Cleaner

Abstract

To provide a cleaner capable of restricting a filter part from damaging a nonreturn valve in exchange work of the filter part.SOLUTION: A cleaner includes: a cleaner body which incorporates a suction source for generating suction force to suck dust and is equipped with a dust storage chamber to which air containing the dust is sucked by actuation of the suction source; a lid body attached to the cleaner body to allow the dust storage chamber to be openable; a suction tube for forming a flow channel where the dust sucked by the suction force of the suction source flows toward the dust storage chamber; a bag shaped filter part arranged inside the dust storage chamber so as to store the dust which has passed the suction tube by catching; a nonreturn valve for preventing a backflow of the dust from the filter part to the suction tube; an operation part to be operated in releasing the filter part in a state where the dust storage chamber is opened; and an extrusion part for extruding the filter part in a separating direction from the nonreturn valve by the operation with respect to the operation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having a filter unit that traps dust. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vacuum cleaner 300 shown in Fig. 14. This vacuum cleaner 300 includes a vacuum cleaner body 310, a suction tube 320 extending forward from the vacuum cleaner body 310, and a suction nozzle 330 attached to the tip of the suction tube 320. The vacuum cleaner body 310 has a housing 311 and a suction source 312 arranged at the rear of the internal space of the housing 311. Also, as shown in Fig. 15, a bag-shaped filter section 313 is arranged in front of the suction source 312, and an attachment opening 321 into which the base end portion of the suction tube 320 is inserted is formed in front of the filter section 313.

[0003] When suction tube 320 is inserted into mounting port 321, the flow path of suction tube 320 communicates with the internal space of filter portion 313, allowing dust that has passed through suction tube 320 to flow into filter portion 313. However, it is expected that some of this dust will flow to the outside of filter portion 313. In order to suppress such a flow of dust, an annular seal member 322 is attached to mounting port 321 at a position facing filter portion 313.

[0004] 16, an outlet 314 is formed in the front of the housing 311 to enable replacement of the filter unit 313. This outlet 314 is opened and closed by a lid 315 provided on the top of the housing 311. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-42898 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When replacing filter unit 313, the user rotates lid 315 upward to open outlet 314. Then, the user grasps filter unit 313 and pulls it upward. At this time, it is expected that filter unit 313 will rub against sealing member 322, and sealing member 322 will be damaged by filter unit 313. In this case, the sealing function of sealing member 322 may be reduced after filter unit 313 is replaced.

[0007] Vacuum cleaner 300 has sealing member 322, but may also be provided with a check valve at mounting port 321 to prevent backflow of dust from filter unit 313 to suction tube 320. Even in this case, it is expected that filter unit 313 will damage the check valve when filter unit 313 is replaced.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vacuum cleaner that can prevent a filter unit from damaging a check valve or a sealing member during replacement of the filter unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The vacuum cleaner of the present disclosure comprises a vacuum cleaner body incorporating a suction source that generates a suction force to suck in dust and forming a dust storage chamber into which air containing dust is sucked in by operation of the suction source, a lid body attached to the vacuum cleaner body so as to open and close the dust storage chamber, a suction tube forming a flow path through which dust sucked in by the suction force of the suction source flows into the dust storage chamber, a bag-shaped filter section arranged in the dust storage chamber to capture and store the dust that has passed through the suction tube, a check valve that prevents dust from flowing back from the filter section into the suction tube, or a sealing member that prevents air and dust from flowing from the suction tube to the outside of the filter section, an operating section that is operated to remove the filter section when the dust storage chamber is open, and a push-out section that pushes the filter section in a direction away from the check valve or sealing member by operating the operating section. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The above-described technique prevents the filter from damaging the check valve or the seal member during replacement of the filter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in an upright position [Diagram 2] Perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in a backward tilted position [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner body forming a dust chamber of the vacuum cleaner; [Figure 4] Cross-section of the vacuum cleaner body [Diagram 5] A perspective view of a cover for closing a dust chamber of a vacuum cleaner. [Figure 6] Perspective view of the cover [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a filter section accommodated in a dust storage chamber; [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fixing unit that fixes the filter unit to the lid body; [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner body when a suction source built into the vacuum cleaner body is stopped; [Figure 10] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner body when a suction source built into the vacuum cleaner body is in operation; [Figure 11] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner body with dust stored in the dust storage chamber; [Figure 12] Cross-section of the lid [Figure 13] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cover to which a sealing member is attached; [Figure 14] A perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner [Figure 15] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner body forming a dust storage chamber of a conventional vacuum cleaner; [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner body with an open dust chamber; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] 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.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a stick type vacuum cleaner 100. The vacuum cleaner 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0014] (Overall structure of the vacuum cleaner) The vacuum cleaner 100 has a vacuum cleaner body 110 incorporating a suction source 111 that generates a suction force for sucking in dust, a suction tube 120 extending downward from the vacuum cleaner body 110, and a suction nozzle 130 attached to the lower end of the suction tube 120 and moving on the floor surface. The suction tube 120 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 shown in FIG. 1 are in an upright position relative to the suction nozzle 130.

[0015] A grip part 140 formed so as to be gripped by a user protrudes upward from the vacuum cleaner body 110, and an operating part 141 is provided on the outer surface of the grip part 140, which is operated by the user to activate or stop the suction source 111. When a user grips the grip part 140 and pulls it backward, the suction tube 120 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 tilt backward about the lower end of the suction tube 120 as an axis, and assume a backward tilted position relative to the suction nozzle 130 as shown in FIG.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the suction source 111 is accommodated in the upper part of the vacuum cleaner body 110. A battery 112 that stores power for the suction source 111 is disposed behind the suction source 111. The suction source 111 and the battery 112 are arranged in the front-rear direction inside the vacuum cleaner body 110. When a user operates the operation unit 141 to activate the suction source 111, power is supplied from the battery 112 to the suction source 111, and the suction source 111 generates an upward suction force. The suction source 111 may be composed of a motor and a rotating blade configured to be rotationally driven by the motor to generate an upward airflow.

[0017] A dust storage chamber 113 into which dust-containing air is sucked by operation of the suction source 111 is formed below the suction source 111 and the battery 112. In detail, the front part of the dust storage chamber 113 is formed by the lower part of the vacuum cleaner body 110, and the rear part of the dust storage chamber 113 is formed by a lid body 114 attached to the lower part of the vacuum cleaner body 110 from the rear side. As shown in Fig. 2, the lid body 114 is configured to be removable from the vacuum cleaner body 110 in the rearward direction, and in this state, the front and rear parts of the dust storage chamber 113 are open to the outside.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the front part of the dust chamber 113 on the side of the cleaner body 110 becomes gradually deeper toward the upper side. The front end of the dust chamber 113 is defined by the lower part of the front wall 115 of the cleaner body 110. The upper end of the dust chamber 113 is defined by a partition wall 116 protruding rearward from the front wall 115 so as to separate the dust chamber 113 from an upper space in which the suction source 111 and the battery 112 are housed. The left end of the dust chamber 113 is defined by a left partition wall 117 extending downward from the left end of the partition wall 116. The right end of the dust chamber 113 is defined by a right partition wall 118 extending downward from the right end of the partition wall 116. The lower end of the dust chamber 113 is defined by a lower wall 119 forming the lower end of the cleaner body 110.

[0019] The rear edges of the partition wall 116, the left partition wall 117, the right partition wall 118 and the lower wall 119 form an opening that opens rearward when the lid body 114 is removed from the vacuum cleaner body 110. A seal body 151 is attached to the rear edges of the partition wall 116, the left partition wall 117, the right partition wall 118 and the lower wall 119, and this seal body 151 is compressed by the lid body 114 when the lid body 114 is attached to the vacuum cleaner body 110. As a result, the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the lid body 114 are connected airtightly, and the inflow of air into the dust chamber 113 from the joint between the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the lid body 114 is suppressed.

[0020] 4, suction source 111 is disposed above the front portion of partition wall 116, and outlet 152 is formed in the front portion of partition wall 116 to allow air to flow from dust storage chamber 113 to suction source 111. Filter unit 155 is attached to outlet 152. Filter unit 155 is configured to capture dust contained in the air while allowing air to pass through. Therefore, dust flowing from dust storage chamber 113 to suction source 111 is reduced by filter unit 155.

[0021] A rear portion 153 of the partition wall 116 is inclined outward (upward), and the front portion of the dust chamber 113 formed by the vacuum cleaner body 110 becomes wider in the vertical direction toward the rear (i.e., toward the lid body 114).

[0022] 3, the left partition wall 117 and the right partition wall 118 protrude rearward from the front wall 115. The protruding height of the left partition wall 117 and the right partition wall 118 from the front wall 115 gradually decreases from the partition wall 116 toward the bottom wall 119. Therefore, on the cleaner body 110 side, the dust chamber 113 is deeper on the partition wall 116 side and shallower on the bottom wall 119 side.

[0023] An engagement claw 154 that engages with the lower end of lid body 114 protrudes from the lower surface of bottom wall 119. Lid body 114 is capable of tilting rearward about engagement claw 154 as an axis, as shown in Fig. 2. After tilting lid body 114 rearward, the user can remove lid body 114 from vacuum cleaner body 110 by pulling lid body 114 out of engagement claw 154.

[0024] 5, the cover 114 has an outer wall 160 having a concave cross section that opens forward (i.e., toward the cleaner body 110). The outer wall 160 has a rear wall 161 that forms the rear surface of the cleaner 100, a pair of clamping walls 162, 163 that protrude forward from the rear wall 161 with a gap between them in the left-right direction, and a bottom wall 164 that forms the bottom surface of the cover 114. The bottom wall 164 is provided with an engagement portion 165 that is configured to be able to engage with the engagement claw portion 154 of the cleaner body 110. Note that no wall is provided at the upper end of the outer wall 160, and the outer wall 160 opens not only forward but also upward.

[0025] The left-right interval between the sandwiching walls 162, 163 is set so as to allow the vacuum cleaner body 110 to be fitted between the sandwiching walls 162, 163 when the cover body 114 is attached to the vacuum cleaner body 110. In this state, the upper part of the left sandwiching wall 162 overlaps the left partition wall 117 of the vacuum cleaner body 110 from the outside, and the right sandwiching wall 163 overlaps the right partition wall 118 of the vacuum cleaner body 110 from the outside. In other words, the cover body 114 is attached to the vacuum cleaner body 110 in a state in which the vacuum cleaner body 110 is sandwiched between the sandwiching walls 162, 163 on the left and right. At this time, the sandwiching walls 162, 163 are in a state of being pressed against the left partition wall 117 and the right partition wall 118 with a certain amount of force, but this force does not have to be large enough to create an airtight seal structure between the sandwiching walls 162, 163, the left partition wall 117 and the right partition wall 118.

[0026] In order to prevent the user's hands from slipping on the outer surface of the lid body 114 when removing the lid body 114 from the vacuum cleaner body 110 and when attaching the lid body 114 to the vacuum cleaner body 110, anti-slip portions 166, 167 are formed on the outer surfaces of the clamping walls 162, 163. In this embodiment, the anti-slip portions 166, 167 are formed by ribs that protrude from the outer surfaces of the clamping walls 162, 163 and extend in the vertical direction.

[0027] In the space surrounded by the rear wall 161, the holding walls 162, 163, and the lower wall 164, there are provided a sealing wall 171 and a filter mounting portion 172 protruding forward (i.e., toward the cleaner body 110) from the rear wall 161. The sealing wall 171 is provided to form the rear of the dust storage chamber 113 together with the rear wall 161. In detail, the sealing wall 171 is configured such that the front end of the sealing wall 171 compresses the sealing body 151 attached to the rear edges of the partition wall 116, the left partition wall 117, the right partition wall 118, and the lower wall 119 of the cleaner body 110 over the entire length. As a result, the cleaner body 110 and the lid body 114 abut against each other airtightly, and the inflow of air into the dust storage chamber 113 from these joints is suppressed when the suction source 111 is operated.

[0028] Filter attachment portion 172 protrudes from rear wall 161 so as to divide the rear of dust storage chamber 113, which is formed by sealing wall 171 and rear wall 161, into upper and lower portions. Filter attachment portion 172 is spaced leftward from the right side portion of sealing wall 171. A fixing lever portion 180 is disposed between the right side portion of sealing wall 171 and filter attachment portion 172 for fixing filter portion 173, which is configured to be able to store dust, to filter attachment portion 172.

[0029] Above filter mounting portion 172, the protruding height of sealing wall 171 from rear wall 161 is smaller than the protruding height of sandwiching walls 162, 163 from rear wall 161. The protruding height of sealing wall 171 gradually decreases going upward from filter mounting portion 172, and the protruding height of the upper end portion of sealing wall 171 is the smallest within sealing wall 171.

[0030] 6, filter section 173 is attached to filter attachment section 172 while being accommodated in the space above filter attachment section 172. At this time, a part of filter section 173 is surrounded in the circumferential direction by outer wall section 160 of lid body 114 having a concave cross section. Therefore, after separating lid body 114 from vacuum cleaner body 110, if the user holds lid body 114 so that rear wall 161 faces downward, dust that has spilled down from filter section 173 can remain on lid body 114.

[0031] The filter section 173 has a substantially rectangular fixing plate 174 disposed adjacent to the upper surface of the filter attachment section 172, and a bag body 175 attached to the fixing plate 174. The bag body 175 is in a folded state in FIG. 6, but when dust flows into the bag body 175, it expands as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The bag body 175 is configured to allow air to pass through while capturing dust contained in the air. The dust is stored inside the bag body 175. For example, the bag body 175 can be formed from a fibrous material such as paper or nonwoven fabric.

[0032] Fixed plate 174 is made of a material having higher rigidity than bag body 175, and may be made of, for example, cardboard. Inlet 176 that allows dust to flow into bag body 175 is formed in approximately the center of fixed plate 174, as shown in Fig. 7. Inlet 176 opens downward when cover 114 is attached to vacuum cleaner body 110.

[0033] Fixed lever portion 180 is attached to cover body 114 in order to remove filter portion 173 from cover body 114 after cover body 114 is separated from vacuum cleaner body 110. Fixed lever portion 180 has an operating portion 185 that is rotatable leftward (i.e., toward the inside of cover body 114) about a fixed shaft portion 184 fixed to cover body 114.

[0034] A fixing portion 186 configured to sandwich the fixing plate 174 of the filter portion 173 with the filter mounting portion 172 is provided on the opposite side of the operating portion 185 with respect to the fixed shaft portion 184. The fixing portion 186 shown in FIG. 6 is in a fixed position where the fixing plate 174 of the filter portion 173 is sandwiched between the fixing portion 186 and the filter mounting portion 172.

[0035] When the user presses operation portion 185 to the left (i.e., toward the inside of cover body 114), fixing portion 186 retreats from the fixed position shown in Fig. 6 so as to move away from filter mounting portion 172, and moves to the release position shown in Fig. 5. In other words, fixing lever portion 180 is configured so that fixing plate 174 of filter portion 173 is released from between filter mounting portion 172 and fixing portion 186 by operating operation portion 185.

[0036] 8, the fixed lever portion 180 further includes a front cylinder portion 181 to which the operating portion 185 is connected, a rear cylinder portion 182 arranged at a position spaced rearward from the front cylinder portion 181, and a biasing portion 183 arranged between the front cylinder portion 181 and the rear cylinder portion 182. In this embodiment, the biasing portion 183 is formed of a torsion spring, and biases the fixed portion 186 toward the fixed position shown in FIG.

[0037] 5 is inserted through the front cylinder portion 181, the biasing portion 183, and the rear cylinder portion 182. The fixed shaft portion 184, the front cylinder portion 181, the biasing portion 183, and the rear cylinder portion 182 are disposed in the space below the filter attachment portion 172.

[0038] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the front tube portion 181 is located forward of the front edge of the seal wall 171 forming the rear of the dust storage chamber 113 and the front edges of the sandwiching walls 162, 163 protruding from the outside of the seal wall 171. In other words, when the cover body 114 is removed from the vacuum cleaner body 110, the front tube portion 181 is in a position protruding from the space surrounded by the seal wall 171 and the space surrounded by the outer wall portion 160 of the cover body 114, and is exposed to the outside. At this time, the operating unit 185 connected to the front tube portion 181 is also in a position protruding from the space surrounded by the seal wall 171 and the space surrounded by the outer wall portion 160 of the cover body 114, and is exposed to the outside. Therefore, the user can operate the operating unit 185 without being hindered by the cover body 114.

[0039] The fixing portion 186 has a connecting portion 192 connected to the front tube portion 181 and the rear tube portion 182 and protruding into the space above the filter mounting portion 172, and a pressing portion 187 bent leftward from the connecting portion 192. The pressing portion 187 is located above the filter mounting portion 172 and the fixing plate 174 of the filter portion 173, and presses the right end portion of the fixing plate 174 against the filter mounting portion 172 by the biasing force of the biasing portion 183. In other words, the right end portion of the fixing plate 174 is sandwiched between the pressing portion 187 and the filter mounting portion 172. The pressing portion 187 is connected to the operating portion 185 via the connecting portion 192 and the front tube portion 181, and can move integrally with the operating portion 185. When the user presses the operating portion 185 leftward, the pressing portion 187 is displaced obliquely upward to the right. As a result, the fixing plate 174 is released from between the pressing portion 187 and the filter attachment portion 172 .

[0040] As shown in Fig. 8, a push-out portion 188 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the rear cylinder portion 182. The push-out portion 188 is provided to push out the fixing plate 174 of the filter portion 173 in a direction away from the filter mounting portion 172 when removing the filter portion 173 from the lid body 114. In order to allow the push-out portion 188 to protrude from the rear cylinder portion 182 provided below the filter mounting portion 172 into the space above the filter mounting portion 172, an opening 189 is formed between the filter mounting portion 172 and the rear wall 161 of the lid body 114 as shown in Fig. 5.

[0041] The pushing portion 188 is integrated with the operating portion 185 via the rear cylinder portion 182, the connection portion 192 of the fixing portion 186, and the front cylinder portion 181, and can move integrally with the operating portion 185. When the user pushes the operating portion 185 to the left, the pushing portion 188 protrudes through the opening 189 into the space above the filter mounting portion 172, and pushes the fixing plate 174 of the filter portion 173 upward and away from the filter mounting portion 172.

[0042] A part of the suction tube 120 is housed in the space below the filter mounting part 172, and the filter mounting part 172 holds the base end 124 of the suction tube 120. When the filter part 173 is fixed to the filter mounting part 172 by the fixing lever part 180, the base end 124 of the suction tube 120 faces the inlet 176 of the fixing plate 174 of the filter part 173. In this state, dust that has passed through the suction tube 120 is allowed to flow into the bag body 175 through the inlet 176 of the fixing plate 174 of the filter part 173.

[0043] The suction tube 120 forms a flow path extending from the base end 124 to the suction nozzle 130 shown in Fig. 1, and dust sucked in by the suction force of the suction source 111 flows through this flow path. In detail, the suction tube 120 has a base end tube section 121, an extension tube section 122 extending downward from the base end tube section 121, and a tip tube section 123 attached to the lower end of the extension tube section 122, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0044] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the base end pipe section 121 has a second pipe section 126 which is fixed to the filter attachment section 172 and extends into the space below the filter attachment section 172. The second pipe section 126 is formed of an elbow pipe. One end of the second pipe section 126 forms the base end 124 of the suction pipe 120, and the other end 128 of the second pipe section 126 opens to the cleaner body 110 side. A seal body 129 is attached to the end 128.

[0045] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, a check valve 190 is attached near the base end 124 of the second pipe section 126. Figure 9 shows the check valve 190 when the suction source 111 is not operating, and this check valve 190 closes the flow path of the second pipe section 126 below the filter section 173. At this time, even if dust falls from the filter section 173 through the inlet 176, the dust is blocked by the check valve 190 and does not flow back into the second pipe section 126.

[0046] 10 shows check valve 190 when suction source 111 is operating, and this check valve 190 is bent upward by the upward suction force of suction source 111 to open the flow path of second tube section 126. At this time, check valve 190 is located near filter section 173, so that a part of check valve 190 enters filter section 173 through inlet 176 of fixing plate 174 of filter section 173.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the base end pipe section 121 further has a first pipe section 125 formed integrally with the vacuum cleaner body 110, and is configured to be separable into the first pipe section 125 and the second pipe section 126. The lower end portion of the first pipe section 125 is formed so that the extension pipe section 122 shown in FIG. 1 can be inserted into it. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper end section 127 of the first pipe section 125 is bent toward the cover body 114, and the end face of the upper end section 127 faces the end section 128 of the second pipe section 126. The end face of the upper end section 127 is pressed against a seal body 129 attached to the end section 128 of the second pipe section 126, and the first pipe section 125 and the second pipe section 126 are connected to each other via the seal body 129. For this reason, the inflow of air from the joint between the first pipe section 125 and the second pipe section 126 is suppressed by the seal body 129.

[0048] The upper end of the extension tube 122 is removable from the first tube 125, and the tip tube 123 is removable from the lower end of the extension tube 122. The tip tube 123 is attached to the rear of the suction nozzle 130 so as to allow the suction tube 120 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 to move from the upright position shown in FIG. 1 to the backward tilted position shown in FIG. 2. Inside the suction nozzle 130, a suction space (not shown) communicating with the flow path of the suction tube 120 is formed, and this suction space opens downward to allow dust on the floor surface to flow in. The suction nozzle 130 has a width sufficient to keep the suction tube 120 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 in an upright position unless an external force is applied to the suction tube 120 and the vacuum cleaner body 110.

[0049] (Vacuum cleaner in action) The user grips the grip portion 140 and places the suction tube 120 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 in a backward tilted position as shown in FIG. 2. Then, the user operates the operating portion 141 to activate the suction source 111. This operation causes the suction source 111 to generate an upward suction force. The suction force of the suction source 111 acts on the check valve 190 through the bag body 175 of the filter portion 173, which is breathable. Therefore, the check valve 190 is curved upward by the suction force of the suction source 111, as shown in FIG. 10. In this state, the internal space of the filter portion 173 communicates with the flow path of the suction tube 120. Since the flow path of the suction tube 120 communicates with the suction space of the suction nozzle 130, the internal space of the filter portion 173 also communicates with the suction space of the suction nozzle 130 through the flow path of the suction tube 120. Therefore, the suction force of the suction source 111 acts on the suction space of the suction nozzle 130 through the internal space of the filter portion 173 and the flow path of the suction tube 120.

[0050] The suction space of suction nozzle 130 opens downward. Therefore, when a user moves suction nozzle 130 forward on a floor surface, the opening of this suction space faces the floor surface, and dust on the floor surface is sucked up into the suction space of suction nozzle 130 by the upward suction force of suction source 111. This dust then flows through the flow path of suction tube 120 and flows into bag body 175 of filter part 173 through inlet 176 of fixing plate 174 of filter part 173. Then, this dust is captured by bag body 175 and stored in bag body 175.

[0051] The internal pressure of dust chamber 113, which houses filter portion 173, becomes lower than the pressure around dust chamber 113 while suction source 111 is operating. Therefore, the air around dust chamber 113 tries to flow into dust chamber 113 through the joint between vacuum cleaner body 110 and lid body 114 which form dust chamber 113. However, since seal body 151 compressed by vacuum cleaner body 110 and lid body 114 is disposed at this joint, the inflow of air through this joint is suppressed.

[0052] Furthermore, the pressure inside the flow path of suction tube 120 also becomes lower than the pressure outside suction tube 120, and the air outside suction tube 120 tries to flow into the flow path of suction tube 120 through the joint between first tube section 125 and second tube section 126 of suction tube 120. However, since a seal body 129 compressed by first tube section 125 and second tube section 126 is disposed at this joint, the inflow of air through this joint is suppressed.

[0053] Since the inflow of air through the joint between the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the lid body 114 and the joint between the first tube part 125 and the second tube part 126 is suppressed, the decrease in suction force in the dust storage chamber 113 and the suction tube 120 is suppressed. Therefore, a suction force large enough to suck up dust on the floor surface can be applied to the suction space of the suction nozzle 130.

[0054] When the user finishes cleaning the desired floor area, he or she operates the operating unit 141 to stop the suction source 111. Then, the user places the suction tube 120 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 in an upright position as shown in FIG. 1. Since the width of the suction nozzle 130 is large, the vacuum cleaner 100 can be left on the floor with the suction tube 120 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 in an upright position. At this time, the inlet 176 of the filter unit 155 opens downward, but the base end 124 of the suction tube 120 facing the inlet 176 is closed by the check valve 190. Therefore, the check valve 190 prevents dust from falling from the filter unit 155 (i.e., dust from flowing back from the filter unit 155 to the suction tube 120).

[0055] When the user subsequently cleans another floor area, he or she tilts the suction tube 120 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 backward again. At this time, the corner formed by the rear wall 161 of the lid 114 and the filter attachment part 172 is at the lowest position in the dust storage chamber 113. Therefore, dust in the filter part 173 accumulates on this corner as shown in FIG.

[0056] When the user operates the suction source 111 with the suction tube 120 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 in a backward tilted position, an airflow is generated in the dust storage chamber 113 from the base end 124 of the suction tube 120 toward the outlet 152, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 11. At this time, the dust accumulated in the corners is not affected by the airflow and is likely to remain accumulated in the corners. Therefore, the amount of dust flowing toward the outlet 152 on the airflow is reduced. As a result, the dust is prevented from being adsorbed on the inner surface of the bag body 175 of the filter part 173 so as to block the outlet 152. Therefore, the strength of the airflow from the base end 124 of the suction tube 120 toward the outlet 152 is likely to be maintained.

[0057] However, if a large amount of dust accumulates inside filter portion 173, the resistance caused by the dust increases, and the suction force acting on the suction space of suction nozzle 130 decreases. To solve this problem, filter portion 173 can be replaced with a new filter portion 173 as follows.

[0058] A user grasps the lid body 114 and pulls it backward in order to replace the filter portion 173. At this time, the anti-slip portions 166, 167 provided on the outer surface of the lid body 114 can prevent the user's hands from slipping on the lid body 114.

[0059] When the user pulls the lid body 114 rearward, the lid body 114 tilts rearward about the engagement portion 165 as shown in Fig. 2. As the lid body 114 tilts rearward, the second tube portion 126 on the lid body 114 side moves away from the first tube portion 125 on the vacuum cleaner body 110 side. Therefore, the user can tilt the lid body 114 rearward without being hindered by the suction tube 120.

[0060] At this time, end 128 of second tube 126 opens obliquely upward as lid 114 tilts backward. Therefore, even if dust remains inside second tube 126, the dust is unlikely to spill out from end 128. Even if dust does spill out from end 128, the dust can be received by bottom wall 164 or rear wall 161 of lid 114. Thereafter, the user can pull lid 114 obliquely upward and rearward to separate it from vacuum cleaner body 110.

[0061] In order to reduce the force required to pull the lid 114 backward from the vacuum cleaner body 110, the clamping walls 162, 163 of the lid 114 are configured not to clamp the vacuum cleaner body 110 with an excessively strong force. In this case, the clamping walls 162, 163 cannot come into airtight contact with the vacuum cleaner body 110. For this reason, a sealing wall 171 is provided between the clamping walls 162, 163, and the inflow of air into the dust chamber 113 from the joint between the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the lid 114 is suppressed by the sealing wall 171.

[0062] That is, if a seal structure is formed between the clamping walls 162, 163 and the vacuum cleaner body 110, the clamping walls 162, 163 are pressed against the vacuum cleaner body 110 with a force strong enough to prevent air from flowing in. In this case, the frictional force between the clamping walls 162, 163 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 may become excessively high, and the user must apply a strong force to the lid body 114 to remove the lid body 114 from the vacuum cleaner body 110.

[0063] On the other hand, if a seal structure is formed using a seal wall 171 provided separately from the clamping walls 162, 163 that clamp the vacuum cleaner body 110, the clamping walls 162, 163 do not need to be pressed against the vacuum cleaner body 110 with a strong force. Therefore, the clamping walls 162, 163 can be configured to lightly clamp the vacuum cleaner body 110, and the user can separate the lid body 114 from the vacuum cleaner body 110 with a small force.

[0064] When the cover 114 is separated from the vacuum cleaner body 110, the dust storage chamber 113 is opened to the outside, but the dust is retained within the bag 175 of the filter section 173. Therefore, scattering of dust when the cover 114 is separated from the vacuum cleaner body 110 is suppressed.

[0065] When the cover 114 is separated from the vacuum cleaner body 110, the upper end 127 of the first pipe portion 125 and the end 128 of the second pipe portion 126 are also opened to the outside as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Therefore, the user can visually check whether dust is clogged in the first pipe portion 125 and the second pipe portion 126 through the upper end 127 of the first pipe portion 125 and the end 128 of the second pipe portion 126. If dust is clogged in the first pipe portion 125 and the second pipe portion 126, the user can remove the dust through the upper end 127 of the first pipe portion 125 and the end 128 of the second pipe portion 126.

[0066] Since the filter part 173 is fixed on the lid body 114 side by the fixed lever part 180 attached to the lid body 114, the filter part 173 and the fixed lever part 180 are removed from the vacuum cleaner body 110 together with the lid body 114. The user can then hold the lid body 114 so that the rear wall 161 of the lid body 114 faces downward and carry it to a trash can. At this time, the sealing wall 171 and the clamping walls 162, 163 of the lid body 114 are in a position in which they stand upward from the rear wall 161. Therefore, even if dust falls from the filter part 173, the dust can be retained on the lid body 114 by the sealing wall 171 and the clamping walls 162, 163.

[0067] The user can carry lid body 114 together with filter portion 173 close to the trash can, and then perform the task of separating filter portion 173 from lid body 114. In this task, the user pushes operating portion 185 of fixed lever portion 180 to the left against the biasing force of biasing portion 183. At this time, since fixed lever portion 180 is separated from vacuum cleaner body 110, the user can operate operating portion 185 without being hindered by vacuum cleaner body 110. In addition, since operating portion 185 is exposed from lid body 114, operation of operating portion 185 is not hindered by lid body 114.

[0068] When the user pushes the operating unit 185 leftward, the pressing portion 187 of the fixing portion 186 of the fixing lever portion 180 is displaced in a direction away from the filter attachment portion 172. That is, the fixing portion 186 moves to the release position shown in FIG. 5, and the state in which the fixing plate 174 of the filter portion 173 is sandwiched between the pressing portion 187 of the fixing portion 186 and the filter attachment portion 172 is released. Thereafter, when the user holds the lid body 114 over the trash can with the rear wall 161 of the lid body 114 facing upward while still pushing the operating unit 185 leftward, the lid body 114 is opened downward. As a result, the filter portion 173 falls into the trash can due to gravity.

[0069] When a user attempts to discard the filter portion 173 in this manner, if the pushing portion 188 does not push the fixing plate 174 of the filter portion 173 in a direction away from the filter attachment portion 172, the following problem may occur. That is, when the suction source 111 generates a suction force, the check valve 190 enters the filter portion 173 as shown in FIG. 10. Then, when the suction source 111 stops, the check valve 190 returns to the position shown in FIG. 9. As a result of the repeated change in position shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, it is assumed that the check valve 190 undergoes plastic deformation, and even when the suction source 111 stops, a part of the check valve 190 remains in the filter portion 173. In this state, if the filter portion 173 is displaced in a direction away from the rear wall 161 of the cover body 114 while sliding against the filter attachment portion 172, the fixing plate 174 of the filter portion 173 may get caught by the check valve 190 and damage the check valve 190.

[0070] On the other hand, if the pushing portion 188 pushes out the fixed plate 174 in a direction away from the filter attachment portion 172, the check valve 190, which has been plastically deformed as described above, can come out of the filter portion 173. In this state, the fixed plate 174 does not get caught on the check valve 190, and the filter portion 173 can fall out of the cover 114. Therefore, damage to the check valve 190 when the filter portion 173 is replaced is suppressed.

[0071] The protruding height of the sealing wall 171 from the rear wall 161 is set so that the filter portion 173 can easily fall from the lid body 114. That is, in the portion adjacent to the filter portion 173, the protruding height of the sealing wall 171 from the rear wall 161 is smaller than the protruding height of the sandwiching walls 162, 163 from the rear wall 161. Since the protruding height of the sealing wall 171 is relatively small, the contact area between the filter portion 173 and the sealing wall 171 is small. As a result, the frictional force resisting the fall of the filter portion 173 from the lid body 114 is not excessively large, and the filter portion 173 can easily fall from the lid body 114.

[0072] In order to further reduce the frictional force between the filter section 173 and the sealing wall 171, the sealing wall 171 may protrude from the rear wall 161 of the lid body 114 in an outwardly inclined position. In this case, when the lid body 114 is attached to the vacuum cleaner body 110, the rear part of the dust storage chamber 113 has a shape that expands in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction as it approaches the vacuum cleaner body 110. When a user separates the lid body 114 from the vacuum cleaner body 110 and holds the lid body 114 in a position in which the rear part of the dust storage chamber 113 opens downward, the rear part of the dust storage chamber 113 becomes wider as it approaches downward, and the filter section 173 may easily fall off the lid body 114. The sealing wall 171 may be inclined outward over its entire length, but for example, as shown in FIG. 12, only the upper end of the sealing wall 171 when the lid body 114 is attached to the vacuum cleaner body 110 may be inclined outward.

[0073] After separating the used filter portion 173 from the lid body 114, the user attaches a new filter portion 173 to the lid body 114. That is, the user pushes the operation portion 185 of the fixing lever portion 180 leftward again to separate the fixing portion 186 from the filter mounting portion 172. Then, the fixing plate 174 of the filter portion 173 is inserted into the gap between the fixing portion 186 and the filter mounting portion 172. When the user releases the operation portion 185 in this state, the fixing portion 186 is displaced to the fixed position shown in FIG. 6 by the biasing force of the biasing portion 183, and the fixing plate 174 is sandwiched between the fixing portion 186 and the filter mounting portion 172. As a result, the new filter portion 173 is fixed to the lid body 114.

[0074] Thereafter, the user tilts the lid body 114 backward, and engages the engagement portion 165 of the lid body 114 with the engagement claw portion 154 of the vacuum cleaner body 110. Then, when the user rotates the lid body 114 toward the vacuum cleaner body 110 around the engagement portion 165 as an axis, the vacuum cleaner body 110 fits between the clamping walls 162, 163 of the lid body 114.

[0075] The vacuum cleaner body 110 is configured to prevent the filter section 173 from getting caught on the vacuum cleaner body 110 during such an installation operation. That is, the rear section 153 of the partition wall 116 of the vacuum cleaner body 110 is inclined as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and the front section of the dust chamber 113 formed by the vacuum cleaner body 110 becomes wider in the vertical direction as it approaches the lid body 114. This can prevent the filter section 173 from getting caught at the front entrance of the dust chamber 113.

[0076] In the vacuum cleaner 100 of the above-described embodiment, the suction tube 120 and the filter portion 173 are attached to the filter attachment portion 172. Alternatively, the suction tube 120 may be directly connected to the filter portion 173. In this case, if the filter portion 173 is pushed out by the pushing portion 188 and separated from the suction tube 120, the filter portion 173 may be separated from the check valve 190 attached to the base end 124 of the suction tube 120. When the suction tube 120 is directly connected to the filter portion 173, the filter attachment portion 172 may be omitted.

[0077] The vacuum cleaner 100 of the above-described embodiment includes a check valve 190 to prevent dust from falling from the filter section 173 to the suction tube 120. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 13, a seal member 191 may be provided on the cover 114. The seal member 191 shown in FIG. 13 is configured by an O-ring attached to the base end 124 of the suction tube 120 so as to prevent air and dust that have passed through the suction tube 120 from flowing outside the bag-shaped filter section 173. That is, when the fixing plate 174 of the filter section 173 is sandwiched between the filter attachment section 172 and the pressing section 187 of the fixing section 186, the seal member 191 is compressed by the fixing plate 174 and is pressed against the fixing plate 174 in an airtight manner.

[0078] In the case where vacuum cleaner 100 has sealing member 191, if fixing plate 174 is not separated from filter attachment portion 172 by push-out portion 188, sealing member 191 may be damaged as follows: When filter portion 173 is removed from cover body 114, sealing member 191 may rub against fixing plate 174 of filter portion 173. As a result, wear of sealing member 191 may be accelerated.

[0079] On the other hand, if the pushing portion 188 pushes out the fixing plate 174 of the filter portion 173 so as to move it away from the filter attachment portion 172, the fixing plate 174 can also move away from the seal member 191. Therefore, the filter portion 173 can fall without the fixing plate 174 rubbing against the seal member 191, and wear of the seal member 191 is suppressed.

[0080] 13, the check valve 190 and the seal member 191 are attached to the suction tube 120. Alternatively, they may be attached to the filter mounting portion 172.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the filter portion 173 is disposed in the dust storage chamber 113 with the inlet 176 opening downward. In this case, a check valve 190 is required to prevent dust from falling from the filter portion 173. However, when the filter portion 173 is disposed in the dust storage chamber 113 with the inlet 176 opening sideways or upward, dust is unlikely to fall from the filter portion 173. For this reason, the check valve 190 does not need to be provided. Even in this case, a seal member 191 may be disposed at the connection portion between the filter portion 173 and the suction tube 120 to prevent dust from flowing to the outside of the filter portion 173. Even in such a structure, wear of the seal member 191 may be suppressed by the pushing portion 188 pushing out the fixing plate 174 of the filter portion 173 so as to separate it from the filter attachment portion 172.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, the lid body 114 is sandwiched between the vacuum cleaner body 110 by the sandwiching walls 162, 163, and the lid body 114 is prevented from unintentionally falling off the vacuum cleaner body 110 when the lid body 114 is attached to the vacuum cleaner body 110. Alternatively, the lid body 114 may be prevented from falling off the vacuum cleaner body 110 by other methods. For example, if the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the lid body 114 are configured to be magnetically attracted to each other, the lid body 114 is less likely to fall off the vacuum cleaner body 110 unintentionally. In this case, the lid body 114 may not have the sandwiching walls 162, 163. If the lid body 114 is not provided with the sandwiching walls 162, 163, the lid body 114 may have a flat plate shape.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the anti-slip portions 166, 167 are configured by ribs protruding from the outer wall portion 160 of the lid body 114. Alternatively, the anti-slip portions 166, 167 may have other shapes capable of preventing the user's hand from slipping on the lid body 114. For example, the anti-slip portions 166, 167 may be configured by a plurality of protrusions provided on the outer wall portion 160 of the lid body 114. Alternatively, the anti-slip portions 166, 167 may be rubber plates attached on the outer wall portion 160 of the lid body 114. Note that, when the outer surface of the lid body 114 itself has a high coefficient of friction with respect to the user's hand, the anti-slip portions 166, 167 may be omitted.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, the front part of the dust chamber 113 formed by the vacuum cleaner body 110 becomes wider in the vertical direction as it approaches the lid body 114 attached to the vacuum cleaner body 110 due to the inclination of the partition wall 116. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner body 110 may be configured such that the front part of the dust chamber 113 becomes wider in the horizontal direction as it approaches the lid body 114.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, the fixed portion 186 and the pushing portion 188 are formed integrally with the operating portion 185 as a part of the fixed lever portion 180. Alternatively, the fixed portion 186 and the pushing portion 188 may be formed as components separate from the operating portion 185. In this case, the fixed portion 186 and the pushing portion 188 are configured to operate in response to an operation on the operating portion 185. For example, in the case where the operating portion 185 is configured by a push button, the fixed portion 186 and the pushing portion 188 may be piston members configured to electromagnetically move the filter portion 173 in a direction away from the filter attachment portion 172 when the push button is pressed.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the second tube 126 is detachable from the first tube 125 when the cover 114 is detached from the vacuum cleaner body 110. Alternatively, the second tube 126 may maintain a connected state with the first tube 125 when the cover 114 is detached from the vacuum cleaner body 110. For example, if the upper end 127 of the first tube 125 is extendable, the connected state between the first tube 125 and the second tube 126 may be maintained even if the cover 114 is tilted backward relative to the vacuum cleaner body 110. When the cover 114 is tilted backward relative to the vacuum cleaner body 110, the connected portion between the first tube 125 and the second tube 126 becomes accessible to the user, so that the user can release the connection between the first tube 125 and the second tube 126. The user can then separate the second tube 126 from the first tube 125.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the lid body 114 is removed from the vacuum cleaner body 110 in a rearward direction. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be configured such that the lid body 114 is removed from the vacuum cleaner body 110 in a forward, rightward or leftward direction. Alternatively, the lid body 114 does not need to be separated from the vacuum cleaner body 110 as long as the filter section 173 can be removed from the dust storage chamber 113. For example, the lid body 114 may be attached to the vacuum cleaner body 110 so as to be rotatable about a predetermined rotation shaft, and the dust storage chamber 113 may be opened by changing the position of the lid body 114 while maintaining the connection with the vacuum cleaner body 110 via the rotation shaft.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, when the cover 114 is removed from the vacuum cleaner body 110, the operation unit 185 is exposed to the outside from the cover 114. Alternatively, the operation unit 185 may be disposed inside the cover 114, as long as the user can operate the operation unit 185 after removing the cover 114 from the vacuum cleaner body.

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, the filter portion 173, the operating portion 185, the pushing portion 188, the check valve 190 and the sealing member 191 are attached to the cover body 114. Alternatively, they may be attached to the vacuum cleaner body 110.

[0090] 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), a canister type vacuum cleaner, or a handheld type vacuum cleaner.

[0091] (Effects, etc.) The vacuum cleaner 100 according to the above embodiment has the following characteristics and provides the following effects.

[0092] A vacuum cleaner according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment comprises a vacuum cleaner body incorporating a suction source that generates a suction force to suck in dust and forming a dust storage chamber into which air containing dust is sucked in by operation of the suction source, a lid body attached to the vacuum cleaner body so as to open and close the dust storage chamber, a suction tube forming a flow path through which dust sucked in by the suction force of the suction source flows into the dust storage chamber, a bag-shaped filter section arranged in the dust storage chamber so as to capture and store the dust that has passed through the suction tube, a check valve that prevents dust from flowing back from the filter section into the suction tube, or a sealing member that prevents air and dust from flowing from the suction tube to the outside of the filter section, an operating unit that is operated to remove the filter section when the dust storage chamber is open, and an extrusion unit that pushes the filter section in a direction away from the check valve or the sealing member by operating the operating unit.

[0093] In the above-mentioned configuration, when the suction source is activated, the suction force of the suction source causes dust to flow through the flow path of the suction tube and accumulate in the bag-shaped filter section in the dust storage chamber. During this time, if there is concern that dust may flow from the suction tube to the outside of the filter section, a seal member may be provided. If there is concern that dust accumulated in the filter section may flow back into the suction tube, a check valve may be provided. However, when replacing the filter section, it is expected that the seal member or check valve will be damaged by the filter section as follows.

[0094] That is, when a certain amount of dust has accumulated in the filter section, the user operates the lid to open the dust storage chamber. After that, the user can operate the operating section to remove the filter section from the dust storage chamber. At this time, if the filter section comes into contact with the sealing member or the check valve, the check valve or the sealing member may be damaged by the force from the filter section. In order to prevent such damage, in the above-mentioned configuration, when the user operates the operating section, the pushing section pushes out the filter section and moves it in a direction away from the sealing member or the check valve. As a result, the filter section moves away from the check valve or the sealing member, and contact between the filter section and the check valve or between the filter section and the sealing member during the operation of removing the filter section is prevented. Therefore, damage to the check valve or the sealing member is prevented by the pushing section.

[0095] In the above-mentioned configuration, the filter portion may open downward. The check valve may be configured to block dust that has fallen from the filter portion while closing the suction tube below the filter portion when the suction source is stopped, and to bend and deform upward so as to enter the filter portion by the suction force of the suction source and open the suction tube when the suction source is operating.

[0096] In the above-mentioned configuration, since the filter portion opens downward, the dust in the filter portion tends to fall through the opening of the filter portion due to gravity. To prevent such dust from falling, when the suction source is stopped, the check valve is configured to close the suction pipe and block the dust that has fallen from the filter.

[0097] When the suction source is in operation, the check valve is bent upward by the suction force of the suction source, which opens the opening of the filter unit and allows dust that has passed through the suction pipe to flow into the filter unit.

[0098] When the check valve is repeatedly curved, it is assumed that the check valve undergoes plastic deformation, and the upward curved deformation of the check valve (i.e., the state in which the check valve is inserted into the filter portion) is maintained even when the suction source is stopped. In this state, if the filter portion is removed from the dust storage chamber without moving away from the check valve, the check valve may get caught on the filter portion and be damaged by the filter portion. To prevent such damage, in the above-mentioned configuration, when the operating portion is operated, the pushing portion pushes out the filter portion so that the filter portion moves away from the check valve. As a result, the state in which the check valve is inserted into the filter portion is eliminated, and damage to the check valve can be prevented.

[0099] If the check valve is provided in the suction pipe at a position far enough away from the filter section that the check valve does not enter the filter section when bent upward, the check valve will not be damaged, but a certain amount of dust may enter the suction pipe. On the other hand, if the check valve is provided close enough to the filter section that the check valve enters the filter section when bent upward, the amount of dust flowing back into the suction pipe is reduced.

[0100] In the above-described configuration, the seal member may be configured to be pressed against the filter portion to prevent air and dust from flowing from the suction tube to the outside of the filter portion.

[0101] In the above-mentioned configuration, the seal member is pressed against the filter unit to prevent air and dust from flowing from the suction tube to the outside of the filter unit. If the filter unit is removed from the dust chamber without being separated from the seal member, the filter unit and the seal member may rub against each other and the seal member may be damaged. In order to prevent such damage to the seal member, in the above-mentioned configuration, when the operating unit is operated, the pushing unit pushes out the filter unit so that the filter unit is separated from the seal member. As a result, the filter unit is removed from the dust chamber without rubbing against the seal member, and damage to the seal member is suppressed.

[0102] In the above-mentioned configuration, the cover may have a filter attachment portion to which the filter portion is attached, and may be configured to be separable from the vacuum cleaner body.

[0103] In the above-described configuration, the filter unit is attached to the filter mounting portion provided on the lid body, so that when the lid body is separated from the vacuum cleaner body, the filter unit can be removed from the dust chamber while still attached to the lid body.

[0104] In the above-described configuration, the filter attachment portion may be configured to hold the proximal end of the suction tube.

[0105] In the above-described configuration, since the filter attachment portion holds the proximal end of the suction tube, the filter portion attached to the filter attachment portion can be located near the proximal end of the suction tube, and therefore dust can flow into the filter portion immediately after passing through the proximal end of the suction tube.

[0106] In the above-mentioned configuration, the check valve or the seal member may be attached to the base end of the suction tube or the filter attachment portion. The pushing portion may be configured to move the filter portion away from the filter attachment portion when the operating portion is operated.

[0107] In the above-mentioned configuration, the check valve or the seal member is attached to the filter mounting part or to the base end of the suction tube held by the filter mounting part, and is therefore disposed adjacent to the filter part attached to the filter mounting part. When the pusher moves the filter part away from the filter mounting part by operating the operating part, the filter part is separated from the check valve or the seal member.

[0108] In the above-described configuration, the vacuum cleaner may further include a fixing part that fixes the filter part to the filter attachment part. The fixing part may be configured to release the fixation of the filter part to the filter attachment part as the operating part is operated so that the pushing part pushes out the filter part.

[0109] In the above-mentioned configuration, the filter part is fixed to the filter mounting part by the fixing part, so that the filter part is prevented from moving within the dust storage chamber. The filter part is released from the filter mounting part by a user operating the operating part, so that the pushing part can move the filter part away from the filter mounting part without being hindered by the fixing part.

[0110] In the above-described configuration, the fixing portion, the operating portion, and the pushing portion may be provided on the lid.

[0111] In the above-mentioned configuration, since not only the filter attachment part but also the fixing part, the operating part and the pushing part are provided on the lid body, when the lid body is separated from the vacuum cleaner body, the user can operate the operating part without being hindered by the vacuum cleaner body. In other words, the user can perform the work of removing the filter part from the filter attachment part without being hindered by the vacuum cleaner body.

[0112] In the above-mentioned configuration, the operation unit may be attached to the lid so that the operation unit is exposed to the outside when the lid is separated from the vacuum cleaner body.

[0113] In the above-described configuration, when the lid is separated from the vacuum cleaner body, the operating part is exposed to the outside, so that the user can operate the operating part without being hindered by not only the vacuum cleaner body but also the lid.

[0114] In the above-mentioned configuration, the suction tube may have a first tube portion fixed inside the vacuum cleaner body, and a second tube portion forming a base end of the suction tube and extending from the filter attachment portion to be connected to the first tube portion. The second tube portion may be configured to be separated from the first tube portion when the cover body is removed from the vacuum cleaner body.

[0115] In the above-mentioned configuration, when the cover is separated from the vacuum cleaner body, the second tube is separated from the first tube fixed in the vacuum cleaner body and can be taken out of the dust chamber together with the filter attachment part. Therefore, the user can separate the cover from the vacuum cleaner body without being hindered by the suction tube.

[0116] In the above-mentioned configuration, the vacuum cleaner may further include a seal provided at a joint between the first tube part and the second tube part. The seal may be configured to be compressed by the first tube part and the second tube part when the cover body is attached to the vacuum cleaner body, thereby suppressing air from flowing into the flow path of the suction tube through the joint.

[0117] When air flows in through the joint between the first and second pipes, the suction force acting on the first pipe may decrease. In order to suppress such a decrease in suction force, in the above-mentioned configuration, a seal body is provided at the joint between the first and second pipes. When the cover body is attached to the vacuum cleaner body, the seal body is compressed by the first and second pipes. As a result, the inflow of air through the joint between the first and second pipes is suppressed. [Industrial Applicability]

[0118] The vacuum cleaner of the above-described embodiment is suitably used as a device for cleaning work. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 100...Vacuum cleaner 110 Vacuum cleaner body 111...Suction source 113... Dust storage room 114 Lid body 120...Suction tube 124... Proximal end 125...First pipe section 126...Second tube section 129 Seal body 141......Operation section 172 Filter mounting section 173 Filter section 185......Operation section 188...Extrusion section 190 Check valve 191....Sealing material

Claims

1. a vacuum cleaner body incorporating a suction source that generates a suction force for sucking in dust and forming a dust storage chamber into which air containing dust is sucked by the operation of the suction source; a cover attached to the vacuum cleaner body so as to be capable of opening and closing the dust storage chamber; a suction pipe forming a flow path through which dust sucked by the suction force of the suction source flows into the dust storage chamber; a bag-shaped filter portion disposed in the dust storage chamber so as to capture and store the dust that has passed through the suction pipe; a check valve for preventing backflow of dust from the filter unit to the suction pipe, or a seal member for preventing air and dust from flowing from the suction pipe to the outside of the filter unit; an operating unit that is operated to remove the filter unit when the dust storage chamber is open; a push-out portion that pushes out the filter portion in a direction away from the check valve or the sealing member when the operating portion is operated.

2. The filter portion is open downward, 2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the check valve is configured to close the suction tube below the filter section to block dust that has fallen from the filter section when the suction source is stopped, and to bend and deform upwardly so as to open the suction tube while entering the filter section due to the suction force of the suction source when the suction source is operating.

3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the seal member is configured to be pressed against the filter portion to prevent air and dust from flowing from the suction pipe to the outside of the filter portion.

4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the cover body has a filter attachment portion to which the filter portion is attached and is configured to be separable from the vacuum cleaner body.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 4 , wherein the filter mount is configured to hold a proximal end of the suction tube.

6. the check valve or the seal member is attached to the base end or the filter attachment portion of the suction tube, The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5 , wherein the push-out portion is configured to move the filter portion away from the filter attachment portion when the operating portion is operated.

7. The filter unit may further include a fixing portion that fixes the filter unit to the filter attachment portion. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6 , wherein the fixing portion is configured to release the fixing of the filter portion to the filter attachment portion when the operating portion is operated so that the pushing portion pushes out the filter portion.

8. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 7 , wherein the fixing portion, the operating portion, and the pushing portion are provided on the lid body.

9. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 , wherein the operation unit is attached to the lid body such that the operation unit is exposed to the outside when the lid body is separated from the vacuum cleaner body.

10. the suction tube has a first tube portion fixed within the vacuum cleaner body, and a second tube portion forming the base end of the suction tube and extending from the filter attachment portion to be connected to the first tube portion, The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5 , wherein the second tube portion is configured to be separated from the first tube portion when the cover body is removed from the vacuum cleaner body.

11. The nozzle further includes a seal member provided at a joint between the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion, The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the sealing body is configured to be compressed by the first tube portion and the second tube portion when the cover body is attached to the vacuum cleaner body, thereby suppressing the inflow of air from the joint into the flow path of the suction tube.

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