Silencers and low noise vacuum cleaners

Abstract

To provide a silencer and a low noise cleaner capable of reducing noise leaking from an exhaust port while suppressing deterioration in suction capacity of a cleaner.SOLUTION: A silencer 10 is used for a cleaner 100 having a housing 112 in which an exhaust port 119 is formed for discharging exhaust air from a fan device 111 for generating suction force, and includes: a case 20 attached to the housing 112 so as to cover the exhaust port 119, which forms a distribution space 30 for flowing the air discharged from the exhaust port 119 with an outer peripheral surface of the housing 112; and a sound absorption part 40 supported in the case 20 so as to face the distribution space 30. The case 20 is formed with a discharge port 31 for discharging the air flowing in the distribution space 30 to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a silencer and a low-noise vacuum cleaner. [Background technology]

[0002] 9, Patent Document 1 discloses a vacuum cleaner 300 including a storage case 313 in which a suction source 307 is stored, a dust collection container 310 adjacent to the storage case 313, a suction pipe 311 connected to the dust collection container 310, and a suction nozzle (not shown) connected to the tip of the suction pipe 311. This vacuum cleaner 300 collects dust by sucking dust on the floor surface into the dust collection container 310 through the suction nozzle and the suction pipe 311 by the suction force of the suction source 307. At this time, air sucked from the suction nozzle by the suction force of the suction source 307 passes through the dust collection container 310 and the storage case 313, and is exhausted to the outside of the vacuum cleaner 300 through an exhaust port 330 formed on the side surface of the storage case 313. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-131768 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The vacuum cleaner 300 of Patent Document 1 is provided with sound absorbing material 333 so as to cover the exhaust port 330. With this configuration, the noise leaking from the sound absorbing material 333 can be reduced, but there is a problem in that the sound absorbing material 333 creates air flow resistance, which reduces the suction ability of the vacuum cleaner 300.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to reduce noise leaking from an exhaust port while preventing a decrease in the suction capacity of a vacuum cleaner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The silencer in the present disclosure is an exhaust system through which exhaust air is discharged from a fan device that generates suction force. A sound absorbing device for use in a vacuum cleaner having a housing with an exhaust port, the sound absorbing device being configured to cover the exhaust port. and the exhaust port is disposed between the outer circumferential surface of the housing and the exhaust air is exhausted from the exhaust port. a case that forms a flow space through which the air flows; and a support supported by the case so as to face the flow space. The case includes a sound absorbing portion that is supported by the sound absorbing member. The sound absorbing portion is configured to radiate the air that has flowed through the flow space to the outside. An outlet is formed through which the liquid is discharged. The case has a pair of case members capable of forming the flow space and a connecting portion connecting the pair of case members to each other. The silencer is switchable between an open state in which the case is detachable from the housing and a closed state in which the flow space is formed.

[0007] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the suction force of the fan device causes the air discharged from the housing through the exhaust port to flow through the circulation space between the case and the housing. This makes it difficult for noise generated when the air is discharged from the exhaust port to leak to the outside. In addition, this noise has already been attenuated by the sound absorbing section when the air is discharged to the outside through the outlet, so the noise from the outlet is also kept low. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which a sound absorbing material is arranged to cover the exhaust port, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the suction performance of the vacuum cleaner and to reduce noise. In addition, since the state of the main body case can be switched between an open state and a closed state by the pair of rotatably connected case members, the main body case attached to the outer periphery of the vacuum cleaner in the closed state can be switched to the open state and removed from the outer periphery of the vacuum cleaner, making it easier to attach and detach the silencer to and from the vacuum cleaner.

[0008] The silencer may be configured so that the outlet has an opening area larger than an opening area of ​​the exhaust outlet.

[0009] In this embodiment, since the opening area of ​​the outlet is larger than the opening area of ​​the exhaust port, the flow velocity of the air passing through the outlet is smaller than the flow velocity of the air passing through the exhaust port, thereby making it possible to suppress the volume of wind noise generated by the air passing through the outlet.

[0010] The silencer may be configured such that the case is detachably attached to the housing.

[0011] In this aspect, since the silencer is configured to be detachable from the vacuum cleaner, when it is desired to suppress noise, the silencer can be attached to the vacuum cleaner as necessary to suppress the noise.

[0012] The position of the outlet of the silencer may be set so that the outlet is located away from the exhaust port when the case is attached to the housing.

[0013] In this embodiment, the sound absorbing portion can be made longer by moving the exhaust port away from the discharge port to lengthen the flow space, thereby effectively reducing noise in the flow space.

[0014] The position of the outlet of the silencer may be set so that, when the case is attached to the housing, the outlet is located on the opposite side of the housing with respect to the exhaust port.

[0015] In this embodiment, the outlet is set to be located on the opposite side of the housing from the exhaust port, and the sound absorbing section can be made longer by making the flow space from the exhaust port to the outlet longer, thereby more effectively reducing noise in the flow space.

[0016] The sound absorbing section may include a perforated plate having a plurality of through holes that open into the flow space, and a sound absorbing member arranged to overlap the perforated plate and allowing air that has passed through the plurality of through holes to pass through.

[0017] In this embodiment, the sound absorbing characteristics of the sound absorbing part can be adjusted by adjusting the arrangement and opening area of ​​the through holes in the porous plate, and the sound absorbing properties of the sound absorbing member can be increased by increasing the sound absorbing properties of the sound absorbing part.

[0018] The noise absorbing device may further include a second sound absorbing part attached to the case so as to cover the outlet.

[0019] In this embodiment, the noise generated at the exhaust port can be further reduced by the second sound absorbing section provided to cover the outlet. Since the noise generated at the exhaust port is already attenuated in the flow space, the density of the second sound absorbing section does not need to be excessively high. This makes it possible to prevent the suction power of the vacuum cleaner from decreasing.

[0022] The low noise vacuum cleaner of the present disclosure comprises a vacuum cleaner and the silencer attached to the vacuum cleaner. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the silencer and low-noise vacuum cleaner of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the noise leaking from the exhaust port while suppressing a decrease in the suction capacity of the vacuum cleaner. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a noise suppressor and a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the right side of a vacuum cleaner equipped with a silencer according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a left side of a vacuum cleaner equipped with a silencer according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a noise suppressor according to an embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a circumferential section of a vacuum cleaner equipped with a silencer according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a noise suppressor according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section in a circumferential direction of a noise suppression device according to an embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section in a circumferential direction of a noise suppression device according to an embodiment; [Figure 9] Schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the vacuum cleaner of Patent Document 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in order to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, for example, detailed descriptions of already well-known matters or duplicate descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0026] (Overall composition) The low noise vacuum cleaner 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The low noise vacuum cleaner 200 comprises a vacuum cleaner 100 and a silencer 10. The low noise vacuum cleaner 200 is configured to reduce noise generated at an exhaust port 119, which will be described later, provided in the vacuum cleaner 100 by attaching the silencer 10 to the vacuum cleaner 100 so as to cover the exhaust port 119. The vacuum cleaner 100 and the silencer 10 constituting the low noise vacuum cleaner 200 will be described in detail below.

[0027] (Vacuum cleaner configuration) The vacuum cleaner 100 is a stick type vacuum cleaner, and includes a vacuum cleaner body 110, a dust duct 120 connected to the vacuum cleaner body 110, and a suction nozzle 130 attached to the end of the dust duct 120.

[0028] The vacuum cleaner main body 110 has a substantially cylindrical housing 112 that forms the peripheral wall of the vacuum cleaner main body 110, a fan device 111 that is housed in the internal space of the housing 112 and generates a suction force for sucking in dust, and a hollow connecting pipe section 113 that extends downward from the lower part of the peripheral wall of the housing 112. A handle-shaped grip section 115 having a thickness that allows a user to hold it is connected to the upper part of the peripheral wall of the housing 112, and the grip section 115 is curved and extends downward from the upper part of the peripheral wall of the housing 112, and is connected to the upper end of the connecting pipe section 113. The grip section 115 is provided with an operating section 116 that is operated by the user, and the fan device 111 is operated or stopped according to the operation of the operating section 116. The fan device 111 may be constituted by, for example, a suction fan.

[0029] Dust collection container 117 is attached to the lower end of housing 112 in which fan device 111 is housed. Dust collection container 117 is a cylindrical container with a bottom, and an air intake port 118 that opens into housing 112 is provided at the upper end of dust collection container 117. Through air intake port 118 at the upper end of dust collection container 117, the internal space of dust collection container 117 communicates with the internal space in housing 112 in which fan device 111 is disposed. The internal space of connecting pipe 113 communicates with the internal space of dust collection container 117 through an opening provided in the peripheral wall of dust collection container 117.

[0030] An exhaust port 119 is provided on the side surface of the housing 112 for discharging air from the internal space of the housing 112 to the outside. The exhaust port 119 is composed of a plurality of through holes penetrating the inner and outer surfaces of the housing 112. The dust collection container 117 is provided with a filter section (not shown) for allowing air to pass through while capturing dust contained in the passing air. For the filter section, for example, a porous mesh filter is used.

[0031] The dust duct 120 constitutes a flow path for dust sucked by the fan device 111, and has a base end pipe 121 formed so as to be detachable from the connecting pipe part 113 of the vacuum cleaner body 110, and an extension pipe 122 extending from the base end pipe 121. A suction nozzle 130 is connected to the tip of the extension pipe 122.

[0032] When the user operates the operation unit 116 to start cleaning while the dust collection container 117 is fixed to the vacuum cleaner body 110, the fan device 111 starts operating. When the fan device 111 operates, a suction force acts on the inside of the suction nozzle 130, and dust on the floor surface is sucked up into the suction nozzle 130 and is sucked into the internal space of the dust collection container 117 by the air flow toward the internal space of the dust collection container 117.

[0033] The suction force of the fan device 111 draws air from the internal space of the dust container 117 into the internal space of the housing 112 through the filter section and the air inlet 118, while dust contained in the air is captured by the filter section and stored in the dust container 117. The air drawn into the internal space of the housing 112 is discharged to the outside of the housing 112 through the exhaust port 119. At this time, the air flowing out from the exhaust port 119 generates wind noise, which may cause discomfort to the user. The higher the wind speed of the air flowing out from the exhaust port 119, the louder the wind noise generated. In order to reduce the noise of the vacuum cleaner 100, the silencer 10 is attached to the peripheral wall of the outer circumferential surface of the housing 112 so as to cover the exhaust port 119 of the housing 112 of the vacuum cleaner 100 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0034] (Configuration of silencer) As shown in Fig. 4, the silencer 10 includes a case 20 configured to be detachable from the outer peripheral surface of the housing 112. The case 20 is cylindrical with a portion of the circumferential direction interrupted, and includes a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 34, a lower wall portion 14 that protrudes radially inward from one end (lower end) in the cylindrical axis direction of the peripheral wall portion 34, and an upper wall portion 15 that protrudes radially inward from the other end (upper end) in the cylindrical axis direction of the peripheral wall portion 34. The lower wall portion 14 and the upper wall portion 15 are formed.

[0035] The peripheral wall portion 34 has a part cut out in the peripheral direction, and has a pair of ends in the peripheral direction. The case 20 has a left wall portion 28 extending from one end (left end) of the pair of ends in the peripheral direction of the peripheral wall portion 34 toward the cylindrical shaft side, and a right wall portion 29 extending from the other end (right end) of the pair of ends toward the cylindrical shaft side and facing the left wall portion 28. The peripheral wall portion 34 is coaxial with the outer peripheral surface of the housing 112, and has a radius of curvature larger than the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the housing 112. One end (lower end) in the cylindrical axis direction of the left wall portion 28 and the right wall portion 29 is connected to the inner wall of the lower wall portion 14, and the other end (upper end) in the cylindrical axis direction of the left wall portion 28 and the right wall portion 29 is connected to the inner wall of the upper wall portion 15.

[0036] A portion of the case 20 in the circumferential direction is discontinued, so that a separation space 27 is formed between a left wall portion 28 and a right wall portion 29. As shown in Fig. 2, the separation space 27 is provided so as not to block the space between the housing 112 and the grip portion 115 when the silencer 10 is attached to the vacuum cleaner 100. This makes it easy for the user to grip the grip portion 115 even when the silencer 10 is attached.

[0037] 5, the case 20 includes two semi-cylinder-shaped left and right case members 22 and 23 that are constructed as separate bodies, and a connecting portion 24 that connects the left and right case members 22 and 23. The left case member 22 abuts against one outer circumferential surface (the outer circumferential surface on the left side) of the housing 112 in the circumferential direction. The right case member 23 abuts against the other outer circumferential surface (the outer circumferential surface on the right side).

[0038] 4, the peripheral wall portion 34 has a left peripheral wall portion 32 provided in the left case member 22 and a right peripheral wall portion 33 provided in the right case member 23. The lower wall portion 14 has a left lower wall portion 16 provided in the left case member 22 and a right front wall portion 18 provided in the right case member 23. The upper wall portion 15 has an upper left wall portion 17 provided in the left case member 22 and an upper right wall portion 19 provided in the right case member 23.

[0039] When the silencer 10 is attached to the vacuum cleaner 100, as shown in Fig. 5, a flow space 30 having a substantially C-shaped cross section and elongated in the axial direction of the housing 112 is formed between the case 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the housing 112. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the housing 112 defines a radially inner peripheral wall of the flow space 30, and the peripheral wall portion 34 of the case 20 defines a radially outer peripheral wall of the flow space 30. Furthermore, the lower wall portion 14 and the upper wall portion 15 (see Fig. 4) define outer walls at both ends of the flow space 30 in the axial direction, and the left wall portion 28 and the right wall portion 29 define outer walls that block the portions of the flow space 30 where the peripheral wall portion 34 is discontinued.

[0040] A sealing material (not shown) for keeping the flow space 30 airtight is attached to portions of the case 20 that come into contact with the housing 112 (for example, the ends of the left wall portion 28 and the right wall portion 29 on the housing 112 side).

[0041] 2, when the silencer 10 is attached to the vacuum cleaner 100, the right case member 23 of the case 20 is set to cover the exhaust port 119 of the housing 112. The exhaust port 119 opens into the space on the right case member 23 side in the flow space 30 between the case 20 and the housing 112, and the exhaust port 119 connects the internal space of the housing 112 and the flow space 30.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 3, a discharge port 31 that communicates the flow space 30 with the outside of the silencer 10 is formed in the left peripheral wall portion 32 of the left case member 22 of the case 20. The discharge port 31 is composed of a plurality of through holes that penetrate the left peripheral wall portion 32 from the inner surface to the outer surface. Therefore, the air in the flow space 30 is discharged to the outside through the discharge port 31, as shown by the arrow F in Fig. 5.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 5, the silencer 10 is set so that the position of the discharge port 31 is on the opposite side to the exhaust port 119 of the vacuum cleaner 100. That is, the discharge port 31 is spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the housing 112 so as to face the opposite side to the exhaust port 119. Therefore, the air discharged from the exhaust port 119 flows in the circulation space 30 in the circumferential direction of the housing 112 toward the discharge port 31, as shown by the dashed arrow in Fig. 5. The discharge port 31 has an opening area larger than the opening area of ​​the exhaust port 119 in order to reduce the flow speed of the air passing through the discharge port 31.

[0044] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the noise suppressor 10 includes a sound absorbing section 40 for absorbing the sound of air flowing through the flow space 30. The sound absorbing section 40 is supported by the case 20 between the case 20 and the housing 112 so as to face the flow space 30. The sound absorbing section 40 has a left sound absorbing section 42 supported by the left case member 22 and a right sound absorbing section 43 supported by the right case member 23, and the left sound absorbing section 42 and the right sound absorbing section 43 are formed symmetrically. Here, only the left sound absorbing section 42 will be described.

[0045] The left sound absorbing section 42 includes a perforated plate 45 and a sound absorbing member 50 arranged to overlap the perforated plate 45. The perforated plate 45 is formed in the shape of a cylindrical surface coaxial with the housing 112 between the left peripheral wall section 32 and the outer circumferential surface of the housing 112. The inner surface of the perforated plate 45 faces the flow space 30. The sound absorbing member 50 is arranged in the space between the perforated plate 45 and the left peripheral wall section 32.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 6, the porous plate 45 has a plurality of through holes 46 formed therein, penetrating from the inner surface to the outer surface of the porous plate 45, over almost the entire area of ​​the porous plate 45. Note that the sound absorbing member 50 and the second sound absorbing section 60 are omitted in Fig. 6 for convenience. The opening area of ​​the plurality of through holes 46 is larger than the opening area of ​​the exhaust port 119. As a result, in the sound deadening device 10, the flow speed of the air passing through the plurality of through holes 46 is prevented from increasing.

[0047] 5, the sound absorbing member 50 covers the multiple through holes 46 of the porous plate 45 and includes a portion facing the outlet 31 of the left peripheral wall portion 32. The sound absorbing member 50 allows air to pass through and absorbs propagating sound to attenuate noise. For example, the sound absorbing member 50 is made of a material with high sound absorbing properties, such as glass wool or urethane foam.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the sound absorbing device 10 includes a second sound absorbing section 60 for further reducing the wind noise generated at the exhaust port 119. The second sound absorbing section 60 covers almost the entire outer surface of the peripheral wall section 34, and includes a portion facing the exhaust port 31 (see Fig. 3). Since the wind noise generated at the exhaust port 119 is already attenuated by the sound absorbing section 40 in the flow space 30, the density of the second sound absorbing section 60 does not need to be excessively high. In addition, since almost the entire outer surface of the peripheral wall section 34 is covered by the second sound absorbing section 60, not only the noise propagating through the air passing through the exhaust port 31 but also the noise propagating to the outside via the peripheral wall section 34 can be reduced. For the material of the second sound absorbing section 60, a relatively breathable sound absorbing material such as a polyester mesh material or a sponge material is used.

[0049] The left case member 22 and the right case member 23 are rotatably connected by a connecting portion 24 configured by a hinge equipped with a torsion coil spring, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. When the left case member 22 and the right case member 23 rotate to open from each other with the left wall portion 28 and the right wall portion 29 moving away from each other, the silencer 10 is in an open state in which the size of the separation space 27 is larger than the lateral width (length in the left-right direction) of the housing 112 (the state shown in Figure 8). In the open state, the housing 112 can pass through the separation space 27, so that the silencer 10 can be attached to and detached from the outer circumferential surface of the housing 112.

[0050] On the other hand, the left case member 22 and the right case member 23 rotate to close each other with the left wall portion 28 and the right wall portion 29 approaching each other, whereby the silencer 10 is in a closed state in which the size of the separation space 27 is minimized (the state shown in FIG. 7). In the closed state, the case 20 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the housing 112, and an airtight flow space 30 is formed between the case 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the housing 112.

[0051] The torsion coil spring of the connecting portion 24 biases the left case member 22 and the right case member 23 to rotate in the closing direction (the direction in which the silencer 10 is in the closed state). Therefore, the silencer is in the closed state when no external force is applied to the left case member 22 and the right case member 23. Then, when the user applies an external force to the left case member 22 and the right case member 23 to rotate them in the opening direction (the direction opposite to the closing direction), the silencer 10 is in the open state, and the silencer 10 can be attached to and detached from the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0052] (Explanation of operation) The operation of the low noise cleaner 200 is now described.

[0053] When a user wishes to reduce noise during cleaning, the silencer 10 is attached to the vacuum cleaner 100 as shown in Fig. 1. That is, the silencer 10 is opened and attached to the housing 112, and the silencer 10 is closed. This allows cleaning to be performed with the low-noise vacuum cleaner 200. In the low-noise vacuum cleaner 200, the exhaust port 119 of the vacuum cleaner 100 is covered by the case 20 of the silencer 10, and the exhaust port 119 is in communication with the flow space 30.

[0054] When a user operates the operation unit 116 to start cleaning, the fan device 111 is activated and dust on the floor surface is sucked into the dust collection container 117 through the suction nozzle 130 and the dust duct 120. At this time, air in the internal space of the housing 112 is exhausted from the exhaust port 119, and the air passing through the exhaust port 119 generates wind noise.

[0055] In the low-noise vacuum cleaner 200, air discharged from the exhaust port 119 passes through the flow space 30, passes through the sound absorbing member 50 from the numerous through holes 46, and passes through the second sound absorbing section 60 from the exhaust port 31 before being discharged to the outside. The wind noise generated at the exhaust port 119 propagates through the air flowing in the flow space 30 from the exhaust port 119 toward the exhaust port 31. At this time, the sound absorbing member 50 absorbs the wind noise, thereby attenuating the wind noise. Furthermore, the second sound absorbing section 60 absorbs the wind noise, thereby further attenuating the wind noise already attenuated by the sound absorbing section 40. As a result, the wind noise generated at the exhaust port 119 propagates to the outside as low noise attenuated by the sound absorbing section 40 and the second sound absorbing section 60. At the exhaust port 31, the wind speed of the air passing through the exhaust port 31 is reduced, so that the wind noise is suppressed.

[0056] Note that various changes or improvements may be made to the silencer 10 according to the above-described embodiment. For example, the silencer 10 is set so that the position of the discharge port 31 is on the opposite side of the exhaust port 119 in the circumferential direction of the housing 112, but this is not limited thereto. In other words, the silencer 10 only needs to be set so that the position of the discharge port 31 is spaced apart from the exhaust port 119 in the circumferential or axial direction of the housing 112. In this case, the flow space 30 is formed according to the distance from the exhaust port 119 to the discharge port 31 on the outer circumferential surface of the housing 112.

[0057] Furthermore, the opening area of ​​the discharge port 31 does not have to be larger than the opening area of ​​the exhaust port 119. For example, the opening area of ​​the discharge port 31 may be the same as the opening area of ​​the exhaust port 119.

[0058] The left case member 22 and the right case member 23 are rotatably connected by a connecting portion 24 configured by a hinge equipped with a torsion coil spring, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the left case member 22 and the right case member 23 may be detachably connected by screwing. In this case, the left case member 22 and the right case member 23 each have a screw fastening portion in which a screw hole is formed. The left case member 22 and the right case member 23 are screwed by the screw that is the connecting portion 24 in a state in which the screw fastening portion of the left case member 22 is overlapped with the screw fastening portion of the right case member 23. By removing the screw, the left case member 22 and the right case member 23 are separated, and the silencer 10 can be attached to and detached from the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0059] Furthermore, the connecting portion 24 may be composed of an attachment band and a buckle member. In this case, the left case member 22 and the right case member 23 are connected to each other by fastening an attachment band extending from the left case member 22 to a buckle member disposed on the right case member 23.

[0060] Furthermore, the connecting portion 24 may be composed of a magnetic plate and a magnetic material capable of magnetically attracting the magnetic plate. In this case, the magnetic material attached to the left case member 22 attracts the magnetic plate attached to the right case member 23, thereby detachably connecting the left case member 22 and the right case member 23.

[0061] Furthermore, the connecting portion 24 may be configured of an adhesive member that detachably connects the left case member 22 and the right case member 23 together.

[0062] Furthermore, although a space 27 is formed between the left wall portion 28 and the right wall portion 29 of the case 20, the space 27 does not have to be formed. In other words, the case 20 may be formed in a cylindrical shape that is continuous in the circumferential direction. In this case, a relatively large space is formed between the grip portion 115 and the housing 112, and the user can easily grip the grip portion 115 even without forming the space 27.

[0063] Further, the second sound absorbing section 60 is formed so as to cover almost the entire outer surface of the peripheral wall section 34, but is not limited thereto. For example, the second sound absorbing section 60 may be formed so as to cover only the outlet 31, or the second sound absorbing section 60 may be omitted.

[0064] Furthermore, in the low noise cleaner 200, the silencer 10 does not have to be removable from the cleaner 100. In this case, the case 20 is fixed to the housing 112 at all times.

[0065] In addition, the low noise vacuum cleaner 200 has the vacuum cleaner 100 which is a stick type vacuum cleaner, but is not limited to this. For example, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be a handheld vacuum cleaner or a canister type vacuum cleaner. In this case, the silencer 10 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the housing in which the suction source is built in, so as to cover the exhaust port formed in the housing in each vacuum cleaner.

[0066] (Effects, etc.) The noise suppressor according to the above-described embodiment has the following features and provides the following effects.

[0067] The noise suppressor is used in a vacuum cleaner having a housing with an exhaust port through which exhaust air from a fan device that generates suction force is discharged. The noise suppressor includes a case attached to the housing so as to cover the exhaust port and forming a circulation space between the case and the outer peripheral surface of the housing for flowing the air discharged from the exhaust port, and a sound absorbing part supported by the case so as to face the circulation space. The case is formed with an outlet port for discharging the air that has flowed through the circulation space to the outside.

[0068] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the suction force of the fan device causes the air discharged from the housing through the exhaust port to flow through the circulation space between the case and the housing. This makes it difficult for noise generated when the air is discharged from the exhaust port to leak to the outside. In addition, this noise has already been attenuated by the sound absorbing section when the air is discharged to the outside through the outlet, so the noise from the outlet is also kept low. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which a sound absorbing material is arranged to cover the exhaust port, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the suction performance of the vacuum cleaner and to reduce noise.

[0069] The silencer has an outlet having an opening area larger than an opening area of ​​the exhaust outlet.

[0070] In this embodiment, since the opening area of ​​the outlet is larger than the opening area of ​​the exhaust port, the flow velocity of the air passing through the outlet is smaller than the flow velocity of the air passing through the exhaust port, thereby making it possible to suppress the volume of wind noise generated by the air passing through the outlet.

[0071] The silencer is configured such that the case is detachably attached to the housing.

[0072] In this aspect, since the silencer is configured to be detachable from the vacuum cleaner, when it is desired to suppress noise, the silencer can be attached to the vacuum cleaner as necessary to suppress the noise.

[0073] The position of the outlet of the silencer is set so that the outlet is located away from the exhaust port when the case is attached to the housing.

[0074] In this embodiment, the sound absorbing portion can be made longer by moving the exhaust port away from the discharge port to lengthen the flow space, thereby effectively reducing noise in the flow space.

[0075] The position of the outlet of the silencer is set so that, when the case is attached to the housing, the outlet is located on the opposite side of the housing with respect to the exhaust port.

[0076] In this embodiment, the outlet is set to be located on the opposite side of the housing from the exhaust port, and the sound absorbing section can be made longer by making the flow space from the exhaust port to the outlet longer, thereby more effectively reducing noise in the flow space.

[0077] The sound absorbing section comprises a perforated plate having a plurality of through holes that open into the flow space, and a sound absorbing member arranged to overlap the perforated plate and allowing air that has passed through the plurality of through holes to pass through.

[0078] In this embodiment, the sound absorbing characteristics of the sound absorbing part can be adjusted by adjusting the arrangement and opening area of ​​the through holes in the porous plate, and the sound absorbing properties of the sound absorbing member can be increased by increasing the sound absorbing properties of the sound absorbing part.

[0079] The sound deadening device further includes a second sound absorbing part attached to the case so as to cover the outlet.

[0080] In this embodiment, the noise generated at the exhaust port can be further reduced by the second sound absorbing section provided to cover the outlet. Since the noise generated at the exhaust port is already attenuated in the flow space, the density of the second sound absorbing section does not need to be excessively high. This makes it possible to prevent the suction power of the vacuum cleaner from decreasing.

[0081] The case has a pair of case members capable of forming the flow space and a connecting portion that connects the pair of case members together, and the silencer is configured to switch between an open state in which the case is detachable from the housing and a closed state in which the flow space is formed.

[0082] In this embodiment, the state of the main body case can be switched between an open state and a closed state by the pair of rotatably connected case members, so that the main body case attached to the outer periphery of the vacuum cleaner in the closed state can be switched to the open state and removed from the outer periphery of the vacuum cleaner, making it easier to attach and detach the silencer to and from the vacuum cleaner.

[0083] The low noise cleaner includes a cleaner and the silencer attached to the cleaner. This makes it possible to suppress the deterioration of suction performance and reduce noise, compared to conventional cleaners.

[0084] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 10 Silencer 20 cases 22 Left case member 23 Right case part 24 Connecting part 30 Distribution space 31 Outlet 40 Sound absorbing section 45 Perforated plate 46 Multiple Through Holes 50 Sound absorbing materials 60 Second sound absorbing section 100 vacuum cleaner 110 Vacuum cleaner body 111 Fan unit 112 Cabinet 119 Exhaust vent 200 Low noise vacuum cleaner

Claims

1. 1. A silencer for use in a vacuum cleaner having a housing with an exhaust port through which exhaust air from a fan device that generates suction force is discharged, a case attached to the housing so as to cover the exhaust port, and defining a flow space between the case and an outer peripheral surface of the housing for allowing air exhausted from the exhaust port to flow; a sound absorbing section supported by the case so as to face the flow space, The case is formed with an outlet for discharging the air that has flowed through the flow space to the outside, The case includes a pair of case members capable of forming the flow space and a connecting portion connecting the pair of case members to each other, The silencer switches between an open state in which the case is detachable from the housing and a closed state in which the flow space is formed.

2. The silencer according to claim 1 , wherein the outlet has an opening area larger than an opening area of ​​the exhaust port.

3. 3. The noise suppressor according to claim 1, wherein the case is configured to be detachable from the housing.

4. 4. The silencer according to claim 1, wherein the position of the outlet is set so that the outlet is located away from the exhaust port when the case is attached to the housing.

5. 5. The noise suppressor according to claim 1, wherein the position of the outlet is set so that, when the case is attached to the housing, the outlet is located on the opposite side of the housing from the exhaust port.

6. 6. The noise suppressor according to claim 1, wherein the sound absorbing portion comprises: a porous plate having a plurality of through holes that open into the flow space; and a sound absorbing member that is arranged so as to overlap the porous plate and that allows air that has passed through the plurality of through holes to pass therethrough.

7. 7. The noise suppressor according to claim 1, further comprising a second sound absorbing part attached to the case so as to cover the outlet.

8. A vacuum cleaner and A low noise vacuum cleaner comprising: a silencer according to any one of claims 1 to 7 attached to the vacuum cleaner.

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