U.S. patent application number 11/215162 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-02 for self-propelling apparatus for a vacuum cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Myoung-Sun Choung, Byung-Jo Lee, Joo-Sung Moon.
Application Number | 20060242786 11/215162 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35394884 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060242786 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moon; Joo-Sung ; et
al. |
November 2, 2006 |
Self-propelling apparatus for a vacuum cleaner
Abstract
A self-propelling apparatus for a vacuum cleaner in which a
cleaner body is pivotably mounted to a brush assembly is provided.
The self-propelling apparatus includes a sensor unit having a wheel
part that pivots in the opposite direction to a moving direction of
the vacuum cleaner, a connection part connected with the wheel part
and fixed to the brush assembly by one end thereof and a switch
part turned on and off according to the connection part, and
generating progression and retrogression signals according to
pivoting motion of the wheel part, and an interception unit
generating an interception signal when the cleaner body is in an
upright posture, and a driving unit moving the vacuum cleaner in
accordance with the progression and retrogression signals.
Inventors: |
Moon; Joo-Sung; (Seoul,
KR) ; Lee; Byung-Jo; (Gwangju-City, KR) ;
Choung; Myoung-Sun; (Gwangju-City, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Paul D. Greeley, Esq.;Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero & Perle, L.L.P.
10th Floor
One Landmark Square
Stamford
CT
06901-2682
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
35394884 |
Appl. No.: |
11/215162 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/340.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/28 20130101; A47L
9/2805 20130101; A47L 9/2852 20130101; A47L 9/009 20130101; A47L
9/2894 20130101; A47L 9/2842 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/340.2 |
International
Class: |
A47L 5/36 20060101
A47L005/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 28, 2005 |
KR |
2005-35382 |
Claims
1. A self-propelling apparatus for a vacuum cleaner in which a
cleaner body is pivotably mounted to a brush assembly, comprising:
a sensor unit mounted to the brush assembly and having a wheel part
which pivots in the opposite direction to a moving direction of the
vacuum cleaner to generate progression and retrogression signals
according to pivoting motion of the wheel part; and a driving unit
moving the vacuum cleaner in accordance with the progression and
retrogression signals.
2. The self-propelling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor
unit comprises: a connection part connected with the wheel part and
fixed to the brush assembly by one end thereof; and a switch part
turned on and off according to the connection part.
3. The self-propelling apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wheel part
comprises: a wheel contacted with a surface being cleaned; a
housing supporting the wheel; and a housing shaft disposed on an
upper portion of the housing, and wherein the wheel part pivots by
inertia and friction due to contact of the wheel part with the
surface being cleaned.
4. The self-propelling apparatus of claim 3, wherein the connection
part comprises: a link member including a first via-hole for
insertion of the housing shaft and a second via-hole for pivotable
mounting to the brush assembly; a resilient member disposed between
the link member and the housing and fit around the housing shaft; a
first connection member fit with the housing shaft through the
first via-hole so as to restrain escape of the link member from the
housing shaft; and a second connection member fit with the brush
assembly through the second via-hole so that the link member can
pivot on the brush assembly.
5. The self-propelling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the switch
part comprises: a first switch disposed on the right of the link
member and pressed by a right side of the link member to thereby
generate a progression signal; and a second switch disposed on the
left of the link member and pressed by a left side of the link
member to thereby generate a retrogression signal.
6. The self-propelling apparatus of claim 5, wherein the switch
part further comprises a switch cover for shielding and fixing the
first and the second switches to the brush assembly.
7. The self-propelling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the driving
unit comprises: a power part mounted to the brush assembly; and a
circuit part processing the progression and retrogression signals
and an interception signal so as to operate and stop the power
part.
8. The self-propelling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an
interception unit which generates the interception signal when the
cleaner body is in an upright posture, and wherein the interception
unit comprises: a lever mounted to the cleaner body; and a third
switch mounted to the brush assembly and pressed by the lever when
the cleaner body is in the upright posture.
9. A self-propelling apparatus for a vacuum cleaner in which a
cleaner body is pivotably mounted to a brush assembly, comprising:
a sensor unit including a wheel part which pivots in the opposite
direction to a moving direction of the vacuum cleaner, a connection
part connected with the wheel part and fixed to the brush assembly
by one end thereof and a switch part turned on and off according to
the connection part, and generating progression and retrogression
signals according to pivoting motion of the wheel part; an
interception unit generating an interception signal when the
cleaner body is in an upright posture; and a driving unit moving
the vacuum cleaner in accordance with the progression and
retrogression signals.
10. A self-propelling apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: a
wheel part that pivots in a first direction in response to forward
movement of the vacuum cleaner and a second direction in response
to backward movement of the vacuum cleaner; a first switch on a
first side of said wheel part, said first switch being activated by
said wheel part when pivoted in said first direction so that said
first switch generates a progression signal; a second switch on a
second side of said wheel part, said second switch being activated
by said wheel part when pivoted in said second direction so that
said second switch generates a retrogression signal; and a
propelling motor for moving the vacuum cleaner forward in response
to said progression signal and backward in response to said
retrogression signal.
11. The self-propelling apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a
circuit part processing said progression and retrogression signals
and transmitting said progression and retrogression signals to said
propelling motor.
12. The self-propelling apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a
third switch for generating an interception signal when the vacuum
cleaner is in an upright posture.
13. The self-propelling apparatus of claim 12, wherein said
propelling motor stops moving the vacuum cleaner in response to
said interception signal regardless of generation of said
progression and retrogression signals.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 2005-35382, filed Apr. 28,
2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a self-propelling apparatus
for a vacuum cleaner, capable of automatically driving the vacuum
cleaner forward and backward.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] An example of a vacuum cleaner is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,282,747, the vacuum cleaner in which, when an operator grips a
handle and moves a cleaner body forward or backward, such an action
of the operator is transmitted to a driving module through a
linkage mechanism connected to the handle so that the vacuum
cleaner is automatically driven forward and backward. U.S. Pat. No.
6,158,084 discloses another vacuum cleaner capable of automatically
moving forward and backward as the operator's action is transmitted
to a transmission through a cable connected to the handle. Yet
another vacuum cleaner is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication
No. H5-68656, the vacuum cleaner automatically moving forward and
backward by detecting torque applied to a driving wheel and
rotating a running motor forward and backward. Using the
self-propelling apparatus as described in the above examples, once
driven forward or backward, the vacuum cleaner automatically keeps
the forward or backward motion without further application of a
force. Therefore, the cleaning work becomes convenient, especially,
even on an uneven surface, such as carpet, hindering smooth travel
of the vacuum cleaner due to high resistance.
[0006] However, in such vacuum cleaners disclosed in the U.S. Pat.
No. 6,282,747 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,084, while being transmitted
through a connection means such as the linkage mechanism or the
cable, the operator's intention for driving vacuum cleaner forward
and backward may be misunderstood or failed. This may cause
malfunction of the self-propelling apparatus, thereby deteriorating
reliability of the apparatus. Also, the connection means such as
the linkage mechanism or the cable complicates the structure and
increases the manufacturing cost of the apparatus.
[0007] Furthermore, a torque detector as employed in Japanese
Patent Publication No. H5-68656 induces problems of the complex
structure and the high manufacturing cost. In addition, repetitive
use of the electric torque detector may deteriorate reliability and
durability of the apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An aspect of the present invention is to solve at least the
above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the
advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present
invention is to provide a self-propelling apparatus for a vacuum
cleaner capable of correctly transmitting an operator's intention
of moving the vacuum cleaner forward and backward.
[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is to provide a
vacuum cleaner for a vacuum cleaner, improved in reliability and
durability.
[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is to provide a
simply structured vacuum cleaner.
[0011] In order to achieve the above-described aspects of the
present invention, there is provided a self-propelling apparatus
for a vacuum cleaner in which a cleaner body is pivotably mounted
to a brush assembly, comprising a sensor unit mounted to the brush
assembly and having a wheel part which pivots in the opposite
direction to a moving direction of the vacuum cleaner to generate
progression and retrogression signals according to pivoting motion
of the wheel part; and a driving unit moving the vacuum cleaner in
accordance with the progression and retrogression signals.
[0012] The sensor unit comprises a connection part connected with
the wheel part and fixed to the brush assembly by one end thereof;
and a switch part turned on and off according to the connection
part. The wheel part comprises a wheel contacted with a surface
being cleaned; a housing supporting the wheel; and a housing shaft
disposed on an upper portion of the housing, and pivots in contact
with the surface being cleaned by inertia and friction with the
surface being cleaned.
[0013] The connection part comprises a link member including a
first via-hole for insertion of the housing shaft and a second
via-hole for pivotable mounting to the brush assembly; a resilient
member disposed between the link member and the housing and fit
around the housing shaft; a first connection member fit with the
housing shaft through the first via-hole so as to restrain escape
of the link member from the housing shaft; and a second connection
member fit with the brush assembly through the second via-hole so
that the link member can pivot on the brush assembly.
[0014] The switch part comprises a first switch disposed on the
right of the link member and pressed by a right side of the link
member to thereby generate a progression signal; and a second
switch disposed on the left of the link member and pressed by a
left side of the link member to thereby generate a retrogression
signal. The switch part further comprises a switch cover for
shielding and fixing the first and the second switches to the brush
assembly.
[0015] The driving unit comprises a power part mounted to the brush
assembly; and a circuit part processing the progression and
retrogression signals and an interception signal so as to operate
and stop the power part.
[0016] The self-propelling apparatus may further comprise an
interception unit which generates the interception signal when the
cleaner body is in an upright posture, and wherein the interception
unit comprises a lever mounted to the cleaner body; and a third
switch mounted to the brush assembly and pressed by the lever when
the cleaner body is in the upright posture.
[0017] Another aspect of the present invention is achieved by
providing a self-propelling apparatus for a vacuum cleaner in which
a cleaner body is pivotably mounted to a brush assembly, comprising
a sensor unit including a wheel part which pivots in the opposite
direction to a moving direction of the vacuum cleaner, a connection
part connected with the wheel part and fixed to the brush assembly
by one end thereof and a switch part turned on and off according to
the connection part, and generating progression and retrogression
signals according to pivoting motion of the wheel part, and an
interception unit generating an interception signal when the
cleaner body is in an upright posture, and a driving unit moving
the vacuum cleaner in accordance with the progression and
retrogression signals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0018] The above aspect and other features of the present invention
will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary
embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein;
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-propelling apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a brush assembly, without an upper cover, and a
main body slantingly connected to the brush assembly;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of a sensor unit of
FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a link member disposed in a neutral position
between a first switch and a second switch;
[0023] FIG. 5 shows the link member as rotated and pressing the
first switch;
[0024] FIG. 6 shows the link member as rotated and pressing the
second switch; and
[0025] FIG. 7 shows a main body in an upright posture so that a
lever presses a third switch.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing
figures.
[0027] In the following description, same drawing reference
numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings.
The matters defined in the description such as a detailed
construction and elements are nothing but the ones provided to
assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it
is apparent that the present invention can be carried out without
those defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions
are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention
in unnecessary detail.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, a vacuum cleaner 100 comprising a
cleaner body 110, a brush assembly 120, and a self-propelling
apparatus 130 is shown.
[0029] The cleaner body 110 is mounted to the brush assembly 120 to
pivot in directions A and B illustrated as arrows. The cleaner body
110 has, at an upper portion thereof, a handle 111 having an on/off
switch 111a. Additionally, the cleaner body 110 comprises therein a
dust separator 112 and a dust receptacle 113.
[0030] The brush assembly 120 is disposed at a lower portion of the
cleaner body 110 to draw in dust from a surface being cleaned. For
this, the brush assembly 120 comprises a lower frame 121 having a
suction port 121a (FIG. 2), an upper cover 122 for shielding the
lower frame 121, and a main wheel 123 rotatably mounted on each
side of the brush assembly 120.
[0031] As an operator drives the vacuum cleaner 100 on the surface
being cleaned forward and backward as shown by arrows C and D, the
dust on the surface being cleaned is drawn into the dust separator
112 through the suction port 121a (FIG. 2) separated in the dust
separator 112, and collected in the dust receptacle 113.
[0032] With reference to FIG. 2, once applied with a force forward
or backward by the operator, the vacuum cleaner 100 is continuously
propelled forward or backward without further application of the
force. To this end, the self-propelling apparatus 130 comprises a
driving unit 200, a sensor unit 300, and an interception unit
400.
[0033] The driving unit 200 includes a power part 210 and a circuit
part 220.
[0034] The power part 210 comprises a propelling motor 211, a
gearbox 212, and left and right auxiliary wheels 213a and 213b. The
propelling motor 211 rotates the left and right auxiliary wheels
213a and 213b forward and backward. The gearbox 212 decelerates the
propelling motor 211 at an appropriate ratio and transmits the
decelerated speed of the propelling motor 211 to the left and right
auxiliary wheels 213a and 213b.
[0035] The circuit part 220 processes signals generated in first
and second switches 331 and 332 (FIG. 3), which are implemented by
a micro switch, and a third switch 420 to thereby operate or stop
the power part 210. More specifically, the circuit part 220 rotates
the propelling motor 211 forward upon transmission of a progression
signal generated in the first switch 331 (FIG. 3) thereto. As a
retrogression signal generated in the second switch 332 (FIG. 3) is
transmitted to the circuit part 220, the propelling motor 211 is
rotated backward. As an interception signal generated in the third
switch 420 is transmitted to the circuit part 220, the circuit part
220 stops the propelling motor 211 regardless of generation of the
progression and the retrogression signals of the first and the
second switches 331 and 332 (FIG. 3).
[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, the sensor unit 300 comprises a wheel
part 310, a connection part 320, and a switch part 330.
[0037] The wheel part 310 operates in contact with the surface
being cleaned. The wheel part pivots in response to movement of the
vacuum cleaner 100 due to inertia and friction. As shown in FIGS. 1
and 3, for example, when the vacuum cleaner 100 moves in an arrowed
direction C, the wheel part 310 pivots in an arrowed direction E,
which is substantially opposite to direction to the arrowed
direction C. When the vacuum cleaner 100 moves in an arrowed
direction D, the wheel part 310 pivots in an arrowed direction F,
that is, substantially opposite to the arrowed direction D. For
this, the wheel part 310 comprises a wheel 311, a housing 312, a
housing shaft 313, and a wheel shaft 314.
[0038] The wheel 311 directly contacts with the surface being
cleaned. The housing 312 is formed as a frame of a flattened-U
shape for enclosing and supporting the wheel 311 on the wheel shaft
314 so that the wheel 311 can rotate about the wheel shaft 314. The
housing shaft 313 is disposed on an upper portion of the housing
312 and has a connection recess 313a for coupling with a first
connection member 323 in the center thereof.
[0039] The connection part 320 comprises a link member 321, a
resilient member 322, the first connection member 323, and a second
connection member 324. The link member 321 is comprised of a bent
section whereon a first via-hole 321a is formed and a straight
section whereon a second via-hole 321b is formed. The link member
321 can be connected with the wheel part 310 through inserting the
housing shaft 313 into the first via-hole 321a. As the second
connection member 324 is inserted into the second via-hole 321b,
the link member 321 is connected with the brush assembly 120 (FIG.
2) for pivotal movement of the link member 321 about the second
connection member 324.
[0040] The resilient member 322 may be implemented by a coil spring
disposed between the link member 321 and the housing 312 and fit
around the housing shaft 313. By the resilient member 322, the
housing shaft 313 being passed through the first via-hole 321a of
the link member 321 is able to elastically ascend and descend
according to a height of the surface being cleaned in arrowed
directions G and H.
[0041] The first connection member 323 is inserted in the
connection recess 313a of the housing shaft 313 through the first
via-hole 321a so that the link member 321 is not released from the
housing shaft 313 in the arrowed direction G The second connection
member 324 is connected to the brush assembly 120, passing through
the second via-hole 321b. A screw or a rivet may be used for the
first and the second connection members 323 and 324.
[0042] FIGS. 4 through 6 are views for explaining the pivoting
operation of the link member 321, wherein illustration of a switch
cover 333 is omitted. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the switch part
330 is turned on and off by the connection part 320 and thereby
generates the progression signal and the retrogression signal. To
this end, the switch part 330 includes the first switch 331, the
second switch 332, and the switch cover 333.
[0043] The first switch 331 is disposed on the right of the link
member 321 and has a first switch projection 331a, which is
normally biased to an extended position. As the wheel 311 is
pivoted in the arrowed direction E about the second connection
member 324, the first switch projection 331a is pressed by a right
side S1 of the link member 321. When the first switch projection
331a is thus pressed as shown in FIG. 5, the first switch 331 is
turned on to generate the progression signal and the progression
signal is transmitted to the circuit part 220.
[0044] The second switch 332 is disposed on the left of the link
member 321 and has a second switch projection 332a, which is
normally biased to an extended position. As the wheel 311 is
pivoted in the arrowed direction F about the second connection
member 324, the second switch projection 332a is pressed by a left
side S2 of the link member 321. When the second switch projection
332a is thus pressed as shown in FIG. 6, the second switch 332 is
turned on to generate the retrogression signal and the
retrogression signal is transmitted to the circuit part 220.
[0045] The switch cover 333 shields above the first and the second
switches 331 and 332 and fixes the switches 331 and 332 to the
brush assembly 120 (FIG. 2). However, the first and the second
switches 331 and 332 may be directly fixed to the brush assembly
120 (FIG. 2) without the switch cover 333. The switch cover 333
includes a second connection member insertion hole 333a for
penetration of the second connection member 324. After inserting
the second connection member 324 into the second connection member
insertion hole 333a, the second connection member 324 pivotably
mounts the link member 321 to the brush assembly 120 (FIG. 2).
[0046] The interception unit 400 comprises a lever 410 and the
third switch 420 in order to generate the interception signal, as
shown in FIG. 2.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 7, the lever 410 is mounted to the cleaner
body 110. The lever 410 presses the third switch 420 only when the
cleaner body 110 is erected (FIG. 1). However, the lever 410 does
not press the third switch 420 when the cleaner body 110 is pivoted
with respect to the brush assembly 120 in the arrowed direction B
as shown in FIG. 2.
[0048] The third switch 420 is mounted to the brush assembly 120
and is pressed by the lever 410 when the cleaner body 110 is
erected (FIG. 1). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the third switch
420 has a third switch projection 420a which is pressed by the
lever 410 when the cleaner body 110 is erected. As the third switch
projection 420a is pressed by the lever 410, the third switch is
turned on and thereby generates the interception signal. Upon
transmission of the interception signal to the circuit part 220,
the circuit part 220 stops the propelling motor 211 regardless of
generation of the progression and the retrogression signals.
[0049] The interception unit 400 is dispensable in the
self-propelling apparatus 130. However, since the cleaner body 110
is usually inclined by the operator during the cleaning work, it is
preferable to equip the interception unit 400 capable of detecting
the inclination of the cleaner body 110 so that the self-propelling
apparatus 130 is operated only upon detection of the inclination of
the cleaner body 110.
[0050] Hereinbelow, the operation of the self-propelling apparatus
130 will be described.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 1, when the operator moves forward the
vacuum cleaner 100 in the arrowed direction C, the wheel part 310
is rotated about the wheel shaft 314 and is pivoted about the
second connection member 324 in the direction E, that is, opposite
to the moving direction of the vacuum cleaner 100 by inertia and
friction of the wheel part 310 with the surface being cleaned. With
reference to FIG. 4, the link member 321 connected with the wheel
part 310 is also pivoted in the arrowed direction E, thereby being
moved to a position shown in FIG. 5 from a position shown in FIG.
4. Accordingly, the right side S1 of the link member 321 presses
the first switch projection 331a of the first switch 331. The first
switch 331 generates the progression signal and as shown in FIG. 2,
the progression signal is transmitted to the circuit part 220. The
circuit part 220 rotates forward the propelling motor 211. Forward
rotation oft he propelling motor 211 is transmitted to the left and
the right auxiliary wheels 213a and 213b, thereby propelling the
vacuum cleaner 100 forward in the arrowed direction C. Thus, once
movement in the arrowed direction C is initiated by the operator,
the vacuum cleaner 100 can be kept moving in the arrowed direction
C by the self-propelling apparatus 130 without the operator having
to keep propelling the vacuum cleaner 100 forward. If the operator
forcibly seizes or stops the vacuum cleaner 100 from moving forward
in the arrowed direction C, the link member 321 is pivoted in the
arrowed direction F from the position shown in FIG. 5 to the
position shown in FIG. 4 so that the first switch projection 331a
is no longer pressed. Accordingly, the first switch 331 quits
generating and transmitting the progression signal to the circuit
part 220 so that the circuit part 220 stops rotation of the
propelling motor 211, and the forward running of the vacuum cleaner
100 in the arrowed direction C by the self-propelling apparatus 130
is stopped.
[0052] With reference to FIG. 1, when the operator moves backwards
the vacuum cleaner 100 in the arrowed direction D, the wheel part
310 is rotated about the wheel shaft 314 and is pivoted about the
second connection member 324 in the arrowed direction F, that is,
opposite to the moving direction of the vacuum cleaner 100 by
inertia and friction with the surface being cleaned. With reference
to FIG. 4, the link member 321 connected with the wheel part 310 is
also pivoted in the arrowed direction F, thereby being moved to a
position shown in FIG. 6 from a position shown in FIG. 4.
Accordingly, the left side S2 of the link member 321 presses the
second switch projection 332a of the second switch 332. The second
switch 332 generates the retrogression signal and as shown in FIG.
2, the retrogression signal is transmitted to the circuit pat 220.
The circuit part 220 rotates backward the propelling motor 211.
Backward rotation of the propelling motor 211 is transmitted to the
left and the right auxiliary wheels 213a and 213b, thereby
propelling the vacuum cleaner 100 backward in the arrowed direction
D. Thus, once movement in the arrowed direction D is initiated by
the operator, the vacuum cleaner 100 can be kept moving in the
arrowed direction D by the self-propelling apparatus 130 without
the operator having to keep propelling the vacuum cleaner 100
backward. If the operator forcibly seizes or stops the vacuum
cleaner 100 from moving backward in the arrowed direction D, the
link member 321 is pivoted in the arrowed direction E from the
position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 6 so that
the second switch projection 332a is no longer pressed.
Accordingly, the second switch 332 quits generating and
transmitting the retrogression signal to the circuit part 220 so
that the circuit part 220 stops rotation of the propelling motor
211, and the backward running of the vacuum cleaner 100 in the
arrowed direction D by the self-propelling apparatus 130 is
stopped.
[0053] When the cleaner body 110 is in the upright posture as shown
in FIG. 7, the lever 410 presses the third switch projection 420a.
The third switch 420 generates the interception signal. As the
interception signal is transmitted to the circuit part 220, the
circuit part 220 stops the propelling motor 211 regardless of
generation of the progression and the retrogression signals of the
first and the second switches 331 and 332. Therefore, the vacuum
cleaner 100 is not automatically moved forward and backward only
upon initial application of the force of moving the vacuum cleaner
100 forward and backward.
[0054] Above all, according to an embodiment of the present
invention, the operator's action for moving the vacuum cleaner 100
forward or backward is transmitted through the wheel part 310 which
is in direct contact with the surface being cleaned. Accordingly,
the operator's intention can be correctly delivered, thereby
improving reliability.
[0055] Second, since the sensor unit 300 is mechanically
structured, reliability and durability thereof can be enhanced in
spite of repeated use.
[0056] Third, since the structure does not demand a dedicated
connection member, such as a linkage mechanism and cable, and a
torque detector, simplified structure and low manufacturing cost
can be implemented.
[0057] While the invention has been shown and described with
reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details
may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *