JP7007838B2 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner including a secondary battery arranged in the vacuum cleaner main body and an air passage body connected to the vacuum cleaner main body.

Conventionally, as an electric vacuum cleaner, there is a vacuum cleaner in which a rechargeable secondary battery is mounted on the vacuum cleaner body and the secondary battery is used as a power source to drive the vacuum cleaner.

For example, in the case of a so-called stick-type vacuum cleaner in which an extension pipe is directly connected to the vacuum cleaner body and a hand operation unit for gripping operation by the user is provided on the vacuum cleaner body, the balance of the secondary battery remains. By arranging display units such as LEDs that display various information such as the amount of dust sucked in or the amount of dust collected in the dust collection unit on the hand operation unit, the user can use the display during cleaning. It is now possible to easily notice various information.

On the other hand, in the case of a so-called canister type vacuum cleaner in which a hose body is connected to the vacuum cleaner body and the vacuum cleaner body is pulled through the hose body to follow and run for cleaning, the user grips it. A hand operation unit to be operated is provided on the tip side of the hose body. Therefore, it is necessary to pass the wiring for transmitting the operation in the hand operation unit to the control means arranged in the vacuum cleaner main body through the hose body. Further, when the electric rotary brush is arranged on the floor brush connected to the tip side of the hose body, it is necessary to pass the wiring for power supply from the secondary battery through the hose body. In this way, when the wiring is passed through the hose body, the wiring is passed through the hose body so that the weight of the hose body is not increased by the wiring and the flexibility and elasticity of the hose body are not impaired and the cleaning performance is not deteriorated. There is a limit to the number of lines. Therefore, unlike the stick-type vacuum cleaner described above, it is difficult to arrange a large number of display units on the hand-operated unit in a canister-type vacuum cleaner, and generally, the display unit is arranged on the vacuum cleaner body. The configuration is adopted. However, in the case of a canister type vacuum cleaner, since the vacuum cleaner body is located behind the user during cleaning, it is difficult for the user to notice the display.

In addition, a separate secondary battery is mounted inside the floor brush, and a display unit powered by this secondary battery is provided on the floor brush to display the remaining amount of the secondary battery on the vacuum cleaner body side. be. However, in this case, not only the configuration becomes complicated, but also the floor brush becomes heavy and the operability is deteriorated.

Further, it is also conceivable to notify various information by voice. However, in this case, a voice generating means is required, which increases the cost, and in the case of a vacuum cleaner, the driving sound is relatively loud, so that it may be difficult to hear the notification.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-34873 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-34874

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner capable of displaying the remaining amount of a secondary battery and other information in a position easily noticeable by a user without increasing the wiring through the hose body. ..

The vacuum cleaner of the embodiment includes a vacuum cleaner main body, and operates by using a secondary battery arranged in the vacuum cleaner main body as a power source. This vacuum cleaner has an air passage body, an electric blower, a dust collecting part that collects dust sucked through the air passage body by the operation of the electric blower, and a dust collecting part that collects dust sucked from the surface to be cleaned. It has a dust detecting means for detecting the dust and a display controlling means. The air passage body includes a hose body, a connection part, a hand operation part, wiring, and one lighting means which is a display means. For the connection part, one end side of the hose body is connected to the vacuum cleaner body. The hand operation unit is provided on the other end side of the hose body. The wiring is arranged on the hose body from the connection portion to at least the hand operation portion. The lighting means is provided in the hand operation unit and can be displayed in a display mode which is a plurality of types of light emission modes . The display control means controls the lighting means so that the display mode is different depending on the preset conditions for the vacuum cleaner. This display control means causes the lighting means to display that the dust has been detected by the dust detecting means in the first display mode, and when the remaining amount of the secondary battery becomes less than a predetermined value, the dust detecting means detects the dust. Even if other conditions including To control.

It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the vacuum cleaner of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the same as above. Same as above It is a flowchart showing the control of the vacuum cleaner. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display drive signal corresponding to each display mode of the display means of the said vacuum cleaner. It is a flowchart which shows the control of the vacuum cleaner of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display drive signal corresponding to each display mode of the display means of the said vacuum cleaner.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, 11 indicates a vacuum cleaner. This vacuum cleaner 11 is a canister type vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 11 includes a vacuum cleaner main body 13 capable of traveling on a floor surface as a surface to be cleaned. Further, the vacuum cleaner 11 includes a dust collecting unit 14. Further, the vacuum cleaner 11 includes an electric blower 15 which is a suction source. Further, the vacuum cleaner 11 includes a secondary battery 16. Further, the vacuum cleaner 11 includes a voltage detection unit 17 as a voltage detection means. Further, the vacuum cleaner 11 includes a motor control unit (motor driver) 18 as an electric blower control means. Further, the vacuum cleaner 11 may include a dust sensor 19 as a dust detecting means. Further, the vacuum cleaner 11 includes an air passage body 20. Further, the vacuum cleaner 11 includes a control unit 21 as a control means (controller).

The vacuum cleaner body 13 is provided with a traveling wheel 23. The traveling wheels 23 are rotatably provided on both side portions of the vacuum cleaner main body 13, for example. The vacuum cleaner main body 13 can travel on the floor surface by the traveling wheel 23. Hereinafter, the front-rear direction and the both-side direction (width direction) are based on the traveling direction of the vacuum cleaner main body 13, and for example, the air passage body 20 side is the front side and the opposite side is the rear side.

The dust collecting unit 14 is a part that collects dust sucked together with air from the air by utilizing the negative pressure generated by driving the electric blower 15. The dust collecting unit 14 may be integrated into the vacuum cleaner main body 13 or may be detachable from the vacuum cleaner main body 13.

The electric blower 15 generates a negative pressure by rotating a fan by an electric motor, and sucks dust together with air into a dust collecting unit 14. The electric blower 15 is housed in the vacuum cleaner main body 13.

The secondary battery 16 supplies power to the electric blower 15, the motor control unit 18, the voltage detection unit 17, the control unit 21, and the like. In addition, the secondary battery 16 may supply power to each unit via a voltage conversion unit (not shown). The secondary battery 16 is housed in the vacuum cleaner main body 13.

The voltage detection unit 17 is a unit that outputs the voltage of the secondary battery 16 to the control unit 21. The voltage detection unit 17 is, for example, a voltage dividing unit having a voltage dividing resistor, and is adapted to convert the voltage of the secondary battery 16 into the input level of the control unit 21.

The motor control unit 18 controls the operation of the electric blower 15 and the like in response to a signal from the control unit 21. That is, the motor control unit 18 controls the on / off of the electric blower 15 and the operating state such as the operating power by controlling the amount of electricity supplied from the secondary battery 16 to the electric blower 15 and the like. The motor control unit 18 is housed in the vacuum cleaner main body 13.

The dust sensor 19 detects dust at any point in the air passage where the dust sucked from the surface to be cleaned by the operation of the electric blower 15 reaches the dust collecting portion 14. The dust sensor 19 uses a known configuration such as an optical sensor in which a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are arranged so as to face each other with an air passage through which dust passes. The dust sensor 19 is arranged on the upstream side of the dust collecting unit 14. For example, the dust sensor 19 is provided on the vacuum cleaner main body 13 or the air passage body 20.

The air passage body 20 exerts a negative pressure generated by driving the electric blower 15 on the floor surface or the like. That is, the air passage body 20 is connected to the suction side of the electric blower 15 via the dust collecting unit 14. Further, the air passage body 20 enables the user to pull the vacuum cleaner main body 13 to follow the vacuum cleaner main body 13. The air passage body 20 is removable from, for example, the vacuum cleaner main body 13. The air passage body 20 includes a hose body 25. Further, the air passage body 20 includes a connection portion 26. Further, the air passage body 20 includes a hand operation unit 27. Further, the air passage body 20 includes an operation unit 28 as a setting means. Further, the air passage body 20 includes a lamp 29 which is a lighting means as a display means. Further, the air passage body 20 includes a wiring 30. Further, the air passage body 20 may include an extension pipe 31. Further, the air passage body 20 may include a suction port body 32. Further, the air passage body 20 may include a floating sensor 33 as a detection means (detection unit).

The hose body 25 is formed in a long tubular shape having flexibility. The hose body 25 is formed in a bellows shape, for example. Further, the hose body 25 internally partitions an air passage through which dust passes.

The connection portion 26 connects the air passage body 20 to the vacuum cleaner main body 13. More specifically, the connection portion 26 connects the base end side (one end side), which is the downstream end side of the hose body 25, to the vacuum cleaner main body 13.

The hand operation unit 27 is also called a grip tube or the like, and is provided on the tip side (the other end side) which is the upstream end side of the hose body 25. The hand operation unit 27 connects the tip end side of the hose body 25 and the base end side (one end side) which is the downstream end side of the extension pipe 31. Further, the hand operation unit 27 is a portion that the user grips when cleaning. An operation unit 28 is arranged on the hand operation unit 27. Further, a lamp 29 is arranged on the hand operation unit 27. For example, the gripping portion 35 for gripping the air passage body 20 may be projected from the upper portion of the hand operating portion 27. The grip portion 35 is not an essential configuration, and the user can directly grip the hand operation portion 27.

The operation unit 28 is for the user to set the operation of the electric blower 15 and the like. The operation unit 28 is, for example, a switch (button) and is arranged above the hand operation unit 27. The operation unit 28 may be arranged, for example, in the grip unit 35.

The lamp 29 can display at least two or more types of information on the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 and other information to the user in different display modes (light emitting modes). For example, the lamp 29 can be lit as a first display mode, blink as a second display mode, and blink at a longer period than the second display mode as a third display mode. In the following, blinking means blinking at a cycle that can be visually recognized by humans. The lamp 29 is lit by supplying power from the secondary battery 16. In this embodiment, for example, an LED is used as the lamp 29. This lamp 29 is arranged in the hand operation unit 27. For example, the lamp 29 is arranged in front of the grip portion 35. Further, the lamp 29 is arranged in front of the operation unit 28. For example, the lamp 29 is arranged adjacent to the front portion of the operation unit 28. Further, the lamp 29 is arranged so as to emit light in a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal direction of the hand operation unit 27. Therefore, the lamp 29 is located in front of the user's hand holding the grip portion 35 (hand operation portion 27). In other words, the lamp 29 is provided at a position where it is not hidden by the hand of the user who grips the grip portion 35 (hand operation portion 27).

The wiring 30 is arranged on the hose body 25 from the connection portion 26 to at least the hand operation portion 27. Specifically, the wiring 30 is spirally embedded along the position of the bellows of the hose body 25 in the outer wall surrounding the air passage of the hose body 25. That is, the wiring 30 is arranged outside the air passage of the hose body 25. As the wiring 30, for example, four lines of a drive signal line 41, a state signal line 42, an operation signal line 43, and a display signal line 44 are set in the present embodiment. One end of this wiring 30 is electrically connected to the control unit 21.

The drive signal line 41 is a signal line for driving the suction port 32, which will be described later. The drive signal line 41 is arranged from the connection portion 26 to the hose body 25, the hand operation unit 27, the extension pipe 31, and the suction port body 32. That is, a part of the drive signal line 41 is arranged through the hose body 25.

The state signal line 42 is a signal line for transmitting the floating state of the suction port 32, which will be described later. This state signal line 42 is arranged from the connection portion 26 to the hose body 25, the hand operation unit 27, the extension pipe 31, and the suction port body 32. That is, a part of this state signal line 42 is arranged through the hose body 25.

The drive signal line 41 and the state signal line 42 may not be necessary depending on the form of the suction port 32. That is, these drive signal lines 41 and state signal lines 42 are not indispensable configurations.

The operation signal line 43 is a signal line for setting the operation of the electric blower 15 by the operation unit 28. The operation signal line 43 is arranged from the connection portion 26 to the hose body 25 and the hand operation portion 27. The operation signal line 43 electrically connects the operation unit 28 and the control unit 21.

The display signal line 44 is a signal line for driving the lamp 29. The display signal line 44 is arranged from the connection portion 26 to the hose body 25 and the hand operation portion 27. The display signal line 44 electrically connects the lamp 29 and the control unit 21.

The extension tube 31 is formed in a straight tube shape, for example, by a hard synthetic resin. For example, the extension pipe 31 is connected to the tip end side (hand operation unit 27) of the hose body 25 at the base end side and is connected to the suction port body 32 at the tip end side. The extension pipe 31 is not an essential configuration.

The suction port 32 sucks dust from the floor surface by the negative pressure generated by the drive of the electric blower 15. In the present embodiment, the suction port body 32 is, for example, a floor brush that is placed on the floor surface and moved on the floor surface. The suction port body 32 includes a case body 46. Further, the suction port 32 includes a connecting pipe 47 connected to the tip end side of the extension pipe 31. The suction port body 32 may include a rotating brush 48 as a rotating cleaning body. Further, the suction port 32 may include a motor 49 which is an electric motor. The suction port 32 is not an essential configuration.

The case body 46 is provided with a suction port (not shown) for sucking air together with air by the negative pressure generated by the drive of the electric blower 15 at the lower portion facing the floor surface.

The rotating brush 48 scrapes off dust on the floor surface by rotation. The rotating brush 48 is rotatably arranged at the bottom of the case body 46. For example, the rotating brush 48 is rotatably attached to the suction port.

The motor 49 rotates and drives the rotary brush 48. The motor 49 is housed in a case body 46, and a rotational force is transmitted to the rotary brush 48 via a transmission member such as a timing belt or a gear (not shown). The motor 49 is driven by power supplied from the secondary battery 16. The motor 49 is electrically connected to the control unit 21 via the drive signal line 41. Then, the motor 49, that is, the rotary brush 48 is driven and stopped by the operation unit 28 in the control unit 21, and is driven and stopped according to the signal output from the control unit 21 via the drive signal line 41. It has become so. That is, the control unit 21 has a function of a rotary cleaning body drive control means (rotary cleaning body drive control unit) that controls the drive of the rotary brush 48.

The lift sensor 33 detects the lift of the suction port 32 from the floor surface. The lift sensor 33 is arranged at the lower part of the case body 46, for example, and is a switch (micro switch) that switches on / off between the state where the suction port 32 is placed on the floor surface and the state where the suction port body 32 is lifted from the floor surface. Is used. The floating sensor 33 is electrically connected to the control unit 21 via the state signal line 42. For example, in the present embodiment, the floating sensor 33 is electrically connected to the control unit 21 via the operation unit 28 by the state signal line 42. Then, the on / off switching of the floating sensor 33 is transmitted to the control unit 21 by the state signal line 42 as a signal indicating whether the suction port 32 is placed on the floor surface or is floating. It has become. The floating sensor 33 is not an indispensable configuration.

The control unit 21 has a function of a display control means (display control unit) that controls the operation of the lamp 29. That is, the control unit 21 outputs the display drive signal for driving the lamp 29 to the lamp 29 via the display signal line 44. Further, the control unit 21 is electrically connected to the voltage detection unit 17, the motor control unit 18, and the dust sensor 19. Further, the control unit 21 is separately electrically connected to the operation unit 28, the lamp 29, the lift sensor 33, and the motor 49 via the wiring 30. Specifically, in this control unit 21, the voltage detection unit 17, the dust sensor 19, the operation unit 28, and the floating sensor 33 are connected to the input side, and the motor control unit 18, the lamp 29, and the motor 49 are on the output side. It is connected to the. Further, the control unit 21 calculates the voltage of the secondary battery 16 from the output of the voltage detection unit 17. Then, the control unit 21 is sucked by the output of the voltage detection unit 17, the operation signal from the operation unit 28 input via the operation signal line 43, and the floating sensor 33 input via the state signal line 42. Based on the detection output of the presence or absence of floating of the mouth body 32, a drive signal of the electric blower 15 is generated and output to the motor control unit 18, and the electric blower 15 is driven or stopped. Further, the control unit 21 is a suction port body by the floating sensor 33 input via the output of the voltage detection unit 17, the operation signal from the operation unit 28 input via the operation signal line 43, and the state signal line 42. Based on the detection output of the presence / absence of floating of 32 and the output of the dust sensor 19, the display drive signal of the lamp 29 is generated and output to the lamp 29 via the display signal line 44. Then, the control unit 21 controls the lamp 29 so that the display mode is different depending on the preset conditions for the vacuum cleaner 11. Here, the preset conditions for the vacuum cleaner 11 are, for example, in the present embodiment, whether or not the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 is less than a predetermined value, and whether or not dust is sucked into the dust collecting unit 14. Whether or not the suction port 32 is lifted, and so on. As the control unit 21, for example, a microcomputer or the like is used. The control unit 21 is housed in the vacuum cleaner main body 13.

Next, the cleaning operation according to the above embodiment will be described.

The user places the suction port 32 on the floor with the extension pipe 31 and the suction port 32 connected to the tip of the hose body 25 connected to the vacuum cleaner body 13 by the connection portion 26. Then, the electric blower 15 is driven by gripping the grip portion 35 and operating the operation portion 28.

That is, the control unit 21 refers to the operation of the operation unit 28 via the operation signal line 43, and outputs a drive signal to the motor control unit 18 so that the electric blower 15 is operated with the power set by this operation. , The motor control unit 18 operates or stops the electric blower 15 based on this drive signal. At this time, the control unit 21 refers to the output of the voltage detection unit 17, and operates the electric blower 15 so as to suppress the power of the electric blower 15 when the voltage of the secondary battery 16 is low, for example. It is also possible to control such as not allowing the operation. Further, the control unit 21 refers to the output of the floating sensor 33 via the state signal line 42, and controls such as suppressing the power of the electric blower 15 when the suction port 32 is floating with respect to the floor surface, for example. Is also possible.

Then, the user pulls the vacuum cleaner main body 13 by the air passage body 20 to move it to an appropriate position, and repeatedly runs the suction port body 32 back and forth on the floor surface, which is generated by the drive of the electric blower 15. Using negative pressure, dust on the floor surface is sucked in together with air from the suction port of the suction port body 32. In addition, the user drives the rotary brush 48 (motor 49) to rotate by operating the operation unit 28 as necessary, and scrapes out the dust that has entered the floor surface.

That is, the control unit 21 refers to the operation of the operation unit 28 via the operation signal line 43, and when the drive of the rotation brush 48 is set by this operation while the rotation brush 48 (motor 49) is stopped, the motor 49 The drive signal for driving is output via the drive signal line 41. At this time, the control unit 21 refers to the output of the voltage detection unit 17, and can control such that the operation of the motor 49 (rotating brush 48) is not permitted when the voltage of the secondary battery 16 is low, for example. be. Further, the control unit 21 refers to the output of the floating sensor 33 via the state signal line 42, and permits the operation of the motor 49 (rotating brush 48) when, for example, the suction port 32 is floating with respect to the floor surface. It is also possible to control the motor 49 (rotating brush 48) that is not driven or is in the driving state, such as temporarily stopping the motor 49 (rotating brush 48). Further, in the control unit 21, the operation of the operation unit 28 is referred to via the operation signal line 43, and the stop of the rotation brush 48 is set by this operation in the drive state or the pause state of the rotation brush 48 (motor 49). If so, the drive signal for stopping the motor 49 is output via the drive signal line 41.

The dust-containing air sucked from the suction port of the suction port 32 is sucked from the connecting pipe 47 to the dust collecting section 14 via the extension pipe 31 and the air passage in the hose body 25. In the dust collecting unit 14, dust in the dust-containing air is separated and collected, and the air from which the dust is separated is sucked into the electric blower 15, cooled, and then exhausted from the vacuum cleaner main body 13. To.

During this cleaning, the control unit 21 refers to the output of the voltage detection unit 17, the output of the dust sensor 19, and the output of the floating sensor 33 via the status signal line 42, and generates a display drive signal based on these outputs. Then, it is output to the lamp 29 via the display signal line 44, and various information about the vacuum cleaner 11 is displayed by the lamp 29 in different display modes. Then, in the present embodiment, the control unit 21 causes the lamp 29 to display information regarding the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16, for example, that the remaining amount (voltage) of the secondary battery 16 is less than a predetermined value. Further, the control unit 21 causes the lamp 29 to indicate that the dust is detected by the dust sensor 19, that is, that the dust has been sucked into the dust collecting unit 14. Further, the control unit 21 causes the lamp 29 to indicate that the suction port 32 has been lifted from the floor surface. Further, in the control unit 21, the priority is set for the information to be displayed on the lamp 29. In the present embodiment, the lamp 29 is given the highest priority to indicate that the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 is less than a predetermined value, then the dust is detected by the dust sensor 19, and the suction port 32 is lifted from the floor surface. It is set to display on the lamp 29 in the order of things. That is, when the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 becomes less than the predetermined value, the control unit 21 temporarily detects dust by the dust sensor 19, and the suction port 32 is lifted from the floor surface. Even if the battery is filled, the lamp 29 is controlled to display when the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 is less than a predetermined value.

When the cleaning is completed, the user operates the operation unit 28 to stop the electric blower 15. The dust collected in the dust collecting unit 14 is discarded as needed.

Next, the control of the display by the lamp 29 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the control unit 21 refers to the output of the voltage detection unit 17 and determines whether or not the voltage of the secondary battery 16 is less than a predetermined threshold value (step S1). When it is determined in step S1 that the voltage of the secondary battery 16 is less than a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 21 displays so that the lamp 29 displays in the second display mode (second display pattern). A drive signal is generated and output to the lamp 29 via the display signal line 44 (step S2), and the control is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the voltage of the secondary battery 16 is not less than a predetermined threshold value (is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value), the control unit 21 refers to the output of the dust sensor 19 and refers to the dust sensor 19. It is determined whether or not the dust is detected by the above, that is, whether or not the vacuum cleaner 11 has sucked the dust into the dust collecting unit 14 (step S3). In step S3, when the dust is detected by the dust sensor 19, that is, it is determined that the vacuum cleaner 11 has sucked the dust into the dust collecting unit 14, the control unit 21 has the lamp 29 as the first display mode. A display drive signal is generated so as to be displayed in (first display pattern) and output to the lamp 29 via the display signal line 44 (step S4), and the control is terminated.

Further, in step S3, when it is determined that the dust is not detected by the dust sensor 19, that is, the electric blower 11 has not sucked the dust into the dust collecting unit 14, the control unit 21 via the status signal line 42. With reference to the output of the lift sensor 33, it is determined whether or not the suction port 32 has lifted from the floor surface (step S5). When it is determined in step S5 that the suction port 32 is lifted from the floor surface, the control unit 21 generates a display drive signal so that the lamp 29 displays in the third display mode (third display pattern). Then, the output is output to the lamp 29 via the display signal line 44 (step S6), and the control is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the suction port 32 is not lifted from the floor surface, the control unit 21 displays and drives the lamp 29 to display in the 0th display mode (0th display pattern). A signal is generated and output to the lamp 29 via the display signal line 44 (step S7), and the control is terminated.

It should be noted that this display control may be periodically performed at predetermined intervals or may be constantly performed. Further, it may be carried out during cleaning, that is, during the operation of the electric blower 15, or may be carried out regardless of whether the electric blower 15 is in operation or stopped.

Here, in the 0th to 3rd display modes, the 0th display mode is turned off, the first display mode is lit, the second display mode is blinking, and the third display mode is higher than the second display mode. Blinking with a long cycle and lighting time. For example, an example of a display drive signal is shown in FIG. In the display drive signal of each of these display modes, the L level corresponds to the extinguishing of the lamp 29 and the H level corresponds to the lighting of the lamp 29. In the present embodiment, for example, the third display mode is blinking with twice the cycle and lighting time of the second display mode.

For the user during cleaning, the fact that the suction port 32 has lifted from the floor surface is less important information because it can be relatively easily known directly by visual inspection of the suction port 32. In the case of the vacuum cleaner 11 driven by the secondary battery 16, the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 which is directly related to the remaining operating time of the vacuum cleaner 11 is more important than the dust detection. Information.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 is less than a predetermined value, the control unit 21 causes the lamp 29 to display in the second display mode, and the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 is reduced. When the dust is detected by the dust sensor 19 when it is not less than the specified value, the lamp 29 is displayed in the first display mode, and the floating sensor is displayed when the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 is not less than the specified value and the dust sensor 19 does not detect the dust. When the suction port 32 is detected to be lifted from the floor surface by 33, the lamp 29 is displayed in the third display mode.

Therefore, when three types of information, such as the dust detection that can be displayed on the lamp 29, the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16, and the floating of the suction port 32, are mixed, the priority is given in the order of importance to the user. Since the lamp 29 is displayed, a plurality of different information can be displayed and separated by one lamp 29. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a plurality of lamps and the like, the display of the lamp 29 can be controlled by only one wiring 30 (display signal line 44), and the number of wirings 30 passing through the hose body 25 is not increased.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The same components and operations as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In this second embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, the information to be displayed on the lamp 29 is lifted in a state where dust is detected by the dust sensor 19, and the suction port 32 is lifted from the floor surface by the suction sensor 33. It is provided with information when the above is detected.

That is, in this second embodiment, the control unit 21 takes into consideration whether or not the suction port 32 is lifted from the floor surface when the dust sensor 19 detects dust, so that the vacuum cleaner 11 The abnormal state of is displayed on the lamp 29.

In other words, in the present embodiment, when the control unit 21 controls the lamp 29 so as to have a different display mode according to the preset conditions for the vacuum cleaner 11, for example, the secondary battery 16 is used as the above conditions. Whether or not the remaining amount of dust is less than the specified value, whether or not dust has been sucked into the dust collecting unit 14, whether or not the dust is detected by the dust sensor 19 and whether or not the suction port 32 is lifted, and whether or not the suction port 32 is lifted, and whether or not the dust is detected by the dust sensor 19. Whether or not the suction port 32 is lifted without doing so is provided.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, in the second embodiment, the processes of steps S8 and S9 are added to the first embodiment. That is, in step S3, when the dust is detected by the dust sensor 19, that is, when it is determined that the vacuum cleaner 11 has sucked the dust into the dust collecting unit 14, the control unit 21 passes through the status signal line 42. With reference to the output of the lift sensor 33, it is determined whether or not the suction port 32 has lifted from the floor surface (step S8). If it is determined in step S8 that the suction port 32 has risen from the floor surface, the control unit 21 generates a display drive signal so that the lamp 29 displays in the fourth display mode (fourth display pattern). Then, the output is output to the lamp 29 via the display signal line 44 (step S9), and the control is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the suction port 32 is not lifted from the floor surface, the process proceeds to step S4.

For example, an example of a display drive signal is shown in FIG. In the display drive signal of each of these display modes, the L level corresponds to the extinguishing of the lamp 29 and the H level corresponds to the lighting of the lamp 29. In the present embodiment, for example, the fourth display mode is a pattern (special blinking) in which a long extinguishing section follows two high-speed blinking.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 is less than a predetermined value, the control unit 21 causes the lamp 29 to display in the second display mode, and the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 is remaining. When the dust is detected by the dust sensor 19 by the dust sensor 19 and the lift of the suction port 32 from the floor surface is detected by the lift sensor 33, the lamp 29 is displayed in the fourth display mode. When the dust sensor 19 detects dust when the remaining amount of the next battery 16 is not less than a predetermined value, and the lift sensor 33 does not detect the lift of the suction port 32 from the floor surface, the first display is displayed on the lamp 29. When the display is performed in the mode, the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 is not less than a predetermined value, the dust is not detected by the dust sensor 19, and the lift sensor 33 detects the lift of the suction port 32 from the floor surface, the third The lamp 29 is displayed in the display mode.

Here, in a state where the suction port 32 is lifted from the floor surface, if the vacuum cleaner 11 is normal, no dust is sucked in, and the dust sensor 19 does not detect the dust. Therefore, if the suction port 32 is lifted from the floor surface in a state where the dust sensor 19 detects dust as described above, it is assumed that the vacuum cleaner 11 is in an abnormal state. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when dust is detected by the dust sensor 19, the lamp 29 is displayed in consideration of whether or not the suction port 32 is lifted from the floor surface, so that the user, for example, dust is displayed. The display of the lamp 29 indicates whether or not the vacuum cleaner 11 is in an abnormal state, such as whether or not the sensor 19 is contaminated with dust or the vicinity of the dust sensor 19 is clogged with dust. Can be done. As a result, it is possible to encourage the user to perform maintenance on the dust sensor 19 and its vicinity.

In particular, since the dust sensor 19 is arranged so as to sandwich the air passage for sucking dust, such as the inside of the vacuum cleaner main body 13 or the inside of the suction port 32, the user can directly see from the outside under normal use conditions. It is not possible, and for the user during cleaning, whether or not the vacuum cleaner 11 is in an abnormal state due to dirt on the dust sensor 19 or the like is relatively important information. For this reason, by displaying the abnormal state of the vacuum cleaner 11 on the lamp 29 with priority over dust detection and mere lifting of the suction port 32 from the floor surface, the information most important to the user is displayed in order. Can be notified.

Then, when four kinds of information such as the dust detection that can be displayed on the lamp 29, the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16, the floating of the suction port 32, and the abnormal state of the vacuum cleaner 11 are mixed, the user can see it. Since the lamps 29 are given priorities in order of importance and displayed on the lamp 29, a plurality of different information can be displayed separately by one lamp 29. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a plurality of lamps and the like, the display of the lamp 29 can be controlled by only one wiring 30 (display signal line 44), and the number of wirings 30 passing through the hose body 25 is not increased.

In each of the above embodiments, the information regarding the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 only displays the case where the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 is less than a predetermined value, but for example, the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16. A plurality of quantity (voltage) thresholds are set, and the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 is displayed on the lamp 29 in a plurality of different display modes according to the comparison between these thresholds and the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16. You can also.

In addition to the information on the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16, the information that can be displayed on the lamp 29 may be, for example, the amount of dust collected in the dust collecting unit 14, or the rotation speed for detecting the rotation speed of the electric blower 15. The filter may be clogged or the suction port may be clogged by the clogging detecting means (clogging sensor) such as the detecting means (rotation speed detecting unit). That is, as the information other than the information regarding the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 displayed on the lamp 29, any information regarding the operating state and the cleaning state of the vacuum cleaner 11 that can be acquired by using a sensor or the like can be adopted. ..

Further, the control unit 21 integrally has the function of the rotary cleaning body drive control means (rotary cleaning body drive control unit) and the function of the display control means (display control unit), and controls the motor control unit 18. Although they are assumed to have functions, these functions can also be configured as control means (control units) separate from each other.

In at least one embodiment described above, the lamp 29 provided in the hand operation unit 27 enables a plurality of types of display modes, and the control unit 21 determines when the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 becomes less than a predetermined value. Even if other conditions are satisfied, the lamp 29 is controlled according to the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 becoming less than a predetermined value. That is, the control unit 21 causes the lamp 29 to display any of these information in preference to the lamp 29, and causes the lamp 29 to display at least one of the remaining information when this information is not displayed. Therefore, while using one lamp 29, the display can be prioritized according to the importance of the information, and a plurality of different information can be displayed separately. Therefore, since it is not necessary to use a plurality of lamps or the like, the display of the lamp 29 can be controlled by only one wiring 30 (display signal line 44) without increasing the wiring 30 through the hose body 25. Therefore, the hose body 25 The remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 and other information can be displayed in a position that is easy for the user to notice, without impairing the flexibility of the vacuum cleaner and the operability when the vacuum cleaner main body 13 is driven.

In addition, when the conditions for displaying two or more types of information are satisfied at the same time, the information on the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 having a high priority is displayed, and the information on the low priority is not displayed. , It is possible to use only one lamp 29, which is used as a means for displaying a plurality of information.

Then, the user can estimate the remaining operating time of the electric vacuum cleaner 11 by knowing the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 from the display of the lamp 29, so that for example, the cleaning can be completed in a hurry or the power of the electric blower 15 can be completed. The vacuum cleaner 11 can be operated according to the required cleaning situation, such as suppressing the pressure and making the operating time as long as possible.

Further, the control unit 21 causes the lamp 29 to indicate that dust has been detected by the dust sensor 19 in the first display mode, and when the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 is less than a predetermined value, the lamp is displayed in the second display mode. By displaying the information on the 29, the common lamp 29 can notify the user of two types of information, that is, dust detection and the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16.

At this time, the control unit 21 gives priority to the fact that the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 is less than the predetermined amount when the dust is detected by the dust sensor 19 and the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 is less than the predetermined amount. By displaying the lamp 29 in the second display mode, even when two types of information, that is, dust detection and the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16, are mixed, more important information for the user can be preferentially notified. ..

Moreover, by utilizing the characteristic that humans are more likely to notice moving objects than non-moving objects, the control unit 21 displays the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16 in the second display mode of the lamp 29. By displaying at least one of blinking and other information, for example, that dust has been detected by the dust sensor 19 by lighting, which is the first display mode of the lamp 29, more important information can be easily noticed by the user. It can be notified by the mode.

Further, the control unit 21 causes the lamp 29 to display in the third display mode that the suction port 32 has been detected to be lifted from the floor surface by the lift sensor 33, thereby detecting dust and remaining in the secondary battery 16. The common lamp 29 can notify the user of three types of information, that is, the amount and the floating of the suction port 32.

In particular, the control unit 21 turns on the first display mode of the lamp 29, blinks the second display mode, and sets the third display mode to blink with a longer cycle than the second display mode. The most important information for the user can be notified in a display mode that is easy for the user to notice.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

11 Vacuum cleaner
13 Vacuum cleaner body
14 Dust collector
15 electric blower
16 Rechargeable battery
19 Dust sensor as a means of detecting dust
20 Airway body
21 Control unit with the function of display control means
25 hose body
26 Connection
27 Hand control unit
29 A lamp that is a lighting means as a display means
30 wiring
32 Suction port
33 Floating sensor as a detection means

Claims (6)

It is an electric vacuum cleaner that has a vacuum cleaner body and operates using the secondary battery placed in this vacuum cleaner body as a power source.
The hose body, a connection portion connecting one end side of the hose body to the vacuum cleaner body, a hand operation unit provided on the other end side of the hose body, and the hose body extending from the connection portion to at least the hand operation unit. An air passage body provided with a wiring arranged in the above, and one lighting means which is a display means which is provided in the hand operation unit and can be displayed in a display mode which is a plurality of types of light emitting modes .
With an electric blower,
A dust collecting unit that collects dust sucked through the air passage body by the operation of the electric blower, and a dust collecting unit.
A dust detecting means for detecting the dust sucked from the surface to be cleaned up to the dust collecting portion, and a dust detecting means.
The vacuum cleaner is provided with a display control means for controlling the lighting means so as to have a different display mode according to preset conditions.
The display control means causes the lighting means to display in the first display mode that dust has been detected by the dust detecting means, and when the remaining amount of the secondary battery becomes less than a predetermined value, the dust detecting means is used. Even if the other conditions including the detection of dust are satisfied, the lighting means has a second display mode different from the first display mode depending on the remaining amount of the secondary battery being less than a predetermined value. An electric vacuum cleaner characterized by controlling the lighting means so as to be displayed . The display control means lights the first display mode of the lighting means and blinks the second display mode.
The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the vacuum cleaner is characterized by the above. The air passage body is provided with a suction port body connected to the other end side of the hose body.
A detection means for detecting that the suction port body has floated from the surface to be cleaned is provided.
The display control means causes the lighting means to display that the dust has been detected by the dust detecting means in the first display mode, and when the remaining amount of the secondary battery is less than a predetermined value, the display control means causes the lighting means in the second display mode. The electric cleaning according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the lighting means displays the fact that the suction port has been detected to be lifted from the surface to be cleaned by the detection means. Machine. The air passage body is provided with a suction port body connected to the other end side of the hose body.
A detection means for detecting that the suction port body has floated from the surface to be cleaned is provided.
The display control means causes the lighting means to display in the second display mode when the remaining amount of the secondary battery is less than the predetermined amount, and dust is collected by the dust detecting means when the remaining amount of the secondary battery is not less than the predetermined amount. When it is detected, it is displayed on the lighting means in the first display mode, and when the remaining amount of the secondary battery is not less than a predetermined value and the dust is not detected by the dust detecting means, the detecting means covers the suction port. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein when the lift from the cleaning surface is detected, the lighting means is displayed in the third display mode. The air passage body is provided with a suction port body connected to the other end side of the hose body.
A detection means for detecting that the suction port body has floated from the surface to be cleaned is provided.
The display control means causes the lighting means to display in the second display mode when the remaining amount of the secondary battery is less than the predetermined amount, and dust is collected by the dust detecting means when the remaining amount of the secondary battery is not less than the predetermined amount. When the detection means detects and the suction means lifts the suction port from the surface to be cleaned, the lighting means displays the suction port in the fourth display mode, and the remaining amount of the secondary battery is less than a predetermined value. When the dust is detected by the dust detecting means and the suction port body is not detected to be lifted from the cleaned surface by the detecting means, the lighting means is displayed in the first display mode. When the remaining amount of the secondary battery is not less than a predetermined value, the dust is not detected by the dust detecting means, and the suction port is detected to be lifted from the cleaned surface by the detecting means, the third display mode is The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the lighting means is displayed. The display control means is characterized in that the first display mode of the lighting means is lit, the second display mode is blinking, and the third display mode is blinking having a longer cycle than the second display mode. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 3 to 5 .

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