JP5071329B2 - Electric vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner that can reduce power consumption.

  Conventionally, as this type of vacuum cleaner, an electric blower is provided in the main body of the vacuum cleaner, and a suction tool for sucking dust by the intake air generated by the electric blower is connected to the main body of the vacuum cleaner through a hose, etc. The suction tool is provided with a rotary brush and an electric motor for rotating the rotary brush, and a power supply line is provided from the main body of the vacuum cleaner to the motor of the suction tool. The power supply line has a switch, and the suction tool Grounding detection means for detecting whether the tool is grounded on the surface to be cleaned is provided. When the switch is closed and the suction device is grounded to the surface to be cleaned by the ground detection means, the motor is driven, and the switch is opened and the suction port is grounded to the surface to be cleaned by the ground detection means. If it is not, the motor of the suction tool stops.

Moreover, when the state where the suction tool is not grounded to the surface to be cleaned is detected by the ground detection means, not only the motor stops, but also there is the one that lowers or stops the input of the electric blower for power saving and noise reduction. (For example, see Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).
JP-A-1-198519 JP 2002-369777 A JP 2007-54146 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, it has been found that the timing for returning from the forced stop state does not match the user's sense. It takes about 1 to 3 seconds to detect the landing and restore the input of the electric blower, and it has been found that it deviates from the actual feeling of the user. For example, when a user performs a cleaning operation immediately after grounding the suction tool on the cleaning surface for cleaning, the electric blower is stopped during one or half reciprocation. The dust is not sucked. If there is a user's notice, cleaning is performed once again, but if there is no notice, there is a problem of making a part that cannot be cleaned.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and is an easy-to-use device that automatically returns to a running state from a stopped state that meets the user's actual feeling while automatically stopping the operation of the electric blower to save power and reduce noise. The aim is to provide a good vacuum cleaner.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, an electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes an electric blower that generates suction air, a drive unit that drives the electric blower, a dust detection unit that detects sucked dust, and the electric drive unit. Control means for adjusting the amount of power supplied to the blower, a suction tool for sucking dust from the surface to be cleaned by suction air generated by the electric blower, and detecting whether the suction tool is grounded to the surface to be cleaned In the vacuum cleaner that controls the driving means to forcibly stop the electric blower when the control means detects that the suction tool has moved away from the surface to be cleaned. The electric blower is operated at a low input so that the suction force necessary for the operation of the dust detection means is generated until the control means judges that the landing is made after the equipment is grounded. It was.

  As a result, when a user performs a cleaning operation immediately after the suction tool is grounded to the cleaning surface for cleaning, the suction force necessary for the operation of the dust detection means is generated at the time of grounding. Since the electric blower is operated with low input, there is no deviation from the actual feeling of the user. At this time, if the control means receives the dust detection from the dust detection means, the electric blower can be immediately returned to the input before the forced stop, so that no portion left uncleaned can be made. Therefore, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use vacuum cleaner that recovers from a stopped state to a driving state suitable for the user while saving power and reducing noise.

  When the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is in a state where the suction tool is floating from the surface to be cleaned, such as when left unattended during operation, the operation of the electric blower is automatically stopped to save power and reduce the noise. It is possible to provide an easy-to-use vacuum cleaner that can return from a stopped state to a driving state suitable for a person's actual feeling.

  The first invention is an electric blower that generates suction air, a drive means that drives the electric blower, a dust detection means that detects sucked dust, and a control means that adjusts the amount of power supplied to the electric blower. A suction tool for sucking dust from the surface to be cleaned by suction air generated by the electric blower, and a grounding detection means for detecting whether or not the suction tool is in contact with the surface to be cleaned. In the vacuum cleaner that controls the driving means to forcibly stop the electric blower when it is detected that the suction tool has moved away from the surface to be cleaned, the control means is landing after the suction tool is grounded. The electric blower is operated at a low input so that a suction force necessary for the operation of the dust detection means is generated until it is determined.

  As a result, when the user lifts the suction tool and moves to the next cleaning place to change the cleaning location, the control means detects from the output information of the ground detection means that the suction tool is not grounded to the surface to be cleaned. Then, the electric blower is controlled to be forcibly stopped. Next, when the user grounds the suction tool on the surface to be cleaned to finish the movement and start cleaning, the control means receives the grounding information from the ground detection means, and the dust detection means immediately activates the electric blower. It is operated with low input so as to generate a suction force necessary for power generation and to save power. When the grounding information is detected from the grounding detection unit for a specified time, the control unit determines that the suction tool has landed and returns the input to the input before forcibly stopping the electric blower. In addition, when the control means receives the dust detection information from the dust detection means during the specified time when it is determined that the suction tool has landed, the control means immediately returns to the input before forcibly stopping the electric blower. , Eliminate the leftover of dust. In this way, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use vacuum cleaner that returns from the stopped state to the operating state in accordance with the user's feeling while achieving power saving and noise reduction.

  In a second aspect of the invention, the suction tool of the first aspect of the invention comprises a rotating brush for scraping dust, an electric motor for rotating the rotating brush, and an electric motor driving means for driving the electric motor. A signal is transmitted to the motor driving means to control the amount of power supplied to the motor, and when the control means detects that the suction tool has moved away from the surface to be cleaned, the motor driving means is controlled to control the electric motor. In the vacuum cleaner that forcibly stops the rotating brush, the rotating brush is rotated at a low speed until the suction tool comes into contact with the ground until it is determined that the floor is landing.

  When the user lifts the suction tool and moves to the next cleaning place to change the cleaning location, the control means detects that the suction tool is not grounded on the surface to be cleaned from the output information of the ground detection means. Control to forcibly stop the blower and rotating brush. Next, when the user grounds the suction tool on the surface to be cleaned to finish the movement and start cleaning, the control means receives the grounding information from the ground detection means, and the dust detection means immediately activates the electric blower. In addition to operating at a low input so as to generate a suction force necessary for power generation and saving power, the rotating brush is rotated at a low speed. As described above, when the electric blower is operated at a low rotation speed, the rotating brush is also rotated at a low rotation speed so that the dust on the surface to be cleaned can be swept up, so that the dust detection means can more easily detect the dust. In addition, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use vacuum cleaner that returns from the stopped state to the operating state in accordance with the user's feeling while achieving power saving and noise reduction.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the dust detecting means detects that the dust has been sucked in during the period from when the suction tool according to the first or second aspect of the invention is grounded until the control means determines to land. The input of the electric blower or the rotational speed of the rotating brush is returned to the state before forcibly stopping, so that the control means can detect the dust from the dust detection means during the specified time when it is determined that the suction tool has landed. When the detection information is received, the electric blower and the rotating brush are immediately returned to the input and the rotational speed before forcibly stopping, thereby eliminating the remaining of dust.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, when the control means of the first or second aspect of the invention determines landing, the input of the electric blower or the rotational speed of the rotating brush is returned to the state before the forced stop. When the grounding information is detected from the grounding detection means for a specified time, the control means determines that the suction tool has landed and returns to the input and rotational speed before the electric blower or rotating brush is forcibly stopped. Can be realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of the vacuum cleaner in the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the vacuum cleaner.

  In FIG. 2, a vacuum cleaner main body (hereinafter referred to as “main body”) 1 includes an electric blower 2 that generates suction air, and a dust collection chamber 3 that collects dust contained in the suction air. The main body 1 has a hose 4 that is detachably connected. The hose 4 has an operation means 5 at its hand, and various operation modes (for example, “strong”, “medium”, “weak”, “off”, etc.). (Suction force) can be selected. At the tip of the hose 4 where the operating means 5 is located, there is an extension tube 6 that is detachably connected. Further, at the tip of the extension tube 6, a suction tool 7 that contacts the surface to be cleaned and can suck dust is also attached and detached. Connected freely. The suction tool 7 incorporates an electric motor 10 and a rotating brush 12 that has the effect of rotating the rotational force of the electric motor 10 through a belt 11 and scuffing up dust on the surface to be cleaned. Further, the hose 4 houses a dust detection means 22 composed of an infrared light emitting diode 20 (hereinafter referred to as a light emitting portion) and a phototransistor 21 (hereinafter referred to as a light receiving portion). Since the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 21 changes when the dust passes between the light emitting unit 20 and the light receiving unit 21 in the hose 4 (in the suction path), the dust can be detected.

  FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of this vacuum cleaner, and 31 is a drive means composed of a bidirectional thyristor or the like for driving the electric blower 2. Reference numeral 32 denotes electric motor driving means for phase-controlling the electric motor 10 that rotationally drives the rotary brush 12 via the belt 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes a ground contact detection means for detecting whether or not the suction tool 7 is grounded to the surface to be cleaned. Reference numeral 30 denotes control means composed of a microcomputer or the like. The control means 30 takes in the switch operation information of the operation means 5, and controls the motor drive means 32 and the drive means 31 by outputting an ignition pulse for phase control based on the information. 40 is a commercial power source for supplying power to the vacuum cleaner.

  About the vacuum cleaner comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, the operation for controlling the electric blower 2 to be forcibly stopped when the control means 30 detects that the suction tool 7 is not in contact with the surface to be cleaned (switch open state) from the output information of the ground detection means 13 will be briefly described. To do.

  In the vacuum cleaner to which all the components are connected as shown in FIG. 2, when the user operates the operation means 5, the control means 30 detects that the operation information signal is operated, for example, the strong operation mode. A control signal is output to the drive unit 31 so that the power supplied to the blower 2 is maximized, and a predetermined drive signal is output to the motor drive unit 32 in order to drive the motor 10. The control state at this time is shown in the control timing chart of FIG.

  At the time of Ta0, the control means 30 has determined the presence of grounding information from the grounding detection means 13, and is driving the electric blower 2 with the driving means 31 in the strong operation mode. At the same time, the electric motor 10 is driven by the electric motor driving means 32 and the rotary brush 12 is rotated at a high speed.

  When the suction tool 7 is separated from the surface to be cleaned by the user, the control means 30 obtains information on no grounding from the grounding detection means 13 (Ta1). The control means 30 determines that the suction tool is not grounded (leaving the floor) at the time (Ta2) when the information on no grounding is detected for a specified time (for example, 1 second), and supplies power to the electric blower 2 and the motor 10. Is controlled to forcibly stop.

  Thereafter, in the conventional control, when the suction tool 7 is grounded to the surface to be cleaned again, the control means 30 obtains information that there is grounding from the grounding detection means 13 (Ta3). Then, the control means 30 determines that the suction tool is grounded (landing) at the time (Ta4) when the information with grounding is detected for a specified time (for example, 2 seconds), and the power to the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 10 is determined. Control is performed such that the supply is restarted by the control before the forced stop (control at the time of Ta0).

  However, in this control, when the user performs the cleaning operation immediately after the suction tool 7 is grounded to the cleaning surface for cleaning, the electric blower is stopped during one or half reciprocation. If the user notices that the dust on the surface to be cleaned has not been sucked and the user has not sucked the dust, the cleaning will be performed again, but if it is not noticed, a part that cannot be cleaned will be created. , It has been found that it does not fit the user's feeling.

  Then, control of the vacuum cleaner of this invention is demonstrated using the timing chart of control of FIG.3 (b).

  The conventional control (Ta1, Ta2) described above is performed until the power supply to the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 10 is forcibly stopped (Tb1, Tb2) while the suction tool 7 is separated from the surface to be cleaned by the user. ).

  Thereafter, when the suction tool 7 is grounded to the surface to be cleaned again, the control means 30 obtains information that there is grounding from the grounding detection means 13 (Tb3). Immediately at this time, the control means 30 supplies electric power to the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 10. For example, the control unit 30 sends a drive signal to the drive unit 31 so as to operate the electric blower 2 in a weak mode (for example, about 200 W). At the same time, a drive signal for operating the electric motor 10 is sent to the electric drive means 32 so as to rotate the rotary brush 12 at a low rotation (Tb3).

  As a result, the electric blower 2 starts rotating and suction force is generated, and the electric motor 10 also starts rotating, and the effect of scuffing up dust on the surface to be cleaned is also exhibited. Due to this lifting force and suction force, the control means 30 is in a state where dust can be detected even while it is determined to be landing (between Tb3 and Tb4). If there is no dust during the determination of the landing, control is performed such that the power supply to the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 10 is restarted by the control before the forced stop at the time Tb4.

  Next, the control when the control means 30 detects dust during the period for determining landing (between Tb3 and Tb4) will be described with reference to the control timing chart of FIG.

  From the state in which the suction tool 7 is separated from the surface to be cleaned by the user, the control device 30 is grounded to the surface to be cleaned again, and the control means 30 removes the suction force and the surface to be cleaned necessary for the dust detection means 22 to operate at a minimum. The control up to the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 10 in which the electric power is supplied to the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 10 (between Tc1 and Tc3) is the same as the above-described control (between Tb1 and Tb3).

  If the control means 30 detects dust from the information of the dust detection means 22 until it is determined to be landing (Tc4), it immediately determines the landing and supplies power to the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 10. Is controlled to resume with the control before the forced stop.

  That is, the operation state in which the dust detection means 22 generates the suction force necessary for the minimum operation of the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 10 that have been forcibly stopped immediately after being grounded (in this case, the weak mode) By operating at low speed, power saving and noise reduction can be achieved, and even if the user performs the cleaning operation immediately after being grounded, the user-friendliness of the user who does not create an uncleaned part Can provide a good vacuum cleaner.

  In the present embodiment, the suction tool 7 is grounded to the surface to be cleaned again from the state where the user has separated the suction tool 7 from the surface to be cleaned, and the control means 30 is connected to the electric blower 2 in the low power operation mode. When the landing is detected from the control for supplying electric power to the electric motor 10 or when dust is detected from the information of the dust detecting means 22, the electric power supply to the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 10 is controlled before the forced stop. Although it has been described that the power supply is restarted, the power supply is not restarted suddenly, but is returned stepwise (between Td4 and Td5) as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use vacuum cleaner that can return from a stopped state to a driving state suitable for the user's feeling.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram showing the configuration of the cleaning operation detecting means.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning operation detecting means 23 is provided in the suction tool 7, and disk-shaped electrodes 27 and 28 are sandwiched between the cylindrical electrodes 24 and the bottom portions at both ends thereof with insulators 25 and 26 interposed therebetween. The conductive ball 29 is arranged inside and disposed therein. As shown in the control block diagram of FIG. 4, a signal is transmitted from the cleaner body 1 to the suction tool 7 so that a signal from the cleaning operation detection means 23 is input to the control means 30. Needless to say, a DC power source is constructed from a commercial power source for detecting the operation of the cleaning operation detecting means 23. Further, which of the disk-like electrodes 27 and 28 is in contact with the cleaning operation detecting means 23 is detected by the divided voltage of the resistors R7 and R8 and the main body resistor R4.

  About the vacuum cleaner comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  The electric blower 2 and the electric motor 10 are operated with a suction force corresponding to the hand operation by a signal from the operation means 5. Here, when the suction tool 7 is pushed forward (hereinafter referred to as forward movement), the conductive ball 29 of the cleaning operation detecting means 23 moves to the extension tube 6 side due to acceleration, and is applied to the disk-like electrode 28 on the extension tube 6 side. In contact, when the divided voltage of R8 and R4 is input to the control means 30 and pulled backward (hereinafter referred to as rearward movement), the conductive ball 29 contacts the disk electrode 27, and the divided voltage of R7 and R4 Is input to the control means 30, it can be detected whether the vehicle is moving forward or backward.

  Next, the control of the control means 30 will be described with reference to the control timing chart of FIG.

  When the suction tool 7 is moved away from the surface to be cleaned by the user during operation of the vacuum cleaner, the control means 30 obtains information on the absence of grounding from the grounding detection means 13 (Te1). The control means 30 establishes that the suction tool is not grounded (leaving the floor) at the time (Te2) when information on no ground contact is detected for a specified time (for example, 1 second), and supplies power to the electric blower 2 and the motor 10 Control to forcibly stop.

  Thereafter, when the suction tool 7 is grounded to the surface to be cleaned again, the control means 30 obtains information that there is grounding from the grounding detection means 13 (Te3). Immediately at this time, the control means 30 supplies power only to the electric blower 2. For example, the control means 30 sends a drive signal to the drive means 31 so as to operate the electric blower 2 in the weak mode. Thereby, the electric blower 2 starts to rotate and a suction force is generated (Te3). At this time, since the drive signal is not sent to the motor drive means 32, the rotary brush 12 is stopped. Therefore, although there is no effect of scuffing up dust on the surface to be cleaned, the suction force necessary for the dust detection means 22 to operate at a minimum is generated. This is intended to save power and reduce noise by stopping the rotating brush 12. If the control means 30 does not detect the cleaning operation (forward movement or backward movement of the suction tool 7) by the user during the determination of landing (for example, about 2 seconds), the electric blower 2 and the electric motor 10 at the time Te4. The control (between Te4 and Te5) is performed such that the power supply to is resumed stepwise until the control before the forced stop.

  Next, the control when the control means 30 detects the user's cleaning operation during the determination of landing (between Te3 and Te4) will be described with reference to the control timing chart of FIG.

  Up to (between Tf1 and Tf3) is the same as the above-described control (between Te1 and Te3). When the control means 30 detects the forward movement or the backward movement of the suction tool 7 from the information of the cleaning operation detection means 23 until it is determined to be landing (Tf4), the landing is immediately determined and electric Control is performed to return the power supply to the blower 2 and the electric motor 10 in stages to the control before the forced stop (between Tf4 and Tf5).

  That is, the electric blower 2 that has been forcibly stopped immediately after being grounded is operated in an operation state (here, a weak mode) in which the dust detection means 22 generates a suction force necessary for minimum operation. Even if the user performs the cleaning operation immediately after touching the ground, it is not possible to clean by detecting it and returning it to the operation state before the forced stop step by step. It is possible to provide an easy-to-use vacuum cleaner that is suitable for the user who does not make a spot.

  As described above, the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention is a technique useful for an easy-to-use vacuum cleaner that can save power and reduce noise and can return from a stopped state to a driving state according to a user's actual feeling. is there.

Control block diagram of the electric vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention External perspective view of the vacuum cleaner (A) Timing chart of control of conventional vacuum cleaner (b) Timing chart of other control of vacuum cleaner in embodiment 1 of the present invention (c) Timing chart of other control of vacuum cleaner (d) ) Timing chart of other controls of the vacuum cleaner Control block diagram of the electric vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 2 of the present invention (A) Simplified view of the cleaning operation detecting means in Embodiment 2 of the present invention (b) Detailed conceptual diagram of the cleaning operation detecting means of the vacuum cleaner (c) Cylindrical electrode of the cleaning operation detecting means of the vacuum cleaner Of the relationship between the ball and the conductive ball (A) Timing chart of control of electric vacuum cleaner in embodiment 2 of this invention (b) Timing chart of other control of the electric vacuum cleaner

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Electric blower 7 Suction tool 10 Electric motor 12 Rotating brush 13 Grounding detection means 22 Dust detection means 23 Cleaning operation detection means 30 Control means 31 Driving means 32 Electric motor driving means

Claims (4)

An electric blower that generates suction air, a drive unit that drives the electric blower, a dust detection unit that detects sucked dust, a control unit that adjusts the amount of power supplied to the electric blower, and the electric blower are generated. A suction tool for sucking dust from the surface to be cleaned by the suction air and a grounding detecting means for detecting whether or not the suction tool is in contact with the surface to be cleaned, wherein the suction tool is separated from the surface to be cleaned. When the control means detects that, in the vacuum cleaner that controls the drive means to forcibly stop the electric blower, after the suction tool is grounded, a period until the control means determines to land, A vacuum cleaner that operates an electric blower with low input. The suction tool includes a rotating brush for scraping dust, an electric motor for rotating the rotating brush, and an electric motor driving means for driving the electric motor, and the control means transmits a signal to the electric motor driving means to transmit the electric motor In a vacuum cleaner that controls the amount of electric power supplied to the electric motor and controls the electric motor driving means to forcibly stop the rotating brush through the electric motor when it is detected that the suction tool has moved away from the surface to be cleaned. 2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the rotary brush is rotated at a low rotation speed until the control means determines to land after the suction tool is grounded. When the dust detection means detects that the dust has been sucked in until the control means determines that it is landing after the suction tool is grounded, the input of the electric blower or the rotation speed of the rotary brush is forcibly set. The vacuum cleaner of Claim 1 or 2 which returns to the state before stopping. 3. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the control means returns the input of the electric blower or the rotational speed of the rotary brush to a state before the forced stop when it is determined that the floor is landing.

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