JP2010269043A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a convenient vacuum cleaner for notifying a user that the vacuum cleaner is being left, with an inexpensive configuration. <P>SOLUTION: The vacuum cleaner includes: control means 30 for controlling an electric blower 2; and ground contact detecting means 13 for detecting the contact or non-contact of a suction tool (not shown in the figure) with the ground for sucking dust from a surface to be cleaned onto the surface to be cleaned. The vacuum cleaner has a low-power mode for reducing the input of the electric blower 2 to the level of second input lower than first input or stopping the blower when the ground contact detecting means 13 detects the non-contact of the suction tool with the ground during the operation of the electric blower 2 by the first input, and also keeping the second input or stopping during the continuous non-contact with the ground. When the low-power mode continues for a prescribed time, the input of the electric blower 2 is raised to the level of third input lower than the first input. The input of the electric blower 2 is changed when the vacuum cleaner is being left in the low-power mode, thereby notifying the user that the vacuum cleaner is being left by sound and vibration. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly to a vacuum cleaner that can reduce power consumption.

  Conventionally, as this type of vacuum cleaner, an electric blower is provided in the main body of the vacuum cleaner, and a suction tool for sucking dust by the intake air generated by the electric blower is connected to the main body of the vacuum cleaner through a hose, etc. The suction tool is provided with a rotary brush and an electric motor that rotates the rotary brush, and a power supply line is provided from the vacuum cleaner body to the motor of the suction tool. A switch is provided on the power supply line, and the suction tool Grounding detection means for detecting whether the tool is grounded on the surface to be cleaned is provided.

  When the switch is closed and the ground detection means determines that the suction tool is in contact with the surface to be cleaned, the motor is driven and the switch is opened and the suction tool is cleaned by the ground detection means. When it is determined that the surface is not grounded, the motor of the suction tool is stopped.

  Moreover, when the state where the suction tool is not grounded to the surface to be cleaned is detected by the ground detection means, not only the motor stops, but also there is the one that lowers or stops the input of the electric blower for power saving and noise reduction. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2). In addition, it is generally known that the operating state of a vacuum cleaner is notified by LED or voice.

JP-A-1-198519 JP 2002-369777 A

  However, in the configuration of the conventional vacuum cleaner, when the suction tool is separated from the surface to be cleaned and the input of the electric blower is reduced or stopped, the vacuum cleaner is quiet, so the emergency call during the cleaning, the telephone call If you leave it away from the vacuum cleaner because of the response to the visitor, etc., it may be forgotten. If a vacuum cleaner with the electric blower stopped (standby mode for return to operation) is released, the electric blower will start unintentionally and the usability will increase. Not good.

  Also, if left in a standby state for a long time, the power cord is connected to an outlet, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of energy saving. In addition, in order to notify the user that it is in a standby state, a dedicated circuit and a dedicated part for notification by light and sound are required, which has a problem that the configuration of the vacuum cleaner becomes complicated. .

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problem, and notifies that the user was cleaning without using a dedicated circuit or component to notify the user of a long standby state. An object is to provide a vacuum cleaner with good usability.

In order to solve the conventional problems, an electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes an electric blower that generates suction air, a drive unit that drives the electric blower, and a control unit that controls the amount of power supplied to the electric blower. And a suction tool for sucking dust from the surface to be cleaned, and a grounding detection means for detecting grounding or non-grounding of the suction tool to the surface to be cleaned, and the control means is configured to perform the above-mentioned operation with a predetermined first input. When operating the electric blower, if the grounding detection means detects the non-grounding of the suction tool, the drive means is controlled so that the input of the electric blower is lower than the first input. In a vacuum cleaner having a low power mode in which the second input or stop is maintained while the non-grounding is continued while the non-grounding is continued, the control means has the low power mode in a predetermined time (t1). ) If you continue A control for increasing the input of the electric blower up to a third input lower than the first input, so that the user can change the cleaning place while cleaning with the predetermined first input. When moving to the next cleaning place, the control means detects non-grounding from the information of the grounding detection means, and lowers or stops the input of the electric blower to a second input lower than the first input. Next, when the user finishes moving and starts cleaning, when the suction tool is grounded to the surface to be cleaned, the control means receives grounding information from the grounding detection means, and the electric blower is connected to the first from the second input. Return to the input. Thereby, it is possible to save electric power while moving and to reduce noise. When the user leaves the vacuum cleaner in the low power mode for a long time, the control means performs control to increase the input of the electric blower from the second input to the third input lower than the first input. Thus, the user is notified by sound and vibration that the vacuum cleaner being cleaned is left unattended. By letting the user notice, it is possible to promote the resumption of cleaning or the end of the cleaning, and it is possible to promote the saving of wasted energy consumed by connecting the power cord to the outlet. Moreover, since the operation sound of the electric blower is used as a notification means, there is no need for a dedicated circuit or a dedicated part for notification by light or sound, and therefore a highly usable vacuum cleaner that can simplify the configuration is provided. be able to.

  The vacuum cleaner of the present invention reduces the input of the electric blower when the suction tool is ungrounded on the surface to be cleaned without using a dedicated circuit or dedicated parts for light and sound notification. Or, it can be stopped to save power and be quiet, and if the ungrounded state continues for a certain period of time, the input of the electric blower that has been lowered is raised to indicate that the user is cleaning and the vibration or Can be notified by change.

Whole perspective view of the electric vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention Control block diagram of the vacuum cleaner (A) Timing chart of control of the vacuum cleaner, (b) Timing chart of control of the vacuum cleaner, (c) Timing chart of control of the vacuum cleaner Timing chart for controlling the vacuum cleaner

The first aspect of the present invention is an electric blower that generates suction air, drive means that drives the electric blower, control means that controls the amount of power supplied to the electric blower, and a suction tool that sucks dust from the surface to be cleaned And a grounding detection means for detecting grounding or non-grounding of the suction tool to the surface to be cleaned, and when the control means is operating the electric blower with a predetermined first input, When detecting means detects non-grounding of the suction tool, the driving means is controlled to reduce or stop the input of the electric blower to a second input lower than the first input, and the non-grounding continues. In the vacuum cleaner having the low power mode that maintains the second input or stop, the control means, when the low power mode continues for a predetermined time (t1), the input of the electric blower, Said first input When the user lifts the suction tool and moves to the next cleaning place to change the cleaning place while cleaning with the predetermined first input, The control means detects non-grounding from the information of the grounding detection means, and lowers or stops the input of the electric blower to a second input lower than the first input.
Next, when the user finishes the movement and starts cleaning, when the suction tool is grounded to the surface to be cleaned, the control means receives grounding information from the grounding detection means, and the electric blower is connected to the first from the second input. Return to the input. Thereby, it is possible to save electric power while moving and to reduce noise. When the user leaves the vacuum cleaner in the low power mode for a long time, the control means performs control to increase the input of the electric blower from the second input to the third input lower than the first input. Thus, the user is notified by sound and vibration that the vacuum cleaner being cleaned is left unattended. By letting the user notice, it is possible to promote the resumption of cleaning or the end of the cleaning, and it is possible to promote the saving of wasted energy consumed by the power cord being connected to the outlet. Moreover, since the operation sound of the electric blower is used as a notification means, there is no need for a dedicated circuit or a dedicated part for notification by light or sound, and thus a highly usable vacuum cleaner that can simplify the configuration is provided. be able to.

  In the second invention, in particular, in the low power mode of the first invention, the input of the electric blower is controlled to repeat the second input or stop and the third input. When continued, in the first invention, the control of raising the input of the electric blower from the second input to the third input lower than the first input is performed to notify the user that the vacuum cleaner is in the low power mode. However, since it is a waste of energy to keep the input raised for a long time, for example, after operating for a predetermined time (t2) with the third input, The two operations are repeated to notify the user by stopping the operation for a predetermined time (t3). As a result, it is possible to save power by operating the third input and the second input having a lower input or stop alternately, instead of continuing the operation with the third input. In addition, since the operation sound and vibration change when driving alternately, the notification is easier for the user to notice. In this way, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use vacuum cleaner that notifies the user that wasteful power is consumed.

  In the third invention, in particular, when the second input or stop of the second invention and the third input are repeated a predetermined number of times, the first input is detected even if the grounding of the suction tool is detected thereafter. Even if the notification is repeated a predetermined number of times and grounding is not detected, it is determined that the user is not nearby and the grounding is detected from the low power mode. By shifting to the stop mode that does not return to the first input, it is possible to prevent waste of energy due to notification that continues forever, and to provide a vacuum cleaner that is easy to use for the user.

  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)
1 is an overall perspective view of the electric vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the electric vacuum cleaner, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are timing charts of control of the electric vacuum cleaner. .

  In FIG. 1, a vacuum cleaner main body 1 of an electric vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment includes an electric blower 2 that generates suction air at the rear, and a dust collection chamber 3 that collects dust contained in the suction air. Is provided. 4 is a hose whose one end is detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner main body 1. The other end of the hose 4 has an operating means 5, and various operation modes (for example, strong, medium, weak, off, etc.) (Suction force) can be selected.

At the tip of the hose 4 with the operating means 5 there is an extension tube 6 that is detachably connected, and at the tip of the extension tube 6 is a suction tool 7 that contacts the surface to be cleaned and sucks dust. Removably connected. The suction tool 7 includes an electric motor 10 and a rotating brush 12 that is rotationally driven by the electric motor 10 via a belt 11 and scrapes off dust on the surface to be cleaned. The surface of the suction tool 7 that is in contact with the surface to be cleaned is provided with a grounding detecting means 13 composed of a switch or the like. When the suction tool 7 is in contact with the surface to be cleaned (landing), the switch Is turned off and turned off when it is away from the surface to be cleaned (leaving the floor), and the grounding or non-grounding of the suction tool 7 to the surface to be cleaned is detected.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 31 denotes a driving means constituted by a bidirectional thyristor for driving the electric blower 2. Reference numeral 32 denotes electric motor driving means for phase-controlling the electric motor 10 that rotationally drives the rotary brush 12 via the belt 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes a ground contact detection means for detecting whether or not the suction tool 7 is grounded to the surface to be cleaned. Reference numeral 30 denotes a control means constituted by a microcomputer or the like, which takes in switch operation information of the operation means 5 operated by the user and performs phase control on the motor drive means 32 and the drive means 31 based on the information. Control to output the ignition pulse. 40 is a commercial power source for supplying power to the vacuum cleaner.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, in a vacuum cleaner to which all the components such as the hose 4 are connected, when a user operates the operation means 5 by landing the suction tool 7, the control means 30 operates the operation means 5. For example, it is detected from the information signal that the operation is in the strong driving mode. Then, a control signal is output to the drive means 31 so that the power supplied to the electric blower 2 becomes a first input (for example, 800 W), and a predetermined drive signal is output to the motor drive means 32 in order to drive the motor 10 as well. .

  The control state at this time is the time Ta0 in the control timing chart of FIG. At the time Ta0, the control means 30 has obtained information on the presence of grounding (grounding) from the grounding detection means 13, and the electric blower 2 is driven by the driving means 31 and is operated with the first input as the input. At the same time, the electric motor 10 is driven by the electric motor driving means 32 to rotate the rotary brush 12. When the suction tool 7 leaves the floor by the user, the control means 30 obtains information on no grounding (non-grounding) from the grounding detection means 13 (Ta1).

  The control means 30 determines that the suction tool 7 has left the floor at the time (Ta2) when non-grounding information is detected for a specified time (for example, 1 second), and sets the input of the electric blower 2 lower than the first input. To an input (for example, 100 W) and control to stop the power supply to the electric motor 10 to shift to the low power mode. Hereinafter, the second input in the low power mode will be described with the input reduction (not stopped) of the electric blower 2, but it may be in a stopped state.

  When the suction tool 7 is grounded again after shifting to the low power mode, the control means 30 obtains ground information from the ground detection means 13 (Ta3). And the control means 30 determines that the suction tool 7 has landed at the time (Ta4) when the ground contact information is detected for a specified time (for example, 1 second), and returns the electric blower 2 to the first input. The electric motor 10 is also operated. In this way, control for returning from the low power mode to the strong mode that is the original operation mode is performed. Thereby, it is possible to save electric power while moving and to reduce noise.

  Next, when the user changes the cleaning location during cleaning, when the vacuum cleaner is put into the low power mode in order to lift the suction tool 7 and move to the next cleaning location, the user urgently calls or calls the phone. When the user is away from the vacuum cleaner due to a response to a visitor or the like, the vacuum cleaner in the low power mode is quiet and may be forgotten as it is.

The operation of the vacuum cleaner in this embodiment at this time will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 30 counts the elapsed time while the low power mode (Ta2) is continued. This counting is performed until the low power mode is released. The low power mode continues for a predetermined time t1
When it reaches (for example, 10 minutes) (Tb2), the control means 30 determines that the user is leaving the vacuum cleaner and informs the user that the electric blower is being cleaned. The operation is performed by increasing the input from the second input to a third input (for example, 300 W) lower than the first input. By raising the input, the driving sound is increased, and this driving sound is used to notify the user that the vacuum cleaner is left unattended.

  If the user notices this notification and resumes cleaning, the control means 30 returns to the operating state before the transition to the low power mode. Explaining the control operation, when the user grasps the hand portion with the operation means 5 of the hose 4 and puts the suction tool 7 on the floor and tries to resume cleaning, the grounding detection means 13 detects the presence of grounding. (Tb3).

  The control means 30 receives the ground information, temporarily stops the continuation count in the low power mode, and continuously monitors the ground information. If the grounding information continues for a specified time (Tb4), it is determined that the suction tool 7 is grounded, the continuation count in the low power mode is reset, and the input of the electric blower 2 is returned to the first input. At the same time, by restarting the power supply to the electric motor 10, the user can continue the cleaning in the state before shifting to the low power mode.

  Next, an operation when the user has not noticed the notification by the third input for a predetermined time (t2) will be described with reference to FIG. The control means 30 performs control to return the input to the lower second input when the notification by the third input is continued for a predetermined time (t2) while the suction tool 7 is not grounded (Tc3). If this state continues for a predetermined time (t3) while not grounded, the control means 30 performs control to raise the input to the third input again for notification (Tc4).

  The control means 30 repeats the control which switches a 2nd input and a 3rd input for predetermined time until grounding information is obtained.

  By alternately repeating two states having different inputs in this manner, the operation sound and vibration of the electric blower 2 are also changed, so that the user can be more easily noticed. Moreover, it is more power saving to operate the third input and the second input having a lower input alternately than to continuously notify the operation by the third input.

  The operation when the user notices the above notification and restarts cleaning will be described. The control means 30 obtains ground information (Tc5). When the grounding information is detected for a specified time (Tc6), it is determined that the suction tool 7 has landed, the electric blower 2 is returned to the first input, and the electric motor 10 is also operated. In this manner, the original operation mode is restored from the low power mode.

  Next, an operation in the case where the user is not aware of the notification by the alternating operation of the third input and the second input having a lower input will be described with reference to FIG.

  The control means 30 determines that the user is not in the vicinity when the alternating operation of the third input and the second input having a lower input has been performed a predetermined number of times (for example, four times) (Td5). Then, the electric blower 2 is controlled from the second input to the stopped state. At the same time, the operation mode that was in the low power mode is shifted to the stop mode that is more power saving. Thereafter, even if the control means 30 detects the grounding of the suction tool 7 (Td6-Td7), it controls so that the input of the electric blower 2 is not changed from the stop. Since the notification that continues forever is a waste of energy, it shifts to a stop mode that consumes as little energy as possible.

In this way, when left in a low power mode for a long time, a notification action is performed to inform the user that the user was cleaning and to let the user notice the next action, cleaning. Can be resumed or the end of cleaning. Moreover, even if it is not noticed by the user, the mode is automatically switched to the stop mode, so that a vacuum cleaner with good usability can be provided.

  As described above, the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention can save power and reduce noise, and can notify that the vacuum cleaner is left without providing a dedicated notification means. This is a useful technique for a good vacuum cleaner.

2 Electric blower 7 Suction tool 13 Ground detection means 30 Control means 31 Drive means

Claims (3)

An electric blower for generating suction air, a drive means for driving the electric blower, a control means for controlling the amount of power supplied to the electric blower, a suction tool for sucking dust from the surface to be cleaned, and a suction tool A grounding detecting means for detecting grounding or non-grounding to the surface to be cleaned, and when the control means is operating the electric blower with a predetermined first input, the grounding detecting means is the suction tool. When the non-grounding is detected, the driving means is controlled to reduce or stop the input of the electric blower to a second input lower than the first input, and while the non-grounding continues, the first In the vacuum cleaner having the second power input or the low power mode for maintaining the stop, the control means may change the input of the electric blower from the first input when the low power mode continues for a predetermined time (t1). Low third Vacuum cleaner and performing control to raise up the force. 2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein in the low power mode, the electric blower is controlled to repeat the second input or stop and the third input. The second input or stop and the third input are repeated a predetermined number of times, and thereafter, even if the grounding of the suction tool is detected, the mode is shifted to the stop mode without returning to the first input. Electric vacuum cleaner.