Suction nozzle, and vacuum cleaner provided with the suction nozzle

Abstract

To provide an art setting a basic position of a suction case without depending on the balance of force among a plurality of springs.SOLUTION: A suction nozzle of the present disclosure has a suction case forming a suction space opening so that dust is sucked therein. The suction case can turn in a longitudinal direction along a floor surface. The suction nozzle has an elastic regulation piece and a push-out piece for positioning the suction case to a basic position. The elastic regulation piece has a first arm part and a second arm part. The push-out piece is disposed in the suction case, and performs angular displacement by giving force for elastically deforming the elastic regulation piece to the first arm part or the second arm part. However, with a force lower than the above-mentioned force, the angular displacement of the push-out piece is regulated by the first arm part or the second arm part, and the suction case is positioned at the basic place.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a suction nozzle having a suction case that is rotatable along a floor surface, and a vacuum cleaner equipped with this suction nozzle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vacuum cleaner 300 shown in Fig. 16. This vacuum cleaner 300 includes a vacuum cleaner body 310 incorporating a suction source 311 that generates a suction force for sucking in dust, a suction tube 320 extending from the vacuum cleaner body 310, and a suction nozzle 330 attached to the tip of the suction tube 320 and moving on the floor surface. As shown in Fig. 17, the suction nozzle 330 is wider than the suction tube 320 in order to remove dust from a wide area on the floor surface.

[0003] To allow a user to insert the suction nozzle 330 into a narrow space, the suction nozzle 330 of Patent Document 1 is configured to be deformable so as to become narrower in the width direction.

[0004] That is, suction nozzle 330 has suction cases 331, 332 arranged side by side on the left and right, and nozzle body 333 that holds suction cases 331, 332 rotatably along the floor surface. Suction cases 331, 332 form suction space 334 that opens downward so that dust is sucked in by the suction force of suction source 311. In addition, nozzle body 333 is connected to the tip of suction tube 320 as shown in FIG. 18, and forms communication space 335 that communicates between the flow path of suction tube 320 and suction space 334.

[0005] In order to enable the suction cases 331, 332 to be connected to the nozzle main body 333 while allowing the suction cases 331, 332 to rotate, a cylindrical case shaft portion 336 protrudes from the upper surface of the suction cases 331, 332. Furthermore, a nozzle bearing portion 337 into which the case shaft portion 336 is inserted protrudes from the lower surface of the nozzle main body 333. The case shaft portion 336 is inserted into the nozzle bearing portion 337 and is rotatable within the nozzle bearing portion 337.

[0006] When no external force is acting on suction cases 331, 332, suction cases 331, 332 are in the basic position shown in Fig. 19(a). When a rearward external force is acting on suction cases 331, 332, suction cases 331, 332 rotate from the basic position to the position shown in Fig. 19(b). Conversely, when a forward external force is acting on suction cases 331, 332, suction cases 331, 332 rotate from the basic position to the position shown in Fig. 19(c).

[0007] 20, four coil springs 341-344 are provided to return the suction cases 331, 332 to their basic positions when the external force acting on the suction cases 331, 332 is removed. One end of each of the coil springs 341, 342 is connected to the suction case 331 side, while the other end of each of the coil springs 341, 342 is connected to the nozzle main body 333 side. Also, one end of each of the coil springs 343, 344 is connected to the suction case 332 side, while the other end of each of the coil springs 343, 344 is connected to the nozzle main body 333 side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-128617 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Coil springs 341, 342 are configured to balance the forces when suction case 331 is in the basic position. Coil springs 343, 344 are configured to balance the forces when suction case 332 is in the basic position. However, if this balance of forces is lost, the basic positions that suction cases 331, 332 can take when no external force is acting on suction cases 331, 332 will be positions rotated forward or backward from the positions shown in FIG. 19(a).

[0010] The present disclosure aims to provide a technique that can set the basic position of the suction case without relying on the balance of forces between multiple springs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The suction nozzle of the present disclosure comprises a nozzle body connected to a suction pipe through which dust flows, a suction case which forms an open suction space through which dust can be sucked in and is connected to the nozzle body so as to be rotatable forward or backward along the floor surface, and a positioning mechanism which positions the suction case at a basic position in which the suction case protrudes to the left or right relative to the nozzle body when no external force is acting on the suction case. The positioning mechanism includes an elastic regulating piece having an extrusion piece provided on the suction case so as to undergo angular displacement in response to rotation of the suction case, a first arm provided so as to contact the extrusion piece and regulate the angular displacement of the extrusion piece when the suction case rotates from the basic position in a first rotation direction, a second arm provided so as to contact the extrusion piece and regulate the angular displacement of the extrusion piece when the suction case rotates from the basic position in a second rotation direction opposite the first rotation direction, and an elastic connecting portion connected to the first arm and the second arm, and a deformation promoting portion engaged with one of the first arm and the second arm to allow one of the first arm and the second arm to undergo angular displacement around the rotation axis of the suction case, and which regulates the rotation of the other of the first arm and the second arm around the rotation axis when the one arm is angularly displaced around the rotation axis, thereby elastically deforming the elastic connecting portion and storing a restoring force in the elastic connecting portion. The suction case rotates when the push-out piece pushes out one of the arms, and returns to its original position when the elastic connection part recovers from its elastically deformed state so that the one of the arms pushes back the push-out piece.

[0012] The vacuum cleaner according to the present disclosure includes a suction source that generates a suction force for sucking in dust, a suction tube through which the dust sucked in by the suction force of the suction source flows, and the above-mentioned suction nozzle. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The above described technique allows for the home position of the suction case to be set without relying on a balance of forces between multiple springs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] Cross section of a vacuum cleaner [Diagram 2] Cross-section of a vacuum cleaner suction nozzle [Diagram 3] Plan view of the suction nozzle [Figure 4] Exploded perspective view of the suction nozzle [Diagram 5] Exploded perspective view of the suction nozzle [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a base portion of a nozzle body of a suction nozzle; [Figure 7] A perspective view of the bearing unit of the suction nozzle [Figure 8] Bottom view of the suction nozzle [Figure 9] A perspective view of a mounting member for a suction nozzle [Figure 10] Plan view of a portion of the suction nozzle [Figure 11] A plan view of a portion of a suction nozzle when subjected to a backward external force [Figure 12] A plan view of a portion of a suction nozzle when subjected to a forward external force. [Figure 13] A perspective view of an elastic restriction piece of a suction nozzle [Figure 14] Plan view of a portion of the suction nozzle [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another elastic restriction piece; [Figure 16] Side view of a conventional vacuum cleaner [Figure 17] A perspective view of a suction nozzle of a conventional vacuum cleaner. [Figure 18] Cross-sectional view of a conventional suction nozzle [Figure 19] Bottom view of a conventional suction nozzle [Figure 20] Cross-sectional view of a conventional suction nozzle DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in order to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, for example, detailed description of already well-known matters or duplicate description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stick type vacuum cleaner 100. The vacuum cleaner 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0017] (Overall structure of the vacuum cleaner) The vacuum cleaner 100 includes a vacuum cleaner body 110 that is long in the vertical direction, and a grip part 179 that extends upward from the vacuum cleaner body 110. The vacuum cleaner body 110 includes a cylindrical housing 111 and a suction source 116 built into the housing 111. The grip part 179 is a rod-shaped part that extends from the upper end 112 of the housing 111, and has a thickness that allows it to be gripped by a user. An operating part 178 that is operated by a user is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the grip part 179. The suction source 116 is activated or stopped by the user operating the operating part 178. The suction source 116 is configured to generate a suction force that sucks dust from a floor surface, and may be configured, for example, by a rotating blade that generates an upward suction airflow, and a motor that rotates and drives the rotating blade.

[0018] Filter unit 115 is disposed below suction source 116, and suction pipe 113 extends in the vertical direction below filter unit 115. When suction source 116 is activated, dust flows through suction pipe 113 on the upward suction airflow. Filter unit 115 is configured to allow air (suction airflow) to pass through while capturing dust contained in the air. Therefore, dust is accumulated in the space between filter unit 115 and the upper end of suction pipe 113.

[0019] In order to prevent dust accumulated in this space from falling into suction pipe 113 when suction source 116 is stopped, a check valve 114 is attached to the upper end of suction pipe 113. Check valve 114 is configured to rotate upward by the suction force of suction source 116, and is displaced to an open position that opens the opening at the upper end of suction pipe 113 when suction source 116 is operating, and closes the upper end of suction pipe 113 when suction source 116 is stopped.

[0020] The lower end of the suction pipe 113 is configured to be connectable to the suction nozzle 130, and has a substantially circular cross section as shown in Fig. 2. In the following description, the lower end of the suction pipe 113 is referred to as "connection end 118." The connection end 118 has a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction.

[0021] 2 and 3, the suction nozzle 130 has a nozzle body 131 connected to the connection end 118, and a pair of suction cases 132, 133 attached to the nozzle body 131 on the left and right. The suction cases 132, 133 shown in Fig. 3 protrude to the left and right with respect to the nozzle body 131, and in the following description, the position of the suction cases 132, 133 shown in Fig. 3 will be referred to as the "basic position". As shown by the arrow in Fig. 3, the suction cases 132, 133 can rotate in the front-rear direction along the floor surface around the connection part with the nozzle body 131.

[0022] The nozzle body 131 has a base portion 160, a cover member 170, and a flow passage forming piece 180 shown in FIG. 4, and a bearing unit 150 shown in FIG.

[0023] The base portion 160 is provided to rotatably support the connection end 118 of the suction tube 113, and includes a base plate 162 that defines the lower end of the flow path 119, and side walls 163, 164 erected from the upper surface of the base plate 162 at positions spaced apart from each other on the left and right. The side walls 163, 164 extend in the front-rear direction on the base plate 162, and substantially semicircular arc-shaped cutout portions 181, 182 are formed in the rear portions of the side walls 163, 164. Both ends of the connection end 118 of the suction tube 113 are placed on these cutout portions 181, 182 and are rotatably supported by the cutout portions 181, 182.

[0024] The portions of the side walls 163, 164 in front of the notches 181, 182 form a flow path 119 that communicates with the flow path of the suction tube 113. That is, the side walls 163, 164 divide the flow path 119 into left and right sides. Moreover, the portion of the base plate 162 between the side walls 163, 164 divides the lower part of the flow path 119.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 4, the flow path forming piece 180 has a flow path plate 183 fixed on the front portions of the side walls 163, 164, and an arc-shaped plate portion 184 connected to the rear end of the flow path plate 183. The flow path plate 183 is provided to partition the upper portion of the flow path 119, and is fixed to the front portions of the side walls 163, 164. As shown in Fig. 2, the arc-shaped plate portion 184 covers the connection end 118 of the suction pipe 113, and holds the connection end 118 of the suction pipe 113 together with the cutout portions 181, 182 of the side walls 163, 164.

[0026] The cover member 170 is formed in a generally rectangular box shape that opens downward, and is attached so as to entirely cover the base portion 160. A notch 171 is formed in the rear portion of the cover member 170, recessed forward from the rear end of the cover member 170. The space defined by the notch 171 is used to tilt the suction tube 113 in the front-rear direction.

[0027] The base portion 160 forms a space for accommodating the bearing unit 150 forward of the base plate 162. In detail, as shown in Fig. 6, the base portion 160 has an erect wall 168 erected from the front end of the base plate 162, and a pressing portion 161 protruding forward from an upper portion of the erect wall 168. The erect wall 168 and the pressing portion 161 form a space that opens downward, and the bearing unit 150 is accommodated in this space.

[0028] A substantially rectangular outlet 169 is formed in the standing wall 168. A side wall 163 extends rearward from the left end of the outlet 169. A side wall 164 extends rearward from the right end of the outlet 169. The outlet 169 is provided to communicate the space in which the bearing unit 150 is housed with the flow path 119.

[0029] The pressing portion 161 is configured to divide the space in which the bearing unit 150 is housed into an upper side, a front side, a left side, and a right side. A through hole 165 is formed near the front end of the pressing portion 161. In addition, a pair of left and right through holes 166, 167 are formed behind the through hole 158. These through holes 165 to 167 are formed to fix the bearing unit 150 within the space surrounded by the pressing portion 161 and the standing wall 168.

[0030] The bearing unit 150 has a pair of left and right case bearing parts 151, 152, and a connection part 153 that connects these case bearing parts 151, 152 to each other. The case bearing parts 151, 152 are integrated by the connection part 153.

[0031] 7, an outlet 159 that opens rearward is formed in the connecting portion 153, and this outlet 159 faces an outlet 169 of the pressing portion 161 when the bearing unit 150 is placed inside the pressing portion 161. This outlet 159 is provided to communicate the internal space of the bearing unit 150 with the flow path 119 via the outlet 169.

[0032] 5, a through hole 158 is formed in the front portion of the connection part 153, which is used to fix the connection part 153 (bearing unit 150) to the base part 160. The bearing unit 150 is attached to the pressing part 161 at a position where the through hole 158 is approximately coaxial with a through hole 165 of the pressing part 161 of the base part 160.

[0033] The case bearing portions 151 and 152 are symmetrical to each other, and in the following description, the structure of the case bearing portion 151 will be described, and a description of the structure of the case bearing portion 152 will be omitted.

[0034] Case bearing portion 151 has a generally cylindrical shape that defines an internal space that is open downward. Part of suction cases 132, 133 are housed in this internal space. An opening 154 is formed in the peripheral wall of case bearing portion 151. This opening 154 is provided to communicate the internal space of case bearing portion 151 with flow path 119 via outlets 159, 169.

[0035] The upper end 155 of the case bearing part 151 is ring-shaped in plan view, and a through hole 156 is formed in the center of the upper end 155 of the case bearing part 151. The bearing unit 150 is attached to the pressing part 161 with this through hole 156 being approximately coaxial with a through hole 166 of the pressing part 161. In this state, the through hole 156 of the upper end 155 of the right case bearing part 152 is approximately coaxial with a through hole 167 of the pressing part 161. The through holes 156 of the case bearing parts 151, 152 are used to attach the case bearing parts 151, 152 and the suction cases 132, 133 to the pressing part 161.

[0036] Suction cases 132, 133 are symmetrical to each other, and in the following description, the structure of left suction case 132 will be described, and a description of the structure of right suction case 133 will be omitted.

[0037] Suction case 132 has case body 123 forming suction space 134 that opens downward as shown in Fig. 8, and a substantially cylindrical case shaft portion 135 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of case body 123 as shown in Fig. 5. Suction space 134 of case body 123 is formed so as to gradually narrow toward the tip (left end) of case body 123.

[0038] Case shaft 135 protrudes upward from the base end (right end) of case body 123, and is inserted into case bearing 151. A rotation axis extending in the vertical direction is defined by inserting case shaft 135 into case bearing 151. When suction case 132 is in the basic position shown in Fig. 3, case body 123 protrudes leftward relative to nozzle body 131, but can rotate forward or backward from this position along the floor surface about the rotation axis.

[0039] The internal space of the case shaft portion 135 communicates with the suction space 134 of the case main body 123. An opening 136 is formed in the peripheral wall of the case shaft portion 135 as shown in Fig. 5, and this opening 136 overlaps with an opening 154 of the case bearing portion 151 when the suction case 132 is in the basic position. Therefore, the suction space 134 communicates with the flow path 119 via the internal space of the case shaft portion 135, the openings 136, 154, and the outlets 159, 169. Therefore, when the suction source 116 is operated, dust on the floor surface is sucked into the suction space 134 by the suction force of the suction source 116.

[0040] The peripheral wall of case shaft portion 135 may partially cover opening 154 of case bearing portion 151 when case body 123 rotates forward or backward from the basic position. However, it is preferable that the peripheral wall of case shaft portion 135 is formed so as not to completely cover opening 154 of case bearing portion 151 when case body 123 is rotated forward and backward by 90° from the basic position.

[0041] An upper end 137 of the case shaft portion 135 is ring-shaped in a plan view, and a through hole 138 is formed in the center of the upper end 137 of the case shaft portion 135. When the case shaft portion 135 is inserted into the case bearing portion 151, this through hole 138 overlaps vertically with a through hole 156 of the case bearing portion 151.

[0042] The suction cases 132 and 133 and the bearing unit 150 are attached to the pressing portion 161 by an attachment member 190 shown in FIG.

[0043] The mounting member 190 has a clamping plate 194 that is long in the left-right direction. A central support portion 205 extends forward from the center of the clamping plate 194 in the left-right direction, and a front column 191 stands up from the front end of the central support portion 205. A support leg 206 stands up from the front end of the left end of the clamping plate 194, and a disk-shaped spring seat plate 198 is provided at the upper end of the support leg 206. A support leg 207 stands up from the front end of the right end of the clamping plate 194, and a disk-shaped spring seat plate 199 is provided at the upper end of the support leg 207. Pillar-shaped positioning portions 192, 193 stand up from approximately the center of the spring seat plates 198, 199. The positioning portions 192, 193 are located on the front side of the clamping plate 194 and diagonally left and right behind the front column 191.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 8, the clamping plate 194 is located below the base ends of the suction cases 132, 133, and is configured to sandwich the suction cases 132, 133 and the bearing unit 150 together with the pressing portion 161 from above and below.

[0045] The front pillar 191 is formed so as to be insertable into the through hole 158 of the bearing unit 150, and a screw hole 195 is drilled at the upper end of the front pillar 191 as shown in FIG. 9. A screw inserted into the through hole 165 of the pressing part 161 is screwed into this screw hole 195. In this state, the support leg 206 is inserted into the case shaft part 135 of the suction case 132, and the central part of the spring seat plate 198 at the upper end of the support leg 206 is exposed in the through hole 156 of the case bearing part 151. In addition, the support leg 207 is inserted into the case shaft part 135 of the suction case 133, and the central part of the spring seat plate 199 at the upper end of the support leg 207 is exposed in the through hole 156 of the case bearing part 152.

[0046] In this state, the positioning portions 192, 193 are substantially coaxial with the through holes 166, 167 of the holding portion 161. Screw holes 196, 197 are formed at the upper ends of the positioning portions 192, 193, and these screw holes 196, 197 face the through holes 166, 167 of the holding portion 161. The mounting member 190 is fixed to the holding portion 161 by screwing screws into the screw holes 195 to 197 of the mounting member 190. In this state, the suction cases 132, 133 and the bearing unit 150 are sandwiched vertically by the holding portion 161 and the sandwiching plate 194. The positioning portions 192, 193 are not only used for fixing to the holding portion 161, but are also used as part of a positioning mechanism 140 for positioning the suction cases 132, 133 at the basic positions shown in FIG. 3. The structure of the positioning mechanism 140 will be described in detail later.

[0047] A ring portion 201 is provided on the spring seat plate 198, protruding upward from the upper surface of the spring seat plate 198. The positioning portion 192 is erected from the spring seat plate 198 at approximately the center of the ring portion 201. Since the outer diameter of the base end of the positioning portion 192 is smaller than the inner diameter of the ring portion 201, an annular groove 203 is formed between the base end of the positioning portion 192 and the ring portion 201. The outer diameter of the ring portion 201 is smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 156 of the case bearing portion 151, and the ring portion 201 appears in the through hole 156. A ring portion 202 is also provided on the spring seat plate 199, and an annular groove 204 is formed between the base end of the positioning portion 193 and the ring portion 202.

[0048] (Positioning mechanism) As shown in Fig. 10, the suction nozzle 130 has a positioning mechanism 140 for positioning the left suction case 132 in its home position, and a positioning mechanism 140 for positioning the right suction case 133 in its home position. Since these positioning mechanisms 140 have a symmetrical structure, the positioning mechanism 140 for the left suction case 132 will be described below, and a description of the positioning mechanism 140 for the right suction case 133 will be omitted. Note that the suction cases 132 and 133 shown in Fig. 10 are in their home positions.

[0049] The positioning mechanism 140 has the above-mentioned positioning portion 192 and an elastic restriction piece 141 that elastically positions the suction case 132 at a basic position. The positioning portion 192 is used to position the elastic restriction piece 141 on the spring seat plate 198. The positioning mechanism 140 further has a push-out piece 139 and a deformation promoting portion 120 that cooperate with each other to elastically deform the elastic restriction piece 141. The push-out piece 139 is provided on the case shaft portion 135, and the deformation promoting portion 120 is provided on the case shaft portion. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the push-out piece 139 protrudes from an upper end portion 137 of the case shaft portion 135, and the deformation promoting portion 120 protrudes from an upper end portion 155 of the case bearing portion 151. When the elastic restriction piece 141 is elastically deformed by the push-out piece 139 and the deformation promoting portion 120, the rotation of the suction case 132 is permitted.

[0050] In this embodiment, the elastic regulating piece 141 is composed of a torsion spring, as shown in FIG. 13, and has a first arm portion 143, a second arm portion 144, and a coil-shaped elastic connecting portion 142 connected to the first arm portion 143 and the second arm portion 144.

[0051] The positioning portion 192 is inserted into the elastic connection portion 142, and the elastic connection portion 142 is installed on the spring seat plate 198 with the axis of the elastic connection portion 142 facing the up-down direction. At this time, the lower end of the elastic connection portion 142 is fitted into an annular groove 203 formed on the spring seat plate 198. As shown in FIG. 13, the first arm portion 143 protrudes from the lower end of the elastic connection portion 142, while the second arm portion 144 protrudes from the upper end of the elastic connection portion 142. Therefore, the first arm portion 143 is located lower than the second arm portion 144. In addition, the first arm portion 143 and the second arm portion 144 protrude from the elastic connection portion 142 at positions spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis.

[0052] 5, the deformation promoting portion 120 protrudes upward from the upper end portion 155 of the case bearing portion 151 on the left side of the rotation axis. In detail, the deformation promoting portion 120 is a protruding portion that follows the periphery of the through hole 156, and has a substantially semicircular arc shape in a plan view.

[0053] 5 and 10, the deformation promoting portion 120 has a first engagement end surface 145 and a second engagement end surface 146 erected from an upper end portion 155 of the case bearing portion 151 at positions spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis. When the suction case 132 is in the basic position, the tip portion of the first arm portion 143 abuts against the first engagement end surface 145, and the tip portion of the second arm portion 144 abuts against the second engagement end surface 146.

[0054] The push piece 139 protrudes upward from the upper end 137 of the case shaft portion 135 through a through hole 156 in the upper end 155 of the case bearing portion 151 on the left side of the rotating shaft and to the right of the deformation promoting portion 120. Both ends of the push piece 139 in the circumferential direction around the rotating shaft are in contact with the first arm portion 143 and the second arm portion 144.

[0055] The pushing piece 139 is a part that pushes out the first arm 143 or the second arm 144 while being angularly displaced about the rotation axis in accordance with the rotation of the suction case 132 about the rotation axis. However, if the pushing force of the pushing piece 139 against the first arm 143 or the second arm 144 is not so large as to elastically deform the elastic connection part 142, the angular displacement of the pushing piece 139 is restricted by the first arm 143 or the second arm 144. Therefore, if the pushing force of the pushing piece 139 against the first arm 143 or the second arm 144 is not so large as to elastically deform the elastic connection part 142, the suction case 132 is positioned at the basic position. That is, the suction case 132 is held at a position protruding leftward with respect to the bearing unit 150 as shown in FIG. 10.

[0056] On the other hand, when the pushing piece 139 pushes out the first arm 143 with a force strong enough to elastically deform the elastic connection part 142, the first arm 143 can be angularly displaced in a direction away from the first engagement end face 145 as shown in FIG. 11. In this state, the suction case 132 can be rotated backward (first rotation direction) around the rotation axis. At this time, the second engagement end face 146 is formed so as to maintain an engagement state with the second arm 144, and as the first arm 143 is angularly displaced in a direction away from the first engagement end face 145, the elastic connection part 142 elastically deforms while accumulating a restoring force. Then, when the pressing force of the pushing piece 139 against the first arm 143 is removed, the elastic connection part 142 is restored, and the first arm 143 can return to a position where it abuts against the first engagement end face 145.

[0057] Conversely, when the pushing piece 139 pushes out the second arm 144 with a strong force, the second arm 144 can be angularly displaced in a direction away from the second engagement end surface 146 as shown in FIG. 12. In this state, the suction case 132 can be rotated forward (in a second rotation direction) around the rotation axis. At this time, the first engagement end surface 145 is formed so as to maintain an engagement state with the first arm 143, and as the second arm 144 is angularly displaced in a direction away from the second engagement end surface 146, the elastic connection portion 142 is elastically deformed. Then, when the pressing force of the pushing piece 139 against the second arm 144 is removed, the elastic connection portion 142 is restored, and the second arm 144 can return to a position where it abuts against the second engagement end surface 146.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, the upper end surface (the end surface in the axial direction of the rotation shaft) of the deformation promoting portion 120 has an inclined surface 147 extending from the first engagement end surface 145 in the circumferential direction around the rotation shaft. The inclined surface 147 is inclined so as to gradually lower as it moves away from the first engagement end surface 145, and a step is formed at an end 209 of the inclined surface 147 opposite to the first engagement end surface 145. The length of the inclined surface 147 is set so that the first arm portion 143 is located on the inclined surface 147 when the second arm portion 144 is engaged with the second engagement end surface 146 in a state in which the elastic connecting portion 142 is not elastically deformed. The inclined surface 147 is provided to facilitate the attachment of the elastic regulating piece 141 in a state in which the elastic connecting portion 142 is elastically deformed.

[0059] (Installation of elastic restriction piece) For the following reasons, it is preferable that the elastic restricting piece 141 is attached to the deformation promoting portion 120 in a state in which the elastic connecting portion 142 is elastically deformed to a certain degree.

[0060] It is assumed that the elastic connection part 142 undergoes plastic deformation due to repeated elastic deformation and restoration. Even if the first arm part 143 and the second arm part 144 are in contact with the first engagement end surface 145 and the second engagement end surface 146 before this plastic deformation, the first arm part 143 and the second arm part 144 may separate from the first engagement end surface 145 and the second engagement end surface 146 after the plastic deformation. In this state, the elastic restriction piece 141 may be angularly displaced around the rotation axis, and the function of positioning the suction case 132 in the basic position may be deteriorated.

[0061] In order to avoid such a situation, it is preferable that the elastic connection part 142 is attached to the deformation promoting part 120 in a state where it is elastically deformed to some extent. That is, it is preferable that the elastic connection part 142 is elastically deformed to some extent so as to urge the first arm part 143 and the second arm part 144 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 10 when the pushing piece 139 is not applying a pushing force to the first arm part 143 and the second arm part 144. In this state, the first arm part 143 and the second arm part 144 are pressed against the first engagement end surface 145 and the second engagement end surface 146. In this case, the pressure of the first arm part 143 and the second arm part 144 against the first engagement end surface 145 and the second engagement end surface 146 may decrease due to the plastic deformation of the elastic connection part 142. However, the first arm part 143 and the second arm part 144 are maintained in a position where they abut against the first engagement end surface 145 and the second engagement end surface 146. Therefore, even if elastic connection portion 142 undergoes plastic deformation to a certain extent, deterioration of the positioning function with respect to suction case 132 is prevented.

[0062] As described above, in order to attach the elastic connecting portion 142 to the deformation promoting portion 120 in an elastically deformed state, the worker may pinch the first arm portion 143 and the second arm portion 144 to apply a force in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 10 to elastically deform the elastic connecting portion 142. Then, the worker may lower the elastic connecting portion 142 so that the positioning portion 192 is inserted into the elastic connecting portion 142, and then release the fingers from the first arm portion 143 and the second arm portion 144. As a result, the first arm portion 143 and the second arm portion 144 may be displaced toward the first engaging end surface 145 and the second engaging end surface 146 due to the restoring force of the elastic connecting portion 142, and may engage with them. However, in such an attachment operation, it is assumed that the elastic restricting piece 141 may be bounced off the user's hand due to the elastic force of the elastic restricting piece 141 when the user is pinching the first arm portion 143 and the second arm portion 144. In order to avoid such a situation, the positioning mechanism 140 is configured to enable attachment of the elastic regulating piece 141 by utilizing the inclined surface 147 and the pushing piece 139. The attachment method of the left elastic regulating piece 141 will be described below with reference to Figure 14, but the right elastic regulating piece 141 can also be attached by the same attachment method.

[0063] The worker inserts the positioning portion 192 into the elastic connecting portion 142 as shown in FIG. 14. At this time, the elastic connecting portion 142 is not elastically deformed, and the second arm portion 144 is located at a position spaced apart from the second engaging end surface 146 in the clockwise direction. The first arm portion 143 is located on the end portion 209 (see FIG. 7) of the inclined surface 147 on the opposite side to the first engaging end surface 145. In the deformation promoting portion 120, the end portion 209 is relatively low, so that the elastic restricting piece 141 does not rise significantly above the spring seat plate 198. In this state, the first arm portion 143 and the second arm portion 144 are in contact with the pushing piece 139.

[0064] Thereafter, when the user rotates the push-out piece 139 counterclockwise while pressing the elastic regulating piece 141 from above with his / her hand, the first arm 143 is pushed by the push-out piece 139, and the elastic connecting portion 142 of the elastic regulating piece 141 rotates (counterclockwise) around the positioning portion 192. When the elastic regulating piece 141 rotates to a certain extent, the second arm 144 abuts against the second engaging end surface 146. That is, a state in which the second arm 144 and the second engaging end surface 146 are engaged with each other is obtained.

[0065] 14 until the second arm 144 engages with the second engagement end surface 146, the first arm 143 slides on the inclined surface 147 toward the first engagement end surface 145. However, when the second arm 144 abuts against the second engagement end surface 146, the first arm 143 has not yet reached the first engagement end surface 145 and is supported by the inclined surface 147 at a position separated from the first engagement end surface 145. Since the inclined surface 147 is higher from the end portion 209 toward the first engagement end surface 145 as shown in FIG. 7, the first arm 143 is gradually elastically bent and deformed upward while sliding toward the first engagement end surface 145 while being pressed against the inclined surface 147. Furthermore, due to the restoring force resulting from the elastic bending deformation of first arm portion 143, elastic regulating piece 141 attempts to be displaced upward, but since the user is pressing elastic regulating piece 141 from above, first arm portion 143 will not return to its original position while sliding on inclined surface 147.

[0066] When the user further rotates the push-out piece 139 counterclockwise, the first arm 143 passes over the first engagement end surface 145. At this time, the first arm 143 falls from the inclined surface 147 due to a downward restoring force and engages with the first engagement end surface 145. During this time, the second arm 144 maintains an engagement state with the second engagement end surface 146. Therefore, the elastic connection portion 142 is maintained in an elastically deformed state. In other words, the user can engage the first arm 143 and the second arm 144 with the first engagement end surface 145 and the second engagement end surface 146 while elastically deforming the elastic connection portion 142.

[0067] In such an installation method, the user does not need to pinch the first arm portion 143 and the second arm portion 144 to elastically deform the elastic connection portion 142. Therefore, during the installation work of the elastic restricting piece 141, a situation in which the elastic restricting piece 141 is bounced off the worker's hand due to the elastic force of the elastic restricting piece 141 is avoided.

[0068] (Vacuum cleaner in action) When a user grips grip portion 179 and tilts grip portion 179 and vacuum cleaner body 110 backward, connection end 118 of suction tube 113 rotates in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2. As a result, the flow path of suction tube 113 communicates with flow path 119 formed in nozzle body 131. At this time, when the user operates operation portion 178 to activate suction source 116, suction source 116 generates an upward suction force. This suction force causes check valve 114 to rotate upward and open the upper end of suction tube 113.

[0069] Thereafter, the suction force of the suction source 116 acts on the suction space 134 of the suction cases 132, 133 through the flow path of the suction tube 113, the flow path 119 in the nozzle body 131, the outlets 169, 159, the openings 154, 136, and the internal space of the case shaft portion 135. Since the suction space 134 narrows toward the tip of the suction case 132, a relatively strong suction force can also act at the tip of the suction space 134. Due to the suction force of the suction source 116, dust on the floor surface flows into the suction space 134 together with air.

[0070] Thereafter, the dust passes sequentially through the internal space of the case shaft portion 135, the openings 136, 154, the outlets 159, 169, the flow path 119 formed in the nozzle body 131, and the flow path of the suction tube 113. The dust that passes through the upper end of the suction tube 113 is captured by the filter portion 115 and stored in the vacuum cleaner body 110.

[0071] When suction cases 132, 133 are in the basic position, they protrude in the left-right direction relative to bearing unit 150, so that suction nozzle 130 is at its widest. In this state, if a user moves suction nozzle 130 forward or backward, dust can be removed from a wide area on the floor surface.

[0072] The suction cases 132, 133 are attached to the bearing unit 150 via the case shaft 135 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction. However, since both circumferential ends of the pushing piece 139 protruding from the upper end 137 of the case shaft 135 are in contact with the first arm 143 and the second arm 144 of the elastic restricting piece 141, the suction cases 132, 133 do not rotate with a small force and are held in their basic positions. In other words, the pushing piece 139 tries to push out the first arm 143 due to an external force that tries to rotate the suction cases 132, 133 backward (first rotation direction). However, if the pushing force of the pushing piece 139 against the first arm 143 is not large enough to elastically deform the elastic connecting portion 142, the angular displacement of the pushing piece 139 is restricted by the first arm 143. In addition, when an external force is generated that tends to rotate suction cases 132, 133 forward (second rotation direction), as long as the pushing force of push-out piece 139 is not large enough to elastically deform elastic connection portion 142, the angular displacement of push-out piece 139 is regulated by second arm portion 144.

[0073] However, if the front end of the suction case 132 collides with an obstacle while the user is moving the suction nozzle 130 forward, the external force caused by the collision may rotate the suction case 132 backward. In this case, the external force causes the case shaft 135 to rotate around the rotation axis within the case bearing 151 (counterclockwise (first rotation direction) in FIG. 10). The counterclockwise rotation of the case shaft 135 causes the push-out piece 139 erected from the upper end 137 of the case shaft 135 to push out the first arm 143 in a direction in which the first arm 143 moves away from the first engagement end surface 145. This allows the push-out piece 139 to be angularly displaced around the rotation axis together with the first arm 143. During this time, the positioning portion 192 inserted into the coil-shaped elastic connection portion 142 prevents the elastic regulating piece 141 from being displaced as a whole. In addition, the second engagement end surface 146 on the opposite side to the first engagement end surface 145 maintains an engagement state with the second arm portion 144 and restricts the second arm portion 144 from angularly displacing about the rotation axis. Therefore, the first arm portion 143 angularly displaces about the rotation axis while the elastic connection portion 142 and the second arm portion 144 are held in a predetermined position. As a result, the suction case 132 can rotate about the rotation axis. In this state, the elastic deformation amount of the elastic connection portion 142 increases with the angular displacement of the first arm portion 143, and a restoring force is stored in the elastic connection portion 142. After that, when the external force acting on the suction case 132 is eliminated, the elastic restriction piece 141 restores to its original position until the first arm portion 143 abuts against the first engagement end surface 145. As a result, the push-out piece 139 is pushed back to its original position by the first arm portion 143, and the suction case 132 returns to its basic position.

[0074] Conversely, if the rear end of the suction case 132 collides with an obstacle while the user is moving the suction nozzle 130 backward, the external force caused by this collision may cause the suction case 132 to rotate forward. In this case, the external force causes the case shaft 135 to rotate around the rotation axis within the case bearing 151 (clockwise (second rotation direction) in FIG. 10). The clockwise rotation of the case shaft 135 causes the push-out piece 139 to push out the second arm 144 in a direction in which the second arm 144 moves away from the second engagement end surface 146. This allows the push-out piece 139 to be angularly displaced around the rotation axis together with the second arm 144. During this time, the positioning portion 192 inserted into the coil-shaped elastic connection portion 142 prevents the elastic restriction piece 141 from being displaced as a whole. In addition, the first engagement end surface 145 maintains an engagement state with the first arm 143. Therefore, while the elastic connecting portion 142 and the first arm portion 143 are held in a predetermined position, the second arm portion 144 is angularly displaced about the rotation axis. As a result, the suction case 132 can rotate about the rotation axis. In this state, the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic connecting portion 142 increases with the angular displacement of the second arm portion 144. Thereafter, when the external force acting on the suction case 132 is eliminated, the elastic restricting piece 141 is restored to its original position until the second arm portion 144 abuts against the second engagement end surface 146. As a result, the pushing piece 139 is pushed back to its original position by the second arm portion 144, and the suction case 132 returns to its basic position.

[0075] The suction case 133 is also rotatable in the front-rear direction, similar to the suction case 132. Therefore, a description of the rotational movement of the suction case 133 will be omitted.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, when the suction cases 132, 133 are in the basic position, they protrude in the width direction relative to the case bearing portion 151, and the suction nozzle 130 is wide. In this state, when the user operates the suction source 116 to move the suction nozzle 130 forward or backward, the suction force of the suction source 116 removes dust from a wide area on the floor surface.

[0077] When the user moves suction nozzle 130 forward or backward, suction case 132 may receive a resistance from the floor surface (for example, a frictional force from the floor surface). However, if this resistance is not large enough to elastically deform elastic connection part 142 of elastic restriction piece 141, suction cases 132, 133 are maintained in the basic position. Therefore, suction cases 132, 133 do not rotate unnecessarily.

[0078] On the other hand, when a user advances suction nozzle 130 to insert it into a narrow space, suction case 132 may come into contact with furniture surrounding the narrow space. In this case, suction case 132 may receive a large rearward external force that elastically deforms elastic connection portion 142 of elastic restriction piece 141. This external force may cause suction case 132 to rotate rearward about the rotation axis. When suction case 132 rotates rearward, suction nozzle 130 becomes narrower than when suction case 132 is in the basic position. This allows the user to insert suction nozzle 130 into a narrow space.

[0079] When the user moves the suction nozzle 130 backward, it is assumed that the suction case 132 gets caught on, for example, the leg of a desk. In this case, the suction case 132 may receive a large forward external force that elastically deforms the elastic connection part 142 of the elastic restriction piece 141. This external force may cause the suction case 132 to rotate forward about the rotation axis. This makes it possible to prevent the suction case 132 from getting caught on the leg of the desk and preventing the suction nozzle 130 from moving backward. When the user moves the suction nozzle 130 further backward, the suction case 132 passes the leg of the desk while rotating forward, and returns to the basic position due to the restoring force of the elastic connection part 142 of the elastic restriction piece 141.

[0080] When suction cases 132, 133 are both in the basic position, the suction forces acting on suction spaces 134 of suction cases 132, 133 are approximately equal. At this time, if long dust such as hair extends below suction cases 132, 133 so as to straddle suction cases 132, 133, both ends of the long dust are pulled by approximately equal forces, and as a result, it may happen that the long dust is not sucked into vacuum cleaner 100. However, during cleaning work, a state may occur in which only one of suction cases 132, 133 rotates, and in this state, the situation in which the long dust is not sucked in can be solved as follows.

[0081] For example, when only the left suction case 132 rotates, the area where the peripheral wall of the case shaft portion 135 of the suction case 132 blocks the opening 154 of the case bearing portion 151 may become large. As a result, the suction force acting on the suction space 134 of the suction case 132 may become smaller than the suction force acting on the suction space 134 of the suction case 133. In this state, the long dust particles are attracted to the side of the suction case 133 where the relatively high suction force is acting, and may be sucked into the vacuum cleaner 100 through the suction case 133.

[0082] Suction case 132 is positioned in the home position by first arm 143 and second arm 144 of elastic restriction piece 141. That is, suction case 132 is positioned in the home position by a single elastic restriction piece 141. This positioning is not based on the balance of forces among a plurality of springs, and therefore no change in the home position occurs due to an imbalance of forces among a plurality of springs.

[0083] In this embodiment, the elastic restriction piece 141 is attached to the deformation promoting part 120 in a state where the elastic connection part 142 is elastically deformed. In this case, even if the rotation of the suction case 132 is repeated and the elastic restriction piece 141 is plastically deformed to a certain extent, the state where the first arm part 143 and the second arm part 144 are pressed against the first engagement end surface 145 and the second engagement end surface 146 can be maintained when the suction case 132 is in the basic position. That is, when the suction case 132 is not subjected to an external force, the state where the first arm part 143 and the second arm part 144 are pressed against the first engagement end surface 145 and the second engagement end surface 146 can be obtained. As long as this state continues, the basic position of the suction case 132 is constant, and this basic position does not change over time. Note that the elastic restriction piece 141 may be attached to the deformation promoting part 120 in a state where the elastic connection part 142 is not elastically deformed. In this case, even if the deformation promoting portion 120 does not have the inclined surface 147, the elastic restriction piece 141 can be easily attached to the deformation promoting portion 120.

[0084] In this embodiment, the positioning portion 192 is inserted into the elastic connection portion 142 of the elastic restricting piece 141. Therefore, the elastic restricting piece 141 is positioned by the positioning portion 192, and the displacement of the elastic restricting piece 141 in the front-rear or left-right direction when the suction case 132 rotates is restricted.

[0085] In addition, since the positioning portion 192 is disposed approximately coaxially with the case shaft portion 135 and protrudes upward from the upper end surface of the case shaft portion 135, the elastic connection portion 142 of the elastic restriction piece 141 is approximately coaxial with the case shaft portion 135 when the positioning portion 192 is inserted. If the elastic connection portion 142 is disposed at a position shifted in the front-rear direction and / or the left-right direction with respect to the case shaft portion 135, the positioning mechanism 140 may become larger in the front-rear direction and / or the left-right direction by the amount of shift between the case shaft portion 135 and the elastic connection portion 142. On the other hand, if the case shaft portion 135 and the elastic connection portion 142 are disposed approximately coaxially, such an increase in size is suppressed. Although the problem of an increase in size of the positioning mechanism 140 may occur, the case shaft portion 135 and the elastic connection portion 142 may be disposed non-coaxially as long as the elastic restriction piece 141 can be engaged with the first engagement end surface 145 and the second engagement end surface 146. In this case, the positioning portion 192 may be configured to position the resilient connection portion 142 in this non-coaxial position.

[0086] In the above-mentioned mounting method, the user holds the elastic regulating piece 141 from above with his / her hand to prevent the elastic regulating piece 141 from being displaced upward. Alternatively, the user may cover the positioning mechanism 140 with the holding part 161 after inserting the positioning part 192 into the elastic connecting part 142 and before rotating the pushing piece 139 to prevent the elastic regulating piece 141 from being displaced upward. Even if the holding part 161 is covered by the positioning mechanism 140 and the pushing piece 139 is hidden by the holding part 161, the operator can angularly displace the pushing piece 139 in the counterclockwise direction by angularly displacing the suction case 132 in the same direction.

[0087] In particular, the inclined surface 147 of the deformation promoting portion 120 becomes lower as it moves away from the first engagement end surface 145, and the height of the end 209 of the inclined surface 147 on the opposite side to the first engagement end surface 145 becomes smaller. Therefore, the user can place the first arm portion 143 on the end 209 of the inclined surface 147 without bending the first arm portion 143, which is located at a position lower than the second arm portion 144. Therefore, even if the user releases the elastic restriction piece 141 after placing it in the position shown in FIG. 14, the elastic restriction piece 141 will not jump upward. Therefore, the user can cover the positioning mechanism 140 with the pressing portion 161 without pressing the elastic restriction piece 141.

[0088] After the user places the pressing portion 161 over the positioning mechanism 140, when the suction case 132 is rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 14, the first arm 143 slides on the inclined surface 147 toward the first engagement end surface 145. During this time, the first arm 143 is elastically bent upward, and the restoring force of the first arm 143 may cause the elastic restriction piece 141 to float upward. However, the lifting of the elastic restriction piece 141 is prevented by the pressing portion 161. Therefore, the first arm 143 reaches the first engagement end surface 145 while gradually increasing the amount of bending deformation. Then, when the first arm 143 passes the first engagement end surface 145, it returns downward and can engage with the first engagement end surface 145.

[0089] When the user rotates the suction case 132 counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 14 by a predetermined angle, the second arm 144 comes into contact with the second engagement end surface 146. At this time, since the elastic restriction piece 141 is prevented from floating up (displacement in the axial direction of the rotation shaft) by the pressing portion 161, the second arm 144 does not come off the second engagement end surface 146, and the engagement state between the second arm 144 and the second engagement end surface 146 is maintained. After the second arm 144 comes into contact with the second engagement end surface 146, when the user further rotates the suction case 132 counterclockwise to engage the first arm 143 with the first engagement end surface 145, the elastic connection portion 142 is elastically deformed. This elastic deformation of the elastic connection portion 142 is maintained by the engagement of the first arm 143 with the first engagement end surface 145. In this way, the user can obtain the engagement state of the first arm portion 143 and the second arm portion 144 with the first engagement end surface 145 and the second engagement end surface 146 and the elastic deformation state of the elastic connecting portion 142 simply by rotating the suction case 132 counterclockwise. In this attachment work, the user does not need to pinch the first arm portion 143 and the second arm portion 144 to elastically deform the elastic connecting portion 142, and the elastic force of the elastic restricting piece 141 prevents the elastic restricting piece 141 from being flung out of the user's hand.

[0090] In this embodiment, when suction case 132 is in the basic position, first arm 143 and second arm 144 are in contact with both ends of extrusion piece 139, and no gap is generated between first arm 143 and extrusion piece 139 and between second arm 144 and extrusion piece 139. Therefore, rattling of suction case 132 is suppressed. However, if rattling of suction case 132 is permitted, extrusion piece 139 may be formed so that it can be in a state where it does not contact at least one of first arm 143 and second arm 144 when suction case 132 is in the basic position.

[0091] In the above-described embodiment, a torsion spring is used as the elastic restriction piece 141. Alternatively, the elastic restriction piece 141 may be configured as a leaf spring as shown in FIG. 15. In this case, the elastic connection part 142 may be formed in a curved plate shape. In this case, the positioning part 192 may be configured to position the elastic connection part 142 by sandwiching it in the thickness direction.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the deformation promoting portion 120 has an inclined surface 147. Alternatively, the end surface of the deformation promoting portion 120 in the axial direction of the rotation shaft may have another shape that can bend and deform the first arm portion 143 upward as the first arm portion 143 slides toward the first engagement end surface 145. For example, the end surface of the deformation promoting portion 120 in the axial direction of the rotation shaft may be formed in a stepped shape with small steps that do not hinder the sliding of the first arm portion 143 and continue in the circumferential direction around the rotation shaft. In this case, when the first arm portion 143 passes through the steps on the end surface of the deformation promoting portion 120, noise is likely to be generated. Due to the generation of this sound, it is possible to prevent the elastic restriction piece 141 from being improperly attached to the deformation promoting portion 120 as follows.

[0093] As described above, when the elastic regulating piece 141 is attached to the deformation promoting part 120 in a state where the pressing part 161 is placed over the positioning mechanism 140, the user cannot visually confirm whether the first arm part 143 is engaged with the first engagement end surface 145. For this reason, it is conceivable that the user will release the hand from the suction case 132 before the first arm part 143 engages with the first engagement end surface 145. In this case, the first arm part 143 slides in the opposite direction on the end surface of the deformation promoting part 120 due to the restoration of the elastic connecting part 142, and at this time, an intermittent sound is generated between the first arm part 143 and the deformation promoting part 120. This sound does not occur when the first arm part 143 is engaged with the first engagement end surface 145, so the user can grasp whether the state where the first arm part 143 is engaged with the first engagement end surface 145 has been obtained by the presence or absence of the sound.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, the suction cases 132, 133 are rotatable forward and backward from the basic position. Alternatively, the suction cases 132, 133 may be rotatable only forward from the basic position, or may be rotatable only backward from the basic position. In this case, one of the first arm portion 143 and the second arm portion 144 may be fixed to the deformation promoting portion 120.

[0095] In the embodiment described above, the suction nozzle 130 has two suction cases 132, 133. However, the suction nozzle 130 may have a single suction case or may have more than two suction cases.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 100 is a stick type. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be a self-propelled vacuum cleaner (a so-called robot vacuum cleaner) or a canister type vacuum cleaner.

[0097] (Effects, etc.) The suction nozzle 130 and the vacuum cleaner 100 according to the above-described embodiment have the following characteristics and provide the following effects.

[0098] A suction nozzle according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment comprises a nozzle body connected to a suction pipe through which dust flows, a suction case which forms an open suction space through which dust can be sucked in and is connected to the nozzle body so as to be rotatable forwards or backwards along the floor surface, and a positioning mechanism which positions the suction case at a basic position in which the suction case protrudes to the left or right relative to the nozzle body when no external force is acting on the suction case. The positioning mechanism includes an elastic regulating piece having an extrusion piece provided on the suction case so as to undergo angular displacement in response to rotation of the suction case, a first arm provided so as to contact the extrusion piece and regulate the angular displacement of the extrusion piece when the suction case rotates from the basic position in a first rotation direction, a second arm provided so as to contact the extrusion piece and regulate the angular displacement of the extrusion piece when the suction case rotates from the basic position in a second rotation direction opposite the first rotation direction, and an elastic connecting portion connected to the first arm and the second arm, and a deformation promoting portion engaged with one of the first arm and the second arm to allow one of the first arm and the second arm to undergo angular displacement around the rotation axis of the suction case, and which regulates the rotation of the other of the first arm and the second arm around the rotation axis when the one arm is angularly displaced around the rotation axis, thereby elastically deforming the elastic connecting portion and storing a restoring force in the elastic connecting portion. The suction case rotates when the push-out piece pushes out one of the arms, and returns to its original position when the elastic connection part recovers from its elastically deformed state so that the one of the arms pushes back the push-out piece.

[0099] In the above-mentioned configuration, when the suction case is in a basic position protruding leftward or rightward relative to the nozzle body, if the user moves the suction nozzle back and forth, dust is sucked into the suction space of the suction case from the wide area. If the suction case collides with an obstacle and receives a rearward external force, the suction case rotates backward along the floor surface. Conversely, if a forward external force is received, the suction case rotates forward along the floor surface. By rotating the suction case back and forth, the suction nozzle becomes narrower, and the user can insert the suction nozzle into a narrow space regardless of the presence of an obstacle.

[0100] If the suction case were to rotate significantly in the forward and backward directions due to a small external force such as friction from the floor, the width of the suction nozzle would not be stable, which would be inconvenient for cleaning work. For this reason, the suction case is positioned in a basic position by a positioning mechanism. When the suction case attempts to rotate from the basic position, the push-out piece comes into contact with the first arm or the second arm. At this time, if the force that the push-out piece applies to the first arm or the second arm is not large enough to elastically deform the elastic connection part, the angular displacement of the push-out piece is prevented by the first arm or the second arm. In this case, the suction case does not rotate and remains in the basic position.

[0101] On the other hand, when the suction case receives a large forward or backward external force due to a collision with an obstacle as described above, the pushing piece pushes out the first arm or the second arm. When the pushing piece pushes out one of the first and second arms, this arm can be angularly displaced around the rotation axis, and the suction case can be rotated to a certain extent. When one arm is angularly displaced around the rotation axis of the suction case, the angular displacement of the other of the first and second arms is restricted by the deformation promoting part, and the elastic connection part connecting the first and second arms is elastically deformed. As a result, a restoring force is stored in the elastic connection part, and after that, when the external force acting on the suction case is eliminated, the pushing piece is pushed back to its original position by one of the arms due to the restoring force of the elastic connection part. In other words, the suction case is returned to its basic position. In this way, the suction case is positioned in its home position by a single elastic restricting piece, and the conventional problem of the home position of the suction case changing due to an imbalance in the forces among a plurality of springs does not occur.

[0102] In the above-described configuration, when the suction case is in the basic position, the first arm and the second arm may be in contact with the push-out piece.

[0103] In the above-mentioned configuration, when the suction case is in the basic position, the first arm and the second arm are in contact with the extrusion piece, and no gap is generated between the first arm and the extrusion piece and between the second arm and the extrusion piece, thereby suppressing rattling of the suction case.

[0104] In the above-described configuration, the elastic restriction piece may include a torsion spring having an elastic connection portion formed in a coil shape.

[0105] In the above-mentioned configuration, a torsion spring can be used as the elastic restriction piece.

[0106] In the above-described configuration, the positioning mechanism may have a positioning portion that protrudes from the suction case to be inserted into the elastic connecting portion and positions the elastic connecting portion at a predetermined position.

[0107] In the above-mentioned configuration, since the positioning portion is inserted into the coil-shaped elastic connecting portion, when one of the first arm portion and the second arm portion is pushed out by the pushing piece, the entire elastic restricting piece is restricted from being displaced. Also, the internal space of the coil-shaped elastic connecting portion is effectively used for arranging the positioning portion.

[0108] In the above-described configuration, the elastic connection portion may be elastically deformed so as to bring one arm portion into pressure contact with the deformation promoting portion when the suction case is in the basic position.

[0109] It is assumed that the elastic connection part undergoes plastic deformation over time as the elastic connection part repeats elastic deformation and restoration. If the elastic connection part is provided in a non-elastically deformed state, the plastic deformation of the elastic connection part over time may cause a change in the position of one of the arms such that the one arm part goes from being in contact with the deformation promoting part to being separated from the deformation promoting part when the suction case is in the basic position. Due to such a change in the position of the one arm part, the basic position of the suction case may change over time.

[0110] On the other hand, if the elastic connection part is provided in an elastically deformed state as in the above-mentioned configuration, the one arm part is in pressure contact with the deformation promoting part when the suction case is in the basic position. In this case, even if the elastic connection part is plastically deformed to a certain extent, the pressure of the one arm part against the deformation promoting part may decrease, but the one arm part is maintained in a position in contact with the deformation promoting part. As a result, the change over time of the basic position of the suction case is suppressed.

[0111] In the above-described configuration, the deformation promoting portion may be configured to allow the other arm portion to undergo angular displacement about the rotation axis and move away from the deformation promoting portion when the push-out piece pushes out the other arm portion, and to restrict rotation of one arm portion about the rotation axis when the other arm portion is angularly displaced about the rotation axis, thereby elastically deforming the elastic connection portion and storing a restoring force in the elastic connection portion.

[0112] In the above-mentioned configuration, when the push piece pushes out one of the first and second arms, the other arm engages with the deformation promoting portion, so that the angular displacement of the other arm is restricted. In this case, the suction case is permitted to rotate in the direction in which the push piece pushes out the one arm. Also, when the other arm is pushed out by the push piece, the deformation promoting portion allows the other arm to be angularly displaced around the rotation axis and move away from the deformation promoting portion, so that the suction case is also permitted to rotate in the opposite direction. At this time, since the deformation promoting portion restricts the one arm from rotating around the rotation axis, even when the suction case is rotating in the opposite direction, the elastic connection portion is elastically deformed and a restoring force is stored in the elastic connection portion. Therefore, even when the suction case is rotating in the opposite direction, the suction case can return to its basic position due to the restoring force of the elastic connection portion.

[0113] In the above-mentioned configuration, the deformation promoting portion may have a first engagement end surface and a second engagement end surface provided at positions spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis so as to engage with the first arm portion and the second arm portion when the suction case is in the basic position. The first engagement end surface may be configured to maintain an engagement state with the first arm portion when the pushing piece pushes the second arm portion in a direction away from the second engagement end surface. The second engagement end surface may be configured to maintain an engagement state with the first arm portion when the pushing piece pushes the first arm portion in a direction away from the first engagement end surface.

[0114] In the above-mentioned configuration, when an external force that rotates the suction case acts on the suction case, the pushing piece pushes the first arm or the second arm in a direction away from the first engagement end face or the second engagement end face. The first engagement end face maintains an engagement state with the first arm when the pushing piece pushes the second arm in a direction away from the second engagement end face, so the elastic connection part can be elastically deformed. Conversely, when the pushing piece pushes the first arm in a direction away from the first engagement end face, the second engagement end face maintains an engagement state with the second arm, so the elastic connection part can be elastically deformed at this time as well. After that, when the external force acting on the suction case is eliminated, the pushing piece is pushed back to its original position by the restoring force caused by the elastic deformation of the elastic connection part. As a result, the suction case returns to its basic position.

[0115] In the above-mentioned configuration, the elastic restricting piece may be configured such that, when the elastic connecting portion is not elastically deformed and the second arm portion is engaged with the second engagement end surface, the first arm portion is positioned on the end surface of the deformation promoting portion in the axial direction of the rotation shaft at a spaced position away from the first engagement end surface. The end surface of the deformation promoting portion may be formed such that an amount of elastic bending deformation of the first arm portion in the axial direction of the rotation shaft increases as the first arm portion slides from the spaced position toward the first engagement end surface while being pressed against the end surface of the deformation promoting portion. The second engagement end surface may be configured to maintain an engagement state with the second arm portion while the first arm portion slides on the end surface of the deformation promoting portion. The first arm portion may be configured to restore its original state and engage with the first engagement end surface when it is angularly displaced beyond the end surface of the deformation promoting portion.

[0116] The user can pinch the first arm and the second arm with their fingers to bring the elastic connection part closer to the deformation promoting part in a state where the elastic connection part is elastically deformed, and then remove their fingers to engage the first arm and the second arm with the first engagement end surface and the second engagement end surface. However, in such an installation work, it is expected that the elastic restriction piece will be bounced off the user's hand due to the elastic force of the elastic restriction piece. To avoid such a situation, in the above-mentioned configuration, the user can install the elastic restriction piece by using the end surface of the deformation promoting part in the axial direction of the rotation shaft as follows.

[0117] When the user engages the second arm with the second engagement end surface without elastically deforming the elastic connection portion, the first arm is positioned on the end surface of the deformation promoting portion in the axial direction of the rotation shaft at a position separated from the first engagement end surface. From this state, as the user slides the first arm from the separated position toward the first engagement end surface while pressing the end surface of the deformation promoting portion, the amount of elastic bending deformation of the first arm in the axial direction of the rotation shaft increases. Then, when the first arm slides beyond the end surface of the deformation promoting portion, the first arm returns to its original state and engages with the first engagement end surface. While the first arm slides on the end surface of the deformation promoting portion, the second arm maintains its engagement with the second engagement end surface, so that when the first arm engages with the first engagement end surface, the elastic connection portion is in an elastically deformed state.

[0118] When the user places the elastic restricting piece so that the first arm is at a spaced position on the end face of the deformation promoting portion, the user may adjust the orientation of the suction case so that the push-out piece is located between the first arm and the second arm. In this case, the user can push the first arm toward the first engagement end face with the push-out piece and slide it on the end face of the deformation promoting portion by rotating the suction case around the rotation axis while pressing the elastic restricting piece so that the first arm is pressed against the end face of the deformation promoting portion. That is, the user can use the push-out piece to engage the first arm with the first engagement end face.

[0119] In the above-described configuration, the end face of the deformation promoting portion in the axial direction of the pivot shaft may be inclined from the separated position to the first engagement end face so that the amount of elastic bending deformation of the first arm portion in the axial direction of the pivot shaft increases as the first arm portion slides from the separated position toward the first engagement end face while being pressed against the end face of the deformation promoting portion.

[0120] In the above-mentioned configuration, the end face of the deformation promoting part in the axial direction of the rotating shaft is inclined from the separated position to the first engaging end face, so that when the user slides the first arm part toward the first engaging end face, the amount of elastic bending deformation of the first arm part in the axial direction of the rotating shaft increases. After that, when the first arm part passes over the end face of the deformation promoting part, the first arm part can return to its original state and engage with the first engaging end face.

[0121] In the above-described configuration, the nozzle body may be configured to prevent the elastic regulating piece from being displaced in the axial direction of the pivot shaft when the first arm portion slides over the end face of the deformation promoting portion from the separated position.

[0122] In the above-mentioned configuration, when the user slides the first arm from the separated position on the end face of the deformation promoting portion, the first arm elastically bends and deforms in the axial direction of the rotation shaft. At this time, the elastic restriction piece tries to displace in the axial direction of the rotation shaft due to the restoring force of the first arm. However, this displacement is prevented by the nozzle body, so the user does not need to hold down the elastic restriction piece.

[0123] A vacuum cleaner according to another aspect of the above-described embodiment includes a suction source that generates a suction force to suck up dust, a suction tube through which the dust sucked in by the suction force of the suction source flows, and the above-described suction nozzle. [Industrial Applicability]

[0124] The suction nozzle and the vacuum cleaner of the above-described embodiment are suitably used in devices used for cleaning work. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 100·················vacuum cleaner 113·······················Suction tube 116······························Suction source 120 Deformation promotion section 130 Suction nozzle 131 Nozzle body 132, 133...Suction case 134... Intake space 139 Extrusion piece 140 Positioning mechanism 141 Elastic regulation piece 142 Elastic connection 143 1st arm 144 2nd arm 145 1st engagement end surface 146 2nd engagement end surface 153 Connection 192, 193 Positioning part

Claims

1. A nozzle body connected to a suction pipe through which dust flows; a suction case that forms an open suction space for sucking dust and is connected to the nozzle body so as to be rotatable forward or backward along a floor surface; a positioning mechanism that positions the suction case at a basic position where the suction case protrudes leftward or rightward relative to the nozzle body when no external force is acting on the suction case, The positioning mechanism includes: a push-out piece provided on the suction case so as to be angularly displaced in association with rotation of the suction case; an elastic regulating piece having a first arm portion provided to come into contact with the extrusion piece and regulate angular displacement of the extrusion piece when the suction case rotates from the basic position in a first rotation direction, a second arm portion provided to come into contact with the extrusion piece and regulate angular displacement of the extrusion piece when the suction case rotates from the basic position in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, and an elastic connecting portion connected to the first arm portion and the second arm portion and capable of elastic deformation; a deformation promoting portion that is engaged with one of the first arm portion and the second arm portion so as to allow the one of the arm portions to be angularly displaced about a rotation axis of the suction case, and that restricts the other of the first arm portion and the second arm portion from rotating about the rotation axis when the one of the arm portions is angularly displaced about the rotation axis, thereby elastically deforming the elastic connecting portion and storing a restoring force in the elastic connecting portion, The suction case rotates when the push-out piece pushes out the one arm portion, and returns to the basic position when the elastic connection portion recovers from its elastically deformed state so that the one arm portion pushes back the push-out piece.

2. The suction nozzle according to claim 1 , wherein the first arm portion and the second arm portion are in contact with the extrusion piece when the suction case is in the basic position.

3. 3. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the elastic restriction piece includes a torsion spring in which the elastic connection portion is formed in a coil shape.

4. 4. The suction nozzle according to claim 3, wherein the positioning mechanism has a positioning portion that protrudes from the suction case so as to be inserted into the elastic connecting portion, and positions the elastic connecting portion at a predetermined position.

5. 3. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the elastic connection portion is elastically deformed so as to press the one arm portion against the deformation promoting portion when the suction case is in the basic position.

6. 3. The suction nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the deformation promoting portion allows the other arm portion to undergo angular displacement about the rotation axis and move away from the deformation promoting portion when the push-out piece pushes out the other arm portion, and is configured to restrict the rotation of the one arm portion about the rotation axis when the other arm portion is angularly displaced about the rotation axis, thereby elastically deforming the elastic connecting portion and storing a restoring force in the elastic connecting portion.

7. the deformation promoting portion has a first engagement end surface and a second engagement end surface provided at positions spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis so as to engage with the first arm portion and the second arm portion when the suction case is in the basic position, the first engagement end surface is configured to maintain an engagement state with the first arm portion when the push-out piece pushes out the second arm portion in a direction away from the second engagement end surface, 3. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the second engagement end surface is configured to maintain an engagement state with the first arm portion when the push-out piece pushes the first arm portion in a direction away from the first engagement end surface.

8. the elastic restricting piece is configured such that, when the elastic connecting portion is not elastically deformed and the second arm portion is engaged with the second engaging end surface, the first arm portion is positioned on the end surface of the deformation promoting portion in the axial direction of the pivot shaft at a position spaced apart from the first engaging end surface, the end surface of the deformation promoting portion is formed such that an amount of elastic bending deformation of the first arm portion in the axial direction of the pivot shaft increases as the first arm portion slides from the separated position toward the first engagement end surface while being pressed against the end surface of the deformation promoting portion, the second engagement end surface is configured to maintain an engagement state with the second arm portion while the first arm portion is sliding on the end surface of the deformation promoting portion, The suction nozzle according to claim 7 , wherein the first arm portion is configured to restore its original shape and engage with the first engagement end surface when angularly displaced beyond the end surface of the deformation promoting portion.

9. 9. The suction nozzle of claim 8, wherein the end face of the deformation promoting portion in the axial direction of the pivot shaft is inclined from the separated position to the first engagement end face so that as the first arm portion slides from the separated position toward the first engagement end face while being pressed against the end face of the deformation promoting portion, the amount of elastic bending deformation of the first arm portion in the axial direction of the pivot shaft becomes larger.

10. The suction nozzle according to claim 8, wherein the nozzle body is configured to prevent the elastic regulating piece from being displaced in the axial direction of the pivot shaft when the first arm portion slides over the end surface of the deformation promoting portion from the separated position.

11. A suction source that generates a suction force for sucking in dust; a suction tube through which dust sucked by the suction force of the suction source flows; A vacuum cleaner comprising the suction nozzle according to claim 1 or 2.

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