Dust collecting station, vacuum cleaner, and dust collecting apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a dust collecting station capable of detecting approach of a cleaner in a non-contact manner, a dust collecting device including the dust collecting station, and a cleaner connectable to the dust collecting station.SOLUTION: A dust collecting station is a dust collecting station that is connected to a cleaner and collects dust from the cleaner, the dust collecting station includes a housing and a base disposed in a lower portion of the housing, and the housing includes a collection port that collects the dust from the cleaner when the cleaner is connected, a dust collecting unit that stores the collected dust, an electric suction machine that generates a suction force for sucking the dust, a control unit that operates the electric suction machine, and a non-contact sensor that detects approach of the cleaner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As conventional vacuum cleaners, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 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. 7165869 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7165868 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 7153867 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The collection device described in Patent Document 1 is configured to activate the suction source on the condition that the contact detection unit detects contact between the vacuum cleaner body and the contact unit, and contact between the vacuum cleaner body and the contact unit is detected by, for example, electrical conduction between the contact pieces of the collection device and the electrical contacts of the vacuum cleaner body. However, detection by physical contact raises concerns that poor contact may occur due to wear of the metal contact pieces or fine dust, resulting in the vacuum cleaner body not being detected as being connected.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a dust collection station that can detect the approach of a vacuum cleaner in a non-contact manner, a dust recovery device that includes the dust collection station, and a vacuum cleaner that can be connected to 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 comprising a collection port that collects the dust from the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is connected, a dust collection unit that stores the collected dust, an electric suction device that generates suction force to suck up the dust, a control unit that operates the electric suction device, and a non-contact sensor that detects the approach of the vacuum cleaner.

[0007] A dust collection device according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a vacuum cleaner and the dust collection station. The vacuum cleaner includes a suction port body having a suction port for sucking in dust, and a vacuum cleaner main body provided above the suction port body. The vacuum cleaner main body includes a vacuum cleaner-side electric suction unit that generates suction force to suck in the dust, a dust collection unit that stores the dust sucked by the vacuum cleaner-side electric suction unit, a dust discharge port that communicates with the dust collection unit and is provided on a side of the vacuum cleaner main body, an open position that releases the dust discharge port, and and a lid body configured to be rotatable between a closed position that blocks the dust outlet and a closed position, and when the direction in which the vacuum cleaner connected to the dust collection station is removed is defined as a first direction, the lid body has a first end and a second end that, in the closed position, is located in a second direction opposite to the first direction than the first end in a planar view, and the second end is configured to open the dust outlet by rotating toward the collection port so as to be closer to the first direction than the closed position in a planar view.

[0008] Another aspect of the dust collection device of the present disclosure comprises a vacuum cleaner and the dust collection station, wherein the dust collection station has a dust collection station side terminal to which a predetermined voltage is applied, the vacuum cleaner has a suction port body having an inlet for sucking in dust, and a vacuum cleaner main body provided above the suction port body, the vacuum cleaner main body having a vacuum cleaner side electric suction cleaner that generates suction force to suck in the dust, a vacuum cleaner side control unit that operates the vacuum cleaner side electric suction cleaner, and a vacuum cleaner side terminal that is electrically connected to the dust collection station side terminal, and the vacuum cleaner side control unit controls the vacuum cleaner side electric suction cleaner to stop when the vacuum cleaner side terminal is electrically connected to the dust collection station side terminal and detects the predetermined voltage.

[0009] a lid body configured to be rotatable between an open position that releases the dust outlet and a closed position that closes the dust outlet, and wherein the direction in which the vacuum cleaner is removed from the dust collection station is defined as a first direction, and the lid body has a first end and a second end that, in the closed position, is located on a second direction side opposite to the first direction relative to the first end in a plan view, and the second end is configured to be rotated toward the collection port side so as to be closer to the first direction in a plan view than the closed position, thereby releasing the dust outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a dust collection station capable of detecting the approach of a vacuum cleaner in a non-contact manner, a dust recovery device including the dust collection station, and a vacuum cleaner connectable to the dust collection station. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [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] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the dotted line portion in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1 is a front view schematically illustrating the appearance of a dust collection station 200 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the vacuum cleaner 100 removed from the dust collection station 200. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner 100 from the rear right side. [Figure 7] 10 is a perspective view of the first dust collecting section 130 from the rear right side. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaner body from the front right side with the first dust collecting part 130 removed. [Figure 9] 7 is an enlarged view of the dotted line portion in FIG. 6, showing the lid 161 in the closed position. [Figure 10] 7 is an enlarged view of the dotted line portion in FIG. 6, showing the cover 161 in an open position. [Figure 11] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' in FIG. 1, showing the lid 161 in a closed position. [Figure 12] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' in FIG. 1, showing the cover 161 in an open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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°.

[0016] 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).

[0017] (Embodiment 1) The dust collection station 200 of embodiment 1 is a dust collection station that collects dust from the vacuum cleaner 100 by connecting (attaching) the vacuum cleaner 100, and the dust collection station 200 comprises a housing 201 and a base 202 arranged at the bottom of the housing 201, and the housing 201 comprises a collection port 220 that collects the dust from the vacuum cleaner 100 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected, a dust collection section 230 that stores the collected dust, an electric suction device 250 that generates suction force to suck up the dust, a control section (not shown) that operates the electric suction device 250, and a non-contact sensor that detects the approach of the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0018] The dust collection station according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a diagram that schematically shows the appearance of a vacuum cleaner 100 and a dust collection station 200. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram that schematically shows the internal structure of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the dust collection station 200 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the dotted line portion in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a front view that schematically shows the appearance of the dust collection station 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0019] The dust collection station 200 is a device to which the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected, and collects dust from the vacuum cleaner 100. The dust collection station 200 includes a housing 201 and a base 202 arranged below the housing 201. Although not shown, the dust collection station 200 includes a power cord for connecting the dust collection station 200 to a commercial power source.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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. 4) provided near the upper and lower ends of the concave portion, a portion where the collection port 220 is provided (see FIG. 4), and / or a portion where the charging terminal 205 described below is arranged come into contact with the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0022] 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. 4, the charging terminal 205 is provided on a portion (protruding part) 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 recovery port 220 may serve as the support part 201S.

[0023] Housing 201 is equipped with collection port 220 that collects dust from vacuum cleaner 100 when vacuum cleaner 100 is connected, a dust collection unit (second dust collection unit 230) that stores the dust collected from collection port 220, a suction machine (second electric suction machine 250) that generates suction force to suck in the dust, and exhaust port 260 that discharges air from which dust has been separated to the outside. Housing 201 further is equipped with dust flow path 21 (see FIGS. 11 and 12 described below) that connects collection port 220 and second dust collection unit 230, and an exhaust path that connects the suction unit equipped with second electric suction machine 250 to exhaust port 260. A filter (not shown) is provided in exhaust port 260.

[0024] 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.

[0025] The collection port 220 is preferably arranged so that, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the dust collection station 200 and the housing 201 is viewed in plan, air is sucked in a third direction inclined with respect to the first direction Y1. 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. 4). 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. Such a dust collection station 200 is preferable from the viewpoint of user friendliness.

[0026] Furthermore, when collection port 220 is positioned so that air is sucked in the third direction as described above, it is preferable that rib F be provided on the recess wall opposite collection port 220 (see FIG. 4). In this case, when vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to housing 201, rib F pushes vacuum cleaner 100 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.

[0027] 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. 4), 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.

[0028] Furthermore, the collection port 220 may be arranged so that air is sucked in the second direction Y2 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the dust collection station 200 and the housing 201 is viewed from above. In this case, for example, the collection port 220 is provided on the front surface (Y1 side surface) of the housing 201, and the dust discharge port 160 is provided on the Y2 direction side (front surface) of the peripheral surface of the vacuum cleaner body 101.

[0029] The second dust collecting section 230 is configured, for example, with a dust collector 231 that stores dust contained in the air collected through the collection port 220, and a mounting section 232 on which the dust collector 231 is detachably mounted (placed). That is, the second dust collecting section 230 may include the dust collector 231 and the mounting section 232.

[0030] The placing part 232 is a part that detachably houses the dust collector 231 inside, and includes an opening that connects the recovery port 220 with the dust collector 231, and an opening that exhausts air to the second electric suction machine 250. Furthermore, the placing part 232 is preferably cylindrical and includes a surrounding wall.

[0031] The dust collector 231 is detachable from the mounting portion 232. Because the dust collector 231 is detachable from the mounting portion 232, a user can remove the dust collector 231 from the dust collection station 200 and wash the dust collector 231 with water. This makes it easy to keep the dust collector 231 and the mounting portion 232 of the dust collection station 200 clean. The dust collector 231 is preferably a dust collection bag type, filter type, or cyclone type dust collector. A dust collection bag type dust collector is preferably a dust collection bag case that can accommodate a dust collection bag inside. The dust collection bag is formed in a bag shape from a breathable material such as paper, woven fabric, or nonwoven fabric, and is disposable.

[0032] In dust collection station 200, second electric suction machine 250 is disposed below (on the Z2 side of) second dust collecting section 230. Second electric suction machine 250 is composed of fan 251 and motor (also referred to as second motor) 252 that drives fan 251, and generates suction force for collecting (sucking) dust-containing air from first dust collecting section 130 provided in vacuum cleaner 100 through collection port 220 to second dust collecting section 230.

[0033] The dust collection station 200 preferably includes a control unit (also referred to as a second control unit) that controls various components and functional units included in the dust collection station 200, and a second communication unit 208 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 be, 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 and the second communication unit 208 are provided, for example, in the housing 201. The second control unit may perform control to maintain a constant suction force.

[0034] The second control unit and the first control unit of the vacuum cleaner 100, which will be described later, are each configured with, for example, a CPU, an MPU, etc., and execute programs stored in various storage units or external storage devices. The first control unit and the second control unit may also be a microcomputer (also called a microcomputer) equipped with a CPU, a storage device, etc. 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.

[0035] The second communication unit 208 and a first communication unit 108 (see FIG. 8) 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 terminal for communication, and may have a structure in which, for example, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached (connected) to the dust collection station 200, the terminals come into contact with each other to communicate.

[0036] The dust collection station 200 preferably includes a charging terminal 105 for supplying power to the battery 170 of the vacuum cleaner 100. The charging terminal 105 is provided in a position that faces the charging terminal 205 and allows contact therewith when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200.

[0037] The dust collection station 200 according to the first embodiment includes a non-contact sensor that detects the approach of the vacuum cleaner 100. The dust collection station 200 according to the first embodiment detects the vacuum cleaner 100 with a non-contact sensor, rather than with the contact of a metal contact piece or a physical switch, and therefore does not suffer from poor contact due to wear of the metal contact piece or fine dust, or poor contact due to damage to the physical switch.

[0038] Preferably, the second control unit activates the second electric suction device 250 when it detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 has approached the dust collection station 200. To collect dust from the vacuum cleaner 100, the second control unit controls the second electric suction device 250 to operate with a predetermined suction force, i.e., to operate the second motor 252 at a predetermined rotation speed. Typically, it takes several seconds for the second motor 252 to reach the predetermined rotation speed after the second control unit activates the second motor 252. By starting to operate the second electric suction device 250 immediately before the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200, the dust collection station 200 can efficiently collect dust in a short time. Furthermore, when the dust discharge port 160 of the vacuum cleaner 100 approaches the collection port 220, air is sucked in through the collection port 220, which draws the dust discharge port 160 toward the collection port 220, improving the accuracy of alignment between the dust discharge port 160 and the collection port 220.

[0039] The non-contact sensor is preferably provided above the collection port 220 and below the top surface 234 of the housing 201. By providing the non-contact sensor above the dust collection station 200, specifically above the collection port 220 and below the top surface 234 of the housing 201, the vacuum cleaner 100 can be detected at a position close to the position where the vacuum cleaner 100 is normally connected to the dust collection station 200. In particular, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is a stick-type vacuum cleaner, the non-contact sensor can detect the vacuum cleaner 100 when the dust discharge port 160 of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the collection port 220 of the dust collection station 200 are closer to each other than when the non-contact sensor is provided below the base 202 or the collection port 220.

[0040] When the non-contact sensor detects the approach of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the second control unit activates the second electric suction device 250, the distance between the dust discharge port 160 and the collection port 220 is, for example, preferably 1 mm or more and 20 cm or less, more preferably 10 cm or less, and more preferably 5 cm or less. The distance between the dust discharge port 160 and the collection port 220 refers to the shortest distance between the center of the dust discharge port 160 on the surface on which the dust discharge port 160 is provided and the center of the collection port 220 on the surface on which the collection port 220 is provided.

[0041] Examples of the non-contact sensor include a hall sensor, an optical sensor, a distance sensor, and a near field communication (NFC). A case where the non-contact sensor is a hall sensor will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. Although the dust collection station 200 is actually covered with the housing 201 up to the top surface 234, the upper part of the housing 201 is omitted in FIG. 4 to show the position of the non-contact sensor. When a hall sensor is used as the non-contact sensor, standby power consumption of the dust collection station 200 can be reduced more than when an optical sensor is used, thereby saving power.

[0042] The Hall sensor 290 is a contactless magnetic sensor that utilizes a galvanomagnetic effect known as the Hall effect. It detects magnetic field strength and outputs a digital signal. The Hall sensor 290 includes a Hall element that outputs a Hall voltage obtained through the Hall effect and a signal conversion circuit that converts the Hall voltage into a high or low signal. The signal conversion circuit may include a comparator amplifier or the like. The Hall sensor 290 may be, for example, a switch-type Hall sensor that outputs either a high or low signal when a magnet approaches and the other signal when the magnet moves away. The Hall sensor 290 may be a unipolar detection type that detects either the north or south pole of a magnet, or a bipolar detection type that detects both the north and south poles. However, since the orientation of the magnet 180 included in the vacuum cleaner 100 does not need to be considered, the Hall sensor 290 is preferably a bipolar detection type. The dust collection station 200 according to this embodiment preferably includes a switch-type Hall sensor.

[0043] 4, the Hall sensor 290 is disposed on a substrate 290a. The signal conversion circuit may be formed on the substrate 290a. The Hall sensor 290 is provided above the recovery port 220 and below the top surface 234 of the housing 201. When a user connects the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, the user first inserts the suction port body 102 into the space between the base 202 and the housing 201, and places the suction port body 102 on the base 202. It is preferable that suction port body 102 and vacuum cleaner body 101 are connected by a connecting pipe part that is rotatable at least in the Y1-Y2 direction, and when a user places suction port body 102 on base 202 and then moves vacuum cleaner body 101 in the second direction (Y2 side), the connecting pipe part of suction port body 102 rotates in the second direction (Y2 side), and vacuum cleaner body 101 approaches dust collection station 200 and is connected to dust collection station 200. In other words, the side of vacuum cleaner body 101 closer to suction port body 102 (lower side) approaches dust collection station 200 first, and the side farther from suction port body 102 (upper side) approaches dust collection station 200 later. Therefore, by providing the Hall sensor 290 above the collection port 220, it is possible to detect the vacuum cleaner 100 at a position close to the position (placement position) where the vacuum cleaner 100 is normally connected to the dust collection station 200, as described above. Furthermore, by providing the Hall sensor below the top surface 234, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of malfunctions in which the dust collection station 200 operates even when the vacuum cleaner 100 is not approaching, when an object with a magnet is placed on the top surface 234.

[0044] The Hall sensor 290 is preferably disposed so as to detect a magnetic field in the front direction (Y1 direction) of the dust collection station 200. The Hall sensor 290 may be a plate-shaped IC chip disposed on a substrate 290a, and is disposed, for example, so that the main surface of the Hall sensor 290 is parallel to the up-down direction (Z1-Z2 direction) of the dust collection station 200. Alternatively, the main surface of the substrate 290a may be disposed so as to be parallel to the up-down direction (Z1-Z2 direction) of the dust collection station 200. The Hall sensor 290 is preferably disposed so that the main surface faces forward (Y1 side).

[0045] Although details of the vacuum cleaner 100 will be described later, as shown in FIG. 1 , the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a suction port body 102 having a suction port for sucking in dust, a vacuum cleaner body 101 provided above the suction port body 102, and a grip part 103 provided above the vacuum cleaner body. When the non-contact sensor is a Hall sensor 290, the vacuum cleaner 100 further includes a magnet 180 provided on the vacuum cleaner body 101 or the grip part 103, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . When the vacuum cleaner 100 is a stick-type vacuum cleaner, the dust outlet 160 is provided on the vacuum cleaner body 101. Therefore, by providing the magnet 180 on the vacuum cleaner body 101 or the grip part 103, the Hall sensor 290 can detect the vacuum cleaner 100 when the dust outlet 160 of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the collection port 220 of the dust collection station 200 are closer to each other than when the magnet 180 is provided on the suction port body 102. The configuration of the dust collection station 200 can be changed as appropriate to match the position where the magnet 180 is arranged on the vacuum cleaner 100. When the magnet 180 is arranged on the grip part 103 of the vacuum cleaner 100, for example, the dust collection station 200 may further include a pole extending in the vertical direction so as to face the grip part 103 of the vacuum cleaner 100, and the hall sensor 290 may be provided on the pole.

[0046] The magnet 180 may be disposed in a position where the Hall sensor 290 can detect the magnetic force, but is preferably disposed in a position facing the Hall sensor 290 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200, the Hall sensor 290 may face the magnet 180 directly, or may be disposed in a position offset in the vertical direction (Z1-Z2 direction) or the horizontal direction (X1-X2 direction) from the position facing the magnet 180, as long as the magnetic force of the magnet 180 can be detected. In this embodiment, the Hall sensor 290 is disposed on the front side (the side facing the magnet 180) within the dust collection station 200 in the front-to-rear direction and offset below the magnet 180 in the vertical direction. In other words, the magnet 180 faces the magnet 180 but is not directly facing it. The magnet 180 is provided, for example, on the front side of the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0047] When the non-contact sensor is a Hall sensor 290, it is preferable that at least the portion of the housing 201 that constitutes the front side of the dust collection station 200 and the top surface are formed from a resin material, and it is more preferable that the entire housing 201 be formed from a resin material.

[0048] Magnet 180 is preferably a neodymium magnet. Since neodymium magnets have a stronger magnetic force than ferrite magnets commonly used in everyday items, using a neodymium magnet as magnet 180 allows Hall sensor 290 to be positioned where it is less likely to be activated even if a ferrite magnet approaches, specifically, away from top surface 234. This reduces the risk of false activation of dust collection station 200 when an object equipped with a ferrite magnet approaches, even though vacuum cleaner 100 is not approaching.

[0049] Preferably, the housing 201 further includes a magnetic body 291 that is positioned between the Hall sensor 290 and the magnet 180 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is placed on the dust collection station 200. By placing the magnetic body 291 between the Hall sensor 290 and the magnet 180, the distance at which the Hall sensor 290 detects the approach of the vacuum cleaner 100 can be shortened compared to when the magnetic body 291 is not placed. In other words, the Hall sensor 290 can detect the vacuum cleaner 100 at a position close to the position (placed position) where the vacuum cleaner 100 is normally connected to the dust collection station 200. In addition, because the magnetic body 291 is attracted to the magnet 180 of the vacuum cleaner 100, the dust collection station 200 can hold the vacuum cleaner 100 in a more accurate position.

[0050] The magnetic body 291 is preferably a plate-shaped member, and is preferably opposed to the Hall sensor 290 in the front-rear direction Y and parallel to the main surface of the Hall sensor 290. When the dust collection station 200 is observed from above (Z1 direction), the magnetic body 291 is preferably located between the Hall sensor 290 and the magnet 180, and when the dust collection station 200 is observed from the front (Y2 direction), it is more preferable that at least a portion of the magnetic body 291 overlaps with the Hall sensor 290.

[0051] The magnetic body 291 is, for example, a metal plate made of a magnetic metal, and examples of the material of the magnetic body 291 include iron, cobalt, nickel, and alloys thereof (stainless steel, etc.).

[0052] The distance at which the Hall sensor 290 detects the approach of the vacuum cleaner 100 can be set to any distance by adjusting, for example, the area where the magnetic body 291 overlaps with the Hall sensor 290 when observed from the Y2 direction, the thickness of the magnetic body 291 in the front-to-back direction, the area of ​​the magnetic body 291, the material of the magnetic body 291, the threshold value of the Hall sensor 290, the magnetic force of the magnet 180, etc.

[0053] Preferably, the housing 201 further includes a magnetic body 292 arranged between the Hall sensor 290 and the top surface 234 of the housing 201. By arranging the magnetic body 292 between the Hall sensor 290 and the top surface 234, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a malfunction in which the dust collection station 200 is activated even when the vacuum cleaner 100 is not approaching, when a user places, for example, an object having a magnet on the top surface 234.

[0054] The magnetic body 292 is preferably a plate-shaped member, and the main surface of the magnetic body 292 is preferably parallel to the main surface of the top surface 234. As the magnetic body 292, the same material as the magnetic body 291 can be used.

[0055] The non-contact sensor may be an optical sensor. Examples of the optical sensor include an infrared photoelectric sensor, a laser sensor, a color sensor, a fiber sensor, a pyroelectric sensor, and an image sensor. The distance at which the optical sensor detects the approach of the vacuum cleaner 100 can be adjusted by, for example, a microcomputer.

[0056] The non-contact sensor may be a distance sensor, a near field communication (NFC), etc. Examples of distance sensors include a time of flight (TOF) sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, etc. The distance at which the distance sensor detects the approach of the vacuum cleaner 100 can be adjusted by, for example, a microcomputer or the like.

[0057] If the non-contact sensor is an optical sensor, a distance sensor, an NFC sensor or the like other than a Hall sensor, the vacuum cleaner 100 does not need to include the magnet 180, and the dust collection station 200 does not need to include the magnetic materials 291, 292.

[0058] As described above, the dust collection station 200 according to this embodiment includes a non-contact sensor that detects the approach of the vacuum cleaner 100. The dust collection station 200 may further include a second connection detection unit (not shown) that detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 is actually connected to the dust collection station 200 after the non-contact sensor detects the approach of the vacuum cleaner 100. The second connection detection unit and a first connection detection unit that may be included in the vacuum cleaner 100, which will be described later, are each, for example, a physical switch or a pressure sensor, a vacuum cleaner-side terminal and a dust collection station-side terminal that can be electrically connected to each other, etc.

[0059] (Embodiment 2) In this embodiment, a dust collection device 1 including a vacuum cleaner 100 and a dust collection station 200 will be described. Features unique to this embodiment will be mainly described below, and descriptions of matters that overlap with those described above will be omitted. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the vacuum cleaner 100 removed from the dust collection station 200. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner 100 from the right rear. Figs. 1 and 2 are also diagrams showing the dust collection device 1 of this embodiment.

[0060] The dust collection device 1 according to the second embodiment includes a vacuum cleaner 100 and a dust collection station 200. The dust collection station 200 may be the dust collection station 200 described in the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a suction port body 102 having a suction port for sucking in dust, and a vacuum cleaner main body 101 provided above the suction port body 102. The vacuum cleaner main body 101 has a generally cylindrical shape that is elongated in the vertical direction, and the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a handle 103 that extends above the vacuum cleaner main body 101. As shown in FIG. 2, the vacuum cleaner main body 101 includes a vacuum cleaner-side electric suction unit (also referred to as a first electric suction unit) 150 that generates a suction force for sucking in dust, and a dust collection unit (also referred to as a first dust collection unit) 130 that collects dust sucked by the vacuum cleaner-side electric suction unit 150.

[0061] The suction port body 102 has a suction port 120 at the bottom, and may be provided with a rotary cleaning body 12 including a brush or the like. When the suction port body 102 is provided with 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.

[0062] 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 electric suction device 150 and on the front side (Y2 side) of the suction tube 181. The vacuum cleaner 100 is provided with a charging terminal 105 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.

[0063] The first electric suction machine 150 is composed of a fan and a motor (also referred to as a first motor) that drives the fan.

[0064] First dust collecting section 130 is in communication with suction port 120. First dust collecting section 130 may be, for example, a type that separates dust-containing air sucked in from suction port 120 using a filter (filter type), or a type that separates dust using cyclone flow (cyclone type).

[0065] The grip portion 103 is provided with a first operation portion 104 (for example, an operation switch) that is operated by the user.

[0066] Although not shown, the vacuum cleaner 100 preferably includes a first control unit that controls various components and functional units of the vacuum cleaner 100, and a first communication unit 108 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 108 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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. 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 is stored in the first dust collecting unit 130. Specifically, if the first dust collecting unit 130 is a filter type, the dust is mainly stored inside the filter provided 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.

[0069] Here, dust collection intake port 182 is configured to communicate with first dust collection section 130 of vacuum cleaner 100 when vacuum cleaner 100 is placed on dust collection station 200, and not to communicate with first dust collection section 130 of vacuum cleaner 100 when vacuum cleaner 100 is not placed on dust collection station 200. Exhaust port 183 and dust collection intake port 182 may be arranged on the back side of vacuum cleaner 100.

[0070] After using the vacuum cleaner 100, the user attaches (connects) the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200, which connects the dust discharge port 160 of the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection port 220 of the dust collection station 200. That is, the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the dust collection station 200 so that the dust discharge port 160 and the collection port 220 face each other.

[0071] For example, when the first connection detection unit detects that the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200, the first control unit included in the vacuum cleaner 100 stops the supply of power from the battery 170 to the first control unit. More specifically, as will be described in a fourth embodiment below, if the first electric suction unit 150 and the rotary cleaning body 12 are operating when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200, the first control unit stops the first electric suction unit 150 and the rotary cleaning body 12, and then stops the supply of power from the battery 170 to itself (the first control unit). Therefore, when the dust collection station 200 collects dust in the first dust collection unit 130, the dust in the first dust collection unit 130 can be smoothly collected into the second dust collection unit 230. 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 then 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.

[0072] When the second control unit 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 105 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.

[0073] The second control unit may perform control such that, when the non-contact sensor detects the approach of the vacuum cleaner 100, the second control unit collects dust from the vacuum cleaner 100 (activates the second electric suction unit). 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 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 provided in the dust collection station 200.

[0074] In the automatic collection on state, the second control unit activates the second electric suction device 250 when the non-contact sensor detects the approach of the vacuum cleaner 100. After the second electric suction device 250 is activated, the dust discharge port 160 and the collection port 220 are connected, and 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 stored 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 machine 250 stops, 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 approaches the dust collection station 200 to be reattached.

[0075] On the other hand, in the automatic collection off state, the second control section does not operate the second electric suction device 250 even if the non-contact sensor detects the approach of the vacuum cleaner 100 .

[0076] 6, the vacuum cleaner body 101 is in communication with the first dust collecting unit 130 and includes a dust discharge port 160 and a cover 161 provided on the side of the vacuum cleaner body 101. The dust discharge port 160 is opened and closed by the cover 161. The dust discharge port 160 is connectable to a collection port 220 of the dust collection station 200, and when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200, the dust discharge port 160 is in communication with the collection port 220 of the dust collection station 200.

[0077] The dust discharge port 160 is provided at a position opposite the collection port 220 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200. For example, if the dust discharge port 160 is provided on the side surface of the vacuum cleaner body 101 on the X2 side, the dust discharge port 160 may be connected to the collection port 220 located in the X2 direction of the vacuum cleaner body 101 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). If the dust discharge port 160 is provided on the side surface of the vacuum cleaner body 101 on the X1 side, the dust discharge port 160 may be connected to the collection port 220 located in the X1 direction of the vacuum cleaner body 101.

[0078] It is preferable that first dust collecting part 130 is detachable from vacuum cleaner body 101. By making first dust collecting part 130 detachable from vacuum cleaner body 101, the user can remove first dust collecting part 130 for cleaning, etc., and vacuum cleaner 100 can be kept clean.

[0079] 7 and 8, a case where first dust collecting part 130 is detachable from vacuum cleaner body 101 will be described below. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of first dust collecting part 130 from the rear right side. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner body from the front right side with first dust collecting part 130 removed. In this specification, when describing first dust collecting part 130 alone, directions will be expressed as directions when first dust collecting part 130 is attached to vacuum cleaner body 101.

[0080] The inside of first dust collecting unit 130 is hollow, and dust accumulates in the hollow. The outer wall of first dust collecting unit 130 is formed by housing 131. Opening 130a is provided at the bottom (Z2 direction) of first dust collecting unit 130, opening 130b is provided at the top (Z1 direction) of first dust collecting unit 130, and opening 130c is provided on the side of first dust collecting unit 130. When first dust collecting unit 130 is attached to vacuum cleaner body 101, opening 130a communicates with suction pipe 181 (see FIGS. 2 and 8), opening 130b is positioned to face first electric suction unit 150, and opening 130c communicates with dust outlet 160.

[0081] Opening 130c is provided in the same direction as the dust outlet 160 is provided in vacuum cleaner body 101. Specifically, when dust outlet 160 is provided on the right side surface (X2 direction) of vacuum cleaner body 101 as shown in Fig. 6, opening 130c is provided on the right side surface (X2 direction) of first dust collecting unit 130 as shown in Fig. 7. When dust outlet 160 is provided on the left side surface (X1 direction) of vacuum cleaner body 101, opening 130c is provided on the left side surface (X1 direction) of first dust collecting unit 130.

[0082] When the first dust collecting unit 130 is a filter type, for example, a filter 132 having a substantially square truncated cone shape is disposed inside the housing 131. The filter 132 is disposed at a position overlapping at least the opening 130b, but not at a position overlapping the openings 130a and 130c. The shape of the filter 132 may be such that the opening 130a side of the first dust collecting unit 130 is open, and the filter 132 is disposed on the opening 130b side and on the side surface. The opening of the filter 132 is preferably located above the opening 130c (in the Z1 direction) in the vertical direction (Z1-Z2 direction) of the vacuum cleaner 100. The shape of the filter 132 can be appropriately set depending on the shape of the vacuum cleaner body 101, and examples thereof include a substantially square truncated cone with an open downward (in the Z2 direction), a substantially square prism with an open downward, and a substantially cylindrical shape with an open downward. 7, a part of filter 132 (the surface of the approximately quadrangular frustum in the Z1 direction) is exposed from opening 130b. Note that another filter may be disposed between opening 130b and first electric suction machine 150, or between opening 130a and filter 132.

[0083] When a user operates the vacuum cleaner 100, air containing dust sucked in through the suction port 120 passes through the suction pipe 181 and is sucked into the first dust collecting unit 130 through the opening 130a of the vacuum cleaner 100, where the dust is filtered by the filter 132 arranged to overlap with the opening 130b. The air separated from the dust passes through the exhaust path from the opening 130b and is discharged to the outside of the vacuum cleaner 100 through the exhaust port 183, and the filtered dust is stored in the first dust collecting unit 130. On the other hand, when the dust collection station 200 collects dust from the vacuum cleaner 100, the first dust collecting unit 130 communicates with the second dust collecting unit 230 via the opening 130c, the dust discharge port 160, and the collection port 220.

[0084] As shown in Figure 8, the vacuum cleaner body 101 does not have a front outer wall at the location where the first dust collecting unit 130 is intended to be attached, and as shown in Figure 6, when the first dust collecting unit 130 is attached to the vacuum cleaner body 101, the front side housing 131 portion of the first dust collecting unit 130 may form part of the front side housing of the vacuum cleaner body 101.

[0085] When first dust collecting unit 130 is detachable from vacuum cleaner body 101, lid 161 is preferably rotatably attached to a side surface of first dust collecting unit 130. By including lid 161 in first dust collecting unit 130, when a user removes first dust collecting unit 130 from vacuum cleaner body 101, opening 130c is closed by lid 161, which makes it possible to prevent dust from leaking out of first dust collecting unit 130 through opening 130c. When first dust collecting unit 130 is attached to vacuum cleaner body 101, dust outlet 160 and opening 130c communicate with each other, and lid 161 is disposed inside dust outlet 160 in a plan view. Note that when first dust collecting unit 130 is not detachable from vacuum cleaner body 101, lid 161 may be rotatably attached to a side surface of vacuum cleaner body 101. Dust discharge port 160 is opened and closed by cover 161 whether cover 161 is rotatably attached to first dust collecting section 130 or to cleaner body 101 .

[0086] The opening and closing of the lid 161 will be described below with reference to Figures 9 to 12. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the dotted line portion in Figure 6 showing the closed position of the lid 161. Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the dotted line portion in Figure 6 showing the open position of the lid 161. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 1 showing the closed position of the lid 161. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 1 showing the open position of the lid 161. Figures 11 and 12 show only the front side of the cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 1.

[0087] The lid body 161 is configured to be rotatable between an open position (see FIGS. 10 and 12) in which the dust outlet 160 is released, and a closed position (see FIGS. 9 and 11) in which the dust outlet 160 is closed. The lid body 161 only needs to be configured to open and close the dust outlet 160, and may be rotatably attached to the vacuum cleaner body 101 as described below, or may be rotatably attached to the first dust collecting unit 130. When the first dust collecting unit 130 is detachable from the vacuum cleaner body 101, the lid body 161 is preferably rotatably attached to the first dust collecting unit 130, and is configured such that in the open position the lid body 161 opens the opening 130c, thereby opening the dust outlet 160, and in the closed position the lid body 161 closes the opening 130c, thereby closing the dust outlet 160.

[0088] 9, the cover 161 has a first end 161a and a second end 161b that, in the closed position, is located closer to the first end 161a in a second direction Y2 opposite to the first direction Y1 in a plan view. The first direction Y1 is the direction in which the vacuum cleaner 100 connected to the dust collection station 200 is removed, as shown in Fig. 5. The cover 161 is rotatably attached by the first end 161a at a position close to the back surface of the vacuum cleaner 100, and the second end 161b is located closer to the front surface of the vacuum cleaner 100 than the first end 161a.

[0089] The cover 161 opens the dust outlet 160 by rotating the second end 161b toward the collection port 220 of the dust collection station 200 so that the second end 161b is closer to the first direction Y1 in a plan view than in the closed position. If the first dust collecting unit 130 is detachable from the vacuum cleaner body 101, the cover 161 opens the opening 130c in the open position, thereby opening the dust outlet 160 as well. If the first dust collecting unit 130 is detachable from the vacuum cleaner body 101, the opening 130c is located closer to the X1 side than the dust outlet 160. Therefore, when the cover 161 opens the opening 130c, the second end 161b of the cover 161 rotates toward the collection port 220 through the dust outlet 160. The cover 161 opens the open position by rotating the second end 161b, which is located on the front side of the vacuum cleaner 100, from the front side of the vacuum cleaner 100 toward the rear side. Since the vacuum cleaner 100 is removed from the dust collection station 200 along the first direction Y1, even if the lid 161 is open, the lid 161 is pressed toward the vacuum cleaner body 101 by the housing 201 (support part 201S provided with the collection port 220) when the vacuum cleaner 100 is removed, and the lid 161 can be returned to the closed position. On the other hand, if the second end 161b is rotatably attached to the side of the first dust collection part 130 or the vacuum cleaner body 101 and the first end 161a is structured to rotate toward the collection port 220, there is a risk that the lid 161 will get caught when the vacuum cleaner 100 is removed.

[0090] The vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 2 includes a communication passage opening into the front wall of the vacuum cleaner housing and a lid that opens and closes the communication passage, with the opening and lid being located on the front of the vacuum cleaner. Therefore, when the vacuum cleaner is pulled backward to remove it from the collection device, if the lid is not completely closed, there is no means for reliably closing the lid. Furthermore, in Patent Document 2, because the lid is located on the front of the vacuum cleaner, regardless of whether the lid is positioned above, below, to the left, or to the right of the opening of the communication passage, the lid will not get caught when the vacuum cleaner is removed from the collection device to the rear, and the problem of the present embodiment, in which the lid gets caught depending on the installation direction of the lid, does not occur.

[0091] The first end 161a is preferably arranged along the up-down direction of the cleaner body 101. When the first dust collecting unit 130 is detachable from the vacuum cleaner body 101, the first end 161a is rotatably attached to the first dust collecting unit 130, for example, by a hinge provided along one side of the first dust collecting unit 130 that is located on the first direction Y1 side. When the first dust collecting unit 130 is not detachable from the vacuum cleaner body 101, the first end 161a is rotatably attached to the vacuum cleaner body 101, for example, by a hinge provided along one side of the dust outlet 160 that is located on the first direction Y1 side. A spring may be arranged between the first end 161a and the first dust collecting unit 130 or between the first end 161a and the vacuum cleaner body 101 so that the cover 161 is in the closed position. The spring is not particularly limited as long as it can return the lid body 161 to the closed position after it has been in the open position, but examples include a compression spring, a tension spring, and a torsion coil spring. Of these, it is preferable to provide a torsion coil spring in the hinge portion.

[0092] When the second control unit activates the second electric suction machine 250 and starts collecting dust, air containing dust is sucked into the second dust collecting unit 230 from the collection port 220 through the dust flow path 21. The wind pressure of the dust-containing air sucked through the collection port 220 causes the lid 161 to rotate as described above, opening the dust discharge port 160 and setting it in the open position. As shown in FIG. 12 , in the open position, the second end 161b of the lid 161 enters the dust flow path 21 of the dust collection station 200. Because the lid 161 opens after the second electric suction machine 250 is activated, the dust collection station 200 can collect dust without leaking from the collection port 220.

[0093] When the dust collection is completed, that is, when the second electric suction device 250 stops, the second end 161b rotates in the second direction Y2 from the collection port 220 side of the dust collection station 200 in a plan view, closing the dust discharge port 160 and returning to the closed position. If the first dust collecting unit 130 is detachable from the vacuum cleaner body 101, the cover 161 closes the opening 130c in the closed position, thereby closing the dust discharge port 160. If a spring is disposed between the first end 161a and the first dust collecting unit 130 or between the first end 161a and the vacuum cleaner body 101, when the second electric suction device 250 stops, the wind pressure is no longer applied, and the spring stress causes the cover 161 to return to the closed position.

[0094] (Embodiment 3) The vacuum cleaner 100 described in the second embodiment is the vacuum cleaner according to the third embodiment. The vacuum cleaner of embodiment 3 is a vacuum cleaner connectable to a dust collection station that collects dust, and comprises: a suction port body having a suction port for sucking in dust; and a vacuum cleaner main body provided above the suction port body. The vacuum cleaner main body comprises: a vacuum cleaner-side electric suction unit that generates suction force to suck in the dust; a dust collection unit that stores the dust sucked by the vacuum cleaner-side electric suction unit; a dust discharge port that communicates with the dust collection unit and is provided on the side of the vacuum cleaner main body; and a lid body that is configured to be rotatable between an open position that releases the dust discharge port and a closed position that closes the dust discharge port. If the direction in which the vacuum cleaner is removed from the dust collection station is defined as a first direction, the lid body comprises a first end and, in the closed position, a second end that is located on a second direction side opposite to the first direction than the first end in a planar view. The second end is configured to open the dust discharge port by rotating toward the collection port side so as to be closer to the first direction than the closed position in a planar view. The specific configuration is the same as that of the vacuum cleaner 100 of the second embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0095] (Embodiment 4) A dust collection device 1 according to a fourth embodiment includes a vacuum cleaner 100 and a dust collection station 200. The dust collection station 200 includes a dust collection station terminal 207 to which a predetermined voltage is applied. The vacuum cleaner 100 includes a suction port body 102 having a suction port for sucking dust and a vacuum cleaner main body 101 disposed above the suction port body 102. The vacuum cleaner main body 101 includes a vacuum cleaner-side electric suction unit 150 for generating a suction force for sucking the dust, a vacuum cleaner-side control unit (not shown) for operating the vacuum cleaner-side electric suction unit 150, and a vacuum cleaner-side terminal 107 electrically connected to the dust collection station terminal 207. The following description will focus on features unique to this embodiment, and will omit descriptions of features overlapping those described above. Figures 1, 2, and 5 also illustrate the dust collection device 1 of this embodiment.

[0096] In addition to the features described in the first embodiment, the dust collection station 200 according to this embodiment includes a dust collection station-side terminal 207 to which a predetermined voltage is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a suction port body 102 having a suction port for sucking in dust, and a vacuum cleaner main body 101 provided above the suction port body 102. As shown in FIG. 2, the vacuum cleaner main body 101 includes a vacuum cleaner-side electric suction device that generates suction force to suck in dust, and a vacuum cleaner-side control unit (not shown) that operates the vacuum cleaner-side electric suction device. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the vacuum cleaner main body 101 includes a vacuum cleaner-side terminal 107. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the dust collection station 200, the vacuum cleaner-side terminal 107 is electrically connected to the dust collection station-side terminal 207. The vacuum cleaner-side electric suction device corresponds to the first electric suction device 150 described above, and the vacuum cleaner-side control unit corresponds to the first control unit described above.

[0097] For example, when the cleaner-side terminal 107 is not in contact with the dust collection station-side terminal 207, it is connected to 0 V via a resistor, and the cleaner-side control unit detects 0 V. A predetermined voltage is applied to the dust collection station-side terminal 207, and when the cleaner-side terminal 107 is electrically connected to the dust collection station-side terminal 207, the cleaner-side terminal 107 becomes the predetermined voltage. When the cleaner-side control unit detects that the cleaner-side terminal 107 is electrically connected to the dust collection station-side terminal 207 and becomes the predetermined voltage, it controls the cleaner-side electric suction device to stop. It is also preferable that the cleaner-side control unit also controls the rotary cleaning body 12 to stop. The predetermined voltage may be, for example, 4 V or more and 6 V or less, and specifically, 5 V.

[0098] When the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200 while in operation, the vacuum cleaner 100 stops its own electric suction function. The vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 3 can be operated while attached to a collection device. On the other hand, in the vacuum cleaner 100 of this embodiment, even when the user operates the first operating unit 104 while the vacuum cleaner control unit detects the predetermined voltage, i.e., while the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200, the vacuum cleaner control unit does not activate the vacuum cleaner electric suction function and keeps it in a stopped state. In the dust collection device 1 of this embodiment, the vacuum cleaner electric suction function stops when the dust collection station 200 collects dust, ensuring reliable collection of dust. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide a switch or the like on the vacuum cleaner 100 that is pressed when the vacuum cleaner 100 comes into contact with the dust collection station 200, the control circuit of the vacuum cleaner 100 can be configured simply.

[0099] 5, the dust collection station side terminal 207 may be provided above the housing 201 (for example, above the recovery port 220 and below the top surface 234). Alternatively, it may be provided on either the left or right support part 201S. The vacuum cleaner side terminal 107 is provided in a position facing the dust collection station side terminal 207 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the dust collection station 200.

[0100] 5 illustrates a case in which the dust collection station side terminal 207 is provided separately from the charging terminal 205, and the vacuum cleaner side terminal 107 is provided separately from the charging terminal 105, but the charging terminal 205 for supplying power to the battery 170 of the vacuum cleaner 100 may also serve as the dust collection station side terminal 207, or the charging terminal 105 for supplying power to the battery 170 may also serve as the vacuum cleaner side terminal 107. Furthermore, the above-mentioned second connection detection unit may also serve as the dust collection station side terminal 207, and the first connection detection unit may also serve as the vacuum cleaner side terminal 107.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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]

[0103] 1: Dust collection device 12: Rotating cleaning body 21: Dust flow path 100: Vacuum cleaner 101: Vacuum cleaner body 102: Inlet body 103:Gripping part 104:First operation section 105: Charging terminal 107: Vacuum cleaner side terminal 108: First Communications Department 120: Intake port 130:First dust collection section 130a, 130b, 130c: Opening 131: Cabinet 132: Filter 150:First electric suction machine 160: Dust exhaust port 161: Lid 161a: First end 161b: Second end 170: Battery 180: Magnet 181:Suction tube 182: Dust collection intake 183: Exhaust port 200: Dust collection station 201: Cabinet 201S: Support part 202: Pedestal 205: Charging terminal 206:Protrusion 207: Dust collection station side terminal 208: Second Communications Department 220: Collection port 230:Second dust collection section 231: Dust collector 232: Placement section 234: Top 250:Second electric suction machine 251: Fan 252: Second motor 260: Exhaust port 290: Hall sensor 290a: Substrate 291, 292: Magnetic material F: Rib

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 for collecting the dust from the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is connected; a dust collecting unit that stores the collected dust; an electric suction machine that generates a suction force to suck in the dust; a control unit that operates the electric suction machine; a non-contact sensor that detects the approach of the vacuum cleaner; A dust collection station.

2. The dust collection station according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit activates the electric suction device when detecting that the vacuum cleaner has approached the dust collection station.

3. the non-contact sensor is a Hall sensor, The dust collection station of claim 2, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a suction port body having a suction port for sucking in dust, a vacuum cleaner body provided above the suction port body, a handle provided above the vacuum cleaner body, and a magnet provided on the vacuum cleaner body or the handle.

4. The dust collection station according to claim 3 , wherein the housing further comprises a magnetic body that is positioned between the Hall sensor and the magnet when the vacuum cleaner is placed on the dust collection station.

5. The dust collection station according to claim 4 , wherein the hall sensor is provided above the collection port and below a top surface of the housing.

6. 6. The dust collection station of claim 5, wherein the magnet is a neodymium magnet.

7. The dust collection station according to claim 6 , wherein the housing further comprises a magnetic body disposed between the Hall sensor and a top surface of the housing.

8. A vacuum cleaner and a dust collection station according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The vacuum cleaner includes a suction port body having a suction port for sucking in dust, and a vacuum cleaner body provided above the suction port body, The vacuum cleaner body includes: a vacuum cleaner-side electric suction unit that generates a suction force for sucking the dust; a dust collecting section that collects dust sucked by the vacuum cleaner-side electric suction unit; a dust outlet provided on a side surface of the vacuum cleaner body and communicating with the dust collecting unit; a cover configured to be rotatable between an open position that releases the dust discharge port and a closed position that closes the dust discharge port, When the direction in which the vacuum cleaner connected to the dust collecting station is detached is defined as a first direction, the lid body includes a first end portion and a second end portion that is located in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the first end portion in the closed position in a plan view, The dust collection device is configured such that the second end portion, in a plan view, opens the dust discharge port by rotating toward the collection port so as to be closer to the first direction than in the closed position.

9. A vacuum cleaner and a dust collection station according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the dust collection station includes a dust collection station-side terminal to which a predetermined voltage is applied; The vacuum cleaner includes a suction port body having a suction port for sucking in dust, and a vacuum cleaner body provided above the suction port body, The vacuum cleaner body includes: a vacuum cleaner-side electric suction unit that generates a suction force for sucking the dust; a cleaner-side control unit that operates the cleaner-side electric suction device; a vacuum cleaner-side terminal electrically connected to the dust collection station-side terminal, The vacuum cleaner side control unit controls the vacuum cleaner side electric suction device to stop when the vacuum cleaner side terminal is electrically connected to the dust collection station side terminal and detects the predetermined voltage.

10. A vacuum cleaner connectable to a dust collection station for collecting dust, The vacuum cleaner comprises a suction port body having a suction port for sucking in dust, and a vacuum cleaner body provided above the suction port body, The vacuum cleaner body includes: a vacuum cleaner-side electric suction unit that generates a suction force for sucking the dust; a dust collecting section that collects dust sucked by the vacuum cleaner-side electric suction unit; a dust outlet provided on a side surface of the vacuum cleaner body and communicating with the dust collecting unit; a cover configured to be rotatable between an open position that releases the dust discharge port and a closed position that closes the dust discharge port, When the direction in which the vacuum cleaner connected to the dust collecting station is detached is defined as a first direction, the lid body includes a first end portion and a second end portion that is located in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the first end portion in the closed position in a plan view, The second end is configured to open the dust outlet by rotating toward the collection port so as to be closer to the first direction than in the closed position in a plan view.

11. The dust collection station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-contact sensor is provided above the collection port and below a top surface of the housing.

12. 5. The dust collection station of claim 3, wherein the magnet is a neodymium magnet.

13. 6. The dust collection station according to claim 3, wherein the housing further comprises a magnetic body disposed between the Hall sensor and a top surface of the housing.

14. The dust collection station of claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-contact sensor is an optical sensor.

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