Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

To provide a vacuum cleaner that can stand stably and independently without tipping over on a horizontal surface such as a floor or a workbench in response to a change in the center of gravity caused by the attachment or detachment of a battery. [Solution] When the secondary battery 18 is attached to the long main body case 12, the vacuum cleaner main body 2 stands on its own in a first position on a horizontal surface with at least two of the three or more legs 31 lined up in the longitudinal direction of the main body case 12 grounded and at least one leg 31 not grounded, and when the secondary battery 18 is detached from the main body case 12, at least two of the three or more legs 31, including the leg 31 not grounded in the first position, grounded and at least one of the at least two legs 31 grounded in the first position not grounded, so that the vacuum cleaner main body 2 stands on its own in a second position on a horizontal surface.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a vacuum cleaner that includes a vacuum cleaner body, a dust case, and a storage battery that is detachable from the vacuum cleaner body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-171515 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The position of the center of gravity of a conventional vacuum cleaner changes significantly between when a storage battery is attached to the vacuum cleaner body and when the storage battery is removed from the vacuum cleaner body.

[0005] Incidentally, when a storage battery is attached to the vacuum cleaner body, or when the vacuum cleaner body is equipped with a storage battery that is non-removably fixed thereto, there are examples in which the vacuum cleaner is equipped with legs that can stably support the vacuum cleaner on a horizontal surface without tipping over.

[0006] However, when the storage battery is removed from the vacuum cleaner body, the conventional vacuum cleaner cannot stand stably on its legs and there is a risk of it falling over.

[0007] If the vacuum cleaner falls over, dust accumulated in the dust case may leak out and the vacuum cleaner may be damaged.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner that can stand stably and independently without tipping over on a horizontal surface such as a floor or workbench in response to a change in the position of its center of gravity caused by the attachment or removal of batteries. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a vacuum cleaner body having a long main body case, an electric blower housed in the main body case, a dust collecting device connected to the suction side of the electric blower, a battery unit that is detachably attached to the main body case and stores power consumed to drive the electric blower, and three or more legs lined up in the longitudinal direction of the main body case. At least one of the legs is disposed on the dust collecting device. When the battery unit is attached to the main body case, the vacuum cleaner stands on its own in a first position on a horizontal surface with a first leg group including at least two of the three or more legs grounded and at least one leg not grounded, and when the battery unit is detached from the main body case, the vacuum cleaner stands on its own in a second position on a horizontal surface with a second leg group including at least two of the three or more legs including the leg that is not grounded in the first position grounded and at least one of the first leg group not grounded. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vacuum cleaner body of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vacuum cleaner body of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the vacuum cleaner body of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of another example of the cleaner body according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of another example of the cleaner body according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a handheld vacuum cleaner according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Note that in the various drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] 1, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment is, for example, a stick type or a handheld type. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes a handheld vacuum cleaner main body 2, an extension tube 3 detachable from the vacuum cleaner main body 2, and a suction port body 5 detachable from the extension tube 3.

[0014] When the user holds the vacuum cleaner 1 in his / her hand, FIG. 1 corresponds to a view of the vacuum cleaner 1 seen from diagonally forward and to the left of the user.

[0015] The vacuum cleaner 1 can also be used as a handheld vacuum cleaner with only the vacuum cleaner body 2 removed from the extension tube 3 and the suction mouth body 5. In other words, the vacuum cleaner body 2 can be used alone as a handheld vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 1 can also be used with a nozzle that is much shorter than the extension tube 3 attached instead of the extension tube 3 and the suction mouth body 5.

[0016] The vacuum cleaner main body 2 comprises a main body case 12 having a handle portion 11, an electric blower 13 housed in the main body case 12 and generating a negative suction pressure, a suction pipe 15 fluidly connected to the suction side of the electric blower 13, a separation dust collecting section 16 (dust collecting device) removably attached to the main body case 12, a main body control section 17 that mainly controls the electric blower 13, a secondary battery 18 (battery section) removably attached to the main body case 12, and a holding mechanism (not shown) that removably holds the separation dust collecting section 16 to the main body case 12.

[0017] The vacuum cleaner body 2 drives the electric blower 13 with power stored in the secondary battery 18, generates negative pressure by driving the electric blower 13, and causes the generated negative suction pressure to act on the separation dust collecting section 16. The negative suction pressure acting on the separation dust collecting section 16 acts in sequence on the suction pipe 15, the extension pipe 3, and the suction port body 5. The negative suction pressure that reaches the suction port body 5 acts on the suction port 19 of the suction port body 5. The negative suction pressure acting on the suction port 19 sucks air containing dust (hereinafter referred to as "dust-containing air") from the floor surface into the suction port 19. The dust-containing air sucked into the suction port 19 flows into the separation dust collecting section 16 through the suction port body 5, the extension pipe 3, and the suction pipe 15. Dust separation and collection unit 16 separates dust from the dust-containing air sucked in by the suction negative pressure, collects and accumulates the separated dust, and sends the air from which the dust has been separated to electric blower 13. Electric blower 13 exhausts the air from which the dust has been separated out of main body case 12.

[0018] The vacuum cleaner 1 and vacuum cleaner main body 2 are used in various positions depending on the user holding the vacuum cleaner main body 2 in their hand. Thus, in Fig. 1, the view in the direction of solid line arrow P is taken as a plan view (top view), and the view in the opposite direction of solid line arrow P is taken as a bottom view. In Fig. 1, the view in the direction of solid line arrow F is taken as a front view (front view), and the view in the opposite direction of solid line arrow F is taken as a rear view. In Fig. 1, the view in the direction of solid line arrow L is taken as a left side view, and the view in the opposite direction of solid line arrow L is taken as a right side view. In other words, when a user holds the vacuum cleaner 1 in a position in which the extension tube 3 protrudes horizontally in front of the user, the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions of the vacuum cleaner 1 correspond to those of the user.

[0019] The main body case 12 accommodates the electric blower 13 and a control circuit board 21 on which the main body control unit 17 is mounted.

[0020] The main body case 12 is arranged on the extension line of the extension tube 3 and comprises a columnar front portion 12a extending along the extension line of the extension tube 3, a central portion 12b hanging diagonally downward and rearward from the front portion 12a, a cylindrical rear portion 12c extending rearward from the lower half of the back surface of the central portion 12b, and a handle portion 11 extending rearward from the upper half of the back surface of the central portion 12b, curving in an arc shape, and connecting to the rear end of the upper surface of the rear portion 12c.

[0021] Furthermore, the main body case 12 is provided with a charging socket that introduces charging power to the secondary battery 18. The charging socket is connected to the secondary battery 18 via a charging circuit.

[0022] The main body case 12 also includes an input section 22 that is disposed within a range in which a user gripping the handle 11 can move his or her fingers.

[0023] The front part 12a and the central part 12b cooperate to detachably hold the separation dust collecting part 16. The separation dust collecting part 16 has a cylindrical appearance as a whole. The front part 12a and the central part 12b hold the separation dust collecting part 16 with the center line C of the separation dust collecting part 16, in other words, the longitudinal direction parallel to the extension line of the center line of the extension tube 3. When the extension tube 3 and the separation dust collecting part 16 are attached to the main body case 12, the extension line of the center line of the extension tube 3 and the center line C of the separation dust collecting part 16 are arranged on a central vertical cross section that divides the main body case 12 substantially equally into the left and right. In other words, the longitudinal front part 12a and the cylindrical separation dust collecting part 16 are arranged side by side so that their center lines are parallel to each other.

[0024] The front portion 12a of the main body case 12 accommodates a suction pipe 15 that is disposed on the extension of the longitudinal direction of the extension pipe 3, that is, the extension direction, and extends in a tubular shape.

[0025] The rear portion 12c of the main body case 12 houses the electric blower 13 and the control circuit board 21. The rear portion 12c has an exhaust port 25 through which exhaust air from the electric blower 13 is discharged from inside the main body case 12.

[0026] The central portion 12b of the main body case 12 holds and covers part of the rear end of the separation dust collecting unit 16 provided next to the front portion 12a, and houses an air passage (not shown) connecting the separation dust collecting unit 16 and the electric blower 13. The central portion 12b is connected to the rear end of the front portion 12a, which extends substantially linearly, and bulges downward and diagonally toward the rear of the main body case 12. The central portion 12b has an appearance that slopes downward toward the rear of the main body case 12.

[0027] The suction pipe 15 is housed in the front part 12a of the main body case 12 and is supported by the main body case 12. When the separation dust collecting unit 16 is attached to the main body case 12, the suction pipe 15 is aligned parallel to the separation dust collecting unit 16. The suction pipe 15 is a straight pipe that extends substantially straight without bending. The direction along the center line of the suction pipe 15, the extension direction of the suction pipe 15, and the longitudinal direction of the suction pipe 15 are substantially the same and substantially coincide with the front-rear direction of the main body case 12.

[0028] The suction pipe 15 has a joint structure to which the extension pipe 3 can be detachably attached. This joint structure is provided at the open end of the suction pipe 15. The suction pipe 15 is a fluid inlet of the vacuum cleaner body 2, and is also a joint that fluidly connects the extension pipe 3 and the separation dust collecting section 16. By removing the extension pipe 3 from the vacuum cleaner body 2, the suction pipe 15 functions as a suction port when the vacuum cleaner body 2 is used alone as a handheld vacuum cleaner. The tip of the suction pipe 15 is open toward the front of the vacuum cleaner body 2.

[0029] The rear end of the suction pipe 15 has a second opening connected to the separation dust collecting section 16. The second opening opens radially outward of the suction pipe 15 toward the separation dust collecting section 16. The second opening opens downward of the main body case 12. The second opening is provided on the bottom surface of the front part 12a of the main body case 12. When the separation dust collecting section 16 is attached to the main body case 12, the bottom surface of the front part 12a closely follows the separation dust collecting section 16. In this state, the second opening is fluidly connected to the separation dust collecting section 16.

[0030] The separation dust collecting unit 16 is disposed in an L-shaped storage space formed by the front part 12a and the center part 12b of the main body case 12. The separation dust collecting unit 16 separates, collects and accumulates dust from the dust-containing air flowing into the vacuum cleaner body 2, while sending clean air from which the dust has been removed to the electric blower 13. The separation dust collecting unit 16 is of a centrifugal separation type that separates the dust and the air by centrifugal separation using the difference in mass between the dust and the air. A filtration separation type filter that filters out dust from the dust-containing air may be provided downstream of the separation dust collecting unit 16.

[0031] Further, the separation dust collecting part 16 extends in a cylindrical shape along the front-rear direction of the main body case 12. In other words, the separation dust collecting part 16 is a cylindrical container having a center line C extending in the front-rear direction of the main body case 12. The direction along the center line C of the separation dust collecting part 16, the extension direction of the separation dust collecting part 16, and the longitudinal direction of the separation dust collecting part 16 are substantially the same and substantially coincide with the front-rear direction of the main body case 12. Therefore, the center line C of the separation dust collecting part 16 is substantially parallel to the center line of the suction pipe 15. Further, the separation dust collecting part 16 is provided next to the suction pipe 15. That is, the longitudinal direction of the separation dust collecting part 16 follows the longitudinal direction of the suction pipe 15. The diameter of the separation dust collecting part 16 is larger than the diameter of the suction pipe 15, and the separation dust collecting part 16 protrudes in the left-right direction (width direction) of the vacuum cleaner main body 2 beyond the suction pipe 15 and the front part 12a of the main body case 12. The left-right direction (width direction) of the vacuum cleaner body 2 corresponds to the normal direction of an imaginary plane that substantially includes the center line C of the cylindrical separation dust collecting unit 16 and the center line of the suction pipe 15, or the normal direction of an imaginary plane that substantially passes through the center line C of the cylindrical separation dust collecting unit 16 and the center line of the suction pipe 15. This imaginary plane corresponds to the central vertical cross section of the vacuum cleaner body 2.

[0032] The holding mechanism includes a first mechanism that detachably connects one end of the separation dust collecting unit 16 to the main body case 12, and a second mechanism that detachably connects the other end of the separation dust collecting unit 16 to the main body case 12.

[0033] The first mechanism is a locking mechanism that connects the separation dust collecting unit 16 and the main body case 12 by hooking a protrusion provided on the main body case 12 into a recess provided on the separation dust collecting unit 16. The recess and protrusion of the first mechanism become engaged or disengaged depending on a change in the relative positions of the separation dust collecting unit 16 and the main body case 12.

[0034] The protrusion of the first mechanism is provided at the front end of the bottom surface of the front part 12a of the main body case 12. The recess of the first mechanism is disposed at one end of the separation / collection part 16 in a position that fits the protrusion.

[0035] The second mechanism is a locking mechanism that connects the separation dust collecting unit 16 and the main body case 12 by hooking a convex portion provided on the separation dust collecting unit 16 with a concave portion provided on the main body case 12. Unlike the first mechanism, the second mechanism has an operating piece that can remove the convex portion from the concave portion while maintaining the relative positions of the separation dust collecting unit 16 and the main body case 12. The operating piece is provided on the separation dust collecting unit 16, and the convex portion of the second mechanism is integrated with the operating piece.

[0036] The recess of the second mechanism is provided at the bottom of the central portion 12b of the main body case 12, that is, at the portion furthest from the suction pipe 15 in the radial direction of the suction pipe 15. The protrusion of the second mechanism is located at the other end of the separation dust collecting section 16, at a position that fits the recess. The recess of the first mechanism and the protrusion of the second mechanism are both provided in the separation dust collecting section 16, and are disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to the center of the separation dust collecting section 16 in the longitudinal direction and the center of the separation dust collecting section 16 in the lateral direction. The protrusion of the second mechanism is disposed at the portion furthest from the recess of the first mechanism within the separation dust collecting section 16.

[0037] The operating piece is capable of performing an operation involving mechanical movement, including sliding and swinging, and is a part of various mechanisms that convert the movement associated with this operation into a movement that disengages the convex portion from the concave portion. For example, a user can slide the operating piece to disengage the convex portion of the second mechanism from the concave portion. Furthermore, when the operating piece is not operated by a user, it moves the convex portion of the second mechanism to a position where it hooks into the concave portion.

[0038] When the dust separation unit 16 is attached to the main body case 12, the first mechanism hooks the convex part on the concave part to connect the dust separation unit 16 and the main body case 12, and the second mechanism hooks the convex part on the concave part to connect the dust separation unit 16 and the main body case 12. When the operating piece is operated and the convex part of the second mechanism comes out of the concave part of the second mechanism, the second mechanism is unlocked. At this time, the convex part of the first mechanism maintains the state of being hooked on the concave part. Then, in the state where the second mechanism is unlocked, the user moves the other end part of the dust separation unit 16 away from the main body case 12 using the first mechanism as a fulcrum. Then, the dust separation unit 16 moves away from the main body case 12, and the convex part of the first mechanism eventually comes out of the concave part, and the first mechanism is also unlocked.

[0039] When the separation dust collecting unit 16 is detached from the main body case 12, first, the convex portion of the first mechanism is caught in the concave portion. With the first mechanism locked, the user uses the first mechanism as a fulcrum to bring the other end of the separation dust collecting unit 16 closer to the main body case 12. Then, the separation dust collecting unit 16 is attached to the main body case 12, and eventually the convex portion of the second mechanism is caught in the concave portion, and the second mechanism is also locked.

[0040] The dust collecting unit 16 according to the present embodiment is attached to and detached from the main body case 12 while moving along an arcuate path, but may be attached and detached while moving along a straight path in the radial direction of the suction pipe 15. In this case, it is preferable that the first mechanism and the second mechanism are locked and unlocked substantially simultaneously. The direction of movement of the dust collecting unit 16 when the dust collecting unit 16 is attached to and detached from the main body case 12 may be a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the suction pipe 15. Therefore, when the dust collecting unit 16 is attached to the main body case 12, the dust collecting unit 16 moves in the radial direction of the suction pipe 15 toward the suction pipe 15, and when the dust collecting unit 16 is detached from the main body case 12, the dust collecting unit 16 moves in the radial direction of the suction pipe 15 away from the suction pipe 15.

[0041] The central portion 12b of the main body case 12 includes a connection port that is fluidly connected to the exhaust side of the separation dust collecting unit 16, and a separation unit downstream air duct that fluidly connects the connection port and the electric blower 13. The central portion 12b includes a portion that is sandwiched between the separation dust collecting unit 16 and the rear portion 12c of the main body case 12. The connection port and the separation unit downstream air duct are disposed in this portion.

[0042] The connecting port is disposed at a portion facing the front of the central portion 12b. The connecting port faces directly at the rear end face of the separation dust collecting unit 16 when the separation dust collecting unit 16 is attached to the main body case 12. Therefore, the connecting port is disposed on an extension of the center line C of the separation dust collecting unit 16 when the separation dust collecting unit 16 is attached to the main body case 12.

[0043] The suction side of electric blower 13 is connected to separation dust collecting section 16 via a connecting port and a separation section downstream air duct pipe. Electric blower 13 draws in air from separation dust collecting section 16 to generate suction negative pressure. Electric blower 13 includes an impeller, an electric motor that generates a rotational driving force for the impeller, and a rotating shaft that transmits the rotational driving force from the electric motor to the impeller.

[0044] The impeller is, for example, a turbofan, and is equipped with a number of blades. Each blade has a twisted shape that gradually rises in the radial direction of the hub from the center of the conical hub toward the outer edge of the hub. In other words, each blade is a so-called three-dimensional blade in which the airfoil or wing section changes from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The impeller is covered by a case having an intake port.

[0045] Electric blower 13 has a cylindrical or columnar shape with a rotation shaft as its center. It is housed in main body case 12 with the center line of the rotation shaft facing the front-rear direction of main body case 12 and the suction port facing forward. In addition, the center line of the rotation shaft of electric blower 13 is substantially located on an extension line of separation dust collecting section 16C.

[0046] Rear portion 12c of main body case 12 accommodates control circuit board 21 on which main body control unit 17 is mounted. Control circuit board 21 is disposed directly behind electric blower 13.

[0047] The main body control unit 17 includes a microprocessor and a storage device that stores various calculation programs executed by the microprocessor, parameters, and the like. The storage device stores various settings, i.e., arguments, related to a plurality of pre-set operation modes. The plurality of operation modes are associated with the output of the electric blower 13. A mutually different input value, i.e., an input value of the electric blower 13, which is a target value of the current flowing through the electric blower 13, is set for each operation mode. Each operation mode is associated with an operation input received by the input unit 22. The main body control unit 17 selects an arbitrary operation mode corresponding to the operation input to the input unit 22 from a plurality of pre-set operation modes, reads out the setting of the selected operation mode from the storage device, and operates the electric blower 13 according to the setting of the read operation mode.

[0048] When the separation / collection unit 16 is attached to the main body case 12, the rear portion 12c of the main body case 12 is disposed on an extension line of the center line C of the separation / collection unit 16.

[0049] Secondary battery 18 is also called a storage battery, a rechargeable battery, and a rechargeable battery. Secondary battery 18 stores power consumed by electric blower 13 and main body control unit 17. Secondary battery 18 is detachably attached to the bottom of rear part 12c of main body case 12. Secondary battery 18 may be fixed so as not to be detachable. By preparing multiple secondary batteries 18, detachable secondary batteries 18 can be used by replacing them as needed. When the charging rate of secondary battery 18 attached to vacuum cleaner 1 decreases, this secondary battery 18 can be replaced with a charged secondary battery 18, allowing vacuum cleaner 1 to continue operating.

[0050] The vacuum cleaner 1 may use a primary battery instead of the secondary battery 18 as a power source.

[0051] Handle portion 11 is provided integrally with main body case 12. Handle portion 11 is a portion that a user holds with his / her hand in order to clean a floor surface with vacuum cleaner 1. For this reason, handle portion 11 preferably has an appropriate shape that allows it to be easily held with human fingers.

[0052] The handle portion 11 is disposed between the front portion 12a and the rear portion 12c of the main body case 12. The handle portion 11 extends from the rear end of the front portion 12a in the extension direction of the extension tube 3, and is curved in an arc to connect to the rear end of the rear portion 12c. A continuous space penetrates the main body case 12 in the left-right direction (width direction) between the handle portion 11 and the back surface of the central portion 12b of the main body case 12, and between the handle portion 11 and the top surface of the rear portion 12c of the main body case 12. The fingers of the user gripping the handle portion 11, mainly the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger, are placed in this space.

[0053] The input unit 22 is provided on the top surface of the front end of the grip portion 11 so that a user holding the grip portion 11 can easily operate it with his or her thumb.

[0054] The input unit 22 includes an operation start switch 22a that receives an operation to start the electric blower 13, and an operation stop switch 22b that receives an operation to stop the electric blower 13. The operation start switch 22a and the operation stop switch 22b are electrically connected to the main body control unit 17. The user of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can select one of the operation modes of the electric blower 13 by operating the input unit 22. The operation start switch 22a also functions as a changeover switch for the operation mode while the electric blower 13 is in operation. In this case, the main body control unit 17 switches the operation mode in the following order every time it receives an operation signal from the operation start switch 22a. Note that the input unit 22 may include a strong operation switch (not shown), a medium operation switch (not shown), and a weak operation switch (not shown) separately instead of the operation start switch 22a.

[0055] 2 and 3 are side views of the vacuum cleaner body of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the vacuum cleaner body of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cleaner body 2 with the secondary battery 18 attached, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the cleaner body 2 with the secondary battery 18 detached.

[0058] As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the cleaner body 2 according to this embodiment functions alone as a handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0059] Incidentally, when the vacuum cleaner body 2 is used alone as a handheld vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner body 2 may be placed on a horizontal surface HS.

[0060] Therefore, when the secondary battery 18 is attached to the main body case 12, the vacuum cleaner main body 2 according to this embodiment stands on the horizontal plane HS in a first position with two of the three legs 31 grounded and one leg 31 not grounded (FIG. 2). When the secondary battery 18 is detached from the main body case 12, the vacuum cleaner main body 2 stands on the horizontal plane HS in a second position with two of the three legs 31 grounded, including the leg 31 not grounded in the first position, and one of the two legs 31 grounded in the first position not grounded (FIG. 3).

[0061] Specifically, the vacuum cleaner body 2 according to this embodiment includes three legs 41, 42, and 43. The three legs 41, 42, and 43 are arranged in order from the front to the rear of the vacuum cleaner body 2. That is, the three legs 41, 42, and 43 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vacuum cleaner body 2, which is long in the front-rear direction. The three legs 41, 42, and 43 are convex strips and protrusions that extend in the left-right direction of the vacuum cleaner body 2 through the central vertical section of the vacuum cleaner body 2. Each of the legs 41, 42, and 43 has a contact part that is semicircular and convex downward as a whole or at the most protruding part. Therefore, the legs 41, 42, and 43 are in line contact with the horizontal plane HS. The legs 41 and 43 may be in surface contact with the horizontal plane HS. The legs 41 and 43 in surface contact make the vacuum cleaner body 2 more stable in its self-supporting posture.

[0062] The legs 41, 42, 43 may have elastic members 51 in contact with the horizontal surface HS. The elastic members 51 are sandwiched between the legs 41, 42, 43 and the horizontal surface HS to prevent damage to the horizontal surface HS and to prevent slippage between the horizontal surface HS and the legs 41, 42, 43.

[0063] Each of the legs 41, 42, 43 does not have to be a continuous strip. For example, they may be separated and scattered on the right and left sides of the vacuum cleaner body 2. When the vacuum cleaner body 2 is placed on a hard horizontal surface HS, the three legs 41, 42, 43 contact the horizontal surface HS in a straight line extending in the left-right direction of the vacuum cleaner body 2. Each of the legs 41, 42, 43 may not protrude from the surroundings as long as it is capable of standing on its own in the first position and in the second position, and may be, for example, a part such as an edge of a surface.

[0064] The frontmost leg 41 is provided on the separating / collecting section 16, but may be provided on the main body case 12. The rearmost leg 43 is provided on the secondary battery 18, but may be provided on the main body case 12. The leg 42 is provided on the main body case 12, between the two legs 41, 43 in the front-to-rear direction of the vacuum cleaner body 2. Two or more legs 31 may be provided on the secondary battery 18. It is preferable that the secondary battery 18 includes at least one leg 43.

[0065] Furthermore, when the secondary battery 18 is attached to the main body case 12 (Figure 2), the vacuum cleaner main body 2 of this embodiment can stand on its own on a horizontal plane HS with the central leg 42 and the rear leg 43 touching the ground.

[0066] For ease of explanation, the first position in which the central leg 42 and the rear leg 43 are grounded and the vacuum cleaner body 2 stands on the horizontal plane HS as shown in Fig. 2 is referred to as the "battery attachment position". The vacuum cleaner body 2 in the battery attachment position stands on the horizontal plane HS by a first leg group 48 that includes two legs 42 and 43 of the three legs 41, 42, and 43 and excludes one leg 41. In other words, the vacuum cleaner body 2 in the battery attachment position stands on the horizontal plane by having two legs 42 and 43 of the three legs 41, 42, and 43 grounded and one leg 41 not grounded.

[0067] The center of gravity G1 of the vacuum cleaner body 2 on which the secondary battery 18 is mounted is located between the central leg 42 and the rear leg 43.

[0068] In addition, when the secondary battery 18 is detached from the main body case 12, the vacuum cleaner main body 2 of this embodiment can stand on its own on the horizontal plane HS with the front leg 41 and the central leg 42 touching the ground.

[0069] For ease of explanation, the second posture in which the front leg 41 and the central leg 42 are grounded and the cleaner body 2 stands on the horizontal plane HS as shown in Fig. 3 is called the "battery detached independent posture". The cleaner body 2 in the battery detached independent posture stands on the horizontal plane HS by a second leg group 49 including two legs 41, 42 and 43 out of the three legs 41, 42 and 43, but excluding one leg 43. In other words, the cleaner body 2 in the battery detached independent posture stands on the horizontal plane by grounding two legs 41, 42 out of the three legs 41, 42 and 43, including the leg 41 that is not grounded in the battery attached independent posture, and by not grounding one leg 43 out of the two legs 42, 43 that are grounded in the battery attached independent posture.

[0070] The center of gravity G2 of the vacuum cleaner body 2 with the secondary battery 18 detached is located between the front leg 41 and the central leg .

[0071] Therefore, the vacuum cleaner body 2 can stably stand on its own without falling over on the horizontal plane HS even when the secondary battery 18 is attached to the body case 12 or when the secondary battery 18 is detached from the body case 12.

[0072] In addition, "capable of standing stably" means that the vacuum cleaner can stand by itself with only those parts, such as the leg 31 in this embodiment, that are designed to be in contact with the horizontal surface HS in contact with the horizontal surface HS, and not that any part of the exterior surface of the vacuum cleaner body 2 is in contact with the horizontal surface HS in a random manner so that its posture can easily be changed by a minor external force.

[0073] Furthermore, the three legs 31 have legs 42 that belong to both the first leg group 48 and the second leg group 49. Thus, the legs 42 that belong to both the first leg group 48 and the second leg group 49 are called common legs. The common legs are the legs 31 that come into contact with the horizontal plane HS in both the battery attachment independent posture and the battery removal independent posture.

[0074] 5 and 6 are schematic side views of other examples of the cleaner body according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] FIG. 5 is a side view of the cleaner main body 2A with the secondary battery 18 attached, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the cleaner main body 2A with the secondary battery 18 detached.

[0076] 5 and 6, when the secondary battery 18 is attached to the main body case 12, the vacuum cleaner main body 2A according to this embodiment stands on a horizontal surface in a first position with two of the four legs 31 grounded and two legs 31 not grounded (FIG. 5). When the secondary battery 18 is detached from the main body case 12, the vacuum cleaner main body 2A stands on a horizontal surface in a second position with two of the four legs 31 not grounded in the first position grounded and two legs 31 not grounded in the first position (FIG. 6).

[0077] Specifically, the vacuum cleaner body 2A according to this embodiment includes four legs 41, 42, 43, and 44. The four legs 41, 42, 43, and 44 are arranged in order from the front to the rear of the vacuum cleaner body 2A. The four legs 41, 42, 43, and 44 are convex strips and protrusions that extend in the left-right direction of the vacuum cleaner body 2A through the central vertical section of the vacuum cleaner body 2A. Each of the legs 41, 42, 43, and 44 has a contact portion that is convex downwardly in a semicircular arc shape as a whole or at the most protruding portion. Therefore, the legs 41, 42, 43, and 44 are in line contact with the horizontal plane HS. The legs 41, 42, 43, and 44 may be in surface contact with the horizontal plane HS. The legs 41, 42, 43, and 44 in surface contact make the self-supporting posture of the vacuum cleaner body 2A more stable.

[0078] The legs 41, 42, 43, and 44 may have elastic members 51 that contact the horizontal surface HS. The elastic members 51 are sandwiched between the respective legs 41, 42, 43, and 44 and the horizontal surface HS to prevent damage to the horizontal surface HS and to prevent slippage between the horizontal surface HS and the respective legs 41, 42, 43, and 44.

[0079] The legs 41, 42, 43, 44 do not have to be continuous. For example, they may be separated and scattered on the right and left sides of the vacuum cleaner body 2. When the vacuum cleaner body 2 is placed on a hard horizontal surface HS, the four legs 41, 42, 43, 44 contact the horizontal surface HS in a linear shape extending in the left-right direction of the vacuum cleaner body 2.

[0080] Furthermore, when the secondary battery 18 is attached to the main body case 12 (Figure 5), the vacuum cleaner main body 2A of this embodiment can stand on its own on a horizontal plane HS with the third leg 42 from the front and the last leg 44 touching the ground.

[0081] For ease of explanation, the first position in which the third leg 43 from the front and the rearmost leg 44 are grounded and stand on the horizontal plane HS as shown in Fig. 5 is called the "battery attachment position". The vacuum cleaner body 2A in the battery attachment position stands on the horizontal plane HS by a first leg group 48A including two legs 43 and 44 of the four legs 41, 42, 43, and 44 and excluding the two legs 41 and 42. In other words, the vacuum cleaner body 2A in the battery attachment position stands on the horizontal plane by having two legs 43 and 44 of the four legs 41, 42, 43, and 44 grounded and two legs 41 and 42 not grounded.

[0082] The center of gravity G1 of the vacuum cleaner body 2A on which the secondary battery 18 is mounted is located between the third leg 43 from the front and the rearmost leg 44.

[0083] In addition, when the secondary battery 18 is detached from the main body case 12, the vacuum cleaner body 2A of this embodiment can stand on its own on the horizontal plane HS with the front leg 41 and the second leg 42 touching the ground.

[0084] For ease of explanation, the second posture in which the front leg 41 and the second leg 42 from the front are grounded and stand on the horizontal plane HS as shown in Fig. 6 is referred to as the "battery detached independent posture". The vacuum cleaner body 2A in the battery detached independent posture stands on the horizontal plane HS by a second leg group 49A including two legs 41 and 42 of the four legs 41, 42, 43, and 44 and excluding the two legs 43 and 44. In other words, the vacuum cleaner body 2 in the battery detached independent posture stands on the horizontal plane by grounding the legs 41 and 42 of the four legs 41, 42, 43, and 44 that are not grounded in the battery attached independent posture and by not grounding the two legs 43 and 44 that are grounded in the battery attached independent posture.

[0085] The center of gravity G2 of the vacuum cleaner body 2A from which the secondary battery 18 has been detached is located between the frontmost leg 41 and the second leg 42 from the front.

[0086] Therefore, the vacuum cleaner body 2A can stand stably and independently without falling over on the horizontal plane HS, even when the secondary battery 18 is attached to the body case 12 or when the secondary battery 18 is detached from the body case 12.

[0087] The vacuum cleaner body 2 having three legs 41, 42, 43 can stand stably in a battery-attached self-supporting position even if there are multiple legs 31 between the two central and rear legs 42, 43, and can stand stably in a battery-detached self-supporting position even if there are multiple legs 31 between the two front and central legs 41, 42.

[0088] Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner body 2A having four legs 41, 42, 43, 44 can stably stand up in a battery-attached self-supporting position even if there are multiple legs 31 between the third leg from the front and the rearmost two legs 43, 44, and can stably stand up in a battery-detached self-supporting position even if there are multiple legs 31 between the front and second-most two legs 41, 42.

[0089] That is, as shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 6, the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A according to this embodiment stands on a horizontal surface in a battery-attached independent posture with a first leg group 48, 48A including at least two legs 31 out of three or more legs 31 grounded and at least one leg 31 not grounded (Figs. 2 and 5). When the battery unit 18 is detached from the main body case 12, the vacuum cleaner main body 2 stands on a horizontal surface in a battery-detached independent posture with a second leg group 49, 49A including at least two legs 31 including the leg 31 not grounded in the battery-attached independent posture grounded and at least one leg 31 out of the first leg group 48, 48A not grounded (Figs. 3 and 6).

[0090] 2 to 4 include a shared leg (leg 42) belonging to both leg groups 48, 49, whereas first leg group 48A and second leg group 49A in Figures 5 to 6 do not have a shared leg belonging to both leg groups 48A, 49A. In other words, first leg group 48, 48A and second leg group 49, 49A may or may not have overlaps (shared legs).

[0091] The vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A in the battery attachment self-standing position can reliably and stably stand on its own if its weight is distributed so that the center of gravity G1 is located between the pair of legs 31 that are located farthest from each other in the first leg group 48. In other words, the vacuum cleaner main body 2 in the battery attachment self-standing position can reliably and stably stand on its own if its weight is distributed so that the center of gravity G1 is located between the pair of legs 42, 43 that are located farthest from each other in the first leg group 48. The vacuum cleaner main body 2A in the battery attachment self-standing position can reliably and stably stand on its own if its weight is distributed so that the center of gravity G1 is located between the pair of legs 43, 44 that are located farthest from each other in the first leg group 48.

[0092] Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A in the battery detachment independent posture can reliably and stably stand on its own if its weight is distributed so that the center of gravity G2 is located between the pair of legs 31 that are located farthest from the second leg group 49. In other words, the vacuum cleaner main body 2 in the battery detachment independent posture can reliably and stably stand on its own if its weight is distributed so that the center of gravity G2 is located between the pair of legs 41, 42 that are located farthest from the second leg group 49. The vacuum cleaner main body 2A in the battery detachment independent posture can reliably and stably stand on its own if its weight is distributed so that the center of gravity G2 is located between the pair of legs 41, 42 that are located farthest from the second leg group 49.

[0093] The position of the center of gravity when secondary battery 18 is attached to main body case 12 is the position of the center of gravity of cleaner main body 2, 2A in the battery attached independent position. The position of the center of gravity of cleaner main body 2, 2A in the battery attached independent position is substantially determined by the position of the center of gravity of main body case 12, the position of the center of gravity of electric blower 13, the position of the center of gravity of separating dust collecting unit 16, and the position of the center of gravity of secondary battery 18.

[0094] Furthermore, the position of the center of gravity when secondary battery 18 is detached from main body case 12 is the position of the center of gravity of cleaner main body 2, 2A in the battery detached independent posture. The position of the center of gravity of cleaner main body 2, 2A in the battery detached independent posture is substantially determined by the position of the center of gravity of main body case 12, the position of the center of gravity of electric blower 13, and the position of the center of gravity of separating and collecting part 16.

[0095] Therefore, by determining the relationship between the position of the center of gravity of the main body case 12, the position of the center of gravity of the electric blower 13, the position of the center of gravity of the separating dust collecting section 16, and the position of the center of gravity of the secondary battery 18, the position of the center of gravity of the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A in the battery-attached self-standing position can be easily positioned to a position where the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A can stand stably on the first leg group 48, and the position of the center of gravity of the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A in the battery-detached self-standing position can be easily positioned to a position where the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A can stand stably on the second leg group 49.

[0096] The mass of separation dust collecting section 16 is heavier than the mass of electric blower 13, and the mass of secondary battery 18 is heavier than the mass of separation dust collecting section 16. In vacuum cleaner body 2 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, separation dust collecting section 16 is disposed in the front half of main body case 12, and electric blower 13 and secondary battery 18 are disposed in the rear half of main body case 12. Such a relationship in the mass of the devices and the arrangement of the devices shortens the air passage length in vacuum cleaner bodies 2, 2A to improve suction efficiency, contributes to the miniaturization of vacuum cleaner body 2, and improves the stability of vacuum cleaner bodies 2, 2A in the battery-attached and battery-detached independent positions.

[0097] The position of the center of gravity when the secondary battery 18 is attached to the main body case 12 does not have to be between the pair of legs 31, 31 located farthest from each other in the first leg group 48, 48A, as long as the free-standing vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A does not change its posture due to a slight external force. Also, the position of the center of gravity when the secondary battery 18 is detached from the main body case 12 does not have to be between the pair of legs 31, 31 located farthest from each other in the second leg group 49, 49A, as long as the free-standing vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A does not change its posture due to a slight external force.

[0098] As described above, the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A as a handy type vacuum cleaner according to this embodiment stands on the horizontal surface in a first position (battery-attached independent position) with the first leg group 48, 48A grounded and at least one leg 31 ungrounded when the secondary battery 18 is attached to the main body case 12, and stands on the horizontal surface in a second position (battery-detached independent position) with the second leg group 49, 49A grounded and at least one leg 31 of the first leg group 48, 48A ungrounded when the secondary battery 18 is detached from the main body case 12. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A can maintain a stable independent position by following the change in the center of gravity accompanying the attachment and detachment of the secondary battery 18.

[0099] Moreover, the vacuum cleaner body 2 according to this embodiment includes the leg 42 as a common leg that belongs to both the first leg group 48 and the second leg group 49. Therefore, as long as the vacuum cleaner body 2 includes at least three legs 41, 42, 43, it can stand independently stably in either the first position or the second position.

[0100] Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A according to this embodiment is weight-distributed so that when the secondary battery 18 is attached to the main body case 12, the center of gravity is located between the pair of legs 31 located farthest from the first leg group 48, and when the secondary battery 18 is detached from the main body case 12, the center of gravity is located between the pair of legs 31 located farthest from the second leg group 49. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A can stand independently stably in either the first position or the second position.

[0101] Moreover, the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A according to this embodiment has a center of gravity position in a first position that is substantially determined by the positions of the center of gravity of the main body case 12, the center of gravity of the electric blower 13, the center of gravity of the separation dust collecting section 16, and the center of gravity of the secondary battery 18, and a center of gravity position in a second position that is substantially determined by the positions of the center of gravity of the main body case 12, the center of gravity of the electric blower 13, and the center of gravity of the separation dust collecting section 16. Therefore, the center of gravity positions in the first position and the second position can be easily set so that the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A can stand independently stably in either the first position or the second position.

[0102] Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A according to this embodiment includes a separation dust collecting section 16 that is heavier than the electric blower 13, and a secondary battery 18 that is heavier than the separation dust collecting section 16. The separation dust collecting section 16 is disposed in the front half of the main body case 12, and the electric blower 13 and the secondary battery 18 are disposed in the rear half of the main body case 12. As a result, the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A can improve suction efficiency by shortening the air passage length, reduce the size of the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A, and improve the stability of the vacuum cleaner main body 2, 2A when standing on its own in the first position and the second position.

[0103] Moreover, the cleaner body 2, 2A according to this embodiment includes legs 31 that come into line contact or surface contact with the horizontal surface HS. Therefore, the cleaner body 2, 2A can easily stand on its own by placing the legs 31 on the horizontal surface HS.

[0104] Furthermore, the cleaner body 2, 2A according to this embodiment is provided with an elastic member 51 that comes into contact with a horizontal surface. Therefore, the cleaner body 2, 2A can prevent damage to the horizontal surface HS and can reliably stand and stand still on its own without slipping on the horizontal surface HS.

[0105] Therefore, the cleaner body 2, 2A according to the present invention can stand stably on its own without tipping over on a horizontal surface HS such as a floor or workbench in response to a change in the center of gravity caused by the attachment or detachment of the secondary battery 18.

[0106] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS 1...electric vacuum cleaner, 2, 2A...vacuum cleaner main body, 3...extension tube, 5...suction port body, 11...handle portion, 12...main body case, 12a...front portion, 12b...central portion, 12c...rear portion, 13...electric blower, 15...suction pipe, 16...separating dust collection section, 17...main body control section, 18...secondary battery, 19...suction port, 21...control circuit board, 22...input section, 22a...operation start switch, 22b...operation stop switch, 25...exhaust port, 31, 41, 42, 43, 44...legs, 48, 48A...first leg group, 49, 49A...second leg group, 51...elastic member.

Claims

1. A long main body case, an electric blower housed in the main body case; A dust collecting device connected to the suction side of the electric blower; a battery unit that is detachably attached to the main body case and stores power consumed to drive the electric blower; A vacuum cleaner body having three or more legs arranged in a longitudinal direction of the main body case, At least one of the legs is disposed on the dust collecting device, When the battery unit is attached to the main body case, the vacuum cleaner stands on its own in a first position on a horizontal surface with a first leg group including at least two of the three or more legs grounded and at least one leg not grounded, and when the battery unit is detached from the main body case, the vacuum cleaner stands on its own in a second position on a horizontal surface with a second leg group including at least two of the three or more legs including the leg not grounded in the first position grounded and at least one leg of the first leg group not grounded.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the three or more legs include a common leg that belongs to both the first leg group and the second leg group.

3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the leg portion makes line contact or surface contact with the horizontal surface.

4. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the leg portion has an elastic member that contacts the horizontal surface.

5. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the legs is disposed in the battery section.

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