cleaning machine
The vacuum cleaner's control unit stores and recalls operating intensity settings, allowing it to restart at the user's preferred level, addressing the mismatch in existing systems and improving user convenience.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHARP KK
- Filing Date
- 2022-12-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing vacuum cleaners restart the blower operation at the same intensity as when they were interrupted, which may not align with the user's desired intensity, requiring complex operations to adjust.
A vacuum cleaner with a control unit that stores the operating intensity during use and resumes operation at that intensity or adjusts it based on user input, using buttons to set and recall desired operation levels.
Enables the vacuum cleaner to start operation at the user's desired intensity, enhancing convenience and aligning with usage scenarios.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0006] , , , ,
[0001] This disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electric vacuum cleaner. In this electric vacuum cleaner, when the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner is restarted after being interrupted, the operation of the electric blower is restarted at the intensity before the stop (summary).
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In the electric vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1, the intensity of the operation of the electric blower when the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner is restarted is the intensity of the operation of the electric blower when the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner is interrupted. However, it is not always the case that the user wishes to start the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner at the intensity of the operation of the electric blower when the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner is interrupted. Therefore, in the electric vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the operation of the electric blower cannot be restarted at the intensity desired by the user when the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner is restarted. Or, a complicated operation is required to set the intensity of the operation of the electric blower to the intensity desired by the user when the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner is interrupted.
[0005] One aspect of this disclosure has been made in view of this problem. One aspect of this disclosure aims to provide, for example, a vacuum cleaner that can start the operation of the cleaning mechanism at the operation intensity desired by the user.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] A vacuum cleaner according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a cleaning mechanism that performs operation; an operating unit that receives an operation; and a control unit that, in response to the receipt of an operation while the cleaning mechanism is performing the operation, stores information indicating the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism while the cleaning mechanism is still performing the operation, and causes the cleaning mechanism to perform the operation based on the information when the cleaning mechanism is to perform the operation again in the future. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view illustrating the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic plan view illustrating the control unit provided in the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram of the control system of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the transitions in the state of the cleaning mechanism provided in the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment, by pressing the first change key and the second change key provided in the vacuum cleaner. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the transition of states in the cleaning mechanism of the vacuum cleaner provided in the first embodiment, as a result of pressing a key provided in the vacuum cleaner. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the processing flow performed by the control unit provided in the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows the processing flow performed by the control unit provided in the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates the transitions in the state of the cleaning mechanism provided in the vacuum cleaner of the second embodiment, which occur when the first change key and the second change key provided in the vacuum cleaner are pressed. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows the processing flow performed by the control unit provided in the vacuum cleaner of the second embodiment. [Figure 11]This flowchart shows the processing flow performed by the control unit provided in the vacuum cleaner of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a block diagram of the control unit provided in the vacuum cleaner of the third embodiment. [Figure 13] This diagram illustrates the transitions in the state of the cleaning mechanism provided in the vacuum cleaner of the third embodiment, which occur when the first key and the second key provided in the vacuum cleaner are pressed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0008] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.
[0009] 1. First Embodiment 1.1 Structure of a vacuum cleaner Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment.
[0010] The vacuum cleaner 1 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 scrapes dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned and sucks up the dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned. The vacuum cleaner 1 accepts an operation to instruct it to memorize the current operating intensity and sets the memorized operating intensity as the operating intensity when operation is started next time.
[0011] Vacuum cleaner 1 is a stick vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaner 1 may be a vacuum cleaner other than a stick vacuum cleaner. For example, vacuum cleaner 1 may be a canister vacuum cleaner, a handheld vacuum cleaner, etc.
[0012] The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a nozzle 11 (suction port), an extension tube 12, and a main body 13.
[0013] The nozzle 11 can be attached to and detached from one end of the extension tube 12. The other end of the extension tube 12 can be attached to and detached from the main body 13. When the nozzle 11 is attached to one end of the extension tube 12 and the other end of the extension tube 12 is attached to the main body 13, the nozzle 11 is connected to the main body 13 via the extension tube 12.
[0014] The nozzle 11 can also be attached to and detached from the main body 13. When the nozzle 11 is attached to the main body 13, the nozzle 11 is connected to the main body 13 without passing through the extension pipe 12.
[0015] In the nozzle 11, a suction port and a first air passage are formed. The suction port is at one end of the first air passage. In the extension pipe 12, a second air passage is formed. In the main body 13, a third air passage and a discharge port are formed. The discharge port is at the other end of the third air passage. The suction port faces the surface to be cleaned when the nozzle 11 is placed on the surface to be cleaned.
[0016] When the nozzle 11 is connected to the main body 13 via the extension pipe 12, the other end of the first air passage is connected to one end of the second air passage. Also, the other end of the second air passage is connected to one end of the third air passage. Thereby, air can be guided from the suction port to the discharge port sequentially through the first air passage, the second air passage, and the third air passage.
[0017] When the nozzle 11 is connected to the main body 13 without passing through the extension pipe 12, the other end of the first air passage is connected to one end of the third air passage. Thereby, air can be guided from the suction port to the discharge port sequentially through the first air passage and the third air passage. <�
[0018] The nozzle 11 is placed on the surface to be cleaned. Therefore, when air is blown from the suction port to the discharge port, dust can be sucked up from the surface to be cleaned by the blown air.
[0019] <� 1.2 Structure of the Nozzle As shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle 11 includes a scraping mechanism 21.
[0020] The scraping mechanism 21 scrapes dust from the surface to be cleaned.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the scraping mechanism 21 includes a rotary brush 31 and a brush motor 32.
[0022] The rotating brush 31 is positioned at the suction port. Therefore, when the nozzle 11 is placed on the surface to be cleaned, the rotating brush 31 comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned. As a result, the rotating brush 31 rotates and scrapes dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned.
[0023] The brush motor 32 consumes the supplied power to rotate the rotating brush 31.
[0024] 1.3 Main Unit Structure Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the main body of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment.
[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the main unit 13 includes a battery 41, a blower 42, an operating unit 43, and a circuit board 44.
[0026] The battery 41 is electrically connected to the blower 42, the circuit board 44, and the brush motor 32. The battery 41 supplies power to the blower 42, the circuit board 44, and the brush motor 32. The battery 41 is a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, nickel-metal hydride battery, or nickel-cadmium battery. The battery 41 is detachable from the remaining part of the main body 13. The battery 41 may also be fixed to the remaining part of the main body 13.
[0027] The blower 42 consumes the supplied power to blow air. The blown air travels from the intake to the exhaust. As a result, the blown air sucks up dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned.
[0028] The control unit 43 accepts input. The control unit 43 is equipped with a button switch. The control unit 43 may also be equipped with other operating components besides a button switch. For example, the control unit 43 may be equipped with a rotary switch, a dial, a slider, a touch panel, etc.
[0029] The circuit board 44 is electrically connected to the blower 42, the control unit 43, and the brush motor 32. The circuit board 44 operates by consuming power supplied by the battery 41. The circuit board 44 detects the operation received by the control unit 43 and controls the blower 42 and the brush motor 32 according to the detected operation. In this way, the circuit board 44 sets the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the operation received by the control unit 43.
[0030] 1.4 Structure of the control panel Figure 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating the control unit provided in the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment.
[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the operating unit 43 includes a first change key 51, a second change key 52, and a key 53.
[0032] Pressing the first change key 51 instructs the vacuum cleaner 1 to increase its operating intensity by one level or to start operating at the maximum operating intensity. Pressing the second change key 52 instructs the vacuum cleaner 1 to decrease its operating intensity by one level or to start operating at the minimum operating intensity. A short press of key 53 instructs the vacuum cleaner 1 to start or stop operation. A long press of key 53 instructs the vacuum cleaner 1 to remember the current operating intensity.
[0033] The first change key 51, the second change key 52, and key 53 are button switches.
[0034] 1.5 Control System Figure 4 is a block diagram of the control system of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment.
[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a cleaning mechanism 61, an operating unit 43, and a control unit 62.
[0036] The cleaning mechanism 61 performs an operation to clean the surface to be cleaned.
[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the cleaning mechanism 61 includes a scraping mechanism 21 and a blower 42. The scraping mechanism 21 scrapes dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned. The blower 42 blows air to suck up the dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned. Therefore, the operation performed by the cleaning mechanism 61 includes scraping dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned and blowing air to suck up the dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned.
[0038] The control unit 43 accepts commands.
[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the operating unit 43 includes a first change key 51, a second change key 52, and a key 53.
[0040] The operations accepted by the operation unit 43 include pressing the first change key 51, pressing the second change key 52, a first operation of short-pressing key 53, and a second operation of long-pressing key 53.
[0041] The control unit 62 causes the cleaning mechanism 61 to perform operations according to the operation received by the operation unit 43.
[0042] In response to the second operation of pressing and holding the key 53 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is operating, the control unit 62 stores information 71 indicating the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is still operating. If the control unit 62 has stored the information 71 at the time the cleaning mechanism 61 is to start operating, it will operate the cleaning mechanism 61 based on the stored information 71. As a result, the control unit 62 will operate the cleaning mechanism 61 based on the information 71 the next time it is to operate it.
[0043] When the control unit 62 is to operate the cleaning mechanism 61 for the next time or later, it will operate the cleaning mechanism 61 at the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 indicated by the information 71. Alternatively, when the control unit 62 is to operate the cleaning mechanism 61 for the next time or later, it will adjust the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 indicated by the information 71 according to the temperature of the cleaning mechanism 61 and other factors, and operate the cleaning mechanism 61 at the adjusted operating intensity.
[0044] If the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 when it is started is set by the provider of the vacuum cleaner 1, it may not be possible to start the cleaning mechanism 61 at the operating intensity desired by the user.
[0045] Furthermore, if the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 when starting operation is the same as the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 when ending operation, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, it may not be possible to start operation of the cleaning mechanism 61 at the operating intensity desired by the user. Alternatively, a cumbersome operation may be required to set the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to the operating intensity desired by the user when ending operation of the cleaning mechanism 61.
[0046] In contrast, in the vacuum cleaner 1, the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 when starting operation is selected by a second operation, which is pressing and holding key 53. This allows the user to start the cleaning mechanism 61 at their desired operating intensity the next time it is operated. This allows the cleaning mechanism 61 to start operating at an operating intensity suitable for the user's usage scene and environment. As a result, a vacuum cleaner 1 with high convenience can be provided.
[0047] The stored information 71 indicating the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 includes information 81 indicating the operating intensity of the scraping mechanism 21 and information 82 indicating the operating intensity of the blower 42. If the control unit 62 has stored the information 71 at the timing to operate the cleaning mechanism 61, it will cause the scraping mechanism 21 to perform scraping based on the stored information 81 and the blower 42 to perform blowing based on the stored information 82.
[0048] When the control unit 62 is to operate the cleaning mechanism 61 for the next time or later, it will cause the scraping mechanism 21 to perform scraping at the operating intensity of the scraping mechanism 21 indicated by the information 81. Alternatively, when the control unit 62 is to operate the cleaning mechanism 61 for the next time or later, it will adjust the operating intensity of the scraping mechanism 21 indicated by the information 81 according to the temperature of the scraping mechanism 21 and other factors, and cause the scraping mechanism 21 to perform scraping at the adjusted operating intensity.
[0049] When the control unit 62 is to operate the cleaning mechanism 61 for the next time or later, it will have the blower 42 blow air at the operating intensity of the blower 42 indicated by the information 82. Alternatively, when the control unit 62 is to operate the cleaning mechanism 61 for the next time or later, it will adjust the operating intensity of the blower 42 indicated by the information 82 according to the temperature of the blower 42 and other factors, and have the blower 42 blow air at the adjusted operating intensity of the blower 42.
[0050] Information 71 indicating the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 indicates its ability to remove dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned. The ability to remove dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned includes the ability to scrape dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned and the ability to suck up dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned. Information 81 indicating the operating intensity of the scraping mechanism 21 indicates its ability to scrape dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned and includes the voltage value of the voltage applied to the brush motor 32, the current value of the current supplied to the brush motor 32, the power value of the power supplied to the brush motor 32, the duty cycle of the current supplied to the brush motor 32, the rotational speed of the brush motor 32, etc. The information 82 indicating the operating intensity of the blower 42 indicates its ability to suck up dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned, and includes the voltage value of the voltage applied to the blower 42, the current value of the current supplied to the blower 42, the power value of the power supplied to the blower 42, the duty cycle of the current supplied to the blower 42, the rotational speed of the fan equipped in the blower 42, and the strength of the wind blown by the blower 42. A high operating intensity of the scraping mechanism 21 means that the rotational speed of the brush motor 32 is high, etc. A high operating intensity of the blower 42 means that the rotational speed of the fan equipped in the blower 42 is high.
[0051] If the control unit 62 receives a second operation, which is pressing and holding the key 53 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is in operation, and has already stored information 71 indicating the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61, it updates the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61, which is indicated by the information 71 already stored, with information indicating the current operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61.
[0052] The second operation that triggers the storage of information 71 indicating the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 may be an operation other than pressing and holding the key 53. For example, the second operation that triggers the operation may be pressing one key other than the key 53, or pressing multiple keys other than the key 53 simultaneously. Alternatively, the second operation that triggers the operation may be pressing multiple keys, including the key 53, simultaneously.
[0053] The control unit 62 is mounted on the circuit board 44. The control unit 62 includes a microcontroller and peripheral circuits. The microcontroller includes a processor and memory. The memory stores a control program. The processor executes the stored control program and causes the microcontroller and peripheral circuits to operate as the control unit 62. All or part of the processing performed by the microcontroller may be performed by dedicated electronic circuits.
[0054] 1.6 State transitions of the cleaning mechanism by pressing the first change key and the second change key Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the transition of states of the cleaning mechanism provided in the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment by pressing the first change key and the second change key provided in the vacuum cleaner.
[0055] In the first embodiment, the functions of the first change key 51 and the second change key 52 are switched during operation 91 and during shutdown 92 of the cleaning mechanism 61.
[0056] As shown in Figure 5, the control unit 62 switches the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 between a plurality of operating intensity levels 101 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is operating (during operation 91). In the first embodiment, the plurality of operating intensity levels 101 consist of five operating intensity levels: a first operating intensity level 111, a second operating intensity level 112, a third operating intensity level 113, a fourth operating intensity level 114, and a fifth operating intensity level 115. The plurality of operating intensity levels 101 may be four or fewer operating intensity levels or six or more operating intensity levels. However, the advantages of the first embodiment are particularly evident when the plurality of operating intensity levels 101 consists of five or more operating intensity levels, and switching the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 between the plurality of operating intensity levels 101 is cumbersome.
[0057] When the control unit 62 receives an operation to press the first change key 51 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is not operating (while stopped 92), it sets the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to the maximum first operating intensity 111 and starts the cleaning mechanism 61 from operation.
[0058] When the control unit 62 receives an operation to press the second change key 52 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is not operating (while stopped 92), it sets the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to the minimum fifth operating intensity 115 and starts the cleaning mechanism 61 from operation.
[0059] In response to the operation of the cleaning mechanism 61 while it is running (during operation 91), the control unit 62 increases the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 by one level. For example, if the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is at the fifth operating intensity 115, the control unit 62 changes the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to the fourth operating intensity 114, which is one level higher than the fifth operating intensity 115, in response to the operation of the first change key 51 being pressed.
[0060] In response to the operation of the second change key 52 being pressed while the cleaning mechanism 61 is operating (during operation 91), the control unit 62 reduces the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 by one level. For example, if the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is at the first operating intensity 111, the control unit 62, in response to the operation of the second change key 52 being pressed, reduces the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to the second operating intensity 112, which is one level lower than the first operating intensity 111.
[0061] 1.7 State transitions of the cleaning mechanism by pressing a key Figure 6 illustrates the transition of the cleaning mechanism in the vacuum cleaner provided in the first embodiment by pressing a key provided in the vacuum cleaner.
[0062] In the first embodiment, the function of key 53 is switched while the cleaning mechanism 61 is in operation 91 and while it is stopped 92. The function of key 53 is also switched by short-pressing and long-pressing key 53.
[0063] As shown in Figure 6, in response to the first operation of short-pressing the key 53 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is not operating (while stopped 92), the control unit 62 performs a process 121 to read information 71 indicating the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 from the memory, and then starts the cleaning mechanism 61 to operate at the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 indicated by the information 71 read by the process 121. As a result, the control unit 62 starts the cleaning mechanism 61 to operate at one of the multiple operating intensities 101.
[0064] In response to receiving a first operation, which is a short press of key 53 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is operating (during operation 91), the control unit 62 stops the operation of the cleaning mechanism 61.
[0065] Furthermore, in response to the second operation of pressing and holding the key 53 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is operating (during operation 91), the control unit 62 continues to operate the cleaning mechanism 61 and performs a process 122 to write information 71 indicating the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to memory. As a result, the control unit 62 stores the information 71.
[0066] Furthermore, the control unit 62 transitions to setting mode 123 in response to a second operation, which is pressing and holding key 53 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is not operating (while stopped 92). Setting mode 123 sets the starting operation intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 for when it is started to operate again in the future.
[0067] The control unit 62 recognizes that key 53 has been short-pressed if it is pressed for a period of time less than the set time, and recognizes that key 53 has been long-pressed if it is pressed for a period of time equal to or longer than the set time. The set time is, for example, 1.5 seconds or more and 2.0 seconds or less. The control unit 62 may perform the same processing as when key 53 is short-pressed if it is pressed once, and may perform the same processing as when key 53 is long-pressed if it is pressed twice.
[0068] In the first embodiment, the control unit 62 performs a process other than the process 122 of writing information 71 to memory in response to the reception of a first operation, a short press of the key 53, and performs the process 122 in response to the reception of a second operation, a long press of the key 53. In addition, a process to terminate the operation of the cleaning mechanism 61 is selected as a process other than the process 122. However, a process other than the process to terminate the operation of the cleaning mechanism 61 may be selected as a process other than the process 122.
[0069] 1.8 Processing flow performed by the control unit Figures 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing performed by the control unit provided in the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment during operation.
[0070] The control unit 62 executes steps S101 to S109 shown in Figures 7 and 8.
[0071] In step S101, the control unit 62 determines whether or not the operation to press the first change key 51 has been accepted. If it is determined that the operation to press the first change key 51 has been accepted, step S102 is executed. If it is determined that the operation to press the first change key 51 has not been accepted, step S104 is executed.
[0072] In step S102, the control unit 62 determines whether the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is at the maximum first operating intensity 111. If it is determined that the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is at the maximum first operating intensity 111, step S101 is executed again. If it is determined that the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is not at the maximum first operating intensity 111, step S103 is executed.
[0073] In step S103, the control unit 62 increases the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 by one level. After step S103 is performed, step S101 is performed again.
[0074] According to steps S101 to S103, if the control unit 62 receives an operation to press the first change key 51 and the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 has not reached the maximum first operating intensity 111, it increases the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 by one level. On the other hand, if the control unit 62 receives an operation to press the first change key 51 and the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 has reached the maximum first operating intensity 111, it ignores the operation to press the first change key 51.
[0075] In step S104, the control unit 62 determines whether or not the operation to press the second change key 52 has been accepted. If it is determined that the operation to press the second change key 52 has been accepted, step S105 is executed. If it is determined that the operation to press the second change key 52 has not been accepted, step S107 is executed.
[0076] In step S105, the control unit 62 determines whether the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is at the minimum fifth operating intensity 115. If it is determined that the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is at the minimum fifth operating intensity 115, step S101 is executed again. If it is determined that the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is not at the minimum fifth operating intensity 115, step S106 is executed.
[0077] In step S106, the control unit 62 reduces the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 by one level. After step S106 is performed, step S101 is performed again.
[0078] According to steps S104 to S106, if the control unit 62 receives an operation to press the second change key 52 and the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 has not reached the minimum fifth operating intensity 115, it reduces the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 by one level. On the other hand, if the control unit 62 receives an operation to press the second change key 52 and the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 has reached the minimum fifth operating intensity 115, it ignores the operation to press the second change key 52.
[0079] In step S107, the control unit 62 determines whether or not the operation to press key 53 has been received. If it is determined that the operation to press key 53 has been received, step S108 is executed. If it is determined that the operation to press key 53 has not been received, step S101 is executed again.
[0080] In step S108, the control unit 62 determines whether the accepted operation of pressing key 53 is a second operation of pressing and holding key 53. If it is determined that the operation of pressing key 53 is a second operation of pressing and holding key 53, then step S109 is executed. If it is determined that the operation of pressing key 53 is not a second operation of pressing and holding key 53, that is, if it is determined that the operation of pressing key 53 is a first operation of pressing key 53 briefly, then the control unit 62 causes the cleaning mechanism 61 to stop operating.
[0081] In step S109, the control unit 62 writes information 71 indicating the current operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to memory. This allows the cleaning mechanism 61 to operate at an operating intensity corresponding to the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 at the time the key 53 was pressed and held down, when the cleaning mechanism 61 is started in operation the next time. After step S109 is executed, step S101 is executed again.
[0082] In steps S107 to S109, the control unit 62 stops the operation of the cleaning mechanism 61 when it receives a first operation, which is a short press of the key 53. Furthermore, when the control unit 62 receives a second operation, which is a long press of the key 53, it writes information 71 indicating the current operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to memory and causes the cleaning mechanism 61 to continue operating at the current operating intensity.
[0083] 2. Second Embodiment The following describes the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment. For aspects not described, the same configuration as that used in the first embodiment is used in the second embodiment.
[0084] Figure 9 illustrates the transitions in the state of the cleaning mechanism provided in the vacuum cleaner of the second embodiment, which occur when the first change key and the second change key provided in the vacuum cleaner are pressed.
[0085] In the second embodiment, the functions of the first change key 51 and the second change key 52 are switched while the vacuum cleaner 1 is in operation 91 and while it is stopped 92. In addition, the functions of the first change key 51 and the second change key 52 are switched by short-pressing and long-pressing the first change key 51 and the second change key 52.
[0086] As shown in Figure 9, in response to receiving a short press of the first change key 51 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is operating (during operation 91), the control unit 62 increases the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 by one level. For example, if the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is at the fifth operating intensity 115, the control unit 62, in response to receiving a short press of the first change key 51, sets the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to the fourth operating intensity 114, which is one level higher than the fifth operating intensity 115.
[0087] In response to receiving a long press operation of the first change key 51 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is operating (during operation 91), the control unit 62 sets the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to the maximum first operating intensity 111. The first operating intensity 111 is the maximum operating intensity among the operating intensities that can be selected by short-pressing the first change key 51. The control unit 62 may also set the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to an operating intensity greater than the first operating intensity 111 in response to receiving a long press operation of the first change key 51.
[0088] Furthermore, in response to receiving a short press of the second change key 52 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is operating (during operation 91), the control unit 62 reduces the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 by one level. For example, if the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is at the first operating intensity 111, the control unit 62, in response to receiving a short press of the second change key 52, reduces the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to the second operating intensity 112, which is one level lower than the first operating intensity 111.
[0089] In response to receiving a long press operation of the second change key 52 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is operating (during operation 91), the control unit 62 sets the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to the minimum fifth operating intensity 115. The fifth operating intensity 115 is the minimum operating intensity among the operating intensities that can be selected by short-pressing the first change key 51. The control unit 62 may also set the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to an operating intensity less than the fifth operating intensity 111 in response to receiving a long press operation of the first change key 51.
[0090] The control unit 62 recognizes that a first change key 51 and a second change key 52 have been short-pressed if they are pressed for a period of time less than the set time, and recognizes that a change key has been long-pressed if it is pressed for a period of time equal to or longer than the set time. The set time is, for example, 1.5 seconds or more and 2.0 seconds or less. The control unit 62 may perform the same processing as when a change key is long-pressed if it is pressed twice, and may perform the same processing as when a change key is short-pressed if it is pressed once.
[0091] Figures 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing performed by the control unit provided in the vacuum cleaner of the second embodiment during operation.
[0092] The control unit 62 executes steps S111 to S123 shown in Figures 10 and 11.
[0093] In step S111, the control unit 62 determines whether or not the operation to press the first change key 51 has been accepted. If it is determined that the operation to press the first change key 51 has been accepted, step S112 is executed. If it is determined that the operation to press the first change key 51 has not been accepted, step S116 is executed.
[0094] In step S112, the control unit 62 determines whether the operation of pressing the first change key 51 that has been received is an operation of pressing and holding the first change key 51. If it is determined that the operation of pressing the first change key 51 is an operation of pressing and holding the first change key 51, then step S113 is executed. If it is determined that the operation of pressing the first change key 51 is not an operation of pressing and holding the first change key 51, then step S114 is executed.
[0095] In step S113, the control unit 62 sets the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to the maximum first operating intensity 111. After step S113 is performed, step S111 is performed again.
[0096] In step S114, the control unit 62 determines whether the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is at the maximum first operating intensity 111. If it is determined that the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is at the maximum first operating intensity 111, step S111 is executed again. If it is determined that the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is not at the maximum first operating intensity 111, step S115 is executed.
[0097] In step S115, the control unit 62 increases the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 by one level. After step S115 is performed, step S111 is performed again.
[0098] According to steps S111 to S115, if the control unit 62 receives a short press of the first change key 51 and the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 has not reached the maximum first operating intensity 111, it increases the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 by one level. On the other hand, if the control unit 62 receives a short press of the first change key 51 and the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 has reached the maximum first operating intensity 111, it ignores the short press of the first change key 51. Furthermore, if the control unit 62 receives a long press of the first change key 51, it sets the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to the maximum first operating intensity 111.
[0099] In step S116, the control unit 62 determines whether or not the operation to press the second change key 52 has been accepted. If it is determined that the operation to press the second change key 52 has been accepted, step S117 is executed. If it is determined that the operation to press the second change key 52 has not been accepted, step S121 is executed.
[0100] In step S117, the control unit 62 determines whether the operation of pressing the second change key 52 that has been received is an operation of pressing and holding the second change key 52. If it is determined that the operation of pressing the second change key 52 is an operation of pressing and holding the second change key 52, step S118 is executed. If it is determined that the operation of pressing the second change key 52 is not an operation of pressing and holding the second change key 52, step S119 is executed.
[0101] In step S118, the control unit 62 sets the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to the minimum fifth operating intensity 115. After step S118 is performed, step S111 is performed again.
[0102] In step S119, the control unit 62 determines whether the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is at the minimum fifth operating intensity 115. If it is determined that the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is at the minimum fifth operating intensity 115, step S111 is executed again. If it is determined that the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 is not at the minimum fifth operating intensity 115, step S120 is executed.
[0103] In step S120, the control unit 62 reduces the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 by one level. After step S120 is performed, step S111 is performed again.
[0104] According to steps S116 to S120, if the control unit 62 receives a short press of the second change key 52 and the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 has not reached the minimum fifth operating intensity 115, it reduces the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 by one level. On the other hand, if the control unit 62 receives a short press of the second change key 52 and the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 has reached the minimum fifth operating intensity 115, it ignores the short press of the second change key 52. Furthermore, if the control unit 62 receives a long press of the second change key 52, it sets the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to the fifth operating intensity 115.
[0105] In step S121, the control unit 62 determines whether or not the operation to press key 53 has been received. If it is determined that the operation to press key 53 has been received, step S122 is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation to press key 53 has not been received, step S111 is executed.
[0106] In step S122, the control unit 62 determines whether the received operation of pressing key 53 is a second operation of pressing and holding key 53. If it is determined that the operation of pressing key 53 is a second operation of pressing and holding key 53, then step S123 is executed. If it is determined that the operation of pressing key 53 is not a second operation of pressing and holding key 53, that is, if it is determined that the operation of pressing key 53 is a first operation of pressing key 53 briefly, then the control unit 62 stops the operation of the cleaning mechanism 61.
[0107] In step S123, the control unit 62 writes information 71 indicating the current operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to memory. This allows the cleaning mechanism 61 to operate at an operating intensity corresponding to the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 at the time the key 53 was pressed and held down, when the cleaning mechanism 61 is started in the future. After step S123 is executed, step S111 is executed again.
[0108] In steps S121 to S123, the control unit 62 stops the operation of the cleaning mechanism 61 when it receives a first operation, which is a short press of the key 53. Furthermore, when the control unit 62 receives a second operation, which is a long press of the key 53, it writes information 71 indicating the current operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to memory and causes the cleaning mechanism 61 to continue operating at the current operating intensity.
[0109] 3. Third Embodiment The following describes the differences between the third embodiment and the first embodiment. For aspects not described, the same configuration as that used in the first embodiment is employed.
[0110] Figure 12 is a block diagram of the control unit provided in the vacuum cleaner of the third embodiment.
[0111] In the third embodiment, as shown in Figure 12, the operating unit 43 includes a first change key 51, a second change key 52, a first key 131, and a second key 132.
[0112] Figure 13 illustrates the transitions in the state of the cleaning mechanism provided in the vacuum cleaner of the third embodiment, which occur when the first change key and the second change key provided in the vacuum cleaner are pressed.
[0113] The operating unit 43 accepts a first operation, which is pressing the first key 131, and a second operation, which is pressing the second key 132.
[0114] As shown in Figure 13, when the cleaning mechanism 61 is not in operation (while stopped 92), the control unit 62 receives a first operation by pressing the first key 131 and performs a process 121 to read information 71 indicating the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 from the memory, and starts the cleaning mechanism 61 to operate at the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 indicated by the information 71 read by the process 121. In this way, the control unit 62 starts the cleaning mechanism 61 to operate at one of the multiple operating intensities 101.
[0115] In response to receiving a first operation, which is pressing the first key 131 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is operating (during operation 91), the control unit 62 stops the operation of the cleaning mechanism 61.
[0116] In response to the second operation of pressing the second key 132 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is operating (during operation 91), the control unit 62 performs a process 122 to write information 71 indicating the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism 61 to memory, and continues to operate the cleaning mechanism 61.
[0117] In response to the second operation of pressing the second key 132 while the cleaning mechanism 61 is stopped (during operation stoppage 92), the control unit 62 transitions to setting mode 123.
[0118] In the third embodiment, the control unit 62 performs a process other than the process 122 of writing information 71 to memory in response to the acceptance of a first operation, pressing the first key 131, and performs the process 122 in response to the acceptance of a second operation, pressing the second key 132. The process other than process 122 is selected to cause the cleaning mechanism 61 to terminate operation. However, the process other than process 122 may be selected to cause the cleaning mechanism 61 to terminate operation.
[0119] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be replaced with configurations that are substantially the same as those shown in the embodiments, configurations that produce the same effects, or configurations that can achieve the same purpose. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0120] 1 Vacuum cleaner, 11 Nozzle, 12 Extension tube, 13 Main unit, 21 Scraping mechanism, 31 Rotating brush, 32 Brush motor, 41 Battery, 42 Blower, 43 Control unit, 44 Circuit board, 51 First change key, 52 Second change key, 53 Key, 61 Cleaning mechanism, 62 Control unit, 71 Information, 81 Information, 82 Information, 91 Operating, 92 Stopped, 101 Multiple operating intensities, 111 First operating intensity, 112 Second operating intensity, 113 Third operating intensity, 114 Fourth operating intensity, 115 Fifth operating intensity, 121 Processing, 122 Processing, 131 First key, 132 Second key.
Claims
1. The cleaning mechanism that operates, An operating unit that accepts commands, A control unit that, in response to receiving the operation while the cleaning mechanism is performing the operation, stores information indicating the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism while the cleaning mechanism is still performing the operation, and, when the cleaning mechanism is to be operated again in the future, causes the cleaning mechanism to perform the operation based on the information, A vacuum cleaner equipped with [a specific feature].
2. The cleaning mechanism includes a blower, The operation described above includes blowing air to suck up dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned. The aforementioned information includes information indicating the operating intensity of the blower, The control unit causes the blower to perform the blowing based on information indicating the operating intensity of the blower. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.
3. The cleaning mechanism includes a scraping mechanism, The aforementioned operation includes scraping off dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned. The aforementioned information includes information indicating the operating intensity of the scraping mechanism, The control unit causes the scraping mechanism to perform the scraping based on information indicating the operating intensity of the scraping mechanism. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2.
4. The cleaning mechanism includes a scraping mechanism, The aforementioned operation includes scraping off dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned. The aforementioned information includes information indicating the operating intensity of the scraping mechanism, The control unit causes the scraping mechanism to perform the scraping based on information indicating the operating intensity of the scraping mechanism. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.
5. The aforementioned operating unit is equipped with a key and accepts a first operation of short-pressing the key, The aforementioned operation is a second operation of pressing and holding the key, The control unit performs processing other than the processing of storing the information in response to the acceptance of the first operation. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. The operating unit includes a first key and a second key, and receives a first operation by pressing the first key. The operation described above is the second operation of pressing the second key, The control unit performs processing other than the processing of storing the information in response to the acceptance of the first operation. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
7. The aforementioned operating unit includes a first change key and a second change key, The control unit switches the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism between a plurality of operating intensity levels, increases the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism by one level in response to a short press of the first change key, sets the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism to the maximum in response to a long press of the first change key, decreases the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism by one level in response to a short press of the second change key, and sets the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism to the minimum in response to a long press of the second change key. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
8. The aforementioned operating unit includes a first change key and a second change key, The control unit switches the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism between five or more operating intensity levels, increases the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism by one level in response to the operation of pressing the first change key, and decreases the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism by one level in response to the operation of pressing the second change key. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
9. When the control unit receives the operation while the cleaning mechanism is not performing the operation, it transitions to a setting mode that sets the starting operation intensity of the cleaning mechanism when the cleaning mechanism is started for the next time or later. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
10. The control unit, when instructing the cleaning mechanism to perform the operation in the next instance, will instruct the cleaning mechanism to perform the operation at the operating intensity of the cleaning mechanism indicated by the information. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4.