JP2004057450A

JP2004057450A - Electric cleaner

Info

Publication number: JP2004057450A
Application number: JP2002219345A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Takafumi Ishibashi; 石橋　崇文; Masaki Takahashi; 高橋　正樹
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: JP4186540B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner which needs no dedicated transmission wire, moreover, needs no means for converting a sensing means and a detection result in a suction member for a floor, and can realize energy saving by performing the optimum electric power supply according to the cleaning action of a user depending on the working condition of the suction member for the floor with a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: A microcomputer 12 comprising a load sensing means 20 provided in a main body 1, a speed sensing means 21, and a control means 22 judges the moving speed of the suction member 6 for the floor from variation of the load state of an electric motor 7 and increases the power supply of a motor-driven blower 2 or an electric motor 8 only when a moving speed is high, and energy saving can be realized without placing the dedicated transmission wire for detecting the load state of the electric motor 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、回転ブラシを内蔵した床用吸い込み具を有する電気掃除機の制御に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
図５において、１は電気掃除機本体であり、２は本体１に内蔵し吸い込み力を発生する電動送風機であり、３はホースであり、操作手段４を有している。５は延長管であり、６は床面に接して床面の塵埃等を吸引するための床用吸い込み具であり、床面の塵埃を掻き上げる回転ブラシ７と、回転ブラシ７を回転駆動する電動機８を内蔵している。本体１には、電動送風機２と電動機７を制御する制御手段９を有しており、使用者が操作手段４を操作することにより、所望の吸い込み力と除塵力で運転を行うことができる。床面の塵埃等は床用吸い込み具６、延長管５、ホース３を経由して本体１内の集塵部（図示せず）に集積される。延長管５とホース３は、床用吸い込み具６に内蔵した電動機８へ本体１から電力を供給するための電力供給線と、伝達線を有している。
【０００３】
また、床用吸い込み具６には、状態検知手段９を有しており、床用吸い込み具６が、任意の位置にとどまっているか、移動しているかを検知して、状態情報を信号線を介して本体１に内蔵された制御手段（図示せず）に伝達し、制御手段は、床用吸い込み具６が、とどまっていれば、使用者が掃除をしていないとして、電動送風機２への供給電力を下げ、移動していれば使用者が掃除を行っていると判断して、電動送風機２への供給電力を上げるよう動作する。
【０００４】
また、特許第３２５７５０７号公報記載のように、電動機８の負荷電流を床用吸い込み具６に設けた電流検知手段にて検知して床面の種類を判別し、本体１側に設けたマイクロコンピュータで電動送風機２の入力を制御するものや、特許第３２４４２８５号公報記載の電気掃除機のように、床用吸い込み具に設けた掃除対象物検知手段の検知結果を電動機に電力を供給する電力線を介して本体側に伝達するものもある。
【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においては、前記検知手段を床用吸い込み具６に有しているものにあっては、検知結果により本体１に内蔵した電動送風機２の供給電力、もしくは吸い込み能力を制御する為には、検知結果を伝達する専用の伝達線が必要となるか、もしくは、床用吸い込み具６と本体の両方に検知結果を変換するための手段が必要になり、床用吸い込み具６の小型化の阻害になると共に構成が複雑になり、また、使用者の清掃動作に合わせた最適な電力供給ができないという課題を有していた。
【０００６】
本発明は、上記課題を解決するもので、専用の伝達線を必要とせず、しかも、床用吸い込み具に検知手段と検知結果を変換するための手段を必要とすることなく、簡単な構成で床用吸い込み具の動作状態により、使用者の清掃動作に合わせた最適な電力供給を行って省エネルギーを実現できる電気掃除機を提供することを目的とする。
【０００７】
【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、吸引力を発生する電動送風機と、塵埃を吸引する床用吸い込み具に内蔵された回転ブラシを駆動する電動機と、掃除機本体から前記電動機に電力を供給する電力線と、前記電力線から前記電動機の負荷を検知する負荷検知手段と、前記電動送風機および前記電動機の運転動作を制御する制御手段を備え、前記負荷検知手段の出力により前記電動送風機の吸い込み能力を制御するもので、前記電動機の負荷を検知する専用の伝達線を設けることなく、また、前記床用吸い込み具に検知結果を変換するための手段を設ける必要もなく、前記電動送風機の負荷状態を検知して使用者の清掃動作に合わせた最適な吸い込み能力で前記電動送風機を制御する事ができる。
【０００８】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の請求項１記載の発明は、吸引力を発生する電動送風機と、塵埃を吸引する床用吸い込み具に内蔵された回転ブラシを駆動する電動機と、掃除機本体から前記電動機に電力を供給する電力線と、前記電力線から前記電動機の負荷を検知する負荷検知手段と、前記電動送風機および前記電動機の運転動作を制御する制御手段を備え、前記負荷検知手段の出力により前記電動送風機の吸い込み能力を制御するもので、前記負荷検知手段は、前記掃除機本体で、前記電動機の負荷を検知して、前記制御手段が前記電動送風機の吸い込み能力を制御し、前記電動機の負荷を検知する専用の伝達線を設けることなく、また、前記床用吸い込み具に検知結果を変換するための手段を設ける必要もないので、簡単な構成で、前記電動機の負荷による前記電動送風機の吸い込み能力の制御を実現でき、省エネルギー化を図ることができる。
【０００９】
本発明の請求項２記載の発明は、吸引力を発生する電動送風機と、塵埃を吸引する床用吸い込み具に内蔵された回転ブラシを駆動する電動機と、掃除機本体から前記電動機に電力を供給する電力線と、前記電力線から前記電動機の負荷を検知する負荷検知手段と、前記電動送風機および前記電動機の運転動作を制御する制御手段と、前記負荷検知手段の検知する負荷状態から前記床用吸い込み具の移動速度を検知する速度検知手段を備え、前記速度検知手段の出力により前記電動送風機の吸い込み能力を制御するもので、使用者の操作による前記電動機の負荷状態の変化から、前記速度検知手段が、使用者の操作による床用吸い込み具の移動速度を検知し、前記制御手段は、前記移動速度に応じた最適な前記電動送風機の吸い込み能力の制御を、供給電力を制御することによって行うので、省エネルギー化を実現することができる。
【００１０】
本発明の請求項３記載の発明は、吸引力を発生する電動送風機と、塵埃を吸引する床用吸い込み具に内蔵された回転ブラシを駆動する電動機と、掃除機本体から前記電動機に電力を供給する電力線と、前記電力線から前記電動機の負荷を検知する負荷検知手段と、前記電動送風機および前記電動機の運転動作を制御する制御手段と、前記負荷検知手段の検知する負荷状態から前記床用吸い込み具の移動速度を検知する速度検知手段を備え、前記速度検知手段の出力により前記電動機への供給電力を制御するもので、使用者の操作による前記電動機の負荷状態の変化から、前記速度検知手段が、使用者の操作による床用吸い込み具の移動速度を検知し、前記制御手段は、前記移動速度に応じた最適な前記電動機への供給電力、もしくは回転数を制御するので、省エネルギー化を実現することができる。
【００１１】
本発明の請求項４記載の発明は、床用吸い込み具と掃除機本体を接続する接続部に操作手段を設け、前記操作手段から発せられる操作信号を前記掃除機本体に内蔵した制御手段に送信する２本の信号線と、電動機に電力を供給する２本の電力線を有し、前記２本の信号線のうちの一方の線と、前記電動機に電力を供給する２本の電力線のうちの片側の線を共通線とし、前記信号線のうち、他方の信号線から前記電動機の負荷を検知する負荷検知手段を掃除機本体に設けたもので、前記信号線、もしくは、伝達線を増やすことなく、制御手段が前記操作手段の信号による判断と前記電動機の負荷による電動送風機もしくは電動機の制御を行え、更に省エネルギーを実現することができる。
【００１２】
本発明の請求項５記載の発明は、速度検知手段が検知する床用吸い込み具の移動速度が、所定速度以上であれば、電動送風機への供給電力を上げるもので、使用者が、特に念入りに掃除したいときのみ、前記電動送風機への供給電力を上げ、それ以外は低電力で前記電動送風機を運転することにより、省エネルギーを実現することができる。
【００１３】
本発明の請求項６記載の発明は、速度検知手段の検知する床用吸い込み具の移動速度が、所定速度以上であれば、電動送風機への供給電力を下げるもので、使用者が特に念入りに掃除したいときは、前記電動送風機への供給電力を下げることにより、床用吸い込み具の床面への吸着力が弱まり、回転ブラシの負荷が減って回転数が上昇するので、前記回転ブラシによる除塵力が上がり、省エネルギー化と共に、掃除性能を向上することができる。
【００１４】
本発明の請求項７記載の発明は、速度検知手段の検知する床用吸い込み具の移動速度が、所定速度以下であれば、電動送風機への供給電力を下げるもので、使用者が清掃動作を中止した時は、制御手段が、前記電動送風機への供給電力を下げ、清掃していないときの無駄な電力を削減することができる。
【００１５】
本発明の請求項８記載の発明は、速度検知手段の検知する床用吸い込み具の移動速度が、所定速度以上であれば、電動機への供給電力を上げるもので、使用者が、特に念入りに掃除したいときのみ、前記電動機への供給電力、もしくは回転数を上げ、それ以外は低電力、低回転で前記電動機を運転することにより、省エネルギーを実現することができる。
【００１６】
本発明の請求項９記載の発明は、速度検知手段の検知する床用吸い込み具の移動速度が、所定速度以下であれば、電動機への供給電力を下げるもので、使用者が清掃動作を中止した時は、制御手段が前記電動機への供給電力、もしくは回転数を下げ、清掃していないときの無駄な電力を削減することができる。
【００１７】
本発明の請求項１０記載の発明は、速度検知手段の検知する床用吸い込み具の移動速度に対応した電動送風機の運転状態を報知する第１の報知手段を有するもので、制御手段が前記電動送風機への供給電力等の運転状態を前記第１の報知手段に報知させ、使用者は、清掃動作に応じた前記電動送風機への供給電力等の運転状態を知ることができる。
【００１８】
本発明の請求項１１記載の発明は、速度検知手段の検知する床用吸い込み具の移動速度に対応した電動機の運転状態を報知する第２の報知手段を有するもので、制御手段が前記電動機への供給電力、回転数等の運転状態を前記第２の報知手段に報知させ、使用者は、清掃動作に応じた前記電動機への供給電力、回転数等の運転状態を知ることができる。
【００１９】
本発明の請求項１２記載の発明は、負荷検知手段は、電力線のインピーダンスで電動機の負荷を検知するもので、簡単な構成で電動機の負荷状態を検知することができる。
【００２０】
本発明の請求項１３記載の発明は、負荷検知手段は、電力線上に設けた抵抗と電力線のインピーダンスで電動機の負荷を検知するもので、抵抗により負荷検知手段の検知信号レベルを調整することにより、簡単な構成でより高精度に電動機の負荷状態を検知することができる。
【００２１】
【実施例】
（実施例１）
以下、本発明の第１の実施例を、図１〜図４を参照しながら説明する。
【００２２】
なお、従来と同一構成部品については、同一符号を付し、説明を省略する。
【００２３】
図１、図２において、４は掃除機の動作を決定する操作手段であり、スイッチ１（ＳＷ１）、スイッチ２（ＳＷ２）、スイッチ３（ＳＷ３）から構成される。８は、床用吸い込み具６に内蔵された回転ブラシ７を回転駆動する駆動手段であり、双方向性サイリスタ１０が導通することにより、電力線１４を介して電力が供給される。電動機８は、内部で供給電力を交流−直流変換する変換回路と直流モータで構成される。また、１２は、制御手段２２、負荷検知手段２０、速度検知手段２１を含むマイクロコンピュータであり、操作手段４から入力される信号により、電動送風機と電動機８の制御を行う。
【００２４】
以下、制御手段２２、負荷検知手段２０、速度検知手段２１を総じて、マイクロコンピュータ１２として説明する。
【００２５】
２３は、マイクロコンピュータ１２が判断・制御する、床用吸い込み具６の負荷状態に応じた電動送風機２、もしくは電動機７の運転状態を報知する報知手段である。
【００２６】
上記構成において、その動作を説明する。
【００２７】
図２において、操作手段４の信号はマイクロコンピュータ１２の操作Ａ／Ｄポートに入力されており、ＳＷ１、ＳＷ２、ＳＷ３のいずれかを押されることにより、有効となる操作手段４部の抵抗ｒ１、ｒ２、ｒ３、ｒ４と、本体１側の抵抗ＲにてＶｄｄを分割した電圧が入力され、操作された手段に対応した電圧に応じて、電動送風機２、電動機７の位相制御を行って、吸い込み能力の制御、又は供給電力の制御を行っている。
【００２８】
例えば、ＳＷ２が押された場合は、操作Ａ／Ｄポートに印加される信号電圧は
Ｖｄｄ　×　Ｒ　／　（Ｒ＋ｒ＋ｒ０＋ｒ１＋ｒ２）
となる。ここで、操作Ａ／Ｄポートの信号線上には、図２中に示すホース抵抗ｒ０とｒが存在するが、マイクロコンピュータ１２は、図３に示すようなタイミングＴ１で電動機７のトリガオンを行って位相制御をしており、トリガオフの期間のタイミングＴ２に操作Ａ／Ｄポートの電圧を判断している。この時、ｒ、ｒ０＜＜Ｒ、ｒ０、ｒ１、ｒ２であることからｒ、ｒ０＝０Ωとでき、操作Ａ／Ｄポートに印加される電圧は
Ｖｄｄ　×　Ｒ　／　（Ｒ＋ｒ１＋ｒ２）
となり、操作手段４の状態を判断することができる。
【００２９】
また、操作手段４が全く押されていないときの、操作Ａ／Ｄポートの電圧は
Ｖｄｄ×Ｒ／（Ｒ＋ｒ１＋ｒ２＋ｒ３＋ｒ４）　・・・（１）
となる。
【００３０】
また、図２に示すように、操作手段４の片側は、電動機８へ電力供給するための電力１４の片側と共通（図２中のコモンライン）になっており、マイクロコンピュータ１２は、電動機７がトリガオンした後のタイミングＴ３でも操作Ａ／Ｄポートの電圧を読み込んでいる。
【００３１】
この時、電力線１４には、数百ｍＡ〜数Ａの電流Ｉが流れ、ホース抵抗ｒの両端の電圧（ｒ×Ｉ）も無視できないレベルになっており、電動機８がトリガオンした後の操作Ａ／Ｄポートの電圧は、マイクロコンピュータ１２のＧＮＤを基準とすると
（Ｖｄｄ−ｒ×Ｉ）×Ｒ／（Ｒ＋ｒ０＋ｒ１＋ｒ２＋ｒ３＋ｒ４）
となるが、ｒ０は前述のようにｒ０＝０Ωとすることができるので、
（Ｖｄｄ−ｒ×Ｉ）×Ｒ／（Ｒ＋ｒ１＋ｒ２＋ｒ３＋ｒ４）・・・（２）
となり、操作Ａ／Ｄポートには図３に示すような、波形があらわれる。
【００３２】
つまり、前記（１）式と（２）式より、操作手段４を押していない状態では、その信号レベルを基準にして、電動機８に流れる電流Ｉにより、
−（ｒ×Ｉ）×Ｒ／（Ｒ＋ｒ１＋ｒ２＋ｒ３＋ｒ４）　・・・（３）
で表される電圧が、Ａ／Ｄポートに印加されることになる。但し、Ｖｄｄを越える電圧、ＧＮＤを下回る電圧については、各々、Ｖｄｄ、ＧＮＤでクリップされる構成としている。
【００３３】
マイクロコンピュータ１２は、図３中に示すタイミングＴ３における操作Ａ／Ｄポートの電圧により、電動機８に流れる電流から電動機８の負荷を判断することができ、本実施例においては、本体１に内蔵したマイクロコンピュータ１２が、操作手段の信号線により専用の伝達線を設けることなく、また、ホース３のインピーダンスｒを利用して、専用の負荷を検知するための回路を設けることなく、電動機８の負荷を検知することができる。
【００３４】
また、回転ブラシ７は、掃除機動作中は床面に接触しながら一方向に回転しており、使用者の清掃動作により、床用吸い込み具６が床面上を前後に移動すると、移動中は回転ブラシ７が床面に押しつけられ、移動方向を反転する時のみ、この押しつけられる力が減少する。
【００３５】
つまり、移動中は電動機７に負荷がかかるので、負荷電流Ｉが増加して、操作Ａ／Ｄポートの電圧波形は図３中のＡの波形となり、反転する瞬間は負荷が減るので、負荷電流Ｉが減少して、操作Ａ／Ｄポートの電圧波形は図３中のＢの波形となり、この電圧波形の変動の周期は床用吸い込み具６の移動動作に同期する。マイクロコンピュータ１２は、操作Ａ／Ｄポートから判断した電動機７の負荷電流値相当の信号電圧の最低値を検出し、最低値が出現してから次の最低値が出現するまでの時間を計時し、その時間から床用吸い込み具６の１往復の移動時間を判断する。
【００３６】
一般的に、床面上に塵埃等が多く存在し、しっかり掃除したいときは、使用者が床用吸い込み具６を床面上で移動させる速度は速くなり、床面がきれいな場合は、移動速度が遅くなる。マイクロコンピュータ１２は、判断する時間に対して第１の設定値を有しており、判断する移動時間が第１の設定値以上であると、床面上に塵埃等が多く存在し、使用者がしっかり掃除しようとしていると判断して、電動送風機２への供給電力を位相制御により上昇し、吸い込み能力をアップし、第１の設定値未満であれば、床面上がきれいであると判断して、電動送風機２への供給電力を低下させ、更に第１の設定値より低い第２の設定値以下であれば、清掃動作を行っていないと判断して電動送風機２への電力供給を停止することにより、特に念入りに掃除したいときのみ、電動送風機２への供給電力を上げ、省エネルギーを実現することができる。
【００３７】
また、床面上の塵埃等は、電動送風機２の発生する真空圧により吸引され、真空圧が高い程吸引力が強くなるが、吸引力が強くなるほど、床用吸い込み具６の床面への吸着も強くなり、絨毯等の回転ブラシ７の回転の抵抗が大きな種類の床面にあっては、吸着によって回転数が低下し、絨毯の目の奥に沈み込んだ塵埃をかき出す力が低下してしまう。
【００３８】
そこで、マイクロコンピュータ１２は、判断する移動時間が設定値以上であると、床面上に塵埃等が多く存在し、使用者が回転ブラシ７により、しっかり塵埃をかき出そうとしていると判断して、電動送風機２への供給電力を低下させ、床用吸い込み具６の床面への吸着を緩和して回転ブラシ７の回転数を上昇させ、かき上げ力の向上と省エネルギーを実現することができる。
【００３９】
同様に、マイクロコンピュータ１２は、床面上に塵埃等が多く存在し、使用者がしっかり掃除しようとしていると判断すると、電動機８への供給電力を位相制御により上昇して回転ブラシ７の回転数を上昇させ、床面の除塵力をアップし、床面上がきれいであると判断すると、電動機７への供給電力を低下させて回転ブラシ７の回転数を落とすことにより、特に念入りに掃除したいときのみ、電動機２への供給電力を上げ、更に、清掃動作を行っていないと判断した時は電動機７への電力供給を停止することにより、省エネルギーを実現することができる。
【００４０】
また、マイクロコンピュータ１２は、電動送風機２への供給電力、もしくは電動機７への供給電力のレベルを報知手段２３にて報知することにより、使用者が、運転状況を把握することができ、使い勝手を向上することができる。
【００４１】
また、図４に示すように、操作手段４の電力線１４上に、抵抗ｒ５を設けることにより（ｒ５＜＜Ｒ、ｒ０、ｒ１、ｒ２、ｒ３、ｒ４）、操作Ａ／Ｄポートの電圧は、（３）式より、
−（（ｒ＋ｒ５）×Ｉ）×Ｒ／（Ｒ＋ｒ１＋ｒ２＋ｒ３＋ｒ４）・・（４）
となり、ｒ５を調整することにより、電動機７の負荷電流Ｉの変化に対する操作Ａ／Ｄポートの電圧を調整することができ、操作Ａ／Ｄポートの電圧が大きくなるようｒ５を選択することにより、高精度で電動機７の負荷電流Ｉを検知する事ができる。
【００４２】
尚、本実施例においては、マイクロコンピュータ１２が速度を判断する設定値を第１の設定値、もしくは第２の設定値の２つまでとしたが、更に多くの複数の設定値を有して、段階的に電動送風機２への供給電力、吸い込み能力、もしくは電動機７への供給電力、回転数を可変することもできる。
【００４３】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明によれば、専用の伝達線を必要とせず、しかも、床用吸い込み具に検知手段と検知結果を変換するための手段を必要とすることなく、簡単な構成で床用吸い込み具の動作状態により、使用者の清掃動作に合わせた最適な吸い込み能力、供給電力で電動送風機を制御でき、省エネルギー化を実現できる。
【００４４】
また、使用者の操作による床用吸い込み具の移動速度に応じた最適な電動送風機の吸い込み能力の制御、または、電動機の供給電力、もしくは回転数の制御を行い、省エネルギー化を実現することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施例を示す電気掃除機の制御のブロック図
【図２】同概略回路構成図
【図３】同操作Ａ／Ｄポートの電圧波形タイミング図
【図４】同負荷状態の検知精度向上の概略回路構成図
【図５】従来の電気掃除機の概略構成図
【符号の説明】
１　本体
２　電動送風機
３　ホース
４　操作手段
５　延長管
６　床用吸い込み具
７　回転ブラシ
８　電動機
１２　マイクロコンピュータ
２０　負荷検知手段
２１　速度検知手段
２２　制御手段
２３　報知手段[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the control of a vacuum cleaner having a floor suction tool with a built-in rotating brush.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In FIG. 5, 1 is a vacuum cleaner main body, 2 is an electric blower built in the main body 1 to generate a suction force, 3 is a hose, and has an operating means 4. Reference numeral 5 denotes an extension tube, 6 denotes a floor suction device which comes into contact with the floor surface and sucks dust and the like on the floor surface, and a rotary brush 7 for scraping up the dust on the floor surface, and rotationally drives the rotary brush 7. The motor 8 is built in. The main body 1 has a control means 9 for controlling the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 7, and the user can operate the operation means 4 to operate with desired suction force and dust removal force. Dust and the like on the floor surface are accumulated in a dust collecting section (not shown) in the main body 1 via the floor suction tool 6, the extension pipe 5, and the hose 3. The extension pipe 5 and the hose 3 have a power supply line for supplying electric power from the main body 1 to the electric motor 8 incorporated in the floor suction tool 6, and a transmission line.
[0003]
Further, the floor suction device 6 has a state detecting means 9 for detecting whether the floor suction device 6 is staying at an arbitrary position or moving, and transmitting the state information through a signal line. The control means (not shown) built in the main body 1 transmits the electric power to the electric blower 2 assuming that the user has not cleaned the floor suction device 6 if the suction device 6 stays. The power supply is reduced, and if it is moving, it is determined that the user is performing cleaning, and an operation is performed to increase the power supply to the electric blower 2.
[0004]
Further, as described in Japanese Patent No. 3257507, a microcomputer provided on the main body 1 side detects the load current of the electric motor 8 by current detection means provided on the floor suction tool 6 to determine the type of the floor surface. And a power line for supplying power to the electric motor based on the detection result of the cleaning object detecting means provided on the floor suction device, such as a device for controlling the input of the electric blower 2 or a vacuum cleaner described in Japanese Patent No. 3244285. Some are transmitted to the main unit via the main unit.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, in the case where the detection means is provided in the floor suction tool 6, the power supply or the suction capacity of the electric blower 2 built in the main body 1 is controlled based on the detection result. Requires a dedicated transmission line for transmitting the detection result, or a means for converting the detection result to both the floor suction device 6 and the main body. In addition, there is a problem that the structure is complicated and the configuration is complicated, and that it is not possible to supply an optimal electric power in accordance with the cleaning operation of the user.
[0006]
The present invention solves the above-described problems, does not require a dedicated transmission line, and does not require a detecting means and a means for converting a detection result to a floor suction tool, and has a simple configuration. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner capable of realizing energy saving by performing optimal power supply according to a user's cleaning operation according to an operation state of a floor suction tool.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electric blower that generates a suction force, an electric motor that drives a rotating brush incorporated in a floor suction device that suctions dust, and supplies power to the electric motor from a cleaner body. Power line, a load detecting means for detecting the load of the electric motor from the power line, and a control means for controlling the operation of the electric blower and the electric motor, the suction capability of the electric blower by the output of the load detecting means. It does not need to provide a dedicated transmission line for detecting the load of the electric motor, and it is not necessary to provide a means for converting the detection result in the floor suction tool, and the load state of the electric blower can be controlled. The electric blower can be controlled with the optimum suction capability according to the detection and the user's cleaning operation.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention supplies an electric blower that generates a suction force, an electric motor that drives a rotating brush incorporated in a floor suction device that suctions dust, and supplies power to the electric motor from a cleaner body. Power line, a load detecting means for detecting the load of the electric motor from the power line, and a control means for controlling the operation of the electric blower and the electric motor, the suction capability of the electric blower by the output of the load detecting means. The load detecting means detects the load of the electric motor in the cleaner body, and the control means controls the suction capability of the electric blower, and a dedicated transmission for detecting the load of the electric motor. Since there is no need to provide a wire and it is not necessary to provide a means for converting a detection result in the floor suction tool, a simple configuration is used, and a load caused by the load of the electric motor is reduced. Can be realized to control the suction capacity of the electric blower, it is possible to achieve energy saving.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention supplies an electric blower that generates a suction force, an electric motor that drives a rotating brush built in a floor suction device that suctions dust, and supplies power to the electric motor from a cleaner body. Power line, load detection means for detecting the load of the motor from the power line, control means for controlling the operation of the electric blower and the electric motor, and the floor suction tool from the load state detected by the load detection means Speed detecting means for detecting the moving speed of the motor, and controls the suction capability of the electric blower by the output of the speed detecting means.From the change in the load state of the electric motor due to the operation of the user, the speed detecting means Detecting a moving speed of the floor suction tool by a user's operation, and controlling the control means to control an optimum suction capacity of the electric blower according to the moving speed. , Is performed by controlling the supply power, it is possible to realize energy saving.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric blower for generating a suction force, an electric motor for driving a rotary brush incorporated in a floor suction device for sucking dust, and power supply to the electric motor from a cleaner body. Power line, load detection means for detecting the load of the motor from the power line, control means for controlling the operation of the electric blower and the electric motor, and the floor suction tool from the load state detected by the load detection means Speed detecting means for detecting the moving speed of the motor, and controls the power supplied to the electric motor by the output of the speed detecting means.From the change in the load state of the electric motor by the operation of the user, the speed detecting means Detecting the moving speed of the floor suction tool by the user's operation, and the control unit calculates the optimum power supply to the electric motor or the number of rotations according to the moving speed. Since Gosuru, it is possible to realize energy saving.
[0011]
According to the invention of claim 4 of the present invention, an operating means is provided at a connection portion connecting the floor suction device and the cleaner main body, and an operation signal emitted from the operating means is transmitted to a control means built in the cleaner main body. And two power lines for supplying power to the motor, one of the two signal lines and one of the two power lines for supplying power to the motor. One of the lines is a common line, and among the signal lines, a load detecting means for detecting a load of the electric motor from the other signal line is provided in the cleaner body, and the number of the signal lines or the number of transmission lines is increased. In addition, the control means can perform the judgment based on the signal of the operation means and control the electric blower or the electric motor based on the load of the electric motor, and further realize energy saving.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 5 of the present invention increases the power supplied to the electric blower if the moving speed of the floor suction tool detected by the speed detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. Only when it is desired to perform cleaning, the power supply to the electric blower is increased, and by operating the electric blower with low power in other cases, energy saving can be realized.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 6 of the present invention reduces the power supplied to the electric blower if the moving speed of the floor suction tool detected by the speed detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. When cleaning is desired, the power supplied to the electric blower is reduced, so that the suction force of the floor suction tool on the floor surface is reduced, the load of the rotating brush is reduced, and the rotation speed is increased. The power is increased, the energy saving is achieved, and the cleaning performance can be improved.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 7 of the present invention reduces the power supplied to the electric blower if the moving speed of the floor suction tool detected by the speed detecting means is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed, and the user performs the cleaning operation. When the operation is stopped, the control means can reduce the power supplied to the electric blower, thereby reducing unnecessary power when the cleaning is not performed.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 8 of the present invention increases the power supplied to the electric motor if the moving speed of the floor suction tool detected by the speed detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. Only when it is desired to perform cleaning, the power supplied to the motor or the number of revolutions is increased, and otherwise, the motor is operated at low power and low speed, thereby realizing energy saving.
[0016]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, when the moving speed of the floor suction tool detected by the speed detecting means is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed, the power supplied to the electric motor is reduced, and the user stops the cleaning operation. In this case, the control means reduces the power supplied to the electric motor or the number of revolutions, thereby reducing unnecessary power when the cleaning is not performed.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 10 of the present invention has first notification means for notifying the operating state of the electric blower corresponding to the moving speed of the floor suction tool detected by the speed detection means, and the control means comprises the electric motor. The first notifying unit notifies the operating state of the power supply to the blower and the like, and the user can know the operating state of the power supply to the electric blower according to the cleaning operation.
[0018]
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided second notification means for notifying the operating state of the motor corresponding to the moving speed of the floor suction tool detected by the speed detection means, and the control means controls the motor. The operating state such as the supply power and the rotation speed of the motor is notified to the second notification means, so that the user can know the operation state such as the power supply and the rotation speed to the electric motor according to the cleaning operation.
[0019]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the load detecting means detects the load of the motor based on the impedance of the power line, and can detect the load state of the motor with a simple configuration.
[0020]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the load detecting means detects the load of the motor with the resistance provided on the power line and the impedance of the power line, and adjusts the detection signal level of the load detecting means by the resistance. With a simple configuration, the load state of the motor can be detected with higher accuracy.
[0021]
【Example】
(Example 1)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0022]
The same components as those of the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0023]
In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 4 denotes an operation means for determining the operation of the cleaner, and is constituted by a switch 1 (SW1), a switch 2 (SW2), and a switch 3 (SW3). Reference numeral 8 denotes a driving unit that rotationally drives the rotary brush 7 built in the floor suction tool 6. Electric power is supplied via the power line 14 when the bidirectional thyristor 10 is turned on. The electric motor 8 includes a DC motor and a conversion circuit that internally converts supplied power from AC to DC. Reference numeral 12 denotes a microcomputer including a control unit 22, a load detection unit 20, and a speed detection unit 21. The microcomputer 12 controls the electric blower and the electric motor 8 by a signal input from the operation unit 4.
[0024]
Hereinafter, the control unit 22, the load detection unit 20, and the speed detection unit 21 will be generally described as the microcomputer 12.
[0025]
Reference numeral 23 denotes a notification unit which determines and controls the microcomputer 12 and notifies the operating state of the electric blower 2 or the electric motor 7 according to the load state of the floor suction device 6.
[0026]
The operation of the above configuration will be described.
[0027]
In FIG. 2, a signal from the operation unit 4 is input to an operation A / D port of the microcomputer 12, and when any one of SW1, SW2, and SW3 is pressed, the resistance r1 of the operation unit 4 becomes effective. r2, r3, r4 and a voltage obtained by dividing Vdd by the resistor R on the main body 1 side are inputted, and the phase control of the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 7 is performed according to the voltage corresponding to the operated means, and the suction is performed. It controls the performance or the power supply.
[0028]
For example, when SW2 is pressed, the signal voltage applied to the operation A / D port is Vdd × R / (R + r + r0 + r1 + r2)
It becomes. Here, the hose resistances r0 and r shown in FIG. 2 exist on the signal line of the operation A / D port, but the microcomputer 12 turns on the trigger of the electric motor 7 at the timing T1 as shown in FIG. The phase control is performed, and the voltage of the operation A / D port is determined at the timing T2 of the trigger off period. At this time, since r, r0 << R, r0, r1, r2, r, r0 = 0Ω can be obtained, and the voltage applied to the operation A / D port is Vdd × R / (R + r1 + r2).
Thus, the state of the operation means 4 can be determined.
[0029]
When the operation means 4 is not pressed at all, the voltage of the operation A / D port is Vdd × R / (R + r1 + r2 + r3 + r4) (1)
It becomes.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 2, one side of the operating means 4 is common to one side of the power 14 for supplying power to the electric motor 8 (common line in FIG. 2), and the microcomputer 12 The voltage of the operation A / D port is also read at timing T3 after the trigger is turned on.
[0031]
At this time, a current I of several hundred mA to several A flows through the power line 14, and the voltage (r × I) at both ends of the hose resistance r is at a non-negligible level. The voltage of the / D port is (Vdd-r × I) × R / (R + r0 + r1 + r2 + r3 + r4) with reference to the GND of the microcomputer 12.
However, since r0 can be set to r0 = 0Ω as described above,
(Vdd-r × I) × R / (R + r1 + r2 + r3 + r4) (2)
Thus, a waveform as shown in FIG. 3 appears at the operation A / D port.
[0032]
That is, according to the expressions (1) and (2), when the operating means 4 is not pressed, the current I flowing through the electric motor 8 is determined based on the signal level of the operating means 4.
− (R × I) × R / (R + r1 + r2 + r3 + r4) (3)
Is applied to the A / D port. However, a voltage exceeding Vdd and a voltage lower than GND are clipped at Vdd and GND, respectively.
[0033]
The microcomputer 12 can determine the load on the motor 8 from the current flowing through the motor 8 based on the voltage of the operation A / D port at the timing T3 shown in FIG. The microcomputer 12 does not provide a dedicated transmission line by the signal line of the operating means, and does not provide a circuit for detecting a dedicated load by using the impedance r of the hose 3. Can be detected.
[0034]
In addition, the rotating brush 7 rotates in one direction while in contact with the floor surface during the operation of the cleaner, and when the floor suction device 6 moves back and forth on the floor surface by the user's cleaning operation, the rotating brush 7 is moving. The force is reduced only when the rotating brush 7 is pressed against the floor surface and the direction of movement is reversed.
[0035]
That is, since the load is applied to the motor 7 during the movement, the load current I increases, and the voltage waveform of the operation A / D port becomes the waveform of A in FIG. 3. As I decreases, the voltage waveform of the operation A / D port becomes the waveform of B in FIG. 3, and the cycle of the fluctuation of this voltage waveform is synchronized with the moving operation of the floor suction tool 6. The microcomputer 12 detects the lowest value of the signal voltage corresponding to the load current value of the electric motor 7 determined from the operation A / D port, and measures the time from the appearance of the lowest value to the appearance of the next lowest value. From this time, the time for one reciprocation of the floor suction tool 6 is determined.
[0036]
In general, when there is a lot of dust and the like on the floor surface and it is desired to clean the floor, the speed at which the user moves the floor suction tool 6 on the floor surface is high. When the floor surface is clean, the moving speed is high. Slows down. The microcomputer 12 has a first set value for the time to be determined. If the moving time to be determined is equal to or longer than the first set value, a large amount of dust or the like is present on the floor, and Determines that it is about to clean, increases the power supplied to the electric blower 2 by phase control, increases the suction capacity, and determines that the floor is clean if it is less than the first set value. Then, the power supplied to the electric blower 2 is reduced, and if the power is not more than the second set value lower than the first set value, it is determined that the cleaning operation is not performed, and the power supply to the electric blower 2 is performed. By stopping the operation, it is possible to increase the power supplied to the electric blower 2 only when it is necessary to perform cleaning carefully, thereby realizing energy saving.
[0037]
In addition, dust and the like on the floor surface are sucked by the vacuum pressure generated by the electric blower 2, and the suction force increases as the vacuum pressure increases, but the suction force increases as the suction force increases. Adsorption is also strong, and on floors of a type where the rotational resistance of the rotating brush 7 such as a carpet is large, the number of revolutions is reduced by the adsorption, and the power to scrape dust sinking into the interior of the carpet decreases. Would.
[0038]
Therefore, the microcomputer 12 determines that if the determined moving time is equal to or longer than the set value, a large amount of dust or the like is present on the floor, and the user intends to use the rotating brush 7 to firmly remove the dust. In addition, the power supplied to the electric blower 2 can be reduced, the suction of the floor suction tool 6 on the floor surface can be reduced, and the rotation speed of the rotating brush 7 can be increased, thereby improving the scraping force and saving energy. .
[0039]
Similarly, when the microcomputer 12 determines that there is a lot of dust and the like on the floor surface and the user is trying to clean it well, the power supply to the electric motor 8 is increased by the phase control to increase the rotation speed of the rotating brush 7. When it is determined that the floor is clean, the power to be supplied to the electric motor 7 is reduced to reduce the number of rotations of the rotating brush 7, so that the user wants to carefully clean the floor. Only at this time, the power supply to the electric motor 2 is increased, and when it is determined that the cleaning operation is not performed, the electric power supply to the electric motor 7 is stopped, whereby energy saving can be realized.
[0040]
Further, the microcomputer 12 notifies the level of the power supplied to the electric blower 2 or the level of the power supplied to the motor 7 by the notification means 23, so that the user can grasp the driving situation, and the usability is improved. Can be improved.
[0041]
Also, as shown in FIG. 4, by providing a resistor r5 on the power line 14 of the operation means 4 (r5 << R, r0, r1, r2, r3, r4), the voltage of the operation A / D port becomes From equation (3),
− ((R + r5) × I) × R / (R + r1 + r2 + r3 + r4) (4)
By adjusting r5, the voltage of the operation A / D port with respect to the change in the load current I of the electric motor 7 can be adjusted. By selecting r5 so that the voltage of the operation A / D port becomes large, The load current I of the electric motor 7 can be detected with high accuracy.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the microcomputer 12 sets the setting value for judging the speed up to the first setting value or the second setting value. However, the microcomputer 12 has more setting values. Alternatively, the power supplied to the electric blower 2 and the suction capacity, or the power supplied to the motor 7 and the number of revolutions can be varied stepwise.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a dedicated transmission line is not required, and the floor suction device does not require a detecting means and a means for converting a detection result. Depending on the operation state of the suction tool, the electric blower can be controlled with the optimum suction capacity and supply power according to the user's cleaning operation, and energy saving can be realized.
[0044]
In addition, it is possible to control the optimal suction capacity of the electric blower or control the electric power supply or the number of rotations of the electric blower according to the moving speed of the floor suction tool by the user's operation, thereby realizing energy saving. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of control of a vacuum cleaner showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit configuration diagram. FIG. 3 is a voltage waveform timing diagram of an operation A / D port. Schematic circuit configuration diagram for improving detection accuracy of the load state [FIG. 5] Schematic configuration diagram of a conventional vacuum cleaner [Description of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Electric blower 3 Hose 4 Operating means 5 Extension pipe 6 Floor suction tool 7 Rotary brush 8 Electric motor 12 Microcomputer 20 Load detection means 21 Speed detection means 22 Control means 23 Notification means

Claims

An electric blower that generates a suction force, an electric motor that drives a rotating brush incorporated in a floor suction tool that suctions dust, a power line that supplies electric power from the cleaner body to the electric motor, and a load on the electric motor from the electric power line. And a control means for controlling the operation of the electric blower and the electric motor, wherein the suction capability of the electric blower is controlled by an output of the load detection means.

An electric blower that generates a suction force, an electric motor that drives a rotating brush incorporated in a floor suction tool that suctions dust, a power line that supplies electric power from the cleaner body to the electric motor, and a load on the electric motor from the electric power line. Load detecting means for detecting the operation of the electric blower and the electric motor, and speed detecting means for detecting a moving speed of the floor suction tool from a load state detected by the load detecting means. And a vacuum cleaner for controlling the suction capacity of the electric blower based on the output of the speed detecting means.

An electric blower that generates a suction force, an electric motor that drives a rotating brush incorporated in a floor suction tool that suctions dust, a power line that supplies electric power from the cleaner body to the electric motor, and a load on the electric motor from the electric power line. Load detecting means for detecting the operation of the electric blower and the electric motor, and speed detecting means for detecting a moving speed of the floor suction tool from a load state detected by the load detecting means. And an electric vacuum cleaner for controlling electric power supplied to the electric motor based on an output of the speed detecting means.

An operation means is provided at a connection portion connecting the floor suction device and the cleaner body, two signal lines for transmitting an operation signal emitted from the operation means to a control means built in the cleaner body, and electric power supplied to the electric motor. And two of the two signal lines, one of the two signal lines and one of the two power lines for supplying power to the electric motor, serving as a common line, and the signal line The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a load detecting unit that detects a load of the electric motor from the other signal line is provided in the cleaner body.

5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the power supplied to the electric blower is increased when the moving speed of the floor suction tool detected by the speed detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed.

5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the power supplied to the electric blower is reduced if the moving speed of the floor suction tool detected by the speed detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed.

The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the power supply to the electric blower is reduced if the moving speed of the floor suction tool detected by the speed detecting means is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed.

5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the power supplied to the electric motor is increased if the moving speed of the floor suction tool detected by the speed detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed.

5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the power supplied to the electric motor is reduced if the moving speed of the floor suction tool detected by the speed detecting means is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed.

8. The electric cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a first notification unit configured to notify an operation state of the electric blower corresponding to a moving speed of the floor suction tool detected by the speed detection unit. 9. Machine.

The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1, 3, 8, and 9, further comprising a second notification unit configured to notify an operation state of the electric motor corresponding to a moving speed of the floor suction tool detected by the speed detection unit. .

The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the load detection unit detects a load on the electric motor based on an impedance of the power line.

The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the load detection unit detects a load on the electric motor based on a resistance provided on the power line and an impedance of the power line.