JP2006320454A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy to use vacuum cleaner in which air flow is detected even in the automatic input position where input changes by dust signal so as to give a notice of full dust condition and reduce the inputting. <P>SOLUTION: The vacuum cleaner comprises an air flow detecting means (duct collection volume detecting means) 14 for detecting volume of collected dust in a dust collection chamber through air flow, a dust detecting means 11, controlling means which changes vacuum power according to the signal received from the dust detecting means 11. The vacuum cleaner is able to give a notice or change the vacuum power according to the output of air flow detecting means 14 in the operation position where vacuum power is changed by the operation of the dust detecting means. By this mechanism, the air flow can be detected even in the automatic input position where the input is changeable according to the dust signal. Therefore the changing position for confirming the collected duct volume is not required, which helps reducing the overflow of dust from the duct collecting chamber. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly to control of dust collection amount notification.

Conventionally, in this type of vacuum cleaner, as shown in FIG. 5, a control circuit 104 having an electric blower 102 and a signal processing unit 103 is built in the cleaner main body 101, and the hand operating unit 105 and the cleaner main body 101 are connected. The hose 106, the electric motor 108 built in the suction tool 107, the rotating brush 109 that scoops up the dust rotated by the electric motor 108, and the extension pipe 110 that connects the suction tool 107 and the hand operation unit 105. The operation unit 105 controls the suction force control of the electric blower 102 and the presence / absence of rotation of the electric motor 108. In addition, multiple suction forces such as “off”, “automatic”, “strong”, and “weak” positions can be selected at the hand control unit. In the “strong” position, the suction force is reduced by reducing the air volume in dust collection. Therefore, in most cases, the air volume is detected by the current detection means 111 of the electric blower 102 and control is performed so as to increase the suction force. Also, in recent years, using the fact that the air volume can be detected by current detection, dust is collected and the current value is reduced. When the current value falls below a preset current value, notification of throwing away dust or reducing the suction force is convenient. The control which considered the is also performed. Furthermore, in the “Random” and “Weak” positions, the dust detection means 112 that detects the passage of dust in the dust collection path also performs control to improve dust collection efficiency so that cleaning is performed by increasing the suction force when dust is present. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-248070 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, since there is a current change due to the suction force change in the `` automatic '' position where the suction force is varied by the dust detection means, it is difficult to detect the current change due to the air flow change, so no notification is given. The dust collection check was performed at the “strong” position. Therefore, there is a problem that it cannot be confirmed unless a manual operation is performed to confirm the dust collection amount.

  In addition, if cleaning is performed in the “Random” position, the amount of garbage cannot be reported. It was.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides an easy-to-use electric vacuum cleaner that detects the air volume even in an “automatic” position where the suction force is varied by the dust detection means and performs notification based on the dust collection amount. Is.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes a dust collection chamber in which dust is collected, an electric blower that generates suction force, a driving unit that drives the electric blower, and the collector. A dust collection amount detecting means for detecting the amount of dust in the dust chamber by an air volume, a dust detecting means for detecting dust, and a control means for receiving a signal from the dust detecting means and varying the suction force in a plurality of stages. In the operation position where the suction force is varied by the dust detection means, the notification or suction force is changed by the output of the dust collection amount detection means. Thereby, dust collection amount notification can be performed at a plurality of positions.

  The vacuum cleaner according to the present invention is configured such that the dust detection means is configured to change the notification or suction force according to the output of the dust collection amount detection means in an operating position where the suction force is varied by the dust detection means. Dust collection amount notification is made even at the automatic control position recommended for users who can save energy by eliminating the need to change the position to check the dust collection amount, and further reducing the overflow of dust from the dust collection chamber be able to.

  The first invention is a dust collection chamber for collecting dust, an electric blower for generating a suction force, a driving means for driving the electric blower, and a dust collection for detecting the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber by an air volume. A dust amount detecting means; a dust detecting means for detecting dust; and a control means for receiving a signal from the dust detecting means to vary the suction force in a plurality of stages so that the suction force can be varied by the dust detection means. By changing the notification or suction force according to the output of the dust collection amount detection means at the operating position, the dust collection amount notification is performed even at the automatic control position recommended for users who can save energy by the dust detection means. Therefore, there is no need to change the position in order to check the dust collection amount, and it is possible to reduce the overflow of dust from the dust collection chamber.

  In the second aspect of the invention, the air volume is detected in the state of two or more preset suction forces, and when a signal from the dust detection means is input at the time of air volume detection, a preset suction that can detect the air volume is provided. By changing the force, the setting of the dust collection amount to be set in advance can be reduced, so that the program of the microcomputer can be simplified, and the dust collection amount notification at the highly reliable recommended automatic control position can be performed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the air volume detection is performed only when the suction force is set in advance, and when the suction force is varied by inputting a signal from the dust detection means until the control means determines. The microcomputer program is simplified by stopping the air volume detection and restarting the air volume detection after the suction force is fixed again, so that the dust collection amount setting to be set in advance can be minimized. It is possible to notify the dust collection amount at the recommended automatic control position with higher reliability.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the air volume is detected only when a preset suction force state is reached. At the time of air volume detection, the signal from the dust detecting means is a predetermined time for the control means to judge. By operating so that the suction force does not change even if input, the dust collection amount setting set in advance can be minimized, and the microcomputer program can be simplified, and the dust collection amount can be stabilized. Because detection is performed, it is possible to notify the dust collection amount at the recommended automatic control position with high accuracy and high reliability.

  The fifth aspect of the present invention periodically performs air volume detection, and after detecting once, when a preset time elapses and when a preset suction force is reached, by performing the following detection, While detecting the amount of collected dust, the state where the suction force is not changed by the dust detection means can be minimized.

  The sixth aspect of the invention comprises voltage detection means for detecting a power supply voltage, and the value notified by detecting the amount of dust collected is corrected by a signal from the voltage detection means, so that stable dust can be obtained even in an area where the power supply voltage varies. Can be notified by the amount of dust collection.

  The seventh aspect of the invention includes voltage detection means for detecting a power supply voltage, and the phase value is corrected by a signal from the voltage detection means so that the current values are substantially the same, so that the power supply voltage is stable even in regions where the power supply voltage varies Notification can be made based on the amount of dust collected.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external view of the electric vacuum cleaner.

  In FIG. 2, 1 is a main body of a vacuum cleaner, and 2 includes an electric blower for generating suction force and collecting dust in a dust collection chamber (not shown). Reference numeral 3 denotes a hose, which connects the vacuum cleaner main body 1 to the hand operating unit 4 for switching operation positions such as “strong”, “automatic”, and “weak” which are the strength of the suction force of the electric blower 2. Reference numeral 6 denotes a suction tool for sucking dust on the surface to be cleaned in contact with the floor surface, and has a built-in rotary brush 7 for scraping dust on the surface to be cleaned and an electric motor 8 for driving the rotary brush 7. The rotating brush 7 is driven by the electric motor 8 via a belt (not shown) or the like, or the electric motor 8 is built in the rotating brush 7 and the rotating brush is connected via a gear (not shown) or the like. 7 or the like. Reference numeral 5 denotes an extension pipe which allows the suction tool 6 and the hose 4 to communicate with each other and can be expanded and contracted.

  By operating the hand operating unit 4 and driving the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 8, dust on the surface to be cleaned is scraped up from the suction tool 6, and the dust passes through the extension pipe 5 and the hose 3 to be used in the vacuum cleaner. While being transported to the main body 1, dust is collected in a dust collection chamber (not shown) built in the main body 1 of the vacuum cleaner, and the suction air is discharged from the main body 1 of the vacuum cleaner. A control circuit 9 that controls the operation of the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 8 in response to an operation from the hand operation unit 4 is built in the cleaner body 1. In addition, the suction tool 6 is provided with a child nozzle 10 so as to be detachable so as to be able to clean a narrow gap with the suction tool body 9, and in the “automatic” position, the state of the suction tool 6 is “leaving”, “landing”, “ The operation mode is switched by the “sub nozzle”. A dust detection means 11 for detecting the passage of dust is provided in the intake path. When dust is not detected by the dust detection means 11, the electric power of the electric blower 2 or the electric motor 8 is reduced, and if detected, the dust is detected. By increasing the suction force of the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 8, the power consumption when there is no dust is suppressed and energy saving is also performed.

  In FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment is divided into four blocks: a vacuum cleaner body 1, a hose 3 provided with a hand operation unit 4, an extension pipe 5, and a suction tool 6. It is an electric motor drive means for carrying out phase control of the electric motor 8 which rotationally drives the motor. 13 is an electric blower driving means for phase-controlling the electric blower 2 that generates the suction force, and is connected in series with the electric blower 2. 14 is an air volume detection means (dust dust collection amount detection means) for detecting the air volume based on a current change of the electric blower 2 and is connected in series with the electric blower 2. Reference numeral 15 denotes a microcomputer which is a control means for controlling the electric power supplied to the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 8, and includes switch operation information of the hand operation unit 4, dust passing information from the dust detection means 11, and current information of the electric blower 2. Based on this information, an ignition pulse for phase control is output to the motor driving means 12 and the electric blower driving means 13 based on the information, and control is performed. The air volume detection means 14 converts the current into a voltage with a current transformer or the like, rectifies and smoothes the current information, and inputs the current information to the microcomputer 15. The dust detection means 11 is provided with a light emitting element and a light receiving element, converts the amount of light blocked by the passage of dust into a voltage, and inputs it as a pulse waveform to the microcomputer 15 when the voltage change exceeds a set voltage. ing.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a first DC power supply device for transmitting a signal from the hand operating unit 4 to the control circuit 11 and is constituted by a negative power supply with reference to the common line. The first DC power supply 16 is a negative power supply of 12 V or more in order to improve the reliability of the contact between the main body 1 and the hose 3. Reference numeral 17 denotes a second DC power supply device serving as a power source for the microcomputer 15, which is created by stepping down from the first DC power supply device 16 and is a negative power supply with reference to the common line. 18 is a commercial power source for supplying power to the vacuum cleaner.

  About the vacuum cleaner comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hand operation unit 4 includes a plurality of switches SW1 to SW3 and resistors r1 to r4. The hand operation unit 4 is operated by changing the divided voltage with the resistor R built in the circuit on the main body 1 side. Is recognized, and a signal is output from the microcomputer 15 to the electric motor driving means 12 and the electric blower driving means 13 to operate the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 8 with a suction force corresponding to the hand operation. . The operation line of the electric motor 8 includes a safety switch 33 connected in series with the electric motor 8, and resistors r5 and r6 as shown in FIG. The microcomputer 15 determines whether the safety switch 33 is turned on, the motor 8 is rotated, or only the child nozzle 10 is operated by the change of the divided voltage between the resistors R2 and R3 incorporated in the circuit on the main body 1 side. Is recognized and the suction force of the electric blower 2 is controlled. Here, in order to recognize ON / OFF of the safety switch 33 and the rotation of the electric motor and to reliably transmit the hand operation signal, the electric motor 8 has an OFF period of a certain time. This is because the hose 3 has a resistance component, and when a current is passed through the motor 8, a voltage drop occurs in the resistance component and the AC component is superimposed on the DC component, so that the hand operation is not normally transmitted. Because. At the same time, the situation of the suction tool 6 is recognized by the divided voltage during the OFF period. SW1 to SW3 of the hand operation unit 4 can be switched between “strong”, “automatic / weak”, and “off”, and when the “strong” switch that is SW3 is pressed, the microcomputer 15 recognizes the divided voltage change, A signal is transmitted to the electric motor drive means 12 and the electric blower drive means 13 so that the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 8 operate with the phase control signal, and the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 8 operate with the phase-controlled voltage.

  The strong position is a position where the maximum suction force is generated, and the suction force is not changed by the dust detection means 11 and is about 900 W when the air volume is open. When dust is accumulated in the dust collection chamber, the air flow is reduced, so that the current value of the electric blower 2 is reduced. Therefore, since the air volume can be detected by detecting this current change with the air volume detecting means 14, the phase value is changed so that the input increases with a decrease in the air volume up to 1150 W so that the suction force does not decrease due to the decrease in the air volume. Further, since the dust collection amount can be detected as the air flow decreases, the microcomputer 15 informs the user to throw away the dust in the dust collection chamber when the current value falls below the preset second current value. In addition, when the current value becomes equal to or lower than the first current value, the suction force is reduced before the dust overflows from the dust collection chamber. Next, when the “automatic / weak” switch that is SW2 is pressed, the microcomputer 15 recognizes the change in the divided voltage, and the electric motor driving means 12 and the electric fan driving means 13 are operated by the phase control signal to the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 8. The electric blower 2 and the electric motor 8 operate with a phase-controlled voltage. The entrusted position is a recommended position in consideration of energy saving, and the power of the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 8 is made variable according to the state of the suction tool 6 and information from the dust detection means 11. When the state of the suction tool 6 is leaving the bed, the suction force of the electric blower 2 is small and is operated at a phase of 275 W when opened. When landing, the phase is 440 W at the time of opening, and the phase is varied so that the input becomes 550 W when the air volume detecting means 14 detects that the air volume has been reduced so that the suction force does not decrease due to the decrease in the air volume. The phase of the opening is 600 W so that dust in the gap can be easily removed when the child nozzle is used, and the phase of the opening is 275 W when it is only during the extension. In the operation mode depending on the state of each suction tool 6, the input rises upon receiving a signal from the dust detection means 11, and the point of the present invention is control in this operation mode. This point will be described later. When SW2 is pressed again, it becomes a weak position and operates in the open 200W phase. By re-clicking, the automatic position and the weak position change alternately. FIG. 3 shows the input-air volume characteristics when there is no input from the dust detection means 11 at each position. In the operation at the automatic position, the signal from the dust detection means 11 is normally input to the microcomputer 15 when the amount of dust is large, and the input value to be increased according to the number of pulses is determined by a plurality of values. However, when detecting the air volume, only two phase values of 550 W when no detection from the dust detection means 11 and 750 W when there is detection from the dust detection means 11 change. The current-air flow characteristics at the phase values of 550 W and 750 W are confirmed in advance by the standard electric blower 2. When the current falls below the first set current, it is determined that the air flow has decreased and the dust in the dust collecting chamber is discarded. The notification is performed as follows.

  Further, when the current decreases and becomes equal to or lower than the second set current, the input is reduced to prevent the dust from overflowing from the dust collecting chamber. The determination of the air volume detection is performed in about 5 seconds in consideration of the stability of the current change, and is performed at intervals of about 1 minute. Needless to say, detection is not performed during a certain period when the input fluctuates and stabilizes in order to stabilize the air volume detection signal. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the input fluctuation operation when the air volume is detected. Therefore, when the air volume detection is not performed, the phase is changed to a plurality of phases according to the amount of dust from the dust detection means 11, but only 5 phases change for 5 seconds during the air volume detection. When it is determined that the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber is large by the air volume detection, the notification is performed, but when the signal is input from the dust detection means 11 and the phase value is changed, the notification is continued. Until the next air volume detection is performed, it is continued regardless of the current value. Further, in this state, even when the power is 600 W at the time of the child nozzle, the notification is continuously performed, and the operation is continued regardless of the current value until the air volume detection is performed with the phase values of 600 W and 800 W as in the case of the above landing. I have to. Since the operation is the same when leaving the bed, the description is omitted. When the mode is changed while the input is reduced, the input returns to the initial state, but the notification is continuously performed. Similarly, when the notification is operated to the strong position while the notification is being performed, the notification is continuously performed until the air volume is detected again at the strong position. Needless to say, the continuation of notification by the suction force change due to the operation mode and position change may be determined by the timer value.

  Further, when the operation is stopped in the notification state, the notification is turned off after the notification is continued for a certain time. Needless to say, the stoppage of notification and the return from input reduction are similarly performed by detecting the air volume. Here, if the power supply voltage fluctuates, the current changes if the phase is the same, so the power supply voltage detection means 19 detects the power supply voltage and corrects the first set current and the second set current. , Notification and input reduction with the target air volume. If the phase value is corrected by the power supply voltage so that the current does not change, it is not necessary to correct the first set current and the second set current. FIG. 5 shows an input characteristic diagram when the voltage fluctuates. Next, air volume correction due to variations in the electric blower 2 will be described. Needless to say, the storage means 20 for storing the first set current and the second set current is provided, and the current value at that time may be stored at the target air volume in each suction force state. However, if you do so, adjustments will increase and productivity will decrease. In order to eliminate the adjustment, the change in the air flow at the required input is derived in advance from the load curve when the input is changed with the standard electric blower 2, and the difference between the first set current and the second set current is also derived from the first set current. In this case, all corrections can be made by storing the second set current in one place. Further, this one place can also be performed by storing the second set current at the strong position. FIG. 6 shows the input characteristics for explaining the air volume adjustment when the electric blower 2 is at a high input.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the dust detection means 11 changes the suction force, and the dust volume notification is performed by detecting the air volume with two fixed suction forces according to the automatic position. In addition, it is not necessary to change the position to check the amount of dust collected, and it is possible not only to reduce the overflow of dust from the dust collection chamber, but also to simplify the program of the microcomputer 15 and improve the reliability. . In addition, since notification when the mode or position is changed can be continuously performed, the user can easily confirm the notification. Furthermore, highly accurate dust collection amount notification can be performed by correcting the notification air volume by the power supply voltage and correcting the variation of the electric blower 2.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of operations in the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same part as the said embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the description.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when cleaning is performed at the automatic position (landing), the air volume detection means 14 detects the air volume when the signal is not input to the dust detection means 11 and the phase is 550 W. The determination of the air volume detection is performed in about 5 seconds in consideration of the stability of the current change, etc., and a signal is input to the dust detection means 11 within 5 seconds. When the input rises, the air volume detection is temporarily interrupted and is again 550 W. The operation is resumed when the phase is reached, and the notification and the input reduction are performed when the detection time reaches a total of 5 seconds or more and can be determined. Here, the timing for detecting the air volume is determined by the microcomputer 15, and the air volume is detected when one minute or more has passed after the end of the air volume detection and the phase reaches 550W. Further, stoppage of notification and return from input reduction are similarly detected and performed. The other modes are also similar.

  As described above, in the embodiment, the first and second set currents set in advance in the standard electric blower 2 can be minimized by setting the phase for detecting the air volume to one of the minimum. The computer program can be simplified and the dust collection amount can be reported at the recommended automatic control position with higher reliability.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation in the third embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same part as the said embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the description.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when cleaning is performed at the automatic position (landing), the air volume detection means 14 detects the air volume when no signal is input to the dust detection means 11 and the phase reaches 550 W. The determination of the air volume detection is performed in about 5 seconds in consideration of the stability of the current change. Even if a signal is input to the dust detection means 11 within 5 seconds during the air volume detection, the input is not performed for 5 seconds to detect the air volume. The input is increased in response to a signal from the dust detection means 11 when the air volume detection is completed. Here, the timing for detecting the air volume is determined by the microcomputer 15, and the air volume is detected when one minute or more has passed after the end of the air volume detection and the phase reaches 550W.

  In the present embodiment, the dust amount is detected based on the air amount. However, this air amount can also be detected directly by the current, the rotational speed or pressure of the electric blower, and in this case, the air amount is detected. It can be said.

  As described above, the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention can minimize the first set current and the second set current set in advance with a standard electric blower, and can further simplify the microcomputer program. Since the dust collection amount is detected in a stable state, the dust collection amount can be notified at the recommended automatic control position with high accuracy and high reliability.

The circuit block diagram of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention External view of the vacuum cleaner in the same embodiment Input characteristics at each position and mode in the same embodiment Input fluctuation explanatory diagram at the time of air volume detection in the same embodiment Input characteristics diagram during voltage fluctuation in the same embodiment Air flow adjustment input characteristic diagram at the time of high input electric blower in the same embodiment Input variation explanatory diagram at the time of air volume detection in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Input variation explanatory diagram at the time of air volume detection in Embodiment 3 of the present invention External view of conventional vacuum cleaner

Explanation of symbols

2 Electric blower 11 Dust detection means 13 Electric blower drive means 14 Air volume detection means (dust dust collection amount detection means)
19 Voltage detection means 20 Storage means

Claims (7)

A dust collection chamber for collecting dust, an electric blower for generating suction force, a driving means for driving the electric blower, a dust collection amount detection means for detecting the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber by an air volume, In an operating position that includes dust detection means for detecting dust, and a control means that varies the suction force in a plurality of stages in response to a signal from the dust detection means, and operates so that the suction force is varied by the dust detection means, A vacuum cleaner characterized in that the notification or suction force is changed according to the output of the dust collection amount detection means. The air volume detection is performed in the state of two or more suction forces set in advance, and when a signal from the dust detection means is input at the time of air volume detection, it is changed to a preset suction force capable of detecting the air volume. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein Airflow detection is performed only when the suction force is set in advance. If the suction force is changed by the signal input from the dust detection means until the control means makes a decision, the airflow detection is temporarily stopped. Then, the air flow detection is restarted after the suction force is fixed again. The air volume is detected only when the suction force is set in advance, and the suction force is not varied even if a signal is input from the dust detection means for a certain period of time for the control means to determine when the air volume is detected. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1. 2. The air volume detection is performed periodically, and after the first detection, the next detection is performed when a preset time elapses and a preset suction force is reached. Electric vacuum cleaner. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a voltage detection means for detecting a power supply voltage, wherein a value notified by air flow detection is corrected by a signal from the voltage detection means. The voltage detection means for detecting the power supply voltage is provided, and the phase value is corrected by a signal from the voltage detection means so that the current values are substantially the same. Electric vacuum cleaner.

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