Cleaning equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus (1) for treating surfaces (2), particularly in textiles. In order to achieve improved and careful cleaning of the surface, a plasma source (8) is provided in a suction nozzle (4) through which plasma can be applied to the surface (2) to be treated. A control device (12) is provided in communication with the plasma source (8), a detection device (5), a fan (3) and a valve device (7). The control device is configured such that the plasma source (8) is activated only when the valve device (7) is open and air is drawn only from the environment and not through the suction nozzle (4) (13), and / or only when the fan (3) is closed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for treating surfaces, particularly textiles, using a fan and a suction nozzle connected thereto. The invention also relates to a method of operating such a cleaning apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] A cleaning device of this type is known from DE 196 02 723 A1, which has a fan and a nozzle, as well as a detection device for detecting the direction of movement of the nozzle. The corresponding current direction of movement of the nozzle (bottom nozzle) is detected here, and the negative pressure generating the effect is changed according to this direction of movement. Optionally, during the forward movement, supplementary air is preferably additionally directed to the area of ​​the nozzle through a bypass opening, and the supplementary air thus contributes to the cleaning effect.

[0003] A cleaning device having a housing with a base plate is also known from DE 10 2014 003 692 B3, which can be spaced out and guided onto a bottom cover layer to be cleaned. Here, at least one electrode is housed in the base plate, which can be applied by means of a voltage, thereby creating a discharge between the electrode and the bottom cover layer to be cleaned. By outputting plasma, the bottom cover layer can be odor-renewed and simultaneously treated with antibacterial agents.

[0004] A vacuum cleaner head is known from EP 1 604 602 A1, comprising a housing with a nozzle (through which dust can be sucked in), a brush (rotatably disposed within the nozzle) and a plurality of bristles, and a bristle driving device. A first suction channel with an input end is positioned according to the direction of suction movement (as long as the brush rotates in the forward direction), while a second suction channel with an input end is positioned according to the direction of suction movement (as long as the brush rotates in the backward direction). The two input ends are arranged such that the input ends are spaced apart from the open section of the nozzle. This should particularly provide improved cleaning performance.

[0005] To optimize the cleaning process, plasma sources are increasingly used, which output plasma onto the surface to be cleaned or treated. In addition to the three states of matter—solid, liquid, and gas—plasma is referred to here as a fourth state of matter. If sufficient energy, such as electrical energy, is supplied to a gas or gas mixture, some atoms in the gas are ionized; that is, electrons are removed from the atomic shells and move as free parts, while positively charged atoms remain. If the gas consists of a sufficiently high proportion of free ions and electrons, it is called plasma. Here, so-called cold plasma is also used in cleaning equipment, where it can be specifically used to remove odors and specific hydrocarbons.

[0006] In cold plasma, reactive particles, such as different forms of oxygen or nitrogen, are specifically formed. These particles have a sufficiently long lifespan to damage organic compounds even under indirect exposure. These particles also include atomic oxygen, superoxide radicals, ozone, hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide, and nitrogen dioxide, which have a destructive effect on various odor molecules and cellular components, thereby damaging the cell walls of bacteria, germs, viruses, or fungi, and thus killing these microorganisms. By loading cell walls or odor molecules, which are primarily composed of carbon compounds, into the plasma, they become negatively charged due to the electrons present in the plasma. This leads to electrostatic repulsion and thus mechanical stress, which, if exceeding tensile strength, causes the destruction of the cell walls or odor molecules. Plasma can be generated, for example, using high frequencies.

[0007] However, a potential disadvantage of cleaning equipment with a plasma source is the formation of ozone in the case of uncontrolled entry of air oxygen, which can not only cause respiratory irritation but also cause surface discoloration or fading under prolonged loading.

[0008] This cleaning equipment with a plasma source can not only treat smooth surfaces such as those made of glass, wood, or metal, but also all types of textiles, such as those with natural or synthetic fibers, as well as leather, feathers, ceramics, cotton, silk, linen, felt, nylon, etc. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The objective of this invention is to describe an improved or at least one alternative embodiment of this type of cleaning equipment, by which improved cleaning results, comfortable use, and / or a longer service life of the cleaning equipment can be achieved.

[0010] According to the invention, this task is solved by a cleaning device for treating surfaces according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments include: the valve device having a check valve; the detection device having a microcontroller; the plasma source having a platform surface with at least one electrode; the platform surface being at least partially surrounded by a suction opening; a filtration device configured to filter out ozone; and a control device configured such that if the detection device does not detect movement of the suction nozzle within a predefined time period, then the control device shuts off the plasma source; the cleaning device is used to treat the surface of textiles; and an electric filter or activated carbon filter is configured to filter out ozone.

[0011] This invention is based on the general concept that the cleaning device is constructed not only as a vacuum cleaner but also as a plasma cleaner, and that different cleaning processes—namely, suction and treatment of the surface to be cleaned or renewed—are reliably and automatically separated by means of plasma and appropriate devices. The cleaning device according to the invention for treating surfaces, particularly textiles or carpets, includes a fan and a nozzle connected thereto, i.e., a vacuum cleaner. A detection device capable of detecting the direction of movement of the nozzle and a valve device communicatively connected thereto are also provided, through which the negative pressure in the nozzle can be controlled according to the direction of movement. Specifically, this means that the valve device opens, for example, during the forward movement of the nozzle and closes during the opposite return movement. When the valve device is closed, air is preferably drawn only or at least primarily through the nozzle, while when the valve device is open, air may or may only be drawn from the environment, and air cannot be drawn through the nozzle. According to the invention, a plasma source is now provided in the suction nozzle, through which plasma can be applied to the surface to be treated. A control device is provided, communicatively connected to the plasma source, a detection device, a fan, and a valve device. The control device is configured such that it activates the plasma source only when the valve device is open and air is simultaneously drawn from the environment only and not through the suction nozzle. Additionally or alternatively, the control device can only activate the plasma source when the fan is off. Both embodiments contribute to the cleaning device, for example, suctioning the surface during the forward movement of the suction nozzle and applying plasma to the surface during the return movement of the suction nozzle, i.e., when the suction nozzle retracts, thereby destroying the odor molecules and cell walls of microorganisms, thus disinfecting the surface and simultaneously neutralizing odors. The cleaning device according to the invention additionally has the advantage that air is drawn through the suction nozzle only when the plasma source is off, thereby avoiding the undesirable generation of ozone through ozone formed from oxygen in the air. By avoiding or at least reducing ozone not used for cleaning, its emission into the ambient air through the suction nozzle and fan is also prevented, thereby at least reducing the risk of respiratory irritation. Increased ozone concentration also leads to increased wear on the plasma source. Therefore, by using the cleaning equipment as a suction device or as an alternative to the plasma equipment, it is possible to reliably avoid undesirably high ozone loads on the plasma equipment and thus avoid increased wear on the plasma equipment.

[0012] In an advantageous extension of the solution according to the invention, the valve device includes a check valve. This check valve provides a valve that is not only inexpensive but also highly functional, reliably preventing air from being drawn in through the suction nozzle when the plasma source is simultaneously turned on.

[0013] In other advantageous embodiments of the solution according to the invention, the detection device has a microcontroller. It is also conceivable that the detection device has an optical sensor or the like, thereby electronically detecting the direction of movement of the nozzle. In a simpler embodiment, it is also conceivable that an impeller is arranged below the nozzle, the impeller activating or deactivating the plasma source according to the direction of rotation, and opening or closing the valve device. This non-exhaustive enumeration already makes it apparent that a wide variety of possibilities are available for the detection device.

[0014] Suitably, the plasma source has a plateau surface with electrodes for generating plasma, and the plateau surface may be at least partially surrounded by suction openings. The electrodes may, for example, have an elongated shape and extend transversely to the common direction of movement of the suction nozzle. The electrodes are surrounded by a ceramic substrate. Through the suction openings that at least partially surround the plateau surface, uniform planar suction of the surface to be treated or cleaned can be achieved during suction operation of the cleaning apparatus according to the invention.

[0015] Suitably, the cleaning device may have a rotating brush in the area of ​​the suction nozzle. With the aid of this rotating brush, smooth surfaces can be brushed, for example, not only suctioned but also brushed, thereby loosening, for example, slightly adhered dirt mechanically and making it easier to suck in. Here, the brush can obviously also function as a fadenheber, thereby combing hair and / or pile in carpets, and especially raising carpet loops. Alternatively, this fadenheber can obviously also be constructed with correspondingly fixed bristles, in contrast to a rotating brush.

[0016] Suitablely, the filtration device, especially the electric filter or activated carbon filter, is configured to filter out ozone. For example, if the cleaning device according to the invention is implemented such that the plasma source is activated only when the fan is off, then the fan can always continue to operate to draw air through the nozzle and thus provide oxygen to the air, thereby generating ozone by means of plasma. Ozone can be filtered out by means of the filtration device configured according to the invention, thereby at least reducing the risk of respiratory irritation.

[0017] This invention is further based on the general concept of describing the operating method of the cleaning equipment described in the preceding paragraphs, wherein the control device activates the plasma source only when the valve device is open and air is drawn from the environment only, not through the nozzle, and / or when the fan is off. With the operating method according to the invention, an increase in ozone concentration can therefore be prevented, thereby not only extending the lifespan of the plasma source but also additionally preventing potential respiratory irritation. Furthermore, the operating method according to the invention allows for alternating suction or plasma treatment of surfaces to be renewed or cleaned during the reciprocating motion of the nozzle of the cleaning equipment. Thus, not only can the surface to be treated be suctioned, but odors can also be neutralized simultaneously, and the surface can be given an antibacterial treatment.

[0018] Suitablely, if the detection device does not detect any movement of the suction nozzle within a predefined time period, the control device shuts off the plasma source. Therefore, excessive ozone loading on the surface should be avoided, as this may cause discoloration or decolorization of the surface to be treated in the medium to long term.

[0019] In an advantageous extension of the operating method according to the invention, ozone is filtered from the air drawn in through the nozzle by a filtration device, such as an electric filter or an activated carbon filter. This reduces the ozone load in the environment surrounding the cleaning equipment, thereby reducing the risk of respiratory irritation.

[0020] Other important features and advantages of the invention will come into view from the accompanying drawings and related descriptions achieved by means of the drawings.

[0021] It should be understood that the features described above and will be set forth below can be used not only in the corresponding combinations, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and are described in detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical parts.

[0023] Here are some examples illustrating the following: Figure 1 A cross-sectional view is shown through a cleaning apparatus according to the invention for treating a surface when the valve device is closed and the plasma source is deactivated; Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 However, the illustration shows a situation where the valve device is open and the plasma source is activated; Figure 3 A view of a portion of the cleaning device according to the invention is shown from below. Detailed Implementation

[0024] according to Figures 1 to 3 The cleaning device 1 according to the invention for treating surfaces 2, particularly textiles or carpets, has a fan 3 and a suction nozzle 4 connected thereto. A detection device 5 is also provided for detecting the direction of movement 6 of the suction nozzle 4. A valve device 7 is communicatively connected to the detection device 5, through which the negative pressure in the suction nozzle 4 can be controlled according to the direction of movement 6. Now, according to the invention, a plasma source 8 is provided in the suction nozzle 4, through which plasma, particularly cold plasma, can be applied to the surface 2 to be treated. This cold plasma (also known as low-pressure plasma) contains particularly active particles, such as different forms of oxygen or nitrogen, which have a sufficiently long lifespan to destroy organic compounds even in indirect exposure. Such particles can be, for example, atomic oxygen, superoxide radicals, ozone, hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide, and nitrogen dioxide. These particles have a destructive effect on different odor components or odor molecules, as well as cellular components and cell walls. For example, if odor molecules, which are usually composed of carbon compounds, and the cell walls of bacteria, germs, viruses, fungi, or other similar microorganisms are directly exposed to the plasma, they will become negatively charged based on the bombardment (Beschuss) by electrons present in the plasma. Based on electrostatic repulsion, this leads to mechanical stress that exceeds tensile strength and damages odor molecules or cell walls. Here, mechanical tension based on charge not only damages cell walls but also disrupts the charge balance of odor molecules through various other electrostatic interactions and electrolysis, such as by altering cell wall permeability. The mechanism for inactivating microorganisms is also generated by highly energetic ions. Particularly cold plasma is particularly well-suited for inactivating odors on textiles or common household surfaces. Cold plasma is also understood here as plasma in which the temperature describing the kinetic energy distribution of electrons (also known as electron temperature) is not uniform and is particularly much higher than the temperature describing the kinetic energy distribution of the ions included in the plasma, especially atomic or molecular ions (also known as ion temperature).

[0025] Direction of motion 6 is here Figure 1 and 2 The image is shown in only one direction, where it is clear that the detection device 5 detects different directions of motion 6 and can thus control the valve device 7 or the plasma source 8.

[0026] Plasma source 8 here has platform surface 9 (see especially) Figure 3 The platform surface has at least one electrode 10 (according to...) Figure 3 The platform surface 9 is at least partially surrounded by the suction opening 11. (The electrode 10 is a slender electrode used to generate plasma.)

[0027] The cleaning device 1 according to the invention further includes a control device 12 communicatively connected to a plasma source 8, a detection device 5, a fan 3, and a valve device 7. The control device is configured such that it only operates when the valve device 7 is open (see...). Figure 2 And thus the control device activates the plasma source 8 only when the air 13 is drawn from the environment rather than through the nozzle 4 and / or when the fan 3 is off.

[0028] The cleaning device 1 constructed in this way offers the significant advantage that the plasma generated by the plasma source 8 and the electrode 10 and applied to the surface 2 to be treated is not loaded by oxygen drawn in via the nozzle 4, thereby reducing ozone production. Such a high ozone content can not only cause discoloration or bleaching of the surface 2 to be treated, but can also cause respiratory irritation if necessary, thus the unintentional generation of ozone must be absolutely avoided. Furthermore, excessively high ozone content increases the wear and tear on the plasma source 8, thereby reducing its service life. Therefore, the cleaning device 1 according to the invention can effectively and carefully clean or treat the surface 2 to be treated, reducing wear on the plasma source 8 and reducing the risk of respiratory irritation.

[0029] If we observe the valve device 7 further, we can see that it has a check valve 14, the cover of which is based on... Figure 1 It is shown in its closed position, and according to Figure 2 It is shown in its open position. In the case shown, the valve device 7 is arranged in the channel 15 of the suction nozzle 4, through which the suction nozzle can be connected to the fan 3 of the cleaning equipment 1.

[0030] Therefore, using the cleaning device 1 according to the invention, multi-stage cleaning of the surface 2 can be achieved, such that the surface is sucked up and thus cleaned, for example, when the suction nozzle 4 moves on the surface 2 to be treated along the direction of movement 6, and when the suction nozzle 4 is pulled back in the opposite direction of movement 6, the valve device 7 opens, and thus air 13 is no longer sucked up through the suction nozzle 4, but is instead drawn from the environment through the valve device 7. According to Figure 2 In the state shown, plasma source 8 is activated and plasma is applied to the surface 2 to be treated, thereby neutralizing the odor and treating it in an antibacterial or bactericidal manner, thus enabling a completely new multi-level cleaning concept.

[0031] Furthermore, the cleaning device 1 according to the present invention may have a filter device 16 (see Figure 2 In particular, motorized filters or activated carbon filters are used to filter out ozone. This makes it possible to convert ozone molecules, which consist of three oxygen atoms, and especially to reduce their irritant effect on the respiratory tract.

[0032] The control device 12 can also be configured such that if the detection device 5 does not detect movement of the suction nozzle 4 within a predefined time period while the valve device 7 is simultaneously open and the plasma source 8 is activated, then the control device shuts off the plasma source 8. This reliably prevents the surface 2 to be treated from being loaded with too much plasma when the suction nozzle 4 is not moving, and thus potentially causing discoloration or decolorization there.

[0033] The present invention further relates to an operating method for such cleaning device 1, wherein the control device 12 activates the plasma source 8 to generate and discharge plasma only when the valve device 7 is open and air 13 is drawn solely from the environment and not through the suction nozzle. Additionally or alternatively, the control device 12 can also activate the plasma source 8 only when the fan 3 is turned off. Here, both embodiments enable a multi-stage cleaning process that reliably prevents excessive ozone generation and unnecessary plasma loading onto the surface 2 to be treated. This, in particular, reduces the risk of respiratory irritation and extends the lifespan of the plasma source 8.

[0034] List of reference numerals 1 Cleaning equipment 2 Surface 3 fans 4 suction nozzles 5. Detection device 6. Direction of motion 7-valve device 8 plasma sources 9 Platform Surface 10 electrodes 11 suction openings 12 control devices 13 air 14 Check Valve 15 channels 16. Filtering device.

Claims

1. A cleaning device (1) for treating a surface (2), comprising a fan (3) and a suction nozzle (4) connected thereto, a detection device (5) for detecting the direction (6) of movement of the suction nozzle (4) and a valve device (7) communicatively connected thereto, wherein the valve device can influence the negative pressure in the suction nozzle (4) according to the direction (6), characterized in that, A plasma source (8) is provided in the suction nozzle (4) through which plasma can be applied to the surface (2) to be treated. A control device (12) is provided in communication with the plasma source (8), the detection device (5), the fan (3) and the valve device (7). The control device is configured such that the plasma source (8) is activated only when the valve device (7) is open and air (13) is drawn from the environment only and not through the suction nozzle (4) and / or only when the fan (3) is closed.

2. The cleaning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve device (7) has a check valve (14).

3. The cleaning equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The detection device (5) has a microcontroller.

4. The cleaning equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The plasma source (8) has a platform surface (9) with at least one electrode (10).

5. The cleaning equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The platform surface (9) is at least partially surrounded by the suction opening (11).

6. The cleaning equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The filter device (16) is configured to filter out ozone.

7. The cleaning equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control device (12) is configured such that if the detection device (5) does not detect the movement of the nozzle (4) within a predefined time period, then the control device shuts off the plasma source (8).

8. The cleaning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cleaning equipment (1) is used to treat the surface (2) of textiles.

9. The cleaning equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, Electric or activated carbon filters are used to filter out ozone.

10. A method of operating the cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the control device (12) activates the plasma source (8) only when the valve device (7) is open and air (13) is drawn from the environment only and not through the nozzle (4) and / or only when the fan (3) is closed.

11. The operating method according to claim 10, characterized in that, If the detection device (5) does not detect the movement of the nozzle (4) within a predefined time period, then the control device (12) shuts off the plasma source (8).

12. The operating method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, Ozone is filtered out from the air (13) drawn through the nozzle (4) by the filter device (16).

13. The operating method according to claim 12, characterized in that, Ozone is filtered from the air (13) drawn through the nozzle (4) by an electric filter or an activated carbon filter.

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