JP2021126527A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

To keep an operable time of a vacuum cleaner to be operated with a secondary battery as a power source.SOLUTION: A cleaner 100 includes: an electric blower 41 for generating an air flow to suck dust; a secondary battery 44 for supplying drive power being the power to drive the electric blower 41; a secondary battery deterioration detection section 58 for detecting a battery deterioration degree being a degree of deterioration of the secondary battery 44; and a control section 57 and an electric blower drive section 51a for performing control to reduce drive power in response to a battery deterioration degree. The secondary battery deterioration detection section 58 calculates a capacity of the secondary battery 44 and detects a battery deterioration degree based on a change of the calculated capacity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner.

Patent Document 1 describes a rechargeable vacuum cleaner as an example of an electric vacuum cleaner. This rechargeable vacuum cleaner includes a storage battery whose output voltage changes according to the remaining capacity, and an electric blower using the storage battery as a power source. A storage battery is a secondary battery that charges and discharges.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-152887

In Patent Document 1, the electric power supplied to the electric blower is controlled to be constant. Therefore, the operating time of the rechargeable vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 1 becomes shorter as the storage battery, which is a secondary battery, deteriorates.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to maintain a time during which a vacuum cleaner operating using a secondary battery as a power source can be operated even if the secondary battery deteriorates.

The electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes an electric blower that generates an air flow for sucking dust, a secondary battery that supplies driving power that is power for driving the electric blower to the electric blower, and a secondary battery. It is provided with a deterioration detecting means for detecting the degree of deterioration of the battery, which is the degree of deterioration, and a control means for controlling the driving power so as to be reduced according to the degree of deterioration of the battery. Calculate and detect the degree of battery deterioration based on the calculated change in capacity.
Further, the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes an electric motor that rotates a rotating brush for cleaning the surface to be cleaned, and a secondary battery that supplies driving power, which is power for driving the electric motor, to the electric motor. The deterioration detecting means includes a deterioration detecting means for detecting the degree of deterioration of the battery, which is the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery, and a control means for controlling the drive power so as to be reduced according to the degree of deterioration of the battery. The deterioration detecting means is a secondary battery. The capacity of the battery is calculated, and the degree of battery deterioration is detected based on the change in the calculated capacity.

The vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes a deterioration detecting means for detecting the degree of deterioration of the battery, which is the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery, and a control means for controlling the driving power so as to be reduced according to the degree of deterioration of the battery. Be prepared. Therefore, the operating time of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention is maintained even if the secondary battery deteriorates.

It is a side view of the vacuum cleaner and the charging stand of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a side view of the vacuum cleaner of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which looked at the charging stand of Embodiment 1 from the front. It is a perspective view which looked at the charging stand of Embodiment 1 from the rear. It is a block diagram which shows typically the structure of the vacuum cleaner and the charging stand of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is an image diagram which shows the control of the drive power of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is an image diagram which shows an example of the characteristic of the output voltage of the secondary battery of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the processing circuit which realizes the function of each part of a control device. It is an image diagram which shows the control of the drive power of Embodiment 2. It is an image diagram which shows the 1st example of the control of the drive electric power of Embodiment 3. FIG. It is an image diagram which shows the 2nd example of the control of the drive power of Embodiment 3. It is an image diagram which shows the 3rd example of the control of the drive power of Embodiment 3. It is an image diagram which shows the 4th example of the control of the drive power of Embodiment 3.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals in each figure indicate the same parts or corresponding parts. In the present disclosure, duplicate description will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. It should be noted that the present disclosure may include any combination of configurations shown in each of the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a side view of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the charging stand 110 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the vacuum cleaner 100 of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the charging stand 110 of the first embodiment as viewed from the front. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the charging stand 110 of the first embodiment as viewed from the rear. In the present embodiment, as an example of the electric vacuum cleaner, a cordless type stick type vacuum cleaner 100 is shown. The vacuum cleaner for solving the problem is not limited to the vacuum cleaner 100 shown in the present embodiment, and may be, for example, a rechargeable canister type or a rechargeable robot type.

The vacuum cleaner 100 includes, for example, a suction port body 1, a pipe 20, and a vacuum cleaner main body 40. The suction port body 1 is used for cleaning, for example, a surface to be cleaned such as a floor surface. A suction port 2 for sucking dust and air is formed on the bottom surface of the suction port body 1. The pipe 20 is provided between the suction port body 1 and the vacuum cleaner main body 40. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the suction port body 1 and the vacuum cleaner main body 40 are connected via a pipe 20. One side end of the pipe 20 is detachably connected to the suction port body 1. The other end of the pipe 20 is detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner body 40.

As described above, the pipe 20 can be attached to and detached from the suction port body 1 and the vacuum cleaner main body 40. In other words, the suction port body 1 is removable from the pipe 20. Further, the vacuum cleaner main body 40 can be attached to and detached from the pipe 20. The suction port body 1 can be attached to and detached from the vacuum cleaner main body 40 via the pipe 20. The suction port body 1 may be directly attached to and detached from the vacuum cleaner main body 40 without passing through the pipe 20. The vacuum cleaner 100 does not have to include the pipe 20.

An air passage for allowing air containing dust to flow into the vacuum cleaner main body 40 from the outside is formed in the suction port body 1 and the pipe 20. In this disclosure, dust, dust, dust, hair, fibers, and the like that are to be cleaned by the vacuum cleaner 100 are collectively referred to as "dust". Further, in the present disclosure, air containing dust is referred to as "dust-containing air".

The vacuum cleaner main body 40 has, for example, an electric blower 41 and a dust collector 42. The electric blower 41 generates an air flow for sucking in dust. The dust collecting unit 42 is a device that separates dust from dust-containing air and collects the dust.

Further, the vacuum cleaner main body 40 has an operation display unit 43. The operation display unit 43 is for the user to operate the vacuum cleaner 100. The operation display unit 43 includes, for example, a plurality of buttons for controlling the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100. The operation display unit 43 also displays the state of the vacuum cleaner 100 to the user. The operation display unit 43 includes, for example, a lamp, a liquid crystal screen, and the like.

The electric blower 41 performs a preset operation in response to an operation on the operation display unit 43 by the user. When the electric blower 41 operates, an air flow for sucking in dust is generated. Dust and air are sucked from the suction port 2 of the suction port body 1. Dust and air, that is, dust-containing air is sent to the dust collecting portion 42 of the vacuum cleaner main body 40 through the air passage in the suction port body 1 and the pipe 20. The dust-containing air sent to the dust collecting unit 42 is separated into dust and air. The dust is collected by the dust collecting unit 42. The air separated from the dust by the dust collecting unit 42 is discharged from the vacuum cleaner main body 40.

Further, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a secondary battery 44. The secondary battery 44 is a power source that supplies electric power necessary for the vacuum cleaner 100 to operate. The secondary battery 44 supplies electric power to each device provided in the vacuum cleaner 100. The secondary battery 44 supplies electric power for driving the electric blower 41, for example. The secondary battery 44 is detachably provided on, for example, the vacuum cleaner main body 40. The secondary battery 44 may be fixed to the vacuum cleaner main body 40.

Further, the charging stand 110 includes a recess 111, a power cable 112, and a power plug 113. The vacuum cleaner main body 40 has a convex portion 45 formed so as to be fitted with the concave portion 111. The vacuum cleaner main body 40 is attached to the charging stand 110 by fitting the convex portion 45 into the concave portion 111 of the charging stand 110. When the vacuum cleaner main body 40 is attached to the charging stand 110, the secondary battery 44 is electrically connected to the power plug 113 via the convex portion 45, the concave portion 111, and the power cable 112. If the power plug 113 is connected to an external commercial power source or the like in this state, the secondary battery 44 can be charged.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the charging stand 110 includes a pedestal portion 114 and a strut portion 115. The pedestal portion 114 is provided so as to support the suction port body 1 of the vacuum cleaner 100 from below. The strut portion 115 stands upright from the pedestal portion 114. The support column 115 is provided so as to support the main part of the vacuum cleaner 100 from below.

Further, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a rotating brush 3 as an example. The rotating brush 3 scrapes dust on the surface to be cleaned by rotating. The rotary brush 3 is provided in the suction port body 1. As an example, the rotating brush 3 is removable from the suction port body 1. The rotary brush 3 is rotatably provided so as to face the suction port 2.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the charging stand 110 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the vacuum cleaner 100 has an electric motor 4. The electric motor 4 is for rotating the rotary brush 3. The electric power for driving the electric motor 4 is supplied from the secondary battery 44. The driving force of the electric motor 4 is transmitted to the rotating brush 3 via a member such as a belt, for example. When the electric motor 4 is driven, the rotary brush 3 rotates.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a control device 50. The control device 50 is provided in, for example, the vacuum cleaner main body 40. The control device 50 is for controlling each device provided in the vacuum cleaner 100. The operations of the electric motor 4 and the electric blower 41 are controlled by the control device 50.

The control device 50 includes, for example, an electric blower drive unit 51a, a motor drive unit 51b, a secondary battery voltage detection unit 52, a charging stand connection detection unit 53, a charging current detection unit 54, a charging current control unit 55, a charging control unit 56, and the like. A control unit 57 is provided.

The electric blower drive unit 51a has a function of driving the electric blower 41. Further, the electric blower drive unit 51a has a function of controlling the electric power supplied from the secondary battery 44 to the electric blower 41. The motor drive unit 51b has a function of driving the motor 4. The motor drive unit 51b has a function of controlling the electric power supplied from the secondary battery 44 to the motor 4.

The secondary battery voltage detection unit 52 has a function of detecting the output voltage of the secondary battery 44. The secondary battery voltage detection unit 52 is an example of voltage detecting means for detecting the output voltage of the secondary battery 44. The charging stand connection detection unit 53 has a function of detecting that the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the charging stand 110. The charging current detecting unit 54 has a function of detecting the current from the charging stand 110 to the secondary battery 44. The charging current control unit 55 has a function of controlling the current from the charging stand 110 to the secondary battery 44. The charge control unit 56 controls the charge current control unit 55 from the charging stand 110 to the secondary battery 44 based on the detection result of the charging stand connection detection unit 53 and the detection result of the charging current detection unit 54. It has a function to instruct.

The control unit 57 has a function of controlling the electric blower drive unit 51a and the motor drive unit 51b. The control unit 57 controls the electric blower drive unit 51a and the motor drive unit 51b in response to the operation of the operation display unit 43 by the user, for example. The control unit 57 gives an instruction to the electric blower drive unit 51a to control the operation of the electric blower drive unit 51a. The electric blower drive unit 51a controls the electric power supplied from the secondary battery 44 to the electric blower 41 in response to an instruction from the control unit 57. Further, the control unit 57 gives an instruction to the motor drive unit 51b to control the operation of the motor drive unit 51b. The motor drive unit 51b controls the electric power supplied from the secondary battery 44 to the motor 4 in response to an instruction from the control unit 57.

Further, the control unit 57 has a function of controlling the charge control unit 56 in response to the operation of the operation display unit 43 by the user. For example, the user operates the operation display unit 43 to set the charging completion time. The control unit 57 controls the charge control unit 56 so that the charging of the secondary battery 44 is completed by the charge completion time. The charge control unit 56 instructs the charge current control unit 55 to control the current from the charging stand 110 to the secondary battery 44 so that the charging of the secondary battery 44 is completed by the charge completion time. Further, the control unit 57 has a function of notifying the operation display unit 43 when the charging of the secondary battery 44 is completed.

Further, the charging stand 110 includes a power supply unit 116. The power supply unit 116 has a function of supplying electric power to the secondary battery 44. When a current flows from the power supply unit 116 to the secondary battery 44, the charging stand connection detection unit 53 detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the charging stand 110.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the control device 50 of the present embodiment includes a secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58. The secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58 has a function of detecting the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery 44. In the present disclosure, the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery 44 is referred to as "the degree of deterioration of the battery".

Deterioration of the secondary battery 44 includes, for example, a decrease in the capacity of the secondary battery 44. Further, the deterioration of the secondary battery 44 includes an increase in the internal resistance of the secondary battery 44. In the present disclosure, the decrease in the capacity of the secondary battery 44 and the increase in the internal resistance are collectively referred to as "deterioration". The secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58 detects the “battery deterioration degree” which is the degree of this “deterioration”. The secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58 is an example of deterioration detection means for detecting the degree of battery deterioration.

When the vacuum cleaner 100 starts operation, a voltage corresponding to the state of the secondary battery 44 is output from the secondary battery. When the vacuum cleaner 100 starts operation, a predetermined current flows from the secondary battery 44 to the electric blower 41 and the electric motor 4, respectively. As an example, the secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58 determines the degree of battery deterioration based on the output voltage of the secondary battery 44, the current flowing through the electric blower 41, the current flowing through the electric motor 4, and the like after the vacuum cleaner 100 starts operation. Is detected.

The control unit 57 instructs the electric blower drive unit 51a to control the electric power supplied from the secondary battery 44 to the electric blower 41 based on the detection result of the secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58. The electric blower drive unit 51a controls the electric power supplied from the secondary battery 44 to the electric blower 41 so as to be reduced according to the degree of battery deterioration, based on the instruction from the control unit 57. Further, the control unit 57 instructs the motor drive unit 51b to control the electric power supplied from the secondary battery 44 to the motor 4 based on the detection result of the secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58. Based on the instruction from the control unit 57, the motor drive unit 51b controls the electric power supplied from the secondary battery 44 to the motor 4 so as to reduce it according to the degree of battery deterioration.

As described above, the control unit 57 and the electric blower drive unit 51a reduce the electric power supplied from the secondary battery 44 to the electric blower 41 according to the degree of battery deterioration detected by the secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58. To control. The control unit 57 and the motor drive unit 51b control the power supplied from the secondary battery 44 to the motor 4 so as to reduce the power supplied to the motor 4 according to the degree of battery deterioration detected by the secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58. Here, in the present disclosure, the electric power supplied from the secondary battery 44 to the electric blower 41 and the electric power supplied from the secondary battery 44 to the electric motor 4 are referred to as "driving electric power". That is, the control unit 57, the electric blower drive unit 51a, and the motor drive unit 51b control the drive power so as to reduce it according to the degree of battery deterioration. The control unit 57, the electric blower drive unit 51a, and the motor drive unit 51b in the present embodiment are examples of control means for controlling the drive power.

FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing control of the drive power of the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, the degree of battery deterioration and the driving power are shown by solid lines. Further, in FIG. 6, the “operating time”, which is the time from the start of operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 to the stop of operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 when the secondary battery 44 is fully charged, is also shown in solid lines. Shown. The operating time means the time during which the vacuum cleaner 100 can be continuously operated. FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the degree of battery deterioration, the driving power, and the operating time.

Further, the horizontal axis in FIG. 6 indicates the number of cycles when the secondary battery 44 of the vacuum cleaner 100 changes from fully charged to fully discharged as one cycle. Full discharge means the completion of discharge. In the present disclosure, this cycle is also referred to as a "charge / discharge cycle". The horizontal axis in FIG. 6 indicates the number of repetitions of the charge / discharge cycle. The number of repetitions of the charge / discharge cycle correlates with the "elapsed time" since the new vacuum cleaner 100 was used.

As the above time elapses, the deterioration of the secondary battery 44 progresses. As an example, as shown in FIG. 6, the capacity of the secondary battery 44 decreases mainly as the number of repetitions of the charge / discharge cycle increases. As shown in FIG. 6, the drive power is reduced according to the degree of battery deterioration. As an example, the drive power is controlled so that the smaller the capacity of the secondary battery 44, the smaller the drive power. The driving power is reduced, for example, by reducing the current flowing through the electric blower 41 or the current flowing through the electric motor 4. The operating time is maintained by reducing the drive power according to the degree of battery deterioration. As an example, the operating time is kept constant as shown in FIG. As described above, the operating time of the vacuum cleaner 100 of the present embodiment is maintained even if the secondary battery 44 deteriorates.

In the present embodiment, the electric power for driving the electric blower 41 is reduced according to the degree of battery deterioration. The power consumption caused by driving the electric blower 41 accounts for most of the power consumption of the entire vacuum cleaner 100. According to this embodiment, the power consumption of the entire vacuum cleaner 100 can be effectively reduced, and the operating time can be maintained more effectively.

Further, in the present embodiment, the electric power for driving the electric motor 4 is reduced according to the degree of battery deterioration. Even if the electric power supplied to the electric motor 4 is reduced, the air volume of the electric blower 41, which greatly affects the performance of the vacuum cleaner 100 for sucking dust, is maintained. According to this embodiment, it is possible to achieve both the performance of the vacuum cleaner 100 sucking dust and the operating time.

The vacuum cleaner 100 may be configured so that the driving power to at least one of the electric blower 41 and the electric motor 4 is reduced according to the degree of battery deterioration. The vacuum cleaner 100 may not include, for example, the rotary brush 3 and the electric motor 4.

Further, FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing an example of the characteristics of the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 of the first embodiment. Further, the horizontal axis in FIG. 7 indicates the "elapsed operation time" which is the elapsed time from the start of the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 when the secondary battery 44 is fully charged. FIG. 7 shows an image of the characteristics of the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 when it is assumed that a constant current flows from the secondary battery 44. In FIG. 7, an image of the characteristics of the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 in a new state, that is, an initial state, and an image of the characteristics of the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 in a deteriorated state are shown by solid lines.

As shown in FIG. 7, the characteristics of the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 in the initial state and the characteristics of the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 in the deteriorated state are different. The output voltage of the secondary battery 44 drops with the elapsed time of operation. As shown in FIG. 7, the degree of decrease in the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 in the initial state and the degree of decrease in the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 in the deteriorated state are different. Specifically, the drop rate of the output voltage of the deteriorated secondary battery 44 tends to be larger than the drop rate of the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 in the initial state. This is because the internal resistance of the deteriorated secondary battery 44 is larger than that of the secondary battery 44 in the initial state.

The secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58 detects the degree of battery deterioration based on the degree of decrease in the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 when the secondary battery 44 is supplied with driving power from a fully charged state, for example. It is composed. The secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58 is configured to detect the degree of battery deterioration based on the degree of decrease in the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 when the secondary battery 44 completes discharging from a fully charged state. May be good. The secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58 detects the degree of battery deterioration, assuming that, for example, the faster the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 drops, the more the deterioration of the secondary battery 44 progresses. As described above, the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 is detected by, for example, the secondary battery voltage detection unit 52. According to this embodiment, for example, the degree of battery deterioration can be detected without requiring complicated control.

Further, the secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58 is a battery based on the time from when the secondary battery 44 starts supplying drive power from a fully charged state until the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 reaches a preset value. It may be configured to detect the degree of deterioration. In FIG. 7, this preset value is referred to as a “reference value”. As shown in FIG. 7, the time t1 until the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 in the initial state reaches a preset value is set to a preset value of the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 in the deteriorated state. It takes longer than t2. As described above, the time until the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 reaches a preset value changes depending on the degree of battery deterioration due to a decrease in capacity and an increase in internal impedance. Also in this example, the degree of battery deterioration can be detected based on the output voltage without requiring complicated control.

The method of detecting the degree of battery deterioration by the secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58, which is an example of the deterioration detection means, is not limited to each of the above examples. For example, the secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58 may have a function of calculating the capacity of the secondary battery 44. For example, the secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58 is the secondary battery 44 during the period from the start of operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 when the secondary battery 44 is fully charged until the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 is stopped. The capacity is calculated by integrating the output voltage, output current, and time when the drive power is supplied. The secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58 may detect the degree of battery deterioration based on the calculated change in capacity. As described above, the method of detecting the degree of battery deterioration may be any method other than the example shown in the present embodiment.

When the secondary battery 44 releases a certain amount of electric power or more after the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 is started, the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 is automatically stopped. As an example, the control unit 57, the electric blower drive unit 51a, and the motor drive unit 51b, which are examples of the control means, stop supplying the drive power from the secondary battery 44 when the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 reaches the stop voltage. It is configured to let you. When the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 reaches the stop voltage after the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 is started, the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 is automatically stopped.

The stop voltage is set in advance so that, for example, the operating time of the vacuum cleaner 100 provided with the secondary battery 44 in the initial state is secured for a certain period of time t3. The control unit 57 may have a function of changing the stop voltage. The control unit 57 may be configured to lower the stop voltage according to the degree of battery deterioration. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the stop voltage in the deteriorated state of the secondary battery 44 is lowered so as to be secured for a certain period of time t3. In this example, the stop voltage is adjusted according to the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery 44. For example, when the secondary battery 44 is in the initial state, the stop voltage is maintained high. Deterioration of the secondary battery 44 is suppressed by eliminating the need to make the stop voltage excessively low.

The configuration of the control device 50 including the control unit 57, which is an example of the control means, the electric blower drive unit 51a and the motor drive unit 51b, and the secondary battery deterioration detection unit 58, which is an example of the deterioration detection means, is described above. It is not limited to the example shown in the embodiment of. The control device 50 may be configured to control the drive power according to the degree of battery deterioration. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a processing circuit that realizes the functions of each part of the control device 50.

The functions of each part of the control device 50 are realized by, for example, a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware 200. The processing circuit may include a processor 201 and a memory 202. A part of the processing circuit may be formed as dedicated hardware 200, and the processing circuit may further include a processor 201 and a memory 202. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a part of the processing circuit is formed as dedicated hardware 200. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the processing circuit further includes a processor 201 and a memory 202 in addition to the dedicated hardware 200.

Processing circuits, some of which are at least one dedicated hardware 200, include, for example, single circuits, composite circuits, programmed processors, parallel programmed processors, ASICs, FPGAs, or a combination thereof. .. When the processing circuit includes at least one processor 201 and at least one memory 202, the function of the control device 50 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 202. The processor 201 realizes the functions of each part by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 202. The processor 201 is also referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP. The memory 202 includes, for example, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM and EEPROM, magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, mini disks, DVDs, and the like.

In this way, the processing circuit can realize the functions of each part of the control device 50 by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. The operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 may be controlled not by a single control device 50 but by a plurality of devices. For example, the motor 4 and the motor blower 41 may be controlled by different devices rather than by a single control device 50.

Embodiment 2.
Next, the second embodiment will be described. The description of the same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment will be simplified and omitted. FIG. 9 is an image diagram showing control of the drive power of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the degree of battery deterioration, the driving power, and the operating time, as in FIG. 6 shown in the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the drive power is controlled to be equal to or higher than the lower limit value of the drive power, as shown in FIG. In other words, the control unit 57, the electric blower drive unit 51a, and the motor drive unit 51b, which are examples of the control means, are configured to control the drive power to be equal to or higher than the lower limit value of the drive power in the present embodiment. The lower limit value of the driving power is set in advance so that the capacity of at least one of the electric blower 41 and the electric motor 4 is secured to a certain level or more.

In the present embodiment, the drive power does not fall below the lower limit value of the drive power. That is, the driving power to at least one of the electric blower 41 and the electric motor 4 is maintained above a certain level. As a result, as described above, the capacity of at least one of the electric blower 41 and the electric motor 4 is secured to a certain level or more. According to the present embodiment, the capacity of the vacuum cleaner 100 can be maintained while maintaining the operating time when the secondary battery 44 deteriorates for a longer time than before. The lower limit of the drive power may not always be constant but may be variable.

Embodiment 3.
Next, the third embodiment will be described. The description of the same or corresponding parts as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be simplified and omitted. The control unit 57, the electric blower drive unit 51a, and the motor drive unit 51b, which are examples of the control means, have the secondary battery 44 when the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 reaches the stop voltage, as in the example shown in the first embodiment. It is configured to stop the supply of drive power from. When the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 reaches the stop voltage after the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 is started, the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 is automatically stopped.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 57, the electric blower drive unit 51a, and the electric motor drive unit 51b are used from the time when the secondary battery 44 starts to supply the driving power until the output voltage of the secondary battery 44 reaches the stop voltage. It is configured to control the drive power so that the time of In other words, in the embodiment, the driving power is controlled so that the operating time of the vacuum cleaner 100 is secured to a certain level or more. In the present embodiment, the operating time of the vacuum cleaner 100 is secured to a certain level or more according to the degree of battery deterioration.

FIG. 10 is an image diagram showing a first example of control of drive power according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is an image diagram showing a second example of control of drive power according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is an image diagram showing a third example of control of drive power according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is an image diagram showing a fourth example of control of drive power according to the third embodiment.

10 to 13 show control of drive power during one cycle from when the vacuum cleaner 100 starts operation when the secondary battery 44 is fully charged until the vacuum cleaner 100 stops operation. An example is shown. The horizontal axis in FIGS. 10 to 13 indicates the elapsed operation time as in FIG. 7. In FIGS. 10 to 13, the dotted line shows an example of controlling the drive power when the secondary battery 44 is in the initial state. In FIGS. 10 to 13, the dotted line shows an example of controlling the drive power when the secondary battery 44 deteriorates.

10 to 13 show the relationship between the drive power, the output current, and the output voltage. The output currents in FIGS. 10 to 13 are the currents output from the secondary battery 44 when the drive power is supplied from the secondary battery 44. The output voltage in FIGS. 10 to 13 is a voltage output from the secondary battery 44 when the drive power is supplied from the secondary battery 44. The output voltage of the secondary battery 44 correlates with the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 44.

First, a first example of controlling the drive power according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the first example shown in FIG. 10, the driving power in one cycle is controlled to be constant regardless of whether the secondary battery 44 is new or deteriorated. The drive power when the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated is reduced as compared with the drive power when the secondary battery 44 is new. The output current is increased as the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 44 and the output voltage decrease. The output current when the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated is smaller than the output current when the secondary battery 44 is new. In the first example shown in FIG. 10, the capacity of the vacuum cleaner 100 is maintained during one cycle, and the operating time of the vacuum cleaner 100 is maintained even if the secondary battery 44 deteriorates.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, a second example of controlling the drive power according to the third embodiment will be described. In the second example shown in FIG. 11, when the secondary battery 44 is new, the driving power during one cycle is controlled to be constant as in the first example. When the secondary battery 44 is new, the output current is increased as the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 44 and the output voltage decrease.

Further, in the second example shown in FIG. 11, when the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated, the driving power changes during one cycle. The drive power when the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated is controlled at the initial stage of one cycle to the same extent as when the secondary battery 44 is new. As a result, in the initial stage of one cycle, the performance of the vacuum cleaner 100 is maintained even if the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated. Further, in the second example shown in FIG. 11, when the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated, the driving power is reduced after a certain period of time has elapsed from the start time of one cycle. As a result, the operating time of the vacuum cleaner 100 when the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated is secured for a certain period of time or longer.

When the drive power from the deteriorated secondary battery 44 and the drive power from the new secondary battery 44 are the same, the degree of decrease in the output voltage of the deteriorated secondary battery 44 is the new secondary battery 44. It becomes larger than the degree of drop of the output voltage of. Therefore, in the second example shown in FIG. 11, when the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated, the output current becomes a large value at the initial stage of one cycle. On the other hand, in the latter half of one cycle, the output current is reduced in order to reduce the driving power.

Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a third example of controlling the drive power according to the third embodiment will be described. In the third example shown in FIG. 12, the output current during one cycle is controlled to be constant regardless of whether the secondary battery 44 is new or deteriorated. The drive power decreases as the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 44 and the output voltage decrease. The output current when the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated is smaller than the output current when the secondary battery 44 is new. As a result, the drive power when the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated is smaller than the drive power when the secondary battery 44 is new. In the third example shown in FIG. 12, it is not necessary to change the output current during one cycle.

Next, with reference to FIG. 13, a fourth example of controlling the drive power of the third embodiment will be described. The fourth example corresponds to a combination of the second example and the third example. In the third example shown in FIG. 13, when the secondary battery 44 is new, the output current during one cycle is controlled to be constant. When the secondary battery 44 is new, the driving power decreases as the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 44 and the output voltage decrease.

On the other hand, when the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated, the output current changes during one cycle. The output current when the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated is controlled to be larger at the beginning of one cycle than when the secondary battery 44 is new. As a result, the drive power when the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated is controlled at the initial stage of one cycle to the same extent as when the secondary battery 44 is new. At the beginning of one cycle, the performance of the vacuum cleaner 100 is maintained even if the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated.

Then, in the fourth example shown in FIG. 13, when the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated, the output current is greatly reduced after a certain period of time has elapsed from the start time of one cycle. As a result, in the latter half of one cycle, the drive power when the secondary battery 44 is deteriorated is greatly reduced as compared with the drive power when the secondary battery 44 is new. In the latter half of one cycle, the driving power is controlled so that the operating time of the vacuum cleaner 100 is secured to a certain level or more.

As in each of the above examples, the drive power and output current can be controlled in various ways. The operating time of the vacuum cleaner 100 is secured to a certain level or more by controlling the driving power and the output current by various methods.

1 Suction port, 2 Suction port, 3 Rotating brush, 4 Electric, 20 Pipe, 40 Vacuum cleaner body, 41 Electric blower, 42 Dust collector, 43 Operation display, 44 Rechargeable battery, 45 Convex, 50 Control device , 51a Electric blower drive, 51b Electric drive, 52 Rechargeable battery voltage detector, 53 Charging stand connection detector, 54 Charging current detector, 55 Charging current control, 56 Charging control, 57 Control, 58 2 Next battery deterioration detector, 100 vacuum cleaner, 110 charging stand, 111 recess, 112 power cable, 113 power plug, 114 pedestal part, 115 strut part, 116 power supply part, 200 dedicated hardware, 201 processor, 202 memory

Claims (4)

An electric blower that generates an air flow to suck in dust,
A secondary battery that supplies drive power, which is electric power for driving the electric blower, to the electric blower, and
Deterioration detecting means for detecting the degree of battery deterioration, which is the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery, and
A control means for controlling the drive power to be reduced according to the degree of battery deterioration, and
With
The deterioration detecting means is an electric vacuum cleaner that calculates the capacity of the secondary battery and detects the degree of deterioration of the battery based on the change in the calculated capacity. An electric motor that rotates a rotating brush to clean the surface to be cleaned,
A secondary battery that supplies drive power, which is electric power for driving the motor, to the motor.
Deterioration detecting means for detecting the degree of battery deterioration, which is the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery, and
A control means for controlling the drive power to be reduced according to the degree of battery deterioration, and
With
The deterioration detecting means is an electric vacuum cleaner that calculates the capacity of the secondary battery and detects the degree of deterioration of the battery based on the change in the calculated capacity. The control means stops the supply of the driving power from the secondary battery when the output voltage of the secondary battery reaches the stop voltage, and after the secondary battery starts supplying the driving power, the secondary battery The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the driving power is controlled so that the time until the output voltage reaches the stop voltage becomes a certain value or more. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means controls the drive power to be equal to or higher than the lower limit value of the drive power.

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