JP2012070883A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner having a self-propelled floor brush effectively cleaning a surface to be cleaned.SOLUTION: The vacuum cleaner has a cleaner body housing an electric fan 18. The vacuum cleaner has an air passage communicating with a suction side of the electric fan 18. The vacuum cleaner has the floor brush partially constituting the air passage. The vacuum cleaner has an optical sensor 42 for detecting the amount of dust passing through the air passage. The vacuum cleaner has a control unit 41 for propelling the floor brush by itself and controlling the running of the floor brush according to a detection result of the optical sensor 42.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a vacuum cleaner including a dust amount detection unit that detects a dust amount passing through an air passage.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a canister type vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum cleaner body having a body case that houses an electric blower. The vacuum cleaner main body is provided with a dust collecting portion communicating with the suction side of the electric blower, and the dust collecting portion includes an air passage forming body that divides an air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower inside. Is connected. The air path forming body is configured by sequentially connecting a hose body, an extension pipe, and a floor brush from the proximal end side to the distal end side. An optical sensor as a dust amount detecting means for detecting the amount of dust passing through the inside of the air passage is disposed inside the air passage.

JP 2010-4997 A

  In the case of a configuration in which the floor brush is self-propelled, even when it is determined that the amount of dust on the surface to be cleaned detected by the optical sensor is larger than a predetermined value, the floor brush is independent of the amount of dust. Since it runs, the position of the floor brush cannot be controlled according to the amount of dust on the surface to be cleaned. Therefore, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, dust on the surface to be cleaned cannot be effectively cleaned even if control is performed such as changing the number of rotations of the rotating brush provided on the floor brush.

  This invention is made in view of such a point, and it aims at providing the vacuum cleaner which can clean the dust of a to-be-cleaned surface effectively also with the suction inlet which carries out self-propelled.

  The vacuum cleaner of the embodiment has a vacuum cleaner body that houses an electric blower. Moreover, this vacuum cleaner has an air path connected to the suction side of the electric blower. Furthermore, this electric vacuum cleaner has a suction port body that constitutes a part of the air passage and can travel on the surface to be cleaned. In addition, this vacuum cleaner has a dust amount detection means for detecting the amount of dust passing through the air passage. And this vacuum cleaner has a traveling control means for controlling the traveling of the suction port body according to the detection result of the dust amount detecting means while making the suction port body self-run.

It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the vacuum cleaner of 1st Embodiment. The suction opening body of a vacuum cleaner same as the above is shown, (a) is a plan view shown from the lower side, and (b) is a side view showing a part cut away. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a part of vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a flowchart which shows control of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a flowchart which shows control of the vacuum cleaner of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows control of the vacuum cleaner of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows control of the vacuum cleaner of 4th Embodiment.

  The configuration of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 11 denotes a so-called canister-type vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 11 includes a vacuum cleaner main body 12 and an air passage forming body 13 that is a pipe part detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner main body 12. And have.

  The vacuum cleaner main body 12 includes a hollow main body case 15 that can swivel and run on the surface to be cleaned, and a main body dust collection chamber and an electric blower chamber (not shown) are partitioned in the front and rear in the main body case 15. Has been. Furthermore, an electric blower 18 is accommodated in the electric blower chamber, and the suction side of the electric blower 18 communicates with the main body dust collection chamber. Further, a dust collecting section such as a filter, a dust collecting bag, or a dust collecting device (dust collecting cup) is disposed in the main body dust collecting chamber. A main body suction port 19 is formed in the front portion of the main body case 15 so as to communicate with the main body dust collection chamber and to which the proximal end side of the air passage forming body 13 is connected.

  The air passage forming body 13 includes a connecting pipe portion 21 connected to the main body suction port 19, a flexible hose body 22 communicating with the tip end side of the connecting pipe portion 21, and a tip end of the hose body 22. A hand operating part 23 provided on the side, an extension pipe 24 detachably connected to the distal end side of the hand operating part 23, and a floor brush as a suction port body connected to the distal end side of the extension pipe 24 And 26. The air passage forming body 13 partitions an air passage W communicating with the suction side of the electric blower 18 inside.

  The floor brush 26 constitutes a part of the air passage W. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the floor brush 26 is long in the left-right width direction, that is, a horizontally long case body 31, and the left-right width of the case body 31. And a connecting pipe 32 that is rotatably connected to the rear portion of the substantially central position in the direction, and can travel along the front-rear direction on the surface to be cleaned. A pair of running wheels 33, 33, which are suction port body driving means as running means for running the floor brush 26 on the surface to be cleaned (floor surface), are separated from each other in the vicinity of the central portion at the lower part of the case body 31. In addition, a horizontally long suction port 34 communicating with the connection pipe 32 through the inside of the case body 31 is formed. Further, a rotary brush 35 as a rotary cleaning body is rotatably attached to the suction port 34.

  The traveling wheels 33, 33 are rotatably disposed along the front-rear direction of the floor brush 26, are coaxially connected to each other, and are mutually connected by a traveling wheel motor 37 serving as a traveling drive unit disposed in the case body 31. Driven in the same direction. Similarly, the rotating brush 35 is rotationally driven by a brush electric motor 38 as a rotational cleaning body driving means disposed in the case body 31. The rotating brush 35 and the brush motor 38 are not essential components.

  Further, the connecting pipe 32 is detachably connected to the distal end side of the air passage forming body 13 (extension pipe 24) shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, a gripping portion 39 protrudes toward the hose body 22 on the hand operation portion 23, and the gripping portion 39 is a plurality of setting means as an electric blower operation means for setting the operation mode of the electric blower 18. Each setting button 40 is provided.

  Next, the internal structure of the vacuum cleaner 11 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a control means 41 such as a microcomputer is accommodated in the electric blower chamber or the like inside the cleaner body 12. The control means 41 includes a setting button 40, an optical sensor 42 as a dust amount detection means for detecting the amount of dust passing through the air passage W, and a traveling direction detection means for detecting the traveling direction of the floor brush 26. The direction sensor 43 is electrically connected, and signals are input from the setting button 40, the optical sensor 42, and the direction sensor 43. Further, the control means 41 is electrically connected to the electric blower 18, the traveling wheel motor 37, and the brush motor 38 via control elements such as a triac (not shown). The control means 41 is an electric blower control means for setting the operation mode of the electric blower 18 by controlling the conduction angle of the electric blower 18 according to the signal input by the setting operation of the setting button 40 by the user. The floor brush 26 is driven by driving the traveling wheel motor 37 (traveling wheels 33, 33) according to the function and the detection result of the light sensor 42, that is, the amount of dust passing through the air passage W detected by the light sensor 42. It has a function of traveling control means for controlling traveling and a function of rotating cleaning body control means for controlling driving of the brush motor 38 (rotating brush 35).

  Note that power for these control means 41 and the like is supplied from a commercial AC power supply via a power cord 46 (FIG. 4), for example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the optical sensor 42 includes, for example, a light emitting unit 47 as a light emitting unit that emits infrared light, and a light receiving unit 48 as a light receiving unit that receives infrared light emitted by the light emitting unit 47. Are provided at positions facing each other, and a signal corresponding to the amount of dust passing through the air passage W can be output to the control means 41 according to the amount of infrared light received by the light receiving unit 48 from the light emitting unit 47. ing.

  The light emitting unit 47 includes a light emitting element 47a that outputs light such as infrared light, and one and other light emitting side lenses 47b as light emitting side light guide members that guide light emitted from the light emitting element 47a into the air path W. 47c.

  The light emitting element 47a is disposed, for example, at the upper part of the main body suction port 19 of the cleaner body 12, and is configured to output infrared light downward.

  Also, one light-emitting side lens 47b shown in FIG. 3 is disposed on the inner surface of the main body suction port 19 below the light-emitting element 47a on the infrared light output side.

  The other light-emitting side lens 47c is disposed at a position facing the lower side of the light-emitting element 47a (light-emitting side lens 47b) in a state where the connecting pipe portion 21 of the air passage forming body 13 is connected to the main body suction port 19. . The other light-emitting side lens 47c is fitted in a light-emitting side hole 47d formed in the connecting pipe portion 21 along the radial direction so as to air-tightly close the light-emitting side hole 47d. One end side faces the light emitting element 47a side (light emitting side lens 47b side), and the other end side faces the inside of the air path W. That is, the air in the air passage W does not flow out of the air passage W from the light emitting side hole 47d.

  Similarly, the light receiving unit 48 includes a light receiving element 48a that detects infrared light output from the light emitting unit 47, one of the light receiving side light guide members that guides the light output from the light emitting unit 47 to the light receiving element 48a, and The other light receiving side lenses 48b and 48c are provided.

  The light receiving element 48a is arranged, for example, below the main body suction port 19 of the cleaner body 12 and upward, that is, toward the light emitting element 47a, and is configured to receive infrared light output from the light emitting element 47a. Has been.

  The one light-receiving side lens 48b is disposed on the inner surface of the main body suction port 19 above the infrared light input side of the light-receiving element 48a.

  The other light receiving side lens 48c is disposed at a position facing the light receiving element 48a (light receiving side lens 48b) in a state where the connection pipe portion 21 of the air passage forming body 13 is connected to the main body suction port 19. . The other light-receiving side lens 48c is fitted in a light-receiving side hole 48d formed in the connecting tube portion 21 along the radial direction so as to air-tightly close the light-receiving side hole 48d. One end faces the light receiving element 48a side (light receiving side lens 48b side), and the other end faces the inside of the air passage W. That is, the air in the air passage W does not flow out of the air passage W from the light receiving side hole 48d.

  The direction sensor 43 is, for example, a changeover switch, and, as shown in FIGS. It is comprised so that it may contact. The direction sensor 43 is swung (tilted) by contact with the surface to be cleaned as indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. The traveling direction of the floor brush 26 can be detected by switching automatically.

  Next, the cleaning operation according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 together with FIGS.

  The user connects the power cord 46 to a wall outlet (plug-in) with the dust collecting part installed in the vacuum cleaner main body 12 and the air passage forming body 13 connected to the main body suction port 19 of the vacuum cleaner main body 12. Then, power (voltage) is supplied (applied) from the commercial AC power source to the control means 41, the optical sensor 42, and the like.

  When the user grips the grip portion 39 and operates the desired setting button 40 in a state where the floor brush 26 is placed on the surface to be cleaned, for example, a carpet, the control means 41 is operated by the operated setting button. The electric blower 18 is activated in the operation mode corresponding to 40, and the running wheels 33 and 33 and the rotating brush 35 are activated via the electric motors 37 and 38 (step 1).

  The user repeatedly moves the floor brush 26 back and forth through the grip portion 39, so that the dust on the surface to be cleaned is removed from the suction port 34 by the action of the negative pressure of the electric blower 18 and the air path of the air path forming body 13 Inhale with air into W.

  At this time, the control means 41 detects whether the user is moving the floor brush 26 forward or backward by detecting the traveling direction of the floor brush 26 by the direction sensor 43, and follows the traveling direction. Thus, the traveling wheel motor 37 (traveling wheels 33, 33) is driven to rotate. Therefore, when the user moves the floor brush 26 back and forth, the traveling wheel motor 37 is switched between forward rotation and reverse rotation, and the traveling wheels 33 and 33 that are in contact with the surface to be cleaned are used for the traveling wheel. Driving the floor brush 26 is driven by the electric motor 37. That is, the floor brush 26 is self-propelled by the control means 41.

  The control means 41 rotates the brush motor 38 (rotating brush 35). The rotating brush 35 comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned, and scrapes off dust that has entered the surface to be cleaned by being driven by the brush motor 38. The brush motor 38 (rotating brush 35) may be rotated in a fixed direction regardless of the traveling direction of the floor brush 26, and, similar to the traveling wheel motor 37 (traveling wheels 33, 33), The floor brush 26 may be rotated so that the rotation direction is alternately switched along the traveling direction of the floor brush 26 detected by the direction sensor 43 (or along the direction opposite to the traveling direction).

  The dust sucked into the air passage W of the air passage forming body 13 sequentially passes through the extension pipe 24 and the hose body 22 together with the air that has become the suction air, passes through the connecting pipe portion 21 and is collected from the main body inlet 19. When sucked into the dust part, it passes between the light emitting part 47 and the light receiving part 48 of the optical sensor 42. In the optical sensor 42, during operation of the electric blower 18 (the vacuum cleaner 11), light is constantly emitted from the light emitting unit 47 toward the light receiving unit 48, and passes through the air passage W by the light reception intensity at the light receiving unit 48. The amount of dust is detected (step 2). That is, when the amount of dust passing through the air path W is relatively large (small), the amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit 47 is relatively large (small). The received light intensity is relatively small (large). Therefore, the control means 41 monitors the amount of dust passing through the air passage W via the output signal from the optical sensor 42.

  Then, the control means 41 determines whether or not the amount of dust (output signal from the optical sensor 42) detected by the optical sensor 42 is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount (whether it is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value). Judgment is made (step 3).

  In this step 3, the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 by the control means 41 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, that is, the amount of dust passing through the air passage W is relatively large, in other words, the amount of dust is When it is determined that relatively many positions on the surface to be cleaned are being cleaned, the control means 41 stops the traveling wheels 33 and 33 by stopping the traveling wheel electric motor 37, so that the floor brush 26 is moved to that position. Is stopped for a predetermined time, for example, about 2 seconds (step 4). At this time, the control means 41 may temporarily increase the inputs of the electric blower 18 and the brush motor 38 for a predetermined time, for example, so that dust is more strongly scraped from the surface to be cleaned and sucked. The control means 41 can also notify the user of the dust amount on the surface to be cleaned, which is determined based on the dust amount passing through the air passage W detected by the optical sensor 42, by a display means (not shown). .

  On the other hand, in step 3, the amount of dust detected by the light sensor 42 by the control means 41 is not greater than or equal to a predetermined amount (ie, less than the predetermined amount), that is, the amount of dust passing through the air passage W is relatively small. In other words, when it is determined that the position of the surface to be cleaned with a relatively small amount of dust is being cleaned, the control means 41 detects the traveling wheel motor 37 (traveling wheels 33, 33) by the direction sensor 43. The floor brush 26 is rotated along the traveling direction (step 5), and the process proceeds to step 6.

  Further, in step 6, the control means 41 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation to stop the electric blower 18 with the setting button 40. When the control means 41 determines that an operation for stopping the electric blower 18 is not performed, the process returns to step 2, and when the control means 41 determines that an operation for stopping the electric blower 18 is performed, the control means 41 is Then, the electric blower 18 and the electric motors 37 and 38 are stopped (step 7), and the cleaning is finished.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount, the control means 41 stops the floor brush 26 at that position for a predetermined time. By doing so, the position on the surface to be cleaned, which is determined to have a large amount of dust, can be intensively cleaned, and dust can be effectively and reliably cleaned.

  Further, when the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 is less than a predetermined amount, the control means 41 allows the floor brush 26 to run as it is to clean the position on the surface to be cleaned with less dust. Without spending more time than necessary, unnecessary movement of the floor brush 26 can be omitted, and unnecessary cleaning time can be saved, thereby shortening the cleaning time.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure and effect | action similar to the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, when the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount, the control means 41 corresponds to the detected dust amount, and the floor brush The time for stopping 26 is variable.

  That is, in the second embodiment, instead of step 3 of the first embodiment, the amount of dust (output signal from the optical sensor 42) detected by the optical sensor 42 by the control means 41 is preset. It is determined whether or not it is greater than or equal to a first predetermined amount (whether or not it is less than or equal to a preset first predetermined threshold) (step 10).

  In step 10, the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 is not greater than or equal to a preset first predetermined amount (less than the first predetermined amount), that is, the amount of dust passing through the air passage W is small, in other words, dust. When the control means 41 determines that the position of the surface to be cleaned with a small amount is being cleaned, the control means 41 proceeds to step 5, and the control means indicates that the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 is equal to or larger than a preset first predetermined amount. When the control unit 41 determines, the control means 41 determines whether or not the amount of dust (output signal from the optical sensor 42) detected by the optical sensor 42 is equal to or greater than a predetermined second predetermined amount (predetermined second value). It is determined whether or not it is below a predetermined threshold (step 11). Here, the second predetermined amount is larger than the first predetermined amount determined in step 10. That is, the second predetermined threshold is a value smaller than the first predetermined threshold.

  In step 11, the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 is not equal to or greater than a preset second predetermined amount (less than the second predetermined amount), that is, the amount of dust passing through the air passage W is relatively large. In other words, when the control means 41 determines that the position of the surface to be cleaned with a relatively large amount of dust is being cleaned, the control means 41 stops the running wheels 33 and 33 by stopping the running wheel motor 37. As a result, the floor brush 26 is stopped at the position for a first predetermined time, for example, about 2 seconds (step 12). At this time, for example, the control means 41 may temporarily increase the inputs of the electric blower 18 and the brush motor 38 for a first predetermined time so that the dust is more strongly scraped and sucked from the surface to be cleaned.

  Further, in step 11, the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 is equal to or larger than a second predetermined amount set in advance, that is, the amount of dust passing through the air passage W is considerably large, in other words, the amount of dust is considerably large. When the control means 41 determines that the position of the surface is being cleaned, the control means 41 stops the traveling wheels 33 and 33 by stopping the traveling wheel electric motor 37 so that the floor brush 26 is preliminarily held at that position. The set second predetermined time (a time longer than the first predetermined time), for example, about 4 seconds is stopped (step 13). At this time, for example, the control means 41 may temporarily increase the inputs of the electric blower 18 and the brush motor 38 for the second predetermined time so that dust is more strongly scraped and sucked from the surface to be cleaned. Further, the increase in input of the electric blower 18 and the brush motor 38 at this time may be set to be larger than that in step 12.

  Then, after the control in step 5, step 12 or step 13, the process proceeds to step 6.

  Thus, according to the second embodiment, when the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the control unit 41 stops the floor brush 26 in accordance with the detected amount of dust. More specifically, the position on the surface to be cleaned that is judged to have more dust is emphasized by increasing the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 and increasing the time to stop the floor brush 26. It can be cleaned and can be cleaned more effectively and reliably without leaving any dust.

  In the second embodiment, the stop time of the floor brush 26 is two different types of the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time. However, for example, three or more different types can be similarly handled.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure and effect | action similar to said each embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the third embodiment, in the first embodiment, when the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount set in advance, the traveling speed of the floor brush 26 is set in advance. For a predetermined period of time.

  That is, in the third embodiment, instead of Step 4 and Step 5 of the first embodiment, the following Step 15 and Step 16 are controlled.

  In step 3, the control means 41 has a dust amount detected by the optical sensor 42 equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, that is, the amount of dust passing through the air passage W is relatively large, in other words, the dust amount is relative. When it is determined that the position of a large number of surfaces to be cleaned is being cleaned, the control means 41 reduces the input of the traveling wheel motor 37 to a predetermined value set in advance, thereby driving the traveling wheel motor 37 (traveling wheel The traveling speed of the floor brush 26 is reduced to a predetermined speed by reducing the rotational speed of (33, 33) to a predetermined rotational speed set in advance (step 15). At this time, the control means 41 may increase the inputs of the electric blower 18 and the brush motor 38, for example, so that dust is more strongly scraped from the surface to be cleaned and sucked. The control means 41 can also notify the user of the dust amount on the surface to be cleaned, which is determined based on the dust amount passing through the air passage W detected by the optical sensor 42, by a display means (not shown). .

  On the other hand, in step 3, the amount of dust detected by the light sensor 42 by the control means 41 is not greater than or equal to a predetermined amount (ie, less than the predetermined amount), that is, the amount of dust passing through the air passage W is relatively small. In other words, when it is determined that the position of the surface to be cleaned with a relatively small amount of dust is being cleaned, the control means 41 rotates the traveling wheel motor 37 (traveling wheels 33, 33) at a normal speed. Thus, the floor brush 26 is caused to travel at a normal speed (step 16).

  Then, after step 15 or step 16, the process proceeds to step 6.

  Thus, according to the third embodiment, when the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the control means 41 reduces the traveling speed of the floor brush 26, The position on the surface to be cleaned, which is determined to have a large amount of dust, can be intensively cleaned, and dust can be effectively and reliably cleaned.

  In addition, when the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 is less than a predetermined amount set in advance, the control means 41 causes the floor brush 26 to self-run at the same traveling speed so that the dust is reduced on the surface to be cleaned. It is possible to eliminate unnecessary time for cleaning the position, omit unnecessary movement of the floor brush 26, omit unnecessary cleaning time, and shorten cleaning time.

  Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure and effect | action similar to said each embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the fourth embodiment, when the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount in the third embodiment, the floor brush is adapted to the detected amount of dust. The amount of decrease in the traveling speed of 26 is made variable.

  That is, in the fourth embodiment, instead of step 3 in the third embodiment, the same control in steps 10 and 11 as in the second embodiment is performed. The position of the surface to be cleaned which is not more than the first predetermined amount set in advance (is less than the first predetermined amount), that is, the amount of dust passing through the air passage W is small, in other words, the amount of dust is small. When the control means 41 determines that the item is being cleaned, the process proceeds to step 16.

  In step 11, the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 is not greater than or equal to a preset second predetermined amount (less than the second predetermined amount), that is, the amount of dust passing through the air passage W is relatively large. If the control means 41 determines that the position of the surface to be cleaned with a relatively large amount of dust is being cleaned, the control means 41 sets the rotational speed of the motor 37 for traveling wheels (the traveling wheels 33, 33) in advance. The travel speed of the floor brush 26 is reduced to a preset first predetermined speed (step 18). At this time, the control means 41 may increase the inputs of the electric blower 18 and the brush motor 38, for example, so that dust is more strongly scraped from the surface to be cleaned and sucked.

  Further, in step 11, the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 is equal to or larger than a second predetermined amount set in advance, that is, the amount of dust passing through the air passage W is considerably large, in other words, the amount of dust is considerably large. When the control means 41 determines that the position of the surface is being cleaned, the control means 41 sets the rotational speed of the electric motor 37 for traveling wheels (the traveling wheels 33, 33) to a second predetermined rotational speed that is set in advance. The traveling speed of the brush 26 is reduced to a second predetermined speed set in advance (step 19). Here, the second predetermined speed (second predetermined rotation speed) is smaller than the first predetermined speed (first predetermined rotation speed). At this time, the control means 41 may increase the inputs of the electric blower 18 and the brush motor 38, for example, so that dust is more strongly scraped from the surface to be cleaned and sucked. In addition, the amount of increase in input of the electric blower 18 and the brush motor 38 at this time may be set to be larger than that in step 18.

  Then, after the control of step 16, step 18 or step 19, the process proceeds to step 6.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when the dust amount detected by the optical sensor 42 is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount, the control means 41 runs the floor brush 26 corresponding to the detected dust amount. The amount of decrease in speed is variable, specifically by increasing the amount of decrease in the traveling speed of the floor brush 26 (decreasing the traveling speed of the floor brush 26) as the amount of dust detected by the optical sensor 42 increases. The position on the surface to be cleaned, which is determined to be more, can be cleaned more intensively, and dust can be cleaned more effectively and reliably.

  In the fourth embodiment, the traveling speed of the floor brush 26 at the time of the speed reduction is two different types of the first predetermined speed and the second predetermined speed. Yes.

  And according to each embodiment described above, the control means 41 controls the floor brush 26 according to the detection result of the optical sensor 42, so that there is a lot of dust even in the self-running floor brush 26. The position on the surface to be cleaned can be intensively cleaned, and the surface to be cleaned can be effectively cleaned.

  In addition, the floor brush 26 includes a rotating brush 35 that can rotate to face the surface to be cleaned, so that the negative pressure of the electric blower 18 is particularly effective when cleaning the surface to be cleaned, such as carpets that are easily entangled with dust. In addition to simply sucking in the dust, the rotating brush 35 can scrape the dust out of the surface to be cleaned, thereby removing the dust more reliably.

  In each of the above embodiments, the rotating brush 35 (brush motor 38) detects, for example, the type of the surface to be cleaned by the surface to be cleaned detecting means when the electric blower 18 is operated, and automatically according to the type. It is possible to control the rotation of the rotary brush 35, and a switch for the user to set the rotation / stop of the rotary brush 35 is provided. You may comprise so that it may be rotationally driven at a timing.

  Further, the control means 41, in addition to the configuration that assists the user to move the floor brush 26 back and forth by the traveling wheel motor 37 (traveling wheels 33, 33), in place of the user to move the floor brush 26 back and forth, A configuration may be adopted in which the traveling wheel motor 37 (traveling wheels 33, 33) is driven so that the floor brush 26 travels back and forth with a predetermined stroke.

  Further, although the electric blower 18, the traveling wheel motor 37, and the brush motor 38 are all controlled by one control means 41, for example, traveling that controls the rotation / stop of the traveling wheel motor 37 (traveling wheels 33, 33). The function of the control means and the function of the rotary cleaning body control means for controlling the rotation / stop of the brush motor 38 (rotary brush 35) may be configured separately.

  Further, the electric vacuum cleaner 11 is not limited to the canister type, and for example, an upright type in which the floor brush 26 is connected to the lower part of the main body 12 of the vacuum cleaner can be used.

  And although some embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

11 Vacuum cleaner
12 Vacuum cleaner body
18 Electric blower
26 Floor brush as inlet
35 Rotating brush as rotating cleaning body
41 Control means having function of travel control means
42 Optical sensor as dust detection means W Air path

Claims (6)

A vacuum cleaner body containing an electric blower,
An air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower;
A suction port body that forms part of this air passage and can travel on the surface to be cleaned;
Dust amount detection means for detecting the amount of dust passing through the air passage;
A vacuum cleaner comprising: a traveling control unit configured to cause the suction port body to self-run and to control the traveling of the suction port body according to a detection result of the dust amount detection unit. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the traveling control means stops the suction port body at the position for a predetermined time when the amount of dust detected by the dust amount detection means is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount set in advance. . The travel control means, when the dust amount detected by the dust amount detection means is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, varies the time for stopping the suction port body according to the detected dust amount. The vacuum cleaner described. The electric cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the traveling control means relatively reduces the traveling speed of the suction port body when the amount of dust detected by the dust amount detecting means is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. Machine. The travel control means is characterized in that, when the dust amount detected by the dust amount detection means is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the travel speed reduction amount of the suction port body is varied corresponding to the detected dust amount. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 4. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the suction port body includes a rotary cleaning body that can rotate to face the surface to be cleaned.

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