EP2617340B1 - Apparatus and method for influencing the electric power consumption of a vacuum cleaner motor - Google Patents

Description

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to devices and methods for controlling the engine power of a vacuum cleaner, in particular for controlling the engine power as a function of a fill level of a dust catching container.

Devices for controlling the motor or fan performance of a vacuum cleaner are known in the art and are commonly used today for vacuum cleaners. The publication DE 3307002 A1 describes, for example, a type of regulation of the suction power of vacuum cleaners, with a in the suction of the vacuum cleaner, for example in front of a dust bag, from there prevailing (sub) pressure influenced membrane whose continuous, vacuum-dependent adjustment acts on a potentiometer, which in turn is part a drive circuit for a speed control of the vacuum cleaner motor. Such speed controls for motor drives, even for vacuum cleaners, often work on the phase angle principle and have a thyristor or other controllable semiconductor element, which is connected for example in series with the supply terminals of the motor and this supplied depending on the control with electrical drive energy. A similar control device for controlling the vacuum cleaner engine power is also disclosed in the publication DE 3041167 A1 described.

In the European patent application EP 0 379 680 A1 a device for automatic suction power control of a vacuum cleaner is described. It is proposed to provide in a device for automatic suction power control of a vacuum cleaner with blower, blower drive motor and an associated drive circuit for the latter two adjusted to different vacuum Ansprechschnellwerte two vacuum switch or vacuum double switch and to control a memory (counter, capacitor) via a corresponding combination of their switching states , whose output configurations are decisive for the control of a phase angle control in series with the fan drive motor.

In the German patent application DE 10 2008 010 068 A1 a device for automatic suction power control of a vacuum cleaner is described, the motor / blower unit is driven with associated electrical or electronic control circuit and whose Staubabscheideeinheit a suction nozzle is upstream. The device comprises a first pressure sensor for detecting a generated by the motor / blower unit, applied to the Staubabscheideeinheit vacuum, which forms a first control loop together with the control circuit to the voltage applied to the Staubabscheideeinheit on a basis of the signal of the first pressure sensor to hold predetermined value, and a second pressure sensor for detecting a voltage applied to the suction nozzle, which forms a second control circuit together with the control circuit to hold on the basis of the signal of the second pressure sensor applied to the suction nozzle vacuum below a predetermined value.

In such known control circuits for the suction power there is the effect that at a greater negative pressure in the intake, resulting for example in a relatively dense carpet to be sucked down, the performance of the device is down regulated, while the device emits virtually its full power at idle. By means of such control circuits, it is thus attempted to regulate the vacuum prevailing in the intake area or suction space and dependent on the floor covering to a predetermined desired value in order to obtain a sufficiently high suction force on the one hand and a sliding force which is not too high on the other hand. The negative pressure in the absorption circuit of the vacuum cleaner for a given Staubfangbehälterfüllung so generally depends not only on the respective Blowing power from, but to a great extent also from the surface to be sucked or the subsurface to be sucked.

In the case of vacuum cleaners without special power control, the amount of air sucked in when the dust collector is empty (eg dust bags or dust collector) is normally higher than for a good dust absorption. In contrast, the amount of air sucked is lower than necessary when the dust collector is filled with dirt. The fact that, for example, enforce the pores of a vacuum cleaner bag, the amount of air that can be sucked in per second and which is directly related to the dust pickup of the vacuum cleaner.

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to achieve a performance-efficient dust absorption, which is as independent as possible of a floor covering to be vacuumed.

The solution of the object is achieved by a floor care device, in particular a vacuum cleaner, and / or by a method having the features of the independent claims.

In order to obtain a performance that is essentially independent of the surface condition of a substrate to be sucked off and, on the other hand, a performance adjustment for the vacuum cleaner motor depending on the level of the dust collector, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a physical variable or difference variable which depends essentially only on the level of the dust collector capture. In this case, the physical difference variable to be detected is chosen such that it changes when the floor covering, z. B. hard floor on carpet, and the associated negative pressure change in the dust chamber of the floor care device does not change substantially. The detected physical difference size should therefore be essentially independent of the floor covering to be suctioned off and instead mainly dependent on the fill level of the dust catching container. As a result, a power adaptation of the vacuum cleaner engine that is essentially dependent only on the fill level of the dust collector can be achieved.

If the detected physical difference quantity indicates that it exceeds or falls below a certain level threshold, embodiments of the present invention provide for adjusting the electrical power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor. When exceeding a preset or predetermined threshold value of the physical difference size, the electrical power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor, for example, by a switch discretely raised from a lower value to a higher value. Conversely, when falling below the predetermined threshold, the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor can be lowered discretely from a higher value to a lower value. Exceeding the predetermined threshold value of the physical difference quantity indicates that a predetermined filling level of the dust catching container is exceeded. Likewise, falling below the threshold value of the physical difference quantity indicates a falling below a predetermined level threshold value.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner is provided with a device for influencing an electrical power consumption of a vacuum cleaner motor of the vacuum cleaner with a dust collecting container which can be arranged in a suction air flow. The device for influencing the electrical power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor comprises means for detecting a pressure difference between a first Saugluftdruck upstream of the dust collector and a second Saugluftdruck downstream of the dust collector and a means for adjusting the electrical power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor when the detected pressure difference exceeds a preset differential pressure threshold. or below. In this case, the device for adjusting the electrical power consumption is designed to raise the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor discreetly from a predetermined lower value to a predetermined higher value when exceeding the preset differential pressure threshold and vice versa, when falling below the preset differential pressure threshold, the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor discreetly lower the predetermined higher value to the predetermined lower value.

In this case, "upstream" upstream of the dust collector against the flow direction and "downstream" downstream of the dust collector in the flow direction. The greater the difference between a suction air flow upstream of the dust collector and a suction air flow downstream of the dust collector, the fuller the dust collector will be, with "full" or "empty" present as a measure of the dust collector filling.

In other embodiments, a weight of the dust collector in the filled state may be a measure of its degree of filling or level. In such a case, the means for detecting, for example, a balance or a load cell have to determine a difference in weight between filled and empty dust collector. The device for detecting can thus be designed in accordance with some exemplary embodiments in order to detect a weight difference between a first fill level and a second fill level of the dust catching container. Accordingly, the means for adjusting may be configured to increase the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor when the detected weight difference exceeds a preset threshold.

In order to determine the pressure difference in the suction space in front of and behind the dust collecting container, such as eg a dust bag, the means for detecting the pressure difference can have a differential pressure switch which can cooperate with the device for adjusting the electrical power consumption so that upon reaching the preset differential pressure threshold, a switching signal for changing the electrical power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor is provided. If the preset differential pressure threshold value is exceeded, for example, a switching signal for discrete increase of the electrical power consumption can be provided, whereas if the preset differential pressure threshold value is undershot, a switching signal for discretely lowering the electrical power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor can be provided, for example.

The differential pressure threshold may be preset according to embodiments of the present invention in response to a maximum power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor and a predetermined level of filling of the dust collector. This means that at the predetermined level of the dust collector, for example, 50% or z. B. 200 g filling, for different maximum powers of the vacuum cleaner motor also give different differential pressure thresholds. At a certain filling level threshold value (eg 50% or 200 g filling), therefore, different differential pressure threshold values result as a function of the maximum power consumption of the vacuum cleaner engine, with the differential pressure threshold values corresponding to the filling level threshold increasing with increasing maximum power consumption.

In order to decrease the electrical power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor, the means for adjusting the electrical power consumption, according to some embodiments, an electrical phase control or a phase portion control circuit, which cooperates with the means for detecting such that when exceeding or falling below the predetermined Threshold a phase angle or a phase portion of the vacuum cleaner supplying AC voltage is adjusted or switched. In a phase angle control circuit, a current flow through the vacuum cleaner motor, for example, by a triac (short for triode for alternating current), an anti-parallel connection of two thyristors can be influenced. After a zero crossing of an alternating voltage (and the current) applied across the triac, the triac does not conduct the electric current until it receives a so-called ignition pulse. Only from this point in time or this "phase" of the AC signal, the vacuum cleaner motor is supplied with electrical energy until the next zero crossing. The later the triac is ignited, the lower the average electric power delivered to the vacuum cleaner motor. While in a phase control circuit, the current delayed after the zero crossing of the AC voltage is turned on and flows to the next zero crossing, it is reversed in the phase section control, ie the current is switched on immediately after the zero crossing and off again before the next zero crossing. According to embodiments of the present invention, the phase-angle control circuit comprises a digital or analog adjustable electrical resistance (eg, a potentiometer), which can be changed by means of the means for detecting to the electrical power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor, for. B. by means of Phasenanschnitt- or phase control circuit to adjust, if the detected physical quantity, such. B. the differential pressure value, exceeding or falling below the preset threshold corresponds. For example, an adjustment movement of a differential pressure switch caused by the detected physical difference variable can act on a potentiometer, which in turn is part of the drive circuit for the power control of the vacuum cleaner motor. The differently adjustable electrical resistance causes different phase delays of the electrical current relative to the electrical AC voltage, so that different Phasenanschnitts- or phase angle section can be achieved.

According to some embodiments, the means for detecting may also include a plurality of differential pressure switches to gradually increase or decrease the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner when reaching different levels of differential pressure thresholds.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided a method for influencing an electrical power consumption of a vacuum cleaner motor of a vacuum cleaner having a dust collector disposable in a suction air flow. In this case, the method comprises a step of detecting a pressure difference between a first suction air pressure upstream of the dust collecting container and a second suction air pressure downstream of the dust collecting container. Furthermore, the method comprises a step of adjusting the electrical power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor when the detected pressure difference exceeds or falls below a preset differential pressure threshold value. In this case, when the preset differential pressure threshold value is exceeded, the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor is raised discretely from a predetermined lower value to a predetermined higher value and vice versa if the preset differential pressure threshold value is undershot the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor is lowered discretely from the predetermined higher value to the predetermined lower value.

Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims. The reference numerals in the claims have no limiting effect but are merely intended to improve their readability.

In embodiments of the present invention, a simple and thus cost differential pressure switch can absorb the negative pressure before and after a filter bag, whereby the differential pressure can be obtained. Since the differential pressure thus determined changes only slightly with a change in the floor covering (hard floor carpet) and increases with increasing filling of the bag with dust, the change in the floor covering has almost no influence. Upon reaching a preset lower or differential pressure value, which is at a fan with a maximum of 1400 watts of electrical power and about 200 g of dust filling, for example, at about 50 mbar, switches the lower or differential pressure switch and can thus in a relatively simple way change phase angle caused by the phase gating control circuit. In this way, the electric power of the fan can be increased to counteract the filling of the filter bag.

By changing a resistance value of a phase shifter of the phase control circuit, the change of the phase angle can be realized without using a complicated and complicated microcontroller and thus relatively inexpensively. The differential pressure switch according to embodiments of the present invention can only make a simple switching (eg, resistance switching) in the phase gating control circuit.

Optionally, according to embodiments, the electrical power can also be increased or decreased several times in steps. For this purpose, several analog or digital differential pressure switches or sockets can be used with different switching points, which change the phase angle depending on the prevailing differential pressure.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Beeinflussung einer elektrischen Leistungsaufnahme eines Staubsaugermotors gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 2

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer in einer Einrichtung zum Verstellen der elektrischen Leistungsaufnahme eingesetzten Phasenanschnittsteuerschaltung, gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 3a

eine schematische, vergleichende Darstellung von Saugluftmenge und elektrischer Leistung aufgetragen über eine Beladung eines Staubfangbehälters bei genau einem eingesetzten Differenzdruckschalter, gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung; und

Fig. 3b

eine schematische, vergleichende Darstellung von Saugluftmenge und elektrischer Leistung aufgetragen über eine Beladung eines Staubfangbehälters bei mehreren eingesetzten Differenzdruckschaltern, gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung.

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a device for influencing an electrical power consumption of a vacuum cleaner motor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2

an embodiment of a phase control circuit used in a device for adjusting the electrical power consumption, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3a

a schematic, comparative representation of Saugluftmenge and electrical power plotted against a load of a dust collecting container at exactly one differential pressure switch used, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 3b

a schematic, comparative representation of Saugluftmenge and electrical power plotted against a load of a dust collecting container at several differential pressure switches used, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, like reference characters designate like or similar components.

The Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 10 for influencing an electrical power consumption of a vacuum cleaner motor 11 of a vacuum cleaner 12 with a suction air flow 13 can be arranged or arranged dust collector 14. The vacuum cleaner motor 11 serves to drive a fan 15, which the suction air flow 13 of a (in of the Fig. 1 not shown) nozzle via a suction pipe (not shown) or a hose in a dust chamber and thus caused by the dust collector 14.

The apparatus 10 comprises means 16 for detecting a pressure difference ΔP between a first suction air pressure P ₁ upstream of the dust collector 14 and a second suction air pressure P ₂ downstream of the dust collector 14. Furthermore, the device 10 comprises a device 17 for adjusting the electrical power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor 11 when the detected pressure difference .DELTA.P exceeds or falls below a preset differential pressure threshold .DELTA.P _S. This means that the means 17 for adjusting is formed on the one hand to increase the electrical power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor 11 when the detected pressure difference .DELTA.P the predefined differential pressure threshold .DELTA.P _S exceeds. On the other hand, the device 17 for adjusting is designed to lower the electrical power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor 11 when the detected pressure difference ΔP falls below the predefined differential pressure threshold value ΔP _S.

For determining the pressure difference .DELTA.P, the means 16 for detecting may comprise, for example, a differential pressure switch or differential pressure cell, which cooperates with the device 17 for adjusting the electrical power consumption, so that upon reaching the preset differential pressure threshold .DELTA.P _S a switching signal for adjusting (increase or decrease ) of the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor 11 is provided.

The differential pressure switch or sensor can measure the difference between the two absolute pressures P ₁ and P ₂ , ie, the differential pressure ΔP. For this purpose, the differential pressure switch may for example have two measuring chambers, which are hermetically separated from each other by a membrane. A differential pressure-dependent deflection of the membrane can then be tapped, wherein the deflection is a measure of the size of the differential pressure. Both analogue and digital differential pressure switches are possible. In the case of analog differential pressure switches, the deflection of the diaphragm can be used directly for adjusting a resistance value, for example in a phase control control circuit. Digital differential pressure switches can determine from the deflection of the diaphragm an electrical, digital switching signal, by which, for example, a resistance change in a phase control circuit can be made.

The differential pressure threshold ΔP _s may be adjusted in accordance with some embodiments as a function of a maximum power consumption (eg, 1400 watts) of the vacuum cleaner motor 11 and a predetermined level threshold of the dust collector 14 (eg, 200 g). This may then result, for example, in a differential pressure threshold ΔP _S of 50 mbar. For this purpose, the membrane of the differential pressure switch could for example be biased in a suitable manner, so that the differential pressure threshold .DELTA.P _S for a predetermined filling with increasing maximum power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor 11 can be increased. Advantageously, therefore, a bias of the membrane is adjustable, so that the differential pressure sensor is adaptable to different floor care appliances or vacuum cleaners and working conditions.

At the in Fig. 1 described embodiment, therefore, a relatively simple and inexpensive differential pressure switch of the device 16 for detecting a negative pressure P ₁ before and a negative pressure P ₂ after the dust collector 14 process to determine the differential pressure .DELTA.P. Since the differential pressure .DELTA.P changes only slightly with a change in the floor covering or substrate to be suctioned off and rises when the dust collector 14 is filled with dust, the change in the floor covering to be suctioned has virtually no influence on the determined differential pressure .DELTA.P, which thus essentially only depends on the level of the dust collector 14. Upon reaching the preset differential pressure value .DELTA.P _S due to a specific filling of the dust collector 14, the differential pressure switch turns on to cause a change in the power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor 11.

For this purpose, the device 17 for adjusting the electrical power consumption can have, for example, an electrical phase-gating or phase-segment control circuit which cooperates with the device 16 for detecting such that when the threshold value .DELTA.P _{S is reached,} a phase angle or phase section of an AC voltage provided to the vacuum cleaner motor 11 is switched over is adjusted. For example, the phase angle or phase section control circuit may include an adjustable electrical resistance (eg, a potentiometer) that may be varied by means of the means 16 for sensing, in particular by means of the differential pressure switch, to adjust the electrical power supplied to the vacuum cleaner motor 11 the predetermined differential pressure threshold value ΔP _{S is} exceeded or fallen below.

This is exemplified by a in the Fig. 2 outlined possible embodiment of a phase control circuit.

The Fig. 2 shows a schematic circuit arrangement for a phase control circuit 20, which can be used in the means 17 for adjusting the electrical power consumption. The electric vacuum cleaner motor 11 is controlled by a triac T ₁ , which in turn via a Diac (Diode for Alternating Current, Diode for alternating current) D _{1 is} ignited. The resistor R ₁ and the capacitor or the capacitor C ₁ together form a phase shifter, takes place by a delay of an input _AC voltage U _IN . Therefore, a threshold voltage of Diac D _{1 is reached} only after a zero crossing of the input AC voltage U _IN and the triac T ₁ ignites (briefly) before the next zero crossing of the input AC voltage U _IN . With the potentiometer P ₁ , a less delayed AC voltage can be added. The smaller the resistance of the potentiometer P ₁ , the earlier the diac D ₁ and the triac T _{1 will} be ignited and the more electric power will arrive at the vacuum cleaner motor 11.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the differential or negative pressure switch (UDS) could thus act, for example, directly on the variable resistor of the potentiometer P ₁ and set it to different values, depending on the instantaneous measured differential pressure ΔP. Additionally or alternatively, a differential pressure-dependent resistor R _{S of} the differential pressure switch UDS can be used. Depending on the differential pressure range, the electrical resistance R _{S of} the differential pressure switch UDS changes. By increasing the electrical resistance R _S can in the in the Fig. 2 shown circuit, the electric power to the electric motor 11 are increased, whereas, for example, with a reduction of the electrical resistance R _S, the electrical power arriving at the electric motor 11 is reduced.

The phase control circuit 20 thus includes an adjustable electrical resistance (P ₁ and / or R _S ), which can be changed by means of the means 16 for detecting or the differential pressure switch to increase or decrease the electrical power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor 11 by means of the phase control circuit when the detected pressure difference .DELTA.P exceeds or falls below the differential pressure threshold .DELTA.P _S.

While the differential pressure sensor according to some embodiments may be used as a discrete switch for switching between two discrete electrical resistance values, according to other embodiments, the differential pressure switch UDS may also continuously change an electrical resistance value (P ₁ and / or R _S ) in response to the sensed differential pressure ΔP. to continuously adjust the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner 12 to the level of the dust collector 14. In yet other embodiments, a plurality of differential pressure switches may be provided to discreetly and stepwise increase the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor 11 when reaching different levels of differential pressure thresholds. This means that n different differential pressure threshold values .DELTA.P ₁ , .DELTA.P ₂ ,..., .DELTA.P _n n may be assigned to differential pressure switch to make a resistance change in the power control circuit 20 when the respective differential pressure threshold value is reached. The membranes of these differential pressure switches can therefore be preset to different differential pressure threshold values ΔP ₁ , ΔP ₂ ,..., ΔP _n .

The operation of embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS Fig. 3a and 3b explained in more detail.

The Fig. 3a and 3b show in each case graphics 30 and 40, in which a filling or loading of the dust collecting container 14, for example in the form of a dust bag, is shown on the abscissa. On the left ordinate in each case a sucked amount of air in l / s is plotted, whereas on the right ordinate each recorded by the vacuum cleaner electric power in W (watts) is shown. Curves 31 and 32 each relate to a vacuum cleaner without any regulation or control of electrical power. For all loading conditions, the electrical power in the example shown is kept constant at 1400 watts (see curve 31). As a result, the intake air volume decreases continuously as the degree of filling of the dust collection container increases (see curve 32). It can be seen that in vacuum cleaners without special power control, the sucked air volume is higher when empty dust bag than for a good dust absorption; but lower than necessary when the dust bag fills with dirt.

Curves 33 and 34 respectively describe the power consumption and the intake air quantity for a vacuum cleaner with a conventional air flow control, wherein the sucked air quantity is always kept at a constant value (here: eg 35 l / s) (see curve 34). Based on the corresponding power curve 33 can be seen that the corresponding power consumption is relatively low at a low dust bag level and increases with increasing filling up to the maximum value of, for example, about 1400 watts.

The two curves 35 and 36 in the Fig. 3a describe the electrical power consumed by an embodiment of the present invention and the amount of air intake. From the Fig. 3a and curves 35 and 36 can be clearly a level threshold of 200 g. So it is detected a physical difference size, such. B. a Saugluftvolumenstrom or a differential pressure value .DELTA.P, from which can be closed to this exemplary level threshold of 200 g. In the case of determining a differential pressure .DELTA.P and a fan with a maximum of 1400 watts power consumption resulting for the level threshold of 200 g, for example, a differential pressure .DELTA.P of about 50 mbar. As long as the determined differential pressure .DELTA.P is below the differential pressure threshold .DELTA.P _S of 50 mbar, the electric power supplied to the electric motor 11 is maintained at a lower level of 865 W by way of example. As long as the recorded electric power of the electric motor 11 is at the lower level, decreases with increasing filling of the dust bag 14, the intake air amount of, for example, 35 l / s to 31 l / s. Upon reaching the differential pressure threshold value ΔP _S and thus the level threshold of 200 g, the electric power supplied to the electric motor 11 is raised discretely from the lower level (eg, 865 W) to an upper level of, for example, 1400 watts by the phase angle control circuit 20 the intake air quantity abruptly increases from, for example, 31 l / s to 39 l / s, which is above a per se required dust pickup. With further increasing loading of the dust container 14, the sucked air volume decreases again from 39 l / s to, for example, 35 l / s at 400 g load, which is still sufficient for a good dust pickup.

The Fig. 3b is different from the Fig. 3a in the illustrated curves 37 and 38, which illustrate an embodiment of the present invention, in which the absorbed electrical power is increased with increasing loading of the dust collector 14 in stages over several stages. In contrast to that on the basis of Fig. 3a In the embodiment illustrated in which only one switching stage or a differential pressure switch is used are in the embodiment of the Fig. 3b several analog or digital differential pressure cans with different switching points (eg corresponding to 50 g, 100 g and 200 g load) used, which change the phase angle of a phase control control circuit depending on the corresponding differential pressure.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawings may be of importance both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms.

Although some aspects have been described in the context of a device, it will be understood that these aspects also constitute a description of the corresponding method, so that a block or device of a device is also to be understood as a corresponding method step or feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding device.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. It will be understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be apparent to others of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, rather than by the specific details presented in the description and explanation of the embodiments herein.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Device for influencing an electrical power consumption of a vacuum cleaner, according to one embodiment

11

vacuum cleaner motor

12

vacuum cleaner

13

suction air

14

Dust catcher

15

fan

16

Device for detecting a physical difference variable, in particular a pressure difference

17

Device for adjusting the electrical power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor

20

Phase control circuit, according to an embodiment

30

Loading air flow or load capacity diagram for a single differential pressure box

31

constant electrical power consumption

32

decreasing air volume at constant power consumption

33

electrical power consumption with constant regulated air volume

34

constant regulated air volume

35

Power consumption in a differential pressure cell according to one embodiment

36

sucked air quantity in a differential pressure box according to one embodiment

37

electrical power consumption at several differential pressure boxes according to another embodiment

38

sucked air quantity at several differential pressure doses according to one embodiment

40

Loading air flow rate or load capacity diagram with several differential pressure doses

Claims (8)

1. Vacuum cleaner (12) having an apparatus (10) for influencing an electric power consumption of a vacuum cleaner motor (11) of the vacuum cleaner (12) with a dust collecting container (14) that can be arranged in a flow of vacuum air (13), with the following features:

   a device (16) for recording a pressure difference between a first vacuum air pressure upstream of the dust collecting container (14) and a second vacuum air pressure downstream of the dust collecting container (14); and

   a device (17; 20) for adjusting the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor (11) if the recorded pressure difference exceeds or does not reach a preset differential pressure threshold value,

   characterised in that

   the device (17, 20) is configured to adjust the electric power consumption so as to raise the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor (11) discretely from a predetermined lower value to a predetermined higher value if the preset differential pressure threshold value is exceeded, and conversely to lower the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor (11) discretely from the predetermined higher value to the predetermined lower value if the preset differential pressure threshold value is not reached.
2. Apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the device (16) for recording the pressure difference comprises a differential pressure switch which interacts with the device for adjusting (17) the electric power consumption such that if the preset differential pressure threshold value is reached, a switching signal is provided in order to increase or reduce the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor (11).
3. Apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the differential pressure threshold value can be set as a function of a maximum power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor (11) and a predetermined fill level of the dust collecting container (14).
4. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (17) for increasing the electric power consumption has an electric trailing edge or leading edge phase control circuit (20), which interacts with the device (16) for recording so that if the threshold value is exceeded or not reached, a trailing edge or a leading edge of an alternating voltage provided to the vacuum cleaner motor (11) is switched over.
5. Apparatus (10) according to claim 4, wherein the trailing edge or leading edge phase control circuit (20) comprises an adjustable electrical resistance, which can be modified by means of the device (16) for recording the pressure difference, in order to raise or lower the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor (11) by means of the trailing edge or leading edge phase control circuit (20), if the recorded physical variable corresponds to exceeding or failing to reach the preset fill level threshold value.
6. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (16) for recording comprises a plurality of differential pressure switches in order to gradually increase the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor (11) when differential pressure threshold values of varying degrees are reached.
7. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dust collecting container (14) is a dust filter bag.
8. Method for influencing an electric power consumption of a vacuum cleaner motor (11) of a vacuum cleaner (12) with a dust collecting container (14) that can be arranged in a vacuum air flow (13), with the following steps:

   Recording a pressure difference between a first vacuum air pressure upstream of the dust collecting container (14) and a second vacuum air pressure downstream of the vacuum collecting container (14); and

   Adjusting the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor (11), if the recorded pressure difference exceeds or fails to reach a preset differential pressure threshold value,

   characterised in that
   if the preset differential pressure value is exceeded, the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor (11) is discretely raised from a predetermined lower value to a predetermined higher value and conversely if the preset differential pressure value is not reached, the electric power consumption of the vacuum cleaner motor (11) is discretely lowered from the predetermined higher value to the predetermined lower value.

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