Dust removing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a dust collector with a small operating sound.SOLUTION: A dust removing device of the present disclosure includes an insertion tube configured such that a mop can be inserted from an upper side, a dust storage for storing dust, a collecting duct for communicating the dust storage and the insertion tube, and a suction source for applying a suction force for sucking dust from the mop in the insertion tube to the mop in the insertion tube through the dust storage and the collecting duct. A peripheral wall of the insertion tube is formed with an outflow port that allows dust separated from the mop in the insertion tube to flow out to the recovery duct. In the dust storage part, an inflow port into which dust separated from the mop in the insertion cylinder flows and which has an opening area larger than that of the outflow port is formed so as to face the outflow port. The collection duct extends straight from the outflow port to the inflow port and has a larger flow path cross-sectional area on the inflow port side than on the outflow port side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dust removal device for removing dust from a mop. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a dust remover 300 shown in Fig. 24. This dust remover 300 is configured to remove dust from a mop 330 shown in Fig. 25.

[0003] The mop 330 has a dust cloth portion 331 for wiping off dust on the floor surface, and a handle portion 332 extending from the dust cloth portion 331. The dust cloth portion 331 is a rectangular plate-shaped member that is elongated in the left-right direction, and is configured so that dust on the floor surface adheres to the dust cloth portion 331. The lower end of the handle portion 332 is attached to the upper surface of the dust cloth portion 331 at a position near the rear end edge of the dust cloth portion 331, which is the center of the dust cloth portion 331 in the left-right direction. The handle portion 332 shown in FIG. 25 extends upward in an upright position from the dust cloth portion 331, but is tiltable left-right.

[0004] Handle 332 has a lower part 333 attached to dustpan part 331 and a rod-shaped upper part 334 formed to a thickness that is easy for a user to grip. Upper part 334 is detachable from lower part 333. As shown in Figure 24, mop 330 is attached to dust remover 300 with upper part 334 and lower part 333 separated.

[0005] Dust removal device 300 includes a housing 310 and a dust storage container 320 mounted on housing 310. Housing 310 is formed with a handle storage section 312 for storing an upper part 334 of handle 332, and a dust removal chamber 313 for storing a lower part 333 of handle 332 together with dust cloth part 331. Handle storage section 312 and dust removal chamber 313 open upward so that a user can insert upper part 334 and lower part 333 of handle 332 from above.

[0006] 26, a recovery duct 315 is fixed to an inner wall 314 of the dust removal chamber 313 on the dust storage container 320 side. The recovery duct 315 forms a flow path that narrows toward the dust storage container 320. A plurality of slits 316 are formed in the inner wall 314 to allow air and dust to flow from the dust removal chamber 313 to the recovery duct 315. These slits 316 extend horizontally at different height positions.

[0007] The dust storage container 320 has a container portion 321 for storing dust, and a connecting tube 322 that protrudes from the peripheral wall of the container portion 321 and is connected to the tip of the recovery duct 315. The air and dust that flow out of the dust removal chamber 313 can flow into the container portion 321 through the recovery duct 315 and the connecting tube 322.

[0008] A suction source that generates suction force to suck out air from inside dust container 320 is built into housing 310. An operation button 311 that is operated to activate or stop the suction source is exposed on the top surface of housing 310.

[0009] A user can place the wiping cloth portion 331 of the mop 330 together with the lower portion 333 of the handle portion 332 in the dust chamber 313 and operate the operation button 311. This operation activates the suction source, and the suction force of the suction source acts on the dust chamber 313 through the dust storage container 320 and the collection duct 315. This suction force pulls dust from the wiping cloth portion 331, and the dust, along with the air in the dust storage chamber 313, flows into the collection duct 315 through the multiple slits 316. At this time, the collection duct 315 forms a flow path that narrows toward the connecting tube 322 of the dust storage container 320, so the air and dust flowing out from these slits 316 are guided by the inner wall surface of the collection duct 315 and flow toward the connecting tube 322. The air and dust then flow into the container portion 321 through the connecting tube 322. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-14802 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The air flowing out from the plurality of slits 316 collides with the inner wall surface of the recovery duct 315. Therefore, sound caused by this collision may leak out from the housing 310. The user then perceives this sound as the operating sound of the dust remover 300.

[0012] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a dust removal device that operates with low noise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The dust removal device disclosed herein is configured to remove dust adhering to a mop from the mop. The dust removal device includes an insertion tube configured to allow the mop to be inserted from above through an insertion opening that opens upward, a dust storage section for storing dust, a collection duct that connects the dust storage section to the insertion tube, and a suction source that generates suction force to suck in dust so that dust adhering to the mop in the insertion tube flows into the dust storage section together with air inside the insertion tube through the collection duct. The peripheral wall of the insertion tube is formed with an outlet port that allows dust detached from the mop in the insertion tube to flow into the collection duct. The dust storage section is formed with an inlet port facing the outlet port, through which dust detached from the mop in the insertion tube flows and which has an opening area larger than that of the outlet port. The collection duct extends straight from the outlet port to the inlet port, and has a flow path cross-sectional area larger on the inlet side than on the outlet side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The dust removal device of the present disclosure produces less operating noise. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a dust removal device (first embodiment); [Figure 2]Vertical cross section of dust removal device [Figure 3] Mop Schematic [Figure 4] Mop Schematic [Figure 5] Cross-section of the dust removal device's collection duct [Figure 6] Vertical cross section of dust removal device [Figure 7] Vertical cross section of the upper part of the dust removal device [Figure 8] Perspective view of the dust removal device [Figure 9] Vertical cross section of dust removal device [Figure 10] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dust removal device (second embodiment); [Figure 11] Vertical cross section of dust removal device [Figure 12] Vertical cross section of dust removal device [Figure 13] Flowchart of control for dust removal device [Figure 14] Vertical cross section of dust removal device [Figure 15] Flowchart of control for dust removal device [Figure 16] Vertical cross section of dust removal device [Figure 17] Flowchart of control for dust removal device [Figure 18] Vertical cross section of dust removal device [Figure 19] Flowchart of control for dust removal device [Figure 20] Vertical cross-sectional view of a dust removal device (third embodiment) [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the dust removal device (fourth embodiment); [Figure 22] Perspective view of the dust removal device [Figure 23] Perspective view of the dust removal device [Figure 24] A perspective view of a conventional dust removal device [Figure 25] Front view of a mop being dusted by a conventional dust removal device [Figure 26] A perspective view of a conventional dust removal device DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, first to fourth embodiments of the dust removal device will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, for example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0017] First Embodiment The dust removal device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is used to remove dust adhering to a mop used in cleaning work.

[0018] (Configuration of dust removal device) 1, the dust remover 100 includes a housing 110 in the shape of a substantially rectangular box, and an insertion tube 120 in the shape of a substantially square tube that extends vertically within the housing 110. The upper end of the insertion tube 120 opens upward on the top surface of the housing 110, and this opening will be referred to as an "insertion opening 121" in the following description. A user can insert a mop into the insertion tube 120 from above through the insertion opening 121.

[0019] 2, an outlet 123 is provided at the upper part of the peripheral wall of the insertion tube 120. This outlet 123 is formed to allow dust detached from the mop to flow out of the insertion tube 120.

[0020] At a position away from insertion tube 120 in the opening direction of outlet 123, there are disposed suction source 130 that generates a suction force to suck in dust, and dust storage unit 140 that is a container for storing dust sucked by suction source 130. To operate or stop suction source 130, an operation unit 131 that is operated by the user is provided on the top surface of housing 110, as shown in FIG.

[0021] Suction source 130 is disposed below dust storage section 140, and the air inside dust storage section 140 is sucked downward by the suction force of suction source 130. At this time, dust inside dust storage section 140 is sucked downward by the suction force of suction source 130, but this dust is retained inside dust storage section 140 by filter 141 provided at the bottom of dust storage section 140.

[0022] An inlet 142 through which dust flows in is formed in the peripheral wall of the dust storage section 140. This inlet 142 is formed at a height position substantially equal to that of the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120, and the inlet 142 and the outlet 123 face each other in the left-right direction. The opening area of ​​the inlet 142 is larger than the opening area of ​​the outlet 123, and the outlet 123 is contained within the inlet 142 when viewed in the opening direction of the inlet 142.

[0023] 2, a collection duct 150 extends within the housing 110 to form a flow path for dust to flow from the insertion tube 120 to the dust storage section 140. One end (right end) of the collection duct 150 is connected to the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120, and the other end (left end) of the collection duct 150 is connected to the inlet 142 of the dust storage section 140. The collection duct 150 extends straight from the outlet 123 to the inlet 142, connecting the internal spaces of the insertion tube 120 and the dust storage section 140 to each other. The opening area of ​​the inlet 142 is larger than the opening area of ​​the outlet 123, so the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the collection duct 150 gradually increases from the outlet 123 to the inlet 142. In other words, at an intermediate position in the axial direction of the collection duct 150, the flow path cross-sectional area on the inlet 142 side is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area on the outlet 123 side.

[0024] (Dust removal device operation) A user can clean a floor surface using, for example, the mop 200 shown in FIG. 3. The mop 200 has a wiping cloth portion 210 and a handle portion 220 extending from the wiping cloth portion 210. The wiping cloth portion 210 can be moved from the position shown in FIG. 3 to a position along the handle portion 220 as shown in FIG. 4. A user can perform cleaning work with the wiping cloth portion 210 in the position shown in FIG. 3. After cleaning work, dust will be attached to the wiping cloth portion 210 of the mop 200. To remove this dust, the user can insert the wiping cloth portion 210 into the insertion tube 120 with the position shown in FIG. 4.

[0025] That is, the user inserts the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120 from above through the insertion opening 121 while placing a portion of the wiping cloth part 210 against the upper surface of the housing 110. During this operation, the wiping cloth part 210 receives an upward force from the housing 110, and changes from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4 within the insertion tube 120. The user then operates the operating unit 131 to activate the suction source 130. As a result, the air within the dust storage part 140 is sucked downward through the filter 141 by the suction force of the suction source 130. At this time, the air within the insertion tube 120 is sucked into the collection duct 150 through the outlet 123 and flows through the collection duct 150. This air then flows into the dust storage part 140 through the inlet 142 of the dust storage part 140.

[0026] As described above, when air is flowing from the insertion tube 120 to the dust storage section 140, if the user presses the dust cloth section 210 against the inner wall surface 125 of the insertion tube 120 around the outlet 123, the air passes through the dust cloth section 210 and flows into the collection duct 150. At this time, dust is torn off from the dust cloth section 210 and flows into the collection duct 150 together with the air. Thereafter, this dust is carried by the air flow and flows into the dust storage section 140.

[0027] In the dust remover 100 of the first embodiment, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the collection duct 150 gradually increases from the outlet 123 toward the inlet 142, so that the air flowing out from the outlet 123 is less likely to collide with a strong force against the inner wall surface of the collection duct 150. Therefore, the generation of noise caused by the collision between the air flowing out from the outlet 123 and the inner wall surface of the collection duct 150 is suppressed.

[0028] If the air flowing through the collection duct 150 becomes turbulent, it is expected that the noise emitted from the collection duct 150 will increase. The dust remover 100 may be improved to suppress the occurrence of such turbulence.

[0029] For example, dust remover 100 may include a rectifier 132 that rectifies the air flowing through collection duct 150, as shown in Fig. 5. Although rectifier 132 shown in Fig. 5 is configured with a single rectifier plate provided so as to divide the flow path cross section of collection duct 150 into two regions, rectifier 132 may be configured with multiple rectifier plates as long as the problem of dust clogging within collection duct 150 does not occur. Although rectifier 132 shown in Fig. 5 is arranged in an upright position within collection duct 150, it may also be arranged in collection duct 150 in a horizontal position so as to divide the flow path cross section of collection duct 150 into upper and lower sections, or may be arranged in collection duct 150 in another position.

[0030] The farther the wiping cloth part 210 is from the outlet 123, the weaker the suction force acting on the wiping cloth part 210. For this reason, the dust remover 100 may be configured to encourage the wiping cloth part 210 to be in a position close to the outlet 123 when the user inserts the wiping cloth part 210 into the insertion tube 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the dust remover 100 may have a guide part 124 that guides the wiping cloth part 210 inserted into the insertion tube 120 so that it approaches the outlet 123.

[0031] The guide portion 124 is formed so as to protrude from an inner wall surface 126, which faces the inner wall surface 125 on which the outlet 123 is provided, of the peripheral wall of the insertion tube 120, toward the inner wall surface 125. The guide portion 124 extends downward from a middle position in the height direction of the insertion tube 120 so as not to narrow the insertion port 121. The upper end surface of the guide portion 124 is inclined downward.

[0032] When the user inserts the wiping cloth part 210 deeply into the insertion tube 120 through the insertion port 121, the wiping cloth part 210 comes into contact with the upper end surface of the guide part 124 and moves toward the inner wall surface 125 according to the inclination of the upper end surface of the guide part 124. As a result, the wiping cloth part 210 approaches the inner wall surface 125 and can receive a strong suction force through the outlet 123 formed in this inner wall surface 125.

[0033] When the wiping section 210 moves up and down within the insertion tube 120, the area of ​​the wiping section 210 facing the outlet 123 changes, and dust can be removed from a wide area of ​​the wiping section 210. The dust remover 100 may be configured so that dust adhering to the wiping section 210 is scraped off as the wiping section 210 moves up and down within the insertion tube 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the dust remover 100 may have a scraping section 160 fixed above the outlet 123. The scraping section 160 is a thin plate-like member, and the tip of the scraping section 160 may be formed in a comb-like shape as shown in FIG. 8.

[0034] While the user is lowering or raising the wiping cloth part 210 inside the insertion tube 120, the wiping cloth part 210 comes into contact with the scraping part 160 protruding inside the insertion tube 120. Due to this contact, some of the dust adhering to the wiping cloth part 210 is scraped off by the scraping part 160 and detached from the wiping cloth part 210. The dust detached from the wiping cloth part 210 then falls due to gravity and can flow into the collection duct 150 through the outlet 123.

[0035] In the dust remover 100 shown in FIG. 1 , the suction source 130 is activated by a user operating the operating unit 131. Alternatively, the dust remover 100 may be configured so that the suction source 130 is automatically activated when the user inserts the wiping cloth part 210 into the insertion tube 120. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the dust remover 100 may have a mop detection unit 230 that detects the insertion and removal of the wiping cloth part 210 into the insertion tube 120. The mop detection unit 230 may be a transmission-type optical sensor that forms an optical path that extends substantially horizontally at a position lower than the outlet 123, and is configured to output a signal of a first potential when this optical path is interrupted. Furthermore, when this optical path is not interrupted, the mop detection unit 230 is configured to output a signal of a second potential that is higher or lower than the first potential.

[0036] The mop detection unit 230 is electrically connected to a suction control unit 232 that controls the suction source 130. The suction control unit 232 is configured to control the suction source 130 based on a change in the potential of the signal from the mop detection unit 230.

[0037] Before the wiping unit 210 is inserted into the insertion tube 120, the optical path of the mop detection unit 230 is not blocked, and a signal of the second potential is output from the mop detection unit 230. Then, when the wiping unit 210 is inserted to a depth position where it blocks the optical path of the mop detection unit 230, the potential of the signal from the mop detection unit 230 changes from the second potential to the first potential. In response to this change in potential, the suction control unit 232 activates the suction source 130.

[0038] When the removal of dust from the wiping unit 210 is completed and the wiping unit 210 is pulled out of the insertion tube 120, the light path of the mop detection unit 230 is restored. In response to this restoration of the light path, the potential of the signal from the mop detection unit 230 changes from the first potential to the second potential. In response to this change in potential, the suction control unit 232 stops the suction source 130. In this way, the suction source 130 is activated and deactivated in response to the insertion and removal of the wiping unit 210 into and from the insertion tube 120, so the operation unit 131 that is operated to activate and deactivate the suction source 130 can be omitted.

[0039] Second Embodiment Some of the dust adhering to the wiping cloth part 210 of the mop 200 may fall due to gravity. It is assumed that some of the dust that falls from the wiping cloth part 210 will accumulate at the bottom of the insertion tube 120 without being sucked into the recovery duct 150. The dust remover 100 of the second embodiment is configured so that the dust that falls from the wiping cloth part 210 can also be collected in the dust storage part 140 due to gravity, as shown in FIG.

[0040] 10 shows a dust removal apparatus 100 having an insertion tube 120 with a drop port 122 that opens downward at its bottom. The insertion tube 120 also has a tapered portion 128 that narrows toward the drop port 122 and an upper portion 129 above the tapered portion 128. The cross-sectional area of ​​the tapered portion 128 decreases toward the drop port 122, whereas the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper portion 129 is approximately constant in the longitudinal direction of the upper portion 129.

[0041] A plurality of scraping portions 160 are provided within the insertion tube 120 so that more dust falls from the wiping cloth portion 210 of the mop 200 within the insertion tube 120. These scraping portions 160 may include one that protrudes rearward from the inner surface of the front wall of the insertion tube 120 and one that protrudes forward from the inner surface of the rear wall of the insertion tube 120. Additionally or alternatively, these scraping portions 160 may include one that protrudes rightward from the inner surface of the left wall (inner wall surface 125) of the insertion tube 120 and one that protrudes leftward from the inner surface of the right wall (inner wall surface 126) of the insertion tube 120. Furthermore, these scraping portions 160 may be arranged at different height positions with intervals between them.

[0042] 10 includes not only a recovery duct extending straight from the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120 to the inlet 142 of the dust storage section 140, but also another recovery duct connected to the drop port 122. In the following description, the recovery duct extending straight from the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120 to the inlet 142 of the dust storage section 140 will be referred to as a "first duct 155." In addition, the other recovery duct connected to the drop port 122 will be referred to as a "second duct 156 (second recovery duct)."

[0043] Second duct 156 has a connecting pipe section 152 extending from drop port 122 in a substantially horizontal direction, and a main pipe section 151 extending upward from the tip of connecting pipe section 152. The upper end of main pipe section 151 is connected to first duct 155 at a substantially midpoint in the axial direction of first duct 155. To facilitate a smooth flow of air from main pipe section 151 into first duct 155, main pipe section 151 preferably has a curved inner wall surface at the connection portion with first duct 155.

[0044] The first duct 155 has the same configuration as the recovery duct 150 of the dust remover 100 of the first embodiment, except that the main pipe portion 151 of the second duct 156 is connected to the first duct 155. The flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first duct 155 on the outlet 123 (insertion tube 120) side with respect to the connection portion between the first duct 155 and the second duct 156 is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first duct 155 on the inlet 142 (dust storage portion 140) side.

[0045] Similarly to the inlet 142 of the dust removal device 100 of the first embodiment, the opening area of ​​the inlet 142 of the dust storage section 140 is larger than the opening area of ​​the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120. More preferably, the inlet 142 can be formed so that its opening area is larger than the sum of the opening area of ​​the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120 and the opening area of ​​the drop port 122.

[0046] When a user activates suction source 130, suction source 130 sucks air downward from dust storage section 140. At this time, air in insertion tube 120 flows out not only from outlet 123 but also from drop port 122. The air flowing out from outlet 123 flows into dust storage section 140 through first duct 155. At this time, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​first duct 155 is smaller on the outlet 123 side and larger on the inlet 142 side. This prevents the air flowing out from outlet 123 from colliding with the inner surface of first duct 155 with great force, thereby preventing noise caused by this collision. The air sucked out from drop port 122 passes through connecting pipe section 152 and main pipe section 151 in this order. This air then merges with air flowing from outlet 123 toward inlet 142 and flows into dust storage section 140 through inlet 142.

[0047] When the user inserts the wiping cloth portion 210 of the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120 while this air flow is occurring, dust adhering to an area of ​​the wiping cloth portion 210 near the outlet 123 is collected in the dust storage portion 140 through the first duct 155. When the user pushes the wiping cloth portion 210 downward, other dust rubs against the scraping portion 160 and can be separated from the wiping cloth portion 210. This dust then falls to the bottom of the insertion tube 120 by gravity. The dust that falls to the bottom of the insertion tube 120 is guided to the drop port 122 by the tapered portion 128 at the bottom of the dust storage portion 140 and falls through the drop port 122 into the connecting pipe portion 152 of the second duct 156. The dust that falls into the connecting pipe portion 152 is carried by the air flowing through the second duct 156 and flows into the dust storage portion 140.

[0048] 10, dust that has fallen from the dust cloth section 210 inside the insertion tube 120 is also collected in the dust storage section 140. Therefore, accumulation of dust inside the insertion tube 120 is unlikely to occur.

[0049] If the opening area of ​​inlet 142 of dust storage section 140 is larger than the sum of the opening area of ​​outlet 123 of insertion tube 120 and the opening area of ​​drop port 122, an increase in resistance to air passing through inlet 142 is suppressed. Therefore, a strong suction force can act on outlet 123 and drop port 122.

[0050] Various modifications may be made to the dust remover 100 shown in Fig. 10. For example, the rectifying unit 132 shown in Fig. 5 may be provided in the first duct 155. Furthermore, the guide unit 124 shown in Fig. 6 may be provided in the insertion tube 120.

[0051] In the dust remover 100 shown in FIG. 10, horizontally flowing air and upwardly flowing air meet at the connection between the first duct 155 and the second duct 156. The collision of two airs flowing in different directions can cause turbulence around this connection. This turbulence may result in noise or obstruction of dust flow into the dust storage section 140. To avoid this, as shown in FIG. 11, a direction changer 157 that changes the direction of air flowing through the second duct 156 may be provided at the connection between the first duct 155 and the second duct 156.

[0052] Direction changing section 157 is a thin plate-like member formed to collide with air flowing upward in main pipe section 151 and guide this air toward inlet 142 of dust storage section 140. A base end portion of direction changing section 157 is connected to a connection portion between a portion of first duct 155 on the outlet 123 side and the upper end of main pipe section 151. A tip portion of direction changing section 157 enters the flow path of first duct 155 on the inlet 142 side of the connection portion between first duct 155 and second duct 156, and divides this flow path into upper and lower sections.

[0053] Direction changer 157 causes the direction of air flowing upward in main pipe portion 151 to be approximately horizontal near inlet 142. This direction approximately coincides with the flow direction of air from outlet 123 toward inlet 142 through first duct 155, thereby suppressing turbulence caused by the joining of the air flowing through first duct 155 and the air flowing through second duct 156, and thus the generation of noise caused by this turbulence. Furthermore, this air can pass smoothly through inlet 142, which can suppress clogging of inlet 142 with dust.

[0054] In order to suppress the generation of turbulence at the connection portion between the first duct 155 and the second duct 156, the dust remover 100 may be configured so that the air flowing through the first duct 155 and the air flowing through the second duct 156 do not merge. To prevent this merging, for example, the dust remover 100 may have an opening / closing section 158 as shown in FIG. 12 .

[0055] The opening / closing unit 158 ​​is provided at the connection between the first duct 155 and the second duct 156, and is configured to be rotatable in the direction of arrow A or the direction of arrow B shown in Fig. 12. When the opening / closing unit 158 ​​is rotated in the direction of arrow A, the flow path of the first duct 155 is closed, while the flow path of the second duct 156 is opened. Conversely, when the opening / closing unit 158 ​​is rotated in the direction of arrow B, the flow path of the first duct 155 is opened, while the flow path of the second duct 156 is closed.

[0056] In order to control the operation of the opening / closing unit 158, the dust remover 100 has an opening / closing control unit 159. The dust remover 100 also has a mop detection unit 230 and a suction control unit 232. The opening / closing control unit 159 and the suction control unit 232 may be configured in a control circuit (not shown) disposed in the housing 110. The mop detection unit 230 forms an optical path at a position lower than the outlet 123 and higher than the middle position in the axial direction of the insertion tube 120.

[0057] This dust remover 100 operates as shown in Fig. 13. That is, when a user inserts the dust cloth part 210 of the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120, the light path of the mop detection unit 230 is blocked by the dust cloth part 210. As a result, the mop detection unit 230 detects the insertion of the dust cloth part 210 into the insertion tube 120 (step S110). As a result, the potential of the signal from the mop detection unit 230 changes from the second potential to the first potential.

[0058] In response to this change in potential, suction control unit 232 activates suction source 130 (step S120). Furthermore, opening / closing control unit 159 controls opening / closing unit 158 ​​so that the flow path of first duct 155 is opened while the flow path of second duct 156 is closed (step S120). As a result, air inside insertion tube 120 can flow through first duct 155 to dust storage unit 140. At this time, because no airflow passing through second duct 156 is generated, there is no merging of air flows at the connection portion between first duct 155 and second duct 156, and further, no turbulence due to this merging flow occurs.

[0059] Thereafter, the user may move the wiping cloth part 210 up and down while keeping the wiping cloth part 210 in the insertion tube 120 (step S130: No). During this time, the wiping cloth part 210 rubs against the scraping part 160, and dust adhering to the wiping cloth part 210 is scraped off. The dust scraped off near the outlet 123 enters the first duct 155 from the outlet 123 and flows into the dust storage part 140 through the first duct 155. The other dust falls due to gravity and falls into the connecting pipe part 152 through the drop port 122. At this time, since no airflow is generated in the second duct 156, the dust remains in the connecting pipe part 152.

[0060] When the user has finished removing dust from the wiping cloth unit 210, he or she removes the mop 200 from the insertion tube 120. This restores the optical path of the mop detection unit 230, and the removal of the mop 200 from the insertion tube 120 is detected (step S130: Yes). In response to the restoration of the optical path of the mop detection unit 230, the potential of the signal from the mop detection unit 230 changes from the first potential to the second potential. In response to this change in potential, the opening / closing control unit 159 controls the opening / closing unit 158 ​​so that the flow path of the first duct 155 is closed while the flow path of the second duct 156 is opened (step S140). In addition, the suction control unit 232 starts timing while keeping the suction source 130 in an operating state.

[0061] In this state, an airflow is generated from the insertion tube 120 through the second duct 156 toward the dust storage unit 140, while the airflow through the first duct 155 disappears. The suction control unit 232 continues to operate the suction source 130 so that this state is maintained for a predetermined period of time (step S150: No). During this period, dust accumulated in the connecting pipe unit 152 is carried by the air flowing through the second duct 156 and flows into the dust storage unit 140. When this period ends (step S150: Yes), the suction control unit 232 stops the suction source 130 (step S160).

[0062] 13 , even after removal of the mop 200 from the insertion tube 120 is detected (step S130: Yes), the suction source 130 continues to operate for a predetermined period of time (step S150: No). At this time, it is expected that the operating noise of the suction source 130 and the noise caused by the airflow generated by the suction force of the suction source 130 will leak out of the dust remover 100 through the insertion opening 121 of the insertion tube 120. To suppress such noise, the dust remover 100 may have a lid 127 provided on the top of the housing 110 so as to be able to open and close the insertion opening 121, as shown in FIG. 14 . In this case, after removing the mop 200 from the insertion tube 120, the user can close the insertion opening 121 with the lid 127 to suppress noise leaking from the dust remover 100.

[0063] 13, the flow path of the first duct 155 is opened (step S120), and then the flow path of the second duct 156 is opened (step S140). Conversely, the flow path of the first duct 155 may be opened after the flow path of the second duct 156 is opened.

[0064] In the control shown in FIG. 13, the flow path is switched in response to the removal of the mop 200 from the insertion tube 120. Alternatively, the flow path may be switched while the mop 200 is inserted into the insertion tube 120, as shown in FIG. 15. In the control shown in FIG. 15, the mop detection unit 230 only needs to detect the insertion of the wiping unit 210 into the insertion tube 120, and does not need to detect the removal of the wiping unit 210 from the insertion tube 120. For this reason, the mop detection unit 230 may be configured to output a signal in response to the blocking of the light path by the wiping unit 210, and not output a signal when the light path is not blocked.

[0065] 15, when a user inserts the dust cloth part 210 of the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120, the light path of the mop detection unit 230 is blocked by the dust cloth part 210, and therefore the insertion of the dust cloth part 210 into the insertion tube 120 is detected (step S110). The mop detection unit 230 outputs a signal in response to the blocking of the light path.

[0066] In response to the signal from the mop detection unit 230, the suction control unit 232 activates the suction source 130 (step S120). The suction control unit 232 also sets an operation period of the suction source 130 based on the time of reception of the signal from the mop detection unit 230. At this time, the opening / closing control unit 159 controls the opening / closing unit 158 ​​so that the flow path of the first duct 155 is opened and the flow path of the second duct 156 is closed (step S120). The opening / closing control unit 159 also sets a switching time at which the air flow path is switched based on the time of reception of the signal from the mop detection unit 230. Note that the length of time from the reception time to the switching time is shorter than the length of the operation period of the suction source 130 set by the suction control unit 232.

[0067] The first flow path state in which the flow path of the first duct 155 is open and the flow path of the second duct 156 is closed is maintained until the switching time set by the opening / closing control unit 159 has elapsed (step S132: No). During this time, dust adhering to the wiping cloth unit 210 is sucked into the first duct 155 by the suction force acting on the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120, and then flows into the dust storage unit 140 through the first duct 155.

[0068] Thereafter, when the switching time arrives (step S132: Yes), the opening / closing control unit 159 controls the opening / closing unit 158 ​​to close the flow path of the first duct 155 and open the flow path of the second duct 156 (step S140). In the second flow path state in which the flow path of the first duct 155 is closed and the flow path of the second duct 156 is open, dust that has fallen from the wiping cloth unit 210 inside the insertion tube 120 flows into the dust storage unit 140 through the second duct 156. Collection of dust through the second duct 156 continues until the operating period set by the suction control unit 232 in step S120 has elapsed (step S152: No). When this operating period has elapsed, the suction control unit 232 stops the suction source 130 (step S160).

[0069] 15 , the switching time may be set so that the period during which dust and air flow into the dust storage section 140 through the first duct 155 is longer than the period during which dust and air flow into the dust storage section 140 through the second duct 156, for the following reason. That is, most of the dust collected through the second duct 156 has already been separated from the wiping cloth section 210, and no time is required to separate the dust from the wiping cloth section 210. On the other hand, when dust is collected through the first duct 155, time is required for the suction force of the suction source 130 to separate the dust from the wiping cloth section 210. For this reason, by setting the period during which dust and air flow into the dust storage section 140 through the first duct 155 to be relatively long, the separation of dust from the wiping cloth section 210 is more likely to be promoted.

[0070] 15 , the period during which dust and air flow into dust storage section 140 through first duct 155 is set before the period during which dust and air flow into dust storage section 140 through second duct 156. Conversely, the period during which dust and air flow into dust storage section 140 through first duct 155 may be set after the period during which dust and air flow into dust storage section 140 through second duct 156.

[0071] The dust remover 100 may be configured to switch the flow path depending on the insertion depth of the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120. For example, in order to detect the insertion depth of the mop 200, the dust remover 100 may have a first mop detection unit 234 and a second mop detection unit 235 that form light paths at different height positions, as shown in FIG.

[0072] The first mop detection unit 234 is fixed to the insertion tube 120 so that an optical path is formed at a position lower than the outlet 123 and higher than the intermediate position in the axial direction of the insertion tube 120. In the following description, the position where this optical path is formed is referred to as the "first depth position." The first mop detection unit 234 is configured to output a signal when the optical path formed at the first depth position is blocked by the wiping cloth part 210 of the mop 200. In this state, a part of the wiping cloth part 210 faces the outlet 123.

[0073] The second mop detection unit 235 forms an optical path at a second depth position below the optical path of the first mop detection unit 234, and is configured to output a signal when this optical path is blocked by the dustpan unit 210. When the user inserts the mop 200 deeply into the insertion tube 120 to a certain extent, the optical paths of both the first mop detection unit 234 and the second mop detection unit 235 are blocked.

[0074] The dust remover 100 shown in Fig. 16 can operate as shown in Fig. 17. That is, when a user inserts the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120 and the dusting section 210 of the mop 200 reaches the first depth position, the light path of the first mop detection unit 234 is blocked by the dusting section 210. This allows the first mop detection unit 234 to detect that the mop 200 has been inserted to the first depth position (step S210: Yes). At this time, the first mop detection unit 234 outputs a signal. Note that in this state, the light path of the second mop detection unit 235 is not blocked, and no signal is output from the second mop detection unit 235.

[0075] The suction control unit 232 activates the suction source 130 while receiving a signal from the first mop detection unit 234 (step S220). Then, while receiving a signal from the first mop detection unit 234 but not receiving a signal from the second mop detection unit 235, the open / close control unit 159 controls the open / close unit 158 ​​to open the flow path of the first duct 155 (step S220). At this time, the flow path of the second duct 156 is closed by the open / close unit 158, so the suction force acting on the outlet 123 to which the first duct 155 is connected is stronger than when the flow paths of both the first duct 155 and the second duct 156 are open. At this time, a portion of the wiping cloth unit 210 faces the outlet 123, so dust adhering to this portion is sucked in with a strong force and can be separated from the wiping cloth unit 210. The dust then flows into the dust storage unit 140 through the first duct 155.

[0076] During the period until the dustpan part 210 is displaced from the first depth position to the second depth position (step S230: No), the flow path of the first duct 155 is opened, while the flow path of the second duct 156 is kept closed. That is, the processing loop of steps S210 to S230 in FIG. 17 is repeated.

[0077] When the wiping unit 210 reaches the second depth position, the optical path of the second mop detection unit 235 is blocked by the wiping unit 210. This allows the second mop detection unit 235 to detect that the mop 200 has been inserted to the second depth position (step S230: Yes). At this time, the second mop detection unit 235 outputs a signal. When the optical path of the second mop detection unit 235 is blocked, the optical path of the first mop detection unit 234 is also blocked by the wiping unit 210, and a signal is also output from the first mop detection unit 234.

[0078] In response to receiving the signal from the second mop detection unit 235, the opening / closing control unit 159 controls the opening / closing unit 158 ​​so that the flow path of the first duct 155 is closed and the flow path of the second duct 156 is open (step S240). At this time, the flow path of the first duct 155 is closed by the opening / closing unit 158, so the suction force acting on the drop opening 122 to which the first duct 155 is connected is stronger than when the flow paths of both the first duct 155 and the second duct 156 are open. At this time, a portion of the wiping cloth unit 210 is located close to the drop opening 122, so dust adhering to this portion is sucked with a strong force and can be separated from the wiping cloth unit 210. Thereafter, this dust flows into the dust storage unit 140 through the second duct 156.

[0079] The collection of dust through the second duct 156 continues until the user subsequently displaces the mop 200 upward and the dust cloth portion 210 reaches a position higher than the second depth position. That is, the processing loop of steps S230 and S240 in FIG. 17 is repeated.

[0080] When the wiping unit 210 reaches a position higher than the second depth position, the optical path of the second mop detection unit 235 is restored. At this time, the optical path of the first mop detection unit 234 is blocked by the wiping unit 210 (step S210). Therefore, the open / close control unit 159 receives a signal from the first mop detection unit 234 but does not receive a signal from the second mop detection unit 235. In this signal reception state, the open / close control unit 159 controls the open / close unit 158 ​​so that the flow path of the first duct 155 is opened while the flow path of the second duct 156 is closed (step S220). As long as this signal reception state continues, dust is collected through the first duct 155. That is, the processing loop of steps S210 to S230 in FIG. 17 is repeated again.

[0081] When the user further pulls up the mop 200 and the wiping cloth part 210 reaches a position higher than the first depth position, the light path of the first mop detection part 234 is restored. In response to this restoration of the light path, the first mop detection part 234 stops outputting signals (step S210: No). As a result, the suction control part 232 no longer receives signals from the first mop detection part 234, and therefore stops the suction source 130 (step S250).

[0082] 16, while dust is being collected through the second duct 156, the flow path of the first duct 155 is closed, and dust is not collected through the first duct 155. Alternatively, the dust remover 100 may be configured so that while dust is being collected through the second duct 156, dust is also collected through the first duct 155. In this case, the dust remover 100 may be configured as shown in FIG.

[0083] 18 has a first on-off valve 178 that opens and closes the flow path of the first duct 155, and a second on-off valve 179 that opens and closes the flow path of the second duct 156. The on-off control unit 159 is configured to control the first on-off valve 178 and the second on-off valve 179 in response to signals from the first mop detection unit 234 and the second mop detection unit 235.

[0084] The dust remover 100 is controlled as shown in FIG. 19. The control shown in FIG. 19 differs from the control shown in FIG. 17 only in the operation after the wiping section 210 of the mop 200 reaches the second depth position. That is, in the control shown in FIG. 17, when the second mop detection section 235 detects that the wiping section 210 has reached the second depth position, the flow path of the first duct 155 is closed, while the flow path of the second duct 156 is opened (step S240). On the other hand, in FIG. 19, the opening / closing control section 159 controls the opening / closing section 158 so that both the flow paths of the first duct 155 and the second duct 156 are opened (step S242). That is, the position of the second opening / closing valve 179 is changed from the closed position to the open position while the open position of the first opening / closing valve 178 is maintained.

[0085] When the control shown in Fig. 19 is performed, the period during which the flow path of first duct 155 is open is longer than when the control shown in Fig. 17 is performed. Therefore, the amount of dust collected in dust storage section 140 through first duct 155 can be greater when the control shown in Fig. 19 is performed than when the control shown in Fig. 17 is performed.

[0086] In the dust remover 100 of the second embodiment, the insertion and removal of the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120 is optically detected. Alternatively, the insertion and removal of the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120 may be detected by an electromagnetic method.

[0087] <Third embodiment> In the dust remover 100 of the second embodiment, the second duct 156 is connected to the first duct 155. In this case, the generation of turbulence due to the confluence of air flowing through the first duct 155 and air flowing through the second duct 156 can be a problem. To suppress the generation of this turbulence, the dust remover 100 shown in FIG. 11 has a direction changer 157. Furthermore, the dust remover 100 shown in FIGS. 14 and 16 has an opening / closing unit 158 ​​that opens only one of the flow paths of the first duct 155 and the second duct 156 and closes the other flow path. The generation of turbulence can also be suppressed by methods other than these. That is, as shown in FIG. 20, the dust remover 100 of the third embodiment is configured so that there is no connection between the first duct 155 and the second duct 156, thereby preventing the confluence of air flowing through the first duct 155 and the second duct 156.

[0088] 20 has the same configuration as the recovery duct 150. The peripheral wall of the dust storage section 140 is formed with not only the inlet 142 to which the first duct 155 is connected, but also another inlet 143 (second inlet), and dust can flow into the dust storage section 140 through these inlets 142, 143. The second duct 156 is connected to this inlet 143, but is not connected to the first duct 155.

[0089] Various modifications may be made to the dust remover 100 shown in Fig. 20. For example, the rectifying unit 132 shown in Fig. 5 may be provided in the first duct 155. Furthermore, the guide unit 124 shown in Fig. 6 may be provided in the insertion tube 120.

[0090] The piping structure of the first duct 155 and the second duct 156 of the dust remover 100 shown in Fig. 20 may be applied to the dust remover 100 of Fig. 18. In this case, the flow paths of the first duct 155 and the second duct 156 can be opened and closed by a first on-off valve 178 and a second on-off valve 179 provided in the first duct 155 and the second duct 156, respectively. The control shown in Fig. 13, 15, 17 or 19 may be applied to such a dust remover 100.

[0091] <Fourth embodiment> The dust remover 100 of the first to third embodiments can collect dust from the mop 200 inserted into the insertion tube 120. However, when a user lifts the mop 200 from the floor to insert the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120, it is expected that dust will fall from the dust cloth portion 210 of the mop 200 and scatter on the floor. In order to collect such dust in the dust storage portion 140, the dust remover 100 of the fourth embodiment is configured to collect not only dust from the mop 200 inserted into the insertion tube 120, but also dust scattered on the floor around the dust remover 100, as shown in FIG.

[0092] The second duct 156 of the dust remover 100 in Fig. 21 has not only a main pipe portion 151 and a connecting pipe portion 152, but also a dust pipe 153. The dust pipe 153 extends from the connection portion of the main pipe portion 151 and the connecting pipe portion 152 in a direction (front-rear direction) perpendicular to the extension direction (up-down direction) of the main pipe portion 151 and the extension direction (left-right direction) of the connecting pipe portion 152. The dust pipe 153 gradually widens toward the front (rear end) of the dust pipe 153, and a dust suction port 154 is formed at the front (rear end) of the dust pipe 153, through which dust scattered on the floor flows in. The upper part of the dust suction port 154 is closed by a fixed cover 177 in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate, and the dust suction port 154 is open below the fixed cover 177. As shown in FIG. 22, fixed lid 177 is exposed to the outside through a substantially rectangular notch 112 formed in the lower end portion of the rear wall of housing 110.

[0093] When a user who has finished cleaning approaches the dust remover 100 from behind with the mop 200 and then lifts the mop cloth part 210 of the mop 200 from the floor to insert it into the insertion tube 120, dust that has fallen from the mop cloth part 210 may scatter on the rear side of the housing 110. In this state, when the user operates the operating part 131 to activate the suction source 130, the suction force of the suction source 130 acts on the insertion tube 120 through the first duct 155 and the second duct 156. This suction force also acts on the dust suction port 154 through the dust collection pipe 153 of the second duct 156.

[0094] Because the top of dust suction port 154 is closed by fixed lid 177, a fairly strong suction force acts on the opening of dust suction port 154 below fixed lid 177. This strong suction force causes dust scattered on the floor surface to flow into dust pipe 153. This dust passes through dust pipe 153 and main pipe section 151 in this order, and flows into dust storage section 140.

[0095] 21 and 22 is narrowed in the height direction by fixed lid 177. For this reason, it is expected that large dust particles will get caught on the lower end of fixed lid 177 when collecting dust through dust pipe 153. To avoid this situation, as shown in FIG. 23, fixed lid 177 may be formed with a notch 176 recessed upward from the lower edge of fixed lid 177. In this case, large dust particles can flow into dust remover 100 through notch 176.

[0096] The control shown in Figure 13, Figure 15, Figure 17 or Figure 19 may be applied to the dust remover 100 shown in Figures 21 to 23. In the dust remover 100 shown in Figures 21 to 23, the dust suction port 154 is formed, so it is preferable to perform control to close the flow path of the first duct 155 (the control of Figures 13, 15 and 17) while the flow path of the second duct 156 is open. When such control is performed, it becomes possible to increase the suction force at the dust suction port 154 to some extent.

[0097] 21 to 23 may be modified in various ways. For example, the rectifying unit 132 shown in Fig. 5 may be provided in the first duct 155. Furthermore, the guide unit 124 shown in Fig. 6 may be provided in the insertion tube 120.

[0098] 21 is connected to the first duct 155. Alternatively, similar to the second duct 156 in FIG. 20, the second duct 156 may be connected to the dust storage section 140 without being connected to the first duct 155.

[0099] (Effects, etc.) The dust remover 100 according to the above embodiment has the following features and provides the following effects.

[0100] A dust remover according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment is configured to remove dust adhering to a mop from the mop. The dust remover includes an insertion tube configured to allow the mop to be inserted from above through an insertion opening that opens upward, a dust storage section for storing dust, a collection duct that connects the dust storage section to the insertion tube, and a suction source that generates suction force to suck in dust so that dust adhering to the mop in the insertion tube flows into the dust storage section together with air inside the insertion tube through the collection duct. The peripheral wall of the insertion tube is formed with an outlet port that allows dust detached from the mop in the insertion tube to flow into the collection duct. The dust storage section is formed with an inlet port facing the outlet port, through which dust detached from the mop in the insertion tube flows and which has an opening area larger than that of the outlet port. The collection duct extends straight from the outlet port to the inlet port, and has a flow path cross-sectional area larger on the inlet port side than on the outlet port side.

[0101] In the above-described configuration, the dust storage section is connected to the insertion tube via the collection duct, so that when the suction source draws air from the dust storage section, the suction force of the suction source acts on the insertion tube through the dust storage section and the collection duct. Therefore, when a user inserts a mop into the insertion tube, the suction force of the suction source can pull dust off the mop.

[0102] Dust removed from the mop flows through the collection duct, along with the air in the insertion tube, toward the inlet of the dust storage unit. Because the inlet is positioned opposite the outlet, the collection duct extends in a straight line from the outlet to the inlet. If the collection duct were curved, the air flowing out of the outlet at the bent portion of the collection duct would collide with the inner wall surface of the collection duct. However, in the above-described configuration, the collection duct extends in a straight line from the outlet to the inlet, making such collisions less likely to occur. Furthermore, because the collection duct has a larger cross-sectional flow area on the inlet side than on the outlet side, collisions between the air and the inner wall surface of the collection duct, and thus noise caused by such collisions, are suppressed.

[0103] In the above-described configuration, a drop opening that opens downward may be formed at the bottom of the insertion tube. The dust removal device may further include a second recovery duct that extends from the drop opening and is connected to the recovery duct.

[0104] In the above-described configuration, when a user inserts a mop into the insertion tube, some of the dust attached to the mop can fall inside the insertion tube. A drop opening is formed at the bottom of the insertion tube, and a second collection duct extends from this drop opening, so that dust falling from the mop can enter the second collection duct. Because the second collection duct is connected to the collection duct, the dust that falls into the drop opening can flow into the dust storage section together with dust flowing from the outlet to the inlet.

[0105] Since the second collection duct is connected to the collection duct and not to the dust storage unit, the dust storage unit does not need to be provided with a second inlet connected to the second collection duct, and therefore the structure of the dust storage unit does not become excessively complicated.

[0106] In the above-described configuration, the opening area of ​​the inlet may be larger than the sum of the opening area of ​​the outlet and the opening area of ​​the drop port.

[0107] In the above-described configuration, the opening area of ​​the inlet is larger than the sum of the opening area of ​​the outlet and the opening area of ​​the drop port, so resistance to the flow of air flowing into the dust storage section through the inlet is reduced.

[0108] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may further include a direction changer at the connection between the collection duct and the second collection duct, which changes the direction of air flowing through the second collection duct toward the inlet.

[0109] In the above-described configuration, when the air flowing through the second collection duct reaches the connection between the first and second collection ducts, the direction of the air is changed by the direction changer to a direction toward the inlet. This direction is substantially the same as the direction of the air flowing through the outlet toward the inlet, so that turbulence caused by the confluence of the air flowing through the second collection duct and the air flowing through the collection duct can be suppressed.

[0110] In the above-described configuration, the dust storage section may be formed with a second inlet through which dust detached from the mop in the insertion tube flows in. A drop port that opens downward may be formed at the bottom of the insertion tube. The dust removal device may further have a second collection duct that extends from the drop port and is connected to the second inlet without being connected to the collection duct.

[0111] In the above-described configuration, when a user inserts a mop into the insertion tube, some of the dust attached to the mop may fall inside the insertion tube. A drop opening is formed at the bottom of the insertion tube, and a second collection duct extends from this drop opening, allowing dust that falls from the mop to enter the second collection duct. This dust can then flow into the dust storage section through the second collection duct and the second inlet to which the collection duct is connected. Because the second collection duct is not connected to the collection duct, the air flowing through the second collection duct and the air flowing through the collection duct do not merge. This prevents turbulence caused by this merger.

[0112] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may include a mop detection unit that detects insertion and removal of a mop into and from the insertion tube, an opening / closing unit configured to open one of the flow paths of the collection duct and the second collection duct and close the other flow path, and an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening / closing unit. The opening / closing control unit may control the opening / closing unit so that the flow path of the collection duct is opened while the flow path of the second collection duct is closed, on the condition that the mop detection unit detects insertion of a mop into the insertion tube, and may control the opening / closing unit so that the flow path of the collection duct is closed while the flow path of the second collection duct is opened, on the condition that the mop detection unit detects removal of a mop from the insertion tube.

[0113] In the above-described configuration, when the mop detector detects that a mop has been inserted into the insertion tube, the flow path of the collection duct is opened and the flow path of the second collection duct is closed. When the suction source is activated in this state, the suction force of the suction source acting on the inlet is stronger than the suction force acting on the inlet when the suction source is activated with both flow paths open. This promotes the separation of dust from the mop near the inlet.

[0114] As described above, while dust is being sucked in through the inlet, some dust may fall from the mop. This dust may fall into the second collection duct through the drop port. To collect the dust that has fallen into the second collection duct, the flow path of the second collection duct is opened when the mop detection unit detects that the mop has been removed from the insertion tube. At this time, the flow path of the collection duct is closed, so the dust that has fallen into the second collection duct can be sucked in with strong suction force.

[0115] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may further include a suction control unit that activates the suction source on condition that the mop detection unit detects that a mop has been inserted into the insertion tube.

[0116] In the above configuration, the suction source may be automatically activated when the user inserts the insertion tube.

[0117] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may further include a suction control unit that continues to operate the suction source for a predetermined period of time after the mop detection unit detects the removal of the mop from the insertion tube, and stops the suction source when the predetermined period has elapsed.

[0118] In the above configuration, the suction source continues to operate for a predetermined period after the mop detection unit detects the removal of the mop from the insertion tube, so that during this period, dust that has fallen into the second collection duct through the drop opening can be collected in the dust storage unit. Then, when this period has elapsed, the suction source can automatically stop.

[0119] In the above-described configuration, the dust remover may further include a cover that is provided so as to be able to open and close the insertion opening.

[0120] In the above-described configuration, a user can insert a mop into the insertion tube with the lid opening. After the user removes the mop from the insertion tube, the suction source continues to operate for a predetermined period of time to collect dust that has fallen into the second collection duct through the drop port into the dust collection section. If the insertion port is open at this time, some of the operating noise from the suction source and the operating noise caused by the airflow through the insertion tube and the second collection duct may leak through the insertion port. To prevent this operating noise from leaking, the user can close the insertion port with the lid after removing the mop from the insertion tube.

[0121] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device includes a mop detection unit that detects insertion and removal of a mop into the insertion tube, an opening / closing unit configured to open one of the flow paths of the collection duct and the second collection duct and close the other flow path, and an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening / closing unit. The opening / closing control unit may, on condition that the mop detection unit detects insertion of a mop into the insertion tube, control the opening / closing unit to achieve a first flow path state in which one of the flow paths of the collection duct and the second collection duct is open and the other is closed, and may control the opening / closing unit to achieve a second flow path state in which one flow path is closed and the other flow path is open after the first flow path state has been maintained for a predetermined period.

[0122] In the above configuration, when the mop detector detects that a mop is inserted into the insertion tube, one of the collection duct flow path and the second collection duct flow path is opened and the other flow path is closed, resulting in a first flow path state. In this case, the suction force of the suction source acting on one flow path is higher than the suction force of the suction source acting on one flow path when both flow paths are open. This promotes the removal of dust from the mop.

[0123] After the first flow path state is maintained for a predetermined period of time, one of the flow paths of the collection duct and the second collection duct is closed and the other flow path is opened, resulting in a second flow path state. In this state, the suction force of the suction source acting on the other flow path is higher than the suction force of the suction source acting on the other flow path when both flow paths are open. Therefore, in this state as well, dust removal from the mop is promoted.

[0124] In the above-described configuration, the opening / closing control unit may control the opening / closing unit so that the period during which the flow path of the collection duct is open is longer than the period during which the second collection duct is open.

[0125] In the above-described configuration, the period during which the flow path of the collection duct connected to the outlet is open is relatively long, so that a large amount of dust may be sucked in through the outlet.

[0126] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may include a first mop detection unit that detects a mop inserted into the insertion tube to a first depth position below the outlet, a second mop detection unit that detects a mop inserted into the insertion tube to a second depth position below the first depth position, an opening / closing unit configured to open one of the flow paths of the collection duct and the second collection duct and close the other flow path, and an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening / closing unit. The opening / closing control unit may control the opening / closing unit so that the flow path of the collection duct is open and the flow path of the second collection duct is closed when the first mop detection unit detects a mop but the second mop detection unit does not detect a mop, and may control the opening / closing unit so that the flow path of the collection duct is closed and the flow path of the second collection duct is open when both the first mop detection unit and the second mop detection unit detect a mop.

[0127] In the above-described configuration, if the first mop detection unit detects a mop but the second mop detection unit does not detect a mop, the mop is near the outlet but away from the drop outlet. Even if suction force is applied to the drop outlet in this state, dust from the mop will not be sucked very efficiently, so the flow path of the second collection duct is closed. As a result, the suction force acting on the outlet connected to the collection duct is stronger than when the flow paths of both the collection duct and the second collection duct are open, allowing dust to be sucked efficiently through the outlet.

[0128] When both the first mop detection unit and the second mop detection unit detect a mop, the mop is inserted deeply into the insertion tube and is located near the drop opening. In this case, the flow path of the second collection duct is open, so dust from the mop is sucked through the drop opening. At this time, the flow path of the collection duct is closed, so the suction force acting on the drop opening connected to the second collection duct is stronger than when the flow paths of both the collection duct and the second collection duct are open, allowing dust to be sucked through the drop opening efficiently.

[0129] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may include a first mop detection unit that detects a mop inserted into the insertion tube to a first depth position below the outlet, a second mop detection unit that detects a mop inserted into the insertion tube to a second depth position below the first depth position, a first on-off valve that opens and closes the flow path of the collection duct, a second on-off valve that opens and closes the flow path of the second collection duct, and an on-off control unit that controls the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve. When the first mop detection unit detects a mop but the second mop detection unit does not detect a mop, the on-off control unit may control the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve so that the flow path of the collection duct is open and the flow path of the second collection duct is closed, and when both the first mop detection unit and the second mop detection unit detect a mop, the on-off control unit may control the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve so that both the flow paths of the collection duct and the second collection duct are open.

[0130] In the above-described configuration, if the first mop detection unit detects a mop but the second mop detection unit does not detect a mop, the mop is near the outlet but far from the drop outlet. Even if suction force is applied to the drop outlet in this state, dust from the mop will not be sucked very efficiently, so the flow path of the second collection duct is closed. As a result, the suction force acting on the outlet connected to the collection duct is stronger than when the flow paths of both the collection duct and the second collection duct are open, allowing dust to be sucked efficiently through the outlet.

[0131] When both the first mop detector and the second mop detector detect a mop, the mop is inserted deeply into the insertion tube and is located near the drop opening. In this case, the flow path of the second collection duct is open, so dust from the mop is sucked through the drop opening. At this time, the flow path of the collection duct is also open, so dust can also be sucked from the outlet connected to the collection duct.

[0132] In the above-described configuration, the second collection duct may be formed with a dust suction port that is open to allow dust on the floor surface to flow in.

[0133] In the above-described configuration, a user can bring a mop close to the dust suction port after cleaning and then insert it into the insertion tube. When the user lifts the mop to insert it into the insertion tube, dust may fall from the mop and scatter on the floor near the dust suction port. When the suction source is activated in this state, the dust scattered on the floor near the dust suction port flows through the dust suction port into the second collection duct and can be collected in the dust storage section.

[0134] In the above-described configuration, the insertion tube may have a tapered portion that narrows downward toward the drop opening.

[0135] In the above-described configuration, dust that has fallen from the mop onto the tapered portion can be guided to the drop opening by the tapered portion.

[0136] In the above-described configuration, the dust remover may further include a flow straightening unit that straightens the air flowing from the outlet toward the inlet.

[0137] In the above-described configuration, the air flowing from the outlet toward the inlet is rectified by the rectifying section, so that dust can flow smoothly through the collection duct and into the dust storage section.

[0138] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may further include a guide portion provided in the insertion tube so as to come into contact with the mop inserted into the insertion tube and bring the mop closer to the outlet.

[0139] In the above-described configuration, when a user inserts a mop into the insertion tube, the mop comes into contact with a guide provided inside the insertion tube. The guide then guides the mop toward the outlet formed on the peripheral wall of the insertion tube. As a result, the mop approaches the outlet, increasing the suction force of the suction source acting on the mop.

[0140] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may further include a scraping section that is provided within the insertion tube so as to come into contact with the mop within the insertion tube, and is configured to scrape off dust adhering to the mop within the insertion tube as the mop moves up and down.

[0141] In the above-described configuration, when the user moves the mop up and down inside the insertion tube, the mop rubs against the scraping part provided inside the insertion tube, and the scraping part scrapes off the dust adhering to the mop, thereby facilitating the removal of dust from the mop. [Industrial Applicability]

[0142] The dust removal device of the above-described embodiment is suitably used as a device for cleaning work. [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 100... Dust removal equipment 120 Insertion tube 121 Insertion port 122 Drop-in 123... Outlet 124······························ Information Department 127 Lid 128 Tapered section 130...Suction source 132·························· Rectifier 140...Dust storage section 142···························Inlet 143·····························Inlet 150 Recovery duct 154...Dust suction port 155 First duct (recovery duct) 156···········Second duct (other recovery duct) 157 Direction change section 158·········Opening and closing section 159 Opening and closing control section 160······················································. 178 First shut-off valve 179 Second shut-off valve 200··········Mop 230 Mop detection unit 232 Suction control unit 234 First mop detection unit 235 Second mop detector

Claims

1. A dust removal device that removes dust adhering to a mop from the mop, An insertion tube configured so that the mop can be inserted from above through an insertion port that opens upward; a dust storage section for storing dust; a collection duct that connects the dust storage unit and the insertion tube; a suction source that generates a suction force to suck dust so that dust adhering to the mop in the insertion tube flows into the dust storage section together with air in the insertion tube through the recovery duct, An outlet is formed in the peripheral wall of the insertion tube to allow dust detached from the mop in the insertion tube to flow out to the recovery duct, The dust storage section has an inlet through which dust detached from the mop in the insertion tube flows and which has an opening area larger than that of the outlet, and the inlet is formed to face the outlet, The collection duct extends straight from the outlet to the inlet, and has a larger flow path cross-sectional area on the inlet side than on the outlet side.

2. A drop opening that opens downward is formed at the bottom of the insertion tube, The dust remover according to claim 1 , further comprising a second recovery duct extending from the drop opening and connected to the recovery duct.

3. The dust remover according to claim 2 , wherein an opening area of ​​the inlet is larger than a sum of an opening area of ​​the outlet and an opening area of ​​the drop port.

4. The dust removal device according to claim 2 , further comprising a direction changer at a connection between the recovery duct and the second recovery duct, which changes the direction of air flowing through the second recovery duct toward the inlet.

5. The dust storage section is formed with a second inlet through which dust detached from the mop in the insertion tube flows in, A drop opening that opens downward is formed at the bottom of the insertion tube, The dust remover according to claim 1 , further comprising a second recovery duct extending from the drop opening and connected to the second inlet without being connected to the recovery duct.

6. A mop detection unit that detects insertion and removal of the mop into and from the insertion tube; an opening / closing unit configured to open one of the flow path of the recovery duct and the flow path of the second recovery duct and close the other flow path; an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening / closing unit, The opening / closing control unit is On the condition that the mop detection unit detects the insertion of the mop into the insertion tube, the opening and closing unit is controlled so that the flow path of the collection duct is opened while the flow path of the second collection duct is closed; The dust removal device described in claim 2 or 5, wherein, when the mop detection unit detects the removal of the mop from the insertion tube, the opening / closing unit is controlled so that the flow path of the recovery duct is closed while the flow path of the second recovery duct is opened.

7. The dust remover according to claim 6, further comprising a suction control unit that activates the suction source on condition that the mop detection unit detects that the mop has been inserted into the insertion tube.

8. The dust removal device described in claim 6 further comprises a suction control unit that continues to operate the suction source for a predetermined period of time after the mop detection unit detects the removal of the mop from the insertion tube, and stops the suction source when the predetermined period has elapsed.

9. The dust remover according to claim 8, further comprising a cover that is provided so as to be able to open and close the insertion opening.

10. A mop detection unit that detects insertion and removal of the mop into and from the insertion tube; an opening / closing unit configured to open one of the flow path of the recovery duct and the flow path of the second recovery duct and close the other flow path; an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening / closing unit, The opening / closing control unit is On the condition that the mop detection unit detects the insertion of the mop into the insertion tube, the opening and closing unit is controlled so as to obtain a first flow path state in which one of the flow paths of the collection duct and the flow path of the second collection duct is opened and the other flow path is closed; The dust removal device according to claim 2 or 5, wherein the opening / closing unit is controlled so that a second flow path state is obtained in which one of the flow paths is closed and the other flow path is open after the first flow path state is maintained for a predetermined period of time.

11. The dust remover according to claim 10 , wherein the opening / closing control unit controls the opening / closing unit so that a period during which the flow path of the collection duct is open is longer than a period during which the second collection duct is open.

12. A first mop detection unit that detects the mop inserted into the insertion tube to a first depth position below the outlet; A second mop detection unit that detects the mop inserted into the insertion tube to a second depth position that is lower than the first depth position; an opening / closing unit configured to open one of the flow path of the recovery duct and the flow path of the second recovery duct and close the other flow path; an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening / closing unit, The opening / closing control unit is When the first mop detection unit detects the mop while the second mop detection unit does not detect the mop, the opening / closing unit is controlled so that the flow path of the collection duct is opened while the flow path of the second collection duct is closed; A dust removal device as described in claim 2 or 5, wherein when both the first mop detection unit and the second mop detection unit detect the mop, the opening / closing unit is controlled so that the flow path of the recovery duct is closed while the flow path of the second recovery duct is opened.

13. A first mop detection unit that detects the mop inserted into the insertion tube to a first depth position below the outlet; A second mop detection unit that detects the mop inserted into the insertion tube to a second depth position that is lower than the first depth position; a first on-off valve that opens and closes the flow path of the recovery duct; a second on-off valve that opens and closes the flow path of the second recovery duct; an on-off control unit that controls the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve, The opening / closing control unit is When the first mop detection unit detects the mop while the second mop detection unit does not detect the mop, the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve are controlled so that the flow path of the collection duct is opened while the flow path of the second collection duct is closed; A dust removal device as described in claim 2 or 5, wherein when both the first mop detection unit and the second mop detection unit detect the mop, the first opening / closing valve and the second opening / closing valve are controlled so that both the flow paths of the recovery duct and the second recovery duct are opened.

14. 6. The dust remover according to claim 2, wherein the second collection duct is formed with a dust suction port that is open to allow dust on the floor surface to flow in.

15. The dust remover according to claim 2 or 5, wherein the insertion tube has a tapered portion that narrows downward toward the drop opening.

16. The dust remover according to claim 1 , further comprising a flow straightening unit that straightens the air flowing from the outlet toward the inlet.

17. The dust removal device according to claim 1 , further comprising a guide portion provided in the insertion tube to contact the mop inserted into the insertion tube and bring the mop closer to the outlet.

18. The dust removal device according to claim 1, further comprising a scraping section provided within the insertion tube so as to come into contact with the mop within the insertion tube, and configured to scrape off dust adhering to the mop within the insertion tube as the mop moves up and down.

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