Method for operating a floor cleaning system, and floor cleaning system for use of the method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a floor cleaning system having a central suction station with which there is associated a self-propelled and self-steering suction appliance, dirt being picked up from a floor surface that is to be cleaned by means of the suction appliance and being transferred into a dirt collection vessel of the suction appliance, and the suction station having a suction unit, and the dirt collection vessel being sucked out by means of the suction unit. To refine the method in such a manner that the levels of noise produced by the floor cleaning system can be reduced, it is proposed, according to the invention, that the suction unit is optionally operated with a maximum suction power or a reduced suction power. The invention also proposes a floor cleaning system for carrying out the method.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of international application number PCT / EP 03 / 06222 filed on Jun. 13, 2003.[0002] The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed in international application number PCT / EP 03 / 06222 of Jun. 13, 2003 and German application number 102 31 384.9 of Jul. 8, 2002, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The invention relates to a method for operating a floor cleaning system having a central suction station with which there is associated a self-propelled and self-steering suction appliance, dirt being picked up from a floor surface that is to be cleaned by means of the suction appliance and being transferred into a dirt collection vessel of the suction appliance, and the suction station having a suction unit, and the dirt collection vessel being sucked out by means of the suction unit. [0004] Moreover, the invention relates to a floor cleaning system for us...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] In a method of the generic type, this object is achieved, according to the invention, by the suction unit being selectively operated with a maximum suction power or a reduced suction power. According to the invention, it is possible to reduce the noise produced by the floor cleaning appliance by the suction unit being operated with a reduced suction power. A reduced-power operating mode of this type is advantageous in particular when the floor cleaning system is used at night. If the floor cleaning system is used at times at which the production of noise is considered particularly disturbing, the user can opt for the operating mode with reduced suction power of the suction unit. This allows a considerable reduction in noise, for example allows the noise to be reduced by at least 5 dB(A) compared to the amount of noise produced by the suction unit operating at maximum suction power.

[0013] It is also possible to provide that a command to restart the operating mode with reduced suction power is suppressed during this operating mode. This prevents the user from extending the maximum period of time provided for the reduced-power operating mode by restarting this operating mode before the suction station has automatically switched from the reduced-power operating mode to the operating mode with maximum suction power.

[0016] To configure the floor cleaning system in such a manner that it allows operation with reduced production of noise, it is proposed, according to the invention, that the suction unit is selectively operable with a maximum suction power or a reduced suction power.

[0018] To prevent residual dirt from accumulating in the dirt collection vessel, it is provided, in a preferred embodiment of the floor cleaning system according to the invention, that the suction unit can be operated with a reduced suction power for a predetermined period of time and switches to an operating mode with a maximum suction power after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. This type of configuration of the floor cleaning system has the advantage that the user does not himself have to ensure that the dirt collection vessel is sucked out from time to time with the maximum suction power of the suction unit, but rather the suction unit is switched to the operating mode with maximum suction power after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, for example after approximately eight hours have elapsed, independently of a corresponding control command from the user. Should the user then wish to revert to the reduced-power operating mode of the suction unit, it is possible to provide that he has to actuate the activation element again for this purpose.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the floor cleaning system, it is provided that the suction station comprises an activation element for activating the operating mode with reduced suction power, the predetermined period of time for the operating mode with reduced suction power not being extendable by multiple actuation of the activation element. This prevents actuation of the activation element during the reduced-power operating mode of the suction station from leading to an extension of this operating mode. Instead, the reduced-power operating mode can only be started during the operating mode with maximum suction power, i.e. the activation element is only active when the suction unit is at maximum suction power.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the floor cleaning system according to the invention, the suction power of the suction unit is reducible by at least approximately 50% of the maximum suction power. This makes it possible to achieve a considerable reduction in the noise from the suction station.

Problems solved by technology

If the floor cleaning system is used at times at which the production of noise is considered particularly disturbing, the user can opt for the operating mode with reduced suction power of the suction unit.

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