Patent Description:
The invention further refers to a suction device, in particular a vacuum cleaner or a dust extraction system, comprising a remote control for controlling an operation status of the suction device, and to a computer programme application programmed to be executed on a microprocessor of a smartphone, the computer programme application further being programmed in order to turn the smartphone into a remote control for controlling an operation status of a suction device, using a built-in radio transmitter already present in the smartphone.

Suction devices of the above identified kind are generally known in the form of robotic vacuum cleaners which autonomously move around on a predefined space, e.g. an apartment floor, with the help of sensors (e.g. ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors or the like). These autonomous robotic vacuum cleaners often are equipped with a remote control for controlling an operation status of the vacuum cleaner. This kind of vacuum cleaner is used in private households or small office spaces and merely designed to vacuum and, possibly also, to mop the floor. This kind of vacuum cleaner is not adapted for use with hand-held electric or pneumatic power tools in order to aspire dust generated by the power tool during its intended use.

When using a suction device in connection with a hand-held power tool, an air outlet of the power tool is connected to a suction opening of the suction device by means of a pneumatic suction hose. It is difficult or at least cumbersome to synchronise the operating time of the suction device with that of the power tool. The idea is to turn on the suction device at least during operation of the power tool and to turn off the suction device again when or shortly after the power tool is switched off again.

To this end, <CIT> suggests a suction device which is automatically activated and possibly also deactivated based on a radio signal generated and transmitted by a communication device upon activation of the hand-held power tool and received by a radio receiver of the suction device. The communication device is located at or near a second end of a suction hose, which with its first end is connected to a suction opening of the suction device and with its opposite second end to an air outlet of a hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool. The suction device aspires through the suction hose the dust generated by the power tool during its intended use.

The communication device comprises a vibration sensor which is adapted to sense vibrations caused during operation of the power tool. Therefore, switching on the power tool will automatically generate a respective radio signal and turn on the suction device. Similarly, switching off the power wool will automatically generate a respective modified radio signal and turn off the suction device, possibly with a short delay. However, such a suction device is not provided with a remote control.

Further remote controls of a suction device are known from <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The object of the present invention is to provide the user of the power tool with an enhanced user experience and, in particular, to allow the user to manually control an operation status of a suction device by means of a remote control.

In order to solve this object, the present invention suggests a remote control comprising the features of claim <NUM>. In particular, starting from the remote control of the above identified kind, it is suggested that.

The present invention is not simply an aggregation of a remote control to the suction device known from <CIT>. Rather, the remote control suggested in the present invention has particular characteristics and advantages, which a simple remote control for suction devices does not have. In particular, the radio signal from the communication device is not directly received by the radio receiver of the suction device. Instead, the radio signal is relayed to the radio receiver of the suction device via the remote control. In particular, it is suggested that the radio signal is received by the remote control (in the form of the so-called second radio signal), then the remote control performs a processing or pre-processing functionality with respect to the received radio signal and generates a further radio signal (the so-called first radio signal). Finally, the further radio signal is transmitted from the remote control to the radio receiver of the suction device. Thus, the remote control basically acts as an intermediate processing or pre-processing unit for the radio signal transmitted by the communication device and received by the radio receiver of the suction device.

The remote control can also simply relay the second radio signal received communication device in the form of the first radio signal transmitted to the suction device, i.e. both signals having the same format and/or corresponding to the same standard. This has the advantage that the user of the power tool, who in general would also be the user of the remote control, can have influence on the content of the first radio signal. For example, the first radio signal could be influenced by manual input from the user provided by means of the remote control. In particular, the second radio signal, containing information to turn on the suction device, could be influenced by the user by manual input through the remote control in that the remote control transmits a second radio signal containing information to turn off or keep turned off the suction device. Similarly, the second radio signal, containing information to turn off the suction device, could be influenced by manual input through the remote control by the user in that the remote control transmits a second radio signal containing information to turn on or keep turned on the suction device.

Processing or pre-processing of the received radio signal in the remote control comprises, for instance, deriving from the received second radio signal the current operation status of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool and generating a respective first radio signal for controlling operation of the suction device. In particular, the first radio signal serves for automatically turning on or off the suction device based on the derived current operation status of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool.

The first and second radio signals could be of a different format and/or standard. To this end, the processing or pre-processing by the remote control could merely comprise a transformation from a first standard of the second radio signal to a second standard of the first radio signal. This may have advantages in terms of a reduced interference of the signals and/or an increased range of the signals. Further, the remote control can serve as an interface between the signal format of the second signals transmitted by the communication device and the signal format of the first signals received by the radio receiver of the suction device. The remote control can thus achieve compatibility between the radio receiver and the communication device.

The processing or pre-processing functionality of the remote control may comprise receiving the second radio signal from the communication device, determining the current status of the hand-held power tool from the received radio signal, determining how the suction device is to be operated in order to react on the current status of the power tool and generating a respective first radio signal which is then transmitted to the suction device. Dedicated operation of the suction device in order to react on the current status of the power tool may comprise one or more of the following:.

Using the remote control as an intermediate processing or pre-processing unit has the advantage that the radio signal transmitted between the communication device and the radio receiver of the suction device can be further modified by means of the remote control, for instance manually by a user of the power tool, if the remote control is provided with appropriate actuating means, control means or the like. In particular, the user may modify the first radio signal by means of the remote control before its transmission to the suction device. By modifying the first radio signal, the operation status of the suction device may be varied.

To this end, it may be possible to manually turn on and off the suction device by providing the remote control with respective actuating means. Additionally or alternatively, the remote control could be provided with respective control means for manually controlling specific functions of the suction device. The specific functions of the suction device can comprise, for instance,.

Preferably, the remote control is designed such that manually turning on or off the suction device based on a manual actuation of the actuating means by an operator or user of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool overrules automatically turning on or off the suction device depending on the derived current operation status of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool. For instance, the user may manually activate the suction device, even if the hand-held power tool is not (yet) turned on. Similarly, the user may manually deactivate the suction device, even if the power tool is (still) running.

The remote control may be a classic remote control provided with mechanical or electrical buttons, switches, or potentiometers for manually turning on and off the suction device and/or for manually controlling specific functions of the suction device. Alternatively, the remote control could also be provided with a touch screen and virtual buttons, switches, or potentiometers displayed on the screen and actuated by the user by touching respective regions of the screen, where the virtual buttons, switches, or potentiometers are displayed.

Furthermore, the remote control may comprise selecting means for manually selecting an operation mode of the remote control based on a manual actuation of the selecting means by an operator or user of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool, the operation mode of the remote control comprising one or more of the following:.

It is suggested that the remote control is realized in the form of a smartphone with an appropriate computer programme application installed thereon and executable on a microprocessor of the smartphone. Execution of the computer programme application on the smartphone's microprocessor turns the smartphone into a remote control of the above mentioned kind for controlling the operation status of the suction device. To this end, it is suggested that the execution of the computer programme application causes the smartphone to receive the second radio signal from the communication device by means of a built-in radio receiver of the smartphone, to perform processing or pre-processing of the received radio signal, to generate a respective first radio signal and to transmit the first radio signal to a radio receiver of the suction device by means of a built-in radio transmitter of the smartphone. Preferably, the first radio signal and/ or the second radio signal is realized according to the Bluetooth-standard, to the ZigBee-standard, to the WiFi-standard, to the NFC-standard, or a telecommunication standard, like GSM, GPRS, EDGE, LTE, UMTS. Of course, other radio signal formats are conceivable for the first radio signal and/or the second radio signal, too. Preferably, the radio signals are provided in a short-range radio format adapted for being transmitted up to <NUM>, preferably up to <NUM>, particularly preferable up to <NUM>.

It is further suggested that actuating means for manually turning on or off the suction device and/or control means for manually controlling specific functions of the suction device and/or selecting means for selecting an operation mode of the remote control are realized in the form of virtual buttons or controls that are displayed on a touchscreen of the remote control when the computer programme application is executed on the microprocessor of the smartphone. The virtual buttons, switches, or potentiometers displayed on the touchscreen are actuated by the user by touching respective regions of the screen, where the virtual buttons, switches, or potentiometers are displayed. This allows a conventional smartphone to be easily turned into a remote control according to the present invention simply by loading and executing the respective software (i.e. the computer programme application). The software can also realize manually actuated actuating means, control means and switching means by means of the virtual buttons or controls.

According to another preferred embodiment, the radio receiver of the remote control is configured to receive a third radio signal emitted by the suction device and indicative of a current operation status of the suction device. The current operation status of the suction device may comprise, for instance, one or more of the following:.

In response to the received third radio signal and the respective operation status of the suction device, the current operation status of the suction device may be displayed to the user of the power tool, for instance on a display of the remote control, and/or appropriate measures may be taken manually or automatically. The appropriate measures comprise, for instance:.

In order to solve the object of the present invention, a suction device, in particular a vacuum cleaner or a dust extraction system, with the features of claim <NUM> is suggested. In particular, starting from the suction device of the above-identified kind, it is suggested that the suction device comprises a remote control for controlling an operation status of the suction device according to the present invention.

Finally, in order to solve the object of the present invention, a computer programme application comprising the features of claim <NUM> is suggested. In particular, it is suggested that the computer programme application is programmed to be executed on a microprocessor of a smartphone, in order to turn the smartphone into a remote control according to the present invention using a radio receiver and a radio transmitter already present in the smartphone. The radio receiver is used for receiving the second radio signal from the communication device attached to or forming part of the suction hose near the power tool or directly attached to or forming part of the power tool. The radio transmitter is used for transmitting the first radio signal to the radio receiver of the suction device for controlling the operation status of the suction device.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that each of the features shown in the figures may be individually important to the invention, even though not explicitly shown in the figures and/or described hereinafter. Furthermore, various features shown in the figures may be combined with each other in any possible manner, even though such a combination is not explicitly shown in the figures and/or described hereinafter. The figures show:.

<FIG> shows a suction device <NUM> according to the present invention in the form of a mobile vacuum cleaner or a mobile dust extraction system. The suction device <NUM> is configured to filter dust, dirt and small particles <NUM> from a flow <NUM> of dust-laden air and for collecting and temporarily storing the dust, dirt and small particles <NUM> in a dust collection chamber <NUM>. In particular, the suction device <NUM> comprises:.

A communication device <NUM> is located at or near the second end <NUM> of the suction hose <NUM>. Alternatively, the communication device <NUM> may be located at or near the power tool <NUM>. The communication device <NUM> comprises:.

In general, the power tool <NUM> could be any electric or pneumatic power tool which during its intended use creates a certain amount of dust, dirt or other small particles. The power tool <NUM> has an electric or pneumatic motor <NUM> for operating its working element <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the power tool <NUM> is a sanding tool and the working element <NUM> is a backing plate. A sanding medium <NUM> (e.g. an abrasive paper or fabric, an abrasive pad or the like) may be releasably attached to a bottom surface of the backing plate <NUM>, for instance by means of a Velcro®-or an adhesion connection. Depending on the type of sanding tool, the backing plate <NUM> performs a purely rotational, a random orbital, an orbital or a roto orbital (gear-driven) working movement.

The power tool <NUM> may be equipped with a self-generated dust extraction functionality realized by means of a fan <NUM> which is preferably driven by the motor <NUM>. The fan <NUM> creates an internal air flow <NUM> which conveys dust, dirt and small particles from the working area <NUM> of the sanding tool <NUM> towards the air outlet <NUM>. Alternatively, the power tool <NUM> may not have a self-generated dust extraction functionality, in which case the dust, dirt and small particles from the working area <NUM> are sucked towards the air outlet <NUM> by means of the air flow <NUM>, <NUM> created by the suction device <NUM>.

Furthermore, the suction device <NUM> comprises a remote control <NUM> configured to control an operation status of the suction device <NUM>. The remote control <NUM> comprises a radio transmitter <NUM> for transmitting the first radio signal <NUM> to the suction device <NUM> in order to turn on or off the suction device <NUM> or its vacuum generating device <NUM>, respectively. The remote control <NUM> further comprises a radio receiver <NUM> configured to receive the second radio signal <NUM> from the communication device <NUM>. As previously mentioned, the second radio signal <NUM> is indicative of the current operation status of the power tool <NUM>. The second radio signal <NUM> is transmitted by the communication device <NUM> by means of its radio transmitter <NUM>. The remote control <NUM> is configured to derive from the received second radio signal <NUM> the current operation status of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool <NUM>. This is preferably achieved by means of a computer programme application <NUM> executed on a microprocessor <NUM> of the remote control <NUM>. The remote control <NUM> is further configured to generate a respective first radio signal <NUM> for automatically turning on or off the suction device <NUM> or its vacuum generating device <NUM>, respectively. The first radio signal <NUM> is generated depending on the derived current operation status of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool <NUM>.

By connecting the second end <NUM> of the suction hose <NUM> to the power tool <NUM>, the operation status of the power tool <NUM> can be easily and reliably determined by the sensor element <NUM> of the communication device <NUM>, even if the power tool <NUM> itself works without electricity and/or has no means whatsoever to determine its current operation status and transfer the determined operation status to a radio receiver <NUM> of a suction device <NUM>.

The sensor element <NUM> for detecting the operation status of the power tool <NUM> may be embodied in many different ways. According to preferred embodiments, the sensor element <NUM> is designed as an acceleration sensor for detecting vibrations of the suction hose <NUM> during operation of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool <NUM> or as a flow sensor for detecting an air flow <NUM> in the second end <NUM> of the suction hose <NUM>, which is attached to the air outlet <NUM> of the power tool <NUM>, during operation of the power tool <NUM>. An operation of the power tool <NUM> will inevitably lead to vibrations, which may be detected by the acceleration sensor. This is in particular the case for oscillating power tools <NUM>, e.g. a random-orbital sander, a gear-driven sander, an orbital sander or the like. The acceleration sensor may be in the form of a piezoelectric accelerometer. If the power tool <NUM> is provided with a self-generated dust extraction functionality, operation of the power tool <NUM> will inevitably lead to an air flow <NUM> of possibly dust-laden air from the working area <NUM> through the air outlet <NUM> of the power tool <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the suction hose <NUM>. This air flow <NUM> may be detected by a flow sensor. The flow sensor preferably has a measuring probe positioned in the air flow <NUM>. The flow sensor may detect the air flow <NUM> optically, by means of ultra-sonic waves or other types of electromagnetic waves.

Alternatively or additionally, the sensor element <NUM> could also comprise an optical or other type of sensor for detecting an amount of dust and of other small particles contained in the dust laden air flow <NUM> passing through the second end <NUM> of the suction hose <NUM>. Preferably, the sensor element <NUM> determines the amount of dust or other small particles per time unit. A status message containing or indicative of the determined amount of dust or small particles, preferably per time unit, could be contained in the sensor signal <NUM> and could be transmitted by the radio transmitter <NUM> through the second radio signal <NUM> to the radio receiver <NUM> of the remote control <NUM>. The rotational speed of the vacuum generating device <NUM> could be increased or decreased according to the determined amount of dust or small particles.

The current operation status of the power tool <NUM> is transmitted to the remote control <NUM> via the second radio signal <NUM>. The operation status of the power tool <NUM> will be taken into account during generating of the first radio signal <NUM> and, consequently, for controlling the operation of the vacuum generating device <NUM> of the suction device <NUM>. Optionally, further parameters may be taken into account for the control of the vacuum generating device <NUM>. For example, further operation parameters of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool <NUM> (e.g. time of continuous operation since last stop; accumulated time of operation since last replacement of sanding medium <NUM>; temperature of the electronics (e.g. an electronic control unit) of the power tool <NUM>; state of charge of a battery of the power tool <NUM>, amount of dust generated by the power tool <NUM> per time unit during its current operation) or of the suction device <NUM> (e.g. accumulated time of operation since last replacement of filter element <NUM>, pressure values pv, pin on both sides of the filter element <NUM> (seen in the direction of the air flow <NUM>, <NUM> through the filter element <NUM>) or a respective differential pressure pin - pv), environmental parameters and parameters of the workpiece to be worked by the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool <NUM>.

The further operation parameters of the power tool <NUM> are preferably also transmitted via the second radio signal <NUM> from the radio transmitter <NUM> of the communication device <NUM> and the radio receiver <NUM> of the remote control <NUM>. Of course, the further operation parameters of the power tool <NUM> could also be transmitted to the radio receiver <NUM> of the remote control <NUM> via a different radio signal transmitted by a different radio transmitter (not shown) preferably making part of the power tool <NUM>.

The environmental parameters may be acquired by respective sensors (not shown) making part of the suction device <NUM> and/or the power tool <NUM>. The parameters of the workpiece may be entered manually by a user of the power tool <NUM> or of the suction device <NUM>, for example, by means of a user interface (not shown) of the power tool <NUM> or of the suction device <NUM>. The user interface may comprise a touchscreen of a GUI and/or buttons or keys and/or a computer mouse or the like. Alternatively, the parameters of the workpiece may be entered manually by a user by means of the remote control <NUM>.

The further operation parameters of the suction device <NUM> may be acquired by respective sensors (not shown) making part of the suction device <NUM>. The acquired operation parameters may be considered directly by the control device <NUM> for the control of the suction device <NUM>. Alternatively, the acquired operation parameters of the suction device <NUM> may be transmitted to the radio receiver <NUM> of the remote control via a radio signal transmitted from a radio transmitter (not shown) making part of the suction device <NUM>. The remote control <NUM> will then consider the further operation parameters of the suction device <NUM> when generating the first radio signal <NUM> for controlling the suction device <NUM> or its vacuum generating device <NUM>, respectively.

The dust collection chamber <NUM> may be formed by a bottom part <NUM> of an external housing of the suction device <NUM>. Preferably, the dust collection chamber <NUM> is made of a plastic material. The dust collection chamber <NUM> may be provided with external wheels <NUM> in order to assure mobility and allow manoeuvring of the suction device <NUM> to its intended location of use.

If a low pressure pv or vacuum is generated inside the dust collection chamber <NUM> by means of the vacuum generating device <NUM>, the differential pressure between the low pressure pv and the environmental pressure p<NUM> creates the air flow <NUM>, which is sucked into the collection container <NUM> through the chamber's suction opening <NUM>. The air flow <NUM> may carry dust and other small particles from the working area of the power tool <NUM>. The dust laden air flow <NUM> is further sucked through the at least one filter element <NUM> towards the vacuum generating device <NUM>. The at least one filter element <NUM> separates dust and particles <NUM> from the dust laden air flow <NUM> so that a clean air flow <NUM> is obtained. The vacuum generating device <NUM> discards the filtered clean air flow <NUM> into the environment through respective one or more air outlet openings <NUM> in another part <NUM>, for example a top part, of the external housing of the suction device <NUM> in which the dust generating device <NUM> is housed. The bottom part <NUM> and the top part <NUM> of the external housing of the suction device <NUM> may be separated from each other along a plane <NUM> extending horizontally. Preferably, the at least one filter element <NUM> is attached to the top part <NUM> of the external housing.

Although only one filter element <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, the suction device <NUM> may have more than one filter element <NUM>. The one or more filter element <NUM> can be subject to a temporary cleaning step by reverse flushing one or more selected filter elements <NUM> with a clean air flow <NUM> in a direction opposite to the direction of the dust laden air flow <NUM>. During the cleaning step the intended use of the suction device <NUM> can be maintained by operating those filter elements <NUM> currently not subject to the cleaning step in a normal manner (with the dust-laden air flow <NUM> penetrating them).

The vacuum generating device <NUM> may comprise one or more motors <NUM> which drive one or more turbines <NUM> for generating an air flow <NUM>, <NUM> from the dust collection chamber <NUM> into the environment and passing through the at least one filter element <NUM>, thereby creating the low pressure pv in the dust collection chamber <NUM>. The one or more motors <NUM> of the vacuum generating device <NUM> are preferably electric motors, in particular of the brushless type. The electric motors <NUM> can be provided with electric energy from a mains power supply (not shown) to which the suction device <NUM> is connected by means of an electric cable. Alternatively, the electric motor <NUM> could be provided with electric energy from one or more batteries (not shown), which may be housed in the external housing <NUM>, <NUM> of the suction device <NUM> or attached thereto.

However, the one or more motors <NUM> could also comprise a pneumatic motor actuated by compressed air. In order to generate electric current for the control of certain features of the suction device <NUM> (e.g. the control of electromagnetic valves for varying the airflow <NUM>, <NUM> through the suction device <NUM>, the operation of the electric control device <NUM>, etc.), an electric generator or dynamo actuated by the pneumatic motor could be provided in the suction device <NUM>.

The suction hose <NUM> has an elongated intermediate section <NUM> which is preferably flexible and made of a plastic material or metal. The suction hose <NUM> extends along a longitudinal axis. The intermediate section <NUM> is preferably corrugated in order to enhance its flexibility when bending it about a bending axis extending essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hose <NUM> and for improving its stability and resilience against external forces acting on the intermediate section <NUM> in a direction essentially radial to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the hose <NUM>.

The first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the suction hose <NUM> preferably have a rigid structure and are attached to the elongated intermediate section <NUM>. In particular, at least one of the rigid end pieces <NUM>, <NUM> of the hose <NUM> is attached to the elongated intermediate section <NUM> in a manner freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the hose <NUM> in respect to the intermediate section <NUM>. The first and second end pieces <NUM>, <NUM> may be made of a plastic material or metal. The first end <NUM> of the suction hose <NUM> is attached to the chamber's suction opening <NUM>, and the second end <NUM> is attached to the air outlet <NUM> of the hand held power tool <NUM>. By connecting the air outlet <NUM> of the power tool <NUM> to the chamber's suction opening <NUM> through the suction hose <NUM>, the low pressure pv in the dust collection chamber <NUM> generates the air flow <NUM> from the air outlet <NUM> through the suction hose <NUM> into the dust collection chamber <NUM>. The air flow <NUM> at the air outlet <NUM> creates a low pressure pw at the working area <NUM> of the power tool <NUM>, which provokes that dirt, dust and small particles are drawn away from the working area <NUM> by the air flow <NUM> and sucked up by the suction device <NUM> and filtered out of the dust laden air flow <NUM> by the at least one filter element <NUM> of the suction device <NUM>.

Attachment of the first and second end pieces <NUM>, <NUM> of the suction hose <NUM> to the suction opening <NUM> of the collection container <NUM> and to the air outlet <NUM> of the power tool <NUM>, respectively, can be realized by means of a plug-in connection. The first and second end pieces <NUM>, <NUM> can be held in place in respect to the suction opening <NUM> and/or the air outlet <NUM>, respectively, by means of friction, a snap-in connection, a bayonet connection, magnetic force or the like.

It is suggested that the processing device <NUM> of the communication device <NUM> is adapted to cause the radio transmitter <NUM> to emit the second radio signal <NUM> when the power tool <NUM> changes from a turned-off to a turned-on operating status, and that the control device <NUM> of the suction device <NUM> is adapted to switch on the vacuum generating device <NUM> when the radio receiver <NUM> receives the respective first radio signal <NUM> from the remote control <NUM> and optionally taking into account further parameters. Additionally or alternatively, it is suggested that the processing device <NUM> of the communication device <NUM> is adapted to cause the radio transmitter <NUM> to emit the second radio signal <NUM> when the power tool <NUM> changes from a turned-on to a turned-off operating status, and that the control device <NUM> of the suction device <NUM> is adapted to switch off the vacuum generating device <NUM> of the suction device <NUM> when the radio receiver <NUM> receives the radio signal <NUM> and optionally taking into account further parameters.

Turning off of the vacuum generating device <NUM> may occur with a deliberate time delay in respect to the deactivation of the power tool <NUM>. The time delay may be achieved in the remote control <NUM> (e.g. in the remote control <NUM> transmitting the first radio signal <NUM> only after a certain time delay in respect to the reception of the second radio signal <NUM> has passed, and in the suction device <NUM> activating the vacuum generating device <NUM> almost immediately after receipt of the first radio signal <NUM> by the radio receiver <NUM>) or in the suction device <NUM> or the control device <NUM>, respectively (e.g. in the remote control <NUM> the first radio signal <NUM> is transmitted almost immediately after receipt of the second radio signal <NUM>, and in the suction device <NUM> the vacuum generating device <NUM> is activated only after a time delay after receipt of the first radio signal <NUM> by the radio receiver <NUM> has passed) or in the communication device <NUM> (e.g. the processing device <NUM> transmits the radio signal <NUM> only after a time delay has passed after detection of an operation status change of the power tool <NUM> by means of the sensor element <NUM>). The time delay may be in the region of one to a few tens of seconds.

To this end it is suggested that the processing device <NUM> of the communication device <NUM> is adapted to take into account as a further parameter, when causing the radio transmitter <NUM> to transmit a radio signal <NUM>, a time delay between the reception of the sensor signal <NUM> from the sensor element <NUM> and the transmission of the radio signal <NUM> by the radio transmitter <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, it is suggested that the control device <NUM> of the suction device <NUM> is adapted to take into account as a further parameter, when switching on or switching off the vacuum generating device <NUM>, a time delay between the reception of the radio signal <NUM> by the radio receiver <NUM> and the switching on or switching off of the vacuum generating device <NUM>.

It is suggested that the communication device <NUM> comprises an independent, local power supply unit <NUM> for providing electricity for operation of the electric components (e.g. sensor element <NUM>, radio transmitter <NUM>, processing device <NUM>, user interface <NUM>) of the communication device <NUM>. The power supply unit <NUM> may comprise a rechargeable and/or replaceable battery. The power supply unit <NUM> could also comprise an energy transformation device, which transforms vibrations of the second end <NUM> of the suction hose <NUM> caused by the vibrating power tool <NUM> during its intended use into electric energy which is supplied to the battery for recharging (energy harvesting from mechanical movements) or directly to the electric components of the communication device <NUM>. Alternatively, the energy transformation device may comprise a pneumatic generator located in the air stream <NUM> through the second end <NUM> of the suction hose <NUM> which will generate electric energy once the power tool <NUM> with a self-generated dust extraction functionality is activated and an air stream <NUM> is created.

Due to the fact that the communication device <NUM> may be configured to transmit a radio signal <NUM> only occasionally when the operation status of the power tool <NUM> changes, the power supply unit <NUM> has an almost infinite lifetime without running out of electric energy. To this end, the energy transformation device may comprise piezoelectric materials, may be in the form of an electrodynamic or inductive generator or may be in the form of an electrostatic generator.

The suction device <NUM> may have a main switch <NUM> for manually switching the suction device <NUM> between an operational status (I) and an inactive status (<NUM>).

The radio signals <NUM> and <NUM> can be transmitted according to different parameters (e.g. frequency, channel, etc.) and standards (e.g. size and format of transmitted data packets and data frames, repetition rate of data frames, etc.).

The remote control <NUM> performs a processing or pre-processing of the received radio signal <NUM> comprising, for instance, deriving from the received second radio signal <NUM> the current operation status of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool <NUM> and generating a respective first radio signal <NUM> for controlling operation of the suction device <NUM>. In particular, the first radio signal <NUM> serves for automatically turning on or off the suction device <NUM> based on the derived current operation status of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool <NUM>.

In particular, the processing or pre-processing functionality of the remote control <NUM> may comprise receiving the second radio signal <NUM> from the communication device <NUM>, determining the current status of the hand-held power tool <NUM> from the received radio signal <NUM>, determining how the suction device <NUM> is to be operated in order to react on the current status of the power tool <NUM> and generating a respective first radio signal <NUM> which is then transmitted to the suction device <NUM>. Dedicated operation of the suction device <NUM> in order to react on the current status of the power tool <NUM> may comprise one or more of the following:.

Using the remote control <NUM> as an intermediate processing or pre-processing unit has the advantage that the radio signals <NUM>, <NUM> transmitted between the communication device <NUM> and the radio receiver <NUM> of the suction device <NUM> can be further modified by means of the remote control <NUM>, for instance manually by a user of the power tool <NUM>, if the remote control <NUM> is provided with appropriate actuating means <NUM>, control means <NUM> (see <FIG>) or the like, or automatically by applying a time delay to at least one of the signals <NUM>, <NUM>. In particular, the user may modify the first radio signal <NUM> by means of the remote control <NUM> before its transmission to the suction device <NUM>. By modifying the first radio signal <NUM>, the operation status of the suction device <NUM> may be varied.

To this end, it may be possible to manually turn on and off the suction device <NUM> or its vacuum generation device <NUM> or its motor <NUM>, respectively, by providing the remote control <NUM> with respective actuating means <NUM>. The remote control <NUM> according to the example of <FIG> is provided with a first push button 94a for turning on ("I") the suction device <NUM> and with a second push button 94b for turning off ("O") the suction device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, additionally or alternatively, the remote control <NUM> could be provided with respective control means <NUM> for manually controlling specific functions of the suction device <NUM>. The remote control <NUM> according to the example of <FIG> is provided with a turn switch <NUM> by means of which, the speed of the motor <NUM> of the suction device <NUM> can be varied between "<NUM>%" and "<NUM>%". Apart from varying the speed of the motor <NUM>, other specific functions of the suction device <NUM> adjustable by the control means <NUM> can comprise, for instance,.

Preferably, the remote control <NUM> is designed such that manually turning on or off the suction device <NUM> or of the vacuum generation device <NUM> or of the motor <NUM>, respectively, based on a manual actuation of the actuating means <NUM> by an operator or user of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool <NUM> overrules automatically turning on or off the suction device <NUM> depending on the derived current operation status of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool <NUM>. For instance, the user may manually activate the suction device <NUM>, even if the hand-held power tool <NUM> is not (yet) turned on. Similarly, the user may manually deactivate the suction device <NUM>, even if the power tool <NUM> is (still) running.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the remote control <NUM> may be a classic remote control provided with actuating means <NUM> (e.g. mechanical or electrical buttons, switches, or potentiometers) for manually turning on and off the suction device <NUM> and/or with control means <NUM> for manually controlling specific functions of the suction device <NUM>. Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, the remote control <NUM> could also be provided with a touch screen <NUM> and virtual actuating means <NUM> and/or control means <NUM> (e.g. virtual buttons, switches, or potentiometers represented by "<NUM>", "<NUM>", "<NUM>") displayed on the screen <NUM> and actuated by the user by touching respective regions of the screen <NUM>, where the virtual actuating means <NUM> and/or control means <NUM> are displayed.

Furthermore, the remote control <NUM> may comprise selecting means <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) for manually selecting an operation mode of the remote control <NUM> based on a manual actuation of the selecting means <NUM> by an operator or user of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool <NUM>. In particular, the operation mode of the remote control <NUM> can be selected among one or more of the following:.

It is suggested that the remote control <NUM> is realized in the form of a smartphone (see <FIG>) with an appropriate computer programme application <NUM> installed thereon and executable on a microprocessor <NUM> of the smartphone. Execution of the computer programme application <NUM> on the smartphone's microprocessor <NUM> turns a conventional smartphone into a remote control <NUM> of the above mentioned kind for controlling the operation status of the suction device <NUM>. To this end, it is suggested that the execution of the computer programme application <NUM> causes the smartphone to receive the second radio signal <NUM> from the communication device <NUM> by means of a built-in radio receiver <NUM> of the smartphone, to perform processing or pre-processing of the received radio signal <NUM>, to generate a respective first radio signal <NUM> and to transmit the first radio signal <NUM> to a radio receiver <NUM> of the suction device <NUM> by means of a built-in radio transmitter <NUM> of the smartphone. Preferably, the first radio signal <NUM> and/ or the second radio signal <NUM> is realized according to the Bluetooth-standard, to the ZigBee-standard, to the WiFi-standard, to the NFC-standard, or any telecommunication standard, like GSM, GPRS, EDGE, LTE, UMTS. Of course, other radio signal formats are conceivable for the first radio signal <NUM> and/or the second radio signal <NUM>, too. Preferably, the radio signals <NUM>, <NUM> are provided in a short-range radio format adapted for being transmitted up to <NUM>, preferably up to <NUM>, particularly preferable up to <NUM>.

The radio receiver <NUM> of the remote control <NUM> may further be configured to receive a third radio signal <NUM> emitted by the suction device <NUM> and indicative of a current operation status of the suction device <NUM>. The current operation status of the suction device <NUM> may comprise, for instance, one or more of the following:.

In response to the received third radio signal <NUM> indicative of the operation status of the suction device <NUM>, the current operation status of the suction device <NUM> may be displayed to the user of the power tool <NUM>, for instance on the display <NUM> of the remote control <NUM> and/or on a display <NUM> of the power tool <NUM> and/or on a display <NUM> of the suction device <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in response to the received third radio signal <NUM>, appropriate measures may be taken manually or automatically. The appropriate measures, which may be taken, comprise for instance:.

Claim 1:
Suction device-assembly comprising a suction device (<NUM>), in particular a vacuum cleaner or a dust extraction system, a remote control (<NUM>) for controlling an operation status of the suction device (<NUM>), a suction hose (<NUM>), which is connected to a suction opening (<NUM>) of the suction device (<NUM>) with its first end (<NUM>) and which is connectable to an air outlet (<NUM>) of a hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool (<NUM>) with its opposite second end (<NUM>), and a communication device (<NUM>) located at or near the second end (<NUM>) of the suction hose (<NUM>) or at the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool (<NUM>) itself,
characterized in that
the remote control (<NUM>) comprises a radio transmitter (<NUM>) for transmitting a first radio signal (<NUM>) to the suction device (<NUM>) for turning on or off the suction device (<NUM>),
the communication device (<NUM>) is adapted for detecting a current operation status of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool (<NUM>) and for emitting a second radio signal (<NUM>) indicative of the current operation status of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool (<NUM>),
the remote control (<NUM>) further comprises a radio receiver (<NUM>) for receiving the second radio signal (<NUM>) from the communication device (<NUM>), and
the remote control (<NUM>) is adapted for deriving from the received second radio signal (<NUM>) the current operation status of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool (<NUM>) and for transmitting the respective first radio signal (<NUM>) in order to automatically turn on or off the suction device (<NUM>) depending on the derived current operation status of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool (<NUM>).