DE102024203005A1 - Suction unit with display element - Google Patents

Abstract

A suction unit (110) for a hand-held suction device (100) is described. The suction unit (110) is designed to cause a suction air flow (212) through the suction mouth (114) into the collection container of the suction unit (110) in order to suck up dirt particles. The suction unit (110) comprises a housing with a rear wall (250) and a handle (112) which is arranged on the rear wall (250) of the housing in such a way that a recess for arranging the fingers of a user's hand when grasping the handle (112) is bordered by the handle (112) and the rear wall (250). The suction unit (110) comprises, on the rear wall (250) of the housing facing the recess, an electrically operated display element (300) for outputting visual information relating to an operating state of the suction unit (110).

Description

The invention relates to a suction unit for a suction device, in particular for a cordless and/or hand-held vacuum cleaner.

A suction device, in particular a handheld vacuum cleaner, typically comprises a suction unit that can be carried and guided by a user by means of a handle. The suction unit has a fan that is operated with electrical energy from an electrical energy storage device of the suction unit. The fan is designed to generate a suction air flow in order to suck contaminants through the suction inlet of the suction unit into the separation unit of the suction unit, wherein the separation unit has a collection container for contaminants. The suction inlet of the suction unit is typically designed as a coupling via which an accessory (e.g. a nozzle) from a number of different accessories (e.g. a floor nozzle or a wet nozzle) can be connected to the suction unit.

This document deals with the technical problem of enabling a particularly comfortable interaction between the suction unit of a suction device and the user of the suction device, in particular in order to improve the cleaning result achieved by the suction device.

The object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments are defined in particular in the dependent patent claims, described in the following description, or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

According to one aspect, a suction unit for a handheld vacuum device is described. The suction unit is configured to generate a suction air flow through the suction inlet of the suction unit into the collection container of the suction unit in order to suck up dirt particles. The suction air flow is typically generated by a fan of the suction unit. The suction inlet can be configured such that an accessory (e.g., a nozzle) can be coupled to the suction inlet.

The suction unit comprises a housing with a rear wall. The housing can form, for example, the suction inlet. Furthermore, the housing can enclose the suction unit's fan. Furthermore, the housing can have a coupling to which a removable separation unit can be coupled to the collection container. The separation unit typically comprises a filter unit designed to filter dirt particles from the suction air stream and retain them in the collection container.

The suction unit can have a longitudinal axis, a vertical axis, and a transverse axis. The suction air flow can run along the longitudinal axis within the suction inlet. The vertical axis and the transverse axis can each be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The vertical axis and the transverse axis can form a transverse plane to which the longitudinal axis is perpendicular.

The suction unit comprises a handle arranged on the rear wall of the housing such that the handle and the rear wall define a recess for arranging the fingers of a user's hand when grasping the handle. The handle can run along the vertical axis (from the top of the housing to the bottom of the housing). The recess can be circular or oval. The handle can be in the form of a handle that is attached to the (essentially flat) rear wall of the housing.

The handle can be designed so that a user can grasp it with one hand. The longitudinal axis of the suction unit can then essentially correspond to an extension of the user's arm (with which the user holds the suction unit). The vertical axis of the suction unit can then run perpendicular to the user's hand (from the little finger to the thumb). The transverse axis of the suction unit can then run through the user's hand (from the inside of the palm to the outside of the palm).

The suction unit has an electrically operated display element on the rear wall of the housing facing the recess for outputting visual information regarding the operating status of the suction unit. Examples of operating statuses include: the degree of contamination of the suction air flow, the fan speed, the accessory connected to the suction nozzle, and/or the operating mode of the suction unit.

The display element can face the inside of the handle facing the recess and/or the rear wall. Alternatively or additionally, the display element can be concealed by the handle, at least in part, particularly along the longitudinal axis of the suction unit.

Using a display element arranged in this way, an efficient and reliable interaction between the suction unit and a user can be ensured. The suction unit is typically held during operation such that the longitudinal axis of the suction unit represents an extension of the user's arm, with which the user holds the suction unit. Consequently, the rear wall of the suction unit housing (which is arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis) faces the user's head, so that the display element on the rear wall can be viewed by the user in a comfortable and reliable manner. Furthermore, the display element on the rear wall of the housing can be arranged in a space-efficient manner.

The rear wall of the suction unit housing (on which the display element is arranged) is preferably inclined relative to the longitudinal axis, in particular at an angle between 10° and 45°. The rear wall can be inclined or rotated about the transverse axis of the suction unit, in particular such that the rear wall is inclined or rotated toward the user's head when the user carries the suction unit with one hand (and the longitudinal axis essentially corresponds to an extension of the user's arm). This can further increase the reliability and comfort of the user's interaction with the suction unit.

As already explained, the suction unit typically has a fan designed to generate the suction air flow through the suction inlet of the suction unit. The rear panel with the display element can be directly adjacent to the fan. This allows the display element to be provided in a particularly space-efficient manner.

The display element can, for example, comprise a screen with a matrix of pixels (e.g. a TFT (thin-film transistor) screen, an LCD (liquid-crystal display) screen and/or an LED screen). Alternatively or additionally, the display element can have a number of light modules (in particular LEDs (light emitting diodes)). A (control) device of the suction unit can be configured to control the display element in order to display information relating to the operating state of the suction unit. For this purpose, one or more properties of the light emitted by the individual light modules can be changed. Example properties are the intensity and/or the color of the emitted light. In this way, information relating to the operating state of the suction unit can be visually displayed in an efficient and convenient manner.

The display element can comprise a diffuser designed to scatter the light emitted by the individual light modules. This allows for the most homogeneous illumination possible of a symbol displayed by the display element. Furthermore, the display element can comprise a symbol layer designed to spatially limit the light emitted by the set of light modules to one or more symbols. As explained further below, the set of light modules can comprise a first and a second set of light modules. The symbol layer can be designed to spatially limit the light emitted by the first set and by the second set of light modules to a first and a second partial symbol, respectively. Thus, each of the two sets of light modules can illuminate a dedicated partial symbol. The display element can further comprise a cover designed to protect the display element from environmental influences. This makes it possible to provide a particularly reliable and robust display element.

The display element is preferably symmetrical, in particular mirror-symmetrical, with respect to a plane of symmetry. The plane of symmetry can divide the handle into two halves, for example a left half and a right half. The plane of symmetry can be spanned in particular by the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis of the suction unit. The (mirror-) symmetrical output of optical information on the display element can ensure that the optical information can be viewed comfortably and reliably by a user, regardless of whether the user grips the handle of the suction unit with their right hand (and the left partial display on the display element can be seen) or with their left hand (and the right partial display on the display element can be seen). This enables comfortable and reliable use of the suction unit for both left- and right-handed users.

The display element may comprise a first partial display arranged (along the transverse axis) on the first (e.g., left) side of the handle, and a second partial display arranged on the second (e.g., right) side of the handle, opposite the first side. The first partial display may be provided (dedicated and/or exclusively) by the first (left) set of light modules, and the second partial display may be provided (dedicated and/or exclusively) by the second (right) set of light modules.

The display element is preferably designed such that the first partial display and the second partial display each provide the same optical information in a redundant manner (and preferably mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry) with respect to the operating state of the suction unit This allows for particularly comfortable and reliable use of the suction unit for both left- and right-handed users.

As already explained, the display element can comprise a first (left) set of lighting modules and a second (right) set of lighting modules, wherein the individual lighting modules can each comprise at least or exactly one light-emitting diode. The first set of lighting modules is preferably arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry of the second set of lighting modules. The lighting modules of the two sets of lighting modules can each be arranged side by side on a circular segment.

The suction unit can be configured such that the first set of light modules is (dedicated) controlled to display a first partial symbol, and the second set of light modules is (dedicated) controlled to display a second partial symbol. The first partial symbol and the second partial symbol are preferably mirror-symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry. The suction unit can be limited to controlling the first set and the second set of light modules such that mirror-symmetrical first and second partial symbols are always displayed. This enables particularly convenient and reliable use of the suction unit for both left- and right-handed users.

• • die Länge des balkenförmigen ersten und zweiten Teilsymbols verändert wird; und/oder
• • die Farbe des balkenförmigen ersten und zweiten Teilsymbols verändert wird.

The first partial symbol and the second partial symbol can each be bar-shaped. The bars can each run along a circular segment. The suction unit can be designed to control the first set and the second set of lighting modules in such a way that

• • the length of the bar-shaped first and second partial symbols is changed; and/or
• • the color of the bar-shaped first and second sub-symbol is changed.

In this way, information regarding the operating status of the suction unit can be provided in a particularly convenient and reliable manner.

The control device of the suction unit can be configured to determine information regarding the (current) quantity of dirt particles in the suction air stream (i.e., regarding the degree of contamination of the suction air stream). This information can be determined based on the sensor data of a contamination sensor of the suction unit.

• • durch die Länge des von dem Anzeigeelement angezeigten Symbols; und/oder
• • durch die Farbe des von dem Anzeigeelement angezeigten Symbols.

The control device of the suction unit can further be configured to cause the display element to visually display the determined information relating to the quantity of dirt particles, in particular

• • by the length of the symbol displayed by the display element; and/or
• • by the color of the symbol displayed by the indicator element.

• • zu bewirken, dass die Länge des von dem Anzeigeelement angezeigten Symbols mit sinkender Menge von Schmutz-Partikeln steigt. So kann dem Nutzer der Eindruck einer steigenden Reinigungsgüte vermittelt werden.
• • zu bewirken, dass die Farbe des von dem Anzeigeelement angezeigten Symbols gewechselt wird, wenn die Menge von Schmutz-Partikeln unter einen Mengen-Schwellenwert fällt. So kann dem Nutzer vermittelt werden, dass eine ausreichend hohe Reinigungsgüte erzielt wurde.

The control device can in particular be designed

• • To ensure that the length of the symbol displayed by the indicator increases as the amount of dirt particles decreases. This can give the user the impression of increasing cleaning quality.
• • to change the color of the symbol displayed by the indicator when the amount of dirt particles falls below a threshold. This can convey to the user that a sufficiently high level of cleaning has been achieved.

By providing information regarding the degree of contamination of the suction air flow, particularly efficient and comfortable operation of the suction unit can be enabled.

Alternatively or additionally, the control device can be configured to determine information relating to the accessory that is coupled to the suction port of the suction unit. The information can, for example, indicate the type of accessory from a set of different accessory types. The display element can be caused to visually display the determined information relating to the accessory, in particular the determined type of accessory. This can further increase the convenience of the suction unit.

According to a further aspect, a suction device, in particular a handheld vacuum cleaner, is described, which comprises the suction unit described in this document. The suction device can further comprise an accessory coupled to the suction mouth of the suction unit.

It should be noted that any aspects of the suction unit and the suction device described in this document can be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the patent claims can be combined in a variety of ways.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

• 1 eine beispielhafte Saugvorrichtung mit einer Saugeinheit, einem Saugrohr und einer Düse;
• 2a bis 2c unterschiedliche Ansichten einer Saugeinheit und der Abscheideeinheit einer Saugeinheit;
• 3a eine beispielhafte Saugeinheit mit einem Anzeigeelement;
• 3b eine schematische Draufsicht auf das an der Rückwand der Saugeinheit angeordnete Anzeigeelement; und
• 4a und 4b unterschiedliche Beleuchtungsszenarien des Anzeigeelements.

Showing:

• 1 an exemplary suction device with a suction unit, a suction pipe and a nozzle;
• 2a to 2c different views of a suction unit and the separation unit of a suction unit;
• 3a an exemplary suction unit with a display element;
• 3b a schematic plan view of the display element arranged on the rear wall of the suction unit; and
• 4a and 4b different lighting scenarios of the display element.

As stated at the beginning, this document is concerned with enabling a particularly comfortable and efficient interaction between a user and a suction device, in particular to ensure efficient and high-quality suction operation of the suction device. In this context, 1 an exemplary (handheld) vacuum cleaner 100 (as an example of a suction device) comprising a suction unit 110 with an electrical energy storage device 111. The suction unit 110 comprises a (hand) handle 112, which can be grasped by a user with one hand to hold the suction unit 110. The fan of the suction unit 110 creates a suction air flow through the suction mouth 114 of the suction unit 110, via the separation unit 113 of the suction unit 110, and up to the fan. The suction unit 110 can be designed to be used independently as a suction device.

An accessory 120, 130 can be connected to the suction unit 110 via a coupling 121. In the example shown, the suction unit 110 is connected via a coupling 121 to a suction pipe 120, which in turn is connected via a coupling 121 to a floor nozzle 130.

2a to 2c show different views of a suction unit 110 and a separation unit 113. The suction air flow 112 caused by the fan 230 is sucked through the suction mouth 114 of the suction unit 110 into the separation unit 113. The separation unit 113 has an outer wall 227 which encloses a filter unit 225. A collection container is formed by the outer wall 227. The suction air flow 112 is sucked through an (inlet) opening 211 arranged on the outer wall 227 into the collection container enclosed by the outer wall 227. When introduced into the collection container, the suction air flow 112 is preferably directed such that the suction air flow 112 circulates in a cyclone-like manner around the (circular-cylindrical) filter unit 225. The suction air stream 112 is further drawn through the surface of the filter unit 225 toward the central longitudinal axis 220 of the separation unit 113. The contaminants from the suction air stream 112 are retained on the surface of the filter unit 225 and remain in the collection area 226 formed between the filter unit 225 and the outer wall 227.

The (circular-cylindrical) collection container formed by the outer wall 227 extends along the longitudinal axis 220 from a first end face 221 (facing the fan 230) to a second end face 222 (facing away from the fan 230). A lid 224 covering the collection container can be arranged on the second end face 222. The lid 224 can be opened (e.g., folded open) so that contaminants from the collection area 226 of the collection container can be removed via the second end face 222.

An ejection and/or compression element 240 may be arranged within the collection container and is designed to be moved along the longitudinal axis 220. The ejection and/or compression element 240 may, as in 2b shown, be formed as a ring arranged around the filter unit 225. The ejection and/or compression element 240 can extend radially (relative to the longitudinal axis 220) from the surface of the filter unit 225 to the inside of the outer wall 227.

The ejection and/or compression element 240 can be arranged in a basic position on the first end face 221 of the collection container. Furthermore, the ejection and/or compression element 240 can be configured to be moved along the longitudinal axis 220 from the first end face 221 to the second end face 222, such that the contaminants arranged in the collection area 226 are pushed toward the second end face 222 by the ejection and/or compression element 240. This makes it possible to compress the contaminants arranged in the collection area 226 (in the region of the second end face 222) during operation of the suction unit 110, so that the surface of the filter unit 225 is substantially free of contaminants, thus continuing to provide a high suction power. Furthermore, the ejection and/or compression element 240 can conveniently remove impurities along the longitudinal axis 220 via the second end face 222 (and the open ten lid 224) can be pushed out of the collection container to empty the collection container.

Such as in 2b As shown, the outer wall 227 of the collecting container has a frame 210 that surrounds the opening 211 to the collecting area 226 of the collecting container. The frame 210 is preferably arranged in the immediate vicinity of the first end face 221 of the collecting container. A flexible flap 200 can be arranged within the frame 210, which is designed such that the flap 200 closes the opening 211 bordered by the frame 210 when no suction air flow 212 is produced by the fan 230, ie when no forces act on the flap 200 in a radial direction from the outside into the collecting container. The collection container can thus be closed by the flexible flap 200, so that it can be reliably prevented that contaminants can fall out of the collection container through the opening 211 (e.g., when the separation unit 113 is separated from the suction unit 110 in order to empty the separation unit 113).

At least one contamination sensor 260 can be arranged in the air duct between the suction port 114 and the collection container. The sensor is configured to detect sensor data relating to the quantity of dirt particles entrained by the suction air stream 212. The sensor 260 can, for example, comprise a light barrier that reacts to the dirt particles in the suction air stream 212.

The (hand) grip 112 of the suction unit 110 can be arranged on the rear wall 250 of the housing of the suction unit 110. The rear wall 250 can be oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis 220 of the suction unit 110. The handle 112 can be attached in a U-shape to the rear wall 250 of the housing of the suction unit 110, so that the handle 112 and the rear wall 250 enclose a recess through which the user can guide the fingers of one hand to grasp the handle 112. The user can use the right hand or the left hand, depending on their preference.

3a shows a section of the suction unit 110 in the region of the recess formed by the rear wall 250 and the handle 112. An (electronic) display element 300 is arranged on the rear wall 250 and is designed to visually display information relating to the operating state of the suction unit 110. The display element 300 is preferably designed symmetrically such that the information shown on the display element 300 can be seen equally by the user, regardless of whether the user grips the handle 112 with the right hand or the left hand.

• • die Intensität des emittierten Lichtes; und/oder
• • die Farbe des emittierten Lichtes.

The display element 300 may comprise a light unit 310 having a plurality of light modules 312, wherein the individual light modules 312 can each be individually controlled to emit light. In this case, one or more properties of the light emitted by the respective light module 312 can be defined. Exemplary properties are:

• • the intensity of the emitted light; and/or
• • the color of the emitted light.

As already explained, the suction unit 110 can have a longitudinal axis 220, which runs, for example, parallel to the flow direction of the suction air flow 212 in the suction mouth 114 of the suction unit 110. Furthermore, the suction unit 110 can have a transverse axis that runs between the left side and the right side of the suction unit 110. In addition, the suction unit 110 can have a vertical axis that runs between the underside and the top side of the suction unit 110. The longitudinal axis 220, the vertical axis, and the transverse axis are each perpendicular to each other in pairs and can correspond to the axes of a Cartesian coordinate system. In the 3b In the coordinate system shown, the longitudinal axis 220 corresponds to the x-axis, the transverse axis to the y-axis and the vertical axis to the z-axis.

The light unit 310 (i.e., the display element 300) can be constructed (mirror-) symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry running parallel to the longitudinal axis 220 and parallel to the vertical axis of the suction unit 110. The plane of symmetry can divide the handle 112 and the rear wall 250 into a left half and a right half (wherein the left half and the right half can be constructed substantially symmetrically). The light unit 310 can have a first set of light modules 312 arranged on the left half of the rear wall 250. Furthermore, the light unit 310 can have a second set of light modules 312 arranged symmetrically thereto, which are arranged on the right half of the rear wall 250. The sets of light modules 312 can each have one or more, two or more, three or more, or four or more light modules 312.

The light unit 310 may further comprise a (control) device 311 configured to control the light modules 312 of the light unit 310. The light modules 312 may be controlled symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry. In particular, the first set and the second set of light modules 312 are controlled essentially the same way. This makes it possible to display the same optical information on both halves of the rear wall 250 (i.e., on the right and left sides of the rear wall 250), so that this information can be seen by the user in an equivalent manner, regardless of whether the user grasps the handle 112 with the right hand or the left hand.

The lighting modules 312 can, as exemplified in 3a shown, be arranged in a circle around the longitudinal axis 220.

The display element 300 may further comprise a diffuser 320 that covers the light unit 310 and is configured to scatter the light emitted by the individual lighting modules 312 to create the impression of spatially continuous illumination. Furthermore, the display element 300 may have a symbol layer 330 that limits the light emitted by the individual lighting modules 312 to a specific symbol and/or a specific shape. In the illustrated example, a (semi-)circular ring 350 may be illuminated by the lighting modules 312, as exemplified in 3b Finally, the display element 300 may include a cover 340 that covers the individual components 310, 320, 330 of the display element 300 and thus protects them from environmental influences.

In 3b The display element 300 is shown in a plan view of the rear wall 250 of the housing of the suction unit 110. The display element 300 is designed to display a specific symbol 350, wherein the symbol 350 is 3b is a semicircular bar. The symbol 350 is preferably formed symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry (ie, the x/z plane), so that the symbol 350 has a left symbol half (ie, a left partial symbol) 351 and a right symbol half (ie, a right partial symbol) 352, which are symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry.

The display element 300 may be configured to illuminate different portions of the symbol 350. Example lighting scenarios are shown in the 4a and 4b The individual points shown each correspond to a lighting module 312. In the example shown, the light unit 310 comprises nine lighting modules 312 arranged on a segment of a circle around the longitudinal axis 220. One lighting module 312 is located directly on the plane of symmetry, while four lighting modules 312 (as part of the respective set of lighting modules 312) are located on either side of the plane of symmetry.

A black dot indicates that the corresponding light module 312 is deactivated (and thus does not emit light). A white dot indicates that the corresponding light module 312 emits white light. A hatched dot indicates that the corresponding light module 312 emits colored (e.g., blue) light.

In lighting scenario 401, all lighting modules 312 are deactivated. In lighting scenario 402, one lighting module 312 is activated on each side of the symmetry plane and emits white light. In lighting scenario 403, two lighting modules 312 are activated on each side of the symmetry plane and each emit white light. In lighting scenario 404, three lighting modules 312 are activated on each side of the symmetry plane and each emit white light. By sequentially executing lighting scenarios 401, 402, 403, and 404, an elongating circular segment-shaped bar can be displayed on each side of the symmetry plane. The length of the displayed bar can thus be varied by sequentially executing lighting scenarios 401, 402, 403, and 404.

When a certain number of activated light modules 312 is reached, a color change may be effected, as shown by the lighting scenarios 405 and 406 of 4b In the lighting scenario 405, four lighting modules 312 are activated on each side of the symmetry plane, each emitting colored (e.g., blue) light. In the lighting scenario 406, the central lighting module 312 on the symmetry plane is additionally activated to emit colored (e.g., blue) light. An abrupt change in the color emitted by the lighting modules 312 (e.g., between the lighting scenario 404 and the lighting scenario 405) can indicate a significant change in the operating state of the suction unit 110.

The control device 311 of the suction unit 110 can be configured to determine the (current) degree of contamination of the suction air flow 212 based on the sensor data from the contamination sensor 260. The control device 311 can further be configured to output visual information regarding the (current) degree of contamination via the display element 300. A particularly high degree of contamination can be indicated by the lighting scenario 401. The lighting scenarios 402, 403, 404 can each be associated with gradually reduced degrees of contamination. This allows the user to conveniently view the progress of the cleaning process.

By an abrupt change to the lighting scenario 405, 406, the user can be informed that the degree of contamination is so low that the cleaning process can be considered complete.

By displaying the progress of the cleaning process, the duration of cleaning processes can be statistically reduced, thereby increasing the energy efficiency of the suction unit 110.

• • die Tatsache, dass ein Zubehörteil 130, z. B. eine Düse, an der Saugeinheit 110 angeschlossen ist;
• • den Typ des Zubehörteils 130, das an der Saugeinheit 110 angeschlossen ist;
• • die Tatsache, dass die Saugeinheit 110 aktiviert oder deaktiviert wird;
• • die Stufe des Gebläses 230 der Saugeinheit 110; und/oder
• • den aktivierten Betriebsmodus der Saugeinheit 110 aus einer vordefinierten Menge von unterschiedlichen Betriebsmodi.

The display element 300 can alternatively or additionally be used to display information relating to the following operating states,

• • the fact that an accessory 130, e.g. a nozzle, is connected to the suction unit 110;
• • the type of accessory 130 connected to the suction unit 110;
• • the fact that the suction unit 110 is activated or deactivated;
• • the level of the blower 230 of the suction unit 110; and/or
• • the activated operating mode of the suction unit 110 from a predefined set of different operating modes.

The rear wall 250 is preferably arranged in a plane that is tilted about the transverse axis of the suction unit 110, so that the rear wall 250 faces the user's view when the suction unit 110 is held obliquely above the floor to be cleaned (i.e., when the longitudinal axis 220 of the suction unit 110 is arranged obliquely to the floor). The tilt angle between the rear wall 250 and the longitudinal axis 220 can be, for example, between 10° and 45°. This can further increase the comfort of user interaction.

A display element 300 on a handheld cordless vacuum cleaner 100, 110 is thus described, wherein the handle 112 of the cordless vacuum cleaner 100, 110 is arranged at the rear of the display element 300. This allows for a particularly compact cordless vacuum cleaner 100, 110 with the display element 300 to be provided.

The display element 300 is preferably mirror-symmetrical, e.g., as a semicircular bar. In particular, the display element 300 can have two signal bars 351, 352, which are designed as semicircles. The signal bars 251, 252 can indicate different operating states of the vacuum cleaner 100, 110 using color-changing illumination. The mirror-symmetrical design makes the display suitable for both left- and right-handed users.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and figures are intended only to illustrate the principle of the suction unit 110 and/or the suction device 100.

List of reference symbols

100

Suction device (vacuum wiper)

110

suction unit

111

electrical energy storage

112

Handle

113

Separation unit

114

Suction mouth

120

Accessory (suction pipe)

121

coupling

130

nozzle

200

(Dust retention) flap

210

Frame

211

Inlet opening (collection container)

212

Suction air

220

Longitudinal axis

221

first front side (collection container)

221

second front side (collection container)

224

Lid

225

filter unit

226

Collection area

227

Outer wall (collection container)

230

fan

240

Ejection and/or compression element

250

Rear wall (suction unit)

260

Contamination sensor

300

Display element

310

Light unit

311

(Control) device

312

Light module (LED)

320

diffuser

330

Symbol layer

340

cover

350

symbol

351, 352

Part symbol

401-406

Lighting scenario (symbol)

Claims (15)

Suction unit (110) for a hand-held suction device (100); wherein - the suction unit (110) is configured to generate a suction air flow (212) through a suction mouth (114) into a collecting container of the suction unit (110) in order to suck up dirt particles; - the suction unit (110) has a housing with a rear wall (250); - the suction unit (110) has a handle (112) arranged on the rear wall (250) of the housing in such a way that the handle (112) and the rear wall (250) define a recess for arranging the fingers of a user's hand when gripping the handle (112); and - the suction unit (110) comprises an electrically operated display element (300) on the rear wall (250) of the housing facing the recess for outputting optical information relating to an operating state of the suction unit (110). Suction unit (110) according to Claim 1 , wherein - the display element (300) is symmetrical, in particular mirror-symmetrical, with respect to a plane of symmetry; and - the plane of symmetry divides in particular the handle (112) into two halves, for example into a left half and a right half. Suction unit (110) according to Claim 2 , wherein - the suction unit (110) has a longitudinal axis (220) and a vertical axis; - the suction air flow (212) runs within the suction mouth (114) along the longitudinal axis (220); - the handle (112) runs along the vertical axis; and - the plane of symmetry is spanned by the longitudinal axis (220) and the vertical axis. Suction unit (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the display element (300) comprises a first partial display arranged on a first side of the handle (112), and a second partial display arranged on a second side of the handle (112) opposite the first side; and - the display element (300) is configured such that the first partial display and the second partial display each redundantly display the same visual information relating to the operating state of the suction unit (110). Suction unit (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the display element (300) faces an inner side of the handle (112) facing the recess and/or the rear wall (250); and/or - the display element (300) is at least partially concealed by the handle (112), in particular along a longitudinal axis (220) of the suction unit (110). Suction unit (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the suction unit (110) has a longitudinal axis (220); and - the rear wall (250) is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis (220), in particular at an angle between 10° and 45°. Suction unit (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the display element (300) comprises a first set of lighting modules (312) and a second set of lighting modules (312); - the individual lighting modules (312), in particular, each comprise a light-emitting diode; - the first set of lighting modules (312) is arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry to the second set of lighting modules (312); - the suction unit (110) is configured such that the first set of lighting modules (312) is controlled to display a first partial symbol (351) and the second set of lighting modules (312) is controlled to display a second partial symbol (352); and - the first partial symbol (351) and the second partial symbol (352) are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry. Suction unit (110) according to Claim 7 , wherein the suction unit (110) is limited to controlling the first set and the second set of lighting modules (312) in such a way that mirror-symmetrical first and second partial symbols (351, 252) are always displayed. Suction unit (110) according to one of the Claims 7 until 8 , wherein - the first partial symbol (351) and the second partial symbol (352) are each bar-shaped; and - the suction unit (110) is designed to control the first set and the second set of lighting modules (312) such that - the length of the bar-shaped first and second partial symbols (351, 352) is changed; and/or - the color of the bar-shaped first and second partial symbols (351, 352) is changed. Suction unit (110) according to one of the Claims 7 until 9 , wherein the display element (300) comprises - a diffuser (320) which is designed to be to scatter the light emitted by individual lighting modules (312); and/or - a symbol layer (330) designed to spatially limit the light emitted by the first set and by the second set of lighting modules (312) to the first and second partial symbols (351, 352), respectively; and/or - a cover (340) designed to protect the display element (300) from environmental influences. Suction unit (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the suction unit (110) comprises a control device (311); and - the control device (311) is configured to - determine information relating to a quantity of dirt particles in the suction air flow (212); and - cause the display element (300) to visually display the determined information relating to the quantity of dirt particles, in particular - by a length of a symbol (350, 351, 352) displayed by the display element (300); and/or - by a color of the symbol (350, 351, 352) displayed by the display element (300). Suction unit (110) according to Claim 11 , wherein the control device (311) is configured to - cause the length of the symbol (350, 351, 352) displayed by the display element (300) to increase as the amount of dirt particles decreases; and/or - cause the color of the symbol (350, 351, 352) displayed by the display element (300) to change when the amount of dirt particles falls below a quantity threshold. Suction unit (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the suction unit (110) comprises a control device (311); and - the control device (311) is configured to - determine information relating to an accessory (130) coupled to the suction mouth (114) of the suction unit (110); wherein the information comprises, in particular, a type of accessory (130) from a set of different accessory types; and - cause the display element (300) to visually display the determined information relating to the accessory (130), in particular the determined type of accessory. Suction unit (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the suction unit (110) comprises a fan (230) configured to generate the suction air flow (212) through the suction mouth (114) of the suction unit (110); and - the rear wall (250) with the display element (300) is adjacent to the fan (230). Suction device (100) comprising, - a suction unit (110) configured according to one of the preceding claims; and - an accessory (130) coupled to the suction mouth (114) of the suction unit (110).