Vacuum cleaner nozzle and rotating brush for vacuum cleaner nozzle

Abstract

To provide a rotary brush of a suction port body for a vacuum cleaner capable of suppressing rotation failure of the rotary brush.SOLUTION: A suction port body for a vacuum cleaner includes a rotary brush and a housing that supports the rotary brush rotatably in a recess portion. The rotary brush includes a shaft part and a brush part provided in an outer circumferential part of the shaft part. The shaft part includes: an end surface provided in at least one end of both ends and facing in a shaft center direction; and a slide contact member provided in the end surface. The housing includes one end side wall part being a side wall of the recess portion and facing the slide contact member provided in the rotary brush. The slide contact member contacts the one end side wall part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a suction port body of a vacuum cleaner and a rotating brush of a suction port body for a vacuum cleaner.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a suction tool of a vacuum cleaner used for cleaning a room. In this suction tool, a rotatable rotating roller is provided in a housing having a suction port at the bottom. The rotating roller includes a roller body provided with a flocked cloth on the outer peripheral portion, and support portions provided at both ends of the roller body. The support portions at both ends are fitted with fitting portions provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls of the housing and support the roller body rotatably.

[0003] The support portion on one end side of the rotating roller includes a housing adhered to one end of the roller body, a cylindrical holder covering the housing, and a viscous resistance device and a cap provided between the housing and the holder. The cap has a cylindrical main body, a shaft portion having a smaller diameter than the main body, and a support shaft protruding from an end surface of the shaft portion. The shaft portion and the support shaft of the cap protrude to the outside through the central hole of the holder, and the protruding support shaft is fitted with the fitting portion on the inner surface of one side wall of the housing. When the rotating roller rotates, the cap remains stationary, and the roller body, the housing, and the holder rotate integrally. At this time, the viscous resistance device adjusts the rotation speed of the roller body according to the frictional resistance between the surface to be cleaned and the roller body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the suction device described in Patent Document 1, a gap (hereinafter referred to as the first gap) exists between the holder on one end of the rotating roller and the inner surface of one side wall of the housing. Furthermore, a gap (hereinafter referred to as the second gap) also exists between the central hole of the holder and the shaft of the cap. As a result, fibrous dust (hair, lint, etc.) may enter the first gap and wrap around the shaft of the cap, and the wrapped fibrous dust may enter the second gap and come into contact with the holder, thereby hindering the rotation of the rotating roller and potentially causing it to lock up.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a vacuum cleaner suction nozzle and a rotating brush for a vacuum cleaner suction nozzle, taking the above circumstances into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention comprises a rotating brush and a housing that rotatably supports the rotating brush in a recess, The rotating brush comprises a shaft portion and a brush portion provided on the outer circumference of the shaft portion. The shaft portion has end faces facing the axial direction, provided at least one of the two ends, and a sliding contact member provided on the end face. The housing has a side wall portion at one end of the recess that faces the sliding contact member provided on the rotating brush, The sliding contact member provides a suction port body for a vacuum cleaner that contacts the one-end side wall portion.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a rotary brush comprising a shaft portion and a brush portion provided on the outer circumference of the shaft portion, The present invention provides a rotating brush for a vacuum cleaner suction port, wherein the shaft portion has end faces facing the axial direction, provided at least one of the two ends in the axial direction, and a sliding contact member provided on the end face. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the rotating brush for the vacuum cleaner suction port of the present invention, the entry and entanglement of fibrous dust into the gap between one end of the rotating brush and the side wall of one end of the housing can be suppressed by the sliding contact member, thereby preventing rotational malfunction of the rotating brush. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the suction port body in the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a front view of the suction port body. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a bottom view of the suction port body. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a bottom view of the suction port body with the rotating brush removed. [Figure 6] This is a plan view of the rotating brush in the suction port body of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a perspective view of one end of the rotating brush. [Figure 8] Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rotating brush, along the axis of one end of the shaft. [Figure 9] Figure 6 is an exploded view of one end of the shaft portion of the rotating brush. [Figure 10] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the contact state between the sliding contact member at one end of the rotating brush of the first embodiment and the inner surface at one end of the side wall of the housing. [Figure 11] Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rotating brush, along the axis of the other end of the shaft. [Figure 12] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the axis of the rotating brush of the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the drawings. The following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0012] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum cleaner 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a stick-type cordless vacuum cleaner including a cleaner body 10, a suction inlet body 60, and an extension pipe 90 that detachably connects the cleaner body 10 and the suction inlet body 60. This vacuum cleaner 1 can also be used as a handy type by directly connecting the suction inlet body 60 to the cleaner body 10. Since this vacuum cleaner 1 has features in the suction inlet body 60, the configuration of the suction inlet body 60 will be described below, and the description of the cleaner body 10 and the extension pipe 90 will be omitted.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the suction inlet body in the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view of the suction inlet body of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the suction inlet body of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the suction inlet body of FIG. 2 with the rotating brush removed. For the sake of convenience in explaining the configuration of the suction inlet body 60, the directions as seen from the user when performing floor cleaning using the suction inlet body 60 are shown by arrows in FIGS. 1 to 5 as the front, rear, left, right, up, and down directions of the suction inlet body 60. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the suction inlet body 60 has a housing 66. The housing 66 incorporates a drive unit (see FIG. 5) including a rotating brush 61 and a motor 70 that rotatably holds the rotating brush 61 and rotates the rotating brush 61.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 66 includes a suction inlet main body 67, a joint portion 68 that is connected to the suction inlet main body 67 so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction with respect to the suction inlet main body 67 around a first axis P1, and a connection pipe portion 69 that is connected to the joint portion 68 so as to be rotatable in the up-down direction with respect to the joint portion 68 around a second axis P2 orthogonal to the first axis P1. As shown in FIG. 1, in the case of the stick type, the connection pipe portion 69 is connected to the cleaner body 10 via the extension pipe 90, and in the case of the handy type, it is directly connected to the cleaner body 10.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the suction port body 67 has a bottom portion 67a having a suction port 67k extending from one end to the other, a one-end side wall portion 67b and a other-end side wall portion 67c connected to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the bottom portion 67a, and a front wall portion 67d as a bumper. The suction port 67k is an opening that exposes the rotating brush 61 to the surface to be cleaned and sucks up dust. In this embodiment, the one-end side wall portion 67b is a side wall provided on the right side, the other-end side wall portion 67c is a side wall provided on the left side, and the suction port 67k extends in the left-right direction.

[0016] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the front end of the suction port 67k reaches the front wall portion 67d, the right end of the suction port 67k reaches the other end side wall portion 67c, the left end member 67aa of the bottom portion 67a is located to the left of the suction port 67k, and the rear portion 67ab of the bottom portion 67a is located behind the suction port 67k. In this embodiment, the left end member 67aa of the bottom portion 67a is detachable by screw fastening or a locking mechanism. Furthermore, the bottom portion 67a has a rear projection portion 67ac that protrudes rearward from the middle portion in the left-right direction of the rear portion 67ab, and a rear roller 67j that is rotatably provided on the rear projection portion 67ac. As shown in Figure 3, the lower end of the front wall 67d of the suction port body 67 is at a higher position than the bottom portion 67a, thereby causing the front end of the suction port 67k to open forward.

[0017] As shown in Figure 5, inside the suction port body 67, the space in front of the suction port 67k is a rotary brush storage space, and the space behind the rotary brush storage space is an electrical component storage space for housing the motor 70, circuit board (not shown), etc. The rotary brush storage space and the electrical component storage space are separated by a partition wall (not shown). Furthermore, the rotary brush storage space and the joint section 68 are connected by a ventilation passage (not shown), and the joint section 68 and the connecting pipe section 69 are connected to each other.

[0018] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the suction port body 67 includes a first napped member 67n extending in the left-right direction, located near the rear end of the suction port 67k at the rear portion 67ab of the bottom portion 67a; a second napped member 67m extending in the front-rear direction, located on the left end member 67aa of the bottom portion 67a; and a third napped member 67p extending in the vertical direction, located on the outer surface of one end side wall portion 67b (see Figure 2). In this embodiment, the third napped member 67p is provided extending from one end side wall portion 67b to the right end of the rear portion 67ab of the bottom portion 67a.

[0019] As shown in Figure 5, in the suction port body 67, engagement portions 67bm and 67cm are provided near the inner surface of one end side wall portion 67b and the inner surface of the other end side wall portion 67c, which are located at the suction port 67k, and engage with both ends of the rotating brush 61. In this embodiment, the engagement portion 67bm of the one end side wall portion 67b is formed in a crown gear shape that protrudes from the inner surface of the one end side wall portion 67b toward the other end side wall portion 67c. The engaging portion 67cm of the other end side wall portion 67c is formed in the shape of a pocket on the inner surface of the other end side wall portion 67c, and one or more corners are provided on the inner circumference of the pocket-shaped engaging portion 67cm. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 67cm is a recess into which a thin rectangular plate can be fitted, and has two corners on the inner circumference of the engaging portion 67cm.

[0020] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, a partition wall 67cp is provided near the inner surface of the other end side wall 67c so as to face the inner surface of the other end side wall 67c. In addition, a semicircular notch 67ck is formed on the edge of the partition wall 67cp extending in the front-rear direction, and a semicircular notch 67cj is formed on the edge of the engaging portion 67cm extending in the front-rear direction. These semicircular notches 67cj and 67ck are provided so as not to interfere with the rotating brush 61 when the rotating brush 61 is installed inside the suction port body 67. Furthermore, the inner surface of the left end member 67aa (see Figure 4) of the bottom portion 67a of the suction port body 67 is also provided with a rib structure (not shown) similar to that of the pocket-shaped engaging portion 67cm and a rib structure (not shown) similar to that of the partition wall 67cp.

[0021] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the drive unit comprises a motor 70 located inside the suction port body 67, and a power transmission mechanism that connects the motor's output shaft to the rotating brush 61 to transmit power from the motor 70. The motor 70 is located on the left side of the rear portion 67aa of the bottom portion 67a, and the power transmission mechanism is located from the left end member 67aa of the bottom portion 67aa to the rear portion 67aa. The power transmission mechanism uses a pulley-belt mechanism including a toothed pulley 71 attached to the output shaft of the motor 70, a toothed pulley 72 (see Figure 6) provided at the other end of the rotating brush, and a timing belt (not shown) connecting the two toothed pulleys 71 and 72. The power transmission mechanism may also be composed of multiple gears.

[0022] Figure 6 is a plan view of the rotating brush in the suction port of the first embodiment. Figure 7 is a perspective view of one end of the rotating brush in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the axis of one end of the shaft portion of the rotating brush in Figure 6. Figure 9 is an exploded view of one end of the shaft portion of the rotating brush in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 6, the rotating brush 61 comprises a shaft portion 62 and a brush portion that is spirally arranged along the axis on the outer circumference of the shaft portion 62. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, in this embodiment, the brush portion is composed of a pair of first brushes 63a arranged at a central angle of 180° to each other, a pair of second brushes 63b arranged at a central angle of 180° to each other, and a pair of third brushes 63c arranged at a central angle of 180° to each other.

[0023] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, each pair of first brushes 63a has a flexible, strip-shaped base material 63aa and brush bristles 63ab planted on one surface of the base material 63aa. The pair of second brushes 63b and the pair of third brushes 63c are configured similarly to the first brushes 63a.

[0024] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the shaft portion 62 comprises a shaft body 62a and a cap 62k provided on one end of the shaft portion 62 to form one end face 62ka. The cap 62k is fitted into a fitting recess 62aw provided on one end of the shaft body 62a that opens outward in the axial direction, thereby forming one end face 62ka of the shaft portion 62. Furthermore, a sliding contact member 73 is provided on one end face 62ka of the cap 62k. In this embodiment, the shaft body 62a comprises a cylindrical main shaft portion 62aa having six spiral grooves 62ag on its outer circumference that open radially outward, one end shaft portion 62ab fitted into an opening on one end of the main shaft portion 62aa, and another end shaft portion 62ac (see Figure 6) fitted into an opening on the other end of the main shaft portion 62aa.

[0025] The six helical grooves 62ag of the main shaft portion 62aa are grooves for fitting two each of the first, second, and third brushes 63a, 63b, and 63c, for a total of six brushes. Each helical groove 62ag is dovetail-shaped, with a wider inner portion in the radial direction and a narrower opening in the radial direction, and both ends are open outward in the axial direction. The base materials of the first to third brushes 63a to 63c are inserted into the inner portion of each helical groove 62ag from the end side (for example, the other end side), and the bristles of the first to third brushes 63a to 63c protrude radially outward from the radially outward opening of each helical groove 62ag beyond the outer circumference of the shaft portion 62.

[0026] As shown in Figure 8, one end shaft portion 62ab of the shaft portion 62 has a cylindrical fitting member 62ai that is fitted and fixed into an opening on one end side of the main shaft portion 62aa, a core material 62aj fixed on the axis of the fitting member 62ai, and a support member 62am attached to the core material 62aj via a bearing 62ak. The fitting member 62ai and the main shaft portion 62aa are rotatable relative to the support member 62am. The fitting member 62ai has an exposed portion 62aq that protrudes axially outward from one end of the main shaft portion 62aa, and six extension grooves 62an are provided on the outer circumference of the exposed portion 62aq, each communicating with one of the six helical grooves 62ag of the main shaft portion 62aa.

[0027] As shown in Figure 9, each extension groove 62an opens radially outward, and both ends of them are open axially outward. Of the six extension grooves 62an, a pair of extension grooves 62an that are opposite each other are raised radially outward more than the other extension grooves 62an. A first brush 63a is fitted into this raised pair of extension grooves 62an and a pair of helical grooves 62ag that communicate with them (see Figure 8). The pivot member 62am has a crown gear-shaped engaging portion 62ap that protrudes axially outward from the core material 62aj. This engaging portion 62ap can engage with a crown gear-shaped engaging portion 67bm (see Figure 5) provided on one end side wall portion 67b of the suction port body 67.

[0028] As shown in Figure 9, the cap 62k has a fitting cylindrical portion 62kb that fits onto the open end of the exposed portion 62aq of the fitting member 62ai of the one end shaft portion 62ab, and an annular outer flange portion 62kc provided at the outer end of the fitting cylindrical portion 62kb. As shown in Figure 8, the fitting cylindrical portion 62kb of the cap 62k is fitted onto the open end of the exposed portion 62aq of the fitting member 62ai of the one end shaft portion 62ab. As shown in Figure 8, when the fitting cylindrical portion 62kb of the cap 62k is fitted into the open end of the exposed portion 62aq of the fitting member 62ai (the fitting recess 62aw at one end of the shaft portion 62), the axially outer surface of the outer flange portion 62kc of the cap 62k becomes one end face 62ka of the shaft portion 62, and the engaging portion 62ap is located axially inward from the end face 62ka. At this time, the outer flange portion 62kc of the cap 62kc closes one end of each extension groove 62an of the one end shaft portion 62ab.

[0029] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the sliding contact member 73 consists of an annular low-friction member having thickness in the axial direction of the rotating brush 61. In this embodiment, the low-friction member is made of napped cloth, and the base material portion of the annular napped cloth is attached to one end face 62ka of the outer flange portion 62kc of the cap 62k by adhesive or double-sided tape. Using double-sided tape allows the user to easily replace an old sliding contact member 73 with a new one. In addition to napped cloth, other low-friction members include bristle brushes and foamed resin (e.g., sponge). If the low-friction member is a bristle brush, the base material on which the bristles of the bristle brush are implanted may be attached to one end face 62ka of the sliding contact member 73, or the bristles of the bristle brush may be directly implanted into one end face 62ka of the sliding contact member 73.

[0030] Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the contact state between the sliding contact member at one end of the rotating brush and the inner surface at one end of the side wall of the housing in the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 8 and 10, the thickness T of the sliding contact member 73 can be the same as or slightly thicker than the distance L between the one end face 62ka of the rotating brush 61 (see Figures 4 and 5) mounted on the suction port body 67 and the inner surface 67bf of the side wall 67b of the suction port body 67 (for example, about 0.5 to 2 mm). In this embodiment, the thickness T is set to be about 1 mm thicker than the distance L. The shape of the sliding contact member 73 may be an annular shape, an annular shape with a notch in part, a substantially annular shape with a missing part, a semi-annular shape (for example, C-shaped), or a shape with one or more dots.

[0031] Figure 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rotating brush in Figure 6, along the axis of the other end of the shaft. As shown in Figures 6 and 11, the other end shaft portion 62ac of the shaft portion 62 has a cylindrical fitting member 62ah that is fitted and fixed into the opening on the other end side of the main shaft portion 62aa, and a toothed pulley 72 is provided on the outer circumference of the fitting member 62ah that is exposed to the outside. Furthermore, an outer flange 62ar is provided on the exposed outer circumference of the fitting member 62ah on one end in the axial direction of the toothed pulley 72, and the outer flange 62ar closes the other end of each helical groove 62ag of the main shaft portion 62aa.

[0032] A core material 62as is fixed to the central hole of the fitting member 62ah, and a support member 62au is attached to the core material 62as via a bearing 62at. The fitting member 62ah and the main shaft portion 62aa are rotatable relative to the support member 62au. The support member 62au protrudes from the central hole of the fitting member 62ah toward the other end in the axial direction, and a polygonal flange-shaped engaging portion 62av is provided at the protruding outer end. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 62av is formed in a substantially square flange shape when viewed from the axial direction, and the outer surface of the engaging portion 62av on the axial side becomes the other end surface of the shaft portion 62.

[0033] Referring to Figures 5, 8, and 11, the procedure for attaching the rotating brush 61 to the suction port body 67 will be explained. First, the engaging portion 62ap of one end shaft portion 62ab of the rotating brush 61 is fitted into the engaging portion 67bm of one end side wall portion 67b of the suction port body 67 to engage them. At this time, the toothed pulley 72 of the other end shaft portion 62ac of the rotating brush 61 and the toothed pulley 71 of the motor 70 are connected in advance by a timing belt (not shown). Alternatively, after the engaging portion 62ap is fitted into the engaging portion 67bm of one end side wall portion 67b of the suction port body 67, the toothed pulley 72 of the other end shaft portion 62ac of the rotating brush 61 and the toothed pulley 71 of the motor 70 may be connected by a timing belt. Next, the engaging portion 62av of the other end shaft portion 62ac of the rotating brush 61 is fitted into the engaging portion 67cm of the other end side wall portion 67c of the suction port body 67 to engage them.

[0034] With the engaging portions 62ap and 62av at both ends of the rotating brush 61 engaged with the engaging portions 67bm and 67cm on both sides of the suction port body 67, the edge of the engaging portion 67cm of the suction port body 67 and the semicircular notch are located in the gap between the engaging portion 62av of the other end shaft portion 62ac of the rotating brush 61 and the toothed pulley 72, and the edge of the partition wall 67cp of the suction port body 67 and the semicircular notch are located in the gap between the toothed pulley 72 and the outer flange 62ar. Subsequently, by attaching the left end member 67aa of the bottom portion 67a of the suction port body 67 to the left side of the suction port 67k so as to cover the other end shaft portion 62ac of the rotating brush 61, the other end shaft portion 62ac is held in place by the rib structure of the left end member 67aa.

[0035] As shown in Figure 10, when the rotating brush 61 is attached to the suction port body 67, the sliding contact member 73 provided on one end face 62ka of the cap 62k contacts the inner surface 67bf of one end side wall portion 67b of the suction port body 67. In this embodiment, the sliding contact member 73 is lightly pressed against the inner surface 67bf of one end side wall portion 67bf of the suction port body 67, so the outer circumference of the sliding contact member 73 expands radially outward and the inner circumference expands radially inward. Therefore, the width of the sliding contact member 73 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating brush 61 is wider than when the rotating brush is not attached.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 and 10, in the cleaning state of the suction port body 60 in which the rotating brush 61 sucks up dust from the floor surface F while rotating, the sliding contact member 73 on one end of the rotating brush 61 slides against the inner surface 67bf on one end of the side wall 67b of the suction port body 67 while rotating. At this time, fibrous dust (for example, hair or lint) sucked up at one end of the suction port 67k may wrap around the outer circumference of the sliding contact member 73 on one end of the rotating brush 61, but the sliding contact member 73 suppresses the radial inward entry of the fibrous dust. At this time, the fibrous dust wrapped around the sliding contact member 73 is also made less likely to enter radially inward by centrifugal force. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the sliding contact member 73 is lightly pressed against the inner surface 67bf on one end of the suction port body 67, it is difficult for fibrous dust to enter between the sliding contact member 73 and the inner surface 67bf on one end. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the locking of the rotating brush 61 caused by fibrous dust wrapped around the sliding contact member 73 entering and wrapping around the gap between the rotating cap 62k and the stationary engaging portion 62ap.

[0037] The frictional resistance between the sliding contact member 73 and the inner surface 67bf at one end when the rotating brush is rotating is such that it is less than the load on the motor 70 of the drive unit (see Figure 5) when cleaning a surface to be cleaned, such as flooring, where the frictional resistance with the rotating brush 61 is relatively low. During maintenance, fibrous dust wrapped around the sliding contact member 73 of the rotating brush 61 can be easily removed by the user using a tool (e.g., tweezers) without removing the rotating brush 61, although maintenance may be performed after removing the rotating brush 61. Locking of the rotating brush 61 can be suppressed even if the sliding contact member 73 is annular with a notch in part. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the rotating brush 61 rotates at a high speed of about 2000 to 4000 times per minute, even if the sliding contact member 73 has a substantially annular, semi-annular, arc-shaped, or one or more dot-shaped form with a part missing, fibrous dust wraps around the sliding contact member 73, thereby suppressing locking of the rotating brush 61.

[0038] (Modified version of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, a motor-driven intake body was illustrated, but a turbine-driven system may also be used. In the case of a turbine-driven system, an impeller is used instead of the motor 70 (see Figure 5), and a toothed pulley 71 is provided on the output shaft of the impeller. The impeller is housed in an impeller storage space corresponding to the electrical component storage space where the motor and other components were housed. The impeller storage space is provided with an intake port through which air is drawn in from the outside, and an exhaust port that communicates with the intake port. The air drawn in from the intake port rotates the impeller, and the rotating brush can be rotated via the power transmission mechanism.

[0039] (Second Embodiment) Figure 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the axis of the rotating brush of the second embodiment. In Figure 12, elements similar to those in Figure 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The rotating brush 61 of the first embodiment (see Figures 6 and 8) had a sliding contact member 73 on only one end, but the rotating brush 161 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 12 has sliding contact members 73 on both the one end and the other end. The following will mainly describe the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 12, in the second embodiment of the rotating brush 161, the structure of one end is the same as in the first embodiment (see Figure 8), and the structure of the one end and the structure of the other end are configured symmetrically, except for some parts (engaging parts 62ap, 162ap). Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for each component on the other end of this rotating brush 161 as for each component on the one end.

[0040] The engaging portion 162ap on the other end of the rotating brush 161 has a polygonal recess 162ax that opens outward in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the polygonal recess 162ax is approximately square when viewed from the axial direction and is located axially inward from the other end face 162ka, which is the axially outward surface of the cap 62k. In this case, the engaging portion (not shown) provided on the other end side wall portion 67c (see Figure 5) of the suction port body 67 is formed in the shape of an approximately square block that can fit into the polygonal recess 162ax and is supported so as to be movable so as to be biased toward one end by a biasing mechanism (e.g., a spring mechanism). Furthermore, this engaging portion and biasing mechanism are movable toward the other end side of the other end face 162ka of the rotating brush 161 when installed. In Embodiment 2, the rotating brush 161 may be modified so that at least one of the second brush 63b and the third brush 63c of the first embodiment is replaced with a blade made of rubber, soft resin, or the like.

[0041] In the second embodiment, the rotating brush 161 is not rotated by a drive unit (including the motor 70 shown in Figure 5) provided in the suction port body 60 of the first embodiment, but rather rotates as each brush or blade receives the airflow drawn into the suction port 67k. In other words, the suction port body of the second embodiment is a turbine-driven type that does not include a drive unit including a motor or power transmission mechanism. In the second embodiment, the rotating brush 161 is mounted on a suction port body (not shown) (see suction port body 67 shown in Figure 5). In this embodiment, the sliding contact member 73 on one end of the rotating brush 161 contacts the inner surface 67bf of one end side wall portion 67b of the suction port body, and the sliding contact member 73 on the other end of the rotating brush 161 contacts the inner surface 67cf of the other end side wall portion 67c of the suction port body. Therefore, the sliding contact members 73 on both ends of the rotating brush 161 can suppress locking of the rotating brush 161 due to the entanglement of fibrous dust.

[0042] (Modified version of the second embodiment) In the second embodiment, the rotating brush 161 may be rotated by a drive unit (including the motor 70 shown in Figure 5) provided in the suction port body 60 of the first embodiment. In this case, the power transmission mechanism of the drive unit is connected to a position on the rotating brush 161 other than both ends (for example, near the middle position in the longitudinal direction of the rotating brush 161) to rotate the rotating brush 161. With this configuration, the rotating brush can be rotated at a higher speed than the turbine-driven type to clean along the wall. Alternatively, the drive unit may be an impeller as in the modified example of the first embodiment, and the output shaft of the impeller may be connected to the rotating brush 161 via a pulley-belt mechanism at a position on the rotating brush 161 other than both ends (for example, near the middle position in the longitudinal direction of the rotating brush 161).

[0043] (Third embodiment) In the first embodiment, instead of the cap 62k on one end of the rotating brush 61 (see Figure 8), an outer flange portion may be provided at the end of the fitting member 62ai on one end, and a sliding contact member may be provided on the outer surface of the outer flange portion (one end face of the rotating brush). Furthermore, in this case, at least one of the first to third brushes of the rotating brush 61 may have a portion on one end that protrudes outward beyond the one-end side wall portion 67b of the suction port body 67 (see Figure 5) (it may be exposed to the outside).

[0044] (Fourth Embodiment) In the second embodiment, instead of the cap 62k on one end of the rotating brush 161 (see Figure 12), an outer flange portion may be provided at the end of the fitting member 62ai on one end, and a sliding contact member may be provided on the outer surface of the outer flange portion (one end face of the rotating brush). Alternatively, in the second embodiment, instead of the cap 62k on the other end of the rotating brush 161 (see Figure 12), an outer flange portion may be provided at the end of the fitting member 62ai on the other end, and a sliding contact member may be provided on the outer surface of the outer flange portion (the other end face of the rotating brush). Alternatively, in the second embodiment, instead of the caps 62k on both ends of the rotating brush 161 (see Figure 12), outer flange portions may be provided at the ends of the fitting members 62ai on both ends, and sliding contact members may be provided on the outer surfaces of these outer flange portions (one end face of the rotating brush).

[0045] (Other embodiments) 1. In the first embodiment, the fitting member 62ai at one end of the rotating brush 61 and the main shaft portion 62aa (see Figure 8) may be a single integrated part, and in the second embodiment, the fitting member 62ai at one end of the rotating brush 161, the main shaft portion 62aa, and the fitting member 62ai at the other end (see Figure 12) may be a single integrated part. 2. The suction port body of the above embodiment is also applicable to canister-type and upright-type vacuum cleaners.

[0046] Preferred embodiments of the present invention also include combinations of any of the embodiments described above. In addition to the embodiments described above, various modifications of the present invention are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as being outside the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include the meaning of equivalents of the claims and all variations within that scope. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 1: Electric vacuum cleaner, 10: Vacuum cleaner body, 60: Suction port body, 61, 161: Rotating brush, 62: Shaft part, 62a: Shaft body, 62aa: Main shaft part, 62ab: One end shaft part, 62ac: Other end shaft part, 62af: End face, 62ag: Helical groove, 62aw: Fitting recess, 62ai, 62ah: Fitting member, 62aj, 62as: Core material, 62ak, 62at: Bearing, 62am, 62au: Shaft support member, 62an: Extension groove, 62ap, 62av: Engaging part, 62ar: Outer flange, 62k: Cap, 62ka: One end face, 62kb: Fitting cylinder part, 62kc: Outer flange part, 62kd: Notch part, 62x: One end open part, 62y: Recess, 63a: First brush, 63aa: Base material, 63ab: Brush bristles, 63ap: Bristle area part, 63aq: Hairless area part, 63ax: Side protruding bristles part, 63b: Second brush, 63c: Third brush, 66: Housing, 67: Inlet body, 67a: Bottom part, 67aa: Left end member, 67ab: Rear part, 67ac: Rear protrusion part, 67b: One end side wall part, 67bf: One end inner surface, 67bm: Engaging part, 67c: Other end side wall part, 67cf: Other end inner surface, 67cm: Engaging part, 67cp: Partition wall, 67d: Front wall, 67j: Rear roller, 67k: Inlet, 67n: First napped member, 67m: Second napped member, 67p: Third napped member, 68: Joint, 69: Connecting pipe, 70: Motor, 71,72: Toothed pulley, 73: Sliding contact member, 90: Extension pipe, 162ax: Polygonal recess, F: Floor surface, L: Distance, P1: 1st axis, P2: 2nd axis, T: Thickness

Claims

1. The device comprises a rotating brush and a housing that rotatably supports the rotating brush in a recessed area. The rotating brush comprises a shaft portion and a brush portion provided on the outer circumference of the shaft portion. The shaft portion has end faces facing the axial direction, provided at least one of the two ends, and a sliding contact member provided on the end face. The housing has a side wall portion at one end of the recess that faces the sliding contact member provided on the rotating brush, The sliding contact member contacts the one-end side wall portion, The sliding contact member has hairs extending from the end face along the axial direction, The length of the hair is longer than the distance between the end face and the side wall portion of one end. The suction nozzle of an electric vacuum cleaner.

2. The suction port body according to claim 1, wherein the end face of the shaft portion is annular.

3. The suction port body according to claim 2, wherein the shaft portion has an annular flange portion at one end, and the end face is formed by the outer surface of the flange portion facing the axial direction.

4. The shaft portion comprises a shaft body and a cap having the flange portion. The shaft body has a fitting recess provided at one end that opens outward in the axial direction, The suction port body according to claim 3, wherein the cap is fitted into the fitting recess.

5. The suction port body according to claim 2, wherein the sliding contact member is provided on all or part of the circumferential direction of the end face.

6. The suction port body according to claim 5, wherein the sliding contact member has an annular shape, an annular shape with a notch in part, a substantially annular shape with a missing part, a semi-annular shape, an arc shape, or one or more dot shapes.

7. The sliding contact member is made of a low-friction material having thickness in the axial direction, The suction port body according to claim 6, wherein the low-friction material consists of a napped cloth or a bristle brush.

8. The suction port body according to claim 1, wherein the shaft portion has a pair of sliding contact members provided on both end faces facing the axial direction.

9. The suction port body according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a drive unit provided inside the housing for rotating the rotating brush.

10. The suction port body according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rotating brush rotates due to the airflow drawn into the suction port.

11. A rotating brush comprising a shaft portion and a brush portion provided on the outer circumference of the shaft portion, The shaft portion has an end face facing the axial direction, provided at least one of the two ends in the axial direction, and a sliding contact member provided on the end face, wherein the rotating brush is a suction nozzle for an electric vacuum cleaner.

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