Suction appliance for mounting on a suction cleaner

Abstract

A suction device (100) is a suction device mounted to a dust-suctioning cleaner (101), which includes a housing (120) formed to divide a suction space (111) and formed with a flow path (116) extending rearward from an opening (115) that opens to a central portion in a width direction of the suction space (111), cleaning rollers (141, 142) disposed in the suction space (111) and longer in the width direction, and a shield portion (117) disposed in the suction space (111). The cleaning rollers (141, 142) have a shape that becomes thinner as they approach the opening (115) of the flow path (116). The shield portion (117) protrudes toward the cleaning rollers (141, 142) from a portion of an inner wall of the housing (120) that is adjacent to a portion of the cleaning rollers (141, 142) that becomes thin.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a suction device mounted on a suction cleaner. BACKGROUND

[0002] Various suction devices mounted on a suction cleaner have been developed (see Patent Literature 1). The suction device of Patent Literature 1 has a housing formed with a suction space opened at a lower side. A cleaning roller for cleaning dust on a floor is housed in the suction space. The cleaning roller is disposed extending in a width direction within the suction space, and is exposed downward from the housing via the suction space. The cleaning roller has a thickness substantially equal to a front-to-rear width of the suction space. Therefore, a substantial opening area of the suction space (i.e., a size of a remaining area not occupied by the cleaning roller) becomes small.

[0003] In order to remove dust entangled on the cleaning roller, the cleaning roller is sometimes configured in a manner that a diameter of the cleaning roller varies in the width direction. Patent Literature 2 discloses a suction device having a cleaning roller gradually tapered toward a center position in the width direction of the suction device. In the suction device of Patent Literature 2, the cleaning roller is gradually tapered toward the center position in the width direction of the suction device, and thus, the dust entangled on the cleaning roller is not only subjected to an entangling force due to rotation of the cleaning roller, but also subjected to a force in a direction toward a distal end of the cleaning roller. Therefore, the dust entangled on the cleaning roller easily moves toward the center position of the cleaning roller, and is sucked into the cleaner via a flow path opened at a rear of the center position of the cleaning roller to the suction space.

[0004] In a case where the cleaning roller has a gradually tapered shape, a remaining area in the suction space not occupied by the cleaning roller (i.e., a substantial opening area of the suction space) becomes large. As a result, a suction force acting on the remaining area decreases.

[0005] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0006] PATENT LITERATURE

[0007] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-166826

[0008] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-188951 SUMMARY

[0009] The present application has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a suction device having a structure capable of suppressing a decrease in a suction force.

[0010] An aspect of the present application relates to a suction device mounted to a dust-suction cleaning machine, including: a housing formed in a manner to divide a suction space, and formed with a flow path extending rearward from an opening, the suction space being open at a lower side of the housing, the opening being open to a center in a width direction of the suction space; a cleaning roller disposed in the suction space, and longer in the width direction; and a shield portion disposed in the suction space. The cleaning roller has a shape that becomes thinner as it approaches the opening of the flow path. The shield portion protrudes toward the cleaning roller from a portion of an inner wall of the housing that divides the suction space, which is adjacent to a portion of the cleaning roller that becomes thin in diameter.

[0011] According to the present application, a decrease in suction force can be suppressed.

[0012] Objects, features, and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a side view of a dust-suction cleaning machine on which the suction device according to the present embodiment is mounted.

[0014] Figure 2 is a plan view of the suction device according to the present embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the suction device according to the present embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Figure 2 .

[0017] Figure 5 is a simplified cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of Figure 2 .

[0018] Figure 6 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a modification of the suction device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, a suction device according to an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, each of the drawings referred to below is a drawing in which main structural elements required to explain the suction device according to the embodiment of the present application are simplified for ease of explanation. Therefore, the suction device according to the embodiment of the present application can have any structural element not shown in each of the drawings referred to in the present specification.

[0020] Figure 1A suction cleaner 101 to which the suction device 100 is attached is shown. The cleaner 101 has a main body 102 in which a suction fan (not shown) and a motor (not shown) that drives the suction fan are built, and a hose 103 that is provided so as to extend from the main body 102. The cleaner 101 also has an operation section 104 that is provided at an intermediate position of the hose 103. The suction device 100 is connected to a distal end of the hose 103. The operation section 104 is electrically connected to the main body 102 and the suction device 100 by wiring that is provided along the hose 103. The operation section 104 is configured to receive an operation by a user to generate an instruction signal for causing a drive section of the main body 102 and the suction device 100 to operate or stop.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1-3 , the suction device 100 has a housing 120 that is formed of a hollow box structure that is longer in a width direction (hereinafter referred to as a left-right direction), and two first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 that are configured to clean dust.

[0022] The housing 120 has a housing main body 120a and a front cover 129 that is separate from the housing main body 120a. The housing main body 120a has a rear side portion 120aa that is longer in the left-right direction, and a pair of side portions 120ab that are located on the front side of both end portions of the rear side portion 120aa in the left-right direction, and is formed so as to be hollow. The housing main body 120a includes a pair of front walls 121 that constitute front side surfaces of the pair of side portions 120ab, a rear wall 122 that constitutes a rear side surface of the rear side portion 120aa, side walls 123, 124 that constitute left and right side surfaces of the rear side portion 120aa and that constitute side surfaces on the left and right direction outer sides of the pair of side portions 120ab, an upper wall 125 that constitutes an upper side surface of the rear side portion 120aa and that constitutes upper side surfaces of the pair of side portions 120ab, and a lower wall 126 that constitutes lower side surfaces of the rear side portion 120aa and the pair of side portions 120ab.

[0023] The pair of front walls 121 are arranged so as to be spaced apart in the left-right direction. The rear wall 122 is formed so as to have a recessed portion 122a that is recessed toward the front side based on a central position in the left-right direction (see Figure 2 ). The side walls 123, 124 connect the pair of front walls 121 and the rear wall 122. The upper wall 125 connects an upper portion of the rear wall 122, upper portions of the side walls 123, 124, and upper portions of the pair of front walls 121, 121.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3As shown, the lower wall 126 extends inward from lower ends of the rear wall 122 and the side walls 123, 124, and is formed in a "U" shape in a plan view. A first dust collecting portion 128 formed of a napping cloth that naps on a cloth surface is provided on a lower side of the lower wall 126 so as to extend in the left-right direction. The shape and material of the first dust collecting portion 128 are not limited. The first dust collecting portion 128 can be omitted.

[0025] The housing main body 120a further includes a partition wall 127. The partition wall 127 includes side partition wall portions 127a, 127a that constitute the faces on the left-right direction inner sides of the pair of side portions 120ab, and a rear partition wall portion 127b that constitutes the front face of the rear side portion 120aa (see FIG. 2). Figure 2 、 Figure 3 ).

[0026] The side partition wall portions 127a, 127a extend in the front-rear direction and are continuous with the left-right end portions of the pair of front walls 121, 121 and the rear partition wall portion 127b. The side partition wall portions 127a, 127a connect portions of the pair of side portions 120ab, 120ab in the lower wall 126 and portions of the pair of side portions 120ab, 120ab in the upper wall 125. The side partition wall portions 127a, 127a are set to the same height as the side walls 123, 124.

[0027] The rear partition wall portion 127b extends in the left-right direction and is continuous with the side partition wall portions 127a, 127a. The rear partition wall portion 127b connects portions of the pair of rear side portions 120aa, 120aa in the lower wall 126 and portions of the pair of rear side portions 120aa, 120aa in the upper wall 125.

[0028] The front cover 129 is configured to be placed on the rear side portions 120aa with the rear end portions and is erected on the pair of side portions 120ab. The front cover 129 extends from the position placed on the rear side portions 120aa to between the pair of front walls 121 in the left-right direction. The front cover 129 is configured to be attached to and detached from the housing main body 120a. The front cover 129 can also be configured not to be attached to and detached from the housing main body 120a.

[0029] The partition wall 127 and the front cover 129 divide the suction space 111 for suctioning dust. The suction space 111 is covered from above by the front cover 129. The suction space 111 is open downward, i.e., an opening, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The suction space 111 allows air and dust to flow from the opening on the lower side, and houses the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142, and the like. The partition wall 127 and the front cover 129 are examples of inner walls of the housing 120 that divide the suction space 111.

[0030] A housing space 112 that houses a motor (not shown) that drives the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142, and the like is formed in the housing main body 120a.

[0031] A flow path 116 (refer to Figure 2 ) is formed in the housing main body 120a, penetrating the rear partition wall portion 127b of the partition wall 127 and the recess 122a of the rear wall 122. An opening 115 of the front side of the flow path 116 is formed at a central position in the left-right direction of the rear partition wall portion 127b of the partition wall 127, and the flow path 116 communicates with the suction space 111. The flow path 116 extends toward the rear from the recess 122a of the rear wall 122 and communicates with the connection port 130. The flow path 116 functions as a flow path for air and dust to flow from the suction space 111 to the connection port 130. The connection port 130 is connected to the distal end of the hose 103 of the cleaning machine 101.

[0032] The first cleaning roller 141 is disposed in the suction space 111 (refer to Figure 3 ). The first cleaning roller 141 has a tapered cylindrical portion 161 that penetrates the side partition wall portion 127a of the partition wall 127 from the vicinity of the side wall 123 inside the accommodation space 112, a shaft portion 163 that is fitted into the tapered cylindrical portion 161, and a plurality of cleaning portions 162 that are provided to the outer peripheral surface of the tapered cylindrical portion 161 (refer to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 ).

[0033] The tapered cylindrical portion 161 is a cylindrical member that is longer in the left-right direction and is slightly shorter than half the length between the left and right side walls 123, 124. As shown in Figure 4 , the tapered cylindrical portion 161 has an elongated frustoconical shape that tapers from the proximal end to the distal end in a manner that tapers as it approaches the opening 115 of the flow path 116 in the suction space 111. The tapered cylindrical portion 161 is inclined in a manner that the distal end is located forward with respect to the proximal end (refer to Figure 3 ). In addition, the tapered cylindrical portion 161 is inclined in a manner that the distal end is located downward with respect to the proximal end (refer to Figure 4 ). The tapered cylindrical portion 161 is supported in this posture by the housing 120.

[0034] The shaft portion 163 is fitted into the tapered cylindrical portion 161 in a manner that it can rotate integrally with the tapered cylindrical portion 161. The shaft portion 163 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) that is disposed between the side wall 123 and the side partition wall portion 127a inside the accommodation space 112. A pulley 131 is attached to the shaft portion 163. A belt 166 is stretched over the pulley 131, and the belt 166 is stretched over a motor shaft of a motor that is disposed in the accommodation space 112. Thus, the first cleaning roller 141 rotates based on the driving of the motor.

[0035] The plurality of cleaning portions 162 are used to clean dust on the floor. The plurality of cleaning portions 162 are each a belt-shaped portion provided in a spiral shape in the range from the base end to the distal end of the tapered cylindrical portion 161. The cleaning portions 162 are formed of a material capable of elastically deforming. For example, the cleaning portions 162 can be formed of a plurality of bristles, can be formed of a belt-shaped elastic body, a belt-shaped elastic resin, or can be formed of a belt-shaped cloth material.

[0036] The cleaning portions 162 protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the tapered cylindrical portion 161 in a substantially uniform amount in the range from the base end to the distal end of the tapered cylindrical portion 161. The amount of protrusion of the cleaning portions 162 is set to a value such that the cleaning portions 162 protrude to a position lower than the lower side surface of the housing 120 via the suction space 111 and come into contact with the floor.

[0037] The cleaning portions 162 are not parallel with respect to the central axis of the tapered cylindrical portion 161. In detail, the cleaning portions 162 are provided in a direction twisted with respect to the central axis of the tapered cylindrical portion 161. That is, the positions of the base end and the distal end of the cleaning portions 162 in the circumferential direction of the tapered cylindrical portion 161 are different from each other.

[0038] The second cleaning roller 142 is bilaterally symmetrical with the first cleaning roller 141. That is, the distal end of the second cleaning roller 142 faces the distal end of the first cleaning roller 141. The second cleaning roller 142 is longer in the left-right direction from the distal end of the second cleaning roller 142 toward the side wall 124. An axle portion 163 is embedded in the tapered cylindrical portion 161 of the second cleaning roller 142 in a manner rotatable integrally with the tapered cylindrical portion 161. The axle portion 163 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) disposed between the side wall 124 and the side partition wall portion 127a in the accommodation space 112. A pulley 132 is attached to the axle portion 163. A belt 168 is stretched over the pulley 132, and the belt 168 is stretched over a motor shaft of a motor accommodated in the accommodation space 112. Thus, the second cleaning roller 142 is rotated based on the driving of the motor.

[0039] The first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 are slightly shorter than half the length between the left and right side walls 123, 124, and thus a gap 118 (see FIG. 2) is formed between the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. Figure 3 、 Figure 4 The gap 118 is formed adjacent to the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. The gap 118 is formed in the substantially center of the suction space 111 in the left-right direction. The gap 118 is located in front of the opening 115 of the flow path 116. That is, the gap 118 is arranged side by side with the opening 115 in the opening direction of the opening 115. The gap 118 is used to remove long dust (e.g., hair) that is entangled in the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142.

[0040] In the housing 120, a shielding portion 117 for narrowing the opening area of ​​the suction space 111 is provided below the opening 115 of the flow path 116. The shielding portion 117 protrudes from the inner wall dividing the suction space 111 in the housing 120 toward the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. Specifically, the shielding portion 117 protrudes from the rear partition wall portion 127b located behind the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 and the gap 118 toward the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 (see reference). Figure 3 , Figure 5 ).exist Figure 3 , Figure 5 In this example, the shielding portion 117 protrudes from the lower end of the rear partition wall portion 127b toward the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. Thus, the shielding portion 117 is disposed on the lower side of the housing body 120a. By providing the shielding portion 117, the area in the suction space 111 not occupied by the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 can be reduced. For example, the shielding portion 117 can reduce the area of ​​the downward-opening opening in the suction space 111.

[0041] More specifically, the shielding portion 117 has a gap-facing portion 117a formed at the center of the rear lower wall 126b in the left-right direction and roller-facing portions 117b formed on the left and right sides of the gap-facing portion 117a. The gap-facing portion 117a protrudes to the vicinity of the gap 118 between the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers 141 and 142 (see reference). Figure 3 The roller-facing portion 117b protrudes to the vicinity of the distal end side of the first and second cleaning rollers 141 and 142, which is closer to the distal end than the base end. The protruding end of the roller-facing portion 117b is inclined relative to the left-right direction in a manner that is approximately along the outer surface of the tapered cylindrical portion 161 of the first and second cleaning rollers 141 and 142. As a result, the roller-facing portion 117b is prevented from contacting the first and second cleaning rollers 141 and 142, and the suction space 111 is opened to the outside of the shielding portion 117 in the left-right direction.

[0042] Furthermore, the location of the shielding portion 117 is not limited to the portion constituting the lower side of the housing body 120a. For example, the shielding portion 117 may also protrude from the portion of the rear partition wall portion 127b located above the lower end toward the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. The rear partition wall portion 127b is an example of a portion of the inner wall of the housing adjacent to the portion of the first and second cleaning rollers that forms the narrow diameter, the portion adjacent to the gap 118, and the portion adjacent to the gap 118 between the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers. Furthermore, in Figure 5 The second cleaning roller 142 is shown in a simplified form.

[0043] Flange portions 119 extending to the left and right ends of the rear partition wall portion 127b are formed on the left and right sides of the shielding portion 117. The flange portions 119 also protrude from the rear partition wall portion 127b toward the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. However, the protruding amount of the flange portions 119 is set to be smaller than that of the shielding portion 117 to avoid contact with the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. In addition, the flange portions 119 can be omitted.

[0044] A second dust collecting portion 155 formed of a napped cloth that naps on a cloth surface is provided on the lower side of the gap facing portion 117a of the shielding portion 117. In addition, regarding the material of the second dust collecting portion 155, it is not limited to the napped cloth as long as it can trap dust when the suction appliance 100 is moved forward and backward. The second dust collecting portion 155 is disposed on the lower side of the gap facing portion 117a at a position overlapping the opening of the flow path 116 in the vertical direction.

[0045] The second dust collecting portion 155 is formed in a substantially rhombus shape as a whole, and has a first portion 155a inclined with respect to the left-right direction to push dust to the outside in the left-right direction when the suction appliance 100 is moved forward, and a second portion 155b inclined with respect to the left-right direction (see Figure 3 ) to push dust to the outside in the left-right direction when the suction appliance 100 is moved backward. The first portion 155a has two sides extending from a vertex located at the center in the left-right direction to the obliquely rear side with respect to the left-right direction. The second portion 155b has two sides extending from a vertex located at the center in the left-right direction to the obliquely front side with respect to the left-right direction. A vertex T at which the first portion 155a and the second portion 155b intersect is located forward with respect to the boundary B between the roller facing portion 117b and the saliva portion 119. Thus, when the suction appliance 100 is moved forward and backward, the first and second portions 155a, 155b apply a force pushing dust to the left-right direction to the dust, so that the dust is easily sucked from the outside in the left-right direction of the shielding portion 117 to the suction space 111. In addition, the shape of the second dust collecting portion 155 is not limited to the substantially rhombus shape. For example, it can be formed in an elliptical shape, a triangular shape, as long as the second dust collecting portion 155 can push dust to the outside in the left-right direction when the suction appliance 100 is moved forward or backward. In addition, the second dust collecting portion 155 can be omitted.

[0046] A plurality of rollers 151, 152 are disposed on the lower side of the housing main body 120a. As shown in Figure 3 , the plurality of rollers 151, 152 have a pair of left and right rollers 151, 151 disposed on the left and right lower walls 126a, 126a and a middle roller 152 disposed on the rear lower wall 126b.

[0047] The pair of left and right rollers 151, 151 are rotatably mounted to the left and right lower walls 126a, 126a (seeFigure 3 ). In this state, the pair of left and right rollers 151, 151 protrude downward from the lower side surfaces of the left and right lower walls 126a, 126a.

[0048] The intermediate roller 152 is disposed in the rear lower wall 126b on the inner side in the left and right directions with respect to the left and right rollers 151, 151 (see FIG. 2). The intermediate roller is rotatably mounted to the rear lower wall 126b. In this state, the intermediate roller 152 protrudes downward from the lower side surface of the rear lower wall 126b. In addition, the intermediate roller 152 can be omitted. Figure 3 ). The intermediate roller is rotatably mounted to the rear lower wall 126b. In this state, the intermediate roller 152 protrudes downward from the lower side surface of the rear lower wall 126b. In addition, the intermediate roller 152 can be omitted.

[0049] The pair of rear rollers 153, 153 are rotatably mounted to the rear bracket 158 which protrudes rearward from the central position in the left and right directions of the rear lower wall 126b which constitutes the lower side surface of the housing main body 120a (see FIG. 2). The pair of rear rollers 153, 153 protrude downward from the lower side surface of the rear bracket 158. In addition, the rear bracket 158 can be omitted. In this case, the pair of rear rollers 153, 153 are omitted. Figure 3 ). The pair of rear rollers 153, 153 protrude downward from the lower side surface of the rear bracket 158. In addition, the rear bracket 158 can be omitted. In this case, the pair of rear rollers 153, 153 are omitted.

[0050] In the above-described suction device 100, the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 are formed in a manner that becomes narrower as the opening 115 of the flow path 116 toward the central opening 115 in the left and right directions in the suction space 111 is approached, so that dust entangled in the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 can be moved in the left and right directions toward the opening 115 of the flow path 116. In this case, in the portion where the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 have a large diameter, a larger portion of the suction space 111 is occupied by the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142, and, in contrast, in the portion where the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 have a small diameter, the area of the opening of the suction space 111 occupied by the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 is relatively small, so that in the vicinity of the opening 115 of the flow path 116, the remaining area of the opening of the suction space 111 where the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 are not present becomes large. In order to reduce this large remaining area (opening area of the suction space 111), the shielding portion 117 is provided. That is, the shielding portion 117 protrudes toward the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 from the rear partition wall portion 127b of the partition wall 127 which divides the suction space 111. As a result, the gap between the portion of the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 which becomes narrow and the rear partition wall portion 127b adjacent to this portion becomes small, so that the decrease in the suction force in the suction space 111 is suppressed.

[0051] In the inhalation device 100 described above, the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 are tapered toward the distal ends, and thus dust wound around the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 moves toward the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. At this time, since the gap 118 is formed between the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142, dust that has reached the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 is easily removed through the gap 118 between the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. On the other hand, the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 are tapered toward the distal ends, and the gap 118 is formed between the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. Moreover, in this portion, the shield portion 117 protrudes from the rear partition wall portion 127b of the partition wall 127 toward the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. Thus, the opening area of the suction space 111 that is not occupied by the portions of the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 that are tapered becomes small due to the shield portion 117, and thus the decrease in the suction force in the suction space 111 is suppressed.

[0052] In the inhalation device 100 described above, the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 are supported by the housing 120 in a posture in which the distal ends are located forward with respect to the base ends, and thus most of the area on the front side in the suction space 111 is occupied by the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. Thus, the shield portion 117 is not provided on the front side of the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. On the other hand, on the rear side of the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142, a relatively large area in which the suction space 111 is not occupied by the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 is generated. The shield portion 117 is provided in such a manner that this area on the rear side becomes narrow. That is, the shield portion 117 protrudes from the rear partition wall portion 127b of the partition wall 127 toward the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 on the rear side of the gap 118 between the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. As a result, the substantial opening area of the suction space 111 becomes small, and thus the decrease in the suction force in the suction space 111 is suppressed.

[0053] In the inhalation device 100 described above, the shield portion 117 protrudes from the lower end of the rear partition wall portion 127b toward the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142, and is thus disposed in the portion that constitutes the lower side surface of the housing 120. Thus, the opening area of the suction space 111 that is open on the lower side surface of the housing 120 becomes small. Thus, the decrease in the suction force in the suction space 111 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0054] In the above-described suction device 100, the second dust collecting portion 155 is provided on the lower side of the shield portion 117 provided on the portion of the lower side surface of the housing 120, and thus comes into contact with the ground. Therefore, when the suction device 100 moves forward, dust is accumulated on the front side of the second dust collecting portion 155, and when the suction device 100 moves backward, dust is accumulated on the rear side of the second dust collecting portion 155. Further, the second dust collecting portion 155 has two edges extending from the apex located at the center in the left-right direction to the obliquely rear side with respect to the left-right direction, and thus dust accumulated on the front side of the second dust collecting portion 155 is sucked into the suction space 111 by the force of being pushed out to the obliquely front side from the two edges of the second dust collecting portion 155. At this time, since the second dust collecting portion 155 is provided at a position overlapping the opening 115 of the flow path 116 in the up-down direction, dust sucked into the suction space 111 is easily sucked into the opening 115 of the flow path 116. In this way, by using the lower side of the shield portion 117 as a place to provide the second dust collecting portion 155, even dust that cannot be cleaned by the first and second cleaning rollers 141 and 142 can be easily collected to the cleaner 101.

[0055] In the above-described suction device 100, the second dust collecting portion 155 has a first portion 155a inclined with respect to the left-right direction to push dust to the outside in the left-right direction when the suction device 100 moves forward, and thus dust can be pushed to the outside in the left-right direction by the first portion 155a when the suction device 100 moves forward. Therefore, dust trapped by the second dust collecting portion 155 is easily sucked into the suction space 111 from the outside in the left-right direction of the shield portion 117.

[0056] In the above-described suction device 100, the second dust collecting portion 155 has a second portion 155b inclined with respect to the left-right direction to push dust to the outside in the left-right direction when the suction device 100 moves backward, and thus dust can be pushed to the outside in the left-right direction by the second portion 155b when the suction device 100 moves backward. Therefore, dust trapped by the second dust collecting portion 155 is easily sucked into the suction space 111 from the outside in the left-right direction of the shield portion 117.

[0057] In the above-described suction device 100, the second dust collecting portion 155 is formed of a napped cloth, and thus dust is easily entangled on the dust collecting portion. Therefore, dust can be more reliably trapped to the second dust collecting portion 155 when the suction device 100 moves forward and backward.

[0058] The above-described suction device 100 is one embodiment of the present application, and the specific configuration thereof can be appropriately changed within the scope of the gist of the present application. Hereinafter, a modified example of the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0059] In the suction device 100 described above, two first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 are provided, but the cleaning roller for cleaning dust on the floor can also be one cleaning roller in which the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 are combined in the left-right direction. In this case, the cleaning roller of the modification is formed so as to taper toward the center position in the left-right direction.

[0060] In the suction device 100 described above, the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 are supported by the housing 120 in a posture in which the distal end of the tapered cylindrical portion 161 is located forward with respect to the base end, but can be supported by the housing 120 in a posture in which the center of the distal end surface of the tapered cylindrical portion 161 overlaps the center of the base end surface in the left-right direction. In this case, a relatively wide area in which the suction space 111 is not occupied by the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142 can also be generated on the front side of the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142, and therefore the shielding portion 210 can also be arranged on the front side of the gap 118 between the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142. In this case, the shielding portion 210 is configured to protrude from the front side of the gap 118 in the inner side surface of the front cover 129 toward the first and second cleaning rollers 141, 142, for example, as shown in FIG. 10. In this case, the shielding portion 117 can also be omitted. In addition, in Figure 6 Figure 6 In the above-described embodiment, the second cleaning roller 142 is simply shown.

[0061] The above-described embodiment mainly has the following configuration.

[0062] The suction device according to an aspect of the above-described embodiment is a suction device mounted to a cleaning machine that sucks dust, and includes a housing formed so as to divide a suction space and formed with a flow path extending rearward from an opening that is open to the center in the width direction of the suction space, a cleaning roller arranged in the suction space and longer in the width direction, and a shielding portion arranged in the suction space. The cleaning roller has a shape that tapers as it approaches the opening of the flow path. The shielding portion protrudes from a portion of the inner wall of the housing that divides the suction space and adjacent to a portion of the cleaning roller that becomes thin in diameter, toward the cleaning roller.

[0063] ​According to the above-described configuration, the cleaning roller is formed in a manner that becomes thinner as it approaches the opening of the flow path that is open to the center of the width direction in the suction space, and thus dust that is entangled in the cleaning roller is caused to move toward the opening of the flow path in the width direction. In this case, in a portion where the cleaning roller has a large diameter, a larger portion of the suction space is occupied by the cleaning roller, and in contrast, in a portion where the cleaning roller has a small diameter, the area occupied by the cleaning roller is relatively small. That is, in the vicinity of the opening of the flow path, the remaining area in which the cleaning roller is not present becomes large. In order to reduce the volume of this large remaining area, the shielding portion is provided. That is, the shielding portion protrudes from the portion of the inner wall that partitions the suction space, which is adjacent to the portion of the cleaning roller that becomes thin, toward the cleaning roller. As a result, the gap between the portion of the cleaning roller that becomes thin and the inner wall adjacent to this portion becomes narrow, and thus a decrease in the suction force in the suction space is suppressed.

[0064] In the above-described configuration, the cleaning roller can also have a first cleaning roller and a second cleaning roller that are arranged in the suction space in a manner that they are aligned with each other in the width direction. The first cleaning roller and the second cleaning roller can also be arranged in a manner that the distal ends of the first cleaning roller and the second cleaning roller are located at positions that are separated from each other in the width direction. The shielding portion can also protrude from the portion of the inner wall that partitions the suction space, which is adjacent to the portion of the first cleaning roller that becomes thin, the portion adjacent to the gap, and the portion of the inner wall that is adjacent to the portion of the second cleaning roller that becomes thin, toward the cleaning roller.

[0065] According to this configuration, the first cleaning roller and the second cleaning roller become thinner as they go toward the distal ends, and thus dust that is entangled in the first and second cleaning rollers moves toward the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers. At this time, since a gap is formed between the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers, dust that reaches the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers easily passes through the gap between the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers and is removed. On the other hand, the first and second cleaning rollers become thinner as they go toward the distal ends, and a gap is formed between the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers. Furthermore, in this portion, the shielding portion protrudes from the portion of the inner wall that partitions the suction space, which is adjacent to the portion of the first cleaning roller that becomes thin, the portion adjacent to the gap, and the portion of the inner wall that is adjacent to the portion of the second cleaning roller that becomes thin, toward the cleaning roller. Thus, the volume of the suction space that is not occupied by the portions of the first and second cleaning rollers that become thin becomes small, and thus a decrease in the suction force in the suction space is suppressed.

[0066] In the above-described configuration, the first cleaning roller and the second cleaning roller can also be supported by the housing in a posture in which the distal ends are positioned forward with respect to the base ends. The shield portion can also protrude from the inner wall toward the cleaning roller side at a rear side of the gap between the distal ends of the first cleaning roller and the second cleaning roller.

[0067] According to this configuration, the first cleaning roller and the second cleaning roller are supported by the housing in a posture in which the distal ends are positioned forward with respect to the base ends, and thus a large portion of the area of the front side in the suction space is occupied by the first and second cleaning rollers. Therefore, the shield portion can not be provided at the front side of the first and second cleaning rollers. On the other hand, at the rear side of the first and second cleaning rollers, a relatively large area in which the suction space is not occupied by the first and second cleaning rollers is generated. The shield portion is provided in a manner such that the area at the rear side becomes narrow. That is, the shield portion protrudes from the inner wall toward the cleaning roller side at a rear side of the gap between the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers. As a result, the actual opening area of the suction space becomes small, and thus a decrease in the suction force in the suction space is suppressed.

[0068] In the above-described configuration, the shield portion can also be disposed in a portion of the inner wall that constitutes a lower side surface of the housing.

[0069] According to this configuration, the shield portion is disposed in a portion of the inner wall of the housing that constitutes a lower side surface of the housing, and thus the opening area of the suction space that is open at the lower side surface can be made narrow. Therefore, a decrease in the suction force in the suction space can be more reliably suppressed.

[0070] In the above-described configuration, a dust collecting portion can also be provided at a lower side of the shield portion.

[0071] According to this configuration, the dust collecting portion is provided at a lower side of the shield portion that is disposed at a lower side surface of the housing, and thus comes into contact with the ground. Therefore, dust accumulates at the front side of the dust collecting portion when the suction device moves forward, and accumulates at the rear side of the dust collecting portion when the suction device moves rearward. The dust that accumulates at the front and rear sides of the dust collecting portion is sucked into the cleaner via the suction space. In this way, by using the lower side of the shield portion as a portion in which the dust collecting portion is disposed, even dust that cannot be cleaned by the cleaning rollers can be collected into the cleaner.

[0072] In the above-described configuration, the dust collecting portion can have a first portion that is inclined with respect to the width direction, to push dust toward the outside in the width direction when the suction device moves forward. The suction space can be open at the outside in the width direction of the shield portion.

[0073] According to this configuration, when the suction device moves forward, dust that is captured by the dust collecting portion is easily sucked into the suction space from the outside in the width direction of the shield portion by the first portion.

[0074] In the above-described configuration, the dust collecting portion can also have a second portion inclined with respect to the width direction to push dust to the outside in the width direction when the suction tool is moved rearward.

[0075] According to this configuration, when the suction tool is moved rearward, dust can be pushed to the outside in the width direction by the second portion, so dust captured by the dust collecting portion is easily sucked into the suction space from the outside in the width direction of the shielding portion.

[0076] In the above-described configuration, the dust collecting portion can also be formed of a raised cloth that is raised on a cloth surface.

[0077] According to this configuration, dust is easily entangled on the dust collecting portion, so dust can be more reliably captured by the dust collecting portion when the suction tool is moved forward and rearward.

[0078] Industrial applicability

[0079] The principle of the present embodiment is applicable to a device used in a cleaning operation.

Claims

1. An inhalation device mounted to a cleaning machine that sucks dust, characterized in that Comprising: a housing formed in a manner to divide an intake space, which is open at a lower side of the housing, and formed with a flow path extending rearward from an opening open to a center in a width direction in the intake space; a first cleaning roller disposed in the intake space and longer in the width direction; a second cleaning roller disposed in the intake space at a spacing apart from the first cleaning roller in the width direction; and a shield portion disposed in the intake space; wherein a gap is formed between distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers, the first and second cleaning rollers have a shape that tapers as it approaches the opening of the flow path, the shield portion protrudes toward the cleaning rollers from a portion of an inner wall of the housing that divides the intake space, which is adjacent to a portion of the first cleaning roller that becomes thin in diameter, a portion adjacent to the gap, and a portion adjacent to a portion of the second cleaning roller that becomes thin in diameter.

2. The suction appliance according to claim 1, wherein: the first and second cleaning rollers are supported by the housing in a posture in which the distal ends are forward relative to proximal ends, the shield portion protrudes toward the cleaning rollers from the inner wall at a rear side of the gap between the distal ends of the first and second cleaning rollers.

3. The suction appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the shield portion is disposed in a portion of the inner wall that constitutes a lower side of the housing. Further comprising:

4. Inhalation device according to claim 3, characterized in that a dust collecting portion provided at a lower side of the shield portion.

5. The suction appliance according to claim 4, wherein: the dust collecting portion has a first portion inclined relative to the width direction to push dust outward in the width direction when the suction appliance is moved forward, the intake space is open at an outer side of the width direction of the shield portion.

6. The suction appliance according to claim 5, wherein: the dust collecting portion has a second portion inclined relative to the width direction to push dust outward in the width direction when the suction appliance is moved rearward.

7. The suction appliance according to claim 4, wherein: the dust collecting portion is formed of a napped cloth that has a nap on a cloth surface. ​

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