CONTROL UNIT AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN INTERMEDIATE POWER STAGE FOR A VACUUM CLEANER

Description

[0001] The approach presented here relates to a control unit for controlling an intermediate power stage for a vacuum cleaner according to the main claims.

[0002] Vacuum cleaners with a display for fixed power levels typically cannot continuously adjust the unit's power. This is especially true for controls with a plus / minus button, as these only switch between the fixed power levels. This deficiency means that the user cannot select a power level between two levels while vacuuming. This is especially true for power settings that are designed to adjust the pushing force to a suitable level while simultaneously avoiding excessive loss of suction power for cleaning. Since most controls have a maximum of 6-7 levels, a compromise must be made.

[0003] An alternative solution exists with a rotary potentiometer control, which indicates the full settings via an illuminated display. The power ranges between the settings are still selectable. A rotary potentiometer control with fixed settings is the closest to the state of the art. These temperature setting options are also state of the art in refrigerators and freezers. Intermediate settings can be set by holding down the button.

[0004] From EP 0 370 610 A1, a control unit for controlling power levels in vacuum cleaners is known, wherein the control unit is designed to read in an actuation signal via an actuation duration of a button element and, upon detection of an actuation duration of the button element which is shorter than a specified holding time, to increase or decrease a power level by a predefined value.

[0005] Based on this state of the art, the task of the approach presented here is to create an improved control unit for controlling an intermediate power stage for a vacuum cleaner.

[0006] This object is achieved by a control unit for controlling an intermediate power stage for a vacuum cleaner having the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are set forth in the following subclaims.

[0007] The advantages of the approach presented here are that the device can be continuously adjusted despite having fixed, stored power levels. This allows customers to individually adjust the vacuum cleaner's power to suit their application and thus find the right compromise between pushing power and cleaning performance without being tied to the vacuum cleaner's preset power levels.

[0008] A control unit for controlling an intermediate power stage for a vacuum cleaner is presented, wherein the control unit is designed to read an actuation signal over the actuation duration of a button element.

[0009] A control unit can be a technical component of a vacuum cleaner that is necessary for controlling the suction power of the vacuum cleaner. A power level can be a level of suction power output, with a higher suction level corresponding to a higher suction power. A vacuum cleaner can be an electrical cleaning device used to vacuum up dust and / or dirt. An actuation signal can be a signal that represents information about the actuation duration of a button element on a vacuum cleaner. An actuation duration can be a period of time in which a button element on a vacuum cleaner is actuated in order to activate a function of the vacuum cleaner.A button element can be a flat button on a vacuum cleaner that is actuated to enter data or trigger a function. According to one embodiment, the control unit can be configured to increase or decrease a power level by a predefined value upon detecting an actuation duration of the button element that is shorter than a specified holding time. Such an embodiment of the approach presented here offers the advantage of signaling to a user that actuation of the button element triggers an action of the vacuum cleaner.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the specified hold time of the button element can be one second. Such an embodiment of the approach proposed here offers the advantage that such a hold time lies within a usual timeframe for the actuation of a button element, which the user expects for the vacuum cleaner to respond to the user input via the button element.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the control unit can be configured to set a power level within a range between two predefined values ​​upon detecting that the button element has been actuated for longer than a further hold time. Such an embodiment of the approach proposed here offers the advantage that, as an additional extended functional option, the power can also be set within a range between two predefined values. This enables more precise and finer adjustment of the desired suction behavior of the vacuum cleaner.

[0012] According to one embodiment, a further holding time may last longer than one second, but in particular shorter than two and a half seconds.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the control unit can be configured to increase or decrease a power level again by a predefined value upon detecting that the button element has been actuated for longer than an additional hold time. Such an embodiment offers the advantage of making this option available to a user who is aware of this additional option of the vacuum cleaner, while still maintaining basic functionality for gradually increasing or decreasing the power levels, so that even a user unfamiliar with this additional option can still use the vacuum cleaner (with the limited functionality).

[0014] According to one embodiment, an additional hold time can last longer than two and a half seconds. Such an embodiment offers the advantage of avoiding unnecessary waiting time when setting the desired (intermediate) power level.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the control unit can be configured to continuously increase or decrease the vacuum cleaner power to a level corresponding to the duration of operation. Such an embodiment of the approach proposed here offers the advantage that a user can intuitively input the desired suction power accordingly.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the control unit can be configured to store the last set power value of a power level. Such an embodiment of the approach proposed here increases initial comfort, since the suction power used by the vacuum cleaner can often remain the same or at least very similar, even if the floor coverings in a home are identical.

[0017] A method for controlling an intermediate power level of a control unit for a vacuum cleaner is presented, wherein the method comprises a step of changing the power level depending on a read-in actuation duration of the button element.

[0018] Even if the approach described is based on a household appliance, the control unit described here as well as the method for controlling an intermediate power stage for a vacuum cleaner can be used accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device.

[0019] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 shows a vacuum cleaner with a control unit for controlling an intermediate power stage according to an embodiment; Figure 2 shows a performance diagram of a control of an intermediate power stage for a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment; and Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for controlling an intermediate power stage according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 1shows a vacuum cleaner 100 with a control unit 102 for controlling an intermediate power level according to one exemplary embodiment. The vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a control unit 102 and a button element 104. The control unit 102 is configured to read an actuation signal 106 of a button element 104, wherein the actuation signal 106 represents information about the actuation duration of the button element 104. The control unit 102 is further configured to continuously increase or decrease the vacuum cleaner power to a level corresponding to the actuation duration.

[0021] To switch between power levels, the button element 104 should be enhanced with a detection function for a sustained press, so that the power is initially changed by one power level after the switching point, preventing the impression that the vacuum cleaner 100 is not responding. If the button element 104 remains pressed, the power should now be adjusted continuously or steplessly instead of in jumps from level to level. This allows any desired power level to be set. This power setting is saved and is available to the customer again after the vacuum cleaner 100 is restarted.

[0022] Figure 2shows a performance diagram 200 of a control of an intermediate power level for a vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment. The performance diagram 200 illustrates the functionality of the control of an intermediate power level of a vacuum cleaner, wherein the vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment has six power levels 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216 and a button element 104 which, according to one embodiment, comprises a plus button 202 for increasing a power level 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216 and a minus button 204 for decreasing a power level 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216 of the vacuum cleaner. The plus button 202 of the button element is marked as a + in the performance diagram 200, and the minus button 204 is marked as a - in the performance diagram 200.

[0023] The control unit of the vacuum cleaner first detects an actuation duration of the button element 104 that is shorter than a specified holding time 220. The specified holding time 220 of the button element 104 corresponds to a maximum of 1 second. Thus, a power level 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216 is increased or decreased by a predefined value. In the power diagram 200, after the vacuum cleaner is started, a power level 1 211 is reached, and the power level 1 211 is then increased by a predefined value, where the predefined value is +1, to a power value 2 212, then increased by the predefined value to a power value 3 213, and finally increased by the predefined value +1 to a power value 4 214.

[0024] After increasing the suction power to the power value 4,214, the vacuum cleaner's control unit detects an actuation duration of the button element 104 that is longer than a further hold time 222 in order to set an undefined power level in a range between two predefined power values ​​211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216. The further hold time 222 corresponds to at least 1 second but a maximum of 2.5 seconds. As shown in the power diagram 200, the button element 104 is actuated for a duration longer than one second but shorter than 2.5 seconds to achieve a continuous adjustment of the vacuum cleaner power. The power value "jumps" from 4,214 to a power value of 5.7.

[0025] Upon detecting an actuation duration of the key element 104 that lasts longer than an additional hold time 224, the control unit is configured to increase or decrease a power level 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216 again by a predefined value. The additional hold time 224 corresponds to longer than 2.5 seconds. As shown in the power diagram 200, the key element 104 is now actuated for a duration longer than 2.5 seconds in order to increase or decrease a power level 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216 again by a predefined value. The power value initially decreases from 5.7 to a value of 5,215. When the button element 104 is pressed again, the value of 5,215 is decreased by the predefined value - 1 to the power value 4,214.

[0026] As shown in the power diagram 200, to return to an undefined intermediate power level, the button element 104 is pressed again for a duration longer than one second but shorter than 2.5 seconds to achieve a continuous adjustment of the vacuum cleaner power. The power value "jumps" or decreases from 4,214 to a power value of 2.8. Subsequently, the button element 104 is pressed for a duration longer than one second but shorter than 2.5 seconds to achieve a continuous adjustment of the vacuum cleaner power. The power value "jumps" or increases from 2.8 to a power value of 3.5.

[0027] Finally, as shown in power diagram 200, the button element 104 is now pressed for a duration longer than 2.5 seconds to increase or decrease a power level 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216 again by a predefined value. The power value initially increases from 3.5 to the power value 5215. Upon further activating the button element 104, the value is increased from 5215 by the predefined value + 1 to 6216.

[0028] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 300 for controlling an intermediate power stage according to an embodiment. The method 300 for controlling an intermediate power stage of a control unit for a vacuum cleaner can be implemented, for example, using the method described with reference to Figure 1 described control unit.

[0029] In a step 301, the power level is changed depending on a read-in actuation duration of the key element.

Claims

1. Control unit (102) for controlling an intermediate power level of a vacuum cleaner (100), the control unit (102) being designed to read in an actuation signal (106) over an actuation duration of a button element (104), the control unit (102) being designed to increase or decrease a power level (211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216) by a predefined value upon detecting an actuation duration of the button element (104) which is shorter than a specified holding time (220), characterised in that the control unit (102) is designed to set a power level in a range between two predefined values upon detecting the actuation duration of the button element (104) which is longer than a further holding time (222), the control unit (102) being designed to increase or decrease a power level (211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216) by a predefined value upon detecting the actuation duration of the button element (104) which is longer than an additional holding time (224).

2. Control unit (102) according to claim 1, wherein the specified holding time (220) of the button element (104) corresponds to one second.

3. Control unit (102) according to claim 1, wherein the further holding time (222) lasts longer than one second, but in particular less than two and a half seconds.

4. Control unit (102) according to claim 1, wherein the additional holding time (224) lasts longer than two and a half seconds.

5. Control unit (102) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (102) is designed to continuously increase or decrease the vacuum cleaner power to a power corresponding to the actuation duration.

6. Control unit (102) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (102) is designed to store a most-recently set power value of a power level (211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216).