JP2010279652A - Illumination device for dust visualization - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dust visualization illumination device capable of viewing the dust on the floor face directly and reliably by a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: A dust visualization illumination device 10 is provided at the front end of a suction nozzle 20 of a vacuum cleaner to emit illuminating light against the floor face in front of the suction nozzle, and the device includes: a light source 11 which comprises at least one LED; an optical member 12 which is arranged in front of the light source and relatively movable against the light source along the optical axis; and a driving means 13 which moves the optical member relatively along the optical axis against the light source. The dust visualization illumination device 10 is configured such that the light going out from each LED of the light source is emitted along the optical axis which is almost horizontal toward the front side, and which has the height of 1 cm or lower from the floor face via the optical member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dust visualizing illumination device for enabling dust on a floor surface to be visually observed, for example, when cleaning with a vacuum cleaner.

  Conventionally, for example, when cleaning with a vacuum cleaner, dust can be visually observed, for example, a hand-held particle visualization device according to Patent Document 1, a vacuum cleaner according to Patent Document 2, and a vacuum cleaner according to Patent Document 3 A suction nozzle is known.

Patent Document 1 discloses a hand-held particle visualization device that uses an LED that emits light in an optimum wavelength band for visualizing particles in the air.
Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a vacuum cleaner equipped with a lighting device in which a diffuser is attached to widen the light irradiation range and the range can be varied according to the state of use.
Furthermore, in Patent Document 3, in a suction nozzle of a suction cleaner that sucks dust on the floor surface together with air while traveling forward on the floor surface, the front floor surface of the suction nozzle is disposed at the front end of the suction nozzle. On the other hand, a suction nozzle of a suction cleaner is disclosed, in which an illumination tool that irradiates obliquely from above at an angle of 5 to 10 degrees is provided.

  There is also a commercially available vacuum cleaner that is equipped with a dust detector using an infrared sensor and that, for example, turns on an indicator lamp when dust is sucked.

Japanese Patent No. 3874752 JP 2008-161472 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 06-046448

However, in the particle visualization apparatus according to Patent Document 1, dust floating in the air is a detection target and is not suitable for detecting dust on the floor surface.
Moreover, in the electric vacuum cleaner by patent document 2, although it is possible to illuminate the location which should be cleaned with the built-in illuminating device, light is irradiated to the dark place under a sofa etc. as an object of illumination, for example Is the purpose. Therefore, it is not configured to visually recognize dust on the floor, and does not have a function to make dust easy to see.

On the other hand, the suction nozzle of the suction cleaner according to Patent Document 3 irradiates light at a predetermined irradiation angle with respect to the floor surface by an illumination tool provided at the front end of the suction nozzle, thereby causing dust on the floor surface. The shadow appears clearly and long on the floor. Therefore, even if the dust is small, the operator can easily visually recognize the dust.
However, since the illumination angle of the illuminator is fixed, it may be difficult to easily illuminate depending on dust. In particular, small dust of the order of 100 μm, for example, is difficult to see even when illuminated with a lighting tool.

  Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner provided with the dust detector detects the sucked dust and turns on, for example, an indicator lamp. Therefore, the dust on the floor cannot be directly observed. That is, it is necessary to confirm whether or not dust on the floor surface has been removed by not lighting the indicator lamp provided in the vacuum cleaner.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a dust visualizing illumination device that enables direct and reliable observation of dust on a floor surface with a simple configuration.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the object described above is a dust visualization illumination device that is provided at a front end of a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner and irradiates illumination light on a floor surface in front of the suction nozzle, A light source composed of at least LEDs arranged in a line, an optical member disposed in front of the light source and movable relative to the light source along its optical axis, and the optical member as the light source Driving means for relatively moving the light source along the optical axis, and the light emitted from each LED of the light source is substantially horizontal toward the front through the optical member and is on the floor surface. It is achieved by a dust visualizing illumination device, characterized in that the illumination is performed along an optical axis having a height of 1 cm or less.

In this first aspect, the light emitted from each LED of the light source and condensed by the optical member is irradiated in the horizontal direction along the optical axis having a height of 1 cm or less from the floor surface. Thereby, when light hits the dust on the floor surface, the dust itself becomes a bright spot, and the dust can be easily visually recognized by contrast with the shadow of the dust.
Here, when the distance from the light source to the optical member is changed by the driving means, the irradiation range (diffusion angle) of light emitted from the optical member changes. As a result, the contrast between the bright spot of the dust and the shadow caused by the irradiation light changes due to the fluctuation of the diffusion angle.

  Therefore, when the diffusion angle is increased and the light distribution range is expanded, the contrast is lowered and small dust becomes difficult to see. Thereby, for example, when it is easy to clean, the distance from the light source to the optical member is shortened by the driving means, and the light distribution range (diffusion angle) of the light emitted from the optical member is widened. A rough cleaning can be performed by reducing the contrast and increasing the size of the visible dust.

  In addition, since the LEDs of the light source are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction, the light emitted from the LEDs of the light source has a light distribution characteristic that spreads widely in the horizontal direction on the floor surface. become. Therefore, the dust in the area | region corresponding to the front of the wide suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner can be visually recognized on the floor surface which should be cleaned.

In the dust visualization illumination device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the optical member is a condensing lens that condenses the light from the light source and irradiates the light forward.
In the second aspect, the light source is configured by an LED mounted on a vertical substrate, and a condensing lens is disposed in front of the light source, whereby the entire illumination device can be configured to be thin and thin.

The dust visualization illumination device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the condenser lens is a cylindrical lens having a horizontal axis.
Corresponding to a wide range of light distribution from the light source, the light from the light source can be reliably condensed only in the vertical direction by the cylindrical lens or the lens composed of the quadratic curve.
The same applies to the case where the condenser lens is a lens having a convex quadratic curve in the longitudinal section.

In addition, when the optical member is configured as a condensing mirror that collects light from the light source and irradiates the light forward, the optical member is configured by an LED mounted on a downward substrate, for example, By disposing the condensing mirror below, the entire illumination device can be configured to be short and small in the front-rear direction.
When the optical member has a concave curved mirror in the longitudinal section, the curved mirror reliably collects light from the light source only in the vertical direction in response to a wide light distribution from the light source. be able to.

The dust visualization illuminating device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is the dust visualization illuminating device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the optical member is positioned at a first position relative to the light source by the driving means. In this case, the light emitted from each LED of the light source is irradiated in the forward direction as substantially parallel light through the optical member.
Preferably, in the dust visualizing illumination device according to the fourth aspect, when the optical member is in the first position with respect to the light source, light emitted from each LED of the light source is vertically moved through the optical member. Irradiation is performed forward with an optimum irradiation angle within 10 degrees with respect to the direction.

  In these aspects, by irradiating light almost parallel to the floor surface with a narrow irradiation angle, the contrast between bright spots and shadows due to dust on the floor surface is large. Therefore, even if it is a small dust, for example, a small dust of a size of 100 μm or less, the dust can be easily visually recognized.

The dust visualization illuminating device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the dust visualization illuminating device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the optical member is moved to a second position with respect to the light source by the driving means. In this case, light emitted from each LED of the light source is diffused in the vertical direction through the optical member and irradiated forward.
In the fifth aspect, by irradiating light on the floor surface with a wide irradiation angle, the contrast between bright spots and shadows due to dust on the floor surface is lowered. Therefore, small dust, for example, small dust having a size of 100 μm or less cannot be visually recognized.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a dust visualizing illumination device that enables direct and reliable observation of dust on the floor surface with a simple configuration.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the principal part of the suction nozzle of the vacuum cleaner equipped with one Embodiment of the dust visualization lighting apparatus by this invention. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the structure of the principal part of the dust visualization lighting apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic side view which shows (A) 1st position and (B) 2nd position by the drive means in the dust visualization lighting apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic perspective view which shows (A) 1st position and (B) 2nd position which show the specific example of the drive means in the dust visualization illuminating device of FIG.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
The embodiments described below are preferable specific examples of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention particularly limits the present invention in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which an embodiment of the dust visualization lighting device according to the present invention is mounted on a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the dust visualization lighting device according to the present invention.
In FIG. 1, the dust visualization lighting device 10 is attached to a suction nozzle 20 of a vacuum cleaner.
And this dust visualization illuminating device 10 is comprised from the light source 11, the condensing lens 12 as an optical member, and the drive means 13, as shown in FIG.

The light source 11 includes an elongated substrate 11a and a plurality (four in the illustrated example) of LEDs 11b mounted in a line in the X direction on the substrate 11a.
Each LED 11b is mounted on the substrate 11a so that its optical axis is positioned perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 11a.

Moreover, each LED 11b is drive-controlled so that light is emitted, for example, during operation of a vacuum cleaner, by being fed by a drive circuit (not shown).
Each LED 11b may be turned on when a separately provided switch is turned on.
Further, the light source 11 is supported by a support member 14 to be described later so as to be movable along the optical axis direction of each LED 11b.

The condensing lens 12 has an axis in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 11a of the light source 11, that is, the alignment direction X of each LED 11b, and has a semi-cylindrical shape so as to have the same cross section at any position in the axial direction. Is formed.
That is, the condensing lens 12 has a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction formed in a convex shape in the vertical direction in FIG. 2, that is, the direction Z (optical axis direction) perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 11a.

In the case of FIG. 3, the condensing lens 12 is not circular but has a quadratic curve.
The condensing lens 12 may be formed in a circular cross section, that is, as a cylindrical lens.

Here, the distance from the LED 11b of the light source 11 changes in the condenser lens 12 when the substrate 11a of the light source 11 moves in the optical axis direction Z.
As a result, when the light source 11 is separated from the condenser lens 12 and is at the first position as shown in FIG. 3A, the light emitted from each LED 11b of the light source 11 is the condensed light. Due to the refracting action of the lens 12, the light becomes substantially parallel light and is emitted from the condenser lens 12 and irradiated forward.
At that time, the light emitted from the condenser lens 12 is preferably irradiated forward with a diffusion angle of 10 degrees or less with respect to the optical axis.

  On the other hand, when the light source 11 approaches the condenser lens 12 and is in the second position as shown in FIG. 3B, the light emitted from each LED 11b of the light source 11 is Due to the refracting action of the condenser lens 12, it becomes diffused light, is emitted from the condenser lens 12, and is irradiated while spreading forward.

As shown in FIG. 4, the driving means 13 includes a driving lever 13a that engages with an engaging pin 11c protruding in the X direction from one end of the substrate 11a of the light source 11 supported so as to be movable in the optical axis direction Y. It is configured.
Here, the engagement pin 11c is engaged with a slot 14a extending in the optical axis direction Y of the support member 14 fixedly arranged, and the engagement pin 11c slides in the slot 14a, whereby the substrate 11a and the light source 11 can move in the optical axis direction.
Although the support member 14 is shown only on the near side in FIG. 4, it goes without saying that the support member 14 is also provided on the opposite side.

The drive lever 13a is supported on the outside of the substrate 11a so as to be swingable around a rotation shaft 13b that is fixedly arranged and extends in the X direction.
Further, one end (lower end in the case of illustration) of the drive lever 13a is formed in a fork shape, and the engagement pin 11c described above is sandwiched in the gap 13c therebetween.

According to such driving means 13, when the free end 13d of the drive lever 13a is pushed in the optical axis direction Z by the operator, the drive lever 13a swings, and the gap 13c at the lower end thereof becomes the light source. The engaging pins 11 c provided on the eleventh substrate 11 a are slid along the slots 14 a of the support portion 14. As a result, the substrate 11a and the light source 11 are moved in the optical axis direction Z.
Accordingly, the substrate 11a of the light source 11 moves forward in the optical axis direction Z from the first position indicated by the solid line in FIG. It moves to the dotted line position, that is, the second position shown in FIG.

The dust visualization lighting apparatus 10 according to the present invention is configured as described above and operates as follows.
That is, when each LED 11b of the light source 11 is turned on, the light emitted from each LED 11b is condensed by the condenser lens 12 in the vertical direction Y perpendicular to the axial direction X and the optical axis direction Z, and is collected on the front floor surface. Irradiated almost in parallel.
Thereby, the dust on the floor surface is illuminated in a substantially horizontal direction, and the dust itself becomes a bright spot, and the dust is visually recognized by the contrast between the bright spot and the shadow of the dust.

When the light source 11 is located at the first position as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A, the light passing through the condenser lens 12 is, for example, light in the vertical direction. Irradiated as almost parallel light at a narrow irradiation angle of 10 degrees or less with respect to the axis.
Therefore, since the above-described contrast is high, even a small dust, for example, a dust having a particle size of 100 μm or less, can be directly observed.

  Thus, for example, when it is desired to carefully clean over time, the user operates the drive lever 13a to bring the light source 11 to the first position. Thus, for example, the dust having a particle size of 100 μm or less may be sucked and removed with the suction nozzle of the electric vacuum cleaner until no dust can be seen.

On the other hand, when the light source 11 is positioned at the second position as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B, the light that has passed through the condenser lens 12 is in the vertical direction. For example, the light is diffused and irradiated at a wide irradiation angle of 10 degrees or more with respect to the optical axis.
As a result, the above-described contrast is lowered, so that small dust, for example, dust having a particle size of 100 μm or less cannot be visually recognized.

  Therefore, for example, when it is desired to clean in a short time, that is, when it is desired to perform rough cleaning, the user operates the drive lever 13a to bring the light source 11 to the second position. As a result, for example, dust having a particle size of 100 μm or less cannot be seen. Therefore, only dust having a larger particle size can be sucked / removed by the suction nozzle of the vacuum cleaner until only dust that is larger than the dust cannot be visually observed.

  Here, for example, in order to visually recognize dust having a size of 100 μm or less on the floor surface 50 cm ahead, the vertical plane illuminance may be 4000 to 5000 lux on the optical axis 10 cm forward.

  In the embodiment described above, the driving means 13 drives the light source 11 so as to approach and separate from the condenser lens 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the driving means 13 is not limited to this. The optical lens 12 may be driven so as to approach or separate from the light source 11, or the driving means 13 may be driven so that both the light source 11 and the condensing lens 12 approach or separate from each other. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the driving unit 13 is configured by the manual driving lever 13a. However, the driving unit 13 is not limited thereto, and driving units such as a motor, a plunger, and a driving cylinder may be used.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the condensing lens 12 is used to condense the light from each LED 11b of the light source 11. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a condensing mirror may be used. Good.

  In the above-described embodiment, the optical means such as the condenser lens 12 and the condenser mirror extends long along the axial direction X. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a convex lens having a target shape around the optical axis. Alternatively, a mirror having a cubic surface may be used.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the dust visualizing illumination device is simply disposed at the front end of the suction nozzle of the vacuum cleaner, but may be integrated into such a suction nozzle or may be commercially available. It may be retrofitted to the suction nozzle of the vacuum cleaner.

  In this way, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an extremely excellent dust visualization lighting device that enables direct and reliable observation of dust on the floor surface with a simple configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Dust visualization illumination apparatus 11 Light source 11a Substrate 11b LED
11c Engaging pin 12 Condensing lens (optical member)
13 drive means 13a drive lever 13b rotating shaft 13c gap 13d free end 14 support member 14a slot 20 suction nozzle of vacuum cleaner

Claims (5)

A dust visualization illumination device that is provided at the front end of a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner and irradiates illumination light to the floor surface in front of the suction nozzle,
A light source consisting of at least LEDs arranged in a row,
An optical member disposed in front of the light source and movable relative to the light source along the optical axis;
Drive means for moving the optical member relative to the light source along the optical axis;
Contains
The light emitted from each LED of the light source is irradiated along an optical axis having a height of approximately 1 cm or less from the floor surface through the optical member. Dust visualization lighting device.   The dust visualizing illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the optical member is a condensing lens that collects light from the light source and irradiates the light forward.   4. The dust visualizing illumination device according to claim 3, wherein the condenser lens is a cylindrical lens having a horizontal axis.   When the optical member is in the first position with respect to the light source by the driving means, the light emitted from each LED of the light source is irradiated to the front as almost parallel light through the optical member. The dust visualization illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the dust visualization illumination device is provided. When the optical member is in the second position with respect to the light source by the driving means, the light emitted from each LED of the light source is diffused in the vertical direction through the optical member and irradiated forward. The dust visualization illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the dust visualization illumination device is provided.

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