JP2007209645A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner which enables a user to easily hear the voice notification. <P>SOLUTION: The cleaner is equipped with an input setting means 2 which accepts switching operation to multiple drive modes of different vacuum power and a stop mode in which the vacuum cleaner stops, a voice notification means 5 to notify the cleaner status by means of voice, a sound volume variable means 12 to control the volume output from the voice notification means 5, a fan motor driving means 4 to carry out a phase control of fan motor 1, a control means 3 which receives a signal from the input setting means 2 and outputs a action signal to the fan motor driving means 4 and the sound volume variable means 12. The controlling means 3 has a structure capable of changing the sound volume of voice notification in the operation mode before switched to the stop mode. In this composition, the user can easily hear and understand the contents of voice notification, which totally provide the easy to use vacuum cleaner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly to a vacuum cleaner having a voice notification function.

Conventionally, in a vacuum cleaner having this type of voice notification function, since the operation sound of the fan motor is loud, a structure that improves the audibility of voice notification, such as providing a voice output device in the hand control unit, has been adopted ( For example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-197324

  However, in the conventional configuration, the audibility of the voice notification is improved, but when the operation sound of the fan motor of the vacuum cleaner is loud, for example, in the strong driving mode, it is not easy for the user to hear the voice notification. It was. In addition, if the notification is made after the motor operation has stopped to make it easier to hear, there is a problem that the power is turned off immediately or the user is separated from the place, and the user misses the information notified by voice. Was.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner that allows a user to easily hear voice notification.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention includes a fan motor for generating a suction force, a dust collecting means that is provided upstream of the fan motor and collects dust, and a suction unit. Input setting means for accepting switching operation to a plurality of operation modes having different forces and a stop mode for stopping the vacuum cleaner, voice notification means for notifying the state of the vacuum cleaner using voice, and output from the voice notification means Volume control means for controlling the sound volume, fan motor drive means for controlling the phase of the fan motor, and signals from the input setting means are received and operation signals are output to the fan motor drive means and the volume control means Control means, and the control means sends a signal to the sound volume changing means so as to change the sound notification sound volume according to the operation mode before switching to the stop mode. It is obtained by and outputs.

  As a result, by changing the volume of the voice notification according to the operation mode before shifting to the stop mode after a certain time, the user can easily hear the content of the voice notification and provide a highly usable vacuum cleaner. It can be done.

  The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention makes it easier for the user to hear the contents of the voice notification by changing the volume of the voice notification according to the operation mode before shifting to the stop mode after a certain time, and the usability is good. A vacuum cleaner can be provided.

  A first invention is a fan motor for generating a suction force, a dust collecting means that is provided upstream of the fan motor and collects dust, a plurality of operation modes and vacuum cleaners having different suction forces Input setting means for accepting an operation for switching to the stop mode for stopping the sound, voice notification means for notifying the state of the vacuum cleaner using sound, volume changing means for controlling the volume output from the voice notification means, Fan motor driving means for performing phase control of the fan motor, and control means for receiving a signal from the input setting means and outputting an operation signal to the fan motor driving means and volume changing means, the control means comprising: A signal is output to the sound volume changing means so that the sound notification sound volume is changed according to the operation mode before switching to the stop mode.

  Currently, since the rotation of the fan due to inertia varies depending on the operation mode before shifting to the stop mode, the level and duration of wind noise generated from the fan are different. In addition, when the fan motor is completely stopped, wind noise due to inertia does not occur.However, when voice notification is started after waiting for the stop, the user performs the stop operation according to the operation mode before shifting to the stop mode. The time from the start to the voice notification is different, giving the user a sense of incongruity, and if the time until the voice notification is started is too long, the user may leave the place. Conceivable. For this reason, by changing the volume of the voice notification according to the operation mode before shifting to the stop mode after a certain time, the voice notification is easy to hear for the user, and a highly usable vacuum cleaner can be provided. Is.

  2nd invention is provided with the air volume detection means which detects the air volume which a fan motor attracts | sucks, and a control means is based on the air volume (current value of a fan motor) before switching to the stop mode detected by the said air volume detection means, A signal is output to the volume changing means so as to change the volume of the sound notification, and the high-frequency sound generated from the fan motor is changed depending on the current value of the fan motor (= changes depending on the amount of dust) before switching to the stop mode. Since the sizes are different, even if the volume of the sound notification is changed, the user can surely hear the sound notification and can provide a vacuum cleaner with good usability.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handle portion that is operated by the user holding and holding the electric vacuum cleaner, a grip sensor that is provided on the handle portion and determines whether or not the user is holding the handle portion, and the grip sensor. A grip sensor signal processing unit that recognizes the contact detection signal and outputs a signal to the control unit based on the contact detection signal. The control unit is in contact / non-contact with the user detected by the grip sensor. Based on this information, a signal is output to the volume changing means so as to change the volume of the voice notification, and the user touches the vacuum cleaner from the contact / non-contact information detected by the grip sensor. By determining that the user is using a vacuum cleaner and changing the volume of the voice notification based on the information, the user can easily hear the voice notification, and the usability They are those which can provide a vacuum cleaner have.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided distance detection means for detecting the distance between the voice notification means and the user, and the control means changes the volume of the voice notification according to the distance detected by the distance detection means. A signal is output to the sound volume variable means, and by changing the sound notification volume according to the distance between the vacuum cleaner and the user, the user can easily hear the sound notification, and a vacuum cleaner with good usability is provided. It can be provided.

  The fifth invention is provided with a re-listening means capable of re-listening the sound notification, and the sound notification at the time of re-listening increases the volume, and when the information that has been sound-reported is missed, the sound notification is performed. When listening again, by listening again at a higher volume, it becomes easier for the user to hear the voice notification, and a vacuum cleaner with good usability can be provided.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of the vacuum cleaner in the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the vacuum cleaner in the same embodiment, and FIG. 3 is the rotation speed of the fan motor in the same embodiment. FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram of the air volume and the volume of sound notification.

  1 and 2, the fan motor 1 generates a suction force for sucking dust into the vacuum cleaner main body 8. The dust collecting means 10 is provided on the intake side of the fan motor 1 and collects dust by allowing only the intake air to pass through the dust sucked by the fan motor 1 and the intake air.

  The hose 11 relays dust to the dust collecting means 10 and connects the electric vacuum cleaner main body 8 and the input setting means 2.

  The input setting means 2 selects the strong operation mode with high input, the weak operation mode with low input, and the like, and operates the operation changeover switch 2a that transmits a signal to the control means 3 to operate the fan motor 1 The operation stop switch 2b transmits a stop signal to the control means 3. The control means 3 varies the input of the fan motor 1 by performing phase control by the fan motor driving means 4 in accordance with a signal from the input setting means 2.

  The sound volume changing means 12 changes the sound volume in a plurality of stages according to the operation signal from the control means 3, and is connected to the sound notification means 5. The sound notification means 5 informs the user of the state of the vacuum cleaner. Use to inform.

  The air volume detection means 6 detects the air volume on the intake side of the vacuum cleaner, and detects the current value of the fan motor 1 with the current transformer 20 that can measure the current value, thereby detecting the air volume in a pseudo manner. This current transformer 20 is connected to the control means 3.

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

  First, the state of the dust collecting means 10 will be described. If a large amount of dust accumulates on the dust collecting means 10 while the user performs a cleaning operation, the amount of air sucked by the resistance of the collected dust. Will go down. And in the state where many dusts accumulated in the dust collection means 10, the suction force of a vacuum cleaner will fall and it will be in the state which is hard to be sucked in.

  For example, if a state where a large amount of dust accumulates in the dust collecting means 10 continues, a sufficient suction force cannot be secured, and a cooling air sufficient to cool the vacuum cleaner cannot be secured. The user is prompted to check the dust collecting means 10.

  In the state where a large amount of dust is accumulated in the dust collecting means 10 as in the above state, the user ends the cleaning operation, operates the operation stop switch 2b, and stops the vacuum cleaner.

  Upon receipt of the signal from the operation stop switch 2b, the control means 3 outputs a signal for stopping the energization of the fan motor 1 to the fan motor driving means 4, and also to the volume changing means 12 after a predetermined time elapses, for example, 3 seconds later. A signal for sound notification for prompting the disposal of the dust in the dust collecting means 10 is transmitted.

  Here, when trying to make the voice notification means 5 perform voice notification without waiting for a certain period of time, the wind noise due to the rotation of the fan due to the inertia is large, making it difficult to hear the voice notification.

  Conversely, when waiting for the fan to stop completely, the time until the fan stops depending on the operating position before the user operates the operation stop switch 2b is, for example, 10 seconds in the strong operation mode with a large suction force ( In FIG. 3A), the weak driving mode with a small suction force is significantly different from 5 seconds (B in FIG. 3), so the time from when the user performs a stop operation until the voice notification is started is different, If the user feels uncomfortable or the time until voice notification is started is too long, the user may leave the place and not hear the voice notification. Therefore, in the present embodiment, 3 seconds is set as the voice notification start time in which the wind noise is not too loud and the user does not feel uncomfortable.

  The fan motor driving means 4 that has received the stop signal from the control means 3 stops energization of the fan motor 1. Even if the energization of the fan motor 1 is stopped, the fan continues to rotate for a while by the inertial force.

  Three seconds after the user operates the operation stop switch 2b, the voice notification means 5 performs voice notification. At this time, if the operation mode before the operation stop switch 2b is operated is, for example, the strong operation mode, the inertial force after stopping the energization of the fan motor 1 is large, so the wind noise of the fan is 30 dB (in FIG. 3). C) becomes larger. On the other hand, when the operation is stopped from the weak operation mode, the inertial force after the energization of the fan motor 1 is stopped is small, and the wind noise of the fan is also reduced to 10 dB (D in FIG. 3).

  Therefore, the control means 3 outputs a signal to the voice variable means 12 so as to give a voice notification, for example, 50 dB when stopping from the strong operation mode and 30 dB when stopping from the weak operation mode.

  Upon receiving the signal, the voice variable means 12 causes the user to, for example, notify the voice notification means 5 that the dust collection means has a large amount of dust. Discard the dust. The disposal of dust in the means 10 is urged.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation mode is shifted from any operation mode to the stop mode by changing the volume of the sound notification announced from the sound notification means 5 according to the operation mode immediately before the shift to the stop mode. Even in this case, after the user operates the operation stop switch 2b, it is possible to start sound notification in a certain time, and the sound notification volume is set to the operation mode immediately before the transition to the stop mode. Since it changes together, it is easy for a user to hear an audio | voice alert | report, and a vacuum cleaner with good usability can be provided.

  Moreover, when dust accumulates in the dust collecting means 10, the dust becomes resistance, and the suction air of the vacuum cleaner is lowered. As a result, the degree of vacuum of the fan motor 1 increases, and the number of rotations of the fan increases and noise tends to increase.

  Therefore, the current flowing through the fan motor 1 when the operation stop switch 2b is operated is detected using the current transformer 20, and the detected current value is transmitted to the control means 3 as an output signal, and based on the current value. The control means 3 changes the output signal to the sound volume changing means 12 using a threshold value as shown in FIG.

  Here, if the value detected by the current transformer 20 is, for example, 7A, the fan motor 1 is in a sealed state, so that the fan rotates further, so that the volume output from the voice notification means 5 is increased. There is a need.

  If it is 10A, the fan motor 1 is closer to the open state than if it is 7A, so the volume output from the voice notification means 5 may be small.

  As described above, the user can stop the operation regardless of the amount of dust accumulated in the dust collecting means 10 by changing the volume of the sound notification according to the current value of the fan motor before switching to the stop mode. Since the voice notification can be started in a certain time after the switch 2b is operated, and the volume of the voice notification is changed in accordance with the current value of the fan motor 1, the user can hear the voice notification. It is easy to provide a vacuum cleaner with good usability.

  In the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment, the current of the fan motor 1 is detected as the air volume detecting means 6, but it may be detected by the pressure, the rotation speed of the fan motor 1, and the air volume. Needless to say.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the input setting means in the present embodiment, FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the grip sensor in the same embodiment, FIG. 7 is a control block diagram in the same embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a grip sensor output signal. It is a figure which shows the example of a correlation with the volume of audio | voice alerting | reporting. Note that the same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  5, 6, and 7, the input setting means 2 has a handle portion 13 and a grip sensor 14 is configured. The grip sensor 14 is configured by using a light emitting element 15 such as a light emitting diode and a light receiving element 16 such as a phototransistor. By arranging the grip sensor 14 as shown in FIG. 5, light from the light emitting element 15 normally has an arrow ( As shown in a), the light receiving element 16 is not reached. However, as shown in FIG. 6, when the handle portion 13 is gripped to use a vacuum cleaner, light is reflected by the hand and light is applied to the light receiving element 16, so is the handle portion 13 held as the grip sensor 14? , Whether or not can be detected.

  The contact information detected by the grip sensor 14 is converted into a signal by the grip sensor signal processing unit 19 and output to the control means 3 as a signal.

About the vacuum cleaner comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.
Now, in the state where dust is accumulated in the dust collecting means 10 as in the state of the first embodiment, the user operates the operation stop switch 2b in order to finish the cleaning operation and stop the vacuum cleaner. To do.

  From the time of the cleaning operation to the time when the operation stop switch 2b is operated, the user holds the handle portion 13, but after the operation stop switch 2b is operated, the user may leave the electric vacuum cleaner.

  Therefore, when the operation stop switch 2b is operated, it is detected whether or not the user is grasping the handle portion 13 by the grip sensor 14, and the grip sensor signal processing portion 19 uses the result as an output signal as the control means 3. To communicate. The control means 3 that has received the output signal uses the table as shown in FIG. 8 and, when the user is holding the handle portion 13 (the user is in the vicinity of the vacuum cleaner), the voice notification means When a signal is output to the volume changing means 12 so that the sound notified from 5 is output at a normal volume, and the user does not hold the handle portion 13 (the user is not near the electric vacuum cleaner) Outputs a signal to the sound volume variable means 12 so as to increase the sound notified from the sound notification means 5.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the grip sensor 14 is used to detect whether or not the user is in the vicinity of the vacuum cleaner, and when the user is not in the vicinity of the vacuum cleaner, an audio notification is made. By increasing the sound volume, it is possible to provide a user-friendly electric vacuum cleaner that facilitates voice notification to the user.

  In the vacuum cleaner of the present embodiment, the touch sensor 14 is configured by using a light emitting element and a light receiving element. However, the user holds the handle portion 13 such as an element whose resistance value is variable by an external pressure. Needless to say, any detection means capable of detecting the presence of the object is acceptable.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of the distance detection means in the same embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing distance data detected by the distance detection means. It is a figure which shows the example of a correlation with the volume of audio | voice alerting | reporting. The same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  9 and 10, the distance detection means 7 is installed on the vacuum cleaner body 8, detects the distance between the user and the voice notification means 5 installed on the vacuum cleaner body 8, and controls the control means 3. Connected with. This distance detection means 7 is constituted by a heat ray receiving means 17 such as a pyroelectric sensor as a heat ray sensor for detecting a heat ray radiated from a heat source such as a human body in the present embodiment, and is output from a human body or the like. The distance to the user is detected by the size of the heat rays (infrared rays).

  A distance detection means signal processing unit 18 composed of an operational amplifier, a comparator, etc. converts the signal from the heat ray receiving means 17 into a signal and outputs this signal to the control means 3.

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

  Now, in the state where dust is accumulated in the dust collecting means 10 as in the state of the first embodiment, the user finishes the cleaning operation and operates the operation stop switch 2b to operate the electric vacuum cleaner. Stop.

  In this state, the user may end the cleaning operation and leave the vacuum cleaner. At this time, in order to detect the distance to the user, the distance detection means 7 detects surrounding heat rays with the heat ray receiving means 17, and the distance detection means signal processing unit 18 sends the detection level to the control means 3.

  The control means 3 that has received the detection level uses the table as shown in FIG. 11 to notify the voice notification means 5 that the voice becomes difficult to be transmitted to the user as the distance between the user and the vacuum cleaner increases. A signal is output to the sound volume varying means 12 so as to increase the sound to be played.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the physical distance between the user and the voice notification unit 5 by installing the distance detection unit 7 on the electric vacuum cleaner body 8. When the user is away from the vacuum cleaner, the sound volume of the sound notification is increased. Therefore, even if the user finishes the cleaning operation and leaves the vacuum cleaner, the sound notification is easily transmitted and the usability is good. A vacuum cleaner can be provided.

  In the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment, the distance detection means 7 is installed on the vacuum cleaner body 8. However, the distance detection means 7 detects the distance between the user and the voice notification means 5. If possible, the configuration may be such that the distance detecting means 7 is installed at any location on the vacuum cleaner.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 12 is a control block diagram of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of the input setting means according to the same embodiment. In addition, about the same part as the said Embodiment 1-3, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In FIGS. 12 and 13, the re-listening means 9 re-notifies the content of the previous voice notification when operated by the user, is configured on the input setting means 2, and is connected to the control means 3. ing.

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

  Assume that the voice notification means 5 announces the inspection of the dust collection means 10 as in the first embodiment. At this time, if the user cannot hear the content of the voice notification, or if he wants to listen again to the notified information, the user operates the re-listening means 9 so that the control means 3 It is determined that the notification has not been heard, and a signal is output to the volume changing means 12.

  Upon receiving the signal, the sound volume changing means 12 transmits the signal to the sound notifying means 5 so that the sound notification with the same content and a larger sound volume is made again, and the sound notifying means 5 again sends the signal to the user in the dust collecting means. A reminder to dispose of dust.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the fan motor 1 is stopped, the re-listening means 9 is operated, so that the content of the voice notification once is notified again at a higher volume, so that the user can hear the voice notification. The user can re-listen the received information, and the voice notification at the time of re-listening can be heard in a state where the fan motor 1 is completely stopped and at a louder volume. It is possible to reliably listen to the information notified by voice in the absence of the driving sound.

  As described above, since the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention can change the volume of the voice notification according to the state of the vacuum cleaner, the problem that the voice notification is not transmitted to the user can be solved. Therefore, application development not only for household vacuum cleaners but also for business vacuum cleaners where maintenance is more important is useful.

Control block diagram of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention Schematic of the vacuum cleaner Same as above, characteristics of fan motor speed Same as above, characteristics of air volume and sound volume The block diagram of the handle | steering-wheel part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention Same operation diagram of grip sensor Same as above, control block diagram The figure which shows the example of a correlation with a grip sensor output signal and the volume of audio | voice alerting same as the above. Control block diagram of the electric vacuum cleaner in the third embodiment of the present invention Same configuration diagram of distance detection means The figure which shows the example of a correlation with the distance data detected by the distance detection means, and the volume of audio notification Control block diagram of the electric vacuum cleaner in the fourth embodiment of the present invention Same configuration diagram of input setting means

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fan motor 2 Input setting means 3 Control means 4 Fan motor drive means 5 Audio | voice notification means 6 Air volume detection means 7 Distance detection means 8 Vacuum cleaner main body 9 Re-listening means 10 Dust collection means 12 Volume control means 13 Handle part 14 Grip sensor 18 Distance detection means signal processing section 19 Grip sensor signal processing section

Claims (5)

To a fan motor for generating suction force, a dust collecting means provided on the intake upstream side of the fan motor to collect dust, a plurality of operation modes having different suction forces, and a stop mode for stopping the vacuum cleaner Input setting means for accepting the switching operation, sound notifying means for notifying the state of the vacuum cleaner using sound, volume changing means for controlling the sound volume output from the sound notifying means, and phase control of the fan motor Fan motor drive means for performing the operation, and control means for receiving a signal from the input setting means and outputting an operation signal to the fan motor drive means and the sound volume variable means, the control means before switching to the stop mode A vacuum cleaner characterized in that a signal is output to the sound volume changing means so as to change the sound notification sound volume depending on the operation mode. An air volume detecting means for detecting the air volume sucked by the fan motor is provided, and the control means is a volume changing means for changing the sound notification sound volume based on the air volume before switching to the stop mode detected by the air volume detecting means. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a signal is output to the electric vacuum cleaner. Recognizes the handle part that is operated by the user holding the vacuum cleaner, the grip sensor provided on the handle part for determining whether the user is holding the handle part, and the contact detection signal from the grip sensor. A grip sensor signal processing unit for outputting a signal to the control means based on the contact detection signal, and the control means is configured to generate a voice based on contact / non-contact information with the user detected by the grip sensor. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a signal is output to the volume changing means so as to change the volume of the notification. A distance detection means for detecting the distance between the voice notification means and the user; and a distance detection means signal processing unit for outputting a signal to the control means based on the detection information. The control means is a distance detection means. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a signal is output to the sound volume changing means so as to change the sound notification sound volume according to the detected distance to the user. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a re-listening means capable of re-listening the sound notification, and the sound notification when re-listening increases the volume.

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