EP2120667B1 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Vacuum cleaner Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2120667B1
EP2120667B1 EP07834064.3A EP07834064A EP2120667B1 EP 2120667 B1 EP2120667 B1 EP 2120667B1 EP 07834064 A EP07834064 A EP 07834064A EP 2120667 B1 EP2120667 B1 EP 2120667B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
dust
dust collector
vacuum cleaner
pressing element
cleaner according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP07834064.3A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2120667A1 (en
EP2120667A4 (en
Inventor
Yun-Hee Park
Hae-Seock Yang
Gun-Ho Ha
Jin-Young Kim
Jin-Wook Seo
Chang-Ho Yun
Chang-Hoon Lee
Hyuk-Min Kwon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LG Electronics Inc
Original Assignee
LG Electronics Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from KR1020070015806A external-priority patent/KR100800189B1/ko
Priority claimed from KR1020070073222A external-priority patent/KR100947361B1/ko
Application filed by LG Electronics Inc filed Critical LG Electronics Inc
Publication of EP2120667A1 publication Critical patent/EP2120667A1/en
Publication of EP2120667A4 publication Critical patent/EP2120667A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2120667B1 publication Critical patent/EP2120667B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
    • A47L9/106—Dust removal
    • A47L9/108—Dust compression means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
    • A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
    • A47L9/1691—Mounting or coupling means for cyclonic chamber or dust receptacles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
    • A47L9/19—Means for monitoring filtering operation

Definitions

  • This document relates to a vacuum cleaner.
  • a vaccum cleaner according to the preamble of claim 1 is already known i.e. from US-A-20060123749 .
  • a vacuum cleaner is an appliance, which sucks air containing particles by using a sucking force of a suction motor in a body thereof and filters off the particles in the body.
  • This vacuum cleaner includes an intake nozzle for sucking air containing particles, a cleaner body communicating with the intake nozzle, an extension pipe guiding the air sucked by the intake nozzle to the cleaner body, and a connecting pipe connecting the extension pipe with the cleaner body. And, an intake port is formed in a lower surface of the intake nozzle so that air containing particles of a floor to be cleaned.
  • a suction motor which generates a sucking force to suck air containing particles from the outside, is provided in the cleaner body.
  • a dust collector for storing impurities separated from polluted air is detachably provided in the cleaner body.
  • the dust collector includes a dust separator for separating impurities from the air sucked into the dust collector, and a dust container for storing the impurities separated by the dust separator.
  • the separated impurities are stored in the dust container at low density.
  • the present invention is derived to resolve the above and other disadvantages of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner which increases dust-collecting capacity by compressing dust stored in the dust collector.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner which prevents a suction motor or a compression motor for compressing dust from operating when a dust collector is not mounted thereon.
  • a vacuum cleaner including: a cleaner body in which a suction motor is provided; a dust collector selectively attached to the cleaner body, in which a dust container is formed; a pressing element for pressing dust stored in the dust container; a compression motor for operating the pressing element; an installation sensor provided in a mounting element of the dust collector to detect whether the dust collector is correctly mounted; a signal display for displaying the mount of the dust collector; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the signal display.
  • a vacuum cleaner in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, includes a cleaner body in which a dust collector mounting element is formed; a dust collector detachably attached to the dust collector mounting element, in which a dust container is formed; a pressing element movably provided in the dust container to press dust stored in the dust container; a magnetic element which moves with the pressing element when the pressing element moves; a magnetic sensor for detecting a magnetism of the magnetic element; and a control unit for determining a storage amount of the dust stored in the dust container by using the magnetic information of the magnetic sensor.
  • a vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body in which a dust collector mounting element is formed; a dust collector detachably attached to the dust collector mounting element, in which a dust container is formed; a pressing element provided in the dust container to press dust stored in the dust container; an installation sensor provided in the dust collector mounting element to detect whether the dust collector is correctly mounted; and a position sensor provided in the dust collector mounting element to detect a position of the pressing element.
  • the user's inconvenience that he/she has to frequently empty the dust stored in the dust collector can be solved, as the dust-collecting capacity of the dust collector is miximized by a compressing operation of the dust.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner where a dust collector is separated therefrom.
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a dust collector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along I-I' of Fig. 3 .
  • Fig. 5 is a lower perspective view of the dust collector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a driven gear according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a dust collector mounting element according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a control structure of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figs. 9 and 10 are views showing a position relationship between a magnetic element and a second magnetic sensor when a first pressing element is placed adjacent to one side of a second pressing element.
  • Figs. 11 and 12 are views showing a position relationship between the magnetic element and the second magnetic sensor when the first and second pressing elements are placed in a straight line.
  • Figs. 13 and 14 are views showing a position relationship between the magnetic element and the second magnetic sensor when the first pressing element is placed adjacent to the other side of the second pressing element.
  • Fig. 15 is a view for explaining a rotational operation of the first pressing element described in the Figs. 9 to 14 .
  • Fig. 16 is a flow chart explaining a control method of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 17 is a lower perspective view of a driven gear according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a dust collector mounting element according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 19 is a view showing a position relationship between the driven gear and the installation sensor according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner where a dust collector is separated therefrom
  • Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a dust collector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • a vacuum cleaner 10 includes a cleaner body 100 in which a suction motor (not shown) for generating a sucking force is provided, and a dust separating device for separating dust from air sucked into the cleaner body 100.
  • the vacuum cleaner further includes an intake nozzle which sucks air containing dust of the floor, and a connection means which connects the intake nozzle to the cleaner body 100, even though they are not illustrated.
  • a body intake port 110 through which the air containing dust sucked by the intake nozzle, is formed at a bottom of a front surface of the cleaner body 100, and a body discharge port (not shown) for discharging air separated from dust to the outside is formed in one side of the cleaner body 100.
  • a body handle 140 which allows for users to grab it, is formed on an upper part of the cleaner body 100.
  • the dust separating device includes a dust collector 200 in which a primary cyclone unit (will be explained) for separating dust from air intoroduced therein is provided, and a secondary cyclone unit 300 which is provided in the cleaner body 100 to re-separate dust from the air initially separated by the primary cyclone unit.
  • a primary cyclone unit (will be explained) for separating dust from air intoroduced therein is provided
  • secondary cyclone unit 300 which is provided in the cleaner body 100 to re-separate dust from the air initially separated by the primary cyclone unit.
  • the dust collector 200 is detachably mounted on a dust collector mounting element 170 formed in a front of the cleaner body 100.
  • An attachment/detachment lever 142 is provided in the handle 140 of the cleaner body 100, and an engagement end 256 engaging with the attachment/detachment lever 142 is formed in the dust collector 200.
  • the dust collector 200 includes a primary cyclone unit forming a cyclonic flow, and a dust collecting body 210 in which a dust container for storing the dust separated from the primary cyclone unit is formed. And, the dust collector 200 is communicated with the cleaner body 100 and the secondary cyclone unit 300, as the dust collector 200 is attached to the cleaner body 100.
  • an air outlet 130 for discharging air sucked into the cleaner body to the dust collector 200 is formed. And, in the dust collector 200, a first air inlet 218 for introducing air from the air outlet 130.
  • a first air outlet 252 through which air separated from the dust at the primary cyclone unit is discharged, is formed in the dust collector 200, and a connecting channel 114, into which the air discharged through the first air outlet 252 is introduced, is formed in the cleaner body 100. And, the air introduced into the connecting channel 114 is introduced into the secondary cyclone unit 300.
  • the secondary cyclone unit 300 includes a plurality of cyclones. And, the dust separated by the secondary cyclone unit 300 is stored in the dust collector 200. And, a dust inlet 254, into which the dust separated by the secondary cyclone unit 300 is introduced, is formed in the dust collecting body 210.
  • a structure for reducing the volume of the dust stored in the dust collector 200 is provided in the dust collector 200.
  • Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along I-I' of Figure 3
  • Figure 5 shows a lower perspective view of the dust collector according to the first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 6 shows a driven gear according to the first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a dust collector mounting element according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the dust collector 200 includes a dust collecting body 210 defining an external appearance, a primary cyclone unit 230 provided in the dust collecting body 210 to separate dust from air, and a cover element 250 selectively opening or closing an upper part of the dust collecting body 210.
  • a dust container in which the separated dust is stored is formed in the dust collecting body 210.
  • the dust container includes a first dust container 214 in which the dust separated by the primary cyclone unit 230 is stored, and a second dust container 216 in which the dust separated by the secondary cyclone unit 300 is stored.
  • the dust collecting body 210 includes a first wall 211 defining the first dust container 214, and a second wall 212 defining the second dust container 216 in the relation with the first wall 211. That is, the second wall 212 is formed to surround a specific external part of the first wall 211. Therefore, the second dust container 216 is formed at the outside of the first dust container 214.
  • a dust guide channel 232 which guides the dust separated from air to be easily discharged into the first dust container 214 is provided.
  • An inlet 233 of the dust guide channel 232 is formed at a side of the primary cyclone unit 230, and an outlet 234 is formed at a bottom of the primary cyclone unit 230.
  • the cover element 250 is detachably connected to the top of the dust collecting body 210, as described in the above. And, the cover element 250 opens or closes the first and second containers 214, 216 at the same time. And, the primary cyclone unit 230 is connected to the lower part of the cover element.
  • a discharge hole 251 through which the air separated from the dust at the primary cyclone unit 230 is passed is formed in the lower surface of the cover element 250.
  • a filter element 260 in which a plurality of perforated-holes 262 of a specific size are formed in a circumferential surface, is connected to a lower surface of the cover element 250.
  • a pair of pressing elements 270, 280 which increase the dust-collecting capacity by reducing the volume of dust stored in the first dust container 214, are provided in the dust collecting body 210.
  • the pair of pressing elements 270, 280 reduce the volume of dust by compressing the dust due to the reciprocal action of the pressing elements, and therefore the dust-collecting capacity of the dust collector 200 is increased by increasing the density of the dust stored in the dust collecting body 210.
  • one of the pair of pressing elements 270, 280 is referred to as a first pressing element 270, and the other is referred to as a second pressing element 280.
  • At least one of the pair of pressing elements 270, 280 is movably provided in the dust collector 200 so that the dust is compressed between the pair of pressing elements 270, 280.
  • first and second pressing elements 270, 280 are rotatably provided in the dust collector 200, a distance between one side of the first pressing element 270 and one side, which is opposing to the one side of the first pressing element 270, of second pressing element 280 is decreased as the first and second pressing elements 270, 280 are rotated to each other, and therefore the dust disposed between the pair of pressing elements 270, 280 is compressed.
  • the first pressing element 270 is rotatably provided in the dust collecting body 210 and the second pressing element 280 is fixedly provided in the dust collecting body 210. Therefore, the first pressing element 270 is a rotating element, and the second pressing element 280 is a fixed element.
  • the second pressing element 280 is preferably disposed between an inner circumferential surface of the dust collecting body 210 and an axial line of a rotational axis 272 which is center of rotation of the first pressing element 270. That is, the second pressing element 280 is provided on a surface connecting the axial line of the rotational axis 272 with the inner circumferential surface of the first dust container 214.
  • the second pressing element 280 fully or partially closes a space between the inner circumferential surface of the first dust container 214 and the axial line of the rotational axis 272, and therefore the second pressing element 280 and the first pressing element 270 compress dust when the dust is introduced by the first pressing element 270.
  • One end of the second pressing element 280 may be integrally formed in the inner circumferential surface of the dust collecting body 210, and the other end may be integrally formed in a fixed axis 282 which is provided in the same axis as the rotational axis 272 of the first pressing element 270.
  • the second pressing element 280 may be integrally formed in the inner circumferential surface of the dust collecting body 210, or only the other end may be integrally formed in a fixed axis 282.
  • the second pressing element 280 may be fixed on at least one of the inner circumferential surface of the dust collecting body 210 and the fixed axis 282.
  • the one end of the second pressing element 280 is not integrally formed in the inner circumferential surface of the dust collecting body 210, it is preferable that the one end of the second pressing element 280 is placed adjacent to the inner circumferential surface of the dust collecting body 210.
  • the other end is not integrally formed in the fixed axis 282, it is preferable that the other end is placed adjacent to the fixed axis 282. This is to prevent the dust introduced by the first pressing element 270 from leaking through a gap between the second pressing element 280 and the inner circumferential surface of the dust collecting body 210.
  • the first and second pressing elements 270, 280 include a plate of retangular shape. And, the rotational axis 272 of the first pressing element 270 is positioned at the same axis as the axial line constituting the center of the dust collecting body 210.
  • the fixed axis 282 is upwardly protruded from the lower surface of the dust collecting body 210, and a hollow hole 283 which passes in an axial direction for the connection of the rotational axis 272 is formed in the fixed axis 282. And, a specific part of the rotational axis 272 is inserted into the hollow hole 283 from the upper part of the fixed axis 282.
  • a step 272c which is supported by the top of the fixed axis 282 is formed in the rotational axis 272.
  • the rotational axis 272 is divided into an upper axis 272a to which the first pressing element 270 is connected, and a lower axis 272b to which a driven gear for rotating the first pressing element 270 is connected, with reference to the step 272c.
  • the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment further includes a driving device which is selectively connected to the first pressing element 270 to rotate the first pressing element 270.
  • the driving device for rotating the first pressing element 270 includes a compression motor generating a driving force, and a power transmission 410, 420 transmitting the driving force of the compression motor to the first pressing element 270.
  • the power transmission 410, 420 includes a driven gear 410 connecting to the rotational axis 272 of the first pressing element 270, and a driving gear 420 transmitting the power to the driven gear 410.
  • the driving gear 420 is rotated by the compression motor as it is connected to the rotational axis of the compression motor.
  • the compression motor is rotated, the driving gear 420 connected with the compression motor is rotated, and therefore the driven gear 410 is rotated because the rotational force of the compression motor is transmitted to the driven gear 410 by the driving gear 420. And, the first pressing element 270 is rotated by the rotation of the driven gear 410.
  • an axis 414 of the driven gear 410 is connected with the rotational axis 272 of the first pressing element 270 at the lower part of the dust collecting body 210.
  • the driven gear 410 is exposed to the outside of the dust collecting body 210 as the driven gear 410 is connected to the lower part of the dust collecting body 210.
  • the compression motor is provided below the dust collector mounting element 170, and the driving gear 420 is provided at the bottom of the dust collector mounting element 170 as it is connected to a rotational axis of the compression motor.
  • the driven gear 410 engages with the driving gear 420.
  • the compression motor is preferably capable of rotating in a forward and reverse direction.
  • a motor capable of rotating in both directions may be used as a compression motor.
  • the first pressing element 270 is able to rotate in a forward and reverse direction, and the compressed dust is accumulated on both sides of the second pressing element 280 as the first pressing element 270 rotates in a forward and reverse direction.
  • a synchronous motor may be used as the compression motor.
  • the synchronous motor is configured that the forward/reverse rotation is enabled by the motor itself, if the force exerted on the motor is greater than a set value when the motor rotates in one direction, then the motor rotates in the other direction.
  • the force exerted on the motor is a resisting force (torque) which is created as the first pressing element 270 presses the dust, the rotational direction of the motor is changed when the resisting force reaches the set value.
  • the synchronous motor is generally known in the art, the detailed explanation will be omitted.
  • the first pressing element 270 continuously presses the dust for a predetermined time even when the first pressing element 270 reaches a stationary point, where no more rotation is possible, as it compresses the dust due to the rotation.
  • the stationary point, where the first pressing element 270 cannot rotate any more corresponds to the case that the resisting force reaches the set value.
  • the power rotating the first pressing element i.e. the power source applied to the compression motor is turned off for a predetermined time, and therefore the first pressing element 270 keep pressing the dust, and the first pressing element 270 is able to move by applying the power to the compression motor after the predetermined time elapses.
  • the cut off time of the power applied to the compression motor is the time that the resisting force reaches the set value, if the compression motor is driven again, then the rotational direction of the compression motor is opposite to the rotational direction of the compression motor before the power cut off.
  • the compression motor continually rotates the first pressing element 270 in a forward and reverse direction at the same angular velocity.
  • a guide rib 290 for guiding the installation of the dust collector 200 is formed in the lower part of the dust collecting body 210, and an insert groove 172 in which the guide rib 290 is inserted is formed in the dust collector mounting element 170.
  • the guide rib 290 is provided at the outside of the driven gear 410 in the shape of "C.” Therefore, the guide rib 290 protects the driven gear 410 and prevents dust from moving into the driven gear 410.
  • the driven gear 410 is composed of a body 412, and a plurality of gear teeth 416 formed along the side surface of the body 412. And, a magnetic element 415 is provided in the body 412.
  • the magnetic element 415 is extended from a center of the body 412 to an edge of the body in a radial direction.
  • a plurality of magnetic sensors for detecting magnetism of the magnetic element 415 are provided on the inner side of the dust collector mounting element 170.
  • the magnetic sensor includes a first magnetic sensor 440 for detecting the installation of the dust collector 200, and a second magnetic sensor 450 for detecting the state that the driven gear 410 rotates.
  • first magnetic sensor 440 is provided at the center of the insert groove 172 to detect magnetism of an A portion of the magnetic element 415.
  • second magnetic sensor 450 is placed apart from first magnetic sensor 440 and detects magnetism of a B portion of the magnetic element 415.
  • the dust collector 200 is mounted on the dust collector mounting element 170 and is disposed vertically below the trajectory of the magnetic element 415 when the driven gear 410 is rotated, so that the second magnetic sensor 450 effectively detects magnetism generated from the magnetic element 415.
  • the first magnetic sensor 440 always detects magnetism when the dust collector 200 is mounted on the dust collector mounting element 170.
  • the second magnetic sensor 450 detects magnetism only when the magnetic element 415 is disposed vertically above the second magnetic sensor 450 while the driven gear 410 is rotated, and therefore it is possible to check the rotational state of the driven gear 410.
  • one magnetic element is provided in the driven gear according to the present embodiment, however it is also possible that a first magnetic element is provided at the center of the driven gear and a second magnetic element is provided at a position spaced apart from the first magnetic element.
  • the first magnetic sensor 440 detects magnetism of the first magnetic element
  • the second magnetic sensor 450 detects magnetism of the second magnetic element.
  • Figure 8 is a block diagram showing a control structure of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the vacuum cleaner includes a control unit 510, an operation signal input unit 520 for selecting the suction power (for example, high, middle and low modes) of dust, a signal display 530 for displaying the empty signal of the dust stored in the dust collector 200 and the dust collector uninstallation signal, a suction motor driver 540 for operating a suction motor according to the operation mode input from the operation signal input unit 520, and a compression motor driver 560 for operating a compression motor 570 which is used to compress dust stored in the dust collector 200.
  • a control unit 510 for selecting the suction power (for example, high, middle and low modes) of dust
  • a signal display 530 for displaying the empty signal of the dust stored in the dust collector 200 and the dust collector uninstallation signal
  • a suction motor driver 540 for operating a suction motor according to the operation mode input from the operation signal input unit 520
  • a compression motor driver 560 for operating a compression motor 570 which is used to compress dust stored in the dust collector 200.
  • the vacuum cleaner includes a driving gear 420 driven by the compression motor 570, a driven gear 410 rotated by engaging with the driving gear 420, a magnetic element 415 provided in the driven gear 410, a first magnetic sensor 440 and a second magnetic sensor 450.
  • the dust collector 200 is not mounted on the dust collector mounting element 170, then magnetism of the magnetic element 415 is not detected by the first magnetic sensor 440. Therefore, if the operation signal is input from the operation signal input unit 520 while the dust collector 200 is not mounted on the dust collector mounting element 170, then the dust collector uninstallation signal is displayed.
  • control unit 510 determines the amount of dust stored in the dust collector 200 with reference to the rotational state of the driven gear 410, which is detected by the second magnetic sensor 450. And, if the control unit 510 determines that the amount of dust is greater than a specific value, then the dust empty signal is displayed at the signal display 530.
  • the first magnetic sensor 440 may be preferred to as a "dust collector sensor” because it detects the mounting of the dust collector 200, and the second magnetic sensor 450 may be referred to as a "position sensor” because it detects the position of the first pressing element 270.
  • the signal displayed at the signal display 530 may be a sound signal, a visual signal or a vibration directly transmitted to users.
  • a speaker, a LED, a vibration motor and the like may be used as the signal display 530.
  • the signal displayed at the signal display 530 may be differently set for the dust empty signal and the dust collector uninstallation signal.
  • Figures 9 and 10 show a position relationship between a magnetic element and a second magnetic sensor when a first pressing element is placed adjacent to one side of a second pressing element
  • Figures 11 and 12 show a position relationship between the magnetic element and the second magnetic sensor when the first and second pressing elements are placed in a straight line
  • Figures 13 and 14 show a position relationship between the magnetic element and the second magnetic sensor when the first pressing element is placed adjacent to the other side of the second pressing element.
  • the magnetic element 415 is positioned vertically above the second magnetic sensor 450, and thus the second magnetic sensor 450 detects magnetism of the magnetic element 415.
  • the position of the first pressing element 270, where the second magnetic sensor 450 detects magnetism of the magnetic element 415 is referred to as a "reference position.”
  • the magnetic element 415 is spaced apart from the second magnetic sensor 450, and therefore magnetism is not detected by the second magnetic sensor 450.
  • the first pressing element 270 which rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, is not rotated any more, then the first pressing element 270 starts to rotate in a clockwise direction. Therefore, the first pressing element 270 presses dust accumulated in the dust collector 200, as it rotates to the right of the second pressing element 280 as shwon in Fig. 13 by passing through the reference point shwon in Fig. 11 .
  • the first pressing element 270 which rotates in a clockwise direction, is not rotated any more, then the first pressing element 270 starts to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction and therefore the first pressing element 270 presses dust accumulated in the dust collector 200 by repeating the above-mentioned process.
  • Figure 15 explains a rotational operation of the first pressing element described in the Figures 9 to 14 .
  • the time TD1 which is required for the first pressing element 270 to return to the reference position from the reference position by rotating in a clockwise direction, and the time TD2 which is required for the first pressing element 270 to return to the reference position from the reference position by rotating in a counter-clockwise direction are displayed therein.
  • the time TD1 is referred to as a first turnaround
  • the time TD2 is referred to as a second turnaround.
  • the time TD1 and the time TD2 are almost same.
  • the time TD 1 and the time TD2 are getting short.
  • one of the time TD1 and the time TD2 reaches a specific reference time, it is determined that dust is sufficiently accumulated in the dust collector 200, and therefore the dust empty signal is displayed.
  • Figure 16 is a flow chart explaining a control method of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the signal which the dust collector is not mounted is displayed at the signal display 530 (S 12).
  • the suction motor operation signal is input while the dust collector 200 is mounted, the unnecesary operation of the suction motor and the compression motor can be prevented by informing this state to the outside.
  • the control unit 510 activates the suction motor driver 540 so that the suction motor 550 is activated according to the suction power selected by users (S13).
  • the air ntroduced into the dust collector 200 is discharged to the cleaner body 100 after being filtered. And the separated dust is stored in the first dust container 214.
  • the pair of pressing element 270, 280 press the dust stored in the first dust container 214.
  • control unit 510 activates the compression motor 570 in order to compress the dust stored in the dust collector 200 (S 14).
  • the compression motor 570 is driven aftr activating the suction motor 550, however it is also possible to activate the suction motor 550 and the compression motor 570 at the same time as another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the compression motor 570 If the compression motor 570 is activated, the driving gear 420 connected with the rotation axis of the compression motor 570 is rotated. And, if the driving gear 420 is rotated, the driven gear 410 is rotated. And, if the driven gear 410 is rotated, the sudt in compressed as the first pressing element 270 connected with the driven gear 410 is rotated to the second pressing element 280.
  • control unit 510 initially finds out whether the first pressing element 270 is positioned at the reference position (S15). According to the present embodiment, since the first and second turnarounds are measured with reference to the reference position, it is necessary to find out whether the first pressing element 270 is positioned at the reference position for the first movement.
  • the reference position of the first pressing element 270 is checked when magnetism of the magnetic element 415 is initially detected by the second magnetic sensor 450 in case of the first movement of the compression motor 570.
  • control unit 510 measures the turnarounds of the first pressing element 270 with reference to the time that the second magnetic sensor 450 initially detects magnetism.
  • first and second turnarounds TD1, TD2 are measured from the time when the first pressing element 270 moves to the reference positionby rotating the first pressing element 270 in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction (S16).
  • the rotation turnaround time period of the driven gear 410 is reduced.
  • the control unit 510 determines the first and second turnarounds TD 1 and TD2 of the first pressing element 270 by using the second magnetic sensor 450, and therefore it determines that the first and second turnarounds TD 1 and TD2 reach the specific reference time (S 17).
  • the specific reference time is set in the control unit 510 itself by a designer, this is a ground which determines dust in the dust collector 200 is accumulated at a specific amount and more.
  • the reference time is obtained by repeating experiment, and it has different values according to the capacity of the vacuum cleaner.
  • the amount of dust is determined to reach the specific amount, however it is also possible that the amount of dust is determined to reach the specific amount only when both of the time TD1 and the time TD2 reach the reference time.
  • step (S 17) if any one of the time TD 1 and the time TD2 is longer than the reference time, then the process returns to the step (S16) and accomplishes the previous process. However, if the time TD1 or the time TD2 reaches the reference time, the dust empty signal of the dust collector 200 is displayed at the signal display 530 (S 18).
  • the control unit 510 turns off the suction motor 550 to prevent dust from introducing therein (S 19).
  • the suction motor 550 is forcibly stopped, since the suction efficiency is reduced and the suction motor 550 is overloaded when the suction operation is continously practiced while the amount of dust accumulated in the dust collector 200 exceeds the specific amount.
  • control unit 510 turns off the compression motor 570 (S20).
  • the unnecessary operation of the suction motor and the compression motor is prevented by informing the uninstallation signal of the dust collector 200, and the convenience of the users is increased because the dust empty time is known to the users.
  • Figure 17 shows a lower perspective view of a driven gear according to a second embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 18 shows a perspective view of a dust collector mounting element according to the second embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 19 shows a position relationship between the driven gear and the installation sensor according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, except for difference in the structure of detecting the installation of the dust collector. Therefore, detailed description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted, and the characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described.
  • the installation of the dust collector according to the present embodiment is detected by a microswitch 640 provided in the dust collector mounting element 170, and the rotation position of a driven gear 610 is detected by a magnetic sensor 630 provided in the dust collector mounting element 170.
  • the microswitch 640 is a dust collector sensor for detecting the installation of the dust collector
  • the magnetic sensor 630 is a position sensor for detecting the position of the driven gear 610.
  • the driven gear 610 is composed of a body 612, and a plurality of gear teeth 314 formed along the side surface of the body 612. And, a pressing element 616 is formed in the bottom of the body 612. The pressing element 616 is formed along the bottom edge of the body 612 and is downwardly protruded from the body 612. And, a magnetic element 620 is provided in the body 612.
  • the microswitch 640 is provided in the cleaner body 100. And, a terminal 650 connected with the microswitch 640 is exposed to the outside of the dust collector mounting element 170. And, the pressing element 616 presses the terminal 650 when the dust collector is mounted on the dust collector mounting element 170. And, if the terminal 650 is pressed, the terminal 650 pushes a contact 642 of the microswitch. As described in the above, if the contact is pressed by the terminal 650, te installation of the dust collector is detected.
  • the magnetic sensor 620 for detacting magnetism of the magnetic element 620 is provided in the dust collector mounting element 170.
  • the terminal 650 and the magnetic sensor 620 are disposed vertically below the trajectory of the pressing element when the driven gear 410 is rotated.
  • the magnetic detection of the magnetic sensor 620 is the same as that of the second magnetic sensor according to the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description will be omitted.
  • the installation of the dust collector is detected by the magnetic sensor or the microswitch, however it is alsopossible to detect the installation of the dust collector by using an infrared sensor or a sonar sensor of the dust collector mounting element.
  • the dust-collecting capacity of the dust collector can be maximized, since dust stored in the dust collector is pressed by the pressing element. Accordingly, the industrial applicability of the present invention is very high.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filters For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
EP07834064.3A 2007-02-15 2007-11-15 Vacuum cleaner Not-in-force EP2120667B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020070015806A KR100800189B1 (ko) 2007-02-15 2007-02-15 진공 청소기
KR1020070073222A KR100947361B1 (ko) 2007-07-23 2007-07-23 진공 청소기
PCT/KR2007/005758 WO2008100005A1 (en) 2007-02-15 2007-11-15 Vacuum cleaner

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2120667A1 EP2120667A1 (en) 2009-11-25
EP2120667A4 EP2120667A4 (en) 2010-03-17
EP2120667B1 true EP2120667B1 (en) 2013-06-26

Family

ID=39690213

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07834064.3A Not-in-force EP2120667B1 (en) 2007-02-15 2007-11-15 Vacuum cleaner

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2120667B1 (ru)
AU (1) AU2007346911B2 (ru)
RU (1) RU2413451C1 (ru)
WO (1) WO2008100005A1 (ru)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7836546B2 (en) * 2007-10-23 2010-11-23 Samsung Gwangiu Electronics Co., Ltd. Dust collecting unit for vacuum cleaner
KR100941429B1 (ko) * 2008-02-19 2010-02-11 엘지전자 주식회사 진공 청소기
KR100996531B1 (ko) * 2008-07-02 2010-11-24 엘지전자 주식회사 진공 청소기
WO2011055864A1 (ko) * 2009-11-04 2011-05-12 엘지전자 주식회사 진공청소기
WO2011087173A1 (ko) * 2010-01-18 2011-07-21 엘지전자 주식회사 진공 청소기
CN102210574B (zh) * 2010-04-12 2015-08-05 乐金电子(天津)电器有限公司 集尘桶压缩装置
KR101411685B1 (ko) * 2013-04-18 2014-07-02 엘지전자 주식회사 진공 청소기

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3825773A1 (de) * 1988-07-29 1990-02-01 Duepro Ag Saugreinigungsgeraet
JP2003038397A (ja) * 2001-07-26 2003-02-12 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 電気掃除機
JP3788589B2 (ja) * 2001-09-20 2006-06-21 シャープ株式会社 電気掃除機
JP3899458B2 (ja) * 2002-01-07 2007-03-28 三菱電機株式会社 電気掃除機
JP4202903B2 (ja) * 2003-12-25 2008-12-24 株式会社東芝 電気掃除機の集塵装置および電気掃除機
KR100606794B1 (ko) * 2004-10-08 2006-08-01 엘지전자 주식회사 싸이클론 집진장치
KR100871484B1 (ko) * 2004-12-14 2008-12-05 엘지전자 주식회사 진공청소기용 집진유니트

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2007346911B2 (en) 2010-06-17
RU2413451C1 (ru) 2011-03-10
EP2120667A1 (en) 2009-11-25
EP2120667A4 (en) 2010-03-17
WO2008100005A1 (en) 2008-08-21
AU2007346911A1 (en) 2008-08-21

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