Abstract:
The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaning unit driven by an electric motor and a housing which has a battery chamber for accommodating at least one rechargeable battery, a connecting device having a mechanical mounting part and an electrical plug connector part being disposed in the battery chamber for establishing an electrical and mechanical connection between the battery and the cleaning apparatus. In order to further develop said cleaning apparatus in such a way that batteries of different physical shapes can be used, the invention proposes that the mounting part is detachably mounted in the battery chamber, and the plug connector part is detachably connectable as desired to the mounting part or to a chamber wall of the battery chamber.

Description:
This application is a continuation of international application number PCT/EP2005/012654 filed on Nov. 26, 2005. 

   The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed in international application number PCT/EP2005/012654 of Nov. 26, 2005 and German application number 10 2005 007 923.7 of Feb. 11, 2005, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, in particular a suction apparatus, comprising a cleaning unit driven by an electric motor and comprising a housing which has a battery chamber for accommodating at least one rechargeable battery, a connecting device having a mechanical mounting part and an electrical plug connector part being disposed in the battery chamber for establishing an electrical and mechanical connection between the battery and the cleaning apparatus. 
   Cleaning apparatuses of this type can be used to clean a surface, for example a floor surface. To this end, the cleaning apparatus comprises a cleaning unit having an electric motor. In order to supply power to the cleaning unit, said cleaning unit can usually be connected to a mains voltage by means of a connection cable. As an alternative, the supply of power can be ensured by a rechargeable battery which can be inserted into the battery chamber. The battery chamber contains a connecting device for establishing a mechanical and electrical connection between the battery and the cleaning apparatus. The battery is fixed in position by means of the mechanical mounting part, and the electrical connection between the battery and the cleaning unit driven by an electric motor can be established by means of the electrical plug connector part. 
   The rechargeable batteries used are usually matched to the cleaning apparatus to which they are to be fitted both in terms of their electrical properties, in particular the battery voltage, and also with respect to their physical shape. This has the advantage that the shape of the battery chamber can correspond exactly to the physical shape of the battery to be accommodated and the batteries can be securely held in the battery chamber in a simple manner. However, this is associated with the disadvantage that the respectively matched batteries have to be available to the user and other batteries, which the user already uses for electric tools for example, cannot be used. 
   It is an object of the present invention to further develop a cleaning apparatus of the type mentioned in the introduction in such a way that batteries of different physical shapes can be used. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to the invention, this object is achieved in a cleaning apparatus of the generic type by the mounting part being detachably mounted in the battery chamber, and the plug connector part being detachably connectable as desired to the mounting part or to a chamber wall of the battery chamber. 
   Power can be supplied to the cleaning apparatus according to the invention both by means of rechargeable batteries whose physical shape is matched specifically to said cleaning apparatus and also by means of extraneous batteries whose physical shape is not matched to the shape of the battery chamber. If batteries which are matched to the cleaning apparatus are used, the mounting part can be secured in the battery chamber for this purpose and the plug connector part can be connected to the mounting part. At least one battery which is matched to the cleaning apparatus can then be inserted into the battery chamber, the mounting part ensuring that the battery is mechanically fixed in position within the battery chamber, and the plug connector part ensuring the electrical connection between the battery and the cleaning unit driven by an electric motor. If power is to be supplied by means of an extraneous battery, it is only necessary to remove the mounting part from the battery chamber and to connect the electrical plug connector part to the chamber wall for this purpose. The extraneous battery can then be securely held within the battery chamber by means of an adapter which is matched firstly to the extraneous battery and secondly to the plug connector part, and be electrically connected to the cleaning unit by means of the plug connector part. It is therefore only necessary for the user to remove the mounting part from the battery chamber and fit the plug connector part, which is electrically connected to the cleaning unit driven by an electric motor by means of electrical connecting lines, to the chamber wall instead of to the mounting part. There is therefore no need to disconnect the electrical connection between the plug connector part and the cleaning unit driven by an electric motor, but only to change the position of the plug connector part, which position said plug connector part assumes in order to establish an electrical connection to the battery. In order to establish a connection to a battery which is matched to the cleaning apparatus, the plug connector part can be connected to the mounting part which can be fixed within the battery chamber, and in order to establish a connection to an extraneous battery the plug connector part can be connected to the chamber wall and the mounting part can be removed from the battery chamber. 
   Removal of the mounting part from the battery chamber increases the space within the battery chamber, with the result that it is also possible to insert into the battery chamber extraneous batteries with a larger physical volume than batteries which are matched to the cleaning apparatus. The user therefore particularly has the possibility of using extraneous batteries, which are already available to him in connection with the supply of power to his electric tools, for example an electric drill or electric screwdriver, in order to also supply power to the cleaning apparatus. 
   It is advantageous when the chamber wall of the battery chamber has a plug connector receptacle for inserting the plug connector part. In this case, provision may be made for the plug connector part to be latchable to the plug connector receptacle. 
   In an advantageous embodiment, the insertion of the plug connector part into the plug connector receptacle is made easier by guide elements which interact with one another being disposed on the plug connector receptacle and on the plug connector part. 
   In an embodiment which can be produced in a cost-effective manner, the guide elements comprise guide ribs and guide grooves which receive said guide ribs. 
   Provision may be made, for example, for a guide groove to in each case be disposed on the plug connector part on sides which face away from each other, with a guide rib which is provided on the chamber wall entering said guide groove. However, a reverse arrangement may also be used in such a way that the plug connector part has a respective guide rib, which enters a guide groove which is provided on the chamber wall, on sides which face away from each other. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the mounting part is detachably connectable to the chamber wall, said mounting part covering the plug connector receptacle. Therefore, when the mounting part is inserted into the battery chamber, the plug connector receptacle is covered by the mounting part and protected by said mounting part against mechanical effects. 
   The mounting part preferably has an accommodation compartment for accommodating the plug connector part. The plug connector part can therefore be inserted into the accommodation compartment of the mounting part if the cleaning apparatus is to be fitted with batteries which are matched to said cleaning apparatus. 
   Insertion of the plug connector part into the accommodation compartment can be simplified by guide elements which interact with one another being disposed on the accommodation compartment and on the plug connector part. 
   The guide elements can comprise guide ribs and guide grooves which receive said guide ribs. 
   Provision may be made, for example, to provide a guide groove in each case on the plug connector part on sides which face away from each other, with a guide rib which is provided on the mounting part entering said guide groove. As an alternative, provision may be made for the plug connector part to have a respective guide rib, which enters a guide groove which is provided on the mounting part, on sides which face away from each other. 
   In order to fix the position of a battery which is matched to the cleaning apparatus such that it can bear mechanical loads, a particularly preferred embodiment provides for the mounting part to comprise at least one positively locking element for establishing a positively locking connection to the battery. The positively locking element can, for example, be configured as a guide rib or guide groove or dovetail guide. 
   It is particularly advantageous when the mounting part has two positively locking elements which are spaced apart from one another and between which the plug connector part can be positioned. The positively locking elements interact with corresponding positively locking parts of the battery and, when the mechanical connection is established between the battery and the positively locking elements, an electrical connection is established at the same time by means of the plug connector part which is disposed between the positively locking elements. To this end, the plug connector part can have a plurality of plug contacts onto which the battery can be placed when the positive connection between the battery and the mounting part is established. 
   The two positively locking elements are preferably fixedly connected to one another by means of an end wall of the mounting part and, together with the end wall, delimit an accommodation compartment for accommodating the plug connector part. The plug connector part can therefore be inserted between the two positively locking elements, the end wall forming a stop for the plug connector part. 
   In this case, it is advantageous for the end wall to have an opening which receives a projection of the plug connector part. The projection can pass through the opening and enable the plug connector part to be fixed in position on the mounting part. 
   In an advantageous embodiment, the establishment of the mechanical connection between the battery and the mounting part is made easier by the at least one positively locking element being disposed on an end face of the mounting part, which end face faces the interior of the battery chamber when the mounting part is inserted into the battery chamber. In a configuration of this type, the positively locking element is easily accessible to the user, he can easily bring the battery into contact with the at least one positively locking element. For example, the positively locking element can form a guide rail which extends in the insertion direction of the battery and onto which the battery can be pushed during insertion into the battery chamber. 
   The battery which is matched to the cleaning apparatus can be held in a particularly stable manner within the battery chamber by the end face of the mounting part forming a contact surface for contact by the battery above the at least one positively locking element. The battery can be supported flat on the contact surface. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the chamber wall, to which the plug connector part can be detachably fixed and to which the mounting part is detachably connectable in an advantageous configuration, is configured as a pivotable flap which closes an access opening in the battery chamber. The flap can be pivoted to and fro between a closed position, in which it closes the battery chamber, and an open position, in which the battery is accessible for the purpose of replacing at least one battery, and the flap can serve to hold both batteries which are matched to the cleaning apparatus and also extraneous batteries which can optionally be inserted into the battery compartment. In order to insert a battery, it is only necessary to pivot the flap outward into its open position. If a battery which is matched to the cleaning apparatus is used, the battery is preferably secured on the mounting part which is detachably held on the inside of the flap and to which the plug connector part is detachably connectable. If an extraneous battery is used, said battery is secured on an adapter which can be connected to the plug connector part which is detachably connectable to the inside of the flap. 
   The mounting part or optionally an adapter can preferably be secured to the inner face of the flap for example by means of a snap-action or clamping connection or else by means of a screw connection. 
   The cleaning apparatus is preferably configured as a suction apparatus comprising a cleaning unit in the form of a suction unit and comprising a dirt-collection container which has a suction inlet and is in flow connection with the suction unit. 
   It is advantageous, particularly when the cleaning apparatus is configured as a suction apparatus, for the housing to comprise a housing lower part and a housing upper part which can be placed onto said housing lower part, the cleaning unit and the battery chamber being disposed in the housing upper part. An arrangement of this type has the advantage that no electrical connections between the plug connector part and the cleaning unit driven by an electric motor have to be disconnected when the housing lower part and the housing upper part are separated. 
   With regard to a physical shape of the cleaning apparatus which is as compact as possible, it is advantageous when the battery chamber is disposed laterally next to the cleaning unit. When the cleaning apparatus is configured as a suction unit, it is advantageous when the battery chamber extends as far as a point where it is beneath the upper edge of the dirt-collection container. 
   The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention serves to explain the invention in greater detail in conjunction with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1 : shows a schematic sectional view of a cleaning apparatus comprising a battery chamber; 
       FIG. 2 : shows a perspective illustration of a flap which covers the battery chamber with a battery which is held on the inside of the flap and is matched to the cleaning apparatus; 
       FIG. 3 : shows a sectional view along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4 : shows a view of the flap from  FIG. 2  in the form of an exploded illustration; 
       FIG. 5 : shows a perspective illustration of the flap from  FIG. 2  comprising an extraneous battery which is held on the inside of the flap; and 
       FIG. 6 : shows a sectional view along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the drawing, a cleaning apparatus according to the invention in the form of a suction apparatus  10  is schematically illustrated. Said apparatus comprises a housing  12  having a housing lower part  13  and a housing upper part  14 . The housing lower part  13  forms a dirt-collection container  16  with a suction inlet  17  through which a suction connection piece  18  passes. A suction hose, which is known per se and therefore not illustrated in the drawing and can carry a suction nozzle at its free end, can be connected to the outside of the suction connection piece  18  in a customary manner. A step  21 , which is oriented in a substantially horizontal manner and carries a downwardly directed protection wall  22  at its free end, is integrally formed on the rear face  20  of the dirt-collection container  16  approximately halfway up the dirt-collection container, said rear face being directed away from the suction connection piece  18 . Two running wheels are mounted on the housing lower part  13  beneath the step  21  such that they can rotate freely about a common axis of rotation  25 , only one running wheel  23  being illustrated in the drawing, and a support wheel  24  is rotatably mounted on the housing lower part  13  beneath the suction connection piece  18 . 
   The housing upper part  14  is seated on an upper edge in the form of an upper sealing rim  26  of the dirt-collection container  16  and surrounds a cleaning unit in the form of a suction unit  28  having an electric motor  29  and a suction turbine  30  which is driven by said electric motor. The suction unit  28  is carried by a supporting wall  32  which enters the dirt-collection container  16  and has a suction outlet  33  by means of which the suction unit  28  is in flow connection with the dirt-collection container  16 . 
   Laterally next to the suction unit  28 , the housing upper part  14  has a battery chamber  35  which is seated on the step  21  and accommodates two rechargeable batteries for supplying power to the suction unit  28 . As an alternative, the suction unit  28  can also be connected to a mains voltage. To this end, the suction apparatus  10  has a connection cable which is known per se and is therefore not illustrated in the drawing. 
   The battery chamber  35  is accessible via a flap  37  which is disposed on the rear face, which is directed away from the suction connection piece  18 , of the housing upper part  14  and forms a chamber wall of the battery chamber  35  and can be pivoted about a pivot axis  38  which is oriented parallel to the rotary shaft  25 . 
   The upper face of the housing upper part  14  has a carrying handle  39  which can be used to raise the housing upper part  14  away from the housing lower part  13 , so that the dirt-collection container  16  can be emptied. 
   The battery chamber  35  can be fitted with two batteries, a single battery being however sufficient to operate the suction apparatus  10 , so that the second battery is employed only when the first battery is depleted. 
   A battery  41  whose physical shape is matched specifically to the suction apparatus  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The battery  41  is mechanically and electrically connected to the suction apparatus  10  by means of a connecting device  43  which is mounted on the inside of the flap  37  and comprises a mechanical mounting part  44  and an electrical plug connector part  45 . As is clear from  FIG. 4  in particular, the mounting part  44  has a flat, rectangular end wall  47  from whose longitudinal sides  48 ,  49  and from whose upper transverse side  50  side walls  51  project to the rear, that is to say in the direction of the flap  37 . A screw boss  52  which has an internal thread  53  is integrally formed on each of the side walls  51  on the longitudinal sides. This is clear from  FIG. 3 . 
   With its region which borders the upper transverse side  50 , the end wall  47  forms a contact surface  55  which is adjoined by a rectangular aperture  57  which is delimited by two positively locking elements in the form of T-shaped guide rails  59 ,  60  on the longitudinal sides. The guide rails  59 ,  60  are fixedly connected to one another by means of a connecting wall  62  which is oriented parallel to the contact surface  55 . The connecting wall  62  has a circular opening  63  and extends in the longitudinal direction of the guide rails  59 ,  60  only along a subregion of the guide rails  59 ,  60 , so that a free space  65  is defined between the two guide rails  59 ,  60  above the connecting wall  62 . 
   The two guide rails  59 ,  60  each carry a guide rib  66  and, respectively,  67  such that said guide ribs are level with the upper rim of the connecting wall  62  and face one another. 
   The inside of the flap  37  has connection pieces  69  onto which the mounting part  44  can be placed by means of the screw bosses  52 . The connection pieces  69  are provided with a through-hole  70  through which a connecting screw  71  can pass. Therefore, the mounting part  44  can be screwed to the flap  37  by means of the connecting screws  71 . 
   In combination with the connecting wall  62 , the guide rails  59 ,  60  define an accommodation compartment  73  into which the plug connector part  45  can be inserted from the rear. Said plug connector part has a supporting block  75  which carries a circular-cylindrical projection  76  on its front face and, in each case, a guide groove  77  and  78  on outer faces which are directed away from one another. The supporting block  75  carries a plurality of electrical plug contacts  79  on its upper face. If the plug connector part  45  is inserted into the accommodation compartment  73  of the mounting part  44 , the guide ribs  66 ,  67  of the mounting part  44  enter the guide grooves  77  and, respectively,  78  of the supporting block  75 , and the projection  76  passes through the opening  63  in the connecting wall  62 . The plug contacts  79  then assume a position within the free space  65 , as can be seen from  FIG. 2  for example, and the mounting part  44  can then be screwed to the flap  37 . 
   The mounting part  44 , with the plug connector part  45  inserted in the accommodation compartment  73  and therefore detachably connected to the mounting part  44 , is used when the battery chamber  35  is fitted with a battery  41  which is matched specifically to the suction apparatus  10 . However, if the battery chamber  35  is to be fitted with an extraneous battery  81 , as is illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the mounting part  44  is removed from the flap  37  by the connecting screws  71  being loosened, and the plug connector part  45  is removed from the accommodation compartment  73  of the mounting part  44 . In order to establish a detachable connection to the flap  37 , the plug connector part  45  is then introduced into a receptacle  83  which is disposed on the inside of the flap  37  and on which two guide ribs  84 ,  85  are provided at a distance from one another and receive between them the supporting block  75  of the plug connector part  45  by in each case entering a guide groove  77  or, respectively,  78  of the supporting block  75 . The mounting part  44  can be removed from the battery chamber  35 , and an adapter  87 , which is matched firstly to the extraneous battery  81  being used and secondly to the plug connector part  45 , can be placed onto the plug connector part  45  which is introduced into the receptacle  83 . The adapter  87  has electrical contact elements  88 ,  89  to which the extraneous battery  81  can be connected and which are connected to connection contacts of the adapter  87 , which connection contacts can be electrically connected to the plug contacts  79  of the plug connector part  45 , by means of connecting lines which run within the adapter  87  and are not illustrated in the drawing. 
   Securing the plug connector part  45  optionally either on the mounting part  44  or on the inside of the flap  37  therefore makes it possible, in a structurally simple manner, to alternatively insert into the battery chamber  35  either batteries  41  which are matched specifically to the suction apparatus  10  or extraneous batteries  81 , only one additional adapter  87  being required when an extraneous battery  81  is used, it being possible to screw said adapter to the flap  37  in a similar manner to that used for the mounting part  44  using the connecting screws  71 . To this end, the adapter  87  has two screw bosses  90 ,  91  which can be placed onto the connection pieces  69  of the flap  37 .