JP2012090733A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner which is inexpensive and is rich in versatility.SOLUTION: The vacuum cleaner 11 includes an electric blower 15. The vacuum cleaner 11 includes a control element 31 to set a phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15. The vacuum cleaner 11 includes a variable resistor 33 the resistance value of which can be variably set and which variably set the power of the electric blower 15 by variably setting the resistance value. The vacuum cleaner 11 includes a control means 32 which determines a phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 set by the control element 31 according to a resistance value of the variable resistor 33, avoiding a range of a predetermined phase angle at which a harmonic wave not lower than a predetermined limit value generates.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a vacuum cleaner that controls the phase of an electric blower.

  Conventionally, this type of vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum cleaner body that houses an electric blower. The vacuum cleaner main body is formed with a dust collection chamber in communication with the suction side of the electric blower. In this dust collection chamber, for example, a dust collection part such as a dust collection bag or a dust collection cup is arranged, and is configured to collect dust sucked by driving an electric blower.

  In such a vacuum cleaner, for example, it is desirable that the suction force by the electric blower can be changed in accordance with the amount of dust on the surface to be cleaned, for example. Phase control the input.

Japanese Patent No. 3314901 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-328101

  In the configurations described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the user can control the phase angle of the electric blower input by continuously changing the phase angle of the commercial AC power supply by operating the variable resistor. It is. At this time, when the phase angle of the input of the electric blower is within a predetermined range, particularly around 90 °, many harmonics are included in the input current, which causes a decrease in power factor and generation of noise. In the configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-133260, the resistance value of the variable resistor is set so that the phase angle does not become around 90 ° by specially setting the correspondence relationship between the stroke position of the variable resistor and the resistance value in advance. I have to.

  However, such a configuration requires a special special variable resistor, so it is not easy to make it cheap, and for example, for vacuum cleaners with different specifications such as power supply voltage and maximum input due to different countries of use. Therefore, a variable resistor corresponding to each is required, and the versatility is poor.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a point, and it aims at providing the vacuum cleaner which was cheap and excellent in versatility.

  The vacuum cleaner of an embodiment has an electric blower. Moreover, this vacuum cleaner has a control element which sets the phase angle of the input of an electric blower. Further, the vacuum cleaner has a variable resistor that can variably set the resistance value and variably set the power of the electric blower by variably setting the resistance value. And this vacuum cleaner corresponds to the resistance value of the variable resistor, and the phase angle of the input of the electric blower set by the control element is within a predetermined phase angle range in which higher harmonics than a predetermined limit value are generated. It has a control means which decides avoiding.

It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the vacuum cleaner of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a vacuum cleaner same as the above. (a) is a graph schematically showing the change characteristic of the resistance value of the variable resistor of the electric vacuum cleaner, and (b) is a conversion table of the input of the electric blower by the control element determined by the stroke of the variable resistor and the control means. Is a graph schematically showing It is a graph which shows the relationship between the input of an electric blower same as the above, and (third order) harmonic current. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the vacuum cleaner of 2nd Embodiment. (a) is a graph schematically showing the change characteristic of the resistance value of the variable resistor of the electric vacuum cleaner, and (b) is a conversion table of the input of the electric blower by the control element determined by the stroke of the variable resistor and the control means. Is a graph schematically showing It is a graph which shows the relationship between the input of an electric blower same as the above, and (third order) harmonic current. (a) is the graph which shows typically the change characteristic of the resistance value of the variable resistor of the vacuum cleaner of 3rd Embodiment, (b) is the electric blower by the control element which the stroke of a variable resistor and a control means determine It is a graph which shows typically the conversion table of these inputs.

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

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a so-called canister-type vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 11 includes a vacuum cleaner body 12 and an air passage forming body 13 which is a pipe portion detachably connected to the cleaner body 12. And have.

  The vacuum cleaner main body 12 can turn and run on the surface to be cleaned, and the electric blower 15 is accommodated therein, and includes a dust collecting unit (not shown) communicating with the suction side of the electric blower 15. In addition, a main body suction port 17 is formed in the front portion of the cleaner body 12 so as to communicate with the dust collecting portion and to which the proximal end side of the air passage forming body 13 is connected. Further, on the upper portion of the vacuum cleaner body 12, that is, on one side of the position facing the user and visible from the user, a power source for operating on / off of the electric parts such as the electric blower 15, that is, on / off of the vacuum cleaner 11 A switch 18 is arranged. A variable operation unit 19 for a user to variably set the suction force of the electric blower 15 is disposed at a substantially central portion of the upper portion of the cleaner body 12. The vacuum cleaner body 12 has exhaust holes 20 for exhaust.

  The air passage forming body 13 includes a connecting pipe portion 21 connected to the main body suction port 17, a flexible hose body 22 communicating with the distal end side of the connecting pipe portion 21, and a tip end of the hose body 22. A hand operating part 23 provided for the user to grip and operate the air passage forming body 13, an extension pipe 24 detachably connected to the tip side of the hand operating part 23, and a tip of the extension pipe 24 And a floor brush 26 as a suction port body connected to the side. The air path forming body 13 is an air path constituting body that divides an air path communicating with the suction side of the electric blower 15 together with a dust collecting portion and the like.

  The dust collection unit is, for example, a dust collection bag such as a paper pack, a dust collection device such as a cyclone (centrifugation) separation device, or a simple filter, and the air blower 15 is driven together with air by driving the air blower 15. It collects the sucked dust.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electric vacuum cleaner 11 is electrically connected to a commercial AC power source e of, for example, 100V to 240V through a series circuit of an electric blower 15 and a control element 31 via a power cord (not shown). The Here, the power cord is wound around a cord reel housed in the cleaner body 12 (FIG. 2), and the plug portion on the tip side connected to an outlet such as a wall surface is the cleaner body 12 (FIG. 2). Located outside of. The power cord can be connected to an outlet that is separated from the cleaner body 12 (FIG. 2) by pulling it out from the cord reel, and the proximal end side can be connected to the cleaner body by winding it around the cord reel. 12 (FIG. 2).

  The control element 31 sets the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 by controlling the phase of the commercial AC power source e. The control element 31 is an AC control element such as a triac, for example, and its control terminal 31a is electrically connected to the control means 32.

  The control unit 32 switches the on / off state of the control element 31 by giving a trigger signal to the control terminal 31a of the control element 31, and determines the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 set by the control element 31. The control means 32 is electrically connected to the variable resistor 33. Further, the control means 32 is a digital circuit such as a microcomputer, for example, and can detect a zero cross point of the voltage waveform of the commercial AC power source e via a zero cross detection means 34 such as a known zero cross detection circuit.

  Here, in the variable resistor 33, the variable operation element 33a is connected to the variable operation part 19 (FIG. 2), and the variable operation element 33a is slid by the sliding of the variable operation part 19 (FIG. 2). The value can be variably set. The change characteristic of the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 is a predetermined phase angle range in which higher harmonics at least a predetermined limit value L (for example, a limit value defined by the IEC standard, FIG. 4) are generated, that is, 90 °. The region corresponding to the vicinity is smooth, that is, has no bending point. Specifically, in this embodiment, the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 increases as the variable operation unit 19 (FIG. 2) is slid to one side (for example, the left side) as shown in FIG. The resistance value is set to be smaller as the variable operation unit 19 (FIG. 2) is slid to the other side (for example, the right side). That is, the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 changes linearly. In addition, one end of the variable resistor 33 is electrically connected to a predetermined constant voltage source (not shown), the other end is grounded, and the voltage of the constant voltage source is divided by a change in the resistance value. The control means 32 is configured to read the pressed voltage.

  That is, the control means 32 triggers the control element 31 by digitally converting and reading the divided voltage corresponding to the resistance value, which is an analog value of the variable resistor 33, for each zero-cross period detected by the zero-cross detection means 34. The timing of the signal (trigger pulse) is determined, and the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 set by the control element 31 is determined. In other words, the control means 32 supplies the trigger signal corresponding to the off time from the zero cross point to the control terminal 31a of the control element 31, thereby switching the control element 31 on and off and controlling the input of the electric blower 15. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 11 is configured to variably set the power of the electric blower 15 by variably setting the resistance value of the variable resistor 33.

  When determining the phase angle, the control unit 32 compares, for example, the read divided voltage with a conversion table stored in a storage unit (not shown). For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, this conversion table corresponds to a decrease (increase) in the resistance value in a region A where the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 is less than a predetermined first threshold value. The input is linearly increased (decreased), and the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 is a region B that is not less than a predetermined first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, that is, a predetermined limit value L (FIG. 4). In the vicinity of the 90 ° phase angle at which the above harmonics are generated, a constant input is set regardless of the change (increase / decrease) in the resistance value of the variable resistor 33, and the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 is In a region C that is equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold value set in advance, the input is set to linearly increase (decrease) corresponding to the decrease (increase) in resistance value. In other words, this conversion table is configured to determine the phase angle of the control element 31 while avoiding the phase angle range in which harmonics above the predetermined limit value L (FIG. 4) are generated, that is, around 90 °. Yes. Note that the input change rate between the region A and the region C, that is, the input change amount corresponding to the change amount of the resistance value is, for example, substantially the same.

  In the present embodiment, since the control means 32 is a digital circuit, the change in the input of the conversion table is stepwise when viewed microscopically, but the step is set arbitrarily small as long as there is no practical problem. In the following description, it is assumed that the change in the input of the conversion table is smooth.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  The user electrically connects the vacuum cleaner 11 to the commercial AC power source e by connecting the power cord to the outlet, and operates the power switch 18 to activate the vacuum cleaner 11 to determine the type of surface to be cleaned. Alternatively, the variable operation unit 19 is slid left and right according to the state of dust, etc., and stopped at a position where the suction force of the electric blower 15 becomes a desired suction force.

  That is, the control means 32 generates a divided voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 set by the slide position of the variable operator 33a of the variable resistor 33 corresponding to the slide position of the variable operation unit 19 by the user. The electric blower set by the control element 31 by digitally converting and reading every zero-cross period detected by the zero-cross detection means 34, and determining the timing of the trigger signal to the control element 31 corresponding to the divided voltage Determine the phase angle of the 15 inputs.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 is within the region A, the control means 32 linearly inputs the input corresponding to the decrease (increase) of the resistance value. Increase (decrease) linearly.

  Further, when the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 is within the region B, the control means 32 sets a constant input regardless of the change (increase / decrease) in the resistance value of the variable resistor 33.

  Further, when the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 is within the region C, the control means 32 increases (decreases) the input linearly corresponding to the decrease (increase) of the resistance value.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the (third order) harmonic current does not exceed a predetermined limit value L.

  Then, the user sucks dust together with air from the surface to be cleaned through the air path forming body 13 such as the floor brush 26 by the negative pressure generated by driving the electric blower 15 operated at a desired power. The sucked dust is carried together with the air to the dust collecting unit and collected by the dust collecting unit. The air in which the dust is collected is sucked into the electric blower 15 and then exhausted to the outside of the cleaner body 12 through the exhaust hole 20.

  When cleaning is completed, the user operates the power switch 18 to stop the electric vacuum cleaner 11 (electric blower 15).

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the control means 32 sets the input phase angle of the electric blower 15 set by the control element 31 in accordance with the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 to a predetermined limit. By determining a predetermined phase angle range in which harmonics greater than or equal to the value L are generated, that is, avoiding the vicinity of 90 °, harmonics included in the input current can be suppressed while using the general-purpose variable resistor 33.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 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, as shown in FIG. 5, in the first embodiment, the control means 32 detects the current value flowing through the electric blower 15 by the current detection means 37.

  And, the control means 32, the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 set by the control element 31 only when the current value of the electric blower 15 detected by the current detection means 37 is not less than a predetermined value set in advance. It is determined by avoiding a predetermined phase angle range in which harmonics of a predetermined limit value L or more are generated, that is, near 90 °.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the control means 32 performs a desired conversion from a plurality of different conversion tables stored in advance in the storage means in accordance with the current value of the electric blower 15 detected by the current detection means 37. By selectively selecting the table or setting the first threshold value and / or the second threshold value of the conversion table variably, it is a range of a predetermined phase angle where a harmonic having a predetermined limit value L or more is generated. The range of the region B corresponding to the vicinity of ° is configured to be variable. Specifically, the control means 32 reduces the area B when the current value of the electric blower 15 detected by the current detection means 37 is relatively small (less than a predetermined value), and the current detection means 37 detects it. When the current value of the electric blower 15 is relatively large (when it is greater than or equal to a predetermined value), the region B is expanded. Note that the change in the range of the region B may be a plurality of steps or may be stepless. Further, the region B may not exist when it is set to the minimum.

  Then, for example, when the amount of air sucked into the electric blower 15 is relatively reduced, such as when dust is accumulated in a dust collecting portion or the like, the current value of the electric blower 15 is relatively reduced. As indicated by the alternate long and short dash line, the (third-order) harmonic current also decreases. Therefore, when the current value of the electric blower 15 detected by the current detection means 37 is relatively lowered (below a predetermined value), even if the control means 32 reduces the area B, the (third order) harmonic current Does not exceed a predetermined limit value L.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the current value of the electric blower 15 detected by the current detection unit 37 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value set by the control unit 32 by the control element 31. By determining the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 while avoiding a predetermined phase angle range in which harmonics greater than or equal to the predetermined limit value L are generated, that is, around 90 °, for example, the current value of the electric blower 15 is predetermined. When the harmonic is smaller than the value and it is difficult to generate harmonics, the control by the control means 32 can be simplified, and the stroke of the variable operation unit 19, that is, the change in the resistance value of the variable resistor 33, the electric blower 15 Changes in power can be handled more smoothly.

  In each of the above embodiments, the input in the region B determined by the control means 32 is not necessarily constant as long as the harmonics are set so as not to exceed the predetermined limit value L.

  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 each of the above-described embodiments, the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 set by the control element 31 is a predetermined phase angle at which a higher harmonic than the predetermined limit value L is generated, that is, 90 °. The amount of change in the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 set by the control element 31 corresponding to the amount of change in the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 is made different depending on whether it is smaller or larger.

  Specifically, the control means 32 determines the resistance of the variable resistor 33 in the region D where the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 is higher than a predetermined limit value L, where the phase angle is smaller than 90 °. The amount of change in the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 set by the control element 31 corresponding to the amount of change in the value is made relatively small, and the harmonic in which the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 is greater than or equal to a predetermined limit value L In the region E where the generated phase angle, here 90 ° or more, the amount of change in the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 set by the control element 31 corresponding to the amount of change in the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 is relatively large. To do. In other words, the control means 32 sets the phase angle change rate according to the conversion table to be larger in the region E than in the region D, so that the phase angle of the control element 31 is increased by a harmonic having a predetermined limit value L or more. It is configured to avoid the vicinity of the generated phase angle (90 °).

  Therefore, when the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 is within the region D, the input is linearly increased (decreased) corresponding to the decrease (increase) of the resistance value, and the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 is When it is within E, the input is increased (decreased) linearly with a larger change rate than in the region D in response to the decrease (increase) of the resistance value.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 set by the control element 31 is smaller than the predetermined phase angle at which the higher harmonic than the predetermined limit value L is generated. The control means 32 varies the amount of change in the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 set by the control element 31 corresponding to the change amount of the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 when the value is large. The power of the electric blower 15 can be varied more smoothly in response to the operation of the operation unit 19, that is, the change in the resistance value of the variable resistor 33.

  Further, the user generally requires fine adjustment of the power when setting the power of the electric blower 15 relatively low, and requires fine adjustment of the power when setting the power of the electric blower 15 relatively large. do not do. Therefore, in the region D in which the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 is smaller than the phase angle (90 °) at which the higher harmonic than the predetermined limit value L is generated, the control corresponding to the change amount of the resistance value of the variable resistor 33. The amount of change in the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 set by the element 31 is made relatively small, and the phase angle (90 °) at which the harmonic of which the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 is greater than or equal to a predetermined limit value L is generated. In a region E larger than (or greater than), by making the change amount of the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 set by the control element 31 corresponding to the change amount of the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 relatively large, When the power of the electric blower 15 is relatively small, even if the user takes a large stroke of the variable operation unit 19, the amount of change in the input (power) of the electric blower 15 is small, so that the power can be finely adjusted. When the power of the electric blower 15 is relatively large The can greatly change the input (power) of the electric blower 15 without the user taking a large stroke of the variable operation unit 19.

  And according to each embodiment described above, the control means 32 sets the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 set by the control element 31 corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 to the predetermined limit value L. By determining the predetermined phase angle range in which the above harmonics are generated, that is, avoiding the vicinity of 90 °, harmonics included in the input current can be suppressed while using the general-purpose variable resistor 33. For this reason, for example, it is not necessary to use an expensive dedicated variable resistor for the vacuum cleaner 11 having a different power supply voltage or maximum input, so that it is possible to provide an inexpensive vacuum cleaner 11 with excellent versatility, Reduction in power factor and noise due to harmonics can be suppressed.

  In particular, the electric vacuum cleaner 11 uses an electric blower 15 that generally uses a large current of about 10 A, controls the output of the electric blower 15 over a wide area from 0 to the maximum, and is set by a user. Since the input is fixed and used, harmonics are likely to be generated. Therefore, by determining the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 by the control element 31 by the control means 32 as in the above embodiments, harmonics can be effectively suppressed in such a vacuum cleaner 11 as well.

  Further, by visually observing the position of the variable operation unit 19, the user can easily confirm the power of the electric blower 15, and the usability is improved.

  Furthermore, the determination of the phase angle of the input of the electric blower 15 can be easily controlled by configuring the control means 32 with a digital circuit.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the change in the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 is smooth, that is, has a bending point, at least in a region corresponding to a predetermined phase angle range in which harmonics greater than the predetermined limit value L are generated. As long as it is configured not to be linear, it is not necessarily linear. That is, the resistance value of the variable resistor 33 may be changed along, for example, a so-called LOG curve, or a higher harmonic than a predetermined limit value L such as an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the resistance value is generated. A bending point may be formed in a region other than the region corresponding to the predetermined phase angle range.

  Further, the variable resistor 33 can be arranged at an arbitrary position such as the air passage forming body 13 (hand operating unit 23).

  Further, the zero cross detection means 34 may be configured to directly read the voltage value of the commercial AC power source e by the control means 32 and detect the zero cross point in the control means 32, for example, instead of the known zero cross detection circuit. Specifically, the control means 32 divides the commercial AC power source e into half-waves, takes in the voltage, converts the voltage into digital, and generates a trigger signal corresponding to the off time from the point where the voltage becomes 0 volts. You may control by giving to.

  The control means 32 can also be configured by an analog circuit using a comparator or the like, for example.

  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
15 Electric blower
31 Control element
32 Control means
33 Variable resistor
37 Current detection means

Claims (4)

An electric blower,
A control element for setting the phase angle of the input of this electric blower;
A variable resistor that can variably set the resistance value, and variably sets the power of the electric blower by variably setting the resistance value,
Corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor, the phase angle of the input of the electric blower set by the control element is determined while avoiding a predetermined phase angle range in which higher harmonics are generated than a predetermined limit value. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a control means. Comprising current detection means for detecting the current value of the electric blower,
When the current value of the electric blower detected by the current detection means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control means sets the phase angle of the input of the electric blower set by the control element to be equal to or greater than a predetermined limit value. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the electric vacuum cleaner is determined so as to avoid a range of a predetermined phase angle in which a higher harmonic wave is generated. The control means determines the resistance value of the variable resistor depending on whether the phase angle of the input of the electric blower set by the control element is smaller or larger than the range of the predetermined phase angle at which higher harmonics than the predetermined limit value are generated. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the amount of change in the phase angle of the input of the electric blower set by the control element corresponding to the amount of change is varied. The control means is set by a control element corresponding to the amount of change in the resistance value of the variable resistor in a region where the phase angle of the input of the electric blower is smaller than the predetermined phase angle at which a harmonic having a predetermined limit value or more is generated. In the region where the change amount of the phase angle of the input of the electric blower is relatively small and the phase angle of the input of the electric blower is larger than a predetermined phase angle at which a higher harmonic than a predetermined limit value is generated, a variable resistance The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein a change amount of a phase angle of an input of the electric blower set by a control element corresponding to a change amount of a resistance value of the fan is relatively increased.

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