Electric dust collector

Abstract

Provided is an electric vacuum cleaner capable of reducing noise. An electric vacuum cleaner is provided with: a cylindrical housing having an air inlet and an air outlet; an air passage through which air from the intake port flows to the exhaust port; an electric suction machine provided in the ventilation path; and a noise reduction unit which is provided in the ventilation path downstream of the electric suction machine in the airflow direction, and which reduces noise including the driving noise of the electric suction machine by means of the noise reduction unit. The noise reduction unit includes a noise reduction tube having a ventilation structure on at least a portion of the circumferential surface thereof.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2023-124394, 2023-124398, and 2023-124402, all filed on July 31, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0002] Electric vacuum cleaners have consistently faced demands for further reductions in operating noise (primarily from the electric suction unit). Patent Document 1 describes an electric centrifugal blower that uses centrifugal force generated by impeller rotation to pressurize fluid. This forces air, as the exhaust fluid, through an axial flow path formed on the outside of the motor housing, and then through an exhaust flow path formed by the contraction of the outer frame, expelling the air from the outlet to the outside of the machine, thereby reducing noise generated by the motor and impeller. Furthermore, the noise reduction effect is further enhanced by incorporating sound-absorbing materials inside the electric centrifugal blower.

[0003] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-93683 Summary of the Invention The technical problem to be solved by the present invention While the electric centrifugal blower described in Patent Document 1 can reduce noise to some extent, when this electric centrifugal blower is applied to an electric vacuum cleaner, for example, in order to avoid disturbing nearby residents with noise when the electric vacuum cleaner is running at night, it is desirable to further achieve quietness.

[0004] One aspect of the present invention is to provide an electric vacuum cleaner in view of the above circumstances.

[0005] Solution for solving the problem One aspect of the present invention provides an electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a cylindrical housing having an air intake and an exhaust port; a ventilation path for directing air from the air intake to the exhaust port; an electric suction unit disposed in the ventilation path; and a noise reduction section disposed in the ventilation path downstream of the electric suction unit in the airflow direction, which reduces noise including the driving sound of the electric suction unit by means of a noise reduction section, the noise reduction section including a noise reduction tube having an air-permeable structure on at least a portion of its circumferential surface.

[0006] Invention Effects According to one aspect of the present invention, an electric vacuum cleaner is capable of reducing noise. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1This is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the main body of the electric vacuum cleaner in the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 A longitudinal section of the noise reduction section on the suction side of the main body of the vacuum cleaner.

[0011] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 3 A longitudinal section view of the noise reduction section on the exhaust side of the main body of the vacuum cleaner.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the main body of the vacuum cleaner in a modified example 1 of the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the noise reduction section on the suction side of the vacuum cleaner body according to the second embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the noise reduction section on the suction side of the vacuum cleaner body according to the third embodiment.

[0015] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 Sectional view along line II.

[0016] Figure 10 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the noise reduction section on the exhaust side of the vacuum cleaner body according to the fourth embodiment.

[0017] Figure 11 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the noise reduction section on the exhaust side of the vacuum cleaner body according to the fifth embodiment.

[0018] Figure 12 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a variation of the fifth embodiment, Example 1.

[0019] Figure 13 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the noise reduction section on the exhaust side of the vacuum cleaner body according to the sixth embodiment.

[0020] Figure 14 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a variation of the sixth embodiment, Example 1.

[0021] Figure 15 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a modified example 2 of the sixth embodiment.

[0022] Figure 16 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a variation of the sixth embodiment, Example 3.

[0023] Figure 17 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the exhaust-side noise reduction section of the seventh embodiment.

[0024] Figure 18 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the exhaust-side noise reduction section of the eighth embodiment.

[0025] Figure 19 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the exhaust-side noise reduction section of the ninth embodiment.

[0026] Figure 20 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the exhaust-side noise reduction section of the tenth embodiment.

[0027] Figure 21 It is Figure 20 A magnified longitudinal section view. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0029] (First Implementation) Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present invention. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 is a stick-type electric vacuum cleaner including a vacuum cleaner body 2 and a suction inlet body 3 detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner body 2. The housing 5 of the vacuum cleaner body 2 has a cylindrical main body portion 6, a cylindrical conical portion 7 connected to the main body portion 6, a cylindrical first thin housing portion 8 connected to the conical portion 7, a cylindrical curved portion 9 connected to the first thin housing portion 8, and a cylindrical second thin housing portion 10 connected to the curved portion 9. In this embodiment, the housing 5 is entirely cylindrical, but not limited to a cylindrical shape; it may also be partially or entirely cylindrical, or a cylindrical shape with a polygonal cross-section.

[0030] The inhalation port 3 has an inhalation port body 11 placed on the ground F, a joint 12 connected to the inhalation port body 11, and a connecting tube 13 connected to the joint 12. The connecting tube 13 is connected to the inhalation port body 11 via the joint 12, and the connecting tube 13 can rotate relative to the inhalation port body 11 in the front-back direction and the left-right direction. Here, the direction in which the inhalation port 3 moves forward is defined as forward, and the opposite side is defined as rearward. The right side facing forward is defined as right, and the opposite side is defined as left.

[0031] Figure 2This is a longitudinal sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the first embodiment. In the housing 5 of the vacuum cleaner body 2, among the main body portion 6, the first thin housing portion 8, and the second thin housing portion 10, the main body portion 6 has the largest inner and outer diameters, the first thin housing portion 8 has the second largest inner and outer diameters, and the second thin housing portion 10 has the smallest inner and outer diameters. Inside the housing 5, a partition wall 21 is provided at the boundary between the first thin housing portion 8 and the second thin housing portion 10 to separate the internal spaces of the first thin housing portion 8 and the second thin housing portion 10. The internal spaces of the first thin housing portion 8 and the second thin housing portion 10 are not connected.

[0032] Figure 2 The image shows the state of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 cleaning the floor F. At this time, the user holds the second thin housing portion 10, with the suction inlet 3 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 at the front and the second thin housing portion 10 at the rear. The vacuum cleaner body 2 is tilted rearward from the lower end 14 towards the upper end 15. The second thin housing portion 10 is formed to be thinner than the first thin housing portion 8 and functions as a handle for easy gripping by the user. It is further tilted towards the floor F relative to the first thin housing portion 8 for even easier gripping. In the following description, it will sometimes be referred to as... Figure 2 The lower end 14 of the vacuum cleaner body 2 shown is referred to as one end 14, and the upper end 15 is referred to as the other end 15.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the vacuum cleaner body 2 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the first embodiment. The housing 5 of the vacuum cleaner body 2 has an air intake 31 on the end face of one end 14 of the main body 6, and an exhaust port 32 around the main body 6. Inside the housing 5 are: a ventilation passage 33 that directs air from the air intake 31 to the exhaust port 32; an electric suction unit 34 provided in the ventilation passage 33; a dust collection part 35 provided in the ventilation passage 33, which is located upstream of the electric suction unit 34 in the airflow direction; an air intake-side noise reduction part 36 provided in the ventilation passage 33 between the dust collection part 35 and the electric suction unit 34, forming part of the ventilation passage 33; and an exhaust-side noise reduction part 37 provided in the ventilation passage 33 between the electric suction unit 34 and the exhaust port 32, forming part of the ventilation passage 33. In addition, in this embodiment, the suction inlet body 3 is provided with a suction inlet body-side noise reduction part 22 (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0034] like Figure 3 As shown, the second thin housing portion 10 is located away from the electric suction machine 34 and has a hollow interior. However, this hollow interior can accommodate a battery that serves as the power source for driving the electric suction machine 34, or a plugged power cord that can be connected to a commercial power source. The connecting portion 13a of the connecting tube portion 13 of the suction inlet body 3 (see reference) Figure 2 The suction port 31 can be inserted into and connected to the housing 5 of the vacuum cleaner body 2.

[0035] In the vacuum cleaner body 2, the main body 6 contains, in sequence from the air intake 31 side, a dust collection section 35, an air intake noise reduction section 36, and an electric suction unit 34. The dust collection section 35 has an inlet 35a at one end for air containing dust to flow in from the air intake 31, and an outlet 35b at the other end for discharging dust-free air to the air intake noise reduction section 36. A dust collection bag or dust collection device is housed within the internal space of the dust collection section 35. In the case of a dust collection bag, a paper bag, which collects dust within a breathable bag body, is used. In the case of a dust collection device, if it includes a container body and a filter, a configuration is considered in which dust captured by the filter accumulates within the container body, and dust-free air is discharged from the exhaust port of the dust collection device. Alternatively, in the case of a cyclone dust collection device, a cyclone section comprising a centrifugal separation section (inner cylinder section) and a container body is considered. Dust is separated by the cyclone section and stored within the container body, while the dust-free air is discharged from the exhaust port of the cyclone section. Near the dust collection section 35, an openable and closable cover (not shown) forming part of the housing 5 is provided. Opening the cover allows the dust bag or dust collection device (dust collection container) to be removed from the dust collection section 35 and the dust to be discarded. The cover has a double structure integrating a portion of the outer wall (housing 5) and a portion of the wall forming the dust collection section 35, allowing the dust bag to be removed. The double-structured cover also reduces operating noise. Furthermore, to more effectively reduce wind shear noise (inhalation), a filter-type dust collection device and dust bag are preferred compared to a cyclone dust collection device. This is because in a cyclone dust collection device, the wind speed in the cyclone section is higher, increasing wind shear noise. Filter-type dust collection devices and dust bags, because they do not have a cyclone section, can reduce wind shear noise (suction) compared to cyclone-type dust collection devices.

[0036] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 The image shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the suction-side noise reduction section 36 of the vacuum cleaner body. The suction-side noise reduction section 36 includes a noise reduction tube 41, which has an opening 36a at one end connected to the outlet 35b of the dust collection section 35 and an opening 36b at the other end connected to the air intake 34a of the electric suction unit 34. The suction-side noise reduction section 36 is designed to reduce ventilation noise, including airflow from the dust collection section 35 to the suction-side noise reduction section 36, and the drive noise of the electric suction unit 34 propagating from the electric suction unit 34 to the suction-side noise reduction section 36. Detailed specifications and noise reduction function of the suction-side noise reduction section 36 will be described in detail later.

[0037] Cylindrical noise-reducing covers 38 and 39 are provided around the noise-reducing tube 41 and around the electric suction machine 34. The suction-side noise-reducing section 36 includes the noise-reducing cover 38 around the noise-reducing tube 41. There is a gap between the housing 5 and the noise-reducing covers 38 and 39, which forms part of the ventilation passage 33. On the housing 5, a plurality of through-hole-shaped exhaust ports 32 are provided in the area extending from the exhaust port 35b of the dust collection section 35 to the electric suction machine 34, and which becomes the lower surface during cleaning.

[0038] Return to Figure 3 The exhaust-side noise reduction section 37 includes a noise reduction pipe 51. This noise reduction pipe 51 has an opening 37a at one end connected to the noise reduction cover 39 and an opening 37b at the other end disposed near the partition wall 21 within the first thin housing section 8 (see reference). Figure 5 The other end opening 37b of the noise-reducing tube 51 opens toward the partition wall 21 at the other end of the first thin housing portion 8. This exhaust-side noise-reducing portion 37 is designed to reduce ventilation noise, including airflow from the electric suction machine 34 downstream in the airflow direction, and the drive noise of the electric suction machine 34 propagating downstream in the airflow direction. The detailed configuration and noise-reducing effect of this exhaust-side noise-reducing portion 37 will be described in detail later. In the vacuum cleaner body 2, the dust collection portion 35, the suction-side noise-reducing portion 36, the electric suction machine 34, and the exhaust-side noise-reducing portion 37 are arranged sequentially from upstream to downstream in the airflow direction of the ventilation path 33 on the same central axis 40.

[0039] like Figure 3As shown, the ventilation passage 33 partially includes a first exhaust passage 33A extending from the electric suction machine 34 into the first narrow housing portion 8, and a second exhaust passage 33B that turns back at the partition wall 21 within the first narrow housing portion 8 and extends to the exhaust port 32. The first exhaust passage 33A is an exhaust passage formed by the noise-reducing tube 51 of the exhaust-side noise-reducing portion 37, and the second exhaust passage 33B is an exhaust passage formed by the outer periphery of the noise-reducing tube 51 and the first narrow housing portion 8. Further, the ventilation passage 33 has a first expansion portion 33C at the turning-back portion of the first exhaust passage 33A and the second exhaust passage 33B, and a second expansion portion 33D in the middle of the second exhaust passage 33B. Therefore, when the electric suction machine 34 is driven, the air in the ventilation path 33 flows from the intake port 31 through the dust collection section 35, the intake-side noise reduction section 36, the electric suction machine 34, and the first exhaust path 33A, enters the first expansion section 33C, then flows back into the second exhaust path 33B, and is discharged to the outside through the exhaust port 32 via the second expansion section 33D in the middle of the second exhaust path 33B. Furthermore, sound-absorbing material can also be attached to the partition wall 21. The intake air passes through multiple noise-reducing sections before being discharged from the exhaust port 32. These sections include: noise reduction from the intake-side noise-reducing section 22 (described later), noise reduction from the intake-side noise-reducing section 36, noise reduction from the exhaust-side noise-reducing section 37, noise reduction from the second exhaust path 33B (forming a longer exhaust path by a bend between the exhaust-side noise-reducing section 37 and the exhaust port 32 with the first exhaust path 33A and the second exhaust path 33B), noise reduction from the first expansion section 33C located at the bend between the first exhaust path 33A and the second exhaust path 33B, and noise reduction from the second expansion section 33D located midway through the second exhaust path 33B. Therefore, compared to the case without multiple noise-reducing sections, the noise reduction effect is improved, resulting in a quieter electric vacuum cleaner. At this time, since the dust collection part 35, the suction side noise reduction part 36, the electric suction machine 34 and the exhaust side noise reduction part 37 are arranged on the same central axis 40 inside the housing 5, exhaust loss can be suppressed and suction performance can be maintained.

[0040] <Inhalation Side Decrease Section> Return to Figure 4The intake-side noise reduction section 36 has a ventilable noise reduction tube 41. The noise reduction tube 41 includes a straight tube section 41a that extends straight with a certain inner and outer diameter, and a tapered section 41b whose opening widens towards the upstream side (one end side) in the airflow direction. Hereinafter, the tapered section 41b of the noise reduction tube 41 of the intake-side noise reduction section 36 is sometimes referred to as the first tapered section 41b. The first tapered section 41b is provided on the upstream side (one end side) in the airflow direction of the noise reduction tube 41, and the opening 36a at the end with the largest opening of the first tapered section 41b is connected to the outlet 35b of the dust collection section 35. The other end (the end on the other end side) of the first tapered section 41b with the smallest opening is connected to one end (the end on the one end side) of the straight tube section 41a. Alternatively, the straight tube section 41a may also be in a shape that does not have a tapered section 41b at one end side. In the absence of a tapered portion, the capacity of the dust collection portion 35 can be increased by extending the dust collection portion 35 at the location where the tapered portion originally existed. Alternatively, the noise reduction effect can be improved by extending the straight tube portion 41a to the location where the tapered portion originally existed and providing the through hole 42 (described later) in the extended portion. Furthermore, the straight tube portion 41a of the noise-reducing tube 41 can be replaced by a bent tube, a tube bent into a crank shape, or the like.

[0041] The noise-reducing tube 41 has an air-permeable structure on at least a portion of its circumference. In this embodiment, the air-permeable structure of the noise-reducing tube 41 is a plurality of through holes 42 penetrating the inner and outer surfaces of the straight tube portion 41a. The range of the plurality of through holes 42 is the entire circumference of the straight tube portion 41a, and extends from one end of the straight tube portion 41a to the vicinity of the opening 36b at the other end. The plurality of through holes 42 allow air inside the straight tube portion 41a to pass through the expansion chamber 43, which serves as the internal space between the straight tube portion 41a and the noise-reducing cover 38. The expansion chamber 43 is an annular space centered on the central axis 40 of the vacuum cleaner body 2. In this embodiment, the through holes 42 are circular, but the shape of the through holes 42 is not limited to a circle; it can also be elliptical, oblong, triangular, quadrilateral, or other polygonal (including lattice-shaped), or irregular in shape. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the through hole 42 penetrates the straight tube portion 41a in a direction perpendicular to the central axis 40, but the through hole 42 may also penetrate the straight tube portion 41a in a direction inclined relative to the central axis 40. Additionally, the range of providing multiple through holes 42 may not cover the entire circumference of the straight tube portion 41a along its long side, but rather a portion, such as a range from near one end of the straight tube portion 41a to near the opening 36b at the other end, or a range from the end of one end of the straight tube portion 41a to the opening 36b at the other end. Alternatively, the through hole 42 may not be provided in the middle of the straight tube portion 41a, but rather within a predetermined range at one end and a predetermined range at the opening 36b at the other end.

[0042] like Figure 4As shown, an annular sealing component (not shown) is provided around the air intake 34a of the electric suction machine 34, and the opening 36b at the other end of the noise-reducing tube 41 is tightly fitted to this sealing component. The inner diameter of the opening 36b at the other end of the noise-reducing tube 41 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the air intake 34a of the electric suction machine 34, and completely surrounds the air intake 34a at the opening 36b at the other end.

[0043] In this embodiment, a connecting cylindrical portion 44 is provided at the other end of the noise-absorbing tube 41. The connecting cylindrical portion 44 has an inner diameter and an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter and outer diameter of the opening 36b at the other end of the noise-absorbing tube 41. The opening 44a at the other end of the connecting cylindrical portion 44 is connected to the opening 39a at one end of the noise-absorbing cover 39. Further, a stepped portion 44b is provided on the connecting cylindrical portion 44 further away from the opening 44a at the other end, and the opening 38a at the other end of the noise-absorbing cover 38 is fitted and connected to the outer peripheral surface of the stepped portion 44b. The opening 38b at one end of the noise-absorbing cover 38 abuts against the outer surface of the first tapered portion 41b of the noise-absorbing tube 41 with approximately no gap.

[0044] According to this embodiment, during cleaning, noise leakage to the outside of the housing 5 can be suppressed by the suction-side noise reduction section 36 as follows: the noise includes airflow noise generated when air enters and exits the dust collection section 35 and drive noise generated from the electric suction machine 34. The noise generated on the dust collection section 35 side and the electric suction machine 34 side is transmitted to the interior of the noise reduction tube 41. This noise (sound wave) is introduced into the expansion chamber 43 through the multiple through holes 42 of the noise reduction tube 41, and is partially reduced by sound wave interference within the expansion chamber 43. As a result, the noise level leaking to the outside of the housing 5 is reduced. Furthermore, a noise reduction cover 38 is provided on the outer side of the other end of the straight tube section 41a and the first conical section 41b of the noise reduction tube 41, serving as the inner wall of the inner space (expansion chamber 43), and a housing 5 is provided on the outer side of the noise reduction cover 38, serving as the outer wall of the outer space (part of the second exhaust passage 33B). Thus, the intake-side noise reduction section 36, with its structure consisting of a wall (noise reduction tube 41), a space (expansion chamber 43), a wall (noise reduction cover 38), a space (part of the second exhaust passage 33B), and a wall (housing 5) arranged from the inside of the noise reduction tube 41 outwards, also contributes to noise reduction. Furthermore, the noise reduction cover 39 around the electric suction machine 34 also contributes to noise reduction.

[0045] <Exhaust Side Noise Reduction Section> Figure 5 It is shown Figure 3 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the exhaust-side noise reduction section 37 of the vacuum cleaner body 2. (See attached image.) Figure 5As shown, the first exhaust passage 33A has a sound-dampening pipe 51 that allows airflow. The sound-dampening pipe 51 has a straight pipe portion 51a and a tapered portion 51b whose opening widens towards the upstream side (one end side) in the airflow direction. Hereinafter, the tapered portion 51b of the sound-dampening pipe 51 of the exhaust-side sound-dampening section 37 is sometimes referred to as the second tapered portion 51b. The second tapered portion 51b is provided on the upstream side (one end side) in the airflow direction of the sound-dampening pipe 51, and the opening 37a at the end of the second tapered portion 51b with the largest opening is connected to the other end opening of the sound-dampening cover 39. The other end, which is the smallest opening of the second tapered portion 51b, is connected to one end of the straight pipe portion 51a. The high-frequency sound of the electric suction machine 34 is attenuated by reflection from the tapered inner surface of the second tapered portion 51b, whose cross-sectional area decreases as it flows downstream in the airflow direction. Furthermore, the length of the second tapered portion 51b from one end to the other is longer than the length of the electric suction machine 34 in the long side direction. In this way, by increasing the length of the second cone, the cone angle of the second cone 51b can be reduced, thereby improving the attenuation effect of high-frequency sounds.

[0046] The noise-reducing tube 51 has an air-permeable structure on at least a portion of its circumference. In this embodiment, the air-permeable structure of the noise-reducing tube 51 consists of a plurality of through holes 53 penetrating the inner and outer surfaces of the straight tube portion 51a. The range where the plurality of through holes 53 are provided is the entire circumference of the straight tube portion 51a, and extends from near one end of the straight tube portion 51a to near the middle. Within the range where the plurality of through holes 53 are provided in the straight tube portion 51a, a noise-reducing cover 56 is provided covering the plurality of through holes 53. The plurality of through holes 53 allow air inside the straight tube portion 51a to pass through an expansion chamber 57, which serves as the internal space between the straight tube portion 51a and the noise-reducing cover 56. The expansion chamber 57 is an annular space centered on the central axis 40 of the vacuum cleaner body 2. In this embodiment, the through holes 53 are circular, but the shape of the through holes 53 is not limited to this; they can also be elliptical, oblong, triangular, quadrilateral, or other polygonal (including lattice-shaped), or irregular in shape. The second exhaust passage 33B is an annular space surrounding the noise-reducing tube 51. Furthermore, the range where the multiple through holes 53 are provided can be the entire circumference of the straight tube portion 51a along its long side, or it can be a range from near one end of the straight tube portion 51a to near the opening 36b at the other end, or a range from one end of the straight tube portion 51a to the opening 37b at the other end. Alternatively, a structure can be adopted in which the through holes 53 are not provided in the middle of the straight tube portion 51a, but are provided within a predetermined range on one end side and a predetermined range on the other end opening 37b side. In this embodiment, the through holes 53 penetrate the straight tube portion 51a in a direction perpendicular to the central axis 40, but the through holes 53 can also penetrate the straight tube portion 51a in a direction inclined relative to the central axis 40.

[0047] During cleaning, noise generated on the side of the electric suction machine 34 is transmitted to the interior of the sound-absorbing tube 51. This noise (sound wave) is introduced into the expansion chamber 57 through multiple through holes 53 of the sound-absorbing tube 51, and is partially attenuated by sound wave interference within the expansion chamber 57. This reduces the noise level leaking to the outside of the housing 5. Furthermore, sound-absorbing material can be provided covering at least a portion of at least one of the outer and inner surfaces of the sound-absorbing tube 51, and sound-absorbing material can also be provided covering at least a portion of at least one of the outer and inner surfaces of the sound-absorbing cover 39. Additionally, the electric suction machine 34 is preferably mounted to the sound-absorbing cover 39 and the conical portion 51b of the sound-absorbing tube 51 via elastic members such as rubber. This reduces the transmission of vibration from the electric suction machine 34 to the sound-absorbing cover 39 and the conical portion 51b. Furthermore, the sound-absorbing cover 39, the sound-absorbing tube 51, etc., are preferably mounted to the inner surface of the housing 5 via elastic members such as rubber. This reduces the transmission of vibration from the electric suction machine 34 to the housing 5. Alternatively, rubber (e.g., butyl rubber) can be adhered to the electric suction unit 34, the noise reduction cover 39, the noise reduction tube 51, etc. This reduces the transmission of vibration from the electric suction unit 34 to the housing 5. Furthermore, the second expansion portion 33D around the exhaust-side noise reduction section 37 is formed by making the angle formed by the tapered portion 7 of the housing 5 relative to the central axis 40 more gradual than the angle formed by the tapered portion 51b of the noise reduction tube 51 of the exhaust-side noise reduction section 37 relative to the central axis 40, and by making the end of the tapered portion 7 on the first thin housing portion 8 side located closer to the second thin housing portion 10 side (the other end side) than the end of the tapered portion 51b on the straight tube portion 51a side (see reference). Figure 5 ).

[0048] <Regarding the sound-dampening section on the side of the inhalation port> like Figure 2 As shown, the suction inlet body-side noise reduction section 22 is located inside the connecting pipe section 13 of the suction inlet body 3. The suction inlet body-side noise reduction section 22 has a noise reduction tube 22b with multiple through holes 22a distributed throughout its circumference. An expansion chamber 23 surrounding the noise reduction tube 22b is provided between the housing of the connecting pipe section 13 and the noise reduction tube 22b. During cleaning, noise generated on the side of the vacuum cleaner body 2 is transmitted to the interior of the suction inlet body-side noise reduction section 22. This sound wave is introduced into the expansion chamber 23 through the through holes 22a and is partially reduced by sound wave interference within the expansion chamber 23. This reduces the noise level leaking to the outside. Alternatively, the suction inlet body 3 may have multiple through holes on the upper wall of the rotating brush storage section housing the rotating brush 24, an expansion chamber above the upper wall of the rotating brush storage section, and another suction inlet body-side noise reduction section. This other suction inlet body-side noise reduction section can reduce noise including the driving sound and airflow sound of the rotating brush 24.

[0049] As described above, in the first embodiment (refer to...) Figure 2In this embodiment, the noise-generating parts—rotating brush 24, dust collection unit 35, and electric suction unit 34—are concentrated upstream of the airflow direction of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, while no noise source is located downstream. Furthermore, a second thin shell part 10, which is thinner than the first thin shell part 8 and functions as a handle, is located at the end opposite to the farthest point from the suction inlet body 3, for ease of gripping by the user. With this structure, the noise source is located away from the user using the electric vacuum cleaner 1, and a noise-reducing structure is provided on the side closest to the user, making it difficult for noise to be transmitted to the user. In this embodiment, the dust collection unit 35, the straight tube part 41a of the noise-reducing tube 41, the noise-reducing covers 38 and 39, and the straight tube part 51a of the noise-reducing tube 51 are constructed using cylindrical components to form the vacuum cleaner body 2, but it is not limited to a cylindrical shape; it can also be partially or entirely square-shaped, or it can be a cylindrical shape with a polygonal cross-section.

[0050] (Modification 1 of the first embodiment) Figure 6 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the main body of the vacuum cleaner in Modified Example 1 of the first embodiment. Figure 6 In, with Figure 3 Elements with the same reference numerals are labeled with the same reference numerals. In the vacuum cleaner body 2X of this modified example 1, the multiple exhaust ports 32 are located in the housing 5 at a position further to one end than the electric suction unit 34. That is, in the first embodiment (see...) Figure 3 In the first example, the exhaust port 32 is located in the portion overlapping with the electric suction machine 34. However, in the second example, the exhaust port 32 is not located in the portion overlapping with the electric suction machine 34. For example, the exhaust port 32 can be located in the area from near the exhaust port 35b of the dust collection section 35 to the front of the electric suction machine 34, and in the portion that becomes the lower surface during cleaning. In this way, since there is no exhaust port 32 opposite to and close to the sound damping cover 39 covering the electric suction machine 34, the situation is different from the case where there is an exhaust port 32 opposite to and close to the sound damping cover 39 (see the example). Figure 3 Compared to [other methods], this can reduce noise leakage to the outside.

[0051] (Modification 2 of the first embodiment) exist Figure 4In the first embodiment of the sound-absorbing section 36 shown, a plurality of through holes 42 are provided on the circumferential surface of the sound-absorbing tube 41 as a ventilable structure. However, the ventilable structure provided on the circumferential surface of the sound-absorbing tube 41 is not limited to a plurality of through holes 42. For example, a ventilable porous sound-absorbing material may be provided on the circumferential surface (inner surface) of the sound-absorbing tube 41 without through holes. In this case, the portion from the sound-absorbing tube 41 to the sound-absorbing cover 38 may be omitted. Alternatively, a portion of the sound-absorbing tube 41 without through holes may be constructed using a ventilable porous sound-absorbing material. In this case, noise (sound waves) is reduced by entering the expansion chamber 43 through the sound-absorbing material.

[0052] (Second Implementation) Figure 7 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the noise reduction section 61 on the suction side of the vacuum cleaner body 2 according to the second embodiment. Figure 7 In, with Figure 4 Elements that are identical in the drawings are labeled with the same reference numerals. The only difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is the configuration of the inhalation-side noise reduction section 61; the other configurations in the second embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0053] like Figure 7 As shown, in the second embodiment, the intake-side sound-absorbing section 61 has a sound-absorbing tube 41 with a straight tube portion 41a and a tapered portion 41b, the same as in the first embodiment, and a sound-absorbing material 62 covering the entire outer surface of the straight tube portion 41a of the sound-absorbing tube 41. For example, sheet-like foamed polyurethane can be used as the sound-absorbing material 62. By configuring the sound-absorbing material 62, sound waves attempting to enter the expansion chamber 43 are absorbed by the sound-absorbing material 62, thus further improving the sound insulation performance (sound reduction performance).

[0054] exist Figure 7 The illustration shows a case where a sheet-like sound-absorbing material 62 is wrapped around the outer surface of the sound-absorbing tube 41. However, the sound-absorbing material 62 can also be the size that extends approximately throughout the entire interior of the expansion chamber 43 (the size that fills approximately the entire interior of the expansion chamber 43). Alternatively, the sound-absorbing material 62 can cover a portion of the outer surface of the sound-absorbing tube 41, or at least a portion of the inner surface of the sound-absorbing tube 41, or at least a portion of both the outer and inner surfaces of the sound-absorbing tube 41.

[0055] Reference Figure 5The exhaust-side noise reduction section of the second embodiment is described. The exhaust-side noise reduction section has a noise reduction tube 51, identical to that of the first embodiment, having a straight tube portion 51a and a tapered portion 51b, and a sheet-like sound-absorbing material (not shown) covering the entire outer surface of the straight tube portion 51a of the noise reduction tube 51. For example, foamed polyurethane can be used as the sound-absorbing material. By configuring the sound-absorbing material, sound waves attempting to enter the expansion chamber 57 are absorbed by the sound-absorbing material, thus further improving the sound insulation performance. An example is shown where the sheet-like sound-absorbing material is wrapped around the outer surface of the noise reduction tube 51, but the sound-absorbing material can also be approximately the size that extends throughout the entire interior of the expansion chamber 57 (approximately the size that fills the entire interior of the expansion chamber). Furthermore, the sound-absorbing material can cover a portion of the outer surface of the noise reduction tube 51, or at least a portion of the inner surface of the noise reduction tube 51, or at least a portion of both the outer and inner surfaces of the noise reduction tube 51.

[0056] Reference Figure 5 To further illustrate the second embodiment, a sound-absorbing material (not shown) (e.g., polyurethane foam) can also be provided in the second exhaust passage 33B. More specifically, the annular space around the sound-absorbing tube 51, which serves as the second exhaust passage 33B, can be filled with the sound-absorbing material. A sound-absorbing material that allows exhaust to pass through (having air permeability) is used. Thus, although exhaust may be slightly more difficult, the sound waves are absorbed by the sound-absorbing material, improving the sound reduction effect. Furthermore, the same sound-absorbing material can also be used to fill the first expansion portion 33C located at the reversal portion between the first exhaust passage 33A and the second exhaust passage 33B, and the second expansion portion 33D located midway through the second exhaust passage 33B.

[0057] (Third implementation method) Figure 8 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the noise reduction section 71 on the suction side of the vacuum cleaner body 2 according to the third embodiment. Figure 9 yes Figure 8 Sectional view along line II. Figure 8 In, with Figure 4 Elements that are identical in the drawings are labeled with the same reference numerals. The only difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is the configuration of the inhalation-side noise reduction section 71; the other configurations in the third embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences between the third embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0058] like Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, in the third embodiment, the suction-side noise reduction section 71 further includes a circular reflector 72 disposed between the cones of the first conical section 41b and reflecting the driving sound from the electric suction machine 34. The reflector 72 has multiple feet 73 fixed to the inner surface of the first conical section 41b. The reflector 72 has a planar area larger than the area of ​​the smallest opening 74 of the first conical section 41b, and is positioned overlapping the smallest opening 74 of the first conical section 41b when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the electric suction machine 34 (direction of the central axis 40). The reflector 72 is made of resin, metal, or a composite material thereof.

[0059] A gap is provided between the reflector 72 and the inner surface of the first conical portion 41b to allow air and noise from the dust collection section 35 to pass through. By providing the reflector 72 in the suction-side noise reduction section 71 of the third embodiment, when sound waves (driving sounds) from the electric suction machine 34 pass through the straight tube portion 41a of the noise reduction tube 41, the sound waves are reflected by the reflector 72, thus reducing the situation where sound waves exiting the opening 74 directly face the dust collection section 35. In addition, the reflector can also be configured such that sound waves reflected by the reflector 72 and returning to the straight tube portion 41a collide with and cancel out sound waves from the electric suction machine 34 facing the straight tube portion 41a. Therefore, according to the suction-side noise reduction section 71 of the third embodiment, in the same manner as the first embodiment, the noise (sound waves) passing through the multiple through holes 42 of the straight tube portion 41a of the noise reduction tube 41 are reduced in the expansion chamber 43, and the noise reduction effect brought by the reflector 72 can also be obtained. Furthermore, if the noise-reducing tube 41 does not have a tapered portion 41b that expands towards the upstream side (one end side) of the airflow direction, the opening 74 can be connected to a hole in the end wall of the dust collection section 35 opposite to the opening 74 on the upstream side of the straight tube portion 41a. A grid plate can be provided at a slightly spaced position on the other end wall of the dust collection section 35, and a reflector plate 72 can be placed on the grid plate at a position overlapping with the opening 74. In this way, if a dust collection bag is housed inside the dust collection section 35, it can prevent the dust collection bag from being sucked into the opening 74 and clogging it. If a dust collection device is housed inside the dust collection section 35, and it is a dust collection device with a filter, the reflector plate 72 can be placed between the filter and the opening 74. In the case of a cyclone-type dust collection device, the reflector plate 72 can be placed between the exhaust port of the cyclone section and the opening 74.

[0060] (A variation of the third embodiment) Figure 8 The intake-side noise reduction section 71 of the third embodiment shown may also have sound-absorbing material covering at least a portion of at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the straight tube section 41a of the noise reduction tube 41.

[0061] (Fourth Implementation) Figure 10 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the exhaust-side noise reduction section 37X of the vacuum cleaner body according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 10 In, with Figure 5 Elements with the same characteristics are labeled with the same reference numerals. In the fourth embodiment, the exhaust-side noise reduction section 37X includes the same noise reduction tube 51 as in the first embodiment, and sound-absorbing material 58 disposed in the expansion chamber 57 such that it covers a plurality of through holes 53 of the noise reduction tube 51 from the outside. In the fourth embodiment, sound-absorbing materials 59 and 60 are further provided in the first expansion section 33C and the second expansion section 33D. The sound-absorbing material 59 is disc-shaped and is attached to the partition wall 21 inside the first expansion section 33C. The sound-absorbing material 60 is attached along the inner surface of the conical portion 7 of the shell 5 inside the second expansion section 33D. Other configurations in the fourth embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0062] The sound-absorbing material 58 can be disposed seamlessly within the expansion chamber 57. The sound-absorbing material 59 can also be formed into a cup shape with the partition wall 21 side as the bottom and the first thin shell portion 8 side as the periphery. Although the air permeability of the sound-absorbing material 59 is slightly reduced, it can be disposed seamlessly within the first expansion portion 33C. Although the air permeability of the sound-absorbing material 60 is slightly reduced, it can be disposed seamlessly within the second expansion portion 33D. Furthermore, of the three sound-absorbing materials 58, 59, and 60, only one can be disposed, or any two can be disposed in combination.

[0063] (Fifth Implementation) Figure 11 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the exhaust-side noise reduction section 61 of the vacuum cleaner body according to the fifth embodiment. Figure 11 In, with Figure 5 Elements that are identical in the drawings are labeled with the same reference numerals. The only difference between the fifth embodiment and the first embodiment is the configuration of the exhaust-side noise reduction section 61; the other configurations in the fifth embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences between the fifth embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0064] like Figure 11 As shown, in the fifth embodiment, the exhaust-side noise reduction section 61 includes a noise reduction pipe 62 having a bellows section 62a and a tapered section 51b.

[0065] The bellows section 62a of the noise-dampening tube 62 has an expansion space section 62b with an enlarged internal space in a direction orthogonal to the central axis 40 of the noise-dampening tube 62. Multiple expansion space sections 62b are provided at predetermined intervals in the direction of the central axis 40 and are not flexible. In this embodiment, the expansion space sections 62b are formed in a ring shape circumferentially in the bellows section 62a, and two are provided at predetermined intervals L1 in the direction of the central axis 40. In this embodiment, the interval L1 is approximately equal to the width L2 of the expansion space section 62b in the direction of the central axis 40, but the interval L1 can also be shorter than the width L2, and the number of expansion space sections 62b can be increased to three or more. Alternatively, the expansion space section 62b may not be ring-shaped; for example, it may be spiral-shaped, arc-shaped, etc., and the number of expansion space sections 62b may be only one.

[0066] In the gap between the bellows section 62a and the first thin shell section 8, the gap a between the expansion space 62b of the bellows section 62a and the first thin shell section 8 is narrower, while the gap b between the portion of the bellows section 62a without the expansion space 62b and the first thin shell section 8 is wider. For example, the width a can be approximately half the width b. Since the first exhaust passage 33A inside the bellows section 62a partially contains the expansion space 62b, sound waves (noise) passing through the first exhaust passage 33A can be attenuated compared to the case where the expansion space 62b is absent. Furthermore, since the second exhaust passage 33B also has a narrow gap a and a wide gap b in the direction of the central axis 40, sound waves (noise) passing through the second exhaust passage 33B can be attenuated compared to the case where the width of the second exhaust passage 33B is constant (uniformly either gap a or gap b). In this embodiment, an expansion portion 33E with a wide gap b is provided in the second exhaust passage 33B between the bellows 62a and the first thin shell section 8. Therefore, based on the first expansion portion 33C and the second expansion portion 33D, the expansion portion 33E becomes the third expansion portion.

[0067] (A variation of the fifth embodiment) Figure 12 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a variation of the fifth embodiment, Example 1. Figure 12 In, with Figure 11Elements with the same reference numerals are labeled with the same reference numerals. In a variation of the fifth embodiment, the exhaust-side noise reduction section 71 has the same noise reduction tube 62 as in the fifth embodiment and a sound-absorbing material 72 covering the inner surface of the expansion space 62b of the noise reduction tube 62. In this variation, the annular sound-absorbing material 72 is provided on the entire inner surface of the annular expansion space 62b, but the sound-absorbing material 72 may also be provided on a portion of the inner surface of the expansion space 62b. Furthermore, in this variation, the thickness of the sound-absorbing material 72 is approximately half the depth c (depth in the direction orthogonal to the central axis 40) of the expansion space 62b, but it may also be equal to the depth c of the expansion space 62b. By arranging the sound-absorbing material 72 in the expansion space 62b, sound waves (noise) passing through the first exhaust passage 33A can be absorbed by the sound-absorbing material 72, thus further improving the noise reduction performance. Furthermore, the sound-absorbing material may be provided to cover at least a portion of at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the noise reduction tube 62. For example, sound-absorbing material can also be provided on the outer surface of the sound-absorbing tube 62 of the expansion portion 33E. Furthermore, with... Figure 10 Similarly, sound-absorbing material can also be provided in the first expansion portion 33C and the second expansion portion 33D.

[0068] (Sixth Implementation Method) Figure 13 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the exhaust-side noise reduction section 81 of the vacuum cleaner body according to the sixth embodiment. Figure 13 In, with Figure 5 Elements that are identical in the drawings are labeled with the same reference numerals. The only difference between the sixth embodiment and the first embodiment is the configuration of the exhaust-side noise reduction section 81; the other configurations in the sixth embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences between the sixth embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0069] like Figure 13 As shown, in the sixth embodiment, the exhaust-side noise reduction section 81 includes a noise reduction tube 82 having two conical sections 51b and 82a. In the noise reduction tube 82, one end of the conical section 51b is the same as the second conical section 51b in the first embodiment, and the other end of the conical section 82a (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the third conical section 82a) is connected to the other end of the second conical section 51b. In this embodiment, the inclination of the conical inner surface of the third conical section 82a relative to the central axis 40 is gentler than that of the second conical section 51b, and the length of the third conical section 82a in the direction of the central axis 40 is longer than that of the second conical section 51b. By providing a long third conical section 82a in the noise reduction tube 82, sound waves (noise) passing through the third conical section 82a are reflected and attenuated on the inner surface of the third conical section 82a. Furthermore, the third tapered portion 82a is located between the first expansion portion 33C and the second expansion portion 33D, and this configuration is the same for variations 1 to 4 of the sixth embodiment described later.

[0070] (Modification 1 of the sixth embodiment) Figure 14 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a variation of the sixth embodiment, Example 1. Figure 14 In, with Figure 13 Elements with the same reference numerals are labeled with the same reference numerals. The exhaust-side noise reduction section 91 of the sixth embodiment has the same noise reduction tube 82 as in the sixth embodiment and a sound-absorbing material 92 covering the inner surface of the third conical section 82a of the noise reduction tube 82. In this modification 1, the cylindrical sound-absorbing material 92 covers the inner surface of the third conical section 82a, but it can also be covered by, for example, a semi-cylindrical sound-absorbing material 92, or by multiple sound-absorbing materials 92 divided into sections. Furthermore, in this modification 1, the inner surface of the other end of the third conical section 82a is not covered by the sound-absorbing material 92, but it can also be covered. In this modification 1, by arranging the sound-absorbing material 92 on the inner surface of the third conical section 82a, sound waves (noise) passing through the first exhaust passage 33A can be absorbed by the sound-absorbing material 92, thus further improving the noise reduction performance. Furthermore, the sound-absorbing material can be provided on at least a portion of at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the third conical section 82a; for example, the sound-absorbing material can be provided on the outer surface of the third conical section 82a. In this case, by providing multiple annular sound-absorbing materials of a certain thickness (for example, about half the thickness of the gap between the third tapered portion 82a and the first thin shell portion 8) on the outer surface of the third tapered portion 82a at intervals in the direction of the central axis 40, it is possible to form more than one expansion portion between the two sound-absorbing materials of the second exhaust passage 33B. Therefore, it is not necessary to process the third tapered portion 82a into a bellows-like shape, and it is possible to simply provide more than one expansion portion in the second exhaust passage 33B outside the tapered portion 82a.

[0071] (Modification 2 of the sixth embodiment) Figure 15 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a variation of the sixth embodiment, Example 2. Figure 15 In, with Figure 13 Elements with the same reference numerals are labeled with the same reference numerals. In this modified example 2, the noise-reducing tube 102 of the exhaust-side noise-reducing section 101 has a second conical section 51b, the same as in the sixth embodiment, and a third conical section 102a having a plurality of through holes 102b penetrating the inner and outer surfaces. In this modified example 2, noise generated on the side of the electric suction machine 34 is transmitted to the interior of the noise-reducing tube 102, and is introduced into the second exhaust path 33B through the plurality of through holes 102b of the noise-reducing tube 102. It is partially eliminated by sound wave interference within the second exhaust path 33B, and the noise level is reduced. Furthermore, although not shown, a similar feature may be provided on the outer surface of the third conical section 102a. Figure 5 A sound damping cover like the sound damping cover 56, which covers multiple through holes 102b from the outside.

[0072] (Modification 3 of the sixth embodiment) Figure 16 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a variation of the sixth embodiment, example 3. Figure 16 In, with Figure 15 Elements with the same reference numerals are labeled with the same reference numerals. In this variation 3, the noise-reducing tube 102 of the exhaust-side noise-reducing section 103 is constructed in the same manner as in variation 2 of the sixth embodiment. The exhaust-side noise-reducing section 103 also includes a sound-absorbing material 104 covering the outer surface of the third conical portion 102a of the noise-reducing tube 102. The sound-absorbing material 104 covers the third conical portion 102a from the outside through a plurality of through holes 102b. In this variation 3, noise generated on the side of the electric suction machine 34 is transmitted to the interior of the noise-reducing tube 102 of the exhaust-side noise-reducing section 101 and absorbed by the sound-absorbing material 104 through the plurality of through holes 102b of the noise-reducing tube 102, thus reducing the noise level. Furthermore, although not shown, a similar material can also be provided on the outer surface of the noise-reducing tube 102. Figure 5 The sound-absorbing cover 56 shown is used to cover the sound-absorbing material 104 from the outside. Furthermore, the thickness of the sound-absorbing material 104 can be partially varied, and recesses and protrusions can be formed on the surface of the sound-absorbing material 104, with an expansion portion formed in the second exhaust passage 33B of the recess. Additionally, the sound-absorbing material 104 can also be configured to cover at least a portion of at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the sound-absorbing tube 102.

[0073] (Modification 4 of the sixth embodiment) In order to suppress the noise reduction tube 82 of the sixth embodiment (see reference) Figure 13 To reduce exhaust pressure loss, multiple through holes can be provided at the other end of the third tapered portion 82a. (Refer to variations 1-3 of the sixth embodiment) Figures 14 to 16 The same applies to ( ).

[0074] (Seventh Implementation) Figure 17 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the exhaust-side noise reduction section 105 according to the seventh embodiment. Figure 17 In, with Figure 5 Elements that are identical in the drawings are labeled with the same reference numerals. The only difference between the seventh embodiment and the first embodiment is the configuration of the exhaust-side noise reduction section 105; the other configurations in the seventh embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences between the fourth embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0075] like Figure 17As shown, in the seventh embodiment, the exhaust-side noise reduction section 105 includes a noise reduction tube 106. This noise reduction tube 106 has a straight tube section 106a with a constant inner and outer diameter, a tapered section 51b connected to one end of the straight tube section 106a, and an inverted tapered section 106b connected to the other end of the straight tube section 106a. No through holes are provided on the straight tube section 106a. The cross-section of the inverted tapered section 106b in the direction orthogonal to the central axis 40 of the noise reduction tube 106 increases proportionally towards the downstream side (the other end side) in the airflow direction. In this fourth embodiment, by setting the other end side of the noise reduction tube 106 as an inverted tapered section 106b, wind shear noise generated at the other end of the noise reduction tube 106 can be reduced, thereby lowering the noise level. Furthermore, the inverted tapered section 106b is located between the first expansion section 33C and the second expansion section 33D; this configuration is also the same for variations 1 and 2 of the seventh embodiment described later.

[0076] (Modification 1 of the seventh embodiment) Figure 17 The cross-section of the inverted conical portion 106b of the sound damper 106 shown, in the direction orthogonal to the central axis 40, increases proportionally as it faces the other end. However, the cross-section of the inverted conical portion 106b can also increase exponentially as it faces the other end. For example, the inverted conical portion 106b can be formed into a bell shape, like a trumpet-shaped opening.

[0077] (Modification 2 of the seventh embodiment) In the seventh embodiment, sound-absorbing material can be provided on at least a portion of the inner surface of the sound-absorbing tube 106, or multiple through holes can be provided that penetrate the inner and outer surfaces of the sound-absorbing tube 106. Furthermore, sound-absorbing material can also be provided on the portion of the outer surface of the sound-absorbing tube 106 with the through holes. Additionally, when through holes are provided, sound-absorbing material can also be provided on the outer surface of the sound-absorbing tube 106 such as... Figure 5 The sound-absorbing cover 56 shown is designed to cover the through hole from the outside. Furthermore, when sound-absorbing material is provided on the outer surface of the straight tube portion 106a of the sound-absorbing tube 106, by providing multiple annular sound-absorbing materials with a certain thickness (for example, about half the thickness of the gap between the straight tube portion 106a and the first thin shell portion 8) spaced apart in the direction of the central axis 40, an expansion portion can be formed between the two sound-absorbing materials in the second exhaust passage 33B. Alternatively, sound-absorbing material with concave and convex surfaces can be provided on almost the entire outer surface of the straight tube portion 106a, forming an expansion portion in the concave second exhaust passage 33B.

[0078] As an existing type of electric vacuum cleaner, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-218706 discloses an electric vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner body and an air intake connected to one end (front) of the vacuum cleaner body. The vacuum cleaner body includes an electric blower chamber with a built-in small electric blower, a dust collection chamber disposed at one end of the electric blower chamber in communication with it, and a power supply component storage chamber disposed at the other end (rear) of the electric blower chamber in communication with it. According to this electric vacuum cleaner, by providing multiple protrusions and recesses inside the power supply component storage chamber, the noise during operation can be reduced.

[0079] In the electric vacuum cleaner disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-218706, due to the reduction in the outer diameter of the vacuum cleaner body, the vacuum cleaner body itself serves as the handle, resulting in a compact and highly usable vacuum cleaner. Consequently, the ventilation path for airflow within the vacuum cleaner body cannot be extended. Therefore, the ventilation path within the power supply component housing, which has multiple protrusions and recesses, is relatively short, and the noise reduction effect provided by the multiple protrusions and recesses cannot be fully utilized.

[0080] The electric vacuum cleaners described in the first to seventh embodiments are also electric vacuum cleaners that take the above-described situation into account.

[0081] The electric vacuum cleaners according to the first to seventh embodiments described above can also reduce noise.

[0082] (Eighth Implementation) Figure 18 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the exhaust-side noise reduction section 37 of the eighth embodiment. Figure 18 In, with Figure 5 Elements that are identical in the drawings are labeled with the same reference numerals. The eighth embodiment includes an exhaust-side noise reduction section 37 that is structurally identical to that of the first embodiment. The length L11 of the exhaust-side noise reduction section 37 in the direction of the central axis 40 is set to be more than twice the length L12 of the first expansion section 33C, the reversal portion of the ventilation path 33, in the direction of the central axis 40. Other configurations in the eighth embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0083] In this embodiment, the relationship between the length L11 of the straight section 51a of the noise-reducing tube 51 in the direction of the central axis 40 and the length L12 of the first expansion section 33C in the direction of the central axis 40 is as follows. If the length L11 of the straight section 51a in the direction of the central axis 40 is too short relative to the length L12 of the first expansion section 33C, the air discharged from the other end opening 37b of the straight section 51a is prone to bend back (shortcut) without hitting the partition wall 21 of the first thin housing section 8. Thus, the total length of the ventilation path 33 becomes substantially shorter, and the noise reduction effect is easily reduced. Furthermore, if the length L11 is too long relative to the length L12, the other end opening 37b of the straight section 51a is too close to the partition wall 21, and the space volume of the first expansion section 33C is too small. Therefore, the noise reduction effect of the first expansion section 33C is easily reduced. Therefore, the relationship between the length L11 and the length L12 can also be set as 2×(L12)≦L11≦3×(L12). Furthermore, when the length of the first thin housing portion 8 is set to length b, L12 can be set to "less than one-third" of length b. In this case, the straight tube portion 51a is inserted into the interior of the first thin housing portion 8 until "more than two-thirds" of the length b of the first thin housing portion 8 is reached. In this way, it is also difficult to generate airflow that is not shortened due to the air exiting from the other end opening 37b of the straight tube portion 51a hitting the partition wall 21 of the first thin housing portion 8, and the noise reduction effect of the first expansion portion 33C can be obtained without the space volume of the first expansion portion 33C being too small.

[0084] (Ninth Implementation) Figure 19 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the exhaust-side noise reduction section 1101 of the ninth embodiment. Figure 19 In, with Figure 5 Elements that are identical in the drawings are labeled with the same reference numerals. The exhaust-side noise reduction section 1101 of the fifth embodiment includes a noise reduction tube 51 and a sound-absorbing material 1102 that are structurally identical to those of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, sound-absorbing materials 1103 and 1104 are also provided in the first expansion section 33C and the second expansion section 33D. Other components in the ninth embodiment are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0085] Sound-absorbing material 1102 is disposed inside the sound-absorbing cover 56 and wrapped around the outer surface of the straight tube portion 51a of the sound-absorbing tube 51. Sound-absorbing material 1103 disposed inside the first expansion portion 33C is adhered to the partition wall 21 so as to face the opening 37b at the other end of the sound-absorbing tube 51. Sound-absorbing material 1104 disposed inside the second expansion portion 33D is adhered circumferentially along the inner surface of the conical portion 7 of the housing 5. With this configuration, since the sound-absorbing effect of multiple sound-absorbing materials 1102, 1103, and 1104 is added to the sound-absorbing effect of the first embodiment, noise can be further reduced. Alternatively, a configuration may be used in which at least one of multiple sound-absorbing materials 1102, 1103, and 1104 is provided.

[0086] (Tenth Implementation) Figure 20 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the exhaust-side noise reduction section of the tenth embodiment. Figure 21 It is Figure 20 A partially enlarged longitudinal section. Figure 20 and Figure 21 In, with Figure 3 Elements that are identical in the same way are labeled with the same reference numerals. In the vacuum cleaner body 120 of the tenth embodiment, as shown... Figure 20 As shown, the internal space of the first thin housing portion 8 communicates with the internal space of the second thin housing portion 10, which is narrower than the internal space of the first thin housing portion 8. The central axis 121 of the second thin housing portion 10 is inclined at an angle α relative to the central axis 40 of the first thin housing portion 8. The angle α is not particularly limited, but it is suitable to be set at an angle that makes it easy for the user to grip the second thin housing portion 10 during cleaning (for example, about 10° to 25°). By forming the second thin housing portion 10 to be thinner and inclined than the first thin housing portion 8, the operability of the vacuum cleaner body 120 is improved, which is also the case in the first to third embodiments, the eighth embodiment, and the ninth embodiment.

[0087] In the tenth embodiment, the exhaust-side noise reduction section 111 includes a noise reduction tube 115, which has: a first tube 112 inside the first thin housing 8; a second tube 113 extending from the interior of the other end of the first thin housing 8 to near the middle of the long side of the second thin housing 10 and being thinner than the first tube 112; and a tapered section 114 disposed between the first tube 112 and the second tube 113, tapering towards the downstream side (the other end side) in the airflow direction. Similar to the first embodiment, the noise reduction tube 115 has a plurality of through holes 53 extending from the middle of the central axis 40 of the first tube 112 to one end side, and a tapered section 51b (see reference) is connected to the end of the first tube 112 at one end side. Figure 20 ).

[0088] like Figure 21As shown, the second tube portion 113 of the noise-dampening tube 115 has a straight tube portion 113a provided on the central axis 40 and an inclined tube portion 113b disposed on the central axis 121 inclined at an angle α relative to the central axis 40 and connected to the other end of the straight tube portion 113a. The other end of the inclined tube portion 113b becomes the other end opening 116 of the noise-dampening tube 115. Further, the internal space of the second thin shell portion 10, which is located further to the other end than the other end opening 116, becomes the first expansion portion 133C, which serves as a folding portion, and the internal space between the first thin shell portion 8 and the tapered portion 114 of the noise-dampening tube 115 becomes the third expansion portion 122.

[0089] like Figure 21 As shown, the straight tube portion 113a of the second tube portion 113 of the muffler tube 115 extends from the other end of the first thin housing portion 8, past the bend 9, to one end of the second thin housing portion 10. The inclined tube portion 113b of the second tube portion 113 extends from one end of the second thin housing portion 10 to near the middle portion in the direction of the central axis 121 of the second thin housing portion 10. The length of the second thin housing portion 10 in the direction of the central axis 121 is approximately equal to the sum of the length L3 of the inclined tube portion 113b of the second thin housing portion 10 in the direction of the central axis 121 and the length L4 of the first expansion portion 133C of the second thin housing portion 10 in the direction of the central axis 121. Figure 13 In the middle, the length L3 of the inclined tube section 113b is more than half of the sum of L3 and L4.

[0090] If the length L3 of the inclined tube portion 113b is too short relative to the length L4 of the first expansion portion 133C, the air discharged from the opening 116 at the other end of the inclined tube portion 113b is prone to being shortened instead of impacting the end wall 10a of the second thin housing portion 10. This results in a substantially shorter overall length of the ventilation path 33, which can easily reduce the noise reduction effect. Furthermore, if the length L3 is too long relative to the length L4, the opening 116 at the other end of the inclined tube portion 113b is too close to the end wall 10a of the second thin housing portion 10, making the space volume of the first expansion portion 133C too small. Therefore, the noise reduction effect of the first expansion portion 133C can easily be reduced. Therefore, the relationship between length L3 and length L4 can also be set as L4≦L3≦2×(L4).

[0091] In the tenth embodiment, the spatial volume of the first expansion portion 133C is set in this way to be the same as that of the first expansion portion 33C in the first embodiment (see reference). Figure 3The spatial volume is the same as or larger than that of the first expansion portion 133C in the tenth embodiment. This is because, since the diameter of the first expansion portion 133C in the tenth embodiment is smaller than that of the first expansion portion 33C in the first embodiment, the space of the folding portion is expanded by making the length L4 longer than the length L2. In the tenth embodiment, the air folded back by the first expansion portion 133C in the second thin housing portion 10 flows through the annular ventilation path between the second pipe portion 113 and the second thin housing portion 10 and flows into the third expansion portion 122 in the first thin housing portion 8, where noise is reduced. Furthermore, when the total length in the direction of the central axis 40 of the housing 123 is set constant, compared to making the second thin housing portion 10 extend straight along the central axis 40, by making the central axis 121 of the second thin housing portion 10 inclined relative to the central axis 40 of the first thin housing portion 8, the total length of the ventilation path 33 can be extended, and the noise reduction effect can be easily improved. This is also the case in the first to third embodiments, the eighth embodiment, and the ninth embodiment.

[0092] As an existing type of electric vacuum cleaner, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-218706 discloses an electric vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner body and an air intake connected to one end (front) of the vacuum cleaner body. The vacuum cleaner body includes an electric blower chamber with a built-in small electric blower, a dust collection chamber disposed at one end of the electric blower chamber in communication with the electric blower chamber, and a power supply component storage chamber disposed at the other end (rear) of the electric blower chamber in communication with the electric blower chamber. According to this electric vacuum cleaner, by providing multiple protrusions and recesses inside the power supply component storage chamber, the noise during operation can be reduced through these protrusions and recesses.

[0093] In the electric vacuum cleaner disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-218706, due to the reduction in the outer diameter of the vacuum cleaner body, the vacuum cleaner body itself serves as the handle, resulting in a compact and highly usable vacuum cleaner. Consequently, the ventilation path for airflow within the vacuum cleaner body cannot be extended. Therefore, the ventilation path within the power supply component housing, which has multiple protrusions and recesses, is relatively short, and the noise reduction effect provided by the multiple protrusions and recesses cannot be fully utilized.

[0094] The electric vacuum cleaners described in the first to third embodiments and the eighth to tenth embodiments are also electric vacuum cleaners that take the above-described situation into account.

[0095] The electric vacuum cleaners described in the first to third embodiments and the eighth to tenth embodiments above can also effectively reduce noise.

[0096] One aspect of the present invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner, including, for example, the electric vacuum cleaner described below. Furthermore, without contradiction, one aspect of the present invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner comprising, within the scope of the following first embodiment, any one of the first to twelfth embodiments of the following first embodiment, any one of the first to ninth embodiments of the following second embodiment, and any one of the first to sixteenth embodiments of the following third embodiment.

[0097] The first aspect of the first method relates to an electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a cylindrical housing having an air intake and an exhaust port; a ventilation path for directing air from the air intake to the exhaust port; an electric suction unit disposed in the ventilation path; and a noise reduction unit disposed in the ventilation path downstream of the electric suction unit in the airflow direction, which reduces noise including the driving sound of the electric suction unit by means of a noise reduction section, the noise reduction section comprising a noise reduction tube having an air-permeable structure on at least a portion of its circumferential surface.

[0098] In the electric vacuum cleaner described in the second aspect of the first method, in the first aspect of the first method, the ventilable structure is a plurality of through holes penetrating the inner and outer surfaces of the noise-reducing tube.

[0099] In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the third aspect of the first method, in the second aspect of the first method, the noise reduction part further has a sound-absorbing material covering at least a portion of at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the noise reduction tube.

[0100] In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the fourth aspect of the first method, in any one of the first to third aspects of the first method, the noise reduction tube has a tapered portion whose opening narrows towards the downstream side in the airflow direction.

[0101] In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the fifth aspect of the first method, in the fourth aspect of the first method, the noise reduction section further has at least a portion of the outer surface and the inner surface of the tapered section covering the noise reduction tube.

[0102] In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the sixth aspect of the first method, in the fifth aspect of the first method, the noise-reducing tube has a plurality of through holes penetrating the inner and outer surfaces of the conical portion.

[0103] In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the seventh aspect of the first method, in the first aspect of the first method, the noise-reducing tube has one or a plurality of expansion spaces spaced apart in the direction of the central axis, and the internal space of the expansion spaces space expands in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the noise-reducing tube.

[0104] In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the eighth aspect of the first method, in the seventh aspect of the first method, the noise reduction section further includes a sound-absorbing material covering the inner surface of the expansion space portion of the noise reduction tube.

[0105] In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the ninth aspect of the first method, in any one of the first to third aspects of the first method, the noise reduction tube has an inverted conical portion whose opening increases towards the downstream side in the airflow direction.

[0106] In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the tenth aspect of the first method, in any one of the first to third aspects of the first method, the housing has a main body part in which an electric suction machine is provided and a thin housing part that is thinner than the main body part and is located away from the electric suction machine. The thin housing part has a first thin housing part connected to the main body part and a second thin housing part that is thinner than the first thin housing part and is connected to the end of the first thin housing part on the opposite side of the main body part. A partition wall is provided at the boundary between the first thin housing part and the second thin housing part to separate the internal space of the first thin housing part and the internal space of the second thin housing part. An end wall is provided at the end of the second thin housing part on the opposite side of the partition wall to seal the internal space of the second thin housing part.

[0107] The eleventh aspect of the first method relates to an electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum cleaner body having a housing with an air intake and an exhaust port, a ventilation path for directing airflow from the air intake to the exhaust port, an electric suction unit disposed in the ventilation path, a dust collection section disposed in the ventilation path upstream of the electric suction unit in the airflow direction, an air intake-side noise reduction section disposed in the ventilation path between the dust collection section and the electric suction unit, and an exhaust-side noise reduction section disposed in the ventilation path between the electric suction unit and the exhaust port; the housing having a main body portion in which the electric suction unit is disposed and a portion disposed at a position away from the electric suction unit and further upstream of the main body portion. The thin housing portion has an exhaust port located near the electric suction machine within the housing. The ventilation path has a first exhaust path extending from the electric suction machine into the thin housing portion and a second exhaust path that turns back within the thin housing portion and extends to the exhaust port. The turning-back portion of the first exhaust path and the second exhaust path has a first expansion portion, and the second expansion portion is located midway through the second exhaust path. The exhaust-side noise reduction portion has a tapered portion at the end of the first exhaust path on the upstream side of the airflow direction, with the opening widening towards the upstream side of the airflow direction. The thin housing portion has a first thin housing portion connected to the main body portion and a second thin housing portion connected to the first thin housing portion.

[0108] The twelfth aspect of the first method relates to an electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum cleaner body having a housing with an air intake and an exhaust port, a ventilation path for directing airflow from the air intake to the exhaust port, an electric suction unit disposed in the ventilation path, a dust collection section disposed in the ventilation path upstream of the electric suction unit in the airflow direction, an air intake-side noise reduction section disposed between the dust collection section in the ventilation path and the electric suction unit, and an exhaust-side noise reduction section disposed between the electric suction unit in the ventilation path and the exhaust port; and an intake port body capable of being connected to the air intake of the vacuum cleaner body, the housing having a main body portion in which the electric suction unit is disposed and a portion disposed away from the electric suction unit. The vacuum cleaner is positioned in a thin housing portion that is thinner than the main body. The exhaust port is located near the electric vacuum cleaner in the housing. The ventilation path has a first exhaust path extending from the electric vacuum cleaner into the thin housing portion and a second exhaust path that turns back into the thin housing portion and extends to the exhaust port. The turning-back portion of the first exhaust path and the second exhaust path has a first expansion portion, and the second expansion portion is located in the middle of the second exhaust path. The exhaust-side noise reduction portion has a tapered portion at the end of the first exhaust path on the upstream side of the airflow direction, with the opening widening towards the upstream side of the airflow direction. The suction inlet body has a connecting pipe portion that can be connected to the suction port of the vacuum cleaner body and a suction inlet body-side noise reduction portion.

[0109] The first aspect of the second method relates to an electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing having an air intake and an exhaust port; a ventilation path for directing air from the air intake to the exhaust port; an electric suction unit disposed in the ventilation path; and a noise reduction section forming part of the ventilation path further downstream in the airflow direction than the electric suction unit, for reducing noise including the driving sound of the electric suction unit. The noise reduction section includes a noise reduction tube having an air-permeable structure on at least a portion of its circumferential surface. The air intake is disposed at one end of the housing in the direction of the central axis, and the noise reduction tube has an opening at the other end of the housing in the direction of the central axis. The ventilation path has a first exhaust path from the electric suction unit to the opening at the other end and a second exhaust path between the noise reduction tube and the housing. The second exhaust path has a reversal section for reversing air flowing out from the opening at the other end, and the reversal section has a first expansion section for diffusing air flowing out from the opening at the other end.

[0110] In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the second aspect of the second method, in the first aspect of the second method, the second exhaust passage has a second expansion portion located at one end of the first expansion portion and causing the air flowing in the second exhaust passage to diffuse.

[0111] In the electric vacuum cleaner involved in the third aspect of the second method, in the second aspect of the second method, the second expansion part is located on the other end side, which is further away from the electric suction machine.

[0112] In the electric vacuum cleaner involved in the fourth aspect of the second method, in the third aspect of the second method, the exhaust port is located on a part of the housing that is further to one end than the electric suction machine.

[0113] In the electric vacuum cleaner involved in the fifth aspect of the second method, in the fourth aspect of the second method, the ventilable structure is a plurality of through holes penetrating the inner and outer surfaces of the noise reduction tube.

[0114] In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the sixth aspect of the second method, the fifth aspect of the second method further includes a sound-absorbing material covering at least a portion of at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the sound-absorbing tube.

[0115] In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the seventh aspect of the second method, in any one of the second to sixth aspects of the second method, a sound-absorbing material is provided in at least one of the first expansion portion and the second expansion portion.

[0116] The eighth aspect of the second method relates to an electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum cleaner body having a housing with an air intake and an exhaust port, a ventilation path for directing airflow from the air intake to the exhaust port, an electric suction unit disposed in the ventilation path, a dust collection section disposed in the ventilation path upstream of the electric suction unit in the airflow direction, an air intake-side noise reduction section disposed in the ventilation path between the dust collection section and the electric suction unit, and an exhaust-side noise reduction section disposed in the ventilation path between the electric suction unit and the exhaust port; the housing having a main body portion in which the electric suction unit is disposed and a portion disposed at a position away from the electric suction unit that is thinner than the main body portion. The housing has a fine shell section, with an exhaust port located near the electric suction machine within the housing. The ventilation path has a first exhaust path extending from the electric suction machine into the fine shell section and a second exhaust path that turns back within the fine shell section and extends to the exhaust port. The turning-back portion of the first exhaust path and the second exhaust path has a first expansion portion, and the second expansion portion is located midway through the second exhaust path. The exhaust-side noise reduction portion has a tapered portion at the end of the first exhaust path on the upstream side of the airflow direction, with the opening widening towards the upstream side of the airflow direction. The fine shell section has a first fine shell section connected to the main body section and a second fine shell section connected to the first fine shell section.

[0117] The ninth aspect of the second method relates to an electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum cleaner body having a housing with an air intake and an exhaust port; a ventilation path for directing airflow from the air intake to the exhaust port; an electric suction unit disposed in the ventilation path; a dust collection section disposed in the ventilation path upstream of the electric suction unit in the airflow direction; an air intake-side noise reduction section disposed in the ventilation path between the dust collection section and the electric suction unit; and an exhaust-side noise reduction section disposed in the ventilation path between the electric suction unit and the exhaust port; and an intake body capable of being connected to the air intake of the vacuum cleaner body. The housing has a main body portion in which the electric suction unit is disposed and a portion disposed at a position away from the electric suction unit. The thin shell section is thinner than the main body section. The exhaust port is located near the electric suction machine in the shell section. The ventilation path has a first exhaust path extending from the electric suction machine into the thin shell section and a second exhaust path turning back in the thin shell section and extending to the exhaust port. The turning back part of the first exhaust path and the second exhaust path has a first expansion part, and the second expansion part is located in the middle of the second exhaust path. The exhaust side noise reduction part has a tapered part with an opening that widens towards the upstream side of the airflow direction at the end of the first exhaust path. The suction inlet body has a rotating brush, a drive motor for the rotating brush, a connecting pipe section that can be connected to the suction port of the vacuum cleaner body, and a suction inlet body side noise reduction part.

[0118] The electric vacuum cleaner according to the first aspect of the third method comprises: a housing having an air intake and an exhaust port; a ventilation path for directing air from the air intake to the exhaust port; an electric suction unit disposed in the ventilation path; and a noise reduction section forming part of the ventilation path further downstream in the airflow direction than the electric suction unit, for reducing noise including the driving sound of the electric suction unit. The noise reduction section includes a noise reduction tube having an air-permeable structure on at least a portion of its circumferential surface. The air intake is disposed at one end of the housing in the direction of the central axis, and the noise reduction tube has an opening at the other end of the housing in the direction of the central axis. The ventilation path has a deflection section for deflecting and guiding air flowing out from the other end opening to the gap between the other end opening and the housing.

[0119] In the electric vacuum cleaner involved in the second aspect of the third method, in the first aspect of the third method, the ventilable structure is a plurality of through holes penetrating the inner and outer surfaces of the noise reduction tube.

[0120] In the electric vacuum cleaner involved in the third aspect of the third method, the second aspect of the third method further includes a sound-absorbing material covering at least a portion of at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the sound-absorbing tube.

[0121] In the electric vacuum cleaner involved in the fourth item of the third type, in the third item of the third type, the housing has a main body part in which an electric suction machine is provided and a thin housing part that is thinner than the main body part and is located away from the electric suction machine. The other end opening and the ventilation passage reversal part are provided in the thin housing part.

[0122] In the electric vacuum cleaner described in the fifth item of the third type, in the fourth item of the third type, the thin housing portion has a first thin housing portion connected to the main body portion and an end of the first thin housing portion connected to the opposite side of the main body portion, a second thin housing portion that is thinner than the first thin housing portion, and an opening at the other end and a folded portion of the ventilation path provided in the first thin housing portion or the second thin housing portion.

[0123] In the electric vacuum cleaner involved in the sixth third-party type, in the fifth third-party type, the internal space of the second thin shell portion is formed to be narrower than the internal space of the first thin shell portion, and the noise reduction tube has a first tube portion in the first thin shell portion and a second tube portion in the second thin shell portion that is thinner than the first tube portion.

[0124] In the electric vacuum cleaner involved in the seventh third-party specification, in the sixth third-party specification, the length of the second tube portion in the direction of the central axis of the second thin housing portion is greater than or equal to the length of the folded portion in the direction of the central axis of the second thin housing portion.

[0125] In the electric vacuum cleaner described in the eighth third-party specification, in any one of the fifth to seventh third-party specifications, the central axis of the second thin housing portion is inclined relative to the central axis of the first thin housing portion.

[0126] In the electric vacuum cleaner involved in the ninth item of the third type, in any one of the first to seventh items of the third type, the length of the noise reduction tube in the direction of the central axis is more than twice the length of the ventilation path in the direction of the central axis.

[0127] In the electric vacuum cleaner described in the tenth third type, in the sixth or seventh third type, a conical portion that tapers towards the downstream side in the airflow direction is provided between the first tube portion and the second tube portion, and an expansion portion is provided near the first tapered shell portion and the conical portion in the gap between the other end opening portion and the housing.

[0128] In the electric vacuum cleaner involved in the eleventh third-party method, in any one of the first to seventh third methods, a sound-absorbing material is provided in the folding section.

[0129] In the electric vacuum cleaner involved in the twelfth item of the third method, in any one of the first to seventh items of the third method, the exhaust port is located near the electric suction machine in the housing.

[0130] In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the thirteenth aspect of the third method, in the first or second aspect of the third method, the housing has a main body part in which an electric suction machine is provided and a thin housing part that is thinner than the main body part and is located away from the electric suction machine, and the other end opening and the ventilation passage reversal part are provided in the thin housing part.

[0131] In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the fourteenth item of the third method, in any one of the first to third items of the third method, the housing has a main body part in which an electric suction machine is provided and a thin housing part that is thinner than the main body part and is located away from the electric suction machine. The thin housing part has a first thin housing part connected to the main body part and a second thin housing part that is thinner than the first thin housing part and is connected to the end of the first thin housing part on the opposite side of the main body part. The other end opening and the folding part of the ventilation passage are provided in the second thin housing part.

[0132] The fifteenth aspect of the third method relates to an electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum cleaner body having a housing with an air intake and an exhaust port, a ventilation path for directing airflow from the air intake to the exhaust port, an electric suction unit disposed in the ventilation path, a dust collection section disposed in the ventilation path upstream of the electric suction unit in the airflow direction, an air intake-side noise reduction section disposed in the ventilation path between the dust collection section and the electric suction unit, and an exhaust-side noise reduction section disposed in the ventilation path between the electric suction unit and the exhaust port; the housing having a main body portion in which the electric suction unit is disposed and a thinner portion disposed at a position away from the electric suction unit, which is thinner than the main body portion. The housing portion has an exhaust port located near the electric suction machine within the housing. The ventilation path has a first exhaust path extending from the electric suction machine into the narrow housing portion and a second exhaust path that turns back within the narrow housing portion and extends to the exhaust port. The turning-back portion of the first exhaust path and the second exhaust path has a first expansion portion, and the second expansion portion is located midway through the second exhaust path. The exhaust-side noise reduction portion has a tapered portion at the end of the first exhaust path on the upstream side of the airflow direction, with the opening widening towards the upstream side of the airflow direction. The narrow housing portion has a first narrow housing portion connected to the main body portion and a second narrow housing portion connected to the first narrow housing portion via a bend.

[0133] The electric vacuum cleaner according to the sixteenth aspect of the third method comprises: a vacuum cleaner body having a housing with an air intake and an exhaust port, a ventilation path for directing air from the air intake to the exhaust port, an electric suction unit disposed in the ventilation path, a dust collection section disposed in the ventilation path upstream of the electric suction unit in the airflow direction, an air intake-side noise reduction section disposed in the ventilation path between the dust collection section and the electric suction unit, and an exhaust-side noise reduction section disposed in the ventilation path between the electric suction unit and the exhaust port; and an intake port body capable of being connected to the air intake of the vacuum cleaner body, the housing having a main body portion disposed of the electric suction unit and a portion disposed away from the electric suction unit. The machine is positioned with a thin shell portion that is thinner than the main body portion. The exhaust port is located near the electric suction machine within the shell portion. The ventilation path has a first exhaust path extending from the electric suction machine into the thin shell portion and a second exhaust path that turns back within the thin shell portion and extends to the exhaust port. The turning-back portion of the first exhaust path and the second exhaust path has a first expansion portion, and the second expansion portion is located in the middle of the second exhaust path. The exhaust-side noise reduction portion has a tapered portion at the end of the first exhaust path on the upstream side of the airflow direction, with the opening widening towards the upstream side of the airflow direction. The suction inlet body has a rotating brush, a connecting pipe portion that can be connected to the suction port of the vacuum cleaner body, and a suction inlet body-side noise reduction portion.

[0134] The preferred embodiments of the present invention include combinations of any of the above-described embodiments. In addition to the above-described embodiments, the present invention may have various modifications. These modifications should not be construed as being outside the scope of the present invention. The present invention should encompass the meaning equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the above-described scope.

Claims

1. An electric vacuum cleaner, characterized in that, have: A cylindrical housing having an air intake and an exhaust port; a ventilation path for directing airflow from the air intake to the exhaust port; an electric suction unit located in the ventilation path; and a noise reduction unit located in the ventilation path further downstream of the electric suction unit in the airflow direction, which reduces noise including the driving sound of the electric suction unit via a noise reduction section. The noise reduction section includes a noise reduction tube having a ventilable structure on at least a portion of its circumference.

2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ventilated structure consists of multiple through holes that connect the inner and outer surfaces of the noise-reducing tube.

3. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sound-absorbing section also has sound-absorbing material covering at least a portion of at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the sound-absorbing tube.

4. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The noise-reducing tube has a tapered section whose opening narrows towards the downstream side of the airflow direction.

5. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, characterized in that, The sound-absorbing section also has at least a portion of the outer surface and the inner surface of at least one of the tapered portion of the sound-absorbing tube covered by sound-absorbing material.

6. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The noise reduction section forms part of the ventilation path. The air intake is located at one end of the housing along its central axis, and the noise reduction tube has an opening at the other end of the housing along its central axis. The ventilation system has a first exhaust path from the electric suction machine to the opening at the other end, and a second exhaust path between the noise reduction pipe and the housing. The second exhaust passage has a deflection section that redirects air flowing out from the opening at the other end. The reversing section has a first expansion section that allows air flowing out from the opening at the other end to diffuse.

7. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second exhaust passage has a second expansion section located at one end of the first expansion section, which diffuses the air flowing in the second exhaust passage.

8. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second expansion section is located on the other end side, further away from the electric suction machine.

9. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, characterized in that, The exhaust port is located on one side of the housing, further away from the electric suction unit.

10. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes sound-absorbing material disposed in at least one of the first expansion portion and the second expansion portion.

11. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The noise reduction section forms part of the ventilation path. The air intake is located at one end of the housing along its central axis, and the noise reduction tube has an opening at the other end of the housing along its central axis. The ventilation path has a deflection section that causes air flowing out from the opening at the other end to be turned back and guided to the gap between the opening at the other end and the housing.

12. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, characterized in that, The housing has a main body portion in which an electric suction device is installed, and a thinner housing portion located away from the electric suction device and being thinner than the main body portion. The other end opening and the ventilation path reversal section are located inside the slim housing section.

13. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, characterized in that, The length of the sound-dampening tube along its central axis is more than twice the length of the ventilation path's bend along its central axis.

14. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, characterized in that, It also features sound-absorbing material located in the reversing section.

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