EP3120744A1 - Device for controlling a cleaner of a filter unit for a vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for controlling automatic cleaning (S6) of a filter unit (9) for an electric vacuum cleaner (1) with a suction nozzle (8), a dust separation unit (4) and a motor / blower unit (3), wherein the device (10) is arranged to activate an automatic cleaning (S6) of the filter unit (9) when a predetermined limit value (L _max ) of the motor / blower unit (3) of the vacuum cleaner (1) is exceeded and a predetermined limit value (V _min ) of the suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner (1) is exceeded. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating the device (10) and to a computer program product for implementing the method in the device (10). The invention enables optimum cleaning or performance results while increasing the energy efficiency of the vacuum cleaner (1).

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a device for controlling an automatic cleaning of a filter unit for an electric vacuum cleaner according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for controlling such a device according to the preamble of claim 9 and a computer program product according to claim 15.

Background of the invention

For some time great efforts have been made to optimize cleaning or performance results when vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner. It must meet different requirements in terms of noise emissions, negative pressure in the devices and electrical power consumption. It is particularly desirable to achieve the highest possible energy efficiency - high performance results with the lowest possible electrical power consumption. It is essential to achieve a high level of energy efficiency, especially with regard to the future labeling of vacuum cleaners, which also has a great influence on the advertising of a potential buyer / user. This applies equally to vacuum cleaners with and without bags.

Saugleistungsverluste, for example, due to the closing of filter bag pores of a vacuum cleaner, require in a variety of known vacuum cleaners a manual readjustment of the suction power. This usually leads to over-regulation and thus to an undesirable waste of energy. To solve this problem, air volume flow control devices for vacuum cleaners have been developed. An example of this is from the DE 30 30 059 C2 known, in the means of a control device, the air flow rate regardless of a degree of filling in the Vacuum existing dust bag or the contamination of an upstream filter is kept constant at a predetermined value. In order to take into account the desired energetic point of view, a motor / fan power is regulated upwards or downwards depending on the contamination of a filter. For example, the degree of filling of the dust container is determined via a pressure difference in front of and behind a dust container of a vacuum cleaner. This procedure is device and fan dependent and must be redefined and designed for each device.

Even with bagless vacuum cleaners, there is a blockage of downstream filter of a Staubabscheideeinheit, in which the pores are added by the recorded dust. This reduces the volume flow - the amount of air that can be transported per unit of time through a specified cross-section. For devices with low power <500 watts, a minimum flow rate is no longer guaranteed after a short time, because the suction power is no longer sufficient for a dirty filter. For bagless devices with manual cleaning of the filter, the flow will decrease until the filter is cleaned.

The problem underlying the invention

An object of the present invention is to achieve the highest possible energy efficiency in the operation of vacuum cleaners. That is, to ensure the highest possible dust and / or dirt intake at the lowest possible power consumption.

Inventive solution

This object is achieved by means of a device for controlling an automatic cleaning of a filter unit having the features of claim 1 or by means of a method having the features according to claim 9 and a computer program product according to claim 15.

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

According to the invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling automatic cleaning of a filter unit for an electric vacuum cleaner having a suction nozzle, a dust collecting unit and a motor / blower unit. The apparatus comprises: means for determining a first value of a suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner and means for adjusting a second value of the motor / blower unit of the vacuum cleaner in dependence on the determined first value of the suction air flow. The device is set up to activate an automatic cleaning of the filter unit when a predetermined limit value of the motor / blower unit of the vacuum cleaner is exceeded by the second value and a predetermined limit value of the suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner from the first value of the suction air flow is exceeded , By checking the two interdependent values in the device according to the invention, a cleaning of the filter unit can be initiated, which significantly improves the energy efficiency of the vacuum cleaner. Finally, low power motor / blower units for vacuum cleaners can be provided.

Here and below, the "first value" is a value that more closely determines a suction airflow, and the "second value" is a value that more closely determines the engine / blower unit. There is no further value meant that would be to be understood in the sense of an additional first value, which would also determine the motor / blower unit closer.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for controlling automatic cleaning of a filter unit for an electric vacuum cleaner having a suction nozzle and a motor / blower unit, comprising the steps of: determining a first value of a suction air flow and adjusting a second value of the power of the motor - / blower unit of the vacuum cleaner in dependence of the determined first value of the suction air flow. The automatic cleaning of the filter unit is activated when a predetermined limit value of the motor / blower unit of the vacuum cleaner is exceeded by the second value and a predetermined limit value of the suction air flow from the first value is exceeded. The procedure can be particularly effective with the previously described apparatus for increasing the energy efficiency of the vacuum cleaner can be used.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product for implementing the method in an apparatus for controlling an automatic cleaning of a filter unit for an electric vacuum cleaner with a suction nozzle and a motor / blower unit comprising program parts which, when loaded in a computer, designed to carry out the above method. With the computer program product, a device and blower dependent setting for each device can be easily determined and adjusted for its performance values in a simple manner.

Preferred embodiments 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.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first value of the suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner is proportional to a volume flow value of the vacuum cleaner and the second value of the motor / blower unit is proportional to a power value of the vacuum cleaner. In this case, it is particularly expedient to carry out a measurement equivalent to the volume flow value via a pressure measurement or a pressure difference measurement of the suction air flow, a rotational speed determination, calculation of a recording power or current and / or voltage determination at the motor / fan unit. Analogously, equivalent measurements can also be made to determine and adapt the motor / fan unit. It is particularly advantageous to use, among other pressure differential measurements, a determination of the speed and temperature of the motor / blower unit and a consideration of electrical current and / or voltage values or an electrical phase angle for determining the power value of the motor / blower unit. This allows a variety of different ways to determine the first value of the suction air flow or adjustment of the second value of the motor / blower unit can be used. Deviations of a suction power can be compensated by, for example, the power value of the motor / fan unit of the vacuum cleaner is adjusted with decreasing volume flow value of the suction air flow upwards. However, this adjustment is made only until a certain power limit of the motor / fan unit of the vacuum cleaner is reached. If the power value is no longer sufficient or if the power limit of the motor / blower unit has been exceeded, the device automatically triggers the cleaning of the filter unit. Subsequently, the volume flow value of the suction air can be adjusted again by means of the power value of the motor / blower unit of the vacuum cleaner. In this way, the first value, the volume flow value, can be kept substantially constant.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is set to set the limit value of the motor / blower unit of the vacuum cleaner and / or the limit value of the suction air flow depending on a particular floor covering. Such control of the motor / blower unit of the vacuum cleaner allows to achieve a higher energy efficiency by the suction power is adjusted depending on the detected surface, for example, hard floor or carpet accordingly. To detect the substrate, a vacuum switch can be used. In addition, it can be prevented that a force required for moving the suction nozzle, which is referred to as a pushing force hereinafter increases, and thus a use of the vacuum cleaner is difficult. In this case, a physical difference quantity to be detected, for example a pressure difference, is selected such that substantially nothing changes in a change in the floor covering, for example from hard floor to carpet and the associated negative pressure change in a dust space of the vacuum cleaner. The detected physical difference size should thus be mainly independent of the floor covering to be suctioned off and instead primarily dependent on a filling level of the dust separation unit. As a result, a power adaptation of the motor / blower unit, which is essentially dependent on the fill level of the dust removal unit, can take place. The detected physical difference quantity is preferably proportional to a volume or weight of a dust amount received by the dust collecting unit. Conveniently, the apparatus is arranged to determine the first value of the suction air flow, wherein a first air pressure value is detected upstream of the suction air flow, a second air pressure value is detected downstream of the suction air flow, and a differential pressure between the first and the second air pressure value is determined. Incidentally, upstream of the dust-collecting unit, upstream of the suction nozzle, means upstream of the dust-collecting unit and downstream of the dust-collecting unit in the flow direction from the suction nozzle to the dust-collecting unit.

It is particularly advantageous if the device is set up to detect the first air pressure value upstream of the suction air flow in front of the filter unit of the vacuum cleaner, and to detect the second air pressure value downstream of the suction air flow downstream of the filter unit of the vacuum cleaner. Especially with bagless vacuum cleaners, the difference in air pressure values provides information about how "dirty" or "clean" the filter unit or how high the filter resistance is.

In another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is arranged to detect the first air pressure value upstream of the suction air flow upstream of a dust extraction unit of the vacuum cleaner, and to detect the second air pressure value downstream of the suction air flow downstream of the dust extraction unit of the vacuum cleaner. Especially with vacuum cleaners that have a filter bag, the difference in the air pressure values of the suction air flow before and after a Staubabscheideeinheit the vacuum cleaner provides information about how "full" or "empty" is a filling of Staubabscheideeinheit the vacuum cleaner.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device is set up to determine the first value of the suction air flow as a function of a degree of filling of the dust separation unit. The degree of filling of the Staubabscheideeinheit can be particularly easily determined by a proportional weight and / or volume measurement of the deposited dust or by means of a visual mark.

It is particularly useful to adapt the second value of the motor / blower unit of the vacuum cleaner to a characteristic stored in the device for adjusting the power of the motor / blower unit of the vacuum cleaner Function. This makes it easy to set up device-specific programs for cleaning.

In a particularly energy-efficient embodiment, the device is set up to carry out the adaptation of the second value of the motor / blower unit of the vacuum cleaner continuously or in discrete steps. In a continuous adaptation of the provided with the device vacuum cleaner can be operated very energy efficient. However, in order to accommodate ease of use and to avoid a constant change of annoying noise emissions, the device can be adjusted so that the adjustment of the performance of the motor / blower unit of the vacuum cleaner takes place in discrete steps.

The advantages and embodiments described for the device apply to the same extent to the method described below. Individual process steps and features correspond to the functions and tasks that can be performed by the device and its components, and vice versa.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the limit value of the motor / blower unit of the vacuum cleaner and / or the limit value of the suction air flow can be adjusted depending on a floor covering.

According to an expedient embodiment of the method, the first value of the suction air flow is determined by detecting a first air pressure value upstream of the suction air flow; a second air pressure value is detected downstream of the suction air flow and a differential pressure between the first and second air pressure values is determined.

According to a particularly expedient embodiment of the method, the first air pressure value upstream of the suction air flow upstream of the filter unit of the vacuum cleaner is detected, and the second air pressure value downstream of the suction air flow downstream of the filter unit of the vacuum cleaner. This procedure is particularly suitable for bagless vacuum cleaners, which usually have only one of the Staubabscheideeinheit downstream filter.

According to yet a particularly expedient embodiment of the method, the first air pressure value upstream of the suction air flow is detected before a Staubabscheideeinheit the vacuum cleaner and detects the second air pressure value downstream of the suction air flow to the Staubabscheideeinheit the vacuum cleaner. This procedure is particularly suitable for vacuum cleaners with filter bags, which usually have a further downstream of the Staubabscheideeinheit filter. Thus, even more factors can be taken into account, which can be responsible for a resistance of the suction air flow.

In an expedient embodiment, the first value of the suction air flow is determined as a function of a degree of filling of the dust separation unit. In the case of a bagged vacuum cleaner, if this bag exceeds a certain degree of dust filling, it will be the main cause of the suction air flow resistance and may indicate to a user of the vacuum cleaner the need for a dust bag replacement.

With the device or the method for controlling an automatic cleaning of a filter unit for an electric vacuum cleaner, an optimal cleaning or performance result is achieved while increasing the energy efficiency of the vacuum cleaner.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Staubsaugers; und

Fig. 2

ein schematisches Flussdiagramm der Funktion und Wirkungsweise einzelner Elemente einer Vorrichtung zum Steuern einer automatischen Reinigung einer Filtereinheit gemäß einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform, wie sie in einem Staubsauger verwendet wird;

Fig. 3

ein stark verallgemeinertes Flussdiagramm der Funktion und Wirkungsweise einzelner Elemente einer Vorrichtung zum Steuern einer automatischen Reinigung einer Filtereinheit gemäß einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform, wie sie in einem Staubsauger verwendet wird.

Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a vacuum cleaner; and

Fig. 2

a schematic flow diagram of the function and operation of individual elements of a device for controlling an automatic cleaning of a filter unit according to an advantageous embodiment, as used in a vacuum cleaner;

Fig. 3

a highly generalized flow chart of the function and operation of individual elements of a device for controlling an automatic cleaning of a filter unit according to an advantageous embodiment, as used in a vacuum cleaner.

Detailed description of the invention with reference to an embodiment

Based on the schematic representation of a conventional vacuum cleaner 1 off Fig. 1 the principle of operation of an embodiment of an apparatus 10 for controlling an automatic cleaning S6 - in anticipation of the description to Fig. 2 - A filter unit 9 will be explained. The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a housing 2, in which a motor / blower unit 3 and a Staubabscheideeinheit 4 is housed. Via a dust inlet 4 upstream air inlet 5 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is coupled by means of a line 5, which comprises a tube 6 and a pipe 7, to a suction port, in this case a suction nozzle 8. By means of the motor / blower unit 3, a vacuum is generated in the vacuum cleaner 1 or in the Staubabscheideeinheit 4, whereby air is passed through the suction nozzle 8, the tube 7 and the hose 6 to the air inlet 5 of the vacuum cleaner 1 in the Staubabscheideeinheit 4. The sucked air is contaminated and is cleaned in the Staubabscheideeinheit 4, before it is removed from the vacuum cleaner 1.

In the dust collecting unit 4, the polluted air can be purified by means of one or more filter units 9 such as dust bags, filters or centrifugal separators, and the like. In bagless vacuum cleaners 1 centrifugal separators are used and generate a vortex in the incoming air flow, whereby the dust particles are pressed outwards and separated due to the centrifugal force. Is a rotational speed of the vortex sufficiently large, can be dispensed with an additional filter / filter unit 9 behind the vortex.

Alternatively, in vacuum cleaners 1 with bags for separating the dust particles from the polluted air, various filter units 9 - bags and / or other filters are used. Due to a clogging of the filter unit 9, which is added with dust particles of the polluted air, a suction power of the vacuum cleaner 1 decreases continuously. The means that a volume flow of polluted air due to a changing flow resistance in the filters or the filter unit 9 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is influenced. In order to keep the volume flow or the suction constant, it is necessary to compensate for the caused by the filter unit 9 and constantly building / changing flow resistance.

Finally, a good suction result can be achieved if the volume flow of a suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner 1 is kept constant. In addition, the volume flow of the sucked air depends on a condition of a soil from which the polluted air is sucked by means of the suction nozzle 8 in the vacuum cleaner 1. For example, the volume flow of the sucked air decreases significantly when the suction nozzle 8 is pushed from a hard and smooth floor on a soft carpet.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the aim is to provide a constant dust pick-up or suction through the device 10 for controlling the automatic cleaning S6 of the filter unit 9 over a useful life of the vacuum cleaner 1, wherein different levels of the dust-collecting unit 4 and resistors in the filter unit 9, which lead to Saugleistungsvarianzen be compensated, so that regardless of these factors for the user of the vacuum cleaner 1, an optimal cleaning or performance result can be realized during suction. In addition, by means of the device 10 for controlling the automatic cleaning S6 of the filter unit 9, the power consumption of the vacuum cleaner 1 can be reduced and thereby its energy efficiency can be increased.

The following are in Fig. 2 illustrated by way of a schematic representation in the form of a flowchart by way of example the function and operation of individual elements of the device 10 for controlling the automatic cleaning S6 of the filter unit 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an advantageous embodiment. The individual symbols of the flow chart stand for the means or devices of the device 10 for controlling the automatic cleaning S6 of the filter unit 9 and their function, which they fulfill in carrying out a method according to an advantageous embodiment, when the device 10 in the vacuum cleaner 1 for Use comes.

The device 10 implemented in the vacuum cleaner 1 is activated simultaneously with a switch-on of the vacuum cleaner 1. The symbol denoted by S0 in the diagram stands for this step, in which, according to an expedient embodiment, the device 10 is initialized, with individual variables for example for a volume flow V and / or a power L of the motor / blower unit 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1 Zero be set, and limits V _min and L _max are stored in a memory of the device 10. By means of the device 10, the volume flow of a suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner 1 is controlled such that the suction device 1 can be operated with a suction power as constant as possible. The suction power of the vacuum cleaner 1 is proportional to the volume flow V or corresponds to this. Due to the fact that a dust separation unit 4 and / or filter unit 9, which is interposed in the suction air flow, becomes clogged with the dust absorbed by the vacuum cleaner 1, the volume flow or the air quantity which can be sucked in and / or cleaned per unit time decreases.

For devices with low power L <500 W, the volume flow can drop so much that a desired cleaning performance, which corresponds to the volume flow V, can no longer be guaranteed. With the aid of means S1 for determining a first value, in this case a volume flow value V of the suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner 1, an actual value of the volume flow V is determined with the device 10. The actual value of the volume flow V can be determined, for example, on the basis of a physical difference variable. It is particularly advantageous if a first air pressure value upstream of the suction air flow is detected and a second air pressure value downstream of the suction air flow is detected. For example, the first air pressure value before and the second air pressure value after the filter unit 9 can be detected. A differential pressure which can be determined thereby can provide information about a degree of contamination of the filter unit.

In a further embodiment, the first air pressure value before and the second air pressure value after the Staubabscheideeinheit 4 is detected. A differential pressure determined therewith can indicate a degree of filling of the dust separation unit 4. In yet another embodiment, detecting the first air pressure value before the dust separation unit 4 and detecting the second air pressure value after the Staubabscheideeinheit 4 downstream filter unit 9. This allows the first value, the volume flow value V depending on several flow resistance causing factors are determined. In further embodiments not shown here, the determination of the first value takes place alternatively or additionally on the basis of power, current or rotational speed values of the motor / blower unit 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1.

The device 10 provides a device S2 for comparing the determined actual value of the volume flow value V with a predetermined volume flow limit value V _{min of} the suction air flow. In this case, it is checked in a method step performed therein, whether the actual value of the volume flow value V falls below the volume flow limit value V _{min of} the suction air flow. If the actual value of the volume flow value V is greater than the predetermined volume flow limit value V _min , the device 10 for controlling the automatic cleaning S6 of the filter unit 9 need not activate cleaning S6. If the actual value of the volume flow value V _falls below the predetermined volume flow limit value V _min , the device 10 attempts to increase the dropped volume flow V of the suction by increasing a second value, here a power value L of the motor / blower unit 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1 Compensate air flow by increasing the power value L of the motor / blower unit 3. However, a compensation of the power value L of the motor / blower unit 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is limited.

With a view to energy saving measures, vacuum cleaners 1 are primarily provided with low-power motor / blower units 3 today. As a result, however, the necessary to compensate for deviations of the volume flow V power reserves of the motor / fan unit 3 are limited. Consequently, the device 10 provides means S3 for determining an actual value of the power value L of the motor / blower unit 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1. On the basis of a device S4 for comparing the actual value of the power value L of the motor / blower unit 3 with a predetermined power limit L _{max of} the motor / blower unit 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1, the device 10 checks whether a compensation of the volume flow V means a device S5 for adjusting a power of the motor / blower unit 3 is still possible. If the determined actual value of the power value L falls below the predetermined power limit value L _{max of} the motor / fan unit, an increase / adaptation S5 of the power L or Compensation of the volume flow V still possible. However, if the determined second value, in this case the actual value of the power value L, exceeds the predetermined power limit value L _max , an automatic cleaning S 6 of the filter unit 9 is activated by the device 10. In this case, the adaptation of the power S5 of the motor / fan unit 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1 takes place on the basis of a characteristic or function stored in the device 10 or the device S5 for adjusting the power. In this way, device-specific programs for cleaning can be easily adjusted.

In a preferred development of the above embodiment, the device 10 is additionally configured to set the power limit value L _{max of} the motor / blower unit 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1 and / or the volume flow limit value V _{min of} the suction air flow depending on a specific floor covering. Such a power control of the motor / blower unit 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1 makes it possible to achieve an even higher energy efficiency by adapting the suction power as a function of the detected background, for example in hard floor or carpet. To detect the substrate, a vacuum switch can be used - not shown.

Fig. 3 shows a highly abstracted flow chart of the function and operation of individual elements of an apparatus for controlling an automatic cleaning S6 of a filter unit 9 according to an advantageous embodiment, as used in a vacuum cleaner 1. This is analogous to the description of Fig. 2 an initialization of the device 10, wherein individual variables for a first value V of a suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner 1 and / or a second value L of the motor / blower unit 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1 set to zero, and limits V _min and L _max stored in a memory of the device 10.

In a further step S1, a first value V of a suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner 1 is determined. According to an advantageous embodiment, the first value V of the suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner 1 is proportional to a volume flow value of the vacuum cleaner 1. Depending on the embodiment may from a volume flow value equivalent measurement, such as a pressure measurement or a pressure difference measurement of the suction air, a Speed determination, calculation of a Recording power or current and / or voltage determination on the motor / blower unit to the first value V are closed.

In a further step S5, a second value L of the motor / blower unit 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is then adjusted as a function of the determined first value V of the suction air flow. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the second value L of the motor / blower unit (3) is proportional to a power value of the motor / blower unit 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1. Also for this purpose, to determine the proportional values to equivalent measurements for determining and adjusting the Motor / blower unit 3 can be used. It is particularly advantageous to use, among other pressure differential measurements, a determination of the speed and / or temperature of the motor / blower unit and a consideration of electrical current and / or voltage values or an electrical phase angle for determining the power value of the motor / blower unit.

As a result, various embodiments can be used to determine a plurality of variables for determining the first value V of the suction air flow or adjusting the second value L of the motor / blower unit 3 in a device 10 or a method for controlling an automatic cleaning S6 Use filter unit 9 for an electric vacuum cleaner 1.

In a further step S6, the automatic cleaning S6 of the filter unit 9 is then activated when a predetermined limit L _{max of} the motor / blower unit 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is exceeded by the second value L and a predetermined limit value V _{min of} the suction air flow of the first value V is exceeded.

In a preferred embodiment, the method for controlling the automatic cleaning S6 of the filter unit 9 for the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is shown in program parts of a computer program product which, when loaded into a computer unit - not shown here - of the apparatus 10, are executed thereon , The computer program product may also be fixedly implemented on an electronic device, such as an ASIC.

Thus, a cost-effective and simple control of the volume flow V in the vacuum cleaner 1 can be realized in order to enable a constant suction power even with a low-power motor / blower unit 3. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims and in the drawings may be of importance both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms.

reference numeral

1

vacuum cleaner

2

casing

3

Motor / blower unit

4

Staubabscheideeinheit

5

air intake

6

tube

7

pipe

8th

jet

9

filter unit

10

Device for automatically controlling the cleaning of a filter unit

S0

Initialization procedure

S1

Means for determining a volumetric flow value

S2

Device for comparing the determined volume flow value

S3

Means for determining a power value

S4

Device for comparing the power value

S5

Device for adjusting a performance

S6

Activate the automatic cleaning of the filter unit

Claims (15)

Apparatus (10) for controlling automatic cleaning (S6) of a filter unit (9) for an electric vacuum cleaner (1) with a suction nozzle (8), a dust separation unit (4) and a motor / blower unit (3), comprising: - means (S1) for determining a first value (V) of a suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner (1); and - means (S5) for adjusting a second value (L) of the motor / blower unit (3) of the vacuum cleaner (1) as a function of the determined first value (V) of the suction air flow,
characterized in that
the device (10) is set up to activate an automatic cleaning (S6) of the filter unit (9) if a predetermined limit value (L _max ) of the motor / blower unit (3) of the vacuum cleaner (1) is dependent on the second value (L) is exceeded and a predetermined limit value (V _min ) of the suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner (1) from the first value (V) is exceeded. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first value (V) of the suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner (1) is proportional to a volume flow value of the vacuum cleaner, and the second value (L) of the motor / blower unit ( 3) is proportional to a power value of the vacuum cleaner (1). Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device (10) is set up, the limit value (L _max ) of the motor / blower unit (3) of the vacuum cleaner (1) and / or the limit value (V _min ) Set the suction air flow depending on a floor covering. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) is arranged to determine the first value (V) of the suction air flow, wherein: - A first air pressure value upstream of the suction air flow is detected; - A second air pressure value downstream of the suction air flow is detected; and - A differential pressure between the first and the second air pressure value is determined. Device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the device (10) is arranged to detect the first air pressure value upstream of the suction air flow upstream of the filter unit (9) and / or the dust separation unit (4) of the vacuum cleaner (1); and - To detect the second air pressure value downstream of the suction air flow after the filter unit (9) and / or the Staubabscheideeinheit (4) of the vacuum cleaner (1). Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) is adapted to determine the first value (V) depending on a degree of filling of the dust separation unit (4). Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) is adapted, the adjustment of the second value (L) of the motor / blower unit (3) based on a stored in the device (S5) characteristic or function make. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) is adapted to make the adjustment of the second value (L) of the motor / blower unit (3) of the vacuum cleaner (1) in discrete steps or continuously. Method for controlling an automatic cleaning (S6) of a filter unit (9) for an electric vacuum cleaner (1) with a suction nozzle (8), a dust removal unit (4) and a motor / blower unit (3), comprising the steps: - determining (S1) a first value (V) of a suction air flow; and Adjusting (S5) a second value of the motor / blower unit (3) of the vacuum cleaner (1) as a function of the determined first value (V),
characterized in that
the automatic cleaning (S6) of the filter unit (9) is activated when a predetermined limit value (L _max ) of the motor / blower unit (3) of the vacuum cleaner (1) is exceeded by the second value (L) and a predetermined limit value (V _min ) of the suction air flow from the first value (V) is exceeded. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the first value (V) of the suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner (1) is proportional to a volume flow value of the vacuum cleaner (1), and the value (L) of the motor / blower unit (3 ) is proportional to a power value of the vacuum cleaner (1). A method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the limit value (L _max ) of the motor / blower unit (3) of the vacuum cleaner (1) and / or the limit value (V _min ) of the suction air flow are adjusted depending on a floor covering. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the first value (V) of the suction air flow is determined, wherein: - A first air pressure value upstream of the suction air flow is detected; - A second air pressure value downstream of the suction air flow is detected; and - A differential pressure between the first and the second air pressure value is determined. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that - the first air pressure value upstream of the suction air flow in front of the filter unit (9) and / or the Staubabscheideeinheit (4) of the vacuum cleaner (1) is detected; and - The second air pressure value downstream of the suction air flow to the filter unit (9) and / or the Staubabscheideeinheit (4) of the vacuum cleaner (1) is detected. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume flow value (V) is determined as a function of a degree of filling of the dust separation unit (4). A computer program product for controlling an automatic cleaning (S6) of a filter unit (9) for an electric vacuum cleaner (1) having a suction nozzle (8), a dust collecting unit (4) and a motor / blower unit (3) comprising program parts which, when they are loaded in a computer, are designed to carry out a method according to any one of claims 9 to 14.

Images