Cleaning Appliance, in Particular Vacuum Cleaner

Abstract

A cleaning appliance, in particular vacuum cleaner. The appliance comprises a filter and a heating device, by means of which the filter can be heated to carry out a pyrolytic cleaning process. During and/or after said pyrolytic cleaning process, at least neighbouring areas of the filter are cooled by a cooling air stream and the heating device is supplied with energy from a primary energy source. To prevent the risk of overheating and a potential fire if the primary energy source fails, the appliance is equipped with a secondary energy source, which can be used to generate the cooling air stream, at least if the primary energy source fails.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . A vacuum cleaner, comprising a filter and comprising a heating device by means of which the filter can be heated to carry out a pyrolytic cleaning process, wherein at least one of during and after said pyrolytic cleaning process of the filter, at least neighboring areas of the filter are cooled by a cooling air stream and wherein the heating device is supplied by a primary energy source, wherein a secondary energy source is provided which can be used to generate the cooling air stream at least if the primary energy source fails. 
   
   
       17 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 16 , wherein the secondary energy source comprises a fuel cell. 
   
   
       18 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 16 , wherein the secondary energy source comprises an energy storage device which is charged by the primary energy source. 
   
   
       19 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 18 , wherein the energy storage device includes a rechargeable battery which is charged by a charging device supplied by the primary energy source. 
   
   
       20 . The vacuum cleaner according to any one of the  claim 19 , wherein a control regulating device is provided which controls the charging device. 
   
   
       21 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 16 , wherein the cooling air stream is generated by at least one fan at least if the primary energy source fails. 
   
   
       22 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 16 , wherein a control regulating device is provided which controls the fan. 
   
   
       23 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 22 , wherein current temperature information is obtained by means of at least one temperature sensor and supplied to the control regulating device. 
   
   
       24 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 22 , wherein information on the current state of the secondary energy source is supplied to the control regulating device. 
   
   
       25 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 22 , wherein information on the current state of the primary energy source is supplied to the control regulating device. 
   
   
       26 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 22 , wherein the control regulating device controls the heating device. 
   
   
       27 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 26 , wherein the control regulating device only activates the heating device for carrying out a pyrolytic cleaning of the filter when the secondary energy source can provide sufficient energy for generating the cooling air stream. 
   
   
       28 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 16 , wherein the filter includes a ceramic filter. 
   
   
       29 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 16 , wherein the capacity of the secondary energy source is at least so large that the maximum stored thermal energy in the filter during a pyrolytic cleaning process is released to the surroundings by means of the cooling air stream. 
   
   
       30 . A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 a filter housing;   a ceramic filter disposed within the filter housing;   a heating element disposed within the filter housing and heating the filter to pyrolytically clean the filter; and   a fan generating a cooling air flow through the filter housing and cooling at least part of the filter housing adjacent the ceramic filter.   
   
   
       31 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 30 , further comprising:
 an electrical connection receiving power from a primary energy source and powering the heating element;   a secondary energy source powering the fan.   
   
   
       32 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 31 , wherein the secondary energy source includes a rechargeable battery that is charged by power received from the primary energy source. 
   
   
       33 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 31 , further comprising a control regulating device controlling the fan and the heating element. 
   
   
       34 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 33 , further comprising a temperature sensor measuring the temperature within the filter housing and providing a temperature signal to the control regulating device. 
   
   
       35 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 33 , wherein the control regulating device is connected to the primary energy source and receives a primary signal indicating if the electrical connection is connected to the primary energy source, and the control regulating device is connected to the secondary energy source and receives a secondary signal indicating the power level of the secondary energy source. 
   
   
       36 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 35 , wherein the control regulating device only activates the heating element for pyrolytically cleaning of the filter when the secondary energy source has a sufficient power level to power the fan. 
   
   
       37 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 30 , wherein the heating element heats the filter to a temperature of at least 400 degrees Celsius. 
   
   
       38 . A method for cleaning the filter of a vacuum cleaner comprising a filter disposed within a filter housing, a heating element disposed within the filter housing, a fan, and a secondary energy source, the method comprising the acts of:
 connecting the vacuum cleaner to a primary energy source to provide power for the vacuum cleaner;   heating the filter with the heating element to pyrolytically clean the filter; and   generating a cooling air flow through the filter housing with the fan to cool at least part of the filter housing adjacent the ceramic filter.   
   
   
       39 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the heating element is powered by the primary energy source and the fan is powered by the secondary energy source.