JP2008000390A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner capable of imparting reliable correspondence information on various conditions to a user by speech and having high usability. <P>SOLUTION: The vacuum cleaner includes: a vacuum cleaner body 1 having an electric blower 2 for generating a suction air flow and a dust collecting means 4 for catching dust included in the air flow; a dust detecting means 24 arranged at a part of a suction passage 22 from a suction tool 13 for a floor to the dust collecting means 4 so as to detect the dust; an informing means 30 for imparting information on the various conditions; and a control means 28 for controlling the power of the electric blower 2, determination of the detection result of the dust detecting means 24, and speech information by the informing means 30. The informing means 30 imparts the speech information on the condition of the dust detecting means 24 and/or the condition of the vacuum cleaner. Consequently, the information concerning the various conditions and the correspondence are reliably transmitted to the user and also the user easily corresponds to the information, such as maintenance period and method, only by hearing the information content. Thus, usability is enhanced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner that has dust detection means for detecting dust contained in a suction airflow, and in addition to notifying the presence / absence of dust, voice notification of information on the state of the dust detection means and the state of the vacuum cleaner. is there.

  Conventionally, this type of vacuum cleaner is provided with a dust sensor in an air passage through which dust passes, and a confirmation switch is operated to display the amount of dust being cleaned by display means (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . There is also a device that detects and displays the amount of dust collected by the dust collecting means.

FIG. 7 shows a conventional electric vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, a dust sensor 37 provided in an air passage 36 through which dust passes, a pulse conversion unit 38 that converts the output of the dust sensor 37 into a pulse signal, and the number of pulses from the pulse conversion unit 38 A counting means 39 for counting within a unit time; a control means 40 for accumulating the counting results of the counting means 39 to calculate a time average; a display means 41 for displaying the amount of dust input from the control means 40; It comprises a confirmation switch 42 that outputs to the control means 40 and confirms the amount of dust.
JP-A-4-218132

  However, in the conventional configuration, dust passing through the air passage is detected by the dust sensor, and only the detected presence / absence of dust and the amount of dust are displayed. The user could not know about the time.

  Further, the state of the vacuum cleaner, for example, the display of the amount of dust collected by the dust collecting means is a display by a lamp such as an LED, and there is a problem that the user is not easily aware of the lighting of the lamp.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a highly usable vacuum cleaner that can reliably notify the user of various states with various voices.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, an electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes an electric blower that generates a suction airflow, a vacuum cleaner main body having dust collecting means for collecting dust contained in the suction airflow, and a surface to be cleaned. A floor suction tool having a bottom opening for sucking dust, and a dust detection means for detecting dust contained in the suction airflow disposed in a part of the suction path from the floor suction tool to the dust collecting means; In addition, in the vacuum cleaner provided with a notifying means for notifying various states, a control means for controlling determination of the electric power of the electric blower and the detection result of the dust detecting means, and sound generation notification by the notifying means, the notifying means, The state of the dust detection means and / or the state of the electric vacuum cleaner is notified by voice.

  As a result, it is possible to reliably notify the user of various states and their responses, and to easily respond to the notification contents such as the maintenance time and method, and to improve the usability.

  The vacuum cleaner of the present invention can reliably notify the user of various states and the correspondence thereof by voice.

  A first aspect of the invention is an electric blower that generates a suction airflow, a vacuum cleaner body having dust collecting means for collecting dust contained in the suction airflow, and a floor suction tool having a bottom opening for sucking dust on the surface to be cleaned. A dust detection means for detecting dust contained in the suction airflow disposed in a part of the suction path from the floor suction tool to the dust collection means, a notification means for notifying various states, and the electric motor In a vacuum cleaner provided with a control means for controlling the determination of the electric power of the blower and the detection result of the dust detection means and the sound generation notification by the notification means, the notification means includes the state of the dust detection means and / or the vacuum cleaner. By voice notification of the status of the system, it is possible to reliably notify the user of various statuses and their responses. It can turn easily, thereby improving the usability.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the dust detection output from the dust detection means continues for a predetermined time, a sound notification is made to confirm the dust detection means or to prompt maintenance. Confirmation of presence / absence of dust, hair, etc.) is promoted, so that the sensitivity of the dust detection means can be prevented from being lowered and a stable dust detection state can be maintained.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the contents of the dust detection means are confirmed or urged to be informed of care, the maintenance method of the dust detection means is also notified by voice so that it is possible to search for an instruction manual or the like. It becomes unnecessary and can be easily and easily cared for, and it is possible to prevent the dust detecting means from being damaged or damaged.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of use of the vacuum cleaner body, a voice notification is given to confirm the dust detection means or to prompt maintenance. It is possible to confirm or promote the maintenance of the dust detection means (dust, hair, etc.) and dirt on the dust detection means, and the sensitivity of the dust detection means can be reset to the initial state, and a stable dust detection state can be achieved. Can be maintained.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the amount of dust accumulated in the dust collecting means is determined by accumulatively counting the output of dust detection in the dust detecting means, and the accumulated amount is calculated each time the accumulated count value of the output reaches a predetermined amount. By voice notification, it is possible to notify the user of the accumulated amount of dust step by step, and not only the accumulated state of dust but also the degree of dirt on the surface to be cleaned can be recognized, improving the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction of cleaning. be able to.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the dust detection means determines the degree of dirt due to the amount of dust within a predetermined time within a predetermined time, and recognizes a dirty part by voice notification of the degree of dirt. As a result, the cleaning can be performed intensively, the cleaning can be performed efficiently, and the cleaning time can be shortened.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to recognize the time required for cleaning by notifying the cleaning time from the start of operation to the stop of the electric blower, so that the dirty state of the portion to be cleaned can be known and the cleaning can be performed. Achievement and satisfaction can be improved.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the accumulated amount of dust accumulated in the dust collecting means is determined by accumulating the output pulses of dust detection in the dust detecting means during the time from the start to the stop of the operation of the electric blower. By voice notification, the time required for cleaning and the accumulated amount of dust within the time can be recognized, the degree of dirt at the location to be cleaned can be recognized, and the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction of cleaning can be improved. .

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, when the cumulative value of the output pulse of dust detected by the dust detection means exceeds a predetermined value, the dust collection means is notified by voice notification of the content that prompts replacement or maintenance of the dust collection means. It is possible to recognize the replacement or maintenance time of the electric fan, and it is possible to prevent an overheating or failure due to an overload state of the electric blower.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the state of the electric blower is reduced or stopped so that the noise level of the cleaner body is 50 dB or less at the time of voice notification, thereby ensuring various states and correspondences to the user. Therefore, usability can be improved.

  The eleventh invention is provided with a switching means that allows the user to arbitrarily select the presence or absence of voice notification, so that when the notification is unnecessary, the user can stop the voice notification, and the user himself does not depend on the content of the notification. It is possible to perform cleaning with the style and operation, and the usability can be improved.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main body of the vacuum cleaner.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a vacuum cleaner body having a built-in electric blower 2 at the rear, and a dust collection chamber 3 for collecting dust contained in the suction airflow by the suction action of the electric blower 2 is provided in front of the vacuum cleaner body 1. The dust collection chamber 3 is formed so that dust collection means 4 such as a dust collection bag or a dust collection container can be detachably mounted. A dust collection chamber cover 5 covers the upper opening of the dust collection chamber 3 and is pivotally supported by a hinge substantially at the upper rear of the cleaner body 1. Further, the vacuum cleaner body 1 incorporates a control means 28 (not shown) for performing various controls including control of power consumption of the electric blower 2. 6 is an intake port that communicates with the dust collection chamber 3 and the dust collection means 4. A hose 8 has a connection pipe 7 on one end side and is connected to an intake port 6, and a hand handle 10 having a grip 9 on the other end side. The hand handle 10 incorporates an operation means 11 having an operation switch for selecting the suction force (power consumption) of the electric blower 2. One end side of the extension pipe 12 is connected to the anti-hose 8 side of the hand handle 10, and the other end side of the extension pipe 12 has a suction opening (not shown) on the bottom side for sucking dust on the surface to be cleaned. A suction tool 13 is connected. The extension pipe 12, the hose 8, the air inlet 6, and the dust collecting means 4 are communicated with each other through the suction opening of the floor suction tool 13 to form a suction flow path 22.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 30 denotes voice notification means for notifying various states to be described later by voice, and in the vicinity thereof, switching means 31 is provided that allows the user to arbitrarily select whether or not voice notification is to be made. The sound notification means 30 and the switching means 31 are provided at a position covered by the dust collection chamber lid 5.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross section of the attachment portion of the connection pipe and the dust detection means. In FIG. 3, the connection pipe 7 has a connection pipe 14 that forms a substantially straight dust passage. The end of the hose 8 is inserted into one end side of the connection pipe 14 and fixedly connected. The connection part is protected by covering the outer periphery of 14 and the hose 8 connection part with a hose cover 15. The other end of the connecting pipe 14 is inserted into the intake port 6 of the cleaner body 1, and the connecting pipe 14 can be attached to and detached from the intake port 6 by a buckle 16 that is swingably attached to a part of the peripheral surface on the other end side. Attach to. The buckle 16 has an operation portion 16a having a hollow portion therein and a locking portion 16b, and is biased in the direction of arrow A by a spring 16c inserted into the locking portion 16b. That is, the buckle 16 presses the operating portion 16a, so that the locking portion 16b moves in the direction of arrow B around the fulcrum 16d so that it can be locked and released from the intake port 6. Although not shown, a locking recess for locking the locking portion 16 b of the buckle 16 is formed on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the air inlet 6. A buckle case 17 is provided on the outer periphery of the connection pipe 14 so as to surround the periphery of the buckle 16.

  A printed circuit board 18 is attached to the peripheral surface of the connecting pipe 14 facing the buckle 16, and a substrate cover 19 is fixed to the outer periphery of the connecting pipe 14 with screws 20 so as to cover the printed circuit board 18. In the hollow portion of the buckle 16, the light emitting element 21 is arranged so as to emit light into the suction channel 22 together with the holder 21 a. In addition, a light receiving element 23 is disposed in the suction channel 22 together with the holder 23a like the light emitting element 21 at a position facing the light emitting element 21 so as to receive the light emitted from the light emitting element 21. Thus, the dust detection means 24 is formed. The holders 21a and 23a are used to fix and hold the light emitting element 21 and the light receiving element 23 to prevent the positional deviation between the two elements and pass through the suction passage 22 to the inside of the hollow portion of the buckle 16 and the printed circuit board 18. It prevents dust from entering, and is attached so that the front end surfaces of the holders 21 a and 23 a are substantially the same as the inner wall surface of the suction flow path 22. In addition, the light receiving element 23 is mounted on the printed circuit board 18, and various electronic parts for outputting the output voltage of the light receiving element 23 as a dust detection signal, including power supply parts to the light receiving element 23 and the light emitting element 21. It is mounted on the printed circuit board 18. That is, the printed circuit board 18 constitutes a part of the control circuit of the dust detection means 24.

  Further, an electrical terminal 25 is provided on the side of the air inlet 6 of the buckle 16. When the connecting pipe 7 is attached to and connected to the air inlet 6, a control means 28 (described later) built in the vacuum cleaner main body 1 through the electrical terminal 25. The operation signal from the operation means 11 of the hand handle 10, the power supply to the printed circuit board 18, and the output signal of the dust detection means 24 can be transmitted to the cleaner body 1 side.

  The light emitting element 21 preferably emits infrared light, and the light receiving element 23 preferably receives infrared light and changes its output. By using the infrared light emitting element 21 and the light receiving element 23, it is difficult to be influenced by external light, and the dust detection accuracy can be improved.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a block circuit of the vacuum cleaner. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 11 denotes an operation means 11 having an operation switch (for example, strong, medium, weak, off) for selecting a suction force (power consumption) of the electric blower 2 built in the hand handle 10. Reference numeral 24 denotes a dust detection unit that detects a change in the amount of light from the light emitting element 21 blocked by the dust contained in the suction airflow passing through the suction flow path 22 by the light receiving element 23 to detect the dust. The output signal of the light receiving element 23 is amplified by the amplifying unit 26, the waveform is shaped by the pulse converting unit 27, and input to the control means 28. An electric blower 29 is connected in series to a commercial power source with a phase control amount that becomes a suction force preset by the control means 28 based on the output signal of the operation switch selected by the operation means 11 by the user. 2 is phase-controlled to drive control. Reference numeral 30 denotes an audio notification unit that notifies the user of the state of the dust detection unit 24, the state of the cleaner body 1, and the like by voice. Reference numeral 31 denotes a switching unit, which includes a switch or the like so that the user can arbitrarily select whether or not the voice notification by the voice notification unit 30 is present. Reference numeral 32 denotes a display means for displaying the presence or absence of dust detected by the dust detection means 24 using an LED or the like. Reference numeral 33 denotes a storage unit which stores various types of dust information detected by the dust detection means 24 and various types of information such as energization time of the vacuum cleaner main body in a nonvolatile memory or the like. The control unit 28 includes a counting unit 34 and a timer unit 35. The control unit 28 recognizes each input signal of the operation unit 11, the dust detection unit 24, and the switching unit 31 and performs a determination process. Output control to each means of the notification means 30 and the display means 32 is performed.

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

  First, when the operation switch of the operation unit 11 is selected by the user (for example, “medium” suction force), the control unit 28 recognizes that the input signal is “middle” and sends it to the drive unit 29 “middle”. The phase control amount that becomes the suction force is output to drive the electric blower 2 to generate the suction force. When suction is started, dust on the surface to be cleaned is sucked together with air from the suction opening of the floor suction tool 13, passes through the dust detection means 24 provided in the connection pipe 7, and is installed in the dust collecting chamber 3. Only the clean air filtered and deposited by the dust collecting means 4 such as a dust collecting bag passes through the electric blower 2 and is exhausted to the outside through an exhaust port (not shown) of the cleaner body 1.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an output signal of the dust detection means. First, FIG. 5A shows an output signal of the dust detection means 24 in a normal state.

  When dust is detected by the dust detector 24, the output signal of the light receiving element 23 is amplified by the amplifier 26, shaped by the pulse converter 27, and input to the controller 28. The control means 28 is accumulated in the dust collecting means 4 by the counting means 34 counting the number of dust every predetermined time (for example, 1 second) by the interruption function, and accumulating the counted value in the storage unit 33. The amount of dust can be determined. Further, the control means 28 starts the time measurement of the timer unit 35 simultaneously with the driving of the electric blower 2, measures the time until the operation switch of the operation means 11 is selected “OFF”, and stores the time measurement in the storage unit 33. By performing cumulative addition, it is possible to determine the cleaning time and cumulative usage time of the cleaner body 1 once.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the characteristic of the count value of the dust detection means. As a matter of course, the cumulative count value of dust in the dust detection means 24 increases with time. This is proportional to the amount of dust accumulated in the dust collecting means 4. Therefore, every time the cumulative count value of the dust detected by the dust detection means 24 reaches a predetermined amount, the voice notification means 30 notifies the user of the count amount, that is, the amount of dust accumulated in the dust collection means 4. The accumulated amount of dust can be notified step by step, the state of dust accumulation can be recognized as well as the state of dust accumulation, and the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction of cleaning can be improved. In addition, by voice notification of the content that prompts replacement or maintenance of the dust collecting means 4, it becomes possible to recognize the replacement or maintenance time of the dust collecting means 4, and an overheating or failure due to an overload state of the electric blower 2. Can be prevented.

  In addition, the counting means 34 reports the amount of dust on the surface to be cleaned now by voice based on the result of counting the number of dust every predetermined time (for example, 1 second), and there is a place where the dust is particularly high. As a result, the cleaning can be performed intensively, the cleaning can be performed efficiently, and the cleaning time can be shortened.

  In addition, by notifying the cleaning time from the start to the stop of the electric blower 2 timed by the timer unit 35, the time required for cleaning can be recognized, and the dirty state of the part to be cleaned can be known. It is possible to improve the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction of cleaning.

  Further, the accumulated amount of dust accumulated in the dust collecting means 4 is determined by cumulatively counting the output of dust detection in the dust detecting means 24 in the time from the start to the stop of the operation of the electric blower measured by the timer unit 35. In addition, by voice notification of the accumulated amount, it is possible to recognize the time required for cleaning and the accumulated amount of dust within the time, and it is possible to recognize the degree of dirt at the location to be cleaned, improving the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction of cleaning can do.

  When performing the sound notification by the sound notification means 30, the control means 28 sets the phase control amount to the drive means 29 so that the noise level of the cleaner body 1 is 50 dB (environmental reference value for medical facilities, etc.) or less. The sound may be output and the voice notification may be made in a low noise state, or the electric blower 2 may be stopped. In short, it is only necessary to make it easy for the user to easily hear the various states and their correspondence.

  If voice notification is not required, the user can stop the voice notification by selecting and operating the switching means 31, and the user can perform cleaning with his / her own style and operation regardless of the notification content. Can be improved.

  Next, the operation when there is an abnormality in the dust detection means 24 will be described.

  There are two possible causes for the abnormal state of the dust detection means 24. First, the first factor will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 (b) shows an output signal of the dust detection means 24 in an abnormal state, and some cause is present near the surface of the holder 21a or 23a attached so as to be substantially the same as the inner wall surface of the suction flow path 22. This is a case where dust such as lint and hair adheres. As shown in FIG. 5B, the output of the dust detection means 24 is not a pulse, but continuously outputs a “dust present” signal. Since the control means 28 counts the number of dust every predetermined time (1 second), dust such as lint or hair is detected when the count value every predetermined time continues (for example, 5 times). It is determined that it is attached to the periphery of the unit, and is output to the sound notification means 30 so as to make a sound notification of a content that prompts the user to check or clean the periphery of the connection pipe 7 or the dust detection means 24. In addition, a specific method of care may be notified in a guide manner.

  The second factor is aged contamination due to dust accumulation and adhesion on the inner wall surface of the suction path 22 due to dust suction. In such a state, the dust detection unit 24 relatively decreases the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 21 and the amount of received light from the light receiving element 23 due to dirt or the like deposited on and attached to the surfaces of the holders 21a and 23a. If the count value of dust for a predetermined time (1 second) is 100, the count value of dust is reduced to 50 to 70 depending on the state of dirt. In particular, when dust such as cement or powder is sucked, the dust adheres to the inner wall surface of the suction flow path 22 in an instant, and the count value of the dust is extremely lowered.

  Therefore, the control means 28 starts time measurement of the timer unit 35 simultaneously with the driving of the electric blower 2, measures the time until the operation switch of the operation means 11 is selected “OFF”, and stores the time measurement in the storage unit 33. Since the cumulative addition is performed, when the cumulative time reaches a predetermined time (for example, 100 hours), the voice notification of the content prompting the user to confirm or care for the periphery of the connection pipe 7 or the dust detection unit 24 to the voice notification unit 30. To output. In addition, a specific method of care may be notified in a guide manner.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to surely notify the user of various states and the correspondence thereof, and the correspondence can be facilitated simply by listening to the notification contents such as the maintenance timing and method, A reduction in detection accuracy of the dust detection means 24 can be prevented. Further, it is not necessary to search for an instruction manual or the like, and it is not necessary to carry out and take care of it, and it is possible to easily and easily care for it, and to prevent the dust detecting means from being damaged or damaged.

  As described above, since the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention can reliably notify the user of various states and the correspondence thereof by voice, it is particularly suitable for home and business vacuum cleaners. Useful.

Whole perspective view of the electric vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention Perspective view of the vacuum cleaner body Sectional view of the attachment part of the connection pipe and dust detection means Block diagram of the vacuum cleaner The figure which shows the output signal of the dust detection means The figure which shows the characteristic of the count value of the dust detection means Block diagram of a conventional vacuum cleaner

Explanation of symbols

2 Electric Blower 11 Operation Unit 24 Dust Detection Unit 26 Amplification Unit 27 Pulse Conversion Unit 28 Control Unit 29 Drive Unit 30 Audio Notification Unit 31 Switching Unit 33 Storage Unit 34 Counting Unit 35 Timer Unit

Claims (11)

A vacuum cleaner main body having an electric blower for generating a suction airflow and a dust collecting means for collecting dust contained in the suction airflow, a floor suction tool having a bottom opening for sucking dust on the surface to be cleaned, and the floor suction tool A dust detection means for detecting dust contained in the suction airflow, a notification means for notifying various states, power of the electric blower and the dust In the vacuum cleaner provided with a control means for controlling determination processing of the detection result of the detection means and sound generation notification by the notification means, the notification means voice-notifies the state of the dust detection means and / or the state of the vacuum cleaner. A vacuum cleaner characterized by doing so. 2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein when the output of the dust detection by the dust detection means continues for a predetermined time, a sound notification is given to confirm the dust detection means or to prompt maintenance. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the contents for prompting confirmation or maintenance of the dust detection means are notified by voice, a method for cleaning the dust detection means is also notified by voice. The sound notification of the content which prompts confirmation of a dust detection means or a maintenance is performed when the energization time from the start of use of a vacuum cleaner body passes predetermined time. Electric vacuum cleaner. Accumulated count of the dust detection output in the dust detection means to determine the amount of dust accumulated in the dust collection means, and every time the cumulative count value of the output reaches a predetermined amount, the accumulated amount is notified by voice. The vacuum cleaner of any one of Claims 1-4. 6. The dust detection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the degree of contamination due to the amount of dust at the cleaning location is determined based on the number of output pulses of dust detection within a predetermined time in the dust detection means, and the state of contamination is notified by voice. Electric vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a cleaning time from the start of operation of the electric blower to the stop is notified by voice. The cumulative amount of dust detection output pulses in the dust detection means during the time from the start to stop of the electric blower is counted to determine the accumulated amount of dust accumulated in the dust collection means, and the accumulated amount is notified by voice. The vacuum cleaner of any one of Claims 1-7. 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein when a cumulative value of the output pulses of dust detected by the dust detection means exceeds a predetermined value, a voice notification is made of a content prompting replacement or maintenance of the dust collection means. The vacuum cleaner as described in the item. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an input of the electric blower is reduced or stopped so that a noise value of the vacuum cleaner main body is 50 dB or less at the time of voice notification. The vacuum cleaner of any one of Claims 1-10 provided with the switching means which a user can select arbitrarily the presence or absence of audio | voice alerting | reporting.