Suction nozzle and vacuum cleaner

Abstract

The objective is to provide a suction nozzle that can reduce the effort required to remove dust from a rotating brush. [Solution] The suction nozzle 130 of the present disclosure comprises a nozzle case 132 that forms a suction space opening downward so that dust on the floor surface flows in by the suction force of a suction source, a drive unit that generates rotational force, a rotating brush 141 that extends in the left-right direction within the suction space and rotates by the rotational force of the drive unit to scrape dust on the floor surface, and a winding restricting unit 180 that restricts dust from wrapping around the rotating brush. The winding restricting unit has a restricting rib portion 182 that extends in the axial direction of the rotating brush and bites into the outer circumference of the rotating brush so as to push dust back to the upstream side of the winding restricting unit in the rotation direction of the rotating brush.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , ,

[0006]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a suction nozzle attached to a vacuum cleaner having a suction source that generates a suction force for sucking dust, and a vacuum cleaner equipped with this suction nozzle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vacuum cleaner 300 shown in FIG. 19. The vacuum cleaner 300 has a vacuum cleaner body 310 incorporating a suction source that generates a suction force for sucking dust, and a suction pipe 320 extending from the vacuum cleaner body 310. In order to be able to remove dust from a region wider than the suction pipe 320, a suction nozzle 330 is attached to the tip of the suction pipe 320.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 20, the suction nozzle 330 has a nozzle case 332 that forms a suction space 331 opening downward. From the central portion in the width direction of the nozzle case 332, as shown in FIG. 19, a connecting pipe portion 333 extends rearward. This connecting pipe portion 333 is connected to the tip of the suction pipe 320. The connecting pipe portion 333 forms an outflow path that communicates with the suction space 331 and the flow path of the suction pipe 320.

[0004] As shown in FIG. 20, the nozzle case 332 has a front partition wall 334 that partitions the front end of the suction space 331, an upper partition wall 335 that partitions the upper end of the suction space 331, and a rear partition wall 336 that partitions the rear end of the suction space 331. The tip of the outflow path of the connecting pipe portion 333 opens in the rear partition wall 336.

[0005] A rotating brush 340 is disposed in the suction space 331. This rotating brush 340 is rotationally driven so as to scrape up the dust on the floor surface backward.

[0006] If there is long dust such as hair on the floor surface, the dust can become entangled with the rotating brush 340, which is a problem. In other words, if some of the long dust gets entangled with the rotating brush 340 in a way that overlaps with other parts of the dust, it becomes difficult to remove the dust from the rotating brush 340. To prevent dust from getting entangled in this way, as shown in Figure 21, multiple ribs 338 are provided on the upper side of the rotating brush 340.

[0007] These ribs 338 are positioned to contact the outer circumference of the rotating brush 340 at an angle to the axial direction of the rotating brush 340. Long dust particles can spirally wrap around the rotating brush 340, changing direction according to the inclination of the ribs 338. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-382 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] When long dust particles spiral around the rotating brush 340, removing them is easier than when some of the long dust particles overlap with other parts of the dust. However, even in this case, the user still needs to pick up the long dust particles attached to the rotating brush and pull them away. Such dust removal work is still cumbersome for the user.

[0010] This disclosure aims to provide a technology that can reduce the effort required to remove dust from a rotating brush. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The suction nozzle in this disclosure is configured to be attachable to a vacuum cleaner having a suction source that generates a suction force for sucking up dust. The suction nozzle comprises a nozzle case that forms a suction space that opens downward so that dust on the floor surface flows in by the suction force of the suction source; a drive unit that generates rotational force; a rotating brush that extends in the left-right direction within the suction space and rotates by the rotational force of the drive unit to scrape up dust on the floor surface; and a winding restricting unit that restricts dust from wrapping around the rotating brush. The winding restricting unit has a restricting rib that extends in the axial direction of the rotating brush and bites into the outer circumference of the rotating brush so as to push dust back to the upstream side of the winding restricting unit in the rotational direction of the rotating brush.

[0012] The vacuum cleaner in this disclosure comprises a suction source that generates suction force for sucking up dust, and the suction nozzle described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The aforementioned technology can reduce the effort required to remove dust from the rotating brush. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Side view of a vacuum cleaner (first embodiment) [Figure 2] Perspective view of a vacuum cleaner suction nozzle [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the suction nozzle [Figure 4] Bottom view of the suction nozzle [Figure 5] Perspective view of a part of the rotating brush of a vacuum cleaner [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of a part of a rotating brush [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of a part of a rotating brush [Figure 8] Perspective view of the suction nozzle [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view of the suction nozzle [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view of the suction nozzle [Figure 11] Perspective view of the suction nozzle (second embodiment) [Figure 12]Schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the brush band of the rotating brush and the surface contact portion of the suction nozzle [Figure 13] Schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the brush band of the rotating brush and the surface contact portion of the suction nozzle [Figure 14] Perspective view of the suction nozzle (third embodiment) [Figure 15] Perspective view of the suction nozzle (fourth embodiment) [Figure 16] Perspective view of another suction nozzle [Figure 17] Perspective view of another suction nozzle [Figure 18] Perspective view of another suction nozzle [Figure 19] Perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner [Figure 20] Cross-sectional view of the suction nozzle of a conventional vacuum cleaner [Figure 21] Perspective view of the rotating brush of a conventional vacuum cleaner

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, the first to fourth embodiments of the vacuum cleaner will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, for the ease of understanding of those skilled in the art, for example, detailed descriptions of already well-known matters or duplicate descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims thereby.

[0016] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a side view of a stick-type vacuum cleaner 100. Referring to FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 100 will be described.

[0017] (Overall structure of the vacuum cleaner) The vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a vacuum cleaner body 110 which has a built-in suction source 111 that generates suction force to suck up dust, and a dust collection container 114 attached to the lower side of the vacuum cleaner body 110. The suction source 111 is configured to suck up air from inside the dust collection container 114 and may have, for example, a motor that generates rotational force and a rotating blade configured to generate an upward airflow when rotated by the motor.

[0018] Between the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the dust collection container 114, a filter 112 is positioned to allow air to pass through while capturing dust contained in the air. In addition, a gripping section 113 formed to be held by the user and a suction pipe 120 forming a flow path 123 for dust to flow are positioned on the front side of the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the dust collection container 114.

[0019] The suction tube 120 extends vertically below the grip portion 113. More specifically, the suction tube 120 has a base tube portion 121 integrally formed with the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip portion 113, and an extension tube portion 122 extending downward from the base tube portion 121. Within the base tube portion 121, the flow path 123 is bent toward the dust collection container 114. The extension tube portion 122 is detachable from the base tube portion 121. A suction nozzle 130 is attached to the lower end of the extension tube portion 122, into which dust from the floor surface is sucked in by the suction force of the suction source 111.

[0020] The suction nozzle 130 has a connecting pipe section 131 connected to the lower end of the extension pipe section 122, and a nozzle case 132 connected to the lower end of the connecting pipe section 131. The connection between the connecting pipe section 131 and the nozzle case 132 is configured to allow the connecting pipe section 131 to tilt in the front-rear direction around its lower end as an axis.

[0021] The nozzle case 132 is configured to allow dust from a wide floor area in the left-right direction to flow in by the suction force of the suction source 111. As shown in Figure 2, a downward-opening suction space 133 is formed in the front part of the nozzle case 132. The suction space 133 is roughly rectangular in shape when viewed from below. When the suction source 111 is activated, dust from the floor is sucked up into the suction space 133.

[0022] To allow this dust to flow out of the suction space 133, the rear portion of the nozzle case 132 and the connecting pipe portion 131 form an outflow passage 134 that extends rearward from the central position of the suction space 133 in the width direction. As shown in Figure 1, this outflow passage 134 is in communication with the flow path 123 of the suction pipe 120.

[0023] The nozzle case 132 has a rear compartment wall 135 that demarcates the rear end of the suction space 133. The tip of the outflow passage 134 is open in the central portion of the rear compartment wall 135 in the left-right direction. In addition to the rear compartment wall 135, the nozzle case 132 further comprises a front compartment wall 136, an upper compartment wall 137, a right compartment wall 138, and a left compartment wall 139.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the front compartment wall 136 is installed in an upright position so as to partition the front end of the suction space 133, and a gap 140 is formed between the lower end of the front compartment wall 136 and the floor surface. Dust particles smaller than this gap 140 can flow into the suction space 133 from the front side of the nozzle case 132.

[0025] The upper partition wall 137 is the part that partitions the upper end of the suction space 133, and a rotating brush 141 is positioned below the upper partition wall 137, as shown in Figure 3. The rotating brush 141 is used to scrape up dust and debris from the floor surface.

[0026] The rotating brush 141 has a substantially cylindrical rotating rod 143 extending in the left-right direction within the suction space 133, and a plurality of brush bristles 161 that protrude radially from the circumferential surface of the rotating rod 143 and constitute the outer periphery of the rotating brush 141. These brush bristles 161 may be made of, for example, an elastically deformable resin fiber material.

[0027] These brush bristles 161 are bundled together to form a plurality of brush strips 144 spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the rotating brush 141. The tips of the brush strips 144 that protrude downward from the rotating rod 143 come into contact with the floor surface.

[0028] These brush strips 144 extend along the circumferential surface of the rotating rod 143 over substantially the entire length of the rotating rod 143, as shown in Figure 4. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, each brush strip 144 extends in the left-right direction so as to form a V-shape that is pointed forward when viewed from below. In other words, each brush strip 144 is formed such that the rotational phase of the central portion of the brush strip 144 lags behind the rotational phases of the left and right ends of the brush strip 144.

[0029] To rotatably support the right end of the rotating rod 143, a bearing member 162, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, is attached to the right end of the rotating rod 143. Similarly, to rotatably support the left end of the rotating rod 143, a bearing member 160, as shown in Figure 7, is attached to the left end of the rotating rod 143. Since the bearing member 160 attached to the left end of the rotating rod 143 is symmetrical to the bearing member 162 attached to the right end of the rotating rod 143, the structure of the bearing member 162 will be described below, and the description of the bearing member 160 will be omitted.

[0030] The bearing member 162 has a ring-shaped outer ring portion 163 and a rotating shaft portion 164 that protrudes to the left from the outer ring portion 163. The left end of the rotating shaft portion 164 is rotatably connected to the outer ring portion 163, and the right end of the rotating shaft portion 164 is fitted into the left end of the rotating rod 143.

[0031] A disc-shaped abutment portion 165 protrudes radially from the middle of the rotating shaft portion 164. The diameter of this abutment portion 165 is larger than the diameter of the right end face of the rotating rod 143. The left face of the abutment portion 165 abuts against the right end face of the rotating rod 143.

[0032] A ring portion 166 protrudes to the left from the outer circumference of the left side of the abutment portion 165, and the right end of the rotating rod 143 is fitted into the ring portion 166. At this time, the joint between the abutment portion 165 and the right end face of the rotating rod 143 is at least partially closed by the ring portion 166.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the ring portion 166 has a number of notches 169 into which the right end of the brush strip 144 is inserted. Therefore, it is permissible to position the brush strip 144 near the right end of the rotating rod 143.

[0034] To attach the bearing member 162 to the nozzle case 132, as shown in Figure 2, a mounting hole 167 is formed in the right partition wall 138 that demarcates the right end of the suction space 133. The abutment portion 165 of the bearing member 162 is fitted into this mounting hole 167. The nozzle case 132 has a right housing portion 171 that accommodates the right side portion of the abutment portion 165 of the bearing member 162, and the outer ring portion 163 of the bearing member 162 is fixed within the right housing portion 171.

[0035] To attach the bearing member 160, which is attached to the left end of the rotating rod 143, to the nozzle case 132, a mounting hole 172 is formed in the left partition wall 139 that demarcates the left end of the suction space 133, as shown in Figure 8. The abutment portion 165 of the bearing member 160 is fitted into this mounting hole 172, as shown in Figure 7. The nozzle case 132 has a left housing portion 173 to the left of the left partition wall 139, as shown in Figure 2, and the left portion of the abutment portion 165 of the bearing member 160 is housed in this left housing portion 173, as shown in Figure 7. At this time, the outer ring portion 163 of the bearing member 160 is fixed within the left housing portion 173.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7, a pulley 174 is fixed to the rotating shaft portion 164 between the abutting portion 165 and the outer ring portion 163 of the bearing member 160. A drive belt 175 is wound around this pulley 174.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the nozzle case 132 is formed to house a drive unit 142, which generates rotational force to rotate the rotating rod 143, at the rear of the suction space 133 and to the left of the outflow passage 134. The drive unit 142 is connected to a drive belt 175, as shown in Figure 7. The rotational force of the drive unit 142 is transmitted to the rotating rod 143 of the rotating brush 141 through the drive belt 175, pulley 174, and bearing member 160. As a result, the rotating brush 141 rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3.

[0038] As the rotating brush 141 rotates, it is expected that long dust particles such as hair will become entangled with the rotating brush 141. To suppress the entanglement of dust particles with the rotating brush 141, as shown in Figure 3, an entanglement restricting portion 180 protrudes downward from the upper compartment wall 137. In this embodiment, the entanglement restricting portion 180 is composed of restricting rib portions 182 that extend in the left-right direction, and the amount of protrusion of the restricting rib portion 182 from the upper compartment wall 137 is substantially constant along the entire length of the restricting rib portion 182.

[0039] The restrictive rib portion 182 bites into the brush band 144 that constitutes the outer circumference of the rotating brush 141 along the entire length of the rotating brush 141. The amount of protrusion of the restrictive rib portion 182 from the upper compartment wall 137 is set so that the restrictive rib portion 182 bites deeply into the outer circumference of the rotating brush 141, to the extent that it keeps long dust particles wrapped around the rotating brush 141 on the upstream side of the restrictive rib portion 182 in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush 141.

[0040] (Vacuum cleaner operation) When the suction source 111 is activated, its suction force acts on the suction space 133 of the suction nozzle 130 through the dust collection container 114, the flow path 123 of the suction pipe 120, and the outflow passage 134 of the connecting pipe section 131. At this time, a fairly large gap 140 is formed between the front compartment wall 136 of the suction nozzle 130 and the floor surface, so air flows into the suction space 133 through this gap 140. This air becomes a backward airflow within the suction space 133 and flows out of the suction space 133 through the outflow passage 134. Dust on the floor surface is sucked up into the suction space 133 by the suction force of the suction source 111, and is also carried out of the suction space 133 by the backward airflow within the suction space 133 and discharged through the outflow passage 134.

[0041] To increase the amount of dust flowing into the dust collection container 114, the rotating brush 141 is driven by the drive unit 142 to rotate and sweep up dust on the floor surface backward. As a result, dust adhering to the floor surface with a force that cannot be removed by the suction force of the suction source 111 alone is pulled off the floor surface and then flows into the dust collection container 114 through the suction pipe 120.

[0042] When cleaning is performed while the rotating brush 141 is driven to rotate as described above, it is expected that long dust such as hair will try to wrap around the rotating brush 141. In this case, the long dust attached to the outer circumference of the rotating brush 141 will be carried by the rotation of the rotating brush 141 to the contact point between the outer circumference of the rotating brush 141 and the regulating rib portion 182. However, the regulating rib portion 182 can prevent the long dust from being carried downstream of this contact point in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush 141. As a result, the long dust is kept upstream of the regulating rib portion 182 in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush 141, and the wrapping of long dust around the rotating brush 141 is suppressed.

[0043] Long dust particles are more likely to wrap around a rotating body with a smaller diameter than a rotating body with a larger diameter. In this embodiment, in order to suppress dust from wrapping around the bearing members 160 and 162, the diameters of the abutting portion 165 and ring portion 166 of these bearing members 160 and 162 are larger than the diameter of the rotating rod 143 of the rotating brush 141. In this case, dust that has penetrated deeply into the brush band 144 of the rotating brush 141 near the tip of the ring portion 166 may wrap around the rotating rod 143 side rather than the ring portion 166 side. At this time, a step is formed between the rotating rod 143 and the ring portion 166, so the movement of dust toward the end of the rotating rod 143 can be prevented by this step. That is, this dust is prevented from entering the left housing portion 173 and the right housing portion 171 shown in Figure 2 through the mounting holes 172 and 167 of the left compartment wall 139 and the right compartment wall 138. Therefore, malfunctions in the rotation of the bearing members 160 and 162 that may occur due to dust entering the left housing section 173 and the right housing section 171 are suppressed.

[0044] A joint is formed when the abutting portions 165 of the bearing members 160 and 162 meet the left and right end faces of the rotating rod 143. However, these joints are at least partially closed by the ring portions 166 of the bearing members 160 and 162, so that long dust particles do not enter and become entangled in these joints.

[0045] The ring portion 166 shown in Figure 5 has a notch 169 formed in it, which allows the brush strip 144 to extend from near the right end to near the left end of the rotating rod 143. However, if the right and left ends of the brush strip 144 do not need to be positioned near the right and left ends of the rotating rod 143, the notch 169 does not need to be formed.

[0046] As shown in Figure 3, the brush bristles 161 are bundled together to form a brush band 144. However, as shown in Figure 9, the brush bristles 161 may also be planted at a substantially uniform density on the circumferential surface of the rotating rod 143.

[0047] The outflow passage 134 shown in Figure 2 opens in the central part of the rear compartment wall 135 in the left-right direction. In this case, the suction force of the suction source 111 acting on the left and right end regions of the suction space 133 is weaker than the suction force of the suction source 111 acting on the central region of the suction space 133.

[0048] In areas where the suction force of the suction source 111 is strong, dust captured by the regulating rib portion 182 is likely to flow out through the outflow passage 134. On the other hand, in areas where the suction force of the suction source 111 is weak, dust may move beyond the regulating rib portion 182 to the downstream side of the regulating rib portion 182 in the rotational direction of the rotating brush 141 before flowing out through the outflow passage 134. Furthermore, dust may become entangled with the rotating brush 141 in areas where the suction force of the suction source 111 is weak.

[0049] To suppress dust entanglement in areas where the suction force of the suction source 111 is weak, the regulating rib portion 182 may be configured as shown in Figure 10. The regulating rib portion 182 shown in Figure 10 is formed such that the amount of protrusion from the upper compartment wall 137 at the right and left ends of the regulating rib portion 182 is greater than the amount of protrusion from the upper compartment wall 137 in the central portion between them. In this case, the right and left ends of the regulating rib portion 182 can penetrate deeper into the outer circumference of the rotating brush 141 than the central portion of the regulating rib portion 182.

[0050] When the regulating rib portion 182 is configured as shown in Figure 10, dust captured by the left and right ends of the regulating rib portion 182 is less likely to move beyond the regulating rib portion 182 to the downstream side in the rotational direction of the rotating brush 141. Therefore, while the dust is retained on the upstream side of the regulating rib portion 182 in the rotational direction of the rotating brush 141, the dust is more likely to flow out through the outflow passage 134 under the suction force of the suction source 111.

[0051] The wrap-around restricting section 180 shown in Figure 2 is provided on the upper compartment wall 137. Alternatively, the wrap-around restricting section 180 may be provided on the rear compartment wall 135 or on the front compartment wall 136.

[0052] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the winding restricting section 180 is composed of elongated restricting rib sections 182 extending in the left-right direction. Therefore, the time from when the brush band 144 (brush bristles 161) contacts the winding restricting section 180 until the brush band 144 (brush bristles 161) returns to its original shape is short. In this case, dust trapped upstream of the winding restricting section 180 may be recaptured by the brush band 144 (brush bristles 161) as it attempts to return to its original shape, and may move downstream of the winding restricting section 180 in the rotational direction of the rotating brush 141. This dust may then become entangled with the rotating brush 141. To avoid this situation, the winding restricting section 180 may be configured as shown in Figure 11.

[0053] The winding restricting portion 180 shown in Figure 11 may have not only a restricting rib portion 182, but also a surface contact portion 181 formed to make surface contact with the outer circumference of the rotating brush 141. The surface contact portion 181 is preferably provided in the suction space 133 in a region where the suction force is weak (i.e., a region in the suction space 133 that is far from the opening of the outflow passage 134). In the suction nozzle 130 shown in Figure 11, the outflow passage 134 opens in the central part of the rear compartment wall 135 in the left-right direction, so the suction force tends to be weaker in the left and right end regions of the suction space 133. For this reason, the surface contact portion 181 is composed of a left surface contact portion 183 provided in a region corresponding to the left end region of the suction space 133, and a right surface contact portion 184 provided in a region corresponding to the right end region of the suction space 133. The left surface contact portion 183 is formed to make surface contact with the left end portion of the outer circumference of the rotating brush 141. Furthermore, the right-side contact portion 184 is formed to contact the rightmost portion of the outer circumference of the rotating brush 141. Since the left-side contact portion 183 is symmetrical to the right-side contact portion 184, the right-side contact portion 184 will be described below, and the description of the left-side contact portion 183 will be omitted.

[0054] The right-side contact portion 184 has an upstream end 185 provided corresponding to the corner portion between the rear partition wall 135 and the upper partition wall 137, and a downstream end 186 provided corresponding to the corner portion between the upper partition wall 137 and the front partition wall 136. The upstream end 185 and the downstream end 186 form the edge of the right-side contact portion 184 that extends in the left-right direction. The upstream end 185 is the upstream end of the downstream end 186 in the rotation direction of the rotating brush 141, and the right-side contact portion 184 forms an arc-shaped curved surface 187 over the section from the upstream end 185 to the downstream end 186. This curved surface 187 is pressed against the right end portion of the outer circumference of the rotating brush 141.

[0055] If the winding restricting section 180 were composed solely of a surface contact section 181, it is anticipated that the load on the drive unit 142 would become excessive. To prevent an excessive increase in the load on the drive unit 142, as shown in Figure 11, the restricting rib section 182 extends in the left-right direction between the left surface contact section 183 and the right surface contact section 184. The left end of this restricting rib section 182 is connected to the left surface contact section 183. The right end of the restricting rib section 182 is connected to the right surface contact section 184.

[0056] The length of the regulating rib portion 182 in the left-right direction is greater than the sum of the length of the right contact portion 184 in the left-right direction and the length of the left contact portion 183 in the left-right direction. On the other hand, the size of the regulating rib portion 182 in the rotational direction of the rotating brush 141 is smaller than the size of the curved surfaces 187 of the left contact portion 183 and the right contact portion 184 in the rotational direction of the rotating brush 141.

[0057] When the brush strip 144 of the rotating brush 141 comes into contact with the upstream ends 185 of the left contact portion 183 and the right contact portion 184, dust adhering to the brush strip is retained at these upstream ends 185. As the rotating brush 141 rotates, the brush strip 144 moves toward the downstream end 186. During this time, the brush strip 144 lies flat along the curved surface 187, and after passing the downstream end 186, it returns to its original state (i.e., protruding radially from the rotating rod 143). The position where the brush strip 144 returns to is away from the upstream ends 185 of the left contact portion 183 and the right contact portion 184 in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush 141. Therefore, when the brush strip attempts to return to its original position, the tip of the brush strip may be away from the upstream ends 185 of the left contact portion 183 and the right contact portion 184 toward the downstream end 186. As a result, dust trapped at these upstream ends 185 is prevented from being caught by the brush band as it attempts to return to its original state. Therefore, less dust moves beyond the left contact portion 183 and the right contact portion 184 to the downstream side of the left contact portion 183 and the right contact portion 184 in the rotational direction of the rotating brush 141, thereby suppressing dust entanglement at the left and right ends of the rotating brush 141.

[0058] As shown in Figure 12, the upstream end 185 of the right-side contact portion 184 extends in the left-right direction, while the brush strip 144 is inclined such that its rotational phase lags behind as it moves away from the right end of the rotating brush 141. Therefore, as the rotating brush 141 rotates, the brush strip 144 moves in the direction of the arrow in Figure 12, causing the contact portion CP between the upstream end 185 of the right-side contact portion 184 and the brush strip 144 to be displaced to the left. As a result of this displacement, dust trapped at the upstream end 185 of the right-side contact portion 184 can be swept out to the regulating rib portion 182 located to the left of the right-side contact portion 184.

[0059] Furthermore, the left end portion of the brush band 144 is symmetrical to the right end portion of the brush band 144, and the left contact portion 183 is symmetrical to the right contact portion 184. Therefore, dust trapped at the upstream end 185 of the left contact portion 183 can also be swept out to the regulating rib portion 182 as the rotating brush 141 rotates.

[0060] The area where the regulating rib portion 182 extends is closer to the opening of the outflow passage 134 than the left side contact portion 183 and the right side contact portion 184, and the suction force of the suction source 111 acts relatively strongly on the regulating rib portion 182. Therefore, dust swept from the upstream ends 185 of the left side contact portion 183 and the right side contact portion 184 to the regulating rib portion 182 is sucked out through the outflow passage 134 by the suction force of the suction source 111. In addition, dust that is pushed upstream of the regulating rib portion 182 in the rotational direction of the rotating brush 141 is also sucked out through the outflow passage 134 by the strong suction force of the suction source 111.

[0061] In the winding restricting section 180 shown in Figure 11, the upstream ends 185 of the left contact section 183 and the right contact section 184 extend in the left-right direction. Alternatively, the upstream ends 185 of the left contact section 183 and the right contact section 184 may be inclined with respect to the left-right direction, as shown in Figure 13.

[0062] The upstream end 185 of the left contact portion 183 shown in Figure 13 is inclined in the left-right direction (axis direction of the rotating brush 141) so as to displace dust accumulated on this upstream end 185 to the right. Similarly, the upstream end 185 of the right contact portion 184 is inclined in the left-right direction (axis direction of the rotating brush 141) so as to displace dust accumulated on this upstream end 185 to the left.

[0063] In this case, the brush strip 144 may not be inclined and may extend in the left-right direction. When the brush strip 144 moves in the direction of the arrow in Figure 13, the contact point CP between the upstream end 185 of the left side contact portion 183 and the brush strip 144 moves to the right. As a result, dust accumulated at the upstream end 185 of the left side contact portion 183 is swept out to the regulating rib portion 182 on the right side of the left side contact portion 183. Also, the contact point CP between the upstream end 185 of the right side contact portion 184 and the brush strip 144 moves to the left, and dust accumulated at the upstream end 185 of the right side contact portion 184 is swept out to the regulating rib portion 182 on the left side of the right side contact portion 184.

[0064] In the suction nozzle 130 shown in Figure 11, surface contact portions 181 are provided corresponding to the left and right end regions of the suction space 133. However, the position of the surface contact portions 181 is not limited to that shown in Figure 11. That is, the surface contact portions 181 should be provided in a position in the structure of the suction nozzle 130 where it is expected that the suction force of the suction source 111 will be weakened. For example, if the outflow passage 134 is in communication with the left end region of the suction space 133, the surface contact portion 181 may be provided in the right end region of the suction space 133. Conversely, if the outflow passage 134 is in communication with the right end region of the suction space 133, the surface contact portion 181 may be provided in the left end region of the suction space 133.

[0065] <Third Embodiment> If the winding restricting portion 180 has a left-side contact portion 183 and a right-side contact portion 184, as shown in Figure 11 for the suction nozzle 130, a structure may be provided that utilizes these to suppress the intrusion of dust into the left storage portion 173 and the right storage portion 171, as shown in Figure 14.

[0066] In the suction nozzle 130 shown in Figure 14, a guide rib 188 protrudes downward from the curved surface 187 of the left contact portion 183. Similarly, a guide rib 189 protrudes downward from the curved surface 187 of the right contact portion 184. Since these guide ribs 188 and 189 are symmetrical, the guide rib 189 on the curved surface 187 of the right contact portion 184 will be described below, and the description of the guide rib 188 on the curved surface 187 of the left contact portion 183 will be omitted.

[0067] The guide rib 189 protrudes downward from the curved surface 187 of the right contact portion 184 to the left of the mounting hole 167 of the right compartment wall 138. Furthermore, the guide rib 189 is inclined to the left as it moves downstream in the rotational direction of the rotating brush 141 from the right end of the right contact portion 184 (i.e., the right end of the suction space 133).

[0068] Some of the dust accumulated at the upstream end 185 of the right side contact portion 184 may enter the space between the curved surface 187 of the right side contact portion 184 and the outer circumference of the rotating brush 141 as the rotating brush 141 rotates. This dust may then reach the guide rib 189 as the rotating brush 141 rotates. The curved surface 187 of the right side contact portion 184 is pressed against the outer circumference of the rotating brush 141 with a certain degree of force, but the guide rib 189 is pressed against the outer circumference of the rotating brush 141 with an even stronger force. Therefore, there is almost no dust that goes over the guide rib 189 and towards the right compartment wall 138.

[0069] Most of the dust that reaches the guide rib 189 moves to the left along the inclination of the guide rib 189 as the rotating brush 141 rotates. In other words, the dust is guided away from the right compartment wall 138 by the guide rib 189. As a result, the amount of dust that enters the right housing 171 through the mounting hole 167 in the right compartment wall 138 is reduced.

[0070] The right housing 171 houses the bearing member 162. The more dust and debris that accumulates on the bearing member 162, the more likely it is that the bearing member 162 will malfunction. The guide rib 189 reduces the amount of dust and debris that can accumulate on the bearing member 162 in the right housing 171, thereby suppressing malfunctions in the bearing member 162.

[0071] <Fourth Embodiment> In the suction nozzle 130 of the first to third embodiments, the winding restricting portion 180 extends continuously from the left end to the right end of the suction space 133. In this case, the winding restricting portion 180 can create significant resistance to the airflow in the suction space 133 that flows backward. To reduce this resistance, the winding restricting portion 180 may be formed as shown in Figure 15.

[0072] The regulating rib portion 182 of the winding regulating portion 180 shown in Figure 15 has a left regulating rib 191 and a right regulating rib 192. The left regulating rib 191 extends to the right from the left surface contact portion 183. The right end of the left regulating rib 191 is located to the left of the right surface contact portion 184. The right regulating rib 192 extends to the left from the right surface contact portion 184. The left end of the right regulating rib 192 is located to the right of the left surface contact portion 183.

[0073] The left regulating rib 191 extends downstream of the right regulating rib 192 in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush 141. Furthermore, the sum of the lengths of the left regulating rib 191 and the right regulating rib 192 is greater than the length of the rotating brush 141. Therefore, the left regulating rib 191 and the right regulating rib 192 are formed so that they overlap in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush 141, with a predetermined length from the right end of the left regulating rib 191 and a predetermined length from the left end of the right regulating rib 192. A space is formed in the overlapping portion where the left regulating rib 191 and the right regulating rib 192 overlap in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush 141, allowing air to pass through.

[0074] When the suction source 111 is activated, the suction force of the suction source 111 draws the air in the suction space 133 backward through the outlet passage 134. As a result, a backward airflow is generated in the suction space 133. A portion of this airflow can pass between the rotating brush 141 and the upper compartment wall 137. Specifically, this airflow passes through the space between the right end of the left regulating rib 191 and the right surface contact portion 184. Subsequently, this airflow passes through the space formed in the area where the left regulating rib 191 and the right regulating rib 192 overlap when viewed in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush 141. Finally, this airflow passes through the space between the left end of the right regulating rib 192 and the left surface contact portion 183 and flows out into the outlet passage 134.

[0075] The winding restricting section 180 shown in Figure 15 allows a certain amount of air to pass through, thereby reducing resistance to backward airflow within the intake space 133. As a result, the amount of air flowing into the outlet passage 134, and consequently the amount of dust flowing with this air, may increase.

[0076] As shown in Figure 15, the left regulating rib 191 and the right regulating rib 192 of the winding regulating section 180 are not separated in the left-right direction, and some of their extended sections overlap when viewed in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush 141. Therefore, less dust passes through both the left regulating rib 191 and the right regulating rib 192 while remaining attached to the rotating brush 141. That is, some of the dust attached to the rotating brush 141 passes between the left end of the right regulating rib 192 and the left surface contact portion 183, but this dust can be captured by the left regulating rib 191.

[0077] In the winding restricting section 180 shown in Figure 15, the left restricting rib 191 extends downstream of the right restricting rib 192 in the rotational direction of the rotating brush 141. Conversely, the left restricting rib 191 may extend upstream of the right restricting rib 192 in the rotational direction of the rotating brush 141.

[0078] In the winding restricting section 180 shown in Figure 15, the left restricting rib 191 and the right restricting rib 192 extend from the left side contact section 183 and the right side contact section 184. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 16, the left side contact section 183 and the right side contact section 184 may be omitted. In this case, the left restricting rib 191 extends to the right from the left compartment wall 139 that demarcates the left end of the suction space 133. The right restricting rib 192 extends to the left from the right compartment wall 138 that demarcates the right end of the suction space 133.

[0079] In the winding restricting section 180 shown in Figure 15, the left restricting rib 191 and the right restricting rib 192 are not separated in the left-right direction. Alternatively, the left restricting rib 191 and the right restricting rib 192 may be extended at positions separated in the left-right direction, as shown in Figure 17.

[0080] The left regulating rib 191 and the right regulating rib 192 shown in Figure 17 are formed at equal positions relative to each other in the rotational direction of the rotating brush 141. Specifically, the left regulating rib 191 extends to the right from the left surface contact portion 183, and the right end of the left regulating rib 191 is spaced to the left of the right regulating rib 192. The right regulating rib 192 extends to the left from the right surface contact portion 184, and the left end of the right regulating rib 192 is spaced to the right of the right end of the left regulating rib 191.

[0081] An outflow passage 134 opens at the rear of the space between the right end of the left regulating rib 191 and the left end of the right regulating rib 192. In addition, a central regulating rib 193 extends in the left-right direction at the front of the space between the right end of the left regulating rib 191 and the left end of the right regulating rib 192 (i.e., downstream in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush 141). The left end of the central regulating rib 193 is spaced to the right of the left surface contact portion 183. The right end of the central regulating rib 193 is spaced to the left of the right surface contact portion 184.

[0082] In a predetermined length section from the right end of the central regulating rib 193, the central regulating rib 193 overlaps with the right regulating rib 192 when viewed in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush 141. Also, in a predetermined length section from the left end of the central regulating rib 193, the central regulating rib 193 overlaps with the left regulating rib 191 when viewed in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush 141. Gaps are formed in these overlapping portions to allow air to pass through.

[0083] When the suction source 111 is activated, some of the air in the suction space 133 passes between the left end of the central regulating rib 193 and the left side contact portion 183, and between the right end of the central regulating rib 193 and the right side contact portion 184. This air then passes through the space formed by the overlapping portions of the central regulating rib 193, the left regulating rib 191, and the right regulating rib 192 in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush 141. After that, this air passes through the space between the right end of the left regulating rib 191 and the left end of the right regulating rib 192 and flows into the outflow passage 134.

[0084] Some of the dust adhering to the rotating brush 141 can pass through the space between the right end of the left regulating rib 191 and the left end of the right regulating rib 192 as the rotating brush 141 rotates, and this dust can be captured by the central regulating rib 193.

[0085] The left regulating rib 191 and the right regulating rib 192 shown in Figure 17 extend from the left side contact portion 183 and the right side contact portion 184. Alternatively, the left regulating rib 191 and the right regulating rib 192 may extend from the left partition wall 139 and the right partition wall 138, as shown in Figure 18.

[0086] The central regulating rib 193 shown in Figures 16 and 17 is located downstream of the left regulating rib 191 and the right regulating rib 192 in the rotational direction of the rotating brush 141. Conversely, the central regulating rib 193 may be located upstream of the left regulating rib 191 and the right regulating rib 192 in the rotational direction of the rotating brush 141.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 100 is a stick type. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be a canister type or a handheld type.

[0088] (Effects, etc.) The suction nozzle 130 and vacuum cleaner 100 according to the above embodiment have the following features and provide the following effects.

[0089] A suction nozzle according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment is configured to be attachable to a vacuum cleaner having a suction source that generates a suction force for sucking up dust. The suction nozzle comprises a nozzle case that forms a suction space that opens downward so that dust on the floor surface flows in by the suction force of the suction source; a drive unit that generates rotational force; a rotating brush that extends in the left-right direction within the suction space and rotates by the rotational force of the drive unit to scrape up dust on the floor surface; and a winding restricting unit that restricts dust from wrapping around the rotating brush. The winding restricting unit has a restricting rib that extends in the axial direction of the rotating brush and bites into the outer circumference of the rotating brush so as to push dust back to the upstream side of the winding restricting unit in the rotational direction of the rotating brush.

[0090] In the configuration described above, the nozzle case forms a suction space that opens downwards in order to remove dust from the floor surface. A rotating brush extending horizontally within this suction space is rotated by a drive unit to sweep up the dust from the floor surface. The dust that the rotating brush can sweep up includes long dust such as hair, and it is anticipated that such long dust may become entangled in the rotating brush.

[0091] To prevent long dust particles from becoming entangled in the rotating brush, the suction nozzle is equipped with an anti-entanglement section. This anti-entanglement section has a restricting rib that extends axially along the rotating brush and bites into the outer circumference of the rotating brush. As a result, dust particles adhering to the rotating brush are less likely to move downstream in the direction of rotation beyond the restricting rib, and are more likely to be pushed upstream of the restricting rib in the direction of rotation. Therefore, even if long dust particles try to become entangled in the rotating brush, these particles remain at the contact point between the restricting rib and the rotating brush, making it difficult for them to become entangled in the rotating brush. Consequently, less dust particles become entangled in the rotating brush, thus reducing the effort required to remove dust from the rotating brush.

[0092] In the above configuration, the nozzle case may have an outlet passage that allows air and dust to flow out from the suction space. The rotating brush may have a rotating rod that extends in the left-right direction and is rotationally driven by a drive unit, and a plurality of brush bristles that protrude from the circumferential surface of the rotating rod and constitute the outer circumference of the rotating brush, and that elastically deform upon contact with the winding restricting portion. The winding restricting portion may have a surface contact portion provided to make surface contact with the outer circumference of the rotating brush. The length of the surface contact portion in the rotational direction of the rotating brush may be longer than the length of the restricting rib portion in the rotational direction of the rotating brush. The surface contact portion may be formed at a position further away from the outlet passage than the restricting rib portion.

[0093] In the configuration described above, multiple brush bristles lie flat in contact with the winding restriction section, but after passing through the winding restriction section, they return to a state where they protrude from the circumferential surface of the rotating rod. If there is a large amount of dust trapped upstream of the winding restriction section when this restoration occurs, it is conceivable that some of this dust will be recaptured by the brush bristles attempting to return to a state where they protrude from the circumferential surface of the rotating rod, and will become entangled with the rotating brush.

[0094] To prevent such situations, a surface contact area is provided relatively far from the outlet. That is, the suction force of the suction source tends to weaken at positions far from the outlet. Therefore, dust captured by the winding restriction section at a position far from the outlet tends to remain upstream of the winding restriction section for a longer period than dust captured by the winding restriction section closer to the outlet. Even if dust is pushed upstream of the winding restriction section at a position far from the outlet, the surface contact area provided at this position is relatively long in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush so that the brush bristles in contact with the surface contact area remain in a flat position for a relatively long period. As a result, the timing of restoring to a state protruding from the circumferential surface of the rotating rod is delayed, so that more dust can be discharged through the outlet passage before this restoration occurs. Therefore, recapture of dust by the brush attempting to restore to a state protruding from the circumferential surface of the rotating rod, and consequently, dust wrapping around the rotating brush, is suppressed.

[0095] Near the outlet, the suction force of the suction source is relatively strong, so dust tends to flow into the outlet before the brush bristles have a chance to recover. At such locations, less dust is drawn downstream of the winding restriction section due to the recovery of the brush bristles, and there is little need to keep the brush bristles lying flat for a long period of time. Rather, if the size of the winding restriction section in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush is unnecessarily increased, it is anticipated that the resistance that the winding restriction section exerts on the rotation of the rotating brush will become too great. For this reason, at locations relatively close to the outlet, a restricting rib section is provided whose size in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush is smaller than that of the surface contact section.

[0096] In the above configuration, the length of the surface contact portion in the axial direction of the rotating brush may be shorter than the length of the regulating rib portion in the axial direction of the rotating brush.

[0097] In the above configuration, the length of the surface contact portion in the axial direction of the rotating brush is shorter than the length of the regulating rib in the axial direction of the rotating brush, so the surface contact portion does not create excessive resistance to the rotation of the rotating brush.

[0098] In the above configuration, the nozzle case may have a rear compartment wall that demarcates the rear end of the suction space. The rear compartment wall may have an outlet passage opening at the central position in the left-right direction that allows air and dust to flow out of the suction space. The rotating brush may have a rotating rod that extends in the left-right direction and is rotationally driven by a drive unit, and a plurality of brush bristles that protrude from the circumferential surface of the rotating rod and constitute the outer circumference of the rotating brush, and that elastically deform upon contact with the winding restricting portion. The winding restricting portion may have a surface contact portion provided to make surface contact with the outer circumference of the rotating brush. The length of the surface contact portion in the rotational direction of the rotating brush may be longer than the length of the restricting rib portion in the rotational direction of the rotating brush. The surface contact portion may have a left surface contact portion provided to make surface contact with the left end of the outer circumference of the rotating brush, and a right surface contact portion provided to make surface contact with the right end of the outer circumference of the rotating brush.

[0099] In the above configuration, dust that flows into the suction space due to the suction force of the suction source flows out of the suction space through an outflow passage opened in the rear compartment wall that demarcates the rear end of the suction space. Since this outflow passage opens at the center of the rear compartment wall in the left-right direction, the suction force acting at the center of the rotating brush in the left-right direction is high. On the other hand, the suction force acting at the left and right ends of the rotating brush is weaker. At the left and right ends of the rotating brush where the suction force is weaker, dust is less likely to flow into the outflow passage and is more likely to get tangled in the rotating brush. Therefore, in order to suppress the tanglement of dust at the left and right ends of the rotating brush, the above configuration is provided with a left surface contact portion that makes surface contact with the left end of the outer circumference of the rotating brush, and a right surface contact portion that makes surface contact with the right end of the outer circumference of the rotating brush.

[0100] In the above configuration, the regulating rib portion may include a left regulating rib extending to the right from the left contact portion, and a right regulating rib extending to the left from the right contact portion at a position upstream or downstream of the left regulating rib in the rotational direction of the rotating brush. The right end of the left regulating rib may be located at a position spaced to the left of the right contact portion. The left end of the right regulating rib may be located at a position spaced to the right of the left contact portion. Parts of the left regulating rib and parts of the right regulating rib may overlap each other when viewed in the rotational direction of the rotating brush, and a gap that allows air to pass through may be formed in this overlapping portion.

[0101] In the above configuration, air and dust flowing into the suction space due to the suction force of the suction source flow out of the suction space through the outflow passage, thus generating airflow within the suction space. To allow some of this airflow to pass through, spaces are formed between the right end of the left regulating rib and the right surface contact portion, between the left end of the right regulating rib and the left surface contact portion, and in the portions where the left and right regulating ribs overlap in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush. As a result, the resistance that the regulating ribs exert on the airflow generated in the suction space is reduced. Note that a portion of the left regulating rib extending from the left surface contact portion and a portion of the right regulating rib extending from the right surface contact portion overlap in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush, and these ribs are not separated in the left-right direction. Therefore, dust adhering to the rotating brush can come into contact with one of these ribs and be separated from the rotating brush. In other words, less dust passes through both the left and right regulating ribs while remaining attached to the rotating brush.

[0102] In the above configuration, the regulating rib portion may include a left regulating rib extending to the right from the left contact portion and having its right end at a position spaced to the left of the right contact portion, a right regulating rib extending to the left from the right contact portion and having its left end at a position spaced to the right of the right end of the left regulating rib, and a central regulating rib extending in the left-right direction at a position spaced apart from both the left and right contact portions. The central regulating rib may overlap a portion of the left regulating rib and a portion of the right regulating rib in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush, and gaps that allow air to pass through may be formed in these overlapping portions.

[0103] In the above configuration, spaces are formed between the left and right regulating ribs, between the left end of the central regulating rib and the left surface contact portion, between the right end of the central regulating rib and the right surface contact portion, and in the areas where these ribs overlap when viewed in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush. The airflow generated in the suction space can pass through these spaces, thus reducing the resistance that the regulating ribs exert on the airflow generated in the suction space. The central regulating rib overlaps with a portion of the left regulating rib and a portion of the right regulating rib when viewed in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush, and these overlap without separating in the left-right direction. Therefore, less dust passes through all of the left, right, and central regulating ribs while remaining attached to the rotating brush.

[0104] In the above configuration, the suction nozzle may further include a pair of bearing members that rotatably support the left and right ends of the rotating rod while attached to the nozzle case. The multiple brushes may constitute a brush strip extending on the circumferential surface of the rotating rod such that they contact the left and right contact portions at a slower timing as they move away from the left and right ends of the outer circumference of the rotating brush.

[0105] In the above configuration, the left and right ends of the rotating rod are rotatably supported by a pair of bearing members attached to the nozzle case. If dust adheres to these bearing members, it can cause the bearing members to malfunction. The brush band is configured to suppress the adhesion of dust to the bearing members.

[0106] In other words, dust adhering to the brush strip near the left end of the rotating brush comes into contact with the left side contact area relatively quickly and tends to accumulate at the upstream end of the left side contact area, which is the upstream end in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush. Since the right side of the contact area between the brush strip and the left side contact area has not yet come into contact with each other, the dust accumulated at the upstream end of the left side contact area is easily pushed to the right. That is, this dust can be pushed away from the bearing member connected to the left end of the rotating rod. Similarly, dust accumulated at the upstream end of the right side contact area can be pushed away from the bearing member connected to the right end of the rotating rod.

[0107] In the above configuration, the suction nozzle may further include a pair of bearing members that rotatably support the left and right ends of the rotating rod while attached to the nozzle case. The upstream end, which is the upstream end in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush at the left contact surface, may be inclined with respect to the axial direction of the rotating brush so as the rotating brush rotates, it pushes the dust accumulated at the upstream end to the right. The upstream end, which is the upstream end in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush at the right contact surface, may be inclined with respect to the axial direction of the rotating brush so as to push the dust accumulated at the upstream end to the left.

[0108] In the above configuration, the upstream ends of the left and right contact surfaces are inclined with respect to the axial direction of the rotating brush in order to suppress the adhesion of dust to the pair of bearing members supporting the left and right ends of the rotating rod. That is, dust scraped from the rotating brush adheres to these upstream ends, but the upstream end of the left contact surface is inclined to the right as the rotating brush rotates, pushing the dust attached to this upstream end to the right. Similarly, the upstream end of the right contact surface is inclined to the left as the rotating brush rotates, pushing the dust attached to this upstream end to the left. Due to the inclination of these upstream ends, the dust attached to these upstream ends moves away from the left and right bearing members as the rotating brush rotates, thereby suppressing the adhesion of dust to these bearing members and, consequently, preventing malfunctions in the rotation of the bearing members caused by this adhesion.

[0109] In the above configuration, the suction nozzle may further include a bearing member that rotatably supports the left end of the rotating rod when attached to the nozzle case, and a guide rib protruding from the left contact surface to guide dust that has entered between the outer circumference of the rotating brush and the left contact surface to the opposite side from the bearing member as the rotating brush rotates.

[0110] In the above configuration, the suction nozzle may further include a bearing member that rotatably supports the right end of the rotating rod when attached to the nozzle case, and a guide rib protruding from the right contact surface to guide dust that has entered between the outer circumference of the rotating brush and the right contact surface to the opposite side from the bearing member as the rotating brush rotates.

[0111] In the above configuration, even if fine dust enters the space between the left contact surface and the outer circumference of the rotating brush, and between the right contact surface and the outer circumference of the rotating brush, it is guided away from the bearing member by the guide ribs protruding from the left and right contact surfaces. As a result, the adhesion of dust to these bearing members, and consequently, the resulting malfunction of the bearing members, is suppressed.

[0112] In the above configuration, the suction nozzle may further include a pair of bearing members that rotatably support the left and right ends of the rotating rod while attached to the nozzle case. Each bearing member may have a mating portion that abuts against the end face of the rotating rod and has a larger diameter than the end face of the rotating rod, and a ring portion that protrudes from the mating portion to close the joint between the mating portion and the end face of the rotating rod, and into which the left and right ends of the rotating rod are fitted.

[0113] Longer dust particles are more likely to get tangled if they have a smaller diameter. In the above configuration, the abutting portion of the bearing member that comes into contact with the end face of the rotating rod of the rotating brush has a larger diameter than the end face of the rotating rod, in order to prevent dust from getting tangled on the bearing member side.

[0114] When a butt joint structure is used to connect the bearing member to the end face of the rotating rod, it is anticipated that long pieces of dust may enter the joint between the butt joint and the end face of the rotating rod. To prevent dust from entering this joint, a ring portion protruding from the butt joint seals the joint. Furthermore, the end of the rotating rod is fitted into the ring portion, thereby connecting the rotating brush to the bearing member.

[0115] In the above configuration, a notch may be formed in the ring portion. Some of the multiple brushes may protrude from the circumferential surface of the rotating rod through the notch.

[0116] In the above configuration, notches are formed in the ring portion so that parts of the multiple brushes can protrude from the left and right ends of the rotating rod.

[0117] In the above configuration, the nozzle case may have a rear compartment wall that demarcates the rear end of the suction space. The rear compartment wall may have an outlet passage opening at the central position in the left-right direction that allows air and dust to flow out of the suction space. The depth to which the regulating rib portion bites into the left and right ends of the rotating brush may be greater than the depth to which the regulating rib portion bites into the central portion between the left and right ends of the rotating brush.

[0118] In the above configuration, dust that flows into the suction space due to the suction force of the suction source flows out of the suction space through an outflow passage opened in the rear compartment wall that demarcates the rear end of the suction space. Since this outflow passage opens at the center of the rear compartment wall in the left-right direction, the suction force acting on the center of the rotating brush in the left-right direction is high. On the other hand, the suction force acting on the left and right ends of the rotating brush is weaker. At the left and right ends of the rotating brush where the suction force is weaker, dust is less likely to flow into the outflow passage and is more likely to get tangled in the rotating brush. To suppress dust entanglement at the left and right ends of the rotating brush, in the above configuration, the depth of the entanglement restricting part that bites into the left and right ends of the rotating brush is greater than the depth of the entanglement restricting part that bites into the central part between the left and right ends of the rotating brush.

[0119] In the above configuration, the nozzle case may have an outflow passage that allows air and dust to flow out of the suction space due to the suction force of the suction source. The regulating rib section may include a left regulating rib extending to the right from the left end of the suction space, and a right regulating rib extending to the left from the right end of the suction space at a position upstream or downstream of the left regulating rib in the rotational direction of the rotating brush. The right end of the left regulating rib may be located at a position spaced to the left from the right end of the suction space. The left end of the right regulating rib may be located at a position spaced to the right from the left end of the suction space. Parts of the left regulating rib and parts of the right regulating rib may overlap each other when viewed in the rotational direction of the rotating brush, and a gap that allows air to pass through may be formed in this overlapping portion.

[0120] In the configuration described above, air and dust drawn into the suction space by the suction force of the suction source flow out of the suction space through the outlet passage, thus generating airflow within the suction space. To allow a portion of this airflow to pass through, spaces are formed to the right of the right end of the left regulating rib, to the left of the left end of the right regulating rib, and in the areas where the left and right regulating ribs overlap in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush. As a result, the resistance exerted by the regulating ribs on the airflow generated in the suction space is reduced. Note that a portion of the left regulating rib and a portion of the right regulating rib overlap in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush, and these ribs are not separated in the left-right direction. Therefore, less dust passes through both the left and right regulating ribs while remaining attached to the rotating brush.

[0121] In the above configuration, the nozzle case may have an outlet passage that allows air and dust to flow out of the suction space due to the suction force of the suction source. The regulating rib section may include a left regulating rib that extends to the right from the left end of the suction space and has its right end located at a position spaced to the left from the right end of the suction space, a right regulating rib that extends to the left from the right end of the suction space and has its left end located at a position spaced to the right from the right end of the left regulating rib, and a central regulating rib that extends in the left-right direction at a position spaced apart from both the left and right ends of the suction space. The central regulating rib may overlap with a part of the left regulating rib and a part of the right regulating rib when viewed in the rotational direction of the rotating brush, and gaps that allow air to pass through may be formed in these overlapping portions.

[0122] In the configuration described above, spaces are formed between the left and right regulating ribs, to the left of the left end of the central regulating rib, to the right of the central regulating rib, and in the areas where these ribs overlap when viewed in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush. The airflow generated in the suction space can pass through these spaces, thus reducing the resistance that the regulating ribs exert on the airflow generated in the suction space. The central regulating rib overlaps with a portion of the left regulating rib and a portion of the right regulating rib when viewed in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush, and these ribs are not separated in the left-right direction. Therefore, less dust passes through all of the left, right, and central regulating ribs while remaining attached to the rotating brush.

[0123] The vacuum cleaner according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment comprises a suction source that generates a suction force for sucking up dust, and the suction nozzle described above. [Industrial applicability]

[0124] The suction nozzle and vacuum cleaner of the above-described embodiment are suitably used in devices used for cleaning work. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0125] 100··········vacuum cleaner 111...Suction source 130···········Suction nozzle 132············Nozzle Case 133············Intake space 134... Outflow path 135···········Rear partition wall 141············Rotating brush 142············Drive unit 143············Rotating rod 144············Brush band 160···········Bearing component 161············Brush bristles 162············Bearing component 165···········Butt joint 166············Ring section 169············Notch 180············Wrap-around regulation section 181·············Surface sound section 182············Regulatory rib section 183...Left side contact part 184...Right side contact part 185... Upstream end 188,189········Guidance Rib 191············Left regulatory rib 192············Right regulating rib 193············Central Regulatory Lib

Claims

1. A suction nozzle attached to a vacuum cleaner having a suction source that generates suction force to suck up dust, A nozzle case that forms a suction space that opens downward so that dust on the floor surface flows in due to the suction force of the aforementioned suction source, A drive unit that generates rotational force, A rotating brush extends horizontally within the aforementioned suction space and rotates by the rotational force of the drive unit to scrape up dust from the floor surface, The rotating brush is equipped with a winding restriction unit that restricts dust from wrapping around it, The winding restricting portion has a restricting rib portion that extends in the axial direction of the rotating brush and bites into the outer circumference of the rotating brush, so as to hold dust back on the upstream side of the winding restricting portion in the rotational direction of the rotating brush.

2. The nozzle case has an outlet passage that allows air and dust to flow out from the suction space. The aforementioned rotating brush is A rotating rod that extends in the left-right direction and is rotationally driven by the drive unit, It has a plurality of brush bristles that protrude from the circumferential surface of the rotating rod and constitute the outer periphery of the rotating brush, and which are elastically deformed upon contact with the winding restricting portion. The winding restricting portion has a surface contact portion that is provided to make surface contact with the outer circumference of the rotating brush, The length of the surface contact portion in the rotational direction of the rotating brush is longer than the length of the regulating rib portion in the rotational direction of the rotating brush. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the surface contact portion is formed at a position further away from the outflow passage than the regulating rib portion.

3. The suction nozzle according to claim 2, wherein the length of the surface contact portion in the axial direction of the rotating brush is shorter than the length of the regulating rib portion in the axial direction of the rotating brush.

4. The nozzle case has a rear partition wall that demarcates the rear end of the suction space, The rear partition wall has an outlet passage opening at the central position in the left-right direction, which allows air and dust to flow out from the intake space. The aforementioned rotating brush is A rotating rod that extends in the left-right direction and is rotationally driven by the drive unit, It has a plurality of brush bristles that protrude from the circumferential surface of the rotating rod and constitute the outer periphery of the rotating brush, and which are elastically deformed upon contact with the winding restricting portion. The winding restricting portion has a surface contact portion that is provided to make surface contact with the outer circumference of the rotating brush, The length of the surface contact portion in the rotational direction of the rotating brush is longer than the length of the regulating rib portion in the rotational direction of the rotating brush. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the surface contact portion comprises a left surface contact portion provided to make surface contact with the left end of the outer circumference of the rotating brush, and a right surface contact portion provided to make surface contact with the right end of the outer circumference of the rotating brush.

5. The aforementioned restrictive rib portion is A left regulating rib extending to the right from the aforementioned left surface contact portion, The rotating brush includes a right regulating rib that extends to the left from the right surface contact portion at a position upstream or downstream of the left regulating rib in the rotational direction of the rotating brush, The right end of the left regulating rib is provided at a position spaced to the left of the right surface contact portion. The left end of the right regulating rib is provided at a position spaced to the right of the left surface contact portion. The suction nozzle according to claim 4, wherein a portion of the left regulating rib and a portion of the right regulating rib overlap each other when viewed in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush, and a gap is formed in the overlapping portion that allows air to pass through.

6. The aforementioned restrictive rib portion is A left regulating rib extends to the right from the left contact portion and has its right end at a position spaced to the left from the right contact portion, A right regulating rib extends to the left from the right surface contact portion and has its left end at a position spaced to the right from the right end of the left regulating rib, It has a central regulating rib that extends in the left-right direction at a position spaced apart from both the left-side contact portion and the right-side contact portion, The suction nozzle according to claim 4, wherein the central regulating rib overlaps with a part of the left regulating rib and a part of the right regulating rib when viewed in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush, and gaps that allow air to pass through are formed in these overlapping portions.

7. The nozzle case is further equipped with a pair of bearing members that rotatably support the left and right ends of the rotating rod, The suction nozzle according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of brushes constitute a brush strip extending on the circumferential surface of the rotating rod such that they contact the left side contact portion and the right side contact portion at a slower timing as they move away from the left end and the right end of the outer circumference of the rotating brush.

8. The nozzle case is further equipped with a pair of bearing members that rotatably support the left and right ends of the rotating rod, The upstream end of the left contact portion, which is the upstream end in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush, is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the rotating brush so as the rotating brush rotates, it pushes the dust accumulated at the upstream end toward the right. The suction nozzle according to claim 4, wherein the upstream end of the right-side contact portion, which is the upstream end in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush, is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the rotating brush so as the rotating brush rotates, it pushes the dust accumulated at the upstream end to the left.

9. A bearing member that rotatably supports the left end of the rotating rod while attached to the nozzle case, The suction nozzle according to claim 4, further comprising: a guide rib protruding from the left side contact portion so as to guide dust that has entered between the outer circumference of the rotating brush and the left side contact portion toward the opposite side from the bearing member as the rotating brush rotates.

10. A bearing member that rotatably supports the right end of the rotating rod while attached to the nozzle case, The suction nozzle according to claim 4, further comprising: a guide rib protruding from the right-side contact portion so as to guide dust that has entered between the outer circumference of the rotating brush and the right-side contact portion toward the opposite side from the bearing member as the rotating brush rotates.

11. The nozzle case is further equipped with a pair of bearing members that rotatably support the left and right ends of the rotating rod, Each bearing component is A butt portion is abutted against the end face of the rotating rod and has a larger diameter than the end face of the rotating rod, The suction nozzle according to claim 4, further comprising a ring portion that protrudes from the abutment portion so as to close the joint between the abutment portion and the end face of the rotating rod, and into which the left end and the right end of the rotating rod are fitted.

12. The ring portion has a notch formed in it. The suction nozzle according to claim 11, wherein some of the multiple brushes protrude from the circumferential surface of the rotating rod through the notch.

13. The nozzle case has a rear partition wall that demarcates the rear end of the suction space, The rear partition wall has an outlet passage opening at the central position in the left-right direction, which allows air and dust to flow out from the intake space. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the regulating rib portion in contact with the left end and right end of the rotating brush is greater than the depth of the regulating rib portion in contact with the central portion between the left end and the right end of the rotating brush.

14. The nozzle case is provided with an outlet passage that allows air and dust to flow out of the suction space due to the suction force of the suction source. The aforementioned restrictive rib portion is A left regulating rib extending to the right from the left end of the aforementioned suction space, The rotating brush includes a right regulating rib that extends to the left from the right end of the suction space at a position upstream or downstream of the left regulating rib in the rotational direction of the rotating brush, The right end of the left regulating rib is provided at a position spaced to the left of the right end of the suction space. The left end of the right regulating rib is provided at a position spaced to the right of the left end of the suction space. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the left regulating rib and a portion of the right regulating rib overlap each other when viewed in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush, and a gap is formed in this overlapping portion that allows air to pass through.

15. The nozzle case is provided with an outlet passage that allows air and dust to flow out of the suction space due to the suction force of the suction source. The aforementioned restrictive rib portion is A left regulating rib extends to the right from the left end of the suction space and has its right end located at a position spaced to the left from the right end of the suction space, A right regulating rib extends to the left from the right end of the suction space and has its left end at a position spaced to the right from the right end of the left regulating rib, It has a central regulating rib that extends in the left-right direction at a position spaced apart from both the left and right ends of the suction space, The suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the central regulating rib overlaps with a part of the left regulating rib and a part of the right regulating rib when viewed in the direction of rotation of the rotating brush, and gaps that allow air to pass through are formed in these overlapping portions.

16. A suction source that generates suction force to suck up dust, A vacuum cleaner comprising a suction nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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