SUCTION UNIT WITH DISPLAY ELEMENT AND SUCTION APPARATUS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of German Patent Application DE 10 2024 203 005.8, filed Mar. 28, 2024; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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

A suction apparatus, in particular a hand-held vacuum cleaner, typically contains a suction unit which can be carried and guided by a user holding a grip by hand. The suction unit has a blower which is operated by electrical energy from an electrical energy storage device of the suction unit. The blower is configured to generate a suction airflow in order to suck contaminants through the suction mouth of the suction unit into the separator unit of the suction unit, wherein the separator unit has a collecting container for contaminants. The suction mouth of the suction unit is typically configured as a coupling via which an accessory (for example a nozzle) from a number of different accessories (for example a floor nozzle or a wet nozzle) can be connected to the suction unit.

Published, non-prosecuted German patent application DE 10 2016 224 100 A1 describes a suction apparatus with a display element. International patent disclosure WO 2007/084 543 A2, corresponding to U.S. patent publication No. 2007/0163075, describes a suction apparatus for cleaning stairs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present document relates to the technical task of rendering possible a particularly convenient interaction between the suction unit of a suction apparatus and the user of the suction apparatus, in particular in order thereby to improve the cleaning result produced by the suction apparatus.

The object is achieved by means of the subject of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in particular in the dependent claims, described in the description below or illustrated in the attached drawing.

With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a suction unit for a hand-held suction apparatus. The suction unit contains a collection container and a suction mouth. The suction unit is configured to create a suction air flow through the suction mouth into the collecting container of the suction unit to suck up dirt particles. The suction unit further has a housing with a rear wall, a hand grip disposed on the rear wall of the housing such that the hand grip and the rear wall border a cut-out for a user to arrange fingers of a hand when gripping the hand grip, and an electrically operated display element disposed on the rear wall of the housing facing the cut-out so as to output visual information with regard to an operating status of the suction unit. The electrically operated display element has a first part-display disposed on a first side of the hand grip, and a second part-display disposed on a second side of the hand grip lying opposite the first side. The electrically operated display element is configured such that the first part-display and the second part-display respectively display the same visual information with regard to the operating status of the suction unit in a redundant manner.

In accordance with one aspect, a suction unit for a hand-held suction apparatus is described. The suction unit is configured to create a suction air flow through the suction mouth of the suction unit into the collecting container of the suction unit in order to suck up dirt particles. The suction air flow is typically created by a blower of the suction unit. The suction mouth is configured in such a manner that an accessory (for example a nozzle) can be coupled to the suction mouth.

The suction unit contains a housing with a rear wall. The suction mouth can be formed by the housing, for example. Moreover, the housing encloses the blower of the suction unit. Furthermore, the housing can have a coupling at which a removable separator unit can be coupled to the collecting container. The separator unit typically contains a filter unit which is configured to filter dirt particles from the suction air flow and retain them in the collecting container.

The suction unit can have a longitudinal axis, a vertical axis and a transverse axis. The suction air flow can run within the suction mouth along the longitudinal axis. The vertical axis and the transverse axis can each be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A transverse plane can be defined by the vertical axis and the transverse axis, with the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the transverse plane.

The suction unit comprises a hand grip which is arranged on the rear wall of the housing in such a manner that the hand grip and the rear wall border a cut-out for a user to arrange fingers of a hand when gripping the hand grip. The hand grip can run along the vertical axis (from the upper side of the housing as far as the lower side of the housing). The cut-out can be of a circular shape or oval. The hand grip can have the form of a handle which is fastened to the (essentially planar) rear wall of the housing.

The hand grip can be configured in such a manner that a user can grip the hand grip by hand. The longitudinal axis of the suction unit can then correspond essentially to an extension of the arm of the user (with which the user holds the suction unit). The vertical axis of the suction unit can then run transversely with respect to the hand of the user (from the small finger to the thumb). The transverse axis of the suction unit can then run through the hand of the user (from the inner side of the palm of the hand to the outer side of the palm of the hand).

The suction unit has an electrically operated display element on the rear wall of the housing facing the cut-out so as to output visual information with regard to an operating status of the suction unit. Exemplary operating statuses are the degree of contamination of the suction air flow, the speed of the blower, the accessory coupled to the suction nozzle, and/or an operating mode of the suction unit.

The display element can be facing the inner side of the hand grip that faces the cut-out and/or the rear wall. Alternatively or additionally, the display element can be covered in some areas by the hand grip, in particular along the longitudinal axis of the suction unit at least.

It is possible with the aid of a display element arranged in this manner to create an efficient and reliable interaction between the suction unit and a user. The suction unit is typically held during the operation in such a manner that the longitudinal axis of the suction unit represents an extension of the arm of the user with which the user is holding the suction unit. As a result, the rear wall of the housing of the suction unit (which is arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis) faces the head of the user so that the display element on the rear wall can be seen by the user in a convenient and reliable manner. Moreover, the display element can be arranged on the rear wall of the housing in an installation space-efficient manner.

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

As already explained, the suction unit typically has a blower which is configured to generate the suction air flow through the suction mouth of the suction unit. The rear wall with the display element can directly adjoin the blower. The display element can thus be provided in a particularly installation space-efficient manner.

The display element can comprise for example a screen with a matrix of pixels, (possibly 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 quantity of light modules (in particular LEDs (light emitting diodes). A control apparatus of the suction unit can be configured to actuate the display element in order to display information with regard to the operating status of the suction unit. For this purpose, one or multiple characteristics of the light emitted by the individual light modules can be changed. Exemplary characteristics are the intensity and/or the color of the emitted light. Thus, it is possible in an efficient and convenient manner to visually display information with regard to the operating status of the suction unit.

The display element can comprise a diffuser which is configured to scatter the light emitted by the individual light modules. It is thus possible to create a homogeneous as possible illumination of a symbol illustrated by the display element. Furthermore, the display element can comprise a symbol layer which is configured to spatially limit to one or multiple symbols the light emitted by the quantity of light-emitting diodes. As will be explained below, the quantity of light modules can comprise a first and a second quantity of light modules. The symbol layer can be configured to spatially limit to a first or to a second part-symbol the light emitted by the first quantity and the second quantity of light modules. It is thus possible using the two quantities of light modules to illuminate in each case a dedicated part-symbol. The display element can moreover comprise a covering which is configured to protect the display element from environmental influences. It is thus possible to provide a particularly reliable and robust display element.

The display element is preferably configured symmetrically, in particular mirror-symmetrically, with regard to a plane of symmetry. The plane of symmetry can divide the hand grip into two halves, possibly into a left-hand half and a right-hand half. The plane of symmetry can be defined in particular by the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis of the suction unit. The (mirror) symmetrical output of visual information on the display element renders it possible for the visual information to be seen in a convenient and reliable manner by a user, irrespective of whether the user is gripping the hand grip of the suction unit by the right hand (and in this case can see the left-hand part-display on the display unit) or by the left hand (and in this case the right-hand part-display can be seen on the display element). A convenient and reliable use of the suction unit is thus rendered possible for left-handed and right-handed users.

The display element can comprise a first part-display, which is arranged (along the transverse axis) on the first (for example on the left-hand) side of the hand grip, and can comprise a second part-display, which is arranged on the second (for example on the right-hand) side of the hand grip lying the first side. The first part-display can be created (in a dedicated manner and/or exclusively) by the first (left-hand) quantity of light modules, and the second part-display can be created (in a dedicated manner and/or exclusively) by the second (right-hand) quantity of light modules.

The display element is preferably configured in such a manner that the first part-display and the second part-display display in each case the same visual information with regard to the operating status of the suction unit in a redundant manner (and preferably mirror-symmetrically with regard to the plane of symmetry). A particularly convenient and reliable use of the suction unit is thus rendered possible for left-handed and right-handed users.

As already explained, the display element can comprise a first (left-hand) quantity of light modules and a second (right-hand) quantity of light modules, wherein the individual light modules can each comprise at least or precisely one light-emitting diode. The first quantity of light modules is preferably arranged mirror-symmetrically with regard to the plane of symmetry with respect to the second quantity of light modules. The light modules of the two quantities of light modules can each be arranged adjacent to one another on a circular segment.

The suction unit can be configured in such a manner that the first quantity of light modules (dedicated) is actuated in order to display a first part-symbol, and that the second quantity of light modules (dedicated) is actuated in order to display a second part-symbol. The first part-symbol and the second part-symbol are preferably mirror-symmetrical with regard to the plane of symmetry. The suction unit can be limited to actuating the first quantity and the second quantity of light modules in such a manner that mirror-symmetrical first and second part-symbols are always displayed. A particularly convenient and reliable use of the suction unit is thus rendered possible for left-handed and right-handed users.

The first part-symbol and the second part-symbol can each be configured in the shape of a bar. The bars can each run along a circular segment. The suction unit can be configured to actuate the first quantity and the second quantity of light modules in such a manner that the length of the bar-shaped first and second part-symbols is changed; and/or the color of the bar-shaped first and second part-symbols is changed.

Thus, it is possible to provide information with regard to the operating status of the suction unit in a particularly convenient and reliable manner.

The control apparatus of the suction unit can be configured to determine information with regard to the (respective prevailing) quantity of dirt particles in the suction air flow (i.e. with regard to the degree of contamination of the suction air flow). This information can be determined on the basis of sensor data of a contamination sensor of the suction unit.

The control apparatus of the suction unit can moreover be configured to cause the display element to visually display the information determined with regard 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 display element.

The control apparatus can be configured in particular to:

• • cause the length of the symbol displayed by the display element to increase as the quantity of dirt particles reduces. It is thus possible to provide the user with an impression of increasing cleaning quality.
  • cause the color of the symbol displayed by the display element to change when the quantity of dirt particles falls below a quantity threshold value. It is thus possible to inform the user that a sufficiently high cleaning quality has been achieved.

Providing information with regard to the degree of contamination of the suction air flow renders it possible for the suction unit to operate in a particularly efficient and convenient manner.

Alternatively or additionally, the control apparatus can be configured to provide information with regard to the accessory which is coupled to the suction mouth of the suction unit. The information can be for example the type of accessory from a number of different accessory types. The display element can be caused to visually display the determined information with regard to the accessory, in particular the determined type of the accessory. The comfort of the suction unit can be further increased in this manner.

In accordance with a further aspect, a suction apparatus in particular a hand-held vacuum cleaner is described which comprises the suction unit described in this document. The suction apparatus can also comprise an accessory coupled to the suction mouth of the suction unit.

It should be noted that each aspect of the suction unit described in this document and the suction apparatus described in this document can be combined with one another in numerous ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined with one another in numerous ways.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a suction unit with a display element, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of an exemplary suction apparatus with a suction unit, a suction tube and a nozzle;

FIGS. 2A to 2C are different perspective views of the suction unit and a separator unit of the suction unit;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an exemplary suction unit with a display element;

FIG. 3B is a schematic plan view of the display element arranged on the rear wall of the suction unit; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B are different illumination scenarios of the display element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As explained in the introduction, the present document is concerned with rendering it possible for a user to interact in a particularly convenient and efficient manner with a suction apparatus, in particular in order to create an efficient and qualitative high-value suction operation of the suction apparatus. In this context, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary (hand-held) vacuum cleaner 100 (as an example for a suction apparatus), which has a suction unit 110 with an electrical energy storage device 111. The suction unit 110 has a (hand) grip 112 which a user can grip by hand in order to hold the suction unit 110. The blower of the suction unit 110 creates a suction airflow through the suction mouth 114 of the suction unit 110 via the separator unit 113 of the suction unit 110 up to the blower. The suction unit 110 can be configured to be used independently as a suction apparatus.

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

FIGS. 2A to 2C show different views of a suction unit 110 and a separator unit 113. The suction airflow 112 created by the blower 230 is sucked through the suction mouth 114 of the suction unit 110 into the separator unit 113. The separator unit 113 has an external outer wall 227 which encloses a filter unit 225. The exterior wall 227 forms a collecting container. The suction airflow 112 is sucked through an (inlet) opening 211 arranged on the outer wall 227 into the collecting container enclosed by the outer wall 227. In this case, the suction airflow 112 is preferably oriented as it is introduced into the collecting container in such a manner that the suction airflow 112 circulates in a cyclonic manner around the (circular-cylindrical) filter unit 225. The suction airflow 112 is further sucked through the surface of the filter unit 225 toward the central longitudinal axis 220 of the separator unit 113. In this case, the contaminants from the suction airflow 112 are retained at 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) collecting container formed by the outer wall 227 extends along the longitudinal axis 220 from a first end side 221 (facing the blower 230) up to a second end side 222 (remote from the blower 230). A cover 224 which covers the collecting container can be arranged at the second end side 222. The cover 224 can be opened (for example flipped open), so that contaminants from the collection area 226 can be removed from the collection area 226 of the collecting container via the second end side 222.

It is possible to arrange within the collecting container an ejection and/or compression element 240 which is configured to be moved along the longitudinal axis 220. The ejection and/or compression element 240 can be configured, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, as a ring which is arranged around the filter unit 225. The ejection and/or compression element 240 can extend in the radial direction (with regard to the longitudinal axis 220) from the surface of the filter unit 225 up to the inner side of the outer wall 227.

The ejection and/or compression element 240 can be arranged in an initial position at the first end side 221 of the collecting container. Furthermore, the ejection and/or compression element 240 can be configured so as to be moved along the longitudinal axis 220 from the first end side 221 to the second end side 222, so that the contaminants located in the collection area 226 are pushed toward the second end side 222 by the ejection and/or compression element 240. It is thus rendered possible during the operation of the suction unit 110 to compress the contaminants located in the collection area 226 (in the region of the second end side 222), so that the surface of the filter unit 225 is essentially free of contaminants, and consequently a high suction power is still available. Moreover, contaminants can be pushed by the ejection and/or compression element 240 in a convenient manner along the longitudinal axis 220 via the second end side 222 (and the open cover 224) out of the collecting container in order to empty the collecting container.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, for example, the outer wall 227 of the collecting container has a frame 210 which surrounds the opening 211 to the collection area 226 of the collecting container. The frame 210 is preferably arranged in close proximity to the first end side 221 of the collecting container. A flexible flap 200 can be arranged within the frame 210 and the flap is designed in such a manner that the flap 200 closes the opening 211 bordered by the frame 210 when the blower 230 is not creating a suction airflow 212, in other words when there are no forces acting on the flap 200 in the radial direction from the outside into the collecting container. The collecting container can thus be closed by the flexible flap 200, so that it is possible to reliably avoid contaminants dropping out of the collecting container through the opening 211 (for example when the separator unit 113 is separated from the suction unit 110 in order to empty the separator unit 113).

It is possible to arrange in the air duct between the suction mouth 114 and the collecting container at least one contamination sensor 260 which is configured to collect sensor date with regard to the quantity of dirt particles which are carried along with the suction air flow 212. The sensor 260 can comprise for example a light barrier which reacts to the dirt particles in the suction air flow 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 configured transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis 220 of the suction unit 110. The grip 112 can be fastened in a U-shape to the rear wall 250 of the housing of the suction unit 110 so that a cut-out is enclosed by the grip 112 and the rear wall 250 and the user can guide the fingers of a hand through the cut-out in order to grip the grip 112. In so doing, the user can use the right hand or the left hand depending upon their preference.

FIG. 3A shows a section of the suction unit 110 in the region of the cut-out formed through the rear wall 250 and the grip 112. An (electronic) display unit 300 is arranged on the rear wall 250 and is configured to visually display information with regard to the operating status of the suction unit 110. The display element 300 is preferably designed symmetrically in such a manner that the information illustrated on the display element 300 can be seen by the user on an equal basis, irrespective of whether the user grips the grip 112 by the right hand or by the left hand.

The display element 300 can comprise a light unit 310 which has a quantity of light modules 312 wherein the individual light modules 312 can each be actuated individually in order to emit light. In so doing, it is possible in each case to set one or multiple characteristics of the light emitted by the respective light module 312. Exemplary characteristics are,

• a) the intensity of the emitted light, and/or
• b) 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 which runs between the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the suction unit 110. In addition, the suction unit 110 can have a vertical axis which runs between the lower side and the upper side of the suction unit 110. In each case, the longitudinal axis 220, the vertical axis and the transverse axis are perpendicular to each other in pairs and can correspond to the axes of a Cartesian coordinate system. In the coordinate system illustrated in FIG. 3B, the longitudinal axis 220 corresponds to the x-axis, the transverse axis corresponds to the y-axis and the vertical axis corresponds to the z-axis.

The light unit 310 (i.e. the display element 300) can be constructed (mirror) symmetrically with regard to the plane of symmetry that is 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 grip 112 and the rear wall 250 into a left-hand half and a right-hand half (wherein the left-hand half and the right-hand half can be constructed in an essentially symmetrical manner). The light unit 310 can have a first quantity of light modules 312 which are arranged on the left-hand half of the rear wall 250. Moreover, the light unit 310 can have a second quantity of light modules 312 which are constructed symmetrically thereto and are arranged on the right-hand half of the rear wall 250. The quantities 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 can also have a (control) apparatus 311, which is designed to actuate the light modules 312 of the light unit 310. In so doing, the light modules 312 can be actuated in a symmetrical manner with regard to the plane of symmetry. In particular, the first quantity and the second quantity of light modules 312 can be actuated in essentially the same manner. It is thus possible to cause the same visual information to be illustrated on the two halves of the rear wall 250 (i.e. on the right-hand or the left-hand side of the rear wall 250) respectively so that this information can be seen on an equal basis by the user irrespective of whether the user grips the grip 112 with the right hand or the left hand.

The light modules 312 can be arranged, as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 3A, in a circular shape around the longitudinal axis 220.

The display element 300 can also comprise a diffuser 320 which covers the light unit 310, and which is designed to scatter the light emitted by the individual light modules 312 in order to create the impression of spatially continuous illumination. Furthermore, the display element 300 can have a symbol layer 330 by virtue of which the light emitted by the individual light modules 312 is limited to a specific symbol and/or to a specific shape. In the illustrated example, a (semi) circular ring 350 can be illustrated by the light module 312, as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 3B. Finally, the display element 300 can have a covering 340 which covers the individual components 310, 320, 330 of the display elements 300 and thus protects them from environmental influences.

FIG. 3B illustrates the display element 300 in a plan view with respect to the rear wall 250 of the housing of the suction unit 110. The display element 300 is designed to illustrate a specific symbol 350, wherein the symbol 350 in FIG. 3B is a semi-circular bar. The symbol 350 is preferably designed symmetrically with regard to the plane of symmetry (i.e. the x/z plane) so that the symbol 350 has a left-hand symbol half (i.e. a left-hand part-symbol) 351 and a right-hand symbol half (i.e. right-hand part-symbol) 352 which are symmetrical with regard to the plane of symmetry.

The display element 300 can be configured to illuminate different sections of the symbol 350. Exemplary illumination scenarios are illustrated in the FIGS. 4A and 4B. The individual illustrated dots correspond in each case to a light module 312. The light unit 310 comprises in the illustrated example nine light modules 312 which are arranged on a segment of a circle around the longitudinal axis 220. In this case, a light module 312 is located directly on the plane of symmetry, while respectively four light modules 312 (as part of the respective quantity of light modules 312) are located on both sides of the plane of symmetry.

A black dot indicates that the corresponding light module 312 is deactivated (and consequently is not emitting light). A white dot indicates that the corresponding light module 312 is emitting white light. A dashed dot indicates that the corresponding light module 312 is emitting colored (for example blue) light.

In the illumination scenario 401, all the light modules 312 are deactivated. In the illumination scenario 402, a light module 312 is activated on both sides of the plane of symmetry respectively and emits white light. In the illumination scenario 403, two light modules 312 are activated on both sides of the plane of symmetry respectively and each emit white light. In the illumination scenario 404, three light modules 312 are activated on both sides of the plane of symmetry respectively and each emit white light. The sequence of illumination scenarios 401, 402, 403, 404 renders it possible to illustrate a bar that extends in a circular-segment shape on both sides of the plane of symmetry respectively.

The sequence of illumination scenarios 401, 402, 403, 404 thus renders it possible to change the length of the illustrated bar.

When a specific number of activated light modules 312 are achieved, a color change can be initiated where appropriate, as illustrated by the illumination scenarios 405 and 406 from FIG. 4B. In the illumination scenario 405, four light modules 312 are activated on both sides of the plane of symmetry respectively and each emit colored (for example blue) light. In the illumination scenario 406, the central light module 312 is additionally activated on the plane of symmetry in order to emit colored (for example blue) light. An abrupt change of the color emitted by the light modules 312 (for example between the illumination scenario 404 and the illumination scenario 405) renders it possible to display a significant change of the operating status of the suction unit 110.

The control apparatus 311 of the suction unit 110 can be configured to determine on the basis of the sensor data of the contamination sensor 260 the (respectively prevailing) degree of contamination of the suction air flow 212. The control apparatus 311 can also be configured to output via the display element 300 visual information with regard to the (respectively prevailing) degree of contamination. In so doing, the illumination scenario 401 renders it possible to display a particularly high degree of contamination. The illumination scenario 402, 403, 404 can each be associated with gradually reduced degrees of contamination. It is thus possible to display the progress of the cleaning process to the user in a convenient manner.

An abrupt change to the illumination scenario 405, 406 renders it possible to display to the user that the degree of contamination is so low that the cleaning process can be considered as complete.

The display of the progress of the cleaning process renders it possible to statistically reduce the duration of the cleaning processes, as a result of which the energy efficiency of the suction unit 110 is increased.

The display element 300 can be used alternatively or additionally to display information with regard to the following operating statuses:

• a) the fact that an accessory 130, for example a nozzle, is connected to the suction unit 110;
• b) the type of the accessory 130 which is connected to the suction unit 110;
• c) the fact that the suction unit 110 is activated or deactivated;
• d) the speed of the blower 230 of the suction unit 110; and/or
• e) the activated operating mode of the suction unit 110 from the pre-defined quantity of different operating modes.

The rear wall 250 is preferably arranged in a plane which is tilted about the transverse axis of the suction unit 110 so that the rear wall 250 is facing the view of the user when the suction unit 110 is held in an inclined manner over the floor to be cleaned (i.e. when the longitudinal axis 220 of the suction unit 110 is arranged in an inclined manner with respect to the floor). The tilt angle between the rear wall 250 and the longitudinal axis 220 can be between 10° and 45°, for example. The comfort of the user interaction can be further increased in this manner.

A display element 300 on a hand-held, battery-powered vacuum cleaner 100, 110 is consequently described, wherein the grip 112 of the battery-powered vacuum cleaner 100, 110 is arranged on the rear side with respect to the display element 300. It is thus possible to provide a particularly compact battery-powered vacuum cleaner 100, 110 with a display element 300.

The display element 300 is preferably designed in a mirror-symmetrical manner, for example, as a semi-round bar. In particular, the display element 300 can have two signal bars 351, 352 which are configured as a semi-circle. The signal bars 251, 252 can display different operating statuses of the vacuum cleaner 100, 110 in an illumination that changes color. The mirror-symmetrical construction makes the display suitable for left-handed and right-handed users.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated exemplary embodiments. in particular, it is to be noted that the description and the figures are only intended to illustrate the principle of a suction unit 110 and/or of the suction apparatus 100.

The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:

• 100 Suction apparatus (wet-and-dry vacuum cleaner)
• 110 Suction unit
• 111 Electrical energy storage device
• 112 Grip
• 113 Separator unit
• 114 Suction mouth
• 120 Accessory (Suction pipe)
• 121 Coupling
• 130 Nozzle
• 200 (Dust-retaining) flap
• 210 Frame
• 211 Inlet opening (collecting container)
• 212 Suction air
• 220 Longitudinal axis
• 221 First end side (collecting container)
• 222 Second end side (collecting container)
• 224 Cover
• 225 Filter unit
• 226 Collection area
• 227 Outer wall (collecting container)
• 230 Blower
• 240 Ejection and/or compression element
• 250 Rear wall (suction unit)
• 260 Contamination sensor
• 300 Display element
• 310 Light unit
• 311 (Control) apparatus
• 312 Light module (LED)
• 320 Diffuser
• 330 Symbol layer
• 340 Covering
• 350 Symbol
• 351,352 Part-symbol
• 401-406 Illumination scenario (Symbol)