JP2002360471A - Self-travelling vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a self-travelling vacuum cleaner which has a self-travelling function of its vacuum cleaner main body, and automatically carries out cleaning of a surface to be cleaned, wherein the self-advancing vacuum cleaner can stop its operation through simple operation when cleaning is halted during traveling thereof, and is easily portable. SOLUTION: According to the vacuum cleaner, a sucker 3 having a rotary brush 2, scrapes up dust adherent to the surface to be cleaned, and an electric blower 4 for generating dust-sucking air current for sucking dust, collects the sucked dust to a dust collecting section 5, followed by advancing the vacuum cleaner main body 1 by a roller 11 driven by a driving motor 8. A power source section 6 supplies electric power to the electric blower 4 and the driving motor 8, and a control means 15 halts at least one of the rolling brush 2, the electric blower 4, and the driving motor 8. Halting operation of the control means 15 is carried out by a grip 20 arranged on the vacuum cleaner main body 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a self-propelled cleaner having a self-propelled function in a cleaner body and automatically cleaning a surface to be cleaned.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a self-propelled vacuum cleaner of this type has a structure in which a flow of air sucking dust generated by an electric blower is used.
A suction device configured to suck dust adhering to the surface to be cleaned from the suction tool, collect the sucked dust in a dust collection portion, and further provide a battery for supplying power to an electric blower and a drive motor to be described later; And a plurality of sensors for detecting distances are provided to form a cleaner body, and the cleaner body can be run by rollers driven by a drive motor.

In the self-propelled vacuum cleaner configured as described above, when the power switch provided on the cleaner body is turned on and the start switch is turned on to start the operation, the electric blower operates,
Straight running is started by a roller driven by a drive motor. While traveling, measure the distance to obstacles such as furniture with multiple sensors, further confirm the steps on the surface to be cleaned, run around obstacles and steps, and at the same time, air generated by the electric blower The dust adheres to the surface to be cleaned from the suction tool by the flow of the suction, and the surface to be cleaned is automatically cleaned.

[0004]

In such a conventional structure, when cleaning is stopped during traveling, the stop switch provided on the cleaner body is pressed to stop the electric blower, the drive motor, and the like. However, it is necessary to carry the battery to a storage place or a charging place for charging the battery, so that the operation is troublesome and the shape is large and heavy, so that it is difficult to carry the battery.

Further, when the surface to be cleaned is a carpet, there is a problem that when the carpet is run on the carpet for cleaning, traces of the rollers remain on the surface of the carpet, making it extremely unsightly.

Further, when there is a convex step on the surface to be cleaned, if the step is so high that the suction tool hits it, the step may not be overcome. And it is troublesome to handle even though it is a self-propelled vacuum cleaner.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems and provides a self-propelled vacuum cleaner having high usability. In the case where cleaning is stopped during traveling, the operation can be stopped by a simple operation. The first object is to make it easy to carry.

It is a second object of the present invention to prevent traces of running of rollers and casters from remaining even if the surface to be cleaned is a carpet, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance after cleaning.

Further, even if the surface to be cleaned has a convex step,
It is a third object of the present invention to make it easy to clean over a step, to facilitate handling, and to improve usability.

[0010]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the first object, dust adhering to a surface to be cleaned is lifted up by a suction tool having a rotating brush to generate a flow of air for sucking the dust. The dust sucked by the electric blower to be collected is collected in a dust collecting section, the cleaner body is caused to travel by a roller driven by a drive motor, and power is supplied from a power supply section to the electric blower and the drive motor, and the rotating brush, the electric blower And at least one of the drive motors is stopped by stop means, and the stop means is stopped by operating a handle for transporting the cleaner body provided on the cleaner body. .

Thus, when the cleaning is stopped while the vehicle is running, the operation can be stopped by a simple operation of lifting with a handle, and the device can be easily carried.

In order to achieve the second object,
The air blower sucks the dust generated by the electric blower, so that the dust attached to the surface to be cleaned is sucked by the suction tool, and the sucked dust is collected in the dust collecting portion. In addition to running the cleaner body, the cleaner body is movably supported by casters, and the running traces of the rollers or the casters are erased by a trace erasing mechanism constituted by a brushed cloth.

Thus, even if the surface to be cleaned is a carpet,
It is possible to prevent traces of running of the rollers and casters from remaining, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance after cleaning.

Further, in order to achieve the third object,
By the air flow that sucks the dust generated by the electric blower, the dust attached to the surface to be cleaned is sucked by the suction tool, and the sucked dust is collected in the dust collecting portion. The cleaner body is run, and the suction tool is supported on a supporter rotatably supported by a first rotation axis so as to be substantially horizontal to the floor surface by a second rotation axis, and is vertically moved by the supporter. It is freely configured.

Thus, even if there is a convex step on the surface to be cleaned, the suction tool can easily move over the step to perform cleaning, and the handling can be facilitated and the usability can be improved.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention according to claim 1 of the present invention relates to a suction tool having a rotary brush for scraping dust adhered to a surface to be cleaned, and an electric blower for generating a flow of air for sucking dust. A dust collecting unit that collects dust sucked by the electric blower, a roller driven by a drive motor to run a cleaner body, a power supply unit that supplies power to the electric blower, the drive motor, and the rotating brush. , An electric blower, stopping means for stopping at least one of the drive motor, and a handle for carrying the cleaner body,
The stopping means is configured to stop by operating the handle, and when cleaning is stopped during running, for example, when the cleaner body is lifted by the handle, the rotating brush, the electric blower, the drive motor by the handle. In order to stop at least one of the vacuum cleaners, the vacuum cleaner body can be lifted and stopped at the same time as the handle, so that it can be carried as it is, the operation can be stopped with a simple operation, and it is easily carried. be able to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the handle is provided on the upper surface of the cleaner body. The main body of the machine can be easily lifted, and at least one of the rotating brush, the electric blower, and the drive motor can be stopped at the same time as being lifted by the handle, and can be carried as it is, thereby facilitating handling. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or the second aspect of the present invention, the handle can be pulled out from the cleaner body, and when the handle is pulled out, the rotating brush, the electric blower, and the drive motor can be pulled out. At least one of the brushes is stopped. When the handle is stored in the main body of the vacuum cleaner, the handle does not become an obstacle. , At least one of the electric blower and the drive motor can be stopped, the portable device can be carried as it is, and the handling can be facilitated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the handle is foldable and at least one of a rotating brush, an electric blower, and a drive motor is provided in a state where the handle is upright. When the handle is down, the handle is not in the way, and when cleaning is stopped during running, the handle is upright to make the rotating brush, electric blower, drive motor At least one can be stopped, can be carried as it is, and handling can be facilitated.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the drive motor is constituted by a geared motor having a built-in reduction gear. If you try to move the vacuum cleaner manually by turning off the power to the drive motor, the reduction gear built into the geared motor becomes a load and will not move unless a large force is applied, but it will not move. By carrying, it can be easily moved and handling can be facilitated.

[0021] The invention described in claim 6 is the above-mentioned claim 1-
In the invention described in Item 4, the handle is provided at a position where the suction tool comes into contact with the floor surface after the roller when the cleaner body is installed on the floor from a suspended state. When installing the cleaner on the floor from the state where it is suspended with the handle, such as when carrying it, the roller comes in contact with the floor first, so a large force is applied to the suction tool when installing the cleaner on the floor. Without this, the breakage of the suction tool can be prevented.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a suction device for sucking dust attached to a surface to be cleaned, an electric blower for generating a flow of air for sucking dust, and collecting dust sucked by the electric blower. A dust collection unit, a roller driven by a drive motor to run the cleaner body, a caster for supporting the cleaner body so as to be able to travel, the electric blower, a power supply unit for supplying power to the drive motor, A trace erasing mechanism for erasing the running trace of the roller or the caster is constituted by a brushed cloth.When the electric blower is operated and driven by a roller driven by a driving motor, the surface to be cleaned is a carpet. Alternatively, even if there are running traces of the casters, the running traces can be erased by the brushed cloth, and the appearance after cleaning can be improved.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned seventh aspect, a caster is provided behind the roller, and a trace erasing mechanism biased by a spring is provided behind the caster. And a trace erasing mechanism urged by a spring behind the caster, it is possible to surely erase the running traces of the rollers and the casters, and to improve the appearance after cleaning.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a suction device for sucking dust adhered on a surface to be cleaned, an electric blower for generating a flow of air for sucking dust, and collecting dust sucked by the electric blower. A dust collector, a roller driven by a drive motor to move the cleaner body, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the electric blower and the drive motor, wherein the suction tool is rotated by a first rotating shaft. It is supported substantially horizontally with respect to the floor surface by a second rotating shaft on a movably supported support, and is configured to be vertically movable by the support. The surface to be cleaned has a convex step. By rotating the support upward about the first rotation axis, the suction tool can be moved upward, and the suction tool can easily climb over the step and perform cleaning. Easy handling and improved usability Rukoto can.

[0025] The invention according to claim 10 is the above-mentioned claim 9.
In the invention described in (1), the suction tool is provided with an inclined surface whose rear side is lowered on the front surface, and when the surface to be cleaned has a convex step, the suction tool is lifted by the inclined surface provided on the front surface of the suction tool. Therefore, the suction tool can easily go over the step to clean the device, and the handling can be facilitated and the usability can be improved.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) As shown in FIG. 1, a cleaner main body 1 is provided with a suction tool 3 having two rotating brushes 2 at a front bottom portion, and dust adhered to a surface to be cleaned by the rotating brushes 2. Is configured to be lifted. The electric blower 4 generates a flow of air that sucks dust.
, And is configured to collect the dust sucked from the suction tool 2 by the electric blower 4 into the dust collection unit 5.

The power supply section 6 comprises a battery pack 7 containing a plurality of rechargeable secondary batteries, and supplies power to the electric blower 4 and a drive motor 8 described later. The distance measuring sensor 9 measures a distance by irradiating light (infrared rays) and irradiating light of reflected light reflected by an obstacle such as furniture. As shown in FIG. A plurality is provided on each of the front, side, and rear sides of one. The level difference sensor 10 detects a level difference on the surface to be cleaned, has the same configuration as the distance measuring sensor 8 described above, and is provided obliquely downward at a corner of the cleaner main body 1.

The rollers 11 are for moving the cleaner main body 1 and are provided on the left and right sides of the cleaner main body 1 and are independently driven by the drive motor 8 on the left and right sides. The drive motor 8 is constituted by a geared motor having a built-in reduction gear (not shown). The casters 12 support the cleaner body 1 so that it can run freely.

The operation unit 13 includes a panel switch having a function of displaying characters and the like, and has a function of turning on and off when touched. The display unit 14 includes a display such as a light emitting diode and a buzzer. 14 is a control device 15
When the user operates a panel switch, the control device 15 controls the operation of the electric blower 4, the drive motor 8, and the like. It is configured to run automatically by driven rollers 11. In addition, 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes a power switch.

The cleaner body 1 includes a suction device 3, an electric blower 4, a dust collector 5, a power supply 6, a drive motor 8, a distance measuring sensor 9, a level difference sensor 10, a control device 15, and the like.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG.
It is covered with. For this reason, the distance measuring sensor 9 and the step sensor 10 transmit and receive light (infrared rays) through the outer shell 17, and
Since the level difference sensor 10 is provided obliquely downward at the corner of the cleaner body 1, light (infrared rays) is transmitted and received through a protruding portion 18 that protrudes a part of the outer shell 17.

Here, these sensors use light (infrared)
Since the heat source generally emits infrared rays, the heat source can also be detected. A bumper 19 made of an elastic body is provided below the outer shell 17.

The handle 20 is provided on the upper surface of the cleaner main body 1 so as to be able to be pulled out, and carries the cleaner body 1, as shown in FIG. By means (not shown), the control device 15 constituting the stopping means is configured to stop at least one of the rotating brush 2, the electric blower 4, and the driving motor 8.

As shown in FIG. 5, the handle 20 is provided at a position where the suction tool 3 is inclined above the roller 11 when the cleaner body 1 is suspended by the handle 20, and from this state, the handle is placed on the floor. When installing, the suction tool 3 is
It comes into contact with the floor later.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. When the power switch 16 is turned on, the cleaner body 1 is placed substantially parallel to the wall of the cleaning area, and the start button of the operation unit 13 is pressed,
The electric blower 4 is operated, and the roller 1 is driven by the drive motor 8.
1 is driven to start traveling straight ahead. While driving,
While performing dust collection work with the electric blower 4, the distance measurement sensor 9 always measures the distance to obstacles such as surrounding furniture, and the step sensor 10 confirms the step on the surface to be cleaned.

When the distance from the cleaner main body 1 to an obstacle such as furniture approaches a predetermined distance, the vehicle temporarily stops, then swings by a predetermined angle, changes direction, and travels. The same applies to the case where there is a step on the surface to be cleaned. In this way, cleaning is performed by automatically traveling in the cleaning area while avoiding obstacles such as furniture and steps.

Next, when the cleaner 20 is lifted by the handle 20 when the cleaning is stopped during running or the like, when the handle 20 is pulled out, the control device 15 controls the rotating brush 2, the electric blower 4, the drive motor 8 is stopped so that the cleaner body 1 can be lifted up by the handle 20 and stopped at the same time, the portable device can be carried as it is, and the operation can be stopped by a simple operation. It can be easily carried.

Here, since the handle 20 is provided on the upper surface of the cleaner main body 1, when the cleaning is stopped during traveling or the like,
The handle 20 allows the cleaner body 1 to be easily lifted, can be carried as it is, and can be easily handled.

Further, the handle 20 can be pulled out from the cleaner body 1 and at least one of the rotating brush 2, the electric blower 4, and the drive motor 8 is stopped in a state where the handle 20 is pulled out. 20 for the vacuum cleaner body 1
The handle 20 does not get in the way when stored in
For example, when the cleaning is stopped during running, at least one of the rotating brush 2, the electric blower 4, and the driving motor 8 can be stopped by pulling out the handle 20, the portable device can be carried as it is, and the handling is easy. Can be

Further, since the drive motor 8 is constituted by a geared motor having a built-in reduction gear, it is necessary to manually clean the drive motor 8 in a state where the power supply to the drive motor 8 is stopped when the cleaning is stopped during traveling. If the user tries to move the machine body 1 by pushing, the reduction gear built into the geared motor becomes a load and does not move unless a large force is applied. Can be facilitated.

In this embodiment, the handle 20 can be pulled out from the cleaner body 1. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the handle 20a is of a retractable type, and as shown in FIG. 7, the handle 20a is upright. In this state, at least one of the rotary brush 2, the electric blower 4, and the drive motor 8 may be stopped. In this case, the handle 20a is not obstructed when the For example, when cleaning is to be stopped during cleaning, at least one of the rotating brush 2, the electric blower 4, and the drive motor 8 can be stopped by erecting the handle 20a, the portable device can be carried as it is, and handling is easy. Can be

(Embodiment 2) As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the brushed cloth 21 is attached to the lower surface of the cleaner main body 1, and
A trace erasing mechanism for erasing the running trace of the roller 11 is provided behind the roller 11,
Is similarly attached to the lower surface of the cleaner body 1 and constitutes a trace erasing mechanism for erasing the running trace of the caster 12 provided behind the roller 11, and is provided behind the caster 12. The raised cloth 22 is, as shown in FIG.
It is urged downward by a spring 23. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. When running with the roller 11 driven by the drive motor while operating the electric blower, when the surface to be cleaned is a carpet, a running trace of the roller 11 or the caster 12 may be formed on the surface of the carpet.

Also in this case, since the raised cloth 21 is provided behind the roller 11, the raised cloth 21
1 can be eliminated, and a raised cloth 22 urged by a spring 23 can be provided behind the casters 12 to reduce the load on the floor of the casters 12. Can be reliably erased, and the aesthetic appearance after cleaning can be improved.

(Embodiment 3) As shown in FIG. 11, the suction tool 3 is supported on a support 25 which is rotatably supported by a first rotating shaft 24 and a second rotating shaft 26 with respect to the floor. , And is configured to be vertically movable by a support 25, and an inclined surface 27 whose rear side is lowered is provided on the front surface. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. When running with the roller 11 driven by the drive motor while operating the electric blower, if there is a convex step on the surface to be cleaned, the suction tool 3 is raised by the inclined surface 27 provided on the front surface of the suction device. Rides on the steps of
By rotating upward about the first rotating shaft 24, the suction tool 3 can be moved upward, and the suction tool 3 can easily climb over the step and perform cleaning.
Handling can be facilitated and usability can be improved.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, a self-propelled vacuum cleaner having a high usability that can be stopped easily by a simple operation and easily carried when the cleaning is stopped during traveling or the like. Can be provided.

Further, even if the surface to be cleaned is a carpet, traces of running of rollers and casters are not left, so that the appearance after cleaning can be improved.

Even if the surface to be cleaned has a convex step,
Cleaning can be performed by easily overstepping a step, and handling can be facilitated and usability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a self-propelled cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner with a transparent outer shell.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the self-propelled cleaner in a state where a half outer shell is transparent.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the self-propelled cleaner in a state where a handle is pulled out.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the self-propelled cleaner in a state of being suspended by a handle.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another example of the self-propelled cleaner in which a semi-outer shell is transparent.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner in a state in which a handle is upright.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a self-propelled cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner with a portion cut away.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a self-propelled cleaner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vacuum cleaner main body 2 Rotary brush 3 Suction implement 4 Electric blower 5 Dust collection part 6 Power supply part 8 Drive motor 11 Roller 15 Control device (stop means) 20 Handle

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Naoyuki Ohara 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hidetaka Yabuuchi 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Kayama 1006 Oji Kadoma Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. No. 1006, Kadoma, Kadoma, Futoma, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A suction tool having a rotating brush for scraping dust adhered to a surface to be cleaned, an electric blower for generating a flow of air for sucking dust, and a dust collector for collecting dust sucked by the electric blower. Unit, a roller driven by a drive motor to run the cleaner body, a power supply unit for supplying power to the electric blower, the drive motor, and stopping at least one of the rotating brush, the electric blower, and the drive motor. A self-propelled cleaner comprising a stopping means and a handle for carrying the cleaner body, wherein the stopping means is stopped by operating the handle. 2. The self-propelled cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a handle is provided on an upper surface of the cleaner body. 3. The self-propelled type as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle can be pulled out of the cleaner body, and at least one of the rotating brush, the electric blower and the drive motor is stopped when the handle is pulled out. Vacuum cleaner. 4. The self-propelled cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the handle is foldable, and at least one of a rotary brush, an electric blower, and a drive motor is stopped in a state where the handle is upright. 5. The self-propelled cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the drive motor is a geared motor having a built-in reduction gear. 6. The grip according to claim 1, wherein the handle is provided at a position where the suction tool comes into contact with the floor after the roller when the cleaner is placed on the floor from a suspended state. Self-propelled vacuum cleaner. 7. A suction device for sucking dust attached to a surface to be cleaned, an electric blower for generating a flow of air for sucking dust, a dust collecting unit for collecting dust sucked by the electric blower, and a drive motor. A roller for driving the cleaner main body driven by the motor, a caster for supporting the cleaner main body movably, a power supply unit for supplying power to the electric blower and the drive motor, and a running trace of the roller or caster. Self-propelled vacuum cleaner with a brush erasing mechanism that erases traces. 8. The self-propelled cleaner according to claim 7, wherein a caster is provided behind the roller, and a trace erasing mechanism biased by a spring is provided behind the caster. 9. A suction device for sucking dust adhered to a surface to be cleaned, an electric blower for generating a flow of air for sucking dust, a dust collecting portion for collecting dust sucked by the electric blower, and a drive motor. And a power supply unit that supplies power to the electric blower and the drive motor, and the suction unit includes a first power supply unit that supplies power to the electric blower and the drive motor.
A self-propelled cleaner configured to be supported substantially horizontally with respect to the floor surface by a second rotating shaft on a supporting member rotatably supported by the rotating shaft, and to be vertically movable by the supporting member. 10. The self-propelled cleaner according to claim 9, wherein an inclined surface whose rear side is lowered is provided on a front surface of the suction tool.