Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

To provide a vacuum cleaner capable of reducing a load on a user when using it by gripping its handle part.SOLUTION: A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body 10 having an electric blower 30 and a dust collection device 80 attachable and detachable to and from the cleaner body 10, the dust collection device 80 being disposed under the electric blower 30. The cleaner body 10 includes a handle part 40 including a grip part 42, and a battery 50 disposed above the electric blower 30. The handle part 40 forms a space part 44 for inserting the hand. The grip part 42 is inclined so as to extend from the front side to the rear side toward the upper side from the lower side. A second virtual line L2 extending along an extension direction of the grip part 42 intersects with a first virtual line L1 passing through the electric blower 30 and the dust collection device 80 at a position above the battery 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, there has been provided a vacuum cleaner including an electric blower and a cleaner body having a handle. In the vacuum cleaner of Patent Document 1, the handle is formed in a substantially arc shape along an arc centered on the center of gravity position of the cleaner body, and each position is formed to be substantially equidistant from the center of gravity position of the cleaner body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional vacuum cleaner according to Patent Document 1, the heavy electric blower and battery are arranged below the dust collection part, and the battery, which is one of the two heavy objects, is arranged directly below the rear end of the handle, and the electric blower, which is the other heavy object, is arranged at a position directly below the front end of the handle. For this reason, when the front side of the handle is gripped in the vacuum cleaner according to Patent Document 1, it is necessary to grip a position far from the battery, and when the rear end of the handle is gripped, it is necessary to grip a position far from the electric blower. Therefore, in the vacuum cleaner of Patent Document 1, for example, when changing the direction of the suction port, a large moment is generated by the heavy object when the gripping part is twisted, and there is a problem that a large load acts on the user's hand.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a vacuum cleaner capable of reducing the load acting on a user when the handle portion is gripped and used.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vacuum cleaner of the present invention provided to solve the above-described problems includes a cleaner main body having a suction port and an electric blower that generates a suction force, and a dust collecting device that is detachable from the cleaner main body and stores dust sucked by the electric blower. The dust collecting device is provided below the electric blower in the vertical direction, and the cleaner main body has a handle portion including a gripping portion and a battery provided above the electric blower in the vertical direction for supplying power to the electric blower. The handle portion forms a space portion for inserting a hand, and the gripping portion is inclined so as to extend from the front side to the rear side in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the vertical direction as it goes from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction. A second virtual line passing through the gripping portion along the extending direction of the gripping portion intersects with a first virtual line extending in the direction along the vertical direction and passing through the electric blower and the dust collecting device at a position above the battery in the vertical direction.

[0007] The vacuum cleaner of the present invention includes two heavy objects, namely a battery and an electric blower. Since the gripping portion of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is inclined so as to extend from the front side to the rear side, it is easy for the user to grip the gripping portion during use.

[0008] In addition, in the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, the battery is disposed above the electric blower. Further, in the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, a second virtual line passing through the grip portion along the extending direction of the grip portion intersects with a first virtual line passing through the electric blower and the dust collecting device at a position above the battery. Thereby, in the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, the center of gravity of the heavy objects (the electric blower and the battery) is assumed to exist at a position close to the handle portion. In this way, in the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, since the handle portion exists at a position close to the center of gravity, the moment generated when the handle portion is gripped to tilt the cleaner body when changing the direction of the suction port or the like is reduced, and a large load acting on the user's hand can be suppressed. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can reduce the load acting on the user when gripping and using the handle portion as compared with the conventional one.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a vacuum cleaner capable of reducing the load acting on the user when gripping and using the handle portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, after briefly explaining the overall configuration of the vacuum cleaner 1, the main parts will be described in more detail. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationships such as the vertical direction (the longitudinal direction of the vacuum cleaner 1 and the cleaner main body 10), the width direction, and the front-rear direction are described based on the state in which the vacuum cleaner 1 is erected as shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] ≪Regarding the overall configuration of the vacuum cleaner 1≫ As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 is a cleaner having a stick-shaped (vertical) appearance. The vacuum cleaner 1 can be, for example, a rechargeable type or a type that obtains electric power from an external power source via a power cord. As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 includes a cleaner main body 10, a dust collecting device 80, an extension pipe 100, and a suction port body 110. The vacuum cleaner 1 can form a vacuum cleaner system S by being supported by a pedestal 2 or the like as shown in the illustrated example.

[0013] The cleaner main body 10 forms the main body of the vacuum cleaner 1 and is a part that exhibits the function of generating a suction force for dust collection. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the cleaner main body 10 includes an electric blower 30 for sucking air to generate an air flow, a battery 50, and other components inside a housing 20 that forms the housing.

[0014] Further, the cleaner main body 10 is provided with a handle portion 40. The handle portion 40 is a portion provided for the user of the electric cleaner 1 to grip the cleaner main body 10. That is, the electric cleaner 1 is configured such that the user can grip the cleaner main body 10 by, for example, passing the fingers other than the thumb through the space portion 44 formed by the handle portion 40. The cleaner main body 10 has an exhaust opening 25 on the handle portion 40 side for discharging the air discharged from the electric blower 30. Further, a suction port 76 for connecting the extension pipe 100 or the suction port body 110 is provided on the lower end side of the cleaner main body 10. Since the cleaner main body 10 has a characteristic configuration in the electric cleaner 1, the specific structure will be described in detail later.

[0015] The dust collecting device 80 is a portion where the dust sucked by the electric cleaner 1 is collected. The dust collecting device 80 is detachably provided with respect to the cleaner main body 10. The dust collecting device 80 is provided below the electric blower 30 in the vertical direction.

[0016] The extension pipe 100 is a cylindrical member that detachably connects the cleaner main body 10 and the suction port body 110. One end side of the extension pipe 100 is shaped so as to be connectable (insertable) to the suction port 76 provided in the cleaner main body 10, and the other end is shaped so as to be connectable to the suction port body 110. By connecting the cleaner main body 10 and the suction port body 110 via the extension pipe 100, a series of continuous paths (air ducts) from the suction port body 110 to the cleaner main body 10 can be formed.

[0017] The suction port body 110 is directly or indirectly connected to the suction port 76 of the cleaner main body 10 via the extension pipe 100. The suction port body 110 has a suction port 112 and a joint portion 114. The suction port 112 opens toward the bottom surface. Further, the joint portion 114 is configured to be connectable to the suction port 76 or the extension pipe 100. Also for the suction port body 110, the characteristic portions will be described in detail later.

[0018] The vacuum cleaner 1 generally has the configuration as described above. The vacuum cleaner 1 is characterized in terms of the configuration of the cleaner body 10 and the arrangement of each part in the cleaner body 10. Hereinafter, the configuration of the cleaner body 10 and the arrangement of each part in the cleaner body 10 will be described in more detail.

[0019] <<Regarding the configuration of the cleaner body 10>> Hereinafter, the configuration of the cleaner body 10 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The cleaner body 10 is configured to house the electric blower 30, which is a heavy object, and the battery 50 inside the housing 20. In addition to these, the cleaner body 10 is assembled with component members such as the substrate portion 60 and the operation portion 48 with respect to the housing 20.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the housing 20 is a hollow case that constitutes the outer shell of the cleaner body 10. The housing 20 has a battery housing portion 24, a substrate housing portion 26, an electric blower housing portion 28, and a pipe portion 70.

[0021] The battery housing portion 24 is a space in which the battery 50 is housed. The battery housing portion 24 is provided above the electric blower 30 (electric blower housing portion 28) in a state where the vacuum cleaner 1 is standing upright (vertical direction). In the present embodiment, the battery housing portion 24 is provided at a position on the upper end side of the housing 20. The battery housing portion 24 is provided at a position aligned with the rear side (back side) with respect to the handle portion 40. The battery 50 can be detachable, for example, by providing an openable and closable lid on the battery housing portion 24, but in the present embodiment, it is assumed to be assembled to the battery housing portion 24.

[0022] The substrate housing portion 26 is a portion inside the cleaner main body 10 where the substrate portion 60 is housed. The substrate housing portion 26 can be provided at an appropriate location inside the housing 20. In the present embodiment, the substrate housing portion 26 is provided on the front side with respect to the battery housing portion 24 (battery 50). Further, the substrate housing portion 26 is provided above the electric blower housing portion 28 (electric blower 30). The substrate portion 60 is obtained by mounting terminals and electronic components on the substrate 62. The substrate portion 60 is housed inside the housing 20. The substrate portion 60 is electrically connected to the electric blower 30, the battery 50, and the operation unit 48.

[0023] The electric blower housing portion 28 is a portion where the electric blower 30 is housed. The electric blower housing portion 28 is located above the dust collecting device 80 in a state where the electric cleaner 1 is standing upright. Further, the electric blower housing portion 28 is located below the battery housing portion 24 and the substrate housing portion 26. Therefore, the electric blower 30 arranged in the electric blower housing portion 28 is located below the battery 50 and the substrate portion 60. The electric blower 30 has an electric motor 32 and a blower 34. The electric blower 30 generates a suction force by sucking air from the intake side toward the exhaust side. The electric blower 30 is housed in the electric blower housing portion 28 in a posture where the intake side faces the dust collecting device 80 side (the lower side in the example shown in FIG. 4). Note that a shielding member 64 is arranged between the substrate portion 60 (substrate housing portion 26) and the battery 50 (battery housing portion 24) and the electric blower 30 (electric blower housing portion 28) so that the exhaust air of the electric blower 30 does not flow into the substrate housing portion 26 and the battery housing portion 24. However, by eliminating the shielding member 64, the exhaust air may flow into the substrate housing portion 26 and the battery housing portion 24.

[0024] The handle portion 40 is formed so as to extend from the lower side to the upper side as it extends from the front side to the rear side of the cleaner main body 10. The handle portion 40 can have an appropriate shape, such as a rod shape, a cylindrical shape, a bent shape, or a shape provided with irregularities along the user's fingers, as long as it can be grasped by the user. The handle portion 40 includes a grip portion 42. The grip portion 42 is the portion that the user of the electric cleaner 1 grasps in a normal use state. In the present embodiment, the grip portion 42 is cylindrical. The grip portion 42 is provided so as to extend in the front-rear direction in the cleaner main body 10. The grip portion 42 is provided on the upper end side of the housing 20. The grip portion 42 is formed so as to extend from the lower side to the upper side as it extends from the front side to the rear side of the cleaner main body 10. Although the inclination of the grip portion 42 can be set as appropriate, in the present embodiment, the grip portion 42 is provided so as to have an upward slope with an inclination of 40 degrees to 60 degrees (preferably 45 degrees to 55 degrees) with respect to the horizontal from the front to the rear of the cleaner main body 10.

[0025] The handle portion 40 forms a space portion 44 that is released so that a hand can be inserted. The space portion 44 only needs to be open so that a hand can be inserted, and its shape and the like can be appropriate. In the present embodiment, the space portion 44 is released in the left-right direction of the cleaner main body 10. Further, the space portion 44 is formed in a shape that extends along the inclination of the grip portion 42. In the present embodiment, the space portion 44 has an oval opening shape. As a result, the space portion 44 is formed in a shape that curves at both ends (front side and rear side) of the grip portion 42 while extending linearly at the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 42. Therefore, when the user inserts their hand into the space portion 44 of the handle portion 40, the handle portion 40 can be firmly grasped at the middle portion, and can be smoothly rotated using the positions corresponding to the fingers inserted into the space portion 44 at the front side and the rear side as rotation fulcrums, making it easy to perform an operation of adjusting the inclination of the cleaner main body 10 in the front-rear direction.

[0026] The space portion 44 is a region formed by a space - forming portion (surface) including the inner peripheral surface 42a of the gripping portion 42 and the opposing surface 46 that opposes the gripping portion 42 in the vacuum cleaner main body 10 (housing 20). The space portion 44 does not necessarily have to be surrounded entirely. For example, when the gripping portion 42 is rod - shaped (when the rear end of the gripping portion 42 is a free end), in addition to the left - right direction, it can be made open at positions on the upper - side and rear - side as well. In the present embodiment, the space portion 44 includes the inner peripheral surface 42a and the opposing surface 46, and is surrounded over the entire circumference by surfaces continuous with these surfaces.

[0027] The handle portion 40 is provided above the upper end portion of the electric blower 30 (electric blower housing portion 28) in the vertical direction. Also, the handle portion 40 is present in front of the battery 50 (battery housing portion 24) in the front - rear direction. The handle portion 40 extends directly above the electric blower 30 (electric blower housing portion 28). Further, the gripping portion 42 extends so as to approach the concave region 22a provided in the front side (the location where the battery housing portion 24 is formed) of the battery 50 in the housing 20.

[0028] More specifically, the handle portion 40 in the present embodiment is connected to the front side of the battery 50 (the location where the battery housing portion 24 is provided) in the housing 20. However, when the handle portion 40 is rod-shaped (when the rear end of the handle portion 40 is a free end and the rear end is separated from the concave portion 22 on the front side of the battery 50), it is only necessary that the rear side of the handle portion 40 (the gripping portion 42) extends so as to face the concave region 22a in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the housing 20 has a concave portion 22 at the connection location with the handle portion 40. The concave portion 22 is provided directly above the electric blower 30 (the electric blower housing portion 28) and at a position on the front side of the battery 50 (the battery housing portion 24). In other words, the concave portion 22 is provided at a position on the front side of the battery 50 (the battery housing portion 24) and so as to overlap the projection range of the electric blower 30 in the vertical direction. The concave portion 22 is a portion that is recessed toward the radially central side (the rear side in the front-rear direction) from the outer dimension (the outer dimension in the radial direction) of the electric blower 30 so as to form the concave region 22a. The space portion 44 extends so as to reach the concave region 22a (the concave portion 22). The concave region 22a is a portion that forms the joint portion on the front side of the battery 50 (the battery housing portion 24) among the handle portion 40 and the housing 20. The concave region 22a is formed in a shape that conforms to the shape of the handle portion 40. The concave region 22a has a shape obtained by performing a Boolean subtraction of the portion forming the handle portion 40 from the cylindrical portion provided in the housing 20 so as to form the electric blower housing portion 28. As a result, the concave region 22a is configured to have a shape in which the handle portion 40 and the electric blower housing portion 28 are mutually shape-conforming.

[0029] The handle portion 40 has an operation portion 48. The operation portion 48 is for operating the operation of the electric blower 30 (the vacuum cleaner 1). The operation portion 48 can be configured using, for example, a button-type switch, a trigger-type switch, etc. for operating the electric blower 30. In the present embodiment, an operation reception portion 48b made of a button-type switch or the like and electronic components are mounted on the operation portion substrate 48a. The operation portion 48 can be provided on the inner peripheral surface 42a of the grip portion 42 in the handle portion 40, but in the present embodiment, it is provided on the outer peripheral surface 42b of the grip portion 42. Also, the operation portion 48 is preferably arranged in a region including the central position in the extending direction of the grip portion 42, or in a region on the front side of the central position. In the present embodiment, the operation portion 48 is provided in a region including the central position in the extending direction of the grip portion 42 and on the front side thereof.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the pipe portion 70 is a portion that constitutes an air passage 72 communicating with the dust collecting device 80. The pipe portion 70 is formed to extend in the vertical direction on the front side of the housing 20. That is, the housing 20 is formed such that the battery housing portion 24 (substrate housing portion 26) and the electric blower housing portion 28 are arranged in the vertical direction in this order on the back side, while the pipe portion 70 is provided on the front side thereof. The pipe portion 70 is formed to extend in the vertical direction along the dust collecting device 80 on the front side of the dust collecting device 80.

[0031] An air passage 72 is provided inside the pipe portion 70. The air passage 72 is formed to extend in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 3, an air passage discharge portion 74 (discharge port) connected to the dust collecting portion inflow portion 86 (inlet) of the dust collecting device 80 is provided in the pipe portion 70. By connecting the dust collecting device 80 to the cleaner main body 10, the pipe portion 70 causes the air passage discharge portion 74 to be connected to the dust collecting portion inflow portion 86 and to be in a state of communicating with the dust collecting device 80. Also, the pipe portion 70 has a suction port 76 that functions as a connection port for connecting an extension pipe 100 or a suction port body 110. The suction port 76 is a portion that serves as an inlet for the air sucked through the extension pipe 100 or the suction port body 110. The suction port 76 opens at the lower end side of the pipe portion 70.

[0032] The pipe part 70 is arranged so as to be aligned in the front - rear direction with respect to the dust collector 80. Also, the pipe part 70 is located on the front side with respect to the dust collector 80. Further, the pipe part 70 is arranged at a position where the pipe axis passing through the axial center position intersects the gripping part 42.

[0033] The dust collector 80 is detachably provided with respect to the cleaner main body 10. The dust collector 80 is a so - called cyclone - type dust collector. That is, the dust collector 80 is configured to introduce air from the dust collection part inflow part 86 provided in the dust collection container 84, form a swirling air flow in the dust collection container 84, and then collect dust in the process of discharging the air. Also, the dust collector 80 can adopt a so - called single - stage or multi - stage separation method, but in this embodiment, a single - stage separation method is adopted.

[0034] The dust collector 80 has a dust collection container 84 and a structure body 88, and a dust collection space 90 is formed between them. The dust collector 80 is configured to be able to form a swirling air flow that swirls between the structure body 88 and the dust collection container 84 for the air introduced into the dust collection space 90. The dust collector 80 is detachably located below the electric blower 30 (electric blower housing part 28) in the cleaner main body 10.

[0035] ≪Arrangement of each part in the cleaner main body 10≫ Subsequently, the arrangement of each part in the cleaner main body 10 will be described. In the following description, a virtual line extending in the direction along the vertical direction and passing through the electric blower 30 and the dust collector 80 is referred to as the first virtual line L1, and a virtual line passing through the gripping part 42 along the extending direction of the gripping part 42 is referred to as the second virtual line L2. Also, a virtual line in the gravitational direction passing through the central position in the extending direction of the gripping part 42 is referred to as the first gravitational direction line G1, and a virtual line in the gravitational direction passing through the rear end of the gripping part 42 is referred to as the second gravitational direction line G2.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, in the vacuum cleaner main body 10, with respect to a first virtual line L1 passing through the electric blower 30 and the dust collecting device 80, a second virtual line L2 extending along the extending direction of the gripping portion 42 intersects at a position above the battery 50 in the vertical direction, and each part is arranged in such an arrangement. Further, in a state where the vacuum cleaner main body 10 is in a posture (first rearward tilting posture) in which the vacuum cleaner main body 10 is tilted rearward until the gripping portion 42 becomes horizontal with respect to the floor surface, a first gravity direction line G1 extending in the gravity direction through the central position in the extending direction of the gripping portion 42 passes on the side of the motor 32 rather than the blower 34, or on the side of the battery 50 rather than the center of gravity (electric blower center of gravity P1) of the electric blower 30, and each part is arranged in such an arrangement. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when the vacuum cleaner main body 10 is in the first rearward tilting posture, the first gravity direction line G1 passes on the side of the battery 50 rather than the electric blower center of gravity P1. In this state, the first gravity direction line G1 does not pass through the dust collecting device 80 (dust collecting container 84).

[0037] Further, in a state where the vacuum cleaner main body 10 is in the first rearward tilting posture, within the range between the first gravity direction line G1 and the second gravity direction line G2, the center of gravity position (combined center of gravity Px) on the straight line connecting the center of gravity P1 (electric blower center of gravity P1) of the electric blower 30 and the center of gravity (battery center of gravity P2) of the battery 50 is included. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner main body 10 can have a position near directly above the combined center of gravity Px of the heavy electric blower 30 and the battery 50 in a state where the vacuum cleaner main body 10 is in the first rearward tilting posture. Thereby, the vacuum cleaner main body 10 is easily balanced in the first rearward tilting posture, and the force required for moving or lifting can be minimized. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner main body 10 has high operability in the first rearward tilting posture.

[0038] In addition, when the cleaning machine main body 10 is in a rear-tilted posture such that the first virtual line L1 is tilted with respect to the gravitational direction, and the angle formed by the first virtual line L1 and the floor surface is within the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees, the cleaning machine main body 10 is in a rear-tilted posture (second rear-tilted posture), and the electric blower 30, the battery 50, and the grip portion 42 are arranged as shown in FIG. 6. The second rear-tilted posture is a posture when used in a state where the degree of rear-tilt is smaller than the posture when the cleaning machine main body 10 is in the first rear-tilted posture described above, that is, the posture when the cleaning machine main body 10 is stood upright with respect to the floor surface. As shown in FIG. 6, when the cleaning machine main body 10 is in the second rear-tilted posture, the overlapping portion of the grip portion 42 in the vertical direction with the line segment of the electric blower center of gravity P1 and the battery center of gravity P2 exists behind the operation portion 48. Therefore, when the user assumes the second rear-tilted posture while gripping the rear side including the center position of the grip portion 42, the cleaning machine main body 10 has high operability even in the second rear-tilted posture.

[0039] When the cleaning machine main body 10 is in a rear-tilted posture (third rear-tilted posture) such that the angle formed by the first virtual line L1 and the floor surface is within the range of 3 degrees to 20 degrees, the electric blower 30, the battery 50, and the grip portion 42 are arranged as shown in FIG. 7. The third rear-tilted posture is a posture when used in a state where the degree of rear-tilt is larger than the posture when the cleaning machine main body 10 is used in the first rear-tilted posture and the second rear-tilted posture described above, that is, the posture when the cleaning machine main body 10 is laid down with respect to the floor surface. As shown in FIG. 7, when the cleaning machine main body 10 is in the third rear-tilted posture, there is an overlapping portion in front of the grip portion 42 in the vertical direction with the line segment of the electric blower center of gravity P1 and the battery center of gravity P2. Therefore, when the user assumes the third rear-tilted posture while gripping the front side (preferably near the center position avoiding the operation portion 48) including the center position of the grip portion 42, the cleaning machine main body 10 has high operability even in the third rear-tilted posture.

[0040] In the vacuum cleaner main body 10, the handle portion 40 is arranged such that the front end is located on the front side of the tube axis of the tube portion 70, and the rear end is located directly above the electric blower 30. Further, in the vacuum cleaner main body 10, the electric blower 30 is arranged such that the battery 50 is disposed within the projection range of the electric blower 30 when viewed in the direction of its rotation axis.

[0041] [[Effect and the like obtained by the configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner 1]] Hereinafter, the effects and the like obtained by the configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 described above will be described for each aspect of the present invention.

[0042] [[Regarding the electric vacuum cleaner according to the first aspect of the present invention]] Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-15324, an electric vacuum cleaner having an electric blower and a vacuum cleaner main body having a handle has been provided. In the electric vacuum cleaner of the above patent document, the handle is formed in a substantially arc shape along an arc centered on the center of gravity position of the vacuum cleaner main body, and each position is formed to be substantially equidistant from the center of gravity position of the vacuum cleaner main body.

[0043] In the conventional electric vacuum cleaner according to the above patent document, the heavy electric blower and battery are disposed below the dust collection unit, and the battery, which is one of the two heavy objects, is disposed directly below the rear end of the handle, and the other heavy object, the electric blower, is disposed at a position directly below the front end of the handle. For this reason, when the front side of the handle is gripped in the electric vacuum cleaner according to the above patent document, a position far from the battery is gripped, and when the rear end of the handle is gripped, a position far from the electric blower is gripped. Therefore, in the electric vacuum cleaner of the above patent document, for example, when changing the direction of the suction port, a large moment is generated by the heavy object when twisting the grip portion, and there is a problem that a large load acts on the user's hand. Therefore, the first aspect of the present invention aims to realize an electric vacuum cleaner capable of reducing the load acting on the user when gripping and using the handle portion. (1-1) The vacuum cleaner 1 according to the first aspect has a suction port 76 and a cleaner main body 10 having an electric blower 30 that generates a suction force, and is detachable from the cleaner main body 10 and accumulates dust sucked by the electric blower 30. A dust collecting device 80, the dust collecting device 80 being provided below the electric blower 30 in the vertical direction, the cleaner main body 10 including a handle portion 40 including a gripping portion 42 and an upper portion in the vertical direction. A battery 50 provided above the electric blower 30 for supplying power to the electric blower 30, the handle portion 40 forming a space portion 44 for inserting a hand, and the gripping portion 42 extending from the front side to the rear side in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the vertical direction as it goes from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction. It is inclined so as to extend, and a second virtual line L2 passing through the gripping portion 42 along the extending direction of the gripping portion 42 intersects a first virtual line L1 extending along the direction along the vertical direction and passing through the electric blower 30 and the dust collecting device 80 at a position above the battery 50 in the vertical direction. It is characterized by that.

[0044] The above-described vacuum cleaner 1 includes two heavy objects, namely, the battery 50 and the electric blower 30. Since the gripping portion 42 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is inclined so as to extend from the front side to the rear side, it is easy for the user to grip the gripping portion 42 during use.

[0045] In the vacuum cleaner 1, the battery 50 is disposed above the electric blower 30. Further, in the vacuum cleaner 1, a second virtual line L2 passing through the grip portion 42 along the extending direction of the grip portion 42 intersects with a first virtual line L1 passing through the electric blower 30 and the dust collecting device 80 at a position above the battery 50. Thereby, the cleaner main body 10 is assumed to have the center of gravity of heavy objects (the electric blower 30 and the battery 50) at a position close to the handle portion 40. Thus, since the handle portion 40 exists at a position close to the center of gravity in the vacuum cleaner 1, the moment generated when the handle portion 40 is gripped to tilt the cleaner main body 10, for example, when changing the direction of the suction port 76, becomes small, and it is possible to suppress a large load from acting on the user's hand. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 can reduce the load acting on the user when gripping and using the handle portion 40 as compared with the conventional art.

[0046] (1-2) In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to (1-1) above, the electric blower 30 has an electric motor 32 and a blower 34, and in a state where the cleaner main body 10 is tilted so that the second virtual line L2 becomes horizontal, a gravity direction line (first gravity direction line G1) extending in the gravity direction through the center position in the extending direction of the grip portion 42 preferably passes through the side of the electric motor 32 rather than the blower 34 or through the side of the battery 50 rather than the center of gravity of the electric blower 30 (electric blower center of gravity P1).

[0047] By configuring the vacuum cleaner 1 as in (1-2) above, in a state where the cleaner main body 10 is tilted so that the second virtual line L2 becomes horizontal (first rearward tilt posture), it is possible to have a position near directly above the combined center of gravity Px of the heavy electric blower 30 and the battery 50. Thereby, the vacuum cleaner 1 is easily balanced in the first rearward tilt posture, and the force required for moving or lifting can be minimized. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 has high operability in the first rearward tilt posture.

[0048] (1-3) When the vacuum cleaner 1 according to (1-1) is in a rear-tilted posture such that the first virtual line L1 inclines with respect to the gravitational direction, and when the angle formed by the first virtual line L1 and the floor surface is within the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees, in a state where the cleaner body 10 is in the rear-tilted posture, a gravitational direction line (second gravitational direction line G2) that extends in the gravitational direction passing through the central position in the extending direction of the grip portion 42 passes through the center of gravity of the electric blower 30 (electric blower center of gravity P1). When the cleaner body 10 is in a rear-tilted posture such that the angle formed by the first virtual line L1 and the floor surface is within the range of 3 degrees to 20 degrees, it is preferable that the gravitational direction line (first gravitational direction line G1) passes through the center of gravity of the battery 50 (battery center of gravity P2).

[0049] By configuring the vacuum cleaner 1 as in (1-3) above, in a state (second rear-tilted posture) where the cleaner body 10 is in a rear-tilted posture such that the angle formed by the first virtual line L1 and the floor surface is within the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees, when the user grips near the central position of the grip portion 42, the user can hold directly above the center of gravity of the heavy electric blower 30 (electric blower center of gravity P1) and near the battery center of gravity P2. Therefore, the cleaner body 10 has high operability even in the second rear-tilted posture.

[0050] (1-4) When the vacuum cleaner 1 according to (1-1) defines a virtual line in the gravitational direction passing through the central position in the extending direction of the grip portion 42 as the first gravitational direction line G1 and a virtual line in the gravitational direction passing through the rear end of the grip portion 42 as the second gravitational direction line G2, in a state where the cleaner body 10 is tilted such that the second virtual line L2 is horizontal, it is preferable that the center of gravity position on the straight line connecting the center of gravity of the electric blower 30 (electric blower center of gravity P1) and the center of gravity of the battery 50 (battery center of gravity P2) is included within the range between the first gravitational direction line G1 and the second gravitational direction line G2.

[0051] By configuring the vacuum cleaner 1 as described in (1-4) above, in the state of the first backward tilt posture, it is possible to have a position near directly above the combined center of gravity Px of the heavy electric blower 30 and the battery 50. Thereby, the vacuum cleaner 1 is easily balanced in the first backward tilt posture, and the force required for moving or lifting can be minimized. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 has high operability in the first backward tilt posture.

[0052] (1-5) The vacuum cleaner 1 according to (1-1) or (1-4) above has a handle portion 40 having an operation portion 48 for operating the operation of the electric blower 30. The operation portion 48 is arranged in a region including the central position in the extending direction of the grip portion 42 or a region on the front side of the central position. When a virtual line in the direction of gravity passing through the central position in the extending direction of the grip portion 42 is defined as the first gravity direction line G1 and a virtual line in the direction of gravity passing through the rear end of the grip portion 42 is defined as the second gravity direction line G2, in the state where the cleaner body 10 is tilted so that the second virtual line L2 is horizontal, within the range between the first gravity direction line G1 and the second gravity direction line G2, it is preferable that the center of gravity position on the straight line connecting the center of gravity of the electric blower 30 (electric blower center of gravity P1) and the center of gravity of the battery 50 (battery center of gravity P2) is included.

[0053] The electric vacuum cleaner 1 is configured such that the operation unit 48 is arranged in a region including the central position in the extending direction of the grip part 42 or in a region on the front side of the central position as described in (1-5) above. As a result, it becomes more likely that the user will grip the region on the rear side from the central position of the grip part 42, that is, the region within the ranges of the first gravity direction line G1 and the second gravity direction line G2, while avoiding the operation unit 48. Further, when the electric vacuum cleaner 1 has the configuration as described in (1-5) above, in the first reclined posture in which the second virtual line L2 is horizontal, the center of gravity position (combined center of gravity Px) on the straight line connecting the center of gravity P1 of the electric blower and the center of gravity P2 of the battery comes within the ranges of the first gravity direction line G1 and the second gravity direction line G2. Therefore, by adopting the configuration according to (1-5) above, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 makes it more likely that the user will grip and operate the grip part 42 near directly above the combined center of gravity Px of the electric blower 30 and the battery 50. Thus, by adopting the configuration according to (1-5) above, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can easily balance the cleaner main body 10 in the first reclined posture and can minimize the force required for moving or lifting. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 has high operability in the first reclined posture.

[0054] (1-6) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to (1-1) above has a handle part 40 having an operation unit 48 for operating the operation of the electric blower 30, and it is preferable that the operation unit 48 is arranged in a region including the central position in the extending direction of the grip part 42 or in a region on the front side of the central position.

[0055] As described in (1-1) above, in the electric vacuum cleaner 1, a second virtual line L2 extending in the extending direction of the grip portion 42 intersects a first virtual line L1 passing through the electric blower 30 and the dust collecting device 80 at a position above the battery 50. Therefore, it is assumed that the center of gravity of heavy objects (the electric blower 30 and the battery 50) exists at a position close to the handle portion 40 of the cleaner main body 10. Further, by adopting the configuration according to (1-6) above, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 makes it easier for the user to grip the area on the rear side of the operation portion 48 while avoiding the operation portion 48. Therefore, by adopting the configuration as in (1-6) above, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can be made such that it is easy to grip a position close to the center of gravity of the cleaner main body 10. Accordingly, by adopting the configuration according to (1-6) above, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is more likely to be balanced when the grip portion 42 is gripped. As a result, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can be made highly operable, capable of minimizing the force required to grip the grip portion 42 and move or lift the cleaner main body 10.

[0056] (1-7) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to (1-1) above has a space portion 44 which is a region formed by a configuration including the inner peripheral surface 42a of the grip portion 42 and the opposing surface 46 of the cleaner main body 10 that opposes the grip portion 42. The opposing surface 46 is preferably located in front of the battery 50 in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and extends directly above the electric blower 30 along the second virtual line L2.

[0057] By adopting the configuration according to (1-7) above, when the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is used in a rear-tilted posture, the grip portion 42 can be gripped near the upper side of the center of gravity of the heavy electric blower 30 (electric blower center of gravity P1) and the center of gravity of the battery 50 (battery center of gravity P2). Thereby, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can be made highly operable, not requiring a large force to grip the grip portion 42 and move or lift the cleaner main body 10.

[0058] (1-8) In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to (1-1) above, the cleaner main body 10 is provided with a handle portion 40 on a housing 20 that houses an electric blower 30 and a battery 50. The housing 20 has a recess 22 that is recessed toward the radially central side from the outer dimensions of the electric blower 30 so as to form a recessed region 22a above the electric blower 30 and in front of the battery 50. It is preferable that the space portion 44 extends along a second virtual line L2 until it reaches the recessed region 22a.

[0059] By configuring the vacuum cleaner 1 according to (1-8) above, the cleaner main body 10 (housing 20) can be made more compact in the front-rear direction, or the space portion 44 of the handle portion 40 can be made larger in the front-rear direction.

[0060] (1-9) In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to (1-1) above, the cleaner main body 10 is provided with a handle portion 40 on a housing 20 that houses an electric blower 30 and a battery 50. The housing 20 has a recess 22 that is recessed so as to form a recessed region 22a having a shape that conforms to the shape of the handle portion 40 above the electric blower 30 and in front of the battery 50. In the recess 22, the handle portion 40 is coupled to the housing 20. It is preferable that the space portion 44 extends along a second virtual line L2 until it reaches the recessed region 22a.

[0061] By adopting the configuration according to (1-9) above, the vacuum cleaner 1 can make the cleaner main body 10 (housing 20) more compact in the front-rear direction, or make the space portion 44 of the handle portion 40 larger in the front-rear direction.

[0062] (1-10) In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to (1-1) above, it is preferable that the space portion 44 is provided in a region that is above the upper end portion of the electric blower 30 and below the upper end portion of the battery 50 in the vertical direction.

[0063] By adopting the configuration according to the above (1-10), when the vacuum cleaner 1 is used in a reclined posture, the grip portion 42 can be gripped near the upper side of the center of gravity of the heavy electric blower 30 (the center of gravity P1 of the electric blower) and the center of gravity of the battery 50 (the center of gravity P2 of the battery). Thereby, the vacuum cleaner 1 can be made highly operable without requiring a large force to grip the grip portion 42 and move or lift the cleaner body 10.

[0064] (1-11) In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the above (1-1) to (1-5), (1-7) to (1-10), the cleaner body 10 has a pipe portion 70 having a suction port 76 at its end side, and the pipe portion 70 and the dust collecting device 80 are arranged side by side along the front-rear direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The pipe portion 70 is located on the front side of the dust collecting device 80, and it is preferable that the pipe axis passing through the axial center position of the pipe portion 70 intersects with the grip portion 42.

[0065] When the vacuum cleaner 1 has the configuration according to the above (1-11), when the cleaner body 10 is used in a reclined posture, it can be gripped near directly above the center of gravity of the cleaner body 10. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 can be made highly operable without requiring a large force to grip the grip portion 42 and move or lift the cleaner body 10.

[0066] (1-12) In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the above (1-11), it is preferable that the front end of the handle portion 40 exists on the front side of the pipe axis of the pipe portion 70, and the rear end of the handle portion 40 exists directly above the electric blower 30.

[0067] By adopting the configuration according to the above (1-12), the vacuum cleaner 1 can secure a position where the user can grip it.

[0068] [Regarding the vacuum cleaner according to the second aspect of the present invention] The vacuum cleaner 1 according to the second aspect of the present invention is configured as follows. Thereby, the effects as described below can be obtained.

[0069] Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-15324, there has been provided a vacuum cleaner including an electric blower and a cleaner body having a handle. In the vacuum cleaner of the above patent document, the handle is formed in a substantially arc shape along an arc centered on the center of gravity position of the cleaner body, and each position is formed to be substantially equidistant from the center of gravity position of the cleaner body.

[0070] As described above, although the vacuum cleaner according to the above patent document can widely secure the range that can be gripped by the handle, there is a problem that the cleaner body becomes large.

[0071] Therefore, a second aspect of the present invention aims to realize a vacuum cleaner capable of making the cleaner body compact while widely securing the range that can be gripped by the handle portion.

[0072] (2-1) The vacuum cleaner 1 according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a cleaner body 10 having a suction port 76 and an electric blower 30 that generates a suction force, and a dust collecting device 80 for storing dust sucked by the electric blower 30. The dust collecting device 80 is provided below the electric blower 30 in the vertical direction. The cleaner body 10 has a handle portion 40 including a grip portion 42, and a battery 50 that exists above the electric blower 30 in the vertical direction and supplies power to the electric blower 30. The cleaner body 10 is provided with a handle portion 40 that forms a space portion 44 for inserting a hand in a housing 20 having the electric blower 30 and the battery 50. The grip portion 42 is inclined so as to extend from the front side to the rear side in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the vertical direction as it goes from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction. The housing 20 has a concave portion 22 that is recessed toward the radially central side from the outer dimension of the electric blower 30 so as to form a concave region 22a above the electric blower 30 and in front of the battery 50. The space portion 44 extends so as to reach the concave region 22a.

[0073] The above-described vacuum cleaner 1 includes two heavy objects, namely a battery 50 and an electric blower 30. Since the vacuum cleaner 1 is inclined such that the grip portion 42 extends from the front side to the rear side, it is easy for the user to grip the grip portion 42 during use.

[0074] Also, in the vacuum cleaner 1, since the space portion 44 extends so as to reach the concave region 22a, a wide range that can be gripped can be ensured in the handle portion 40. Therefore, by adopting the configuration according to the above (2-1), the vacuum cleaner 1 can ensure a wide range that can be gripped in the handle portion 40 and can make the cleaner main body 10 (housing 20) more compact.

[0075] (2-2) It is preferable that the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the above (2-1) is configured such that the battery 50 is disposed within the projection range of the electric blower 30 when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the electric blower 30.

[0076] By adopting the configuration according to the above (2-2), the vacuum cleaner 1 can arrange the electric blower 30 and the battery 50 so that the cleaner main body 10 becomes more compact.

[0077] (2-3) In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the above (2-1), it is preferable that the handle portion is connected to the concave portion.

[0078] (2-4) In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the above (2-1), it is preferable that the rear end of the handle portion is a free end.

[0079] The present invention is not limited to those shown as the above-described embodiments, modifications, etc., and other embodiments may be possible within the scope not departing from the teaching and spirit thereof. The constituent elements of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Also, any constituent element of the embodiment and any constituent element described in the means for solving the invention or a constituent element embodying any constituent element described in the means for solving the invention may be arbitrarily combined. Regarding these, there is an intention to acquire rights in the amendment or divisional application of the present application, etc.

Industrial Applicability

[0080] The present invention can be suitably used in electric vacuum cleaners in general.

Explanation of Signs

[0081] 1: Electric vacuum cleaner 10: Vacuum cleaner main body 20: Housing 22: Recess 22a: Recess region 30: Electric blower 32: Electric motor 34: Blower 40: Handle part 42: Gripping part 42a: Inner peripheral surface 44: Space part 46: Opposing surface 48: Operation part 50: Battery 70: Tube part 76: Suction port 80: Dust collecting device G1: First gravity direction line G2: Second gravity direction line L1: First virtual line L2: Second virtual line

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner body having a suction port and an electric blower that generates a suction force, and a dust collection device that is detachable from the vacuum cleaner body and stores dust sucked by the electric blower, wherein the dust collection device is provided below the electric blower in the vertical direction, the vacuum cleaner body has a handle portion including a gripping portion, and a battery provided above the electric blower in the vertical direction for supplying power to the electric blower, and the handle portion forms a space portion for inserting a hand, the gripping portion is inclined so as to extend from the front side to the rear side in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the vertical direction as it goes from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction, a second virtual line passing through the gripping portion along the extending direction of the gripping portion intersects a first virtual line extending along the direction along the vertical direction and passing through the electric blower and the dust collection device at a position above the battery in the vertical direction, characterized in that it is a vacuum cleaner.

2. The electric blower has an electric motor and a blower, in a state where the vacuum cleaner body is inclined so that the second virtual line is horizontal, a gravity direction line extending in the gravity direction passing through the central position in the extending direction of the gripping portion passes through the side of the electric motor rather than the blower or the side of the battery rather than the center of gravity of the electric blower, characterized in that it is the vacuum cleaner according to Claim 1.

3. When the vacuum cleaner body is in a rearward inclined posture such that the first virtual line is inclined with respect to the gravity direction, in a state where the vacuum cleaner body is in the rearward inclined posture such that the angle formed by the first virtual line and the floor surface is within the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees, a gravity direction line extending in the gravity direction passing through the central position in the extending direction of the gripping portion passes through the center of gravity of the electric blower, in a state where the vacuum cleaner body is in the rearward inclined posture such that the angle formed by the first virtual line and the floor surface is within the range of 3 degrees to 20 degrees, the gravity direction line passes through the center of gravity of the battery, characterized in that it is the vacuum cleaner according to Claim 1.

4. When a virtual line in the gravity direction passing through the central position in the extending direction of the gripping portion is defined as a first gravity direction line and a virtual line in the gravity direction passing through the rear end of the gripping portion is defined as a second gravity direction line, In a state where the cleaner main body is tilted so that the second virtual line is horizontal, a center-of-gravity position on a straight line connecting the center of gravity of the electric blower and the center of gravity of the battery is included within the range between the first gravity direction line and the second gravity direction line. The electric cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that.

5. The handle portion has an operation portion for operating the operation of the electric blower. The operation portion is arranged in a region including the center position in the extending direction of the grip portion or a region in front of the center position. When a virtual line in the gravity direction passing through the center position in the extending direction of the grip portion is defined as the first gravity direction line and a virtual line in the gravity direction passing through the rear end of the grip portion is defined as the second gravity direction line. In a state where the cleaner main body is tilted so that the second virtual line is horizontal, a center-of-gravity position on a straight line connecting the center of gravity of the electric blower and the center of gravity of the battery is included within the range between the first gravity direction line and the second gravity direction line. The electric cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that.

6. The handle portion has an operation portion for operating the operation of the electric blower. The operation portion is arranged in a region including the center position in the extending direction of the grip portion or a region in front of the center position. The electric cleaner according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that.

7. The space portion is a region formed by a configuration including the inner peripheral surface of the grip portion and the opposing surface of the cleaner main body that opposes the grip portion. The opposing surface exists in front of the battery in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and extends directly above the electric blower along the second virtual line. The electric cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that.

8. The cleaner main body is provided with the handle portion on a housing in which the electric blower and the battery are housed. The housing has a concave portion that is recessed toward the radially central side from the outer dimensions of the electric blower so as to form a concave region above the electric blower and in front of the battery. The space portion extends along the second virtual line until it reaches the concave region. The electric cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that.

9. The cleaner main body is provided with the handle portion on a housing in which the electric blower and the battery are housed. The housing has a recessed portion that is recessed to form a concave region having a shape conforming to the shape of the handle portion above the electric blower and in front of the battery. In the recessed portion, the handle portion is coupled to the housing. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the space portion extends along the second virtual line until it reaches the concave region.

10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the space portion is provided in a region that is above the upper end portion of the electric blower and below the upper end portion of the battery in the vertical direction.

11. The cleaner main body has a pipe portion having the suction port at an end side. The pipe portion and the dust collecting device are arranged side by side along the front-rear direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The pipe portion is located in front of the dust collecting device. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and 7 to 10, wherein a pipe axis passing through the axial center position of the pipe portion intersects the gripping portion.

12. The front end of the handle portion is located in front of the pipe axis of the pipe portion. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, wherein the rear end of the handle portion is directly above the electric blower.

Images