Suction attachments and electric vacuum cleaners

Abstract

The objective was to create a suction device and a vacuum cleaner capable of improving the rotational stability of the rotating brush. [Solution] The suction device 100 comprises a rotating brush 160 having a rotatable cylindrical holder 170, a drive unit 180 having an electric motor 182 disposed within the holder 170 and serving as a drive source for the rotating brush 160, and an electric motor housing 184 housing the electric motor 182, a shaft support unit 200 supporting the output shaft 182a of the electric motor 182, and a rotating support unit 190 that transmits the driving force of the electric motor 182 to the holder 170, wherein the electric motor housing 184 is in contact with at least a part of the outer circumference of the rotating support unit 190.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, there is provided a suction tool having an electric motor in a brush holder of a rotary brush having a cylindrical brush holder. In the suction tool disclosed in Patent Document 1, the output shaft is supported by a bearing support portion of the brush holder via a cushioning material fitted to the output shaft of the electric motor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when configured as disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, if the connection accuracy between the output shaft and the bearing support portion is low, play in the bearing support portion in the radial direction occurs, and there is concern about a decrease in the rotational stability of the brush holder associated therewith.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a suction tool and a vacuum cleaner capable of improving the rotational stability of a rotary brush.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The suction device of the present invention, provided to solve the above-mentioned problems, comprises a rotating brush having a rotatable cylindrical holder, a drive unit having an electric motor disposed within the holder and serving as a driving source for the rotating brush, and an electric motor housing housing the electric motor, a shaft support unit supporting the output shaft of the electric motor, and a rotation support unit transmitting the driving force of the electric motor to the holder, wherein the electric motor housing is in contact with at least a portion of the outer circumference of the rotation support unit.

[0007] The suction device of the present invention houses the drive unit inside the holder that constitutes the rotating brush, supports the output shaft of the electric motor that forms the drive unit with a shaft support, and transmits the driving force of the electric motor to the holder via a rotating support. Furthermore, in the suction device of the present invention, the electric motor housing abuts with at least a portion of the outer circumference of the rotating support, thereby suppressing rattle in the radial direction of the rotating brush between the rotating support and the rotating brush. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a suction device that can improve the rotational stability of the rotating brush.

[0008] Furthermore, the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention is characterized by being equipped with the suction device of the present invention described above.

[0009] Because the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is equipped with the suction device of the present invention, the rotational stability of the rotating brush can be improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a suction device and a vacuum cleaner that solve the above-mentioned problems can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an electric vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the main body of the vacuum cleaner shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the suction attachment of an electric vacuum cleaner. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the suction device as viewed in a plane aligned with the horizontal. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the suction device from the side. [Figure 6] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the suction device from an oblique side view. [Figure 7] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the suction device as seen from the cleaning surface side. [Figure 8] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the suction device in a plane aligned with the horizontal surface near the external communication opening. [Figure 9] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rotating cleaning body of the suction device, as seen from one side in the axial direction. [Figure 10] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rotating cleaning body of the suction device, showing it from the opposite side of the axial direction compared to Figure 9. [Figure 11] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rotating cleaning body of the suction device, taken from a plane aligned with the axial direction. [Figure 12] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the rotating cleaning body of the suction device. [Figure 13] (a) is a perspective view showing the rotating support part from one side in the axial direction, (b) is a perspective view showing the rotating support part from the opposite side in the axial direction from (a), (c) is a front view showing the rotating support part, and (d) is a side view showing the rotating support part. [Figure 14] (a) is a perspective view showing the shaft support from one side in the axial direction, (b) is a perspective view showing the shaft support from the opposite side in the axial direction from (a), (c) is a front view showing the shaft support, and (d) is a side view showing the shaft support. [Figure 15] This is a cross-sectional view of the rotating brush according to this embodiment, showing the state at the point where the shaft support fitting portion of the rotating support portion and the fitted portion of the shaft support portion are connected by fitting. [Figure 16](a) is a perspective view showing the rotation holding part as viewed from one side in the axial direction, (b) is a perspective view showing the rotation holding part as viewed from the opposite side in the axial direction to (a), (c) is a front view showing the rotation holding part, and (d) is a side view showing the rotation holding part. [Figure 17] In the rotary cleaning body included in the suction tool of FIG. 4, it is an exploded perspective view showing a rotary support part connected to one side in the axial direction with respect to the drive part, and a motor holding part, a guide part, and a fixture connected to the other side in the axial direction.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, the suction tool 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention and the vacuum cleaner 1 including the same will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, after schematically explaining the overall configuration of the vacuum cleaner 1, the main parts will be described in more detail. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationships such as the vertical direction, the width direction, and the front-rear direction are described based on the state in which the vacuum cleaner 1 is erected as shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] ≪Regarding the overall configuration of the vacuum cleaner 1≫ As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 is a cleaner having a stick-shaped (vertical) appearance. The vacuum cleaner 1 can be, for example, a rechargeable one or one that obtains power from an external power source via a power cord. As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 includes a cleaner body 10, a dust collection part 50 (dust collection device), a suction tool 100, a tube part (extension tube) 150, and the like. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 is placed on the stand 5 and is in an erected state.

[0014] The cleaner body 10 forms the main body of the vacuum cleaner 1 and is a part that exhibits the function of generating suction force for dust collection. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the cleaner body 10 incorporates an electric blower 14 for sucking air to generate an air flow, a battery 18, a control board part 20, and other components inside a main body case 12 that forms a housing. Further, the cleaner body 10 includes a handle part 16.

[0015] The electric blower 14 generates suction power in the vacuum cleaner 1. The electric blower 14 is located on the rear side (back side) of the vacuum cleaner body 10, above the dust collection unit 50, which will be described later. The battery 18 stores the power necessary to operate the electric blower 14 and the like. The battery 18 is located on the rear side (back side) of the vacuum cleaner body 10, above the electric blower 14. As a result, the vacuum cleaner body 10 is arranged so that the electric blower 14 and the battery 18 are aligned vertically.

[0016] The handle portion 16 is a part provided for the user of the vacuum cleaner 1 to grip the vacuum cleaner body 10. That is, the vacuum cleaner 1 is configured so that the user can grip the vacuum cleaner body 10 by, for example, putting their fingers (excluding their thumb) through the opening formed by the handle portion 16. The handle portion 16 is provided on the front side of the vacuum cleaner body 10 relative to the electric blower 14 and battery 18. One end of the handle portion 16, specifically the part on one side in the vertical direction (the axial direction of the vacuum cleaner 1) (the lower side in the illustrated example), is positioned so as not to overlap with the electric blower 14 when the vacuum cleaner body 10 (vacuum cleaner 1) is viewed from the front. In other words, the opening formed by the handle portion 16 is located above the electric blower 14 in the vertical direction and is positioned to overlap with the battery 18.

[0017] The control board 20 is for controlling the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1. The control board 20 can be placed in various parts of the vacuum cleaner body 10, but in this embodiment, it is placed in front of the electric blower 14. The control board 20 is also placed below the handle 16.

[0018] The dust collection unit 50 is the part that collects dust and debris sucked up by the vacuum cleaner 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the dust collection unit 50 is provided so as to be continuous with the vacuum cleaner body 10. The dust collection unit 50 is a so-called cyclone-type dust collector. That is, the dust collection unit 50 is designed to collect dust in the process of introducing air from the dust collection unit inlet 52b provided in the outer cylinder 52, forming a swirling airflow within the outer cylinder 52, and then discharging the air. The dust collection unit 50 can employ a so-called single-stage or multi-stage separation system, but in this embodiment, a single-stage separation system is employed.

[0019] The dust collection unit 50 has an outer cylinder 52 (dust cup) and a structure 54, with a dust collection space 56 formed between them. The dust collection space 56 is formed between the outer cylinder 52 and the structure 54 and is provided to create a swirling airflow for dust collection. The dust collection unit 50 is detachably attached to the vacuum cleaner body 10 at a position below the electric blower 14.

[0020] The outer cylinder 52 is a container for accumulating dust inside, and has a dust collection inlet 52b on its circumferential surface on one side (upper side) in the axial direction (up and down direction). The dust collection inlet 52b is the part that serves as an inlet for introducing air sucked in from the suction port 38y provided on the vacuum cleaner body 10 into the dust collection space 56 in the tangential direction of the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 52.

[0021] The structure 54 is a component positioned inside the outer cylinder 52. The structure 54 is a component that constitutes a dust collection space 56 through which air flows between it and the outer cylinder 52. The structure 54 is positioned so that its axial center is approximately the same as that of the outer cylinder 52. The structure 54 has a tapered portion 70 formed such that its outer shape becomes smaller from one side (upper side in Figure 2) to the other side (lower side in Figure 2) in the axial direction. The structure 54 also has a first inner cylinder 60 (inner cylinder) and a one-sided cylindrical portion 64, as well as a connecting body 62.

[0022] The tapered portion 70 has the function of forming the dust collection space 56, as well as the function of a dust collection space exhaust section 80 for exhausting from the dust collection space 56. The tapered portion 70 is formed so that its outer shape becomes smaller as it moves from one side in the axial direction (upper side in Figure 2) to the other side (lower side in Figure 2). The tapered portion 70 is formed in the shape of a frustocone, and the outer surface is formed so that it slopes linearly toward the axis as it moves from one side in the axial direction to the other side. The tapered portion 70 also has the function of exhausting from the dust collection space 56 to the outside of the outer cylinder 52, and thus also functions as a dust collection space exhaust section 80. The extension portion 72 is formed inside the dust collection space 56 so as to be spaced apart from the bottom portion 52c of the outer cylinder on one side in the axial direction, and the extension portion 72 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the closing portion 70a.

[0023] The connector 62 functions as an airflow outlet 67 for releasing air to the outside of the dust collection unit 50. The connector 62 is also provided with a filter 94. The filter 94 is for capturing dust contained in the air discharged through the connector 62. The filter 94 is a mesh-like structure with numerous fine holes. While the filter 94 may be made of any material, such as resin, in this embodiment it is made of metal.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the pipe section 150 is a cylindrical member that detachably connects the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the suction attachment 100. One end of the pipe section 150 is shaped to be inserted into the suction port 38y provided on the vacuum cleaner body 10, and the other end is shaped to be connected to the suction attachment 100. By connecting the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the suction attachment 100 via the pipe section 150, a series of connected paths (air passages) from the suction attachment 100 to the vacuum cleaner body 10 can be formed.

[0025] The suction attachment 100 is connected directly to the suction port 38y of the vacuum cleaner body 10, which serves as the suction source, or indirectly via the pipe section 150. The suction attachment 100 has a suction port 103 and a joint section 104. The suction port 103 opens toward the bottom. The joint section 104 is also connectable to either the suction port 38y or the pipe section 150.

[0026] The electric vacuum cleaner 1 is generally configured as described above. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 is said to have a distinctive structure in the dust collection unit 50 and the suction attachment 100. The suction attachment 100 will be described in more detail below.

[0027] ≪About the suction nozzle 100≫

[0028] The suction device 100 is for taking in dust from the outside, and is capable of drawing in air and dust from the outside by the suction force of the electric blower 14. The suction device 100 has a casing 110 and a joint 104. The suction device 100 also has a rotating brush 160 housed inside the casing 110. As shown in Figure 4, a control board 125 is located inside the casing 110 behind the rotating brush 160, and the control board 125 is electrically connected to the drive unit 180 and the operating unit provided on the handle unit 16. The control board 125 is configured to operate or stop the drive unit 180 in response to operations on the operating unit.

[0029] The casing 110 is the part that is placed on the floor or other object to be cleaned during cleaning, and has a shape that is elongated in the left-right direction relative to the front-back direction, which is the direction in which the user moves during cleaning. The bottom surface of the casing 110 is the cleaning surface 112 that faces the object to be cleaned. In addition, as shown in Figures 5 to 8, the casing 110 is provided with a suction space 120 and a lower component 140.

[0030] The suction space 120 is composed of a hollow space formed inside the casing 110. The suction space 120 communicates with the joint 104 via a communication opening 122. Therefore, the suction space 120 communicates with the pipe 150 or the vacuum cleaner body 10 via the communication opening 122 and the joint 104. The communication opening 122 is located on the rear side (back side) of the casing 110. More specifically, the communication opening 122 is located behind the lower component 140, which will be described in detail later. Also, as shown in Figure 6, a communication section 131 is provided between the communication opening 122 and the joint 104. The communication section 131 is provided with a communication section inclined surface 123 that is continuous with the lower component 140. Preferably, the communication section inclined surface 123 is an inclined surface that rises from front to rear with a gradient equal to or less than that of the lower inclined surface 142, which will be described later.

[0031] The suction space 120 is divided into a first space 126 and a second space 128 by a partition wall 124 that extends in the width direction of the casing 110. The first space 126 and the second space 128 are connected to each other via a space communication section 130 provided below the partition wall 124. The partition wall 124 extends in the direction of the rotation center C of the rotating brush 160 so as to connect to an inclined wall 132, which will be described later. In addition, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, comb teeth 111 may be provided on the front side of the partition wall 124 to contact the rotating brush 160 and remove dust adhering to the rotating brush 160.

[0032] The first space 126 is a space formed in front of the partition wall 124. The first space 126 is a space that accommodates the rotating brush 160, which will be described in detail later.

[0033] The second space 128 is a space formed behind the partition wall 124. As shown in Figure 8, the portion of the second space 128 that faces the lower inclined surface 142 of the lower component 140, which will be described in detail later, has an inclined wall 132. The inclined wall 132 is a wall surface that slopes upward from both ends in the axial direction of the rotating brush 160 toward the center.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, etc., the partition wall 124 described above is provided so as to extend from a position above the rotation center C of the rotating brush 160 housed in the first space 126 (corresponding to the holding shaft portion 214 which will be described in detail later) (the top surface of the casing 110) toward the bottom. The lower end of the partition wall 124 does not reach the bottom surface of the casing 110. As a result, a space connecting portion 130 is formed that connects the first space 126 and the second space 128 as described above. The lower end of the partition wall 124 is located above the lower component portion 140 which will be described in detail later. Preferably, the partition wall 124 extends below the rotation center C of the rotating brush 160, and extends above the opening surface of the bottom opening 114 which will be described later, or above the lower end of the rotating brush 160.

[0035] The casing 110 has a bottom opening 114 on its bottom side. The bottom opening 114 is wider in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 5, if we take a virtual plane A drawn perpendicularly from the partition wall 124 to the width direction of the casing 110 as the reference, the front side of the virtual plane A can be defined as the first bottom opening 114a, and the rear side of the virtual plane A can be defined as the second bottom opening 114b. The first bottom opening 114a is the part that opens the bottom side of the first space 126 described above. The second bottom opening 114b is the part that opens the bottom side of the second space 128 (excluding the lower component 140), and its front-rear range is from the virtual plane A to the communication opening 122. The width of the first bottom opening 114a in the front-rear direction is greater than the radial length of the rotating brush 160, while the width of the second bottom opening 114b in the front-rear direction is smaller than the radial length of the rotating brush 160. Specifically, the opening width (width in the front-to-back direction) of the second bottom opening 114b is set to be between 3 mm and 20 mm in size.

[0036] The lower component 140 is provided at the bottom of the casing 110, extending in the width direction of the casing 110. The lower component 140 is located in front of the aforementioned communication opening 122 and behind the spatial communication section 130. At the bottom surface of the casing 110, the width of the gap formed between the partition wall 124 and the lower component 140 is smaller than the width of the second bottom opening 114b in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the width of the gap formed between the partition wall 124 and the lower component 140 (width between virtual surface A and the lower component 140) is set to 3 mm or more and 15 mm or less. The lower component 140 has a triangular cross-sectional shape and has an upper lower inclined surface 142 that slopes upward from front to rear. The bottom surface 144 of the lower component 140 is the part that forms the cleaning surface 112 of the casing 110. The bottom surface 144 is provided with a napped surface or a sealing surface.

[0037] The rotating brush 160 is housed in the first space 126 described above and is a component that is rotatably supported with the output shaft, which is aligned in the left-right direction of the casing 110, as the rotation center C. The rotating brush 160 has a cylindrical holder 170 and is rotatable in the first space 126 by receiving power output from a drive unit 180 housed inside the holder 170. Therefore, the rotating brush 160 is a power-source-integrated type, with the drive unit 180 that serves as the power source built into it. In addition to the drive unit 180, the rotating brush 160 is assembled to the holder 170 with components such as a rotation support part 190, a shaft support part 200, a rotation holding part 210, a cover part 220, a motor holding part 230, a guide part 240, and an end member 250. The rotating brush 160 has a rotating support section 190, a shaft support section 200, and a rotating holding section 210 on one side in the axial direction with respect to the drive section 180, and a motor holding section 230, a guide section 240, and an end member 250 on the other side.

[0038] The holder 170 is made up of a cylindrical body, with a brush mounting portion 172 on its outer circumference and a cleaning body 174 attached to the brush mounting portion 172. The brush mounting portion 172 can be, for example, provided substantially linearly in the axial direction of the holder 170, but in this embodiment it is provided in a spiral shape around the outer circumference of the holder 170, centered on the axial position of the holder 170. The brush mounting portion 172 is rail-shaped (concave), and is capable of holding the brush that makes up the cleaning body 174 by clamping it in a state where it protrudes radially outward from the brush mounting portion 172. Multiple brush mounting portions 172 and cleaning bodies 174 are provided in the circumferential direction of the holder 170.

[0039] The drive unit 180 is the power source for the rotating brush 160 and is located inside the holder 170. As shown in Figures 11 and 17, the drive unit 180 comprises an electric motor 182 and an electric motor housing 184.

[0040] The electric motor 182 is the driving source for the rotating brush and is composed of an electric motor. More specifically, the electric motor 182 is composed of a DC brushless motor. The electric motor 182 has a roughly cylindrical external shape. The output shaft 182a of the electric motor 182 is positioned to protrude toward one side (the right side in the illustrated example) in the axial direction of the rotating brush 160.

[0041] The motor housing 184 is for housing the motor 182. The motor housing 184 is cylindrical in shape so as to accommodate the motor 182 with almost no gaps. The motor housing 184 is in contact with at least a portion of the outer circumference of the rotating support portion 190, which will be described in detail later. Also, as shown in Figure 17, the motor housing 184 has a fixing piece 186 used to fix the rotating support portion 190 on one side in the axial direction (the side where the output shaft 182a protrudes). The fixing piece 186 is a piece-shaped object formed to protrude radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the motor housing 184. Multiple fixing pieces 186 (three in this embodiment) are provided in the circumferential direction of the motor housing 184. The fixing piece 186 is provided with a fixing device mounting hole 186a for receiving a fixing device 185 used to fix the rotating support portion 190.

[0042] The rotating support portion 190 is a component for transmitting the driving force output from the electric motor 182, which constitutes the drive unit 180, to the holder 170. As shown in Figures 4, 11, 17, etc., the rotating support portion 190 is provided adjacent to the drive unit 180 on one side in the axial direction (the side where the output shaft 182a protrudes). As shown in Figures 11 and 13, the rotating support portion 190 has a central cylindrical portion 192 at the axial center, and a circumferential support portion 194, a shaft support portion fitting portion 196, and a fixing device mounting hole 198 are provided around its circumference.

[0043] The central cylindrical portion 192 is a cylindrical part that extends in the axial direction of the rotation support portion 190 at the axial center position of the rotation support portion 190. The central cylindrical portion 192 is provided with an insertion hole 192a on one side of the rotation support portion 190 in the axial direction (the side connected to the drive unit 180) into which the output shaft 182a of the electric motor 182 can be inserted. The central cylindrical portion 192 is also provided with a plurality of axially extending slits 192b at positions around the insertion hole 192a on one side of the axial direction (the side connected to the drive unit 180).

[0044] The circumferential support portion 194 is curved in an arc shape so as to follow the inner circumferential surface of the holder 170, the motor housing 184, and the shaft support portion 200. Multiple circumferential support portions 194 (three in this embodiment) are provided in the circumferential direction of the rotation support portion 190. A shaft support portion fitting portion 196 is provided between adjacent circumferential support portions 194, 194.

[0045] The shaft support fitting portion 196 is the part that fits with the shaft support portion 200 when connecting the rotation support portion 190 and the shaft support portion 200 in the axial direction. By fitting the rotation support portion 190 and the shaft support portion 200 at the shaft support fitting portion 196, the rotation support portion 190 and the shaft support portion 200 can be connected so that they can rotate integrally in the circumferential direction.

[0046] The fixing device mounting hole 198 is located in the shaft support fitting portion 196 at a position on one side in the axial direction (the side connected to the drive unit 180). The fixing device mounting hole 198 is located at a position corresponding to the fixing device mounting hole 186a provided in the motor housing 184 of the drive unit 180 described above. As a result, the rotation support portion 190 can be fixed in an axially connected state to the drive unit 180 by attaching a fixing device 185, consisting of screws, bolts, etc., across the fixing device mounting holes 186a and 198, when the fixing device mounting hole 198 and the fixing device mounting hole 186a are aligned. In other words, the motor housing 184 and the rotation support portion 190 rotate as the motor 182 rotates.

[0047] The shaft support portion 200 supports the output shaft 182a of the electric motor 182. The shaft support portion 200 can be formed integrally with the holder 170, or it can be a separate component fixed to the holder 170. In this embodiment, the shaft support portion 200 is formed integrally with the holder 170 at the axial intermediate portion of the holder 170. The shaft support portion 200 includes a holder connection portion 202, a shaft portion 204, a fitting portion 205, a cylindrical portion 206, and a rotation holding portion fixing portion 208, etc.

[0048] As shown in Figures 4 and 11, the holder connection portion 202 is the part that connects to the holder 170. As shown in Figures 11 and 14, the holder connection portion 202 has an annular outer shape and is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the holder 170 at its circumference. In this embodiment, the shaft support portion 200, including the holder connection portion 202, is connected to the holder 170 by forming the holder connection portion 202 integrally with the holder 170.

[0049] The shaft portion 204 is into which the output shaft 182a of the electric motor 182 is inserted. The shaft portion 204 is provided to extend in a direction that intersects (approximately perpendicular in this embodiment) the holder connection portion 202 while passing through the center of the holder connection portion 202. In this embodiment, the shaft portion 204 is connected to the holder connection portion 202 by a plurality of shaft support pieces 202b that extend radially inward from the inner periphery of the hole 202a, while passing through the hole 202a provided in the center of the holder connection portion 202. The shaft portion 204 has a shaft insertion portion 204a on one side in the axial direction. The shaft insertion portion 204a is composed of a hole or recess (a recess in this embodiment) provided at the axial center position, and is designed to allow insertion and connection of the output shaft 182a. The other side of the shaft portion 204 in the axial direction is connected to a rotation holding portion 210, which will be described in detail later.

[0050] The mating portion 205 is the part of the rotating support portion 190 that is mated and connected to the shaft support portion mating portion 196. The mating portion 205 is provided according to the shape and arrangement of the shaft support portion mating portion 196 described above. Specifically, since the shaft support portion mating portion 196 is formed in a concave shape in the circumferential direction on the circumference of the rotating support portion 190 (three in this embodiment), the mating portion 205 is formed in a convex shape in the circumferential direction on the circumference of the shaft support portion 200 (three in this embodiment). As shown in Figures 11 and 15, when the rotating support portion 190 and the shaft support portion 200 are connected (engaged) in the axial direction, the mating portion 205 is mated and connected to the shaft support portion mating portion 196, thereby enabling the rotating support portion 190 and the shaft support portion 200 to be connected (engaged) integrally in the circumferential direction. As described later, when the holder 170 is removed from the casing 110, the engagement between the fitted portion 205 and the shaft support fitting portion 196 is released.

[0051] The cylindrical portion 206 is a cylindrical part formed to protrude toward the opposite side of the shaft insertion portion 204a (the side connected to the rotation holding portion 210), with the holder connection portion 202 as the boundary. The cylindrical portion 206 is connected to the holder connection portion 202 on the outer circumference side of the hole 202a provided in the holder connection portion 202 and the shaft portion 204. The amount of protrusion toward the side connected to the rotation holding portion 210 (length in the axial direction) relative to the holder connection portion 202 is greater for the shaft portion 204 than for the cylindrical portion 206.

[0052] The rotating holder fixing portion 208 is used to fix the rotating holder 210 to the shaft support portion 200. Similar to the cylindrical portion 206, the rotating holder fixing portion 208 is formed to protrude toward the opposite side of the shaft insertion portion 204a (the side connected to the rotating holder 210), with the holder connection portion 202 as the boundary. Furthermore, the rotating holder fixing portion 208 is provided further radially outward (outer circumference) than the cylindrical portion 206 and protrudes in the axial direction. The rotating holder fixing portion 208 is provided with screw holes for attaching fasteners such as bolts and screws for fixing the rotating holder 210 to the shaft support portion 200.

[0053] As shown in Figures 4 and 11, the rotating holding portion 210 is a member connected to the shaft support portion 200 in the axial direction of the rotating brush 160. As shown in Figures 11 and 14, the rotating holding portion 210 has a holding cylinder portion 212, a holding shaft portion 214, and a bearing 216. The holding cylinder portion 212 is a member formed in a cylindrical shape. The holding shaft portion 214 is an axial portion formed at the axial center position of the holding cylinder portion 212 so as to extend in the axial direction of the holding cylinder portion 212. The holding shaft portion 214 is connected to the holding cylinder portion 212 by a plurality of holding shaft support pieces 214a extending radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the holding cylinder portion 212. The holding shaft portion 214 has a shaft insertion portion 214b on one side in the axial direction (the side connected to the shaft support portion 200). The shaft insertion portion 214b is composed of a hole or recess (a recess in this embodiment) provided at the axial center position, and the shaft portion 204 of the shaft support portion 200 can be inserted and connected to it. The rotation holding portion 210 is detachably connected to the cover portion 220, which will be described in detail later, via a bearing 216 on the other side in the axial direction.

[0054] As shown in Figures 4 and 12, the lid portion 220 is a component provided at a position adjacent to the rotation holding portion 210 in the axial direction when the rotating brush 160 is assembled to the casing 110 of the suction device 100. As shown in Figure 7, when attaching the lid portion 202 to the casing 110, the projection of the lid portion 220 is fitted into the hole portion 113 and the claw portion 221 of the lid portion 220 is inserted into the recess of the casing 110, causing the claw portion 221 to engage with the recess. When removing the lid portion 202 from the casing 110, the claw portion 221 of the lid portion 220 is bent to extend the claw portion 221 out of the recess of the casing 110 and the projection of the lid portion 220 is extended out of the hole portion 113 of the casing 110, thereby releasing the engagement. This allows the side of the casing 110 to be opened and closed. Furthermore, on one side of the casing 110 in the left-right direction, a sealing portion or a napped portion 112b is provided between the lid portion 220 (bottom portion having claw portions 221) and the suction port 103. On the other side of the casing 110 in the left-right direction, a sealing portion and a napped portion 112a are provided. The lid portion 220 has a holder receiving portion 222 into which the holder 170 can be inserted and removed, and a bearing receiving portion 224 into which the bearing 216 can be received. When attaching or detaching the lid portion 220 to the casing 110, the holder 170 can be inserted into and removed from the holder receiving portion 222, thereby opening and closing the opening at the end of the holder 170. In addition, the lid portion 220 can rotatably support the rotation holding portion 210 (holder 170) by mounting the bearing 216 in the bearing receiving portion 224. Furthermore, an annular brush 171 is provided at the end of the holder 170. The brush 171 has smaller external dimensions than the cleaning body 174, and is designed to have a density equal to or less than that of the cleaning body 74. This prevents the bristles from moving towards the end member 250 and becoming entangled, which can cause rotational problems.

[0055] As shown in Figures 4, 11, and 17, the motor holder 230 holds (supports) the motor 182 on the rotating brush 160 on the opposite side in the axial direction from the aforementioned rotating support portion 190, shaft support portion 200, and rotating holder portion 210. As shown in Figures 11 and 17, the motor holder 230 comprises a holder 232 and a rotating member 234.

[0056] The holder 232 has a first cylindrical holder portion 232a that is cylindrical in the axial direction and a second cylindrical holder portion 232b that is cylindrical and has a smaller diameter than the holder 232. The first cylindrical holder portion 232a is a cylindrical part formed so that the end of the electric motor 182 can be inserted into it. The first cylindrical holder portion 232a is fixed to the electric motor 182 by fasteners such as screws and bolts. The second cylindrical holder portion 232b is a part that supports the rotating member 234, which is made up of bearings, by inserting it through it.

[0057] The rotating member 234 is inserted into the holder 170 while being supported by the second holding cylinder portion 232b of the holder 232 described above. This allows the rotating member 234 to rotatably support the holder 170. An annular sealing member (rubber part) that contacts the inner surface of the holder 170 may be provided on the outer circumference of the rotating member 234 to prevent slippage.

[0058] As shown in Figures 11 and 17, the guide portion 240 is a plate-shaped member having an annular appearance. The guide portion 240 has a guide hole 242 on its central side through which the second retaining cylinder portion 232b of the holder 232 can be inserted. The guide portion 240 is positioned adjacent to the rotating member 234 by inserting the second retaining cylinder portion 232b through the guide hole 242. As a result, the guide portion 240 supports the rotating member 234 in the axial direction of the rotating brush 160 between itself and the holder 232 of the motor holder 230. That is, the rotating member 234 is supported on one side in the axial direction by the stepped portion formed between the first retaining cylinder portion 232a and the second retaining cylinder portion 232b of the holder 232 of the motor holder 230 described above, while the other side in the axial direction is supported by the guide portion 240.

[0059] As shown in Figures 4, 11, and 17, the end member 250 is a member attached to the end of the rotating brush 160 opposite to the rotating support portion 190, etc. Specifically, the end member 250 is attached to the end of the rotating brush 160 by fixing it to the second retaining cylinder portion 232b in the motor holding portion 230 using fasteners 252 such as bolts and screws. In this way, the end member 250 supports the guide portion 240 from the axial direction. The end member 250 is positioned adjacent to the air intake port 116 provided on the side surface of the casing 110.

[0060] Regarding the effects and benefits: The following describes the effects obtained by the suction device 100 described above and the electric vacuum cleaner 1 equipped therewith.

[0061] (1-1) The suction device 100 of this embodiment comprises a rotating brush 160 having a rotatable cylindrical holder 170, a drive unit 180 having an electric motor 182 disposed within the holder 170 and serving as a drive source for the rotating brush 160, and an electric motor housing 184 housing the electric motor 182, a shaft support unit 200 supporting the output shaft 182a of the electric motor 182, and a rotating support unit 190 that transmits the driving force of the electric motor 182 to the holder 170, wherein the electric motor housing 184 is in contact with at least a part of the outer circumference of the rotating support unit 190.

[0062] In this embodiment, the suction device 100 houses the drive unit 180 inside the holder 170 that constitutes the rotating brush 160, supports the output shaft 182a of the electric motor 182 that forms the drive unit 180 with a shaft support part 200, and transmits the driving force of the electric motor 182 to the holder 170 via a rotation support part 190. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the suction device 100 can suppress rattle in the radial direction of the rotating brush 160 by having the electric motor housing 184 abut against at least a part of the outer circumference of the rotation support part 190. Therefore, the suction device 100 has high rotational stability of the rotating brush 160.

[0063] (1-2) As described above, the suction device 100 of this embodiment is preferably characterized in that the rotating support portion 190 is fixed to the electric motor 182 and the electric motor housing 184.

[0064] The suction device 100 of this embodiment, with this configuration, can transmit the driving force of the electric motor 182 to the holder 170 more reliably by the rotation support part 190, while suppressing rattle in the radial direction of the rotating brush 160 between the electric motor housing 184 and the rotation support part 190.

[0065] (1-3) In the above-described (1-1) or (1-2), the suction device 100 of this embodiment is characterized in that it includes a motor holding portion 230 that supports the motor 182 on the opposite side from the rotating support portion 190 in the axial direction of the rotating brush 160 with respect to the motor 182, and the motor holding portion 230 is inserted inside the holder 170 and includes a rotating member 234 that rotatably supports the holder 170.

[0066] In this embodiment, the suction tool 100 is configured to support the motor 182 in the region opposite to the rotation support portion 190, via the motor holding portion 230 and the rotating member 234, relative to the holder 170, thereby suppressing radial play. As a result, the suction tool 100 can further improve the rotational stability of the rotating brush 160.

[0067] (1-4) In the above-described (1-3), the suction device 100 of this embodiment is preferably characterized by comprising a guide portion 240 that supports the rotating member 234 in the axial direction of the rotating brush 160 between itself and the motor holding portion 230, and an end member 250 that supports the guide portion 240 from the axial direction and is fixed to the motor holding portion 230.

[0068] By having this configuration, the suction tool 100 of this embodiment can prevent the rotating member 234 from shifting position or tilting in the axial direction of the rotating brush 160 between the guide portion 240 and the end member 250 and the motor holding portion 230. As a result, the suction tool 100 of this embodiment can firmly support the rotating member 234 and further improve the rotational stability of the rotating brush 160.

[0069] (1-5) In the above-described (1-1) to (1-4), the suction device 100 of this embodiment comprises a lid portion 220 that can open and close an opening provided at the end of the holder 170 by inserting and removing the holder 170, and a rotating holding portion 210 that is fixed to the shaft support portion 200 in the axial direction of the rotating brush 160, wherein the holder 170 and the shaft support portion 200 are integrally formed, or the shaft support portion 200 is formed separately from the holder 170 and fixed to the holder 170, and the lid portion 220 is characterized in that it rotatably supports the rotating holding portion 210.

[0070] In this embodiment, the suction device 100, with this configuration, can utilize the lid portion 220 to stably and rotatably support the shaft support portion 200 and the rotation holding portion 210 connected to the holder 170. As a result, the suction device 100 of this embodiment can further improve the rotational stability of the rotating brush 160.

[0071] (1-6) The suction device 100 illustrated in this embodiment has the configuration described in (1-5) above, but in (1-1) to (1-4), the suction device 100 may have a lid portion 220 that can open and close an opening provided at the end of the holder 170 by inserting and removing the holder 170, and the holder 170 and the shaft support portion 200 may be integrally formed, or the shaft support portion 200 may be formed separately from the holder 170 and fixed to the holder 170, and the lid portion 220 may rotatably support the shaft support portion 200.

[0072] In this embodiment, the suction tool 100, by having this configuration, can stably and rotatably support the shaft support portion 200 connected to the holder 170 by utilizing the lid portion 220. As a result, the suction tool 100 of this embodiment can further improve the rotational stability of the rotating brush 160. Furthermore, by having the suction tool 100 configured as in (1-6), the number of parts can be reduced and the axial size reduced compared to the configuration as in (1-5) because it does not have a rotating holding portion 210.

[0073] (1-7) In the above-mentioned (1-1) to (1-6), the suction device 100 of this embodiment is characterized in that the rotating support portion 190 has an insertion hole 192a into which the output shaft 182a is inserted.

[0074] In this embodiment, the suction device 100 can be configured such that the output shaft 182a can be inserted into the insertion hole 192a provided in the central cylindrical portion 192, thereby connecting the rotating support portion 190 and the electric motor 182 in a power transmission manner. As a result, the suction device 100 can reliably transmit power from the electric motor 182 to the rotating support portion 190.

[0075] (1-8) In the above-mentioned (1-1) to (1-6), in the suction device 100 of this embodiment, the shaft support portion 200 has a shaft insertion portion 204a into which the output shaft 182a is inserted, and the rotation support portion 190 has an insertion hole 192a into which the shaft insertion portion 204a is inserted.

[0076] In this embodiment, the suction device 100 can be configured such that the output shaft 182a can be inserted into the insertion hole 192a and the shaft insertion portion 204a, thereby connecting the electric motor 182 to the rotation support portion 190 and the shaft support portion 200 in a way that enables power transmission. As a result, the suction device 100 can reliably transmit power from the electric motor 182 to the rotation support portion 190 and the shaft support portion 200.

[0077] (1-9) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 of this embodiment is characterized by being equipped with the suction attachment 100 described in (1-1) to (1-8) above.

[0078] In this embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 can suppress rattle in the radial direction of the rotating brush 160 by the rotating support part 190 in the suction attachment 100. As a result, the vacuum cleaner 1 can have high rotational stability of the rotating brush 160.

[0079] Herein, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-107574, the prior art provides a suction device that communicates with a vacuum cleaner body, comprising a rotatable rotating brush, a first space in which the rotating brush is housed, and a second space having a communication opening that communicates with the vacuum cleaner body and provided alongside the first space.

[0080] While the conventional suction devices described above can improve the suction performance of the second space, they have problems such as difficulty in sucking up granular, powdery, or solid dust.

[0081] Therefore, the present invention aims to realize a suction device and a vacuum cleaner that can improve the ease of collecting dust.

[0082] (2-1) The suction device 100 of this embodiment, provided to solve the above-mentioned problems, is a suction device 100 that communicates with a suction source, and comprises a rotating brush 160 that can be rotated by the driving force of a drive unit 180, and a suction space 120 having a bottom opening 114 on the bottom side and communicating with the suction source via a communication opening 122, and comprising a plurality of spaces including a first space 126 in front of the partition wall 124 and a second space 128 behind the partition wall 124 via a partition wall 124 arranged inside, and rising from front to rear The device comprises a lower component 140 having an upper lower inclined surface 142 that forms a slope, a rotating brush 160 arranged in a first space 126, the first space 126 and the second space 128 communicating with each other via a space communication section 130 provided below the partition wall 124, an inclined wall 132 provided in the second space 128 at a position opposite to the lower inclined surface 142 of the lower component 140, and the inclined wall 132 is characterized in that it slopes upward from both ends in the axial direction of the rotating brush 160 toward the center.

[0083] In the suction device 100 of this embodiment, an inclined wall 132 is provided in a second space 128 located behind the partition wall 124 in the suction space 120, at a position opposite to the slope of the lower component 140. The inclined wall 132 is inclined upward from both ends in the axial direction of the rotating brush 160 toward the center, and is positioned opposite to a lower inclined surface 142 provided in the lower component 140 that slopes upward from front to rear. Furthermore, the rotating brush 160 is arranged in a first space 126 located in front of the second space 128 and the lower component 140 of the suction device 100. In the suction device 100 of this embodiment, due to this configuration, dust collected toward the second space 128 and the lower component 140 by the driving of the rotating brush 160 is taken into the second space 128 along the lower inclined surface 142 of the lower component 140, and the dust taken into the second space 128 gathers in the direction from both ends in the axial direction of the rotating brush 160 toward the center, making it easier for it to move smoothly toward the communication opening 122. Therefore, the suction device 100 of this embodiment makes it easy to take in dust collected by the rotating brush 160 toward the communication opening 122. Note that the suction device 100 of (2-1) is not limited to a configuration in which the drive unit 180 is built into the rotating brush 160, but may also include a configuration in which the drive unit 180 is provided in the casing 110 outside the rotating brush 160.

[0084] (2-2) As described above, the suction device 100 of this embodiment is preferably characterized in that a connecting inclined surface 123 is provided on the rear side of the lower inclined surface 142, which has an upward slope from front to rear.

[0085] The suction device 100 of this embodiment, with this configuration, can scoop up dust along the lower inclined surface 142 of the lower component 140 and smoothly transport the dust downstream from the lower inclined surface 142.

[0086] (2-3) In the above-described (2-1) or (2-2), the suction device 100 of this embodiment is characterized in that it has a cleaning surface 112 at its bottom that faces the object to be cleaned, and that a napped portion or a sealing portion is provided in the portion of the lower component 140 that forms the cleaning surface 112.

[0087] In this embodiment, the suction device 100, with this configuration, has a gap created between the portion of the lower component 140 that forms the cleaning surface 112 and the object to be cleaned, such as the floor surface, by the napped portion or the sealing portion. This prevents airflow from being generated in the gap and reduces the suction power. As a result, the suction device 100 can more easily draw dust towards the communication opening 122.

[0088] (2-4) In the above-described (2-1) to (2-3), the suction device 100 of this embodiment is preferably characterized in that the communication opening 122 is located on the rear side relative to the lower component 140.

[0089] With this configuration, the suction device 100 of this embodiment can scoop up dust along the lower inclined surface 142 of the lower component 140 in front of the communication opening 122 and smoothly suck it towards the communication opening 122.

[0090] (2-5) In the above-mentioned (2-1) to (2-4), the suction device 100 of this embodiment is characterized in that the partition wall 124 extends from above the rotation center of the rotating brush 160 toward the bottom, and the lower end of the partition wall 124 is located above the lower component 140.

[0091] By having this configuration, the suction device 100 of this embodiment can more reliably draw dust scraped by the rotating brush 160 into the second space 128 and suck it towards the communication opening 122.

[0092] (2-6) In the above-described (2-1) to (2-5), the suction device 100 of this embodiment is characterized in that the bottom opening 114 includes a first bottom opening 114a that opens on the bottom side of the first space 126 and a second bottom opening 114b that opens on the bottom side of the second space 128, and the first bottom opening 114a has a larger opening width in the front-rear direction than the second bottom opening 114b.

[0093] By having this configuration, the suction device 100 of this embodiment can increase the suction force generated in the second space 128 compared to the case where the opening width of the first bottom opening 114a in the front-rear direction is smaller than the opening width of the second bottom opening 114b in the front-rear direction. As a result, the suction device 100 can more easily draw in the dust collected by the rotating brush 160 toward the communication opening 122.

[0094] (2-7) In (2-6) described above, the suction device 100 of this embodiment is preferably the one described in claim 6, characterized in that the width of the second bottom opening 114b in the front-rear direction is smaller than the radial length of the rotating brush 160.

[0095] By configuring the suction device 100 in this embodiment, the suction force generated in the second space 128 can be increased compared to the case where the width of the second bottom opening 114b in the front-rear direction is greater than or equal to the radial length of the rotating brush 160. As a result, the suction device 100 can more easily draw in the dust and debris collected by the rotating brush 160 toward the communication opening 122.

[0096] (2-8) As described above, the suction device 100 of this embodiment is preferably characterized in that the width of the second bottom opening 114b in the front-rear direction is 3 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

[0097] The suction device 100 of this embodiment, with this configuration, can exert a high suction force on dust while suppressing the dust from getting caught on the partition wall 124 and the lower component 140, allowing for smooth suction. Therefore, the suction device 100 of this embodiment, with the above-described configuration, can further improve the ease of dust collection.

[0098] (2-9) In (2-6) described above, it is preferable that the width of the gap formed between the partition wall 124 and the lower component 140 when viewed from the bottom surface 144 of the suction device 100 of this embodiment is smaller than the width of the second bottom opening 114b in the front-rear direction.

[0099] In this embodiment, the suction device 100, with this configuration, can exert a higher suction force on dust because the width of the gap formed between the partition wall 124 and the lower component 140, as viewed from the bottom surface 144, is smaller than the width of the second bottom opening 114b in the front-to-back direction. As a result, the suction device 100 of this embodiment, with the above-described configuration, can further improve the ease with which dust can be collected.

[0100] (2-10) In the above-mentioned (2-6) or (2-9), the suction device 100 of this embodiment is preferably such that the width of the gap formed between the partition wall 124 and the lower component 140 as seen from the bottom surface 144 is 3 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

[0101] The suction device 100 of this embodiment, with this configuration, can apply a high suction force to dust while smoothly sucking it up without the dust getting caught in the gap formed between the partition wall 124 and the lower component 140. Therefore, the suction device 100 of this embodiment, with the above-described configuration, can further improve the ease of dust collection.

[0102] (2-11) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 of this embodiment is characterized by being equipped with the suction device 100 described above.

[0103] By having this configuration, the vacuum cleaner 1 of this embodiment can easily draw in the dust and debris collected by the rotating brush 160 in the suction attachment 100 towards the communication opening 122.

[0104] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and other embodiments may exist in the spirit and teachings thereof, without departing from the scope of the claims. The components of the embodiments described above may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Furthermore, any component of the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the means for solving the invention, or any component that embodies any component described in the means for solving the invention. We intend to obtain rights for these as well in amendments or divisional applications of this application. [Industrial applicability]

[0105] The present invention can be suitably used in all types of electric vacuum cleaners, including vertical, canister, and robotic vacuum cleaners. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0106] 1: Electric vacuum cleaner 100: Suction device 112:Cleaning surface 114: Bottom opening 114a: First bottom opening 114b: Second bottom opening 120: Suction space (space) 122:Communication opening 124: Partition wall 126: First space 128:Second space 130: Space communication part 132: Slanted wall 140: Lower component 142: Lower inclined surface 144: Bottom 160: Rotating brush 170: Holder 180: Drive unit 182: Electric motor 182a: Output shaft 184: Electric motor housing 190: Rotating support part 200: Shaft support part 202a :hole 204a: Shaft insertion section 210: Rotation holding part 220: Lid 230: Motor holding part 234: Rotating member 240: Guide Section 250: End member

Claims

1. A suction device having a casing and a joint, A suction space formed inside the casing and a lower component provided at the bottom of the casing are provided. The suction space is in communication with the joint portion through a communication opening located on the rear side of the casing. The suction space is composed of a first space for housing a rotating brush and a second space communicating with the first space. The casing has a bottom opening on the bottom side, The bottom opening includes a first bottom opening that opens the bottom side of the first space and a second bottom opening that opens the bottom side of the second space. The lower component is positioned on the communication opening side with respect to the second bottom opening and is continuous with the communication portion between the communication opening and the joint portion. The bottom surface of the lower component, together with the bottom surface of the casing, serves as a cleaning surface. The aforementioned lower component has an upper side with a lower inclined surface that slopes upward from front to rear, A suction device characterized in that, in the second space, the portion of the lower component facing the lower inclined surface has an inclined wall that slopes upward from both ends in the axial direction of the rotating brush toward the center.

2. The suction device according to claim 1, characterized in that a connecting inclined surface having an upward slope from front to rear is provided on the rear side of the lower inclined surface.

3. The suction device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a napped portion or a sealing portion is provided in the portion of the lower component that forms the cleaning surface.

4. The suction device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lower component has a triangular cross-sectional shape.

5. The suction device according to claim 2, characterized in that the inclined surface of the communicating portion is an inclined surface that rises from front to back with a gradient equal to or less than that of the lower inclined surface.

6. A vacuum cleaner characterized by comprising the suction device described in claim 1 or 2.

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