Suction inlet body of electric cleaner and electric cleaner having the same

Abstract

An inlet body of an electric cleaner includes an inlet body including a bottom surface facing a floor and an inlet provided at the bottom surface, the inlet body moving in a front-rear direction along the floor while sucking dust on the floor from the inlet, the inlet body of the electric cleaner characterized in that a comb section having a plurality of teeth is provided so as to protrude from a front position of the inlet toward a rear position, such that the comb section overlaps the inlet as viewed from the bottom surface side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the suction inlet of an electric vacuum cleaner and an electric vacuum cleaner having the suction inlet. Background Technology

[0002] In the suction inlet of existing electric vacuum cleaners, there is often a structure that increases negative pressure to suck up dust by improving the adhesion to the carpet in order to enhance the dust removal function in carpets (especially carpets with long pile (small carpets)).

[0003] With this type of suction inlet structure, the carpet has a high adsorption capacity, which reduces mobility and operability on the carpet and increases the burden on the user. In addition, pressing the carpet with the bottom of the front side of the suction inlet causes dust and dirt to be trapped inside the carpet (near the root of the hair), making it difficult to remove the dust and dirt by the rotating brush inside the suction inlet.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-184952 discloses a suction device configured to prevent suction on the front part of the bottom of soft cleaning objects such as carpets and quilts by providing multiple suction-preventing ribs at a position further forward than the suction port at the bottom.

[0005] In addition, in order to improve the dust removal function in carpets, Japan Publication No. 7-11734 discloses a suction device, which includes a comb-like part having multiple comb teeth. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the case of the inhalation device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-184952, the distance from the front end of the inhalation device to the inhalation port is lengthened by the front part of the bottom for setting the adsorption prevention rib.

[0007] The inhalation device disclosed in Publication No. 7-11734 has a structure in which a comb-shaped part protrudes outward from the top opening of a cylindrical nozzle. Therefore, when cleaning floors, tatami mats, or walls, the distance between the floor or wall and the inhalation port is increased by the comb-shaped part.

[0008] In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides an inlet body for an electric vacuum cleaner and an electric vacuum cleaner having the inlet body.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a suction inlet body for an electric vacuum cleaner is provided, comprising: a suction inlet body including a bottom facing the ground and a suction inlet disposed on the bottom, the suction inlet body being movable along the ground in a back-and-forth direction while being able to draw dust from the ground from the suction inlet, the suction inlet body of the electric vacuum cleaner being characterized in that:

[0010] Viewed from the bottom side, a comb-like part with multiple teeth is provided, which protrudes from the front of the inlet to the rear, such that the comb-like part overlaps with the inlet.

[0011] In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, an electric vacuum cleaner is provided, comprising: a vacuum cleaner body for attracting and collecting dust; and a suction inlet body for direct connection to the vacuum cleaner body or for connection via an extension tube.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a small and highly operable electric vacuum cleaner inlet for use on carpets. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of an electric vacuum cleaner including the suction inlet body of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the inhalation port of the first embodiment viewed from the front at an angle.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a front view of the inhalation port body of the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a left side view of the inhalation port body according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a bottom view of the inhalation port body according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the inhalation port of the first embodiment viewed from the rear at an angle.

[0019] Figure 7 (A) is Figure 3 The view along line II, (B) is Figure 3 Sectional view along line II-II.

[0020] Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the inhalation port of the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9 This diagram illustrates the cleaning process where the buffer of the suction inlet body of the first embodiment is in contact with a pillar in the room.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a view from behind the buffer of the suction inlet body used for cleaning carpets, as described in the first embodiment, looking forward.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a bottom view of the inhalation port body according to the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The invention will now be described in more detail with the aid of accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the following description should be considered illustrative and not restrictive in all respects.

[0025] (First Implementation)

[0026] <The overall composition of an electric vacuum cleaner>

[0027] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of an electric vacuum cleaner including the suction inlet body of the present invention. Furthermore, in Figure 1 The arrows in the diagram indicate the front, back, left, right, up, and down directions of the electric vacuum cleaner from the user's perspective when using it, and the explanation of the electric vacuum cleaner is based on these directions.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is a stick-shaped cordless electric vacuum cleaner 1. The cordless electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes a vacuum cleaner body 10, a battery 40 detachably installed with the vacuum cleaner body 10, an extension tube 90 having one end 90a detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner body 10, and a suction inlet body 50 detachably connected to the other end 90b of the extension tube 90.

[0029] In addition, Figure 1 The electric vacuum cleaner 1 described herein can also be used as a handheld electric vacuum cleaner by directly connecting the suction inlet 50 to the vacuum cleaner body 10 without the extension tube 90.

[0030] Alternatively, a handheld nozzle (not shown) can be mounted on the vacuum cleaner body 10 for use as a handheld electric vacuum cleaner.

[0031] The vacuum cleaner body 10 includes a drive unit 20 and a cyclone dust collection device 30, which can be detachably installed with respect to the drive unit 20.

[0032] The drive unit 20 includes: an electric blower housing 20a, housing an electric blower (not shown) and a circuit board constituting the control unit; a handle 20b; an operation switch 20c; a battery mounting section 20d; and a connecting pipe section 20e. Furthermore, one end 90a of the extension pipe 90 or the connecting pipe section 53 of the inlet body 50 (described later) is detachably mounted on the connecting pipe section 20e.

[0033] Battery 40 includes multiple cells housed within a casing.

[0034] The extension tube 90 includes a tube body 91 and a plurality of conductive wires (not shown) arranged along the tube body 91.

[0035] The inlet body 50 includes: an inlet body 51, which houses a rotating brush 51e (described later) and a rotating brush motor 51f; a joint 52, rotatably connected to the inlet body 51 with a first axis P1 in the front-rear direction as its center; a connecting tube 53, rotatably connected to the joint 52 with a first axis P2 orthogonal to the first axis P1 as its center; and a buffer 54, disposed at the front end of the inlet body 51 (see reference). Figure 7 (A) and Figure 8 Furthermore, the inhalation port 50 will be described in detail later.

[0036] The electric vacuum cleaner 1, in which the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the suction inlet body 50 are connected via an extension tube 90, is equipped with an electrical wiring system. This system supplies power from the battery 40 to the rotating brush motor 51f, and controls the rotation of the rotating brush 51e by switching the power switch on or off in the operation switch section 20c of the vacuum cleaner body 10. The same applies when the suction inlet body 50 is directly connected to the vacuum cleaner body 10.

[0037] <Regarding the inhalation mouth>

[0038] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the inhalation port of the first embodiment viewed from a frontal, upward angle. Figure 3 This is a front view of the inhalation port body according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 This is a left-side view of the inhalation port body according to the first embodiment. Additionally, Figure 5 This is a bottom view of the inhalation port body according to the first embodiment. Figure 6 This is a top view of the inhalation port of the first embodiment, viewed from a rearward and downward angle. Additionally, Figure 7 (A) is Figure 3 Sectional view along line II, Figure 7 (B) is Figure 3 The section view along line II-II. Additionally... Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the inhalation port body according to the first embodiment. Additionally, Figure 9 This diagram illustrates the cleaning process with the buffer of the suction inlet body in the first embodiment pressed against a pillar in the room. Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the front view of the carpet-cleaning buffer from the rear of the suction inlet body, illustrating the first embodiment. Furthermore, in Figures 2 to 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 In the image, arrows indicate the front, back, left, right, up, and down directions of the suction inlet from the user's perspective when using an electric vacuum cleaner, and these directions are used to explain the suction inlet.

[0039] The following is for reference Figures 2 to 10 Detailed description of the inhalation port 50.

[0040] The suction body 51 of the suction port body 50 includes a lower housing portion 51a and an upper housing portion 51b. The lower housing portion 51a includes: a bottom 51ab, which includes a suction port 51aa extending in the left-right direction at its front; a rear support portion 51ac, which is connected to the rear end of the bottom 51ab; a peripheral wall portion 51ad, which surrounds the periphery of the bottom 51ab; a generally semi-cylindrical upper wall portion 51ae, which is provided on the bottom 51ab to cover the suction port 51aa; and a connecting cylinder portion 51ag, which communicates and connects with the middle portion in the left-right direction of the upper wall portion 51ae.

[0041] The suction port 51aa reaches the front end of the bottom 51ab and is released in front. That is, the left and right parts of the front end of the bottom 51ab are cut off.

[0042] A pair of front wheels 51c are located on the left and right sides of the suction port 51aa at the bottom 51ab, and a rotating brush 51e is rotatably disposed in the space between the upper wall 51ae and the suction port 51aa.

[0043] Additionally, a safety switch with wheels 51d is provided on the right side of the rear of the bottom 51ab. This switch is designed to stop the rotating brush motor 51f when the suction inlet body 50 is lifted from the ground.

[0044] The safety switch and the control board 51g of the rotating brush motor 51f are housed in the rear right space on the bottom 51ab, and the rotating brush motor 51f is housed in the left space. In addition, the rotating brush motor 51f and the rotating brush 51e are connected by a power transmission mechanism (e.g., pulley, belt mechanism or multiple gears) not shown.

[0045] Additionally, the 51h brush (refer to) Figure 4 The rear wheel 51i is provided along the rear end edge 51ay of the intake port 51aa in the bottom 51ab, and is provided in the rear end support 51ac. Furthermore, in Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 The illustration of the brush 51h is omitted; the illustration shows the groove 51ha into which the brush 51h is embedded.

[0046] The joint portion 52 includes: a front end portion, a connecting tube portion 51ag rotatably coupled to the inlet body 51 with the first axis P1 as the center; and a rear end portion, the base end of the connecting tube portion 53 slidably coupled to the connecting tube portion 53 in a rotatable manner with the second axis P2 as the center.

[0047] The buffer 54 includes: a buffer body 54a extending along the front end 51ax (front end of the peripheral wall portion 51ad) of the inlet body 51; a pair of first plates 54b and a pair of second plates 54c disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the buffer body 54a; and comb teeth 54d disposed on the outside 54ax (front) of the buffer body 54a (see reference). Figure 8 ).

[0048] The buffer body 54a hangs down from the front end 51ax of the suction port body 51 and bends toward the rear suction port 51aa side. In the inner surface 54ay on the side opposite to the outer surface 54ax where the comb teeth 54d are provided, it includes: a transverse rib 54aa, which extends in the left and right direction; and a plurality of longitudinal ribs 54ab, which are provided at a predetermined interval (equal intervals in this embodiment).

[0049] Multiple longitudinal ribs 54ab are disposed between and connected to the lower edge 54ac of the transverse ribs 54aa and the buffer body 54a.

[0050] The comb portion 54d is composed of multiple teeth 54da extending in the vertical direction along the outer surface 54ax of the buffer body 54a.

[0051] The multiple teeth 54da each include a raised portion 54daa and a protruding portion 54dab (see reference). Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 10 The raised portion 54daa is positioned on the outer surface 54ax of the buffer body 54a, corresponding to the plurality of longitudinal ribs 54ab. The protrusion 54dab protrudes rearward from the lower end of the raised portion 54daa (the lower edge 54ac of the buffer body 54a), so that it overlaps with the suction port 51aa when viewed from below. Furthermore, the plurality of teeth 54daa and the plurality of longitudinal ribs 54ab can be positioned offset from each other.

[0052] In this comb section 54d, the size and spacing of each tooth 54da are not particularly limited, but as Figure 9 As shown, the width A of tooth 54da in the left-right direction is approximately 3mm to 10mm, and the thickness B of tooth 54da from the outside 54ax of buffer 54 is approximately 0.5mm to 3mm, gradually increasing in thickness from top to bottom. The spacing C between adjacent teeth 54da is preferably 3mm to 10mm. Additionally, as... Figure 5 As shown, the protrusion dimension D of the protrusion 54dab of the teeth 54da from the lower edge 54ac of the buffer 54 is preferably about 2mm to 5mm. These dimensions are set so that while pressing the carpet J with the comb teeth 54d, the dust inside the carpet J can be easily scraped out with the rotating brush 51e.

[0053] The first piece 54b of the pair of buffers 54 is a pair of zigzag pieces that extend from both ends of the buffer body 54a in the left-right direction and bend backward to form an L-shape when viewed from above.

[0054] The second piece 54c of the buffer 54 is a pair of curved pieces that bend upwards and backwards from both ends of the buffer body 54a and protrude.

[0055] With the buffer 54 installed in the suction port body 51, the front end 51ax of the suction port body 51 is sandwiched between the upper edge 54ad of the buffer body 54a and the transverse rib 54aa (see reference). Figure 7 (A) Figure 8 Furthermore, the first piece 54b of the pair of buffers 54 engages with the left and right sides of the peripheral wall portion 51ad of the lower housing portion 51a, and a portion of the second piece 54c of the pair of buffers 54 engages with the left and right ends of the upper wall portion 51ae covering the lower housing portion 51a. Additionally, since the upper housing portion 51b is mounted on the lower housing portion 51a, the protrusions 54ca of the second piece 54c of the pair of buffers 54 are pressed against the left and right front ends 51ba of the upper housing portion 51b.

[0056] like Figure 9 As shown, when cleaning the suction inlet body 50 configured in this way, for example, by bringing the buffer 54 close to a pillar K in the room that is thinner than the length of the buffer 54, the raised portions 54daa of the multiple teeth 54daa of the comb portion 54d abut against the pillar K. This creates a gap between the outer surface 54ax of the buffer 54 and the pillar K (between the multiple raised portions 54daa). This gap becomes an air passage, allowing air to flow in (be sucked in) from above towards the suction inlet 51aa. Therefore, dust and grime present on the ground or near the pillar K on the threshold are effectively drawn away along with the air.

[0057] In addition, such as Figure 9 As shown, when the buffer 54 is brought close to the interior wall W, the corners of the pair of first pieces 54b abut against the wall W, forming a gap between the outer surface 54ax of the buffer body 54a, including the comb-like portion 54d, and the wall W. Therefore, air flows in (is drawn in) from above into this gap, effectively drawing dust and dirt from the wall along with the air towards the suction port 51aa and removing it. Furthermore, in this embodiment (… Figure 9 In the case of comb tooth 54d, the thickness B of the raised portion 54daa of each tooth 54da is thinner than the thickness near the corner of the pair of first pieces 54b. However, it is also possible to set the thickness B of the raised portion 54daa of each tooth 54da of comb tooth 54d to be the same as the thickness near the corner of the pair of first pieces 54b. That is, it is also possible to set the corner of the pair of first pieces 54b to abut against the wall surface W with the raised portion 54daa of each tooth 54da.

[0058] Furthermore, the recesses 54ba are provided on the outer (side) sides of the left and right sides of the first pieces 54b of the pair. Therefore, when the side of one of the first pieces 54b is pressed against the wall W, air can flow in from above (be sucked in) into the gap between the recesses 54ba formed in the first piece 54b and the wall W, drawing in and removing dust and dirt from the wall along with the air. Therefore, while the side of one of the first pieces 54b is pressed against the wall W, the suction inlet 50 can be moved along the wall, effectively cleaning the wall. In addition, when the suction inlet 50 moves on the floor (flooring) other than carpets or mats, tatami mats, etc., the front wheels 51c, the safety switch wheels 51d, and the rear wheels 51i rotate on the ground, the rotating brush 51e and the brush 51h slide in contact with the ground, but the comb teeth 54d (multiple protrusions 54dab) of the buffer 54 do not contact the bottom surface.

[0059] In addition, such as Figure 5 as well as Figure 10 As shown, when cleaning carpet J laid on flooring F, as the suction inlet body 50 advances on carpet J, the protrusions 54dab of the multiple teeth 54da of the comb portion 54d of the buffer 54 penetrate into the interior of carpet J (near the root of the pile Jf). Consequently, dust penetrated into the interior of carpet J is easily exposed to the suction inlet 51aa side. In other words, near the front end of the suction inlet 51aa of carpet J, portions are created that are pressed (stepped on) by the multiple teeth 54da of the comb portion 54d and portions that are not pressed (not stepped on). Therefore, adjacent pressed pile Jfa and unpressed pile Jfb are divided into Y-shaped, V-shaped, or L-shaped patterns near their roots, and dust present at these bifurcation points (dust inside carpet J) is easily exposed to the 51aa side. As a result, by rotating the brush 51e, dust inside carpet J can be easily scraped out, reducing dust residue. At this time, the area of ​​carpet J (the area of ​​pile Jfb) in the inlet body 50 that is not pressed by the comb teeth 54d becomes an air passage and air flows from the front towards the inlet 51aa, which is very advantageous as a structure to reduce the dust residue inside carpet J.

[0060] Here, in conventional suction inlet bodies with rotating brushes, the rotation direction of the lower part that contacts the carpet with the rotating brush is opposite to the forward direction of the suction inlet body and the same as the backward direction of the suction inlet body. Therefore, in such conventional suction inlet bodies with rotating brushes, the rotation speed of the rotating brush on the carpet increases when reversing compared to when moving forward, and the dust scraping force increases. In other words, in conventional suction inlet bodies with rotating brushes, the rotation speed of the rotating brush on the carpet decreases when moving forward compared to when moving backward, and the dust scraping force (dust removal function) decreases. Therefore, by providing the comb-tooth portion 54d configured as described in the buffer 54 in the suction inlet body 50 of the first embodiment, when the suction inlet body 50 moves forward, the multiple teeth 54da of the comb-tooth portion 54d enter the interior of the carpet J, so that the dust inside the carpet J can be easily scraped out by the rotating brush 51e. By configuring it in this way, the suction port 50 of the first embodiment improves the dust removal function during forward movement compared to the conventional suction port, that is, it can reduce the residue of dust.

[0061] Furthermore, for carpets J with long pile lengths, the protrusions 54dab of the multiple teeth 54da of the comb portion 54d press against a portion of the pile Jfa near the front end of the suction port 51aa, thus preventing the pile Jf from being sucked into the suction port 51aa. In addition, the suction port body 50 is supported by the comb portion 54d to prevent the bottom 51ab from being too close to the carpet J. Therefore, the reduction in operability of the suction port body 50 caused by the pile Jf being sucked into the suction port 51aa and the bottom 51ab being too close to the carpet J is suppressed. At this time, in addition to the multiple longitudinal ribs 54ab being positioned at the positions of the multiple teeth 54da under pressure, the multiple longitudinal ribs 54ab are also supported by transverse ribs 54aa, thus increasing the strength of the buffer 54. Furthermore, the operability of the suction port body 50 mentioned here refers to the following function: when the suction port body 50 moves in the back-and-forth direction or rotates in the left-and-right direction on the carpet J, the user can smoothly operate the handle portion 20b (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0062] Furthermore, in the suction inlet body 50 of the first embodiment, the comb teeth 54d are integrally formed of resin on the buffer 54. Since the comb teeth 54d are integrally provided in a component separate from the suction inlet body 51, namely the buffer 54, the comb teeth 54d can be formed of a material different from that of the suction inlet body 51. For example, by forming the buffer 54 with a material with high slippage (e.g., a durable hard resin material), the frictional resistance between the comb teeth 54d and the carpet J can be reduced, and operability improved. Alternatively, by forming the buffer 54 with a material with low slippage (e.g., an elastic soft resin material), the comb teeth 54d can be designed to easily penetrate into the carpet J. Thus, by selecting materials, variations of the buffer 54 with different characteristics can be increased.

[0063] In addition, the comb teeth 54d are integrally curved along the outside 54ax of the buffer 54 (buffer body 54a), so the comb teeth 54d do not get caught on the steps on the ground (e.g., the step between the carpet J on the floor F and the floor F), and the suction port 50 smoothly crosses the steps.

[0064] Furthermore, a pair of front wheels 51c are positioned on the left and right sides of the intake port 51aa in the bottom 51ab of the intake body 51, thus further improving the step-crossing capability of the intake body 50. In addition, the pair of front wheels 51c reduces the frictional resistance between the left and right sides of the intake port 51aa in the bottom 51ab of the intake body 51 and the carpet J, thus further improving operability on the carpet J of the intake body 50.

[0065] (Second Implementation)

[0066] Figure 11 This is a bottom view of the inhalation port body according to the second embodiment. Furthermore, in Figure 11 In the middle, to and Figure 5 The same components are labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0067] The second embodiment of the inlet body 150 is configured to be substantially the same as the inlet body 50 of the first embodiment, except that a rear comb portion 51az is provided along the rear end edge 51ay of the inlet 51aa in the bottom 51ab.

[0068] In the second embodiment, the rear comb portion 51az includes a plurality of teeth 51aza in a position relative to the plurality of teeth 54da of the front comb portion 54d.

[0069] In each tooth 51aza, the thickness from the bottom 51ab is approximately 0.5 mm to 1 mm, and the protrusion from the rear end edge 51ay of the suction port 51aa towards the suction port 51aa side is approximately 1 mm to 3 mm.

[0070] A rear comb-like part 51az is provided at the bottom 51ab of the suction inlet body 150. Therefore, when cleaning the carpet, if the suction inlet body 150 is moved backward, the rear comb-like part 51az can penetrate into the carpet and expose the dust. Thus, when the suction inlet body 150 moves forward, the front comb-like part 54d penetrates into the carpet, making it easy to scrape off the dust by rotating the brush 51e. And when it moves backward, the rear comb-like part 54az penetrates into the carpet, making it easy to scrape off the dust by rotating the brush 51e. Therefore, the amount of dust residue inside the carpet can be reduced.

[0071] (Third implementation method)

[0072] First implementation method (refer to) Figure 5 In the example shown, the intake port 51aa extends to the front end of the bottom 51ab of the intake port body 50 and is released in front, and the front part of the released intake port 51aa is covered by a buffer 54 including the comb tooth portion 54d. However, it can also be configured as follows.

[0073] Alternatively, the suction port can be positioned further rearward than the front end of the bottom of the suction port body, forming a rectangular opening that is closed but not open at the front, with the comb teeth positioned along the front edge of the suction port in the bottom. That is, in the third embodiment, it is also possible to combine the features of the second embodiment (see...) Figure 11 The comb teeth, configured as described in the second embodiment, are provided along the front edge of the intake port in the bottom. Alternatively, the same comb teeth as in the second embodiment can be provided along the rear edge of the intake port in the bottom.

[0074] (Other implementation methods)

[0075] 1. The suction port body 50 of the first embodiment may also be configured such that the rotating brush 51e rotates in a turbine-driven manner, or the rotating brush 51e and the rotating brush motor 51f may be omitted. Furthermore, the same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0076] 2. The inhalation port 50 of the first embodiment (refer to...) Figure 5 In the example shown, the multiple protrusions 54dab of the comb tooth portion 54d are arranged in a generally rectangular wave shape when viewed from below. However, the protrusions 54dab can also be formed into triangles and arranged in a triangular wave shape. Furthermore, the same applies to the second and third embodiments. In the second embodiment, the multiple teeth 51aza of the rear comb tooth portion 51az can also be formed into triangles and arranged in a triangular wave shape.

[0077] 3. In the suction inlet body 50 of the first embodiment, the brush 51h may also include comb teeth. That is, multiple vertical teeth may be provided in the base of the brush, and a brush with bristles and comb teeth may be used between the multiple teeth in the base. In this case, it is preferable that the bristles are longer than the individual teeth so that the multiple teeth are less likely to touch the floor or tatami mat. Furthermore, the same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0078] 4. In each embodiment, the dimensions of each tooth in the comb section and the rear comb section ( Figure 5 as well as Figure 9 The width A, thickness B, and protrusion dimension D can also be non-uniform, for example, the dimension can be set to increase or decrease from the left and right ends of the suction port towards the middle. In addition, the spacing C between adjacent teeth can also be non-uniform, for example, the spacing can be set to increase or decrease from the left and right ends of the suction port towards the middle.

[0079] (Summarize)

[0080] The suction inlet of an electric vacuum cleaner according to one aspect of the present invention includes:

[0081] The suction inlet body includes a bottom facing the ground and a suction inlet disposed on the bottom. The suction inlet body moves along the ground in a back-and-forth direction while simultaneously drawing dust from the ground. The suction inlet body of the electric vacuum cleaner is characterized by:

[0082] Viewed from the bottom side, a comb-like part with multiple teeth is provided, which protrudes from the front of the inlet to the rear, such that the comb-like part overlaps with the inlet.

[0083] The suction inlet body includes the following structure: a suction inlet is provided at the bottom facing the ground, and a comb part protruding backward in a manner overlapping with the suction inlet, so that while the suction inlet and the comb part move along the floor such as carpet, flooring, tatami, etc., it can suck up and remove dust from the floor.

[0084] At this point, for cleaning carpets where dust is difficult to remove (especially carpets with long pile), by advancing the suction inlet, the individual teeth of the comb can penetrate into the interior of the carpet (near the root of the pile), thus exposing the dust inside the carpet to the suction inlet side. In other words, near the front end of the carpet suction inlet, there are parts that are pressed (stepped on) by the comb and parts that are not pressed (not stepped on). Therefore, adjacent pressed and unpressed piles near these roots form Y-shaped, V-shaped, or L-shaped patterns, and the dust present at these bifurcation points is exposed. As a result, dust inside the carpet can be effectively attracted and removed, reducing dust residue. At this time, the area of ​​the carpet in the suction inlet that is not pressed by the comb becomes an air passage, and air flows from the front towards the suction inlet, thus contributing to the improved dust suction function from inside the carpet and reducing dust residue.

[0085] Furthermore, for carpets with longer pile, the comb teeth press down on a portion of the pile near the front end of the suction inlet, making it less likely for the pile to be sucked in. Additionally, the comb teeth provide support to prevent the bottom from pressing too tightly against the carpet. This helps to suppress any decrease in the operability of the suction inlet caused by pile being sucked in and the bottom pressing too tightly against the carpet.

[0086] The suction inlet of an electric vacuum cleaner according to one aspect of the present invention can also be configured as follows, and these can also be combined appropriately.

[0087] -Alternatively, the suction inlet may extend to the front end of the bottom and open at the front.

[0088] A buffer is provided that curves downwards from the front end of the inlet body toward the inlet side.

[0089] Viewed from the left and right, the comb teeth can also be integrally formed and curved along the outside of the buffer.

[0090] With this configuration, the wall edges on the floor can be effectively cleaned when the buffer of the suction inlet body is pressed against the indoor wall. At this time, the suction inlet is shaped to extend to the front end of the bottom of the suction inlet body and is open in front, so that the suction inlet can be close to the wall edge to reduce dust residue.

[0091] In addition, the comb teeth are integrally curved along the outside of the buffer, so the comb teeth do not get caught on steps on the ground (e.g., carpet on the floor and steps on the floor), and the suction mouth can smoothly cross the steps.

[0092] Furthermore, by integrally incorporating the comb teeth into a component, namely the buffer, which is separate from the intake body, the comb teeth can be formed from a material different from the intake body. For example, by forming the buffer from a material with high slip properties (e.g., a durable hard resin material), the frictional resistance between the comb teeth and the carpet can be reduced, improving operability. Alternatively, by forming the buffer from a material with low slip properties (e.g., an elastic soft resin material), the comb teeth can easily penetrate into the carpet. Thus, by selecting materials, variations of buffers with different properties can be increased.

[0093] - Alternatively, the multiple teeth may each include a raised portion and a protruding portion, the raised portion being along the outside of the buffer, and the protruding portion being connected to the raised portion and protruding rearward from the lower edge of the buffer.

[0094] According to this design, when cleaning near pillars or walls, the raised portions of each tooth of the comb abut against the pillar or wall surface. This creates an air passage between the raised portions of the teeth, allowing air to flow from top to bottom. This airflow carries dust from the wall to the suction inlet, further reducing dust residue near the wall. Furthermore, the protruding portions of each tooth function as a part that penetrates into the carpet.

[0095] -Alternatively, the buffer may include a pair of zigzag plates that extend from both ends of the buffer in a left-right direction and curve backward, forming an L-shape when viewed from above.

[0096] The thickness of the raised portion outside the buffer may also be thinner than the thickness near the corners of the pair of zigzag plates.

[0097] With this configuration, the buffer is positioned close to the interior wall, so that the corners of a pair of zigzag plates abut against the wall, creating a gap between the buffer body (including the comb-like portion) and the wall. Therefore, air can flow in (be sucked in) from above into this gap, effectively drawing dust and grime from the wall along with the air towards the intake and removing it.

[0098] - Alternatively, the comb teeth can be configured such that when the main body of the inlet is placed on a flat ground, the comb teeth do not contact the ground.

[0099] This design prevents the comb teeth from damaging the floor surface when cleaning the floor through the suction inlet.

[0100] -Alternatively, a pair of front wheels can be positioned on the left and right sides of the intake port in the bottom.

[0101] According to this configuration, the pair of wheels further enhances the traversability of the intake body over steps on the ground. In addition, the pair of front wheels reduces the frictional resistance between the left and right sides of the intake body at the bottom of the intake body and the carpet, thus further improving operability of the intake body on carpets.

[0102] - It may further include: a motor disposed within the suction port body; and a rotating brush rotatably disposed in the suction port such that it is driven by the motor.

[0103] According to this configuration, the dust inside the carpet is exposed by the comb teeth, and the dust exposed by the rotating brush is scraped out towards the suction port, thus reducing the amount of dust remaining in the carpet.

[0104] Furthermore, the rotating brush achieves automatic movement by spinning on the carpet, thus further enhancing mobility and operability. Additionally, the presence of a pair of front wheels at the suction inlet further improves the automatic movement effect.

[0105] -A rear comb section may also be provided along the rear end edge of the suction port in the bottom.

[0106] According to this configuration, when the suction inlet body is moved back and forth on the carpet while cleaning, the rear comb teeth can penetrate the carpet and expose the dust when the suction inlet body moves backward. Therefore, when the suction inlet body moves backward, it can also effectively attract and remove the dust inside the carpet.

[0107] Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the scope of the claims, not by the foregoing description, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. An inlet body for an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising: The suction inlet body includes a bottom facing the ground and a suction inlet disposed on the bottom. The suction inlet body moves along the ground in a back-and-forth direction while simultaneously drawing dust from the ground through the suction inlet. The suction inlet body of the electric vacuum cleaner is characterized by: Viewed from the bottom side, a comb-like portion with multiple teeth is provided, the comb-like portion protruding rearward from the front of the suction port, such that the comb-like portion overlaps with the suction port. The inlet extends to the front end of the bottom and opens at the front. A buffer is provided that curves downwards from the front end of the inlet body toward the inlet side. Viewed from the left and right sides, the comb teeth are integrally formed and curved along the outside of the buffer. The plurality of teeth each include a raised portion along the outer side of the buffer. The raised portions of the plurality of teeth protrude forward further than the outer surface of the buffer.

2. The inhalation port body according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of teeth includes a protrusion, which is connected to the raised portion and protrudes rearward from the lower edge of the buffer.

3. The inhalation port body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The buffer includes a pair of zigzag plates that extend from both ends of the buffer in a left-right direction and curve backward, forming an L-shape when viewed from above. The thickness of the raised portion outside the buffer is thinner than the thickness near the corners of the pair of zigzag plates.

4. The inhalation port body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When the main body of the inlet is placed on a flat ground, the comb teeth do not contact the ground.

5. The inhalation port body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A pair of front wheels are positioned on the left and right sides of the intake port in the bottom.

6. The inhalation port body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The motor is located inside the suction inlet body; A rotating brush is rotatably disposed at the suction port so as to be driven by the motor.

7. The inhalation port body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A rear comb-like portion is provided along the rear end edge of the suction port in the bottom.

8. An electric vacuum cleaner, comprising: The main body of the vacuum cleaner attracts and collects dust. The suction inlet body according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is directly connected to the vacuum cleaner body or connected via an extension tube.

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