Patents by Inventor Maic Hensel

Maic Hensel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10874969
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning a filter of a vacuum cleaning apparatus, wherein in operation of the vacuum cleaning apparatus the filter has suction air flowing therethrough, said suction air being generated by a fan, the method including measuring a first pressure at an inflow section of the filter, measuring a second pressure at an outflow section of the filter, determining a pressure drop at the filter as a pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, determining a quantity characterizing a volume flow of the suction air in the outflow section of the filter, determining, from the pressure difference and the quantity that characterizes the volume flow, a quantity characterizing a flow resistance of the filter, and initiating a filter cleaning operation in dependence upon the determined quantity that characterizes the flow resistance of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Markus Oesterle
  • Patent number: 9585533
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided, including a suction inlet, a dirt collection container, a filter device, a suction conduit, a suction unit, wherein the dirt collection container is in flow communication with the suction unit via the filter device and the suction conduit and wherein the filter device has a negative pressure applied to it by the suction unit, and including an external air valve device, wherein the filter device is capable of having external air applied thereto on the clean side thereof via the external air valve device and wherein for cleaning the filter device the external air valve device is capable of being brought from a closed valve position to an open valve position and back again from the open valve position to a closed valve position, characterized by a battery device for supplying energy to the external air valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Frank Fuchs, Julien Scholl
  • Publication number: 20170001136
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning a filter of a vacuum cleaning apparatus, wherein in operation of the vacuum cleaning apparatus the filter has suction air flowing therethrough, said suction air being generated by a fan, the method including measuring a first pressure at an inflow section of the filter, measuring a second pressure at an outflow section of the filter, determining a pressure drop at the filter as a pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, determining a quantity characterizing a volume flow of the suction air in the outflow section of the filter, determining, from the pressure difference and the quantity that characterizes the volume flow, a quantity characterizing a flow resistance of the filter, and initiating a filter cleaning operation in dependence upon the determined quantity that characterizes the flow resistance of the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Markus Oesterle
  • Patent number: 9420929
    Abstract: A vacuum appliance is provided including a dirt collection container for sucked-in vacuumed material, a suction unit for subjecting the dirt collection container to the action of negative pressure via a suction chamber, at least one filter element between the dirt collection container and the suction chamber in the flow direction of the air sucked in by the suction unit, at least one rechargeable battery for providing electrical energy for the suction unit, and at least one battery receptacle for holding the battery on the vacuum appliance. The vacuum appliance includes a filter cover transferrable from a closed position in which the filter element is covered, to a removal position in which the filter element is removable from and insertable into the vacuum appliance on the clean space side, and vice versa, and which filter cover includes the battery receptacle for the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Steffen Layer
  • Patent number: 9380919
    Abstract: A method is provided for cleaning at least one filter of a vacuum cleaner, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a suction inlet and a dirt collection container, which can be subjected to negative pressure by a suction unit via the at least one filter and a suction extraction line, and wherein for cleaning purposes the at least one filter can be acted upon by external air on the clean side via at least one external air valve, which moves from a closed valve position via an open valve position back into the closed valve position for cleaning the at least one filter. So that the at least one filter can be cleaned particularly effectively, the suction power of the suction unit can be increased before transfer of the external air valve to the open valve position and reduced again later. A vacuum cleaner for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Julien Scholl, Frank Fuchs, Ulrich Engenhardt, Britt Wirbel, Steffen Kunz
  • Patent number: 9351620
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a dirt collection container and a suction head which can be placed on the dirt collection container, wherein the suction head has at least one suction unit which is in flow communication with the dirt collection container via a suction duct and a filter device and with at least one exhaust air opening via at least one exhaust air duct. To provide high suction capacity, a compact construction, and relatively little generation of noise during operation, the suction head has two suction units arranged next to one another, positioned in a vertical direction at the same level as the filter device and surrounded by a common exhaust air chamber, wherein the exhaust air chamber is in flow communication with exhaust air openings via a first and a second exhaust air duct and the filter device is arranged between the two exhaust air ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Frank, Kai Thorsten Langen, Maic Hensel
  • Patent number: 9265393
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided, including a dirt collection container, a suction unit for acting on the dirt collection container with negative pressure via a suction chamber, at least one filter element arranged between the dirt collection container and the suction chamber in the flow direction of the air sucked in by the suction unit, a filter cover covering the filter element on the clean space side, at least one rechargeable battery for providing electrical energy for the suction unit, and at least one battery receptacle. The vacuum cleaner can further include a battery lid, which includes the at least one battery receptacle, and which is arranged above the filter cover, the battery lid being transferable from a closed position in which it covers the filter cover to an open position in which a user has access on the clean space side to the filter cover, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Frank, Maic Hensel
  • Publication number: 20150182083
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided, including a dirt collection container, a suction unit for acting on the dirt collection container with negative pressure via a suction chamber, at least one filter element arranged between the dirt collection container and the suction chamber in the flow direction of the air sucked in by the suction unit, a filter cover covering the filter element on the clean space side, at least one rechargeable battery for providing electrical energy for the suction unit, and at least one battery receptacle. The vacuum cleaner can further include a battery lid, which includes the at least one battery receptacle, and which is arranged above the filter cover, the battery lid being transferable from a closed position in which it covers the filter cover to an open position in which a user has access on the clean space side to the filter cover, and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Juergen Frank, Maic Hensel
  • Publication number: 20130319478
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided, including a suction inlet, a dirt collection container, a filter device, a suction conduit, a suction unit, wherein the dirt collection container is in flow communication with the suction unit via the filter device and the suction conduit and wherein the filter device has a negative pressure applied to it by the suction unit, and including an external air valve device, wherein the filter device is capable of having external air applied thereto on the clean side thereof via the external air valve device and wherein for cleaning the filter device the external air valve device is capable of being brought from a closed valve position to an open valve position and back again from the open valve position to a closed valve position, characterized by a battery device for supplying energy to the external air valve device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Frank Fuchs, Julien Scholl
  • Publication number: 20130312792
    Abstract: A method is provided for cleaning at least one filter of a vacuum cleaner, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a suction inlet and a dirt collection container, which can be subjected to negative pressure by a suction unit via the at least one filter and a suction extraction line, and wherein for cleaning purposes the at least one filter can be acted upon by external air on the clean side via at least one external air valve, which moves from a closed valve position via an open valve position back into the closed valve position for cleaning the at least one filter. So that the at least one filter can be cleaned particularly effectively, the suction power of the suction unit can be increased before transfer of the external air valve to the open valve position and reduced again later. A vacuum cleaner for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Julien Scholl, Frank Fuchs, Ulrich Engenhardt, Britt Wirbel, Steffen Kunz
  • Publication number: 20130247328
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a dirt collection container and a suction head which can be placed on the dirt collection container, wherein the suction head has at least one suction unit which is in flow communication with the dirt collection container via a suction duct and a filter device and with at least one exhaust air opening via at least one exhaust air duct. To provide high suction capacity, a compact construction, and relatively little generation of noise during operation, the suction head has two suction units arranged next to one another, positioned in a vertical direction at the same level as the filter device and surrounded by a common exhaust air chamber, wherein the exhaust air chamber is in flow communication with exhaust air openings via a first and a second exhaust air duct and the filter device is arranged between the two exhaust air ducts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Frank, Kai Thorsten Langen, Maic Hensel
  • Publication number: 20130239360
    Abstract: A vacuum appliance is provided including a dirt collection container for sucked-in vacuumed material, a suction unit for subjecting the dirt collection container to the action of negative pressure via a suction chamber, at least one filter element between the dirt collection container and the suction chamber in the flow direction of the air sucked in by the suction unit, at least one rechargeable battery for providing electrical energy for the suction unit, and at least one battery receptacle for holding the battery on the vacuum appliance. The vacuum appliance includes a filter cover transferrable from a closed position in which the filter element is covered, to a removal position in which the filter element is removable from and insertable into the vacuum appliance on the clean space side, and vice versa, and which filter cover includes the battery receptacle for the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Steffen Layer
  • Patent number: 8490241
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter device for arranging a container on the housing of a portable cleaning appliance. The adapter device comprises an adapter plate which is adapted to be fitted on the cover surface of the housing and has on its top side a placement surface for placement of the container, and a locking device for releasably locking the adapter plate to the housing of the cleaning appliance without a tool. The invention also relates to a cleaning apparatus with a cleaning appliance and such an adapter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Ricklefsen, Stefan Hess, Maic Hensel
  • Publication number: 20120180250
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter device for arranging a container on the housing of a portable cleaning appliance. The adapter device comprises an adapter plate which is adapted to be fitted on the cover surface of the housing and has on its top side a placement surface for placement of the container, and a locking device for releasably locking the adapter plate to the housing of the cleaning appliance without a tool. The invention also relates to a cleaning apparatus with a cleaning appliance and such an adapter device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Ricklefsen, Stefan Hess, Maic Hensel
  • Patent number: 7659693
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rechargeable battery with a battery housing having a rear wall with a recess which extends as far as an end wall of the battery housing and has a base side and narrow sides facing each other, the base side continuing via a step into the outer side of the rear wall, and a contact assembly which is covered by a cover extending from the step being positioned at the step. In order to further develop the battery so that when the battery is connected to an electrical appliance the contact assembly is protected against splash water, it is proposed, in accordance with the invention, that the cover form a contact housing which completely surrounds the contact assembly in circumferential direction and has on its side facing away from the step an insertion opening surrounded by a circumferential rim of the contact housing, which forms a sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Juergen Weiss, Ralph Diehl, Martin Schmidgall, Holger Lepold
  • Publication number: 20090193612
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with an electronic control unit and a dirt collecting container, which has a suction inlet and is in flow connection with a suction unit via a suction extraction line, the suction unit being connected to at least one air outlet via at least one air duct. To develop the vacuum cleaner in such a way that, in a structurally simple manner, the production of noise can be kept low and heat-sensitive components can be protected from being damaged, it is proposed according to the invention that at least one air duct is sealed off by means of a sound-insulating sealing mat which is produced from a flame-retardant material and covers the electrical control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Weiss, Maic Hensel, Steffen Layer
  • Patent number: 7450367
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaning unit driven by an electric motor and a housing which has a battery chamber for accommodating at least one rechargeable battery, a connecting device having a mechanical mounting part and an electrical plug connector part being disposed in the battery chamber for establishing an electrical and mechanical connection between the battery and the cleaning apparatus. In order to further develop said cleaning apparatus in such a way that batteries of different physical shapes can be used, the invention proposes that the mounting part is detachably mounted in the battery chamber, and the plug connector part is detachably connectable as desired to the mounting part or to a chamber wall of the battery chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Frank, Maic Hensel, Holger Lepold
  • Publication number: 20080224657
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rechargeable battery with a battery housing having a rear wall with a recess which extends as far as an end wall of the battery housing and has a base side and narrow sides facing each other, the base side continuing via a step into the outer side of the rear wall, and a contact assembly which is covered by a cover extending from the step being positioned at the step. In order to further develop the battery so that when the battery is connected to an electrical appliance the contact assembly is protected against splash water, it is proposed, in accordance with the invention, that the cover form a contact housing which completely surrounds the contact assembly in circumferential direction and has on its side facing away from the step an insertion opening surrounded by a circumferential rim of the contact housing, which forms a sealing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Juergen Weiss, Ralph Diehl, Martin Schmidgall, Holger Lepold
  • Publication number: 20080062618
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaning unit driven by an electric motor and a housing which has a battery chamber for accommodating at least one rechargeable battery, a connecting device having a mechanical mounting part and an electrical plug connector part being disposed in the battery chamber for establishing an electrical and mechanical connection between the battery and the cleaning apparatus. In order to further develop said cleaning apparatus in such a way that batteries of different physical shapes can be used, the invention proposes that the mounting part is detachably mounted in the battery chamber, and the plug connector part is detachably connectable as desired to the mounting part or to a chamber wall of the battery chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Frank, Maic Hensel, Holger Lepold