Work machine

Abstract

To provide a work machine with improved convenience.SOLUTION: A cleaner 10 includes a motor, a fan, an external cylinder 72, a partitioning part 32, a dust box 100, and an attachment part 110. The external cylinder 72 includes an air inlet in which air flows provided at a position different from a front end and rear end in an axial direction. The partitioning part 32 is positioned on the rear side from the air inlet in the axial direction. The partitioning part 32 further includes a discharge part 62 which forms a rotation chamber 86 by entering into the inside of the external cylinder 72 and by partitioning the inside of the external cylinder 72, and which can discharge the air inside the rotation chamber 86 toward the fan. The dust box 100 includes a dust collection chamber 102 provided at the front end in the axial direction of the external cylinder 72 in an attachable / detachable manner. The attachment part 110 attaches the external cylinder 72 to the partitioning part 32 in an attachable / detachable manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a working machine.

Background Art

[0002] The cleaner described in Patent Document 1 includes a dust collecting part having a first cyclone part and a second cyclone part and attached to a housing, and a dust box material attached to the dust collecting part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the cleaner of Patent Document 1, the second cyclone part is covered by the case of the dust collecting part. Therefore, when the dust box material is removed from the dust collecting part, only the discharge port part of the second cyclone part is exposed, and there is a risk that the inside of the second cyclone part may not be sufficiently cleaned.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a working machine with improved convenience.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The working machine according to one embodiment includes a motor, a fan, an outer cylinder portion, a partitioning portion, a dust collecting portion, and a mounting portion. The fan rotates by receiving the driving force of the motor. The outer cylinder portion is arranged in the axial direction with the fan, and both ends in the axial direction are open. Further, in the outer cylinder portion, an inlet through which air flows in is provided at a position different from both ends in the axial direction. The partitioning portion is located on the other end side of the inlet in the axial direction. Further, the partitioning portion is located on the other end side of the inlet in the axial direction, enters the inside of the outer cylinder portion, partitions the inside of the outer cylinder portion to form a swirling chamber, and is provided with a discharge portion capable of discharging the air in the swirling chamber toward the fan. The dust collecting portion is detachably provided at one end of the outer cylinder portion in the axial direction and has a dust collecting chamber for collecting dust. The mounting portion detachably attaches the outer cylinder portion to the partitioning portion. The working machine according to one embodiment swirls the air flowing in from the inlet with the rotation of the fan in the swirling chamber, discharges the air in the swirling chamber to the discharge portion, and discharges the dust contained in the air in the swirling chamber from the swirling chamber toward one end side of the outer cylinder portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the convenience of the working machine can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

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Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The working machine of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as an example of the working machine, the cleaner 10 will be described. In all the drawings referred to for explaining this embodiment and each modified example, the same or substantially the same components and elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. Also, components and elements once described will not be repeatedly described in principle.

[0010] 〔Outline of Cleaner〕 FIG. 1 shows a cleaner 10. When viewed from the outside, the cleaner 10 has a main body housing 12, a battery 18, a cyclone unit 30, and a dust box 100.

[0011] The battery 18 is detachably attached to the main body housing 12. The battery 18 supplies power to a motor 22 (FIG. 2) described later. The main body housing 12 is provided with a front end portion 14 to which the cyclone unit 30 is attached. The cyclone unit 30 is attached to the front end portion 14. Further, the main body housing 12 is provided with a gripping portion 15 for handling, a switch 16, and an exhaust portion 17.

[0012] The gripping portion 15 is a portion that an operator grasps when using the cleaner 10. The switch 16 is slidably provided on the gripping portion 15. When the switch 16 is slid by the operator, the on / off of the operation of the cleaner 10 is switched. The exhaust portion 17 is composed of a plurality of exhaust ports 17A formed on the right side surface and the left side surface of the main body housing 12. The air sucked into the cleaner 10 from an intake port 29 described later is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust portion 17.

[0013] <Definition of Directions> In this embodiment, the direction in which the main body housing 12 and the cyclone unit 30 are aligned is defined as the front-rear direction. The cyclone unit 30 is located on the front side with respect to the main body housing 12. Also, the direction in which the gripping portion 15 and the battery 18 are aligned and which is orthogonal to the front-rear direction is defined as the up-down direction. The gripping portion 15 is located on the upper side with respect to the battery 18. Furthermore, the direction orthogonal to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is defined as the left-right direction. The left side and the right side are the left side and the right side when viewing the cyclone unit 30 from the side of the main body housing 12.

[0014] <Specific Configuration of the Cleaner> FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the cleaner 10. Also, the arrows represent the air flow inside the cleaner 10. The straight arrows represent that the air travels almost straight. The curved arrows represent that the air swirls.

[0015] The cleaner 10 includes a motor 22, a fan 24, a partitioning portion 32, an outer cylinder portion 72, a dust box 100, and a mounting portion 110 (FIG. 1). Furthermore, the cleaner 10 includes a filter 26, an intake portion 28, a first operation portion 112 (FIG. 1) which is a part of the mounting portion 110, and a second operation portion 120 (FIG. 1) provided in the dust box 100.

[0016] <Motor> The motor 22 is rotationally driven by being supplied with power from the battery 18. The motor 22 is housed inside the front end portion of the main body housing 12. The motor 22 has a shaft 23. The central axis M of the shaft 23 extends parallel to the "axial direction", which is the direction in which the central axis AX of the outer cylinder portion 72 described later extends. The front-rear direction is an example of the axial direction.

[0017] <Fan> The fan 24 is housed inside the front end of the main body housing 12. The fan 24 is attached to the front end of the shaft 23. The fan 24 rotates upon receiving the driving force of the motor 22. When the fan 24 rotates, an air flow is generated inside the main body housing 12 from the front end of the main body housing 12 towards the exhaust portion 17.

[0018] <Filter> The filter 26 is provided at the rear end of the partition portion 32 described later and is located on the front side of the fan 24. The filter 26 collects dust contained in the air flow flowing from the partition portion 32 through the fan 24 into the inside of the main body housing 12.

[0019] <Intake portion> As shown in FIG. 3, the intake portion 28 is connected to the front end portion of the lower end portion of the partition portion 32. The intake portion 28 is formed in a cylindrical shape. When viewed from the left - right direction, the intake portion 28 is bent in an L - shape and has a vertical passage 28A extending downward from the partition portion 32 and a horizontal passage 28B extending forward from the lower end of the vertical passage 28A. An intake port 29 is formed at the front end portion of the horizontal passage 28B.

[0020] An exhaust port 31 (FIG. 8) that opens towards the partition portion 32 is provided at the upper end portion of the vertical passage 28A. The inside of the exhaust port 31 is connected to the inside of an inflow port 78 (FIG. 11) described later. That is, in the intake portion 28, with the rotation of the fan 24 (FIG. 2), intake is performed, and an air flow is generated from the intake port 29 towards the inside of the partition portion 32.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows the cyclone unit 30 in a disassembled state. The cyclone unit 30 includes an intake portion 28, a partition portion 32, an outer cylinder portion 72, a dust box 100, and a mounting portion 110. Note that a first separation portion 74 described later is included in the outer cylinder portion 72.

[0022] <Partition portion> As shown in FIG. 4, the partitioning portion 32 includes an outer case 34 and a partition wall 52. A discharge portion 62 is provided in the partition wall 52.

[0023] <<Outer case>> The outer case 34 shown in FIG. 6 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a central axis along the front-rear direction. In the outer case 34, the first opening diameter D1 at one end side (front side) in the front-rear direction (axial direction) is smaller than the second opening diameter D2 at the other end side (rear side) in the front-rear direction. Note that the first opening diameter D1 and the second opening diameter D2 may be equal. Also, the first opening diameter D1 may be larger than the second opening diameter D2. The outer case 34 houses an outer cylinder portion 72 (FIG. 4) inside.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, on the outer peripheral surface 34A of the outer case 34, at the front end and the right end position, a detachable portion 36 is provided. The detachable portion 36 has a raised portion 37, a locked portion 38, and a support rib 39. The raised portion 37 is a portion that bulges radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 34A. The raised portion 37 has a U-shaped outer shape that opens forward when viewed from the right side. The locked portion 38 is located inside the raised portion 37. The locked portion 38 projects outward (right side) from the outer peripheral surface 34A. The locked portion 38 is formed in a flat plate shape with the front-rear direction as the thickness direction. The support rib 39 supports the locked portion 38 from the front side.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6, on the right end and the left end of the front portion of the outer case 34, a pair of engaged portions 42, 43 are provided. Note that the engaged portion 42 is located on the right side. The engaged portion 43 is located on the left side. The engaged portion 42 and the engaged portion 43 are, as an example, in a line-symmetric relationship with respect to the axis of the outer case 34. Note that when distinguishing between left and right for the engaged portions 42, 43 is not necessary, the description of the engaged portion 42 will be given, and the description of the engaged portion 43 will be omitted.

[0026] The engaged parts 42 and 43 are holes that penetrate the outer case 34 in the radial direction. Also, the engaged parts 42 and 43 extend along the circumferential direction of the outer case 34, respectively. In the circumferential direction of the outer case 34, the length of each of the engaged parts 42 and 43 is longer than the length of the attachable / detachable part 36. Also, in the front-rear direction, the length of each of the engaged parts 42 and 43 is shorter than the length of the attachable / detachable part 36.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the engaged part 42 has a substantially rectangular outer shape that extends in the vertical direction when viewed from the right side. Also, the engaged part 42 has an outer shape in which the upper and lower corner parts on the front side are tapered. That is, the engaged part 42 has substantially parallel front end face 42A and rear end face 42B, and the circumferential length of the front end face 42A is shorter than the circumferential length of the rear end face 42B.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, an opening 45 is provided in the lower part (bottom) of the outer case 34. The opening 45 is connected to the exhaust port 31 (FIG. 8) of the intake part 28. Thereby, the air that has flowed through the inside of the intake part 28 can flow into the inside of the outer case 34 through the exhaust port 31 and the opening 45. Note that the air that has flowed into the inside of the outer case 34 flows into the inside of the outer cylinder part 72 (FIG. 4) from an inlet 78 (FIG. 11) described later.

[0029] An inner flange 46, a reinforcing rib 47, and a protrusion 48 are provided on the inner peripheral surface 34B of the outer case 34. The inner flange 46 is formed in a substantially annular shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. Also, the inner flange 46 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the position of the inner flange 46 is on the rear side of the position of the opening 45.

[0030] The reinforcing rib 47 supports the inner flange 46 from the rear side. That is, the reinforcing rib 47 enhances the rigidity of the inner flange 46 against an external force acting on the inner flange 46 from the front. The protrusion 48 can be engaged with or disengaged from a part of the front end part 14 (FIG. 1) by rotating in one direction or the reverse direction around the central axis of the outer case 34.

[0031] <<Partition Wall>> Figure 7 shows the partition wall 52. The partition wall 52 has a plate portion 54, a wall portion 56, and a packing 58. The partition wall 52 is provided with a discharge portion 62.

[0032] The plate portion 54 has a predetermined thickness in the front-rear direction. The plate portion 54 has a substantially circular outer shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. The size of the plate portion 54 is such that it can close the radially inner side of the inner flange 46 (Fig. 6). A plurality of through holes 55 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral portion of the plate portion 54. The through holes 55 are formed in a circular shape when viewed from the front-rear direction.

[0033] The wall portion 56 extends along the front-rear direction from the edge portion (the outermost peripheral portion) of the plate portion 54 to the rear side. The rear end portion (the tip portion) of the wall portion 56 can be fitted into and detached from the inner flange 46 (Fig. 6). That is, the partition wall 52 is detachably provided inside the outer case 34. The wall portion 56 is located radially outside of the plurality of through holes 55.

[0034] The packing 58 has elasticity and is provided outside the wall portion 56 in the plate portion 54. The packing 58 surrounds the wall portion 56 when viewed from the rear side. When the partition wall 52 is attached to the outer case 34 (Fig. 6), the packing 58 elastically deforms to fill the gap between the wall portion 56 and the outer case 34. Note that the packing 58 and the inner flange 46 may be in contact with each other in the front-rear direction.

[0035] <<Discharge Portion>> The discharge portion 62 enables the air in the turning chamber 86 (Fig. 8) described later to be discharged toward the fan 24 (Fig. 2). Specifically, the discharge portion 62 has a plurality of inner cylinders 64. Each of the plurality of inner cylinders 64 is a cylindrical portion that extends in the front-rear direction from the peripheral edge portion of each of the plurality of through holes 55 in the plate portion 54 toward the front side. In other words, the plurality of inner cylinders 64 extend in the front-rear direction from the partition wall 52 toward the turning chamber 86.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the partition wall 52 and the discharge part 62 of the partition part 32 are located on the other end side (rear side) of the inlet 78 of the outer cylinder part 72 in the axial direction (front-rear direction). The inlet 78 will be described later. The inner cylinder 64 of the partition part 32 enters the inside of the outer cylinder part 72 to partition the inside of the outer cylinder part 72 and form a swirling chamber 86.

[0037] <Outer cylinder part> FIG. 10 shows a state in which the partition wall 52 is in close contact with the rear end part of the outer cylinder part 72. A front wall part 92, which will be described later, is attached to the front end part of the outer cylinder part 72. In the present embodiment, the front wall part 92 is included in the outer cylinder part 72 for explanation. Also, the direction in which the central axis AX of the outer cylinder part 72 extends is referred to as the "axial direction". The outer cylinder part 72 is arranged in the axial direction (front-rear direction) parallel to the fan 24 (FIG. 2).

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the outer cylinder part 72, one end (front end) and the other end (rear end) in the axial direction are open. Also, in the outer cylinder part 72, an inlet 78, which will be described later, is provided at a position different from one end and the other end in the axial direction. The outer cylinder part 72 has a first separation part 74, a check valve 76, and a second separation part 82.

[0039] <<First separation part>> The first separation part 74 separates the air and dust (not shown) sucked in from the inlet 78 by centrifugal force. The first separation part 74 can also be said to be a first cyclone part that performs a first separation process of separating air and dust. A columnar mesh filter part 75 (FIG. 2) extending in the axial direction is detachably provided in the first separation part 74. The air and dust sucked in from the inlet 78 are swirled (receive centrifugal force) around the mesh filter part 75, and thus are separated into air and dust. The separated air flows toward the rear side of the outer cylinder part 72 due to the intake air accompanying the rotation of the fan 24 (FIG. 2). The separated dust flows toward the front side of the outer cylinder part 72 toward a dust box 100 (FIG. 2), which will be described later.

[0040] <<Check valve>> The check valve 76 shown in Fig. 11 is made of a resin member as an example. The check valve 76 has a mounting frame 77 in which an inlet 78 is formed, and a movable plate 79 that projects from a part of the mounting frame 77 to the inside of the inlet 78. The inlet 78 is an opening having a size that allows the inflow of air containing dust.

[0041] The mounting frame 77 is fixed to a part of the outer peripheral portion of a second separation part 82 described later. The movable plate 79 is elastically deformed toward the first separation part 74 by receiving force due to the intake air accompanying the rotation of the fan 24 (Fig. 2). As a result, the check valve 76 allows the air flowing through the inside of the intake part 28 (Fig. 2) to flow into the first separation part 74. Note that the check valve 76 restricts the flow of air from the first separation part 74 toward the intake part 28.

[0042] <<Second Separation Part>> As shown in Fig. 13, the second separation part 82 has a plurality of peripheral wall parts 84. That is, the outer cylinder part 72 has a plurality of peripheral wall parts 84. The plurality of peripheral wall parts 84 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder part 72 and surround the first separation part 74. Further, the inside of the first separation part 74 and the inside of the second separation part 82 are connected. In other words, the plurality of peripheral wall parts 84 are arranged around the first separation part 74 and have a function of separating dust that could not be completely separated by the first separation part 74 from the air by centrifugal force. In Fig. 13, the flow of air (including dust) flowing from the intake part 28 through the inlet 78 into the first separation part 74 is indicated by an arrow.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 12, each peripheral wall part 84 has a reduced diameter toward one end side (front end side) in the axial direction. A swirling chamber 86 is formed inside each peripheral wall part 84. Specifically, the swirling chamber 86 is formed by the inner cylinder 64 (Fig. 9) entering the inside of the peripheral wall part 84. The swirling chamber 86 has a first swirling part 86A between the peripheral wall part 84 and the inner cylinder 64, and a second swirling part 86B whose inner diameter continuously decreases forward from the first swirling part 86A.

[0044] As shown by the arrow in FIG. 13, in the first separation unit 74, suction is performed by the rotation of the fan 24 (FIG. 2), causing the air flow (including dust) flowing in from the inlet 78 to swirl. The swirling air flow flows into the second separation unit 82.

[0045] As shown by the arrow in FIG. 14, in the second separation unit 82, the air flow flowing in from the first separation unit 74 swirls in each swirling chamber 86.

[0046] <<Front wall portion>> The front wall portion 92 shown in FIG. 15 is formed in a disc shape having a predetermined thickness in the front-rear direction. The front wall portion 92 is fixed to the front end portion of the outer cylinder portion 72 with a screw 99. The front wall portion 92 is provided with an inner connecting portion 94, an outer connecting portion 96, and a plurality of exhaust holes 98.

[0047] The inner connecting portion 94 is located at the central portion of the front wall portion 92 and is detachably provided with the first separation unit 74 (FIG. 4). The outer connecting portion 96 is located outside the inner connecting portion 94 and is a groove portion recessed inward in the radial direction. The rear end portion of the dust box 100 (FIG. 4) is detachably attached to the outer connecting portion 96. The plurality of exhaust holes 98 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction between the inner connecting portion 94 and the outer connecting portion 96 when viewed from the front. The inside of the plurality of exhaust holes 98 and the inside of the plurality of swirling chambers 86 (FIG. 14) are connected so that air and dust can flow through.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 9, a hook portion 93 is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface at the front end of the front wall portion 92. The hook portion 93 is formed in an L-shaped cross-sectional shape and is capable of elastic deformation in the left-right direction (radial direction).

[0049] <Dust box> As shown in FIG. 8, the dust box 100 is an example of a dust collecting portion for collecting dust (not shown). The dust box 100 is detachably provided on the outer connecting portion 96 located at one end (front end) in the axial direction of the outer cylinder portion 72 (front wall portion 92). The dust box 100 has a dust collecting chamber 102.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9, among the outer peripheral surfaces of the rear end of the dust box 100, a claw portion 103 is provided at the left end, and a regulating wall 101 and a second operation portion 120 are provided at the right end. The regulating wall 101 is a flange-shaped wall protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the dust box 100.

[0051] <<Dust collection chamber>> As shown in FIG. 8, the dust collection chamber 102 collects the dust separated from the air flow by the first separation portion 74 and the second separation portion 82. Specifically, the dust collection chamber 102 includes a first dust collection portion 104 and a second dust collection portion 106. The first dust collection portion 104 accommodates the dust separated from the air by the centrifugal force during the swirling of the air flow in the first separation portion 74. The second dust collection portion 106 accommodates the dust separated from the air by the centrifugal force during the swirling of the air flow in the second separation portion 82.

[0052] <<Claw portion>> As shown in FIG. 9, the claw portion 103 is a portion protruding inward from a part of the inner wall surface of the rear end portion of the dust box 100. The front end surface 103A of the claw portion 103 is formed in a planar shape along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. When the claw portion 103 is engaged with the hooking portion 93, the dust box 100 is attached (mounted) to the outer cylinder portion 72.

[0053] <Second operation portion> The second operation portion 120 shown in FIG. 16 is provided, as an example, at a portion on the opposite side (right side) of the claw portion 103 (FIG. 9) side at the rear end portion of the dust box 100. When operated by an operator, the second operation portion 120 detaches the dust box 100 from the outer case 34. The second operation portion 120 is, as an example, arranged in the axial direction parallel to the first operation portion 112 described later.

[0054] The second operation unit 120 includes a lever body 122, a front wall 123, a locking portion 124, a pair of side walls 125, and a protrusion 126. Further, the second operation unit 120 includes a support shaft 127 and a coil spring 128. The support shaft 127 extends in the vertical direction as the axial direction. Both upper and lower ends of the support shaft 127 in the vertical direction are supported by a wall (not shown) of the dust box 100.

[0055] The lever body 122 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the left-right direction. The front wall 123 extends leftward from the front end of the lever body 122. The locking portion 124 is a claw portion provided at the rear end of the lever body 122. An engaging surface 124A is formed at the front end of the locking portion 124. The engaging surface 124A can engage (surface contact) with the locked portion 38 of the outer case 34. The pair of side walls 125 extend leftward from both upper and lower ends of the lever body 122 in the vertical direction.

[0056] The support shaft 127 penetrates the pair of side walls 125 in the vertical direction. The protrusion 126 protrudes leftward from the front portion of the lever body 122. The left end portion of the coil spring 128 is attached to a part of the dust box 100. The protrusion 126 is inserted into the right end portion of the coil spring 128.

[0057] The second operation unit 120 functions as a lever that can swing about the support shaft 127. That is, in the second operation unit 120, when an external force acting toward the left side shown by the arrow F1 acts on the portion of the lever body 122 in front of the support shaft 127, the locking portion 124 rotates toward the right side (detaches from the locked portion 38) as shown by the arrow F2.

[0058] When the external force shown by the arrow F1 does not act, the biasing force (restoring force) of the coil spring 128 acts on the protrusion 126. Thereby, the second operation unit 120 is attached to the outer case 34 by the locking portion 124 engaging with the locked portion 38. When the second operation unit 120 tries to rotate excessively toward the outer case 34, the rotation of the second operation unit 120 is restricted by the lever body 122 coming into contact with the regulating wall 101.

[0059] The locked portion 38 is formed with a tapered surface 38A. The locking portion 124 is formed with a tapered surface 124B. When the dust box 100 is pushed backward with the tapered surface 124B in contact with the tapered surface 38A, the tapered surface 124B can move along the tapered surface 38A and overcome the locked portion 38. That is, in the second operation portion 120, even when an external force indicated by the arrow F1 does not act on the lever body 122, the dust box 100 can be pushed backward so that the locking portion 124 and the locked portion 38 can be automatically engaged.

[0060] <Mounting portion> As shown in FIG. 9, the mounting portion 110 detachably attaches the outer cylinder portion 72 to the partitioning portion 32. The mounting portion 110 has, as an example, two first operation portions 112 on the left and right. The two first operation portions 112 are respectively provided at the right end portion and the left end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder portion 72. In the present embodiment, the mounting portion 110 not only has a configuration in which the outer cylinder portion 72 is detached from and attached to the partitioning portion 32 by operating the first operation portion 112, but also includes a configuration in which the outer cylinder portion 72 is detached from (attached to) the partitioning portion 32 even when the first operation portion 112 is not operated.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 17, the mounting portion 110 has an engaging portion 117, an engaged portion 42 (FIG. 16), and an engaged portion 43. The engaging portion 117 is provided on the first operation portion 112 (outer cylinder portion 72). The engaged portions 42 and 43 are provided on the partitioning portion 32. Thus, at least a part (the engaging portion 117 or the engaged portions 42 and 43) of the mounting portion 110 is provided on the outer case 34.

[0062] <<First operation portion>> As shown in FIG. 10, the first operation unit 112 is provided at two locations on the outer cylinder part 72 (front wall part 92). That is, the number of the first operation units 112 in the present embodiment is an even number. The two first operation units 112 are made of resin as an example and are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder part 72. At least a part of the first operation unit 112 is arranged in the radial direction with the peripheral wall part 84 (FIG. 12) and is located outside the peripheral wall part 84. Specifically, one first operation unit 112 is composed of two support plates 114 and one movable plate 116.

[0063] The two support plates 114 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder part 72. Also, the two support plates 114 extend rearward from the front wall part 92. The two support plates 114 are elastically deformable in the radial direction of the outer cylinder part 72 when receiving an external force.

[0064] The movable plate 116 is installed at the tip parts (rear end parts) of the two support plates 114. In other words, the movable plate 116 is supported by the two support plates 114. The movable plate 116 is curved along the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder part 72. The movable plate 116 has a size and shape that can be accommodated inside the engaged part 42 (FIG. 3). The maximum length L1 of the movable plate 116 in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder part 72 is, as an example, about 1 / 6 of the circumferential length of the outer case 34 (FIG. 3). Note that the length L1 may be a length other than 1 / 6 of the circumferential length of the outer case 34.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 17, an engaging part 117 is formed at the front end of the movable plate 116. The engaging part 117 engages with the engaged parts 42, 43 (FIG. 6). The movable plate 116 has a first outer peripheral surface 116A and a second outer peripheral surface 116B arranged in the front-rear direction. The first outer peripheral surface 116A constitutes the front part of the outer peripheral surface of the movable plate 116. The outer diameter of the first outer peripheral surface 116A is about the same size as the outer diameter of the outer case 34. The second outer peripheral surface 116B constitutes the rear part of the outer peripheral surface of the movable plate 116. The second outer peripheral surface 116B is a tapered surface whose outer diameter continuously decreases toward the rear.

[0066] In the first operation unit 112, when an external force F3 acting radially inward is applied to the movable plate 116, the support plate 114 elastically deforms, so that the movable plate 116 can be displaced to a position radially inward. That is, the engagement between the engaging portion 117 and the engaged portion 43 (the engaged portion 42 (FIG. 3)) can be released. Further, in the first operation unit 112, when the external force F3 acting on the movable plate 116 is released, the support plate 114 returns to its original position, so that the movable plate 116 can be displaced to its original position.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 16, the right first operation unit 112 and the second operation unit 120 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. The size of the first operation unit 112 is smaller than the size of the second operation unit 120. In the radial direction of the outer case 34, the position of the first operation unit 112 is inside the position of the second operation unit 120. Thus, the first operation unit 112 is less conspicuous than the second operation unit 120.

[0068] 〔Operation of the Embodiment〕 As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaner 10 swirls the air flowing in from the inlet 78 as the fan 24 rotates in the swirl chamber 86, and discharges the air in the swirl chamber 86 to the discharge portion 62. Further, the cleaner 10 discharges dust (not shown) contained in the air in the swirl chamber 86 from the swirl chamber 86 toward one end side (rear side) of the outer cylinder portion 72.

[0069] Specifically, when the operator turns on the switch 16, the motor 22 rotates, and the rotation of the motor 22 sucks in air and dust through the intake port 29. Then, the sucked air and dust are swirled in the first separation unit 74 and separated into air and dust by centrifugal force. Further, the air that has entered the plurality of second separation units 82 (FIG. 9) swirls in each of the plurality of second separation units 82. Thereby, the dust that could not be completely separated in the first separation unit 74 is separated from the air by centrifugal force. The air from which the dust has been separated in two stages passes through the main body housing 12 and is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust portion 17.

[0070] <Disassembly Procedure> The disassembly procedure of the cleaner 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The protrusion 48 (FIG. 9) is removed from the front end portion 14 of the main body housing 12. As a result, the cyclone unit 30 and the dust box 100 are integrally removed from the main body housing 12. In this state, the filter 26 can be replaced. In the following description, the illustration and description of the main body housing 12 will be omitted.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, when the second operation portion 120 is disengaged, the second operation portion 120 is detached from the detachable portion 36. At this time, as shown in FIG. 19, the claw portion 103 is detached from the front wall portion 92. In this detached state, when the dust box 100 is pulled forward, the dust box 100 is removed from the cyclone unit 30.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, when the first operation portion 112 is pushed radially inward by the finger of the operator, the engagement between the engaged portions 42, 43 (FIG. 21) and the engaging portion 117 is released. In this state, when the outer cylinder portion 72 is pulled forward, the first operation portion 112 slides with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the outer case 34, and the outer cylinder portion 72 is removed from the outer case 34. In FIGS. 20 and 21, the case where the partition wall 52 remains inside the outer case 34 when the outer cylinder portion 72 is removed is illustrated, but the outer cylinder portion 72 and the partition wall 52 may be removed integrally. FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate the already removed dust box 100.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, for example, when the operator grasps the inner cylinder 64 and pulls it forward, the partition wall 52 is removed from the outer case 34. After the outer cylinder portion 72 and the partition wall 52 are removed integrally, the partition wall 52 may be removed from the outer cylinder portion 72. In this case, engaging portions and engaged portions for making the outer cylinder portion 72 and the partition wall 52 detachable may be provided on the outer cylinder portion 72 and the partition wall 52, and the outer cylinder portion 72 and the partition wall 52 may be integrated. FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate the removed dust box 100 and the outer cylinder portion 72.

[0074] On the other hand, when assembling the cyclone unit 30 and the dust box 100, the assembly process is carried out in the reverse order of the above process order, in the order of FIGS. 22 and 23, FIGS. 20 and 21, and FIGS. 18 and 19. For example, the partition wall 52 is inserted into the outer case 34, and further, the outer cylinder portion 72 is inserted into the outer case 34. It is assumed that the outer case 34 is already attached to the main body housing 12.

[0075] When the outer cylinder portion 72 is pushed into the inside of the outer case 34, the first operation portion 112 elastically deforms inward. Then, the first operation portion 112 (engagement portion 117) is exposed to the outside at the engaged portion 42 and engaged with the engaged portion 42. In this way, the cyclone unit 30 is assembled.

[0076] The first separation portion 74 is attached to the inner connecting portion 94 (FIG. 15) of the front wall portion 92. The timing when the first separation portion 74 is attached to the inner connecting portion 94 may be before or after the timing when the first operation portion 112 and the engaged portion 42 are engaged.

[0077] After the assembly of the cyclone unit 30 is completed, the dust box 100 is assembled to the cyclone unit 30. Specifically, when the dust box 100 is moved rearward with the claw portion 103 engaged with the engaging portion 93, the locking portion 124 (FIG. 16) is engaged with the locked portion 38 (FIG. 16). Thereby, the dust box 100 is assembled to the cyclone unit 30.

[0078] <Summary> With reference to FIGS. 1 to 23, the operation of the cleaner 10 will be summarized. In the cleaner 10, the swirling chamber 86 can be opened by separating the outer cylinder portion 72 from the partition wall 52. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which the outer cylinder portion 72 cannot be separated from the cleaner main body, it becomes easier to clean the swirling chamber 86 (particularly, to clean the sticky dust adhering to the inner surface of the second separation portion 82). In other words, the workability of the cleaner 10 can be improved.

[0079] The cleaner 10 has a first operation unit 112. Therefore, by simply pushing the first operation unit 112 inward in the radial direction, the engagement between the engaged parts 42, 43 and the engaging part 117 can be released. That is, the operability when releasing the engagement between the engaged parts 42, 43 and the engaging part 117 can be improved.

[0080] Note that the support plate 114 of the first operation unit 112 is elastically deformable. Therefore, it is possible to attach and detach the outer cylinder part 72 simply by pulling out or pushing in the outer cylinder part 72 in the front-rear direction with respect to the outer case 34. However, the load required to move (attach and detach) the outer cylinder part 72 in the front-rear direction can be smaller when the first operation unit 112 is operated inward in the radial direction.

[0081] In the cleaner 10, the first operation unit 112 is provided on the outer cylinder part 72. Thereby, by looking at the position of the first operation unit 112, the positions of the first turning part 86A and the second turning part 86B in the outer cylinder part 72 can be grasped, so that the positions of the first turning part 86A and the second turning part 86B become easier to understand.

[0082] In the cleaner 10, a dead space is generated between the outer periphery of the circumferential wall part 84 that contracts in diameter and the outer case 34. Since the first operation unit 112 is located in this dead space, there is no need to separately form a space for providing the first operation unit 112, so that an increase in the size of the cleaner 10 can be suppressed.

[0083] In the cleaner 10, by operating the second operation unit 120, the dust box 100 can be detached from the outer cylinder part 72, so that the dust box 100 can be easily removed from the outer cylinder part 72.

[0084] In the cleaner 10, since the size of the first operation unit 112 is smaller than the size of the second operation unit 120, the first operation unit 112 is less conspicuous than the second operation unit 120, so that it is possible to suppress the situation where the first operation unit 112 is operated before the second operation unit 120.

[0085] In the cleaner 10, since the first operation unit 112 and the second operation unit 120 are arranged side by side in the axial direction (front-rear direction), the first operation unit 112 becomes less conspicuous than the second operation unit 120. As a result, it is possible to further suppress the situation where the first operation unit 112 is operated before the second operation unit 120.

[0086] In the cleaner 10, two first operation units 112, which are even numbers, are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder portion 72. Here, when an external force acts on the cleaner 10, the external force acts evenly in the circumferential direction on the mounting portion between the outer cylinder portion 72 and the dust box 100. Thereby, when the motor 22 of the cleaner 10 is operated and used, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of vibration at the mounting portion between the outer cylinder portion 72 and the dust box 100.

[0087] In the cleaner 10, the partition portion 32 includes an outer case 34 and a partition wall 52. Thereby, the partition wall 52 can be removed from the outer case 34 for cleaning. In other words, it becomes easier to clean the inside of the partition portion 32.

[0088] In the cleaner 10, the discharge portion 62 has an inner cylinder 64. Since the inner cylinder 64 guides the air discharged from the turning chamber 86 toward the fan 24, the exhaust flow toward the fan 24 becomes stable. Further, since the partition wall 52 is detachable, it is possible to easily clean the inner cylinder 64 provided on the partition wall 52.

[0089] In the cleaner 10, in the outer case 34, the first opening diameter D1 on the front end side is smaller than the second opening diameter D2 on the rear end side. Thereby, compared with the configuration in which the first opening diameter D1 and the second opening diameter D2 are equal, the gap between the outer case 34 and the outer cylinder portion 72 can be reduced. That is, the dead space can be reduced.

[0090] 〔Modification Example〕 The cleaner 130 of the modification example will be described with reference to FIG. 24. Note that the description of the configuration that is the same as or similar to the configuration of the cleaner 10 (FIG. 1) will be omitted. Also, the description of the figure numbers in which each configuration is shown will be omitted.

[0091] The cleaner 130 has a partition portion 132 where the outer cylinder portion 72 is detachable in the axial direction (front-rear direction). The partition portion 132 includes an outer case 134 and a partition wall 136 integrated with the outer case 134.

[0092] The outer case 134 is different from the outer case 34 (FIG. 2) in that it does not have the inner flange 46. The outer case 134 has the same configuration as the outer case 34 for the configuration other than the inner flange 46.

[0093] The partition wall 136 partitions the space inside the outer case 134 into a front space and a rear space. The partition wall 136 has a plate portion 138. The plate portion 138 has a predetermined thickness in the front-rear direction. The plate portion 138 has a substantially circular outer shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. The size of the plate portion 138 is such that it can close the inside of the outer case 134. A plurality of through holes 55 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral portion of the plate portion 138. A plurality of inner cylinders 64 are provided on the plate portion 138. Thus, the cleaner 130 in which the partition wall 136 does not detach from the outer case 134 may be used.

[0094] 〔Other Modification Examples〕 This embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modification examples, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the gist thereof. Hereinafter, other modification examples of this embodiment will be described.

[0095] In the cleaners 10 and 130, the engaging portion may be provided on the partition portion 32 and the engaged portion may be provided on the outer cylinder portion 72. That is, either one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion may be provided on the outer cylinder portion 72 and the other may be provided on the partition portion 32. The number of the first operation portions 112 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. The first operation portion 112 may be provided on the outer case 34 of the partition portion 32. Further, the first operation portion 112 is not limited to the configuration where the whole is located outside the peripheral wall portion 84, and a configuration where a part of the first operation portion 112 is located outside the peripheral wall portion 84 may also be possible.

[0096] In the cleaners 10 and 130, the second operation unit 120 may not be provided. For example, the dust box 100 may be configured to be screwed into the outer case 34.

[0097] In the cleaners 10 and 130, the size of the first operation unit 112 may be equal to or larger than the size of the second operation unit 120. The second operation unit 120 may not be arranged axially with the first operation unit 112. The first operation units 112 may be provided at different intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder part 72. Furthermore, the number of the first operation units 112 may be an odd number.

[0098] In the cleaners 10 and 130, the discharge part 62 may not have the inner cylinder 64. The first opening diameter D1 of the outer case 34 may be equal to or larger than the second opening diameter D2.

[0099] In the cleaners 10 and 130, the engaging part (latch) of the resin-made first operation unit 112 is elastically deformed to release the engagement. However, the latch may be configured as a separate component for the dust box 100 and may be a member that is hinge-coupled and spring-biased. That is, the engagement may be released by the rotation of the hinge. In this case, the operability of the attachment part 110 can be improved. In addition, compared with this modification example, the cleaners 10 and 130 can reduce (make more compact) the protruding amount to the outer periphery of the attachment part 110, and the number of components can be reduced.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0100] 10… Cleaner, 12… Main body housing, 14… Front end portion, 15… Gripping portion, 16… Switch, 17… Exhaust portion, 17A… Exhaust port, 18… Battery, 22… Motor, 23… Shaft, 24… Fan, 26… Filter, 28… Intake portion, 28A… Vertical passage, 28B… Horizontal passage, 29… Intake port, 30… Cyclone unit, 31… Exhaust port, 32… Partition portion, 34… Outer case, 34A… Outer peripheral surface, 34B… Inner peripheral surface, 36… Detachable portion, 37… Protrusion, 38… Locked portion, 38A… Tapered surface, 39… Support rib, 42… Engaged portion, 42A… Front end face, 42B… Rear end face, 43… Engaged portion, 45… Opening, 46… Inner flange, 47… Reinforcing rib, 48… Protrusion, 52… Partition wall, 54… Plate portion, 55… Through hole, 56… Wall portion, 58… Packing, 62… Discharge portion, 64… Inner cylinder, 72… Outer cylinder portion, 74… First separation portion, 75… Mesh filter portion, 76… Check valve, 77… Mounting frame, 78… Inlet, 79… Movable plate, 82… Second separation portion, 84… Peripheral wall portion, 86… Swirling chamber, 86A… First swirling portion, 86B… Second swirling portion, 92… Front wall portion, 93… Hanging portion, 94… Inner connecting portion, 96… Outer connecting portion, 98… Exhaust hole, 99… Screw, 100… Dust box, 101… Regulation wall, 102… Dust collection chamber, 103… Claw portion, 103A… Front end face, 104… First dust collection portion, 106… Second dust collection portion, 110… Mounting portion, 112… First operation portion, 114… Support plate, 116… Movable plate, 116A… First outer peripheral surface, 116B… Second outer peripheral surface, 117… Engaging portion, 120… Second operation portion, 122… Lever body, 123… Front wall, 124… Locking portion, 124A… Engaging surface, 124B… Tapered surface, 125… Side wall, 126… Protrusion, 127… Support shaft, 128… Coil spring, 130… Cleaner, 132… Partition portion, 134… Outer case, 136… Partition wall, 138… Plate portion, D1… First opening diameter, D2… Second opening diameter, F1… Arrow, F2… Arrow, F3… External force, M… Central axis, AX… Central axis

Claims

1. A motor, a fan that rotates by receiving the driving force of the motor, an outer cylinder portion that is arranged in the axial direction with the fan and has one end and the other end in the axial direction open, and an air inlet through which air flows in is provided at a position different from one end and the other end in the axial direction, a partitioning portion that is located on the other end side of the air inlet in the axial direction and forms a swirling chamber by entering the inside of the outer cylinder portion to partition the inside of the outer cylinder portion, and is provided with a discharge portion capable of discharging the air in the swirling chamber toward the fan, a dust collecting portion that is detachably provided at one end of the outer cylinder portion in the axial direction and has a dust collecting chamber for collecting dust, a working machine that discharges the air in the swirling chamber to the discharge portion by swirling the air flowing in from the air inlet as the fan rotates, and discharges the dust contained in the air in the swirling chamber from the swirling chamber toward one end side of the outer cylinder portion, the working machine comprising an attachment portion for detachably attaching the outer cylinder portion to the partitioning portion.

2. The attachment portion has an engaging portion and an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion, either one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion is provided on the outer cylinder portion, and the other is provided on the partitioning portion, and has at least one first operation portion that releases the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion when operated, The working machine according to claim 1.

3. The first operation portion is provided on the outer cylinder portion, The working machine according to claim 2.

4. The outer cylinder portion has a peripheral wall portion that tapers toward one end side in the axial direction, at least a part of the first operation portion is located outside the peripheral wall portion, The working machine according to claim 3.

5. A second operation portion is provided that, when operated, detaches the dust collecting portion from the outer cylinder portion, The working machine according to claim 4.

6. The size of the first operation portion is smaller than the size of the second operation portion, The working machine according to claim 5.

7. The second operation portion is arranged in the axial direction with the first operation portion, The working machine according to claim 5.

8. The plurality of first operation portions are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder portion, the number of the first operation portions is an even number, The working machine according to claim 7.

9. The partitioning portion, has a cylindrical shape that houses the outer cylinder portion inside and has an outer case provided with at least a part of the attachment portion, A partition wall that is detachably provided inside the outer case and partitions the inside of the outer cylinder portion from the outside to form the turning chamber inside the outer cylinder portion; comprising; The working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The discharge portion has an inner cylinder extending from the partition wall toward the turning chamber. The working machine according to claim 9.

11. The outer case has a first opening diameter on one end side in the axial direction that is smaller than a second opening diameter on the other end side in the axial direction. The working machine according to claim 9.

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