CN110772171A

CN110772171A - Interface for a surface treatment device having a base device and an add-on device

Info

Publication number: CN110772171A
Application number: CN201910679343.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: H-P.阿诺德; I.埃林; B.锡兰; T.厄尔纳
Original assignee: Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
Current assignee: Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
Priority date: 2018-07-26
Filing date: 2019-07-25
Publication date: 2020-02-11
Also published as: JP2020014847A; ES2895183T3; EP3607865B1; DE102018118086A1; EP3607865A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection (1) for a ground treatment device (2), the ground treatment device (2) having a base device (3) and an additional device (4) that can be connected to the base device, wherein the connection (1) has a connection outer part (5) and a connection inner part (6) that is configured to be form-fitted to the connection outer part, wherein the connection inner part (6) has a suction channel (7) and a contact carrier (8) that is arranged outside the suction channel and has a plurality of electrical contacts, and wherein the connection outer part (5) has adapted electrical contacts. In order to allow only a certain combination of the base device (3) and the additional device (4), it is proposed that the interface outer part (5) and the interface inner part (6) each have at least two pairs of shape-coding elements, wherein the first pair of shape-coding elements (16) and the second pair of shape-coding elements (18) of the interface outer part (5) are each configured to be adapted to the position and shape of the first pair of shape-coding elements (17) and the second pair of shape-coding elements (19) of the interface inner part (6).

Description

Interface for a surface treatment device having a base device and an add-on device

Technical Field

The invention relates to a connection for a ground treatment device having a base device and an additional device that can be connected to the base device, wherein the connection has a connection outer part and a connection inner part that is configured to be form-fitting to the connection outer part, wherein the connection inner part has a suction channel and a contact carrier that is arranged outside the suction channel and has a plurality of electrical contacts, and wherein the connection outer part has a plurality of mating electrical contacts.

The invention further relates to a ground treatment device having a base device, an add-on device that can be connected to the base device, and an interface for connecting the add-on device to the base device.

The invention further relates to a base unit of a ground treatment system, having an interface inner part, which is designed to be connected to an interface outer part of an add-on system, which is to be connected to the base unit, and to an add-on system for a ground treatment system, wherein the add-on system has an interface outer part, which is designed to be connected to an interface inner part of a base unit, which is to be connected to the add-on system.

Background

Floor treatment installations having a base installation and an additional installation which can be connected to the base installation are known from the prior art. Such a floor treatment device can be, for example, a cleaning device, in particular a vacuum cleaner, the base device of which has a power supply, a motor/fan unit and a dust collecting chamber. The motor-fan unit serves to suck dust and dirt into the dust collecting chamber. One or more additional devices may be connected to the base device.

The attachment device may have, for example, a rotating bristle set, a mop, a polishing device, etc.

The interface of the surface treatment apparatus provides suction channel connections, mechanical connections and electrical connections between the additional apparatus and the base apparatus. The interface has an interface outer part and an interface inner part that can be plugged into each other in order to connect the add-on device to the base device.

Patent document EP 0666051B 1, for example, discloses a suction line connector for a vacuum cleaner, having a suction line section as a connector insert, a mating piece as an attachment device for a connector receptacle, and a plurality of electrical contacts, which are arranged outside the cross section of the suction line section and the mating piece. The plug insert and the plug receptacle of the suction line plug have cross sections which are adapted to one another, so that the plug parts which are adapted to one another can be connected to one another, wherein the relative orientation of the two plug parts is achieved by means of a flattening device which is assigned to the electrical contact.

Disclosure of Invention

Starting from the above-mentioned prior art it would be desirable to avoid certain combinations of basic devices and additional devices, for example in order to prevent the connection of low-voltage devices to high-voltage devices.

The object of the invention is therefore to improve a surface treatment device having a base device and an add-on device or to improve the base device, the add-on device and the interface accordingly.

In order to solve this problem, a connection of the aforementioned type is first proposed, in which the connection outer part and the connection inner part each additionally have at least two pairs of shape-coding elements, wherein a first pair of shape-coding elements of the connection outer part is configured to be adapted in position and shape to a first pair of shape-coding elements of the connection inner part, and wherein a second pair of shape-coding elements of the connection outer part is configured to be adapted in position and shape to a second pair of shape-coding elements of the connection inner part, wherein each pair of shape-coding elements has two shape-coding elements which are identical in shape and are configured separately from one another.

According to the invention, the interface is designed with shape coding means in order to achieve or avoid a targeted plug compatibility of the interface outer part with the interface inner part. A certain basic device-additional device combination can thereby be realized or prevented. The producer can specifically encode valid combinations or invalid combinations via the interface. In particular, different coding devices can also be provided for different generations of equipment. In this case, as already mentioned, the coding device can, for example, prevent the low-pressure system from being mixed with the high-pressure system. Therefore, the determined base device and the additional device, whose operating points do not match each other, cannot be combined. Combinations of devices that do not match each other may otherwise cause one of the devices to malfunction and/or be damaged and thus be eliminated. In particular, the compatibility or incompatibility of the interface parts is prevented in that two pairs of shape-coding elements are provided on each interface part, which pairs of shape-coding elements comprise, for example, defined elevations and recesses in the respective interface part as shape-coding elements, which defined elevations and recesses only fit into correspondingly shaped recesses or elevations of the other interface part. The compatibility of the mouthpiece parts therefore requires not only that the shape of the end section of the aspiration channel and the shape of the contact holder are adapted to each other, but also that the pair of shape-coding elements of both the outer mouthpiece part and the inner mouthpiece part of the mouthpiece are compatible. The shape-coding element pairs each have at least two shape-coding elements, which are preferably of identical design with respect to their shape. Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the shape-coding elements are also arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry of the mouthpiece, for example a longitudinal axis of the suction channel. The shape-coding element pair preferably assumes the shape-coding function of the mouthpiece and not another function, such as the suction channel connection or the electrical connection of the mouthpiece. These further functions are firstly taken over by the suction channel or the suction channel end section and the contact carrier.

It is furthermore proposed that the first shape coding element pair differs from the second shape coding element pair with regard to its shape and position on the interface. The interface has two different pairs of shape-coding elements which differ from each other with respect to shape and position on the interface, whereby different combinations of a main device with a plurality of additional devices may be allowed or excluded. The respective base device and the additional device can be connected to each other if at least one of the pairs of shape coding elements of the base device matches the pair of shape coding elements of the additional device and the respective second pair of shape coding elements does not obstruct the connection. This is particularly advantageous for creating compatibility or incompatibility between different generations of equipment. This will be explained in more detail later in connection with the description of the figures.

It is also proposed that the interfaceThe suction channel end section of the suction channel of the inner part is inserted into the mouthpiece outer part with the mouthpiece connected, wherein the axial overlap of the mouthpiece inner part and the mouthpiece outer part is at least 20mm, preferably at least 25 mm. The interface inner part is inserted into the interface outer part with a defined axial overlap, wherein the suction channel end section of the suction channel of the interface inner part serves as a stiffening tube, and the necessary complex interface parts which have to be butted against one another can alternatively be dispensed with. Furthermore, the staggered connection of the interface inner part and the interface outer part enables a rough orientation of the two interface parts relative to each other, whereby the orientation of the electrical contacts on both sides relative to each other is facilitated. In practice, in particular in the suction channel with a diameter ratio D _max/D _minAn axial overlap of at least 20mm of the mouthpiece has proved to be suitable in the case of an oval suction channel end section of approximately 20mm/14 mm.

It is furthermore proposed that the contact holder has more than three electrical contacts. Preferably, the contact holder has three electrical contacts for supplying power to the additional device via the base device and at least one additional electrical contact for signal transmission between the base device and the additional device. The contact carrier and its electrical contacts are separated from the suction path of the suction channel. This results in a high electrical coupling safety on the one hand and an optimum flow guidance in the suction channel on the other hand. In addition to the three electrical contacts for supplying power to the add-on device, the interface or contact carrier has at least one further electrical contact. The further electrical contacts can be designed as backup contacts for the scalable electrical contacting of the interface and/or can preferably enable signal transmission between the base device and the additional device. The electrical contacts may be arranged one after the other in the circumferential direction of the interface inner part. The contact carrier can thereby be designed with a shape of an annular section which at least partially surrounds the suction channel. The interface thus largely approximates a circle as a whole, thereby preserving an ergonomic tactile feel for a user of the floor treatment appliance. The electrical contacts may be arranged as inserts on the interface inner part and as receptacles on the interface outer part or, conversely, as inserts on the interface outer part and as receptacles on the interface inner part.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the electrical contacts be arranged movably on the interface inner part and/or on the interface outer part, wherein the play of the electrical contact pair formed by the corresponding electrical contacts of the interface inner part and the interface outer part is in particular at least 1 mm. According to this embodiment, the electrical contacts are preferably suspended in a floating manner on the contact holder or the interface inner part or the interface outer part. In this way, contact damage, which may occur due to vibrations of the interface with a continuous play of, for example, approximately 1mm, can be avoided in comparison with a rigid suspension of the electrical contacts. The proposed floating, i.e. movable suspension, of the electrical contacts allows the movement of the interface away from the contact points of the electrical contacts.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the contact carrier is arranged axially retracted relative to the suction channel end section of the suction channel. According to this embodiment, the electrical contacts of the mouthpiece inner part or of the mouthpiece outer part are remote from the suction channel end section of the suction channel, so that in the joining of the mouthpiece the contours in the region of the suction channel end section engage with one another first and in this case the electrical contacts are not yet subjected to the forces relevant for the connection.

In order to be able to use the suction channel end section of the mouthpiece inner part alone, i.e. without the mouthpiece outer part being connected, as a suction nozzle, it is proposed that the end face of the suction channel end section has an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the suction channel end section. In other words, the suction channel end section of the suction channel is cut obliquely and may have an angle of, for example, 30 °. This also makes it possible to optimally clean the corner regions of the environment to be cleaned.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the interface inner part, starting from the end section of the suction channel, has a cross section which increases in steps in the axial direction of the suction channel, wherein in particular individual circumferential tracks of the outer circumferential surface of the interface inner part project radially outward compared to adjacent surface partial regions of the outer circumferential surface, wherein the circumferential tracks of the interface inner part, with the interface closed, bear against adapted radially inward projecting circumferential tracks of the interface outer part, and whereby adjacent surface partial regions are spaced apart from one another. According to the first-mentioned embodiment, the interface section inserted into the receptacle of the fitting increases in a stepped manner from the end section of the suction channel. This results in an advantageous and easily passable pre-centering device for the interface element to be connected, wherein the angular orientation of the interface outer part to the interface inner part only occurs when the first step is crossed. The user perceives a gapless, well-sealed guide until the end position is reached, indicating that the mouthpiece is closed. The contact carrier is preferably assigned to a larger step of the component in the interface. In particular, according to a further proposed embodiment, special circumferential tracks are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the interface inner part, which circumferential tracks define a step fit system. The actual contact between the interface inner part and the interface outer part takes place with the interface closed essentially by means of defined circumferential tracks which form an adjustment ring of the system. The interface is thus provided with a mating contour between the interface parts, in addition to the stepped extension of the interface outer part and the interface inner part.

It can be provided that the suction channel end section of the suction channel of the mouthpiece inner part has a wear-resistant soft material. The interface inner part is therefore preferably equipped with an advantageous direct suction possibility, so that the interface inner part can be guided directly over the surface to be cleaned without damaging the interface inner part or the surface to be cleaned. The suction channel end section of the suction channel is preferably provided with a wear zone consisting of a wear-resistant soft material having a plurality of material properties, such as optimum wear resistance, fade resistance and mechanical strength. For example, the soft, wear-resistant material may be an elastomer material. Preferably, the soft material is removably arranged on the suction channel. Thus, the user can remove the wear-resistant soft material from the suction channel end section at will, for example when he wants to close the interface. But alternatively the interface may be closed even if a soft material is present.

It can be provided that the interface inner part, in particular the contact holder, has an actuating element which can be engaged in a form-fitting opening of the interface outer part, wherein the actuating element has a stop element which can be engaged in a recess of the interface outer part. Furthermore, the edge of the stop element and/or the recess has a contact surface which is inclined in and/or against the engagement direction, so that said edge is smoothly passed over by the stop element. The actuating element provides a latching connection between the interface parts of the interface, wherein the interface inner part and the interface outer part are connected to one another. For example, the actuating element can be designed such that, when the actuating element is subjected to a bending load or is displaced, the latching element is displaced away from the adapted latching element of the interface outer part, so that the latching connection can be released. Preferably, a bending load or, for example, pivoting of the actuating element causes the contact surface of the stop element to be able to pass the edge of the recess. The particularly proposed inclined contact surfaces of the latching element and/or the edge of the recess ensure that the latching can also be realized and/or released when the actuating element is not actuated. This makes it possible in particular to remove the interface outer part from the interface inner part without actuating the actuating element.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the outer circumferential surface of the interface inner part which is directed to the outside has a circumferentially encircling groove in which a form-fitting sealing element is arranged. The form-fitting sealing element ensures the tightness of the interface regardless of the quality of the fit of the interface outer part and the interface inner part. The sealing element is preferably made of an elastic material, so that play between the interface parts can be compensated. The groove provided for the sealing element is preferably aligned with the step of the previously proposed stepped profile of the cross section of the interface inner part, so that the sealing element functions immediately at the start of the interface connection.

In a further embodiment, it can be provided that the outer circumferential surface of the mouthpiece inner part pointing outwards has a circumferentially oriented web for frictional engagement against the inner circumferential surface of the mouthpiece outer part. According to this embodiment, as an alternative or in addition to the use of the actuating element, the interface outer part can be connected in a frictionally engaged manner by means of a foil. The lamellae are preferably substantially transverse to the longitudinal extension of the suction channel. For example, the end section of the suction channel of the mouthpiece inner part can also be surrounded helically by the foil. Therefore, by using the interface outer as the plug region, it is possible to use the interface inner with minimized installation space. The lamellae are preferably made of a stiff elastic material, so that these lamellae can on the one hand provide the required frictional engagement with the inner surface of the interface outer and on the other hand have a certain flexibility so that the interface inner can be moved into the interface outer.

In addition to the above-described interface, the invention also proposes a ground treatment installation having a base installation, an additional installation which can be connected to the base installation, and an interface for connecting the additional installation to the base installation, wherein the interface is designed according to one of the above-described embodiments, and wherein the interface outer part is assigned in particular to the additional installation and the interface inner part is assigned to the base installation. The floor treatment device may be, for example, a vacuum cleaner, a mopping device, a polishing device, an abrading device, a lawn mower, or the like. The surface treatment device is provided with a base device and an additional device or a plurality of additional devices which can be selectively connected to the base device, as long as the corresponding coding means of the interface outer part and the interface inner part can be combined with one another. For example, energy supply devices, electric motors, motor-fan units, fluid reservoirs or the like can be provided in the base unit. The additional equipment is used for treating the surface and may for example have a cleaning brush, a mop cloth, a mop roller, a polishing pad or the like. The floor treatment device may also provide a combined function, such as a mopping suction function. All the features and advantages described in connection with the interface apply correspondingly also to the surface treatment device according to the invention having such an interface.

Finally, the invention also proposes a base unit for a floor treatment system, having an interface inner part which is designed for connection to an interface outer part of an add-on system to be connected to the base unit, wherein the interface inner part is the interface inner part of the aforementioned interface. An attachment for a surface treatment system is also proposed, wherein the attachment has an interface outer part which is designed for connection to an interface inner part of a base system to be connected to the attachment, wherein the interface outer part is the interface outer part of the aforementioned interface. The features and advantages described above in relation to the interface apply correspondingly also to the basic device or the additional device.

Drawings

The present invention is illustrated in detail below with reference to examples. In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a ground treatment installation according to the invention with a base installation and an additional installation;

FIG. 2 shows a partial region of a surface treatment installation with an interface for connecting the base installation to an add-on installation;

fig. 3 shows the components within the interface according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows the components within the interface according to a second embodiment;

fig. 5 shows a mouthpiece outer member according to the first embodiment;

fig. 6 shows a mouthpiece outer part according to a second embodiment;

fig. 7 shows a mouthpiece outer part according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of a header having a header inner part, a contact header, and a header outer part;

figure 9 shows a longitudinal section of the parts in the mouthpiece;

FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken through the hub without the hub outer member;

FIG. 11 shows the interface inner part with the sealing element;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective exterior view of the interface;

FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the interface;

fig. 14 shows the components within the interface according to the first embodiment;

fig. 15 shows the components within the interface according to a second embodiment;

fig. 16 shows a mouthpiece outer member according to the first embodiment;

fig. 17 shows a mouthpiece outer member according to a second embodiment;

fig. 18 shows a mouthpiece outer member according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 19 illustrates a hub having a hub outer according to further embodiments;

fig. 20 shows components within an interface according to further embodiments.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary floor treatment device 2, which floor treatment device 2 is designed here as a hand-held cleaner. The surface treatment device 2 is provided with a base device 3 and an additional device 4, and the base device 3 and the additional device 4 are connected through an interface 1. The additional device 4 is here, for example, an electric brush with rotatably driven bristle elements (not shown), a suction opening 31 and a suction channel 7 connected to the suction opening 31, which suction channel 7 is connected to a corresponding suction channel 7 of the basic device 3 via the mouthpiece 1. The attachment 4 is provided with a plurality of wheels 30, by means of which wheels 30 the user can easily move the floor treatment device 2 over the surface to be cleaned. The base device 3 is provided with a handle 32, which is designed to be telescopic, for example, and by means of which handle 32 the user can adapt the height of the floor treatment device 2 to his height. A handle 33 with a switch 34 is arranged on the lever 32. The switch 34 is used, for example, to switch on and off a suction fan (not shown) of the floor treatment device 2 or also to select different cleaning classes.

As shown in detail in fig. 1 and 2, the base device 3 is additionally mounted so as to be pivotable relative to the attachment device 4. The interface 1 serves to connect an interface outer part 5 of the add-on device 4 to an interface inner part 6 of the base device 3. The interface 1 provides a suction channel connection, a mechanical connection and an electrical connection between the base device 3 and the additional device 4. As long as the interface outer part 5 of the respective additional device 4 is compatible with the interface inner part 6 of the base device 3, additional devices 4 of different principles can be connected to the base device 3.

Since, for example, when using the low-pressure auxiliary device 4, it is necessary for safety reasons to avoid mixing with the high-pressure base device 3, a coding device for the interface inner part 6 and the interface outer part 5 is proposed, which only allows a defined combination of the devices 3, 4. It is therefore possible to prevent the combination of the low-voltage device and the high-voltage device. Therefore, the base device 3 and the additional device 4, which do not match each other with respect to the operating points of their electrical loads, cannot be connected to each other through the interface 1. It is thereby prevented that a combination of devices 3, 4 from different generations which do not match each other leads to a malfunction or damage of the devices 3, 4.

Fig. 3 and 4 show embodiments of possible interfacing components 6. Fig. 5 to 7 show, for example, the interface outer 5. Here (according to fig. 1 and 2), the interface outer part 5 is assigned to the additional device 4, and the interface inner part 6 is assigned to the base device 3, by way of example only. It goes without saying, however, that the base device 3 can also be provided with an interface outer part 5, while the additional device 4 has an interface inner part 6. The interface inner 6 shown in fig. 3 and 4 is associated with the different embodiments of the interface outer 5 according to fig. 5 to 7. The arrangement here is such that the interface inner part 6 according to fig. 3 is assigned to the interface outer part according to fig. 5 and 6, while the interface inner part 6 according to fig. 4 is assigned to the interface outer part 5 according to fig. 6 and 7. This also prevents the interface inner part 6 according to fig. 3 from being combined with the interface outer part 5 according to fig. 7. Likewise, the interface outer part 5 according to fig. 5 is not matched to the interface inner part 6 according to fig. 4.

In particular, the interface inner part 6 shown for example in fig. 3 has two different pairs of shape-coding elements 17, 19. The shape-coding element pair 17 has, in relation to the illustrated cross section, two shape-coding elements 15 which are embodied as semicircular material cutouts. While the shape-coding element pair 19 has two shape-coding elements 14 designed as plugs. Both shape-coding elements 14 and both shape-coding elements 15 are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shown interface inner part 6, which here is at the same time also the axis of symmetry. The interface inner part 6 according to fig. 3 is best adapted to the interface outer part 5 shown in fig. 5, which interface outer part 5 has two pairs of shape-

coding elements

16 and 18. The pair of shape-coding elements 16 is provided with two shape-coding elements 15, the two shape-coding elements 15 being adapted to the shape-coding elements 15 according to fig. 3, while the shape-coding elements 14 of the interface outer part 5 according to fig. 5 are adapted to the shape-coding elements 14 of the interface inner part 6 according to fig. 3. This means that the shape-coding element 14 according to fig. 5 is a socket for the plug-shaped shape-coding element 14 according to fig. 3, and the shape-coding element 15 is a semicircular projection in cross section, which fits into the semicircular material recess of the interface inner part 6 according to fig. 3. The interface inner 6 according to fig. 3 and the interface outer 5 according to fig. 5 preferably belong to the base device 3 and the additional device 4 belonging to the same generation of devices. The interface inner part 6 according to fig. 3 and the interface outer part 5 according to fig. 5 can thus be connected to the interface 1 and are therefore compatible with one another.

Of course, further combinations of the interface outer 5 and the interface inner 6 shown in fig. 3 to 7 are also possible. For example, the interface outer 5 shown in fig. 6 is provided with at least socket-like shape coding elements 14, into which socket-like shape coding elements 14 can be inserted according to the plug-like shape coding elements 14 of the interface inner 6 of fig. 3. However, the interface inner 6 shown in fig. 4 is also adapted to the interface outer 5 shown in fig. 6, since the interface outer 5 shown in fig. 6 does not have at least outwardly directed shape-coding elements 15 (see, for example, fig. 5), such shape-coding elements 15 preventing the interface inner 6 from being inserted into the interface outer 5.

Fig. 8 shows an exploded view of an exemplary interface 1, the interface 1 having an interface inner part 6 and an interface outer part 5. The interface inner 6 comprises a contact holder 8. The contact holder 8 serves for connection with a suitable contact arrangement (not shown) of the interface outer 5 and thus for establishing an electrical connection between the electrical components of the base device 3 and the additional device 4. For example, the energy supply device of the base device 3 can supply the electrical load of the add-on device 4 with energy via the contact carrier 8 of the interface 1. The contact holder 8 is provided here with a total of five

electrical contacts

9, 10, 11, 12, 13. The

electrical contacts

9, 10, 11 are used here, for example, for supplying power, while the electrical contacts 12, 13 can be provided as spare contacts, for example, for signal transmission between the base device 3 and the additional device 4. The

electrical contacts

9, 10, 11, 12, 13 are suspended in the contact holder 8 in a floating manner, i.e. they can be moved relative to the housing of the contact holder 8, in order to be able to withstand the play of the continuous play between the interface inner part 6 and the interface outer part 5 and to prevent damage to the

electrical contacts

9, 10, 11, 12, 13. The floating suspension can achieve a clearance of 1.1mm between the

electrical contacts

9, 10, 11, 12, 13 of the contact carrier 8 and the corresponding electrical contacts of the interface outer part 5.

The interface inner part 6 shown in fig. 8 is a partial region of the suction channel 7 with a suction channel end section 20. The cross section 21 of the suction channel 7 increases in size from the suction channel end section 20 in the direction away from the mouthpiece outer part 5. With reference to the longitudinal section shown in fig. 9, the outer circumferential surface 26 of the inner joint part 6 has a contour with a plurality of steps which assume different functions. For example, the interface inner 6 has two circumferential tracks 22, which two circumferential tracks 22 project radially beyond adjacent circumferential sections of the interface inner 6 and thus serve to space the interface outer 5 relative to adjacent circumferential sections of the interface inner 6. The circumferential track 22 is a defined adjustment ring through which the actual contact between the interface inner 6 and the interface outer 5 takes place. The outer peripheral surface 26 of the interface inner 6 is divided into a plurality of steps in total to facilitate the joining of the

interface members

5, 6. Furthermore, the outer circumferential surface 26 of the interface inner 6 is provided with a groove 27, into which groove 27 a sealing element 28 shown in fig. 10 and 11 can be fitted. The sealing element 28 is an elastic sealing ring which ensures the tightness of the interface 1 regardless of the quality of the fit of the interface outer 5 and the interface inner 6.

In addition, the suction channel end section 20 of the mouthpiece inner part 6 shown in fig. 8 can also be used for a direct suction function, i.e. the base unit 3 can be used without an additional unit 4 being connected, wherein suction can be sucked directly into the floor treatment unit 2 via the mouthpiece outer part 5. For this purpose, the suction channel end section 20 is preferably equipped with an end-side wear zone having various material properties, such as wear resistance, discoloration resistance and mechanical strength. The suction channel end section 20 can preferably be held on the suction channel 7 in a removable manner.

Fig. 8 shows the interface outer part 5 with the contact carrier receptacle 36. The interface outer part 5 is moved on the interface inner part 6, so that the contact holder 8 is simultaneously pushed into the contact holder receptacle 36. The contact holder receptacle 36 preferably has adapted contact means for the

electrical contacts

9, 10, 11, 12, 13 of the contact holder 8. In the connected state of the interface outer part 5 and the interface inner part 6, the interface inner part 6 forms a tube reinforcement of the inner side of the suction channel 7, since the end-side regions of the interface outer part 5 and the interface inner part 6 are concentrically nested with respect to the axial section of the suction channel 7. Thereby achieving an increased bending stiffness. The contact carrier receptacle 36 of the interface outer part 5 is provided on the one hand with an opening 37, through which opening 37 the actuating element 23 of the contact carrier 8 is still accessible from the outside, and on the other hand with a recess 24, through which recess 24 a stop element 38, shown in fig. 10 and 13, of the actuating element 23 can engage in order to lock the interface inner part 6 with the interface outer part 5 and thus to close the interface 1. This securely holds the add-on device 4 on the base device 3.

The actuating element 23 can be mounted pivotably on the interface inner part 6, for example (as shown in fig. 10) via a pivot axis 39, wherein the displaceability of the actuating element 23 is achieved via an opening 37 of the interface outer part 5. If the user wishes to detach the interface outer 5 from the interface inner 6, that is to say to detach the add-on device 4 from the base device 3, the user presses the actuating element 23 from the outside through the opening 38, as a result of which the actuating element 23 pivots about the pivot axis 39 and the stop element 38 of the actuating element 23 is moved out of the recess 24 of the interface outer 5. The additional device 4 can then be removed from the base device 3. Furthermore, when the interface 1 is closed, i.e. the interface inner 6 is engaged with the interface outer 5, the inclined contact surface 25 of the stop element 38 can facilitate engagement in the recess 24 of the interface outer 5, so that the

interface members

5, 6 can be locked to one another without the user having to actuate the actuating element 23. It can also be provided that the stop element 38 also has an inclined surface on the opposite vertical surface, so that a direct removal function is provided, which enables the interface outer 5 to be detached from the interface inner 6 without the user having to actuate the actuating element 23.

Fig. 12 shows a three-dimensional external view of the interface 1, wherein the interface outer part 5 is connected to the interface inner part 6. The design of the interface 1 enables a transition between the interface inner part 6 and the interface outer part 5 with respect to the suction channel 7 and a stepless transition of the actuating element 23, which is fitted in a form-fitting manner into the interface outer part 5.

Fig. 14 to 18 show a possible interface inner part 6 (fig. 14 and 15) and a possible interface outer part 5 (fig. 16, 17 and 18), in addition to the coding part schematically shown in fig. 3 to 7. The hub inner part 6 shown in fig. 14 has plug elements 40 and ribs 35 as

shape coding elements

14, 15, which plug elements 40 and ribs 35 can be combined optimally with the hub outer part 5 shown in fig. 16, which hub outer part 5 has adapted ribs 35 and a socket 41 as

shape coding elements

14, 15. The female hub part 6 shown in fig. 14 is also compatible with the female hub part 5 shown in fig. 17, since the female hub part 5 shown in fig. 17, although it does not have ribs 35, always has a socket 41 into which a corresponding plug element 40 can be inserted. The interface outer part 5 shown in fig. 18 cannot be joined to the interface inner part 6 according to fig. 14, since the interface outer part 5 shown in fig. 18 does not have a receptacle 41 for the plug element 40. The interface outer part 5 shown in fig. 18 (and also the interface outer part 5 shown in fig. 17) can be combined with the interface inner part 6 according to fig. 15, since the interface inner part 6 shown in fig. 15 has neither ribs 35 nor plug elements 40, and therefore the suction channel end section 20 of the interface inner part 6 can be inserted into the interface outer part 5 without hindrance.

Fig. 19 shows a different embodiment of the interface outer 5, into which interface outer 5 the suction channel end section 20 of the interface inner 6 is inserted. The interface outer part 5 has a suction channel end section 20 which is angled to the remaining suction channels 7, so that the flow path through the suction channels 7 has a changing flow cross section. The mouthpiece outer part 5 may for example be a mouthpiece with a bent air guide.

Finally, fig. 20 shows an additional device 4 or an interface inner part 6, which interface inner part 6 is designed as a minimally inserted accessory. The interface inner part 6 has a suction channel 7 with a suction opening 31 and, on the end side opposite the suction opening 31, radially outwardly pointing lamellae 29, which lamellae 29 are designed as sealing and holding lamellae and serve to connect the interface inner part 6 to the mating interface outer part 5 in a sealing manner.

List of reference numerals

1 interface

2 ground treatment facility

3 basic equipment

4 additional equipment

5 interface outer part

6 interface inner part

7 suction channel

8 contact rack

9 electric contact

10 electrical contact

11 electric contact

12 electric contact

13 electric contact

14 shape-coding element

15 shape coding element

16 shape-coding element pairs

17 shape-coding element pair

18 shape-coding element pair

19 shape-coding element pair

20 end section of the suction channel

21 cross section

22 circular track

23 actuating element

24 hollow part

25 contact surface

26 peripheral surface

27 groove

28 sealing element

29 sheet

30 wheel

31 suction port

32 handle bar

33 handle

34 switch

35 Rib

36 contact carrier receiving part

37 opening

38 stop element

39 pivot axis

40 plug element

41 socket

Claims

1. Interface (1) for a ground treatment device (2), the ground treatment device (2) having a base device (3) and an additional device (4) which can be connected to the base device (3), wherein the interface (1) has an interface outer part (5) and an interface inner part (6) which is configured to be form-fitted to the interface outer part (5), wherein the interface inner part (6) has a suction channel (7) and a contact holder (8) which is arranged outside the suction channel (7) and has a plurality of electrical contacts (9, 10, 11, 12, 13), and wherein the interface outer part (5) has a plurality of fitted electrical contacts, characterized in that the interface outer part (5) and the interface inner part (6) additionally each have at least two pairs of shape-coding elements (16, 17, 18, 19), wherein, the first pair of shape-coding elements (16) of the interface outer part (5) is designed to be positionally and shape-adapted to the first pair of shape-coding elements (17) of the interface inner part (6), and the second pair of shape-coding elements (18) of the interface outer part (5) is designed to be positionally and shape-adapted to the second pair of shape-coding elements (19) of the interface inner part (6), wherein each pair of shape-coding elements (16, 17, 18, 19) has two shape-coding elements (14, 15) that are identical in shape and are designed separately from one another.

2. Interface (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first pair of shape coding elements (16, 17) differs from said second pair of shape coding elements (18, 19) with respect to their shape and position on said interface (1).

3. Interface (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction channel end section (20) of the suction channel (7) of the interface inner part (6) is inserted into the interface outer part (5) with the interface (1) connected, wherein the axial overlap of the interface inner part (6) and the interface outer part (5) is at least 20mm, preferably at least 25 mm.

4. Interface (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact holder (8) has more than three electrical contacts (9, 10, 11, 12, 13), in particular three electrical contacts (9, 10, 11) for supplying the additional device (4) with power via the base device (3) and at least one additional electrical contact (12, 13) for signal transmission between the base device (3) and the additional device (4).

5. Interface (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface inner part (6) has, starting from the suction channel end section (20), a cross section (21) which increases in steps in the axial direction of the suction channel (7), wherein a particularly separate circumferential track (22) of the outer circumferential surface (26) of the interface inner part (6) projects radially outward compared to an adjacent surface partial region of the outer circumferential surface (26), wherein the circumferential track (22) of the interface inner part (6) in the closed condition of the interface (1) abuts against an adapted radially inward projecting circumferential track (22) of the interface outer part (5) and thereby the adjacent surface partial regions are spaced apart from one another.

6. Interface (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the suction channel end section (20) of the suction channel (7) of the interface inner part (6) is of a wear-resistant soft material.

7. Interface (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface inner part (6), in particular the contact holder (8), has an actuating element (23), wherein the actuating element (23) can be engaged in a form-fitting opening (37) of the interface outer part (5), wherein the actuating element (23) has a stop element (38), wherein the stop element (38) can be engaged in a recess (24) of the interface outer part (5).

8. Interface (1) according to claim 7, wherein the edge of the stop element (38) and/or the recess (24) has a contact surface (25) inclined in and/or against the engagement direction in order to be slidingly passed over said edge by the stop element (38).

9. Interface (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outer circumferential surface (26) of the interface inner part (6) pointing outwards has a circumferentially encircling groove (27), in which groove (27) a form-fitting sealing element (28) is arranged.

10. A ground treatment installation (2) having a base installation (3), an additional installation (4) which can be connected to the base installation (3), and an interface (1) for connecting the additional installation (4) to the base installation (3), characterized in that the interface (1) is designed according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in particular, the interface outer part (5) is assigned to the additional installation (4) and the interface inner part (6) is assigned to the base installation (3).

11. A base unit (3) of a ground treatment unit (2), having an interface inner part (6), the interface inner part (6) being designed for connection with an interface outer part (5) of an additional unit (4), the additional unit (4) being to be connected with the base unit (3), characterized in that the interface inner part (6) is an interface inner part (6) of an interface (1) designed according to one of claims 1 to 9.

12. An add-on device (4) for a surface treatment device (2), wherein the add-on device (4) has an interface outer part (5), wherein the interface outer part (5) is designed for connection with an interface inner part (6) of a base device (3), wherein the base device (3) is to be connected with the add-on device (4), characterized in that the interface outer part (5) is the interface outer part (5) of an interface (1) designed according to one of claims 1 to 9.