Dust collection device and vacuum cleaner

Abstract

To provide a dust collection device capable of reducing a leakage of dust inside the dust collection device onto a floor surface.SOLUTION: A dust collection device is attachable / detachable to / from a suction device including: a suction port to suck dust-containing air; and an outflow port for allowing the dust-containing air to flow out. The dust collection device includes: a first opening connectable to the outflow port of the suction device; a second opening communicating with the first opening via a communication path and opened toward an internal space of the dust collection device on a downstream side of a dust-containing air flow direction from the first opening; and a valve part arranged in the communication path. The valve part includes: a downstream side valve arranged close to the second opening; and an upstream side valve arranged on an upstream side of the dust-containing air flow at an interval from the downstream side valve.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dust collecting device and a vacuum cleaner. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional dust bag-type vacuum cleaners, it is difficult to accurately detect when the dust bag is full, and there are cases where dust has already overflowed from the dust bag when the full level is detected. The canister-type vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 1 is provided with an openable / closeable lid that covers the dust suction port of the dust collection case frame that houses the dust bag to prevent dust from overflowing from the dust bag. In the case of the vacuum cleaner of Patent Document 1, when the dust collection case frame is set in the dust collection chamber of the vacuum cleaner body, the openable / closeable lid is regulated by the vacuum cleaner body to open the dust suction port, and when the dust collection case frame is removed from the dust collection chamber, the openable / closeable lid automatically closes the dust suction port. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-55303 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Even with the vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 1, dust may actually overflow from the dust collection bag toward the dust suction port when the full load detection is in effect. In this case, when the dust collection case frame is removed from the dust collection chamber, the dust overflowing toward the dust suction port spills into the dust collection chamber, soiling it, or moves into the hose connected to the dust suction port and remains there. This problem can also occur with stick-type vacuum cleaners with dust collection bags. In this case, because the vacuum cleaner body is connected to the suction port body via an extension tube, when the vacuum cleaner is stood upright, dust that has overflowed into the dust suction port of the dust collection chamber falls down the extension tube and into the suction port body, and the dust may fall from the suction port of the suction port body onto the floor, soiling it.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a dust collecting device and an electric vacuum cleaner that have been made in consideration of the above circumstances. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a dust collecting device that is detachable from a suction device having a suction port for sucking in dust-containing air and an outlet port for discharging the dust-containing air, the dust collecting device includes a first opening connectable to an outlet of the suction device, a second opening communicating with the first opening via a communication passage and opening into an internal space of the dust collecting device downstream of the first opening in the direction of the dust-containing air flow, and a valve portion provided within the communication passage; The dust collecting device includes a downstream valve provided in the vicinity of the second opening, and an upstream valve provided at a predetermined distance upstream of the downstream valve in the direction of the dust-containing air flow.

[0007] The present invention also provides an electric vacuum cleaner including a suction device having an electric suction motor, and the dust collecting device detachably attached to the suction device.

[0008] The present invention also provides a dust collecting device comprising: a housing having a suction port for sucking dust-containing air, a dust collection chamber for accommodating a dust collection pack, and an electric suction machine provided downstream of the dust collection chamber in the direction of the dust-containing air flow; and a valve provided in a communication passage that communicates the suction port with the dust collection chamber, The valve section of the electric vacuum cleaner has a downstream valve provided near the opening of the communication passage that opens into the internal space of the dust collection chamber, and an upstream valve provided in the communication passage at a predetermined distance upstream of the downstream valve in the dust-containing air flow. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, when the dust that has accumulated in the dust collecting device or the dust collecting chamber of the vacuum cleaner is disposed of in a trash can, it is possible to prevent the dust from spilling out from the dust collecting device or the dust collecting chamber onto the floor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner body in an electric vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 3A to 3C are explanatory diagrams of the driving state of the vacuum cleaner body of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view of a suction device in the cleaner body of the first embodiment, as viewed from below. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a dust collecting device in a vacuum cleaner body of a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a full dust collection bag is discarded from the dust collecting device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a valve portion of the dust collecting device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7A] 5 is a plan view of a dust collection pack before use that is set in the dust collecting device of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a left side view of the dust collection pack of FIG. 7A. [Figure 8] 7 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the valve portion in FIG. 6 is open and dust has accumulated on the downstream valve. [Figure 9] 9 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the valve portion in FIG. 8 is closed and dust is scooped up by the downstream valve. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of the driving state of the vacuum cleaner body in the electric vacuum cleaner of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of the driving state of the vacuum cleaner body in the electric vacuum cleaner of the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a vacuum cleaner body in an electric vacuum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the electric vacuum cleaner of the fifth embodiment, viewed diagonally from the upper front left. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of the driving state of the vacuum cleaner body in the electric vacuum cleaner of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 15] 13 is an explanatory diagram of a driving state of the vacuum cleaner body in the electric vacuum cleaner of the sixth embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0012] (First embodiment) 1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner body 11 of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum cleaner body 11 can be connected to a suction mouth body (not shown) via an extension tube (not shown) and used as a stick-type cordless vacuum cleaner. However, the suction mouth body can also be directly connected to the vacuum cleaner body 11 without using an extension tube and used as a handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0013] 1, vacuum cleaner main body 11 includes suction device 14 that sucks air containing dust (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "dust-containing air") through suction port 16, and dust collector 15 that is detachably attached to suction device 14. This vacuum cleaner main body 11 has a cleaning function that sucks dust-containing air into dust collector 15, separates (filters) the dust in dust collector 15, and discharges the air to the outside.

[0014] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operating state of the vacuum cleaner main body 11 of the first embodiment. For convenience of illustrating the configuration of the vacuum cleaner main body 11, arrows in FIG. 2 indicate the front-rear and up-down directions of the vacuum cleaner main body 11 when the vacuum cleaner main body 11 is in a horizontal position. The direction perpendicular to FIG. 2 is the left-right direction. In FIG. 2, the front side is the left direction, and the back side is the right direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the suction device 14 includes an electric component storage section 23 that stores electric components such as the electric suction device 21 and the control board 22, a handle 24 provided at the rear end of the electric component storage section 23, an operation section 25 provided at the upper end of the handle 24, and a pipe section 27 that protrudes forward from the upper end of the electric component storage section 23 via a connecting section 26. The operation section 25 has multiple push-button switches for operating and stopping the electric suction device 21 and adjusting its output. A battery 28 that supplies power to the electric components such as the electric suction device 21 and the control board 22 is detachably attached to the lower end of the electric component storage section 23.

[0015] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the suction device 14 in the vacuum cleaner body of the first embodiment, viewed from below. Fig. 3 shows the state in which the dust collecting device 15 (see Fig. 2) has been removed from the suction device 14. In Fig. 3, arrows indicate the front, rear, left, right, up, and down directions when the suction device 14 is in a horizontal position. In the suction device 14, an air inlet 31 is provided in front of the electrical component storage section 23, a packing 32 is provided around the air inlet 31, and a plurality of exhaust ports 33 are provided on the right side of the electrical component storage section 23.

[0016] Furthermore, in suction device 14, suction port 16 opening forward is provided at the front end of pipe section 27, and outlet port 34 opening downward is provided at the rear end of pipe section 27, with gasket 35 provided around outlet port 34, and suction port 16 and outlet port 34 communicating with each other via ventilation passage 29 (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 3, the lower part of pipe section 27, the lower part of connecting section 26, and the front part of electrical component storage section 23 in suction device 14 form mounting section 36 to which dust collector 15 (see FIG. 2) is detachably mounted.

[0017] Returning to FIG. 2 , the suction device 14 includes a dust amount measurement unit 38 that detects the amount of dust in the dust collector 15. In this embodiment, the dust amount measurement unit 38 is provided on the control board 22. This dust amount measurement unit 38 detects, for example, the rotation speed of the electric suction device 21, and when the rotation speed reaches a predetermined value or more, it determines that the amount of dust in the dust collector 15 has increased to a certain amount or more and sends a signal to a dust amount notification unit 39 (described later). In other words, when the dust collector 15 is nearly full of dust, the rotation speed of the electric suction device 21 increases, so this change in rotation speed is measured by the dust amount measurement unit 38, and when the rotation speed reaches a predetermined value or more, the dust amount measurement unit 38 sends a signal to the dust amount notification unit 39. In this embodiment, a dust collection pack 51 is set in the dust collector 15, and dust is accumulated in the dust collection pack 51.

[0018] 1 and 2, the suction device 14 further includes a dust amount notification unit 39. In this embodiment, the dust amount notification unit 39 has an indicator provided at a position forward of the operation unit 25 at the upper end of the electrical component storage unit 23. In this embodiment, the indicator is an LED light, but is not limited to this and may be a speaker that emits electronic sounds or voices, or a combination of an LED light and a speaker.

[0019] The LED light, which is an indicator of the dust amount notification unit 39, lights up or flashes based on a signal from the dust amount measurement unit 38. For example, if there is one LED light, the LED light may light up or flash, or may flash if the vacuum cleaner continues to operate for a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) after lighting up. If there are multiple LED lights, all of the LED lights may flash if the vacuum cleaner continues to operate for a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) after all of the LED lights have turned on. Alternatively, if there are multiple LED lights, the number of LED lights that light up may increase with each dust amount measured by the dust amount measurement unit 38 (each time the current value of the electric suction device 21 increases by a certain value).

[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the dust collecting device 15 in the vacuum cleaner body of the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, arrows indicate the front, rear, left, right, and top and bottom directions when the dust collecting device 15 is in a horizontal position. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which a full dust collecting bag 51 is being disposed of from the dust collecting device 15 of the first embodiment. The dust collecting device 15 includes a cylindrical body 42 in which the breathable dust collecting bag 51 is set, a lid 44 attached to the front end of the body 42 via a hinge 43, and a locking mechanism 45 having a locking claw 45a and an unlocking button 45b. In the dust collecting device 15, the body 42 has a front opening 52 at the front end, a rear opening 53 at the rear end, a groove 54 provided along the upper edge of the outer surface, a communication passage 55 provided in the groove 54 so as to penetrate the peripheral wall of the body 42, and a valve 70 provided in the communication passage 55. The communication passage 55 opens in the vertical direction. The body 42 is formed by assembling an upper case 42a and a cylindrical lower case 42b.

[0021] 6 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of valve unit 70 of the dust collecting device of the first embodiment. Communication passage 55 has a first opening 55a connectable to outlet 34 (see FIG. 3) of suction device 14, and a second opening 55b that opens into internal space 56 of dust collecting device 15 downstream of first opening 55a in the direction of dust-containing airflow (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "airflow"). Valve unit 70 has a downstream valve 71 provided near second opening 55b, and an upstream valve 72 provided upstream of downstream valve 71 in the airflow direction at a predetermined distance L.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, in this embodiment, the upstream valve 72 includes a short, cylindrical fitting portion 72a that fits into the inner circumferential surface of the circular first opening 55a of the communication passage 55, and four membrane portions 72b that protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the fitting portion 72a toward the center of the fitting portion 72a. Each membrane portion 72b has a base-end connecting portion 72c that connects to the inner circumferential surface of the fitting portion 72a. This base-end connecting portion 72c is a portion where a portion of the base end of the membrane portion 72b connects to the inner circumferential surface of the fitting portion 72a, and arc-shaped notches are provided on both sides of the base-end connecting portion 72 in the circumferential direction along the inner circumferential surface of the fitting portion 72a. Furthermore, between two adjacent membrane portions 72b, a notch is formed that extends radially from the center of the fitting portion 72a. Furthermore, a first ventilation opening 72d having a rectangular shape (approximately a square shape in this embodiment) is provided at the tip end of each membrane portion 72b when viewed from the airflow direction A (see FIG. 6). The upstream valve 72 is entirely made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber). Therefore, in the upstream valve 72 fitted into the first opening 55a, the four membrane portions 72b are mainly elastically bent by the dust-containing air flowing through the communicating passage 55 in the airflow direction A, and can move (open) toward the second opening 55b (see FIG. 8).

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the downstream valve 71 is configured generally similarly to the upstream valve 72, except for the inclusion of a lip portion 71e. Specifically, the downstream valve 71 includes a short, cylindrical fitting portion 71a that fits into the inner circumferential surface of the circular second opening 55b of the communication passage 55, four membrane portions 71b that protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the fitting portion 71a toward the center of the fitting portion 71a, an annular lip portion 71e provided along the opening edge on one end side of the fitting portion 71a, and a rectangular (approximately square in this embodiment) second ventilation opening 71d. Each membrane portion 71b has a base-end connecting portion 71c that connects to the inner circumferential surface of the fitting portion 71a. The lip portion 71e abuts against the flat surface of the mounting plate 63 of the dust collection pack 51 set in the dust collection device 15. In downstream valve 71 fitted into second opening 55b, four membrane portions 71b are mainly elastically bent by dust-containing air flowing through communicating passage 55 in airflow direction A, and can move (open) toward dust collection pack 51 (see FIG. 8). Note that, although FIG. 6 illustrates downstream valve 71 in a state in which fitting portion 71a is fitted into second opening 55b and attached, a flange portion (not shown) may be provided on the outer periphery of fitting portion 71a, and the flange portion may be sandwiched and fixed between upper case 42a and lower case 42b (see FIG. 5).

[0024] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the dust collecting device 15, the hinge portion 43 is provided on the underside of the front end of the lower case 42b, the locking claw 45a and the lock release button 45b are exposed to the outside through an opening provided in the groove portion 54, and a part of the locking mechanism 45 is provided in the space between the upper case 42a and the lower case 42b.

[0025] Locking claw 45a engages with locking recess 47 of closed lid 44 to lock lid 44. Locking mechanism 45 has a biasing member 57 (a compression coil spring in this embodiment). By pressing lock release button 45b in the direction of arrow 58 against the bias of biasing member 57, locking claw 45a moves to release the lock, lid 44 opens, and dust collection bag 51 filled with dust can be dropped from body 42 and discarded. This will be described in detail later.

[0026] A second locking mechanism 46 is provided on the underside of the rear end of the lower case 42b. The second locking mechanism 46 includes a case portion 46a that opens rearward, a slide member 46c that has a pair of locking claws 46b at its rear end and is slidably provided inside the case portion 46a, and a biasing member 46d (a compression coil spring in this embodiment) that biases the slide member 46c in a direction that causes the pair of locking claws 46b to protrude outward from the opening of the case portion 46a.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 2, when the dust collecting device 15 is attached to the attachment portion 36 of the suction device 14, the outlet 34 of the ventilation passage 29 of the suction device 14 and the first opening 55a (see Fig. 6) of the communication passage 55 of the dust collecting device 15 are airtightly connected while facing each other. The outlet 34 and the communication passage 55 in the connected state function as a passage for passing air containing dust 41 during suction by the electric suction machine 21. In Fig. 2, the arrow A indicates the airflow direction.

[0028] When the dust collecting device 15 is attached to the suction device 14, an engagement recess 48 (see FIG. 4) is provided near the locking recess 47 of the closed lid portion 44 of the dust collecting device 15, and this engagement recess 48 engages with a hook portion 50 (see FIG. 3) provided on the attachment portion 36. Furthermore, in this attached state, a pair of locking claws 46b (see FIG. 5) of the second locking mechanism 46 is locked to a pair of locking recesses 49 (see FIG. 3) provided on the attachment portion 36. By sliding the slide member 46c of the second locking mechanism 46 against the biasing force of the biasing member 46d in a direction that retracts the pair of locking claws 46b, the pair of locking claws 46b disengages from the pair of locking recesses 49, and the dust collecting device 15 can be removed from the suction device 14.

[0029] Fig. 7A is a plan view of dust collection pack 51 before use, which is set in the dust collecting device of Fig. 4. Fig. 7B is a left side view of dust collection pack 51 of Fig. 7A. Before use, dust collection pack 51 is set inside dust collecting device 15 (see Fig. 2) in a folded state. Dust collection pack 51 includes pack body 62 having opening 61, and mounting plate 63 provided at opening 61 of pack body 62.

[0030] The pack body 62 is formed into a bag shape from a breathable material such as paper, woven fabric, or nonwoven fabric. The attachment plate 63 is formed from hard paper, resin, or the like, and has an air intake hole 64 that communicates with the opening 61 of the pack body 62. When folded, the pack body 62 has a generally rectangular shape, with a dimension L1 in one direction greater than a dimension L2 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, as viewed from the attachment plate 63 side. The opening 61 of the pack body 62 is located closer to one end than the center in the longitudinal direction of the pack body 62. The attachment plate 63 has a surface exposed to the outside and a back surface opposite the front surface. The periphery of the air intake hole 64 on the back surface of the attachment plate 63 is fixed to the surface surrounding the opening 61 of the pack body 62, for example, with an adhesive. The planar shape of the attachment plate 63 is generally square, with the outer periphery partially protruding.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, 7A, and 7B, when a folded, unused dust collection pack 51 (see FIG. 7B) is set in the dust collecting device 15, the other end 63a (see FIG. 7A) of the mounting plate 63 is hooked onto a hook-shaped recess 59 (see FIG. 5) provided on the rear opening 53 side of the lip 71e of the downstream valve 71 in the dust collecting device 15. Furthermore, in the set state, a pair of end portions 63b (see FIG. 7A) on one end of the mounting plate 63 is locked onto a pair of locking pieces 60 (see FIG. 5) provided on the front opening 52 side of the dust collecting device 15. The pair of locking pieces 60 are connected to the lock mechanism 45 and are activated when the lock release button 45b is pressed. In this set state, the lip 71e of the downstream valve 71 of the dust collecting device 15 abuts against the periphery of the intake hole 64 of the mounting plate 63 of the dust collecting device 15 (see FIG. 6).

[0032] 8 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the valve portion 70 in FIG. 6 is open and dust 41 has accumulated on the downstream valve 71. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, when the electric suction machine 21 of the suction device 14 is driven during cleaning, air containing dust 41 flows into the suction port 16 by suction force and then into the dust collection pack 51 via the outlet 34 and the communicating passage 55. At this time, the dust-containing air flowing through the communicating passage 55 in the airflow direction A moves the membrane portion 72b of the upstream valve 72 of the valve portion 70 and the membrane portion 71b of the downstream valve 71 toward the dust collection pack 51 and opens, and the dust-containing air flows into the pack body 62 via the intake hole 64 and the opening 61 of the dust collection pack 51. As a result, the folded pack body 62 expands significantly within the dust collection device 15. Dust 41 is separated (filtered) from the air and captured by pack body 62, and the air passes through pack body 62 and is discharged to the outside from exhaust port 33 via rear opening 53 (see FIG. 5) of dust collector 15 and air inlet 31 (see FIG. 3) of suction device 14. In this embodiment, downstream valve 71 is open with four membrane portions 71b inserted through intake holes 64 and opening 61 of dust collection pack 51, but may also be open to the extent that the tips of each membrane portion 71b move near intake holes 64.

[0033] 2 and 8, as the vacuum cleaner body 11 operates in this manner and dust 41 gradually accumulates in the dust collection bag 51, the dust 41 accumulates on each membrane portion 71 of the open downstream valve 71. Furthermore, as the dust collection bag 51 is filled with dust 41 (becomes full), the downstream valve 71 becomes difficult to open. After that, when the dust collection bag 51 is almost completely filled with dust 41 (becomes full), the downstream valve 71 almost no longer opens, and the second ventilation opening 71d and the slits between two adjacent membrane portions 72b are blocked by the dust 41. When the second ventilation opening 71d of the downstream valve 71 and the slits between two adjacent membrane portions 72b are almost completely blocked by the dust 41, the rotation speed of the electric suction device 21 increases to a predetermined value or more. When the rotation speed of the electric suction device 21 increases to or exceeds a predetermined value, the dust amount measurement unit 38 sends a signal to the dust amount notification unit 39, causing the LED light of the indicator of the dust amount notification unit 39 to light up and / or flash. That is, in the present embodiment, a full amount of dust 41 is detected when a small amount of dust 41 overflows from the intake holes 64 of the dust collection pack 51, and the LED light of the indicator of the dust amount notification unit 39 lights up and / or flashes to notify the user that the dust collection pack 51 is full. This allows the user to recognize that the dust collection pack 51 is full of dust 41, and to know that it is necessary to stop the electric suction device 21 and replace the dust collection pack 51 with a new one.

[0034] 9 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the valve unit 70 in FIG. 8 is closed and dust 41 is scooped up (or remains) by the downstream valve 71. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, when the electric suction device 21 is stopped, the upstream valve 72 and downstream valve 71 of the valve unit 70 close. At this time, if dust 41 in the dust collection pack 51 has accumulated up to the vicinity of the air intake hole 64, the dust 41 accumulated on each membrane portion 71b of the downstream valve 71 may be scooped up (overflow) into the communicating passage 55 as each membrane portion 71b closes. When disposing of a dust collection pack 51 full of dust 41, first, the slide member 46c (see FIG. 5) of the second locking mechanism 46 of the dust collector 15 is slid forward to remove the dust collector 15 from the suction device 14. When the dust collecting device 15 is removed from the suction device 14, dust 41 remains in the communicating passage 55, but since the upstream valve 72 is closed at the first opening 55a of the communicating passage 55 and the downstream valve 71 is closed at the second opening 55b of the communicating passage 55, the dust 41 is less likely to spill out from the communicating passage 55 to the outside.

[0035] Here, the role of the upstream valve 72 will be described in detail. After cleaning with the stick-type vacuum cleaner, the dust collector 15 is removed from the suction device 14 (see FIG. 3 ) and carried to a trash can to dispose of the dust 41 inside the dust collector 15. If the upstream valve 72 were not provided, for example, if the user were to shake the dust collector 15 or turn it upside down (with the upstream valve 72 facing downward) while carrying it to the trash can, the dust 41 would easily fall (leak) through the first opening 55a of the communication passage 55, causing the dust to fall and soil the floor. By providing the upstream valve 72 in the first opening 55a, the open portion of the first opening 55a corresponds to the first ventilation opening 72d or the slit between two adjacent membrane portions 72b. Therefore, compared to when the upstream valve 72 is not provided in the first opening 55a, the opening area of ​​the first opening 55a is narrower, making it less likely for dust to fall (leak). Therefore, even if a user handles the dust collecting device 15 by, for example, shaking the dust collecting device 15 or turning the dust collecting device 15 upside down (with the upstream valve 72 facing downward) while carrying the dust collecting device 15 to a trash can, the dust 41 in the communicating passage 55 is less likely to spill out (leak), making it less likely for the fallen dust 41 to soil the floor. In this case, if the dust 41 is a clump of fibrous dust, almost no dust 41 will spill out from the first ventilation opening 72d of the upstream valve 72 or the slit between two adjacent membrane portions 72b.

[0036] In this embodiment, the predetermined distance L (see FIG. 6) between each membrane portion 72b of the closed upstream valve 72 and each membrane portion 71b of the closed downstream valve 71 is set so that each membrane portion 72b of the upstream valve 72, which has been moved downstream in the airflow direction A by the airflow and opened, does not come into contact with each membrane portion 71b of the downstream valve 71, which has been opened in the same direction (see FIG. 8). If the predetermined distance L is set so that each membrane portion 72b of the upstream valve 72, which has been moved downstream in the airflow direction A by the airflow and opened, comes into contact with each membrane portion 71b of the downstream valve 71, which has been opened in the same direction, the upstream valve 72 becomes too close to the downstream valve 71. Therefore, when the open upstream valve 72 closes, the membrane portions 71b of the upstream valve 72 may scoop up dust 41, and the dust 41 may remain on each membrane portion 72b (upstream of each membrane portion 72b in the airflow direction A). If the dust collector 15 is removed from the suction device 14 in this state, the dust 41 on each membrane portion 72b of the upstream valve 72 will be exposed to the outside and will spill onto the floor. Alternatively, if the vacuum cleaner is placed upright while dust 41 remains on each membrane portion 72b (upstream of each membrane portion 72b in the airflow direction A), the dust 41 may move (leak) toward the ventilation path 29 of the suction device 14, fall down the ventilation path 29, and fall onto the floor from the suction port of the suction port body. For this reason, the predetermined interval L is set as described above.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shape of each membrane portion 72b of the upstream valve 72 is the same as the shape of each membrane portion 71b of the downstream valve 71. Therefore, the area of ​​the substantially square first ventilation opening 72d of the upstream valve 72 in the closed state is generally the same as the area of ​​the substantially square second ventilation opening 71d of the downstream valve 71 in the closed state. However, the area of ​​the first ventilation opening 72d and the area of ​​the second ventilation opening 71d may be different. For example, the shape of each membrane portion 72b of the upstream valve 72 and the shape of each membrane portion 71b of the downstream valve 71 may be different so that the area of ​​the first ventilation opening 72d is smaller than the area of ​​the second ventilation opening 71d. This makes it more difficult for dust 41 in the communicating passage 55 to spill out of the first ventilation opening 72d of the upstream valve 72. The number of membrane portions 72b of the upstream valve 72 and the number of membrane portions 71b of the downstream valve 71 may be different, thereby making the shapes of the membrane portions 72b and 71b different. Furthermore, the first ventilation opening 72d of the upstream valve 72 and the second ventilation opening 71d of the downstream valve 71 may have a shape other than a square (for example, a circle, an ellipse, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc.) when viewed from the airflow direction A. In the case of a square, the first ventilation opening 72d and the second ventilation opening 71d are preferably in the same position (exactly overlapping) when viewed from the airflow direction A. Alternatively, either or both of the first ventilation opening 72d of the upstream valve 72 and the second ventilation opening 71d of the downstream valve 71 may be omitted. The state in which the first ventilation opening 72d and the second ventilation opening 71d are omitted includes a state in which the tips of the membrane portions are close to each other and there is almost no gap between them.

[0038] When disposing of the dust collection bag 51 containing accumulated dust 41 from the dust collecting device 15, the unlock button 45b is pressed as shown in FIG. 5. This releases the operation of the pair of locking claws 45a, opening the lid portion 44. Simultaneously, or slightly afterward, the pair of engaging pieces 60 move and disengage from a pair of ends 63b (see FIG. 7A) on one end side of the mounting plate 63 of the dust collection bag 51. By this, the front opening 52 is turned downward to open the lid portion 44, allowing the dust collection bag 51 to drop through the front opening 52 of the dust collecting device 15 and be disposed of in a trash can. While the upstream valve 72 and the downstream valve 71 are separate bodies in the first embodiment, they may be integrated. Furthermore, if the upstream valve 72 and the downstream valve 71 are separate bodies, when the upstream valve 72 and the downstream valve 71 are disposed in the communicating passage 55, a step (gap) is formed between the fitting portion 72a and the fitting portion 71a in the communicating passage 55 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, dust 41 remaining inside the communication passage 55 is caught in this step (gap) and is less likely to spill out from the first ventilation opening 72d of the upstream valve 72, which is advantageous.

[0039] (Second embodiment) Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram of the driving state of the vacuum cleaner main body 80 in the electric vacuum cleaner of the second embodiment. Note that in Figure 10, elements that are the same as elements in Figure 2 are given the same reference numerals. In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which dust 41 was captured by a dust collection pack 51 set in the dust collecting device 15 (see Figure 2), but in the vacuum cleaner main body 80 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 10, a filter 83 that captures dust 41 is provided in the dust collecting device 81. Note that the configurations of the dust collecting device 81, valve unit 70, and suction device 14 of the second embodiment are generally similar to those of the first embodiment, so the following description will mainly focus on the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 10, a dust collector 81 in the second embodiment does not have the pair of locking pieces 60 (see Fig. 5) in the dust collector 15 of the first embodiment, because dust 41 is directly accumulated inside the dust collector 81 (a dust collection pack is not required). A filter 83 is detachably attached to a rear opening 53 of the dust collector 81, and can be removed from the dust collector 81 and washed with water. Note that a downstream valve 71 of a valve section 70 in the second embodiment does not have the lip portion 71e (see Fig. 6) of the downstream valve 71 in the first embodiment.

[0041] In the second embodiment, when the vacuum cleaner body 80 is operating, air containing dust 41 flows into the dust collecting device 81, where the dust 41 is captured and separated from the air by the filter 83. The air that passes through the filter 83 is then discharged to the outside through the exhaust port 33 (see FIG. 3). FIG. 10 shows a state in which the dust collecting device 81 is filled with dust 41. When the dust amount notification unit 39 is activated, the user learns that the dust collecting device 81 is full of dust 41, in other words, that it is time to dispose of the dust 41, and can dispose of the dust 41 in the dust collecting device 81 in a manner generally similar to that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 5). In this case, the upstream valve 72 also prevents the dust 41 in the communication passage 55 of the dust collecting device 81 from spilling out to the outside while the dust collecting device 81 is being removed from the suction device 14 and carried to a trash can.

[0042] (Third embodiment) Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram of the driving state of vacuum cleaner main body 84 in a vacuum cleaner of a third embodiment. Note that in Figure 11, elements that are the same as elements in Figure 2 are given the same reference numerals. Vacuum cleaner main body 84 of the third embodiment includes a dust collecting device 85, a filter 87 detachably provided in rear opening 53 of dust collecting device 85, and a breathable inner cylindrical member 88 housed within dust collecting device 85, and is configured as a cyclone system that centrifuges dust 41. Note that the configurations of dust collecting device 85, valve unit 70, and suction device 14 of the third embodiment are generally similar to those of the first embodiment, so the following description will mainly focus on the differences between the first embodiment and the third embodiment.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 11, dust collector 85 in the third embodiment also does not have the pair of locking pieces 60 (see Fig. 5) in dust collector 15 in the first embodiment, because dust 41 is directly accumulated inside dust collector 85 (no dust collection pack is required). Inner cylinder member 88 and filter 87 can be removed from dust collector 85 and washed with water. Note that downstream valve 71 of valve section 70 in the third embodiment does not have lip portion 71e (see Fig. 6) of downstream valve 71 in the first embodiment.

[0044] In the third embodiment, when the vacuum cleaner body 84 is in operation, air containing dust 41 flows into the dust collecting device 85, and the relatively large first dust particles 41 swirl around the inner cylinder member 88 and are separated from the air. The second dust particles 41, which are smaller than the first dust particles 41, pass through the mesh portion 88a of the inner cylinder member 88 along with the air and head toward the filter 87. The second dust particles 41 are captured by the filter 87 and separated from the air, and the air that has passed through the filter 87 is discharged to the outside through the exhaust port 33 (see FIG. 3). FIG. 11 shows a state in which the dust collecting device 85 is full of dust 41. When the dust amount notification unit 39 is activated, the user learns that the dust collecting device 85 is full of dust 41, in other words, that it is time to dispose of the dust 41, and can dispose of the dust 41 in the dust collecting device 85 in a manner generally similar to that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 5). At this time, while the dust collecting device 85 removed from the suction device 14 is being carried to a trash can, the upstream valve 72 prevents the dust 41 in the communication passage 55 of the dust collecting device 85 from spilling out to the outside.

[0045] (Fourth embodiment) Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a vacuum cleaner main body 94 in a vacuum cleaner of a fourth embodiment. Although a stick-type vacuum cleaner has been exemplified in the first to third embodiments, as shown in Fig. 12, the vacuum cleaner may be a canister type. Specifically, this vacuum cleaner has a vacuum cleaner main body 94 equipped with a dust collecting device 91 of any one of the first to third embodiments and a suction device 93 having a holder 92 on which the dust collecting device 91 is detachably mounted. Note that Fig. 12 shows a simplified version of the dust collecting device 91.

[0046] The suction device 93 includes a housing 97 having a pair of left and right wheels 95 and a front wheel 96, an electric suction machine (not shown) housed within the housing 97, and a power supply unit (not shown) that supplies power to the electric suction machine. The power supply unit may be a battery or a cord reel with a plug that can be connected to a commercial power source (outlet). The housing 97 further has a suction connection port 98 provided at the lower front end, a handle 99 provided at the upper front end, and a recess 100 provided behind the handle 99, and a cylindrical holding unit 92 is provided behind the recess 100.

[0047] The holding portion 92 has a front opening 101 connected to the recess 100, an outlet 102 provided on the upper inner surface near the front opening 101, and an intake port 103 provided deep inside the holding portion 92, with an exhaust port (not shown) provided at the rear end of the holding portion 92. Furthermore, in the suction device 93, a suction connection port 98 that also serves as a suction port and the outlet 102 are connected by an air passage 104, and the intake port 103 and the exhaust port (not shown) are connected by another communication passage (not shown), and an electric suction machine (not shown) is provided in this other communication passage. A connection hose (not shown) made up of a suction port body, an extension pipe, and a flexible hose is connected to the suction connection port 98.

[0048] 12 , the dust collector 91 can be attached to and detached from the holder 92 of the suction device 93 in the direction of arrow 105. When the dust collector 91 is attached to the holder 92 of the suction device 93, the first opening 55a of the communication passage 55 of the dust collector 91 is connected to the outlet 102 of the holder 92, and the rear opening 107 in the internal space of the dust collector 91 is connected to the intake port 103 of the holder 92.

[0049] As in the first, second, or third embodiment, when this canister-type vacuum cleaner body 94 is in operation, air containing dust 41 flows into the dust collector 91 through the ventilation passage 104, the outlet 102, and the connecting passage 55, where the dust is captured. The air from which the dust 41 has been removed passes through the rear opening 107 of the dust collector 91, the air intake 103 of the holder 92, and another connecting passage, before being discharged to the outside through the outlet. During this time, as in the first, second, or third embodiment, a dust amount measuring unit (not shown) measures the rotation speed of the electric suction device (not shown), and when the rotation speed exceeds a predetermined value, the dust amount measuring unit sends a signal to a dust amount indicator (not shown). The dust amount measuring unit is provided on a control board (not shown) in the suction device 93, and the dust amount indicator (e.g., an LED) is located near a handheld control unit provided on a flexible hose (not shown).

[0050] After cleaning, the dust collecting device 91 can be removed from the suction device 93, and by operating in the same manner as in the first, second, or third embodiment, the dust collecting pack containing the dust 41 can be disposed of from the dust collecting device 91, or the dust 41 can be disposed of from the dust collecting device 91. When the dust collecting device 91 is removed from the suction device 93, this can be done with the first opening 55a of the dust collecting device 91 facing upward, so that the dust 41 in the communication passage 55 of the dust collecting device 91 is less likely to spill out through the first opening 55a, and the provision of the upstream valve 72 in the first opening 55a makes it even less likely that the dust 41 will spill out.

[0051] (Fifth embodiment) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner 110 according to a fifth embodiment, viewed diagonally from the upper left and front. FIG. 13 shows the front, rear, left, right, and top and bottom directions of a user when the vacuum cleaner 110 is in use, and the structure of the vacuum cleaner 110 will be described based on the front, rear, left, right, and top and bottom directions shown in FIG. 13. The vacuum cleaner 110 according to the fifth embodiment is a stick type, different from the stick type vacuum cleaners according to the first to third embodiments (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 13, this vacuum cleaner 110 includes a cleaner body 111 that is stick-shaped when viewed from the front, and a suction port body 112 that is connected to a suction port (not shown) at one end 111a of the cleaner body 111 and travels along a floor surface F. When viewed from the left and right, a ring-shaped handle 113 is provided at the other end (upper end) of the cleaner body 111. An operation unit 113a and a dust amount notification unit 113b are provided on the front surface of the handle 113.

[0052] Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the driving state of the vacuum cleaner body 111 in the electric vacuum cleaner of the fifth embodiment. As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the vacuum cleaner body 111 has a cylindrical housing 114 that houses the electric suction device 21, a control board (not shown), etc. The interior of the housing 114 is partitioned into a plurality of spaces from one end to the other end, and a connecting pipe 116 that is detachably connected to the suction port body 112 is inserted into a first space 115 at the most one end. A second space adjacent to the other end of the first space 115 forms a dust collection section 118 that has a dust collection chamber 117. A part of the housing 114 forms a lid 119 that opens and closes the dust collection chamber 117. In the fifth embodiment, the part of the vacuum cleaner body 111 excluding the dust collection section 118 forms the suction section.

[0053] A hole 121a is formed in a partition wall 121 that separates the first space 115 from the dust collection chamber 117, and the other end 116a of the connecting pipe 116 is inserted through this hole 121a and protrudes into the dust collection chamber 117. An opening at one end of the connecting pipe 116 is a suction port (not shown) that connects to the suction port body 112, a portion of the other end 116a of the connecting pipe 116 that opens into the dust collection chamber 117 is an outlet 116b, and a communication passage 123 is formed between the suction port and the outlet 116b inside the connecting pipe 116. A valve unit 70 is provided inside the connecting pipe 116 near the outlet 116b of the connecting pipe 116. The valve unit 70 has an upstream valve 72 provided at the outlet 116b in the connecting pipe 116, and a downstream valve 71 provided in the connecting pipe 116 at a predetermined distance downstream of the upstream valve 72 in the airflow direction A. In the fifth embodiment, the valve section 70 is configured generally in the same manner as the valve section 70 in the second or third embodiment, except that the downstream valve 71 and the upstream valve 72 are integrated into a single part.

[0054] Dust collection pack 120 is set in dust collection chamber 117. Dust collection pack 120 has pack body 120a with an opening and mounting plate 120b with an intake hole. Pack body 120a is formed in a shape that expands according to the spatial shape of dust collection chamber 117. In the dust collection pack 120, the other end 116a of connection pipe 116 is inserted into the intake hole of mounting plate 120b, and mounting plate 120b is fixed to dust collection unit 118 by a fixing portion (not shown). This fixing portion can be, for example, a pair of ribs that sandwich mounting plate 120b of dust collection pack 120.

[0055] The dust collection chamber 117 and a third space 124 adjacent to the other end of the dust collection chamber 117 house the electric suction machine 21, a control board, etc. A partition wall 125 separating the dust collection chamber 117 from the third space 124 is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes 125a, and the suction opening 21a of the electric suction machine 21 is airtightly connected to the plurality of ventilation holes 125a. A filter 126 is provided between the dust collection chamber 117 and the plurality of ventilation holes 125a. An exhaust port (not shown) is provided in the housing 114 on the other end side of the electric suction machine 21.

[0056] When this stick-type vacuum cleaner main body 111 is driven, air containing dust 41 flows from the communication passage 123 into the dust collection bag 120 set in the dust collection unit 118, where the dust 41 is captured. The air from which the dust 41 has been removed is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port via the multiple air vents 125a in the partition wall 125 and the electric suction device 21. During this time, the dust amount measurement unit (not shown) measures the rotation speed of the electric suction device 21. In the case of the fifth embodiment, the dust amount measurement unit is provided on the control board (not shown). FIG. 14 shows a state in which the dust collection bag 120 is filled with dust 41, and when the rotation speed reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, the dust amount measurement unit sends a signal to the dust amount notification unit 113b. When the dust amount notification unit 113b is activated, the user knows that the dust collection pack 120 is full, in other words, that it is time to replace the dust collection pack 120 with a new one.The user can open the lid 119 of the dust collection unit 118, discard the dust collection pack 120, and set a new dust collection pack in the dust collection unit 118.

[0057] In the fifth embodiment, when the vacuum cleaner body 111 is driven to perform cleaning, the dust collection pack 120 is disposed above the valve unit 70, and the membranes of the upstream valve 72 and the downstream valve 71 move upward and open due to the airflow in the airflow direction A from bottom to top. At this time, the tips of the membranes of the downstream valve 71 may be inserted into the dust collection pack 120. Therefore, when the dust collection pack 120 becomes full of dust 41, some of the dust 41 may overflow (accumulate) below the membranes of the downstream valve 71. When the vacuum cleaner body 111 is stopped in this state, the membranes of the upstream valve 72 and the downstream valve 71 move downward and close, so that some of the dust 41 remains between the upstream valve 72 and the downstream valve 71 in the communication passage 123. At this time, even if dust 41 in the communication passage 123 falls onto each membrane portion of the upstream valve 72, if the dust 41 is a mass of fibrous debris, the dust 41 will be caught on each membrane portion of the upstream valve 72. Therefore, dust 41 is prevented from falling (leaking) from the opening of the upstream valve 72 and falling into the suction port body 112 through the communication passage 123, and from falling onto floor surface F from the suction port of the suction port body 112, thereby preventing floor surface F from becoming soiled.

[0058] (Sixth embodiment) FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the driving state of the vacuum cleaner body 130 in a vacuum cleaner of a sixth embodiment. The vacuum cleaner of the sixth embodiment is a canister type, different from the canister type vacuum cleaner of the fourth embodiment (see FIG. 12). As shown in FIG. 15, the vacuum cleaner body 130 of this vacuum cleaner includes a housing 133 having a pair of wheels 131 and a front wheel 132. A dust collection unit 139 is provided at the front of the housing 133. The interior of the housing 133 is partitioned into a dust collection chamber 135 of the dust collection unit 139, which is the front space, and a rear space 136. The rear space 136 houses the electric suction device 21, a cord reel 134, a control board 22 having a dust amount measurement unit 38, etc. A connection pipe 138 that is detachably connected to a flexible hose 137 is inserted into the dust collection chamber 135. One end of folding hose 137 is connected to one end 138a of connecting pipe 138, and the other end 138b of connecting pipe 138 is fixed to housing 133. A handheld operation unit (not shown) is provided at the other end of flexible hose 137 opposite connecting pipe 138, and a suction port body is connected to the handheld operation unit via an extension pipe (not shown), and a dust amount notification unit (e.g., an LED) is provided near the handheld operation unit.

[0059] The upper front portion of the housing 133 is a lid portion 140 that opens and closes the dust collection chamber 135. In the case of this vacuum cleaner main body 130, one end 138a of a connecting pipe 138 is a suction port, and the other end 138b is connected to the dust collection chamber 135, with the interior of the connecting pipe 138 being a communication passage 142 that connects the suction port and the dust collection chamber 135. A valve portion 70 is provided inside the connecting pipe 138 near the opening on the other end 138b side of the connecting pipe 138. The valve portion 70 has a downstream valve 71 provided inside the connecting pipe 138 near the opening on the other end 138b side of the connecting pipe 138, and an upstream valve 72 provided inside the connecting pipe 138 at a predetermined distance upstream of the downstream valve 71 in the airflow direction A. Note that in the sixth embodiment, the valve portion 70 is configured generally similarly to the valve portion 70 in the fifth embodiment.

[0060] A dust collection pack 143 is set in the dust collection chamber 135. The dust collection pack 143 has a pack body 143a with an opening and a mounting plate 143b with an intake hole, and the pack body 143a is formed in a shape that expands according to the spatial shape of the dust collection chamber 135. The dust collection pack 143 has the other end 138b of the connection pipe 138 inserted into the intake hole of the mounting plate 143b, and the mounting plate 143b is fixed to the dust collection unit 139 by a fixing portion (not shown). This fixing portion can be, for example, a pair of ribs that sandwich the mounting plate 143b of the dust collection pack 143. A partition wall 144 that partitions the dust collection chamber 135 and the rear space 136 is provided with a plurality of air vents 144a, and the suction opening 21a of the electric suction machine 21 is in airtight communication with the plurality of air vents 144a. A filter 145 is provided between the dust collection chamber 135 and the plurality of ventilation holes 144a. An exhaust port 146 is provided at the rear end of the housing 133.

[0061] When canister-type vacuum cleaner body 130 is in operation, air containing dust 41 flows from connecting pipe 138 into dust collection pack 143 set in dust collection unit 139, where the dust 41 is captured, and the air from which the dust 41 has been removed is discharged to the outside through exhaust port 146 via multiple air vents 144a in partition wall 144 and electric suction device 21. During this time, dust amount measuring unit 38 measures the rotation speed of electric suction device 21. Figure 15 shows a state in which dust collection pack 143 is filled with dust 41, and dust amount measuring unit 38 sends a signal to a dust amount reporting unit (not shown) when the rotation speed reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. When the dust amount notification unit is activated, the user knows that the dust collection pack 143 is full, in other words, that it is time to replace the dust collection pack 143 with a new one.The user can open the lid 140 of the dust collection unit 139, discard the dust collection pack 143, and set a new dust collection pack in the dust collection unit 139.

[0062] In the sixth embodiment, when the vacuum cleaner main body 130 is driven to perform cleaning, the dust collection pack 143 is disposed behind the valve unit 70, and the membranes of the upstream valve 72 and the downstream valve 71 move rearward and open due to the airflow in the airflow direction A from front to rear. At this time, the tips of the membranes of the downstream valve 71 may be inserted into the dust collection pack 143. Therefore, when the dust collection pack 143 becomes full of dust 41, some of the dust 41 overflows (accumulates) in front of the membranes of the downstream valve 71. When the vacuum cleaner main body 130 is stopped in this state, the membranes of the upstream valve 72 and the downstream valve 71 move forward and close, so that some of the dust 41 remains between the upstream valve 72 and the downstream valve 71 in the connecting pipe 138. At this time, even if vacuum cleaner body 130 is lifted and one end 138a of connecting pipe 138 faces downward, causing dust 41 inside connecting pipe 138 to fall onto the membranes of upstream valve 72, if dust 41 is a clump of fibrous debris, dust 41 will be caught by the membranes of upstream valve 72. Therefore, dust 41 is prevented from falling from the opening of upstream valve 72, moving through connecting pipe 138 into flexible hose 137, and remaining there.

[0063] (Other embodiments) 1. In the first to sixth embodiments, the dust amount measurement unit measures the dust amount based on the rotation speed of the electric suction device. However, other methods may be used to measure the dust amount. For example, referring to FIG. 2, an optical sensor having a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit may be provided on the inner surface of the ventilation passage 29 of the suction device 14. When the vacuum cleaner body 11 is operating, light from the light-emitting unit may be irradiated onto the dust 41 in the dust collection bag 51 through the open upstream valve 72 and downstream valve 71. In this case, the light reflected by the dust 41 is received by the light-receiving unit, and a signal is sent from the optical sensor to the dust amount measurement unit. Based on this signal, the dust amount measurement unit measures the distance between the optical sensor and the dust 41. When the measured value falls below a predetermined value, the dust amount measurement unit sends a signal to the dust amount notification unit, which activates and notifies the user that the dust collection bag 51 is full of dust 41. Alternatively, the dust amount may be measured based on the current value or power value of the electric suction device. In this case, the dust amount measurement unit checks the current value or power value of the electric suction machine, and sends a signal to the dust amount notification unit when it determines that the amount of dust in the dust collection pack 51 has increased above a certain amount. Since the current value or power value of the electric suction machine 21 decreases when the dust collection pack is nearly full with dust, the dust amount measurement unit may check this change in current value or power value, and send a signal to the dust amount notification unit when the current value or power value falls below a predetermined value.

[0064] 2. In the first to sixth embodiments, the membrane portions 71b of the downstream valve 71 and the membrane portions 72b of the upstream valve 72 are elastically deformed to move downstream in the airflow direction A and open (see FIG. 8), but the following configuration is also possible. For example, the fitting portion 71a of the downstream valve 71 and the membrane portions 71b may be hinged, so that the membrane portions are closed by the biasing force of a spring and opened by the airflow against the biasing force of the spring. The same applies to the upstream valve 72.

[0065] Preferred aspects of the present invention also include any combination of the above-described aspects. In addition to the above-described embodiments, various modifications of the present invention are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as not falling within the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 11: vacuum cleaner body, 14: suction device, 15: dust collection device, 16: suction port, 21: electric suction machine, 21a: suction opening, 22: control board, 23: electrical component storage section, 24: handle, 25: operation section, 26: connection section, 27: pipe section, 28: battery, 29: ventilation duct, 31: air inlet, 32: packing, 33: exhaust port, 34: outlet, 35: packing, 36: mounting section, 38: dust amount measuring section, 39: dust amount reporting section, 41: dust, 42: body section, 42a: upper case, 42b: lower case, 43: hinge section, 44: lid section, 45: locking mechanism, 45a: locking claw, 45b: lock release button, 46: second locking mechanism, 46a: Case portion, 46b: Locking claw, 46c: Slide member, 46d: Urging member, 47: Locking recess, 48: Engagement recess, 49: Locking recess, 50: Hook portion, 51: Dust collection pack, 52: Front opening, 53: Rear opening, 54: Groove portion, 55: Communication passage, 55a: First opening, 55b: Second opening, 56: Internal space, 57: Urging member, 58: Arrow, 59: Recess, 60: Locking piece, 61: Opening, 62: Pack body, 63: Mounting plate, 63a: End portion on other end side, 64: Intake hole, 70: Valve portion, 71: Downstream valve, 71a: Fitting portion, 71b: Membrane portion, 71c: Base end connecting portion, 71d: Second ventilation opening, 71e: lip portion, 72: upstream valve, 72a: fitting portion, 72b: membrane portion, 72c: base end connecting portion, 72d: first ventilation opening, 80: vacuum cleaner body, 81: dust collecting device, 83: filter, 84: vacuum cleaner body, 85: dust collecting device, 87: filter, 88: inner cylinder member, 88a: mesh portion, 91: dust collecting device, 92: holding portion, 93: suction device, 94: vacuum cleaner body, 95: wheel, 96: front wheel, 97: housing, 98: suction connection port, 99: handle, 100: recess, 101: front opening, 102: outlet, 103: air intake port, 104: ventilation path, 105: arrow, 107: rear opening, 110: electric vacuum cleaner, 111: vacuum cleaner body, 111a: one end, 112: suction port body, 113: handle, 113a: operation unit, 113b: dust amount notification unit, 114: housing, 115: first space, 116: connecting pipe, 116a: other end, 116b: outlet, 117: dust collection chamber, 118: dust collection unit,119: lid portion, 120: dust collection bag, 120a: pack body, 120b: mounting plate, 121: partition wall, 121a: hole portion, 123: communication passage, 124: third space, 125: partition wall, 125a: vent hole, 126: filter, 130: vacuum cleaner body, 131: wheel, 132: front wheel, 133: housing, 134: cord reel, 135: dust collection chamber, 136: rear space, 137: flexible hose, 138: connecting pipe, 138a: one end, 138b: other end, 139: dust collection portion, 140: lid portion, 142: communication passage, 143: dust collection bag, 143a: pack body, 143b: mounting plate, 144: partition wall, 144a: ventilation hole, 145: filter, 146: exhaust port, A: air flow direction, F: floor surface, L: predetermined interval, L1, L2: dimensions

Claims

1. A dust collecting device detachably attached to a suction device having a suction port for sucking in dust-containing air and an outlet port for discharging the dust-containing air, the dust collecting device includes a first opening connectable to an outlet of the suction device, a second opening communicating with the first opening via a communication passage and opening into an internal space of the dust collecting device downstream of the first opening in the direction of the dust-containing air flow, and a valve portion provided within the communication passage; The valve unit includes a downstream valve provided in the vicinity of the second opening, and an upstream valve provided at a predetermined distance upstream of the downstream valve in the direction of the dust-containing air flow.

2. 2. The dust collecting device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the downstream valve and at least a portion of the upstream valve are movable downstream in the direction of the dust-containing air flow by the dust-containing air flow, and the predetermined interval is set to a interval such that the upstream valve, which has been opened downstream in the direction of the dust-containing air flow by the dust-containing air flow, does not come into contact with the downstream valve.

3. The dust collecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the upstream valve and the downstream valve have the same shape.

4. The dust collecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the upstream valve and the downstream valve have different shapes.

5. When the upstream valve is closed, the upstream valve has a shape that has a first ventilation opening when viewed from a direction of the dust-containing air flow, 5. The dust collecting device according to claim 4, wherein when the downstream valve is closed, the downstream valve has a shape that has a second ventilation opening with an area larger than an area of ​​the first ventilation opening when viewed from the direction of the dust-containing air flow.

6. 2. The dust collecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a holder that holds a backing for a dust collection pack on an inner surface facing the internal space, a filter that is provided in the internal space and captures dust in the dust-containing air, or a breathable inner tube member that is provided in the internal space and separates dust in the dust-containing air by centrifugal separation.

7. 7. An electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction device having an electric suction machine; and the dust collecting device according to claim 1, detachably attached to the suction device.

8. The dust collecting device comprises a housing having a suction port for sucking dust-containing air, a dust collection chamber for accommodating a dust collection pack, and an electric suction machine provided downstream of the dust collection chamber in the direction of the dust-containing air flow, and a valve provided in a communication passage that communicates the suction port with the dust collection chamber, The valve section has a downstream valve provided near the opening of the communication passage that opens into the internal space of the dust collection chamber, and an upstream valve provided in the communication passage at a predetermined distance upstream of the downstream valve in the dust-containing air flow.

9. 9. The electric vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the downstream valve and at least a portion of the upstream valve are movable downstream in the direction of the dust-containing air flow by the dust-containing air flow, and the predetermined interval is set to a interval such that the upstream valve, which has been opened downstream in the direction of the dust-containing air flow by the dust-containing air flow, does not come into contact with the downstream valve.

10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein the upstream valve and the downstream valve have the same shape.

11. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8 , wherein the upstream valve and the downstream valve have different shapes.

12. When the upstream valve is closed, the upstream valve has a shape that has a first ventilation opening when viewed from a direction of the dust-containing air flow, 12. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, wherein, when the downstream valve is closed, the downstream valve has a shape that has a second ventilation opening with an area larger than an area of ​​the first ventilation opening when viewed from the direction of the dust-containing air flow.

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