US20210137341A1 - Cleaning apparatus and cleaning system - Google Patents

Cleaning apparatus and cleaning system Download PDF

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Publication number
US20210137341A1
US20210137341A1 US17/152,492 US202117152492A US2021137341A1 US 20210137341 A1 US20210137341 A1 US 20210137341A1 US 202117152492 A US202117152492 A US 202117152492A US 2021137341 A1 US2021137341 A1 US 2021137341A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
cleaning apparatus
accordance
accessory
receptacle
cleaning
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.)
Pending
Application number
US17/152,492
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English (en)
Inventor
Denis Dammkoehler
Glenn Schmierer
Marc Rottmann
Simon Himmler
Frank Nonnenmann
Christoph WALLER
Alexander Braendle
Lukas Sobotta
Andreas Friederich
Tobias Masek
Jochen Burchard
Marten Jahn
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.)
Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Original Assignee
Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG filed Critical Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Assigned to Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG reassignment Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SCHMIERER, GLENN, MASEK, Tobias, HIMMLER, Simon, BRAENDLE, ALEXANDER, ROTTMANN, Marc, SOBOTTA, Lukas, DAMMKOEHLER, DENIS, FRIEDERICH, Andreas, JAHN, Marten, NONNENMANN, FRANK, WALLER, CHRISTOPH, BURCHARD, Jochen
Publication of US20210137341A1 publication Critical patent/US20210137341A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4011—Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
    • 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
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4002—Installations of electric equipment
    • 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
    • A47L2201/00—Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
    • A47L2201/04—Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, comprising at least one cleaning tool for cleaning an object to be cleaned, an operating unit for a user, which comprises at least one operating element for operating the cleaning apparatus, and a control unit for processing operating instructions.
  • the invention also relates to a cleaning system with a cleaning apparatus.
  • the control unit can control at least one functional unit of the cleaning apparatus, for example operating parameters for the at least one cleaning tool can be set.
  • functional units are a drive device of a chassis in the case of a movable cleaning apparatus, a pressurization device for placing a working fluid (liquid and/or gaseous) of the cleaning apparatus under over- or underpressure, for example a suction assembly or a pump assembly for high-pressure applications.
  • a further example of a functional unit is a dosing device, for example for dosing a cleaning liquid or for admixing a cleaning chemical to a cleaning liquid.
  • the operating unit can be a functional unit, by way of the operating elements of which the user acts on the functional unit.
  • WO 2011/006843 A1 describes a cleaning apparatus for the operation of which an authorization means with an access authorization stored thereon is required.
  • the access authorization can be contactlessly detected and checked for validity by a control unit of the cleaning apparatus.
  • a cleaning apparatus can be operated with authorization means that differ with respect to authorization profiles, which are linked to a respective access authorization. Different functional scopes can be provided to the user of the cleaning apparatus in dependence on the respective authorization profile.
  • the authorization means comprise identification devices with identifications, wherein identifications associated with different authorization profiles differ from one another.
  • An object underlying the present invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus and a cleaning system with better handling.
  • a cleaning apparatus comprises at least one cleaning tool for cleaning an object to be cleaned, an operating unit for a user, which comprises at least one operating element for operating the cleaning apparatus, a control unit for processing operating instructions, a receptacle, arranged on the operating unit, for an external accessory that can be associated with the cleaning apparatus and that has a display device with an image display, wherein the accessory is removably positionable in the receptacle in a defined position, as well as a communication unit by way of which display information for being displayed on the image display are transmittable from the cleaning apparatus to the accessory positioned in the receptacle.
  • a cleaning system comprises a cleaning apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and at least one accessory that has a display device with an image display, the accessory being removably positionable in the receptacle, wherein display information for being displayed on the image display is transmittable to the accessory positioned in the receptacle.
  • a cleaning system comprises a cleaning apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention or a cleaning system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention and at least one authentication device by way of which an access authorization is providable to the cleaning apparatus.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic depiction of a cleaning system in accordance with the invention with a cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective depiction of an operating unit of the cleaning apparatus from FIG. 1 and an accessory arrangable thereon;
  • FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the operating unit and the accessory
  • FIG. 3 a shows a plan view of the operating unit and the accessory in a variant, in accordance with the invention, of the cleaning apparatus (detail view);
  • FIG. 4 shows a partial depiction of the operating unit and the accessory in a side view along line 4 - 4 in FIG. 3 ;
  • FIGS. 5 to 7 show schematically the accessory in a receptacle in different pivotal positions and a user viewing the accessory;
  • FIG. 8 shows a depiction corresponding to FIG. 3 in a further preferred embodiment of the cleaning apparatus and an accessory arranged in two orientations in the receptacle;
  • FIG. 9 shows a depiction corresponding to FIG. 8 with a different accessory
  • FIG. 10 shows a partial view of an operating unit of a cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 11 shows a partial view of an operating unit of a further cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 12 shows a partial view of an operating unit of a further cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 13 shows a schematic depiction of a further preferred embodiment of a cleaning system in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 14 shows a schematic depiction of a further preferred embodiment of a cleaning system in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 15 shows a schematic depiction of a further preferred embodiment of a cleaning system in accordance with the invention.
  • the present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus comprising at least one cleaning tool for cleaning an object to be cleaned, an operating unit for a user, which comprises at least one operating element for operating the cleaning apparatus, a control unit for processing operating instructions, a receptacle, arranged on the operating unit, for an external accessory that can be associated with the cleaning apparatus and that has a display device with an image display, wherein the accessory is removably positionable in the receptacle in a defined position, as well as a communication unit by way of which display information for being displayed on the image display are transmittable from the cleaning apparatus to the accessory positioned in the receptacle.
  • the cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention, it is possible to display information about the state and/or the operation in the image display of the external accessory.
  • display information defining the image content can be transmitted from the communication unit to the accessory.
  • the communication unit may be in operative connection with the control unit, be formed thereby, or be integrated therein.
  • the cleaning apparatus comprises a receptacle for the accessory, arranged on the operating unit, in which the accessory can be removably arranged. It is thereby possible, in particular, to position the accessory in a defined manner, in particular in the viewing direction of the user during the intended use of the cleaning apparatus, in which said user, for example, interacts with operating elements of the operating unit.
  • the defined position of the accessory in the receptacle it is preferably simultaneously ensured that a reliable transmission of display information from the communication unit to the accessory is securely provided.
  • the present invention it is possible, for example, for display devices of accessories in the possession of the users to be able to be used, for example smartphones and/or tablet computers, which the users would carry with them anyway when working with the cleaning apparatus.
  • communicative connections establishable with the accessory can preferably be used by way of a communication network.
  • a portion of the operating unit of the cleaning apparatus can be exported, so to speak, and is carried by the users.
  • This is advantageous, for example, if information regarding or about the operation of the cleaning apparatus is saved on the accessory or is provided thereby.
  • the work of the user with different cleaning apparatuses, even of the identical kind is made easier.
  • the accessory is preferably an accessory in flat design, the extent of which in one spatial direction is significantly smaller than the respective extent in the two other spatial directions.
  • An image plane defined by the display device is preferably parallel to a plane defined by the receptacle, for example the abutment plane mentioned below.
  • an electronic interface via the communication unit to the accessory is present. Additionally, by way of the receptacle, a mechanical interface to the accessory is present.
  • the receptacle comprises or forms at least one abutment element against which the accessory abuts.
  • a defined position of the accessory in relation to the cleaning apparatus in at least one spatial direction can thereby be ensured.
  • at least one bearing element is present, on which the accessory bears.
  • the abutment element or bearing element is, in particular, of flat and/or planar configuration. As a result, a largest possible contact surface with the accessory can be provided.
  • the receptacle comprises or forms a shoulder for abutting against and, in particular, bearing the accessory.
  • the shoulder may be formed, for example, by a projecting bar, rib, or edge of the receptacle.
  • the receptacle in particular the abutment element or bearing element for the accessory, preferably defines an abutment plane.
  • the abutment plane preferably encloses an angle with the horizontal of about 0° to 90°, preferably about 30° to 60°, and further preferably about 45°.
  • a surface normal of the image display can be oriented approximately vertically to approximately horizontally, preferably about at an angle of 45° to the horizontal.
  • Indications of position, orientation and alignment like e.g. “horizontal”, “vertical”, “at the top”, “at the bottom” or the like are presently to be interpreted in relation to an intended use of the cleaning apparatus.
  • the cleaning apparatus can thereby be positioned, in particular, on a placement surface presently taken to be oriented horizontally.
  • the “horizontal” of the last mentioned advantageous embodiment may thus be a reference plane in parallel to a contact plane of the cleaning apparatus with the placement surface.
  • the receptacle is preferably arranged or arrangable on the operating unit in such a way that the image display of the accessory positioned in the receptacle defines an image plane substantially perpendicular to the viewing direction of the user.
  • a surface normal of an abutment plane defined by the receptacle, in particular of the abutment element for the accessory, is favorably oriented in a vertical plane.
  • the receptacle preferably comprises at least one frictional coefficient-increasing element against which the accessory is able to abut, or such a frictional coefficient-increasing element is arranged an the receptacle.
  • a frictional coefficient-increasing element is configured, for example, to be flat, e.g. as a mat or the like.
  • a plurality of discrete frictional coefficient-increasing elements to be provided, for example nubs.
  • the frictional coefficient-increasing element is preferably made of an elastically deformable material.
  • the receptacle is movable relative to the operating unit for changing a viewing angle of the user on the image display.
  • This enables a user-friendly and versatile configuration of the cleaning apparatus.
  • the receptacle is favorably pivotable relative to the operating unit, in particular about a horizontal axis.
  • the horizontal axis extends e.g. in a transverse direction of the cleaning apparatus.
  • the adjustment of the receptacle relative to the operating unit may be of continuous or discrete configuration.
  • the receptacle may favorably be set such that the user can look substantially perpendicularly at the image plane of the image display.
  • the receptacle is adjustable over an angular range of at least about 45°, preferably of about 90°.
  • the abutment plane of the receptacle can be changed from an approximately horizontal to an approximately vertical orientation.
  • the cleaning apparatus may comprise a housing that, in relation to a longitudinal direction of the cleaning apparatus, is arranged in front of the operating unit.
  • a housing of that kind may be used e.g. in a cleaning apparatus configured as a scrubber-dryer machine, sweeping machine, or suction sweeping machine.
  • the housing may have a movable housing part arranged in front of the operating unit, which housing part is pivotable from a closed position in the direction of the operating unit into an open position and vice versa.
  • the housing part is e.g. a lid of a tank of the cleaning apparatus for cleaning liquid.
  • the housing part in the open position is free of contact with the receptacle and/or free of contact with the accessory positioned in the receptacle. This ensures that the position of the accessory in the receptacle is not negatively affected when opening the housing part.
  • An abutment element for the housing part may preferably be provided on the cleaning apparatus, for example on the operating unit, against which abutment element the housing part strikes in the open position.
  • the operating unit preferably comprises a gripping device for the user with two gripping elements arranged at a distance from one another. In this way, the user can reliably guide the cleaning apparatus, for example when configured as a walk-behind apparatus or as a ride-on apparatus.
  • the gripping elements define a gripping plane and if an abutment plane defined by the receptacle defines an angle of less than about 20° with the gripping plane, preferably if the abutment plane extends in parallel or substantially parallel to the gripping plane. It has been shown that a user-friendly operation is possible in this way.
  • the accessory may be positioned such that the image plane of the image display is in parallel or substantially parallel to the abutment plane.
  • the angle between the image plane and the gripping plane is preferably less than 20° and more preferably parallel or substantially parallel to the gripping plane. Is has been shown that the image content can be reliably seen by the user in this way.
  • the receptacle is arranged on the operating unit offset in a direction away from the user relative to the gripping elements.
  • the accessory can in this way be further away from the user than the gripping elements.
  • the accessory is, in a way, arranged lower, offset relative to the gripping elements.
  • the gripping elements are, conversely, preferably offset in the direction of the user in relation to the receptacle and preferably the accessory.
  • the offset of the receptacle may be e.g. about 5 cm to 20 cm, preferably about 10 cm to 15 cm.
  • the receptacle in relation to a transverse direction of the cleaning apparatus, is arranged between the gripping elements, in a viewing direction of the user toward the image display of the accessory arranged in the receptacle.
  • the image display is thereby positioned between the gripping elements, such that the image display and the hands can be within the field of view of the user and can be seen by the user together and in a simple manner.
  • This makes it possible for the user to operate the cleaning apparatus in a handling-friendly, intuitive manner with a natural, upright posture and head position.
  • An operating element for acting on a chassis of the cleaning apparatus is favorably arranged laterally next to a respective gripping element, and the receptacle, in relation to the transverse direction, is advantageously arranged between the operating elements.
  • the user can easily see the operating elements for actuating the same and the image display for accepting information displayed thereon, located within the field of view of said user. This makes it easier for the user to operate the cleaning apparatus.
  • the gripping elements are configured as longitudinal gripping elements and the receptacle, when the hands of the user are placed with the thenar eminence against the gripping elements, is arranged substantially in a region between the bases of thumbs and the distal ends of the thumbs.
  • the image display and the hands, preferably together with the aforementioned operating elements, are thereby located within a strip-shaped visible region extending in the transverse direction, thus facilitating the operation of the cleaning apparatus.
  • the operating unit comprises at least one operating element that is arranged in front of the user in relation to the receptacle and preferably is arranged on the operating unit below said receptacle.
  • the operating element in particular a main operating element of the cleaning apparatus, can thereby be easily reached and actuated by the user without having to reach over or past the accessory arranged in the receptacle.
  • the operating element is e.g. a program selector switch for setting a cleaning program of the cleaning apparatus and preferably comprises a rotary grip or is configured as such.
  • the positioning in front of a preferably below the receptacle enables a user-friendly actuation of the rotary grip.
  • the operating unit may comprise an operating field defining an operating plane, on which operating field at least one operating element is arranged, for example the aforementioned program selector switch.
  • the operating plane is advantageously arranged in front of the receptacle in relation to the user. It proves to be advantageous if the operating plane is oriented at an angle to an abutment plane defined by the receptacle, wherein the angle may be e.g. about 10° to 30°. That angle is presently understood to be the smaller of the two angles between the operating plane and the abutment plane.
  • the receptacle for the arrangement of accessories is configured having at least one of the following in order to place a multitude of different accessories in the receptacle where possible:
  • the operating unit is preferably arranged, in relation to a longitudinal direction of the cleaning apparatus, on the rear side thereof, for example in the case of a walk-behind apparatus like a scrubber vacuum.
  • the cleaning apparatus preferably comprises a charging device for providing electrical energy for the accessory, wherein the accessory is able to be applied with electrical energy when arranged in the receptacle. This makes it possible to increase operating time of the accessory, preferably independently of the use with the cleaning apparatus, in which display information are transmitted to the accessory by way of the communication unit to the accessory.
  • the charging device is an inductive charging device for contactlessly acting upon the accessory.
  • the charging device is arranged on the side of the receptacle facing away from the accessory. The accessory can be charged through the abutment element of the receptacle.
  • the charging device may comprise at least one electrical connecting element fixedly arranged on the receptacle, which connecting element couples to a corresponding electrical connecting element of the accessory.
  • the connecting element is configured in the form of a docking connector.
  • the charging device may comprise a connector socket (for example a USB socket) for connecting a charging cable for the accessory.
  • a connector socket for example a USB socket
  • the charging device may comprise a charging cable with a connecting element for connecting to an electrical connecting element of the accessory.
  • the cleaning apparatus comprises an integrated display device, arranged on the operating unit, for displaying status information, wherein the display device preferably comprises an image display.
  • the display device is used when no accessory is arranged on the receptacle. It can thereby be ensured that information is provided visually to the user in order to make the operation of the cleaning apparatus easier, even without an accessory.
  • the communication unit is configured to contactlessly transmit display information to the accessory.
  • the display information is transmitted by way of a radio connection, in particular a Bluetooth connection.
  • Contactless presently includes the possibility that the accessory is physically in contact with the receptacle.
  • the display information, the data for controlling the image display, are transmitted without contact.
  • the communication unit may be configured to transmit display information in a contact-based manner, for example by way of a wired connection.
  • the presence of the accessory may be mechanically and/or electrically detectable. For example, a microswitch or a sensor element is provided, which is actuated when the accessory is positioned in the receptacle.
  • a wireless coupling of the accessory, in particular to the communication unit can be detected and the image display thereby activated.
  • status and/or operational information relating to the operation of the cleaning apparatus is transmittable by the communication unit to the accessory for storage and/or forwarding to an external data processing device.
  • Display information for creating the image contents in the image display may differ from the status and/or operational information or coincide entirely or partially therewith.
  • the operation of the cleaning apparatus can be monitored, wherein a report on the usage thereof can be created.
  • the report may be evaluated with a view to an improvement of the use of the cleaning apparatus and/or of the coordination of users and/or a plurality of cleaning apparatus of a cleaning fleet.
  • the report can be saved in the accessory.
  • the data processing device is, for example, in the possession of or under management of a manufacturer or a user of the cleaning apparatus.
  • the cleaning apparatus is used in conjunction with an access authorization, still to be described in the following, and/or a user profile or an authorization profile.
  • cleaning tasks may be created and assigned to a plurality of users and/or cleaning apparatuses by way of said data processing device.
  • Corresponding cleaning tasks may, for example, be transmitted to the accessory or, alternatively or in addition, to the cleaning apparatus.
  • the cleaning tasks can be constituted differently in dependence on with which access authorization, which user profile, and/or which authorization profile a cleaning apparatus is used.
  • the display information and/or the status and/or operating information are preferably transmittable in real time from the communication unit to the accessory.
  • the cleaning apparatus can be put into operation by any user.
  • a main switch is preferably provided on the cleaning apparatus or on the accessory for switching on and switching off the cleaning apparatus.
  • an authentication device may be configured in a variety of ways.
  • an object-dependent authentication may be provided, an authorization means being associated with the cleaning apparatus as such, for example in the form of a mechanical or electronic key.
  • a person-dependent authentication device may be provided, the identity of the user being checked for use with the cleaning apparatus. It is hereby possible, in particular, to give a user access to selected cleaning apparatuses if there are a plurality of cleaning apparatuses.
  • the person-dependent authentication is possible e.g. using biometric characteristics of the user, for example checking a fingerprint, facial recognition, iris recognition etc.
  • the use of at least one selected predetermined function of the cleaning apparatus is possible if no authentication device is present or if the authentication required therewith fails.
  • said cleaning apparatus in order to prevent unauthorized access to the cleaning apparatus, is associated with at least one authentication device by means of which an access authorization required for the operation of the cleaning apparatus is providable thereto.
  • the access authorization can be checked for validity, for example by the control unit, the accessory, or an external data processing device. Only then can the cleaning apparatus be used to a predetermined or predeterminable extent, the aforementioned emergency cleaning operation notwithstanding.
  • the transmission of the access authorization to the cleaning apparatus may, in the present case, be equivalent to the cleaning apparatus receiving unlocking information indicating that a user may put the cleaning apparatus into operation, in dependence on an existing access authorization.
  • the access authorization may be constituted in a variety of ways. For example, it may consist in a password, a code, an alphanumeric character string, a biometric characteristic of the user, a physical property of an authorization means like, for example, a profiling with raised portions and/or recessed portions etc.
  • the access authorization of the cleaning apparatus is transmittable contactlessly, in particular to the communication unit.
  • This enables a user-friendly interaction with the cleaning apparatus.
  • “Contactless” presently does not exclude that the authentication device, for example an authorization means thereof, has a physical contact with the cleaning apparatus.
  • the contactless transmission takes place e.g. by radio, for example by way of an existing Bluetooth connection of the accessory with the communication unit, by way of an RFID connection, an NFC connection, for example optically or by means of a magnetic or electrical field effect.
  • the access authorization can be physically sensed, for example when using a mechanical key that is arranged in a corresponding receptacle of the cleaning apparatus.
  • the cleaning apparatus comprises a receptacle in which the authentication device is releasably arrangable.
  • the receptacle is favorably arranged on the operating unit.
  • the authentication device has a defined position in the receptacle, the access authorization being able to be reliably transmitted to the cleaning apparatus or sensed thereby in a contactless or contact-based manner.
  • the authentication device may be fixable in the receptacle, for example by means of force fit and/or positive engagement, in particular clampingly and/or latchingly.
  • the presence of the authentication device can preferably be automatically detected.
  • a sensor element that can cooperate with the authentication device in a contactless or contact-based manner may be provided for this purpose.
  • the receptacle when the accessory is used as an authentication device, may in particular be the receptacle on the operating unit associated with said accessory.
  • the access authorization can be read from the storage unit and can preferably be transmitted contactlessly to the cleaning apparatus.
  • the access authorization may preferably be inputtable by the user on the authentication device by means of an input device and be transmittable to the cleaning apparatus, in particular to the communication unit.
  • an input device of the accessory in particular a touchscreen, is used to input the access authorization.
  • Said access authorization can, for example, be checked for validity by the accessory, by the control unit, or an external data processing device.
  • the accessory comprises or forms an authentication device. This makes it possible, in particular, to use an accessory that users carry with them like, for example, a smartphone or a tablet computer not only for providing the image display, but also for unlocking the cleaning apparatus.
  • an authorization means formed separate from the accessory to comprise or form an authentication device.
  • an electronic or mechanical key may be used as an authorization means.
  • the authorization means may be configured e.g. as a transponder in which the access authorization is saved.
  • the access authorization is preferably transmitted to the cleaning apparatus wirelessly, for example by means of RFID technology.
  • a user profile is provided. This enables an individualization of the cleaning apparatus in which, for example, presettings of the cleaning apparatus and/or the accessory can be performed in dependence on the user profile.
  • the user profile is, for example, defined by a user account that can be created and managed by an overseer or an administrator of at least one cleaning apparatus.
  • an authorization profile is provided, wherein two or more different authorization profiles are provided, wherein different functional scopes are providable to a user by the cleaning apparatus in dependence on the authorization profile.
  • the scope of interaction with the cleaning apparatus that is usable on the accessory can preferably be limitable or unlockable, for example the scope of the user application program discussed in the following.
  • a common authorization profile may be assigned to a plurality of users. For example, an authorization profile for users with a normal amount of experience may be created, an authorization profile for experienced users, an authorization profile for overseers, and an authorization profile for administrators or service personnel.
  • an authorization profile for users with a normal amount of experience may be created, an authorization profile for experienced users, an authorization profile for overseers, and an authorization profile for administrators or service personnel.
  • the authorization profile allows only a usage within the scope of the knowledge of the user and/or of the cleaning tasks assigned to him/her. This preferably makes it possible to prevent damage to the cleaning apparatus, to the object to be cleaned, and/or personal injury as a result of misuse.
  • An authentication device linked to an authorization profile favorably has an identification device with an identification, wherein the identifications of different authorization profiles differ from one another. This enables an identification of the authentication devices on the level of the authorization profile, as is explained in the publications WO 2012/016847 A1 and WO 2012/013575 A1 stated at the outset.
  • Authorization levels may in particular be tiered hierarchically, wherein a higher order authorization level makes it possible to use the cleaning apparatus in a functional scope of a lower order authorization profile and to additionally perform at least one further function of the cleaning apparatus.
  • a user profile is linked to the identity of the user.
  • an authorization profile associated with the user or only with the access authorization may be provided.
  • the cleaning apparatus can be put into operation by way of an authentication device.
  • the user can also log in on the cleaning apparatus with a user profile, for example by way of the accessory.
  • provision may be made for display information with corresponding image contents to be providable to the image display in dependence on the user profile.
  • the user can influence the manner in which the display contents are displayed and/or influence a display language.
  • a presetting of at least one functional unit of the cleaning apparatus can be performed in dependence on the user profile, in particular an operating parameter of at least one cleaning tool can be set.
  • operating parameters of the functional unit that are typically used by the user can be saved by way of the user profile and be preset in dependence thereon.
  • provision may be made, for example, for access authorizations, user profiles, and/or authorization profiles to be able to be created or deleted. For example, performing such functions is reserved for overseers or administrators.
  • an unlocking of a functional unit of the cleaning apparatus for use can be granted or revoked.
  • a presetting of at least one functional unit of the cleaning apparatus can be performed.
  • presettings for the cleaning apparatus with a higher order authorization can be performed, or limits for operating parameters of at least one functional unit can be defined. It is possible that certain operating parameters of a functional unit can also be changed with a lower order authorization, whereas a change to certain operating parameters is only possible with a higher order authorization.
  • the authorization profile it may be possible, for example, to create a report on the usage of the cleaning apparatus. This possibility exists, for example, only with a higher order authorization profile.
  • the report can preferably be transmitted to an external data processing device for evaluation and/or archiving.
  • the cleaning apparatus may be configured in a variety of ways and, associated therewith, the makeup of the at least one cleaning tool or cleaning assembly.
  • the functional units of the cleaning apparatus mentioned at the outset may be made up in a variety of ways.
  • the cleaning apparatus is a floor cleaning apparatus, in particular a scrubber vacuum, a sweeping machine, or a suction sweeping machine.
  • the cleaning apparatus may be a hand-guided cleaning apparatus or a ride-on or stand-on cleaning apparatus.
  • the cleaning apparatus prefferably configured to be self-propelled and self-steering in order to be able to perform an autonomous cleaning of the floor surface in the absence of the user.
  • the cleaning apparatus may be a cleaning apparatus that cleans with a cleaning jet, in particular a high-pressure cleaning appliance or a dry ice blasting appliance.
  • a cleaning system in accordance with the invention which achieves the object stated at the outset, comprises a cleaning apparatus of the kind stated above and at least one accessory that has a display device with an image display and is removably positionable in the receptacle, wherein display information for being displayed on the image display is transmittable to the accessory positioned in the receptacle.
  • the accessory is e.g. a smartphone or a tablet computer.
  • the accessory comprises a touch-sensitive display device for accepting operating instructions of the user, in particular a touchscreen.
  • a user application program is preferably executably saved on the accessory, for example a so-called “App”.
  • Operating instructions for the cleaning apparatus are favorably providable by the user by way of the user application program, which instructions are transmittable from the accessory to the communication unit. It is thereby possible for the user to use the accessory not only for the display of image contents on the image display, but also for inputting operating instructions by way of an input device, in particular the aforementioned touchscreen.
  • the operating instructions advantageously comprise settings of at least one operating parameter of a functional unit of the cleaning apparatus.
  • the operating instructions may comprise, for example, the creating and/or changing of access authorizations, user profiles, and/or authorization profiles for users, and/or the creating of reports on the usage of the cleaning apparatus.
  • At least one digital operating element is providable on the display device for accepting operating instructions, which operating element is preferably configured identically or corresponding to a functionally identical physical operating element of the operating unit.
  • operating element is preferably configured identically or corresponding to a functionally identical physical operating element of the operating unit.
  • physical operating elements can be recreated or duplicated, as it were.
  • the versatility is increased by the user being able to select the manner of interaction with the cleaning apparatus that is most comfortable to him/her.
  • the operating unit comprising no corresponding physical functionally identical operating element.
  • an operating element on the accessory in digital form is used. This enables a “streamlining”, so to speak, of the cleaning apparatus, wherein a user can, at least in part, carry the operating unit with him/her, as it were, for example in the form of the smartphone or the tablet computer.
  • a communicative connection to an externally arranged data processing device can advantageously be established by way of the accessory and/or the communication unit. This makes it possible, for example, to forward reports on the usage of the cleaning apparatus and/or a transmission of information regarding the access authorization, the user profile, and/or the authorization profile.
  • the cleaning system preferably comprises a data processing device arranged externally to the cleaning apparatus and to the accessory.
  • Data processing device presently includes the case that a plurality of data processing devices in communicative connection with one another may be present, for example implemented as a “Cloud”.
  • the cleaning system may comprise a plurality of cleaning apparatuses and a plurality of accessories.
  • the cleaning apparatuses and/or the accessories may each be of identical or different configuration.
  • the present invention also relates to a cleaning system with an authentication device.
  • a cleaning system in accordance with the invention comprises a cleaning apparatus of the aforementioned kind or a cleaning system of the aforementioned kind and at least one authentication device by way of which an access authorization is providable to the cleaning apparatus.
  • FIG. 1 shows an advantageous embodiment of a cleaning system in accordance with the invention, attributed as a whole with the reference numeral 10 .
  • the cleaning system 10 comprises at least one preferred embodiment of a cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention, attributed with the reference numeral 12 .
  • further cleaning apparatuses 12 are provided, depicted schematically, which may differ from the cleaning apparatus 12 with regard to type and/or configuration.
  • the cleaning system 10 further comprises at least one authentication device 14 .
  • at least one authentication device 14 presently four authentication devices 14 are depicted.
  • the authentication devices 14 are configured for use with the cleaning apparatus 12 .
  • At least one accessory 16 of the cleaning system 10 which may be used together with the cleaning apparatus 12 .
  • two accessories 16 are depicted, namely one as a smartphone 18 and the other as a tablet computer 20 .
  • the cleaning system 10 comprises a spatially remote data processing device 22 that is arranged externally to the cleaning apparatus 12 and the accessories 16 .
  • a spatially remote data processing device 22 that is arranged externally to the cleaning apparatus 12 and the accessories 16 .
  • only one data processing device 22 is depicted.
  • the cleaning system 10 may comprise a plurality of data processing devices 22 that are in communicative connection with one another. This is presently depicted by a “Cloud” 24 .
  • the accessories 16 may be in a communicative connection with the data processing device 22 , for example by way of a cellular network and/or a data network like the internet. Further, provision may be made for the cleaning apparatus 12 to also be able to establish a communicative connection for exchanging data with the data processing device 22 .
  • the data processing device 22 presently comprises a communication unit 26 ( FIG. 2 ).
  • the communication unit 26 is, for example, integrated into, formed by, or in operative connection with a control unit 28 of the cleaning apparatus 12 .
  • the cleaning apparatus 12 in the present example, is a walk-behind cleaning apparatus.
  • the cleaning apparatus 12 is, in particular, a scrubber vaccum 30 for cleaning a floor surface 32 .
  • the invention may also be used with cleaning apparatuses of a different type, for example sweeping machines, suction sweeping machines, jet cleaning appliances like high-pressure cleaning appliances or dry ice blasting appliances. It is favorable if the invention is applied to user-guided cleaning apparatuses (walk-behind and ride-on), which are guided by a user walking, standing, or sitting.
  • the cleaning apparatus 12 is used for cleaning the floor surface 32 , which is presently considered to be oriented horizontally, wherein a contact plane of the cleaning apparatus 12 coincides with the plane of the floor surface 32 .
  • the cleaning apparatus 12 is moved in a working direction that is defined by the longitudinal direction 34 .
  • a transverse direction 36 of the cleaning apparatus 12 is defined transverse to the longitudinal direction 34 .
  • the cleaning apparatus comprises on a rear side 38 , in relation to the longitudinal direction 34 , an operating unit 40 for the user walking therebehind.
  • the operating unit 40 is arranged in the transition from the rear side 38 to a top side 42 .
  • the cleaning apparatus 12 comprises a plurality of functional units 44 for performing a function. Operating instructions of the operating person on the operating unit 40 can be processed and transmitted to the functional units 44 by the control unit 28 .
  • a cleaning tool 46 that comprises a cleaning brush and, in particular, a plate brush 48 as well as a drive device 50 for the plate brush 48 is presently provided as a functional unit 44 .
  • a pressing device 52 is provided as a further functional unit 44 .
  • a chassis 54 with a drive device 56 for moving the cleaning apparatus 12 over the floor surface 32 and a suction assembly 58 with which a mixture of dirt and cleaning liquid can be suctioned from the floor surface 32 .
  • Further functional units 44 are a dosing device 60 with which the amount of cleaning liquid accommodated in a tank 62 for acting on the floor surface 32 can be dosed, as well as a cleaning agent dosing device 64 for dosing a cleaning chemical admixed to the cleaning liquid.
  • the tank 62 is formed by a housing 66 that comprises a housing part 68 at the top.
  • the housing part 68 forms a lid 70 of the tank 62 and is mounted so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivotal axis 72 presently extending in the transverse direction 36 ( FIG. 3 ).
  • the lid 70 can be pivoted backwards about the pivotal axis 72 from a closed position into an open position (not shown) in the direction of the operating unit 40 .
  • the operating unit 40 has a gripping device 74 for making it easier for a user to guide the cleaning apparatus 12 .
  • the gripping device 74 presently comprises two gripping elements 76 .
  • the gripping elements 76 are presently configured as stirrup-shaped longitudinal gripping elements, which are spaced at a distance from one another in the transverse direction 36 .
  • the user can rest his/her hands 78 on the gripping elements 76 in the longitudinal direction without having to rotate the wrist in the transverse direction.
  • the hands 78 thereby lie with the thenar eminence against the gripping elements 76 , the thumbs 80 able to abut approximately from the base of the thumb 82 to the distal ends 84 .
  • This is depicted with the example of the operating unit 40 in the embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 8 and 9 and also applies to the embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 1 to 4 .
  • a strip 86 is thereby defined between a connecting line, imagined in the transverse direction 36 , of the distal ends 84 on the one side and the base of the thumbs 82 on the other side. This strip 86 is also depicted in FIG. 3 .
  • the operating unit 40 presently comprises a plurality of operating elements, by way of which the user can interact with the cleaning apparatus 12 , in particular for controlling the functional units 44 .
  • the operating unit 40 comprises a rocker lever-shaped operating element 88 .
  • the chassis 54 can be acted on for setting the speed and/or the direction with which or in which the cleaning apparatus 12 travels.
  • the operating unit 40 comprises an operating field 90 that preferably defines an operating plane 92 ( FIG. 4 ).
  • the operating plane 92 is arranged on the operating unit 40 facing toward the user and is inclined relative to the horizontal in the direction of the user.
  • the inclination is e.g. about 20° to 30° and enables the user to more easily actuate operating elements arranged on the operating field 90 .
  • an operating element 94 Arranged in the operating field 90 is an operating element 94 , presently a main operating element.
  • the operating element 94 comprises a rotary grip 96 and serves as a main switch as well as program selector switch for the cleaning apparatus 12 .
  • different cleaning programs can be set, which differ from one another in the functioning of at least one of the functional units 44 .
  • operating elements 98 are schematically depicted, as well as two operating elements 100 .
  • values for operating parameters of at least one functional unit 44 can be incremented or decremented.
  • the rotational speed of the plate brush 48 can be increased or decreased or the contact pressure for the plate brush 48 .
  • the operating unit 40 further comprises an integrated display device 102 installed in the operating field 90 . Operational and status information of the cleaning apparatus 12 can be displayed on the display device 102 in order to facilitate the operation of said cleaning apparatus 12 for a user.
  • the accessories 16 that can be used with the cleaning apparatus 12 each comprise a display device 104 , which in particular has an image display 106 .
  • the image display 106 defines an image plane.
  • the accessories 16 are configured in flat design, which is advantageous for the invention but is not absolutely necessary.
  • the accessories 16 can enter into a communicative connection with the cleaning apparatus 12 .
  • data can be contactlessly exchanged between the accessories 16 and the communication unit 26 .
  • This is presently understood to mean that the data exchange itself takes place without physical contact.
  • there may be a physical contact of the accessory 16 itself with the operating unit 40 .
  • the cleaning apparatus 12 has a receptacle 108 arranged on the operating unit 40 for the accessory 16 .
  • the accessory 16 can be positioned in the receptacle 108 and thereby has a defined position relative to the operating unit 40 .
  • a placement of the smartphone 18 and the tablet computer 20 with the image display 106 oriented in landscape format and/or in portrait format is possible.
  • FIGS. 2 to 4 show the arrangement of the smartphone 18 with the image display 106 in landscape format, though the smartphone 18 could also be placed with the image display 106 in portrait format.
  • the receptacle 108 is presently dimensioned such that the arrangement thereof with the image display 106 in portrait format is possible.
  • the receptacle 108 is dimensioned in such a way that accessories 16 with a width of at least about 15 cm, preferably up to about 25 cm and/or with a diagonal of the image display 106 up to at least about 10 inches can be accommodated.
  • the receptacle 108 is positioned in the transverse direction 36 between the gripping elements 76 and between the operating elements 88 , with respect to a viewing direction of the user toward the receptacle 108 and in particular the image display 106 of the accessory 16 positioned in the receptacle 108 .
  • the receptacle 108 is arranged on the operating unit 40 offset in a direction away from the user relative to the gripping elements 76 . This may presently be understood to mean that the receptacle 108 is arranged lower on the operating unit 40 ( FIG. 4 ).
  • the receptacle 108 comprises an abutment element 110 that is presently configured as a bearing element 112 .
  • the bearing element 112 is of flat configuration and is planar so that the accessory 16 is able to abut thereagainst in surface to surface contact.
  • the receptacle 108 further comprises a shoulder 114 that is formed by way of a bar 116 formed projecting from the bearing element 112 . This makes it possible for the accessory 16 to be arranged in a defined position in two spatial directions relative to the receptacle 108 .
  • the bearing element 112 is formed by a frictional coefficient-increasing element 120 or such a one is positioned in the receptacle 108 .
  • the frictional coefficient-increasing element 120 comprises, in particular, a mat 122 made of an elastically deformable material, for example a rubber material.
  • the accessory 16 is effectively protected from moving in the receptacle 108 .
  • vibrations during the operation of the cleaning apparatus 12 are dampened in order to largely avoid movements of the accessory 16 as a result of shaking.
  • the bearing element 112 defines an abutment and, in particular, bearing plane 124 .
  • the image plane of the image display 106 is oriented in parallel to the abutment plane 124 and has only small distance therefrom.
  • the abutment plane 124 is oriented at an angle 126 relative to the operating plane 92 ( FIG. 4 ).
  • the angle 126 is e.g. about 10° to 30°, for example about 20°.
  • the abutment plane 124 is thereby inclined relative to the operating plane 92 in the direction of the user, thus making the image display 106 easier for the user to see.
  • the reference numeral 128 symbolizes a surface normal of the abutment element 110 , said surface normal having e.g. an angle of about 45° relative to the horizontal. In this way, the image display 106 can be seen very well by most users, the viewing direction being oriented substantially perpendicular to the image display 106 ( FIG. 5 ).
  • the receptacle 108 may be movably arranged on the operating unit 40 .
  • the receptacle 108 is pivotable relative to the operating unit 40 about a pivotal axis 130 extending in a transverse direction.
  • a discrete or a continuous pivoting is possible, in particular the abutment element 110 being able to be pivoted with the shoulder 114 .
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 show an example of this for two further pivotal positions of the receptacle 108 .
  • the orientation of the surface normal 128 is changed as a result of the pivoting. This makes it possible, for example, to orient the position of the accessory 16 in dependence on the size, the position, and/or the viewing direction of a user, such that said user always has a best possible view of the image display 106 .
  • receptacle 108 which is not depicted in the drawing, could also be pivoted in the opposite direction, corresponding to the depictions in FIGS. 5 and 7 , i.e. counterclockwise in FIGS. 5 to 7 .
  • the accessory is arranged, at least partially, within the strip 86 and within the field of view of the user in order facilitate the view of the image display 106 .
  • the user typically looks across the operating unit 40 and the lid 70 , standing behind the same, such that the image display 106 can be always been seen well during the cleaning operation.
  • the accessory 16 is positioned on the operating unit 40 with an offset in relation to a gripping plane 132 defined by the gripping elements 76 .
  • the offset between the gripping plane 132 and the abutment plane 124 is e.g. about 10 cm to 15 cm.
  • the operating field 90 is arranged in front of the receptacle in the direction of the user. When interacting with the operating elements 94 , 98 , or 100 , the likelihood is also reduced that the user unintentionally comes into contact with the accessory 16 .
  • the receptacle 108 is arranged between legs 134 of the gripping elements 76 , the legs 134 pointing in the direction of the respective other gripping element 76 and being arranged on the sides of the gripping elements 76 facing away from the user.
  • the receptacle 108 is preferably positioned on the operating unit 40 in such a way that the lid 70 adopting the open position is free of contact with the receptacle 108 and preferably free of contact with the accessory 16 . This is favorably independent of whether the accessory 16 is positioned in the receptacle 108 with the image display 106 in landscape format or in portrait format.
  • the positioning of the accessory 16 in the receptacle 108 as well as the removal thereof is possible, in particular, manually and without tools.
  • the accessory 16 is held sufficiently reliably in the receptacle 108 by way of frictional engagement, in particular by means of the mat 122 , and positive engagement by way of the bearing element 112 and the shoulder 114 .
  • the accessory 16 can enter into a communicative connection of different kinds.
  • a Bluetooth connection may be used, though the invention is not limited to this.
  • a user application program is executably saved on the accessory 16 , for example a so-called “App”.
  • Display information relating to the operation of the cleaning apparatus 12 can be transmitted by way of the communication unit 26 to the accessory 16 and there be displayed, in particular using the App ( FIG. 3 ).
  • the presence of the accessory 16 may, for example, be detected contactlessly or in a contact-based manner.
  • a sensor element 136 is provided on the receptacle 108 for contactlessly detecting the accessory 16 .
  • the display device 102 is deactivated when the user positions the accessory 16 in the receptacle 108 . Display information is transmitted to the accessory 16 to be displayed on the image display 106 . If the user removes the accessory 16 from the receptacle 108 , no further transmission of display information occurs, and the display device 102 is controlled to display information.
  • the permanently installed display device 102 By way of the permanently installed display device 102 , it is ensured that visual information is displayed to the user even if he/she is not carrying an accessory 16 .
  • the user application program may provide e.g. digital operating elements, referenced as a whole with the reference numeral 138 .
  • a digital variant of each of the operating elements 94 , 98 , and 100 is displayed on the display device 104 .
  • the display device 104 is touch-sensitively configured as a touchscreen, by means of which operating instructions of the user can be accepted by way of the accessory 16 and transmitted by the same to the communication unit 26 .
  • the operating elements 138 are functionally identical to the operating elements 94 , 98 , and 100 , such that the user can operate the cleaning apparatus 12 by means of the digital operating elements 138 without having to adjust his/her learned habits and abilities.
  • the user application program for the purpose of interacting with the cleaning apparatus 12 , can provide the user different or further operating elements, for example menus, input fields, selection lists, toggles, etc.
  • the cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention, it is conceivable for the cleaning apparatus to not comprise a functionally identical, physical operating element relating to a digitally provided operating element 138 on the display device 104 . Provision may be made for this to be the case for the majority or all operating elements of the operating unit 40 , in the present case for example for operating elements 88 , 94 , 98 , and 100 .
  • An authentication device 14 is required for the operation of the cleaning apparatus 12 .
  • An access authorization is provided to the cleaning apparatus 12 by way of the authentication device 14 .
  • authentication devices 14 are present, which are configured as authorization means 140 in the form of electronic keys, specifically authorization means 140 a , 140 b , 140 c , and 140 d .
  • the authorization means 140 are, in particular, transponders, which are able to contactlessly interact with the cleaning apparatus 12 by means of RFID technology.
  • a contactless interaction for example by way of a different radio connection, and/or a contact-based interaction, for example by physically sensing an access authorization, may be provided.
  • the cleaning apparatus 12 For positioning an authorization means 140 in a defined manner, the cleaning apparatus 12 comprises a receptacle 142 arranged on the operating unit 40 .
  • the authorization means 140 can be releasably positioned in the receptacle 142 and preferably clampingly and/or latchingly fixed therein.
  • an RFID reader 144 is provided, which is arranged within reach of the receptacle 142 .
  • the authorization means 140 When the authorization means 140 is located in the receptacle 142 , the presence thereof can be detected by means of the RFID reader 144 .
  • the RFID reader 144 repeatedly sends read pulses, which are received by the authorization means 140 when arranged in the receptacle 142 and can be replied to.
  • the authorization means 140 comprises a storage unit in which an access authorization, for example in the form of an ID or a code, is saved.
  • the access authorization can be contactlessly detected by the RFID reader 144 , transmitted to the control unit 28 , and checked for validity by said control unit 28 . If the result of the check is positive, the cleaning apparatus 12 is unlocked.
  • unlocking information to be transmitted to the cleaning apparatus 12 in dependence on the access authorization.
  • the detected access authorization is transmitted via the communication unit 26 to the data processing device 22 and is checked for validity by said data processing device 22 . If the result is positive, unlocking information for unlocking the cleaning apparatus 12 can be transmitted.
  • the authorization means 140 presently differ in that the access authorization is linked to different authorization profiles.
  • an authorization means 140 a is provided for users with a normal amount of experience and an authorization means 140 b for more experienced users.
  • An authorization means 140 c is provided e.g. for overseers and an authorization means 140 d for administrators or service personnel.
  • the authorization profiles may be defined as authorization levels that are structured hierarchically.
  • the functional scope for a user with a normal amount of experience is typically smaller than for a more experienced user, and the functional scope accessible to that user not as wide as the functional scope provided to an overseer.
  • the widest functional scope with the authorization means 140 d is provided for administrators.
  • Information on the authorization profile are stored e.g. in the storage unit of the authorization means 140 , in the cleaning apparatus 12 , and/or in the data processing device 22 . Provision may be made for the respective authorization profile to be able to be determined solely by identifying the access authorization.
  • Said user profiles are managed e.g. by way of user accounts that are saved, in particular, in the data processing device 22 , alternatively or in addition in the accessory 16 and/or the cleaning apparatus 12 .
  • the user can log into his/her user account by way of the App of the accessory so that the user profile can be provided for the operation of the cleaning apparatus 12 .
  • settings preferred by the user for functional units 44 are stored in the user profile, provided they can be made by the user.
  • the user can define in the user profile, for example, which display information he/she would like to have displayed on the image display 106 .
  • the language of the image display 106 is preferably also saved in the user profile.
  • presettings can be made for the user of the functional units 44 in order to make it easier for the user to put the cleaning apparatus 12 into operation.
  • the functional scope that is provided to the user is defined by the authorization profile and therefore by the use of the respective authorization means 140 a to 140 d .
  • the user can use the cleaning apparatus 12 within the extent of the functional scope, wherein in dependence on the authorization profile, for example:
  • the user can use functional units 44 , the operating parameters of which do not change or change only within certain limits.
  • the authorization profiles it can be ensured that the operational safety can be increased for the protection of the cleaning apparatus 12 , the user, the object to be cleaned, or third parties, because the functional scope can be tailored to the abilities of the user, his/her trustworthiness, and the cleaning tasks that are to be performed.
  • provision is made e.g. for the user with a normal amount of experience to be able to change the travel speed, the rotational speed of the plate brush 48 , and the dosing via the dosing device 60 and/or the cleaning agent dosing device 64 , wherein presettings can be providable and storable by way of the user profile.
  • the normal user is subject, for example, to the limitation that the travel speed can only be changed within certain limits, and that another operating parameter, for example the contact pressure by way of the pressing device 52 , is not able to be changed at all.
  • Changing the functional scopes that are linked to an authorization means 140 may be reserved e.g. for an overseer using the authorization means 140 c or an administrator using the authorization means 140 d.
  • the image content of the image display 106 may be different in dependence on the functional scope.
  • the display information differs regarding which authorization means 140 is used.
  • Lower order authorization profiles obtain e.g. no access to certain menus or setting elements that are reserved for higher order authorization profiles.
  • the use of the user profiles and/or authorization profiles enables e.g. tracking which user or which group of users is using one or more cleaning apparatuses 12 .
  • Cleaning tasks can be individualized and, for example, assigned to a particular user. Alternatively or in addition, the cleaning tasks may be assigned in dependence on an existing authorization profile, for example only to normal users or only to overseers. It should hereby be considered, for example, that the user is typically in possession of an authorization means 140 that corresponds to his/her actual authorization profile.
  • information can be transmitted to the accessory 16 and displayed on the image display 106 .
  • the user is instructed to change or to check the cleaning tool 46 , wherein this task, for example, should only be performed by experienced users or overseers.
  • FIG. 3 a shows in a detail view in a manner corresponding to FIG. 3 a plan view of the operating unit 40 with a cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention.
  • the receptacle 108 additionally comprises at least one holding element, preferably two holding elements 146 , with which the accessory 16 can be held on the receptacle 108 even more reliably.
  • the holding elements are configured as bars that have an angling (for example L-shaped) and project from the bearing element 112 .
  • An interspace 148 in the manner of a “compartment” is thereby formed between the bars and the bearing element 112 .
  • the accessory 16 can be slid into the interspace 148 , presently from above.
  • the holding elements 146 ensure that the accessory 16 does not lift up and, in the worst case, fall out of the receptacle 108 .
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 show in a manner corresponding to FIG. 3 the operating unit 40 of an advantageous embodiment, only partially depicted and designated with the reference numeral 150 , of a cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention, which could be used in a cleaning system in accordance with the invention together with the cleaning apparatus 12 or in place thereof.
  • the cleaning apparatus 150 for example fewer operating elements are arranged on the operating field 90 ; only the operating element 94 is provided.
  • the receptacle 108 is arranged in the region of the operating field 90 above or behind the operating element 94 .
  • the accessory 16 in the form of the smartphone 18 is thereby arranged entirely or substantially entirely within the strip 86 both when the image display 106 is oriented in the landscape format as well as in the portrait format and thereby is easily visible in the field of view of the user ( FIG. 8 ).
  • the accessory 16 in the form of the tablet computer 20 is, for example, positioned mostly within the strip 86 when the image display 106 is oriented in the portrait format ( FIG. 9 ).
  • the permanently integrated display device 102 is also provided in the case of the cleaning apparatus 150 , and arranged in the region of the receptacle 108 . Provision may be made, for example, in order to clear the view of the display device 102 , for the mat 122 to be dimensioned smaller than in the case of the cleaning apparatus 12 or for the mat 122 to have a cutout.
  • the display device 102 When the accessory 16 is arranged in the receptacle 108 , the display device 102 is covered by said accessory 16 and is deactivated. The user in this way concentrates his/her optical perception on the image display 106 . When the accessory 16 is removed, view of the display device 102 is cleared and the same is activated to provide visual information for the user.
  • FIGS. 10 to 12 Schematically depicted in FIGS. 10 to 12 is in each case an operating unit 40 of a cleaning apparatus 152 , 154 and 156 , respectively, in accordance with the invention.
  • a respective charging device 158 is provided with which the accessory 16 is applied with electrical energy and the usage time thereof can thereby be increased.
  • the charging device 158 is of inductive configuration and is arranged on the side of the abutment element 110 facing away from the accessory 16 .
  • the battery thereof can be charged.
  • the charging device 158 in the case of the cleaning apparatus 154 in accordance with FIG. 11 comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of fixedly arranged electrical connecting element(s) 160 (for example configured as a docking connector).
  • the connecting element 160 can couple to a corresponding electrical connecting element of the accessory 16 .
  • the charging device 158 comprises a charging cable 162 with connecting element 164 for connecting to the connecting element of the accessory 16 . Provision may further be made for a connector socket 166 for connecting a charging cable to be present.
  • a preferred embodiment of the cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention may comprise two or more of the different variants of the charging device 158 described above.
  • a preferred embodiment, depicted in FIG. 13 , of a cleaning system in accordance with the invention is designated with the reference numeral 170 .
  • the data processing device 22 is omitted in the case of the cleaning system 170 .
  • User profiles are stored e.g. on the accessories 16 and/or in the cleaning apparatus 12 .
  • the authorization profiles are preferably saved on the authorization means 140 linked to the access authorizations.
  • a preferred embodiment, depicted in FIG. 14 , of a cleaning system in accordance with the invention is designated with the reference numeral 180 .
  • the authentication devices 14 in the form of the authorization means 140 are omitted in the cleaning system 180 . Instead, the accessories 16 each form an authentication device 14 .
  • the access authorization can be inputted by the user on the accessory 16 via the app or it is determined in dependence on a user account.
  • the access authorization may be transmitted to the cleaning apparatus 12 for unlocking.
  • provision may be made for the access authorization to be transmitted to the data processing device 22 by way of a data connection and for a corresponding unlocking information to be transmitted directly or indirectly to the cleaning apparatus 12 by said data processing device 22 .
  • the user profiles and the authorization profiles may be saved in the cleaning apparatus 12 , in the accessory 16 , and/or in the data processing device 22 .
  • the cleaning apparatus 12 can be switched on, the functions allowed for by the corresponding authorization profile being able to be performed.
  • User-defined settings can be loaded e.g. by way of the user profile.
  • authorization profiles can be managed e.g. by way of the user application program of an accessory 16 . While in the case of the cleaning system 10 and 170 the authorization profile is defined by the respective authorization means 140 a to 140 d , this makes it possible in the case of the cleaning system 180 for user profiles, in particular hierarchical user levels, to be more easily and more flexibly managed.
  • the authorization means 140 by using the authorization means 140 , the required expenditure required for managing authorization profiles on the software level can be saved. This may be advantageous, for example, if there are high fluctuations in the users of the cleaning apparatus 12 .
  • a preferred embodiment, depicted in FIG. 15 , of a cleaning system in accordance with the invention is designated with the reference numeral 190 .
  • the cleaning system 170 the data processing device 22 is omitted in the cleaning system 190 .
  • the authentication devices 14 in the form of the authorization means 140 are omitted.
  • the cleaning system 190 corresponds to the cleaning system 180 without the property that data can be exchanged between the external data processing device 22 and the cleaning apparatus 12 and/or the accessories 16 .

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DE102018117670.8A DE102018117670A1 (de) 2018-07-20 2018-07-20 Reinigungsvorrichtung und Reinigungssystem
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PCT/EP2019/069327 WO2020016338A1 (de) 2018-07-20 2019-07-18 Reinigungsvorrichtung und reinigungssystem

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EP (1) EP3823508B1 (de)
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USD1006356S1 (en) * 2021-01-21 2023-11-28 Alfred Kaercher Se & Co. Kg Floor cleaning device
IT202200023613A1 (it) * 2022-11-16 2024-05-16 Ic Servizi Consorzio Stabile A R L Sistema di pulizia e manutenzione di mezzi di trasporto e relativo metodo

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EP3823508A1 (de) 2021-05-26
CN112437626A (zh) 2021-03-02

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