JP3032668B2 - 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 having an electric blower, and a suction passage which is provided in the vacuum cleaner and which is detachably provided to guide dust sucked into a dust collecting chamber of the vacuum cleaner. The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner including a hose and a hand-held operation unit having an operation unit for operating the electric blower provided with the suction hose.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional vacuum cleaner is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Hei 3-4164.
This conventional vacuum cleaner has a configuration as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-No. 8 and will be described with reference to FIGS. A conventional vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body having an electric blower 31 and a suction hose 32 which is provided in the cleaner body and which is detachably provided and guides sucked dust to a dust collection chamber of the cleaner body. It comprises a hand operation unit having an operation unit for operating the electric blower 31 provided on the suction hose 32, and a suction tool connected to the hand operation unit via an extension pipe.

The hand-operated part has a handle 34 held by a user on a grip tube 33 provided at one end of the suction hose 32, a grip lever 35 provided on the inner surface of the handle 34, and the grip lever inside the handle 34. A micro switch 36 for turning on and off the electric blower 31 of the main body of the cleaner operated by 35 is provided, and a slide volume 37 for adjusting the suction force by variably energizing the electric blower 31 is provided above the handle 34. The motor 38 for rotating and driving the rotary brush provided on the suction tool is turned on and off.
A rotary brush switch 39 for FF was provided.

When the user grips the handle 34, the grip lever 35 moves, and the micro switch 36 is turned on to energize the electric blower 31. The electric blower 31 is turned on to perform cleaning, and When the user releases the grip lever 65, the micro switch 36 is turned off and the electric blower 3 is turned off.
1 was cut off, and the electric blower 31 was turned off.

[0005]

However, in the case of the vacuum cleaner having the above-mentioned structure, the micro-switch provided on the handle is turned on and off by the grip lever to turn on and off the electric blower. The mechanical structure is called a micro switch, and a stroke is required to reliably turn on or off the micro switch, and the operation feeling is not good. In addition, there is a possibility that operation noise is generated due to the presence of a mechanical operating part, and there is a possibility that a contact point of the microswitch may be damaged or a connection failure may occur, thus causing a problem in durability.

The vacuum cleaner of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an object to provide a pressure-sensitive element in a hand operation unit and to control the energization of the electric blower by the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element. It is assumed that.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems The invention of claim 1, wherein in order to achieve the above object, a cleaner body having an electric blower, a freely provided et Re dust elaborate have suction detachably attached to the cleaner main body In a vacuum cleaner comprising a suction hose constituting a passage leading to a dust collection chamber of the vacuum cleaner main body, and a hand operation unit having an operation unit for operating the electric blower provided in the suction hose, For operation of the operation unit at hand
The ON / OFF and strong, medium, and weak operation of the electric blower
A pressure-sensitive element whose resistance value changes to control the rotation mode; and when the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element becomes equal to or less than a first set value, the electric blower is turned on. A control unit is provided for controlling the power supply to the electric blower to be strong, medium, or weak based on the following.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the electric vacuum cleaner includes the control unit that controls the energization of the electric blower based on a minimum resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element within a first set time.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vacuum cleaner, wherein the control unit does not receive a change in the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element within a time shorter than the second set time.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the electric blower is energized based on the threshold value only when the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element is within the same threshold value during the third set time. Is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element is determined, the resistance value determined without accepting a change in the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element within a fourth set time after the determination. The above-mentioned control part which controls energization to the above-mentioned electric blower is provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the electric blower is turned on or off when the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element reaches a second set value which is much smaller than the first set value.
The above control unit is provided.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, when the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element becomes equal to or less than the first set value, the control unit turns on the electric blower, and then, based on the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element. The power supply to the electric blower is controlled.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the controller controls the power supply to the electric blower based on the minimum value of the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element within the first set time.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the controller does not accept a change in the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element within a time shorter than the second set time, thereby preventing unnecessary fluctuation of the electric blower.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electric vacuum cleaner, the controller controls the electric blower based on the threshold value only when the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element is within the same threshold value during the third set time. To control the energization of

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element is determined, the resistance value determined without accepting a change in the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element within a fourth set time after the determination. Controls the power supply to the electric blower.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element reaches a second set value which is much smaller than the first set value, the control unit turns on or off the electric blower. .

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vacuum cleaner according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a vacuum cleaner of the present invention,
The entire vacuum cleaner will be described.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a cleaner body. A front wheel 2 for running is rotatably provided at a lower portion of the body 1 of the cleaner, and rear wheels 3 for running are provided on both sides of a rear portion.

A code reel 4, an electric blower 5 and a control circuit 6 for controlling the energization of the electric blower 5 are provided at the rear inside the cleaner body 1, and the electric motor 4 is provided at the front. A dust collection chamber (not shown) which communicates with the intake side of the blower 5 and has a built-in filter is defined.

Further, at the front of the upper surface of the cleaner body 1,
A connection port facing the dust collection chamber is formed, and an exhaust port communicating with the exhaust side of the electric blower 5 is formed at a rear portion.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a suction hose. An insertion tube 8 is provided at one end of the suction hose 7 so as to be removably inserted into and connected to a connection port of the cleaner body 1, and a gripping tube 9 is provided at the other end. Have been.

A switch 10 for controlling the electric blower 5 in the cleaner body 1 is provided on an outer surface of the grip tube 9 and a handle 11 held by a user when cleaning is performed. Is provided. The handle 11 is provided with a pressure-sensitive element 12.

A lead wire (not shown) is buried inside the suction hose 7 to connect the switch 10 and the pressure-sensitive element 12 of the grip tube 9 to the control circuit 6 of the cleaner body 1. The signals of the switch 10 and the pressure-sensitive element 12 are transmitted to the control circuit 6.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an extension tube. One end of the extension tube 13 is detachably fitted to and connected to the distal end of the gripping tube 9, and a suction port is detachably fitted to the other end.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control circuit 6 of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, which includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a timer,
An input circuit 16 is connected to an input section of a microcomputer 15 having an I / O or the like, the switch 10 and the pressure-sensitive element 12 are connected to the input circuit 16, and a drive circuit 17 is connected to an output section. The electric blower 5 is connected to 17.

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.
0 is connected, and the microcomputer 15 is connected to the rectifier circuit 20. A series circuit of the switch 10 and the pressure-sensitive element 12 is connected to the microcomputer 15, and the electric blower 5 and the drive circuit 17 are connected to the power source 18.
Are connected in series with the triac 21.
Incidentally, 22 and 23 are resistors.

The first embodiment of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. When the switch 10 is turned off, the microcomputer 15 determines that the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 is ∞ through the input circuit 16. . When the switch 10 is turned on, the resistance value (the maximum resistance value shown in FIG. 5) when the pressure is not applied to the pressure-sensitive element 12 is input to the input circuit 1.
The data is input to the microcomputer 15 through 6.

Here, when the user grips the handle 11 for cleaning, pressure is applied to the pressure-sensitive element 12, and the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 decreases in accordance with the pressure, and this resistance value becomes the first value. When the value becomes equal to or less than 1 set value R1, the microcomputer 15 generates a drive signal, and the drive signal causes the triac 18 of the drive circuit 17 to conduct, thereby energizing the electric blower 5 to perform cleaning. Further, when the handle 11 is strongly gripped, the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 further decreases and finally becomes several tens Ω, and the resistance value is input to the microcomputer 15 through the input circuit 16.

In FIG. 5, when the resistance value of the pressure sensing element 12 is in the area A, the electric blower 5 is turned off while the user is not holding the handle 11 or holding it very lightly.
When the FF is turned on and it is in the area B, it indicates that the user is gripping the handle 11 or is cleaning, and the electric blower 5 is turned on.

That is, when the switch 10 is turned on and the handle 11 is gripped by the user for cleaning, the electric blower 5 is energized and turned on. When the user releases the handle 11, the electric blower 5 is turned on. Turn off the power and turn off.

Next, another embodiment of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown in FIG.
2 are set as areas A, B, C, and D, the area A is a state in which the user does not hold the handle 11, the area B is a state in which the handle 11 is lightly held, and the area B
Indicates a state in which the handle 11 is gripped slightly, area D indicates a state in which the handle 11 is gripped strongly, and the operating state of the electric blower 5 is “OFF” in the area A, “weak” in the area B, and in the area C. "Medium" and region D correspond to "strong" operation.

Now, when the user turns on the switch 10 and then gently grasps the handle 11, the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 shifts from the area A to the area B in FIG. 7, and the electric blower 5 is "weak". Start the operation mode.

Next, when the force of gripping the handle 11 by the user is increased, the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 changes from the area B to the area C in FIG.
Then, the electric blower 5 shifts to the “medium” operation mode.

Further, when the user increases the gripping force on the handle 11, the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 shifts from the area C to the area D in FIG. 7, and the electric blower 5 shifts to the "high" operation mode.

When the user decreases the grip on the handle 11, the resistance of the pressure-sensitive element 12 shifts from the area D to the area C in FIG. 7, and the electric blower 5 shifts to the "medium" operation mode.

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

As shown in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 9 showing the change in the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 during use of the vacuum cleaner, the force of gripping the handle 11 of the user fluctuates during use of the vacuum cleaner. The resistance value of the pressure element 12 also fluctuates accordingly, and the operating state of the electric blower 5 constantly changes following the fluctuation of the resistance value, making it impossible to perform satisfactory cleaning.

For this reason, an average value of the resistance values within a certain period of time is usually determined so that the operating state of the electric blower 5 does not constantly change due to the resistance value fluctuating in this way, and the electric blower 5 is controlled by this average value. Taking the average value within a certain period of time, when the user wants to perform cleaning with a stronger suction force than the current driving state, when the handle 11 is squeezed strongly, the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 decreases at this moment.

However, when the user loosens the grip on the handle 11, the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 returns to the original resistance value, so that the average value within a certain time does not change much. The suction force of the blower may not be as strong as desired by the user, and the desired suction force may not be obtained.

In view of this, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 is read and the resistance value is set for the first set time T.
It is determined whether or not the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 is the minimum value within the first set time T1 until the first set time T1 elapses. Is determined, the electric blower 5 is controlled with the minimum value after the first set time T1 has elapsed, and the control is performed so that the suction force desired by the user is obtained.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As in the second embodiment, the pressure sensitive element 12
When the electric blower 5 is controlled with the minimum resistance value of
The suction force desired by the user can be controlled. However, there is a case where the handle 11 is strongly gripped momentarily without the user being conscious of changing the suction force.
Even in such a case, there is a possibility that the suction force of the electric blower 5 may be changed.

On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the pressure-sensitive element 12
If only the change in the resistance value within the second set time T2, the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 is not accepted, and the electric blower 5 is not controlled by the change in the resistance value at this time. Therefore, the suction force of the electric blower 5 does not fluctuate even if the user grasps the handle 11 strongly for a moment without knowing the suction force.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fourth embodiment, the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 is detected during a third set time T3, and the detected resistance value falls within the same threshold value A (B or C).
Only when it exists, the detected resistance value is made valid and the electric blower 5 is controlled based on the threshold value. Therefore, the suction force of the electric blower 5 does not fluctuate even if the user grasps the handle 11 strongly for a moment without knowing the suction force.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fourth embodiment, if the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 is determined (for example, if the resistance value is within the same threshold value for a set time as in the fourth embodiment, it is determined to be determined),
After the resistance value is determined, even if the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 fluctuates during the fourth set time T4, the change is not accepted, and the same is continuously performed during the fourth set time T4 based on the determined resistance value. The electric blower 5 is controlled in the state. Therefore, the suction force of the electric blower 5 does not fluctuate even if the user grasps the handle 11 strongly for a moment without knowing the suction force.

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As in the fifth embodiment, the resistance of the pressure-sensitive element 12 is determined and the change in the resistance of the pressure-sensitive element 12 is ignored until the fourth set time T4 has elapsed.
By preventing the suction force of the electric blower 5 without performing the above control, the cleaning can be performed satisfactorily.

However, when the user grips the handle 11 after turning on the switch 10 to start cleaning, or the handle 1 during the cleaning or to finish the cleaning.
When you release your hand from 1, turn off the electric blower 5 immediately.
From ON to ON or from OFF to ON, the usability deteriorated.

Therefore, when the electric blower 5 is in the OFF state, the user grips the handle 11 and the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 becomes small, and it is detected that the electric blower 5 is turned on. Detects that the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 increases during operation and turns off the electric blower 5, so that the electric blower 5 is immediately turned ON or OFF, and the usability of the electric vacuum cleaner is improved.

A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the sixth embodiment, when cleaning the room while cleaning the chairs and desks, the user removes his / her hand from the handle 11, so that the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 changes and the electric blower 5 sets the resistance value of this resistance value. It is turned off by the change, and the handle 11
, The electric blower 5 is turned on.
ON and OFF are frequently repeated, and the durability of the electric blower 5 may be degraded. However, the resistance value of the pressure sensitive element 12 is extremely smaller than the first set value R1. When the value becomes equal to or less than the set second set value R2,
The electric blower 5 is turned on or off.

Therefore, even if the user releases his / her hand from the handle 11 to move the chair or the desk, the electric blower 5 is not frequently turned on and off.
Can be improved in durability.

[0052]

Since the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention exhibits a structure as described above, in the electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, ON of the electric blower, be done easily by simply grip the handle to OFF It is possible to improve the operability with almost no operation stroke due to the characteristics of the pressure sensitive element, and there is no mechanical moving part like a micro switch, and the operation sound is prevented and the durability is high. Can be improved. In addition, the suction force of the electric vacuum cleaner can be freely varied by the force of gripping the handle, and the operability can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the electric blower is controlled based on the minimum value of the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element, it is possible to reliably control the suction force desired by the user. Can be.

In the vacuum cleaner according to the third, fourth and fifth aspects, unnecessary control of the electric blower can be prevented, and good cleaning can be performed with a stable suction force with little fluctuation. it can.

In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, since the electric blower is turned ON or OFF when the second set value which is set to a value much smaller than the first set value, the electric blower is frequently used. ON and OFF can be prevented,
The durability of the electric blower can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional side view showing a vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit 6 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a pressure-sensitive element 1 according to a first embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram illustrating a change in resistance value of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another embodiment of the first embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing a resistance value change of the pressure-sensitive element 12 of another example of the first embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a pressure-sensitive element 1 according to a second embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram illustrating a change in resistance value of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a third embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram showing a change in resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element 12 of the third embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a fourth embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a characteristic diagram showing a resistance value change of a pressure-sensitive element 12 of a fourth embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a fifth embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a characteristic diagram showing a resistance value change of the pressure-sensitive element 12 of the fifth embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of another example of the fifth embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a characteristic diagram showing a change in resistance value of a pressure-sensitive element 12 of another example of the fifth embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a sixth embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a hand operation unit of a conventional vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a control unit in FIG. 19;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vacuum cleaner main body 5 Electric blower 6 Control circuit 7 Suction hose 9 Handle tube 10 Switch 11 Handle 12 Pressure sensitive element 15 Microcomputer 16 Input circuit 17 Drive circuit

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] A cleaner body having a 1. A motor-driven blower, and the suction hose dust elaborate have suction Re freely provided et detachably attached to the cleaner main body constituting a passage leading to the dust chamber of the cleaner body, the A vacuum cleaner comprising: a hand operation unit having an operation unit for operating the electric blower provided on a suction hose; turning on and off the electric blower by operating the hand operation unit ;
FF and a pressure-sensitive element whose resistance value changes to control the strong, medium, and weak operation modes, and when the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element falls below a first set value, turns on the electric blower; An electric vacuum cleaner further comprising a control unit for controlling the energization of the electric blower to high, medium, and low based on the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element. 2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising the control unit that controls the power supply to the electric blower based on a minimum value of a resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element within a first set time. . 3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising the control unit that does not receive a change in the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element within a time shorter than the second set time. 4. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the energization of the electric blower based on the threshold value only when the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element is within the same threshold value for a third set time. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein 5. When the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element is determined, after this determination, a change in the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element within a fourth set time is not accepted, and the electric blower is energized by the determined resistance value. 2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising the control unit for controlling. 6. The control unit for turning on or off the electric blower when a resistance value of the pressure-sensitive element becomes a second set value which is much smaller than the first set value. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.