Suction tool, vacuum cleaner, and cleaner system

Abstract

To provide a suction tool capable of removing dust attached to a wheel regardless of an operation direction or speed of the suction tool, and also to provide a vacuum cleaner and cleaner system including the suction tool.SOLUTION: A suction tool includes: a suction port body having a suction port opening toward a cleaned surface; wheels to have contact with the cleaned surface; a negative pressure area formed inside the suction port body; and an air channel for communication with a wheel part with the wheels arranged therein. An upward inclination toward the negative pressure area may be disposed on a bottom surface of the air channel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to suction implements, vacuum cleaners, and vacuum cleaner systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for removing dust before it comes into contact with the wheels by providing a suction air passage near the wheels of the suction tool. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-211132 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, depending on the direction or speed of operation of the suction tool, there is a possibility that the dust may come into contact with the wheel before being sucked into the air duct, and in such cases there is a problem that the dust cannot be removed from the wheel.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a suction tool that can remove dust that adheres to wheels regardless of the direction or speed of operation of the suction tool, as well as an electric vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner system that include the suction tool. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The suction tool of the present disclosure comprises a suction mouth body having a suction mouth that opens toward the surface to be cleaned, wheels that contact the surface to be cleaned, a negative pressure area formed inside the suction mouth body, and an air passage that connects the wheel portion on which the wheels are provided. The present disclosure also provides an electric vacuum cleaner including the above-described suction tool. In addition, the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present disclosure comprises the above-mentioned suction tool, an electric blower that generates suction air, a shutter that can be switched between open and closed and that blocks the airflow passing through the suction port, a shutter drive means for opening and closing the shutter, and a control means having a wheel cleaning mode that operates the electric blower with the shutter closed. The vacuum cleaner system according to the present disclosure also includes the above-described vacuum cleaner and a holding device for holding the vacuum cleaner, the holding device having a shutter for blocking the airflow through the suction port, and the vacuum cleaner having a control means with a wheel cleaning mode for operating the electric blower of the vacuum cleaner when the suction port is closed by the shutter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a suction tool that can remove dirt adhering to wheels regardless of the direction or speed of operation of the suction tool, as well as an electric vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner system equipped with the suction tool. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing the electric vacuum cleaner 2 included in the vacuum cleaner system 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional suction tool taken along the line BB' in FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the suction device according to the first embodiment taken along line BB' in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a suction tool of a modified example according to the first embodiment taken along line BB' in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a suction tool of another modified example according to embodiment 1 taken along line BB' in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 9]4 is a cross-sectional view of a suction device according to a second embodiment taken along a line corresponding to line BB' in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a wheel cleaning mode executed by the electric vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for realizing the functions of a vacuum cleaner control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Common or corresponding elements in each drawing will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be simplified or omitted. In the following description, dust and other debris may be collectively referred to simply as "dust." Air containing dust is referred to as "dust-containing air." Air from which dust has been removed is referred to as "clean air." Furthermore, the configurations shown in the following embodiments are examples of the contents of the present disclosure, and may be combined with other known technologies or the contents described in the present disclosure. Furthermore, parts of the configurations may be omitted or modified without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner system 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an electric vacuum cleaner 2 included in the vacuum cleaner system 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0011] As shown in these figures, the vacuum cleaner system 1 includes a vacuum cleaner 2 and a holding device 3. The vacuum cleaner 2 includes a vacuum cleaner main body 4, a suction tool 5, and a tube 6. The vacuum cleaner main body 4 houses an electric blower 4a that generates suction power and a battery 4b that supplies power to the electric blower 4a. An inlet is formed on the bottom of the suction tool 5 for sucking dust from the surface to be cleaned. The tube 6 connects the suction tool 5 to the vacuum cleaner main body 4. Dust-laden air sucked through the suction tool 5 flows into the vacuum cleaner main body 4 through an air passage within the tube 6. The vacuum cleaner main body 4 has a dust collection unit 4c that removes and collects dust from the dust-laden air. The clean air from which dust has been removed by the dust collection unit 4c passes through the electric blower 4a and is discharged to the outside.

[0012] The electric vacuum cleaner 2, which includes a vacuum cleaner body 4, a suction tool 5, and a tube body 6, is, for example, a stick-type vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, the electric vacuum cleaner 2 is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be a canister type equipped with a flexible hose. In this case, the hose connects the tube body 6 and the vacuum cleaner body 4. Dust-laden air sucked through the suction tool 5 passes through the air passages in the tube body 6 and the hose and enters the vacuum cleaner body 4. Furthermore, the electric vacuum cleaner 2 may be one in which the vacuum cleaner body 4 and the suction tool 5 are detachable.

[0013] The vacuum cleaner body 4 is provided with a handle 4d, which is the part that the user grips with his / her hand. The handle 4d is provided with an operating part 4i that the user operates. The front-to-rear direction of the suction tool 5 corresponds to the direction shown by the arrows in Figures 1 and 2. When the user grips the handle 4d and uses the suction tool 5 of the vacuum cleaner 2 to clean a floor surface, the direction that is in front of the user corresponds to the front of the suction tool 5, and the direction that is behind the user corresponds to the rear of the suction tool 5. The tube body 6 may be detachable from the vacuum cleaner body 4. The vacuum cleaner body 4 with the tube body 6 detached may be used as a handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0014] The holding device 3 maintains the position of the vacuum cleaner 2 when the vacuum cleaner 2 is not cleaning. In other words, the holding device 3 sets the vacuum cleaner 2 in a non-cleaning state and maintains the posture of the vacuum cleaner 2. The holding device 3 also holds or supports the vacuum cleaner 2. By holding or supporting the vacuum cleaner 2 with the holding device 3, the position and posture of the vacuum cleaner 2 are maintained. The vacuum cleaner 2 is removed from the holding device 3 when cleaning is performed. The vacuum cleaner 2 is set in the holding device 3 after cleaning is completed. For example, the holding device 3 is placed on the floor of a living room. The holding device 3 functions as a charging stand for charging the battery 4b of the vacuum cleaner 2. The holding device 3 includes a base 7 and a support portion 8. The base 7 is located at the lowest position of the holding device 3. The base 7 has a mounting portion 7a. The mounting portion 7a is a place where the suction tool 5 is placed. When the vacuum cleaner 2 is set in the holding device 3, the suction tool 5 is placed on the mounting portion 7a. The support portion 8 protrudes upward from the base 7. The support portion 8 can maintain the position of the vacuum cleaner 2 by contacting at least one of the vacuum cleaner body 4 and the tubular body 6. In this embodiment, when the vacuum cleaner 2 is set in the holding device 3, the longitudinal axis of the tubular body 6 becomes parallel to the vertical line. In this embodiment, the provision of the support portion 8 makes it possible to reliably maintain the vacuum cleaner 2 in a predetermined position.

[0015] When the vacuum cleaner 2 is attached to the holding device 3, at least one of the vacuum cleaner body 4 and the tube body 6 is held by the support part 8. The suction tool 5 is supported by the base 7 of the holding device 3. In this case, the rear end of the suction tool 5 is positioned rearward of the rear ends of the tube body 6 and the vacuum cleaner body 4.

[0016] When the support part 8 supports the tube body 6, for example, the upper part of the tube body 6 may be supported, or the lower part of the tube body 6 may be supported. Alternatively, the lower part of the vacuum cleaner body 4 may be supported by the support part 8, or the upper part of the vacuum cleaner body 4 may be supported by the support part 8. Furthermore, when the electric vacuum cleaner 2 is supported by the support part 8, in the embodiment, the front part of at least one of the vacuum cleaner body 4 and the tube body 6 is supported, but the rear part of at least one of the vacuum cleaner body 4 and the tube body 6 may also be supported.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the suction tool 5. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in FIG. 3. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the suction tool 5 is equipped with a suction port body 10 having a suction port 9 that opens toward the surface to be cleaned. The cross-sectional view in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken at the center in the longitudinal direction of the suction port body 10. A rotating brush 12 is disposed in a brush chamber 11 formed inside the suction port body 10. The rotating brush 12 is disposed so as to face the suction port 9. The suction port 9 has a substantially rectangular shape. The suction port 9 is an opening that extends in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 4, a pipe 13 is connected to the suction port body 10. The pipe 13 is detachably connected to the tubular body 6. When the electric blower 4a of the vacuum cleaner 2 is operated, the area from the upstream end of the pipe 13 to the brush chamber 11 becomes a negative pressure area.

[0019] 3, a plurality of wheels 14 are provided on the bottom surface of the suction port body 10. The wheels 14 are rotatable around axles 15.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of conventional suction tool 100 taken along line B-B' in FIG. 3. In conventional suction tool 100, wheel 14 and the negative pressure region are separated by a wall, and no airflow occurs in wheel section 17 where wheel 14 is located. The non-negative pressure region in FIG. 5 houses components that should be isolated from the dust-containing airflow, such as a brush drive motor or a floor contact detection sensor. In conventional suction tool 100, even if dust that has fallen on the floor adheres to wheel 14, there is no function to remove it, and fibrous dust such as hair becomes entangled and stuck to axle 15 as it rotates around axle 15 as wheel 14 rotates.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of suction tool 5 according to embodiment 1 taken along line B-B' in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 6, suction tool 5 of this embodiment has air passage 16 that connects brush chamber 11, which is a negative pressure region, and wheel section 17, in which wheels 14 are provided. Air passage 16 has bottom surface 18. In this embodiment, wheel section 17, which is the space in which wheels 14 are provided, and the negative pressure region are spatially connected by air passage 16, so an airflow is generated in wheel section 17. This airflow sucks in and removes dust that comes into contact with wheels 14, preventing the dust from becoming tangled around axle 15. In this embodiment, dust adhering to wheels 14 can be removed regardless of the direction or speed of operation of suction tool 5.

[0022] The width of the entrance of air passage 16 is approximately equal to the width of wheel 14. This is because the purpose of the airflow drawn into air passage 16 from wheel section 17 is not to remove dirt from the surface to be cleaned, but to remove dirt that has come into contact with wheel 14, and therefore there is no need to generate an airflow anywhere other than near wheel 14. From this perspective, the width of the entrance of air passage 16 is preferably 0.8 to 1.2 times the width of wheel 14, and more preferably 0.8 to 1.0 times.

[0023] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of suction tool 5 of a modified example according to embodiment 1, taken along line B-B' in Figure 3. In the example shown in Figure 7, bottom surface 18 of air passage 16 is provided with a slope that rises toward the negative pressure region. By sloping bottom surface 18 of air passage 16 in this way, the airflow passing through air passage 16 from wheel section 17 flows upward, matching the direction of the airflow from suction port 9, thereby suppressing airflow turbulence due to merging, reducing resistance and increasing airflow volume, and reducing the likelihood of stagnation in the airflow, making it less likely for dust to accumulate in air passage 16.

[0024] The bottom surface 18 of the air passage 16 may be configured with a removable cover. This allows for easy cleaning of the inside of the air passage 16 by removing the bottom surface 18 of the air passage 16.

[0025] 6 and 7, air passage 16 is provided parallel to the front-to-rear direction. Instead of this configuration, air passage 16 may be configured to be oblique in plan view so as to face the connecting portion of pipe 13 in the center of suction tool 5. In other words, air passage 16 may be connected to the connecting portion of suction port body 10 and pipe 13. Because the degree of negative pressure is greatest at the connecting portion with pipe 13, the amount of air sucked in from wheel portion 17 increases, making it easier to remove dust.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of suction tool 5 of another modified example according to embodiment 1, taken along line B-B' in FIG. 3. In the example shown in FIG. 8, height H1 of the inlet of air passage 16 is equal to or less than height H2 of axle 15 of wheel 14. Height H2 of axle 15 is the height of the lower end of axle 15. In the illustrated example, height H1 of the inlet of air passage 16 is equal to height H2 of axle 15 of wheel 14; however, height H1 of the inlet of air passage 16 may be lower than height H2 of axle 15 of wheel 14. If the upper surface of the inlet of air passage 16 is higher than axle 15, an airflow will flow across axle 15, which may cause dust to get caught on axle 15 when suctioning from wheel 14. In contrast, if height H1 of the inlet of air passage 16 is equal to or less than height H2 of axle 15, no airflow will flow across axle 15, which may more reliably prevent dust from getting caught on axle 15 when suctioning from wheel 14.

[0027] Embodiment 2 Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The description will focus on differences from the first embodiment, and common explanations will be simplified or omitted. Elements that are common to or correspond to the elements described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0028] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of suction tool 19 according to embodiment 2 taken along line B-B' in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 9, suction tool 19 of the present embodiment is equipped with shutter 20 that blocks the airflow passing through suction port 9. Shutter 20 can be switched between open and closed states. The shutter 20 shown by the solid line in Figure 9 is in a closed position that blocks the airflow passing through suction port 9. The shutter 20 shown by the dashed line in Figure 9 is in an open position that does not block the airflow passing through suction port 9.

[0029] Fig. 10 is a functional block diagram of a vacuum cleaner 2 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10, the vacuum cleaner 2 has a vacuum cleaner control unit 4e. Connected to the vacuum cleaner control unit 4e are an electric blower 4a, a battery 4b, an electric motor 4h that drives the rotary brush 12, an operation unit 4i that is operated by the user, and a shutter drive means 4f. The shutter drive means 4f is an actuator that opens and closes the shutter 20.

[0030] For example, if sufficient negative pressure cannot be obtained because electric blower 4a of vacuum cleaner body 4 is small, the airflow in air passage 16 may be insufficient, and dust may not be removed from wheels 14. In this case, by providing an openable shutter 20 that blocks the airflow from suction port 9, the shutter 20 can be closed when cleaning is finished, limiting suction to wheel section 17, thereby concentrating the airflow in air passage 16 and removing dust more reliably.

[0031] The electric vacuum cleaner 2 of this embodiment is equipped with a shutter drive means 4f that opens and closes the shutter 20, and a vacuum cleaner control unit 4e that is a control means having a wheel cleaning mode that operates the electric blower 4a of the electric vacuum cleaner 2 with the shutter 20 closed by the shutter drive means 4f.

[0032] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wheel cleaning mode executed by the electric vacuum cleaner 2 according to the second embodiment. The operation unit 4i is provided with a wheel cleaning button. In step S1 of FIG. 11, the vacuum cleaner control unit 4e determines whether the wheel cleaning button has been pressed. When the wheel cleaning button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S2, where the vacuum cleaner control unit 4e drives the shutter 20 using the shutter drive unit 4f to move the shutter 20 to the closed position. Next, in step S3, the vacuum cleaner control unit 4e operates the electric blower 4a for a predetermined time. This causes airflow sucked in from the wheel unit 17 to flow into the air passage 16, removing dust adhering to the wheels 14. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the vacuum cleaner control unit 4e stops the electric blower 4a in step S4. Next, in step S5, the vacuum cleaner control unit 4e drives the shutter 20 using the shutter drive unit 4f to move the shutter 20 to the open position. This completes the operation of the wheel cleaning mode.

[0033] In the above example, the shutter 20 is automatically opened and closed as an operation mode of the vacuum cleaner 2, but in the present disclosure, the shutter 20 may be opened and closed manually.

[0034] 1 and 2, the holding device 3 may be provided with a shutter that blocks the airflow passing through the suction port 9. That is, a shutter may be provided on the mounting portion 7a of the base 7 of the holding device 3, and when the electric vacuum cleaner 2 is set on the holding device 3, the shutter may close the suction port 9 of the suction tool 5. In this state, when the wheel cleaning button on the operation unit 4i is pressed, the vacuum cleaner control unit 4e operates the electric blower 4a for a predetermined time as an operation in wheel cleaning mode. As a result, the airflow sucked in from the wheel portion 17 flows into the air passage 16, removing dust adhering to the wheels 14.

[0035] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing the functions of the vacuum cleaner control unit 4e. Each function of the vacuum cleaner control unit 4e is realized by, for example, a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware 600. The processing circuit may include a processor 601 and a memory 602. A part of the processing circuit may be formed as dedicated hardware 600, and the processing circuit may further include a processor 601 and a memory 602. In the example shown in FIG. 12, a part of the processing circuit is formed as dedicated hardware 600. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 12, the processing circuit further includes a processor 601 and a memory 602 in addition to the dedicated hardware 600.

[0036] The processing circuitry of which at least one portion is dedicated hardware 600 may be, for example, a single circuit, a multiple circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0037] When the processing circuit includes at least one processor 601 and at least one memory 602, the functions of each part of the cleaner control part 4e are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0038] The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 602. The programs may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The processor 601 realizes the functions of each unit by reading and executing the programs stored in memory 602. The processor 601 is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 602 may be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM, or a magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, minidisk, DVD, etc.

[0039] In this way, the processing circuit can realize the functions of the vacuum cleaner control unit 4e by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these. Note that each function of the vacuum cleaner control unit 4e may be realized by cooperation between multiple devices or by a single device. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the vacuum cleaner control unit 4e may be implemented on a server or the like on an external network.

[0040] Of the features of the above-described multiple embodiments, two or more features that can be combined may be combined and implemented.

[0041] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0042] (Appendix 1) a suction port body having a suction port that opens toward the surface to be cleaned; a wheel that contacts the surface to be cleaned; an air passage that connects a negative pressure region formed inside the air intake body and a wheel portion on which the wheels are provided; A suction tool equipped with (Appendix 2) 2. The suction tool according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the air passage is provided with an inclination that rises toward the negative pressure region. (Appendix 3) 3. The suction tool according to claim 1, wherein the width of the inlet of the air passage is approximately equal to the width of the wheel. (Appendix 4) 4. The suction tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the height of the inlet of the air passage is equal to or less than the height of the axle of the wheel. (Appendix 5) A pipe connected to the suction port body is provided, 5. The suction tool according to claim 1, wherein the air passage is connected to a connecting portion between the suction mouth body and the pipe. (Appendix 6) 6. The suction tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bottom surface of the air passage is configured with a removable cover. (Appendix 7) 7. The suction tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a shutter that can be switched between open and closed states to block the airflow passing through the suction port. (Appendix 8) An electric vacuum cleaner equipped with a suction tool according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7. (Appendix 9) A suction tool according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 6; an electric blower that generates suction air; a shutter that can be switched between open and closed to block the airflow passing through the air inlet; a shutter driving means for opening and closing the shutter; a control means having a wheel cleaning mode for operating the electric blower with the shutter closed; An electric vacuum cleaner equipped with (Appendix 10) a vacuum cleaner according to Appendix 8; a holding device for holding the vacuum cleaner; Equipped with the holding device includes a shutter that blocks airflow through the air inlet, The vacuum cleaner system includes a control means having a wheel cleaning mode in which the electric blower of the vacuum cleaner is operated with the suction port closed by the shutter. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 vacuum cleaner system, 2 electric vacuum cleaner, 3 holding device, 4 vacuum cleaner body, 4a electric blower, 4b battery, 4c dust collection section, 4d handle, 4e vacuum cleaner control section, 4f shutter drive means, 4h electric motor, 4i operation section, 5 suction tool, 6 tube body, 7 base body, 7a mounting section, 8 support section, 9 suction port, 10 suction port body, 11 brush chamber, 12 rotating brush, 13 pipe, 14 wheel, 15 axle, 16 air passage, 17 wheel section, 18 bottom surface, 19 suction tool, 20 shutter, 100 suction tool, 600 dedicated hardware, 601 processor, 602 memory

Claims

1. a suction port body having a suction port that opens toward the surface to be cleaned; a wheel that contacts the surface to be cleaned; an air passage that connects a negative pressure region formed inside the air intake body and a wheel portion on which the wheels are provided; A suction tool equipped with

2. The suction tool according to claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of the air passage is provided with an inclination that rises toward the negative pressure region.

3. 3. The suction tool according to claim 1, wherein the width of the inlet of the air passage is approximately equal to the width of the wheel.

4. 3. The suction tool according to claim 1, wherein the height of the inlet of the air passage is equal to or lower than the height of the axle of the wheel.

5. A pipe connected to the suction port body is provided, The suction tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air passage is connected to a connecting portion between the suction mouth body and the pipe.

6. 3. The suction tool according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the air passage is formed with a removable cover.

7. The suction tool according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a shutter that can be switched between open and closed states to block the airflow passing through the suction port.

8. An electric vacuum cleaner comprising the suction tool according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The suction tool according to claim 1 or 2; an electric blower that generates suction air; a shutter that can be switched between open and closed to block the airflow passing through the air inlet; a shutter driving means for opening and closing the shutter; a control means having a wheel cleaning mode for operating the electric blower with the shutter closed; An electric vacuum cleaner equipped with

10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8; a holding device for holding the vacuum cleaner; Equipped with the holding device includes a shutter that blocks airflow through the air inlet, The vacuum cleaner system includes a control means having a wheel cleaning mode in which the electric blower of the vacuum cleaner is operated with the suction port closed by the shutter.

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