vacuum cleaner

Abstract

To provide a vacuum cleaner that can save power, while stabilizing control of a motor.SOLUTION: A vacuum cleaner includes a motor 12, a rotary cleaning body 11 rotated by the motor 12, and control means for controlling the motor 12. The control means performs a decrease process or an increase process of driving power of the motor 12, based on the result of determination of increase and decrease of a load current value or its related value of the motor 12. At least when a temperature is low at the start time, a criterion for determination is changed so that the decrease process is easily generated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0004] ,

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a vacuum cleaner including a rotary cleaning member rotated by a motor.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a cleaning tool used in a vacuum cleaner, a so-called active brush structure suction inlet body including a rotary cleaning member and a motor for rotating the rotary cleaning member is known. In such a suction inlet body, dust is once scraped up from the surface to be cleaned by the rotary cleaning member rotated by the force of the motor and then sucked in, so that dust can be efficiently removed from a surface to be cleaned where dust is likely to get entangled, such as a carpet.

[0003] In consideration of safety and energy saving, it is preferable to suppress or stop the rotation of the rotary cleaning member of the suction inlet body while it is separated from the surface to be cleaned. On the other hand, in a scene where dust removal performance by the suction inlet body is required, such as on a carpet, it is preferable that the rotary cleaning member rotates with sufficient torque. Therefore, when the motor is driving, when a comparison value based on the current consumption of this motor continues to be below a predetermined threshold value for a predetermined time, the driving power of the motor is decreased, and when the comparison value exceeds the predetermined threshold value, such as when the suction inlet body is on a carpet, the driving power of the motor is increased to increase the rotational torque.

[0004] In this way, in the case of a configuration that controls the behavior of the motor based on the variation of the current, for example, in winter or the like, when the internal temperature of the motor is low, the current value increases significantly, so it is assumed that it will affect the control. Therefore, it is required to stabilize the control of the driving power of the motor with respect to the variation and difference in the load current value caused by the difference in temperature that has a high correlation with the rotational load of the rotary cleaning member or the motor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a vacuum cleaner that can reduce power consumption while stabilizing motor control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vacuum cleaner of this embodiment comprises a motor, a rotating cleaning body rotated by the motor, and control means for controlling the motor. The control means controls the load current value of the motor or a related value This value is correlated with the current value calculated from the current flowing through the motor. Based on the results of the determination of increase and decrease, the motor's drive power is reduced or increased. At least the startup temperature is In any of the following cases: when the temperature is below a predetermined standard temperature; when the conditions are met under which the temperature is estimated to be lower than the predetermined standard temperature; or when the temperature is expected to be lower than the predetermined standard temperature. To make the reduction process more likely to occur, the criteria for the determination will be changed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of an electric vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing some of the internal structures of the same vacuum cleaner. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the same electric vacuum cleaner. [Figure 4] (a) is a flowchart showing the threshold setting control immediately after starting the same electric vacuum cleaner, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table of reference values ​​used in the flowchart in (a). [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of setting and controlling the threshold after the start-up of the same electric vacuum cleaner. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows another example of setting and controlling the threshold after the vacuum cleaner is started. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In Figure 1, 1 is a cleaning tool. The cleaning tool 1, also called a cleaning head, cleans the surface to be cleaned, F, such as a floor. The cleaning tool 1 comprises a case body 10. A dust collection port 100 is formed in the case body 10. A rotating cleaning body 11 is rotatably attached to the case body 10 facing the dust collection port 100. The rotating cleaning body 11 is rotated by a motor 12 to sweep up dust from the surface to be cleaned F. The motor 12 is controlled by a control means 13 shown in Figure 2. Hereafter, the front and rear directions of the cleaning tool 1 shown in Figure 1 are based on the direction as seen from the user when the user is using the cleaning tool 1. Generally, the direction away from the user is considered the front direction, and the direction approaching the user is considered the rear direction. For example, the direction of arrow FR in Figure 1 is the front direction, and the direction of arrow RR is considered the rear direction.

[0011] As shown in Figure 3, the cleaning tool 1 is used in an electric vacuum cleaner CL. In this embodiment, the cleaning tool 1 is applied to a suction-type electric vacuum cleaner CL in which dust is sucked into the separation unit 4 along with air by negative pressure generated by the drive of a suction source 3, such as an electric blower, located in the vacuum cleaner body 2 of the electric vacuum cleaner CL. The electric vacuum cleaner CL may be any type, such as a floor-running type, canister type, stick type, upright type, handheld type, or self-propelled electric vacuum cleaner. In this embodiment, the electric vacuum cleaner CL will be described using a stick-type electric vacuum cleaner as an example. In the illustrated example, the cleaning tool 1 is also called a suction port or floor brush, and is mechanically and fluidly connected to the vacuum cleaner body 2 via an extension tube 5, which is a tubular part, or a connecting tube 14, which is a connecting part connected to the case body 10. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation or suction force of the suction source 3, and the on / off switching of the rotation of the rotating cleaning body 11 or motor 12 are set by the user by operating a switch 7 on the handheld operation unit 6 for gripping operation. The vacuum cleaner body 2 is equipped with a main unit control 8 that operates the suction source 3 according to the operation set by the switch 7. The switch 7 or the main unit control 8 is electrically connected to the control means 13. The control means 13 may be located on the cleaning tool 1, but in this embodiment, at least a part of the control means 13 is incorporated into the main unit control 8. The power supply unit B of the electric vacuum cleaner CL is located, for example, on the vacuum cleaner body 2. In this embodiment, the power supply unit B is a battery or a secondary battery, but it is not limited to these, and may be a cord reel device or the like that takes power from an external power source such as a commercial power supply.

[0012] Next, the internal structure of the control means 13 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0013] The control means 13 includes a power variable unit 130 that varies the drive power of the motor 12. The power variable unit 130 may continuously change the drive power of the motor 12 or change it to one of several levels. In this embodiment, the power variable unit 130 is capable of setting the drive power of the motor 12 to one of at least several levels.

[0014] As a method for varying the drive power of the motor 12 by the power variable unit 130, for example, the drive power of the motor 12 is set according to the energizing time of the motor 12 by adjusting the energizing time of the motor 12. As an example, the power variable unit 130 sets the drive power of the motor 12 by using a PWM signal as the control signal to the motor 12, i.e., the applied voltage, and adjusting the duty cycle of the PWM signal. In other words, when the duty cycle of the PWM signal is set to 100%, the drive power of the motor 12 is maximized, and by lowering the duty cycle of the PWM signal, the drive power of the motor 12 is reduced, and the rotational speed and rotational torque of the rotating cleaning body 11 are reduced. In other words, when the power variable unit 130 increases the drive power of the motor 12, it increases the duty cycle, and when it decreases the drive power of the motor 12, it decreases the duty cycle. In this embodiment, the power variable unit 130 has multiple different duty cycles, and by selectively setting the duty cycle of the motor 12's PWM signal to one of these duty cycles, the drive power of the motor 12 can be set to multiple different drive powers.

[0015] The control means 13 or the power variable unit 130 may control the motor 12 to rotate the rotating cleaning body 11 in any direction. For example, the control means 13 or the power variable unit 130 may control the motor 12 so that the rotation direction of the rotating cleaning body 11 is fixed in one direction regardless of the direction of travel of the cleaning tool 1, or it may control the motor 12 so that the rotation direction of the rotating cleaning body 11 switches according to the direction of travel of the cleaning tool 1. In this embodiment, the control means 13 or the power variable unit 130 controls the rotation direction of the motor 12 so that the rotating cleaning body 11 rotates in a direction where the part to be cleaned F is moving from front to back, that is, in the counterclockwise direction shown by arrow X in Figure 1. In other words, in this embodiment, the control means 13 or the power variable unit 130 controls the rotation direction of the motor 12 so that the rotating cleaning body 11 rotates in a direction where it rubs against the part to be cleaned F from front to back. That is, the control means 13 or the power variable unit 130 sets the rotation direction of the motor 12 to a predetermined constant direction. In this embodiment, the rotation direction of the rotating cleaning body 11 is forward rotation or in the correct direction for the forward movement of the cleaning tool 1, that is, a direction that assists the forward movement of the cleaning tool 1, and reverse rotation or in the correct direction for the backward movement of the cleaning tool 1, that is, a direction that imposes a greater load on the backward movement of the cleaning tool 1.

[0016] Furthermore, the control means 13 includes a current detection unit 131 that detects the load current value of the motor 12. The load current value of the motor 12 is a current value that indicates the load state of the rotating cleaning body 11 rotated by the motor 12, and is correlated with the actual current value of the motor 12. The actual current value of the motor 12 is, for example, the average value of current values ​​acquired a predetermined number of times at predetermined time intervals. This actual current value is highly dependent on the duty cycle of the PWM signal of the power variable unit 130. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to make the load current value independent of the duty cycle of the PWM signal, the actual current value is obtained by dividing the actual current value by the duty cycle of the PWM signal in the power variable unit 130. That is, (load current value) = (actual current value) / (duty cycle). Thus, the load current value in this embodiment is a value calculated from the current value flowing through the motor 12. The detection period T of the load current value by the current detection unit 131 is, for example, 100 ms.

[0017] In the control and determination by the control means 13, a related value of the load current value may be used instead of, or in addition to, the load current value. As the related value of the load current value, values such as the current value itself flowing through the motor 12, a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the current value flowing through the motor 12, etc. can be considered. This predetermined value is the load current value when the rotational load of the rotary cleaning body 11 or the motor 12 is constant or substantially constant. For example, when the rotary cleaning body 11 is idling, especially when the rotary cleaning body 11 is idled for confirmation during the manufacture of the cleaning tool 1, it is set to half of the load current value of the motor 12 detected at that time. That is, the related value of the load current value is assumed to include a value calculated from the current value flowing through the motor 12 and having a correlation with this current value. Hereinafter, the "load current value or its related value" will be simply referred to as the "load current value", and the "rotational load of the rotary cleaning body 11 or the motor 12" will be simply referred to as the "rotational load".

[0018] As an example of the method for detecting the current value of the motor 12 by the current detection unit 131, a current is passed through a resistor with a small resistance value, i.e., a so-called shunt resistor, which is a detection element. The potential difference generated across the shunt resistor is amplified and input to an A / D converter, which is a conversion unit, and the output of the A / D converter is captured.

[0019] In addition, in the present embodiment, the current detection unit 131 has been described as including a current value acquisition unit that has a detection element and an A / D converter, etc., to acquire the current value flowing through the motor 12, a real current value calculation unit that calculates the real current value, and a load current value calculation unit that calculates the load current value. However, the current value acquisition unit, the real current value calculation unit, and the load current value calculation unit may each be configured as separate circuit units, they may be arbitrarily combined and configured, or a part of them may form a part of other circuit units. That is, the current detection unit 131 is not limited to being integrally provided with the current value acquisition unit, the real current value calculation unit, and the load current value calculation unit.

[0020] Furthermore, the control means 13 has a storage unit 132 such as a memory. In the present embodiment, the load current value detected by the current detection unit 131 is stored and held in the storage unit 132 each time. The load current value stored in the storage unit 132 may be updated each time a new load current value is detected, or may be held for a predetermined time and the oldest load current value may be deleted each time a new load current value is detected. In addition, the minimum value and / or maximum value of the load current value are stored in the storage unit 132. The minimum value and the maximum value may be deleted after being held for a predetermined time. Furthermore, various determination thresholds, determination values, etc. are stored in the storage unit 132. Hereinafter, the minimum value is not limited to only one minimum value, and may be a value sufficiently close to the minimum value, or any of a plurality of minimum values or peak values among the fluctuating load current values, or an average value of at least any of those minimum values or peak values. Similarly, the maximum value is not limited to only one maximum value, and may be a value sufficiently close to the maximum value, or any of a plurality of maximum values or peak values among the fluctuating load current values, or an average value of at least any of those maximum values or peak values. In addition, various data used for the control by the control means 13, such as other arbitrary thresholds, flags, programs, etc., are stored in the storage unit 132.

[0021] Also, the control means 13 has a determination unit 133. The determination unit 133 determines an increase and a decrease in the load current value based on the load current value detected by the current detection unit 131 and the past load current value stored in the storage unit 132, and determines the state of the cleaning tool 1 or the rotary cleaning body 11 from the result of the determination. Accordingly, the setting of the driving power of the motor 12 by the power variable unit 130 is controlled. The determination by this determination unit 133 will be described later.

[0022] Note that the power supply of the motor 12 and the control means 13 may be provided in the cleaning tool 1, or may be taken from the power supply unit B of the cleaner main body 2.

[0023] Next, the operation of an embodiment will be described.

[0024] During cleaning, the user grasps the handheld control unit 6 and operates the switch 7, causing the main unit control unit 8 to operate the suction source 3. The negative pressure generated by the operation of the suction source 3 acts on the extension tube 5 and cleaning tool 1 via the separation unit 4, drawing dust from the area to be cleaned into the separation unit 4 along with the air through the dust collection port 100. The user moves the cleaning tool 1 back and forth alternately with the handheld control unit 6 while it is placed on the area to be cleaned F, sequentially drawing the dust from the area to be cleaned F into the separation unit 4. The dust-laden air drawn into the separation unit 4 has the dust separated and collected in the separation unit 4. After the suction source 3 is cooled, the air from which the dust has been separated is discharged to the outside of the vacuum cleaner body 2.

[0025] Furthermore, the control means 13 uses the power variable unit 130 to activate the motor 12 of the cleaning tool 1, thereby rotating the rotating cleaning body 11. The rotation of the rotating cleaning body 11 sweeps up dust from the area to be cleaned F, and this swept-up dust is sucked into the separation unit 4 by the negative pressure acting on the dust collection port 100. The user can stop the rotation of the rotating cleaning body 11 of the cleaning tool 1 by operating the switch 7 as needed, for example, to prevent objects from getting caught in the rotating cleaning body 11.

[0026] The control means 13 may arbitrarily set the drive power of the motor 12 when it is started. However, in this embodiment, as an example, when the motor 12 is started, i.e., when the rotating cleaning body 11 is started, it is unclear whether the cleaning tool 1 is in contact with the part to be cleaned F. Therefore, considering greater safety, the control means 13 preferably starts the motor 12 with a relatively small drive power using the power variable unit 130. This causes the rotating cleaning body 11 to rotate at a low speed. Then, when the determination unit 133 determines that a predetermined increase condition has been met while the drive power of the motor 12 is relatively small, the control means 13 increases the drive power of the motor 12 using the power variable unit 130, causing the rotating cleaning body 11 to rotate at a high speed. This control is hereinafter referred to as the increase process or power increase control. Furthermore, when the determination unit 133 determines that a predetermined decrease condition has been met while the drive power of the motor 12 is relatively large, the control means 13 decreases the drive power of the motor 12 using the power variable unit 130, causing the rotating cleaning body 11 to rotate at a low speed or stop. This control is hereafter referred to as reduction processing or power reduction control.

[0027] The reduction process described above is a control aimed at reducing the rotational speed or rotational torque of the rotating cleaning body 11 by reducing the rotational speed of the motor 12 from a relatively high state. The conditions for performing the reduction process can be arbitrarily set based on the results of the determination of an increase and decrease in the load current value of the motor 12, but in this embodiment, the reduction process is performed based on the fact that it was not determined that the load current value of the motor 12 increased within a predetermined first determination time, that is, that an increase in the load current value of the motor 12 was not determined within at least the first determination time. This condition corresponds to the detection that the part to be cleaned F is a wooden floor or the like with a small rotational load, that the cleaning tool 1 did not move on the part to be cleaned F, or that the cleaning tool 1 or the rotating cleaning body 11 is away from the part to be cleaned F.

[0028] Furthermore, the above-described increase process is a control aimed at increasing the rotational speed or rotational torque of the rotating cleaning body 11 by increasing the rotational speed of the motor 12 from a relatively low state. The conditions for performing the increase process can be arbitrarily set based on the results of the determination of an increase and decrease in the load current value of the motor 12, but in this embodiment, the increase process is performed based on at least the determination of an increase in the load current value of the motor 12, followed by a determination of a decrease in the load current value, and then a determination of a further increase in the load current value; that is, at least an increase in the load current value of the motor 12 is determined, followed by a determination of a decrease in the load current value of the motor 12 within a second determination time, and then a determination of an increase in the load current value of the motor 12 within a third determination time. This condition focuses on the operation in which the user moves the cleaning tool 1 back and forth while it is in contact with the part to be cleaned F during cleaning, and corresponds to the detection that the cleaning tool 1 has moved forward, backward, and forward on the part to be cleaned F such as a carpet.

[0029] Here, the typical movement speed of the cleaning tool 1 by a typical user is 0.5 m / second, as specified in the JIS and other prescribed standards. The time it takes for a typical user to move the cleaning tool 1 forward from start to stop is approximately 0.8 to 1 second, and the time it takes for the cleaning tool 1 to move backward from start to stop or forward again is approximately 1 to 1.5 seconds. For example, the first judgment time is set as the time required for the cleaning tool 1 to complete one round trip, with an initial value of 2.0 seconds. The second and third judgment times may be the same or different, but for example, the second judgment time is set as 0.8 seconds, which is the time from start to stop, and the third judgment time is set as 1.0 second, which is the time from start to stop or forward again, with an initial value of 1.0 second.

[0030] In this embodiment, "reducing the drive power of the motor 12" or "setting it to a relatively small drive power" in the reduction process means that the control means 13 sets the drive power of the motor 12 to a predetermined first drive power of 0 or more using the power variable unit 130. The first drive power is the relatively smallest of the multiple drive powers that can be set by the power variable unit 130, or the drive power that results in a low rotational speed that is safe even if the user touches the rotating cleaning body 11. If the drive power of the motor 12 is at the first drive power and the determination conditions for the reduction process are met, the drive power of the motor 12 will be maintained as is. The first drive power set by the reduction process may differ depending on whether the part to be cleaned F is a wooden floor or the like with a small rotational load, whether the cleaning tool 1 did not move on the part to be cleaned F, or whether the cleaning tool 1 or the rotating cleaning body 11 is away from the part to be cleaned F, or any two of these may be equal and one of them may be different.

[0031] Similarly, in this embodiment, "increasing the drive power of motor 12" or "setting to a relatively large drive power" in the increase process means that the control means 13 sets the drive power of motor 12 to a predetermined second drive power with a duty cycle of 100% or less using the power variable unit 130. The second drive power is the relatively larger of the multiple drive powers that can be set by the power variable unit 130, and is greater than the first drive power. In this embodiment, the power variable unit 130 sets the duty cycle of the PWM signal for the second drive power to, for example, 100%. Therefore, if the drive power of motor 12 is at the second drive power and the determination condition for the increase process is met, the drive power of motor 12 will be maintained as is.

[0032] In this embodiment, the determination of an increase or decrease in the load current value of the motor 12 is performed by the determination unit 133 based on the fluctuation in the load current value of the motor 12 detected by the current detection unit 131 of the control means 13. Specifically, the control means 13 determines whether the load current value of the motor 12 has increased or decreased in the determination unit 133 by comparing the magnitude of a predetermined load current value of the motor 12 detected by the current detection unit 131, and / or a value calculated from the predetermined load current value, with a predetermined threshold value.

[0033] In this embodiment, the "predetermined load current value" refers to the most recent load current value within a predetermined short time from the time of determination, and preferably the latest load current value is used, but it is not limited to this, and the load current value immediately preceding the latest load current value, that is, the latest load current value stored in the storage unit 132, that is, the load current value from one detection cycle T seconds before the time of determination, may also be used. Furthermore, the immediately preceding load current value is the load current value closest to the predetermined load current value among the load current values ​​stored in the storage unit 132, that is, the load current value from the detection cycle T seconds before the predetermined load current value, but it is not limited to this, and a past load current value within a sufficiently short predetermined time, such as 2T seconds or 3T seconds before the predetermined load current value, may be used, or a value calculated from multiple immediately preceding load current values, such as the average value of load current values ​​within a predetermined time from the predetermined load current value, may also be used.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the value calculated from the load current value is a value calculated based on a predetermined load current value and the load current value immediately preceding it. This calculated value is, for example, the difference between the predetermined load current value and the load current value immediately preceding it, and / or the ratio between the predetermined load current value and the load current value immediately preceding it. In other words, this calculated value is the amount of change in the load current value, and / or the ratio of the change in the load current value.

[0035] The control means 13 then determines in the determination unit 133 that the load current value has increased in at least one of the following cases (1-a) to (1-c).

[0036] (1-a) When the load current value of the motor 12 detected by the current detection unit 131 becomes greater than a predetermined increase threshold within a predetermined increase detection time.

[0037] (1-b) When the absolute difference between the load current value of the motor 12 detected by the current detection unit 131 and the minimum load current value stored in the storage unit 132 within a predetermined increase detection time in the past, i.e., the amount of change, becomes greater than a predetermined increase threshold.

[0038] (1-c) When the ratio of the load current value of the motor 12 detected by the current detection unit 131 to the minimum load current value stored in the storage unit 132 within a predetermined increase detection time in the past, i.e., the fluctuation ratio, becomes greater than a predetermined increase threshold.

[0039] Similarly, the control means 13 determines in the determination unit 133 that the load current value has decreased in at least one of the following cases (2-a) to (2-c).

[0040] (2) When the load current value of the motor 12 detected by the current detection unit 131 falls below a predetermined decrease threshold within a predetermined decrease detection time.

[0041] (2) When the absolute difference between the load current value of the motor 12 detected by the current detection unit 131 and the maximum value of the load current value stored in the storage unit 132 within a predetermined past decrease detection time, i.e., the amount of fluctuation, becomes greater than a predetermined decrease threshold.

[0042] (2-c) When the ratio of the maximum value of the load current value stored in the memory unit 132 within a predetermined past decrease detection time to the load current value of the motor 12 detected by the current detection unit 131, i.e., the fluctuation ratio, becomes smaller than a predetermined decrease threshold.

[0043] The increase detection time and decrease detection time are predetermined short periods of time less than or equal to the first, second, and third judgment times, respectively. The increase detection time and decrease detection time may be the same or different. Also, the increase threshold and decrease threshold may have the same or different absolute values.

[0044] Here, the load current value of the motor 12 includes factors that have little correlation with the rotational load and factors that have a high correlation with the rotational load. Factors that have little correlation with the rotational load include variations in the current value of the motor 12, the internal temperature of the motor 12, and the effects of aging deterioration due to hair entanglement in the rotating cleaning body 11, etc. In the control means 13, in the decrease and increase processing, as described above, the determination unit 133 makes a determination of decrease and increase in the load current value based on a comparison of the fluctuation of the load current value of the motor 12 with the decrease threshold and increase threshold, thereby eliminating factors that have little correlation with the rotational load to some extent and improving the accuracy of the determination of decrease and increase.

[0045] However, regarding the internal temperature of the motor 12, if the internal temperature of the motor 12 is low at startup, for example, when used in winter or in cold regions, the load current value may increase significantly even at low rotational loads, which may affect the above-mentioned decrease and increase judgments. If the decrease and increase judgments are affected, this may consequently affect the decrease and increase processes as well.

[0046] Therefore, the control means 13 focuses on the temperature of the vacuum cleaner CL or motor 12 at startup and changes the criteria for determining an increase and / or decrease in the load current value in order to make the reduction process more likely to occur, at least when the temperature is low. In other words, the control means 13 relaxes the criteria for determining an increase and / or decrease in the load current value in order to perform the reduction process. Hereinafter, the "criteria for determining an increase and / or decrease in the load current value" will simply be referred to as the "criteria". "At startup" means, for example, when the user operates the switch 7 to start the operation of the vacuum cleaner CL, and includes immediately before the control means 13 starts the operation of the suction source 3 and / or motor 12, simultaneously with the start of operation, or within a predetermined time immediately after the start of operation.

[0047] "When the temperature is low" includes, for example, when the temperature is below a predetermined standard temperature, when the conditions for which the temperature is presumed to be low are met, or when the device is used in a situation where the temperature is expected to be low. Hereinafter, "temperature" refers to temperatures that correlate with the usage conditions at the start of the electric vacuum cleaner CL, such as the temperature of the vacuum cleaner body 2, the temperature of the power supply unit B, or the internal temperature of the motor 12.

[0048] Whether the temperature is below a predetermined reference temperature can be determined, for example, by comparing the measured or acquired temperature with the predetermined reference temperature. The "measured or acquired temperature" may be a temperature detected directly or indirectly by a temperature detection means such as a temperature sensor. Furthermore, if the control means 13 has a communication unit capable of communicating with external equipment, temperature information may be obtained from temperature detection means, etc., provided in other electrical equipment installed in the user's house or cleaning area. In addition, the temperature information may be the average value, maximum value, minimum value, mode, etc., of the temperature detected multiple times in a predetermined short period of time at startup.

[0049] Whether or not the conditions for a low temperature are met can be determined based on information such as whether a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the last operation of the vacuum cleaner CL, suction source 3, or motor 12; whether or not it is the first time the vacuum cleaner CL has been started that day; whether or not the user's residential area is a cold region; or whether or not the season in which the vacuum cleaner CL is used in the residential area is a cold season such as winter. For example, if the control means 13 has a communication unit that can communicate with external devices, it may use a network such as the Internet to obtain information about temperature, such as the temperature and season in the user's residential area.

[0050] Furthermore, when starting the electric vacuum cleaner CL, the temperature of the vacuum cleaner body 2, the temperature of the power supply unit B, or the internal temperature of the motor 12 are usually considered to be low, so this can be described as a "situation where low temperatures are expected." Therefore, each time the electric vacuum cleaner CL is started, the criteria for determining whether to increase and / or decrease the load current value for which the control means 13 performs the reduction process may be relaxed.

[0051] This configuration makes it possible to accurately perform a reduction process when starting up motor 12 in situations where the load current value is high due to low temperatures, such as during winter or in cold regions. Therefore, while stabilizing the control of motor 12, power saving is possible by performing reduction or increase processing as needed.

[0052] For example, changing the criteria to make a decrease more likely to occur includes increasing the absolute value of the increase threshold.

[0053] For example, if the absolute value of the increase threshold is increased, even if the increase in the load current value, its fluctuation amount, or fluctuation ratio is relatively large, it will be less likely to exceed the increase threshold, making it less likely to detect an increase in the load current value. As a result, the situation in which the control means 13 does not make an increase determination in the determination unit 133 within the first determination time will relatively increase, making it more likely for a decrease to occur.

[0054] In this embodiment, an example is described in which the criteria for making a reduction process more likely to occur are changed based on whether or not the temperature is below a predetermined reference temperature.

[0055] The reference temperature can be singular or plural. As an example, in this embodiment, a table is used that pre-associates an increase threshold or an increase / decrease amount relative to the initial value of the increase threshold with respect to multiple reference temperatures. For example, if the initial value of the increase threshold for the load current value is 1300mA, then if the startup temperature is 15℃ or lower, which is the first reference temperature, the increase threshold is raised to 1400mA, i.e., an increase of 100mA from the initial value; if the startup temperature is 10℃ or lower, which is the second reference temperature, the increase threshold is raised to 1500mA, i.e., an increase of 200mA from the initial value; and if the startup temperature is 5℃ or lower, which is the third reference temperature, the increase threshold is raised to 1600mA, i.e., an increase of 300mA from the initial value. Note that the configuration is not limited to using a table; the increase threshold may also be defined by a function whose value increases in proportion to the decrease in temperature, thereby setting the increase threshold to have a negative correlation with the increase or decrease in temperature.

[0056] This control will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 4.

[0057] As shown in Figure 4(a), the control means 13 compares the temperature TP with the reference value TB(i,0) in step S1 using the determination unit 133. In this embodiment, the reference value TB(i,j) is a table that associates the reference temperature i with the increase / decrease amount j relative to the initial value of the increase threshold, as shown in Figure 4(b), for i=0, 1, 2, 3, and j=0, 1.

[0058] In Figure 4(a), step S1 is repeated sequentially as needed, with i incrementing by 1 from i=0 to i=3. That is, if it is determined in step S1 that the temperature TP is less than or equal to the reference value TB(i,0), i.e., if step S1 is YES, i is incremented by 1 and step S1 is repeated. If it is determined in step S1 that the temperature TP is not less than or equal to the reference value TB(i,0), i.e., if step S1 is NO, the repetition is exited and the process proceeds to step S2.

[0059] Then, in step S2, the increase threshold TH is set to the initial value TD plus the reference value TB(i,1), and the control is terminated.

[0060] Thus, by changing the criteria for determining whether a decrease occurs, including increasing the absolute value of the increase threshold, it becomes less likely for an increase to occur even if the load current value, its fluctuation amount, or fluctuation ratio increases significantly, thus making it easier for a decrease to occur.

[0061] Furthermore, preferably, the control means 13 changes the judgment criteria to make it less likely for the increase processing to occur when the temperature of the vacuum cleaner CL or motor 12 is low when starting up. In other words, the control means 13 tightens the judgment criteria for performing the increase processing.

[0062] In this way, for example, when using the motor in winter or in cold regions, it becomes possible to accurately perform a reduction process when starting up in situations where the load current value of the motor 12 is high due to low temperatures. Therefore, while stabilizing the control of the motor 12, it becomes possible to reduce or increase the current when necessary, thereby saving power.

[0063] For example, changing the criteria to make increase processing less likely includes increasing the absolute value of the increase threshold.

[0064] For example, increasing the absolute value of the increase threshold makes it less likely for the load current value, or its fluctuation amount or fluctuation ratio, to exceed the increase threshold even if the increase is relatively large, thus making it less likely for an increase in the load current value to be detected. Similarly, with respect to the decrease threshold, reducing the absolute value of the decrease threshold with respect to the load current value or its fluctuation ratio makes it less likely for the decrease in the load current value or its fluctuation ratio to fall below the decrease threshold even if the decrease is relatively large. Increasing the absolute value of the decrease threshold with respect to the fluctuation amount of the load current value makes it less likely for the absolute value to exceed the decrease threshold even if the decrease in the fluctuation amount of the load current value is relatively large, thus making it less likely for a decrease in the load current value to be detected. As a result, the control means 13 reduces the situations in which the determination unit 133 determines an increase in the load current value, determines a decrease after an increase, and determines a re-increase after a decrease, thereby making it less likely for an increase to occur.

[0065] Thus, by changing the criteria for determining the load current value to make it less likely for an increase to occur, including raising the absolute value of the increase threshold, an increase detection becomes less likely even if the load current value, its fluctuation amount, or fluctuation ratio increases significantly, thus making it less likely for an increase to occur.

[0066] Furthermore, as the vacuum cleaner CL and motor 12 operate, the internal temperature of the motor 12 gradually rises. As the internal temperature of the motor 12 rises in this way, the load current value becomes smaller compared to when the internal temperature is low. In this state, if the system is designed to easily cause a decrease in power and / or to make it difficult to cause an increase in power, there is a concern that the system may unnecessarily maintain a state where the drive power is relatively small or relatively large.

[0067] Therefore, preferably, the control means 13 changes the determination criteria to make the reduction process less likely to occur, according to at least one of the following: a value or cumulative value that correlates with the temperature after startup, for example, the operating time of the vacuum cleaner CL, the operating time of the motor 12, and the cumulative value of the actual current of the motor 12. In other words, the control means 13 tightens the determination criteria for performing the reduction process. When the control means 13 changes the determination criteria that made the reduction process more likely to occur to make the reduction process less likely to occur, it preferably does not exceed the initial state or initial value.

[0068] It is assumed that the greater the operating time of the electric vacuum cleaner CL, the operating time of the motor 12, and the cumulative value of the actual current of the motor 12, the higher the internal temperature of the motor 12 will rise, and the lower the load current will be compared to when the internal temperature is low. As an example, in this embodiment, if the judgment criterion is greater than the initial value, the increasing threshold that serves as the judgment criterion for the load current is set to decrease by a predetermined amount, for example, 100mA, each time the cumulative value of the actual current of the motor 12 reaches a predetermined value, for example, 5.55mAh (=1000mA × 20 seconds).

[0069] This control will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 5.

[0070] In step S11, the control means 13 sets the integrated value S of the actual current value of the motor 12 to 0.

[0071] Next, in step S12, the control means 13 determines, using the determination unit 133, whether the increase threshold TH is greater than the initial value TD. If it is determined in step S12 that the increase threshold TH is not greater than the initial value TD, that is, if the result of step S12 is NO, then step S12 is repeated.

[0072] Furthermore, if in step S12 it is determined that the increase threshold TH is greater than the initial value TD, that is, if the answer to step S12 is YES, then in step S13 the control means 13 adds to the integrated value S a value that correlates with the actual current value C detected by the current detection unit 131, for example, a value obtained by multiplying the actual current value C by a predetermined coefficient of less than 1, which in this embodiment is one-tenth of the actual current value C.

[0073] Subsequently, in step S14, the control means 13 uses the determination unit 133 to determine whether the integrated value S is greater than a predetermined value TS, which in this embodiment is 20 mAs, or 5.55 mAh. If it is determined in step S14 that the integrated value S is not greater than the predetermined value TS, that is, if the result of step S14 is NO, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0074] Furthermore, if in step S14 it is determined that the accumulated value S is greater than the predetermined value TS, that is, if the answer to step S13 is YES, then in step S15 the control means 13 sets the accumulated value S to 0 and sets the increase threshold TH to the greater of the initial value TD and the value obtained by subtracting a predetermined amount P (in this embodiment, 100mA) from the increase threshold TH, and proceeds to step S12. The predetermined amount P and the predetermined value TS may be associated with each other and set up as a table.

[0075] In this embodiment, steps S12 to S15 are performed at each detection cycle T.

[0076] In this way, the control means 13 changes the judgment criteria in accordance with a value correlated with the temperature after startup in order to make the reduction process less likely to occur. As a result, the reduction process, which was set to occur more frequently at startup, becomes less likely to occur as the temperature rises, and the reduction process is appropriately performed when necessary.

[0077] Furthermore, by using at least one of the following values, which correlate with the temperature after startup: the operating time of the vacuum cleaner, the operating time of the motor 12, and the integrated value of the actual current of the motor 12, the temperature after startup can be estimated with accuracy, and the criteria for determining the load current value for reduction processing can be appropriately set.

[0078] Preferably, the control means 13 changes the judgment criteria to make it less likely for a reduction process to occur, depending on the load current value of the motor 12 when the cleaning tool 1 or the rotating cleaning body 11 is separated from the part to be cleaned F. As an example, changing the judgment criteria to make it less likely for a reduction process to occur includes reducing the absolute value of the increase threshold.

[0079] In this embodiment, as described above, the state in which the cleaning tool 1 or the rotating cleaning body 11 is separated from the part to be cleaned F is based at least on the fact that no increase in the load current value of the motor 12 occurred within a predetermined first determination time. In this state, the control means 13 performs a decrease process, and the actual current value and load current value of the motor 12 are considered to be at their lowest. Therefore, even if the absolute value of the increase threshold is reduced based on the load current value of the motor 12 when the cleaning tool 1 or the rotating cleaning body 11 is separated from the part to be cleaned F, there will be no disruption to the operation.

[0080] For example, reducing the absolute value of the increase threshold makes it easier for the load current value, or its fluctuation amount or fluctuation ratio, to exceed the increase threshold even if the increase is relatively small, making it easier to determine that the load current value has increased. As a result, the control means 13 will have more situations in which the determination unit 133 determines that the load current value has increased, making it less likely for the decrease process to occur.

[0081] As an example, in this embodiment, the average value of the load current value of the motor 12 when the cleaning tool 1 or the rotating cleaning body 11 is away from the part to be cleaned F is used, and the absolute value of the increase threshold is reduced so that the increase threshold is higher than this average value. The average value of the load current value is, for example, the average value of the load current value during the period when the control means 13 determines in the determination unit 133 whether or not the cleaning tool 1 or the rotating cleaning body 11 is away from the part to be cleaned F.

[0082] This control will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 6.

[0083] In step S21, the control means 13 determines in the determination unit 133 whether the increase threshold TH is greater than the initial value TD. If it is determined in step S21 that the increase threshold TH is not greater than the initial value TD, that is, if the result of step S21 is NO, then step S21 is repeated.

[0084] Furthermore, if in step S21 it is determined that the increase threshold TH is greater than the initial value TD, that is, if the answer to step S21 is YES, then in step S22 the control means 13 determines in the determination unit 133 whether the cleaning tool 1 or the rotating cleaning body 11 has moved away from the part to be cleaned F. For example, the determination unit 133 determines whether or not an increase in the load current value of the motor 12 has occurred within a predetermined first determination time T1.

[0085] If, in step S22, it is determined that the cleaning tool 1 or the rotating cleaning body 11 is not separated from the part to be cleaned F, that is, if the answer to step S22 is NO, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0086] Furthermore, if in step S22 it is determined that the cleaning tool 1 or the rotating cleaning body 11 has moved away from the part to be cleaned F, that is, if the answer to step S22 is YES, then in step S23 the control means 13 determines whether the average value C_avg of the load current value of the motor 12 at the first determination time T1 is less than the value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the increase threshold TH.

[0087] In step S23, if it is determined that the average value C_avg is not less than the value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the increase threshold TH, that is, if the result of step S23 is NO, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0088] Furthermore, if in step S23 it is determined that the average value C_avg is less than the value obtained by subtracting a predetermined set value C1 from the increase threshold TH, that is, if the answer to step S23 is YES, then in step S24 the control means 13 sets the increase threshold TH to the larger of the initial value TD and the value obtained by adding the set value C1 to the average value C_avg, and proceeds to step S21.

[0089] In this embodiment, steps S21 to S24 are performed at each detection cycle T.

[0090] Thus, when the rotating cleaning body 11 is separated from the part to be cleaned F, the load current value of the motor 12 is usually the smallest load current value. Therefore, the control means 13 changes the judgment criteria in accordance with this load current value to make it less likely for a reduction process to occur, thereby preventing any disruption to the operation of the motor 12 due to the change in the judgment criteria.

[0091] Furthermore, by changing the judgment criteria to make it less likely for a decrease to occur, including reducing the absolute value of the increase threshold, an increase judgment will be more likely to occur even if the load current value, its fluctuation amount, or fluctuation ratio does not increase significantly, thus making it less likely for a decrease to occur.

[0092] Similarly, the control means 13 changes the criteria to make the increase process more likely to occur, depending on a value or cumulative value that correlates with the temperature after startup, for example, the operating time of the vacuum cleaner CL, the operating time of the motor 12, and the cumulative value of the actual current of the motor 12, in accordance with at least one of these. That is, the control means 13 relaxes the criteria for performing the increase process. When the control means 13 changes the criteria that made the increase process less likely to occur to make the increase process more likely to occur, it preferably does not exceed the initial state or initial value.

[0093] It is assumed that the greater the cumulative value of the operating time of the electric vacuum cleaner CL, the operating time of the motor 12, and the actual current value of the motor 12, the higher the internal temperature of the motor 12 will rise, and the lower the load current value will be compared to when the internal temperature is low. As an example, in this embodiment, the increasing threshold that serves as the judgment criterion is set to decrease by a predetermined amount, for example, 100mA each time the cumulative value of the actual current value of the motor 12 reaches a predetermined value, for example, 5.55mAh (=1000mA × 20 seconds).

[0094] In this way, the control means 13 changes the determination criteria to make the increase process more likely to occur in accordance with a value correlated with the temperature after startup. This makes it possible to make the increase process, which was set to be less likely to occur at startup, more likely to occur as the temperature rises, so that the increase process is appropriately performed when necessary.

[0095] Furthermore, by using at least one of the following values, which correlate with the temperature after startup: the operating time of the vacuum cleaner, the operating time of the motor 12, and the integrated value of the actual current of the motor 12, the temperature after startup can be estimated with accuracy, and appropriate criteria for determining whether to increase the temperature can be set.

[0096] Preferably, the control means 13 changes the judgment criteria to make an increase processing more likely, depending on the load current value of the motor 12 when the cleaning tool 1 or the rotating cleaning body 11 is separated from the part to be cleaned F. As an example, changing the judgment criteria to make an increase processing more likely includes reducing the absolute value of the increase threshold.

[0097] In this embodiment, as described above, the state in which the cleaning tool 1 or the rotating cleaning body 11 is separated from the part to be cleaned F is based at least on the fact that no increase in the load current value of the motor 12 occurred within a predetermined first determination time. In this state, the control means 13 performs a decrease process, and the actual current value and load current value of the motor 12 are considered to be at their lowest. Therefore, even if the absolute value of the increase threshold is reduced based on the load current value of the motor 12 when the cleaning tool 1 or the rotating cleaning body 11 is separated from the part to be cleaned F, there will be no disruption to the operation.

[0098] For example, reducing the absolute value of the increase threshold makes it easier for the load current value, or its fluctuation amount or fluctuation ratio, to exceed the increase threshold even if the increase is relatively small, thus making it easier to determine that the load current value has increased. Similarly, with respect to the decrease threshold, increasing the absolute value of the decrease threshold relative to the load current value or its fluctuation ratio makes it easier for the decrease in the load current value or its fluctuation ratio to fall below the decrease threshold even if the decrease is relatively small. And decreasing the absolute value of the decrease threshold relative to the fluctuation amount of the load current value makes it easier for the absolute value to exceed the decrease threshold even if the decrease in the fluctuation amount of the load current value is relatively small, thus making it easier to determine that the load current value has decreased. Therefore, the control means 13 increases the number of situations in which the determination unit 133 determines an increase in the load current value, situations in which it determines a decrease after an increase, and situations in which it determines a re-increase after a decrease, thus making it easier for the control means 13 to perform an increase process.

[0099] This control can be implemented, for example, in the same manner as the flowchart shown in Figure 6 above.

[0100] Thus, when the rotating cleaning body 11 is separated from the part to be cleaned F, the load current value of the motor 12 is usually the smallest load current value. Therefore, the control means 13 changes the judgment criteria to make it easier to increase the load current value, so that the change in the judgment criteria does not cause any disruption to the operation of the motor 12.

[0101] Furthermore, by changing the criteria for triggering an increase, including reducing the absolute value of the increase threshold, an increase can be triggered even if the load current value, its fluctuation amount, or fluctuation ratio does not increase significantly, thus making it easier to trigger an increase.

[0102] The reduction and / or increase in the absolute value of the above-mentioned decrease threshold or increase threshold may be selected from a number of fixed values ​​using a pre-stored table or the like, or it may be calculated using a predetermined function or the like.

[0103] The increase process may be performed, for example, based on the determination of an increase in the load current value of motor 12, followed by a determination of a decrease in the load current value; that is, the determination of an increase in the load current value of motor 12, and then the determination of a decrease in the load current value of motor 12 within a predetermined second determination time. This condition focuses on the operation in which the user moves the cleaning tool 1 back and forth while it is in contact with the part to be cleaned F during cleaning, and corresponds to the detection that the cleaning tool 1 has moved forward and backward on the part to be cleaned F, such as a carpet.

[0104] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these embodiments. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 11 Rotating Cleaning Body 12 motors 13 Control means CL Electric Vacuum Cleaner F Area to be cleaned

Claims

1. Motor and, A rotating cleaning body rotated by the motor, The motor is controlled by a control means, The control means reduces or increases the drive power of the motor based on the result of determining an increase or decrease in a value correlated with the load current value of the motor or a related value, which is the current value flowing through the motor, and changes the determination criteria for the determination in order to make the reduction process more likely to occur in at least one of the following cases: when the startup temperature is below a predetermined reference temperature, when the conditions for which it is estimated to be lower than the predetermined reference temperature are met, or when the motor is used in a situation where it is expected to be lower than the predetermined reference temperature. A vacuum cleaner characterized by the following features.

2. The reduction process is performed based on a comparison between the load current value or the related value, the amount of change in the load current value, and the ratio of the change in the load current value, and a threshold value. The change in the determination criteria for the determination to facilitate the aforementioned reduction process includes an increase in the absolute value of the threshold. The electric vacuum cleaner according to feature 1.

3. The control means changes the determination criteria for the determination in order to reduce the occurrence of the increase process in any of the following cases: when the startup temperature is below the predetermined reference temperature, when the conditions for which the temperature is estimated to be lower than the predetermined reference temperature are met, or when the device is used in a situation where the temperature is expected to be lower than the predetermined reference temperature. The electric vacuum cleaner according to feature 1.

4. The aforementioned increase process is performed based on a comparison between at least one of the following: the load current value or the related value, the amount of change in the load current value or the related value, and the ratio of the change in the load current value or the related value, and a threshold value. The change in the determination criteria for the determination to make the aforementioned increase process less likely to occur includes an increase in the absolute value of the threshold. The electric vacuum cleaner according to feature 3.

5. The control means changes the determination criteria in order to make the reduction process less likely to occur, according to a value that correlates with the temperature after startup. The electric vacuum cleaner according to feature 1.

6. The control means changes the determination criteria for the determination in order to facilitate the increase process, according to a value that correlates with the temperature after startup. The electric vacuum cleaner according to feature 3.

7. The value correlated with the temperature after startup is at least one of the following: the operating time of the vacuum cleaner, the operating time of the motor, and the integrated value of the motor's actual current. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it is as described above.

8. The control means changes the determination criteria for the determination in order to make the reduction process less likely to occur, according to the load current value of the motor or the related value when the rotating cleaning body is separated from the part to be cleaned. The electric vacuum cleaner according to feature 1.

9. The control means changes the determination criteria for the determination in order to facilitate the increase process, depending on the load current value of the motor or the related value when the rotating cleaning body is separated from the part to be cleaned. The electric vacuum cleaner according to feature 3.

10. The reduction process is performed based on a comparison of at least one of the following with a threshold value: the load current value or the related value, the amount of change in the load current value or the related value, and the ratio of the change in the load current value or the related value. The change in the determination criteria for the determination to make the aforementioned reduction process less likely to occur includes reducing the absolute value of the threshold. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 5 or 8, characterized in that it is the same as described in the previous version.

11. The aforementioned increase process is performed based on a comparison between at least one of the following: the load current value or the related value, the amount of change in the load current value or the related value, and the ratio of the change in the load current value or the related value, and a threshold value. The change in the determination criteria for the determination to facilitate the aforementioned increase process includes reducing the absolute value of the threshold. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 6 or 9.

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