JPH06142021A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a vacuum cleaner easy in operation and offering an appropriate sucking force depending on the kind of floor to be cleaned and the amount of dust. CONSTITUTION:A vacuum cleaner comprises a dust sensor 11 for detecting the amount of dust to be sucked, a wind amount sensor 12 for detecting the amount of the sucked wind amount, a differential circuit 13 for differentiating the output of the dust sensor 11, a floor kind discrimination portion 14 for discriminating the kind of the floor, a portion 15 for setting the width of the appropriate amount of wind depending the kind of the floor, a calcuration control portion 6 for comparing the appropriate width of the wind amount and the wind amount detected by the wind amount sensor 12 and a power control portion 17 for controlling the power of the sucking motor.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly to a vacuum cleaner capable of obtaining an appropriate suction amount.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, it is desirable to change the suction amount of an electric vacuum cleaner depending on the amount of dust and the type of floor to be cleaned, for example, between boards, tatami mats or carpets. Therefore, the conventional vacuum cleaner is provided with a switch for switching the suction force between large, medium, and small, and the person who cleans it selects the large, medium, or small switch depending on the amount and type of dust on the floor. . In addition, there is a device in which a switch corresponding to a type such as board-to-plate, tatami mat, or rug is provided, and a person who cleans the switch selects a type of the switch to obtain a suction force according to the type. Further, there is also a dust sensor that detects the amount and quality of dust and determines that the dust is gone, and automatically reduces the power.

[0003]

Among the conventional vacuum cleaners described above, the one in which the suction force is simply switched by a switch requires a person to be cleaned to determine the floor type and the amount of dust, which is troublesome and troublesome. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to visually grasp the amount of dust. In addition, it is desirable to change the suction force depending on the amount of dust when switching the type between boards, tatami mats, rugs, etc. with a switch, but since the suction force is fixed depending on the type, it is not always an appropriate suction force. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electric vacuum cleaner which is easy to operate and has an appropriate suction force according to the floor type, the amount of dust and the like. There is.

[0005]

The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a dust sensor for detecting the amount of dust to be sucked, an air volume sensor for detecting the amount of sucked air, and an output change of the dust sensor. A cleaning unit type determination unit that determines the type of the cleaning unit, an appropriate air amount setting unit that sets an appropriate air amount according to the type of the cleaning unit, and an appropriate air amount and air volume sensor for the determined cleaning unit type According to the comparison result of the comparison means for comparing the air volume detected in, and this comparison means,
Power control means for controlling the power of the suction motor.

In this vacuum cleaner, the amount of dust is detected by the dust sensor, and the change amount is also detected. Depending on the degree of change in the amount of dust, it can be automatically determined whether the floor type is a board, tatami mat, or carpet. If it is between the boards, the dust will be immediately sucked and the amount of dust will be 0, and the change value will be large, if it is a carpet, the hair will remain forever even after cleaning, the amount of dust will be small, the tatami will be in the middle, The type is selected.

Next, since the optimum air volume corresponding to the selected type, for example, the air volume width, is set, the output of the air volume sensor is compared with the set air volume, and the actual air volume becomes the optimum air volume according to the comparison result. To control the motor power. That is, if the measured air volume is smaller than the optimum air volume, the motor power is further increased to make the air volume stronger and closer to the optimum air volume. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 of the present invention is a dust sensor that detects the amount of dust to be sucked, an air volume sensor that detects the amount of suctioned air, and a change in the output of the dust sensor that determines the type of the portion to be cleaned. Part type discriminating means, proper air volume setting means for setting an appropriate air volume according to the type of the portion to be cleaned, display means for displaying the proper air volume of the type of the portion to be cleaned and the air volume detected by the air volume sensor It consists of and.

Also in this vacuum cleaner, the amount of dust is detected by the dust sensor, and the amount of change is also detected, and the type of floor is discriminated and the type is selected based on this change value. Subsequently, the appropriate air volume corresponding to the selected type is displayed on the display means, and the output of the air volume sensor, that is, the measured air volume value is displayed on the display means. The person who cleans can easily judge whether to increase or decrease the power manually by looking at the display of the display means.

An electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 3 of the present invention comprises:
A sensor unit unit including a dust sensor that detects the amount of dust that is sucked in, an air volume sensor that detects the amount of suctioned air, an operation unit, a main motor for suction, and the power of the main motor based on the sensor unit unit and signals from the operation unit. An electric vacuum cleaner including a main body having a control unit for controlling the electric power supply unit includes a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits signals between the sensor unit unit, the operation unit, and the main body unit.

In this vacuum cleaner, the sensor unit,
Since a signal is wirelessly transmitted from the operation section to the main body section, cords are not stretched over the sensor unit section, the operation section and the main body section, and failures such as disconnection are alleviated.

[0011]

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance of an electric vacuum cleaner in which the present invention is implemented. This vacuum cleaner has a main body 1
, A bellows hose portion 2, an operating portion 3, a tubular portion 4, and a T-shaped suction portion 5. The main body 1 has a suction motor, a dust collecting bag, and the like built therein, and the basic configuration thereof is not particularly different from that of a well-known vacuum cleaner.

A sensor unit including a dust sensor and an air flow sensor is built in the cylinder portion 6 of the suction portion 5. Figure 2
1 shows the circuit configuration of the sensor unit 7, which includes a dust sensor 11, an air flow sensor 12, a differentiating circuit 13 that differentiates the output of the dust sensor 11, and an inter-panel distance according to the output of the differentiating circuit 13. , A tatami mat, a carpet, and the like, a floor type determination unit 14 that determines a type, a proper air amount width setting unit 15 that sets an appropriate air amount width according to the type determined by the floor type determination unit 14, and a set appropriate air amount and an air amount. Sensor 12
The output is compared with the output of 1 to obtain the deviation, and the arithmetic control section 16 outputs the deviation to the power control section 17.

As the dust sensor 11, for example, a photoelectric switch including an infrared light emitting element and a light receiving element is used. As the air volume sensor 12, a fan is rotated by suction force,
A generator that operates the rotating force to generate a voltage according to the air volume, or a magnet is biased by a spring, and the attraction force causes the magnet to move with respect to the spring. Alternatively, a detection coil or the like is used.

The operation unit 3 is provided with a power switch, and when this switch is turned on, a suction motor,
The sensor unit operates. Signals may be exchanged between the operation unit 3, the sensor unit 7, and the power control unit 17 by using a code line, wirelessly, that is, wireless using electromagnetic waves such as radio waves and infrared rays, and ultrasonic waves, and further, optical fibers. May be used for transmission. In the case of transmitting signals by wireless or optical fiber, the sensor unit section or the operation section is provided with a transmission section, and the main body section is provided with a reception section.

In the appropriate air volume width setting section 15, an appropriate air volume width (an appropriate air volume range) is set and stored in advance in correspondence with the floor type of the floor space, tatami mat, or carpet.
In the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment, when the power switch is turned on, the motor starts suction, the sensor unit 7 also starts operating, and the dust sensor 11 and the air volume sensor 12 detect the dust volume and the air volume, respectively. And the differentiating circuit 1
In 3, the change in the output of the dust sensor 11 during a fixed time is detected. The floor type determination unit 14 determines that the dust sensor output that decreases immediately is between the boards, the one that decreases less is a carpet, and the intermediate one is a tatami mat. For example, if it is between the boards, the appropriate air flow width setting unit 15 responds to the determination output between the boards and calculates the appropriate air flow width corresponding to the boards.
Add to 6. The arithmetic control unit 16 compares the appropriate air flow width (upper limit and lower limit) with the output of the air flow sensor 12, calculates the difference between the measured air flow and the set appropriate air flow, and transmits the deviation to the power control unit 17. The power control unit 17 does not change the power to the motor as long as the actually measured air volume is within the appropriate setting range. Power up. Conversely, if the measured air volume exceeds the upper limit and is large, the air volume is reduced, and the power to the motor is reduced in order to bring the air volume close to the optimum value.

The specific overall operation of the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. First, when the power switch is turned on and suction is started, the air volume sensor 12 measures the air volume [step ST (hereinafter referred to as ST)] 1, the air volume data is output (ST2), and the dust sensor 11 measures the dust. Is done (S
Similarly, the dust data is output (T3) (ST4). First, it is determined from the air volume data and the dust data whether or not there is dust (ST5). If there is dust, whether it is a surface to be cleaned, a board, tatami mat, or carpet depending on the dust amount and the air volume. It is determined (ST6, ST8, ST10). Then, if it is determined to be a board space, tatami mat, or carpet,
It is set to any of the appropriate proper air volumes K ₁ , K ₂ and K ₃ (ST7, ST9, ST11).

If the determination of "whether there is dust" is NO in ST5, the minimum power signal is generated (ST12). Also,
When the proper air volume is set in ST7, ST9, ST11,
The set value is compared with the actually measured air volume measured by the air volume sensor 12 (ST13, ST15), and if the detected value is larger than the set value, a power DOWN signal is generated (ST14),
On the contrary, when the detected value is smaller than the set value, the power UP signal is generated (ST16), and when the detected value = the set value, the power maintaining signal is generated (ST17). Then, these generated signals are transmitted wirelessly (ST
18), and the main body receives it (ST19). Then, in the main body, the received minimum power signal, power DOWN signal,
The power is controlled according to the power UP signal, the power maintenance signal, etc. (ST20), the designated air volume is set (ST21), the dust suction is performed according to this (ST22), and the process returns to ST1 again, and the same processing is performed. repeat.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main circuit of an electric vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment of the present invention. The circuit configuration of the sensor unit 7 is almost the same as that of FIG.
In this embodiment, the operation unit 3 includes a display unit 18 and an air volume adjusting unit 1.
9 is provided. The display unit 18 uses a band-shaped display device and displays an appropriate air flow width, an actually measured air flow, and an actually measured dust amount. The air volume adjusting unit 19 has a slide type knob, and by moving the knob, the power control unit 17 changes the motor power to change the air volume.

In the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment, when the power switch is turned on and suction is started, the proper air volume width setting unit 1
The appropriate air flow width set at 5 is displayed on the display unit 18 as shown at 41 in FIG. In addition, the air volume detected by the air volume sensor 12 is displayed on the display unit 18, as indicated by 42 in FIG. 6A, for example. Further, the amount of dust detected by the dust sensor 11 is displayed on the display unit 18, as indicated by 43 in FIG. 6B, for example. Air volume 42
In FIG. 6, the position is displayed such that the left side is weak and the right side is strong. The amount of dust 43 is displayed in a width size centered on the amount of air 42. As described above, in the display example of FIG. 6, the display of (a) shows the case where the measured air volume 42 is the center of the appropriate air volume width and the amount of dust is small. The display of (b) is
It is shown that the measured air volume is at the center of the appropriate air volume range and the dust amount 43 is large. Further, the display of (c) shows the case where the actually measured air volume 42 is weaker than the appropriate air volume width and the dust amount 43 is large.

Therefore, when the display as shown in FIG. 6 (c) is made, the user looks at the display and the air volume is weak,
By visually recognizing that adjustment in a strong direction is necessary, immediately turn the knob of the air volume adjusting unit 19 to set the power control unit 17
Is used to increase the power of the motor. In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the sensor unit 7 is built in the T-shaped absorbing portion has been taken as an example.
As a literal unit, may be mounted in a tubular shape and between the suction section and the cylinder as shown in FIG. 7.

Contrary to the example shown in FIG. 6, when the measured air volume 42 is on the strong side, the air volume is strong. In this case, the volume of the air volume is adjusted by the knob of the adjusting unit 19. May be adjusted to move to the weak side.

[0022]

According to the invention described in claim 1, the floor type is discriminated, and the appropriate air flow width is set according to the floor type. On the other hand, the deviation between the measured air flow detected by the air flow sensor and the appropriate air flow is determined. Since the obtained air volume is controlled so that the detected air volume becomes the proper air volume, it is possible to always automatically adjust to the proper air volume and perform proper cleaning regardless of the floor type.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the proper air volume and the actually measured air volume are displayed on the display unit, the user can
By visually observing this and manually changing the motor power, an appropriate air volume can be easily obtained. Further, according to the electric vacuum cleaner of the third aspect, since the signal transmission is performed wirelessly, there is no need to worry about a failure due to a broken wire or the like, and a highly reliable vacuum cleaner can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of an electric vacuum cleaner in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main circuit of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main circuit of a vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of the electric vacuum cleaner of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the sensor unit of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Dust Sensor 12 Air Volume Sensor 13 Differentiation Circuit 14 Floor Type Discrimination Section 15 Appropriate Air Volume Range Setting Section 16 Calculation Control Section 17 Power Control Section

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A dust sensor for detecting the amount of dust to be sucked, an air flow sensor for detecting the amount of sucked air, a cleaning part type discriminating means for discriminating the type of a cleaning part from the output change of the dust sensor, and a cleaning target. A proper air volume setting means for setting a proper air volume according to the type of the part, a comparing means for comparing the determined proper air volume of the type of the portion to be cleaned with the air volume detected by the air volume sensor, and the comparison result of the comparing means. And a power control unit for controlling the power of the suction motor according to the above. 2. A dust sensor for detecting the amount of dust to be sucked, an air volume sensor for detecting the amount of sucked air, a cleaning portion type discriminating means for discriminating the type of the portion to be cleaned from the output change of the dust sensor, and An appropriate air flow rate setting means for setting an appropriate air flow rate according to the type of the part, and a display means for displaying the appropriate air flow rate of the determined type of the cleaning target part and the air flow rate detected by the air flow sensor. And vacuum cleaner. 3. A dust sensor for detecting the amount of dust to be sucked,
A sensor unit section including an air volume sensor for detecting the suctioned air volume, an operating section, a main unit for suction, a main body section having a control unit for controlling the power of the main motor by a signal from the sensor unit section, the operating section. An electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits signals to the sensor unit section, the operation section, and the main body section.