Suction nozzle and vacuum cleaner

Abstract

To provide a suction port body that can secure cleaning performance, and to provide a vacuum cleaner equipped therewith.SOLUTION: A suction port body 7 includes: a cleaning body chamber 703; suction air passage 700; partition wall 704; and a lower surface part 701. In the cleaning body chamber 703, there is arranged a cleaning body. The suction air passage 700 is situated by juxtaposing either a forward or backward part of the cleaning body chamber 703, with a suction port 7000 possessed in the lower part. The partition wall 704 is situated between the cleaning body chamber 703 and the suction air passage 700, and is extended laterally. The lower surface part 701 is situated at least in the lateral direction of the partition wall 704. In a part over the lower end and lower surface part 701 of the partition wall 704, there are installed at least a first part LI1 with the lowest height, a second part LI2 with the highest height, and a third part LI3 with the intermediate height of the first part LI1 and the second part LI2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a suction port body having a partition wall extending in the left-right direction and positioned between a cleaning body chamber and a suction air passage, and to an electric vacuum cleaner including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] In a conventional vacuum cleaner, a suction port body has been known in which a cleaning body chamber that houses a rotary cleaning body and a suction air duct having a suction port are arranged side by side in front and behind. In this configuration, the rotation of the rotary cleaning body in the cleaning body chamber scrapes dust from the part to be cleaned, and the scraped dust is sucked up through the suction air duct that communicates with the rear of the cleaning body chamber.

[0003] In this configuration, the partition separating the cleaning chamber from the suction duct needs to have its bottom end close to the area to be cleaned in order to increase the degree of vacuum in the suction duct. On the other hand, if the bottom end of the partition is too close to the area to be cleaned, it becomes difficult to guide granular dust, such as rice grains, from the cleaning chamber into the suction duct. In other words, there is a trade-off between the degree of vacuum in the suction duct depending on the height of the bottom end of the partition and the cleaning performance for granular dust. Therefore, it is desirable to set these values ​​appropriately to ensure cleaning performance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-179205 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a suction mouth body that can ensure cleaning performance and an electric vacuum cleaner including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The suction port body of the embodiment comprises a cleaning element chamber, a suction air passage, a partition wall, and a bottom surface portion. The cleaning element is disposed in the cleaning element chamber. The suction air passage is positioned in line either in front or behind the cleaning element chamber, and has a suction port at the bottom. The partition wall is positioned between the cleaning element chamber and the suction air passage and extends in the left-right direction. The bottom surface portion is positioned at least in the left-right direction of the partition wall. A first portion having the lowest height, a second portion having the highest height, and a second portion having the highest height are disposed in a portion extending from the first portion to the second portion, the first portion being the shortest, the second portion being the longest, and the second portion being the shortest. Between At least one-third of the height is set. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1A is a front view of the suction port body of the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a front view showing an enlarged portion of the suction port body of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line corresponding to the line II-II in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the suction port body from above. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electric vacuum cleaner equipped with the same suction mouth body. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the suction port body of the second embodiment from below. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line corresponding to the line III-III in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 12] 10(a) is a front view showing an enlarged portion of an example of the suction port body of the third embodiment, and FIG. 10(b) is a front view showing an enlarged portion of another example of the same suction port body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] In Figure 8, VC indicates a vacuum cleaner. In the vacuum cleaner VC, suction source 2 is operated by power supply unit 1, and the operation of suction source 2 generates negative pressure, which sucks dust together with air into dust collection unit 3, where the dust separated from the air is collected. In this embodiment, the vacuum cleaner VC will be described as a stick-type vacuum cleaner that is held and operated by a user. However, the vacuum cleaner VC may be any type, such as a floor-traveling type (i.e., a canister type), an upright type, or a handheld type.

[0010] The power supply unit 1 may be a cord reel device that obtains power from a commercial power source, or may be a battery. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 1 is a secondary battery. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner VC of this embodiment is a cordless type. The amount of current flowing from the power supply unit 1 to the suction source 2 is set by the control unit 4. A microcomputer is preferably used as the control unit 4.

[0011] For example, an electric blower is used as the suction source 2. The electric blower is configured to generate negative pressure by rotating a fan with an electric motor.

[0012] In this embodiment, the dust collecting unit 3 is of a cyclone type that separates dust by centrifugal separation by swirling dust-containing air. However, the dust collecting unit 3 is not limited to this, and may be a filter, a dust collecting bag, or the like.

[0013] The power supply unit 1, suction source 2, and control unit 4 are arranged in the vacuum cleaner main body 5. The dust collection unit 3 may be arranged in the vacuum cleaner main body 5, or may be arranged in a location separate from the vacuum cleaner main body 5. In this embodiment, the dust collection unit 3 is detachable from the vacuum cleaner main body 5.

[0014] The vacuum cleaner body 5 is formed with a main body suction port 50. The main body suction port 50 is connected to the suction side of the suction source 2. In this embodiment, the main body suction port 50 is connected to the suction side of the suction source 2 via the dust collection unit 3 attached to the vacuum cleaner body 5. The vacuum cleaner body 5 also has a grip 51 that the user holds to perform cleaning operations. The grip 51 is provided with an operation setting unit 52, such as a push button operated by the user. The operation setting unit 52 generates a signal to set the operation of the suction source 2 in response to the user's operation and outputs the signal to the control unit 4. The control unit 4 receives the output signal and operates the suction source 2 in response to the signal. A microcomputer or the like is preferably used as the control unit 4. The vacuum cleaner body 5 is also formed with a main body exhaust port 53. The main body exhaust port 53 is connected to the exhaust side of the suction source 2.

[0015] A suction air duct section 6 is connected to the main body suction port 50 of the vacuum cleaner main body 5. The suction air duct section 6 is an air duct section that applies negative pressure generated by the operation of the suction source 2 to the part to be cleaned CL. The suction air duct section 6 is set appropriately depending on the type of vacuum cleaner VC. In the case of a stick-type vacuum cleaner VC, the suction air duct section 6 is made up of an extension tube 60 and an attachment 61. However, the suction air duct section 6 may further include a flexible hose body or may consist of only the attachment 61 depending on the type of vacuum cleaner VC.

[0016] The extension pipe 60 is a long pipe. One end of the extension pipe 60 is connected to the main body suction port 50, and the other end is connected to the attachment 61. By providing a distance between the vacuum cleaner main body 5 and the attachment 61, the user can clean the surface to be cleaned CL, such as a floor, with the vacuum cleaner VC while standing.

[0017] Various attachments 61 are selectively used depending on the cleaning purpose. In this embodiment, the attachment 61 is a suction port body 7. The suction port body 7 is also called a floor brush, cleaning head, suction head, etc., and is an attachment that sucks up dust while moving along the surface to be cleaned CL, such as a floor. Note that the up / down, left / right, and front / rear directions of the suction port body 7 will be described below based on the directions as seen by a user when the suction port body 7 is placed on a horizontal surface to be cleaned CL. In FIGS. 1 to 7, the up direction is indicated by arrow U, the down direction by arrow D, the forward direction by arrow FR, the rearward direction by arrow RR, the leftward direction by arrow L, and the rightward direction by arrow R.

[0018] The suction port body 7 includes a main body 70. The main body 70 is a case body made of a material such as synthetic resin. The main body 70 is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., has a horizontally elongated shape. A connecting pipe 71 is connected to the rear of the main body 70. As shown in FIG. 8, the connecting pipe 71 is a pipe that connects the suction port body 7 and the suction source 2. In this embodiment, the connecting pipe 71 can be connected via an extension pipe 60 or directly to the main body suction port 50. The connecting pipe 71 is located in the center of the left-right direction at the rear of the main body 70.

[0019] The main body 70 is also formed with a plurality of chambers. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main body 70 is formed with a suction air passage 700 as a chamber. The suction air passage 700 is a suction chamber formed in an elongated shape in the left-right direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the main body 70. The suction air passage 700 is connected to the suction source 2 (shown in FIG. 8) and is the main air passage that sucks in dust. The suction air passage 700 has an intake port 7000 at its lower part that opens toward the part to be cleaned CL. The intake port 7000 is a portion that directly applies negative pressure generated by the suction source 2 (shown in FIG. 8) to the part to be cleaned CL. The intake port 7000 is formed over the entire or substantially the entire lower part of the suction air passage 700. That is, the intake port 7000 is formed elongated in the left-right direction.

[0020] In this embodiment, the suction airflow passage 700 is formed so as to gradually widen in the front-rear direction from both left-right side portions toward the center. In the illustrated example, the suction airflow passage 700 has a first airflow passage 7001 as a maximum width portion, which is the widest portion in the front-rear direction, in the left-right center. Second airflow passages 7002 as widened portions that gradually widen in the front-rear direction toward the first airflow passage 7001 are formed contiguous to both left-right side portions of the first airflow passage 7001. In this embodiment, the first airflow passage 7001 and the second airflow passage 7002 have approximately equal left-right lengths. Preferably, the suction airflow passage 700 is opened so that both left-right side portions of the main body 70 are in communication with the outside air. In the illustrated example, a third airflow passage 7003 is formed contiguous to each second airflow passage 7002. The third airflow passage 7003 is formed to extend linearly in the left-right direction. The third air duct section 7003 is connected to the narrowest portion of the second air duct section 7002 in the front-to-rear direction. The width of the third air duct section 7003 in the front-to-rear direction is set to be equal to the narrowest portion of the second air duct section 7002 in the front-to-rear direction. The sides of the third air duct section 7003 form side openings 7004 that communicate with the outside air at the left-to-right sides of the main body section 70.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2 , the ceiling surface 7005 of the suction airflow passage 700 is lower at both left and right sides than at other portions. In the illustrated example, the ceiling surface 7005 is inclined so as to gradually increase in height from both left and right sides toward the center. That is, the ceiling surface 7005 of the suction airflow passage 700 is formed so as to be highest at the left and right center. In this embodiment, the ceiling surface 7005 has a highest peak 70050 and inclined portions 70051 connected to both sides of the highest peak 70050. In the illustrated example, the highest peak 70050 is the ceiling surface at the position of the first airflow passage 7001 of the suction airflow passage 700, and the inclined portions 70051 are the ceiling surface connected to the second airflow passage 7002 through the third airflow passage 7003. In this embodiment, the highest peak 70050 is formed to extend in the left and right direction. The inclined portion 70051 is inclined at a constant or approximately constant inclination from both sides of the highest portion 70050 in the left-right direction to the side opening 7004 .

[0022] In the following description of the present embodiment, "height" is defined as the height from a predetermined reference plane. The predetermined reference plane is a horizontal plane that has a predetermined vertical positional relationship with respect to the part to be cleaned CL. FIGS. 1(a) and 2 show an example in which the flat part to be cleaned CL on which the grounding part 72 disposed at the bottom of the main body 70 makes contact is used as the reference plane. In other words, in the case of a hard part to be cleaned CL such as horizontal flooring, its surface or the surface to be cleaned itself serves as the predetermined reference plane.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, in this embodiment, the ground contact portion 72 is provided with running wheels 720 and 721, a seal member 722, and a sliding member 723.

[0024] Running wheel 720 has a larger diameter than running wheel 721. Running wheel 720 is disposed at the rear of main body 70, below connecting pipe 71. Running wheel 720 is attached to the rear of main body 70 in a central position in the left-right direction so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction.

[0025] The running wheels 721 are attached to the main body 70 so as to be rotatable in the front-to-rear direction. The running wheels 721 are arranged at a rear position of the suction air passage 700. In the example shown, the axis of the running wheels 721 is located rearward of the suction air passage 700. The running wheels 721 are arranged coaxially at a distance from each other in the left-to-right direction at the bottom of the main body 70. In this embodiment, the running wheels 721 are arranged close to the rear of each third air passage section 7003. The running wheels 720 and the running wheels 721, 721 are arranged to support the suction port body 7 or the main body 70 at three points.

[0026] The sealing member 722 seals the rear side of the suction port 7000 from the object to be cleaned CL (shown in FIG. 2). The sealing member 722 is arranged along the rear of the suction air passage 700. The sealing member 722 is located close to the suction port 7000. The sealing members 722 are arranged longitudinally in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the sealing member 722 is connected across the first air passage section 7001 and both second air passage sections 7002 of the suction air passage 700. The left and right sides of the sealing member 722 are respectively close to the running wheels 721. The running wheels 721 are respectively located on the extensions of the left-right direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the sealing member 722. In this embodiment, the axes of the running wheels 721 are located on the extensions of the sealing member 722 in the left-right direction. In the illustrated example, the sealing member 722 and the running wheels 721, 721 form the grounding portion 72 that is generally continuous in the left-right direction across the entire rear part of the suction air passage 700 or the suction port 7000. The sealing member 722 is formed, for example, by brush bristles densely packed in a wall shape.

[0027] The sliding members 723 are disposed at a position in the front of the suction airflow passage 700. In the example shown, the sliding members 723 are disposed at a position in the left-right direction in the lower part of the main body 70. In the present embodiment, the sliding members 723 are disposed close to the front of each third airflow passage section 7003. The sliding members 723 are positioned at the lower part of the main body 70, extending in the front-rear direction along both left-right sides. The sliding members 723 are made of nonwoven fabric or the like.

[0028] A planar undersurface portion 701 is formed on the lower part of the main body portion 70 where the ground contact portion 72 is arranged. The undersurface portions 701 are located at the front and rear of the suction air passage 700. The undersurface portions 701 are planar portions that can come into contact with the surface to be cleaned, such as a long-pile carpet. In this embodiment, the undersurface portion 701 is provided with a front undersurface portion 7010 located at the front of the suction air passage 700 and a rear undersurface portion 7011 located at the rear of the suction air passage 700. In the illustrated example, the front undersurface portion 7010 and the rear undersurface portion 7011 are located on the same plane. That is, the heights of the surface to be cleaned CL of the front undersurface portion 7010 and the rear undersurface portion 7011 are the same or approximately the same.

[0029] The front lower surface portions 7010 are formed to extend forward from positions on both left and right sides of the suction airflow passage 700. In the example shown, the front lower surface portions 7010 are adjacent to the front portion of the third airflow passage portion 7003 of the suction airflow passage 700. The front lower surface portions 7010 are set to have a shorter length in the left and right direction than the third airflow passage portion 7003. Sliding members 723 are arranged on the front lower surface portions 7010, respectively.

[0030] The rear lower surface portion 7011 has a first rear lower surface portion 70110 extending rearward from both left and right sides of the suction air passage 700, and a second rear lower surface portion 70111 extending left and right between the first rear lower surface portion 70110.

[0031] The first rear lower surface portion 70110 is adjacent to the rear of the third air passage portion 7003 of the suction air passage 700. Therefore, the third air passage portion 7003 of the suction air passage 700 is sandwiched front to back between the front lower surface portion 7010 and the first rear lower surface portion 70110, which is part of the rear lower surface portion 7011. The first rear lower surface portion 70110 has a length in the left-right direction that is approximately equal to that of the third air passage portion 7003. In this embodiment, the first rear lower surface portion 70110 has a length in the left-right direction that is longer than that of the front lower surface portion 7010. Running wheels 721 are arranged on the first rear lower surface portion 70110.

[0032] The second rear lower surface portion 70111 is continuous and flush with the first rear lower surface portion 70110, and is adjacent to the rear of the second air path portion 7002 and the first air path portion 7001 of the suction air path 700. A seal member 722 is disposed on the second rear lower surface portion 70111. The seal member 722 is positioned along the front portion of the second rear lower surface portion 70111. The second rear lower surface portion 70111 has a central portion in the left-right direction at the rear that protrudes rearward, and the running wheel 720 is disposed on this protruding portion.

[0033] The suction airflow passage 700 also communicates with a communication chamber 702, which serves as a chamber. The communication chamber 702 is located adjacent to the rear of the suction airflow passage 700. The communication chamber 702 extends in the front-rear direction, is connected to the rear of the main body 70, and communicates with the connecting pipe 71. That is, the communication chamber 702 communicates between the suction airflow passage 700 and the connecting pipe 71. The suction airflow passage 700 is connected to the suction source 2 (shown in FIG. 8) via the communication chamber 702 and the connecting pipe 71. In this embodiment, the communication chamber 702 communicates with the suction airflow passage 700 at a central position in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication chamber 702 communicates with the suction airflow passage 700 at a highest portion 70050 of the ceiling surface 7005.

[0034] 3 and 4, the suction air passage 700 communicates with a cleaning element chamber 703 serving as a chamber. The cleaning element chamber 703 is located adjacent to the front of the suction air passage 700 and at the front end of the main body 70. The cleaning element chamber 703 is formed in a longitudinal shape extending in the left-right direction, similar to the suction air passage 700. The cleaning element chamber 703 is located between the front lower surfaces 7010 of the lower surface 701 of the main body 70. In this embodiment, the cleaning element chamber 703 is set to have a shorter left-right length than the suction air passage 700. Preferably, the cleaning element chamber 703 has a left-right length that spans at least the second air passage sections 7002 and the first air passage section 7001 of the suction air passage 700. In this embodiment, the cleaning element chamber 703 is formed so that both left-right sides slightly overlap the third air passage section 7003 of the suction air passage 700 in the left-right direction.

[0035] A partition wall 704 is formed between the cleaning chamber 703 and the suction air passage 700. The partition wall 704 is formed to extend in the left-right direction. The cleaning chamber 703 and the suction air passage 700 or the suction port 7000 are communicated with each other through a communication air passage 7040 formed at the lower end of the partition wall 704.

[0036] The partition wall 704 is formed across the front lower surface portion 7010 of the lower surface portion 701 of the main body 70. That is, at least a portion of the lower surface portion 701, in this embodiment, the front lower surface portion 7010, is located on an extension of the partition wall 704 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , the lower end of the partition wall 704 is set to a height equal to or higher than the lower surface portion 701. In this embodiment, the lower end of the partition wall 704 has a plurality of portions with different heights. The lower end of the partition wall 704 has a stepped shape. In the illustrated example, two height setting portions 7041, 7042 are formed at the lower end of the partition wall 704. One of the height setting portions 7041 is located in the center in the left-right direction at the lower end of the partition wall 704. The height setting portion 7041 is connected longitudinally in the left-right direction. The height setting portion 7042 is connected to both left-right sides of the height setting portion 7041. The height setting portions 7042 are located on both left-right sides at the lower end of the partition wall 704. The length of the height setting portions 7042 in the left-right direction is set to be shorter than that of the height setting portions 7041. In this embodiment, the height of the partition wall 704 gradually changes in the left-right direction at the portion where the height setting portions 7041 and 7042 are connected. In other words, the portion where the height setting portions 7041 and 7042 are connected is inclined so that the height gradually increases from the height setting portion 7042 side toward the height setting portion 7041 side.

[0037] In this embodiment, at least three portions with different heights are set in the portion extending between the lower end portion of the partition wall 704 and the lower surface portion 701 of the main body portion 70 by the height setting portions 7041 and 7042 at the lower end portion of the partition wall 704 and the lower surface portion 701 of the main body portion 70. In the illustrated example, at least a first portion LI1 with the lowest height, a second portion LI2 with the highest height, and a third portion LI3 with a height intermediate between the first portion LI1 and the second portion LI2 are set in the portion extending between the lower end portion of the partition wall 704 and the lower surface portion 701. That is, regarding the height H1 of the first portion LI1, the height H2 of the second portion LI2, and the height H3 of the third portion LI3, as shown in FIGS. 1(b) and 5, H1 < H3 < H2. The intermediate height between the first portion LI1 and the second portion LI2 refers to any height higher than the height H1 of the first portion LI1 and lower than the height H2 of the second portion LI2. Therefore, a line LI as a series of outer shell lines having a step in the vertical direction when viewed from the front-rear direction is formed by the lower end portions of the first portion LI1, the second portion LI2, and the third portion LI3, respectively. In FIG. 1(b), for clarity of explanation, the line LI is shown surrounded by a two-dot chain line. Note that these heights H1, H2, and H3 are the heights from the above-described predetermined reference plane, and refer to the maximum height or effective height or average height in the first portion LI1, the second portion LI2, and the third portion LI3. The effective height refers to the maximum height at which the first portion LI1, the second portion LI2, and the third portion LI3 can each perform their respective functions. For example, as in this embodiment, when the first portion LI1, the second portion LI2, and the third portion LI3 each extend horizontally in the left-right direction, the heights from the predetermined reference plane of the portions extending horizontally in the left-right direction are defined as the heights H1, H2, and H3.

[0038] In this embodiment, the heights H1, H2, and H3 are each set to be constant or substantially constant.

[0039] 1(a) and 3, in this embodiment, the first portion LI1 is located on both left-right sides, the second portion LI2 is located in the left-right center, and the third portion LI3 is located between the first portion LI1 and the second portion LI2. Therefore, the line LI formed by the lower ends of the first portion LI1, the second portion LI2, and the third portion LI3 is a line that rises in a stepped manner from the left-right side to the center.

[0040] The first portion LI1 is the portion of the line LI that is closest to the object to be cleaned CL when the suction port body 7 is placed on the object to be cleaned CL. In the illustrated example, the first portion LI1 is formed by at least a portion of the lower surface portion 701. In this embodiment, the first portion LI1 is formed by at least a portion of the front lower surface portion 7010. That is, the height H1 of the first portion LI1 is the same as or approximately the same as the height of at least the front lower surface portion 7010 of the lower surface portion 701. The front lower surface portion 7010 forms a substantially uniform, planar portion that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions and includes the first portion LI1. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the third air duct portion 7003 of the suction air duct 700 is located at a position corresponding to or adjacent to the first portion LI1. In the illustrated example, the left-right length W1 of the first portion LI1 is smaller than the left-right length of the third air duct portion 7003. When viewed from the front-rear direction, a part of the ground contact portion 72, in this embodiment at least a part of the running wheel 721 and the sliding member 723, is located within the left-right width of the first portion LI1. The left and right first portions LI1, LI1 may have the same or different left-right lengths W1.

[0041] The second part LI2 is the part of the line LI that is farthest above the cleaning part CL such as flooring or carpet with the suction port body 7 placed thereon. The second part LI2 is formed by the height setting part 7041 of the partition wall 704. That is, the second part LI2 is in the shape of a rib having a thickness in the front-rear direction. The second part LI2 is formed longer in the left-right direction than the first part LI1 and the third part LI3. That is, regarding the length W1 in the left-right direction of the first part LI1, the length W2 in the left-right direction of the second part LI2, and the length W3 in the left-right direction of the third part LI3, W1 < W2 and W3 < W2. In the present embodiment, the length W2 in the left-right direction of the second part LI2 is at least half of the length in the left-right direction of the entire line LI or the length in the left-right direction of the main body part 70. At a position corresponding to or adjacent to the second part LI2, there is a first air passage part 7001 which is the widest part in the front-rear direction of the suction air passage 700. In the present embodiment, both side parts in the left-right direction of the second part LI2 extend in the left-right direction more than the first air passage part 7001. Both side parts in the left-right direction of the second part LI2 are at a position corresponding to or adjacent to the second air passage part 7002 of the suction air passage 700.

[0042] The third part LI3 is formed by the height setting part 7042 of the partition wall 704. That is, the third part LI3 is in the shape of a rib having a thickness in the front-rear direction. The height H3 of the third part LI3 shown in FIG. 5 may be arbitrarily set as long as it is higher than the height H1 of the first part LI1 and lower than the height H2 of the second part LI2. Preferably, the height H3 of the third part LI3 is set so as to be separated upward from the cleaning part CL with the suction port body 7 placed on the cleaning part CL such as flooring or carpet. More preferably, the height H3 of the third part LI3 is set to a height that does not form a gap through which granular dust, which is dust having a predetermined size such as rice grains, can pass between the cleaning part CL. In the present embodiment, the height H3 of the third part LI3 is set to be not more than the median value of the height H1 of the first part LI1 and the height H2 of the second part LI2.

[0043] 3, the third portion LI3 is in a range that overlaps with both left and right sides of the sealing member 722 in the left-right direction when viewed from the front-rear direction. The left-right length W3 of the third portion LI3 may be greater than or less than the left-right length W1 of the first portion LI1, or may be the same as or approximately the same as the length W1. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the second air duct section 7002 and at least a portion of the third air duct section 7003 of the suction air passage 700 are located at a position corresponding to or adjacent to the third portion LI3. The left-right lengths W3 of the left and right third portions LI3, LI3 may be the same or different.

[0044] The lengths W1, W2, and W3 refer to the minimum length or minimum effective length in the left-right direction of the first portion LI1, the second portion LI2, and the third portion LI3. The minimum effective length refers to the minimum length at which the first portion LI1, the second portion LI2, and the third portion LI3 can perform their functions. For example, in the case of the second portion LI2 and the third portion LI3, whose left-right length gradually changes in the up-down direction or whose left-right ends are chamfered, as in this embodiment, the length is defined by the shortest left-right length or the portion excluding the chamfered portion. In the illustrated example, the lengths W1, W2, and W3 are defined by the length of the portion extending linearly in the left-right direction of the first portion LI1, the second portion LI2, and the third portion LI3, respectively.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a cleaning element 73, which is a drive unit, is operably disposed in the cleaning element chamber 703. In this embodiment, the cleaning element 73 is a rotating cleaning element having an axis in the left-right direction and rotatable in the front-rear direction. The cleaning element 73 includes a shaft 730. The shaft 730 is formed in a columnar shape, and both ends are rotatably supported by the main body 70. A cleaning member 731 is disposed on the outside of the shaft 730. The cleaning member 731 scrapes out dust from the cleaned portion CL as the cleaning element 73 rotates. In this embodiment, the cleaning member 731 is a bristle brush with fine bristles densely arranged. The cleaning members 731 are disposed at multiple locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the shaft 730.

[0046] The cleaning member 731 has a bristle brush whose base end is integrally held by the shaft body 730, and whose tip end extends radially from the shaft body 730. The cleaning member 731 is continuous like a wall between both ends of the shaft body 730. Preferably, the cleaning member 731 is held by the shaft body 730 in a spirally twisted state. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the end of the cleaning member 731 of the cleaning body 73 is in a range that overlaps the third part LI3 in the left-right direction.

[0047] 4, the protruding length of at least one of the cleaning members 731 from the shaft 730 is set so that it extends downward below the underside 701 of the main body 70 when positioned at the bottom of the cleaning element 73. In this embodiment, the cleaning members 731 are set as first cleaning members 731a that protrude a small amount from the shaft 730 and second cleaning members 731b that protrude a large amount from the shaft 730. In the example shown in the figure, the first cleaning members 731a and the second cleaning members 731b are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the shaft 730, i.e., in the rotational direction of the cleaning element 73.

[0048] The cleaning body 73 is driven by an electric motor 74 shown in FIG. 7. The electric motor 74 operates by receiving power from, for example, a power supply unit 1 (shown in FIG. 8). The operation of the electric motor 74 is controlled by a drive control unit 75. The drive control unit 75 sets the operation of the electric motor 74 in response to a signal from an operation setting unit 52 (shown in FIG. 8) set by the user. The power of the electric motor 74 is transmitted to the cleaning body 73 via transmission means such as gears, pulleys, and a timing belt, thereby rotating the cleaning body 73. Preferably, the electric motor 74 rotates the cleaning body 73 in the counterclockwise direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 4, i.e., the forward direction when the suction port body 7 moves forward. The electric motor 74 and the drive control unit 75 are housed in an electric motor chamber 705 and a control chamber 706 formed in the main body 70. The electric motor chamber 705 and the control chamber 706 are located, for example, on both sides of the connecting pipe 71 at the rear of the main body 70. The motor chamber 705 and the control chamber 706 are partitioned on the left and right sides of the communication chamber 702 in the main body 70, extending from the top to the rear of the suction air duct 700 shown in Figure 3, and are adjacent to the cleaning body chamber 703 on the front and rear sides, separated by a partition wall 704.

[0049] Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1(a), 1(b), 3, and 4, a protrusion 76 is formed on the surface of the partition wall 704 facing the cleaning element chamber 703. The protrusion 76 has a dust-removing function that removes dust adhering to at least one of the cleaning members 731 of the cleaning element 73 as the cleaning element 73 rotates. The protrusion 76 is positioned so as to be able to come into contact with at least one of the cleaning members 731 of the cleaning element 73. In this embodiment, the protrusion 76 has a surface direction in the left-right direction and extends in the front-rear and up-down directions. In the example shown in the drawings, the protrusion 76 is formed in the up-down direction or along the rotation direction of the cleaning element 73.

[0050] Preferably, a plurality of protrusions 76 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction, which is the axial direction of the cleaning element 73. In this embodiment, the protrusions 76 are arranged intermittently across at least the width of the cleaning element chamber 703 corresponding to the cleaning element 73. In the example shown, the protrusions 76 are arranged intermittently across substantially the entire width of the cleaning element chamber 703. Preferably, the protrusions 76 are spaced equally or approximately equally apart. These protrusions 76 are arranged parallel or approximately parallel to one another. The plurality of protrusions 76 form a comb-like shape with front and rear projections and recesses alternately arranged in the left-right direction on the surface of the cleaning element chamber 703 facing the cleaning element 73. The protrusions 76 also have the function of reinforcing the partition wall 704.

[0051] Preferably, the front part of the cleaning element chamber 703 is configured by attaching a cover body 77, which is a front cover, to a front opening 707 that communicates with the outside of the main body 70. The front opening 707 is located at the forefront of the outer shell of the main body 70. The front opening 707 communicates with the suction port 7000 via the cleaning element chamber 703. In this embodiment, the cover body 77 is arranged to be rotatable in the front-to-rear direction.

[0052] Preferably, as shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, a plurality of protrusions 770 are formed on the lower end of the cover body 77. The protrusions 770 bulge downward, in a direction that narrows the opening area of ​​the front opening 707 between the lower end of the cover body 77 and the part to be cleaned CL, that is, toward the part to be cleaned CL. The protrusions 770 have the effect of increasing the degree of vacuum in the cleaning chamber 703. Depending on the presence or absence of these protrusions 770, upper and lower concave and convex portions are formed alternately in the left-right direction on the lower end of the cover body 77.

[0053] The protrusion 770 is formed in a shape that extends in the left-right direction, which is the direction of both sides of the cover body 77. In other words, the left-right dimension of the protrusion 770 is greater than the up-down dimension, which is the protrusion dimension. In addition, in this embodiment, the protrusion 770 is formed so that its width gradually narrows from the base end to the tip end. When viewed from the front, the protrusion 770 is formed in a trapezoid shape with its bottom side shorter than its top side. In this embodiment, in the normal state in which the cover body 77 is not rotated, the height of the bottom end of the protrusion 770 is approximately the same as the height H3 of the third portion LI3.

[0054] Preferably, the protrusions 770 are disposed intermittently between the left and right side portions at the lower end of the cover body 77. For example, the protrusions 770 are disposed at positions excluding the center between the left and right side portions and at positions excluding both side portions at the lower end of the cover body 77. Therefore, non-disposition portions where no protrusions 770 are disposed are set at both the left and right side portions at the lower end of the cover body 77.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protrusions 770 are arranged evenly on the left and right sides with the center in the left-right direction of the lower end of the cover body 77 as the reference point.

[0056] Preferably, a convex shape 771 is formed on the front portion of the cover body 77. The convex shape 771 improves the strength of the cover body 77 and adds a design feature to the cover body 77 to improve its appearance. The convex shape 771 is formed in a line extending in the left-right direction, which is the direction on both sides of the cover body 77, i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the cover body 77. In this embodiment, the convex shape 771 is formed in a line extending over the entire left-right direction on the front portion of the cover body 77. Furthermore, a plurality of the convex shapes 771 are arranged side by side in the up-down direction, which is the short side direction of the cover body 77.

[0057] Furthermore, preferably, a rear protrusion 773 that protrudes rearward toward the cleaning body 73 is formed at the lower end of the cover body 77. In this embodiment, the rear protrusion 773 is formed to extend between the protrusions 770. In the example shown in the figure, the rear protrusion 773 is continuous across the left-right direction of the cover body 77, but it may also be formed discontinuously in the left-right direction.

[0058] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

[0059] When cleaning, the user operates operation setting unit 52, which outputs a signal to control unit 4 to operate suction source 2, and control unit 4 drives suction source 2 according to the set operation. The negative pressure generated by driving suction source 2 acts through dust collection unit 3 and from main body suction port 50 to suction air duct unit 6. The user then grasps gripping unit 51 and moves vacuum cleaner VC back and forth, thereby moving suction port body 7 back and forth over the area to be cleaned CL, such as a room, and the negative pressure acting from suction port 7000 sucks in dust along with air.

[0060] The negative pressure acting from the suction port 7000 draws dust together with air into the suction air passage 700. In this embodiment, the negative pressure also acts on the cleaning element chamber 703, which communicates with the suction air passage 700, so that dust is drawn together with air into the suction air passage 700 directly or from the cleaning element chamber 703 via the communication air passage 7040. This dust-laden air passes through the communication chamber 702 and the connecting pipe 71, and is sucked into the dust collecting unit 3 via the extension pipe 60 and the main body suction port 50, where the dust is separated, collected, and accumulated. The air from which the dust has been separated is discharged to the outside of the vacuum cleaner main body 5 through the main body exhaust port 53.

[0061] A user can drive the cleaning element 73 as needed to scrape dust from a surface CL to be cleaned, such as a carpet, and then vacuum up the dust, thereby cleaning the surface CL more thoroughly. When using the cleaning element 73, the operation setting unit 52 is operated, causing the drive control unit 75 to operate the motor 74. The power of the motor 74 is transmitted to the cleaning element 73 via a transmission means, driving the cleaning element 73. In this embodiment, the cleaning element 73 rotates as indicated by arrow A, and the cleaning member 731 inserted into the surface CL to scrape out dust. A portion of the cleaning member 731, which is the second cleaning member 731b in this embodiment, comes into contact with the protrusion 76 as the cleaning element 73 rotates, knocking the dust off and removing it. Even when the cleaning element 73 rotates, dust is sucked up by the suction air duct 700.

[0062] In this embodiment, in the suction air passage 700 and the cleaning chamber 703, in the portion consisting of the lower end of the partition wall 704 and the positions on the extension of the partition wall 704 at the lower surface portions 701 located on the left and right sides of the partition wall 704, the first portion LI1 having the lowest height H1 is close to the part to be cleaned CL, thereby maintaining a high degree of vacuum in the suction air passage 700. In addition, the second portion LI2 having the highest height is separated from the part to be cleaned CL, and granular dust can be efficiently sucked in from the position of the second portion LI2.

[0063] At this time, because the first part LI1 is close to the part to be cleaned CL, there is a possibility that it may come into contact with the part to be cleaned CL having long pile, such as a carpet, and if it does come into contact, there is a risk that its function as an air passage for sucking in dust may be reduced. On the other hand, the second part LI2 has a large opening in the vertical direction relative to the part to be cleaned CL, and so although it can function as an air passage for sucking in dust even from the part to be cleaned CL having long pile, such as a carpet, the large opening does not increase the air speed, and there is a concern that light dust and the like may be missed.

[0064] Therefore, in this embodiment, a third portion LI3 is formed at a height intermediate between the first portion LI1 and the second portion LI2 in a section extending from the lower end of the partition 704 to the lower surface portion 701 located on the left-right extension of the partition 704. This allows the third portion LI3 to maintain a very small gap even on the surface to be cleaned CL having long pile, such as a carpet, thereby serving as an air passage for sucking in dust. Moreover, because the opening in the vertical direction relative to the surface to be cleaned CL is narrower than that of the second portion LI2, it is possible to increase the wind speed of the sucked air and create a high-speed airflow. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently suck up both granular dust, which requires a large opening and a high degree of vacuum, and fine dust, which requires a fast airflow and a high degree of vacuum, thereby improving cleaning performance.

[0065] Furthermore, since at least a part of the lower surface portion 701, in this embodiment the front lower surface portion 7010, forms at least a part of the first portion LI1, the gap in the vertical direction between the part to be cleaned CL and the main body portion 70 can be sealed over a wide area of ​​the bottom of the main body portion 70 of the suction port body 7, thereby maintaining a higher degree of vacuum in the suction air duct 700.

[0066] Furthermore, when a user generally sucks up granular dust, he or she moves the suction port body 7 so that the granular dust reaches the left-right center of the suction port body 7. Therefore, by arranging the first section LI1 on both left-right sides, the second section LI2 in the left-right center, and the third section LI3 between the first section LI1 and the second section LI2, the granular dust that reaches the left-right center of the suction port body 7 can be efficiently sucked up. Furthermore, because the left-right length W2 of the second section LI2 is greater than the left-right length W1 of the first section LI1 and the left-right length W3 of the third section LI3, it is possible to suck up even a certain amount of granular dust in one go. Moreover, because the first air duct section 7001, which has the largest front-to-rear width of the suction air passage 700, is positioned corresponding to the second section LI2, the granular dust can be more effectively sucked into the suction air passage 700 via the second section LI2.

[0067] Furthermore, since both lateral ends of the suction airflow passage 700 are formed with side openings 7004 that communicate with the outside air, dust can also be sucked through these side openings 7004. In other words, if the side openings 7004 were not formed, the first portions LI1 located on both lateral ends may not function as airflow passages, especially on the cleaning target CL, which is made of a long-pile carpet or the like. In this case, airflow would only occur within the suction airflow passage 700 from the second portion LI2 to the third portion LI3 in the lateral direction, making it difficult to suck dust in areas located laterally outside the second portion LI2. In this embodiment, since the side openings 7004 are formed, air is also sucked into the suction airflow passage 700 through these side openings 7004, and the suction air acts across the entire width of the suction airflow passage 700, enabling dust to be sucked across the entire width of the suction port body 7.

[0068] Furthermore, both left and right sides of the ceiling surface 7005 of the suction air passage 700 are lower than other parts, and the height of the ceiling surface 7005 is particularly low near the side openings 7004, which narrows the air sucked in from the side openings 7004 and increases the wind speed, making it possible to suck in dust more effectively.

[0069] Furthermore, when cleaning a cleaning target CL near an object such as a wall, the front of the suction port body 7 is pressed against the object, and the front of the cover body 77 is pushed backward by the object, causing it to rotate and bring the lower end of the cover body 77 closer to the cleaning target CL, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 . At this time, the front of the cover body 77 is formed with a convex shape 771 extending seamlessly in both left and right directions. When the cover body 77 comes into contact with the object, this convex shape 771 comes into contact with the object. This seals the contact position between the cover body 77 and the object across the left and right directions of the cover body 77, making it difficult for air to leak in from above. This creates an air passage in the left and right directions between the cover body 77 and the object, which communicates with the cleaning element chamber 703. Furthermore, in this embodiment, at the lower end of the cover body 77 where the protrusion 770 is formed, the protrusion 770 is positioned close to the cleaning target CL, thereby ensuring a high vacuum in the cleaning element chamber 703, the front of which is covered by the cover body 77. On the other hand, at the lower end of the cover body 77, in the areas where the protrusions 770 are not formed, there is a slight vertical gap between the area and the part to be cleaned CL, and therefore, from these areas, granular dust can be sucked into the suction air duct 700 through the cleaning body chamber 703 and the suction port 7000 by the action of negative pressure.

[0070] Furthermore, depending on whether or not the protrusion 76 is present, comb-shaped irregularities are created on the surface of the partition 704 facing the cleaning body chamber 703, and as the cleaning body 73 rotates, these irregularities comb the cleaning member 731 of the cleaning body 73 in a comb-like manner, thereby enabling untangling and cutting thread-like or linear debris such as tangled hair.

[0071] Since the protrusions 76 are arranged intermittently across at least the width of the cleaning element chamber 703 corresponding to the cleaning element 73, contact of the protrusions 76 can remove dust from the cleaning member 731 of the cleaning element 73 across substantially the entire width.

[0072] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11. Note that the same components and functions as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the suction port unit 7 has another cleaning element chamber 708 as a chamber in the main body 70. The other cleaning element chamber 708 communicates with the suction air passage 700. It is arranged next to the cleaning element chamber 703 on the opposite side in the front-rear direction with respect to the suction air passage 700. That is, in this embodiment, the other cleaning element chamber 708 is located adjacent to the rear of the suction air passage 700. The other cleaning element chamber 708 is formed in a longitudinal shape extending in the left-right direction, similar to the suction air passage 700. The other cleaning element chamber 708 is located between the first rear lower surface portions 70110, 70110 of the underside portion 701 of the main body 70. In this embodiment, the other cleaning element chamber 708 is set to have a shorter left-right length than the suction air passage 700. Preferably, the other cleaning element chamber 708 has a left-right length that at least spans both the second air passage portion 7002 and the first air passage portion 7001 of the suction air passage 700. In this embodiment, the other cleaning element chamber 708 has a length in the left-right direction that is equal to or approximately equal to that of the cleaning element chamber 703 .

[0074] Another partition wall 709 is formed between the other cleaning chamber 708 and the suction air passage 700. The other partition wall 709 is formed to extend in the left-right direction. The other cleaning chamber 708 is connected to the suction air passage 700 or the suction port 7000 via another communication air passage 7090 formed at the lower end of the other partition wall 709.

[0075] The other partition wall 709 is formed across the first rear lower surface portion 70110 of the lower surface portion 701 of the main body portion 70. That is, at least a part of the lower surface portion 701 is located on the extension of the other partition wall 709 in the left - right direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the lower end portion of the other partition wall 709 is set to a height higher than the lower surface portion 701. In the present embodiment, the height H4 of the lower end portion of the other partition wall 709 is set to be constant or substantially constant. Preferably, the height H4 of the lower end portion of the other partition wall 709 is the height between the first portion LI1 and the second portion LI2. That is, H1 < H4 < H2. In the present embodiment, the height H4 of the lower end portion of the other partition wall 709 is equal to or substantially equal to the height H3 of the third portion LI3. Preferably, the height H4 of the lower end portion of the other partition wall 709 is set to a height at which a gap through which particulate dust having a predetermined size such as rice grains can pass is not formed between the dust - sweeping portion CL. Not limited to this, the height H4 of the lower end portion of the other partition wall 709 may be higher or lower than the height H3 of the third portion LI3.

[0076] Also, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the length of the other partition wall 709 in the left - right direction is set to be equal to or substantially equal to the length of the partition wall 704 in the left - right direction.

[0077] In the other cleaning body chamber 708, another cleaning body 78 which is a driving part is disposed operably. In the present embodiment, the other cleaning body 78 is a rotary cleaning body having an axis in the left - right direction and rotatable in the front - rear direction. The other cleaning body 78 includes another shaft body 780. The other shaft body 780 is formed in a columnar shape, and both ends are rotatably supported by the main body portion 70. Outside the other shaft body 780, another cleaning member 781 is disposed. The other cleaning member 781 scrapes dust from the dust - sweeping portion CL as the other cleaning body 78 rotates. In the present embodiment, the other cleaning member 781 is a hair brush in which fine hairs are densely arranged. The other cleaning members 781 are arranged separately at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the other shaft body 780.

[0078] The other cleaning member 781 has its base end of the bristle brush integrally held on the other shaft body 780, and its tip end extending radially from the other shaft body 780. The other cleaning member 781 is connected to the other end of the other shaft body 780 in a wall-like manner. Preferably, the other cleaning member 781 is held on the other shaft body 780 in a spirally twisted state. The spiral direction of the other cleaning member 781 is opposite to the spiral direction of the cleaning member 731 of the cleaning element 73 when viewed in the axial direction of the other cleaning element 78.

[0079] The other cleaning element 78 may be driven by the electric motor 74 simultaneously with the cleaning element 73 , or may be driven independently of the cleaning element 73 by another electric motor separate from the electric motor 74 .

[0080] Preferably, another protrusion 79 is formed on the surface of the other partition wall 709 facing the other cleaning element chamber 708. The other protrusion 79 has a dust-removing function that removes dust adhering to at least one of the other cleaning members 781 of the other cleaning element 78 as the other cleaning element 78 rotates. The other protrusion 79 is positioned so as to be able to come into contact with at least one of the other cleaning members 781 of the other cleaning element 78. In this embodiment, the other protrusion 79 has a surface direction in the left-right direction and extends in the front-rear and up-down directions. In the example shown in the figure, the other protrusion 79 is formed in the up-down direction or along the rotation direction of the other cleaning element 78.

[0081] Preferably, the other protrusions 79 are arranged in plurality at intervals in the left-right direction, which is the axial direction of the other cleaning element 78. In this embodiment, the other protrusions 79 are arranged intermittently across at least a width of the other cleaning element chamber 708 corresponding to the other cleaning element 78. In the example shown, the other protrusions 79 are arranged intermittently across substantially the entire width of the other cleaning element chamber 708. Preferably, the other protrusions 79 are spaced equally or approximately equally apart. These other protrusions 79 are arranged parallel or approximately parallel to one another. The multiple other protrusions 79 form a comb-like shape with front and rear projections and recesses alternately arranged in the left-right direction on the surface of the other cleaning element chamber 708 facing the other cleaning element 78. In addition, the other protrusions 79 have the function of reinforcing the other partition wall 709.

[0082] During cleaning, the user operates the operation setting unit 52 to drive the suction source 2, generating a negative pressure which acts through the suction port 7000 of the suction port body 7, drawing dust into the suction air passage 700 together with air.

[0083] In this embodiment, in the suction airflow duct 700 and the cleaning chamber 703, in the portion between the lower end of the partition wall 704 and the lower surface portion 701 located on the left-right extension of the partition wall 704, the first portion LI1, which has the lowest height H1, is close to the object to be cleaned CL, thereby maintaining a high degree of vacuum in the suction airflow duct 700. The second portion LI2, which has the highest height, is spaced apart from the object to be cleaned CL, allowing granular dust to be efficiently sucked in from the position of the second portion LI2. Furthermore, a third portion LI3, which is located between the lower end of the partition wall 704 and the lower surface portion 701 located on the left-right extension of the partition wall 704 and has a height intermediate between the first portion LI1 and the second portion LI2, is formed in the portion between the lower end of the partition wall 704 and the lower surface portion 701 located on the left-right extension of the partition wall 704. This allows the third portion LI3 to maintain a very small gap even with the object to be cleaned CL, such as a carpet, and serves as an airflow path for sucking in dust. Furthermore, because the opening of the third portion LI3 is narrower in the vertical direction relative to the object to be cleaned CL than the second portion LI2, the speed of the sucked air can be increased, creating a high-speed airflow. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently suck up both granular dust, which requires a large opening and a high degree of vacuum, and fine dust, which requires a fast air flow and a high degree of vacuum, thereby achieving the same effects as the first embodiment, such as improved cleaning performance.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, another cleaning body chamber 708 is arranged on the opposite side of the cleaning body chamber 703 in the front-to-rear direction with respect to the suction air duct 700, or in the illustrated example, next to it at the rear, and another partition wall 709 extending in the left-to-right direction is arranged between the suction air duct 700 and the other cleaning body chamber 708, and the height of the lower end of the other partition wall 709 is kept constant. This means that when the suction port body 7 moves forward, the other partition wall 709 pushes larger dust particles such as granular dust forward, preventing them from entering behind the other partition wall 709, and thereby ensuring that the granular dust is sucked up reliably when the suction port body 7 moves forward.

[0085] In particular, by setting the height of the lower end of the other partition 709 to a height between the heights of the first part LI1 and the second part LI2, the other partition 709 can effectively push larger dust particles such as granular debris forward when the suction port body 7 is moving forward.

[0086] Furthermore, the other cleaning members 781 come into contact with the other protrusions 79 when the other cleaning body 78 rotates, knocking down and removing dust. Due to the presence or absence of the other protrusions 79, comb-tooth shaped irregularities are formed on the surface of the other partition wall 709 facing the other cleaning body chamber 708, and as the other cleaning body 78 rotates, these irregularities comb the other cleaning members 781 of the other cleaning body 78 in a comb-tooth manner, thereby untangling or cutting entangled thread-like or linear debris such as hair.

[0087] Since the other protrusions 79 are arranged intermittently across a width corresponding to at least the other cleaning bodies 78 in the other cleaning body chamber 708, contact with the other protrusions 79 can remove dust from the other cleaning members 781 of the other cleaning bodies 78 across almost the entire width.

[0088] In the second embodiment described above, the cleaning element chamber 703 and the other cleaning element chamber 708 may be reversed in front-to-back position. That is, the other cleaning element chamber 708 may be provided in front of the suction air duct 700, and the cleaning element chamber 703 may be provided in rear of the suction air duct 700. In this case, the positional relationship and function of the partition wall 704 and the other partition wall 709 are also reversed in front-to-back position. Even in this configuration, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be achieved.

[0089] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Note that the same components and functions as those in the respective embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0090] The third portion LI3 is formed so that its height gradually changes or increases from the first portion LI1 side to the second portion LI2 side. The height of the third portion LI3 has a minimum value equal to or greater than the height of the first portion LI1 and a maximum value equal to or less than the height of the second portion LI2. Preferably, the height of the third portion LI3 does not monotonically decrease from the first portion LI1 side to the second portion LI2 side. In this embodiment, the rate of change in the height of the third portion LI3 is set to be equal to or greater than 0, where an increase in height from the first portion LI1 side to the second portion LI2 side is positive and a decrease in height is negative. That is, the third portion LI3 may be formed so that its height continuously increases from the first portion LI1 side to the second portion LI2 side, or may have a portion where its height does not increase, i.e., a portion where its height is constant or approximately constant. In this embodiment, the third portion LI3 is formed so that its height is lowest at the position where it connects to the first portion LI1 and highest at the position where it connects to the second portion LI2, and gradually increases between the positions.

[0091] The rate of change in height of the third portion LI3 may be constant or approximately constant in the left-right direction, or may not be constant or approximately constant. For example, as shown in Fig. 12(a), the third portion LI3 may be a linearly inclined portion whose height gradually increases at a constant or approximately constant rate from the first portion LI1 side to the second portion LI2 side, or as shown in Fig. 12(b), the third portion LI3 may be a non-wavy, curved inclined portion whose height gradually increases and then gradually decreases from the first portion LI1 side to the second portion LI2 side. At least one of the ends of the second portion LI2 that connect to the first portion LI1 and the third portion LI3 may be chamfered.

[0092] In addition, in the present embodiment, the length W3 in the left-right direction of the third portion LI3 is set to be longer than the length W1 in the left-right direction of the first portion LI1. That is, with respect to the length W1 in the left-right direction of the first portion LI1 and the length W3 in the left-right direction of the third portion LI3, W1 < W3. Regarding the relationship between the length W3 in the left-right direction of the third portion LI3 and the length W2 in the left-right direction of the second portion LI2, although not particularly defined in the present embodiment, in the illustrated example, the length W2 in the left-right direction of the second portion LI2 is set to be longer than the length W3 in the left-right direction of the third portion LI3. That is, with respect to the length W2 in the left-right direction of the second portion LI2 and the length W3 in the left-right direction of the third portion LI3, W3 < W2.

[0093] And, by having the same configuration as each embodiment, such as forming a third portion LI3 with a height intermediate between the first portion LI1 and the second portion LI2 in the portion extending across the lower end portion of the partition wall 704 and the lower surface portion 701 located on the left-right extension of the partition wall 704, for the suction air passage 700 and the cleaning body chamber 703, the first portion LI1 with the lowest height H1 is close to the portion to be cleaned CL, thereby maintaining a high degree of vacuum in the suction air passage 700. The second portion LI2 with the highest height is separated from the portion to be cleaned CL, and granular dust can be efficiently sucked in from the position of the second portion LI2. Also, even for a portion to be cleaned CL such as a carpet with long pile, a very small gap can be maintained by the third portion LI3, and thus the role of the air passage for sucking dust can be fulfilled. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently suck up both granular dust that requires a large opening and high vacuum, and fine dust that requires a fast air flow and high vacuum, and the same operational effects as each embodiment, such as improved cleaning performance, can be achieved.

[0094] In addition, since the height of the third portion LI3 is gradually changed from the first portion LI1 side to the second portion LI2 side, for various portions to be cleaned CL such as carpets with different pile lengths, a very small gap with the portion to be cleaned CL can be ensured in any portion of the third portion LI3 corresponding to the pile length, and the dust suction performance is excellent.

[0095] Furthermore, since the left-right length W3 of the third part LI3 is longer than the left-right length W1 of the first part LI1, the left-right length of the third part LI3 can be sufficiently secured to form a very small gap with the part to be cleaned CL.

[0096] In each of the above embodiments, the first portion LI1, the second portion LI2, and the third portion LI3 may have portions of different heights or may have varying heights, as long as the relative heights of the first portion LI1, the second portion LI2, and the third portion LI3 are maintained.

[0097] Although several 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 to these embodiments. These novel embodiments can be embodied 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 within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] LI1 first part LI2 second part LI3 Third part VC vacuum cleaner 7 Suction port body 73 Cleaning Body 78 Other cleaning bodies 700 Suction air path 701 Bottom part 703 Cleaning Room 704 Bulkhead 708 Other Cleaning Rooms 709 Other bulkheads 7000 suction port 7005 Ceiling surface

Claims

1. a cleaning body room in which the cleaning body is disposed; a suction air duct positioned in line either in front or behind the cleaning body chamber and having a suction port at a lower portion; a partition wall located between the cleaning body chamber and the suction air passage and extending in the left-right direction; a lower surface portion located at least in the left-right direction of the partition wall, A portion extending between the lower end portion and the lower surface portion of the partition wall is at least defined by a first portion having the lowest height, a second portion having the highest height, and a third portion having a height between the first portion and the second portion. A suction mouth body characterized by:

2. The first portion is located on both sides in the left-right direction, the second portion is located in the center in the left-right direction, and the third portion is located between the first portion and the second portion. The suction mouth body according to claim 1 .

3. At least a portion of the lower surface portion forms at least a portion of the first portion. The suction mouth body according to claim 2 .

4. The third portion is formed so that the height gradually changes from the first portion side to the second portion side. The suction mouth body according to claim 2 .

5. The second portion is longer in the left-right direction than the first portion and the third portion. The suction mouth body according to claim 1 .

6. The suction air passage has a widest portion in the front-rear direction at a position corresponding to the second portion. The suction mouth body according to claim 1 .

7. The third portion is longer in the left-right direction than the first portion. The suction mouth body according to claim 1 .

8. The suction air passage is open at both left and right sides so as to communicate with the outside air. The suction mouth body according to claim 1 .

9. The ceiling surface of the suction air passage is lower at both left and right sides than at other parts. The suction mouth body according to claim 8.

10. another cleaning element chamber in which another cleaning element is disposed, the other cleaning element being arranged side by side on the opposite side in the front-rear direction from the cleaning element chamber with respect to the suction air passage; Further provided is another partition wall located between the suction air passage and the other cleaning body chamber and extending in the left-right direction, The other partition walls have a constant height at the bottom end. The suction mouth body according to claim 1 .

11. The height of the lower end of the other partition wall is the height between the first portion and the second portion. The suction mouth body according to claim 10.

12. The suction mouth body according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is provided. A vacuum cleaner characterized by:

Images