JP2946242B2 - Electric vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner used at home.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, vacuum cleaners equipped with a dust sensor and displaying the amount of dust during suction have been developed.

[0003] In these vacuum cleaners, the amount of garbage sucked in at the time of cleaning is displayed according to the amount of garbage passed through. Therefore, if cleaning is performed until the display disappears, it is known that garbage is gone and cleaning is completed. Can be.

One of the reasons behind the development of such a dust sensor is that even if the conventional vacuum cleaner is used for cleaning, the degree of cleaning is unclear and there is no way to know the degree of cleaning.

[0005]

However, there has been a problem that the degree of cleaning cannot be realized yet. Also, there is a problem that housework such as cleaning is not enjoyable if cleaning is carried out vaguely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner that notifies the user of the degree of cleaning and gives the user a feeling of accomplishing the cleaning.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, a first means of the present invention is provided in a passage for sucked refuse.
Emitting element and the dust detection means for detecting dust to pass by a combination of light receiving elements (hereinafter the, the dust detection means, the light emitting element
Refers to garbage detection means composed of a combination of element and light receiving element
And an integrator for counting the number of outputs of the garbage detecting means, and a notifying means for notifying the integrated amount of garbage sucked in after power-on based on the output from the integrator. Things.

Further, the second means is a dust detecting means for detecting the sucked dust, a timer for measuring the output time of the dust detecting means, an integrating means for integrating the output of the timer, According to the present invention, there is provided an electric vacuum cleaner provided with a notifying means for notifying the quality of the refuse sucked in after the power is turned on and the integrated amount thereof by the output from the means.

The third means includes an operation means for setting an air volume, a dust detection means for detecting sucked dust, a timer for measuring an output time of the dust detection means, and a setting for the operation means. A correcting means for correcting the output of the timer, an integrating means for integrating the output of the correcting means, and a notifying means for notifying the integrated amount of garbage sucked in after power-on by an output from the integrating means. A vacuum cleaner.

Further, the fourth means is a floor surface detecting means for detecting the type of floor surface to be cleaned, a garbage detecting means for detecting sucked garbage, and a timer for measuring an output time of the garbage detecting means. Correction means for receiving the output of the floor surface detection means and correcting the output of the timer, integration means for integrating the output corrected by the correction means, and suction after power-on by the output from the integration means The vacuum cleaner is provided with a notifying means for notifying the integrated amount of refuse.

[0011]

According to the first means, the user can be notified of the amount of dust sucked in after the power is turned on.
Further, according to the second means, since the size of the refuse can be detected from the detection time of the refuse, the user can be notified of the amount of refuse sucked in according to the size of the refuse. or,
According to the third means, it is possible to accurately report the amount of sucked dust regardless of the set air volume. In addition, the fourth
According to the means, it is possible to accurately report the amount of dust sucked in according to the cleaning floor surface.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a circuit of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a handle portion provided with a dust sensor according to the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the display unit.

In FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner includes a dust sensor 1 for detecting sucked dust, an integrating circuit 2 which is cleared every time the power is turned on and counts the output of the dust sensor 1,
A display unit 3 constituted by a display element (or a buzzer or the like) such as an ED, which is a notification unit for displaying the amount of dust sucked from the output of the integrating circuit 2, and an operation unit 4 for operating the vacuum cleaner
And a control unit 6 that controls the fan motor 5 based on an input signal of the operation unit 4. Since the control unit 6 is actually constituted by a microcomputer,
As shown by a broken-line rectangle in the figure, the function of the integrating circuit 2 is also performed as a part of the program.

In FIG. 2, a dust sensor 1 includes a light emitting element 1a that emits infrared light and is mounted on the inner surface of a ventilation tube 7a of a handle 7 so as to face each other, and a light receiving element that receives infrared light emitted by the light emitting element 1a. 1b.

As shown by arrow A, when the dust 8 sucked from the suction port 7b of the handle 7 passes through the ventilation pipe 7a, the infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 1a is blocked by the dust 8, and Either the light does not reach the element 1b or the amount of light reaching the element 1b decreases. For example, if the light receiving element 1b is formed of a phototransistor or the like, an on / off signal is output according to the presence or absence of the dust 8, so that it can be determined whether the dust 8 has been sucked.

The operation of the vacuum cleaner constructed as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

When the dust sensor 1 detects the dust 8, FIG.
As shown in the upper part, a pulse-like signal is output. Here, the "H" period is a state where there is no dust, and the "L" period is a state where the light receiving element 1b is blocked by the dust.

The integrating circuit 2 calculates the number of the above-mentioned pulse signals.
(Number of pulses) is counted. The control unit 6 sends the signals A and B shown in the figure to the display unit 3, for example, every 50 pulses according to the value integrated by the integration circuit 2.

The display unit 3 shown in FIG. 4 is provided on the main body of the vacuum cleaner or the handle 7 and has a plurality of Ls arranged in a step shape.
An ED 9 is arranged, and a display 10 indicating the amount of dust is printed on the side. When the above signals A and B are sent,
In the signal A, the LED 9a is turned on (the other LEDs are turned off). In the signal B, the LEDs 9a and 9b are turned on from the bottom, and the total amount of the refuse 8 sucked up to that time is displayed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a circuit of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a state diagram of output signals of a dust sensor, a timer, and an integrating circuit. In FIG. 5, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that a timer 11 is connected to the refuse sensor 1 and measures the output time of each refuse sensor. The other components are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. Note that in the second embodiment, the integrating circuit 2
The output time of the dust sensor 1 is integrated.

The operation of the vacuum cleaner constructed as described above will be described.

When the dust sensor 1 detects the sucked dust 8, the timer 11 is activated only when the dust 8 is detected, that is, when the output of the dust sensor 1 is at "L" level in FIG.
Oscillates at a predetermined frequency, for example, 200 kHz. The output of the dust sensor 1 is such that when the dust 8 is small such as sand, the “L” level period is short as shown by the dimension line A in the upper diagram of FIG. If it is larger, the “L” level period becomes longer as indicated by the dimension line B.

The number of oscillating outputs of the timer 11 is proportional to the length of the "L" level, and is large for large garbage 8 and small for small garbage 8, so that the output of the integrating circuit 2 for integrating this is sucked. It will be proportional to the size of the refuse 8.
In other words, when the dust 8 having a different size is sucked, the integrating circuit 2 accumulates a value corresponding to the size, so that the amount of sucked dust can be accurately displayed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a circuit of a vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a state diagram of output signals of a garbage sensor, a timer, a correction circuit, and an integrating circuit of the third embodiment.

In FIG. 7, the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in that a correction circuit 12 is provided between the timer 11 and the integrating circuit 2. The other components are the same as those of the second embodiment, and thus the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The integrating circuit 2 and the correction circuit
12 functions are a control unit 6 composed of a microcomputer.
Done as part of the program.

The operation of the vacuum cleaner constructed as described above will be described. However, the operations of the dust sensor 1 and the timer 11 are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the description is omitted.

The speed of the dust 8 passing between the light emitting element 1a and the light receiving element 1b differs depending on the strength, standard and weak of the suction air volume input from the operation unit 4, and the output of the dust sensor 1 for the same size dust 8 The length of the “L” level period is
Weak>Standard> Strong.

In FIG. 8, the outputs of the refuse sensor 1 indicated by the dimension lines C and D in the state diagram shown at the top correspond to the standard and weak settings of the operation unit 4, respectively. The length of the “L” level period is short by default,
Low output results in long output.

In the third embodiment, if the setting of the operation unit 4 is, for example, weak, the output frequency of the timer 11 is lower than 200 kHz, as shown by the dimension line E in the third state diagram of FIG. For example, the frequency is divided to 100 kHz by the correction circuit 12 and equivalently input to the integrating circuit 2. Thus, the same size refuse 8 is correctly accumulated by the accumulation circuit 2 irrespective of the air volume setting, and the display unit 3 accurately displays the amount of refuse sucked in.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a circuit of a vacuum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a state diagram of output signals of a garbage sensor, a timer, a correction circuit, and an integration circuit of the fourth embodiment.

In FIG. 9, the fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7 in that a floor detecting unit 13 for determining the floor quality of the surface to be cleaned such as the presence or absence of a carpet is provided. It is. The other components are the same as those of the third embodiment, and therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The floor detecting unit 13 emits ultrasonic waves to the floor using an ultrasonic sensor, for example, and determines the floor quality based on the intensity of the reflected waves.

The operation of the vacuum cleaner constructed as described above will be described.

When the waste hair of the carpet is sucked in during the cleaning of the carpet, the output of the dust sensor 1 becomes a continuous short pulse train as shown by the dimension line F in the uppermost state diagram of FIG. When the floor quality information of the floor detecting unit 13 is input to the control unit 6, for example, in the case of a carpet, the above-described output of the timer 7 between the dimension lines G shown in the second stage state diagram of FIG. Is removed so that the subsequent integrating circuit 2 can deal only with the large dust 8. As a result, the influence of waste hair on the carpet is reduced, and the integrating circuit 2 integrates the output H from the correction circuit 12 in the same manner as in the third embodiment, and accurately displays the amount of dust drawn in. .

[0036]

As described above, the first means according to the present invention can notify the user of the amount of dust drawn. Further, according to the second means, it is possible to inform the user of the exact amount of sucked dust regardless of the size of the dust. Further, according to the third means, it is possible to notify the accurate amount of sucked dust in any state regardless of the set air volume. Further, according to the fourth means, it is possible to accurately report the amount of garbage sucked in according to the cleaning floor surface (particularly without being affected by waste hair on a carpet). Therefore, each of the means can provide a vacuum cleaner that can notify the user of the degree of cleaning and give the user a sense of accomplishment in the cleaning action.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a circuit of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a handle portion of the electric vacuum cleaner showing a dust sensor.

FIG. 3 is a state diagram of output signals of the dust sensor and the integrating circuit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a display unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a circuit of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a state diagram of output signals of a garbage sensor, a timer, and an integrating circuit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a circuit of a vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a state diagram of output signals of a garbage sensor, a timer, a correction circuit, and an integration circuit of the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a circuit of a vacuum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a state diagram of output signals of a garbage sensor, a timer, a correction circuit, and an integrating circuit according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Garbage sensor, 2 ... Integration circuit, 3 ... Display part (notification means), 4 ... Operation part, 5 ... Fan motor, 6 ... Control part, 11 ... Timer, 12 ... Correction circuit, 13 ... Floor surface detection part.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Izumi Yamaura 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-2-297329 (JP, A) JP-A-2-164326 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) A47L 9/29 A47L 9 / 19

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A light emitting device provided in a passage of sucked refuse.
Garbage detecting means for detecting garbage passing through the combination of light receiving elements, integrating means for counting the number of outputs of the garbage detecting means, and notification for notifying the integrated amount of garbage sucked in after power-on by the output from the integrating means. Vacuum cleaner comprising: 2. A light-emitting element provided in a passage for sucked refuse.
Dust detection means for detecting dust passing by a combination of light receiving elements, a timer for measuring an output time of the dust detection means, and an integration means for integrating the output of the timer;
An informing means for informing the integrated amount of refuse sucked in after power-on by an output from the integrating means. 3. An operation means for setting an air volume and a combination of a light emitting element and a light receiving element provided in a passage of sucked dust.
Garbage detecting means for detecting excessive garbage , a timer for measuring the output time of the garbage detecting means, a correcting means for correcting the output of the timer in response to the setting of the operating means, and An electric vacuum cleaner comprising: an accumulating means for accumulating an output; and a notifying means for notifying an integrated amount of dust sucked in after power is turned on based on an output from the accumulating means. 4. A floor detecting means for detecting the type of floor to be cleaned , a light emitting element and a light receiving element provided in a passage of sucked dust.
Garbage detecting means for detecting garbage passing by a combination of, a timer for measuring the output time of the garbage detecting means, a correcting means for receiving the output of the floor detecting means and correcting the output of the timer, An electric vacuum cleaner comprising: an integrating means for integrating the output corrected by the correcting means; and a notifying means for notifying an integrated amount of garbage sucked in after power-on based on an output from the integrating means.