JPH0759697A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a vacuum cleaner that can detect a floor type regardless of the operation of a brush. CONSTITUTION: In the vacuum cleaner provided with a hose having a suction nozzle joined to an intake port 11 of a cleaner main body, and also in a signal to express air pressure measured by a first measuring point 15 in a passage of a suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner, a first detector 14 is provided to generate a signal which shows pseudo periodic vibration having a maximum amplitude γand a minimum amplitude ε corresponding to an advance stroke and a retreat stroke of the suction nozzle moving on a floor during vacuum cleaning work and on which an amplitude difference ΔP between these maximum amplitude and minimum amplitude changes according to a cleaning floor type, and a calculating means decides the cleaning floor type as a function of this amplitude difference ΔP. This calculating means generates a classifying signal related to a surface condition of a cleaning floor by processing the signal supplied by the first detector.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a cleaner body having an intake port and an exhaust port, and a hose having a nozzle connected to the intake port of the cleaner body. A vacuum cleaner having a dust chamber that communicates with the mouth and a housing that accommodates a fan driven by an electric motor, the housing communicating with the dust chamber and the exhaust port.
A first detector (hereinafter referred to as a floor type detector) that generates a signal representing the nature of the surface condition of the floor detected by the nozzle during cleaning; and a signal generated by the first detector for processing and cleaning. A vacuum cleaner comprising a calculation means for generating a classification signal relating to the surface condition of the floor inside. The present invention can be applied to both domestic vacuum cleaners and industrial vacuum cleaners.

[0002]

A vacuum cleaner provided with components as described above is known from EP-A-0467347. It discloses a vacuum cleaner with means for controlling the motor power driving the fan as a function of the nature or condition of the floor surface the nozzle cleans. This means comprises the following elements:

This means is that the instant an electric brush placed in the nozzle changes from one type of floor to another, for example between thick carpets, thin carpets, straw mats and hard floors. A first detector (current detector) for detecting a change in the supply current of the electric brush arranged in the generated nozzle and a circuit for storing the current peak thereof are provided. During cleaning, the user of the vacuum cleaner moves the brush in the nozzle forward and backward while rubbing the floor with the nozzle. Depending on the surface condition of the floor, the load on the brush will change and thus its current will change. This current becomes a sine wave having a frequency equal to that of the AC power supply voltage of the brush motor supplied by the main power supply. This current, on the other hand, exhibits a peak-shaped change in the envelope of the sinusoidal curve. These peaks of the sinusoidal curve occur each time the direction of movement of the brush moving over the floor changes, ie between the forward movement as the brush is pushed over the floor and the backward movement as the brush is pulled back over the floor. Note that the current value represented by the amplitude of the sinusoidal curve is nearly constant between these peaks regardless of bed type. The current values change only during peaks, and the amplitude of these peaks is greater for thicker rugs than for thin rugs. The peak does not occur when the brush is not in contact with the floor.

The means further comprises a piezoelectric sensor located in the cleaner body and connected to the hose for detecting the air pressure in the suction compartment of the fan between the dust collection chamber and the suction surface of the fan. A second detector is provided which produces a signal representative of this pressure.

The vacuum cleaner known from the above mentioned European patent application further comprises a calculation means for generating a classification signal concerning the floor surface condition between thick carpet, thin carpet, straw mat and hard floor, based on the current peak of the electric brush. Equipped with. The calculating means includes a microprocessor which compares the detected current peak with a predetermined reference current value stored in memory. This microprocessor performs floor classification based on comparison with a reference current. On the other hand, this microprocessor compares the pressure value generated by the second detector with a predetermined reference pressure value corresponding to the different bed types present in the memory. The microprocessor further outputs a control signal for controlling the motor power so that a pressure value corresponding to a predetermined pressure value stored in memory for the calculated floor type is obtained at the outlet of the dust collecting chamber. The microprocessor also generates a switch-off signal to switch off the brush motor as needed.

[0006]

The known vacuum cleaner has the disadvantage that the floor detector is a current detector connected to the electric brush of the nozzle. The reason for this is that the detection of peaks, which makes it possible to distinguish between different bed types, is only possible with regular use of the brushes in the nozzle, i.e. when the brushes are present and spinning. Regular use of brushes is impractical. Particularly in the case of rugs with smooth floors or short-haired rugs, electric brushes tend to scatter debris instead of collecting it towards the nozzle. Generally, users desire to stop the brush on smooth surfaces and short-haired carpets. Therefore, the device described above is only useful for distinguishing between thick and medium rugs, in which case the difference in peak current levels is not sufficient to make this distinction correct. Was confirmed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner capable of obtaining information about floor type independent of brush movement.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a vacuum cleaner as set forth in the preamble, wherein the first detector or floor type detector is at a first measurement point in the suction airflow passage of the vacuum cleaner. A signal that is a function of the measured air pressure, showing quasi-periodic oscillations with maximum and minimum amplitudes corresponding to the forward and backward strokes of the suction nozzle moving over the floor during vacuum cleaning operations. A pressure detector which produces a signal whose amplitude difference between the maximum and minimum amplitude varies depending on the type of floor being cleaned, said calculating means determining the type of floor being cleaned as a function of this amplitude difference. It is characterized by doing so.

This vacuum cleaner has the advantage that the detection of floor type is very good. This is because this detection is performed by a detector whose measured value is directly influenced by the condition of the floor which influences the intake air flow, and it is not necessary to consider parameters relating to the motor and the power supply. Moreover, this vacuum cleaner has the advantage that the detection of the floor type does not depend on the operation of the electric brush located in the nozzle, since the measuring point of the floor type detector is located in the passage of the air flow. Therefore,
This detection can be performed on all floor types and even on hard floors that are cleaned without brushing.

In addition, this vacuum cleaner has the advantage of a longer service life than known devices. The reason is that, in general, the brush motor of the nozzle has a shorter operating life than the main motor of the vacuum cleaner, and the device of the invention not connected to the brush motor can have a longer life than known devices.

In one embodiment of this vacuum cleaner, the first
The average amplitude of the signal of the pressure detector or floor type detector is located between its maximum and minimum amplitude, the average amplitude varying depending on the type of floor being cleaned, the calculating means being the floor being cleaned. Is determined as a function of the amplitude difference between the maximum and minimum amplitudes of the floor type detector signal and the average amplitude. This vacuum cleaner has the advantage that the detection of various floor types is further improved.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner that performs better suction type control according to floor type than known vacuum cleaners. In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides that the vacuum cleaner properly controls the suction pressure as a function of the calculated floor type,
A setpoint generating means is provided for determining the setpoint value for the average amplitude of the signal of the first pressure detector as a function of the calculated bed type.

This vacuum cleaner has the advantage that, due to the improved detection of the floor type, the setpoint for the mean amplitude of the signal of the first pressure detector can be determined more precisely. This example of the vacuum cleaner includes control means for determining a control value for controlling the supply voltage of the fan motor so as to supply the electric power with which the set value for the average amplitude of the signal of the first pressure detector is obtained. I shall. This vacuum cleaner has, in particular, a very important advantage over the known vacuum cleaners, namely that according to the invention the detection of the floor type and the control of the desired suction pressure in dependence on the detected floor type are one and the same. Has the advantages realized by the detector of

According to the invention, not only the detection of the bed type is accurate, but also the control of the operating pressure is accurate, and these results can be achieved by very economical means. Known vacuum cleaners use exclusively current detectors for floor type detection and pressure detectors located exclusively at the outlet of the dust collection chamber for control of operating pressure. Therefore, two detectors are needed to achieve these two functions. The vacuum cleaner of the present invention performs these functions with a single detector.

The present invention further aims at optimizing floor detection and suction pressure level control during cleaning. In order to achieve this object, the present invention positions the measurement point of the first pressure detector or floor type detector at the inlet of the dust collecting chamber. This vacuum cleaner has numerous advantages. First
Moreover, the detection accuracy is significantly increased. The reason is that the detector readings are affected by the condition of the floor virtually without any disturbance and without any attenuation.

Furthermore, the control of the suction pressure is also improved. The reason is that this pressure is controlled directly at the inlet of the dust collecting chamber rather than at the outlet of the dust collecting chamber as in known vacuum cleaners. This pressure control is both more precise and more satisfactory than known vacuum cleaners.

In one embodiment of this vacuum cleaner, the calculating means receives at its input terminal a signal provided by a first pressure detector or a floor type detector and at its output terminal by a first pressure detector. A first signal, which is a function of said mean value of the pressure measured in the passage of the suction air flow, an amplitude between the maximum and the minimum amplitude of the oscillation of the pressure measured in the passage of the suction air flow by the first pressure detector. It is assumed that it comprises preprocessing means for providing a second signal, which is a function of the difference value.

This vacuum cleaner has the advantage that it only uses simple calculation means for addition, subtraction or checking and no multiplication or division for this preprocessing. These calculation means are inexpensive and easy to realize, and an inexpensive device can be obtained. In one embodiment of this vacuum cleaner, the computing means further receives at the input terminal the first and second signals from the preprocessing means and at the output terminal according to a predetermined rule the floor to be cleaned. Suppose that we have a classification block that provides a classification output corresponding to the detection of several surface states of.

In one embodiment of this vacuum cleaner, the classification block provides two classification outputs corresponding to the detection of two surface conditions to be cleaned: a "rug" condition and a "hard and smooth floor" condition. It can be This vacuum cleaner has the advantage that very simple determination means can be used which generate the classification result very quickly.

One embodiment of this vacuum cleaner comprises a second pressure detector which produces a signal which is a function of the difference in measured air pressure between the inlet and the outlet of the dust collecting chamber, said preprocessing means providing this signal. It is configured to receive and output a third signal that is a function of the average value of the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the dust collection chamber. By this means, the reliability of floor classification can be improved. This means can also be used to generate the degree of dust collection in the dust collection chamber.

In one embodiment of this vacuum cleaner, the electric power of the electric brush located in the suction nozzle and of the brush motor (also called auxiliary motor) is further controlled as a function of the detected floor type. It shall be equipped with a control means for controlling.

In one embodiment of this vacuum cleaner, the auxiliary motor power control means comprises a setpoint block which determines by direct conversion the control value for the auxiliary motor supply voltage as a function of the detected floor type, The brushes arranged in the suction nozzle are arranged to be switched on or off depending on the floor type detected. In this vacuum cleaner, the switching and control of the auxiliary brush motor is
It has the advantage that it is done as a function of the floor type, completely independent of the control of the main motor.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a domestic or industrial vacuum cleaner according to the invention, which vacuum cleaner has means (not shown) for easy movement on the floor to be cleaned, such as wheels or sliders, or the like. Vacuum cleaner body 1 with a combination of
Equipped with.

The cleaner body 1 has an intake port 11 and an exhaust port 2
1 and two housings, namely the intake 11
And a second housing 20 for a fan 23 driven by a motor 22. The housing of the fan and the motor communicates with the dust collecting chamber 10 on one side, and the exhaust port 21 on the other side.
Communicate with. The fan 23 is located on the suction side 2 facing the dust collection chamber 10.
3a and an exhaust side facing the exhaust port 21.

The fan housing 20 is protected from dust by a filter F1 fixedly arranged in a communication opening between the dust collection chamber 10 and the housing 20. The exhaust port 21 is also dust-proofed by the filter F2 fixedly arranged between the exhaust side of the fan and the exhaust port 21. Usually, the dust collecting bag 12 that constitutes the filter is fixed in the dust collecting chamber. This bag has an opening facing the intake port 11 and is dust-tightly inserted into the intake port from behind.

The vacuum cleaner further comprises a hose, which usually comprises a flexible part and a rigid extension which terminates in a suction nozzle. The end of the hose opposite to the nozzle is the intake port 11
To the opening of. These various components are not shown in FIG.

The vacuum cleaner operates by connecting a fan motor to an AC voltage source, which creates a negative pressure in the nozzle by the action of the fan, removing dust, debris, debris, and other debris on the floor to be cleaned. Inhaled into the device. During the cleaning operation, the user moves the rigid part of the hose to move the nozzle back and forth on the floor to be cleaned, and repeats the forward stroke and the backward stroke in a pseudo-periodic manner. The pseudo cycle of one forward-reverse stroke operation is about 0.5 seconds, and generally 2 seconds or less.

When the user pushes the nozzle forward with the rigid portion of the hose to advance, ie, in the forward stroke portion of the pseudo cycle, the nozzle is pressed against the floor, resulting in increased air resistance and air flow into the hose. Is reduced and the negative pressure in the vacuum hose is increased. On the other hand, when the nozzle is pulled back, i.e. in the retract stroke, the nozzle is lifted slightly from the floor to be cleaned, reducing the negative pressure in the cleaner hose.

Therefore, when the moving direction of the nozzle changes, that is, between the forward stroke and the backward stroke, the negative pressure changes. This change also becomes a pseudo period according to the pseudo period of the forward-backward stroke of the nozzle. Changes in negative pressure at the level of the hose, which can also be referred to as amplitude oscillations of pressure in the nozzle and hose, constitute measurable quantities. In fact,
In this quasi-periodic change, each forward stroke of the nozzle corresponds to a maximum pressure amplitude in the cleaner hose and each return stroke corresponds to a minimum pressure amplitude. Note that the pressure amplitude value is kept maximum during the forward stroke and kept minimum during the return stroke. The pressure change between the maximum pressure and the minimum pressure becomes abrupt corresponding to the abrupt change of the nozzle moving direction on the floor. Therefore, the curve representing the pressure amplitude as a function of time is effectively a pseudo-periodic square wave signal.

The pressure amplitude difference between the forward stroke and the backward stroke, ie the difference between the minimum and maximum pressure amplitude values of the quasi-periodic pressure amplitude change, depends strongly on the surface condition of the floor or the type of floor to be cleaned. The amplitude difference of this pressure amplitude oscillation becomes large when the forward and backward strokes of the nozzle are performed on a thick carpet. This amplitude difference diminishes as the thickness of the carpet decreases and becomes zero on a hard, smooth surface.

On the other hand, the average pressure amplitude in the hose, that is to say the average value between the maximum pressure amplitude and the minimum pressure amplitude for zero pressure, also depends strongly on the surface condition of the floor to be cleaned or the type of floor. This average amplitude increases when the nozzle cleans thick carpet, decreases as the carpet becomes thinner, and reaches a minimum (not zero) when the nozzle cleans hard surfaces.

These pressure amplitude changes can be measured in the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner. However, for practical constructional reasons, it is preferable to measure these pressure amplitude changes at the position of the inlet 11 of the cleaner body 1. These pressure amplitude changes can also be measured at a portion 23a of the cleaner body located between the dust collection chamber and the fan or at an outlet portion 23b of the dust collection chamber. However, at these positions the pressure amplitude vibrations are damped by the presence of dust and various filters (dust bag 12 and filter F1 if present). Therefore, the measurement performed at the position of the inlet 11 corresponds more closely to the pressure conditions present in the nozzle itself, and is a more accurate representation of the surface condition of the floor.

The measurement of the pressure amplitude change caused by the change of the moving direction of the nozzle is executed by the pressure detector 14 whose measurement point 15 is located at the position of the intake port 11, for example, in front of the dust bag 12. This pressure detector may be a silicon detector provided with a flexible tube 17 whose one end is guided to the measuring point 15. The body of the detector 14 itself can be fixed to a circuit board 29 arranged outside the air flow passage in the cleaner body. On the other hand, pressure changes during the forward and reverse strokes of the same floor type and the same motor power are slightly affected by the degree of dust collection in the dust collection chamber. Therefore, in order to improve the reliability of the floor type detection, the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the dust collecting chamber is measured.

For this purpose, a second pressure detector 24 of the same type as the first pressure detector 14 is arranged in the cleaner body, one end of which has a measuring point on the suction side 23 of the fan. A flexible tube 27 guided to 25 is provided. Pressure detector 24
The body of can be fixed to a circuit board located outside the passage of the air flow in the body of the cleaner. This second detector is preferably coupled to the first detector 14 so as to be able to measure the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the dust collecting chamber. In this way, the measurement point 15 at the entrance of the dust collecting chamber and the measurement point 25 at the exit of the dust collecting chamber
It is possible to easily obtain the difference in average pressure obtained in the above. For this purpose, the pressure detector 24 is a difference detector, and the flexible pipe 17 for guiding the pressure at the measuring point 15 to the detector 14 at the entrance of the dust collecting chamber is provided with a branch flexible pipe 28 to collect this pressure. It is simultaneously supplied to the detector 24 at the exit of the dust chamber. In this way, the detector 24 receives both pressures at the measuring points 15 and 25.

In the modification of this embodiment, the measuring point 25 is located on one side or the other side of the dust filter F1, that is, the outlet 23b of the dust collecting chamber 12 behind the dust collecting bag 12 in the dust collecting chamber 10 or the filter. It can be located in a portion 23a between F1 and the suction side of the fan 23 in the housing 20.

Compared with the vacuum cleaner disclosed in the aforementioned European patent application EP-0467347 cited as prior art, this pressure detector 2 arranged at the outlet of the dust collecting chamber
4 is not essential for controlling the operating pressure of the vacuum cleaner, and this control will be described in detail later. In the present invention, this second pressure detector 24 is provided only to improve the reliability of the floor type classification. If desired, this pressure difference measurement can be used to obtain an indication of the degree of dust collection in the dust collection chamber.

In one embodiment, 3 or 4 floor types,
For example, for detecting pressure conditions on thick carpets, thin carpets, straw mats and hard smooth surfaces as described in the cited publications,
It is also possible to provide a corresponding control state for the brush motor power.

The curves in FIGS. 3A and 3B show the sensing operation by the two pressure detectors 14 and 24. Curve C in FIG. 3B
Shows the pressure P (in mbar) measured by the detector 14 at the measuring point 15 at the entrance of the dust bag as a function of time (in seconds), the curve D in FIG.
5 shows the pressure P (in mbar) measured by the detector 24 at 5 as a function of time (in seconds). These measurements were performed for all parts of the curve when the drive power of the motor 22 of the fan 23 was constant and the dust collection bags had the same dust collection level. 1 bar = 10 ⁵
Note that it is Pa (Pascal).

The parts C1 and D1 of the curves C and D relate to the cleaning of the floor covered with thick long-haired carpet by moving the nozzle back and forth, while the parts C2 and D2 are of medium thickness. In relation to the carpet cleaning condition, parts C3 and D3 are associated with the hard surface cleaning condition.

The curves C and D are, on the one hand, the parts C1 and D.
1 and, on the other hand, the parts C2 and D2 which show oscillations with maximum and minimum pressures, for example the curved part C1 representing the pressure P at the inlet of the dust collecting chamber when the nozzle is advancing and retracting over a thick carpet. It has pressures γ1, γ2, γ3 and minimum pressures ε1, ε2, ε3. Here, a maximum pressure of about 82 mbar corresponds to a duration of about 1.5 seconds when the user presses the nozzle onto the rug (advance), and a minimum pressure of about 74 mil is on the carpet of the user. Corresponds to a duration of about 1.5 seconds to pull back (back). The change in pressure between the maximum pressures γ1, γ2, γ3 and the minimum pressures ε1, ε2, ε3 is very rapid, corresponding to the change of direction between the nozzle advance and retract.

The slight random changes that appear in the maximum and minimum pressure amplitudes are due to noise and need to be smoothed during the processing of the measured data. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the amplitude P2 of the maximum pressures γ1, γ2, γ3 and the minimum pressures ε1, ε2,
The amplitude difference ΔP between ε3 and the amplitude P1 is of the order of 8 mbar for a thick carpet, this pressure being measured at the entrance of the dust chamber.

In FIG. 3B, the part D1 relating to the pressure measured at the outlet of the dust collecting chamber under the same conditions as the curve C1 also shows the oscillation between the maximum and minimum pressure corresponding to the forward and backward strokes. In the curve D1, the maximum pressures are γ'1, γ'2,
It is shown by γ'3, and the minimum pressure is shown by ε'1, ε'2, ε'3. The average amplitude between maximum and minimum pressure is indicated by PM1 '.
Average amplitude of pressure (curve D) behind the dust chamber PM '(P
M'1 = about 108 mbar) is larger than the average amplitude PM (PM1 = about 79 mbar) of the pressure in front of the dust collection chamber (curve C), but the pressure oscillation behind the dust collection chamber is stronger. Damped, for example for thick rugs, the pressure amplitude difference ΔP between the forward and backward strokes is about 6 instead of 8 mbar (curve C1) when the pressure is measured in front of the dust chamber.
It will be mbar (curve D1). Therefore, the pressure detector, which acts as a floor-type detector, is preferably located in front of the dust collection chamber rather than behind it.

The same is observed for the portions C2 and D2 of the curve showing the pressure in front of and behind the dust chamber for thinner carpets. Portions C3 and D3 relating to the nozzle moving back and forth over a hard surface show that in this case the pressure amplitudes for the forward and backward strokes are the same. Therefore, the amplitude does not change, and neither the maximum value nor the minimum value occurs. Only small noises are observed.

Average pressure amplitude PM1 for thick rugs (curve C1), medium thickness rug (curve C2)
Mean pressure amplitude PM2 and hard surface (curve C3)
Comparing the average pressure amplitude PM3 for A, it can be seen that this average amplitude varies from 78 mbar (curve C1) to 69 mbar (curve C2) and 64 mbar (curve C3). Therefore, this average amplitude varies according to the nature of the floor surface. In particular, this average amplitude decreases in the order of thicker to moderately thicker carpet to hard surface.

Curve A of FIG. 3A shows the pressure P (in mbar) measured by the detector 14 at a measuring point 15 near the entrance of the dust collection chamber as a function of time (in seconds), while curve B of FIG. Pressure P measured by the detector 24 at a measurement point 25 near the outlet of the dust collection chamber (in mbar)
As a function of time (in seconds). These measurements were performed at constant fan motor 22 power for a medium thickness carpet.

The parts AI and B1 of the curve relate, for example, to the state in which the dust collecting chamber provided with the dust collecting bag is empty, ie the dust collecting bag is clean and new. The portions A2 and B2 of the curve are
The dust bag relates to a state where the dust collection degree is about 50%. As is readily apparent from these curves, as the dust collection chamber fills, the pressure at measurement point 15 at the inlet of the dust collection chamber decreases while the pressure at measurement point 25 at the outlet of the dust collection chamber increases. To do.

The curved portions A3 and B3 relate to the situation where the dust bag is full. In this state, the pressure at the measuring point 15 becomes the minimum and the pressure at the measuring point 25 becomes the maximum. Whatever the dust collecting condition of the dust collecting chamber, the maximum and minimum pressures corresponding to the forward and backward movements of the nozzle are always good for these curves, especially the curve A corresponding to the pressure measured in front of the dust collecting chamber. Appears measurable.

Curves A and B of FIG. 3A show the difference measurement of the average pressures between the measuring point 25 after the dust collecting chamber and the measuring point 15 before the dust collecting chamber.
Indicates that it can be executed between and. The characteristics shown in FIG. 3B allow for accurate detection of floor type. For this purpose, the measured values of the first pressure detector or bed type detector, ie the maximum pressure γ1, γ2 ,. ． ． Amplitude P2 and the minimum pressure ε1, ε2 ,. ． ． Is supplied to the calculation means described later, and the amplitude difference ΔP = P2-P1 and the average amplitude PM = (P1 + P2) / 2 are evaluated.

The evaluation of the amplitude difference ΔP for each floor type itself facilitates the classification of floor types. Evaluation of the mean amplitude PM allows an improvement in this classification. The evaluation of the mean pressure difference PM′-PM between the inlet and the outlet of the dust collecting chamber, which is described with reference to FIG. 3A, enables an additional improvement of this classification.

For the sake of simplicity, an example is described below aimed at detecting two floor types, which are simply classified as "rugs" and "hard and smooth floors". In practice, this embodiment has proved to be a simple and inexpensive vacuum cleaner whose function is to optimally meet the needs of the user most frequently. In this case, two possible conditions of different floor types are detected, one controlling the fan motor power and the other automatically switching on the electric brush in the nozzle as required.

Thus, in this embodiment, a means for driving the electric brush motor located in the nozzle when the device detects a carpet and for switching off the motor when the nozzle cleans a hard and smooth floor. Is also described. In this embodiment, the measured values of the two pressure detectors can also be used to generate an indication regarding the degree of dust collection of the dust bag.

FIG. 2 shows a measuring point 15 located at the entrance of the dust collecting chamber.
A control for detecting the floor type based on the measurement signal of the pressure detector 14 (curve C in FIG. 3B) guided to the controller and controlling the power of the main motor of the fan 23 and the auxiliary brush motor (not shown), if any. 1 shows a floor type detection device for generating a signal.

This floor type detector has a first input terminal.
And receiving the output signals 16 and 26 of the second pressure detector,
A process called a pre-process consisting of the following calculations, that is, calculation of an average value PM of vibrations of the output signal 16 of the first pressure detector 14 regarding the pressure obtained at the inlet 11 of the dust collection chamber 12, pressure detection regarding this pressure Of the amplitude difference ΔP between the maximum value and the minimum value of the vibration of the output signal 16 of the container 14, and the difference between the average values of the pressures obtained at the measuring point 15 at the inlet of the dust collecting chamber and the measuring point 25 at the outlet 23a or 23b. It comprises a preprocessing block 30 for performing PM'-PM calculation.

This calculation is of sufficient duration, for example 2 seconds, for the average user to make at least one forward and backward stroke on the floor where the nozzle should be cleaned during normal cleaning with a vacuum cleaner. Run over a period or "time window". It should be noted that the floor type detector 14 has a measuring point 15 located in the body 1 of the vacuum cleaner, the output signal 16 of which does not depend on the duty of using the electric brush in the nozzle.

Therefore, the processing executed by this preprocessing block 30 is extremely simple. These processes are only related to the averaging process and the measuring process. First, the average amplitude PM of the inlet pressure of the dust bag is calculated, and then the average pressure difference (PM ′ between the outlet and inlet of the dust bag). -PM) is calculated, and the maximum values γ1, γ2, γ3 and the minimum values ε1, ε2, ε of the pressure that match the forward and backward strokes of the nozzle
3 is detected and the amplitude difference ΔP between the maximum value and the minimum value thereof is calculated.

Therefore, since these calculations do not include multiplications or divisions, the preprocessing block 30 which performs these calculations.
Can be quite simple. The output terminals 31, 32, 33 of the pre-processing block 30 are connected to a decision or classification block 40 which has three input terminals and two output terminals. The three input terminals of this decision or classification block are the three output signals calculated by the preprocessing block 30, ie the amplitude between the maximum and minimum pressure oscillations of the signal supplied by the bed type detector 14. Receive a signal 31 representing the maximum value of the difference ΔP, a signal 32 representing the average pressure amplitude value PM supplied by the floor type detector 14, and a signal 33 representing the difference in average pressure amplitude between the outlet and the inlet of the dust collecting chamber. To do.

The decision or classification block 40 outputs two or more complementary output signals: a carpet, a stiff smooth floor. In this case, the signal representing the carpet should be complementary to the signal representing the hard floor. Main fan motor 2
Not only 2 but also an auxiliary motor for brush (not shown) can be controlled.

Accordingly, the decision or classification block 40 produces two complementary classification output signals indicative of a "rug" condition and a "hard floor" condition. For example, these output signals are the first output signal; +1 when the output level is a "rug" state, -1 in the opposite case, the second output signal; the output level is a "hard floor" state. It can be +1 when, and -1 when opposite.

In this case, the sum of the first and second output signals becomes zero. The output level of the decision or classification block 40 is determined by a processing stage which produces a binary output signal 41, for example when the level of this output signal 41 is "for a" rug "state".
It can also be realized to be "0" for 1 "and" hard floor "conditions.

Output signal 41 of decision or classification block 40
To the set point generation block 50. This block 5
0 is the set value 51 for the average pressure amplitude PM to be achieved at the entrance of the dust collection chamber for a satisfactory cleaning of the detected floor type 51
Is generated by direct conversion as a floor type function. This set value 51 is determined by a simple rule, for example, if a "rug" condition is detected, the set value is set to 80 mbar, and if a "hard floor" condition is detected, the set value is set to 60 mbar. To

A pressure amplitude setpoint is applied to the entrance of the dust collection chamber to ensure that each floor to be cleaned is evacuated at the optimum pressure. This is because the detection at a position other than the entrance of the dust collection chamber gives a somewhat changed result, as is apparent from the curves of FIGS. 3A and 3B. Furthermore, the present invention actually requires only one detector for this control, which is the inlet pressure detector 14 in the above-mentioned example, which enables the detection of the bed type and the supply of the pressure setpoint. Can be done at the same time. The second detector only completes this. As mentioned above, the known vacuum cleaners of the prior art necessarily require the use of two different detectors to perform the above two functions. According to the present invention, the above two functions can be economically realized by a single pressure detector.

The present invention further allows floor type detection and setpoint control to be accomplished independent of the use of an electric brush in the nozzle. Set value for average pressure amplitude 51
Is supplied to the controller 60. This controller compares this set value 51 with the average pressure amplitude PM52 obtained at the inlet of the dust collecting chamber at this instant, and controls the power of the main motor so that the correct set value is adjusted or maintained at the inlet of the dust collecting chamber. A control signal 61 for

On the other hand, the output 4 of the decision or classification block 40
1 can be supplied to the second set value generation block 70. This block 70 generates a setpoint value 71 for the motor power of the electric brush located in the nozzle by a direct conversion as a function of the floor type. This set value 71 is a simple rule, if a "rug" condition is detected,
The command "auxiliary motor switch on" is generated, and when the "hard floor" condition is detected, the command "auxiliary motor switch off" is set.

In a modification of this embodiment, the first set value generating block 50 can be a block for generating a fuzzy set value. In practice, the output 41 of the decision or classification block 40 can be a non-digital signal, ie 0
Alternatively, instead of 1, the signal may be located between 0 and 1. In this case, the fuzzy set value generation block 50
Generates a pressure value which interpolates between 60 and 80 mbar in the embodiment described above.

Similarly, the fuzzy set value generation block 70
Can be used to supply the brush motor with an intermediate power level between full power and zero power. In another embodiment of the present invention, the setpoint generating blocks 50, 70 may be configured as a single setpoint generating block having only two input terminals, one input for pressure and one for floor type. Can be reconfigured. This compact set value generation block can also be a fuzzy set value generation block.

In the preferred embodiment, the decision or classification block 4
0 is a neuron network, and this network has three input terminals, an embedding layer (0 to 7 neurons) for the purpose of discriminating only between "rug" state and "hard floor" state. This number shall depend on the complexity of the problem to be solved), and shall comprise two outputs for the calculated signal (which may be combined into one output 41 as described above). You can In this case, the three input signals of the neuron classification network are the three output signals 31, 32, 3 calculated by the microprocessor 30.
3 and the two output signals are "rug" and "hard floor".

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner of the present invention provided with the main components and two pressure detectors.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a vacuum cleaner of the present invention which processes a signal from a pressure detector, controls a main motor of a fan and an auxiliary motor of a brush in a nozzle, and detects the degree of dust collection in a dust collection chamber. is there.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing the signals of the first and second pressure detectors measured with a constant main motor power by changing the degree of dust collection in the dust collection chamber for the “rug” floor type; FIG. 4 shows the signals of the first and second pressure detectors measured with constant main motor power and same dust collection for different floor types.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Vacuum Cleaner Main Body 10 First Housing (Dust Collection Chamber) 11 Intake Port 12 Dust Collection Bag 14 First Pressure Detector (Floor Type Detector) 15 First Measurement Point 20 Second Housing 21 Exhaust Port 22 Main Motor 23 Fan 24 Second pressure detector 25 Second measurement point 17, 27, 28 Flexible tube F1, F2 filter 30 Pre-processing block 40 Judgment or classification block 50 Set value generation block 60 Controller 70 Second set value generation block

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Michel Coulter 94370 Scyen-Bry-Dry La Republik 38

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A cleaner comprising a cleaner body (1) having an intake port (11) and an exhaust port (21), and a hose provided with a suction nozzle connected to the intake port of the cleaner body. The dust collecting chamber (10) in which the machine body communicates with the intake port and the motor (2
A vacuum cleaner having a housing (20) containing a fan (23) driven by 2), the housing being in communication with a dust collection chamber and an exhaust port, which is further detected by a suction nozzle during cleaning. A first detector (hereinafter referred to as a floor type detector) that generates a signal representing the nature of the surface condition of the floor, and the surface condition of the floor during cleaning by processing the signal generated by the first detector. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a calculating means for generating a classification signal relating to the vacuum cleaner, wherein the first detector or floor type detector is at a first measuring point (15) in the passage of the suction airflow of the vacuum cleaner. Shows a quasi-periodic oscillation having a maximum amplitude (γ) and a minimum amplitude (ε) which is a function of the measured air pressure and corresponds to the forward and backward strokes of the suction nozzle moving on the floor during the cleaning operation this A pressure detector (14) that produces a signal whose amplitude difference (ΔP) between the maximum and minimum amplitudes varies depending on the type of floor being cleaned, and the calculation means (30, 40) is cleaning. Vacuum cleaner, characterized in that it determines the floor type of the as a function of this amplitude difference (ΔP). 2. The signal of the first pressure detector or floor type detector (14) has a maximum amplitude (γ) and a minimum amplitude (ε).
Has an average amplitude (PM), which varies depending on the type of floor being cleaned, said calculating means (30, 4)
0) determines the type of floor being cleaned as a function of the amplitude difference (ΔP) between the maximum and minimum amplitudes of the floor type detector signal and the average amplitude (PM). 1. The vacuum cleaner according to 1. 3. The vacuum cleaner sets a value for the mean amplitude (PM) of the signal of the first pressure detector (14) in order to properly control the suction pressure as a function of the determined bed type. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises setting value generating means (50) for determining (51) as a function of the determined floor type. 4. The set value (51) of the vacuum cleaner.
Is the average pressure (3
The control value for controlling the supply voltage of the fan motor so that the electric power for setting the average amplitude of the first pressure detector to the set value (51) is supplied to the fan motor (22) by comparing with the measured value of 2). 4. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises control means (60) for determining. 5. The measurement point (15) of the first pressure detector or floor type detector (14) is located at the inlet (1) of the dust collecting chamber (12).
It is located in 1), The vacuum cleaner in any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. 6. The calculating means receives at its input terminal a signal (16) supplied by a first pressure detector or floor type detector (14) and at its output terminal suction air by the first pressure detector. A first signal (3) that is a function of the mean value (PM) of the pressure measured in the flow passage.
2), a second signal that is a function of the value of the amplitude difference (ΔP) between the maximum amplitude (γ) and the minimum amplitude (ε) of the vibration of the pressure measured in the passage of the intake air flow by the first pressure detector. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a pretreatment means (30) for supplying (31). 7. The calculating means further comprises at the input terminal the first and second signals (3) from the preprocessing means (30).
1, 32), and the output terminal comprises a classification block (40) which, according to a predetermined rule, provides a classification output corresponding to the detection of several surface conditions of the floor to be cleaned. Item 6. A vacuum cleaner according to item 6. 8. The classification block (40) provides two classification outputs corresponding to the detection of two surface conditions to be cleaned: a "rug" condition and a "hard and smooth floor" condition. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 7. 9. The vacuum cleaner comprises a second pressure detector (24) which produces a signal which is a function of the difference between the measured air pressures (PM, PM ′) at the inlet and outlet of the dust collecting chamber (12). Equipment
Said pretreatment means (30) receives this signal and outputs a third signal (33) which is a function of the mean value of the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the dust collecting chamber (PM'-PM). The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 6 to 8, which is characterized. 10. The vacuum cleaner further controls the electric brush located in the suction nozzle and the power of the brush motor (also called auxiliary motor) as a function of the detected floor type. 10. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises means (70). 11. The suction nozzle comprises a setpoint block (70) in which the auxiliary motor power control means determines the control value (71) for the auxiliary motor supply voltage by a direct conversion as a function of the detected floor type. 11. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, characterized in that the brushes arranged therein are switched on or off depending on the detected floor type.