EP2682034B1 - Vacuum cleaner with a device for adjusting a fan output and method for operating such a vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with a device for adjusting a fan power of a suction fan included by the vacuum cleaner. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a vacuum cleaner.
Vacuum cleaners with a device for adjusting a blower power of a suction blower enclosed by the vacuum cleaner are known per se. Conventional are as devices or devices for adjusting such a blower power controls in the form of potentiometers or buttons on a device housing of the vacuum cleaner or as part of a realized on a handle of the vacuum cleaner handle control. About these controls, an adjustment of the fan power of the vacuum cleaner included by the suction fan and thus ultimately an adjustment of the respective suction power of the vacuum cleaner. The adjustment of the blower power of the respective suction blower essentially means a regulation of an electrical power consumption of the suction blower, which can be realized for example in the form of a so-called phase control and a phase control based thereon.
The JP 2011 206351 A discloses the use of an acceleration sensor on a handle of a vacuum cleaner to control the blower drive of the vacuum cleaner via the motion and acceleration information thus obtained. The JP 11 313 789 A describes the arrangement of a vibration or acceleration sensor on the handle of a vacuum cleaner. This is used to reduce the speed of the blower drive of the vacuum cleaner, in the event that the vibration or acceleration sensor experiences no vibration or acceleration caused by the operation of a vacuum cleaner.

Another example of an acceleration sensor on a handle of a vacuum cleaner for adjusting the fan is in the WO2012 / 077621 known.

Operating concepts using such or similar controls that require manual operation by the operator in the form of pushing, pushing, rotating, and so on are common and very sophisticated.
An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner with a new operating concept, in particular a vacuum cleaner, in which a movement of the vacuum cleaner or an element of the vacuum cleaner can be interpreted as operator action and used to set a blower power of a respective suction fan.

This object is achieved with a vacuum cleaner with a device for adjusting a fan power of a vacuum cleaner included by the suction fan with the features of claim 1. For this purpose, it is provided in such a vacuum cleaner that acts as a device for adjusting a fan power, an acceleration sensor.

The advantage of the invention is that an acceleration sensor provides a simple and mature possibility for detecting positions and movements in space, in this case positions or movements of the vacuum cleaner or of an element of the vacuum cleaner. In addition to the use of an acceleration sensor, the use of several such acceleration sensors comes into question. By evaluating one or more sensor signals which can be tapped on such an acceleration sensor, it is thus possible to determine a movement or a position of the vacuum cleaner or of an element of the vacuum cleaner. On the basis of such a determined movement can then be a setting of a blower power of the respective suction fan, so for example an increase in the fan power or a reduction in the blower power can be effected. As the position of the vacuum cleaner or an element of the vacuum cleaner is specifically understood an orientation of the vacuum cleaner or vacuum cleaner element, for example, an upright or inclined position of a bar vacuum cleaner or a suction pipe of a vacuum cleaner. As a movement of the vacuum cleaner or an element of the vacuum cleaner, any change in such a position can be detected based thereon.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following subclaims. Here used backlinks indicate the further development of the subject matter of the main claim by the features of the respective subclaim. They should not be construed as a waiver of obtaining independent, objective protection for the feature combinations of the dependent claims. Furthermore, with a view to an interpretation of the claims in a closer specification of a feature in a subordinate claim, it is to be assumed that such a restriction does not exist in the respective preceding claims.

In one embodiment of the vacuum cleaner, it is provided that the acceleration sensor is attached to a grip element of the vacuum cleaner or is integrated in such a grip element. The above-mentioned detected position or movement of an element of the vacuum cleaner is insofar a position or movement of such a grip element.

A vacuum cleaner in one embodiment as a so-called vacuum cleaner has a handle element at the end of a leading to a device housing with the suction fan Suction hose on and the handle member is used either itself as a suction nozzle or to guide a suction tube with a mounted at the end and acting as a suction nozzle floor nozzle. The respective position and movement of the grip element is thus meaningful in terms of a position and movement of the suction nozzle and thus meaningful in terms of a current use of the vacuum cleaner. Even with a vacuum cleaner in one embodiment as a rod vacuum cleaner, this has a handle element. The grip element is located on a tubular extension of the device housing, which has on its opposite side of the grip element a usually short suction tube and at the end of the respective suction nozzle. Even with a stick vacuum cleaner, the position and movement of the handle element in the manner outlined above are meaningful for the instantaneous use of the vacuum cleaner. Finally comes as a handle element of a vacuum cleaner as described here and below, a trained usually as a handle part of a hand vacuum cleaner or table vacuum cleaner into consideration. Also for such an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner, the above applies to the informative value of the position and the movement of the handle member with respect to the current use of the vacuum cleaner.

In addition to the embodiment already described, the acceleration sensor can also be attached to a suction nozzle or integrated in such a suction nozzle. In this case, different embodiments are possible which bring various advantages. In the event that the acceleration sensor is arranged in or on the movable connecting piece of the suction nozzle, this gives information about, among other things, the inclination of the suction pipe connected to the connecting piece and the respective position and movement of the gripping element connected to the suction pipe. The arrangement of the acceleration sensor in or on the connection piece of the suction nozzle thus provides information about the respective position and movement of the suction nozzle and the inclination of the suction pipe together with the handle element connected thereto. This information is thus meaningful in terms of a current use of the vacuum cleaner. Such a mentioned connecting piece, which is movable relative to a main body of the suction nozzle, is usually found on suction nozzles, which act as bottom nozzles. In addition to the arrangement of the acceleration sensor in the connection piece, the acceleration sensor can also be arranged in or on the suction nozzle, that is to say in or on the base body which rests on the base body during the treatment of a flat surface. In this case, the above-mentioned detected position or movement of an element of the vacuum cleaner is a position or movement of such a suction nozzle. The direct sensing of the position and movement of the suction nozzle gives a meaningful feedback regarding an instantaneous use of the vacuum cleaner. The arrangement of several acceleration sensors in various components of the vacuum cleaner, such as Example in the grip element or suction nozzle is possible. Thus, a sensor in the handle element could also be supplemented by a sensor in the suction nozzle. By comparing the measured values of several sensors, even more precise statements on the position and movement of the suction nozzle and the gripping element and thus on the current use of the vacuum cleaner would be possible in this embodiment.

An adjustment of the blower power, ie an adjustment of the blower power in the sense of reducing the blower power or in the sense of increasing the blower power, is always useful when the to be vacuumed flooring or the degree of contamination changes or special Sugsituationen occur, such as the suction of Curtains or similar. In order to simplify the manual switching of the blower power between different power levels or a continuous adjustment of the blower power, the components of the gravitational or gravitational acceleration are detected regularly or continuously with the acceleration sensor. From the acceleration-proportional stresses supplied by the acceleration sensor, the respective inclination angle of the acceleration sensor and thus, for example, the inclination angle of the grip element can be determined by means of trigonometric functions, namely inverse angle functions. In this case, for example, a rotation of the grip element about the axis of the suction tube can be detected in the same way as the inclination of the suction tube in the direction of the suction movement.

In a further embodiment of the vacuum cleaner with an acceleration sensor as a device for setting or influencing a fan power is provided that with the acceleration sensor forward or backward movement of a suction nozzle of the vacuum cleaner can be seen. Then, the adjustment or adjustment of the blower power to the direction of movement of the suction nozzle and thus the movement during the suction process can be adjusted, for example, such that during a forward movement of the suction nozzle increased fan power and a backward movement of the suction nozzle, a reduced fan power is effective. In the event that the acceleration sensor is attached to a handle member of the vacuum cleaner or is integrated in such a handle member, the forward or backward movement of a suction nozzle can be seen that the handle member is firmly connected via a suction pipe to the suction nozzle.

In an additional or alternative embodiment of a vacuum cleaner with an acceleration sensor for adjusting or influencing a fan power is provided with the acceleration sensor, an inclination of an upstream (upstream with respect to the suction air flow generated in the operation before the suction fan) of the handle member suction pipe of the vacuum cleaner or an inclination of Vacuum cleaner is recognizable. Detecting an inclination of the suction pipe refers to vacuum cleaner in one embodiment as a vacuum cleaner. Detection of an inclination of the vacuum cleaner refers to vacuum cleaners in one embodiment as a stick vacuum cleaner, hand vacuum cleaner or table vacuum cleaner. As an inclination is understood to mean a deviation from a reference position and as a reference position or reference orientation is here and below to be assumed a horizontal floor surface. Thus, a suction pipe lying flat on the floor thus has the inclination zero and a vertically held suction pipe has an inclination of 90 °.

By recognizing such an inclination, the respective tendency to adjust or influence the fan power can be used. For example, by simply raising the grip member one or more times and thus changing the inclination of, for example, the suction pipe in a floor vacuum cleaner to increase the blower output, and correspondingly, changing the inclination by lowering the grip member to reduce the blower output. As an alternative to such a step-like adaptation of the blower power, the power setting could also be carried out continuously as a function of a respective inclination of the suction pipe. Then the suction pipe acts like a big operating lever for the vacuum cleaner. An average inclination would lead to a medium fan performance. If a higher or lower blower power is required temporarily, the user can easily achieve this by changing the tilt of the draft tube.

Alternatively, it is advisable to increase the fan output with an inclination of the suction tube in the direction of a rather flat position of the suction tube, since with such a tendency a comparatively better lever for the pushing movement is available. Accordingly, at a greater inclination and corresponding to a rather steep position of the intake manifold, the fan power would be reduced, so that the then rather unfavorable lever for the thrust movement leads to a reduced fan performance. At different inclinations of the suction tube, this results in the user always an approximately comparable use of force in the resulting different suction, especially if at a lower inclination and a flatter orientation of the suction tube, the resulting lever for pushing movement slightly against the stronger suction of the suction nozzle the respective underground acts.

In a further additional or alternative embodiment of a vacuum cleaner with an acceleration sensor functioning as a device for setting or influencing a fan power, it is provided that a rotational position and / or a rotation of the grip element can be detected with the acceleration sensor. Then such rotations on the handle element easily in signals for setting or influencing a Blower power of the respective suction fan to be implemented. For example, a left turn of the handle member may result in a decrease in fan power and, correspondingly, a clockwise rotation, an increase in fan power. Even with a converted over a rotation of the handle element operating concept continuous or discrete adjustments of the fan power are possible. For example, upon rotation of the handle member to the left, the fan power may be reduced continuously or in predetermined or predetermined discrete levels as the handle member is held by the user in this rotated position. When the suction power desired by the user is reached, the handle member is again moved to a center position and the blower power achieved by the previous rotation of the handle member is maintained. The same applies to an increase in the fan power and a rotation of the handle element to the right. Similarly, by a single or multiple rotational movements of the handle element to the left or right each carried a stepped adjustment of the fan power. Both concepts can also be implemented in combination, such that, with the rotation of the handle element to the left or right for more than a predetermined period of time, the blower power is reduced or increased continuously and that upon rotation of the handle element to the left or right and a subsequent rotation of the handle Grip element back into the middle position during the backward movement in the middle position, a stepped reduction or increase of the fan power takes place.

For processing the sensor signal or sensor signals which can be tapped off at the acceleration sensor and for evaluating or recognizing the respective operator actions or operating situations, a logic unit is suitable for processing one or more acceleration measured values supplied by the acceleration sensor as sensor signal or sensor signals. The logic unit includes predetermined logic operations for processing such an acceleration measurement or acceleration measurements. The logic unit may also include predetermined logical operations for comparing and processing such an acceleration measurement or acceleration measurement values from a plurality of acceleration sensors. On this basis, the logic unit is effective for adjusting or influencing the fan power of the suction fan depending on the result of the logic operations. As a logic unit is a user-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or the like or the implementation of a corresponding functionality in software into consideration. Such a logic unit offers versatile and flexible possibilities for implementing one or more logic operations for processing at least one acceleration measurement value supplied by an acceleration sensor.

In a particular embodiment of a vacuum cleaner with such a logic unit for adjusting the blower power is provided that different user scenarios of the vacuum cleaner are created in the form of a plurality of logical links and depending on the result of the logic operations and depending on the respective use scenario respectively identified the blower power adjustable or can be influenced. Then, for example, the duration during which a particular accelerometer reading is pending may be used to detect a usage scenario to allow for a momentarily changed intake manifold tilt from a prolonged change in intake manifold tilt and a user's desire to change the blower output distinguished. The same applies to a situation in which the respective blower power can be influenced by a rotation of the grip element.

Overall, the invention thus also relates to a method for operating a vacuum cleaner as described here and below, wherein with the acceleration sensor in the form of acceleration measurements at least one component of the force acting on the acceleration sensor gravitational acceleration is detected and wherein depending on the or each detected acceleration reading a fan power of is changed by the vacuum cleaner included suction fan. As a considered component of the vacuum cleaner, for which at least one acceleration measurement is detected, in particular a handle element is considered, because the handle element is the natural component to operate a vacuum cleaner during the suction process, so that optimally based on a position or orientation of the handle member respective suction situation is recognizable. Another component of the vacuum cleaner, for which at least one acceleration reading can be detected, is the suction nozzle, because the suction nozzle, acting as a floor nozzle, is the natural component, which is moved back and forth on a flat surface during the suction process, so that on the basis of the acceleration from forward movement and opposite backward movement the respective suction situation is recognizable.

In embodiments of the method, it is provided that the fan power is changed continuously in accordance with an acceleration measured value detected by the acceleration sensor and / or that the fan power is discretely changed by a predetermined or specifiable amount if an acceleration measured value acquired with the acceleration sensor exceeds a predetermined or predefinable threshold value. or below.

As alternative embodiments of the method, alternatively or cumulatively, the following variants are contemplated: An acceleration measured value detected with the acceleration sensor is used as a basis for a forward or backward movement of a Suction nozzle of the vacuum cleaner is evaluated and in a forward movement, the fan power is increased and the fan power is reduced in a backward movement; an acceleration value detected by the acceleration sensor is evaluated as an indication of an inclination of a suction pipe of the vacuum cleaner, and when the intake pipe is in a steep position the fan power is reduced and the fan power is increased when the suction pipe is in a flat position; an acceleration measurement value detected by the acceleration sensor is evaluated as an indication of a rotation of a grip element of the vacuum cleaner, and when the grip element is rotated in a first direction increases the blower output and reduces the blower output when the grip element is rotated in an opposite, second direction.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Corresponding objects or elements are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals. The or each embodiment is not to be understood as limiting the invention. Rather, in the context of the present disclosure, modifications and modifications are possible, which by combining or modifying individual in combination with the described in the general or specific description part as well as in the claims and / or the drawings features or method steps for the skilled in the art in view of Solution of the task can be removed and lead by combinable features to a new object or to new process steps.

Figur 1

einen Staubsauger in einer Ausführungsform als Bodenstaubsauger mit einem Beschleunigungssensor,

Figur 2

einen Teil eines Saugrohrs und ein zu dessen Führung vorgesehenes Griffelement des Staubsaugers aus Figur 1,

Figur 3

einen Graph einer anhand von beim Beschleunigungssensor abgreifbaren Messwerten ermittelten Neigung eines Griffelements und einen Graph einer in Abhängigkeit davon eingestellten Gebläseleistung,

Figur 4

einen Teil eines Saugrohrs und ein zu dessen Führung vorgesehenes Griffelement wie in Figur 2, wobei das Griffelement und ein daran angebrachter Beschleunigungssensor drehbar sind,

Figur 5

einen Graph einer anhand von beim Beschleunigungssensor abgreifbaren Messwerten ermittelten Rotationslage eines Griffelements und einen Graph einer in Abhängigkeit davon eingestellten Gebläseleistung,

Figur 6

einen Graph einer anhand von beim Beschleunigungssensor abgreifbaren Messwerten ermittelten Neigung eines Griffelements und einen Graph einer in Abhängigkeit davon kontinuierlich angepassten Gebläseleistung,

Figur 7

einen Graph einer anhand von beim Beschleunigungssensor abgreifbaren Messwerten ermittelten Neigung eines Griffelements und darin als Vorwärts- und Rückwärtsbewegungen erkennbare Abschnitte sowie einen diskontinuierlichen und einen kontinuierlichen Graph einer an die jeweilige Bewegungsrichtung angepassten Gebläseleistung und

Figur 8

einen Graph einer anhand von beim Beschleunigungssensor abgreifbaren Messwerten ermittelten Beschleunigung einer Saugdüse und darin als Vorwärts- und Rückwärtsbewegungen erkennbare Abschnitte sowie einen diskontinuierlichen und einen kontinuierlichen Graph einer an die jeweilige Bewegungsrichtung angepassten Gebläseleistung und

Figur 9

ein Blockschaltbild zur Verdeutlichung eines Wirkpfads vom Beschleunigungssensor zum Sauggebläse zur Einstellung oder Beeinflussung eine jeweiligen Gebläseleistung von zumindest einem mit dem Beschleunigungssensor erfassten Beschleunigungsmesswert.

Show it

FIG. 1

a vacuum cleaner in an embodiment as a vacuum cleaner with an acceleration sensor,

FIG. 2

a part of a suction pipe and provided for guiding the handle of the vacuum cleaner FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

a graph of an ascertained on the basis of measured values obtainable by the acceleration sensor inclination of a grip element and a graph of a blower power set in dependence thereon,

FIG. 4

a part of a suction pipe and provided for guiding the handle element as in FIG. 2 wherein the handle member and an acceleration sensor mounted thereon are rotatable,

FIG. 5

a graph of a rotational position of a grip element determined on the basis of measured values which can be tapped off in the acceleration sensor and a graph of a fan power set in dependence thereon,

FIG. 6

a graph of an inclination of a gripping element determined on the basis of measured values which can be tapped off at the acceleration sensor and a graph of a fan power which is continuously adapted in dependence thereon,

FIG. 7

a graph of an ascertained on the basis of readable by the acceleration sensor measured values inclination of a handle member and therein as forward and backward movements recognizable sections and a discontinuous and a continuous graph of adapted to the respective direction of movement fan power and

FIG. 8

a graph of an ascertained on the basis of readable by the acceleration sensor measured values acceleration of a suction nozzle and therein recognizable as forward and backward movements sections and a discontinuous and a continuous graph of adapted to the respective direction of movement fan power and

FIG. 9

a block diagram for illustrating an action path from the acceleration sensor to the suction fan for setting or influencing a respective blower power of at least one detected with the acceleration sensor acceleration measured value.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a simplified vacuum cleaner 10 in one embodiment as a vacuum cleaner. This comprises, in a manner known per se, a device housing 12 with a suction fan located therein and not shown, a suction hose 14 connected to the device housing 12, a grip element 16 located at the end of the suction hose 14 and a suction pipe 18 mounted upstream of the grip element 16, at the end of which a suction nozzle 20 is in the form of a floor nozzle. The grip element 16 is considered as a location for mounting an acceleration sensor 22 into consideration. In addition to the grip element and the suction nozzle 20 comes as a place for mounting an acceleration sensor 28 in question. Also conceivable would be the attachment of the acceleration sensor 28 in the movable nozzle 21 of the suction nozzle 20, which serves to connect the suction nozzle 20 to the suction pipe. However, this last version is not in FIG. 1 shown. The acceleration sensor 22, 28 acts as a device for adjusting or influencing a fan power of the vacuum cleaner 10, the further description using the example of a vacuum cleaner is not to be construed as limiting, because the approach presented here and the feasible operating concept come just as for vacuum cleaners in others Embodiments, in particular stick vacuum cleaner, hand vacuum cleaner, vacuum cleaner and so on, into consideration.

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the suction pipe 18 and in comparison to the illustration in FIG. 1 a simplified representation of the handle member 16. In the region of the handle member 16, the acceleration sensor 22 is shown. The illustrated location and magnitude of the acceleration sensor 22 is selected only for ease of illustration, and the acceleration sensor 22 is either attached to the handle member 16 or integrated with the handle member 16. In any case, measured values for the gravitational acceleration acting on the acceleration sensor 22 in three independent spatial directions can be determined with the acceleration sensor 22. The gravitational acceleration is shown with the formula symbol g commonly used for this purpose and acts vertically downwards. If the acceleration sensor 22, as shown here in the schematically simplified side view, provides acceleration measurements for the effectiveness of the gravitational acceleration in at least two spatial directions, the respective inclination of the .mu Suction tube 18 can be determined. The inclination of the suction pipe 18 is in FIG. 2 symbolically denoted by the symbol φ. This is also used in the following for the respective description of the inclination of the suction pipe 18. In general, a rather steep orientation of the suction tube 18 means a strong angle of inclination and, correspondingly, a rather flat orientation of the suction tube 18 means a small angle of inclination. With the horizontal arrow pointing to the left, a direction of a forward movement 46 is drawn during the suction process and this direction of movement is also referred to below.

FIG. 3 shows two graphs, namely in the upper part of a curve of an ascertained by the acceleration sensor 22 Acceleration measured values of the inclination angle φ of the suction pipe 18 and in the lower part a graph of a designated by the symbol P power of a suction fan of the respective vacuum cleaner 10. In the upper part of the illustration in FIG. 3 can be seen three significant sections in which the inclination φ of the suction tube 18 changes. At the position designated by the reference numeral 24, the intake pipe 18 is changed in its inclination φ for the first time, such that the intake pipe 18 is steeper, at least in the short term (greater inclination φ). This is done later again and at the end of the presentation in FIG. 3 The reference numeral 26 designates a situation in which the suction pipe 18 is kept shallower (smaller inclination φ). Such waveforms can be used to adjust or influence a blower power P of the respective suction fan, as in the lower part of the illustration in FIG FIG. 3 is shown. Thereafter, each time the inclination φ of the suction pipe 18 is increased for a predetermined duration (here expressed as Δt> T), the blower power P of the suction fan is increased, as can be seen from the two-stage rising graph of the blower power P. If finally according to the in FIG. 3 shown situation during a predetermined or predetermined duration (.DELTA.t> T), the inclination φ of the suction pipe 18 is reduced, the suction pipe 18 is thus kept flat, the Blower power P again reduced and this correlates with the decreasing stage in the graph of the blower power P.

FIG. 4 illustrates that with the acceleration sensor 22 not only a changed inclination φ of the suction pipe 18, but also a rotation 50, 52 of the grip member 16 can be detected. In addition shows FIG. 4 With a rotatability of the gripping element 16 or a rotatable portion of the gripping element 16, a setting or influencing of a blower power P of the suction blower of the respective vacuum cleaner 10 is also possible by a rotary movement. Although here and below is spoken by a rotatable handle member 16, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that a rotatability of an annular portion of the handle member 16 or the like and a local attachment of the acceleration sensor 22 instead of a completely rotatable handle member 16 come into consideration, so that such embodiments should also be included in the formulation of the rotatable gripping element 16 which is selected with regard to a linguistically concise presentation.

FIG. 5 explained (in a similar representation as FIG. 3 ) the effect of a realizable with a rotatable handle member 16 operating concept. In addition shows FIG. 5 in the upper area, a graph of a rotational angle, determined on the basis of the acceleration measured values obtained by the acceleration sensor 22, of the grip element 16, which is designated here symbolically by the symbol β. Below this, a progression of the blower power of the suction blower designated by the formula P is shown over the same time base. At the position indicated by the reference numeral 24, the grip element 16 is for the first time noticeably rotated, for example, to the right, and this rotation position lasts at least for a predetermined duration (.DELTA.t> T), so that the adjustment of the blower power P can take place with the passage of the predetermined duration Here, there is a reduction in the blower power P, which can be seen from the descending stage of the graph for the blower power P. Such a reduction of the blower power P takes place at a later time by a further right turn 52 of the grip element 16 again and at the conclusion of the illustration in FIG FIG. 5 is denoted by the reference numeral 26, a situation in which the grip member 16 undergoes a left turn 50. Also, this rotational position stops for more than a predetermined period of time T, so that at the end of the period influencing the fan power P takes place. After the clockwise rotation 52 of the handle member 16 causes a decrease in the blower power P, the left turn 50 of the handle member 16 results in an increase in the blower power P, as in the lower portion of the illustration in FIG FIG. 5 can be seen by the increasing level in the graph of the blower power P.

While the representations in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 refer to a discrete, so discontinuous change in the blower power P, shows the representation in FIG. 6 in that likewise a continuous adjustment of the blower power P, for example as a function of the inclination φ of the suction pipe 18 (or of the rotation 50, 52 of the gripping element 16), can take place. In FIG. 6 In this respect, a situation is shown in which the suction tube 18 is initially in a medium inclination 35. Thereafter, the suction tube 18 is kept flatter (the inclination angle φ thus decreases). If the suction tube 18 is kept flatter, an increase in the blower power P comes into consideration, because at flatter intake manifold and the resulting lever despite the higher blower power P stronger suction of the suction nozzle 20 to the respective substrate processed no appreciably increased effort for the User results. A change in the inclination φ of the suction pipe 18 in the direction of a flatter position of the suction pipe 18 is thus understood as an operator action of the user to retrieve a larger blower power P and FIG. 6 shows in the lower part of the correlated with the reduced inclination φ of the suction pipe 18 increased blower power P. In the in FIG. 6 shown situation, the suction pipe 18 is steeper steered at the end of the period considered and the blower power P is withdrawn, because at a steeper position and a correspondingly increased inclination of the suction pipe 18 results in a less favorable lever with respect to the movement of the suction nozzle 20, so that movement of the Suction nozzle 20 with a comparable use of force is only possible if the blower power P is reduced. Accordingly, a steeper orientation of the suction pipe 18 is interpreted as a control action for the reduction of the blower power P.

FIG. 7 shows an adjustment of the blower power P of the suction fan according to a forward movement 46 (FIG. FIG. 2 . FIG. 8 ) and backward movement 48 ( FIG. 2 . FIG. 8 ) of the suction nozzle 20 during the suction process. This is with two graphs as with the previous ones Figures 3 . 5 and 6 in the upper part of the illustration, an inclination φ of the suction pipe 18 and in the lower part of the illustration, a blower power P of the suction fan shown. The graphs are divided into three sections, namely first, second and third sections 30, 32, 34. In the first section 30, the inclination φ of the suction pipe 18 begins above a mean inclination 35 and decreases continuously to a value below an average inclination 35 from. This is characteristic of a forward movement 46 of a suction nozzle 20 by means of a suction tube 18. In the second section 32, the inclination φ of the suction tube 18 increases from a value below the mean inclination 35 to a value above the mean inclination 35, as for a backward movement 48 ( FIG. 2 . FIG. 8 ) is characteristic, and in the third section 34, the value of the inclination φ of the suction pipe 18 decreases again similar to the first section 30. The three sections 30, 32, 34 thus represent the change in the inclination φ of the suction pipe 18 in a forward movement 46 (first Section 30), a subsequent backward movement 48 (second section 32) and a The inclination φ suction pipe 18 can be determined by an arrangement of the acceleration sensor 22 in or on the handle member 16 as well as by an arrangement of the acceleration sensor 28 in or on the connecting piece 21 of the suction nozzle 20.

The arrangement of the acceleration sensor 28 in the suction nozzle 20 is not shown in detail. However, the same applies here as for the acceleration sensor 22. Also for the acceleration sensor 28, measured values for the gravitational acceleration acting on the acceleration sensor 28 can be determined in three independent spatial directions. The inclination of the suction nozzle or the inclination of the connecting piece 21 can be determined via the gravitational acceleration acting downwards. Of particular importance for the arrangement of the acceleration sensor 28 in the suction nozzle 20, however, is the sensing of the accelerations of the suction nozzle 20 in forward movement 46 (FIG. FIG. 2 . FIG. 8 ) and opposite backward motion 48 (FIG. FIG. 2 . FIG. 8 ) during the suction process.

Forward motion 46 and reverse motion 48 (FIG. FIG. 2 . FIG. 8 ) of the suction nozzle during the suction process can also be detected directly by arranging the acceleration sensor 28 in the suction nozzle 20. It is also conceivable, however, to combine a plurality of acceleration sensors into suction nozzle and grip element in order to make the respective suction situation more clearly recognizable.

The representation in FIG. 7 illustrates, in its entirety, that with the forward motion 46 normally included in a suction process, 46 (FIG. FIG. 2 . FIG. 8 ) and backward movements 48 ( FIG. 2 . FIG. 8 ) of the suction nozzle 20 may be associated with adjustments or adjustments of the blower power P of the suction fan of the respective vacuum cleaner 10. The lower part of the illustration in FIG. 7 shows two variants. On the one hand, the respective resulting blower power P can be adjusted in accordance with the inclination φ of the suction pipe 18 during a forward movement 46 (FIG. FIG. 2 . FIG. 8 ) or backward movement 48 (FIG. FIG. 2 . FIG. 8 ) of the suction nozzle 20 are set to fixed blower power values, as shown in the fixed power graph 36. The switching between an upper fixed power value and a lower fixed power value takes place, for example, at sufficiently significant inflection points of the course of the inclination φ of the suction pipe 18. On the other hand, depending on the inclination φ of the suction pipe 18 as well as a continuous adjustment of the blower power, like this with the graph 38 at the bottom of the illustration in FIG. 7 is shown, so that the blower power P at the end of a forward movement 46 ( FIG. 2 . FIG. 8 ) is reduced continuously and at the beginning of a backward movement 48 ( FIG. 2 . FIG. 8 ) of the suction nozzle 20 continuously increases from a low value to a subsequent again forward movement 46 ( FIG. 2 . FIG. 8 ) of the suction nozzle 20 to start again at a high blower power value.

FIG. 8 shows that during a suction process and the forward movement 46 and backward movements 48 of the suction nozzle 20 normally associated therewith, adjustments or adjustments of the blower output P of the suction blower of the respective vacuum cleaner 10 may occur. The lower part of the illustration in FIG. 8 shows two variants. On the one hand, the respective resulting blower power P corresponding to the acceleration a _{x of} the suction nozzle 20 can be set to fixed blower power values at a forward movement 46 and backward movement 48 of the suction nozzle 20, as shown in the fixed power graph 36. The switching between an upper fixed power value and a lower fixed power value takes place, for example, at sufficiently significant inflection points of the course of the acceleration a _{x of} the suction nozzle 20. On the other hand, depending on the acceleration a _{x of} the suction nozzle 20 as well as a continuous adjustment of the blower power done as indicated by the graph 38 in the lower part of the illustration in FIG. 8 is shown, so that the blower power P is continuously reduced to the end of a forward movement 46 and continuously increases from a low value at the beginning of a backward movement 48 of the suction nozzle 20 to start again at a high blower power value in a subsequent renewed forward movement 46 of the suction nozzle 20.

Generally, on the basis of the usage scenarios explicitly mentioned here, due to the measurement values which can be tapped at the acceleration sensor 22, an adjustment or influencing of the blower output P of the respective suction blower can also be carried out for other usage scenarios. For example, if the suction tube 18 is lowered almost horizontally and at the same time the handle element 16 is rotated 90 degrees, so that the floor nozzle acting as a suction nozzle 20 can lie flat due to their hinged connection to the suction tube, it can be assumed that under a low piece of furniture, for example, a sofa, to be sucked. Here, the previous blower power P of the normal operation could be maintained. If the suction tube 18 are held without rotation 50, 52 of the handle member 16 in the horizontal or even steep upward, so it is assumed that curtains or ceilings are sucked. In this case, the blower power P could be automatically reduced significantly. In addition, an interruption or termination of a suction process can be detected, because at such an interruption or termination of the suction, the suction pipe 18 is often brought for a long time in a vertical position, ie a so-called parking position, so that upon detection of such a tendency φ of the suction pipe 18, the suction fan could be completely switched off. A separate switch to detect the parking position, as previously required for deactivation of the suction fan when the parking position, could then be omitted. Similarly, a dropping of the suction pipe 18 next to the vacuum cleaner 10 can be detected and in the absence of further movements of the suction pipe 18 or the handle member 16, the suction fan can be switched off. The reconnection of the suction fan can then be done automatically as soon as movements of the grip element 16 or a suction angle for the usual inclination angle of the suction pipe 18 are detected.

FIG. 9 Finally, FIG. 1 shows a schematically simplified block diagram for clarifying the processes when setting or influencing a blower power P of a suction blower 40 enclosed by the respective vacuum cleaner 10. Thereafter, the acceleration sensor 22 delivers one or more acceleration measurement values which are processed by a logic unit. The logic unit 42 handles the processing of the or each acceleration measurement value provided by the acceleration sensor 22 in accordance with predetermined logical operations. The setting of the fan power P of the suction fan 40 then takes place as a function of the result of these logic operations. FIG. 9 In this respect, schematically shows a plurality of logic networks 44 for implementing such logic operations, to which each or each acceleration measurement value supplied by the acceleration sensor 22 is supplied. Each logic network 44 has logic operations with which a particular usage situation of the vacuum cleaner 10 or a specific operating action on the vacuum cleaner 10 can be seen. For example, in a continuous adjustment of the blower power P of the suction fan 40 in response to an inclination φ of the suction pipe 18, a first logic network 44 due to the respectively determined inclination angle φ of the suction pipe 18 determine a suitable blower power P. Another logic network 44 could recognize sudden changes in the inclination φ of the intake manifold 18 and monitor whether a sudden change in inclination φ of the intake manifold 18 longer than a predetermined period (see. FIG. 3 ) persists. If one of these two logic networks 44 is active, either a continuous or an abrupt adjustment of the blower power P as a function of an inclination φ of the intake manifold 18 can take place. If both logic networks 44 are active at the same time, the logic unit 42 can respond to either use scenario according to either a continuous or a spike adjustment of the blower power P.

According to this principle, the logic unit 42 further, possibly also individually activatable or deactivatable logic networks 44 include the other with reference to the other Figures 4-8 To detect application scenario scenarios presented and upon detection of such a user scenario and a control action taken therein a corresponding adjustment or adjustment of the blower power P of the suction fan 40 to effect. On an output side of the logic unit 42, a linking or mutual interlocking of the individual signals respectively generated by the logic networks 44 can take place in order to prevent contradictory activation of the suction blower 40 with a respective setpoint value for the blower output P given a simultaneous activity of a plurality of logic networks 44.

Individual aspects in the foreground of the description presented here can thus be summarized briefly as follows: Vacuum cleaners 10 are provided with a device for setting a fan power of a suction fan 40 encompassed by the vacuum cleaner 10, an acceleration sensor 22 functioning as a device for setting a fan power a method for operating such a vacuum cleaner, wherein detected by the acceleration sensor 22, at least one acceleration reading and depending on the fan power of the suction fan 40 is changed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

vacuum cleaner

12

device housing

14

suction

16

handle element

18

suction tube

20

suction nozzle

22

Acceleration sensor (grip element)

24

Position of the suction tube (steeper) or the handle element (turned to the right)

26

Position of suction tube (flatter) or handle element (turned to the left)

28

Acceleration sensor (suction nozzle)

30

first section

32

second part

34

third section

35

medium inclination

36

Graph for fixed power values

38

Graph for continuously adjusted power values

40

aspirator

42

logic unit

44

Logic network

46

forward movement

48

regression

50

turn left

52

right turn

Claims (11)

1. Vacuum cleaner (10) in which an acceleration sensor (22) functions as a means for adjusting a fan power of a suction fan (40) comprised by the vacuum cleaner (10), which sensor is attached to or in a handle element (16) of the vacuum cleaner (10), characterised in that a rotation (50, 52) of the handle element (16) can be identified by the acceleration sensor (22).
2. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to claim 1, wherein an acceleration sensor (28) is attached to a suction nozzle (20) or is integrated in a suction nozzle (20) of this type.
3. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to either of the preceding claims, wherein a forwards or backwards movement (46, 48) of a suction nozzle (20) of the vacuum cleaner (10) can be identified by the acceleration sensor (22, 28).
4. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein tilting of a suction pipe (18) of the vacuum cleaner (10), located downstream of the handle element (16), or tilting of the vacuum cleaner (10) can be identified by the acceleration sensor (22).
5. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a logic unit (42) for processing a measured acceleration value, provided by the acceleration sensor (22, 28), in accordance with predefined logic operations and for adjusting the fan power of the suction fan (40) on the basis of the result of the logic operations.
6. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to claim 5, wherein various usage scenarios of the vacuum cleaner (10) are stored in the form of a plurality of logic operations and wherein the fan power can be adjusted on the basis of the result of the logic operations and on the basis of the particular usage scenario thus identified.
7. Method for operating a vacuum cleaner (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one measured acceleration value of a component of the vacuum cleaner (10) is detected by the acceleration sensor (22) and is evaluated as an indication of a rotation (50, 52) of a handle element (16) of the vacuum cleaner (10), and wherein the fan power is increased when the handle element (16) is rotated (50, 52) in a first direction and the fan power is reduced when the handle element (16) is rotated (50, 52) in an opposing, second direction.
8. Method according to claim 7, wherein the fan power is continuously modified in accordance with a measured acceleration value detected by the acceleration sensor (22, 28).
9. Method according to claim 7, wherein the fan power is modified discretely by a predefined or predefinable amount if a measured acceleration value, detected by the acceleration sensor (22, 28), exceeds or does not meet a predefined or predefinable threshold value.
10. Method according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein a measured acceleration value, detected by the acceleration sensor (22, 28), is evaluated as an indication of a forwards or backwards movement (46, 48) of a suction nozzle (20) of the vacuum cleaner (10), and wherein the fan power is increased during a forwards movement (46) and the fan power is reduced during a backwards movement (48).
11. Method according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein a measured acceleration value, detected by the acceleration sensor (22), is evaluated as an indication of tilting of a suction pipe (18) of the vacuum cleaner (10) and wherein, if the suction pipe (18) is in an upright position, the fan power is reduced and, if the suction pipe (18) is in a flat position, the fan power is increased.

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