JP2014033725A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner that can be operated continuously while preventing smoking and ignition of an electric blower based on the friction between a commutator and a brush.SOLUTION: A vacuum cleaner 1 includes: an electric blower 7 having a commutator 47 and a brush 51; a spark detector 58 for detecting a spark generated by the friction between the commutator 47 and the brush 51; and a body control part 9 that calculates a prediction next time value from a difference between a preceding value and a value this time that sample the result of the detection by the spark detector 58, and, if an absolute value of a difference between the prediction next time value and the actual next time value that samples the result of the detection by the spark detector 58 is greater than a specified value Is determined beforehand, gradually reduces the input of the electric blower 7 until the absolute value reaches the specified value Is or less.

Description

  Embodiments according to the present invention relate to a vacuum cleaner.

  Generally, a vacuum cleaner is equipped with the electric blower which produces suction negative pressure. The electric blower includes a centrifugal fan that sucks air and a commutator motor that drives the centrifugal fan. That is, the electric blower includes a commutator and a brush (carbon brush) that mechanically contacts the commutator.

  When the centrifugal fan is rotated, the electric blower generates sparks by friction between the commutator and the brush. If the spark between the commutator and the brush becomes excessive, the electric blower may emit smoke or ignite.

  Therefore, the predicted next value is calculated from the difference between the spark detection unit that detects the spark generated by the friction between the commutator and the brush, the previous value obtained by sampling the detection result of the spark detection unit, and the current value. There is known a vacuum cleaner including a control unit that stops an electric blower when an absolute value of a difference from an actual next value for sampling a detection result of a spark detection unit is larger than a predetermined value.

JP 2010-148766 A

  The conventional vacuum cleaner stops the electric blower when the amount of sparks (actual next value) generated by the friction between the commutator and the brush exceeds the predicted value (predicted next value). This excessive generation of sparks may occur when the dust accumulation amount of the vacuum cleaner is nearly full, the suction air volume decreases, the degree of vacuum increases, and the rotational speed of the electric blower increases.

  By the way, the amount of sparks generated by the friction between the commutator and the brush varies depending on the change in the rotation speed of the electric blower, that is, the change in the rotation speed of the commutator motor. For example, by reducing the rotation speed of the electric blower, that is, the rotation speed of the commutator motor, the contact state between the commutator and the brush becomes familiar, or the temperature of the contact portion between the commutator and the brush decreases, resulting in sparks. The amount generated is improved. If the amount of sparks generated can be reduced by reducing the rotational speed of the electric blower, that is, the rotational speed of the commutator motor, the electric blower can be stopped and the operation of the vacuum cleaner can be continued.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the vacuum cleaner which can continue an operation | movement, preventing the smoke and ignition of an electric blower based on the friction with a commutator and a brush beforehand.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes an electric blower having a commutator and a brush, a spark detection unit that detects sparks generated by friction between the commutator and the brush, and the spark. The predicted next value is calculated from the difference between the previous value and the current value obtained by sampling the detection result of the detection unit, and the absolute value of the difference between the predicted next value and the actual next value for sampling the detection result of the spark detection unit is calculated in advance. A control unit that reduces the input of the electric blower in a stepwise manner until the absolute value becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value when larger than a predetermined value to be determined.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which partially cuts and shows the electric blower of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the 1st Example of the spark detection of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment. The conceptual diagram which shows the sampling method of the 1st Example of the spark detection of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the 2nd Example of the spark detection of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment. The conceptual diagram which shows the sampling method of the 2nd Example of the spark detection of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the 3rd Example of the spark detection of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment. The conceptual diagram which shows the sampling method of the 3rd Example of the spark detection of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment. The chart which shows the difference of the average absolute value sum total by the power supply voltage, frequency, and operation mode with respect to the electric blower of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment. The diagram which shows the correlation of the power supply voltage and average average value sum total in frequency 50Hz and strong operation mode of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment. The diagram which shows the correlation of the power supply voltage and average absolute value sum total in frequency 50Hz and middle driving | operation mode of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment. The diagram which shows the correlation of the power supply voltage and average absolute value sum total in frequency 60Hz and strong operation mode of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment. The table | surface which shows the correlation with the detection voltage and predetermined value in case the power supply voltage of an electric blower is rated 100V in the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the 1st Example of the input reduction of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment. The relationship line figure of the conceptual input which shows the 1st Example of the input reduction of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment, and an air volume. The flowchart which shows the 2nd Example of the input reduction of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the return control after the input reduction of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this embodiment.

  An embodiment of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called canister-type vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 1 includes a vacuum cleaner body 2 that can travel on a surface to be cleaned, and a pipe portion 3 that is detachable from the cleaner body 2.

  The vacuum cleaner main body 2 includes a main body case 5, a pair of wheels 6 disposed on both sides of the main body case 5, an electric blower 7 accommodated in the latter half portion of the main body case 5, and a front half portion of the main body case 5. A detachable dust separating and collecting apparatus 8 disposed, a main body control unit 9 mainly controlling the electric blower 7, and a power cord 11 for guiding electric power to the electric blower 7 are provided.

  The main body case 5 includes a main body connection port 12 at a front end portion. The main body connection port 12 is a joint, and the pipe portion 3 can be attached and detached. It is a fluid inlet of the cleaner body 2, and fluidly connects the pipe portion 3 and the dust separating and collecting device 8.

  The electric blower 7 sucks air and generates negative pressure. This negative pressure acts on the pipe portion 3 through the inside of the cleaner body 2 and the dust separating and collecting device 8.

  The dust separating and collecting device 8 separates, collects and accumulates dust from the air flowing in by the negative pressure generated by the electric blower 7. On the other hand, the dust separating and collecting apparatus 8 sends clean air from which dust has been removed to the electric blower 7. Note that air containing dust is referred to as “dusty air”.

  In addition, the dust separating and collecting apparatus 8 has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. The dust separating and collecting device 8 is leaned against the cleaner main body 2 in a posture in which the bottom portion is shifted to the front side and the top portion is moved rearward with respect to the cleaner main body 2 and slightly tilted backward. The dust separating and collecting device 8 is detachably fixed to the cleaner body 2.

  The main body control unit 9 includes a microprocessor (not shown), a storage device (not shown) that stores various arithmetic programs executed by the microprocessor, parameters, and the like. The storage device stores a plurality of operation modes set in advance. The plurality of operation modes set in advance correspond to user operations accepted by the pipe section 3. Each operation mode is set with different input values (input values of the electric blower 7). In response to a user operation accepted by the pipe unit 3, the main body control unit 9 selectively selects an arbitrary operation mode corresponding to the operation content from a plurality of preset operation modes and reads out from the storage unit The electric blower 7 is controlled according to the read operation mode.

  The power cord 11 supplies power to the cleaner body 2 from a wiring plug connector (not shown, so-called outlet). The power cord 11 has a plug 14 at the free end.

  The pipe portion 3 sucks dust-containing air from the surface to be cleaned by the negative pressure acting from the cleaner body 2 and guides it to the cleaner body 2. The pipe section 3 includes a connection pipe 19 as a joint that is detachable from the main body connection port 12 of the cleaner body 2, a dust collection hose 21 that is fluidly connected to the connection pipe 19, and a fluid connection to the dust collection hose 21. The hand operation tube 22 to be connected, the grip portion 23 protruding from the hand operation tube 22, the operation portion 24 provided on the grip portion 23, the extension tube 25 detachably attached to the hand operation tube 22, and the attachment / detachment to the extension tube 25 And a free suction port body 26.

  The connecting pipe 19 is fluidly connected to the dust separating and collecting device 8 through the main body connection port 12.

  The dust collection hose 21 is a long and flexible substantially cylindrical hose. One end of the dust collecting hose 21 (here, the rear end) is fluidly connected to the connecting pipe 19. The dust collecting hose 21 is fluidly connected to the dust separating and collecting device 8 through the connecting pipe 19.

  The hand control tube 22 connects the dust collecting hose 21 and the extension tube 25. One end (here, the rear end) of the hand operating tube 22 is fluidly connected to the other end (here, the front end) of the dust collecting hose 21. The hand operating tube 22 is fluidly connected to the dust separating and collecting device 8 through the dust collecting hose 21 and the connecting tube 19 sequentially.

  The grip portion 23 is a portion that can be gripped by the user's hand in order to operate the vacuum cleaner 1. The grip portion 23 has an appropriate shape that can be easily gripped by the user's hand and protrudes from the hand operation tube 22.

  The operation unit 24 includes a switch associated with each operation mode. Specifically, the operation unit 24 includes a stop switch 24 a associated with an operation stop operation of the electric blower 7 and an activation switch 24 b associated with an operation start operation of the electric blower 7. The stop switch 24 a and the start switch 24 b are electrically connected to the main body control unit 9. A user of the vacuum cleaner 1 can alternatively select an operation mode of the electric blower 7 by operating the operation unit 24. The start switch 24b also functions as an operation mode selection switch during operation of the electric blower 7. In this case, every time the operation signal is received from the start switch 24b, the main body control unit 9 switches the operation mode in the order of strong → medium → weak → strong →. Note that the operation unit 24 may individually include a weak operation switch (not shown), a medium operation switch (not shown), and a strong operation switch (not shown) instead of the start switch 24b.

  The extension tube 25 is an elongated substantially cylindrical tube that can be expanded and contracted. The extension tube 25 has a telescopic structure in which a plurality of cylindrical bodies are overlapped. One end portion (here, the rear end portion) of the extension tube 25 and the other end portion (here, the front end portion) of the hand operation tube 22 have a detachable joint structure. The extension pipe 25 is fluidly connected to the dust separating and collecting apparatus 8 through the hand operating pipe 22, the dust collecting hose 21 and the connecting pipe 19.

  The suction port body 26 has a structure capable of running or sliding on a surface to be cleaned such as a wooden floor or a carpet, and has a suction port 28 on the bottom surface facing the surface to be cleaned in the running state or the sliding state. The suction port body 26 includes a rotatable rotary cleaning body 29 disposed in the suction port 28 and an electric motor 31 that drives the rotary cleaning body 29. One end portion (here, the rear end portion) of the suction port body 26 and the other end portion (here, the front end portion) of the extension pipe 25 have a detachable joint structure. The suction port body 26 is fluidly connected to the dust separating and collecting device 8 through the extension pipe 25, the hand operating pipe 22, the dust collecting hose 21 and the connecting pipe 19.

  The vacuum cleaner 1 starts the electric blower 7 when the operation with respect to the starting switch 24b is received. For example, when the vacuum cleaner 1 receives an operation on the start switch 24b while the electric blower 7 is stopped, the electric blower first operates the electric blower 7 in the strong operation mode, and receives an operation on the start switch 24b again. 7 is operated in the medium operation mode, and when an operation to the start switch 24b is accepted three times, the electric blower 7 is operated in the weak operation mode, and the same is repeated thereafter. The strong operation mode, the medium operation mode, and the weak operation mode are a plurality of operation modes set in advance, and the input value to the electric blower 7 is small in the order of the strong operation mode, the medium operation mode, and the weak operation mode. The started electric blower 7 exhausts air from the dust separating and collecting device 8 to make the inside thereof a negative pressure (suction negative pressure).

  The negative pressure of the dust separation and dust collection device 8 is applied to the suction port 28 of the suction port body 26 through the dust separation and dust collection device 8, the main body connection port 12, the connection tube 19, the dust collection hose 21, the hand operation tube 22 and the extension tube 25. Works. The vacuum cleaner 1 cleans the surface to be cleaned by sucking dust on the surface to be cleaned together with air with a negative pressure acting on the suction port 28. The dust separating and collecting apparatus 8 separates and accumulates dust from the dust-containing air sucked into the vacuum cleaner 1. On the other hand, the dust separating and collecting device 8 sends the air separated from the dust-containing air to the electric blower 7. The electric blower 7 exhausts the air sucked from the dust separating and collecting device 8 to the outside of the cleaner body 2.

  FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway view of the electric blower of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electric blower 7 of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment includes a centrifugal fan unit 36 having an intake port 35 and a motor unit 38 having an exhaust port 37.

  The motor unit 38 is a commutator motor. The motor unit 38 includes a motor housing 39 having an exhaust port 37, a stator 41 provided on an inner peripheral surface 39 a of the motor housing 39, a rotor 42 rotatably supported in the motor housing 39, and a motor housing 39. And a pair of brush mechanisms 43 that are electrically connected to the rotor 42.

  The rotor 42 is disposed inside the stator 41. The rotor 42 includes a rotor shaft 45 serving as a rotation center line, a field winding 46 wound around the rotor shaft 45, a commutator 47 provided on the rotor shaft 45 and electrically connected to the field winding 46, Is provided.

  The brush mechanism 43 includes a brush holder 49 that is fixed through the brush holder fixing portion 48, a brush 51 that is slidably received in the brush holder 49, and a coil spring 52 that presses the brush 51 against the commutator 47. Prepare.

  The brush 51 is a carbon brush.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main body control circuit 55 that is electrically connected to a commercial AC power source E through an insertion plug 14.

  The main body control circuit 55 controls the operation of the electric blower 7. The main body control circuit 55 is connected to the commercial AC power supply E, the electric blower 7 connected in series to the commercial AC power supply E, the switching element 56 that opens and closes the electric path connecting the commercial AC power supply E and the electric blower 7, and the commercial AC power supply E. A main body power supply unit 57 that supplies operating power to the main body control unit 9, a spark detection unit 58 that detects sparks generated by friction between the commutator 47 and the brush 51, and a main body control unit 9 that controls the operation of the electric blower 7. .

  The switching element 56 includes a gate connected to the main body control unit 9. The switching element 56 changes the input of the electric blower 7 according to the change of the gate current. The switching element 56 is an element such as a bidirectional thyristor or a reverse blocking three-terminal thyristor.

  The main body power supply unit 57 is a power supply circuit that generates control power for the main body control unit 9.

  The spark detection unit 58 detects sparks generated by friction between the commutator 47 and the brush 51. The spark detection unit 58 is a current transformer, for example, and detects a current flowing through the electric blower 7. The spark detection unit 58 may be an optical sensor that detects spark light generated by friction between the commutator 47 and the brush 51. The spark detection unit 58 converts the detected current value into a voltage value and outputs the voltage value to the main body control unit 9. As a power source of the spark detection unit 58, for example, a commercial power rating of 100V is used. Note that when a spark is generated by friction between the commutator 47 and the brush 51, the current value detected by the spark detection unit 58 tends to decrease.

  The main body control unit 9 includes a microcomputer, and includes a central processing unit (not shown), a storage unit 59, an I / O unit (not shown), and a timer (not shown). The storage unit 59 stores in advance data such as a control program executed by the central processing unit and constants necessary for execution of the control program. This data includes a constant indicating an input value corresponding to each operation mode set in advance. The storage unit 59 is a data storage area and a work area for temporarily storing calculation data of the central processing unit.

  Further, the main body control unit 9 periodically reads the operation signal output from the operation unit 24 and the zero cross timing of the commercial AC power source E detected by a zero cross detector (not shown), and according to the selected operation mode. Switching control (phase control) of the switching element 56 is performed to control the input of the electric blower 7.

  Furthermore, the main body control part 9 controls the input of the electric blower 7 according to three operation modes consisting of weak, medium and strong, for example. The main body control unit 9 performs switching control of the switching element 56 by sequentially switching the operation mode every time an operation signal is received from the start switch 24b.

  Furthermore, the main body control unit 9 controls the electric blower 7 based on the spark detection result input from the spark detection unit 58. The main body control unit 9 calculates a predicted value Ine (predicted next value) from the difference between the previous actual measurement value Ia (previous value) obtained by sampling the detection result of the spark detection unit 58 and the current actual measurement value Ib (current value). When the absolute value of the difference between the predicted value Ine and the actual measurement value In (actual next value) for sampling the detection result of the spark detection unit 58 is larger than a predetermined value Is, the motor is operated until the absolute value becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined value Is. The input of the blower 7 is reduced step by step.

  Here, first, spark detection by the main body control unit 9 will be described.

(First example of spark detection)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first example of spark detection of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the sampling method of the first example of the spark detection of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the main body control unit 9 according to the present embodiment starts the operation of the electric blower 7 and starts the spark detection when the start switch 24b of the operation unit 24 is operated.

  The main body control unit 9 continuously samples the detection result of the spark detection unit 58 (that is, the output voltage of the spark detection unit 58) at equal time intervals (S1). In this sampling, for example, sampling is performed at 100 points per 50 Hz half cycle (per 10 msec) (that is, sampling every 0.1 msec). When phase control is performed, sampling is performed only while a current is flowing.

  Next, the main body control unit 9 stores the (n-2) th sampling result in the storage unit 59 as the previous actual measurement value Ia (previous value) (S2).

  Further, the main body control unit 9 stores the (n-1) th sampling result in the storage unit 59 as the current measured value Ib (current value) (S3).

  Next, the main body control unit 9 calculates the predicted value Ine (S4). The predicted value Ine is predicted from the previous measured value Ia and the current measured value Ib. Specifically, the predicted value Ine is obtained by adding the current actual measurement value Ib to the difference between the previous actual measurement value Ia and the current actual measurement value Ib, and is Ine = (Ib−Ia) + Ib.

  Next, the main body control unit 9 determines whether or not the absolute value | In−Ine | of the difference between the predicted value Ine and the actually measured value In is greater than a predetermined value Is, that is, | In−Ine |> Is. (S5). The nth sampling result is used as the actual measurement value In. The predetermined value Is determined in advance is obtained by an experiment in advance, and is a value when the brush 51 is in a normal state. When the absolute value | In−Ine | of the difference between the predicted value Ine and the actual measurement value In is larger than the predetermined value Is, the main body control unit 9 determines that the spark is excessively generated. In other cases, the main body control unit 9 returns to S1, repeats the spark detection control, and continues.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the spark detection, the main body control unit 9 determines that the difference between the predicted value Ine and the actually measured value In is greater than the predetermined value Is when the absolute value | In−Ine | An excessive generation of sparks due to friction between the commutator 47 and the brush 51 of the blower 7 is estimated. On the other hand, when the absolute value | In−Ine | of the difference between the predicted value Ine and the actual measurement value In is not larger than the predetermined value Is, the main body control unit 9 is caused by friction between the commutator 47 of the electric blower 7 and the brush 51. The operation of the electric blower 7 is continued assuming that there is no excessive generation of sparks.

(Second example of spark detection)
The main body control unit 9 can execute the spark detection of the second embodiment instead of the spark detection of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second example of the spark detection of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a sampling method of a second example of spark detection of the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the main body control unit 9 according to the present embodiment repeats S1 to S4 of the first example a plurality of times (specifically, n-2 times) at the same frequency (S11, S1 to S4, S12, S13). The integer n is a predetermined integer.

  The main body control unit 9 continuously samples the detection result of the spark detection unit 58 a plurality of times (specifically, n−2 times) at equal time intervals, and the absolute value of the difference between the actual measurement value In and the predicted value Ine | It is determined whether or not the sum of absolute values Σ | In-Ine | of n−2 times of In−Ine | is larger than a predetermined value Is, that is, Σ | In−Ine |> Is (S14).

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the spark detection, the main body control unit 9 determines the absolute value sum Σ | In of the absolute value | In−Ine | of the difference between the predicted value Ine and the measured value In for n−2 times. When -Ine is larger than a predetermined value Is, it is estimated that excessive sparks are generated due to friction between the commutator 47 and the brush 51 of the electric blower 7. On the other hand, the main body controller 9 determines that the absolute value sum Σ | In−Ine for n−2 times of the absolute value | In−Ine | of the difference between the predicted value Ine and the measured value In is not greater than the predetermined value Is. The operation of the electric blower 7 is continued assuming that there is no excessive generation of sparks due to friction between the commutator 47 of the electric blower 7 and the brush 51.

(Third embodiment of spark detection)
Further, the main body control unit 9 can execute the spark detection of the third embodiment instead of the spark detection of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a third example of the spark detection of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a sampling method of a third example of spark detection of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the main body control unit 9 according to the present embodiment performs S11, S1 to S4, S12 of the second example a plurality of times (specifically, N times) every predetermined period C. ) Repeat (S21, S22, S11, S1 to S4, S12, S13, S14, S24, S25). The predetermined cycle C is a power cycle of the electric blower 7 or an integer multiple thereof. The integer N is a predetermined integer. In each cycle C, the main body control unit 9 continuously repeats sampling of the detection result of the spark detection unit 58 at equal time intervals a plurality of times (specifically, n−2 times), and calculates the actual measurement value In and the predicted value Ine. The absolute value sum Σ | In−Ine | of n−2 times of the absolute value | In−Ine | of the difference is obtained and temporarily stored in the storage unit 59 (S13). The absolute value sum of each cycle C Σ | In-Ine | a Σ _1, Σ _2, ..., referred to as sigma _N.

Then, the main control unit 9, the sum of absolute sigma ₁ of each cycle _{C, Σ 2, ..., Σ} N sum sigma a _{(Σ 1 + Σ 2 + ...} + Σ N) of averaged integer N (i.e., the actual measurement value In The absolute value of the difference between the absolute value | In−Ine | and the sum of the absolute values of n−2 times Σ | In−Ine |), and whether it is larger than the predetermined value Is, that is, Σ ( Σ ₁ + Σ ₂ +... + Σ _N ) / N> Is is determined (S26). For example, if the cycle C = 1/50 Hz and the integer N = 50, the average absolute value sum Σ (Σ ₁ + Σ ₂ +... + Σ _N ) / N for _{1 second} is obtained.

As described above, in the third embodiment of the spark detection, the main body control unit 9 calculates the absolute value sum of n−2 times of the absolute value | In−Ine | of the difference between the measured value In and the predicted value Ine for each period C. Σ | In−In | is obtained, and when the average absolute value sum Σ (Σ ₁ + Σ ₂ +... + Σ _N ) / N is larger than a predetermined value Is, the commutator 47 of the electric blower 7 and the brush 51 Presume the excessive generation of sparks due to friction. On the other hand, when the average absolute value sum Σ (Σ ₁ + Σ ₂ +... + Σ _N ) / N is not greater than the predetermined value Is, the main body control unit 9 causes friction between the commutator 47 of the electric blower 7 and the brush 51. The operation of the electric blower 7 is continued assuming that there is no excessive generation of sparks.

In the third embodiment of the spark detection, by obtaining the average absolute value sum Σ (Σ ₁ + Σ ₂ +... + Σ _N ) / N, the sensitivity and responsiveness to the occurrence of a sudden spark are suppressed, and the electric blower 7 The estimation of excessive generation of sparks due to the friction between the commutator 47 and the brush 51 is stabilized.

(Fourth embodiment of spark detection)
In the fourth embodiment of the spark detection, the predetermined value Is is changed according to the change (measurement with respect to the rating) of the power supply voltage supplied to the electric blower 7 as compared with the first to third embodiments of the spark detection.

  FIG. 10 is a chart showing the difference in the average absolute value sum by the power supply voltage, frequency, and operation mode for the electric blower of the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

  10A shows the case of the strong operation mode, and FIG. 10B shows the case of the medium operation mode.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the correlation between the power supply voltage and the average absolute value sum in the frequency 50 Hz, strong operation mode of the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the correlation between the power supply voltage and the average absolute value sum in the frequency 50 Hz and the middle operation mode of the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the correlation between the power supply voltage and the average absolute value sum in the frequency 60 Hz, strong operation mode of the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, when the power supply voltage (actual measurement) increases for both the frequency 50 Hz and the frequency 60 Hz, the average absolute value sum Σ (Σ ₁ + Σ ₂ +... + Σ _N ) / N also increases to 50 Hz. It can be seen that at 60 Hz, the average absolute value sum Σ (Σ ₁ + Σ ₂ +... + Σ _N ) / N is larger at a frequency of 60 Hz than at a frequency of 50 Hz in any power supply voltage (actual measurement).

On the other hand, the average absolute value sum Σ (Σ ₁ + Σ ₂ +... + Σ _N ) / N in the strong operation mode and the medium operation mode is inverted depending on the power supply voltage (actual measurement) at a frequency of 50 Hz.

  Therefore, it is necessary to change the predetermined value Is in accordance with a change in power supply voltage and a change in frequency.

  For example, first, a plurality of predetermined values Is are stored in the storage unit 59 for each power supply voltage (measured) supplied to the electric blower 7 and for each operation mode. Then, the power supply voltage supplied to the electric blower 7 is detected, the detected voltage (measured value of the power supply voltage) is read by the main body control unit 9, and the optimum predetermined value Is is selected in combination with the selected operation mode. As a specific example, when the power supply voltage is rated at 100 V, the relationship between the detection voltage and the predetermined value Is is set as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a chart showing a correlation between a detected voltage and a predetermined value when the power supply voltage of the electric blower is 100 V in the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the predetermined value Is when the detection voltage <80V is A value, the predetermined value Is when 80V ≦ detection voltage <90V is B value, and the predetermined value Is when 90V ≦ detection voltage <100V is The predetermined value Is when the C value is 100 V ≦ the detection voltage is the D value. Thus, the predetermined value Is is rewritten in units of 10V.

  In the fourth embodiment of the spark detection, in addition to the spark detection according to the first to third embodiments of the spark detection, the predetermined value Is is changed according to the power supply voltage (actual measurement), whereby the commutator 47 and the brush 51 are changed. Sparks generated by friction with the can be accurately detected without false detection.

  Now, stepwise input reduction control of the electric blower 7 by the main body control unit 9 will be described.

(First embodiment of input reduction)
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a first example of input reduction of the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when the main body control unit 9 according to the present embodiment estimates an excessive generation of sparks due to friction between the commutator 47 of the electric blower 7 and the brush 51 in the spark detection (S31), the electric blower 7 is reduced by a predetermined input reduction amount Pd (S32).

  The main body control unit 9 once reduces the input of the electric blower 7 by a predetermined input reduction amount Pd, then repeats the spark detection (S31), and sparks due to friction between the commutator 47 and the brush 51 of the electric blower 7 The input of the electric blower 7 is repeatedly reduced by a predetermined input reduction amount Pd until it can be estimated that there is no excessive occurrence (S32).

  In the spark detection (S31), the fourth embodiment is combined with any one of the first to third embodiments of the spark detection or the spark detection of the first to third embodiments of the spark detection. Applied control.

  In this way, the main body control unit 9 reduces the input of the electric blower 7 step by step until it can be estimated that there is no excessive generation of sparks due to friction between the commutator 47 and the brush 51 of the electric blower 7.

Here, “estimation that there is no excessive generation of sparks due to friction between the commutator 47 of the electric blower 7 and the brush 51” means any one of the first to third examples of spark detection, or sparks. In the control combining the first embodiment of the detection to the fourth embodiment of the spark detection with the fourth embodiment of the spark detection, the absolute value | In-In | in the first embodiment of the spark detection, the second embodiment of the spark detection. The absolute value sum Σ | In−In | in the example, and the average absolute value sum Σ (Σ ₁ + Σ ₂ +... + Σ _N ) / N in the third embodiment of the spark detection are not larger than a predetermined value Is. is there. Also, the absolute value | In−Ine | in the first embodiment of spark detection, the absolute value sum Σ | In−Ine | in the second embodiment of spark detection, and the average absolute value sum Σ in the third embodiment of spark detection. (Σ ₁ + Σ ₂ +... + Σ _N ) / N is simply referred to as “the absolute value of the difference between the actual measurement value In and the predicted value Ine”.

  Further, the predetermined input reduction amount Pd may be determined by a reduction ratio (for example, −10% or the like) with respect to the input at that time to the electric blower 7, or a reduced absolute amount (for example, with respect to the input at that time to the electric blower 7) -150W or the like).

  Further, the absolute value of the difference between the actual measurement value In and the predicted value Ine and the input reduction amount Pd of the electric blower 7 may be in a proportional relationship. In this case, the input reduction amount Pd is increased as the absolute value of the difference between the actual measurement value In and the predicted value Ine increases, and the input reduction amount Pd is decreased as the absolute value of the difference between the actual measurement value In and the predicted value Ine decreases. Preferably there is.

  FIG. 16 is a relationship diagram between a conceptual input and an air volume showing a first example of input reduction of the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment starts operation in a state where dust is not yet accumulated, the electric blower is set to an initial value (point a in FIG. 16). 7 is controlled. When the vacuum cleaner 1 is used for cleaning and dust accumulates in the dust separating and collecting device 8, the suction air volume gradually decreases (line b in FIG. 16). The vacuum cleaner 1 gradually increases the input of the electric blower 7 in order to maintain the suction air volume (about 1.3 m ³ / min as an example) (sawtooth shaped section c in FIG. 16). However, even if the input of the electric blower 7 is increased to near the rated upper limit (1000 W as an example), if the amount of dust accumulated in the dust separating and collecting device 8 further increases, the electric blower 7 becomes idle and the rotational speed increases. Then, a spark starts to occur (line d in FIG. 16). Therefore, when the spark of the electric blower 7 becomes excessive, the vacuum cleaner 1 performs input reduction control to greatly reduce the input of the electric blower 7 (as an example, about −150 W) to change the rotation state of the electric blower 7. As a result, excessive generation of sparks is suppressed (segment e in FIG. 16, arrow A1). In addition, if the excessive generation of sparks of the electric blower 7 cannot be suppressed even after performing the first input reduction control, the rotational state of the electric blower 7 is changed step by step, thereby suppressing the excessive generation of sparks. (Line segment f in FIG. 16, arrow A2).

  Thus, the vacuum cleaner 1 which concerns on this embodiment suppresses the excessive generation | occurrence | production of the spark by friction with the commutator 47 of the electric blower 7 and the brush 51 by reducing the input of the electric blower 7 in steps. Then, while maintaining safety, the operation of the electric blower 7 is avoided and the operation is continued. That is, since the user can continue the cleaning by avoiding the stop of the electric blower 7 even when the dust accumulation amount of the vacuum cleaner 1 is almost full, the convenience is enhanced.

  By the way, sparks caused by friction between the commutator 47 and the brush 51 may suddenly occur excessively. Therefore, in the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment, the amount of spark generation is further excessively generated by making the input reduction amount Pd of the electric blower 7 proportional to the absolute value of the difference between the actual measurement value In and the predicted value Ine. Thus, a situation in which the brush 51 is significantly worn can be avoided, and the occurrence of sparks and, in turn, the wear of the brush 51 can be suppressed.

(Second embodiment of input reduction)
Further, the main body control unit 9 can execute the input reduction of the second embodiment instead of the input reduction of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a second example of input reduction of the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the main body control unit 9 has an input value of the electric blower 7 lower than a predetermined input lower limit judgment value Plow and samples the predicted value Ine and the detection result of the spark detection unit 58. When the absolute value of the difference from the next value) is larger than the predetermined value Is, the electric blower 7 is stopped.

  Specifically, the main body control unit 9 compares the actual input value Pm of the input of the electric blower 7 with a predetermined input lower limit judgment value Plow after S31 and S32 of the first embodiment, and inputs the input of the electric blower 7 ( Of the actual measurement value Pm) is lower than a predetermined input lower limit judgment value Plow, that is, the actual measurement value Pm <the input lower limit judgment value Plow is judged (S41). When the input (actually measured value Pm) of the electric blower 7 is lower than the predetermined input lower limit judgment value Plow, the main body control unit 9 cuts off the power supply to the electric blower 7 and stops the electric blower 7 (S42). In other cases, the main body control unit 9 returns to S31.

  The vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment suppresses excessive generation of sparks due to friction between the commutator 47 and the brush 51 of the electric blower 7 by reducing the input of the electric blower 7 in a stepwise manner. While maintaining the above, the operation of the electric blower 7 is avoided and stopped. On the other hand, when the electric blower 1 cannot lower the generation of sparks even if the electric blower 7 is lowered to the input lower limit judgment value Plow, the vacuum cleaner 1 can give priority to safety and reliably prevent the electric blower 7 from smoking and firing. .

(Return control after input reduction)
The main body control unit 9 performs the input restriction control of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, stops the electric blower 7, and then restores the input that was reduced before the stop in the re-operation control of the electric blower 7. Let Therefore, the main body control unit 9 obtains the final value Pe of the input before power supply interruption in the input restriction control of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, that is, the final value Pe of the input value before the stop control of the electric blower 7. The data is stored in the storage unit 59.

  And the main body control part 9 cancels | releases the input reduction of the electric blower 7, and makes the electric blower 7 re-operate. In this case, the released input of the electric blower 7 refers to the initial value of the input in each operation mode.

  Further, the main body control unit 9 may read the final value Pe from the storage unit 59 when the electric blower 7 is restarted, calculate the input value Pn that is higher by a predetermined amount than the final value Pe, and restart the electric blower 7. . The input value Pn that is higher by a predetermined amount is a value obtained by multiplying the final value Pe by a coefficient k greater than 1, that is, input value Pn = coefficient k × final value Pe.

  Furthermore, the main body control unit 9 may change the input of the electric blower 7 in accordance with the elapsed time until the electric blower 7 is restarted.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the return control after the input reduction of the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the main body control unit 9 of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment reads the final value Pe from the storage unit 59 when the re-operation of the electric blower 7 is started within a predetermined time Ts set in advance. , The input value Pn that is higher than the final value Pe by a predetermined amount is calculated, and the electric blower 7 is restarted. On the other hand, if the electric blower 7 is restarted outside the predetermined time Ts, the electric blower 7 is started. The input reduction is canceled and the electric blower 7 is restarted.

  Specifically, the main body control unit 9 stores the final input value Pe in the storage unit 59 when the pre-operation is finished (S51), cuts off the power supply to the electric blower 7 and measures the elapsed time t. Start (S52).

  Next, the main body control unit 9 continuously monitors whether or not the start switch 24b has been operated (S53), and upon receiving an operation signal from the start switch 24b, ends the elapsed time t (S54).

  Next, if the elapsed time t is within a predetermined time Ts (S55), the main body control unit 9 reads the final value Pe and inputs an input value Pn that is higher than the final value Pe by a predetermined amount (for example, a coefficient k2 greater than 1). Is calculated (S56), and the electric blower 7 is restarted with the input value Pn (S57). On the other hand, if the elapsed time t is outside the predetermined time Ts determined in advance (S55), the main body controller 9 cancels the input reduction and restarts the electric blower 7 (S58).

  Thus, the vacuum cleaner 1 which concerns on this embodiment reduces the input of the electric blower 7 in steps in order to suppress the excessive generation | occurrence | production of the spark by the friction with the commutator 47 of the electric blower 7 and the brush 51. FIG. After that, the input restriction is released and the electric blower 7 is restarted. Thereby, the vacuum cleaner 1 can change the contact state of the commutator 47 and the brush 51, and can restart operation | movement by the initial state in each operation mode, suppressing generation | occurrence | production of a spark, and can recover | suck suction performance.

  Moreover, after the vacuum cleaner 1 which concerns on this embodiment reduces the input of the electric blower 7 in steps in order to suppress the excessive generation | occurrence | production of the spark by the friction with the commutator 47 of the electric blower 7 and the brush 51. FIG. Then, the electric blower 7 is restarted with an input value Pn larger than the final input value Pe during the previous operation. Thereby, the vacuum cleaner 1 can restore the suction performance in each operation mode, changing the contact state of the commutator 47 and the brush 51, suppressing generation | occurrence | production of a spark.

  Furthermore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment restarts the electric blower 7 with an input value Pn larger than the final input value Pe at the time of the previous operation or an input whose input restriction has been released after a predetermined time Ts. Let it run. Thereby, the vacuum cleaner 1 can recover | restore the suction performance in each operation mode, suppressing generation | occurrence | production of a spark in consideration of a temperature change in addition to the contact state of the commutator 47 and the brush 51.

  Therefore, according to the vacuum cleaner 1 which concerns on this invention, a driving | running can be continued, preventing the smoke and ignition of the electric blower 7 based on the friction with the commutator 47 and the brush 51 beforehand.

  The vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to a canister type, but may be an upright type, a stick type, or a handy type.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the 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.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric vacuum cleaner 2 Vacuum cleaner main body 3 Pipe part 5 Main body case 6 Wheel 7 Electric blower 8 Dust separation dust collector 9 Main body control part 11 Power supply cord 12 Main body connection port 14 Plug plug 19 Connection pipe 21 Dust collection hose 22 Hand operation Pipe 23 Grip part 24 Operation part 24a Stop switch 24b Start switch 25 Extension pipe 26 Suction port body 28 Suction port 29 Rotary cleaning body 31 Motor 35 Suction port 36 Centrifugal fan unit 37 Exhaust port 38 Motor unit 39 Motor housing 39a Inner peripheral surface 41 Stator 42 Rotor 43 Brush mechanism 45 Rotor shaft 46 Field winding 47 Commutator 48 Brush holder fixing part 49 Brush holder 51 Brush 52 Coil spring 55 Main body control circuit 56 Switching element 57 Main body power supply part 58 Spark detection part 59 Storage part

Claims (6)

An electric blower having a commutator and a brush;
A spark detection unit for detecting a spark generated by friction between the commutator and the brush;
Calculate the predicted next value from the difference between the previous value and the current value obtained by sampling the detection result of the spark detection unit, and the absolute value of the difference between the predicted next value and the actual next value for sampling the detection result of the spark detection unit A controller that reduces the input of the electric blower in a stepwise manner until the absolute value becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value. 2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops the electric blower when an input of the electric blower is lower than a predetermined input lower limit determination value and the absolute value is larger than the predetermined value. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absolute value and the input reduction amount of the electric blower are in a proportional relationship. A storage unit for storing a final value of the input value before the stop control of the electric blower;
The said control part reads the said final value from the said memory | storage part at the time of the re-operation of the said electric blower, calculates the input value higher by a predetermined amount than the said final value, and re-operates the said electric blower. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1. The control unit reads the final value from the storage unit when the re-operation of the electric blower is started within a predetermined time, and calculates an input value that is higher by a predetermined amount than the final value, 5. The electric device according to claim 4, wherein the electric fan is restarted, and when the electric fan is restarted outside a predetermined time period, the electric fan is re-operated by canceling the input reduction of the electric fan. Vacuum cleaner. The said control part is a vacuum cleaner of any one of Claim 1 to 3 which cancels | releases the input reduction of the said electric blower and makes the said electric blower restart.

Images