JP6741734B2 - Battery powered vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery-powered vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to a battery-powered vacuum cleaner including a computer that is detachably attached to a main body and operates by a voltage provided by a battery and a latch switch that turns on and off the voltage. ..

2. Description of the Related Art There are known various electronic devices including a battery as a power source and a computer such as a microcomputer. In recent years, advances in batteries have made it possible to obtain small-sized, lightweight, high-capacity batteries at low cost. Along with this, not only information processing devices such as mobile phones, which consume relatively little power, but also battery-powered cleaners equipped with motors are increasing. However, even if there is a difference in size, the reduction in power consumption is always an issue because the capacity of the battery is limited.
In a battery-powered vacuum cleaner equipped with a computer, it is necessary to supply power from a battery in order for the computer to operate (perform processing). When the terminal voltage of the battery drops as it is used, the power from the battery is supplied to the computer after the voltage is stabilized by the power supply IC (IC1) in order to operate the computer stably.

However, it is not preferable to continue supplying power to the computer while the electronic device is not operating, from the viewpoint of reducing standby power consumption. Focusing on reducing this wasted power, switching means is provided to completely cut off the power source and the electronic circuit when the electronic circuit such as a computer is not operating, There has been proposed an electronic device including a power source for converting electric energy into electric energy, and a switch control circuit driven by the power of the power source to control a latch-type or a switching-type switching means (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

Further, instead of the power generation source and the switch control circuit, a latch switch is applied to the switching means so that the switching means can be turned off by itself when the computer finishes its work. It is known that a latch switch is turned off to cut off battery power to the computer.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a computer can turn off a latch switch to cut off battery power. In FIG. 8, the portion surrounded by the chain line is the latch switch SW131. The MPU 123 is a microcomputer. As shown in FIG. 8, the power source from the battery 113 to the MPU 123 is turned on and off by the power MOSFET of Q101. When one of the transistors Q131 and Q132 is turned on, a base current flows to the other and both are turned on. Then, the potential of the gate terminal of Q101 decreases and Q1 turns on. In the initial state where the latch switch SW131 is off, both are off. For example, transistor Q132 is off, so no current flows through the base of transistor Q131 and Q131 remains off. From another point of view, the transistor Q131 is off, so that no current flows through the base of the transistor Q132 and the transistor Q132 remains off. When both the transistors Q131 and Q132 are off, the potential of the gate terminal of Q101 does not drop and Q101 is off.

When the momentary type switch SW130 is momentarily turned on in that state, a voltage is applied to the base of the transistor Q132 and the transistor Q132 is turned on. Then, the potential at one end of the resistor R133 connected to the collector of Q132 decreases. Since the other end of the resistor R133 is connected to the base of Q131, a base current flows through Q131 and Q131 turns on. When Q131 turns on, a current flows from the collector to the base of Q132 via the resistor R134, so that Q132 maintains the on state even when the switch SW130 turns off. When Q132 remains on, the base current of Q131 continues and Q131 also remains on. When Q131 and Q132 remain on, the potential of the gate terminal of Q101 decreases and Q101 remains on. This is the latched state.

The base of Q133 is connected to one of the output ports of the MPU 123 via the resistor R136. When the MPU 123 makes its output port high when the latch switch SW131 is in the on-latch state, Q133 is turned on. Then, the base of Q132 is grounded via Q133. Therefore, Q132 is turned off. Then, the base current of Q131 is cut off and Q131 is turned off. When Q132 and Q131 are turned off, Q101 is turned off. In this way, the latched state of the latch switch SW131 is released by the output from the MPU.
In FIG. 8, the letter "R" attached to each resistor and the three-digit number following it represent the code of the resistance element, and the numerical value under each code represents an example of the resistance value (unit is ohm). .. The letter “C” attached to each capacitor and the three-digit number following it represent the code of each element, and the numerical value under the code represents an example of the capacitance (unit is farad).

JP 2007-43793 A

Since the energy of the battery is limited, many electronic devices can be attached to and detached from the main body for replacement and charging. If the battery is not properly attached to the main body of these electronic devices, not only will the original performance not be exhibited, but also the computer that operates from the battery will not be supplied with the proper power supply voltage and will not operate or will operate in an unstable manner. There is a risk of malfunction such as doing.
Therefore, the portion where the battery is attached is mechanically considered so that the battery can be attached surely and safely, but there is one that electrically detects that the battery is attached and notifies the user. is there. Since the computer operates when the battery is installed, the computer informs the user that the battery is properly installed by displaying, sound (including voice), or the like. By the notification, the user can recognize that the battery mounting is completed, and the user's erroneous operation related to the battery mounting can be prevented.

However, the cost increases if a dedicated sensor or switch is used to electrically detect the mounting of the battery. There is a demand for a method capable of detecting battery mounting without using a dedicated sensor or switch.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a simple one that does not use a dedicated sensor or switch in a battery-powered electronic device that turns on/off a power supply to a mounted computer with a latch switch. It is intended to provide a method capable of detecting attachment of a battery with various configurations.

A battery detachably attached to the main body for replacement or charging, and an electric blower which is disposed in the body, and a computer that operates with a supply voltage from a battery disposed in the body, and mounting detection means for detecting the mounting of the battery, electric dynamic The work start switch for starting the rotation of the blower, the off switch for stopping the rotation of the electric blower, and the mounting detection when the operation of the computer is started and the work start switch is determined to be off. Means for notifying that the mounting of the battery has been detected by means, and not notifying when the work start switch is determined to be ON , starting the work from the detection of the mounting of the battery by the mounting detection means. Provided is a battery-powered vacuum cleaner, characterized in that supply of a power supply voltage to a computer is cut off when a duration of a non-operation state in which neither a switch nor an off switch is operated is a predetermined period.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the electric constitutional example of the battery-driven type vacuum cleaner which is one aspect of the electronic device of this invention. It is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a latch switch having a mounting detection circuit according to the present invention. (Embodiment 1) It is a circuit diagram which shows the different structure of the latch switch which has a mounting detection circuit which concerns on this invention. (Embodiment 2) FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a further different configuration of the latch switch having the mounting detection circuit according to the present invention. (Embodiment 3) 6 is a flowchart showing a process executed by an MPU in the embodiment of the present invention. (Initial stage of processing start) 6 is a flowchart showing a process executed by an MPU in the embodiment of the present invention. (Driving and waiting 1) 6 is a flowchart showing a process executed by an MPU in the embodiment of the present invention. (During driving and waiting 2) It is a circuit diagram which shows the structural example of the conventional latch switch.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the following description is an illustration in all points and should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

(Embodiment 1)
≪Battery driven vacuum cleaner configuration≫
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an electrical configuration of a battery-powered cleaner as one mode of the electronic device of the invention. For the sake of clarity, only the parts closely related to the present invention are extracted, and some well-known elements are omitted. The cleaner 11 is a canister-type cleaner in this embodiment, and is roughly classified into a cleaner body, a suction hose 17, and a battery 13. The battery 13 and the suction hose 17 are attachable to and detachable from the cleaner body, and are electrically connected via a connector. The battery 13 has battery terminals 13a and 13b, and is connected to the cleaner body via the battery terminals 13a and 13b. The battery 13 is assumed to be a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, but the battery 13 is not limited thereto. The battery 13 may be housed inside the cleaner body while being attached to the cleaner body and covered with a lid, or may be exposed to the outside of the cleaner body.

In FIG. 1, the control circuit 15 is arranged in the cleaner body. The driving strength/weakness switch 30 is a momentary type switch and is arranged on the suction hose 17. The driving strength/weak switch 30 corresponds to the work start switch according to the present invention. However, FIG. 1 is merely an example, and the operation strength/weak switch 30 may be provided not in the suction hose 17 but in the cleaner body. Further, the cleaner 11 is not limited to the canister type, and may be, for example, a self-propelled cleaner without the suction hose 17 or a handy type cleaner. Furthermore, the electronic device of the present invention is not limited to the vacuum cleaner.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. The control circuit 15 includes a latch switch 31, a power supply IC 21, an MPU 23, and a motor drive circuit 25. The motor drive circuit 25 drives a motor of an electric blower 29 arranged in the cleaner body.
In this embodiment, the latch switch 31 has the function of the mounting detection circuit according to the present invention in addition to the function of the latch switch SW131 shown in FIG. That is, it has a configuration in which the battery 13 is triggered to be turned on in response to being attached to the cleaner body. Details will be described later. The power supply IC 21 is similar to the power supply IC (IC1) in FIG. The MPU 23 corresponds to the computer of the present invention. The MPU 23 controls the motor drive circuit 25. Further, the on/off state of the driving strength/weakness switch 30 and the off switch 32 and the attachment/detachment state of the suction hose 17 are read.

The resistors R11 and R12 in the control circuit 15 form a voltage dividing circuit. One end of the resistor R11 is connected to the battery terminal 13a via the latch switch 31. The voltage of the battery terminal 13a is divided by the resistors R11 and R12 to generate a signal Vin, which is input to the MPU 23 and internally A/D converted. That is, the MPU 23 reads the voltage level obtained by dividing the voltage of the battery terminal 13a. When the power supply IC 21 is a step-down stabilized power supply circuit, the MPU 23 operates at a power supply voltage lower than the output voltage of the battery 13. Therefore, if the voltage of the battery terminal 13a is input without being divided, the upper limit of A/D conversion will be exceeded, and the output voltage of the battery 13 cannot be read correctly. The voltage dividing circuit of the resistors R11 and R12 converts the voltage of the battery terminal 13a into a voltage Vin within a range that the MPU 23 can read correctly. The rated voltage of the battery 13 is 18 V in one example. The output voltage of the power supply IC 21 is, for example, 5V.

Further, the resistors R13 and R14 in the control circuit 15 form a voltage dividing circuit, and the voltage dividing circuit corresponds to the switch reading circuit of the present invention. One end of the resistor R13 (the place indicated by the latch-on signal in FIG. 1) is connected to the battery terminal 13a via the driving strong/weak switch 30. The potential of the latch-on signal is equal to the output voltage of the battery terminal 13a when the driving strength/weak switch 30 is on, but becomes the ground potential when the driving strength/weak switch 30 is off. This latch-on signal is connected to the latch switch 31, and when the driving strength/weakness switch 30 is pressed and turned on, the latch switch 31 enters a latching state and remains on, and power is supplied to the MPU 23.
The latch-on signal is divided by the resistors R13 and R14 to generate the voltage signal V1, which is input to the MPU 23 and internally A/D converted. The voltage dividing circuit of the resistors R13 and R14 converts the voltage of the latch-on signal into a voltage signal V1 in a range that the MPU 23 can correctly read.

One of the output ports of the MPU 23 is connected to the latch switch 31 (indicated by a latch release signal in FIG. 1). When the MPU 23 makes its output port high, the latched state of the latch switch 31 is released. This portion corresponds to the latch release circuit of the present invention.
In this embodiment, when the operating strength/weak switch 30 is pressed while the vacuum cleaner 11 is in the power-off state, the latch switch 31 is in the on-latch state, and power is supplied to the MPU 23. Then, the MPU 23 starts executing (processing) a predetermined control program. In the initial stage of the process, the MPU 23 reads the voltage levels of the input signals Vin and V1.

It is preferable to set the voltage division ratio by the resistors R11 and R12 and the voltage division ratio by the resistors R13 and R14 to be equal. By making the voltage division ratios of both equal, it becomes easy to compare the voltage levels of Vin and V1. This can be easily realized by making the resistance values of R11 and R13 equal to each other and the resistance values of R12 and R14 equal to each other.

One end of the resistor R15 and one end of the off switch 32 are both connected to the battery terminal 13a via a connector 17a that connects the suction hose 17 and the cleaner body. The voltage signal V2 at the connection point of the resistors R16 and R17 is input to the MPU 23.
The voltage of the battery terminal 13a is divided by the resistors R15 to R17 and becomes the voltage signal V2. The voltage signal V2 is input to the MPU 23 and A/D converted. The voltage dividing circuit of the resistors R15 to R17 converts the terminal voltage of the battery 13a into a voltage signal V2 in a range that the MPU 23 can read correctly. The voltage division ratio changes depending on whether the off switch 32 is on or off, and the voltage level of V2 changes accordingly.

The voltage dividing circuit of the resistors R15 to R17 enables two detections, that is, turning on and off the off switch 32 and detecting the mounting state of the suction hose 17.
When the suction hose 17 is attached, the potential of V2 becomes a level obtained by dividing the voltage of the battery terminal 13a by the resistors R15 and R17. When the suction hose 17 comes off, V2 becomes the ground potential. Further, when the off switch 32 is turned on, the potential of V2 becomes a level obtained by dividing the voltage of the battery terminal 13a by the parallel resistance of the resistors R15 and R16 and R17.

As described above, V2 takes three levels depending on the combination of the insertion/removal of the suction hose 17 and the on/off of the off switch 32. The MPU 23 monitors the voltage level of V2 and recognizes the disconnection of the suction hose 17 and the operation of the off switch. The MPU 23 sequentially monitors the voltage level of V2 during operation.

The MPU 23 determines the voltage level of V2 based on the voltage level of Vin.
Actually, since there are measurement errors and the like due to variations in the characteristics of circuit elements and noise, (1) the suction hose 17 is disconnected, (2) the suction hose 17 is attached and the off switch 32 is off. (3) The three windows corresponding to the states in which the suction hose 17 is attached and the cut-off switch 32 is turned on are predetermined. If the voltage level of V2 is within the range of any window, it is recognized as that state, but if V2 does not fit in any window, it is ignored as noise.

When the off switch 32 is detected to be off, the MPU 23 determines that the operation stop instruction has been received, stops the electric blower 29 (not shown), and shifts to the standby state. In the standby state, the latch release signal is made high when no operation is performed for a predetermined period. As a result, the latch switch 31 is turned off, and the power supply to the MPU 23 is cut off.

A person operates the driving strength/weakness switch 30. Even if it is momentarily turned on as a feeling of operation performed by a person, a sufficiently long period of time elapses as compared with the following circuit operation. That is, when the driving strength/weakness switch 30 is pressed, the latch switch 31 is turned on, the MPU 23 starts the process, and reads the voltage levels of Vin and V1. Therefore, when the MPU 23 reads the voltage levels of Vin and V1 after the start of the operation, it is assumed that the driving strength/weakness switch 30 is still pressed and is still turned on.
Further, when it is assumed that it takes time from the turning on of the driving strong/weak switch 30 to the reading of the voltage levels of Vin and V1, the delay circuit 25 may be inserted in V1. The simple structure of the delay circuit 25 can be realized by a resistor and a capacitor. Since the delay circuit 25 is not an essential component, it is shown by a chain line. In this way, by devising the circuit configuration, it is assumed that the operation strong/weak switch 30 is continuously turned on when the MPU 23 reads the voltage levels of Vin and V1 after the operation is started.

The MPU 23 reads the voltage levels of Vin and V1 and makes the following determination. When the driving strong/weak switch 30 is on, the latch-on signal is equal to the voltage of the battery terminal 13a. Therefore, the voltage levels of V1 and Vin must be approximately equal. If the voltage levels of V1 and Vin are different, it is considered that disturbance noise is superimposed on the latch-on signal and the latch switch 31 is turned on. Therefore, when it is determined that the voltage levels of V1 and Vin are different, the MPU 23 may release the latched state of the latch switch 31 by setting the latch release signal to high. Then, the power supply to the MPU 23 is cut off and the processing is stopped. In this way, even if the latch switch 31 is turned on when the user does not intend due to the influence of disturbance noise, the latch switch 31 can be shut off by itself at the initial stage when the MPU 23 starts processing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the power from being turned on due to a malfunction, and it is possible to suppress unnecessary power consumption of the battery 13.

Furthermore, when the latch switch 31 is in the latched state by the normal power-on and the operation of the cleaner 11 is started, even if the operation strength/weak switch 30 is turned on during the operation, the state of the latch switch 31 is not affected. On the other hand, the MPU 23 can recognize the ON and OFF states of the driving strong/weak switch 30 by sequentially monitoring V1 even during driving. In this embodiment, when the driving strength/weakness switch 30 is turned on during driving, the MPU 23 recognizes it and controls the motor drive circuit 25 to change the rotation speed of the electric blower 29 from the high speed corresponding to “strong”. Switch to a low speed corresponding to "weak" or vice versa. In order to determine the ON and OFF states of the driving strength/weak switch 30 during driving, the MPU 23 sequentially compares Vin and V1 to make a determination. If they are substantially equal, it is recognized that the driving strength/weakness switch 30 is on.

In reality, since there are variations in the characteristics of circuit elements and measurement errors, if the driving strength/weakness switch 30 is within a predetermined level range (on-window), it is determined to be on, and separately. If it is within the defined level range (off window), it is determined to be off.
The voltage of the battery terminal 13a decreases with use. Along with this, the level of Vin also decreases, but similarly, the level of V1 when the driving strong/weak switch 30 is on also decreases.

The MPU 23 reads the voltage levels of Vin and V1 and compares the voltage level of V1 with the level of Vin to determine whether the driving strong/weak switch 30 is in an on window or an off window. Therefore, even if the voltage of the battery terminal 13a changes due to use, it is possible to correctly recognize whether the driving strength/weak switch 30 is on or off.
If the voltage level of V1 does not fall within either the on or off window, the MPU 23 can recognize that noise is superimposed on the latch-on signal. A latch release signal may be output when it is recognized as noise at the initial stage of processing start. During driving, no operation is performed and the driving strength/weakness switch 30 may be ignored because it is off.

As described above, the driving strength/weak switch 30 has both the function as hardware for turning on the latch switch 31 and the function as means for causing the MPU 23 to monitor the on/off state and giving an instruction for software processing.

≪Latch switch operation when battery is attached≫
Next, the configuration of the mounting detection circuit according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the latch switch SW31 having the mounting detection circuit according to the present invention. The latch switch SW31 is inside the rectangle surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. The battery 13, the power supply IC 21, the MPU 23, and the like are shown to facilitate understanding of the connection relationship with the surroundings. It will be easy to understand the configuration of the mounting detection circuit by comparing FIG. 2 with the conventional configuration of FIG. The description of the same configuration as that of FIG. 8 is omitted to avoid duplication, and only the part different from FIG. 8 will be described.
A capacitor corresponding to the capacitor C131 of FIG. 2 is removed in the configuration of FIG. Furthermore, a capacitor C33 is added. One end of the capacitor C33 is connected to the base of the transistor Q31, and the other end is grounded and connected in parallel with the resistor R33 and the transistor Q32.

When the battery 13 is attached to the main body of the vacuum cleaner, the voltage of the battery 13 is applied to the emitter of Q31 via the resistor R31, and a steep voltage rise occurs. on the other hand,
A capacitor C33 is connected to the base of the transistor Q31. Due to the capacitance component, the base voltage of Q31 cannot follow the steep rise of the voltage on the emitter side. A delay of a time constant determined by the resistor R31 and the capacitor C33 occurs with respect to the emitter, and the delay causes a potential difference between the emitter and the base of the transistor Q31. Due to this potential difference, a forward current flows through the base of the transistor Q31 to turn on the transistor Q31.

When the transistor Q31 turns on, the potential of the collector of Q31 rises. A voltage is applied to the base of the transistor Q32 connected to the collector of Q31 via the resistor R34. The voltage turns on Q32. When Q32 is turned on, a current flows through the resistor R33 between the base and the emitter of Q31, as in the description of FIG. Therefore, even after the voltage of the emitter of the transistor Q31 has risen to the voltage of the battery 13, Q31 remains in the ON state. When the on state of Q31 and Q32 continues, the potential of the gate terminal of Q1 decreases and the on state of Q1 continues. It is in the latched state.

As described above, by inserting the capacitor C33, the latch switch SW31 is turned on when the battery 13 is attached to the cleaner body. The capacitor C33 corresponds to the mounting detection circuit according to the present invention.
The capacitor in parallel with the resistor R132 (corresponding to C131 in FIG. 8) is removed in the circuit of FIG. If the capacitor is connected in parallel with the resistor R132, the emitter and the base of Q31 are AC-connected via the power MOSFET Q1. When the emitter voltage of the transistor Q31 rises sharply as the battery 13 is attached to the main body of the cleaner, a potential difference between the emitter and the base of Q31 hardly occurs. Therefore, it becomes difficult for Q31 to turn on. To avoid this, the capacitor in parallel with the resistor R132 is removed.

(Embodiment 2)
A different aspect of the mounting detection circuit shown in FIG. 2 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example different from that of FIG. 2 of the mounting detection circuit according to the present invention.
In the circuit shown in FIG. 3, the one corresponding to the capacitor C33 in FIG. 2 is removed. Further, in comparison with FIG. 8, the one corresponding to the capacitor C131 in FIG. 8 is removed. In FIG. 3, circuit components corresponding to those in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals.

As described in the first embodiment, if the capacitor corresponding to C131 in FIG. 8 is connected, when the battery 13 is mounted and the emitter voltage of the transistor Q31 rises sharply, the potential difference between the emitter and the base of Q31 becomes large. Less likely to occur. Therefore, it becomes difficult for Q31 to turn on.
Conversely, by simply removing C131 in FIG. 8, Q31 easily turns on when the battery 13 is attached. The transistor Q32 has a capacitance component, and the capacitance component produces the same effect as C33 shown in FIG. The configuration shown in FIG. 3 is a case where the capacitance component of the transistor Q32 functions as a mounting detection circuit without connecting the capacitor C33 as a circuit element.

(Embodiment 3)
A different aspect of the mounting detection circuit will be described.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a further different configuration example of the mounting detection circuit according to the present invention.
Compared with FIG. 8, it is different in that a capacitor C35 and a diode D1 are added. The cathode of the diode D1 is connected to the base of the transistor Q32, and the anode is connected to the battery 13 via the capacitor C35. The capacitor C35 and the diode D1 form a differentiating circuit and respond to the rise of the voltage generated by mounting the battery 13 on the cleaner body.

That is, when the battery 13 is mounted on the main body of the cleaner, a voltage is applied to the terminal of the capacitor C35 connected to the battery 13, and a steep stepwise rise occurs. Due to the capacitance component of the capacitor C35, the potential of the anode terminal of the diode D1 rises at the rise of the voltage, and a forward current flows through D1. As a result, the potential of the base of the transistor Q32 rises and Q32 turns on. Then, a current flows through the resistor R33 connected to the base of Q31, and Q31 is turned on. When Q31 turns on, the potential of the collector of Q31 rises and a current flows through the resistor R34 to the base of Q32. Therefore, Q32 maintains the ON state even after the voltage rises as the battery 13 is attached to the cleaner body. Therefore, Q31 also maintains the ON state. When the on state of Q31 and Q32 continues, the potential of the gate terminal of Q1 decreases and the on state of Q1 (latch state) continues. The diode D1 is inserted to prevent backflow. That is, when the driving strength/weakness switch 30 is pressed and turned on with the battery 13 attached to the cleaner body, the potential of the cathode of the diode D1 rises in a stepwise manner in accordance with the turning on. At that time, the discharge current of the capacitor C35 is prevented from flowing to the battery 13 side.
According to this aspect, a current flows through the base of Q32 due to the rise of the voltage accompanying the attachment of the battery 13 to the cleaner body, and Q32 is first turned on. As Q32 turns on, Q31 turns on. Similar to FIG. 8, even if the capacitor C31 is connected in parallel with the resistor R32, its operation is not hindered.

≪Flowchart≫
The processing executed by the MPU 23 will be described below with reference to the flowchart.
5 to 7 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the processing executed by the MPU 23 in this embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a process in an initial stage in which electric power is supplied to the MPU 23 and execution of the process is started, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are processes in a standby state and during operation after the initial stage. In all cases, the processes deeply related to the present invention are shown, and the other processes are omitted.

When the latch switch 31 is turned on and the power is supplied from the battery 13 to start the processing, the MPU 23 first executes the initialization processing necessary for operating the control circuit such as the initialization of the memory and the input/output port. (Step S11 of FIG. 5).
After that, the MPU 23 reads the voltage of Vin obtained by dividing the voltage of the battery terminal 13a (step S13). The Vin voltage is a reference voltage when determining the levels of V1 and V2.

Subsequently, the MPU 23 reads the level of the voltage signal V1 indicating the on/off state of the driving strength/weak switch 30 (step S15). Then, it is checked whether or not the level of V1 is within a predetermined range (window) with respect to the level of Vin (step S17). The range is a voltage in a range predetermined as what should be recognized that the driving strength/weak switch 30 is ON.
If the level of V1 is within the ON window (Yes in step S17), the MPU 23 determines that the driving high/low switch 30 has been pressed and thus activated. In that case, the MPU 23 subsequently reads the level of the voltage signal V2 (step S19). Then, it is determined whether or not the level of V2 is within a predetermined range for determining that the suction hose 17 is attached (step S21). If the level of V2 is within the window where it should be determined that the suction hose 17 is attached (Yes in step S21), the motor drive circuit 25 is controlled to rotate the electric blower 29 "strongly" (step S21). S23). Then, the routine proceeds to the processing in the standby state and in operation shown in and after step 31 of FIG.

On the other hand, if the level of V2 is not within the window in which it is determined that the suction hose 17 is attached in step S21 (No in step S21), the routine is performed without rotating the electric blower 29, and the routine proceeds to step 31 in FIG. The process proceeds to the standby state and the process during operation described below.
The description returns to step S17. In step S17, when the level of V1 is not within the ON window (No in step S17), the MPU 23 determines that it has been activated by mounting the battery 13. Then, the user is notified that the battery is installed (step S25 in FIG. 6). After that, the routine proceeds to the processing in the standby state and during operation shown in step 31 and thereafter.

In step S31, the MPU 23 again reads the reference voltage Vin (step S31).
Subsequently, the MPU 23 reads the level of V1 indicating the state of the driving strength/weak switch 30 (step S33). Then, it is checked whether or not the level of V1 is within a predetermined window as a voltage to recognize that the driving strength/weak switch 30 is ON (step S35).

If the level of V1 is within the ON window (Yes in step S35), the MPU 23 determines that the driving strength/weakness switch 30 has been pressed again. Then, the level of V2 is read (step S37), and it is determined whether the level is within a predetermined range for determining that the suction hose 17 is attached (step S39). If the level of V2 is within the window for determining that the suction hose 17 is attached (Yes in step S39), it is checked whether or not the electric blower 29 is operating at "strong" (step S43). If the vehicle is operating with a strong force, the motor drive circuit 25 is controlled to switch to a "weak" state (step S45). Then, the routine returns to step S31 described above.

On the other hand, when the electric blower 29 is not operating at "strong" (No in step S43), the MPU 23 controls the motor drive circuit 25 to rotate the electric blower 29 at "strong" (step S47). Then, the routine returns to step S31 described above.
If it is determined in step S39 that the suction hose is not attached (No in step S39), the MPU 23 controls the motor drive circuit 25 to stop the electric blower 29 (step S41). Then, the routine returns to step S31 described above.

The description returns to step S35. In step S35, if the level of V1 is not within the ON window (No in step S35), the routine proceeds to step S51 in FIG.
In step S51 of FIG. 7, the MPU 23 determines whether the level of V2 is within the window in which it should be determined that the off switch 32 has been pressed. When it is determined that the off switch 32 has been pressed (Yes in step S51), the MPU 23 controls the motor drive circuit 25 to stop the rotation of the electric blower 29 (step S53). After that, the routine returns to step S31 of FIG.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the off switch 32 is not pressed (No in step S51), the MPU 23 subsequently determines whether the level of V2 is within a predetermined range for determining that the suction hose 17 is attached. It is determined whether or not (step S57). When the level of V2 is within the window in which it is determined that the suction hose 17 is attached (Yes in step S57), the routine proceeds to step S61 while maintaining the state of the electric blower 29.
On the other hand, if the level of V2 is not within the window for determining that the suction hose 17 is attached (No in step S57), the motor drive circuit 25 is controlled to stop the rotation of the electric blower 29 (step S57). S59), the routine proceeds to step S61.

In step S61, the MPU 23 checks whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed in a non-operation state in which neither the driving strength/weak switch 30 nor the off switch 32 is operated. An example of the period is 30 seconds, but is not limited to this. When the predetermined period has elapsed in the non-operation state (Yes in step S61), the MPU 23 sets the latch release signal to high (step S63). As a result, the latched state of the latch switch 31 is released and turned off. As a result, the MPU 23 is cut off from the battery 13, the power supply voltage is lost, and the MPU 23 stops the processing.
On the other hand, if the predetermined period is not reached even if the non-operation state continues (No in step S61), the routine returns to step S31 in FIG.
The procedure of the process executed by the MPU 23 has been described above.

As mentioned above,
(I) A battery-powered electronic device according to the present invention includes a battery that is attachable to and detachable from a main body, a computer that is disposed in the main body, and that operates with a power supply voltage from the battery, and the computer that is connected between the battery and the computer. A self-holding latch switch for turning on and off the power supply voltage to the battery, and a mounting detection circuit for turning on the latch switch in response to mounting of the battery.

Further, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.
(Ii) A latch release circuit that turns off the latch switch in response to an output from the computer, a momentary work start switch that gives a trigger to the latch switch to turn on, and the work start switch is turned on or off. And a switch reading circuit for causing the computer to read whether or not the work start switch is on or off when the power supply voltage is supplied from the battery to start the operation, and the computer determines that the work start switch is on. At this time, the work associated with the work start switch may be started, but when it is determined to be off, the work may not be started.
With this configuration, the computer determines the state of the work start switch when the power is turned on and the operation is started, that is, when the work start switch is turned on, the latch switch is turned on to start the operation. It is possible to correctly recognize whether or not the latch switch is turned on by the installation of the battery and the operation is started. The processing to be executed can be correctly selected according to the result.

(Iii) The attachment detection circuit may turn on the latch switch by using a rise of a voltage generated when the battery is attached to the main body as a trigger.
With this configuration, the latch switch can be turned on by a circuit having a simple configuration that utilizes the rise of the voltage generated when the battery is mounted.

(Iv) The computer may notify that the battery has been installed when the work start switch is determined to be off when the power supply voltage is supplied from the battery to start the operation. ..
By doing so, it is possible to correctly recognize that the battery is attached and notify the user of the attachment.

(V) The work starting switch guides the voltage of the battery terminal to the latch switch when turned on, and gives a trigger for turning on the latch switch, and the switch reading circuit, when the work starting switch is on. It may be configured to direct the voltage of the battery terminal to an input of the computer.
According to this aspect, when the work start switch is turned on and the latch switch is turned on to start the operation of the computer, and when the battery is attached and the computer starts operation, the work of the computer is performed. By correctly recognizing the ON and OFF states of the start switch, it is possible to determine which is the trigger to start the operation.
A preferable aspect of the present invention also includes a combination of any of the plurality of aspects described above.
In addition to the above-described embodiment, there may be various modifications of the present invention. These modifications should not be understood as not belonging to the scope of the present invention. This invention should have the meaning equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope.

[Appendix]
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery which is attachable to and detachable from a main body, a computer which is arranged in the main body and operates by a power supply voltage from the battery, and a power supply to the computer which is connected between the battery and the computer. A battery-driven electronic device comprising: a self-holding latch switch that turns on and off a voltage; and a mounting detection circuit that turns on the latch switch in response to mounting of the battery.

Since the battery-powered electronic device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a mounting detection circuit that turns on the latch switch in response to the mounting of the battery, it has a simple configuration that does not use a dedicated sensor or switch. Can detect battery installation. Since the mounting detection circuit turns on the latch switch in response to the detection of the mounting of the battery, the voltage of the battery is provided to the computer to operate the computer. Then, the computer can notify the user that the battery has been installed.

11: vacuum cleaner, 13, 113: battery, 13a, 13b: battery terminal,
15: Control circuit, 17: Suction hose, 21: Power supply IC, 23, 123: MPU, 25: Motor drive circuit, 27: Delay circuit, 29: Electric blower, 30: Driving strong/weak switch, SW130: Switch, SW31 , SW131: latch switch, 32: off switch, C31, C33, C35, C131: capacitor, D1: diode, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16, R17: resistor, Q31, Q32: transistor, V1, V2. : Voltage signal

Claims (1)

A battery that can be attached to and detached from the main unit for replacement or charging,
An electric blower arranged in the main body,
A computer that is arranged in the main body and operates with the power supply voltage from the battery,
Mounting detection means for detecting mounting of the battery ,
And work start switch to start the rotation of the previous Symbol electric blower,
An off switch for stopping the rotation of the electric blower,
When the operation of the computer is started, and when the work start switch is determined to be off, the attachment detection unit notifies that the attachment of the battery is detected, and the work start switch is turned on. An informing means that does not inform when it is determined,
Equipped with
Supply of a power supply voltage to the computer when a duration of a non-operation state in which neither the work start switch nor the off switch is operated is a predetermined period from the detection of attachment of the battery by the attachment detection unit as a starting point. A battery-operated vacuum cleaner characterized by shutting off.