JP2004057449A

JP2004057449A - Self-propelled vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: JP2004057449A
Application number: JP2002219344A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hiromi Maeda; 前田　裕巳; Masaki Takahashi; 高橋　正樹; Hiroo Oshima; 大島　裕夫; Hidetoshi Imai; 今井　秀利
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2002-07-29
Filing date: 2002-07-29
Publication date: 2004-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-29
Also published as: JP4154943B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve dust collecting performance by reducing dust attracted to a surface to be cleaned and a main body of a self-propelled vacuum cleaner through preventing the surface to be cleaned and the main body of the self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner from being charged electrostatically. <P>SOLUTION: The self-propelled vacuum cleaner is equipped with an electric fan 1 for generating suction air, driving wheels 7 for moving the main body 8, a driving means 5 for driving the driving wheels 7, a suction device 2 for sucking the dust on the surface to be cleaned, and a discharging means 17 for generating a substance to removing static electricity. The self-propelled vacuum cleaner reduces the dust clinging to electrostatically charged objects and obtains the effect to improve the dust collecting performance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、自走式電気掃除機、及び自走式電気掃除機の使用により帯電した静電気の除電制御に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の自走式電気掃除機を図７、図８を用いて説明する。
【０００３】
図７は機構構成図で、電動送風機１の回転により塵埃を吸い込む空気の流れが発生すると、被清掃面上の塵埃は吸い込み具２より吸い込まれ、集塵袋３で捕集され、塵埃を運んできた空気は集塵袋３を通過して排気口４より排気される。また、駆動モータ５の回転はベルト６によって駆動輪７に伝えられ、駆動輪７は本体８を移動させる。操舵輪９の向きを変えて本体８の移動方向が変わる。電動送風機１、集塵袋３、駆動モータ５、ベルト６は本体８の内部に収納される構成をとっている。
【０００４】
図８は制御構成図で、方位検知手段１０は本体８の移動方向を検知し、速度検知手段１１は本体８の移動速度を検知し、距離検知手段１２は本体８と移動の障害となる被清掃面上の障害物との距離を検知し、制御手段１３は検知した移動方向、移動速度、障害物との距離により、駆動輪７で駆動力を、操舵輪９で移動方向を制御し、障害物を避けながら被清掃面上を移動し、塵埃を吸い込む空気の流れを発生させる電動送風機１を制御し、塵埃を吸引して清掃を行なうものである。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら上記従来の構成では、自走式電気掃除機の本体８は被清掃面と駆動輪７、操舵輪９で接しており、被清掃面と駆動輪７、操舵輪９の間で発生する摩擦により、静電気が発生し、帯電する。駆動輪７、操舵輪９に帯電した静電気は帯電量が多くなると本体８の底部も含め全体が帯電することになる。
【０００６】
被清掃面は、じゅうたんや板、タイルでフローリングされていることが多い。じゅうたんの素材は羊毛、ナイロン、アクリルで、板の素材は木材、タイルは樹脂、アクリルで構成されている。これらの素材は全て摩擦により、プラス電位の静電気を帯びる。このため、帯電した静電気が被清掃面に塵埃を引き付けるので、集塵性能が低下していた。
【０００７】
本発明は、被清掃面、及び自走式電気掃除機本体の静電気帯電を防ぐことで、被清掃面、及び自走式電気掃除機本体に引き付けられる塵埃を少なくし、集塵性能を向上することを目的としている。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために本発明は、吸引風を発する電動送風機と、本体を移動させる駆動輪と、前記駆動輪を駆動させる駆動手段と、塵埃を被掃除面より吸引する吸い込み具と、静電気を除電させるための物質を発生させる除電手段とを備えたもので、静電気を帯びた物への塵埃の付着を減らし、集塵性能を向上できるという効果を得ることができる。
【０００９】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の請求項１記載の発明は、吸引風を発する電動送風機と、本体を移動させる駆動輪と、前記駆動輪を駆動させる駆動手段と、塵埃を被掃除面より吸引する吸い込み具と、静電気を除電させるための物質を発生させる除電手段とを備えたもので、静電気を帯びた物への塵埃の付着を減らし、集塵性能を向上できるという効果を得ることができる。
【００１０】
本発明の請求項２記載の発明は、電動送風機が発する排気の一部又は全部を大気へ放出する排気口を本体底部に設けるとともに、前記底部排気口の近傍に除電手段を設けたもので、静電気を除電する除電物質を拡散し易くできる。
【００１１】
本発明の請求項３記載の発明は、吸い込み具に除電手段を設けたもので、被清掃面に帯電した静電気を除電することができる。
【００１２】
本発明の請求項４記載の発明は、底部排気口と電動送風機の空気通路に弁を設け、前記弁にて前記底部排気口から排出される排気の量を調整するようにしたもので、排気の量に応じて除電物質の拡散量を調整できる。
【００１３】
本発明の請求項５記載の発明は、底部排気口および除電手段を覆うフードを設けるとともに、前記底部排気口および除電手段に連通する第二底部排気口を形成し、前記フードを回転させることで、前記第二底部排気口の位置を変動させるもので、被清掃面の逆帯電を防ぐことができる。
【００１４】
本発明の請求項６記載の発明は、被清掃面の静電気帯電度合いを検知する帯電検知手段を設け、前記帯電検知手段で検知した帯電度合いに応じて、除電手段が発生する除電物質の量および／または前記底部排気口から排出される排気の量を調整するようにしたもので、被清掃面の静電気帯電度合いに応じて適切に除電することができる。
【００１５】
本発明の請求項７記載の発明は、本体の移動速度を検知する速度検知手段を設け、前記速度検知手段で検知した本体の移動速度に応じて、除電手段が発生する除電物質の量および／または前記底部排気口から排出される排気の量を調整するようにしたもので、被清掃面の静電気を適切に除電することができる。
【００１６】
本発明の請求項８記載の発明は、本体の転倒を検知する転倒検知手段を設け、前記転倒検知手段で検知した転倒状態に応じて、除電手段が発生する除電物質の量および／または前記底部排気口から排出される排気の量を調整するようにしたもので、本体の転倒時には除電度合いの低下、又は除電を止めることができる。
【００１７】
本発明の請求項９記載の発明は、吸い込み具より吸い込んだ塵埃の量を検知する塵埃量検知手段を設け、前記塵埃量検知手段で検知した塵埃量に応じて、除電手段が発生する除電物質の量および／または前記底部排気口から排出される排気の量を調整するようにしたもので、吸い込んだ塵埃量に応じて除電することができる。
【００１８】
本発明の請求項１０記載の発明は、除電手段は、イオン発生器からなるもので、発生したイオンにより被清掃面を適切に除電することができる。
【００１９】
本発明の請求項１１記載の発明は、吸引風を発する電動送風機と、本体を移動させる駆動輪と、前記駆動輪を駆動させる駆動手段と、塵埃を被掃除面より吸引する吸い込み具と、前記本体に搭載された充電池と、前記充電池を充電する充電器と、前記本体に蓄積した静電気を前記充電器に逃がす逃がし端子を備え、充電時に前記本体に蓄積した静電気を前記充電器に逃がすようにしたもので、本体の除電をすることができる。
【００２０】
本発明の請求項１２記載の発明は、吸引風を発する電動送風機と、本体を移動させる駆動輪と、前記駆動輪を駆動させる駆動手段と、塵埃を被掃除面より吸引する吸い込み具と、前記本体に搭載された充電池と、前記充電池を充電する充電器と、前記本体と充電器に対を成して設けた複数の充電端子を備え、前記本体に蓄積した静電気を前記充電端子の１つ又は複数を介して前記充電器に逃がすようにしたもので、逃がし端子なしで本体の除電をすることができる。
【００２１】
【実施例】
（実施例１）
以下、本発明の第１の実施例を図１〜図５を用いて説明する。
【００２２】
まず、本発明の構成について説明する。図１は機構構成図で、掃除機能部分は塵埃を吸い込む空気の流れを発生させる電動送風機１と、塵埃を吸い込む吸い込み具２と、吸い込んだ塵埃を捕集する集塵袋３と、塵埃を捕集した後の空気を排出する排気口４で構成され、走行機能部分は本体８を移動する力を発生する駆動輪７と、駆動輪７を駆動する力を発生する駆動モータ５と、駆動モータ５を駆動輪７に伝えるベルト６と、本体８の移動方向を可変する操舵輪９で構成され、除電気能部分は、被清掃面の静電気帯電度合いを検知する帯電検知手段１４と、本体８の底部に排気を導く底部排気口１５と、底部排気口１５からの排気風量を可変する排気弁１６と、本体８の底部及び被清掃面を除電するイオンを発生する除電手段であるイオン発生器１７で構成されている。
【００２３】
イオンを発生させる方法は、放電式、光電式、レナード効果を利用したもの等があるが、ここではあえてイオンを発生する方式にはこだわらない。
【００２４】
従来例で説明したが、じゅうたんや板、タイルでフローリングされている被清掃面は摩擦によりプラスに帯電する。上述のイオン発生器１７はマイナスイオンを発生し、被清掃面のプラス帯電を除電するものである。
【００２５】
図２は制御構成図で、塵埃を吸い込む空気の流れを発生させる電動送風機１と、本体８の移動方向を検知する方位検知手段１０と、本体８の移動速度を検知する速度検知手段１１と、本体８と移動の障害となる被清掃面上の障害物との距離を検知する距離検知手段１２と、被清掃面の静電気帯電度合いを検知する帯電検知手段１４と、駆動輪７を駆動する力を発生する駆動モータ５と、本体８の移動方向を可変する操舵輪９と、底部排気口１５からの排気風量を可変する排気弁１６と、駆動輪７で駆動力を、操舵輪９で移動方向を制御し、障害物を避けながら被清掃面上を移動し、被清掃面の静電気帯電度合い応じて底部排気口１５からの排気風量を制御し、塵埃を吸い込む空気の流れを発生させる電動送風機１を制御する制御手段１３である。
【００２６】
図３の（ａ）は帯電検知手段１４で検知した帯電度合いの特性図で、（ｂ）は排気風量の特性図である。（ａ）の縦軸は帯電度合いで、縦軸の上側は帯電度合いが大きく、下側は帯電度合いが小さくなることを示している。（ｂ）の縦軸は排気風量で、縦軸の上側は排気風量が大きく、下側は排気風量が小さくなることを示している。そして、（ａ）（ｂ）共に横軸は時間軸で、時間の経過に伴い左から右へ進んでいく。
【００２７】
図４は底部排気の排気方向を変更できるようにした場合の機構構成の側面図でである。底部排気口１５と、イオン発生器１７と、イオン発生器１７で発生したイオンを排気する第２底部排気口１８と、イオン発生器１７で発生したイオンを第２底部排気口１８に導くフード１９で構成されている。
【００２８】
図５は吸い込み具２にイオン発生器１７を設けた場合の機構構成図である。吸い込み具２にイオン発生器１７と、被清掃面の塵埃を掻き上げる回転ブラシ２０が設けられている。
【００２９】
底部排気口１５からの排気風量は、下記の設定で制御する。帯電度合いがＱ１未満のときは排気風量を０にして、帯電度合いがＱ１以上かつＱ２未満のときは排気風量をＥ１にして、帯電度合いがＱ２以上のときは排気風量をＥ２にする。底部排気口１５からの排気風量が大きいほど、イオン発生器１７で発生したイオンが拡散しやすくなるので、除電度合いが大きくなる。
【００３０】
以上の構成による動作は以下の通りである。
【００３１】
電動送風機１、駆動モータ５の回転開始直後は、図３の時間０に於いて、被清掃面と駆動輪７、操舵輪９との間で摩擦はほとんど無く、帯電度合いはＱ１未満となるので、底部排気口１５からの排気風量を０にする。
【００３２】
時間が経過して、図３の時間ｔ１に於いて、被清掃面と駆動輪７、操舵輪９との間で摩擦が発生し、帯電度合いはＱ１以上Ｑ２未満となるので、底部排気口１５からの排気風量をＥ１にする。
【００３３】
排気風量がＥ１に設定されているが、被清掃面と駆動輪７、操舵輪９との間で摩擦が増大し、図３の時間ｔ２に於いて帯電度合いはＱ２以上となるので、底部排気口１５からの排気風量をＥ１より大きいＥ２にする。
【００３４】
排気風量がＥ２に設定されたことで、被清掃面と駆動輪７、操舵輪９との間で摩擦による帯電度合いより除電度合いの方が大きくなったので、図３の時間ｔ３に於いて帯電度合いはＱ１以上Ｑ２未満となるので、底部排気口１５からの排気風量をＥ２より小さいＥ１にする。
【００３５】
このように、静電気を除電するイオンを発生するイオン発生器１７を本体８の底部に設け、被清掃面と駆動輪７、操舵輪９との間の摩擦による静電気帯電を除電できるという効果がある。
【００３６】
また、本体８の底部に底部排気口１５を設けてイオン発生器１７の近傍に排気風の一部を導くことで、イオン発生器１７から発生したイオンを拡散し易くして除電度合いを向上できるという効果がある。
【００３７】
また、本体８の底部に帯電検知手段１４を設けて、被清掃面の帯電度合いを検知し、本体８の底部の底部排気口１５から排気される排気風量を制御することで、帯電度合いに合わせた適切な除電ができるという効果がある。
【００３８】
また、本体８の移動速度が高くなると単位時間あたりの除電面積が増大し、除電効果が低下するので、本体８の移動速度を検知し、移動速度が高いときに排気風量を大きくするように制御することで、移動速度に合わせた適切な除電ができる。
【００３９】
また、本体８が転倒し、自走式電気掃除機自らの機能で走行できなくなるとイオン発生器１７から発生したマイナスイオンがプラスに帯電した被清掃面の除電を通り越してマイナスに帯電するので、本体８の転倒を検知し、本体８が転倒したときはイオンの発生を止めるように制御することで、被清掃面のマイナス帯電を防ぐことができる。
【００４０】
また、被清掃面の帯電度合いが同じであると仮定した場合、吸い込んだ塵埃量が多い場合は当然被清掃面の塵埃量も多いということになり、塵埃量が多いときは被清掃面の除電度合いを大きくする必要があるので、塵埃量を検知し、塵埃量が多いときに排気風量を大きくするように制御することで、塵埃量に合わせた適切な除電ができる。
【００４１】
また、本体８内部の機構構成の何らかの都合により排気の一部を本体８の底部に出すことができない場合は、イオン発生器１７から発生するイオンの量を制御することで、除電度合いを制御でき、イオン発生器１７から発生するイオンの量を制御することで、排気風量の制御によらなくても除電度合いを制御できる。
【００４２】
また、図４のような機構を構成し、フード１９を図のように回転させると、第２底部排気口の向きを変更できる。そして、フード１９を連続回転させると、本体８の周囲の被清掃面にムラなくイオンを拡散できるので、除電度合いをさらに向上できる。
【００４３】
自走式電気掃除機では直進したり、移動方向を変更したりといった制御の他に、袋小路のような場所から抜け出る場合は一次停止してから後退するような走行制御が行なわれる。このとき、一時停止中には被清掃面の単位時間あたりの除電面積が最小となり、イオン発生器１７から発生したマイナスイオンがプラスに帯電した被清掃面の除電を通り越してマイナスに帯電する場合もあるので、本体８の一時停止中は除電度合いを小さくしたり、イオンの発生を止めるように制御することで、一時停止中の被清掃面のマイナス帯電を防ぐことができる。
【００４４】
また、図５のような機構を構成し回転ブラシ２０が回転すると、イオン発生器１７から発生したイオンが回転ブラシ２０によって被清掃面に運ばれるので、排気風でイオンを被清掃面に運ぶ場合と比較すると、じゅうたん等の毛の中にもイオンが浸透し、毛の中の塵埃の集塵性能も向上することができる。
【００４５】
（実施例２）
以下、本発明の第２の実施例を図６を用いて説明する。なお上記第１の実施例と同一構成である部分については同一符号を付して説明を省略する。
【００４６】
図６は機構構成図で、充電池（図示せず）を電源として搭載した本体８と、充電池を充電する充電器２１と、充電器２１の充電電流を本体８に伝える充電端子プラス２２と、充電端子マイナス２３と、本体８に貯まった静電気を充電器２１に逃がす逃がし端子２４である。充電池は電動送風機１、駆動モータ５の電源となり、充電器２１の電源は商用電源とする。
【００４７】
以上の構成による動作は以下の通りである。
【００４８】
本体８は被清掃面を移動することにより、被清掃面と駆動輪７、操舵輪９との間に摩擦が発生し、駆動輪７、操舵輪９は静電気を帯びる。この静電気は本体８に貯まる。本体８は被清掃面の移動を続けることで、搭載した充電池の電気エネルギーは減り続け、最後は電動送風機１も駆動モータ５も動かなくなる。
【００４９】
本体８を再起動させるためには充電池への充電が必要なので、本体８と充電器２１を図６のように接続して充電を行なう。充電の際、本体８に貯まった静電気を逃がし端子２４から充電器２１に逃がす。充電器２１は逃がし端子２４から入ってきた静電気を商用電源に逃がす。
【００５０】
このように、本体８と充電器２１を逃がし端子２４で接続し、本体８に貯まった静電気を逃がし端子２４から充電器２１に逃がすことで、本体８への静電気帯電を防ぎ本体８への塵埃の付着を減らすことができるので、集塵性能を向上できるという効果がある。
【００５１】
また、本体８に貯まった静電気を充電端子プラス２２、充電端子マイナス２３のいずれか片方又は両方から充電器２１に逃がすように構成すると、逃がし端子２４を設けなくても、本体８に貯まった静電気を充電器２１に逃がすことができ、逃がし端子２４の無い安価な構成で本体８への静電気帯電を防ぐことができる。
【００５２】
このように、充電端子プラス２２、充電端子マイナス２３のいずれか片方又は両方から静電気を充電器２１に逃がすように構成すると、逃がし端子２４を設けなくても、本体８に貯まった静電気を充電器２１に逃がすことができるので、安価な構成で本体８への静電気帯電を防ぐことができるという効果がある。
【００５３】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、被清掃面、及び自走式電気掃除機本体の静電気帯電を防ぐことで、被清掃面、及び自走式電気掃除機本体に引き付けられる塵埃を少なくし、集塵性能を向上することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施例を示す自走式電気掃除機の機構構成図
【図２】同自走式電気掃除機の制御構成図
【図３】同自走式電気掃除機の帯電度合いと排気風量の特性図
【図４】同自走式電気掃除機の底部排気の排気方向を変更できるようにした場合の機構構成図
【図５】同自走式電気掃除機の吸い込み具にイオン発生器を設けた場合の機構構成図
【図６】本発明の第２の実施例を示す自走式電気掃除機の機構構成図
【図７】従来の自走式電気掃除機の機構構成図
【図８】同自走式電気掃除機の制御構成図
【符号の説明】
１　電動送風機
２　吸い込み具
３　集塵袋
５　駆動モータ
７　駆動輪
８　本体
１４　帯電検知手段
１５　底部排気口
１６　排気弁
１７　イオン発生器
１８　第２底部排気口
１９　フード
２１　充電器
２２　充電端子プラス
２３　充電端子マイナス
２４　逃がし端子[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a self-propelled vacuum cleaner and a static elimination control of static electricity charged by using the self-propelled vacuum cleaner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional self-propelled vacuum cleaner will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0003]
FIG. 7 is a structural diagram of the mechanism. When the rotation of the electric blower 1 generates a flow of air that sucks dust, the dust on the surface to be cleaned is sucked by the suction tool 2 and collected by the dust bag 3 to carry the dust. The produced air passes through the dust bag 3 and is exhausted from the exhaust port 4. The rotation of the drive motor 5 is transmitted to the drive wheels 7 by the belt 6, and the drive wheels 7 move the main body 8. The direction of movement of the main body 8 is changed by changing the direction of the steered wheels 9. The electric blower 1, the dust bag 3, the drive motor 5, and the belt 6 are configured to be housed inside the main body 8.
[0004]
FIG. 8 is a control configuration diagram. The azimuth detecting means 10 detects the moving direction of the main body 8, the speed detecting means 11 detects the moving speed of the main body 8, and the distance detecting means 12 and the main body 8 interfere with the movement. The control means 13 controls the driving force by the driving wheel 7 and the moving direction by the steering wheel 9 based on the detected moving direction, moving speed, and distance to the obstacle. The electric blower 1 that moves on the surface to be cleaned while avoiding obstacles and generates a flow of air that sucks dust is controlled, and the dust is sucked and cleaned.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the main body 8 of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner is in contact with the surface to be cleaned by the driving wheel 7 and the steering wheel 9, and the friction generated between the surface to be cleaned and the driving wheel 7 and the steering wheel 9. As a result, static electricity is generated and charged. The static electricity charged on the driving wheels 7 and the steering wheels 9 is charged as a whole including the bottom of the main body 8 when the charge amount increases.
[0006]
The surface to be cleaned is often floored with carpets, boards and tiles. The carpet is made of wool, nylon and acrylic, the board is made of wood, and the tiles are made of resin and acrylic. All of these materials are charged with a positive potential static electricity by friction. For this reason, since the charged static electricity attracts dust to the surface to be cleaned, dust collection performance has been reduced.
[0007]
The present invention reduces dust attracted to the surface to be cleaned and the main body of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner by preventing electrostatic charging of the surface to be cleaned and the main body of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner, and improves dust collection performance. It is aimed at.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electric blower that generates a suction wind, a driving wheel that moves a main body, a driving unit that drives the driving wheel, a suction device that sucks dust from a surface to be cleaned, and an electrostatic device. And a static elimination means for generating a substance for eliminating static electricity, thereby reducing the adhesion of dust to an electrostatically charged object and improving dust collection performance.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides an electric blower that generates a suction wind, a driving wheel that moves a main body, a driving unit that drives the driving wheel, a suction device that suctions dust from a surface to be cleaned, And a static elimination means for generating a substance for eliminating static electricity, thereby reducing the adhesion of dust to an electrostatically charged object and improving dust collection performance.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention is to provide an exhaust port for discharging a part or all of the exhaust gas generated by the electric blower to the atmosphere at the bottom of the main body, and to provide a static elimination means near the bottom exhaust port. The static elimination substance for eliminating static electricity can be easily diffused.
[0011]
According to the invention of claim 3 of the present invention, the suction tool is provided with a static eliminator, so that static electricity charged on the surface to be cleaned can be eliminated.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a valve is provided in the bottom exhaust port and the air passage of the electric blower, and the amount of exhaust discharged from the bottom exhaust port is adjusted by the valve. The amount of diffusion of the charge removing substance can be adjusted according to the amount of the charge.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 5 of the present invention provides a hood that covers the bottom exhaust port and the static elimination means, forms a second bottom exhaust port that communicates with the bottom exhaust port and the static elimination means, and rotates the hood. By changing the position of the second bottom exhaust port, reverse charging of the surface to be cleaned can be prevented.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 6 of the present invention is provided with charge detection means for detecting the degree of electrostatic charge on the surface to be cleaned, and according to the degree of charge detected by the charge detection means, the amount of the charge removal substance generated by the charge removal means and And / or the amount of exhaust gas discharged from the bottom exhaust port is adjusted, so that the charge can be appropriately removed according to the degree of electrostatic charge on the surface to be cleaned.
[0015]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a speed detecting means for detecting a moving speed of the main body, and the amount and / or amount of the static eliminating substance generated by the static eliminating means according to the moving speed of the main body detected by the speed detecting means. Alternatively, the amount of exhaust air discharged from the bottom exhaust port is adjusted, so that static electricity on the surface to be cleaned can be appropriately eliminated.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 8 of the present invention is provided with a fall detecting means for detecting a fall of the main body, and the amount of the charge removing substance generated by the charge removing means and / or the bottom portion in accordance with the falling state detected by the fall detecting means. The amount of exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust port is adjusted, and when the main body falls, the degree of static elimination can be reduced or static elimination can be stopped.
[0017]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dust amount detecting means for detecting an amount of dust sucked from a suction tool, and a charge removing material generated by the charge removing means in accordance with the amount of dust detected by the dust amount detecting means. And / or the amount of exhaust gas exhausted from the bottom exhaust port is adjusted, and static electricity can be removed according to the amount of dust sucked in.
[0018]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the static elimination means comprises an ion generator, and the generated surface can appropriately neutralize the surface to be cleaned.
[0019]
The invention according to claim 11 of the present invention provides an electric blower that generates a suction wind, a driving wheel that moves a main body, a driving unit that drives the driving wheel, a suction device that suctions dust from a surface to be cleaned, and A rechargeable battery mounted on the main body, a charger for charging the rechargeable battery, and a release terminal for releasing static electricity accumulated in the main body to the charger, and releasing static electricity accumulated in the main body to the charger during charging. In this way, the main body can be neutralized.
[0020]
The invention according to claim 12 of the present invention is an electric blower that generates a suction wind, a driving wheel that moves a main body, a driving unit that drives the driving wheel, a suction device that suctions dust from a surface to be cleaned, and A rechargeable battery mounted on the main body, a charger for charging the rechargeable battery, and a plurality of charging terminals provided in pairs with the main body and the charger, wherein the static electricity accumulated in the main body is charged to the charging terminal. The battery is released to the charger via one or a plurality of devices, and the charge of the main body can be removed without a release terminal.
[0021]
【Example】
(Example 1)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0022]
First, the configuration of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of the mechanism. The cleaning function part is an electric blower 1 for generating a flow of air for sucking dust, a suction device 2 for sucking dust, a dust collecting bag 3 for collecting sucked dust, and a dust collecting bag. The driving function part includes a driving wheel 7 that generates a force for moving the main body 8, a driving motor 5 that generates a force for driving the driving wheel 7, and a driving motor. 5 includes a belt 6 for transmitting the driving wheel 5 to a driving wheel 7 and a steering wheel 9 for changing a moving direction of the main body 8. The static elimination portion includes a charge detecting unit 14 for detecting a degree of electrostatic charging of the surface to be cleaned, and a main body 8. A bottom exhaust port 15 that guides exhaust gas to the bottom, an exhaust valve 16 that varies the amount of exhaust air from the bottom exhaust port 15, and an ion generator that is a static eliminator that generates ions for neutralizing the bottom of the main body 8 and the surface to be cleaned. 17.
[0023]
As a method of generating ions, there are a discharge method, a photoelectric method, a method utilizing the Leonard effect, and the like. However, the method of generating ions is not particularly limited here.
[0024]
As described in the conventional example, the surface to be cleaned, which is floored with carpets, boards, and tiles, is positively charged by friction. The above-mentioned ion generator 17 generates negative ions and removes the positive charge on the surface to be cleaned.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a control configuration diagram. The electric blower 1 generates a flow of air that sucks in dust, an azimuth detecting unit 10 that detects a moving direction of the main body 8, a speed detecting unit 11 that detects a moving speed of the main body 8, A distance detecting means 12 for detecting a distance between the main body 8 and an obstacle on the surface to be cleaned, which is an obstacle to movement; a charging detecting means 14 for detecting the degree of electrostatic charging of the surface to be cleaned; , A steering wheel 9 for varying the moving direction of the main body 8, an exhaust valve 16 for varying the amount of exhaust air from the bottom exhaust port 15, a driving force for the driving wheel 7, and a driving force for the steering wheel 9. An electric blower that controls the direction, moves on the surface to be cleaned while avoiding obstacles, controls the amount of exhaust air from the bottom exhaust port 15 according to the degree of electrostatic charge on the surface to be cleaned, and generates a flow of air that sucks in dust. Control means 13 for controlling .
[0026]
FIG. 3A is a characteristic diagram of the degree of charge detected by the charge detection unit 14, and FIG. 3B is a characteristic diagram of the amount of exhaust air. The vertical axis of (a) indicates the degree of charge, and the upper side of the vertical axis indicates that the degree of charge is large, and the lower side indicates that the degree of charge is small. The vertical axis of (b) indicates the exhaust air volume. The upper side of the vertical axis indicates that the exhaust air volume is large, and the lower side indicates that the exhaust air volume is small. In both (a) and (b), the horizontal axis is the time axis, and the time progresses from left to right with the passage of time.
[0027]
FIG. 4 is a side view of the mechanism configuration when the exhaust direction of the bottom exhaust can be changed. A bottom exhaust port 15, an ion generator 17, a second bottom exhaust port 18 for exhausting ions generated by the ion generator 17, and a hood 19 for guiding ions generated by the ion generator 17 to the second bottom exhaust port 18. It is composed of
[0028]
FIG. 5 is a mechanism configuration diagram when the ion generator 17 is provided in the suction tool 2. The suction tool 2 is provided with an ion generator 17 and a rotating brush 20 for scraping dust on the surface to be cleaned.
[0029]
The exhaust air volume from the bottom exhaust port 15 is controlled by the following settings. When the degree of charge is less than Q1, the amount of exhaust air is set to 0, when the degree of charge is equal to or more than Q1 and less than Q2, the amount of exhaust air is set to E1, and when the degree of charge is equal to or more than Q2, the amount of exhaust air is set to E2. As the amount of exhaust air from the bottom exhaust port 15 is larger, the ions generated by the ion generator 17 are more easily diffused, so that the degree of charge removal is increased.
[0030]
The operation according to the above configuration is as follows.
[0031]
Immediately after the start of rotation of the electric blower 1 and the drive motor 5, at time 0 in FIG. 3, there is almost no friction between the surface to be cleaned and the drive wheels 7 and the steered wheels 9, and the degree of charge is less than Q1. , The exhaust air volume from the bottom exhaust port 15 is set to zero.
[0032]
After a lapse of time, at time t1 in FIG. 3, friction occurs between the surface to be cleaned and the driving wheel 7 and the steering wheel 9, and the degree of charging becomes Q1 or more and less than Q2. The exhaust air volume from is set to E1.
[0033]
Although the exhaust air volume is set to E1, the friction between the surface to be cleaned and the driving wheels 7 and the steering wheels 9 increases, and the charging degree becomes Q2 or more at time t2 in FIG. The exhaust air volume from the port 15 is set to E2 larger than E1.
[0034]
Since the amount of exhaust air was set to E2, the degree of static elimination was larger than the degree of electrification due to friction between the surface to be cleaned and the driving wheels 7 and the steered wheels 9, and thus the charging was performed at time t3 in FIG. Since the degree is Q1 or more and less than Q2, the amount of exhaust air from the bottom exhaust port 15 is set to E1 smaller than E2.
[0035]
As described above, the ion generator 17 that generates ions for removing static electricity is provided at the bottom of the main body 8, and there is an effect that static electricity due to friction between the surface to be cleaned and the driving wheels 7 and the steering wheels 9 can be removed. .
[0036]
Further, by providing a bottom exhaust port 15 at the bottom of the main body 8 and guiding a part of the exhaust air to the vicinity of the ion generator 17, ions generated from the ion generator 17 can be easily diffused and the degree of static elimination can be improved. This has the effect.
[0037]
In addition, a charge detection unit 14 is provided at the bottom of the main body 8 to detect the degree of charge on the surface to be cleaned, and by controlling the amount of exhaust air exhausted from the bottom exhaust port 15 at the bottom of the main body 8, the charge is adjusted to the degree of charge. In addition, there is an effect that appropriate static elimination can be performed.
[0038]
Also, if the moving speed of the main body 8 increases, the static elimination area per unit time increases, and the static elimination effect decreases. Therefore, the moving speed of the main body 8 is detected, and the control is performed such that the exhaust air volume is increased when the moving speed is high. By doing so, appropriate static elimination in accordance with the moving speed can be performed.
[0039]
Further, when the main body 8 falls and the self-propelled vacuum cleaner cannot run by its own function, the negative ions generated from the ion generator 17 pass through the positively charged surface to be cleaned and become negatively charged. By detecting the fall of the main body 8 and controlling the generation of ions when the main body 8 falls, it is possible to prevent the surface to be cleaned from being negatively charged.
[0040]
Also, assuming that the degree of charge on the surface to be cleaned is the same, if the amount of dust sucked in is large, the amount of dust on the surface to be cleaned is naturally large, and if the amount of dust is large, the charge on the surface to be cleaned is neutralized. Since it is necessary to increase the degree, by detecting the amount of dust and controlling the amount of exhaust air to be increased when the amount of dust is large, it is possible to appropriately remove electricity in accordance with the amount of dust.
[0041]
If a part of the exhaust gas cannot be discharged to the bottom of the main body 8 due to some mechanism configuration inside the main body 8, the degree of static elimination can be controlled by controlling the amount of ions generated from the ion generator 17. By controlling the amount of ions generated from the ion generator 17, the degree of static elimination can be controlled without depending on the control of the exhaust air volume.
[0042]
Further, by configuring the mechanism as shown in FIG. 4 and rotating the hood 19 as shown in the figure, the direction of the second bottom exhaust port can be changed. When the hood 19 is continuously rotated, ions can be diffused evenly to the surface to be cleaned around the main body 8, so that the degree of static elimination can be further improved.
[0043]
In the self-propelled vacuum cleaner, in addition to the control such as going straight or changing the moving direction, when the vehicle leaves a place such as a blind alley, the traveling control is performed such that the vehicle temporarily stops and then retreats. At this time, during the temporary stop, the static elimination area per unit time of the surface to be cleaned becomes minimum, and negative ions generated from the ion generator 17 may pass through the neutralization of the surface to be positively charged and become negatively charged. Therefore, the negative charge on the surface to be cleaned during the suspension can be prevented by controlling the degree of static elimination during the suspension of the main body 8 or by stopping the generation of ions.
[0044]
When the rotating brush 20 rotates by forming a mechanism as shown in FIG. 5, ions generated from the ion generator 17 are carried to the surface to be cleaned by the rotating brush 20. As compared with, ions penetrate into hair such as carpet and the like, and the performance of collecting dust in hair can be improved.
[0045]
(Example 2)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0046]
FIG. 6 is a structural view of the mechanism, including a main body 8 equipped with a rechargeable battery (not shown) as a power supply, a charger 21 for charging the rechargeable battery, and a charging terminal plus 22 for transmitting the charging current of the charger 21 to the main body 8. A charging terminal minus 23; and a relief terminal 24 for releasing static electricity accumulated in the main body 8 to the charger 21. The rechargeable battery is a power source for the electric blower 1 and the drive motor 5, and the power source for the charger 21 is a commercial power source.
[0047]
The operation according to the above configuration is as follows.
[0048]
When the main body 8 moves on the surface to be cleaned, friction is generated between the surface to be cleaned and the driving wheels 7 and the steering wheels 9, and the driving wheels 7 and the steering wheels 9 are charged with static electricity. This static electricity is stored in the main body 8. As the main body 8 continues to move the surface to be cleaned, the electric energy of the mounted rechargeable battery continues to decrease, and finally the electric blower 1 and the drive motor 5 do not operate.
[0049]
Since charging of the rechargeable battery is required to restart the main body 8, the main body 8 and the charger 21 are connected as shown in FIG. 6 to perform charging. At the time of charging, the static electricity stored in the main body 8 is released from the terminal 24 to the charger 21. The charger 21 discharges static electricity that has entered from the release terminal 24 to a commercial power supply.
[0050]
As described above, the main body 8 and the charger 21 are connected by the release terminal 24, and the static electricity stored in the main body 8 is released to the charger 21 from the release terminal 24, thereby preventing the electrostatic charge on the main body 8 and preventing the dust on the main body 8. It is possible to improve the dust collection performance since the adhesion of the particles can be reduced.
[0051]
Further, if the static electricity stored in the main body 8 is configured to escape to the charger 21 from one or both of the charging terminal plus 22 and the charging terminal minus 23, the static electricity accumulated in the main body 8 can be provided without providing the escape terminal 24. Can be released to the charger 21, and the electrostatic charging of the main body 8 can be prevented with an inexpensive configuration without the release terminal 24.
[0052]
As described above, when the static electricity is discharged from one or both of the charging terminal plus 22 and the charging terminal minus 23 to the charger 21, the static electricity accumulated in the main body 8 can be charged without the release terminal 24. Since it is possible to escape to the main body 21, there is an effect that electrostatic charging of the main body 8 can be prevented with an inexpensive configuration.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the dust which attracts to a to-be-cleaned surface and a self-propelled (vacuum) cleaner main body is reduced by preventing electrostatic charging of the to-be-cleaned surface and the self-propelled vacuum cleaner main body, and the dust collection performance is improved. Can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a self-propelled vacuum cleaner showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a control configuration diagram of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner. FIG. Characteristic diagram of the degree of electrification and the amount of exhaust air [Fig. 4] Mechanism configuration diagram when the exhaust direction of the bottom exhaust of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner can be changed [Fig. 5] Suction of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner FIG. 6 is a structural view of a self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention when an ion generator is provided in the tool. FIG. 7 is a structural view of a self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Mechanism configuration diagram [FIG. 8] Control configuration diagram of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner [Description of reference numerals]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 electric blower 2 suction device 3 dust collection bag 5 drive motor 7 drive wheel 8 main body 14 charge detection means 15 bottom exhaust port 16 exhaust valve 17 ion generator 18 second bottom exhaust port 19 hood 21 charger 22 charging terminal plus 23 charging Terminal minus 24 Escape terminal

Claims

An electric blower that generates a suction wind, a drive wheel that moves the main body, a drive unit that drives the drive wheel, a suction unit that sucks dust from a surface to be cleaned, and a charge removal unit that generates a substance for removing static electricity Self-propelled vacuum cleaner with a.

2. The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein an exhaust port for discharging a part or all of the exhaust gas generated by the electric blower to the atmosphere is provided at the bottom of the main body, and a static eliminator is provided near the bottom exhaust port.

3. The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the suction tool is provided with a static eliminator.

4. The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein a valve is provided in the bottom exhaust port and an air passage of the electric blower, and the amount of exhaust discharged from the bottom exhaust port is adjusted by the valve.

A hood that covers the bottom exhaust port and the static elimination means is provided, and a second bottom exhaust port communicating with the bottom exhaust port and the static elimination means is formed. By rotating the hood, the position of the second bottom exhaust port is changed. The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

Charge detecting means for detecting a degree of electrostatic charge on the surface to be cleaned is provided, and an amount of a charge removing substance generated by the charge removing means and / or exhaust gas discharged from the bottom exhaust port according to the charge degree detected by the charge detecting means. The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein an amount of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner is adjusted.

A speed detecting means for detecting a moving speed of the main body, and an amount of a static elimination substance generated by the static elimination means and / or an exhaust gas discharged from the bottom exhaust port in accordance with the moving speed of the main body detected by the speed detecting means. The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the amount is adjusted.

A tipping detection means for detecting tipping of the main body is provided, and in accordance with the tipping state detected by the tipping detection means, an amount of a charge removing substance generated by the charge eliminating means and / or an amount of exhaust gas discharged from the bottom exhaust port are adjusted. The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the vacuum cleaner is used.

A dust amount detecting means for detecting an amount of dust sucked from the suction tool; and an amount of a charge removing substance generated by the charge removing means and / or discharging from the bottom exhaust port according to the amount of dust detected by the dust amount detecting means. The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein an amount of exhaust gas to be exhausted is adjusted.

The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the static elimination means comprises an ion generator.

An electric blower that generates a suction wind, a driving wheel that moves the main body, a driving unit that drives the driving wheel, a suction device that suctions dust from a surface to be cleaned, a rechargeable battery mounted on the main body, A self-propelled vacuum cleaner having a charger for charging a battery and a release terminal for releasing static electricity accumulated in the main body to the charger, wherein the static electricity accumulated in the main body is released to the charger during charging.

An electric blower that generates a suction wind, a driving wheel that moves the main body, a driving unit that drives the driving wheel, a suction device that suctions dust from a surface to be cleaned, a rechargeable battery mounted on the main body, A charger for charging a battery, and a plurality of charging terminals provided in pairs with the main body and the charger, wherein the static electricity accumulated in the main body is transferred to the charger through one or more of the charging terminals. Self-propelled vacuum cleaner to let go.