JP2007068690A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner capable of solving a problem on a dust collecting part by controlling a duty ratio of an electric blower. <P>SOLUTION: This vacuum cleaner is provided with the electric blower for sucking dust, a dust collecting part storing the sucked dust, and a control means phase-controlling the electric blower based on the duty ratio. In starting, the control means executes a starting raise control raising the duty ratio higher than the regular control duty ratio after the lapse of a prescribed time t1 from the starting and returning it to the regular duty ratio after the lapse of a prescribed time t3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner provided with control means for duty-controlling the power supply voltage of an electric blower.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vacuum cleaner is known that includes a dust collection unit that stores dust sucked together with air. As this dust collection part, what was formed in the container-shaped dust collection unit which can be attached or detached to the cleaner main body, for example was formed by the paper pack (refer patent document 1), for example. When the dust collector is full of dust and dust, the former one is discarded with a new paper pack and replaced with a new one, while the latter one is removed from the vacuum cleaner body and collected dust and dust. Reinstall the empty dust collection unit.

There is also known an electric vacuum cleaner that can control the duty of the electric blower of the electric vacuum cleaner to keep the current value of the electric blower constant and save power (see Patent Document 2). That is, when some drive resistance is generated in the electric blower and the current value increases, the on-duty ratio is decreased and the current value is held at a constant value. On the other hand, when the current value of the electric blower decreases due to accumulation of dust in the dust collecting part or the like, the on-duty ratio is sequentially increased to keep the current value constant.
JP 2004-358135 A JP 2004-195105 A

  However, in vacuum cleaners that store dust and dust in the dust collection unit such as the paper pack and dust collection unit described above, the volume of the dust collection unit is limited, and the suction force decreases when this is full, so it is stored. It is necessary to throw away garbage and dust, which is troublesome. On the other hand, enlarging the volume of the dust collecting part leads to an increase in the size of the vacuum cleaner.

  Therefore, it is desired to increase the amount of dust and dust that can be stored inside without increasing the volume of the dust collecting portion.

  The objective of this invention is providing the vacuum cleaner which can aim at the solution of the problem regarding a dust collecting part by controlling the duty ratio of an electric blower.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to an electric blower for sucking dust, a dust collecting part for storing sucked dust, and a control means for phase-controlling the electric blower based on a duty ratio. The control means increases the duty ratio from the normal control duty ratio after a predetermined time elapses from the start-up, and further increases the normal control duty ratio after the predetermined time elapses. It is a vacuum cleaner characterized by performing start-up ascending control to return to.

  In the present invention, when a predetermined time elapses from the start, the control means executes the start-up increase control to increase the duty ratio from the normal control duty ratio, and then when the predetermined time elapses, the normal control duty ratio is increased. Return to.

  Due to the increase in the duty ratio due to the start-up control, the input current of the electric blower increases and the suction force increases, so the dust and dust stored in the dust collector are more than when driving at the normal control duty ratio. Is also compressed, and the amount of dust and dust stored in the dust collecting section can be increased. In addition, the increase in the amount of storage can be promoted by executing the start-up control at every start-up.

  Thus, in the present invention, it is possible to increase the amount of dust and dust that can be stored inside without increasing the volume of the dust collecting portion.

  Hereinafter, an example which is an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner concerning this invention is described based on a drawing.

  Embodiments of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

    In the vacuum cleaner main body 10 of the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1, a dust collection chamber 12 and an electric blower 11 that makes the dust collection chamber 12 have a negative pressure are provided. The dust collection chamber 12 is provided with a dust collection filter 13.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a hose whose one end is detachably connected to the cleaner body 10, and a hand operation tube 16 is provided at the other end of the hose 15, and a handle portion 17 is provided at the hand operation tube 16. The handle portion 17 is provided with a hand operation portion 17A provided with an operation switch (not shown). In the present embodiment, the hand operating section 17A is formed so that four modes of off, strong, medium and weak can be selected, although illustration is omitted.

  An extension pipe 18 is detachably connected to the hand operation pipe 16, and a suction port body 20 is detachably connected to a distal end portion of the extension pipe 18.

  The suction port body 20 is provided with a suction chamber (not shown) having a suction opening (not shown) on the bottom surface. The suction chamber communicates with the dust collection chamber 12 of the cleaner body 10 through the extension pipe 18 and the hose 15.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system that controls the electric blower 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electric blower 11 is an AC power supply E as a power supply voltage, a current detection means (clogging detection means) 32 for detecting a current flowing through the electric blower 11, and a bidirectional control element. The direction thyristor 30 and the fuse 34 are electrically connected in series to form a closed circuit.

  In addition, the current detection means 32 is comprised from the coil, resistance, etc. which generate | occur | produce a voltage according to the electric current which flows into the electric blower 11. FIG.

  A control device 31 is connected to the bidirectional thyristor 30 and the current detection means 32. The control device 31 supplies the pulse voltage to the gate of the bidirectional thyristor 30 based on the operation state of the operation switch of the hand operation unit 17A and the detection of the current detection means 32, and the on duration or ratio, that is, the on duty. The phase conduction angle is controlled by increasing / decreasing the ratio, and the input voltage of the electric blower 11 is controlled. The control device 31 and the bidirectional thyristor 30 constitute control means for controlling the current flowing through the electric blower 11. The control device 31 is connected to a power supply circuit that supplies a DC power supply voltage of 5 V, for example.

  The control device 31 includes a normal control for controlling the current value flowing through the electric blower 11 to a current value corresponding to the operation mode of the hand operating unit 17A, a startup-time rise control executed every time the vacuum cleaner is started, and garbage. It performs protection control that is executed when clogging is detected.

  Each of the above controls will be described with reference to flowcharts and time charts of FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing normal control.

  In this normal control, the current value detected by the current detection means 32 is input, and the set current value set in advance according to the strong / medium / weak mode selected by the hand operation unit 17A is compared. The power supply voltage is controlled so that the current value flowing through the power supply 11 becomes a constant current value.

  In step S1, it is determined whether or not the cutting mode for stopping the electric blower 11 is selected in the hand operation unit 17A. If the cut mode is selected, the electric blower stop process in step S2 is executed, and then the determination in step S1 is repeated again. On the other hand, if the cut mode is not selected, the process proceeds to step S3. .

  In step S3, it is determined whether or not the strong mode for driving the electric blower 11 most strongly is selected in the hand operation unit 17A. When the strong mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S4, and the phase conduction angle is controlled by the bidirectional thyristor 30, whereby the input voltage from the AC power source E to the electric blower 11 is duty controlled, and the electric motor Control is performed so that the current value of the blower 11 is a constant current of a strong mode current value (for example, 9 A) set in advance. On the other hand, if the strong mode is not selected, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, it is determined whether or not the middle mode for driving the electric blower 11 with medium strength is selected in the hand operation unit 17A. When the medium mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S6, and the phase conduction angle is controlled by the bidirectional thyristor 30, whereby the input voltage from the AC power source E to the electric blower 11 is duty controlled, and the electric motor Control is performed so that the current value of the blower 11 becomes a constant current of a current value for medium mode (for example, 6 A) set in advance. On the other hand, if the medium mode is not selected, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not the weak mode for driving the electric blower 11 with the weakest strength is selected in the hand operation unit 17A. When the weak mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S8, and the phase conduction angle is controlled by the bidirectional thyristor 30, whereby the input voltage from the AC power source E to the electric blower 11 is duty controlled, and the electric motor Control is performed so that the current value of the blower 11 becomes a constant current of a current value for weak mode (for example, 3 A) set in advance. On the other hand, if the weak mode is not selected, the process returns to step S1.

  In the control for maintaining a constant current in steps S4, S6, and S8, when the load of the electric blower 11 increases and the detected current value of the current detecting means 32 increases, the on-duty ratio of the bidirectional thyristor 30 is increased. The duty control is performed as needed so that the detected current value of the current detecting means 32 becomes the set current value.

  On the other hand, when the load on the electric blower 11 is reduced due to accumulation of dust in the dust collection chamber 12 or the dust collection filter 13 and the like, and the detection current value of the current detection means 32 decreases, the bidirectional thyristor 30 is turned on. The duty ratio is increased, and duty control is performed as needed so that the detected current value of the current detecting means 32 becomes the set current value.

  Next, start-up control will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 4 and the time chart of FIG.

  In the start-up control, when a predetermined time t1 has elapsed from the activation, the on-duty ratio of the bidirectional thyristor 30 has elapsed since the activation, regardless of the strong / medium / weak mode of the hand operating unit 17A. After the on-duty ratio reaches 100%, it is maintained at 100% until a predetermined time t3 elapses after the on-duty ratio reaches 100%. Then, when the predetermined time t3 has elapsed from the start, the start-up ascent control is terminated, and the control shifts to the normal control described above.

  That is, in step S11, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time t1 has elapsed from the start. If the time t1 has not elapsed, the determination in step S11 is repeated. If the time t1 has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S12. move on.

  In step S12, the duty ratio is controlled so that the on-duty ratio becomes 100% at the time point t2, and in the next step S13, it is determined whether or not the predetermined time t3 has elapsed. When t3 has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S14 and returns to the normal control.

  The predetermined time t1 is, for example, a time in the range of 1 minute to 2 minutes 30 seconds, the predetermined time t2 is, for example, a time in the range of 2 minutes to 2 minutes 50 seconds, and the predetermined time t3 is The time is set to about 3 minutes 10 seconds to 4 minutes. That is, the times t1, t2, and t3 are set to drive for several seconds to about 1 minute at a duty ratio of 100% after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, after a predetermined time t2 has elapsed from the start, the on-duty ratio is higher than the duty ratio in any of the strong, medium and weak modes by the normal control. Then, the duty ratio is controlled to 100%, and after a predetermined time t3 has elapsed, the duty ratio is returned to the normal control.

  In FIG. 5, the duty ratio by the normal control is about 90% in the strong mode, about 70% in the middle mode, and about 50% in the weak mode, but is not limited to this.

  Next, based on the flowchart in FIG. 6 and the time chart in FIG.

  As described above, in the normal control, when the load on the electric blower 11 is reduced due to accumulation of dust in the dust collection chamber 12 or the dust collection filter 13, the control to increase the on-duty ratio is executed.

  However, if the on-duty ratio is continuously increased in this way, the durability of the electric blower 11 may be adversely affected. Therefore, the detection value by the current detection means 32 indicates that the dust collection chamber 12 is filled with dust or dust, or the dust collection filter 13 is clogged with dust until the air cannot be sufficiently circulated, the hose 15 or the extension pipe 18. When the intake port 20 is determined to be clogged by raising the dust from a predetermined value that can be determined to be clogged, the on-duty ratio is a predetermined value set in advance to protect the electric blower 11 Protection control is performed to reduce the protection duty ratio to 40% in this embodiment (40% in this embodiment). In FIG. 7, the time t11 is the start time of the protection control.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the protection rise control is executed during the protection control.

  This protection rise control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6. In step S21, it is determined whether or not protection control is started. If protection control is not started, the determination in step S21 is repeated and it is determined to start. Advances to step S22.

  In step S22, it is determined whether or not the predetermined time t12 has elapsed since the start of protection control (t11). If the predetermined time t12 has not elapsed, the determination in step S22 is repeated, and when the predetermined time t12 has elapsed, step S23 is performed. Proceed to

  In step S23, the on-duty ratio is increased to 100%. In the next step S24, it is determined whether or not the predetermined time t13 has elapsed. If the predetermined time t13 has not elapsed, the process of step S23 is repeated. When the predetermined time t13 has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S25 and returns to protection control.

  Therefore, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 7, in the protection rise control, the duty ratio is increased to 100%, which is higher than the protection duty ratio, when a predetermined time has elapsed (t12) from the start of the protection control (t11). Further, when the predetermined time has elapsed (t13), the protection duty ratio is reduced to 40%.

  In this embodiment, the interval from the time point t11 to the time point t12 is set in the range of 15 seconds to 18 seconds. Moreover, t13 is set to the time when 20 seconds have passed since the start of the protection control.

[Operation]
Next, operation | movement of the vacuum cleaner of an Example is demonstrated.

  When the electric vacuum cleaner is activated, the control device 31 controls the on-duty ratio of the bidirectional thyristor 30 to a ratio corresponding to the mode selected by the hand operation unit 17A, and the electric blower 11 is controlled by the input voltage based on this. Driven.

  Further, when a predetermined time t1 has elapsed from the activation, the control device 31 starts the ascending control at the time of activation, and the on-duty ratio of the bidirectional thyristor 30 is directed to 100% regardless of the mode selected by the hand operation unit 17A. When the predetermined time t3 has elapsed since the activation, the duty ratio is returned to the duty ratio corresponding to the mode selected by the hand operation unit 17A.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, every time the vacuum cleaner is started, the electric blower 11 is driven with an input voltage with a duty ratio of 100%, so the portion from the suction port 20 to the dust collection chamber 12 is The maximum capacity of the electric blower 11 is formed at a negative pressure, and dust and dust stored in the dust collecting chamber 12 are compressed.

  Therefore, compared with the case where the electric blower 11 is controlled only by the normal control, it is possible to increase the amount of storage in the dust collecting chamber 12 by the amount of compression by the startup rise control. Furthermore, the increase in the amount of storage can be further promoted by executing the startup control at each startup.

  Therefore, in the vacuum cleaner of the present embodiment, it is possible to increase the amount of dust and dust that can be stored in the dust collection chamber 12 without increasing the volume of the dust collection chamber 12.

  Next, when dust or dust is fully accumulated in the dust collecting chamber 12, or when large dust is clogged in the middle from the suction port body 20 to the cleaner body 10, the detection current value of the current detection means 32 is predetermined. Exceeding the value, it is judged that the garbage is clogged.

  When this clogging is determined, the control device 31 executes protection control for reducing the on-duty ratio of the bidirectional thyristor 30 to the protection duty ratio as shown in FIG. Thereby, it is avoided that the electric blower 11 continues being driven in the state where the input voltage is high, and the electric blower 11 is protected.

  Furthermore, in the vacuum cleaner of the present embodiment, the on-duty ratio is temporarily increased to near 100% from the time when the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the protection control (t12) until the time of t13. Thereafter, the protection rise control is performed to reduce the protection duty ratio.

  Thereby, since the drive sound of the electric blower 11 fluctuates up and down, the user can know the occurrence of an abnormality such as clogging of dust from the drive sound.

  In this way, it is possible to notify the user of the clogging of dust without providing a dedicated notification means such as a warning lamp. Alternatively, it is possible to appeal the occurrence of an abnormality to the user's vision and hearing without providing a separate notification means that can be used audibly and in combination with visual notification means such as a warning lamp.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the examples shown in the embodiments, and the design does not depart from the gist of the present invention. Such modifications are included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment, in the start-up increase control, the example in which the duty ratio is increased gradually from the time t1 to the time t2 is shown. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the duty ratio is increased at a time t21 as shown in FIG. You may do it. Note that t21 is a time of about 2 minutes to 2 minutes and 50 seconds.

  In the embodiment, an example in which the on-duty ratio is increased to 100% in the start-up increase control is shown. However, the increase is not limited to 100% as long as the on-duty ratio is increased to be higher than the duty ratio in the strong mode. That is, if the duty ratio is increased to be higher than the duty ratio in the strong mode, the compression effect in the dust collecting chamber 12 is at least as compared with the case where the medium mode and the weak mode are driven as compared with the case where the start-up control is not executed. Can be obtained.

  Further, the start time (t1) and the end time (t3) of the start-up ascending control are not limited to the time shown in the embodiment.

  In the embodiment, an example in which the duty ratio is increased only once when executing the increase control during protection is shown. However, the increase from the protection duty ratio and the decrease to the protection duty ratio are repeated a plurality of times. May be. In this case, the notification effect for the user can be further enhanced.

  In the embodiment, the on-duty ratio is increased to 100% at the time of protection increase control. However, if the ratio is higher than the protection duty ratio and the drive sound change of the electric blower 11 occurs, The on-duty ratio is not limited to 100%. Further, the protection duty ratio is not limited to 40% shown in the embodiment, and if the control duty ratio is less than or equal to the control mode in the weak mode, the electric blower 11 can be compared to the control duty ratio which is moderate or strong. Protection can be achieved.

  Further, the start time (t2) and the end time (t3) of the protection-time increase control are not limited to the time shown in the embodiment.

  Further, in the embodiment, as the selectable modes of the hand operation unit 17A, four modes of off, strong, medium, and weak can be selected. However, there is no limitation to this, and there are more stages than this. Or may be set to only on / off. Furthermore, the on-duty ratio in each mode is not limited to the values shown in the embodiments.

It is the perspective view which showed the external appearance of the electric vacuum cleaner of this invention Example. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the control circuit of the electric vacuum cleaner of this invention Example. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the normal control of the electric vacuum cleaner of this invention Example. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the raise control at the time of starting of the electric vacuum cleaner of this invention Example. It is a time chart which shows the change of the on-duty ratio by the starting raise control of the electric vacuum cleaner of this invention Example. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the raise control at the time of protection of the electric vacuum cleaner of this invention Example. It is a time chart which shows the change of on-duty ratio by raise control at the time of protection of the electric vacuum cleaner of the example of the present invention. It is a time chart which shows the other example of the change of on-duty ratio by the starting raise control of the vacuum cleaner of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Electric blower 12 Dust collection chamber (dust collection part)
17A Hand operating unit 30 Bidirectional thyristor (control means)
31 Control device (control means)
32 Current detection means (clogging detection means)
E AC power supply

Claims (2)

An electric blower for sucking dust,
A dust collecting part for storing the sucked dust;
Control means for phase-controlling the electric blower based on a duty ratio;
A vacuum cleaner comprising:
The control means executes a start-up control at the time of starting to increase the duty ratio from the normal control duty ratio after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start, and to return to the normal control duty ratio after the predetermined time has passed. Characterized vacuum cleaner. An electric blower for sucking dust,
A dust collecting part for storing the sucked dust;
Clogging detecting means for detecting clogging in the suction path from the suction port to the electric blower;
Protection control for phase-controlling the electric blower based on a duty ratio and reducing the duty ratio to a predetermined protection duty ratio lower than a normal control duty ratio when the clogging detecting means detects clogging Control means for executing
A vacuum cleaner comprising:
The control means executes a protection-time increase control for increasing the duty ratio to be higher than the protection duty ratio after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the protection control, and further reducing the duty ratio to be equal to or lower than the protection duty ratio after the predetermined time has elapsed. An electric vacuum cleaner.

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