Vacuum Apparatus having a Plug-In Module

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a system, comprising a vacuum apparatus having a vacuum apparatus housing and having at least one vacuum apparatus mains socket, the at least one vacuum apparatus mains socket being attached to the vacuum apparatus housing. According to the disclosure, the system additionally comprises a plug-in module, having a plug-in module communication unit, an electrical plug-in module mains plug unit, and a current control unit, which is designed to control an electrical current between the plug-in module and the vacuum apparatus.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a vacuum device having a vacuum device housing and at least one vacuum device network socket is attached to the vacuum device housing; and a plug-in module having a plug-in module communication device, an electrical plug-in module network plug device, and a current control device configured to control an electric current between the plug-in module and the vacuum device.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug-in module communication device is configured to receive a first signal from at least one external communication device, the first signal being a communication signal.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plug-in module communication device is configured to convert the first signal into a second signal, the second signal being an electric signal.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plug-in module communication device is configured to relay the second signal in a wired manner to the current control device.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug-in module is detachably connectable to the at least one vacuum device network socket.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the current control device comprises a signal control device and an electric load, the signal control device unit is being configured to receive the second signal.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein: the signal control device is configured to switch the second signal to the electric load; and the electric load is configured provided to receive the second signal, convert the second signal into a third signal, and relay the third signal to the electrical plug-in module network plug device.

8. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein: the plug-in module comprises at least one plug-in module network socket and; the current control device comprises a switching device; the plug-in module is detachably connectable to an external network socket; and a power supply cable of the vacuum device is detachably connectable to the at least one plug-in module network socket.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the signal control device is configured to switch the second signal to the switching device in response to the power supply cable of the vacuum device being connected to the at least one plug-in module network socket and the plug-in module being connected to the external network socket.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the switching device unit is configured to receive the second signal and to switch a wired connection between the at least one plug-in module network socket and the electrical plug-in module network plug device.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a power tool having a power tool communication device, the power tool being at least one of handheld power tool and a stationary power tool, wherein the plug-in module communication device is configured to establish a communication connection with the power tool communication device.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plug-in module communication device is configured to establish a direct communication connection with the power tool communication device.

13. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plug-in module communication device is configured to establish an indirect communication connection with the power tool communication device via an external communication device.

14. The system as claimed in claim 11 further comprising: a sensor module having a sensor module communication device and a sensor.

15. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sensor module is configured to establish a detachable connection to a vacuum hose of the vacuum device.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein: the sensor is configured to detect operating states of the power tool; the vacuum hose is connected to the power tool; the sensor is configured to transmit the operating states in a wired manner to the sensor module communication device; and the sensor module communication device unit is configured to transmit a first signal to the plug-in module.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] The invention is explained hereafter on the basis of preferred embodiments. In the figures of the drawings hereafter:

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a system according to the invention consisting of a vacuum device and a plug-in module in a schematic view in a first embodiment;

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the system according to the invention in a schematic illustration;

[0055] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the plug-in module in three views in a schematic illustration;

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram to explain the plug-in module from FIG. 3;

[0057] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of the vacuum device having plug-in module and a power tool in a direct communication;

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a vacuum device having plug-in module and power tool, which are connected via an indirect communication connection, in a schematic illustration;

[0059] FIG. 7 shows two schematic illustrations of the system made of the vacuum device having the plug-in module and having a sensor module.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a system 10 according to the invention, which comprises a vacuum device 20 having a vacuum device housing 21 and having a vacuum device network socket 22. In this case, the vacuum device network socket 22 is attached to the vacuum device housing 21. The vacuum device network socket 22 is designed in this embodiment as a Schuko plug receptacle. In other embodiments, further network plug receptacle types are also conceivable, as described above. The vacuum device network socket 22 can supply a connected electrical device with energy.

[0061] Moreover, the vacuum device 20 comprises a vacuum device drive 23, a vacuum device power supply 24, a dust collection device 25, and a vacuum device controller 26. The functionality and the interaction of the vacuum device drive 23, the vacuum device power supply 24, the dust collection device 25, and the vacuum device controller 26 are well known to a person skilled in the art.

[0062] In this embodiment, the vacuum device 20 is a network-operated vacuum device 20, which is connectable via a power supply cable 31 to an external network socket 70. The external network socket 70 provides a voltage of 230 V here. In other embodiments, the external network socket 70, as described above, can also provide other voltages. The power supply cable 31 comprises a network plug unit 32, which is designed in this embodiment as a Schuko plug.

[0063] The vacuum device housing 21 comprises a vacuum device operating unit 27, a vacuum device holding unit 28, and a vacuum hose 30. The vacuum device operating unit 27 is arranged in this embodiment on the same side of the vacuum device housing 21 as the vacuum device network socket 22 and the vacuum hose 30. Moreover, the vacuum device operating unit 27 is designed to be operated by a user and to generate switching signals. The vacuum device drive 23 is controlled by the switching signals.

[0064] In this embodiment, the vacuum device holding unit 28 comprises a vacuum device holding element, a vacuum device handle 33 here. The user can hold the vacuum device 20 at the vacuum device handle 33. The vacuum hose 30 is expediently detachably connectable to the vacuum device 20 in this embodiment. The vacuum hose 30 is located here on the same side of the vacuum device housing 21 as the vacuum device network socket 22 and also the vacuum device operating unit 27. In another embodiment, the vacuum hose 30 can also be permanently connected to the vacuum device 20.

[0065] A vacuum device movement unit 29 is attached to the vacuum device housing 21. In this embodiment, the vacuum device movement unit 29 consists of front guide rollers 34 and rear rollers 35. The front guide rollers 34 are used so that the user can steer the vacuum device 20 in a skilled manner to a required usage location. Because of the vacuum device handle 33, the user can moreover carry the vacuum device 20 to the required usage location.

[0066] The system 10 moreover comprises a plug-in module 40 having a plug-in module communication unit 41 and having a current control unit 42 and also an electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43. The plug-in module communication unit 41 is designed to receive and process a first signal 80. The first signal 80 is transmitted by an external communication unit 92, see FIG. 5, for example. The first signal 80 contains an item of information about an operating state of the power tool 100, as described at the outset. Examples of external communication units 92 are a power tool communication unit 101, a sensor module communication unit 122, and a communication unit 91 of an external communication device 90.

[0067] An electric current 36 between the plug-in module 40 and the vacuum device 20 is controlled by the current control unit 42.

[0068] In the embodiment of the plug-in module 40 according to FIG. 1, the plug-in module 40 can be detachably connected to the vacuum device network socket 22. For this purpose, the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43 is designed as a Schuko plug, so that the plug-in module 40 is plugged into the Schuko plug receptacle of the vacuum device network socket 22. In this embodiment of the plug-in module 40, the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43 has two electrical plug-in module network plug elements 48, see FIG. 3 in this regard. As soon as the plug-in module 40 is connected to the vacuum device network socket 22, the electric current 36 can in principle flow between plug-in module 40 and vacuum device 20.

[0069] A second embodiment of the plug-in module 40 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. The embodiment of the vacuum device 20 is according to FIG. 1. The difference of the second embodiment of the plug-in module 40 from the first embodiment of the plug-in module 40 is that the plug-in module 40 of the second embodiment additionally comprises a plug-in module network socket 44. The plug-in module network socket 44 is designed as a Schuko plug receptacle. Furthermore, the plug-in module network socket 44 is arranged on the plug-in module housing 49 and in the second embodiment of the plug-in module 40 is arranged on the opposite side to the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43. The second embodiment of the plug-in module 40 comprises, like the first embodiment of the plug-in module 40, the plug-in module communication unit 41 and also the current control unit 42. In an alternative embodiment of the plug-in module 40, it is conceivable that further plug-in module network sockets 44 are arranged on the plug-in module housing 49. In the second embodiment of the plug-in module 40, the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43 and the plug-in module network socket 44 are designed as a Schuko plug and a Schuko plug receptacle. In another embodiment, it is possible that the plug-in module housing 49 comprises more than one plug-in module network socket 44.

[0070] The plug-in module 40 of the second embodiment is detachably connectable to the external network socket 70 and is plugged in by the user. The power supply cable 31 of the vacuum device 20 is moreover detachably connectable to the plug-in module network socket 44. In this embodiment, the external network socket 70 is a wall network socket.

[0071] The user connects the vacuum device 20 via the power supply cable 31 of the vacuum device 20 to the plug-in module network socket 44 of the plug-in module 40. Moreover, the user connects the plug-in module 40 via the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43 to the external network socket 70. The plug-in module 40 and also the vacuum device 20 are thus supplied with electrical energy and the electric current 36 can flow between vacuum device 20 and plug-in module 40. The electric current 36 flows between plug-in module 40 and vacuum device 20 as soon as the first signal 80 has been received and processed by the plug-in module 40.

[0072] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the plug-in module 40 according to the invention in three views. The plug-in module 40 comprises the plug-in module housing 49. A schematic frontal view of the plug-in module 40 is indicated in FIG. 3a. The plug-in module housing 49 comprises the plug-in module network socket 44, which is designed as a Schuko plug receptacle, a display element 50 of the plug-in module 40, and an operating element 51 of the plug-in module 40.

[0073] The plug-in module housing 49 comprises the plug-in module communication unit 41 and the current control unit 42. The plug-in module communication unit 41 and the current control unit 42 are connected by means of a wired connection 52.

[0074] FIG. 3b shows a schematic side view of the plug-in module 40 having the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43, designed as a Schuko plug, having two electrical plug-in module network plug elements 48. In this embodiment, the plug-in module network socket 44 and the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43 are located on the plug-in module housing 49 on opposite sides. A schematic rear view having the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43 of the plug-in module 40 is shown in FIG. 3c.

[0075] A schematic block diagram of the plug-in module 40 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The plug-in module communication unit 41 is connected via a wired connection 52 to the current control unit 42. The current control unit 42 is connected to the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43 by means of a wired connection 53. Moreover, there is a wired connection 55 between plug-in module network socket 44 and the current control unit 42. There is thus a wired connection 54 from the plug-in module network socket 44 to the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43. The current control unit 42 furthermore comprises a signal control unit 45 and an electric load 46. The signal control unit 45 and the electric load 46 form a wired connection 56. Moreover, the electric load 46 is connected by means of a wired connection 57 to the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43. Furthermore, there is also a wired connection 58 between the signal control unit 45 and the switching unit 47. There is a wired connection 59 between the switching unit 47 and the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43. The switching unit 47 establishes the wired connection 54 of the plug-in module network socket 44 and the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43.

[0076] The plug-in module communication unit 41 receives the first signal 80 and converts it into a second signal 81. The first signal 80 is a wireless communication signal, but can also be wired in an alternative embodiment, and contains one of the two operating states of the power tool 100, “active” or “inactive”, as described at the outset. The first signal 80 is converted into an electric signal, the second signal 81. The plug-in module communication unit 41 relays the second signal 81 via the wired connection 52 to the current control unit 42. The signal control unit 45 receives the second signal 81 in the current control unit 42. The signal control unit 45 switches the second signal 81 either to the electric load 46, via the wired connection 56, or to the switching unit 47, via the wired connection 58.

[0077] If the plug-in module 40 is connected to the vacuum device network socket 22, the signal control unit 45 switches the second signal 81 to the electric load 46. The electric load 46 receives the second signal 81 and converts it into a third signal 82. Subsequently, the electric load 46 relays the third signal 82 to the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43 via the wired connection 57.

[0078] If the plug-in module 40 is connected to the external network socket 70 and the power supply cable 31 of the vacuum device 20 is connected to the plug-in module network socket 44, the signal control unit 45 switches the second signal 81 to the switching unit 47. The signal control unit 45 switches the second signal 81 via the wired connection 58 to the switching unit 47. When the switching unit 47 receives the second signal 81, it establishes the wired connection 54 between the plug-in module network socket 44 and the electrical plug-in module network plug unit 43.

[0079] If the first signal 80 contains the operating state “active” of the power tool 100, the electric current 36 is switched and the vacuum device drive 23 starts. If the first signal 80 contains the operating state “inactive” of the power tool 100, the electric current 36 is stopped and the vacuum device 20 is switched off (autostart function).

[0080] FIG. 5 shows a schematic embodiment according to FIG. 1, with the difference that the system 10 additionally comprises a power tool 100. In this embodiment, the power tool 100 is designed as a battery-operated handheld power tool, however, a network-operated handheld power tool or a stationary power tool is also conceivable. The power tool 100 is connected to the vacuum hose 30 of the vacuum device 20. The power tool 100 comprises a power tool communication unit 101. The plug-in module communication unit 41 forms a communication connection 83 to the power tool communication unit 101. In this embodiment, the communication connection 83 is a direct communication connection 84, in which a communication takes place directly from the power tool 100 to the plug-in module 40. The direct communication connection 84 is a wireless communication connection, in which an information exchange takes place directly between the power tool 100 and the plug-in module 40.

[0081] The plug-in module communication unit 41 and the power tool communication unit 101 establish the direct communication connection 84 after the two communication units have carried out a coupling procedure or a pairing. The coupling procedure is well known to a person skilled in the art. The direct communication connection 84 is a wireless communication connection, but can also be wired in an alternative embodiment. After the coupling procedure, the power tool communication unit 101 transmits the first signal 80 as soon as the power tool 100 is started or put into operation. The plug-in module communication unit 41 receives the first signal 80 and starts the electric current 36 and thus the vacuum device drive 23 (autostart function).

[0082] The direct communication connection 84 is also possible in the second embodiment of the plug-in module 40, cf. FIG. 2 in this regard. In the second embodiment of the plug-in module 40, the plug-in module 40 is connected to the external network socket 70. The power supply cable 31 of the vacuum device 20 is connected in this case to the plug-in module network socket 44. When the power tool communication unit 101 transmits the first signal 80, as soon as the power tool 100 starts, the plug-in module communication unit 41 receives the first signal 80 and controls the electric current 36. The power tool 100 is also connected to the vacuum hose 30 of the vacuum device 20 in this embodiment.

[0083] A communication connection alternative to FIG. 5, an indirect communication connection 85, will be explained on the basis of FIG. 6. The indirect communication connection 85 is a wireless communication connection, but can also be wired in an alternative embodiment. The system 10 additionally comprises an external communication device 90 having a communication unit 91 of the external communication device 90 here. The indirect communication connection 85 from power tool 100 to the plug-in module 40 is established in this case via the external communication device 90.

[0084] The power tool 100 is connected to the vacuum hose 30 of the vacuum device 20. As soon as the power tool 100 starts, the power tool communication unit 101 transmits the first signal 80 via a communication connection 86 to the communication unit 91 of the external communication device 90. The communication unit 91 of the external communication device 90 relays the first signal 80 via a communication connection 87 to the plug-in module communication unit 41. The plug-in module 40 then processes the first signal 80 and controls the electric current 36. Examples of external communication devices 90 are a smart phone, a tablet, a PC, and further communication devices known to a person skilled in the art.

[0085] The indirect communication connection 85 is also possible in the second embodiment of the plug-in module 40, cf. FIG. 2 in this regard. To achieve the indirect communication connection 85 in the second embodiment of the plug-in module 40, the plug-in module 40 is connected to the external network socket 70. The power supply cable 31 of the vacuum device 20 is subsequently connected to the plug-in module network socket 44. The power tool 100 is furthermore connected to the vacuum hose 30 of the vacuum device 20. A transmission of the communication signals takes place, as already described above, via the communication unit 91 of the external communication device 90. In this case, the difference from the above-described embodiment is solely the arrangement of vacuum device 20, plug-in module 40, and external network socket 70. The power tool 100 is also connected to the vacuum hose 30 of the vacuum device 20 in this embodiment.

[0086] FIG. 7a shows a schematic embodiment according to FIG. 1, with the difference that the system 10 comprises a sensor module 120 here. The sensor module 120 is detachably fastened on the vacuum hose 30 of the vacuum device 20. The vacuum hose 30 is in turn connected to the power tool 100.

[0087] The sensor module 120 comprises a sensor module housing 124 and also a sensor unit 121, a sensor module communication unit 122, and a sensor module power supply 127. Moreover, the sensor module 120 comprises a sensor module display element 125. The sensor module display element 125 is arranged on the sensor module housing 124. The sensor module display element 125 displays operating states of the sensor module 120.

[0088] Furthermore, the sensor module 120 comprises a sensor module operating unit 126. The sensor module operating unit 126 is arranged on the sensor module housing 124. The user can, for example, switch the sensor module 120 on and/or off, or initiate a coupling procedure with the plug-in module 40, via the sensor module operating unit 126. The coupling procedure or the pairing is sufficiently known to a person skilled in the art.

[0089] The sensor unit 121 is designed to detect operating states of the power tool 100 when the vacuum hose 30 is connected to the power tool 100. The sensor unit 121 detects, for example, the operating states “active” and “inactive” of the power tool 100 via vibrations of the power tool 100. As soon as the sensor unit 121 has detected the operating state, it is transmitted via a wired connection 123 to the sensor module communication unit 122. The sensor module communication unit 122 is designed to detect this operating state and to generate the first signal 80 therefrom. Subsequently, the sensor module communication unit 122 transmits the first signal 80 via a communication connection 88 to the plug-in module 40. The communication connection 88 is wireless in this case, but can also be wired in an alternative embodiment. The plug-in module communication unit 41 is thus designed to communicate wirelessly with the sensor communication unit 122. To establish the communication connection 88 wirelessly between the sensor module communication unit 122 and the plug-in module communication unit 41, the coupling procedure or the pairing has to take place between these two components. This coupling procedure is sufficiently known to a person skilled in the art.

[0090] An alternative to the design according to FIG. 7a is illustrated in FIG. 7b, with the difference that the plug-in module 40 is connected here to the external network socket 70 and the power supply cable 31 of the vacuum device 20 is connected to the plug-in module network socket 44. The construction and the functionality of the sensor module 120 is indicated in FIG. 7a. The functionality of the plug-in module 40, when it is connected to the external network socket 70, is described in FIG. 2.