JPH0194817A - self-propelled vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

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 unit, 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 a suction nozzle that is easy to operate, but because the suction nozzle and the main body are separated, it is difficult to move the main body. <<
There were problems such as the main unit or power cord getting caught on obstacles, and the need for pulling force when moving the main unit.

Regarding the problem of power cords, as battery performance has improved, attempts have been made to install batteries to make them cordless, but this inevitably increases the weight and causes the problem of requiring force to move the vacuum cleaner. Yo shifro is rose up.

Therefore, the present invention provides a self-propelled vacuum cleaner that does not require force to move and can run in the direction in which the suction hose is pulled.

Means for Solving the Problems The technical means of the present invention for solving the above problems includes an electric blower, a dust collection chamber, and a steering and driving means for moving the main body.
A suction hose with one end attached to the outside of 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 an output from the direction detection means to perform the above-mentioned steering function. It is composed of a direction control means for controlling the drive means and a power source.

For production The effect of this technical means is as follows.

In other words, the main body of the vacuum cleaner travels by the driving means of the steering/driving means, and is constantly steered by the steering means by the direction control means in the direction in which the suction hose is led out, which is detected by the direction detection means, so that the main body of the vacuum cleaner is constantly steered by the steering means. It automatically moves in the direction of the hose and can follow the operator without requiring any force to move the main body.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. In Figures 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 6 denotes a suction hose mounting base 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 the bellows-type suction hose 6. Further, a direction detection gear 7 is attached to the suction hose mount 6 and rotates together with the suction hose mount 6. Next, 8 is a rotary volume, and a connecting gear 9 is attached to the shaft. The direction detection gear 7 and this connection gear 9 are connected to each other, so that the direction in which the suction hose 6 is led out is transmitted as the rotational position of the rotary volume 8. Said suction hose mounting base5. Direction detection gear 7, rotary volume 8. The connecting gear 9 constitutes a direction detecting means. A steering motor 10 is attached to the bottom of the main body 1, and a rotary volume 1 for rotation control is attached to the motor shaft.
1 and an L-shaped support fitting 12 are fixed. A drive motor 13 is attached to this support fitting 12, and a steering/drive wheel 14 is fixed to the motor shaft. The steering motor 1
0. Support bracket 12° drive motor 13. Steering and driving wheel 14
This constitutes the steering and driving means. 16 is a pair of follower wheels rotatably attached, and 16 is a power source that supplies power to the main body. Further, 17 is a differential amplifier which is a circuit section that detects the rotational position of the rotary volume 8 and controls the steering motor 10.

Next, FIG. 3 shows the tip of the suction hose 6.

The tip of the suction hose 6 is connected to an extension pipe 18, and a suction nozzle 19 is connected to the tip. 2
0 is a hand switch that turns on and off the electric blower 2 and drive motor 13.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a control circuit diagram of this embodiment.

The hand switch 2o includes a slide switch 21A that turns on and off the electric blower 2, and a push button switch 21B that operates the drive motor 13 only while being pressed.

A rotary volume 8, which is part of a direction detection means for detecting the direction in which the suction hose e is led out, is connected to the power source 16 via a resistor 2.
2.23, and the intermediate tap 24 of the rotary volume 8 detects the rotational position as a voltage.

Similarly, a rotary volume 11 for rotation control is connected to the power source 16 via a resistor 25.degree. 26, and an intermediate tap 27 of the rotary volume 11 detects the position of the steering motor 10 as a voltage. Further, a differential amplifier 17 is connected to the power source 16, and if a voltage difference occurs between the intermediate taps 24 and 27, the steering motor 10 is operated to eliminate the voltage difference. This control directs the steering and driving wheels 14 in the direction of the suction hose 6.

The differential amplifier 17 and the rotary volume 11 constitute a direction control means 28.

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, in which the extension pipe 18 is held in the hand and dirt is sucked into the suction nozzle 19. When the slide switch 21A is turned on, the electric blower 2 is activated, and the dust sucked through the suction nozzle 19 is transferred to the extension pipe 1a.

The dust passes through the suction hose 6 and the suction hose mount 6 and is collected inside the dust collection chamber 3. When moving the main body 1, when the push button 21B is pressed, the drive motor 13 is activated, the steering and driving wheels 14 are rotated, and the main body 1 is driven. At this time, as described above, the steering motor 1° is moved by the rotary volume 8.11 and the differential amplifier 17 in accordance with the direction in which the suction hose 6 is led out, and the steering/drive wheel 14 is moved in the direction in which the suction hose 6 is led out. Since the suction hose 6
The main body 1 travels in the direction in which .

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 using a motor, it is possible to move the direction in which the suction hose is pulled without requiring force. It is possible to provide a self-propelled vacuum cleaner with good operability that allows the main body of the vacuum cleaner to be moved. In this example,
Although an example using steering/driving wheels has been shown, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a steering/driving system in which two wheels are independently driven.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the tip of the suction hose of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner, and Figure 4 is a control circuit diagram of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner. . 2...Electric blower, 3...Dust collection chamber, 6
...Suction hose mounting base, 6...Suction hose, 7...Direction detection gear, 8...
・Rotary volume, 9... Connection gear, 1
0... Steering motor, 11... Rotary volume, 12... Support metal fittings, 13...
... Drive motor, 14 ... Steering and driving wheel, 1
6...Power supply, 17...Differential amplifier, 1
9...Suction nozzle, 28...S direction control means. Name of agent Patent attorney Toshi Nakao Male 11 or 1 person---TrJ Shiba AT, -44 Chome B---Tl-
Tally Policy 4 9-Reitsu 4w Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] 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, a suction nozzle attached to the other end of this suction hose, and a direction in which the suction hose is led out from the main body. A self-propelled vacuum cleaner comprising: a direction detecting means for detecting a direction; a direction controlling means for controlling the steering/driving means with an output from the direction detecting means; and a power source.