EP2505115B1 - Vacuum cleaner and method for operating same dependent on operating duration - Google Patents

Description

Background of the Invention

The invention relates to a method for operating a vacuum cleaner equipped with a suction fan, in which in particular the operating time of the suction fan is recorded. The invention further relates to a vacuum cleaner with a suction fan, the vacuum cleaner being equipped with a timing element for recording the operating time.

State of the art

A method and vacuum cleaner of the type mentioned are from the Japanese patent application JP 62289216 A1 known. The vacuum cleaner disclosed there is equipped with a device for measuring the operating time. As soon as the vacuum cleaner is put into operation, the device counts the duration of use and stores this in an electronic storage medium. From the accumulated period of use, conclusions can be drawn about the amount of dust absorbed and thus the degree of filling of the dust filter bag. As soon as the measured operating time since the last cleaning of the vacuum cleaner reaches a predetermined threshold value, the user is informed of this by a light signal, so that the user can clean the vacuum cleaner again, for example by replacing the dust filter bag.

This procedure is associated with the possible disadvantage that the suction power between the cleaning processes decreases due to the increasing pressure loss in the filling dust filter bag.

Another method of operating a vacuum cleaner is disclosed in Japanese Patent JP 2 668 899 B2 described. The vacuum cleaner known from this document has an optical sensor upstream of the dust separation device for detecting the amount of dust carried in the suction air stream. The sensor consists of a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, between which the suction air flow is passed. The dust conveyed in the suction air flow is optically recorded and the measurement result is continuously stored in a storage medium, so that the volume of dust absorbed since the vacuum cleaner was last cleaned can be calculated. Depending on the accumulated volume of dust, the power of the suction fan is increased in stages, so that the suction power of the vacuum cleaner can be kept essentially constant regardless of the degree of filling of the dust separator.

Due to the necessity of a reliable and precisely working optical sensor, this method requires considerable equipment expenditure.

In the DE 10 2009 035 717 A1 a method for determining a filling level of a dust bag in a vacuum cleaner is specified, wherein a differential pressure above the dust bag is determined at least repeatedly, the differential pressure being checked on the basis of a validity criterion and the filling level being determined on the basis of the differential pressure value if the validity criterion is met, a control device for a vacuum cleaner with a memory and a processing unit, program code instructions for implementing the method being stored in the memory and the processing unit in operation, when the program code instructions are executed, triggering a dust bag filling level indicator in accordance with the determined filling level.

From the DE utility model 80 29 093 U1 a vacuum cleaner is known with a control panel that has at least one switch for setting different motor powers or motor power ranges as well as a motor power / vacuum or motor power / suction power diagram with a characteristic curve of the vacuum cleaner shown therein. Each switch is spatially assigned to the performance range of the diagram set by it.

From the publication DE 10 2008 005 150A1 A vacuum cleaner and a method for operating a vacuum cleaner are known in which a fill level of a dust collection container and thus a necessary emptying and cleaning of the filter system are displayed. When a setpoint of a vacuum is exceeded, a fault cycle is initiated and the vacuum is compared with a setpoint after a predetermined period of time. The user can see whether a suction power of the vacuum cleaner is reduced by the dust loading and can take the necessary measures to cancel the fault cycle again. For example, the user can empty a dust collector or clean a filter system.

Another vacuum cleaner and a method for its operation are from the published application DE 10 2008 010 068 A1 known. In this vacuum cleaner, two pressure sensors are provided, which on the one hand measure the negative pressure applied to the suction nozzle and on the other hand the negative pressure in the inlet area of the suction fan and feed this signal to independent control loops. A control device decides which of the control loops takes over control of the suction power for the specific suction task. The performance of the suction fan is increased if the dust filter bag has an increased flow resistance due to a large amount of dust picked up. In addition, the suction power is adjusted when the suction nozzle changes from a hard surface to a flexible carpet and the amount of air sucked in between the suction nozzle and the floor is reduced with little resistance. This configuration on the one hand adapts the suction power to different floor coverings, but also effects a change depending on the degree of filling of the suction bag. The maximum suction power can be limited in the usual way via a manual power adjustment.

In this vacuum cleaner too, the outlay on equipment is relatively great, since the method described there requires the use of two pressure sensors.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to compensate for the pressure loss which increases with increasing degree of filling of the separating device, in particular the dust filter bag, using simple apparatus. The invention is also based on the object of reliably informing the user of the actual or suspected reaching of a filling limit of the separating device.

Solution according to the invention

The object of the invention is based on a method for operating a vacuum cleaner equipped with a suction fan according to the subject matter of claim 1. With regard to a vacuum cleaner of the type mentioned at the outset, the object is achieved in that the suction fan has a power control which includes the timing element is connected. The power in the sense of the present invention is the electrical power that the suction fan receives. In the simplest case, the power increases linearly with the operating time. Of course, time-performance functions are also possible, e.g. B. a gradual increase depending on the operating time.

In a vacuum cleaner, the suction fan creates a negative pressure in order to absorb dust-laden suction air through a suction channel and to separate the dust from the air in a separating device. The fan is usually arranged downstream of the separator. The suction channel upstream of the separating device, through which the suction air flows in order to lie to the separating device, usually comprises a suction nozzle and a suction pipe and / or a suction hose. The separating device can comprise, for example, a dust filter bag or a centrifugal or cyclone separator.

The invention is based on the consideration that the operating time can serve as a measure of the amount of dust absorbed. It is an achievable advantage of the solution according to the invention that the pressure loss in the flow channel between the suction nozzle and the suction blower, which increases as the separating device fills, is reliably compensated with little outlay on equipment, so that the suction power of the vacuum cleaner is not or not significantly reduced. In particular, no pressure or pressure difference measurement and therefore no pressure sensor are required for this purpose. Furthermore, an electronic processor that is less powerful than the previously known solutions can be used for the control. In addition, the use of a potentiometer, which is usually provided for manual power control by the user, may be dispensed with. The properties of the substrate to be vacuumed, such as the flexibility and tightness of a carpet, also have no influence on the process.

The object on which the invention is based is also achieved with reference to a generic method in that the reaching of a threshold value for a measured or suspected cumulative dust pick-up is communicated by a reduction in the power of the suction fan. The threshold value for the measured or suspected cumulative dust pick-up in the sense of the invention can, for example, be a threshold value for the operating time, the assumption then being that the operating time is a measure of the cumulative dust pick-up. The threshold for the measured or suspected dust intake can, for. B. can also be a threshold value for a cumulative amount of dust, which was determined with the aid of a means for determining the amount of dust carried in the suction air flow (e.g. the optical sensor system known from the prior art mentioned).

It is an achievable advantage of this method that the user is reliably informed of the actual or assumed filling level of the separating device without the user having to keep an eye on the vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, this form of notification is not perceived as disturbing, as would be the case, for example, with a warning tone.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

Advantageous training or further developments, which can be used individually or in combination with one another, are the subject of the dependent claims. Reference symbols in the claims are not to be understood as restrictive, but are only intended to make the claims legible.

The power increases with increasing operating time, preferably from a predetermined minimum power to a predetermined maximum power. The power when starting the operation after cleaning the vacuum cleaner preferably corresponds to the minimum line and is increased to the maximum power as the operating time of the vacuum cleaner increases. In the sense of the present invention is a cleaning or cleaning operation of the vacuum cleaner emptying the separator, for. B. by replacing the dust filter bag or emptying the separating space of a centrifugal or cyclone separator. It is preferred that the user is informed by a signal that a threshold value for the operating time has been reached. The user is therefore not required to keep track of the time elapsed since the last time the vacuum cleaner was cleaned, but is expressly made aware of the need to clean it again. A vacuum cleaner suitable for carrying out this method is preferably equipped with a signaling means for indicating that a threshold value has been reached for the operating time. The signaling means can e.g. B. be a lamp and / or an acoustic signal. The signal can also consist in the fact that the power of the suction fan is no longer increased, but is reduced as a sign that the threshold value has been reached or exceeded.

Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that the dust content in the suction air flow is determined and the threshold value for the operating time and / or the operating time-dependent control of the power of the suction fan is changed as a function of the measured dust content. For example, if the power is increased linearly with the operating time, the gradient of the linear relationship can be made dependent on the measured dust content, preferably on the measured dust content averaged over the operating time. The gradient is preferably proportional to the measured dust content, particularly preferably to that measured over the operating period Dust content. In the case of a step-by-step, duration-dependent increase in power, the height of the steps (preferably proportional) or the time interval between the steps (preferably anti-proportional) can be adapted as a function of the measured rod content, preferably to the measured dust content averaged over the operating time. If the threshold value is adjusted as a function of the dust content, it can be achieved that the presumed filling level of the separating device corresponds more exactly to its actual filling level, so that the time interval between two cleaning processes on the vacuum cleaner can be increased if the suction air flow has previously carried only a relatively small amount of dust. If, on the other hand, the dust load in the suction air flow is relatively high, a cleaning process on the vacuum cleaner is rather necessary and indicated. The threshold value is preferably determined by extrapolation of the functional relationship between operating time and power. It is preferably the point in time when the maximum performance is reached. A vacuum cleaner suitable for carrying out this method is preferably equipped with means for determining the amount of dust carried in the suction air flow, which are in operative connection with a device for power regulation and / or the timing element. As is known from the prior art, these means can consist, for example, of an optical sensor system.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the dust content in the suction air flow is not used to determine the functional relationship between operating time and power for the increase in performance depending on the operating time and / or to determine the threshold value. A value derived from a dust content, e.g. B. the cumulative dust content, is preferably not used.

It is further preferred that the previously recorded operating time of the suction fan is preferably automatically reset when the vacuum cleaner is cleaned. This means that the procedure can be carried out again starting with the minimum power. The operating time is therefore the operating time after the last reset. This relieves the user or the controller of the vacuum cleaner from the operating time since the last cleaning of the vacuum cleaner from the current total operating time of the vacuum cleaner and the total operating time at the time of the last cleaning of the vacuum cleaner calculate. A vacuum cleaner suitable for this purpose is preferably provided with means for resetting the timer, for example with a simple switch which is actuated by the user after the vacuum cleaner has been cleaned. Alternatively, electronic detection can also take place, for example using a vacuum switch. On the other hand, the means for resetting the timer are particularly advantageously connected to a device for detecting a cleaning process on the vacuum cleaner, so that the resetting is carried out comfortably and reliably without further action by the user.

The method according to the invention is furthermore advantageously characterized in that the time intervals between successive cleaning processes are averaged and the mean value is used as a threshold value for the operating time and / or for the operating time-dependent control of the power of the suction fan. In this way, the normal dust load in the usual working environment of the vacuum cleaner is included in the estimation of the degree of filling of the dust collecting space of the separating device. The dust collection space is usually provided for receiving a dust filter bag. In principle, however, the invention can also be used in vacuum cleaners which have a centrifugal or cyclone separator. A vacuum cleaner suitable for this purpose is preferably characterized by means for averaging the operating time recorded by the timing element between successive cleaning operations on the vacuum cleaner.

Also preferred is a method in which the desired suction power is set and the threshold value for the operating time and / or the corrected power of the suction fan, which takes into account the presumed pressure loss in the separating device, is changed as a function of the desired suction power. This takes into account the increased dust absorption with a high suction power of the vacuum cleaner and the filling of the dust filter bag which progresses faster as a result. A vacuum cleaner suitable for this purpose preferably has means for setting the desired suction power, by means of which the threshold value for the operating time and / or the power of the suction fan can be changed as a function of the desired suction power.

Brief description of the figures

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of schematic drawings of several exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1:

eine seitliche Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten Staubsaugers mit schematischer Darstellung des Gehäuseinneren;

Fig. 2:

ein Leistungs/Zeit-Diagramm nach einer ersten Ausbildung der Erfindung;

Fig. 3:

ein Leistungs/Zeit-Diagramm nach einer zweiten Ausbildung der Erfindung;

Fig. 4:

ein Leistungs/Zeit-Diagramm nach einer dritten Ausbildung der Erfindung; und schließlich

Fig. 5:

ein Leistungs/Zeit-Diagramm nach einer weiteren Ausbildung der Erfindung.

Show it:

Fig. 1:

a side view of a vacuum cleaner designed according to the invention with a schematic representation of the interior of the housing;

Fig. 2:

a power / time diagram according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3:

a power / time diagram according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4:

a power / time diagram according to a third embodiment of the invention; and finally

Fig. 5:

a performance / time diagram according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention using several exemplary embodiments

The in Figure 1 The vacuum cleaner 1 shown consists of an assembly carrier 2, the housing 3 of which accommodates an aspirator 4 driven by an electric motor. The suction fan 4 is connected upstream with a separating device 5, which receives an exchangeable dust filter bag 6. A suction channel 7, which is embedded in the housing 3, opens into the dust filter bag 6 and in turn interacts with a suction nozzle 10 via a flexible suction hose 8 and a telescopic suction pipe 9. To process floor coverings, the suction nozzle 10 is placed on the surface to be cleaned and moved back and forth after the suction fan 4 has been switched on. The dust located on the floor is sucked together with air near the floor into the separating device 5 and separated in the dust filter bag 6, with the flow channel between the suction nozzle 10 and Separator 5 forms a negative pressure. The cleaned air flow is passed through the suction fan 4 and escapes through an exhaust air opening 11 in the housing 3 in the direction of the arrow 12. The housing 3 has a cover, not shown, after the opening of which the separating device 5 and thus also the dust filter bag 6 located there are accessible .

A timer 13 is arranged in the unit carrier 2, which is activated when the suction blower 4 is switched on and determines and stores its operating time. The timer 13 is operatively connected to a device 14 for detecting a cleaning process on the vacuum cleaner 1, the cleaning in the exemplary embodiment in particular comprising the replacement of the dust filter bag 6. When a new dust filter bag 6 is inserted, the device 14 sends a signal to the timer 13, which deletes the operating time of the suction fan 4 stored up to that point. If the suction blower 4 is put into operation again, the determination of the operating time begins again and is transmitted to a power control 15 of the suction blower 4, the power of which is dependent on the operating time accumulated since the last maintenance, i.e. the last time the dust filter bag, the vacuum cleaner 1 was replaced increases and thus completely or partially compensates for the presumed pressure loss in the flow channel through the filling dust filter bag 6.

Figure 2 shows the course of the blower voltage U as a measure of the performance of the suction blower 4 as a function of the operating time (time t) since the last change of the dust filter bag 6 in a particularly simple embodiment of the present invention. How from Fig. 2 As can be seen, the power of the suction fan 4, starting from an initial power, is increased linearly and continuously with increasing operating time starting from a minimum power 16 until the maximum possible blower power 17 is reached at time t1. It is irrelevant whether the vacuum cleaner 1 is operated continuously or with time interruptions in this time interval. When the threshold value t1 or a delayed threshold value t2 which takes into account a tolerance time is reached, the vacuum cleaner 1 emits an optical, tactile or acoustic signal which draws the user's attention to the presumed need to clean the vacuum cleaner 1 by replacing the dust filter bag 6.

When proceeding Figure 3 instead of a usual signal to indicate the required change of the dust filter bag 6 at time t2, the power of the suction blower is significantly, but not completely reduced, which avoids the emission of signals which may be perceived as disturbing. The suction fan 4 continues to run with greatly reduced, but still perceptible performance, in order to avoid the impression of a device defect.

If the vacuum cleaner 1 is equipped with means for setting the desired suction power, for example with a setting wheel to be operated by the user and acting on a potentiometer, this suction power setting can be taken into account when determining the threshold value t1 for the operating time ( Fig. 4 ). If the user continuously requests a low suction power (curve A), a later filling of the dust filter bag 6 is assumed, so that the threshold value t1 "can be shifted backwards in time. However, if a high suction power is always desired (curve B), the threshold value becomes It is understood that changing suction power requirements can also be included in the calculation of the threshold value t1.

Fig. 5 shows a possible power / time diagram for a vacuum cleaner, which is provided with means for determining the amount of dust carried in the suction air flow. In the exemplary embodiment, the suction air flow of this vacuum cleaner initially has a relatively low dust content, as a result of which a threshold value t1 'can be extrapolated. After an operating time t3, the dust content increases significantly. The power of the suction fan is subsequently increased more quickly, the threshold value t1 "being reached more quickly.

Reference numerals

1

vacuum cleaner

2nd

Subframe

3rd

casing

4th

Suction fan

5

Separator

6

Dust filter bag

7

Suction channel

8th

Suction hose

9

Intake manifold

10th

Suction nozzle

11

Exhaust vent

12th

Arrow (exhaust air flow)

13

Timer

14

Setup (to record a cleaning process)

15

Power control

16

Minimum performance

17th

Maximum performance

t

Operating time

t1

Threshold (for the operating time t)

t1 '

Threshold (for the operating time t)

t1 "

Threshold (for the operating time t)

t2

Threshold (for the operating time t)

t3

Point in time (increased dust pick-up)

Claims (15)

1. Method for operating a vacuum cleaner (1) equipped with a suction fan (4), in which the operating time (t) of the suction fan (4) is detected, wherein the operating time (t) is the operating time of the suction fan after the last reset when the vacuum cleaner (1) is cleaned, wherein the power of the suction fan (4) is increased depending on the detected increasing operating time (t) of the vacuum cleaner (1).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that that the reaching of a threshold value (t1, t1', t1", t2) for the operating time (t) is communicated to the user via a signal.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the dust content in the suction air flow is determined and the operating-time-dependent increase in the power of the suction fan (4) and/or the threshold value (t1, t1', t1", t2) for the operating time (t) is altered depending on a measured dust content.
4. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the dust content in the suction air flow is not used for determining the functional interrelationship between operating time and power for the operating-time-dependent power control and/or for determining the threshold value.
5. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the reaching of a threshold value (t1, t1', t1", t2) for a measured or supposed accumulated dust collection capacity is communicated by a reduction in the power of the suction fan (4).
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the previously detected operating time (t) of the suction fan (4) is automatically reset when the vacuum cleaner (1) is cleaned.
7. Method according to claim 6, characterised in that the time intervals between successive cleaning processes are averaged and the average value is used as a threshold value (t1, t1', t1", t2) for the operating time (t) and/or for the control of the power of the suction fan (4).
8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the desired suction power is set and the threshold value (t1, t1', t1", t2) for the operating time and/or the corrected power of the suction fan (4) are altered depending on the desired suction power.
9. Vacuum cleaner (1) with a suction fan (4), wherein the suction fan (4) is equipped with a timer (13) for detecting the operating time (t), wherein the operating time (t) is the operating time of the suction fan after the last reset when the vacuum cleaner (1) is cleaned, and wherein the suction fan (4) has a power control (15) which interacts with the timer (13), wherein the power control is configured to increase the power of the suction fan (4) depending on the detected increasing operating time (t) of the vacuum cleaner (1).
10. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, characterised in that the vacuum cleaner has a signal means for indicating that the threshold value (t1, t1', t1", t2) for the operating time has been reached or exceeded.
11. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 9 or 10, characterised by means for determining the quantity of dust carried in the suction air flow, which interacts with the power control (15) of the suction fan (4) and/or with the timer (13).
12. Vacuum cleaner according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterised by means for resetting the timer (13).
13. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, characterised in that the means for resetting the timer (13) interact with a device (14) for detecting a cleaning process on the vacuum cleaner (1).
14. Vacuum cleaner according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterised by means for averaging the operating time (t) detected by the timer between successive cleaning processes on the vacuum cleaner (1).
15. Vacuum cleaner according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterised in that the vacuum cleaner (1) has means for setting the desired suction power, by means of which the threshold value (t1, t1', t1", t2) for the operating time (t) and/or the corrected power of the suction fan (4) can be altered depending on the desired suction power.

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