vacuum cleaner

Abstract

To provide a vacuum cleaner capable of improving visibility of dust.SOLUTION: A vacuum cleaner 106 includes a suction port body 280 having a dust suction port 203, a rotary brush 201, and a light source 202 that irradiates a cleaning target surface with light. In the suction port body 280, the light source 202 is arranged further downward and rearward than a portion most projecting to the front so as to prevent collision of the light source 202, and an upper shade 225 (light blocking member) that blocks light is arranged above the light source.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. [Background technology]

[0002] Background art in this technical field is found in International Publication No. 2008 / 035478 (Patent Document 1), which describes "an electric vacuum cleaner comprising a suction port body having a suction port for sucking in gas containing dust, and a light-emitting diode arranged in the suction port body, wherein when the vacuum cleaner is arranged so as to be in contact with the suction body or substantially parallel to the floor surface, the irradiation range of light emitted from the light-emitting diode and irradiated to the outside of the suction port body expands downward from a direction extending substantially parallel to the floor surface." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO 2008 / 035478 (e.g., claim 1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement in terms of improving the visibility of dust. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner that can improve the visibility of dust. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To solve the above problems , BookThe vacuum cleaner of the invention is an electric vacuum cleaner equipped with a suction port body having a dirt suction port, a rotating brush, and a light source that irradiates light onto the surface to be cleaned, characterized in that the light source is positioned below and behind the forward-most protruding part of the outer shell of the suction port body, the forward-most protruding part of the suction port body is formed by the outer shell of the suction port body, and an upper shade that blocks light is positioned above the light source. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vacuum cleaner that can improve the visibility of dust, etc. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of an operating unit provided in the electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view illustrating the structure of a suction mouth body provided in the electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a hue circle of the Munsell color system that describes the hue of irradiated light. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a hue circle of the Munsell color system that describes the hue of irradiated light. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a hue circle of the Munsell color system that describes the hue of irradiated light. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the wavelength of irradiated light, and is a diagram for explaining a fourth example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a wavelength region formed into a ring shape by connecting the wavelengths at both ends of the band-shaped visible light region shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the light irradiation surface on the dust when light is irradiated onto the dust on the floor surface from directly above. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the surface of dust illuminated by light when the dust is illuminated at an angle (0°<α<90°) on the floor. [Figure 11] 1 is a graph showing illuminance versus light irradiation angle. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed by a user during cleaning. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the structure of a suction mouth body provided in the electric vacuum cleaner of the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a top view of an operating unit provided in the electric vacuum cleaner of the second embodiment. [Figure 15] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating steps that a user performs when cleaning using the electric vacuum cleaner of the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a top view of an operating unit provided in the electric vacuum cleaner of the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a top view of an operating unit provided in the electric vacuum cleaner of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a top view of an operating unit provided in the electric vacuum cleaner of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the structure of a suction mouth body provided in the electric vacuum cleaner of the sixth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the structure of a suction mouth body provided in the electric vacuum cleaner of the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and for example, different embodiments may be combined with each other or modified as desired within the scope that does not significantly impair the effects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the same components will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, components having the same functions will be given the same names. The contents shown are merely schematic, and for convenience of illustration, the actual configuration may be changed within the scope that does not significantly impair the effects of the present disclosure.

[0009] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a vacuum cleaner 100 of a first embodiment. The vacuum cleaner 100 can switch on and off light L (FIG. 3) in the light absorbed by a floor surface 500 according to content (described later) that allows the user to recognize the correspondence between a floor surface 500 (FIG. 3) and the light absorbed by the floor surface 500. This can improve cleaning efficiency.

[0010] The electric vacuum cleaner 100 can be changed into various usage forms such as a handheld form or a stick form, and can clean a floor surface 500 (see FIG. 3; an example of a surface to be cleaned, which may be the top surface of a shelf, etc.). The electric vacuum cleaner 100 is not limited to the example shown in the figure, and may also be a robot vacuum cleaner.

[0011] Support base 70, which houses vacuum cleaner 100, houses vacuum cleaner 100 in a stick state with extension tube 300 (accessory) and standard suction nozzle body 200 (accessory) connected to it, and is configured with base 71 and stand 72. Vacuum cleaner 100 can be used by connecting a small suction nozzle (accessory), a broom-type suction nozzle (accessory), an extension hose (accessory), or the like, all of which are not shown. Suction nozzle body 200 is a power brush type in which rotating brush 201 (FIG. 3) is rotated by a motor (not shown).

[0012] The electric vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a vacuum cleaner main body 1, a dust case 2 (dust collection device), and a storage battery 3. The vacuum cleaner main body 1 comprises a main body 10, a motor case 11, and a handle 12. The main body 10 is connected to a suction port body 200 via an extension tube 300, and sucks up dust on a floor surface 500 using airflow generated by driving a motor (not shown) housed in the motor case 11. The sucked-up dust is collected in the dust case 2. Power used by the motor is supplied by the storage battery 3. A user can clean the floor surface 500 by gripping the handle 12 and moving the suction port body 200 in the desired direction. An operating unit 121 is provided on the front side of the handle 12 (Fig. 1).

[0013] 2 is a top view of the operation unit 121 provided in the vacuum cleaner 100 of the first embodiment. The operation unit 121 includes operation units 122, 123, and 124. The operation unit 122 is, for example, a button that controls the light emission of the light source 202 (FIG. 3) provided in the suction mouth body 200 (FIG. 3), and each time the operation unit 122 is pressed, for example, the light is switched on or off. As will be described in detail later, the operation unit 122 is configured to accept an operation (for example, included in the content described later) to illuminate the light source 202 in accordance with the color of the floor surface 500. This makes it easier to see dirt on the floor surface 500.

[0014] The operation unit 123 is, for example, a button that switches the suction power of the motor housed in the motor case 11 between strong and weak, and each time it is pressed, the voltage applied to the motor is switched between high and low. By pressing the operation unit 123 while the motor is stopped, the motor starts to operate with, for example, strong suction power. The operation unit 124 is, for example, a button that stops the operation of the motor housed in the motor case 11 and turns off the light source 202. That is, in the first embodiment, the light can be turned off by either the operation unit 122 or the operation unit 124.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the structure of the suction port body 200 provided in the vacuum cleaner 100 of the first embodiment. The suction port body 200 includes a rotating brush 201, a dirt suction port 203, and a light source 202. The rotating brush 201 stirs up dirt (dust, etc.) by rotating about a rotation axis 205 extending in the left-right direction. The suction port 203 is an entrance through which the dirt stirred up by the rotating brush 201 is sucked. The light source 202 irradiates the floor surface 500 with light L of a color absorbed by the floor surface 500. The light source 202 is configured with, for example, an LED capable of emitting light of at least one color, and is turned on (or may flash) as necessary to make it easier for a user who sees the color of the floor surface 500 to see the dirt on the floor surface 500.

[0016] 4 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a Munsell color system hue circle (hereinafter referred to as Munsell color circle where appropriate) that describes the hue of the irradiated light L. The Munsell color circle is a circular Munsell color chart with a center P0, and in the illustrated example, it has 20 hues, with the circumference divided into 20 equal parts. Symbols on the circumference represent hues (synonymous with "color"), with R representing red, Y representing yellow, G representing green, B representing blue, and P representing purple.

[0017] For example, if light source 202 (FIG. 3) emits light L of an absorption color that is easily absorbed by floor surface 500, floor surface 500 will absorb the light L, making it easier for a user to see the light L reflected by the dust and confirm the location of the dust. Therefore, for example, light source 202 emits light L of a non-similar color having a hue that belongs to a region of the 20 hues on the Munsell color wheel shown in FIG. 4 as light L of the absorption color of floor surface 500, other than the region between two hues adjacent to the hue corresponding to the color of floor surface 500. By emitting light L of a non-similar color, it is possible to make floor surface 500 more likely to absorb light L, suppress reflection, and make dust more noticeable, thereby improving the visibility of dust.

[0018] For example, for a hue C1 of the floor surface 500, the 20 hues adjacent to the hue C1 are the hues 5YR and 10YR. If the area between the hues 5YR and 10YR, including the hue C1, is defined as being similar in color to the hue C1 of the floor surface 500, the light source 202 (FIG. 3) emits light L of a non-similar color, which is a hue belonging to the area other than the similar color. When a single color of light L is emitted, any one color can be selected from the non-similar colors, and when multiple colors of light L are emitted, any two or more colors can be selected.

[0019] In the first embodiment, the light source 202 is configured to emit monochromatic light L, and specifically includes, for example, a green LED that emits green (5G). The operation unit 121 (FIG. 2) is configured to accept an operation to switch on / off the emission of monochromatic light L by the light source 202 according to the color of the floor surface 500. This allows the user to make the garbage more visible by emitting light L only when it is easy to see the garbage according to the color of the floor surface 500.

[0020] Operation unit 121 is further configured to accept an operation to make light source 202 shine in accordance with the content, which is a medium that enables the user to recognize the correspondence between the color of floor surface 500 and light L of the absorption color emitted from light source 202. The content here includes, for example, at least an instruction manual for vacuum cleaner 100. The instruction manual may be a paper document packed with vacuum cleaner 100 (FIG. 1), or may be an electronic medium stored in a remote server (not shown), for example, via a telecommunications line, a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or the like. Whatever the type of instruction manual, operation unit 121 can accept an operation by the user to make light source 202 shine in accordance with the content, for example, the instruction manual.

[0021] The content includes a description of the light L of the color absorbed by the floor surface 500, such as the type of floor, such as wooden flooring or carpet, and the color of light L that is suitable for the characteristics of the floor surface 500. For example, wooden flooring is generally close to the color of wood between yellow (5Y) and purple (5P). Therefore, by irradiating light L of a hue outside the range between the hues 5Y and 5P, specifically, for example, light L of a hue between yellow-green (7.5GY) and blue (5B), the color difference between the dirt and the floor surface 500 can be increased, making the dirt more noticeable.

[0022] Therefore, in the first embodiment in which only a green LED is provided as the light source 202, for example, the content includes a message that "select green if the floor is a wooden floor," and when the user visually determines that the floor surface 500 is a wooden floor, the user operates the operation unit 121 to irradiate the floor surface 500 with green light L. This allows the light source 202 to emit light easily according to the color of the floor surface 500.

[0023] Note that, for example, if only a green LED is provided as the light source 202, the content includes only the color of the floor surface that becomes easier to see when the green light L is irradiated. Therefore, in this case, the content does not include (for example, is not described in the instruction manual) any information about a green floor surface (e.g., tatami mats) whose visibility may be reduced by the irradiation of the green light L. However, the content is not limited to this, and the content may also or instead include information about the floor surface 500 on which the irradiation of the green light L should be avoided (for example, the type, material, color, etc. of tatami mats, etc.). Therefore, the user can prevent unintended reduction in visibility by performing operations in accordance with the content.

[0024] Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, if the light source 202 is capable of emitting light of multiple colors, the user can easily select the color of light emitted by the light source 202 according to the color of the floor surface 500. This improves the visibility of dirt and makes cleaning more efficient. Furthermore, if the content includes a message such as "select green if the floor surface color is brown," the user can determine the color regardless of the type (material) of the floor surface 500, and can light up or select the light source 202 in a shorter time.

[0025] In this way, the user can control the light emission of light source 202 in accordance with the content, making it easier to see dust without the need for excessive trial and error. Furthermore, since the content includes an instruction manual, the user can operate the operation unit in accordance with the instruction manual at hand, improving the operability of vacuum cleaner 100.

[0026] The content is available to the user through, for example, text, graphics, audio, etc. The content may include an instruction manual, or may be web content (or an instruction manual displayed on the web) displayed on a mobile information terminal (such as a smartphone) via the Internet together with or instead of the instruction manual, an audio speaker with artificial intelligence, a catalog or POP advertisement placed in a store, etc. Also, since the color of the light source 202 may vary depending on the model of the vacuum cleaner 100, it is preferable that the content include the model number, product name, etc. that can identify the corresponding model. In this way, the content is used in correspondence with the vacuum cleaner 100 according to the present disclosure, and allows the user to recognize the outline and effects of the present disclosure.

[0027] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a Munsell color system hue circle that explains the hue of the irradiated light L. While Fig. 4 above explains the irradiation of light L of dissimilar colors, Fig. 5 illustrates preferred colors among dissimilar colors.

[0028] The greater the color difference between the dust and the floor surface 500, the more the dust stands out against the floor surface 500 when light L is irradiated, making the dust easier to see. Therefore, it is preferable that the light source 202 irradiate light L having a hue that is outside the region of the Munsell color wheel shown in FIG. 5 where the central angle of the Munsell color wheel is within 30° on either side of the hue C1 of the floor surface 500 as the absorption color of the floor surface 500. For example, the range within 30° on either side of the circumferential direction is 10R and 5Y when 7.5YR is the center. This range includes at least one of the Y and R symbols representing the central color 7.5YR, and corresponds to a range that can be treated as similar colors. Irradiating light L of such a hue can significantly change the color of the irradiated light L from the floor surface 500, making it easier for the floor surface 500 to absorb the light, suppressing reflection, and improving the visibility of the dust.

[0029] 6 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a color wheel of the Munsell color system that explains the hue of the irradiated light L. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a color that is more preferable than the examples of FIGS.

[0030] As described above, the greater the color difference between the dust and the floor surface 500, the easier it is to see the dust. Therefore, it is preferable that the light source 202 emits light having a hue that belongs to the narrower region of the region between the hue C2 that is complementary to the hue C1 of the floor surface 500 and the hue C3 that maximizes the relative luminous efficiency in photopic vision on the Munsell color wheel in FIG. 6, as the light L of the absorption color of the floor surface 500. A complementary color relationship means that the hues are point-symmetric with respect to the center P0 on the Munsell color wheel. Complementary colors are colors that complement each other. Note that the hue C4 is the hue that maximizes the relative luminous efficiency in scotopic vision.

[0031] For example, if the hue C1 of the floor surface 500 is 7.5YR (dark greenish yellow), light L of a hue belonging to a narrow range between its complementary hue C2 of 7.5B (blue) and the hue C3 of 7.5GY for which the relative luminous efficiency of photopic vision is greatest is irradiated. In this way, it is possible to increase the amount of light reflected from the dust by light L in the range with high relative luminous efficiency, and to increase the color difference between the light reflected from the floor surface 500 and the light reflected by the dust, thereby improving the visibility of the dust.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the wavelength of the irradiated light L and is a diagram illustrating a fourth example. FIG. 7 shows a band-shaped visible light region from 400 nm to 700 nm, with the horizontal axis representing wavelength. Wavelength W1 is the principal component wavelength (corresponding to hue C2 in FIG. 6) of a color complementary to the color of floor surface 500 (corresponding to hue C1 in FIG. 6). Wavelength W2 is the wavelength (hue C4 in FIG. 6) at which the relative luminous efficiency in scotopic vision is maximized, and is typically 507 nm. Wavelength W3 is the wavelength (hue C3 in FIG. 6) at which the relative luminous efficiency in photopic vision is maximized, and is typically 555 nm. Wavelength W4 is the principal component wavelength of the spectral reflectance of the color of floor surface 500, and is, for example, 600 nm. In these diagrams, the principal component wavelength is either the wavelength at which the energy is maximized or the wavelength in the wavelength range at which the sum of the energies is maximized.

[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates a wavelength region formed by connecting the wavelengths at both ends (400 nm and 700 nm) of the band-shaped visible light region shown in FIG. 7 to form a ring-shaped wavelength region. In the wavelength region shown in FIG. 6, the light source 202 preferably irradiates, as the light L of the absorption color of the floor surface 500, light of a hue belonging to the narrower region of the region formed between the wavelength of the main component of the color complementary to the color of the floor surface 500 (corresponding to wavelength W1 in FIG. 7) and the wavelength at which the relative luminous efficiency of photopic vision is maximized (corresponding to wavelength W3 in FIG. 7). This configuration can simultaneously increase the amount of light reflected from dust by the light L in the region with high relative luminous efficiency and increase the color difference between the light reflected from the floor surface 500 and the light reflected by the dust, thereby improving the visibility of the dust. Note that floor surfaces 500 with colors other than those of non-similar colors of the irradiated light L, i.e., floor surfaces 500 with similar colors to the irradiated light L, correspond to floor surfaces 500 that should not be irradiated.

[0034] Returning to FIG. 3, the light source 202 is disposed above the rotary brush 201 disposed on the lower front side. The light source 202 includes at least one LED 221 that emits, for example, green light, at least one substrate 222 on which the LED 221 is mounted, and a lens 223 that is, for example, cylindrical and has a curvature and is arranged on the front side of the LED 221. The provision of the lens 223 makes it easier to irradiate the light L onto the floor surface 500 located below the front side of the light source 202. However, the lens 223 is not essential, and the light L from the LED 221 may be irradiated directly onto the floor surface 500. The substrate 222 is arranged in the up-down direction (vertical direction).

[0035] A cover 224 is disposed on the front side of the lens 223. An upper shade 225 having light-blocking properties is disposed above the LED 221. The upper shade 225 can block the light L from the LED 221. This prevents the user from directly viewing the light L from the LED 221 even if the intensity of the light L is increased to make the dust easier to see, and also reduces reflected light from areas other than the cleaning area, thereby improving the visibility of the dust.

[0036] The light source 202 is disposed so that the irradiation angle α of the light L with respect to the floor surface 500 is, for example, 5° or less. The irradiation angle will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0037] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the irradiation surface of light L on dust 501 when light L is irradiated from directly above onto dust 501 on a floor surface 500. For simplicity of explanation, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 described below consider a case where spherical dust 501 is placed on floor surface 500 having an area of ​​Af, and light L is irradiated toward floor surface 500 having an area of ​​Af.

[0038] When light L, which is parallel light with a luminous flux ΦEf, is irradiated from a point on the normal line (α=90°) to floor surface 500, the irradiated area of ​​light L on dust 501 is Ad, and the luminous flux of light L on dust 501 is ΦEd. Furthermore, since the illuminance of floor surface 500 (= luminous flux / area) and the illuminance of dust 501 are equal, the illuminance ratio obtained by dividing the illuminance of dust 501 by the illuminance of floor surface 500 is 1.

[0039] 10 is a diagram illustrating the irradiation surface of light L on dust 501 when light L is irradiated obliquely (0°<α<90°) onto dust 501 on a floor surface 500. The illuminance of dust 501 does not depend on the angle between the floor surface 500 and the optical axis L1 of light L (irradiation angle α of light L), but the illuminance of floor surface 500 is proportional to sinα, so the illuminance ratio is 1 / sinα.

[0040] FIG. 11 is a graph showing the illuminance ratio versus the irradiation angle α of light L. Considering that human perception is logarithmic, it is preferable that the illuminance ratio be at least 10 times or more. In FIG. 11, the irradiation angle α at which the illuminance ratio is 10 times or more is 5.7° or less. Therefore, in order to make the color difference and contrast in light quantity more pronounced against the ambient light that is normally irradiated perpendicularly onto the floor surface 500, the irradiation angle α of light L from the light source 202 (FIG. 3) is 5.7° or less, preferably 5° or less. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the light source 202 is disposed so that the irradiation angle α of light L with respect to the floor surface 500 is, for example, 5° or less.

[0041] Returning to FIG. 3 , suction port body 200 is provided with bumper 204 on its front side (the front side of rotating brush 201) which is made of a softer material than suction port body 200 (for example, an elastic material such as rubber or urethane). Bumper 204 is the part of suction port body 200 that protrudes the most toward the front side. Bumpers 204 may also be provided on the left and right sides. Providing bumper 204 can absorb impact when suction port body 200 collides with an obstacle such as a wall or furniture, and protect light source 202 from the impact. It can also prevent the obstacle from being scratched.

[0042] The light source 202 (specifically, the LED 221; the same applies hereinafter unless otherwise specified) is disposed at a position higher than the upper end 2041 of the bumper 204. In other words, if the position of the floor 500 is H0, the length (HL-H0) from the height position (HL) of the light source 202 to the floor 500 is longer than the length (HB1-H0) from the height position (HB1) of the upper end 2041 of the bumper 204 to the floor 500. This allows the light source 202 to collide with the bumper and cushion the impact even if there is an obstacle on the floor 500, thereby preventing damage to the suction port 203 and preventing unintended color from being introduced into the light source 202 due to the adhesion of dust, etc. This prevents a decrease in the visibility of dust.

[0043] The light source 202 is disposed at a position higher than the upper end 2011 of the rotating brush 201. In other words, the distance (HL-H0) from the height position (HL) of the light source 202 to the floor surface 500 is longer than the distance (HB2-H0) from the height position (HB2) of the upper end 2011 of the rotating brush 201 to the floor surface 500. As a result, the light source 202 is disposed at a relatively high position and the irradiation angle α is large, but because the light source 202 irradiates the color absorbed by the floor surface 500 as described above, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the visibility of dirt caused by the large irradiation angle α.

[0044] Light source 202 is further disposed rearward of rotation shaft 205 of rotating brush 201. In other words, in the front-to-back direction (front-to-rear direction), if the position of bumper 204, which is the front end of suction port body 200, is defined as D0, the distance (DL-D0) from the position (DL) of light source 202 to the position (D0) of bumper 204 is longer than the distance (DB-D0) from the position (DB) of rotation shaft 205 to the position (D0) of bumper 204. This allows rotating brush 201 disposed on the front side to be brought closer to, for example, a wall, making it easier to capture dirt, thereby achieving both good dirt visibility and good capture performance.

[0045] 12 is a flowchart illustrating the steps a user performs when cleaning. When starting cleaning, the user turns on the power of the vacuum cleaner 100 (step S1), which starts the rotation of the rotary brush 201 (FIG. 3). Next, the user checks the color of the floor surface 500 (FIG. 3) (step S2) and checks the content included (described) in the instruction manual, for example (step S3). As a result of checking, the user operates the operation unit 122 according to the content as necessary, and irradiates the floor surface 500 with light L (step S4). Then, cleaning is performed with the visibility of dirt improved (step S5).

[0046] The user continues cleaning until he or she feels that all the dirt on floor surface 500 has been removed (No in step S6), and when he or she feels that all the dirt has been removed (Yes), he or she ends the cleaning and turns off the power to vacuum cleaner 100 (step S7). By turning off the power, the driving of motor (not shown) that generates suction force and the rotation of rotating brush 201 stop, and light source 202 (FIG. 3) is turned off.

[0047] According to the electric vacuum cleaner 100 (FIG. 1) of the first embodiment described above, cleaning can be performed while improving the visibility of dust, thereby improving cleaning efficiency.

[0048] 13 is a side view illustrating the structure of suction mouth body 230 provided in electric vacuum cleaner 101 of the second embodiment. Electric vacuum cleaner 101 is the same as electric vacuum cleaner 100 (FIG. 1) except that it is provided with suction mouth body 230 instead of suction mouth body 200 (FIG. 3).

[0049] The suction port body 230 is equipped with a detection device 231 that detects the color of the floor surface 500. The detection device 231 is, for example, an imaging device such as a camera, and can detect the color of the floor surface 500 by analyzing an image or video captured by the imaging device.

[0050] The vacuum cleaner 101 includes a control device 5 on the vacuum cleaner body 1, which controls the light source 202 to emit light L based on the detected color and the above content. That is, the control device 5 can emit light L in accordance with the content, such as an instruction manual. The control device 5 is connected to the detection device 231 by an electrical signal line indicated by a dashed line in the figure. If the light source 202 can emit monochromatic light L, the control device 5 determines whether to emit light L based on the detected color and the above content. On the other hand, if the light source 202 can emit multiple colors of light L, the control device 5 selects the color of light L to emit, or determines not to emit light if there is no color that can be emitted. The control device 5 then controls the light emission of the light source 202 based on the result of the determination.

[0051] The control device 5 is configured to include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., all of which are not shown in the figure. The control device 5 is realized by a predetermined control program stored in the ROM being loaded into the RAM and executed by the CPU.

[0052] FIG. 14 is a top view of an operation unit 451 provided in the vacuum cleaner 101 of the second embodiment. The operation unit 451 includes an operation unit 452, such as a button, that controls the light emission of the light source 202 (FIG. 13) provided in the suction port body 230 (FIG. 13), and the above-described operation units 123 and 124. The operation unit 452 is configured to accept an operation to select the color of light L to be emitted from the light source 202 according to the color of the floor surface 500 (FIG. 13). The operation unit 452 includes an operation unit 4522 that accepts an operation to detect the color of the floor surface 500 using the detection device 231 (FIG. 13) and automatically emit light L, and the above-described operation unit 122 (FIG. 2). Therefore, in the second embodiment, the user can arbitrarily select either automatic emission of light L according to the color of the floor surface 500 or manual emission of light L based on an operation by the user after checking the content.

[0053] Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating the steps a user performs when cleaning using the vacuum cleaner 101 of the second embodiment. When the user operates the operation unit 122 (Figure 14), the flow of Figure 12 above is performed, so below, as an example, a case where the operation unit 4522 is operated will be described. Furthermore, the same step numbers are assigned to steps that are the same as those in Figure 12 above, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

[0054] When the power of the vacuum cleaner 100 is turned on (step S1), and the user operates the operation unit 4522 (step S11), the color of the floor surface 500 is detected (step S12). The detection is performed by the control device 5 (FIG. 13) using the detection device 231 (FIG. 13). After the detection, the control device 5 compares the detection result with the above content (step S13) and irradiates light L according to the comparison result (step S14). The user cleans with light L irradiated (steps S5 to S7). During cleaning, the detection of the floor surface 500 may be performed at predetermined time intervals or continuously. Then, the light L may be turned off or changed color each time the color changes. When cleaning is completed (step S6, Yes), the power is turned off (step S7).

[0055] According to the electric vacuum cleaner 101 of the second embodiment described above, light L having an absorption color according to the color of the floor surface 500 is automatically emitted, thereby improving usability.

[0056] 16 is a top view of an operation unit 421 provided in a vacuum cleaner 102 of the third embodiment. The vacuum cleaner 102 is the same as the vacuum cleaner 100 (FIG. 1) except that it has an operation unit 421 instead of the operation unit 121 (FIG. 2). In the third embodiment, the light source 202 is configured to switch between emitting light L of multiple colors, for example, red and green, and includes, for example, a red LED and a green LED, both of which are not shown.

[0057] Operation unit 421 includes operation unit 422, which is, for example, a button, that controls the light emission of light source 202 (FIG. 3) provided in suction port body 200 (FIG. 3), and operation units 123 and 124 described above. Operation unit 422 is configured to accept an operation to select the color of light L to be emitted from light source 202 according to the color of floor surface 500. Specifically, operation unit 422 includes operation unit 4221 that turns off light source 202, operation unit 4222 that causes light source 202 to emit red light, and operation unit 4223 that causes light source 202 to emit green light.

[0058] After checking the color of floor surface 500, the user selects the color of light L to be emitted based on the above content. If red is selected, the user operates operation unit 4222 to make light source 202 emit red light. If green is selected, the user operates operation unit 4223 to make light source 202 emit green light. If the illumination makes it difficult to see, the user operates operation unit 4221 to turn off light source 202.

[0059] According to the electric vacuum cleaner 102 of the third embodiment described above, light L of a plurality of colors can be emitted depending on the color of the floor surface 500, and therefore visibility can be improved on floor surfaces 500 of various colors.

[0060] 17 is a top view of an operating unit 431 provided in a vacuum cleaner 103 of the fourth embodiment. The vacuum cleaner 103 is the same as the vacuum cleaner 100 (FIG. 1) except that it includes an operating unit 431 instead of the operating unit 121 (FIG. 2). In the fourth embodiment, the light source 202 is configured to switch between emitting light L of multiple colors including, for example, the absorption color of a whitish floor surface 500 (FIG. 3) and the absorption color of a brownish floor surface 500. The light source 202 includes, for example, an LED (not shown) that can emit the corresponding color.

[0061] Operation unit 431 includes operation unit 432, which is, for example, a button, that controls the light emission of light source 202 (FIG. 3) provided in suction port body 200 (FIG. 3), and operation units 123 and 124 described above. Operation unit 432 displays at least one piece of information about the type, material, or color of floor surface 500, and includes at least one button that switches light source 202 on and off so as to irradiate light L of an absorption color corresponding to the displayed information. This allows operation unit 432 to be operated intuitively.

[0062] In the illustrated example, the operation unit 432 is configured to display information about the color of the floor surface 500 and to accept an operation to select the color of light L to be emitted from the light source 202 according to the color of the floor surface 500. Specifically, the operation unit 432 includes the above-mentioned operation unit 4221, an operation unit 4322 that causes the light source 202 to emit light in the absorption color of the floor surface 500, which has a whitish color, and an operation unit 4323 that causes the light source 202 to emit light in the absorption color of the floor surface 500, which has a brownish color.

[0063] After checking the color of the floor surface 500, the user operates the operation units 4322, 4323 on which the checked color is displayed. At this time, the user may refer to the content. By such an operation, the light L of the absorption color corresponding to the color of the floor surface 500 displayed on the operation units 4322, 4323 is irradiated onto the floor surface 500.

[0064] According to the electric vacuum cleaner 103 of the fourth embodiment described above, by operating the operation units 4322, 4323 while visually checking the operation units 4322, 4323, it is possible to intuitively irradiate the light L of the absorption color of the floor surface 500, thereby improving usability.

[0065] 18 is a top view of an operation unit 441 provided in a vacuum cleaner 104 of the fifth embodiment. The vacuum cleaner 104 is the same as the vacuum cleaner 100 (FIG. 1) except that it has an operation unit 441 instead of the operation unit 121 (FIG. 2). In the fifth embodiment, the light source 202 is configured to switch between emitting light L of multiple colors, including, for example, an absorption color when the floor surface 500 (FIG. 3) is made of tatami mats and an absorption color when the floor surface 500 is made of wood.

[0066] Operation unit 441 includes operation unit 442, which is, for example, a button, that controls the light emission of light source 202 (FIG. 3) provided in suction port body 200 (FIG. 3), and operation units 123 and 124 described above. Operation unit 442 displays at least one piece of information from the type, material, or color of floor surface 500, and includes at least one button that switches light source 202 on and off so as to irradiate light L of an absorption color corresponding to the displayed information. This allows operation unit 432 to be operated intuitively.

[0067] In the illustrated example, the operation unit 442 is configured to display information related to the type of floor surface 500 and to accept an operation to select the color of light L to be emitted from the light source 202 according to the type of floor surface 500. Specifically, the operation unit 432 includes the above-mentioned operation unit 4221, an operation unit 4422 that causes the light source 202 to emit light in the absorption color of tatami mats, which is normally a greenish color, and an operation unit 4423 that causes the light source 202 to emit light in the absorption color of flooring, which is normally a yellowish to reddish color.

[0068] The user, who has identified the type of floor surface 500, operates operation units 4422, 4423 on which the identified type is displayed. At this time, the user may refer to content. By such an operation, light L of an absorption color corresponding to the type of floor surface 500 displayed on operation units 4422, 4423 is irradiated onto the floor surface 500.

[0069] According to the electric vacuum cleaner 104 of the fifth embodiment described above, by operating the operation units 4422, 4423 while visually checking the operation units 4422, 4423, it is possible to intuitively irradiate the light L of the color absorbed by the floor surface 500, thereby improving usability.

[0070] Although not described in FIG. 18 and the above-described FIG. 17, operation unit 431 (FIG. 17) and operation unit 441 may display the material of floor surface 500. The material is, for example, wood, concrete, etc., and wood is usually yellow to red in color, and concrete is usually white in color. Therefore, the color of floor surface 500 can be determined from the material, and light L of an absorption color corresponding to the determined color can be emitted.

[0071] 19 is a side view illustrating the structure of suction mouth body 270 provided in electric vacuum cleaner 105 of the sixth embodiment. Electric vacuum cleaner 105 is the same as electric vacuum cleaner 100 (FIG. 1) except that it is provided with suction mouth body 270 instead of suction mouth body 200 (FIG. 3).

[0072] In suction port body 270, light source 202 is disposed closer to the front than rotation axis 205. That is, the distance (DL-D0) from the position (DL) of light source 202 to the position (D0) of bumper 204 is shorter than the distance (DB-D0) from the position (DB) of rotation axis 205 to the position (D0) of bumper 204. This improves the degree of freedom in the installation location of light source 202, and since the angle of the optical axis with respect to floor surface 500 (illumination angle α) can be made smaller, the amount of light L irradiated onto floor surface 500 can be reduced. This reduces reflection on floor surface 500, improving the visibility of dust, and increases the number of color options for light source 202, making it easier for users to select a color.

[0073] Furthermore, in air intake unit 270, light source 202 is disposed at a position higher than rotation axis 205. That is, the distance (HL-H0) from the height position (HL) of light source 202 to floor surface 500 is longer than the distance (HR-H0) from the height position (HR) of rotation axis 205 to floor surface 500. As a result, light source 202 is disposed at a relatively high position and the irradiation angle α is large, but because light source 202 irradiates the absorption color of floor surface 500 as described above, it is possible to suppress a decrease in visibility caused by a large irradiation angle α.

[0074] 20 is a side view illustrating the structure of a suction mouth body 280 provided in the electric vacuum cleaner 106 of the seventh embodiment. The electric vacuum cleaner 106 is the same as the electric vacuum cleaner 100 (FIG. 1) except that it is provided with a suction mouth body 280 instead of the suction mouth body 200 (FIG. 3).

[0075] In the suction port body 280, the light source 202 is disposed at a position lower than the lower end 2042 of the bumper 204. In other words, the distance (HL-H0) from the height position (HL) of the light source 202 to the floor surface 500 is shorter than the distance (HB3-H0) from the height position (HB3) of the lower end 2042 of the bumper 204 to the floor surface 500. This makes it possible to lower the location where the light source 202 is disposed and reduce the angle (illumination angle α) of the light L axis with respect to the floor surface 500, thereby reducing the amount of light L irradiated onto the floor surface 500. This suppresses reflection on the floor surface 500 and improves the visibility of dust, and increases the color options for the light source 202, making it easier for the user to select a color.

[0076] The present disclosure can also be applied to air purifiers that specialize in capturing (e.g., collecting) dirt (dust, etc.) in the air. An air purifier according to another embodiment includes, for example, a dirt inlet, a light source color absorbing plate that is provided at the inlet and corresponds to floor surface 500 (FIG. 3), a light source that irradiates the light source color absorbing plate with light L of an absorption color that is absorbed by the surface of the light source color absorbing plate, and an operation unit that controls the light emission of the light source.

[0077] The light source color absorbing plate has a surface onto which light L is irradiated, and this surface is formed in a direction approximately parallel (or may be parallel) to the flow of air sucked in from the air inlet 203 in order to suppress the accumulation of dust. A portion of the light L irradiated toward the light source color absorbing plate is scattered by dust in the air, and the remainder is absorbed by the light source absorbing plate, suppressing reflection. This makes dust more noticeable not only relative to dust accumulated on the floor surface 500 but also relative to dust in the air, improving visibility, and thus making it easier for the user to select the color of the light source 202. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 vacuum cleaner body 10 Main body 100,101,102,103,104,105,106 Vacuum cleaner 11 Motor case 12 Handle 121,122,123,124 Operation section 2 dust cases 200, 270, 280 Suction port body 201 Rotating Brush 202 Light source 203 Intake port 204 Bumper 2041 Top 2042 bottom end 205 Rotational Axis 221 LED 222 Substrate 223 Lens 224 Cover 225 Upper Shade 230 Suction port body 231 Detection Device 3. Storage battery 300 extension tube 421,422,4221,4222,4223,431,432,441,442,4422,4423,451,452 Operation unit 5. Control device 500 floor space 71 base 72 Stand L light L

Claims

1. An electric vacuum cleaner comprising a suction port body having a dust suction port, a rotating brush, and a light source that irradiates light onto a surface to be cleaned, The light source is disposed below and behind the portion of the outer shell of the air inlet body that protrudes most forward, The portion of the suction port body that protrudes most forward is formed by the outer shell of the suction port body, An upper shade that blocks light is disposed above the light source. A vacuum cleaner characterized by:

2. The air inlet body has a cover on the front side of the light source.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.

3. The light source is a green LED.

3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2.

4. A lens is provided in front of the light source.

4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3.

5. The substrate on which the light source is mounted is arranged in a vertical direction.

5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 4.

6. The upper shade is disposed parallel to the floor surface in the front-rear direction.

6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5.

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