Method for operating a cleaning appliance and cleaning appliance for implementing the method

• US 9,220,388 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2013
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alfred Kã¤Rcher GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Alfred Kã¤Rcher GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Walz, Juergen, Schuetz, Michael, Nonnenmann, Frank, Troff, Gilles, Baeuerle, Samuel, Schaible, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): REDDING, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US13/855,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20130247938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 153/19, 153/39, 153/83, 340/5.65, 340/5.8, 340/5.81
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/28 Floor-scrubbing machines, motor-driven A47L11/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4008 Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4036 Parts or details of the surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2847 Surface treating elements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/30 Arrangement of illuminating devices

Abstract

A method is proposed for operating a cleaning appliance which comprises a control device as well as at least one cleaning element for cleaning a surface which has a memory element. The control device comprises a control memory member and the control device is connected to a reader for reading the memory element. In order to reduce the risk of the user unintentionally using an unsuitable cleaning element, it is suggested that characterizing data distinguishing the type of cleaning element be stored in the memory element, these data being read and evaluated in the period of time from the starting up of the cleaning appliance up to the beginning of the cleaning action of the cleaning element. In addition, a cleaning appliance for implementing the method is suggested.

Claims

1. Method for operating a floor cleaning appliance, the floor cleaning appliance comprising a control device, at least one cleaning element for cleaning a surface, the cleaning element comprising a local memory element, the control device comprising a control memory member, and a reader for reading the local memory element connected to the control device, the method comprising:

storing characteristic data distinguishing a type of cleaning element in the local memory element,

reading and evaluating said data in a period of time from a starting up of the cleaning appliance up to a beginning of a cleaning action of the cleaning element, and

comparing the data read out with user authorization data.

2. Method as defined in claim 1, further comprising comparing the data read out to information stored in the control memory member and controlling the cleaning appliance as a function of a result of the comparison.

3. Method as defined in claim 1, further comprising displaying information corresponding to the data read out on a display unit of the cleaning appliance.

4. Method as defined in claim 3, further comprising storing the information displayed on the display unit in the control memory member together with a time of the display.

5. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein in order to characterize the type of cleaning element, a part number specified by the manufacturer for the cleaning element is stored in the memory element.

6. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein in order to characterize the type of cleaning element, an identification number individually distinguishing the cleaning element is stored in the memory element.

7. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein in order to characterize the type of cleaning element, operating parameters required for correct operation of the cleaning element are stored in the memory element.

8. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein the data read out are checked with respect to their admissibility for the cleaning appliance.

9. Method as defined in claim 8, wherein the data read out are compared to admissible data stored in the control memory member.

10. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein operating parameters required for the correct operation of the cleaning element are allocated to the data read out and the required operating parameters are compared with the operating parameters of the cleaning appliance currently on hand.

11. Method as defined in claim 10, wherein at least one of the operating parameters required for the correct operation of the cleaning element is displayed on a display unit of the cleaning appliance.

12. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein operating parameters of the cleaning appliance are adjusted as a function of the data read out.

13. Method as defined in claim 1, further comprising storing the data read out in the control memory member together with a time of the read-out.

14. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein ordering data of the cleaning element corresponding to the data read out are displayed on a display unit of the cleaning appliance.

15. Method as defined in claim 14, wherein the ordering data are communicated to an order acceptance facility via a telecommunication device of the cleaning appliance.

16. Method as defined in claim 1, wherein in addition or alternatively to the at least one cleaning element, at least one additional component comprising at least one of a wearing part and accessory part, is equipped with a local memory element, further data characterizing at least one of a type of the component and a degree of wear of the component being stored in said memory element, said further data being read and evaluated in the period of time from the starting up of the cleaning appliance up to the beginning of the cleaning action of the cleaning element.

17. Cleaning appliance, comprising:

a control device,

at least one cleaning element for cleaning a surface, said cleaning element comprising a local memory element,

the control device comprising a control memory member, and

a reader for reading the memory element connected to the control device,

wherein;

characteristic data distinguishing a type of cleaning element are stored in the local memory element, said data being read by the reader and evaluated automatically by the control device in a period of time from a starting up of the cleaning appliance up to a beginning of a cleaning action of the cleaning element, and

the control device is adapted to compare the data read out with user authorization data.

18. Cleaning appliance as defined in claim 17, further comprising a display unit for displaying information corresponding to the data read out by the reader.

19. Cleaning appliance as defined in claim 17, wherein the control device is adapted to check the data read out as to their admissibility.

20. Cleaning appliance as defined in claim 17, wherein the control device is adapted to compare the data read out with admissible data stored in the control memory member.

21. Cleaning appliance as defined in claim 17, wherein the control device is adapted to adjust operating parameters of the cleaning appliance automatically as a function of the data read out.

22. Cleaning appliance as defined in claim 17, wherein the data read out are storable in the control memory member together with a time of the read-out.

23. Cleaning appliance as defined in claim 17, further comprising a display unit for displaying ordering data of the cleaning element corresponding to the data read out by the reader.

24. Cleaning appliance as defined in claim 23, further comprising a telecommunication device for communicating the ordering data to an order acceptance facility.

25. Cleaning appliance as defined in claim 17, further comprising a telecommunication device, with the aid of which at least one of the data read out and operating data of the cleaning appliance corresponding to the data read out are transmittable via a telecommunication network.

26. Cleaning appliance as defined in claim 17, wherein the local memory element is integrated into a transponder.

27. Cleaning appliance as defined in claim 17, comprising, in addition or alternatively to the at least one cleaning element, at least one additional component with a local memory element, the at least one additional component comprising at least one of a wearing part and an accessory part,

wherein the reader connected to the control device is associated with the memory element and further data characterizing at least one of a type of the additional component and a degree of wear of the additional component are storable in the memory element.