JP2007054225A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner by which the control optimal for a user can be realized in both case of using a paper bag or not using the bag (bagless). <P>SOLUTION: The vacuum cleaner has a motor blower 2 for sucking, a dust collecting chamber for collecting the collected dust and for mounting one of the paper bag or the collecting box in the same, and a detecting means detecting whether or not the collecting box is mounted in the dust collecting chamber and collects the input of the motor blower 2 according to the output of the detecting means. Thereby, whether or not the collecting box is mounted in the dust collecting box can be detected, the paper bag is determined to be mounted in the dust collecting chamber in the case the collecting box is not mounted, thereby the control suitable for the bagless (the collecting box) and the paper bag can be achieved using the vacuum cleaner body, and the vacuum cleaner with good usability capable of obtaining the optimal characteristics for both the type can be obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to the control of an electric vacuum cleaner that operates on electricity and is used for household cleaning.

  In recent years, various vacuum cleaners have been proposed for vacuum cleaners, and are roughly classified into three types. One is a conventional paper bag type, one is a bagless (non-paper bag type) type, and the other is a rechargeable type.

Further, recently, a paper bag type and a bagless system that can be switched by the user have been proposed (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2004-97385 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-33241

  Conventionally, since the level of pressure loss in the air passage is different between the paper bag type and the bagless type, control according to each feature has been performed. In addition, in the case of the bagless method, there are more clogs of paper etc. compared to the paper bag type, and conversely, the bagless method is economical without replacing the paper bag. The user has selected. However, in recent years, it has been very difficult for a user to determine which one is appropriate depending on the user's cleaning environment, and a type that can be used by both types has been proposed as determined after use.

  Also, with regard to the detection method, the placement of electrical parts, etc. in places where waste is handled from the configuration is also greatly affected by the stress and reliability of the parts, so placement in the vicinity is difficult. there were.

  Also, methods other than the bagless method have been proposed.

  However, when the user switches between the two, the air volume is different and the lighting timing of the display indicating fullness is different or shifted before and after the switching due to the wind path pressure loss. Furthermore, there was a change in noise due to the difference in the air volume, giving the user a sense of incongruity.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner that can solve the above-described problems and can realize optimal control for a user in both a paper bag and a bagless state.

  The present invention for solving the conventional problems includes an electric blower that sucks in, a dust collection chamber that collects dust that has been sucked in, and in which either a paper bag or a dust collection box is mounted, and the dust collection Detecting means for detecting whether or not a dust collection box is installed in the room, and by adjusting the input of the electric blower according to the output of the detection means, according to the type of the dust collection box and the paper bag The control can be realized using the same vacuum cleaner body, and a highly usable vacuum cleaner can be provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect whether or not a dust collection box is installed in the dust collection chamber. When the dust collection box is not installed, it is assumed that a paper bag is installed, and the dust collection box and the paper bag Control control suitable for the type can be realized by using the same vacuum cleaner body, and optimum characteristics can be obtained for both types.

  The first invention is an electric blower that sucks in, a dust collection chamber that collects dust collected by the suction, and a paper bag or a dust collection box mounted therein, and a dust collection box in the dust collection chamber. And a vacuum cleaner that adjusts the input of the electric blower according to the output of the detection means, so that a dust collection box is mounted in the dust collection chamber. If the dust collection box is not installed, it can be assumed that a paper bag is installed, and control suitable for the type of dust collection box and paper bag can be realized using the same vacuum cleaner body. In both types, optimum characteristics can be obtained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric blower for sucking, dust collecting the sucked dust, a dust collection chamber in which any one of a paper bag or a dust collection box is mounted, and a dust collection box in the dust collection chamber. And a detection unit that detects whether or not the electric blower is mounted, and in accordance with the output of the detection unit, the electric blower sucked by the electric blower is changed by input adjustment of the electric blower. Even if any dust collection box is used, the open air volume can be almost matched.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric blower for sucking, dust collecting the sucked dust, a dust collection chamber in which any one of a paper bag or a dust collection box is mounted, and a dust collection box in the dust collection chamber. A level of lowering the input according to the output of the detection means and lowering the input of the electric blower when the amount of air sucked by the electric blower is reduced Since the vacuum cleaner changes the operation, even when a lot of garbage is accumulated, the operation can be adjusted even if the type is different.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising an air volume detecting means for detecting an air volume, and detecting whether or not a dust collecting box is mounted in the dust collecting chamber based on the output of the air volume detecting means and the output of the detecting means. Therefore, it can be detected more reliably whether a dust collection box or a paper bag is installed in the dust collection chamber.

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

(Embodiment 1)
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is an external configuration diagram of a vacuum cleaner in the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a paper bag for collecting sucked dust, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a dust collection box for collecting dust.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of a vacuum cleaner, and a dust collection chamber 16 that is opened and closed by a lid 1a is formed at a front portion. 2 is an electric blower for generating suction air provided behind the dust collecting chamber 16, 3 is a connecting pipe that is a fitting portion with the main body of the hose 4, and 6 is in the hose 4, and is a hand operation for setting the operation. A tip pipe having a portion 5 (not shown), 7 is an extension tube, and 8 is a floor nozzle portion that sucks dust by suction air.

  5 is a hand control unit for the user to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner, 6 is a tip pipe including the same, and one side is connected to the main body 1 of the vacuum cleaner by a hose 4 containing a signal line. The other side is connected to the extension pipe 7 and is composed of a hand operating unit 5 for switching the operation mode.

  Next, the paper bag 11 in FIG. 2 will be described.

  9 is a bag-like body in which collected garbage is accumulated, and is set in the dust collection chamber 16 by opening the lid 1a. Reference numeral 10 denotes a support plate for fixing the bag-like body 9 to the dust collection chamber 16.

  3 and 7 show the configuration of the dust collection box 15.

  12 is a suction portion through which dust sucked from the floor nozzle 8 enters through the main body 1, 13 is a dust collection space for collecting the dust that has entered, 14 is a filter for sorting dust, and 19 is the filter This is a main filter that does not allow finer dust to pass through. The dust collection box 15 having such a structure is set in the dust collection chamber 16 by opening the lid 1a and changing to the bag-like body 9.

  Here, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the paper bag 11 is mounted on the main body 1.

  A paper bag 11 is set in a dust collection chamber 16 located in front of the main body 1, and is sucked by the electric blower 2 located in the rear of the main body 1 and collected in the paper bag 11.

  FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  2 is an electric blower for generating suction air, 18 is a detection means for detecting whether the paper bag 11 is attached or the dust collection box 15 is attached, and 17 is for receiving a signal from the detection means 18 Control means for controlling the electric blower 2.

  The control unit 17 includes a current detection unit 17a, a voltage adjustment unit 17b, and a setting storage unit 17c. The current detection means 17 a detects the current flowing through the electric blower 2. The voltage adjusting means 17b adjusts the voltage applied to the electric blower 2 based on the current detected by the current detecting means 17a. Further, the setting storage means 17c stores voltage and current characteristics in the operations of the paper bag 11 and the dust collection box 15.

  Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

  When the user instructs the operation with the hand operation unit 5, the control means 17 receives the signal and drives the electric blower 2. When driving is started, the front surface of the electric blower 2 and the dust collection chamber 16 become negative pressure, and the floor surface becomes negative pressure through the hose 4, the extension pipe 7 and the floor nozzle 8. Here, the suction air that becomes the negative pressure is used to suck in the dust.

  The sucked dust moves from the floor nozzle 8 to the extension pipe 7. Further, the sucked dust enters the dust collection chamber 16 in the main body 1 through the hose 4. In this flow, dust is collected in the paper bag 11 and the dust collection box 15 set in the dust collection chamber 16.

  Here, FIG. 6 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship of pressure loss (hereinafter referred to as pressure loss) with respect to the air volume of the paper bag 11 and the dust collection box 15. It can be seen that when the air volume is on the horizontal axis and the pressure loss is taken on the vertical axis, the pressure loss tends to increase as the air volume increases. Further, when the paper bag 11 and the dust collection box 15 are compared, it is clear that the paper bag 11 has a smaller pressure loss. There are other factors that cause losses, such as resistance to the air path, but in order to obtain higher performance, it is better that the loss is smaller. For example, even if the control means 17 sends the same signal to the electric blower 2, if the pressure loss is large, the amount of air sucked at the tip of the floor nozzle 8 is small, and if the pressure loss is small, it is larger than when it is large. The air volume increases.

  Of the current detected by the current detection means 17a, the degree of current as the current applied voltage is determined. If it is determined that there is a large amount of current, it can be determined that the load has increased, and the voltage adjusting means 17b varies the voltage waveform (decreasing x). By repeating this, stable operation can be performed when the current and voltage are balanced.

  This characteristic can also be understood from the configuration of the paper bag 11 and the dust collection box 15. That is, the paper bag 11 reaches the electric blower 2 if the sucked air passes through the bag-like body 9 constituting the paper bag 11, but in the case of the dust collection box 15, the filter 14 from the dust collection space 13. Passes through the filter 19 (shown in FIG. 7) located further rearward (shown in FIG. 7) and reaches the electric blower 2, and the passage leading to the passage passes through a complicated place instead of a straight line. However, since the length thereof is also longer than that of the paper bag 11, a lot of loss is generated. Therefore, a characteristic difference as shown in FIG. 6 occurs.

  Now, the general characteristics of the load and input of the cleaner are shown in FIG. It is the relationship figure which took the load on the horizontal axis and took the input power (main body 1) on the vertical axis. As the load increases from the time when the load is small (point A), the input is increased to limit the input below a certain input (point B), and then the characteristics of the electric blower 2 (between B and C). Control is in progress. The voltage waveform applied to the electric blower 2 by the control means 17 in each case is as shown in FIG. As is apparent from FIG. 14, in the characteristics of the main body 1 using the electric blower 2, if the load (pressure loss) changes, the characteristics themselves change. Here, the characteristic between B-C becomes the characteristic which added 100V to the electric blower 2, and has provided the B point by input restriction. Further, between point B and point A, the noise is taken into consideration, and the response is further smaller than the input restriction.

  Moreover, the input in the open state and the detection when the garbage is full are all performed by detecting the current flowing through the electric blower 2. The operation of the electric blower 2 is controlled based on the current in each load state. Therefore, at point A in FIG. 14, the input value is adjusted by changing the voltage value (decreasing x) if the load is large according to the current when the predetermined voltage B is applied.

  About full display, it is between B-C of FIG.14 (b), and is the state which the electric blower 2 is operate | moving by full electricity supply. Therefore, when the predetermined load is determined based on the magnitude of the current due to the load in this state, the full display is performed.

  Since there is a difference in the pressure loss between the paper bag 11 and the dust collection box 15 described above, if the characteristics of the paper bag 11 and the dust collection box 15 are measured with the same electric blower 2, the difference in characteristics as shown in FIG. It is.

  Here, since the cleaner body 1 may use the paper bag 11 or the dust collection box 15, the characteristics will be different when they are replaced. For example, if the paper bag 11 is changed to the dust collection box 15 at point A in FIG. 8, the input is increased as shown in FIG. 8, and there is a possibility that noise will increase. Further, when the paper bag 11 is changed to the dust collection box 15 at the point B in FIG. 8, the operating point moves to the point C, so that the load is slightly increased, which may affect the suction. These changes are irrelevant to the user, feel uncomfortable, and further deteriorate the usability.

  Therefore, the detection means 18 detects whether the paper bag 11 is attached or whether the dust collection box 15 is attached.

  Here, the detection means 18 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9B, the configuration is such that it can be detected when the dust collection box 15 is attached. For example, in the case of this figure, detection is performed using a switch. In the case of a switch, since it is configured to be attached to a portion that cannot be easily pressed by the user, φX in the figure is configured to be a predetermined value or less (for example, 3). In the case of FIG. 9C, the determination can be made using light. When the dust collection box 15 is attached, it can be determined that the emitted light does not reach the received light. Further, in (d), a determination is made using magnetic force. That is, for the magnet embedded in the dust collection box 15 (which can generate a magnetic force), this magnetic force is determined on the main body 1 side. In the case of an electric vacuum cleaner, it is a product that handles garbage. When considering the entry of this garbage, detection using magnetic force is the most accurate and reliable. However, the cost is expected to increase. On the other hand, even when the above switch is used, detection is sufficiently possible if it is configured so as to prevent the entry of dust and to be removed even if it enters. Depending on this detection method, it can be substituted by detecting whether or not the dust collection box 15 is attached. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the main body 1 is detected to detect that the dust collection box 15 is attached. The detection means 18 is provided in the mounting portion of the dust collection box 15 for detection. Further, when the dust collection box 15 is not completely mounted, it is necessary to mount the dust collection box 15 in order for the sucked dust to leak or to fall on the lower surface of the dust collection chamber 16. The same effect can be obtained by combining this detection for reliable mounting. When the detection means 18 detects the detection means 18, the detection means 18 sends a detection signal to the control means 17, and the control means 17 having received the detection signal can determine that the user is using the dust collection box 15.

  Moreover, it can be determined by determining the input of the electric blower 2 when a preset load state is reached using the air volume detection means 20 that can detect the air volume sucked by this detection method. For example, FIG. If an input at point A is detected (output of the control means 17), the dust collection box 15 is obtained if B, and the paper bag 11 is obtained if C. If the control means 17 receives the signal of the air volume detection means 20 and confirms the input of the electric blower 2, the above operation can be realized (FIG. 10).

  The current of the electric blower 2 is detected by the current detection means 17a so that the operation in the dust collection box 15 stored in the setting storage means 17c of the control means 17 is detected, and the current adjustment means 17b adjusts the input, The electric blower 2 is operated.

  Therefore, when detecting which one the user is using with these detection methods, the following operation is performed.

  First, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), in the case of the dust collection box 15, the point in a light load (open) state is shifted. Further, the control means 17 adjusts the operation of the electric blower 2 to obtain the characteristics as shown in FIG.

  Moreover, although it is a case where load is large, in this case, since the air volume sucked by the electric blower 2 is small and the wind for cooling the electric blower 2 itself is reduced, it is necessary to suppress an increase in the temperature of the main body 1 itself. . Therefore, at a predetermined point (load state), an operation of lowering the input of the electric blower 2 is performed while displaying that the suction cannot be performed (not shown). In the same setting as the paper bag 11, the point of this operation is that when the dust collecting box 15 is used, the input is not lowered unless the load is further increased (determined by the current of the electric blower 2). If the paper bag 11 is still set (point A in FIG. 12), the input cannot be lowered unless the load becomes larger than when the paper bag 11 is set (FIG. 12C) (B in FIG. 12). Therefore, also in this case, when the dust collection box 15 is detected, the point where the input is lowered is advanced. As shown in FIG. 12B, by using C ′ instead of the point B so far, protection against temperature can be ensured, and a state in which the user does not feel uncomfortable can be obtained.

  In performing the above-described operation, it is possible to use more by correcting the difference between the dust collection box 15 and the paper bag 11 in each of the operation modes set by the user in the hand operating unit 5 (operation with strong or weak). Can be improved.

  In addition, it has been described that the air volume detection means 20 detects whether the dust collection box 15 is mounted or the paper bag 11 is mounted in relation to the input of the electric blower 2. It is estimated whether or not the output signal of the air volume detection means 20 has changed, and if there is a change (when the load is small), it can be estimated that the collected garbage has been discarded. It can be determined that it is mounted in the state of. Further, even when the paper bag 11 is mounted, dust may leak or load characteristics may be shifted unless the paper bag 11 is securely mounted. This deviation can be detected from the relationship between the air volume detection means 20 and the electric blower 2 in the same manner as described above, and a paper bag that is not recommended by using this method (a paper bag that has been recently marketed and shared by manufacturers). This can be detected even when the device is used, and the cause of failure of the main body 1 can be eliminated while improving usability.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably detect which type the user is using in the vacuum cleaner in which the user can properly use the paper bag and the bagless, and to fully exhibit the characteristics used. In addition, the characteristics are automatically switched, and the usability and reliability are high, so that the user can be satisfied.

External appearance perspective view of the electric vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention The external perspective view of the paper bag of the vacuum cleaner Front view of the vacuum cleaner dust collection box Same as above, sectional view of vacuum cleaner body The circuit block diagram of the vacuum cleaner Same as above, relationship between load and pressure loss in vacuum cleaner Same section of the vacuum cleaner dust collection box Same as above, new relationship between vacuum cleaner load and input (A) Same as above, (b) Same as above, (b) Same sectional view showing the relationship between the means for detecting the vacuum cleaner and the mounting of the dust collecting box (c) Same as above, The means for detecting using light The conceptual diagram showing the relationship between attachment and detachment of the dust collection box (d) The conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the detection means using the magnet and the attachment and detachment of the dust collection box Other circuit block diagram of vacuum cleaner (A) Same as above, other new relationship diagram of vacuum cleaner load and input (b) Same as above, Other new relationship diagram of vacuum cleaner load and input (A) Same as above, other new relationship diagram of vacuum cleaner load and input (b) Same as above, Other new relationship diagram of vacuum cleaner load and input Same as above, Airflow of vacuum cleaner and input diagram (A) General load and input characteristic diagram in a conventional vacuum cleaner (b) Same as above (b) Voltage waveform diagram applied to the electric blower by the control means of the vacuum cleaner Figure of load and input characteristics of conventional vacuum cleaner

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Electric blower 3 Connection pipe 4 Hose 5 Hand operation part 6 Tip pipe 7 Extension pipe 8 Floor nozzle 9 Bag-like body 10 Support plate 11 Paper bag 12 Suction part 13 Dust collection space 14 Filter 15 Dust collection box 16 Dust collection chamber 17 Control means 18 Detection means 20 Air volume detection means

Claims (4)

An electric blower to be sucked in, dust collected in the sucked dust, a dust collection chamber in which one of a paper bag or a dust collection box is mounted, and whether or not a dust collection box is mounted in the dust collection chamber A vacuum cleaner that adjusts the input of the electric blower according to the output of the detection means. An electric blower to be sucked in, dust collected in the sucked dust, a dust collection chamber in which one of a paper bag or a dust collection box is mounted, and whether or not a dust collection box is mounted in the dust collection chamber A vacuum cleaner that changes an open air volume sucked by the electric blower by input adjustment of the electric blower according to an output of the detection means. An electric blower to be sucked in, dust collected in the sucked dust, a dust collection chamber in which one of a paper bag or a dust collection box is mounted, and whether or not a dust collection box is mounted in the dust collection chamber A vacuum cleaner that lowers the input level of the electric blower when the amount of air sucked by the electric blower decreases and changes the level of the input according to the output of the detection means. 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an air volume detecting means for detecting an air volume, and detecting whether or not a dust collection box is mounted in the dust collecting chamber based on an output of the air volume detecting means and an output of the detecting means. The vacuum cleaner according to item.

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