Cleaning device

The cleaning device addresses the limitation of single dust unit detachment by allowing multiple dust units to be selectively attached to the main unit, improving versatility and efficiency in waste collection.

JP7653312B2Active Publication Date: 2025-03-28MAKITA CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021105062
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-06-24
Publication Date
2025-03-28
Estimated Expiration
2041-06-24

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing cleaning devices can only detach one dust unit from the main unit, limiting the ability to select the appropriate dust unit based on the type of garbage being cleaned.

Method used

The cleaning device is designed to allow multiple dust units to be selectively attached to the main unit, featuring a main body unit with a cleaning tool, a rotatable body, and wheels for mobility, along with detachable dust units including a first container and a second container with an adapter.

Benefits of technology

This configuration enables the user to choose the appropriate dust unit for different types of garbage, enhancing the device's versatility and efficiency in collecting waste.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To disclose a technology to selectively attach a plurality of dust units to a body unit.SOLUTION: A cleaning device may include a body unit, a first dust unit that can be attached to / detached from the body unit, and a second dust unit that can be attached to / detached from the body unit. The body unit may include a cleaning tool for scraping dust on a work surface, a body for rotatably supporting the cleaning tool, and wheels rotatably supported on the body for constituting the cleaning device movably on the work surface. The first dust unit can be attached to / detached from the body, and may include a first container capable of collecting dust scraped by the cleaning tool. The second dust unit may include an adaptor attached to / detached from the body and a second container attached to / detached from the adaptor which can collect dust scraped by the cooling tool.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a cleaning device. [Background technology]

[0002] The cleaning device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a main unit and a first dust unit that is detachable from the main unit. The main unit includes a cleaning tool that scrapes up dirt on a work surface, a main body that rotatably supports the cleaning device, and wheels that are rotatably supported by the main body and allow the cleaning device to move on the work surface. The first dust unit is detachable from the main body and includes a first container that can collect the dirt scraped up by the cleaning tool. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-317339 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Cleaning devices may be used in various areas, for example, indoors and outdoors. Since the type of dirt stirred up by the cleaning tool varies depending on the area, it is desirable to select a dust unit according to the type of dirt. In the above-mentioned cleaning device, only the first dust unit is detachable from the main unit. Therefore, it is not possible to select a dust unit according to the type of dirt stirred up by the cleaning tool. This specification discloses a technology that allows multiple dust units to be selectively attached to the main unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The cleaning device disclosed in this specification includes a main unit, a first dust unit detachable from the main unit, and a second dust unit detachable from the main unit. The main unit includes a cleaning tool that scrapes up dirt on a work surface, a main body that rotatably supports the cleaning tool, and wheels that are rotatably supported on the main body and allow the cleaning device to move on the work surface. The first dust unit is detachable from the main body and includes a first container that can collect the dirt scraped up by the cleaning tool. The second dust unit includes an adaptor that is detachable from the main body, and a second container that is detachable from the adaptor and can collect the dirt scraped up by the cleaning tool.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the first container can be directly attached to the main body. Also, the second container can be attached to the main body via an adapter. Therefore, a plurality of dust units can be selectively attached to the main body unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device 2 according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the front right side. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device 2 according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the rear left side. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device 2 according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the rear left side. [Figure 4] 1 is a left side view of the cleaning device 2 according to the first embodiment, placed upright on a work surface P. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device 2 according to a first embodiment, as viewed from below and behind. [Figure 6] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cleaning device 2 according to a first embodiment, taken near the center in the left-right direction. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view of the cleaning device 2 according to the first embodiment with a soft-dust unit 16 and a hard-dust unit 18 removed, viewed from the rear left side. FIG. [Figure 8]2 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a filter unit 44 and a fan unit 68 of the cleaning device 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is an exploded perspective view of a filter unit 44 of the cleaning device 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hard dust unit 18 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a soft dust unit 16 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adapter 90 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a soft container 94 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the soft container 94 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the soft dust unit 16 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a filter unit 44 of the cleaning device 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cleaning device 2 according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the front right side. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a soft dust unit 200 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 19] 13 is an exploded perspective view of an adapter 202 and a frame member 220 according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the soft dust unit 200 according to the second embodiment, showing a state in which a cover member 210 is located at a storage position. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a left side view of the cleaning device 2 according to the second embodiment, placed upright on a work surface P. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the soft dust unit 200 according to the second embodiment, showing a state in which a cover member 210 is located in an open position. [Diagram 23] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the soft dust unit 200 according to the second embodiment, showing a state in which a cover member 210 is located at a storage position. [Figure 24]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cleaning device 2 according to a third embodiment, as viewed from the front right side. [Diagram 25] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a holder 302 according to a third embodiment, as viewed from the front left side. [Figure 26] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a holder 302 according to a third embodiment, as viewed from the front right side. [Figure 27] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cleaning device 2 according to a fourth embodiment, as viewed from the front right side. [Figure 28] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a rack 402 in a cleaning device 2 according to a fourth embodiment with a tool box 400 removed. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a rack 402 according to a fourth embodiment. [Diagram 30] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tool box 400 according to a fourth embodiment. [Diagram 31] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tool box 400 and a rack 402 according to a fourth embodiment. [Diagram 32] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a rack 402 and a first battery 430 according to the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 33] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a first battery 430 according to a fourth embodiment. [Diagram 34] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a rack 402 and a second battery 450 according to the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 35] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second battery 450 according to a fourth embodiment. [Diagram 36] FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a second battery 450 according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 37] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cleaning device 2 according to a fifth embodiment, as viewed from the front right side. [Figure 38] 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a magnet unit 500 in a cleaning device 2 according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Representative, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. This detailed description is intended simply to provide those skilled in the art with details for implementing preferred embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Additionally, the additional features and inventions disclosed can be used separately or in conjunction with other features and inventions to provide further improved cleaning devices.

[0009] In addition, the combinations of features and steps disclosed in the following detailed description are not essential for implementing the present invention in the broadest sense, but are specifically described only to illustrate representative embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the various features of the following representative embodiments and the various features described in the claims do not have to be combined in the exact manner of the embodiments described herein or in the order listed in order to provide additional and useful embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] All features described in the specification and / or claims are intended to be disclosed individually and independently of one another as limitations to the specific features described in the original disclosure and claims, apart from the configuration of features described in the examples and / or claims. Furthermore, all numerical ranges and group or aggregate descriptions are intended to disclose intermediate configurations thereof as limitations to the specific features described in the original disclosure and claims.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the second container may include a frame that is removably attached to the adapter, and a bag attached to the frame that collects debris stirred up by the cleaning tool.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the configuration of the second container can be prevented from becoming complicated, compared to when the second container is made of a single member.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the bag may be removably attached to the frame.

[0014] According to the above configuration, even when the second dust unit is attached to the main unit, the dust collected in the bag can be easily discarded by removing the bag from the frame.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the second container is removably attached to the frame and may further include a fastening member for securing the bag to the frame.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the fixing member can prevent the bag body from coming off the frame during operation by the cleaning device.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the adapter may have a plug opening. The frame may further include a hook pluggable into the plug opening of the adapter.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the second container can be attached to the adapter with a simple structure.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the cleaning device may be configured so that a user stands behind the cleaning device while working on it. The second dust unit may be disposed behind the main unit. The bag may include a non-contact portion disposed in a region of the bag on the work surface side and in a rear region of the bag when the cleaning device is placed on the work surface. The non-contact portion may not be in contact with the frame.

[0020] When a user stands behind the cleaning device to work, the second container is placed under the user's feet. Therefore, the user's feet may hit the second container. Furthermore, if the work surface is partially undulating, the second container may hit the undulations of the work surface when the cleaning device moves on the work surface. According to the above configuration, when a user stands behind the cleaning device to work, a non-contact portion of the bag body is placed under the user's feet. Therefore, even if the user's feet or the undulations of the work surface hit the non-contact portion, it is possible to prevent the entire second container from shaking.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the bag may include a collecting section that collects dirt that is stirred up by the cleaning tool and passes through the inside of the adapter, and a tongue that protrudes from the collecting section. The adapter may have a receiving section in a lower area on the work surface side that receives the tongue inside the adapter when the cleaning device is placed on the work surface.

[0022] If the bag does not have a tongue, debris may remain on the lower region of the adapter when the second container is removed from the adapter. According to the above configuration, when the second container is attached to the adapter, the tongue is received in the receiving portion of the adapter, so debris in the adapter is positioned on the tongue. This makes it possible to prevent debris from remaining in the lower region of the adapter even when the second container is removed from the adapter.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the body may have an engaged portion. The adapter may further include a latch engageable with the engaged portion. When the latch engages with the engaged portion, the adapter may be attached to the body.

[0024] According to the above configuration, the adapter can be attached to the main body with a simple structure.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the cleaning device may further include a handle unit pivotally attached to the body and gripped by a user when working with the cleaning device. The handle unit may be pivotable between a first handle position in which it is open relative to the body and a second handle position in which it is folded relative to the body. The cleaning device may be configured to be worked on by a user standing behind the cleaning device while gripping the handle unit in the first handle position. The cleaning device may be configured to be vertically placed with a rear end of the cleaning device facing a work surface with the handle unit in the second handle position and the second container not attached to the adapter.

[0026] According to the above configuration, the cleaning device can be stored upright with the handle unit in the second handle position and the second container not attached to the adapter, thereby making it possible to reduce the space required to store the cleaning device.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the second container may be attachable to the handle unit when the cleaning device is oriented upright with the rear end facing a work surface.

[0028] According to the above configuration, when the cleaning device is stored in an upright position, the second container is attached to the handle unit, which eliminates the need to store the cleaning device from which the second container has been removed separately from the second container.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the adapter may include an adapter body that is detachably attached to the main body, a cover member that is attached to the adapter body so as to be rotatable between a storage position and an open position, and casters that are rotatably attached to the cover member. The second container may include a bag that collects dirt scooped up by the cleaning tool. The bag is stored inside the adapter when the cover member is in the storage position, and may be arranged across the inside and outside of the adapter when the cover member is in the open position, and may be arranged on the upper side of the cover member outside the adapter. The casters may contact the work surface when the cover member is in the open position.

[0030] According to the above configuration, when the cleaning device moves with the cover member in the open position, the casters rotate on the work surface. This makes it possible to prevent the cover member from contacting the work surface. Also, it is possible to prevent the bag body placed on the cover member from contacting the work surface.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the second container may further include a frame member that sandwiches the open end of the bag between the adapter body.

[0032] According to the above configuration, the bag body can be attached to the adapter with a simple structure.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, the cleaning device may further include a handle unit pivotally attached to the main body and gripped by a user when working with the cleaning device. The handle unit may be pivotable between a first handle position in which it is open relative to the main body and a second handle position in which it is folded relative to the main body. The cleaning device may be configured such that a user holding the handle unit in the first handle position works while standing at the rear of the cleaning device. The cleaning device may be configured such that, with the handle unit in the second handle position and the cover member in the stowed position, the rear end of the cleaning device may be arranged to face a work surface.

[0034] According to the above configuration, the cleaning device can be stored upright with the handle unit in the second handle position and the cover member in the stored position, thereby making it possible to reduce the space required to store the cleaning device.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the main unit may further include a fan that generates an air flow toward the second dust unit, and a filter unit that captures foreign matter contained in the air. The second dust unit may further include a partition. When the fan operates, a portion of the air may flow from the filter unit toward the fan. The partition may be disposed behind the filter unit with a gap therebetween.

[0036] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to prevent the second container or the like from coming into contact with the filter unit from the rear side, thereby preventing a decrease in the efficiency with which the filter unit captures foreign matter.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, the main body may have a first grip that can be held by a user, and each of the first dust unit and the second dust unit may have a second grip that can be held by a different user than the user.

[0038] According to the above configuration, the cleaning device can be carried by a user holding the first grip and another user holding the second grip.

[0039] (First Example) A cleaning device 2 of a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 16. The cleaning device 2 includes a main body unit 4 and a handle unit 6. The main body unit 4 includes a main body 8, a front wheel 10 that contacts the work surface P (see Fig. 6) at the front center in the left-right direction, a right rear wheel 12 that contacts the work surface P at the rear right side, and a left rear wheel 14 (see Fig. 2) that contacts the work surface P at the rear left side. The front wheel 10, the right rear wheel 12, and the left rear wheel 14 are rotatably supported by the main body 8. As shown in Fig. 2, a soft dust unit 16 is detachably attached to the rear side of the main body 8. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, a hard dust unit 18 is detachably attached to the rear side of the main body 8 in place of the soft dust unit 16. The handle unit 6 is rotatably attached to the upper rear side of the main body 8. The handle unit 6 is rotatable between a first handle position (see FIG. 3) in which it is open relative to the main body 8, and a second handle position (see FIG. 4) in which it is folded relative to the main body 8. When the handle unit 6 is in the first handle position, a user stands behind the cleaning device 2, grasps the upper part of the handle unit 6 with both hands and pushes it forward, causing the front wheel 10, the right rear wheel 12, and the left rear wheel 14 to rotate, and the cleaning device 2 to move forward along the work surface P.

[0040] 5, the main body unit 4 includes a front main brush 20, a rear main brush 22, and a side brush 24. The front main brush 20 and the rear main brush 22 are disposed at the bottom of the main body 8. The front main brush 20 and the rear main brush 22 are disposed side by side in the front-rear direction.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 6, the front main brush 20 includes a brush shaft 30 and brush bristles 32. The brush shaft 30 extends in the left-right direction and is rotatably supported by the main body 8. The brush shaft 30 rotates about a rotation axis along the left-right direction when driven by a motor (not shown). The motor is driven by power supplied from a battery pack BP attached inside the main body 8. The brush bristles 32 are planted on the surface of the brush shaft 30.

[0042] The rear main brush 22 includes a brush shaft 34 and brush bristles 36. The brush shaft 34 extends in the left-right direction and is rotatably supported by the main body 8. The brush shaft 34 rotates about a rotation axis along the left-right direction when driven by a motor (not shown). The brush bristles 36 are planted on the surface of the brush shaft 34.

[0043] In the cleaning device 2, the front main brush 20 rotates in a direction such that its lower end faces rearward, and the rear main brush 22 rotates in a direction such that its lower end faces frontward, causing the brush bristles 32, 36 to scoop up dirt on the work surface P. The scooped-up dirt passes through a duct 26 formed inside the main body 8 and is sent to the soft dust unit 16 (or the hard dust unit 18).

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the side brush 24 is disposed on the front right side of the main body 8. The side brush 24 is a bevel-shaped brush. The side brush 24 includes a brush cup 40 and brush bristles 42. The brush cup 40 is rotatably supported by the main body 8. The brush cup 40 rotates around a rotation axis along the vertical direction by being driven by a motor (not shown). The brush cup 40 has an inclined surface 40a. The inclined surface 40a is inclined obliquely downward with respect to the rotation axis of the brush cup 40. The brush bristles 42 are planted on the inclined surface 40a of the brush cup 40. In the cleaning device 2, the side brush 24 rotates on the working surface P, so that, for example, dirt near a wall can be sent toward the front main brush 20 and the rear main brush 22.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 7, the main unit 4 includes a filter unit 44. The filter unit 44 captures foreign matter contained in the air passing through the filter unit 44. The filter unit 44 is disposed in the duct 26. The filter unit 44 includes a filter holder 46, a main filter 48 (see Fig. 9), a sponge filter 50 (see Fig. 9), and a pre-filter 52.

[0046] The filter holder 46 is attached to the duct 26. Specifically, the duct 26 is formed with an inlet 26a that opens toward the rear. As shown in Fig. 8, a filter holder attachment portion 26b is formed on the edge of the inlet 26a of the duct 26. The filter holder 46 is attached to the filter holder attachment portion 26b via a seal member 54.

[0047] 9, the main filter 48 is, for example, a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. The main filter 48 includes a filter body 56 and a filter frame 58 that holds the filter body 56. The filter frame 58 is detachably attached to the filter holder 46. When the main filter 48 is attached to the filter holder 46, the filter body 56 covers a plurality of air holes 46a formed in the filter holder 46 from the rear side.

[0048] The pre-filter 52 accommodates the sponge filter 50 inside. The pre-filter 52 includes a cloth filter 60 and a filter frame 62 that holds the cloth filter 60. The filter frame 62 is detachably attached to the filter holder 46. When the sponge filter 50 and the pre-filter 52 are attached to the filter holder 46, the sponge filter 50 covers the filter body 56 from the rear side, and the cloth filter 60 covers the sponge filter 50 from the rear side.

[0049] 8, the duct 26 has an air flow path 63 through which air that has passed through the filter unit 44 flows from the right side to the left side. An outlet 64 through which air flows out of the duct 26 is formed near the left end of the air flow path 63. The outlet 64 opens toward the front side.

[0050] The main unit 4 further includes a fan unit 68. The fan unit 68 is disposed opposite the outlet 64 of the duct 26. The fan unit 68 includes a fan housing box 70, a fan motor 72, and a fan 74. The fan housing box 70 communicates with the air flow path 63 via the outlet 64. The fan housing box 70 opens inside the main unit 4.

[0051] The fan motor 72 is, for example, an inner rotor type DC brushless motor. In a modified example, the fan motor 72 may be an outer rotor type motor, a brushed motor, or an AC motor. The motor shaft 76 of the fan motor 72 extends in the front-rear direction.

[0052] The fan 74 is, for example, a centrifugal fan. In a modified example, the fan 74 may be an axial fan. The fan 74 is fixed to a motor shaft 76. When the fan motor 72 is driven, the fan 74 rotates. As a result, air flows into the duct 26 from the lower side of the main unit 4, passes through the filter unit 44 and the air flow path 63 in order, and flows into the fan housing box 70 via the outlet 64. The air that has flowed in is sent out by the fan 74, flows out into the inside of the main unit 4, and flows out to the outside of the main unit 4 through the joints between the components of the main unit 4. Also, when the fan 74 rotates, a part of the air that has flowed into the duct 26 from the lower side of the main unit 4 flows toward the soft dust unit 16 (or the hard dust unit 18). This promotes the movement of dust scooped up by the front main brush 20 and the rear main brush 22 to the soft dust unit 16 (or the hard dust unit 18).

[0053] Next, the hard dust unit 18 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The hard dust unit 18 includes a hard container 80 and two grips 82. The hard container 80 is made of a resin material. The hard container 80 has an opening 80a facing forward and upward. The hard container 80 can collect dust scooped up by the front main brush 20 (see FIG. 6) and the rear main brush 22 (see FIG. 6) through the opening 80a. An engagement groove 80b extending in the left-right direction is formed near the front end of the lower wall of the hard container 80. In addition, a latch 80c is attached near the front end of the upper wall of the hard container 80.

[0054] The two grips 82 are formed integrally with the hard container 80. The two grips 82 are disposed near the front end of the upper wall of the hard container 80. A latch 80c is disposed between the two grips 82 in the left-right direction.

[0055] 7, an engagement shaft 84 is attached to the lower rear portion of the main body 8. The engagement shaft 84 is disposed below and behind the duct 26. The engagement shaft 84 extends in the left-right direction. An engaged portion 86 is formed near the rear end of the upper wall of the main body 8.

[0056] With reference to FIG. 10, the procedure for attaching the hard dust unit 18 to the main body 8 will be described. First, the user holds the grip 82 with his / her hand. Next, the user engages the engagement shaft 84 (see FIG. 7) of the main body 8 with the engagement groove 80b of the hard container 80. Next, the user rotates the upper end of the hard container 80 toward the main body 8 around the engagement shaft 84 as an axis. Finally, the user operates the latch 80c of the hard container 80 with his / her hand to engage the latch 80c with the engaged portion 86 (see FIG. 7) of the main body 8.

[0057] Next, the soft dust unit 16 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The soft dust unit 16 includes an adapter 90, a partition 92, and a soft container 94. The adapter 90 is made of a resin material. The adapter 90 has a frame shape. Inside the adapter 90, dust picked up by the front main brush 20 (see FIG. 6) and the rear main brush 22 (see FIG. 6) passes from the front to the rear. A partition 92 is connected to the upper inner surface of the adapter 90, the upper part of the right inner surface, and the upper part of the left inner surface near the rear end of the inner surface of the adapter 90. The partition 92 is formed integrally with the adapter 90 inside the adapter 90. An engagement groove 90a extending in the left-right direction is formed in the lower wall of the adapter 90. A latch 90b is attached to the upper wall of the adapter 90.

[0058] 12, the adapter 90 has insertion openings 90c and 90d. The insertion openings 90c and 90d extend substantially downward from near the rear end of the upper wall of the adapter 90. The insertion opening 90c is disposed to the left of the latch 90b, and the insertion opening 90d is disposed to the right of the latch 90b.

[0059] The adapter 90 further has a receiving portion 96. The receiving portion 96 is disposed on the lower wall of the adapter 90. When the cleaning device 2 is placed on the work surface P (see FIG. 6), the lower wall of the adapter 90 is disposed on the side of the work surface P. The receiving portion 96 is recessed substantially downward from the lower inner surface of the adapter 90 (i.e., the inner surface of the adapter 90 that is disposed on the lower wall). The receiving portion 96 extends from the rear end of the adapter 90 to near the front end, and a step portion 98 is formed near the front end of the lower inner surface of the adapter 90.

[0060] The adapter 90 further has two grips 100. The grips 100 open toward the rear. The grips 100 are disposed at the upper rear end of the adapter 90. In the left-right direction, one grip 100 is disposed between the latch 90b and the insertion opening 90c, and the other grip 100 is disposed between the latch 90b and the insertion opening 90d.

[0061] The grip 100 is held by the user in the hand when attaching the adapter 90 to the main body 8. Specifically, the user holds the grip 100 in the hand and engages the engagement shaft 84 (see FIG. 7) of the main body 8 with the engagement groove 90a of the adapter 90. Next, the user rotates the upper end of the adapter 90 toward the main body 8 around the engagement shaft 84 as an axis. Finally, the user operates the latch 90b of the adapter 90 with the hand to engage the latch 90b with the engaged portion 86 (see FIG. 7) of the main body 8.

[0062] The soft container 94 shown in FIG. 13 is detachably attached to the adapter 90. The soft container 94 includes a frame 104, a bag 106, and a fixing member 108. The frame 104 is made of a metal material. In a modified example, the frame 104 may be made of a resin material. As shown in FIG. 14, the frame 104 includes a main body frame 110, a left hook 112, a right hook 114, and a gripping frame 116. The main body frame 110 includes a first main body frame 118, a second main body frame 120, a third main body frame 122, a fourth main body frame 124, and a fifth main body frame 126. The first body frame 118 includes a first left body frame 118a extending toward the front lower side, then bending slightly forward and extending toward the front lower side, a first right body frame 118b extending toward the front lower side, then bending slightly forward and extending toward the front lower side, and a first lower body frame 118c connecting the lower end of the first left body frame 118a and the lower end of the first right body frame 118b. The second body frame 120 includes a second left body frame 120a extending toward the rear lower side from the vicinity of the upper end of the first left body frame 118a, a second right body frame 120b extending toward the rear lower side from the vicinity of the upper end of the first right body frame 118b, and a second rear body frame 120c connecting the rear end of the second left body frame 120a and the rear end of the second right body frame 120b. The third body frame 122 extends in the left-right direction between the upper end of the first left body frame 118a and the upper end of the first right body frame 118b. The fourth body frame 124 extends from the bent portion of the first left body frame 118a toward the rear end of the second left body frame 120a. The fifth body frame 126 extends from the bent portion of the first right body frame 118b toward the rear end of the second right body frame 120b.

[0063] The left hook 112 comprises a first left hook 112a extending downward and rearward from the upper end of the first left main frame 118a, a second left hook 112b extending upward and rearward from the rear end of the first left hook 112a, a third left hook 112c extending upward and frontward from the upper end of the second left hook 112b, and a fourth left hook 112d extending downward and front from the front end of the third left hook 112c.

[0064] The right side hook 114 comprises a first right side hook 114a extending downward and rearward from the upper end of the first right main frame 118b, a second right side hook 114b extending upward and rearward from the rear end of the first right side hook 114a, a third right side hook 114c extending upward and frontward from the upper end of the second right side hook 114b, and a fourth right side hook 114d extending downward and front from the front end of the third right side hook 114c.

[0065] The grip frame 116 is connected to the third main body frame 122 near the center in the left-right direction. The grip frame 116 extends rearward and upward from the third main body frame 122. The grip frame 116 is gripped by a user. The user can attach the frame 104 (i.e., the soft container 94) to the adapter 90 by holding the grip frame 116 with his / her hand and inserting the fourth left hook 112d into the insertion opening 90c (see FIG. 12) of the adapter 90 and inserting the fourth right hook 114d into the insertion opening 90d (see FIG. 12) of the adapter 90.

[0066] The bag body 106 is detachably attached to the frame 104. The bag body 106 has an opening 106a facing forward and upward. The bag body 106 can collect the dirt scooped up by the front main brush 20 (see FIG. 6) and the rear main brush 22 (see FIG. 6) through the opening 106a. The bag body 106 is made of a mesh material. A mesh body 128 is attached to the upper and lower inner surfaces of the bag body 106. The mesh body 128 has flexibility. The mesh opening of the mesh body 128 is smaller than that of the bag body 106. This can prevent the dirt in the bag body 106 from escaping from the bottom surface of the bag body 106. Even if the dirt in the bag body 106 is heavy, such as rubble, the bottom surface of the bag body 106 can be prevented from breaking. The breathability of the mesh body 128 is lower than that of the bag body 106. Air and dust escape more easily from the side surfaces of bag 106 than from the top and bottom surfaces. In a modified example, mesh body 128 does not have to be used for bag 106. In this case, the air permeability of bag 106 is adjusted by making the openings on the top and bottom surfaces of bag 106 smaller than the openings on the side surfaces of bag 106.

[0067] The bag body 106 is supported from the inside by the main body frame 110. Specifically, the open end of the bag body 106 is supported from the inside by the first main body frame 118 and the third main body frame 122. The upper surface of the bag body 106 is supported from the inside by the second main body frame 120. The left surface of the bag body 106 is supported from the inside by the fourth main body frame 124. The right surface of the bag body 106 is supported from the inside by the fifth main body frame 126. The bag body 106 does not contact the main body frame 110 in a lower region (i.e., a region that is disposed on the working surface P side when the cleaning device 2 is placed on the working surface P (see FIG. 6)) and in a rear region. Hereinafter, the lower region of the bag body 106 and the rear region may be referred to as a non-contact portion 106b.

[0068] The bag body 106 includes a collecting section 130 in which dirt is collected, and a tongue portion 132 that protrudes from the front lower end of the collecting section 130 toward the substantially front side. The tongue portion 132 forms a part of the open end of the bag body 106. As shown in FIG. 15, when the soft container 94 is attached to the adapter 90, the tongue portion 132 is received by the receiving section 96 inside the adapter 90. Also, the front end of the tongue portion 132 abuts against the step portion 98 from the rear side. As a result, the tongue portion 132 covers the receiving section 96 from above. The dirt scooped up by the front main brush 20 (see FIG. 6) and the rear main brush 22 (see FIG. 6) is collected in the bag body 106 without remaining on the receiving section 96.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 16, when the soft container 94 is attached to the adapter 90, the partition 92 is disposed in front of the upper portion of the opening end of the bag 106. The partition 92 is disposed behind the filter unit 44 with a gap therebetween. That is, the partition 92 is disposed between the front end of the soft container 94 and the filter unit 44. The lower end of the partition 92 is disposed below the lower end of the filter unit 44. The upper end of the partition 92 is disposed above the upper wall of the soft container 94. The partition 92 prevents the bag 106 from coming into contact with the filter unit 44. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which air cannot pass through the filter unit 44.

[0070] The fixing member 108 shown in FIG. 13 is detachably attached to the frame 104. As shown in FIG. 14, the fixing member 108 includes a first fixing member 108a, a second fixing member 108b, a third fixing member 108c, a fourth fixing member 108d, a fifth fixing member 108e, and a sixth fixing member 108f. The first fixing member 108a and the second fixing member 108b sandwich the opening end of the bag body 106 between the first left body frame 118a and the bag body 106. The third fixing member 108c and the fourth fixing member 108d sandwich the opening end of the bag body 106 between the first right body frame 118b and the bag body 106. The fifth fixing member 108e sandwiches the opening end of the bag body 106 between the first lower body frame 118c and the bag body 106. The sixth fixing member 108f sandwiches the open end of the bag 106 between the third main body frame 122. As a result, the fixing member 108 fixes the bag 106 to the frame 104.

[0071] Next, a method of putting away the cleaning device 2 after work using the cleaning device 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a grip 8a is formed at the front end of the main body 8. First, the user removes the soft container 94 from the cleaning device 2. Next, the user holds the handle unit 6 with his / her hand and rotates it from the first handle position to the second handle position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the handle unit 6 is folded with respect to the main body 8. Next, the user holds the grip 8a and lifts the grip 8a upward. As a result, the cleaning device 2 rotates around the right rear wheel 12 and the left rear wheel 14 as axes, and then the rear end of the cleaning device 2 (i.e., the rear end of the adapter 90) abuts against the work surface P. As a result, the cleaning device 2 is placed vertically with the rear end facing the work surface P. Finally, the user hooks the left hook 112 and the right hook 114 of the soft container 94 onto the handle unit 6. As a result, the soft container 94 can be stored together with the cleaning device 2.

[0072] Next, a method for transporting the cleaning device 2 will be described. The cleaning device 2 is transported by two users. First, as shown in FIG. 1, one user holds the grip 8a of the main body 8. Next, another user holds the grip 100 (see FIG. 12) of the adapter 90. Finally, one user lifts the grip 8a upward, and another user lifts the grip 100 upward. In this way, the cleaning device 2 can be transported.

[0073] (effect) The cleaning device 2 of this embodiment includes a main unit 4, a hard dust unit 18 detachable from the main unit 4, and a soft dust unit 16 detachable from the main unit 4. The main unit 4 includes a front main brush 20 and a rear main brush 22 that scrape up dirt on the work surface P, a main body 8 that rotatably supports the front main brush 20 and the rear main brush 22, and a front wheel 10, a right rear wheel 12, and a left rear wheel 14 that are rotatably supported by the main body 8 and configure the cleaning device 2 to be movable on the work surface P. The hard dust unit 18 includes a hard container 80 that is detachable from the main body 8 and can collect the dirt scraped up by the front main brush 20 and the rear main brush 22. The soft dust unit 16 includes an adaptor 90 that is detachable from the main body 8, and a soft container 94 that is detachable from the adaptor 90 and can collect the dirt scraped up by the front main brush 20 and the rear main brush 22.

[0074] According to the above configuration, the hard container 80 can be directly attached to the main body 8. Also, the soft container 94 can be attached to the main body 8 via the adapter 90. Therefore, a plurality of dust units can be selectively attached to the main unit 4.

[0075] The soft container 94 also includes a frame 104 that is removably attached to the adapter 90, and a bag body 106 that is attached to the frame 104 and collects dirt scooped up by the front main brush 20 and the rear main brush 22.

[0076] According to the above configuration, the configuration of the soft container 94 can be prevented from becoming complicated, compared to when the soft container 94 is made of a single member.

[0077] Moreover, the bag body 106 is detachably attached to the frame 104 .

[0078] According to the above configuration, even when the soft dust unit 16 is attached to the main unit 4, the garbage collected in the bag body 106 can be easily disposed of by removing the bag body 106 from the frame 104.

[0079] In addition, the soft container 94 is detachably attached to the frame 104 and further includes a fixing member 108 for fixing the bag body 106 to the frame 104 .

[0080] According to the above configuration, the fixing member 108 can prevent the bag body 106 from coming off the frame 104 while the cleaning device 2 is in operation.

[0081] The adapter 90 also has insertion openings 90c and 90d. The frame 104 further includes a left hook 112 and a right hook 114 which can be inserted into the insertion openings 90c and 90d of the adapter 90.

[0082] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the soft container 94 can be attached to the adapter 90 with a simple structure.

[0083] The cleaning device 2 is configured so that the user works while standing behind the cleaning device 2. The soft dust unit 16 is disposed behind the main unit 4. The bag 106 has a non-contact portion 106b that is disposed in an area of ​​the bag 106 facing the work surface P when the cleaning device 2 is placed on the work surface P, and in an area at the rear of the bag 106. The non-contact portion 106b is not in contact with the frame 104.

[0084] When a user stands behind the cleaning device 2 and works, the soft container 94 is placed at the user's feet. Therefore, the user's feet may hit the soft container 94. In addition, if the work surface P is partially undulating, the soft container 94 may hit the undulations of the work surface P when the cleaning device 2 moves on the work surface P. According to the above configuration, when a user stands behind the cleaning device 2 and works, the non-contact portion 106b of the bag body 106 is placed at the user's feet. Therefore, even if the non-contact portion 106b hits the user's feet or the undulations of the work surface P, it is possible to prevent the entire soft container 94 from shaking.

[0085] The bag body 106 includes a collecting section 130 that collects dirt that has been scraped up by the front main brush 20 and the rear main brush 22 and passed through the inside of the adapter 90, and a tongue 132 that protrudes from the collecting section 130. When the cleaning device 2 is placed on the work surface P, the adapter 90 has a receiving section 96 in a lower region on the work surface P side that receives the tongue 132 inside the adapter 90.

[0086] If the bag body 106 does not include the tongue 132, debris may remain on the lower region of the adapter 90 when the soft container 94 is removed from the adapter 90. According to the above configuration, when the soft container 94 is attached to the adapter 90, the tongue 132 is received in the receiving portion 96 of the adapter 90, so debris inside the adapter 90 is disposed on the tongue 132. This makes it possible to prevent debris from remaining in the lower region of the adapter 90 even when the soft container 94 is removed from the adapter 90.

[0087] The main body 8 also has an engaged portion 86. The adapter 90 further includes a latch 90b that can engage with the engaged portion 86. When the latch 90b engages with the engaged portion 86, the adapter 90 is attached to the main body 8.

[0088] According to the above configuration, the adapter 90 can be attached to the main body 8 with a simple structure.

[0089] The cleaning device 2 further includes a handle unit 6 that is rotatably attached to the main body 8 and is held by a user when working with the cleaning device 2. The handle unit 6 is rotatable between a first handle position in which it is open relative to the main body 8 and a second handle position in which it is folded relative to the main body 8. The cleaning device 2 is configured so that a user holding the handle unit 6 in the first handle position can work while standing at the rear of the cleaning device 2. The cleaning device 2 is configured so that, with the handle unit 6 in the second handle position and the soft container 94 not attached to the adapter 90, the cleaning device 2 can be placed upright with the rear end of the cleaning device 2 facing the work surface P.

[0090] According to the above configuration, the cleaning device 2 can be stored upright with the handle unit 6 in the second handle position and the soft container 94 not attached to the adapter 90. This allows the space required for storing the cleaning device 2 to be reduced.

[0091] In addition, the soft container 94 can be attached to the handle unit 6 when the cleaning device 2 is placed upright with the rear end facing the work surface P.

[0092] According to the above configuration, when the cleaning device 2 is stored in an upright position, the soft container 94 is attached to the handle unit 6. This eliminates the need to store the cleaning device 2 from which the soft container 94 has been removed and the soft container 94 separately.

[0093] The main unit 4 further includes a fan 74 that generates an airflow toward the soft-dust unit 16, and a filter unit 44 that captures foreign matter contained in the air. The soft-dust unit 16 further includes a partition 92. When the fan 74 operates, part of the air flows from the filter unit 44 toward the fan 74. The partition 92 is disposed behind the filter unit 44 with a gap therebetween.

[0094] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to prevent the soft container 94 or the like from coming into contact with the filter unit 44 from the rear side. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the efficiency with which the filter unit 44 captures foreign matter.

[0095] The main body 8 may have a grip 8a that can be held by a user. The hard dust unit 18 and the soft dust unit 16 each have a grip 82, 100 that can be held by a different user than the current user.

[0096] According to the above configuration, the cleaning device 2 can be transported by a user holding the grip 8a and another user holding the grips 82, 100.

[0097] (Correspondence) The hard dust unit 18 is an example of a "first dust unit". The soft dust unit 16 is an example of a "second dust unit". The front main brush 20 and the rear main brush 22 are an example of a "cleaning tool". The front wheel 10, the right rear wheel 12, and the left rear wheel 14 are an example of a "wheel". The hard container 80 is an example of a "first container". The soft container 94 is an example of a "second container". The left hook 112 and the right hook 114 are an example of a "hook". The grip 8a is an example of a "first grip". The grips 82 and 100 are examples of a "second grip".

[0098] (Second Example) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17 to Fig. 23. In the second embodiment, only the points different from the first embodiment will be described, and the points similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the soft dust unit 200 shown in Fig. 17 is different from the configuration of the soft dust unit 16 in the first embodiment.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 18, the soft dust unit 200 includes an adapter 202, a partition 204, and a soft container 206. The adapter 202 is made of a resin material. The adapter 202 is detachable from the main body 8. The adapter 202 includes an adapter main body 208, a cover member 210, and two casters 212. Inside the adapter main body 208, dust picked up by the front main brush 20 (see FIG. 6) and the rear main brush 22 (see FIG. 6) passes from the front side to the rear side. An engagement groove 208a extending in the left-right direction is formed on the lower wall of the adapter main body 208. The engagement shaft 84 (see FIG. 7) of the main body 8 can be engaged with the engagement groove 208a. A latch 208b is attached to the upper wall of the adapter main body 208. The latch 208b can be engaged with the engaged portion 86 (see FIG. 7) of the main body 8. Furthermore, a locking piece 208c is rotatably attached to the upper wall of the adapter body 208. The locking piece 208c is disposed rearward of the latch 208b.

[0100] 19, a plate member 214 can be attached to the inside of the adapter body 208. The plate member 214 is attached to the adapter body 208 by being inserted from the front side to the rear side into a groove 208d formed on the inner surface on the right side of the adapter body 208 and a groove (not shown) formed on the inner surface on the left side of the adapter body 208. The plate member 214 is disposed near the center of the adapter body 208 in the up-down direction.

[0101] The cover member 210 is rotatably attached to the rear end of the lower wall of the adapter body 208. The cover member 210 is rotatable between an open position (see FIG. 19) and a storage position (see FIG. 20). Usually, the cover member 210 is in the open position while the cleaning device 2 is in operation, and the cover member 210 is in the storage position while the cleaning device 2 is stored in a warehouse or the like. When the cover member 210 is in the open position, the rear end opening of the adapter body 208 is open. As shown in FIG. 20, when the cover member 210 is in the storage position, the cover member 210 closes the rear end opening of the adapter body 208. Also, when the cover member 210 is in the storage position, the locking piece 208c is locked to the cover member 210. This prevents the cover member 210 from rotating toward the open position.

[0102] The cover member 210 has two grips 216. The two grips 216 penetrate the cover member 210 in the thickness direction. The cover member 210 is arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The two grips 216 are held by the user's hands when the user operates the cover member 210. In addition, the two grips 216 are held by the user's hands when the user carries the cleaning device 2.

[0103] The two casters 212 are rotatably attached to the cover member 210. The two casters 212 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 22, the two casters 212 come into contact with the work surface P when the cover member 210 is in the open position. Therefore, when the cleaning device 2 moves on the work surface P with the cover member 210 in the open position, the two casters 212 can rotate on the work surface P. In addition, the two casters 212 can prevent the cover member 210 from coming into contact with the work surface P. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 21, when the cleaning device 2 is placed vertically on the work surface P with the cover member 210 in the stored position and the handle unit 6 in the second handle position, the two casters 212 come into contact with the work surface P together with the right rear wheel 12 and the left rear wheel 14. This allows the user to easily move the cleaning device 2 placed vertically by holding the grip 8a of the main body 8 with his or her hand.

[0104] As shown in Fig. 18, the soft container 206 includes a frame member 220 and a bag body 222. As shown in Fig. 19, the frame member 220 has a frame shape. The frame member 220 is detachably attached to the adapter body 208 from the front side.

[0105] A partition 204 is disposed inside the frame member 220. The partition 204 is formed integrally with the frame member 220. The partition 204 closes the upper half of the interior of the frame member 220. As shown in FIG. 22 , in a state in which the frame member 220 is attached to the adaptor body 208, the partition 204 is disposed inside the adaptor body 208 and abuts against the plate member 214 from the front side. This makes it possible to prevent the plate member 214 from coming off the adaptor body 208.

[0106] The bag body 222 can collect the dirt scooped up by the front main brush 20 (see FIG. 6) and the rear main brush 22 (see FIG. 6) through the front end opening. The bag body 222 is, for example, a vinyl bag. In this embodiment, a bag body having a relatively high capacity (for example, a capacity of 90 L or more) and a bag body having a relatively low capacity (for example, a capacity of 45 L or more) can be used as the bag body 222. When the bag body 222 has a relatively high capacity, the front end of the bag body 222 is placed inside the adapter body 208, and then the front end of the bag body 222 is folded toward the rear side so as to cover the front end of the adapter body 208, whereby the bag body 222 is attached to the adapter body 208. Note that in FIG. 22, the bag body 222 having a relatively high capacity is illustrated by a solid line. Furthermore, with the front end of the bag body 222 attached to the adapter body 208, the frame member 220 is attached to the adapter body 208 from the front side, so that the front end of the bag body 222 is sandwiched between the front end of the adapter body 208 and the frame member 220. As a result, the bag body 222 is fixed to the adapter body 208.

[0107] When the bag body 222 has a relatively low capacity, the front end of the bag body 222 is disposed inside the adapter body 208 below the plate member 214, and then the front end of the bag body 222 is folded rearward so as to cover the lower side of the front end of the adapter body 208 and the front end of the plate member 214, whereby the bag body 222 is attached to the adapter body 208. Note that in FIG. 22, the bag body 222 having a relatively low capacity is illustrated by a dashed line. In addition, in a state in which the front end of the bag body 222 is attached to the adapter body 208, the frame member 220 is attached to the adapter body 208 from the front side, so that the front end of the bag body 222 is sandwiched between the front end of the adapter body 208 and the frame member 220. As a result, the bag body 222 is fixed to the adapter body 208.

[0108] When the cover member 210 is in the open position, the bag body 222 is disposed across the inside and outside of the adapter body 208. The rear end of the bag body 222 can extend rearward beyond the rear end of the cover member 210. Since the bag body 222 is disposed above the cover member 210, the bag body 222 is placed on the cover member 210 when the cleaning device 2 is in operation. Compared to a case in which the adapter 202 does not include the cover member 210, it is possible to prevent the bag body 222 from coming into contact with the work surface P.

[0109] As shown in Fig. 23, when the cover member 210 is in the storage position, the bag body 222 is stored inside the adapter body 208. When the bag body 222 is stored inside the adapter body 208, the bag body 222 is folded in a complicated manner, but in Fig. 23, the shape of the bag body 222 is simplified and illustrated by a dashed line. By storing the bag body 222 inside the adapter body 208, it is possible to prevent the bag body 222 from being damaged when the cleaning device 2 is not in use, and also to prevent the bag body 222 from getting caught when the user puts the cleaning device 2 away.

[0110] The rear end of the bag body 222 is disposed rearward of the partition body 204. Moreover, the partition body 204 is disposed rearward of the filter unit 44 with a gap therebetween. In FIG. 23, the filter unit 44 is illustrated by a broken line. The lower end of the partition body 204 is disposed below the lower end of the filter unit 44. Moreover, the upper end of the partition body 204 is disposed above the upper end of the filter unit 44. As a result, the partition body 204 prevents the bag body 222 from coming into contact with the filter unit 44. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which air cannot pass through the filter unit 44.

[0111] (effect) In this embodiment, the adapter 202 includes an adapter main body 208 that is detachably attached to the main body 8, a cover member 210 that is attached to the adapter main body 208 so as to be rotatable between a storage position and an open position, and casters 212 that are rotatably attached to the cover member 210. The soft container 206 includes a bag body 222 that collects the dirt scooped up by the front main brush 20 and the rear main brush 22. The bag body 222 is stored inside the adapter 202 when the cover member 210 is in the storage position, and can be arranged across the inside and outside of the adapter 202 when the cover member 210 is in the open position, and is arranged on the upper side of the cover member 210 outside the adapter 202. The casters 212 come into contact with the work surface P when the cover member 210 is in the open position.

[0112] According to the above configuration, when the cleaning device 2 moves with the cover member 210 in the open position, the casters 212 rotate on the work surface P. This makes it possible to prevent the cover member 210 from contacting the work surface P. Also, it is possible to prevent the bag body 222 arranged on the cover member 210 from contacting the work surface P.

[0113] The soft container 206 further includes a frame member 220 that sandwiches the open end of the bag body 222 between the frame member 220 and the adapter body 208 .

[0114] According to the above configuration, the bag body 222 can be attached to the adapter 202 with a simple structure.

[0115] The cleaning device 2 further includes a handle unit 6 that is rotatably attached to the main body 8 and is held by a user when using the cleaning device 2 for work. The handle unit 6 is rotatable between a first handle position in which it is open relative to the main body 8 and a second handle position in which it is folded relative to the main body 8. The cleaning device 2 is configured so that a user holding the handle unit 6 in the first handle position can work while standing at the rear of the cleaning device 2. The cleaning device 2 is configured so that it can be placed upright with the rear end of the cleaning device 2 facing the work surface P when the handle unit 6 is in the second handle position and the cover member 210 is in the stored position.

[0116] According to the above configuration, the cleaning device 2 can be stored upright with the handle unit 6 in the second handle position and the cover member 210 in the stored position. This makes it possible to reduce the space required to store the cleaning device 2.

[0117] (Correspondence) The soft container 206 is an example of a "second container."

[0118] (Third Example) Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 24 to 26. In the third embodiment, only the points different from the first embodiment will be described, and points similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described. As shown in Fig. 24, in the third embodiment, a holder 302 for mounting a cleaner 300 is attached to the handle unit 6. The cleaner 300 is used by a user when collecting dirt that could not be collected by the cleaning device 2.

[0119] As shown in Fig. 25, the holder 302 includes a first curved plate 304, a second curved plate 306, a holder plate 308, a stopper 310, and a holder body 312. The first curved plate 304 includes a first curved portion 314 curved to protrude toward the left side, a first front flat plate portion 316 connected to the front side of the first curved portion 314, and a first rear flat plate portion 318 connected to the rear side of the first curved portion 314. The second curved plate 306 includes a second curved portion 320 curved to protrude toward the right side, a second front flat plate portion 322 connected to the front side of the second curved portion 320, and a second rear flat plate portion 324 connected to the rear side of the second curved portion 320. With the handle unit 6 sandwiched between the first curved portion 314 and the second curved portion 320, the holder 302 is attached to the handle unit 6 by fixing the first front flat plate portion 316 and the second front flat plate portion 322 with screws 326 and fixing the first rear flat plate portion 318 and the second rear flat plate portion 324 with screws 328.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 26, the holder plate 308 is rotatably attached to the second curved plate 306. The holder plate 308 has a moving groove 332 that extends in a range of about 120 degrees around an axis extending in the left-right direction, and a plurality of fixed grooves 334 connected to the moving groove 332. The plurality of fixed grooves 334 are arranged at equal intervals around the axis extending in the left-right direction. The holder plate 308 rotates relative to the second curved plate 306 as a result of a pin 336 formed in the second curved plate 306 moving in the moving groove 332. In addition, when the pin 336 enters one of the plurality of fixed grooves 334 from the moving groove 332, the holder plate 308 cannot rotate relative to the second curved plate 306 after moving downward relative to the second curved plate 306.

[0121] The stopper 310 is rotatably attached to the second curved plate 306. When the stopper 310 is rotated in a first direction, the gap between the stopper 310 and the second curved plate 306 narrows, and the holder plate 308 is sandwiched between the stopper 310 and the second curved plate 306 and becomes difficult to move relative to the second curved plate 306. On the other hand, when the stopper 310 is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the gap between the stopper 310 and the second curved plate 306 widens, and the holder plate 308 becomes easy to move relative to the second curved plate 306.

[0122] The holder body 312 is fixed to the right surface of the second curved plate 306. The holder body 312 holds the cleaner 300 (see FIG. 24) by sandwiching the cleaner 300 therebetween.

[0123] A method of adjusting the orientation of the holder body 312 will be described. First, the user rotates the stopper 310 in the second direction. Next, the user moves the holder plate 308 upward. As a result, the pin 336 moves from the fixed groove 334 to the moving groove 332. Next, the user rotates the holder plate 308 relative to the second curved plate 306 until the orientation of the holder body 312 becomes the desired orientation, and then moves the holder plate 308 downward. As a result, the pin 336 moves within the moving groove 332, and then moves from the moving groove 332 to one of the fixed grooves 334. Finally, the user rotates the stopper 310 in the first direction. As a result, the holder plate 308 is fixed to the second curved plate 306.

[0124] (Fourth Example) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 27 to 36. In the fourth embodiment, only the points different from the first embodiment will be described, and points similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described. As shown in Fig. 27, in the fourth embodiment, a rack 402 capable of mounting a tool box 400 or the like is attached to the main body 8. As shown in Fig. 28, the rack 402 is disposed on the upper wall of the rear side of the main body 8. The rack 402 is disposed between the right shaft 6a and the left shaft 6b of the handle unit 6.

[0125] Rack 402 is formed with a protrusion 402a protruding leftward from the front lower portion of the left side surface of rack 402, and a protrusion 402b (see FIG. 27) protruding rightward from the front lower portion of the right side surface of rack 402. Rack 402 is attached to main body 8 by fitting protrusion 402a into receiving groove 404a of main body 8, fitting protrusion 402b into receiving groove 404b (see FIG. 27) of main body 8, and fastening four screws 406 to main body 8 and rack 402.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 29, the rack 402 includes a rack body 408, two first engagement members 410, two second engagement members 412, two third engagement members 414, two fourth engagement members 416, and a fifth engagement member 418. A first front opening 408a, a first rear opening 408b, and a second opening 408c are formed on the upper surface of the rack 402. The first front opening 408a and the first rear opening 408b are disposed on the left side of the center of the width of the rack body 408 in the left-right direction. The first front opening 408a is disposed in front of the first rear opening 408b. The second opening 408c is disposed on the right side of the center of the width of the rack body 408 in the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the second opening 408c is disposed between the first front opening 408a and the first rear opening 408b.

[0127] One first engagement member 410 (hereinafter referred to as the first left engagement member 410a) is attached to the left front end of the rack body 408 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the front-rear direction, and the other first engagement member 410 (hereinafter referred to as the first right engagement member 410b) is attached to the right front end of the rack body 408 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the front-rear direction. One second engagement member 412 (hereinafter referred to as the second left engagement member 412a) is attached to the left rear end of the rack body 408 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the left-right direction, and the other second engagement member 412 (hereinafter referred to as the second right engagement member 412b) is attached to the right rear end of the rack body 408 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the left-right direction. One third engagement member 414 (hereinafter referred to as the third front engagement member 414a) is attached to the rack body 408 near the front end so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the left-right direction, and the other third engagement member 414 (hereinafter referred to as the third rear engagement member 414b) is attached to the rack body 408 near the rear end so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the left-right direction. One fourth engagement member 416 (hereinafter referred to as the fourth front engagement member 416a) and the other fourth engagement member 416 (hereinafter referred to as the fourth rear engagement member 416b) are attached to the rack body 408 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the front-rear direction. The fourth front engagement member 416a is biased by a biasing member (not shown). The fourth front engagement member 416a protrudes upward from the first front opening 408a. The fourth rear engagement member 416b is biased by a biasing member (not shown). The fourth rear engagement member 416b protrudes upward from the first rear opening 408b. The fifth engagement member 418 is attached to the rack body 408 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the front-rear direction. The fifth engagement member 418 is biased by a biasing member (not shown). The fifth engagement member 418 protrudes upward from the second opening 408c.

[0128] As shown in Fig. 30, the tool box 400 includes a box body 424. The box body 424 can accommodate various tools. A first left engagement groove 424a is formed on the left side surface of the box body 424. A first right engagement groove 424b (see Fig. 27) is formed on the right side surface of the box body 424. A second left engagement groove 426a and a second right engagement groove 426b are formed on the rear surface of the box body 424.

[0129] As shown in Fig. 31, the first left engagement member 410a engages with the first left engagement groove 424a. The second left engagement member 412a engages with the second left engagement groove 426a. The second right engagement member 412b engages with the second right engagement groove 426b. As shown in Fig. 27, the first right engagement member 410b engages with the first right engagement groove 424b. With these, the tool box 400 is attached to the rack 402.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 32, a first battery 430 can be attached to the rack 402. The first battery 430 is, for example, a backpack battery. As shown in FIG. 33, the first battery 430 includes a first battery casing 432 and a first grip 434 connected to the first battery casing 432. The first battery casing 432 houses a battery cell (not shown) capable of supplying power to the cleaning device 2. A third front engagement groove 436a is formed on the right side of the front end of the first battery casing 432. A third rear engagement groove 436b is formed on the right side of the rear end of the first battery casing 432. A fourth front engagement groove 438a and a fourth rear engagement groove 438b are formed on the left end of the first battery casing 432.

[0131] Next, a method of attaching the first battery 430 to the rack 402 will be described. First, the user holds the first grip 434, inserts the fourth front engagement member 416a (see FIG. 29) into the fourth front engagement groove 438a from the left side, and inserts the fourth rear engagement member 416b (see FIG. 29) into the fourth rear engagement groove 438b from the left side. Next, the user places the first battery casing 432 on the upper surface of the rack body 408 (see FIG. 29). Next, the user rotates the third rear engagement member 414b (see FIG. 29) to engage it with the fourth rear engagement groove 438b. Finally, as shown in FIG. 32, the user rotates the third front engagement member 414a to engage it with the fourth front engagement groove 438a.

[0132] As shown in Fig. 34, a second battery 450 can be attached to the rack 402. The second battery 450 is, for example, a backpack-type battery. As shown in Fig. 35, the second battery 450 includes a second battery casing 452 and a second grip 454 rotatably attached to the second battery casing 452. The second battery casing 452 houses a battery cell (not shown) capable of supplying power to the cleaning device 2. A front engagement claw 456a and a rear engagement claw 456b are formed on the left end of the second battery casing 452.

[0133] 36, the second battery 450 further includes an operation button 458, a biasing member 460 that biases the operation button 458 in a direction away from the second battery casing 452, and an engagement claw 462 connected to the operation button 458. The operation button 458 and the engagement claw 462 are integrally formed, and are rotatably attached to the second battery casing 452. When the operation button 458 is pressed in, the tip (the lower end in FIG. 36) of the engagement claw 462 rotates in a direction toward the right.

[0134] Next, a method of attaching the second battery 450 to the rack 402 will be described. As shown in FIG. 35, first, the user holds the second grip 454 and, in a state in which the second battery 450 is tilted, engages the front engagement claw 456a with the fourth front engagement member 416a (see FIG. 29) from the right side, and engages the rear engagement claw 456b with the fourth rear engagement member 416b (see FIG. 29) from the right side. Next, the user tilts the second battery 450 toward the upper surface of the rack body 408 (see FIG. 29). The fifth engagement member 418 (see FIG. 29) is pushed by the second battery casing 452 and rotates in a direction in which the tip thereof faces the left side, and then rotates in a direction in which the tip thereof faces the right side to return to the initial position. As a result, the fifth engagement member 418 engages with the engagement claw 462 (see FIG. 36).

[0135] When removing the second battery 450 from the rack 402, the user first presses the operation button 458. This releases the engagement between the engagement claw 462 and the fifth engagement member 418. Next, with the operation button 458 pressed, the user grasps the second grip 454 and lifts up the second battery 450.

[0136] (Fifth Example) Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 37 and 38. In the fifth embodiment, only the points different from the first embodiment will be described, and the points similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described. As shown in Fig. 37, the cleaning device 2 further includes a magnet unit 500. The magnet unit 500 is a member for collecting metal waste on the working surface P (see Fig. 6). The magnet unit 500 includes a connection member 502 that can be fixed to the grip 8a of the main body 8, a holding member 504 attached to the tip of the connection member 502, a left wheel 506 rotatably attached to the left wall of the holding member 504, a right wheel 508 rotatably attached to the right wall of the holding member 504, and a grip 510 attached to the holding member 504.

[0137] 38, an operating lever 512 and a locking member 514 fixed to the operating lever 512 are attached to the connecting member 502. The locking member 514 is inserted in the vertical direction near the rear end of the connecting member 502. The lower end of the locking member 514 extends in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. By operating the operating lever 512 and rotating the locking member 514 to a position where the lower end overlaps with the main body 8 in the vertical direction, the connecting member 502 is fixed to the grip 8a.

[0138] The holding member 504 holds the magnet 516 by accommodating the magnet 516 therein. The magnet 516 is, for example, a permanent magnet. The magnet 516 attracts metal waste on the work surface P upward (i.e., toward the lower surface of the holding member 504).

[0139] When the cleaning device 2 is placed on the work surface P, the left wheel 506 and the right wheel 508 come into contact with the work surface P. Therefore, when the cleaning device 2 moves on the work surface P, the left wheel 506 and the right wheel 508 rotate on the work surface P. The holding member 504 can move along the work surface P without the lower surface coming into contact with the work surface P.

[0140] The grip 510 is held by a user, for example, when attaching or detaching the magnet unit 500 to or from the grip 8a.

[0141] Next, a method for collecting metal waste using the magnet unit 500 will be described. The user moves the cleaning device 2 to move the lower surface of the holding member 504 above the metal waste. This causes the metal waste to stick to the lower surface of the holding member 504 due to the attractive force of the magnet 516. Even when the cleaning device 2 is moving over the work surface P, the metal waste remains stuck to the lower surface of the holding member 504 due to the attractive force of the magnet 516.

[0142] (Modification) In a modification of the first embodiment, another bag may be attached inside the bag body 106. In this case, the other bag is, for example, a vinyl bag. Dust scooped up by the front main brush 20 (see FIG. 6) and the rear main brush 22 (see FIG. 6) is collected inside the other bag. A user can easily dispose of the dust by removing the other bag from the bag body 106.

[0143] In a modification of the fifth embodiment, the magnet unit 500 may include a handle that can be used by the user by pushing it by hand. In this case, the handle is fixed to the holding member 504. Also, the magnet unit 500 may not include the connecting member 502. The main body 8 may have an opening into which the handle of the magnet unit 500 can be inserted. This allows the user to easily attach the magnet unit 500 to the main body 8 by inserting the handle into the opening of the main body 8.

[0144] In a modified example of each embodiment, the cleaning device 2 may not include a motor for rotating the front main brush 20, the rear main brush 22, and the side brush 24. In this case, the front main brush 20, the rear main brush 22, and the side brush 24 may be configured to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the right rear wheel 12 and the left rear wheel 14.

[0145] In a modified example of each embodiment, the cleaning device 2 may further include a motor for rotating the right rear wheel 12 and the left rear wheel 14. In this case, the cleaning device 2 may be a cleaning device that is operated by a user by gripping the handle unit 6, or may be a cleaning device that is self-propelled under the control of a control device of the cleaning device 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0146] 2: Cleaning device 4: Main unit 6: Handle unit 8: Main unit 8a: Grip 10: Front wheel 12: Right rear wheel 14: Left rear wheel 16: Soft dust unit 18: Hard dust unit 20: Front main brush 22: Rear main brush 26: Duct 44: Filter unit 68: Fan unit 74: Fan 80: Hard container 80b: Engagement groove 80c: Latch 82: Grip 84: Engagement shaft 86: Engaged part 90: Adapter 90a: Engagement groove 90b: Latch 90c, 90d: Insertion opening 92: Partition 94: Soft container 96: Acceptance Department 98: Step 100: Grip 104: Frame 106: Bag body 106b: Non-contact part 108: Fixing member 110: Main frame 112: Left hook 114: Right Hook 130: Collection Department 132: Tongue 200: Soft dust unit 202: Adapter 204: Partition 206: Soft container 208: Adapter body 208a: Engagement groove 208b: Latch 210: Cover member 212: Caster 214: Plate member 216: Grip 220: Frame member 222: Bag body 300: Cleaner 302: Holder 400: Toolbox 402: Rack 430: 1st battery 450: Second battery 500: Magnet unit BP: Battery pack P: Working surface

Claims

1. 1. A cleaning device comprising: A main unit; a first dust unit detachable from the main body unit; A second dust unit that is detachable from the main unit, The main unit includes: A cleaning tool for scraping up dirt on the work surface; a main body that rotatably supports the cleaning tool; wheels rotatably supported on the body and configured to move the cleaning device over the work surface; The first dust unit includes: a first container that is detachable from the main body and capable of collecting the dirt scooped up by the cleaning tool; The second dust unit includes: An adapter that is detachable from the main body; a second container that is detachable from the adapter and capable of collecting the dirt scooped up by the cleaning tool, The second container comprises: a frame removably attached to the adapter; a bag attached to the frame for collecting the dirt scooped up by the cleaning tool; the cleaning device is configured so that a user can stand behind the cleaning device to operate the device; The second dust unit is disposed on the rear side of the main unit, the bag body includes a non-contact portion that is disposed in a region of the bag body facing the work surface and in a rear region of the bag body when the cleaning device is placed on the work surface, A cleaning device, wherein the non-contact portion is not in contact with the frame.

2. 1. A cleaning device comprising: A main unit; a first dust unit detachable from the main body unit; A second dust unit that is detachable from the main unit, The main unit includes: A cleaning tool for scraping up dirt on the work surface; a main body that rotatably supports the cleaning tool; wheels rotatably supported on the body and configured to move the cleaning device over the work surface; The first dust unit includes: a first container that is detachable from the main body and capable of collecting the dirt scooped up by the cleaning tool; The second dust unit includes: An adapter that is detachable from the main body; a second container that is detachable from the adapter and capable of collecting the dirt scooped up by the cleaning tool, The second container comprises: a frame removably attached to the adapter; a bag attached to the frame for collecting the dirt scooped up by the cleaning tool; The bag body is a collecting section in which the dust that has been picked up by the cleaning tool and passed through the inside of the adapter is collected; a tongue protruding from the collection portion, The cleaning device, wherein the adapter has a receiving portion in a lower area on the work surface side that receives the tongue inside the adapter when the cleaning device is placed on the work surface.

3. The cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bag is removably attached to the frame.

4. The cleaning device according to claim 3 , wherein the second container is removably attached to the frame, and further comprises a fixing member for fixing the bag body to the frame.

5. The adapter has a plug opening, The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises a hook insertable into the insertion opening of the adapter.

6. The main body has an engaged portion, The adapter further includes a latch engageable with the engaged portion, The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter is attached to the main body when the latch engages with the engaged portion.

7. a handle unit rotatably attached to the main body and adapted to be gripped by a user when using the cleaning device; The handle unit is rotatable between a first handle position in which the handle unit is open relative to the main body and a second handle position in which the handle unit is folded relative to the main body; the cleaning device is configured so that the user holding the handle unit at the first handle position works by standing behind the cleaning device, 7. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is configured to be vertically oriented with a rear end of the cleaning device facing the work surface when the handle unit is in the second handle position and the second container is not attached to the adapter.

8. The cleaning device of claim 7 , wherein the second container is attachable to the handle unit when the cleaning device is oriented upright with a rear end facing the work surface.

9. 1. A cleaning device comprising: A main unit; a first dust unit detachable from the main body unit; A second dust unit that is detachable from the main unit, The main unit includes: A cleaning tool for scraping up dirt on the work surface; a main body that rotatably supports the cleaning tool; wheels rotatably supported on the body and configured to move the cleaning device over the work surface; The first dust unit includes: a first container that is detachable from the main body and capable of collecting the dirt scooped up by the cleaning tool; The second dust unit includes: An adapter that is detachable from the main body; a second container that is detachable from the adapter and capable of collecting the dirt scooped up by the cleaning tool, The adapter comprises: an adapter body that is detachably attached to the main body; a cover member attached to the adapter body so as to be rotatable between a storage position and an open position; a caster rotatably attached to the cover member, The second container includes a bag for collecting the waste picked up by the cleaning tool, the bag body is accommodated inside the adapter when the cover member is in the accommodated position, and is disposable across the interior and exterior of the adapter when the cover member is in the open position, and is disposed on the exterior of the adapter above the cover member; The casters contact the work surface when the cover member is in the open position.

10. The cleaning device according to claim 9 , wherein the second container further comprises a frame member that sandwiches the open end of the bag body between the frame member and the adapter body.

11. a handle unit rotatably attached to the main body and adapted to be gripped by a user when using the cleaning device; The handle unit is rotatable between a first handle position in which the handle unit is open relative to the main body and a second handle position in which the handle unit is folded relative to the main body; the cleaning device is configured so that the user holding the handle unit at the first handle position works by standing behind the cleaning device, 11. The cleaning device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the cleaning device is configured to be vertically oriented with the rear end of the cleaning device facing the work surface when the handle unit is in the second handle position and the cover member is in the stored position.

12. The main unit includes: A fan that generates an air flow toward the second dust unit; A filter unit that captures foreign matter contained in the air, The second dust unit further includes a partition, When the fan is operating, a portion of the air flows from the filter unit toward the fan, The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the partition body is disposed rearward of the filter unit and spaced apart from the filter unit.

13. The body has a first grip that can be held by a user, The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first dust unit and the second dust unit has a second grip that can be held by a user different from the user.

Citation Information

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