DE3307006C2 - Device for the automatic suction power control of a vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

State of the art

The invention is based on eiFv.; R device according to the genre of the main claim. In a known device for automatic suction power control (DE-OS 30 30 059) the suction power of the vacuum cleaner is regulated to a constant air flow, that driven by the actual fan of the vacuum cleaner via the sucked in air another small one Turbine is provided, which works like a tacho generator; «, one corresponding to the air flow Regclvoltage emits and via a control device including a phase control so is switched. that overall there is a regulation on constant air flow. Such a facility responds also automatically to an increasing fullness of the dust bag of the vacuum cleaner, but already allows In terms of its desired mode of operation, it is precisely not a power switchover, and is also in the design very expensive and can lead to problems in daily operation that an increasing Impairment of the Tachcgencralorffekt, for example by clogging with residual dust, the influence of warmer exhaust air from the vacuum cleaner and the like.

Another known device for, however, exclusively manual suction power control is in dom DFl-GM 80 00 772. To an adjustment the suction power of vacuum cleaners to the respective working conditions and / or the place of work make it possible, efforts are made to use vacuum cleaners for the industrial or industrial sector in each of them to control the delivered suction power or to rc-

apply as the possibility of using a vacuum cleaner only with one Speed, so then usually to operate with its nominal power, rarely the economic conditions and meets the practical requirements, is not very energy-efficient and can also be used lower suction power in most cases, for example when vacuuming light floors or curtains must make impossible. On the other hand, it can also be desirable for short-term use especially to be able to specify maximum suction power.

In the known suction power control (DE-GM 80 00 772), a power switch of the fan of the vacuum cleaner driving electric motor caused by a vacuum switch in the vacuum cleaner housing is arranged. This vacuum switch reacts to the temporary blocking of the from Vacuum cleaner itself caused by the vacuum cleaner's own suction hose sucked in air volume by the user of the vacuum cleaner, who is about in the area of the handle of the vacuum cleaner hose has a corresponding shut-off valve. Information about the structure of the used for switching This publication contains the vacuum switch or its electrical connection with the engine control not - it is only mentioned that the largest possible hysteresis function of the vacuum switch The aim is to prevent even small changes in pressure in the suction line from switching to the one here the intended two different service areas. On the other hand, however, is in this publication pointed out that when the suction line is opened, i.e. when the shut-off valve is released the vacuum switch is returned to its original position by the user. One must therefore assume that the maintenance in the shifted position only by the full or partial Closure of the suction line is possible. In this context, the further information remains in this DE-GM 80 00 772 without explanation that the vacuum switch jam the specified two switch positions can have further switch positions or several vacuum switches, each with different ones Umschallwerte can be provided. In any case, the operation is without additional measures multiple vacuum switches not possible at all because all vacuum switches are always at the same time have to respond, as they are always exposed to the same negative pressure at the same time. Change this also different claims thresholds nothing, because In any case, more sensitive vacuum switches will always respond when they are set to be insensitive Switch responds.

In order to at least temporarily switch the power to the control device known from DE-OS 30 30 059 A manual flap control is also available to enable higher performance levels provided, via which then, similar to the device in DE-GM 80 00 772, a vacuum switch responds and controls a timing circuit that bypasses the Taehügeneratörregclung the phase control in the sense of an increase in performance also applied beyond the duration for which the manually bcliitigbai'c locking flap is closed. One such constant attention by the user, for example when continuously at a higher level of performance is to be worked, must be viewed as disadvantageous, because the user must, for example Interrupt the normal vacuum cleaner operation every 30 seconds by closing the shut-off valve and so recharge the time circle.

Finally, it is known to equip a cylinder vacuum cleaner with a multi-stage switch (DE-OS 20 31 647), the step-by-step change of one in the control circuit for the fan motor Serves control resistance and is designed as a pressure switch in such a way that with each depression the roller-like basic shape of the switch assumes a different, also optically indicated basic position simultaneous change in the resistance value of the control resistor.

Further options for regulating the suction power of vacuum cleaners include, for example, that in the suction area of the vacuum cleaner, for example in front of the dust bag, then one of the prevailing there Pressure-influenced membrane is arranged, the continuous, vacuum-dependent adjustment movement acts on a potentiometer, which in turn is part of the control circuit for the ... speed control of the vacuum cleaner motor is. You can se a given vacuum a certain fan speed! assign, if necessary also to constant air output rules.

Another possibility of arbitrary control Finally, the suction power in vacuum cleaners includes the arrangement of an electrical switch on one Place that is directly accessible to the person operating the vacuum cleaner, i.e. usually on the handle, on which the operator leads the rigid pipe part of a cylinder vacuum cleaner, which leads to the Floor vacuum cleaner is connected to this via a flexible hose. Is the electrical switch as Press button, then you can in this way

j5 se a speed control of the fan driving Cause motor, for example by supplying appropriate electrical switching pulses via an electrical Connection line, which then runs parallel and along the flexible suction hose of the vacuum cleaner.

The problem with such a line is that it requires an electrical connection line The switching effect is that the flexible hose, as desired, is resilient in every direction is and also twisted turn ka.in, so dsß damage the electrical line cannot be ruled out. Furthermore one has to go through the arrangement an isolating transformer ensure that the operator does not come into contact with the cables carrying the high supply voltage can. In addition to this galvanic isolation through the isolating transformer, you need for the transmission the electrical control voltage is usually always held in a given position Handle continuing to the vacuum cleaner housing at least one slip ring arrangement. This enlarged The effort involved in controlling the motor speed of a vacuum cleaner increases significantly - as well are problems with: long-term operation and an expensive one Maintenance cannot be ruled out.

The invention is based on the object of a device for the automatic suction power control of a vacuum cleaner in a simply structured, complication-free To create form with high operational reliability, with a power switch also over

bi an optional arbitrary air shut-off the person operating the suction hose should be possible target.

Advantages of the invention

The invention solves this problem with the characterizing features of the main claim and has the advantage that on the one hand on constant air throughput, so the same work and suction power of the vacuum cleaner even with changing different working conditions such as fixed suction of the satig brush. Idle. Sucking of hairy or C, etc. jlattniatcrialicn., Ge optionally each in different l.eisiiingssliifen. can be regulated, but on the other hand, control commands from an operator can also be taken into account and included in the operation. For the latter case, a simple actuation is possible, for example on the I land handle of the vacuum cleaner, which an operator grips while working, by deliberately closing the intake pipe cross section with the aid of a closure flap.

evaluated, whereby when working in a ^ e gchcncn l.cislungssiufc of the vacuum cleaner occurring Druckschwiiiikiiiigeri, as mentioned, an atisrcgcluiig Experienced.

drawing

Implementation examples of the invention are shown in FIG Drawings and are explained in more detail in the description below. It shows

Fig. I a vacuum cleaner in a schematic representation with a shut-off valve in the land handle-llclatigiuigsbercich the vacuum cleaner,

Fig. 2 in enlarged delaildar position schcmatir. sizes the safety flap area with the preferred one Possibility of l'otcntiomctcrvcrstelliing through the Flap movement and

I'ig. 3 possible Schalliiiigsbcispiclc on the Enipfiin-

L / ürCii uiC / \ iiOruicliiig C-ificf ocfiSuiKiapp «. · I'fiiilucSiC'iiS

in one of the intake or expelled air volume The control or regulation system according to the present invention reacts to the flow-through sub-area on the effective air throughput, less on the resulting negative pressure ratios. being of course the air flow rate and pressure ratios to one another are correlated.

By arranging a spring-loaded sensor flap For example, in the exhaust air chamber of the vacuum cleaner, there is one in each case if there is no air throughput Zero or zero position of the air damper, as agreed as a complete or icilwciser closure of the exhaust chimney.

During commissioning, the air sensor flap is pivoted: it takes up the cross section of the exhaust air chimney fully or partially released position and a control can then take place in such a way that in the

for any reason, including the gradual clogging of the dust bag, an inconvenience to the agitation of the Sensorklappc bound potentiometer a suitable, preferably electronic motor control for the Fan controls more strongly, so that the I .uftclurchsatz automatically increased again: if the air flow rate is too high and the sensor flap is opened too much, a corresponding curtailment should have caught your eye. - This corresponds to regulation based on constant pressure output or constant air flow.

In addition to this, there is also an operating system management, i.e. the choice of different service areas possible through arbitrary intervention by the operator, for example by brief pressure changes are caused in the suction area by actuating the hand flap; such "sent" closures in the intake area are essentially equivalent to zero air flow in the area of the sensor flap, so that this always, regardless of the operating or service area in which it is currently located, falls back to its starting position or at least comes close to it. This can be a contact cause with changes in the tax area of the drive motor, at least until it is closed again - for example in the cyclical Circulation - other service areas are selected.

In this context, it is possible to fold the sensor to be interpreted in such a way that. If desired, the changes in air flow rate converted pressure fluctuations in the suction area both in terms of their Frequency, its duration and its size (amplitude) of the vacuum cleaner in a schematic representation.

Description of the exemplary embodiments

Due to the reduced air flow rate of the vacuum

7, pending air flap control, signals can be obtained which enable automatic operation in the suction power control of the vacuum cleaner, but the air flap control itself is also suitable for manual intervention by an operator.

An air flap based on the air throughput is therefore well suited for both applications, in particular if you have either the signaling and / or the Au.sweriebcreich for the motor control so

1 '»interprets that the air valve signals are also in different The performance ranges of the vacuum cleaner can be meaningfully evaluated.

In Fig. I, the vacuum cleaner body is denoted by I; it comprises a housing 2. in which the dust cup device 3. the fan 5 driven by the motor 4 and the electrical or electronic speed control f> are arranged. Vm is a connection 7 m of an external power source; the suction port 8 of the vacuum cleaner is usually connected via a flexible plastic or metal line 9 to a rigid pipe IO, at the end of which there is a suction pipe I! or a similar device. At the transition between the flexible hose line 9 and the rigid pipe 10 there is a handle or a guide member 12 in this embodiment, which is grasped by the operator. In the area of this handle and therefore easy to operate by the operator, if manual power switching is also desired. an operating arrangement 13 bc find, for example a push button switch-like button which is temporarily depressed by the operator. Means are controlled by this, which preferably completely close the intake pipe, so that further air throughput is not possible. se

ho that this affects the amount of air throughput reacting sensor, in this case one in unicr Exhaust air chimney 40 arranged sensor flap 41 falls back in its rest or initial state. This can be a cause electrical contact with corresponding

o5 the evaluation by the drive control for the Drive motor.

In the usual case, the 1.1 formed activation arrangement an air flap 14

for example against the pressure of a return spring, not shown, in the path of the unsaturated air flow pressed and the suction pipe closed.

Is should be understood that the l.iifisensorklappc 41 in the ground at any point of the vacuum cleaner, and ^r> can be arranged in the intake pipe, iiiimer where an air flow rate occurs; However, a large number of vacuum cleaners in the tree shown in FIG.

The exhaust air chimney 40 is shown in the illustration in FIG. 2 shown enlarged again; the air sensor flap 41 is pivoted, for example, at 42 and with increasing air throughput, indicated by r> arrows 43, more and more deviates from its in the Horizontal and the exhaust chimney cross-section shown in the drawing substantially locking position to a vertical position. The deflection follows essentially proportional or according to a predetermined function to the air flow rate, what but is of no major concern, because deviations from the proportional relationship, if this is desired at all isi, can easily be compensated for by appropriate design or adjustment of the ejector device will.

The adjustment movement of the air sensor flap 41 is, as in FIG. 2 is shown only schematically by a Detects electrical element, which is formed here by a potentiometer 44, whose slider 44; / from the jo Flap 41 can be driven in any way, including via a transmission; preferably the flap firmly connected to the grinder in the joint area 42.

The flap 41 may nungsfcder 45 as a tension spring in its in the representation of i ir g at a first Ausfühtungsbeispiel of a schematically indicated preload r>. 2 initial or rest position indicated by solid lines, the position into which the air flap 41 always returns when there is no significant air throughput in the exhaust chimney 40.

A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention can therefore be designed so that the speed control 6 for the fan drive motor 4 (Fig. 3), for example and as is also known per se, contains switching elements, namely thyristors with control via diac, which generally work in the sense of a phase control and at least one resistor is provided which, through its resistance value, determines the phase control angle used to control the thyristors, in other words, which, through its adjustable resistance value, regulates the power output by the drive motor 4, possibly only in certain partial areas. Such a resistance is shown in FIG. 3 denoted by RO and can, for example, by means of the potentiometer 44 of FIG. 2 be implemented, which is then switched so that a predetermined air flow rate is maintained in the sense of a regulation. According to FIG. 2 this would mean that when the air flow rate decreases, the air flap 41 reacts with an adjustment movement in the closing direction, whereby the resistance value between tap 44a and the upper end point of the potentiometer 44 is lower and the resistance is lower in the Ansieuerkreis for the thyristor of the phase control 6 ensures in a known manner that the thyristor pass through more power to the drive motor; A stronger opening of the air flap 41 with a high air throughput leads to the opposite result and it can be seen that a desired IeMe l.ul'tdurchsat / mcngc is set in this way and with considerable accuracy! lets, completely independent of other framework conditions and lii / iricbs / usiändcn of the vacuum cleaner.

Furthermore, the schematic representation of FIG. 2 realize that whenever the air flow is completely down-controlled, namely arbitrarily by operating the Luftabsperrklappc in the handle, the air flap 41 returns to its rest position as a sensor and thereby / u making a contact a switch 16 comes, whose sound movements in a variety of ways for additional power control, preferably /.iir switching to others Power range is used. The potentiometer control can then be used within these sub-ranges the constant control via the phase control of the air volume throughput.

Closing the switch 16 can be used to switch cyclically into different operating states that can be displayed to the operator via a light strip 27 (Fig. 2) on the vacuum cleaner housing, if necessary Koniaktgabe the switch shown again at 16 in FIG. 3 can repeatedly apply a relay R to its supply voltage UO . This relay R can be designed as a step relay and then continuously closes further relay contacts Γι, r. \ R> with each new tightening, whereby the originally closed contacts either remain or remain closed with further tightening, i.e. with the return to the starting position of the air flap also can be opened again, depending on the design of the by üicm:. n switch f> ... the resistor R 0 switched-or assigned in any other way suitably electronic phase control 6 resistors R 1, R 2, R 3 can be seen that This results in a large number of possibilities for influencing the electrical or electronic speed control 6 for the drive motor 4. An alternative possibility for evaluating contact signals from switch 16 is shown schematically at 28; This solution works essentially on a digital basis and comprises a counter 30, which reacts to the contacts made by switch 16 by changing its counter reading and can, for example, be designed so that either one of its output connections 30a, 30h is generated by each counting pulse supplied to it by switch 16 , 30c ... is raised, or continuously switch more and more output connections to a given common state (logO or log 1). As a result, different or identical resistors 34 are connected in a supplementary control line 35 to the speed control 6, if necessary the indicator lamps 27 are controlled in a corresponding manner and thus influence the speed control.

The invention does not fail to recognize that when working in different areas of use, for example Soft level, normal level and maximum level significantly different air flow rates to the air flap 41 can act, so that when working in certain areas of use it must be ensured that in appropriate Way, the control deflections for constant air throughput of the air flap 41 are maintained

can. To this end, the procedure can be such that the force of the return spring 45 as a mechanical solution at the transition from the soft stage to the normal stage and to the maximum stage or in any further intermediate stages exerts a stronger pretensioning force on the air flap 41 so that in each of the power levels, the basic control can be maintained via the potentiometer. There are many ways in which the spring 45 can act and, in addition to changing the point of articulation, also include switching on other spring elements; A preferred embodiment consists in that instead of or in addition to the pretensioning spring 45, a magnetic force device 46 is provided, shown schematically in such a way that an armature 46a. which is fastened to the air flap 41 ii and whose adjustment participates on a more or less large scale, is arranged within a magnetic coil 46i. ) c more current of solenoid 462? is supplied, the marker the armature is drawn into it and the stronger the pretensioning force exerted on the air flap 41, so that when reversing into the next power range to further utilize the regulating effect of the air flap 41, it is only necessary to ensure that by closing - Or switching off resistors in the power supply circuit for the magnetic coil 46b, the force of which increases or decreases in a corresponding ratio.

Finally, there is an alternative solution in that one dispenses with the adjustment movement of the jo Use air flap for each of the different power operating ranges over the entire adjustment path and a control system is realized in that it is assumed that during operation, for example, in the In any case, the soft level of the air flap only moves out of its position starting position up to the dash-dotted stop position indicated by 1, will move; when working in a medium power level then results in a maximum opening movement up to the dash-dotted movement Illustration Il and erit in the Maxstufc opens the air damper completely, with operational fluctuations are also limited to a correspondingly narrower deflection range, only with the exception that in the event of arbitrary shut-off, practically no air flow is used in all stages and therefore always the Contact can be made via the switch 16.

With this alternative example, one then subdivides the potentiometer 44 by various taps 47, 48, 49 in different areas and only works by closing the correspondingly assigned switch ter 47a, 48a, 49a in the potentiometer range that can be used due to the respective power level and in which then the wiper 44a of the potentiometer driven by the air flap only Can run fluctuations, then it is possible with a single air flap 41 and one accordingly subdivided potentiometer 44 to switch back and forth manually between the individual power levels as well as within the power levels automatically to constant power (constant air flow rate) rules, this concept of constant power, such as it goes without saying, characterized by in part significantly different power outputs of the drive motor 45 is. It goes without saying that the Schaller 47a, 48a and 49s correspond to the desired power level are on or off, lo that in each case only the sub-area of the resistance track of the correspondingly available in this case Potentiometer used to regulate the air flow will.

For this purpose 2 BIiItI drawings

Claims (12)

Patent claims: 1. Device for the automatic suction power control of a drive motor with electric shear or electronic speed control, a fan driven by this and a stamina (Dust bag) having vacuum cleaner, furthermore with a (vacuum) pressure or generated the air mass flow responsive, on the speed control reacting sensor, thereby characterized in that the sensor is aspirated as one in at least one of a part or the area through which the air flows (exhaust air chimney 40) arranged air sensor flap (41) that experiences a deflection due to the air flow is trained. their adjustment movement caused by vacuum fluctuations in the suction area for Motor control is evaluated and that a biasing arrangement is only provided which if there is little or no air throughput, a specified starting position of the air sensor flap (41) defined 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the air sensor flap (41) drives a potentiometer tap {44a) and the changing resistance (RO) of the potentiometer (44) in the control circuit of an electronic speed control (phase control 6) for the drive motor (4) angeorcV-.et is. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the biasing arrangement is a return spring (45). 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the on the air sensor flap (41) acting tension can be changed depending on switchovers in different power levels. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that for changing and adjusting the bias the air sensor flap to the power supply the force of the preload spring (45) mechanically (relocation of the pivot point; connection other springs) is changed. 6. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that that instead of or in addition to the bias spring (45) one depending on the power level a magnetic force arrangement (46) generating a different preload on the air sensor flap so is provided. 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the magnetic force arrangement comprises one on the Verschwenkhebcl the Luflscnsorklappc (41) articulated armature {46a) and a Slromspule (46b) '■>*> in which the armature depending on the current coil in Dependence on the power levels of the current flowing through it is more or less immersed. 8. Device according to one or more of the An μ Sprüchc I to 7, characterized in that by tapping on the potentiometer (44) depending on the power level of the vacuum cleaner different path range of the resistance element of the potentiometer (44) for automatic regulation on conj constant air flow are enabled. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the taps are switched via additional switches (47a. 48a, 49a) depending on the Koniaktgabe of the Sensorklappcn main switch (16). 10. Device according to one of claims I to 9, characterized in that the manual Power level switching with arbitrary closure in the suction area by the in the starting position returning Luftscnsorklappe (41) a switch (16) can be actuated. its Schalhiontakt for preferably cyclical switching to different power ranges of the drive motor control be evaluated. H. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the contacts of the switch (16) caused by the arbitrary air shut-off are fed to a (SchriltschallJRelais (R) which, depending on the number of switching pulses, successively relay contacts (r _u r ₂ , r ₃ .. .) actuated to control the resistance in the control circuit of the speed control (6) and, if necessary, at the same time 7MT control of the indicator lights (27) that show the% reduced load level range. 12. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that that the contacts of the Luftsensorklappcn switch (16) as counting pulses to a counter (30) are fed, the output.connections (30a .. 30b. 30c.) Resistance combinations (34) in the Switch the control circuit for the electronic speed control (6).