JPH039719A - Automatic cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To permit a cleaner main-body to run at a distance according to a tensile force as desired by an operator, by detecting the degree of the tensile force with a tensile force detecting means when a suction hose is stretched, and by feeding output according to the degree of the force, to a steering and driving means. CONSTITUTION:When a suction hose 6 is stretched, then the micro switches 7A, 7B of tensile force detecting means 7 are worked. The micro switches 7A, 7B are fitted in a state that the working points are positionally shifted, and so after the micro switch 7B is worked, the micro switch 7A is worked. When the micro switch 7B is worked, then from a movement controlling means 17B, output 28 is generated, and a stop means 27 is worked, and the direction is controlled. After that, when the micro switch 7A is worked, then working time difference is detected, and if the working time is short, the output 29 of the movement controlling means 17B is generated for a long time, and if the working time is long, the output 29 of the movement controlling means 17B is controlled to be generated for a short time. By controlling the output 28 to be stopped, a main body 1 is greatly moved if stretched strongly, and is slightly moved if stretched weakly, and movement as desired by an operator can be realized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application This invention relates to a self-propelled vacuum cleaner having a cleaning function and a moving function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Currently, the mainstream vacuum cleaners in Japan are so-called cylinder-type vacuum cleaners in which a suction hose having a suction nozzle is led out from a vacuum cleaner body equipped with an electric blower. This type of vacuum cleaner has a suction nozzle that is easy to operate, making it easy to clean every corner.

On the other hand, in Europe and America, where carpet cleaning is common, so-called upright vacuum cleaners are often used, which have a vacuum cleaner body and a suction nozzle integrated into one body, and a rotating brush in the suction nozzle section. Some vacuum cleaners of this type have improved operability by rotating a roller provided at the bottom of the suction nozzle using a motor so that the vacuum cleaner can run on its own.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention As mentioned above, cylinder type vacuum cleaners have the advantage of good operability of the suction nozzle, but on the other hand, because the suction nozzle and the main body are separated, it is difficult to manage the main body.
There was a problem in that it required force to move the main body. Regarding the problem of power cords, as battery performance has improved, attempts have been made to install batteries to make them cordless, but an increase in weight is unavoidable, and new problems may arise if a large amount of force is required to move. is happening. For this problem, patent application No. 62-2243324. As shown in Japanese Patent Application No. 62-252130, an application has been filed for a self-propelled vacuum cleaner that automatically follows the direction in which the suction hose is pulled, but problems still remain with this vacuum cleaner. The first problem was that in this self-propelled vacuum cleaner, the tension detection means consisted of a switch, so although it was possible to detect the pulling, it was not possible to detect the strength of the pulling.

For this reason, when it was pulled, it did not move as the operator expected. The second problem is that cleaning often involves changing the direction of the suction hose without pulling it, and if the steering operation is constantly being performed at this time, it wastes power and puts a burden on the batch J-. , and the steering sound was harsh.

Therefore, the present invention solves the first problem by controlling the amount of movement of the main body according to the pulling strength, that is, the intention of the operator, and solves the second problem by controlling the amount of movement of the main body according to the pulling strength, that is, according to the intention of the operator. To provide a self-propelled vacuum cleaner having a configuration in which the steering wheel does not move at all times, the input is always stopped by a stop means, and the steering and traveling are simultaneously moved only when the user is pulled.

Means for Solving the Problems The first technical means of the present invention for solving the above problems is an electric blower, a dust collection chamber, a steering/driving means for moving the main body, and a suction hose with one end attached outside the main body. a suction nozzle attached to the other end of the suction hose, a direction detection means for detecting the direction in which the suction hose is led out from the main body, and a direction control means for controlling the steering and driving means with the output from the direction detection means. A self-propelled vacuum cleaner comprising: a tension detection means for detecting the tensile force of the suction hose; a movement control means for outputting an output to the steering and driving means according to the output from the tension detection means; and a power source. It is something.

The second technical means includes an electric blower, a dust collection chamber, a steering and driving means for moving the main body, a suction hose with one end attached outside the main body, and a suction hose attached to the other end of the suction hose. A nozzle, a direction detecting means for detecting the direction in which the suction hose is led out from the main body, a stopping means for temporarily stopping the output of the direction detecting means, a tension detecting means for detecting the tensile force of the suction hose, and the tension detecting means. and a direction control means for controlling the steering and driving means with the output from the stopping means, a movement I111 means for outputting the output to the steering and driving means in accordance with the output from the tension detection means, and a power source. This is a traveling vacuum cleaner.

Effect The effect of this first technical means is as follows (that is, when the suction hose is pulled, the tension detection means detects the magnitude of the tensile force, and the output is controlled to move according to the magnitude of this tensile force) Since the vacuum cleaner body travels a distance according to the pulling force, the direction control means constantly steers the suction hose in the direction in which the suction hose is led out, which is detected by the direction detection means. As a result, the main body of the vacuum cleaner automatically moves in the direction of the suction hose, and can follow the operator as the operator wishes without requiring any force to move the main body.

Next, the effect of the second technical means is as follows.

In other words, the direction in which the suction hose is led out, which is detected by the direction detection means, is temporarily stopped by the stop means, and when the suction hose is pulled, steering and driving are performed at the same time, and the direction control means constantly steers the suction hose. Since there is no noise, it saves power and produces less steering noise.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the first technical means of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. In FIGS. 1 and 2, 1 is the main body of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner, 2 is an electric blower, 3 is a dust collection chamber, and 4 is a filter. Reference numeral 5 denotes a suction hose attachment stand rotatably provided on the upper part of the main body 1, the lower end of which engages with the dust collection chamber 3, and the upper end connected to the end of a bellows-type suction hose 6. Further, a direction detection gear 5A is attached to the suction hose mounting stand 5, and the suction hose mounting rotates together with the stand 5. 8 is a rotary volume, and a connecting gear 9 is attached to the shaft. The serious crime direction detection gear 5A and this connection gear 9 are connected, and the direction in which the suction hose 6 is led out constitutes the direction detection means 10 by the rotary detection gear 5A, the rotary volume 8, and the connection gear 9. In addition, the suction hose is attached to the top of the stand 5 with a bellows-type connecting hose 5B that can be expanded and contracted up and down, and on the top of the connecting hose 5B, there is a tension detection device that is engaged with the main body 1 with a gap. Stand 5C is attached. A tension transmitting plate 5D is attached over 180 degrees at the rear of the tension detection table 5C, and when the suction hose 6 is pulled, the microswitches 7A and 7B, which are the tension detection means 7, are activated. A pair of motors 1 constituting a steering and driving means are installed at the bottom of the main body 1.
1R (opposite side not shown) is attached to the shaft, and a gear 12R (opposite side not shown) and steering/drive wheel 13R (opposite side not shown) are attached to the shaft. This motor 1
1R, gear 12R, and steering and driving wheels 13R constitute a steering and driving means 14. 15 is a pair of slave shafts that are rotatably attached, and 16 is a power source that supplies power to the main body. Further, 17 is a control circuit section composed of a direction control means 17A and a movement control means 18A, which detects the rotational position of the rotary volume 8 and controls the steering/driving means 14. The pulling force is detected from the outputs of the switches 7A and 7B, and the steering and driving means 14 is similarly controlled. Next, FIG. 3 shows the tip of the suction hose 6. The tip of the suction hose 6 is connected to an extension vibrator 18, and a suction nozzle 19 is connected to the tip. 20 is a hand switch that turns on and off the electric blower 2. Next, FIG. 4 shows a control circuit diagram of the first technical means. Hand switch 20
and electric blower 2 are connected in series to a power supply 16, microswitches 7A and 7B as tension detection means 7 are connected to the power supply 16 in series with resistors 21A and 21B, respectively, and 0N10F of microswitches 7A and 7B are connected to a movement control means 17B.
F state is input. The right motor 11R and transistor 22A constituting the steering/driving means 14 are connected in series, and the left motor 11L and transistor 22B are also connected in series. The output of this movement control means 17B is transmitted to the transistor 22A through resistors 23A and 24B.
・Connected to the base of 22B. Further, the output of the rotary volume 8 constituting the direction detection means 8 is input to the direction control means 10, and the output 24A is connected to the base of a transistor 26A via a resistor 25A.

Similarly, the output 24B of the direction control means 10 is connected to the base of a transistor 26B via a resistor 25B.

Transistors 26A and 26B are transistors 2 and 26B, respectively.
Connected in parallel with 2A and 22B, motor IIR and IIL
It is configured to drive.

The operation of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner configured as above will be described below. The method of using the self-propelled vacuum cleaner of this embodiment is basically the same as that of a normal cylinder type vacuum cleaner. Hold the extension vibrator 18 in your hand and suction the dust through the suction nozzle 19. When the hand switch 20 is turned on, the electric blower 2 is activated, and the suction hose 6 and the suction hose attachment are collected inside the dust collection chamber 3 through the stand 5. While cleaning,
When the operator moves away from the main body l and pulls the suction hose, the tension detection table 5C tilts as shown in FIG. 2, and the tension transmission plate 5D moves accordingly, causing the microswitches 7A and
7B is activated, and motor II is activated via movement control means 17B.
R・1-1. L is activated and the main body 1 travels. At this time, as mentioned earlier, the rotor volume 8 and the direction control means 10 move the motor 11L or IIR in accordance with the direction in which the suction hose 6 is led out, so that the main body 1 faces in the direction in which the suction hose 6 is led out. , the body 1 runs in the direction of the suction hose. Next, the operation of the movement control means 17B will be explained. When the suction hose 6 is pulled, the microswitches 7A and 7B, which are the tension detection means 7, are activated. Since the microswitches 7A and 7B are installed with their operating points shifted, the microswitch 7A is activated after the microswitch 7B is activated. This deviation in operation time is almost inversely proportional to the pulling strength, so if the operation time is short, the output of the movement control means 17B is controlled for a long time, and when the operation time is long, the output of the movement control means 17B is controlled to be short. . By controlling in this manner, the main body 1 moves a lot when pulled strongly, and the main body 1 moves slightly when pulled weakly, making it possible to realize the desired movement of the operator.

Next, the operation of the direction control means 10 will be explained.

Since the voltage input from the rotary volume 8 to the direction control means 10 changes according to the direction in which the suction hose 6 is led out, the motor 11L or 11R is actuated by the output 24A or 24B to direct the main body 1 in the direction in which the suction hose 6 is led out. , the voltage input from the rotary volume 8 is controlled to always be kept constant. By controlling in this manner, the main body 1 always faces the direction in which the suction hose 6 is led out.

Next, an embodiment of the second technical means of the present invention will be described with reference to the control circuit diagram shown in FIG. Hand switch 20 and electric blower 2
are connected in series to a power supply 16, and microswitches 7A and 7B, which are tension detection means 7, are connected to resistors 21A and 21, respectively.
B is connected in series with the power supply 16, and inputs the 0N10FF states of the microswitches 7A and 7B to the movement control means 17B. Right motor 1 constituting the steering and driving means 14
1R and the transistor 22A are connected in series, and the left motor IIL and the transistor 22B are also connected in series. An output 29 of this movement control means 17B is connected to the bases of transistors 22A and 22B through resistors 23A and 24B. Further, the output of the rotary volume 8 constituting the direction detection means 8 is inputted to the direction control means 10 via the stop means 27 which is an analog switch, and the output 24A is connected to the base of the transistor 26A via a resistor 25A. has been done. Similarly, direction ar
The output 24B of the t8 means 10 is connected via a resistor 25B to the base of a transistor 26B. Transistors 26A and 26B are transistors 22A and 22, respectively.
B and is connected in parallel to drive motors 11R and 11L. Furthermore, another output 28 of the movement control means 17B is input to the stop means 27.

The operation of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner configured as above will be described below. The method of using the self-propelled vacuum cleaner in this embodiment is also basically the same as that of a normal cylinder type vacuum cleaner. When the extension pipe 18 is held in hand and the hand switch 20 is turned on to suck dust from the suction nozzle 19, the electric blower 2 is activated, and the suction hose 6 and the suction hose attachment pass through the stand 5 and are collected inside the dust collection chamber 3. .

During cleaning, when the operator moves away from the main body 1 and pulls the suction hose, the tension detection table 5C tilts as shown in Fig. 2, the tension transmission plate 5D moves accordingly, and the microswitches 7A and 7B are activated. do. This causes the movement control means 17B to operate, and this output 28 causes the stop means 27 to operate, thereby connecting the rotary volume 8 and the direction control means 10. Therefore, according to the direction in which the suction hose 6 is led out, the rotary volume 8 and the direction control means 1
0, the motor 11L or IIR is moved and the main body 1 faces in the direction in which the suction hose 6 is led out. Thereafter, an output 29 is output from the movement control means 17B to simultaneously drive the motors 11R and IIL, so that the main body 1 moves in the direction of the suction hose. Next, the operation of the movement control means 17B here will be explained. When the suction hose 6 is pulled, the tension detection means 7
The microswitches 7A and 7B operate.

Since the microswitches 7A and 7B are installed with their operating points shifted, the microswitch 7A is activated after the microswitch 7B is activated. When micro switch 7B operates,
The movement control means 17B outputs an output 28, and the stop means 27
to perform direction control. Next, when the microswitch 7A is activated, a deviation in operating time is detected, and if the operating time is short, the output 29 of the movement control means 17B is controlled for a long time, and if the operation time is long, the output 29 of the movement control means 17B is controlled to be short. do. At the same time, by controlling the output 28 to stop, the main body 1 moves a lot if it is pulled strongly, and the main body 1 moves a little if it is pulled weakly, so that the operator can realize the desired movement. Since steering is performed only when the suction hose 6 is pulled, power is saved, there is no constant steering noise, and the main body 1 does not move constantly.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, since the heavy vacuum cleaner body equipped with a power source, that is, a battery, is steered and driven by a motor, the direction in which the suction hose is pulled can be adjusted without the need for force. The first technical means is that the vacuum cleaner body changes the amount of movement depending on the strength of the pull, allowing the operator to pull the vacuum cleaner around according to his or her will. It is. In addition, with the second technical means, since the steering is performed only when the vacuum cleaner is pulled, it saves power, produces less steering noise, and the vacuum cleaner body does not constantly take pictures of the cylinder, making cleaning more comfortable. It is possible to provide a self-propelled vacuum cleaner that can.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of a self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the first technical means of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partial side sectional view of the same self-propelled vacuum cleaner, and Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of the same self-propelled vacuum cleaner. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tip of the suction hose of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner, FIG. 4 is a control circuit diagram of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner, and FIG. 5 is a control circuit diagram of the second technical means. 2... Electric blower, 3... Dust collection chamber, 6... Suction hose, 7... Tension detection means, 10... Direction detection means, 14... Steering and driving means, 16...・Power supply, 17
A... Direction control means, 17B... Movement control means, 1
9... Suction nozzle, 27... Stopping means.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An electric blower, a dust collection chamber, a steering and driving means for moving the main body, a suction hose with one end attached outside the main body, and a suction nozzle attached to the other end of the suction hose,
a direction detection means for detecting the direction in which the suction hose is led out from the main body; a direction control means for controlling the steering and driving means with an output from the direction detection means; a tension detection means for detecting the tensile force of the suction hose; A self-propelled vacuum cleaner comprising a movement control means for outputting an output to the steering/driving means according to the output from the tension detection means, and a power source. (2) an electric blower, a dust collection chamber, a steering and driving means for moving the main body, a suction hose with one end attached to the outside of the main body, and a suction nozzle attached to the other end of the suction hose;
a direction detecting means for detecting the direction in which the suction hose is led out from the main body; a stopping means for temporarily stopping the output of the direction detecting means; a tension detecting means for detecting the tensile force of the suction hose; the tension detecting means and the stopping means; A self-propelled cleaning device comprising: a direction control means for controlling the steering and driving means based on an output from the means; a movement control means for outputting an output to the steering and driving means according to an output from the tension detection means; and a power source. Machine.