Device for a household cleaning appliance

Abstract

Device (4) for a household cleaning appliance (2), comprising: - at least one housing (6) with at least one housing wall (18), - at least one recess (24) arranged in the housing wall (18) and forming a sound channel (24), and - at least one sound device (30) arranged at a first end (32.1) of the sound channel (24), - wherein the sound device (30) can receive at least one sound signal via the sound channel (24), characterized in that - at least one sound-permeable filter element (36) is arranged in the sound channel (24), and - a distance (d) between the filter element (36) and the sound device (30) is between 0.5 mm and 10 mm.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for a household cleaning appliance comprising at least one housing with at least one housing wall, at least one recess arranged in the housing wall and forming a sound channel, and at least one sound device arranged at a first end of the sound channel. Furthermore, the invention relates to a household cleaning appliance.

[0002] Today, acoustic devices are used in various applications, particularly as sensors. One example is household cleaning appliances. For instance, acoustic sensors, especially ultrasonic sensors, are used in household cleaning appliances to determine the type of surface being cleaned (at any given time).

[0003] For this purpose, the household cleaning appliance can include a device with a housing. This device can be, for example, an attachment, a part of an attachment, or another part of the household cleaning appliance. Attachments, such as electric carpet brushes or floor cleaning devices, for household cleaning appliances are known from the prior art. An attachment can, for example, be designed as an electrically driven floor brush.

[0004] A device preferably comprises a housing with an interior space preferably enclosed by a housing wall. A sound-absorbing device, for example, can be at least partially arranged within the interior space. In a device designed as an attachment, the interior space can, for example, contain a brush compartment for receiving a brush body, a motor compartment for receiving an electric motor to drive the brush body, and / or gear components.

[0005] The housing wall of the device may have a recess or opening. This recess forms, in particular, a sound channel with a first, inner end and a second, outer end. For example, the sound channel may be located in the underside of the housing. The underside of the housing is the part of the housing that, during normal operation, faces the surface to be cleaned.

[0006] It is known to arrange the sound device, such as an ultrasonic sensor, at the first end of the sound channel. For example, EP 1 136 027 A2 discloses a device in the form of an attachment which includes an ultrasonic sensor. The ultrasonic sensor is designed to detect the type of flooring or surface based on the different sound reflection properties of the surface types. For example, carpets have a softer surface compared to hard floors, such as tiles, PVC coverings, or parquet floors. The different structures of hard and soft surfaces affect the sound waves emitted by an ultrasonic source, which can be identical to the ultrasonic sensor. Thus, the emitted sound waves are reflected differently depending on the surface type, so that the surface type can be determined from the reflected sound waves (echo).While hard floors largely reflect sound waves, softer surfaces, such as carpets, mostly absorb them. The reflected signal can therefore be received by the ultrasonic receiver, which may be identical to the ultrasonic sensor. The received sound signal can then be analyzed by a processing unit to determine the type of flooring.

[0007] However, in state-of-the-art devices, malfunctions of the acoustic instruments can occur during operation of the household cleaning appliance. In particular, the problem can arise that the surface type is not correctly determined based on the acoustic signal received by the acoustic instrument.

[0008] One cause of this problem is the accumulation of dirt on the sound-absorbing device. As the level of contamination increases, the reliable operation of the device becomes less and less guaranteed. Therefore, a known solution to this problem is to position the sound-absorbing device on or within the sound duct in such a way that manual cleaning by a user is possible.

[0009] One disadvantage of this is that the user must first recognize that cleaning the surface of the cleaning device is even necessary. The user typically only notices this if the type of surface to be cleaned has not been correctly identified. Therefore, the reliability of a household cleaning device cannot be (automatically) guaranteed.

[0010] On the other hand, transferring the responsibility for maintaining the functionality of the surface type recognition to the user reduces the operating comfort and user-friendliness of the household cleaning device.

[0011] Therefore, the invention is based on the objective of providing a device for a household cleaning appliance which enables reliable operation of the sound device and at the same time improved user-friendliness of the household cleaning appliance.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a device for a household cleaning appliance according to claim 1. The device comprises at least one housing with at least one housing wall. The device comprises at least one recess arranged in the housing wall and forming a sound channel. The device comprises at least one sound device arranged at a first end of the sound channel. At least one sound-transmitting filter element is arranged in the sound channel.

[0013] In contrast to the prior art, the inclusion of a sound-permeable filter element in the sound channel, which keeps dirt particles away from the sound unit, ensures reliable operation of the household cleaning appliance. In particular, the additional filter element guarantees the functionality of the sound unit. Manual cleaning is no longer necessary. This increases the user-friendliness of the household cleaning appliance.

[0014] The attachment for the household cleaning appliance can be part of the household cleaning appliance. For example, the attachment can be an add-on to a household cleaning appliance, or at least part of an add-on.

[0015] Examples of household cleaning appliances (though not exhaustive) include handheld vacuum cleaners, window cleaning devices and self-propelled devices, especially foot bath cleaning robots.

[0016] The device comprises a housing with an interior. The interior can be enclosed by at least one housing wall. At least one sound device can be arranged, at least partially, within the interior. In this case, the sound device is configured to emit and / or receive at least one sound signal. For example, the sound device can comprise a sound transmitter module and / or a sound receiver module. Preferably, the sound device can be a sound sensor, in particular an ultrasonic sensor.

[0017] The sound-emitting device is arranged, in particular, at the first end of a sound channel. The sound channel is formed by a recess or opening in the housing wall. The housing wall can, in particular, be the underside of the device's housing. During normal operation of the household cleaning appliance, the underside of the housing faces the surface to be cleaned.

[0018] The sound channel has a first, in particular internal, end and a second, external end. In the case of an ultrasonic sensor, it can emit sound waves via the sound channel in the housing wall towards the surface to be cleaned and receive sound waves reflected from the surface to be cleaned via the sound channel. The sound device can be connected to an evaluation unit or at least partially encompass it. Using the evaluation unit, the received sound waves can be analyzed, and, for example, the type of floor covering currently being cleaned can be determined in a known manner.

[0019] To ensure the functionality of the sound system regardless of contamination, the device incorporates a (planar) filter element designed to filter particles. The filter element can be in the form of a grid and / or a textile material. Such a filter element can function like a sieve. The filter element can be configured to filter contaminants such as hair, dust motes, pollen, small insects, and similar particles, thus preventing the surface of the sound system from becoming soiled. In other words, unwanted particles are kept away from the sound system. The filter element is a sound-permeable filter element. In particular, the sound-permeable filter element can have a sound transmission coefficient of at least greater than 0.6, preferably at least greater than 0.8, and most preferably greater than 0.95.

[0020] According to a first embodiment, the filter element can comprise at least one thermoplastic layer. The thermoplastic layer can have a plurality of openings. In other words, the thermoplastic layer, and in particular the sheet-like layer, can be perforated, at least in some areas. The thermoplastic layer can, in particular, be a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film or a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film. By providing a plurality of openings, the filter element can be made to have particularly good sound transmission.

[0021] In principle, the cross-sectional area of ​​the openings can be shaped in such a way as to prevent unwanted particles from reaching the sound device. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the openings is preferably matched to the sound signals emitted and / or received by the sound device. In a preferred embodiment, the openings can have a cross-sectional area between 4 μm² and 4 μm². 2 and 100 μm 2 , preferably between 10 μm 2 and 50 μm 2 exhibiting these characteristics. With appropriately designed openings, sufficient filtering effect and sound transmission are achieved.

[0022] For good filtration and sound transmission, the filter element can have at least one textile layer arranged on a surface of the thermoplastic polymer layer. In a preferred embodiment, the filter element can have at least one nonwoven layer arranged on a surface of the thermoplastic polymer layer. For example, at least the surface side of the thermoplastic polymer layer that faces the wider, open end of the sound channel during intended use can be provided with a nonwoven layer.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the textile layer, in particular the nonwoven layer, can be firmly bonded to the thermoplastic layer only in a partial area of ​​the thermoplastic layer's surface. Specifically, the surface of the thermoplastic layer can have a first partial area in which the nonwoven layer and the thermoplastic layer are firmly bonded, and a further partial area in which the nonwoven layer rests against the thermoplastic layer without being bonded, i.e., movably. In particular, the sound transmission of the filter element can be further improved by a bondless partial area.

[0024] In principle, two layers of the filter element can be joined together in any way, as long as the connection is suitable for creating a permanent bond. Preferably, the textile layer can be joined to the surface of the thermoplastic layer by spot welding and / or thermal bonding and / or adhesive bonding.

[0025] In one embodiment, it is proposed that the nonwoven layer be formed from a material selected from the group comprising meltblown nonwovens and spunbond nonwovens. Such materials are particularly suitable when an ultrasonic sensor is used as the sound source.

[0026] Particularly good filtration efficiency and sound transmission can be achieved by forming the filter element as a laminate comprising the layer sequence textile layer – thermoplastic polymer layer – textile layer. The thermoplastic polymer layer can, in particular, be arranged in a sandwich-like manner between preferably two nonwoven layers.

[0027] Furthermore, according to another embodiment, the filter element can be clamped in the side wall of the sound duct. A clamping connection can be easily established. For example, the side wall of the sound duct can have a circumferential recess in which the flat filter element is clamped, at least during the intended use of the device. It is understood that other means for securing the filter element in the sound duct may be provided. For example, the filter element may be designed to be replaceable.

[0028] Furthermore, it has been recognized that for particularly reliable operation of the acoustic device, the filter element and the acoustic device should be matched to each other. In addition to a suitably matched material selection and / or configuration of the majority of openings in the thermoplastic layer, the distance between the filter element and the acoustic device can alternatively or additionally be matched. According to a preferred embodiment, the distance between the filter element and the acoustic device can be between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm. This distance can, in particular, be the distance between the opposing surfaces of the acoustic device and the filter element.

[0029] Another aspect of the present invention is a household cleaning device comprising a previously described apparatus. The apparatus can be detachably or permanently attached to the household cleaning device. A detachable apparatus can, for example, be an attachment.

[0030] Preferably, the household cleaning device can be a floor cleaning robot, handheld vacuum cleaner, or window cleaning device. In one embodiment, an attachment can be connected to the base of a vacuum cleaner. The base of the vacuum cleaner can have its own motor, which is configured to generate a suction airflow. This, in particular, causes dirt to be extracted from the surface to be cleaned via the attachment and, especially, a suction channel and the suction nozzle running through it.

[0031] There are now numerous possibilities for designing and further developing the device and household cleaning appliance according to the invention. Reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to the independent claims, and on the other hand, to the description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows:

[0032] Fig. 1 a schematic view of an embodiment of a household cleaning device according to the present invention,

[0033] Fig. 2 a perspective bottom view of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention in the form of an attachment device,

[0034] Fig. 3 a cutaway partial view of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention,

[0035] Fig. 4 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a filter element according to the present invention, and

[0036] Fig. 5 a schematic top view of a thermoplastic polymer layer of a filter element according to the present invention.

[0037] The same reference symbols are used for identical elements in the following.

[0038] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a household cleaning appliance. 2 according to the present invention. The illustrated household cleaning device 2 is a handheld vacuum cleaner 2 with a front attachment 4 The vacuum cleaner shown here, which is a stick-guided example, 2 It typically has a basic housing or body. 8 on, in which a suction / blower unit (not shown) is arranged. A suction airflow can be generated via this unit.

[0039] In the basic housing 8 There is a filter medium 10 with a filter bag (not shown here). The filter bag is used to filter the dirty intake air.

[0040] To guide the vacuum cleaner 2 is this one attached to the base case 8 arranged telescopic device handle 12 It is equipped with a handle at one end. 14 Power is supplied via a power supply integrated into the handle. 14 incoming electrical cable 16 .

[0041] This is a floor nozzle 4 trained attachment device 4 It is particularly rotatable and tiltable via a connecting nozzle on the vacuum cleaner. 2 connected. The attachment 4 When used as intended, it is guided over a surface to be cleaned (not shown here). The attachment 4 a case 6up. The attachment 4 The device according to the invention may include or form the device itself. In the housing 6 The attachment may include a sound device (not shown in this embodiment) that can emit and / or receive at least one sound signal via a sound channel. 4 This will be described in more detail below.

[0042] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of a device. 4 according to the present invention in the form of an attachment device 4 For example, this could be the underside view of the attachment device. 4 the Fig. 1. Act.

[0043] The attachment device 4 has a housing wall 18 on, which in this case is the underside of the attachment device 4 forms. The attachment device exhibits this. 4 a removable base plate 20up. The base plate 20 has a recess 22 or opening 22 open 22 In particular, it includes a cleaning opening (suction nozzle). 22 , through which dirt particles can be sucked up. As a working element 23 There is a round brush inside the housing. 23 arranged.

[0044] Furthermore, the underside of the housing 18 an exception 24 for a sound device arranged inside the housing and, in this case, designed as an ultrasonic sensor. According to the invention, the recess formed by the 24 formed sound channel 24 a filter element 36 The filter element is designed to obscure the view of the sound system. As described below, this can be achieved by means of the filter element. 36 The functionality of the ultrasonic sensor must be ensured.

[0045] The ultrasonic sensor can be configured to emit ultrasonic waves, for example in the kHz range of 35 to 60 kHz, preferably 40 kHz, and to receive the sound waves reflected from a surface to be cleaned. The ultrasonic sensor can have an evaluation unit (not shown) or be connected to one to determine the type of surface to be cleaned from the received, reflected sound waves. In particular, it can be deduced from the received sound waves whether the surface to be cleaned (at present) is a hard floor or a carpet.

[0046] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, there is another opening 26 in the attachment device 4 for the mounting of a movable work element 27 planned. In the recording 26 is as a work element 27 present is a movable support roller 27arranged. The support roller 27 It can be extended and retracted using (not shown) adjusting devices, in particular to increase or decrease the distance between a surface to be cleaned. For example, if a hard floor is detected by the ultrasonic sensor, the support roller can be (automatically) extended. 27 be extended. Similarly, when a surface change from hard floor to carpet is detected, the support roller can be extended. 27 to be retracted, the distance between suction nozzle 22 and thus the surface area to be cleaned is reduced.

[0047] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a section of an exemplary embodiment of a device. 4 according to the present invention. In a housing interior 28 the device 4 is at a first end 32.1 a recess 24 a sound system 30 arranged. Preferably the sound device30 a previously described ultrasonic sensor 30 .

[0048] The one through the recess 24 formed sound channel 24 is at its further, outer end 32.2 open. In the intended use of a household cleaning appliance 2 is especially the further end 32.2 facing the surface to be cleaned.

[0049] To prevent dirt particles from interfering with the functionality of the ultrasonic sensor 30 impairing, is in the sound channel between the first end 32.1 and the further end 32.2 a sound-permeable filter element 36 arranged. In particular, the filter element 36 from the ultrasonic sensor 30 spaced apart. The distance d between the filter element 36 and the sound system 30 , especially between the respective surfaces, can range between 0.5 mm and 10 mm.

[0050] The sound-permeable filter element 36 The device has a sound transmission coefficient of at least greater than 0.6, preferably at least greater than 0.8, and particularly preferably greater than 0.95. Here, the sound transmission coefficient refers to the frequency of the sound signal(s) emitted and / or received by the sound device. Furthermore, the filter element, which is particularly planar, 36 It is designed to filter particles such as hair, dust motes, pollen, small insects, and similar particles. These particles are not directly deposited on the acoustic device. 30 This is prevented. It has been determined that this results in more reliable operation of the soundproofing system. 30 can be achieved.

[0051] The sound-permeable filter element 36 can be in a (not shown) retaining element of the (circumferential) side wall 34 the case wall 18be held. For example, the filter element 36 in a recess in the side wall 34 It must be held clamped. The filter element 36 will be done below by means of the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 described in more detail.

[0052] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a filter element. 36 according to the present invention and the Fig. 5 A schematic top view of a thermoplastic polymer layer 38 especially from the filter element 36 according to Fig. 4.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the filter element 36 a plurality of layers 38 , 40 and 42 up. The middle layer 38 is a thermoplastic polymer layer. 38 . The thermoplastic plastic layer 38 can a plastic film 38, preferably a PET film 38 or a PTFE film 38 , be.

[0054] As can be seen, the thermoplastic polymer layer 38 presently sandwich-like between the two outer layers 40 , 42 arranged. An outer layer 40 , 42 It can be made of a textile material. Preferably, a nonwoven material, in particular a spunbond nonwoven or a meltblown nonwoven, can be used as the textile material. The two outer layers can preferably be made of the same material.

[0055] The filter element 36 In particular, a membrane is present. 36 in the form of a laminate 36 with the layer sequence fleece layer 40 – thermoplastic layer 38 fleece layer 42 .

[0056] To provide the best possible sound transmission, the thermoplastic polymer layer 38 at least partially perforated. In particular, a majority of the openings are 44 or holes 44 in the thermoplastic polymer layer 38 provided. The openings forming the perforation. 44 They have a cross-sectional area of ​​a few square micrometers, for example between approximately 4 and 100 μm². 2 , through appropriately formed openings. 44 In particular, it is ensured that the device is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor. 30 generated sound waves can pass through, while at the same time unwanted particles pass through the filter element. 36 from the ultrasonic sensor 30 be kept away.

[0057] The thermoplastic plastic layer 38 can be used with the fleece layer 40 and / or the fleece layer 42Each layer must be firmly connected, at least in certain areas. For example, the connection between the respective layers can be... 38 , 40 , 42 manufactured by spot welding, thermal binding and / or gluing.

[0058] Preferably the thermoplastic polymer layer 38 a surface area 50 on, in which an adjacent layer 40 , 42 It lies without connections, and covers another surface area. 46 , in which an adjacent layer 40 , 42 firmly with the thermoplastic plastic layer 38 is connected. The surface area 46 and 50 are in this case defined by the (imaginary) line 48 separated from each other.

[0059] Preferably the openings 44 at least predominantly in the surface area 50arranged. It is understood that in other variants of the invention, the surface area 50 (or 46 ) may have a different outline and / or may be formed by a plurality of separate sub-surface areas.

[0060] Furthermore, it is understood that the outline of the thermoplastic polymer layer 38 , in particular the entire filter element 36 , from the cross-sectional area of ​​the sound channel 24 can depend on. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0061] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0062] EP 1136027 A2

[0006]

Claims

[1] Device ( 4 ) for a household cleaning appliance ( 2 ), comprehensive: – at least one case ( 6 ) with at least one housing wall ( 18 ), – at least one in the housing wall ( 18 ) arranged and a sound channel ( 24 ) forming recess ( 24 ), and – at least one at a first end ( 32.1 ) of the sound channel ( 24 ) arranged sound device ( 30 ), characterized by that – at least one sound-permeable filter element ( 36 ) in the sound channel ( 24 ) is arranged. [2] Device ( 4 ) according to claim 1, characterized by that – the filter element ( 36 ) at least one thermoplastic polymer layer ( 38 ) includes, – wherein the thermoplastic polymer layer ( 36 ) a plurality of openings ( 44 ) exhibits. [3] Device ( 4 ) according to claim 2, characterized by that the openings ( 44 ) a cross-sectional area between 4 μm 2 and 100 μm 2 , preferably between 10 μm 2 and 50 μm 2 exhibit. [4] Device ( 4 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the filter element ( 36 ) at least one on a surface of the thermoplastic polymer layer ( 38 ) arranged textile layer ( 40 , 42 ), in particular nonwoven layer ( 40 , 42 ). [5] Device ( 4 ) according to claim 4, characterized by that the textile layer ( 40 , 42 ) in a sub-area ( 46 ) the surface of the thermoplastic polymer layer ( 38 ) firmly bonded to the thermoplastic polymer layer ( 38 ) is connected. [6] Device ( 4 ) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized bythat the textile layer ( 40 , 42 ) with the surface of the thermoplastic polymer layer ( 38 ) is joined by spot welding and / or thermal bonding and / or adhesive bonding. [7] Device ( 4 ) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized by that the filter element ( 36 ) in the form of a laminate comprising the layer sequence textile layer ( 40 ) – thermoplastic plastic layer ( 38 ) – textile layer ( 42 ) is formed. [8] Device ( 4 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the filter element ( 36 ) in a side wall ( 34 ) of the sound channel ( 24 ) is held clamped. [9] Device ( 4 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the distance between the filter element ( 36 ) and the sound system ( 30) between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm. [10] Household cleaning appliance ( 2 ) comprising a device ( 4 ) according to any of the preceding claims.

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