Dust collecting station and dust collecting device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a dust collecting station capable of achieving noise reduction, and a dust collecting device including the dust collecting station.SOLUTION: A dust collection station connected to a vacuum cleaner to collect dust from the vacuum cleaner, the dust collection station comprising a housing and a base disposed at a lower portion of the housing, the housing includes a collection port connectable to a cleaner and configured to collect air containing dust from the cleaner, a dust collection unit configured to store the dust contained in the air collected through the collection port, a suction unit including an electric suction machine configured to generate a suction force for sucking the air, an exhaust port configured to discharge the air separated from the dust to the outside, and an exhaust path connected to the suction unit and the exhaust port and configured to allow the air separated from the dust to flow from the suction unit toward the exhaust port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The following disclosure relates to a dust collection station and a dust recovery device. [Background technology]

[0002] As conventional vacuum cleaners, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe stick-type vacuum cleaners and collection devices that collect dust from the vacuum cleaners. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7153867 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7165869 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the recovery device described in Patent Document 1, the direction of exhaust after the dust is sucked in by the dust suction source is not fixed, and the exhaust is made at random, which is why it is presumed that the noise of the recovery device is loud. The same is true for the recovery device described in Patent Document 2.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a dust collection station that can achieve low noise levels, and a dust recovery device that includes the dust collection station. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A dust collection station according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a dust collection station that is connected to a vacuum cleaner to collect dust from the vacuum cleaner, the dust collection station comprising: a housing; and a base located at the bottom of the housing; the housing is connectable to the vacuum cleaner and comprises: a collection port that collects air containing the dust from the vacuum cleaner; a dust collection unit that stores the dust contained in the air collected through the collection port; a suction unit that includes an electric suction device that generates suction force to suck in the air; an exhaust port that discharges the air separated from the dust to the outside; and an exhaust path that is connected to the suction unit and the exhaust port and through which the air separated from the dust flows from the suction unit toward the exhaust port, the exhaust path having a length that is at least half the circumference of the inner circumference of the housing when viewed in a plane.

[0007] A dust collection device according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a vacuum cleaner and the above-described dust collection station. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present disclosure can provide a dust collection station that can achieve low noise levels, and a dust recovery device that includes the dust collection station. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic view of the appearance of a vacuum cleaner 100 and a dust collection station 200. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic internal structure of a vacuum cleaner 100 and a dust collection station 200. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic view of the appearance of a vacuum cleaner 100 and a dust collection station 200. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' in FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic external view of a dust collection station 200 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic external view of a dust collection station 200 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic internal structure of a dust collection station 200 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic internal structure of a dust collection station 200 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 9] 2 is a diagram illustrating the internal structure of the dust collection station 200 with the first cover 233 open. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic view showing the appearance of the dust collection station 200 with the first cover 233 open. FIG. [Figure 11] 2 is a diagram illustrating the internal structure of the dust collection station 200 with the first cover 233 open. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic view showing the appearance of the dust collection station 200 with the first cover 233 open. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a perspective view showing the outline of the appearance of the dust collector 231 before it is attached to the placement portion 232. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a perspective view showing the outline of the appearance of the dust collector 231 before it is attached to the placement portion 232. FIG. [Figure 15] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a simplified internal structure of a dust collector 231 before it is attached to a mounting portion 232. FIG. [Figure 16] 1 is a diagram illustrating the inside of a housing 201 included in a dust collection station 200 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 17] 1 is a diagram illustrating the inside of a housing 201 included in a dust collection station 200 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 18] 1 is a diagram illustrating the inside of a housing 201 included in a dust collection station 200 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 19] 1 is a diagram illustrating the inside of a housing 201 included in a dust collection station 200 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 20] 1 is a diagram illustrating the inside of a housing 201 included in a dust collection station 200 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 21] 3 is an enlarged view of the X portion of FIG. 2. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic internal structure of a dust collection station 200 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic internal structure of a dust collection station 200 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic internal structure of a dust collection station 200 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic internal structure of a dust collection station 200 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a dust collection station 200 according to a third embodiment, viewed from above. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a dust collection station 200 according to a third embodiment, viewed from above. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a dust collection station 200 according to a third embodiment, viewed from above. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a suction mouth body 102 of a vacuum cleaner 100 in a fourth embodiment, as viewed from the front left side. [Figure 30] 11 is a view of a suction mouth body 102 of a vacuum cleaner 100 in a fourth embodiment, viewed from the bottom 11a side. [Figure 31] 13 is a view of a suction mouth body 102 of a vacuum cleaner 100 in a first modified example of the fourth embodiment, viewed from the bottom 11a side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a dust collection station and a dust recovery device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments, and appropriate design changes can be made within the scope of the configuration of the present disclosure. In the drawings, identical or equivalent elements are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Only the main parts are shown in the drawings. The following description will focus on the main parts and parts related to the present disclosure.

[0011] In the description of the dust collection station 200 herein, when describing directions, the vertical direction when the dust collection station 200 is installed on a horizontal surface is referred to as the up-down direction Z (Z1-Z2), the horizontal direction in which the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached or detached is referred to as the front-rear direction Y (Y1-Y2), and the other is referred to as the left-right direction X (X1-X2). Within the front-rear direction Y, the direction in which the vacuum cleaner 100 is detached from the dust collection station 200 is also referred to as the first direction (the Y1 direction in the drawings), and the direction in which the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the dust collection station 200 is also referred to as the second direction (the Y2 direction in the drawings). The second direction is the opposite direction to the first direction. The Y1 side is the front side of the dust collection station 200, and the Y2 side is the rear side. Furthermore, the left-right direction of the dust collection station 200 is referred to as the direction when viewed from the Y1 side of the dust collection station 200. That is, in the drawing showing the dust collection station 200, the X1 side is the left direction and the X2 side is the right direction.

[0012] In describing the vacuum cleaner 100 alone, the longitudinal direction of the vacuum cleaner body 101 is referred to as the up-down direction Z (Z1-Z2), the side closest to the user when in use is referred to as the rear side (Y1 side in the drawing), and the side opposite the rear side is referred to as the front side (Y2 side in the drawing). The rear side of the vacuum cleaner 100 is also referred to as the rear, and the front side is also referred to as the front. Furthermore, the left-right direction of the vacuum cleaner 100 is referred to as the direction seen by a user holding the vacuum cleaner 100. That is, in the drawing showing the vacuum cleaner 100, the X1 side is the left direction and the X2 side is the right direction.

[0013] In this specification, when two lines or planes are "parallel," it means that the angle (absolute value) they form is within the range of 0°±3°. When two lines or planes are "orthogonal" (and "perpendicular"), it means that the angle (absolute value) they form is within the range of 90°±3°.

[0014] In the following embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 100 will be described as a stick-type vacuum cleaner having a rod-like shape, but the vacuum cleaner 100 is not limited to stick-type vacuum cleaners and may be, for example, an autonomous vacuum cleaner (also called a robot vacuum cleaner).

[0015] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in FIG. 3. FIGS. 1 to 4 show the posture of the vacuum cleaner 100 when connected (also referred to as attached) to the dust collection station 200 according to this embodiment (and embodiments 2 to 4 described below). Note that FIGS. 1 and 2 are views seen from the X2 side. Details of the vacuum cleaner 100 will be described later.

[0016] 5 and 6 are schematic perspective views of the exterior of the dust collection station 200 according to this embodiment. FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic views of the internal structure of the dust collection station 200. FIG. 7 is a view (right side view) from the X2 side, and FIG. 8 is a view (rear view) from the Y1 side. Note that FIG. 5 illustrates a position of the dust collection station 200 installed on a horizontal surface, with the lid (also referred to as a first lid) 233 of the mounting portion 232 opened and the dust collector 231 removed from the mounting portion 232 to above the dust collection station 200. FIG. 6 illustrates a position of the dust collector 231 attached to the mounting portion 232 and the first lid 233 being closed, from the position shown in FIG. 5.

[0017] The dust collection station 200 is a device that collects dust from the vacuum cleaner 100 by connecting the vacuum cleaner 100. The dust collection station 200 includes a housing 201 and a base 202 disposed below the housing 201. The dust collection station 200 includes a power cord 270 for connecting the dust collection station 200 to a commercial power source. FIGS. 1 and 5 show a portion of the power cord 270. A recess is provided on the lower right side of the housing 201, and the power cord 270 extends from within this recess. By providing the power cord 270 in the recess, it is possible to closely attach the right side (X2 side) of the housing 201 to the wall of a building (i.e., to tightly adhere it to the wall). However, in this case, it is preferable to set the size of the suction port body 102 so that it fits between the left side (X1 side) and right side (X2 side) of the dust collection station 200 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the dust collection station 200.

[0018] The housing 201 has a shape (for example, a box shape) that can accommodate various parts such as the second dust collecting unit 230 and the second electric suction device 250 inside, and is made of, for example, a resin material or a metal material. The housing 201 preferably includes a support part 201S that supports the vacuum cleaner 100 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collecting station 200. The support part 201S is preferably provided on, for example, the front side (Y1 side) of the housing 201, and in this case, the vacuum cleaner 100 connected to the dust collecting station 200 can be removed from the support part 201S in the first direction Y1.

[0019] The support portion 201S is a portion that supports the vacuum cleaner 100 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200. For example, in FIG. 5 etc., a protruding portion that is concave in plan view is provided on the Y1 side of the housing 201, and the entire concave portion serves as the support portion 201S. More specifically, ribs F (see F1 and F2 in FIG. 5) provided near the upper and lower ends of the concave portion, a portion where the collection port 220 is provided (see FIG. 6), and / or a portion where the charging terminal 205 described below is arranged come into contact with the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0020] The dust collection station 200 preferably includes a charging terminal 205 for supplying power to the battery 170 of the vacuum cleaner 100, but for example, the charging terminal 205 may be provided on the support part 201S. In this embodiment, for example, as shown in Fig. 6, the charging terminal 205 is provided on a portion 206 that protrudes from the recessed side surface that constitutes the support part 201S. Furthermore, if the dust collection station 200 does not include the charging terminal 205, the rib F and the collection port 220 may serve as the support part 201S.

[0021] The housing 201 (outer wall) may have a holding portion 201H therein, and the holding portion 201H may hold or form each component provided inside the housing 201. A part of the holding portion 201H may form each component, or the holding portion 201H may support each component, etc. The holding portion 201H is detachably attached to the housing 201 by, for example, screws or the like.

[0022] Housing 201 is connectable to vacuum cleaner 100 and includes collection port 220 for collecting dust-containing air from vacuum cleaner 100, second dust collection unit 230 for storing dust contained in the air collected through collection port 220, suction unit 254 including second electric suction device 250 for generating suction force to suck in the dust-containing air, and exhaust port 260 for discharging air separated from the dust to the outside. Housing 201 further includes dust flow path 21 connecting collection port 220 and second dust collection unit 230, and exhaust path 22 connecting suction unit 254 and exhaust port 260.

[0023] The collection port 220 is an opening that communicates with the dust discharge port 160 of the vacuum cleaner 100 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected (mounted) to the dust collection station 200. The collection port 220 may or may not have an openable and closable cover (not shown). The collection port 220 and the second dust collection section 230 communicate with each other via the dust flow path 21.

[0024] The collection port 220 is preferably arranged so that air is drawn in a third direction inclined with respect to the first direction Y1 when the housing 201 is viewed from above. In this embodiment, the collection port 220 is provided in a protruding portion for supporting the vacuum cleaner body 101 (for example, the support portion 201S in FIG. 5). This allows the thickness of the housing 201 in the depth direction (front-rear direction Y) to be reduced. Therefore, for example, when the dust collection station 200 is installed so that the back surface (the surface on the Y2 side) of the housing 201 faces a wall in a room, the dust collection station 200 is less likely to get in the way of objects and people in the room. This dust collection station 200 is preferable from the viewpoint of user friendliness. As described above, if the direction in which the vacuum cleaner 100 connected to the dust collection station 200 is detached is defined as the first direction, an aspect in which the collection port 220 is arranged so that air is drawn in a third direction inclined with respect to the first direction Y1 when the housing 201 is viewed from above is one of the preferable aspects of this embodiment.

[0025] Furthermore, when collection port 220 is positioned so that air is sucked in the third direction as described above, it is preferable to provide rib F on the recess wall opposite collection port 220 (see FIG. 5). In this case, when vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to housing 201, rib F pushes vacuum cleaner 10 toward collection port 220, which makes it easier for collection port 220 and dust discharge port 160 of vacuum cleaner 100, which will be described later, to come into close contact with each other. This improves the efficiency of dust collection by dust collection station 200.

[0026] The third direction is a direction that is not parallel to the front-rear direction Y when the housing 201 is viewed in a plan view, and is preferably a direction that is perpendicular to the front-rear direction Y (i.e., the left-right direction X). In this embodiment, the dust discharge port 160 is provided on the side surface on the X2 side of the vacuum cleaner body 101, and the collection port 220 of the dust collection station 200 is positioned so that air is sucked from the vacuum cleaner 100 in the X2 direction when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the dust collection station 200 (see FIG. 6), but the collection port 220 may also be positioned so that air is sucked in the X1 direction. In this case, the dust discharge port 160 is provided on the side surface on the X1 side of the vacuum cleaner body 101.

[0027] The second dust collecting section 230 is made up of a dust collector 231 that collects dust from the air collected through the collection port 220, and a mounting section 232 on which the dust collector 231 is detachably mounted (placed).

[0028] Placement section 232 is a section that detachably houses dust collector 231 therein, and includes opening 232a (also referred to as an intake port) that connects collection port 220 and dust collector 231, and opening 232b that exhausts air toward second electric suction machine 250. Placement section 232 is preferably cylindrical and includes a surrounding wall W. The central axis of surrounding wall W preferably aligns with vertical direction Z, and a lid (also referred to as a first lid) 233 is provided at one end (upper end) of surrounding wall W in an openable and closable manner.

[0029] The intake port 232a is provided in the surrounding wall W, and the opening 232b that exhausts air to the second electric suction machine 250 side is provided in the lower end of the surrounding wall W (i.e., the bottom of the mounting portion 232). The lower end of the surrounding wall W is a position where the dust collector 231 is attached (also referred to as a set position). From the viewpoint of ensuring a sufficient capacity of the dust collector 231 while facilitating attachment and detachment of the dust collector 231, the mounting portion 232 preferably has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view and cross-section (see FIGS. 4 and 9 to 12, etc.). For example, the surrounding wall W is preferably cylindrical with opposing wall surfaces parallel to each other, and the bottom portion (bottom surface) of the mounting portion 232 is preferably parallel to the main surface of the first cover 233 in cross-section.

[0030] Air intake port 232a is preferably arranged so that air is sucked in the direction opposite to the direction in which air is sucked from collection port 220 when housing 201 is viewed from above. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, if collection port 220 is arranged so that air is sucked from vacuum cleaner 100 in the X2 direction, air intake port 232a is preferably arranged so that air is sucked into second dust collecting section 230 in the X1 direction. When collection port 220 and air intake port 232a are arranged in this manner, dust flow path 21 connecting collection port 220 and air intake port 232a is bent in at least two places and the distance from collection port 220 to air intake port 232a is also long, so that dust collection station 200 can effectively reduce noise.

[0031] 5 and other figures, the placement portion 232 is provided with an openable and closable lid (also referred to as a first lid) 233. The upper end of the surrounding wall W (i.e., the open end of the placement portion 232) is opened or closed by the first lid 233.

[0032] 9 and 11 are schematic diagrams showing the internal structure of the dust collection station 200 when the first cover 233 is open, both of which are views (front views) from the Y1 side. 10 and 12 are schematic diagrams showing the external appearance of the dust collection station 200 when the first cover 233 is open, both of which are views (plan views) from the Z1 side. 9 and 10 show a state in which the dust collector 231 is not attached to the mounting portion 232 (also referred to as an unattached state), and 11 and 12 show a state in which the dust collector 231 is attached (set) to the mounting portion 232 (also referred to as an attached state).

[0033] The first lid 233 is attached to the upper end side of the mounting portion 232 via a hinge portion 234 (see FIGS. 10 and 12). The hinge portion 234 is provided on the rear side (Y2 side) of the mounting portion 232 so that the user can easily insert and remove the dust collector 231. Furthermore, when the first lid 233 is closed, the top surface of the first lid 233 may become part of the top surface of the dust collection station 200. The first lid 233 is made of, for example, a resin molded product produced by pouring a resin material into an injection molding die.

[0034] The placement portion 232 preferably includes a first cover 233 that can be opened and closed, and a lever L (see FIG. 5, etc.). The first cover 233 preferably includes a contact portion C that can contact the lever L (see FIG. 5, etc.). The lever L and the contact portion C are arranged so that they can contact each other when the dust collector 231 is not attached to the placement portion 232, and are configured so that the placement portion 232 is not closed by the first cover 233 when they contact each other. When the dust collector 231 is attached to the placement portion 232, the lever L moves to a position where it does not contact the contact portion C, and the placement portion 232 can be closed by the first cover 233. For reference, the movement of the lever L (second portion L2) is indicated by a double-headed arrow in FIG. 16.

[0035] Specifically, when the dust collector 231 is not yet attached to the placement portion 232 (unattached state), the abutment portion C and the lever L are positioned to abut against each other and thereby prevent the first cover 233 from being closed. That is, in the unattached state, the upper end (Z1 side end) of the lever L is positioned to overlap (interfere with) the path that the abutment portion C follows when closing the first cover 233. In the unattached state, even if a user tries to close the first cover 233, the abutment portion C abuts against the lever L, restricting the movement of the first cover 233 in the direction to close the first cover 233. Therefore, the placement portion 232 is not closed by the first cover 233.

[0036] On the other hand, when the dust collector 231 is attached to the placing portion 232, the lever L moves to a position where it does not abut against the abutment portion C. Therefore, in a state where the dust collector 231 is attached to the placing portion 232 (attached state), the lever L does not abut against the abutment portion C, and therefore, when the user tries to close the first lid body 233, the movement of the first lid body 233 is not restricted. Therefore, the placing portion 232 is closed by the first lid body 233.

[0037] With this configuration, the user can easily recognize that the dust collector 231 has been left attached simply by closing the first lid 233, and in the attached state, the user can easily close the placement section 232 with the first lid 233. Therefore, the dust collection station 200 is extremely user-friendly.

[0038] The contact portion C is formed, for example, in a convex shape. For example, in Fig. 5, a rib is provided on the inner surface of the first cover 233 on the mounting portion side so as to fit (interlock) with the upper edge of the peripheral wall W. The rib is provided so as to protrude in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the first cover 233, and a part of the rib protrudes further. This further protruding part corresponds to the contact portion C. The tip of the contact portion C is rounded.

[0039] The lever L is provided along the inner surface of the surrounding wall W and is involved in opening and closing the first cover 233. The lever L is disposed on the upper part of the inner surface of the surrounding wall W so that, in the unattached state, the upper end of the lever L is located at a position that is substantially coincident with (near) the upper end of the surrounding wall W, or is located above (in the Z1 direction) the upper end of the surrounding wall W (see FIG. 6). It is also preferable that the lever L is attached to the surrounding wall W at a position close to the portion (near the hinge portion 234) where the first cover 233 is attached so as to be able to open and close. The lever L is, for example, a rod-shaped or plate-shaped member and is formed from a resin material, a metal material, or the like.

[0040] 9 and 11 , the lever L preferably includes a first portion L1 that is pressed against the dust collector 231 and pivots when the dust collector 231 is attached to the mounting portion 232, a second portion L2 that is formed integrally with the first portion L1, and a third portion L3 that pivotally supports the first portion L1. The abutting portion C of the first cover 233 and the second portion L2 of the lever L are arranged to be able to abut against each other when the dust collector 231 is not attached to the mounting portion 232, and are configured so that the mounting portion 232 is not closed by the first cover 233 when they abut against each other. When the dust collector 231 is attached to the mounting portion 232, the first portion L1 pivots, so that the second portion L2 moves to a position where it does not abut against the abutting portion C, and the mounting portion 232 can be closed by the first cover 233.

[0041] The first part L1 is the part of the lever L that extends downward (towards Z2) from the third part L3 that serves as the fulcrum, and the second part L2 is the part of the lever L that extends upward (towards Z1) from the third part L3 that serves as the fulcrum.

[0042] As described above, the mounting portion 232 is preferably cylindrical, and in this case, the first portion L1 is preferably rotatable about a first axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis direction (vertical direction Z) of the mounting portion 232. The direction in which the first axis extends is preferably parallel to the wall surface of the surrounding wall W to which the lever L is attached. In FIGS. 9 to 12, the lever L is attached to the inner surface of the wall W1 on the X2 side parallel to the front-rear direction Y, of the surrounding wall W that constitutes the mounting portion 232, and the first portion L1 is rotatable about the first axis extending in the front-rear direction Y.

[0043] 9 and 10 , in the unattached state, the end of the first section L1 opposite the second section L2 is positioned so as to overlap the path of the outer wall (housing) of the dust collector 231 when the dust collector 231 is attached to the mounting section 232, and the second section L2 is positioned so as to be able to abut against the contact section C. That is, in the unattached state, the upper end (the Z1-side end) of the second section L2 is positioned so as to overlap the path of the contact section C when the first cover 233 is closed. In the unattached state, even if the user tries to close the first cover 233, the contact section C abuts against the second section L2, restricting movement of the first cover 233 in the direction of closing the first cover 233. Therefore, the mounting section 232 is not closed by the first cover 233.

[0044] On the other hand, when a user attempts to mount the dust collector 231 in the mounting portion 232 by moving the dust collector 231 downward in the Z2 direction from a certain position above the mounting portion 232 (see FIG. 5), the first portion L1 is pressed by the dust collector 231 during the mounting process (see FIG. 11). When the first portion L1 is pressed, it rotates about the first axis in a direction approaching the surrounding wall W (direction X2 in FIG. 11). In conjunction with this movement of the first portion L1, the second portion L2 moves from a position where it can contact the contact portion C (see FIG. 9) to a position where it does not contact the contact portion C (see FIG. 11). The upper end of the second portion L2 in the mounted state (i.e., the upper end of the second portion L2 when it is not in contact with the contact portion C) is located at approximately the same position as the upper end of the surrounding wall W in the vertical direction Z, or is located below the upper end of the surrounding wall W.

[0045] In the unattached state, the first portion L1 is biased by a biasing member (not shown) attached to the third portion L3 so as to be positioned inside the mounting portion 232 (opposite the surrounding wall W side). The biasing member is, for example, a compression spring or a torsion coil spring. On the other hand, in the attached state, the first portion L1 is pressed by the dust collector 231 and is positioned on the surrounding wall W side. In the attached state, the second portion L2 is in a position where it does not abut against the abutment portion C, and therefore, when the user attempts to close the first cover body 233, movement of the first cover body 233 is not restricted. Therefore, the mounting portion 232 is closed by the first cover body 233.

[0046] It is preferable that a guide portion R that guides the dust collector 231 into the mounting portion 232 is provided on the surrounding wall W of the mounting portion 232 (see FIG. 10). Details of the dust collection station 200 in which the mounting portion 232 is provided with the guide portion R will be described later in the second embodiment.

[0047] The dust collector 231 is detachable from the mounting portion 232. Because the dust collector 231 is detachable from the mounting portion 232, the user can remove the dust collector 231 from the dust collection station 200, wash the dust collector 231 with water, and attach the washed dust collector 231 to the mounting portion 232. Therefore, the dust collection station 200 makes it easy to keep the dust collector 231 and the mounting portion 232 clean.

[0048] For example, the collection device described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a collection chamber that stores dust collected from a vacuum cleaner, but this collection chamber is integrated into the collection device. Therefore, the collection chamber cannot be removed from the collection device and washed with water, making it difficult to keep the collection chamber clean. Another possible approach is to attach a commercially available disposable dust collection bag (a paper bag) to the collection chamber and discard the paper bag after use, but even with this method, it is difficult to keep the collection chamber clean because fine dust that cannot be captured by the paper bag passes through the paper bag and adheres to the collection chamber. The same is true for the collection device described in Patent Document 2.

[0049] The dust collector 231 is preferably a dust collector of a dust bag type, a filter type, or a cyclone type. The dust collector 231 is made of, for example, a resin material or a metal material. The dust collector of the dust bag type is preferably a dust bag case capable of accommodating a dust bag P therein. The dust bag P is formed in a bag shape from a breathable material such as paper, woven fabric, or nonwoven fabric, and is disposable.

[0050] 13 and 14 are perspective views that schematically show the exterior of the dust collector 231 before it is attached to the mounting portion 232. A perspective view of the exterior of the dust collector 231 is also shown at the top of Fig. 5. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows the internal structure of the dust collector 231 before it is attached to the mounting portion 232. In this specification, when describing the dust collector 231 alone, directions will be expressed as the directions when the dust collector 231 is attached to the mounting portion 232. In Figs. 13 to 15 and 5, a dust collection pack type dust collector 231 is shown as an example.

[0051] Dust collector 231 has an exterior shape (housing) that can be mounted within mounting portion 232. When mounting portion 232 is generally rectangular in plan view, it is preferable that the outer wall (housing) of dust collector 231 also be generally rectangular in plan view (see FIG. 12). When mounting portion 232 is generally rectangular in cross section, it is preferable that the outer wall (housing) of dust collector 231 also be generally rectangular in cross section. Furthermore, when the bottom surface (lower end of surrounding wall W) of mounting portion 232 is flat, it is preferable that the bottom surface 90B (Z2-side bottom surface) of dust collector 231 is also flat (see FIG. 14). When the main surface of first lid 233 on the mounting portion side is flat, it is preferable that the top surface of dust collector 231 (for example, top surface 93 of second lid 91 described later) is also flat (see FIG. 13).

[0052] 13 to 15, the dust collector 231 preferably includes an openable and closable lid (also referred to as a second lid) 91, and a handle 92 that is integrally provided with the second lid 91. When the handle 92 is integrally provided with the second lid 91, the user can easily attach the dust collector 231 to the mounting portion 232, and can remove the dust collector 231 from the mounting portion 232 without dust inside the dust collector 231 leaking to the outside. Such a dust collector 231 can be made compact while ensuring a sufficient capacity.

[0053] The dust collector 231 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 90 whose central axis is in the vertical direction Z, and the second cover 91 is attached to one end (upper end) of the peripheral wall 90 via a hinge 97. An end (opening end) 90A of the peripheral wall 90 on the second cover 91 side intersects obliquely with the central axis direction (vertical direction Z) of the peripheral wall 90 (see FIGS. 5 and 13), and is opened or closed by the second cover 91. Dust or dust collection packs P are stored in an area E surrounded by the second cover 91, the peripheral wall 90, and a bottom surface 90B of the dust collector 231 (the end of the peripheral wall 90 opposite the second cover 91) where an opening 231b is provided. In FIG. 15, a dust collection pack P is stored.

[0054] Considering ease of installation in the placement portion 232, it is preferable that the top surface 93 of the second lid body 91 and the bottom surface 90B of the dust collector 231 are parallel when the second lid body 91 is closed (see FIG. 13). An opening is provided between the top surface 93 of the second lid body 91 and a lower end portion 94 of the second lid body 91 that comes into contact with the opening end 90A when the second lid body 91 is closed, and this opening serves as a grip portion 92. A user can insert their hand into this opening (grip portion 92) and move their hand up and down in this state to move the dust collector 231 in and out of (attach and detach) the placement portion 232.

[0055] 13 to 15, dust collector 231 has opening 231a connected to dust flow path 21 and opening 231b that exhausts air separated from dust to second electric suction machine 250. In the attached state, opening 231a contacts opening (air intake) 232a of mounting portion 232, and opening 231b contacts opening 232b of mounting portion 232. Therefore, opening 231a is provided on side surface 90C of dust collector 231, and opening 231b is provided on bottom surface 90B of dust collector 231. In addition, from the viewpoint of bringing the openings into sufficient close contact with each other to increase suction efficiency, at least one of opening 231a and opening 232a may be provided with a packing, and at least one of opening 231b and opening 232b may also be provided with a packing.

[0056] An opening frame 95 is preferably provided around the opening 231a, which abuts (contacts) the intake port 232a of the mounting portion 232 when the dust collector 231a is attached (see FIG. 5). The opening frame 95 is provided along the opening 231a on the outer wall of the dust collector 231 in which the opening 231a is provided. The opening frame 95 is formed to protrude outward from the dust collector 231. Considering ease of attachment to the mounting portion 232, the opening frame 95 preferably has a shape in the thickness direction (i.e., the direction protruding outward from the dust collector 231) that increases in thickness from the lower side (Z2 side) to the upper side (Z1 side). In other words, the opening frame 95 is preferably formed so that the upper side protrudes more convexly than the lower side when viewed from the side.

[0057] When the dust collector 231 is a dust collection bag case capable of accommodating a dust collection bag P, the opening 231b that exhausts air toward the second electric suction device 250 preferably has a lattice-like or stripe-like opening. That is, the dust collector 231 is a dust collection bag case capable of accommodating a dust collection bag, and preferably includes an openable second cover 91, a handle 92 integrally formed with the second cover 91, and a lattice-like or stripe-like opening 231b on the bottom surface 90B opposite the second cover 91. The opening 231b exhausts air separated from dust toward the second electric suction device 250. The lattice-like or stripe-like opening 231b prevents the dust collection bag P from protruding from the opening 231b. To further enhance this effect, the opening 231b is more preferably a lattice-like opening (see FIG. 14). A filter (not shown) is preferably provided in the lattice-like portion. In this way, the filter removes fine dust that could not be removed by the dust collection bag P, and the flow of fine dust toward the second electric suction machine 250 is suppressed, making it less likely for the dust collection station 200 to break down. In addition, by making the filter detachable, the filter can also be washed separately with water.

[0058] In addition to the cylindrical peripheral wall 90 and second lid 91, the dust collector 231 preferably further includes a locking portion 96 related to the opening and closing of the second lid 91 (see FIG. 5). The locking portion 96 is provided along the outer surface of the cylindrical peripheral wall 90 that constitutes the dust collector 231. When the dust collector 231 is of a dust collection bag type, it is preferable that the locking portion 96 is related not only to the opening and closing of the second lid 91 but also to the engagement and disengagement of the dust collection bag.

[0059] For example, the locking unit 96 includes a first portion having a first engaging portion 961 that releasably engages and locks with the closed second lid body 91, a second portion having a pair of second engaging portions (not shown) that releasably engage with the mounting plate of the dust collection bag, and an operating portion 962. The end of the first portion opposite the first engaging portion 961 is configured to be integrated with or interlock with the operating portion 962. The operating portion 962 is a portion operated to interlock the first and second portions and has a push button shape. A biasing member (e.g., a compression spring) is disposed on the back side of the operating portion 962 (i.e., between the operating portion 962 and the tubular member that constitutes the surrounding wall 90). The first portion is rotatable about a second axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis direction (vertical direction Z) of the surrounding wall 90, and the second portion is rotatable about a third axis parallel to the second axis. Although not shown, a gap is provided between the first and second parts (locked state).

[0060] When a user holds dust collector 231 so that second cover 91 is positioned downward and lightly presses operating unit 962, a first action is performed in which the first portion rotates about the second axis and first locking portion 961 disengages from second cover 91. For example, if a user holds dust collector 231 so that first cover 233 faces downward, opposite to that shown in FIG. 5 , and lightly presses operating unit 962 in this state, first cover 233 opens by its own weight, thereby exposing opening end 90A of dust collector 231. Because there is a gap between the first and second portions, the second portion does not move when the user simply presses operating unit 962 lightly, or the second portion rotates slightly while the pair of second locking portions maintain their locking state with the mounting plate of the dust collection bag.

[0061] When the user further presses the operating portion 962, the first portion further rotates about the second axis, and the first portion further pushes the second portion. This causes the second portion and the pair of second locking portions to further rotate about the third axis, performing a second operation in which the pair of second locking portions disengage from the mounting plate of the dust collection pack. This second operation causes the dust collection pack containing the dust to naturally fall downward from the open end 90A of the dust collector 231 due to its own weight. Because the second locking portions disengage from the mounting plate of the dust collection pack after the first locking portions 961 disengage from the second cover 91 in this way, when the dust collection pack freely falls (also referred to as a natural fall), the second cover 91 and the dust collection pack are less likely to come into contact with each other, allowing the dust collection pack to fall smoothly.

[0062] In the dust collection station 200, the second electric suction machine 250 is disposed below (on the Z2 side of) the second dust collecting section 230. The second electric suction machine 250 is composed of a fan 251 and a motor (also referred to as a second motor) 252 that drives the fan 251, and generates a suction force for collecting (sucking) dust-containing air from the first dust collecting section 130 provided in the vacuum cleaner 100 through the collection port 220 into the second dust collecting section 230. From the viewpoint of noise reduction, it is preferable to arrange a sound absorbing material, which will be described later, around the second motor 252.

[0063] The second electric suction device 250 is preferably housed (placed) in a housing case 253 in order to stably hold the second electric suction device 250 within the housing 201. The housing case 253 is provided with an opening 253a that communicates with the exhaust path 22. A portion constituted by the second electric suction device 250, or, if the housing case 253 is provided, a portion constituted by the second electric suction device 250 and the housing case 253, is also referred to as a suction part 254. Note that, if a breathable sound-absorbing material is placed around the second motor 252, it is preferable that the second electric suction device 250 be housed in the housing case 253 together with the sound-absorbing material.

[0064] The air separated from dust in second dust collecting unit 230 by the suction force of second electric suction machine 250 flows through exhaust path 22 and is discharged to the outside from exhaust port 260. Exhaust path 22 is an air passage that connects suction unit 254 equipped with second electric suction machine 250 and exhaust port 260, and through which air separated from dust flows toward exhaust port 260. During operation of second electric suction machine 250, air separated from dust flows in exhaust path 22 from suction unit 254 toward exhaust port 260. That is, air flows in one direction in exhaust path 22.

[0065] From the viewpoint of reducing noise, it is preferable that the exhaust path 22 is long. In this embodiment, the exhaust path 22 has a length equal to or greater than approximately half the circumference of the inner circumference of the housing in a plan view. Specifically, when the inner circumference of the housing 201 in a plan view (from the Z2 side) is taken as 100%, the length of the exhaust path 22 is equal to or greater than approximately 50%. Since the exhaust path 22 is thus a single long exhaust path, the dust collection station 200 can achieve excellent quietness and low noise.

[0066] In the recovery device described in Patent Document 1, for example, the direction of exhaust after the dust is sucked in by the dust suction source is not fixed, and the exhaust is made at random, so it is assumed that the noise of the recovery device is loud. The same is true for the recovery device described in Patent Document 2.

[0067] 16 to 20 are schematic diagrams showing the inside of the housing 201 provided in the dust collection station 200 of this embodiment. Of these, Fig. 16 is a front view seen from the vacuum cleaner 100 side (Y1 side), and Figs. 17 to 20 are perspective views seen from above (Z1 direction). Figs. 16 to 20 show a portion of the dust collection station 200 from which the housing 201 (outer wall) and the like have been removed (i.e., the entire holding portion 201H).

[0068] Here, when only the housing 201 is removed from the dust collection station 200, a major portion of the exhaust path 22 is covered with a lid (not shown in FIGS. 16 to 20) and is not visible. For convenience of explanation, this lid is omitted from FIGS. 16 to 19. Covering the exhaust path 22 with the lid prevents air from inside the housing 201 from flowing into the exhaust path 22, resulting in a one-way airflow within the exhaust path 22. Furthermore, as will be described later, if a sound-absorbing material (not shown) is disposed on the inner wall of the exhaust path 22, the sound-absorbing material will be disposed on the side closer to the exterior of the housing 201 by disposing the sound-absorbing material on the inner wall of the lid of the exhaust path 22. Note that FIG. 7 illustrates that a lid K is provided in a region on the Y2 side of the housing 201 (described later) (ribs provided on the housing 201 are in contact with the lid K at reference symbols k1 and k2), and FIG. 11 illustrates that the lid K is provided in a region where the second control unit 32 (control board) is provided.

[0069] The length of exhaust path 22 refers to the length of the center line of the cross section of exhaust path 22, with the starting point of exhaust path 22 being the end of exhaust path 22 on the second electric suction device 250 side, and the end of exhaust path 22 being exhaust port 260. The center line of the cross section of exhaust path 22 may be a straight line, or, for example, when exhaust path 22 has a curved or bent portion, it may be a partially or entirely curved or bent imaginary line. The end on the second electric suction device 250 side, which is the starting point of exhaust path 22, is opening 253a provided in housing case 253, or, if housing case 253 is not provided, fan 251 constituting second electric suction device 250.

[0070] Here, an example of an embodiment in which the length of exhaust path 22 is approximately 50% or more when the inner circumference of housing 201 (external wall) in plan view is 100% is a first embodiment in which, when the second electric suction machine 250 is in operation, the direction of air flowing from the end (starting point) on the second electric suction machine 250 side into exhaust path 22 is opposite to the direction of air being exhausted to the outside from exhaust port 260 (ending point). For example, this is an embodiment in which, when the second electric suction machine 250 is in operation, air flows in the X2 direction at the starting point of exhaust path 22 and in the X1 direction at the ending point. When the inner circumference of housing 201 (external wall) in plan view is 100%, the length of exhaust path 22 in this first embodiment is approximately 50% in plan view. However, in the first embodiment, if the heights (i.e., the positions in the vertical direction Z) of at least one of the end of the exhaust path 22 on the second electric suction machine 250 side and the exhaust port 260 are different from each other, the length of the exhaust path 22 relative to 100% of the inner circumference of the housing 201 (outer wall) in a planar view will be more than approximately 50%.

[0071] It is preferable that exhaust path 22 has a first region 1a and a second region 2a having a smaller cross-sectional area than first region 1a within exhaust path 22. In particular, it is preferable that exhaust path 22 has a region 1a having a larger cross-sectional area (also referred to as an expansion region) and a region 2a having a smaller cross-sectional area (also referred to as a compression region) repeatedly and continuously provided. This further enhances the sound absorption effect of exhaust path 22. The cross-sectional area within exhaust path 22 refers to the area of ​​a transverse section within exhaust path 22.

[0072] Here, if the direction in which the vacuum cleaner 100 connected to the dust collection station 200 is removed is defined as a first direction Y1, then, in a plan view of the housing 201, the first region 1a is preferably located closer to the centroid of the housing 201 in a second direction Y2, which is opposite to the first direction Y1. That is, it is preferable that the exhaust path 22 does not have a structure that narrows the cross-sectional area in the main region on the second direction Y2 side, but has a structure that narrows the cross-sectional area at the connection portion with the region in the direction perpendicular to the second direction Y2 (the front-rear direction X) (for example, a structure having openings a1 and a2, which will be described later). By locating the first region 1a closer to the second direction Y2 than the centroid of the housing 201 in a plan view, the dust collection station 200 can be stably installed, for example, when the back surface of the housing 201 (the surface on the Y2 side) faces (contacts) an indoor wall.

[0073] The exhaust port 260 is preferably provided at a position where the exhaust path 22 is long. As described above, the recovery port 220 is preferably arranged so that air is drawn in a third direction (preferably direction X1 or X2) inclined with respect to the first direction Y1 when the housing 201 is viewed in a plan view. In this case, the exhaust port 260 is preferably arranged so that air is discharged in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction when the housing 201 is viewed in a plan view. If the air suction direction at the recovery port 220 and the air discharge direction at the exhaust port 260 are opposite to each other, the total length of the dust flow path 21 and the exhaust path 22 becomes longer, thereby making the dust collection station 200 quieter. In FIG. 6, in a plan view, the recovery port 220 is arranged so that air is drawn in an X2 direction inclined with respect to the first direction Y1, and the exhaust port 260 is arranged so that air is discharged in an X1 direction opposite to the X2 direction. In addition, a filter (not shown) is provided in the exhaust port 260.

[0074] As will be described later, the dust collection station 200 preferably further includes a second control unit 32, which is preferably disposed within the exhaust path 22. Here, the control unit typically has a configuration in which chip-like control components are mounted on a substrate. In other words, the second control unit 32 is disposed in the dust collection station 200 as a control substrate. In the dust collection station 200 in which the second control unit 32 is disposed within the exhaust path 22, air flows over the control substrate constituting the second control unit 32 toward the exhaust port 260.

[0075] Explaining this more specifically with reference to FIGS. 16 to 20, the air sucked by the second electric suction device 250 flows in the X2 direction from the opening 253a provided in the housing case 253 of the second electric suction device 250 (see FIGS. 16 and 17). The air then flows in the Y1 direction, and further in the Z1 direction, before flowing toward the Y2 side over the second control unit 32 (control board) provided on the X2 side of the housing 201. As the air flows toward the Z2 side, it passes through the opening a1 provided in the holder 201H (see FIGS. 17 and 18). The opening a1 is an opening that allows air to flow from the X2 side area of ​​the housing 201 to the Y2 side area of ​​the housing 201. The air that has passed through the opening a1 flows toward the Y2 side, flows through the Y2 side area of ​​the housing 201 toward the X1 side, and then passes through the opening a2 provided in the holder 201H toward the Y1 side (see FIGS. 18 and 19). Opening a2 is an opening that allows air to flow from an area on the Y2 side inside housing 201 to an area on the X1 side inside housing 201. The air that passes through opening a2 flows out into the area on the X1 side inside housing 201 (see FIGS. 19 and 20). Although not shown in FIG. 20, an exhaust port 260 is provided on the X1 side surface of housing 201 (see FIG. 6), and therefore, air is exhausted in the X1 direction from this exhaust port 260.

[0076] The air that has passed through the opening a2 may be exhausted to the entire wide space inside the housing 201 (see FIG. 20). However, the main airflow of the air that has passed through the opening a2 is exhausted toward the exhaust port 260. To further reduce noise, a sealed path, such as a box-like path, into which the air that has passed through the opening a2 flows may be provided between the opening a2 and the exhaust port 260. A filter (not shown) may be provided at the opening a2.

[0077] Here, the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening a1 through which the air subsequently flows is smaller than the area in the exhaust path 22 where the second control unit 32 is provided, and is larger than the opening a1 in the area on the Y2 side of the housing 201 through which the air subsequently flows. The cross-sectional area of ​​the opening a2 through which the air subsequently flows is also smaller than the area on the Y2 side of the housing 201, and is larger than the opening a2 in the area on the X1 side of the housing 201 through which the air subsequently flows. Thus, the exhaust path 22 is repeatedly and continuously provided with first regions 1a and second regions 2a having smaller cross-sectional areas than the first regions 1a. Regions having larger cross-sectional areas than the front and rear regions (opening a1 and opening a2) are located on the second direction Y2 side of the centroid of the housing 201 in a plan view. In the above embodiment, the length of the exhaust path 22 is at least approximately 50% of the inner circumference of the housing 201 (outer wall) in a plan view, assuming that the inner circumference is 100%. When the exhaust air passes through opening 253a, the cross-sectional area of ​​exhaust path 22 becomes larger than that of opening 253a, and when the air flows from that area to the area where second control board 32 is disposed, it passes through portions with smaller cross-sectional areas. Even in these areas, areas with large cross-sectional areas and areas with small cross-sectional areas are repeatedly and continuously provided, thereby enhancing the sound absorption effect of exhaust path 22.

[0078] From the viewpoint of further reducing noise, it is preferable that sound-absorbing material (not shown) be arranged on the inner wall of exhaust path 22. The longer the exhaust path 22 in which sound-absorbing material is arranged, the easier it is to improve the sound absorption characteristics and is suitable for improving quietness, so by forming exhaust path 22 long as described above and further arranging sound-absorbing material inside exhaust path 22, noise can be effectively absorbed by the sound-absorbing material. From the same viewpoint, it is preferable that sound-absorbing material be arranged on the inner wall of dust flow path 21. Note that, similarly from the viewpoint of reducing noise, it is preferable that sealing material be arranged at the connection parts of each component (pipe, etc.) that constitutes exhaust path 22.

[0079] The sound absorbing material may be disposed on at least a part of the inner wall of exhaust path 22, but it is preferable that the sound absorbing material be disposed on at least the side of the inner wall of exhaust path 22 that is closer to the outside of housing 201. Even when a sound absorbing material is disposed on the inner wall of dust flow path 21, it is preferable that the sound absorbing material be disposed on at least the side of the inner wall of dust flow path 21 that is closer to the outside of housing 201.

[0080] The sound absorbing material used in this embodiment is non-breathable. From the viewpoint of improving impact resistance, the sound absorbing material is preferably made of a flexible material. For example, a sheet made of woven or nonwoven fabric, which is an aggregate of multiple fibers, is suitable as the sound absorbing material. There are no particular limitations on the type of sound absorbing material, and a porous material such as a resin porous material (sponge) or a ceramic porous material may be used. Furthermore, as a measure against heat generation from devices placed inside the housing 201, the sound absorbing material may be made of a flame-retardant material.

[0081] The sound-absorbing material is preferably fixed within exhaust path 22 to prevent displacement or loss. Similarly, the sound-absorbing material is preferably fixed within dust flow path 21. The ends of the sound-absorbing material or the parts to be placed in areas where the wind is strong may be joined to housing 201 or holding part 201H using adhesive or fastening members such as screws. To improve sound absorption performance, the sound-absorbing material is preferably fixed mechanically rather than with adhesive. The position of the sound-absorbing material may be restricted by a locking part protruding from the inner surface of housing 201 according to the placement location of the sound-absorbing material. The provision of the locking part makes it possible to prevent the sound-absorbing material from being turned up and peeled off by the force of suction.

[0082] The lower part of the housing 201 is mounted on a base 202. The base 202 preferably has a mounting surface 203 on which the vacuum cleaner 100 is placed. The mounting surface 203 is a surface parallel to the installation surface of the dust collection station 200 (for example, a horizontal surface when the installation surface is a horizontal plane).

[0083] The mounting surface 203 preferably has a fitting portion (referred to as a first fitting portion) A1 that is provided so as to close at least a part of the suction port 120 that the suction port body 102 of the vacuum cleaner 100 has in the bottom portion 11a when the vacuum cleaner 100 is mounted (placed) on it (see FIG. 21). This sufficiently closes the air path from the suction port 120 when air is sucked in when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the dust collection station 200, i.e., when the suction port body 102 is placed on the mounting surface 203. Therefore, when collecting dust from the vacuum cleaner 100, the dust collection station 200 can ensure a sufficient amount of air to be sucked in through the dust collection intake port 182 and / or exhaust port 183 (see FIG. 3) of the vacuum cleaner 100, thereby improving the dust collection efficiency of the dust collection station 200.

[0084] Here, the dust collection intake port 182 is configured so that it communicates with the first dust collection unit 130 of the vacuum cleaner 100 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is placed on the dust collection station 200, and that the first dust collection unit 130 of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection intake port 182 are not in communication with each other when the vacuum cleaner 100 is not placed on the dust collection station 200. Therefore, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is cleaning a floor surface, dust is not sucked through the dust collection intake port. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 100 that is compatible with such a placement surface 203 can sufficiently prevent unsucked dust from remaining inside the vacuum cleaner 100 (so-called dust residue). FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the X portion of FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the first fitting portion A1 is formed in a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side, but it may be formed in an arc shape.

[0085] For example, a conventional collection device, such as that described in Patent Document 2, is configured such that the suction source that generates suction force to suck dust out of the vacuum cleaner operates only when the vacuum cleaner body is in an upright position relative to a connecting wall that has a collection port through which dust flows in from the vacuum cleaner. To accommodate this collection device, the vacuum cleaner's suction nozzle is designed to vary the amount of air sucked in depending on the angle of the connection between the vacuum cleaner body and the suction nozzle. With such a vacuum cleaner, when the vacuum cleaner body is in a nearly upright position during normal cleaning, the opening area of ​​the suction nozzle becomes narrower, raising concerns about increased noise and clogging. The same is true for the collection device described in Patent Document 1.

[0086] As will be described later, when suction port body 102 includes rear rollers 13 rotatably provided behind bottom portion 11a of suction port body 102, mounting surface 203 preferably includes second fitting portions A2 formed in a concave shape to fit onto rear rollers 13 (see FIG. 21). When suction port body 102 includes rear rollers 13, when a user removes vacuum cleaner 100 from dust collection station 200, vacuum cleaner 100 is removed in the Y1 direction while tilted in the Y1 direction with respect to the Z1 direction. At this time, the rear rollers rotate backward (in the Y1 direction), making it easier to remove suction port body 102 from mounting surface 203. On the other hand, when suction port body 102 is placed on mounting surface 203, vacuum cleaner 100 is placed along the Z1 direction, and therefore the load of the entire vacuum cleaner 100 is applied to second fitting portion A2 located in the Z2 direction, sufficiently preventing suction port body 102 from moving backward (in the Y1 direction). Therefore, mounting surface 203 having second fitting portion A2 makes it possible to fix vacuum cleaner 100 without impairing the operability of vacuum cleaner 100 when placing or removing vacuum cleaner 100.

[0087] In this way, the placement surface 203 preferably has at least one of the first fitting portion A1 and the second fitting portion A2, and more preferably has the first fitting portion A1 and the second fitting portion A2.

[0088] As will be described later, when suction port body 102 includes lower case portion 11 constituting bottom portion 11a and rotary cleaning body 12 arranged at suction port 120, first fitting portion A1 is preferably provided so as to be positioned between rear wall surface 11d of rotary cleaning body 12 in lower case portion 11 and rotary cleaning body 12 when vacuum cleaner 100 is placed on mounting surface 203. Dust collection station 200 of this type makes it easy to place vacuum cleaner 100 on mounting surface 203 and also has sufficiently high dust collection efficiency.

[0089] The first fitting portion A1 may be formed in a concave shape, but is preferably formed in a convex shape (see FIG. 21).

[0090] The first fitting portion A1 being formed in a concave shape (i.e., being a concave fitting portion) means that when the mounting surface 203 is viewed from the side (for example, viewed from the X2 side), the lower end of the first fitting portion A1 is formed to be located below (on the Z2 side of) the mounting surface 203. When the first fitting portion A1 is a concave fitting portion, the length in the up-down direction Z between the lower end of the first fitting portion A1 and the mounting surface 203 may be determined in consideration of the structure of the suction port body 102. For example, the first fitting portion A1 (concave fitting portion) is configured so that the peripheral portion of the suction port body 102 fits into a recess.

[0091] The first fitting portion A1 being formed in a convex shape (i.e., being a convex fitting portion) means that, when the mounting surface 203 is viewed from the side (for example, viewed from the X2 side), the upper end of the first fitting portion A1 is formed to protrude upward (toward the Z1 side) from the mounting surface 203. When the first fitting portion A1 is a convex fitting portion, the dust collection efficiency of the dust collection station 200 is further improved. When the first fitting portion A1 is a convex fitting portion, the length in the vertical direction Z between the upper end of the first fitting portion A1 and the mounting surface 203 (i.e., the height of the upper end of the first fitting portion A1 relative to the mounting surface 203) may be determined in consideration of the structure of the suction port body 102, and is, for example, 1 to 10 mm.

[0092] Here, when the suction port body 102 is equipped with the rotary cleaning body 12, it is preferable that the first fitting portion A1 has a fourth fitting portion A4 on the second direction Y2 side that is formed in a concave shape so as to fit into the rotary cleaning body 12 (see FIG. 21). In this case, when the suction port body 102 is placed on the placement surface 203, movement of the suction port body 102 can be suppressed.

[0093] It is preferable that the mounting surface 203 further includes a convex portion A3 on the first direction Y1 side of the second fitting portion A2. The convex portion A3 is formed so that the upper end of the convex portion A3 protrudes upward (toward the Z1 side) from the mounting surface 203 when the mounting surface 203 is viewed from the side (for example, when viewed from the X2 side). This further prevents the suction port body 102 from moving backward (in the Y1 direction) when the suction port body 102 is placed on the mounting surface 203. The height of the upper end of the convex portion A3 relative to the mounting surface 203 may be approximately the same as or different from the height of the upper end when the first fitting portion A1 is a convex fitting portion.

[0094] The dust collection station 200 preferably includes a control unit (also referred to as a second control unit) 32 that controls various components and functional units included in the dust collection station 200, and a second communication unit (not shown) that communicates information with the vacuum cleaner 100 or a server (not shown). The operations of the various components and functional units may be controlled, for example, in response to an operation instruction from a user or the like. The operation instruction from a user or the like is not particularly limited, and may include, for example, an instruction to start operation (operation ON), stop operation (operation OFF), set or change an operation mode (e.g., weak suction mode, medium suction mode, strong suction mode, automatic collection ON / OFF), etc. The second control unit 32 and the second communication unit are provided, for example, in the housing 201. The dust collection station 200 may also include a second connection detection unit (not shown) that detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200. The second control unit 32 may control the suction force to be constant.

[0095] The second control unit 32 and a first control unit of the vacuum cleaner 100 (described later) are each configured with, for example, a CPU or an MPU, and execute programs stored in various storage units or external storage devices. The first control unit and the second control unit 32 may also be a microcomputer equipped with a CPU and a storage device. The various storage units are, for example, a storage unit, a time storage unit, etc., and may be realized by various ROMs (such as flash memory ROMs), RAMs, etc.

[0096] The second communication unit and a first communication unit that may be included in the vacuum cleaner 100 (described later) may each be connected to a communication line via a router, a gateway, or the like, and may be able to communicate with each other via the communication line, or may be able to communicate with each other directly without using a communication line, for example, by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 may each have a communication terminal, and may have a structure in which, for example, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached (connected) to the dust collection station 200, the respective terminals come into contact with each other to communicate.

[0097] The second connection detector and the first connection detector that may be included in the vacuum cleaner 100 (described later) may each be a contact-type detector or a non-contact-type detector. The contact-type detector is, for example, a physical switch or a pressure sensor. The non-contact-type detector is, for example, an optical sensor such as an infrared photoelectric sensor, a magnetic sensor, a distance sensor, or a near field communication (NFC) sensor.

[0098] (Modification 1 of Embodiment 1) In the first embodiment, the dust collector 231 is mainly described as being a dust collection bag type dust collector equipped with a locking unit 96 related to opening and closing the second cover 91 and engaging and disengaging the dust collection bag, but it is also possible to use a dust collector that does not have such a locking unit 96. The dust collector 231 may be, for example, a dust collector that has a structure in which a user opens the second cover 91 by hand or via an operating unit or the like, and picks up and removes the dust collection bag stored inside by hand, or may be a filter type or cyclone type dust collector.

[0099] (Modification 2 of Embodiment 1) In the second dust collecting section 230 of the first embodiment, the dust collector 231 may be a dust collecting pack itself.

[0100] (Modification 3 of Embodiment 1) In the second dust collecting section 230 of the first embodiment, the mounting section 232 may be a base having a recess for mounting (placing) the dust collector 231. In this case, the dust collector 231 is not a dust collecting pack itself, but a dust collecting pack type dust collector or a cyclone type dust collector.

[0101] (Embodiment 2) As described above in the first embodiment, it is preferable that a guide portion R that guides the dust collector 231 into the mounting portion 232 is provided on the surrounding wall W of the mounting portion 232 (see FIG. 10). In this embodiment, the description will focus particularly on this guide portion R, but since the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment (or the modified example), the description of the overlapping contents will be omitted.

[0102] In the dust collection station 200 of this embodiment, the mounting portion 232 is cylindrical and has a surrounding wall W, and the surrounding wall W is provided with at least one guide portion R that guides the dust collector 231 into the mounting portion 232 (see FIGS. 22 to 25). The guide portion R extends in a direction parallel to the central axis of the mounting portion 232 and is formed so as to protrude inward of the mounting portion 232. The guide portion R is also called a rib, and is formed from, for example, a resin material or a metal material.

[0103] 22 to 25 are diagrams schematically illustrating the internal structure of the dust collection station 200 of this embodiment. Fig. 22 is a diagram (rear view) of the dust collection station 200 in an unattached state viewed from the Y2 side, and Fig. 23 is a diagram (rear view) of the dust collection station 200 in an attached state viewed from the Y2 side. Fig. 24 is a diagram (front view) of the dust collection station 200 in an attached state with the first lid 233 open viewed from the Y1 side, and Fig. 25 is a diagram (right side view) of the dust collection station 200 in an attached state with the first lid 233 open viewed from the X2 side.

[0104] By providing one or more guide portions R on the peripheral wall W of the mounting portion 232, the user can easily guide the dust collector 231 to the set position within the mounting portion 232. For example, the user can easily attach the dust collector 231 to the mounting portion 232 so that the opening 232a of the mounting portion 232 and the opening 231a of the dust collector 231, and the opening 232b of the mounting portion 232 and the opening 231b of the dust collector 231, are closely spaced from each other. This further improves the dust collection efficiency and suction efficiency in the dust collection station 200.

[0105] The shape of the guide portion R in the thickness direction (i.e., the direction protruding inward of the mounting portion 232) is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the guide portion R has a shape (such as a substantially right-angled triangle or a substantially trapezoid) in which the thickness increases from the open end side toward the bottom side of the mounting portion 232. The guide portion R1 in Fig. 22 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape in which the thickness increases from the open end side (upper) toward the bottom side (lower) of the mounting portion 232.

[0106] The surrounding wall W is provided with an intake port 232a that connects the recovery port 220 and the dust collector 231, and it is preferable that at least one guide portion R is provided on the side of the surrounding wall W (also referred to as the surrounding wall Wx) that faces the intake port 232a across the central axis of the mounting portion 232 when the mounting portion 232 is viewed from above. For example, when the mounting portion 232 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, the surrounding wall Wx is the wall W2 of the surrounding wall W that faces the wall W1 on which the intake port 232a is provided (see FIG. 10).

[0107] The surrounding wall Wx preferably has two or more guide portions R. Any two of the guide portions R provided on the surrounding wall Wx are referred to as a first guide portion R1 and a second guide portion R2, respectively. The first guide portion R1 and the second guide portion R2 preferably have different protrusion sizes (referred to as thickness) into the mounting portion 232. For convenience, the thicker of the first guide portion R1 and the second guide portion R2 is referred to as the first guide portion R1. In other words, the first guide portion R1 is formed to protrude more into the mounting portion 232 than the second guide portion R2. The first guide portion R1 preferably contacts the dust collector 231 in the attached state. This makes it easier to guide the dust collector 231 to the set position within the mounting portion 232. The thickness and shape of the first guide portion R1 are preferably adjusted so that the first guide portion R1 contacts the dust collector 231 in the attached state. The second guide portion R2 may or may not contact the dust collector 231 in the attached state. In addition, it is preferable that the first guide portion R1 and the second guide portion R2 are arranged so that the hinge portion of the dust collector 231 fits between the first guide portion R1 and the second guide portion R2, and in this case, the first guide portion R1 and the second guide portion R2 also function as guides when the dust collector 231 is installed (see Figure 12).

[0108] In this way, it is preferable that the guide portion R includes a first guide portion R1 provided on the peripheral wall Wx on the side facing the intake port 232a across the central axis of the mounting portion 232 when the mounting portion 232 is viewed in plan, and that the first guide portion R1 contacts the dust collector 231 when the dust collector 231 is attached to the mounting portion 232. In particular, it is more preferable that the guide portion R further includes a second guide portion R2 provided on the peripheral wall Wx on the side facing the intake port 232a across the central axis of the mounting portion 232 when the mounting portion 232 is viewed in plan, and that the first guide portion R1 is formed to protrude more inward of the mounting portion 232 than the second guide portion R2.

[0109] 10 and 24, in the mounting portion 232 having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, a first guide portion R1 and a second guide portion R2 are provided on a wall W2 facing the wall W1 on which the air intake 232a is provided. In Fig. 10 and 24, the second guide portion R2 is disposed on the first direction Y1 side of the first guide portion R1, but it may also be disposed on the second direction Y2 side, which is the opposite direction to the first direction.

[0110] The guide portion R is preferably provided on the surrounding wall W (also referred to as the surrounding wall Wy) on the air intake 232a side. The guide portion R provided on the surrounding wall Wy is referred to as the third guide portion R3. That is, the guide portion R preferably further includes a third guide portion R3 provided on the surrounding wall Wy on the air intake 232a side. For example, when the mounting portion 232 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, the surrounding wall Wy on the air intake 232a side is the wall W1 of the surrounding wall W on which the air intake 232a is provided (see FIG. 10). A plurality of third guide portions R3 may be provided on the surrounding wall Wy.

[0111] The third guide portion R3 preferably extends downward from above the intake port 232a. That is, it is preferable that the upper end (Z1 side end) of the third guide portion R3 is located above the upper end of the intake port 232a, and the lower end (Z2 side end) of the third guide portion R3 is located below the lower end of the intake port 232a.

[0112] The guide portion R is preferably provided on the peripheral wall W on the first direction side (also referred to as the peripheral wall Wz). The guide portion R provided on the peripheral wall Wz is referred to as the fourth guide portion R4. That is, if the direction in which the vacuum cleaner 100 is removed from the dust collection station 200 is defined as the first direction Y1, the guide portion R preferably further includes a fourth guide portion R4 provided on the peripheral wall Wz on the first direction Y1 side. For example, when the mounting portion 232 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, the peripheral wall Wy on the first direction side is the wall W3 on the first direction Y1 side (see FIG. 10). A plurality of fourth guide portions R4 may be provided on the peripheral wall Wz. Alternatively, a guide portion R may be provided on the wall on the second direction Y2 side opposite to the first direction Y1. For example, in FIG. 25, two fourth guide portions R4 are provided on the peripheral wall Wz on the first direction Y1 side, and a guide portion R is also provided on the peripheral wall W on the second direction Y2 side.

[0113] A filter (not shown) is preferably disposed below the mounting portion 232. Specifically, the filter is preferably disposed so as to be located between the opening 231b of the dust collector 231 and the opening 232b of the mounting portion 232 when the mounting portion 232 is attached. This allows the filter to remove fine dust that could not be removed by the dust collector 231, and prevents the fine dust from flowing toward the second electric suction machine 250, making the dust collection station 200 less likely to malfunction. The filter may be disposed at the opening 231b of the dust collector 231, or at both the opening 231b of the dust collector 231 and the opening 232b of the mounting portion 232.

[0114] (Embodiment 3) The dust collection station 200 of this embodiment further includes a process operation unit 80A used for inspection or repair. Except for this point, this embodiment is similar to embodiment 1 (or its modified example) or embodiment 2, so a description of the overlapping content will be omitted.

[0115] The process operation unit 80A is a part operated by the manufacturer or a serviceman who performs repairs or inspections, and is, for example, a process inspection switch or a software rewriting connector. The process operation unit 80A is preferably provided with a removable cover 80C (see FIGS. 26 and 27). This prevents the user who actually handles the vacuum cleaner 100 after purchasing it from easily accessing the process operation unit 80A. The removable cover is fixed to the process operation unit 80A with, for example, screws.

[0116] 26 to 28 are perspective views of the dust collection station 200 of this embodiment viewed from above, each showing a state in which the first lid 233 is open. Fig. 27 is a view when the cover 80C (see Fig. 26) attached to the process operation unit 80A is removed, and Fig. 28 is a view when a portion 201T of the top surface of the dust collection station 200 integrated with the user operation unit 80B (described later) is removed.

[0117] The process operation unit 80A is preferably provided on the top surface (the surface on the Z1 side) of the housing 201 (see FIGS. 26 to 28). In conventional dust collection stations, the process operation unit is provided on the back surface of the dust collection station, so that a manufacturer or service person, etc., has to change the product orientation, such as turning the dust collection station upside down, in order to access the process operation unit. In addition, when turning the dust collection station upside down or removing a cover provided on the process operation unit, it is necessary to support the main body. However, when the process operation unit 80A is provided on the top surface of the housing 201, a manufacturer or service person, etc., can access the process operation unit 80A without changing the product orientation, thereby reducing work time and workload.

[0118] From the viewpoint of preventing easy access by users, the process operating unit 80A is preferably disposed at a position that cannot be seen from the outside due to the closed first lid 233. For example, as shown in Fig. 26, the process operating unit 80A is provided on the upper surface of the holder 201H inside the housing 201, at a position approximately at the same height as the open end of the mounting unit 232. The first lid 233 is closed so as to cover the process operating unit 80A together with the mounting unit 232 from above. When the first lid 233 is closed, the process operating unit 80A cannot be seen from the outside.

[0119] The dust collection station 200 preferably further includes a user operation unit 80B (see FIGS. 26 to 28). The user operation unit 80B is a part that is operated by the user or that notifies the user, and is also referred to as an input unit or a notification unit. Examples of the input unit include a display unit such as a touchscreen display, a momentary push button switch or a microphone, and examples of the notification unit include a speaker, a display unit or an LED light source. The notification unit may notify the user of the remaining battery level of the vacuum cleaner 100, the amount of dust in the dust collector 231, etc. For example, the user can set or change an automatic collection on state or an automatic collection off state, which will be described later, by operating the user operation unit 80B.

[0120] From the viewpoint of user friendliness, it is preferable that the user operation unit 80B be provided on the upper surface (the surface on the Z1 side) of the housing 201, and it is more preferable that both the process operation unit 80A and the user operation unit 80B be provided on the upper surface of the housing 201. A dust collection station 200 in which both the process operation unit 80A and the user operation unit 80B are provided on the upper surface of the housing 201 can be easily fabricated by using a substrate 80D that integrates the process operation unit 80A and the user operation unit 80B (see FIG. 28), thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, when both the process operation unit 80A and the user operation unit 80B are provided on the upper surface of the housing 201, a manufacturer or a service person can operate the process operation unit 80A while checking notifications (displays) such as LEDs on the user operation unit 80B, thereby improving the efficiency of manufacturing or repair work.

[0121] (Embodiment 4) In this embodiment, a dust collection device 1 including a vacuum cleaner 100 and a dust collection station 200 will be described. The dust collection station 200 included in the dust collection device 1 is preferably the dust collection station 200 of embodiment 1 (or a modified example), embodiment 2, or embodiment 3. Below, features unique to this embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of matters that overlap with those described above will be omitted.

[0122] 1 to 4 are also diagrams showing a dust collection device 1 of this embodiment. Vacuum cleaner 100 includes a suction port 120 that sucks in dust on a floor surface, a first electric suction unit 150 that sucks in the dust, a first dust collection unit 130 that stores the dust sucked by first electric suction unit 150, and a dust discharge port 160 that discharges the dust in first dust collection unit 130. For example, vacuum cleaner 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 includes a suction port body 102 provided with suction port 120, a cleaner body 101 that is attached above suction port body 102 and has a generally cylindrical shape that is elongated in the vertical direction, and a handle part 103 that extends above cleaner body 101, and cleaner body 101 is provided with first electric suction unit 150, first dust collection unit 130, and dust discharge port 160.

[0123] Fig. 29 is a perspective view of the suction mouth body 102 included in the vacuum cleaner 100 of this embodiment as seen from the front left side, and Fig. 30 is a view of the suction mouth body 102 included in the vacuum cleaner 100 of this embodiment as seen from the bottom 11a side. Details of the suction mouth body 102 and the like will be described below with reference to these drawings.

[0124] The suction port body 102 has a suction port 120 on the bottom 11a. The suction port body 102 may be provided with a rotary cleaning body 12 on the bottom 11a. The rotary cleaning body 12 preferably includes a rotatably mounted shaft body 12A and a cleaning material (not shown) provided around the shaft body 12A. When the suction port body 102 includes the rotary cleaning body 12, the suction port body 102 is also provided with a motor or the like that drives the rotary cleaning body 12. The rotary cleaning body 12 rotates when the motor rotates. The cleaning material is, for example, a brush.

[0125] More specifically, the suction port body 102 preferably includes a lower case portion 11 constituting the bottom portion 11a, a rotary cleaning body 12 disposed at the suction port 120, and an upper case portion 14 disposed on the lower case portion 11. The lower case portion 11 has a front portion 11b extending in the left-right direction and a rear portion 11c protruding rearward from a left-right intermediate portion of the rear end of the front portion 11b, with the front portion 11b and rear portion 11c constituting the bottom portion 11a. The suction port 120 extending in the left-right direction is disposed in the approximately front half of the front portion 11b of the lower case portion 11, and the drive motor, a cylindrical connecting portion, and the like are mounted (disposed) in the approximately rear half. A bumper is provided at the front end of the front portion 11b. The cylindrical connecting portion (not shown) is a portion that connects a connection portion 15 with the vacuum cleaner body 101 to the suction port 120.

[0126] The upper case portion 14 is composed of one or more members and is located, for example, above the suction port 120 and the drive motor and cylindrical communicating portion located in approximately the rear half of the lower case portion 11. Part or all of the upper case portion 14 may be a rotary cleaning body cover 14 provided on the lower case portion 11 so as to cover the upper periphery of the rotary cleaning body 12. In this way, the suction port body 102 preferably further includes a rotary cleaning body cover 14 provided on the lower case portion 11 so as to cover the upper periphery of the rotary cleaning body 12. The rotary cleaning body cover 14 is preferably located above the rotary cleaning body 12 and has a curved portion. A middle portion 14a in the left-right direction of the upper case portion 14 is raised and accommodates the cylindrical communicating portion and the joint portion 15a of the connection portion 15.

[0127] The rotary cleaning body 12 is disposed at the suction port 120 in approximately the front half of the lower case portion 11. As described above, the rotary cleaning body 12 preferably includes a rotatably mounted shaft 12A and a cleaning material (not shown) disposed around the shaft 12A. Preferably, the cleaning material has a length such that the tip of the cleaning material (e.g., the tip of the brush bristles) contacts or is close to the inner wall of the rotary cleaning body cover 14 or the front end of the front portion 11b. For example, the tip of the cleaning material may be in sliding contact (moving contact) with the inner wall of the rotary cleaning body cover 14 as the rotary cleaning body 12 rotates, or may be close to but not in contact with the inner wall. When the cleaning material has such a length, the bumper-side portion of the suction port 120 (i.e., the portion of the bottom portion 11a closer to the front portion 11b than the rotary cleaning body 12) is substantially blocked by the cleaning material. In this state, the amount of air flowing from the bumper side portion of suction port 120 through the gap between rotary cleaning body 12 and rotary cleaning body cover 14 and into connecting portion 15 can be reduced. Therefore, air is mainly sucked from the portion of suction port 120 between rotary cleaning body 12 and wall surface 11d, improving floor cleaning efficiency. Furthermore, when suction port body 102 is placed on mounting surface 203 and air is sucked by second electric suction device 250, the air path flowing from the bumper side portion of suction port 120 through the gap between rotary cleaning body 12 and rotary cleaning body cover 14 and into connecting portion 15 is more sufficiently closed, further improving the efficiency of dust collection by dust collection station 200 from first dust collection unit 130 of vacuum cleaner 100.

[0128] As described above, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is placed on the placing surface 203, it is preferable that the first fitting portion A1 is positioned between the rear wall surface 11d of the rotating cleaning body 12 in the lower case portion 11 and the rotating cleaning body 12, and in this case, the first fitting portion A1 may be a concave fitting portion, but is preferably a convex fitting portion.

[0129] In the lower case portion 11, a pair of raised cloths 11e are preferably provided on the left and right sides of the suction port 120. It is also preferable that a raised brush (not shown) is provided in a position near the rear of the suction port 120 (near the rear wall surface 11d). In such a vacuum cleaner 100, when cleaning a floor, the left, right and rear sides of the suction port 120 are surrounded by the pair of raised cloths 11e and the raised brush, thereby increasing the suction force in front of the suction port 120. It also improves the efficiency with which the dust collection station 200 collects dust from the first dust collection unit 130 of the vacuum cleaner 100 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is placed on the placement surface 203.

[0130] The connection part 15 is located above the rear part 11c of the lower case part 11, and has a joint part 15a that connects to the rear opening of the cylindrical communicating part, and a pipe part 15b that is connected to the joint part 15a. For example, the joint part 15a can rotate in the left-right direction X, and the pipe part 15b can rotate in the front-back direction Y.

[0131] The suction port body 102 also preferably includes a rear roller 13 rotatably provided at the rear (Y1 side) of the bottom 11a of the suction port body 102. The presence of the rear roller 13 reduces the risk of the floor surface being scratched by the suction port body 102. As described above, the second fitting portion A2 that the mounting surface 203 may have is a concave fitting portion that fits onto the rear roller 13.

[0132] The vacuum cleaner 100 further includes a battery 170 for supplying power to the first electric suction device 150 and the like. The battery 170 is provided, for example, below the first dust collecting part 130 and on the front side (Y2 side) of the suction tube 180. The vacuum cleaner 100 is provided with a charging terminal (not shown) for supplying power to the battery 170, and the dust collection station 200 is also provided with a charging terminal 205 for supplying power to the battery 170. When the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, the charging terminals come into contact with each other, and power is supplied from the dust collection station 200 side to the vacuum cleaner 100 side via these charging terminals.

[0133] The first electric suction machine 150 is composed of a fan (not shown) and a motor (also referred to as a first motor) that drives the fan.

[0134] The first dust collecting section 130 is in communication with the suction port 120 and the dust discharge port 160. The first dust collecting section 130 may be, for example, a filter type in which dust-containing air sucked in from the suction port 120 is separated using a filter, or a cyclone type in which dust is separated using a cyclone flow.

[0135] When attached to the vacuum cleaner body 101, the first dust collecting section 130 has an opening that communicates with the dust discharge port 160, and is provided with a cover 161 at the opening, which is opened and closed by the cover 161. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collecting station 200, the dust discharge port 160 communicates with the collection port 220 of the dust collecting station 200.

[0136] The dust outlet 160 is provided at a position opposite the collection port 220 of the dust collection station 200. For example, the dust outlet 160 may be provided on the front side (Y2 side) of the vacuum cleaner body 101, on the back side (Y1 side), or on the side side (X1 or X2 side). However, considering a preferred arrangement of the collection port 220, which will be described later, the dust outlet 160 is preferably provided on the side surface of the vacuum cleaner body 101. For example, when the dust outlet 160 is provided on the side surface of the vacuum cleaner body 101 on the X2 side, the dust outlet 160 can be connected to the collection port 220 located in the X2 direction of the vacuum cleaner body 101 (see FIGS. 4 and 6). When the dust outlet 160 is provided on the side surface of the vacuum cleaner body 101 on the X1 side, the dust outlet 160 can be connected to the collection port 220 located in the X1 direction of the vacuum cleaner body 101. As described above, the vacuum cleaner 100 preferably has a dust discharge port 160 on the side of the main body that can be connected to the collection port 220 of the dust collection station 200 .

[0137] The grip portion 103 is provided with a first operation portion 104 (for example, an operation switch) that is operated by the user.

[0138] Although not shown, the vacuum cleaner 100 preferably includes a first control unit that controls various components and functional units included in the vacuum cleaner 100, and a first communication unit that communicates information with the dust collection station 200 or a server (not shown). The operations of the various components and functional units may be controlled, for example, in response to operation instructions from a user or the like. The first control unit and the first communication unit are provided, for example, in the vacuum cleaner body 101 or the grip unit 103. The vacuum cleaner 100 may also include a connection detection unit (also referred to as a first connection detection unit) that detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200.

[0139] When a user uses the vacuum cleaner 100, the user first removes the vacuum cleaner 100 from the dust collection station 200. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is removed from the dust collection station 200, power is not supplied from the battery 170 to the first control unit. When the user operates the first operating unit 104 to start operating the vacuum cleaner 100, power supply from the battery 170 to the control unit of the vacuum cleaner 100 begins.

[0140] When the vacuum cleaner 100 starts operating, the first electric suction device 150 operates, and if the suction port body 102 is equipped with a rotary cleaning body 12, the rotary cleaning body 12 rotates. Dust-containing air sucked in through the suction port 120 passes from the suction port 120 through the suction pipe 181 and enters the first dust collecting unit 130. For example, if the first dust collecting unit 130 is a filter type, the dust-containing air is filtered by the filter 131. If the first dust collecting unit 130 is a cyclone type, the dust is separated by centrifugation due to cyclone flow (swirl flow). The dust accumulates inside the first dust collecting unit 130 (more specifically, mainly inside the filter equipped in the first dust collecting unit 130). The air from which the dust has been separated is sucked in by the first electric suction device 150, passes through the exhaust path of the first electric suction device 150, and is discharged to the outside of the vacuum cleaner 100 from the exhaust port 183. When the user stops the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 by operating the first operating unit 104, the first electric suction device 150 and the rotary cleaning body 12 stop.

[0141] After using the vacuum cleaner 100, when the user attaches (connects) the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, the dust outlet 160 of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the collection port 220 of the dust collection station 200 become connected. That is, the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200 so that the dust outlet 160 and the collection port 220 face each other. For example, when the first control unit provided in the vacuum cleaner 100 detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 has been connected to the dust collection station 200 while the first electric suction unit 150 is running, the first control unit stops the first electric suction unit 150 and stops the supply of power from the battery 170 to the vacuum cleaner 100 itself (the first control unit). Note that the user may stop the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 by, for example, pressing a stop button on the vacuum cleaner 100, and attach the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200 in a state in which the supply of power from the battery 170 to the first control unit has stopped. In this case, even if the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the dust collection station 200, the power supply remains stopped without being energized.

[0142] When the second control unit 32 included in the dust collection station 200 detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 has been attached to the dust collection station 200, it is preferable to charge the battery 170 included in the vacuum cleaner 100. As described above, when the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, the charging terminal of the vacuum cleaner 100 comes into contact with the charging terminal 205 of the dust collection station 200, and power is supplied from the dust collection station 200 to the vacuum cleaner 100 via these charging terminals.

[0143] The second control unit 32 may perform control such that, when it detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 has been attached (connected) to the dust collection station 200, dust is collected from the vacuum cleaner 100. A state in which the second control unit performs this control is referred to as an automatic collection on state. On the other hand, a state in which the second control unit 32 does not perform this control is referred to as an automatic collection off state. For example, a user can set or change the automatic collection on state or the automatic collection off state via an input unit (user operation unit 80B) provided in the dust collection station 200.

[0144] In the automatic collection on state, when the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, the second electric suction device 250 may be automatically activated. When the second electric suction device 250 is activated, dust accumulated in the first dust collection unit 130 of the vacuum cleaner 100 moves sequentially through the dust discharge port 160, the collection port 220 of the dust collection station 200, the dust flow path 21, and the second dust collection unit 230, and the dust is collected in the dust collector 231 of the second dust collection unit 230. The second electric suction device 250 may automatically stop after operating for a predetermined period of time. For example, if the first dust collection unit 130 is full of dust, the second electric suction device 250 preferably operates for at least the time required for all of the dust to be collected in the second dust collection unit 230 and for no dust to remain in the dust flow path 21. After the second electric suction device 250 is stopped, the dust collection station 200 enters a standby state. The same series of operations are performed when the vacuum cleaner 100 is once removed from the dust collection station 200 and then reattached.

[0145] On the other hand, in the automatic collection off state, even if the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, the second electric suction device 250 does not operate automatically.

[0146] (Modification 1 of Embodiment 4) In the fourth embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 100 is mainly described as being equipped with a rotary cleaning body 12, but a vacuum cleaner not equipped with a rotary cleaning body 12 may also be used (see FIG. 31). FIG. 31 is a view of the suction port body 102 of the vacuum cleaner 100 of this example, viewed from the bottom 11a side. The first fitting portion A1 of the mounting surface 203 is provided so as to close at least a part of the suction port 120 of the suction port body 102.

[0147] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate. For example, some of the components shown in one embodiment may be added to the components of another embodiment, or some of the components shown in one embodiment may be deleted from the embodiment.

[0148] Furthermore, the drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the configurations of each component shown in the above embodiment are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within a scope that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 1: Dust collection device 11: Lower case part 11a: Bottom 11b: Front 11c: rear 11d: Wall 11e: Raised fabric 12: Rotating cleaning body 12A: Shaft body 13: Rear roller 14: Upper case (rotating cleaning body cover) 14a: Middle section 15: Connection part 15a: Joint 15b: Pipe section 21:Dust flow path 22: Exhaust route 32: Second control section 80A: Process operation section 80B: User operation section 80C: Cover 80D: Circuit board 90: Surrounding wall 90A: Open end 90B: Bottom 90C: Side 91:Second lid body 92: Grip part 93: Top 94: Bottom end 95: Opening frame 96: Rock Club 97: Hinge part 100: Vacuum cleaner 101: Vacuum cleaner body 102: Inlet body 103: Grip part 104:First operation section 120: Inlet 130:First dust collection section 150:First electric suction machine 160: Dust exhaust port 161: Lid 170: Battery 181:Suction tube 182: Dust collection intake 183: Exhaust port 200: Dust collection station 201: Housing 201H: Holding part 201S: Support part 201T: Part of the top surface of the dust collection station 200 202: Pedestal 203: Placement surface 205: Charging terminal 220: Collection port 230:Second dust collection section 231: Dust collector 231a, 231b, 232a, 232b, 253a, a1, a2: Opening 232: Placement section 233:First lid body 234: Hinge part 250:Second electric suction machine 251: Fan 252: Second motor 253: Storage case 254: Suction part 260: Exhaust port 270: Power cord 961: First locking part 962 :Operation unit C: Contact part E: Part where dust collection or dust collection pack is housed F, F1, F2: Rib K: Waste dust path cover L: Lever L1: Part 1 L2 :Second part L3: Part 3 P: Dust collection bag R, R1, R2, R3, R4: Induction part W, W1, W2, W3: Perimeter walls

Claims

1. A dust collection station for connecting to a vacuum cleaner to collect dust from the vacuum cleaner, comprising: The dust collection station includes a housing and a base disposed below the housing. The housing includes: a collection port connectable to the vacuum cleaner and configured to collect the dust-containing air from the vacuum cleaner; a dust collecting section that stores the dust contained in the air collected through the collection port; a suction unit including an electric suction device that generates a suction force to suck the air; an exhaust port for discharging the air separated from the dust to the outside; an exhaust path connected to the suction unit and the exhaust port, through which the air separated from the dust flows from the suction unit toward the exhaust port, The dust collection station, wherein the exhaust path has a length equal to or greater than half the circumference of the inner circumference of the housing in a plan view.

2. The dust collection station of claim 1 , wherein the exhaust path has a first region and a second region within the exhaust path that has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first region.

3. When the direction in which the vacuum cleaner connected to the dust collecting station is detached is defined as a first direction, The dust collection station according to claim 2 , wherein, in a plan view of the housing, the first area is located on a second direction side opposite to the first direction from a centroid of the housing.

4. The dust collection station according to claim 3 , wherein the collection port is disposed so that the air is sucked in a third direction inclined with respect to the first direction when the housing is viewed from above.

5. The dust collection station according to claim 4 , wherein the exhaust port is disposed so that the air is discharged in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction when the housing is viewed from above.

6. The dust collection station according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the exhaust path has an inner wall on which a sound absorbing material is arranged.

7. The dust collection station according to claim 6 , wherein the sound absorbing material is disposed on at least a side of the inner wall of the exhaust path that is closer to the outside of the housing.

8. The dust collection station according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the vacuum cleaner has a dust discharge port on a side surface of the main body, the dust discharge port being connectable to the collection port.

9. Further comprising a process operation unit used for inspection or repair, The dust collection station according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the process operation unit is provided on an upper surface of the housing.

10. The dust collection station of claim 9 , wherein the process inspection section includes a removable cover.

11. Further comprising a user operation unit, The dust collection station according to claim 9 , wherein the user operation unit is provided on an upper surface of the housing.

12. A dust collection device comprising a vacuum cleaner and the dust collection station according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

13. Further comprising a control unit, The dust collection station according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit is disposed in the exhaust path.

14. When the direction in which the vacuum cleaner connected to the dust collecting station is detached is defined as a first direction, The dust collection station according to claim 1 , wherein, in a plan view of the housing, the collection port is disposed so that the air is sucked in a third direction inclined with respect to the first direction.

15. The dust collection station according to claim 14 , wherein the exhaust port is disposed so that the air is discharged in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction when the housing is viewed from above.

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