JP5620131B2 - Electric vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner provided with dust amount detection means for detecting the amount of dust passing through an air passage.

  Conventionally, this type of vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum cleaner body that houses an electric blower. A hose body communicating with the suction side of the electric blower through the dust collecting chamber is detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner body, and an extension pipe that forms an air passage with the hose body and A floor brush as a suction port body is detachably connected. Then, the amount of dust passing through the air passage is detected by the dust amount detecting means, and the dust removal performance is controlled by changing the input of the electric blower in accordance with the detected amount of dust (for example, Patent Document 1). reference.).

Japanese Patent No. 2668899 (page 2, FIGS. 1 to 4)

  However, in the above vacuum cleaner, for example, when the air passage is relatively clogged, the suction force does not increase even if the input of the electric blower is increased in accordance with the amount of dust detected by the dust amount detection means. There is a problem that only the load of the electric blower becomes large.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a point, and it aims at providing the vacuum cleaner which can control the input of an electric blower appropriately according to the amount of dust and the clogged state of an air path.

The present invention detects dust amount detecting means for detecting the amount of dust passing through the air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower, clogging detecting means for detecting a clogged state in the air passage, and dust amount detecting means. Control means for controlling the input of the electric blower corresponding to the amount of dust passing through the air path, and the control means has the dust amount passing through the air path detected by the dust amount detection means being a predetermined amount or more. If the input of the electric blower is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and the input is greater than or equal to the predetermined value , the input of the electric blower is reduced when the clogged state in the air passage detected by the clogging detection means is greater than or equal to the predetermined value. , together with the clogging increases the input of the electric blower when not given above, in a state where the amount of dust passing through the air passage detected by the dust amount detection means is not the predetermined value or more input not more than a predetermined amount The detection of the clogging detecting means those not used to control the input of the electric blower.

According to the present invention, when the amount of dust passing through the air passage detected by the dust amount detection means is a predetermined amount or more, the input of the electric blower is set to a predetermined value or more, and clogging occurs when this input is set to a predetermined value or more. The input of the electric blower is reduced when the clogged state in the air passage detected by the detecting means is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and the input of the electric blower is increased when the clogged condition is not greater than or equal to the predetermined value, and the dust amount detecting means In the state where the amount of dust passing through the detected air passage is not more than a predetermined amount and the input is not more than a predetermined value , the detection of the clogging detection means is not used for the control of the input of the electric blower, so that the amount of dust and the air passage The input of the electric blower can be appropriately controlled according to the clogged state.

It is a block diagram which shows the vacuum cleaner of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a part of vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a flowchart which shows control of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the amount of suction | inhalation airflows of an electric vacuum cleaner same as the above, and input. It is a flowchart which shows control of the vacuum cleaner of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  The configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 11 denotes a so-called canister-type vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 11 has a vacuum cleaner body 12 and a pipe portion 13 that is detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner body 12. .

  The vacuum cleaner main body 12 includes a hollow main body case 15 that can swivel and run on the surface to be cleaned, and a main body dust collection chamber and an electric blower chamber (not shown) are partitioned in the front and rear in the main body case 15. Has been. Furthermore, an electric blower 18 is accommodated in the electric blower chamber, and the suction side of the electric blower 18 communicates with the main body dust collection chamber. Further, a dust collecting section such as a filter, a dust collecting bag, or a dust collecting device (dust collecting cup) is disposed in the main body dust collecting chamber. A main body suction port 19 is formed in the front portion of the main body case 15 so as to communicate with the main body dust collection chamber and to which the proximal end side of the pipe portion 13 is connected.

  Further, the pipe part 13 includes a connecting pipe part 21 connected to the main body suction port 19, a flexible hose body 22 communicating with the distal end side of the connecting pipe part 21, and a distal end side of the hose body 22. The provided hand operating section 23, an extension pipe 24 that is detachably connected to the distal end side of the hand operating section 23, and a floor brush 26 as a suction port body that is connected to the distal end side of the extension pipe 24. It has. And this pipe part 13 is an air path structure which divides the air path W connected to the suction side of the electric blower 18 together with the main body dust collecting chamber (dust collecting part) and the like.

  Here, the floor brush 26 includes a case body 31 that is long in the left-right width direction, that is, a horizontally long case body 31, and a connecting pipe 32 that is rotatably connected to the rear portion of the substantially center position of the case body 31 in the left-right width direction. I have. A suction port (not shown) is formed in the lower part of the case body 31 so as to be elongated in the left-right width direction. The connection pipe 32 communicates with the suction port and is detachably connected to the distal end side of the pipe portion 13 (extension pipe 24) shown in FIG. Further, a rotary brush (not shown) as a rotary cleaning body is rotatably attached to the suction port.

  Further, a gripping portion 37 protrudes toward the hose body 22 side on the hand operation portion 23, and a plurality of setting buttons 38 as electric blower operation means for setting the operation mode of the electric blower 18 are provided on the gripping portion 37. , And a stop button 40 as a stop means for turning off the electric vacuum cleaner 11 is provided.

  Next, the internal structure of the first embodiment will be described.

  In the cleaner main body 12, as shown in FIG. 1, a control means 42 for controlling the phase of the operation of the electric blower 18 through, for example, a triac Tr as a control element is arranged. The control means 42 is electrically connected to buttons 38 and 40, a dust amount detecting means 44 for detecting the amount of dust sucked into the air passage W, and a clogging detecting means 45 for detecting a clogging state in the air passage W, respectively. It is connected to the.

  The control means 42 is, for example, an operation determination means for determining an operation by the buttons 38, 40, a current detection means as an air volume detection means for detecting an intake air volume by detecting an electric current of the electric blower 18, and a storage means for storing various data These are electrically connected to form a microcomputer together with these, and are arranged, for example, in the exhaust air passage of the electric blower 18. The control means 42 is supplied with power from a commercial AC power source e via, for example, a plug portion 46 (FIG. 3). The control means 42 can drive the electric blower 18 in the operation mode set by the setting button 38, for example, the strong mode, the medium mode, the weak mode, or the automatic mode for automatically controlling the input of the electric blower 18. Is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the dust amount detecting means 44 includes, for example, a light emitting section 47 as a light emitting means for emitting infrared light, and a light receiving section as a light receiving means for receiving the infrared light emitted by the light emitting section 47. 48 are provided at positions facing each other, and a signal corresponding to the amount of dust passing through the air passage W can be output to the control means 42 by the amount of infrared light received by the light receiving unit 48 from the light emitting unit 47 It has become.

  The light emitting unit 47 includes a light emitting element 47a such as an LED that outputs light such as infrared light, and one and other light emitting sides as a light emitting side light guide member that guides light emitted from the light emitting element 47a into the air path W. And lenses 47b and 47c.

  The light emitting element 47a is disposed, for example, at the upper part of the main body suction port 19 of the cleaner body 12, and is configured to output infrared light downward.

  One light-emitting side lens 47b is arranged on the inner surface of the main body suction port 19 below the infrared light output side of the light-emitting element 47a.

  The other light-emitting side lens 47c is arranged at a position facing the lower side of the light-emitting element 47a (light-emitting side lens 47b) in a state where the connecting tube portion 21 of the tube portion 13 is connected to the main body suction port 19. The other light-emitting side lens 47c is fitted in a light-emitting side hole 47d formed in the connecting pipe portion 21 along the radial direction so as to air-tightly close the light-emitting side hole 47d. One end side faces the light emitting element 47a side (light emitting side lens 47b side), and the other end side faces the inside of the air path W. That is, the air in the air passage W does not flow out of the air passage W from the light emitting side hole 47d.

  Similarly, the light receiving unit 48 includes a light receiving element 48a such as a phototransistor that detects infrared light output from the light emitting unit 47, and a light receiving side light guide member that guides the light output from the light emitting unit 47 to the light receiving element 48a. And the other light-receiving side lenses 48b and 48c.

  The light receiving element 48a is arranged, for example, below the main body suction port 19 of the cleaner body 12 and upward, that is, toward the light emitting element 47a, and is configured to receive infrared light output from the light emitting element 47a. Has been.

  One light-receiving side lens 48b is disposed on the inner surface of the main body suction port 19 above the infrared light input side with respect to the light-receiving element 48a.

  The other light receiving side lens 48c is disposed at a position facing the light receiving element 48a (light receiving side lens 48b) in a state where the connecting tube portion 21 of the tube portion 13 is connected to the main body suction port 19. The other light-receiving side lens 48c is fitted in a light-receiving side hole 48d formed in the connecting tube portion 21 along the radial direction so as to air-tightly close the light-receiving side hole 48d. One end faces the light receiving element 48a side (light receiving side lens 48b side), and the other end faces the inside of the air passage W. That is, the air in the air passage W does not flow out of the air passage W from the light receiving side hole 48d.

  Further, the clogging detection means 45 shown in FIG. 1 detects, for example, a clogged state of the air passage W by detecting the current of the electric blower 18, for example, a current detection means such as a current transformer, or the pressure in the air passage W. For example, pressure detection means such as a pressure sensor is used to detect the clogged state of the air passage W. That is, as the clogging of the air passage W increases, the current of the electric blower 18 changes and the pressure in the air passage W increases. By detecting these, the clogging detecting means 45 causes the air passage W to It is configured so that the clogging state of can be detected.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 and the graph shown in FIG. 5 together with FIGS.

  With the dust collector attached to the vacuum cleaner main body 12 (FIG. 3), the user connects the plug 46 (FIG. 3) to a wall outlet, etc., grips the grip 37, and presses the setting button 38. When a desired operation mode is set by operating, the control means 42 determines this setting, drives the electric blower 18 in the set operation mode, and starts the vacuum cleaner 11 (step 1).

  The control means 42 drives the electric blower 18 while monitoring its operation state via a signal from the clogging detection means 45, the dust amount detection means 44, etc., while waiting for input of the buttons 38 and 40. Become. At this time, the user causes the floor brush 26 to travel back and forth on the surface to be cleaned via the gripping portion 37 (FIG. 3), and removes dust on the surface to be cleaned from the electric blower 18 via the air passage W. Inhaled with air by pressure and collected in the dust collector. Hereinafter, only the case where the operation mode is set to the automatic mode will be described, and the description of the case where another operation mode is set will be omitted.

  The control means 42 reads the amount of dust passing through the air passage W detected by the dust amount detecting means 44 (step 2), and whether the amount of dust passing through the air passage W is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (predetermined amount). It is determined whether or not there is a large amount of dust on the surface to be cleaned (step 3). As this threshold value, for example, a preset table or the like is used.

  In step 3, when the control unit 42 determines that the dust amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (predetermined amount), that is, the amount of dust on the surface to be cleaned is large, the control unit 42 receives the input from the electric blower 18. It is determined whether or not it is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value P1 (for example, 600 W), which is a predetermined value set in advance (step 4). On the other hand, when the control means 42 determines in step 3 that the amount of dust is less than a predetermined threshold (predetermined amount), that is, the amount of dust on the surface to be cleaned is small, the control means 42 uses the triac Tr to drive the electric blower 18. Is set to a second predetermined value P2 (for example, 300 W) smaller than the first predetermined value P1 (step 5), and the process proceeds to step 13. Here, the second predetermined value P2 is a minimum input value that can secure an air volume that can be detected by the dust quantity detection means 44 in the air passage W.

  Further, in step 4, the control means 42 determines that the input of the electric blower 18 is not equal to or higher than the preset first predetermined value P1, that is, the input of the electric blower 18 is less than the preset first predetermined value P1. In this case, the control means 42 sets the input of the electric blower 18 to the first predetermined value P1 by the triac Tr (step 6), and proceeds to step 7. On the other hand, when the control means 42 determines in step 4 that the input of the electric blower 18 is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value P1 set in advance, the process proceeds to step 7 as it is.

  In step 6 or step 3, the control means 42 sets the input of the electric blower 18 to the first predetermined value P1 or the second predetermined value P2, but the actual input of the electric blower 18 is shown in FIG. As shown, it gradually decreases as the suction air volume decreases. Therefore, hereinafter, the input set by the control means 42 refers to the set value of the input of the electric blower 18 viewed from the control means 42 side, and does not refer to the actual input value of the electric blower 18.

  Next, in step 7, the control means 42 reads the clogged state of the air passage W detected by the clogging detection means 45. Then, the control means 42 determines whether or not the read clogged state of the air passage W is equal to or greater than a predetermined first clogged state (whether the suction air volume is equal to or less than a first predetermined threshold value Q1). Determine (step 8). Here, the first clogging state is a severe clogging state in which an increase in suction force cannot be expected so much even if the input of the electric blower 18 is increased.

  In step 8, when the control means 42 determines that the clogged state of the air passage W is equal to or greater than a predetermined first clogged state, the control means 42 uses the triac Tr to drive the electric blower 18. Is set to a third predetermined value P3 (for example, 250 W) smaller than the second predetermined value P2 (step 9), and the process proceeds to step 13. On the other hand, when the control means 42 determines in step 8 that the clogged state of the air passage W is not equal to or higher than the predetermined first clogged state, that is, has not reached the first clogged state, Whether the clogging state of the air passage W read in step 7 is equal to or larger than a predetermined second clogging state set in advance (the suction air volume is larger than the first predetermined threshold Q1 and the second predetermined threshold Q2 (Step 10). Here, the second clogging state is a lighter clogging state than the first clogging state in which an increase in suction force can be expected by increasing the input of the electric blower 18.

  If the control means 42 determines in step 10 that the clogged state of the air passage W is not equal to or higher than the predetermined second clogged state, that is, has not reached the second clogged state, the step 13 is continued. If it is determined in step 10 that the clogged state of the air passage W is greater than or equal to a predetermined second clogged state set in advance, the control means 42 sets the input of the electric blower 18 in advance. Is determined to be greater than or equal to the upper limit input value PH (step 11), and if it is determined that the input of the electric blower 18 is not greater than or equal to the upper limit input value PH, that is, less than the upper limit input value PH, The input is increased by a predetermined amount (step 12), and the process proceeds to step 13. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 11 that the input of the electric blower 18 is greater than or equal to the preset upper limit input value PH, the process proceeds to step 13 as it is. In step 11, the control means 42 determines whether or not the input of the electric blower 18 is equal to or higher than a preset upper limit input value PH. For example, the number of times the control in step 12 is performed is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. It may be determined whether or not. That is, when the control for increasing the input of the electric blower 18 by a predetermined amount is performed a predetermined number of times or more, the input of the electric blower 18 may be controlled not to increase any more.

  In step 13, the control means 42 determines whether or not the stop button 40 has been operated. If it is determined that the stop button 40 has been operated, the electric blower 18 is stopped (step 14) and the control is terminated. If it is determined that the stop button 40 is not operated, the process returns to step 2 as it is.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the amount of dust passing through the air passage W detected by the dust amount detection means 44 is a predetermined amount or more, the input of the electric blower 18 is set to the first predetermined value P1 or more. The input of the electric blower 18 is controlled in accordance with the clogging state in the air passage W detected by the clogging detection means 45 in a state where the input is the first predetermined value P1 or more.

  Specifically, when the amount of dust on the surface to be cleaned (the amount of dust passing through the air passage W) is relatively large, the control means 42 sets the input of the electric blower 18 to the first predetermined value P1 or more. Even if the amount of dust collected in the dust portion increases, the suction force can be secured, and when the amount of dust on the surface to be cleaned is relatively small, the control means 42 makes the input of the electric blower 18 from the first predetermined value P1. Is set to a small second predetermined value P2, energy-saving operation, that is, efficient cleaning becomes possible. Further, the clogged state in the air passage W detected by the clogging detection means 45 in a state where the input of the electric blower is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value P1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined first clogged state. If the suction force cannot be expected to increase even if the input is increased, the input of the electric blower 18 when the control means 42 detects the dust detected by the dust amount detection means 44 is less than the predetermined amount, that is, the second predetermined value P2 Since the lowered third predetermined value P3 is set, the load on the electric blower 18 can be reduced when the air passage W is relatively clogged.

  Thus, in the vacuum cleaner 11 of the first embodiment, the input of the electric blower 18 can be appropriately controlled in accordance with the amount of dust and the clogged state of the air passage W, and the life of the electric blower 18 is long-lasting. Can be made.

  Further, the clogged state in the air passage W detected by the clogging detection means 45 in a state where the input of the electric blower 18 is the first predetermined value P1 or more is lighter than the predetermined first clogged state, that is, the electric blower 18 When the control means 42 increases the input of the electric blower 18 when the clogging is relatively small, the suction force is reduced when the clogging is relatively small. It can be cleaned more efficiently without deteriorating.

  Further, since the electric blower 18 controls the operation by monitoring the current by the current detection means, when the clogging detection means 45 is a current detection means for detecting the current of the electric blower 18, the above-described current The detection means can be shared as the clogging detection means 45, the configuration can be simplified, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be prevented.

  Further, when the clogging detecting means 45 is a pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure in the air passage W, the clogging state of the air passage W can be detected with higher accuracy by the pressure in the air passage W.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure and effect | action similar to the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the second embodiment, the control means 42 determines in step 8 of the first embodiment that the clogged state of the air passage W is a predetermined first clogged state. The process proceeds to step 14, that is, the input of the electric blower 18 is stopped.

  As described above, when the clogged state in the air passage W detected by the clogging detection means 45 in the state where the input of the electric blower 18 is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value P1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined first clogged state. By stopping the blower 18, when the air path W is relatively clogged, the load on the electric blower 18 can be eliminated, and the electric blower 18 can be protected more reliably.

  In each of the above embodiments, the operation mode of the electric blower 18 can be arbitrarily set. That is, even when the electric blower 18 is not driven in the automatic mode, the same operational effects as those in the above embodiments can be obtained by setting the predetermined values P1 to P3 and the like for each operation mode. .

  Further, the control means 42 is configured to control the input of the electric blower 18 step by step by determining the dust amount step by step by comparing the signal from the dust amount detection means 44 corresponding to the dust amount and a threshold value. Instead, for example, the input of the electric blower 18 may be linearly controlled with respect to a signal from the dust amount detection means 44 corresponding to the dust amount.

  Furthermore, the internal configuration of the vacuum cleaner 11 such as the control means 42 may be selected and combined as an arbitrary function, or may be separate.

  The electric blower 18 and the control means 42 may be driven by a power source such as a secondary battery instead of the commercial AC power source e.

  The vacuum cleaner 11 is not limited to the canister type, and can be used in correspondence with, for example, an upright type or a handy type in which the floor brush 26 is connected to the lower portion of the vertically long vacuum cleaner body 12. . That is, the details of the vacuum cleaner 11 are not limited to the above-described configurations.

11 Vacuum cleaner
12 Vacuum cleaner body
18 Electric blower
42 Control means
44 Dust amount detection means
45 Clogging detection means W Air passage

Claims (6)

A vacuum cleaner body containing an electric blower,
An air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower;
Dust amount detecting means for detecting the amount of dust passing through the air passage;
Clogging detecting means for detecting a clogged state in the air passage;
Control means for controlling the input of the electric blower corresponding to the amount of dust passing through the air passage detected by the dust amount detection means,
The control means sets the input of the electric blower to a predetermined value or more when the amount of dust passing through the air passage detected by the dust amount detection means is a predetermined value or more, and in a state where the input is a predetermined value or more When the clogged state in the air passage detected by the clogging detection means is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the input of the electric blower is reduced, and when the clogged state is not greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the input of the electric blower is increased. In the state where the amount of dust passing through the air passage detected by the dust amount detection means is not equal to or greater than a predetermined amount and the input is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value , the detection of the clogging detection means controls the input of the electric blower A vacuum cleaner characterized by not being used for The control means is detected by the dust amount detection means when the clogging state in the air passage detected by the clogging detection means in a state where the input of the electric blower is a predetermined value or more is equal to or more than the predetermined first clogging state. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the electric vacuum blower is lower than the input of the electric blower when the amount of dust is less than a predetermined amount. The control means stops the electric blower when the clogged state in the air passage detected by the clogging detection means is equal to or more than a predetermined first clogged state with the input of the electric blower being a predetermined value or more. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein: The control means is configured such that the clogging state in the air passage detected by the clogging detection means in a state where the input of the electric blower is a predetermined value or more is a predetermined second clogging state that is lighter than the predetermined first clogging state. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an input of the electric blower is increased. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the clogging detection means is current detection means for detecting a current of the electric blower. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the clogging detection means is a pressure detection means for detecting a pressure in the air passage.

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