METHOD FOR OPERATING A CLEANING DEVICE AS WELL AS CLEANING DEVICE AND CLEANING TOOL FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a cleaning device with a drive motor which drives at least one cleaning tool. In order to develop the method further in such a manner that the degree of wear of the cleaning tool can be determined in a simple manner even when the cleaning tool is replaced, it is suggested in accordance with the invention that a wear value, which corresponds to the degree of wear of the cleaning tool present at the time the wear value is stored, be stored in a memory element of the cleaning tool and that this wear value be repeatedly updated. In addition, a cleaning device and a cleaning tool for carrying out the method are suggested.

Description

This application is a continuation of international application number PCT/EP2010/054022 filed on Mar. 26, 2010 and claims the benefit of German application number 10 2009 018 121.0 filed on Apr. 9, 2009.

The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed in international application number PCT/EP2010/054022 of Mar. 26, 2010 and German application number 10 2009 018 121.0 of Apr. 9, 2009, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for operating a cleaning device, in particular for cleaning a surface, comprising a drive motor which drives a cleaning tool.

In addition, the invention relates to a cleaning device and a cleaning tool for carrying out the method.

Cleaning devices with at least one cleaning tool which is driven by a motor, for example a roller brush or also a disk brush, can be used for the purpose of cleaning a surface, in particular a floor surface. The cleaning tools become worn during operation. For example, the cleaning bristles of a roller or disk brush will wear down over time. When a maximum degree of wear is reached, the cleaning tool should be replaced since, otherwise, there is the risk of damage to the surface to be cleaned and the cleaning result which can be achieved is inadequate.

The degree of wear of the cleaning tool will normally be controlled visually by the user. This does, however, entail some difficulty in certain cases since the cleaning tool is often installed in a housing of the cleaning device and cannot easily be seen from the outside. The cleaning tool is surrounded by housing and sealing elements in the case of, for example, floor cleaning devices, in particular in the case of scrubber driers.

In order to determine the degree of wear of a disk brush, it is suggested in DE 696 08 116 T2 to mount the disk brush on a vertically displaceable rod, the position of which can be detected by a potentiometer. With increasing wear of the disk brush, this is displaced ever further downwards in the direction towards the floor surface to be cleaned. This displacement will be detected by the potentiometer and forms a measure for the degree of wear of the disk brush. If the disk brush is replaced, it is necessary to calibrate the position of the new disk brush in order to ensure in this way that the signal of the potentiometer corresponds to the actual degree of wear of the new disk brush. The replacement of the disk brush, therefore, proves to be rather complicated for the user.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method of the type specified at the outset as well as a cleaning device and a cleaning tool for carrying out the method, wherein the degree of wear of the cleaning tool can be determined in a simple manner even when the cleaning tool is replaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention, in a method of the generic type, in that a wear value is stored in a memory element of the cleaning tool, said value corresponding to the degree of wear of the cleaning tool present at the time the wear value is stored, and that this wear value is repeatedly updated.

With the method according to the invention, a cleaning tool is used which has a memory element. A wear value, which corresponds to the current degree of wear of the cleaning tool, can be stored in this memory element. The stored wear value can be read out at a later point in time. During further operation of the cleaning device, a new wear value, which represents the current wear of the cleaning tool, can be determined on the basis of the wear value read out and this new wear value can then be stored again in the memory element of the cleaning tool. If the cleaning tool is replaced by another cleaning tool which likewise has a memory element, the current wear value can be read out of the memory element of the cleaning tool which has been replaced and used for later updating.

The determination of the degree of wear of the cleaning tool proves to be very simple even after the cleaning tool has been replaced since the cleaning tool carries a wear value with it in its memory element which corresponds to the degree of wear of the cleaning tool present at the time the wear value was stored. This wear value can then be extrapolated during further use of the cleaning tool.

It is of advantage when the wear value stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool is read out when the cleaning device is switched on. The wear value read out can be displayed to the user, for example, on a display unit of the cleaning device. Therefore, the user need not necessarily check the degree of wear of the cleaning tool visually prior to the start of a cleaning process.

The fact that the wear value stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool is read out when the cleaning device is switched on has, in addition, the advantage that the user can recognize immediately whether a cleaning tool has been installed or not. It is, namely, possible for a user to erroneously assume that a cleaning tool has already been installed and he can begin with the cleaning process. Instead, the cleaning device has, however, not been equipped with the appropriate cleaning tool. This can be displayed to the user in a simple manner since it is not possible without a cleaning tool to read out its wear value.

Identification characteristics, which clearly identify the cleaning tool, are also preferably stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool. It can, for example, be recognized on the basis of the identification characteristics what type of cleaning tool it is.

It is favorable when operating parameters of the cleaning device, for example the rotational speed or the tool contact pressure, are set as a function of the identification characteristics which have been read out. The tool contact pressure is, in this respect, the pressure which the cleaning tool exerts on the surface to be cleaned during operation of the cleaning device. In one advantageous embodiment the tool contact pressure can be predetermined and varied by the cleaning device, for example as a function of the type of cleaning tool used.

In one preferred development of the method according to the invention, the current wear value of the cleaning tool is determined and stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool when the cleaning device is switched off. If the cleaning tool is used again at a later point in time, its current wear value can be taken from the memory element.

Alternatively or in addition, it may be provided for the current wear value to be determined at time intervals during the running operation of the cleaning device and stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool. It may be provided, in particular, for the current wear value to be determined at equal time intervals and stored in the memory element. This has the advantage that a wear value is always stored in the memory element, even with longer operation of the cleaning device, which differs only insignificantly from the actual degree of wear present. The stored wear value therefore corresponds practically and at any point in time to the degree of wear of the cleaning tool actually present.

It may be provided for the degree of wear of the cleaning tool to be detected by means of a sensor for the purpose of determining the wear value.

It is favorable when the wear value is determined by way of calculation. It is of particular advantage when the wear value is determined using operating data of the cleaning device, in particular using operating data of the drive motor.

The motor current of the drive motor can be detected in one advantageous embodiment for the purpose of determining the wear value. The motor current and, therefore, the current consumption of the drive motor are dependent on the pressure, with which the cleaning tool is pressed against the surface to be cleaned and how rough the surface is. The greater the contact pressure and the rougher the surface, the greater the motor current and the greater the wear on the cleaning tool. The motor current can, therefore, be included in the mathematical determination of the wear value which represents a measure for the actual degree of wear of the cleaning tool. The motor current can be detected electrically without mechanical or electromechanical sensors needing to be used for this purpose.

It is favorable when a temporal average value of the motor current is determined and this used for the purpose of determining the wear value of the cleaning tool.

The degree of wear of the cleaning tool is influenced by the running time of the cleaning tool. The longer the cleaning tool is in operation, the greater its degree of wear generally is. It is, therefore, favorable when the running time of the cleaning tool is determined for the purpose of determining the wear value. This determination of the running time can take place electronically without mechanical or electromechanical sensors being required for this purpose.

In one preferred development of the method according to the invention, the motor current of the drive motor is integrated over the running time of the cleaning tool for the purpose of determining the wear value. The value of the integral thus determined forms a wear value which represents a measure for the actual degree of wear of the cleaning tool and can be stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool.

It may be provided, for example, for the product resulting from the current motor current and the length of the time interval to be formed at time intervals and these product values added together. The product values added together correspond essentially to the time integral of the motor current and form a measure for the degree of wear of the cleaning tool. This measure can be stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool in the form of a wear value. At the beginning of a cleaning process, the last wear value stored can be read out of the memory element and a new wear value can be determined on the basis of this wear value during further operation of the cleaning tool in that the addition or integral formation specified above will be continued.

It is of particular advantage when the temporal average value of the motor current of the drive motor is integrated over the running time of the cleaning tool for the purpose of determining the wear value. Short-term fluctuations in the motor current, which have only an insubstantial or even no influence on the degree of wear of the cleaning tool, can be compensated as a result.

It is favorable when the wear value is transmitted wirelessly to the memory element of the cleaning tool and is read out wirelessly. A galvanic connection between a control unit of the cleaning device and the memory element of the cleaning tool can be omitted, as a result. This reduces the susceptibility to interference of the data transmission.

It may be provided for the wear value to be transmitted to the memory element by radio and also read out by radio. For this purpose, the cleaning tool can have a transponder, i.e. a radio communication element which accepts and answers incoming signals. A wireless transmission channel can be achieved between the memory element of the cleaning tool and the control unit of the cleaning device by means of the transponder. The transponder comprises the memory element. It is favorable when the transponder also has a control logic. In addition, it comprises a transmitting and receiving aerial, for example an aerial coil. The control unit of the cleaning device can have a read/write unit which is associated with the transponder and with the aid of which the memory element is readable and writable wirelessly.

It may be provided for the transponder to be equipped with its own current source.

Combinations consisting of a transponder and a read/write unit are known to the person skilled in the art in general under the term RFID technology (radio frequency identification).

In one advantageous embodiment, the current wear value is compared to a predetermined wear value and an operating function of the cleaning device will be initiated as a function of the result of the comparison. The specified wear value can, for example, be a maximum value which should not, if possible, be exceeded. A specific reaction, i.e. a specific operating function, can be initiated as a function of the difference between the current wear value and the predetermined wear value.

It may be provided, for example, for the fact that a predetermined wear value has been reached or exceeded to be indicated to a user of the cleaning device.

Alternatively or in addition, it may be provided for at least one operating parameter of the cleaning device to be controlled as a function of the result of the comparison between the current wear value and the predetermined wear value. For example, the tool contact pressure and/or the rotational speed of the cleaning tool and/or the traveling speed of the cleaning device can, inter alia, be made dependent on the magnitude of the current wear value in comparison with the predetermined wear value. If the current wear value exceeds the predetermined wear value, the tool contact pressure or the rotational speed can, for example, be reduced.

It is favorable when the fact that the predetermined wear value has been exceeded is indicated at repeated time intervals. It may be provided, in particular, for the fact that the predetermined wear value has been exceeded to be indicated repeatedly at ever shorter time intervals. Such a procedure aims at making the user clearly understand that the determined wear value exceeds the predetermined wear value.

It may be provided, for example, for the user, once it has been indicated to him that a predetermined wear value has been reached or exceeded, to acknowledge the warning and continue the cleaning process. The user can, as a result, terminate a cleaning process, for example, before he replaces the worn cleaning tool. The fact that the wear value has been exceeded can be indicated to the user at time intervals, wherein the user can again acknowledge this warning. In this respect, it is favorable when the fact that the predetermined wear value has been exceeded is indicated at ever shorter time intervals so that the user must acknowledge the warning at ever shorter time intervals. The risk of the cleaning tool or also the surface to be cleaned being damaged is reduced as a result.

The predetermined wear value is preferably stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool. As a result, a specific wear value can be preset for each cleaning tool in a simple manner.

As mentioned at the outset, the object of the present invention is also to provide a cleaning device for carrying out the method specified above. This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention by a cleaning device which has a drive motor and at least one cleaning tool which can be driven by the drive motor, wherein the cleaning tool has a writable and readable memory element for storing a wear value corresponding to the degree of wear of the cleaning tool and wherein a current wear value can be determined using the wear value last stored and operating data of the cleaning device and can be stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool.

The cleaning tool therefore carries a memory element with it, in which a wear value corresponding to the degree of wear of the cleaning tool is stored. The cleaning tool is worn down further each time it is used, i.e. the actual degree of wear changes. In order to take this change into account, a new wear value can be determined and stored in the memory element. The old wear value can be overwritten. The wear value previously stored and operating data of the cleaning device, in particular of the drive motor, can be used for determining the new wear value.

The memory element of the cleaning tool is favorably writable and readable wirelessly.

As mentioned, it may be provided, for example, for the cleaning tool to have a transponder which comprises the memory element. A read/write unit of the cleaning tool can be associated with the transponder for the reading and writing of the memory element. The read/write unit can be connected to a control unit of the cleaning tool.

The motor current of the drive motor and the running time of the cleaning tool can preferably be determined and the motor current can be integrated over the running time of the cleaning tool. As mentioned, a wear value, which corresponds to an actual degree of wear of the cleaning tool, can be calculated in a simple manner as a result.

It is of advantage when the wear value previously stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool can be updated automatically and the updated wear value can be stored automatically in the memory element of the cleaning tool when the cleaning device is switched off. As a result, it can be ensured that a wear value, which corresponds to the degree of wear of the cleaning tool present after a successful cleaning process, is stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool following a cleaning process. If the cleaning tool is put into operation again at a later point in time, the wear value last stored can be read out and can form the basis for the extrapolation of the wear value.

The object underlying the present invention is also to provide a cleaning tool for carrying out the method specified above. This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention by a cleaning tool which has a memory element, in which identification characteristics which clearly identify the cleaning tool are stored and in which a wear value corresponding to the current degree of wear of the cleaning tool can be stored. The cleaning tool can be clearly identified by reading the identification characteristics and a wear value which corresponds to the current degree of wear of the cleaning tool can be stored in its memory element. If the cleaning tool is used in a cleaning device, the identification characteristics and the wear value can be read out. A new wear value can then be determined on the basis of the wear value read out, at the latest after use of the cleaning tool has finished, and stored in the memory element.

The identification characteristics can favorably not be altered by a read/write unit of the cleaning tool.

An identification number is preferably used as identification characteristic.

The cleaning tool favorably comprises a base member, from which cleaning bristles project on the outside and which has a cavity, in which the memory element is arranged. The memory element is, therefore, protected in a simple manner from any mechanical interference. The cleaning tool can be configured, for example, as a roller brush or as a disk brush and used preferably in a sweeper machine or scrubber drier.

The following description of one preferred embodiment of the invention serves to explain the invention in greater detail in conjunction with the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The single Figure of the drawing shows schematically a cleaning device according to the invention with a cleaning tool according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The cleaning device 10 according to the invention, which is illustrated schematically in the drawing, comprises a drive motor 12 which is controlled by a control unit 14 and drives a cleaning tool in the form of a roller brush 16. For this purpose, a drive disk 20 is non-rotatably held on a motor shaft 18 and is coupled via a drive belt 22 to a belt pulley 24. The belt pulley 24 is non-rotatably connected to a drive shaft 26 which is rotatably mounted on a bearing sleeve 32 of a housing 34 of the cleaning device 10 by means of a first ball bearing 28 and a second ball bearing 30 and bears a cylindrical base member 36 of the roller brush 16.

The base member 36 has a cavity 38, in which a transponder 40 with an aerial 42 and a memory element 44 is arranged. On the outside, a plurality of cleaning bristles 46 project radially outwards from the base member 36. A surface can be cleaned with the cleaning bristles 46, in particular a floor surface. In the embodiment illustrated, the cleaning device 10 is configured as a scrubber drier or as a sweeper machine.

The housing 34 has a cover wall 48 which covers the roller brush 16 and bears on its upper side 50 facing away from the roller brush 16 a read/write unit 52 which is connected to the control unit 14. The memory element 44 of the transponder 40 is readable and writable wirelessly via the read/write unit 52.

The control unit 14 is in electrical connection with a display device 54, on which information can be displayed to the user. An identification number, which clearly identifies the roller brush 16, cannot be altered by the read/write unit and is read out of the non-volatile memory element 44 by means of the read/write unit 52 when the cleaning device 10 is switched on, is stored in the memory element 44 of the roller brush 16. The control unit 14 recognizes in this way what type of roller brush 16 is being used during a cleaning process and the control unit 14 can determine the running time of the respective roller brush 16 by means of a clock 56 and indicate this on the display device 54. In addition, the control unit 14 detects the motor current of the drive motor 12. The control unit 14 calculates a temporal average value of the motor current by means of a calculating unit 58 at short time intervals, for example at intervals of one minute, and integrates the temporal time value of the motor current over the running time of the roller brush 16. The value of the integral calculated forms a wear value which represents a measure for the actual degree of wear of the roller brush 16. This wear value will be compared by a comparison element 60 of the control unit 14 with a predetermined wear value of the roller brush 16 which is stored in the memory element 44, cannot be changed by the read/write unit 52 and is the maximum allowed. When the predetermined wear value is reached or exceeded, this will be indicated to the user on the display device 54. The user can then acknowledge the warning by means of an input unit 62 so that the cleaning operation can be continued. During further operation of the roller brush 16, the fact that the predetermined wear value has been exceeded will be indicated to the user again on the display unit 54 at ever shorter time intervals and this must be acknowledged by the user each time in order to be able to continue the cleaning operation. Otherwise, the cleaning operation will be interrupted.

As mentioned, the integral of the average motor current over the running time of the roller brush 16 forms the calculated wear value. This can also be calculated as the sum of the products of the motor current averaged each time over a time interval and the length of the respective time interval. When the cleaning device 10 is switched off, the wear value currently calculated will be stored in the memory element 44 of the roller brush 16. In addition, it may be provided for the respective current wear value to be stored in the memory element 44 at time intervals during the running cleaning operation.

A wear value is thus stored in the memory element 44 of the roller brush 16 which corresponds to the degree of wear of the roller brush 16. If the cleaning device 10 is switched on, the wear value stored in the memory element 44 will be read out in addition to the identification number already mentioned. At the beginning of a cleaning process, the control unit 14 therefore receives from the memory element 44, on the one hand, the information that a roller brush 16 is installed and what sort of roller brush 16 it is; on the other hand, the memory element 44 is given a measure for the current degree of wear of the roller brush 16. The degree of wear stored in the memory element 44 then forms the basis for the updating of the degree of wear during further use of the roller brush 16. For this purpose, the value of the average motor current integrated over the subsequent cleaning time will be added to the wear value read out from the memory element 44 when the cleaning device 10 is switched on. The sum thus obtained then forms the new wear value which will be stored in the memory element 44 when the cleaning device 10 is switched off.

If no identification number and/or no previous wear value is readable by means of the read/write unit 52 when the cleaning device 10 is switched on, this will be indicated to the user on the display unit 44. The lack of these values indicates that either no roller brush 16 whatsoever has been installed or, however, that the transponder 40 of the roller brush 16 is defective.

The provision of the roller brush 16 with integrated transponder 40 therefore gives the control unit 14 of the cleaning device 10 the possibility to determine the running time of the roller brush 16 and also a wear value which represents a measure for the actual degree of wear of the roller brush 16. This wear value can be updated repeatedly and stored in the memory element 44. Since different roller brushes are often required for different cleaning tasks, the respective wear value can be transmitted to the control unit 14 of the cleaning device 10 in a simple and contact-less manner when the roller brushes are replaced.

Claims

1. Method for operating a cleaning device, in particular for cleaning a surface, comprising a drive motor driving at least one cleaning tool, wherein a wear value is stored in a memory element of the cleaning tool, said value corresponding to the degree of wear of the cleaning tool present at the time the wear value is stored, and wherein this wear value is repeatedly updated.

2. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the wear value stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool is read out when the cleaning device is switched on.

3. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein identification characteristics clearly identifying the cleaning tool are stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool.

4. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the current wear value is determined and stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool when the cleaning device is switched off.

5. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the current wear value is determined at time intervals during the running operation of the cleaning device and stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool.

6. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the wear value is determined using operating data of the cleaning device.

7. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the motor current of the drive motor is detected for the purpose of determining the wear value.

8. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the running time of the cleaning tool is determined for the purpose of determining the wear value.

9. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the motor current of the drive motor is integrated over the running time of the cleaning tool for the purpose of determining the wear value.

10. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the temporal average value of the motor current of the drive motor is integrated over the running time of the cleaning tool for the purpose of determining the wear value.

11. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the wear value is transmitted wirelessly to the memory element of the cleaning tool and is read out wirelessly.

12. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the current wear value is compared to a predetermined wear value and at least one operating function of the cleaning device is controlled as a function of the result of the comparison.

13. Method as defined in claim 12, wherein operating parameters of the cleaning device are controlled as a function of the result of the comparison.

14. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the fact that a predetermined wear value has been reached or exceeded is indicated to a user of the cleaning device.

15. Method as defined in claim 14, wherein the fact that the predetermined wear value has been exceeded is indicated at repeated time intervals.

16. Method as defined in claim 14, wherein the predetermined wear value is stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool.

17. Cleaning device for carrying out the method as defined in claim 1, comprising a drive motor and at least one cleaning tool drivable by the drive motor, wherein the cleaning tool has a writable and readable memory element for the storage and read-out of a wear value corresponding to the degree of wear of the cleaning tool, and wherein a current wear value is determinable using the wear value last stored and operating data of the cleaning device and is storable in the memory element of the cleaning tool.

18. Cleaning device as defined in claim 17, wherein the memory element of the cleaning tool is writable and readable wirelessly.

19. Cleaning device as defined in claim 17, wherein the cleaning tool has a transponder comprising the memory element.

20. Cleaning device as defined in claim 17, wherein the motor current of the drive motor and the running time of the cleaning tool are determinable and the motor current is integratable over the running time of the cleaning tool.

21. Cleaning device as defined in claim 17, wherein the wear value previously stored in the memory element of the cleaning device is adapted to be updated automatically and the updated wear value automatically stored in the memory element of the cleaning tool when the cleaning device is switched off.

22. Cleaning tool for carrying out the method as defined in claim 1, wherein the cleaning tool has a memory element, identification characteristics clearly identifying the cleaning tool being stored in said memory element and a wear value corresponding to the current degree of wear of the cleaning tool being storable in said memory element.

23. Cleaning tool as defined in claim 22, wherein the cleaning tool comprises a base member, cleaning bristles projecting from said member on the outside and said member having a cavity, the memory element being arranged therein.