JP3306637B2 - 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 for controlling a suction force by detecting dust passing through an air passage and the amount of dust in a dust collection chamber.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, vacuum cleaners have a strong suction force with the diversification of objects to be cleaned such as carpets, and the suction force is changed by a hand operation unit, so that a dust sensor is provided in a dust passage path. The suction force is controlled in accordance with dust on the floor or the like.

[0003] There has also been an invention in which the suction force is made constant to prevent the suction motor from overheating (see, for example, JP-A-4-197230 and JP-A-5-253102).

[0004] A conventional vacuum cleaner will be described below.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 10, an extension pipe 3 in which a floor suction tool 2 is set and a hose 4 are attached to a cleaner main body 1, and the operation is performed by a hand operation section 5.

As shown in FIG. 11, the control means 6 of the hand operation unit 5 outputs a signal for controlling the phase of the motor 7 in the cleaner body 1 to control the firing angle of the bidirectional thyristor 8. are doing.

[0007] The control means 6 includes a power supply section 9 for supplying power to each section therein, a zero point detection section 11 for detecting a point of zero V of the AC power supply 10, and a user for selecting a suction force. Switch unit 12 and display unit 13 for displaying the operating state
And a sensor unit 14 for detecting dust sucked from the floor surface
And a control unit 15 that determines an operation state based on an input from each unit described above, and a phase control unit 16 that outputs a phase control signal based on a signal from the control unit 15. 17 in the figure
Is a resistor of the electric circuit of the cleaner body 1.

With this configuration, the user can set the suction force of the vacuum cleaner with the control means 6 of the operation unit 5 at hand.

[0009]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the suction force is reduced when the amount of dust in the dust collecting chamber in the cleaner body 1 increases. When the power consumption is increased, there is a problem that the motor 7 is overheated when the dust is always large.

[0010] The present invention is intended to solve the conventional problems described above, at the time when the suction force is increasing dust collecting chamber Nogomi in the cleaner main body is about to drops, inhale the dust amount of the dust chamber by detecting the amount of dust, dust amount of the dust collection chamber is multi
Ku, and, when the large amount of dust by controlling the motor so as to increase the suction power can efficiently comfortably cleaned inhale,
In general, an object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner capable of reducing power supply to a motor and preventing overheating of the motor.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention has a dust sensor for detecting the passage of dust in an air flow path, and receives a signal from the dust sensor.
Phase to control the power consumption of the motor inside the vacuum cleaner according to
If a control means for generating a control signal is provided in the hand operation unit,
Waste that detects the amount of dust in the dust collection room inside the vacuum cleaner
An amount detection unit, and the waste amount detection unit according to a signal of the waste amount detection unit
Phase control signal for controlling the power consumption of the motor inside the vacuum cleaner
Control means for generating a signal is provided in the cleaner body,
The signal transmission path of the control unit of the operation unit and the inside of the cleaner body
The signal transmission paths of the control means are connected in series .

[0012]

In this configuration, the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber is detected using a dust amount detection unit (pressure in the dust collection chamber) and the amount of dust sucked in by the dust sensor unit is detected. When there is a lot of dust and a strong suction force is required, the suction force does not decrease even if the dust increases in the dust collection chamber, and when the suction air decreases due to the increase of dust in the dust collection chamber and the tightness of the hose, etc. The amount of dust in the dust collection chamber is detected by a dust amount detection unit (pressure in the dust collection chamber) to reduce power supply to the motor and prevent overheating of the motor. In addition, hand operation with a dust sensor
Signal transmission path of the control means of the unit, and a dust detection unit
Connect the signal transmission paths of the control means in the cleaner body in series.
Thus, a simple circuit and a small number of signal transmission paths are provided.

[0013]

Embodiment 1 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the same components as those of the above-described conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the motor 7 mounted on the cleaner body 1 is controlled by a bidirectional thyristor 8 by a gate signal from a control means 18, and the gate signal is transmitted to a dust sensor 19 and a pressure switch. It changes automatically in response to a signal from 20 (can be easily configured by a microcomputer or the like).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dust sensor unit 19 includes a light emitting element 21 disposed opposite to the air flow path.
And a light receiving element 22, and a signal processing unit 25 in which an output of the light receiving element 22 is processed through a capacitor 23 and an amplifier 24, and dust 26 sucked in a direction indicated by an arrow A is
The configuration is such that the light from the light emitting element 21 is blocked, the output of the light receiving element 22 changes, and how many times this change has occurred within a predetermined time is counted to detect the amount of sucked dust.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pressure switch section 20 includes a pressure switch 28 provided to detect the vacuum pressure in the dust collection chamber 27 of the cleaner body 1, and a pressure switch 28 of the pressure switch 28. It comprises a signal processing unit 29 for processing the on / off state. Reference numeral 30 in the figure denotes a dust bag of the cleaner main body 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the pressure switch 28 is configured to detect a difference with respect to the atmospheric pressure near the motor 7 and close the same. That is, when the air pressure in the dust collection chamber 27 is reduced with respect to the atmospheric pressure, the elastic film 31 presses the movable terminal 32 and comes into contact with the fixed terminal 33 to close and turn on the switch. Arrow B indicates the direction of suction of the airflow.

After the ON / OFF state of the pressure switch 28 is processed by the signal processing section 29 (for example, to smooth the chattering of the switch contact section), a signal is sent to the control means 18.

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

First, in a state where the pressure switch 28 is off (a state where the degree of vacuum in the dust collection chamber 27 is relatively low), FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the power consumption (phase control angles) W1 and W2 shown in FIG. 5B are determined corresponding to the dust amounts Q1 and Q2 within a predetermined time, respectively.

When the power consumption is W1, the phase control angle of the bidirectional thyristor 8 is not fully conducted.

Next, when the pressure switch 28 is turned on (when the degree of vacuum in the dust collection chamber is relatively high), FIG.
5 corresponding to the dust amounts Q1 and Q2 as shown in FIG.
The power consumptions (phase control angles) W3 and W4 shown in (c) are determined.

When the power consumption is W3, the phase control angle of the bidirectional thyristor 8 is fully conducting.

That is, in this embodiment, when there is a dust amount equal to or more than the predetermined dust amount (reference level) Q3 and the pressure switch 28 is turned on, the bidirectional thyristor 8
Becomes fully conductive, and even if the dust amount is equal to or more than the predetermined value Q3,
When the pressure switch 28 is off, all conduction is not performed.

FIG. 5 also shows that the phase control angle does not change only by turning on / off the pressure switch 28.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control means 18 for controlling the power consumption of the motor 7 of the cleaner main body 1 in accordance with the signals from the dust sensor section 19 and the pressure switch section 20 is provided. When the amount of dust is equal to or more than Q3 and the degree of vacuum in the dust collection chamber 27 is relatively high, the phase control angle of the motor 7 is set to the full conduction, so that the vacuum pressure in the dust collection chamber 27 is reduced. Since the suction force is high and the suction force can be increased when the dust is sucked, the suction force does not decrease even if the dust increases in the dust collection chamber 27, so that the cleaning can be performed efficiently and comfortably. Power supply to the motor 7, overheating of the motor 7 can be prevented, and the durability of the motor 7 can be increased.

Embodiment 2 Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 6, the present embodiment is characterized in that a control means 35 is provided in which a switch operating section 34 for operating the motor 7 is added to the configuration of the first embodiment. That is, by operating the switch operation section 34, the operation / stop of the motor 7 and the power setting can be performed. Therefore, normally, when the vacuum pressure in the dust collection chamber 27 increases and the pressure switch 28 is turned on, and when a predetermined amount or more of dust is sucked, control is performed so as to increase power consumption.
When inspection is required during mass production of the vacuum cleaner, high power consumption is not achieved unless dust is sucked in. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Control the power consumption due to dust by operating the switch while holding it down, etc.
The power consumption changes (performance measurement mode) in accordance with the operation of the pressure switch 28.

If a predetermined switch of the switch operation section 34 is not operated, high power consumption as shown by a two-dot chain line is not shown as shown in FIG. 7B.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first embodiment
Is provided with a control means 35 in which a switch operating section 34 for operating the motor 7 is added to the configuration of FIG. Therefore, the (maximum) suction force which can be confirmed only when the dust is normally sucked in when the vacuum pressure in the dust collecting chamber 27 is high can be easily measured during production and in other cases. .

Since the performance measurement mode is a function that is essentially unnecessary for a general user, a configuration may be adopted in which a switch is kept pressed for a predetermined time or a plurality of switches are pressed simultaneously.

Embodiment 3 Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, this embodiment is characterized in that a control means 36 provided on the hand operation unit 5 and a control means 37 provided on the cleaner body 1 are added to the structure of the first embodiment.
It is a configuration provided with.

The control means 36 comprises the dust sensor 19 of the first embodiment and a light trigger element 38. The light trigger element 38 is provided in accordance with the amount of dust detected by the dust sensor 19.
Is changed. Further, the control unit 37 is provided with the pressure switch unit 2 of the first embodiment.
0, a light trigger element 39 and a pressure switch 28
Is turned on / off by the signal processing unit 29 and the trigger timing of the light trigger element 39 is changed. That is, an optical trigger element 38 whose trigger timing changes by the dust sensor section 19, an optical trigger element 39 whose trigger timing changes according to the state of the pressure switch section 20, and a gate of the bidirectional thyristor 8 are connected in series. 7 is power controlled by phase control.

When the trigger timings of the light trigger elements 38 and 39 are different, the one triggered at a later timing has priority. As an example, the light trigger element 38 of the control means 36 of the hand operation unit 5 has a trigger timing as shown in FIG. 9A, and the light trigger element 39 of the control means 37 of the cleaner main body 1 has the trigger timing shown in FIG. ), The bidirectional thyristor 8 is turned on at the trigger timing of the light trigger element 39 in the first half of the time, and is turned on at the timing of the light trigger element 38 in the second half of the time. Therefore, the light trigger element 38,
If any one of the triggers 39 is not triggered, the motor 7 stops. Therefore, by providing the operation control means 36 in the hand operation unit 5, the electric power of the motor 7 can be controlled by the hand operation unit 5. Need only two signal transmission lines.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first embodiment
Is provided with the control means 36 provided in the hand operation unit 5 and the control means 37 provided in the cleaner main body 1, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the hand control unit 5 and the cleaner main body 1 can be constituted by a simple circuit, does not require many signal transmission paths, and the dust sensor portion 19 can be disposed at a position close to the floor suction device 2, so that the sucked dust To respond quickly.

[0038]

The present invention, as is clear from the foregoing description, the dust sensor unit for detecting the passage of dust in the air flow path
Having the inside of the cleaner body according to the signal of the garbage sensor section.
A system that generates a phase control signal to control the power consumption of the motor
Control means on the operation unit, and the
A dust detection unit that detects the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber;
The motor in the main body of the vacuum cleaner according to the signal of the dust amount detection unit
For generating phase control signal for controlling power consumption
Is provided in the main body of the vacuum cleaner, and the
Signal transmission path and signal transmission path of control means in the main body of the cleaner.
By adopting a configuration in which the paths are connected in series , even when dust increases in the dust collecting chamber in the cleaner body and the suction force is likely to decrease, the pressure in the dust collecting chamber and the amount of dust to be sucked are detected. When the degree of vacuum in the dust collection chamber is high and the amount of dust to be sucked in is large, the motor is controlled to increase the suction force, enabling efficient and comfortable cleaning, usually reducing the power to the motor and overheating the motor. It is possible to realize an excellent vacuum cleaner capable of preventing the above. In addition, a hand with a dust sensor
The signal transmission path of the control means of the original operation unit and the waste amount detection unit
Signal transmission path of the control means in the cleaner body
Because of the connection, simple circuit and less signal transmission path
Can be configured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of a dust sensor of the vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the main body of the vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a pressure switch of the vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 5 is a pattern diagram showing a power control state of a motor of the vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a power characteristic diagram showing a phase control state of the vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 8 is a circuit block diagram of a vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a voltage characteristic diagram showing a phase control state of the vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 11 is a circuit block diagram of the vacuum cleaner.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vacuum cleaner main body 5 Hand operation part 7 Motor 8 Bidirectional thyristor 18, 35, 36, 37 Control means 19 Garbage sensor part 20 Pressure switch part (garbage amount detection part) 21 Light emitting element 22 Light receiving element 25, 29 Signal processing part 27 Dust collection chamber 28 Pressure switch 34 Switch operation part 38, 39 Light trigger element

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-307419 (JP, A) JP-A-4-193246 (JP, A) JP-A-4-240428 (JP, A) JP-A-5-240 245080 (JP, A) JP-A-4-250126 (JP, A) JP-A-6-22890 (JP, A) JP-A-5-31059 (JP, A) JP-A-4-327823 (JP, A) JP-A-59-118126 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A47L 9/28

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A dust sensor for detecting passage of dust in an air passage, and cleaning in response to a signal from the dust sensor.
The phase control signal that controls the power consumption of the motor inside the machine
The generated control means is provided on the operation unit,
A dust detection unit that detects the amount of dust in the dust collection chamber
The cleaner body according to a signal from the refuse amount detection unit
Generates a phase control signal to control the power consumption of the motor inside
Control means is provided in the main body of the cleaner to control the hand operation section.
Of the signal transmission path of the control means and the control means in the cleaner body.
Vacuum cleaner configured to connect signal transmission paths in series . 2. The control means provided in the hand operation unit is a waste sensor.
Control provided inside the vacuum cleaner main unit from the power section and light trigger element
The unit consists of a dust detection unit and a light trigger element.
And the light trigger elements are connected in series.
Trigger at the slow timing of each of the optical trigger elements
Priority is given to the power consumption of the motor inside the vacuum cleaner
The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner is controlled . 3. The vacuum detector according to claim 1, wherein the amount of dust is detected by a vacuum pressure in the cleaner body.
And a pressure switch unit for detecting pressure.
The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 .