JPH03123522A - Floor discriminating apparatus and electric vacuum cleaner attached with it - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To discriminate cleaned surface without being influence by the color of the floor by discriminating the kind of floor with two sets of light emitting luminous and photodetecting devices, one set horizontal to the floor and the other set vertical to the floor. CONSTITUTION:The first optical sensor is constituted of the first light emitting device 1 disposed inside of the floor nozzle, emitting light horizontally to the floor and the first photodetecting device 2 of the light. The second optical sensor is constituted of the second light emitting device 3 emitting light vertically to the floor and the second photodetecting device 4 of the light. The kind of cleaned surface is discriminated with a discrimination treatment part 5 for the output of the two photodetecting devices. In this way, the first optical sensor detect whether or not there is something which shield the horizontal light. When the light is shielded with the carpet fur the sensor determines that the cleaned surface is a carpet. On the other hand the second optical sensor detect the amount of reflected light on the cleaned surface. The fact that the floor surface is more smooth and reflects more light than a carpet is used. The discrimination treatment part discriminates the kind irrespective of the color with information from the above-mentioned two sets of photodetecting devices.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a floor surface discriminator that discriminates the material of a cleaning surface, and a vacuum cleaner that automatically determines cleaning conditions using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Vacuum cleaners have been developed in which the suction force can be set to suit the surface to be cleaned and the agitator of the floor nozzle can be set to 0N10FF. Recently, for example, the type of surface to be cleaned can be determined by shining light on the surface to be cleaned and determining the amount of reflected light.
Attempts have been made to automatically set the suction force and control the agitator.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, the vacuum cleaner having the conventional structure as described above has the following problems to be solved. That is,
The cleaning surface is illuminated with light and the magnitude of the reflected light is detected to determine the material of the cleaning surface, and the amount of reflected light changes depending on the color of the cleaning surface. For example, even on the same floor, the amount of reflected light is different between a white or light-colored floor and a black or dark-colored floor, and the amount of reflected light is extremely small on a black-colored floor. For this reason, the floor may be mistakenly detected as carpet.

The first object of the present invention is to provide a floor surface discriminator that solves the above conventional problems. Second, in relation to the above-mentioned purpose, by installing the floor surface discriminator and controlling the electric blower or agitator, it is possible to set the suction force according to the floor surface, or to prevent the agitator from being used incorrectly. The second purpose of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner that is free from the danger of fingers getting stuck in the vacuum cleaner.

Means for Solving the Problem The first means for achieving the above first objective is to provide a first light emitting element that emits light horizontally to the floor surface, a first light receiving element that receives this light, and cleaning. It consists of a second light emitting element that emits light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface, a second light receiving element that receives this light, and a discrimination processing section that discriminates the type of floor surface from the outputs of these two sets of light receiving elements. This is a floor surface discriminator.

A second means for achieving the second object includes a floor nozzle having a contact detection means for detecting the presence or absence of contact between the floor surface discriminator and the cleaning surface according to claim 1 and an agitator 7, and a floor nozzle having an agitator 7, The vacuum cleaner is equipped with a detection means and a cleaning control means for determining the output of the floor surface discriminator and controlling the electric blower or the agitator.

Operation The floor surface discriminator according to the first means operates as follows. The first light-receiving element receives light from the first light-emitting element that emits horizontally, and determines whether there is anything blocking the light between these two elements. This means that, for example, in the case of a cleaning surface that is fibrous, the cleaning surface is determined to be fibrous because light is blocked by the fibrous hairs. Further, light from a second light emitting element that emits light in a substantially vertical direction is emitted onto the cleaning surface, the reflected light is received by a second light receiving element, and the amount of reflected light depending on the state of the cleaning surface is detected. In other words, since the surface of a fibrous cleaning surface is rougher than that of a floor, the amount of reflected light is smaller than that of the floor, whereas in the case of a floor, the surface is smoother than that of a fibrous surface, so the amount of reflected light is less than that of a floor. The determination processing unit determines the type of surface to be cleaned from the information of these two sets of light receiving elements.

In addition, the vacuum cleaner using the second means controls the electric blower by the output of the floor surface discriminator, which is the first means, installed in the floor nozzle and the contact detection means that detects the presence or absence of contact with the cleaning surface. Set the suction power according to the floor surface, or rotate the agitator only when the floor nozzle is in contact with the cleaning surface and the cleaning surface is fibrous, for example, by holding the floor nozzle in your hand. This prevents the agitator from rotating while being touched.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of a floor surface discriminator, which is the first means, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a floor surface discriminator, and FIG. 2 shows a partial sectional view of a floor nozzle of a vacuum cleaner incorporating this floor surface discriminator. In the figure, 1 is a first light emitting element disposed inside the floor nozzle and emits light horizontally to the floor surface, and 2 is a first light receiving element that receives light from the first light emitting element 1. These pixel elements 1.2
It constitutes an optical sensor. 3 is a second light emitting element that emits light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface; 4 is a second light receiving element that receives light from the second light emitting element 3; These pixel elements 3.4 constitute a second photosensor. Reference numeral 5 denotes a discrimination processing section that discriminates the type of surface to be cleaned from the outputs of the first light receiving element 2 and the second light receiving element 4.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 3, when the user places the vacuum cleaner incorporating the floor surface discriminator of this embodiment on a fibrous surface to be cleaned, the gap between the first light emitting element 1 and the first light receiving element 2 is Filiform hairs enter the .

Therefore, the light emitted from the first light emitting element 1 is blocked by the hairs of the fur, and the amount of light reaching the first light receiving element 2 is reduced. Further, the light emitted from the second light emitting element 3 is diffusely reflected by the fibrous hairs, and as a result, the amount of light reaching the second light receiving element 4 is reduced as described above. On the other hand, when the surface to be cleaned is a floor, the surface is smooth, so that the light emitted by the first light emitting element 1 reaches the first light receiving element 2 without being blocked, as shown in FIG. Also, most of the light emitted by the second light emitting element 3 reaches the second light receiving element 4. However, this is the case when the floor surface is white or light in color; for example, if the floor surface is black or dark in color, the amount of reflected light will be lower than in the case of vitreous sulfur. In other words, when the surface to be cleaned is a floor, the amount of light received by the second light receiving element 4 is influenced by the color of the floor and changes greatly.

Next, the case where the surface to be cleaned is a tatami will be explained using FIG. In the case of tatami mats, the light emitted by the first light emitting element 1 is not blocked (reaches the first light receiving element 2), and the light emitted by the second light emitting element 3 is slightly affected by the unevenness of the surface of the tatami mat. The amount of light that causes diffuse reflection and reaches the second light-receiving element 4 is smaller than that of a floor (a light-colored floor), and larger than that of a fibrous surface. Based on the output result of the second light receiving element 4, the type of floor surface to be cleaned is determined as shown in Table 1.

(Margins below) Table note: Pl... Output of the first light receiving element P2... Output of the second light receiving element Note that the free space in Table 1 indicates the distance between the floor nozzle and the cleaning surface when the floor nozzle is floated upward. It shows the space created in between.

Based on these output results, the judgment processing unit 5 first determines whether there is no reflected light from the cleaning surface of the light emitted from the second light emitting element 3;
If the output of the second light receiving element 4 is approximately O, it is determined that it is a free space, and if it is medium or large, it is determined that it is a floor or tatami. Furthermore, when the output of the second light receiving element 4 is small, the output of the first light receiving element 2 is referred to, and if the output is large, the surface to be cleaned is determined to be the floor, and if the output is small, the cleaning surface is determined to be a carpet. .

In this way, the floor surface discriminator of this embodiment can determine the
There is no false detection even on a black floor (it can distinguish the type of floor surface).

Hereinafter, the structure of an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner, which is the second means, will be explained based on FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. 6th
The figure shows a floor nozzle portion of an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner having a floor surface discriminator, which is the first means. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 6 denotes a floor nozzle of a vacuum cleaner, which is connected via an extension tube 8 to the main body of the vacuum cleaner (not shown). 9 is an agitator such as a rotating brush provided in the front part of the suction part 10;
It is rotationally driven by a drive motor 12 via a transmission belt 11 . 13 is a floor surface discriminator which is a first means, and 7 is a contact detection means, the details of which will be explained below using FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 shows a YY cross section in FIG. 6, that is, a vertical cross section near the contact detection means 7. In the figure, rollers 14 and 15 are rotatably attached to the bottom of the floor nozzle 6, and rotate in contact with the cleaning surface F to smooth the movement of the floor nozzle during cleaning. 16 is the floor nozzle 6
This is a protruding member provided at the bottom of the holder, which is movably attached in the direction of arrow G, and is biased downward by a spring 17. A photointerrupter 18 is provided on the upper part of the protruding member 16, and detects when the shutter 16 on the upper part of the protruding member 16 moves up and down. In this way, the contact detection means 7
The protruding member 16 and the photointerrupter 18 constitute a switch. That is, when the floor nozzle 6 is placed on the floor surface F by the user, the protruding member 16 is pushed up by the floor surface F, and the shutter 16'' is pressed against the photo interrupter 18.
Block out the light. Also, when the floor nozzle 6 leaves the floor,
Since the protruding member 16 is pushed down by the spring 17, the shutter 16' no longer blocks the light from the photointerrupter 18.

Utilizing this, the vacuum cleaner of this embodiment can determine whether the floor nozzle 6 is in contact with the floor surface.

The operation of this embodiment will be explained below based on FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows a system block diagram of this embodiment. 1
9 is a cleaning control means consisting of a microcomputer, etc.;
3 and the output of the contact detection means 7 to control the drive motor 12 of the agitator 9 and the electric blower 20 of the cleaner body. That is, the cleaning i1J8 means 19 has two types of cleaning control modes depending on the condition of the floor surface. One case is when the floor surface to be cleaned is a bare floor or a tatami mat. In this cleaning control mode, the electric blower 2
Control is performed to reduce the suction i amount of 0.

The other is a control mode when the floor surface to be cleaned is carpet. In this control mode, the agitator 9 is rotated and the amount of air sucked by the electric blower 20 is maximized. This determination of the material of the floor surface is similar to that described in the explanation of the embodiment of the first means, and the light emitted from the first light emitting element 1 and the second light emitting element 3 is transferred to the first light receiving element 2. - Light is received by the second light-receiving element 4, and the discrimination processing section 5 discriminates based on its output.

However, if the cleaning control mode is determined only based on the output of the floor surface discriminator 13, the following problems will occur. For example, when a child holds the floor nozzle 6 in his hand and brings his hand close to the floor surface discriminator 13 while the vacuum cleaner is powered on, the light emitted by the second light emitting element 3 is emitted by the child's hand. is reflected and enters the second light receiving element 4. Also, if you insert your finger etc. near the first light receiving element 2, the first light emitting element 1
light may be blocked. As a result of these erroneous operations, if the floor surface discriminator 13 determines that the surface to be cleaned is carpet, and the agitator 9 starts rotating, there is a risk of injury to the user. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cleaning control means 19 is configured to judge not only the output of the floor surface discriminator 13 but also the output of the contact detection means 7 to prevent such a danger. It is. That is, even if the output of the floor surface discriminator 13 is in a filamentous state, the agitator 9 is not rotated unless the output of the contact detection means 7 detects that it is in contact with the floor surface.

In the embodiment, the cleaning control means 19 controls both the electric blower 20 and the drive motor 12, but it is also possible to control only one of them.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the floor surface discriminator of the first means, there is no false detection due to the color of the floor, and the type of floor surface can be reliably discriminated.

Furthermore, it is small in size and has excellent impact resistance, and it is possible to reduce costs. Furthermore, according to the vacuum cleaner of the second means, the electric blower is controlled by the output of the floor surface discriminator provided in the floor nozzle and the contact detection means that detects the presence or absence of contact with the floor surface. You can set the suction power according to the
or the agitator is rotated only when the floor nozzle is in contact with the cleaning surface and the cleaning surface is fibrous;
For example, it is possible to prevent the agitator from rotating while touching the floor nozzle with the hand.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the floor surface discriminator which is the first means, Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of a floor nozzle of a vacuum cleaner incorporating this floor discriminator, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the floor discriminator which is the first means. A cross-sectional view showing the state when the floor nozzle of a vacuum cleaner incorporating a surface discriminator is placed on carpet, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similarly showing the state when placed on the floor, and FIG. 5 is the same. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the floor nozzle of the vacuum cleaner, which is the second method, FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the main part of the same floor nozzle, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the state when placed on a tatami mat. is a system block diagram of the vacuum cleaner.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A first light-emitting element that emits light horizontally to the floor surface, a first light-receiving element that receives this light, a second light-emitting element that emits light approximately perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned, and a second light-emitting element that receives this light. A floor surface discriminator includes a second light-receiving element that performs a second light-receiving element, and a discrimination processing section that discriminates the type of floor surface from the outputs of these two sets of light-receiving elements. (2) A floor nozzle having a contact detection means and an agitator for detecting the presence or absence of contact between the floor surface discriminator and the cleaning surface according to claim 1, and determining the output of the contact detection means and the floor surface discriminator. A vacuum cleaner comprising an electric blower or a cleaning control means for controlling the agitator.