JPH04105630A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow a user to know information content by voice without fail by allowing a motor fan control part to lower the output of the motor fan when information is given in a state of vacuuming. CONSTITUTION:When power is turned on, a first information by voice is given. Then vacuuming operation is started by a notch set at a running notch setting part 47. When a paper bag filter 9 is full of dirt, light emitting diodes D1-D3 of a dust quantity display 23 are all emitted, and decision is made to give a warning of dust, and a motor fan control part 58 lowers the output of a motor fan 7. After waiting for a specified time in this state, a voice information part 57 is actuated to give a second information by voice. While the second information by voice is given, power is turned down to reduce the noise of vacuuming, thereby allowing a user to hear the second voice correctly, and, moreover, to identify information while vacuuming on because the motor fan 7 is powered down but not stopped.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner that provides audio notification.

(b) Conventional technology As a device for displaying the cleaning status of a vacuum cleaner, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-139029 discloses a device that displays the input level of an electric blower using a plurality of light emitting diodes. Japanese Patent No. 2-34138 discloses a floor suction device that facilitates operation by displaying a plurality of light emitting diodes.

However, these conventional technologies only provide visual notification by lighting or flashing light emitting diodes, and the content of the notification is immediately visible without the user having to visually check the vacuum cleaner. It's not meant to be understood. There are also devices that use a buzzer or the like for auditory notification, but these devices only issue a single tone notification using the buzzer, and do not emit a sound to make the user's auditory sense of the notification contents directly recognized.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention The present invention provides audio notification to ensure that the notification content is recognized audibly, and
To provide a vacuum cleaner that is easy to use by making it possible to accurately hear this voice notification during cleaning operation.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention includes an electric blower, a blower control section that controls the output of the electric blower, and a voice notification for warnings and the like. The electric blower control unit operates the voice notification unit in a state where the blower control unit lowers the output of the electric blower when giving the notification in the cleaning operation state.

In addition to the above configuration, the blower control unit may reduce the output of the electric blower and activate the audio notification unit after a predetermined time; or in addition to the above configuration, The air blower control section may increase the output of the electric blower to the output of the cleaning operation state before the notification after the operation of the voice notification section is completed.

(e) Effect With the above configuration, when notifying in the cleaning operation state,
The blower control section lowers the output of the electric blower to reduce the number of cleaners, and the user can accurately hear the voice notification from the voice notification section. At this time, the electric blower only has a reduced output and has not stopped, so the voice notification can be confirmed while continuing the cleaning operation.

Moreover, according to the configuration of claim 2, the content of the notification can be recognized more reliably.

Furthermore, according to the configuration of claim 3, the cleaning operation can be continued even after the voice notification.

(f) Example An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below based on the drawings.

Reference numeral 1 designates a vacuum cleaner main body of the present invention, in which a dust collection chamber 3 with a top opening that can be opened and closed with a lid body 2 is provided at the front, and a dust collection chamber 3 is connected to the dust collection chamber 3 via a ventilation port 4 at the rear, and a dust collection chamber 3 is provided at the rear. Each room is provided with a blower storage chamber 6 in which an exhaust port 5 is bored in the wall.

7 is an electric blower stored in the blower storage chamber 6;
The intake side 7a is airtightly communicated with the dust collection chamber 3. Reference numeral 8 denotes a box-shaped filter 9, which is removably inserted into the dust collection chamber 3 and has air permeability and shape-retaining properties, and is a paper bag filter that is removably inserted into the box-shaped filter 8. Further, 10 is an intake filter, and 11 is an exhaust filter.

Further, 12 is provided on the lid 2, and a suction hose 13
A suction port that rotatably connects the suction port 14 and a hose connection tube 15 that rotatably holds the suction hose 13;
It is comprised of a sliding shutter plate 16 located above the hose connection tube 15 to open and close the suction port 14.

Further, 17 is a vacuum cleaner body for circulating the exhaust flow of the electric blower 7 into the dust collection chamber 3 and heating the inside of the dust collection chamber 3 to a temperature at which harmful microorganisms such as mites captured by the paper bag filter 9 are killed. A circulation passage provided in the blower storage chamber 6
It is composed of a main body side circulation path 17a in which a circulation port 18 is provided at the side, and a lid body side circulation path 17b in which a circulation outlet 19 is provided in the hose connection tube 15 of the suction port 12. The circulation outlet 19 connects the suction hose 1 to the suction port 12 during cleaning operation.
When the suction hose 13 is connected, it is closed and does not circulate the exhaust flow, and when the suction hose 13 is not connected during the tick extermination operation, it is opened and the exhaust flow is circulated.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a push-button type dust mite extermination switch button disposed on the right side of the top center of the vacuum cleaner main body l, and a dust mite switch SW1 that is activated by pressing the switch button 20 is housed inside.

SW2 is a shutter switch provided in the suction port 12, which is turned on by contact with the shutter plate 16 when the shutter plate 16 is closed, and turned off when the shutter plate 16 is opened.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a function display section disposed at the center of the top surface of the vacuum cleaner body 1. The function display section 21 has a structure in which a display panel board 22 is illuminated with backlighting from a light emitting diode, and each function is displayed. The structure is such that it appears when the light emitting diodes are turned on. Then, the function display section 2
1 includes a dust amount display section 23, a power control display section 24, and a fuzzy control display section 25, as shown in FIG. The dust amount display section 23 is illuminated by three light emitting diodes D1 to D3 to display the amount of dust in the paper bag filter 9. The fuzzy control display section 25
is irradiated by the light emitting diode D4 and lights up when the electric blower 7 is under automatic fuzzy control, and is turned off when it is under manual control. The power control display section 24 displays the suction power of the electric blower 7,
That is, it displays the input control state, and has four notch display sections corresponding to the four light emitting diodes D5 to D8 (
It consists of (weak) (medium) (strong) ()1 power).

Reference numeral 26 denotes a control board storage section formed in the upper part of the blower storage chamber 6 of the vacuum cleaner main body 1, and the upper surface is connected to the display panel board 22.
, and a control circuit board 29 on which control circuit elements 27 . The control circuit board 29 also includes a semiconductor pressure sensor 31 that is connected to the space on the intake side 7a of the electric blower 7 via a tube 30 and measures the pressure on the intake side 7a, and a brush drive motor 3 to be described later.
A current sensor 33 for measuring the current of No. 2, and a blower control triac 35 with a heat sink 34 located in the air intake side 7a space are attached.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a speaker for audio notification, and 37 denotes a speaker accommodating portion provided at the rear of the upper surface of the cleaner body 1 to accommodate the speaker 36. A sound emitting hole 38 is bored in the upper surface wall 37a.

Reference numeral 39 denotes a small parts storage section provided between the function display section 21 and the speaker storage section 37 of the cleaner body 1, and the upper lid 40 can be opened and closed. A speaker switch SW3 for turning on and off the output to the speaker 36 is provided in the small parts storage section 39.

Reference numeral 41 denotes a floor suction device, which is equipped with a rotating brush (not shown) and a brush drive motor 32 for driving the rotating brush.
It is connected to the suction port part 12 via. Reference numeral 43 denotes an operating section disposed on a hand-held section 44 provided at the tip of the suction hose 13, and includes a sliding operating section 45.

Next, the electric circuit block diagram shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS.
This will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

46 is a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as microcomputer), and the microcomputer has an arithmetic processing section, an input/output section, a storage section, etc.
It is made into a chip.

The operation notch setting section 47 is operated by the sliding operation section 45 and includes a slide volume (not shown) for controlling the input to the electric blower 7. The slide volume changes the input to the electric blower 7 by changing the signal voltage input to the microcomputer 46 depending on the position of the slider, and has a stop position of "off" and a fuzzy control position of "fuzzy".
, the corresponding signal voltages are inputted to the microcomputer 46 according to the manual control position "low to low power".

Reference numeral 48 denotes a pressure detection section that detects changes in pressure on the intake side 7a of the electric blower 7 using the semiconductor pressure sensor 31.

Reference numeral 49 denotes a mite extermination operation setting unit, which drives the electric blower 7 when the shutter switch SW2 is on and the mite switch SW1 is on, and when the inside of the dust collection chamber 3 reaches a temperature at which harmful microorganisms are killed. Perform a tick extermination operation that runs for a predetermined period of time.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a cord termination detection section, which will be described later, which detects the termination of the power cord 51.

Reference numeral 52 denotes a part of a current sensor that measures the current of the brush drive motor 32 using the above-mentioned current sensor 33 and inputs the current.

21 is the above-mentioned function display section, and 53 is a display section driving section.

The number of light emitting diodes D5 to D8 of the power control display section 24 changes in accordance with the signal voltage of the operation notch setting section 47 to display the input control state.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a voice synthesis IC section, which uses MSM6373 type IC manufactured by Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. A voice word is selected through communication between the voice synthesis IC section 54 and the microcomputer 46, and the selected word is output as a predetermined voice from the voice notification speaker 36 via the voice amplification section 47 and the speaker switch SW3. . The voice synthesis IC section 54, the microcomputer 46, and the voice amplification section 47
, speaker switch SW3 and audio notification speaker 36
The audio notification section 57 is constructed from the following. This audio notification section 57
Immediately after the power is turned on, the voice notification "Come on! Let's clean today as well" (first voice) indicates that the paper bag filter 9 is full of dust and clogged with dust during the cleaning operation. ``The paper bag is full. Please replace it'' (2nd voice) indicates that the paper bag is clogged with dust, and ``Start exterminating mites'' (
(3rd voice), “All the ticks have been exterminated” (4th voice) at the end of the tick extermination operation, and the cord end detection unit 50
When the terminal detects the end of the power cord 51, there are five types of notifications such as "The cord will not extend any further" (fifth voice).

Reference numeral 58 denotes a blower control section including the blower control triac 35 described above, which controls the output of the electric blower 7 based on an output control command signal from the microcomputer 46.

The cord end detection section 50 has a configuration shown in FIG. That is, in the same figure, 51 is a power cord that supplies power to the electric blower 7 and the above-mentioned electric circuit, and the cord 7 is freely reeled around a cord reel 60 of a cord reel device 59 disposed inside the vacuum cleaner main body l. taken. Five termination detectors 61, 61, 61, 61, 61 are attached to the unwinding termination of the power cord 51 at intervals. A light emitting element 64 and a light receiving element 65 are arranged opposite to the cord loose hole 63 of the end detection photodetecting element section 62.
is provided, and each time the power cord 51 moves in and out of the cord passage hole 63, the presence or absence of the end detection element 61 is detected by the intensity of light entering the light receiving element 65 based on the difference in reflectance. It has become.

Of the processing procedures described in the microcomputer 46, the relationship between each operation and the audio notification will be further explained based on a flowchart.

When the power is turned on, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the first voice message ``Come on! Let's clean today as well'' is first announced. Thereafter, the cleaning operation is started at the notch set by the operation notch setting section 47, and when the paper bag filter 9 becomes full of dust in this cleaning operation state, all the light emitting diodes D1 to D3 of the dust amount display section 23 emit light, and It is decided to issue a dust warning notification by light emission from the light emitting diodes D1 to D3, and the blower control unit 5
8 reduces the output of the electric blower 7 (power down),
After waiting for a predetermined time ('T 1: 3 seconds) in this lowered state, the voice notification section 57 is activated and a second voice message ``The paper bag is full. Please replace it.'' is voiced. During the second voice notification, the cleaning sound is reduced by power down, and the user can hear the second voice accurately.
Moreover, at this time, the electric blower 7 is only powered down but not stopped, so the voice notification can be confirmed while continuing the cleaning operation. Furthermore, after a certain period of time (Tl 1 second) after the end of the second voice, the output of the electric blower 7 increases to the output of the cleaning operation state before the voice notification, thereby continuing the return trip operation.

After the cleaning operation is completed, the shutter plate 16 is closed and the mite extermination operation switch button 20 is pressed to perform the mite extermination operation. At this time, as shown in FIG.
When I is turned on, the third voice ``Start extermination of mites'' is announced, the mite extermination operation starts, and the temperature inside the dust collection chamber 3 reaches the end temperature of the mite extermination operation, which is slightly higher than the temperature at which harmful microorganisms are killed (mite killing temperature). When this is reached, the tick extermination operation is ended and a fourth voice is announced, "All the ticks have been exterminated."

In the cleaning operation state and other states, the terminal end of the power cord 51 is detected based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 or 9. That is, in Figure 8,
1. Count the number of detection pulses when detecting the terminal end detection body 61, . . . of the power cord 51 (detection pulses present); When the detection count number of the detection counter reaches 3 (when the number of detected pulses reaches 3), a fifth voice message "The cord will not extend any further" is issued to notify the user that the power cord 51 has been pulled out to the terminal end. Notify. The reason for notifying the fifth sound when three of the five terminal detection bodies 61, . . . This is to ensure that the termination is detected even if the

Further, in FIG. 9, when a detection pulse is detected, a re-voice timer is activated, and when this timer overflows, the fifth voice is audibly notified. Before this timer overflows, that is, when the detection pulse is detected again within a predetermined period of time, the fifth sound is not voiced. This is because when detecting the end of a cord in a vacuum cleaner having a cord reel device without a so-called brake mechanism, which is configured to always wind the power cord 51 into the cord reel device, the power cord 51 is Since the element section 62 is constantly going in and out, the fifth voice is not emitted each time.
By repeating winding and unwinding, the end detector 61 of the power cord 51, . . . becomes the cord end detector 50.
This prevents unnecessary voice notifications from being repeated each time the user enters or exits the vehicle. This also applies to the termination detection shown in FIG. 8, in which the audio notification unit 57 is activated when the termination detection bodies 61, . . . are detected multiple times (three times). This prevents unnecessary voice notifications from being repeated.

Furthermore, FIG. 10 shows a flowchart in the exhibition operation mode. Here, the display operation mode refers to the operation of the vacuum cleaner using the electric blower 7 when on display at a retail store.
This is simulated without operating the shutter switch SW2, and after turning off the shutter switch SW1 and turning on the tick switch SW1, the transition is made when the shutter switch SW2 is turned on and off three times. In this mode, Light emitting diodes D1 to D8 of the function display section 21
The display displays a series of lighting and flashing lights in the cleaning mode and mite extermination mode, and repeats the cycle.
The first, second, third, and fourth voices are sequentially uttered every cycle of this display cycle, thereby improving the display effect.

As described above, since the contents representing the cleaning status are notified by voice, the user can reliably recognize the contents of the notification. Further, if only the display on the function display section 21 is used, it is necessary to turn around and check during cleaning, but voice notification eliminates such trouble.

In the cleaning operation state, the voice notification is performed by reducing the cleaning sound by powering down, so that the notification can be heard accurately and the voice can be recognized while cleaning. In addition, even in the tick extermination operation state, the operation status can be clearly known through voice notification.

Furthermore, since the power cord 51 is located at the rear of the vacuum cleaner body 1, it is difficult to tell the status of the power cord 51 during use. Damage or deformation and power cord 5
1 can be prevented from occurring.

Moreover, the first sound, which is a "call" that is emitted immediately after the power is turned on, evokes a human feeling and gives a feeling of having fun while cleaning, making cleaning fun.

(G) Effects of the Invention The vacuum cleaner of the present invention is configured as described above, and when performing voice notification during cleaning operation, the output of the electric blower is reduced to reduce cleaning noise, and then the voice notification section is activated. This allows the user to accurately listen to and reliably recognize the notification content while continuing the cleaning operation.

Furthermore, once the voice notification ends, the cleaning operation can be continued.

Therefore, it is possible to obtain an easy-to-use vacuum cleaner that allows the user to reliably know the notification contents through voice notification while cleaning.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings all relate to embodiments of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, and Fig. 1 is an electric circuit block diagram, Fig. 2 is an overall view of the vacuum cleaner, Fig. 3 is a top view of the vacuum cleaner body, and Fig. 4 is a vacuum cleaner body. A cross-sectional view of the main body, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the power cord end detection section. Furthermore, Figures 6 to 10 are control flowcharts showing the relationship between each operation and audio notification, respectively. Figure 6 is a flowchart of control after power is turned on, Figure 7 is a flowchart of tick extermination operation, and Figure 8 is a flowchart of control after power is turned on. is a flowchart of code end detection,
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of another embodiment of cord end detection, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the exhibition operation mode. 1...Vacuum cleaner body, 7...Electric blower, 46...
Microcomputer (microcomputer), 57...Audio notification section.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) It has an electric blower, a blower control section that controls the output of the electric blower, and an audio notification section that gives notifications such as warnings by voice, and when making a notification in a cleaning operation state, the blower control section The vacuum cleaner is characterized in that the voice notification section is activated in a state where the output of the electric blower is reduced. (2) The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the blower control section lowers the output of the electric blower and activates the audio notification section after a predetermined period of time. (3) The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein after the operation of the voice notification unit is completed, the blower control unit increases the output of the electric blower to the output of the cleaning operation state before the notification.