Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

To provide a vacuum cleaner for enabling a user to easily recognize an end of a second operation mode.SOLUTION: A control section 8 performs control, during a first operation mode to operate an electric blower 2 by a predetermined drive current, for changing over a mode into a second operation mode to operate the electric blower 2 by a drive current larger than the predetermined drive current with a predetermined operation with respect to an operation switch 6 as a trigger, performs control to restore the first operation mode after continuity of the second operation mode for a predetermined time, and then performs reduction control to allow the electric blower 2 to be operated by a drive current smaller than the drive current for a predetermined operation regulation time during a period from the end of the second operation mode until the restoration to the first operation mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner including a control unit that controls the operation of an electric blower. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, some electric vacuum cleaners have multiple operating modes that set the suction power of the electric blower, and by selectively switching between these modes, they enable efficient cleaning depending on the type of surface to be cleaned and the amount of dust. In order to clean more efficiently, such electric vacuum cleaners also have a high-output operating mode or high-power mode that increases the suction power of the electric blower. For example, some electric vacuum cleaners switch to the high-output operating mode when a predetermined operation, such as a long press on an operating switch, is performed during operation, and when the long press on the operating switch is released and a predetermined time has passed, the high-output operating mode ends and the vacuum cleaner returns to the previous operating mode.

[0003] If the operating mode immediately preceding the high-power operating mode is a mode in which the electric blower is operated with a relatively large drive current, there is little change in the operating noise when the high-power operating mode is ended and the previous operating mode is restored, which raises concerns that the user may continue cleaning without noticing that the high-power operating mode has ended. In this case, there may be a large discrepancy between the user's cleaning intention and the actual cleaning results, causing discomfort and dissatisfaction to the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6442306 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner that makes it easy for the user to notice that the second operation mode has ended. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electric vacuum cleaner of the embodiment includes an electric blower, an operation switch for setting the operation of the electric blower, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the electric blower. The control unit switches the electric blower to a second operation mode in which the electric blower is operated at a drive current higher than the drive current triggered by operation of the operation switch while the electric blower is in a first operation mode in which the electric blower is operated at a predetermined drive current, and controls the electric blower to return to the first operation mode after continuing the second operation mode for a predetermined time, and performs reduced control to operate the electric blower at a drive current lower than the drive current for a predetermined specified operation time between the end of the second operation mode and the return to the first operation mode. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] 4 is a graph showing an example of control by the control unit of the electric vacuum cleaner. [Figure 4] 6 is a graph showing another example of control by the control unit of the electric vacuum cleaner. [Figure 5] 10 is a graph showing still another example of control by the control unit of the electric vacuum cleaner. [Figure 6] 10 is a graph showing still another example of control by the control unit of the electric vacuum cleaner. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 is a graph showing an example of control by the control unit of the electric vacuum cleaner. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a graph showing an example of control by the control unit of the electric vacuum cleaner. [Figure 11]6 is a graph showing another example of control by the control unit of the electric vacuum cleaner. [Figure 12] 10 is a graph showing still another example of control by the control unit of the electric vacuum cleaner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] In FIGS. 1 and 2 , CL denotes a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner CL has an electric blower 2 disposed in a vacuum cleaner main body 1. In this embodiment, the vacuum cleaner CL is exemplified as a suction-type vacuum cleaner that sucks dust and air into a dust collection unit 3 by using negative pressure generated by driving the electric blower 2. The dust collection unit 3 is preferably a dust collection cup or dust collection device that is detachable from the vacuum cleaner main body 1, but may also be a dust collection bag such as a paper bag or cloth bag, or a dust collection chamber. The vacuum cleaner CL may be any type, such as a floor-traveling type, a canister type, a stick type, an upright type, or a handheld type. In this embodiment, the vacuum cleaner CL is described as a stick-type vacuum cleaner. In the illustrated example, an attachment 5 is connected to the vacuum cleaner main body 1 via an air passage body 4 or directly. In this embodiment, the air passage body 4 is exemplified as a straight pipe portion such as an extension pipe. However, depending on the configuration of the vacuum cleaner CL, at least a portion of the air passage body 4 may include a hose body or the like. The attachment 5 is fluidly connected to the suction side of the electric blower 2 via the dust collection unit 3. In the illustrated example, the attachment 5 is a suction port body or a floor brush, but is not limited to this and an appropriate cleaning nozzle or the like may be used, and the attachment 5 and air passage body 4 may be detached and used depending on the object to be cleaned.

[0010] Furthermore, the electric vacuum cleaner CL is provided with an operation switch 6 that allows the user to turn on / off or switch the operation of the electric blower 2. The operation switch 6 may be singular or plural. In the example shown in the figure, the operation switch 6 is arranged on a hand operation unit 7 that is gripped and operated by the electric vacuum cleaner CL. In this embodiment, the hand operation unit 7 is arranged on the vacuum cleaner main body 1, but this is not limiting, and depending on the configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner CL, the operation switch 6 may be arranged on the air passage body 4 or the like. Furthermore, the operation switch 6 may be arranged in a position separate from the hand operation unit 7.

[0011] The electric vacuum cleaner CL is also provided with a control unit 8, which is a main body control unit that controls the operation of the electric blower 2. In the example shown in the figure, the control unit 8 is disposed in the vacuum cleaner main body 1. A microcomputer or the like is preferably used as the control unit 8.

[0012] The power supply unit 9 that generates the drive current for the electric vacuum cleaner CL is disposed, for example, in the vacuum cleaner body 1. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 9 is a battery or a secondary battery, that is, a DC power supply unit, but is not limited to this and may also be a cord reel device that draws power from an external power source such as a commercial power source.

[0013] A signal indicating an operation switching request based on a user's operation of the operation switch 6 is input to the control unit 8. The control unit 8 receives power from the power supply unit 9 and detects the remaining charge of the power supply unit 9 by acquiring information about the power supply unit 9. The control unit 8 also controls the drive current and / or rotation speed of the electric blower 2 in accordance with, for example, control of the current supply time or duty ratio, phase conduction angle, etc. of the drive circuit of the electric blower 2.

[0014] Next, the control of the operation of electric blower 2 by control unit 8 will be described.

[0015] The electric vacuum cleaner CL has a first operating mode in which the electric blower 2 is operated with a predetermined drive current, and a second operating mode in which the electric blower 2 is operated with a high-output drive current that is a drive current greater than the drive current in the first operating mode.

[0016] The first operation mode is also called a normal operation mode, etc. The first operation mode may be singular or plural. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which two first operation modes are set: one first operation mode or weak mode, which is one normal drive current as one drive current with a relatively small drive current, and another first operation mode or strong mode, which is another normal drive current as another drive current with a relatively large drive current.

[0017] The control unit 8 also has an automatic mode that automatically switches between multiple first operation modes. The conditions for switching between the first operation modes in the automatic mode may be set arbitrarily. In this embodiment, however, the first operation mode is automatically switched, for example, using the type of surface to be cleaned as a trigger. Therefore, in the automatic mode, the control unit 8 of this embodiment controls the operation of the electric blower 2 based on the type of surface to be cleaned.

[0018] For this reason, in the illustrated example, the vacuum cleaner CL is provided with a surface sensor S1 that acquires information about the surface to be cleaned, i.e., information for determining the type of surface to be cleaned. The surface sensor S1 may be configured in any manner, but may be, for example, a current sensor that acquires the current value of a motor that is an actuator for driving a rotating body that is a ground-contact body, such as a rotary cleaning body, disposed in the attachment 5, e.g., a load current value or a related value. For example, when the surface to be cleaned is relatively flat and the moving load or frictional resistance is relatively small, such as on a hardwood floor or wooden floor, the load current value of the motor is relatively small. On the other hand, when the surface to be cleaned is relatively flat and the moving load or frictional resistance is relatively large, such as on a carpet, the load current value of the motor is relatively large. Therefore, the type of surface to be cleaned can be determined by detecting the information acquired by the surface sensor S1 and changes in the information. In this embodiment, in the automatic mode, the control unit 8 responds to one first operating mode when it determines that the surface to be cleaned is a low-load cleaning surface such as flooring or a wooden floor based on information acquired by the cleaning surface sensor S1, and responds to another first operating mode when it determines that the surface to be cleaned is a high-load cleaning surface such as a carpet.

[0019] In this embodiment, the information acquired by the surface to be cleaned sensor S1 is input to the control unit 8, and the control unit 8 determines the type of surface to be cleaned. However, this is not limited to this, and the type of surface to be cleaned may be determined by the surface to be cleaned sensor S1 based on the information acquired by the surface to be cleaned sensor S1, and the determination result may be input to the control unit 8.

[0020] The controller 8 activates the automatic mode in one of the first operation modes by operating the operation switch 6 when the electric blower 2 is stopped, i.e., when the vacuum cleaner CL is off. During the automatic mode, the controller 8 switches the first operation mode based on information acquired by the cleaning surface sensor S1. Furthermore, when an operation is input to the operation switch 6 during the first operation mode, the controller 8 switches to the second operation mode, triggered by at least that operation. Furthermore, the controller 8 stops the operation of the electric blower 2, i.e., the operation of the vacuum cleaner CL, and ends the automatic mode, triggered by an operation different from the operation of the operation switch 6 during the first operation mode. That is, in the automatic mode, the controller 8 can at least switch the electric blower 2 on and off and switch to the second operation mode in response to a user's operation of the operation switch 6. Alternatively, the controller 8 may have a separate operation switch 6 for starting the electric blower 2 or switching to the first operation mode and a separate operation switch 6 for switching from the first operation mode to the second operation mode.

[0021] The operation for switching to the first operation mode (hereinafter referred to as the "predetermined operation") may be set arbitrarily, but is preferably, for example, a so-called long press operation in which the user continues to press the operation switch 6 for a predetermined specified operation time or longer, for example, one second or longer. Therefore, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which, in the automatic mode, the control unit 8 switches from the first operation mode to the second operation mode when the user long presses the operation switch 6. Furthermore, the operation for stopping the operation of the electric blower 2 may be set arbitrarily, but is preferably, for example, a so-called short press operation in which the user presses the operation switch 6 for a time shorter than the specified operation time.

[0022] The second operating mode is also called a high-output operating mode. The second operating mode is a high-power mode intended to perform intensive cleaning by increasing the output of the electric blower 2. Because the second operating mode consumes a lot of power, it only lasts for a predetermined short period of time. This "predetermined period" is longer than the specified operating time, for example, 5 seconds.

[0023] The high-power drive current of the electric blower 2 in the second operating mode may be the same or different when the control unit 8 switches from a different first operating mode to the second operating mode. In the present embodiment, an example in which the high-power drive current of the electric blower 2 is the same when switching from different first operating modes to the second operating mode will be described below. However, for example, it is assumed that a hardwood floor or wooden floor is less prone to dust entanglement than a carpet and therefore requires a smaller drive force for the electric blower 2. Therefore, the high-power drive current when switching from a first operating mode with a relatively small drive current to the second operating mode may be smaller than the other high-power drive current when switching from another first operating mode with a relatively large drive current to the second operating mode. In this case, the difference between the one normal operating current and the one high-power drive current is preferably equal to or greater than the difference between the other normal operating current and the other high-power drive current.

[0024] After the second operation mode ends, the control unit 8 returns to the first operation mode immediately before the second operation mode. For example, if an operation is input to the operation switch 6 while the vacuum cleaner is operating in another first operation mode, the control unit 8 switches to the second operation mode, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, returns to the other first operation mode. However, if the difference between the normal drive current in the restored first operation mode and the high-power drive current in the immediately preceding second operation mode is not greater than a certain level, such as in an electric vacuum cleaner CL that uses a secondary battery or a battery as the power supply unit 9 or an electric vacuum cleaner CL in which the rating of the electric blower 2 is not high, the change in operating noise of the electric blower 2 or the electric vacuum cleaner CL when returning from the second operation mode to the first operation mode is small, and the user may not notice that the second operation mode has ended and the vacuum cleaner has returned to the first operation mode.

[0025] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 8 can perform reduction control, which operates the electric blower 2 for a predetermined specified operating time at a drive current that is lower than the normal drive current in the first operating mode, from the end of the second operating mode until the return to the first operating mode. This reduction control creates a contrast in the drive current of the electric blower 2 compared to the second operating mode, and notifies the user that the second operating mode has ended through a resulting large change in the operating noise or operating sound or suction power of the electric blower 2 or the electric vacuum cleaner CL.

[0026] The timing at which the reduction control is carried out is preferably immediately after the end of the second operating mode and immediately before returning to the first operating mode, but is not limited to this, and one or more short-term controls different from the reduction control may be included after the end of the second operating mode and / or before returning to the first operating mode.

[0027] Preferably, the control unit 8 performs the reduction control when returning from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, which has a relatively large drive current, but does not perform the reduction control when returning from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, which has a relatively small drive current. In this embodiment, the reduction control is performed only when returning from the second operation mode to another first operation mode, i.e., when the drive current difference resulting from the mode change is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The reduction control is not performed when returning from the second operation mode to one first operation mode, because the drive current difference resulting from the mode change is large. Furthermore, for example, if there are three or more first operation modes, the reduction control may be performed only when the first operation mode to be returned to from the second operation mode is a first operation mode with a normal drive current greater than a predetermined threshold drive current, but not when the first operation mode is a first operation mode with a normal drive current less than the predetermined threshold drive current. Note that "not performing the reduction control" does not intend to exclude the implementation of control other than the reduction control.

[0028] In this embodiment, reduction control is performed only when switching from another first operating mode to a second operating mode and then returning from the second operating mode to another first operating mode, so the drive current during reduction control may be set to a drive current that is smaller than the other normal drive current, which is the drive current during the other first operating mode, and may be set to, for example, one normal drive current.

[0029] The "prescribed operation time" is set to be longer than the prescribed operation time required to detect a prescribed operation on the operation switch 6 and shorter than the prescribed time for which the second operation mode continues, for example, 2 seconds. The "prescribed operation time" may be a pre-fixed time, or may be a time that varies in relation to the input to the electric blower 2, for example, using a function or table.

[0030] 3 shows an example of control by the control unit 8. This example shows an example of operation when the operation switch 6 is pressed and held while operating in another first operation mode, depending on the determination result of the surface to be cleaned, and an example of operation when the operation switch 6 is pressed and held while operating in one first operation mode. Note that in the following figures, the pressed state of the operation switch 6 is indicated as a Hi signal, and the non-operated state is indicated as a Lo signal, and the determination result of the type of surface to be cleaned based on the information acquired by the surface sensor S1 is indicated as a Hi signal when it is determined to be a high-load surface to be cleaned, such as a carpet, and as a low-load surface to be cleaned, such as a wooden floor or flooring, with a Lo signal.

[0031] When the control unit 8 is operating in another first operation mode in accordance with the determination result of the type of surface to be cleaned based on the information acquired by the surface to be cleaned sensor S1 and the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer, the control unit 8 switches to the second operation mode and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a high-output drive current.

[0032] The control unit 8 ends the second operation mode when a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since switching to the second operation mode. Note that in this embodiment, by not switching to another operation mode such as the first operation mode and / or performing reduction control based on input operation of the operation switch 6 during the second operation mode, the control by the control unit 8 is prevented from becoming complicated due to the combination of many judgment conditions for deciding on control. However, for safety reasons, the operation of the electric blower 2 or the electric vacuum cleaner CL is stopped based on input operation of the operation switch 6 during the second operation mode.

[0033] When the second operation mode ends, the control unit 8 reduces the drive current of the electric blower 2 to one normal drive current through reduction control, and after a predetermined specified operation time T3 has elapsed, returns to another first operation mode, and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to another normal drive current.

[0034] In this way, the control unit 8 switches to the second operation mode when the operation switch 6 is operated while the unit is operating in the first operation mode, and after continuing the second operation mode for a predetermined time, returns to the first operation mode.By implementing reduction control to operate the electric blower 2 for a predetermined operating time with a drive current that is smaller than the normal drive current between the end of the second operation mode and the return to the first operation mode, even if the difference between the normal drive current and the high-output drive current is small, the user will be more likely to notice the end of the second operation mode based on a large change in the operating noise of the electric blower 2 or the electric vacuum cleaner CL caused by the implementation of reduction control.

[0035] In addition, when the control unit 8 is operating in another first operation mode, it switches to one of the first operation modes depending on the type of surface to be cleaned, and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to one normal drive current, and when the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer, it switches to the second operation mode and increases the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a high-output drive current.

[0036] Then, when a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since switching to the second operation mode, the control unit 8 terminates the second operation mode and returns to a first operation mode without performing reduction control, thereby setting the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a normal drive current.

[0037] In this way, control unit 8 performs reduction control when returning from the second operation mode to another first operation mode in which the normal drive current is relatively large, and does not perform reduction control when returning from the second operation mode to one first operation mode in which the normal drive current is relatively small. When transitioning from the second operation mode to one first operation mode, there is a large change in the drive current of electric blower 2, i.e., the operating noise of electric blower 2 or electric vacuum cleaner CL, and so the user is likely to notice that the second operation mode has ended based on this change in operating noise. Therefore, returning to one first operation mode without performing reduction control does not result in the inconvenience of the user not noticing that the second operation mode has ended.

[0038] Furthermore, the control unit 8 automatically switches the first operating mode depending on the type of surface to be cleaned, eliminating the need for the user to manually switch the first operating mode depending on the type of surface to be cleaned, making cleaning work easier.

[0039] Furthermore, after switching from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, if the user performs a predetermined operation on the operating switch 6 while the drive current of the electric blower 2 is being reduced by the above-mentioned reduction control, the control unit 8 may terminate the reduction control and switch to the second operating mode even before the predetermined specified operating time T3 has elapsed.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows an example of control by the control unit 8.

[0041] When the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer while the control unit 8 is operating in another first operation mode, the control unit 8 switches to the second operation mode and increases the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a high-output drive current. After the predetermined time T2 has elapsed, the control unit 8 terminates the second operation mode and uses reduction control to reduce the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a normal drive current. If the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer before the predetermined specified operation time T3 has elapsed since the start of reduction control, the control unit 8 terminates the reduction control and switches back to the second operation mode, increasing the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a high-output drive current. After the predetermined time T2 has elapsed since the high-output drive current was reached, the control unit 8 terminates the second operation mode and uses reduction control to reduce the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a normal drive current. Then, when a predetermined specified operating time T3 has elapsed, the control unit 8 returns to another first operating mode and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to another normal drive current, and if the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation switch 6 before the predetermined specified operating time T3 has elapsed, that is, during the reduction control, the control unit 8 ends the reduction control and switches back to the second operating mode even before the predetermined specified operating time T3 has elapsed.

[0042] Therefore, after the second operation mode has ended, if the user notices that the second operation mode has ended based on the operating noise of the electric blower 2 or the electric vacuum cleaner CL due to the implementation of reduction control, they can immediately perform the specified operation on the operating switch 6 to transition to the second operation mode again if necessary.

[0043] Furthermore, since the reduction control by the control unit 8 is a control that sets the first operation mode, which is a first operation mode in which the drive current during normal operation is relatively small, it is possible to notify the user of the end of the second operation mode by using the first operation mode without separately setting a drive current dedicated to the reduction control, making the control easier.

[0044] The drive current during reduction control is not limited to the normal drive current, but may be a drive current different from the normal drive current of the first operation mode in which the normal drive current is relatively small, for example, a predetermined drive current that is larger than the normal drive current and smaller than the other normal drive currents, or a predetermined drive current that is smaller than the normal drive current. In this case, the drive current during reduction control may be a drive current that is not automatically switched by the control unit 8 in response to the determination of the type of surface to be cleaned based on the information acquired by the surface sensor S1, or that is not switched by the control unit 8 in response to the operation of the operation switch 6.

[0045] FIG. 5 shows an example in which the drive current during reduction control is a reduced drive current that is larger than one normal drive current and smaller than another normal drive current, and FIG. 6 shows an example in which the drive current during reduction control is a reduced drive current that is smaller than one normal drive current.

[0046] 5, when the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer while the electric blower is operating in the other first operation mode, the control unit 8 switches to the second operation mode, increases the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a high-output drive current, and after the predetermined time T2 has elapsed, ends the second operation mode and reduces the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a reduced drive current that is higher than one normal drive current but lower than the other normal drive current through reduction control. Then, after the predetermined specified operation time T3 has elapsed since the reduced drive current was set, the control unit 8 returns to the other first operation mode and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to the other normal drive current. Furthermore, when the control unit 8 is operating in another first operation mode, it switches to one first operation mode in accordance with the determination result of the type of surface to be cleaned based on the information acquired by the surface to be cleaned sensor S1, and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to one normal drive current. When the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer, it switches to the second operation mode, increases the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a high-output drive current, and when a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since the drive current was set to the high-output drive current, the control unit 8 terminates the second operation mode, returns to one first operation mode without performing reduction control, and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to one normal drive current.

[0047] 6, when the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer while the control unit 8 is operating in the other first operation mode, the control unit 8 switches to the second operation mode and increases the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a high-output drive current, and after the predetermined time T2 has elapsed, the control unit 8 ends the second operation mode and reduces the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a reduced drive current that is lower than the one normal drive current through reduction control. Then, after the predetermined specified operation time T3 has elapsed since the reduced drive current was set, the control unit 8 returns to the other first operation mode and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to the other normal drive current. Furthermore, when the control unit 8 is operating in another first operation mode, it switches to one first operation mode in accordance with the determination result of the type of surface to be cleaned based on the information acquired by the surface to be cleaned sensor S1, and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to one normal drive current. When the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer, it switches to the second operation mode and increases the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a high-output drive current, and when a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since the high-output drive current was set, the control unit 8 terminates the second operation mode and returns to one first operation mode without performing reduction control, and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to one normal drive current.

[0048] In this way, by performing the reduction control by the control unit 8 to operate the electric blower 2 for a predetermined operating time T3 at a predetermined reduced drive current different from that of the first operating mode, and by appropriately setting the reduced drive current, the user is more likely to notice that the second operating mode has ended based on a large change in the operating noise of the electric blower 2 or the electric vacuum cleaner CL caused by the implementation of the reduction control.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the first operation mode is switched based on the determination of the surface to be cleaned based on the information acquired by the surface sensor S1 during the second operation mode, the operation mode is temporarily returned to the first operation mode from the second operation mode before the switching is performed. This configuration prevents the control by the control unit 8 from becoming complicated due to the combination of many judgment conditions for determining control.

[0050] Furthermore, the surface sensor S1 to be cleaned for acquiring information on the surface to be cleaned does not need to be a dedicated sensor, and a current sensor or the like for detecting the load current value of a drive unit, such as a motor, arranged in the attachment 5, may be used.

[0051] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Note that the same components and functions as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] In this embodiment, the automatic mode is configured to automatically switch to the first operation mode when triggered by the amount of dust sucked by the electric blower 2. Therefore, in the automatic mode, the control unit 8 of this embodiment controls the operation of the electric blower 2 based on the amount of dust.

[0053] In the illustrated example, the vacuum cleaner CL is provided with a dust sensor S2 that acquires information about dust sucked into the dust collection unit 3 by the electric blower 2, i.e., information for determining the amount of dust per unit time. The dust sensor S2 may be configured in any manner, but may, for example, be an optical sensor in which a light emitter and a light receiver are arranged in the dust collection unit 3 or in the air passage upstream of the suction air so that the light emitter and the light receiver face each other in a direction intersecting the airflow direction of the air passage. For example, when a large amount of dust is sucked in, the dust interferes with the reception of light by the light receiver as it passes through the air passage. Therefore, the amount of dust can be determined by detecting the amount of light emitted from the light emitter and received by the light receiver using a current value or the like. In this embodiment, in the automatic mode, the control unit 8 activates one first operating mode when it determines that the amount of dust is relatively low based on the information acquired by the dust sensor S2, and activates another first operating mode when it determines that the amount of dust is relatively high.

[0054] In this embodiment, the information acquired by the dust sensor S2 is input to the control unit 8, and the control unit 8 determines whether the amount of dust is large or small. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the dust sensor S2 may determine whether the amount of dust is large or small based on the information acquired by the dust sensor S2, and the determination result may be input to the control unit 8.

[0055] 8 shows an example of control by the control unit 8. This example shows an example of operation when the operation switch 6 is pressed and held while operating in another first operation mode in accordance with the dust amount determination, and an example of operation when the operation switch 6 is pressed and held while operating in one first operation mode. Note that in the figure, the dust amount determination result based on the information acquired by the dust sensor S2 is shown as a Hi signal when the dust amount is determined to be relatively high, and a Lo signal when the dust amount is determined to be relatively low.

[0056] When the control unit 8 is operating in another first operation mode in accordance with the dust amount determination result based on information acquired by the dust sensor S2 and the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer, the control unit 8 switches to the second operation mode and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a high-output drive current.

[0057] When a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since switching to the second operating mode, the control unit 8 terminates the second operating mode, reduces the drive current of the electric blower 2 to one normal drive current through reduction control, and after a predetermined specified operating time T3 has elapsed, returns to the other first operating mode, and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to the other normal drive current.

[0058] In this way, the control unit 8 switches to the second operation mode when a predetermined operation on the operation switch 6 is triggered while operating in the first operation mode, and when controlling to return to the first operation mode after continuing the second operation mode for a predetermined time, it performs reduction control to operate the electric blower 2 for a predetermined operating time with a drive current that is smaller than the normal drive current between the end of the second operation mode and the return to the first operation mode.By having a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment, even if the difference between the normal drive current and the high-output drive current is small, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the first embodiment, such as making it easier for the user to notice the end of the second operation mode based on a large change in the operating noise of the electric blower 2 or the electric vacuum cleaner CL caused by the implementation of reduction control.

[0059] Furthermore, when the control unit 8 is operating in another first operation mode, it switches to one first operation mode in accordance with the dust amount determination result based on the information acquired by the dust sensor S2, and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to one normal drive current. When the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer, the control unit 8 switches to the second operation mode and increases the drive current of the electric blower 2, for example, to a high-output drive current.

[0060] Then, when a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since switching to the second operation mode, the control unit 8 terminates the second operation mode and returns to a first operation mode without performing reduction control, thereby setting the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a normal drive current.

[0061] In this way, the control unit 8 has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment, in that it performs reduction control when returning from the second operation mode to another first operation mode in which the normal drive current is relatively large, and does not perform reduction control when returning from the second operation mode to one first operation mode in which the normal drive current is relatively small.As a result, when transitioning from the second operation mode to one first operation mode, there is a large change in the drive current of the electric blower 2, i.e., the operating noise of the electric blower 2 or the electric vacuum cleaner CL, and the user is likely to notice the end of the second operation mode based on this change in operating noise.Therefore, even if the operation mode is returned to one first operation mode without going through reduction control, the inconvenience of the user not noticing the end of the second operation mode does not occur, and therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0062] In addition, although not shown, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, after switching from another first operation mode to the second operation mode, if the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation switch 6 while the electric blower 2 is being reduced to a drive current smaller than the normal drive current by the above-mentioned reduction control, the reduction control may be terminated and the operation mode may be switched to the second operation mode even before the predetermined specified operating time T3 has elapsed.The drive current during the reduction control is not limited to one normal drive current, but may be a drive current different from the one and other normal drive currents, such as a predetermined drive current that is larger than one normal drive current and smaller than another normal drive current, or a predetermined drive current that is smaller than the one normal drive current.

[0063] The control unit 8 automatically switches the first operating mode depending on the amount of dust sucked into the electric blower 2, eliminating the need for the user to manually switch the first operating mode depending on the amount of dust, making cleaning work easier.

[0064] In this embodiment, when switching to the first operation mode is decided based on the dust amount determined based on the information acquired by the dust sensor S2 during the second operation mode, the operation mode is temporarily returned to the first operation mode from the second operation mode before switching is carried out. This configuration prevents the control by the control unit 8 from becoming complicated due to the combination of many judgment conditions for deciding on control.

[0065] The first and second embodiments may also be combined. In this case, in the automatic mode, the control unit 8 may switch the first operation mode of the electric blower 2 depending on the result of AND processing or OR processing of, for example, a determination of the type of surface to be cleaned based on information acquired by the surface sensor S1 and a determination of the amount of dust based on information acquired by the dust sensor S2.

[0066] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 12. Note that the same components and functions as those in the respective embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0067] In the electric vacuum cleaner CL of this embodiment, the control unit 8 has a manual mode in which the user can manually switch the first operation mode of the electric blower 2 instead of or in addition to the automatic mode.

[0068] In the manual mode, controller 8 switches electric blower 2 to the first operation mode in response to a switching operation that is different from a predetermined operation on operation switch 6. That is, in the manual mode, controller 8 controls the operation of electric blower 2 in response to the operation of operation switch 6 by the user.

[0069] The "switching operation" may be set arbitrarily, but may be, for example, a so-called short-press operation in which the operation switch 6 is pressed for a time shorter than a predetermined specified operation time. That is, if the first operation mode has one operation mode and another first operation mode, when the operation switch 6 is short-pressed, the control unit 8 alternately switches from one first operation mode to another first operation mode, or from another first operation mode to the first first operation mode. Furthermore, if there are three or more first operation modes, the control unit 8 may cyclically switch the first operation mode each time the operation switch 6 is short-pressed. If the control unit 8 has an automatic mode and a manual mode, it is preferable that the operation switch 6 used in the manual mode and the operation switch 6 used in the automatic mode are separate.

[0070] Then, when the control unit 8 operates the operation switch 6 while the electric blower 2 is stopped, i.e., when the electric vacuum cleaner CL is in an operation-off state, the manual mode is activated in one of the first operation modes. During the manual mode, the control unit 8 switches the first operation mode in response to the switching operation of the operation switch 6. Furthermore, the control unit 8 switches from one first operation mode to another first operation mode to the second operation mode, triggered by an operation of the operation switch 6 during the first operation mode. Furthermore, the control unit 8 stops the operation of the electric blower 2, i.e., the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner CL, and ends the manual mode, triggered by an operation different from the predetermined operation of the operation switch 6 during the first operation mode, for example, an operation of the operation switch 6 for the automatic mode.

[0071] 10 shows an example of control by the control unit 8. This example shows an example of operation when the operation switch 6 is pressed briefly while operating in one first operation mode or another first operation mode, an example of operation when the operation switch 6 is pressed and held while operating in another first operation mode, and an example of operation when the operation switch 6 is pressed and held while operating in one first operation mode.

[0072] When the operation switch 6 is pressed for a specified operation time T4 that is less than the specified operation time T1 while operating in one first operation mode, the control unit 8 switches to another first operation mode.

[0073] When the control unit 8 is operating in another first operation mode and the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer, the control unit 8 switches to the second operation mode and increases the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a high-output drive current.

[0074] The control unit 8 ends the second operation mode when a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since switching to the second operation mode. Note that in this embodiment, by not switching to another operation mode such as the first operation mode and / or performing reduction control based on input operation of the operation switch 6 during the second operation mode, the control by the control unit 8 is prevented from becoming complicated due to the combination of many judgment conditions for deciding on control. However, for safety reasons, the operation of the electric blower 2 or the electric vacuum cleaner CL is stopped based on input operation of the operation switch 6 during the second operation mode.

[0075] When the second operation mode ends, the control unit 8 reduces the drive current of the electric blower 2 to one normal drive current through reduction control, and after a predetermined specified operation time T3 has elapsed, returns to another first operation mode, and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to another normal drive current.

[0076] Furthermore, when the operation switch 6 is pressed for a specified operation time T4 that is less than the predetermined specified operation time T1 while operating in another first operation mode, the control unit 8 switches to one of the first operation modes.

[0077] When the control unit 8 is operating in a first operation mode and the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer, the control unit 8 switches to a second operation mode and increases the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a high-output drive current.

[0078] Then, when a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since switching to the second operation mode, the control unit 8 terminates the second operation mode and returns to a first operation mode without performing reduction control, thereby setting the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a normal drive current.

[0079] In this way, the control unit 8 switches to the second operation mode when a predetermined operation on the operation switch 6 is triggered while operating in the first operation mode, and when controlling to return to the first operation mode after continuing the second operation mode for a predetermined time, it performs reduction control to operate the electric blower 2 for a predetermined operating time with a drive current that is smaller than the normal drive current between the end of the second operation mode and the return to the first operation mode.By having a configuration similar to that of each embodiment, even if the difference between the normal drive current and the high-output drive current is small, it is possible to achieve the same effects as each embodiment, such as making it easier for the user to notice the end of the second operation mode based on a large change in the operating noise of the electric blower 2 or electric vacuum cleaner CL caused by the implementation of reduction control.

[0080] Furthermore, the control unit 8 has a configuration similar to that of each embodiment, such as performing reduction control when returning from the second operation mode to another first operation mode in which the normal drive current is relatively large, and not performing reduction control when returning from the second operation mode to one first operation mode in which the normal drive current is relatively small.As a result, when transitioning from the second operation mode to one first operation mode, there is a large change in the drive current of the electric blower 2, i.e., the operating noise of the electric blower 2 or the electric vacuum cleaner CL, and therefore the user is likely to notice the end of the second operation mode based on this change in operating noise.Therefore, even if the operation mode is returned to one first operation mode without going through reduction control, the inconvenience of the user not noticing the end of the second operation mode does not occur, and the same effects as each embodiment can be achieved.

[0081] The control unit 8 sequentially switches the first operation mode in response to a switching operation that is different from a predetermined operation on the operation switch 6, so that the user can appropriately switch the first operation mode using the operation switch 6 at the timing desired by the user.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as in each of the other embodiments, after switching from another first operating mode to the second operating mode, if the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation switch 6 while the electric blower 2 is being reduced in drive current to a value smaller than the normal drive current by the above-mentioned reduction control, the control unit 8 may terminate the reduction control and switch to the second operating mode even before the predetermined specified operating time T3 has elapsed.

[0083] FIG. 11 shows an example of control by the control unit 8.

[0084] When the control unit 8 is operating in another first operation mode and the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer, the control unit 8 switches to the second operation mode and increases the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a high-output drive current, and when the predetermined time T2 has elapsed, the control unit 8 ends the second operation mode and performs reduction control to set the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a normal drive current. If the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer before the predetermined specified operation time T3 has elapsed since the start of the reduction control, the control unit 8 ends the reduction control and switches back to the second operation mode and increases the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a high-output drive current.

[0085] In this way, the control unit 8 has a configuration similar to that of each embodiment, such as switching to the second operation mode when a predetermined operation on the operation switch 6 before the predetermined specified operating time T3 during reduction control has elapsed is used as a trigger.Therefore, after the second operation mode has ended, if the user notices that the second operation mode has ended based on the operating sound of the electric blower 2 or the electric vacuum cleaner CL due to the implementation of reduction control, they can immediately perform a predetermined operation on the operation switch 6 to transition to the second operation mode again if necessary, thereby achieving the same effects as each embodiment.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 8 may terminate the power reduction control and return to the first operating mode before a predetermined specified operation time T3 during power reduction control has elapsed, using a return operation different from the predetermined operation on the operation switch 6 as a trigger. Note that the "return operation" may be set arbitrarily, but in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the "return operation" is, for example, a short press of the operation switch 6, that is, the same operation as the switching operation for switching the first operating mode. However, the "return operation" and the "switching operation" may be different operations.

[0087] FIG. 12 shows an example of control by the control unit 8.

[0088] When the operation switch 6 is pressed for a predetermined specified operation time T1 or longer while the control unit 8 is operating in the other first operation mode, the control unit 8 switches to the second operation mode and increases the drive current of the electric blower 2 to a high-output drive current. After the predetermined time T2 has elapsed, the control unit 8 terminates the second operation mode and uses reduction control to set the drive current of the electric blower 2 to one normal drive current. If the operation switch 6 is pressed for a specified operation time T5 that is less than the specified operation time T1 before the specified operation time T3 has elapsed since the start of reduction control, the control unit 8 terminates the reduction control, returns to the other first operation mode, and sets the drive current of the electric blower 2 to another normal drive current. Note that the specified operation time T5 may be the same as or different from the specified operation time T4.

[0089] In this way, a return operation different from the specified operation on the operation switch 6 before the specified specified operating time T3 during reduction control has elapsed triggers the control unit 8 to terminate the reduction control and return to the first operating mode, so that the electric blower 2 responds according to the user's action on the operation switch 6, allowing the user to confirm that the electric vacuum cleaner CL is operating normally, improving reliability.

[0090] In the third embodiment, an example has been described in which switching from the first operation mode to the second operation mode and switching of the first operation mode are performed in accordance with differences in the way the user operates the common operation switch 6. However, this is not limited to this, and switching from the first operation mode to the second operation mode and switching of the first operation mode may also be performed in accordance with, for example, the user operating separate operation switches 6.

[0091] Moreover, the third embodiment may be combined with the first embodiment and / or the second embodiment.

[0092] Furthermore, in the first and third embodiments, the electric vacuum cleaner CL may be an exhaust-type electric vacuum cleaner such as a blower that cleans by blowing out air through the operation of the electric blower 2, or a suction-type electric vacuum cleaner that has the function of an exhaust-type electric vacuum cleaner.

[0093] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments, examples have been shown in which the normal driving current and the high-power driving current are each constant, but this is not limiting. If the power supply unit 9 is a battery or a secondary battery, the values ​​of the normal driving current and the high-power driving current may be changed according to the remaining charge or voltage value of the power supply unit 9.

[0094] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the one normal driving current, which is a relatively small driving current, is sufficiently small compared to the high-power driving current, so when returning from the second operating mode to the one first operating mode, the change in operating noise of the electric blower 2 or the electric vacuum cleaner CL is large, and the user can notice that the second operating mode has ended and the one first operating mode has been returned to, so control is not performed to perform reduction control.However, since it is also possible that the difference between the one normal driving current and the high-power driving current is not very large, reduction control may be performed for all first operating modes when returning from the second operating mode.

[0095] Furthermore, the control by the control unit 8 can be similarly effected by replacing the "drive current" in each of the above embodiments with the "number of rotations."

[0096] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these embodiments. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] CL vacuum cleaner 2 electric blower 6 Operation switch 8 Control Unit

Claims

1. An electric blower, an operation switch for setting the operation of the electric blower; a control unit that controls the operation of the electric blower, The control unit, during a first operation mode in which the electric blower is operated at a predetermined drive current, switches the electric blower to a second operation mode in which the electric blower is operated at a drive current larger than the first operation mode, using an operation of the operation switch as a trigger, and controls the electric blower to return to the first operation mode after continuing the second operation mode for a predetermined time, and performs reduction control to operate the electric blower at a drive current smaller than the first operation current for a predetermined operation specified time between the end of the second operation mode and the return to the first operation mode. A vacuum cleaner characterized by:

2. The control unit switches to the second operation mode in response to the operation of the operation switch before the predetermined operation specified time has elapsed during the reduction control.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.

3. a plurality of first operation modes in which the driving current of the electric blower is different from one another; The control unit performs the reduction control when returning from the second operation mode to the first operation mode in which the drive current of the electric blower is relatively large, and does not perform the reduction control when returning from the second operation mode to the first operation mode in which the drive current of the electric blower is relatively small.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.

4. The reduction control is a control for operating the electric blower for the predetermined operation time at a drive current different from that in the first operation mode in which the drive current of the electric blower is relatively small.

4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3.

5. The reduction control is a control for switching to the first operation mode in which the drive current of the electric blower is relatively small and operating the electric blower for the predetermined operation time.

4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3.

6. a plurality of first operation modes in which the driving current of the electric blower is different from one another; The control unit switches the first operation mode depending on the type of surface to be cleaned.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.

7. a plurality of first operation modes in which the driving current of the electric blower is different from one another; The control unit switches the first operation mode in accordance with the amount of dust sucked by the electric blower during operation.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.

8. a plurality of first operation modes in which the driving current of the electric blower is different from one another; The control unit sequentially switches the first operation mode in response to a switching operation different from the operation on the operation switch.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.

9. a plurality of first operation modes in which the driving current of the electric blower is different from one another; The control unit terminates the power reduction control and returns to the first operation mode using a return operation different from the operation on the operation switch as a trigger before the predetermined operation specified time during the power reduction control has elapsed.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.

10. When the operation switch is operated during the second operation mode, the control unit does not switch to the first operation mode or perform the reduction control based on the operation.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.

11. An electric blower, an operation switch for setting the operation of the electric blower; a control unit that controls the operation of the electric blower, The control unit, during a first operation mode in which the electric blower is operated at a predetermined rotation speed, switches the electric blower to a second operation mode in which the electric blower is operated at a rotation speed higher than the first rotation speed, using an operation of the operation switch as a trigger, and controls the electric blower to return to the first operation mode after continuing the second operation mode for a predetermined time, and performs reduction control to operate the electric blower at a rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed for a predetermined operation specified time between the end of the second operation mode and the return to the first operation mode. A vacuum cleaner characterized by:

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