EP3162266B1 - Cleaning device and method for use of said cleaning device - Google Patents

Cleaning device and method for use of said cleaning device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3162266B1
EP3162266B1 EP16195230.4A EP16195230A EP3162266B1 EP 3162266 B1 EP3162266 B1 EP 3162266B1 EP 16195230 A EP16195230 A EP 16195230A EP 3162266 B1 EP3162266 B1 EP 3162266B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cleaning device
state
contact state
suction power
fan
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP16195230.4A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3162266A1 (en
Inventor
Kai Stracke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
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Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
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Publication date
Application filed by Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH filed Critical Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
Publication of EP3162266A1 publication Critical patent/EP3162266A1/en
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Publication of EP3162266B1 publication Critical patent/EP3162266B1/en
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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
    • A47L9/2805—Parameters or conditions being sensed
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
    • A47L9/2805—Parameters or conditions being sensed
    • A47L9/2821—Pressure, vacuum level or airflow
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
    • A47L9/2836—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means characterised by the parts which are controlled
    • A47L9/2842—Suction motors or blowers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a cleaning device, in particular a household vacuum cleaner, with a blower and an evaluation and control device for varying a suction of the blower in response to a determined assignment state of the cleaning device to a surface, namely a contact state in which the cleaning device is placed on the surface , or a non-contact state in which the cleaning device is lifted off the surface.
  • the invention relates to a method for operating a cleaning device, wherein a state of assignment of the cleaning device is determined to a surface, namely a contact state in which the cleaning device is placed on the surface, or a non-contact state in which the cleaning device is lifted from the surface , and wherein a suction power of a blower of the cleaning device is varied in dependence on the determined assignment state of the cleaning device.
  • the patent EP 2 548 491 B1 discloses, for example, a vacuum cleaner with an evaluation and control device, which means for reducing the electrical power consumption of a blower during a non-use of the vacuum cleaner, in which it is lifted from the surface has.
  • the disadvantage here is that the suction power of the blower is always reduced when the cleaning device is lifted off the surface. As a result, no optimal suction power is available, for example, to remove cobwebs in a ceiling area of a room.
  • the invention proposes that the evaluation and control device of the cleaning device is set to set the suction power when determining a NonWalletShes to a higher amount than when determining a contact state.
  • the cleaning device is now designed or set up so that the suction power is increased when lifting the cleaning device from a surface, so that even then optimal suction power is available when, with the cleaning device, deviating from a usual use, a spider web or the like should be removed on a ceiling.
  • a cleaning device according to the aforementioned prior art does not allow such a surface-distant cleaning with increased suction power just because a decrease in the cleaning device is just a power reduction.
  • the cleaning device according to the invention has a Device for detecting a state in which the cleaning device is lifted off the surface. This evaluation and control device can work in different ways, as will be explained below.
  • the evaluation and control device is advantageously associated with a data storage device in which reference data are stored for different assignment states of the cleaning device.
  • the evaluation and control device is designed to compare current measurement data, which indicate the assignment state, with this reference data. Depending on the assignment state determined therefrom, the evaluation and control device then controls the blower of the cleaning device, with corresponding control commands also being able to be stored in the data storage device.
  • the evaluation and control device is designed to compare a volume flow currently generated by the blower of the cleaning device with a predetermined volume flow threshold, which corresponds in particular to a non-contact state of the cleaning device, and to increase the suction power of the blower if the volume flow rate is exceeded. Threshold to increase by the current flow rate.
  • the volume flow generated by the blower is lower than during a non-contact state in which air without obstruction can pass through an area from outside the cleaning device to the blower. The volume flow is thus dependent inter alia on a flow resistance which the air flowing to the fan experiences between the cleaning device and a surface.
  • the air can flow to the fan with a larger volume flow.
  • the characteristic Volumetric flow can be stored as a volume flow threshold within the data storage device associated with the evaluation and control device. If a currently determined volume flow exceeds this volume flow threshold value, the evaluation and control device determines a non-contact state of the cleaning device, whereupon the evaluation and control device causes the increase of the suction power of the blower.
  • the volume flow currently generated by the blower is determined by means of a blower characteristic of the blower, which contains a pressure increase measured during operation of the blower or an electric power received by the blower. The volume flow therefore does not have to be measured directly, but can be derived from other measured parameters (pressure, power, etc.).
  • the suction power of the fan is increased, so that even cleaning tasks that are remote from the surface, such as, for example, the removal of a spiderweb under a ceiling, can be carried out successfully.
  • the cleaning device has a contact sensor, which is arranged on the cleaning device such that it is placed on the surface during a contact state.
  • the contact sensor directly detects a contact between the cleaning device and the surface.
  • the contact sensor is advantageously arranged with respect to a conventional cleaning of a bottom surface under the cleaning device, so that the contact sensor immediately detects the contact state when the cleaning device is placed on the surface.
  • the contact sensor can be designed, for example, as a pressure sensor, optical sensor or the like.
  • the cleaning device for example, both have a contact sensor, as well as a determination of the volume flow use.
  • a contact state is erroneously determined on the basis of a low volume flow caused by other causes.
  • a detection result of the contact sensor not only a current volume flow is used, but also a detection result of the contact sensor.
  • the evaluation and control device is designed to increase the suction power of the fan when determining a NonWalletschreibes to a predetermined maximum value.
  • a volume flow exceeding the volume flow threshold or a determined contact between the cleaning device and a surface thus leads to a maximum increase in the suction power of the fan. Regardless of the amount of the current volume flow, the suction power is increased to a maximum, so that an optimal cleaning is always possible.
  • the cleaning device has a time detection device, which is designed to determine the duration of a current assignment state of the cleaning device, wherein the evaluation and control device is designed to vary the suction depending on the duration of the assignment state only when the Duration exceeds a predetermined minimum duration.
  • the evaluation and control device of the cleaning device is thus designed not to evaluate each short-term lifting of a surface as a non-contact state.
  • Such a temporally relatively short event should not be regarded as a transition from a contact state to a noncontact state become.
  • the time detection device detects the duration of the currently effective assignment state and transmits it to the evaluation and control device.
  • the evaluation and control device compares the duration with a preferably stored in the data storage device minimum duration, which is decisive for whether the change in state is regarded as an actual change of the assignment state of the cleaning device, or only a short-term interruption of the contact state of the cleaning device is present.
  • the predetermined minimum duration, from which an assignment state is evaluated, for example, as a non-contact state can be, for example, 2 seconds. Only when exceeding this period of 2 seconds, the evaluation and control device increases the suction power of the fan. If the current assignment state, in particular the non-contact state, lasts less than these 2 seconds, the suction power of the fan is not changed.
  • the invention also proposes a method for operating a cleaning device, in particular for operating a cleaning device of the aforementioned type, wherein a state of assignment of the cleaning device is determined to a surface, namely a contact state in which the cleaning device placed on the surface is, or a non-contact state in which the cleaning device is lifted from the surface, and wherein a suction power of a blower of the cleaning device in dependence on the determined assignment state of the cleaning device is varied, and wherein the suction power is determined upon detection of a NonWalletCloudes to a higher amount than upon determination of a contact state.
  • a current volume generated by the fan is determined and compared with a predetermined volume flow threshold, which corresponds in particular to a noncontact state of the cleaning device, the suction power of the fan being exceeded when the preset volume flow rate is exceeded. Threshold is increased.
  • the volume flow can be derived from a current pressure increase of the blower or also current and voltage values of the blower.
  • the blower characteristics of the blower are used.
  • the evaluation and control device of the cleaning device preferably accesses a data storage device which contains volume flow threshold values for comparison with the currently determined volume flow values.
  • volumetric flow threshold values advantageously correspond in particular to a non-contact state of the cleaning device, but may also be less than a volumetric flow, which clearly represents a non-contact state of the cleaning device.
  • a volumetric flow threshold value may be stored which is higher than a volumetric flow during a customary cleaning process, but less than a volumetric flow when the scrubber is completely lifted off the surface.
  • a volume flow may be defined at which the cleaning device only partially rests on a surface, for example only with one edge of an attachment.
  • the current assignment state is determined by means of a contact sensor of the cleaning device.
  • This Contact sensor may be, for example, a pressure sensor or an optical sensor.
  • the method according to the invention can then equally include a contact measurement and / or a determination of the volumetric flow, which may result in a redundancy which offers additional security in the case of a state of assignment that can not be determined unambiguously.
  • the suction power of the fan is increased to a predetermined maximum value when a non-contact state is determined.
  • a duration of the current assignment state of the cleaning device is determined, wherein the suction power is varied only when the duration exceeds a predetermined minimum duration.
  • the predetermined minimum duration may be, for example, at least 2 seconds, assuming that the user needs at least 2 seconds to lift the cleaning device from a floor surface to remove a spiderweb under a ceiling.
  • the cleaning device 1 shown in the figure is designed as a hand vacuum cleaner, which usually serves to clean a surface 3.
  • the surface 3 here is a bottom surface, but it could also be cleaned over-ground surfaces by means of the cleaning device 1.
  • the cleaning device 1 has a base unit 6 and a header 5.
  • the header 5 is detachable from the base 6, so that the base 6 can be used without the header 5.
  • the base unit 6 has a handle 7, which is here preferably telescopic, so that a user of the cleaning device 1 can set a comfortable length for him.
  • a handle 8 is arranged, on which the user can guide the cleaning device 1 during a cleaning operation.
  • switches such as an on-off switch, can be arranged on the handle 8.
  • a fan 2 is arranged, which generates an air flow through the cleaning device 1 during operation, so that suction material through the header 5 passes through the base unit 6, for example, a filter chamber disposed therein, so that only purified air to the Blower 2 passes.
  • the cleaning device 1 further has an evaluation and control device 4, which here for example comprises a data storage device and a time recording device (stopwatch, timer or the like).
  • the evaluation and control device 4 is connected to the blower 2 and designed to vary the suction power of the blower 2 as a function of a current spatial allocation state of the cleaning device 1 to the surface 3.
  • a spatial assignment state here is, for example, a contact state of the cleaning device 1, in which the cleaning device 1 stands on the surface 3.
  • Another spatial assignment state is a Noncontact state of the cleaning device 1, in which the cleaning device 1 is lifted off the surface 3 as shown in the figure.
  • further spatial assignment states may be defined, for example those which also include an angle of inclination of the cleaning device 1 to the surface 3, namely those in which the cleaning device 1 is rotated, for example for a cleaning activity under a ceiling by 180 degrees, ie Attachment 5 points upward.
  • the evaluation and control device 4 In order to determine the current spatial assignment state of the cleaning device 1, the evaluation and control device 4 continuously or at defined intervals from current operating parameters of the blower 2, which suggest whether the cleaning device 1 is currently on the surface 3 or lifted off this ,
  • the evaluation and control device 4 is connected to a sensor which determines the current recorded by the blower 2 power.
  • the power results in the usual way from the voltage and the current required by the blower 2 current. From known blower characteristics of the blower 2 can be concluded based on the current power consumption of the blower 2 on the volume flow generated by the blower 2. This determined volume flow is compared by the evaluation and control device 4 with a predetermined volume flow threshold, which is stored in the data storage device.
  • the predetermined volumetric flow threshold corresponds to a volume flow which occurs in the case of a non-contact state of the cleaning device 1. If the currently determined volume flow of the blower 2 is greater than this predetermined volume flow threshold or equal to this volume flow threshold, the evaluation and control device 4 concludes that the cleaning device 1 is currently in a non-contact state. The evaluation and control device 4 then controls the blower 2 such that the suction power of the blower 2 is increased. This is done regularly by increasing the speed of the fan motor. The fan 2 has now a sufficiently large suction, so that the user of the cleaning device 1, for example, can remove cobwebs under a ceiling. Preferably, the suction power of the blower 2 is increased to a predetermined maximum value.
  • the sensor continues to measure the power consumption of the blower 2 and transmits the measured values to the evaluation and control device 4.
  • the evaluation and control device 4 compares these measured values continuously with the predetermined threshold value and reduces the suction power of the blower 2 as soon as detected is that the volume flow currently generated by the blower 2 is less than the predetermined volume flow threshold.
  • the current volume flow drops below the threshold value, a contact state of the cleaning device 1 is detected, so that then the suction power of the fan 2 is reduced.
  • the current spatial allocation state must additionally exist over a predetermined minimum duration.
  • the lifting of the cleaning device 1 of the surface 3 thus does not immediately at the moment of lifting off the surface 3 to increase the suction power, but only when this state is a predetermined minimum period of time.
  • the evaluation and control device 4 the time detection device, which is designed to determine the duration of the current spatial assignment state.
  • the time recording device measures the time from the moment the cleaning device 1 is lifted off the surface 3 or the time from the moment the cleaning device 1 is placed on the surface 3.
  • the evaluation and control device 4 compares the measured time duration with a predetermined minimum duration.
  • the predetermined minimum duration is stored in the data storage device. As soon as the current time duration exceeds the predetermined minimum duration, the evaluation and control device 4 varies the suction power of the blower 2.
  • the time detection device is first started at the time of lifting, while the suction power remains constant. Only when the lifted non-contact state of the cleaning device 1 lasts longer than the predetermined minimum duration, the evaluation and control device 4 controls the blower 2 such that the suction power is increased. In the same way, the variation of the suction power also occurs when the cleaning device 1 is transferred from a non-contact state to a contact state. Even then, the suction power is reduced only when the predetermined minimum duration is exceeded.
  • the spatial assignment state can also be measured with the aid of one or more contact sensors which are arranged on the cleaning device 1 such that they touch the surface during a contact state 3 are attached.
  • the contact sensor (s) may be, for example, pressure sensors, optical sensors or the like.

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  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Electric Vacuum Cleaner (AREA)

Description

Gebiet der TechnikField of engineering

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Reinigungsgerät, insbesondere einen Haushaltsstaubsauger, mit einem Gebläse und einer Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung zur Variation einer Saugleistung des Gebläses in Abhängigkeit von einem ermittelten Zuordnungszustand des Reinigungsgerätes zu einer Fläche, nämlich einem Kontaktzustand, in welchem das Reinigungsgerät auf die Fläche aufgesetzt ist, oder einem Nonkontaktzustand, in welchem das Reinigungsgerät von der Fläche abgehoben ist.The invention relates to a cleaning device, in particular a household vacuum cleaner, with a blower and an evaluation and control device for varying a suction of the blower in response to a determined assignment state of the cleaning device to a surface, namely a contact state in which the cleaning device is placed on the surface , or a non-contact state in which the cleaning device is lifted off the surface.

Des Weiteren betrifft die Erfindung ein Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Reinigungsgerätes, wobei ein Zuordnungszustand des Reinigungsgerätes zu einer Fläche ermittelt wird, nämlich ein Kontaktzustand, in welchem das Reinigungsgerät auf die Fläche aufgesetzt ist, oder ein Nonkontaktzustand, in welchem das Reinigungsgerät von der Fläche abgehoben ist, und wobei eine Saugleistung eines Gebläses des Reinigungsgerätes in Abhängigkeit von dem ermittelten Zuordnungszustand des Reinigungsgerätes variiert wird.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a cleaning device, wherein a state of assignment of the cleaning device is determined to a surface, namely a contact state in which the cleaning device is placed on the surface, or a non-contact state in which the cleaning device is lifted from the surface , and wherein a suction power of a blower of the cleaning device is varied in dependence on the determined assignment state of the cleaning device.

Stand der TechnikState of the art

Es sind bereits Reinigungsgeräte bzw. Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Reinigungsgerätes bekannt, bei welchen die Saugleistung des Gebläses in Abhängigkeit von einem ermittelten Zuordnungszustand des Reinigungsgerätes zu einer Fläche variiert wird, d. h. in Abhängigkeit davon, ob das Reinigungsgerät auf der zu reinigenden Fläche steht oder von dieser abgehoben ist.There are already known cleaning devices or methods for operating a cleaning device in which the suction power of the fan is varied depending on a determined assignment state of the cleaning device to a surface, d. H. depending on whether the cleaning device is on the surface to be cleaned or lifted off from it.

Die Patentschrift EP 2 548 491 B1 offenbart beispielsweise einen Staubsauger mit einer Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung, welche Mittel zum Reduzieren der elektrischen Leistungsaufnahme eines Gebläses während einer Nichtbenutzung des Staubsaugers, in welcher dieser von der Fläche abgehoben ist, aufweist.The patent EP 2 548 491 B1 discloses, for example, a vacuum cleaner with an evaluation and control device, which means for reducing the electrical power consumption of a blower during a non-use of the vacuum cleaner, in which it is lifted from the surface has.

Nachteilig dabei ist, dass die Saugleistung des Gebläses stets reduziert wird, wenn das Reinigungsgerät von der Fläche abgehoben wird. Dadurch steht keine optimale Saugleistung zur Verfügung, um beispielsweise Spinnweben in einem Deckenbereich eines Raumes zu entfernen.The disadvantage here is that the suction power of the blower is always reduced when the cleaning device is lifted off the surface. As a result, no optimal suction power is available, for example, to remove cobwebs in a ceiling area of a room.

Zusammenfassung der ErfindungSummary of the invention

Ausgehend von dem dargestellten Stand der Technik ist es Aufgabe der Erfindung, ein Reinigungsgerät zu schaffen, mit welchem auch eine flächenferne Reinigungsaufgabe, beispielsweise im Bereich einer Zimmerdecke, erfolgreich durchgeführt werden kann.Based on the illustrated prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide a cleaning device, with which a cleaning task remote from the surface, for example in the field of a ceiling, can be successfully carried out.

Zur Lösung dieser Aufgabe schlägt die Erfindung vor, dass die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung des Reinigungsgerätes eingerichtet ist, die Saugleistung bei Ermittlung eines Nonkontaktzustandes auf einen höheren Betrag einzustellen als bei Ermittlung eines Kontaktzustandes.To solve this problem, the invention proposes that the evaluation and control device of the cleaning device is set to set the suction power when determining a Nonkontaktzustandes to a higher amount than when determining a contact state.

Erfindungsgemäß ist das Reinigungsgerät nun so ausgebildet bzw. eingerichtet, dass die Saugleistung bei einem Abheben des Reinigungsgerätes von einer Fläche erhöht wird, so dass auch dann eine optimale Saugleistung zur Verfügung steht, wenn mit dem Reinigungsgerät, abweichend von einer sonst üblichen Benutzung, ein Spinnengewebe oder ähnliches an einer Zimmerdecke entfernt werden soll. Ein Reinigungsgerät gemäß dem vorgenannten Stand der Technik ermöglicht eine solche flächenferne Reinigung mit erhöhter Saugleistung gerade nicht, da bei einem Abheben des Reinigungsgerätes gerade eine Leistungsreduzierung erfolgt. Das Reinigungsgerät weist erfindungsgemäß eine Einrichtung zum Erkennen eines Zustandes auf, bei welchem das Reinigungsgerät von der Fläche abgehoben ist. Diese Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung kann auf unterschiedliche Art und Weise arbeiten, wie im Folgenden noch erläutert wird.According to the invention, the cleaning device is now designed or set up so that the suction power is increased when lifting the cleaning device from a surface, so that even then optimal suction power is available when, with the cleaning device, deviating from a usual use, a spider web or the like should be removed on a ceiling. A cleaning device according to the aforementioned prior art does not allow such a surface-distant cleaning with increased suction power just because a decrease in the cleaning device is just a power reduction. The cleaning device according to the invention has a Device for detecting a state in which the cleaning device is lifted off the surface. This evaluation and control device can work in different ways, as will be explained below.

Der Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung ist vorteilhaft eine Datenspeichereinrichtung zugeordnet, in welcher Referenzdaten zu verschiedenen Zuordnungszuständen des Reinigungsgerätes gespeichert sind. Die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung ist ausgebildet, aktuelle Messdaten, die auf den Zuordnungszustand schließen lassen, mit diesen Referenzdaten zu vergleichen. In Abhängigkeit von dem daraus ermittelten Zuordnungszustand steuert die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung anschließend das Gebläse des Reinigungsgerätes, wobei entsprechende Steuerbefehle ebenfalls in der Datenspeichereinrichtung hinterlegt sein können.The evaluation and control device is advantageously associated with a data storage device in which reference data are stored for different assignment states of the cleaning device. The evaluation and control device is designed to compare current measurement data, which indicate the assignment state, with this reference data. Depending on the assignment state determined therefrom, the evaluation and control device then controls the blower of the cleaning device, with corresponding control commands also being able to be stored in the data storage device.

Es wird vorgeschlagen, dass die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung ausgebildet ist, einen aktuell von dem Gebläse des Reinigungsgerätes erzeugten Volumenstrom mit einem vorgegebenen Volumenstrom-Schwellwert, welcher insbesondere einem Nonkontaktzustand des Reinigungsgerätes entspricht, zu vergleichen und die Saugleistung des Gebläses bei einem Überschreiten des Volumenstrom-Schwellwertes durch den aktuellen Volumenstrom zu erhöhen. In einem Kontaktzustand des Reinigungsgerätes ist der von dem Gebläse erzeugte Volumenstrom geringer als während eines Nonkontaktzustandes, in dem Luft ohne Behinderung durch eine Fläche von außerhalb des Reinigungsgerätes zu dem Gebläse gelangen kann. Der Volumenstrom ist somit unter anderem abhängig von einem Strömungswiderstand, welchen die zu dem Gebläse strömende Luft zwischen dem Reinigungsgerät und einer Fläche erfährt. In dem Fall, dass das Reinigungsgerät nicht auf einer Fläche steht, kann die Luft mit einem größeren Volumenstrom zu dem Gebläse strömen. Der dabei charakteristische Volumenstrom kann innerhalb der der Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung zugeordneten Datenspeichereinrichtung als Volumenstrom-Schwellwert hinterlegt sein. Sofern ein aktuell ermittelter Volumenstrom diesen Volumenstrom-Schwellwert überschreitet, stellt die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung einen Nonkontaktzustand des Reinigungsgerätes fest, woraufhin die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung die Erhöhung der Saugleistung des Gebläses veranlasst. Der aktuell von dem Gebläse erzeugte Volumenstrom wird anhand einer Gebläsekennlinie des Gebläses ermittelt, welche eine im Betrieb des Gebläses gemessene Druckerhöhung oder eine von dem Gebläse aufgenommene elektrische Leistung enthält. Der Volumenstrom muss somit nicht unmittelbar gemessen werden, sondern kann von anderen gemessenen Parametern (Druck, Leistung, etc.) abgeleitet werden. Sofern sich ein aktueller Volumenstrom ergibt, der den vorgegebenen Volumenstrom-Schwellwert überschreitet, wird die Saugleistung des Gebläses erhöht, so dass auch flächenferne Reinigungsaufgaben, wie beispielsweise die Entfernung eines Spinnengewebes unter einer Zimmerdecke, erfolgreich durchgeführt werden können.It is proposed that the evaluation and control device is designed to compare a volume flow currently generated by the blower of the cleaning device with a predetermined volume flow threshold, which corresponds in particular to a non-contact state of the cleaning device, and to increase the suction power of the blower if the volume flow rate is exceeded. Threshold to increase by the current flow rate. In a contact state of the cleaning device, the volume flow generated by the blower is lower than during a non-contact state in which air without obstruction can pass through an area from outside the cleaning device to the blower. The volume flow is thus dependent inter alia on a flow resistance which the air flowing to the fan experiences between the cleaning device and a surface. In the event that the cleaning device is not standing on a surface, the air can flow to the fan with a larger volume flow. The characteristic Volumetric flow can be stored as a volume flow threshold within the data storage device associated with the evaluation and control device. If a currently determined volume flow exceeds this volume flow threshold value, the evaluation and control device determines a non-contact state of the cleaning device, whereupon the evaluation and control device causes the increase of the suction power of the blower. The volume flow currently generated by the blower is determined by means of a blower characteristic of the blower, which contains a pressure increase measured during operation of the blower or an electric power received by the blower. The volume flow therefore does not have to be measured directly, but can be derived from other measured parameters (pressure, power, etc.). If a current volume flow results which exceeds the predefined volumetric flow threshold value, the suction power of the fan is increased, so that even cleaning tasks that are remote from the surface, such as, for example, the removal of a spiderweb under a ceiling, can be carried out successfully.

Des Weiteren wird alternativ oder zusätzlich vorgeschlagen, dass das Reinigungsgerät einen Kontaktsensor aufweist, welcher so an dem Reinigungsgerät angeordnet ist, dass dieser während eines Kontaktzustandes auf die Fläche aufgesetzt ist. Anstatt den Zuordnungszustand des Reinigungsgerätes indirekt über den von dem Gebläse erzeugten Volumenstrom zu ermitteln, detektiert der Kontaktsensor unmittelbar einen Kontakt zwischen dem Reinigungsgerät und der Fläche. Vorteilhaft ist der Kontaktsensor bezogen auf eine übliche Reinigung einer Bodenfläche unter dem Reinigungsgerät angeordnet, so dass der Kontaktsensor den Kontaktzustand bei einem Aufsetzen des Reinigungsgerätes auf die Fläche unmittelbar detektiert. Der Kontaktsensor kann dabei beispielsweise als Drucksensor, optischer Sensor oder ähnliches ausgebildet sein. Gemäß einer Ausführung kann das Reinigungsgerät beispielsweise sowohl einen Kontaktsensor aufweisen, als auch eine Ermittlung des Volumenstroms nutzen. Hierdurch kann beispielsweise verhindert werden, dass fälschlicherweise aufgrund eines durch andere Ursachen bedingten geringen Volumenstroms ein Kontaktzustand ermittelt wird. Als zusätzliche Sicherheit bei der Ermittlung des Zuordnungszustandes wird somit nicht nur ein aktueller Volumenstrom herangezogen, sondern auch ein Detektionsergebnis des Kontaktsensors.Furthermore, it is alternatively or additionally proposed that the cleaning device has a contact sensor, which is arranged on the cleaning device such that it is placed on the surface during a contact state. Instead of determining the assignment state of the cleaning device indirectly via the volume flow generated by the fan, the contact sensor directly detects a contact between the cleaning device and the surface. The contact sensor is advantageously arranged with respect to a conventional cleaning of a bottom surface under the cleaning device, so that the contact sensor immediately detects the contact state when the cleaning device is placed on the surface. The contact sensor can be designed, for example, as a pressure sensor, optical sensor or the like. According to one embodiment, the cleaning device, for example, both have a contact sensor, as well as a determination of the volume flow use. As a result, it can be prevented, for example, that a contact state is erroneously determined on the basis of a low volume flow caused by other causes. As additional security in the determination of the assignment state, not only a current volume flow is used, but also a detection result of the contact sensor.

Des Weiteren wird vorgeschlagen, dass die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung ausgebildet ist, die Saugleistung des Gebläses bei Ermittlung eines Nonkontaktzustandes auf einen vorgegebenen Maximalwert zu erhöhen. Ein den Volumenstrom-Schwellwert übersteigender Volumenstrom bzw. ein ermittelter Kontakt zwischen dem Reinigungsgerät und einer Fläche führt somit zu einer maximalen Erhöhung der Saugleistung des Gebläses. Unabhängig von dem Betrag des aktuellen Volumenstromes wird die Saugleistung auf ein Maximum erhöht, so dass stets eine optimale Reinigung möglich ist.Furthermore, it is proposed that the evaluation and control device is designed to increase the suction power of the fan when determining a Nonkontaktzustandes to a predetermined maximum value. A volume flow exceeding the volume flow threshold or a determined contact between the cleaning device and a surface thus leads to a maximum increase in the suction power of the fan. Regardless of the amount of the current volume flow, the suction power is increased to a maximum, so that an optimal cleaning is always possible.

Des Weiteren wird vorgeschlagen, dass das Reinigungsgerät eine Zeiterfassungseinrichtung aufweist, welche ausgebildet ist, die Dauer eines aktuellen Zuordnungszustandes des Reinigungsgerätes zu ermitteln, wobei die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung ausgebildet ist, die Saugleistung abhängig von der Dauer des Zuordnungszustandes erst dann zu variieren, wenn die Dauer eine vorgegebene Mindestdauer überschreitet. Die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung des Reinigungsgerätes ist somit ausgebildet, nicht jedes kurzzeitige Abheben von einer Fläche als Nonkontaktzustand zu werten. Während eines üblichen Reinigungsbetriebes kann es dazu kommen, dass der Nutzer das Reinigungsgerät von der Fläche abhebt, um dieses beispielsweise in eine andere Richtung umzusetzen, ein Hindernis wie eine Teppichkante zu überwinden oder ähnliches. Ein solches zeitlich relativ kurzes Ereignis soll nicht als ein Übergang von einem Kontaktzustand in einen Nonkontaktzustand gewertet werden. Daher erfasst die Zeiterfassungseinrichtung die Dauer des aktuell wirksamen Zuordnungszustandes und übermittelt diese an die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung. Die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung vergleicht die Dauer mit einer vorzugsweise in der Datenspeichereinrichtung hinterlegten Mindestdauer, welche ausschlaggebend dafür ist, ob die Zustandsänderung als ein tatsächlicher Wechsel des Zuordnungszustandes des Reinigungsgerätes gewertet wird, oder nur eine kurzfristige Unterbrechung des Kontaktzustandes des Reinigungsgerätes vorliegt. Die vorgegebene Mindestdauer, ab welcher ein Zuordnungszustand beispielsweise als Nonkontaktzustand gewertet wird, kann beispielsweise 2 Sekunden betragen. Erst bei einem Überschreiten dieser Zeitdauer von 2 Sekunden erhöht die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung die Saugleistung des Gebläses. Sofern der aktuelle Zuordnungszustand, insbesondere der Nonkontaktzustand, weniger als diese 2 Sekunden lang besteht, wird die Saugleistung des Gebläses nicht verändert. Gleiches gilt entsprechend für einen Wechsel von einem Nonkontaktzustand in einen Kontaktzustand, d. h. die Saugleistung wird erst dann reduziert, wenn ausgehend von einem Nonkontaktzustand ein Kontaktzustand über eine Dauer von mehr als 2 Sekunden festgestellt wird.Furthermore, it is proposed that the cleaning device has a time detection device, which is designed to determine the duration of a current assignment state of the cleaning device, wherein the evaluation and control device is designed to vary the suction depending on the duration of the assignment state only when the Duration exceeds a predetermined minimum duration. The evaluation and control device of the cleaning device is thus designed not to evaluate each short-term lifting of a surface as a non-contact state. During a typical cleaning operation, it may happen that the user lifts the cleaning device from the surface, for example, to implement it in another direction, to overcome an obstacle such as a carpet edge or the like. Such a temporally relatively short event should not be regarded as a transition from a contact state to a noncontact state become. Therefore, the time detection device detects the duration of the currently effective assignment state and transmits it to the evaluation and control device. The evaluation and control device compares the duration with a preferably stored in the data storage device minimum duration, which is decisive for whether the change in state is regarded as an actual change of the assignment state of the cleaning device, or only a short-term interruption of the contact state of the cleaning device is present. The predetermined minimum duration, from which an assignment state is evaluated, for example, as a non-contact state, can be, for example, 2 seconds. Only when exceeding this period of 2 seconds, the evaluation and control device increases the suction power of the fan. If the current assignment state, in particular the non-contact state, lasts less than these 2 seconds, the suction power of the fan is not changed. The same applies mutatis mutandis to a change from a non-contact state in a contact state, ie, the suction power is reduced only when starting from a non-contact state, a contact state over a period of more than 2 seconds is determined.

Neben dem zuvor vorgestellten Reinigungsgerät wird mit der Erfindung ebenso ein Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Reinigungsgerätes vorgeschlagen, insbesondere zum Betrieb eines Reinigungsgerätes der vorgenannten Art, wobei ein Zuordnungszustand des Reinigungsgerätes zu einer Fläche ermittelt wird, nämlich ein Kontaktzustand, in welchem das Reinigungsgerät auf die Fläche aufgesetzt ist, oder ein Nonkontaktzustand, in welchem das Reinigungsgerät von der Fläche abgehoben ist, und wobei eine Saugleistung eines Gebläses des Reinigungsgerätes in Abhängigkeit von dem ermittelten Zuordnungszustand des Reinigungsgerätes variiert wird, und wobei die Saugleistung bei Ermittlung eines Nonkontaktzustandes auf einen höheren Betrag eingestellt wird als bei Ermittlung eines Kontaktzustandes. Die damit erreichten erfindungsgemäßen Vorteile ergeben sich wie zuvor in Bezug auf das erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsgerät erläutert.In addition to the previously presented cleaning device, the invention also proposes a method for operating a cleaning device, in particular for operating a cleaning device of the aforementioned type, wherein a state of assignment of the cleaning device is determined to a surface, namely a contact state in which the cleaning device placed on the surface is, or a non-contact state in which the cleaning device is lifted from the surface, and wherein a suction power of a blower of the cleaning device in dependence on the determined assignment state of the cleaning device is varied, and wherein the suction power is determined upon detection of a Nonkontaktzustandes to a higher amount than upon determination of a contact state. The invention thus achieved Advantages result as previously explained with respect to the cleaning device according to the invention.

Des Weiteren wird vorgeschlagen, dass zur Ermittlung des aktuellen Zuordnungszustandes ein aktuell von dem Gebläse erzeugter Volumenstrom ermittelt und mit einem vorgegebenen Volumenstrom-Schwellwert, welcher insbesondere einem Nonkontaktzustand des Reinigungsgerätes entspricht, verglichen wird, wobei die Saugleistung des Gebläses bei einem Überschreiten des vorgegebenen Volumenstrom-Schwellwertes erhöht wird. Wie zuvor in Bezug auf das erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsgerät erläutert, ist es dabei nicht zwangsläufig erforderlich, den Volumenstrom unmittelbar zu messen. Vielmehr kann der Volumenstrom aus einer aktuellen Druckerhöhung des Gebläses oder auch Strom- und Spannungswerten des Gebläses abgeleitet werden. Hierzu werden die Gebläsekennlinien des Gebläses herangezogen. Die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung des Reinigungsgerätes greift vorzugsweise auf eine Datenspeichereinrichtung zu, welche Volumenstrom-Schwellwerte zum Vergleich mit den aktuell ermittelten Volumenstromwerten enthält. Die Volumenstrom-Schwellwerte entsprechen vorteilhaft insbesondere einem Nonkontaktzustand des Reinigungsgerätes, können jedoch auch geringer sein als ein Volumenstrom, der eindeutig einen Nonkontaktzustand des Reinigungsgerätes repräsentiert. Beispielsweise kann ein Volumenstrom-Schwellwert gespeichert sein, welcher höher ist als ein Volumenstrom während eines üblichen Reinigungsvorgangs, jedoch geringer als ein Volumenstrom bei einem vollständigen Abheben des Reinigungsgerätes von der Fläche. Beispielsweise kann ein Volumenstrom definiert sein, bei welchem das Reinigungsgerät nur zum Teil noch auf einer Fläche ruht, beispielsweise nur mit einer Kante eines Vorsatzgerätes.Furthermore, it is proposed that, to determine the current assignment state, a current volume generated by the fan is determined and compared with a predetermined volume flow threshold, which corresponds in particular to a noncontact state of the cleaning device, the suction power of the fan being exceeded when the preset volume flow rate is exceeded. Threshold is increased. As explained above with respect to the cleaning device according to the invention, it is not necessarily necessary to measure the volume flow directly. Rather, the volume flow can be derived from a current pressure increase of the blower or also current and voltage values of the blower. For this purpose, the blower characteristics of the blower are used. The evaluation and control device of the cleaning device preferably accesses a data storage device which contains volume flow threshold values for comparison with the currently determined volume flow values. The volumetric flow threshold values advantageously correspond in particular to a non-contact state of the cleaning device, but may also be less than a volumetric flow, which clearly represents a non-contact state of the cleaning device. For example, a volumetric flow threshold value may be stored which is higher than a volumetric flow during a customary cleaning process, but less than a volumetric flow when the scrubber is completely lifted off the surface. For example, a volume flow may be defined at which the cleaning device only partially rests on a surface, for example only with one edge of an attachment.

Des Weiteren wird vorgeschlagen, dass der aktuelle Zuordnungszustand mittels eines Kontaktsensors des Reinigungsgerätes ermittelt wird. Dieser Kontaktsensor kann beispielsweise ein Drucksensor oder ein optischer Sensor sein. Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren kann dann gleichermaßen eine Kontaktmessung und/oder eine Ermittlung des Volumenstroms beinhalten, wobei sich gegebenenfalls eine Redundanz ergibt, welche bei einem nicht eindeutig ermittelbaren Zuordnungszustand eine zusätzliche Sicherheit bietet.Furthermore, it is proposed that the current assignment state is determined by means of a contact sensor of the cleaning device. This Contact sensor may be, for example, a pressure sensor or an optical sensor. The method according to the invention can then equally include a contact measurement and / or a determination of the volumetric flow, which may result in a redundancy which offers additional security in the case of a state of assignment that can not be determined unambiguously.

Es wird vorgeschlagen, dass die Saugleistung des Gebläses bei Ermittlung eines Nonkontaktzustandes auf einen vorgegebenen Maximalwert erhöht wird.It is proposed that the suction power of the fan is increased to a predetermined maximum value when a non-contact state is determined.

Schließlich ist vorgesehen, dass eine Dauer des aktuellen Zuordnungszustandes des Reinigungsgerätes ermittelt wird, wobei die Saugleistung erst variiert wird, wenn die Dauer eine vorgegebene Mindestdauer überschreitet. Wie zuvor in Bezug auf das erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsgerät erläutert, können dadurch zeitlich nur kurzfristige Änderungen des Zuordnungszustandes nicht zu einer Änderung der aktuellen Saugleistung des Gebläses führen. Die vorgegebene Mindestdauer kann dabei beispielsweise mindestens 2 Sekunden betragen, wobei davon ausgegangen wird, dass der Nutzer mindestens 2 Sekunden benötigt, um das Reinigungsgerät von einer Bodenfläche anzuheben, um unter einer Zimmerdecke ein Spinnengewebe zu entfernen. Es sind jedoch auch andere Mindestdauern denkbar, je nach dem Einsatzzweck des Reinigungsgerätes.Finally, it is provided that a duration of the current assignment state of the cleaning device is determined, wherein the suction power is varied only when the duration exceeds a predetermined minimum duration. As explained above with respect to the cleaning device according to the invention, only short-term changes in the assignment state can not lead to a change in the current suction power of the blower in terms of time. The predetermined minimum duration may be, for example, at least 2 seconds, assuming that the user needs at least 2 seconds to lift the cleaning device from a floor surface to remove a spiderweb under a ceiling. However, there are also other minimum durations conceivable, depending on the purpose of the cleaning device.

Kurze Beschreibung der ZeichnungenBrief description of the drawings

Im Folgenden wird die Erfindung anhand eines Ausführungsbeispiels näher erläutert. Es zeigt:

Fig. 1
Ein Reinigungsgerät während eines Nonkontaktzustandes.
In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. It shows:
Fig. 1
A cleaning device during a non-contact state.

Beschreibung der AusführungsformenDescription of the embodiments

Das in der Figur dargestellte Reinigungsgerät 1 ist als Handstaubsauger ausgebildet, welcher üblicherweise zur Reinigung einer Fläche 3 dient. Die Fläche 3 ist hier eine Bodenfläche, es könnten jedoch auch Überbodenflächen mittels des Reinigungsgerätes 1 gereinigt werden.The cleaning device 1 shown in the figure is designed as a hand vacuum cleaner, which usually serves to clean a surface 3. The surface 3 here is a bottom surface, but it could also be cleaned over-ground surfaces by means of the cleaning device 1.

Das Reinigungsgerät 1 weist ein Basisgerät 6 sowie ein Vorsatzgerät 5 auf. Das Vorsatzgerät 5 ist von dem Basisgerät 6 abnehmbar, so dass das Basisgerät 6 auch ohne das Vorsatzgerät 5 verwendet werden kann. Das Basisgerät 6 weist einen Stiel 7 auf, welcher hier vorzugsweise teleskopierbar ausgebildet ist, damit ein Nutzer des Reinigungsgerätes 1 eine für ihn bequeme Länge einstellen kann. An dem Stiel 7 ist ein Handgriff 8 angeordnet, an welchem der Nutzer das Reinigungsgerät 1 während eines Reinigungsbetriebes führen kann. An dem Handgriff 8 können beispielsweise Schalter, wie ein An- und Ausschalter, angeordnet sein. In dem Basisgerät 6 ist ein Gebläse 2 angeordnet, welches im Betrieb einen Luftstrom durch das Reinigungsgerät 1 erzeugt, so dass Sauggut durch das Vorsatzgerät 5 hindurch in das Basisgerät 6, beispielsweise eine darin angeordnete Filterkammer, geführt wird, so dass nur gereinigte Luft zu dem Gebläse 2 gelangt. Das Reinigungsgerät 1 weist des Weiteren eine Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung 4 auf, welche hier beispielsweise eine Datenspeichereinrichtung und eine Zeiterfassungseinrichtung (Stoppuhr, Timer oder dergleichen) umfasst.The cleaning device 1 has a base unit 6 and a header 5. The header 5 is detachable from the base 6, so that the base 6 can be used without the header 5. The base unit 6 has a handle 7, which is here preferably telescopic, so that a user of the cleaning device 1 can set a comfortable length for him. On the handle 7, a handle 8 is arranged, on which the user can guide the cleaning device 1 during a cleaning operation. For example, switches, such as an on-off switch, can be arranged on the handle 8. In the base unit 6, a fan 2 is arranged, which generates an air flow through the cleaning device 1 during operation, so that suction material through the header 5 passes through the base unit 6, for example, a filter chamber disposed therein, so that only purified air to the Blower 2 passes. The cleaning device 1 further has an evaluation and control device 4, which here for example comprises a data storage device and a time recording device (stopwatch, timer or the like).

Die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung 4 ist mit dem Gebläse 2 verbunden und ausgebildet, die Saugleistung des Gebläses 2 in Abhängigkeit von einem aktuellen räumlichen Zuordnungszustand des Reinigungsgerätes 1 zu der Fläche 3 zu variieren. Ein räumlicher Zuordnungszustand ist hier beispielsweise ein Kontaktzustand des Reinigungsgerätes 1, bei welchem das Reinigungsgerät 1 auf der Fläche 3 steht. Ein weiterer räumlicher Zuordnungszustand ist ein Nonkontaktzustand des Reinigungsgerätes 1, bei welchem das Reinigungsgerät 1 wie in der Figur dargestellt von der Fläche 3 abgehoben ist. Es können darüber hinaus noch weitere räumliche Zuordnungszustände definiert sein, beispielsweise solche die auch einen Neigungswinkel des Reinigungsgerätes 1 zu der Fläche 3 mit einbeziehen, nämlich solche, bei welchen das Reinigungsgerät 1 beispielsweise für eine Reinigungstätigkeit unter einer Zimmerdecke um 180 Grad gedreht ist, d. h. das Vorsatzgerät 5 nach oben weist.The evaluation and control device 4 is connected to the blower 2 and designed to vary the suction power of the blower 2 as a function of a current spatial allocation state of the cleaning device 1 to the surface 3. A spatial assignment state here is, for example, a contact state of the cleaning device 1, in which the cleaning device 1 stands on the surface 3. Another spatial assignment state is a Noncontact state of the cleaning device 1, in which the cleaning device 1 is lifted off the surface 3 as shown in the figure. In addition, further spatial assignment states may be defined, for example those which also include an angle of inclination of the cleaning device 1 to the surface 3, namely those in which the cleaning device 1 is rotated, for example for a cleaning activity under a ceiling by 180 degrees, ie Attachment 5 points upward.

Um den aktuellen räumlichen Zuordnungszustand des Reinigungsgerätes 1 zu ermitteln, wertet die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung 4 kontinuierlich oder in definierten Zeitabständen aktuelle Betriebsparameter des Gebläses 2 aus, die darauf schließen lassen, ob das Reinigungsgerät 1 derzeit auf der Fläche 3 steht oder von dieser abgehoben ist. Hier ist die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung 4 mit einem Sensor verbunden, welcher die aktuell von dem Gebläse 2 aufgenommene Leistung ermittelt. Die Leistung ergibt sich in üblicher Weise aus der Spannung und der aktuell von dem Gebläse 2 benötigten Stromstärke. Aus bekannten Gebläsekennlinien des Gebläses 2 kann anhand der aktuellen Leistungsaufnahme des Gebläses 2 auf den von dem Gebläse 2 erzeugten Volumenstrom geschlossen werden. Dieser ermittelte Volumenstrom wird von der Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung 4 mit einem vorgegebenen Volumenstrom-Schwellwert verglichen, welcher in der Datenspeichereinrichtung hinterlegt ist. Der vorgegebene Volumenstrom-Schwellwert entspricht hier einem Volumenstrom, welcher bei einem Nonkontaktzustand des Reinigungsgerätes 1 auftritt. Sofern der aktuell ermittelte Volumenstrom des Gebläses 2 größer ist als dieser vorgegebene Volumenstrom-Schwellwert oder gleich diesem Volumenstrom-Schwellwert, schließt die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung 4 darauf, dass sich das Reinigungsgerät 1 aktuell in einem Nonkontaktzustand befindet. Daraufhin steuert die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung 4 das Gebläse 2 derart, dass die Saugleistung des Gebläses 2 erhöht wird. Dies erfolgt regelmäßig durch eine Erhöhung der Drehzahl des Gebläsemotors. Das Gebläse 2 weist nun eine ausreichend große Saugleistung auf, damit der Nutzer des Reinigungsgerätes 1 beispielsweise Spinnweben unter einer Zimmerdecke entfernen kann. Vorzugsweise wird die Saugleistung des Gebläses 2 auf einen vorgegebenen Maximalwert erhöht.In order to determine the current spatial assignment state of the cleaning device 1, the evaluation and control device 4 continuously or at defined intervals from current operating parameters of the blower 2, which suggest whether the cleaning device 1 is currently on the surface 3 or lifted off this , Here, the evaluation and control device 4 is connected to a sensor which determines the current recorded by the blower 2 power. The power results in the usual way from the voltage and the current required by the blower 2 current. From known blower characteristics of the blower 2 can be concluded based on the current power consumption of the blower 2 on the volume flow generated by the blower 2. This determined volume flow is compared by the evaluation and control device 4 with a predetermined volume flow threshold, which is stored in the data storage device. The predetermined volumetric flow threshold corresponds to a volume flow which occurs in the case of a non-contact state of the cleaning device 1. If the currently determined volume flow of the blower 2 is greater than this predetermined volume flow threshold or equal to this volume flow threshold, the evaluation and control device 4 concludes that the cleaning device 1 is currently in a non-contact state. The evaluation and control device 4 then controls the blower 2 such that the suction power of the blower 2 is increased. This is done regularly by increasing the speed of the fan motor. The fan 2 has now a sufficiently large suction, so that the user of the cleaning device 1, for example, can remove cobwebs under a ceiling. Preferably, the suction power of the blower 2 is increased to a predetermined maximum value.

Während des Nonkontaktzustandes des Reinigungsgerätes 1 misst der Sensor weiterhin die Leistungsaufnahme des Gebläses 2 und übermittelt die Messwerte an die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung 4. Die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung 4 vergleicht diese Messwerte kontinuierlich mit dem vorgegebenen Schwellwert und reduziert die Saugleistung des Gebläses 2 sobald festgestellt wird, dass der aktuell von dem Gebläse 2 erzeugte Volumenstrom geringer ist als der vorgegebene Volumenstrom-Schwellwert. Bei einem Absinken des aktuellen Volumenstroms unter den Schwellwert wird ein Kontaktzustand des Reinigungsgerätes 1 erkannt, so dass daraufhin die Saugleistung des Gebläses 2 reduziert wird.During the noncontact state of the cleaning device 1, the sensor continues to measure the power consumption of the blower 2 and transmits the measured values to the evaluation and control device 4. The evaluation and control device 4 compares these measured values continuously with the predetermined threshold value and reduces the suction power of the blower 2 as soon as detected is that the volume flow currently generated by the blower 2 is less than the predetermined volume flow threshold. When the current volume flow drops below the threshold value, a contact state of the cleaning device 1 is detected, so that then the suction power of the fan 2 is reduced.

Bevor die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung 4 die Saugleistung des Gebläses 2 erhöht oder reduziert muss der aktuelle räumliche Zuordnungszustand zusätzlich über eine vorgegebene Mindestdauer bestehen. Das Abheben des Reinigungsgerätes 1 von der Fläche 3 führt somit nicht sofort im Moment des Abhebens von der Fläche 3 zu einer Erhöhung der Saugleistung, sondern erst dann, wenn dieser Zustand eine vorgegebene Mindest-Zeitdauer besteht. Zu diesem Zweck weist die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung 4 die Zeiterfassungseinrichtung auf, welche ausgebildet ist, die Dauer des aktuellen räumlichen Zuordnungszustandes zu ermitteln. Die Zeiterfassungseinrichtung misst die Zeit ab dem Moment des Abhebens des Reinigungsgerätes 1 von der Fläche 3 bzw. die Zeit ab dem Moment des Aufsetzens des Reinigungsgerätes 1 auf die Fläche 3. Die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung 4 vergleicht die gemessene Zeitdauer mit einer vorgegebenen Mindestdauer. Die vorgegebene Mindestdauer ist in der Datenspeichereinrichtung gespeichert. Sobald die aktuelle Zeitdauer die vorgegebene Mindestdauer überschreitet, variiert die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung 4 die Saugleistung des Gebläses 2.Before the evaluation and control device 4 increases or reduces the suction power of the blower 2, the current spatial allocation state must additionally exist over a predetermined minimum duration. The lifting of the cleaning device 1 of the surface 3 thus does not immediately at the moment of lifting off the surface 3 to increase the suction power, but only when this state is a predetermined minimum period of time. For this purpose, the evaluation and control device 4, the time detection device, which is designed to determine the duration of the current spatial assignment state. The time recording device measures the time from the moment the cleaning device 1 is lifted off the surface 3 or the time from the moment the cleaning device 1 is placed on the surface 3. The evaluation and control device 4 compares the measured time duration with a predetermined minimum duration. The predetermined minimum duration is stored in the data storage device. As soon as the current time duration exceeds the predetermined minimum duration, the evaluation and control device 4 varies the suction power of the blower 2.

Bezogen auf eine Zustandsänderung, bei welcher das Reinigungsgerät 1 von der Fläche 3 abgehoben wird, wird im Zeitpunkt des Abhebens zunächst die Zeiterfassungseinrichtung gestartet, während die Saugleistung noch konstant bleibt. Erst wenn der abgehobene Nonkontaktzustand des Reinigungsgerätes 1 länger vorhält als die vorgegebene Mindestdauer, steuert die Auswerte- und Steuereinrichtung 4 das Gebläse 2 derart, dass die Saugleistung erhöht wird. In gleicher Art und Weise erfolgt die Variation der Saugleistung auch, wenn das Reinigungsgerät 1 von einem Nonkontaktzustand in einen Kontaktzustand überführt wird. Auch dann wird die Saugleistung erst reduziert, wenn die vorgegebene Mindestdauer überschritten wird.Based on a state change in which the cleaning device 1 is lifted off the surface 3, the time detection device is first started at the time of lifting, while the suction power remains constant. Only when the lifted non-contact state of the cleaning device 1 lasts longer than the predetermined minimum duration, the evaluation and control device 4 controls the blower 2 such that the suction power is increased. In the same way, the variation of the suction power also occurs when the cleaning device 1 is transferred from a non-contact state to a contact state. Even then, the suction power is reduced only when the predetermined minimum duration is exceeded.

Neben oder alternativ zu der zuvor erläuterten Ermittlung des räumlichen Zuordnungszustandes anhand des von dem Gebläse 2 erzeugten Volumenstroms kann der räumliche Zuordnungszustand auch mit Hilfe eines oder mehrerer Kontaktsensoren gemessen werden, welche so an dem Reinigungsgerät 1 angeordnet sind, dass diese während eines Kontaktzustandes auf die Fläche 3 aufgesetzt sind. Der oder die Kontaktsensoren können beispielsweise Drucksensoren, optische Sensoren oder dergleichen sein.In addition to or as an alternative to the above-described determination of the spatial assignment state based on the volume flow generated by the blower 2, the spatial assignment state can also be measured with the aid of one or more contact sensors which are arranged on the cleaning device 1 such that they touch the surface during a contact state 3 are attached. The contact sensor (s) may be, for example, pressure sensors, optical sensors or the like.

Liste der BezugszeichenList of reference numbers

11
Reinigungsgerätcleaner
22
Gebläsefan
33
Flächearea
44
Auswerte- und SteuereinrichtungEvaluation and control device
55
Vorsatzgerätheader
66
Basisgerätbasic unit
77
Stielstalk
88th
Handgriffhandle

Claims (10)

  1. Cleaning device (1), in particular a household vacuum cleaner, comprising a fan (2) and an evaluation and control device (4) for varying a suction power of the fan (2) depending on a detected state of association of the cleaning device (1) to a surface (3), more specifically a contact state in which the cleaning device (1) is positioned on the surface (3), or a non-contact state in which the cleaning device (1) is raised from the surface (3), characterised in that the evaluation and control device (4) is designed to set the suction power to a higher value when a non-contact state is detected than when a contact state is detected.
  2. Cleaning device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the evaluation and control device (4) is designed to compare a volumetric flow currently generated by the fan (2) of the cleaning device (1) with a specified volumetric flow threshold value, which value in particular corresponds to a non-contact state of the cleaning device (1), and to increase the suction power of the fan (2) if the current volumetric flow exceeds the volumetric flow threshold value.
  3. Cleaning device (1) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised by a contact sensor that is arranged on the cleaning device (1) so as to be positioned on the surface (3) during a contact state.
  4. Cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the evaluation and control device (4) is designed to increase the suction power of the fan (2) to a specified maximum value when a non-contact state is detected.
  5. Cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by a time recording means designed to detect the duration of a current state of association of the cleaning device (1), the evaluation and control device (4) being designed to vary the suction power depending on the duration of the state of association only if the duration exceeds a specified minimum duration.
  6. Method for operating a cleaning device (1), in particular a cleaning device according to any of the preceding claims, a state of association of the cleaning device (1) to a surface (3) being detected, more specifically a contact state in which the cleaning device (1) is positioned on the surface (3), or a non-contact state in which the cleaning device (1) is raised from the surface (3), and a suction power of a fan (2) of the cleaning device (1) being varied depending on the detected state of association of the cleaning device (1), characterised in that the suction power is set to a higher value when a non-contact state is detected than when a contact state is detected.
  7. Method according to claim 6, characterised in that, in order to detect the current state of association, a volumetric flow currently generated by the fan (2) is detected and compared with a specified volumetric flow threshold value, which in particular corresponds to a non-contact state of the cleaning device (1), the suction power of the fan (2) being increased if the specified volumetric flow threshold value is exceeded.
  8. Method according to either claim 6 or claim 7, characterised in that the current state of association is detected by means of a contact sensor of the cleaning device (1).
  9. Method according to any of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the suction power of the fan (2) is increased to a specified maximum value if a non-contact state is detected.
  10. Method according to any of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that a duration of the current state of association of the cleaning device (1) is detected, the suction power being varied only if the duration exceeds a specified minimum duration.
EP16195230.4A 2015-10-30 2016-10-24 Cleaning device and method for use of said cleaning device Not-in-force EP3162266B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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DE102015118648.9A DE102015118648A1 (en) 2015-10-30 2015-10-30 Cleaning device and method for operating a cleaning device

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JP (1) JP2017080410A (en)
CN (1) CN106798523A (en)
DE (1) DE102015118648A1 (en)
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GB2596859B (en) * 2020-07-10 2023-01-04 Dyson Technology Ltd Vacuum cleaner
KR20240021613A (en) * 2022-08-10 2024-02-19 삼성전자주식회사 Vacuum cleaner and method for controlling the same for adjusting suction power

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DE3030059C2 (en) * 1980-08-08 1984-06-07 Progress-Elektrogeräte Mauz & Pfeiffer GmbH & Co, 7000 Stuttgart vacuum cleaner
EP0479609A3 (en) * 1990-10-05 1993-01-20 Hitachi, Ltd. Vacuum cleaner and control method thereof
JP2001224544A (en) * 2000-02-16 2001-08-21 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Vacuum cleaner
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EP3162266A1 (en) 2017-05-03
JP2017080410A (en) 2017-05-18
TW201722335A (en) 2017-07-01
CN106798523A (en) 2017-06-06
DE102015118648A1 (en) 2017-05-04
ES2672970T3 (en) 2018-06-19

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