JP7005322B2 - Vacuum cleaner suction port - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a suction port of an electric vacuum cleaner.

As a suction port of a conventional vacuum cleaner, Patent Document 1 includes a rotary brush provided corresponding to the suction port of the case, a motor for driving the rotary brush, and a switch for turning on or off the power of the motor. A suction device with a safety device including is disclosed.
The safety device includes the switch, a switch lever that protrudes from the lower surface of the case and rotates in contact with the floor surface, and a ball movably interposed between the switch and the switch lever.

According to this suction tool, when cleaning the floor surface or the wall surface, the switch lever of the safety device is pressed on the floor surface or the wall surface, whereby the switch lever presses the switch through the ball and is turned on. Therefore, the rotating brush rotates. On the other hand, when the suction tool is turned inside out, the ball of the safety device moves downward, and even if the switch lever is pushed by hand, the switch is not pushed and the OFF state is maintained, so that the rotating brush does not rotate.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-75922

The safety device provided in the suction tool of Patent Document 1 has a complicated structure and a mechanism in which a plurality of parts are interlocked with each other, and high accuracy is required for incorporating each part. In addition, a large space is required to incorporate the safety device into the suction tool. Further, since the switch lever is exposed on the floor surface side, foreign matter easily enters the safety device and causes malfunction.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a suction port of a vacuum cleaner having advantages such as a simplified structure and the ability to prevent malfunction.

Thus, according to the present invention, the suction port main body and the posture detecting device provided in the suction port main body are provided.
The attitude detecting device is provided in a casing having an internal space, a light emitting element attached to the casing so as to radiate light toward the internal space, and the casing so as to be able to receive light from the light emitting element. It comprises an attached light receiving element and a moving body movably provided in the internal space of the casing.
The shape of the internal space and the positions of the light emitting element and the light receiving element cause the moving body to move in the direction of gravity due to a change in the posture of the suction port body to prevent the light receiving element from receiving light, or the light receiving element. Is provided, and a suction port body of an electric vacuum cleaner configured to detect a non-light receiving state or a light receiving state of the light receiving element is provided.

According to the suction port of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, the following effects are obtained.
(I) In a suction port equipped with a motor-driven rotary brush, for example, when cleaning the floor or wall surface with the suction port, the posture detection device detects the posture of the suction port and continues the rotation of the rotary brush. When the suction port is turned inside out, the posture detecting device can detect the posture and stop the rotation of the rotating brush to avoid danger. In addition, this posture detection device not only controls the rotation and stop of the rotating brush according to the posture of the suction port body, but also the drive wheel and the vacuum cleaner main body provided in the suction port body according to the posture of the suction port body. It can also be applied to control the drive and stop of the electric blower provided inside.
(II) The posture detection device in the present invention can reduce the number of parts and the assembly man-hours as compared with the conventional safety device.
(III) The attitude detection device in the present invention can suppress malfunction due to the influence of component dimensional accuracy as compared with the conventional safety device.
(IV) The attitude detection device in the present invention can prevent malfunction due to dust and foreign matter as compared with the conventional safety device.
(V) Since the posture detection device in the present invention can be made smaller than the conventional safety device, the installation space inside the suction port can be reduced, and the suction port can be made smaller and lighter.
(VI) The attitude detection device in the present invention does not have a mechanical moving part unlike the conventional safety device, so that the durability is improved.

It is an external perspective view which shows the electric vacuum cleaner of Embodiment 1 provided with the suction port body of this invention. It is a top view of the suction port body of the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1. It is a bottom view of the suction port body shown in FIG. It is a side view of the suction port body shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the suction port body shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of the suction port body shown in FIG. It is a front view of the suction port body shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the posture at the time of cleaning the floor surface of the suction port body of Embodiment 1 provided with the posture detection device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the posture at the time of wall surface cleaning of the suction port body of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the posture which the suction port body of Embodiment 1 turned upside down. In the configuration diagram of the posture detection device of the second embodiment, (A) shows a state when the floor surface is cleaned by the suction port, (B) shows a state when the wall surface is cleaned, and (C) shows a state when it is turned inside out. In the configuration diagram of the posture detection device of the third embodiment, (A) shows a state when the floor surface is cleaned by the suction port, (B) shows a state when the wall surface is cleaned, and (C) shows a state when it is turned inside out. In the configuration diagram of the posture detection device of the fourth embodiment, (A) shows a state when the floor surface is cleaned by the suction port, (B) shows a state when the wall surface is cleaned, and (C) shows a state when it is turned inside out. In the configuration diagram of the posture detection device of the fifth embodiment, (A) shows a state when the floor surface is cleaned by the suction port, (B) shows a state when the wall surface is cleaned, and (C) shows a state when it is turned inside out. In the configuration diagram of the posture detection device of the sixth embodiment, (A) shows a state when the floor surface is cleaned by the suction port body, and (B) shows a state when the suction port body is separated from the floor surface. It is a block diagram of the posture detection device of Embodiment 7, and shows the state at the time of cleaning a floor surface by a suction port body. In the configuration diagram of the posture detection device of the eighth embodiment, (A) shows a state when the floor surface is cleaned by a suction port, (B) shows a state when the wall surface is cleaned, and (C) shows a state when it is turned inside out.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the suction port of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Although the stick-type vacuum cleaner is exemplified in the embodiments described below, the present invention is not limited to the application to the stick-type vacuum cleaner, and is not limited to the canister-type vacuum cleaner and the upright-type vacuum cleaner. It is applicable to all vacuum cleaners equipped with a suction port such as.

(Embodiment 1)
<Overall configuration of vacuum cleaner>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment provided with the suction port body of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 includes a vacuum cleaner main body 2, a suction port body 40, and a connection pipe 4 for airtightly connecting the suction port body 40 and the vacuum cleaner main body 2.

The vacuum cleaner main body 2 includes a handle 5 that the user holds by hand, an operation unit 6 that is provided on the handle 5 and has a start / stop switch, and a connection unit 7 that accepts the base end of the connection pipe 4 and connects them so as to be detachable. Be prepared.

At the tip of the connecting pipe 4, a connecting portion 9 that receives the connecting pipe portion 42 of the suction port body 40 and connects them so as to be detachable is provided. Further, the suction port 40 can swing the connecting pipe portion 42 back and forth with respect to the suction port 40 within an angle range of about 90 degrees, and twist left and right within an angle range of about 180 degrees. It comprises a possible articulated connecting shaft portion 42x.

Further, the connection portion 9 comes into contact with the end portion 41g in FIG. 2 to prevent the vacuum cleaner main body 2 from tilting. At that time, the vacuum cleaner main body 2 is located at approximately 90 degrees. When the suction port body 40 is tilted in the longitudinal direction from that state, the end portion 41g draws a smooth curve, so that the vacuum cleaner main body 2 can be smoothly operated when tilted.

Further, in a state where the connecting pipe portion 42 is tilted by approximately 90 degrees and stopped, the connecting pipe portion 42 and the end portion 41g come into contact with each other and are damaged. Is provided to make the scratches inconspicuous and not to spoil the appearance.

The vacuum cleaner main body 2 is provided on the downstream side of the dust collection chamber (dust cup) 11 that is detachably installed, the dust collection filter unit 12 provided on the downstream side of the dust collection chamber 11, and the dust collection filter unit 12. The electric blower 13, the electric blower 13 provided at the rear of the vacuum cleaner main body 2, and the electric blower 13 detachably attached to the rear of the vacuum cleaner main body 2 to supply power to the electric blower 13 and the rotary brush motor 44 (FIG. 6) described later. The battery 17 to be supplied is provided.

In such a configuration, when the start switch of the operation unit 6 is turned on, the electric blower 13 and the motor for the rotary brush 44 are driven, and air containing dust is introduced from the suction port 40 to the connecting pipe 4, the dust collecting chamber 11 and the dust collecting chamber 11. It is sucked by the electric blower 13 via the dust collection filter unit 12. Then, relatively large dust is accumulated in the dust collecting chamber 11, fine dust (dust) is collected in the dust collecting filter portion, and the purified air is exhausted from the exhaust port on the side surface of the vacuum cleaner main body 2.

<Structure of suction port>
2 is a top view of the suction port body of the electric vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the suction port body shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a side view of the suction port body shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a view. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of the suction port body, FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of the suction port body shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is a front view of the suction port body shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in these figures, the suction port body 40 includes a suction port main body 41, a connection pipe portion 42, and a connection shaft portion 42x.
The suction port main body 41 includes a bottom plate portion 41a as a bottom wall, a top plate portion 41b facing the bottom plate portion 41a, and front plate portions 41c and rear plates provided before and after the traveling direction (arrow X direction in FIG. 2). A portion 41d, a left plate portion 41e and a right plate portion 41f provided on the left and right in the traveling direction when viewed from above the top plate portion 41b are provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the suction port main body 41 is provided on the bottom plate portion 41a and can rotate around a suction port 41x extending in the left-right direction (arrow A1 direction) and an axial center extending in the left-right direction to the suction port 41x. A rotary brush 43 provided, a rotary brush motor 44 (FIG. 6) for driving the rotary brush 43, a brush cover member 80 covering the left end portion of the rotary brush 43 in FIG. 3, and a posture provided on the bottom plate portion 41a. It includes a detection device 60 and wheels 54. As shown in FIG. 6, the motor output gear 50 fixed to the motor output shaft 46 of the rotary brush motor 44 and the gear portion 58b attached to the rotary brush 43 are coupled by a timing belt 48. ..

The connection pipe portion 42 is connected to the rear of the suction port 41x via the connection shaft portion 42x, and the connection space-time 42x forms a suction flow path 16 (FIG. 5) connecting the suction port 41x and the connection pipe portion 42. ing.

According to the suction port 40 configured in this way, as described above, when the start switch of the operation unit 6 is turned on and the floor cleaning work is started, the rotation driven by the rotary brush motor 44 is started. Dust on the floor surface is swept up by the brush 43, and is conveyed from the suction port 41x to the dust collection chamber 11 (FIG. 1) through the suction flow path 16 and the connecting pipe.

<Posture detection device>
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the posture of the suction port body of the first embodiment when cleaning the floor surface provided with the posture detection device, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the posture of the suction port body of the first embodiment when cleaning the wall surface. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an inverted posture of the suction port body of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the posture detecting device 60 is attached to the casing 61 having the internal space 61s attached to the suction port 40 and the casing 61 so as to radiate light L toward the internal space 61s. The light emitting element 62, the light receiving element 63 attached to the casing 61 so as to be able to receive the light L from the light emitting element 62, and the moving body 64 movably provided in the internal space 61s of the casing 61. Be prepared. Then, in this posture detecting device 60, the shape of the internal space 61s and the positions of the light emitting element 62 and the light receiving element 63 are such that the moving body 64 moves in the direction of gravity due to the change in the posture of the suction port body 40 and the light receiving element 63. The light receiving element 63 is blocked from receiving light or the light receiving element 63 is received light, whereby the non-light receiving state or the light receiving state of the light receiving element 63 is detected.

More specifically, the casing 61 has, for example, a cubic shape, and its lower end surface is attached to and fixed to a bottom plate portion 41a inside the suction port body 40 or a fixing member such as a boss portion or a rib.
The internal space 61s of the casing 61 has a first space portion 61s ₁ on the regular quadrangular pyramid shape, and a second space portion 61s ₂ under the regular quadrangular columnar connected to the upper space portion 61s ₁ . In the internal space 61s, the height range H ₁ of the second space portion 61s ₂ is set to be larger than the height range H ₂ of the upper space portion 61s ₁ . The inner surface of the internal space 61s of the casing 61 is colored with a color that suppresses light reflection (particularly black is preferable), or is formed of a material having a color that suppresses light reflection. In the first embodiment, the casing 61 is formed of black resin.

Further, the upper parallel surface of the peripheral wall of the casing 61 is provided with a pair of through holes communicating with the upper space portion 61s ₁ , and the light emitting element 62 and the light receiving element 63 are mounted in each through hole. Are arranged at positions facing each other. As a result, the inner wall surface of the upper space portion 61s ₁ is arranged on the optical axis between the light emitting element 62 and the light receiving element 63 (on the path of the light L). The light emitting element 62 and the light receiving element 63 are electrically connected to a circuit board having a motor drive circuit (not shown) provided in the suction port 40.

The moving body 64 is a sphere formed of resin, rubber, or the like, and the entire outer surface thereof is colored with a color that suppresses light reflection (particularly black is preferable), or is formed of a material having a color that suppresses light reflection. Has been done. In the first embodiment, a sphere as a moving body 64 is formed of a black resin. At this time, the diameter D of the moving body 64 is a height at which the light L of the light emitting element 62 can be received by the light receiving element 63, preferably the bottom surface 61s ₂₁ of the internal space 61s (second space portion 61s ₂ ) that does not interfere with the light receiving. The height from the light emitting element 62 to the light receiving element 63 is set to H ₃ or less, and in the first embodiment, it is set to be substantially the same as the height range H ₁ of the second space portion 61s ₂ .

As shown in FIG. 8, the posture detecting device 60 configured in this way emits light because the moving body 64 is located in the second space 61s ₂ when the suction port 40 cleans the floor surface F. The light L from the element 62 is received by the light receiving element 63. As a result, the light receiving detection signal is transmitted from the light receiving element 63 to the motor drive circuit to detect the light receiving state. At this time, when the switch of the rotary brush motor 44 in the operation unit 6 is turned on, the rotary brush 43 rotates.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, when the suction port 40 cleans the wall surface W which is substantially perpendicular to the floor surface F, the posture detecting device 60 is in a sideways state, so that the moving body 64 is the second space portion. Move to the inner wall surface 61s ₂₂ side of 61s ₂ . At this time, as long as the suction port 40 is in contact with the wall surface W, the moving body 64 is in the second space regardless of the direction (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal) the suction port 40 is directed. It moves to the inner wall surface 61s ₂₂ side of the portion 61s ₂ . Further, even if the moving body 64 tries to roll toward the first space portion 61s ₁ due to the shaking when the suction port body 40 is moved along the wall surface W, the inclined inner wall surface 61s ₁₁ of the first space portion 61s ₁ Since the moving body 64 cannot climb, the moving body 64 does not prevent the light receiving element 63 from receiving the light L of the light emitting element 62. Therefore, even when the wall surface W is cleaned by the suction port 40, the light receiving detection signal is transmitted from the light receiving element 63 to the motor drive circuit to detect the light receiving state. Therefore, when the switch of the rotary brush motor 44 is turned on, the rotary brush 43 rotates.

The posture detecting device 60 is such that the moving body 64 cannot climb the inclined inner wall surface 61s ₁₁ of the first space portion 61s ₁ even when the first space portion 61s 1 is lying down, so that the second space portion 61s ₂ has a second position with respect to the inner wall surface 61s ₂₂ . The inclination angle θ of the inner wall surface 61s ₁₁ of the space portion 61s ₁ is set. The inclination angle θ is not particularly limited and is set according to the diameter D or the like of the moving body 64, but can be, for example, about 45 ° ± 15 °. The setting of the inclination angle θ is the same for the second and subsequent embodiments described later, and the curvature of the spherical inner wall surface may be taken into consideration. Even if the moving body 64 jumps and the light receiving of the light receiving element 62 may be momentarily hindered by violently moving the suction port body 40, the moving body 64 rolls on the inner wall surface 61s ₁₁ and is in the second space. Since the unit 61s ₂ is about to return, the light receiving element 62 is immediately ready to receive light.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, when the suction port body 40 is turned upside down so that the bottom plate portion 41a faces upward, the posture detecting device 60 is in an inverted state, so that the moving body 64 is the first space portion 61s ₁ . Move to the upper surface 61s ₁₂ side of. Then, the light L of the light emitting element 62 hits the moving body 64 and the light receiving by the light receiving element 63 is blocked, the light receiving detection signal is not transmitted from the light receiving element 63 to the motor drive circuit, and the non-light receiving state of the light receiving element 63 becomes the motor drive circuit. Is detected. Therefore, the rotary brush 43 does not rotate even if the switch of the rotary brush motor 44 is turned on. That is, when the suction port 40 is turned upside down (FIG. 10) from the state of the suction port 40 when the rotary brush 43 is rotated to clean the floor surface (FIG. 8) or the wall surface (FIG. 9), the rotary brush 43 is rotated. Rotation stops. As a result, it is possible to avoid the risk that the user may be injured by touching the rotating brush 43 during rotation.

(Embodiment 2)
11A and 11B are configuration views of the posture detection device of the second embodiment, in which FIG. 11A shows a state when the floor surface is cleaned by a suction port, FIG. 11B shows a state when the wall surface is cleaned, and FIG. 11C shows a state when the device is turned inside out. In FIG. 11, the same elements as those in FIGS. 8 to 10 are designated by the same reference numerals.
The posture detecting device 160 of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment except that the shape of the internal space 161s of the casing 161 is different from that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the points different from the first embodiment in the second embodiment will be mainly described.

In the case of the posture detecting device 160 of the second embodiment, the first space portion 161s ₁ of the internal space 161s of the casing 161 has a spherical inner wall surface. The vicinity of the boundary between the inner wall surface of the first space portion 161s ₁ and the second space portion 161s ₂ is flattened.
Even if the internal space 161s is configured in this way, when the floor surface is cleaned by the suction port (FIG. 11 (A)) and the wall surface is cleaned (FIG. 11 (B)), the light L of the light emitting element 62 by the light receiving element 63 In the state where light is received and the suction port is turned inside out (FIG. 11 (C)), the moving body 64 blocks the light from being received by the light receiving element 62.

(Embodiment 3)
12A and 12B are configuration views of the posture detection device according to the third embodiment, in which FIG. 12A shows a state when the floor surface is cleaned by a suction port, FIG. 12B shows a state when the wall surface is cleaned, and FIG. 12C shows a state when the device is turned inside out. In FIG. 12, the same elements as those in FIGS. 8 to 10 are designated by the same reference numerals.
The posture detection device 260 of the third embodiment is also substantially the same as the first embodiment except that the shape of the internal space 261s of the casing 261 is different from that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the points different from the first embodiment in the third embodiment will be mainly described.

In the case of the posture detection device 260 of the third embodiment, the first space portion 261s ₁ of the internal space 261s of the casing 261 has a regular quadrangular pyramid-shaped inner wall surface, and the second space portion 261s ₂ has a regular quadrangular pyramid-shaped inner wall surface. Have. That is, the entire internal space 261s is formed in the shape of a regular triangular pyramid.
Even if the internal space 261s is configured in this way, when the floor surface is cleaned by the suction port (FIG. 12 (A)) and the wall surface is cleaned (FIG. 12 (B)), the light L of the light emitting element 62 by the light receiving element 63 When light is received and the suction port is turned inside out (FIG. 12 (C)), the moving body 64 blocks the light receiving element 62 from receiving light. In the case of the third embodiment, since the inner wall surface of the second space portion 261s ₂ is also inclined, it is more difficult for the moving body 261 to move to the first space portion 261s ₁ side when the posture detection device 260 is in a sideways state. It has become.

(Embodiment 4)
13A and 13B are configuration views of the posture detection device according to the fourth embodiment, in which FIG. 13A shows a state when the floor surface is cleaned by a suction port, FIG. 13B shows a state when the wall surface is cleaned, and FIG. 13C shows a state when the device is turned inside out. In FIG. 13, the same elements as those in FIG. 12 are designated by the same reference numerals.
The posture detection device 360 of the fourth embodiment is capable of rotating the rotating brush when the mounting position of the light emitting element 62 and the light receiving element 63 and the non-light receiving state of the light receiving element 63 are detected. However, the other configurations are substantially the same as those in the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the points different from the third embodiment in the fourth embodiment will be mainly described.

In the case of the fourth embodiment, the light emitting element 62 and the light receiving element 63 are arranged so that the optical axis is arranged in the lower second space portion 261s ₂ in the regular quadrangular pyramid-shaped internal space 261s of the casing 261.
In the posture detection device 360 of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13A, when cleaning the floor surface with the suction port body, the moving body 64 is in the second space portion 261s ₂ , and the light emitting element 62. Since the light L from the above hits the moving body 64, it is not received by the light receiving element 63. As a result, the light receiving detection signal is not transmitted from the light receiving element 63 to the motor drive circuit, so that a non-light receiving state is detected. At this time, when the switch of the rotary brush motor in the operation unit 6 is turned on, the rotary brush rotates.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, when cleaning the wall surface with the suction port body, the posture detecting device 360 is in a sideways state, so that the moving body 64 is inside the bottom surface and the inside of the second space portion 261s ₂ . Move to the corner 261s ₂₃ side between the wall surface. At this time, as long as the suction port body is in contact with the wall surface, the moving body 64 is the second space portion 261s ₂ regardless of the direction (horizontal direction, vertical direction, diagonal direction) of the suction port body. Move to the corner 261s ₂₃ side of. Further, even if the moving body 64 tries to roll toward the first space portion 261s ₁ side due to the shaking when the suction port body is moved along the wall surface, the first and second space portions 261s ₁ and 261s ₂ are inclined. Since the moving body 64 cannot climb the inner wall surface, the moving body 64 prevents the light receiving element 63 from receiving the light L of the light emitting element 62. Therefore, even when the wall surface is cleaned by the suction port, the light receiving detection signal is not transmitted from the light receiving element 63 to the motor drive circuit and the non-light receiving state is detected. Therefore, when the switch of the rotary brush motor is turned on, the rotary brush rotates. do.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13C, when the suction port body is turned upside down, the posture detection device 360 is in an inverted state, so that the moving body 64 moves to the top portion 261s ₁₃ side of the first space portion 61s ₁ . do. Then, the light L of the light emitting element 62 is received by the light receiving element 63, the light receiving detection signal is transmitted from the light receiving element 63 to the motor drive circuit, and the light receiving state of the light receiving element 63 is detected by the motor drive circuit. Therefore, the rotary brush does not rotate even if the switch of the rotary brush motor is turned on. Alternatively, when the suction port body is turned upside down (FIG. 13 (C)) when the floor surface is cleaned (FIG. 13 (A)) or the wall surface is cleaned (FIG. 13 (B)) by rotating the rotary brush, the rotary brush is used. The rotation stops.

(Embodiment 5)
14A and 14B are configuration views of the posture detection device according to the fifth embodiment, in which FIG. 14A shows a state when the floor surface is cleaned by a suction port, FIG. 14B shows a state when the wall surface is cleaned, and FIG. 14C shows a state when the device is turned inside out.
In the first to fourth embodiments (FIGS. 8 to 13), the case where the light emitting element 62 and the light receiving element 63 are arranged to face each other is illustrated, but as in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the light emitting element 62 and the light receiving element 63 are mutually arranged. They may be placed adjacent to each other.

More specifically, in the posture detecting device 460 of the fifth embodiment, the internal space 461s of the casing 461 has a first space portion 461s ₁ on the regular quadrangular pyramid shape and a second space portion 461s ₂ below the regular quadrangular columnar shape.
The light emitting element 62 and the light receiving element 63 are attached to a pair of upper and lower through holes provided on one of the four outer peripheral surfaces of the casing 461.
A recess 461s ₂₄ is provided on the second space portion 461s ₂ side of the pair of through holes, and the pair of through holes communicate with the recess 461s ₂₄ .
The moving body 464 is made of, for example, a metal sphere that easily reflects light.

In the posture detection device 460 of the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14A, since the moving body 464 is located in the second space portion 461s ₂ when cleaning the floor surface with the suction port body, the light emitting element The light L from 62 hits the moving body 64 and is reflected, and the reflected light Lr is received by the light receiving element 63. As a result, the light receiving detection signal is transmitted from the light receiving element 63 to the motor drive circuit to detect the light receiving state, and when the switch of the rotary brush motor is turned on at this time, the rotary brush rotates.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14B, when cleaning the wall surface with the suction port body, the posture detection device 460 is in a sideways state, but if the suction port body is in contact with the wall surface. The moving body 464 is located in the second space portion 461s ₂ regardless of the direction (horizontal direction, vertical direction and diagonal direction) of the suction port body. Further, even if the moving body 464 tries to roll toward the first space portion 461s ₁ due to the shaking when the suction port body is moved along the wall surface, the moving body 464 moves on the inclined inner wall surface of the first space portion 461s ₁ . Is not possible to climb, so the light L of the light emitting element 62 is reflected by the moving body 464, and the reflected light Lr is received by the light receiving element 63.

Therefore, even when the wall surface is cleaned by the suction port, the light receiving detection signal is transmitted from the light receiving element 63 to the motor drive circuit to detect the light receiving state. Therefore, when the switch of the rotary brush motor is turned on, the rotary brush rotates. .. At this time, even if the moving body 464 is close to the light emitting element 62 and the light receiving element 63, the reflected light Lr reaches the light receiving element 63 by the recesses 461s ₂₄ . Further, by slightly tilting the light receiving element 63 toward the light emitting element 62, the reflected light Lr can be easily received. The light emitting element 62 may be arranged so as to be slightly tilted toward the light receiving element 63, or both may be arranged so as to be tilted toward each other.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14C, when the suction port is turned upside down, the posture detection device 460 is in an inverted state, so that the moving body 64 moves to the first space portion 461s ₁ side. Then, since the light L of the light emitting element 62 is not reflected by the moving body 64, the reflected light is not received by the light receiving element 63, and the light receiving detection signal is not transmitted from the light receiving element 63 to the motor drive circuit. The light receiving state is detected by the motor drive circuit. Therefore, the rotary brush does not rotate even if the switch of the rotary brush motor is turned on. That is, when the rotating brush is rotated to clean the floor surface (FIG. 14 (A)) or the wall surface (FIG. 14 (B)), the suction port is turned upside down (FIG. 14 (C)) to rotate. The brush stops spinning.

(Embodiment 6)
15A and 15B are configuration views of the posture detection device of the sixth embodiment, in which FIG. 15A shows a state when the floor surface is cleaned by the suction port body, and FIG. 15B shows a state when the suction port body is separated from the floor surface. In FIG. 15, the same elements as those in FIGS. 8 to 10 are designated by the same reference numerals.
In the first to fifth embodiments (FIGS. 8 to 14), the case where the posture detecting device is attached to the bottom plate portion of the suction port body is illustrated, but the posture detecting device 560 is attached to the bottom plate portion of the suction port body 140 as in the sixth embodiment. It may be provided so as to be able to project outward from 141a.

In the case of the sixth embodiment, the bottom plate portion 141a of the suction port main body 141 of the suction port body 140 is formed with an opening 141a ₁ capable of projecting the lower portion of the posture detection device 560 to the outside, and the opening 141a on the bottom plate portion 141a is formed. A switch 170 is provided in the vicinity of ₁ .
This switch 170 is connected to the motor drive circuit of the rotary brush motor 44 (FIG. 6) via a lead wire, and controls the rotary brush motor 44 in preference to the posture detection device 560.

The posture detection device 560 is based on, for example, the posture detection device 60 of the first embodiment, and a protrusion 561a is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the casing 561 thereof. The posture detection device 560 can also be based on the posture detection devices of the second to fifth embodiments.
Further, a urging member 180 is provided in the suction port 140 to urge the posture detecting device 560 in the direction of projecting to the outside. As the urging member 180, for example, a compression spring can be used.

For example, one end of the urging member 180 is fixed to a fixing member 141r such as a rib or a circuit board in the suction port 140, and the other end thereof is fixed to the upper surface of the casing 561 of the posture detecting device 560.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 15A, when the suction port 140 comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned such as the floor surface F or the wall surface, the posture detecting device 560 resists the downward urging force of the urging member 180. It is pushed into the suction port 140. At this time, the protrusion 561a of the attitude detection device 560 is located above the switch 170.

When the switch 170 shown in FIG. 15A is OFF, the rotary brush is in a rotatable state if the light receiving element 63 of the posture detecting device 560 is in the light receiving state.
Then, as shown in FIG. 15B, when the suction port 140 is separated from the surface to be cleaned such as the floor surface F or the wall surface, the posture detecting device 560 opens the bottom plate portion 141a of the suction port 140 by the urging member 180. It projects outward from the portion 141a ₁ . Along with this, the protrusion 561a of the attitude detection device 560 also moves and comes into contact with the switch 170, and the switch 170 is turned on.

When the switch 170 shown in FIG. 15B is ON, the rotary brush does not rotate even if the light receiving element 63 of the attitude detection device 560 is in the light receiving state, so that the rotary brush motor is driven. The rotating brush does not rotate even when the switch of the operation unit 6 (FIG. 1) is turned on.
In this way, by configuring the switch 170 to be turned on and off by moving the posture detection device 560, the rotating brush rotates except in the cleaning state where the suction port 140 is in contact with the surface to be cleaned such as the floor surface F or the wall surface. Can be stopped, so safety can be further improved. As a result, the rotation of the rotating brush can be stopped even when the suction port 140 is lifted.

(Embodiment 7)
FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of the posture detection device of the seventh embodiment and shows a state when the floor surface is cleaned by the suction port body. In FIG. 16, the same elements as those in FIGS. 8 to 10 are designated by the same reference numerals.
In the first to fifth embodiments (FIGS. 8 to 14), the case where the posture detecting device is attached to the bottom plate portion of the suction port body is illustrated, but the posture detecting device 60 is mounted on the suction port body 40 as in the seventh embodiment. It may be attached to the substrate S.
According to this configuration, the lead wires of the light emitting element 62 and the light receiving element 63 can be easily electrically connected to the motor drive circuit of the circuit board S, and the man-hours for assembling the suction port 40 can be reduced. Further, since the installation space of the posture detecting device 60 in the suction port 40 can be reduced, it is advantageous for the suction port 40 to be downsized.

(Embodiment 8)
17A and 17B are configuration views of the posture detection device according to the eighth embodiment, in which FIG. 17A shows a state when the floor surface is cleaned by a suction port, FIG. 17B shows a state when the wall surface is cleaned, and FIG. 17C shows a state when the device is turned inside out. In FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as those in FIGS. 8 to 10.
In the first to seventh embodiments (FIGS. 8 to 16), the configuration in which the rotary brush does not rotate only when the suction port is turned upside down (the posture detection device is in the inverted state) is illustrated, but the suction is performed as in the eighth embodiment. The rotating brush may not rotate even when the mouth is laid on its side (the posture detecting device is laid on its side).

In the case of the eighth embodiment, the posture detecting device 660 has an inverted quadrangular pyramid-shaped internal space 661s inside the casing 661.
The internal space 661s has a first space portion 661s ₁ above the inverted quadrangular pyramid shape and a second space portion 661s ₂ below the inverted quadrangular pyramid shape. Then, the light emitting element 62 and the light receiving element 63 are attached to the casing 661 so as to face each other so that the optical axis is arranged in the second space portion 661s ₂ .

In the posture detection device 660 of the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17 (A), when cleaning the floor surface with the suction port body, the moving body 64 is in the second space portion 661s ₂ , and the light emitting element 62. Since the light L from the above hits the moving body 64, it is not received by the light receiving element 63. As a result, the light receiving detection signal is not transmitted from the light receiving element 63 to the motor drive circuit, so that a non-light receiving state is detected. At this time, when the switch of the rotary brush motor in the operation unit 6 is turned on, the rotary brush rotates.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17B, when cleaning the wall surface with the suction port body, the posture detecting device 660 is in a sideways state, so that the moving body 64 is inside the bottom surface and the inside of the first space portion 661s ₁ . Move to the corner 661s ₁₃ side between the wall surface. At this time, as long as the suction port body is in contact with the wall surface, the moving body 64 is the first space portion 661s ₁ regardless of the direction (horizontal direction, vertical direction, diagonal direction) of the suction port body. Move to the corner 661s ₁₃ side of. Further, even if the moving body 64 tries to roll to the second space portion 661s ₂ side due to the shaking when the suction port body is moved along the wall surface, the first and second space portions 661s ₁ and 661s ₂ are inclined. Since the moving body 64 cannot climb the inner wall surface, the light receiving element 63 receives the light L of the light emitting element 62. Therefore, when the wall surface is cleaned by the suction port, the light receiving detection signal is transmitted from the light receiving element 63 to the motor drive circuit to detect the light receiving state, so that the rotating brush rotates even if the switch of the rotary brush motor is turned on. do not do. That is, when the suction port is turned sideways (FIG. 17 (B)) from the state when the floor surface is cleaned by rotating the rotary brush (FIG. 17 (A)), the rotation of the rotary brush is stopped.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17C, when the suction port is turned upside down, the posture detection device 660 is in an inverted state, so that the moving body 64 moves to the bottom surface 661s ₁₁ side of the first space portion 661s ₁ . do. Also in this case, the light L of the light emitting element 62 is received by the light receiving element 63, the light receiving detection signal is transmitted from the light receiving element 63 to the motor drive circuit, and the light receiving state of the light receiving element 63 is detected by the motor drive circuit. Therefore, the rotary brush does not rotate even if the switch of the rotary brush motor is turned on. That is, when the suction port is turned upside down (FIG. 17 (C)) from the state when the floor surface is cleaned by rotating the rotary brush (FIG. 17 (A)), the rotation of the rotary brush is stopped.

(Other embodiments)
1. 1. In the above embodiment, the case where the moving body is a sphere is exemplified, but the moving body is not limited to the sphere as long as the moving body functions to block the light of the light emitting element only when the posture detecting device is in a predetermined posture. .. For example, in the case of the posture detecting device described with reference to FIGS. 12, 13 and 17, the shape of the moving body may be formed into a regular quadrangular pyramid.

2. 2. In the above embodiment, the case where the drive and stop of the rotary brush of the suction port is controlled by the posture detection device is exemplified, but the drive and stop of the electric blower in the vacuum cleaner body may be performed at the same time as the drive and stop of the rotary brush. In addition, if the suction port is equipped with a drive wheel and a drive wheel motor for rotating the drive wheel, the drive wheel may be driven and stopped at the same time. In the case of the sixth embodiment described with reference to FIG. 15, the drive and stop of the electric blower and the drive wheel may be controlled when the rotation and stop of the rotary brush are controlled by turning the switch 170 off and on.

3. 3. In the sixth embodiment, a case where a compression spring is used as the urging member 180 to urge the posture detecting device 560 in the direction of projecting to the outside is illustrated, but a tension spring may be used. Further, in the sixth embodiment, the case where the rotating brush is controlled not to rotate when the switch 170 is turned on by the protrusion 561a of the posture detecting device 560 is illustrated, but when the protrusion 561a is separated from the switch 170 and turned off. The rotating brush may be controlled so as not to rotate.

(summary)
The suction port body of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention includes a suction port main body and a posture detecting device provided in the suction port main body.
The attitude detecting device is provided in a casing having an internal space, a light emitting element attached to the casing so as to radiate light toward the internal space, and the casing so as to be able to receive light from the light emitting element. It comprises an attached light receiving element and a moving body movably provided in the internal space of the casing.
The shape of the internal space and the positions of the light emitting element and the light receiving element cause the moving body to move in the direction of gravity due to a change in the posture of the suction port body to prevent the light receiving element from receiving light, or the light receiving element. Is received, so that the non-light receiving state or the light receiving state of the light receiving element is detected.

The suction port of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention may be configured as follows, or may be combined as appropriate.
(1) The light emitting element and the light receiving element may be arranged at positions facing each other.
According to this configuration, the light emitted from the light emitting element toward the light receiving element can be blocked by a moving body, whereby the non-light receiving state of the light receiving element can be detected.

(2) The light emitting element and the light receiving element may be arranged at positions adjacent to each other.
According to this configuration, the light emitted from the light emitting element can be reflected by the moving body, the reflected light can be received by the light receiving element, and the light receiving state of the light receiving element can be detected by the light receiving element. ..

(3) The internal space may have an inner wall surface having a pyramid shape, a pyramid shape, a cone shape, a cone shape, or a spherical shape on the optical axis between the light emitting element and the light receiving element.
According to this configuration, in the case of the configuration (1), the non-light receiving state or the light receiving state of the light receiving element can be detected when the suction port is moved on the floor surface and on the wall surface.

(4) The internal space may have a prismatic or cylindrical inner wall surface on the optical axis between the light emitting element and the light receiving element.
According to this configuration, in the case of the configuration (2), the non-light receiving state or the light receiving state of the light receiving element can be detected when the suction port is moved on the floor surface and on the wall surface.

(5) The moving body may be a sphere.
According to this configuration, the mobility of the moving body with respect to the change in the posture of the suction port body can be enhanced.

(6) The casing may be attached to a circuit board provided inside the suction port body.
According to this configuration, the man-hours for assembling the suction port body can be reduced. Further, since the installation space of the posture detecting device in the suction port can be reduced, it is advantageous for the suction port to be miniaturized.

(7) The suction port main body has a bottom wall in which an opening is formed, and the suction port main body has a bottom wall.
The posture detecting device is provided so as to be able to project outward from the opening of the suction port main body, and a protrusion is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface thereof.
Further, an urging member provided in the suction port body to urge the posture detecting device to protrude to the outside, and a switch provided in the vicinity of the periphery of the posture detecting device in the suction port main body are further provided. Prepare,
When the suction port main body is separated from the surface to be cleaned, the posture detecting device may be configured to move outward in the protruding direction and turn the switch on or off at the protruding portion.
According to this configuration, the rotation of the rotating brush can be stopped when the suction port body separates from the floor surface or wall surface during floor cleaning or wall surface cleaning, and rotates when the suction port body touches the floor surface or wall surface again. The brush can be rotated. At the same time, it becomes possible to control the drive and stop of the drive wheel in the suction port and the electric blower in the vacuum cleaner body.

It should be noted that the disclosed embodiments are exemplary in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 Vacuum cleaner 40, 140 Suction port 60, 160, 260, 360, 460, 560, 660 Posture detection device 61, 161, 261, 461, 661 Casing 61s, 161s, 261s, 461s, 661s Internal space 62 Light emitting element 63 Light receiving element 64 Mobile body 40, 140 Suction port body 41, 141 Suction port main body 41a, 141a Bottom plate (bottom wall)
141a ₁ opening 170 switch 180 urging member 561a protrusion L optical S circuit board

Claims (7)

It is equipped with a suction port main body and a posture detection device provided in the suction port main body.
The attitude detection device is provided in a casing having an internal space, a light emitting element attached to the casing so as to radiate light toward the internal space, and the casing so as to be able to receive light from the light emitting element. A light receiving element attached and a moving body movably provided in the internal space of the casing are provided, and the moving body moves in the direction of gravity by changing the posture of the suction port body. ,
The shape of the internal space and the positions of the light emitting element and the light receiving element detect the first state of the light receiving element when the suction port main body is in the floor cleaning posture, and the suction port body is from the floor surface. It is configured to detect a second state different from the first state of the light receiving element when it is lifted and turned upside down, and to detect the first state of the light receiving element when the suction port is in the wall surface cleaning posture. Has been
A suction port of an electric vacuum cleaner , wherein the first state is a light receiving state or a non-light receiving state, and the second state is a non-light receiving state or a light receiving state . The suction port body according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged at positions facing each other. The suction port body according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged at positions adjacent to each other. The suction port body according to claim 2, wherein the internal space has an inner wall surface having a pyramidal shape, a frustum shape, a cone shape, a truncated cone shape, or a spherical surface on the optical axis between the light emitting element and the light receiving element. .. The suction port body according to claim 3, wherein the internal space has a prismatic or columnar inner wall surface on the optical axis between the light emitting element and the light receiving element. The suction port body according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the moving body is a sphere. The suction port body according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the casing is attached to a circuit board provided inside the suction port body.

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