vacuum cleaner

Abstract

The goal was to create an electric vacuum cleaner that could switch between cleaning using the suction power of an electric blower and cleaning using the rotation of a rotating brush. [Solution] The electric vacuum cleaner 10 includes an electric blower 22, a dust collection unit 30, a suction port 62, a rotating cleaning body 46 that rotates by the drive of a cleaning body drive unit 48, and an operating unit 28 that can be switched to any of a plurality of modes. The dust collection unit 30 has a first dust collection unit 24 and a second dust collection unit 64 that is located on the side of the suction port 62 that is closer to the first dust collection unit 24 than the first dust collection unit 24 in the path connecting the first dust collection unit 24 and the suction port 62. The plurality of modes include a first cleaning mode in which the cleaning body drive unit 48 is driven with the electric blower 22 stopped, and a second cleaning mode in which both the electric blower 22 and the cleaning body drive unit 48 are driven.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, there is provided a vacuum cleaner including a rotating brush, an electric motor for driving the rotating brush, a transmission device for transmitting the power of the electric motor to the rotating brush, and a dust collection box provided with a dust inlet on a surface facing the rotating brush, and having an opening provided on the lower surface of the rotating brush. When the vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to include the dust collection box together with the rotating brush and the electric motor in the main body and not provided with an electric blower, since no noise is generated by driving the electric blower, it is possible to suppress the noise during cleaning.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when configured not to include an electric blower which is a suction source as in the vacuum cleaner of Patent Document 1 above, there is a problem that it is difficult to take in dust attached to a plush carpet or a carpet into the main body, for example.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a vacuum cleaner capable of selectively using cleaning by suction force of an electric blower and cleaning by rotation of a rotating brush.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides an electric vacuum cleaner comprising: an electric blower that generates suction force; a dust collection unit for collecting dust; a suction port for sucking up dust; a rotating cleaning body that rotates by the drive of a drive unit; and an operating unit that can be switched to any of a plurality of modes, wherein the dust collection unit has a first dust collection unit and a second dust collection unit located on the suction port side of the first dust collection unit in a path connecting the first dust collection unit and the suction port, and the plurality of modes include a first cleaning mode in which the drive unit is driven with the electric blower stopped, and a second cleaning mode in which the electric blower is driven.

[0007] The vacuum cleaner of the present invention, when operated in the first cleaning mode, can be used to rotate the rotating cleaning body and clean without generating any noise from the electric blower by driving the drive unit while the electric blower is stopped. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention has a dust collection unit that includes a second dust collection unit located on the suction port side of the first dust collection unit, in addition to the first dust collection unit. Therefore, when the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is operated in the first cleaning mode, in which no suction force is generated by the electric blower, the dust collected by the rotation of the rotating cleaning body can be collected in the second dust collection unit.

[0008] On the other hand, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can also perform cleaning using the suction power of an electric blower by driving the electric blower in the second cleaning mode. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention has a second dust collection unit on the suction port side relative to the first dust collection unit. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can collect dust and debris that was collected in the second dust collection unit by operation in the first cleaning mode into the first dust collection unit by the suction power of the electric blower in the second cleaning mode.

[0009] As described above, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention has a dust collection unit equipped with a first dust collection unit and a second dust collection unit, and is capable of operating in multiple modes, including a first cleaning mode and a second cleaning mode. As a result, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is capable of switching between cleaning using the suction force of an electric blower and cleaning by the rotation of a rotating brush. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an electric vacuum cleaner that can switch between cleaning using the suction force of an electric blower and cleaning by the rotation of a rotating brush. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing an electric vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the suction attachment of the vacuum cleaner. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the suction device. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the suction device with the top surface of the suction device body removed. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a plan view showing the suction device with the top surface of the suction device body removed. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the suction device. [Figure 7] (a) is a plan view showing the rotating cleaning body of the suction device in Figure 3, and (b) is an exploded view showing the rotating cleaning body in Figure (a). [Figure 8] (a) is a left side view of the rotating cleaning cylinder, and (b) is a right side view of the rotating cleaning cylinder. [Figure 9] (a) is a perspective view of the lid member, and (b) is a right side view of the lid member. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view AA in Figure 2. [Figure 11] This is a plan view showing the suction device in a modified form, with the top surface of the suction device body removed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, an electric vacuum cleaner 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The attached drawings schematically show the various parts of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 and do not necessarily represent the sizes in exact proportions. Also, in the drawings, similar components are indicated by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in this specification, terms indicating positional relationships such as up, down, left, right, front, and back will be described based on the state in which the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is installed in an upright position as shown in Figure 1, unless otherwise specified. In the following description, the configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 will be described, followed by the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 10.

[0013] ≪10 Components of an Electric Vacuum Cleaner≫ As shown in Figure 1, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is an example of a vacuum cleaner having a stick-like (vertical) appearance. The electric vacuum cleaner 10 could, for example, be powered by an external power source via a power cord, but in this embodiment it is a rechargeable vacuum cleaner. As shown in Figure 1, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 comprises a vacuum cleaner body 20 and a suction attachment 40.

[0014] The vacuum cleaner body 20 forms the main body of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 and is the part that exerts suction power and performs the function of collecting dust. Specifically, the vacuum cleaner body 20 comprises a housing (main body part) 20a having an electric blower 22 for generating suction power, and a first dust collection unit 24 for collecting dust contained in the inhaled air. The first dust collection unit 24 may be provided as part of the housing 20a, or it may be provided separately from the housing 20a and detachably. The first dust collection unit 24 captures and collects dust that arrives from the suction tool 40 side. The first dust collection unit 24 may be, for example, a so-called paper bag type or a so-called cyclone type. In addition to the electric blower 22 and the first dust collection unit 24, the vacuum cleaner body 20 includes, for example, a drive circuit for driving the electric blower 22 and other electronic components, a rechargeable battery for supplying power, and other components in the housing 20a.

[0015] In addition, the cleaner main body 20 includes a gripping portion 26 and an operation portion 28 on the handle. The gripping portion 26 is a part provided for the user of the electric cleaner 10 to grip the cleaner main body 20. That is, the electric cleaner 10 can hold the cleaner main body 20, for example, by gripping the gripping portion 26. Further, the operation portion 28 is for operating the electric cleaner 10. The operation portion 28 can be provided, for example, in the vicinity of the gripping portion 26 as shown in FIG. 1 so that the user can operate it while gripping the gripping portion 26.

[0016] Also, the cleaner main body 20 has a suction tool connection portion 22b on the housing 20a. The suction tool connection portion 22b is a part to which the joint portion 44 of the suction tool 40 is connected with respect to the cleaner main body 20. Further, the suction tool connection portion 22b communicates with the first dust collection portion 24. Therefore, by connecting the joint portion 44 of the suction tool 40 to the suction tool connection portion 22b, a path connecting the suction tool 40 side and the first dust collection portion 24 is formed.

[0017] The suction tool 40 is for sucking air and dust from the outside. As shown in FIG. 2, the suction tool 40 includes a suction tool main body 42, a joint portion 44, a rotary cleaning body 46, a cleaning body drive portion 48 (drive portion), a dust removing portion 50, an energization portion 52, and the like.

[0018] The suction tool main body 42 is a part placed on the floor during cleaning and has a shape that is long in the left - right direction with respect to the front - rear direction in which it is operated by the user during cleaning. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the suction tool main body 42 has a rotary cleaning body placement portion 60, a suction port 62, a second dust collection portion 64, a wiring accommodation portion 66, and a partition wall 68. Note that the first dust collection portion 24 and the second dust collection portion 64 constitute the dust collection portion 30.

[0019] The rotating cleaning body placement section 60 is the part where the rotating cleaning body 46 is placed. The rotating cleaning body placement section 60 extends in the left-right direction of the suction tool body 42 and has a hollow space capable of accommodating the rotating cleaning body 46. The rotating cleaning body placement section 60 also has an opening / closing section 65 on one end (the right end in the illustrated example) in the longitudinal direction of the suction tool body 42. As shown in Figure 6, the rotating cleaning body placement section 60 can be opened by opening the locking mechanism 65a provided on the opening / closing section 65, sliding the portion of the suction tool body 42 at one end in the longitudinal direction axially to remove it, and inserting and removing the rotating cleaning body 46. The opening / closing section 65 can be, for example, detachable in the axial direction of the rotating cleaning body placement section 60, or it can be rotated around a rotating shaft located away from the rotating cleaning body placement section 60 to open and close the rotating cleaning body placement section 60. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the opening / closing section 65 is detachable in the axial direction of the rotating cleaning body placement section 60.

[0020] Furthermore, the rotating cleaning body placement section 60 has rotating cleaning body support sections 70 at both the left and right ends of the suction tool body 42. The rotating cleaning body support sections 70 rotatably support the rotating cleaning body 46. The rotating cleaning body support section 70 has a first support section 72 located at one end of the suction tool body 42 in the left and right direction (the left end in the illustrated example) and a second support section 74 located at the other end (the right end in the illustrated example).

[0021] The first support portion 72 is equipped with a bearing 72a attached to the suction tool body 42. As shown in Figure 5, the first support portion 72 can rotatably support the rotating cleaning body 46 by inserting one end of the rotating cleaning body 46 into the first support portion 72 so that the bearing 72a is fitted inside.

[0022] As shown in Figure 6, the second support portion 74 comprises a bearing 74a, a driven shaft 74b, and an internal cylinder portion 74c. The second support portion 74 is provided in the opening / closing portion 65 described above. The bearing 74a is an elastic member having a through hole and is provided on the surface of the opening / closing portion 65 facing the first support portion 72. More specifically, the bearing 74a is inserted into the driven shaft 74 and locked to the driven shaft 74. The driven shaft 74b has its base end rotatably supported by the internal cylinder portion 74c and protrudes toward the first support portion 72. The tip of the driven shaft 74b is provided with a shaft engagement portion 74d formed to engage with a shaft engagement portion 84f provided on the lid member 84 of the rotating cleaning body 46, which will be described in detail later. In this embodiment, the shaft engagement portion 74d is formed to be Y-shaped in a front view. The internal cylinder portion 74c is a cylindrical portion that is inserted into the end of the rotating cleaning body 46. The internal cylinder portion 74c protrudes toward the first support portion 72 on the outer circumference side of the driven shaft 74b, similar to the driven shaft 74b.

[0023] The suction port 62 is an opening on the bottom side of the suction tool body 42 for sucking in dust. In this embodiment, the suction space in which the suction port 62 is formed has a rotating cleaning body placement section 60.

[0024] The second dust collection unit 64 collects dust introduced from the suction port 62 as the rotating cleaning body 46 rotates. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the second dust collection unit 64 is located on the suction port 62 side of the first dust collection unit 24 in the dust passage path connecting the first dust collection unit 24 and the suction port 62. The second dust collection unit 64 may be provided as a separate component from the suction tool body 42, for example, by being detachable from the suction tool body 42, but in this embodiment it is provided as a part of the suction tool body 42. The second dust collection unit 64 is positioned between the rotating cleaning body 46 and the communication unit 45, which will be described later, and the space extends along the axial direction of the rotating cleaning body 46. At least a part of the second dust collection unit 64 is made permeable. In this embodiment, the portion exposed on the top side of the suction tool body 42 is made permeable. Therefore, the presence or absence of dust in the second dust collection unit 64 can be visually confirmed from the outside.

[0025] The second dust collection unit 64 has an intake port 64a and an outlet port 64b. The intake port 64a is provided at the boundary between the second dust collection unit 64 and the rotating cleaning body placement unit 60, and is open to allow dust taken in from the suction port 62 to be received into the second dust collection unit 64. The outlet port 64b is an opening for discharge of dust from the second dust collection unit 64. The outlet port 64b may be provided at any position on the second dust collection unit 64, but in this embodiment it is provided at a position opposite the intake port 64a. The outlet port 64b communicates with the connecting portion 45 that connects the joint portion 44 and the second dust collection unit 64, which will be described in detail later, and is formed at the end of the connecting portion 45.

[0026] The wiring housing section 66 is for housing wiring 67 for supplying power to the cleaning body drive unit 48, which will be described in detail later. As shown in Figure 5, the wiring housing section 66 is configured to allow the wiring 67 to be routed in a position away from the dust passage path. In this embodiment, the wiring housing section 66 is located away from the second dust collection unit 64 on the rear side of the vacuum cleaner 10. Furthermore, the wiring housing section 66 is isolated from the second dust collection unit 64 by a partition wall 68 provided between it and the second dust collection unit 64 to prevent dust from flowing in from the second dust collection unit 64.

[0027] The joint portion 44 is provided on the suction tool body 42 described above, at a position on the rear side of the electric vacuum cleaner 10, so as to communicate with the second dust collection portion 64 via the communication portion 45. The joint portion 44 is rotatably attached to the suction tool body 42 within a predetermined range of rotation (at least one of the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction). The joint portion 44 is the part that connects to the suction tool connection portion 22b of the vacuum cleaner body 20 described above. The joint portion 44 is cylindrical and communicates with the second dust collection portion 64 at its base end.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the rotating cleaning body 46 is a cylindrical member housed in the rotating cleaning body placement section 60 of the suction tool body 42 and rotatably supported by the rotating cleaning body support section 70. The rotating cleaning body 46 is powered by the cleaning body drive section 48, which will be described in detail later, and is rotatable in the rotating cleaning body placement section 60. As shown in Figure 7, the rotating cleaning body 46 comprises a cleaning body body 80, an internal cylinder 82, and a lid member 84.

[0029] The cleaning body 80 is a cylindrical member sized to fit within the rotating cleaning body placement section 60. The cleaning body 80 can be, for example, equipped with brushes or blades on its outer circumference, but in this embodiment, a cleaning member 80a made of a base fabric having multiple cut pile yarns is spirally wound around the outer circumference of the internal cylinder 82 of the cleaning body.

[0030] The cleaning internal cylinder 82 is a cylindrical member inserted inside the cleaning body 80. An inner cylinder side engaging member 86 (see Figure 8(a)) is provided in the longitudinal middle portion of the cleaning internal cylinder 82. The inner cylinder side engaging member 86 is fixed to the cleaning internal cylinder 82 so as not to move in the circumferential and axial directions. The inner cylinder side engaging member 86 is provided with an inner cylinder side engaging portion 86a that engages with the drive unit side engaging portion 48d of the cleaning unit drive unit 48, which will be described in detail later. In this embodiment, the inner cylinder side engaging portion 86a is provided with a cross-shaped recess when viewed from the front. As shown in Figure 7(b), the cleaning internal cylinder 82 has an inner cylinder flange portion 82a that protrudes outward at one longitudinal end (the side supported by the first support portion 72). Also, as shown in Figure 8(b), the cleaning internal cylinder 82 is provided with an inner cylinder engaging portion 82b at the other longitudinal end (the side supported by the second support portion 74). The inner cylinder engagement portion 82b extends in the axial direction of the cleaning inner cylinder 82 and is a projection that protrudes radially inward. Multiple inner cylinder engagement portions 82b are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the cleaning inner cylinder 82.

[0031] As shown in Figure 7(a), the lid member 84 is a member that is attached to the other end in the longitudinal direction (the side supported by the second support portion 74) when the cleaning internal cylinder 82 is inserted inside the cleaning body 80. As shown in Figures 7(b) and 9, the lid member 84 has an insertion portion 84a that is inserted into the other end in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning internal cylinder 82, and a flange portion 84b that bulges outward from the insertion portion 84a. The outer circumference of the insertion portion 84a is provided with a lid engagement portion 84c that engages with the inner cylinder engagement portion 82b of the cleaning internal cylinder 82. The lid engagement portion 84c is a recessed groove that extends in the axial direction and is provided at a position corresponding to the inner cylinder engagement portion 82b. Therefore, by aligning the lid engagement portion 84c with the inner cylinder engagement portion 82b and inserting the insertion portion 84a in the axial direction of the cleaning internal cylinder 82, the lid member 84 can be attached to the cleaning internal cylinder 82 without rotation. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(a), by inserting the lid member 84 until the flange portion 84b abuts against the end of the cleaning body cylinder 82, the cleaning body 80 located on the outer circumference of the cleaning body cylinder 82 can be positioned so as not to shift in the axial direction.

[0032] Furthermore, the insertion portion 84a is designed so that, with the lid member 84 attached to the cleaning internal cylinder 82, the driven shaft 74b, bearing 74a, and inner cylinder portion 74c of the second support portion 74 can be inserted from the side facing outward in the axial direction of the cleaning internal cylinder 82. Specifically, as shown in Figures 9(a) and (b), the insertion portion 84a has a driven shaft insertion portion 84d into which the driven shaft 74b can be inserted at its axial position. The insertion portion 84a also has an annular inner cylinder insertion portion 84e radially outward from the driven shaft insertion portion 84d into which the inner cylinder portion 74c can be inserted. Furthermore, an engaged shaft portion 84f is provided inside the driven shaft insertion portion 84d into which the axial engaging portion 74d of the driven shaft 74b can engage. Therefore, with the lid member 84 attached to the end of the cleaning internal cylinder 82, the driven shaft 74b and the internal cylinder portion 74c of the second support portion 74 can be inserted into the driven shaft insertion portion 84d and the internal cylinder insertion portion 84e, thereby connecting the lid member 84 and the driven shaft 74b so that they can rotate.

[0033] As shown by the arrows in Figure 6, the rotating cleaning body 46 can be rotatably supported with respect to the first support portion 72 by inserting the cleaning body internal cylinder 82 into the cleaning body body 80, so that it abuts against the internal cylinder flange portion 82a as shown in Figures 4 and 5, and by inserting the bearing 72a forming the first support portion 72 inside the cleaning body internal cylinder 82 at the end on the side of the internal cylinder flange portion 82a. Furthermore, as shown by the arrows in Figure 6, the rotating cleaning body 46 can be rotatably supported with respect to the second support portion 74 as shown in Figures 4 and 5 by inserting the bearing 74a, driven shaft 74b, and internal cylinder portion 74c of the second support portion 74 into the driven shaft insertion portion 84d and the internal cylinder insertion portion 84e of the lid member 84 attached to the end of the cleaning body internal cylinder 82.

[0034] The cleaning body drive unit 48 applies a driving force to the rotating cleaning body 46 described above, causing it to rotate. In this embodiment, the cleaning body drive unit 48 is built inside the rotating cleaning body 46. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the cleaning body drive unit 48 is configured by attaching a drive device 48b to a mount 48a provided on the first support portion 72 side. Specifically, the drive device 48b is mounted inside the hollow mount 48a.

[0035] The cleaning body drive unit 48 is sized to fit inside the rotating cleaning body 46 (inner cylinder 82 of the cleaning body). The drive device 48b integrates a motor and a reduction gear. The drive device 48b has an output shaft 48c that can output the rotational power of the motor in a reduced state by the reduction gear. The output shaft 48c is provided with a drive unit side engaging portion 48d that can engage with an inner cylinder side engaging portion 86a provided inside the inner cylinder 82 of the cleaning body. The drive unit side engaging portion 48d protrudes in a direction that intersects (approximately perpendicular in this embodiment) with respect to the axial direction of the output shaft 48c. The cleaning body drive unit 48 can rotate the rotating cleaning body 46 by driving it with the drive unit side engaging portion 48d and the inner cylinder side engaging portion 86a engaged.

[0036] The dust removal section 50 shown in Figure 10 is for removing dust adhering to the rotating cleaning body 46. The dust removal section 50 is provided at the boundary between the rotating cleaning body placement section 60 on which the rotating cleaning body 46 rotates and the second dust collection section 64. The dust removal section 50 extends along the rotating cleaning body 46. Furthermore, the dust removal section 50 is positioned to contact the cleaning member 80a provided on the surface of the rotating cleaning body 46. The dust removal section 50 can have a shape such as a blade, but in this embodiment it has a comb-like shape. The dust removal section 50 is positioned to efficiently scrape dust off the surface of the rotating cleaning body 46 and to scrape the dust towards the second dust collection section 64.

[0037] The energizing section 52 is a terminal electrically connected to the cleaning body drive unit 48 via wiring 67 arranged in the wiring housing section 66. The terminal forming the energizing section 52 is electrically connected to a terminal provided on the vacuum cleaner body 20 by connecting the joint section 44 to the suction attachment connection section 22b of the vacuum cleaner body 20. This allows power to be supplied from the vacuum cleaner body 20 to the cleaning body drive unit 48, enabling the rotating cleaning body 46 to rotate.

[0038] ≪10 Operational Functions of a Vacuum Cleaner≫ The vacuum cleaner 10 is capable of operating in multiple operating modes, including a first cleaning mode and a second cleaning mode. In this embodiment, the operating mode of the vacuum cleaner 10 can be selected by switching operations via the control unit 28.

[0039] The first cleaning mode is an operating mode in which the cleaning body drive unit 48 is driven while the electric blower 22 is stopped. In the first cleaning mode, since the electric blower 22 is stopped, no suction force is generated by the electric blower 22. On the other hand, in the first cleaning mode, the rotating cleaning body 46 rotates to drive the cleaning body drive unit 48 and scrapes up dust from the cleaning surface. In the first cleaning mode, the dust is collected in the second dust collection unit 64 by the rotation of the rotating cleaning body 46. In the first cleaning mode, since no suction force is applied by the electric blower 22, the dust collected in the second dust collection unit 64 remains in the second dust collection unit 64.

[0040] The second cleaning mode is an operating mode that drives the electric blower 22. In the second cleaning mode, the electric blower 22 is driven, and suction force is generated. Also, if dust has accumulated in the second dust collection unit 64 collected by the first cleaning mode before operation in the second cleaning mode, starting operation in the second cleaning mode allows the dust accumulated in the second dust collection unit 64 to be collected into the first dust collection unit 24 by the suction force of the electric blower 22. In addition, the second cleaning mode may also drive the cleaning body drive unit 48 along with the electric blower 22. As a result, the rotating cleaning body 46 rotates when driven by the cleaning body drive unit 48, and the dust collected by the rotating cleaning body 46 is collected in the first dust collection unit 24 by suction force after passing through the second dust collection unit 64. For example, the user can clean in the first cleaning mode at times when they do not want to generate noise (at night or while children are sleeping) and in the second cleaning mode at other times, so cleaning can be done according to the situation.

[0041] ≪Variations≫ The vacuum cleaner 10 described above is merely one example of the present invention, and may also have a configuration such as the one shown below.

[0042] The vacuum cleaner 10 described above allows mode switching via the control unit 28, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the control unit 28, or in addition to the control unit 28, a voice recognition unit that accepts operation via voice recognition may be provided. In such a configuration, it is preferable that the voice recognition unit recognizes a voice indicating one of several modes, and then switches to the recognized mode. With such a configuration, mode switching can be easily performed not only for vacuum cleaners that the user holds in their hand, as in the vacuum cleaner 10 described above, but also for vacuum cleaners that operate without the user touching them, such as so-called robotic vacuum cleaners.

[0043] The vacuum cleaner 10 described above exemplifies a configuration in which the electric blower 22 is stopped in the first cleaning mode and driven in the second cleaning mode, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the first and second cleaning modes, or in addition to the first and second cleaning modes, the present invention may include a first drive mode in which the electric blower 22 is driven by a first parameter, and a second drive mode in which the electric blower 22 is driven by a second parameter greater than the first parameter. In the first and second drive modes, the cleaning body drive unit 48 may be driven together with the electric blower 22. The parameter here may be the rotational speed of the electric blower 22, a value indicating the suction force by the electric blower 22, or a value indicating the negative pressure acting on the suction port 62. The vacuum cleaner 10 may not only control the electric blower 22 by turning it on and off, such as switching between the first and second cleaning modes, but may also change the suction force by adjusting the output of the electric blower 22, such as in the first and second drive modes. With this configuration, the vacuum cleaner 10 can perform cleaning while suppressing noise associated with the operation of the electric blower 22 in the first drive mode, where the electric blower 22 operates at a first parameter (e.g., low rotation speed), while in the second drive mode, where the electric blower 22 operates at a second parameter (e.g., high rotation speed), it can perform cleaning with sufficient suction power from the electric blower 22. For example, if the electric blower 22 is set to operate with the parameter at which dust reaches the second dust collection unit 64 as the first parameter in the first drive mode, and with the parameter at which dust reaches the first dust collection unit 24 as the second parameter in the second drive mode, cleaning can be performed according to the situation.

[0044] The vacuum cleaner 10 described above is an example in which the intake port 64a for receiving dust in the second dust collection section 64 is always open, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the vacuum cleaner 10 may be configured to have an intake port valve body that can be opened and closed at the intake port 64a. By having such a configuration, the vacuum cleaner 10 can suppress the leakage of dust collected in the second dust collection section 64 due to vibration or the like from the second dust collection section 64.

[0045] The vacuum cleaner 10 described above is an example in which the discharge port 64b for discharging dust to the first dust collection unit 24 side in the second dust collection unit 64 is always open, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the vacuum cleaner 10 may be configured to have an openable and closable discharge port valve at the discharge port 64b. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress dust discharged from the second dust collection unit 64 to the first dust collection unit 24 side from returning to the second dust collection unit 64 due to vibration or the like.

[0046] The electric vacuum cleaner 10 described above is an example of a vacuum cleaner having a stick-like appearance, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it can also be a canister-type vacuum cleaner (a vacuum cleaner body comprising a main body and a first dust collection unit, a handle, a suction attachment 40 communicating with the vacuum cleaner body via a hose, and a configuration in which the handle and the suction attachment 40 are connected via an extension tube), or a so-called robotic vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, in cases where the vacuum cleaner body 20 and the suction attachment 40 are not separate components, such as in a self-propelled robotic vacuum cleaner, it is not necessary to have a configuration like the electric vacuum cleaner 10, in which the vacuum cleaner body 20 is provided with a first dust collection unit 24 and the suction attachment 40 is provided with a second dust collection unit 64. The first dust collection unit 24 and the second dust collection unit 64 may be arranged in the same housing or the like. In this case as well, the second dust collection unit 64 is arranged between a communication unit having an outlet 64b at its end that discharges to the first dust collection unit 24 side and a rotating cleaning body 46.

[0047] Furthermore, although the electric vacuum cleaner 10 described above is a vacuum cleaner without an extension tube connecting the vacuum cleaner body 20 and the suction attachment 40, the present invention is not limited thereto. It is also possible to have a vacuum cleaner with an extension tube connecting the vacuum cleaner body 20 and the suction attachment 40. In this case, the electric vacuum cleaner comprises a vacuum cleaner body 20 having a main body 20a with an electric blower 22 for generating suction force and a first dust collection unit 24 for collecting dust, a suction attachment 40, a handle provided on one side of the main body 20a in the first direction, and an extension tube connecting the connection part of the main body 20a and the suction attachment 40. The main body 20a has an extension part extending along the first direction, with a connection part on the other side of the first direction, and the extension part and the first dust collection unit 24 can be arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first dust collection unit 24 is detachable from the main body 20a.

[0048] The electric vacuum cleaner 10 described above has a configuration in which the cleaning body drive unit 48 is located inside the rotating cleaning body 46, but it is not limited to this. The cleaning body drive unit 48 can also be configured such that a drive source such as a motor provided outside the rotating cleaning body 46 is connected to the rotating cleaning body 46 by a power transmission member such as an endless belt, enabling power transmission.

[0049] In the vacuum cleaner 10 described above, the second dust collection section 64 is shown to be formed such that its width is substantially the same at all points from the intake port 64a to the discharge port 64b, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 11, the second dust collection section 64 may be formed such that its width along the axial direction of the rotating cleaning body 48 decreases as it moves from the intake port 64a to the discharge port 64b. With this configuration, when the suction force of the electric blower 22 is applied, dust that has flowed into the second dust collection section 64 can be smoothly sucked from the intake port 64a to the discharge port 64b.

[0050] The vacuum cleaner 10 according to the above-described embodiment and modified example is equipped with the configurations described in (1-1) to (1-7), and is capable of exhibiting the following effects, for example.

[0051] (1-1) The electric vacuum cleaner 10 comprises an electric blower (electric blower 22) that generates suction force, a dust collection unit (dust collection unit 30) that collects dust, a suction port (suction port 62) for sucking up dust, a rotating cleaning body (rotating cleaning body 46) that rotates by the drive of a cleaning body drive unit (cleaning body drive unit 48), and an operating unit (operating unit 28) that can switch to any of a plurality of modes, wherein the dust collection unit has a first dust collection unit (first dust collection unit 24) and a second dust collection unit (second dust collection unit 64) that is located on the suction port side of the path connecting the first dust collection unit and the suction port, and the plurality of modes are characterized in that a first cleaning mode in which the cleaning body drive unit is driven with the electric blower stopped, and a second cleaning mode in which the electric blower is driven.

[0052] By operating the vacuum cleaner 10 in the first cleaning mode, the cleaning body drive unit is driven with the electric blower stopped, allowing the rotating cleaning body to be rotated and cleaned without generating any noise from the electric blower. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 10 is equipped with a dust collection unit that includes a first dust collection unit and a second dust collection unit located on the suction side of the first dust collection unit. Therefore, when the vacuum cleaner 10 is operated in the first cleaning mode, where no suction power is generated by the electric blower, the dust collected by the rotation of the rotating cleaning body can be collected in the second dust collection unit.

[0053] On the other hand, the vacuum cleaner 10 can perform cleaning using the suction power of the electric blower by driving the electric blower in the second cleaning mode. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 10 has a first dust collection unit located away from the suction port (in the suction direction) relative to the second dust collection unit. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 10 can collect the dust that had been collected in the second dust collection unit by operation in the first cleaning mode into the first dust collection unit using the suction power of the electric blower.

[0054] As described above, the vacuum cleaner 10 is equipped with a first dust collection unit and a second dust collection unit, and is capable of operating in multiple modes, including a first cleaning mode and a second cleaning mode. This allows the vacuum cleaner 10 to switch between cleaning using the suction power of an electric blower and cleaning using the rotation of a rotating brush.

[0055] (1-2) The vacuum cleaner 10 is preferably equipped with a voice recognition unit that recognizes voices, either in place of or together with the control unit, and is characterized in that it switches to the recognized mode on the condition that the voice recognition unit recognizes a voice indicating one of a plurality of modes.

[0056] With this configuration, mode switching can be easily performed not only when the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is a type of vacuum cleaner that the user holds in their hand, as in the above embodiment, but also when it is a type of vacuum cleaner that operates (self-propelled) without the user touching it, such as a so-called robotic vacuum cleaner.

[0057] (1-3) The electric vacuum cleaner 10 is equipped with a suction tool body (suction tool body 42) that rotatably supports a rotating cleaning body, and the second dust collection section constitutes a part of the suction tool body, and the part of the second dust collection section that constitutes the suction tool body is characterized in that it is permeable.

[0058] With this configuration, the vacuum cleaner 10 allows the dust collected inside the second dust collection section to be visually inspected through a transparent section in the second dust collection section. As a result, the vacuum cleaner 10 can be used to check the results of cleaning by the rotating cleaning body or to check the amount of dust accumulated in the second dust collection section while cleaning.

[0059] Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 10 may also be configured such that the entire second dust collection section is opaque, making it impossible to see inside. In this configuration, while the dust accumulated in the second dust collection section cannot be seen, the appearance of the second dust collection section can be improved compared to a configuration where the inside of the second dust collection section is visible.

[0060] (1-4) The electric vacuum cleaner 10 is characterized in that it has a suction tool body that rotatably supports a rotating cleaning body, and the second dust collection unit is detachably provided on the suction tool body.

[0061] This configuration makes it easier to perform maintenance on the vacuum cleaner 10, such as removing the second dust collection unit as needed, disposing of the dust collected in the second dust collection unit, or cleaning the second dust collection unit.

[0062] Furthermore, it is also possible to design the vacuum cleaner 10 so that the second dust collection unit cannot be removed from the suction head body. In this configuration, while it becomes impossible to remove the second dust collection unit for maintenance, etc., it is possible to suppress problems such as the vacuum cleaner 10 being used in a state where it has unexpectedly detached from the suction head body.

[0063] (1-5) The vacuum cleaner 10 is preferably characterized by having a dust removal unit (dust removal unit 50) that removes dust adhering to the rotating cleaning body.

[0064] In this configuration, the vacuum cleaner 10 can remove dust adhering to the rotating cleaning body by the dust removal unit during cleaning. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 10 equipped with the dust removal unit can perform cleaning with the rotating cleaning body while maintaining it in a clean state. In addition, it can easily scrape off dust adhering to the rotating cleaning body and accumulate it in the second dust collection unit.

[0065] Furthermore, if the vacuum cleaner 10 has other components for maintaining the cleanliness of the rotating cleaning body, or if there is no need to actively remove dust from the rotating cleaning body, it is possible to omit the dust removal unit. This makes the vacuum cleaner 10 simpler in configuration by omitting the dust removal unit.

[0066] (1-6) The electric vacuum cleaner 10 is preferably characterized in that it has a rotating cleaning body arrangement section (rotating cleaning body arrangement section 60) in which a rotating cleaning body is arranged, and the second dust collection section is in communication with the rotating cleaning body arrangement section.

[0067] The vacuum cleaner 10 employing this configuration can smoothly introduce and collect dust that enters the rotating cleaning body section as the rotating cleaning body rotates into the second dust collection section. (1-7) The electric vacuum cleaner 10 is preferably characterized in that it drives the electric blower and the cleaning body drive unit in the second cleaning mode.

[0068] Here, the vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-134769) has a rotating brush and an electric motor, along with a dust collection box inside the main body, and does not have an electric blower, so it does not generate noise from the drive, making it possible to suppress noise during cleaning. However, such conventional vacuum cleaners do not utilize the suction of an electric blower, so there is a problem in that it is difficult to collect dust and dirt attached to carpets and rugs, for example, into the main body.

[0069] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to realize a vacuum cleaner that can perform cleaning while suppressing the generation of noise caused by the operation of an electric blower.

[0070] To achieve this objective, the vacuum cleaner 10 according to the above-described embodiment and modified example employs the configurations shown in (2-1) to (2-3). As a result, the vacuum cleaner 10 provides the following effects.

[0071] (2-1) The vacuum cleaner 10 comprises an electric blower (electric blower 22) that generates suction force, a dust collection unit (dust collection unit 30) that collects dust, a suction port (suction port 62) for sucking up dust, and an operating unit (operating unit 28) that can be switched to any of a plurality of modes. The dust collection unit has a first dust collection unit (first dust collection unit 24) and a second dust collection unit (second dust collection unit 64) located on the suction port side of the path connecting the first dust collection unit and the suction port. The plurality of modes are characterized by including a first drive mode that drives the electric blower with a first parameter and a second drive mode that drives the electric blower with a second parameter greater than the first parameter.

[0072] In the first drive mode, where the electric blower operates at the first parameter, the vacuum cleaner 10 can perform cleaning while suppressing noise associated with the operation of the electric blower, while in the second drive mode, where the electric blower operates at the second parameter, it can perform cleaning with sufficient suction power from the electric blower. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform cleaning while suppressing the generation of noise caused by the operation of the electric blower.

[0073] (2-2) The electric vacuum cleaner 10 is preferably characterized in that the second dust collection section has an intake port (intake port 64a) for receiving dust sucked in from the suction port, and an intake port valve body that is provided at the intake port so as to be openable and closable.

[0074] In this configuration, the vacuum cleaner 10 can suppress the leakage of dust collected in the second dust collection section due to vibrations, etc.

[0075] Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 10 may be configured without an intake valve at the intake port of the second dust collection section. In this configuration, the vacuum cleaner 10 has a simpler structure due to the absence of the intake valve, and the increase in suction resistance caused by the presence of the intake valve can be suppressed.

[0076] (2-3) The vacuum cleaner 10 is preferably characterized in that the second dust collection unit has an outlet (outlet 64b) for discharging dust to the first dust collection unit side, and an outlet valve body that can be opened and closed at the outlet.

[0077] In this configuration, the vacuum cleaner 10 can suppress dust that has been sucked into the first dust collection unit by vibrations, etc., from returning to the second dust collection unit due to the effects of vibrations, etc.

[0078] Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 10 may be configured without an outlet valve at the outlet of the second dust collection section. In this configuration, the vacuum cleaner 10 has a simpler structure due to the absence of the outlet valve, and the increase in suction resistance caused by the presence of the outlet valve can be suppressed.

[0079] Here, the vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-134769) has a rotating brush and an electric motor, along with a dust collection box inside the main body, and does not have an electric blower, so it does not generate noise due to operation, making it possible to suppress noise during cleaning. However, such conventional vacuum cleaners have the problem that if the size of the dust collection box is increased in order to increase the dust capacity, the overall size of the main body becomes larger, while if the size of the dust collection box is reduced in order to reduce the overall size of the main body, the dust capacity decreases.

[0080] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to improve the dust collection capacity while miniaturizing the vacuum cleaner.

[0081] To achieve this objective, the vacuum cleaner 10 according to the above-described embodiment and modified example employs the configurations shown in (3-1) to (3-4). As a result, the vacuum cleaner 10 provides the following effects.

[0082] (3-1) The electric vacuum cleaner 10 is characterized by comprising a vacuum cleaner body (vacuum cleaner body 20) having a main body (main body 20a) having an electric blower (electric blower 22) that generates suction force and a first dust collection section (first dust collection section 24) where dust is collected, and a suction attachment (suction attachment 40) having a suction port (suction port 62) for sucking up dust and a second dust collection section (second dust collection section 64) where dust is collected.

[0083] The vacuum cleaner 10 can utilize not only the first dust collection section in the main body of the vacuum cleaner, but also the second dust collection section located in the suction attachment to collect dust, resulting in a higher dust collection capacity. Furthermore, because the second dust collection section is located in the suction attachment of the vacuum cleaner 10, it is not necessary to increase the size of the vacuum cleaner 10 in order to ensure a large capacity for the first dust collection section. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 10 can be made compact while still ensuring a sufficient dust collection capacity.

[0084] (3-2) The vacuum cleaner 10 is equipped with a mode switching unit that can switch between multiple modes with different rotation speeds of the electric blower, and the modes preferably include a first drive mode in which the electric blower is driven at a first rotation speed and a second drive mode in which the electric blower is driven at a second rotation speed greater than the first rotation speed.

[0085] In the first drive mode, the vacuum cleaner 10 can perform cleaning by operating the electric blower at a low rotational speed (first rotation speed). This allows the vacuum cleaner 10 to perform cleaning while suppressing the noise associated with the operation of the electric blower in the first drive mode. On the other hand, in the second drive mode, where the electric blower is operated at a high rotational speed (second rotation speed), the vacuum cleaner 10 can perform cleaning with sufficient suction power from the electric blower. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 10 can perform cleaning while suppressing the generation of noise caused by the operation of the electric blower.

[0086] In the configuration described above, the vacuum cleaner 10 operates in a first drive mode and a second drive mode, which involve the operation of the electric blower. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, as shown in the above embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 10 may be configured to operate in a first mode, in which the rotating cleaning body is rotated with the electric blower stopped, and in a second mode, in which the electric blower is driven, in place of or in addition to the operation in the first drive mode and the second drive mode.

[0087] (3-3) The electric vacuum cleaner 10 is preferably characterized in that the second dust collection section has an intake port (intake port 64a) for receiving dust sucked in from the suction port, and an intake port valve body that can be opened and closed at the intake port.

[0088] In this configuration, the vacuum cleaner 10 can suppress the leakage of dust collected in the second dust collection section due to vibrations, etc.

[0089] Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 10 may be configured without an intake valve at the intake port of the second dust collection section. In this configuration, the vacuum cleaner 10 has a simpler structure due to the absence of the intake valve, and the increase in suction resistance caused by the presence of the intake valve can be suppressed.

[0090] (3-4) The vacuum cleaner 10 is preferably characterized in that the second dust collection unit has an outlet (outlet 64b) for discharging dust to the first dust collection unit side, and an outlet valve body that can be opened and closed at the outlet.

[0091] In this configuration, the vacuum cleaner 10 can suppress dust that has been sucked into the first dust collection unit by vibrations, etc., from returning to the second dust collection unit due to the effects of vibrations, etc.

[0092] In the case of the vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-134769), where a dust collection box is installed inside the main body along with the rotating brush and electric motor, dust may adhere to the wiring connected to the electric motor and other equipment, potentially causing unexpected malfunctions, or the wiring may obstruct the rotation of the rotating brush. Therefore, in a vacuum cleaner like the one in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to configure the wiring so that it does not accumulate dust and is routed away from the rotating brush.

[0093] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to enable wiring to be routed in a way that suppresses dust accumulation on the wiring while not hindering the operation of the rotating cleaning body.

[0094] To achieve this objective, the vacuum cleaner 10 according to the above-described embodiment and modified example employs the configuration shown in (4). As a result, the vacuum cleaner 10 provides the following effects.

[0095] (4) The electric vacuum cleaner 10 is characterized by comprising a vacuum cleaner body (vacuum cleaner body 20) having a main body (main body 20a) having an electric blower (electric blower 22) that generates suction force, and a first dust collection section (first dust collection section 24) where dust is collected, and a suction tool (suction tool 40) having a suction port (suction port 62) for sucking up dust, wherein the suction tool is characterized by comprising a cleaning body drive unit (cleaning body drive unit 48) that rotates a rotating cleaning body (rotating cleaning body 46), a second dust collection section (second dust collection section 64) where dust is collected, an energizing unit (energetic unit 52) ​​that is electrically connected to the cleaning body drive unit via wiring (wiring 67), a wiring housing section (wiring housing section 66) for housing the wiring, and a partition wall (partition wall 68) that separates the wiring housing section and the second dust collection section.

[0096] The vacuum cleaner 10 has a second dust collection unit located in the suction attachment, separate from the first dust collection unit in the main body of the vacuum cleaner. The suction attachment also has a wiring housing section isolated from the second dust collection unit by a partition wall, and wiring connecting the cleaning body drive unit and the power supply unit is routed inside this section. Because the vacuum cleaner 10 is configured in this way, it is possible to route the wiring in a way that does not hinder the drive of the rotating cleaning body while suppressing the adhesion of dust collected in the second dust collection unit to the wiring.

[0097] The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiments above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. The components of each embodiment and modified example described above can be arbitrarily selected and combined. Furthermore, any component of each embodiment and modified example can be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the means for solving the invention, the form for carrying out the invention, etc., or any component that embodies any component described in the means for solving the invention, the form for carrying out the invention, etc. The present application or a divisional application based thereon also intends to obtain rights for these as well. [Industrial applicability]

[0098] The present invention can be suitably used in electric blowers and electric vacuum cleaners equipped with electric blowers in general. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0099] 10: Electric vacuum cleaner 20: Vacuum cleaner body 22: Electric blower 24:First dust collection section 28:Operation section 30: Dust collection unit 40: Suction device 42: Suction nozzle body 46: Rotating cleaning unit 48: Cleaning unit drive unit 50:Dust removal section 52: Power supply section 60: Rotating cleaning unit placement section 62: Inlet 64:Second dust collection section 64a: Intake 64b: Outlet 67: Wiring 66: Wiring housing section 68: Partition Wall 70: Rotating cleaning unit support section

Claims

1. A suction device body having a suction port, A rotating cleaning body is rotatably supported on the suction device body, A wiring housing section for housing wiring for supplying power to the cleaning body drive unit that drives the rotating cleaning body, A suction device comprising a second dust collection unit for collecting dust introduced from the aforementioned suction port, The aforementioned wiring housing section allows the wiring to be routed in a position away from the path of dust passage, A suction device characterized in that a partition wall is provided between the wiring housing section and the second dust collection section.

2. The suction device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wiring housing section is provided in a position detached from the second dust collection section on the rear side of the suction device body.

3. The suction device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wiring housing is isolated from the second dust collection unit by the partition wall.

4. The second dust collection unit has an intake port provided at the boundary with the rotating cleaning body arrangement unit, A suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has an outlet that communicates with the joint portion.

5. The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second dust collection section has a space extending along the axial direction of the rotating cleaning body.

6. A vacuum cleaner body and a suction attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, An electric vacuum cleaner comprising a joint that connects the vacuum cleaner body and the suction attachment.

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