JP2002345702A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner capable of being further reduced in size and weight. SOLUTION: The output voltage of a secondary battery 11 is raised by a voltage converting means 42. Either one of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 and the output voltage of the voltage converting means 42 is switched by a switch 44. The output voltage switched by the switch 44 is supplied to an electric blower 6. When the power supply to the electric blower 6 is small because no strong sucking force is required, the voltage of the secondary battery is supplied to the electric blower 6 without passing the voltage converting means 42. The power consumption in the voltage converting means 42 can be suppressed. The loss of output voltage of the secondary voltage 11 can be minimized. The secondary battery 11 with low output voltage can be realized without reducing the drive efficiency of the blower 6 by the secondary battery 11. Accordingly, the size and weight can be further reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner provided with an electric blower to which electric power is supplied from battery means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a vacuum cleaner of this type, for example, a structure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-16845 is known.

[0003] The vacuum cleaner described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-16845 is provided with an electric blower. A converter circuit for controlling an input voltage to the electric blower is connected to the electric blower. The converter circuit is connected to battery means for supplying power to the electric blower, and boosts an output voltage output from the battery means.

The converter circuit includes a transformer having one coil, and an input terminal is connected to a middle point of the coil of the transformer. One end of the coil of the transformer is connected to the anode of the first diode, and the other end of the coil of the transformer is connected to the anode of the second diode.

Further, the cathode of the first diode is connected to the cathode of a second diode to serve as an output terminal. One end of the first switching element is connected between a midpoint of the coil and a connection point of the second diode. Then, one end of the second switching element is connected between a midpoint of the coil and a connection point of the first diode. Further, the other end of the first switching element and the other end of the second switching element are commonly connected.

[0006] The converter circuit has a control circuit. This control circuit turns on the first switching element and the second switching element alternately, and sets the voltage applied between the input terminal and the common terminal as an input voltage between the output terminal and the common terminal. Output voltage. As a result,
The control circuit boosts the output voltage of the battery means with a transformer by turning on and off the first switching element and the second switching element.

[0007]

However, in the vacuum cleaner described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-16845, the first switching element and the second switching element are connected to each other in order to reduce the size of the battery means. The output voltage of the battery means is boosted by the on / off operation. For this reason, the output voltage of this battery means is the first switching element or the second switching element.
When passing through the switching element, the first switching element and the second switching element cause a voltage drop. As a result, it is difficult to efficiently increase the output voltage of the battery means.

Further, a transformer is used to efficiently boost the output voltage of the battery means by the on / off operation of the first switching element and the second switching element. Generally, the transformer has a weight and a volume. Other parts,
For example, it is larger than a capacitor or a resistor. For this reason, the weight and volume of the entire converter circuit increase, and it is difficult to efficiently reduce the size and weight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a vacuum cleaner that can be made smaller and lighter.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising: an electric blower; voltage converting means for increasing the output voltage of a battery means to supply electric power to the electric blower; Switching means for switching one of an output voltage and an output voltage of the battery means by switching; and a blower control means for controlling the electric blower with the output voltage switched by the switching means. .

In this configuration, one of the output voltage of the battery means and the output voltage of the voltage conversion means for increasing the output voltage of the battery means is switched by the switching means by switching to supply power to the electric blower. Then, when a strong suction force is not required and the power supplied to the electric blower is small, the electric power of the battery means is supplied to the electric blower without passing through the voltage conversion means. Therefore, power consumption in the voltage conversion unit is suppressed, and the loss of the output voltage of the battery unit is reduced, so that the battery unit with a low output voltage can be used without lowering the driving efficiency of the electric blower by the battery unit. The size and weight can be further reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising: an electric blower; and a switching element, wherein the operation of the switching element raises the output voltage of the battery means and supplies electric power to the electric blower. Frequency setting means for setting the frequency of operation of the switching element,
The output voltage of the voltage converting means is made variable according to the setting of the frequency by the frequency setting means.

In this configuration, by setting the operating frequency of the switching element by the frequency setting means, the output voltage of the battery means is boosted by the voltage conversion means in accordance with the setting of the frequency by the frequency setting means. The output voltage from this voltage conversion means is varied. As a result, it is possible to use a battery unit having a low output voltage without lowering the driving efficiency of the electric blower by the battery unit, so that it is possible to further reduce the size and weight.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising: an electric blower; a voltage conversion means capable of changing a step-up rate of an output voltage of a battery means and supplying power to the electric blower; and an identification means attached to the battery means. And control means for changing a boosting rate of the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means based on the identification of the type of the battery means.

In this configuration, based on the identification of the type of the battery means by the identification means attached to the battery means,
The boosting rate of the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means is changed by the control means. As a result, even if different types of battery means are connected to the voltage converter, the control means boosts the output voltage of this battery means at a step-up rate suitable for the type of battery means. The blower can be driven efficiently. Therefore, since the electric blower can be driven accurately even with battery means having a low output voltage, it is possible to further reduce the size and weight.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising: an electric blower; a voltage converter for changing a step-up rate of an output voltage of the battery means and supplying electric power to the electric blower; And control means for changing the rate of increase of the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means.

In this configuration, the control means changes the boost rate of the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means in accordance with the discharge state of the battery means. Become. Therefore, the driving time of the electric blower by the battery unit is more secured, and the battery unit cannot be charged due to the rapid voltage consumption of the battery unit.
For this reason, the electric blower can be efficiently driven by the battery means having a low output voltage, so that the size and weight can be further reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising: an electric blower; a voltage converter for changing a step-up rate of an output voltage of the battery means and supplying electric power to the electric blower; Control means for changing a rate of increase in the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means.

In this configuration, since the control means changes the step-up rate of the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means in accordance with the temperature of the battery means, heat generation from the battery means is suppressed. The temperature rise of the battery means is suppressed.
Therefore, the driving time of the electric blower by the battery means is more secured, and the electric blower can be efficiently driven by the battery means having a low output voltage, so that the size and weight can be further reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising: an electric blower; a voltage converter for changing a step-up rate of an output voltage of a battery means and supplying electric power to the electric blower; And control means for changing the rate of increase of the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means.

In this configuration, the control means changes the step-up rate of the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means in accordance with the drive time of the electric blower whose temperature rises as the drive time becomes longer. The temperature rise of each of the voltage conversion means and the battery means is suppressed. Therefore, the driving time of the electric blower by the battery means is more secured, and the electric blower can be efficiently driven by the battery means having a low output voltage, so that the size and weight can be further reduced.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising: an electric blower; a voltage conversion means for changing a step-up rate of an output voltage of a battery means and supplying electric power to the electric blower; Control means for changing a rate of increase in the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means.

In this configuration, the control means changes the boosting rate of the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means in accordance with the temperature of the electric blower whose temperature rises as the drive time becomes longer. The temperature rise of each of the conversion means and the battery means is suppressed. Therefore, the driving time of the electric blower by the battery means is more secured, and the electric blower can be efficiently driven by the battery means having a low output voltage, so that the size and weight can be further reduced.

The vacuum cleaner according to the present invention has an electric blower and a voltage conversion coil for increasing the output voltage of the battery means, and the voltage conversion coil increases the output voltage of the battery means to increase the output voltage. It comprises voltage conversion means for supplying electric power to the electric blower, and coil switching means for switching the output voltage of the voltage conversion coil.

In this configuration, the output voltage of the voltage conversion coil for increasing the output voltage of the battery means is switched by the coil switching means and supplied to the electric blower. For this reason, when the output voltage of the battery means is directly input to the electric blower by the coil switching means, the output voltage of the battery means is not boosted by the voltage conversion coil, so that the input current value to the electric blower can be secured. Also, when the output voltage of the voltage conversion coil is input to the electric blower by the coil switching means, the output voltage of the battery means is boosted by the voltage conversion coil, so that the driving efficiency of the electric blower by this battery means is reduced. improves. Therefore, since the electric blower can be driven accurately even with battery means having a low output voltage, it is possible to further reduce the size and weight.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the vacuum cleaner according to the eighth aspect, the voltage conversion means includes a plurality of voltage conversion coils, and the coil switching means includes a plurality of voltage conversion coils between the plurality of voltage conversion coils. Is switched to one of series and parallel.

In this configuration, the connection between the plurality of voltage conversion coils is switched to one of series and parallel by the coil switching means. Therefore, when the plurality of voltage conversion coils are connected in series, the output voltage is further increased by the plurality of voltage conversion coils.
When the plurality of voltage conversion coils are connected in parallel, the output current increases due to the plurality of voltage conversion coils. Therefore, the output voltage and the output current of the voltage conversion means can be controlled by the plurality of voltage conversion coils without inactivating any of the plurality of voltage conversion coils. For this reason, the electric blower can be more efficiently driven by the battery means, and the electric blower can be accurately driven even by the battery means having a low output voltage, so that the size and weight can be further reduced.

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention will be described.
The configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a cleaner main body. The cleaner main body 1 has a case body 2 and a rear part connected to an upper part of the case body 2 so that the upper part can be opened by rotation. And a main body case 4 having a lid 3 attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 2, an electric blower chamber 7 for accommodating an electric blower 6 as a commutator motor driven by the rotation of a commutator (not shown) is formed in the case body 2. The temperature of the electric blower 6 increases according to the driving time. Above the electric blower room 7, a motor silencer 8 for silencing a drive sound emitted from the electric blower 6 housed in the electric blower room 7 is formed.

In the main body case 4 at the front side of the electric blower room 7, a power supply room 12 for accommodating a battery as a power supply as a battery means, that is, a secondary battery 11, is formed. The secondary battery 11 supplies electric power to the electric blower 6 and is heavier than the electric blower 6. An opening 13 is provided below the power supply chamber 12 to allow the secondary battery 11 to be detachably accommodated in the power supply chamber 12. A battery housing cover 14 that closes the opening 13 is detachably attached to the opening 13 in a state where the secondary battery 11 is housed in the power supply chamber 12 from the opening 13. Further, a charging terminal (not shown) for supplying power to the secondary battery 11 and charging the secondary battery 11 is attached to a substantial center of the rear surface of the case body 2 of the main body case 4.

Further, a pair of side plates 16 are provided on both sides of the case body 2 so as to protrude upward.
The pair of side plate portions 16 are curved inward so that the front facing distance of the substantially middle portion in the vertical direction is gradually reduced.
A plurality of exhaust ports 17 communicating with the electric blower chamber 7 and opening substantially toward the front side are formed in the curved front portions of each of the pair of side plate portions 16.

On both sides of the lower rear portion of the case body 2,
The traveling wheels 18 as wheels are rotatably supported on the respective wheels. In the center of the lower front part of the case body 2, a turning wheel 19 is provided.
Are rotatably mounted, that is, pivotable.
As a result, the turning wheel 19 can run on the floor by the traveling wheel 18.

On the lower surface of the front side of the lid 3 of the main body case 4, there is attached a suction pipe 22 which opens in a main body suction port 21 forward and has a lower end opening downward and bent in a substantially L-shape. ing. In addition, a handle 23 as a handle is provided on the upper surface of the lid 3. The handle 23 is formed in a substantially Y shape in plan view.

A dust cup 25 as a bottomed cylindrical dust collection cup is detachably attached to the front side of the main body case 4 in the case body 2. To the dust cup 25, a pre-filter 26 formed of a breathable mesh member having a bottomed cylindrical shape whose bottom is closed in an arc shape is detachably attached.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The base end of a flexible hose body 28 is connected to the main body suction port 21 and is detachably connected thereto. This hose body
At the end of 28, a hand operation unit 29 is provided as operation means bent in a substantially rectangular shape. A stop setting button 31, a standard setting button 32, and a strong setting button 33 for setting the driving state of the electric blower 6 and the like are separated from a part of the hand operation part 29 facing the base end side of the bent part. Are provided in parallel in a row.

A suction port 36 as a nozzle body is detachably connected to the distal end of the manual operation section 29 of the hose body 28 via an extension pipe 35 as an extendable connection pipe. . An accessory hook 37 for detachably attaching accessories such as a gap nozzle (not shown) is attached to the extension pipe 35.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the electric blower 6 is located in the main body case 4 above the power supply chamber 12 of the cleaner main body 1 and in front of the electric blower room 7 of the cleaner main body 1. A circuit device 41 for controlling the driving state of the device is mounted. The circuit device 41 is provided with voltage conversion means 42 for increasing the output voltage of the secondary battery 11. As shown in FIG. 1, a blower control means 43 connected to the electric blower 6 and controlling the input voltage to the electric blower 6 is attached to the circuit device 41.

The blower control means 43 is connected to the stop setting button 31, the standard setting button 32, and the high setting button 33 of the manual operation unit 29. The stop setting button 31, the standard setting button 32 and strong setting buttons
The driving state of the electric blower 6 is controlled by the operation of 33. The blower control means 43 includes a switch 44 as a switching means for switching one of the output voltage of the voltage conversion means 42 and the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 by a switching operation and inputting the output voltage to the electric blower 6. . The switch 44 inputs the output voltage switched by the switch 44 to the blower control means 43, and controls the electric blower 6 by the blower control means 43.

The voltage converting means 42 includes a frequency setting means 45 for setting the operation of the transistor TR1 for increasing the output voltage of the secondary battery 11, ie, setting the on / off frequency. The frequency setting means 45 is connected to a frequency control means 46 for varying the output voltage of the voltage conversion means 42 in accordance with the setting of the frequency by the frequency setting means 45.
The frequency control means 46 is connected to a voltage conversion control means 47 as a control means for controlling the frequency control means 46. This voltage conversion control means 47 includes a frequency setting means 45
The frequency setting means 45 is controlled by a frequency control means 46. The voltage conversion control means 47
Are mutually connected to the blower control means 43 and are controlled by the blower control means 43.

A series circuit of a resistor R1 and a resistor R2 is connected between both ends of the secondary battery 11. A voltage conversion control means 47 is connected between the resistors R1 and R2, and the voltage divided by the resistors R1 and R2 is applied to the voltage conversion control means 47.

Further, a capacitor C1 is connected in parallel with the series circuit of the resistors R1 and R2. Also,
One end of the capacitor C1 is connected to one end of a coil L1 as a voltage conversion coil, and the other end of the coil L1 is connected to the collector of an NPN transistor TR1 as a switching element, which is switching means. The emitter of the transistor TR1 is grounded, and the base of the transistor TR1 is connected to the frequency setting means 45.

The collector of the transistor TR1 is connected to the anode of the diode D1. The cathode of this diode D1 is connected to one end of a capacitor C2 which is a capacitive impedance element.
Is grounded. A series circuit of a resistor R3 and a resistor R4 is connected in parallel to the capacitor C2.

A voltage conversion control means 47 is connected between the other end of the resistor R3 and one end of the resistor R4, and a current passing through the resistor R3 is input to the voltage conversion control means 47. . Further, the other end of the resistor R3 is connected to a switching terminal 48 of the switch 44.
The switching terminal 49 of the switch 44
Is connected to the other end of the secondary battery 11.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

First, an output from one end of the secondary battery 11 is switched by a transistor TR1 to a diode D1.
The capacitor C2 is charged through 1 and this capacitor C2
The output voltage output to the switch 44 from the secondary battery 11
Is boosted from the output voltage from one end of the switch.

The frequency setting means 45 includes a transistor
The output supplied to TR1 is also supplied, and the frequency setting unit 45 is controlled by the frequency control unit 46 by the voltage conversion control unit 47 when the electric blower 6 is started or when necessary.

Further, the input voltage divided by the resistors R1 and R2 and the output voltage divided by the resistors R3 and R4 are detected by the voltage conversion control means 47. The constant voltage output from the motor to the electric blower 6 is maintained at a desired value.

Further, based on the operation of the manual operation unit 29, the blower control means 43 controls the frequency control means 46 via the voltage conversion control means 47 in order to control the input voltage to the electric blower 6.

At this time, if it is not necessary to increase the input voltage to the electric blower 6, the switch 44
The direct output of 11 allows the output voltage output from the secondary battery 11 to pass to the blower control means 43 by bypassing the voltage conversion means 42.

Further, the energy of the coil L1 is controlled by setting the frequency of the output of the voltage conversion means 42 by the frequency setting means 45 by controlling the frequency control means 46 through the voltage conversion control means 47 by the blower control means 43. To control the voltage of the capacitor C2.

At this time, the switching frequency of the coil L1 and the switching frequency of the coil L1 are adjusted so that the input voltage to the electric blower 6 becomes a desired value.
By driving the transistor TR1 with an accurate frequency in terms of the function of the main electric components such as the loss of the transistor TR1 and the ripple current of the capacitors C1 and C2, that is, the duty, the conversion efficiency at the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is improved. You.

Further, as the electric power input to the electric blower 6 increases, the ripple current of the capacitors C1 and C2 increases and exceeds the tolerance of the capacitors C1 and C2. Therefore, the frequency set by the frequency setting means 45 is
If the ripple currents to these capacitors C1 and C2 are reduced, the electric capacity of these capacitors C1 and C2 does not need to be increased.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in order to improve the cleaning efficiency of the electric blower 6, the input current and the input voltage to the electric blower 6 may be increased. When the electric blower 6 is a commutator motor, it is technically difficult to increase the current input to the commutator of the electric blower 6 to a predetermined value, for example, 10 A or more. The carbon in the brush portion is easily damaged due to abrasion, sparks from the commutator, and the like, causing a phenomenon such as not being driven, and it is difficult to ensure the reliability of the electric blower 6.

Therefore, in order to increase the input voltage to the commutator and increase the input power without increasing the input current to the commutator of the electric blower 6, a secondary battery in which a plurality of battery bodies are connected in series is used. Although the battery 11 is used, in order to increase the battery voltage output from the secondary battery 11,
The number of battery bodies increases, the weight of the secondary battery 11 increases, and the manufacturing cost of the secondary battery 11 increases.

Therefore, the output voltage of the rechargeable battery 11 may be increased only when necessary, and the output voltage of the rechargeable battery 11 may be reduced to secure the capacity of the rechargeable battery 11 when unnecessary. For this reason, by the switching operation using the switch 44 by the blower control means 43, the electric blower 6 is directly driven by the blower control means 43 with the output voltage of the secondary battery 11, or is transmitted to the blower control means 43 through the voltage conversion means 42. Or drive it. Further, the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is increased by the voltage conversion means 42 without increasing the output current from the secondary battery 11 to increase the input voltage to the electric blower 6.

Therefore, the electric blower 6 does not require a strong suction force.
When the power supplied to the secondary battery 11 is small, that is, when it is not necessary to increase the output voltage of the secondary battery 11,
The output voltage of the secondary battery 11 without passing
43 can be entered directly. As a result, the power consumption in the voltage converter 42 can be suppressed, and the loss of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is reduced. Therefore, the output voltage of the electric blower 6 can be reduced without lowering the driving efficiency of the electric blower 6 by the secondary battery 11. A low secondary battery 11 can be formed.

Further, when increasing the input voltage to the electric blower 6, the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is increased, and the input current flowing to the commutator of the electric blower 6 is reduced to 10 A.
Do not increase more than this.

Since it is necessary to increase the input voltage to the electric blower 6 to drive the electric blower 6 in a short time, the secondary battery 11 having a high output battery voltage is required.
Without using the same, the output voltage output from the secondary battery 11 can be boosted to a desired value with the same secondary battery 11 as in the related art, so that the driving efficiency of the electric blower 6 by the secondary battery 11 is ensured. In addition, the electric blower 6 can be driven without increasing the current value flowing to the commutator of the electric blower 6.

Also, since the secondary battery 11 having a high battery voltage or a lightweight lithium (Li) battery is expensive, the weight of the circuit device 41 is lighter and less expensive than the secondary battery 11 having a higher battery voltage. Because there is a secondary battery 11 with a low battery voltage and a circuit device
By using 41, the manufacturing cost of the secondary battery 11 can be reduced and the cleaner body 1 can be reduced in weight and size.

Further, when the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is boosted by the voltage conversion means 42, the frequency of the output of the voltage conversion means 42 is controlled by the frequency control means 46 and the frequency setting means 45
If the frequency of the output of the voltage conversion means 42 is increased by the frequency setting means 45 using the frequency control means 46, the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 can be boosted. The secondary battery 11 having a lower output voltage can be obtained without lowering the drive efficiency of the secondary battery 6.

Therefore, compared with a case where the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is boosted by combining a converter circuit (not shown),
Since the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 can be boosted with a simple configuration,
The circuit device 41 can be reduced in weight and size, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, the frequency setting means 45
By increasing the frequency of the output of the voltage conversion means 42 at C2, the relatively heavy and bulky capacitor C2 of the circuit device 41
Since the substantial electric capacity of the condenser C2 can be reduced, the condenser C2 can be reduced in weight and size, so that the cleaner body 1 can be further reduced in size and weight.

When the input voltage to the electric blower 6 is set according to the application, the driving time, and the suction force when the electric blower 6 is driven for cleaning, the coil L1
The switching frequency and duty of transistor TR1
The electric blower 6 can be accurately controlled and driven by controlling the loss of the electric blower and the ripple currents of the capacitors C1 and C2 while maintaining the optimum mode.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The circuit device 41 shown in FIG. 4 is basically the same as the circuit device 41 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, except that the switching operation of the switch of the blower control means 43 is performed by the transistor TR1.

Therefore, the circuit device 41 shown in FIG.
Since the electric blower 6 is directly driven by the blower control means 43 by the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 by the switching operation by the transistor TR1, or is driven by the blower control means 43 through the voltage conversion means 42, FIG. The same operation and effect as those of the circuit device 41 shown in FIG. 3 can be obtained.

Further, when the operation of the transistor TR1 is stopped and turned off, the DC voltage output of the
Since the signal passes through with little loss at L1, the operation is almost equivalent to the operation when the voltage conversion unit 42 is bypassed. Here, the inductance of the coil L1 is generally about several tens μH to several hundred μH.
Since the impedance value of is almost zero, the secondary battery
With little effect on the output of 11, the equivalent operation by switching of the transistor TR1 becomes possible.

Since a mechanical mechanism such as a switch for switching the output of the secondary battery 11 is not required, the circuit device 41
Can be simplified, and the circuit device 41 can be reduced in weight and size.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The circuit device 41 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
This is basically the same as the circuit device 41 shown in FIG. 4, except that a resistor R5 as identification means for identifying the type of the secondary battery 11 is integrally attached to the secondary battery 11, and the voltage of the resistor R5 is The value is detected by the voltage conversion control means 47, and the type of the secondary battery 11, for example, the battery voltage, the electric capacity, the battery characteristics, etc., is identified. , The step-up rate of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is changed.

More specifically, the voltage conversion control means 47 increases the step-up rate in the case of the secondary battery 11 having a high performance from the viewpoint of the duration, and in the case of the inexpensive secondary battery 11 having a low performance. Is
Decrease the boost rate. As a result, secondary batteries with different performance
Even 11 is advantageous in terms of duration. Further, the voltage conversion control means 47 increases the boosting rate of the secondary battery 11 having a high output voltage and the boosting rate of the secondary battery 11 having a low output voltage. As a result, similar performance can be obtained even with the secondary batteries 11 having different output voltages.

The secondary battery 11 has a series power supply unit 51 for outputting electric power to the outside, and the minus terminal 52 of the power supply unit 51 is grounded to the voltage conversion means 42. Further, the plus terminal 53 of the power supply unit 51 is connected to one end of a thermostat 54, and the other end of the thermostat 54 is connected to one end of a resistor R5. Also, this resistor R5
Is connected to one end of the resistor R1 of the voltage conversion means 42 and to the blower control means 43. Further, the other end of the resistor R5 is connected to the voltage conversion control means 47.

Further, a thermistor TH1 as a temperature sensing means for sensing a rise in the temperature of the power supply unit 51 is provided near the power supply unit 51 of the secondary battery 11. The resistance of the thermistor TH1 changes according to the temperature rise of the power supply unit 51 of the secondary battery 11. Also, both ends of this thermistor TH1 are
It is connected to the blower control means 43, and the blower control means 43 detects temperature sensing by the thermistor TH1. The blower control means 43 is grounded to the voltage conversion means 42 and to the outside. Then, the blower control unit 43 changes the boost rate of the output voltage output from the secondary battery 11 by the voltage conversion unit 42 in response to the detection of a temperature rise in the power supply unit 51 of the secondary battery 11 by the thermistor TH1. Let it.

The blower control means 43 includes timer means 55 capable of measuring time.
Measures the continuous drive time of the electric blower 6 using the timer means 55, and when the drive time of the electric blower 6 measured by the timer means 55 becomes a predetermined time, for example, about 3 to 5 minutes, The step-up rate of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is changed by the voltage conversion means 42, specifically, lowered.

Further, the blower control means 43 temporarily stops the drive of the electric blower 6 for a predetermined time, for example, about 30 seconds to 1 minute by the operation of the manual operation section 29, and then drives the electric blower 6 In this case, it is assumed that the electric blower 6 is continuously driven, and the voltage conversion means 42 controls the boost rate of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11. When the electric blower 6 is stopped for about 3 to 5 minutes, the blower control means 43 resets the drive time of the electric blower 6 measured by the timer means 55.

Further, the blower control means 43 detects the resistance value of the resistor R5 and the temperature sensing of the thermistor TH1 via the voltage conversion control means 47, and detects the resistance value and the temperature information of the thermistor TH1. The discharge state of the power supply unit 51 is detected, and the voltage conversion unit 42 changes the boost rate of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 according to the detected discharge state, that is, the remaining potential of the secondary battery. Specifically, when the discharge state of the power supply unit 51 of the secondary battery 11 falls below a predetermined value, the blower control unit 43 causes the voltage conversion unit 42 to decrease the boost rate of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11. .

Further, the blower control means 43 detects a temperature rise of the electric blower 6 by a thermistor, which is a temperature sensor (not shown) serving as temperature detecting means, attached to the electric blower 6, and detects the detected temperature of the electric blower 6. In accordance with the rise, the boost rate of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is
Change at 42. Specifically, this blower control means 43
When the temperature of the electric blower 6 rises above a predetermined temperature, the step-up rate of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is reduced in order to suppress the temperature rise of the electric blower 6, the circuit device 41 and the secondary battery 11.

As a result, the circuit device 41 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 similarly drives the electric blower 6 directly by the blower control means 43 with the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 by switching by the transistor TR1. Since it is driven by the blower control means 43 through the voltage conversion means 42, the same operation and effect as the circuit device 41 shown in FIG. 4 can be obtained.

Further, based on the detection of the resistance value of the resistor R5 of the secondary battery 11, the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is
The type of the secondary battery 11 is identified by the measurement at 47, and the voltage conversion control unit 47 changes the boost rate of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 by the voltage conversion unit 42 according to the identification information. Therefore, even if the secondary batteries 11 of different types are connected to the voltage conversion means 42, the output voltage of the secondary batteries 11 is boosted by the voltage conversion control means 47 at a boosting rate suitable for the type of the secondary batteries 11. it can.

Therefore, the type, for example, nickel cadmium
Since the secondary battery 11 having a different battery voltage, current capacity, battery characteristics, etc., such as a (Ni-Cd) battery, a nickel hydride (Ni-H) battery, a lithium (Li) battery, etc., can drive the electric blower 6 efficiently, the output Since the electric blower 6 can be efficiently used even with the secondary batteries 11 having different voltages, the secondary batteries 11 can be replaced according to usability, and the electric blower 6 can be accurately driven even with the secondary batteries 11 having a low output voltage.
The size and weight of the secondary battery 11 can be further reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, a change in the voltage value of the resistor R5 of the secondary battery 11 and a change in the resistance value of the thermistor TH1 are detected to detect the discharge state of the power supply unit 51 of the secondary battery 11 by the blower control means 43. The blower control means 43 causes the voltage conversion means 42 to change the boost rate of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 according to the discharged state. Therefore, the consumption speed of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11, that is, the discharge speed can be reduced. Therefore, the driving time of the electric blower 6 by the secondary battery 11 can be more secured, and the electric blower 6 can be efficiently driven by the secondary battery 11 having a low output voltage. Therefore, the size and weight of the secondary battery 11 can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to prevent the secondary battery 11 from being unable to be charged due to the rapid voltage consumption of the secondary battery 11.

Further, the secondary battery 11 using the thermistor TH1
Blower control means in response to the detection of the temperature rise of the power supply unit 51
Since 43 changes the boosting rate of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 by the voltage conversion means 42, heat generation from the power supply unit 51 of the secondary battery 11 can be suppressed, and the temperature rise of the power supply unit 51 can be suppressed.
Therefore, the electric blower 6 by the power supply unit 51 of the secondary battery 11
Since the driving time can be further secured, the electric blower 6 can be efficiently driven by the secondary battery 11 having a low output voltage. Therefore, the size and weight of the secondary battery 11 can be further reduced.

Further, the continuous drive time of the electric blower 6 is measured by the blower control means 43 by using the timer means 55, and when the drive time reaches a predetermined time, the blower control means 43 is controlled by the voltage conversion means 42. The boosting rate of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is reduced. Therefore, the temperature rise of each of the electric blower 6, the circuit device 41, and the secondary battery 11 can be suppressed. Therefore, since the deterioration of each of the electric blower 6, the circuit device 41, and the secondary battery 11 can be prevented, the capacity of each of the electric blower 6, the circuit device 41, and the secondary battery 11 can be made smaller, and the cleaner body 1 can be made more compact. The size and weight can be reduced.

Further, the blower control means 43 temporarily stops the driving of the electric blower 6 for a predetermined time, for example, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, and then, when the electric blower 6 is driven, the electric blower 6 Since the step-up rate of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is controlled by the voltage conversion means 42 on the assumption that the battery was driven continuously, the electric blower 6 is temporarily stopped during cleaning so that the temperature of the electric blower 6 is sufficiently low. Even when the electric blower 6 is driven again before the temperature decreases, the temperature rise of each of the electric blower 6, the circuit device 41, and the secondary battery 11 can be suppressed.

For this reason, for example, it is possible to prevent the temperature of each element such as a power transistor and a capacitor (not shown) from rising, so that the capacity of each element such as the power transistor and the capacitor can be reduced. As a result, since each element such as the power transistor and the capacitor can be reduced in size and weight, the cleaner body 1 can be further reduced in size and weight.

Further, when the electric blower 6 is stopped for about 3 to 5 minutes, the blower control means 43 resets the drive time of the electric blower 6 measured by the timer means 55. For this reason, when the drive of the electric blower 6 is stopped and the power supply unit 51 of the secondary battery 11 is cooled to a predetermined temperature, the temperature rise of the secondary battery 11 can be suppressed more efficiently.

The blower control means 43 controls the electric blower 6
The temperature rise of the electric blower 6 is detected by the thermistor attached to the battery, and in accordance with the detected temperature rise of the electric blower 6, the boosting rate of the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is determined by the voltage conversion means 42.
To change it. For this reason, when the electric blower 6 rises above a predetermined temperature due to continuous driving, the temperature rise of the electric blower 6, the circuit device 41 and the secondary battery 11 is suppressed, so that the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is boosted. If the rate is reduced, the deterioration of the electric blower 6, the voltage conversion means 42, and the secondary battery 11 can be prevented, so that the capacity of the electric blower 6, the voltage conversion means 42, and the secondary battery 11 can be further reduced. Further, since the driving time of the electric blower 6 by the secondary battery 11 can be further secured, the electric blower 6 can be efficiently driven by the secondary battery 11 having a low output voltage. Therefore, the cleaner body 1 can be made smaller and lighter.

In the third embodiment, the type of the secondary battery 11 is identified by the resistor R5 attached to the secondary battery 11. For example, the secondary battery 11 may be provided with a protrusion or the like. Even with a configuration in which the type of the secondary battery 11 can be identified by the position and shape of the projection, the same operation and effect as in the third embodiment can be achieved.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The circuit device 41 shown in FIG. 6 is basically the same as the circuit device 41 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, except that the voltage conversion means 42 has a plurality of coils L1.

The voltage conversion means 42 has a coil L2 as a voltage conversion coil. One end of the coil L2 is connected to one switching terminal 62 provided at one end of a switch 61 as a coil switching means. It is connected. The other end 63 of the switch 61 is connected to one end of the capacitor C1. Further, the other switching terminal 64 provided at one end of the switch 61 is connected to the other end of the coil L2.

The other end of the coil L2 has a coil L1
Are connected at one end. The other end of the coil L1 is connected to each of the collector of the transistor TR1 and the anode of the diode D1.

As a result, the circuit device 41 shown in FIG.
The switching operation by the transistor TR1 allows the electric blower 6 to be directly driven by the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 or to be driven through the voltage conversion means 42, and thus has the same operation and effect as the circuit device 41 shown in FIGS. Can be played.

Further, the switching operation of the switch 61 according to the boosting rate of the operation mode by the manual operation unit 29 allows the secondary battery to be operated.
The output voltage of the secondary battery 11 can be boosted by both the coil L1 and the coil L2 while the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 can be boosted only by the coil L1.

For this reason, by the switching operation of the switch 61,
When the output voltage of the voltage conversion means 42 is boosted only by the coil L1, the output voltage of the voltage conversion means 42 is not boosted by the coil L2, so that the input current input to the blower control means 43 can be secured.

When the output voltage of the voltage converting means 42 is increased by both the coil L1 and the coil L2 by the switching operation of the switch 61, the output voltage of the voltage converting means 42 is further increased by the coil L2. Accordingly, the driving efficiency of the electric blower 6 by the secondary battery 11 is improved. Therefore, since the electric blower 6 can be driven accurately even with the inexpensive secondary battery 11 having a low output voltage, the size and weight can be further reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The circuit device 41 shown in FIG. 7 is basically the same as the circuit device 41 shown in FIG.
By connecting the coil L1 and the coil L2 in series or in parallel, the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is boosted.

The switch 61 is connected to the blower control means 43.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the other end of the coil L2 is connected to one end of the coil L1, and the coil L1 and the coil L2 are connected in series.

The switch 61 is a blower control means.
As shown in FIG. 7B, one end of each of the coil L1 and the coil L2 is connected to one end of the capacitor C1, and the other end of each of the coil L1 and the coil L2 is connected to the collector of the transistor TR1 and a diode. D1
And the coil L1 and the coil L2 are connected in parallel.

Further, this switch 61 is controlled by the blower control means 43, and only the other end of the coil L1 is connected to the collector of the transistor TR1 and the diode D1 as shown in FIG.
Connected to each of the anodes and coils
Both ends of L2 are insulated from the circuit device 41.

As a result, the circuit device 41 shown in FIG.
By the switching operation of the transistor TR1, the electric blower 6 can be directly driven by the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 or can be driven through the voltage conversion means 42, so that the same operational effects as those of the circuit device 41 shown in FIG. Can be.

Further, the connection of the coil L1 and the coil L2 can be connected in series or in parallel, or the coil L2 can be insulated from the coil L1 by the switching operation of the switch 41. Therefore, when the coil L1 and the coil L2 are connected in series, without increasing the output current of the secondary battery 11, the coil L1 and the coil L2
Since the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 can be increased in each case, the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 can be further increased, and the electric blower 6
Cleaning efficiency can be improved. When the coil L1 and the coil L2 are connected in parallel, the output current of the secondary battery 11 can be increased by each of the coil L1 and the coil L2.

As a result, by connecting the coil L1 and the coil L2 to one of the series and the parallel by the switching operation of the switch 61, the coil L1 and the coil L2 can be connected without insulating any of the coil L1 and the coil L2.
The output voltage and output current of the voltage conversion means 42 can be controlled by each of the coils L2. For this reason, the electric blower 6 can be driven more efficiently by the secondary battery 11, so that the electric blower 6 can be accurately driven even by the inexpensive secondary battery 11 having a low output voltage, and the cleaner body 1 can be made smaller and lighter. And manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Further, in the case where the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is increased by the frequency setting means 45, even if the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 is insufficiently increased, the switch 61 connects the coil L1 and the coil L2 in series. The output voltage of the secondary battery 11 can be further increased by increasing the output voltage of the secondary battery 11 by connecting to

[0106]

According to the present invention, one of the output voltage of the battery means and the output voltage of the voltage conversion means for increasing the output voltage of the battery means is switched by the switching means. If the electric power is supplied to the electric blower by switching, the electric power of the battery means can be supplied to the electric blower without passing through the voltage conversion means when the power supply to the electric blower is small without a strong suction force. Since the power consumption of the voltage conversion means is suppressed and the loss of the output voltage of the battery means is reduced, the battery means having a low output voltage can be used without lowering the driving efficiency of the electric blower by the battery means. The size and weight can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the frequency of the operation of the switching element is set by the frequency setting means, the output voltage of the battery means is changed by the voltage conversion means according to the setting of the frequency by the frequency setting means. Since the voltage is boosted and the output voltage from the voltage converting means is varied, the output voltage of the battery means can be boosted by the voltage converting means while the substantial electric capacity of the capacitor can be reduced. Without lowering the driving efficiency of the battery, it is possible to use a battery means having a low output voltage and to make the capacitor lighter and smaller, so that the size and weight can be further reduced.

According to the third aspect of the invention, based on the identification of the type of the battery means by the identification means, the boosting rate of the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means is changed by the control means, whereby the type of the battery means is changed. Even if different battery means are connected to the voltage conversion means, since the control means boosts the output voltage of this battery means at a boost rate suitable for the type of this battery means,
Since the electric blower can be efficiently driven even with different types of battery means, the electric blower can be accurately driven even with a battery means having a low output voltage, so that the size and weight can be further reduced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means changes the step-up rate of the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means according to the discharge state of the battery means. Since the consumption speed of the voltage is reduced, the driving time of the electric blower by the battery means can be more secured, and the battery means cannot be charged due to the rapid voltage consumption of the battery means. The blower can be driven efficiently, and the size and weight can be reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the control means changes the step-up rate of the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means in accordance with the temperature of the battery means, the heat generated from the battery means is obtained. Is suppressed, and the temperature rise of the battery means can be suppressed, so that the driving time of the electric blower by the battery means can be more secured, and the electric blower can be efficiently driven by the battery means having a low output voltage, so that the size and the size can be further reduced. Can be reduced in weight.

According to the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention, the control means changes the step-up rate of the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means in accordance with the driving time of the electric blower. Since the temperature rise of each of the means and the battery means can be suppressed, the driving time of the electric blower by the battery means can be further secured, and the electric blower can be efficiently driven by the battery means having a low output voltage, so that the size and weight can be further reduced. .

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the control means changes the step-up rate of the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means in accordance with the temperature of the electric blower, the electric blower, the voltage conversion means and Since the temperature rise of each of the battery means can be suppressed, the driving time of the electric blower by the battery means can be further secured, and the electric blower can be efficiently driven by the battery means having a low output voltage, so that the size and weight can be further reduced.

According to the present invention, the output voltage of the voltage conversion coil is switched by the coil switching means and supplied to the electric blower, so that the output voltage of the battery means is directly supplied to the electric blower by the coil switching means. If you enter
Since the output voltage of the battery means is not boosted by the voltage conversion coil, the input current value to the electric blower can be secured, and when the output voltage of the voltage conversion coil is input to the electric blower by the coil switching means, Since the output voltage of the battery means is boosted by the voltage conversion coil, the driving efficiency of the electric blower can be improved by the battery means, so that the electric blower can be accurately driven even with the battery means having a low output voltage, and the size and weight are further reduced. Can be

According to the vacuum cleaner of the ninth aspect, in addition to the effect of the vacuum cleaner of the eighth aspect, the connection between the plurality of voltage conversion coils is switched by the coil switching means to one of series and parallel. By switching, when the plurality of voltage conversion coils are connected in series, the output voltage can be boosted by the plurality of voltage conversion coils, and when the plurality of voltage conversion coils are connected in parallel. Can increase the output current with these multiple voltage conversion coils,
Since the output voltage and the output current of the voltage conversion means can be controlled by the plurality of voltage conversion coils without insulating any of the plurality of voltage conversion coils, the electric blower can be more efficiently driven by the battery means, and Since the electric blower can be driven accurately even by a battery means having a low voltage, the size and weight can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cleaner main body of the electric vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the electric vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a part of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a part of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. (a) Circuit diagram in which voltage conversion coils are connected in series (b) Circuit diagram in which voltage conversion coils are connected in parallel (c) Circuit diagram in which only one voltage conversion coil is connected

[Explanation of symbols]

6 Electric blower 11 Secondary battery as battery means 42 Voltage conversion means 43 Blower control means 44 Switch as switching means 45 Frequency setting means 47 Voltage conversion control means as control means 61 Switches L1, L2 as coil switching means Voltage conversion Coil as coil for use R5 Resistor as identification means TR1 Switching element as switching means Transistor

Claims (9)

[Claims] An electric blower, a voltage converter for increasing the output voltage of a battery means and supplying electric power to the electric blower, and one of an output voltage of the voltage converter and an output voltage of the battery means. A vacuum cleaner comprising: switching means for switching by switching; and blower control means for controlling the electric blower with the output voltage switched by the switching means. 2. An electric blower, comprising: a switching element; a voltage conversion means for increasing an output voltage of a battery means by the operation of the switching element to supply electric power to the electric blower; A vacuum cleaner comprising: frequency setting means for setting, wherein an output voltage of the voltage conversion means is made variable in accordance with frequency setting by the frequency setting means. 3. An electric blower, a voltage conversion means for changing the step-up rate of an output voltage of a battery means and supplying electric power to the electric blower, and identification of the type of the battery means by identification means attached to the battery means. And a control means for changing a step-up rate of the output voltage of the battery means by the voltage conversion means on the basis of the above. 4. An electric blower, a voltage conversion means capable of changing a step-up rate of an output voltage of a battery means and supplying electric power to the electric blower, and the battery by the voltage conversion means according to a discharge state of the battery means. And a control means for changing a step-up rate of the output voltage of the means. 5. An electric blower, a voltage conversion means capable of changing a step-up rate of an output voltage of a battery means and supplying electric power to the electric blower, and the battery means by the voltage conversion means according to a temperature of the battery means. And a control means for changing a step-up rate of the output voltage of the vacuum cleaner. 6. An electric blower, a voltage conversion means for changing a step-up rate of an output voltage of a battery means and supplying electric power to the electric blower, and the battery by the voltage conversion means according to a driving time of the electric blower. And a control means for changing a step-up rate of the output voltage of the means. 7. An electric blower, a voltage conversion means for changing a step-up rate of an output voltage of a battery means and supplying power to the electric blower, and the battery means by the voltage conversion means according to a temperature of the electric blower. And a control means for changing a step-up rate of the output voltage of the vacuum cleaner. 8. An electric blower, and a voltage conversion coil for increasing an output voltage of a battery means, a voltage for increasing an output voltage of the battery means with the voltage conversion coil and supplying power to the electric blower. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a conversion unit; and a coil switching unit that switches an output voltage of the voltage conversion coil. 9. The voltage conversion means includes a plurality of voltage conversion coils, and the coil switching means switches connection between the plurality of voltage conversion coils to one of series and parallel. Item 8. An electric vacuum cleaner according to Item 8.