JP2021003348A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vacuum cleaner capable of improving the convenience of a user.SOLUTION: A vacuum cleaner includes: an electric blower having a fan disposed so as to suck air from a suction port into the vacuum cleaner and a motor for rotating the fan; a dust collecting part disposed so as to collect dust in air sucked from the suction port; an air flow channel disposed so as to make air sucked from the suction port flow into the dust collecting part; a detection part disposed so as to detect clogging of the suction port or the air flow channel; and a control part disposed so as to control the vacuum cleaner. The control part is disposed so as to increase suction force when the detection part detects clogging of the suction port or the air flow channel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner usually has an operation mode such as a weak operation mode, a medium operation mode, a strong operation mode, and an automatic operation mode, and the operation mode is switched by the user pressing a switch.
In addition, the types of suction port units for vacuum cleaners include floor / carpet suction port units, gap nozzles, brush nozzles, and futon suction port units. By replacing and cleaning these suction port units, it is possible to clean various places and various objects to be cleaned.
Further, there is known an electric vacuum cleaner that is controlled to reduce the suction force of the electric vacuum cleaner when it detects that the futon is stuck to the suction port when cleaning the futon with an electric vacuum cleaner (for example, patent documents). 1).

JP-A-2007-319448

If a relatively large dust or a large amount of dust is sucked in by the vacuum cleaner, the suction port or the air flow path of the vacuum cleaner may be blocked by the dust. Further, when cleaning is performed using a suction port such as a gap nozzle or a suction port unit having a small flow path cross section, the suction port or the air flow path is easily blocked by dust. When the suction port or air flow path is blocked with dust, the user needs to press a switch to switch the operation mode to increase the suction power of the vacuum cleaner.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a vacuum cleaner capable of improving user convenience.

The present invention includes a fan provided so as to suck air into the vacuum cleaner from the suction port, an electric blower having a motor for rotating the fan, and dust in the air sucked from the suction port. It is provided so as to detect blockage of the dust collecting portion, the air flow path provided so that the air sucked from the suction port flows to the dust collecting portion, and the suction port or the air flow path. The control unit is provided with a detection unit and a control unit provided to control the vacuum cleaner, and the control unit increases the suction force when the detection unit detects a blockage of the suction port or the air flow path. Provided is an electric vacuum cleaner characterized in that it is provided as described above.

The vacuum cleaner of the present invention can improve the convenience of the user.

It is a schematic perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric structure of the vacuum cleaner of one Embodiment of this invention. (A) to (e) are schematic perspective views of the suction port unit, respectively. It is a flowchart of the control method of the vacuum cleaner of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the control method of the vacuum cleaner of one Embodiment of this invention.

The vacuum cleaner of the present invention captures dust in the air sucked from the suction port and an electric blower having a fan provided so as to suck air into the vacuum cleaner from the suction port and a motor for rotating the fan. Detects a dust collecting portion provided for collecting, an air flow path provided so that air sucked from the suction port flows to the dust collecting section, and a blockage of the suction port or the air flow path. The control unit includes a detection unit provided as described above and a control unit provided to control the vacuum cleaner, and the control unit sucks when the detection unit detects a blockage of the suction port or the air flow path. It is characterized by being provided so as to increase the force.
Further, it is preferable that the control unit is provided so that the suction force is temporarily increased when the detection unit detects that the suction port or the air flow path is blocked.

The vacuum cleaner of the present invention captures dust in the air sucked from the suction port and an electric blower having a fan provided so as to suck air into the vacuum cleaner from the suction port and a motor for rotating the fan. A dust collecting unit provided to collect dust, an air flow path provided to allow air sucked from the suction port to flow to the dust collecting unit, and a power supply provided to supply power to the motor. A unit, a detection unit provided to detect blockage of the suction port or the air flow path, and a control unit provided to control the vacuum cleaner are provided, and the control unit includes the detection unit. The unit is provided so as to increase the power supplied from the power supply unit to the motor when the suction port or the air flow path is blocked.

It is preferable that the control unit is provided so that the power supplied from the power supply unit to the motor is temporarily increased when the detection unit detects that the suction port or the air flow path is blocked. As a result, the suction force can be automatically increased, and dust clogged in the suction port or the air flow path can be sucked to the dust collecting portion. Further, since the suction force is automatically returned to the original suction force after the suction port or the air flow path is cleared, the suction force can be increased only when necessary.
The vacuum cleaner preferably includes a suction port unit having a suction port and a rotating brush, and the suction port unit is preferably provided detachably on the vacuum cleaner. The control unit is provided so as to increase the power supplied from the power supply unit to the motor of the electric blower when the detection unit detects that the suction port or the air flow path is blocked when the suction port unit is removed from the vacuum cleaner. It is preferable that

The detection unit preferably includes a detection circuit provided to detect a current or electric power supplied from the power supply unit to the motor of the electric blower. Detects blockage of the suction port or air flow path and its elimination based on the change in the current value or power value detected by the detection circuit or the change in the motor rotation speed of the electric blower calculated from the current value or the power value. be able to.
The detection unit preferably includes a rotation speed sensor provided to detect the rotation speed of the motor of the electric blower. Based on the change in the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed sensor, it is possible to detect the blockage of the suction port or the air flow path and its elimination.

The detection unit preferably includes an air volume sensor (wind speed sensor), and the air volume sensor is preferably provided so as to detect the air volume of the air sucked by the electric blower. Based on the change in the air volume detected by the air volume sensor, it is possible to detect the blockage of the suction port or the air flow path and its elimination.
The detection unit preferably includes a dust detection sensor provided in the air flow path, and the dust detection sensor is preferably provided so as to detect dust passing through the air flow path. Based on the change in the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor, it is possible to detect the blockage of the suction port or the air flow path and its elimination.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to a plurality of embodiments. The configurations shown in the drawings and the following description are examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to those shown in the drawings and the following description.

1st Embodiment FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views of the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment, respectively. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the vacuum cleaner of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 4A to 4E are schematic perspective views of a suction port unit, respectively.
The vacuum cleaner 50 of the present embodiment has an electric blower 4 having a fan 2 provided so as to suck air from a suction port 5 into the vacuum cleaner 50 and a first motor 3 for rotating the fan 2, and a suction port. A dust collecting unit 11 provided to collect dust in the air sucked from 5 and an air flow path 6 provided to allow air sucked from the suction port 5 to flow to the dust collecting part 11 and suction. The detection unit 7 is provided to detect the blockage of the port 5 or the air flow path 6, and the control unit 8 is provided to control the vacuum cleaner 50. It is characterized in that it is provided so as to increase the suction force when it detects that the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is blocked.
Further, the vacuum cleaner 50 can have a power supply unit 12 provided so as to supply electric power to the first motor 3.

The vacuum cleaner 50 of the present embodiment may be a stick type, a canister type, or a self-propelled vacuum cleaner.
Further, the dust collection method may be a paper pack type, a cyclone type, or a filter type. Further, the vacuum cleaner 50 of the present embodiment may be a cordless vacuum cleaner using a battery as a drive power source, or may be a vacuum cleaner with a cord connected to an outlet by an electric cord.

The electric blower 4 is a member that takes in and exhausts air, and includes a fan 2 and a first motor 3 that rotates the fan 2. Further, the electric blower 4 can be arranged on the downstream side of the wind flow of the dust collecting unit 11. The electric blower 4 may be provided with a control board provided with a drive circuit for the electric blower or the like. The first motor 3 may be a motor having a carbon brush or a brushless motor.

In the vacuum cleaner 50, the fan 2 of the electric blower 4 rotates, so that the outside air can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner 50 together with the dust from the suction port 5 to clean the floor surface and the like. The air sucked into the vacuum cleaner 50 from the suction port 5 flows through the air flow path 6 and flows into the dust collecting unit 11, and the dust sucked together with the air is collected inside the dust collecting unit 11 and is dust in the air. Is removed. The air after passing through the dust collecting unit 11 is discharged from the exhaust port.
The air flow path 6 is a flow path through which air flows from the suction port 5 to the dust collecting portion 11.
The suction force of the vacuum cleaner 50 is adjusted by adjusting the electric power or current supplied from the power supply unit 12 to the first motor 3 of the electric blower 4 by the first adjusting unit 37 of the control unit 8 to adjust the rotation speed of the fan 2. Can be controlled.

When the dust collecting method of the vacuum cleaner 50 is a paper pack type, the dust collecting unit 11 is a paper pack. Further, when the dust collecting method of the electric vacuum cleaner 50 is a cyclone type, the dust collecting unit 11 is a cyclone dust collector. When the dust collecting method of the vacuum cleaner 50 is a filter method, the dust collecting unit 11 can have a filter and a dust cup.

The power supply unit 12 may be a DC power supply unit or an AC power supply unit. Further, the power supply unit 12 can be connected to the control unit 8 by a power line and supply electric power to the first motor 3 of the electric blower 4 via the control unit 8.
When the power supply unit 12 is a DC power supply unit, the power supply unit 12 can include a battery, and DC power can be supplied from this battery to the first motor 3 of the electric blower 4. When the power supply unit 12 is an AC power supply unit, the power supply unit 12 can be a power supply unit using an AC current supplied from an outlet via a power cord (not shown). From this AC power supply unit, AC power or DC power converted by an AC-DC converter can be supplied to the first motor 3 of the electric blower 4.

The vacuum cleaner 50 can have a detachable first connection structure 19 and a second connection structure 20 provided so as to connect the air flow path 6. When the air flow path 6 is extended by the extension pipe 25, the first connection structure 19 has a structure in which the root portion (second connection portion 22) of the extension pipe 25 is connected to the first connection portion 21 of the air flow path 6. The second connection structure 20 is a structure that connects the fourth connection portion 24 of the suction port unit 15 to the tip of the extension pipe 25 (third connection portion 23). In this case, the first connection structure 19 and the second connection structure 20 can be provided, for example, as in the vacuum cleaner 50 shown in FIG. As a result, the distance between the grip portion 33 gripped by the user when cleaning and the suction port 5 can be increased, and the floor surface or the like can be easily cleaned while the user is standing.

The first connection portion 21 is a part of the flow path member forming the air flow path 6, and is a portion provided so that the root portion of the extension pipe 25 or the suction port unit 15 can be connected. In the case of a stick-type vacuum cleaner as shown in FIG. 1, the first connection portion 21 is the end of the air flow path 6 of the vacuum cleaner body on the suction port side, and in the case of a canister-type vacuum cleaner, it is gripped. It is an end portion on the suction port side of the flow path member integrated with the portion 33 and the operation portion 32. When the extension pipe 25 and the suction port unit 15 are not connected to the first connection portion 21, the opening of the first connection portion 21 becomes the suction port 5.
Further, when the suction port unit 15 is not connected to the tip of the extension pipe 25 (third connection portion 23), the opening of the third connection portion 23 becomes the suction port 5.

When the air flow path 6 is not extended by the extension pipe 25, the first connection structure 19 is a structure in which the fourth connection portion 24 of the suction port unit 15 is connected to the first connection portion 21 of the air flow path 6. In this case, the first connection structure 19 can be provided as in the vacuum cleaner 50 shown in FIG. 2, for example. As a result, the distance between the grip portion 33 gripped by the user during cleaning and the suction port 5 can be shortened, and the table top, stairs, chair top, and the like can be easily cleaned. Further, even when the user is sitting and cleaning, the suction port unit 15 can be connected to the first connection portion 21 by the first connection structure 19.
The suction port unit 15 can be attached to the vacuum cleaner 50 by the first connection structure 19 or the second connection structure 20 so that the user can easily clean it.

The first connection structure 19 or the second connection structure 20 may have a structure in which the flow path member of one connection portion is fitted into the flow path member of the other connection portion. Further, the first connection structure 19 or the second connection structure 20 can have a fixed structure in which the claw of one connection portion enters the recess of the other connection portion.
Further, the first connection structure 19 or the second connection structure 20 may also have an electrical connection structure. For example, the first connection structure 19 or the second connection structure 20 may have a structure in which the plug 40 of one connection portion is fitted into the socket of the other connection portion.

The extension pipe 25 is a member for increasing the distance between the grip portion 33 and the suction port 5. The extension tube 25 may be a hard tube or a flexible tube. Further, the extension pipe 25 may have a flow path cross section similar to that of the air flow path 6 on the dust collecting portion side, and is smaller than the flow path cross section of the air flow path 6 on the dust collecting portion side. It may have a flow path cross section.
The extension tube 25 can have a brush 31 at the tip of the extension tube 25. This brush 31 can be used when the suction port unit 15 (fourth connection portion 24) is removed from the second connection structure 20 for cleaning.

The suction port unit 15 is a replaceable unit provided with the suction port 5. The suction port unit 15 has a fourth connection portion 24 that can be connected to the air flow path 6 by the first connection structure 19 or the second connection structure 20.
The suction port unit 15 includes, for example, a floor / carpet cleaning suction port unit 15a as shown in FIG. 4A, a futon cleaning suction port unit 15b as shown in FIG. 4B, and FIG. 4 ( Normal gap cleaning suction port unit 15c as shown in c), brushed gap cleaning suction port unit 15d as shown in FIG. 4 (d), gap floor surface as shown in FIG. 4 (e). There are types such as a suction port unit for cleaning 15e. The user can use these suction port units 15 properly according to the cleaning target.
The vacuum cleaner 50 shown in FIG. 1 has a floor / carpet cleaning suction port unit 15a mounted on the second connection structure 20, and the vacuum cleaner 50 shown in FIG. 2 has a first connection structure 19 for cleaning gaps. The suction port unit 15c is attached.

The floor / carpet cleaning suction port unit 15a or the futon cleaning suction port unit 15b has a suction port body 16 and a fourth connection portion 24. Further, the suction port body 16 can have a rotating brush 17. The rotary brush 17 may be a power brush that is rotated by the second motor 18, or a turbine brush that is rotated by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner 50. The rotary brush 17 is a brush that rotates when cleaning the floor surface or the like while moving the suction port body 16. The rotating rotating brush 17 can scrape out dust such as the floor surface, and the scraped dust can be sucked from the suction port 5. Therefore, dust such as the floor surface can be firmly removed.

In the case of a power brush, the suction port 16 has a second motor 18 that rotates the rotary brush 17. The force for scraping out dust from the rotating brush 17 can be controlled by adjusting the electric power or current supplied from the power supply unit 12 to the second motor 18 by the second adjusting unit 38 and adjusting the rotation speed of the rotating brush 17. A control board provided with a drive circuit for a rotating brush or the like may be attached to the second motor 18.
When the suction port unit 15 having a power brush is attached to the vacuum cleaner 50, the first connection structure 19 or the second connection structure 20 has an electrical connection structure so that power can be supplied to the second motor 18.

The control unit 8 is a part that controls the vacuum cleaner 50, and includes, for example, a calculation unit, a storage unit 36, a first adjustment unit 37, a second adjustment unit 38, and the like. The control unit 8 can include, for example, a microcontroller having a calculation unit, a storage unit 36, a timer, an input / output port, and the like. The calculation unit is, for example, a CPU, GPU, FPGA, or the like. The storage unit 36 can include a ROM such as a mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and a flash memory (nonvolatile memory), and a RAM such as FeRAM, SRAM, and DRAM.
The control unit 8 may be composed of a plurality of control boards. These plurality of control boards can be connected by a signal line or a power line. The control unit 8 is composed of, for example, a control board having a drive circuit for an electric blower, a control board having a drive circuit for a rotating brush, a control board having a charging circuit, a microcontroller, and the like.

Control software for controlling the vacuum cleaner 50 is installed in the storage unit 36 of the control unit 8. The control software can include firmware for controlling the electric blower 4, the second motor 18, the power supply unit 12, the detection circuit 27, and the like. Further, the firmware can be regarded as a part of the electric blower 4, the second motor 18, the power supply unit 12, the detection circuit 27, and the like.

The control unit 8 has a first adjustment unit 37 provided so as to adjust the electric power or current supplied from the power supply unit 12 to the first motor 3 of the electric blower 4. The first adjusting unit 37 is, for example, a part of a drive circuit for an electric blower. When AC power is supplied from the power supply unit 12 to the first motor 3, the first adjustment unit 37 may include a phase control circuit having a bidirectional thyristor. By adjusting the phase angle at which the current starts to flow in the bidirectional thyristor using this phase control circuit, the power supplied from the power supply unit 12 to the first motor 3 can be adjusted.

When supplying DC power from the power supply unit 12 to the first motor 3 of the electric blower 4, the first adjustment unit 37 may include a PWM circuit having a transistor. By adjusting the cycle of repeating on / off of the transistor and the duty ratio, the power supplied from the power supply unit 12 to the first motor 3 can be adjusted.

The control unit 8 may have a second adjustment unit 38 provided to adjust the electric power or current supplied from the power supply unit 12 to the second motor 18 that rotates the rotary brush 17. The second adjusting unit 38 may include a phase control circuit having a bidirectional thyristor or a PWM circuit having a transistor.

The detection unit 7 is a portion provided so as to detect the blockage of the suction port 5 or the blockage of the air flow path 6. The detection unit 7 includes, for example, a detection circuit 27 provided to detect a current or electric power supplied from the power supply unit 12 to the first motor 3. Further, the detection unit 7 includes a part of the control unit 8 and the firmware.

When the vacuum cleaner 50 sucks in relatively large dust or a large amount of dust, the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 may be clogged with dust, and the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 may be blocked by the dust. In particular, when the suction port units 15c to 15e for cleaning the gap are attached to the vacuum cleaner 50, or when the extension pipe 25 having a narrow flow path cross section is attached, the suction port 5 and the air flow path 6 have a narrow portion. Because there is, it is easy to get clogged with garbage. Large trash is, for example, waste paper, plastic bags, packaging, and the like.
If the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is clogged with dust, the dust removing ability of the vacuum cleaner 50 is reduced or eliminated, so it is necessary to remove the dust clogged in the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6. When the dust clogged in the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is dust that can be sucked by the vacuum cleaner 50, usually, the clogged dust is sucked up to the dust collecting unit 11 by increasing the suction force of the vacuum cleaner 50. It is possible to eliminate the clogging of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6.

When the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is clogged with dust, the amount of air sucked by the fan 2 of the electric blower 4 is reduced, and the air pressure around the electric blower 4 is lowered. Therefore, the load applied to the fan 2 is reduced, and the rotation speed of the first motor 3 is increased. Further, the current value or the power value detected by the detection circuit 27 decreases. Therefore, by using the control unit 8 to detect a decrease in the current value or the power value detected by the detection circuit 27 due to clogging of dust, the suction port 5 is blocked or the air flow path 6 is blocked (blocked). Can be detected.
For example, the control unit 8 monitors the amount of change in the current value or the power value detected by the detection circuit 27 per unit time, and when the amount of change (decrease) exceeds the threshold value, the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 Blockage can be detected.

Further, the control unit 8 detects an increase in the rotation speed of the first motor 3 calculated from the current value or the electric power value detected by the detection circuit 27, thereby blocking the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6. May be detected. The rotation speed of the first motor 3 can be calculated from, for example, the waveform of the current value or the power value detected by the detection circuit 27.
For example, the control unit 8 monitors the amount of change in the rotation speed of the first motor 3 per unit time, and detects that the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is blocked when the amount of change (rise amount) exceeds the threshold value. can do.
Further, the blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 may be detected based on both the current value or the power value detected by the detection circuit 27 and the rotation speed of the first motor 3.

The control unit 8 is provided so that the suction force of the vacuum cleaner 50 is increased when the detection unit 7 detects that the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is blocked. Further, the control unit 8 can be provided so that the suction force of the vacuum cleaner 50 is temporarily increased when the detection unit 7 detects the blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6. As a result, the suction force of the vacuum cleaner 50 can be increased, and the dust clogged in the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 can be sucked into the dust collecting unit 11. Therefore, the clogging of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 can be eliminated.
For example, the control unit 8 can be provided so that when the detection unit 7 detects that the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is blocked, the power supplied from the power supply unit 12 to the first motor 3 is increased. Further, the control unit 8 can be provided so that when the detection unit 7 detects that the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is blocked, the power supplied from the power supply unit 12 to the first motor 3 is temporarily increased.
For example, the vacuum cleaner 50 may have an opening in the air flow path 6 for adjusting the suction force of the suction port 5. This opening is provided so that air flows into the air flow path 6 from the outside by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner 50, and the opening and closing of the opening can be controlled by the control unit 8. The control unit 8 can be provided so that when the detection unit 7 detects that the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is blocked, the suction force adjusting opening is closed and the suction force of the suction port 5 is increased. In addition, the suction force adjusting opening can also function as a suction port for sucking dust that has soared into the air into the vacuum cleaner 50.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the vacuum cleaner 50 for clearing the clogging of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6. This will be described with reference to this flowchart.
When the operation of the vacuum cleaner 50 is started, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the suction port unit 15a having the power brush is attached (step S1). Since the suction port unit 15a having the power brush is electrically connected to the control unit 8 by a plug 40 or the like, whether or not the suction port unit 15a is attached is determined by detecting whether or not there is such an electrical connection. You can judge.

When the suction port unit 15 having a power brush is attached, the control unit 8 controls the vacuum cleaner 50 so as to operate in the first operation mode (step S2). When the suction port unit 15 having a power brush is not attached, the control unit 8 controls the vacuum cleaner 50 so as to operate in the second operation mode (step S3). When the suction port unit 15 having a power brush is not attached to the vacuum cleaner 50 and the suction port unit 15 for cleaning the gap as shown in FIGS. 4C to 4E is attached, the flow path Since the cross section has a relatively narrow portion, the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is likely to be clogged with dust.
In the first operation mode, the control unit 8 controls the vacuum cleaner 50 so that the suction force is weaker than that in the second operation mode. In other words, the suction force in the first operation mode is weaker than the suction force in the second operation mode. This is because in the first operation mode, dust is removed by both the rotation of the rotating brush 17 and the suction force of the vacuum cleaner 50, so that dust can be sufficiently removed even if the suction force is relatively weak.

After confirming that the operation end switch is not pressed (step S4), the control unit 8 determines whether or not the detection unit 7 has detected a blockage in the suction port 5 or a blockage in the air flow path 6 (step S4). S5). If no blockage is detected, the operation in the first or second operation mode is continued. When the blockage is detected, the control unit 8 controls the vacuum cleaner 50 so as to operate in the third operation mode (step S6). In the third operation mode, the control unit 8 controls the vacuum cleaner 50 so that the suction force becomes stronger than in the first and second operation modes (so that the electric power supplied to the first motor 3 becomes larger). For example, the suction power of the vacuum cleaner 50 can be maximized. As a result, the dust clogged in the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 can be sucked up to the dust collecting portion 11, and the clogging of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 can be eliminated. Further, when the user is cleaning a large amount of dust or a large amount of dust with the vacuum cleaner 50, the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is likely to be blocked. In such a case, the suction of the vacuum cleaner 50 is performed. The force can be increased automatically, and the vacuum cleaner 50 can suck in dust firmly. Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved.

Next, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the material blocking the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 has been removed (step S7).
When the dust clogged in the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is removed, the amount of air sucked returns to the original amount before the clogging occurs, and the air pressure around the electric blower also returns to the original air pressure. Therefore, the load applied to the fan 2 is restored, and the rotation speed of the first motor 3 is reduced. Further, the current value or the power value detected by the detection circuit 27 increases. Therefore, when the control unit 8 detects an increase in the current value or the power value detected by the detection circuit 27 or a decrease in the rotation speed of the first motor 3, the suction port 5 is not blocked or the air flow path 6 is closed. It is possible to detect the elimination of the blockage.

For example, the control unit 8 monitors the amount of change in the current value or the power value detected by the detection circuit 27 per unit time, and when the amount of change (increase amount) exceeds the threshold value, the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 It is possible to detect the elimination of the blockage. Further, for example, the control unit 8 monitors the amount of change in the rotation speed of the first motor 3 per unit time, and when the amount of change (decrease) exceeds the threshold value, the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is blocked. Can be detected.
Further, the elimination of the blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 may be detected based on both the current value or the power value detected by the detection circuit 27 and the rotation speed of the first motor 3.

When the blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is cleared, the process returns to step S1 and returns to the operation in the first or second operation mode.
When the blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is not cleared, the control unit 8 detects the blockage and determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S8). The predetermined time can be, for example, 10 seconds. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 8 controls the vacuum cleaner 50 so as to operate in the original first or second operation mode (step S9).

If the blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is not cleared even after a lapse of a predetermined time, there is a high possibility that the blockage cannot be removed even if the suction force is increased. For example, it is conceivable that a curtain, a futon, or the like is adsorbed on the suction port 5 to block the suction port 5. In this case, by operating the vacuum cleaner 50 in the original first or second operation mode to reduce the suction force, it becomes easier for the user to remove what is blocking the suction port 5 from the suction port 5.

Even if the control unit 8 notifies the user in step S9 that the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is blocked via the notification unit (for example, a lamp, buzzer, display unit, etc.) of the vacuum cleaner 50. Good. As a result, the user can end the operation of the vacuum cleaner 50 (step S10) and remove the clogging in the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6.

The second embodiment FIG . 6 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the vacuum cleaner 50 in the second embodiment.
In the first embodiment, in step S7 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 8 has determined whether or not the one blocking the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 has been removed, but the second embodiment has been performed. In the embodiment, the determination in step S7 is not performed, but the determination in step S8 is performed. That is, when the detection unit 7 detects the blockage (step S5) and starts the operation in the third operation mode (step S6) and a predetermined time elapses, the operation returns to the operation in the first or second operation mode. As a result, the determination in step S7 can be omitted, and the processing speed of the control unit 8 can be improved.
Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. In addition, the description of the first embodiment also applies to the second embodiment as long as there is no contradiction.

3rd Embodiment The vacuum cleaner 50 of the 3rd embodiment includes a rotation speed sensor 28 provided so as to detect the rotation speed of the first motor 3 of the electric blower 4. The rotation speed sensor 28 functions as a detection unit 7 for detecting blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6.
The rotation speed sensor 28 may be, for example, a sensor that detects the leakage magnetic field of the first motor 3 and calculates the rotation speed, may be an optical rotation detector, or may be an electromagnetic rotation detector. May be good.

In the first embodiment, the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is blocked and the air flow path 6 is blocked based on the current value or the electric power value detected by the detection circuit 27, or the rotation speed of the first motor 3 calculated from the current value or the electric power value. Although the elimination was detected, in the third embodiment, the clogging of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 and the elimination thereof are detected based on the rotation speed of the first motor 3 detected by the rotation speed sensor 28.
The method of detecting the blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 based on the rotation speed of the first motor 3 and its elimination is the same as that of the first embodiment.
Further, the rotation speed of the first motor 3 calculated from the rotation speed of the first motor 3 detected by the rotation speed sensor 28, the current value or power value detected by the detection circuit 27, the current value of the detection circuit 27, and the like. Blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 and its elimination may be detected based on at least one of them.
Other configurations are the same as in the first or second embodiment. In addition, the description of the first or second embodiment also applies to the third embodiment as long as there is no contradiction.

Fourth Embodiment The vacuum cleaner 50 of the fourth embodiment includes an air volume sensor 29 (wind speed sensor). The air volume sensor 29 is provided so as to detect the air volume of the air sucked by the electric blower 4. The air volume sensor 29 functions as a detection unit 7 for detecting blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6. The air volume sensor 29 may be arranged in the air flow path 5, or may be arranged between the dust collector 11 and the electric blower 4.
The air volume sensor 29 is, for example, a wind speed sensor that detects the wind speed by rotating the propeller / air cup, a MEMS air volume sensor, a differential pressure type flow meter, a hot wire type anemometer, and the like.

When the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is clogged with dust, the amount of air flowing through the air flow path 6 decreases. Therefore, by detecting the decrease in the flow rate of the air flow path 6 by the air volume sensor 29, it is possible to detect the blockage of the suction port 5 or the blockage of the air flow path 6.
Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, it is determined whether or not the suction port 5 is blocked or the air flow path 6 is blocked based on the air volume detected by the air volume sensor 29 in step S5 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the dust clogged in the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is removed, the amount of air flowing through the air flow path 6 is restored to the original amount. Therefore, by detecting the recovery of the flow rate of the air flow path 6 by the air volume sensor 29, it is possible to detect the elimination of the blockage of the suction port 5 or the elimination of the blockage of the air flow path 6.
Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, it is determined whether or not the blockage of the suction port 5 or the blockage of the air flow path 6 is cleared based on the air volume detected by the air volume sensor 29 in step S7 of the flowchart shown in FIG.
Further, it is calculated from the air volume detected by the air volume sensor 29, the rotation speed of the first motor 3 detected by the rotation speed sensor 28, the current value or power value detected by the detection circuit 27, the current value of the detection circuit 27, and the like. The blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 and its elimination may be detected based on at least one of the rotation speeds of the first motor 3.
Other configurations are the same as those in the first to third embodiments. Further, the description of the first to third embodiments also applies to the fourth embodiment as long as there is no contradiction.

Fifth Embodiment The vacuum cleaner 50 of the fifth embodiment includes a dust detection sensor 30 provided in the air flow path 6. The dust detection sensor 30 is provided so as to detect dust passing through the air flow path 6. The dust detection sensor 30 functions as a detection unit 7 for detecting blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6.

The dust detection sensor 30 can have a light emitting unit and a photoelectric conversion unit arranged so as to face each other with the air flow path 6 interposed therebetween. Further, the light emitting unit and the photoelectric conversion unit are provided so that the photoelectric conversion unit receives the light emitted by the light emitting unit.
When the vacuum cleaner 50 sucks dust together with air from the suction port 5 and the dust passes through the air flow path 6, the light from the light emitting unit to the photoelectric conversion unit is blocked by the dust, and the output of the photoelectric conversion unit (dust detection sensor 30). (Sensor output) drops temporarily from the baseline. The control unit 8 can calculate the amount of dust flowing through the air flow path 6 from the frequency of decrease of the sensor output of the dust detection sensor 30 from the baseline, the amount of output decrease, and the output decrease time.

When the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 is clogged with dust, the amount of dust flowing through the air flow path 6 is reduced. Therefore, by detecting the decrease in the amount of dust flowing through the air flow path 6 by the dust detection sensor 30, it is possible to detect the blockage of the suction port 5 or the blockage of the air flow path 6.
Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, it is determined whether or not the suction port 5 is blocked or the air flow path 6 is blocked based on the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor 30 in step S5 of the flowchart shown in FIG. To do.

When dust clogged in the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 flows through the air flow path 6, the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor 30 temporarily increases, and then becomes a normal detection amount. By detecting such a change in the detected amount with the dust detection sensor 30, it is possible to detect the elimination of the blockage of the suction port 5 or the elimination of the blockage of the air flow path 6.
Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, it is determined whether or not the suction port 5 is blocked or the air flow path 6 is blocked based on the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor 30 in step S7 of the flowchart shown in FIG. to decide.

Further, the amount of dust detected by the dust detection sensor 30, the air volume detected by the air volume sensor 29, the rotation speed of the first motor 3 detected by the rotation speed sensor 28, and the current value or power detected by the detection circuit 27. By combining at least two of the rotation speeds of the first motor 3 calculated from the value and the current value of the detection circuit 27, the control unit 8 detects the blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 and its elimination. May be good.
For example, the combination of the dust detection sensor 30 and the detection circuit 27 may detect the blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 and its elimination. In this case, when the dust detection sensor 30 detects that the amount of dust is large and the rotation speed of the first motor 3 calculated from the output of the detection circuit 27 increases, the control unit 8 performs the suction port 5. Alternatively, it can be determined that the air flow path 6 is blocked.
For example, the combination of the dust detection sensor 30 and the air volume sensor 29 may detect the blockage of the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 and its elimination. In this case, when the dust detection sensor 30 detects that the amount of dust is large and the air volume detected by the air volume sensor 29 decreases, the control unit 8 has the suction port 5 or the air flow path 6 blocked. You can judge that.
Other configurations are the same as those in the first to fourth embodiments. Further, the description of the first to fourth embodiments also applies to the fifth embodiment as long as there is no contradiction.

2: Fan 3: 1st motor 4: Electric blower 5: Suction port 6: Air flow path 7: Detection unit 8: Control unit 11: Dust collection unit 12: Power supply unit 15, 15a to 15e: Suction port unit 16: Suction Mouth 17: Rotating brush 18: Second motor 19: First connection structure 20: Second connection structure 21: First connection 22: Second connection 23: Third connection 24: Fourth connection 25: Extension Tube 27: Detection circuit 28: Rotation speed sensor 29: Air volume sensor 30: Dust detection sensor 31: Brush 32: Operation unit 33: Grip unit 36: Storage unit 37: First adjustment unit 38: Second adjustment unit 40: Plug 50 : Electric vacuum cleaner

Claims (6)

An electric blower having a fan provided to suck air into the vacuum cleaner from the suction port and a motor for rotating the fan, and a collection provided to collect dust in the air sucked from the suction port. A dust unit, an air flow path provided so that air sucked from the suction port flows to the dust collection part, and a detection unit provided to detect blockage of the suction port or the air flow path. , A control unit provided to control the vacuum cleaner.
The control unit is a vacuum cleaner characterized in that the detection unit is provided so as to increase the suction force when the detection unit detects a blockage of the suction port or the air flow path. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is provided so that the suction force is temporarily increased when the detection unit detects a blockage of the suction port or the air flow path. The vacuum cleaner comprises a suction port unit having the suction port and a rotating brush.
The suction port unit is detachably provided on the vacuum cleaner.
The control unit increases the suction force when the suction port unit is removed from the vacuum cleaner, and the detection unit performs the suction port in a state where the suction port unit is removed from the vacuum cleaner. Or the vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, which is provided so as to further increase the suction force when the blockage of the air flow path is detected. An electric blower having a fan provided to suck air into the vacuum cleaner from the suction port and a motor for rotating the fan, and a collection provided to collect dust in the air sucked from the suction port. A dust section, an air flow path provided so that air sucked from the suction port flows to the dust collecting section, a power supply section provided to supply power to the motor, and the suction port or the suction port or the above. A detection unit provided to detect blockage of the air flow path and a control unit provided to control the electric motor are provided.
The control unit is an electric vacuum cleaner provided so that when the detection unit detects a blockage in the suction port or the air flow path, the power supplied from the power supply unit to the motor is increased. The electricity according to claim 4, wherein the control unit is provided so as to temporarily increase the electric power supplied from the power supply unit to the motor when the detection unit detects a blockage of the suction port or the air flow path. Vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner comprises a suction port unit having the suction port and a rotating brush.
The suction port unit is detachably provided on the vacuum cleaner.
The control unit increases the electric power supplied from the power supply unit to the motor when the suction port unit is removed from the vacuum cleaner, and the suction port unit is removed from the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 or 5, wherein when the detection unit detects a blockage in the suction port or the air flow path, the electric power supplied from the power supply unit to the motor is further increased.