Dust collection station and dust recovery device

Abstract

To provide a dust collection station and a dust recovery device capable of enabling a user to easily choose whether or not to start automatic collection prior to initiation of the automatic collection, thereby enhancing user convenience.SOLUTION: A dust collection station connected to a vacuum cleaner to collect dust from the vacuum cleaner, the dust collection station comprising a connection detection unit configured to detect connection with the vacuum cleaner, a control unit, and a notification unit, wherein the control unit performs control to cause the notification unit to notify a user of starting automatic dust collection when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The following disclosure relates to a dust collection station and a dust recovery device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, a dust collection device has been developed that includes a vacuum cleaner and a dust collection station for installing the vacuum cleaner. The dust collection station moves dust accumulated in the connected vacuum cleaner to the dust collection station, eliminating the need for the user to empty the vacuum cleaner, thereby improving user convenience.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electric cleaning device that includes an electric vacuum cleaner and a dust collecting device to which the electric vacuum cleaner can be connected, and that is equipped with a determination means for determining the timing at which the electric blower control means of the dust collecting device starts driving the electric blower. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-217205 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional dust collection stations detect a connection when a vacuum cleaner is connected to the station and automatically begin collecting dust. Patent Document 1 discloses that a user can arbitrarily set the time period during which the dust collector's electric blower is permitted to operate. However, automatic collection is not performed outside of the permitted time period. For example, if a user arrives home late and starts cleaning late, automatic collection is not performed if the time the vacuum cleaner is connected to the dust collection station is outside the permitted time period. Therefore, even if the user wants to collect the dust from the vacuum cleaner, automatic collection is not performed. Therefore, if automatic collection is desired, the user must change the time period during which automatic collection is permitted. Thus, the conventional method of permitting automatic collection during specific time periods makes it difficult to accommodate users' flexible lifestyles.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a dust collection station and dust recovery device that allows a user to easily select whether or not to start automatic collection before the start of automatic collection, thereby improving user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the dust collection station of the present invention is a dust collection station that connects to a vacuum cleaner and collects dust from the vacuum cleaner, and includes a connection detection unit that detects connection to the vacuum cleaner, a control unit, and an alarm unit, and when the connection detection unit detects connection to the vacuum cleaner, the control unit controls the alarm unit to notify the user that automatic dust collection will begin.

[0008] A dust collection device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a vacuum cleaner and the dust collection station according to the above aspect of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present disclosure provides a dust collection station and dust recovery device that allows a user to easily select whether or not to start automatic collection before the start of automatic collection, thereby improving user convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a simplified appearance 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] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the outline of the dust collection station 200. [Figure 5] 1 is an example of a block diagram of a dust collection device 1 including a dust collection station 200 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of the dust collection station 200 of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the process of the dust collection station 200 of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a voice notification and a voice input. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of voice notification and voice input. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a notification method and an input method using a display as a notification unit and an input unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification method using a 7-segment display as a notification unit. [Figure 12] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification method using an LED as a notification unit. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is an example of a block diagram of a dust collection device 1 including a dust collection station 200 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of the dust collection station 200 of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of a dust collection station and a dust recovery device 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.

[0012] In the following embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 100 will be described as a stick-type vacuum cleaner having a rod-like shape, but the vacuum cleaner 100 is not limited to stick-type vacuum cleaners and may be, for example, an autonomous vacuum cleaner (also called a robot vacuum cleaner).

[0013] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a front view showing a simplified appearance of a vacuum cleaner 100 and a dust collection station 200 that constitute the dust collection device 1. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a simplified appearance and internal structure of the vacuum cleaner 100. FIG. 3 is a right side view showing a simplified appearance and internal structure of the dust collection station 200. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a simplified appearance of the dust collection station 200. FIG. 5 is an example of a block diagram of the dust collection device 1 including the dust collection station 200 of embodiment 1. The dust collection device 1 including the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 connectable to the vacuum cleaner 100 is also an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] First, the basic structure and operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 will be described below.

[0015] 1 and 2, vacuum cleaner 100 includes a suction port 120 that sucks in dust (also referred to as dust) on a floor surface, a first electric suction unit 150 that sucks in the dust, a first dust collection unit 130 that stores the dust sucked by first electric suction unit 150, and a dust discharge port 160 for discharging the dust in first dust collection unit 130. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, vacuum cleaner 100 includes a first control unit 31 that controls each member and functional unit provided in vacuum cleaner 100, a first communication unit 61 that communicates information with dust collection station 200, and a connection detection unit (also referred to as first connection detection unit 71) that detects connection to dust collection station 200.

[0016] The first connection detection unit 71 may be a sensor such as a near field communication (NFC) sensor, a pressure sensor, or an optical sensor.

[0017] 2, the vacuum cleaner 100 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device further 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 includes a fan 151 and a motor 152 (also referred to as a first motor) that drives the fan 151. The first dust collection unit 130 communicates with the suction port 120 and the dust discharge port 160. The first dust collection unit 130 may be, for example, a filter type that separates dust-containing air sucked through the suction port 120, or a cyclone type that separates dust using a cyclone flow. FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the first dust collection unit 130 includes a filter 140. The dust discharge port 160 includes a cover 161 that opens and closes. The grip 103 is provided with a first operation unit 104 (for example, an operation switch) that is operated by a user.

[0020] Dust collection station 200 is a dust collection station that is connected to vacuum cleaner 100 to collect dust from vacuum cleaner 100. As shown in Fig. 3, dust collection station 200 includes station main body 201 and base 202, and station main body 201 includes collection port 220 that is connected to dust discharge port 160 of vacuum cleaner 100 when vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to dust collection station 200, second electric suction machine 250 that generates suction force to suck dust in first dust collection unit 130 via collection port 220, and second dust collection unit 230 that stores dust sucked by second electric suction machine 250.

[0021] 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 (also referred to as a second 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 lid 222 may be omitted. Although not shown, the dust collection station 200 also includes a power cord for connecting the dust collection station 200 to a commercial power source.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 4, the dust collection station 200 may have a first switch 261, a second switch 262, a display unit 263, etc. The first switch 261 may be the second connection detection unit 72. Although Fig. 4 illustrates an example in which the first switch 261 is provided on the base 202, the location where the first switch 261 is provided is not particularly limited, and the first switch 261 may be provided on the station main body 201. The second switch 262 may be, for example, an input unit 82 described later. It is preferable that the display unit 263 has the function of at least one of the notification unit 81 and the input unit 82 described later.

[0023] 5, the dust collection station 200 includes a connection detection unit (also referred to as a second connection detection unit 72) that detects connection with the vacuum cleaner 100, a control unit (also referred to as a second control unit 32), and an alarm unit 81 that notifies the user. The dust collection station 200 may further include an input unit 82 through which the user inputs information such as instructions to the dust collection station 200. The second control unit 32 controls the various components and functional units included in the dust collection station 200. The second electric suction machine 250, the second dust collection unit 230, the second control unit 32, and the input unit 82 are provided in the station main body 201. The second communication unit 62, the second connection detection unit 72, and the alarm unit 81 may be provided in the station main body 201 or on the base 202.

[0024] The second connection detector 72 may be either a contact-type connection detector or a non-contact-type connection detector. The contact-type attachment detector is a physical switch or the like. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the dust collection station 200, the vacuum cleaner 100 acts on an operator of the physical switch, thereby switching the state to one of an on state and an off state. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is removed from the dust collection station 200, the vacuum cleaner 100 no longer acts on the operator of the physical switch, thereby switching the state to the other of an on state and an off state. The physical switch is, for example, a momentary push button switch. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the dust collection station 200, the vacuum cleaner 100 presses the push button of the momentary push button switch, thereby switching the state to one of an on state and an off state. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is removed from the dust collection station 200, the vacuum cleaner 100 releases the push button of the momentary push button switch, thereby switching the state to the other of an on state and an off state. The non-contact type attachment detection unit is, for example, an infrared photoelectric sensor or a distance sensor. The infrared photoelectric sensor detects whether or not an object is present at a predetermined position, and when an object is detected at the predetermined position, it determines that the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the dust collection station 200. The distance sensor detects the distance to an object near the predetermined position. When the distance sensor detects an object at the predetermined position, it determines that the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the dust collection station 200. The distance sensor is, for example, a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor. Other examples of the second connection detection unit include a near field communication (NFC), a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, etc.

[0025] The notification unit 81 includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a display unit, and a light source. The second control unit 32 notifies the user by at least one method of audio notification using the speaker, display on the display unit 263, and lighting up the light source. These notification methods may be combined. Examples of displays on the display unit include displaying letters, numbers, images, etc.

[0026] The display unit 263 may be a display such as a liquid crystal display, and a touch-type display equipped with a touch panel is preferable. Specifically, the display unit 263 may be a touch-type liquid crystal display (touch LCD) equipped with a touch panel. The dust collection station 200 can display images such as letters and pictures on the display unit 263 to notify the user.

[0027] Examples of the light source include light-emitting diodes (LEDs). For example, a light source may be arranged in two vertical segments, three horizontal segments, and two vertical segments, for a total of seven segments, and numbers may be displayed using a so-called seven-segment display. Alternatively, multiple light sources may be lined up in one direction and turned on sequentially every few seconds.

[0028] The input unit 82 preferably includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a display unit such as a display, a momentary push button switch, and a microphone. If the input unit 82 is of a type that allows voice input, the second control unit 32 preferably stores a program such as voice recognition software. If the input unit 82 includes a display, the dust collection station 200 may use one display as both the notification unit 81 and the input unit 82.

[0029] When a user uses the vacuum cleaner 100, first, the user removes (also referred to as detaching) the vacuum cleaner 100 from the dust collection station 200. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is detached from the dust collection station 200, power is not supplied from the battery 170 to the first control unit 31. When the user operates the first operating unit 104 to start operating the vacuum cleaner 100, power supply from the battery 170 to the first control unit 31 begins, and the first control unit 31 starts controlling the first electric suction machine 150.

[0030] When the vacuum cleaner 100 starts operating, 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 through a suction pipe from the suction port 120 and enters the first dust collection unit 130. If the first dust collection unit 130 is a filter type, the dust-containing air is filtered by the filter. If the first dust collection 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 collection 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 the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 by operating the first operating unit 104, for example, the first control unit 31 stops the first electric suction device 150 and the rotary cleaning body.

[0031] 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 may be attached to 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 vacuum cleaner 100 is attached with the rear side facing the front of the dust collection station 200, thereby connecting the dust outlet 160 and the collection outlet 220. Note that the user may stop the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 by, for example, pressing the stop button of the vacuum cleaner 100, and attach (connect) the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200 in a state in which power supply from the battery 170 to the first control unit 31 has been stopped. In this case, even when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached (connected) to the dust collection station 200, no power is supplied and power supply remains stopped.

[0032] 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 charging terminal 105 for supplying power to the battery 170, and the dust collection station 200 is also provided with a charging terminal 205 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 the charging terminal.

[0033] The second control unit 32 also performs control to collect dust from the vacuum cleaner 100 when it detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 has been attached (connected) to the dust collection station 200. 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.

[0034] 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. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station, the dust collection station 200 of this embodiment does not immediately start moving dust (automatic collection) from the first dust collection unit 130 to the second dust collection unit 230, but instead notifies the user that automatic collection will start before the automatic collection begins. Receiving the notification gives the user an opportunity to choose whether or not to start automatic collection, so automatic collection can be performed to suit the user's lifestyle.

[0035] 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 accumulates 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 to collect dust using the paper bag. The second control unit 32 operates the second electric suction device 250 for a certain period of time and then stops it. For example, if the first dust collection unit 130 is full of dust, the second electric suction device 250 preferably operates for at least a period of time that allows all of the dust to be collected in the second dust collection unit 230 and no dust to remain in the dust flow path 221, for example, approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute. After the second electric suction device 250 is stopped, the dust collection station 200 enters a standby state. The same series of operations are performed when the vacuum cleaner 100 is once detached from the dust collection station 200 and then reattached.

[0036] 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.

[0037] The vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 each have a control unit that controls the operation of various components, functional units, etc. The control unit provided in the vacuum cleaner 100 is referred to as a first control unit 31, and the control unit provided in the dust collection station 200 is referred to as a second control unit 32. The operation of the various components, functional units, etc. may be controlled in response to an operation instruction from, for example, a user or the like. The operation instruction from the user or the like is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an instruction to start operation (operation ON), stop operation (operation OFF), set or change an operation mode (e.g., automatic operation, weak mode, medium mode, strong mode, etc.), operation time, etc. The location where the first control unit 31 is located is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, provided in the vacuum cleaner main body 101 or the grip unit 103. The second control unit 32 is provided in, for example, the station main body 201.

[0038] 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 and a storage device, etc. The various storage units are, for example, a storage unit, a time storage unit, etc., and can be realized by various ROMs (flash memory ROM, etc.), RAM, etc.

[0039] The first control unit 31 receives an operation instruction from, for example, a user or the like and controls the suction force of the first electric suction device 150 so that the suction force is appropriate for the operation mode. In addition, in the case of automatic operation, the first control unit 31 may control the operation duration of the first electric suction device 150. The second control unit 32 controls the suction force of the second electric suction device 250. In addition, in this embodiment, the second control unit 32 starts or stops automatic collection in response to an operation instruction from a user or the like. In addition, the second control unit 32 causes the notification unit 81 to issue a notification.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] The vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 may detect the connection with each other, or either the vacuum cleaner 100 or the dust collection station 200 may detect the other. Furthermore, the first communication unit 61 and the second communication unit 62 may communicate directly, or the first communication unit 61 and the second communication unit 62 may communicate via an external storage unit such as a server.

[0043] An example of processing by the dust collection station 200 will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the dust collection station 200 of embodiment 1. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200 ("START" in Fig. 6), the second control unit 32 determines in step S1-1 whether the second connection detection unit 72 has detected connection with the vacuum cleaner 100. If the second connection detection unit 72 detects connection with the vacuum cleaner 100 in step S1-1, the determination is "Yes." If the second connection detection unit 72 does not detect connection with the vacuum cleaner 100 in step S1-1, the determination is "No," and the second control unit 32 continues making the determination for a certain period of time.

[0044] When the second connection detection unit 72 detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100, that is, when the determination in step S1-1 is "Yes," the second control unit 32 controls the notification unit 81 to notify the user that the vacuum cleaner 100 has been connected in step S1-2, and controls the notification unit 81 to notify the user that automatic dust collection will begin in step S1-3. Note that step S1-2 may not be performed, and the second control unit 32 may control the notification unit 81 to notify the user that automatic dust collection will begin when the second connection detection unit 72 detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0045] After notifying the user that automatic collection will start in step S1-3, the second control unit 32 starts counting a predetermined time until automatic collection starts in step S1-4, and determines whether the predetermined time has elapsed in step S1-5. The predetermined time until automatic collection starts is, for example, about 15 seconds to 3 minutes. The second control unit 32 may cause the notification unit 81 to issue a notification corresponding to the count in step S1-4. If the method for notifying the user that automatic collection will start in step S1-3 is audio notification, the audio notification that automatic collection will start may be issued repeatedly until the predetermined time in FIGS. 6 and 7 has elapsed, or may be issued just once.

[0046] If the user inputs information to stop automatic collection to the input unit 82 in step S1-6 before the predetermined time has elapsed ("No" in step S1-5), i.e., if the result is determined to be "Yes," the second control unit 32 performs control not to perform automatic collection. Specifically, the second control unit 32 stops counting the predetermined time and initializes the count in step S1-7, and causes the notification unit 81 to notify the user of the suspension of automatic collection in step S1-8.

[0047] If the user does not input information to stop automatic collection into the input unit 82, the second control unit 32 repeats the determination in step S1-5 until a predetermined time has elapsed, and when the predetermined time has elapsed since the notification unit 81 notified the user that automatic collection of dust will begin, that is, when the determination is "Yes" in step S1-5, the second control unit 32 causes the notification unit 81 to notify the user of the start of automatic collection in step S1-9, starts automatic collection in step S1-10, and ends automatic collection in step S1-11. Note that step S1-9 may not be performed, and the second control unit 32 may perform control to start automatic collection in step S1-10 without notifying the user after the predetermined time has elapsed in step S1-5.

[0048] After the automatic collection of dust is started in step S1-10, if the user inputs information to stop the automatic collection into the input unit 82, the second control unit 32 may perform control to stop the automatic collection.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing of the dust collection station 200 of the first embodiment. Steps S1-1 to S1-4 are similar to those shown in FIG. 6 , and therefore will not be described again. Even if information to stop automatic collection is not input in step S1-6 within a predetermined time after the notification unit 81 notifies the user in step S1-5 that automatic dust collection will begin, i.e., even if step S1-6 is determined to be “No,” the second control unit 32 may control the start of automatic collection in step S1-10 when the user inputs information to start automatic collection into the input unit 82 in step S1-6-1. The second control unit 32 may also notify the user of the start of automatic collection in step S1-9 before S1-10. If the user does not input information to start automatic collection into the input unit 82 within the predetermined time in step S1-6-1, the second control unit 32 repeats the determinations in steps S1-6 and S1-6-1 until the predetermined time has elapsed, and then proceeds to step S1-9. Steps S1-9 and onwards are the same as in FIG. 6, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0050] 8 to 12, the method of notifying the start of automatic collection in step S1-3, the method of notifying the counting of the predetermined time until the start of automatic collection in step S1-4, and the method of inputting information such as instructions from the user in step S1-6 or step S1-6-1 will be specifically described below. The following illustrates an example in which the predetermined time until the start of automatic collection is 30 seconds. Note that the predetermined time may be set arbitrarily by the user, or may be set at the factory based on experiments or the like and cannot be changed by the user.

[0051] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of voice notification and voice input. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of voice notification and voice input. When voice input is used, the dust collection station 200 preferably includes, in addition to a microphone as the input unit 82, voice recognition software or the like that recognizes voice input from the microphone. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the dust collection station 200 notifies the user of the start of automatic collection and the predetermined time until the start of automatic collection by, for example, using a speaker, a voice notification such as "Dust suction will start in 30 seconds." When the user who received the notification gives a voice input command to stop automatic collection, such as "Stop," as shown in FIG. 8, the second control unit 32 determines "Yes" in step S1-6 of FIGS. 6 and 7 and controls to stop automatic collection from step S1-7 onwards. When the user gives a voice input command to start automatic collection, such as "Please," as shown in FIG. 9, the second control unit 32 determines "Yes" in step S1-6-1 of FIG. 7 and controls to start automatic collection from step S1-9 onwards. Other examples of voices instructing the automatic collection to stop include "No," "I don't want it," "It's not necessary," and "Stop," while other examples of voices instructing the automatic collection to start include "OK," "Got it," "I understand," and "Start."

[0052] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification method and an input method using a display as the notification unit and the input unit. As shown in FIG. 10 , when a display is used as the notification unit 81 and the input unit 82, the dust collection station 200 notifies the user of the start of automatic collection by displaying, for example, "Suction of dust will start in 30 seconds" on a touch-sensitive display. It also notifies the user of the remaining time until the start of automatic collection by counting down from 30 seconds and displaying the remaining time on the display. Icons such as "Start" and "Stop" are displayed on the display. When the user touches the "Stop" icon after receiving the notification, the second control unit 32 determines "Yes" in step S1-6 of FIGS. 6 and 7 and performs control to stop automatic collection from step S1-7 onward. When the user touches the "Start" icon, the second control unit 32 determines "Yes" in step S1-6-1 of FIG. 7 and performs control to start automatic collection from step S1-9 onward. Even when a display is used as the notification unit and the input unit, audio notification and audio input may be used in combination.

[0053] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification method using a seven-segment display as the notification unit. The dust collection station 200 may use, for example, a seven-segment display as the notification unit 81 to count and notify the remaining time until the start of automatic collection. When the displayed remaining time reaches 0 seconds, the second control unit 32 determines "Yes" in step S1-5 of FIGS. 6 and 7 and performs control to start automatic collection from step S1-9 onwards. When the dust collection station 200 uses a seven-segment display, the second control unit 32 may also notify the start of automatic collection by audio notification. The user who receives the notification may input start and / or stop information by touching an icon displayed on the display, by pressing a physical switch such as the second switch 262, or by audio input.

[0054] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification method using an LED as the notification unit. The dust collection station 200 may have, for example, multiple LEDs arranged in a row as the notification unit 81, and the second control unit 32 may count and notify the remaining time until the start of automatic collection by sequentially lighting the LEDs. As shown in FIG. 12, if the notification unit 81 has five LEDs, when the second connection detection unit 72 detects connection with the vacuum cleaner 100, the second control unit 32 lights all five LEDs. For example, the second control unit 32 blinks the five LEDs sequentially from left to right for six seconds each, and then turns them off after six seconds. In this way, the LEDs are blinked and turned off sequentially from left to right every six seconds. When the rightmost LED turns off, the second control unit 32 determines "Yes" in step S1-5 of FIGS. 6 and 7 and performs control to start automatic collection from step S1-9 onwards. If the user presses a stop switch on the right side (e.g., the second switch 262) before automatic collection starts, the second control unit 32 determines "Yes" in step S1-6 in FIGS. 6 and 7 and performs control to stop automatic collection from step S1-7 onward. When notifying by lighting an LED, the dust collection station 200 may also notify the start of automatic collection by audio notification. While FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which the user inputs information to stop collection by pressing an operation switch, the user may also input information to start and / or stop collection by touching an icon displayed on the display or by audio input. The first to third LEDs from the left may be green, the fourth LED from the left may be yellow, and the fifth LED from the left may be red, so that the user can recognize by color that the remaining time until automatic collection starts is short. In the above example, the predetermined time is set to 30 seconds, and five LEDs are flashed for 6 seconds each. However, the predetermined time does not have to be limited to 30 seconds, and the number of LEDs does not have to be limited to five. Furthermore, the blinking time of one LED does not have to be limited to six seconds.

[0055] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 13 is an example of a block diagram of a dust collection device 1 including a dust collection station 200 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 13, the dust collection station 200 further includes a time storage unit 51 that stores an automatic collection prohibition time period during which the automatic collection control is not performed. A user can set a time period during which the automatic collection control is not performed (for example, nighttime) as the automatic collection prohibition time period in advance. The configuration other than the time storage unit 51 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0056] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the dust collection station 200 of embodiment 2. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200 ("START" in Fig. 14), the second control unit 32 determines in step S2-1 whether the second connection detection unit 72 has detected connection with the vacuum cleaner 100, and if connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 is detected, in step S2-2 the second control unit 32 controls the notification unit 81 to notify the user that the vacuum cleaner 100 has been connected, and then in step S2-3 the second control unit 32 controls the notification unit 81 to notify the user that automatic collection of dust will begin. Steps S2-1 to S2-3 are the same as steps S1-1 to S1-3 of embodiment 1, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that step S2-2 may be omitted.

[0057] In the second embodiment, when the second connection detection unit 72 detects connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 during the automatic collection prohibited time period, the second control unit 32 controls the notification unit 81 to notify the user in step S2-4 that the automatic collection prohibited time period is in effect. Notifying the user that the automatic collection prohibited time period allows the user to select whether or not to perform automatic collection, and further improves convenience.

[0058] Notification during the automatic collection prohibited time period is preferably made by a visually recognizable notification method rather than by audio notification. Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the second connection detection unit 72 detects connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 during the automatic collection prohibited time period, the second control unit 32 preferably controls the notification unit 81 to notify the user that the time period is a time period during which automatic collection will not be performed by at least one of displaying on the display unit 263 and turning on the light source, as described in the first embodiment.

[0059] After notifying the user in step S2-4 that it is a time period when automatic collection is not performed, the second control unit 32 starts counting a predetermined time in step S2-5 and determines whether the predetermined time has elapsed in step S2-6. The second control unit 32 may cause the notification unit 81 to issue a notification corresponding to the count in step S2-5.

[0060] If the user inputs information to start automatic collection into the input unit 82 in step S2-7 before the predetermined time has elapsed (the determination in step S2-6 is "No"), i.e., if the determination in S2-7 is "Yes," the control unit 32 starts automatic collection. Specifically, the second control unit 32 causes the notification unit 81 to notify the user of the start of automatic collection in step S2-8, starts the automatic collection in step S2-9, and ends the automatic collection in step S2-10 after the automatic collection is completed. Note that step S2-8 may be omitted, and the second control unit 32 may control the start of automatic collection in step S2-9 without notifying the user when the user inputs information to start automatic collection in step S2-7. The user may input the start information by, for example, touching an icon such as "Start" displayed on the display. Furthermore, if the second switch 262 is used as a stop switch, the dust collection station 200 may also have an additional start switch, and the start information may be input by, for example, pressing the start switch.

[0061] In step S2-6, if the user does not input information to start automatic collection into the input unit 82 before the predetermined time has elapsed, that is, if the determination is "Yes," the second control unit 32 ends the process without performing automatic collection. In the second embodiment, automatic collection does not start unless the user inputs an instruction to start automatic collection, thereby improving convenience during automatic collection prohibited time periods.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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]

[0064] 1: Dust collection device 31: First control section 32: Second control section 51: Time memory section 61: First Communications Department 62: Second Communications Department 71: First connection detection unit 72: Second connection detection unit 81: Information Department 82: Input section 100: Vacuum cleaner 101: Vacuum cleaner body 102: Inlet body 103:Gripping part 104:First operation section 105, 205: Charging terminal 120: Intake port 130:First dust collection section 140, 240: Filter 150:First electric suction machine 151, 251: Fan 152, 252: 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 250:Second electric suction machine 261: First Switch 262: Second switch 263: Display section

Claims

1. A dust collection station for connecting to a vacuum cleaner to collect dust from the vacuum cleaner, comprising: the dust collection station includes a connection detection unit that detects connection with the vacuum cleaner, a control unit, and a notification unit; When the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner, the control unit controls the notification unit to notify a user that automatic collection of dust will begin.

2. Further, an input unit is provided, When a predetermined time has elapsed since the notification unit notified the user that automatic collection of dust will begin, the control unit starts the automatic collection, The dust collection station according to claim 1 , wherein when information to stop the automatic collection is input to the input unit before the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit performs control to stop the automatic collection.

3. Further, an input unit is provided, The dust collection station according to claim 1 , wherein, after automatic collection of dust has started, when information to stop the automatic collection is input to the input unit, the control unit performs control to stop the automatic collection.

4. Further, a time storage unit for storing an automatic collection prohibition time period during which the automatic collection control is not performed is provided, The dust collection station according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner during the automatic collection prohibited time period, the control unit controls the notification unit to notify the user that the automatic collection is not performed during that time period.

5. After the notification unit notifies the user that the time period is one in which the automatic collection will not be performed, When information for starting the automatic collection is input to the input unit before a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit starts the automatic collection, The dust collection station according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit performs control not to perform automatic collection if information to start the automatic collection is not input to the input unit before the predetermined time has elapsed.

6. Further, a time storage unit for storing an automatic collection prohibition time period during which the automatic collection control is not performed is provided, The dust collection station according to claim 1, wherein when the connection detection unit detects connection of the vacuum cleaner during the automatic collection prohibition time period, the control unit controls the notification unit to notify the user that the automatic collection is not performed during that time period.

7. the notification unit includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a display unit, and a light source; The dust collection station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit notifies the user by at least one of a voice notification by the speaker, a display on the display unit, and lighting up the light source.

8. Further, a time storage unit for storing an automatic collection prohibition time period during which the automatic collection control is not performed is provided, The dust collection station of claim 7, wherein when the connection detection unit detects connection of the vacuum cleaner during the automatic collection prohibited time period, the control unit controls the notification unit to notify the user that the automatic collection is not being performed by at least one of displaying on the display unit and turning on the light source.

9. A dust collection device comprising a vacuum cleaner and the dust collection station of claim 1.

Images