Work machine
The work machine integrates a hard resin case base with elastic bodies to address part count and attachment issues, ensuring easy operation and aesthetic appeal by hiding protrusions, while maintaining functionality and convenience.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023123899
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing work machines face challenges such as increased parts count, difficulty in attaching and detaching the dust collection case, aesthetic issues due to protrusions, and pipe detachment, which affect convenience and appearance.
A work machine design featuring a dust collection case with a case base made of hard resin and integrated elastic bodies, incorporating protrusions and recesses to prevent improper attachment and enhance aesthetics, while using two-color molding to reduce parts and improve convenience.
The design allows for convenient attachment and detachment of the dust collection case, prevents pipe detachment, and maintains aesthetic appeal by hiding protrusions, thus enhancing user experience and reducing part count.
Smart Images

Figure 2025019960000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a work machine. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cleaner, which is an example of a work machine. In this work machine, a dust collection case that forms a dust collection chamber is removably attached to a main body that houses a motor and a fan. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-45844 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the following problems. Challenge 1: To provide a work machine with improved user-friendliness by adding functions to a dust collection case without increasing the number of parts. Issue 2: To provide a work machine that allows easy attachment and detachment of a dust collection case to and from the main body. Issue 3: To provide a work machine in which the aesthetic impact of a dent appearing on the outer surface of a dust-collection case due to the provision of a protrusion on the inner surface of the dust-collection case is suppressed. Issue 4: To provide a work machine that prevents a detachable pipe from coming off the dust collection case. Problem 5: To provide a work machine capable of suppressing an increase in the number of parts. · Challenge 6: To provide easy-to-use work equipment. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a work machine. a main body that houses a drive unit and a fan that operates by receiving a driving force from the drive unit; a dust collection case provided to cover the air intake port of the main body, forming a dust collection chamber therein, and having an inlet for the air flow in the dust collection chamber; The dust-collection case includes a case base made of hard resin, and an elastic body integrally formed with the case base by two-color molding.
[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is a work machine. A drive unit; A housing that accommodates the drive unit, the housing has a protrusion on an inner surface side thereof that abuts against an internal component, and a recess on a portion behind the protrusion, An elastic body is integrally molded with the housing by two-color molding so as to fit into the recess.
[0007] The present invention may be expressed as an "electric operating machine" or an "electrical device", and such expressions are also valid as aspects of the present invention. Effect of the Invention
[0008] According to the present invention, at least one of the above problems can be solved. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] 1A is a side view of a working machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. [Diagram 2] 2A is a cross-sectional view of the main housing 2 and the dust collection case 3 separated from each other in FIG. 1B, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the main housing 2 and the dust collection case 3 separated from each other in FIG. [Diagram 3] 1A is a front view of the work machine 1. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a case base 90 of the dust collection case 3. FIG. 1C is a front view of the case base 90. FIG. [Figure 4]1A is a cross-sectional view showing that the latch portion 65 of the paper-pack holder 60 interferes with the protrusion 90c of the case base 90 when the paper pack 40 is not attached, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing that the latch portion 65 of the paper-pack holder 60 does not interfere with the protrusion 90c of the case base 90 when the paper pack 40 is attached. [Diagram 5] 5A is a side view of the state in which the dust collection case 3 is removed in Fig. 1A and the paper pack 40 is not attached. (B) is a front view of the state in Fig. 5A. (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in Fig. 5A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] This embodiment relates to a working machine 1. The working machine 1 is a cordless, portable, non-cyclone cleaner. Fig. 1(A) defines the front-rear and up-down directions of the working machine 1, which are perpendicular to each other. The front-rear direction is a direction parallel to the rotating shaft 6a of the motor 6. The housing of the working machine 1 is composed of a main body housing 2 (main body) and a dust collection case 3 (dust case).
[0011] The main housing 2 is, for example, a resin molded body split into two parts, left and right. The main housing 2 has a storage section 2a, a handle section 2b, and a battery pack attachment section 2c. The storage section 2a is the front part of the main housing 2, and stores and holds a motor 6 and a fan 9 (dust collection fan) as a drive section.
[0012] An air intake 2d is provided at the front of the storage section 2a. The air intake 2d is a circular through-hole coaxial with the inlet 3a and the motor 6, and communicates with the space inside the dust collection case 3 (dust collection chamber 3c). The front of the air intake 2d is covered by a filter 45. The air intake 2d is an outlet for the air flow in the dust collection chamber 3c. An exhaust port 2e is provided on each of the left and right side surfaces of the main housing 2.
[0013] The handle portion 2b extends rearward from the upper end of the storage portion 2a. A user grips the handle portion 2b to handle the working machine 1. An operation panel (switch portion) 5 is provided on the upper surface of the handle portion 2b. Various switches provided on the operation panel 5 can be used to start and stop the working machine 1 and to change the airflow of the working machine 1.
[0014] The battery pack attachment section 2c is a lower rear section of the main housing 2, and a battery pack 4 that serves as a power source for the work machine 1 is detachably attached thereto.
[0015] The motor 6 is configured as a unit including a motor case and bearings. The motor 6 may be a brushless motor or a motor with brushes. The motor 6 is operated by power supplied from the battery pack 4. A fan 9 is attached to a rotating shaft 6a of the motor 6. The fan 9 receives the driving force of the motor 6 and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 6a around the rotating shaft 6a to generate an air flow. The fan 9 is a centrifugal fan.
[0016] The dust collection case 3 includes a case base 90 made of hard resin, and a first elastomer 91 to a third elastomer 93 (described below) which are elastic bodies integrally two-color molded with the case base 90. Two-color molding is a method of combining two different materials, for example a hard resin and an elastomer, and molding them into an integral body, and is also called two-layer molding.
[0017] The dust collection case 3 forms a dust collection chamber 3c inside. The dust collection case 3 is cylindrical and becomes thinner toward the front. The dust collection case 3 has an air inlet 3a for the air flow in the dust collection chamber 3c at the front end. The air inlet 3a is an attachment port to which a pipe such as an extension tube or a flexible hose (not shown) can be attached. The dust collection case 3 is detachably connected and fixed to the front of the main body housing 2 by rotating it relative to the main body housing 2, and covers the front of the air intake 2d.
[0018] The work machine 1 has a paper bag 40 serving as a dust collection bag for collecting dust and a paper bag holder 60 for supporting the paper bag 40 in the dust collection chamber 3c.
[0019] The paper pack 40 has a general structure in which thick paper 41 and a bag portion 42 are integrated together. The thick paper 41 has a paper pack inlet 43 as shown in Fig. 1(B) etc. The bag portion 42 may be made of cloth instead of paper, for example.
[0020] The paper pack holder 60 has a holder base 61, pillars 62, a support portion 63, and a latch portion 65. The holder base 61, pillars 62, and support portion 63 are made of, for example, a single resin molded body.
[0021] The holder base 61 is annular and surrounds the intake port 2d, and has a pair of upper and lower rotation fitting parts 61a shown in Figures 1(B) and 5(C). The rotation fitting parts 61a engage with grooves for rotation fitting in the main housing 2, whereby the paper bag holder 60 is detachably attached to the main housing 2 and positioned within the dust collection chamber 3c.
[0022] The pillar portion 62 extends forward from the holder base portion 61. A support portion 63 is provided at the front end of the pillar portion 62. The support portion 63 is annular and has a holder opening 64 as shown in Fig. 1(B) and other figures. The holder opening 64 communicates with the paper pack inlet 43 and also communicates with the rear end of the inlet 3a across a third elastomer 93 (described later). The through hole formed by the holder opening 64 and the paper pack inlet 43 corresponds to the bag inlet.
[0023] The latch portion 65 is rotatably provided on the upper portion of the support portion 63. The latch portion 65 is urged in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 1(B) by a urging means such as a torsion spring (not shown). The latch portion 65 supports the upper portion of the thick paper 41 of the paper pack 40 and locks the paper pack 40 to the paper pack holder 60. The paper pack 40 can be attached to and detached from the paper pack holder 60 by rotating the latch portion 65 in the clockwise direction in Fig. 1(B).
[0024] As shown in Figs. 3B-D and 4A and 4B, the case base 90 of the dust-collecting case 3 has a pair of thin-walled portions 90a, a pair of recessed portions 90b, and a pair of protruding portions 90c. The protruding portions 90c are protruding portions provided on the inner surface of the front part of the case base 90, which faces the dust-collecting chamber 3c, and are box-shaped, mountain-shaped, or wedge-shaped protruding portions that are convex toward the dust-collecting chamber 3c. The recessed portions 90b are provided on the outer surface of the front part of the case base 90. The recessed portions 90b and the protruding portions 90c are in a front-back relationship. If a part is molded with an uneven thickness, sink marks will occur, which will impair the aesthetic appearance. To avoid this, when the protruding portions 90c are provided on the inner surface, the recessed portions 90b are provided on the outer surface, which is the back surface of the protruding portions 90c. The thin-walled portions 90a are provided so as to surround the recessed portions 90b and the protruding portions 90c.
[0025] The protrusion 90c is provided for the purpose of preventing the paper pack 40 from being forgotten to be attached. When the paper pack 40 is supported by the paper pack holder 60, the protrusion 90c does not interfere with the paper pack holder 60, and when the paper pack 40 is not supported by the paper pack holder 60, the protrusion 90c interferes with the paper pack holder 60, thereby preventing the dust collection case 3 from attaching to the main housing 2. This will be described in detail below.
[0026] To attach the dust collection case 3 to the main housing 2, the fitting protrusion 3d of the dust collection case 3 shown in FIG. 2(A) or FIG. 3(D) and the fitting groove inlet 2g shown in FIG. 5(A) and (C) are aligned with each other in the rotational direction (hereinafter, "aligned state"), and the dust collection case 3 is fitted to the front part of the main housing 2 as shown in FIG. 4(A) and (B). The aligned state is a state in which the dust collection case 3 is rotated counterclockwise with respect to the main housing 2 by, for example, about 120 degrees as viewed from the front, with respect to the state in which the dust collection case 3 is rotationally fitted to the main housing 2 (FIG. 1(A) and (B)). In the aligned state, the pair of protrusions 90c are located directly above and directly below the holder opening 64, respectively. At this time, the range of one protrusion 90c and the range of the latch portion 65 at least partially overlap in the rotational direction.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 4(A), when the paper pack 40 is not supported by the paper pack holder 60, the latch portion 65 is rotated by a predetermined angle in the counterclockwise direction in the figure, because the thick paper 41 is not present, compared to when the paper pack 40 is supported by the paper pack holder 60. Therefore, in the process of fitting the dust collection case 3 to the front part of the main body housing 2, the front end of the latch portion 65 interferes with the protrusion 90c of the dust collection case 3, and the dust collection case 3 cannot be fully fitted to the front part of the main body housing 2. This prevents the dust collection case 3 from being attached to the main body housing 2 when the paper pack 40 is not supported by the paper pack holder 60, and reduces the risk of operating the work machine 1 when the paper pack 40 is not supported by the paper pack holder 60. The dust collection case 3 can also be attached in a state where it is rotated 180 degrees around the rotation shaft 6a of the motor 6 in order to change the angle of the inlet 3a. In this case as well, in order to allow the protrusion 90c to interfere with the latch portion 65, the protrusion 90c is provided at two locations point-symmetrically with respect to the rotation shaft 6a of the motor 6 as the center.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 4B, when the paper pack 40 is supported by the paper pack holder 60, the latch portion 65 is hooked on the upper part of the thick paper 41, and is rotated by a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction in the figure compared to when the paper pack 40 is not supported by the paper pack holder 60. Therefore, in the process of fitting the dust collection case 3 to the front part of the main body housing 2, the front end of the latch portion 65 slips under the protruding portion 90c of the dust collection case 3 and does not interfere with the protruding portion 90c. Therefore, the dust collection case 3 can be fitted to the front part of the main body housing 2 all the way. As a result, the fitting protruding portion 3d of the dust collection case 3 engages with the fitting groove 2f of the main body housing 2. After that, when the dust collection case 3 is rotated clockwise relative to the main body housing 2, for example, by about 120 degrees as viewed from the front, the fitting protruding portion 3d moves along the fitting groove 2f, and finally the dust collection case 3 and the main body housing 2 are connected and fixed to each other.
[0029] The first elastomer 91 is filled in the pair of recesses 90b, respectively, and is molded integrally with a part of the outer surface of the case base 90 in two colors so as to cover the backsides of the pair of protrusions 90c. The first elastomer 91 is molded in two colors so as to extend around the backsides of the respective protrusions 90c and cover (fill) the pair of thin-walled portions 90a. The surface of the first elastomer 91 and the surface of the case base 90 around the thin-walled portion 90a are preferably flush with each other. The first elastomer 91 is provided on an inclined portion of the outer surface of the case base 90 that is inclined so that the case base 90 is tapered. As shown in FIG. 3(A), the first elastomer 91 is located on both the left and right sides of the inlet 3a when viewed from the front. The first elastomer 91 prevents the recesses 90b from appearing on the outside and also functions as an anti-slip material. From the viewpoint of anti-slip function, each of the left and right first elastomers 91 is provided within an angular range of preferably 60 degrees or more, and more preferably 90 degrees or more, from the inlet 3a as the center.
[0030] The second elastomer 92 is molded integrally with the inner surface of the inlet 3a by two-color molding. The second elastomer 92 makes it difficult for an attachment such as a pipe attached to the inlet 3a to come off. The second elastomer 92 is provided at two different circumferential positions on the inner surface of the inlet 3a as shown in Fig. 3(A), and each is formed in a rod shape extending in the front-rear direction.
[0031] The third elastomer 93 is molded integrally with the rear portion of the inlet 3a in two colors, and is shaped to go around the rear end of the inlet 3a and cover the rear outer peripheral surface of the inlet 3a. The third elastomer 93 is in close contact with the periphery of the holder opening 64 of the paper pack holder 60. The third elastomer 93 functions as a packing that prevents air from leaking out from the inlet 3a without passing through the holder opening 64.
[0032] The first elastomer 91, the second elastomer 92, and the third elastomer 93 may be continuous with each other (integral with each other) or may be separate from each other. Making them continuous with each other simplifies the two-color molding process.
[0033] When the user operates a switch on the operation panel 5 to drive the motor 6, the driving force of the motor 6 rotates the fan 9. The airflow generated by the fan 9 passes through the inlet 3a, the holder opening 64, and the paper pack inlet 43 in this order, and is taken into the paper pack 40. The airflow passes through the bag portion 42 and further through the filter 45, and enters the main housing 2 from the intake port 2d. The airflow is sucked into the inside of the fan 9 and discharged to the outside, guided rearward, and finally exhausted to the outside of the main housing 2 from the exhaust port 2e. Dust that enters with the airflow from the inlet 3a is collected in the paper pack 40.
[0034] This embodiment provides the following advantages.
[0035] (1) The dust-collection case 3 includes a case base 90 made of a hard resin, and a first elastomer 91 to a third elastomer 93 that are integrally molded with the case base 90 by two-color molding. Therefore, functions can be added to the dust-collection case 3 without increasing the number of parts, thereby improving convenience.
[0036] (2) The first elastomer 91 is molded integrally with part of the outer surface of the case base 90 in two colors, and functions as an anti-slip material, for example, when the dust-collection case 3 is rotated to be attached to or detached from the main housing 2. This improves the ease of attachment and detachment of the dust-collection case 3 to the main housing 2.
[0037] (3) The first elastomer 91 is provided at two different circumferential positions on the outer surface of the case base 90, and therefore is likely to function as an anti-slip material.
[0038] (4) The first elastomer 91 is provided on the tapered portion of the outer surface of the case base 90, and therefore is able to easily function as an anti-slip material.
[0039] (5) The case base 90 of the dust collection case 3 has a protrusion 90c on the inner surface, which does not interfere with the latch portion 65 of the paper pack holder 60 when the paper pack 40 is supported by the paper pack holder 60, and interferes with (comes into contact with) the latch portion 65 when the paper pack 40 is not supported by the paper pack holder 60, thereby restricting the dust collection case 3 from attaching to the main housing 2. This reduces the risk of operating the work machine 1 with the paper pack 40 not supported by the paper pack holder 60.
[0040] (6) The protrusions 90c are provided at two locations that are circumferentially positioned approximately 180 degrees apart from each other. Therefore, even if the dust collection case 3 is attached to the main housing 2 in such a manner that the tip of the inlet 3a faces upward, the protrusions 90c can interfere with the latch portion 65 when the paper bag 40 is not attached.
[0041] (7) Because the protrusion 90c is box-shaped, mountain-shaped, or wedge-shaped, it is possible to reliably cause the protrusion 90c to interfere with the latch portion 65 when the paper pack 40 is not attached, compared to when the protrusion 90c is a rib. Here, because the protrusion 90c is box-shaped, mountain-shaped, or wedge-shaped, the recess 90b that appears on the back side of the protrusion 90c in approximately the same shape as the protrusion 90c is covered (filled) with the first elastomer 91 and does not appear on the exterior of the dust-collecting case 3. Therefore, the impact of the recess 90b that appears on the outer surface of the dust-collecting case 3 due to the provision of the protrusion 90c on the aesthetic appearance is suppressed.
[0042] (8) The second elastomer 92 is molded integrally with the inner surface of the inlet 3a by two-color molding. This prevents an attachment such as a detachable pipe from being accidentally removed from the inlet 3a, improving usability.
[0043] (9) The third elastomer 93 is integrally molded in two colors at the rear of the inlet 3a and functions as a gasket that seals the gap between the rear end of the inlet 3a and the holder opening 64 of the paper-pack holder 60. This reduces the number of parts compared to when a gasket is attached as a separate part.
[0044] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiment as an example, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. Various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims for each of the items specifically described in the embodiment. The working machine of the present invention may be operated by the power of a battery built into the main housing, or may be a corded type operated by the power supplied from an external AC power source. The protrusion (convex portion) provided on the inner surface of the housing is not limited to the use of interfering with the holder when the paper pack is not attached, but may be abutting against any part inside the housing. In this case, too, if the protrusion is made into a box shape, a mountain shape, or a wedge shape to ensure abutment, a recess appears on the back side of the protrusion, but the impact on the aesthetic appearance can be suppressed by covering this recess with an elastic body. Even if the protrusion is a rib, a recess occurs on the back side of the rib due to shrinkage, especially when the rib is thick. The impact on the aesthetic appearance can be suppressed by covering this recess with an elastic body. [Explanation of symbols]
[0045] 1...working machine (cleaner), 2...main body housing, 2a...storage section, 2b...handle section, 2c...battery pack mounting section, 2d...air intake, 2e...exhaust port, 2f...fitting groove, 2g...fitting groove inlet section, 3...dust collection case (dust case), 3a...inlet, 3c...dust collection chamber, 3d...fitting protrusion, 4...battery pack, 5...operation panel (switch section), 6...motor (drive section), 6a...rotating shaft, 9...fan (dust collection fan a paper bag (dust collection bag), 40...paper bag (dust collection bag), 41...cardboard, 42...bag portion, 43...paper bag inlet, 45...filter, 60...paper bag holder, 61...holder base, 61a...rotary fitting portion, 62...pillar portion, 63...support portion, 64...holder opening, 65...latch portion, 90...case base, 90a...thin portion, 90b...concave portion, 90c...convex portion, 91...first elastomer, 92...second elastomer, 93...third elastomer.
Claims
1. a main body that houses a drive unit and a fan that operates by receiving a driving force from the drive unit; a dust collection case provided to cover the air intake port of the main body, forming a dust collection chamber therein, and having an inlet for the air flow in the dust collection chamber; The dust collection case of the work machine includes a case base made of hard resin and an elastic body integrally molded with the case base by two-color molding.
2. The work machine according to claim 1, The case base has an inner surface facing the dust collection chamber and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, The elastic body is integrally formed with at least a portion of the outer surface by two-color molding.
3. The work machine according to claim 1, the case base has a protruding portion that is convex toward the dust collection chamber, The elastic body is positioned so as to cover the rear side of the protrusion.
4. The work machine according to claim 2, the case base has a recess in a portion of an outer surface that is a rear side of the protrusion, The elastic body is filled in the recess.
5. A work machine according to claim 3 or 4, A holder for supporting a dust collection bag for collecting dust is provided in the dust collection chamber, The protrusion does not interfere with the holder when a dust collection bag is supported by the holder, and interferes with the holder when a dust collection bag is not supported by the holder, thereby restricting the dust collection case from attaching to the main body.
6. The work machine according to claim 1, the case base has an attachment port to which a pipe can be attached so as to communicate with the dust collection chamber, The elastic body is integrally formed with at least the inner surface of the mounting port by two-color molding.
7. The work machine according to claim 1, a dust collection bag that is attached to the dust collection case and has a bag inlet through which air flows, the case base has an inlet through which air flows into the dust collection chamber, The elastic body is integrally molded in two colors around the inlet so as to be in close contact with the periphery of the bag inlet of the dust collection bag attached in the dust collection case.
8. The work machine according to claim 1, The dust collection case is attachable to and detachable from the main body by rotating it relative to the main body.
9. The work machine according to claim 1, The elastic body is provided at a plurality of locations on the outer surface of the case base that are at different circumferential positions.
10. The work machine according to claim 1, The case base has a tapered inclined portion, The elastic body is provided on the inclined portion.
11. A drive unit; A housing that accommodates the drive unit, the housing has a protrusion on an inner surface side thereof that abuts against an internal component, and a recess on a portion behind the protrusion, The working machine has an elastic body that is integrally molded with the housing by two-color molding so as to fit into the recess.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Filter device and working machine
JP2022045844A