Working machine

Abstract

To provide a working machine that improves convenience by reducing the transmission of noise generated by a drive part to the outside of a housing.SOLUTION: The working machine includes a drive part 41 having a fan 44, a motor housing 20 and a dust housing 30 having an air inlet and an air outlet, a filter 32 capturing dust, a motor case 47 accommodating the drive part 41 and having an inner air outlet 47d, and an accommodation case 50 accommodating the motor case 47. The accommodation case 50 includes second to fourth air passages P2 to P4 in which the air exhausted from the inner air outlet 47d flows, and an outer air outlet 50a exhausting the air from the second to fourth air passages P2 to P4. The second to fourth air passages P2 to P4 are formed to be in a meandering shape that leads the air flow in a first direction and then in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and includes a sound absorbing material 54 disposed outside the accommodation case 50 and between the outer air outlet 50a and the air outlet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a work machine that generates an air flow by a fan rotated by a motor to suck in dust and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a cleaner (working machine) that generates an airflow by a fan rotated by a motor and sucks in dust and dirt. The cleaner described in Patent Document 1 has a fan motor housed inside a housing, and as the fan motor rotates, it sucks in air and dust from a dust collection unit intake port. The sucked in dust is then collected in a dust collection chamber, and the sucked in air passes through the inside of the fan motor via a filter member, and is then exhausted from inside the housing to the outside via a main body exhaust port. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 181031 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the working machine described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the fan motor (drive unit) is housed in an exposed state within the space inside the housing, which means that noise generated during operation of the fan motor is easily transmitted to the outside of the housing, resulting in a problem of loud operating noise.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a work machine which is more user-friendly by preventing noise generated by a drive unit from being transmitted to the outside of a housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One form of working machine has a drive unit including a motor having a rotating shaft and a fan rotated by the rotating shaft, a housing having an intake port for drawing in air by rotation of the fan and an exhaust port for discharging the drawn-in air, a filter provided inside the housing for capturing dust contained in the drawn-in air, an inner case that houses the drive unit and has an inner exhaust port for discharging the air discharged from the fan, and an outer case provided inside the housing and accommodating the inner case, wherein the outer case has an exhaust flow path through which the air discharged from the inner exhaust port flows, and an outer exhaust port for discharging the air flowing through the exhaust flow path, and the exhaust flow path is formed in a serpentine shape to direct the flow of air to one side and the other side opposite the one side, and has sound-absorbing material provided outside the outer case and arranged between the outer exhaust port and the exhaust port.

[0007] Another form of working machine has a drive unit including a motor having a rotating shaft and a fan rotated by the rotating shaft, a housing having an inlet for drawing in air by rotation of the fan and an outlet for discharging the drawn-in air, a filter provided inside the housing for capturing dust contained in the drawn-in air, an inner case that houses the drive unit and has an inner outlet for discharging the air discharged from the fan, and an outer case provided inside the housing for accommodating the inner case, wherein a first turning path is provided on the upstream side of the air flow path formed in the outer case for turning back the air discharged from the inner outlet and flowing the turned-back air between the inner case and the outer case, and a second turning path is provided on the downstream side of the air flow path formed in the outer case for turning back the air discharged from the first turning path and flowing the turned-back air between the outer case and the housing. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, noise generated by the drive unit is less likely to be transmitted to the outside of the housing, thereby improving convenience. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaner as viewed from the suction port side. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a view taken along the arrow A in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the cleaner. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the motor unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the motor unit as viewed from the intake port side. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view of the motor unit as viewed from the opposite side to the intake port side. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the sound-absorbing material alone. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 and illustrating an air flow path. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the second embodiment and corresponding to FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a motor unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a motor unit according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a front view of the motor unit of the fifth embodiment, as viewed from the intake port side. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] <Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cleaner as viewed from the suction port side, FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line A in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the cleaner.

[0012] <Cleaner Overview> As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the cleaner 10 as a work machine is a portable cleaner that can be held by a worker in one hand. The cleaner 10 includes a resin motor housing 20 and a resin dust housing 30 attached to the motor housing 20. The motor housing 20 and the dust housing 30 are examples of a housing. Specifically, the dust housing 30 is disposed on one side in the longitudinal direction of the cleaner 10 (the right side in the figure), and the motor housing 20 is disposed on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the cleaner 10 (the left side in the figure). The motor housing 20 and the dust housing 30 correspond to the housing in the present invention.

[0013] A battery pack (battery) 11 consisting of a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery is detachably provided in the motor housing 20. A motor unit 40 that is driven by a drive current supplied from the battery pack 11 is also accommodated inside the motor housing 20. The motor housing 20 is further provided with an operating section 12 that is operated by an operator, and an LED light 13 that lights up when the cleaner 10 is in operation to illuminate the front side of the dust housing 30 (the suction port 31 side).

[0014] One longitudinal side of the dust housing 30 is provided with an inlet 31 that draws in air by the rotation of a fan 44 (see FIG. 4) that forms the motor unit 40. The side of the dust housing 30 opposite to the side where the inlet 31 is provided, i.e., the other longitudinal side of the dust housing 30, is detachable from the longitudinal side of the motor housing 20.

[0015] A filter 32 is provided inside the dust housing 30. The filter 32 captures dust and other particles contained in the sucked air. In other words, the filter 32 has a function of separating the sucked air into dust and other particles and clean air. With the filter 32 as a boundary, dust and other particles are collected on the suction port 31 side, and clean air flows on the motor housing 20 (motor unit 40) side.

[0016] Here, the dust and other particles collected inside the dust housing 30 can be removed from the motor housing 20 and then the filter 32 can be removed from the dust housing 30, and then removed from the other longitudinal side of the dust housing 30 and discarded.

[0017] 3, inside the dust housing 30 and near the suction port 31, a flat rubber opening / closing body 33 is provided. The opening / closing body 33 opens with the airflow generated by driving the motor unit 40, and closes when the motor unit 40 is stopped. Therefore, dust and the like collected inside the dust housing 30 does not leak out from the suction port 31 to the outside.

[0018] <Motor housing> 1 to 3, the motor housing 20 is hollow, with the first housing half 20a and the second housing half 20b butted against each other and integrated with a total of four fixing screws S1. Specifically, the motor housing 20 includes a motor unit accommodating section 21 that accommodates the motor unit 40, a handle 22 that is provided with the operation section 12 and the LED light 13 and is held by the operator, and a battery attachment section 23 that extends in the same direction as the handle 22 and to which the battery pack 11 is attached.

[0019] The motor unit receiving portion 21 forming the motor housing 20 receives the receiving case 50 that forms the outer shell of the motor unit 40, and corresponds to the outer case receiving portion in the present invention.

[0020] Here, as shown in FIG. 3, when looking at the entire cross section of the dust housing 30 and the motor housing 20, the inner diameter dimension d1 of the motor unit accommodating section 21 is larger than the inner diameter dimension d2 of the handle 22, the inner diameter dimension d3 of the battery mounting section 23, and the inner diameter dimension d4 of the dust housing 30 (d1>d4>d3>d2).

[0021] That is, the cleaner 10 has the thickest thickness at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction, and the relatively heavy motor unit 40 is disposed in this portion (motor unit housing 21). This allows the operator to hold the relatively heavy battery pack 11 and motor unit 40 near the center of gravity via the handle 22. This provides good operability of the cleaner 10.

[0022] Both the handle 22 and the battery attachment section 23 extend in the axial direction (left-right direction in the figure) of the motor unit 40 (rotating shaft 42). One longitudinal side of each of the handle 22 and the battery attachment section 23 is connected to the motor unit housing section 21. In contrast, the other longitudinal side of the handle 22 is curved, so that the other longitudinal side of the handle 22 is connected to the other longitudinal side of the battery attachment section 23.

[0023] As a result, when viewed from the side, the motor housing 20 is formed in a substantially elliptical shape, and a space SP is formed inside the elliptical shape in which the operator's fingers (index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger) can be placed. Therefore, the operator can easily grip the handle 22 and easily operate the operating part 12 with the thumb or the like.

[0024] The LED light 13 is disposed on one longitudinal side of the handle 22, and the operating part 12 is disposed in the longitudinal center of the handle 22. This allows the LED light 13 to brightly illuminate the front side (suction port 31 side) of the dust housing 30, thereby improving the convenience of the cleaner 10 at night, etc.

[0025] 1 and 3, the operation unit 12 is provided with a total of three buttons 12a and a single warning light 12b. Depending on the operation of the button 12a, the motor unit 40 is driven in a strong mode, a standard mode, or a weak mode, or is stopped. The warning light 12b is turned on when the remaining capacity of the battery pack 11 becomes low. This allows the operator to easily know that the remaining drive time of the cleaner 10 is low.

[0026] A rail portion (not shown) is provided in the battery mounting portion 23 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the battery pack 11 is movable along the rail portion. A motor side terminal T (see FIG. 3) is provided on one longitudinal side of the rail portion, and a battery side terminal (not shown) provided on one longitudinal side of the battery pack 11 is electrically connected to the motor side terminal T when the battery pack 11 is fixed to the battery mounting portion 23.

[0027] Here, when removing the battery pack 11 from the battery attachment section 23, the battery pack 11 is moved to the other longitudinal side relative to the rail section while pressing the lock-free switch 11a provided on the battery pack 11.

[0028] Furthermore, a plurality of exhaust ports 23a are provided on the other longitudinal side of the battery mounting section 23. These exhaust ports 23a are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the battery mounting section 23, and are disposed on the other longitudinal side of the battery mounting section 23 relative to the motor-side terminal T. The plurality of exhaust ports 23a communicate the inside and outside of the battery mounting section 23, and exhaust air flowing inside the battery mounting section 23, that is, air sucked in through the intake port 31 and passed through the filter 32 (clean air from which dust and the like have been removed), to the outside.

[0029] In this manner, the motor unit 40 including the housing case 50 is disposed on one side of the handle 22 in the longitudinal direction, and the exhaust port 23a of the battery mounting portion 23 is disposed on the other side of the handle 22 in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] 3, the motor unit housing 21 that houses the motor unit 40 is disposed between the dust housing 30 and the battery mounting section 23 in the longitudinal direction of the cleaner 10. When the motor unit 40 is driven, an airflow is generated inside the motor housing 20 and the dust housing 30. As a result, air containing dust and other particles is sucked in through the suction port 31 of the cleaner 10, and clean air from which dust and other particles have been removed is discharged through the exhaust port 23a of the cleaner 10.

[0031] All of the clean air that has passed through the filter 32 passes through the motor unit 40. That is, the motor unit 40 is disposed on the air flow path inside the motor housing 20 and the dust housing 30 of the cleaner 10.

[0032] <Drive unit> Next, the drive section 41 forming the motor unit 40 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the motor unit, FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the motor unit, FIG. 6 is an oblique view of the motor unit seen from the intake side, FIG. 7 is an oblique view of the motor unit seen from the opposite side to the intake side, FIG. 8 is a front view showing the sound-absorbing material alone, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line BB in FIG. 3, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along line CC in FIG. 3.

[0034] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the motor unit 40 includes a drive unit 41. The drive unit 41 includes a brushless motor 43 having a rotating shaft 42, a fan 44 rotated by the rotating shaft 42, and a control board 45 that controls the brushless motor 43. The brushless motor 43 corresponds to the motor in the present invention. Also, the control board 45 is not shown in Figures 3 and 5.

[0035] Fan 44 is a turbo centrifugal fan disposed on one axial side of brushless motor 43. That is, fan 44 is rotated by the rotation of rotating shaft 42, sucks in air from the center of fan 44, and expels the sucked air radially outward.

[0036] The control board 45 is held by a board holder 46 provided on the other axial side of the brushless motor 43. Drive system electronic components (not shown), such as FETs that switch at high speed, are mounted on the control board 45. As shown in Fig. 4, a power line LN1 that supplies a drive current to the brushless motor 43 and a signal line LN2 that supplies a control signal from the operation unit 12 to the control board 45 are electrically connected to the control board 45.

[0037] <Motor case> The motor unit 40 includes a resin motor case 47. The motor case 47 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and covers one axial side (the fan 44 side) of the drive unit 41. In other words, the drive unit 41 is housed inside the motor case 47. The motor case 47 corresponds to the inner case in the present invention.

[0038] Specifically, the motor case 47 includes a bottom wall portion 47a and a side wall portion 47b, and the fan 44 is disposed near the bottom wall portion 47a. An intake opening 47c is provided in the center portion of the bottom wall portion 47a so as to face the center portion of the fan 44 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 42. As a result, as the fan 44 rotates, air is sucked into the center portion of the fan 44 through the intake opening 47c.

[0039] A first air flow path P1 (see FIGS. 5 and 11) formed in a substantially cylindrical shape is formed between the side wall portion 47b of the motor case 47 and the drive portion 41. The fan 44 is disposed on one axial side of the first air flow path P1, so that air discharged radially outward from the fan 44 flows inside the first air flow path P1 from one axial side to the other axial side.

[0040] An inner exhaust port 47d formed in a substantially annular shape is provided on the other axial side of the first air flow path P1, and the air flowing through the first air flow path P1 is exhausted from the inner exhaust port 47d toward the other axial side. In this manner, the motor case 47 is provided with the inner exhaust port 47d that exhausts the air exhausted from the fan 44 to the outside of the motor case 47.

[0041] <Containment Case> Furthermore, a resin accommodating case 50 (see FIG. 4) is provided on the outside of the motor case 47 so as to surround the motor case 47 including the drive unit 41. That is, the accommodating case 50 is provided inside the motor housing 20 and accommodates the motor case 47 including the drive unit 41. The accommodating case 50 corresponds to the outer case in the present invention.

[0042] The accommodating case 50 comprises a first case body 51 arranged to cover one axial side of the motor unit 40, a second case body 52 arranged to cover the other axial side of the motor unit 40, and a third case body 53 arranged to cover the other axial side of the second case body 52.

[0043] <First case body> 5, the first case body 51 is formed in a substantially cup shape and includes a first bottom wall portion 51a and a cylindrical first side wall portion 51b. An intake port 51c that guides air that has passed through the filter 32 (see FIG. 3) into the inside of the motor unit 40 is provided on one axial side of the first bottom wall portion 51a. All air that has been sucked into the cleaner 10 and passed through the filter 32 passes through the intake port 51c, and the intake port 51c faces the intake opening 47c in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 42.

[0044] Further, a motor case support part 51d that supports the bottom wall part 47a of the motor case 47 is integrally provided on the other axial side of the first bottom wall part 51a. Specifically, the motor case support part 51d supports the bottom wall part 47a via a first cushion member CS1 made of rubber. This prevents vibration of the drive part 41 from being transmitted to the first case body 51 (housing case 50).

[0045] The first side wall portion 51b extends from the first bottom wall portion 51a to the other axial direction, and the length dimension of the first side wall portion 51b is set to cover almost all of the side of the drive portion 41. Note that the first side wall portion 51b does not cover the sides of the board holder 46 and the control board 45.

[0046] Furthermore, a total of three screw insertion portions 51e (only one is shown in FIG. 5) are integrally provided in a portion of the first side wall portion 51b closer to the first bottom wall portion 51a in the axial direction. These screw insertion portions 51e are disposed at equal intervals (120 degree intervals) in the circumferential direction of the first side wall portion 51b, and fixing screws S2 (only two are shown in FIG. 5) for fixing the first case body 51 to the second case body 52 are inserted into the screw insertion portions 51e.

[0047] <Second case body> As shown in FIG. 5, the second case body 52 is formed in a substantially cup shape, and includes a second bottom wall portion 52a, a cylindrical second inner wall portion 52b, and a second outer wall portion 52c.

[0048] A first female screw portion 52d is integrally provided on the other axial side of the second bottom wall portion 52a, to which a fixing screw S3 for fixing the third case body 53 to the second case body 52 is screwed. A cylindrical driving unit support portion 52e for supporting the substrate holder 46 of the driving unit 41 is integrally provided on one axial side of the second bottom wall portion 52a. Specifically, the driving unit support portion 52e supports the substrate holder 46 via a second cushion member CS2 made of rubber. This prevents vibrations of the driving unit 41 from being transmitted to the second case body 52 (housing case 50).

[0049] The second inner wall portion 52b extends to one axial side relative to the drive unit support portion 52e, and the length dimension of the second inner wall portion 52b is set to a length that covers most of the lateral portion of the drive unit 41. Here, when the motor unit 40 is in an assembled state, the second inner wall portion 52b is disposed between the side wall portion 47b of the motor case 47 and the first side wall portion 51b of the first case body 51 (see FIG. 4).

[0050] In contrast, the second outer wall portion 52c is disposed radially outward of the second inner wall portion 52b and extends axially toward one side relative to the drive unit support portion 52e. The length of the second outer wall portion 52c is slightly shorter than the length of the second inner wall portion 52b. When the motor unit 40 is assembled, the first side wall portion 51b of the first case body 51 is disposed between the second inner wall portion 52b and the second outer wall portion 52c (see FIG. 4).

[0051] That is, as shown in Figure 4, from the radial inside of the motor unit 40, the side wall portion 47b of the motor case 47, the second inner wall portion 52b of the second case body 52, the first side wall portion 51b of the first case body 51 and the second outer wall portion 52c of the second case body 52 are arranged with a predetermined gap between them.

[0052] Additionally, a total of three second female threaded portions 52f are integrally provided on the radially inner side of the second outer wall portion 52c. These second female threaded portions 52f protrude toward the second inner wall portion 52b and are disposed at equal intervals (120 degree intervals) in the circumferential direction of the second outer wall portion 52c (see FIG. 9). Fixing screws S2 for fixing the first case body 51 to the second case body 52 are screwed into these second female threaded portions 52f.

[0053] 5 to 7 and 10, a pair of engaging protrusions 52g protruding radially outward is integrally provided on the other axial side (the drive unit support portion 52e side) of the second inner wall portion 52b. These engaging protrusions 52g are provided at equal intervals (180 degree intervals) in the circumferential direction of the second inner wall portion 52b and are disposed opposite to each other (see FIG. 10).

[0054] These engaging protrusions 52g fit into a pair of engaging recesses 21a (see FIG. 10) provided on the inside of the motor unit accommodating portion 21 via a rubber third cushion member CS3. This fixes the motor unit 40 to the motor housing 20 so as to be unable to rotate relative to the motor housing 20 and unable to move in the axial direction. In addition, the third cushion member CS3 makes it difficult for vibrations of the motor unit 40 to be transmitted to the motor housing 20.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a state in which the third cushion member CS3 is not attached to the engaging protrusion 52g, and FIGS. 7 and 10 show a state in which the third cushion member CS3 is attached to the engaging protrusion 52g.

[0056] <Sound absorbing material> 4, 8 and 9, a sound absorbing material 54 formed in a substantially annular shape is disposed on the radially outer side of the second outer wall portion 52c. That is, the sound absorbing material 54 is attached to the outside of the storage case 50 by inserting the storage case 50 into the substantially annular interior of the sound absorbing material 54. The sound absorbing material 54 absorbs the operating sound of the drive unit 41 and plays a role in suppressing the transmission of the noise to the outside of the cleaner 10. Specifically, the sound absorbing material 54 is formed of a porous soft material (e.g., sponge, etc.) having numerous holes therein.

[0057] The sound absorbing material 54 has an outer peripheral surface 54a on the radially outer side, which contacts the inner peripheral portion of the motor housing 20. The sound absorbing material 54 has an inner peripheral surface 54b on the radially inner side, which contacts the outer peripheral portion of the accommodating case 50 (second outer wall portion 52c).

[0058] The inner surface 54b is provided with a plurality of recesses 54c extending in the axial direction of the sound absorbing material 54. The recesses 54c are recessed to a predetermined depth toward the outer surface 54a and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the sound absorbing material 54. The recesses 54c form a through passage OP penetrating the motor unit 40 in the axial direction between the sound absorbing material 54 and the second outer wall portion 52c. The recesses 54c communicate with the side where the outer exhaust port 50a (see FIG. 11) of the housing case 50 is provided and the side where the exhaust port 23a (see FIG. 3) of the battery mounting portion 23 is provided. That is, the sound absorbing material 54 is arranged between the outer exhaust port 50a and the exhaust port 23a. The recesses 54c correspond to the communication passage in the present invention, and air flows through the recesses 54c as the drive unit 41 is driven.

[0059] Here, the sound absorbing material 54 is disposed on the outer periphery of the second outer wall portion 52c at a position that avoids the engaging protrusion 52g provided on the second case body 52. ​​In other words, when the motor unit 40 is viewed in the radial direction, the sound absorbing material 54 does not overlap with the engaging protrusion 52g (third cushion member CS3).

[0060] <Third case body> 5, the third case body 53 is formed in a substantially dish-like shape and includes a third bottom wall portion 53a and a cylindrical third side wall portion 53b. Then, as shown in Fig. 4, one axial side of the third side wall portion 53b is abutted against the other axial side of the second case body 52. ​​As a result, a wiring accommodating chamber 53c in which the power line LN1 and the signal line LN2 are routed is formed inside the third case body 53.

[0061] The third bottom wall portion 53a is provided with a pair of wiring insertion holes 53d (see FIG. 7), through which the power line LN1 and the signal line LN2 are inserted via cushion tape CT made of sponge or the like, thereby preventing damage to the power line LN1 and the signal line LN2.

[0062] Furthermore, when the motor unit 40 is assembled, the second bottom wall portion 52a and the drive unit support portion 52e of the second case body 52 are housed inside the wire accommodating chamber 53c. This prevents the motor unit 40 from becoming large in size in the axial direction.

[0063] The intake port 51c is disposed on one axial side of the drive unit 41, and the wire housing chamber 53c is disposed on the other axial side of the drive unit 41. In other words, the intake port 51c is disposed on the opposite side of the wire housing chamber 53c in the axial direction of the drive unit 41, and both are provided coaxially. As a result, air is introduced into the motor unit 40 as the fan 44 rotates. This makes it possible to improve the cooling performance of the drive unit 41, particularly the brushless motor 43.

[0064] Moreover, wiring accommodating chamber 53c is disposed on the opposite side to the side on which fan 44 of brushless motor 43 is provided in the axial direction of drive unit 41, and intake port 51c is disposed on the side on which fan 44 of brushless motor 43 is provided in the axial direction of drive unit 41. This allows wiring accommodating chamber 53c to be disposed near brushless motor 43 which generates a relatively large amount of noise, and the noise of brushless motor 43 is effectively absorbed by wiring accommodating chamber 53c.

[0065] In this manner, the wire accommodating chamber 53c is disposed at the other axial end (axial end) of the drive portion 41, and has the function of absorbing (attenuating) noise transmitted to the other axial side of the drive portion 41.

[0066] Additionally, the inner diameter D1 of the wire accommodating chamber 53c is larger than the outer diameter D2 of the drive unit 41 (D1>D2). That is, when the drive unit 41 is viewed from the other axial side, the wire accommodating chamber 53c is disposed so as to cover and conceal the drive unit 41. This allows the wire accommodating chamber 53c to effectively absorb (attenuate) noise transmitted to the other axial side of the drive unit 41. This prevents noise from being transmitted to the outside of the cleaner 10, improving the quietness of the cleaner 10.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 7, the third case body 53 is fixed to the second case body 52 by a total of four fixing screws S3. As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the motor unit 40 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape in the assembled state, and the axial dimension of the motor unit 40 and the outer diameter dimension of the motor unit 40 are substantially the same. Here, the sound absorbing material 54 is not shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7.

[0068] <Explanation of air flow path> Next, the air flow paths formed inside and around the motor unit 40 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0069] Fig. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the air flow path and corresponds to Fig. 3. Note that Fig. 11 only shows one radial side (the lower side in the figure) centered on the rotating shaft 42, but the shape of the air flow path is the same on the other radial side centered on the rotating shaft 42.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 11, inside the motor housing 20 forming the cleaner 10, an intake passage IN is provided upstream of the fan 44 of the motor unit 40, and an exhaust passage EX is provided downstream of the fan 44, with the fan 44 as the boundary.

[0071] The intake flow path IN is formed by the intake port 51c of the first case body 51 and the intake opening 47c of the motor case 47. On the other hand, the exhaust flow path EX includes an upstream exhaust flow path EX1 and a downstream exhaust flow path EX2, and the upstream exhaust flow path EX1 is formed by the first to fifth air flow paths P1 to P5 and the first to fourth return flow paths C1 to C4. The second to fourth air flow paths P2 to P4, which are provided inside the housing case 50 and through which air exhausted from the inner exhaust port 47d flows, correspond to the exhaust flow paths in the present invention.

[0072] Here, the upstream exhaust flow path EX1 has a function of exhausting air sucked in from the intake port 51c to the outside of the accommodating case 50 and to the other axial side of the accommodating case 50. In contrast, the downstream exhaust flow path EX2 is disposed between the other axial side of the fifth air flow path P5 and the exhaust port 23a (see FIG. 3) of the battery mounting section 23. Specifically, the downstream exhaust flow path EX2 is formed inside the battery mounting section 23 that forms the motor housing 20.

[0073] The first air flow path P1 is provided between the drive unit 41 and the side wall 47b, and allows air to flow to the other axial side of the drive unit 41 (left side in the figure). The second air flow path P2 is provided between the side wall 47b and the second inner wall 52b, and allows air to flow to one axial side of the drive unit 41 (right side in the figure). The third air flow path P3 is provided between the second inner wall 52b and the first side wall 51b, and allows air to flow to the other axial side of the drive unit 41. The fourth air flow path P4 is provided between the first side wall 51b and the second outer wall 52c, and allows air to flow to one axial side of the drive unit 41. The fifth air flow path P5 is provided between the second outer wall 52c and the motor unit accommodating portion 21 of the motor housing 20, and allows air to flow to the other axial side of the drive unit 41.

[0074] In this way, the second to fourth air flow paths P2 to P4, including the first and fifth air flow paths P1, P5, are formed in a serpentine shape radially outside the drive portion 41 so as to direct the air flow to one side (one axial side) and the other side opposite the one side (the other axial side).

[0075] Here, the air discharged from the inner exhaust port 47d between the drive unit 41 and the motor case 47 is discharged from the outer exhaust port 50a disposed radially outside the motor unit 40 and provided between the first side wall portion 51b and the second outer wall portion 52c. That is, the outer exhaust port 50a is provided in the housing case 50 and has a function of discharging the air flowing through the second to fourth air flow paths P2 to P4 to the outside of the housing case 50.

[0076] 11, the width dimensions W1-W3 of the second to fourth air flow paths P2-P4 along the radial direction of the motor unit 40 gradually decrease toward the radial outside of the motor unit 40. That is, the dimensional relationship is "width dimension W1 of the second air flow path P2 > width dimension W2 of the third air flow path P3 > width dimension W3 of the fourth air flow path P4", and the width dimension W1 of the second air flow path P2 along the radial direction of the accommodating case 50 is larger than the width dimension W2 of the third air flow path P3 along the radial direction of the accommodating case 50.

[0077] This ensures a sufficient flow passage area of ​​the upstream exhaust flow passage EX1, suppresses pressure loss of the air flow, and prevents the motor unit 40 from becoming large.

[0078] The first air flow path P1 and the second air flow path P2 are connected by a first return flow path C1. The second air flow path P2 and the third air flow path P3 are connected by a second return flow path C2. The third air flow path P3 and the fourth air flow path P4 are connected by a third return flow path C3. The fourth air flow path P4 and the fifth air flow path P5 are connected by a fourth return flow path C4. These first to fourth return flow paths C1 to C4 have the function of smoothly changing (turning) the air flow by 180 degrees.

[0079] Here, the second air flow path P2 causes the air discharged from the inner exhaust port 47d to flow to one side (one axial side) along the outer periphery of the motor case 47, and corresponds to the first flow path in the present invention. Also, the second turning flow path C2 and the third air flow path P3 cause the air discharged from the second air flow path P2 to flow to the other side (the other axial side) by turning it back to the radial outside of the accommodating case 50, and corresponds to the second flow path in the present invention.

[0080] 11, the first turning flow path C1 and the second air flow path P2 provided on the upstream side (the inner exhaust port 47d side) of the air flow path formed in the housing case 50 correspond to the first turning path in the present invention. Specifically, the first turning flow path C1 and the second air flow path P2 have a function of turning back the air discharged from the inner exhaust port 47d and causing the turned back air to flow to one side (one axial side) between the motor case 47 and the housing case 50 (second case body 52).

[0081] Further, the fourth turn flow path C4 and the fifth air flow path P5 provided on the downstream side (the outer discharge port 50a side) of the air flow path formed in the housing case 50 correspond to the second turn path in the present invention. Specifically, the fourth turn flow path C4 and the fifth air flow path P5 have a function of further turning back the air discharged from the first turn flow path C1 and the second air flow path P2 via the second turn flow path C2, the third air flow path P3, the third turn flow path C3, and the fourth air flow path P4, and flowing the turned back air to the other side (the other axial side) between the housing case 50 (the second case body 52) and the motor housing 20 (the motor unit housing portion 21).

[0082] In this way, the upstream exhaust flow path EX1 includes the first to fourth return flow paths C1 to C4, and is formed in a serpentine shape so as to flow air to one axial side and the other axial side of the drive part 41. In other words, on the radial outside of the motor case 47 and inside the accommodating case 50, the second to fourth air flow paths P2 to P4 are provided so as to overlap each other toward the radial outside of the motor case 47, via the second and third return flow paths C2 and C3.

[0083] This lengthens the airflow path (upstream exhaust flow path EX1) while preventing an increase in the outer diameter dimension of the motor unit 40. This effectively attenuates the noise of the drive part 41 that is carried by the airflow while preventing an increase in size of the motor unit 40. This effectively prevents the noise from being transmitted to the outside of the cleaner 10 (the outside of the motor housing 20).

[0084] Furthermore, the upstream exhaust flow passage EX1 is disposed radially outside the drive unit 41, and is provided around the rotation shaft 42 of the brushless motor 43 over the entire circumferential area of ​​the drive unit 41. That is, the first to fifth air passages P1 to P5 are disposed radially outside the drive unit 41 so as to form a cylindrical shape. In this manner, the upstream exhaust flow passage EX1 has a function of absorbing (attenuating) noise transmitted within a 360-degree range radially outside the drive unit 41. This suppresses transmission of noise to the outside of the cleaner 10, improving the quietness of the cleaner 10.

[0085] 4 and 11, the wire accommodating chamber 53c is disposed such that, when the drive unit 41 is viewed in the axial direction, a portion of the radially outer side of the wire accommodating chamber 53c overlaps with the upstream exhaust flow path EX1. Furthermore, when the drive unit 41 is viewed in a direction intersecting the axial direction (radial direction), the upstream exhaust flow path EX1 is disposed so as to cover the brushless motor 43 and the fan 44 of the drive unit 41. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a length dimension L1 of the brushless motor 43 and the fan 44 in the axial direction of the drive unit 41 is smaller than a length dimension L2 of the upstream exhaust flow path EX1 in the axial direction of the drive unit 41 (L1 <L2)。

[0086] As a result, except for a portion of the drive unit 41 on the fan 44 side (dust housing 30 side) in the axial direction, the drive unit 41 is surrounded by the wire accommodating chamber 53c and the upstream exhaust flow path EX1. As a result, the wire accommodating chamber 53c and the upstream exhaust flow path EX1 each function as a soundproof chamber, and it becomes possible to more effectively suppress the transmission of noise to the outside of the cleaner 10.

[0087] The wire accommodating chamber 53c forms an air chamber independent of the exhaust flow passages EX (the upstream exhaust flow passage EX1 and the downstream exhaust flow passage EX2), and no air flow is generated in the wire accommodating chamber 53c due to the driving of the driving unit 41. Therefore, the soundproofing effect of the wire accommodating chamber 53c is further improved, and the quietness of the cleaner 10 is further improved.

[0088] <Air flow> 3, when the driving unit 41 is driven, air containing dust and the like is sucked into the inside of the dust housing 30 from the suction port 31 as shown by the arrow M1. The dust and the like are then separated from clean air by the filter 32. The clean air is then sucked into the inside of the motor unit 40 from the intake port 51c of the motor unit 40 as shown by the arrow M2 in FIG.

[0089] Thereafter, the air sucked into the fan 44 is discharged radially outward from the fan 44 and flows through the upstream exhaust flow path EX1 as shown by the arrow M3 in Fig. 4. Next, in the latter half of the upstream exhaust flow path EX1, the air flows through the recess 54c (see Fig. 9) of the sound-absorbing material 54 as shown by the arrow M4 in Fig. 3.

[0090] Thereafter, the air that has passed through the multiple recesses 54c flows around the wire accommodating chamber 53c on the other axial side of the motor unit 40. Then, as shown by arrow M5 in Fig. 3, the air reaches the downstream exhaust flow path EX2. Next, the air that has flowed through the downstream exhaust flow path EX2 removes heat from the periphery of the motor-side terminals T, and is discharged to the outside of the motor housing 20 from the multiple exhaust ports 23a, as shown by arrow M6 in Fig. 3.

[0091] In this way, the air sucked into the cleaner 10 flows through almost the entire longitudinal area of ​​the inside of the cleaner 10. In addition, the air flows through the upstream exhaust flow path EX1 that is provided to meander in the radial direction in the motor unit 40. Therefore, by lengthening the length of the air flow path formed inside the cleaner 10, the transmission of noise to the outside of the cleaner 10 is effectively suppressed by the sound insulation effect of the air flow path and the sound insulation effect of the wire housing chamber 53c.

[0092] More specifically, it was found that, compared to a device that does not include the wire housing chamber 53c, the upstream discharge flow path EX1, and the sound absorbing material 54, providing the wire housing chamber 53c reduces noise by about -2 dB. It was also found that, compared to a device that does not include the wire housing chamber 53c, the upstream discharge flow path EX1, and the sound absorbing material 54, providing the upstream discharge flow path EX1 reduces noise by about -3 dB. It was also found that, compared to a device that does not include the wire housing chamber 53c, the upstream discharge flow path EX1, and the sound absorbing material 54, providing the sound absorbing material 54 reduces noise by about -3 dB. In other words, the cleaner 10 of this embodiment, which includes all of the wire housing chamber 53c, the upstream discharge flow path EX1, and the sound absorbing material 54, is sufficiently quiet.

[0093] As described above in detail, cleaner 10 of the first embodiment includes brushless motor 43 having rotating shaft 42, drive unit 41 including fan 44 rotated by rotating shaft 42, motor housing 20 and dust housing 30 including suction port 31 for drawing in air by the rotation of fan 44 and exhaust port 23a for discharging the drawn-in air, filter 32 provided inside dust housing 30 for capturing dust contained in the drawn-in air, and motor housing 20 including inner exhaust port 47d for accommodating drive unit 41 and discharging air discharged from fan 44. The motor housing 20 has a motor case 47 and a storage case 50 that is provided inside the motor housing 20 and stores the motor case 47. The storage case 50 has second to fourth air flow paths P2 to P4 through which air discharged from the inner exhaust port 47d flows, and an outer exhaust port 50a that discharges air flowing through the second to fourth air flow paths P2 to P4. The second to fourth air flow paths P2 to P4 are formed in a serpentine shape so as to direct the air flow to one side and the other side opposite to the one side. The storage case 50 has a sound absorbing material 54 that is disposed outside the storage case 50 and disposed between the outer exhaust port 50a and the exhaust port 23a.

[0094] As a result, the sound insulation effect of the second to fourth air flow paths P2 to P4 and the sound absorbing material 54 provided to cover the drive unit 41 can effectively prevent noise generated when the drive unit 41 (brushless motor 43 and fan 44) is driven from being transmitted to the outside of the cleaner 10. This allows the cleaner 10 to be used at night, etc., improving convenience.

[0095] Furthermore, according to the cleaner 10 of the first embodiment, the second to fourth air flow paths P2 to P4 are provided so as to overlap each other toward the outside in the radial direction of the motor case 47.

[0096] This makes it possible to increase the length of the second to fourth air flow paths P2 to P4 while preventing the motor unit 40 from becoming large in the radial direction. This makes it possible to more effectively prevent noise from being transmitted to the outside of the cleaner 10. In this case, the second to fourth air flow paths P2 to P4 can be made long and serpentine, so that the noise of the drive unit 41 transmitted by the air flow can also be effectively attenuated. This makes it possible to further improve the quietness of the cleaner 10.

[0097] Furthermore, according to the cleaner 10 of embodiment 1, the exhaust flow path includes a second air flow path P2 that flows the air exhausted from the inner exhaust port 47d to one side along the outer periphery of the motor case 47, and a second return flow path C2 and a third air flow path P3 that turn the air exhausted from the second air flow path P2 radially outward of the accommodating case 50 and flow it to the other side.

[0098] This allows the exhaust flow path to have a serpentine shape that turns back 180 degrees, thereby lengthening the air flow path while suppressing an increase in the outer diameter dimension of the accommodating case 50. As a result, the quietness of the cleaner 10 can be further improved.

[0099] Furthermore, according to the cleaner 10 of the first embodiment, the width dimension W1 of the second air flow path P2 along the radial direction of the storage case 50 is larger than the width dimension W2 of the third air flow path P3 along the radial direction of the storage case 50.

[0100] As a result, a sufficient flow path area is ensured for the second to fourth air flow paths P2 to P4, pressure loss in the air flow is suppressed, and the motor unit 40 can be prevented from becoming large.

[0101] Furthermore, according to the cleaner 10 of embodiment 1, the sound-absorbing material 54 is formed in a ring shape, and the inner surface 54b of the sound-absorbing material 54 contacts the outer periphery of the accommodating case 50, and the outer surface 54a of the sound-absorbing material 54 contacts the inner periphery of the motor housing 20.

[0102] This allows a large amount of air discharged from the outer exhaust port 50a to reach the exhaust port 23a via the sound absorbing material 54. Therefore, the noise of the drive unit 41 transmitted by the air flow can also be attenuated more effectively.

[0103] Furthermore, according to cleaner 10 of the first embodiment, sound absorbing material 54 has recess 54c that connects the side where outer exhaust port 50a is provided and the side where exhaust port 23a is provided.

[0104] This reduces pressure loss of the air flow passing through the sound absorbing material 54, and thus reduces the decrease in the intake efficiency of the cleaner 10.

[0105] Furthermore, according to the cleaner 10 of embodiment 1, the motor housing 20 includes a motor unit accommodating section 21 that accommodates the accommodating case 50, a handle 22 that is gripped by the operator, and a battery mounting section 23 to which the battery pack 11 is attached, and the inner diameter dimension d1 of the motor unit accommodating section 21 is larger than the inner diameter dimension d2 of the handle 22 and the inner diameter dimension d3 of the battery mounting section 23.

[0106] This allows the battery pack 11 and motor unit 40, which are relatively heavy, to be disposed near the handle 22, and allows the handle 22 to be closer to the center of gravity of the cleaner 10. This improves the weight balance of the cleaner 10 and improves operability.

[0107] Moreover, according to cleaner 10 of embodiment 1, storage case 50 is disposed on one side of handle 22 in the longitudinal direction, and outlet 23a is disposed on the other side of handle 22 in the longitudinal direction.

[0108] This makes it possible to lengthen the air flow path between the container case 50 and the exhaust port 23a, and therefore makes it possible to more effectively attenuate the noise of the drive unit 41 that is transmitted via the air flow.

[0109] Furthermore, according to the cleaner 10 of embodiment 1, a first turn flow path C1 and a second air flow path P2 are provided on the upstream side of the air flow path formed in the accommodating case 50, which turn back the air discharged from the inner exhaust port 47d and flow the turned back air between the motor case 47 and the accommodating case 50, and a fourth turn flow path C4 and a fifth air flow path P5 are provided on the downstream side of the air flow path formed in the accommodating case 50, which turn back the air discharged from the first turn flow path C1 and the second air flow path P2 and flow the turned back air between the accommodating case 50 and the motor housing 20.

[0110] This also makes it possible to effectively prevent noise generated when the drive unit 41 (brushless motor 43 and fan 44) is driven from being transmitted to the outside of the cleaner 10 due to the sound insulation effect of the first turn-back flow path C1 and the second air flow path P2, and the fourth turn-back flow path C4 and the fifth air flow path P5, which are provided so as to cover the drive unit 41. This makes it possible to use the cleaner 10 even at night, improving convenience.

[0111] <Embodiment 2> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0112] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 11 showing embodiment 2. Note that in Fig. 12, the motor housing 20 and the dust housing 30 are omitted.

[0113] 12, in the motor unit 60 according to the second embodiment, the second to fourth air flow paths P2 to P4 that form the upstream exhaust flow path EX1 have different width dimensions compared to the first embodiment. Specifically, in the motor unit 60, the second to fourth air flow paths P2 to P4 along the radial direction of the motor unit 60 all have the same width dimension W. In other words, there is a dimensional relationship of "width dimension W of the second air flow path P2 = width dimension W of the third air flow path P3 = width dimension W of the fourth air flow path P4".

[0114] The shape of the sound-absorbing material 61 is also different from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, a plurality of round holes 61c extending in the axial direction of the motor unit 60 are provided between the outer peripheral surface 61a and the inner peripheral surface 61b of the sound-absorbing material 61. These round holes 61c correspond to the communication passages in the present invention, and form a through passage OP2 penetrating the motor unit 60 in the axial direction. Note that air flows through the round holes 61c when the drive unit 41 is driven.

[0115] The second embodiment configured as above can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. In addition, in the second embodiment, the flow path area of ​​the air flow path through which the air discharged from the inner exhaust port 47d passes can be increased with increasing distance from the drive unit 41, without significantly increasing the outer diameter of the motor unit 60. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress pressure loss in the air flow, and to increase the sound insulation effect by the amount of the increased flow path area.

[0116] <Embodiment 3> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0117] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a motor unit according to embodiment 3, and Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Fig. 13. Note that motor housing 20 and dust housing 30 are also omitted from Figs. 13 and 14.

[0118] 13 and 14, in a motor unit 70 according to the third embodiment, the shape of the housing case (outer case) 71 is changed and the meandering manner of the upstream exhaust flow path EX1 is changed, compared to the first embodiment. Also, compared to the first embodiment, the sound absorbing material 54 (see FIG. 8) is omitted.

[0119] Specifically, in the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the upstream exhaust flow passage EX1 is provided so as to meander in the radial direction of the drive unit 41 when viewed from a radial direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotating shaft 42. In contrast, in the third embodiment, as shown in Fig. 14, the upstream exhaust flow passage EX1 is provided so as to meander in the radial direction of the drive unit 41 when viewed from the axial direction of the rotating shaft 42.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the air discharged from the inner exhaust port 47d is discharged to the second air flow path P2 through the first return flow path C1, and then flows in both directions, clockwise and counterclockwise, through the second air flow path P2. The air discharged from the second air flow path P2 through the second return flow path C2 flows in the counterclockwise direction through the third air flow path P3. The air discharged from the third air flow path P3 through the third return flow path C3 flows in the clockwise direction through the fourth air flow path P4. The air is then turned back at the fourth return flow path C4 and discharged from the outer exhaust port 50a, and flows through the fifth air flow path P5 between the housing case 71 and the motor housing 20, and flows through the downstream exhaust flow path EX2.

[0121] That is, on the upstream side (the inner exhaust port 47d side) of the air flow path formed in the storage case 71, the air discharged from the inner exhaust port 47d is turned back in the first return flow path C1, and the turned back air flows through the second air flow path P2 between the motor case 47 and the storage case 71.

[0122] In addition, on the downstream side (the outer exhaust port 50a side) of the air flow path formed in the accommodating case 71, the air discharged from the first return flow path C1 and the second air flow path P2 is turned back in the fourth return flow path C4 via the second return flow path C2, the third air flow path P3, the third return flow path C3 and the fourth air flow path P4, and the turned back air flows through the fifth air flow path P5 between the accommodating case 71 and the motor housing 20.

[0123] The third embodiment configured as above can also achieve substantially the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0124] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0125] Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a motor unit according to embodiment 4. Note that, in Fig. 15 as well, the motor housing 20 and the dust housing 30 are omitted from the illustration.

[0126] 15, in a motor unit 80 according to the fourth embodiment, the shape of the housing case (outer case) 81 is changed and the meandering of the upstream exhaust flow path EX1 is changed, compared to the first embodiment. Also, compared to the first embodiment, the sound absorbing material 54 (see FIG. 8) is omitted. Although not shown, a wiring housing chamber 53c is provided as a first sound insulating chamber on the other axial side of the housing case 81.

[0127] 15, in the fourth embodiment, the upstream exhaust flow passage EX1 is provided so as to meander in the circumferential direction of the drive unit 41. Then, air discharged from an inner exhaust port 47d on the other axial side of the accommodating case 81 flows through the upstream exhaust flow passage EX1 in the circumferential direction of the drive unit 41, and is discharged from an outer exhaust port 50a on one axial side of the accommodating case 81. Thereafter, the air discharged from the outer exhaust port 50a flows through the downstream exhaust flow passage EX2 on the other axial side.

[0128] Referring to the dashed arrows in FIG. 15, the air discharged from inner exhaust port 47d follows the following path due to a plurality of partition walls 82 provided inside accommodating case 81.

[0129] That is, the air flows through the second air flow path P2 that flows air to one axial side of the drive unit 41, the second turn flow path C2, the third air flow path P3 that flows air to the other axial side of the drive unit 41, ..., the n-th turn flow path Cn, the (n+1)th air flow path P(n+1) that flows air to the other axial side of the drive unit 41, the (n+1)th turn flow path C(n+1), and the (n+2)th air flow path P(n+2) that flows air to one axial side of the drive unit 41. After that, the air turns back at the (n+2)th turn flow path C(n+1) and is discharged from the outer discharge port 50a, and flows through the downstream discharge flow path EX2 via the (n+3)th air flow path P(n+3) between the accommodating case 81 and the motor housing 20.

[0130] That is, on the upstream side (the inner exhaust port 47d side) of the air flow path formed in the storage case 81, the air discharged from the inner exhaust port 47d is turned back in the first return flow path C1, and the turned back air flows through the second air flow path P2 between the motor case 47 and the storage case 81.

[0131] Furthermore, on the downstream side (the outer exhaust port 50a side) of the air flow path formed in the accommodating case 81, the air discharged from the first return flow path C1 and the second air flow path P2 passes through the second return flow path C2, the third air flow path P3, ... the nth return flow path Cn, the (n+1)th air flow path P(n+1), the (n+1)th return flow path C(n+1), and the (n+2)th air flow path P(n+2), before being turned back at the (n+2)th return flow path C(n+2), and the turned back air flows through the (n+3)th air flow path P(n+3) between the accommodating case 81 and the motor housing 20.

[0132] In the fourth embodiment, the (n+2)th turn-back flow path C(n+2) and the (n+3)th air flow path P(n+3) correspond to the second turn-back path in the present invention.

[0133] The fourth embodiment configured as above can also achieve substantially the same effects as the first embodiment. In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the upstream exhaust flow path EX1 can be extended in the circumferential direction of the housing case 81, so that it is possible to suppress an increase in the radial dimension of the motor unit 80. This is advantageous for making the cleaner 10 smaller and lighter.

[0134] <Embodiment 5> Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0135] Fig. 16 is a front view of the motor unit of embodiment 5 as seen from the air intake side, and Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in Fig. 16. Note that motor housing 20 and dust housing 30 are also omitted from Figs. 16 and 17.

[0136] 16 and 17, in a motor unit 90 according to the fifth embodiment, the shape of the housing case (outer case) 91 is changed and the meandering of the upstream exhaust flow path EX1 is changed compared to the first embodiment. Also, the shape of the sound absorbing material 92 attached to the outside of the housing case 91 is changed compared to the first embodiment. Another difference is that a wiring housing chamber 93 functioning as a sound insulation chamber is used as part (upstream portion) of the upstream exhaust flow path EX1.

[0137] 16, the housing case 91 is formed into a substantially elliptical shape when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 42 by making a radial portion of the drive unit 41 protrude, as shown in FIG. 16. Specifically, the housing case 91 is provided with a drive unit housing portion 94 that houses the drive unit 41 and a flow path forming portion 95 that forms an upstream exhaust flow path EX1 therein, arranged side by side in the radial direction of the drive unit 41. Note that a wiring housing chamber 93 is provided on the other axial side of the drive unit housing portion 94.

[0138] 17, the air discharged from the inner exhaust port 47d first flows through the wire accommodating chamber 93 and the first return flow path C1. Then, due to the partition walls 96 provided inside the flow path forming portion 95, the air follows the following path.

[0139] That is, the air flows through the second air flow path P2 which flows air radially inward of the drive unit 41, through the second turn flow path C2, through the third air flow path P3 which flows air radially outward of the drive unit 41, through the third turn flow path C3, through the fourth air flow path P4 which flows air radially inward of the drive unit 41, through the fourth turn flow path C4, through the fifth air flow path P5 which flows air on the other axial side of the drive unit 41, and through the outer exhaust port 50a.

[0140] In this way, the upstream exhaust flow path EX1 in the fifth embodiment is formed in a meandering shape in the longitudinal direction of the drive unit 41 so as to direct the air flow to one side and the other side opposite to the one side. In the fifth embodiment, the radially inner side of the housing case 91 corresponds to the one side, and the radially outer side of the housing case 91 corresponds to the other side.

[0141] Thereafter, the air discharged from the outer exhaust port 50a flows through a plurality of circulation holes 92a (only one is shown in FIG. 17) of the sound-absorbing material 92 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Here, the plurality of circulation holes 92a form a through passage OP3 that penetrates in the axial direction of the motor unit 90. Then, the air that has passed through the sound-absorbing material 92 flows through the downstream exhaust flow passage EX2 and is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 23a (see FIG. 1).

[0142] The fifth embodiment configured as above can also achieve substantially the same effects as the first embodiment. In addition, in the fifth embodiment, a portion of the accommodating case 91 is made to protrude in the radial direction, so that the accommodating case 91 is formed into a substantially elliptical shape when viewed in the axial direction. This makes it possible to reduce the short-side dimension of the accommodating case 91 when viewed in the axial direction. This is therefore advantageous for making the cleaner 10 smaller and lighter.

[0143] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the above-described cleaner 10 includes motor units 40, 60, 70, 80, and 90 that are driven by a drive current supplied from the battery pack 11, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may also be applied to a device in which a drive current is supplied to the motor units from a commercial power source (AC power source) via a power cord.

[0144] In addition, the material, shape, size, number, installation location, etc. of each component in each of the above-mentioned embodiments are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] 10... cleaner (working machine), 11... battery pack (battery), 11a... lock-free switch, 12... operation unit, 12a... button, 12b... warning light, 13... LED light, 20... motor housing (housing), 20a... first housing half, 20b... second housing half, 21... motor unit storage section (outer case storage section), 21a... engagement recess, 22... handle, 23... battery mounting section, 23a... exhaust port, 30... dust housing (housing), 31... suction port, 32... filter, 33... opening / closing body, 40... motor unit, 41... drive section, 42... rotation Rotating shaft, 43...brushless motor (motor), 44...fan, 45...control board, 46...board holder, 47...motor case (inner case), 47a...bottom wall portion, 47b...side wall portion, 47c...suction opening, 47d...inner exhaust port, 50...accommodation case (outer case), 50a...outer exhaust port, 51...first case body, 51a...first bottom wall portion, 51b...first side wall portion, 51c...suction port, 51d...motor case support portion, 51e...screw insertion portion, 52...second case body, 52a...second bottom wall portion, 52b...second inner wall portion, 52c...second outer wall portion, 52d...first female thread portion, 52e...drive unit support portion, 52f...second female screw portion, 52g...engagement protrusion, 53...third case body, 53a...third bottom wall portion, 53b...third side wall portion, 53c...wiring accommodating chamber, 53d...wiring insertion hole, 54...sound absorbing material, 54a...outer surface, 54b...inner surface, 54c...recess (communicating passage), 60...motor unit, 61...sound absorbing material, 61a...outer surface, 61b...inner surface, 61c...round hole (communicating passage), 70...motor unit, 71...accommodating case (outer case), 80...motor unit, 81...accommodating case (outer case), 82...partition wall, 90...motor unit, 91...accommodating case (outer case), 92...sound absorbing material, 9 2a...flow hole, 93...wiring accommodating chamber, 94...drive unit accommodating section, 95...flow path forming section, 96...partition wall, C1...first turn flow path (first turn path), C2...second turn flow path (second flow path), C3...third turn flow path, C4...fourth turn flow path (second turn path), Cn...nth turn flow path, C(n+1)...(n+1)th turn flow path, C(n+2)...(n+2)th turn flow path (second turn section), CS1-CS3...first to third cushion members, CT...cushion tape, EX...discharge flow path, EX1...upstream discharge flow path, EX2...downstream discharge flow path, IN...suction flow path,LN1: power line, LN2: signal line, OP, OP2, OP3: through passage, P(n+1): (n+1)th air flow path, P(n+2): (n+2)th air flow path, P(n+3): (n+3)th air flow path (second turn section), P1: first air flow path, P2: second air flow path (exhaust flow path, first flow path, first turn path), P3: third air flow path (exhaust flow path, second flow path), P4: fourth air flow path (exhaust flow path), P5: fifth air flow path (second turn path), S1 to S3: fixing screws, SP: space, T: motor side terminal,

Claims

1. a drive unit including a motor having a rotating shaft and a fan rotated by the rotating shaft; a housing having an intake port for drawing in air by rotation of the fan and an exhaust port for discharging the drawn air; a filter provided inside the housing for capturing dust contained in the drawn air; an inner case that houses the drive unit and has an inner exhaust port that exhausts the air exhausted from the fan; a wall portion provided inside the housing so as to surround the inner case and having an outer discharge port; and the fan is disposed on one axial side of the rotation shaft with respect to the inner outlet, the inner discharge port is disposed on the other axial side of the rotation shaft with respect to the outer discharge port, The outer discharge port is disposed on one side of the discharge port in the axial direction, the wall portion includes a side wall portion disposed outside the inner case in the radial direction of the rotary shaft and extending in the axial direction of the rotary shaft, and a bottom wall portion connected to the other axial side of the side wall portion and extending in the radial direction, a sound absorbing material disposed in an outer air flow path through which the air flows from the outer exhaust port to the exhaust port, on the outer side of the side wall portion in the radial direction; Work equipment.

2. The outer exhaust port is disposed on the one axial side of the end of the fan on the other axial side. The work machine according to claim 1 .

3. The inner exhaust port is arranged on the other axial side of the sound-absorbing material than the one axial side of the sound-absorbing material. The work machine according to claim 1 .

4. The housing has an outer wall portion disposed outside the side wall portion in the radial direction and defining the outer air flow path between the side wall portion and the outer wall portion, an inner surface of the sound absorbing material in the radial direction contacts an outer circumferential portion of the side wall portion, The outer surface of the sound absorbing material in the radial direction contacts the inner circumferential portion of the outer wall portion. The work machine according to claim 1 .

5. The sound absorbing material has a communication passage that communicates the side where the outer exhaust port is provided with the side where the exhaust port is provided. The work machine according to claim 4.

6. The communication passage is a plurality of round holes that penetrate the sound-absorbing material in the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The work machine according to claim 5.

7. The housing includes: a housing portion that houses the motor; A handle that is held by an operator; a battery mounting section in which a battery is mounted; Equipped with The inner diameter dimension of the accommodating portion is an inner diameter dimension larger than the inner diameter dimensions of the handle and the battery mounting portion; The work machine according to claim 1 .

8. a drive unit including a motor having a rotating shaft and a fan rotated by the rotating shaft; a housing having an intake port for drawing in air by rotation of the fan and an exhaust port for discharging the drawn air; a filter provided inside the housing for capturing dust contained in the drawn air; an inner case that houses the drive unit and has an inner exhaust port that exhausts the air exhausted from the fan; an outer case provided inside the housing and accommodating the inner case; and a first return path that turns back the air discharged from the inner discharge port and causes the turned back air to flow between the inner case and the outer case, provided on the upstream side of the air flow path formed in the outer case; a second turning path is provided downstream of the air flow path formed in the outer case, the second turning path turning back the air discharged from the first turning path and causing the turned back air to flow between the outer case and the housing; Work equipment.

9. A drive unit including a motor having a rotating shaft extending in the front-rear direction and a fan rotated by the rotating shaft; a housing including an intake port that draws in air by rotation of the fan, an exhaust port that is disposed behind the intake port and discharges the drawn air, and a handle that is disposed above the exhaust port; a filter provided inside the housing for capturing dust contained in the drawn air; an inner case that houses the drive unit and has an inner exhaust port that exhausts the air exhausted from the fan; an upstream exhaust flow path formed to redirect the air exhausted from the inner case in a front-rear direction at a radially outer side of the drive unit; a downstream discharge flow path that causes the air that has passed through the upstream discharge flow path to flow to the discharge port; a sound absorbing material disposed in the upstream discharge flow path; Equipped with The discharge port is disposed on the axis of the drive unit when viewed in the left-right direction. Work equipment.

10. A drive unit including a motor having a rotating shaft and a fan rotated by the rotating shaft; a housing having an intake port for drawing in air by rotation of the fan and an exhaust port for discharging the drawn air; a filter provided inside the housing for capturing dust contained in the drawn air; and a sound-absorbing material provided outside the drive unit in the radial direction of the rotary shaft, formed in an annular shape around the rotary shaft, and having a plurality of circular holes penetrating in the axial direction of the rotary shaft; Work equipment.

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