Suction port body of vacuum cleaner, and vacuum cleaner comprising the same

Abstract

To provide a rotary cleaning body in which brushes are arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the direction of a normal to a rotary base part, and cleanability of a surface to be cleaned is improved.SOLUTION: A rotary cleaning body 20 according to the present invention comprises a rotary base part 201, and a first brush 202 and a second brush 203 inserted into insertion grooves 208 formed in the rotary base part 201. The first brush 202 and the second brush 203 comprise brush base parts 202a and 203a inserted into the insertion grooves 208, and brush bristles 202b and 203b sewn or implanted into the brush base parts 202a and 203a, respectively. When the brush base parts 202a and 203a are inserted into the insertion grooves 208, a center line CL in the radial direction of each of the first brush 202 and the second brush 203 is arranged so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a normal N to the rotary base part 201. The brush bristles 202b and 203b are formed in a loop shape in such a manner that both ends are sewn or implanted into the brush base parts 202a and 203a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a suction head of a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] One example of technology related to the suction nozzle of an electric vacuum cleaner is the technology described in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, an agitator (rotating cleaning body) that is driven to rotate by an electric motor is provided in a brush chamber of the suction nozzle main body that forms the outer shell of the suction nozzle. The agitator includes a rotor (rotating base) and multiple brush groups arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor. The multiple brush groups are composed of brush groups arranged in the normal direction of the rotor and brush groups arranged at an angle relative to the normal direction of the rotor, so as to reduce the load applied to the inclined brush groups. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-184998 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, brushes attached to agitators (rotary cleaning bodies) have brush-like bristles. When a brush group is arranged at an angle relative to the normal direction of the rotor, as in Patent Document 1, the brush group contacts the surface to be cleaned at an angle. When the bristles of the brush group contact the surface to be cleaned at an angle, the load applied to the brush group is reduced, making the brushes more likely to tip over and sink toward the floor, thereby increasing the contact area. However, with brush-like bristles, the bristles bend midway, causing the tips of the bristles to separate from the surface to be cleaned. For this reason, the configuration of Patent Document 1 has the problem of reduced cleaning performance of the surface to be cleaned.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a suction body of a vacuum cleaner that has improved cleaning performance of the surface to be cleaned in a rotating cleaning body in which a brush is arranged at an angle to the normal direction of the rotating base, and an electric vacuum cleaner equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a suction head body of an electric vacuum cleaner equipped with an electric motor that drives a rotary cleaning body, the rotary cleaning body comprising a rotary base and a plurality of brushes that are inserted into insertion grooves formed in the rotary base, the plurality of brushes comprising brush bases that are inserted into the insertion grooves and brush bristles sewn or implanted to the brush base, and when the brush bases are inserted into the insertion grooves, the radial center lines of the plurality of brushes are arranged at an angle relative to the normal to the rotary base by a predetermined angle, and the brush bristles are formed in a loop shape with both ends sewn or implanted to the brush base. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a suction body of a vacuum cleaner that improves the cleaning performance of the surface to be cleaned in a rotating cleaning body in which a brush is arranged at an angle relative to the normal direction of the rotating base, and an electric vacuum cleaner equipped with the same. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a suction mouthpiece according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the suction mouthpiece according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a suction mouthpiece according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a rotary cleaning element 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a side view of a clutch body according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is an enlarged side view of a portion of a rotary cleaning body 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the rotary cleaning body 20 according to the comparative example. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the lower left portion of the suction body 6. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the appearance of a clutch body 205 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of a portion of a rotary cleaning body 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a rotary cleaning body 20 according to a third embodiment of the present invention, taken in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an enlarged schematic view of brushes (first brush 202 and second brush 203) according to Example 3 of the present invention. [Figure 14] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which loop-shaped brush bristles 202b and 203b according to a third embodiment of the present invention are in contact with a surface F to be cleaned. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a brush according to a comparative example comes into contact with a surface F to be cleaned. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a suction mouthpiece 6 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, cut along the front-rear direction. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rotary cleaning body 20 and a bumper 17 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 10 is a schematic diagram of a rotary cleaning body 20 and a bumper 17 according to a comparative example. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In principle, identical elements are designated by the same reference numerals in all drawings. Furthermore, descriptions of parts having identical functions will be omitted. Note that the configurations described below are merely examples, and it is not intended that the embodiments of the present invention be limited to the specific embodiments below. [Example]

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the front, back, left and right directions are defined from the viewpoint from which a user operates the vacuum cleaner 1, and the direction toward the ceiling is defined as up, and the direction toward the surface to be cleaned is defined as down.

[0011] The electric vacuum cleaner 1 of this embodiment is made up of a vacuum cleaner main body 2 provided with a hand-operated switch SW etc., an extension tube 5 and a suction nozzle body 6.

[0012] The vacuum cleaner main body 2 includes an electric blower 21 that generates suction force, and a dust collection section 22 that collects dust collected by the suction force generated by the electric blower 21. Note that although the present embodiment will be described taking a so-called cyclone type vacuum cleaner as an example, it may also be applied to a so-called paper bag type vacuum cleaner.

[0013] One end of the extension pipe 5 is connected to the connection port 23 of the vacuum cleaner body 2 so as to be in fluid communication with the dust collecting part 22 of the vacuum cleaner body 2. The other end of the extension pipe 5 is connected to the suction body 6. The extension pipe 5 is also connected to an air passage (not shown) and is equipped with a power supply wiring (not shown) that supplies power from the vacuum cleaner body 2. The dust collecting part 22 and the suction body 6 are in fluid communication via the extension pipe 5.

[0014] In the electric vacuum cleaner 1, by operating the hand-operated switch SW, it is possible to start and stop the electric blower 21, switch between high, medium and low, and start and stop the electric motor provided in the suction body 6. In addition, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a rechargeable battery 24 that supplies power to the electric blower 21 and the suction body 6.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the suction mouth body according to Example 1 of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, the suction mouth body 6 includes a suction mouth case 10 that is substantially T-shaped when viewed from above, and a suction mouth joint 13 that is connected to the suction mouth case 10.

[0016] The suction mouth case 10 comprises a suction mouth body 11 formed to be elongated in the left-right direction (width direction) when viewed from above, and a connecting part 12 that is connected to a suction mouth joint 13 at the left-right center of the suction mouth body 11. A flow path R (see FIG. 4) that connects the suction mouth body 11 and the suction mouth joint 13 is formed in the connecting part 12.

[0017] Bumpers 17 are provided on suction mouth body 11, extending from the front end face to the left and right side faces. Bumpers 17 are made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, and ensure airtightness inside suction mouth body 11 during use, and also act as a cushion to prevent damage to furniture or the like and to absorb impacts on suction mouth body 11 when suction mouth body 11 collides with furniture or the like while using vacuum cleaner 1 (see FIG. 1).

[0018] The suction mouth joint 13 includes a first connecting part 14 rotatably connected to the connecting part 12, and a second connecting part 15 rotatably connected to the first connecting part 14.

[0019] Further, second connecting portion 15 is provided with power supply terminal 15a through which power is supplied. Note that electric vacuum cleaner 1 (see FIG. 1) of this embodiment is configured so that power is supplied to suction mouth body 6 from vacuum cleaner main body 2 through extension tube 5. A plurality of lenses 2211-2217 are provided on the front surface of suction mouth body 11 to allow light emitted from the plurality of LEDs to directly enter and irradiate the light directly onto surface F to be cleaned (see FIG. 14).

[0020] Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the suction mouth body according to Example 1 of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, the suction mouth body 6 is equipped with a rotating cleaning body (rotating brush) 20. The suction mouth case 10 (suction mouth body 11) is formed with a brush chamber Q having an opening on its bottom surface (the surface facing the surface to be cleaned).

[0021] The rotary cleaning body 20 is disposed on the front side in the front-rear direction along the left-right direction of the suction mouth body 11, and is rotatably supported within the brush chamber Q. The rotary cleaning body 20 is also provided continuously from one end side to the other end side of the suction mouth body 11 in the left-right direction.

[0022] Rotary cleaning body 20 includes a rotary base 201 (rotary core) and a plurality of types of first brushes 202 and second brushes 203 that are arranged spirally on the outer periphery of rotary base 201 and differ in hardness, height, etc.

[0023] The brush drive switch 16 is a switch that detects whether the bottom surface of the suction mouth body 6 is in contact with the surface to be cleaned F, and is configured together with the wheel 16a. The wheel 16a is provided so that a portion thereof always protrudes from the bottom surface of the suction mouth case 10 by a biasing means such as a spring. When it is detected that the wheel 16a has protruded from the suction mouth case 10 and is not in contact with the surface to be cleaned F, the driving of the electric motor 40 (see FIG. 4) is stopped under the control of the circuit board 50 (control board) (see FIG. 4), and the rotation of the rotary cleaning body 20 is stopped. When it is detected that the wheel 16a has been pushed in and is in contact with the surface to be cleaned F, the electric motor 40 is driven under the control of the circuit board 50, and the rotary cleaning body 20 rotates.

[0024] The wheels 18 are subjected to the stress of the forward and backward movement and rotational operation operated by the user, and thereby serve to bring the bottom surface of the suction body 6 into close contact with the surface F to be cleaned, thereby improving the operability of the suction body 6.

[0025] The rear brush 30 is arranged so as to contact the surface F to be cleaned from the bottom surface of the suction mouth case 10, and serves to improve the airtightness of the brush chamber Q and improve the dust collection performance of fine dust, as well as to prevent dust repelled by the rotating cleaning body 20 from slipping through the gap between the bottom surface of the suction mouth case 10 and the surface F to be cleaned and escaping to the rear of the suction mouth body 6.

[0026] The side fixed brushes 31 are provided so as to contact the surface F to be cleaned from the bottom surface of the suction mouth case 10, and are provided continuously from the front to the rear of the suction mouth case 10 near the left and right ends of the bottom surface of the suction mouth case 10. This improves the airtightness of the brush chamber Q and improves the dust collection performance of fine dust.

[0027] Furthermore, the side fixed brush 31 is made of flexible nonwoven fabric or the like, and prevents the surface to be cleaned F from being scratched by the bottom surface of the suction nozzle case 10.

[0028] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the suction body according to Example 1 of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, the suction body 6 is provided, at the rear of the rotary cleaning body 20 (see Fig. 3), with an electric motor 40 that drives the rotary cleaning body 20 and a circuit board 50 that controls the electric motor 40 and a plurality of LEDs 2221-2227 that illuminate the floor surface. Of the LEDs 2221-2227, LEDs 2223-2225, which are located in the center of the suction body 6, function as first light-emitting units that illuminate a long-distance area in front of the suction body 6, and LEDs 2221, 2222, 2226, and 2227, which are located on the left and right sides of the suction body 6, function as second light-emitting units that are closer to the suction body 6 than the first light-emitting units and illuminate a short-distance area in front of the suction body 6. In the longitudinal direction of the suction body 6, the second light-emitting units (LEDs 2221, 2222, 2226, 2227) are arranged on either side of the first light-emitting unit (LEDs 2223-2225). Light emitted from the LEDs 2221-2227 enters the lenses 2211-2217, respectively, and is irradiated directly onto the surface to be cleaned F through the lenses 2211-2217. In this embodiment, the LEDs 2221-2227 and the lenses 2211-2217 form an irradiation unit.

[0029] The electric motor 40 is attached to one end of the suction mouth body 11 in the left-right direction. The output shaft of the electric motor 40 is arranged parallel to the left-right direction of the suction mouth body 11. The output shaft of the electric motor 40 extends toward one end in the left-right direction and is connected to the rotary cleaning body 20 via a toothed belt (not shown) at one end (the end on the left side in the figure) within the suction mouth body 11. The circuit board 50 is attached to the opposite side of the electric motor 40 in the left-right direction of the suction mouth body 11. The circuit board 50 has a rectangular board and is arranged within the suction mouth body 11 with its mounting surface oriented vertically. The lenses 2211 to 2217 are integrally formed by a lens fixing member 220. LEDs 2221 to 2227 for illuminating the floor surface are mounted on an LED board 222.

[0030] The suction body 6 of this embodiment rotates the rotary cleaning body 20 by the electric motor 40 to clean the surface to be cleaned. During this process, hair and lint on the surface to be cleaned may become entangled around the rotary cleaning body 20. In particular, if hair and lint sucked in from the left and right of the suction body 6 gets stuck between the rotary base 201 and the end member of the rotary cleaning body 20, it can be difficult to remove. Means for solving this problem will be described below.

[0031] Fig. 5 is an external perspective view of the rotary cleaning body 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a side view of the clutch body according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] A plurality of insertion grooves 208 (see FIG. 12 ) are formed spirally along the axial direction (left-right direction) in the rotary base 201 of the rotary cleaning body 20, and a plurality of brushes (first brush 202, second brush 203) are inserted into these insertion grooves 208. A clutch body 205 that transmits the driving force of the electric motor 40 is provided at one axial end of the rotary base 201, and a brush cover 206 is provided at the other axial end of the rotary base 201. The clutch body 205 and the brush cover 206 constitute end members of the rotary cleaning body 20.

[0033] The brush cover 206 is composed of a first brush cover part 206a attached to the rotary base 201 and a second brush cover part 206b equipped with a bearing inside.

[0034] The second brush cover part 206b is rotatably connected to the first brush cover part 206a, and is detachably attached to the suction mouth body 11. In this way, the rotating cleaning body 20 is provided rotatably with respect to the suction mouth body 6.

[0035] The clutch body 205 includes a transmission part 205a having a plurality of recesses 205a1 that engage with claws (not shown) of the reduction mechanism of the electric motor 40, a shaft part 205j that is inserted into a through-hole 209 (see FIG. 12) of the rotary base 201, a large-diameter part 205b that contacts the axial end of the rotary base 201, and a small-diameter part 205c that is located axially outside (opposite the brush) of the large-diameter part 205b between the transmission part 205a and the large-diameter part 205b and has a smaller diameter than the large-diameter part 205b. In addition, the large-diameter part 205b is formed with an inclined part 205d that is inclined downward from the rotary base 201 side (brush side) toward the axially outside (opposite the brush side) where the small-diameter part 205c is located. In other words, the inclined portion 205d is inclined from the rotary base 201 side (brush side) toward the small diameter portion 205c so as to approach the rotation axis C of the rotary base 201 (rotary cleaning body 20). An end wall 205e is formed at the axially outer end of the inclined portion 205d, extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis C of the rotary base 201 (rotary cleaning body 20) and connecting to the small diameter portion 205c. Furthermore, the inclined portion 205d is formed with a plurality of protrusions 205i protruding in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis C.

[0036] Fig. 7 is a side view showing an enlargement of a part of the rotary cleaning body 20 according to Example 1 of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a side view showing an enlargement of a part of the rotary cleaning body 20 according to a comparative example.

[0037] In the comparative example in Fig. 8, the same reference numerals are used to designate components common to Example 1. In the comparative example, a large diameter wall 801 is formed on the axially inner side (brush side) of the small diameter portion 205c, and a large diameter connecting portion 802 is further formed between the large diameter wall 801 and the end of the rotary base 201. The diameter of the large diameter wall 801 is larger than the diameter of the large diameter connecting portion 802. In other words, the large diameter connecting portion 802 and the small diameter portion 205c are separated by the large diameter wall 801, which has a larger diameter than the large diameter wall 801.

[0038] When the vacuum cleaner 1 starts operating, suction force is generated by the electric blower 21, and the rotary cleaning body 20 is rotated by the electric motor 40. Dust that is sucked in by the suction force includes hair, lint, and the like.

[0039] In FIG. 8 , for example, when lint 70 is sucked into the suction body 6 from the left, the sucked lint 70 rotates within the brush chamber Q along with the rotation of the rotary cleaning body 20. At this time, the lint 70 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter connecting portion 802 and enters the gap between the large-diameter connecting portion 802 and the rotary base 201. In FIG. 8 , a large-diameter wall 801, which has a larger diameter than the large-diameter connecting portion 802 and the small-diameter portion 205c, is formed between the large-diameter connecting portion 802 and the small-diameter portion 205c, preventing the lint 70 from moving toward the small-diameter portion 205c. As a result, the lint 70 winds around the gap between the large-diameter connecting portion 802 and the rotary base 201. The lint 70 that has entered the gap between the large-diameter connecting portion 802 and the rotary base 201 winds tightly and is difficult to remove with a cutter or scissors.

[0040] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the large diameter portion 205b is provided with an inclined portion 205d to guide the sucked lint 70 to the small diameter portion 205c. In FIG. 7, when lint 70 is sucked into the suction body 6 from the left, the sucked lint 70 rotates within the brush chamber Q along with the rotation of the rotary cleaning body 20. At this time, the lint 70 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 205b, but because the inclined portion 205d is formed in the large diameter portion 205b, the lint 70 is guided along the inclined portion 205d and winds around the small diameter portion 205c. The lint 70 wound around the small diameter portion 205c is easy to unwind and to remove with a cutter or scissors.

[0041] According to this embodiment, the large diameter portion 205b is provided with an inclined portion 205d in order to guide the sucked lint 70 to the small diameter portion 205c, thereby preventing hair or lint 70 from becoming entangled at the connection portion between the rotating base 201 of the rotating cleaning body 20 and the clutch body 205.

[0042] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the hair and lint 70 are guided to the small diameter portion 205c, making it easier to remove the hair and lint 70, thereby reducing the work of removing the hair and lint 70.

[0043] Furthermore, by forming multiple protrusions 205i, hair or lint that has one end tangled in first brush 202 or second brush 203 can become a starting point when caught on protrusion 205i, and is guided along inclined portion 205d to wind around small diameter portion 205c. This further prevents hair or lint 70 from becoming tangled in the connection between rotation base 201 of rotary cleaning body 20 and clutch body 205.

[0044] It is also effective to devise a structure for the suction body 6 in order to prevent hair and lint from getting wrapped around the rotary cleaning body 20. Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the lower left portion of the suction body 6. In Fig. 9, the rotary cleaning body 20 has been removed.

[0045] 9, the inner wall surface of the brush chamber Q of the suction body 6 is provided with a brush chamber protrusion 90 that protrudes toward the rotary cleaning body 20. This brush chamber protrusion 90 is provided so that the axially outer ends of the multiple brushes (first brush 202, second brush 203) provided on the rotary cleaning body 20 come into contact with it when the rotary cleaning body 20 rotates. When the rotary cleaning body 20 rotates, the brushes that come into contact with the brush chamber protrusion 90 fall over, thereby preventing hair and lint from getting caught on the rotary cleaning body 20 and removing hair and lint 70 tangled in the rotary cleaning body 20.

[0046] Furthermore, in Fig. 9, the suction body 6 has a recess 101 on the outer side in the left-right direction of the rotary cleaning body 20 and on the rear side of the rotation axis C of the rotary base 201 (rotary cleaning body 20). In Fig. 9, only the recess 101 on the left side is shown, and the recess 101 on the right side is not shown.

[0047] The recess 101 is recessed upward from the bottom surface of the suction mouth case 10, and is configured so that when the suction mouth body 6 is placed on the surface to be cleaned, the recess 101 does not come into close contact with or come into contact with the surface to be cleaned. This allows air sucked in from the left and right directions of the suction mouth body 6 to flow into the brush chamber Q through the recess 101, making it possible to suck in dust from both the left and right directions of the suction mouth body 6. Furthermore, in a side view of the suction mouth body 6 (when viewed from the left and right), the recess 101 allows the opening area on the side of the suction mouth case 10 to be smaller than the opening area on the further inner side, on the brush chamber Q side. This increases the flow rate of the suction air on the side of the suction mouth body 6, and increases the suction force when sucking in dust, thereby improving the cleaning performance of the suction mouth body 6 in the left and right directions.

[0048] According to this embodiment, a brush chamber protrusion 90 is provided on the inner wall of the brush chamber Q, which comes into contact with the brush of the rotating cleaning body 20 and tilts the brush, thereby preventing hair and lint from getting caught on the rotating cleaning body 20, or making it possible to remove hair and lint that has become tangled in the rotating cleaning body 20.

[0049] Furthermore, more dust is sucked in from the left and right directions of the suction mouth body 6 through the recess 101, and the probability that hair and lint 70 will become entangled at the connection between the rotating base 201 of the rotating cleaning body 20 and the clutch body 205 increases. However, the structure of the clutch body 205 and the brush chamber protrusion 90 of this embodiment can prevent hair and lint 70 from becoming entangled at the connection between the rotating base 201 of the rotating cleaning body 20 and the clutch body 205. [Example]

[0050] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 is an external perspective view of a clutch body 205 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 is an enlarged side view of a portion of a rotary cleaning body 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Components common to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the large diameter portion is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0051] As in the first embodiment, the large diameter portion 205f is in contact with the axial end portion of the rotary base 201. A small diameter portion 205c having a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion 205f is provided on the axially outer side of the large diameter portion 205f.

[0052] The large diameter portion 205f of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of grooves 205g that are recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 205f toward the rotation axis C of the rotary base 201 and extend in the axial direction, and a plurality of protrusions 205h that protrude from the axial end of the large diameter portion 205f toward the rotary base 201 side (brush side). When the rotary cleaning body 20 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the plurality of protrusions 205h are arranged to extend across the connection portion between the rotary base 201 and the large diameter portion 205f.

[0053] In Figure 11, when lint 70 is sucked into the suction mouth body 6 from the left, the sucked lint 70 rotates within the brush chamber Q along with the rotation of the rotary cleaning body 20. At this time, the lint 70 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 205f, but because the large diameter portion 205f has multiple grooves 205g, grooves 205g create space between the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 205f and the lint 70, causing the lint 70 to unwind and be guided to the small diameter portion 205c, where it winds around the small diameter portion 205c. The lint 70 wound around the small diameter portion 205c is easy to unwind and to remove with a cutter or scissors. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the multiple protrusions 205h are arranged to extend across the connection between the rotary base 201 and the large diameter portion 205f when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotary cleaning body 20, making it difficult for lint 70 to get between the rotary base 201 and the large diameter portion 205f. Furthermore, hair and lint get caught on the multiple protrusions 205h, making it easier for them to be guided to the small diameter portion 205c.

[0054] According to this embodiment, hair and lint can be easily removed, and the work of removing hair and lint can be reduced.

[0055] As described above in Examples 1 and 2, in order to prevent hair or lint 70 from becoming entangled at the connection between the rotating base 201 of the rotating cleaning body 20 and the clutch body 205, it is necessary to position the maximum diameter portion (large diameter portions 205b, 205f) of the clutch body 205 at a position closest to the rotating cleaning body 20.

[0056] Furthermore, by providing a portion (inclined portion 205d) that guides the hair and lint 70 to the small diameter portion 205c of the clutch body 205, the entangled hair and lint 70 can be guided to a portion where they can be easily removed.

[0057] Furthermore, if one end of a hair or lint 70 becomes entangled in the first brush 202 or the second brush 203, even if there is a section (inclined section 205d) that guides it to the maximum diameter section (large diameter sections 205b, 205f) or the small diameter section 205c, the rotational force of the rotating cleaning body increases the possibility that the hair or lint 70 will become entangled in the rotating cleaning body 20 or the connection section between the rotating base 201 of the rotating cleaning body 20 and the clutch body 205.

[0058] In response to this, it is effective to use an uneven structure (plurality of convex portions 205i, plural groove portions 205g, plural protrusions 205h) that serves as a starting point for catching the other end of hair or lint 70 that has become entangled with first brush 202 or second brush 203 and guiding it to small diameter portion 205c of clutch body 205. These uneven structures can prevent hair or lint 70 that has become entangled with first brush 202 or second brush 203 from becoming completely entangled with rotating cleaning body 20 or the connecting portion between rotation base 201 of rotating cleaning body 20 and clutch body 205. [Example]

[0059] Next, Example 3 will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 14. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of rotary cleaning body 20 according to Example 3 of the present invention, cut in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Fig. 13 is an enlarged schematic view of brushes (first brush 202, second brush 203) according to Example 3 of the present invention. Since first brush 202 and second brush 203 have the same configuration, both are shown in Fig. 13. Configurations common to Examples 1 and 2 are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0060] The rotating base 201 has a through hole 209 formed in the center into which the shaft portion 205j of the clutch body 205 and the shaft portion of the brush cover 206 are inserted, and a spiral insertion groove 208 into which the first brush 202 and the second brush 203 are inserted.

[0061] The first brush 202 includes a brush base 202a to be inserted into the insertion groove 208, and brush bristles 202b that are fixed to the brush base 202a by sewing or implanting.

[0062] Similarly, the second brush 203 has a brush base 203a to be inserted into the insertion groove 208, and brush bristles 203b that are fixed to the brush base 203a by sewing or implanting.

[0063] The bristles 202b of the first brush 202 are thinner and softer than the bristles of the second brush 203. The length of the bristles 202b of the first brush 202 (the length from the brush base 202a to the radially outer end of the bristles 202b) is longer than the length of the bristles 203b of the second brush 203 (the length from the brush base 203a to the radially outer end of the bristles 203b).

[0064] The brush bristles 202b, 203b have one end or the other end sewn or implanted to the brush bases 202a, 203a, and loops 202r, 203r are formed at positions away from the brush bases 202a, 203a. That is, the brush bristles 202b, 203b have both ends sewn or implanted to the brush bases 202a, 203a, forming a loop shape.

[0065] When the brush base 202a of the first brush 202 is inserted into the insertion groove 208, the radial center line CL of the first brush 202 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the normal line N of the rotary base 201. In this embodiment, the radial center line CL of the first brush 202 is inclined toward the opposite side (lag side) of the rotation direction of the rotary cleaning body 20. Similar to the first brush 202, the radial center line CL of the second brush 203 is also inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the normal line N of the rotary base 201. In this embodiment, the inclination angle θ of the radial center lines CL of the first brush 202 and the second brush 203 with respect to the normal line N of the rotary base 201 is set to 25°.

[0066] In this embodiment, the radial center lines CL of the first brush 202 and the second brush 203 are inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the normal line N of the rotation base 201, which reduces the load on the first brush 202 and the second brush 203 when the rotary cleaning body 20 is rotated and brought into contact with the surface F to be cleaned. This makes it easier for the first brush 202 and the second brush 203 to tip over and sink toward the surface F to be cleaned, increasing the contact area and improving cleaning performance. Furthermore, granular dust can be made less likely to be repelled.

[0067] Furthermore, because the radial center line CL of the first brush 202 is inclined toward the opposite side (delay side) to the rotation direction of the rotating cleaning body 20, the first brush 202 hits the floor surface more strongly so as to dig into it when the suction body 6 is moved forward. This makes it possible to thoroughly scrape out dust right down to the base, particularly when cleaning a carpet with long pile, improving cleaning performance.

[0068] Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which loop-shaped brush bristles 202b and 203b according to Example 3 of the present invention come into contact with the surface to be cleaned F. Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a brush according to a comparative example comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned F.

[0069] 15, in the case of brush-like brush bristles 202g that do not have a loop shape, the bristles have low rigidity, so when the radial center line CL of the bristles 202g contacts the surface to be cleaned F at an angle, the bristles 202g bend midway, and the tip ends 202g1 of the bristles 202g move away from the surface to be cleaned F. For this reason, the configuration of the comparative example has a problem in that the contact area between the bristles 202g and the surface to be cleaned F does not increase, resulting in a decrease in cleaning performance.

[0070] 14, the brush bristles 202b, 203b of this embodiment are formed in a loop shape, so even if the radial center lines CL of the brush bristles 202b, 203b contact the surface to be cleaned at an angle relative to the surface F, the tip ends 202b1, 203b1 of the brush bristles 202b, 203b remain in contact with the surface F. Therefore, with the configuration of this embodiment, the contact area between the brush bristles 202b, 203b and the surface F to be cleaned is increased, thereby improving cleaning performance.

[0071] The inclination angle θ of the radial center line CL of the first brush 202 and the second brush 203 relative to the normal line N of the rotating base 201 is not limited to 25°, and cleaning performance can be improved in the range of greater than 0° and less than 40°. Furthermore, in the range of 0° to 25°, the cleaning performance improves as the inclination angle θ increases, and cleaning performance is maximized in the range of 25° to 40°. This is because the contact area between the brush bristles 202b, 203b and the surface F to be cleaned increases as the inclination angle θ increases, thereby improving cleaning performance.

[0072] The radial center line CL of the first brush 202 can also be inclined toward the same side as the rotation direction of the rotating cleaning body 20. In this case, when the suction body 6 is moved backward, the first brush 202 hits the floor surface more strongly, digging into it. This makes it possible to thoroughly scrape out dust right down to the roots, particularly when cleaning a carpet with long pile, improving cleaning performance.

[0073] In this embodiment, all of the first brush 202 and the second brush 203 are inclined, but the inclination angle of some of the brushes can be changed or they can be left uninclined. Furthermore, these rotating cleaning bodies can be configured to be replaceable. This allows users to select the rotating cleaning body according to the condition of the floor (carpet, hardwood, tatami, etc.) and the user's cleaning habits (e.g., whether the suction body 6 is often pushed forward or pulled backward), simply by replacing the rotating cleaning body 20, without changing the structure of the suction body 6 itself, thereby improving cleaning performance.

[0074] Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 1 may be equipped with a sensor or the like to detect the condition of the floor surface and the user's cleaning habits. In this case, the optimal rotating cleaning element is determined according to the usage state of the vacuum cleaner 1 and notified to the user, thereby enabling cleaning with the optimal rotating cleaning element to be achieved and improving cleaning performance. The detection means for the sensor or the like is not limited to these, and may include optical means, means using moving images, physical means, etc.

[0075] According to this embodiment, the radial center lines CL of the loop-shaped first brush 202 and second brush 203 are arranged at an inclination of a predetermined angle θ with respect to the normal line N of the rotating base 201. Therefore, when the rotating cleaning body 20 is rotated and brought into contact with the surface F to be cleaned, the load applied to the first brush 202 and second brush 203 can be reduced, and the contact area between the first brush 202 and second brush 203 and the surface F to be cleaned is increased, thereby improving cleaning performance. [Example]

[0076] Next, Example 4 will be described with reference to Figs. 16 to 18. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a suction body 6 according to Example 4 of the present invention, cut along the front-rear direction and partially enlarged. Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of a rotary cleaning body 20 and a bumper 17 according to Example 4 of the present invention. Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of a rotary cleaning body 20 and a bumper 17 according to a comparative example. Components common to Examples 1 to 3 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0077] This embodiment is characterized in that a bumper 17 provided on the front end surface of the suction body 6 has a protruding portion 17a at the lower end thereof that protrudes toward the rotary cleaning body 20 side (brush chamber Q side).

[0078] Bumper 17 is provided from the front end face to the left and right side faces of suction mouth body 11. As shown in Figure 16, protrusion 17a is provided at the lower end of the front end face of bumper 17.

[0079] Dust on the surface to be cleaned F includes small, hard particles such as rice grains. As shown in the comparative example of Figure 18, when a grain of rice 60 enters the brush chamber Q, the grain of rice 60 rotates in the brush chamber Q together with the rotating first brush 202 and second brush 203 and is sucked into the dust collection section. At this time, some of the rice grains released by the rotation of the first brush 202 and second brush 203 may bounce off the surface to be cleaned F and be ejected forward of the suction body 6.

[0080] Therefore, in this embodiment, a protrusion 17a that protrudes toward the rotary cleaning body 20 (brush chamber Q) is provided at the lower end of the bumper 17. The rice grains released by the rotation of the first brush 202 and the second brush 203 collide with the protrusion 17a provided at the lower end of the bumper 17 and are guided toward the rotary cleaning body 20 (brush chamber Q).

[0081] According to this embodiment, the lower end of the bumper 17 is provided with a protrusion 17a that protrudes toward the rotating cleaning body 20 side (brush chamber Q side), thereby preventing rice grains and the like from being ejected forward of the suction mouth body 6.

[0082] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1...electric vacuum cleaner, 2...vacuum cleaner body, 5...extension tube, 6...suction nozzle body, 10...suction nozzle case, 11...suction nozzle body, 17...bumper, 17a...protrusion, 20...rotating cleaning body, 21...electric blower, 22...dust collection part, 40...electric motor, 201...rotating base, 202...first brush, 202a...brush base, 202b...brush bristles, 202b1...tip, 202r...loop, 203...second brush, 203a...brush base, 203b...brush bristles, 2203b1...tip, 203r...loop, 205...clutch body, 205a...transmission part, 205a1...recess, 205b...large diameter part, 205c...small diameter part, 205d...inclined part, 205f...large diameter part, 205g...groove part, 205h...projection part, 205i...convex part, 205j...shaft part, 206...brush cover, 206a...first brush cover part, 206b...second brush cover part, 208...insertion groove, 209...through hole, C...rotation axis, CL...radial center line, F...surface to be cleaned, Q...brush chamber,

Claims

1. In a suction head of an electric vacuum cleaner equipped with an electric motor that drives a rotary cleaning body, The rotary cleaning body includes a rotary base and a plurality of brushes inserted into insertion grooves formed in the rotary base. The plurality of brushes each include a brush base that is inserted into the insertion groove, and brush bristles that are sewn or planted on the brush base, When the brush base is inserted into the insertion groove, the radial center lines of the plurality of brushes are arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a normal line of the rotary base, The suction head of the electric vacuum cleaner is characterized in that the brush bristles are formed in a loop shape with both ends sewn or implanted to the brush base.

2. The suction head of the vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, The suction head of the electric vacuum cleaner, wherein the plurality of brushes have radial centerlines inclined toward the opposite side to the rotation direction of the rotary cleaning body.

3. The suction head of the vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, A suction head of an electric vacuum cleaner, characterized in that the inclination angle of the radial center lines of the plurality of brushes with respect to the normal line of the rotating base is 25°.

4. The suction head of the vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, the plurality of brushes includes a first brush and a second brush, The suction head of the vacuum cleaner is characterized in that the length of the bristles of the first brush is longer than the length of the bristles of the second brush.

5. The suction head of the vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, The suction body has a bumper on its front end surface, A suction head of an electric vacuum cleaner, characterized in that a protrusion protruding toward the rotary cleaning body is provided at a lower end of the bumper.

6. An electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum cleaner body having an electric blower and a dust collecting unit that collects dust collected by suction force generated by the electric blower; an extension pipe having one end connected to the vacuum cleaner body and communicating with the dust collecting unit; and a suction nozzle body connected to the other end of the extension pipe, 6. An electric vacuum cleaner, wherein the suction body is the suction body according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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