping parameter list

Claims

1. A method for operating a floor cleaning appliance (1), wherein the floor cleaning appliance (1) has at least one electrically driven cleaning motor (2) which can be operated in different operating modes, one or more operating elements (9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3) which are arranged outside a housing of the floor cleaning appliance (1) and are used for manually inputting operating preset values (10) by a user, and an electronic control device (6), wherein at least one logical association of at least one operating preset value and an operating mode associated with a specific operating element (9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3) is stored in the electronic control device (6), wherein the at least one logical association is modified by a common data display and input device (13), wherein the data display and input device (13) is connected to the floor cleaning appliance (1) via a data transmission path (12), characterized in that the operating modes comprise at least: cleaning quality, sliding force for moving the floor cleaning device (1) over a cleaning surface, suction channel cross section,

a plurality of operating elements (9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3) are associated with each of the defined operating modes, such that when a respective operating element (9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3) is actuated, the associated operating mode is assumed, and the assignment between the respective operating element (9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3) and the associated operating mode can be changed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the floor cleaning appliance is a handheld guided vacuum cleaner.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the data transmission path (12) is a wireless data transmission path or the data transmission path (12) is a wired connection.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the wireless data transmission path is a WLAN connection or a mobile radio connection.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the wired connection is a USB connection.

6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the floor scrubbing apparatus (1) has access to a local area network or a wireless mobile network via the internet.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the floor scrubbing apparatus (1) has access to a wireless network.

8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the data display and input device (13) is a mobile terminal device.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the data display and input device (13) is a mobile phone.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the data display and input device (13) is a smartphone.

11. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning motor (2) drives a suction fan.

12. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the floor cleaning appliance (1) has a floor sensor (4), by means of which floor sensor (4) characteristics of the floor to be cleaned can be detected.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the ground sensor (4) is assigned to an accessory device (3).

14. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the ground characteristics detected by the ground sensor (4) are transmitted to the data display and input device (13).

15. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the data display and input device (13) displays a list (14) of different floor types to the user, wherein the user can select a floor-type-specific suction parameter from the suction parameter list (15).

16. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the user, by means of the main operating element (9.0), can restore a specific configuration of the configuration memory (8), in which a modifiable association is stored, to a factory setting.

17. A floor cleaning appliance (1) for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the floor cleaning appliance (1) has at least one electrically driven cleaning motor (2) which can be operated in different operating modes, one or more operating elements (9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3) which are arranged outside the housing of the floor cleaning appliance (1) and are used for manually inputting operating preset values (10) by a user, and an electronic control device (6), wherein at least one logical association of at least one operating preset value and an operating mode associated with a specific operating element (9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3) is stored in the electronic control device (6), wherein the at least one logical association is modified by a common data display and input device (13), which data display and input device (13) is connected to the floor cleaning appliance (1) via a data transmission path (12), characterized in that the operating modes comprise at least: cleaning quality, sliding force for moving the floor cleaning device (1) over the cleaning surface, suction channel cross section.