A dust collection device for vacuum cleaners.

Abstract

To provide a collection device that can prevent a motor from being activated in a state that the temperature of the motor for rotationally driving a rotary vane part is high.SOLUTION: The collection device includes: a connection detection part for detecting whether a cleaner is connected to the collection device; a motor for rotationally driving a rotary vane part and generating suction force for sucking dust in the cleaner; and a motor control part for actuating the motor when the connection detection part detects the connection of the cleaner to the collection device, and stopping the motor when the connection detection part detects the removal of the cleaner from the collection device. The motor control part activates the motor on condition that a time interval between the detection time that the connection detection part detects the connection of the cleaner to the collection device and the actuation stopping time that the motor is stopped before the detection time exceeds a predetermined interval threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dust collection device for collecting dust from a vacuum cleaner.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a stick-type vacuum cleaner 300 shown in FIG. 15. This vacuum cleaner 300 includes a vacuum cleaner main body 310, a suction pipe 320 extending downward from the vacuum cleaner main body 310, and a suction nozzle 330 connected to the lower end of the suction pipe 320. The vacuum cleaner main body 310 is configured to suck dust through the suction nozzle 330 and store the sucked dust.

[0003] The vacuum cleaner main body 310 includes a rectangular box-shaped housing 311. The housing 311 has a fan chamber 315 that houses a dust suction source 312 for generating a suction force for sucking dust, and a dust storage chamber 317 that is partitioned from the fan chamber 315 by a filter 313 and stores the dust captured by the filter 313. An exhaust dust tube portion 319 is provided on the rear wall of the housing 311 to form an opening for discharging the dust accumulated in the dust storage chamber 317. The exhaust dust tube portion 319 protrudes rearward from the rear wall.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, in order to collect the dust accumulated in the dust storage chamber 317 of the vacuum cleaner 300, a dust collection device 400 shown in FIG. 16 is used. The dust collection device 400 has a rectangular box-shaped housing 410, and holds the vacuum cleaner 300 with the front wall 411 of this housing 410. Inside the housing 410, a suction fan 420 is arranged that generates a suction force for sucking out the dust in the dust storage chamber 317 of the vacuum cleaner 300 by rotating the rotating blade portion with a motor. Below the suction fan 420, a collection chamber 440 is arranged where the dust collected from the vacuum cleaner 300 by the suction force of the suction fan 420 is accumulated, and a dust flow path 430 extends from the collection chamber 440.

[0005] The tip of the dust passage 430 is formed by a collection cylinder portion 431 that opens in the front wall 411 of the housing 410. As shown in Figure 17, the collection cylinder portion 431 is configured to fit with the dust discharge cylinder portion 319 of the vacuum cleaner 300 attached to the collection device 400. When the collection cylinder portion 431 and the dust discharge cylinder portion 319 are fitted together, a transfer passage 401 is formed for transferring dust from the vacuum cleaner 300 to the dust passage 430 of the collection device 400.

[0006] Electrical contacts 402 and 403 are provided in the dust discharge section 319 and the collection section 431. When the dust discharge section 319 and the collection section 431 are fitted together, the electrical contacts 402 and 403 make contact, and the suction fan 420 of the collection device 400 is activated. The suction force of the suction fan 420 acts on the dust in the dust storage chamber 317 of the vacuum cleaner 300. Due to this suction force, the dust in the dust storage chamber 317 passes sequentially through the transfer channel 401 and the dust channel 430 and flows into the collection chamber 440. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-267032 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The temperature of the suction fan motor rises during operation. The motor temperature drops when the motor is stopped, but if the vacuum cleaner is reconnected to the collection unit immediately after being removed from it, the motor may start up while it is still hot. If the motor is started up while it is still hot, it will become even hotter, which could lead to motor failure.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a recovery device configured to prevent the motor from starting when the motor that rotates the rotating blade section is at a high temperature. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The collection device in this disclosure is configured to suck up dust accumulated inside a vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is connected to it. The collection device includes a connection detection unit that detects whether or not a vacuum cleaner is connected to the collection device, a motor that generates rotational driving force, and a rotating blade unit that generates suction force to suck up dust inside the vacuum cleaner by rotating in response to the rotational driving force of the motor. When the first condition for starting the motor with a reduced motor temperature and the second condition for suppressing motor overload are met, The system includes a motor control unit that activates the motor when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device, and stops the motor when the connection detection unit detects the removal of the vacuum cleaner from the collection device. Condition 1 This occurs when the time interval between the detection time when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device and the stop time when the motor was stopped prior to the detection time exceeds a predetermined interval threshold. That is . The second condition is that the time interval between the detection time and the start time when the motor was started before the stop time exceeds the second interval threshold.

[0011] Other collection devices in this disclosure are configured to suck up dust accumulated inside a vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is connected. The collection device includes a connection detection unit that detects whether or not a vacuum cleaner is connected to the collection device, a motor that generates rotational driving force, and a rotating blade unit that generates suction force to suck up dust inside the vacuum cleaner by rotating in response to the rotational driving force of the motor. When the first condition for starting the motor with a reduced motor temperature and the second condition for suppressing motor overload are met, The system includes a motor control unit that activates the motor when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device, and stops the motor when the connection detection unit detects the removal of the vacuum cleaner from the collection device. Condition 1 teeth, The time interval between the detection time when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device and the stop time when the motor was stopped prior to the detection time exceeds a predetermined interval threshold. . The second condition is that the motor's operating frequency during a retrospective period, which is a predetermined time length prior to the detection time, is below a predetermined frequency threshold. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The aforementioned recovery device does not start the motor when the motor temperature that drives the rotating blades is high. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Cross-section of a vacuum cleaner [Figure 2] Front view of the vacuum cleaner [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view around the dust storage chamber of the vacuum cleaner [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner and the recovery device [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner and the recovery device as seen from above [Figure 6] Front view of the recovery device [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view around the dust storage chamber of the vacuum cleaner [Figure 8] Schematic functional configuration diagram of the detection circuit provided in the recovery device [Figure 9] Schematic flowchart of the startup control by the motor control unit of the recovery device [Figure 10] Schematic flowchart of other startup controls by the motor control unit [Figure 11] Conceptual diagram of other startup controls by the motor control unit [Figure 12] Conceptual diagram of other startup controls by the motor control unit [Figure 13] Conceptual diagram of other startup controls by the motor control unit [Figure 14] Conceptual diagram of other startup controls by the motor control unit [Figure 15] Schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional vacuum cleaner [Figure 16] Schematic perspective view of a conventional recovery device [Figure 17] Schematic perspective view of the connection part between a conventional vacuum cleaner and a recovery device

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] The vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a suction nozzle 130 for sucking up dust from the floor surface, a vacuum cleaner body 110 attached to the suction nozzle 130 so as to be tiltable in the front-rear direction relative to the suction nozzle 130, and a gripping part 140 extending upward from the upper end 112 of the vacuum cleaner body 110. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the gripping part 140 are in an upright position relative to the suction nozzle 130 and do not tilt forward from this upright position. When using the vacuum cleaner 100, the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the gripping part 140 are held by the user in a position tilted backward relative to the suction nozzle 130.

[0019] The suction nozzle 130 is equipped with a nozzle case 132 that is wider than the vacuum cleaner body 110 to form a wide suction space 131 for sucking up dust. The suction space 131 opens toward the floor at the front portion of the nozzle case 132. Behind this opening, the suction space 131 is closed by the bottom 134 of the nozzle case 132. A rotating scraping brush 133 is positioned in the suction space 131, and the scraping brush 133 is exposed from the nozzle case 132 so as to be able to contact the floor through the opening of the suction space 131.

[0020] The vacuum cleaner body 110 has a vertically elongated cylindrical housing 111. The lower end of the housing 111 is attached to the rear of the nozzle case 132 to allow the vacuum cleaner body 110 to tilt in the front-to-back direction. The upper part of the housing 111 tapers towards the upper end 112 of the housing 111, and a gripping portion 140 extends upward from the upper end 112. The gripping portion 140 is a rod-shaped part with a thickness that allows it to be gripped by the user. As shown in Figure 2, the gripping portion 140 is provided with an operating portion 141 (operating button) that is operated by the user.

[0021] The housing 111 is configured to house various components for sucking up dust from the floor surface and storing the collected dust. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, a suction pipe 113 extending vertically is located inside the lower part of the housing 111. Above the suction pipe 113 is a dust storage chamber 152, which contains a filter section 115 that captures dust while allowing air to pass through. Above the dust storage chamber 152 is a fan chamber 153, which communicates with the dust storage chamber 152. The fan chamber 153 contains a suction fan 116 that generates suction force to suck up dust from the floor surface and create an upward suction airflow. A battery 117 that supplies power to the suction fan 116 and a circuit section 170 configured as a charging circuit for charging the battery 117 are also located in the fan chamber 153. The suction fan 116 operates and stops in response to operations on the control section 141.

[0022] To exhaust the suction airflow generated by the suction fan 116, the fan chamber 153 is provided with an exhaust port 151 that opens in the front wall of the housing 111, as shown in Figure 2. Above the exhaust port 151, a pair of electrical contacts 171 and 172 for power supply and a magnetic plate 173 are provided. The electrical contacts 171 and 172 and the magnetic plate 173 are located at the same height on the front wall of the housing 111.

[0023] The electrical contacts 171 and 172 are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides at positions spaced apart from each other, and are electrically connected to a circuit section 170 located inside the fan chamber 153. The circuit section 170 forms a current path through which current flows between the electrical contacts 171 and 172.

[0024] The magnetic plate 173 is positioned between the electrical contacts 171 and 172, and the magnetic plate 173 and the electrical contacts 171 and 172 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the housing 111.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, a dust outlet 124 is formed in the dust storage chamber 152 below the fan chamber 153, opening in the front wall of the housing 111. The dust outlet 124 is provided to discharge dust captured by the filter section 115 inside the dust storage chamber 152.

[0026] The dust outlet 124 is opened and closed by the cover 121. The cover 121 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is upright and in the closed position, closing the dust outlet 124. On the other hand, the cover 121 shown in Figure 3 rotates downward by a predetermined angle (a rotation angle of 90° or less) from the closed position to the open position, opening the dust outlet 124.

[0027] The suction tube 113, which is built into the lower part of the housing 111, is fixed within the housing 111, and when the vacuum cleaner body 110 tilts backward from an upright position (the position shown in Figure 1), it tilts backward together with the housing 111. When the vacuum cleaner body 110 is in an upright position, the lower end of the suction tube 113 is in contact with the bottom 134 of the nozzle case 132. That is, when the vacuum cleaner body 110 is in an upright position, the lower end of the suction tube 113 is closed off by the bottom 134 of the nozzle case 132. When the vacuum cleaner body 110 tilts backward from an upright position, the lower end of the suction tube 113 moves in the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 1. As a result, the internal space of the suction tube 113 comes into communication with the suction space 131 of the nozzle case 132.

[0028] A check valve 114 is attached to the upper end of the suction pipe 113 to close the upper end of the suction pipe 113 when the suction fan 116 is not operating. The check valve 114 is configured to open the opening at the upper end of the suction pipe 113 due to the upward suction force of the suction fan 116.

[0029] (Structure of the recovery device) Dust stored in the dust storage chamber 152 can be collected by the collection device 200 shown in Figure 4. The collection device 200 is configured to suck out the dust stored in the dust storage chamber 152 of the vacuum cleaner 100 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to it. In detail, the collection device 200 comprises a housing 210 and a base plate 220. The housing 210 is mounted on the front part of the base plate 220, and the rear part of the base plate 220 is configured to accommodate the vacuum cleaner 100. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is placed on the rear part of the base plate 220, the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the collection device 200.

[0030] The housing 210 of the collection device 200 is equipped with various components for sucking out dust accumulated in the dust storage chamber 152 of the vacuum cleaner 100. The housing 210 of the collection device 200 is equipped with a dust passage 230, one end of which opens to the outside of the housing 210 to allow dust from the dust storage chamber 152 of the vacuum cleaner 100 to flow in. The other end of the dust passage 230 is connected to a collection chamber 240 in which the dust collected from the vacuum cleaner 100 is stored, and a suction source 250 is located below the collection chamber 240. The suction source 250 includes a motor 251 that generates rotational driving force and a rotating blade section 252 that rotates due to the rotational driving force of the motor 251. The motor 251 of the suction source 250 is electrically connected to a motor control section 260 within the housing 210. The motor 251 operates under the control of the motor control section 260 and rotates the rotating blade section 252. The rotating blade section 252 is configured to generate suction force by rotating.

[0031] The housing 210 has an upper part 212 that houses the dust passage 230 and the collection chamber 240, and a lower part 211 that supports the upper part 212 at a predetermined height. The upper part 212 is configured to be in contact with the vacuum cleaner body 110, and when the vacuum cleaner body 110 is connected to the upper part 212, the dust passage 230 communicates with the dust storage chamber 152 of the vacuum cleaner 100. To avoid interference with the suction nozzle 130 that protrudes forward from the vacuum cleaner body 110, the lower part 211 of the housing 210 is smaller in the front-to-back direction than the upper part 212, and a housing space 213 for housing the suction nozzle 130 is formed behind the lower part 211.

[0032] The upper part 212 includes a peripheral wall portion 271 and an upper wall portion 272. As shown in Figure 5, the peripheral wall portion 271 is erected to form a substantially rectangular internal space in plan view, and the rear wall 214 of the peripheral wall portion 271 is formed to allow connection of a vacuum cleaner 100. The upper wall portion 272 is configured to close off the substantially rectangular internal space surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 271 from above.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the rear wall 214 of the peripheral wall portion 271 is provided with a groove portion 215 that is complementary to the front portion of the vacuum cleaner body 110. As shown in Figure 6, the groove portion 215 extends in the vertical direction. The front portion of the vacuum cleaner body 110 in an upright position is fitted into the groove portion 215. By fitting the vacuum cleaner body 110 into the groove portion 215, the vacuum cleaner body 110 is positioned in the width direction (left-right direction) of the groove portion 215.

[0034] A rectangular collection port 216 is formed in the groove 215 of the rear wall 214 of the peripheral wall portion 271. The collection port 216 is formed in a position that overlaps in the front-rear direction with the dust discharge port 124 shown in Figures 3 and 7 when the vacuum cleaner body 110 is in an upright position, the vacuum cleaner 100 is placed on the base plate 220, and the front part of the vacuum cleaner body 110 is fitted into the groove 215. That is, as shown in Figure 7, the collection port 216 faces the dust discharge port 124 of the vacuum cleaner 100 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the collection device 200. The collection port 216 is sized so that the lid 121 of the vacuum cleaner 100 can enter the collection port 216 when it is in an open position.

[0035] The collection port 216 is formed by the lower end of the dust passage 230. As shown in Figure 4, the dust passage 230 is located within the upper part 212 of the housing 210 and extends vertically. The upper end of the dust passage 230 is connected to the collection chamber 240, and when the lid 121 of the vacuum cleaner 100 opens the dust outlet 124, the dust passage 230 connects to the dust outlet 124 and the dust storage chamber 152.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5, the recovery chamber 240 is configured to form a rectangular space in a plan view. The recovery chamber 240 includes a circumferential wall 241 that surrounds the rectangular space in the circumferential direction, a bottom wall 245 that closes the rectangular space from below, and an upper wall 248 that closes the rectangular space from above. The upper end of the dust flow path 230 is connected to the circumferential wall 241.

[0037] A circular opening is formed in the bottom wall 245 of the collection chamber 240, and a dust filter 247 is installed in this opening, as shown in Figure 5. The dust filter 247 is configured to capture dust while allowing air to pass through. A suction source 250 is located below the dust filter 247. The suction force of the suction source 250 acts on the lid 121 of the vacuum cleaner 100 through the collection chamber 240 and the dust passage 230 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the collection device 200. The motor 251 and rotating blades 252 of the suction source 250 are configured to tilt the lid 121 from a closed position to an open position and to obtain a suction force large enough to suck up the dust in the dust storage chamber 152.

[0038] The motor 251 of the suction source 250 is controlled by the motor control unit 260 so that the suction source 250 operates in response to the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 to the recovery device 200. To detect the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 to the recovery device 200, conductive contact pieces 283 and 284 are provided on the upper part of the groove 215, which contact the electrical contacts 171 and 172 of the vacuum cleaner body 110.

[0039] The contact pieces 283 and 284 are configured to extend and retract in relation to a pair of holes located opposite the electrical contacts 171 and 172 of the vacuum cleaner body 110 when the vacuum cleaner body 110 is inserted into the groove 215. The contact pieces 283 and 284 are biased to protrude from the holes, and when the vacuum cleaner body 110 is inserted into the groove 215, they come into contact with the electrical contacts 171 and 172, respectively. In this state, the contact pieces 283 and 284 are electrically connected to each other by the electrical contacts 171 and 172 and the circuit section 170. On the other hand, when the vacuum cleaner body 110 is not inserted into the groove 215, the contact pieces 283 and 284 are insulated from each other.

[0040] A detection circuit 290 for detecting the contact state of contact pieces 283 and 284 with respect to the electrical contacts 171 and 172 of the vacuum cleaner body 110 is located inside the housing 210 of the retrieval device 200. The detection circuit 290 is electrically connected to the motor control unit 260 and is configured to output the detection result of the contact state of contact pieces 283 and 284 with respect to the electrical contacts 171 and 172 of the vacuum cleaner body 110 to the motor control unit 260.

[0041] In detail, the detection circuit 290 includes, as shown in Figure 8, a connection detection unit 286 that detects the contact state of contact pieces 283 and 284 with respect to the electrical contacts 171 and 172 of the vacuum cleaner body 110, and a power supply unit 285 that is electrically connected to the contact pieces 283 and 284. The power supply unit 285 is configured to generate a predetermined potential difference between the contact pieces 283 and 284. For example, the power supply unit 285 may be electrically connected to an external power supply 287 and consist of a converter that converts the AC voltage of the external power supply 287 into a DC voltage.

[0042] When contact pieces 283 and 284 are in contact with the electrical contacts 171 and 172 of the vacuum cleaner body 110, a current is formed in which current flows sequentially from the power supply unit 285 through contact pieces 283, the circuit unit 170, the electrical contacts 172 and 284, and back to the power supply unit 285, forming a current flow path 288. The connection detection unit 286 is configured to detect the current flowing through the current flow path 288 and to calculate the electrical resistance between contact pieces 283 and 284 based on the detected current. Furthermore, the connection detection unit 286 is configured to output a detection signal to notify that the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200 has been detected if the calculated electrical resistance is below a predetermined resistance threshold. As long as the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the collection device 200, the connection detection unit 286 will continue to output the detection signal. The connection detection unit 286 may consist, for example, an ammeter for detecting current, a calculation circuit for calculating electrical resistance from the detected current, and a signal generation circuit for generating a detection signal.

[0043] The connection detection unit 286 is electrically connected to the motor control unit 260, and the above-mentioned detection signal is transmitted to the motor control unit 260. The motor control unit 260 is configured to perform a predetermined determination process to determine whether or not to start the motor 251 of the suction source 250 in response to the reception of the detection signal. If the motor control unit 260 decides to start the motor 251 of the suction source 250, the motor 251 is started. However, in the following cases, the motor control unit 260 will not start the motor 251. - If the motor control unit 260 does not receive a detection signal. If, as a result of the above-mentioned determination process, the motor control unit 260 decides not to start the motor 251.

[0044] Furthermore, if the reception of a detection signal from the connection detection unit 286 is interrupted while the motor 251 is operating, the motor control unit 260 will stop the motor 251.

[0045] In addition, the motor control unit 260 is configured to store operation history information of the motor 251 (such as the start and stop times of the motor 251). The operation history information is used in the aforementioned determination process when starting the recovery device 200. The motor control unit 260 may be composed of a control circuit equipped with a memory element for storing operation history information. This control circuit may be equipped with a microprocessor capable of executing the aforementioned determination process when the motor 251 is started, and a signal generator for operating and stopping the motor 251.

[0046] To maintain the contact state of the contact pieces 283 and 284 with respect to the vacuum cleaner body 110, a holding portion 297 is provided as shown in Figure 6. The holding portion 297 may be composed of a magnetic plate that is positioned opposite the magnetic plate 173 shown in Figure 2 when the vacuum cleaner body 110 is fitted into the groove portion 215, and that magnetically attracts the magnetic plate 173. The magnetic force acting between the holding portion 297 and the magnetic plate 173 becomes a holding force that maintains the contact state of the contact pieces 283 and 284 with respect to the vacuum cleaner body 110.

[0047] The positional relationship between the holding portion 297 and the contact pieces 283 and 284 corresponds to the positional relationship between the magnetic plate 173 and the electrical contacts 171 and 172 of the vacuum cleaner body 110. That is, the holding portion 297 is provided at the same height as the contact pieces 283 and 284 and is positioned at equal intervals with the contact pieces 283 and 284 in the circumferential direction of the groove portion 215. In other words, the holding portion 297 is at the same height as the contact pieces 283 and 284 and is positioned at the center in the width direction of the groove portion 215.

[0048] (Vacuum cleaner operation during cleaning) During cleaning, the vacuum cleaner 100 is held by the user in a position where the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip 140 are 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 push the suction nozzle 130 forward. In this state, the internal space of the suction pipe 113 is in communication with the suction space 131 of the suction nozzle 130.

[0049] When the user then operates the control unit 141 to activate the suction fan 116, the suction fan 116 generates an upward suction force. This suction force causes the check valve 114 to open the upper end of the suction pipe 113.

[0050] When the upper end of the suction pipe 113 is opened, the suction force of the suction fan 116 generates a suction airflow that draws in dust through the suction space 131 of the suction nozzle 130. The suction airflow passes through the suction nozzle 130 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 located in the dust storage chamber 152. The dust captured by the filter unit 115 is stored in the dust storage chamber 152.

[0051] Once the cleaning is complete, the user operates the control unit 141 to stop the suction fan 116. As a result, the suction force of the suction fan 116 is eliminated, and the check valve 114 closes the upper end of the suction pipe 113. Therefore, the dust captured by the filter unit 115 is retained in the dust storage chamber 152 without falling into the suction pipe 113.

[0052] (Operation of the collection device during dust collection) The user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200 in order to collect the dust accumulated in the dust storage chamber 152 into the collection device 200. Specifically, the user places the vacuum cleaner 100 on the base plate 220 of the collection device 200 and positions the vacuum cleaner body 110 and grip 140 in an upright position. When the upright vacuum cleaner body 110 is fitted into the groove 215 of the collection device 200, the lid 121 of the vacuum cleaner 100 faces the collection opening 216 of the collection device 200 in the front-rear direction. In this state, the contact pieces 283 and 284 of the collection device 200 are pushed forward by the vacuum cleaner body 110, and the contact pieces 283 and 284 are retracted into the holes in the rear wall 214.

[0053] At this time, the contact pieces 283 and 284 are in contact with the electrical contacts 171 and 172 of the vacuum cleaner body 110, respectively, forming the current path 288 shown in Figure 8. As a result, current flows through the current path 288 due to the potential difference created between the contact pieces 283 and 284 by the power supply unit 285. In this case, the connection detection unit 286 detects an electrical resistance between the contact pieces 283 and 284 that is below the aforementioned resistance threshold and outputs a detection signal indicating that the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200 has been detected. When the motor control unit 260 receives this detection signal, the motor control unit 260 performs a determination process to determine whether or not to start the motor 251 of the suction source 250. This determination process will be described in detail separately. If the motor control unit 260 decides to start the motor 251 as a result of the determination process, the motor 251 is started.

[0054] When the motor 251 of the suction source 250 is activated, the rotating blade section 252 is driven to rotate, generating a suction force. This suction force acts on the lid 121 facing the collection port 216 through the collection chamber 240 and the dust passage 230. Receiving the suction force from the suction source 250, the lid 121 tilts downward from a closed position that closes the dust discharge port 124 to an open position that opens the dust discharge port 124, as shown in Figure 7.

[0055] When the cover 121 rotates downward, the dust outlet 124 opens, and the dust passage 230 comes into communication with the dust storage chamber 152. Therefore, the suction force of the suction source 250 acts on the dust in the dust storage chamber 152, and the dust flows out through the dust outlet 124. The dust that flows out through the dust outlet 124 then flows into the recovery chamber 240 through the recovery port 216 and the dust passage 230. In the recovery chamber 240, the dust is captured by the dust removal filter 247 and stored in the recovery chamber 240.

[0056] (Motor stop and start control 1) The stop control for stopping the motor 251 of the suction source 250 and the start control 1 for starting the motor 251 will be described below with reference to Figure 9.

[0057] While the motor 251 of the suction source 250 is operating as described above, the motor control unit 260 determines whether or not it is continuously receiving a detection signal from the connection detection unit 286 (step S110 in Figure 9). If the motor control unit 260 receives a detection signal indicating that the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the collection device 200 (step S110: Yes), it continues to operate the motor 251. On the other hand, if the reception of the detection signal is interrupted (step S110: No), the motor control unit 260 stops the motor 251 (step S120) and stores the time when the motor 251 was stopped as the time of operation stoppage (step S130).

[0058] After the motor 251 stopping process described above (steps S120, S130), the motor control unit 260 determines whether or not it has received a detection signal from the connection detection unit 286 (step S140). Until a detection signal is received (step S140: No), the motor control unit 260 maintains the stopped state of the motor 251. On the other hand, if a detection signal is received (step S140: Yes), the motor control unit 260 calculates the time interval between the time the detection signal is received and the above-mentioned operation stop time (step S150). This time interval is compared with a predetermined interval threshold (step S160). This interval threshold may be set to a size that ensures the temperature of the motor 251 has dropped sufficiently.

[0059] If the time interval calculated in step S150 exceeds the interval threshold mentioned above, the motor control unit 260 starts the motor 251 (step S170). On the other hand, if the time interval is less than or equal to the interval threshold (step S160: No), the motor control unit 260 waits for the next detection signal to be received (step S140: No), and if the next detection signal is received (step S140: Yes), the processes in steps S150 and S160 are executed again. In other words, the motor 251 is prevented from starting until the time interval between the time of receiving the detection signal and the time of stopping operation exceeds the interval threshold.

[0060] In the start control 1 shown in Figure 9, the start of motor 251 immediately after it has stopped is prevented. In other words, the start of motor 251 is permitted only after a time period determined by the interval threshold has elapsed from the time motor 251 has stopped operating. If the interval threshold is set to a size that ensures the temperature of motor 251 has cooled sufficiently, the start of motor 251 is permitted only after the temperature of motor 251 has cooled sufficiently. That is, the start of motor 251 while its temperature is high is prevented.

[0061] (Recovery device startup control 2) In the startup control 1 shown in Figure 9, the decision to start the motor 251 is made based on the time interval from the time the motor 251 stops operating to the time when the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 is detected. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 10, the decision to start the motor 251 may be made based on the time interval from the start time of operation stored before the motor 251 stops to the time when the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 is detected.

[0062] The motor control unit 260 stores the start time of the motor 251 when it was previously started, before receiving a detection signal from the connection detection unit 286. When the motor control unit 260 receives a detection signal from the connection detection unit 286 (step S140: Yes), it calculates the time interval between the time the detection signal was received and the start time of operation described above (step S155). This time interval is compared with a predetermined interval threshold (step S160). This interval threshold is set to a value greater than the shortest acceptable start time interval when the motor 251 is started repeatedly.

[0063] If the time interval calculated in step S155 exceeds the interval threshold mentioned above, the motor control unit 260 starts the motor 251 (step S170) and stores the start time of the motor 251 (step S180). The information of the start time stored in step S180 is used in the determination process (steps S155, S160) for when to start the motor 251 next. On the other hand, if the time interval is less than or equal to the interval threshold (step S160: No), the motor control unit 260 waits for the next detection signal to be received (step S140: No). If the next detection signal is received (step S140: Yes), the processes in steps S155 and S160 are executed again. In other words, the motor 251 is prevented from starting until the time interval between the time of receiving the detection signal and the start time exceeds the interval threshold.

[0064] In the startup control 2 shown in Figure 10, the motor 251 is prevented from repeatedly starting up in a short period of time. Therefore, the load on the motor 251 does not become excessive.

[0065] The startup control 2 shown in Figure 10 may be executed together with the startup control 1 shown in Figure 9. In this case, the motor 251 is permitted to start only when all of the following startup conditions are met. ·Starting conditions: The time interval from the time the motor 251 immediately stopped operating to the time the vacuum cleaner 100 was detected to exceed a predetermined interval threshold (startup control 1: Figure 9). The time interval from the start time of motor 251 immediately before operation to the time of detection of the connection of vacuum cleaner 100 exceeds a predetermined interval threshold (start control 2: Figure 10).

[0066] (Recovery device startup control 3) If the motor 251 has been operating for a long period of time immediately before the detection time at which the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 to the recovery device 200 is detected, the temperature of the motor 251 will be high at the time of detection. To prevent the motor 251 from starting in such a high-temperature state, a start control 3 as shown in Figure 11 may be performed.

[0067] Figure 11 shows that the motor 251 was started at the start time ts1 and stopped at the stop time te1. After the stop time te1, the motor 251 was started again at the start time ts2 and stopped again at the stop time te2. After the stop time te2, the connection detection unit 286 detected the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200 at the detection time td.

[0068] The motor control unit 260 calculates a time tb (=td-tp) obtained by going back a predetermined retrospective period tp from the detection time td, and calculates the operating time of the motor 251 from time tb to the detection time td. In Figure 11, since time tb is before the operation stop time te1, the operating time of the motor 251 is calculated as the sum of the difference between the operation stop time te1 and time tb, and the second operating time tl2 (=operation stop time te2 - operation start time ts2).

[0069] As shown in Figure 12, if the time interval between the shutdown time te2 and the detection time td is long, the calculated operating time will be shorter. In Figure 12, the time tb obtained by going back tp from the detection time td is the time between the start time ts2 and the shutdown time te2. In this case, the calculated operating time is the difference between the shutdown time te2 and time tb.

[0070] The motor control unit 260 compares the operating time with a predetermined time threshold. The time threshold may be set to a small value if the motor 251 has a structure that makes it difficult to dissipate heat, or conversely, to a large value if the motor 251 has a structure that makes it easy to dissipate heat.

[0071] The motor control unit 260 starts the motor 251 in response to the detection of the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 to the recovery device 200 at detection time td, provided that the operating time is below the time threshold. In other words, if the operating time is above the time threshold, the motor control unit 260 does not start the motor 251. By controlling the start of the motor 251 in this way, it is prevented from starting the motor 251 when it is hot.

[0072] The startup control 3 shown in Figures 11 and 12 may be executed together with the startup control 1 shown in Figure 9. In this case, the motor 251 is permitted to start only when all of the following startup conditions are met. ·Starting conditions: The time interval from the previous shutdown time te2 to the detection time td of the vacuum cleaner 100 connection exceeds a predetermined interval threshold (startup control 1: Figure 9). The operating time of motor 251 is below a predetermined time threshold (startup control 3: Figures 11 and 12).

[0073] The startup control 3 shown in Figures 11 and 12 may be executed together with the startup control 2 shown in Figure 10. In this case, the motor 251 is permitted to start only when all of the following startup conditions are met. ·Starting conditions: The time interval from the immediately preceding start time ts2 to the time td when the vacuum cleaner 100 is detected to be connected exceeds a predetermined interval threshold (startup control 2: Figure 10). The operating time of motor 251 is below a predetermined time threshold (startup control 3: Figures 11 and 12).

[0074] All of the startup controls 1 to 3 shown in Figures 9 to 12 may be executed. In this case, the motor 251 is permitted to start only if all of the following startup conditions are met. ·Starting conditions: The time interval from the time the motor 251 immediately stopped operating to the time td when the vacuum cleaner 100 was detected to be connected exceeds a predetermined interval threshold (startup control 1: Figure 9). The time interval from the start time of motor 251 immediately before operation to the detection time td of the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 exceeds a predetermined interval threshold (start control 2: Figure 10). The operating time of motor 251 is below a predetermined time threshold (startup control 3: Figures 11 and 12).

[0075] (Recovery device startup control 4) If motor 251 is started frequently over a predetermined period, the load on motor 251 will increase. To prevent motor 251 from starting frequently, the start control 4 shown in Figure 13 or Figure 14 may be executed.

[0076] In Figure 13, the motor control unit 260 holds data for the stop times te1 to ten (where n is a natural number) before the detection time td. In Figure 14, the motor control unit 260 holds data for the start times ts1 to tsn (where n is a natural number) before the detection time td.

[0077] When the connection detection unit 286 detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200 at detection time td, the motor control unit 260 calculates time tb by a predetermined retrospective period tp from detection time td. Subsequently, the motor control unit 260 counts the number of operation stop times (Figure 13) or operation start times (Figure 14) during the period from time tb to detection time td as the operating frequency of the motor 251. The operating frequency of the motor 251 is compared with a predetermined frequency threshold. The frequency threshold is set to a value lower than the upper limit of the operating frequency that the motor 251 is allowed to operate.

[0078] If the operating frequency of motor 251 is below the frequency threshold, the motor control unit 260 activates motor 251. On the other hand, if the operating frequency of motor 251 is above the frequency threshold, the motor control unit 260 does not activate motor 251 and maintains the motor 251 in a stopped state. By controlling the activation of motor 251 in this way, it is prevented from activating motor 251 at an excessively high frequency during the retrospective period tp.

[0079] The startup control 4 shown in Figure 13 or Figure 14 may be executed together with any or all of the startup controls 1 to 3 shown in Figures 9 to 12. In this case, the startup conditions for starting the motor 251 will be a combination of the startup conditions shown below by startup control 4 and any or all of the startup conditions of startup controls 1 to 3 executed together with startup control 4. • Startup conditions by startup control 4: The operating frequency of motor 251 during the retrospective period tp is below a predetermined frequency threshold.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, whether or not the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the collection device 200 is determined based on the electrical resistance detected by the connection detection unit 286. Alternatively, the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200 may be detected mechanically by a contact-type switching element. Or, the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200 may be detected by an optical sensor or a capacitance-detecting sensor.

[0081] In the embodiments described above, the retrieval device 200 and the vacuum cleaner 100 are not configured to communicate with each other. Alternatively, the retrieval device 200 and the vacuum cleaner 100 may be configured to communicate with each other. For example, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be configured to output a signal indicating that it is connected to the retrieval device 200 when it is attached to the retrieval device 200. In this case, the connection detection unit 286 of the retrieval device 200 may consist of a receiver that receives a signal from the vacuum cleaner 100. That is, the connection detection unit 286 may be configured to detect the connection of the vacuum cleaner 100 to the retrieval device 200 by receiving a signal indicating that it is connected to the retrieval device 200.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the motor 251 of the retrieval device 200 stops when the vacuum cleaner 100 is removed from the retrieval device 200. In addition, the motor 251 may also stop after it has been operating for a predetermined period of time. In this case, the above-described start-up controls 1 to 4 may be applied to start the motor 251 that has been stopped after it has been operating for a predetermined period of time.

[0083] (Effects, etc.) The recovery device 200 according to the above embodiment has the following features and provides the following effects.

[0084] A collection device according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment is configured to suck up dust accumulated inside a vacuum cleaner while the vacuum cleaner is connected. The collection device includes a connection detection unit that detects whether or not a vacuum cleaner is connected to the collection device, a motor that generates rotational driving force, a rotating blade unit that generates suction force to suck up dust inside the vacuum cleaner by rotating in response to the rotational driving force of the motor, and a motor control unit that operates the motor in response to the connection detection unit detecting the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device, and stops the motor in response to the connection detection unit detecting the removal of the vacuum cleaner from the collection device. The motor control unit starts the motor when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device, provided that the time interval between the detection time when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device and the operation stop time when the motor was stopped before the detection time exceeds a predetermined interval threshold.

[0085] While the motor is operating, its temperature rises, but when it stops, its temperature drops. However, if the motor is stopped for a short period, its temperature will not drop significantly.

[0086] In the above configuration, to prevent the motor from starting before its temperature has cooled down, the motor control unit, upon detecting the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device, compares the time interval between this detection time and the time the motor was stopped prior to the detection time with an interval threshold. If the time interval between the time the motor was stopped and the detection time exceeds the interval threshold, the motor control unit starts the motor. If the interval threshold is set to a size that allows the motor temperature to cool down sufficiently, the motor starts when its temperature has cooled down sufficiently. As a result, the rotating blades are rotated by the motor, generating suction. This suction draws dust from the vacuum cleaner connected to the collection device into the collection device. Subsequently, when the vacuum cleaner is removed from the collection device, the motor stops, and the suction of dust from the vacuum cleaner to the collection device ends. On the other hand, if the time interval between the time the motor was stopped and the detection time is less than or equal to the interval threshold, the motor control unit does not start the motor, and the motor remains stopped. In other words, starting the motor before its temperature has cooled down sufficiently is prevented.

[0087] In the above configuration, the motor control unit may start the motor on the condition that the time interval between the detection time and the start time when the motor was started before the stop time exceeds other interval thresholds.

[0088] In the configuration described above, an interval threshold is set for the time interval between the motor start time and the detection time, and the motor starts only if this time interval exceeds the interval threshold. Therefore, the motor control unit does not start the motor if the time interval between the start time and the detection time is less than or equal to the interval threshold. As a result, the motor is prevented from starting repeatedly in excessively short periods. This prevents excessive load on the motor.

[0089] In the above configuration, the motor control unit may start the motor on the condition that the operating time of the motor during a retrospective period, which is set back by a predetermined time length from the detection time, is below a predetermined time length threshold.

[0090] In the above configuration, if the motor's operating time is long during the retrospective period, which is a predetermined time length prior to the detection time, it can be inferred that the motor's temperature was high at the detection time. To prevent the motor from starting in such a state, the motor control unit starts the motor only if the operating time is below a time threshold. If the operating time is above the time threshold, the motor control unit does not start the motor, thus suppressing the motor from starting when the motor temperature is high.

[0091] In the above configuration, the motor control unit may start the motor on the condition that the motor's operating frequency during a retrospective period that is set back a predetermined time length from the detection time is below a predetermined frequency threshold.

[0092] In the configuration described above, if the motor operates frequently during the retrospective period, which is a predetermined time length prior to the detection time, the motor is subjected to a heavy load during that period. To prevent the motor from being subjected to further load by starting it in such a state, the motor control unit starts the motor only if the operating frequency is below a frequency threshold. The motor control unit does not start the motor if the motor operating frequency is above the frequency threshold, thus suppressing the starting of the motor when it is under heavy load.

[0093] A collection device according to another aspect of the above-described embodiment is configured to suck up dust accumulated inside a vacuum cleaner while the vacuum cleaner is connected. The collection device includes a connection detection unit that detects whether or not a vacuum cleaner is connected to the collection device, a motor that generates rotational driving force, a rotating blade unit that generates suction force to suck up dust inside the vacuum cleaner by rotating in response to the rotational driving force of the motor, and a motor control unit that operates the motor in response to the connection detection unit detecting the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device, and stops the motor in response to the connection detection unit detecting the removal of the vacuum cleaner from the collection device. The motor control unit starts the motor when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device, provided that the time interval between the detection time when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device and the start time when the motor was started before the detection time exceeds a predetermined interval threshold.

[0094] A collection device according to yet another aspect of the above-described embodiment is configured to suck up dust accumulated inside a vacuum cleaner while the vacuum cleaner is connected. The collection device includes a connection detection unit that detects whether or not a vacuum cleaner is connected to the collection device, a motor that generates rotational driving force, a rotating blade unit that generates suction force to suck up dust inside the vacuum cleaner by rotating in response to the rotational driving force of the motor, and a motor control unit that operates the motor in response to the connection detection unit detecting the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device, and stops the motor in response to the connection detection unit detecting the removal of the vacuum cleaner from the collection device. The motor control unit starts the motor when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device, provided that the operating time of the motor during a retrospective period that is a predetermined time length prior to the detection time when the connection detection unit detected the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device is below a predetermined time length threshold.

[0095] A collection device according to yet another aspect of the above-described embodiment is configured to suck up dust accumulated inside a vacuum cleaner while the vacuum cleaner is connected. The collection device includes a connection detection unit that detects whether or not a vacuum cleaner is connected to the collection device, a motor that generates rotational driving force, a rotating blade unit that generates suction force to suck up dust inside the vacuum cleaner by rotating in response to the rotational driving force of the motor, and a motor control unit that operates the motor in response to the connection detection unit detecting the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device, and stops the motor in response to the connection detection unit detecting the removal of the vacuum cleaner from the collection device. The motor control unit starts the motor when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device, provided that the frequency of motor operation during a retrospective period that is a predetermined time length prior to the detection time when the connection detection unit detected the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device is below a predetermined frequency threshold. [Industrial applicability]

[0096] The principle of this embodiment is suitably used in devices used for cleaning work. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0097] 100...Vacuum cleaner 200... Recovery device 251...motor 252·····Rotating blade section 260...Motor Control Unit 286·····Connection detection unit

Claims

1. A collection device configured to suck out dust accumulated inside a vacuum cleaner while the vacuum cleaner is connected, A connection detection unit that detects whether or not the vacuum cleaner is connected to the recovery device, A motor that generates rotational driving force, A rotating blade section that generates a suction force to suck up dust inside the vacuum cleaner by rotating in response to the rotational driving force of the motor, The system includes a motor control unit that, when a first condition for starting the motor and a second condition for suppressing motor overload are met while the motor temperature is reduced, starts the motor in response to the connection detection unit detecting the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the recovery device, and stops the motor in response to the connection detection unit detecting the removal of the vacuum cleaner from the recovery device, The first condition is that the time interval between the detection time when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device and the stop time when the motor was stopped before the detection time exceeds a first interval threshold. The second condition is that the time interval between the detection time and the start time when the motor was started before the stop time exceeds a second interval threshold, in the recovery device.

2. A collection device configured to suck up dust accumulated inside a vacuum cleaner while the vacuum cleaner is connected, A connection detection unit that detects whether or not the vacuum cleaner is connected to the recovery device, A motor that generates rotational driving force, A rotating blade section that generates a suction force to suck up dust inside the vacuum cleaner by rotating in response to the rotational driving force of the motor, The system includes a motor control unit that, when a first condition for starting the motor and a second condition for suppressing motor overload are met while the motor temperature is reduced, starts the motor in response to the connection detection unit detecting the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the recovery device, and stops the motor in response to the connection detection unit detecting the removal of the vacuum cleaner from the recovery device, The first condition is that the time interval between the detection time when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the vacuum cleaner to the collection device and the stop time when the motor was stopped before the detection time exceeds a predetermined interval threshold. The second condition is that the operating frequency of the motor during a retrospective period, which is set back by a predetermined time length from the detection time, is below a predetermined frequency threshold, in the recovery device.

3. The recovery device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the motor control unit starts the motor on the condition that the operating time of the motor during a retrospective period that goes back a predetermined time length from the detection time is below a predetermined time length threshold.

Images