Vacuum cleaner stand

Abstract

To provide a vacuum cleaner stand which keeps usability and improves an aesthetic appearance.SOLUTION: A vacuum cleaner stand which supports a vacuum cleaner including a body with a longitudinal direction and a head provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction in the body includes a stand body for supporting the vacuum cleaner. The stand body has a shielding wall which is movable between an exposed position where the head is exposed and a shielding position where at least a part of the head is covered in viewing the vacuum cleaner stand from one direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the body while the vacuum cleaner is supported by the stand body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner stand. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a vacuum cleaner stand has been disclosed that includes a support pole for supporting a vacuum cleaner in an upright position, a base supporting the support pole, and a mounting portion provided at one end of the base on the upper side for placing the suction tool of the vacuum cleaner (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-149162 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the vacuum cleaner stand described in Patent Document 1, when the vacuum cleaner is supported on the vacuum cleaner stand and viewed from the outside, the head (suction tool) of the vacuum cleaner is exposed, which can mar the aesthetic appearance of the vacuum cleaner stand.

[0005] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner stand that maintains the usability of the vacuum cleaner stand and improves its aesthetic appearance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vacuum cleaner stand according to one aspect of the present invention is a vacuum cleaner stand that supports an electric vacuum cleaner having a main body having a longitudinal direction and a head provided at one end side of the main body in the longitudinal direction, and comprises a stand main body that supports the vacuum cleaner, and the stand main body has a shielding wall that is movable between an exposed position that exposes the head and a shielding position that covers at least a portion of the head when the vacuum cleaner stand is viewed from a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the main body when the vacuum cleaner is supported on the stand main body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the vacuum cleaner stand. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner stand. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner stand. [Figure 7] 1 is an external view of the vacuum cleaner stand with the head exposed as viewed from a specified point. [Figure 8] 1 is an external view of the vacuum cleaner stand with the head covered as viewed from a predetermined point. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vacuum cleaner stand with the head covered, taken from a given point. [Figure 10] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner stand showing a restricting portion that restricts rotation of the stand body. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner stand according to a modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a vacuum cleaner stand according to a modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the vacuum cleaner stand according to the second embodiment with the head exposed when viewed from a predetermined point. [Figure 14]FIG. 11 is a plan view of the vacuum cleaner stand according to the second embodiment with the head covered, viewed from a given point. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0009] (First embodiment) The overall configuration of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the vacuum cleaner stand 1. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the vacuum cleaner stand 1. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are views showing a state in which an electric vacuum cleaner 100 described later is supported on the vacuum cleaner stand 1. In the following, the side on which the vacuum cleaner stand 1 is placed is defined as the lower side, and the opposite side is defined as the upper side. Moreover, one side in the longitudinal direction of a head 120 placed on the vacuum cleaner stand 1 described later is defined as the left side, and the opposite side is defined as the right side. Moreover, in a predetermined state of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 (a state in which a second wall 45 described later is in an exposed position P1), the side on which an inclined portion 32 of a base 30 described later is provided is defined as the front side, and the opposite side is defined as the rear side. However, these directions are defined for convenience of explanation, and are not intended to limit the use direction (direction during use) of the vacuum cleaner stand 1.

[0010] 1 and 2, the vacuum cleaner stand 1 is a stand for supporting a vacuum cleaner. In this embodiment, the vacuum cleaner stand 1 supports a stick type vacuum cleaner 100.

[0011] An overview of a stick-type vacuum cleaner 100, which is an example of a vacuum cleaner that can be used with the vacuum cleaner stand 1, will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a front view of the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 3, the vacuum cleaner 100 has a main body 110 whose longitudinal direction is in one direction (in this embodiment, the vertical direction), and a head 120 provided at one end of the main body 110 in the longitudinal direction.

[0013] The main body 110 is the main body of the vacuum cleaner 100. The main body 110 has a function of sucking up objects such as dust and collecting the sucked up objects.

[0014] The main body 110 has a housing 111 , an electric blower 112 , a dust collection unit 113 , a battery 114 , and an operation unit 115 .

[0015] The housing 111 is formed, for example, in a substantially cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the radial length of the housing 111 is substantially constant along the longitudinal direction. The head 120 is connected to one end of the housing 111 in the longitudinal direction (the lower end in this embodiment).

[0016] The housing 111 has a handle 111a. The handle 111a is an outer surface of the other end side (the upper end side in this embodiment) in the longitudinal direction of the housing 111. A user can move the main body 110 together with the head 120 by gripping the handle 111a. The handle 111a may be formed by providing a recess, a step, or the like on the outer surface of the housing 111. Also, the handle 111a is a part of the housing 111, but is not limited to this and may be configured as a separate body from the housing 111.

[0017] The electric blower 112 is housed, for example, inside the housing 111. In this embodiment, the electric blower 112 is disposed in the center of the housing 111 in the longitudinal direction. The electric blower 112 has a fan (not shown) and a motor (not shown). A ventilation passage through which the suction force of the electric blower 112 acts is formed from the head 120 to the inside of the housing 111. As a result, air is sucked into the inside of the housing 111 from the suction port of the head 120, and the air is discharged from an exhaust port formed in the housing 111.

[0018] The dust collection unit 113 is detachably provided in the housing 111. The dust collection unit 113 is located midway through an air passage formed in the housing 111, and collects dust. In this embodiment, the dust collection unit 113 is detachably provided at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 111 (the lower end side in this embodiment). The dust collection unit 113 is, for example, a cyclone type dust collector. The dust collection type of the dust collection unit 113 is not limited to the cyclone type, and may be a paper bag type or a filter type.

[0019] Battery 114 is detachably provided in housing 111. Battery 114 can supply power to electric blower 112, motor 121d for rotating brush 121c described below, and the like, using a power line (not shown) or the like. Battery 114 is charged when vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to vacuum cleaner stand 1.

[0020] Operation unit 115 is provided in the vicinity of handle 111a on housing 111. In this embodiment, operation unit 115 is arranged on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of housing 111 (the upper end side in this embodiment). Operation unit 115 accepts various operations such as starting and stopping operation of vacuum cleaner 100, changing suction power, etc. Operation unit 115 is, for example, a switch such as a push button. Operation unit 115 is not limited to a mechanical switch, and may be a touch panel or the like.

[0021] Housing 111 (main body 110) has a length in the longitudinal direction that includes the vacuum cleaner main body of the canister type vacuum cleaner and the extension tube. That is, in this embodiment, the extension tube is molded as a part of housing 111, but this is not limiting, and the extension tube may be provided as a separate body from housing 111. In this case, main body 110 includes housing 111 and the extension tube, and the extension tube is configured to be detachable from housing 111.

[0022] The head 120 has a shape whose longitudinal direction is in one direction (in this embodiment, the left-right direction).

[0023] The head 120 comprises a head body 121, a joint portion 122 connected to be rotatable about a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the head body 121 (in this embodiment, the front-to-back direction), and a connecting tube portion 123 connected to be rotatable about the longitudinal direction of the head body 121 (in this embodiment, the left-to-right direction).

[0024] Head body 121 has housing 121a, suction port 121b provided on the bottom surface of housing 121a, rotating brush 121c rotatably supported by suction port 121b, motor 121d for rotating brush 121c, and a transmission mechanism (not shown) for transmitting the driving force of motor 121d to rotating brush 121c. The transmission mechanism may be, for example, a pulley-belt mechanism or a gear mechanism composed of multiple gears.

[0025] In the above configuration, when the operation unit 115 is operated to start the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 with the head 120 connected to the main body 110, the motor of the electric blower 112 is driven and dust-laden air flows into the main body 110 via the head 120. The dust is collected from the dust-laden air by the dust collection unit 113. The air in which the dust has been collected is discharged to the outside from an exhaust port formed in the main body 110. In the head 120, the rotating brush 121c is rotated, making it possible to scrape off dust and the like adhering to the object to be cleaned.

[0026] The detailed configuration of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 will be described below with reference to Figs. 4 to 6. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the vacuum cleaner stand 1 is based on a case where the vacuum cleaner stand 1 is in a predetermined state (a state where a second wall 45 described later is in an exposed position P1). Figs. 4 to 6 are all schematic diagrams of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 in a predetermined state (a state where a second wall 45 described later is in an exposed position P1). Specifically, Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 in a state where the electric vacuum cleaner 100 is supported. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view cut along a vertical plane passing through the rotation center O1 of the stand main body 20 along the front-rear direction. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 in a state where the electric vacuum cleaner 100 is supported. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 in a state where the electric vacuum cleaner 100 is supported. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view cut along a horizontal plane passing through the rotation center O1 of the stand main body 20.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the vacuum cleaner stand 1 includes a base 10 and a stand main body 20 that is rotatably provided with respect to the base 10.

[0028] The base 10 contacts a floor surface F1 on which the vacuum cleaner stand 1 is placed, and supports the stand body 20 so as to be rotatable.

[0029] The base 10 is, for example, a disk-shaped member formed in a circular shape in a plan view. The base 10 is provided with a shaft portion 11 whose axial direction is the vertical direction. The lower end of the shaft portion 11 is fixed to the base 10. The upper end of the shaft portion 11 protrudes above the base 10. The upper end of the shaft portion 11 is connected to the stand body 20 via a bearing or the like. This allows the stand body 20 to be rotatably supported around the shaft portion 11 relative to the base 10. Note that the stand body 20 is rotatably supported relative to the base 10 by using the shaft portion 11, but is not limited thereto.

[0030] Stand main body 20 supports vacuum cleaner 100 in an upright state. The upright state of vacuum cleaner 100 refers to a state in which main body 110 extends substantially upward relative to head 120. Main body 110 may extend directly upward relative to head 120, or main body 110 may be inclined upward relative to head 120.

[0031] The stand body 20 includes a base 30 and a rising portion 40 rising upward from the base 30.

[0032] The base 30 is a portion on which the head 120 of the vacuum cleaner 100 is placed. The base 30 is a member having a circular outer shape in a plan view (see Figs. 1 and 2). The upper end of the shaft 11 is connected to the center of the circle of the base 30 via a bearing or the like in a plan view.

[0033] A mounting portion 31 for placing the head 120 is provided in the center of the upper surface of the base 30. The mounting portion 31 is a flat surface. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 31 is a flat surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the head 120 (in this embodiment, the left-right direction) so that the head 120 can be placed thereon. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 31 is provided at a position overlapping with the rotation center O1 (shaft portion 11) of the stand main body 20 in a plan view.

[0034] A main body support part 42 that supports a main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100, which will be described later, is provided on the rear side of the mounting part 31 of the base 30. The base 30 also has an inclined part 32. The inclined part 32 is provided on the front side of the mounting part 31 and guides the head 120 toward the mounting part 31.

[0035] The inclined portion 32 is an inclined surface that slopes downward from the mounting portion 31 toward the floor surface F1 on which the vacuum cleaner stand 1 is placed. An end of the inclined portion 32 (a front end that approaches the floor surface F1) is at approximately the same height as the floor surface F1. As a result, when the vacuum cleaner 100 (head 120) is moved toward the mounting portion 31 toward the vacuum cleaner stand 1, a step is unlikely to occur between the floor surface F1 and the inclined portion 32, so that the head 120 can be smoothly guided toward the mounting portion 31.

[0036] A recess 33 for accommodating the base 10 is formed on the lower surface of the base 30. The recess 33 is formed so as to be recessed upward from the lower surface of the base 30. Note that, although the base 10 is accommodated in the recess 33, the shape of the base 10 is not limited to the above as long as it can rotatably support the base 30.

[0037] Standing portion 40 extends upward from base 30 and has storage space S0 therein. Storage space S0 is divided into a plurality of spaces by partition walls, and includes, for example, space S1 for storing cleaning tools such as attachments (e.g., cylindrical suction pipes) that are detachable from main body 110 of vacuum cleaner 100, and space S2 for sucking and collecting dust and the like in dust collection unit 113 of vacuum cleaner 100.

[0038] The rising portion 40 is, for example, a member formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape (see Figs. 1 and 2). In a plan view, the rising portion 40 has a shape that is cut off on a chord connecting two points on a circumference of the base 30 so that at least half of the circumference remains.

[0039] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the rising portion 40 includes a first wall 44, a second wall 45, and a lid portion 46. The first wall 44 extends upward from the base 30 and constitutes the front surface of the rising portion 40. The second wall 45 extends upward from the base 30 and constitutes the outer peripheral surface of the rising portion 40 behind the first wall 44. The lid portion 46 opens and closes an opening defined by the upper ends of the first wall 44 and the second wall 45. The storage space S0 can be accessed by removing the lid portion 46 from the first wall 44 and the second wall 45. The first wall 44 is formed with a support portion 41 that supports the head 120 and the lower part of the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0040] The first wall 44 is, for example, a flat surface located inside the outer periphery of the base 30 and extending upward in front of the mounting portion 31. In a plan view, the first wall 44 is a wall portion located on a chord connecting two points on the circumference of the base 30. A support portion 41 that supports the head 120 and the lower part of the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100 is formed on the first wall 44.

[0041] The support portion 41 is a wall portion formed to be recessed inward from the flat surface constituting the first wall 44. When the head 120 is placed on the placement portion 31, the support portion 41 supports the main body 110 in a state in which the head 120 is restricted from moving to one side (the rear side in this embodiment) in the rotation direction of the main body 110 whose axial direction is the longitudinal direction of the head 120.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the support part 41 includes a main body support part 42 that supports a lower part of the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100, and a head support part 43 that supports the head 120 of the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0043] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the body support portion 42 is a recess located in the first wall 44 from the upper end to the center. The body support portion 42 is, for example, a wall portion recessed in a substantially U-shape in a plan view. The body support portion 42 is formed up to the upper end of the rising portion 40. In this embodiment, the depth of the body support portion 42 (the depth recessed inward from the first wall 44) is greater than the diameter of the body 110. In other words, the body 110 can be accommodated without protruding from the body support portion 42. Note that the depth of the body support portion 42 may be smaller than the diameter of the body 110 as long as it is capable of supporting the body 110.

[0044] The main body support portion 42 is a wall portion that is concave in an approximately U-shape, but it is only necessary that it be a wall portion located on one side of the rotation direction of the main body 110 (the rear side in this embodiment) as long as it can restrict movement of the head 120 of the vacuum cleaner 100 to one side (the rear side in this embodiment) in the rotation direction of the main body 110, with the longitudinal direction of the head 120 of the vacuum cleaner 100 being the axial direction when the head 120 of the vacuum cleaner 100 is placed on the mounting portion 31.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, the main body support part 42 is provided with a magnet 42a that connects the lower part of the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100. A magnet 42b is provided inside the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100. The magnets 42a and 42b are provided so that their magnetic forces attract each other. As a result, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is leaned against the main body support part 42, the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100 can be connected to the main body support part 42, so that the vacuum cleaner 100 can be stably supported on the vacuum cleaner stand 1. In this embodiment, a magnet is used as a connection part that connects the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the main body support part 42, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a connection part that engages the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the main body support part 42 may be used.

[0046] 4 and 6, the head support portion 43 is a recess located in a lower portion of the first wall 44. The head support portion 43 is, for example, a wall portion recessed into a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0047] The head support part 43 has two side walls 43a located on both the left and right sides of the mounting part 31, a rear wall 43b located on the rear side of the mounting part 31, and an upper wall 43c located above the mounting part 31. The main body support part 42 penetrates the upper wall 43c. In this embodiment, the depth of the head support part 43 (the depth recessed inward from the first wall 44) is greater than the length of the head 120 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0048] The head support portion 43 has two side walls 43a, a rear wall 43b, and an upper wall 43c, but is not limited to this and may have, for example, only the rear wall 43b as long as it is possible to position the head 120 relative to the mounting portion 31 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is moved toward the mounting portion 31.

[0049] In the above configuration, when head 120 of vacuum cleaner 100 is placed on placement portion 31, head 120 is located at head support portion 43, and main body 110 is supported by main body support portion 42. This makes it possible to restrict main body 110 of vacuum cleaner 100 from moving rearward.

[0050] 5, a suction unit 50 is provided inside the rising portion 40. The suction unit 50 is for sucking and collecting dust collected by the dust collection unit 113 of the vacuum cleaner 100 in a state in which the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100 is supported on the main body support part 42. The suction unit 50 is, for example, an electric blower.

[0051] A communication passage (not shown) that communicates between the main body support part 42 and the suction unit 50 is provided inside the rising part 40 (for example, the space S2). The vacuum cleaner 100 is configured such that, when the main body 110 is supported by the main body support part 42, the inside of the dust collection unit 113 communicates with the communication passage (not shown). A dust storage part (not shown) that constitutes the suction unit 50 is provided in the middle of the communication passage (not shown). With this, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is supported by the main body support part 42, by driving the suction unit 50, the dust collected inside the dust collection unit 113 is sucked into the dust storage part (not shown). With this, the dust inside the dust collection unit 113 can be stored in the dust storage part (not shown) of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 without removing the dust collection unit 113 of the vacuum cleaner 100 from the housing 111. That is, the vacuum cleaner stand 1 has a dust storage function.

[0052] Furthermore, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is supported by the main body support part 42, a power line housed inside the rising part 40 and connected to an external power source can be connected to a power line housed inside the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100, so that power can be supplied to the battery 114 of the vacuum cleaner 100. In other words, the vacuum cleaner stand 1 has a charging function.

[0053] The second wall 45 is, for example, an arc-shaped surface located on the outer periphery of the base 30 and extending upward on the rear side of the mounting portion 31. The second wall 45 is formed so as to connect the left end of the first wall 44 and the right end of the first wall 44.

[0054] 4 to 10, a shielding mechanism for the head 120 using the second wall 45 (shielding wall) will be described below. The shielding mechanism for the head 120 includes, for example, a base 10 and a stand main body 20 (second wall 45) rotatably supported relative to the base 10.

[0055] 7 and 8 are external views of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 when the vacuum cleaner stand 1 is viewed from one direction (horizontal in this embodiment) intersecting with the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in this embodiment) of the main body 110 in a state in which the electric vacuum cleaner 100 is supported on the stand main body 20. Specifically, FIGS. 7 and 8 are external views of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 when viewed in the horizontal direction from an arbitrary point Px (see FIGS. 4 to 6) around the vacuum cleaner stand 1. The point Px is, for example, a position where the vacuum cleaner stand 1 placed on the floor surface F1 can be easily visually recognized. For example, when the vacuum cleaner stand 1 is placed by a window in a living room, the point Px is a position facing the wall with the vacuum cleaner stand 1 in between. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the point Px is a position in front of the vacuum cleaner stand 1. In other words, the direction from the vacuum cleaner stand 1 to the point Px is the front, and the direction opposite to the point Px is the rear. That is, FIGS. 7 and 8 are external views of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 when the vacuum cleaner stand 1 is viewed backward from the front side (one side) where the point Px is located.

[0056] Fig. 7 is an external view of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 with the head 120 exposed as viewed from point Px. Fig. 8 is an external view of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 with the head 120 covered as viewed from point Px. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 with the head 120 covered as viewed from point Px. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 showing a restricting portion 60 that restricts the rotation of the stand main body 20. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 cut along a horizontal plane passing through the shaft portion 11. In Fig. 10, the stand main body 20 is largely omitted from illustration.

[0057] As described above, the vacuum cleaner stand 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the stand body 20 can rotate around the rotation center O1 as an axis. Therefore, the rotation range of the second wall 45 (shielding wall) of the stand body 20 includes a rotation position (see Figs. 4 to 7) where the circumferential center of the arc-shaped second wall 45 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the center of the second wall 45) is located directly behind the rotation center O1, and a rotation position (see Figs. 8 and 9) where the circumferential center is located directly in front of the rotation center O1.

[0058] 5 and 7, when the center of the second wall 45 is located directly behind the rotation center O1, the head support part 43 opens forward. Therefore, when viewed from a point Px in front of the vacuum cleaner stand 1, the head 120 stored in the head support part 43 is exposed and can be seen. Therefore, the rotation position where the center of the second wall 45 is located directly behind the rotation center O1 corresponds to the exposure position P1 where the head 120 is exposed when viewed from the point Px. Note that the exposure position P1 is not limited to the above rotation position, and also includes a rotation position where the second wall 45 is not located between the head support part 43 and the point Px.

[0059] Also, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, when the center of the second wall 45 is located directly in front of the rotation center O1, the head support part 43 opens toward the rear. That is, the second wall 45 is located between the head support part 43 and the front point Px. Therefore, when viewed from the front point Px of the vacuum cleaner stand 1, the line of sight is blocked by the second wall 45, and the head 120 stored in the head support part 43 cannot be seen. Therefore, the rotation position where the center of the second wall 45 is located directly in front of the rotation center O1 corresponds to the shielding position P2 where the head 120 is covered as viewed from the point Px. Note that the shielding position P2 is not limited to the above rotation position, and also includes a rotation position where the second wall 45 is located between at least a part of the head support part 43 and the point Px. For example, the shielding position P2 also includes a rotation position where the center of the second wall 45 is located directly beside the rotation center O1.

[0060] As described above, when the vacuum cleaner stand 1 of this embodiment is supporting the vacuum cleaner 100, the second wall 45 (shielding wall) is movable, when viewed from the front, between an exposed position P1 that exposes the head 120 and a shielded position P2 that covers at least a portion of the head 120.

[0061] 10, the vacuum cleaner stand 1 is provided with a restricting portion 60 that restricts rotation of the stand main body 20 relative to the base 10. The restricting portion 60 is provided on the stand main body 20 and includes an arc-shaped rotating member 61 that is rotatable around the shaft portion 11, and a protrusion 62 that is provided on the base 10, adjacent to the outer periphery of the shaft portion 11, and that can come into contact with the rotating member 61.

[0062] The rotating member 61 is an arc-shaped member extending around the shaft 11. The rotating member 61 is a member extending downward from the recess 33 of the stand body 20 (base 30). The length of the arc of the rotating member 61 is approximately half the circumference of the shaft 11. The protrusion 62 is adjacent to the outer periphery of the shaft 11 and can abut against one end and the other end of the arc of the rotating member 61. In this embodiment, the position where one end of the rotating member 61 abuts against the protrusion 62 is the exposed position P1, and the position where the other end of the rotating member 61 abuts against the protrusion 62 is the covered position P2. This makes it possible to easily position the stand body 20 (second wall 45) at two positions, the exposed position P1 and the covered position P2, while preventing the stand body 20 (second wall 45) from rotating too much relative to the base 10. It is preferable that the rotating member 61 rotates approximately 180 degrees around the shaft portion 11, but the rotating member 61 is not limited to the above angle as long as the second wall 45 can move to two positions, the exposed position P1 and the covered position P2.

[0063] Further, in this embodiment, the regulating portion 60 has a rotating member 61 and a protrusion portion 62, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, one in which an engaging portion provided on the stand main body 20 engages with an engaged portion provided on the base 10 at two positions, namely, the exposed position P1 and the covered position P2.

[0064] As described above, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is supported by the stand body 20, the second wall 45 can be moved to an exposed position P1 that exposes the head 120 and a covered position P2 that covers at least a part of the head 120 when the vacuum cleaner stand 1 is viewed from the front direction (one direction). As a result, when the second wall 45 is at the exposed position P1, the support part 41 is exposed when viewed from the front direction, so that the vacuum cleaner 100 can be moved from the front toward the vacuum cleaner stand 1 and easily supported by the support part 41. Furthermore, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is supported by the support part 41, the second wall 45 is moved from the exposed position P1 to the covered position P2, so that the head 120, to which dust and the like are likely to adhere, is covered and hidden by the second wall 45 when viewed from the front direction. Furthermore, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is supported by the support part 41, the second wall 45 is moved from the covered position P2 to the exposed position P1, so that the vacuum cleaner 100 can be easily removed from the vacuum cleaner stand 1 toward the front. For example, as an example of a usage pattern of the vacuum cleaner stand 1, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the vacuum cleaner stand 1 or when the vacuum cleaner 100 is removed from the vacuum cleaner stand 1, the second wall 45 is moved to the exposed position P1. This allows the vacuum cleaner 100 to be easily attached to and detached from the vacuum cleaner stand 1. Also, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the vacuum cleaner stand 1 for storage, the second wall 45 is moved to the hidden position P2. This allows, for example, the support part 41 to face the wall side of the living room, and the head 120 to be hidden from view from the opposite side of the wall.

[0065] As described above, the vacuum cleaner stand 1 of this embodiment can improve the aesthetics while maintaining the usability of the vacuum cleaner stand 1. Furthermore, since the second wall 45 is a wall portion that extends upward along part of the circumference of the base 30, the interior design can be further improved by applying a highly decorative design to the surface.

[0066] In this embodiment, the external shape of the base 30 is preferably circular in plan view, but is not limited thereto and may be, for example, elliptical or polygonal. Also, the external shape of the rising portion 40 has a shape obtained by cutting out a part of a circle on the base 30 in plan view, but is not limited thereto and may be any shape that has an accommodation space S0 inside, and may be, for example, a shape obtained by cutting out a part of an ellipse or a shape obtained by cutting out a part of a polygon in plan view.

[0067] Next, a method of rotating the second wall 45 (the stand main body 20) will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0068] 4 and 5, the main body support part 42 supports the main body 110 at a position overlapping with the rotation center O1 (shaft part 11) of the stand main body 20 in a plan view. Therefore, when the user holds the handle 111a of the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100 in his / her hand, the second wall 45 (stand main body 20) can be rotated by rotating the main body 110 using the wrist. As a result, the second wall 45 (stand main body 20) can be rotated using the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100, so that the user does not need to bend down to rotate the low-profile vacuum cleaner stand 1, improving usability.

[0069] Next, a vacuum cleaner stand 1a according to a modified example will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12. Fig. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner stand 1a according to the modified example. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view cut along a vertical plane along the front-rear direction passing through the rotation center O1 of the stand main body 20. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the vacuum cleaner stand 1a. The vacuum cleaner stand 1a is different from the vacuum cleaner stand 1 in the position where the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100 is supported.

[0070] 11 and 12, the main body support part 42 supports the main body 110 at a position offset from the rotation center O1 (shaft part 11) of the stand main body 20 in a plan view. Therefore, when the user holds the handle 111a of the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100 in his / her hand, the second wall 45 (the stand main body 20) can be rotated by pushing in one direction of rotation about the rotation center O1 of the stand main body 20 or pulling in the other direction of rotation about the rotation center O1 of the stand main body 20 (see FIG. 12). In this modification, the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100 to which the user applies force is at a position offset from the rotation center O1, so that the vacuum cleaner stand 1a can be rotated with a smaller force by using the principle of leverage.

[0071] By making the depth of the body support part 42 (the depth recessed inward from the first wall 44) larger than the diameter of the body 110, the body support part 42 is configured to surround the rear side and both the left and right sides of the body 110, so that the force generated when the stand body 20 is rotated in the rotation direction about the rotation center O1 is easily transmitted to the body support part 42. This makes it easy to rotate the second wall 45 (stand body 20) using the body 110.

[0072] As described above, since the second wall 45 (stand body 20) can be rotated using the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100, usability is improved. Furthermore, by setting the position at which the main body 110 is supported relative to the rotation center O1 of the stand body 20 to different positions, the second wall 45 (stand body 20) can be rotated in different ways using the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0073] Also, second wall 45 (stand main body 20) may be configured to be rotatable with respect to base 10 using a drive source such as a motor. In this case, a sensor that detects that main body 110 of vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to main body support part 42 may be provided, and second wall 45 may be moved to exposed position P1 or covered position P2 based on the detection result of the sensor. As a result, second wall 45 automatically rotates depending on whether vacuum cleaner 100 is supported on stand main body 20 or not, improving usability.

[0074] In this embodiment, it is preferable to use the second wall 45 as the shielding wall, but this is not limited to this and any wall located on the rear side of the mounting portion 31 may be used as the shielding wall, for example, the support portion 41, etc.

[0075] In addition, in this embodiment, the shielding wall (second wall 45) can be moved between the exposed position P1 and the shielding position P2 by rotating the shielding wall (second wall 45), but this is not limited to the above, and the shielding wall (second wall 45) may be moved between the exposed position P1 and the shielding position P2 by moving the shielding wall (second wall 45) horizontally or vertically.

[0076] In addition, in this embodiment, the stand body 20 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the base 10, but this is not limiting, and only the second wall 45 may be configured to be rotatable with respect to the stand body 20. In this case, the second wall 45 may be configured as a separate body from the rising portion 40, and the second wall 45 may be configured to be rotatable with respect to the base 30.

[0077] Second embodiment A vacuum cleaner stand 1b of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. The vacuum cleaner stand 1b differs from the vacuum cleaner stand 1 of the first embodiment in that it does not have a base 10 and further in that the shielding wall 70 is configured to be rotatable on the base 30a. Fig. 13 is a plan view of the vacuum cleaner stand 1b in a state in which the head 120 is exposed as viewed from the point Px. Fig. 14 is a plan view of the vacuum cleaner stand 1b in a state in which the head 120 is covered as viewed from the point Px.

[0078] The stand main body 20a includes a base 30a, a rising portion 40a, and a shielding wall 70. The stand main body 20a supports the vacuum cleaner 100 in an upright state.

[0079] The base 30a is a portion on which the head 120 of the vacuum cleaner 100 is placed. A mounting portion 31 on which the head 120 is placed is provided in the center of the upper surface of the base 30a. The base 30a has an inclined portion 32. The inclined portion 32 is provided in front of the mounting portion 31, and guides the head 120 toward the mounting portion 31. The lower surface of the base 30a is flat, and contacts the floor surface F1 on which the vacuum cleaner stand 1b is placed.

[0080] The rising portion 40a extends upward from the base 30a and has an accommodation space S0 therein. The rising portion 40a includes a first wall 44, a second wall 45, and a lid portion 46. The first wall 44 extends upward from the base 30a and constitutes the front surface of the rising portion 40a. The second wall 45 extends upward from the base 30a and constitutes the outer peripheral surface of the rising portion 40a rearward of the first wall 44. The lid portion 46 opens and closes an opening defined by the upper ends of the first wall 44 and the second wall 45.

[0081] A support portion 41 that supports head 120 and a lower portion of main body 110 of vacuum cleaner 100 is formed on first wall 44. Support portion 41 includes a main body support portion 42 that supports the lower portion of main body 110 of vacuum cleaner 100, and a head support portion 43 that supports head 120 of vacuum cleaner 100.

[0082] The second wall 45 is a wall portion extending along the inside of the outer periphery on the base 30a. On the outer periphery of the base 30a, i.e., on the outside of the second wall 45, a groove portion 34 is provided in which the shielding wall 70 can slide.

[0083] The shielding wall 70 is an arc-shaped wall that follows the outer periphery of the base 30a. The shielding wall 70 is slidable along the groove 34 of the base 30a. That is, the shielding wall 70 is rotated on the outer periphery of the base 30a with the center (rotation center O1) of the base 30a, which is circular in plan view, as a reference. In this embodiment, the length of a line segment (chord) connecting one end and the other end of the arc that constitutes the shielding wall 70 is formed to be longer than the longitudinal direction of the head 120.

[0084] As described above, the vacuum cleaner stand 1b of this embodiment is configured so that the shielding wall 70 can rotate with respect to the base 30a around the rotation center O1. Therefore, the rotation range of the shielding wall 70 includes a rotation position (see FIG. 13) where the circumferential center of the arc-shaped shielding wall 70 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the center of the shielding wall 70) is located behind the rotation center O1, and a rotation position (see FIG. 14) where the circumferential center is located directly in front of the rotation center O1. In addition, since the vacuum cleaner stand 1b of this embodiment is configured so that only the shielding wall 70 can rotate, the head support part 43 constituting the rising part 40a is always open toward the front regardless of the rotation of the shielding wall 70.

[0085] 13, when the center of the shielding wall 70 is located behind the rotation center O1, the head 120 stored in the head support part 43 is exposed and visible when viewed from a point Px in front of the vacuum cleaner stand 1b. Therefore, the rotation position where the center of the shielding wall 70 is located behind the rotation center O1 corresponds to the exposed position P1 where the head 120 is exposed when viewed from the point Px. Note that the exposed position P1 is not limited to the above rotation position, and also includes a rotation position where the shielding wall 70 is not located between the head support part 43 and the point Px.

[0086] Also, as shown in FIG. 14, when the center of the shielding wall 70 is located directly in front of the rotation center O1, the shielding wall 70 is located between the head support part 43 and a point Px in front of the head support part 43. Therefore, when viewed from the point Px in front of the vacuum cleaner stand 1b, the line of sight is blocked by the shielding wall 70, and the head 120 stored in the head support part 43 cannot be seen. Therefore, the rotation position where the center of the shielding wall 70 is located directly in front of the rotation center O1 corresponds to the shielding position P2 where the head 120 is covered as viewed from the point Px. Note that the shielding position P2 is not limited to the above rotation position, and also includes a rotation position where the shielding wall 70 is located between at least a part of the head support part 43 and the point Px. For example, the shielding position P2 also includes a rotation position where the center of the shielding wall 70 is located directly beside the rotation center O1.

[0087] In this embodiment, the shielding wall 70 is rotatably moved relative to the base 30a. As a result, when the vacuum cleaner stand 1b of this embodiment supports the vacuum cleaner 100, the shielding wall 70 can be moved, as viewed from the front, between an exposed position P1 where the head 120 is exposed and a shielding position P2 where at least a part of the head 120 is covered.

[0088] As in the first embodiment, a restricting portion may be provided to restrict the rotation of the shielding wall 70 relative to the base 30a. In this case, a protrusion protruding upward may be provided at an appropriate position of the groove portion 34. The shielding wall 70 may be configured to be rotatable relative to the base 30a using a driving source such as a motor. In this case, a sensor may be provided to detect that the main body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the main body support portion 42, and the shielding wall 70 may be moved to the exposed position P1 and the shielded position P2 based on the detection result of the sensor. As a result, the shielding wall 70 is automatically rotated depending on whether the vacuum cleaner 100 is supported by the stand main body 20a, improving usability.

[0089] In addition, the vacuum cleaner stand described in the above embodiment has a charging function for charging the vacuum cleaner 100 and a dust storage function for sucking in and storing dust collected by the vacuum cleaner 100, but it does not necessarily have to have the above functions, and it is sufficient if it has a support function for supporting the vacuum cleaner 100 in an upright position.

[0090] In the above configuration, the vacuum cleaner stand 1 is a vacuum cleaner stand 1 that supports a vacuum cleaner 100 having a main body 110 having a longitudinal direction (vertical direction) and a head 120 provided at one end side (lower end side) of the main body 110 in the longitudinal direction, and includes a stand main body 20 that supports the vacuum cleaner 100. When the vacuum cleaner stand 1 is viewed from one direction (front direction) intersecting the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the main body 110 in a state in which the vacuum cleaner 100 is supported on the stand main body 20, the stand main body 20 has a shielding wall (second wall 45) that can be moved between an exposed position P1 that exposes the head 120 and a shielding position P2 that covers at least a part of the head 120 when the vacuum cleaner stand 1 is viewed from one direction (front direction) that intersects with the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the main body 110. Thereby, for example, by setting the vacuum cleaner 100 to the exposed position P1 when using the vacuum cleaner 100, it is possible to easily attach and detach the vacuum cleaner 100, while by setting the vacuum cleaner 100 to the shielding position P2 when storing the vacuum cleaner 100, it is possible to cover and hide the head 120 to which dust and the like are likely to adhere. Therefore, the aesthetic appearance of the vacuum cleaner stand 1 can be improved while maintaining its usability.

[0091] The vacuum cleaner stand 1 further includes a base 10 that supports the stand body 20. The shielding wall (second wall 45) is rotatable together with the stand body 20 relative to the base 10. This allows the second wall 45 to be moved between the exposed position P1 and the shielded position P2 with a simple configuration.

[0092] The one direction is a direction from one side (front side) to the other side (rear side), and at the shielding position P2, at least a part of the shielding wall (second wall 45) is located on one side (front side) in the one direction relative to the head 120. This makes it possible to hide at least a part of the head 120, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance.

[0093] The stand body 20 further includes a body support part 42 that supports the body 110. The body support part 42 supports the body 110 at a position that overlaps with the rotation center O1 of the stand body 20 in a plan view. This allows the second wall 45 (stand body 20) to be rotated using the body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100, eliminating the need for a user to bend down to rotate the low-profile vacuum cleaner stand 1, improving usability.

[0094] The stand body 20 further includes a body support part 42 that supports the body 110. The body support part 42 supports the body 110 at a position offset from the rotation center O1 of the stand body 20 in a plan view. This allows the second wall 45 (stand body 20) to be rotated using the body 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100, eliminating the need for a user to bend down to rotate the low-profile vacuum cleaner stand 1, improving usability. Furthermore, the principle of leverage allows the vacuum cleaner stand 1a to be rotated with less force.

[0095] The stand main body 20 has a base 30 on which the head 120 is placed. The main body support part 42 restricts the main body 110 from moving to the other side (rear side) when the shielding wall (second wall 45) is located at the exposed position P1 and the head 120 is placed on the base 30. This allows the main body 110 to be supported in an upright state.

[0096] When the shielding wall (second wall 45) is located at the exposed position P1, the base 30 has an inclined portion 32 that is formed on one side (front side) of the main body support portion 42 and inclines downward toward the one side (front side). As a result, when the electric vacuum cleaner 100 (head 120) is moved rearward toward the vacuum cleaner stand 1, a step is unlikely to occur between the floor surface F1 and the inclined portion 32, so that the head 120 can be smoothly guided.

[0097] The stand main body 20 includes a shielding wall (second wall 45) and a main body support part 42, and further includes a rising part 40 provided on the base 30. The rising part 40 has a storage space S0 therein. This allows various attachments and dust and the like in the dust collection unit 113 of the vacuum cleaner 100 to be stored in the storage space S0, thereby improving convenience.

[0098] The base 30 is formed to have a circular outer shape in a plan view, which is safe since there is no risk of the stand main body 20 coming into contact with the user when the stand main body 20 is rotated.

[0099] The stand body 20a has a base 30a on which the head 120 is placed. The shielding wall 70 is rotatable with respect to the base 30a. This allows the shielding wall 70 to be moved between the exposed position P1 and the shielded position P2 with a simple configuration.

[0100] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the above-described embodiment may be replaced with a configuration substantially the same as the configuration shown in the above-described embodiment, a configuration that provides the same action and effect, or a configuration that can achieve the same purpose. Also, some or all of the embodiments of the present invention may be used in combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1 vacuum cleaner stand, 10 base, 20 stand body, 20a stand body, 30 base, 30a base, 32 inclined portion, 40 rising portion, 42 body support portion, 45 second wall (shielding wall), 70 shielding wall, 100 vacuum cleaner, 110 body, 120 head, O1 rotation center, P1 exposed position, P2 shielding position, S0 storage space

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner stand for supporting a vacuum cleaner having a main body having a longitudinal direction and a head provided on one end side of the main body in the longitudinal direction, A stand body for supporting the vacuum cleaner is provided, The vacuum cleaner stand has a shielding wall that can be moved between an exposed position that exposes the head and a shielding position that covers at least a portion of the head when the vacuum cleaner stand is viewed from a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the main body with the electric vacuum cleaner supported on the stand main body.

2. Further comprising a base for supporting the stand body, The shielding wall is rotatable together with the stand body relative to the base.

2. The vacuum cleaner stand of claim 1.

3. The one direction is a direction from one side to the other side, At the shielding position, at least a portion of the shielding wall is located on the one side in the one direction relative to the head.

3. A vacuum cleaner stand according to claim 2.

4. The stand body further includes a body support portion that supports the body, The body support portion supports the body at a position overlapping with a rotation center of the stand body in a plan view.

3. A vacuum cleaner stand according to claim 2.

5. The stand body further includes a body support portion that supports the body, the main body support portion supports the main body at a position shifted from a rotation center of the stand main body in a plan view; 3. A vacuum cleaner stand according to claim 2.

6. The one direction is a direction from one side to the other side, The stand body has a base on which the head is placed, the main body support portion restricts the main body from moving to the other side when the shielding wall is located at the exposed position and the head is placed on the base. A vacuum cleaner stand according to claim 4 or claim 5.

7. the base has an inclined portion that is formed on the one side of the main body support portion and inclined downward toward the one side when the shielding wall is located at the exposed position, 7. A vacuum cleaner stand according to claim 6.

8. The stand body includes: The shield wall and the main body support portion are provided on the base. The rising portion has an internal storage space.

7. A vacuum cleaner stand according to claim 6.

9. The base has a circular outer shape in a plan view.

7. A vacuum cleaner stand according to claim 6.

10. The stand body has a base on which the head is placed, The shielding wall is rotatable relative to the base.

2. The vacuum cleaner stand of claim 1.

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