EP1396222A2 - Suction device, in particular attachment or part of an electric vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

The suction apparatus (1) includes a suction channel (4) and an electric motor (6) that drives one or several bristly rollers (16). The rollers are held movably in vertical direction for different effect on a carpet. The effect on the carpet by the roller is carried out dependent on a vacuum detected in the suction channel.

Description

The invention first relates to a suction device, in particular attachment or part an electric vacuum cleaner, preferably a suction brush device with a suction channel for the care of carpets, with a suction channel and an electric motor and one or more bristle rollers driven thereby, wherein the bristle rollers in the vertical direction for different effects are movably supported on the carpet.

Suction devices, in particular suction brush devices of the type in question known and serve in particular the suction brush cleaning of carpets, the suction is supported by electric motor driven, rotating bristle rollers, the bristle tufts by mechanical action loosen the dust / dirt in the carpet. The interpretation of the action force Such bristle rollers are compromised because on the one hand a high dust absorption and on the other hand a gentle action on the Carpet is desired. Benefit from high dust absorption as stiff as possible bristles or tufts of bristles and a high bristle board over the underbody and high speeds. In this way high mechanical force can be brought from the bristles into the carpet become. At the same time, however, such an interpretation has a negative effect on the carpet damage. Furthermore, more sensitive carpets, For example, velor, good dust pick-up values even when the mechanics are less integrated deliver, while for more robust carpets, e.g. loop goods, more mechanics is needed. See known solutions to this problem For example, a movable holder for the bristle rollers in the vertical direction which enables a variable bristle board. So it is further known to hold the bristle rollers on a movable rocker which is supported by the Pile height of the carpet is more or less deflected. About that In addition, solutions are known in which the bristle board is operated manually can be varied by the user.

In view of the prior art described above, a technical Problem of the invention seen in a suction device in question Art to improve that depending on the type and sensitivity of the carpet to be cared for is optimal Dust absorption is guaranteed.

This problem is solved initially and essentially by the object of claim 1, wherein the aim is that the action of a Bristle roller in a carpet depending on one in the suction channel detected negative pressure is feasible. As a result of this Design is an optimal dust pick-up depending on the type given the carpet to be maintained. More sensitive carpets are treated gently with optimal dust absorption. Robust carpets on the other hand, are processed with a higher mechanical force, which also results in optimal dust pick-up. The suction device has via an active device that is present in the course of the care process Parameters recorded and, for example, by means of appropriate control algorithms Bristle engagement in the carpeting at a preferably constant value holds. According to the invention, the parameter for keeping the force introduced constant the vacuum detected in the suction channel or in the suction mouth area used. For example, the Measurement signals of a pressure sensor actively set the action of the bristle roller become. A solution is also conceivable in which the negative pressure is direct for active control, for example of a pneumatically acting on the bristle roller Adjustment element is used.

The invention further relates to a suction device according to the features of Preamble of claim 1.

To solve the task, depending on the type and sensitivity of the carpet to be cared for optimal dust absorption ensure, it is proposed that the action of the bristle roller in the carpet as a function of one, as a parameter for one Rotational resistance of the bristle roller used motor current feasible is. The rotational resistance depends here, among other things. directly from the soil type, with which an adapted influence of the Bristle roller can be reached.

The inventive features of the solutions according to claims 1 and 2 are essential both individually and in combination.

The inventive features listed below are both related with the invention according to claim 1 as well as the claim 2 and also with a combination of the characteristics of Claims 1 and 2 essential. So it is also envisaged that the action can be influenced by changing the speed of the bristle roller. For variation the speed of the electric motor driving the bristle rollers is corresponding controlled, so preferably by changing the speed by means of a electronic speed control of the electric motor. For example a leading edge control, a plus-width modylation or others appropriate procedures are used. Further alternatively or In combination with the change in speed, it can also be provided that the action by changing the board position of the bristle roller in vertical Direction. So is according to the measured rotational resistance and / or the negative pressure that protrudes downward beyond the base of the device Bristle length of the bristle rollers varies. For example. the bristle roller can do this be stored in a vertical slot. However, a solution is preferred in which the bristle roller is attached to a rocker. proposed In this regard, the management board position of the bristle roller will change a spring action on the bristle roller acting in the vertical direction can be influenced. For example, via an actuator or the like adjusted the spring preload acting on the bristle roller the measured rotational resistance and / or negative pressure can be varied. A This can result in a pneumatic solution for active action on the bristle roller achieved that the spring as an air spring, for example in the form of a bellows is formed and the spring characteristic by each recorded Vacuum in the suction channel is set. It is also envisaged that preferred adjustable spring loading attacks on the rocker and is combined with an opposing spring for balancing. There is also a possibility that the bristle roller is supported in the vertical direction is adjustable, for example by approximately vertical displacement of the Bristle roller axis by an actuator or the like. So can continue For example, the bristle rollers are held on a rocker arranged in the suction device be which rocker by means of variable spring loading or over the position of an actuator can be influenced. Here the adjustment path describes the bristle roller axis a circular line section, but the radius is chosen so large that a change in the bristle board position in the The sense of the invention is achieved in the vertical direction. The adjustment of the bristle roller in the vertical direction can be done by an actuator which, for example. in the form of an electromechanically operating actuating stamp is. This actuator can thus be an electrically extendable element. Is conceivable also a pneumatically extendable element or a bimetal element. Further In this regard, a piezo actuator or electrochemical actuator is also conceivable. It is further proposed that without the influence of the influence of Bristle roller in the carpet actively adjustable element the bristle roller is lifted off the carpet rather than pressed on it. The vertical control of the bristle roller can also be used to For example, the bristle rollers in the hard floor area manually by the user or by automatic floor covering detection from the suction mouth area with which coarser suction goods pass this area can. Another significant advantage of the present invention is that that the force brought into the carpet is independent of the particular one Degree of wear of the bristles is, which means over the entire permissible operating time the bristle rollers always care for carpets differently Type is guaranteed. Through the configuration according to the invention is an improvement in the dust absorption of robust carpets achieved without increasing carpet wear on sensitive carpets. A system is created that applies the contact pressure of the bristles the carpet and thus the height relative to the chassis of the suction device is active, i.e. without manual influence by the user. So need it For example, not all types of carpets are brought in the same way by the bristle rollers Mechanics, this effect with the vacuum in the suction mouth area and / or is coupled to the rotational resistance of the bristle rollers. The Regulation takes place automatically according to the invention, so that depending on carpets to be maintained always an optimal ratio of dust absorption and there is force on the carpet.

Fig. 1

ein erfindungsgemäßes Sauggerät in Form eines Saug-Bürstengeräts in Unteransicht;

Fig. 2

den schematischen Schnitt gemäß der Linie II-II in Fig. 1, eine erste Ausführungsform mit einer einstellbaren Feder betreffend;

Fig. 3

eine der Fig. 2 entsprechende schematische Schnittdarstellung, jedoch eine zweite Ausführungsform mit einer Exzenterscheibe betreffend;

Fig. 4

die dritte Ausführungsform mit einem Pneumatik-Stellelement;

Fig. 5

eine weitere pneumatische Ausführungsform;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung, eine weitere Ausführungsform mit einem Aktor betreffend;

Fig. 7

eine der Fig. 6 entsprechende Darstellung, jedoch eine alternative Ausführungsform mit Aktor betreffend.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which only show several exemplary embodiments. It shows:

Fig. 1

a suction device according to the invention in the form of a suction brush device in bottom view;

Fig. 2

the schematic section along the line II-II in Figure 1, relating to a first embodiment with an adjustable spring.

Fig. 3

one of the Figure 2 corresponding schematic sectional view, but relating to a second embodiment with an eccentric;

Fig. 4

the third embodiment with a pneumatic actuator;

Fig. 5

another pneumatic embodiment;

Fig. 6

a schematic sectional view relating to a further embodiment with an actuator;

Fig. 7

a representation corresponding to FIG. 6, but relating to an alternative embodiment with an actuator.

A motor-driven one is shown and described with reference to FIG Suction device 1 in the form of a suction brush device, which is shown in the Embodiment is designed as an attachment for a vacuum cleaner. The brush device 1 essentially consists of a housing 2 and a Pipe connection piece 3 together. A suction channel extends in the housing 2 4 starting from the pipe connection piece 3 into a suction space 5. The latter is located in a front area, which is the pipe connection piece 3 faces away and extends almost over the entire width of the housing.

Furthermore, there is a separate drive in the form of an electric motor in the housing 2 6 arranged, which is a toothed belt 7 in the Suction chamber 5 extending drive shaft 8 set in rotation. The timing belt 7 lies in a belt housing 9, which on the drive shaft 8 opposite end is pivotally mounted about an axis x. This Axis x also forms the power transmission axis of the electric motor 6 on the toothed belt 7 and is parallel to the drive shaft 8.

The toothed belt drive or the belt housing 9 extends approximately from the Center of the suction chamber 5 starting perpendicular to the drive shaft 8 up to the axis x. The toothed belt 7 engages at the end assigned to the drive shaft 8, at least within a receiving part 10, on a drive pulley 11, of the two-sided drive shaft 8 goes out. The latter extends so each starting from the drive pulley 11 into a lateral end region the suction chamber 5.

The device base 13 partially broken open in FIG. 1 becomes on the suction space 5 opposite side, d. H. at the level of the pipe connection 3, from two rollers 14 arranged on both sides of the pipe connecting piece 3 pass through.

The brush device 1 is for use as a conventional attachment for an electric vacuum cleaner for caring for carpets, especially for vacuuming the like, equipped with bristle rollers 16. These bristle rollers 16 are in 1 shown in broken lines. Each bristle roller 16 is a hollow body formed and is on the outside with two rows of bristles offset by 180 ° 18, which extend from an end region of the bristle roller 16 extend spirally around 180 ° starting from the latter.

The bristle rollers 16 are pushed onto the drive shafts 8 and extend in the installed state starting from the receiving part 10 to in the end area of the suction chamber 5. The power transmission from the drive shaft 8 on a bristle roller 16 via a driver 12 of the drive shaft 8, which in a corresponding receptacle within the as a hollow body trained bristle roller 16 engages non-positively.

As can be seen from the schematic sectional illustration shown in FIG. 2, is that, via the receiving part 10, the drive shafts 8 carrying belt housing 9 mounted like a seesaw about the axis x of the electric motor 6. The alignment is selected here so that the bristles of the rows of bristles 18 are separated by a the bottom 13 provided suction chamber opening 19 of the suction chamber 18 down protrude above the bottom 13, whereby the bristles when the bristle rollers rotate 16 engage mechanically in the carpet 20 to be cleaned.

Furthermore, a schematically indicated measuring device 21 is provided, with which the rotational resistance of the bristle rollers 16 is determined, this by evaluating the motor current that is in turn dependent is of the type of carpet to be cared for 20. About control algorithms is introduced into the carpet 20 via the bristle rollers 16 Force kept at a constant value. This can be done, for example, by changing the speed of the electric motor 6, this speed change is preferably achieved by a phase control.

As shown in Fig. 2, there is the possibility of the bristle roller axis y, which is aligned parallel to the rocker or electric motor axis x, in approximately vertical direction (arrow a) to vary. This is done according to the embodiment in Fig. 2, the spring force of a belt housing mounted on the rocker-like 9 acting compression spring 22 adapted, for example. By change the spring preload by means of an adjusting element 23 the force of the bristle rollers 16 introduced into the carpet 20 is adjusted to the type of carpet 20, with improved dust absorption robust carpets without increasing the wear and tear on sensitive ones Carpeting is reached.

Due to the variably adjustable spring loading, the bristle board b adjustable to keep the force applied constant.

An alternative solution is shown in FIG. 3. This solution is about the measuring device 21 controls a servomotor, not shown, by means of which an eccentric disc acting on the rocker-like belt housing 9 24 is rotatable. This also means that the bristle board b is through Change of the bristle roller axis y variable in the vertical direction (arrow a) adjustable.

Another option is to combine speed adjustment and change in the board position of the bristle rollers 16 depending from the determined values within the measuring device 21.

4 shows a further embodiment, in which as a parameter the negative pressure detected in the suction chamber 5 is used for the active setting becomes. For this purpose, a force-generating air spring 30 in the form of a pneumatic bellows provided that depending on the prevailing in the suction chamber 5 Negative pressure affects the vertical position of the bristle roller 16. An increased Vacuum is detected when the carpet is partially in the suction mouth the suction chamber 5 is sucked in and the brushes deeper into the carpet pile intervene when a gentle carpet treatment allows. Corresponding the air spring adjusting element 30 is used to adjust the lifting Bristle roller 16. In the event of insufficient vacuum in the suction chamber 5 the engagement of the bristles is increased by lowering the bristle roller 16. So 4 is the pneumatic unit (air spring 30) according to the embodiment in FIG. arranged in the ambient pressure range, the interior of the air spring 30 connected via a line 31 to the suction chamber 5, which is subject to negative pressure is. The air spring 30 is supported at one end on the underside of a housing cover and with a free end on the top on the rocker-like belt housing 9 from.

With increasing vacuum, the bellows of the air spring 30 contracts and tends to cause the bristle roller 16 to lift, including one further ones attacking the rocker and counter to the spring loading the air spring 30 acting spring, not shown, for balancing can be provided. With decreasing negative pressure, however, arises the bellows of the air spring 30 on with simultaneous displacement of the bristle roller 16 down.

The control behavior is based on the area and material of the bellows of the air spring 30 and the force of the pneumatic element adjustable.

5 shows a further embodiment with a pneumatic control element, where the air spring 30 in the room under negative pressure, i.e. in the Suction chamber 5 is arranged and the interior of the bellows-shaped air spring 30 is connected to the ambient pressure via a power 31. The air spring 30 is arranged on the underside of the rocker-like belt housing 9 and presses About this belt housing 9, the bristle rollers 16 tend to be up.

6 and 7 show solutions in which actuators 32 for adjusting the Bristle roller vertical position are provided. These actuators 32 can be a bimetal element, a piezo actuator, a motor, an electrochemical actuator or be the same, both the arrangement of the actuator 32 above the Belt housing 9 according to FIG. 6 and on the underside thereof - as in FIG. 7 shown - is possible. These actuators also preferably do not work with one illustrated, oppositely acting spring together.

The actuation of the actuator 32 takes place via the evaluation of the recorded Motor current and / or by evaluating the detected negative pressure, this vacuum being arranged above in the vacuum-laden suction chamber 5 Pressure sensor 33 is determined.

The measuring device 21 processes the signals of the pressure sensor 33 and the Measurement data of the motor current for a control signal for the actuator.

The bristle roller can be operated via an external actuation switch 34 (automatic button) 16 e.g. deliberately lifted off the ground and so on guarantee a hard floor operation or the self-regulating system activate. A spring or a spring-like material can have the effect of Support or dampen the actuator or protect it from damage.

Below are further exemplary actions depending on the detected one Motor current and / or vacuum listed. There is both a high vacuum as well as a high motor current, the trigger for this is a high pile and / or dense carpet. This leads to an automatic lifting of the Bristle roller 16 in order to avoid carpet damage and the To reduce pushing forces and engine warming. Surrender both the Vacuum as well as the motor current low values, is the trigger for this Signal a hard floor. The bristle roller 16 is raised, the lifting only until a threshold for the motor current is reached. Consequently can be determined when changing the flooring whether the bristle rollers 16 are now on the carpet. By lifting the bristle rollers 16, hard floor damage is reduced and the coarse material pick-up facilitated. If the vacuum and motor current are mediocre, the carpet needs more volume flow and / or more mechanics, whereupon the bristle roller 16 is lowered. After that there will be more mechanics in the carpet introduced, which ensures increased dust absorption.

If the vacuum is low and the motor current is high, the motor needs Carpet an increased volume flow, but the bristle roller 16 accesses far into the carpet pile. To avoid damage to carpets and doing so The bristle roller will reduce the pushing forces and engine warming 16 raised accordingly. With high negative pressure and low Motor current is a dense carpet, the bristle roller 16 with their The bristles do not engage enough in the carpet pile. The bristle roller 16 is lowered which maintains the brushing effect.

The switching actions previously compiled depending on input signals are only exemplary. Of course, switching thresholds are required which are not listed here.

All of the features disclosed are (in themselves) essential to the invention. In the revelation the disclosure also hereby includes the disclosure content of the associated / attached Priority documents (copy of the pre-registration) in full included, also for the purpose, characteristics of these documents in To include claims of the present application.

Claims (18)

Suction device (1), in particular attachment or part of an electric vacuum cleaner, preferably suction brush device for the care of carpets (20), with a suction channel (4) and an electric motor (6) and one or more bristle rollers (16) driven thereby the bristle rollers (16) are movably supported in the vertical direction (a) so as to be able to act differently on the carpet (20), characterized in that the action of a bristle roller (16) in the carpet (20) as a function of one in the suction channel (4 ) detected negative pressure is feasible. Suction device according to the features of the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the action of the bristle roller (16) in the carpet (20) can be carried out as a function of a detected motor current used as a parameter for a rotational resistance of the bristle roller (16). Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the action can be influenced by changing the speed of the bristle roller (16). Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the speed of the bristle roller (16) is changed by electronic speed control of the electric motor (6). Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the action takes place by changing the position of the board of the bristle roller (16). Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the bristle roller (16) is mounted in a vertical slot. Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the bristle roller (16) is fastened to a bearing rocker. Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the board position of the bristle roller (16) can be influenced by changing a spring action on the bristle roller (16) acting in the vertical direction. Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the spring is designed as an air spring (30) and the spring characteristic is set by a vacuum detected in the suction channel (4) in each case. Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the spring action acts on the bearing rocker and is combined with an oppositely acting spring. Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the mounting of the bristle roller (16) is adjustable in the vertical direction. Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the adjustment is carried out by an actuator (32). Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the actuator (32) is an actuating stamp. Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the actuator (32) is an electrically extendable element. Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the actuator (32) is a pneumatically extendable element. Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the actuator (32) is a bimetallic element. Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the actuator (32) is a piezo actuator. Suction device according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the actuator (32) is an electrochemical actuator.

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