EP2946711B1 - Vacuum cleaner and method for operating same - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a method for operating a vacuum cleaner, which comprises a Staubabscheideeinrichtung, at least one electric blower motor for generating a suction air flow through the Staubabscheideeinrichtung and a flow-connected to the Staubabscheideeinrichtung suction nozzle having a nozzle nozzle of a motor electrically driven nozzle brush. The invention also relates to such a vacuum cleaner.

Background of the invention

In vacuum cleaners of the type mentioned above, the suction air flow generated by a blower motor driven by the blower fan is passed through the Staubabscheideeinrichtung to separate dirt particles contained in the suction air flow from the suction air stream. The Staubabscheideeinrichtung can be designed, for example, as in a dusty space of the vacuum cleaner replaceable paper filter bag or as a reusable dust collector. If the replaceable filter bag or the dust collector has reached a level at which the suction power of the vacuum cleaner or the filter effect of Staubabscheideeinrichtung wears off, the replaceable filter bag must be changed or emptied the dust collector and possibly cleaned. It is known that a signal is output that indicates the level or the need for a filter change or the emptying of the dust collector.

In DE 10 2008 005 150 A1 It is proposed that in a vacuum cleaner, which is operable either with or without replaceable filter bag in a dust chamber of the vacuum cleaner, an electronics is provided which compares the negative pressure in the dust chamber with a target value and initiates a fault cycle when the setpoint is exceeded.

By initiating the fault cycle, a user can recognize whether a vacuum of the vacuum cleaner is reduced by the dust load, and he may, for example, empty the dust collector or clean a filter system.

According to DE 44 34 392 C1 the filling state of a dust bag in a vacuum cleaner is determined from the current profile of the suction motor measured at least once during the suction process and a signal corresponding to this filling state is emitted. According to the output signal, for example, the speed of the suction motor can be controlled. A suction pressure switch is not required, and system tolerances of the suction motor can be eliminated device-specific.

Out JP 2889687 B2 It is known that the speed and current consumption of a blower motor of a vacuum cleaner are detected. Further, the current consumption of an electric motor which drives a rotary brush of the vacuum cleaner nozzle is detected. Furthermore, a negative pressure in the vacuum cleaner is detected by means of a pressure sensor. The detected values are transmitted to a microcomputer to operate the vacuum cleaner always with an optimal suction power and the jet engine with an optimal speed, depending on the machined surface and with a correction for a loading of the filter. Due to the detection of a large number of measured variables and the necessity of a pressure sensor for the correction of the filter load, this method is associated with a high outlay. A signal indicating the degree of filling of the Staubabscheideeinrichtung is not generated.

Further examples show the DE 10 2009 035 717 A1 and the EP 1 867 267 A2 ,

The problem underlying the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for operating a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner, wherein the above-mentioned disadvantages are avoided as possible and in particular a simpler and more cost-effective way a more accurate determination of the degree of filling of Staubabscheideeinrichtung is made possible.

Inventive solution

The reference numbers in all claims have no limiting effect, but are only intended to improve their readability.

The solution of the object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a vacuum cleaner with the features of claim 9.

An inventive method for operating a vacuum cleaner relates to a vacuum cleaner having a Staubabscheideeinrichtung, at least one electric fan motor for generating a suction air flow through the Staubabscheideeinrichtung and a flow associated with the Staubabscheideeinrichtung suction nozzle. The suction nozzle is fluidically connected to the Staubabscheideeinrichtung via a Saugluftführung and upstream of this in the suction air stream. The blower motor drives a blower which is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and the dust separator. During operation of the fan motor, the suction air stream loaded with dirt particles is taken up by the suction nozzle and guided via the suction air guide to the dust separation device, where the dirt particles contained in the suction air flow are separated from the air flow. The Staubabscheideeinrichtung can be designed as an exchangeable filter, in particular as an exchangeable filter bag, or for example as a reusable filter or dust collector. In particular, the Staubabscheideeinrichtung in the suction air flow to the fan and the fan motor, which can be cooled by the air flow upstream, and thus acts simultaneously as a motor protection filter or may include such a motor protection filter. The Staubabscheideeinrichtung can have a plurality of Abscheidebereiche and, in particular, a downstream of the fan motor filter, for example, a Ausblasfilter include.

The suction nozzle is equipped with a nozzle brush which can be driven by an electric nozzle motor, which improves the cleaning effect achievable with the vacuum cleaner by mechanical removal of dirt particles from a processed substrate or floor covering. The nozzle brush is in particular designed as a rotatable bristle roller, which during operation of the vacuum cleaner, a substrate on which the suction nozzle is set up, mechanically processed and is rotated by the jet engine in rotation. The suction nozzle with the nozzle brush can be arranged on a body of the vacuum cleaner, which comprises the Staubabscheideeinrichtung and the blower motor, or be connected for example via a suction hose and / or a suction tube with this. In particular, the suction nozzle may be formed as a header, which is connectable via the suction hose and / or the suction tube to the vacuum cleaner body, wherein both a connection for guiding the Saugluftstroms of the suction nozzle for Staubabscheideeinrichtung and the blower is created as well as an electrical connection to the power supply of the nozzle motor arranged in the attachment.

According to the invention, a current consumption and / or a power consumption of the fan motor is detected, and a current consumption and / or a power consumption of the nozzle motor is detected. The detected measured values for the power or power consumption can be transmitted to an evaluation device of the vacuum cleaner or be detected directly in an electronic control device of the vacuum cleaner. According to the invention, a degree of filling of the Staubabscheideeinrichtung is determined depending on the power consumption of the fan motor and the nozzle motor, i. E. From the detected measured value for the current or power consumption of the fan motor and the detected measured value for the current or power consumption of the nozzle motor, a value is determined which is characteristic of the degree of filling of the dust separator. The value thus determined, the degree of filling of the Staubabscheideeinrichtung characterizing value can be used for the control of the vacuum cleaner and / or for a display to a user of the vacuum cleaner.

According to the invention, it has been recognized that by measuring the current and / or power consumption of the fan motor and the current and / or power consumption of the nozzle motor, it is possible to conclude a load state of the dust separation device, whereby influences of different floor coverings can be compensated. This allows a surprisingly simple way to determine the degree of filling of Staubabscheideeinrichtung, which is largely independent of each processed flooring. Characterized in that the power and / or power consumption of the fan motor measured and thus a first measured value is detected and that the power and / or power consumption of the nozzle motor measured and thus a second Measured value is detected, and that is determined using both measured values, the degree of filling of Staubabscheideeinrichtung, it is possible to determine the degree of filling in a simple manner even with different floor coverings more accurately.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the degree of filling of the dust removal device is determined solely on the basis of the detected current or power consumption of the fan motor and the detected current or power consumption of the nozzle motor. Thus, the degree of filling is determined using only the first and second measured values without using further measured values. Previously, during commissioning of the vacuum cleaner or type-specific previously recorded and stored measured values, in particular measured values of the current or power consumption of the blower and the jet engine, can be used. As a result, a determination of the degree of filling is made possible without the need for further measuring means, in particular additional vacuum measuring means; For example, no pressure sensor is required. Furthermore, this allows an aerodynamically loss-free determination of the degree of filling, since no bypass opening is necessary. As a result, a particularly simple and cost-effective solution for determining the degree of filling is provided. This applies even more in the case that, for other reasons, such as to avoid overloading the battery cells in a vacuum cleaner with rechargeable batteries, a current monitoring of the fan and the jet engine is provided. In this case, no additional sensor or circuit for determining the degree of filling is required.

Preferably, the power and / or power consumption of the fan motor and the power and / or power consumption of the nozzle motor are detected continuously or in a short time cycle, for example in a time interval of an electronic evaluation device. Accordingly, the fill level can also be determined continuously or in a short time cycle on the basis of the currently measured values. advantageously, This allows an always current determination of the degree of filling be made possible. For example, at a typical moving speed of the suction nozzle of 0.5 m / s every 10 cm after 0.2 s, or every 5 cm after 0.1 s, or after every 2.5 cm every 0.05 s or after 1 cm every 0.02 s one measurement takes place. Such punctual measurements can be tapped during a forward movement and / or during a backward movement. It is achievable that the measurements are sufficiently accurate for the characteristic data acquisition.

Advantageously, the measured values recorded continuously or in a short time cycle are smoothed before the measured values are used to determine the degree of filling. At least one of the two acquired measured values, i. the measured value for the current or power consumption of the fan motor and / or the measured value for the current or power consumption of the jet motor are smoothed. In particular, a temporal averaging and / or a low-pass filtering is performed for smoothing. As a result, short-term fluctuations in the determined fill level value, which can be caused for example by uneven floors or individual larger sucked-up dirt particles, can be avoided and the accuracy of the determination of the degree of filling can be increased.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a fill level signal perceptible to a user of the vacuum cleaner is generated as a function of the determined degree of filling of the dust removal device. As a result, it is made reliably recognizable to a user whether a maintenance measure is required currently or in the near future, or whether there is currently already a reduced suction power of the vacuum cleaner.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the current consumption of the fan motor and the current consumption of the nozzle motor are detected, and the degree of filling is determined using both measured values, in particular the degree of filling is determined only using the two measured values. As a result, a particularly simple and reliable determination of the degree of filling of the dust removal device is made possible. In order to detect the current consumption of the fan motor or of the nozzle motor, a shunt resistor can in each case be connected upstream of the fan motor and the nozzle motor, wherein the current consumption can be measured on the basis of the voltage drop applied to the shunt resistor. The Current measurement can be done in particular in an electronic unit of the vacuum cleaner. This has the additional advantage that no further electrical circuits or lines outside the electronics unit are required.

Preferably, a limit value for the current consumption of the fan motor is determined from the measured value for the current consumption of the nozzle motor and then generates a maintenance signal when the current consumption of the fan motor falls below the determined limit value. In particular, the limit value is determined such that falling below the limit value indicates the need for maintenance of the dust removal device. The limit value for the current consumption of the fan motor is particularly dependent on the processed floor covering. Furthermore, in determining the limit value type-specific or individually characteristic variables for the respective vacuum cleaner can be included. The maintenance signal is perceptible to a user and makes it clear to the user that maintenance is required, for example replacement of an exchangeable filter bag or emptying and if necessary cleaning of a reusable dust collector. As a result, the operability of the vacuum cleaner is improved, in particular, a reliable detection of the need for a maintenance measure is made possible even with different floor coverings.

wobei I_D der gemessene Wert der Stromaufnahme des Düsenmotors ist, I_D0 die Stromaufnahme des Düsenmotors auf einem Norm-Hartboden und I_G0 die Stromaufnahme des Gebläsemotors auf dem Norm-Hartboden bei einem Füllgrad der Staubabscheideeinrichtung, bei dem das Wartungssignal abgegeben werden soll, d.h. bei dem beispielsweise ein Filterwechsel oder eine Filterreinigung notwendig ist. I_D0 und I_G0 werden vorab ermittelt und in einer Speichereinrichtung gespeichert. Weiter bezeichnen c₁ und c₂ Konstanten, die von den Geräteeigenschaften abhängig sind und die empirisch ermittelt worden sind. Die Konstanten liegen in der Regel in einem Bereich von 1 A bis 100 A; es kann auch c₁ = c₂ sein. Hierdurch wird auf einfache Weise eine besonders genaue Ermittlung des Füllgrads und eine zuverlässige Abgabe des Wartungssignals ermöglicht.According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the limit value I _GS for the current consumption of the fan motor is determined according to the following formula: $${\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{GS}}=\left({\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="c"\; filenames="imgf0001.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">c</figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{1}}+{\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{D}\mathrm{0}}-{\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{D}}\right)\times {\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="0"\; label="I\; G"\; filenames="imgf0001.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">I\; </figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{G}}/{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="c"\; filenames="imgf0001.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">c</figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{2}}.$$

where I _{D is} the measured value of the current consumption of the nozzle motor, I _{D0 is} the current consumption of the nozzle motor on a standard hard floor and I _G0 the current consumption of the fan motor on the standard hard floor at a filling level of Staubabscheideeinrichtung at which the maintenance signal is to be delivered, ie in which, for example, a filter change or a filter cleaning is necessary. I _D0 and I _G0 are determined in advance and stored in a memory device. Further, c ₁ and c ₂ denote constants which depend on the device characteristics and which have been determined empirically. The constants are usually in a range from 1 A to 100 A; it can also be c ₁ = c ₂ . This will be a very simple way accurate determination of the degree of filling and a reliable delivery of the maintenance signal allows.

Alternatively, a plurality of values for the current and / or power consumption of the nozzle motor and a plurality of values for the current and / or power consumption of the fan motor at different floor coverings and at different degrees of filling or at least such a degree of filling of the dust bag, in which a maintenance measure is required, has been determined empirically and stored as a map in a storage device of the vacuum cleaner. In this case, the measured values for the current and power consumption of the nozzle motor and the current or power consumption of the fan motor are compared with the values stored in the characteristic map in order to determine the degree of filling of the dust separation device or to generate a maintenance signal. In particular, it can be determined in this way whether the conditions for generating the maintenance signal are present. This also allows a particularly accurate determination of the degree of filling and a reliable delivery of the maintenance signal can be made possible in a simple manner.

A vacuum cleaner according to the invention, in particular a vacuum cleaner, comprises a Staubabscheideeinrichtung, at least one electric fan motor for generating a suction air flow through the Staubabscheideeinrichtung and a suction nozzle which is connected in fluid communication with the Staubabscheideeinrichtung via a Saugluftführung and this upstream in Saugluftstrom. The fan motor drives a fan which generates the suction air flow, which is taken up by the suction nozzle and guided via the Saugluftführung to Staubabscheideeinrichtung where dirt particles contained in the suction air flow are deposited. The suction nozzle has a nozzle brush, which can be driven electrically by a jet engine, for example a motor-driven bristle roller, which mechanically processes the substrate onto which the suction nozzle is mounted. The suction nozzle with the nozzle brush can be arranged on a body of the vacuum cleaner, which comprises the Staubabscheideeinrichtung and the blower motor, or be connected for example via a suction hose and / or a suction tube with this. In particular, the suction nozzle may be formed as an attachment, which is connectable via the suction hose and / or the suction pipe to the vacuum cleaner body, wherein both a connection for guiding the suction air flow from the suction nozzle to Staubabscheideeinrichtung and the blower is created as well as an electrical connection to the power supply of the nozzle motor arranged in the attachment.

Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner according to the invention is provided with a device for detecting the current and / or power consumption of the fan motor and a device for detecting the current and / or power consumption of the nozzle motor and an evaluation device for evaluating the detected measured values of the current or power consumption of the fan motor and equipped with the jet engine. The evaluation device may comprise a microcontroller and storage means and be part of an electronic control device of the vacuum cleaner, for example. Instead of a microcontroller, the evaluation device may comprise circuits, for example limit value circuits, which are designed for the analogue evaluation of the current or power consumption of the fan motor and of the nozzle motor. According to the invention, the evaluation device is designed to determine a degree of filling of the dust removal device as a function of the detected current or power consumption of the fan motor and the detected current or power consumption of the nozzle motor. This makes it possible to determine the degree of filling in a simple manner even with different floor coverings.

A vacuum cleaner according to the invention is designed in particular for operation in accordance with the above-described method for operating a vacuum cleaner.

The determined degree of filling of the Staubabscheideeinrichtung can be used for the control of the vacuum cleaner and / or for a display for a user of the vacuum cleaner. Preferably, the vacuum cleaner comprises a display device for displaying the degree of filling for a user. Such a signal may be, for example, an acoustic, optical and / or haptic signal. The display device can be configured, in particular, to display a maintenance signal which makes it clear to a user the need for a maintenance measure, in particular replacement of an exchangeable filter bag and / or emptying or cleaning of a dust collection container. The vacuum cleaner is designed to generate the Füllgradsignals depending on the determined degree of filling and in particular for generating the maintenance signal when a predetermined value of the Filling degree is achieved. This makes it possible to detect the need for a user to take a maintenance action that is appropriate even with different floor coverings, thereby improving the operability of the vacuum cleaner.

In particular, the Staubabscheideeinrichtung comprises a removable dust bag, wherein the evaluation device for determining the degree of filling of the removable dust bag and for generating a filter change signal when a predetermined value of the filling level is reached, and wherein the display device is configured to display the filter change signal for a user. As a result, the generation of a signal is made possible in a simple manner, which makes the need for a filter change recognizable to the user, and makes this time reliably recognizable even with different floor coverings.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantageous embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings, to which the invention is not limited.

Fig. 1

die Abhängigkeit der Stromaufnahme des Gebläsemotors und des Düsenmotors vom Füllgrad der Staubabscheideeinrichtung;
und

Fig. 2

die Stromaufnahme des Gebläse- und des Düsenmotors sowie einen Schwellwert für den Gebläsestrom in Abhängigkeit von der Art des Bodenbelags.

They show schematically:

Fig. 1

the dependence of the current consumption of the fan motor and the nozzle motor on the degree of filling of the Staubabscheideeinrichtung;
and

Fig. 2

the current consumption of the fan and the nozzle motor and a threshold for the fan flow depending on the type of floor covering.

Detailed description based on an embodiment

According to one embodiment, a vacuum cleaner according to the invention is designed as a battery-powered or battery-powered vacuum cleaner which comprises a suction nozzle with an electrically driven bristle roller for cleaning floor coverings. A blower motor drives a blower which generates a suction air stream which is taken up by a suction nozzle and passed through a dust bag which filters out dust particles contained in the suction air flow. The dust bag is arranged in the suction air flow in front of the blower and thus before the blown around by the suction air blower motor and thus acts as a motor protection filter. In the region of the suction nozzle, a bristle roller which can be driven by an electric jet motor is arranged, which mechanically processes the substrate on which the suction nozzle is mounted.

Depending on the degree of filling F of the dust bag, the current I _G picked up by the blower motor changes. On the other hand, the current consumption I _{D of} the nozzle motor, which drives the suction nozzle associated bristle roller, the degree of filling F of the dust bag is largely independent. This is exemplary in Fig. 1 shown. The recorded by the fan motor current I _G (curve 1) decreases with increasing filling level F, ie with increasing dust load, substantially linear. On the other hand, the current I _D (curve 2) picked up by the nozzle motor does not change significantly with increasing filling degree F.

However, the current consumption I _{D of} the nozzle motor is due to the mechanical interaction of the nozzle brush with a processed by this floor covering on the type of flooring. This is exemplary in Fig. 2 for four different floor coverings, namely for hard floor (H), short pile carpet (T1), standard carpet B (T2) and high pile carpet (T3). The respective current consumption I _{D of} the nozzle motor is shown as a rhombus. As in Fig. 2 As can be seen, the current consumption I _{D of} the nozzle motor is the lowest for hard floor H, while it is highest for deep pile carpet (T3). As in Fig. 2 The current consumption I _{G of} the blower motor is also dependent on the condition of the ground, wherein the respective current consumption I _{G of} the blower motor is shown as a square. For all in Fig. 2 registered measured values, the same degree of filling F of the Staubabscheideeinrichtung has been assumed.

berechnet. Dabei sind die Konstanten c₁ und c₂ empirisch ermittelte Werte, die insbesondere für den Staubsaugertyp spezifisch sind und zuvor ermittelt worden sind und in der Speichereinrichtung gespeichert sind. Der feste Wert I_D0 ist der Düsenstrom auf einem Normhartboden, während der feste Wert I_G0 den Gebläsestrom auf dem Normhartboden bei einem solchen Füllgrad F des Staubbeutels bezeichnet, bei dem ein Wechsel oder eine Entleerung des Staubbeutels erforderlich ist. I_D0 und I_G0 sind ebenfalls typspezifisch und sind vorab auf dem in einer für den Staubsauger geltenden Norm definierten Hartboden für die Staubaufnahme ermittelt worden und sind ebenfalls in der Speichereinrichtung hinterlegt.According to the described embodiment of the method according to the invention, the actual current consumption I _{D of} the nozzle motor is measured during operation of the vacuum cleaner, about the voltage drop across a shunt resistor connected in series with the nozzle motor. This can be arranged in an electronic control device of the vacuum cleaner. Using the measured value for the current consumption I _{D of} the nozzle motor, an evaluation device which is likewise assigned to the electronic control device and which comprises a microcontroller and a memory device, sets a limit value I _GS for the current consumption of the fan motor $${\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{GS}}=\left({\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="c"\; filenames="imgf0001.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">c</figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{1}}+{\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{D}\mathrm{0}}-{\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{D}}\right)\times {\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="0"\; label="I\; G"\; filenames="imgf0001.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">I\; </figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{G}}/{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="c"\; filenames="imgf0001.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">c</figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{2}}.$$

calculated. In this case, the constants c ₁ and c _{2 are} empirically determined values which are specific in particular for the vacuum cleaner type and have been previously determined and stored in the memory device. The fixed value I _D0 is the nozzle flow on a standard hard soil, while the fixed value I _{G0 designates} the blower stream on the standard hard soil at such a filling level F of the dust bag, in which a change or an emptying of the dust bag is required. I _D0 and I _G0 are also type-specific and have been previously determined on the basis defined in a standard applicable to the vacuum cleaner hard floor for dust pickup and are also stored in the storage device.

so wird darauf geschlossen, dass der Füllgrad F des Staubbeutels einen vorgegebenen Wert erreicht hat, bei dem die Saugleistung des Staubsaugers soweit verringert ist, dass ein Wechsel oder eine Entleerung des Staubbeutels angebracht ist. In diesem Fall wird ein Wartungssignal erzeugt und eine Filterwechselanzeige des Staubsaugers, die beispielsweise als LED-Anzeige ausgebildet sein kann, entsprechend angesteuert.In a similar manner, for example via a further shunt resistor connected in series with the blower motor, the current blower current I _{G is} measured during operation of the vacuum cleaner and the measured value is transmitted to the evaluation device. If now results for the blower current I _G , that $${\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{G}}\le {\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{GS}}.$$

Thus, it is concluded that the degree of filling F of the dust bag has reached a predetermined value, in which the suction power of the vacuum cleaner is reduced so much that a change or emptying of the dust bag is attached. In this case, a maintenance signal is generated and a filter change indicator of the vacuum cleaner, which may be formed for example as an LED display, driven accordingly.

This makes it easy for a user to recognize that a maintenance action is required. To avoid short-term fluctuations or a "flickering" of the filter change display, the measured values for the current consumption I _{D of} the nozzle motor and the current consumption I _G of the fan motor can be smoothed before the evaluation. For example, the measured values can be repeatedly recorded in a short time cycle and smoothed by low-pass filtering.

$${\mathrm{c}}_{\mathrm{2}}=\mathrm{10}\mathrm{A}$$

$${\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{D}\mathrm{0}}=\mathrm{0},\mathrm{5}\mathrm{A}$$

$${\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{G}\mathrm{0}}=\mathrm{8},\mathrm{5}\mathrm{A}$$

The threshold value I _GS determined as described _above is in Fig. 2 exemplified for the four mentioned different floor coverings (in each case as a triangle). In this example, the type-specific values stored for the evaluation are: $${\mathrm{c}}_{\mathrm{1}}=\mathrm{10}\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="A\; c"\; filenames="imgf0001.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">A\; </figure-callout>}$$

$${\mathrm{c}}_{}$$$${\mathrm{}}_{\mathrm{2}}=\mathrm{10}\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="0"\; label="A\; I\; D"\; filenames="imgf0001.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">A\; </figure-callout>}$$

$${\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{D}}$$$${\mathrm{}\mathrm{0}}_{}=\mathrm{0}.\mathrm{5}\mathrm{A}$$

$${\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="0"\; label="I\; G"\; filenames="imgf0001.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">I\; </figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{G}}=\mathrm{8th}.\mathrm{5}\mathrm{A}$$

The values c ₁ and c ₂ depend on the device or the system. Therefore, like the other concrete values mentioned here, they can only be exemplary.

gemessen. Gemäß dem oben beschrieben Verfahren ergibt sich damit für den Schwellwert I_GS: $${\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{GS}}=\mathrm{7},\mathrm{65}\mathrm{A},$$

d.h., wenn bei einem Düsenstrom I_D = 1,5 A der gemessene Gebläsestrom I_G beim Betrieb des Staubsaugers auf einen Wert I_G ≤ 7,65 A sinkt, wird die Filterwechselanzeige des Staubsaugers aktiviert.The type of floor covering currently being processed results from the measured nozzle current I _D. When operating on standard carpet B (T2), for example, a nozzle flow $${\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{D}}=\mathrm{1}.\mathrm{5}\mathrm{A}$$

measured. According to the method described above, this results in the threshold I _GS : $${\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{GS}}=\mathrm{7}.\mathrm{65}\mathrm{A}.$$

ie, when at a nozzle current I _D = 1.5 A, the measured blower current I _G during operation of the vacuum cleaner to a value I _G ≤ 7.65 A, the filter change indicator of the vacuum cleaner is activated.

gemessen wird, ein Schwellwert I_GS für den Gebläsestrom: $${\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{GS}}=\mathrm{7},\mathrm{65}\mathrm{A},$$

d.h., das Filterwechselsignal wird dann erzeugt, wenn der Gebläsestrom I_G beim Betrieb auf einen Wert I_G ≤ 8,5 A abfällt.On the other hand, when used on a standard hard ground (H), with a nozzle flow $${\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{D}}=\mathrm{0}.\mathrm{5}\mathrm{A}$$

is measured, a threshold I _GS for the blower current: $${\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{GS}}=\mathrm{7}.\mathrm{65}\mathrm{A}.$$

that is, the filter change signal is generated when the blower current I _G during operation to a value I _G ≤ 8.5 A drops.

This can be realized in a simple way a reliable even with different floor coverings filter change indicator. In particular, the power consumption of the fan and the nozzle motor can be measured in a simple manner and used for the activation of the filter change indicator. In particular, battery-powered vacuum cleaners anyway a power monitoring of the motors is necessary to protect the battery cells from overload. In this case, a reliable filter change indicator can be created without the need for additional components in the vacuum cleaner.

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.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Curve (current consumption I _{G of} the blower motor)

2

Curve (current consumption I _{D of} the jet engine)

Claims (12)

1. Method for operating a vacuum cleaner, which comprises a dust separation unit, at least one electrical fan motor for generating a suction air flow through the dust separation unit and a suction nozzle with a flow connection to the dust separation unit, which has a nozzle brush which can be electrically driven by a nozzle motor, wherein a current and/or power consumption of the fan motor is recorded, a current and/or power consumption of the nozzle motor is recorded, characterised in that a filling degree F of the dust separation unit is determined as a function of the current and/or power consumption of the fan motor and the current and/or power consumption of the nozzle motor.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the filling degree F of the dust separation unit is only determined using the recorded current and/or power consumption of the fan motor and the recorded current and/or power consumption of the nozzle motor.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the current and/or power consumption of the nozzle motor and the current and/or power consumption of the nozzle motor are recorded continuously or in a short time interval.
4. Method according to claim 3, characterised in that the recorded measured values for the current and/or power consumption of the fan motor or the recorded measured values for the current and/or power consumption of the nozzle motor are smoothed.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a filling degree signal which can be detected by a user is generated as a function of the determined filling degree F.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the current consumption I_G of the fan motor and the current consumption I_D of the nozzle motor are recorded and the filling degree F of the dust separation unit is detected as a function of the recorded measured values of the current consumption I_G of the fan motor and the current consumption I_D of the nozzle motor.
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a limit value I_GS of the current consumption of the fan motor is determined as a function of the recorded current consumption I_D of the nozzle motor and, in the event that the recorded current consumption I_G of the fan motor falls below the determined limit value I_GS, a maintenance signal which can be detected by a user is generated.
8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the limit value is determined according to $${\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{GS}}=-\left({\mathrm{c}}_{\mathrm{1}}+{\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{D}\mathrm{0}}-{\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{D}}\right)\times {\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{D}}/{\mathrm{c}}_{\mathrm{2}},$$

   

   wherein I_D0 is a previously recorded current consumption of the nozzle motor on a normal hard floor and I_G0 is a previously determined current consumption of the fan motor on the normal hard floor and c₁ and c₂ are appliance-specific constants.
9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the filling degree F of the dust separation unit is determined by comparing the recorded current and/or power consumption of the fan motor and the recorded current and/or power consumption of the nozzle motor with values, stored in a storage unit, for the current and/or power consumption of the nozzle motor and the current and/or power consumption of the fan motor for different floor coverings and filling degrees of the dust separation unit.
10. Vacuum cleaner, in particular floor-model vacuum cleaner, with a dust separation unit, at least one electrical fan motor for generating a suction air flow through the dust separation unit and a suction nozzle with a flow connection to the dust separation unit, which has a nozzle brush which can be electrically driven by a nozzle motor, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a unit for recording the current and/or power consumption of the fan motor and a unit for recording the current and/or power consumption of the nozzle motor as well as an evaluation unit for evaluating the recorded measured values of the current and/or power consumption, characterised in that the evaluation unit is configured to determine a filling degree F of the dust separation unit as a function of the recorded measured values of the current and/or power consumption of the fan motor and the current and/or power consumption of the nozzle motor.
11. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, characterised in that the vacuum cleaner comprises a display unit for displaying the filling degree F and/or a maintenance signal for a user.
12. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, characterised in that the dust separation unit comprises an interchangeable dust bag, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to generate a filter change signal as a function of the determined filling degree F and the display unit is embodied to display the filter change signal.

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