EP2245974A2 - Method for operating a header device for a vacuum cleaner and corresponding header device - Google Patents

Abstract

The operation method involves rotating the brush roller (16) in a normal operational direction during operation, and rotating the brush roller in a reverse direction opposite to the normal operational direction of rotation when the brush roller is detected to be jammed. The jamming is detected when the current consumption of motor exceeds a predetermined threshold. The brush roller is rotated in the reverse direction by a predetermined angle upon occurrence of jamming. An independent claim is included for an attachment device.

Description

description

Method for operating an attachment for a vacuum cleaner and corresponding attachment

The invention relates to a method for operating an attachment for a vacuum cleaner according to the preamble of claim 1. It further relates to a particularly suitable for carrying out the method attachment.

Methods for operating attachments for vacuum cleaners are well known. These are attachments with an electrically rotatable bristle roller and a motor to drive them, the z. B. be used for vacuuming carpets. The bristle roller rotates in operation mostly in one direction; However, methods are also known in which a direction of rotation of this bristle roller is reversed during operation, generally such that the bristle roller always rotates in a direction of movement of the attachment, thus facilitating movement of the attachment. Such a method is z. B. from the DE 689 05 252 T2 or the EP 1 352 603 A1 known.

When vacuuming with attachments, which include a rotatable bristle roller, however, it may happen that the bristle roller is blocked because z. B. garments, carpets or carpet fringes accidentally caught in the bristles and wound up by the bristle roller. In this case, it is normally provided that the motor of the bristle roller switches off and the detected object manually, for. B. by pulling on the object, must be removed. To do this, the bristle roller must be operated against the motor resistance with the motor switched off.

An object of the invention is to provide a method and a device provided for carrying out the method, with which the removal of objects wound on the bristle roller is simplified.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. For this purpose, in a method of operating an attachment for a vacuum cleaner, the attachment comprising an electrically rotatable bristle roller and a motor for driving the bristle roller, and wherein the bristle roller is rotated in operation in an operating direction of rotation, it is provided that the bristle roller is opposed in one of the operating rotations Direction of rotation - reverse direction - is rotated if a blockage of the bristle roller is detected.

With regard to the attachment, this object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent device claim.

The advantage of the invention is that wound on the bristle roller objects are automatically handled in this way again. Thus, a user does not have to pull on the object and does not damage it, for example, by the tensile force which has to be expended against the motor resistance. If z. For example, when carpet tufts are caught in the bristle roller, the attachment is generally very close to the surface of the carpet so there is little room to hand-free the carpet fringes. Also in this case, rotating the bristle roller in the reverse direction provides easier and faster release of the carpet fringes.

The motor is preferably a brushless permanent magnet motor. This is advantageous because the commutator motors required commutator are exposed to high wear and it may cause interference. In addition, there is a possibility for sensorless monitoring of the engine, z. B. by detecting the power consumption, so that susceptible to interference sensors such. B. Hall sensors can be dispensed with. The reversal of the direction of rotation can be achieved by using a phase-controlled motor of the bristle roller in a simple manner known per se by swapping two phases.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Here used backlinks point to the further development of the subject matter of the main claim by the features of the respective subclaim; they should not be construed as a waiver of obtaining independent, objective protection for the feature combinations of the dependent claims. Furthermore, with a view to an interpretation of the claims in a closer specification of a feature in a subordinate claim, it is to be assumed that such a restriction does not exist in the respective preceding claims.

Preferably, the blockage is detected when a current consumption of the motor exceeds a predetermined or predeterminable limit. In this way it can be taken into account that not all surfaces have the same suction conditions. In fact, depending on the surface to be vacuumed, it may even lead to a slight increase in power consumption when a carpet is vacuumed that has differently long or thick pile. In this case, however, no blockage is detected, if the limit value is set to a higher value, which takes into account such surfaces accordingly. Thus, the use of the attachment is not already hampered due to a slightly heavier surface by in this case rather undesirable reverse rotation.

Particularly preferably, the blockage is detected when the current consumption exceeds the limit value for a predetermined or predefinable period of time. This excludes that even a short-term high increase in power consumption, which can be caused by a short "snagging" of the attachment to a surface to be sucked, is evaluated as a blockage and leads to a reverse rotation of the bristle roller. This prevents an inappropriate in this case reverse rotation and the movement of the attachment is not additionally difficult.

It is preferably provided that the bristle roller is rotated in the reverse direction when the blockage occurs by a predetermined or predefinable angle of rotation - angle of return. Values in the range of 15 to 360 degrees have been found to be suitable values for the angle of rotation. Turning back around such a retracting angle may prevent wound-up objects from rewinding when the bristle roller is turned too far in the opposite direction. At a low return angle, such as 15 degrees, the article may not be fully released, but at least loosened, so that it can then be removed by gentle pulling. In addition, the operating direction of rotation can be resumed faster and the cleaning can be continued.

In an alternative embodiment, the motor of the bristle roller is stopped in the event of a blockage and the bristle roller is rotated step by step by actuating a switching element by a predetermined or predetermined rotational angle in the reverse direction. The return rotation of the bristle roller is thus not automatic, but allows depending on the wound object adapted back turning of the bristle roller. For example, the switching element can be operated by a user who decides how far the bristle roller is to be turned back by operating the switching element as often. The release of longer and / or thin objects, which may wind up several times, is thereby facilitated.

Preferably, a rotational speed of the bristle roller in the reverse direction in a blockage is less than a rotational speed in the operating direction of rotation. This prevents unwrapping objects from being rewound in the opposite direction of rotation.

If the operation of the bristle roller in operating direction z. B. resumed by pressing a start button after the blockage has been detected and the bristle roller was optionally rotated back, the time to record the normal operation by the user can be selected. This can therefore optionally remove the dissolved objects previously or place the attachment at a different location, so that the objects are not rewound immediately when re-operating the bristle roller. The start button can z. B. be attached directly to the attachment. Simplified, the operation of the bristle roller on the attachment instead by the start button also be resumed by the vacuum cleaner via a main switch first off and then turned on again. In this case, the attachment comes without an additional switch.

It is preferably provided that a signal for resumption of operation in operating direction of rotation is generated by regenerative operation. The generator operation of the motor of the bristle roller takes place by pushing the attachment in a certain direction. The friction generated by contact of the bristle roller with the ground causes rotation of the bristle roller. This rotation generates a voltage from the motor which can be used as a signal to resume operation of the bristle roller in the operating direction of rotation. In this way, the cleaning process can be continued quickly and without additional user manipulations.

Preferably, the operating direction of rotation of the bristle roller is adapted during operation to a forward or backward movement of the attachment and determines the reverse direction of rotation in dependence on the respective operating direction of rotation. For this purpose, for example, the respective operating direction of rotation can be stored in a control unit of the motor of the bristle roller, so that the bristle roller rotates in a blockade in the corresponding opposite direction.

In a header for a vacuum cleaner, with an electrically rotatable bristle roller and a motor for driving, means for detecting a blockage of the bristle roller and for outputting a blocking signal, which may also be referred to as a blockade detection means, provided for reversing the direction of rotation of the motor.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned attachment, with the o. G. Task solved by the method described above and its embodiments, in advantageous embodiments essentially by means which are provided for carrying out individual method steps, which are encompassed by the method and its embodiments. In that regard, reference may also be made, in essence, to the preceding description of the method and its embodiments.

Preferably, a current sensor for measuring a current consumption of the motor of the bristle roller and a monitoring device, which is provided for outputting the blocking signal when the current exceeds a predetermined or predeterminable limit, arranged in the header. This results in short signal paths in the power consumption detection and forwarding to the monitoring device, which in turn leads to benefits in EMC and lower costs for wiring, etc.

Particularly preferred means for monitoring a pending of the blocking signal for more than a predetermined or predetermined time period are provided in the attachment. These can be z. B. from a control unit, which is provided for controlling the motor, includes his. A simple example is a counter which is started by the blocking signal and when expired indicates the lapse of the respective period of time.

Further preferred is a button as a switching element for, in particular stepwise, rotating the bristle roller to a predetermined or predetermined angle of rotation in the reverse direction, z. B. on an upper side of the attachment provided. Each time the button is pressed by a user, the bristle roller is rotated back by this angle of rotation; The button can be actuated as often as desired or required to release wound objects.

For a quick resumption of the operation of the bristle roller in the operating direction of rotation after the blockade and possibly carried out reverse rotation of the bristle roller is preferably a start button on the attachment, z. B. on an upper side, arranged. Alternatively, a regenerative startup can take place.

The attachment comprises in a preferred embodiment means with which the operating direction of the bristle roller during operation, in particular corresponding to a forward and backward movement of the attachment, is reversible. The movement of such an attachment over a surface can be facilitated by the friction with the surface caused by the rotation of the bristle roller producing a force supporting the movement when the bristle roller rotates in the respective direction of movement. Otherwise, movement of the attachment in one direction and depending on the nature of the surface may be difficult to varying degrees. In such a header attachment also means, for. Example, in a control unit of the attachment, be provided with which an executed before the blockage operating direction of rotation of the bristle roller is stored, and with which then the appropriate for releasing the blockade suitable reverse direction can be activated.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Corresponding objects or elements are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

The or each embodiment is not to be understood as limiting the invention. Rather, numerous changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure, in particular those variants and combinations, for example, by combination or modification of individual in conjunction with those in general or special description part described and included in the claims and / or the drawing features or elements or method steps for the skilled in the art with regard to solving the problem and lead by combinable features to a new subject or to new process steps or procedural steps.

Show it

FIG. 1

schematically simplifies a vacuum cleaner with an attachment with a bristle roller and

FIG. 2

a block diagram of a configured according to the invention embodiment of an attachable to a vacuum cleaner attachment.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a simplified vacuum cleaner 10, which is connected via a suction hose 12 and a suction tube 13 with a header 14. On a lower side of the attachment 14, a bristle roller 16 is arranged, which is electrically rotatable. Such a header 14 is intended primarily for vacuuming carpets.

FIG. 2 shows the header 14 now very simplified in a block diagram. The bristle roller 16 is driven by a motor 18. The motor 18 is z. As a brushless motor with a permanent magnet as the rotor, which is monitored in this embodiment sensorless via a control unit 20. When the bristle roller 16 rotates during operation in an operating direction of rotation and thereby objects such. B. garments or components of a carpet, caught in the bristle roller 16 and wound on this, it can lead to a blockage of the brush roller 16. Suitable means for detecting the blockade - blockade detection means 22 - detect the blockage and output a blocking signal 24, here in simplified form as an arrow. The blockage detection means 22 comprise a current sensor 26 and a monitoring device 28. The current sensor 26 detects a current consumption of the motor 18. When the current consumption exceeds a predetermined or predeterminable limit value, wherein the limit value of the engine parameters, for. B. a coil resistance and the motor 18 supplying voltage may be dependent. When the limit value is exceeded, the blocking device 24 outputs the blocking signal 24, for example by the monitoring device 28. To the control unit 20. The control unit 20 comprises means 30 for monitoring a period of time during which the blocking signal 24 is present. When a predetermined or predeterminable time span is exceeded, the state of the bristle roller 16 is recognized as a blockage and the bristle roller 16 is rotated in a reverse direction which is opposite to the operating direction of rotation. The turning back can either be done automatically immediately upon detection of the blockage, wherein the bristle roller 16 by a predetermined or predetermined angle of rotation, the z. B. between 15 and 360 degrees, is turned back. Or the reverse rotation is done stepwise by pressing a switching element, eg. As a button 32, by a user, after the rotation of the bristle roller 16 has been stopped in the operating direction of rotation when detected blockage. In this case, the bristle roller 16 can be rotated back in any number of steps, for example, each 15 degrees. The reverse rotation is optionally performed at a lower rotational speed than the rotation of the bristle roller 16 during normal operation. Once the blockage has been resolved, ie objects wound onto the bristle roller 16 have been unwound or released, the normal operation of the bristle roller 16 can be achieved by actuating a start button 34 located on the attachment 14, e.g. B. on the top, is resumed. The resumption of normal operation is of course also possible by the vacuum cleaner 10 ( FIG. 1 ) and / or the attachment 14 via an on / off switch first off and then turned on again. Optionally, it is also possible that the bristle roller 16 is operated as a generator and thereby a signal to resume the operating direction of rotation is delivered. The generator operation of the bristle roller 16 is z. B. achieved by pushing the attachment 14 on the surface to be cleaned, wherein the bristle roller 16 is rotated due to friction with the surface.

In the attachment 14 can be provided both that the bristle roller 16 rotates during normal operation only in one direction, as well as that during operation changes its direction of rotation corresponding to a forward and backward movement of the attachment 14. In the last-mentioned embodiment, the attachment 14 or the control unit 20 comprises suitable means with which the last direction of rotation of the bristle roller 16 before a blockage can be determined so that the bristle roller 16 also rotates back into the corresponding opposite direction. The operating direction of rotation when resuming the cleaning operation with the bristle roller 16 can then z. B. be arbitrary. However, if the resumption is initiated as a generator, the direction of movement of the attachment 14 is detected by suitable means and the bristle roller 16 is then driven in this direction.

Thus, the invention can be briefly represented as follows:

There is provided a method of operating an attachment 14 and a working attachment 14 for a vacuum cleaner 10, having an electrically rotatable bristle roller 16 and a motor 18 for driving the bristle roller 16, wherein the bristle roller 16 is rotated in operation in one operating direction, in which the bristle roller 16 is in a direction opposite to the operating direction of rotation, Reverse direction - is rotated, if a blockage of the bristle roller 16 is detected. Suitable means for detecting the blockage and for outputting a blocking signal 24 - blocking detection means 22 - for reversing the direction of rotation of the motor 18 are provided on the attachment 14.

Claims (15)

A method of operating a header (14) for a vacuum cleaner (10) comprising an electrically rotatable bristle roller (16) and a motor (18) for driving the bristle roller (16), the bristle roller (16) being rotated in operation in an operating direction of rotation .
characterized in that
the bristle roller (16) in one of the operating direction of rotation opposite direction - reverse direction - is rotated if a blockage of the bristle roller (16) is detected. Method according to claim 1,
wherein the blockage is detected when a current consumption of the motor (18) exceeds a predetermined or predeterminable limit. Method according to claim 2,
wherein the blockage is detected when the current consumption exceeds the limit value for a predetermined or predefinable period of time. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the bristle roller (16) is rotated in the reverse direction upon occurrence of the blockage by a predetermined or predefinable angle of rotation - return angle. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the motor (18) of the bristle roller (16) is stopped in the event of a blockage and the bristle roller (16) is gradually rotated by a predetermined or predetermined rotational angle in the reverse direction by actuation of a switching element (32). Method according to one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein a rotational speed of the bristle roller (16) in the reverse direction in a blockage is less than a rotational speed in the operating direction of rotation. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the operation of the bristle roller (16) is resumed in operating direction by operating a start button (34). Method according to one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein a signal is generated by regenerative operation to resume operation in the operating direction of rotation. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the operating direction of rotation of the bristle roller (16) during operation is adapted to a forward or backward movement of the attachment (14) and the reverse direction is determined depending on the respective operating direction of rotation. An attachment (14) for a vacuum cleaner (10), comprising an electrically rotatable bristle roller (16) and a motor (18) for driving the same,
marked by
Means for detecting a blockage of the bristle roller (16) and for outputting a blocking signal (24) for reversing the direction of rotation of the motor (18). An attachment (14) according to claim 10,
with a current sensor (26) for measuring a current consumption of the motor (18) of the bristle roller (16) and a monitoring device (28), which is provided for outputting the blocking signal (24) when the current exceeds a predetermined or predeterminable limit value. An attachment (14) according to claim 11,
with means for monitoring an arrival of the blocking signal (24) for more than a predetermined or predefinable period of time. An attachment (14) according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
with a button (32) for, in particular stepwise, rotating the bristle roller (16) by a predetermined or predetermined angle of rotation in the reverse direction. An attachment (14) according to any one of claims 10 to 13,
with a start button (34) for resuming the operation of the bristle roller (16) in the operating direction of rotation. An attachment (14) according to any one of claims 10 to 14,
wherein the operating direction of rotation of the bristle roller (16) during operation, in particular corresponding to a forward and backward movement of the attachment (14), is reversible.

Images