Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

To provide a vacuum cleaner which can reduce a user's stress in attaching and detaching a dust collecting part to and from a vacuum cleaner body.SOLUTION: When a grip part side of a vacuum cleaner is an upper side, a suction part side is a lower side, a part close to a suction part relative to the central axis of the dust collecting part is the backward, and a direction opposite to the backward is the forward, the dust collecting part includes a first hook part provided in the upper forward part of the dust collecting part and a second hook part provided in the lower backward part of the dust collecting part. A vacuum cleaner body includes an engaging part for hooking the first hook part, a latch for fixing the second hook part, and a spring for energizing the latch. The latch fixes the second hook part by pressing the second hook part against the latch from a state in which the latch does not fix the second hook part. The fixing of the second hook part is cancelled by the latch from the state in which the latch fixes the second hook part when the second hook part is separated from the latch.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner.

Background Art

[0002] A conventional vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes a drive unit having a housing that houses an electric blower for sucking dust, a dust collecting device that is detachably attached to the housing so as to accommodate the sucked dust and communicates with the electric blower, and a lock mechanism that can unlock the attachment state of the dust collecting device to the housing. The lock mechanism has a first locking portion provided on the outer surface of the housing and a second locking portion provided on the outer surface of the dust collecting device that can be engaged with and disengaged from the first locking portion. The housing has both side surfaces, and in a state where the dust collecting device is attached to the housing, the lock mechanism is disposed on one side of both side surfaces of the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described conventional vacuum cleaner, the fixing portion of the dust collecting part to the cleaner main body is above, and the positioning engaging part is below. When removing the dust collecting part from the cleaner main body, it is necessary to bend the wrist, which places a burden on the wrist. Although the burden on the wrist can be reduced by tilting the cleaner main body or the like, the operations for attachment and detachment will increase. In addition, an operation of pressing or pulling down a button or a lever with a finger is required to attach and detach the dust collecting part, and it is necessary to apply force to the finger in a direction different from the direction in which the hand moves to remove or attach the dust collecting part from the cleaner main body, so the operation is stressful.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vacuum cleaner capable of reducing the stress on the user when detaching the dust collection unit from the cleaner main body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vacuum cleaner according to the present disclosure includes a cleaner main body having an electric blower that generates a suction force, a suction unit that houses the electric blower and through which the sucked air passes, and a grip unit that is gripped by the user, and a dust collection unit that houses the sucked dust and is detachably attached to the cleaner main body. When the grip unit side is upward, the suction unit side is downward, the side closer to the suction unit with respect to the central axis of the dust collection unit is rearward, and the direction opposite to the rearward direction is forward, the dust collection unit has a first engaging portion provided at the upper front portion of the dust collection unit and a second engaging portion provided at the lower rear portion of the dust collection unit. The cleaner main body has an engaging portion for hanging the first engaging portion, a latch for fixing the second engaging portion, and a spring for biasing the latch. By pressing the second engaging portion against the latch from a state where the latch does not fix the second engaging portion, the latch fixes the second engaging portion, and by moving the second engaging portion away from the latch from a state where the latch fixes the second engaging portion, the fixing of the second engaging portion by the latch is released.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vacuum cleaner capable of reducing the stress on the user when detaching the dust collection unit from the cleaner main body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, common or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals to simplify or omit the description. In the case where an angle is mentioned in the present disclosure, when there are a major angle and a minor angle whose sum is 360 degrees, the minor angle is generally referred to, and when there are an acute angle and an obtuse angle whose sum is 180 degrees, the acute angle is generally referred to. The configurations shown in the embodiments below are examples of the technical idea according to the present disclosure, and can be combined with other known technologies, or multiple technical ideas described in the present disclosure can be combined. Also, within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure, a part of the configuration can be omitted or changed.

[0010] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner system including the vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vacuum cleaner included in the vacuum cleaner system shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner system 1 includes a vacuum cleaner 2 and a holding device 3. The vacuum cleaner 2 includes a cleaner main body 4, a suction tool 5, and a tube body 6.

[0011] The vacuum cleaner main body 4 includes an electric blower 7 that generates suction force and a battery unit 8 that supplies power to the electric blower 7. A suction port for sucking dust from the surface to be cleaned is formed on the bottom surface of the suction tool 5. The suction tool 5 incorporates a rotary brush for scraping dust from the surface to be cleaned. The pipe body 6 connects between the suction tool 5 and the vacuum cleaner main body 4. The dust-containing air sucked from the suction tool 5 flows into the vacuum cleaner main body 4 through the air passage in the pipe body 6. The vacuum cleaner main body 4 has a dust collection unit 9 that removes and collects dust from the dust-containing air. The clean air from which the dust has been removed by the dust collection unit 9 passes through the electric blower 7 and is discharged to the outside of the vacuum cleaner main body 4. The dust collection unit 9 may be a cyclone type or a paper pack type.

[0012] The holding device 3 maintains the position of the electric vacuum cleaner 2 during non-cleaning. That is, the holding device 3 sets the electric vacuum cleaner 2 in a non-cleaning state and maintains the posture of the electric vacuum cleaner 2. Also, the holding device 3 holds or supports the electric vacuum cleaner 2. The holding device 3 has a support portion 10 that supports the electric vacuum cleaner 2. The electric vacuum cleaner 2 is removed from the holding device 3 when cleaning is performed. The electric vacuum cleaner 2 is set on the holding device 3 after cleaning is completed. For example, the holding device 3 is placed on the floor surface of a living room. The holding device 3 has a function as a charging stand for charging the battery unit 8.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vacuum cleaner main body 4. FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged sectional views of a part of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the vacuum cleaner main body 4 further includes a suction portion 11 through which the sucked air passes and a grip portion 12 that the user grips. The dust-containing air passes through the suction portion 11 and flows into the dust collection unit 9.

[0014] In the following description, for convenience of explanation, in the vacuum cleaner main body 4, the grip portion 12 side is regarded as the upper side and the suction portion 11 side is regarded as the lower side. Also, the side closer to the suction portion 11 with respect to the central axis of the dust collection unit 9 is regarded as the rear side, and the direction opposite to the rear side is regarded as the front side.

[0015] The dust collection unit 9 is detachably attached to the cleaner main body 4. The dust collection unit 9 has a first engaging portion 13 provided at the upper front portion of the dust collection unit 9 and a second engaging portion 14 provided at the lower rear portion of the dust collection unit 9.

[0016] The cleaner main body 4 has an engaging portion 15 for hanging the first engaging portion 13, a latch 16 for fixing the second engaging portion 14, and a spring 17 for biasing the latch 16.

[0017] In the illustrated example, the first engaging portion 13 has a concave portion, and the engaging portion 15 has a convex portion to be inserted into the concave portion. However, the first engaging portion 13 may have a convex portion, and the engaging portion 15 may have a concave portion into which the convex portion is inserted.

[0018] FIG. 4 shows a state where the latch 16 fixes the second engaging portion 14. FIG. 5 shows the position of the latch 16 during the operation of attaching and detaching the dust collection unit 9. The latch 16 is rotatable about the rotation shaft portion 19. By rotating the latch 16 about the rotation shaft portion 19 from the state of FIG. 4, the state shown in FIG. 5 where the latch 16 is tilted is obtained. FIG. 6 is a front view of the latch 16 with the dust collection unit 9 removed. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the latch 16 with the dust collection unit 9 removed.

[0019] When the latch 16 is not fixing the second engaging portion 14 and the second engaging portion 14 is pressed against the latch 16, the latch 16 fixes the second engaging portion 14. That is, when attaching the dust collecting unit 9, the first engaging portion 13 at the upper front portion of the dust collecting unit 9 is hooked on the convex portion of the engaging portion 15 of the cleaner main body 4 for positioning, and with the first engaging portion 13 as a fulcrum, the dust collecting unit 9 is rotated so that the second engaging portion 14 at the lower rear portion of the dust collecting unit 9 is pressed against the latch 16 of the cleaner main body 4. When the second engaging portion 14 is pressed against the latch 16, the spring 17 slightly expands and contracts due to the pressing force and the latch 16 tilts, so that the second engaging portion 14 gets over the inclined surface 18 of the latch 16. When the second engaging portion 14 gets over the inclined surface 18 of the latch 16 and the latch 16 engages with the second engaging portion 14, the pressing force is released, the spring 17 returns to its original state, and the engaging state of the latch 16 and the second engaging portion 14 is maintained by the force of the spring 17.

[0020] When removing the dust collecting unit 9, the fixing of the second engaging portion 14 by the latch 16 is released by moving the second engaging portion 14 away from the latch 16 from the state where the latch 16 fixes the second engaging portion 14.

[0021] That is, when removing the dust collecting unit 9, the dust collecting unit 9 is rotated in the direction opposite to the attachment direction with the first engaging portion 13 as a fulcrum. By rotating the dust collecting unit 9 in the state where the latch 16 and the second engaging portion 14 are engaged, the spring 17 slightly expands and contracts and the latch 16 tilts, so that the second engaging portion 14 gets over the latch 16 and the engagement is released. When the engagement is released, the spring 17 returns to its original state and the latch 16 also returns to its initial position.

[0022] In the present embodiment, when fixing the second engaging portion 14 to the latch 16 to attach the dust collecting unit 9 and when releasing the fixing of the second engaging portion 14 by the latch 16 to remove the dust collecting unit 9, operations such as pressing or pulling down a button or a lever with a finger are not required. Therefore, the operation of attaching and detaching the dust collecting unit 9 can be performed more easily, and the stress on the user is reduced.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the wrist when removing the dust collecting part 9 in the comparative example. In the comparative example, the engaging part serving as the pivot point of rotation is positioned at the lower part of the dust collecting part 9, and a fixing part having a latch for fixing the engaging part to the upper part of the dust collecting part 9 is provided. In the configuration of such a comparative example, when an operation of removing the dust collecting part 9 is performed, as shown in FIG. 8, the wrist bends, so there is a problem that a burden is imposed on the wrist.

[0024] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the first engaging part 13 is positioned, the engaging part 15 serving as the pivot point of rotation is at the upper part of the dust collecting part 9, and the latch 16 for fixing the second engaging part 14 is at the lower part of the dust collecting part 9. Therefore, when the operation of removing the dust collecting part 9 is performed, the wrist does not bend, and there is an advantage that no burden is imposed on the wrist.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the second engaging part 14 has a claw that contacts the latch 16. The latch 16 has a claw 21 that engages with the claw of the second engaging part 14. Further, the spring 17 is constituted by a coil spring. The latch 16 has a hollow part with an open back surface. A protruding part 20 is provided in the hollow part. The protruding part 20 is inserted from one end of the spring 17 into the inside of the spring 17. Thereby, the spring 17 is connected to the latch 16.

[0026] The latch 16 has an inclined surface 18 that can contact the claw of the second engaging part 14. When the second engaging part 14 is pressed against the latch 16 from a state where the latch 16 does not fix the second engaging part 14, the claw of the second engaging part 14 gets over the inclined surface 18 and the second engaging part 14 displaces, that is, rotates the latch 16, so that the latch 16 is in a state of fixing the second engaging part 14.

[0027] Further, when the latch 16 moves the second engaging portion 14 away from the latch 16 from the state where the latch 16 fixes the second engaging portion 14, the claw of the second engaging portion 14 engages with the claw 21 of the latch 16, and the second engaging portion 14 rotates the latch 16, thereby releasing the fixing of the second engaging portion 14 by the latch 16.

[0028] Thus, in this embodiment, the second engaging portion 14 can be reliably fixed by the latch 16 only by the operation of pressing the second engaging portion 14 against the latch 16, and the second engaging portion 14 can be easily removed from the latch 16 only by the operation of moving the second engaging portion 14 away from the latch 16.

[0029] In this embodiment, the spring 17 expands and contracts in a direction substantially parallel to the straight line connecting the front and the rear. It is sufficient that the direction in which the spring 17 expands and contracts is within the range of ±30 degrees with respect to the straight line. Thereby, the spring 17 can be reliably expanded and contracted by the operation of pressing the second engaging portion 14 against the latch 16 and the operation of moving the second engaging portion 14 away from the latch 16. That is, the latch 16 can more reliably fix the second engaging portion 14 only by the operation of pressing the second engaging portion 14 against the latch 16. Further, the fixing of the second engaging portion 14 by the latch 16 can be reliably released by the operation of moving the second engaging portion 14 away from the latch 16.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the action of force when the second engaging portion 14 is moved away from the state where the latch 16 fixes the second engaging portion 14. When the second engaging portion 14 moves forward as indicated by the arrow A, a backward force for compressing the spring 17 acts as indicated by the arrow B. Thus, the latch 16 can be rotated to engage and disengage by the force of pressing or pulling the second engaging portion 14 of the dust collecting portion 9. If a spring that expands and contracts in the vertical direction is used, no deformation occurs due to the pushing and pulling of the dust collecting portion 9. Therefore, in order to engage and disengage, an operation such as pulling down the locking structure lever in the vertical direction is required separately from the movement of the dust collecting portion 9.

[0031] The force of the spring 17 in the state shown in FIG. 9 is preferably 5 N to 10 N. If the force of the spring 17 is too weak, the engagement may be released during the use of the vacuum cleaner 2. If the force of the spring 17 is too strong, excessive resistance may occur during the attachment / detachment operation.

[0032] Embodiment 2. Next, referring to FIG. 10, Embodiment 2 will be described. The description will focus on the differences from Embodiment 1 described above, and common descriptions will be simplified or omitted. Also, elements that are common or corresponding to the elements described above will be given the same reference numerals.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the periphery of the latch 16 of the vacuum cleaner 2 according to Embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. 10, in the vacuum cleaner 2 of the present embodiment, compared with Embodiment 1, a leaf spring 22 is provided instead of the coil spring 17. The direction in which the spring 22 expands and contracts is a direction substantially parallel to the straight line connecting the front and the rear. The arrangement of the spring 22 shown in FIG. 10 is an example, and the spring 22 can also be arranged at other positions. According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0034] Hereinafter, various aspects of the present disclosure will be summarized and described as appendices.

[0035] (Appendix 1) An electric blower that generates an attractive force, A vacuum cleaner body having a suction part that houses the electric blower and through which the sucked air passes, and a grip part that a user grips, A dust collection part that stores the sucked dust and is detachably attached to the vacuum cleaner body, is provided, When the grip part side is upward, the suction part side is downward, the side closer to the suction part with respect to the central axis of the dust collection part is rearward, and the direction opposite to the rearward is forward, the dust collection part has a first engaging part provided at the upper front part of the dust collection part and a second engaging part provided at the lower rear part of the dust collection part. The vacuum cleaner body has an engaging portion for hooking the first hooking portion, a latch for fixing the second hooking portion, and a spring for biasing the latch. When the second hooking portion is pressed against the latch from a state where the latch does not fix the second hooking portion, the latch comes to a state of fixing the second hooking portion. A vacuum cleaner in which, when the second hooking portion is moved away from the latch from a state where the latch has fixed the second hooking portion, the fixing of the second hooking portion by the latch is released. (Appendix 2) The vacuum cleaner according to Appendix 1, wherein the spring expands and contracts in a direction substantially parallel to a straight line connecting the front and the rear. (Appendix 3) The vacuum cleaner according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, wherein the latch is rotatable about a rotation shaft portion. (Appendix 4) The vacuum cleaner according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the spring is a coil spring. (Appendix 5) The vacuum cleaner according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the spring is a leaf spring. (Appendix 6) The latch has an inclined surface that can contact a claw of the second hooking portion. When the second hooking portion is pressed against the latch from a state where the latch does not fix the second hooking portion, the claw gets over the inclined surface and the second hooking portion displaces the latch, so that the latch comes to a state of fixing the second hooking portion. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5. (Appendix 7) When the second hooking portion is moved away from the latch from a state where the latch has fixed the second hooking portion, the second hooking portion displaces the latch, so that the fixing of the second hooking portion by the latch is released. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) The vacuum cleaner according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7, wherein the force generated by the spring is 5 N to 10 N.

Explanation of Signs

[0036] 1 Vacuum cleaner system, 2 Vacuum cleaner, 3 Holding device, 4 Vacuum cleaner body, 5 Suction tool, 6 Pipe body, 7 Electric blower, 8 Battery unit, 9 Dust collection unit, 10 Support unit, 11 Suction unit, 12 Gripping unit, 13 First engaging part, 14 Second engaging part, 15 Engaging part, 16 Latch, 17 Spring, 18 Slope, 19 Rotating shaft part, 20 Protrusion, 21 Claw, 22 Spring

Claims

1. An electric blower that generates suction force, a vacuum cleaner body having a suction part that houses the electric blower and through which the sucked air passes, and a grip part that a user holds, a dust collection part that houses the sucked dust and is detachably attached to the vacuum cleaner body, comprising: When the grip part side is upward, the suction part side is downward, the side closer to the suction part with respect to the central axis of the dust collection part is rearward, and the direction opposite to the rearward is forward, the dust collection part has a first engaging part provided at the upper front part of the dust collection part and a second engaging part provided at the lower rear part of the dust collection part. The vacuum cleaner body has an engaging part for hanging the first engaging part, a latch for fixing the second engaging part, and a spring for biasing the latch. By pressing the second engaging part against the latch from a state where the latch does not fix the second engaging part, the latch becomes a state of fixing the second engaging part. An electric vacuum cleaner in which the fixing of the second engaging part by the latch is released by moving the second engaging part away from the latch from a state where the latch fixes the second engaging part.

2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the spring expands and contracts in a direction substantially parallel to a straight line connecting the front and the rear.

3. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the latch is rotatable about a rotation shaft portion.

4. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the spring is a coil spring.

5. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the spring is a leaf spring.

6. The latch has an inclined surface that can contact a claw of the second engaging part. When the second engaging part is pressed against the latch from a state where the latch does not fix the second engaging part, the claw gets over the inclined surface and the second engaging part displaces the latch, so that the latch becomes a state of fixing the second engaging part. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. When the second engaging part is moved away from the latch from a state where the latch fixes the second engaging part, the second engaging part displaces the latch, so that the fixing of the second engaging part by the latch is released. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or claim 2.

8. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the force generated by the spring is 5 N to 10 N.

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