Method for controlling suction motor of vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner

Abstract

To provide a cleaner to be actuated while playing melody.SOLUTION: There is provided a method for controlling a suction motor of a cleaner including a suction source for generating suction force to suck dust by rotating rotary blades by the suction motor. The control method includes a motor control process for controlling a rotation frequency of the suction motor so as to allow actuation sound to be emitted from the suction source to be changed in response to musical notes of a predetermined musical score. When the two musical notes expressing the same sound are continuously expressed without being connected by a tie in the predetermined musical score, the rotation frequency of the suction motor is controlled to emit interpolation sound of a frequency which is separated by a semitone or more from the sound between sounds expressed by the two musical notes in the motor control process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling a suction motor of a vacuum cleaner and to a vacuum cleaner. [Background technology]

[0002] Various vacuum cleaners are known that are equipped with a suction source that generates suction force to suck up dust by rotating a rotating blade with a suction motor. When a user uses the vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner emits the sound of the suction motor operating or the sound of the rotating blades rotating. If the rotation frequency of the suction motor is constant, these sounds do not change and are perceived by the user as nothing more than monotonous noise.

[0003] To solve this problem, Patent Document 1 controls the suction motor by increasing or decreasing the rotation frequency of the suction motor in accordance with the pitch of the notes on a predetermined musical score, so that the operating sound emitted from the suction source plays the melody represented on the musical score. With this control, the user can perform cleaning work while listening to the sound emitted from the vacuum cleaner as music, rather than just noise. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-28320 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the control disclosed in Patent Document 1, the rotational frequency of the suction motor is increased or decreased in accordance with the pitch of the notes written on a predetermined musical score. When consecutive notes representing the same note occur in the musical score, the rotational frequency of the suction motor is maintained at a value corresponding to those notes. With this type of control, even if the notes representing the same note are not marked with a tie symbol, the vacuum cleaner may play a melody that sounds as if those notes are marked with a tie symbol, which may cause the user to feel uncomfortable with the melody.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a method for controlling the suction motor of a vacuum cleaner so as to produce a melody in which two consecutive musical notes representing the same sound are played without any ties, and a vacuum cleaner that performs this control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The control method disclosed herein is used to control a suction motor of a vacuum cleaner equipped with a suction source that generates suction force for sucking in dust by rotating rotating blades with the suction motor. The control method includes a motor control step of controlling the suction motor so that the operating sound emitted from the suction source plays the melody represented by the predetermined musical score by increasing or decreasing the rotational frequency of the suction motor in accordance with the pitch of the notes represented by the predetermined musical score. When the predetermined musical score contains two consecutive untied notes representing the same note, the motor control step controls the rotational frequency of the suction motor so that an intervening note is emitted between the notes represented by the two notes, the intervening note having a frequency at least a semitone away from the note represented by the two notes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The above-described control method allows a melody in which two consecutive notes representing the same sound are played without any ties to be added, using a suction motor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Schematic cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner (first embodiment) [Figure 2] Front view of a vacuum cleaner [Figure 3] Functional configuration diagram for controlling the suction motor of a vacuum cleaner [Figure 4] Melody score played by suction motor [Figure 5] Flowchart showing control when transposing a melody (second embodiment) [Figure 6] Functional configuration diagram for controlling the suction motor of a vacuum cleaner (third embodiment) [Figure 7] Flowchart showing the control when modulating a melody [Figure 8] Flowchart showing control when changing melody tempo (fourth embodiment) [Figure 9] Schematic cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner (fifth embodiment) [Figure 10] Flowchart showing the control when changing the tempo of the melody [Figure 11] Schematic cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner (sixth embodiment) [Figure 12] Flowchart showing the control when modulating a melody [Figure 13] Musical score with rests (seventh embodiment) [Figure 14] Melodies played by suction motors [Figure 15] Schematic diagram of a drive circuit for a suction motor (eighth embodiment) [Figure 16] Schematic diagram of the drive circuit for the suction motor [Figure 17] Functional configuration diagram for controlling the suction motor of a vacuum cleaner (ninth embodiment) [Figure 18] Schematic diagram of a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner (tenth embodiment) [Figure 19] Schematic diagram of brush motor operation pattern [Figure 20] Functional configuration diagram for controlling the suction motor and brush motor of a vacuum cleaner [Figure 21] Schematic diagram of brush motor operation pattern DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a vacuum cleaner will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, for example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (First embodiment) (Overall structure of the vacuum cleaner) Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stick-type vacuum cleaner 100. Fig. 2 is a front view of the vacuum cleaner 100. The vacuum cleaner 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0012] The vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a suction nozzle 130 that sucks in dust on the floor, a vacuum cleaner body 110 attached to the suction nozzle 130 so as to be tiltable forward and backward relative to the suction nozzle 130, and a grip 140 extending upward from an upper end 112 of the vacuum cleaner body 110. The vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip 140 shown in Figures 1 and 2 are in an upright position relative to the suction nozzle 130 and do not tilt forward from this upright position. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is in use, the user holds the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip 140 in a position tilted backward relative to the suction nozzle 130.

[0013] Suction nozzle 130 is equipped with nozzle case 132 that is wider than vacuum cleaner body 110 so as to form wide suction space 131 into which dust on the floor flows. Suction space 131 opens toward the floor at the front portion of nozzle case 132. Behind this opening, suction space 131 is closed by bottom 134 of nozzle case 132. A brush roller 133 that is rotatably held by nozzle case 132 is disposed in suction space 131, and brush roller 133 is exposed from nozzle case 132 through the opening of suction space 131 so as to be able to come into contact with the floor surface.

[0014] The vacuum cleaner main body 110 has a cylindrical housing 111 that is elongated in the vertical direction. The lower end of the housing 111 is attached to the rear of the nozzle case 132 so as to allow the vacuum cleaner main body 110 to tilt in the front-to-rear direction. The upper part of the housing 111 tapers toward the upper end 112 of the housing 111, and a grip part 140 extends upward from the upper end 112. The grip part 140 is a rod-shaped part that is thick enough to be gripped by a user. As shown in FIG. 2, the grip part 140 is provided with an operation part 141 (operation button) that is operated by the user. The operation part 141 is connected to a signal generating circuit 144 that is configured to be able to generate a signal that represents the content of an operation performed on the operation part 141.

[0015] Housing 111 is configured to house various components for sucking up dust on the floor surface and storing the sucked up dust. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a suction pipe 113 extending in the vertical direction is disposed inside the lower part of housing 111. A check valve 114 is attached to the upper end of this suction pipe 113. Check valve 114 shown in FIG. 1 closes the upper end of suction pipe 113, but can rotate upward when subjected to an upward external force. When check valve 114 rotates upward, the upper end of suction pipe 113 is opened.

[0016] Suction tube 113 is fixed within housing 111, and when vacuum cleaner body 110 tilts backward from the upright position (the position shown in FIG. 1), it tilts backward together with housing 111. When vacuum cleaner body 110 is in the upright position, the lower end of suction tube 113 abuts against bottom 134 of nozzle case 132. In other words, when vacuum cleaner body 110 is in the upright position, the lower end of suction tube 113 is closed by bottom 134 of nozzle case 132. When vacuum cleaner body 110 tilts backward from the upright position, the lower end of suction tube 113 moves in the direction shown by arrow A in FIG. 1. As a result, the internal space of suction tube 113 is in communication with suction space 131 of nozzle case 132.

[0017] A dust storage chamber 152 is provided above the suction pipe 113, and a filter section 115 that captures dust while allowing air to pass through is disposed in the dust storage chamber 152. The filter section 115 has a container shape that opens downward.

[0018] A fan chamber 153 communicating with the dust storage chamber 152 is provided above the dust storage chamber 152, and a suction source 116 is disposed in the fan chamber 153 to generate a suction force that sucks up dust on the floor surface and creates an upward suction airflow. The suction source 116 has a suction motor 142 that generates a driving force, and a rotary blade 143 that is driven to rotate by the suction motor 142. The rotary blade 143 is configured to generate an upward suction airflow when rotated by the suction motor 142. This upward suction airflow causes the check valve 114 at the upper end of the suction pipe 113 to rotate upward, opening the opening at the upper end of the suction pipe 113.

[0019] While the suction source 116 is generating a suction airflow, the operating noise of the suction motor 142 and the wind noise caused by the rotation of the rotary blades 143 may be generated. In this embodiment, the operating noise of the suction motor 142 is louder than the wind noise of the rotary blades 143, and the user may perceive the operating noise of the suction motor 142 as the operating noise of the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0020] The fan chamber 153 further houses a control circuit 170 that controls the suction motor 142 of the suction source 116, and a battery 117 that supplies power to the suction motor 142 of the suction source 116. The control circuit 170 is configured to activate or stop the suction motor 142 of the suction source 116 in response to a signal output from the signal generating circuit 144 (i.e., a signal representing the operation performed on the operation unit 141). The control circuit 170 is also configured to control the rotation frequency of the suction motor 142.

[0021] 3, the control circuit 170 has a storage unit 174 and a motor control unit 175. The storage unit 174 may be, for example, a memory chip mounted on a circuit board. The motor control unit 175 may be configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) mounted on the circuit board.

[0022] Control data such as that shown in the table below is stored in storage unit 174. This control data is created, for example, based on the musical score shown in Fig. 4. Note that the musical score shown in Fig. 4 is one measure of "Ode to Joy" (Beethoven's Symphony No. 9), but storage unit 174 stores control data for all measures of "Ode to Joy."

[0023] The control data in the storage unit 174 contains the rotation frequency of the suction motor 142 and the length of time for which the suction motor 142 is to maintain this rotation frequency, as shown in the table below. This control data will be described in detail elsewhere.

[0024] [Table 1]

[0025] The motor control unit 175 is electrically connected to the signal generating circuit 144 provided corresponding to the operation unit 141 and the suction motor 142 of the suction source 116. After receiving a start-up signal for the vacuum cleaner 100 from the signal generating circuit 144, the motor control unit 175 controls the suction motor 142 in accordance with the control data in the memory unit 174.

[0026] (control data) The musical score shown in FIG. 4 contains a series of untied "C" notes. In other words, this musical score indicates that the "C" note should be played separately. If the rotational frequency of suction motor 142 were maintained at a value corresponding to the "C" note for the duration corresponding to the two "C" notes, the user would perceive the operating sound of suction motor 142 as the tone represented by the tied "C" note. In this case, the user may feel uncomfortable with the melody produced by the operating sound of suction motor 142.

[0027] On the other hand, if suction motor 142 emits a sound that is at least a semitone away from the "do" note between the rotational frequencies corresponding to the two "do" notes, the two "do" notes can be perceived by the user without blending together. For this reason, in the control data shown in the above table, the rotational frequency of suction motor 142 is set so that suction motor 142 emits an intervening sound that is at least a semitone away from the "do" note between the rotational frequencies corresponding to the two "do" notes.

[0028] The duration of this interjection is preferably set to a volume of 30 msec or more. If an interjection is generated between two "do" sounds for a length of 30 msec or more, the user will be able to perceive these "do" sounds as separate sounds (Haas effect).

[0029] On the other hand, the longer the duration of the interjection, the more likely it is that the user will perceive the interjection as an allophone that is not a note represented in the musical score. For this reason, it is preferable to set the duration of the interjection as short as possible as long as the above-mentioned Haas effect is obtained. The upper limit of the duration of the interjection may be set based on the shortest note in the musical score. In other words, the length of the notes on the musical score is determined so that humans can recognize them as sounds. Therefore, if the interjection is produced for the same duration as the shortest note in the musical score, there is a high probability that the user will perceive the interjection as an allophone. On the other hand, the shorter the duration of the interjection is compared to the shortest note in the musical score, the lower the probability that the user will perceive the interjection as an allophone.

[0030] (Vacuum cleaner operation) During cleaning work, the user holds the vacuum cleaner 100 with the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip 140 tilted backward relative to the suction nozzle 130. By tilting the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip 140 backward relative to the suction nozzle 130, it becomes easier to move the suction nozzle 130 forward while pushing it. In this state, the internal space of the suction tube 113 is in communication with the suction space 131 of the suction nozzle 130.

[0031] When the user subsequently performs an operation on the operation unit 141 to start the vacuum cleaner 100, a signal indicating that the user is instructing the vacuum cleaner 100 to start is output from the signal generating circuit 144 to the motor control unit 175. In response to this signal, the motor control unit 175 reads out control data from the storage unit 174 and controls the suction motor 142 at the rotation frequency and for the duration specified by the control data (motor control step).

[0032] As described above, this control data (Table 1) is created based on the musical score shown in FIG. 4 , and the rotational frequency of the suction motor 142 is not constant but changes according to the notes of the musical score. The operating sound of the suction motor 142 changes in accordance with this change in rotational frequency. As the rotational frequency of the suction motor 142 decreases, the operating sound of the suction motor 142 changes from a high pitch to a low pitch. Conversely, as the rotational frequency of the suction motor 142 increases, the operating sound of the suction motor 142 changes from a low pitch to a high pitch. The rotational frequency of the suction motor 142 is set by the control data in the memory unit 174 so that the operating sound of the suction motor 142 plays "Ode to Joy" (Beethoven's Symphony No. 9). Note that at this time, the motor control unit 175 controls the suction motor 142 so that an intervening sound is generated between sounds corresponding to consecutive notes without adding a tie. Therefore, the user can perform cleaning work while listening to the operating sound of the suction motor 142 as music, without perceiving it as monotonous noise.

[0033] When the suction motor 142 operates as described above, the rotary vane 143 of the suction source 116 is rotated by the suction motor 142. As a result, the suction source 116 generates an upward suction force. This suction force causes the check valve 114 to open the upper end of the suction pipe 113.

[0034] When the upper end of the suction pipe 113 is opened, the suction force of the suction source 116 generates a suction airflow that sucks in dust through the suction space 131 of the suction nozzle 130. The suction airflow passes through the suction space 131 and the suction pipe 113 and flows into the dust storage chamber 152. Dust on the floor surface is carried by the suction airflow into the dust storage chamber 152 and is captured by the filter unit 115 arranged in the dust storage chamber 152. The dust captured by the filter unit 115 is stored in the dust storage chamber 152.

[0035] When the cleaning work is completed, the user operates the operating unit 141 to stop the suction source 116. As a result, the suction force of the suction source 116 is lost, and the check valve 114 closes the upper end of the suction tube 113. Therefore, the dust captured by the filter unit 115 is retained in the dust storage chamber 152 without falling into the suction tube 113.

[0036] In the above-described embodiment, the control data for controlling the suction motor 142 is created based on a predetermined musical score, and the rotation frequency of the suction motor 142 is increased or decreased so that the operating sound of the suction motor 142 plays the melody represented in the musical score. This allows the user to perform cleaning work while listening to the operating sound of the suction motor 142 as music.

[0037] When the musical score on which the control data is based contains consecutive untied notes of the same pitch, the rotation frequency of the suction motor 142 is controlled so that an intervening tone with a frequency at least a semitone apart from the notes represented by those notes is generated between those notes. By generating an intervening tone with a duration of 30 msec or more, the user can perceive the notes as separate from each other without blending them together (the Haas effect). In other words, the user can perceive the notes as being separated in time, just as they are written in the musical score.

[0038] If the length of the interjections were longer, the user might perceive the interjections as an abnormal sound that differs from the sound represented in the musical score. However, in the above-described embodiment, the length of the interjections is set as short as possible while still achieving the Haas effect. The shorter the length of the interjections is compared to the shortest note on the musical score, the more likely the user is to ignore the interjections without perceiving them as an abnormal sound. Therefore, even if the interjections are set in the control data, the user can perform cleaning work while listening to the operating sound of the suction motor 142 as music without being concerned about the interjections.

[0039] When consecutive untied notes of the same sound are played, the suction motor 142 may be temporarily stopped between the notes to allow the notes to be heard separately. If the suction motor 142 is temporarily stopped in this manner, the suction force may be temporarily lost. To avoid such a loss of suction force, in this embodiment, the suction motor 142 is not stopped, but is controlled so that an intervening sound is generated.

[0040] In the above-described embodiment, the motor control unit 175 reads the control data from the storage unit 174, which is configured as a memory chip mounted on a circuit board. Alternatively, or additionally, the motor control unit 175 may be configured to be able to read the control data from an external memory such as a USB memory. In this case, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be configured to allow the external memory to be attached and detached. If the vacuum cleaner 100 is configured in this way, the user can select one of multiple external memories, each storing control data created based on a different musical score, and attach it to the vacuum cleaner 100, thereby causing the vacuum cleaner 100 to play a desired melody.

[0041] (Second embodiment) It is assumed that a user will desire to switch the suction power of the vacuum cleaner 100 at their own discretion. To meet such needs, the operation unit 141 may be configured to allow the user to select one of a normal suction power cleaning mode, a high suction power cleaning mode, and a low suction power cleaning mode. In this case, the signal generation circuit 144 may generate a signal indicating which cleaning mode the user has selected. Furthermore, the motor control unit 175 may be configured to execute the control shown in FIG. 5 in response to this signal.

[0042] Regardless of which cleaning mode the signal from signal generating circuit 144 indicates, motor control unit 175 reads out control data from storage unit 174 (step S110). Thereafter, motor control unit 175 performs a process of determining which cleaning mode the signal from signal generating circuit 144 indicates (steps S120, S130).

[0043] If the cleaning mode with normal suction power is instructed (step S120: Yes), the motor control unit 175 controls the suction motor 142 in accordance with the control data read from the storage unit 174. In this case, the same melody as in the first embodiment is played by the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0044] On the other hand, if a high-suction cleaning mode has been instructed (step S120: No, step S130: Yes), motor control unit 175 performs processing to transpose the melody played by vacuum cleaner 100 to a higher pitch (step S150). Specifically, motor control unit 175 adds a predetermined value to the rotation frequency data of the control data and controls suction motor 142 based on the control data after this addition processing. In this case, the rotation frequency of rotary blades 143, which are driven to rotate by suction motor 142, increases, and the suction power of suction source 116 increases. At this time, the sound emitted from vacuum cleaner 100 (i.e., suction motor 142) is simply transposed to a higher pitch, so the user can perform cleaning work while listening to the operating sound of vacuum cleaner 100 (i.e., suction motor 142) as music.

[0045] Conversely, if a low-suction cleaning mode has been instructed (step S120: No, step S130: No), motor control unit 175 performs processing to transpose the melody played by vacuum cleaner 100 to a lower pitch (step S160). Specifically, motor control unit 175 subtracts a predetermined value from the rotation frequency data of the control data and controls suction motor 142 based on the control data after this subtraction processing. In this case, the rotation frequency of rotary blades 143 driven to rotate by suction motor 142 decreases, and the suction power of suction source 116 decreases, but, for example, a decrease in the amount of stored power in battery 117 can be suppressed. In this case, the sound emitted from vacuum cleaner 100 (i.e., suction motor 142) is simply transposed to a lower pitch, so the user can perform cleaning work while listening to the operating sound of vacuum cleaner 100 (i.e., suction motor 142) as music.

[0046] (Third embodiment) By lowering the rotation frequency of the suction motor 142, the decrease in the amount of stored power in the battery 117 can be suppressed. Therefore, the motor control unit 175 may control the suction motor 142 based on the amount of stored power in the battery 117. In this case, the vacuum cleaner 100 may further include a power storage detection unit 145 that detects the amount of stored power in the battery 117, as shown in FIG. 6. The power storage detection unit 145 may be, for example, a voltage detection circuit configured in the fan chamber 153 to detect the voltage of the battery 117.

[0047] The power storage detection unit 145 is electrically connected to the motor control unit 175, and power storage amount information indicating the amount of power storage detected by the power storage detection unit 145 is output from the power storage detection unit 145 to the motor control unit 175. Based on this information, the motor control unit 175 executes control as shown in FIG.

[0048] When the motor control unit 175 receives a signal instructing the vacuum cleaner 100 to start from the signal generating circuit 144 (step S210), it reads out control data from the storage unit 174 (step S220). Thereafter, the motor control unit 175 determines whether the amount of stored power in the battery 117 is below a predetermined value based on the stored power information from the power storage detection unit 145 (step S230). If the amount of stored power in the battery 117 is not below the predetermined value (step S230: No), the motor control unit 175 controls the suction motor 142 based on the control data. In this case, the same melody as in the first embodiment is played by the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0049] On the other hand, if the amount of power stored in the battery 117 is below a predetermined value (step S230: Yes), the suction motor 142 is controlled to change or transpose the music played by the vacuum cleaner 100 to a lower key (if the amount of power stored is low at startup) (step S240). Specifically, the motor control unit 175 subtracts a predetermined value from the rotation frequency data of the control data and controls the suction motor 142 based on the control data after this subtraction process. In this case, the rotation frequency of the rotary blades 143 driven to rotate by the suction motor 142 decreases, and the suction force of the suction source 116 decreases, but the decrease in the amount of power stored in the battery 117 can be suppressed. In this case, the sound emitted from the vacuum cleaner 100 (i.e., the suction motor 142) is simply changed or transposed to a lower key, so the user can perform cleaning work while listening to the operating sound of the vacuum cleaner 100 (i.e., the suction motor 142) as music.

[0050] 7 may be combined with the control in the second embodiment. That is, when the user selects the high suction power cleaning mode and the charge level of the battery 117 falls below a predetermined value, control may be executed to switch to the normal suction power or the low suction power cleaning mode. Also, when the user selects the normal suction power cleaning mode and the charge level of the battery 117 falls below a predetermined value, control may be executed to switch to the low suction power cleaning mode.

[0051] (Fourth embodiment) It is expected that the music played by the vacuum cleaner 100 will encourage the user to perform cleaning tasks in time with the music. For example, increasing the speed (BPM: Beats Per Minute) of the melody played by the vacuum cleaner 100 may encourage the user to move quickly and finish the cleaning task early. In other words, if the music played by the vacuum cleaner 100 encourages the user to move quickly, the user may be able to complete the cleaning task before the amount of power stored in the battery 117 runs low. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8, the motor control unit 175 may execute control to increase the speed of the melody played by the vacuum cleaner 100 when the amount of power stored in the battery 117 is low. Note that in the control shown in FIG. 8, the processes from receiving a signal from the signal generating circuit 144 to determining whether the amount of power stored in the battery 117 is below a predetermined value (steps S210 to S230) are the same as those in the control shown in FIG. 7.

[0052] If the determination result indicates that the amount of power stored in the battery 117 is below a predetermined value (step S230: Yes), the motor control unit 175 executes control to increase the speed of the melody (step S250). Specifically, the motor control unit 175 shortens the time length data of the control data (i.e., the time length assigned to each note) by a predetermined percentage, and controls the suction motor 142 based on the control data after this shortening process. As a result, the speed of the melody played by the vacuum cleaner 100 increases, and if the user moves in sync with this melody, the user's movements can become more agile. As a result of the user moving more agilely, the cleaning work can be completed earlier. In other words, the user can be prompted to complete the cleaning work before the amount of power stored in the battery 117 runs out.

[0053] The control shown in Fig. 8 can be executed in combination with the control shown in Fig. 5 (i.e., control based on the selection of a cleaning mode by the user: second embodiment). The control shown in Fig. 8 may also be executed together with the control shown in Fig. 7 (control for lowering the rotation frequency of the suction motor 142 when the amount of power stored in the battery 117 becomes low: third embodiment). Combining the controls shown in Figs. 7 and 8 makes it possible to suppress the amount of power stored in the battery 117 while urging the user to finish the cleaning work early.

[0054] (Fifth embodiment) To make it easier for the user to synchronize their movements with the music played by the vacuum cleaner 100, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be configured to detect the speed of the user's movements. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be provided with a motion detection unit 176. This motion detection unit 176 is configured to detect the acceleration (or speed) of the grip unit 140 gripped by the user. In this embodiment, an acceleration sensor is used as the motion detection unit 176. Although this acceleration sensor is fixed inside the grip unit 140 in FIG. 9, it may be attached to any part of the vacuum cleaner 100 (for example, the housing 111 or the suction nozzle 130) as long as it can detect the speed of the movement of the grip unit 140 moved by the user.

[0055] The motion detection unit 176 is electrically connected to the motor control unit 175, and the motor control unit 175 can receive motion information related to the acceleration (or speed) detected by the motion detection unit 176. The motor control unit 175 executes the control shown in Fig. 10 based on this motion information. Note that in the control shown in Fig. 10, the process of reading out control data in response to reception of a signal from the signal generation circuit 144 (steps S210 and S220) is the same as the control shown in Fig. 7.

[0056] After reading the control data, the motor control unit 175 performs a process of changing the time length data of the control data (i.e., the time length assigned to each note) based on the movement information from the movement detection unit 176 (step S260). In this process, the motor control unit 175 may multiply the time length data of the control data by a magnification value to shorten or extend the time length assigned to each note. This magnification value is set in accordance with the acceleration represented by the movement information. In detail, the magnification value is set so that the higher the acceleration represented by the movement information, the greater the amount of shortening of the time length assigned to each note. Conversely, the lower the acceleration represented by the movement information, the greater the magnification value is set so that the lower the acceleration represented by the movement information, the greater the amount of extension of the time length assigned to each note.

[0057] The motor control unit 175 controls the suction motor 142 using the control data after the change process using the above-mentioned magnification value. When such control is performed, if the user is moving quickly (i.e., if the acceleration represented by the movement information is high), the time length assigned to each note is shortened, and therefore a fast melody flows from the vacuum cleaner 100. Conversely, if the user is moving slowly (i.e., if the acceleration represented by the movement information is low), the time length assigned to each note is extended, and therefore a slow melody flows from the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0058] 10, a fast melody is played from the vacuum cleaner 100 for a user who is moving quickly, whereas a slow melody is played from the vacuum cleaner 100 for a user who is moving slowly. In other words, the speed of the melody played from the vacuum cleaner 100 can be adapted to the movement speed of the user. This makes it easier for the user to perform cleaning work in sync with the melody played from the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0059] In particular, in the control shown in Fig. 10, a melody at a speed suitable for the operating speed of the user is played from vacuum cleaner 100 from the time vacuum cleaner 100 is started, so that the user can perform cleaning work in tune with the melody played from vacuum cleaner 100. In this case, if the control shown in Fig. 8 (i.e., control that increases the speed when the amount of stored power in battery 117 becomes low) is performed, the speed of the melody will increase further.

[0060] The control shown in Fig. 10 can be executed in combination with the control shown in Fig. 5 (i.e., control based on the selection of a cleaning mode by the user: second embodiment). Also, the control shown in Fig. 10 may be executed together with the control shown in Fig. 7 (control for reducing the rotation frequency of the suction motor 142 when the amount of stored power in the battery 117 becomes low: third embodiment).

[0061] In the fifth embodiment, an acceleration sensor is used as the motion detection unit 176. Alternatively, another detection element capable of detecting the speed of movement of the grip unit 140 may be used as the motion detection unit 176. For example, an imaging device attached to the grip unit 140 so as to acquire video data of the area around the grip unit 140 may be used as the motion detection unit 176. In this case, motion information regarding the speed of movement of the grip unit 140 (i.e., the movement speed of the user) can be acquired based on the movement speed of an object (e.g., furniture) in the video data.

[0062] (Sixth embodiment) When cleaning a place with a lot of dust, it is preferable to suck up the dust with a high suction power. On the other hand, if a cleaning operation with a high suction power is performed in a place with little dust, the power of the battery 117 may be unnecessarily consumed, so in such a place, it is preferable to perform cleaning operation with a low suction power. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 11 , the vacuum cleaner 100 may have a dust detection unit 177 that detects the amount of dust being sucked in by the suction power of the suction source 116. The dust detection unit 177 may be composed of a light-emitting diode 178 and a light-receiving element 179 that are arranged to face each other in the suction tube 113. In other words, the light-emitting diode 178 and the light-receiving element 179 are arranged so that an optical path of light emitted from the light-emitting diode 178 is formed between the light-emitting diode 178 and the light-receiving element 179.

[0063] The more dust particles that cross the optical path, the smaller the amount of light received by the light receiving element 179. Conversely, the less dust particles that cross the optical path, the greater the amount of light received by the light receiving element 179. The light receiving element 179 is configured to generate a light receiving amount signal that represents the amount of light received by the light receiving element 179. The light receiving element 179 is also electrically connected to the motor control unit 175, and the light receiving amount signal is output from the light receiving element 179 to the motor control unit 175.

[0064] Based on the received light amount signal, the motor control unit 175 executes the control shown in Fig. 12. In the control shown in Fig. 12, the process of reading out control data in response to reception of a signal from the signal generating circuit 144 (steps S210 and S220) is the same as the control shown in Fig. 7.

[0065] After reading the control data, the motor control unit 175 determines whether the amount of suctioned dust exceeds a predetermined value based on the received light amount signal received from the light receiving element 179 (step S270). If the determination result indicates that the amount of suctioned dust does not exceed the predetermined value (step S270: No), the motor control unit 175 controls the suction motor 142 based on the control data read from the storage unit 174 (step S280). In this case, the vacuum cleaner 100 plays the same melody as in the first embodiment.

[0066] On the other hand, if the determination result indicates that the amount of suctioned dust exceeds the predetermined value (step S270: No), motor control unit 175 adds a predetermined value to the rotation frequency data of the control data so that the melody played by vacuum cleaner 100 is maintained. Furthermore, motor control unit 175 controls suction motor 142 based on the control data after this addition (step S290). In this case, the rotation frequency of rotary blades 143 driven to rotate by suction motor 142 increases, and the suction power of suction source 116 increases. At this time, the sound emitted from vacuum cleaner 100 (i.e., suction motor 142) is simply modulated to a higher pitch, allowing the user to perform cleaning work while listening to the operating sound of vacuum cleaner 100 (i.e., suction motor 142) as music.

[0067] If the amount of dust suction decreases after increasing the suction power of suction source 116 (step S270: No), motor control unit 175 controls suction motor 142 based on the control data (i.e., control data that has not been subjected to addition processing) read from storage unit 174. In this case, the melody emitted from vacuum cleaner 100 (i.e., suction motor 142) is modulated to a lower pitch.

[0068] 12, when the user is cleaning an area where a large amount of dust is being sucked up, the suction power of vacuum cleaner 100 is increased, so that vacuum cleaner 100 can quickly suck up the dust even if there is a large amount of dust. On the other hand, if the amount of dust being sucked up is small, the control to increase the suction power of vacuum cleaner 100 (step S290) is not performed. Therefore, the power of battery 117 is not wasted. Even while the suction power of vacuum cleaner 100 is being changed in accordance with the amount of dust being sucked up in this way, the melody played from vacuum cleaner 100 is simply modulated, so that the user can perform cleaning work while listening to the music played from vacuum cleaner 100.

[0069] In the control shown in FIG. 12, a single threshold is set for the amount of dust suction, and a process for determining whether the amount of dust suction is large is performed (step S270). Alternatively, two thresholds (i.e., an upper threshold and a lower threshold) may be set in this determination process. In this case, if the amount of dust suction falls within the range between the lower threshold and the upper threshold, the motor control unit 175 may control the suction motor 142 based on the control data read from the storage unit 174 (step S280). If the amount of dust suction exceeds the upper threshold, the motor control unit 175 may control the suction motor 142 based on the control data after the above-mentioned addition process (step S290). If the amount of dust suction is below the lower threshold, the motor control unit 175 may subtract a predetermined value from the rotation frequency data of the control data and control the suction motor 142 based on the control data after the subtraction process. In this case, the rotation frequency of the suction motor 142 (and therefore the suction force of the suction source 116) is reduced, so that the power consumption of the battery 117 is further reduced.

[0070] 11, dust detection unit 177 is configured with a light-emitting diode 178 and a light-receiving element 179. Alternatively, dust detection unit 177 may be configured with a reflective optical sensor, or may be configured with other detection components that can detect the amount of dust passing through suction tube 113.

[0071] 12 can be combined with the control shown in Fig. 5 (i.e., control based on the user's selection of a cleaning mode: second embodiment). For example, when a cleaning mode with normal or lower suction power is selected and the amount of suctioned dust exceeds a predetermined value, motor control unit 175 may control suction motor 142 to obtain the high suction power that would be obtained if the user selected a cleaning mode with high suction power. When the user selects a cleaning mode with high suction power, motor control unit 175 may control suction motor 142 to maintain high suction power regardless of whether the amount of suctioned dust increases or decreases.

[0072] The control shown in Fig. 12 may be executed together with the control shown in Fig. 7 (control for reducing the rotation frequency of the suction motor 142 when the amount of stored power in the battery 117 becomes low: third embodiment). For example, if it is determined that the amount of stored power in the battery 117 is not below a predetermined value (step S230 in Fig. 7: No), the control shown in Fig. 12 may be executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the amount of stored power in the battery 117 is below the predetermined value (step S230 in Fig. 7), control for reducing the rotation frequency of the suction motor 142 (step S240 in Fig. 7) may be executed even if the amount of dust suctioned is large.

[0073] The control shown in Fig. 12 may be executed in combination with the control shown in Fig. 8 (i.e., control for increasing the melody speed when the amount of stored power in the battery 117 becomes low: fourth embodiment) or the control shown in Fig. 10 (i.e., control based on the user's motion speed: fifth embodiment). Both the controls shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 10 are controls for changing the melody speed, and therefore can be executed without contradiction with the control shown in Fig. 12, which modulates the melody by changing the rotation frequency of the suction motor 142.

[0074] Seventh embodiment The musical score has a rest as shown in Fig. 13. In the musical score shown in Fig. 13, the fourth note in the musical score shown in Fig. 4 is replaced with a rest. The control data when the motor control unit 175 stops the suction motor 142 in accordance with this rest is shown in the table below.

[0075] [Table 2]

[0076] As shown in Table 2, if the rotation frequency of suction motor 142 is set to "0 Hz" in accordance with a rest in the musical score, the suction power of vacuum cleaner 100 may be lost for the time period allocated to the rest (i.e., "580 msec"). In order to avoid such a loss of suction power, the control data stored in memory unit 174 may be created as shown in the following table.

[0077] [Table 3]

[0078] In the control data of Table 3, the duration assigned to the "re" note immediately preceding the rest in the musical score is extended by the duration assigned to the rest in the control data of Table 2. When motor control unit 175 controls suction motor 142 based on the control data of Table 3, vacuum cleaner 100 plays a melody as represented by the musical score shown in Fig. 14, and suction motor 142 continues to operate without stopping. Although the melody represented by the musical score shown in Fig. 14 differs from the melody of the original musical score shown in Fig. 13, loss of suction power can be avoided.

[0079] The control data created by the processing of the seventh embodiment can be used to control the suction motor 142 in the first to sixth embodiments.

[0080] (Eighth embodiment) If the loss of suction force described in the seventh embodiment is not a problem, the motor control unit 175 may control the suction motor 142 based on control data created based on the musical score (e.g., the control data shown in Table 2). In this case, the rotational frequency of the suction motor 142 is controlled to "0 Hz" in accordance with the rests on the musical score. While it is conceivable to temporarily interrupt the power supply to the suction motor 142 in order to set the rotational frequency of the suction motor 142 to "0 Hz," in this case, the duration corresponding to the rests on the musical score is easily affected by the rise and fall characteristics of the suction motor 142. For example, if the suction motor 142 rotates with a high inertial force, the period until the suction motor 142 stops may be extended, and it may take longer to stop the suction motor 142 than the duration corresponding to the rests on the musical score. To avoid this situation, the motor control unit 175 may stop the suction motor 142 by applying a braking force to the suction motor 142, rather than temporarily interrupting the power supply to the suction motor 142. In this case, the motor control unit 175 may control the suction motor 142 via a drive circuit 184 shown in FIG.

[0081] The suction motor 142 has a cylindrical stator 190, three stator cores 191 to 193 provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the stator 190, and three coils 194 to 196 wound around the stator cores 191 to 193, respectively. A rotor 188 is rotatably held within the stator 190. The rotor 188 is a rod-shaped member having a north pole and a south pole, and a rotary vane 143 is attached to the tip of the rotor 188.

[0082] The coils 194 to 196 are connected to the battery 117 via the drive circuit 184, and current flows through these coils 194 to 196 due to the power of the battery 117. As a result of the current flowing through the coils 194 to 196, a magnetic field is generated around the rotor 188. This magnetic field acts on the magnetic poles of the rotor 188, generating a rotational force that rotates the rotor 188 or a braking force that stops the rotor 188.

[0083] The drive circuit 184 has six switch elements Tr1 to Tr6, which are controlled by the motor control unit 175. When rotating the rotor 188, the motor control unit 175 opens and closes the switch elements Tr1 to Tr6 so that a rotating magnetic field that rotates the rotor 188 is generated around the rotor 188. On the other hand, when stopping the rotor 188, the motor control unit 175 controls the switch elements Tr1 to Tr6 so that a static magnetic field is generated in the rotor 188. For example, to generate a static magnetic field, the motor control unit 175 may turn switch elements Tr1 and Tr4 "ON" while turning the remaining switch elements Tr2, Tr3, Tr5, and Tr6 "OFF," as shown in FIG. 16. In this case, a current path 197, indicated by a thick line in FIG. 16, is formed. A current flows through the current path 197 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 16. In this state, the rotor 188 is stopped at a predetermined rotation position. That is, in this rotational position, rotor 188 is magnetically attracted to coils 194 to 196, and a magnetic braking force acts on rotor 188.

[0084] The control data shown in Table 2 above is created so that a silent state is obtained after the "do" sound, the intervening note, the "do" sound, and the "re" sound are produced in sequence. In this case, the motor control unit 175 controls the opening and closing of the switch elements Tr1 to Tr6 so that the rotor 188 rotates at the rotational frequency assigned to each sound for the duration assigned to each sound during the period from the first "do" sound to the "re" sound. Thereafter, the motor control unit 175 maintains the states of the switch elements Tr1 to Tr6 of the drive circuit 184 in the state shown in FIG. 16 for the duration corresponding to the rest (i.e., 580 msec). In this state, a braking force acts on the rotor 188, preventing the rotor 188 from continuing to rotate due to inertia. In other words, after producing the operating sound corresponding to the "re" sound, the suction motor 142 can immediately enter a state in which it does not produce an operating sound, corresponding to the rest. Therefore, the melody emitted from suction motor 142 (and thus vacuum cleaner 100) is close to the melody represented by the musical score shown in FIG.

[0085] The control of applying a magnetic braking force to the rotor 188 to stop the rotor 188 described in the eighth embodiment can be used to control the suction motor 142 in the first to sixth embodiments.

[0086] (Ninth embodiment) In the first to eighth embodiments, the suction motor 142 is the only sound source that produces a melody. However, the vacuum cleaner 100 may also have another sound source that produces a melody different from that of the suction motor 142. For example, while the operating sound of the suction motor 142 produces a main melody, another sound source may produce a counter melody. In this case, the main melody produced by the operating sound of the suction motor 142 is accentuated by the counter melody, making it easier for the user to hear the operating sound of the suction motor 142 as music. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17 , a sound generating unit 198 that produces a counter melody is mounted on the control circuit 170. The sound generating unit 198 may be, for example, a melody IC or other component capable of producing a predetermined counter melody.

[0087] The sound generating unit 198 is configured to generate a sound that plays a secondary melody in response to an operation command from the motor control unit 175. The motor control unit 175 is configured to output the operation command to the sound generating unit 198 in synchronization with the process of reading out control data from the storage unit 174 (step S110 in FIG. 5, step S220 in FIGS. 7, 8, 10, and 12).

[0088] If motor control unit 175 and sound generation unit 198 are configured as described above, sound generation unit 198 can start playing the counter melody substantially in synchronization with the control of suction motor 142 by motor control unit 175. Since the counter melody is played from sound generation unit 198 together with the main melody played by the operating sound of suction motor 142, the main melody played by the operating sound of suction motor 142 can be clearly heard by the user.

[0089] Control of playing a secondary melody using the sound generating unit 198 can be performed in combination with the control shown in Fig. 5 (i.e., control based on the cleaning mode selected by the user: second embodiment). In this case, the sound generating unit 198 may be configured to play the following three secondary melodies 1 to 3. That is, the motor control unit 175 performs a process of determining which cleaning mode is indicated by the signal from the signal generating circuit 144 (steps S120, S130), and based on the result of this determination process, issues a command to the sound generating unit 198 as to which of the secondary melodies 1 to 3 to play. (Sub-melody 1) A sub-melody created to match the main melody played by the operating sound of the suction motor 142 when the cleaning mode with normal suction power is selected. (Sub-melody 2) A sub-melody created to match the main melody played by the operating sound of the suction motor 142 when a high-suction cleaning mode is selected (this sub-melody may be a melody obtained by transposing Sub-melody 1 to a higher pitch). (Sub-melody 3) A sub-melody created to match the main melody played by the operating sound of the suction motor 142 when a low suction power cleaning mode is selected (this sub-melody may be a melody obtained by transposing Sub-melody 1 to a lower pitch).

[0090] The control of playing the subsidiary melody using the sound generating unit 198 may be executed together with the control shown in Fig. 7 (control of lowering the rotation frequency of the suction motor 142 when the amount of stored power in the battery 117 becomes low: third embodiment). In the control shown in Fig. 7, when the amount of stored power in the battery 117 becomes low, the rotation frequency of the suction motor 142 is lowered, and the main melody played by the operating sound of the suction motor 142 is modulated to a lower pitch. If the sound generating unit 198 is playing the subsidiary melody 1 described above before the execution of this modulation process, the motor control unit 175 may instruct the sound generating unit 198 to play the subsidiary melody 3 described above in synchronization with the execution of the modulation process.

[0091] Furthermore, if the motor control unit 175 is configured to instruct the sound generation unit 198 as to which of the sub-melody 1 to 3 to play, the control of playing the sub-melody using the sound generation unit 198 can be executed together with the control (sixth embodiment) shown in Fig. 12. In this case, for example, if the amount of dust suctioned exceeds a predetermined value while the sound generation unit 198 is playing sub-melody 1, the motor control unit 175 may instruct the sound generation unit 198 to play sub-melody 2 while increasing the rotation speed of the suction motor 142.

[0092] The control of playing a sub-melody using the sound generating unit 198 may be executed in combination with the control shown in Fig. 8 (fourth embodiment) or the control shown in Fig. 10 (fifth embodiment). Both of these controls change the speed of the melody, and the motor control unit 175 may instruct the sound generating unit 198 to change the speed of the sub-melody in synchronization with this control. That is, the motor control unit 175 can instruct the sound generating unit 198 as to how much to increase or decrease the speed of the sub-melody. This prevents the sub-melody generated from the sound generating unit 198 from lagging behind or preceding the main melody played by the operating sound of the suction motor 142.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the main melody is played by the operating sound of the suction motor 142, and the secondary melody is generated from the sound generating unit 198. Conversely, the suction motor 142 may be controlled to play the secondary melody, and the main melody may be generated from the sound generating unit 198.

[0094] (Tenth embodiment) In general music, if a drum sound is emitted along with the main melody, a listener of the music can perceive the speed or rhythm of the main melody and more easily recognize the main melody as music. For this reason, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be configured to emit a sound equivalent to a drum sound. In this embodiment, the suction nozzle 130 of the vacuum cleaner 100 is configured as shown in Figure 18, and the suction nozzle 130 is controlled to emit a sound intermittently from the suction nozzle 130.

[0095] 18, a brush motor 210 that generates a driving force for rotating a brush roller 133, and a brush control unit 211 that controls the brush motor 210 are arranged inside the nozzle case 132 of the suction nozzle 130. The brush motor 210 is connected to the brush roller 133 by a transmission mechanism (not shown) that is configured to be able to transmit a driving force by a pulley and a drive belt. The brush control unit 211 is electrically connected to the brush motor 210.

[0096] The brush control unit 211 holds control data created to operate the brush motor 210 intermittently, and is configured to control the brush motor 210 in accordance with this control data. Under the condition that the speed of the melody produced by the suction motor 142 is constant, this control data may be created so that the brush motor 210 operates once for each measure of the musical score, and the operation intervals of the brush motor 210 are approximately constant, as shown in Fig. 19, for example.

[0097] 20, the brush control unit 211 is electrically connected to the motor control unit 175. The motor control unit 175 is configured to be able to execute control for changing the speed of the melody as in the fourth and fifth embodiments, and is also configured to output speed change information relating to the amount of change in the speed of the melody to the brush control unit 211. When the motor control unit 175 outputs the speed change information, the brush control unit 211 is configured to lengthen or shorten the operation interval of the brush motor 210 based on the speed change information. For example, if the speed change information indicates that the speed of the melody has increased, the brush control unit 211 shortens the operation interval of the brush motor 210. Conversely, if the speed change information indicates that the speed of the melody has decreased, the brush control unit 211 lengthens the operation interval of the brush motor 210. The brush control unit 211 adjusts the operation interval of the brush motor 210 in this manner based on the speed change information, thereby maintaining the relationship shown in FIG. 19 between the melody produced by the suction motor 142 and the operation timing of the brush motor 210.

[0098] When the motor control unit 175 is not outputting speed change information, the brush control unit 211 controls the brush motor 210 in accordance with the control data stored in the brush control unit 211. At this time, the operating sound of the brush motor 210 and the rubbing sound of the brush roller 133 rubbing against the floor surface are generated at approximately regular time intervals. Based on the time intervals between these sounds, the user can perceive the speed of the melody played by the operating sound of the suction motor 142. In other words, if the time intervals between these sounds are short, the user will perceive the melody played by the operating sound of the suction motor 142 as being fast, and conversely, if the time intervals are long, the user will perceive the melody as being slow.

[0099] When the motor control unit 175 outputs the speed change information, the brush control unit 211 executes a predetermined calculation process on the control data stored in the brush control unit 211 based on the speed change information. That is, the brush control unit 211 determines the operation timing of the brush motor 210 so as to maintain the relationship shown in FIG. 19 between the melody produced by the suction motor 142 and the operation timing of the brush motor 210. For example, if the speed of the melody produced by the operation sound of the suction motor 142 increases, the brush control unit 211 shortens the operation interval of the brush motor 210 in accordance with the increase in speed. Conversely, if the speed of the melody produced by the operation sound of the suction motor 142 decreases, the brush control unit 211 lengthens the operation interval of the brush motor 210 in accordance with the decrease in speed. In this way, if the operation interval of the brush motor 210 changes, the time intervals of the operation sound of the brush motor 210 and the rubbing sound of the brush roller 133 also change. In this case, the user can perceive a change in the tempo of the melody based on the change in the time intervals between these sounds.

[0100] In the control data shown in Figure 19, the brush motor 210 is activated once for each measure of the musical score. Alternatively, the brush motor 210 may be activated multiple times for each measure of the musical score, as shown in Figure 21.

[0101] In Figure 21, brush motor 210 operates three times in each measure. The time interval between the first and second operation timings in each measure is set longer than the time interval between the second and third operation timings. By repeating this set intermittent operation pattern of brush motor 210, it is possible to add a rhythmic sound to the melody produced by the operation sound of suction motor 142 by using the operation sound of brush motor 210 and the rubbing sound of brush roller 133. This allows the user to more easily listen to the sounds produced by vacuum cleaner 100 as music.

[0102] When the motor control unit 175 outputs speed change information, the brush control unit 211 controls the brush motor 210 so as to maintain the relationship between the melody produced by the suction motor 142 and the operation timing of the brush motor 210, as shown in Fig. 21. That is, if the speed change information indicates that the melody speed has increased, the brush control unit 211 shortens the time length of the intermittent operation pattern while also shortening the repeat cycle of the intermittent operation pattern. Conversely, if the speed change information indicates that the melody speed has decreased, the brush control unit 211 lengthens the time length of the intermittent operation pattern while also lengthening the repeat cycle of the intermittent operation pattern.

[0103] In FIG. 21, one intermittent operation pattern of brush motor 210 is set within one measure, but it may be set across multiple measures.

[0104] In the first to tenth embodiments, a melody is played using the operating sound emitted from the suction motor 142. Alternatively, if the wind noise caused by the rotation of the rotary blades 143 is louder than the operating sound of the suction motor 142, the suction motor 142 may be controlled so that the melody is played by the wind noise.

[0105] In the first to tenth embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 100 is a stick type. Alternatively, the control techniques of the first to tenth embodiments may be applied to a canister type vacuum cleaner or a handheld type vacuum cleaner.

[0106] (Effects, etc.) The technology according to the above-described embodiment has the following features and provides the following effects.

[0107] A control method according to one aspect of the above-described embodiments is used to control a suction motor of a vacuum cleaner equipped with a suction source that generates suction force for sucking dust by rotating rotating blades with the suction motor. The control method includes a motor control step of controlling the suction motor so that the operating sound emitted from the suction source plays the melody represented by the predetermined musical score by increasing or decreasing the rotational frequency of the suction motor in accordance with the pitch of the notes represented by the predetermined musical score. When the predetermined musical score contains two consecutive untied notes representing the same note, the motor control step controls the rotational frequency of the suction motor so that an intervening note is generated between the notes represented by the two notes, the intervening note having a frequency at least a semitone away from the note represented by the two notes.

[0108] According to the above-described configuration, the operating sound emitted from the suction source changes in pitch as the rotational frequency of the suction motor changes. Therefore, by controlling the rotational frequency of the suction motor, the operating sound of the suction source can be changed to match the pitch of the notes in a predetermined musical score. When two consecutive untied notes representing the same note are played in this musical score, an intervening sound with a frequency at least a semitone away from the original note is emitted from the suction source between the two notes. As a result, the two notes representing the same note can be separated and heard by the user. In other words, the operating sound of the suction source can be separated into individual notes and heard by the user. Therefore, the melody represented by the operating sound of the suction source can be made closer to the melody represented by the predetermined musical score. Furthermore, by controlling the suction motor so that an intervening sound is emitted between the two notes representing the same note, rather than stopping the suction motor, the suction motor is maintained in operation, thereby avoiding a momentary loss of suction power.

[0109] In the above-described configuration, the motor control step may control the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the duration of the intervening sound is shorter than the duration represented by the shortest note in the predetermined musical score.

[0110] The duration represented by the shortest note in the score is determined so that the sound represented by this note can be heard. Therefore, if an interjection sound is produced for a duration equal to or longer than the duration represented by the shortest note in the score, the user can hear the interjection sound. Because the interjection sound is separated by at least a semitone from the sound represented by the note on the score, if the user can hear the interjection sound, the user may feel uneasy about the melody played by the vacuum cleaner. To avoid this situation, in the above-mentioned configuration, the suction motor is controlled so that the duration of the interjection sound is shorter than the duration of the shortest note in the score. The shorter the duration of the interjection sound is compared to the duration represented by the shortest note in the score, the less likely the user will hear the interjection sound. Consequently, the less likely the user will feel uneasy about the melody played by the vacuum cleaner.

[0111] In the above-described configuration, the motor control step may control the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the insertion sound is emitted for a time length of 30 msec or more.

[0112] According to the above-mentioned configuration, if an intervening sound is produced for a time period of 30 msec or more between the sounds represented by two notes that represent the same sound, the sounds represented by the two notes that represent the same sound will be less likely to be heard as being connected (Haas effect).

[0113] In the above-described configuration, the motor control step may control the rotational frequency of the suction motor without stopping the suction motor so that the sound represented by the note immediately preceding a rest in a specified musical score is emitted for the length of the rest.

[0114] While stopping the suction motor allows for the expression of rests in the score, stopping the suction motor may temporarily cause a loss of suction power in the vacuum cleaner. To avoid this loss of suction power, the above configuration controls the suction motor without stopping it so that the sound represented by the note immediately preceding the rest is played for the length of the rest.

[0115] In the above-described configuration, the motor control step may generate a braking force on the suction motor in synchronization with a rest in a predetermined musical score, thereby reducing the rotation frequency of the suction motor to zero.

[0116] Although rests in the score can be expressed by stopping the suction motor, it is possible that the suction motor will not stop at the timing of the rest due to its inertia. In order to stop the suction motor quickly in time with the rest, the above-mentioned configuration generates a braking force on the suction motor, setting the rotation frequency of the suction motor to zero.

[0117] A vacuum cleaner according to another aspect of the above-described embodiments includes a suction source having a suction motor, a rotary blade that is rotationally driven by the suction motor to generate suction force for sucking in dust, and a motor control unit that controls the suction motor. The motor control unit is configured to execute the above-described suction motor control method.

[0118] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the motor control unit executes the above-mentioned suction motor control method, so even if two consecutive untied notes representing the same note appear in the musical score, the vacuum cleaner can separate the operating sounds of the suction source for each note and allow the user to hear them. Also, since there is no need to stop the suction motor to separate the two notes representing the same note, a momentary loss of suction power is avoided.

[0119] In the above-described configuration, the vacuum cleaner may further include a sound generating unit configured to play a melody different from the melody represented by the operating sound of the suction source.

[0120] According to the above-described configuration, the sound generating unit is configured to play a melody different from the melody represented by the operating sound of the suction source, so that, for example, it is permissible to play the main melody of a musical score using the operating sound of the suction source and play the secondary melody of the musical score using the sound generating unit.

[0121] In the above configuration, the vacuum cleaner may further include a grip portion configured to be gripped by a user and a motion detection portion configured to detect a speed of movement of the grip portion. The motor control portion may control the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the speed of the melody played by the operating sound of the suction source increases as the movement detected by the motion detection portion increases.

[0122] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the speed of the movement of the gripping part held by the user is detected by the movement detection unit, so it is possible to know whether the user is moving the vacuum cleaner quickly or slowly. When the user is moving the vacuum cleaner quickly, the speed of the melody played by the operating sound of the suction source increases, so that the speed of this melody matches the speed of the user's movements, encouraging the user to perform cleaning work comfortably.

[0123] In the above configuration, the vacuum cleaner may further include a battery that supplies power to the suction motor and a power storage detector that detects the amount of power stored in the battery. The motor controller may control the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the speed of the melody played by the operating sound of the suction source increases when the amount of power stored in the battery detected by the power storage detector falls below a predetermined value.

[0124] According to the above-described configuration, when the battery charge falls below a predetermined value, the speed of the melody played by the operating sound of the suction source increases. If the melody speed increases while the user is cleaning in accordance with the speed of the melody, the user's cleaning speed may also increase. Therefore, by increasing the melody speed when the battery charge falls below a predetermined value, the user can speed up the cleaning work and be prompted to finish the cleaning work before the battery charge runs out.

[0125] In the above configuration, the vacuum cleaner may further include a battery that supplies power to the suction motor and a power storage detector that detects the amount of power stored in the battery. When the amount of power stored in the battery detected by the power storage detector falls below a predetermined value, the motor controller may lower the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the melody played by the operating sound of the suction source changes to a lower key.

[0126] According to the above configuration, when the battery charge falls below a predetermined value, the motor control unit reduces the rotation frequency of the suction motor, thereby reducing power consumption. When the rotation frequency of the suction motor decreases, the frequency of the operating sound emitted from the suction source also decreases. However, the motor control unit controls the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the melody played by the operating sound of the suction source changes to a lower key. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner can continue to play the melody represented by the musical score even when the battery charge decreases.

[0127] In the above configuration, the vacuum cleaner may further include a dust detection unit that detects the amount of dust being sucked in by the suction force of the suction source. When the amount of dust detected by the dust detection unit exceeds a predetermined value, the motor control unit may increase the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the melody played by the operating sound of the suction source changes to a higher pitch.

[0128] When the suction volume detected by the dust detection unit exceeds a predetermined value, the user is cleaning a location with a lot of dust compared to when the suction volume does not exceed the predetermined value. In this case, it is preferable for the suction source to suck up dust with a high suction force. Therefore, in the above-described configuration, when the suction volume detected by the dust detection unit exceeds a predetermined value, the motor control unit increases the rotation frequency of the suction motor to increase the suction force of the suction source. As the rotation frequency of the suction motor increases, the frequency of the operating sound emitted from the suction source increases, but the motor control unit controls the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the melody played by the operating sound of the suction source changes to a higher pitch. As a result, the vacuum cleaner can continue to play the melody represented by the musical score while generating a suction force appropriate for the amount of dust being sucked.

[0129] In the above configuration, the vacuum cleaner may include a nozzle case forming a suction space into which dust on a floor surface sucked by the suction force of the suction source flows, a brush roller arranged in the suction space so as to contact the floor surface and rotatably held by the nozzle case, a brush motor that drives and rotates the brush roller, and a brush control unit that controls the brush motor so that the brush motor operates intermittently at predetermined time intervals. The brush control unit may control the brush motor so that the operation interval of the brush motor becomes shorter when the motor control unit controls the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the melody speed increases.

[0130] According to the above-described configuration, when the suction source generates suction force, dust on the floor surface is sucked into the suction space of the nozzle case. At this time, when the brush roller, which is disposed in the suction space so as to contact the floor surface, is rotated by the brush motor, the brush roller scrapes off the dust on the floor surface, thereby increasing the amount of dust sucked through the suction space. As the brush roller rotates to scrape off the dust on the floor surface, a rubbing sound of the brush roller rubbing against the floor surface and an operating sound of the brush motor are generated. These sounds are generated intermittently because the brush control unit controls the brush motor so that the brush motor operates intermittently. The intervals between these sounds become shorter as the melody speed increases, because when the motor control unit controls the rotation frequency of the suction motor to increase the melody speed, the brush control unit controls the brush motor to shorten the operating interval of the brush motor. Therefore, the user can perceive an increase in the melody speed based on the change in the intervals between the rubbing sound of the brush roller rubbing against the floor surface and the operating sound of the brush motor.

[0131] In the above configuration, the vacuum cleaner may further include a nozzle case forming a suction space into which dust on a floor surface sucked by the suction force of the suction source flows, a brush roller arranged in the suction space so as to contact the floor surface and rotatably held by the nozzle case, a brush motor that drives and rotates the brush roller, and a brush control unit that controls the brush motor so that the brush motor repeatedly operates in a predetermined intermittent operation pattern. When the motor control unit controls the rotation frequency of the suction motor so as to increase the speed of the melody, the brush control unit may control the brush motor so as to shorten the time length of the intermittent operation pattern and the repetition period of the intermittent operation pattern.

[0132] According to the above-described configuration, the brush motor repeatedly operates according to a predetermined intermittent operation pattern. In this intermittent operation pattern, the time interval between the intermittent operations of the brush motor may or may not be constant. For example, the time interval between the first and second operations in the intermittent operation pattern of the brush motor may be longer than the time interval between the second and third operations. Therefore, if the intermittent operation pattern of the brush motor is set so that the rubbing noise of the brush roller and the operating noise of the brush motor occur at a desired timing in the melody played by the suction source, a rhythmic sound can be added to the melody played by the suction source. In this case, as the speed of the melody played by the suction source increases, the duration of the intermittent operation pattern of the brush motor and the repetition period of the intermittent operation pattern become shorter. Therefore, the rhythmic sound produced by the rubbing noise of the brush roller and the operating noise of the brush motor can follow the increase in the speed of the melody. [Industrial Applicability]

[0133] The techniques of the above-described embodiments are suitably used in devices used for cleaning work. [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 100...Vacuum cleaner 116...Suction source 117 Battery 131 Intake space 132 Nozzle case 133 Brush roller 140...Grip part 142 Suction motor 143 Rotating blades 145.... Charge detection unit 175 Motor control unit 176 Motion detection unit 177 Dust detection unit 198 Sound generating unit 200...Vacuum cleaner 210·····Brush motor 211 Brush control unit

Claims

1. A method for controlling a suction motor of a vacuum cleaner having a suction source that generates suction force for sucking dust by rotating a rotary blade with a suction motor, comprising: a motor control step of increasing or decreasing the rotation frequency of the suction motor in accordance with the pitch of a note written on a predetermined musical score, thereby controlling the suction motor so that the operating sound emitted from the suction source plays the melody written on the predetermined musical score; When two consecutive notes representing the same note are represented without a tie in the specified musical score, the motor control step controls the rotational frequency of the suction motor so that an intervening note having a frequency that is at least a semitone away from the note represented by the two notes is generated between the notes represented by the two notes.

2. 2. The suction motor control method according to claim 1, wherein the motor control step controls the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the duration of the intervening sound is shorter than the duration represented by the shortest note in the predetermined musical score.

3. 3. The suction motor control method according to claim 1, wherein the motor control step controls the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the insertion sound is generated for a duration of 30 msec or more.

4. 3. The suction motor control method according to claim 1, wherein the motor control step controls the rotation frequency of the suction motor without stopping the suction motor so that the sound represented by the note immediately preceding a rest in the specified musical score is emitted for a period of time corresponding to the rest.

5. 3. The suction motor control method according to claim 1, wherein the motor control step generates a braking force on the suction motor in synchronization with a rest in the predetermined musical score, thereby setting the rotation frequency of the suction motor to zero.

6. a suction source having a suction motor and a rotary blade that is rotationally driven by the suction motor to generate a suction force for sucking in dust; a motor control unit that controls the suction motor, 3. A vacuum cleaner, wherein the motor control unit is configured to execute the suction motor control method according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, further comprising a sound generating unit configured to play a melody different from the melody represented by the operating sound of the suction source.

8. a grip portion configured to be gripped by a user; a movement detection unit that detects the speed of movement of the gripping unit, The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the motor control unit controls the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the speed of the melody played by the operating sound of the suction source increases as the movement detected by the movement detection unit becomes faster.

9. a battery for powering the suction motor; a power storage detection unit that detects the amount of power stored in the battery, 7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the motor control unit controls the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the speed of the melody played by the operating sound of the suction source increases when the amount of stored power detected by the stored power detection unit falls below a predetermined value.

10. a battery for powering the suction motor; a power storage detection unit that detects the amount of power stored in the battery, 7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein when the amount of stored power detected by the power storage detection unit falls below a predetermined value, the motor control unit reduces the rotational frequency of the suction motor so that the melody played by the operating sound of the suction source changes to a lower key.

11. a dust detector that detects the amount of dust sucked by the suction force of the suction source; 7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the motor control unit increases the rotational frequency of the suction motor so that the melody played by the operating sound of the suction source changes to a higher pitch when the suction amount detected by the dust detection unit exceeds a predetermined value.

12. a nozzle case that forms a suction space into which dust on the floor surface sucked by the suction force of the suction source flows; a brush roller disposed in the suction space so as to contact a floor surface and rotatably held by the nozzle case; a brush motor that rotates the brush roller; a brush control unit that controls the brush motor so that the brush motor operates intermittently at predetermined time intervals; The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the brush control unit controls the brush motor so that an operating interval of the brush motor is shortened when the motor control unit controls the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the speed of the melody increases.

13. a nozzle case that forms a suction space into which dust on the floor surface sucked by the suction force of the suction source flows; a brush roller disposed in the suction space so as to contact a floor surface and rotatably held by the nozzle case; a brush motor that rotates the brush roller; a brush control unit that controls the brush motor so that the brush motor operates intermittently at predetermined time intervals; The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein the brush control unit controls the brush motor so that an operation interval of the brush motor is shortened when the motor control unit controls the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the speed of the melody increases.

14. a nozzle case that forms a suction space into which dust on the floor surface sucked by the suction force of the suction source flows; a brush roller disposed in the suction space so as to contact a floor surface and rotatably held by the nozzle case; a brush motor that rotates the brush roller; a brush control unit that controls the brush motor so that the brush motor repeatedly operates in a predetermined intermittent operation pattern, 9. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein when the motor control unit controls the rotation frequency of the suction motor so as to increase the speed of the melody, the brush control unit controls the brush motor so as to shorten the time length of the intermittent operation pattern and the repetition period of the intermittent operation pattern.

15. a nozzle case that forms a suction space into which dust on the floor surface sucked by the suction force of the suction source flows; a brush roller disposed in the suction space so as to contact a floor surface and rotatably held by the nozzle case; a brush motor that rotates the brush roller; a brush control unit that controls the brush motor so that the brush motor repeatedly operates in a predetermined intermittent operation pattern, The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, wherein when the motor control unit controls the rotation frequency of the suction motor so that the speed of the melody increases, the brush control unit controls the brush motor so as to shorten the time length of the intermittent operation pattern and the repetition period of the intermittent operation pattern.

Images