JP2004000799A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner which is enhanced in suction power to lessen increase of a body mass even when the service time is lengthened, capable of miniaturizing a main body, with improved portability and storability. <P>SOLUTION: The vacuum cleaner comprises a cleaner body having a built-in electric blower and a battery for driving the electric blower, and the input power of the electric blower is heightened to realize a state of high suction force only for a certain period of time from the beginning of operation. Thereafter, the input is changed to an ordinary service state. Dust is efficiently collected by improving initial dust collecting ability at the beginning of cleaning, whereby the service time can be further extended. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner used in a general household.

は Conventional vacuum cleaners are generally shown in FIG. 4 and will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Conventionally, vacuum cleaners using a secondary battery as a power source are known. As shown in FIG. 3, an electric blower 2 is arranged in the cleaner body 1, a dust collecting chamber 8 is arranged on a suction side of the electric blower 2, and dust and the like sucked in the dust collecting chamber 8. It has a dust bag 9 for cleaning dirty air including the dust. Further, a secondary battery 10 for rotating the electric blower 2 is provided in the cleaner body 1, and a nickel cadmium battery or a lead battery is used as the secondary battery.

In such a conventional vacuum cleaner, since the electric capacity of a secondary battery composed of a nickel-cadmium battery or a lead battery is small, if the use time of the vacuum cleaner is increased or the suction power is increased, the number of batteries increases. However, there has been a problem that the mass of the main body is greatly increased, and the main body is further enlarged, so that the portability and the storage capacity are reduced. In the handy type, a rechargeable vacuum cleaner using a nickel-metal hydride battery is known.However, in a small and lightweight vacuum cleaner such as a handy type, if the number of used nickel-metal hydride batteries is increased, the mass and the main body are reduced. Is greatly increased, and there is a limit to improve the suction force.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and improves the suction force, reduces the increase in the mass of the main body even if the use time is prolonged, reduces the size of the main body, and improves the vacuum cleaner with improved portability and storage. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a cleaner main body having a built-in electric blower, and a battery for driving the electric blower, and increasing the input to the electric blower by a certain time from the start of operation. High suction force state input and then change to normal use state input. By improving the initial dust collection at the start of cleaning, dust is collected efficiently and the usable time is further extended. be able to.

Further, the present invention provides a cleaner main body having a built-in electric blower, a hose having one end connected to the main body, an extension pipe connected to the other end of the hose, and a suction tool connected to the extension pipe. And a battery for driving the electric blower, wherein when the suction tool or the extension pipe and the suction tool are detached from the hose, the input to the electric blower rises, and the battery is conventionally charged. With a vacuum cleaner, dust could not be collected sufficiently due to the small suction force when cleaning the gap, but when the suction tool or the extension tube and the suction tool were removed from the hose, input to the electric blower was automatically performed. As a result, a high suction force can be secured without increasing the size of the main body or increasing the mass, and dust can be sufficiently collected.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if it achieves the miniaturization and weight reduction of a main body, the suction force is improved, and even if a use time is prolonged, the increase of a main body mass is reduced and a main body can be miniaturized and portability and storage property improve. Can be provided.

A first aspect of the present invention includes a cleaner main body having a built-in electric blower, and a battery for driving the electric blower, wherein an input to the electric blower is increased by a certain time from the start of operation to set a high suction force state. The input is changed to an input in a normal use state. Thereafter, the dust collection efficiency at the start of cleaning is improved, so that dust can be efficiently collected and the usable time can be further extended.

In the second invention, the suction power in the high suction force state is set to be approximately 1.2 times or more the suction power in the normal use state, and the power difference between the high suction force state and the normal use state is determined as described above. By increasing the size, dust can be collected more efficiently, and a comfortable cleaning feeling can be obtained.

In the third invention, the input in the high suction force state is set to be approximately 1.5 times or more the input in the normal use state. By making the input in the normal use state smaller than that in the high suction force state, It is possible to secure a high suction force state without increasing the number of batteries and at the same time minimize the reduction of the usable time. Therefore, even if the suction force is improved, it is possible to provide a vacuum cleaner in which the main body can be downsized without increasing the mass of the main body, and the portability and storability are improved.

In the fourth invention, the input of the high suction force state is kept constant for 5 seconds or more. By maintaining the time of the high suction force state for a long time, the paper bag can be opened widely, and the amount of dust collection is improved. it can.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, after the input from the high suction force state is changed to the input for the normal use state, the state can be changed to the high suction force state again. The high suction force can be returned whenever necessary, and cleaning that is more user-friendly can be realized.

In the sixth invention, the input is changed stepwise from the input of the high suction force state to the input of the normal use state. If the input is reduced to the normal use state at a time, the difference is large and the feeling of use is unnatural. By lowering it more natural feeling of use can be obtained.

In the seventh invention, the operation time in each input stage is changed while gradually shortening the operation time from the input in the high suction force state to the input in the normal use state. By maintaining it for a long period of time, sufficient initial dust collection performance can be maintained.

The eighth invention changes the operation time in each input stage from the input of the high suction force state to the input of the normal use state while gradually increasing the operation time. By keeping it short enough, the usage time can be further extended.

The ninth invention changes the operation time in each input stage while gradually shortening the operation time from the input in the high suction force state to the intermediate input between the input in the high suction force state and the input in the normal use state. The operation time in each input stage is gradually changed while gradually increasing.By maintaining the input in the high suction force state long enough that the feeling of use does not become unnatural, sufficient initial dust collection performance is realized, and further intermediate By keeping the input short enough that the feeling of use does not become unnatural, the use time can be further extended, and a longer feeling can be maintained near the input in the final normal use state to obtain a more natural feeling of use.

The tenth invention detects the type of floor surface, the presence or absence of dust on the floor surface, or the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber, and changes the operation time in the high suction force state, making it difficult for dust to be collected. By maintaining a high suction force state as much as possible on a carpet or a place where there is a lot of dust, it is possible to minimize the reduction of the usable time and to efficiently collect dust. Further, the higher the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber, the shorter the high suction force state, so that an excessive rise in temperature of the electric blower can be prevented.

According to an eleventh aspect, an input value in a high suction force state is changed according to a time during which the power of the vacuum cleaner is turned off. The input immediately before the power is turned off can be reproduced without returning to the state, and the use time can be further extended. If a certain period of time has passed since the power was turned off, it is determined that the cleaning place has been changed, and the input is returned to the high suction force state, so that the initial dust collection performance can be improved.

According to the twelfth aspect, the operating time in the high suction force state is changed according to the remaining battery power. In the state where the remaining battery power is low, the high suction power state can be shortened, and the operating time can be extended. In addition, when the remaining battery level is large, the high suction force state can be maintained for a long time, and the initial dust collection performance can be improved.

The thirteenth invention reduces the power consumption of the control circuit when the remaining battery power drops below a predetermined level. By reducing the amount, the use time can be further extended.

A fourteenth invention is directed to a cleaner main body having a built-in electric blower, a hose having one end connected to the main body, an extension pipe connected to the other end of the hose, and a suction tool connected to the extension pipe. A battery that drives the electric blower, wherein the suction tool, or the extension tube and the suction tool, when detached from the hose, the input to the electric blower is configured to rise, conventionally, With a rechargeable vacuum cleaner, dust could not be sufficiently collected due to low suction power when cleaning gaps, but input to the electric blower is automatically performed when the suction tool or the extension tube and the suction tool are removed from the hose. As a result, a high suction force can be secured without increasing the size of the main body or increasing the mass, and dust can be sufficiently collected.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaner body 1 has a built-in electric blower 2, a hose 3 having one end connected to the body 1, an extension pipe 4 connected to the other end of the hose 3, and a suction tool 5. The cleaner main body 1 is provided with 24 HR23 / 43 type nickel-metal hydride batteries 6 for driving the electric blower 2. The electric blower 2 is an inverter motor. The total mass of the nickel-metal hydride battery 6 is set to approximately 40% of the mass of the cleaner main body 1, the input to the electric blower 2 is controlled in a plurality of stages, the minimum power consumption of the electric blower 2 is set to 100 W or more, The power is 20 W or more, the degree of vacuum at the time of the maximum suction power is 3000 Pa or more, the open air volume before dust collection is 0.4 m ³ / min or more, and the current value is 15 A or less. The input to the electric blower 2 allows the state of the floor surface, the presence or absence of dust, or the amount of dust in a dust collection chamber (not shown) to be controlled in multiple stages by detecting a change in the number of revolutions of the electric blower 2. ing.

In order to eliminate the voltage behavior due to the memory effect during charging, a charge selection switch is provided (not shown) so that the user can select to recharge after recharging once or to recharge without recharging once. When the battery voltage becomes equal to or lower than the discharge end voltage, the circuit is cut off to stop the electric blower 2 to inform the user of the necessity of charging.

The input to the electric blower 2 is controlled so that the normal use state and the high suction force state can be selected. The input in the high suction force state is set to approximately 1.5 times or more the input in the normal use state, and the suction in the high suction force state is performed. Set the power to approximately 1.2 times or more of the suction power in the normal use state, and after operating for 10 seconds in the high suction force state, automatically shift to the normal use state while gradually shortening the input time at each time. As a result, the power consumption of the control circuit (not shown) is reduced when the remaining amount of the battery 6 falls below a predetermined value.

In addition, a display means 7 is provided on the surface of the main body 1 for detecting the degree of vacuum in the dust collection chamber or the current value or the number of rotations of the electric blower 2 in a high suction force state and informing the user of the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber. ing. Further, the input to the electric blower 2 rises when the suction tool 5 or the extension pipe 4 and the suction tool 5 are removed from the hose. In addition, the type of floor surface, the presence or absence of dust on the floor surface, or the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber is detected, or the amount of dust in the vacuum cleaner main body 1 is turned off, The transition method from the input of the high suction force state to the input of the normal use state is changed accordingly.

作用 The operation of the above configuration is as follows.

The nickel-metal hydride battery 6 is lighter in weight while maintaining the same suction force as the conventional one because the nickel-metal hydride battery 6 has the same size and lighter weight and a larger battery capacity as compared with a conventional lead battery or nickel cadmium battery. It is possible to increase the use time, or to improve the suction force even with the same mass, thereby extending the use time. In addition, by using 24 batteries, power consumption of 80 W or more and usable time of 25 minutes or more are realized, and a main body mass of 4000 g or less can be achieved. Furthermore, by detecting the state of the floor surface, the presence or absence of dust, or the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber and controlling the input to the electric blower 2 in a plurality of stages, the suction force and the usable time can be adjusted optimally. In addition, there is an advantage that the user can select a charging method in accordance with the cleaning time of the user, and the problem that charging is not possible when the user wants to use the battery is less likely to occur.

Further, when the voltage of the battery 6 becomes equal to or lower than the discharge end voltage, the circuit is cut off to stop the electric blower 2 and notify the user of the necessity of charging, so that the suction force is reduced and the cleaning is hindered. The user can be notified beforehand, and the battery life is not deteriorated without overdischarging.

Further, since the electric blower 2 is an inverter motor, heat generation of the electric blower 2 is small, the battery 6 and the electric blower 2 can be arranged close to each other, and the size of the main body 1 can be further reduced. In addition, since the exhaust temperature of the electric blower 2 is usually 30 ° C. to 40 ° C. and lower than the temperature of the battery 6 which is 40 ° C. to 60 ° C. during charging or discharging, the temperature of the battery 6 is increased by applying the exhaust to the battery 6. Can be reduced and battery life also increases.

Further, the input to the electric blower 2 is controlled so that the input in the normal use state and the input in the high suction force state can be selected, and the input in the high suction force state is set to about 1.5 times or more of the input in the normal use state. After a certain period of operation in the high suction force state, the system automatically shifts to the normal use state, thereby ensuring a high suction force without increasing the number of batteries 6 and at the same time minimizing a reduction in usable time. Can be limited.

The display means 7 for detecting the degree of vacuum in the dust collection chamber or the current value or the number of rotations of the electric blower 2 in the high suction force state and informing the user of the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber is provided. These changes are difficult to catch due to low input speed, low rotation speed, and low vacuum.However, by providing a high input state, changes in input, rotation speed, and vacuum can be easily captured and the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber can be accurately used. Can be notified.

Conventionally, dust cannot be sufficiently collected by a rechargeable vacuum cleaner when cleaning a gap due to a small suction force. However, the use of a nickel-metal hydride battery 6 and the use of a suction tool 5 or an extension pipe 4 are difficult. When the suction tool 5 is removed from the hose 3, the input to the electric blower 2 is automatically increased, so that a high suction force can be secured and dust can be sufficiently collected. In addition, the input in the high suction force state is approximately 1.5 times or more the input in the normal use state, and the suction power in the high suction force state is approximately 1.2 times or more the suction power in the normal use state. Since the power consumption of the control circuit is reduced when the remaining amount falls below a predetermined level, a high suction force state can be ensured without increasing the number of batteries, and the shortening of the usable time can be minimized.

Further, by keeping the input of the high suction force state constant for 10 seconds and maintaining the high suction force state for a long time, the paper bag (not shown) in the dust collection chamber can be widely opened, and the dust collection amount can be improved. it can. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, by gradually shifting from the input of the high suction force state to the input of the normal use state, it is possible to eliminate the unnaturalness as a feeling of use by lowering the input to the normal use state at once. By gradually shifting the input time while reducing the input time, the input in the high suction force state is maintained for a long time so that the feeling of use does not become unnatural. Dust performance can be maintained.

Further, in the present embodiment, the input value is shifted from the input of the high suction force state to the input of the normal use state while shortening the operation time at the respective input value. If the shift is made longer, the use time can be further extended by maintaining the input of the high suction force state short enough that the feeling of use does not become unnatural. Furthermore, from the input of the high suction force state to the intermediate input between the input of the high suction force state and the input of the normal use state, the input time gradually shifts while shortening the input time, and thereafter the input from the intermediate input gradually increases. If the transition is made while increasing the time, sufficient initial dust collection performance is achieved by maintaining the input in the high suction force state long enough that the feeling of use does not become unnatural, and the feeling of using the intermediate input is unnatural By keeping the distance short enough to avoid the problem, the use time can be further extended, and it can be maintained long near the input of the final normal use state to obtain a more natural use feeling.

It also detects the type of floor, the presence or absence of dust on the floor, or the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber, and changes the method of transition from high suction force input to normal use input to capture dust. By maintaining as high a suction force state as possible on a carpet or a place where there is a lot of dust, it is possible to efficiently collect dust while minimizing a reduction in usable time. Further, the higher the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber, the shorter the high suction force state, so that an excessive rise in temperature of the electric blower 2 can be prevented. Further, the method of transition from the input of the high suction force state to the input of the normal use state is changed according to the time during which the power of the vacuum cleaner body 1 has been turned off. The input just before the power is turned off is reproduced without returning to the high suction force state, and the use time can be further extended.

Also, if a certain period of time has passed since the power was turned off, it is determined that the cleaning place has been changed, and the input is returned to the high suction force state, so that the initial dust collection performance can be improved. In addition, changing the transition method from the input of the high suction force state to the input of the normal use state according to the remaining battery power, and extending the usage time by shortening the high suction power state when the battery power is low is realized it can. In addition, when the remaining battery level is large, the high suction force state can be maintained for a long time, and the initial dust collection performance can be improved. As a result, even if the suction force is improved and the use time is prolonged, the mass of the main body 1 does not increase and the main body 1 can be reduced in size, so that portability and storage properties are improved, and electric cleaning adapted to the life cycle of the user is achieved. Machine can be provided.

As described above, the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention achieves miniaturization and weight reduction of the main body, improves suction power, reduces the increase in the mass of the main body, and reduces the size of the main body even when the usage time is extended. This improves portability and storage, and is useful for improving dust collection performance and usability of a rechargeable vacuum cleaner.

Overall view of a vacuum cleaner showing a first embodiment of the present invention Cross section of the same vacuum cleaner Input value change diagram during operation of the vacuum cleaner Configuration diagram of conventional vacuum cleaner

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Electric blower 3 Hose 4 Extension tube 5 Suction tool 6 Nickel metal hydride battery

Claims (14)

A vacuum cleaner body having a built-in electric blower and a battery for driving the electric blower are provided, and the input to the electric blower is increased for a certain period of time from the start of operation to input a high suction force state. Vacuum cleaner that changes to the input of usage status. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the suction power in the high suction force state is about 1.2 times or more the suction power in the normal use state. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the input in the high suction force state is approximately 1.5 times or more the input in the normal use state. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the input of the high suction force state is constant for 5 seconds or more. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the vacuum cleaner can be changed to the high suction power state again after changing from the input of the high suction power state to the input of the normal use state. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the input is changed stepwise from a high suction force state input to a normal use state input. 7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the operation time in each input stage is changed from the input of the high suction force state to the input of the normal use state while gradually shortening the operation time. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the operation time in each input stage is changed while gradually increasing the operation time from the input of the high suction force state to the input of the normal use state. From the input of the high suction force state to the intermediate input between the input of the high suction force state and the input of the normal use state, change the operation time in each input stage while gradually shortening it, and change the operation time in each input stage after the intermediate input. 7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the length is gradually changed. The electric cleaning according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the operation time in the high suction force state is changed by detecting the type of floor surface, the presence or absence of dust on the floor surface, or the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber. Machine. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the input value in the high suction force state is changed according to a time during which the power of the vacuum cleaner body is turned off. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the operation time in the high suction force state is changed according to the remaining battery level. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the power consumption of the control circuit is reduced when the remaining battery level falls below a predetermined level. A cleaner main body having a built-in electric blower, a hose having one end connected to the main body, an extension pipe connected to the other end of the hose, a suction tool connected to the extension pipe, and driving the electric blower A vacuum cleaner comprising: a battery that performs the operation, and when the suction tool or the extension pipe and the suction tool are detached from the hose, an input to the electric blower is increased.

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