JP2878658B2 - Electric vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner,
In particular, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner in which operation information (switch operation information) input by a user at a hose hand portion is transmitted to the cleaner body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional vacuum cleaner, a switch at the hose hand and a control circuit in the cleaner body are connected by wiring embedded in the hose, and a switch signal (operation information) by the switch at the hose hand is connected. It is common to adopt a configuration in which the signal is sent to a control circuit in the main body via electric wiring. This complicates the structure of the hose, and the structure of the connection and connection between the base of the hose and the cleaner body, and also breaks the wiring in the hose and the connection between the base of the hose and the cleaner body. There is a possibility that the reliability of the electrical connection at the connection / connection site may be degraded. Furthermore, since the wiring inside the hose must be helically wound in multiple layers along the bellows of the hose, the weight of the hose increases, which is one of the causes of poor operability, and the cost of the hose is also expensive. Had become.

Therefore, a vacuum cleaner in which a switch signal, which has been conventionally transmitted by wiring in a hose, is optically transmitted using a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho.
These are proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 8-221924, 61-87527 and 62-207427. That is, in the prior application, a light emitting element is provided at a hose hand portion of a hose, and an optical signal emitted from the light emitting element is received by a light receiving element on the cleaner body side. According to the earlier application, a light emitting element and a light receiving element are provided at a connection / connection portion between a connection pipe at the base of a hose and a cleaner body, and light is emitted regardless of the orientation of the light emitting element disposed on the connection pipe side. A reflecting mirror is provided so that light emitted from the element is received by the light receiving element on the main body side. In the earlier application, a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are provided at a connection / connection portion between a hose base and a cleaner body, and the light-emitting element at the hose base and the light-receiving element on the body side face each other. A light emitting element is provided in the section, and this light emitting element is optically coupled to a light receiving element on the main body side via an optical fiber in a hose.

[0004]

However, in the prior art described in the above-mentioned prior application, the light signal (infrared light signal) output from the light emitting element (infrared light transmitting section) at the hose hand is used. Is not always taken into consideration by the light receiving element (infrared light receiving unit) on the cleaner body side, and if the infrared transmitter on the hose hand is not always pointed toward the cleaner body, Because it is not possible to send and receive signals reliably,
There is a drawback that the use form of the vacuum cleaner hose is greatly restricted. Furthermore, in the case of a vacuum cleaner, there is no guarantee that the main body of the cleaner is always in a fixed direction with respect to the hose hand, and a user intervenes between the hose hand and the cleaner body to emit an optical signal. There is a drawback that it is often impossible to control the main body of the vacuum cleaner from the hose hand part because of the high possibility of blocking the vacuum cleaner.

In the prior art described in the above-mentioned prior application, transmission and reception of an optical signal between a light emitting element (infrared light transmitting section) and a light receiving element (infrared light receiving section) are ensured. However, since it is necessary to embed electrical wiring and optical fibers in the hose, the structure of the hose is complicated, increasing the cost of the hose, and increasing the weight of the hose and deteriorating the operability. . Further, in the case where an optical fiber is used, there is a problem that adjustment is complicated due to optical coupling between the main body of the cleaner and the hose base, and the cost is relatively high.

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present invention, in the configuration need not be embedded signal transmission line in the hose, without toward the cleaner body a signal portion transmission of hose grip portion, also a hose grip portion sweep dividing It is interrupted user during machine body, to provide an electric vacuum cleaner from the hose grip part can reliably perform control of the cleaner body.

[0007]

The present invention achieves the above object.
To a cleaner body having an electric blower and the control means to drive the electric blower for generating a suction force, and the hose connected to the cleaner body, an extension pipe connected to the hose, the a mouthpiece which is connected to the extension tube is disposed in the hose grip portion of the hose, a vacuum cleaner equipped with a switch means for inputting operation information for controlling the operation of the cleaner body, using a first transmission means for transmitting to said cleaner body side said operation information from said hose grip part which is input by the user, to transmit the operation information to the cleaner body side from the hose grip part ,Previous
The second transmitting means transmits a signal in a direction different from that of the first transmitting means .
Transmitting means, and at least the first transmitting means or
Any of the signals transmitted from the second transmitting means.
And receiving means disposed on the cleaner main body so as to be able to receive the above signal .

In order to achieve the above object, an electric blower for generating a suction force and a system for driving the electric blower are provided.
A cleaner body having your hands stage, and the hose connected to the cleaner body, an extension pipe connected to the hose, a suction port connected to said extension pipe is disposed in the hose grip part of the hose , an electric vacuum cleaner equipped with a switch means for inputting operation information for controlling the operation of the vacuum cleaner main body, the operation information which is input by the user, to the cleaner body side from the hose grip part Emits light to transmit
That a first light emitting portion, for transmitting the operation information to the cleaner body side from the hose grip portion, the first light emitting
A second light-emitting portion that emits light in a direction different from the portion,
At least, the light is emitted from the first light emitting portion or the second light emitting portion.
In order to be able to receive any of the emitted light,
Light receiving means provided on the cleaner body.
is there.

In the above configuration, the first transmitting means is switched
The switch is provided on the extension pipe side from the switch means, and the second transmitting means is connected to the switch.
The first transmitting means on the opposite side of the first transmitting means.
No. Further, in the above configuration, the first light emitting unit is switched.
And the second light emitting part is provided by a switch.
It is preferable to provide it on the opposite side of the first transmitting means across the step.

In addition, the first light emitting portion emits infrared rays to a hose at hand.
The second part is an infrared light emitting part that radiates almost vertically upward from the part.
Infrared light emitted from the light emitting part from below the hose
Infrared light emitting part that emits light and the light receiving means on the top of the vacuum cleaner body
Infrared light receiving means provided on the side may be used.

Further , the directional angle of the second light emitting section and the first light emission
The directivity angle of the section may be different. Also, a second light emitting unit
Is wider than the directivity angle of the first light emitting unit.
No. Further, the light receiving angle of the light receiving means is defined as the directivity angle of the first light emitting unit.
Should be wider.

Also, there is a system having a microcomputer at the hose hand.
Control means and a battery serving as a power supply for the control means.
Operation information input by the switch
Of the vacuum cleaner itself.
A microcomputer is provided in the control means, and digital code
And the vacuum cleaner body based on this digital code
Control the electric blower with the microcomputer on the side
No.

[0013] As described above , the operation information is transmitted to the two transmitting means.
(Or light emitting part)
With this, operation information is sent from the hose hand to the vacuum cleaner
In addition to direct transmission, transfer and use of the reflection of the interior of the ceiling or wall
It is possible to transfer operation information regardless of the positional relationship between the hose hand and the cleaner body, or even if a user enters between the hose hand and the cleaner body. Not the operation information entered at the hose
Thus, it is possible to securely control the vacuum cleaner main body remotely. Also, light reflects off the ceiling and walls in the room
The first light emission
Concentrate the output by narrowing the directivity angle in the section
Preferably, it is transmitted. At this time, the light receiving angle of the light receiving
By keeping the light emitting unit wider than the directivity angle,
Can reliably receive light reflected from ceilings and walls.
Wear. Also, if you want to take advantage of reflections from indoor ceilings and walls,
Since the light transmission distance becomes longer, the directivity angle at the first light emitting unit is increased.
The light can be transmitted over a wide area even if the distance is reduced.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and a second embodiment shown in FIGS.

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a cleaner main body in which a control circuit and an electric blower, which will be described later, are incorporated, and 102 denotes a cleaner main body 101. The hose 103 connected to the suction port of the hose 103 is a hose hand 1 at the tip of the hose 102.
Reference numeral 104 denotes a switch operation unit disposed at 09, an infrared light emitting diode 1 also disposed at a hose
Reference numeral 05 denotes an extension tube connected to the tip of the hose 102 (hose hand 109), reference numeral 106 denotes a suction port connected to the extension tube 105, reference numeral 107 denotes an infrared photodiode disposed on the upper surface of the cleaner main body 101, and reference numeral 108 denotes Shows the indoor ceiling.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a control system of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment.
201 is a hose hand control circuit provided in the hose hand 109, and 202 is a main body control circuit provided in the cleaner main body 101. Hose hand control circuit 2
On the 01 side, reference numeral 203 denotes a hose hand control circuit 201.
(Hereinafter abbreviated as a microcomputer) 204, a dry cell, 205 to 207 switches of the switch operation unit 103, 104 an infrared light emitting diode, and 208 a transistor for driving the infrared light emitting diode 104. On the other hand, in the main body control circuit 202, 107 is the infrared photodiode, 209 is a microcomputer which controls the overall control of the main body control circuit 202, 211
Is a receiving unit for photoelectrically converting a signal received by the infrared photodiode 107 and returning it to a digital code, 212 is an electric blower for generating a suction force, and 213 is an electric blower 2
Reference numeral 12 denotes a drive circuit, 214 denotes a power supply circuit, and 215 denotes an AC power supply.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the user of the vacuum cleaner switches on the hose
Is pressed, the microcomputer 203 detects this, and
A signal code (digital code) is generated according to the pressed switch. Then, the microcomputer 203 emits and controls the infrared light emitting diode 104 via the driving transistor 208 based on the generated digital code, and converts the generated signal code into an infrared light signal (an operation information signal converted into a light signal). As radiation. Here, since the infrared light emitting diode 104 is arranged so as to be directed substantially vertically upward in a normal use state as described later, the infrared light emitted upward from the light emitting diode 104 is transmitted to the ceiling 1 of the room.
08 and is reflected and reaches the infrared photodiode 107 of the cleaner main body 101. The infrared light signal received by the infrared photodiode 107 is converted into a digital code by the receiving unit 211, and
09 is input. The microcomputer 209 controls the driving circuit 213 according to the signal code output from the receiving unit 211, and thereby controls the operation state of the electric blower 212.

Here, the infrared light emitting diode 104
3 will be described with reference to FIG. Hose hand 10
The infrared light emitting diode 104 attached to 9 is positioned closer to the extension tube 105 than the switches 205 to 207 (switch operation unit 103). This is so that even if the switches 205 to 207 are operated by holding the stick-shaped grip portion 301 of the hose hand portion 109, the infrared light emitting diode 104 is not covered by the hand. Also, as described above, the infrared light emitting diode 104
Is separated from the grip portion 301,
The infrared light signal emitted from the infrared light emitting diode 104 is less likely to be blocked by the upper body of the user, and can more reliably reach the ceiling.

The infrared radiation angle of the infrared light emitting diode 104 (the inclination angle with respect to the optical axis at which the light emission output relative value becomes 0.5) will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the infrared light emitting diode 104 is attached to the hose hand portion 109 so as to face substantially vertically upward in a normal use state. The infrared light emitting diode 104
It is desirable to select a product with a narrow directivity angle 401 (25 ° or less). Since the emitted infrared light is reflected by the indoor ceiling 108 and reaches the light receiving portion of the cleaner main body 101, the transmission distance of the infrared light is lengthened, and when the infrared light is reflected on the ceiling, This is because the directional angle is widened because the light is almost diffusely reflected, so that even if the directional angle is narrow, the range in which the infrared light reflected from the ceiling reaches can be sufficiently widened.

Next, a method of driving the infrared light emitting diode 104 will be described with reference to FIG. In a remote control system using infrared light, in order to avoid malfunction due to disturbance noise, a pulse modulated signal 501 obtained by modulating data by a pulse position modulation method is used, and this is further converted to a subcarrier 50.
2 for amplitude modulation. The frequency of the normal sub-carrier 502 is selected to be 33 kHz or more and 40 kHz or less, and is set to, for example, 40 kHz in the present embodiment. The data modulated by the microcomputer 203 is output as an infrared light signal by driving and controlling the infrared light emitting diode 104 by the microcomputer 203. on the other hand,
The light receiving unit 211 of the vacuum cleaner main body 101 converts the infrared light signal received by the infrared photodiode 107 into an electric signal, and amplifies only a carrier wave component by a 40 kHz band pass filter (hereinafter abbreviated as BPF). , And detects a signal component, and sends a pulse modulated signal (data corresponding to operation information) 501 to the microcomputer 209. Since the receiving unit 211 has a built-in BPF of 40 kHz, only the fundamental component of the subcarrier 502 contributes to reception. Therefore, the duty ratio of the subcarrier is set to D
If UTY ratio = Ton / (Ton + Toff), DU
When the TY ratio is 50%, the fundamental wave component 40 kHz becomes the largest. However, considering the problem of the life of the dry battery 204 and the problem of thermal destruction of the infrared light emitting diode 104, it is desirable that the DUTY ratio of the subcarrier 502 is 35% or more and less than 50%.

Next, the infrared photodiode 107
The light receiving angle (the angle at which the sensitivity is reduced by half compared to the value on the optical axis)
This will be described with reference to FIG. Infrared photodiode 107
Is disposed at a rear position on the upper surface of the cleaner main body 101 so that its optical axis faces substantially vertically upward. In addition, the light receiving angle 601 of the infrared photodiode 107 is, as shown in FIG.
Those that are at least 40 ° are selected. By doing so, the infrared photodiode 107 is placed in a position where it is unlikely to be shadowed by the hose 102 or the user, and by increasing the light receiving angle 601 to 40 ° or more, the infrared photodiode 107 is surely reflected from the ceiling 108. The incoming infrared light signal can be received.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the infrared light signal transmitted from the infrared light emitting diode 104 of the hose hand 109 is reflected by the ceiling or wall in the room, and Since it reaches the photodiode 107 and is received, the hose hand 109 and the cleaner body 1
Irrespective of the positional relationship of 01, even if a user enters between the hose hand section 109 and the cleaner main body 101, it does not hinder the transmission of infrared light. Remote control of the vacuum cleaner main body 101 can be reliably performed. This eliminates the need for wiring conventionally buried in the hose, thereby reducing the weight of the hose and improving operability.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the infrared light signal is directly transmitted to the cleaner main body 1 in a normal use state.
Another infrared light emitting diode that can be input to the 01 infrared photodiode 107 is added. In FIGS. 7 to 9, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes a stick-shaped grip portion 301 of the hose hand portion 109 which is disposed at a grip end of the grip portion 301. The infrared light emitting diode 701 is mounted such that its infrared light emission angle is substantially lower than horizontal in a normal use state.

Next, the mounting location of the infrared light emitting diode 701 and the infrared radiation angle will be described with reference to FIG. The infrared light emitting diode 701 is attached to the grip end of the grip part 301 of the hose hand part 109 as described above. This reduces the possibility that the infrared light signal radiated from the infrared light emitting diode 701 is blocked by the hose 102 and increases the possibility of reaching the infrared photodiode 107 of the cleaner main body 101. Further, the infrared light emitting diode 701 has an infrared directional angle of 80.
1 is used to select a variety (wider than 25 °). This is because the distance between the infrared light emitting diode 701 and the infrared photodiode 107 is limited by the length of the hose 102, so that the operating range is expanded more than the reach of the infrared light.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a hose hand section control circuit 201 on the hose hand section 109 side according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG.
01, together with the infrared light emitting diode 104 described above,
Under the control of the microcomputer 203, light emission and control are simultaneously performed by the driving transistor 208. Thereby, the ceiling reflected infrared light signal from the infrared light emitting diode 104,
The direct infrared light signal from the infrared light emitting diode 701 can be received by the infrared photodiode 107 at the same time, and the remote control of the cleaner main body 101 can be performed more reliably.

As described above, according to the second embodiment,
Even if the infrared light signal transmitted from the infrared light emitting diode 104 of the hose hand 109 is reflected on the ceiling or wall in the room and the state of reflection on the ceiling is poor, the hose hand 1
Since the infrared light signal from the infrared diode 701 attached to the grip end of the grip part 09 of FIG. 09 reaches and is received by the infrared photodiode 107 on the upper surface of the cleaner main body 101, the light signal from the hose hand part 109 is further increased by the light signal. Remote control of the vacuum cleaner main body 101 can be reliably performed.

In the above-described vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, the structure of the hose and the structure of the connection / connection portion between the hose base and the cleaner main body are simplified, and there is also an effect that the cost can be reduced. In addition, the wiring in the hose is disconnected, and the electrical connection failure at the connection / connection portion between the hose base and the cleaner body is eliminated, so that there is an effect that reliability is improved.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, the operation information
In different directions by the two transmitting means (or light emitting units)
By sending it toward the vacuum cleaner
In addition to transmitting operation information directly to the body,
It is possible to transmit using reflection , regardless of the positional relationship between the hose hand and the cleaner body, and even if the user enters between the hose hand and the cleaner body
It is not a hindrance to information transmission and is entered at the hose hand
The operation information makes it possible to reliably control the vacuum cleaner main body remotely .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system in the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a mounting position of an infrared light emitting diode according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an infrared directivity angle of the infrared light emitting diode according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a driving method of the infrared light emitting diode according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a light receiving angle of the infrared photodiode according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a mounting location and an infrared radiation angle of an infrared light emitting diode disposed on a grip according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a hose hand control circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Vacuum cleaner main body 102 Hose 103 Switch operation part 104 Infrared light emitting diode 105 Extension tube 106 Suction opening 107 Infrared photodiode 108 Indoor ceiling 109 Hose hand part 301 Grip part 701 Infrared light emitting diode

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Toshio Shinozaki 292 Yoshidacho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Yokohama, Japan Inside the Media Research Laboratory of Hitachi, Ltd. No. 1 Inside the Taga Plant of Hitachi, Ltd. (56) References JP-A-2-172433 (JP, A) JP-A-58-221924 (JP, A) JP-A-2-140125 (JP, A) JP Hei 6-46975 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) A47L 9/00, 9/28

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A vacuum cleaner body having an electric blower and the control means to drive the electric blower for generating a suction force, and the hose connected to the cleaner body, an extension pipe connected to the hose, a mouthpiece connected to said extension pipe is disposed in the hose grip portion of the hose, a vacuum cleaner equipped with a switch means for inputting operation information for controlling the operation of the cleaner body, First transmission means for transmitting the operation information input by a user from the hose hand portion to the cleaner body side; and for transmitting the operation information from the hose hand portion to the cleaner body side. In a direction different from the first transmitting means.
A second transmitting means for transmitting a signal to at least the first transmitting means or the second transmitting means.
As capable of receiving any of the signals of the transmitted signal from the stage, vacuum cleaner, wherein the kite and a receiving unit operable disposed in the cleaner body. 2. A vacuum cleaner body having an electric blower and the control means to drive the electric blower for generating a suction force, and the hose connected to the cleaner body, an extension pipe connected to the hose, a mouthpiece connected to said extension pipe is disposed in the hose grip portion of the hose, a vacuum cleaner equipped with a switch means for inputting operation information for controlling the operation of the cleaner body, The hose emits light to transmit the operation information input by the user from the hose hand portion to the cleaner body side .
A first light emitting unit, and a direction different from the first light emitting unit for transmitting the operation information from the hose hand unit to the cleaner body side.
A second light-emitting unit that emits light, and at least the first light-emitting unit or the second light-emitting unit
As you can receive any of the light of the al emitted light, vacuum cleaner, characterized in this <br/> and which example Bei the light receiving means wherein disposed in the cleaner body. 3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said first transmitting means is connected to said extension pipe by said switch means.
And the second transmitting means sandwiches the switch means.
A vacuum cleaner provided on a side opposite to the first transmitting means . 4. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein said first light emitting portion is located closer to said extension tube than said switch means.
And the second light emitting portion is sandwiched by the switch means.
An electric vacuum cleaner provided on a side opposite to the first light emitting unit . 5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein
And the first light emitting portion emits infrared light substantially vertically above the hose hand portion.
An infrared light emitting unit that emits light toward the
Red that radiates infrared rays from the hose hand below substantially horizontal
An external light emitting unit, wherein the light receiving means is provided on the cleaner body.
Characterized by infrared receiving means disposed on the surface side
Vacuum cleaner. 6. The method according to claim 2, 4 or 5,
And a directional angle of the second light emitting unit and a directional angle of the first light emitting unit.
And a vacuum cleaner characterized by being different. 7. The method according to claim 2, 4 or 5,
In the electric vacuum cleaner of the mounting, the directivity angle of the directional angle of the second light emitting portion of the first light emitting portion
Vacuum cleaner characterized by being wider than it. 8. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, wherein the light receiving angle of the light receiving means is set to be smaller than the directional angle of the first light emitting unit.
Vacuum cleaner characterized by having a larger size. 9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein
In an electric vacuum cleaner, control means having a microcomputer at the hose hand part and the control means
And a battery serving as a power source for the switch.
Operation information input by the microcomputer
And transmits the data to the vacuum cleaner.
Means is provided with a microcomputer, and the digital code
And the vacuum cleaner book is detected based on the digital code.
An electric vacuum cleaner wherein the electric blower is controlled by a body-side microcomputer .