JPH10201679A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stabilize and improve the sucking performance of dust by controlling a drive motor so that the rotating speed of a wheel is lowered when the interior humidity is higher than a preset humidity. SOLUTION: A control body 52 for floor brush has a sensor for catching the interior humidity, and changes the rotating speed of a driver motor 40 according to the detection data to change the traveling speed of the wheel of a floor brush. Namely, when a power source switch 56 is ON to drive the electric blower 21 of a cleaner body, the driving fan of the floor brush rotates a rotary brush, and the dust on a floor surface is sucked by a suction port and sucked to the cleaner body through a connecting pipe. When the humidity in a cleaning room detected by the sensor is higher than a preset humidity, for example, 60%, the driver motor 40 is controlled by the control body 52 so as to reduce the traveling speed of the wheel of the floor brush regardless of the detection result of a dust detector 42. Consequently, humid heavy dust can be surely sucked.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner in which the traveling speed of a floor suction tool is changed in accordance with the humidity in a room to maintain and improve dust absorption performance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various developments have been made for the purpose of reducing running resistance, improving operability, and improving dust absorbing performance in a vacuum cleaner. For example, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are a longitudinal sectional view and a main part enlarged view showing a floor suction tool of a conventional vacuum cleaner disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-275024.
The floor suction device is provided with self-propelled driving wheels to perform cleaning. FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of a conventional vacuum cleaner disclosed in JP-A-2-307420, in which suction power and the like are changed according to the amount of suction dust. In the vacuum cleaner disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-95863, a traveling wheel driven by a motor is provided on a floor suction tool so that the floor suction tool is driven to meet the intention of a person operating the floor suction tool. Further, the vacuum cleaner disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-163499 informs a user that the traveling performance is reduced by a traveling means provided on a floor suction tool in accordance with the amount of sucked dust and the amount of dust is reduced. Is what you do. further,
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a conventional vacuum cleaner disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-264622, in which a user is informed of weather conditions such as indoor temperature and humidity to change suction power and the like. is there. Hereinafter, these conventional examples will be described.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, reference numeral 1 denotes a floor suction tool, a pair of traveling wheels 2 and an electric motor (not shown) for changing the traveling wheels 2 so as to be rotatable in normal and reverse directions. The other end is provided with a communication pipe 3 connected to a machine body (not shown) and supported at the other end by a floor suction tool 1 so as to be vertically movable. Reference numeral 4 denotes a rotating shaft provided on the communication tube 3, reference numeral 5 denotes a bearing for rotatably supporting the communication tube 3, and reference numeral 6 denotes a pair of shafts for catching the forward / backward movement of the communication tube 3 and rotating the driving wheel 2 forward and backward. The pressure-sensitive element is attached to the bearing 5.

In this configuration, when the communication pipe 3 is moved forward, the bearing 5 also moves in the same direction to apply pressure to the pressure-sensitive element 6. Upon receiving this pressure, the pressure-sensitive element 6 issues a command,
The electric motor (not shown) drives the driving wheel 2,
The floor suction tool 1 moves forward. When the communication pipe 3 is moved backward, the floor suction tool 1 moves backward. Therefore,
Since the floor suction tool 1 automatically moves back and forth according to the user's intention, the operation becomes easy.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 7 denotes an electric blower, and 8 denotes a dust detector. By providing a dust detector 8 in a suction air passage through which dust to be sucked by the electric blower 7 passes, the suction power of the electric blower 7 is changed according to the amount of dust passing therethrough, thereby reducing the amount of power. And noise reduction.

In FIG. 14, 1 is a floor suction tool, 9 is a cleaner body, and 10 is a display provided on the surface of the cleaner body 9 for displaying the occurrence of mites. When the display 10 reaches a predetermined temperature and humidity (for example, generally known environmental conditions in which ticks breed, a temperature of 20 to 30 degrees and a humidity of 60 to 80%), a lamp or the like is turned on to generate ticks. Is displayed, and the user can perform careful cleaning by looking at this display.

[0007]

In the above-mentioned conventional vacuum cleaner, there is no countermeasure for controlling the traveling speed of the floor suction tool according to the weather conditions in the cleaning room and the environmental conditions in which ticks propagate. For example, when the humidity is high, the dust becomes damp and heavy, but there is a possibility that the conventional vacuum cleaner may absorb the wet dust. Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-264622, there is a problem that the user may overlook the display, and the suction performance of wet dust and mites is not stable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the change in the humidity of a room to be cleaned is detected to change the wheel speed of a floor suction device to thereby reduce dust from the floor surface. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a vacuum cleaner capable of stabilizing and improving suction performance of a vacuum cleaner.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A vacuum cleaner according to the present invention comprises a vacuum cleaner body having a built-in electric blower, a dust bag, etc., and a floor suction tool which communicates with the cleaner body via a connector. A sensor for detecting the humidity in the cleaning room, and wheels provided on the floor suction tool and rotating so as to be able to move back and forth by a driving motor, and the humidity in the room detected by the sensor is preset. If the humidity is higher than the predetermined humidity, a control means for controlling the driving motor so that the rotation speed of the wheel is reduced is provided.

In addition, a dust detector is provided in a suction passage from the floor suction tool to the cleaner main body and detects the amount of dust passing through the suction passage, and controls the drive motor based on the dust detector and the detection result of the sensor. Control means for changing the rotation speed of the wheels, and the control means controls the drive motor regardless of the detection result of the dust detector when the indoor humidity is higher than a preset humidity based on the detection result of the sensor. Control means.

The control means controls the wheels so as to repeatedly advance and reverse for a predetermined time or a predetermined distance.

The traveling distance of the wheels is defined as forward ≧ reverse.

Further, a handle is provided on the connecting tool, and a movable body is formed on the handle so as to be able to move back and forth, and the forward and reverse rotation of the wheels is interlocked with the operation of the movable body.

The control means controls the drive motor so as to stop the rotation of the wheel when a reaction force is applied to the wheel in the traveling direction of the wheel for a predetermined time.

Further, a rotary brush which is rotated by a drive motor is provided on the floor suction device, and wheels for running the floor suction device are provided on the rotary brush, and the wheels rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary brush.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 to 4 are diagrams showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view showing the entire configuration of the vacuum cleaner, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the floor suction tool shown in FIG. FIG.
2 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram. In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes a cleaner main body, which incorporates an electric blower 21, a paper bag filter 22, and the like. Reference numeral 23 denotes a floor suction tool, which is connected to the cleaner main body 20 through a connector 26A having an extension tube 24 and a hose 26 having a handle 25, and a floor surface F of a carpet, tatami mat, flooring or the like. The dust from the vacuum cleaner.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a horizontally long suction port formed in front of the bottom surface of the suction tool main body 28 of the floor suction tool 23. Reference numeral 29 denotes a rotating brush rotatably disposed in the suction port 27. A plurality of cleaning strips (not shown) for scraping in are mounted. Reference numeral 30 denotes a connecting pipe having a pair of shafts 31, which is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings 32 formed on the suction tool main body 28, and the distal end of which is connected to the suction port 27.
The other ends communicate with the extension tubes 24, respectively. Reference numeral 33 denotes a drive fan rotatably housed in the vicinity of the suction port 27 of the connection pipe 30, to which a shaft 34 is fixed.
1 and is supported by a bearing 35 provided on the suction tool main body 28. A transmission belt 36 connects the shaft body 34 and the rotary brush 29 via a speed reducer (not shown).

Reference numeral 37 denotes a pair of wheels arranged behind the bottom of the suction device main body 28 with the connecting pipe 30 interposed therebetween. The wheels 37 are connected by a drive shaft 38, and the drive shaft 38 is provided on the suction device main body 28. It is rotatably supported by a bearing body 39. 4
Reference numeral 0 denotes a drive motor configured to be freely rotatable in the forward and reverse directions, and is connected to the drive shaft body 38 by a drive belt 41 via a speed reducer (not shown). 42 is a light emitting element 43 and a light receiving element 4
4 is a dust detector for detecting the amount of dust in the suction air passage. The light emitting element 43 and the light receiving element 44 are fixed to the wall surface of the connection pipe 30 so as to face each other with the air path A of the connection pipe 30 interposed therebetween. I have. Reference numeral 45 denotes a cover formed on the outer peripheral portion of the connection pipe 30, and accommodates the lead wire 46.

Reference numeral 47 denotes a traveling direction control body which is formed on the bottom surface of the suction device main body 28 so as to be freely rotatable, extends on the floor surface side, and comes into contact with the floor surface F to detect the traveling direction of the suction device main body 28. A contact body 48 made of a material, a movable body 50 having a pressing body 49 extending inside the suction tool main body, and a pair of switches 51 operated by the pressing body 49 to change the rotation direction of the drive motor 40 It is composed of

Reference numeral 52 denotes a control board, which comprises an electronic component 53 and a board 54. The rotation speed of the drive motor 40 is changed for the electronic component 53 by the detection data of the sensor 53A, the sensor 53A, or the dust detector 42, which catches weather conditions such as indoor temperature and humidity. Parts for changing the traveling speed of the wheels 37 are provided. 28A and 28B are holes provided in the suction tool main body 28, and communicate with the outside air. Then, as indicated by the arrow in the figure, the outside air entering the electrical component room from the hole 28A is
B goes out to the suction port 27. The passing of the outside air cools the electronic component 53 and the drive motor 40, and the sensor 53A catches the indoor weather condition by the outside air. Reference numeral 55 denotes a bumper fixed to the outer periphery of the suction tool main body 28, and reference numeral 56 denotes a power switch.

The operation of the above vacuum cleaner will be described. When the power switch 56 is turned on, the cleaner body 20 is turned on.
When the electric blower 21 is driven, the driving fan 33 rotates the rotating brush 29, and the dust on the floor F
, And is passed through the connection pipe 30 so that the cleaner body 20
Is sucked. Here, when the user moves the floor suction tool 23 forward by holding the handle 25, the contact member 48 of the traveling direction control body 47 moves backward, and the switch 5 is pressed by the pressing body 49.
1 is pressed, and the wheel 37 is moved about 1 m /
A command is issued to move forward at a speed of seconds, and the floor suction tool 23 is moved forward. The humidity in the cleaning room is a predetermined humidity, for example, 60%
If it does not exceed, the dust passing through the connection pipe 30 is detected by the dust detector 42, and if it is larger than the preset dust amount, the control body 52 lowers the rotation of the drive motor 40 and The running speed of the wheels 37 is reduced to about 50 cm / sec. When the floor suction tool 23 is moved backward, the traveling direction control body 47 rotates the drive motor 40 in the reverse direction,
The wheels 37 move backward at a speed of about 1 m / sec. If the amount of dust passing through the connection pipe 30 is large, the speed of the wheels 37 is as low as about 50 cm / sec. When the amount of dust passing through the connection pipe 30 is smaller than a predetermined amount of dust, the control body 52 increases the rotation speed of the driving motor 40 and moves the wheels 37 at a speed of about 1 m / sec. The speed may be raised to a high predetermined traveling speed. Furthermore, if the traveling speed of the wheels 37 increases, the floor surface F is evidence that the floor surface is clean and can be recognized by the user.

As a result, the contact time between the floor F and the floor suction tool 23 is prolonged, and dust on the floor F is reliably sucked. If the amount of dust detected by the dust detector 42 is displayed by, for example, a lamp provided on the outer surface of the floor suction tool 23, the user can recognize the cleanliness of the floor surface F, and the connection pipe 3 can be recognized.
Needless to say, when a large amount of dust passes through zero, the same portion can be cleaned again.

Next, a case where the relative humidity in the cleaning room is higher than a preset humidity will be described. Sensor-53
If the humidity in the cleaning room detected by A is higher than a preset humidity, for example, 60%, the traveling speed of the wheels 37 is reduced by the control body 52 regardless of the detection result of the dust detector 42. The drive motor 40 is controlled to perform the operation. As a result, dust that becomes heavier due to humidity is reliably sucked. In addition, if the sensor 53A detects a humidity of 60% to 80% at which ticks easily propagate, not only dust but also ticks can be reliably sucked.

According to the present embodiment, when the room humidity is higher than the preset humidity, the speed of the wheels 37 is reduced to reduce the traveling speed of the floor suction tool 23, so that the wet dust can be reduced. Suction can be performed reliably. In addition, if the predetermined humidity is set to a level at which ticks can easily propagate, for example, 60% or more, not only dust but also ticks can be sucked. In addition, the sensor is set to a temperature (20
-30 °) and humidity (60% to 80%) can further improve the ability to suck mites.
Like the dust detector, for example, a lamp is provided on the outer surface of the floor suction tool, and when a humidity higher than a preset humidity is detected by a sensor and displayed by the lamp, the humidity of the room is high for the user. Can be recognized
Needless to say, the same part can be cleaned again.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing the handle 25 according to the second embodiment, which is an improvement of the handle of the first embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 60 denotes a gripping movable body provided on the outer peripheral portion of the handle 25 so as to be able to move back and forth, and 61 abuts when the gripping movable body 60 advances, and advances the wheel 37 (shown in the first embodiment). A forward / reverse rotation switch for changing the rotation direction of the drive motor 40 (shown in the first embodiment). When the gripping movable body 60 moves away from the forward / reverse rotation switch 61, that is, when the gripping movable body 60 moves backward, the rotation direction of the drive motor 40 changes so that the wheels 37 move backward. As a result, when the user moves the gripping movable body 60 back and forth, the wheel 37 also performs the same movement, so that the user can clearly see the back and forth movement of the floor suction tool, and the usability is improved. .

It should be noted that a gripping movable body 60 may be provided instead of the traveling direction control body 47 shown in the first embodiment.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram according to the third embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 62 denotes a direction in which the suction tool main body 28 progresses, when the progress is inhibited for a predetermined time,
This is a safety switch for stopping the drive motor 40. When the suction tool main body 28 (shown in the first embodiment) is prevented from moving for a predetermined time by a threshold or the like while cleaning the room by the rotation of the wheels 37 (shown in the first embodiment), the driving motor is driven.
The current to 40 increases or the temperature rises. These phenomena are caught by a sensor (not shown) provided on the control board 52 (shown in the first embodiment) and the safety switch 62 is operated to stop the drive motor 40.
As a result, abnormal heating of the drive motor 40 itself and the
Wear due to slippage between the floor and the floor F can be prevented.

In order to restart the drive motor 40 from this state, the gripping movable body 61 or the traveling direction control body 47 (shown in the first embodiment) is operated in the opposite direction to the above, and Rotate 37. This rotation operation can be caught by a detection body (not shown), and the catch information can be issued by the control board 52 to instruct the drive motor 40 to re-rotate in the reverse direction.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram according to the fourth embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 63 denotes a control unit for reversing the rotation direction of the drive motor 40. For example, the wheel 37 (shown in the first embodiment) is advanced by a predetermined time (1 second). After that, the microcomputer is provided with a microcomputer which repeats this operation with one cycle of moving backward for the same time (1 second). As a result, the user holds the handle 25, turns on the power switch 56 with the floor suction tool 23 (shown in the first embodiment) in the cleaning direction, and does not require any operating force. .

Note that the predetermined distance may be determined from the number of rotations of the wheels 37, instead of determining the longitudinal movement of the floor suction tool 23 by time. For example, it is more convenient if the user can set the distance within a range of 30 cm to 1 m, which is the operating distance of a general person.

Further, the moving distance of the floor suction device 23 in the forward and backward movements is set to be forward ≧ reverse, so that the floor suction device 23 always moves forward during cleaning of the room, so that cleaning can be easily performed over a wide range. Can be.

Embodiment 5 8 to 10 show the fifth embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the floor suction tool, FIG. 9 is a cross section FF of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a cross section GG of FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 57 denotes a drive wheel 57 fixed to both sides of the rotating brush 29. When the floor suction tool 23 is placed on the floor F, the drive wheel 57 comes into contact with the floor F. Reference numeral 58 denotes a plurality of radially and horizontally long grounding pieces formed on the outer peripheral portion of the drive wheel 57, which are deformed when a load equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the advancement of the floor suction tool 23, and slip in a slip state. Rotate,
The lock of the driving motor 40A, which is the driving source of the rotating brush 29, is prevented. Reference numeral 59 denotes a plurality of cleaning pieces provided on the rotating brush 29. Reference numeral 30 denotes a connection pipe having a pair of shafts 31, and one shaft 31 </ b> A is provided to penetrate one of the bearings 32 </ b> A of the pair of bearings 32 formed in the suction tool main body 28. Then, as shown by the arrow in FIG.
The outside air that has entered through the control board chamber passes through to the connection pipe 30. 36A is a transmission belt, and 37A is a rear wheel rotatably provided behind the floor suction tool 23. The same or corresponding components as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

When the power switch is turned on and the switch of the traveling direction control body 47 is pressed, the driving motor 40A is driven to start the rotation of the rotating brush 29 and the driving wheel 57, and the floor suction tool 23 is driven at a predetermined speed. Now go forward or backward. The forward and backward speeds of the floor suction tool 23 are controlled by the dust detector 42 or the sensor 53A as in the first embodiment. The driving wheel 57 performs the same movement as the wheel 37 described in the first embodiment, and achieves the same effect as that of the first embodiment. The rotating brush 29 having the horizontally long grounding piece 58 is connected to the floor F. In order to make contact with a wide area, the traveling of the drive wheel 57 is always assisted. Therefore, the rotation of the driving motor 40A is smoothly performed.

[0034]

The present invention is configured as described above, and has the following effects.

When a floor rotating tool and a sensor for detecting the humidity in the cleaning room are provided on the floor suction device with a wheel rotating freely back and forth by a driving motor, and the humidity in the cleaning room is higher than a preset humidity. Since the rotation speed of the wheels is controlled so that the traveling speed of the floor suction tool is reduced, it is possible to reliably suck even wet dust. Further, if the predetermined humidity is set to a humidity at which mites are likely to propagate, for example, 60%, not only dust but also mites can be sucked.

The floor suction device is provided with a wheel that rotates freely by a driving motor, a sensor that detects humidity in the cleaning chamber, and a dust detector that detects the amount of dust passing through the suction passage. If the humidity in the cleaning room does not exceed the predetermined value, the rotation speed of the wheels is controlled according to the detection operation of the dust detector, and if the humidity in the cleaning room exceeds the predetermined value, the traveling speed of the floor suction tool is controlled. Since the rotation speed of the wheels is controlled so that the speed is reduced, not only can wet dust be reliably sucked, but also dust scattered on the floor can be efficiently sucked.

Further, since the movable body is provided on the handle so as to be movable back and forth, and the wheels are controlled in the same direction as the longitudinal movement of the movable body, the traveling direction of the floor suction tool for the user can be adjusted. Easy to understand and very convenient.

Further, the floor suction device is hindered from running by obstacles such as a sill during cleaning, and stops the running of the wheels when a reaction force is applied to the wheels for a predetermined time. It is safe because abnormal heating can be prevented.

Also, the traveling distance of the wheel is determined in advance,
By repeating the forward and backward movements as one cycle, it is not necessary to perform the forward and backward movement operation, and the floor can be reliably reciprocatedly cleaned. As a result, the user only has to manage the direction of the floor suction tool, and the operation is easy.

Further, by setting the traveling distance of the forward and backward movement of the wheels to be forward ≧ reverse, the front of the floor is always cleaned.
Cleaning can be completed in a wide area and in a short time.

Further, the wheels are provided on the rotating brush, and the rotation of the rotating brush and the rotation of the wheels are linked, whereby the wheels receive the rotating force of the rotating brush, and the traveling of the floor suction tool is smoother.
And

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view showing a vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the floor suction tool shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the floor suction tool according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of a handle according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a floor suction tool according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the drive wheel shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotating brush shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional floor suction device for a vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of another conventional vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing another conventional vacuum cleaner.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 vacuum cleaner body, 23 floor suction tool, 25 handle,
29 rotating brushes, 37 wheels, 40 drive motors,
42 dust detector, 52 control body, 53A sensor,
60 Movable body.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A cleaner main body having a built-in electric blower, a dust bag, etc., a floor suction tool communicating with the cleaner main body via a connector, and a sensor for detecting humidity in the cleaning chamber. A wheel provided on the floor suction tool so as to be able to move back and forth by a driving motor, and when the indoor humidity detected by the sensor is higher than a preset humidity, the An electric vacuum cleaner comprising: control means for controlling the drive motor so as to reduce a rotation speed. 2. A dust detector, which is provided in a suction passage from the floor suction tool to the main body of the cleaner and detects the amount of dust passing through the suction passage, based on detection results of the dust detector and the sensor. Control means for controlling the drive motor to change the rotation speed of the wheel, the control means of the dust detector when the indoor humidity is higher than a preset humidity by the detection result of the sensor An electric vacuum cleaner comprising a control unit for controlling the drive motor regardless of a detection result. 3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the wheels to repeatedly advance and reverse for a predetermined time or a predetermined distance. 4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the traveling distance of the wheel is set to be forward ≧ reverse. 5. A handle is provided on the connection tool, a movable body is formed on the handle so as to be able to move back and forth, and forward and reverse rotation of the wheel is interlocked with the operation of the movable body. 2. The vacuum cleaner according to 1. 6. The control means controls a driving motor so as to stop rotation of the wheel when a reaction force is applied to the wheel for a predetermined time in the traveling direction of the wheel. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein 7. A rotary brush, which is rotated by a drive motor, is provided on the floor suction device, and wheels for moving the floor suction device are provided on the rotary brush, and the wheels rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary brush. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein: