JPH02228928A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to detect as early as possible stains on a front and rear filter when exceeding a predetermined limit by mounting an optical refuse detector within an air channel between the front filter and exhaust port. CONSTITUTION:An optical refuse detector 12 installed between a front filter 7 and an electric blower 8 comprises a luminous device 12a provided on one of the side walls and a light receiver 12b provided on the other side wall facing to said wall. It is so constituted that when the amount of dust contained in air passing through the space between the two devices is small, the amount of light received by the receiver is large while the amount of dust is large the amount of light received is small. When the amount of dust exceeds a certain limit, an alarm signal is output from the light receiver to an alarm unit installed on a position easy to find on the main body of the vacuum cleanser. With this device it is possible to know whether or not the filter has become dirty to such an extent that it should be cleaned.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to dust detection in a vacuum cleaner.

[Prior Art] Fig. 2 is a side view showing the overall configuration of a conventional general vacuum cleaner, with a portion shown in cross section.

In the figure, (1) is a brush, (2) is an extension tube, and (3) is a brush.
is the hose, (3a) is the remote control switch, (4) is the main body, (5) is the suction port, and (6) is the connection from the suction port (5) to the main body (4).
) is a paper bag-shaped dust collection filter that collects dust that has been sucked in with the air ζ, (7) is a front filter for capturing coarse dust, (8
) is an electric blower, (9) is an electric motor, (10) is a rear filter for capturing fine dust, and (11) is an exhaust port.

Next, this effect will be explained. When the remote control switch (3a) is operated to drive the motor (9) and rotate the electric blower (8), air flows in the direction of arrow A, and the dust and air sucked by the brush (1) are drawn out. Pass through the pipe (2) and hose (3) to the suction port (5) and remove the dust filter (8).
)to go into. Here, most of the bulky debris is captured and accumulated in the dust filter (8), and later taken out together with the dust filter (8). Further, the dust that has passed through this dust collection filter (B) is collected by the front filter (7) when passing through the front filter (7), and the suction air is passed through the electric blower (8).
), the air passes around the motor (9), and even finer dust particles are collected by the rear filter (10), resulting in almost dust-free air that is discharged outside through the exhaust port (11). .

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional vacuum cleaner as described above, the front filter (7) on the upstream side of the electric blower (8) sometimes works like a paper bag-shaped dust collection filter (6). There is no need to replace it, but as dust gradually accumulates, more dust passes through the front filter (7) and flows into the electric blower (8). For this reason, there is a problem in that dust adheres around the electric blower (8) and the motor (9), which not only reduces the blowing performance but also causes failure.

In addition, a filter (lO
), and this dirt is mixed with dust and diffused into the room through the exhaust port (11).

The present invention was made to solve such problems,
To provide a vacuum cleaner capable of early detection when dirt on a front filter or a rear filter in a vacuum cleaner body exceeds a certain limit.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes a suction port, an electric blower, and an exhaust port, and a front filter is provided on the suction port side of the electric blower. An optical dust detector is installed in the air flow path between the filter and the exhaust port to detect the amount of dust in the air flow path by passing light into the air flow path.

[Operation] While the vacuum cleaner is operating, it passes through the front filter and
By detecting the amount of dust mixed in the air sucked toward the electric blower with an optical dust detector, the amount of dust that has not been collected by the filter after passing through the front filter is determined. This allows you to know whether the filter is dirty to the extent that it should be cleaned.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is an internal plan view of a vacuum cleaner main body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, (1) to (11) are the same as those in FIG. 2 of the conventional example, so the explanation will be omitted. However, the dust filter (6
) may be made of a paper bag as shown in FIG. 2, a cloth bag, or a plastic bag.

(L2) is an optical dust detector installed between the front filter (7) and the electric blower as <g>, and includes a light emitter (12a) installed on one side wall and a light emitting device (12a) installed on the other side wall opposite to this. It consists of a light receiver (12b) provided in the front filter (
7) and the electric blower (8), when there is little dust contained in the air, the light receiver (12b) receives a large amount of light, and when there is a lot of dust, the amount of light received is small. . When the amount of dust exceeds a certain amount, a light receiver (12b) is sent to an alarm (not shown) installed, for example, in an easily visible position on the vacuum cleaner body (4) or near the remote control switch (3a). It is designed to output an alarm signal. Alternatively, the motor (9) may be automatically stopped by outputting the alarm signal.

Next→Explain this effect. When the electric blower (8) is rotated by the drive of the electric motor (9), an air flow shown by arrow A is generated, and the air mixed with dust is sucked through the suction port (5) and into the dust collection filter (6). enter. Furthermore, from the fine dust that has passed through the dust collection filter (6), relatively large coarse dust among the dust is captured by the front filter (7), but the fine dust passes through the front filter (7) together with air and is further downstream. sent to.

The amount of this dust mixed in the air is immediately determined by the amount detected by the light receiver (12b) of the light emitted from the light emitter (12a) of the optical dust detector (12) installed at this position. Detected. Thereafter, the dust-laden air passes around the electric blower (8) and the motor (9), further captures fine dust by the rear filter (10), and is then discharged from the discharge port (11).

In this way, when dust is detected, the front filter (7
) and the electric blower (8) exceeds a certain limit, stop operating the vacuum cleaner and remove and clean or replace the front filter (7). .

In this way, if the front filter (7) is always kept so that the dirt does not exceed a certain level, the amount of dust adhering to the electric blower (8) and the motor (9) will be reduced.

In addition, in the present invention, if an optical dust detector is further installed downstream of the rear filter to detect dust mixed in the exhaust air, it is possible to know the amount of dust emitted from the vacuum cleaner body. In addition, it becomes possible to determine the degree of dirt on the rear filter and to clean or replace it at an appropriate time, which is favorable from a sanitary standpoint.

In other words, in the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, the optical dust detector can be installed anywhere in the air flow path between the front filter (7) and the exhaust port (1). Needless to say, it is possible to determine whether or not it is necessary.

Further, in the above embodiment, a separate dust collection filter (Q) is provided in front of the front filter (7), but for example, in a small vacuum cleaner, the front filter (7) also serves as a dust collection filter. Even if it is, the effects of the present invention can be achieved in the same way.

Further, in the above embodiment, an optical dust detector consisting of a light emitter and a light receiver is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, but a reflective dust detector that detects the amount of dust by emitting light and its reflected light. A container etc. may also be used. Further, when the dust detector is activated, a lamp or buzzer may be displayed on the outer surface of the main body, or the motor may be stopped.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, an optical dust detector is provided in the air flow path between the front filter and the exhaust port to allow light to pass through the air flow path, pass through the front filter, and generate electricity. Since the amount of dust flowing to the blower is detected, this prevents the leakage of the front filter from exceeding a certain limit, regulates the dust, and prevents dust from adhering to the electric blower or motor. It is possible to prevent the deterioration of the ventilation function and the occurrence of malfunctions.

Furthermore, it is possible to similarly control dirt on the rear filter and prevent dust from dispersing into the room.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of essential parts showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially sectional side view showing the overall configuration of a conventional example. In the figure, (1) is a brush, (2) is an extension tube, and (3) is a brush.
is the hose, (4) is the main body, (5) is the suction port, (6) is the dust collection filter, (7) is the front filter, (8) is the electric blower, (9) is the electric motor, (10) is the rear Filter, (11
) is an exhaust port, (12) is a dust detector, (12a) is a light emitter, and (12b) is a light receiver. In each figure, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A vacuum cleaner comprising a suction port, an electric blower, and an exhaust port, and a front filter provided on the suction port side of the electric blower, comprising: an air flow between the front filter and the exhaust port; A vacuum cleaner characterized in that an optical dust detector is provided in the air passageway to detect the amount of dust in the air passageway by passing light into the air passageway.