JP2014236780A - Electric vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric vacuum cleaner which can be driven by a battery for a long time.SOLUTION: An electric vacuum cleaner in this invention includes: an electric blower 40 driven by a direct-current power source; a detecting part 20 provided on a dust suction path for detecting the amount of suctioned dust; a control part 30 for switching between a detecting mode and a suction mode that differ in rotational frequency of the electric blower 40 depending on the amount of the dust detected by the detecting part 20; and a battery 50 used as a power source of the electric blower 40. The control part 30 switches from the detecting mode to the suction mode when the detecting part 20 detects a prescribed amount or more of the dust and sets to a rotational frequency that is higher than the rotational frequency of the electric blower in the detecting mode.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner that can be driven by a battery for a long time.

  There has been proposed a dust detection device that detects the amount of dust to be sucked in, the abnormality in the dust bag, etc. by detecting dust on the air passage of the vacuum cleaner by arranging the light emitting device and the light receiving device facing each other. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Many vacuum cleaners using such a dust detection device have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3).

  On the other hand, vacuum cleaners that are driven by built-in batteries have been put on the market, but there are many things that have a relatively short usage time due to the relationship between the capacity of the battery and the power consumption of the electric blower. No vacuum cleaner has been proposed.

JP-A-61-213030 JP-A-62-261088 JP-A-62-261089

  The objective of this invention is providing the vacuum cleaner which can be driven with a battery for a long time.

The vacuum cleaner according to the present invention is
An electric blower driven by a DC power source;
A detection unit provided in the dust suction path for detecting the amount of dust sucked;
A control unit that switches between a detection mode and a suction mode in which the rotational speed of the electric blower differs according to the amount of dust detected by the detection unit;
A battery used as a power source of the electric blower;
Including
The control unit switches from the detection mode to the suction mode when the detection unit detects an amount of dust greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and sets the number of rotations higher than the number of rotations of the electric blower in the detection mode. It is characterized by that.

  According to the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, if the detection unit does not detect the amount of dust greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, the usage time of the vacuum cleaner by the battery is cleaned by using the detection mode with the low rotation speed of the electric blower. Can be lengthened.

It is a perspective view which shows the vacuum cleaner concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the detection part used for the vacuum cleaner concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the vacuum cleaner concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the operation state of the vacuum cleaner concerning one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  An electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electric blower driven by a DC power source, a detection unit that is provided in a dust suction path and detects the amount of dust sucked, and dust detected by the detection unit. A control unit that switches between a detection mode and a suction mode in which the rotational speed of the electric blower differs according to the amount of the battery, and a battery that is used as a power source of the electric blower. When the amount of dust is detected, the detection mode is switched to the suction mode, and the rotation speed is set higher than the rotation speed of the electric blower in the detection mode.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the detection unit 20 used in the electric vacuum cleaner 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the vacuum cleaner 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a graph showing an operating state of the vacuum cleaner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a vacuum cleaner 10 includes a main body 1 including an electric blower 40 that is driven by a DC power source to generate suction air, a head 5 that sucks dust on a surface to be cleaned, and one end of the head vacuum 5. The other end of the extension tube 3 is connected to the operation portion 4, the extension portion 3 is connected to the hose 2, the other end is connected to the operation portion 4, and the other end connection portion 6 is the main body 1. And a hose 2 detachably connected. The suction air generated by the electric blower 40 is transmitted from the main body 1 to the head 5 through a communication path 7 (a part of which is shown in FIG. 2) including the hose 2, the operation unit 4, and the extension pipe 3. It becomes the suction force in the head 5. The head 5 and the communication path 7 form a dust suction path of the electric vacuum cleaner 10.

  The head 5 has a suction opening on the lower surface, and sucks, for example, dust on the floor surface to be cleaned by suction air from the electric blower 40.

  The extension tube 3 has one end detachable from the head 5 and the other end detachable from the operation unit 4. The extension tube 3 has a structure that can be expanded and contracted or a structure that can be connected and separated.

  The hose 2 is a bellows-like tube body in which one end is fixed to the operation section 4 and the connection section 6 at the other end is detachably fixed to the main body 1.

  The operation section 4 is provided with a hollow tubular portion inside, a grip section 26 that is gripped by the user, and an operation switch 28 that allows the user to select various operation modes. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 4 includes a detection unit 20 in which a light emitting unit 22 and a light receiving unit 24 are arranged to face each other across the communication path 7. The light emitting unit 22 can use a light emitting diode or the like, and the light receiving unit 24 can use a phototransistor or the like. The light emitted from the light emitting unit 22 is received by the light receiving unit 24 and an output signal corresponding to the amount of received light is output from the light receiving unit 24. In the detection unit 20, the output signal from the light receiving unit 24 can be amplified as a pulse signal based on the signal change amount by an amplifier (not shown), and rectified by a rectifying / smoothing circuit to obtain a direct current. The output signal in the light receiving unit 24 varies depending on the amount of dust passing through the communication path 7. That is, if the amount of dust is small, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 24 increases, and the output signal increases. If the amount of dust is large, the light is blocked by dust, so the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 24 decreases. The output signal becomes smaller.

  The main body 1 is set with an electric blower 40 that generates suction air, an upstream side of the electric blower 40, a dust collection chamber (not shown) that collects dust sucked by the suction air, and an operation unit 4. A control unit 30 that controls the electric blower 40 based on the operation mode and the output of the detection unit 20 and a battery 50 that is charged by a commercial power source are incorporated. A charging circuit (not shown) for charging the battery 50 with a commercial power source, a power cord, and a cord reel for winding the power cord are incorporated. The power cord can be detachably attached to the main body with an electrical contact. In that case, there is no need to incorporate a cord reel.

  The vacuum cleaner 10 basically charges the battery 50 from a commercial power source when not in use, and drives the electric blower 40 using the battery 50 as a DC power source when in use. The usage mode of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 by the battery 50 is useful because the user can freely move and clean it without being restricted by the position of the commercial power source. However, conventional battery-powered vacuum cleaners are more popular than general power cord type vacuum cleaners because they can be used for a short time despite having to be charged for a relatively long time. Not done. For the popularization of built-in battery-driven vacuum cleaners, it is the key to the spread of the usable time for one charge.

  Therefore, in the vacuum cleaner 10 according to the present embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 10 is switched between the detection mode and the suction mode in which the rotational speed of the electric blower 40 is different according to the amount of dust detected by the detection unit 20 by the control unit 30. Can be used for a long time. More specifically, the control unit 30 switches from the detection mode to the suction mode when the detection unit 20 detects an amount of dust greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and sets the rotational speed to be higher than the rotational speed of the electric blower 40 in the detection mode. Can be set. That is, in a normal use state, by adopting a detection mode in which the rotational speed of the electric blower 40 is low, the battery 50 is less consumed and can be used for a long time.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 30 is electrically connected to the operation unit 4, the detection unit 20, the battery 50, and the electric blower 40. For example, when the detection mode is selected by the operation of the operation unit 4 by the user, the electric power in the detection mode can be supplied from the battery 50 to the electric blower 40 in the control unit 30. The output of the detection unit 20 may always be sent to the control unit 30, or the output may be sent to the control unit 30 only when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The control unit 30 can switch from the detection mode to the suction mode according to the output from the detection unit 20.

  In the detection mode, since the rotational speed of the electric blower 40 is lower than that in the suction mode, the suction force in the head 5 is small. However, for example, in a general household use environment, the purpose is to remove relatively light and small dust (for example, fiber fragments from clothes, human skin and dandruff, fine dust introduced from the outside air, etc.). There are few cases where a large suction force is required. The detection mode can be a suction force that can suck at least dust that cannot be seen to the detection unit 20 in order to determine the presence or absence of dust on the surface to be cleaned. The electric blower 40 can be set. Moreover, since the rotation speed of the electric blower 40 is low, the detection mode can also be called an idling mode, for example.

  In the suction mode, the rotational speed of the electric blower 40 is high, and the suction force in the head 5 is large. The suction force in the suction mode can have a sufficient dust removal capability even when the amount of dust on the surface to be cleaned is large. The suction power in the suction mode can be set to the same level as the high suction power operation mode called the strong mode or the turbo mode of the battery-driven vacuum cleaner, for example, 60 W or more and 200 W or less. More preferably, it is 65W or more and 125W or less.

  The suction power in the detection mode can be, for example, １ ／ or less of the suction power in the suction mode, and more preferably ¼ or less of the suction power in the suction mode. The suction power in the detection mode can be, for example, 10 W or more and 40 W or less, and more preferably 25 W or more and 35 W or less.

  About the vacuum cleaner 10, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is connected to a commercial power source and the battery 50 is charged. The user can perform cleaning using the electric vacuum cleaner 10 in a state where the charging is completed.

  Next, the user operates the operation unit 4 to select an operation mode. The detection mode is normally selected as the operation mode in order to maximize the usable time of the battery 50. The control unit 30 supplies power from the battery 50 to the electric blower 40 and also supplies power to the detection unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, during time 0-time x1, the electric blower 40 generates suction air at the rotational speed A in the detection mode, and dust on the surface to be cleaned is sucked into the head 5 and the extension pipe 3. It flows into the main body 1 through the operation unit 4 and the hose 2, and the dust is collected in the dust collection chamber while the presence or amount of the dust is determined by the detection unit 20 of the operation unit 4, in particular. That is, the rotational speed A of the electric blower 40 in the detection mode is not limited as long as dust can be transferred to the detection unit 20 in order to determine the presence or absence of dust on the surface to be cleaned.

  At time x1, if the amount of dust passing through the detection unit 20 is large, the light received by the light receiving unit 24 is blocked to reduce the output signal of the light receiving unit 24. If the output signal is lower than the preset output signal, the control unit When 30 determines, the control unit 30 automatically switches the operation mode to the suction mode. The rotational speed of the electric blower 40 in the suction mode is, for example, the rotational speed B, which is higher than the rotational speed A in the detection mode.

  When it is determined that the amount of dust passing through the detection unit 20 has decreased at time x2, the control unit 30 switches the operation mode to the detection mode and returns the rotational speed of the electric blower 40 to the rotational speed A.

  Further, FIG. 4 shows that the operation mode of the rotation speed C, which is a higher rotation speed, can be set. For example, when the amount of dust detected at time x3 is remarkably large, the electric blower 40 is set to the rotation speed. C may be set.

  Although it seems that the time of the rotational speed A is not so long as compared with the time of the rotational speeds B and C in FIG. 4, this is for the convenience of explanation. Since the time A is much longer and most of the time is sufficient for the suction power in the detection mode, the operation time of the vacuum cleaner 10 by the battery 50 can be extended.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail as described above, those skilled in the art can easily understand that many modifications can be made without departing from the novel matters and effects of the present invention. . For example, the detection unit 20 is provided in the operation unit 4 in the present embodiment. However, the detection unit 20 is not limited to this, and the detection unit 20 can be disposed at an arbitrary position on the dust suction path. You may arrange | position in the connection part 6. Further, in the present embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 10 has been described using a floor moving type (canister type) vacuum cleaner. However, the vacuum cleaner 10 is not limited to this, and for example, a handy vacuum cleaner that can be carried and used with one hand. It can also be adopted. In a handy type vacuum cleaner, there is a limitation on the weight of the vacuum cleaner, and it is difficult to increase the size of the battery. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous to use the present invention in which the operation time by the battery is extended.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body, 2 hose, 3 extension pipe, 4 operation part, 5 head, 6 connection part, 7 communication path, 10 vacuum cleaner, 20 detection part, 22 light emission part, 24 light reception part, 30 control part, 40 electric blower, 50 Battery, A, B, C Speed

JP-A-61-213030 JP-A-01-104228 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 01-104229

The vacuum cleaner according to the present invention is
An electric blower driven by a DC power source;
A detection unit provided in the dust suction path for detecting the amount of dust sucked;
A control unit that switches between a detection mode and a suction mode in which the rotational speed of the electric blower differs according to the amount of dust detected by the detection unit;
A battery used as a power source of the electric blower;
Including
Wherein the control unit, the detecting unit is switched from the detection mode when detecting the amount of a predetermined amount or more of dust to the suction mode, set to a higher rotational speed than the rotational speed of the electric blower in the search mode ,
The suction power in the detection mode is 1/3 or less of the suction power in the suction mode .

According to the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, if the detection unit does not detect the amount of dust greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, the usage time of the vacuum cleaner by the battery is cleaned by using the detection mode with the low rotation speed of the electric blower. Can be lengthened.
In the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, the suction power in the suction mode may be 60 W or more and 200 W or less, and the suction power in the detection mode may be 10 W or more and 40 W or less.

An electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electric blower driven by a DC power source, a detection unit that is provided in a dust suction path and detects the amount of dust sucked, and dust detected by the detection unit. A control unit that switches between a detection mode and a suction mode in which the rotational speed of the electric blower differs according to the amount of the battery, and a battery that is used as a power source of the electric blower. When the amount of dust is detected, the detection mode is switched to the suction mode, and the rotation speed is set higher than the rotation speed of the electric blower in the detection mode, and the suction power in the detection mode is set to the suction mode. It is characterized by being 1/3 or less of the suction work rate .

Suction work rate in the detection mode, Ru der 1/3 or less of the suction work rate in the intake-inclusive mode. The suction power in the detection mode can be preferably ¼ or less of the suction power in the suction mode. The suction power in the detection mode can be, for example, 10 W or more and 40 W or less, and more preferably 25 W or more and 35 W or less.

Claims (1)

An electric blower driven by a DC power source;
A detection unit provided in the dust suction path for detecting the amount of dust sucked;
A control unit that switches between a detection mode and a suction mode in which the rotational speed of the electric blower differs according to the amount of dust detected by the detection unit;
A battery used as a power source of the electric blower;
Including
The control unit switches from the detection mode to the suction mode when the detection unit detects an amount of dust greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and sets the number of rotations higher than the number of rotations of the electric blower in the detection mode. A vacuum cleaner characterized by that.

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