Patent Abstract:
A suction nozzle for use in a vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle and a mini nozzle having a suction head, a rotatable joint, and joint, to be detachably secured in the floor nozzle. Either of the suction head and the rotatable joint or the rotatable joint and the joint is vertically joined and the other rotatably joined. Moreover, the suction head is unrotatably secured onto the floor nozzle, and forms an air communication with the floor nozzle.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a suction nozzle employed in an electric vacuum cleaner; and, more particularly, to a floor nozzle incorporating a compact nozzle detachably attached thereto. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 21  represents an exemplary canister type vacuum cleaner including an extension tube  102  detachably attached to a suction nozzle  101  in a front distal end thereof and further coupled to a handle  103  and a hose  104  which extends from the handle  103  is connected with a main body  106  via a joint  105 . Such an electric vacuum cleaner is capable of efficiently cleaning the floor with the wide surfaced floor nozzle  101 , however, cleaning a surface that is smaller than the floor nozzle  101 , e.g., when cleaning the stairs, creates a problem of using the floor nozzle  101 . In general, such surfaces are cleaned with crevice nozzles and brush nozzles that are equipped with the electric vacuum cleaner as supplements to the floor nozzle  101  by removing the extension tube  102  from the handle  103  and engaging the supplement nozzle with the handle  103 . 
   However, the exchange of the suction heads is a great inconvenience to a user. Furthermore, due to rollers provided on the floor nozzle  101  for facilitating transportability thereof and disengaged extension tube  102  attached thereto, the disengaged extension tube  102  and the floor nozzle  101  are prevented from being stationary against a wall, thus a problem of placement thereof rises while being disengaged. A floor nozzle  101  that can easily be adaptively exchanged with a compatt nozzle in a narrow vacuuming space can greatly enhance the vacuuming process. Such effort is realized in the prior art, as illustrated in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-314358. 
   Special features of such an electric vacuum cleaner are in a suction nozzle thereof. As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , a front distal end of an extension tube  213  is connected with a hollow brush nozzle  250  via a ball join  240  that enables a rotation in a vertical direction and a direction of rotation, wherein the brush nozzle  250  is detachably installed with an opening  211   a  that is communicated with a suction inlet of the floor nozzle  210 . While the brush nozzle  250  is engaged with the floor nozzle  210  that is attached to the distal end of the extension tube  213 , an air passage is formed through the hollow brush nozzle  250  and the floor nozzle  210 , thereby enabling cleaning of the floor with the floor nozzle  210 . The brush nozzle  250  can be disengaged from the floor nozzle  210  by stepping on a release  320 . Such a configuration enables a user to manipulate settings of the brush nozzle  250  with the floor nozzle  210  without having to bend down, facilitating converting from cleaning the floor to cleaning the steps and narrow cleaning surfaces. 
   However, a height of the floor nozzle  210  of the conventional vacuum cleaner described above is high enough to be limited for usage thereof in a cleaning surface that has a low height clearance, consequently restricting the cleaning surfaces to be cleaned by the floor nozzle  210 . 
   Furthermore, there is a great difficulty to reorient the floor nozzle  210  to a desired direction by rotating the extension tube  213 , since the handle to operate the floor nozzle  210  is connected with the extension tube  213  which is connected at an incline with the ball joint  240  that is vertically placed on the floor nozzle  210 , consequently hindering an efficient cleaning using the floor nozzle  210 . 
   Moreover, since the brush nozzle  250  is connected with the extension tube  213  via the ball joint  240  that is vertically rotatable and also rotatable in the direction of rotation, when the brush nozzle  250  is disengaged from the floor nozzle  210  for cleaning, an instability of an angle at which the brush nozzles  250  rests creates a difficulty in cleaning. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a floor nozzle and a mini nozzle for use in an electric vacuum cleaner capable of facilitating detachability thereof, thereby adding greater convenience. 
   In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a suction nozzle for use in an electric vacuum cleaner, including: a floor nozzle; and a mini nozzle detachably secured to the floor nozzle, the mini nozzle including a suction head, a joint, and an extension tube, wherein one of either the suction head and the joint or the joint and the extension tube is coupled allowing a vertical motion and the other is rotatably coupled, and wherein the suction head is unrotatably secured onto the floor nozzle while forming an air communication with the floor nozzle. 
   In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a suction nozzle for use in an electric vacuum cleaner, including: a floor nozzle having an elongated suction inlet and a drive portion protruding from approximately the center of the elongated suction inlet toward the rear; and a mini nozzle detachably secured to the floor nozzle, wherein the mini nozzle long in the longitudinal direction is detachably aligned with a recess provided along the suction inlet and the drive portion of the floor nozzle, while forming an air communication with the floor nozzle. 
   In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a suction nozzle for use in an electric vacuum cleaner, including: an electric blower for creating a suction; a floor nozzle communicated with the electric blower, for suctioning dirt on a surface to be cleaned; a mini nozzle detachably secured on the floor nozzle for suctioning dirt on the surface to be cleaned; a sensing means for detecting whether or not the mini nozzle is engaged in the floor nozzle; and a control means for controlling the power consumption of the electric blower, wherein the control means controls the power consumption of the electric blower according to the output of the sensing means. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  describe a plan view and a side elevational view of a suction nozzle of the vacuum cleaner, respectively; 
       FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C show a side elevational view, a bottom view, and a front view of a mini nozzle, respectively; 
       FIG. 4  offers a cross sectional view of the mini nozzle; 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view illustrating an internal configuration of a floor nozzle; 
       FIG. 6  provides a perspective view illustrating engaging or disengaging the mini nozzle to or from the floor nozzle; 
       FIG. 7  presents a cross sectional view of the mini nozzle engaged in the floor nozzle; 
       FIG. 8  depicts a floor nozzle disengaged from the floor nozzle; 
       FIG. 9  represents a floor nozzle engaged in the floor nozzle; 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  set forth a partial cross sectional view of a suction head in a rotatable status and a partial cross sectional view of a the suction head in a locked status preventing rotation thereof, respectively; 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  describe a mini nozzle performing suction on a flat surface to be cleaned and a cornered surface to be cleaned, respectively; 
       FIGS. 12A ,  12 B, and  12 C illustrate the floor nozzle according to the positioning of a handle; 
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram illustrating an electrical connection of the electric vacuum cleaner of a second preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  presents a micro switch as a detection means; 
       FIG. 15  depicts an electrical resistor as the detection means; 
       FIG. 16  represents a graph illustrating a relationship between power consumption and flow rate; 
       FIG. 17  sets forth a schematic diagram illustrating a power consumption setting switch of the electric vacuum cleaner of a third preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 18  represents a graph illustrating a relationship between power consumption and flow rate of a fourth preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 19  represents a graph illustrating a relationship between power consumption and flow rate of a fifth preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 20  represents a graph illustrating a relationship between power consumption and flow rate of a sixth preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 21  depicts a perspective view of a prior art vacuum cleaner; and 
       FIG. 22  represents a perspective view of a suction nozzle of another prior art vacuum cleaner. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   A first preferred embodiment will now be described with accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiments to be shown below are particular examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment pertains to a canister type electric vacuum cleaner  1  and a suction nozzle  3  serving as a suction inlet. The electric vacuum cleaner  1  is configured as shown below. There is detachably provided the suction nozzle  3  at a distal end portion of an extension tube  2  coupled with a handle (control unit)  4 . A hose  6  coupled with the handle  4  is connected to a main body  7  of the electric vacuum cleaner via a hose joint  5 . The main body  7  incorporates an electric blower  1   a  therein. 
   The suction nozzle  3  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , includes a floor nozzle  11  and a mini nozzle  10  to be detachably secured onto the floor nozzle  11 . The mini nozzle  10  incorporates a joint  9  connected with a suction head  40  via a rotatable joint (means for rotatably joining)  8 , to be coupled with the extension tube  2 . The mini nozzle  10  detachably secured onto the floor nozzle  11  can be disengaged therefrom by stepping on a release lever  13  provided thereon, thereby releasing the mini nozzle  10  from the supporting recess  12 . A user can utilize the disengaged mini nozzle  10  to clean narrow spaces. Moreover, the mini nozzle  10  can be placed on the supporting recess  12  and gently pressed to be engaged with the floor nozzle  11 , which can be used to efficiently carry out vacuuming of the floor. 
   The mini nozzle  10  as shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C is long in the longitudinal direction and a bottom surface to be engaged with the floor nozzle  11  is in a shape of an arc. Near the contact points on the arc in the direction of the axis of the arc cleaning element  14  is provided thereon, wherein on both sides thereof, a bottom suction inlet  15  is provided and cleaning element is provided on respective surfaces. Furthermore, an end opening  16 , which communicates with the suction inlet  23  of the floor nozzle  11 , as will be described below. While the mini nozzle  10  is disengaged from the floor nozzle  11 , the end opening  16  biased with a spring is closed, only partially leaving the bottom thereof open by a cover  18 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The reference numeral  17  designates a pair of feed contact points for forming feed contact points with a motor  21  for supplying rotation to the rotational brush provided in the floor nozzle  11 , which is wired from the main body  7  through the hose  6 , handle  4 , and extension tube  2 , to be wired with the distal end of the extension tube  2 . When the mini nozzle  10  is connected with the extension tube  2  through the joint  9 , a power feed portion  19  provided in the joint  9  is electrically wired to the end wire of the extension tube  2 , the mini nozzle  10  is wired with the power feed portion  19  and thus wired with the feed contact point  17 . 
   The cleaning element  14  has napped fibers on a sheet. By utilizing such cleaning element  14  to cover both sides of the bottom suction inlet  15 , the suctioning force in the bottom suction inlet  15  is improved. Further, according to the motion of the mini nozzle  10 , the dirt in a recess portion is collected toward the bottom suction inlet  15 , thereby cleaning the surface to be cleaned and at the same time serving as a bumper, preventing damages to furniture or the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning element  14  is preferably chosen for the mini nozzle  10 , however, other material such as felt can be elected. 
   Moreover, the bottom suction inlet  15  formed on the bottom surface of the mini nozzle  10  is in two rows, however may be formed in a single row near the contract point portions of the arc and placing cleaning element  14  on both sides. 
   The floor nozzle  11  as illustrated in  FIG. 5  is of a power nozzle. A rotation brush  20  including a brush and a rubber blade attached to an axle is connected with a motor  21  by a belt  21   a  for providing rotation thereto, which serves to collect dirt from carpets. A power feed for the motor  21  is placed on the mini nozzle  10 . A pair of power feed contact points  17  of the mini nozzle  10  slidably contacts a pair of power receiving contact points  22  located on the floor nozzle  11 . 
   The floor nozzle  11  includes a suction member  24  incorporating a wide suction inlet  23  hosting the rotational brush  20 . A drive portion  25  is formed from about the center of the suction inlet  23  and protruding toward the rear, forming a T-shape from a plan view. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a recess  26  for hosting therein the mini nozzle  10  is provided along a top portion of an end portion of the drive portion  25  and the suction member  24 . Upon placement of the mini nozzle  10  in the recess  26 , the cover  18  of the end opening  16  is opened, to thereby form an air communication between an end portion of the end opening  16  and air passage inlet  27 , further forming an air communication with the main body  7 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates cross sectional view of the mini nozzle  10  engaged with the floor nozzle  11 . Upon engaging the mini nozzle  10  onto the floor nozzle  11 , an open/close control rib  28  (a means for opening and closing the suction inlet of the end portion), which protrudes from a front region of the recess  26  toward the rear thereof, rotates the cover  18  that partially closes by a spring the end opening  16  of the mini nozzle  10 ; and due to the resistance of the spring, the cover  18  and the end opening  16  are completely opened, to thereby form an air communication from a suction inlet  23  through the joint  9 . Moreover, the bottom suction inlet  15  of the mini nozzle  10  is blocked by the bottom surface of the recess  26 , accordingly while the mini nozzle  10  is engaged with the floor nozzle  11 , the suction is concentrated only at the suction inlet  23 , and thus the suction force of the floor nozzle  11  is not compromised by the engaging of the mini nozzle  10 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the recess  26  is provided with a depth substantially equivalent to a height of the mini nozzle  10 , such that when the mini nozzle  10  is placed in the recess  26 , the mini nozzle is flatly integrated into the floor nozzle  11  with minor protrusion of the mini nozzle  10  on the top surface of the floor nozzle  11 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2B and 7 . Moreover, the height of the floor nozzle  11  is reduced by using small radius wheels  36  on both sides of the recess  26  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   The mini nozzle  10  can be released from the floor nozzle  11  by pressing down (stepping) on a release lever  13 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the cover  18  closes the end opening  16  located thereon by the spring, since the open/close control rib  28  (a means for opening and closing the cover  18 ) no longer exerts force thereto. A vertical dimension of the cover  18  is established to be smaller than the height of the end opening  16 , and thus leaving a clearance in the bottom portion of the end opening  16 , and partially closing the end opening  16 . Moreover, since the bottom suction inlet  15  is opened, a lower portion of the end opening  16  and a plurality of the bottom suction inlets  15  form an air communication through the joint  9 , to thereby enable dust collection by the mini nozzle  10 . 
   A mechanism of engaging and disengaging of the mini nozzle  10  with/from the floor nozzle  11  will hereinafter be explained with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , there is provided a support  12  (a means for disengaging and engaging the mini nozzle) in the recess  26  provided in the floor nozzle  11  according to a cross section thereof. The support  12  is attached at the left and the right of the hinge portion in approximately the center thereof, such that a release status as shown in  FIG. 8  and a secured status as shown in  FIG. 9  can adaptively be controlled. More specifically, during the release status as shown in  FIG. 8 , the mini nozzle  10  can be disengaged by pressing down on the release lever  13 ; and during the secured status as shown in  FIG. 9 , the mini nozzle  10  can be engaged with the floor nozzle  11  by inserting the mini nozzle  10  into the support  12 . 
   During the release status as shown in  FIG. 8 , the support  12  is unfolded at the left and the right of the hinge portion in approximately the center thereof. Upon inserting the mini nozzle  10  in the support  12 , a pressure member  29  placed in an approximately the center of the hinge portion is lowered and exerts force between cleaning element  14  partitioned in front and rear of a top portion of the side of the arc of the mini nozzle  10 , such that the support  12  is lowered to the bottom surface of the recess  26  and as illustrated in  FIG. 9  the suction head  40  portion of the mini nozzle  10  is surrounded and secured thereby. While the pressure member  29  is lowered, a moving member  32  pushes down on one of the ends of a rod  30  axially supporting a supporting member  31  connected thereto. Accordingly, a release lever  13  placed on the other end of the rod  30  is raised as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . A disengaging and engaging unit  38  of the mini nozzle  10  includes the pressure member  29 , the rod  30 , the supporting member  31 , moving member  32 , and the support  12 . The supporting member  31  serves as a fulcrum for the rod  30  and the rod  31  is downwardly biased with an elastic spring  31   a , to thereby support the mini nozzle  10 . 
   There are provided outwardly biased pins  33  on both sides of the mini nozzle  10  in order to effectively secure the mini nozzle  10  onto the support  12  and corresponding recesses  34  in the support  12 , so that when the mini nozzle  10  is inserted into the support  12 , the pins  33  are secured in the recesses  34 , and thus providing a more stable support of the mini nozzle  10  in the floor nozzle  11 . Furthermore, there is provided a recess  35  for hosting the cleaning element  14  on the mini nozzle  10 , as to prevent the cleaning element  14  from interfering with the securing of the mini nozzle  10 . 
   The release lever  13  in an up position is pressed down, in order to release the mini nozzle  10  from the floor nozzle  11  in a secured status as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , at which time the rod  30  is rotated about the supporting member  31  and raises the hinge portion of the support  12  by the moving member  32 . Thus, the support  12  is opened and the mini nozzle  10  is raised due to the pressure member  29 , thereby disengaging the mini nozzle  10  from the floor nozzle  11 . 
   The rotatable joint  8  which is connected rotatably in a vertical and horizontal direction is provided between the suction head  40  and the joint  9  in the mini nozzle  10  as described. And as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , when the mini nozzle  10  is engaged with the floor nozzle  11 , the rotatable joint  8  engages in a vertical and horizontal motion corresponding to the motion of the handle  4  connected with the joint  9  via the extension tube  2 , that is when the handle  4  is manipulated so that floor nozzle  11  changes position in a horizontal direction, due to the rotatable joint  8  horizontally rotatable provided in the back of the floor nozzle  11 , the rotational motion is applied to the floor nozzle  11 , and consequently enabling a change of direction for the floor nozzle  11 . 
   When using the mini nozzle  10  disengaged from the floor nozzle  11 , there is a great difficulty in manipulating the mini nozzle in a horizontal direction. Accordingly, there is a need for a locking mechanism, which prevents the rotatable joint  8  from engaging in a horizontal rotation. Such a locking mechanism as illustrate in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , there is provided a lock  42  which pops in and out in the rotational path of the rotational motion rib  41  of the rotatable joint  8  of the mini nozzle  10 , such that when the mini nozzle  10  is engaged with the floor nozzle  11 , the lock  42  is removed from the rotational path by the support  12 , however, when the mini nozzle  10  is disengaged from the floor nozzle  11 , the lock protrudes into the rotational path. 
   When the mini nozzle  10  is disengaged from the floor nozzle  11 , the lock  42  protrudes into the rotational path of the rotational motion rib  41  of the rotational joint  8  and locks the rotational motion. Consequently, only a vertical motion is permitted between the rotatable joint  8  and the joint  9 , thereby facilitating the usage of the vacuum, since the surface of the suction head  40  which faces the surface to be cleaned, of the mini nozzle  10  rotates in a horizontal direction. 
   As another alternative to such a locking mechanism, a spring biased stopper may be installed (not illustrated), such that when the mini nozzle  10  is engaged with the floor nozzle  11 , an overriding mechanism provided on the floor nozzle  11  resisting the spring force removes the stopper from restricting the rotation, and thus when the mini nozzle  10  is placed in the floor nozzle  11 , the stopper does not restrict the rotation, enabling a vertical and horizontal rotation of the floor nozzle  11 , while restricting such rotation when the mini nozzle  10  is disengaged from the floor nozzle  11 . 
   In an electric vacuum cleaner  1  employing such a configuration of the suction inlet  3  described above, when the mini nozzle  10  is engaged with the floor nozzle  11 , the wide floor nozzle  11  can effectively perform vacuum cleaning on a surface to be cleaned as the conventional vacuum cleaner. In a case of a narrow space, e.g., stairway, that is inaccessible with the floor nozzle  11 , the released lever  13  can be stepped on, without the user having to bend down, to disengage the mini nozzle  10  from the floor nozzle  11 , to thereby enable a vacuum cleaning with the mini nozzle  10 . The user is relieved from having to exchange the end nozzle. Moreover, the floor nozzle  11  which is disengaged from the mini nozzle  10  is placed on the surface to be cleaned. Accordingly, the user may simply insert the mini nozzle  10  into the floor nozzle  11  to swiftly switch on a surface to be cleaned. 
   When the mini nozzle  10  is disengaged with the floor nozzle  11 , since the bottom suction inlet  15  is formed of a shape of an arc, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the mini nozzle  10  can be at any discretionary angle. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 11B , the dust in corners formed by walls or furniture can be collected by the suction of the bottom suction inlet  15 . Moreover, the end opening  16  of the mini nozzle  10  as described is partially closed by the cover  18  leaving a gap in a bottom portion thereof, when the mini nozzle  10  is disengaged from the floor nozzle  11 , and thus the cross sectional area of the opening is reduced and thereby increasing the suction velocity. Since the opening is near the surface to be cleaned, the dust collection capacity is enhanced on the mini nozzle  10 , enabling a greater range of vacuum cleaning. Moreover, if the end opening  16  is configured to be entirely closed by the cover  18 , the suction capacity of the bottom suction inlet  15  can further be enhanced. 
   When the mini nozzle  10  is engaged with the floor nozzle  11 , the mini nozzle  10  can be engaged in a vertical and horizontal motion by the rotatable joint  8  and the joint  9 , and accordingly, the floor nozzle  11  can be rotated in any direction as illustrated in  FIGS. 12A to 12C . 
   A joining portion of the suction head  40  and the rotatable joint  8  is horizontally rotatable with the mini nozzle  10 , and thus as shown in  FIG. 9 , the entire suction inlet of the floor nozzle  11  can face the surface to be cleaned while coinciding with the direction of the end of the axis of the extension tube  2 , thereby allowing a user to efficiently perform vacuum cleaning in a narrow space. And the mini nozzle  10  as described above is rotatably connected in a vertical and horizontal direction with a joining portion of the suction head  40 , rotatable joint  8  and joint  9 , and thus the joining portion between the suction inlet and the main body  1  is not rotatable, thereby improving airtightness thereof. Moreover, regardless of improving the airtightness, since the vertical and horizontal rotation takes place between the suction head  40  of the mini nozzle  10 , the rotatable joint  8 , and the joint  9 , the controllability is not compromised. 
   Furthermore, a small radius wheel  36  is provided in a rear portion of the floor nozzle  11 , where the rotation of the rotatable joint  8  of the mini nozzle  10  takes place, so to prevent a sliding or rising of the floor nozzle  11  about a small radius wheel  36  provided in a rear portion of the floor nozzle  11  when inserting the mini nozzle  10  into the floor nozzle  11  by the handle  4 . 
   The configuration of the suction inlet  3  of the preferred embodiment may be applicable to a hand vacuum cleaner having a short suction path in a main body thereof having a handle thereon, and enhancing capacity thereof. 
   A second preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 13 to 16 . Parts that are substantially identical to those shown above will employ the same reference numerals and elaboration thereof will be omitted. 
   In referring to  FIG. 13 , reference numeral  50  arranged in series with AC  51 , designates a means for operating an electric blower  1   a  included in a main body  7 . A detecting means  52  is provided in the mini nozzle  10 , which detects the connectivity between the floor nozzle  11  and the mini nozzle  10 . In the first preferred embodiment, the floor nozzle  11  and the mini nozzle  10  are electrically connected via a pair of power feed contact points  17  provided in the mini nozzle  10  and a pair of receiving contact points  22  in the floor nozzle  11 , however, in the second preferred embodiment, the configuration of the connection will be described below. 
   Moreover, a suction inlet  23  of a floor nozzle  11  has a greater opening area than a bottom suction inlet  15  and an end opening  15  of the mini nozzle  10 . In addition, the electric vacuum cleaner of the second preferred embodiment is equipped with a rechargeable battery. 
   A reference numeral  53  is placed inside a handle  45  and is a means for selecting a level of power based on the condition of the surface to be cleaned, that is the user may select the level of suction, e.g., High, Mid, Low, Off, generated by the electric blower  1   a . According to a user input, the control variables of the phase of the electric blower operation means  50  is determined. The reference numeral  54  determines the power supplied (control variables of the phase) to the electric blower  1   a  according to the detecting means  52  output and the user selected drive position of the power selecting means  53 , thereby controlling the power supplied (control variables of the phase) to the electric blower  1   a . The electric blower operating means  50  operates the electric blower  1   a  through the control means  54 . 
     FIG. 14  illustrates the connection between the floor nozzle  11  and the mini nozzle  10 . Provided in a connection portion of the floor nozzle  11  is a connection pin  56  and a detection rib  57  to be electrically connected with a connection terminal  55  place on the mini nozzle  10 . Moreover, as a means for detection  52  in the mini nozzle  10 , in a position corresponding to detection rib  57  is a micro switch  58  equipped with a moving panel  59 . Under such configuration, if the floor nozzle  11  is inserted to the mini nozzle  10  to be connected, the detection rib  57  presses the moving panel  59  of the micro switch  58  and turns the micro switch to ON position, thereby enabling the floor nozzle  11  to detect the connectivity thereof with the mini nozzle  10 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , similar to the floor nozzle  11 , the mini nozzle  10  has a detection rib  57  and at a corresponding position thereof, having one end fixed and the other having a slide rib  60  varying electrical resistance connected with a resistor  62  having a spring  61 . Under such configuration the detection rib  57  presses the slide rib  60 , and varying the resistance of the resistor  62 , thereby detecting the connectivity of the floor nozzle  11 , as described above. Furthermore, in a case of unconnected floor nozzle  11 , the spring  61  connected to the slide rib  60  and spring force thereby returns it to the original position. In place of the micro switch  58  and the electrical resistor  62 , a capacitor (not illustrated) may be employed. Comparing the electric current in the capacitor while in connection and not in connection can provide information about connectivity thereof. 
   The operation based on the configuration described above is explained hereinafter. A user selects the power section means  53  to be on High, while the floor nozzle  11  is connected. As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the electric blower  1   a  is controlled in order to obtain a power consumption level (control variable of the phase) of W 1 . In a similar manner, Mid was selected in order to obtain the power consumption rate of W 2 , and Low to obtain W 3 . According to a selection position of the power selection means  53 , the control means  54  controls the electric blower  1   a  based on the pre-specified controlled variables of the phase, through the electric blower control means  50 . 
   If the mini nozzle  10  is disengaged from the floor nozzle  11 , the detection means  52  detects the disengaged status. According to the output of the detection means  52  the control means  54  adjusts the control variables of the phase, so that the power supplied W 1  at the High position is at maximum in an upper limit of the power supply and allocates sufficient suction flow rate, to thereby enable an effective vacuum cleaning. 
   A third preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention will be explained with reference to  FIG. 17 . Referring to  FIG. 17 , the power selection means  63  includes a mode selection switch and a mini mode switch. In a mode selection switch a user determines the setting, e.g., High, Mid, Low, Off, of the suction flow rate of an electric blower  1   a , according to a condition of a surface to be cleaned. The mini mode switch for selecting the power of the electric blower  1   a  in order to maintain the performance of cleaning while using the mini nozzle  10 . The setting on respective switches can be determined by the user, thereby adding greater convenience. Furthermore, the mini mode switch can be placed on a main body  7  of the electric vacuum cleaner. 
   A fourth preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention will now be explained with reference to  FIG. 18 . If a detection means  52  placed in a mini nozzle  10  detects the mini nozzle  10  to be disengaged from the floor nozzle  11 , the power setting of an electric blower  1   a  is established at High position and the power consumption W 1  to be at maximum power and for Mid and Low positions, power consumptions are adjusted to W 4  or W 5 , which are higher than the pre-specified drive setting power consumptions W 2  or W 3  by the control means  54 , so that when mini nozzle  10  is disengaged from the floor nozzle, the power of the electric blower  1   a  is increased, so that a sufficient suction flow rate is allocated and maintained, thereby enabling an effective vacuum cleaning. 
   A fifth preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention is explained with reference to  FIG. 19 . If a detection means  52  placed in a mini nozzle  10  detects the mini nozzle  10  to be disengaged from the floor nozzle  11 , the power setting of an electric blower  1   a  is established at Low position and the power consumption W 3  to be at minimum power and for High and Mid positions, power consumptions are adjusted to W 8  or W 9 , which are lower than the pre-specified drive setting power consumptions W 1  or W 2  by the control means  54 , so that when mini nozzle  10  is disengaged from the floor nozzle, so that when the mini nozzle  10  is solely operated, the power of the electric blower  1   a  is reduced as to reduce power consumption and reduces noise associated therewith and maintain performance of the electric vacuum cleaner. 
   A sixth preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention will now be explained with reference to  FIG. 20 . If a detection means  52  placed in a mini nozzle  10  detects the mini nozzle  10  to be disengaged from the floor nozzle  11  having a rotational brush, the power setting of an electric blower  1   a  is established at Low position and the power consumption W 3  to be at minimum power and for High and Mid positions, power consumptions are adjusted to W 10  or W 11 , which are lower than the pre-specified drive setting power consumptions W 1  or W 2  by the control means  54 , so that when mini nozzle  10  is disengaged from the floor nozzle, the power of the electric blower  1   a  is increased, so that when the floor nozzle  11  equipped with the rotational brush is connected, the power of the electric blower  1   a  is reduced as to reduce power consumption and noise associated therewith and maintain performance of the electric vacuum cleaner. 
   While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the preferred embodiment, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0