DE102019213290B4 - Intuitively operated handheld vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

Hand-held vacuum cleaner (14), comprising a sensor (36) which is designed to detect a soiling state of a surface (44) and a display (50) via which a signal (52; 58; 62) corresponding to the soiling state of the surface (44) or to an operating state of the hand-held vacuum cleaner (14) can be output, characterized in that the signal (52; 58; 62) comprises a face-like visualization which can implement facial expressions, wherein a signal (52) can be output which signals that the sensor (36) detects particles (48) while a user (54) is vacuuming in a vehicle (10) and that a signal (62) can be output which corresponds to a need to clean the surface (44) if the hand-held vacuum cleaner (14) has not been used for a defined minimum period of time or soiling (48) has been detected and that a signal (58) can be output which corresponds to a charge state or Maintenance status of the handheld vacuum cleaner (14) corresponds.

Description

The invention relates to a handheld vacuum cleaner according to the preamble of patent claim 1, a system according to patent claim 5 and a vehicle according to patent claim 7.

In the technical field of vacuum cleaners, it is well known to equip them with useful additional functions.

For example, the US 2006/0085940 A1 a center console for a vehicle in which a vacuum cleaner is integrated. The vacuum cleaner can, for example, be charged via the center console or connected to an extension hose located in it to make cleaning the vehicle easier.

Especially in the vehicle sector, the highest possible degree of functional integration is desirable, on the one hand due to the limited space available and, on the other hand, due to the frequently changing conditions on the road.

EN 10 2017 222 735 A1 discloses a handheld vacuum cleaner with a base unit and an additional unit. The additional unit can be manually connected or detached from the base unit and can perform additional functions such as detecting dust using a dust sensor.

EN 10 2017 209 150 A1 discloses a hand-held battery-operated vacuum cleaner in which a suction nozzle can have as an electrical component a sensor for determining a surface condition of a surface treated with the nozzle.

JP H05 285082 A discloses a vacuum cleaner with a hand-held suction tube that has a dust sensor integrated into it. The dust sensor is assigned a display that includes LEDs. Depending on the presence of dust during use of the vacuum cleaner, the LEDs flash at a corresponding frequency.

US 3 939 400 A discloses an electrical device whose battery charge level can be visualized on a display with a graphic representation of a facial expression.

The invention is based on the object of creating a handheld vacuum cleaner that supports its user as well as possible during use.

The object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims 1, 5 and 7. Further preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the remaining features mentioned in the subclaims and the description.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a handheld vacuum cleaner comprising a sensor configured to detect a soiling state of a surface.

In the context of this patent application, a state of contamination is also understood to mean the presence or absence of objects that do not belong to the surface and have, for example, been forgotten on the surface by a user of the hand-held vacuum cleaner.

The handheld vacuum cleaner includes a display that can output a signal corresponding to the level of dirt on the surface or to the operating status of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

According to the invention, the signal comprises a face-like visualization that can implement facial expressions. The facial expressions are preferably selected for storage in a facial expression memory of the handheld vacuum cleaner by conducting statistically valid user group surveys that provide information on whether a certain facial expression will cause a user to react to the facial expression in a certain way.

The signal can convey a variety of information regarding the level of contamination. For example, it can indicate that the surface needs to be cleaned or that cleaning has been successfully completed. If the contamination consists of objects left behind, the signal can include a reminder to take these objects with you. It is also possible for lighting to be directed at an object to make it easier to find.

For example, a face that is perceived as stern can be shown on the display to signal to the user that they have forgotten something. This motivates the user to look around and pick up the items, for example. A happy face can also be shown when the user is vacuuming, giving them positive, motivating feedback. A face that looks happy can also be shown, for example, as long as the sensor detects that dust is being vacuumed up.

This principle creates a completely new and intuitive way of using the handheld vacuum cleaner. This is particularly important for users This is possible across groups, as facial expressions, for example, have a high level of recognition internationally and are interpreted in the same way in different parts of the world, which cannot be achieved with other types of human-machine communication. This is very advantageous in the automotive sector, for example in the rental car or car sharing sector, where there are typically a wide variety of user groups.

According to the invention, it is provided that a signal can be emitted which corresponds to a need to clean the surface if the hand-held vacuum cleaner has not been used for a defined minimum period of time or if contamination has been detected.

For example, a sad face can be shown on the display if the handheld vacuum cleaner has not been used for a long time. This signals a feeling of "neglect" to the user and at the same time corresponds to an existing need for cleaning of the surface. The user is therefore motivated to meet the cleaning requirements.

According to the invention, it is provided that a signal can be output which corresponds to a charging state or maintenance state of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

If, for example, the battery is empty, a face that is perceived as hungry can be shown on the display, or if the dust bag is full, a face that is reminiscent of a stomach ache. Of course, the information can also be shown conventionally on the display.

Infrared sensors or camera systems, for example, can be considered as sensors.

Cleaning is the core functionality of a vacuum cleaner. In vehicles, for example, this is often made difficult by poor visibility, for example. The handheld vacuum cleaner offers the advantage that the recognition of the need for cleaning and the effectiveness of cleaning are increased and the use of the handheld vacuum cleaner is made easier. In the context of the invention, the recognition of the need for cleaning also includes the recognition of the need to remove objects from the surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the handheld vacuum cleaner of the invention, it is provided that the state of contamination can be detected directly or indirectly with the sensor.

Direct detection involves the detection of dirt on the surface itself, or the detection of objects on the surface. Direct detection is preferably carried out using an infrared sensor, which can include an infrared LED and an infrared detector, for example. A camera system can also be provided, which contains, for example, labeled data of clean surfaces or of surfaces with objects on them. The camera system can take images of the surface to be examined and compare them with the labeled data, for example using an algorithm based on machine learning.

In this way, a particularly reliable detection of the contamination level is possible.

In a further preferred embodiment of the handheld vacuum cleaner of the invention, it is provided that the sensor is designed to indirectly detect the state of contamination by detecting particles in the air.

This can also be done preferably with an infrared sensor. The difference between a dirty or a clean surface can be inferred from the presence of particles in the air.

It is also possible to derive the level of dirt indirectly from the usage history of the handheld vacuum cleaner. For example, positions relative to the surface and operating states of the handheld vacuum cleaner can be recorded or tracked at the positions and a conclusion can be drawn from this as to which positions were vacuumed and how often. This result usually corresponds to the local level of dirt on the surface and thus to the local cleaning requirement. The requirement can be visualized in a so-called heat map and displayed on a display on the handheld vacuum cleaner, for example.

Technical means for determining the position of the handheld vacuum cleaner relative to the surface are generally known to the person skilled in the art, and can be selected for the function described on the basis of the teaching disclosed herein. With regard to the operating state, a recording of the switch-on and switch-off states of a blower of the handheld vacuum cleaner is particularly possible.

In a further preferred embodiment of the hand-held vacuum cleaner of the invention, it is provided that a measuring section of the sensor runs transversely through an intake channel.

This makes it possible to determine very precisely and comprehensively whether dirt is being sucked in or is present.

The sensor can preferably be arranged inside a dark tube to avoid disturbing light.

• - Abmessungen, mit denen er in einem Türinnenfach eines Kraftfahrzeugs platziert werden kann;
• - eine Schnittstelle zur Aufladung über das Bordnetz eines Kraftfahrzeugs;
• - eine Schnittstelle zur Aufladung über eine reguläre Haushaltssteckdose;
• - einen waschbaren Schmutzfilter;
• - Temperaturbeständigkeit bis zu 50 °C; und
• - ein kratzfestes Displaymaterial.

Preferably, the handheld vacuum cleaner also has one or more of the following features:

• - dimensions enabling it to be placed in the inside door compartment of a motor vehicle;
• - an interface for charging via the on-board network of a motor vehicle;
• - an interface for charging via a regular household socket;
• - a washable dirt filter;
• - Temperature resistance up to 50 °C; and
• - a scratch-resistant display material.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising a handheld vacuum cleaner according to the invention as described above and a storage station.

The storage station preferably forms an interface for securing and charging.

In a preferred embodiment of the system of the invention, it is provided that the storage station comprises an interface to a vehicle.

Preferably, the storage station includes an interface for mechanical securing during travel or for charging via the vehicle's electrical system.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a system according to the invention as described above or a handheld vacuum cleaner according to the invention as described above.

The vehicle is preferably a passenger car.

To summarize again in other words, the invention relates to a handheld vacuum cleaner with a sensor for the direct or indirect detection of surrounding bodies and with a display for conveying information about the surrounding bodies or the handheld vacuum cleaner.

The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless stated otherwise in individual cases.

• 1 ein erfindungsgemäßes Fahrzeug;
• 2A-B einen erfindungsgemäßen Handstaubsauger; und
• 3A-C verschiedene Displayanzeigen des Handstaubsaugers aus 2.

The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

• 1 a vehicle according to the invention;
• 2A -B a handheld vacuum cleaner according to the invention; and
• 3A -C various display indicators of the handheld vacuum cleaner 2 .

1 shows a vehicle 10 according to the invention. In the vehicle 10, a system 12 according to the invention is arranged, which comprises a hand-held vacuum cleaner 14 according to the invention and a storage station 16.

The storage station 16 comprises an interface 18 for receiving and electrically coupling the hand-held vacuum cleaner 14 to the storage station 16 as well as an interface 20 for electrically coupling to the vehicle 10 and an interface 22 for securely fastening the storage station 16 in the vehicle 10.

2A shows a hand-held vacuum cleaner 14 according to the invention and a section line A related thereto. The corresponding section view AA is shown in 2 B shown.

The handheld vacuum cleaner 14 comprises conventional components, such as a housing 24 with a handpiece 26, a drive 28, a blower 30, a filter 32 and an intake duct 34.

Hand-held vacuum cleaner 14 comprises a sensor 36, which here comprises an infrared LED 38 and an infrared detector 40. The sensor 36 is arranged in the intake channel 34 and has a measuring section 42 that runs across the intake channel 34.

According to the invention, the sensor 36 is designed to detect a contamination state of a surface 44, which is indicated purely by way of example below the intake channel 34.

In this example, the contamination state is directly detected by the sensor 36 by detecting particles 48 in the air 46.

Furthermore, the handheld vacuum cleaner 14 in this example comprises a display 50. The display 50 can display a signal (see 3A to 3C ) that is related to the pollution level of the surface surface 44 or with an operating state of the handheld vacuum cleaner 14. This embodiment with display 50 can also be provided in all other embodiments of the invention, independently of the embodiment described here.

In 3A a first exemplary signal 52 is shown, which can be output via the display 50 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 14. The signal 52 signals here that the sensor 36 detects particles 48 while a user 54 is vacuuming in the vehicle 10. The detection of the particles 48 is intuitively symbolized by a happy face 56.

However, as in 3B shown, a signal 58 can also be output, which corresponds to a charge level of the handheld vacuum cleaner 14 as an operating state. The signal 58 shows here, for example, that the handheld vacuum cleaner 14 should be charged promptly, intuitively recognizable by a worried face 60.

However, as in 3C shown, a signal 62 can also be output which corresponds to a need to clean the surface 44. The criterion for the need here is the fact that the hand-held vacuum cleaner 14 has not been used for a defined minimum period of time. The need for cleaning is intuitively symbolized by an angry face 64.

List of reference symbols

10

vehicle

12

system

14

Handheld vacuum cleaner

16

Storage station

18

interface

20

interface

22

interface

24

Housing

26

Handpiece

28

drive

30

fan

32

filter

34

Intake duct

36

sensor

38

Infrared LED

40

Infrared detector

42

Measuring section

44

surface

46

Air

48

Particles

50

Display

52

signal

54

user

56

happy face

58

signal

60

worried face

62

signal

64

angry face

Claims (7)

Hand-held vacuum cleaner (14), comprising a sensor (36) which is designed to detect a soiling state of a surface (44) and a display (50) via which a signal (52; 58; 62) corresponding to the soiling state of the surface (44) or to an operating state of the hand-held vacuum cleaner (14) can be output, characterized in that the signal (52; 58; 62) comprises a face-like visualization which can implement facial expressions, wherein a signal (52) can be output which signals that the sensor (36) detects particles (48) while a user (54) is vacuuming in a vehicle (10) and that a signal (62) can be output which corresponds to a need to clean the surface (44) if the hand-held vacuum cleaner (14) has not been used for a defined minimum period of time or soiling (48) has been detected and that a signal (58) can be output which corresponds to a charge state or maintenance status of the hand-held vacuum cleaner (14). Handheld vacuum cleaners (14) by Claim 1 , characterized in that the contamination state can be detected directly or indirectly with the sensor (36). Hand-held vacuum cleaner (14) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (36) is designed to indirectly detect the state of contamination by detecting particles (48) in the sucked-in air (46). Handheld vacuum cleaners (14) by Claim 3 , characterized in that a measuring section (42) of the sensor (36) runs transversely through an intake channel (34). System (12) comprising a handheld vacuum cleaner (14) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 and a storage station (16). System (12) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the storage station (16) comprises an interface (20; 22) to a vehicle (10). Vehicle (10) comprising a system (12) according to Claim 5 or 6 or a hand-held vacuum cleaner (14) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 .

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