JP2004033456A

JP2004033456A - Vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: JP2004033456A
Application number: JP2002194322A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yasuhiro Yuasa; 湯朝　康裕; Masakazu Fukushima; 福嶋　雅一; Hiroyuki Senoo; 妹尾　裕之; Masaki Takahashi; 高橋　正樹
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2002-07-03
Filing date: 2002-07-03
Publication date: 2004-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-03
Also published as: JP4078899B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charge control method for a secondary battery of an AC/DC cleaner which does not require a time for charging the secondary battery, avoiding troublesomeness. <P>SOLUTION: The method is constituted of loads 20A and 20B for setting charging currents of a commercial power source, a secondary battery 6, and switching elements 21A and 21B for load connected in series for controlling currents supplied to the secondary battery 6 through the loads 20A and 20B for setting the charge currents. As the secondary battery can be charged during use of alternating current by providing a motor-driven blower control circuit 4 for terminating charging by detecting the battery temperature of the secondary battery 6, such a troublesomeness that the user has to wait for hours for charging the secondary battery can be solved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は交流直流両用掃除機の二次電池の充電制御方法に係わり、特に交流使用時に二次電池を充電する充電制御方法に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
ニッケル水素二次電池、あるいはニッケルカドミウム二次電池に代表される二次電池は携帯用電話機や携帯型撮影機など各種の機器システムの作動電源として、広く実用化されている。また、近年大電流が放電可能となり電動工具や掃除機の電源としても利用されている。
【０００３】
ところで交流直流両用掃除機は、交流で使用する際には商用電源から、直流で使用する際には掃除機に組み込まれた二次電池から電動送風機に電流を供給する。そのため直流で使用して容量が減少した二次電池を充電する充電器が掃除機本体とは別個に備えられている。以下に従来例の電動送風機制御及び二次電池の充電方法を示す。図５は実体実施態様における回路ブロック図であり、１は掃除機本体で、交流用巻線と直流用巻線の２巻線からなる交流直流両用の電動送風機２の他に、商用電源を直流に整流する整流回路３、電動送風機２の駆動を制御するマイクロコンピュータ等からなる電動送風機制御回路４、その電源を生成する電源回路５、複数本の二次電池６が直列又は並列に接続された電池パック７、交流使用時と直流使用時で電源回路５への入力を切り換えるスイッチ手段８、交流使用時と直流使用時で電動送風機２の巻線への電流経路を切り換えるスイッチ手段９Ａ、９Ｂを具備している。また電池パック７内には二次電池６の近傍に配置されて二次電池６の温度を検出する温度検知手段１０（一般的にはサーミスタ）が内蔵されている。１１は充電器で、同じく商用電源を直流に整流する整流回路１２、本体１の二次電池６に電流を供給する充電電源１３、充電電源１３の充電経路を入切するスイッチ手段１４、温度検知手段１０や電池電圧を検出する電池電圧検知手段１５からの信号により前記スイッチ手段１４のＯＮ／ＯＦＦを制御する充電制御回路１６を具備している。
【０００４】
掃除機本体１と充電器１１は二次電池６の＋極と充電電源１３出力に繋がるスイッチ手段１２片側、二次電池６の−極と充電器１１ＧＮＤ、温度検出手段１０と充電器１１の充電電源１３に繋がる分割抵抗１７とをそれぞれ接続する３つの接点を有する接続器１８で接続された構成を採っている。
【０００５】
掃除機本体が商用電源に繋がれ入力切替スイッチ手段８が商用電源側（図示側）に切り換えられると、商用電源により電源回路５から電動送風機制御回路４が起動し、モータ電流経路切替スイッチ手段の９ＡがＯＮ、９ＢがＯＦＦし、電動送風機２の交流側巻線に商用電源から電流が供給されモータが動作する。次に入力切替スイッチ手段８が二次電池６側に切り換えられると、二次電池６により電源回路５から電動送風機制御回路４が起動し、モータ電流経路切替スイッチ手段の９ＢがＯＮ、９ＡがＯＦＦし、電動送風機２の直流側巻線に商用電源から電流が供給されモータが動作する。二次電池６の容量が低下し電動送風機２が停止したら、本体１を充電器１１に接続し、二次電池６を再度充電する。充電器１１の充電制御回路１６は温度検出手段１０からの信号により電池温度が充電に適していると判断すれば、充電経路入切スイッチ手段１４をＯＮして充電電源１３から接続器１８を通して二次電池６を充電する。更に温度検出手段１０又は電池電圧検出手段１５の信号により充電制御回路１６は電池の充電状態を監視し、充電完了判断を行うと充電経路入切スイッチ手段１４をＯＦＦして二次電池６の充電を停止する。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記従来の構成では、交流で部屋の掃除をしており、引き続き階段等コードが邪魔なためコードレスで使用したいと思ったときや、コードが届かない場所を掃除しようとした場合（二次電池を電源として使用しようと思ったとき）に、うっかり二次電池の充電をし忘れていると使用できず、二次電池を再充電するには数時間待たねばならず、すぐに掃除ができないという課題があった。
【０００７】
本発明は、このような課題を解決するためになされたもので、交流で掃除をしており、引き続きコード付きでは掃除ができない又はしづらい場所を掃除しようとしたときに、うっかり二次電池の充電をし忘れていて掃除ができない、また掃除をしようとすれば二次電池の充電のために数時間待たねばならないといったわずらわしさを解消することができる交流直流両用掃除機の二次電池の充電制御方法の提供を目的とする。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために本発明は、商用電源から電動送風機へ電流を供給する第１の電動送風機駆動手段と、掃除機本体に内蔵された二次電池から前記電動送風機へ電流を供給する第２の電動送風機駆動手段と、掃除機本体に商用電源が供給されている時には前記第１の電動送風機駆動手段を動作させ、商用電源が切断された時には前記第２の電動送風機駆動手段を動作させる電動送風機駆動切替制御手段とを有し、商用電源が供給されているときに、前記二次電池を充電する充電手段を設けたことにより、商用電源で使用している間に二次電池の充電を行うことができるため、コード付きでは掃除ができない又はしづらい場所を掃除しようとしたときに、うっかり二次電池の充電をし忘れていて掃除ができない、また掃除をしようとすれば二次電池の充電のために数時間待たねばならないといった煩わしさを解消することができる。
【０００９】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の請求項１記載の発明は、商用電源から電動送風機へ電流を供給する第１の電動送風機駆動手段と、掃除機本体に内蔵された二次電池から前記電動送風機へ電流を供給する第２の電動送風機駆動手段と、掃除機本体に商用電源が供給されている時には前記第１の電動送風機駆動手段を動作させ、商用電源が切断された時には前記第２の電動送風機駆動手段を動作させる電動送風機駆動切替制御手段とを有し、商用電源が供給されているときに、前記二次電池を充電する充電手段を設けたことにより、商用電源で使用している間に二次電池の充電を行うことができるため、コード付きでは掃除ができない又はしづらい場所を掃除しようとしたときに、うっかり二次電池の充電をし忘れていて掃除ができない、また掃除をしようとすれば二次電池の充電のために数時間待たねばならないといったわずらわしさを解消することができる。
【００１０】
本発明の請求項２記載の発明は、商用電源に対して、充電電流設定用負荷と二次電池と、前記充電電流設定用負荷を通して二次電池へ供給する電流を制御するスイッチング素子とを直列に接続した構成からなり、二次電池の電池温度や電池電圧の状態変化を検知して充電を完了する充電完了判断手段を備え、充電判断手段により充電完了を検知すると前記スイッチング素子にて二次電池への充電を停止することにより、商用電源で使用している間に二次電池の充電を行うことができるため、コード付きでは掃除ができない又はしづらい場所を掃除しようとしたときに、うっかり二次電池の充電をし忘れていて掃除ができない、また掃除をしようとすれば二次電池の充電のために数時間待たねばならないといったわずらわしさを解消することができると共に、商用電源での使用時間が長くなり二次電池が満充電に近づけばスイッチング素子で充電電流を切ることにより、二次電池が過充電になるのを防止することができる。
【００１１】
本発明の請求項３記載の発明は、スイッチング素子のＯＮ／ＯＦＦデューティ比率を変えることで充電電流設定用負荷の通電量を可変することにより、二次電池の充電電流値を制御することにより、充電初期はＯＮ期間を長くとり大電流で充電することで短時間で二次電池をある程度充電できるため、交流使用時の時間が短くても次に直流で使用する際に掃除時間が短いといった使い勝手の悪さを防止することができると共に、二次電池が満充電に近づくにつれてＯＦＦ期間を長くし充電電流値を小さくすることで二次電池の満充電近傍の電池状態の変化（電池温度や電池電圧の急激な上昇）を低く抑えることができるため、充電終了検知の精度を上げ過充電や充電不足を防止することができる。
【００１２】
本発明の請求項４記載の発明は、少なくとも二つ以上の複数個の充電電流設定用負荷を有し、この負荷を切替えることにより、充電初期は抵抗の小さい負荷により大電流で充電することで短時間で二次電池をある程度充電できるため、交流使用時の時間が短くても次に直流で使用する際に掃除時間が短いといった使い勝手の悪さを防止することができると共に、二次電池が満充電に近づいたときは抵抗の大きな負荷に切り替えて充電電流値を小さくすることで二次電池の満充電近傍の電池状態の変化（電池温度や電池電圧の急激な上昇）を低く抑えることができるため、充電終了検知の精度を上げ過充電や充電不足を防止することができる。
【００１３】
本発明の請求項５記載の発明は、充電手段は、電動送風機の吸気又は排気にて冷却される構造とし、電動送風機の運転モードにより二次電池を充電する充電電流値を可変することにより、電動送風機が弱モードで運転しているときは冷却風が減少し冷却能力が落ちるため充電電流設定用負荷やスイッチング素子等の発熱部品に流れる電流値を低く抑えることでそれらの発熱を抑制することができると共に、電動送風機が強モードで運転しているときは冷却風が増加し冷却能力が上がるため充電電流設定用負荷やスイッチング素子等の発熱部品に流れる電流値を大きくしても発熱を低くことができるため、充電時間を早くできるといった調整が可能となり、発熱部品の信頼性影響を最小限に抑えつつ効率的な充電制御が行える。
【００１４】
本発明の請求項６記載の発明は、充電電流値の大きさにより充電完了判断手段である電池温度の単位時間あたりの温度変化（ｄＴ／ｄｔ）の判断値を変えることにより、充電電流値のレベルにより二次電池の満充電近傍の電池温度や電池電圧の状態変化レベルが変わったときにでも（電流が大きいほど上昇変化度合いが大きくなる）精度ある充電終了検知が行え過充電や充電不足を防止することができる。
【００１５】
本発明の請求項７記載の発明は、充電電流設定用負荷と並列にランプ負荷を接続し、二次電池の充電中は、このランプ負荷にて充電状態を表示するようにしたことにより、二次電池の充電状態を容易に使用者に知らしめることができると共に、ランプが消灯することで二次電池が充分に充電されいつでも次のコードレスでの掃除ができる状態であることを使用者が判断できることで使い勝手の向上を図ることができる。
【００１６】
本発明の請求項８記載の発明は、二次電池の充電手段を、電動送風機が商用電源で駆動されているときに、この電動送風機に発生する磁界を利用して発電する発電手段としたことにより、商用電源で使用している間に二次電池の充電を行うことができるため、コード付きでは掃除ができない又はしづらい場所を掃除しようとしたときに、うっかり二次電池の充電をし忘れていて掃除ができない、また掃除をしようとすれば二次電池の充電のために数時間待たねばならないといったわずらわしさを解消することができると共に、発熱部品となる充電電流設定用負荷が不要となり回路の小型化および冷却構造の簡素化を実現できる。
【００１７】
【実施例】
（実施例１）
以下、本発明の第１の実施例について図面を参照しながら説明する。なお、従来例と同一構成部品については同一符号を付けて説明を省略する。
【００１８】
図１は、本発明に係わる交流直流両用掃除機の二次電池の充電制御方法の実体実施態様における回路ブロック図であり、１は掃除機本体で、交流用巻線と直流用巻線の２巻線からなる交流直流両用の電動送風機２の他に、商用電源を直流に整流する整流回路３、電動送風機２の駆動を制御するマイクロコンピュータ等からなる電動送風機制御回路４、その電源を生成する電源回路５、複数本の二次電池６が直列又は並列に接続された電池パック７、交流使用時と直流使用時で電源回路５への入力を切り換える電動送風機駆動切替制御手段であるスイッチ手段８、交流使用時と直流使用時で電動送風機２の巻線への電流経路を切り換える第１の電動送風機駆動手段であるモータ電流経路スイッチ手段９Ａ、９Ｂを具備している。
【００１９】
また電池パック７内には二次電池６近傍に配置されて二次電池６の温度を検出する温度検知手段１０（一般的にはサーミスタ）が内蔵されており、電源回路５出力と分割抵抗１９を介して接続されその分割電圧信号は電動送風機制御回路４に入力されている。また商用電源が繋がれているときにはＺＶＰ信号が電動送風機制御回路に入力されている（矢印）。整流回路３出力からは二次電池に充電する充電電流値を設定するための充電電流設定負荷２０Ａ、２０Ｂ（抵抗値は２０Ａ＜２０Ｂ）が第２の電動送風機駆動手段である負荷用スイッチング素子２１Ａ、２１Ｂを介して二次電池６に直列に接続されている。更にランプ負荷２３が負荷用スイッチング素子２１Ｃを介して同様に二次電池６に直列に接続された構成としている。
【００２０】
電源回路５、モータ電流経路切替スイッチ手段９Ａ、９Ｂは発熱部品であるため冷却する必要があり、電動送風機２の吸気或いは排気風で冷却する方法が取られるのが一般的であり、本発明の掃除機においてもそれら部品と併せて充電電流設定負荷２０Ａ、２０Ｂおよび負荷用スイッチング素子２１Ａ、２１Ｂについても電動送風機２の吸気或いは排気経路に配置し、その風を利用して冷却を行う構造としている（図示せず）。
【００２１】
このような回路構成による交流使用時における二次電池の充電制御方法を図２に示す充電動作説明図を参照して説明する。
【００２２】
まず、交流（商用電源）、直流（二次電池６電源）それぞれの電源使用時の電動送風機２の駆動動作は従来例と同様、掃除機本体が商用電源に繋がれ入力切替スイッチ手段８が商用電源側（図１図示側）に切り換えられると、商用電源により電源回路５から電動送風機制御回路４が起動し、モータ電流経路切替スイッチ手段の９ＡがＯＮ、９ＢがＯＦＦし、電動送風機２の交流側巻線に商用電源から電流が供給されモータが動作する。ここでは特に図示していないが、入力切替スイッチ手段８は商用電源の入切に連動してスイッチが商用電源側と二次電池６側に切り替わる構成としている。商用電源が切られ入力切替スイッチ手段８が二次電池６側に切り換えられると、二次電池６により電源回路５から電動送風機制御回路４が起動し、電動送風機制御回路４は前記ＺＶＰ信号がないことで商用電源が繋がれていないことを判断し、負荷用スイッチング素子２１Ａ、２１Ｂ、２１Ｃを無条件にＯＦＦとし、充電電流設定負荷２０Ａ、２０Ｂおよびランプ負荷２３と二次電池６の接続を切断すると共に、モータ電流経路切替スイッチ手段の９ＢをＯＮ、９ＡをＯＦＦし、電動送風機２の直流側巻線に商用電源から電流が供給されモータが動作する。
【００２３】
次に商用電源使用時の二次電池への充電動作を説明する。掃除機本体１に商用電源が接続されると電動送風機制御回路４は負荷用スイッチング素子２１Ａ、２１ＣをＯＮ、２１ＢをＯＦＦし、Ｉ_１の一定電流値で二次電池の充電を開始すると共にランプ負荷２３が点灯し充電状態であることを表示する。電動送風機制御回路４は温度検知手段１０からの信号により二次電池６の温度を検知しており、電池温度の単位時間あたりの温度変化ｄＴ／ｄｔが正に転じた時点で負荷用スイッチング素子２１ＡをＯＦＦ、２１ＢをＯＮとし充電電流値をＩ_１よりも小さい電流レベルＩ_２に切り替える。二次電池は満充電状態に近づくにつれ電池温度が上昇する特性が知られているが、充電電流が大きいと急激に温度が上昇するためｄＴ／ｄｔによる温度上昇率での充電完了判定の誤差が大きくなり、判定が早いと充電不足に、判定が遅ければ過充電による電池寿命の早期劣化に繋がる恐れがあるため、充電完了判断を行うところでは充電開始時点よりは二次電池６の充電電流値を小さくする制御を行っている。
【００２４】
二次電池６が満充電に近づくにつれて電池温度が上昇していき、電動送風機制御回路４内に設定した所定の温度上昇率判定レベル（ｄＴ／ｄｔ）に到達した時点で電動送風機制御回路４は充電完了と判断し、負荷用スイッチング素子２１Ｂ、２１ＣをＯＦＦし充電を停止すると共に負荷ランプ２３が消灯し充電の完了を使用者に報知するため、使用者は次にコードレスでの使用が可能であることが容易に認識でき、使用者が望めばその場ですぐにコードレスに切り替えて使用することができるため、コード付きでは掃除ができない又はしづらい場所を掃除しようとしたときに、うっかり二次電池の充電をし忘れていて掃除ができない、また掃除をしようとすれば二次電池の充電のために数時間待たねばならないといったわずらわしさを解消することができる。
【００２５】
また、本実施例では電池温度の単位時間あたりの正の温度変化ｄＴ／ｄｔで充電完了判断を行う例を述べたが、充電容量が増加していくにつれて二次電池の電圧も上昇していくため、電池電圧の単位時間あたりの正の温度変化ｄＶ／ｄｔを検知して充電完了を判断することも可能である。
【００２６】
以上は充電電流設定負荷が２種類の場合で説明したが、負荷を３種類以上とし負荷を順次切り替えることで充電電流レベルを徐々に下げることにすれば充電時間をより短縮化しながらより高精度な充電完了判断で交流使用時の二次電池充電制御が行えるという効果も得られる。
【００２７】
（実施例２）
以下、本発明の第２の実施例について図面を参照しながら説明する。なお、本実施例を実現するための充電制御方法の実体実施態様における回路ブロック図については本発明の第１の実施例と構成部品は同様であるため説明を省略する。
【００２８】
本発明の掃除機は、交流使用時図１の矢印で示すＺＶＰ信号を利用してモータ電流経路切替スイッチ手段９Ａを制御して吸引力に対して強／弱の２モードで運転する機能を持たせている。強モードの場合モータ電流経路切替スイッチ手段９Ａは連続ＯＮでモータはフルパワーで動作し、弱モードの場合はＰＷＭ制御によりモータ電流経路切替スイッチ手段９Ａは所定のデューティ比率でＯＮ／ＯＦＦスイチングを行いモータは強よりも低い回転数で動作する。
【００２９】
また、前記実施例１と同様本実施例の掃除機も電源回路５、モータ電流経路切替スイッチ手段９Ａ、９Ｂ、充電電流設定負荷２０Ａ、２０Ｂおよび負荷用スイッチング素子２１Ａ、２１Ｂについても電動送風機２の吸気或いは排気経路に配置し、その風を利用して冷却を行っている。次に商用電源使用時の二次電池への充電動作を説明する。図３は本実施例の充電制御方法の充電動作説明図である。掃除機本体１に商用電源が接続され電動送風機２が強モードで運転しているときは、電動送風機制御回路４は負荷用スイッチング素子２１Ａ、２１ＣをＯＮ、２１ＢをＯＦＦし、Ｉ_１の電流値で二次電池の充電を開始すると共にランプ負荷２３が点灯し充電状態であることを表示する。電動送風機制御回路４は温度検知手段１０からの信号により二次電池６の温度を検知しており、電池温度の単位時間あたりの温度変化ｄＴ／ｄｔが正に転じた時点で負荷用スイッチング素子２１ＡをＯＦＦ、２１ＢをＯＮとし充電電流値をＩ_１よりも小さい電流レベルＩ_２に切り替える。二次電池は満充電状態に近づくにつれ電池温度が上昇する特性が知られているが、充電電流が大きいと急激に温度が上昇するためｄＴ／ｄｔによる温度上昇率での充電完了判定の誤差が大きくなり、判定が早いと充電不足に、判定が遅ければ過充電による電池寿命の早期劣化に繋がる恐れがあるためである。
【００３０】
そのまま強モードでの運転を継続すると二次電池６が満充電に近づき電池温度が一点鎖線で示すカーブで上昇し、電動送風機制御回路４内に設定した第１の温度上昇率判定レベル（ｄＴ／ｄｔ）_１に到達した時点で電動送風機制御回路４は充電完了と判断し、負荷用スイッチング素子２１Ｂ、２１ＣをＯＦＦし充電を停止すると共に負荷ランプ２３が消灯し充電の完了を使用者に報知する。電動送風機２が弱モードで運転している場合はモータによる冷却風が減少して負荷用スイッチング素子２１Ａ、２１Ｂおよび充電電流設定負荷２０Ａ、２０Ｂの発熱が上昇するため強モードよりも低い充電電流値で充電しなければならず、充電スタートから負荷用スイッチング素子２１ＡをＯＦＦとし負荷用スイッチング素子２１Ｂが間欠ＯＮ／ＯＦＦ動作を行い、二次電池６の時間当たりの平均充電電流値をＩ_２よりも更に少ない電流値で充電する制御を行っている（負荷用スイッチング素子２１ＢがＯＦＦ時でも負荷用スイッチング素子２１ＣはＯＮ状態を継続しているためＩ_３レベルの電流値は二次電池６に供給されている）。
【００３１】
しかしこの場合、強モード時と同じ第１の温度上昇率判定値（ｄＴ／ｄｔ）_１では充電電流が低すぎるため電池容量が充電完了目標値Ｘに近づいても実践で示すカーブのように電池温度があまり上昇せず、そのまま充電を継続すれば点線で示すように過充電に行ってしまうため、弱モードでは第１の温度上昇率判定値（ｄＴ／ｄｔ）_１よりも上昇率を小さくした第２の温度上昇率判定レベル（ｄＴ／ｄｔ）_２に判定値を切り替えることで電動送風機制御回路４は弱モードにおいても強モードと同様電池容量が充電完了目標値Ｘ近傍で充電完了を判断する。これにより本実施例の掃除機は交流使用時における強／弱両モード共に安定した二次電池の充電を行うことができ、使用者がコード付きでは掃除ができない又はしづらい場所を掃除しようとしたときに、うっかり二次電池の充電をし忘れていて掃除ができない、また掃除をしようとすれば二次電池の充電のために数時間待たねばならないといったわずらわしさを解消することができる。
【００３２】
（実施例３）
以下、本発明の第３の実施例について図面を参照しながら説明する。
【００３３】
図４は本発明に係わる交流直流両用掃除機の二次電池の充電制御方法の実体実施態様における回路ブロック図であり、２４は掃除機本体で、交流／直流共用巻線と交流動作時に二次電池に充電電流を供給するための励磁巻線の２巻線からなる交流直流両用の電動送風機２５の他に、商用電源を直流に整流する整流回路２６、マイクロコンピュータ等からなる充電制御回路２７、その電源を生成する電源回路２８、複数本の二次電池２９が直列又は並列に接続された電池パック３０、交流使用時と直流使用時で電動送風機２５への通電経路と電源回路２８への入力を切り換える４つのスイッチで構成されたスイッチ手段３１を具備している。
【００３４】
また電池パック３０内には、二次電池２９近傍に配置されて二次電池２９の温度を検出する温度検知手段３２（一般的にはサーミスタ）が内蔵されており、電源回路２８出力と分割抵抗３３を介して接続されその分割電圧信号は充電制御回路２７に入力されている。また商用電源が繋がれているときにはＺＶＰ信号が電動送風機制御回路に入力されている（矢印）。電動送風機２５の充電電流供給用巻線−側はリレー等からなる充電制御スイッチ３４を介して二次電池２９のマイナス側に接続され、電動送風機２５の充電電流供給用巻線のプラス側は直流動作時に二次電池２９からの逆流を防止するダイオード３５を介して二次電池２９の＋側に接続された構成としている。
【００３５】
このような回路構成による交流使用時における二次電池の充電制御方法を図２に示す充電動作説明図を参照して説明する。
【００３６】
まず、掃除機本体が商用電源に繋がれ入力切替スイッチ手段３１が商用電源側（図４図示側）に切り換えられると、商用電源により電源回路２８から充電制御回路２７が起動し、電動送風機２５が動作すると同時に充電制御スイッチ３４がＯＮし、電動送風機２５の充電電流供給用巻線から充電電流が二次電池に供給される。ここでは特に図示していないが、入力切替スイッチ手段３１は商用電源の入切に連動してスイッチが商用電源側と二次電池２９側に切り替わる構成としている。商用電源が切られ入力切替スイッチ手段３１が二次電池２９側に切り換えられると、二次電池２９により電源回路２８から充電制御回路２７が起動し、電動送風機２５が二次電池により動作すると同時に充電制御回路２７は前記ＺＶＰ信号がないことで商用電源が繋がれていないことを判断し、充電制御スイッチ３４をＯＦＦとし、電動送風機２５の充電電流供給用巻線からの充電電流を切断する。商用電源が接続され電動送風機２５の充電電流供給用巻線から二次電池へ充電電流が供給されている間充電制御回路２７は温度検知手段１０からの信号により二次電池２９の温度を検知しており、電池温度の単位時間あたりの温度変化ｄＴ／ｄｔが電動送風機制御回路２７内に設定した所定の温度上昇率判定レベルに到達した時点で電動送風機制御回路２７は充電完了と判断し、交流動作中でも充電制御スイッチ３４をＯＦＦとし、電動送風機２５の充電電流供給用巻線からの充電電流を切断し充電を終了する。
【００３７】
従って交流使用時に二次電池が充電されることにより、使用者が望めばその場ですぐにコードレスに切り替えて使用することができるため、コード付きでは掃除ができない又はしづらい場所を掃除しようとしたときに、うっかり二次電池の充電をし忘れていて掃除ができない、また掃除をしようとすれば二次電池の充電のために数時間待たねばならないといったわずらわしさを解消することができると共に、前記実施例１や２のように発熱部品となる充電電流設定用負荷が不要となり回路の小型化および冷却構造の簡素化を実現できるという効果も得られる。
【００３８】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、交流で掃除をしており、引き続きコード付きでは掃除ができない又はしづらい場所を掃除しようとしたときに、うっかり二次電池の充電をし忘れていて掃除ができない、また掃除をしようとすれば二次電池の充電のために数時間待たねばならないといったわずらわしさを解消することができる交流直流両用掃除機の二次電池の充電制御方法の提供が実現できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１および第２の実施例を示す二次電池の充電制御装置の構成を示す回路ブロック図
【図２】本発明の第１の実施例を示す充電制御方法の充電動作説明図
【図３】本発明の第２の実施例を示す充電制御方法の充電動作説明図
【図４】本発明の第３の実施例を示す二次電池の充電制御装置の構成を示す回路ブロック図
【図５】従来の本体とは別個に設けられた充電器による二次電池の充電制御装置の構成を示す充電制御の回路ブロック図
【符号の説明】
２、２５　電動送風機
４　電動送風機制御回路
６、２９　二次電池
８、３１　入力切替スイッチ手段
９Ａ、９Ｂ　二次電池
１０、３２　温度検知手段
２０Ａ、２０Ｂ　充電電流設定負荷
２１Ａ、２１Ｂ、２１Ｃ　負荷用スイッチング素子
２３　ランプ負荷
２７　充電制御回路
３４　充電制御スイッチ[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a charging control method for a secondary battery of an AC / DC dual-purpose vacuum cleaner, and more particularly to a charging control method for charging a secondary battery when AC is used.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Secondary batteries typified by nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries or nickel-cadmium secondary batteries have been widely put into practical use as operating power supplies for various equipment systems such as portable telephones and portable photographing machines. In recent years, a large current can be discharged, and it is used as a power source for electric tools and vacuum cleaners.
[0003]
By the way, an AC / DC dual-purpose vacuum cleaner supplies electric current to a motor-driven blower from a commercial power supply when using AC, and from a secondary battery incorporated in the cleaner when using DC. Therefore, a charger for charging a secondary battery having a reduced capacity by using direct current is provided separately from the cleaner body. A conventional method for controlling an electric blower and charging a secondary battery will be described below. FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram in the actual embodiment. Reference numeral 1 denotes a vacuum cleaner main body, in addition to an AC / DC dual-purpose electric blower 2 having two windings, an AC winding and a DC winding, and a commercial power supply connected to a DC power supply. A rectifier circuit 3 for rectifying the electric power, an electric blower control circuit 4 composed of a microcomputer or the like for controlling the drive of the electric blower 2, a power supply circuit 5 for generating the power supply, and a plurality of secondary batteries 6 are connected in series or parallel. The battery pack 7, the switch means 8 for switching the input to the power supply circuit 5 when using AC and DC, and the switch means 9A and 9B for switching the current path to the winding of the electric blower 2 when using AC and DC. I have it. In the battery pack 7, a temperature detecting means 10 (generally, a thermistor) which is disposed near the secondary battery 6 and detects the temperature of the secondary battery 6 is incorporated. Reference numeral 11 denotes a charger, which also includes a rectifier circuit 12 for rectifying a commercial power supply into a direct current, a charging power supply 13 for supplying a current to the secondary battery 6 of the main body 1, a switch means 14 for turning on / off a charging path of the charging power supply 13, and a temperature detection. A charging control circuit 16 for controlling ON / OFF of the switch means 14 by a signal from the means 10 and a battery voltage detecting means 15 for detecting a battery voltage is provided.
[0004]
The main body of the vacuum cleaner 1 and the charger 11 are connected to the positive electrode of the secondary battery 6 and one side of the switch means 12 connected to the output of the charging power supply 13, the negative electrode of the secondary battery 6 and the charger 11GND, the temperature detection means 10 and the charging of the charger The configuration is such that the connection is made by a connector 18 having three contacts for connecting the divided resistors 17 connected to the power supply 13 respectively.
[0005]
When the main body of the vacuum cleaner is connected to the commercial power supply and the input changeover switch means 8 is switched to the commercial power supply side (illustrated side), the electric blower control circuit 4 is started from the power supply circuit 5 by the commercial power supply, and the motor current path changeover switch means is switched on. 9A is turned on, 9B is turned off, and a current is supplied from the commercial power supply to the AC side winding of the electric blower 2 to operate the motor. Next, when the input changeover switch 8 is switched to the secondary battery 6 side, the electric blower control circuit 4 is started from the power supply circuit 5 by the secondary battery 6, and 9B of the motor current path changeover switch is turned on and 9A is turned off. Then, a current is supplied from the commercial power supply to the DC side winding of the electric blower 2 to operate the motor. When the capacity of the secondary battery 6 decreases and the electric blower 2 stops, the main body 1 is connected to the charger 11 and the secondary battery 6 is charged again. When the charge control circuit 16 of the charger 11 determines from the signal from the temperature detecting means 10 that the battery temperature is suitable for charging, the charging path ON / OFF switch means 14 is turned on and the charging power supply 13 is connected to the The next battery 6 is charged. Further, the charge control circuit 16 monitors the state of charge of the battery according to a signal from the temperature detecting means 10 or the battery voltage detecting means 15, and when the charge completion judgment is made, turns off the charge path ON / OFF switch means 14 to charge the secondary battery 6. To stop.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the room is cleaned by alternating current, and when the cord is to be used without a cord because the cord is continuously obstructed, such as on a staircase, or when the place where the cord does not reach is attempted (secondary cleaning). If you forget to recharge the rechargeable battery, you can't use it if you accidentally forget to recharge the rechargeable battery. There was a problem.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and when cleaning is performed by alternating current, and when it is attempted to clean a place that cannot be cleaned with a cord or is difficult to clean, an inadvertent rechargeable battery is required. Recharge the secondary battery of an AC / DC dual-purpose vacuum cleaner, which can eliminate the hassle of forgetting to charge and not being able to clean, and if you try to clean, you have to wait several hours to charge the secondary battery The purpose is to provide a control method.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first electric blower driving means for supplying electric current from a commercial power supply to an electric blower, and a second electric blower for supplying electric current to the electric blower from a secondary battery incorporated in a cleaner body. The second electric blower driving means is operated when the commercial electric power is supplied to the electric blower main body and the cleaner main body, and the second electric blower driving means is operated when the commercial electric power is cut off. An electric blower drive switching control unit, and charging means for charging the secondary battery when commercial power is supplied, so that the secondary battery can be charged during use with commercial power. If you try to clean a place that is difficult or difficult to clean with a cord, you can't clean the rechargeable battery because you inadvertently forget to charge the rechargeable battery. It is possible to eliminate the hassle of such must wait a few hours to charge the secondary battery.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a first electric blower driving means for supplying electric current from a commercial power supply to an electric blower, and a second electric blower for supplying electric current from a secondary battery incorporated in a cleaner body to the electric blower. The second electric blower driving means is operated when the commercial electric power is supplied to the electric blower main body and the cleaner main body, and the second electric blower driving means is operated when the commercial electric power is cut off. An electric blower drive switching control unit, and charging means for charging the secondary battery when commercial power is supplied, so that the secondary battery can be charged during use with commercial power. If you try to clean a place that is difficult or difficult to clean with a cord, you can't clean it because you inadvertently forget to charge the rechargeable battery, or if you try to clean it, It is possible to eliminate the hassle of such must wait a few hours to charge the battery.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a charging current setting load, a secondary battery, and a switching element for controlling a current supplied to the secondary battery through the charging current setting load are connected in series with a commercial power supply. A charging completion determining means for detecting a change in the battery temperature or battery voltage of the secondary battery to complete charging by detecting the change in the battery temperature or the battery voltage of the secondary battery. By stopping charging the battery, the secondary battery can be charged while it is being used on commercial power, so if you try to clean a place that is difficult or difficult to clean with a cord, You can eliminate the hassle of forgetting to charge the rechargeable battery and not being able to clean it, and if you try to clean it you have to wait several hours to charge the rechargeable battery With wear, by cutting the charging current in the switching element if close to the charging the secondary battery using time becomes longer fully in the commercial power supply, it is possible to prevent the secondary battery is overcharged.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 3 of the present invention is to control the charging current value of the secondary battery by changing the ON / OFF duty ratio of the switching element to vary the amount of current supplied to the charging current setting load. In the early stage of charging, the rechargeable battery can be charged to a certain extent in a short time by charging with a large current by taking a long ON period, so even if the time for AC use is short, the cleaning time is short for the next use with DC. Of the battery state near the full charge of the secondary battery (battery temperature and battery voltage) by extending the OFF period and reducing the charge current value as the secondary battery approaches full charge. Can be suppressed to a low level, so that the accuracy of the charge termination detection can be increased and overcharging and insufficient charging can be prevented.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 4 of the present invention has at least two or more charging current setting loads, and by switching these loads, at the beginning of charging, a large current is charged by a load having a small resistance. Since the secondary battery can be charged to a certain extent in a short time, it is possible to prevent inconvenience such as a short cleaning time when using a direct current next time even if the time for using the alternating current is short, and to make the rechargeable battery full. When approaching charging, switching to a load having a large resistance and reducing the charging current value can suppress a change in the battery state near the full charge of the secondary battery (a sharp rise in battery temperature and battery voltage). For this reason, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the charge end detection and prevent overcharge or insufficient charge.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 5 of the present invention is characterized in that the charging means is structured to be cooled by intake or exhaust of the electric blower, and by varying a charging current value for charging the secondary battery according to an operation mode of the electric blower, When the electric blower is operating in the weak mode, the cooling air is reduced and the cooling capacity is reduced.Therefore, it is necessary to suppress the generation of heat by suppressing the current value flowing through the heat-generating components such as the charging current setting load and the switching element. When the electric blower is operating in the strong mode, the cooling air increases and the cooling capacity increases, so even if the current flowing through the heat-generating components such as the charging current setting load and the switching element is increased, the heat generation is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to make adjustments such that the charging time can be shortened, and it is possible to perform efficient charging control while minimizing the influence of the reliability of the heat generating components.
[0014]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the charge current value is determined by changing the determination value of the temperature change per unit time (dT / dt) of the battery temperature, which is the charge completion determination means, according to the magnitude of the charge current value. Even when the battery temperature near the full charge of the secondary battery or the state change level of the battery voltage changes depending on the level (the larger the current, the greater the degree of change in the increase), accurate charge end detection can be performed and overcharging or insufficient charging can be performed. Can be prevented.
[0015]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a lamp load is connected in parallel with the charging current setting load, and while the secondary battery is being charged, the state of charge is displayed by the lamp load. The user can easily inform the user of the state of charge of the secondary battery, and determine that the secondary battery is fully charged by turning off the lamp and that the next cordless cleaning is possible at any time. By doing so, the usability can be improved.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 8 of the present invention is characterized in that the charging means of the secondary battery is a power generating means for generating power using a magnetic field generated in the electric blower when the electric blower is driven by a commercial power supply. This allows the rechargeable battery to be charged while it is being used with commercial power, so if you try to clean a place that is difficult or difficult to clean with a cord, you can inadvertently forget to charge the rechargeable battery. It can eliminate the hassle of having to wait for several hours to charge the rechargeable battery if cleaning is not possible, and if it is going to be cleaned, the load for setting the charging current, which is a heat generating component, is unnecessary, and the circuit And the cooling structure can be simplified.
[0017]
【Example】
(Example 1)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same components as those of the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram in a substantial embodiment of a charging control method for a secondary battery of an AC / DC dual-purpose vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, wherein 1 is a vacuum cleaner main body, which is composed of an AC winding and a DC winding. In addition to the AC / DC electric blower 2 composed of windings, a rectifier circuit 3 for rectifying a commercial power supply to DC, an electric blower control circuit 4 composed of a microcomputer for controlling the drive of the electric blower 2, and the power supply thereof. A power supply circuit 5, a battery pack 7 in which a plurality of rechargeable batteries 6 are connected in series or in parallel, a switch means 8 which is an electric blower drive switching control means for switching an input to the power supply circuit 5 when using AC and DC. And motor current path switching means 9A and 9B as first electric blower driving means for switching the current path to the winding of the electric blower 2 when using AC and DC.
[0019]
In the battery pack 7, a temperature detecting means 10 (generally, a thermistor) which is disposed near the secondary battery 6 and detects the temperature of the secondary battery 6 is incorporated. And the divided voltage signal is input to the electric blower control circuit 4. When the commercial power supply is connected, the ZVP signal is input to the electric blower control circuit (arrow). The charging current setting loads 20A and 20B (the resistance value is 20A <20B) for setting the charging current value for charging the secondary battery from the output of the rectifier circuit 3 are load switching elements 21A serving as second electric blower driving means. , 21B in series with the secondary battery 6. Further, the lamp load 23 is similarly connected in series to the secondary battery 6 via the load switching element 21C.
[0020]
Since the power supply circuit 5 and the motor current path changeover switch means 9A and 9B are heat-generating components and need to be cooled, a method of cooling with the intake or exhaust air of the electric blower 2 is generally adopted. In the vacuum cleaner as well, the charging current setting loads 20A and 20B and the load switching elements 21A and 21B are arranged in the intake or exhaust path of the electric blower 2 in addition to those components, and the structure is such that cooling is performed using the wind. (Not shown).
[0021]
A charging control method for the secondary battery in such a circuit configuration during AC use will be described with reference to the charging operation explanatory diagram shown in FIG.
[0022]
First, the driving operation of the electric blower 2 when using the AC (commercial power) and DC (6 rechargeable battery 6) power supplies is the same as in the conventional example. When switched to the power supply side (the side shown in FIG. 1), the electric blower control circuit 4 is started from the power supply circuit 5 by the commercial power supply, 9A of the motor current path switching switch means is turned on, 9B is turned off, and the AC of the electric blower 2 is changed. Current is supplied to the side winding from a commercial power supply, and the motor operates. Although not specifically shown here, the input changeover switch means 8 is configured to switch between the commercial power supply side and the secondary battery 6 side in conjunction with turning on and off the commercial power supply. When the commercial power is turned off and the input changeover switch means 8 is switched to the secondary battery 6, the electric blower control circuit 4 is started from the power supply circuit 5 by the secondary battery 6, and the electric blower control circuit 4 does not have the ZVP signal. Thus, it is determined that the commercial power supply is not connected, the load switching elements 21A, 21B, and 21C are unconditionally turned off, and the connection between the charging current setting loads 20A and 20B and the lamp load 23 and the secondary battery 6 is disconnected. At the same time, 9B of the motor current path changeover switch means is turned on and 9A is turned off, and current is supplied from the commercial power supply to the DC side winding of the electric blower 2 to operate the motor.
[0023]
Next, the charging operation of the secondary battery when using the commercial power supply will be described. When a commercial power supply is connected to the cleaner body 1, the electric blower control circuit 4 turns on the load switching elements 21A and 21C and turns off the load switching elements 21B. ₁ , The charging of the secondary battery is started, and the lamp load 23 is turned on to indicate that the battery is being charged. The electric blower control circuit 4 detects the temperature of the secondary battery 6 based on a signal from the temperature detecting means 10. When the temperature change dT / dt per unit time of the battery temperature turns positive, the load switching element 21A is turned on. OFF, 21B ON and charge current value I ₁ Current level I less than ₂ Switch to It is known that the temperature of a secondary battery rises as it approaches a fully charged state. However, if the charging current is large, the temperature rises sharply. When the judgment is early, the charging current value of the rechargeable battery 6 may be shorter than the charging start point when the judgment of the completion of the charging is performed because there is a risk that the battery life may be deteriorated due to overcharging if the judgment is early. Is controlled to reduce.
[0024]
As the secondary battery 6 approaches full charge, the battery temperature rises, and when the battery temperature reaches a predetermined temperature rise rate determination level (dT / dt) set in the electric blower control circuit 4, the electric blower control circuit 4 It is determined that the charging is completed, and the load switching elements 21B and 21C are turned off to stop charging, and the load lamp 23 is turned off to notify the user of the completion of the charging. Because it is easy to recognize that there is, and if the user wants it, it can be switched to cordless immediately on the spot and used, so if you try to clean a place where it can not be cleaned with a cord or it is difficult to clean, Eliminates the hassle of forgetting to charge the battery and not cleaning it, and if you try to clean, you have to wait several hours to charge the secondary battery It is possible.
[0025]
Further, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the charge completion determination is made based on the positive temperature change dT / dt per unit time of the battery temperature. However, as the charge capacity increases, the voltage of the secondary battery also increases. Therefore, it is possible to determine the completion of charging by detecting a positive temperature change dV / dt per unit time of the battery voltage.
[0026]
Although the above description has been made in connection with the case where the charging current setting load is two types, if the charging current level is gradually reduced by sequentially changing the load with three or more types of loads, the charging time can be further shortened and more accurate. The effect that the secondary battery charge control at the time of AC use can be performed by the charge completion determination is also obtained.
[0027]
(Example 2)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the circuit block diagram in the actual embodiment of the charging control method for realizing the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment of the present invention, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0028]
The vacuum cleaner of the present invention has a function of controlling the motor current path switching switch means 9A using the ZVP signal indicated by the arrow in FIG. I have. In the case of the strong mode, the motor current path switch 9A is continuously ON and the motor operates at full power. In the case of the weak mode, the motor current path switch 9A performs ON / OFF switching at a predetermined duty ratio by PWM control. The motor operates at a lower speed than the high speed.
[0029]
As in the first embodiment, the power supply circuit 5, the motor current path changeover switch means 9A and 9B, the charging current setting loads 20A and 20B, and the load switching elements 21A and 21B are the same as those in the first embodiment. It is located in the intake or exhaust path and uses the wind to cool it. Next, the charging operation of the secondary battery when using the commercial power supply will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the charging operation of the charging control method according to the present embodiment. When a commercial power supply is connected to the cleaner main body 1 and the electric blower 2 is operating in the strong mode, the electric blower control circuit 4 turns on the load switching elements 21A and 21C, turns off the load 21B, and sets I ₁ The charging of the secondary battery is started at the current value of, and the lamp load 23 is turned on to indicate that the battery is being charged. The electric blower control circuit 4 detects the temperature of the secondary battery 6 based on a signal from the temperature detecting means 10. When the temperature change dT / dt per unit time of the battery temperature turns positive, the load switching element 21A is turned on. OFF, 21B ON and charge current value I ₁ Current level I less than ₂ Switch to It is known that the temperature of a secondary battery rises as it approaches a fully charged state. However, if the charging current is large, the temperature rises sharply. The reason is that if the determination is early, it may lead to insufficient charging, and if the determination is late, it may lead to an early deterioration of the battery life due to overcharging.
[0030]
When the operation in the strong mode is continued as it is, the rechargeable battery 6 approaches full charge, the battery temperature rises in the curve shown by the dashed line, and the first temperature rise rate determination level (dT / dt) ₁ , The electric blower control circuit 4 determines that charging is completed, turns off the load switching elements 21B and 21C, stops charging, turns off the load lamp 23, and notifies the user of the completion of charging. When the electric blower 2 is operating in the weak mode, the cooling air generated by the motor decreases, and the heat generated by the load switching elements 21A and 21B and the charging current setting loads 20A and 20B increases. The load switching element 21A is turned off from the start of charging, the load switching element 21B performs an intermittent ON / OFF operation, and the average charging current value per hour of the secondary battery 6 is represented by I. ₂ (The load switching element 21C continues to be ON even when the load switching element 21B is OFF. ₃ The level current value is supplied to the secondary battery 6).
[0031]
However, in this case, the same first temperature rise rate determination value (dT / dt) as in the strong mode ₁ Since the charging current is too low, even if the battery capacity approaches the charging completion target value X, the battery temperature does not rise so much as in the curve shown in practice, and if charging is continued as it is, overcharging is performed as shown by the dotted line. Therefore, in the weak mode, the first temperature rise rate determination value (dT / dt) ₁ Second temperature rise rate determination level (dT / dt) with a rise rate smaller than ₂ The electric blower control circuit 4 determines that the charging is completed when the battery capacity is near the charging completion target value X in the weak mode as in the strong mode. As a result, the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment can stably charge the secondary battery in both the strong and weak modes during AC use, and the user tries to clean a place that cannot be cleaned with a cord or is difficult to clean. Occasionally, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of inadvertently forgetting to charge the rechargeable battery and not being able to clean it, and of trying to clean the rechargeable battery so that the user has to wait several hours for charging the rechargeable battery.
[0032]
(Example 3)
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0033]
FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram in a substantial embodiment of a charging control method for a secondary battery of an AC / DC dual-purpose vacuum cleaner according to the present invention. In addition to an AC / DC electric blower 25 having two exciting windings for supplying a charging current to the battery, a rectifying circuit 26 for rectifying a commercial power supply to DC, a charging control circuit 27 including a microcomputer and the like, A power supply circuit 28 for generating the power supply, a battery pack 30 in which a plurality of rechargeable batteries 29 are connected in series or in parallel, an energizing path to the electric blower 25 and an input to the power supply circuit 28 when using AC and DC. Is provided with a switch means 31 composed of four switches for switching between.
[0034]
In the battery pack 30, a temperature detecting means 32 (generally, a thermistor) which is disposed near the secondary battery 29 and detects the temperature of the secondary battery 29 is built in. The divided voltage signal is connected to the charging control circuit 27 through the connection 33. When the commercial power supply is connected, the ZVP signal is input to the electric blower control circuit (arrow). The negative side of the charging current supply winding of the electric blower 25 is connected to the negative side of the secondary battery 29 via a charging control switch 34 composed of a relay or the like, and the positive side of the charging current supply winding of the electric blower 25 is DC. It is configured to be connected to the + side of the secondary battery 29 via a diode 35 for preventing a backflow from the secondary battery 29 during operation.
[0035]
A charging control method for the secondary battery in such a circuit configuration during AC use will be described with reference to the charging operation explanatory diagram shown in FIG.
[0036]
First, when the main body of the vacuum cleaner is connected to the commercial power source and the input changeover switch means 31 is switched to the commercial power source side (the side shown in FIG. 4), the charging control circuit 27 is activated from the power source circuit 28 by the commercial power source, and the electric blower 25 is activated. At the same time as the operation, the charge control switch 34 is turned on, and the charging current is supplied to the secondary battery from the charging current supply winding of the electric blower 25. Although not specifically shown here, the input changeover switch means 31 has a configuration in which the switch is switched between the commercial power supply side and the secondary battery 29 side in conjunction with turning on and off the commercial power supply. When the commercial power is turned off and the input changeover switch means 31 is switched to the secondary battery 29 side, the charging control circuit 27 is started from the power supply circuit 28 by the secondary battery 29, and the electric blower 25 is operated by the secondary battery and charged at the same time. The control circuit 27 determines that the commercial power supply is not connected because there is no ZVP signal, turns off the charge control switch 34, and cuts off the charging current from the charging current supply winding of the electric blower 25. The charging control circuit 27 detects the temperature of the secondary battery 29 based on the signal from the temperature detecting means 10 while the commercial power supply is connected and the charging current is supplied to the secondary battery from the charging current supply winding of the electric blower 25. When the temperature change dT / dt per unit time of the battery temperature reaches a predetermined temperature rise rate determination level set in the electric blower control circuit 27, the electric blower control circuit 27 judges that charging is completed, Even during the operation, the charging control switch 34 is turned off, the charging current from the charging current supply winding of the electric blower 25 is cut off, and the charging is terminated.
[0037]
Therefore, when the secondary battery is charged at the time of AC use, the user can immediately switch to the cordless use on the spot if desired, so that an attempt is made to clean a place where the cord cannot be cleaned or is difficult to clean. Sometimes, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of inadvertently forgetting to charge the secondary battery and not being able to clean it, and also to have to wait several hours to charge the secondary battery if trying to clean, As in the first and second embodiments, the load for setting the charging current, which is a heat-generating component, is not required, and the effect that the circuit can be downsized and the cooling structure can be simplified can be obtained.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it is cleaning by alternating current, and when trying to clean the place which cannot be cleaned with a cord continuously or it is difficult to clean, it cannot be cleaned because it inadvertently forgets to charge a rechargeable battery. Thus, it is possible to provide a method of controlling the charging of a secondary battery of an AC / DC dual-purpose vacuum cleaner that can eliminate the hassle of having to wait several hours for charging the secondary battery.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of a charge control device for a secondary battery according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a charging operation of a charging control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a charging operation of a charging control method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a configuration of a charge control device for a secondary battery according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of charge control showing a configuration of a secondary battery charge control device using a charger provided separately from a conventional main body.
[Explanation of symbols]
2,25 electric blower
4 Electric blower control circuit
6, 29 Secondary battery
8, 31 input changeover switch means
9A, 9B secondary battery
10, 32 temperature detection means
20A, 20B Charge current setting load
21A, 21B, 21C Switching element for load
23 Lamp load
27 Charge control circuit
34 charge control switch

Claims

First electric blower driving means for supplying current from a commercial power supply to the electric blower, second electric blower driving means for supplying current to the electric blower from a secondary battery incorporated in the cleaner body, and a cleaner body When the commercial power supply is supplied, the first electric blower driving means is operated, and when the commercial power supply is cut off, the electric blower drive switching control means for operating the second electric blower driving means, An electric vacuum cleaner comprising a charging means for charging the secondary battery when commercial power is supplied.

The charging means of the secondary battery is connected to a commercial power supply in series with a charging current setting load, a secondary battery, and a switching element for controlling a current supplied to the secondary battery through the charging current setting load. A charging completion determining means for detecting a change in the state of the battery temperature or the battery voltage of the secondary battery to complete charging by detecting the completion of charging by the charging determining means. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein charging is stopped.

3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the charging current value of the secondary battery is controlled by changing the amount of current supplied to the charging current setting load by changing the ON / OFF duty ratio of the switching element.

3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, further comprising at least two or more charging current setting loads, wherein the charging current value of the secondary battery is switched by switching the loads.

The charging means is configured to be cooled by intake or exhaust of an electric blower, and varies a charging current value for charging a secondary battery according to an operation mode of the electric blower. An electric vacuum cleaner according to the item.

6. The battery charging method according to claim 2, wherein a determination value of a temperature change per unit time (dT / dt) of the battery temperature is changed according to the magnitude of the charging current value. Vacuum cleaner.

A lamp load is connected in parallel with the charging current setting load, and the charging state is displayed by the lamp load during charging of the secondary battery. An AC / DC dual-purpose vacuum cleaner according to item 1.

The charging means for the secondary battery is configured to supply a charging current to the secondary battery by a power generating means that generates electric power using a magnetic field generated in the electric blower when the electric blower is driven by a commercial power supply. Item 7. An AC / DC dual-purpose vacuum cleaner according to Item 1.