ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MOBILE VACUUM CLEANER

Abstract

The invention refers to an electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) for separating dust and particles from a suction flow (35), comprising an electric motor (38) and a turbine (40) for generating the suction flow (35), a vacuum cleaner housing (4, 6; 32) with a collection chamber (8) for collecting dust and particles separated from the suction flow (35), a battery cell (116) for providing the electric motor (38) with electric energy for its operation, wheels (20) assigned to the vacuum cleaner (2).

It is suggested that the battery cell (116) forms an integral part of an extractable battery pack (100a, 100b), the vacuum cleaner housing (4, 6; 32) comprises a recess (62) opening towards the environment and adapted to receive the battery pack (100a, 100b) in a direction (104) parallel to a longitudinal extension (136), the battery pack (100a, 100b) is equipped with first electrical contact elements (60; 60′) electrically connected to the battery cell (116), and the recess (62) is equipped with second electrical contact elements (64; 64′) electrically connected to the electric motor (38).

The contact elements (60, 64; 60, 64′) are adapted to automatically enter into a mutual electric contact upon insertion of the battery pack (100a, 100b) into the recess (62) for establishing an electric connection between the battery cell (116) and the electric motor (38) and for operation of the vacuum cleaner (2) by means of electric energy from the battery cell (116).

Claims

1. An electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) for separating dust and particles from a suction flow (35), the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) comprising: an electric motor (38) and a turbine (40) for generating the suction flow (35), a vacuum cleaner housing (4, 6; 32) in which the electric motor (38) and a collection chamber (8) for collecting the dust and particles separated from the suction flow (35) are arranged, at least one battery cell (116) for providing the electric motor (38) with electric energy for its operation, a plurality of wheels (20) assigned to the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2), on which the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) can be moved over a ground surface, characterized in that the at least one battery cell (116) forms an integral part of an extractable battery pack (100a, 100b), the vacuum cleaner housing (4, 6; 32) comprises a recess (62) with a longitudinal extension (136), the recess (62) opening towards the environment and adapted for receiving at least part (101) of the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b) in a direction (104) parallel to the longitudinal extension (136), the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b) is equipped with at least two separate first electrical contact elements (60; 60′) electrically connected to the at least one battery cell (116), and the recess (62) is equipped with at least two separate second electrical contact elements (64; 64′) electrically connected to the electric motor (38), wherein the at least two separate first electrical contact elements (60; 60′) and the at least two separate second electrical contact elements (64; 64′) are adapted to automatically enter into a mutual electric contact upon insertion of the at least part (101) of the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b) into the recess (62) for establishing an electric connection between the at least one battery cell (116) and the electric motor (38) and operation of the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) by means of electric energy from the at least one battery cell (116).

2. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 1, wherein the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) comprises an adapter element (66; 80) having an adapter housing (126), at least part (128) of the adapter housing (126) being designed to be inserted into the recess (62) after removal of the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b), the adapter housing (126) being equipped with at least two separate third electrical contact elements (63; 63′) electrically connected to a cable (74; 82) and a plug (78; 88) adapted for connection to a mains power supply, the at least two separate second electrical contact elements (64; 64′) and the at least two separate third electrical contact elements (63; 63′) are adapted to automatically enter into a corresponding mutual electric contact upon insertion of the at least part (128) of the adapter housing (126) into the recess (62) for establishing an associated electric connection between the mains power supply and the electric motor (38) and operation of the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) by means of electric energy from the mains power supply, if the plug (78; 88) is connected to the mains power supply.

3. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 2, wherein the adapter element (80) is connected to an external power supply unit (84) by means of a first electric cable (82) and the external power supply unit (84) is connected to the plug (88) by means of a second electric cable (86), the power supply unit (84) comprises an electric transformer (92) for transforming the electric energy from the mains power supply into corresponding electric energy supplied by the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b), in order to allow operation of the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) by the electric energy originating from the mains power supply and transformed by the electric transformer (92) of the power supply unit (84).

4. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 2, wherein the adapter element (66) comprises an electric transformer (70) arranged inside the adapter housing (126), the electric transformer (70) is adapted to transform the electric energy form the mains power supply into corresponding electric energy supplied by the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b), in order to allow operation of the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) by the electric energy originating from the mains power supply and transformed by the electric transformer (70) of the adapter element (66).

5. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 3, wherein the electric transformer (70; 92) is adapted to transform a voltage of 230 V or 110 V AC of the mains power supply alternating at 50 Hz to 60 Hz into an operating voltage of 12 V, 18 V, 24 V, 36 V or 48 V DC, respectively, for the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2).

6. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 2, wherein the power supply unit (84) and/or the adapter element (66) comprise a rectifier (72; 94) for transforming an alternating current of the mains power supply into a direct current for the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2), and/or the power supply unit (84) and/or the adapter element (66) comprise an electronic filter element (72; 94) for reducing interferences and suppressing electronic disturbances in the operating voltage of the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2).

7. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner housing (4, 6; 32) and either the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b) or the adapter housing (126) of the adapter element (66; 80) are provided with corresponding attachment members (118, 120) adapted to enter into mutual engagement with each other upon complete insertion of the at least part (101; 128) of the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b) or of the adapter element (66; 80) into the recess (62) and to provide for a releasable attachment of the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b) or the adapter element (66; 80) to the vacuum cleaner housing (4, 6; 32).

8. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 7, wherein the corresponding attachment members (118, 120) are adapted to automatically enter into mutual engagement with each other upon complete insertion of the at least part (101; 128) of the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b) or the adapter element (66; 80) into the recess (62).

9. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 4, wherein the electric transformer (70; 92) in the adapter element (66) or in the external power supply unit (84) is adapted to comply with an ATEX 95 equipment directive 94/9/EC.

10. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 2, wherein a first electric cable (74; 82) is fixedly attached to the adapter element (66; 80).

11. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 2, wherein the external power supply unit (84) comprises a first electric socket (138) for releasable attachment of a first electric cable (82) to the power supply unit (84), or the external power supply unit (84) comprises a second electric socket (140) for releasable attachment of a second cable (86) to the power supply unit (84).

12. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one battery cell (116) is a Li-polymer battery cell, and the at least one battery cell (116) is arranged and switched in the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b) such that the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b) provides an output voltage of one of 12 V, 18 V, 24 V, 36 V, 48 V and an output current in a range of 10 A to 15 A DC.

13. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of wheels (20) are directly attached to the vacuum cleaner housing (4, 6) or the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) is mounted on a trolley which is provided with the plurality of wheels (20) on which the trolley can be easily moved over the ground together with the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) mounted thereon.

14. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 1, wherein the recess (62) has a dimension and form in order to receive at least a front part (101; 128) of the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b) or the adapter housing (126) of the adapter element (66; 80), the at least the front part (101; 128) comprising a front end face (122; 132) and circumferential wall portions (124; 134) of the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b) or the adapter housing (126), the circumferential wall portions (124; 134) bordering and surrounding the front end face (122; 132), or the recess (62) has a dimension and form in order to receive entirely the extractable entire-battery pack (100a, 100b) or adapter housing (126) of the adapter element (66; 80), leaving only a rear end face (106, 112) of the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b) or the adapter housing (126) visible from outside.

15. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 4, wherein the electric transformer (70; 92) is adapted to transform a voltage of 230 V or 110 V AC of the mains power supply alternating at 50 Hz to 60 Hz into an operating voltage of 12 V, 18 V, 24 V, 36 V or 48 V DC, respectively, for the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2).

16. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 3, wherein the power supply unit (84) and/or the adapter element (66) comprise a rectifier (72; 94) for transforming an alternating current of the mains power supply into a direct current for the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2), and/or the power supply unit (84) and/or the adapter element (66) comprise an electronic filter element (72; 94) for reducing interferences and suppressing electronic disturbances in the operating voltage of the electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2).

17. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 2, wherein the vacuum cleaner housing (4, 6; 32) and either the battery pack (100a, 100b) or the adapter housing (126) of the adapter element (66; 80) are provided with corresponding attachment members (118, 120) adapted to enter into mutual engagement with each other upon complete insertion of the at least part (101; 128) of the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b) or of the adapter element (66; 80) into the recess (62) and to provide for a releasable attachment of the extractable battery pack (100a, 100b) or the adapter element (66; 80) to the vacuum cleaner housing (4, 6; 32).

18. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 4, wherein the electric transformer (70; 92) in the adapter element (66) or in the external power supply unit (84) is adapted to comply with an ATEX 95 equipment directive 94/9/EC.

19. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 3, wherein a first electric cable (74; 82) is fixedly attached to the adapter element (66; 80).

20. The electrically operated mobile operated mobile vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 4, wherein the external power supply unit (84) comprises a first electric socket (138) for releasable attachment of a first electric cable (82) to the power supply unit (84), or the external power supply unit (84) comprises a second electric socket (140) for releasable attachment of a second cable (86) to the power supply unit (84).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0053] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be described in further detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each of the features shown in the drawings and described herein, can be combined with any other feature even if such a combination is not shown in the drawings and/or not explicitly described herein. The drawing includes FIGS. 1-7, which show:

[0054] FIG. 1 shows an electrically operated mobile vacuum cleaner according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an upper part of the mobile vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;

[0056] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an upper part of the mobile vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;

[0057] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an upper part of the mobile vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;

[0058] FIG. 5 is a sectional and schematic view of an extractable battery pack of the mobile vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;

[0059] FIG. 6 is a sectional and schematic view of a recess in a housing of the mobile vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 for receiving a battery pack; and

[0060] FIG. 7 is a sectional and schematic view of an adapter element of the mobile vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0061] FIG. 1 shows an example of a mobile vacuum cleaner 2 according to the present invention. The vacuum cleaner 2 comprises an essentially two-part housing or casing with an upper part 4 and a lower part 6. The lower part 6 of the casing comprises a dust collection chamber 8 for receiving and storing dust and other small particles which have been filtered out of and extracted from a suction flow of dust-laden air aspirated by the vacuum cleaner 2. The upper part 4 of the casing comprises among others at least one electric motor 38 and at least one turbine 40 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) for creating a low pressure or vacuum (i.e. a pressure below the ambient pressure) in the container 8 and for creating the suction flow for the aspiration of dust-laden air.

[0062] Furthermore, the upper part 4 of the casing comprises one or more air filter elements 42 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) for filtering dust and small particles out of the aspirated dust laden air. On the outside of the upper part 4 of the casing, a user interface 10 is provided for the operational control of the vacuum cleaner 2 and its motor(s) 38. In the shown embodiment, the user interface 10 comprises a control switch for turning on (“A” or “M”) and off (“0”) the vacuum cleaner 2, for switching between automatic (“A”) and manual (“M”) operational mode and/or possibly also for manual speed control of the motor(s) 38. The vacuum cleaner 2 and its motor(s) 38 are operated by means of electric power from one or more battery packs 100, which are preferably rechargeable and will be described in more detail below.

[0063] The upper part 4 of the casing is releasably attached to the bottom part 6 by means of latches 16 located at opposite lateral sides of the casing 4, 6. Of course, the upper part 4 could also be attached to the bottom part 6 in any other way. FIGS. 2 to 4 show a dashed line as the separation between the upper part 4 and the bottom part 6 of the casing.

[0064] The upper part 4 of the casing may be provided with a handle 18 for conveniently carrying the vacuum cleaner 2 to its designated site of operation. The handle 18 also serves for lifting off the upper part 4 of the casing from the bottom part 6, when the latches 16 are released. The bottom part 6 of the casing is provided with wheels 20 so the vacuum cleaner 2 can be conveniently rolled over a ground surface, in particular a floor of a room or floor panels, from one position to another. Preferably, the front wheels 20 are pivotable about an essentially vertical pivoting axis 22, in order to allow easy maneuvering of the vacuum cleaner 2. At least one of the wheels 20 preferably comprises a locking brake 24 for temporarily holding the vacuum cleaner 2 in its current position on the ground surface. Hence, the vacuum cleaner 2 is a mobile unit which can be easily moved to a desired site of operation. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner 2 (with or without wheels 20) could also be positioned on a cart, carriage or trolley provided with wheels and maneuvered over a base surface.

[0065] Although, the vacuum cleaner 2 of FIG. 1 has four wheels 20, the mobile vacuum cleaner 2 according to the invention could have any number of wheels 20 larger than two. In particular, the vacuum cleaner 2 can have two, three or four wheels 20. If the vacuum cleaner 2 had only two wheels 20, these would preferably be arranged along a common horizontal axis of rotation. None of the wheels 20 would have to be pivotable about a vertical axis 22. If the vacuum cleaner 2 had three wheels 20, two of them would preferably be arranged along a common horizontal axis of rotation. A third wheel 20, located in a distance to the rotational axis of the other two wheels, would preferably be pivotable about a vertical axis 22. Obviously, the same would also apply to the wheels of a cart, carriage or trolley on which a stationary or mobile vacuum cleaner 2 could be mounted.

[0066] The vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a vacuum generation device 30 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) including the one or more motors 38 and the one or more turbines 40 and preferably located entirely in the upper part 4 of the casing. The dust collection chamber 8 has an air inlet port 26 for the dust-laden air of the suction flow 35 (see FIG. 2). The air inlet port 26 is located downstream of the vacuum generation device 30 and connects the inside of the dust collection chamber 8 with the environment. Further, the vacuum cleaner 2 comprises an exhaust opening 36 for filtered air located upstream of the vacuum generation device 30 and opening into the environment. The filter element(s) 42 are located between the dust collection chamber 8 and a suction opening 34 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) of the vacuum generation device 30. Preferably, the filter element(s) 42 are located entirely in the upper part 4 of the casing. The filter element(s) 42 can be realized as plate-type or ring-type filter(s). They can be removed from the upper part 4 of the casing for cleaning or replacement purposes, preferably after detaching the upper part 4 of the casing from the bottom part 6.

[0067] Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a pneumatic tube or hose 28 with sockets at its distal ends. One of the sockets is adapted for releasable connection of the pneumatic tube or hose 28 to the air inlet port 26. Another socket at the opposite end of the pneumatic tube or hose 28 may be connected to an air outlet port of any kind of a vacuum utilization device. The sockets of the pneumatic tube or hose 28 may be attached to the air inlet port 26 of the vacuum cleaner 2 and/or to the air outlet port of the vacuum utilisation device and secured thereto mechanically (e.g. a bayonet connection, a click-on connection, frictional connection or the like) and/or by means of magnetic force (e.g. generated by interaction between magnetic elements, in particular permanent magnets and/or ferromagnetic elements). The vacuum utilization device may be realized, for instance, as a suction nozzle, a floor nozzle, a suction brush, or a hand-held power tool (e.g. a sanding or a polishing machine, an electric drill, an electric chisel, an electric saw or the like). Hence, the vacuum cleaner 2 may aspirate dust-laden air generated during the intended use of the power tool and may filter out and extract dust and small particles from the dust-laden air by means of the filter element(s) 42 and collect them in the dust collection chamber 8.

[0068] The upper part 4 of the casing may have a power socket 12 for receiving an electric plug of a power supply line of an electric hand-held power tool, which is pneumatically connected to the vacuum cleaner 2 by means of the pneumatic tube or hose 28. The power socket 12 is preferably in connection with the battery cells of the one or more battery packs 100 for operating the vacuum cleaner 2 and its motor(s) 38. The power tool draws its electric current for operation of its electric motor from the socket 12. The vacuum cleaner 2 may have a sensing element (e.g. a current sensor) for sensing when the power tool is activated and draws current from the socket 12 and—in particular if the vacuum cleaner 2 is operated in the automatic (“A”) operational mode—a switching element (e.g. an electrically controlled switch, in particular a semiconductor switch) for automatically turning on the vacuum cleaner 2 and its motor(s) 38, respectively, when current is drawn through the power socket 12, and turning off the vacuum cleaner 2 and its motor(s) 38, respectively, possibly after a delay, when no current is drawn.

[0069] Alternatively, the hand-held power tool and its motor are operated by means of electric power from one or more rechargeable battery cells. The battery cells may be internal battery cells located inside the power tool housing or may make part of one or more extractable battery packs which are releasably attached to the power tool housing. In the case of a battery operated power tool, there is no electric connection by means of a power supply line between the vacuum cleaner 2 and the power tool. In order to provide for an automatic activation and deactivation of the vacuum cleaner 2 and its motor(s) 38 when the battery operated power tool is activated a wireless data communication connection (e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, wireless USB, ZigBee or the like) between the power tool and the vacuum cleaner 2 may be established through which a respective power-on signal and/or power-off signal may be transmitted from the power tool to the vacuum cleaner 2. To this end, the vacuum cleaner 2 would be equipped with respective wireless communication means (not shown) comprising a receiver for receiving data from the power tool and possibly also a transmitter for transmitting data to the power tool across the wireless connection.

[0070] The upper part 4 of the casing may also have an air socket 14 for connecting a pneumatic high-pressure tube of a pneumatic hand-held power tool to the vacuum cleaner 2. The air socket 14 is preferably in connection with an external compressed air supply and provides compressed air for operating the power tool and its pneumatic motor. The power tool draws compressed air for operation of its pneumatic motor from the air socket 14. The vacuum cleaner 2 has a sensing element (e.g. an airflow sensor) for sensing when the power tool draws compressed air from the socket 14 and a switching element for automatically turning on the vacuum cleaner 2 and its motor, respectively, when compressed air is drawn, and turning off the vacuum cleaner 2 and its motor, respectively, possibly after a delay, when no compressed air is drawn.

[0071] As previously mentioned, the vacuum cleaner 2 is operated by electric energy from one or more battery packs 100. Each of the battery packs 100 may comprise one or more battery cells which are electrically connected to each other in series and/or in parallel so that the respective battery pack 100 provides a desired voltage and current. The battery packs 100a, 100b are releasably attached to the vacuum cleaner housing 4, 6. Additionally, the vacuum cleaner 2 may also comprise one or more internal batteries, like battery 100c, comprising one or more battery cells. The internal battery 100c is located inside the vacuum cleaner housing 4, 6 and can be removed therefrom only after opening, disassembling or destroying the housing 4, 6. Additional steps (e.g. releasing soldered connections by means of a soldering iron, releasing a plug or the like) are most likely required for detaching the battery 100c from an electronic circuit of the vacuum cleaner 2.

[0072] Hereinafter, some preferred embodiments of the vacuum generation device 30 are explained in further detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. The vacuum generation device 30 comprises an electric motor 38 and a turbine 40 with radially extending blades 44. A motor shaft and the turbine 40 may rotate about a rotational axis 46. The turbine 40 may realize an axial air flow (extending essentially parallel to the rotational axis 46) or—as shown in the FIGS. 2 to 4—a radial air flow (extending essentially obliquely, in particular perpendicular in respect to the rotational axis 46). The vacuum generation device 30 is operated by electric energy from one or more battery packs 100 comprising at least one extractable battery pack 100a; 100b. The extractable battery packs will be described hereinafter in more detail with reference to battery pack 100a. However, the respective description applies to other extractable battery packs, like battery pack 100b, just as well.

[0073] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the vacuum generation device 30 is operated by electric energy from the at least one extractable battery pack 100a. One or more additional internal batteries 100c may also be provided.

[0074] The battery pack 100a comprises an external casing 114 and one or more battery cells 116 located therein, preferably of the Lithium-Polymer-type. However, the battery cells 116 may also be of any other type, e.g. of the Lithium-Ion-type. The battery cells 116 of the battery pack 100a are electrically switched in series and/or in parallel, in order to make the battery pack 100a provide a desired operating voltage in the range of 12 V to 48 V for the vacuum generation device 30 and a respective operating current for operating the vacuum cleaner 2 and its motor(s) 38. The electric connections for switching together the battery cells 116 are not shown in the figures but can be easily imagined by the skilled person.

[0075] The vacuum cleaner 2 comprises an externally accessible recess or compartment 62 for receiving at least a front part 101 of the battery pack 100a (see FIG. 5). In particular, a housing 32 of the upper part 4 of the vacuum cleaner casing comprises the recess 62. The housing 32 makes part of or corresponds to the upper part 4 of the vacuum cleaner casing. The battery pack 100a is releasably attached to the housing 32 in order to avoid its unintentional separation and falling out of the recess 62. Attachment and/or securing of the battery pack 100a may be achieved mechanically (e.g. a bayonet connection, a click-on connection, frictional connection or the like) and/or by means of magnetic force (e.g. generated by interaction between magnetic elements, in particular permanent magnets and/or ferromagnetic elements).

[0076] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, spring-loaded locking elements 118 are provided on opposite sides of the battery pack 100a. The locking elements 118 may be pressed radially inwards (obliquely, in particular perpendicular in respect to a longitudinal extension of the battery pack 100a) against a spring force. The recess 62 may have corresponding depressions 120 adapted for receiving protruding parts of the locking elements 118, when the battery pack 100a is fully inserted into the recess 62. The protruding parts of the locking elements 118 entering into mutual engagement with the depressions 120 secures the battery pack 100a in the recess 62. Of course, there are many other ways of realizing the securing of the battery pack 100a in the recess 62. For example, the battery pack 100a on the one hand and the recess 62 or a part of the housing 32 surrounding an opening 108 of the recess 62 (see FIG. 6) on the other hand could be provided with respective interacting magnetic elements for securing the battery pack 100a in the recess 62.

[0077] According to the invention, it is suggested that at least a part 101 of the battery pack 100a (see FIGS. 2 and 5), preferably the entire battery pack 100a (see FIG. 1), is received in the recess or compartment 62 provided in the vacuum cleaner housing 32. Preferably, the recess 62 has a dimension and form in order to receive at least a front part 101 of the battery pack 100a, the front part 101 comprising a front end face 122 and circumferential wall portions 124 of the battery pack 100a, the circumferential wall portions 124 bordering and surrounding the front end face 122 and extending essentially parallel to a longitudinal extension and an insertion direction 104 of the battery pack 100a. Hence, as shown in FIG. 2, the recess 62 may encompass the received part 101 of the battery pack 100a laterally. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1, the recess 62 may have a dimension and form such that the entire battery pack 100a is received, leaving only a rear end face 106 of the battery pack 100a visible from outside. Hence, after complete insertion of the battery pack 100a into the recess 62, only the rear end face 106 of the battery pack 100a is visible from outside. It is suggested that the end face 106 is formed such that it continuously transitions into the vacuum cleaner housing 32 surrounding the opening 108 of the recess 62.

[0078] First electrical contact elements 60 of the battery pack 100a may be arranged at the front end face 122 of the battery pack 100a, opposite to the externally visible rear end face 106. In this case, second electrical contact elements 64 are provided at a respective bottom surface of the recess 62 (opposite to the opening 108) in order to allow to automatically establish the electric connection of the battery cells 116 in the battery pack 100a with the electric motor 38 of the vacuum cleaner 2 upon full insertion of the battery pack 100a or part 101 of it into the recess 62. The electric connection may be established directly to the electric motor 38 or indirectly, e.g. through an electronic control unit 110 of the vacuum cleaner 2 (see FIG. 1). The electronic control unit 110 preferably comprises a PCB and electric and electronic components arranged and contacted thereon. In particular, the electronic components comprise a data processor adapted for running a computer program thereon. The data processor executing the computer program may realize one or more operations and control functionalities of the vacuum cleaner 2.

[0079] Additionally or alternatively, the first electrical contact elements 60′ could be provided laterally at the side of the battery pack 100a and extend along one or more of the walls portions 124 of the casing 114 of the battery pack 100a. In that case, the first electrical contact elements 60′ may have a longitudinal extension preferably extending along the longitudinal extension of the battery pack 100a and parallel to the insertion direction 104 of the battery pack 100a into the recess 62. In that case, the second electrical contact elements 64′ would be provided at one or more corresponding lateral internal walls of the recess 62 in order to allow to automatically establish the electric connection of the battery cells 116 in the battery pack 100a with the electric motor 38 of the vacuum cleaner 2 upon insertion of the battery pack 100a or part 101 of it into the recess 62. This embodiment has the advantage that each time the battery pack 100a is removed from the recess 62 or inserted therein, the first and second electrical contact elements 60′, 64′ are cleaned by friction of one contact element 60′; 64′ sliding on the other contact element 64′; 60′, thereby removing humidity, corrosion and/or staining from the contact elements 60′, 64′.

[0080] The vacuum cleaner 2 may be provided with an internal electric charger (not shown) for automatically recharging the battery cells 116 of one or more of the battery packs 100 of the vacuum cleaner 2. In particular, the battery pack 100a could be recharged by the internal charger when the battery pack 100a or part 101 of it is fully inserted into the recess 62. The charger could be provided with electric energy through an electric cable of the vacuum cleaner 2 which is plugged into a respective socket of a mains power supply. The charger could also be operated by a battery separate from the battery packs 100. Different charging modes are conceivable. In a first mode, the electric energy for operating the electric motor 38 is provided by the battery pack 100a inserted into the recess 62 and at the same time the battery cells 116 of the battery pack 100a are recharged by the charger. In a second mode, the electric energy for operating the electric motor 38 is provided through the electric cable of the vacuum cleaner 2 from the mains power supply and at the same time the battery cells 116 are recharged by the charger. In a third mode, no electric energy is provided to the electric motor 38 of the vacuum cleaner 2, i.e. the vacuum cleaner 2 is not running and in an idle state, and the battery cells 116 are recharged by the charger. An internal charger would be particularly advantageous for recharging battery cells 116 of an internal battery, like battery 100c, which cannot be easily removed from the housing 32.

[0081] Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner 2 does not have an internal electric charger. Instead, the battery cells 116 of the battery pack 100a are recharged by means of an external charger to which the battery pack 100a is connected after extraction from the recess 62. Omission of an internal charger allows provision of a smaller and lighter vacuum cleaner 2.

[0082] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the battery pack 100a has been released from the housing 32 and extracted from the recess 62. Instead of the battery pack 100a at least a front part 128 of an adapter element 66 has been inserted into the recess 62. The adapter element 66 is provided with at least two third electronic contact elements 63 which are in electric connection with the second electronic contact elements 64 provided in the recess 62. The adapter element 66 is releasably attached to the housing 32 in order to avoid its unintentional separation and falling out of the recess 62. Attachment and/or securing of the adapter element 66 may be achieved mechanically (e.g. a bayonet connection, a click-on connection, a frictional connection or the like) and/or by means of magnetic force (e.g. generated by interaction between magnetic elements, in particular permanent magnets and/or ferromagnetic elements). For example, the adapter element 66 could be provided with spring-loaded locking elements 118 (see FIG. 7), similar to what was previously described in respect to the battery pack 100a of FIG. 5.

[0083] The adapter element 66 has an external casing 126 possibly corresponding in dimension and form to the external casing 114 of the battery pack 100a. In particular, at least that part 128 of the adapter element 66 to be inserted into the recess 62 corresponds to that part 101 of the battery pack 100a to be inserted into the recess 62. The form and/or dimensions of that part 130 of the adapter element 66 not to be inserted into the recess 62 may differ from the form and/or dimensions of that part 103 of the battery pack 100a not to be inserted into the recess 62.

[0084] The use of the adapter element 66 allows operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 by means of electric power from a mains power supply. This may be advantageous, if the vacuum cleaner 2 has to be continuously operated for a long period of time and/or if a high suction power is required which may possibly not be achieved by the external battery pack 100a and/or the internal battery 100c. Furthermore, the adapter element 66 may be adapted to charge the internal battery 100c after insertion of the adapter element 66 into the recess 62. Charging of the internal battery 100c may be initiated automatically after insertion of the adapter element 66 into the recess 62 or upon a user request, e.g. after pressing a respective button, transmitting a respective signal to the vacuum cleaner 2, or the like. During operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 and its motor(s) 38, respectively, by means of electric power from the adapter element 66 and a mains power supply, respectively, charging of the internal battery 100c may be interrupted or continued.

[0085] In the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 5 the adapter element 66 comprises an electric transformer 70 arranged inside the adapter housing 126. The electric transformer 70 is adapted to transform a voltage in the range of 100 V to 240 V AC from the mains power supply, alternating with a frequency of 50 Hz to 60 Hz into an operation voltage of the vacuum generation device 30 in the range of 12 V to 48 V, preferably DC. The electric energy supplied by the adapter element 66 essentially corresponds to the electric energy supplied by the battery pack 100a, in order to allow operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 and the vacuum generation device 30, respectively, by means of electric energy originating from the mains power supply and transformed by the electric transformer 70 of the adapter element 66. The integration of the transformer 70 into the adapter housing 126 has the advantage that the vacuum cleaner 2 (including the adapter element 66 inserted into the recess 62) operated by the mains power supply is a single component which can be easily handled. In particular, no external power supply unit has to be dragged behind when moving the vacuum cleaner 2 around on the ground.

[0086] Preferably, the adapter element 66 comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 68 provided in the external casing 126. Attached and electrically connected to the PCB 68 is the transformer 70. Further electric and/or electronic components 72 may be attached to the PCB 68 comprising, for example, a rectifier, a central processing unit, a controller or regulator, and one or more capacitors, coils, inductances, resistors, transistors, thyristors, electric filters or the like. Preferably, all electronic components 70, 72 necessary for transforming the mains power into the electric power supplied by the battery pack 100a, including transforming, rectifying and filtering of the mains power, are accommodated in the adapter housing 126.

[0087] The electric energy of the mains power supply is transmitted to the transformer 70 of the adapter element 66 by means of a power cable 74 fixedly attached to the external casing 126 of the adapter element 66. Separate wires 76 of the cable 74 are connected to the PCB 68. The power cable 74 is provided with a plug 78 at its distal end for connection to a mains power supply socket. This embodiment has the advantage that the vacuum generation device 30 can be operated for an almost infinite amount of time. During operation of the vacuum generation device 30 with the adapter element 66 the extractable battery pack 100a may be recharged in an external charging station (not shown). As previously mentioned, an internal battery 100c of the vacuum cleaner 2 may be charged during operation of the vacuum generation device 30 with the adapter element 66 through the mains power supply.

[0088] If the adapter element 66 is removed from the recess 62 and instead the battery pack 100a is inserted therein again and the vacuum cleaner 2 is operated by means of electric energy provided by the battery pack 100a, the vacuum cleaner 2 no longer has an electric cable 74 which has to be stowed away, and which may be in the way when operating the vacuum cleaner 2 with electrical energy originating from the battery pack 100a. The electric cable 74 is present only if the vacuum cleaner 2 is actually operated with electric energy from the mains power supply by means of the adapter element 66. The same applies to the electrical transformer 70 and/or an electric rectifier and/or further electronic components (e.g. filter elements) 72, which are present in the vacuum cleaner 2 only if the adapter element 66 is inserted into the recess 62 and the vacuum cleaner 2 is actually operated with the electric energy from the mains power supply. Hence, when operated by means of electric energy from the battery pack 100a, the vacuum cleaner 2 has no excessive size or weight due to these electronic components 70, 72 which are not needed during battery operation of the vacuum cleaner 2.

[0089] It is suggested that at least part 128 of the adapter housing 126, preferably the entire adapter housing 126, is received in the recess 62 provided in the vacuum cleaner housing 32. Preferably, the recess 62 has a dimension and form in order to receive at least a front part 128 of the adapter housing 126, the front part 128 comprising a front end face 132 and circumferential wall portions 134 of the adapter housing 126, the circumferential wall portions 134 bordering and surrounding the front end face 132 and extending essentially parallel to the insertion direction 104 and the longitudinal extension of the adapter housing 126. Hence, the recess 62 may encompass the received part 128 of the adapter housing 126 laterally.

[0090] Alternatively, it is suggested that the recess 62 has a dimension and form in order to receive the entire housing of the adapter element 66, leaving only a rear end face 112 of the adapter housing 126 visible from outside. Hence, after complete insertion of the adapter element 66 into the recess 62, only the rear end face 112 of the adapter housing 126 (and the electric cable 74 for connection of the adapter element 66 to the mains power supply) is visible from outside. It is suggested that the end face 112 is formed such that it continuously transitions into the vacuum cleaner housing 32 surrounding the opening 108 of the recess 62.

[0091] The third electrical contact elements 63 of the adapter element 66 may be arranged at the front end face 132 of the adapter housing 126, opposite to the externally visible rear end face 112. In this case, the second electrical contact elements 64 are provided at a respective bottom surface of the recess 62 in order to allow to automatically establish the electric connection of the mains power supply and the adapter element 66, respectively, with the electric motor 38 of the vacuum cleaner 2 upon full insertion of the adapter housing 126 or part 128 of it into the recess 62. The electric connection may be established directly to the electric motor 38 or indirectly, e.g. through the electronic control unit 110 of the vacuum cleaner 2 (see FIG. 1).

[0092] Alternatively, the third electrical contact elements 63′ could be provided laterally at the side of the adapter housing 126 extending along one or more of the external wall portions 134 of the adapter housing 126. In that case, the third electrical contact elements 63′ may have a longitudinal extension preferably extending parallel to the insertion direction 104 and along the longitudinal extension of the adapter element 66. Further, the respective second electrical contact elements 64′ would be provided at a corresponding internal wall of the recess 62 in order to allow to automatically establish the electric connection of the mains power supply and the adapter element 66, respectively, with the electric motor 38 of the vacuum cleaner 2 upon full insertion of the adapter housing 126 or part 128 of it into the recess 62. This embodiment has the advantage that each time the adapter element 66 is removed from the recess 62 or inserted therein, the third and second electrical contact elements 63′, 64′ are cleaned by friction of one contact element 63′; 64′ sliding on the other contact element 64′; 63′, thereby removing humidity, corrosion and/or staining from the contact elements 63′, 64′.

[0093] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the battery pack 100a has been released from the housing 32 and extracted from the recess 62. Instead of the battery pack 100a an adapter element 80 has been at least partially inserted into the recess 62 and its third electrical contact elements 63 are in electric contact with the second electrical contact elements 64 provided in the recess 62. The adapter element 80 is releasably attached to the housing 32 in order to avoid its unintentional separation and falling out of the recess 62. Attachment and/or securing of the adapter element 80 may be achieved mechanically (e.g. a bayonet connection, a click-on connection, frictional connection or the like) and/or by means of magnetic force (e.g. generated by interaction between magnetic elements, in particular permanent magnets and/or ferromagnetic elements), similar to what was previously described regarding the battery pack 100a and the adapter element 66.

[0094] The adapter element 80 has an external casing possibly corresponding in dimension and form to the external casing 114 of the battery pack 100a. In particular, at least that part of the adapter element 80 to be inserted into the recess 62 corresponds to that part 101 of the battery pack 100a to be inserted into the recess 62. The form and/or dimensions of that part of the adapter element 80 not to be inserted into the recess 62 may differ from the form and/or dimensions of that part 103 of the battery pack 100a not to be inserted into the recess 62.

[0095] The adapter element 80 is provided with a first cable 82 connected to an external power supply unit 84. Preferably, the power supply unit 84 comprises a first electric socket 138 for releasable attachment of the first cable 82 to the power supply unit 84. The external power supply unit 84 is provided with a second cable 86 and a power plug 88 at its distal end for connection of the external power supply unit 84 to a power socket (not shown) of a mains power supply. Preferably, the external power supply unit 84 comprises a second electric socket 140 for releasable attachment of the second cable 86 to the power supply unit 84.

[0096] In this embodiment, the adapter element 80 merely serves as an interface between the power supply unit 84 and the electric contacts 64 of the recess 62. To this end, separate wires 83 of the first cable 82 are connected to the electric contacts 63 of the adapter element 80 adapted for entering into electric contact with the electric contacts 64 of the recess 62 upon complete insertion of the adapter element 80 or part of it into the recess 62.

[0097] Preferably, the power supply unit 84 has an external casing and comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 90 housed by the casing. Attached and electrically connected to the PCB 90 is a transformer 92 for transforming a voltage in the range of 100 V to 240 V AC from the mains power supply alternating with a frequency of 50 Hz to 60 Hz, into an operation voltage of the vacuum generation device 30 in the range of 12 V to 48 V, preferably DC. Further electric and/or electronic components 94 may be attached to the PCB 90 comprising, for example, a rectifier, a central processing unit, a controller or regulator, and one or more capacitors, coils, inductances, resistors, transistors, thyristors. Some of the further components 94 could also be housed by the external casing of the adapter element 80. Separate wires 96 of the second cable 86 are connected to the PCB 90. These wires 96 convey the electric energy from the mains power supply to the transformer 92 and preferably comprise three wires 96, for example, one for the phase conductor (with black or brown isolation), one for the neutral conductor (with blue or grey isolation) and one for the protective conductor (with green/yellow isolation). Further, separate wires 98 of the first cable 82 are connected to the PCB 90. These wires 98 convey the electric energy for the operation of the vacuum generation device 30, which was previously transformed by the transformer 92, to the adapter element 80. They preferably comprise two wires 98, for example, one for the positive voltage (with red isolation) and one for the negative voltage (with black isolation).

[0098] The compartment or recess 62 in the housing 32 as well as the battery pack 100a, 100b and the adapter element 66; 80 may have any desired cross sectional form, including circular, oval and polygonal, in particular triangular, rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc. Corners formed by abutting side wall portions 114, 126 of the compartment or recess 62, of the battery pack 100a, 100b and/or of the adapter element 66; 80, the corners extending essentially parallel to the insertion direction 104 and the longitudinal extension may be rounded off. Furthermore, the form and dimension of the recess 62 on the one hand and the battery pack 100a, 100b and the adapter element 66; 80 on the other hand does not have to be identical. Their dimensions and forms should simply be adapted to each other in order to allow a guided insertion of the battery pack 100a, 100b and of the adapter element 66; 80 into the recess 62, to allow establishment of an electric contact between the second electric contacts 64 on the one hand and the first electric contacts 60 or the third electric contacts 63 on the other hand, and to allow releasable attachment of the battery pack 100a, 100b or of the adapter element 66; 80 to the housing 32 of the vacuum cleaner 2.