JP2011139773A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner for reducing the burden of a user during cleaning. <P>SOLUTION: The vacuum cleaner includes: a vacuum cleaner body 21 containing an electric blower 2; a hose 24 connected to the sucking side of the vacuum cleaner body 21; a suction tool 31 used in contact with a surface to be cleaned and for sucking dust from the surface to be cleaned; a telescopic extension pipe 29 communicating the hose 24 and the suction tool 31; a triaxial acceleration sensor (not shown) provided at the side of the telescopic extension pipe 29 of the hose 24; and an actuator 14 for expanding the extension pipe 29, which is provided with the extension pipe 29. According to an output of the triaxial acceleration sensor, the vacuum cleaner controls the actuator 14 to expand the extension pipe 29. For example, when pushing a handle 27 provided at the side of the extension pipe 29 of the hose 24, a user expands the extension pipe 29, and when pulling the handle 27, the user contracts the extension pipe 29. The small operation allows the suction tool 31 to move back and forth greatly and the burden to the user can be reduced during cleaning operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to electric cleaning used for cleaning in general households and the like, and more particularly to control for reducing the burden of cleaning.

  Conventionally, this type of vacuum cleaner includes a suction tool incorporating a rotating brush for dust lifting, an extension pipe, and a telescopic hose that connects the suction tool and the extension pipe. A change-over switch for switching the rotation direction of the rotary brush is provided, and the change-over switch is switched as the suction tool moves back and forth. The rotation direction of the rotary brush changes according to the user's front-rear operation. It is known to reduce the burden on the user in the cleaning operation by switching between forward rotation / reverse rotation and the suction tool moving forward / backward by the rotational force (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

JP-A-6-254005

  In the conventional vacuum cleaner described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since the suction tool moves back and forth greatly by a slight operation of the user, the burden on the user in the cleaning operation is reduced. Because the weight increases, the handling of the suction tool deteriorates, and the rotation direction of the rotating brush changes after the direction of movement of the suction tool changes, so the load increases when the direction is changed. There was a problem.

  In recent years, the proportion of flooring in the dwelling has been increasing. For this reason, due to problems such as scratches on the floor and noise generated by the rotating brush, the electric vacuum cleaner having the on / off function of the rotating brush can be used. Since the machine has become common, there is a problem that the operation force becomes heavier when the rotating brush is turned off.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, reduces the load when switching the operation direction without deteriorating the handling of the suction tool, and in the cleaning operation regardless of whether the rotating brush is on or off. An object of the present invention is to provide a highly usable vacuum cleaner that reduces the burden on the user.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is used in contact with a surface to be cleaned, a vacuum cleaner body containing an electric blower, a hose connected to an intake side of the vacuum cleaner body, and A suction tool for sucking dust from the surface to be cleaned; a telescopic extension pipe connected to communicate the hose and the suction tool; and an acceleration provided on the extension pipe side of the hose A sensor and an actuator provided on the extension pipe and extending and contracting the extension pipe, and controlling the actuator according to the output of the acceleration sensor to extend and contract the extension pipe. If the extension pipe is extended by the actuator when the handle provided on the extension pipe side is pushed, and the extension pipe is shortened when the handle is pulled, the suction tool can be increased by a small operation by the user. Ku can be moved back and forth, it is possible to reduce the burden of the user in the cleaning operation. In addition, although the weight of the extension pipe is increased by the amount of the actuator provided, it is a part close to the handle, so that it hardly affects the handling of the suction tool.

  The vacuum cleaner of the present invention controls the actuator provided in the extension pipe in accordance with the output of the acceleration sensor provided on the extension pipe side of the hose so that the extension pipe can be expanded and contracted. When the suction tool is reciprocated greatly by a small movement or the suction tool is lifted, the center of gravity is moved to the handle side, thereby reducing the burden on the user during cleaning and high usability.

Whole perspective view of the electric vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention Circuit block diagram of the vacuum cleaner (A), (b) The figure which shows the acceleration sensor output waveform of the vacuum cleaner Overall view showing how the vacuum cleaner extends and contracts

  The first invention is a vacuum cleaner body containing an electric blower, a hose connected to the suction side of the vacuum cleaner body, and used for contacting the surface to be cleaned and for sucking dust from the surface to be cleaned. A suction tool, a telescopic extension pipe connected to communicate the hose and the suction tool, an acceleration sensor provided on the extension pipe side of the hose, the extension pipe, and the extension An actuator for expanding and contracting the tube, and controlling the actuator according to the output of the acceleration sensor to expand and contract the extension tube. For example, a handle provided on the extension tube side of the hose is pushed Sometimes, if the extension tube is extended with an actuator and the handle is pulled, the extension tube can be shortened, so that the suction tool can be moved back and forth greatly with a small user's operation. It is possible to reduce the burden of kick user. In addition, although the weight of the extension pipe is increased by the amount of the actuator provided, it is a part close to the handle, so that it hardly affects the handling of the suction tool.

  In particular, the second invention detects from the output of the acceleration sensor of the first invention a reciprocating operation of a handle provided on the extension tube side of the hose and gripped by a user during cleaning, and the handle is pushed. Sometimes the extension tube is extended, and when the handle is being pulled, the extension tube is shortened, so that the suction tool can be moved back and forth with a small operation of the user, reducing the burden on the user during the cleaning operation. It is something to be made.

  In particular, the third invention detects the lifting operation of the suction tool from the output of the acceleration sensor of the first or second invention, and when the suction tool is operated in the direction of lifting, the extension pipe is contracted, and the suction When the tool is operated in the direction of pulling down, the extension tube is extended, and when the suction tool is lifted and handled, the center of gravity is close to the handle, so that the operability is improved.

  In the fourth invention, in particular, the operation speed of the handle is detected from the output of the acceleration sensor of the second or third invention, and when the operation speed is high, the extension / contraction speed of the extension pipe is increased and the operation speed is low. At times, the extension / contraction speed of the extension pipe is slowed down, and the extension / contraction action of the extension pipe follows the user's operation, so the extension / contraction action of the extension pipe matches the user's sense and the usability is improved. Is.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, a grounding detection means for detecting the presence or absence of grounding of the suction tool to the floor surface is provided on the lower surface of the suction tool of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention. When it is not grounded on the floor, it does not perform extension control of the extension pipe based on the output of the acceleration sensor.For example, when moving the place by lifting the suction tool, It will not expand and contract, further improving usability.

  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 circuit block diagram of the electric vacuum cleaner, FIG. 3 is an acceleration sensor output waveform of the electric vacuum cleaner, and FIG. It is a general view which shows the mode at the time of extension pipe extension of the same vacuum cleaner. 1 and 2, the vacuum cleaner main body 21 of the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment is provided with an electric blower chamber 22 incorporating the electric blower 2 at the rear, and a dust collection chamber 23 for collecting dust at the front. In the front portion of the cleaner body 21, there is provided an air inlet 26 to which a connection pipe 25 provided at one end of the hose 24 is detachably connected.

  The other end of the hose 24 is provided with a tip pipe 28 having a handle 27 having an operation part 9 for operating the cleaner body 21 while holding it during cleaning. The operation unit 9 includes, as operation means, a “OFF” switch (not shown), an “RUN” switch (not shown), and a “Brush OFF / ON” switch (not shown). The handle 27 is provided with a three-axis acceleration sensor 15 for detecting a user's operation status. 29 is a telescopic extension tube, and its downstream end is detachably connected to the tip pipe 28, and the other end is connected to a rotating brush 30 for dusting up and an electric motor 10 that rotationally drives the rotating brush 30. The built-in suction tool 31 is detachably connected.

  In addition, a power cord 13 for supplying power to a circuit board 32a built in the cleaner body 21 by being connected to an outlet (commercial power supply 1) is provided at the rear portion of the cleaner body 21. Further, the bottom surface of the suction tool 31 is provided with a grounding detecting means 12 for detecting the presence or absence of grounding with the surface to be cleaned, and the extension tube 29 is expanded and contracted inside the extension tube 29. An actuator 14 is provided.

  Next, the configuration of the control circuit will be described with reference to FIG. The circuit board 32a and the blocks 32b, 32c and 32d on the circuit diagram are arranged on the cleaner body 21, the hose 24, the extension pipe 29 and the suction tool 31, respectively. The commercial power supply 1 is connected to a zero cross detection circuit 3 for detecting a zero cross of a power waveform, a power supply circuit 5 for supplying power to the signal control means 4, an electric blower 2, and an electric motor 10. The electric blower 2 and the electric motor 10 are configured to be phase-controlled by the signal control means 4 via a drive circuit A6 and a drive circuit B7, respectively.

  The zero-cross detection circuit 3 necessary for performing phase control is connected to the signal control means 4. The actuator 14 for expanding and contracting the extension pipe is controlled by the signal control means 4 via the drive circuit C8. An output signal of the triaxial acceleration sensor 15 disposed inside the handle 27 is connected to be input to the signal control means 4.

  11 is a switch that opens when the suction tool 31 is grounded (landing) on the floor to be cleaned so that the dust on the floor can be sucked, and opens when the floor 31 leaves the floor. Combined with the resistor R1 Thus, the ground contact detection means 12 is configured. The signal control unit 4 determines the grounding state of the suction tool 31 by monitoring the output from the grounding detection unit 12 during the period from the zero cross to the time when the electric blower 2 is driven. It becomes possible.

The operation and action of the electric vacuum cleaner configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. As the name suggests, the triaxial acceleration sensor 15 is an element that detects acceleration applied to the X, Y, and Z axes, and the acceleration and angle can be determined from the output signal. Also, the speed and moving distance can be derived by calculation. In the present embodiment, the movement speed / direction and angle of the handle 27 are always detected by a signal output from the triaxial acceleration sensor 15 provided on the handle 27 to the signal control means 4.

  FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the output waveform of the triaxial acceleration sensor 15 when the handle 27 is reciprocated back and forth, the speed calculated from the output signal of the triaxial acceleration sensor 15, and the length of the extension tube 29. When the triaxial acceleration sensor 15 is arranged so that the Y axis coincides with the reciprocating operation direction of the handle 27, the output waveform of the Y axis changes as shown in the figure in accordance with the reciprocating operation of the handle 27. The signal control means 4 calculates the operation speed of the handle 27 from the output signal, that is, the acceleration of the handle 27 as shown in the figure. Next, the signal control means 4 controls the actuator 14 via the drive circuit C8 so as to change the length of the extension pipe 29 according to the calculated speed.

  Specifically, when the operating speed of the handle 27 is positive, that is, when the handle 27 is pushed, the actuator 14 is controlled in the direction in which the extension tube 29 is extended, and when it is pulled in the opposite direction, the actuator 14 is controlled in the direction in which the extension tube 29 is contracted. In addition, the expansion / contraction speed of the extension pipe 29 is changed by changing the amount of current supplied to the actuator 14 in accordance with the absolute value of the operation speed.

  The relationship between the absolute value of the operation speed and the expansion / contraction speed of the extension pipe 29 is a predetermined value. As shown in FIG. 4, the reciprocating width of the suction tool 31 is larger than the operation width of the handle 27. It is set to double. FIG. 3 (b) shows a state when the same distance as the distance shown in FIG. 3 (a) is reciprocated at a double speed. By this control, the expansion / contraction speed of the extension tube 29 is as follows. However, the expansion / contraction width is the same as that of FIG.

  Similarly, the lifting operation of the suction tool 31 can be detected by the output transition of the Z axis (vertical direction) or the X axis of the acceleration sensor 15. When detecting the lifting operation of the suction tool 31, the signal control means 4 controls the actuator 14 in the direction in which the extension pipe 29 is contracted, and conversely, in the direction in which the suction tool 31 is lowered, the signal control means 4 is in the direction in which the extension pipe 29 is extended. 14 is controlled. The extension / contraction speed of the extension pipe 29 is controlled by a value determined in advance according to the operation speed, as in the reciprocating operation.

  In the above configuration, for example, even when the user moves the place with the suction tool 31 lifted, the extension pipe 29 is controlled in the extending direction. In order to prevent this, in the present embodiment, whether or not the suction tool 31 is grounded is detected by the ground detection means 12, and only when the suction tool 31 is grounded, the reciprocating direction of the handle 27 is determined. The expansion / contraction control of the extension pipe 29 is performed for the above operation.

  Since the triaxial acceleration sensor 15 detects acceleration as described above, it can detect whether the suction tool 31 is grounded, although the lifting / lowering operation of the suction tool 31 can be detected. In this embodiment, the ground contact detection means 12 of the suction tool 31 is provided separately.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the extension pipe 29 is expanded and contracted by controlling the actuator 14 provided in the extension pipe 29 according to the output of the triaxial acceleration sensor 15 provided in the handle 27. The weight of the extension tube 29 increases by the amount of the actuator 14, but since the portion is close to the handle 27, the suction tool 31 can be moved largely by a small operation of the user with little influence on the handling. This reduces the burden on the user during the cleaning operation.

Further, the reciprocating operation of the suction tool 31 is detected from the output of the triaxial acceleration sensor 15, and when the suction tool 31 is pushed, the extension tube 29 is extended, and when the suction tool 31 is pulled, the extension is performed. Since the pipe 29 is contracted, the suction tool 31 can be moved back and forth largely by a small operation of the user, and the burden on the user in the cleaning operation is reduced.

  Further, when the suction tool 31 is operated in the lifting direction, the extension pipe 29 is contracted, and when the suction tool 31 is operated in the lowering direction, the extension pipe 29 is extended, so that the suction tool 31 is lifted and handled. Since the center of gravity is close to the handle 27, the operability is improved.

  Further, since the expansion / contraction speed of the extension tube 29 is changed according to the operation speed of the handle 27, the expansion / contraction operation of the extension tube 29 follows the user's operation, and the usability is improved.

  Further, the ground detection means 12 provided on the lower surface of the suction tool 31 detects whether or not the suction tool 31 is grounded, and the extension tool 29 is controlled to extend and retract in the reciprocating direction. For example, when moving the place by lifting the suction tool 31, the extension tube 29 does not expand and contract against the user's intention, and the usability is further improved. It is.

  As described above, the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention reduces the load when switching the operation direction without deteriorating the handling of the suction tool, and also performs the cleaning operation related to on / off of the rotating brush. The burden on the user is reduced and the usability is high, and it can be applied to various types of vacuum cleaners such as business use and central cleaners as well as home use.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Commercial power supply 2 Electric blower 3 Zero cross detection circuit 4 Signal control means 5 Power supply circuit 6 Drive circuit A
7 Drive circuit B
8 Drive circuit C
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Operation part 10 Electric motor 11 Switch 12 Grounding detection means 13 Power cord 14 Actuator 15 3-axis acceleration sensor (acceleration sensor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Vacuum cleaner main body 22 Electric blower chamber 23 Dust collection chamber 24 Hose 25 Connection pipe 26 Air inlet 27 Handle 28 Tip pipe 29 Extension pipe 30 Rotary brush 31 Suction tool

Claims (5)

A vacuum cleaner body containing an electric blower, a hose connected to the suction side of the vacuum cleaner body, a suction tool used to contact the surface to be cleaned and sucking dust from the surface to be cleaned, and the hose A telescopic extension pipe connected to communicate with the suction tool, an acceleration sensor provided on the extension pipe side of the hose, and an actuator provided on the extension pipe to extend and contract the extension pipe; A vacuum cleaner that controls the actuator to expand and contract the extension tube in accordance with an output of the acceleration sensor. From the output of the acceleration sensor, the reciprocating operation of the handle that is provided on the extension tube side of the hose and is gripped by the user during cleaning is detected, and when the handle is pushed, the extension tube is extended and the handle is pulled. 2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the extension pipe is contracted when it is in operation. From the output of the acceleration sensor, the lifting operation of the suction tool is detected. When the suction tool is operated in the direction of lifting, the extension pipe is contracted, and when the suction tool is operated in the direction of lowering, the extension pipe is extended. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2. The operation speed of the handle is detected from the output of the acceleration sensor. When the operation speed is fast, the extension / contraction speed of the extension pipe is increased, and when the operation speed is slow, the extension / contraction speed of the extension pipe is decreased. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 or 3. Provided on the lower surface of the suction tool is a grounding detection means for detecting whether or not the suction tool is grounded to the floor surface. When the suction tool is not grounded to the floor surface, the extension tube is expanded or contracted based on the output of the acceleration sensor. Control is not performed, The vacuum cleaner of any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.