EP2173227B1 - Vacuum cleaner with a dust compression device - Google Patents
Vacuum cleaner with a dust compression device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2173227B1 EP2173227B1 EP08704899.7A EP08704899A EP2173227B1 EP 2173227 B1 EP2173227 B1 EP 2173227B1 EP 08704899 A EP08704899 A EP 08704899A EP 2173227 B1 EP2173227 B1 EP 2173227B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- dust
- compression member
- unit
- vacuum cleaner
- motor
- 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
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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
- A47L9/19—Means for monitoring filtering operation
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner with a dust compression device.
- a vacuum cleaner is an electrically powered cleaning device that suctions air containing dust in a main body using suction generated by a suction motor and filters off the dust in a main body.
- the vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle for suctioning air containing the dust, a main body connected to the suction nozzle, an extension pipe directing the air suctioned by the suction nozzle toward the main body, and a connection pipe directing the air passing through the extension pipe to the main body.
- a dust collection unit for separating and storing the dust is detachably mounted in the main body.
- the dust collection unit functions to separate the dust contained in the air suctioned by the suction nozzle and store the separated dust.
- the separated dust is stored in the duct collection unit under a relatively low density state.
- a volume of the dust stored in the dust collection unit is too big as compared with a weight of the dust. Therefore, the dust collection unit must be frequently empted in order to maintain a proper dust collection performance. This is troublesome for the user.
- EP1859719 is an example of a vacuum cleaner that includes a dust collector (200), a fixed member (320), a rotating member (310), a compressing motor (430), a counter, a signaler (830), and a controller (600).
- the compressing motor (430) drives the rotating member (310) which compresses the dust through interaction with the fixed member (320).
- the counter measures a moving time of the rotating member
- the signaler (830) issues a dust empty signal
- the controller (600) operates the signaler when a measured moving time is less than a reference time.
- the technical problem is to provide a vacuum cleaner that is designed to increase a dust collection volume by compressing dust stored in a dust collection unit.
- the vacuum cleaner should be designed to effectively operate a compression motor in accordance with an amount of dust stored in a dust collection unit and allow a user to easily identify malfunction of a compressing member for compressing dust.
- the vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner main body in which a suction motor for generating suction is disposed; a dust collection unit detachably mounted on the cleaner main body and defining a dust storing portion; a compression member for compressing dust stored in the dust storing portion; a compression motor for driving the compression member; a mode selection unit for selecting an operational mode of the compression motor; and a control unit for controlling operation of the compression motor in accordance with the selected mode, and for determining if the compression member malfunctions; and a signal display unit for displaying a malfunction signal of the compression member.
- the scattering of the dust can be prevented when the dust collection unit is empted.
- the amount of dust collected in the dust collection unit is visible to the outside, a user can easily check the amount of dust.
- the unit empty signal is displayed and thus the user can easily identify the empty timing.
- the compression motor begins operating after a predetermined time elapses, so that needless operation of the compression motor can be reduced during the initial operation of the suction motor.
- the compression motor can be effectively operated in accordance with an amount of the dust stored in the dust collection unit.
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner.
- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of Fig. 1 , when a dust collection unit is separated.
- Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a dust collection unit.
- Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line I-I'of Fig. 3 .
- Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the dust collection unit of Fig. 3 .
- Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a driven gear.
- Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a dust collection unit mounting portion.
- Fig. 8 is a view of a coupling relationship between a driven gear and a micro switch.
- Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a handle.
- Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion A of Fig. 9 .
- Fig. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a control structure of a vacuum cleaner.
- Fig. 12 is phase wave forms of a current and power of a compression motor in accordance with a dust compression time.
- Figs. 13 and 14 are views illustrating an on-state of a micro switch when a first compression member for compressing dust approaches a first side of a second compression member.
- Figs. 15 and 16 are views illustrating an off-state of a micro switch when first and second compression members are inline.
- Figs. 17 and 18 are views illustrating an on-state of a micro switch when a first compressing ember for compressing dust approaches a second side of a second compression member.
- Fig. 19 is a view generally illustrating rotational operation of the first compression member depicted in Figs. 13 through 18 .
- Fig. 20 is a graph illustrating an on/off state of a micro switch in accordance with rotational motion of the first compression member.
- Fig. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a vacuum cleaner useful for understanding the invention.
- Fig. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a control structure of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment.
- Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a driven gear according to a third embodiment representing background art that is useful for understanding the invention.
- Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a dust collection unit mounting portion according to a third embodiment representing background art that is useful for understanding the invention.
- Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment representing background art that is useful for understanding the invention.
- Fig. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a control structure of a vacuum cleaner according to a fifth embodiment representing background art that is useful for understanding the invention.
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment
- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of Fig. 1 , when a dust collection unit is separated
- Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a dust collection unit according to a first embodiment.
- a vacuum cleaner 10 of this embodiment includes a main body 100 in which a suction motor (not shown) for generating suction force is provided and a dust separating unit for separating dust from the air.
- the vacuum cleaner 10 further includes a suction nozzle 20 for suctioning air containing the dust, a handle 40 for manipulating operation of the vacuum cleaner 10, an extension pipe 30 connecting the suction nozzle 20 to the handle 40, and a connection hose connecting the suction nozzle 20 to the main body 100.
- a main body inlet 110 through which air containing the dust suctioned through the suction nozzle 20 is introduced is formed on a front-lower end of the main body 100.
- An outlet (not shown) through which the air from which the dust is separated is discharged to an external side is formed on a side of the main body 100.
- a main body handle unit 140 is formed on a top of the main body 100.
- the dust separation unit includes a dust collection unit 200 having a first cyclone unit (which will be described later) for primarily separating the dust from the air and a second cyclone unit 300 and a second cyclone unit 300 for further separating the dust from the air from which the dust is primarily separated by the first cyclone unit.
- the second cyclone unit 300 is provided in the main body 100.
- the dust collection unit 200 is detachably mounted on a dust collection unit mounting portion 170 formed on a front portion of the main body 100.
- a mounting/ dismounting lever 142 is provided on the handle unit 140 of the main body 100 and the dust collection unit 200 is provided with a hook step 256 that is selectively engaged with the mounting/dismounting lever 142.
- the dust collection unit 200 includes a first cyclone unit generating cyclone flow and a dust collection body 210 in which the dust separated by the first cyclone unit is stored.
- the dust collection unit 200 As the dust collection unit 200 is mounted on the main body 100, the dust collection unit 200 communicates with the main body 100 and the second cyclone unit 300.
- the main body is provided with an air outlet 130 through which the air suctioned into the main body 100 is discharged and the dust collection unit 200 is provided with a first air inlet 218 through which the air discharged through the air outlet 130 is introduced.
- the dust collection unit 200 is further provided with a first air outlet 252 through which the air from which the dust is separated in the first cyclone unit.
- the main body 100 is provided with a connection passage 114 along which the air discharged through the first air outlet 252 is introduced. The air introduced along the connection passage 114 is directed to the second cyclone unit 300.
- the dust separated in the second cyclone unit 300 are stored in the dust collection unit 200. Therefore, the dust collection body 210 is provided with a dust inlet 254 through which the dust separated in the second cyclone unit 300 are introduced and a dust storing unit in which the dust separated in the second cyclone unit 300 are stored.
- the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment includes a compression structure for compressing the dust to maximize an amount of the dust stored in the dust collection unit 200.
- the following will describe the vacuum cleaner having the dust collection unit maximizing a dust collection amount.
- Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line I-I of Fig. 3
- Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the dust collection unit of Fig. 3
- Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a driven gear according to a first embodiment.
- Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a dust collection unit mounting portion according to a first embodiment and Fig. 8 is a view of a coupling relationship between a driven gear and a micro switch.
- the dust collection unit 200 of this embodiment includes a dust collection body 210 defining an outer appearance, a first cyclone unit 230 that is selectively received in the dust collection body 210 to separate the dust from the air, and a cover member 250 for selectively opening and closing the top of the dust collection body 210.
- the dust collection body 210 is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape and defines a dust storing portion therein.
- the dust storing portion includes a first dust storing section 214 in which the dust separated in the first cyclone unit 230 are stored and a second dust storing section 216 in which the dust separated in the second cyclone unit 300 are stored.
- the dust collection body 210 includes a first wall 211 defining the first dust storing section 214 and a second wall 212 defining the second dust storing section 216 by associating with the first wall 211. That is, the second wall 212 is designed to enclose a portion of the outer side of the first wall 211.
- the dust collection body 210 has an opened top and the cover member 25 is detachably coupled to the top of the dust collection body 210.
- the first cyclone unit 230 is coupled to a lower portion of the cover member 250.
- the first cyclone unit 230 is provided with a dust guide passage 232 along which the dust separated from the air can be effectively discharged to the first dust storing unit 214.
- the dust guide passage 232 guides the dust in a tangential direction and directs the dust downward.
- An inlet 233 of the dust guide passage 232 is formed on a side surface of the cyclone unit 230 and an outlet 234 is formed on a bottom of the first cyclone unit 230.
- the cover member 250 simultaneously opens and closes the first and second dust storing sections 214 and 216.
- the air in the first cyclone unit 230 is discharged through the air outlet 251 via the filter member 260.
- a passage 253 for directing the air of the first cyclone unit 230 toward the first air outlet 252 is formed in the cover member 250. That is, the passage 253 functions to connect the air outlet 251 to the first air outlet 252.
- a pair of compression members 270 and 280 that increase a dust collection amount by reducing a volume of the dust stored in the first dust storing unit 214 are provided in the dust collection body 210.
- the compression members 270 and 280 compress the dust stored in the first dust storing section by cooperating with each other, thereby maximizing the dust collection amount of the dust collection unit 200.
- compression members 270 and 280 will be respectively referred to as first and second compression members.
- At least one of the compression members 270 and 280 is movably disposed in the dust collection body 210 so that the dust can be compressed between the compression members 270 and 280.
- first and second compression members 270 and 280 When the first and second compression members 270 and 280 are rotatably provided in the dust collection body 210, the first and second compression members 270 and 280 rotate to move toward each other to compress the dust between the first and second compression members 270 and 280.
- the first compression member 270 is rotatably provided in the dust collection body 210 while the second compression member 280 is fixed in the dust collection body 210. Therefore, the first compression member 270 is a rotational member while the second compression member 280 is a stationary member.
- the second compression member 280 is provided between an inner circumference of the dust collection body 210 and a rotational shaft 272 defining a rotational center of the first compression member 270. That is, the second compression member 280 is provided on a plan connecting an axis of the rotational shaft 272 to the inner circumference of the first dust storing section 214. At this point, the second compression member 280 completely or partly blocks a space defined between the inner circumference of the first dust collection section 214 and the axis of the rotational shaft 272 so that the dust can be compressed by the first compression member 270 rotating.
- a first end of the second compression member 280 is integrally formed with the inner circumference of the dust collection body 210 and a second end of the second compression member 280 is integrally formed with a fixed shaft 282 that is provided on a common axis with the rotational shaft 272 of the first compression member 270.
- first and second ends of the second compression member 280 may be integrally formed with the inner circumference of the dust collection body 210 or the fixed shaft 282.
- the first end of the second compression member 280 is not integrally formed with the inner circumference of the dust collection body 210, it is preferable that the first end of the second compression member 270 is disposed adjacent to the inner circumference of the dust collection body 210.
- the second end of the second compression member 280 is not integrally formed with the fixed shaft 282, it is preferable that the second end of the second compression member 270 is disposed adjacent to the fixed shaft 282.
- the leakage of the dust through a clearance formed on a side of the second compression member 280 can be minimized when the dust is rushed by the first compression member 270.
- the first and second compression members 270 and 280 have respective rectangular plates.
- the rotational shaft 272 of the first compression member 270 is provided on a common axis with a vertical axis defining a center of the dust collection body 210.
- the fixing shaft 282 protrudes from a first end of the dust collection body 210 toward an inside.
- a hollow portion 283 formed in an axial direction is formed inside the fixing shaft 282 to fix the rotational shaft 272. That is, the rotational shaft 272 is partly inserted from a top of the fixing shaft 282 into the hollow portion 283.
- the rotational shaft 272 is provided with a stepped portion 272c supported by a top of the fixing shaft 282.
- the rotational shaft 272 is divided into upper and lower shafts 272a and 272b with reference to the stepped portion 272c.
- the compression member 270 is coupled to the upper shaft 272a.
- a driven gear rotating the first compression member 270 is coupled to the lower shaft 272b.
- the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment further includes a driving device for driving the first compression member 270.
- the driving device for rotating the first compression member 270 includes a driving unit (not shown) for generating driving force and a power transmission unit for transmitting the driving force of the driving unit to the first compression member 270.
- the power transmission unit includes a driven gear 410 coupled to the rotational shaft 272 of the first compression member 270 and a driving gear 420 transmitting the power to the driven gear 410.
- the driving unit may be a compression motor coupled to the driving gear.
- a gear shaft 414 of the driven gear 41 is coupled to the rotational shaft 272 of the first compression member 270 at a lower side of the dust collection body 210. As the driven gear 41 is coupled to the lower side of the dust collection body 210, the driven gear 410 is exposed out of the dust collection body 210.
- the compression motor is provided under the dust collection unit mounting portion 170 and the driving gear 420 is provided on a bottom surface of the dust collection unit mounting portion 170 and coupled to the rotational shaft of the compression motor.
- a portion of the outer circumference of the driving gear 420 is exposed to the external side at the bottom of the dust collection unit mounting portion 170.
- the dust collection unit mounting portion 170 is provided at a bottom with an opening 173 for exposing the portion of the outer circumference of the driving gear 420 to the dust collection unit mounting portion 170.
- the driven gear 410 As the driven gear 410 is exposed to the dust collection mounting portion 170, the driven gear 410 is engaged with the driving gear 420 when the dust collection unit 200 is mounted on the dust collection unit mounting portion 170.
- the driving gear 420 coupled to the compression motor rotates to transmit torque of the compression motor to the driven gear 410.
- the torque transmitted to the driven gear 410 rotates the first compression member 270.
- a guide rib 290 for guiding the mounting of the dust collection unit 200 is formed on a lower side of the dust collection body 210.
- the dust collection unit mounting portion 170 is provided with an insertion groove 172 in which the guide rib 290 is inserted.
- the guide rib 290 is provided in a C-shape at an outer side of the driven gear 410 to enclose a portion of the driven gear 410. Therefore, the guide rib 290 functions to protect the driven gear 4100 and prevent the dust from moving toward the driven gear 410.
- a micro switch 430 for detecting a rotational position of the driven gear 410 is provided under the dust collection unit mounting portion 170.
- a terminal unit 44 for turning on/off the micro switch 430 by contacting the driven gear 410 is exposed to the dust collection unit mounting portion 170.
- a through hole 177 for exposing a part of the terminal unit 440 is exposed to the external side is formed in the dust collection unit mounting portion 170.
- Inner and outer ribs 178 and 179 for protecting the exposed terminal unit 440 are formed on an edge of the through hole 177.
- the micro switch 430 is disposed under the driven gear 410 such that the terminal unit 440 turning on/off the micro switch can contact a lower portion of the driven gear 410.
- the driven gear 410 includes a body unit 412, a contact rib 413 extending downward from the lower edge of the body unit 412 and contacting the terminal unit 440, a plurality of gear teeth formed along a side surface of the body unit 412.
- the contact rib 413 is provided with an identification groove 415 for identifying the position of the driven gear 410 by disallowing the driven gear 410 in a predetermined position to contact the terminal unit 440.
- the non-contacting of the terminal unit 440 with the contact rib 413 means that a portion of the terminal unit 440 is inserted and thus does not contact the under surface of the contact rib 413.
- the terminal unit 440 exposed through the through hole 177 contacts the under surface of the contact rib 413 to press a contact point 432 of the micro switch 430.
- the driven gear 410 rotates to a predetermined position, the terminal unit 440 is partly inserted in the identification groove 415 and thus the terminal unit 440 is detached from the contact point 432.
- the micro switch 430 is turned off only when the terminal unit 440 is located in the identification groove 415.
- the micro switch 430 maintains the on-state when the terminal unit 440 contacts the contact rib 413.
- the micro switch 430 maintains the on-state except when the terminal unit 440 is located in the position identification groove 415.
- the micro switch 430 is turned on only when the terminal unit 440 is located in the location identification groove 415. In other cases, the micro switch 430 is turned off when the terminal unit 440 contacts the contact rib 413.
- the gear tooth 416 is provided at a lower portion with an interference preventing groove 417 for preventing the dust collection unit 200 from interfering with the outer rib 179 when the dust collection unit 200 is mounted.
- the outer rib 179 is located in the interference preventing groove 417 and the inner rib 178 is located in a space defined by the contact rib 413.
- the micro switch 430 detects the mounting of the dust collection unit 200. That is, when the dust collection unit 200 is mounted on the dust collection unit mounting portion 170, the contact rib 413 presses the terminal unit 440. Then, the terminal unit 440 presses the contact point 432 formed on the micro switch 430 to turn on the micro switch.
- the micro switch 430 since the micro switch 430 is turned on when the dust collection unit is mounted, the mounting of the dust collection unit 200 can be detected by the micro switch 430.
- the reason for detecting the mounting of the dust collection unit 200 is to prevent the suction motor and the compression motor from operating in a state where the dust collection unit 200 is not mounted.
- the mounting of the dust collection unit 200 is detected by the micro switch 430 in this embodiment.
- the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment.
- a pressure sensor may be mounted on the dust collection unit mounting portion 170.
- Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a handle according to a first embodiment and Fig. 10 is an enlarge view of a portion A of Fig. 9 .
- the handle 400 of this embodiment includes a handle body 41 and a grasping portion 42 grasped by the user and provided above the handle body 41.
- a manipulation unit 44 is provided on the grasping portion 42 to manipulate the operation of the vacuum cleaner 10.
- the operation of the suction motor and the on/off of the compression motor can be controlled by the manipulation unit 44.
- a mode selection unit 45 for selecting the operational mode of the compression motor is provided at a side of the manipulation unit 44. The operational mode will be described in more detail later.
- a dust amount display unit 46 is formed at a side of the manipulation unit 44 to display an amount of the dust stored in the dust collection unit 200.
- the dust amount display unit 45 has a plurality of dust amount display sections 45a that are sequentially arranged. LEDs (not shown) are provided in the respective dust amount display sections 45a. As the amount of the dust increases, the number of the LEDs that are turned on increases and thus the number of the dust amount display sections 45a that are turned on increases.
- the reference characters E and F indicate "empty" and "full", respectively.
- the dust amount display sections are sequentially increased from E to F and the user can identify the amount of the dust stored in the dust collection unit 200 by identifying the number of the dust amount display sections 45a that are turned on.
- Fig. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a control structure of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment and Fig. 12 is phase wave forms of a current and power of a compression motor in accordance with a dust compression time, wherein Fig. 12A is a current phase waveform of the compression motor and Fig. 12B is a power phase waveform
- the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment includes a control unit 520, a signal input unit 520 for inputting an operational condition of the vacuum cleaner, a suction motor driver 540 for operating a suction motor 550 in accordance with an operational mode input from the signal input unit 520, a compression motor driver 560 for operating the compression motor 570 compressing the dust, a driving gear driven by the compression motor 570, a driven gear 410 engaged with the driving gear 420, a micro switch 430 that is turned on and off in accordance with the rotation of the driven gear 410, and a counter unit 580 for measuring an on/off time of the micro switch 430.
- the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment further includes a current detecting unit 580 for detecting a current value of the compression motor 570, a display unit 595 for displaying malfunction of the compression member 270, and a dust amount display unit 46 for displaying a dust amount of the dust collection unit.
- the compression motor 570 is provided under the dust collection unit mounting portion 170 to rotate the driving gear 420.
- the compression motor may be a reversible motor. That is, the compression motor may be a motor that can rotate in opposite directions.
- the first compression member 270 can rotate in forward and rearward directions and thus the dust is accumulated at both sides of the second compression member 280.
- the compression motor may be a synchronous motor that can rotate in opposite directions.
- the synchronous motor is designed to rotate in the opposite directions by the motor itself.
- the motor is designed to rotate in a second direction.
- the load applied to the motor is torque.
- the dust between the first and second compression members 270 and 280 are compression as the first compression member 310 rotates to a side of the second compression member 280.
- the rotation of the first compression member 270 continues until the load applied to the motor reaches the predetermined value.
- the current value of the compression motor 570 steeply increases and this current variation is detected by the current detecting unit 580.
- the current value detected by the current detecting unit 580 is transmitted to the control unit 510 and the control unit 510 transmits a signal for interrupting the electric power to the compression motor driver 560. Then, the compression motor 570 stops operating and thus the first compression member 270 stops in a dust compression state. The first compression member 270 keeps compressing the dust for a reference cut-off time t at the stopped position.
- the control unit 510 transmits a power applying signal of the compression motor 570 to the compression motor driver 560 and thus the compression motor 570 and the first compression member 270 rotate.
- the first compression member 270 Since the first compression member 270 stops rotating in a state where the load reaches the predetermined value, the first compression member 270 rotates in the second direction.
- the first compression member 270 keeps compressing the dust for the reference cut-off time t at a position where the first compression member 270 stops.
- the compression motor 570 is driven again and thus the first compression member 270 rotates in an opposite direction.
- the dust is continuously compressed at both sides of the second compression member 270.
- the reference cut-off time is relatively long, the dust is continuously compressed at one side of the second compression member and the power consumption of the compression motor can be reduced by the intermittent operation of the compression motor.
- the reference cut-off time may be increased.
- the operational mode of the compression motor 570 may include a first mode having a short reference cut-off time and a second mode having a long reference cut-off time.
- the operation mode of the compression motor may be selected by the mode selection unit 45 (see Fig. 9 ).
- the first mode may be referred to as "Continuous Mode".
- Figs. 13 and 14 are views illustrating an on-state of a micro switch when a first compression member for compressing dust approaches a first side of a second compression member
- Figs. 15 and 16 are views illustrating an off-state of a micro switch when first and second compression members are inline
- Figs. 17 and 18 are views illustrating an on-state of a micro switch when a first compressing ember for compressing dust approaches a second side of a second compression member.
- the terminal unit 440 when the first compression member 270 rotates by 180-degree with reference to the second compression member 280 and thus is disposed inline, the terminal unit 440 is located in the position identification groove 415 of the driven gear 410. In this case, the terminal unit 440 is spaced apart from the contact point 432 and thus the micro switch 430 is turned off.
- the terminal unit 440 While the first compression member 270 compresses the dust stored in the dust collection body 210 as it rotates counterclockwise from the reference position, the terminal unit 440 contacts the contact rib 413 of the driven gear 410. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 14 , the terminal unit 440 presses the contact portion 432 of the micro switch 430 and thus the micro switch 430 is turned on.
- the first compression member 270 rotates toward the right side of the second compression member 280 as shown in Fig. 17 over the reference position shown in Fig. 15 , thereby compressing the dust stored in the dust collection body 210.
- the compression motor 570 rotates counterclockwise and the above-described process is repeated, thereby compressing the dust stored in the dust collection body 210.
- Fig. 19 is a view for generally describing the rotational operation of the first compression member that is described with reference to Figs. 13 through 18 .
- Fig. 19 shows a first reciprocation time TB 1 taken when the first compression member 270 rotates clockwise from the reference position and is returned to the reference position and a second reciprocation time TB2 taken when the first compression member 270 rotates counterclockwise from the reference position and is returned to the reference position.
- the first reciprocation time TB 1 is almost same as the second reciprocation time TB2.
- the first and second reciprocation times TB 1 and TB2 are shortened.
- the amount of the dust stored in the dust collection body is determined by detecting the first and second reciprocation times TB 1 and TB2.
- Fig. 20 is a graph illustrating an on/off state of the micro switch in accordance with the reciprocation motion of the first compression member.
- Fig. 19 shows a first reference time TC1 taken when the first compression member 270 rotates clockwise from the reference position and is returned to the reference position in a state where no dust is stored in the dust collection unit 200 and a second reference time TC2 taken when the first compression member 270 rotates counterclockwise from the reference position and is returned to the reference position in a state where no dust is stored in the dust collection unit 200.
- the reference times TC1 and TC2 mean that an on-time of the micro switch.
- the actual reciprocation times TB 1 and TB2 of the first compression member 270 may be greater than the reference times TC 1 and TC2.
- the rotational speed of the first compression member 270 may be significantly reduced as compared with its original speed or the first compression member 270 stops rotating.
- the on-time of the micro switch 430 becomes greater than the reference times TC1 and TC2.
- the reason for comparing the actual reciprocation times of the first compression member 270 with the limit times is to accurately determine the malfunction of the compression motor 570 considering the rotational error.
- the malfunction of the first compression member is determined by comparing the actual reciprocation times of the first compression member 270 with the limit times. However, the malfunction may be further determined by comparing a time for which the first compression member 270 is in the reference position with a limit time TB3.
- the micro switch 430 functions as a position detecting unit for detecting the reference position of the first compression member 270 by cooperating with the driven gear 410.
- the micro switch 430 function functions as a malfunction detecting unit for detecting the malfunction of the first compression member 270 during the on/off process of the micro switch.
- Fig. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the vacuum cleaner useful for understanding the invention.
- the user operates the vacuum cleaner by selecting one of high, medium, low modes representing suction power using the signal input unit 520. Then, the control unit 510 operates the suction motor driver 540 to operate the suction motor 550 in accordance with the selected suction mode (S 10).
- the suction motor 550 When the suction motor 550 operates, the dust is suctioned through the suction nozzle by the suction of the suction motor 550.
- the air suctioned through the suction nozzle is directed into the main body 100 through the main body suction unit 110.
- the introduced air is directed into the dust collection unit 200 along a predetermined passage.
- the air introduced into the dust collection unit 200 goes through a dust separation process, after which the air is discharged to the main body 100.
- the separated dust is stored in the first dust storing section 214.
- the control unit 510 determines if the on-time of the suction motor reaches an operation reference time TA1 (S11). At this time, the operation reference time TA1 is measured by the counter unit 580.
- the control unit 510 operates the compression motor to compress the dust stored in the dust collection unit 200 (S 12).
- the compression motor 570 operates with a former mode or a first mode (continuation mode).
- the reason for operating the compression motor 570 after the predetermined time has elapsed after the suction motor 550 operates is to prevent the compression motor 570 from unnecessarily operating during an initial operation of the suction motor 550.
- the compression motor 570 maintains a stopped state until the predetermined amount of the dust is stored in the dust collection unit 200 to prevent the compression motor 570 from unnecessarily operating.
- the compression motor 570 When the compression motor 570 is driven, the driving gear 420 coupled to the rotational shaft of the compression motor 570 rotates and thus the driven gear 410 engaged with the driving gear 420 rotates. When the driven gear 410 rotates, the first compression member 270 coupled to the driven gear 410 rotates toward the second compression member 280 to compress the dust.
- the control unit 510 first determines if the first compression member 270 is in the reference position (S13). In this embodiment, since the first and second reciprocation times are measured with reference to the reference position of the first compression member 270, it is required to determine if the first compression member 270 is in the reference position when the compression is initiated.
- the reference position of the first compression member 270 may be a time point where the micro switch 430 is initially turned off.
- the counter unit 580 measures the first or second reciprocation time TB 1 or TB2 with reference to the time point where the micro switch is initially turned off (S 14).
- the control unit determines a current dust amount using the reciprocation time detected. The determined dust amount is displayed on the dust amount display unit 46.
- control unit 510 determines if the first or second reciprocation time TB1 or TB2 is greater than the limit times TD 1 and TD2 (S 15).
- the first or second reciprocation time TB1 or TB2 is less than the limit times TD1 and TD2
- the preset times TE1 and TE2 are times set in the control unit 510 by a designer to be used as a reference for determining a predetermined amount of the dust accumulated in the dust collection unit 200.
- the preset times TE1 and TE2 are obtained in accordance with repeated tests performed by the designer and varied in accordance with a volume of the vacuum cleaner. In addition, the preset times TE1 and TE2 are less than the reference times TC 1 and TC2 that are the reciprocation time of the first compression member 270 when no dust is accumulated in the dust collection unit 200.
- the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. For example, it is determined that the predetermined amount of the dust is accumulated when both of the reciprocation times TB 1 and TB2 reach the preset times TE 1 and TE2.
- the control unit 510 determines if the number of times that one of the first or second reciprocation time TB 1 or TB2 reaches the preset times TE1 and TE2 continuously reaches the predetermined number N of times (e.g., 3 times) (S 17).
- the abnormal rotation of the first compression member 270 means a case where the first compression member 270 rotates toward the second side of the second compression member 280 in a state where the first compression member 270 cannot rotate toward the first side of the second compression member due to the foreign objects clogging between the first compression member 270 and the dust collection body 210.
- the malfunction of the first compression member 270 includes a case where the rotational speed of the first compression member is reduced due to the foreign objects clogging between the first compression member 270 and the dust collection body 210 and a case where the rotation direction change of the first compression member 270 is abnormally performed.
- step S 17 when it is determined that the number of times is less than the predetermined number of times, the process is returned to the step S15.
- a dust collection unit empty signal is displayed (S 17).
- the empty signal may be displayed on the dust amount displaying unit 45 or by a repeated turn on/off signal of the LEDs provided under the dust amount display sections 45a.
- the empty signal may be transmitted by sound generated by a speaker provided on the vacuum cleaner.
- control unit 510 stops the operation of the suction motor 550 (S20) and the operation of the compression motor 570 (S20).
- the reason for forcedly stopping the operation of the suction motor 550 is to prevent the dust suction efficiency from be deteriorated when the amount of the dust stored in the dust collection unit 200 is greater than a predetermined amount and to prevent the suction motor 550 from being overloaded.
- step S15 when it is determined that at least one of the first and second reciprocation times TB 1 and TB2 of the first compression member 270 is greater than the limit times TD1 and TD2, the control unit 510 determines that the compression member 270 malfunctions.
- the control unit 510 transmits a malfunction signal of the first compression member 270 to the display unit 530 so that the malfunction display unit 595 displays the malfunction signal of the first compression member 270 (S 19). Next, the control unit 510 stops the operation of the suction motor 550 and the operation of the compression motor 570 (S21).
- the amount of the dust stored in the dust collection unit 200 and the unit empty timing are displayed and thus the user convenience can be improved.
- the overload of the compression motor can and the compression motor stops operating, the overload of the compression motor can be prevented and thus the reliability of the product can be improved.
- Fig. 22 is a block diagram of a control structure of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment.
- This embodiment is substantially same as the first embodiment except for a dust amount determining method useful for understanding the invention. Therefore, the following will describe only the features of this embodiment.
- the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment further includes a rotation detecting unit 597 for detecting the number of rotation of the compression motor 570.
- the rotation detecting unit 597 detects the number of first reciprocations each taken when the first compression member 270 rotates clockwise from the reference position and is returned to the reference position and the number of second reciprocations each taken when the first compression member 270 rotates counter-clockwise from the reference position and is returned to the reference position. That is, in this embodiment, the rotation range of the first compression member 270 is determined by measuring the number of rotation of the compression motor 570.
- the control unit 510 determines the amount of the dust with reference to the number of the first reciprocation rotation and the number of the second reciprocation rotation to display the current dust amount on the dust amount display unit 46. In addition, when the number of the first or second reciprocating rotation reaches a reference reciprocating rotation number, the control unit 510 displays the empty signal.
- Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a driven gear according to a third embodiment and Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a dust collection unit mounting portion according to a third embodiment.
- This embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except for the reference position identifying means. Therefore, the following will describe only the feature of this embodiment.
- a magnetic member 615 is provided on a lower edge of a driven gear 610.
- a magnetism detecting unit 640 for detecting magnetism generated by the magnetic member 615 is provided inside the dust collection unit mounting portion 170.
- a hall sensor may be used as the magnetism detecting unit 640.
- the magnetism detecting unit 640 In order for the magnetism detecting unit 640 to effectively detect the magnetism generated from the magnetic member 615, it is preferable that the magnetism detecting unit 640 is disposed right under the trace drawn by the magnetic member 615 when the dust collection unit 200 is mounted on the dust collection unit mounting portion 170 and the driven gear 610 rotates.
- the magnetism detecting unit 640 detects the magnetism of the magnetic member 415 and thus the reference position of the driven gear 410 can be identified.
- an infrared sensor may be used.
- the infrared sensor may be provided on the terminal unit described in the first embodiment and exposed to the dust collection unit mounting portion.
- a photo sensor may be also used.
- the brightness of the identification groove 415 of the driven gear 410 is different from that of the contact rib 413 so that the position identification groove 415 of the driven gear 410 can be detected by the photo sensor and thus the reference position of the first compressing member 270 can be determined.
- Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment.
- This embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment except for the type of the vacuum cleaner. Therefore, the following will describe only the features of this embodiment.
- the upright type vacuum cleaner 700 includes a suction nozzle 720 suctioning the air containing the dust while moving along a floor and a main body 710 rotatably coupled to the suction nozzle 720 and provided with a suction unit therein, and a dust collection unit 730 selectively mounted on the main body 710.
- a handle 712 is formed on a top of the main body 710.
- a manipulation button 714, a mode selection unit 615 for selecting an operation mode of the compression motor, a dust amount display unit 716 for displaying an amount of the dust stored in the dust collection unit 730 are formed on the handle 712.
- the user can easily control the operation of the suction unit and the compression motor when he/she graphs the handle 712 and performs the cleaning work by moving the main body 710 and the suction nozzle 720.
- Fig. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a control structure of a vacuum cleaner according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- This embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment except that the empty signal is separately displayed from the dust amount. Therefore, the following will describe only feature of this embodiment.
- the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment includes a dust amount display unit 830 for displaying an amount of the dust stored in the dust collection unit, an empty signal display unit 830 for displaying a dust dumping signal, and a control unit 810 for controlling the operation of the dust amount display unit 830 and the empty signal display unit 820.
- the display region of the dust amount display unit 830 that displays the amount of dust may be expanded, or the color of an illuminated LED may be altered.
- the empty signal display unit 820 may provide a visual signal or an audio signal.
- the empty signal display unit 820 may be comprised of a buzzer circuit or a speaker.
- the malfunction display of the first compression member is separately displayed on a malfunction display unit or on the empty signal display unit 820. Needless to say, when the malfunction signal of the first compression signal is displayed on the empty signal display unit 820, the malfunction signal may be differently set from the empty signal.
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Abstract
Description
- The present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner with a dust compression device.
- Generally, a vacuum cleaner is an electrically powered cleaning device that suctions air containing dust in a main body using suction generated by a suction motor and filters off the dust in a main body.
- The vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle for suctioning air containing the dust, a main body connected to the suction nozzle, an extension pipe directing the air suctioned by the suction nozzle toward the main body, and a connection pipe directing the air passing through the extension pipe to the main body.
- A dust collection unit for separating and storing the dust is detachably mounted in the main body. The dust collection unit functions to separate the dust contained in the air suctioned by the suction nozzle and store the separated dust.
- When the vacuum cleaner stops operating during the dust separation process in the dust collection unit, the separated dust is stored in the duct collection unit under a relatively low density state.
- According to the related art dust collection unit, a volume of the dust stored in the dust collection unit is too big as compared with a weight of the dust. Therefore, the dust collection unit must be frequently empted in order to maintain a proper dust collection performance. This is troublesome for the user.
-
EP1859719 is an example of a vacuum cleaner that includes a dust collector (200), a fixed member (320), a rotating member (310), a compressing motor (430), a counter, a signaler (830), and a controller (600). The compressing motor (430) drives the rotating member (310) which compresses the dust through interaction with the fixed member (320). The counter measures a moving time of the rotating member, the signaler (830) issues a dust empty signal, and the controller (600) operates the signaler when a measured moving time is less than a reference time. - Therefore, in order to improve the use convenience of the vacuum cleaner, a vacuum cleaner that can maximize the dust collection volume and improve the dust collection performance has been recently developed.
- The technical problem is to provide a vacuum cleaner that is designed to increase a dust collection volume by compressing dust stored in a dust collection unit.
- The vacuum cleaner should be designed to effectively operate a compression motor in accordance with an amount of dust stored in a dust collection unit and allow a user to easily identify malfunction of a compressing member for compressing dust.
- The vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner main body in which a suction motor for generating suction is disposed; a dust collection unit detachably mounted on the cleaner main body and defining a dust storing portion; a compression member for compressing dust stored in the dust storing portion; a compression motor for driving the compression member; a mode selection unit for selecting an operational mode of the compression motor; and a control unit for controlling operation of the compression motor in accordance with the selected mode, and for determining if the compression member malfunctions; and a signal display unit for displaying a malfunction signal of the compression member.
- Since the dust stored in the dust collection unit are compressed by the compressing member, an amount of the dust that can be stored in the dust collection unit can be maximized.
- In addition, as the dust collection amount of the dust collection unit is maximized, there is no need to frequently empty the dust collection unit.
- Further, since the dust maintain a compressed state in the dust collection unit, the scattering of the dust can be prevented when the dust collection unit is empted.
- Also, because the amount of dust collected in the dust collection unit is visible to the outside, a user can easily check the amount of dust.
- In addition, when a predetermined amount of the dust is collected in the dust collection unit, the unit empty signal is displayed and thus the user can easily identify the empty timing.
- Additionally, when the suction motor operates, the compression motor begins operating after a predetermined time elapses, so that needless operation of the compression motor can be reduced during the initial operation of the suction motor.
- In addition, since the operational mode of the compression motor can be selected, the compression motor can be effectively operated in accordance with an amount of the dust stored in the dust collection unit.
- Further, since the malfunction signal of the first compression member is displayed and the compression motor stops operating, overload of the compression motor can be prevented and thus the reliability of the product can be improved.
-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner. -
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner ofFig. 1 , when a dust collection unit is separated. -
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a dust collection unit. -
Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line I-I'ofFig. 3 . -
Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the dust collection unit ofFig. 3 . -
Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a driven gear. -
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a dust collection unit mounting portion. -
Fig. 8 is a view of a coupling relationship between a driven gear and a micro switch. -
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a handle. -
Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion A ofFig. 9 . -
Fig. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a control structure of a vacuum cleaner. -
Fig. 12 is phase wave forms of a current and power of a compression motor in accordance with a dust compression time. -
Figs. 13 and14 are views illustrating an on-state of a micro switch when a first compression member for compressing dust approaches a first side of a second compression member. -
Figs. 15 and16 are views illustrating an off-state of a micro switch when first and second compression members are inline. -
Figs. 17 and 18 are views illustrating an on-state of a micro switch when a first compressing ember for compressing dust approaches a second side of a second compression member. -
Fig. 19 is a view generally illustrating rotational operation of the first compression member depicted inFigs. 13 through 18 . -
Fig. 20 is a graph illustrating an on/off state of a micro switch in accordance with rotational motion of the first compression member. -
Fig. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a vacuum cleaner useful for understanding the invention. -
Fig. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a control structure of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment. -
Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a driven gear according to a third embodiment representing background art that is useful for understanding the invention. -
Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a dust collection unit mounting portion according to a third embodiment representing background art that is useful for understanding the invention. -
Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment representing background art that is useful for understanding the invention. -
Fig. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a control structure of a vacuum cleaner according to a fifth embodiment representing background art that is useful for understanding the invention. - Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, example of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment,Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner ofFig. 1 , when a dust collection unit is separated, andFig. 3 is a sectional view of a dust collection unit according to a first embodiment. - Referring to
Figs. 1 through 3 , avacuum cleaner 10 of this embodiment includes amain body 100 in which a suction motor (not shown) for generating suction force is provided and a dust separating unit for separating dust from the air. - The
vacuum cleaner 10 further includes asuction nozzle 20 for suctioning air containing the dust, ahandle 40 for manipulating operation of thevacuum cleaner 10, anextension pipe 30 connecting thesuction nozzle 20 to thehandle 40, and a connection hose connecting thesuction nozzle 20 to themain body 100. - Since structures of the
suction nozzle 20,extension pipe 30, andconnection hose 50 are well know in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted herein. - A
main body inlet 110 through which air containing the dust suctioned through thesuction nozzle 20 is introduced is formed on a front-lower end of themain body 100. An outlet (not shown) through which the air from which the dust is separated is discharged to an external side is formed on a side of themain body 100. A mainbody handle unit 140 is formed on a top of themain body 100. - The dust separation unit includes a
dust collection unit 200 having a first cyclone unit (which will be described later) for primarily separating the dust from the air and asecond cyclone unit 300 and asecond cyclone unit 300 for further separating the dust from the air from which the dust is primarily separated by the first cyclone unit. Thesecond cyclone unit 300 is provided in themain body 100. - The
dust collection unit 200 is detachably mounted on a dust collectionunit mounting portion 170 formed on a front portion of themain body 100. A mounting/ dismountinglever 142 is provided on thehandle unit 140 of themain body 100 and thedust collection unit 200 is provided with ahook step 256 that is selectively engaged with the mounting/dismounting lever 142. - The
dust collection unit 200 includes a first cyclone unit generating cyclone flow and adust collection body 210 in which the dust separated by the first cyclone unit is stored. - As the
dust collection unit 200 is mounted on themain body 100, thedust collection unit 200 communicates with themain body 100 and thesecond cyclone unit 300. - The main body is provided with an
air outlet 130 through which the air suctioned into themain body 100 is discharged and thedust collection unit 200 is provided with afirst air inlet 218 through which the air discharged through theair outlet 130 is introduced. - The
dust collection unit 200 is further provided with afirst air outlet 252 through which the air from which the dust is separated in the first cyclone unit. Themain body 100 is provided with aconnection passage 114 along which the air discharged through thefirst air outlet 252 is introduced. The air introduced along theconnection passage 114 is directed to thesecond cyclone unit 300. - The dust separated in the
second cyclone unit 300 are stored in thedust collection unit 200. Therefore, thedust collection body 210 is provided with adust inlet 254 through which the dust separated in thesecond cyclone unit 300 are introduced and a dust storing unit in which the dust separated in thesecond cyclone unit 300 are stored. - The vacuum cleaner of this embodiment includes a compression structure for compressing the dust to maximize an amount of the dust stored in the
dust collection unit 200. - The following will describe the vacuum cleaner having the dust collection unit maximizing a dust collection amount.
-
Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line I-I ofFig. 3 ,Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the dust collection unit ofFig. 3 , andFig. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a driven gear according to a first embodiment. -
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a dust collection unit mounting portion according to a first embodiment andFig. 8 is a view of a coupling relationship between a driven gear and a micro switch. - Referring first to
Fig. 4 , thedust collection unit 200 of this embodiment includes adust collection body 210 defining an outer appearance, afirst cyclone unit 230 that is selectively received in thedust collection body 210 to separate the dust from the air, and acover member 250 for selectively opening and closing the top of thedust collection body 210. - In more detail, the
dust collection body 210 is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape and defines a dust storing portion therein. The dust storing portion includes a firstdust storing section 214 in which the dust separated in thefirst cyclone unit 230 are stored and a seconddust storing section 216 in which the dust separated in thesecond cyclone unit 300 are stored. - The
dust collection body 210 includes a first wall 211 defining the firstdust storing section 214 and a second wall 212 defining the seconddust storing section 216 by associating with the first wall 211. That is, the second wall 212 is designed to enclose a portion of the outer side of the first wall 211. - The
dust collection body 210 has an opened top and the cover member 25 is detachably coupled to the top of thedust collection body 210. Thefirst cyclone unit 230 is coupled to a lower portion of thecover member 250. - The
first cyclone unit 230 is provided with adust guide passage 232 along which the dust separated from the air can be effectively discharged to the firstdust storing unit 214. Thedust guide passage 232 guides the dust in a tangential direction and directs the dust downward. - An
inlet 233 of thedust guide passage 232 is formed on a side surface of thecyclone unit 230 and anoutlet 234 is formed on a bottom of thefirst cyclone unit 230. - The
cover member 250 simultaneously opens and closes the first and seconddust storing sections air outlet 251 through which the air from which the dust is separated in thefirst cyclone unit 230 is discharged is formed on a bottom of thecover member 250. Afilter member 260 provided at an outer circumference with a plurality of throughholes 262 each having a predetermined size is coupled to an under surface of thecover member 250. - Therefore, the air in the
first cyclone unit 230 is discharged through theair outlet 251 via thefilter member 260. - A passage 253 for directing the air of the
first cyclone unit 230 toward thefirst air outlet 252 is formed in thecover member 250. That is, the passage 253 functions to connect theair outlet 251 to thefirst air outlet 252. - A pair of
compression members dust storing unit 214 are provided in thedust collection body 210. - The
compression members dust collection unit 200. - For convenience, the
compression members - In this embodiment, at least one of the
compression members dust collection body 210 so that the dust can be compressed between thecompression members - When the first and
second compression members dust collection body 210, the first andsecond compression members second compression members - However, in this embodiment, the
first compression member 270 is rotatably provided in thedust collection body 210 while thesecond compression member 280 is fixed in thedust collection body 210. Therefore, thefirst compression member 270 is a rotational member while thesecond compression member 280 is a stationary member. - In more detail, the
second compression member 280 is provided between an inner circumference of thedust collection body 210 and arotational shaft 272 defining a rotational center of thefirst compression member 270. That is, thesecond compression member 280 is provided on a plan connecting an axis of therotational shaft 272 to the inner circumference of the firstdust storing section 214. At this point, thesecond compression member 280 completely or partly blocks a space defined between the inner circumference of the firstdust collection section 214 and the axis of therotational shaft 272 so that the dust can be compressed by thefirst compression member 270 rotating. - That is, a first end of the
second compression member 280 is integrally formed with the inner circumference of thedust collection body 210 and a second end of thesecond compression member 280 is integrally formed with a fixedshaft 282 that is provided on a common axis with therotational shaft 272 of thefirst compression member 270. - Needless to say, only one of the first and second ends of the
second compression member 280 may be integrally formed with the inner circumference of thedust collection body 210 or the fixedshaft 282. - Even when the first end of the
second compression member 280 is not integrally formed with the inner circumference of thedust collection body 210, it is preferable that the first end of thesecond compression member 270 is disposed adjacent to the inner circumference of thedust collection body 210. - Even when the second end of the
second compression member 280 is not integrally formed with the fixedshaft 282, it is preferable that the second end of thesecond compression member 270 is disposed adjacent to the fixedshaft 282. - Therefore, the leakage of the dust through a clearance formed on a side of the
second compression member 280 can be minimized when the dust is rushed by thefirst compression member 270. - The first and
second compression members rotational shaft 272 of thefirst compression member 270 is provided on a common axis with a vertical axis defining a center of thedust collection body 210. - The fixing
shaft 282 protrudes from a first end of thedust collection body 210 toward an inside. Ahollow portion 283 formed in an axial direction is formed inside the fixingshaft 282 to fix therotational shaft 272. That is, therotational shaft 272 is partly inserted from a top of the fixingshaft 282 into thehollow portion 283. - The
rotational shaft 272 is provided with a steppedportion 272c supported by a top of the fixingshaft 282. Therotational shaft 272 is divided into upper andlower shafts portion 272c. Thecompression member 270 is coupled to theupper shaft 272a. A driven gear rotating thefirst compression member 270 is coupled to thelower shaft 272b. - The vacuum cleaner of this embodiment further includes a driving device for driving the
first compression member 270. - The following will describe a relationship between the
dust collection unit 200 and the driving device with reference toFigs. 5 through 8 . - Referring to
Figs. 5 through 8 , the driving device for rotating thefirst compression member 270 includes a driving unit (not shown) for generating driving force and a power transmission unit for transmitting the driving force of the driving unit to thefirst compression member 270. - In more detail, the power transmission unit includes a driven
gear 410 coupled to therotational shaft 272 of thefirst compression member 270 and adriving gear 420 transmitting the power to the drivengear 410. The driving unit may be a compression motor coupled to the driving gear. - A
gear shaft 414 of the drivengear 41 is coupled to therotational shaft 272 of thefirst compression member 270 at a lower side of thedust collection body 210. As the drivengear 41 is coupled to the lower side of thedust collection body 210, the drivengear 410 is exposed out of thedust collection body 210. - The compression motor is provided under the dust collection
unit mounting portion 170 and thedriving gear 420 is provided on a bottom surface of the dust collectionunit mounting portion 170 and coupled to the rotational shaft of the compression motor. - A portion of the outer circumference of the
driving gear 420 is exposed to the external side at the bottom of the dust collectionunit mounting portion 170. The dust collectionunit mounting portion 170 is provided at a bottom with anopening 173 for exposing the portion of the outer circumference of thedriving gear 420 to the dust collectionunit mounting portion 170. - As the driven
gear 410 is exposed to the dustcollection mounting portion 170, the drivengear 410 is engaged with thedriving gear 420 when thedust collection unit 200 is mounted on the dust collectionunit mounting portion 170. - Therefore, when the compression motor is driven, the
driving gear 420 coupled to the compression motor rotates to transmit torque of the compression motor to the drivengear 410. The torque transmitted to the drivengear 410 rotates thefirst compression member 270. - A
guide rib 290 for guiding the mounting of thedust collection unit 200 is formed on a lower side of thedust collection body 210. The dust collectionunit mounting portion 170 is provided with aninsertion groove 172 in which theguide rib 290 is inserted. - The
guide rib 290 is provided in a C-shape at an outer side of the drivengear 410 to enclose a portion of the drivengear 410. Therefore, theguide rib 290 functions to protect the driven gear 4100 and prevent the dust from moving toward the drivengear 410. - A
micro switch 430 for detecting a rotational position of the drivengear 410 is provided under the dust collectionunit mounting portion 170. Aterminal unit 44 for turning on/off themicro switch 430 by contacting the drivengear 410 is exposed to the dust collectionunit mounting portion 170. - A through
hole 177 for exposing a part of theterminal unit 440 is exposed to the external side is formed in the dust collectionunit mounting portion 170. Inner andouter ribs terminal unit 440 are formed on an edge of the throughhole 177. - The following will describe a relationship between the driven gear and the micro switch.
- Referring to
Figs. 6 through 8 , themicro switch 430 is disposed under the drivengear 410 such that theterminal unit 440 turning on/off the micro switch can contact a lower portion of the drivengear 410. - The driven
gear 410 includes abody unit 412, acontact rib 413 extending downward from the lower edge of thebody unit 412 and contacting theterminal unit 440, a plurality of gear teeth formed along a side surface of thebody unit 412. - The
contact rib 413 is provided with anidentification groove 415 for identifying the position of the drivengear 410 by disallowing the drivengear 410 in a predetermined position to contact theterminal unit 440. The non-contacting of theterminal unit 440 with thecontact rib 413 means that a portion of theterminal unit 440 is inserted and thus does not contact the under surface of thecontact rib 413. - When the
dust collection unit 200 is mounted on the dust collectionunit mounting portion 170, theterminal unit 440 exposed through the throughhole 177 contacts the under surface of thecontact rib 413 to press acontact point 432 of themicro switch 430. In addition, when the drivengear 410 rotates to a predetermined position, theterminal unit 440 is partly inserted in theidentification groove 415 and thus theterminal unit 440 is detached from thecontact point 432. - The
micro switch 430 is turned off only when theterminal unit 440 is located in theidentification groove 415. Themicro switch 430 maintains the on-state when theterminal unit 440 contacts thecontact rib 413. - Therefore, when the driven
gear 410 rotates, themicro switch 430 maintains the on-state except when theterminal unit 440 is located in theposition identification groove 415. - On the contrary, the
micro switch 430 is turned on only when theterminal unit 440 is located in thelocation identification groove 415. In other cases, themicro switch 430 is turned off when theterminal unit 440 contacts thecontact rib 413. - The
gear tooth 416 is provided at a lower portion with aninterference preventing groove 417 for preventing thedust collection unit 200 from interfering with theouter rib 179 when thedust collection unit 200 is mounted. - Therefore, when the
dust collection unit 200 is mounted on the dustcollection mounting portion 170, theouter rib 179 is located in theinterference preventing groove 417 and theinner rib 178 is located in a space defined by thecontact rib 413. - The
micro switch 430 detects the mounting of thedust collection unit 200. That is, when thedust collection unit 200 is mounted on the dust collectionunit mounting portion 170, thecontact rib 413 presses theterminal unit 440. Then, theterminal unit 440 presses thecontact point 432 formed on themicro switch 430 to turn on the micro switch. - That is, since the
micro switch 430 is turned on when the dust collection unit is mounted, the mounting of thedust collection unit 200 can be detected by themicro switch 430. Here, the reason for detecting the mounting of thedust collection unit 200 is to prevent the suction motor and the compression motor from operating in a state where thedust collection unit 200 is not mounted. - The mounting of the
dust collection unit 200 is detected by themicro switch 430 in this embodiment. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. For example, a pressure sensor may be mounted on the dust collectionunit mounting portion 170. -
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a handle according to a first embodiment andFig. 10 is an enlarge view of a portion A ofFig. 9 . - Referring to
Figs. 9 and 10 , the handle 400 of this embodiment includes ahandle body 41 and a graspingportion 42 grasped by the user and provided above thehandle body 41. - A
manipulation unit 44 is provided on the graspingportion 42 to manipulate the operation of thevacuum cleaner 10. For example, the operation of the suction motor and the on/off of the compression motor can be controlled by themanipulation unit 44. In addition, amode selection unit 45 for selecting the operational mode of the compression motor is provided at a side of themanipulation unit 44. The operational mode will be described in more detail later. - A dust
amount display unit 46 is formed at a side of themanipulation unit 44 to display an amount of the dust stored in thedust collection unit 200. - In more detail, the dust
amount display unit 45 has a plurality of dust amount display sections 45a that are sequentially arranged. LEDs (not shown) are provided in the respective dust amount display sections 45a. As the amount of the dust increases, the number of the LEDs that are turned on increases and thus the number of the dust amount display sections 45a that are turned on increases. InFig. 10 , the reference characters E and F indicate "empty" and "full", respectively. - Therefore, the dust amount display sections are sequentially increased from E to F and the user can identify the amount of the dust stored in the
dust collection unit 200 by identifying the number of the dust amount display sections 45a that are turned on. -
Fig. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a control structure of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment andFig. 12 is phase wave forms of a current and power of a compression motor in accordance with a dust compression time, whereinFig. 12A is a current phase waveform of the compression motor andFig. 12B is a power phase waveform - Referring to
Figs. 11 and12 , the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment includes acontrol unit 520, asignal input unit 520 for inputting an operational condition of the vacuum cleaner, asuction motor driver 540 for operating asuction motor 550 in accordance with an operational mode input from thesignal input unit 520, acompression motor driver 560 for operating thecompression motor 570 compressing the dust, a driving gear driven by thecompression motor 570, a drivengear 410 engaged with thedriving gear 420, amicro switch 430 that is turned on and off in accordance with the rotation of the drivengear 410, and acounter unit 580 for measuring an on/off time of themicro switch 430. - The vacuum cleaner of this embodiment further includes a current detecting
unit 580 for detecting a current value of thecompression motor 570, adisplay unit 595 for displaying malfunction of thecompression member 270, and a dustamount display unit 46 for displaying a dust amount of the dust collection unit. - As described above, the
compression motor 570 is provided under the dust collectionunit mounting portion 170 to rotate thedriving gear 420. - The compression motor may be a reversible motor. That is, the compression motor may be a motor that can rotate in opposite directions.
- Therefore, the
first compression member 270 can rotate in forward and rearward directions and thus the dust is accumulated at both sides of thesecond compression member 280. - Therefore, the compression motor may be a synchronous motor that can rotate in opposite directions.
- The synchronous motor is designed to rotate in the opposite directions by the motor itself. When the load applied to the motor is greater than a predetermined value as the motor rotates in a first direction, the motor is designed to rotate in a second direction. The load applied to the motor is torque.
- Since the synchronous motor is well known in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.
- At this point, when the load applied to the
first compression member 270 is greater than the predetermined value, the current value of thecompression motor 570 is steeply increased as shown inFig. 12A . - In more detail, when the
first compression member 270 rotates in the first direction, the dust between the first andsecond compression members second compression member 280. The rotation of thefirst compression member 270 continues until the load applied to the motor reaches the predetermined value. - When the load reaches the predetermined value, the current value of the
compression motor 570 steeply increases and this current variation is detected by the current detectingunit 580. - The current value detected by the current detecting
unit 580 is transmitted to thecontrol unit 510 and thecontrol unit 510 transmits a signal for interrupting the electric power to thecompression motor driver 560. Then, thecompression motor 570 stops operating and thus thefirst compression member 270 stops in a dust compression state. Thefirst compression member 270 keeps compressing the dust for a reference cut-off time t at the stopped position. - When the reference cut-off time t has elapsed, the
control unit 510 transmits a power applying signal of thecompression motor 570 to thecompression motor driver 560 and thus thecompression motor 570 and thefirst compression member 270 rotate. - Since the
first compression member 270 stops rotating in a state where the load reaches the predetermined value, thefirst compression member 270 rotates in the second direction. - When the
second compression member 270 rotates in the second direction, the dust between thefirst compression member 270 and thesecond compression member 280 are compressed as thefirst compression member 270 rotates toward the second side of thesecond compression member 280. - As described above, when the load applied to the
compression member 270 reaches the predetermined value during the rotation of thefirst compression member 270, the electric power applied to thecompression motor 570 is cut off and thus thefirst compression member 270 stops rotating in a state where it compresses the dust. In addition, thefirst compression member 270 keeps compressing the dust for the reference cut-off time t at a position where thefirst compression member 270 stops. - When the predetermined time has elapsed, the
compression motor 570 is driven again and thus thefirst compression member 270 rotates in an opposite direction. - When the reference cut-off time is relatively short (i.e., substantially close to 0), the dust is continuously compressed at both sides of the
second compression member 270. When the reference cut-off time is relatively long, the dust is continuously compressed at one side of the second compression member and the power consumption of the compression motor can be reduced by the intermittent operation of the compression motor. - That is, when an amount of the dust stored in the
dust collection unit 200 per unit time, there is no need to unnecessarily rotate thecompression motor 570. In this case, the reference cut-off time may be increased. - Therefore, in this embodiment, the operational mode of the
compression motor 570 may include a first mode having a short reference cut-off time and a second mode having a long reference cut-off time. The operation mode of the compression motor may be selected by the mode selection unit 45 (seeFig. 9 ). - At this point, since it can be regarded that the
compression motor 570 continuously operates in the first mode, the first mode may be referred to as "Continuous Mode". -
Figs. 13 and14 are views illustrating an on-state of a micro switch when a first compression member for compressing dust approaches a first side of a second compression member,Figs. 15 and16 are views illustrating an off-state of a micro switch when first and second compression members are inline, andFigs. 17 and 18 are views illustrating an on-state of a micro switch when a first compressing ember for compressing dust approaches a second side of a second compression member. - Referring to
Figs. 13 through 18 , when thefirst compression member 270 rotates by 180-degree with reference to thesecond compression member 280 and thus is disposed inline, theterminal unit 440 is located in theposition identification groove 415 of the drivengear 410. In this case, theterminal unit 440 is spaced apart from thecontact point 432 and thus themicro switch 430 is turned off. - The position of the
first compression member 270 depicted inFig. 15 , where themicro switch 430 is turned off, will be referred to as "reference position" for the descriptive convenience. - While the
first compression member 270 compresses the dust stored in thedust collection body 210 as it rotates counterclockwise from the reference position, theterminal unit 440 contacts thecontact rib 413 of the drivengear 410. Therefore, as shown inFig. 14 , theterminal unit 440 presses thecontact portion 432 of themicro switch 430 and thus themicro switch 430 is turned on. - When the
first compression member 270 cannot rotate counterclockwise due to the dust, thefirst compression member 270 rotates clockwise. - Therefore, the
first compression member 270 rotates toward the right side of thesecond compression member 280 as shown inFig. 17 over the reference position shown inFig. 15 , thereby compressing the dust stored in thedust collection body 210. - When the
first compression member 270 cannot rotate clockwise due to the compressed dust, thecompression motor 570 rotates counterclockwise and the above-described process is repeated, thereby compressing the dust stored in thedust collection body 210. -
Fig. 19 is a view for generally describing the rotational operation of the first compression member that is described with reference toFigs. 13 through 18 . -
Fig. 19 shows a firstreciprocation time TB 1 taken when thefirst compression member 270 rotates clockwise from the reference position and is returned to the reference position and a second reciprocation time TB2 taken when thefirst compression member 270 rotates counterclockwise from the reference position and is returned to the reference position. - Since the dust is uniformly dispersed in the
dust collection body 210, the firstreciprocation time TB 1 is almost same as the second reciprocation time TB2. - Meanwhile, as an amount of the dust compressed by the
first compression member 270 increases, the first and secondreciprocation times TB 1 and TB2 are shortened. - In this embodiment, the amount of the dust stored in the dust collection body is determined by detecting the first and second
reciprocation times TB 1 and TB2. -
Fig. 20 is a graph illustrating an on/off state of the micro switch in accordance with the reciprocation motion of the first compression member. -
Fig. 19 shows a first reference time TC1 taken when thefirst compression member 270 rotates clockwise from the reference position and is returned to the reference position in a state where no dust is stored in thedust collection unit 200 and a second reference time TC2 taken when thefirst compression member 270 rotates counterclockwise from the reference position and is returned to the reference position in a state where no dust is stored in thedust collection unit 200. The reference times TC1 and TC2 mean that an on-time of the micro switch. - At this point, when the dust is continuously stored in the
dust collection unit 200, the actualreciprocation times TB 1 and TB2 of thefirst compression member 270 become less than the reference times TC1 and TC2. - However, when the
first compression member 270 malfunctions, the actualreciprocation times TB 1 and TB2 of thefirst compression member 270 may be greater than thereference times TC 1 and TC2. - For example, when foreign objects clog between the
first compression member 270 and thedust collection body 210, the rotational speed of thefirst compression member 270 may be significantly reduced as compared with its original speed or thefirst compression member 270 stops rotating. - In this case, the on-time of the
micro switch 430 becomes greater than the reference times TC1 and TC2. - Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to determine if the
first compression member 170 malfunctions, it is determined if the actualreciprocation times TB 1 and TB2 of thefirst compression member 270 are greater thanlimit times TD 1 and TD2 greater than the reference times TC1 and TC2. - At this point, the reason for comparing the actual reciprocation times of the
first compression member 270 with the limit times is to accurately determine the malfunction of thecompression motor 570 considering the rotational error. - In this embodiment, the malfunction of the first compression member is determined by comparing the actual reciprocation times of the
first compression member 270 with the limit times. However, the malfunction may be further determined by comparing a time for which thefirst compression member 270 is in the reference position with a limit time TB3. - As described above, the
micro switch 430 functions as a position detecting unit for detecting the reference position of thefirst compression member 270 by cooperating with the drivengear 410. Themicro switch 430 function functions as a malfunction detecting unit for detecting the malfunction of thefirst compression member 270 during the on/off process of the micro switch. - The following will describe a dust compression process.
-
Fig. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the vacuum cleaner useful for understanding the invention. - Referring to
Fig. 21 , the user operates the vacuum cleaner by selecting one of high, medium, low modes representing suction power using thesignal input unit 520. Then, thecontrol unit 510 operates thesuction motor driver 540 to operate thesuction motor 550 in accordance with the selected suction mode (S 10). - When the
suction motor 550 operates, the dust is suctioned through the suction nozzle by the suction of thesuction motor 550. The air suctioned through the suction nozzle is directed into themain body 100 through the mainbody suction unit 110. The introduced air is directed into thedust collection unit 200 along a predetermined passage. - The air introduced into the
dust collection unit 200 goes through a dust separation process, after which the air is discharged to themain body 100. The separated dust is stored in the firstdust storing section 214. - During the dust separation process by the operation of the
suction motor 550, thecontrol unit 510 determines if the on-time of the suction motor reaches an operation reference time TA1 (S11). At this time, the operation reference time TA1 is measured by thecounter unit 580. - When the on-time of the
suction motor 550 reaches the reference time TA1, thecontrol unit 510 operates the compression motor to compress the dust stored in the dust collection unit 200 (S 12). - At this point, when the user does not select the operational mode of the
compression motor 570 through themode selection unit 45, thecompression motor 570 operates with a former mode or a first mode (continuation mode). - Here, the reason for operating the
compression motor 570 after the predetermined time has elapsed after thesuction motor 550 operates is to prevent thecompression motor 570 from unnecessarily operating during an initial operation of thesuction motor 550. - That is, when the
suction motor 550 operates in a state where no dust is stored in thedust collection unit 200, a predetermined time for accumulating a predetermined amount of the dust in thedust collection unit 200 is necessary. That is, there is no need to operate thecompression motor 570 until the predetermined amount of the dust is stored in thedust collection unit 200. - Therefore, the
compression motor 570 maintains a stopped state until the predetermined amount of the dust is stored in thedust collection unit 200 to prevent thecompression motor 570 from unnecessarily operating. - Even when the
suction motor 550 operates in a state where the dust is stored in thedust collection unit 200, since the dust is compressed before thesuction motor 570 operates, the stopped state of thecompression motor 570 is maintained until a predetermined amount of the dust is additionally accumulated in thedust collection unit 200, thereby preventing the compression motor from unnecessarily operating. - When the
compression motor 570 is driven, thedriving gear 420 coupled to the rotational shaft of thecompression motor 570 rotates and thus the drivengear 410 engaged with thedriving gear 420 rotates. When the drivengear 410 rotates, thefirst compression member 270 coupled to the drivengear 410 rotates toward thesecond compression member 280 to compress the dust. - At this point, the
control unit 510 first determines if thefirst compression member 270 is in the reference position (S13). In this embodiment, since the first and second reciprocation times are measured with reference to the reference position of thefirst compression member 270, it is required to determine if thefirst compression member 270 is in the reference position when the compression is initiated. The reference position of thefirst compression member 270 may be a time point where themicro switch 430 is initially turned off. - Therefore, the
counter unit 580 measures the first or secondreciprocation time TB 1 or TB2 with reference to the time point where the micro switch is initially turned off (S 14). - Here, as an amount of the dust compressed in the
dust collection unit 210 by the first andsecond compression members gear 410 is shortened. In addition, the control unit determines a current dust amount using the reciprocation time detected. The determined dust amount is displayed on the dustamount display unit 46. - After the above, the
control unit 510 determines if the first or second reciprocation time TB1 or TB2 is greater than thelimit times TD 1 and TD2 (S 15). - When it is determined that the first or second reciprocation time TB1 or TB2 is less than the limit times TD1 and TD2, it is determined if one of the first and second reciprocation time reaches preset times TE1 and TE2 (S16). The preset times TE1 and TE2 are times set in the
control unit 510 by a designer to be used as a reference for determining a predetermined amount of the dust accumulated in thedust collection unit 200. - The preset times TE1 and TE2 are obtained in accordance with repeated tests performed by the designer and varied in accordance with a volume of the vacuum cleaner. In addition, the preset times TE1 and TE2 are less than the
reference times TC 1 and TC2 that are the reciprocation time of thefirst compression member 270 when no dust is accumulated in thedust collection unit 200. - In this embodiment, when one of the reciprocation times TB1 and TB2 of the
first compression member 270 reaches the preset times TE1 and TE2, it is determined that a predetermined amount of the dust is accumulated. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. For example, it is determined that the predetermined amount of the dust is accumulated when both of the reciprocation timesTB 1 and TB2 reach thepreset times TE 1 and TE2. - When it is determined that at least one of the reciprocation times TB1 and TB2 is greater than the
preset times TE 1 and TE2, the process is returned to the step S 15 to repeat the above-described process. - When at least one of the first and second reciprocation times TB1 and TB2 reaches the preset times TE1 and TE2, the
control unit 510 determines if the number of times that one of the first or secondreciprocation time TB 1 or TB2 reaches the preset times TE1 and TE2 continuously reaches the predetermined number N of times (e.g., 3 times) (S 17). - By doing this, it can be accurately determined that an amount of the dust stored in the
dust collection unit 200 is greater than a predetermined amount. Further, an error that may be caused by thefirst compression member 270 that cannot normally operate due to the foreign objects can be prevented. The abnormal rotation of thefirst compression member 270 means a case where thefirst compression member 270 rotates toward the second side of thesecond compression member 280 in a state where thefirst compression member 270 cannot rotate toward the first side of the second compression member due to the foreign objects clogging between thefirst compression member 270 and thedust collection body 210. - That is, in this embodiment, the malfunction of the
first compression member 270 includes a case where the rotational speed of the first compression member is reduced due to the foreign objects clogging between thefirst compression member 270 and thedust collection body 210 and a case where the rotation direction change of thefirst compression member 270 is abnormally performed. - In the
step S 17, when it is determined that the number of times is less than the predetermined number of times, the process is returned to the step S15. When it is determined that the number of times reaches the predetermined number of times, a dust collection unit empty signal is displayed (S 17). - In this embodiment, the empty signal may be displayed on the dust
amount displaying unit 45 or by a repeated turn on/off signal of the LEDs provided under the dust amount display sections 45a. Alternatively, the empty signal may be transmitted by sound generated by a speaker provided on the vacuum cleaner. - Next, the
control unit 510 stops the operation of the suction motor 550 (S20) and the operation of the compression motor 570 (S20). - The reason for forcedly stopping the operation of the
suction motor 550 is to prevent the dust suction efficiency from be deteriorated when the amount of the dust stored in thedust collection unit 200 is greater than a predetermined amount and to prevent thesuction motor 550 from being overloaded. - In the step S15, when it is determined that at least one of the first and second
reciprocation times TB 1 and TB2 of thefirst compression member 270 is greater than the limit times TD1 and TD2, thecontrol unit 510 determines that thecompression member 270 malfunctions. - The
control unit 510 transmits a malfunction signal of thefirst compression member 270 to the display unit 530 so that themalfunction display unit 595 displays the malfunction signal of the first compression member 270 (S 19). Next, thecontrol unit 510 stops the operation of thesuction motor 550 and the operation of the compression motor 570 (S21). - As described above, according to this embodiment, the amount of the dust stored in the
dust collection unit 200 and the unit empty timing are displayed and thus the user convenience can be improved. - Further, since the malfunction signal of the first compression member is displayed and the compression motor stops operating, the overload of the compression motor can and the compression motor stops operating, the overload of the compression motor can be prevented and thus the reliability of the product can be improved.
-
Fig. 22 is a block diagram of a control structure of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment. - This embodiment is substantially same as the first embodiment except for a dust amount determining method useful for understanding the invention. Therefore, the following will describe only the features of this embodiment.
- Referring to
Fig. 22 , the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment further includes arotation detecting unit 597 for detecting the number of rotation of thecompression motor 570. Therotation detecting unit 597 detects the number of first reciprocations each taken when thefirst compression member 270 rotates clockwise from the reference position and is returned to the reference position and the number of second reciprocations each taken when thefirst compression member 270 rotates counter-clockwise from the reference position and is returned to the reference position. That is, in this embodiment, the rotation range of thefirst compression member 270 is determined by measuring the number of rotation of thecompression motor 570. - The
control unit 510 determines the amount of the dust with reference to the number of the first reciprocation rotation and the number of the second reciprocation rotation to display the current dust amount on the dustamount display unit 46. In addition, when the number of the first or second reciprocating rotation reaches a reference reciprocating rotation number, thecontrol unit 510 displays the empty signal. -
Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a driven gear according to a third embodiment andFig. 24 is a perspective view of a dust collection unit mounting portion according to a third embodiment. - This embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except for the reference position identifying means. Therefore, the following will describe only the feature of this embodiment.
- Referring to
Figs. 23 and 24 , amagnetic member 615 is provided on a lower edge of a drivengear 610. - A
magnetism detecting unit 640 for detecting magnetism generated by themagnetic member 615 is provided inside the dust collectionunit mounting portion 170. A hall sensor may be used as themagnetism detecting unit 640. - In order for the
magnetism detecting unit 640 to effectively detect the magnetism generated from themagnetic member 615, it is preferable that themagnetism detecting unit 640 is disposed right under the trace drawn by themagnetic member 615 when thedust collection unit 200 is mounted on the dust collectionunit mounting portion 170 and the drivengear 610 rotates. - Therefore, when the
magnetic member 615 is disposed right above themagnetism detecting unit 640 during the rotation of the drivengear 610, themagnetism detecting unit 640 detects the magnetism of themagnetic member 415 and thus the reference position of the drivengear 410 can be identified. - Alternatively, in order to identify the reference position of the
first compression member 270, an infrared sensor may be used. The infrared sensor may be provided on the terminal unit described in the first embodiment and exposed to the dust collection unit mounting portion. - Alternatively, a photo sensor may be also used. In this case, the brightness of the
identification groove 415 of the drivengear 410 is different from that of thecontact rib 413 so that theposition identification groove 415 of the drivengear 410 can be detected by the photo sensor and thus the reference position of thefirst compressing member 270 can be determined. -
Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment. - This embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment except for the type of the vacuum cleaner. Therefore, the following will describe only the features of this embodiment.
- Referring to
Fig. 25 , in this embodiment, an upright type vacuum cleaner is proposed. - In more detail, the upright
type vacuum cleaner 700 includes asuction nozzle 720 suctioning the air containing the dust while moving along a floor and amain body 710 rotatably coupled to thesuction nozzle 720 and provided with a suction unit therein, and adust collection unit 730 selectively mounted on themain body 710. - In more detail, a
handle 712 is formed on a top of themain body 710. Amanipulation button 714, amode selection unit 615 for selecting an operation mode of the compression motor, a dustamount display unit 716 for displaying an amount of the dust stored in thedust collection unit 730 are formed on thehandle 712. - Therefore, the user can easily control the operation of the suction unit and the compression motor when he/she graphs the
handle 712 and performs the cleaning work by moving themain body 710 and thesuction nozzle 720. -
Fig. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a control structure of a vacuum cleaner according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. - This embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment except that the empty signal is separately displayed from the dust amount. Therefore, the following will describe only feature of this embodiment.
- Referring to
Fig. 26 , the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment includes a dustamount display unit 830 for displaying an amount of the dust stored in the dust collection unit, an emptysignal display unit 830 for displaying a dust dumping signal, and acontrol unit 810 for controlling the operation of the dustamount display unit 830 and the emptysignal display unit 820. - In detail, the display region of the dust
amount display unit 830 that displays the amount of dust may be expanded, or the color of an illuminated LED may be altered. - In more detail, the empty
signal display unit 820 may provide a visual signal or an audio signal. For example, the emptysignal display unit 820 may be comprised of a buzzer circuit or a speaker. - The malfunction display of the first compression member is separately displayed on a malfunction display unit or on the empty
signal display unit 820. Needless to say, when the malfunction signal of the first compression signal is displayed on the emptysignal display unit 820, the malfunction signal may be differently set from the empty signal.
Claims (13)
- A vacuum cleaner comprising: a main body (100) in which a suction motor (550) for generating suction force is disposed; a dust collection unit (200) detachably mounted on the main body (100) and defining a dust storing portion (214);
at least one movable compression member (270) for compressing dust stored in the dust storing portion (214);
a driving unit (410, 420, 570, 610, 620) for driving the movable compression member (270);
a control unit (510) for determining if the compression member malfunctions; and
a signal display unit (595) for displaying a malfunction signal of the movable compression member (270),
characterized in that, the movable compression member (270) compresses the dust while reciprocally rotating with reference to a reference position and the determination of the malfunction of the movable compression member (270) is realized by comparing reciprocation rotating times of the movable compression member (270) with limit times. - The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a micro switch (430) that are selectively turned on and off in accordance with rotation of the movable compression member (270), and a counter unit (580) for detecting an on/off time of the micro switch (430).
- The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the reference position is a position when the micro switch (430) is turned on or off.
- The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit (410, 420, 570, 610, 620) stops operating when the movable compression member (270) malfunctions.
- The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the suction motor (550) stops operating when the movable compression member (270) malfunctions.
- The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a dust amount displaying unit (46) for displaying an amount of the dust compressed in the dust collection unit (200), wherein the control unit (510) determines the amount of the dust with reference to a moving range of the movable compression member (270).
- The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the moving range of the movable compression member (270) is determined in accordance with a moving time of the movable compression member (270) or the number of rotation of the movable compression member (270).
- The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein, when the amount of the dust compressed in the dust storing portion (214) is greater than a reference amount, an empty signal is displayed. '
- The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit (410, 420, 570, 610, 620) includes a compression motor (570) for driving the movable compression member (270) and a power transmission unit (410, 420, 610, 620) transferring driving power generated from the compression motor (570) to the movable compression member (270).
- The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, further comprising a mode selection unit (45) for selecting an operational mode of the compression motor (570),
wherein the control unit (510) controls operation of the compression motor (570) in accordance with the selected mode. - The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the compression motor (570) operates after a predetermined time has elapsed after the suction motor (550) operates.
- The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the operational mode of the compression motor (570) includes a first operational mode where the compression motor (570) continuously operates and a second operational mode where the compression motor (570) operates at predetermined intervals.
- The vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, further comprising a stationary member (280) that is formed in the dust storing portion (214) to compress the dust by associating with the movable compression member (270), wherein the movable compression member (270) is stopped for a predetermined time at a position adjacent to the stationary member (280) in the second mode.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR20070071137A KR100937146B1 (en) | 2007-07-16 | 2007-07-16 | Vacuum cleaner and controlling method thereof |
KR20070071136A KR100925145B1 (en) | 2007-07-16 | 2007-07-16 | Vacuum cleaner |
KR1020070071121A KR100947360B1 (en) | 2007-07-16 | 2007-07-16 | Vacuum cleaner and controlling method therof |
KR1020070073221A KR100880495B1 (en) | 2007-07-23 | 2007-07-23 | Vacuum cleaner |
PCT/KR2008/000376 WO2009011482A1 (en) | 2007-07-16 | 2008-01-21 | Vacuum cleaner and method of controlling the same |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2173227A1 EP2173227A1 (en) | 2010-04-14 |
EP2173227A4 EP2173227A4 (en) | 2012-07-25 |
EP2173227B1 true EP2173227B1 (en) | 2013-12-18 |
Family
ID=40259794
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP08704899.7A Not-in-force EP2173227B1 (en) | 2007-07-16 | 2008-01-21 | Vacuum cleaner with a dust compression device |
Country Status (3)
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EP (1) | EP2173227B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2008276858B2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009011482A1 (en) |
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US8248277B2 (en) | 2007-07-06 | 2012-08-21 | Pacinian Corporation | Haptic keyboard systems and methods |
GB2469046B (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2012-07-25 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Mounting arrangement for separating apparatus in a cleaning appliance |
GB2469047B (en) | 2009-03-31 | 2013-12-04 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cylinder type cleaning appliance |
WO2010112883A1 (en) | 2009-03-31 | 2010-10-07 | Dyson Technology Limited | Cylinder type vacuum cleaner |
GB2469051B (en) | 2009-03-31 | 2013-01-02 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cleaning appliance with steering mechanism |
GB2469055B (en) | 2009-03-31 | 2013-01-02 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cleaning appliance with spherical floor engaging arrangement |
GB2469048B (en) | 2009-03-31 | 2013-05-15 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Cleaning appliance with steering mechanism |
GB2469049B (en) | 2009-03-31 | 2013-04-17 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cleaning appliance with steering mechanism |
GB2469038B (en) | 2009-03-31 | 2013-01-02 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cleaning appliance |
GB2469045B (en) | 2009-03-31 | 2012-08-29 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Duct and chassis arrangement of a cleaning apparatus |
WO2010112885A1 (en) | 2009-03-31 | 2010-10-07 | Dyson Technology Limited | A cleaning appliance |
WO2011055861A1 (en) * | 2009-11-03 | 2011-05-12 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Vacuum cleaner |
WO2011055862A1 (en) * | 2009-11-03 | 2011-05-12 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Vacuum cleaner |
GB2484122A (en) | 2010-09-30 | 2012-04-04 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cylinder type cleaning appliance |
GB2484120B (en) | 2010-09-30 | 2014-10-01 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cleaning appliance |
GB2484121B (en) | 2010-09-30 | 2014-10-22 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A vacuum cleaning appliance |
GB2484124B (en) | 2010-09-30 | 2014-12-03 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cleaning appliance |
GB2500191A (en) * | 2012-03-12 | 2013-09-18 | Vax Ltd | Chassis for a suction cleaner |
AU2017250824B2 (en) | 2016-04-15 | 2020-10-01 | Tti (Macao Commercial Offshore) Limited | Vacuum filter |
AU201712063S (en) | 2016-10-14 | 2017-04-26 | Tti Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd | Handheld vacuum cleaner |
AU201712064S (en) | 2016-10-14 | 2017-04-27 | Tti Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd | Handheld vacuum cleaner |
AU201812645S (en) | 2017-12-05 | 2018-07-31 | Tti Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd | Housing for a vacuum filter |
US11607637B2 (en) | 2018-08-31 | 2023-03-21 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Power tool including an air filter and debris collector |
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JPS5485560A (en) * | 1977-12-20 | 1979-07-07 | Tokyo Electric Co Ltd | Electric cleaner |
JP2812827B2 (en) * | 1991-11-14 | 1998-10-22 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Electric vacuum cleaner |
KR100606794B1 (en) * | 2004-10-08 | 2006-08-01 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Cyclone Collector |
KR100869003B1 (en) * | 2005-05-12 | 2008-11-17 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Vacuum cleaner |
JP2007007381A (en) * | 2005-05-31 | 2007-01-18 | Toshiba Tec Corp | Vacuum cleaner |
US7882592B2 (en) * | 2005-12-10 | 2011-02-08 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
EP1859719B1 (en) | 2006-05-23 | 2014-03-12 | LG Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner and controlling method of the same |
-
2008
- 2008-01-21 AU AU2008276858A patent/AU2008276858B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2008-01-21 EP EP08704899.7A patent/EP2173227B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2008-01-21 WO PCT/KR2008/000376 patent/WO2009011482A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
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EP2173227A4 (en) | 2012-07-25 |
WO2009011482A1 (en) | 2009-01-22 |
AU2008276858B2 (en) | 2011-02-03 |
EP2173227A1 (en) | 2010-04-14 |
AU2008276858A1 (en) | 2009-01-22 |
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