Dust collection device and dust collection system

Abstract

To provide a dust collection device and dust collection system capable of faithfully acquiring log information of a vacuum cleaner.SOLUTION: A dust collection device comprises a vacuum cleaner and a dust collection station connectable to the vacuum cleaner, where the vacuum cleaner includes a first communication unit for communicating information with the dust collection station, and a first control unit, and where the dust collection station includes a second communication unit for communicating information with the vacuum cleaner and a second control unit. The first control unit includes a log storage unit for storing log information of the vacuum cleaner, the second control unit includes a time storage unit for storing time information, and the first control unit or the second control unit includes a calculation unit for adding the time information to the log information, and a correction log storage unit for storing corrected log information calculated by the calculation unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The following disclosure relates to a refuse collection device and a refuse collection system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an autonomous vacuum cleaner that is controlled to clean based on human appearance area information and current location information, and describes that this autonomous vacuum cleaner is equipped with a cleaning history data service. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-29487 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, attempts have been made to have vacuum cleaners store log information, such as user operation status and errors, and to use this information for repairs and various services. However, many conventional vacuum cleaners do not have a clock function due to cost and other factors. As a result, vacuum cleaner log information only records events, or only records the time from when the vacuum cleaner is turned on to when it is turned off. However, records only from the time the vacuum cleaner is turned on are not sufficient to be useful for repairs or service. Furthermore, conventional vacuum cleaners have small storage capacities and can only store a few pieces of information, making service and repairs time-consuming.

[0005] Taking a typical cordless vacuum cleaner as an example of a vacuum cleaner capable of storing log information, Table 1 shows an example of the operations and log information when a user uses this vacuum cleaner.

[0006] [Table 1]

[0007] First, a user attaches a battery to the vacuum cleaner (main body) (step S11). This starts powering on the control unit of the vacuum cleaner. The control unit sets this time as the reference time (0:00:00, i.e., 0:00:00), and records each event that occurs from this reference time until the time powering on the control unit is stopped (0:02:35) (steps S12 to S15). This vacuum cleaner is controlled so that powering on the control unit is automatically stopped after a certain time (e.g., 5 seconds) has elapsed since the user stopped the operation of the vacuum cleaner by pressing the stop button (steps S14 to S15). When powering on the control unit is stopped, the time on the control unit is reset. Therefore, when the user subsequently removes the battery from the vacuum cleaner, charges it, and reattaches it to the vacuum cleaner (steps S16 to S17), the control unit sets the time when powering on again as the reference time (0:00:00) again, and records each event that occurs thereafter (step S18).

[0008] If the operation start button (e.g., the weak button) is not pressed within a predetermined time after the battery is installed, the control unit cuts off power to itself and becomes non-powered. With the battery installed and in a non-powered state, when the user presses the operation start button to start operation, power is started to be supplied to the control unit. The control unit sets this time as the reference time (0:00:00, i.e., 0 hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds), and records each event that occurs from this reference time until the time power to the control unit is stopped.

[0009] In this way, in a typical cordless vacuum cleaner, the time is reset every time the power supply to the control unit is stopped (i.e., the unit is turned off). Therefore, the control unit can only retain the time from when the power supply started to when the power supply stopped and the operating status during that time, and cannot record events that occurred while the vacuum cleaner was turned off. Even for events recorded by the control unit, there are multiple reference times, so it is unclear at what point in time the event occurred. Furthermore, since cordless vacuum cleaners are held by the user while cleaning, they are required to be lightweight. This necessitates that the memory unit that can be installed in the vacuum cleaner be small, and as a result, the vacuum cleaner can only record a few events.

[0010] The autonomous vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 1 can store cleaning history information, including date and time information indicating the date and time of cleaning and cleaning intensity, in a cleaning history database. However, there is room for improvement in order to acquire log information more faithfully, as well as to achieve lower power consumption, lower costs, and lighter weight.

[0011] The present disclosure aims to provide a dust collection device and a dust collection system that can faithfully acquire log information of a vacuum cleaner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A dust collection device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a vacuum cleaner and a dust collection station connectable to the vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner comprising a first communication unit for communicating information with the dust collection station and a first control unit, the dust collection station comprising a second communication unit for communicating information with the vacuum cleaner and a second control unit, the first control unit comprising a log memory unit for storing log information of the vacuum cleaner, the second control unit comprising a time memory unit for storing time information, and the first control unit or the second control unit comprising a calculation unit for adding the time information to the log information and a correction log memory unit for storing corrected log information calculated by the calculation unit.

[0013] Another aspect of the dust collection system of the present disclosure includes the dust collection device and a server, and at least one of the dust collection station and the vacuum cleaner further includes a third communication unit that transmits the correction log information to the server.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a dust collection system comprising: a dust collection device; and a server; the dust collection device comprising: a vacuum cleaner; and a dust collection station connectable to the vacuum cleaner; the vacuum cleaner comprising: a first control unit having a log memory unit that stores log information of the vacuum cleaner; and a fourth communication unit that transmits the log information to the server; the dust collection station comprising: a second control unit having a time memory unit that stores time information; and a fifth communication unit that transmits the time information to the server; and the server comprising: a calculation unit that adds the time information to the log information; and a correction log memory unit that stores corrected log information calculated by the calculation unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a dust collection device and a dust collection system that can faithfully acquire log information of a vacuum cleaner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a simplified external view of a vacuum cleaner 100 and a dust collection station 200 that constitute the dust collection device 1. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view showing the external appearance and internal structure of a vacuum cleaner 100. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a right side view showing the exterior and internal structure of the dust collection station 200. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is an example of a block diagram of a garbage collection device 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is an example of a block diagram of a garbage collection device 1 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is an example of a block diagram of a garbage collection device 1 according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is an example of a block diagram of a garbage collection device 1 according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of a block diagram of a garbage collection system 10 according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is an example of a block diagram of a garbage collection system 10 according to a sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of a garbage collection device and a garbage collection system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments, and appropriate design changes can be made within the scope of the configuration of the present disclosure. In the drawings, identical or equivalent elements are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Only the main parts are shown in the drawings. The following description will focus on the main parts and parts related to the present disclosure.

[0018] In the following embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 100 will be described as an example of a so-called stick-type vacuum cleaner having a rod-like shape, but the vacuum cleaner 100 provided in the dust collection device 1 of the present disclosure is not limited to a stick-type vacuum cleaner and may be, for example, an autonomous vacuum cleaner (also called a robot vacuum cleaner).

[0019] (Embodiment 1) The dust collection device 1 of this embodiment includes a vacuum cleaner 100 and a dust collection station 200 connectable to the vacuum cleaner 100. Fig. 1 is a front view showing the outline of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 that constitute the dust collection device 1. Fig. 2 is a front view showing the outline of the exterior and internal structure of the vacuum cleaner 100. Fig. 3 is a right side view showing the outline of the exterior and internal structure of the dust collection station 200. Fig. 4 is an example of a block diagram of the dust collection device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0020] First, the basic structure and operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 will be described below.

[0021] The vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a suction port 120 that sucks in dust (also referred to as dust) on the floor surface, a first electric suction device 150 that sucks in the dust, a first dust collection unit 130 that stores the dust sucked by the first electric suction device 150, a dust discharge port 160 for discharging the dust in the first dust collection unit 130, a first control unit 31 that controls each member and functional unit provided in the vacuum cleaner 100, and a first communication unit 61 that communicates information with the dust collection station 200. Preferably, the vacuum cleaner 100 further comprises a connection detection unit that detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200.

[0022] 1 to 3 includes a suction port body 102 provided with a suction port 120, a vacuum cleaner body 101 that is attached above the suction port body 102 and has a generally cylindrical shape that is elongated in the vertical direction, and a grip part 103 that extends above the vacuum cleaner body 101, and a first electric suction unit 150, a first dust collection part 130, and a dust discharge port 160 are provided on the vacuum cleaner body 101. The longitudinal direction of the vacuum cleaner body 101 is defined as the vertical direction. There are no particular limitations on the locations where the first control unit 31 and the first communication part 61 are disposed, but the first control unit 31 and the first communication part 61 may be provided on the vacuum cleaner body 101 or the grip part 103, for example.

[0023] The suction port body 102 has a suction port 120 on its bottom surface. Although not shown, the suction port body 102 is provided with a rotating cleaning body (e.g., a rotating brush) and a motor that drives the rotating cleaning body. The rotating cleaning body rotates when the motor rotates.

[0024] As described above, the vacuum cleaner main body 101 includes the first electric suction device 150, the first dust collection unit 130, and the dust discharge port 160. The vacuum cleaner main body 101 also includes a battery 170 for supplying power to the first electric suction device 150 and other components. The battery 170 is provided, for example, above the first electric suction device 150. The first electric suction device 150 is made up of a fan 151 and a motor 152 that drives the fan 151. The first dust collection unit 130 communicates with the suction port 120 and the dust discharge port 160. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200, the dust discharge port 160 communicates with an opening on the first electric suction device 150 side. The first dust collection unit 130 may be, for example, a filter type that separates dust-containing air sucked in through the suction port 120 using a filter, or a cyclone type that separates dust using cyclone flow. 2 shows an example in which the first dust collecting section 130 includes a filter 140. The dust discharge port 160 includes a cover 161, and is opened and closed by the cover 161.

[0025] The grip portion 103 is provided with a first operation portion 104 (for example, an operation button) that is operated by the user.

[0026] The dust collection station 200 includes a station main body 201 and a base 202. The station main body 201 includes a collection port 220 that connects to the dust discharge port 160 of the vacuum cleaner 100 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200, a second electric suction device 250 that generates a suction force to suck dust in the first dust collection unit 130 via the collection port 220, a second dust collection unit 230 that stores the dust sucked by the second electric suction device 250, a second control unit 32 that controls each member and functional unit included in the dust collection station 200, and a second communication unit 62 that communicates information with the vacuum cleaner 100. The second electric suction device 250, the second dust collection unit 230, the second control unit 32, and the second communication unit 62 are provided within the station main body 201. Preferably, the dust collection station 200 further includes a connection detection unit that detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200. The dust collection station 200 also includes a power cord for connecting the dust collection station 200 to a utility power source.

[0027] The recovery port 220 is provided with a lid 222 and is opened and closed by the lid 222. The recovery port 220 and the second dust collecting unit 230 are in communication with each other via a dust flow path 221. The second electric suction machine 250 is disposed, for example, below the second dust collecting unit 230. The second electric suction machine 250 is composed of a fan 251 and a motor 252 that drives the fan 251. A filter 240 is disposed below the second dust collecting unit 230. In other words, the filter 240 is disposed at the communication part between the second dust collecting unit 230 and the second electric suction machine. The second control unit 32 and the second communication unit 62 are provided, for example, in the station main body 201. The lid 222 may be omitted.

[0028] When a user uses the vacuum cleaner 100, first, the user removes (also referred to as disconnecting) the vacuum cleaner 100 from the dust collection station 200. When the first control unit 31 detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 has been disconnected from the dust collection station 200, the first control unit 31 causes the battery 170 to start supplying power to the first control unit 31. This starts supplying power to the first control unit 31.

[0029] Thereafter, when the user starts operation of the vacuum cleaner 100, for example, by operating the first operating unit 104, the first control unit 31 activates the first electric suction device 150 and rotates the rotary cleaning body. Dust-containing air sucked in through the suction port 120 passes from the suction port 120 through a suction pipe and enters the first dust collecting unit 130. If the first dust collecting unit 130 is a filter type, the dust-containing air is filtered by the filter. If the first dust collecting unit 130 is a cyclone type, the dust is separated by centrifugation due to cyclone flow (swirl flow). The dust is stored in the first dust collecting unit 130. The air from which the dust has been separated is sucked in by the first electric suction device 150 and discharged outside the vacuum cleaner 100 through the exhaust port via the exhaust path of the first electric suction device 150. When the user stops operation of the vacuum cleaner 100, for example, by operating the first operating unit 104, the first control unit 31 stops the first electric suction device 150 and the rotary cleaning body.

[0030] After using the vacuum cleaner 100, when the user attaches (connects) the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, the dust outlet 160 of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the collection outlet 220 of the dust collection station 200 become connected. In FIG. 1 , an arrow indicates that the dust outlet 160 of the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the collection outlet 220 of the dust collection station 200. When the first control unit 31 detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 has been connected (also referred to as attached) to the dust collection station 200, it stops the supply of power from the battery 170 to the first control unit 31. This automatically stops the supply of power to the first control unit 31. The dust outlet 160 may be provided on the front side or the back side of the vacuum cleaner 100. In the case of a stick-type vacuum cleaner, the side closest to the user during use is the back side, and the side opposite the back side is the front side. The vacuum cleaner 100 is mounted on the dust collection station 200 so that the dust outlet 160 and the collection outlet 220 face each other, and if the dust outlet 160 is on the rear side, the rear side of the vacuum cleaner 100 is mounted facing the front of the dust collection station 200, thereby connecting the dust outlet 160 and the collection outlet 220.

[0031] When the second control unit 32 detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 has been connected to the dust collection station 200, it is preferable that the second control unit 32 charges the battery 170 provided in the vacuum cleaner 100. The vacuum cleaner 100 is provided with a terminal 105 for supplying power to the battery 170, and the dust collection station 200 is also provided with a terminal (not shown) for supplying power to the battery 170. When the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, the charging terminals come into contact with each other, and power is supplied from the dust collection station 200 side to the vacuum cleaner 100 side via this terminal.

[0032] The second control unit 32 may also perform control such that, when it detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 has been attached (connected) to the dust collection station 200, dust is collected from the vacuum cleaner 100. A state in which the second control unit 32 performs this control is referred to as an automatic collection on state. On the other hand, a state in which the second control unit 32 does not perform this control (i.e., a state in which the second control unit 32 does not collect dust from the vacuum cleaner 100 even when it detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 has been attached (connected) to the dust collection station 200) is referred to as an automatic collection off state.

[0033] In the automatic collection on state, the second control unit 32 activates the second electric suction device 250 when it detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 has been attached (connected) to the dust collection station 200. That is, when the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, the second electric suction device 250 is automatically activated. When the second electric suction device 250 is activated, dust accumulated in the first dust collection unit 130 of the vacuum cleaner 100 moves sequentially through the dust discharge port 160, the collection port 220 of the dust collection station 200, the dust flow path 221, and the second dust collection unit 230, and the dust is accumulated in the second dust collection unit 230. The dust collection station 200 may have a structure in which a paper bag is provided inside the second dust collection unit 230 and dust is collected using the paper bag. The second control unit 32 activates the second electric suction device 250 for a predetermined period of time and then stops it. The predetermined time here is appropriately set through experiments during product development, etc., depending on the maximum capacity that can be collected in first dust collecting section 130, the suction power of second electric suction device 250, etc. For example, when first dust collecting section 130 is full of dust, the time for which second electric suction device 250 operates is preferably at least the time required for all of the dust to be collected in second dust collecting section 230 and for no dust to remain in dust flow path 221, for example, approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute. After second electric suction device 250 stops, dust collection station 200 enters a standby state. This series of operations is also performed when vacuum cleaner 100 is detached from dust collection station 200 and then reattached.

[0034] On the other hand, in the automatic collection off state, when the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, the dust discharge port 160 of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the collection port 220 of the dust collection station 200 are connected, but the second control unit 32 does not operate the second electric suction device 250. In other words, even if the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, the second electric suction device 250 does not operate automatically.

[0035] Next, mainly with reference to FIG. 4, the communication unit and the control unit provided in the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 will be further described.

[0036] The vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 each include a communication unit that communicates information with each other. The communication unit included in the vacuum cleaner 100 is referred to as a first communication unit 61, and the communication unit included in the dust collection station 200 is referred to as a second communication unit 62. The first communication unit 61 and the second communication unit 62 may each be connected to a communication line via a router, a gateway, or the like, and may be able to communicate with each other via the communication line, or may be able to communicate with each other directly using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) without using a communication line. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 may each include a communication terminal, and may be configured to communicate by contacting each other's terminals when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached (connected) to the dust collection station 200, for example.

[0037] The first communication unit 61 and the second communication unit 62 may communicate information with each other when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached (connected) to the dust collection station 200, or may communicate information with each other when the dust collection station 200 and the vacuum cleaner 100 are within a certain distance. In the latter case, it is preferable that at least one of the dust collection station 200 and the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a detection unit (e.g., a sensor) capable of detecting that they are within a certain distance from each other.

[0038] The vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 each include a control unit that receives operational instructions from, for example, a user, etc., and controls the operation of various components, functional units, etc. Operational instructions from the user, etc. are not particularly limited, but include, for example, instructions to start operation (operation ON), stop operation (operation OFF), set or change an operation mode (e.g., automatic operation, low operation, high operation, full power operation), etc. The control unit included in the vacuum cleaner 100 is referred to as a first control unit 31, and the control unit included in the dust collection station 200 is referred to as a second control unit 32.

[0039] The first control unit 31 and the second control unit 32 are each configured with, for example, a CPU, an MPU, etc., and execute programs recorded in various storage units or external storage devices. The first control unit 31 and the second control unit 32 may also be a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, a storage device, etc. The various storage units are, for example, a log storage unit 51, a correction log storage unit 52, a time storage unit 53, etc., which will be described later, and can be realized by various ROMs (flash memory ROM, etc.), RAM, etc. The first control unit 31 and the second control unit 32 each include cleaning units 91, 92 that control cleaning operations (for example, suction strength, suction time, etc.) essential for collecting dust.

[0040] The first control unit 31 includes a log storage unit 51 that stores log information of the vacuum cleaner 100. The log information of the vacuum cleaner 100 is information generated in the vacuum cleaner 100 while the vacuum cleaner 100 is powered on, and specifically, information about events performed by the first control unit 31 and events performed on the first control unit 31. The log information includes, for example, the operating status of the vacuum cleaner 100, such as the operating history, operating mode, and operating time; abnormality information (error information); dust information such as the amount of dust accumulated in the first dust collection unit 130 and clogging of the first dust collection unit 130; and power information related to the remaining charge of the battery 170.

[0041] The log storage unit 51 sets the time when power supply to the first control unit 31 is started as a reference time A0, and stores, as log information, each event that occurs from this reference time A0 to a time A1 when power supply to the first control unit 31 is stopped. The time in the log storage unit 51 is reset every time power supply to the first control unit 31 is stopped, and the time when power supply is started again becomes the reference time A0 again.

[0042] The second control unit 32 includes a time memory unit 53 that stores time information. The time information is the time of the dust collection station 200. The time information may be, for example, information about the time elapsed since power was first supplied to the dust collection station 200, or absolute time information representing the actual time, or both of these may be used together as the time information. An aspect in which both of these are used together as the time information is an aspect in which the time information includes information about the time elapsed since power was first supplied to the dust collection station 200 and absolute time information representing the actual time. The absolute time information representing the actual time is output, for example, from a clock unit 70 that the dust collection station 200 may be provided with (see embodiment 2 described below).

[0043] The elapsed time information is, for example, the count of an internal clock. Since the dust collection station 200 is connected to a commercial power source via a power cord, it is normally always powered. Therefore, the count of the internal clock is a continuous number based on the time when power was first supplied to the dust collection station 200.

[0044] The vacuum cleaner 100 does not need to be equipped with a clock unit 70 that outputs absolute time information that indicates the actual time. The dust collection device 1 of this embodiment can achieve the effect of faithfully acquiring log information of the vacuum cleaner 100 even if the vacuum cleaner 100 does not have a clock unit 70, and therefore, by not having the clock unit 70 in the vacuum cleaner 100, continuous power supply to operate the clock unit 70 is not required. Therefore, the dust collection device 1 can achieve low power consumption, low cost, and light weight of the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0045] In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the time information includes information about the elapsed time since the dust collection station 200 was started to be energized.

[0046] For example, time memory unit 53 stores the time within a continuous period of time from reference time B0, which is the time when power is turned on to dust collection station 200 (i.e., the time when electricity begins to be supplied to dust collection station 200). For example, if vacuum cleaner 100 is detached from dust collection station 200 at time B1, a certain amount of time after reference time B0, and then attached to dust collection station 200 at a subsequent time B2, and then detached from dust collection station 200 at a subsequent time B3, and then attached to dust collection station 200 at a subsequent time B4, time memory unit 53 stores times B0 to B4 as times within a continuous period of time from reference time B0.

[0047] As described above, in a typical cordless vacuum cleaner, the time is reset each time power to the control unit is cut off. However, since the dust collection station 200 of this embodiment is normally always supplied with power, power to the dust collection station 200 is not cut off except, for example, when the dust collection station 200 is disconnected from the power source or when a long-term power outage occurs. The time of the dust collection station 200 of this embodiment is not reset unless the dust collection station 200 is disconnected from the power source.

[0048] When the first control unit 31 detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 has been attached (connected) to the dust collection station 200, it controls the first communication unit 61 to transmit the log information stored in the log storage unit 51 to the second communication unit 62 included in the dust collection station 200. That is, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached (connected) to the dust collection station 200, the first communication unit 61 transmits the log information stored in the log storage unit 51 to the second communication unit 62. The second control unit 32 includes a calculation unit 40 and a correction log storage unit 52 in addition to the above-mentioned time storage unit 53, and causes the calculation unit 40 to perform addition processing based on the log information received by the second communication unit 62 and the time information stored in the time storage unit 53. The correction log storage unit 52 stores the correction log information calculated by the calculation unit 40. In addition, the first control unit 31 may be configured to control the first communication unit 61 to send log information to the second communication unit 62 when it detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 are within a certain distance, and the first communication unit 61 may be configured to send log information to the second communication unit 62 when the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 are within a certain distance.

[0049] When the first communication unit 61 transmits the log information to the second communication unit 62, the first control unit 31 may delete the log information from the log storage unit 51. In this embodiment, the corrected log information is stored in the corrected log storage unit 52 provided in the dust collection station 200, so there is no problem even if the log information is deleted from the log storage unit 51 every time the log information is transmitted to the second communication unit 62. Therefore, in this dust collection device 1, the storage capacity of the log storage unit 51 provided in the vacuum cleaner 100 can be reduced, thereby further achieving a reduction in the weight of the vacuum cleaner 100. After transmitting the log information, the first control unit 31 turns off power to itself.

[0050] The calculation unit 40 adds the time information stored in the time storage unit 53 to the log information stored in the log storage unit 51. Specifically, the calculation unit 40 performs a process of linking the time of each piece of log information stored in the log storage unit 51 to each time in the time storage unit 53. The log information at the linked time in this way is referred to as corrected log information.

[0051] As described above, the time in the log storage unit 51 is usually reset every time the power supply to the first control unit 31 is stopped, and the time when the power supply is restarted becomes the reference time A0 every time. The calculation unit 40 can correspond each of the multiple reference times A0 to the time in the time storage unit 53.

[0052] For example, the corrected log memory unit 52 links the first reference time (power start time) A0 stored in the log memory unit 51, the subsequent power stop time A1, the second reference time A0, and the subsequent power stop time A1 to the times B1, B2, B3, and B4 stored in the time memory unit 53, respectively, and stores each piece of log information generated from the first reference time A0 to the subsequent power stop time A1 as each piece of information generated from the time B1 to the time B2 (corrected log information), and also stores each piece of log information generated from the second reference time A0 to the subsequent power stop time A1 as each piece of information generated from the time B3 to the time B4 (corrected log information) (see Table 2 below).

[0053] Table 2 shows an example of operations and log information when a user uses the garbage collection device 1 of this embodiment.

[0054] [Table 2]

[0055] When the user connects the dust collection station 200 to a power source (step S0), the time memory unit 53 stores this time as the reference time B0 (0:00:00, i.e., 0 hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds). The second control unit 32 counts an internal clock and advances the time (internal timer time).

[0056] When a user uses the vacuum cleaner 100, the user first removes the vacuum cleaner 100 from the dust collection station 200 (step S1). At this time, the time stored in the time memory unit 53 is time B1 (317:30:00, i.e., 317 hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds) within a continuous period of time from the reference time B0. In the vacuum cleaner 100, power is supplied to the first control unit 31. Therefore, the log memory unit 51 stores each piece of log information generated between this time as the reference time A0 (0:00:00) and time A1 (0:03:00) when power supply to the first control unit 31 is stopped (steps S1 to S6). In this embodiment, after the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200 and the log information is transmitted from the first communication unit 61 to the second communication unit 62, power supply to the first control unit 31 is automatically stopped under control of the first control unit 31 (step S6). Therefore, even if a certain time T1 (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed after the user has stopped the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 by pressing the stop button, for example, the power supply to the first control unit 31 is not automatically stopped (steps S4 to S5).

[0057] The certain time period T1 is not limited to 5 seconds, and may be 1 to 2 minutes. For example, there are cases where the user is unable to attach the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200 within 5 seconds, such as when the user stops operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 in a location away from the dust collection station 200. On the other hand, if control is performed so that power supply to the first control unit 31 is not automatically stopped until the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the dust collection station 200, if the vacuum cleaner 100 is left without being attached to the dust collection station 200, power will continue to be supplied to the first control unit 31, which would undesirably cause the remaining battery power to continue to decrease. Therefore, the certain time period T1 may be longer than 5 seconds, but is preferably at most about 5 minutes.

[0058] In step S6, when the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, the time stored in the time memory unit 53 is time B2 (317:33:00) within a continuous period of time from time B1. In the vacuum cleaner 100, since power supply to the first control unit 31 is stopped as described above, the log memory unit 51 stores that power supply to the first control unit 31 was stopped at time A1 (0:03:00) at this time. The first control unit 31 also causes the first communication unit 61 to transmit the log information stored in the log memory unit 51, i.e., each piece of log information generated between the reference time A0 and time A1, to the second communication unit 62 (steps S1 to S6). The calculation unit 40 of the second control unit 32 adds the time information stored in the time memory unit 53 to the log information received by the second communication unit 62. As a result, the correction log storage unit 52 stores each piece of log information generated between the reference time A0 and time A1 as information (corrected log information) generated between time B1 (317:30:00) and time B2 (317:33:00).

[0059] Thereafter, when the user removes the vacuum cleaner 100 from the dust collection station 200 (step S7), the time stored in the time memory unit 53 is time B3 (318:00:00) within a continuous period of time from the reference time B0. In the vacuum cleaner 100, power supply to the first control unit 31 is resumed, and the log memory unit 51 again sets this time as the reference time A0 (0:00:00) and stores each piece of log information generated up to time A1 (0:01:03) when power supply to the first control unit 31 is again stopped (steps S8 to S10). The corrected log memory unit 52 stores each piece of log information generated during the period from the reference time A0 to time A1 as information (corrected log information) generated from time B3 (318:00:00) to time B4 (318:01:03).

[0060] The dust collection device 1 of this embodiment can store log information of the vacuum cleaner 100 as events that occurred at a continuous time, and therefore can faithfully acquire log information of the vacuum cleaner 100. As described above, the dust collection device 1 can achieve the above effects even if the vacuum cleaner 100 does not have a clock unit 70, and therefore can also achieve low power consumption, low cost, and light weight. In the dust collection device 1 of this embodiment, the dust collection station 200 does not have a clock unit 70, and therefore can further achieve low power consumption, low cost, and light weight.

[0061] (Embodiment 2) In the garbage collection device 1 of this embodiment, the dust collection station 200 further includes a clock unit 70 that outputs absolute time information that indicates the actual time, and the time information stored in the time memory unit 53 includes the absolute time information output from the clock unit 70. This embodiment is otherwise similar to embodiment 1, so a description of matters common to embodiment 1 will be omitted. Figure 5 is an example of a block diagram of the garbage collection device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0062] The dust collection station 200 includes a clock unit 70 that outputs absolute time information that indicates the actual time. The absolute time information may include, for example, the year, month, day, hour, minute, and second. This absolute time information may be, for example, a radio-controlled clock, or may be in a format that allows the user to input the actual time.

[0063] The time information stored in time memory unit 53 includes absolute time information output from clock unit 70. For example, if vacuum cleaner 100 is detached from dust collection station 200 at a certain actual time C1, vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to dust collection station 200 at a subsequent actual time C2, vacuum cleaner 100 is detached from dust collection station 200 at a subsequent actual time C3, and vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to dust collection station 200 at a subsequent actual time C4, time memory unit 53 stores actual times C1 to C4 (see Table 3 below).

[0064] An example of the operation when a user uses the garbage collection device 1 of this embodiment is shown in Table 3. Note that although the year, month, and day are omitted in Table 3, the time storage unit 53 and the correction log storage unit 52 also store information on the year, month, and day.

[0065] [Table 3]

[0066] When a user uses the vacuum cleaner 100, the user first removes the vacuum cleaner 100 from the dust collection station 200 (step S1). At this time, the time stored in the time memory unit 53 is, for example, the actual time C1 (2024:01:01:17:30:00, i.e., 17:30:00, Jan. 1, 2024). Note that in the time memory unit column and the correction log memory unit column of Table 3, the "2024:01:01:" portion (i.e., information about the year, month, and day) is omitted. In the vacuum cleaner 100, power is supplied to the first control unit 31. Therefore, the log memory unit 51 sets this time as the reference time A0 (0:00:00) and stores each piece of log information generated up to time A1 (0:03:00) when power is stopped from being supplied to the first control unit 31 (steps S1 to S6). In this embodiment as well, when the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, the power supply to the first control unit 31 is automatically stopped (step S6).

[0067] In step S6, when the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, the time stored in the time memory unit 53 is the actual time C2 (2024:01:01:17:33:00). In the vacuum cleaner 100, as described above, power supply to the first control unit 31 is stopped, and therefore the log memory unit 51 stores that power supply to the first control unit 31 was stopped at this time A1 (0:03:00). The first control unit 31 also causes the first communication unit 61 to transmit the log information stored in the log memory unit 51, i.e., each piece of log information generated from the reference time A0 to time A1, to the second communication unit 62 (steps S1 to S6). The calculation unit 40 of the second control unit 32 adds the time information stored in the time memory unit 53 to the log information received by the second communication unit 62. As a result, the correction log storage unit 52 stores each piece of log information generated from the reference time A0 to time A1 as information (correction log information) generated from the actual time C1 (2024:01:01:17:30:00) to time C2 (2024:01:01:17:33:00).

[0068] Thereafter, when the user removes the vacuum cleaner 100 from the dust collection station 200 (step S7), the time stored in the time memory unit 53 is actual time C3 (2024:01:01:18:00:00). In the vacuum cleaner 100, power supply to the first control unit 31 is restarted, and the log memory unit 51 sets this time as the reference time A0 (0:00:00) again and stores each piece of log information generated up to time A1 (0:01:03) when power supply to the first control unit 31 is again stopped (steps S8 to S10). The corrected log memory unit 52 stores each piece of log information generated during the period from reference time A0 to time A1 as information (corrected log information) generated from actual time C3 (18:00:00) to actual time C4 (2024:01:01:18:01:03).

[0069] The dust collection device 1 of this embodiment can retain the log information of the vacuum cleaner 100 as if it had been generated at the actual time, regardless of whether or not power is supplied to the dust collection station 200, and can therefore faithfully acquire the log information of the vacuum cleaner 100. Furthermore, because the dust collection station 200 has the clock unit 70, the vacuum cleaner 100 does not need to have a clock unit 70. Therefore, the dust collection device 1 of this embodiment can also achieve low power consumption, low cost, and light weight.

[0070] (Embodiment 3) In the dust collection device 1 of this embodiment, the first control unit 31 includes a calculation unit 40 and a correction log storage unit 52, and when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200, the second communication unit 62 transmits time information to the vacuum cleaner 100, and the first control unit 31 causes the calculation unit 40 to perform addition processing based on the log information and the time information received by the first communication unit 61. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except for this point, so a description of matters common to the first embodiment will be omitted. Figure 6 is an example of a block diagram of the dust collection device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0071] In this embodiment, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached (connected) to the dust collection station 200, the second communication unit 62 transmits the time information stored in the time memory unit 53 to the first communication unit 61. In other words, when the second control unit 32 detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200, it controls the second communication unit 62 to transmit the time information stored in the time memory unit 53 to the first communication unit 61 included in the vacuum cleaner 100. The first control unit 31 causes the calculation unit 40 to perform addition processing based on the log information included in the log memory unit 51 and the time information stored in the time memory unit 53. The correction log memory unit 52 stores the correction log information calculated by the calculation unit 40. Here, the second control unit 32 may be configured to control the second communication unit 62 to transmit time information to the first communication unit 61 when it detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 are within a certain distance, and the second communication unit 62 may be configured to transmit time information to the first communication unit 61 when the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 are within a certain distance.

[0072] The dust collection device 1 of this embodiment can also faithfully acquire log information of the vacuum cleaner 100, as in the first embodiment. The dust collection device 1 can achieve the above effects even if the vacuum cleaner 100 does not have a clock unit 70, so it can also achieve low power consumption, low cost, and light weight. The dust collection device 1 of this embodiment can further achieve low power consumption, low cost, and light weight because the dust collection station 200 does not have a clock unit 70 either.

[0073] (Embodiment 4) The dust collection device 1 of this embodiment is similar to that of embodiment 3, except that the dust collection station 200 further includes a clock unit 70 that outputs absolute time information representing the actual time, and the time information stored in the time memory unit 53 includes the absolute time information output from the clock unit 70. The dust collection device 1 of this embodiment is also similar to that of embodiment 2, except that the first control unit 31 includes a calculation unit 40 and a correction log memory unit 52, the second communication unit 62 transmits time information to the first communication unit 61 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200, and the first control unit 31 causes the calculation unit 40 to perform addition processing based on the log information and the time information received by the first communication unit 61. Therefore, a description of matters common to embodiments 2 and 3 will be omitted. Figure 7 is an example of a block diagram of the dust collection device 1 of this embodiment.

[0074] The dust collection device 1 of this embodiment can also faithfully acquire log information of the vacuum cleaner 100, similar to the second or third embodiment. Furthermore, since the dust collection station 200 has the clock unit 70, the vacuum cleaner 100 does not need to have a clock unit 70. Therefore, the dust collection device 1 of this embodiment can also achieve low power consumption, low cost, and light weight.

[0075] (Embodiment 5) In this embodiment, a garbage collection system 10 including the garbage collection device 1 according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments and a server 80 will be described.

[0076] The dust collection system 10 of this embodiment includes a dust collection device 1 and a server 80. The dust collection device 1 includes a vacuum cleaner 100 and a dust collection station 200 connectable to the vacuum cleaner 100. The vacuum cleaner 100 includes a first communication unit 61 and a first control unit 31, and the first control unit 31 includes a log storage unit 51. The dust collection station 200 includes a second communication unit 62 and a second control unit 32, and the second control unit 32 includes a time storage unit 53. The first control unit 31 or the second control unit 32 includes a calculation unit 40 and a correction log storage unit 52. At least one of the dust collection station 200 and the vacuum cleaner 100 further includes a third communication unit 63 that transmits correction log information to the server. The dust collection device 1 is the same as the dust collection device 1 of any of embodiments 1 to 4, except that at least one of the dust collection station 200 and the vacuum cleaner 100 further includes a third communication unit 63, so explanations of matters common to embodiments 1 to 4 will be omitted.

[0077] Fig. 8 is an example of a block diagram of the dust collection system 10. Fig. 8 shows an example in which the dust collection station 200 is provided with the third communication unit 63, but the vacuum cleaner 100 may be provided with the third communication unit 63, or each of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 may be provided with the third communication unit 63.

[0078] The third communication unit 63 may be connected to a communication line via a router, a gateway, or the like and be able to communicate with the server 80 via the communication line, or may be able to communicate directly with the server 80 by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) without using a communication line. Note that the first communication unit 61 or the second communication unit 62 may also function as the third communication unit 63. In other words, the first communication unit 61 or the second communication unit 62 may have a function of transmitting correction log information to the server 80.

[0079] The server 80 includes a control unit (not shown) as a main component. The control unit is configured with, for example, a CPU, an MPU, etc., and executes a program stored in a storage device that may be provided inside the server 80 or outside the server 80. The control unit provided in the server may be a microcomputer including a CPU, a storage device, etc. The server 80 may be a cloud-type server. Furthermore, the server 80 may be capable of two-way communication with the third communication unit 63, or one-way or two-way communication with an operation terminal provided by a user or a service person, etc.

[0080] The garbage collection system 10 of this embodiment makes it possible to effectively use the log information of the vacuum cleaner 100 for repairs, various services, and the like.

[0081] (Embodiment 6) The dust collection system 10 of this embodiment includes a dust collection device 1 and a server 80. The dust collection device 1 includes a vacuum cleaner 100 and a dust collection station 200 connectable to the vacuum cleaner 100. The vacuum cleaner 100 includes a first control unit 31 including a log memory unit 51 that stores log information of the vacuum cleaner 100, and a fourth communication unit 64 that transmits the log information to the server 80. The dust collection station 200 includes a second control unit 32 including a time memory unit 53 that stores time information, and a fifth communication unit 65 that transmits the time information to the server 80. The server 80 includes a calculation unit 40 that adds the time information to the log information, and a correction log memory unit 52 that stores corrected log information calculated by the calculation unit 40.

[0082] That is, the dust collection system 10 of this embodiment differs from the dust collection system of embodiment 5 mainly in that the vacuum cleaner 100 is equipped with a fourth communication unit 64 that transmits information to the server 80, the dust collection station 200 is equipped with a fifth communication unit 65 that transmits information to the server 80, and the server 80 is equipped with a calculation unit 40 and a correction log storage unit 52. This embodiment is similar to embodiment 5 except for this point, so a description of matters common to embodiments 1 to 5 will be omitted. Figure 9 is an example of a block diagram of the dust collection system 10.

[0083] The vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 each include a fourth communication unit 64 and a fifth communication unit 65. The fourth communication unit 64 and the fifth communication unit 65 may each be connected to a communication line via a router, a gateway, or the like and be able to communicate with the server 80 via the communication line, or may be able to communicate directly with the server 80 by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) without using a communication line. The fourth communication unit 64 and the fifth communication unit 65 may be able to communicate with each other with or without using a communication line.

[0084] The fourth communication unit 64 transmits the log information of the vacuum cleaner 100 stored in the log storage unit 51 to the server 80. For example, the first control unit 31 may control the fourth communication unit 64 to transmit the log information to the server 80 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200, or may control the fourth communication unit 64 to transmit the log information to the server 80 when the dust collection station 200 and the vacuum cleaner 100 are within a certain distance, or may control the fourth communication unit 64 to transmit the log information to the server 80 based on an input by the user.

[0085] When the fourth communication unit 64 transmits the log information to the server 80, the first control unit 31 may delete the log information from the log storage unit 51. In this embodiment, the corrected log information is stored in the corrected log storage unit 52 provided in the server 80, so there is no problem if the log information is deleted from the log storage unit 51 every time the log information is transmitted to the server 80. Therefore, in this garbage collection system 10, the storage capacity of the log storage unit 51 provided in the vacuum cleaner 100 can be reduced, thereby further achieving a reduction in the weight of the vacuum cleaner 100. After transmitting the log information, the first control unit 31 turns off power to itself.

[0086] The fifth communication unit 65 transmits the time information stored in the time memory unit 53 to the server 80. For example, the second control unit 32 may control the fifth communication unit 65 to transmit the time information to the server 80 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200, or may control the fifth communication unit 65 to transmit the time information to the server 80 when the dust collection station 200 and the vacuum cleaner 100 are within a certain distance, or may control the fifth communication unit 65 to transmit the time information to the server 80 based on an input by the user, or may control the fifth communication unit 65 to transmit the time information to the server 80 simultaneously with or around the time when the fourth communication unit 64 transmits the log information to the server 80.

[0087] The server 80 includes, as its main components, a calculation unit 40 and a correction log storage unit 52. The calculation unit 40 is configured with, for example, a CPU, an MPU, or the like, and executes a program stored in a storage device that may be provided inside the server 80 or outside the server 80. The calculation unit 40 provided in the server may be a microcomputer including a CPU, a storage device, and the like. The correction log storage unit 52 stores the correction log information calculated by the calculation unit 40. Note that an embodiment in which the server 80 includes the correction log storage unit 52 also includes an embodiment in which the correction log storage unit 52 is provided in a recording medium outside the server that is accessible to the server 80.

[0088] The server 80 may be a cloud-based server. The server 80 may be capable of two-way communication with each of the fourth communication unit 64 and the fifth communication unit 65, or may be capable of one-way or two-way communication with an operation terminal or the like provided by a user or a service person.

[0089] The dust collection system 10 of this embodiment makes it possible to effectively use the log information of the vacuum cleaner 100 for repairs, various services, etc. Furthermore, in the dust collection system 10 of this embodiment, the correction log storage unit 52 is provided in the server 80 (or an external recording medium accessible to the server 80), so there is no need to provide it in the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 that constitute the dust collection device 1, and therefore it is possible to further achieve low power consumption, low cost, and light weight of the dust collection device 1.

[0090] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate. For example, some of the components shown in one embodiment may be added to the components of another embodiment, or some of the components shown in one embodiment may be deleted from the embodiment.

[0091] Furthermore, the drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the configurations of each component shown in the above embodiment are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within a scope that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1: Garbage collection device 10: Garbage collection system 31: First control section 32: Second control section 40: Calculation section 51: Log storage unit 52: Correction log storage unit 53: Time memory section 61: First Communications Department 62: Second Communications Department 63: Third Communications Department 64:Fourth Communication Department 65: Fifth Communication Department 70: Clock section 80: Server 91, 92: Cleaning department 100: Vacuum cleaner 101: Vacuum cleaner body 102: Inlet body 103: Grip part 104:First operation section 105: Terminal 120: Inlet 130:First dust collection section 140: Filter 150:First electric suction machine 151: Fan 152: Motor 160: Dust exhaust port 161: Lid 170: Battery 200: Dust collection station 201: Station body 202: Pedestal 220: Collection port 221:Dust flow path 222: Lid 230:Second dust collection section 240: Filter 250:Second electric suction machine 251: Fan 252: Motor

Claims

1. a vacuum cleaner and a dust collection station connectable to the vacuum cleaner; the vacuum cleaner includes a first communication unit that communicates information with the dust collection station, and a first control unit; the dust collection station includes a second communication unit that communicates information with the vacuum cleaner, and a second control unit; The first control unit includes a log storage unit for storing log information of the vacuum cleaner, the second control unit includes a time storage unit for storing time information, The first control unit or the second control unit is a garbage collection device comprising a calculation unit that adds the time information to the log information, and a correction log memory unit that stores the corrected log information calculated by the calculation unit.

2. the second control unit includes the calculation unit and the correction log storage unit, When the vacuum cleaner is connected to the dust collection station, the first communication unit transmits the log information to the second communication unit; The garbage collection device according to claim 1 , wherein the second control unit causes the calculation unit to perform an addition process based on the log information and the time information received by the second communication unit.

3. The garbage collection device according to claim 2 , wherein the first control unit deletes the log information from the log storage unit when the first communication unit transmits the log information to the second communication unit.

4. the first control unit includes the calculation unit and the correction log storage unit, the second communication unit transmits the time information to the first communication unit when the vacuum cleaner is connected to the dust collection station; The garbage collection device according to claim 1 , wherein the first control unit causes the calculation unit to perform an addition process based on the log information and the time information received by the first communication unit.

5. 5. The dust collection device according to claim 1, wherein the time information includes information about the time that has elapsed since power was first supplied to the dust collection station.

6. the dust collection station further includes a clock unit that outputs absolute time information representing the actual time; 5. The garbage collection device according to claim 1, wherein the time information includes absolute time information output from the clock unit.

7. the dust collection station further includes a clock unit that outputs absolute time information representing the actual time; The refuse collection device according to claim 5 , wherein the time information further includes absolute time information output from the clock unit.

8. 5. The dust collection device according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner does not include a clock unit that outputs absolute time information that indicates the actual time.

9. A garbage collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a server, At least one of the dust collection station and the vacuum cleaner further comprises a third communication unit that transmits the correction log information to the server.

10. A garbage collection device and a server are provided. The dust collection device includes a vacuum cleaner and a dust collection station connectable to the vacuum cleaner; the vacuum cleaner comprises: a first control unit including a log storage unit that stores log information of the vacuum cleaner; and a fourth communication unit that transmits the log information to the server; the dust collection station includes a second control unit including a time memory unit that stores time information; and a fifth communication unit that transmits the time information to the server, The server is a garbage collection system comprising a calculation unit that adds the time information to the log information, and a correction log storage unit that stores the corrected log information calculated by the calculation unit.

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