EP2301405A2 - Method for operating a vacuum cleaner, control device for implementing the method and vacuum cleaner with such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves measuring and computing filling degree of a dust collecting container (18) e.g. dust bag. The computed filling degree is displayed with a filling degree display (22) of a vacuum cleaner (10) as long as the computed filling degree remains below the measured filling degree. Display progress speed influenced by an empirical value is integrated into the computation of the filling degree. The measurement of the filling degree is performed based on a pressure measurement i.e. differential pressure measurement. An independent claim is also included for a control device for a vacuum cleaner.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a vacuum cleaner with a degree of filling indicator for a dust collecting container. Dust-collecting containers are here and hereinafter understood to be dust bags, dust cassettes and generally air-permeable dust collecting containers. The invention further relates to a control device for implementing the method and a vacuum cleaner with such a control device or a vacuum cleaner, in which the method is carried out in operation.

Filling level indicators for a dust collecting container are known per se with vacuum cleaners. For such displays, a degree of filling measurement has hitherto been carried out and the indicated filling level value is directly dependent on the measured filling level. The measurement of the degree of filling is again based on a differential pressure measurement and a specific, i.e.. Differential pressure measured at a defined blower power leads directly to a corresponding change in the level indicator. In a mechanical level indicator, ie z. B. to a shift of a display element in a viewing window. After for the measurement of the degree of filling usually a differential pressure, for. B. between a suction pipe and a dust chamber of the vacuum cleaner is measured, resulting in the measuring point with increasing suction duration and constant fan power theoretically over the time continuously increasing differential pressure. In practice, however, it can be seen that the measuring pressure fluctuates frequently at the respective measuring point. Causes are z. As turbulence in the intake manifold, a moving suction hose or a Auffaltvorgang a dust bag as dust collection container. A real differential pressure curve is therefore discontinuous and discontinuous, and a direct indication of a degree of filling measured in this way leads to corresponding fluctuations in the degree of filling indication. This is inconvenient for users or sometimes confusing because the fill level displayed does not always represent the actual fill level.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a method of operating a vacuum cleaner with a level indicator for a dust collecting container in which the o. G. Disadvantages avoided or at least reduced in terms of impact.

This object is achieved with the features of the independent claims. For this purpose, it is provided in the case of the method outlined above, that a degree of filling of the dust collecting container is measured and calculated that with the degree of filling of the calculated fill level is displayed as long as the calculated fill level remains below the measured fill level and that in the calculation of the fill level, a display advance speed influenced by at least one empirical value is included.

The approach according to the invention therefore provides, in addition to the previous degree of filling measurement, an additional filling degree calculation and the result of the filling degree calculation, ie the calculated degree of filling is always displayed with the degree of filling, as long as the calculated degree of filling remains below the measured filling level. Increased display values, which may be z. B., as long as a dust bag in the dust room has not yet unfolded, are thus avoided and the indicated degree corresponds at any time much more the theoretical and actual conditions than has been possible in the prior art. The at least order of magnitude equalization of the calculated degree of filling to a theoretical filling level which results for a corresponding time is achieved by means of a display advancing speed taken into account in the calculation of the degree of filling. The calculated fill level is thus a function of the display progress speed. The display progress rate, in turn, is affected by an empirical value (the display progress rate is a function of the empirical value). This empirical value describes a suction behavior of users of vacuum cleaners determined from customer surveys and the like, in which the implementation of the method is provided. The empirical value is referred to here and below as the basic value and has the dimension "% degree of filling / hour" and describes the proportion of the capacity of the respective dust collection container, which is sucked in by the respective user per hour of suction. In this case, a base value of about 10% / hour has proven to be particularly preferred.

For the calculation of the degree of filling is provided that a new calculated degree of filling from an addition of a previously calculated degree of filling and normalized with a time interval, ie z. Multiplied, display progress speed. The calculated degree of filling therefore increases with each calculation step and this reflects the continuous suction process and the normally resulting continuous filling of the dust collecting container.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. This 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 the attainment of 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 to assume that such a restriction in the respective preceding claims does not exist.

It is preferably provided that the calculated degree of filling is displayed with the degree of filling, as long as the calculated degree of filling remains below a highest degree of filling measured so far. This embodiment of the invention specifically takes into account differential pressure changes, such as arise when unfolding a dust bag as a dust collecting container. A new dust bag is usually removed from its packaging in the folded state and also at least substantially folded in the dust chamber of the vacuum cleaner attached. A new dust bag therefore has a comparatively small volume at the beginning of the suction process, so that a differential pressure measured between the suction pipe and the dust chamber increases very rapidly. The rapid rise of the measured differential pressure is already compensated by the approach of the invention, after which the calculated degree of filling, ie just not the measured degree of filling is displayed with the degree of filling, as long as the calculated degree of filling remains below the measured degree of filling. As long as the dust bag is still folded, the situation will usually arise that the measured fill level is above the calculated fill level, so that always the calculated fill level is displayed. However, if the dust bag unfolds, the differential pressure drops sharply and it can easily result in a differential pressure and thus a measured degree of filling, which is below the calculated degree of filling. In that case, if only the respective current calculated or measured fill level is always considered for the case distinction as to which of the two fill level values is used for the display, the measured fill level for the fill level indicator would erroneously be used. Therefore, it is provided that for the case distinction, a highest to date measured degree of filling is used, so with the level indicator, the calculated degree of filling is displayed, as long as the calculated degree of filling remains below this highest previously measured degree of filling.

For the determination of the highest degree of filling measured so far, it is preferably provided that a continuous updating of the measured degree of filling takes place, for. Example by a measurement at predetermined or predetermined, in particular equidistant times, and that the measured degree of filling is taken as the highest to date measured degree of filling in a first memory when the measured filling level exceeds the value of a previous content of the first memory. The case distinction as to whether or not the calculated fill level is displayed with the fill level indicator can now refer to the contents of that first store and, accordingly, the fill level indicator displays the calculated fill level as long as the calculated fill level remains below the contents of the first store.

It is further preferred that the display advancing speed, on which the calculated degree of filling depends, is also the result of a calculation and that the empirical value, that is to say the basic value already mentioned above, and a measured differential pressure are included in such a calculation. As a measured differential pressure, the measurement result can be used, which is also taken into account for the degree of filling measurement. The empirical value and the measured differential pressure are included in the calculation of the display advancement rate in the preferred embodiment such that as the adsorption time increases and therewith increase a measured differential pressure, the advancing display speed is increasingly determined by a term including the measured differential pressure. A particularly preferred embodiment for such a calculation of the display advancing speed is that the display advancing speed considers two summands, the first summand corresponding to the basic value or at least influenced by the basic value and the second summand being influenced by the measured differential pressure. First, when the first addend-dependent addend is large compared to the second addendum-dependent addend, the display advance speed is substantially determined by the first addend. As the measured differential pressure increases, the value of the second addend also increases and, depending on the specific formulaic relationship for the chosen form of calculation of the display progress velocity, equality or at least approximate equality of both summands occurs at a given time and then a shift the influence of both summands on the result of the display progress calculation in favor of the second summand. This shift can be so great that the influence of the first addend on the calculated display progress speed is negligible.

In a preferred embodiment of this embodiment, it is provided that the term, which increasingly determines the result of calculation of the display advancing step speed as the differential pressure increases, is dependent on the measured differential pressure and then on a differential pressure value for an empty and a full dust collecting receptacle, respectively. Thus, the measured differential pressure is normalized to the capacity of the respective dust collection container. It is again preferably provided that both values for the differential pressure value are determined in each case for an empty and a full dust collecting container on the basis of predefined or predefinable parameters and the predefined or specifiable parameters are read out from a second memory, specifically as a function of one set on the vacuum cleaner power stage. Then, not only the actual capacity of the respective dust collecting box can be considered for the calculation of the display advancing speed but also the dependence of the measured differential pressure ratios of the respectively set power level.

A preferred embodiment, which applies to all aspects of the method and its embodiments explained so far, is the display of the measured fill level with the fill level indicator when the calculated fill level reaches or exceeds the measured fill level. This ensures that, depending on the outcome of the case distinction, which is based on a comparison of measured and calculated fill levels or highest to previously measured and calculated fill levels, either the measured fill level or the calculated fill level is always displayed.

A separate aspect of the invention relates to a control device for a vacuum cleaner of a known type. This control device comprises a memory and a processing unit and in the memory are stored program code instructions for implementing the method or its embodiments as described here or below. During operation, ie during operation of the vacuum cleaner, by processing the program code instructions, the processing unit effects activation of the fill level indicator according to the invention or one or more embodiments.

Preferably, such a control device comprises means for measuring and calculating a degree of filling of a dust collecting container and means for comparing the measured degree of filling with the calculated degree of filling and means for controlling the degree of filling depending on the result of the comparison. The aforementioned means may be implemented in software or hardware or in combination of software and hardware. As a means of comparing measured fill level and calculated fill level, an implementation in software may involve a corresponding program code instruction and, when implemented in hardware, a comparator or the like. The means for measuring the degree of filling comprise on the side of the control device at least one or more inputs to which or to which the control device measured pressure values or a measured differential pressure value can be fed. Furthermore, the means for measuring the degree of filling on the part of the control device comprise at least one or more inputs to which or to which the control device measured blower power values or the fan output set by the customer can be supplied. The inputs can be digital or analog inputs, depending on the choice of external sensors. The control device then takes over the appropriate preparation and processing of the or each obtained measured value. The means for controlling the filling level indicator is at least an output of the control device. For such an output is a digital or analog output into consideration. The control device takes over insofar as a function of the result of the comparison suitable preparation of the value to be output as filling level, namely either the calculated degree of filling or the measured degree of filling.

It is further preferred for the control device to execute the program code instructions, ie the implementation of the method in software, cyclically recurring during operation. For this purpose, it may be provided that the program code instructions within other possibly stored in the memory of the control device program code instructions form an independent subroutine that is called regularly. For this regular call it can be provided that this is integrated into the cyclical sequence of a control program approximately executed by the control device for controlling and / or monitoring other functionalities of the vacuum cleaner. An independent call of this subroutine can also be provided, eg. B. such that the call of the subroutine results from the continuous operation of a counter or based on a time information.

The invention also relates in its entirety to a vacuum cleaner with a control device as described here or below, or a vacuum cleaner in which the method, if necessary supplemented and one or more preferred embodiments, is implemented.

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 modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the present disclosure, in particular those variants and combinations which may be made, for example, by combination or modification of individual features described in the general or specific description, and in the claims and / or drawings Elements or process steps for the expert with regard to the solution of the problem can be removed and lead by combinable features to a new subject or to new process steps or process steps.

FIG 1

einen schematisch vereinfachten Staubsauger,

FIG 2 bis 5

Graphen für Verläufe von theoretischen oder gemessenen Differenzdruckwerten und daraus resultierende Füllgrade sowie Graphen berechneter Füllgrade und

FIG 6

ein Flussdiagramm zur Erläuterung einer Implementierung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

Show it

FIG. 1

a schematically simplified vacuum cleaner,

FIGS. 2 to 5

Graphs for curves of theoretical or measured differential pressure values and resulting fill levels as well as graphs of calculated fill levels and

FIG. 6

a flowchart for explaining an implementation of the method according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a schematically extremely simplified vacuum cleaner 10. This includes in its reduced to the representation of the relevant components for the invention, a housing 12, a suction tube 14 which protrudes from the housing 12, and is provided for connection of a vacuum cleaner hose, not shown. The suction pipe 14 protrudes into a dust chamber 16 formed in the housing 12 and in the dust chamber 16 is a dust collecting container 18, so z. As a dust bag, a dust cartridge or generally an air-permeable dust collection container. A vacuum cleaner motor 20 is disposed downstream of the dust space 16 at an airflow resulting from operation of the vacuum cleaner 10. A sensor system for detecting the fan power or the customer setting of the fan power is arranged at a suitable location and supplies the processing unit 26, the determined data to a dedicated input.

The vacuum cleaner 10 further comprises a level indicator 22, which is provided to indicate the degree of filling of the dust collecting container 18 and in which the degree of filling z. B., as shown, in the form of a bar or other suitable manner can be represented. The degree of filling indicator 22 is arranged on an outer side of the housing 12 of the vacuum cleaner 10, so that the degree of filling indicator 22 for a user of the vacuum cleaner 10 can be read. The degree of filling indicator 22 can also be understood as a dust bag change indicator, such that a change of the dust collecting container 18 is required when the maximum filling level is displayed.

The degree of filling indicator 22 is controlled by a possibly also provided for other functions of the vacuum cleaner 10 control device 24. This comprises a processing unit 26 in the manner of a processor or the like and a memory 28. In the memory 28 different memory areas are formed, for. Example, a first memory for temporarily storing a measured value, a second memory for storing predetermined or predeterminable parameters and a memory area in which a control program 30 is stored, which comprises in a conventional manner program code instructions 32 and executable by the processing unit 26. The suction pipe 14 and a location opposite the suction pipe 14 in the dust chamber 16 are each assigned pressure measuring sensors 34, 36 whose measured values are fed to the control device 24 at inputs provided for this purpose. The control device 24 thus has measured values for the pressure conditions at points upstream and downstream of the dust collecting container 18 in the flow direction. This results in a differential pressure value, which is either supplied directly to the control unit 24 or within the control unit 24 due to the measured pressure values is calculated. In both cases, this differential pressure is referred to here and below as the measured differential pressure.

So far, it is customary to control the degree of filling indicator 22 on the basis of the measured differential pressure and the measured fan power, because the measured differential pressure is a measure of the degree of filling of the dust collecting container 18. Accordingly, here and below, the measured differential pressure is also referred to as measured degree of filling. This implies that the measured differential pressure is used either directly or after further calculations for the activation of the filling level indicator 22.

FIG. 2 shows a graph 38 for a course of an ideal, theoretical differential pressure measurement with increasing suction duration. The differential pressure measurement shown is thus the result of a measurement as with the two sensors 34, 36 (FIG. FIG. 1 ) can be carried out. The abscissa shows a quantity of dust in grams and on the ordinate the differential pressure in millibars. The graph 38 shown rises continuously and steadily and represents one with increasing filling of the dust collecting container 18 (FIG. FIG. 1 ) associated increase in the differential pressure. The low and at the end high differential pressure at the beginning of the illustrated graph 38 can in principle be used to control a filling level indicator 22 (FIG. FIG. 1 ) are used, such that low differential pressures corresponding to a low actuation of the degree of filling indicator 22 and high differential pressures lead to a stronger activation of the degree of filling indicator 22.

However, it can be seen that in practice the measured differential pressure is subject to significant fluctuations and the measured differential pressure is different from that in FIG. 2 differs shown theoretical course. An example of a measured differential pressure is in FIG. 3 shown, wherein the graph 40 shown there in a same coordinate system as in FIG. 2 is applied.

FIG. 4 FIG. 12 shows a filling level diagram with a graph 42 shown in the form of a solid line, which represents an optimal display profile, and another graph 44 shown in the form of a dashed line, which represents a display curve according to the prior art, ie a display profile, as it appears a differential pressure measurement and the observed fluctuations and discontinuities of the measured value course ( FIG. 3 ). On the abscissa of the degree of filling diagram, the amount of dust in grams and on the ordinate the displayed value in percent are removed.

From the sometimes considerable discrepancies between the state-of-the-art fill level display (graph 44) and the optimal display graph (graph 42), it can easily be seen that the fill level displayed is partially clear from the actual fill level may differ and that the display may even confuse a user, for example, when after unfolding a dust bag as a dust collecting container 18, the differential pressure decreases greatly and a derived degree of filling is displayed (in the representation in FIG. 4 z. B. at a Füllgradmenge of about 60 g).

The invention provides to eliminate or reduce this problem in the prior art that the degree of filling of the dust collecting container 18 is measured and calculated that the degree of filling display 22, the calculated degree of filling is displayed as long as the calculated degree of filling remains below the measured degree of filling and that in the Calculation of the degree of filling is influenced by an at least one empirical value influenced display progress speed.

For the measurement of the degree of filling taking place parallel to the calculation of the degree of filling by the method, a measurement according to the prior art (resulting representation in FIG FIG. 4 shown; Graph 44) which are based on a differential pressure measurement ( FIG. 3 ) and a fan power measurement. The calculation of the degree of filling can be made on the basis of an equation as shown below as equation 1. In equation 1, the formula character FB stands for "degree of charge calculated" or "calculated degree of filling" and the symbol I for "increment", where "increment" is used here as a short form for the display progress speed.

A new calculated fill level thus results from an old calculated fill level plus an increment resulting from the display advance speed and weighted with a time interval (formula symbol T). $${{\mathrm{FB}}^{\mathrm{New}}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\right]}\mathrm{=}{{\mathrm{FB}}^{\mathrm{old}}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\right]}\mathrm{+}\left({\mathrm{I}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\mathrm{/}\mathrm{H}\right]}\mathrm{\times }{\mathrm{T}}_{\left[\mathrm{H}\right]}\right)$$

One possible calculation method of the display advance speed is shown below as Equation 2. $${{{\mathrm{I}}_{\left[\%/\mathrm{H}\right]}={\mathrm{GW}}_{\left[\%/\mathrm{H}\right]}+\left(\left(\mathrm{.DELTA.P}\mathrm{-}{\mathrm{.DELTA.P}}^{\mathrm{empty}}\right)/\left({\mathrm{.DELTA.P}}^{\mathrm{full}}\mathrm{-}{\mathrm{.DELTA.P}}^{\mathrm{empty}}\right)\times 100\right)}^4}_{\left[\%/\mathrm{H}\right]}$$

In Equation 2, the formula symbol GW denotes an empirical value, here and hereinafter referred to as the basic value, which has the dimension "% degree of filling / hour" and designates a proportion of the capacity of the dust collecting container 18, per user per hour, in this case per hour of suction the vacuum cleaner 10 is soaked. A preferred numerical value for the basic value GW are values in the range of 10% / h, in particular 10% / h. The symbol ΔP denotes that with the sensors 34, 36 (FIG. FIG. 1 ) measured differential pressure. The symbol ΔP ^empty denotes the differential pressure value that has set or sets after inserting an empty dust collecting container 18. The symbol ΔP ^full describes the differential pressure value adjusts itself to a completely filled dust collecting container 18. Both values .DELTA.P ^empty and .DELTA.P ^full are dependent on a power level which can be set on the vacuum cleaner 10 and are determined on the basis of predetermined or predefinable parameters which originate from one in the memory 28 (FIG. FIG. 1 ) formed second memory, in dependence on the set on the vacuum cleaner 10 power level.

$${{\mathrm{FB}}^{\mathrm{neu}}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\right]}\mathrm{=}{{\mathrm{FB}}^{\mathrm{alt}}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\right]}\mathrm{+}\left({\mathrm{GW}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\mathrm{/}\mathrm{h}\right]}\mathrm{\times }{\mathrm{T}}_{\left[\mathrm{h}\right]}\right)$$

$${{\mathrm{FB}}^{\mathrm{neu}}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\right]}\mathrm{=}{{\mathrm{FB}}^{\mathrm{alt}}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\right]}\mathrm{+}\left(10\%/\mathrm{h}\mathrm{\times }{\mathrm{T}}_{\left[\mathrm{h}\right]}\right)$$

From equation (2) it can be seen that in the calculation of the display progress speed (formula symbol I), the empirical value (formula sign GW), a measured differential pressure (formula sign .DELTA.P) and the current fan performance flow. The calculated value for the display advance speed results from the addition of the two summands in Equation 2. The second addend is a term that increasingly determines the display advance speed as the suction time increases and the associated increase in measured differential pressure (ΔP) increases. For small differential pressures, Equation 2 is simplified in accordance with Equation 3 given below, according to which the display progression speed substantially coincides with the empirical value, ie the basic value. By substituting this simplified display advance rate in Equation 1, Equation 4 results, and with the most preferred value of 10% / hr for the base value, Equation 4.1 results. $${\mathrm{I}}_{\left[\%/\mathrm{H}\right]}\approx {\mathrm{GW}}_{\left[\%/\mathrm{H}\right]}$$

$${{\mathrm{FB}}^{\mathrm{New}}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\right]}\mathrm{=}{{\mathrm{FB}}^{\mathrm{old}}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\right]}\mathrm{+}\left({\mathrm{GW}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\mathrm{/}\mathrm{H}\right]}\mathrm{\times }{\mathrm{T}}_{\left[\mathrm{H}\right]}\right)$$

$${{\mathrm{FB}}^{\mathrm{New}}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\right]}\mathrm{=}{{\mathrm{FB}}^{\mathrm{old}}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\right]}\mathrm{+}\left(10\%/\mathrm{H}\mathrm{\times }{\mathrm{T}}_{\left[\mathrm{H}\right]}\right)$$

A graph of the function according to Equation 4 or according to Equation 4.1 gives a straight line and based on the in FIG. 4 shown optimal display curve, which is also shown as a straight line (graph 42), it follows that with this equation already an extensive match of the calculated degree of filling is achieved with the optimal display history.

For further clarification will be on FIG. 5 directed. In FIG. 5 is a dashed line of the graph 46 a curve of a level indicator according to the prior art (see also FIG. 4 ). In addition, the graph 48 of a display history with the approach according to the invention is shown. In the initial region of this graph 48, one recognizes that a straight line results and this straight line results from the relationships as explained above with reference to equations 4 or 4.1. In FIG. 5 is different from FIG. 4 the filling degree diagram is plotted on the abscissa not over a quantity of dust in grams, but over a suction time in hours. The ablation above the ordinate is the same as in FIG. 4 the displayed value in percent.

$${\mathrm{I}}_{\left[\%/\mathrm{h}\right]}\approx \mathrm{100.000.010}\%/\mathrm{h}$$

$${{\mathrm{FB}}^{\mathrm{neu}}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\right]}\mathrm{=}{{\mathrm{FB}}^{\mathrm{alt}}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\right]}\mathrm{+}\left(\mathrm{100.000.010}\%/\mathrm{h}\mathrm{\times }{\mathrm{T}}_{\left[\mathrm{h}\right]}\right)$$

As the suction time increases, the quotient in Equation 2 tends towards 1 (ΔP strives against ΔP ^full ) and the numerator and denominator of the quotient approximate, so that the quotient totals 1 as a whole. For large differential pressures, close to the capacity of the dust collector 18, equation 2 is simplified to equation 5 below or to the preferred base value of 10% / h, according to equation 5.1. With Equation 1 and Equation 5.1, equation 6 results for the calculation of the degree of filling, and it is easy to see from the size of the increment used in this case that the calculated degree of filling increases very strongly in this situation. $$\begin{array}{ll}{\mathrm{I}}_{\left[\%/\mathrm{H}\right]}& \approx {\mathrm{GW}}_{\left[\%/\mathrm{H}\right]}+{{\left(1\times 100\right)}^4}_{\left[\%/\mathrm{H}\right]}\\ & \approx {\mathrm{GW}}_{\left[\%/\mathrm{H}\right]}+100000000\%/\mathrm{H}\end{array}$$

$${\mathrm{I}}_{\left[\%/\mathrm{H}\right]}\approx 100000010\%/\mathrm{H}$$

$${{\mathrm{FB}}^{\mathrm{New}}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\right]}\mathrm{=}{{\mathrm{FB}}^{\mathrm{old}}}_{\left[\mathrm{\%}\right]}\mathrm{+}\left(100000010\%/\mathrm{H}\mathrm{\times }{\mathrm{T}}_{\left[\mathrm{H}\right]}\right)$$

The effects of these formulaic relationships are further described below FIG. 5 explained. When displayed in FIG. 5 For the time of 4.5 hours suction, a transition from the calculation of the degree of filling from initially to equation 4.1 and then to equation 6 is provided. In practice, a continuous transition normally takes place and the discontinuous transition is here essentially for simple ratios in the illustration with reference to FIG FIG. 5 selected. One recognizes in FIG. 5 on the dashed graph 48 for the calculated degree of filling its strong slope, which results from the large increment 100 ⁴ .

The relationship between the calculated fill level graph (dashed line) and a graph 50 for a hitherto largest value for a measured fill level (solid line) has not yet been explained. The largest fill level measured to date is based on the measured fill level (Graph 46). If the measured fill level falls below a previously highest measured value, the value of graph 50 remains constant for the highest fill level measured to date, as long as higher fill levels are measured again at a later time. The relationship between the illustrated graphs 46, 48, 50 and the underlying measurements and any resulting stored values is that the fill level indicator 22 displays the calculated fill level (graph 48) as long as the calculated fill level is below the measured fill level (Graph 46) remains. At least until a time of just under 1.5 hours. Suction time is for the conditions in FIG. 5 then a display history according to the type of the optimal display history ( FIG. 4 ) reached. This will avoid that yourself with newly inserted dust bag usually resulting strong increase in the differential pressure falsifies the indicated degree of filling. Not so, as in FIG. 5 For example, for a preferred embodiment of the approach according to the invention, it is provided that the calculated degree of filling is displayed with the degree of filling indicator 22 as long as the calculated degree of filling below a highest level measured to date (graph 50) remains. This leads to a display according to the optimal display process up to a suction time of here 3.0 hours. At this time, in the illustrated example, the calculated fill level reaches the value of the highest fill level ever measured. The case differentiation provided for the selection of the calculated degree of filling for controlling the filling level indicator 22 is no longer fulfilled and the highest degree of filling measured so far is indicated. As soon as the case distinction, which selects the calculated fill level for display, is no longer satisfied, the calculation of the fill level is interrupted; a new calculated degree of filling according to equation (1) or the respective simplifications is therefore no longer determined, so that the last calculated degree of filling is quasi conserved. In the illustration from a time of about 3.5 hours. Suction time results in an increase of the measured filling level again and with a continuously increasing measured filling level correspondingly increases the highest previously measured filling level. The case distinction for the selection of the calculated degree of filling to control the degree of filling indicator 22 is thus fulfilled again. The calculation of the degree of filling according to equation (1) or its simplifications is continued, so that again a straight-line course results in the increase of the indicated degree of filling. The discontinuity in the course of the graph 48 for the calculated degree of filling at a suction time of approximately 4.5 hours has already been explained and this results from the transition used for the representation to achieve simple conditions of a calculation of the degree of filling on the basis of Equation (4.1) below the time of 4.5 hours suction time and a calculation of the degree of filling based on equation (6) above the time of 4.5 hours suction time. In practice, the transition between the two equations takes place continuously, ie the calculation of the degree of filling takes place on the basis of the relationships according to equation (1) and equation (2).

FIG. 6 shows a simplified flow chart to illustrate the procedures in the execution of the method. Implementation of the flowchart into corresponding program code instructions is an implementation of the method in software and by the execution of such program code instructions by the processing unit 26 (FIG. FIG. 1 ) of the control device 24 ( FIG. 1 ) the procedure is carried out.

At the beginning of the process, it is checked (block 52) whether a calculated fill level is below a measured fill level. This review is used here as a case distinction designated. The block 52 shown for the verification realizes the case distinction. If, in the first embodiment of the method, there is still no measured degree of filling, the method begins with a predetermined or predefinable starting value for the measured filling level.

Depending on the result of the case distinction, activation of the fill level indicator 22 (FIG. FIG. 1 ). Namely, the calculated degree of filling is used to control the filling level indicator (block 54) as long as the calculated degree of filling is below the measured filling level, as long as the case distinction is thus fulfilled. Then (block 56) a continuation of the calculation of the degree of filling according to the equations (1) and (2) or their simplifications. Thus, the method is interrupted when the case distinction is satisfied and in a new call, for example, a subroutine implementing the method, a task or the like, the method is continued. Such a call can be made in a fixed time frame or from a regularly executed hierarchically superordinate program part.

If the case distinction (block 52) is not satisfied, that is, if the calculated fill level reaches or exceeds the measured fill level, the measured fill level is used to drive the fill level indicator 22 (block 58). With the activation of the filling level indicator 22 on the basis of the measured degree of filling, the method is interrupted immediately and is carried out, for example. also no re-determination of the calculated degree of filling. The last calculated degree of filling is retained in this way until the case distinction is fulfilled again and a corresponding branch (call of blocks 54, 56) takes place.

Thus, the invention can be briefly described as follows: As a method for operating a vacuum cleaner 10, an improved control of a filling level indicator 22 is indicated, which is based on a measured and a calculated value for a degree of filling of a dust collecting container 18, wherein with the degree of filling indicator 22 of the calculated Filling level is displayed as long as the calculated degree of filling remains below the measured filling level and in the calculation of the degree of filling is influenced by an at least one empirical value influenced display advance speed, the example results in a gradual, ie substantially linear, increase in the calculated degree of filling at values that are significantly above the theoretical values for a momentary degree of filling for a measured degree of filling.

Claims (13)

Method for operating a vacuum cleaner (10) with a filling level indicator (22) for a dust collecting container (18),
wherein a degree of filling of the dust collecting container (18) is measured and calculated, wherein the degree of filling is displayed with the degree of filling indicator (22) as long as the calculated degree of filling remains below the measured degree of filling and
wherein in the calculation of the degree of filling, a display advancing speed influenced by at least one empirical value is incorporated. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement of the degree of filling based on a pressure measurement, in particular a differential pressure measurement. The method of claim 2, wherein the measurement of the fill level is additionally based on a fan power measurement or a blower power dependent signal. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the calculated degree of filling is displayed with the degree of filling indication (22) as long as the calculated degree of filling remains below a highest degree of filling measured so far. Method according to claim 4,
wherein a continuous update of the measured filling degree takes place and the measured filling level is taken over as the highest degree measured to date in a first memory, when the measured filling level exceeds the value of a previous content of the first memory, and
wherein the degree of filling indicated by the filling level indicator (22) is displayed as long as the calculated degree of filling remains below the content of the first store. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the empirical value and a measured differential pressure are included in a calculation of the display progress speed and
wherein the calculation of the display advance speed takes into account a term which increasingly determines the display advance speed as the suction time increases and therewith increases an amount of measured differential pressure. The method of claim 6, wherein the term, which increasingly determines the result of calculation of the display advancing step speed as the differential pressure increases, of the measured differential pressure and then of one Differential pressure value in each case for an empty and a full dust collecting container (18) is dependent. Method according to claim 6, wherein values for the differential pressure value for an empty and a full dust collecting container (18) are determined on the basis of predefined or predefinable parameters and wherein the predetermined or specifiable parameters are read from a second memory depending on one on the vacuum cleaner set power level. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the degree of filling indicated (22), the measured degree of filling is displayed when the calculated degree of filling reaches or exceeds a next measured degree of filling previously measured. A control device for a vacuum cleaner (10) having a memory (28) and a processing unit (26), wherein the memory (28) stores program code instructions (32) for implementing the method according to one of the preceding claims, and wherein the processing unit (26) Operation in execution of the program code instructions (32) causes an activation of a filling level indicator (22). Control device with means for measuring and calculating a degree of filling of a dust collecting container (18) and means for comparing the measured filling level with the calculated filling level and means for controlling the filling level indicator (22) in dependence on the result of the comparison. A control device according to any one of claims 9 or 10, which in use executes the program code instructions (32) in a cyclically recurring manner. Vacuum cleaner with a control device (24) according to one of claims 10 to 12.

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