Vacuum cleaner with remote control

Abstract

 A vacuum cleaning apparatus (1) comprises:
- a vacuum source device (100) provided with vacuum generating means (110,120) and an inlet (130);
- a cleaning head device (200) provided with a mouthpiece (240) and an outlet (250);
- and a flexible hose (300) for connecting the cleaning head outlet (250) to the vacuum source inlet (130).
The cleaning head device (200) is implemented as a steerable carriage, with wheels (210), at least one motor (220) and a control device (230) for controlling the motor (220).
The vacuum cleaning apparatus (1) is provided with a handlepiece (400) arranged at some midsection of the flexible hose (300) and provided with a sensor device (500) for sensing the orientation of the handlepiece (400), the sensor device (500) having a signal output (501) coupled to a signal input (231) of the control device (230).
The control device (230) is adapted to control the movements of the cleaning head device (200) on the basis of the sensor signals received from the sensor device (500).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates in general to vacuum cleaners and to accessories for vacuum cleaners.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Vacuum cleaners are commonly known. They basically consist of a carriage carrying a suction motor, a mouthpiece, and a flexible hose connecting the mouthpiece to the carriage. In general, the user manipulates the mouthpiece. Mouthpieces come in several types. One type of mouthpiece, intended for sliding or rolling over the floor, has a relatively long, stiff pipe with a handle connected to the flexible hose, and the user steers the mouthpiece via the handle and the pipe.

[0003] The act of vacuum cleaning involves some setbacks. People tend to bend down when vacuum cleaning, even on straight floors but especially when reaching and cleaning underneath furniture, which may result in a painful back. Further, the cleaning performance is an issue of importance.

[0004] Autonomous vacuum cleaners have already been proposed. In these devices, which may also be termed "robots", the mouthpiece is mounted at the underside of the carriage, and the carriage is provided with a propulsion motor controlled by a control device such as a microprocessor, and equipped with sensors, so that these devices can clean a certain floor area without a user being required to drive and steer the mouthpiece. While such autonomous vacuum cleaners have an advantage of being easily capable of reaching under furniture, they have a problem that, due to their circular shape, they can not reach in corners. Further, since they are necessarily lightweight and battery powered, suction force is low and hence cleaning performance is low.

[0005] EP-1360922 describes a device that involves complicated software and control algorithms, which would make such device quite expensive, which is perhaps an explanation for the fact that this device has not been put on the market yet.

[0006] EP-0930840 describes a vacuum cleaner device where the cleaning head device is provided with a stiff tube between handlepiece and cleaning head device. The user pushes and pulls the handlepiece, and the pushing and pulling force is transferred to the cleaning head device via the stiff tube. This force is mechanically detected in the cleaning head device, and wheels in the cleaning head device are driven by a drive motor on the basis of the detected force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner device overcoming the above drawbacks.

[0008] In one aspect, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaning device of the above-mentioned type, wherein the mouthpiece is mounted on a cleaning head provided with a propulsion, and a remote control device possibly associated with the hose and provided with an accelerometer. By manipulating this remote control device, the user can steer the cleaning head without having to bend.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained by the following description of one or more preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which same reference numerals indicate same or similar parts, and in which:

figure 1 schematically shows a vacuum cleaning apparatus according to the present invention;

figure 2 schematically shows a block diagram of the control arrangement of the vacuum cleaning apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view and a block diagram of a vacuum cleaning apparatus 1 according to the present invention. Apparatus 1 comprises a vacuum source device 100, a cleaning head device 200, and a flexible hose 300.

[0011] The vacuum source device 100 is implemented as a carriage with wheels, although the wheels are not essential for implementing the present invention. Other displacement means, such as driven tracks or belts, rolls or caterpillars are possible. The carriage, also indicated as "cannister", carries a motor 110 driving an air suction device or pump 120, for instance of a ventilator type, a centrifugal type, etc. The air suction device 120 communicates with a device inlet 130 and with an exhaust 140. In use, air will be drawn in through the device inlet 130 and discharged through the exhaust 140, carrying along dust particles and the like, which are caught in a dust collector device 150 arranged in the flow path from inlet 130 to exhaust 140, typically implemented as a dust bag or cyclone or the like. Further, one or more air filters 160 may be provided. Since such vacuum source device is known in general, and the present invention may even in principle be implemented using an existing vacuum source device, a further description thereof is not needed here.

[0012] The cleaning head device 200 is also implemented as a carriage, with wheels 210 and at least one motor 220 for driving the wheels 210. The cleaning head device 200 has a steering facility, which may be implemented through the use of one or more steering wheels or by independent driving of the wheels, or both; for instance, it is possible that each wheel is provided with its own dedicated motor. The cleaning head device 200 is further provided with a control device 230 for controlling the motor(s) 220 and the steering, such that the cleaning head device 200 can ride in all directions. It may be that the cleaning head device 200 can ride forwards and backwards along straight or more or less curved paths, like common cars, but, if all wheels are driven and can rotate about vertical axes, it is possible that the entire cleaning head device 200 can ride forwards and backwards as well as to the left and to the right. A person skilled in the art will know how to mount one or more driven wheels to a carriage, and how a control device should drive and/or steer such wheels in order to go to a certain direction, so that a further explanation thereof is not needed here.

[0013] The control device 230, which may be implemented as a suitably programmed controller, microprocessor, or the like, generates its control signals for the driving of the motor(s) and the steering of the wheel(s) on the basis of input signals received at an input 231, as will be explained later.

[0014] At its underside, the cleaning head device 200 carries a mouthpiece 240, and it is provided with an outlet 250 communicating with this mouthpiece 240. The flexible hose 300 has an input end 302 detachably coupled to the cleaning head device outlet 250 and an output end 301 detachably coupled to the vacuum source device inlet 130. Therefore, in use, air will be drawn in through the mouthpiece 240, and dust will be sucked in at the location of the cleaning head device 200, which may be at a relatively large distance from the vacuum source device 100, depending on the length of the hose 300. Preferably, the flexible hose 300 is of the self-extending type, so that the cleaning head device 200 has more freedom of movement and a wider range.

[0015] The vacuum cleaning apparatus 1 is further provided with a handlepiece 400 arranged at some midsection of the hose 300, i.e. at a distance from the hose output end 301 and at a distance from the hose input end 302. The shape and size of the handlepiece 400 are such that it can easily be gripped and manipulated by a user. The handlepiece 400 may be attached to the hose 300, which may be contiguous from its input end 302 to its output end 301, and the handlepiece 400 may even be detachably attached to the hose 300 so that its position can be shifted along the length of the hose. It is also possible that the handlepiece 400 is integral with a piece of stiff pipe 401, and that the hose 300 consists of two separate parts, a first part 310 extending from the cleaning head device 200 to the handlepiece pipe 401 and a second part 320 extending from the handlepiece pipe 401 to the vacuum source device 100. In fact, the handlepiece pipe 401 may be provided with a connector end for coupling with an existing vacuum cleaner hose, so that the combination of handlepiece 400, cleaning head device 200 and first flexible hose part 310 can be applied as an add-on extension to an existing vacuum cleaner apparatus.

[0016] According to an important feature of the present invention, the handlepiece 400 is provided with a sensor device 500 for sensing the orientation and preferably also the movement of the handlepiece 400 in the threedimensional space. Suitable sensor devices may typically comprise one or more accelerometers, either implemented macroscopically by masses and springs or implemented as a chip. Such accelerometers are known per se, so that an elaborate explanation is not needed here. Suffice it to say that such accelerometers may be arranged for being capable of detecting the direction of gravity, which would correspond to the threedimensional orientation of the sensor 500 and hence the handlepiece 400, and/or that such accelerometers may be arranged for being capable of detecting the movement of the sensor 500 and hence the handlepiece 400. By way of example, it is noted that the well-known WII game device comprises suitable sensors for detecting movement and orientation of a handheld game controller, allowing a user to control a game, and the same technique can be applied in the handlepiece 400.

[0017] As shown in the block diagram of figure 2, the sensor device 500 has a signal output 501 coupled to a signal input 231 of the control device 230 of the cleaning head device 200, so that the control device 230 has information on the orientation and/or movement of the handlepiece 400. The control device 230 is programmed to control the movements of the cleaning head device 200 on the basis of the received sensor signals. For instance, if the user tilts the handlepiece 400 forwards, the cleaning head device 200 may be driven forwards; if the user tilts the handlepiece 400 to the left, the cleaning head device 200 may be driven to the left; etc.

[0018] Thus, a very convenient and intuitive user control (human/device interface) is achieved. The user may conveniently rest, for instance remain standing upright or seated, and does not have to physically move the cleaning head device 200. It would even be possible that the handlepiece 400 is detached from the hose 300, so that the user manipulates a separate handlepiece and the reach of the cleaning head device 200 is not limited by the fact that the hose 300 must be routed via the user. Detaching handlepiece 400 from the hose 300 results to a technical effect which is different from the technical effect achieved by a handle piece 400 which is attached to the hose 300. In the latter arrangement of an attached handlepiece it is possible to manipulate the hose 300 as well as the vacuum source device 100 via the hose 300. Being able to still manipulate the hose and the source device leads to a user experience which is comparable to usage of a conventional vacuum cleaner, however, without the burden of exercising force to the handlepiece 400 to push and pull the cleaning head device 200 across and over the surface to be cleaned as in state of the art devices. In case the handlepiece 400 is detached from the hose 300, the user needs to adjust the position of the source device 100 as well as the position of the cleaning head device 200. Hence, all direct interaction with the vacuum cleaner and the process of vacuum cleaning is than then disabled. Perception of touch and perception of force exertion are lost in case of a detached handlepiece. In case of the cleaning head device 200 being stuck, e.g. between a wall and a piece of furniture, subsequent release is facilitated if the handlepiece is attached to the hose 300. By pulling the hose and consequently the cleaning head at the end of the hose, the cleaning head device 200 can be set free again. In case the handlepiece is attached to the hose, the hose will be lifted from the surface to be cleaned and the hose will not form an obstacle to a free movement of the cleaning head device 200. The user who operates the vacuum cleaner will be in the vicinity of the cleaning head device in case of an attached handlepiece, so that the cleaning process can be watched from nearby.

[0019] In case of a detachable handlepiece which is detached from the hose, the user can comfortably take a position where the cleaning chore can be accurately observed without having to interact directly with the hose and the cleaning head device. This may be practical e.g. where the user has to bend over to accurately watch the progression of the cleaning process while at the same time the bent-over position is unsuitable or unpleasant to directly interact with the hose as is the case with a handlepiece which is attached to the hose.

[0020] In principle, the motor 220 of the cleaning head device 200 can be powered from a battery, and the same applies to the control device 230. However, since there is a physical connection between the cleaning head device 200 and the vacuum source device 100 anyway, i.e. the hose 300, while the vacuum source device 100 is typically powered from mains, it is preferred that the hose 300 contains an integrated power cord for providing mains power from the vacuum source device 100 to the cleaning head device 200. This would allow the motor 220 to be a more powerful motor. DC voltage for the control device 230 can be derived from this mains power. Alternatively, it is possible that the vacuum source device 100 provides lower voltage to the hose's power cord: the motor 220 does not have to be a (for instance) 230 VAC motor but it can (for instance) be a 12 VDC motor.

[0021] Likewise, the sensor device 500 may receive power from a battery or from the vacuum source device 100 via a power line in the hose 300.

[0022] On the other hand, in case of an embodiment as an add-on to an existing vacuum cleaner, the vacuum source device would probably not be equipped with an electrical output for powering any cleaning head device; especially in such case, it would be possible that the cleaning head device 200 itself is directly connected to mains via a power cord, and that the sensor device 500 is powered from a battery or through a power cord integrated in the hose portion between the cleaning head device 200 and the handlepiece 400.

[0023] Communication from the sensor signals to the control device 230 may be done wirelessly, but may conveniently be done via wires integrated in the hose portion between the cleaning head device 200 and the handlepiece 400.

[0024] Summarizing, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaning apparatus 1 comprising:

• a vacuum source device 100 provided with vacuum generating means 110, 120 and an inlet 130;
• a cleaning head device 200 provided with a mouthpiece 240 and an outlet 250;
• and a flexible hose 300 for connecting the cleaning head outlet to the vacuum source inlet.

[0025] The cleaning head is implemented as a steerable carriage, with wheels 210, at least one motor 220, and a control device 230 for controlling the motor.

[0026] The apparatus is provided with a handlepiece 400 arranged at some midsection of the hose 300 and provided with a sensor device 500 for sensing the orientation of the handlepiece 400, having a signal output 501 coupled to a signal input 231 of the control device.

[0027] The control device is adapted to control the movements of the cleaning head on the basis of the sensor signals received from the sensor.

[0028] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, it should be clear to a person skilled in the art that such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments; rather, several variations and modifications are possible within the protective scope of the invention as defined in the appending claims.

[0029] For instance, the handlepiece 400 may be provided with a universal hose connector, so that a conventional pipe-plus-mouthpiece can be connected, and/or conventional special purpose accessories can be connected, so that a user can perform manual cleaning if desired.

[0030] Further, the handlepiece 400 may be provided with one or more buttons for switching ON/OFF and/or for setting the suction power.

[0031] Further, the cleaning head device 200 may be provided with one or more rotating bristle brushes 260 or the like, for improving the cleaning efficiency. Also, the cleaning head device 200 may be provided with one or more object detection means 270, for instance comprising tactile sensors and/or infrared or ultrasonic distance sensors, for preventing the cleaning head device 200 to run into objects. Such object detection means 270 are coupled to the control device 230 of the cleaning head device 200 to communicate to the control device 230 a signal indicating the approach of objects; on the basis of the input signals received from the object detection means 270, the control device 230 may be designed to halt the movement in the direction of the object. This will significantly improve the handling of the cleaning head device 200 since the movement of the cleaning head device 200 will be smoother and potential damages to other objects and to the cleaning head device 200 itself will be avoided. The control device 230 may even be designed to automatically reverse the movement of the cleaning head device 200 so that it moves away the object, or to automatically steer the cleaning head device 200 around the object.

[0032] In a further embodiment the cleaning head device (200) may be provided with a power cord for being connected to mains, and the hose (300) may contain an integrated power cord for providing power from the cleaning head device to the sensor device (500).

[0033] Further in an embodiment of the vacuum cleaning apparatus or the accessory according to the invention, the communication of the sensor signals from the sensor device (500) to the control device (230) may be done wirelessly.

[0034] Further the hose (300) may contain integrated signal lines for communication of the sensor signals from the sensor device (500) to the control device (230).

[0035] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. Vacuum cleaning apparatus (1), comprising:

- a vacuum source device (100) provided with vacuum generating means (110, 120) and an inlet (130);

- a cleaning head device (200) provided with a mouthpiece (240) and an outlet (250) communicating with this mouthpiece (240);

- a flexible hose (300) for connecting the cleaning head device outlet (250) to the vacuum source device inlet (130), the flexible hose (300) having a hose input end (302) and a hose output end (301);
wherein the cleaning head device (200) is implemented as a steerable carriage, with displacement means (210) and at least one motor (220) for driving the displacement means (210), and

- a control device (230) for controlling the motor(s) (220) such that the cleaning head device (200) can move in all directions over a surface to be cleaned, the control device (230) having a signal input (231);
wherein the vacuum cleaning apparatus is further provided with a handlepiece (400) arranged at some midsection of the flexible hose (300), i.e. at a distance from the hose output end (301) and at a distance from the hose input end (302);
wherein the handlepiece (400) is provided with a sensor device (500) for sensing the orientation and preferably also the movement of the handlepiece (400) in the threedimensional space;
wherein the sensor device (500) has a signal output (501) coupled to the signal input (231) of the control device (230);
and wherein the control device (230) is adapted to control the movements of the cleaning head device (200) on the basis of the sensor signals received from the sensor device (500).

2. Vacuum cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control device (230) is adapted to control the movements of the cleaning head device (200) on the basis of tilting of the handlepiece (400).

3. Vacuum cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device (500) comprises one or more accelerometers.

4. Vacuum cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hose (300) contains an integrated power cord for providing power from the vacuum source device (100) to the cleaning head device (200).

5. Vacuum cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hose (300) contains an integrated power cord for providing power from the vacuum source device (100) to the sensor device (500).

6. Vacuum cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning head device (200) is provided with a power cord for being connected to mains, and wherein the hose (300) contains an integrated power cord for providing power from the cleaning head device to the sensor device (500).

7. Vacuum cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hose (300) is contiguous from its input end (302) to its output end (301) and the handlepiece (400) is attached to the hose (300).

8. Vacuum cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handlepiece (400) is detachably attached to the hose (300) so that its position can be shifted along the length of the hose.

9. Vacuum cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handlepiece (400) is integral with or attached to a piece of stiff pipe (401), and wherein the hose (300) consists of two separate parts, a first part (310) extending from the cleaning head device (200) to the handlepiece pipe (401) and a second part (320) extending from the handlepiece pipe (401) to the vacuum source device (100).

10. Vacuum cleaning apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the handlepiece pipe (401) is provided with a connector end for coupling with an existing vacuum cleaner hose.

11. Vacuum cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the displacement means (210) comprise wheels, allowing the cleaning head device to ride on the surface to be cleaned.

12. Vacuum cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning head device (200) is provided with object detection means (270), the object detection means for instance comprising tactile sensors and/or infrared and/or ultrasonic distance sensors; wherein the object detection means (270) are coupled to the control device (230) of the cleaning head device (200) to communicate to the control device (230) a signal indicating the approach of objects.

13. Vacuum cleaning apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control device (230) is designed, on the basis of the input signals received from the object detection means (270), to halt a movement of the cleaning head device (200) in the direction of a detected object.

14. Accessory (1000) for a vacuum cleaning apparatus (1), comprising:

- a cleaning head device (200) provided with a mouthpiece (240) and an outlet (250) communicating with this mouthpiece (240);

- a flexible hose (310) having a hose input end (302) which is connectable to the outlet (250)of the cleaning head device (200)

- a handlepiece (400) of the accessory (1000) integral with or attached to a piece of stiff pipe (401) so that the flexible hose (310) is extendable from the cleaning head device (200) to the handlepiece pipe (401), wherein the cleaning head device (200) is implemented as a steerable carriage, with displacement means (210) and at least one motor (220) for driving the displacement means, and

- a control device (230) for controlling the motor(s) (220) such that the cleaning head device (200) can move in all directions over a surface to be cleaned, the control device (230) having a signal input (231), wherein the handlepiece (400) is provided with

- a sensor device (500) for sensing the orientation and preferably also the movement of the handlepiece (400) in the threedimensional space, wherein the sensor device (500) has a signal output (501) coupled to the signal input (231) of the control device (230), and wherein the control device (230) is adapted to control the movements of the cleaning head device (200) on the basis of the sensor signals received from the sensor device (500).

15. Accessory according to claim 13, wherein the handlepiece pipe (401) is provided with a connector end for coupling the accessory with an existing vacuum cleaner or vacuum cleaner hose.

Drawing