Cleaner

Abstract

To dissolve an oil content on a cleaned surface.SOLUTION: A cleaner 100 includes: a suction device 110 for sucking air; a distribution part 120 for forming a distribution passage 121 for distributing the air sucked by the suction device 110; a suction section 130 for forming a suction space 133 having a distribution opening 131 being an end part of the distribution passage 121 and a suction port 132 opposing to a cleaned surface; a first electrode 141 arranged in the suction section 130; a second electrode 142 arranged in the suction section 130 to be separated from the first electrode 141; and a penetration-shape intake hole for taking-in a part of the air sucked by the suction device 110 from an outer side of the suction section 130 so as to distribute the air between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vacuum cleaners. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technology in which a device for generating plasma is provided in the head of a vacuum cleaner, and the plasma is used to break down oil and other substances adhering to the surface to be cleaned. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which a plasma generator for generating active species that are sent to the surface to be cleaned, such as a carpet, and a gas supply unit for supplying gas to the plasma generator are provided in the head of the vacuum cleaner. Patent Document 2 describes a technology in which a suction hole for supplying air to the plasma generator and an exhaust hole for exhausting plasma are provided in the head of the vacuum cleaner. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-137417 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2012-513261 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 requires the installation of a plasma generator and a gas supply unit in the head, and also requires a device to stop the plasma generator and the gas supply unit when cleaning is stopped, which increases the size and weight of the head. Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 2 has the problem that ozone gas generated by the plasma leaks from the exhaust hole.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a vacuum cleaner that can improve the problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vacuum cleaner of the present disclosure comprises a suction device that sucks in air, a circulation section that forms a circulation passage through which the air sucked by the suction device circulates, a suction section that forms a suction space having a circulation opening that is the end of the circulation passage and a suction port that faces the surface to be cleaned, a first electrode that is arranged within the suction section, a second electrode that is arranged within the suction section and separate from the first electrode, and a through intake hole that is arranged to take in a portion of the air sucked by the suction device from outside the suction section and circulate it between the first electrode and the second electrode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, when the suction of air for the vacuum cleaner stops, the supply of plasma gas can also be stopped without providing any special device, thereby suppressing an increase in the size and weight of the head. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a vacuum cleaner. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a suction part of the vacuum cleaner. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the suction part is cut along the line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing a dust storage section and a suction device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner according to a first modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner according to a second modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between the electrodes and a power supply device. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the connection relationship between electrodes and a power supply device in another example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of a vacuum cleaner according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are presented as examples to explain the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, mathematical formulas, the content of each step in a method, and the order of each step shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and may include content not described below. Furthermore, while geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, these expressions do not indicate mathematical precision and include substantially acceptable errors, deviations, etc. Furthermore, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include substantially acceptable ranges.

[0010] The drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omission, or adjustment of proportions has been appropriately made to explain the present disclosure, and differ from the actual shapes, positional relationships, and proportions. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in the drawings represent Cartesian coordinates arbitrarily set for the purpose of illustrating the drawings. In other words, the Z-axis is not necessarily an axis along the vertical direction, and the X-axis and Y-axis are not necessarily located within a horizontal plane.

[0011] In addition, in the following, a plurality of disclosures may be collectively described as one embodiment, and some of the contents described below may be described as optional components related to the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view showing vacuum cleaner 100. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing suction unit 130 of vacuum cleaner 100. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of suction unit 130 cut along line AA in FIG. 2. Vacuum cleaner 100 is a device that sucks in dust along with air and retains the dust separated from the air within vacuum cleaner body 101. The type of vacuum cleaner 100 is not limited, but a canister-type vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1 is shown as an example. Vacuum cleaner 100 includes suction device 110, circulation section 120, suction unit 130, first electrode 141, second electrode 142, and intake hole 150. In this embodiment, vacuum cleaner 100 includes collection filter 163.

[0013] Suction device 110 is a device that sucks air from suction section 130 through flow section 120, and is housed within vacuum cleaner body 101. The type of suction device 110 is not limited, but an example is suction device 110 that includes fan 111 that sucks air from flow section 120 through dust storage section 160 having dust collection filter 161, and electric motor 112 that rotates fan 111, as shown in Fig. 4. Note that while dust collection filter 161 is shown as an example of a device that separates dust and air, dust and air may also be separated by a cyclone-type particle size separator 162 or the like, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0014] The circulating portion 120 is a portion that forms a flow passage 121 through which the air sucked by the suction device 110 flows. The structure of the circulating portion 120 is not limited, but in the case of a canister-type vacuum cleaner 100, as shown in FIG. 1, the circulating portion 120 includes a flexible hose 122 and a hard pipe 105. Note that the circulating portion 120 does not have to include the hose 122 as in the stick-type vacuum cleaner 100 shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the circulating portion 120 may be provided inside the vacuum cleaner body 101, as in the robot-type vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 6.

[0015] Suction unit 130 is a part that comes into contact with or approaches a surface to be cleaned during cleaning, and sucks in dust along with air. Suction unit 130 forms suction space 133 having flow opening 131 (shown by a dashed line in FIG. 3 ) at the end of flow path 121 and suction port 132 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 ) that faces the surface to be cleaned during cleaning. In the case of a canister-type vacuum cleaner 100 or a stick-type vacuum cleaner 100 as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 5 , suction unit 130 is an independent, so-called head. In the case of a robot-type vacuum cleaner 100 shown in FIG. 6 , suction unit 130 is incorporated into the vacuum cleaner body. In this embodiment, suction port 132 has a rectangular or rectangular-like shape, and the opening area of suction port 132 is larger than the cross-sectional area of flow unit 120.

[0016] In this embodiment, the suction section 130 is a hollow rectangular box having an opening, suction port 132, on the underside, and a flow opening 131 is located at the center in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction in the figure) and at a position offset in the lateral direction (X-axis direction in the figure).

[0017] 3, a rotating member 134 may be provided inside the suction unit 130. The rotating member 134 is a member that has a friction body (not shown) attached to its surface that comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned and that rotates at the suction port 132. The rotating member 134 is a cylindrical, conical, or rod-shaped member that is disposed inside the suction unit 130 so that at least a portion of the friction body protrudes outward from the suction port 132. The rotating member 134 is disposed so that its tube axis (central axis) is aligned with an axis that extends in the longitudinal direction of the suction unit 130 (the Y-axis direction in the figure). By rotating around the tube axis, the friction body scrapes off dust present on the surface to be cleaned, and the dust is sucked into the suction unit 130.

[0018] There is no limitation on the driving force that rotates the rotating member 134. For example, the rotating member 134 may be rotated by a motor provided in the suction unit 130 or the like, or may be rotated by friction between a friction body and the surface to be cleaned caused by the movement of the suction unit 130.

[0019] The friction body rotates together with the rotating member 134, comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned, and sweeps the dust into the suction port 132. The type of friction body is not limited, and examples include a strip-shaped nonwoven fabric, a bore-shaped woven sponge-like member, a flexible fringe-like member made of rubber or the like, and resin brush bristles.

[0020] First electrode 141 and second electrode 142 are conductors arranged at a predetermined interval within suction unit 130. First electrode 141 and second electrode 142 are each electrically connected to power supply device 149 (see FIGS. 7 and 8 ) arranged in vacuum cleaner body 101. Plasma is generated between first electrode 141 and second electrode 142 by applying a DC voltage or an AC voltage (including pulse output) between first electrode 141 and second electrode 142 from power supply device 149. In the present embodiment, at least one of first electrode 141 and second electrode 142 is covered with a dielectric film (insulating film). When power supply device 149 applies an AC voltage between first electrode 141 and second electrode 142, a dielectric barrier discharge is generated between first electrode 141 and second electrode 142, and local plasma is generated at least in a portion of second electrode 142. The plasma generated in the air generates active species such as radicals, high-energy ions, and electrons. The dielectric barrier discharge makes it possible to generate plasma while suppressing sparks between electrodes and increasing safety.

[0021] The shapes of the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are not limited. For example, in the present embodiment, the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are shaped like a rectangular plate (strip), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, and both the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 extend continuously in the longitudinal direction of the rectangular suction port 132. At least one of the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 may be separated into a plurality of pieces, as shown in FIG. 8, which may be arranged side by side at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the suction port 132. Furthermore, the opposing portions of the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 may be pointed or dome-shaped.

[0022] In the present embodiment, first electrode 141 and second electrode 142 are disposed inside suction part 130 at positions farthest from flow opening 131 formed by suction part 130. Depending on the extending direction and arrangement of first electrode 141 and second electrode 142, a long plasma extending in the longitudinal direction of suction port 132 can be generated inside suction part 130, and active species generated by the plasma can act widely on the surface to be cleaned.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are held by a first holding part 143 and a second holding part 144, respectively, which are fixed to the suction part 130. An intake flow path 145 communicating with an intake hole 150 (described in detail later) is formed between the first holding part 143 and the second holding part 144. The opening of the intake flow path 145 on the opposite side to the intake hole 150 is disposed near the suction port 132 and along the suction port 132. This allows active species that are drawn in through the intake hole 150 and pass through the suction flow path 145, and are generated between the electrodes, to be discharged near the suction port 132.

[0024] Intake hole 150 is a hole provided in suction unit 130 so as to penetrate therethrough, and is arranged so as to take in a portion of the air sucked by suction device 110 from outside suction unit 130 and circulate it between first electrode 141 and second electrode 142. The shape of inlet hole 150 is not limited, but in the present embodiment, it is a slit that penetrates suction unit 130 in the vertical direction (axial direction in the figure), and is arranged directly above the gap between first electrode 141 and second electrode 142 (Z+ side in the figure). At least one of the opening area and cross-sectional area of inlet hole 150 is smaller than the opening area of suction port 132 and smaller than the cross-sectional area of circulation unit 120.

[0025] 4, collection filter 163 is a filter that is arranged downstream of dust storage section 160 in the flow of air generated by suction device 110, and collects harmful gases such as ozone that are generated by discharge between first electrode 141 and second electrode 142. The type of collection filter 163 is not limited, but an activated carbon filter, for example, can be used.

[0026] Next, an example of the operation of vacuum cleaner 100 will be described. By driving suction device 110 of vacuum cleaner 100, air is sucked from inside circulating section 120, and dust is sucked in together with the air from suction port 132 of suction section 130, as shown by the outline arrow in Fig. 3. Meanwhile, air is also sucked in from intake hole 150 by the suction force of suction device 110, and the sucked air flows between first electrode 141 and second electrode 142, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 3.

[0027] Power supply device 149 applies a voltage between first electrode 141 and second electrode 142 to generate plasma. The active species generated by the plasma are carried to the vicinity of suction port 132 together with the air sucked in through intake hole 150 and act on the surface to be cleaned. This allows the active species to decompose oils and grease adhering to the surface to be cleaned.

[0028] Dust adhering to the surface to be cleaned, oil and fat components decomposed by the active species, remaining active species, and the like flow through the flow passage 121 in the flow section 120 via the flow opening 131 together with the air sucked through the suction port 132. Harmful gases generated by the plasma also flow through the flow passage 121 in the flow section 120 via the flow opening 131 together with the air sucked through the suction port 132.

[0029] The dust and air that reach the dust storage section 160 via the circulation section 120 are separated by the dust collection filter 161, and the dust is stored in the dust storage section 160. In addition, the active species and harmful gases that reach the dust storage section 160 may inactivate bacteria and the like that occur within the dust storage section 160.

[0030] The air and harmful gases that have passed through the dust collection filter 161 reach the collection filter 163 , where the harmful gases are collected by the collection filter 163 and the air is released outside the vacuum cleaner 100 .

[0031] If air cannot be sucked through suction port 132 due to an unintended situation such as when flow path 121 is blocked by large debris or when suction device 110 stops, air will not be sucked through intake hole 150 due to the structure of suction unit 130. Therefore, even if plasma is generated between first electrode 141 and second electrode 142, harmful gases can be prevented from being carried away by the air flow and diffusing.

[0032] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the present invention may be embodied in another embodiment by arbitrarily combining the components described in this specification or by excluding some of the components. Furthermore, the present invention also includes various modifications that would occur to a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention, i.e., the meaning of the wording of the claims.

[0033] For example, although the intake hole 150 has been described as a slit-shaped hole, the intake hole 150 may alternatively be a plurality of circular through-holes arranged in the longitudinal direction of the suction section 130, or the opening may be covered by a lattice-shaped member.

[0034] (summary) The vacuum cleaner 100 of the first embodiment comprises a suction device 110 that sucks in air, a circulation section 120 that forms a circulation passage 121 through which the air sucked by the suction device 110 circulates, a suction section 130 that forms a suction space 133 having a circulation opening 131 that is the end of the circulation passage 121 and a suction port 132 that faces the surface to be cleaned, a first electrode 141 that is arranged within the suction section 130, a second electrode 142 that is arranged within the suction section 130 and separate from the first electrode 141, and a through-hole 150 that is arranged to take in a portion of the air sucked by the suction device 110 from outside the suction section 130 and circulate it between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142.

[0035] According to the first aspect, active species generated by plasma generated between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 can be carried to the suction port 132 by the airflow generated by the suction device 110. This makes it possible to quickly decompose and remove dirt, such as highly sticky oil, from the surface to be cleaned while using the vacuum cleaner 100. In addition, the active species can deodorize and sterilize the inside of the vacuum cleaner 100, such as the inside of the suction part 130, the inside of the flow part 120, and the inside of the dust storage part 160, thereby reducing the adhesion of dirt. Furthermore, the plasma generated between the electrodes passes through a relatively long flow path together with dust and the like without being exhausted from a dedicated exhaust hole, thereby solving the problem of harmful gases such as ozone leaking from the exhaust hole.

[0036] The second embodiment of the vacuum cleaner 100 includes the first embodiment, and the suction port 132 is rectangular or similar in shape, the first electrodes 141 extend continuously in the longitudinal direction of the suction port 132 or are arranged intermittently side by side, and the second electrodes 142 extend continuously in the longitudinal direction of the suction port 132 or are arranged intermittently side by side.

[0037] According to the second aspect, plasma can be generated from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the suction part 130, and active species can act on the surface to be cleaned over a wide range.

[0038] The vacuum cleaner 100 of the third embodiment includes the vacuum cleaner 100 of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are arranged at positions farthest from the flow opening 131.

[0039] According to the third aspect, it is possible to allow the active species generated between the electrodes to act on the surface to be cleaned for a long period of time.

[0040] The fourth embodiment of the vacuum cleaner 100 includes any of the first to third embodiments, and a collection filter 163 that collects harmful gases generated by discharge between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 is arranged downstream of the dust storage section 160.

[0041] According to this, if the concentration of harmful gas cannot be reduced enough before it reaches the dust storage section 160, the collection filter 163 can reduce the concentration of harmful gas to a safe level before exhausting it. [Industrial Applicability]

[0042] The present disclosure is applicable to vacuum cleaners that collect dust by suction, whether for home or commercial use. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 100 vacuum cleaner 101 Vacuum cleaner body 105 Pipe 110 Suction device 111 Fan 112 electric motor 120 Distribution Department 121 Distribution path 122 Hose 130 Suction part 131 Flow opening 132 Suction port 133 Suction space 134 Rotating members 141 First electrode 142 Second electrode 143 First holding part 144 Second holding part 145 Suction passage 149 Power supply 150 Intake hole 160 Dust storage section 161 Dust collection filter 162 Particle sizer 163 Collection filter

Claims

1. A suction device for sucking air; a flow passage portion that forms a flow path through which air sucked by the suction device flows; a suction section that forms a suction space having a flow opening at the end of the flow passage and a suction port that faces the surface to be cleaned; a first electrode disposed within the suction portion; a second electrode disposed within the suction portion and spaced apart from the first electrode; a through-hole that is arranged to take in a portion of the air sucked by the suction device from outside the suction unit and allow the air to flow between the first electrode and the second electrode; A vacuum cleaner equipped with:

2. the suction port is rectangular or similar in shape; The first electrodes are arranged to extend continuously or intermittently in the longitudinal direction of the suction port, The second electrodes may extend continuously or be intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction of the suction port.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1.

3. The first electrode and the second electrode are disposed at positions farthest from the flow opening.

3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a collection filter for collecting harmful gases generated by discharge between the first electrode and the second electrode is disposed downstream of the dust storage section; 3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2.

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