Electric cleaning system
The vacuum cleaning system addresses the inefficiency of dust collection from rotary cleaning bodies by using an air guide unit to direct dust to the suction port, improving dust collection efficiency and reducing scattering on the stand.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MIDEA GROUP CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing vacuum cleaning systems struggle to efficiently collect dust cut from the rotary cleaning body of a vacuum cleaner when attached to a stand, as the dust often scatters on the small surface area of the stand and cannot be effectively sucked up by the suction force of the electric blower.
The system includes an electric vacuum cleaner with a suction attachment featuring a rotating cleaning body and suction port, a stand with a support column and base, and an air guide unit that guides dust cut by a cleaning means towards the suction port using airflow generated by an electric blower, ensuring efficient collection in a dust collection unit.
The system effectively collects dust from the rotary cleaning body by guiding it to the suction port, enhancing the efficiency of dust collection and minimizing scattering on the stand surface.
Smart Images

Figure 2026106133000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a vacuum cleaning system including a vacuum cleaner and a stand to which the vacuum cleaner is attached.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, in a vacuum cleaning system in which a vacuum cleaner is attached to a stand for storage after cleaning, filamentous dust such as hair and fibers entangled with a rotary cleaning body of a suction tool provided in the vacuum cleaner is removed by the vacuum cleaner being attached to the stand. In the stored state, it is cut with a blade disposed on a placement portion on which the suction tool is placed, and is collected by a dust collection unit by the suction force of an electric blower built into the vacuum cleaner. In this configuration, the cut dust scatters on the placement portion of the stand. However, since its surface area is small, it is difficult to suck up dust that is in a position where the rotary cleaning body cannot reach by the suction force of the electric blower acting from the suction tool.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaning system that can efficiently suck up dust cut from a rotary cleaning body of a suction tool of a vacuum cleaner attached to a stand.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] The electric cleaning system of this embodiment comprises an electric vacuum cleaner, a stand on which the electric vacuum cleaner is mounted, an electric blower, a dust collection unit that collects dust sucked in by the airflow generated by the electric blower, and an air guide unit. The electric vacuum cleaner has a suction attachment having a rotating cleaning body and a suction port. The stand has a support column that supports the electric vacuum cleaner, a base that supports the support column relative to the installation position, an opposing part that faces the suction attachment of the electric vacuum cleaner mounted on the stand, and a cleaning means arranged in the opposing part that cuts dust adhering to the rotating cleaning body of the suction attachment of the electric vacuum cleaner mounted on the stand. The electric blower generates an airflow for sucking dust from the suction port to the dust collection unit. The air guide unit is located on the opposite side from the suction port with respect to the rotation axis of the rotating cleaning body of the suction attachment of the electric vacuum cleaner mounted on the stand, and guides the dust cut by the cleaning means towards the suction port side with the airflow. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0006] [Figure 1] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of Figure 3 of the electric cleaning system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of Figure 4 of the same electric cleaning system. [Figure 3] This is a central cross-sectional view showing a part of the same electric cleaning system. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the same electric cleaning system at position II in Figure 5. [Figure 5] (a) is a plan view showing a part of the same electric cleaning system, and (b) is a plan view that enlarges a part of (a). [Figure 6] This is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the same electric cleaning system. [Figure 7] This is a plan view showing an example of the suction attachment for the vacuum cleaner in the same electric cleaning system, viewed from below. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing the same electric vacuum cleaner. [Figure 9] A perspective view showing part of the stand for the same electric cleaning system. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing the same electric cleaning system. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the electric cleaning system of the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0007] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0008] In Figures 6 and 10, S represents an electric cleaning system. The electric cleaning system S comprises an electric vacuum cleaner 1 and a stand 2. The electric cleaning system S is configured such that when cleaning, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is removed from the stand 2 and operated, and when cleaning is finished, the stopped electric vacuum cleaner 1 can be attached to the stand 2 for storage.
[0009] The electric vacuum cleaner 1 is equipped with a first power supply unit 10, which is the power supply unit for the vacuum cleaner, and is driven by power supplied from the first power supply unit 10. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 is equipped with a first electric blower 11, which is the electric blower for the vacuum cleaner, and collects dust in a first dust collection unit 12, which is the dust collection unit for the vacuum cleaner, by the suction operation of the first electric blower 11. The operation of the first electric blower 11 is controlled by a first control means, which is the control means for the vacuum cleaner. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 is also equipped with a gripping part 14 that is held by the user during cleaning operations. Furthermore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is equipped with an operation switch 15 for setting the operating operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, and the operating operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is controlled according to the operation of the operation switch 15 by the user.
[0010] The vacuum cleaner 1 shown in Figures 6 and 8 is, for example, a handheld or stick-type vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a main body 16, to which an attachment, a suction tool 17, is connected either directly or via a pipe 18. In the figures, an example is shown where the suction tool 17 is connected to the main body 16 via the pipe 18. The vacuum cleaner 1 is detachable from the stand 2; it is removed from the stand 2 during use and attached to the stand 2 when cleaning is finished or when storing.
[0011] In this embodiment, a cordless electric sweeper with the first power supply unit 10 being a DC power supply unit such as a secondary battery or a battery will be taken as an example, but a cord reel device that obtains power from a commercial power supply may also be used. The first power supply unit 10 is disposed, for example, inside the grip portion 14. However, the first power supply unit 10 may be disposed inside the main body portion 16 of the sweeper, etc., without being limited to this.
[0012] The first electric blower 11 is operable by power supply from the first power supply unit 10. The operation of the first electric blower 11 is controlled by controlling the power supply from the first power supply unit 10 by the first control means.
[0013] The dust separation method of the first dust collection unit 12 may be arbitrary. In the illustrated example, a cyclone separation type or centrifugal separation type dust collection unit that separates dust from air by swirling the dust-containing air is used.
[0014] The first control means preferably uses a microcomputer. The first control means is operable by power supply from the first power supply unit 10. A signal corresponding to an operation from the operation switch 15 by the user is input to the first control means.
[0015] The grip portion 14 is integrally formed with the main body portion 16 of the sweeper. However, depending on the form of the electric sweeper 1, the grip portion 14 may be integrally formed with the pipe body 18.
[0016] The main body 16 of the cleaner is formed in a long shape. A first control means, a first electric blower 11, and a first dust collection part 12 are incorporated in the main body 16 of the cleaner. For example, the first electric blower 11 and the first dust collection part 12 are arranged coaxially or substantially coaxially in the longitudinal direction of the main body 16 of the cleaner. In the main body 16 of the cleaner, a main body suction port 160 communicating with the suction side of the first electric blower 11 via the first dust collection part 12, and a main body exhaust port 161 for exhaust communicating with the exhaust side of the first electric blower 11 are formed. Further, in the present embodiment, a dust discharge port 162 communicating with the first dust collection part 12 is formed in the main body 16 of the cleaner. The dust discharge port 162 is a part for discharging the dust accommodated in the first dust collection part 12 to the stand 2 side. The dust discharge port 162 can be opened and closed by opening and closing means 163 such as an on-off valve, and is closed in a state where dust is collected in the first dust collection part 12 using the electric cleaner 1, and is opened when the dust collected in the first dust collection part 12 is transferred from the first dust collection part 12 to the stand 2 side. The opening and closing of the opening and closing means 163 may be controlled electrically, or may be mechanically performed according to the attachment of the electric cleaner 1 to the electric cleaning device 1 or the like. Note that the dust discharge port 162 and the opening and closing means 163 may be formed in the first dust collection part 12.
[0017] The suction tool 17 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is also called a suction port body, a floor brush, a suction head, etc. For each direction of the suction tool 17, the direction seen from the user side in a state of being placed on a horizontal cleaning part is taken as a reference. In the figure, the arrow U direction is the upward direction, the arrow D direction is the downward direction, the arrow FR direction is the forward direction, the arrow RR direction is the rearward direction, the arrow L direction is the leftward direction, and the arrow R direction is the rightward direction.
[0018] The suction tool 17 has a case body 170 that is longitudinally long, that is, horizontally long when viewed from the user, and a connection pipe 171 for communicating the suction tool 17 with the suction side of the first electric blower 11.
[0019] The case body 170 is a roughly rectangular box shape. The case body 170 has a suction port 172 formed at the bottom. The suction port 172 is for drawing dust into the first dust collection unit 12 using the airflow generated by the first electric blower 11 (shown in Figure 6). In other words, a cleaning air passage is formed from the suction port 172 to the first dust collection unit 12 for drawing in dust during cleaning. The suction port 172 communicates with the connecting pipe 171, and the suction force of the first electric blower 11 (shown in Figure 6) acts directly on this part via the connecting pipe 171. The suction port 172 is located in the center in the left-right direction of the suction tool 17 or the case body 170. In this embodiment, the suction port 172 is also located in the approximate center in the front-back direction of the suction tool 17 or the case body 170. The suction port 172 extends in the left-right direction. The suction port 172 has a predetermined width W1 in the left-right direction.
[0020] In this embodiment, the suction port 172 is formed in the suction chamber 173. The suction chamber 173 is formed as a chamber that is long in the left-right direction. For example, the suction chamber 173 is formed as an elongated dust collection groove that extends further in the left-right direction than the suction port 172. The lower part of the suction chamber 173 is open to the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 which forms the lower part of the suction tool 17. The lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 refers to the flat part that constitutes the lowest part of the case body 170. In the illustrated example, the suction port 172 is formed on the rear surface of the suction chamber 173, but it is not limited to this, and the suction port 172 may be formed on the ceiling of the suction chamber 173. Therefore, the suction port 172 is located above the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170. The lower part of the suction chamber 173 facing the part to be cleaned is open to the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170. In the suction chamber 173, the suction port 172 is the area with the greatest negative pressure.
[0021] Furthermore, a rotating cleaning body 174 is positioned on the suction device 17. The rotating cleaning body 174 removes dust and debris from the floor surface or other areas to be cleaned by rotating during cleaning. The rotating cleaning body 174 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a cleaning member 1740 is positioned on its outer circumference. The rotating cleaning body 174 is located at least below the suction device 17 or the case body 170. The rotating cleaning body 174 is positioned on the suction device 17 with its rotation axis 1741 oriented in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the rotating cleaning body 174 is positioned in the cleaning chamber 175 of the case body 170. In the illustrated example, the cleaning chamber 175 is formed in the case body 170 as a separate chamber from the suction chamber 173. However, the cleaning chamber 175 may be integrated with the suction chamber 173 in which the suction port 172 is formed, or a part of the cleaning chamber 175, such as the lower part, may be formed to communicate with the suction chamber 173. The cleaning chamber 175 is formed as a room that is elongated in the left-right direction. The cleaning chamber 175 is located in front of the suction chamber 173 and the suction port 172. In this embodiment, the cleaning chamber 175 is adjacent to the front of the suction chamber 173. In the illustrated example, the cleaning chamber 175 is located at the very front of the case body 170. The lower part of the cleaning chamber 175 is open to the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170, through which the entire lower part of the rotating cleaning body 174 is exposed from the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 and can contact the part to be cleaned. The rotating cleaning body 174 is positioned such that its axis of rotation 1741 is located in front of the suction port 172, and in a plan view or when viewed from above, it is in a range that overlaps at least a portion of the forward projection of the suction port 172.
[0022] In this embodiment, a pair of rotating cleaning bodies 174 are arranged on the left and right sides of the cleaning chamber 175, and these are cantilevered by a rotating cleaning body support 176 located in the left-right center of the suction tool 17 or case body 170, directly in front of the suction port 172. In this example, the rotating cleaning body support 176 is formed as a wall that divides the cleaning chamber 175 into left and right sections. In this embodiment, a dust removal member 1760 is attached to the lower part of the rotating cleaning body support 176. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration, and the cleaning chamber 175 may be formed as a single room that extends in the left-right direction, with one rotating cleaning body 174 cantilevered in the cleaning chamber 175, and the rotating cleaning body support 176 formed on the side of the cleaning chamber 175, etc.
[0023] The rotating cleaning body 174 is rotationally driven by a cleaning body motor 177, which is an electric motor shown in Figures 1 and 3. The cleaning body motor 177 is housed inside the case body 170 of the suction tool 17. The cleaning body motor 177 is operable by power supplied from the first power supply unit 10 (shown in Figure 6). The operation of the cleaning body motor 177 is controlled by the first control means, which controls the power supply from the first power supply unit 10 (shown in Figure 6). The cleaning body motor 177 is designed to have lower power consumption or power than the first electric blower 11. The cleaning body motor 177 rotates the rotating cleaning body 174 at high speed. The cleaning body motor 177 transmits power to the rotating cleaning body 174 via a transmission unit T located inside the rotating cleaning body support unit 176.
[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 7, preferably, a support portion 178 is provided at the lower part of the suction tool 17 to support the suction tool 17 with respect to the area to be cleaned. The lower part of the support portion 178 protrudes downward from the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170. The support portion 178 may be single or multiple, as long as it can provide balanced support for the suction tool 17 with respect to the area to be cleaned, but in this embodiment, multiple support portions are provided. In the illustrated example, the support portion 178 includes a first support portion 1780 located on the front side of the suction tool 17 or the case body 170, a second support portion 1781 located behind the first support portion 1780, a third support portion 1782 located behind the second support portion 1781, and a fourth support portion 1783 located behind the third support portion 1782 and on the rear side of the suction tool 17 or the case body 170.
[0025] The first support portion 1780 is located at the foremost part of the suction tool 17 or the case body 170. For example, the first support portion 1780 is located in the center in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the first support portion 1780 is located in front of the dust removal member 1760 in the rotating cleaning body support portion 176. The second support portion 1781 is located on both sides of the suction chamber 173. The third support portion 1782 is located on one side in the left-right direction. For example, the third support portion 1782 is a detector for a safety device that detects the approach and separation of the suction tool 17 to the part to be cleaned and switches the operation of the cleaning body motor 177 on or off accordingly. The fourth support portion 1783 is located at the rearmost part of the suction tool 17 or the case body 170. The fourth support portion 1783 is located in the center in the left-right direction. For example, the fourth support portion 1783 is located below the connecting pipe 171.
[0026] In this embodiment, the first support portion 1780 to the fourth support portion 1783 are wheels that can rotate in the front-rear direction, but the system is not limited to these. They may be configured in any way, such as a wiping member like a napped cloth that comes into contact with the area to be cleaned to wipe away dust, a sliding member to improve the operability of the suction tool 17, or simply a protrusion.
[0027] Preferably, a sealing portion 179 is located at the lower part of the suction device 17. The sealing portion 179 has the function of ensuring a vacuum level at the suction port 172. The sealing portion 179 also has the function of blocking dust moving from the front of the suction port 172 from passing through to the rear of the suction port 172 or the suction chamber 173. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sealing portion 179 has the function of a wiping member that wipes and polishes dust from the area to be cleaned, such as flooring or wooden floors, by contacting it. The sealing portion 179 protrudes downward from the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170. The sealing portion 179 is located adjacent to or close to the rear of the suction port 172 and has an elongated shape with a width greater than or equal to the suction port 172 in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the sealing portion 179 is located in a wall-like manner that extends between the ends of the rotating cleaning body 174 or across both sides of the case body 170. The second support portion 1781 of the support portion 178 is located adjacent to the front portions on both sides of the sealing portion 179. For example, a napped cloth or the like can be used as the sealing portion 179.
[0028] Then, with the suction port body 1 placed on the area to be cleaned, the support portion 178 and the sealing portion 179 set the height of the vertical gap between the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 of the suction tool 17 and the area to be installed. For example, for a flat, hard area to be installed, the amount of protrusion of the support portion 178 from the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 is approximately equal to the height of the gap. For a soft area to be installed, such as a carpet, into which the suction tool 17 sinks under its own weight, a gap smaller than the amount of protrusion of the support portion 178 from the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 is formed.
[0029] The connecting pipe 171, which is connected to the rear of the case body 170, is also called a rotating pipe, and is rotatably connected to the case body 170. The connecting pipe 171 protrudes from the rear of the case body 170. The connecting pipe 171 can be selectively attached to or detached from the pipe body 18 or the main suction port 160 of the vacuum cleaner body 16.
[0030] The operation switch 15 shown in Figures 6 and 8 is located on the vacuum cleaner body 16 or the pipe 18. The operation switch 15 can switch the operation of the first electric blower 11 on and off. In this embodiment, the operation switch 15 can switch the operation of the electric motor 177 for rotating the rotating cleaning body 174 on and / or the operating speed of the electric motor 177 for the cleaning body, that is, the rotation speed of the rotating cleaning body 174. When cleaning, it is preferable that the electric motor 177 for the cleaning body is turned on and off in conjunction with the on / off operation of the first electric blower 11 in response to the operation of the operation switch 15, but if the first electric blower 11 is operating, it may be possible to switch the electric motor 177 on and off independently of the first electric blower 11 by the operation switch 15.
[0031] The pipe 18 in this embodiment is an extension pipe formed in a straight tube shape. Preferably, the pipe 18 is detachable from the connecting pipe 171 of the vacuum cleaner body 16 and the suction attachment 17, allowing the electric vacuum cleaner 1 to be used selectively in one of the following states: without the pipe 18 and suction attachment 17; in a handheld state where the connecting pipe 171 of the suction attachment 17 is directly connected to the main suction port 160 of the vacuum cleaner body 16; or in a stick state where the connecting pipe 171 of the suction attachment 17 is connected to the pipe 18 and the pipe 18 is connected to the main suction port 160 of the vacuum cleaner body 16. Furthermore, the pipe 18 is not limited to a straight tube shape; depending on the form of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, the pipe 18 may have a flexible part such as a hose.
[0032] Preferably, the vacuum cleaner 1 includes a first mounting detection means, which is a vacuum cleaner-side mounting detection means for detecting the mounting of the vacuum cleaner 1 to the stand 2. In other words, the first mounting detection means is a stand detection means for detecting the stand 2 on which the vacuum cleaner 1 is mounted. The first mounting detection means may be a contact-type or non-contact-type sensor, or a mechanical switch, etc. The detection result from the first mounting detection means is input to the first control means.
[0033] The stand 2 shown in Figures 6 and 10 is a support base for the vacuum cleaner 1 when it is not in use. If the first power supply unit 10 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is a secondary battery, it is preferable that the stand 2 also functions as a charging stand. In this embodiment, the stand 2 is used as a dust collection device that transfers the dust collected by the first dust collection unit 12 of the vacuum cleaner 1, that is, it is installed and used at an installation location such as the floor. In this embodiment, the stand 2 is described in a manner in which the vacuum cleaner 1 is mounted in a stick state, but it may also be used in a manner in which the vacuum cleaner 1 is mounted in a handheld state and the tube body 18 is mounted separately. In the following description, the vertical direction will be described based on the stand 2 being installed in a horizontal position. In the front-back direction, the side facing the user is considered the front direction, and the opposite side is considered the rear direction. Furthermore, the left-right direction will be described based on the direction when the stand 2 is viewed from the rear. These directions coincide with the direction in which the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2 is viewed from the user's side. Therefore, in the figure, the direction of arrow U is shown as upward, the direction of arrow D as downward, the direction of arrow FR as forward, the direction of arrow RR as backward, the direction of arrow L as left, and the direction of arrow R as right, similar to the suction attachment 17.
[0034] Stand 2 is equipped with a second power supply unit 20, which is the stand-side power supply unit, and is driven by power supplied from the second power supply unit 20. In this embodiment, the second power supply unit 20 has a power plug 200 and a power cord 201 for taking power from an external power source such as a commercial power supply, and converts the power supplied from the external power source via the power plug 200 and supplies it to each part. If Stand 2 is equipped with a charging stand function for charging the first power supply unit 10 of the vacuum cleaner 1, it may be configured to supply charging power from the second power supply unit 20 to charge the first power supply unit 10. The charging circuit for the first power supply unit 10 may be located in the vacuum cleaner 1 or in Stand 2. The charging circuit is configured to charge the first power supply unit 10 at least when the vacuum cleaner 1 is mounted on Stand 2, that is, when the mounting detection means detects that the vacuum cleaner 1 is mounted on Stand 2.
[0035] Stand 2 is equipped with a second electric blower 21, which is a stand-side electric blower, and the suction operation of the second electric blower 21 transfers dust from the first dust collection unit 12 or dust removed from the first dust collection unit 12 and the rotating cleaning body 174 to the second dust collection unit 22, which is a stand-side dust collection unit. The operation of the second electric blower 21 is controlled by a second control means.
[0036] The second electric blower 21 is operated by power supplied from the second power supply unit 20. The operation of the second electric blower 21 is controlled by the second control means, which controls the power supply from the second power supply unit 20. Preferably, the second electric blower 21 has a higher power consumption or power than the first electric blower 11.
[0037] The dust separation method for the second dust collection unit 22 may be arbitrary, but in the illustrated example, a filter or dust collection bag is used to filter and collect dust from dust-containing air. Preferably, the second dust collection unit 22 has a larger dust accumulation capacity than the first dust collection unit 12.
[0038] A microcontroller is preferably used as the second control means. The second control means can be operated by power supplied from the second power supply unit 20.
[0039] The second power supply unit 20, the second electric blower 21, the second dust collection unit 22, and the second control means are located in the stand body 24.
[0040] The stand body 24 has a support column 240. The support column 240 supports the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2. The support column 240 is formed in a longitudinal shape in the vertical direction. The support column 240 has a vacuum cleaner support section 2400 formed at its front, which supports the vacuum cleaner body 16 of the vacuum cleaner 1. The vacuum cleaner body 16 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is mounted on the vacuum cleaner support section 2400 from above. In addition, a communication air passage 2401 that communicates with the second dust collection section 22 is formed inside the support column 240. Furthermore, the support column 240 has a connection port 2402 that opens at its front, which serves as the entrance to the communication air passage 2401. The connection port 2402 is connected to the dust discharge port 162 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2. The connection port 2402 is located above the vacuum cleaner support section 2400.
[0041] The stand body 24 has a base 241. The base 241 is placed on the mounting position and supports the support column 240 relative to the mounting position. The support column 240 protrudes from the top of the base 241. The second electric blower 21, the second dust collection unit 22, and the second control means are arranged inside the base 241. The second dust collection unit 22 is detachable from the base 241. In the illustrated example, the base 241 is formed to be larger in the front-rear, left-right, and right directions relative to the support column 240. The base 241 has a stand exhaust port 2410 for discharging exhaust air from the second electric blower 21. The stand exhaust port 2410 is located, for example, on the side of the base 241. A power cord 201 is led out from the base 241, and a power plug 200 is connected to the end of the power cord 201.
[0042] Furthermore, the stand body 24 has an opposing portion 242. The opposing portion 242 protrudes forward from the lower part of the base portion 241. The opposing portion 242 is positioned to face the suction nozzle 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the opposing portion 242 is a mounting portion on which the lower part of the suction nozzle 17 is placed. In this embodiment, the upper part of the opposing portion 242 is an inclined portion that slopes downward toward the front.
[0043] As shown in Figures 6, 9, and 10, preferably, a recess 2420 is formed in the opposing portion 242. The recess 2420 is the portion into which the lower part of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2 is inserted. The recess 2420 has an opposing surface 2421 which is the bottom, and a vertical wall portion 2422 which rises from the periphery of the opposing surface 2421.
[0044] The opposing surface 2421 is a support surface that supports the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2 from below. Preferably, the opposing surface 2421 is formed flat. "Flat" means that the surface is flat and has no macroscopic irregularities, and it may be curved or planar, but in this embodiment it is planar. In the illustrated example, the opposing surface 2421 is a planar shape that slopes downward toward the front. The opposing surface 2421 is formed to be wider than the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 of the suction attachment 17, and faces the entire lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 in the vertical direction. As the support portion 178 of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2 is supported by the opposing surface 2421, the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 of the suction attachment 17 is in close proximity to the opposing surface 2421, and a small gap is created between the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 and the opposing surface 2421.
[0045] As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 7, preferably, a support recess 2423 is formed on the opposing surface 2421. The support recess 2423 is the part that faces the support portion 178 of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2, and is a recess into which the lower part of the support portion 178 (shown in Figure 7) of the suction attachment 17, which is placed on the opposing surface 2421, is inserted. The support recess 2423 has an outer shape and cross-sectional shape corresponding to the shape of the lower part of the support portion 178. In this embodiment, since the support portion 178 is a wheel, each support recess 2423 has a cross-section that curves downward in an arc shape, and is shaped to stably fit the lower part of the support portion 178. The support recess 2423 is formed according to the number of support portions 178. In the illustrated example, multiple support recesses 2423 are set and are formed at positions corresponding to the first support portion 1780 to the fourth support portion 1783 of the support portion 178. The support portion 178 of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2 is supported by the support recess 2423, thereby creating a narrower gap between the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 of the suction attachment 17 and the opposing surface 2421. The support portion 178 is not limited to being directly supported by the support recess 2423; it may also be configured such that the lower part of the suction attachment 17 or the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 is supported by the opposing surface 2421, allowing it to be inserted into the support recess 2423 in a floating state without direct contact. In other words, the support structure for the suction attachment 17 against the opposing surface 2421 may be such that the lower surface 1700 or the lower part is supported by the opposing surface 2421, or the support portion 178 is supported by the support recess 2423.
[0046] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 9, the vertical wall portion 2422 is formed along the vertical direction and also functions as a guide to lead the lower part of the suction attachment 17 into the recess 2420 when the vacuum cleaner 1 is attached to the stand 2. In this embodiment, the vertical wall portion 2422 has a front wall portion 2424, a side wall portion 2425, and a rear wall portion 2426. The front wall portion 2424 extends in the left-right direction and forms the leading edge of the recess 2420, and is the part that faces the front of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 attached to the stand 2. The front wall portion 2424 rises in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opposing surface 2421. In addition, a part of the front wall portion 2424 contacts the front portion 1701 of the case body 170, which is the front of the suction attachment 17, and thus has the function of positioning the front of the suction attachment 17 in the recess 2420. The side wall portion 2425 extends in the front-rear direction, forming both side edges of the recess 2420, and is the portion that faces the side portion 1702 of the case body 170, which is the side of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2. The side wall portion 2425 extends rearward, connected to both sides of the front wall portion 2424. The side wall portion 2425 rises in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opposing surface 2421. The side wall portion 2425 is the portion that narrows the gap between the side of the case body 170 and the side of the case body 170 by being in close proximity to the side of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2. The rear wall portion 2426 extends in the left-right direction between the side wall portions 2425 and forms the rear edge of the recess 2420. The rear wall portion 2426 is inclined upward in an expanding manner relative to the opposing surface 2421.
[0047] Furthermore, a cleaning means 25 is provided on the stand 2. The cleaning means 25 cuts and removes dust adhering to the rotating cleaning body 174 of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2. The cleaning means 25 is located on the opposing part 242 of the stand body 24 and is positioned opposite the lower part of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2. In the illustrated example, the cleaning means 25 is located on the upper part of the opposing part 242 and is positioned on the opposing surface 2421. The cleaning means 25 is also arranged longitudinally in the left-right direction so as to coincide with or substantially coincide with the longitudinal direction of the rotating cleaning body 174.
[0048] The cleaning means 25 is able to come into close or slight contact with the cleaning member 1740 of the rotating cleaning body 174. The cleaning means 25 can have any configuration as long as it can cut the dust that has become entangled in the cleaning member 1740 of the rotating cleaning body 174. The cleaning means 25 may be static, such as a comb, but is preferably dynamic. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, in this embodiment, the cleaning means 25 is an example of an electrically powered type having a cutter 250 which is a blade for cutting dust, and a cutter motor 251 which drives the cutter 250. The cutter motor 251 is powered by a second power supply unit 20 (shown in Figure 10). The cutter 250 cuts the dust into small diameter pieces by being moved back and forth in small increments, for example, by the cutter motor 251. The tip of the cutter 250 is exposed from the opposing surface 2421. The electric motor 251 for the cutter has lower power consumption or power than the second electric blower 21. The operation of the electric motor 251 for the cutter is controlled, for example, by a second control means.
[0049] Preferably, the stand 2 includes a second mounting detection means, which is a stand-side mounting detection means for detecting the mounting of the vacuum cleaner 1 to the stand 2. In other words, the second mounting detection means is a vacuum cleaner detection means for detecting the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2. The second mounting detection means may be a contact-type or non-contact-type sensor, or a mechanical switch, etc. The detection result from the second mounting detection means is input to the second control means.
[0050] As shown in Figures 1, 3, 5(a), and 5(b), the vacuum cleaner system S is formed with an air guide section 3 to guide the dust cut by the cleaning means 25 towards the suction port 172 of the suction device 17 using airflow. In this embodiment, the air guide section 3 is configured to efficiently guide the dust towards the suction port 172 by utilizing the airflow generated by the suction force of the second electric blower 21 and defining the range and / or direction in which the airflow acts. The air guide section 3 is located on the opposite side of the suction port 172 with respect to the rotation axis 1741 of the rotating cleaning body 174. In this embodiment, the air guide section 3 is located in front of the rotation axis 1741 of the rotating cleaning body 174. In the illustrated example, the air guide section 3 is located at the front of the suction device 17.
[0051] The air guide section 3 is formed either on the opposing section 242 of the stand 2, or between the opposing section 242 and the suction nozzle 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2. When the air guide section 3 is formed on the opposing section 242 of the stand 2, it may be a duct-shaped air passage. However, in this embodiment, an example is given where the air guide section 3 is formed between the suction nozzle 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 and the opposing section 242 of the stand 2 by mounting the vacuum cleaner 1 on the stand 2 and placing the suction nozzle 17 on the opposing section 242, and is opened by removing the suction nozzle 17 from the opposing section 242.
[0052] In this example, the air guide section 3 is formed between the front part 1701 of the case body 170, which is the front part of the suction device 17, and the front wall portion 2424 of the opposing portion 242 of the stand 2. In the illustrated example, the air guide section 3 is formed between the front part 1701 of the case body 170 of the suction device 17 and the front wall portion 2424 within the recess 2420 of the opposing portion 242 of the stand 2. In this embodiment, the front part 1701 of the case body 170 is basically a portion that extends planarly in the left-right direction.
[0053] The front wall portion 2424 has a contact portion 30 that contacts the front portion 1701 of the case body 170 and a non-contact portion 31 that does not contact the front portion 1701 of the case body 170. The contact portion 30 extends in the left-right direction and is the portion that positions the suction device 17 in the front-rear direction at the opposing portion 262 by being in close contact with the front portion 1701 of the case body 170 without any gaps or with almost no gaps in the front-rear direction. The contact portion 30 is formed to protrude rearward from the non-contact portion 31. In this embodiment, the contact portion 30 has a central contact portion 300 which is a first contact portion located in the center of the opposing portion 242 or recess 2420 in the left-right direction, and side contact portions 301 which are second contact portions located on both sides of the opposing portion 242 or recess 2420 in the left-right direction. The non-contact portion 31 is located between the central contact portion 300 and each side contact portion 301. The central contact portion 300 is formed to be longer in the left-right direction than the side contact portions 301. Each side contact portion 301 is connected to, for example, the side wall portion 2425 to form the left and right sides of the front part of the recess 2420. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which there is one central contact portion 300 and two side contact portions 301, but this is not limited to this, and there may be multiple central contact portions 300 depending on the position, size, number, etc. of the suction port 172.
[0054] The non-contact portion 31 is formed as a recessed area that is recessed forward between the central contact portion 300 and the side contact portion 301. The non-contact portion 31 is located in front of the contact portion 30 and extends in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the non-contact portion 31 is formed to be longer in the left-right direction than the central contact portion 300 of the contact portion 30. The non-contact portion 31 is an elongated slit shape that extends in the left-right direction relative to the front portion 1701 of the case body 170, and faces it in the front-rear direction with a gap of, for example, about 1 mm. Therefore, the air passage that extends from the gap between the non-contact portion 31 and the front portion 1701 of the case body 170 to the gap between the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 and the opposing surface 2421 of the opposing portion 242 forms the air guide portion 3. In other words, the gap between the non-contact portion 31 formed on the front wall portion 2424 and the front portion 1701 of the case body 170 is the intake opening 32 of the air guide portion 3, and the gap between the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 and the opposing surface 2421 of the opposing portion 242 is the discharge opening 33 of the air guide portion 3. The intake opening 32 is longitudinal in the left-right direction and extends vertically along the front wall portion 2424. The discharge opening 33 opens towards the rear along the opposing surface 2421, toward the cutter 250 of the cleaning means 25. That is, in the front-rear direction, the tip of the cutter 250 and a part of the lower part of the rotating cleaning body 174 facing the cutter 250 are located between the discharge opening 33 of the air guide portion 3 and the suction port 172 of the suction tool 17.
[0055] Preferably, when viewed from above, the intake opening 32 and discharge opening 33 of the air guide section 3 are positioned so as not to face the intake port 172 of the suction device 17 in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, when viewed from above, the intake port 172 of the suction device 17 is located within the front-rear projection width of the central contact section 300 of the contact section 30, so that the air guide section 3 is positioned on both sides of the intake port 172. In the illustrated example, the left-right width W2 of the central contact section 300 is set to be greater than or equal to the left-right width W1 of the intake port 172.
[0056] In Figure 5(b), for the sake of clarity, only a portion of the right side of the suction device 17 is shown in an enlarged view. In this embodiment, the left side of the suction device 17 is essentially the same shape as the right side, but reversed horizontally, so it is not shown.
[0057] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
[0058] As shown in Figure 10, the stand 2 should be installed in a location that does not obstruct the room, and the power plug 200 should be connected to a wall outlet (outlet) C so that it is powered from an external power source.
[0059] When cleaning, the user removes the vacuum cleaner 1 from the stand 2. For example, when the user removes the vacuum cleaner 1 from the stand 2 by grasping the gripping part 14, the opening / closing means 163 shown in Figure 6 closes the dust outlet 162. Then, when the user sets the operation of the first electric blower 11 by operating the operation switch 15 (shown in Figure 8), the first control means controls the power supplied from the first power supply unit 10 to the first electric blower 11 according to the setting, and operates the first electric blower 11. Also, in the case of using the suction attachment 17 as shown in Figure 8, the first control means controls the power supplied from the first power supply unit 10 to the electric motor for the cleaning body 177, and rotates the rotating cleaning body 174. The user places the suction attachment 17 on the area to be cleaned and moves the entire vacuum cleaner 1 back and forth using the gripping part 14. The rotation of the rotating cleaning body 174 (shown in Figure 7, etc.) scrapes dust from the area to be cleaned, and the airflow generated by the operation of the first electric blower 11 sucks the dust along with the air through the suction port 172 (shown in Figure 7, etc.) of the suction attachment 17 into the cleaning air passage.
[0060] The inhaled dust-laden air is introduced from the main unit's intake port 160 to the first dust collection unit 12, where the dust is separated from the air and collected. The air from which the dust has been separated is then discharged from the main unit's exhaust port 161 to the outside of the vacuum cleaner body 16 while cooling the first electric blower 11.
[0061] When cleaning with the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is finished, the user stops the first electric blower 11 and the electric motor for the cleaning body 177 by operating the operation switch 15, and then mounts the electric vacuum cleaner 1 onto the stand 2 as shown in Figures 6 and 10. For example, in this embodiment, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is mounted onto the stand 2 by placing the main body 16 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 on the vacuum cleaner support portion 2400 of the support column 240 of the stand 2 from the front and above.
[0062] In this mounted state, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, the lower part of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is inserted into the recess 2420 of the opposing part 242 of the stand 2, so that the front part 1701 of the case body 170 of the suction attachment 17 contacts the contact part 30 of the front wall 2424, and the front part of the suction attachment 17 is positioned relative to the recess 2420. In addition, the side part 1702 of the case body 170 of the suction attachment 17 approaches the side wall 2425, and the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 of the suction attachment 17 faces the opposing surface 2421 with a gap in between. In this embodiment, the support part 178 of the suction attachment 17 is inserted into the support recess 2423, so that the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 of the suction attachment 17 faces the opposing surface 2421 with a small gap in between. As a result, an air guide portion 3 is formed from the gap between the front part 1701 of the case body 170 of the suction tool 17 and the non-contact portion 31 of the front wall portion 2424, to the gap between the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 of the suction tool 17 and the opposing surface 2421. In particular, in this embodiment, since the opposing surface 2421 is inclined downward toward the front, the weight of the suction tool 17 placed on the opposing surface 2421 is applied toward the front and downward, thereby firmly maintaining the airtightness of the contact portion 30 between the front part 1701 of the case body 170 of the suction tool 17 and the front wall portion 2424, as well as the airtightness of the air guide portion 3. Then, a cleaning means 25 such as a cutter 250 approaches or comes into contact with the cleaning member 1740 located at the bottom of the rotating cleaning body 174. Furthermore, behind the suction port 172, the seal portion 179 located at the bottom of the suction tool 17 contacts the opposing surface 2421, closing the gap between the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 of the suction tool 17 and the opposing surface 2421 behind the suction port 172.
[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, with this attachment, the opening / closing mechanism 163 of the vacuum cleaner 1 opens the dust discharge port 162, which is then airtightly connected to the connection port 2402 of the stand 2, and the first dust collection unit 12 communicates with the second dust collection unit 22 via the connecting air passage 2401. Therefore, the suction port 172 of the suction tool 17 also communicates with the second dust collection unit 22 via the cleaning air passage, the first dust collection unit 12, and the connecting air passage 2401.
[0064] In the vacuum cleaner 1, the first control means operates the electric motor 177 for the cleaning body to rotate the rotating cleaning body 174 at a predetermined speed, for example, provided that the first attachment detection means has detected that the cleaning body is attached.
[0065] In stand 2, the second control means operates the second electric blower 21, with at least one condition being that the second mounting detection means has detected mounting. In this embodiment, the second control means also operates the electric motor 251 for the cutter to drive the cutter 250 based on the detection result of the second mounting detection means.
[0066] The timing of the start of operation of the electric motor 177 for the cleaning body or the rotating cleaning body 174, and the timing of the start of operation of the electric motor 251 for the cutter or the cutter 250, may be set arbitrarily. Preferably, the timing of the start of operation of the electric motor 251 for the cutter or the cutter 250 is after the timing of the start of operation of the electric motor 177 for the cleaning body or the rotating cleaning body 174. Hereinafter, "after" means "simultaneously or later". Furthermore, it is preferable that the electric motor 177 for the cleaning body or the rotating cleaning body 174 and the electric motor 251 for the cutter or the cutter 250 are controlled so that there is at least a period of simultaneous operation. As a result, when the cutter 250 is driven while the rotating cleaning body 174 rotates at high speed, the dust that is lifted from the cleaning member 1740 of the rotating cleaning body 174 by the centrifugal force of the rotation of the rotating cleaning body 174 is cut by the cutter 250 over the entire rotating cleaning body 174. Furthermore, because the cleaning member 1740 flexes in the rotational direction due to rotation, the cutter 250 does not directly contact the cleaning member 1740 or the rotating cleaning body 174, thereby preventing damage to the cleaning member 1740 or the rotating cleaning body 174 by the cutter 250.
[0067] Preferably, the rotating cleaning body 174 is rotated by the electric motor 177 for the cleaning body in the forward direction, that is, in the direction in which the upper part rotates forward and the lower part rotates backward, i.e., in the counterclockwise direction in Figures 1 to 5.
[0068] Preferably, the timing of stopping the electric motor 177 for the cleaning body or the rotating cleaning body 174 is after the timing of stopping the electric motor 251 for the cutter or the cutter 250.
[0069] The dust cut by the cleaning means 25 is subjected to negative pressure from the airflow generated by the operation of the second electric blower 21, which acts on the discharge opening 33 of the air guide unit 3 from the intake port 172. As shown by arrow A in Figure 1, outside air is introduced into the air guide unit 3 from the intake opening 32 of the air guide unit 3 and blown backward along the opposing surface 2421 from the discharge opening 33. Therefore, the dust cut by the cleaning means 25 is carried backward by the wind blown from the discharge opening 33 of the air guide unit 3, hits the rotating cleaning body 174 and is raked up, and carried to the first dust collection unit 12 by the suction wind drawn into the cleaning air passage from the intake port 172. Together with the dust in the first dust collection unit 12, it is transferred from the connecting air passage 2401 to the second dust collection unit 22 and collected in the second dust collection unit 22. Furthermore, it is preferable that the start of operation of the second electric blower 21 be after the start of operation of at least one of the electric motors for the cleaning body 177 or the rotating cleaning body 174 and the electric motor for the cutter 251 or the cutter 250. Also, it is preferable that the operating period of the second electric blower 21 overlaps with the operating period of at least one of the electric motors for the cleaning body 177 or the rotating cleaning body 174 and the electric motor for the cutter 251 or the cutter 250. Finally, it is preferable that the stopping of the second electric blower 21 be at least after the stopping of the electric motor for the cutter 251 or the cutter 250.
[0070] The second control means may, for example, operate the second electric blower 21 for a predetermined time, or operate the second electric blower 21 until predetermined conditions related to dust transport are met, such as detecting that a predetermined amount of dust has been transported inside the first dust collection unit 12. The operating time of the second electric blower 21 may be a fixed time or a time arbitrarily set by the user. For example, it is also possible to perform a process such as forcibly stopping the operation of the second electric blower 21 when the user performs a predetermined operation such as operating a switch.
[0071] The second dust collection unit 22, to which the dust has been transported, can be removed from the stand 2 as needed, and the dust collected inside, or the dust collection bag used as the second dust collection unit 22, can be disposed of.
[0072] In this embodiment, thread-like dust such as hair and fibers attached to the rotating cleaning body 174 of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2 is cut by the cleaning means 25 located on the opposing part 242 of the stand 2, and the cut dust is sucked into the dust collection section from the suction port 172 of the suction attachment 17 facing the opposing part 242 by the airflow generated by the electric blower. At this time, since the dust cut by the cleaning means 25 is not tall, dust scattered on the opposing surface 2421 is particularly difficult to suck up to the suction port 172 by simply drawing air from the side of the suction attachment 17 with the suction force of the second electric blower 21. Therefore, an air guide section 3 is formed on the opposite side of the suction port 172, using the rotation axis 1741 of the rotating cleaning body 174 of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2 as a reference. By guiding the dust cut by the cleaning means 25 towards the suction port 172 side with the airflow from the air guide section 3, even dust cut from the rotating cleaning body 174 of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2 can be easily carried by the airflow acting from the suction port 172, and can be efficiently sucked up from the suction port 172.
[0073] In particular, when the cleaning means 25 cuts dust while the rotating cleaning body 174 is rotated by the electric motor 177 for the cleaning body, it is possible to cut and remove dust evenly from the entire rotating cleaning body 174. However, there is a concern that the cut dust will escape to the area around the suction port 172 due to the wind pressure generated by the high-speed rotation of the rotating cleaning body 174. Therefore, in this embodiment, by blowing the introduced air from the air guide unit 3 onto the dust, the cut dust comes into contact with the rotating cleaning body 174 and is swept up as the rotating cleaning body 174 rotates at high speed, and is efficiently sucked in from the suction port 172.
[0074] The electric motor 177 for the cleaning body rotates the rotating cleaning body 174 in the forward direction when the cleaning means 25 cuts off dust adhering to the rotating cleaning body 174. As a result, the lower part of the rotating cleaning body 174 facing the cleaning means 25 rotates towards the rear, which is the side of the suction port 172. At the same time, the air guide unit 3 blows air from the discharge opening 33 along the opposing surface 2421 that faces the lower part of the suction port 172 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2. This helps to carry the dust cut off by the cleaning means 25 from the lower part of the rotating cleaning body 174 towards the rear. Therefore, this dust is prevented from accumulating at the lower front end of the suction port 17 and can be easily sucked in through the suction port 172.
[0075] The discharge opening 33 is positioned so that, when viewed from above, it does not face the suction port 172 of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2 in the front-to-back direction. This prevents the air blown backward from the discharge opening 33 from concentrating at the suction port 172, where the negative pressure is highest, and allows the air blown from the discharge opening 33 to reach both the left and right sides.
[0076] Since the air guide section 3 is formed between the recess 2420 formed in the opposing section 242 and the front of the suction nozzle 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2, the air guide section 3 can be made simpler compared to a configuration in which a dedicated air passage or the like is formed as the air guide section 3. Furthermore, since the air guide section 3 is opened when the suction nozzle 17 is removed from the recess 2420, maintenance such as cleaning the air guide section 3 is also made easier.
[0077] Since the opposing surface 2421 in the opposing section 242 that faces the lower part of the suction nozzle 17 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2 is made flat, thread-like debris such as hair and fibers that have been finely cut by the cleaning means 25 will not get caught on any unevenness and will easily flow into the suction port 172.
[0078] Since the lower support portion 178 of the suction attachment 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2 faces the support recess 2423 formed on the opposing surface 2421 of the opposing portion 242, the flat lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 of the suction attachment 17 and the flat opposing surface 2421 are in close proximity, which can increase the air pressure in the air guide portion 3 and suppress air leakage from the air guide portion 3.
[0079] Furthermore, since the sealing portion 179 contacts the opposing surface 2421 and seals behind the suction port 172 of the suction device 17, a vacuum can be maintained in the air guide 3 and the suction port 172. At the same time, dust carried by the air from the air guide 3 and stirred up by the rotating cleaning body 174 is less likely to pass through to the rear of the suction port 172, allowing dust to be sucked up from the suction port 172 more efficiently.
[0080] By forming a front wall portion 2424 on the opposing portion 242 that faces the front of the suction nozzle 17 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 mounted on the stand 2, the suction nozzle 17 can be positioned in the front-rear direction, making it easier to align the cleaning means 25 and the rotating cleaning body 174. Furthermore, by forming a side wall portion 2425 on the opposing portion 242 that faces the side of the suction nozzle 17, it becomes difficult for the user to access the cutter 250 of the cleaning means 25 from the side of the suction nozzle 17 located on the opposing portion 242, thereby preventing the user from accidentally touching the cutter 250.
[0081] In this embodiment, the airflow generated by the second electric blower 21 provided on the stand 2 collects the dust cut from the rotating cleaning body 174 by the cleaning means 25 into the second dust collection unit 22 provided on the stand 2. By effectively utilizing the configuration in which the dust collected in the first dust collection unit 12 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is transferred to the second dust collection unit 22 by the airflow generated by the second electric blower 21, there is no need to separately provide a dedicated electric blower or dust collection unit, and the vacuum cleaning system S can be configured simply.
[0082] In particular, since the second electric blower 21 is operated by power supplied from the second power supply unit 20, which takes power from an external power source, a powerful second electric blower 21 can be used, which generates a strong suction force from the intake port 172 and efficiently suppresses the remaining dust that has been cut by the cleaning means 25.
[0083] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 11. Note that components and operations similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.
[0084] In this embodiment, the air guide section 3 is in communication with the exhaust side of the second electric blower 21. For example, an exhaust air passage 35 is formed extending from the exhaust side of the second electric blower 21 in the base section 241 to the interior of the opposing section 242, and the exhaust air passage 35 is connected to an opening 36 opened in the front wall section 2424. As a result, the exhaust from the second electric blower 21 is introduced into the air guide section 3 via the exhaust air passage 35 and the opening 36.
[0085] In this embodiment, the exhaust air passage 35 is formed inside the opposing portion 242 along the front-rear direction at a position below the recess 2420.
[0086] The opening 36 is formed in the non-contact portion 31 of the front wall portion 2424. The opening 36 is formed near the lower part of the non-contact portion 31 of the front wall portion 2424. That is, the opening 36 is located in the vicinity of the opposing surface 2421 on the front wall portion 2424. Therefore, the opening 36 is close to the discharge opening 33 of the air guide portion 3 and is open in the direction of the air blowing from the discharge opening 33.
[0087] Then, when the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 1, which has finished cleaning, to the stand 2, the front part of the suction attachment 17 is positioned relative to the recess 2420, the side part 1702 of the case body 170 of the suction attachment 17 approaches the side wall part 2425, the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 of the suction attachment 17 faces the opposing surface 2421, and the support part 178 of the suction attachment 17 is inserted into the support recess 2423, so that the lower surface 1700 of the case body 170 of the suction attachment 17 approaches and faces the opposing surface 2421, forming the air guide part 3. In addition, when the opening / closing means 163 of the vacuum cleaner 1 opens the dust discharge port 162, the dust discharge port 162 is airtightly connected to the connection port 2402 of the stand 2, and the first dust collection unit 12 and the suction port 172 of the suction attachment 17 communicate with the second dust collection unit 22 via the communicating air passage 2401.
[0088] In the vacuum cleaner 1, the first control means operates the electric motor 177 for the cleaning body to rotate the rotating cleaning body 174 at a predetermined speed, for example, and in the stand 2, the second control means operates the electric motor 251 for the cutter to drive the cutter 250 and the second electric blower 21.
[0089] The dust cut by the cleaning means 25 is then drawn into the air guide section 3 from the intake port 172 by the airflow generated by the operation of the second electric blower 21, creating negative pressure. This forces outside air into the air guide section 3 from the intake opening 32 and blows it backward along the opposing surface 2421 from the discharge opening 33. In this embodiment, since the air guide section 3 is in communication with the exhaust side of the second electric blower 21, at least a portion of the exhaust from the second electric blower 21 is circulated to the discharge opening 33 of the air guide section 3 via the exhaust air passage 35 and the opening 26, making the air blown from the air guide section 3 stronger. Therefore, the stronger blowing force from the air guide section 3 allows the dust cut by the cleaning means 25 to be sucked in from the intake port 172.
[0090] Furthermore, by effectively utilizing the exhaust from the second electric blower 21, which is provided for transporting dust, the air blown from the air guide section 3 can be strengthened, eliminating the need for a dedicated blower or the like to strengthen the airflow.
[0091] Furthermore, the exhaust air passage 35 that guides the exhaust air from the second electric blower 21 to the air guide section 3 is formed within the space inside the opposing section 242, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated space and allowing for a space-saving configuration.
[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the lower part of the base portion 241 on which the second electric blower 21 is positioned and the opposing portion 242 on which the suction device 17 is placed are close together horizontally, the exhaust air passage 35 can be configured to be short in length, and the exhaust air discharged from the second electric blower 21 can be circulated to the air guide portion 3 before its force is attenuated, thereby obtaining a stronger blowing force in the air guide portion 3.
[0093] In the embodiments described above, the dust cut from the rotating cleaning body 174 of the suction tool 17 is sucked into the second dust collection unit 22 using the suction force of the second electric blower 21 provided on the stand 2. However, the system is not limited to this configuration, and the dust may be sucked into the first dust collection unit 12 using the suction force of the first electric blower 11 of the vacuum cleaner 1. In that case, the second electric blower 21 and the second dust collection unit 22 do not need to be provided on the stand 2, thus allowing the stand 2 and the electric cleaning system S to be miniaturized and simplified.
[0094] Furthermore, in the opposing portion 242, the recess 2420 is not an essential component; the front wall portion 2424 and the side wall portion 2425 may be erected on the upper part of the opposing portion 242.
[0095] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these embodiments. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0096] S Electric Cleaning System 1. Electric vacuum cleaner 2 Stands 3. Air guide section 17. Suction device 21. Second electric blower, which is an electric blower. 22 The second dust collection unit, which is the dust collection section. 25 Cleaning means 33 Discharge opening 172 Inlet 174 Rotating Cleaning Unit 177 Electric motors for cleaning equipment 178 Support part 240 Support section 241 Base 242 Opposing part 1701 Front 1702 Side 1741 Rotation axis 2420 recess 2421 Opposing surface 2423 Support recess 2424 Front wall 2425 Side wall section
Claims
1. A vacuum cleaner, The stand on which this vacuum cleaner is mounted, Electric blower and, This electric blower has a dust collection unit that collects dust sucked in by the airflow, It includes an air guide section, The aforementioned electric vacuum cleaner has a suction attachment that has a rotating cleaning body and a suction port, The aforementioned stand, The support column for the aforementioned vacuum cleaner, This support column is supported by a base that supports it in the installation position, The stand is equipped with a facing part that is opposite to the suction attachment of the vacuum cleaner, This opposing part is provided with a cleaning means for cutting off dust adhering to the rotating cleaning body of the suction attachment of the electric vacuum cleaner mounted on the stand, The electric blower generates an airflow for drawing dust from the intake port to the dust collection section. The air guide section is located on the opposite side of the suction port with respect to the rotation axis of the rotating cleaning body of the suction attachment of the electric vacuum cleaner mounted on the stand, and guides the dust cut by the cleaning means towards the suction port by airflow. An electric cleaning system characterized by the following features.
2. The suction device has an electric motor that rotates the rotating cleaning body, The electric motor rotates the rotating cleaning body in the forward direction when the cleaning means cuts off the dust adhering to the rotating cleaning body. The air guide section has a discharge opening along the opposing surface that faces the lower part of the suction tool of the vacuum cleaner mounted on the stand in the opposing section. The electric cleaning system according to feature 1.
3. The discharge opening is positioned so as viewed from above, it does not face the suction port of the suction attachment of the vacuum cleaner mounted on the stand in the front-to-back direction. The electric cleaning system according to claim 2, characterized in that it is as described above.
4. The air guide portion is formed between the recess formed in the opposing portion and the front part of the suction attachment of the vacuum cleaner mounted on the stand. An electric cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the features described herein.
5. The opposing surface in the aforementioned opposing portion that faces the lower part of the suction attachment of the electric vacuum cleaner mounted on the stand is flat. An electric cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the features described herein.
6. The suction device has a support portion at its lower end for supporting the suction device relative to the part to be cleaned. The opposing portion has a support recess formed on the opposing surface, The support recess faces the support portion of the suction attachment of the vacuum cleaner mounted on the stand. The electric cleaning system according to claim 5, characterized in that it is a feature of the present invention.
7. The opposing portion comprises a front wall portion facing the front of the suction tool of the electric vacuum cleaner mounted on the stand, and a side wall portion facing the side of the suction tool. An electric cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the features described herein.
8. The electric blower and the dust collection unit are provided in the vacuum cleaner. An electric cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the features described herein.
9. The electric blower and the dust collection unit are provided on the stand. An electric cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the features described herein.
10. The air guide section communicates with the exhaust side of the electric blower. The electric cleaning system according to claim 9.