Pipe member for vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner equipped with pipe member

Abstract

To provide a pipe member constituted to prevent unintended bending and to permit bending by an operation of a user, and also to provide a cleaner including the pipe member.SOLUTION: This application discloses a pipe member constituting a flow passage of dust to be sucked by suction force of a dust suction part incorporated in a cleaner body. The pipe member includes: a base end pipe formed to be connected to the cleaner body; a flexible extension pipe connected to the base end pipe so as to be positioned on a distal end side of the base end pipe, and also constituted to be extendable; and a distal end pipe connected to the extension pipe. The distal end pipe and the base end pipe have rigidity to keep a predetermined shape against external force and also are mutually fitted while the extension pipe is contracted. The fitting between the distal end pipe and the base end pipe are canceled while the extension pipe is extended.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tube for a vacuum cleaner and to a vacuum cleaner comprising a tube. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a handheld vacuum cleaner 900 shown in Fig. 9. This vacuum cleaner 900 includes a vacuum cleaner body 910 incorporating a dust suction unit 911 that sucks up dust, and a pipe member 920 that is connected to the vacuum cleaner body 910 and forms a flow path through which the dust flows.

[0003] The tubular member 920 is composed of a base end tube 921, a bellows tube 923, and a tip end tube 922, which are arranged side by side in the axial direction. The base end tube 921 is connected to the vacuum cleaner body 910, and the tip end tube 922 is provided at a position spaced apart from the base end tube 921 toward the tip side. The bellows tube 923 is connected to the base end tube 921 and the tip end tube 922, and expands and contracts between the base end tube 921 and the tip end tube 922 and bends. As shown in Fig. 10, a nozzle member 930 can be attached to the tip end tube 922, and the nozzle member 930 has a suction port formed therein through which dust flows in.

[0004] 9, a locking member 940 for maintaining the bellows tube 923 in a retracted state is attached to the vacuum cleaner body 910. The locking member 940 is configured to engage with the distal end surface of the distal tube 922 when the bellows tube 923 is in a retracted state. In this state, the distal tube 922, the bellows tube 923, and the proximal tube 921 are aligned in a straight line, and the tube member 920 has a straight tube shape as a whole. In this case, the user can hold the vacuum cleaner body 910 so that the nozzle member 930 faces upward, for example, and suck up dust that is in a high position.

[0005] Locking member 940 is rotatably provided on vacuum cleaner body 910, and by rotating locking member 940, the engagement between locking member 940 and the tip surface of tip tube 922 is released. In this state, bellows tube 923 becomes extendable, allowing nozzle member 930 to move forward and to suck up dust at a position away from vacuum cleaner body 910. At this time, the user can bend bellows tube 923 and move nozzle member 930 left and right without changing the orientation of vacuum cleaner body 910. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-131332 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In a structure in which locking member 940 engages with the distal end surface of tip tube 922, it is necessary to configure locking member 940 so as not to block the opening of tip tube 922. For this reason, the contact area of ​​locking member 940 with the distal end surface of tip tube 922 cannot be made large, making it easy for locking member 940 to disengage from the distal end surface of tip tube 922. Therefore, for example, when a user is cleaning a high position, if pipe member 920 comes into contact with furniture and an external force is applied to pipe member 920, it is expected that the engagement of locking member 940 with the distal end surface of tip tube 922 will be disengaged. In this case, tip tube 922 will fall due to gravity.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a tube member that is configured to prevent unintentional bending while allowing bending through user operation, and a vacuum cleaner equipped with the tube member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The tubular member in the present disclosure forms a flow path for dust sucked by the suction force of a dust suction unit built into the vacuum cleaner body. The tubular member includes a base tube formed so as to be connectable to the vacuum cleaner body, a flexible telescopic tube connected to the base tube so as to be located at the tip side of the base tube and configured to be telescopic, and a tip tube connected to the telescopic tube. a connecting member disposed between the telescopic tube and the tip tube; The distal tube and the proximal tube have rigidity that allows them to maintain a predetermined shape against external forces, and are configured so that they fit together when the telescopic tube is contracted, and the fitting between the distal tube and the proximal tube is released when the telescopic tube is extended. The telescopic tube is configured to be accommodated in a contracted state within the distal tube and the proximal tube, which are fitted together, while deforming so as to twist about its axis when changing from an extended state to a contracted state, and to deform about its axis so as to release the twist when returning from the contracted state to the extended state. The connecting member is configured to connect the telescopic tube and the distal tube in a state in which the distal tube is allowed to rotate about its axis relative to the telescopic tube.

[0010] The vacuum cleaner of the present disclosure includes a vacuum cleaner body incorporating a dust suction unit that generates suction force to suck up dust, the above-mentioned tubular member, and a nozzle member that forms a suction port through which dust flows in. The nozzle member is attached to the tip tube of the tubular member so as to be movable axially relative to the tip tube.

[0011] Another vacuum cleaner according to the present disclosure includes a vacuum cleaner body having a built-in dust suction unit that generates suction force to suck up dust, and the above-described tubular member. The base tube of the tubular member is connected to the vacuum cleaner body. The vacuum cleaner body is provided with a holding part configured to hold the tip tube that is bent back toward the vacuum cleaner body when disengaged from the base tube.

[0012] Still another vacuum cleaner according to the present disclosure includes a vacuum cleaner body having a built-in dust suction unit that generates suction power for sucking dust; Forms a flow path for dust sucked in by the suction force of the dust suction unit and a tubular member. The tubular member includes a base end tube formed so as to be connectable to the vacuum cleaner main body, a flexible telescopic tube connected to the base end tube so as to be located at the tip side of the base end tube and configured to be extendable and retractable, and a tip end tube connected to the telescopic tube. The tip end tube and the base end tube have rigidity to maintain a predetermined shape against external forces, and are configured so that they fit together when the telescopic tube is contracted and the fit between the tip end tube and the base end tube is released when the telescopic tube is extended. The vacuum cleaner body has a connecting pipe part to which the base end pipe of the pipe member is detachably attached. The vacuum cleaner further includes a nozzle unit that can be attached to the connecting pipe part in place of the pipe member. The nozzle unit has a holding part that holds the pipe member removed from the connecting pipe part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] In the above-described technique, the distal tube and the proximal tube are engaged to prevent the tubular member from being bent unintentionally, while the distal tube is spaced from the proximal tube to allow the user to bend the tubular member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] Side view of a handheld vacuum cleaner [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner tube [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tubular member when the tubular member is extended; [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of a bellows tube as a tubular component [Figure 5] Front view of the pipe member [Figure 6] Side view of a handheld vacuum cleaner [Figure 7] Side view of the vacuum cleaner when stored [Figure 8] Side view of a stick vacuum cleaner [Figure 9] Cross section of a conventional vacuum cleaner [Figure 10] Exploded perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, for example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0016] (Vacuum cleaner structure) 1 is a side view of a handheld vacuum cleaner 100. The vacuum cleaner 100 includes a vacuum cleaner body 110, a pipe member 120 connected to the vacuum cleaner body 110, and a nozzle member 130 attached to the tip of the pipe member 120.

[0017] The vacuum cleaner body 110 has a substantially cylindrical storage section 112 incorporating a dust suction section 111 that generates suction force to suck up dust, and a hollow connecting pipe section 113 that is provided on the front side of the storage section 112 and extends downward from the lower part of the peripheral wall of the storage section 112. A handle-shaped grip section 115 having a thickness that can be gripped by a user is connected to the upper part of the peripheral wall of the storage section 112. The grip section 115 extends downward while curving from the upper part of the peripheral wall of the storage section 112 and is connected to the upper end of the connecting pipe section 113. The grip section 115 is provided with an operating section 116 that is operated by the user, and the dust suction section 111 is activated or stopped in response to operation of the operating section 116. The dust suction section 111 may be configured, for example, as a suction fan.

[0018] A cyclone-type dust collection container 117 is attached to the lower end of the storage section 112 in which the dust suction section 111 is housed. The dust collection container 117 is a cylindrical container with a bottom, and openings through which air passes are provided in the upper end and peripheral wall of the dust collection container 117. The opening in the upper end of the dust collection container 117 connects the internal space of the dust collection container 117 to the internal space of the storage section 112. The connecting pipe section 113 of the vacuum cleaner body 110 is configured so that the internal space of the connecting pipe section 113 connects to the internal space of the dust collection container 117 through the opening in the peripheral wall of the dust collection container 117. With the internal space of the dust collection container 117 connected to the internal spaces of the storage section 112 and the connecting pipe section 113, the dust collection container 117 is configured to be fixed to at least one of the connecting pipe section 113 and the storage section 112 of the vacuum cleaner body 110. When dust collection container 117 is fixed to vacuum cleaner body 110 and dust suction unit 111 is operated, the suction force of dust collection unit 111 causes air in connecting pipe 113 to flow into dust collection container 117 through an opening in the peripheral wall of dust collection container 117. Dust collection container 117 is configured so that the air flowing into dust collection container 117 becomes a swirling flow, and dust contained in the air flowing into dust collection container 117 is centrifuged within dust collection container 117 by the centrifugal force of the swirling flow and is stored in dust collection container 117.

[0019] The tubular member 120 forms a flow path for dust sucked by the dust suction unit 111. In detail, the tubular member 120 has a base end tube 121 that is detachably formed on the connecting tube unit 113 of the vacuum cleaner body 110, and a tip end tube 122 that is detachably fitted with the base end tube 121 to form a straight tubular body with the base end tube 121. The fitting length between the base end tube 121 and the tip end tube 122 is set so that the fitted state between the base end tube 121 and the tip end tube 122 will not be released even if the tubular member 120 is subjected to an external force in a direction intersecting the axis. The base end tube 121 and the tip end tube 122 have sufficient hardness to maintain a straight tubular shape even when subjected to an external force that may be applied to the tubular member 120 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is in use, and may be formed by, for example, resin molding.

[0020] The distal tube 122 includes a cylindrical proximal tube portion 123 having an inner diameter that allows the proximal tube 121 to fit therein, and a cylindrical distal tube portion 124 that is connected to the distal end of the proximal tube portion 123 and is narrower than the proximal tube portion 123. An engagement protrusion 125 that protrudes from the front portion of the outer circumferential surface of the proximal tube portion 123 is provided at the proximal end of the proximal tube portion 123. A locking member 126 that is configured to be engageable with this engagement protrusion 125 is fixed to the distal end of the proximal tube 121. The locking member 126 and the engagement protrusion 125 are provided to prevent the distal tube 122 from displacing toward the distal side relative to the proximal tube 121.

[0021] The locking member 126 is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow shown in Figures 1 and 2. When the distal end tube 122 and the proximal end tube 121 are fitted together, the locking member 126 engages with the engaging protrusion 125 of the distal end tube 122, thereby fixing the relative positional relationship between the distal end tube 122 and the proximal end tube 121.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, an expandable tube 127 is provided to connect the base end tube 121 and the tip end tube 122. Unlike the tip end tube 122 and the base end tube 121, the expandable tube 127 has expandability and flexibility, and can be extended or bent by applying an external force. A base end portion of the expandable tube 127 is fixed to the tip end of the base end tube 121, and the expandable tube 127 is provided to extend from the tip end of the base end tube 121. Meanwhile, the tip end of the expandable tube 127 is connected via a connecting member 129 to an intermediate portion of the tip end tube 122 (the tip end of the base end tube portion 123 or the base end of the tip end tube portion 124) when the tip end tube 122 is fitted into the base end tube 121. At this time, the expandable tube 127 is housed in the base end tube 121 and the tip end tube 122 in a contracted state.

[0023] The telescopic tube 127 can be extended as shown in FIG. 3 when the engagement of the locking member 126 with the engaging protrusion 125 of the distal tube 122 and the engagement between the distal tube 122 and the proximal tube 121 are released. Extending the telescopic tube 127 allows the distal tube 122 to be positioned distally away from the proximal tube 121. In this state, the telescopic tube 127 forms a flow path extending from a flow path within the proximal tube 121 to the distal end of the tubular member 120. The distal tube 122 is connected to the telescopic tube 127 distally of the proximal tube 121, and extends further from the telescopic tube 127 toward the distal end of the tubular member 120. In the state shown in FIG. 3, most of the telescopic tube 127 is exposed to the outside, allowing the telescopic tube 127 to bend without being hindered by the distal tube 122 and the proximal tube 121.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 4, the telescopic tube 127 has a coil core 141 made of a spiral wire member, and a covering tube portion 142 that covers the coil core 141 and forms a flow path for air and dust. The coil core 141 is deformable in the axial direction, and the covering tube portion 142 is formed to expand and contract in response to the axial deformation of the coil core 141. When the telescopic tube 127 is configured in this manner, the coil core 141 is used as a core material, and the covering tube portion 142 can be formed by covering the coil core 141 with a thin resin coating, and the telescopic tube 127 can be easily formed.

[0025] As described above, the coil core 141 is composed of a helical wire member. Generally, a helical wire member undergoes torsional deformation about its axis when deforming in the axial direction. For this reason, when the telescopic tube 127 is composed of the coil core 141 and the covering tube portion 142, the telescopic tube 127 may deform so as to twist about the axis of the tubular member 120 when changing from an extended state to a contracted state. Furthermore, when changing from a contracted state to an extended state, the telescopic tube 127 may deform about the axis of the tubular member 120 so as to release this twist. To prevent the distal end tube 122 from rotating about the axis of the tubular member 120 in accordance with the twisting and release of the telescopic tube 127 about the axis of the tubular member 120, as shown in FIG. 2 , a connecting member 129 is disposed between the distal end tube 122 and the telescopic tube 127.

[0026] The connecting member 129 is fixed to the tip of the telescopic tube 127 (covering tube portion 142). The connecting member 129 is configured to not allow the tip tube 122 to displace axially relative to the tip of the telescopic tube 127, but to allow the tip tube 122 to rotate about the axis of the tubular member 120. For example, an annular groove may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base end tubular portion 123 of the tip tube 122, and the connecting member 129 may have an annular protrusion configured to be allowed to fit into this annular groove and to be displaced circumferentially within the groove while being fitted into the groove. In this case, when the protrusion is fitted into the groove of the base end tubular portion 123, relative rotation of the tip tube 122 with respect to the telescopic tube 127 about the axis of the tubular member 120 is allowed. As a result, the tip tube 122 can be maintained in a predetermined orientation about the axis, regardless of deformation of the telescopic tube 127 about the axis. The connecting member 129 may have an annular groove instead of the annular protrusion. In this case, a protrusion configured to be able to fit into the annular groove of the connecting member 129 and to be able to displace in the circumferential direction while fitted into the groove may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the base end tube portion 123 of the distal end tube 122.

[0027] A nozzle member 130 is fitted into the tip tube portion 124 of the tip tube 122. As shown in Fig. 2, the nozzle member 130 has a double-tube structure and includes an outer tube portion 131 and an inner tube portion 132 fitted into the outer tube portion 131. The outer tube portion 131 and the inner tube portion 132 have a straight tube shape. Furthermore, the outer tube portion 131 and the inner tube portion 132 have sufficient rigidity to maintain their straight tube shape against external forces that may be applied when the vacuum cleaner 100 is in use, and may be formed by, for example, resin molding.

[0028] 2 and 3, the outer tube portion 131 is displaceable over a predetermined length in the axial direction relative to the tip tube portion 124, and is configured not to slip out of the tip tube portion 124. That is, when the outer tube portion 131 is in the position shown in FIG. 2, most of the outer tube portion 131 is housed within the tip tube portion 124. If the outer tube portion 131 is pulled out toward the tip side from this position, the state shown in FIG. 3 is obtained. The outer diameter of the outer tube portion 131 and the inner diameter of the tip tube portion 124 may be set so that the outer tube portion 131 is caught on the tip tube portion 124 when the outer tube portion 131 reaches the position shown in FIG.

[0029] 2 and 3, an annular stopper 134 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube portion 131, protruding radially from the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube portion 131. When the outer tube portion 131 is displaced toward the base end from the position shown in Fig. 3, the stopper 134 comes into contact with the tip surface of the tip tube portion 124, as shown in Fig. 2. As a result, the outer tube portion 131 is prevented from being pushed into the tip tube portion 124 toward the base end beyond the position shown in Fig. 2.

[0030] 2 and 3, the inner pipe portion 132 is configured to be displaceable over a predetermined length in the axial direction relative to the outer pipe portion 131, and not to slip out of the outer pipe portion 131. That is, when the inner pipe portion 132 is in the position shown in FIG. 2, most of the inner pipe portion 132 is housed within the outer pipe portion 131. If the inner pipe portion 132 is pulled out toward the tip end from this position, the state shown in FIG. 3 is obtained. The outer diameter of the inner pipe portion 132 and the inner diameter of the outer pipe portion 131 may be set so that the inner pipe portion 132 is caught on the outer pipe portion 131 when the inner pipe portion 132 reaches the position shown in FIG.

[0031] A nozzle end 133 is provided at the tip of the inner tube portion 132, forming a suction port through which dust is sucked in together with air, and the shape of the nozzle end 133 is determined depending on the application. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the nozzle end 133 is formed narrower than the inner tube portion 132, making it suitable for use in removing dust in narrow gaps. In addition, the nozzle end 133 has a shape that catches on the tip surface of the outer tube portion 131 when the inner tube portion 132 is pressed toward the base end relative to the outer tube portion 131.

[0032] (Vacuum cleaner operation) When a user operates the operating unit 116, the dust suction unit 111 built into the vacuum cleaner body 110 is activated. When the dust suction unit 111 is activated, the suction force of the dust suction unit 111 acts on the nozzle end 133 through the dust collection container 117, the connecting pipe 113 of the vacuum cleaner body 110, and the pipe member 120. As a result, air containing dust flows into the dust collection container 117 through the nozzle end 133, the pipe member 120, and the connecting pipe 113 of the vacuum cleaner body 110. The dust is centrifuged in the dust collection container 117 and stored in the dust collection container 117.

[0033] When a user uses the vacuum cleaner 100 in the state shown in FIG. 1 , the base tube 121 and the tip tube 122 are fitted together and have a straight tube shape. In this state, while the user is cleaning a high place (e.g., a shelf), the tube member 120 maintains its straight tube shape against gravity and does not bend. Therefore, the user can easily clean high places. At this time, the telescopic tube 127 is housed in a space surrounded by the base tube 121 and the tip tube 122, which have relatively high rigidity, and is therefore protected by the base tube 121 and the tip tube 122.

[0034] 1 , it is assumed that an external force in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner 100 acts on the tubular member 120. For example, if the nozzle end 133 collides with a shelf to the left of the nozzle end 133 while moving leftward, a rightward external force acts on the tubular member 120. Alternatively, if the user pushes the vacuum cleaner 100 forward and hits the nozzle end 133 against the wall in front, an external force acts in a direction that deepens the engagement between the distal end tube 122 and the proximal end tube 121. Because these external forces do not act in a direction that separates the distal end tube 122 from the proximal end tube 121, the engagement between the distal end tube 122 and the proximal end tube 121 is likely to be maintained. Even if an external force acts on the tube member 120 in a direction that pulls the tip tube 122 away from the base tube 121 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is in use, the tip tube 122 and the base tube 121 can maintain their fitted state with each other as long as the locking member 126 is engaged with the engaging protrusion 125.

[0035] Furthermore, even if the user forgets to engage locking member 126 with engaging projection 125, the engagement length between distal tube 122 and proximal tube 121 is set so that the engagement state will not be released by an external force in a direction intersecting the axis (for example, the above-mentioned rightward external force). Therefore, even if the user operates vacuum cleaner 100 with locking member 126 not engaged with engaging projection 125, it is unlikely that the engagement between distal tube 122 and proximal tube 121 will be released unintentionally.

[0036] As described above, the engagement between the distal tube 122 and the proximal tube 121 is unlikely to be released by external forces that are expected to act on the tubular member 120 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is in use. In addition, the distal tube 122 and the proximal tube 121 each have sufficient rigidity to maintain a straight tubular shape against such external forces, so that the distal tube 122 itself is not bent or deformed by external forces, and the proximal tube 121 itself is not bent or deformed by external forces. Therefore, when a user is using the vacuum cleaner 100 in the state shown in FIG. 1 , the tubular member 120 maintains its straight tubular shape even if an external force acts on the tubular member 120, and unintended bending or deformation of the tubular member 120 is suppressed.

[0037] When the user wishes to clean a place away from the vacuum cleaner body 110, the user can simply disengage the distal tube 122 from the proximal tube 121. The user operates the locking member 126 to disengage the locking member 126 from the engaging protrusion 125, and in this state, the user displaces the distal tube 122 toward the distal end relative to the proximal tube 121, thereby disengaging the distal tube 122 from the proximal tube 121.

[0038] When the user holds the distal tube 122 and pulls it away from the proximal tube 121 toward the distal end, the telescopic tube 127 extends to the state shown in Figure 3. When the telescopic tube 127 is in a contracted state (the state shown in Figure 2), it is twisted around the axis of the tubular member 120, but when it extends, it deforms around the axis of the tubular member 120 to release the twist. At this time, the connecting member 129 fixed to the distal end of the telescopic tube 127 rotates around the axis of the tubular member 120. The connecting member 129 allows the distal tube 122 and the connecting member 129 to rotate relative to each other around the axis of the tubular member 120, so even if the telescopic tube 127 rotates around the axis of the tubular member 120, the distal tube 122 does not rotate together with the telescopic tube 127. Therefore, even if the telescopic tube 127 is deformed around the axis of the tube member 120 to eliminate twisting while the telescopic tube 127 is being extended, the tip tube 122 can maintain the position held by the user.

[0039] 3, most of the telescopic tube 127 is exposed from the distal tube 122 and the proximal tube 121, and can bend without being hindered by the distal tube 122 and the proximal tube 121. Therefore, the user can move the distal tube 122 and the nozzle end 133 to a desired position while holding the cleaner body 110 in a predetermined position.

[0040] It is assumed that a user may wish to clean a high place that is too high to reach with the vacuum cleaner 100 in the state shown in Fig. 1. In this case, as shown in Fig. 6, the user simply pulls out the nozzle member 130 from the tip tube 122 toward the tip while maintaining the fitted state between the tip tube 122 and the base tube 121. The state shown in Fig. 6 is obtained by pulling out the outer tube portion 131 of the nozzle member 130 from the tip tube 122 in the axial direction of the tube member 120 and pulling out the inner tube portion 132 from the outer tube portion 131 in the axial direction of the tube member 120.

[0041] The outer tube 131, the inner tube 132, the tip tube 122, and the base tube 121 have sufficient rigidity to maintain a straight tube shape against external forces that may be applied during cleaning. Therefore, even if a user holds the vacuum cleaner 100 so that the nozzle end 133 faces diagonally upward, the outer tube 131, the inner tube 132, the tip tube 122, and the base tube 121 will not bend against gravity. This allows the user to hold the vacuum cleaner body 110 and clean high places.

[0042] After the cleaning operation, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be stored in a predetermined storage location. In order to reduce the area required for the storage location, the vacuum cleaner body 110 may be provided with a holding part 150 as shown in Fig. 7. The holding part 150 may be configured so that the tip tube part 124 of the tip tube 122 is fitted into it in a snap-fit ​​manner, for example.

[0043] When the user has finished cleaning, he or she releases the engagement between base end tube 121 and tip tube 122 to expose telescopic tube 127 to the outside. Then, the user can bend telescopic tube 127 toward vacuum cleaner body 110 and fit tip tube 122 into holder 150. In this state, tube member 120 is in a bent state, so vacuum cleaner 100 can be stored in a narrow space.

[0044] 8, a user may remove the tube member 120 from the connecting tube portion 113 of the vacuum cleaner body 110 and attach the nozzle unit 160 to the connecting tube portion 113. The nozzle unit 160 is longer than the tube member 120 in a retracted state. In particular, the nozzle unit 160 has a length that enables the vacuum cleaner 100 to be used as a stick vacuum cleaner when the nozzle unit 160 is attached to the vacuum cleaner body 110.

[0045] Nozzle unit 160 includes a pipe section 161 and a nozzle 162 attached to the tip of pipe section 161 so as to be able to rotate up and down. Nozzle 162 is wide in the left-right direction, and when dust suction section 111 is operating, dust can flow into nozzle 162 from a wide area on the floor surface. The base end of pipe section 161 is configured so as to be able to fit into connecting pipe section 113 of vacuum cleaner body 110.

[0046] The tubular portion 161 is provided with a holding portion 163 configured to be able to hold the tubular member 120 and the nozzle member 130. The holding portion 163 may be configured, for example, so that the base end tube 121 of the tubular member 120 and the outer tubular portion 131 of the nozzle member 130 are fitted together in a snap-fit ​​manner.

[0047] 8, when the nozzle unit 160 with the tubular member 120 attached is connected to the vacuum cleaner 100 and the vacuum cleaner 100 is used, the tubular member 120 moves with the vacuum cleaner 100 even when the tubular member 120 is not in use. Therefore, when cleaning using the tubular member 120 becomes necessary at a cleaning location, the nozzle unit 160 can be quickly replaced with the tubular member 120.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, the distal tube 122 and the proximal tube 121 are fitted together to form a straight tube. Alternatively, the distal tube 122 and the proximal tube 121 may be configured to form a curved tube when fitted together.

[0049] In the above-described embodiment, when the distal end tube 122 and the proximal end tube 121 are in a fitted state, the telescopic tube 127 is housed in a space surrounded by the distal end tube 122 and the proximal end tube 121. Alternatively, the telescopic tube 127 may be formed to be thicker than the distal end tube 122 and the proximal end tube 121, and the distal end tube 122 and the proximal end tube 121 may be fitted together inside the telescopic tube 127. In this case, the proximal end tube portion 123 of the distal end tube 122 may be configured to be fitted into the proximal end tube 121.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, the connecting member 129 is fixed to the telescopic tube 127. Alternatively, the connecting member 129 may be fixed to the tip tube 122.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the telescopic tube 127 is composed of the coil core 141 and the covering tube portion 142. Alternatively, the telescopic tube 127 may have another telescopic structure. For example, the telescopic tube 127 may have a structure that allows it to contract without twisting around its axis. In this case, the connecting member 129 is not required, and the tip portion of the telescopic tube 127 may be fixed to the tip tube 122.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, the tube member 120 forms part of a handheld vacuum cleaner 100. Alternatively, the tube member 120 may be configured to be incorporated into a stick vacuum cleaner or a canister vacuum cleaner.

[0053] (Effects, etc.) The pipe member 120 and the vacuum cleaner 100 according to the above-described embodiment have the following characteristics and provide the following effects.

[0054] The tubular member according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment forms a flow path for dust sucked in by the suction force of a dust suction unit built into the vacuum cleaner body. The tubular member includes a base tube connectable to the vacuum cleaner body, a flexible telescopic tube connected to the base tube so as to be located distal to the base tube and configured to be extendable and retractable, and a tip tube connected to the telescopic tube. The tip tube and the base tube have rigidity that allows them to maintain a predetermined shape against external forces, and are configured so that they fit together when the telescopic tube is contracted and disengage when the telescopic tube is extended.

[0055] In the above-described configuration, the base end tube and the tip tube have rigidity that allows them to maintain a predetermined shape against external forces, so the tubular member in the engaged state between the base end tube and the tip tube is less likely to bend or deform even when an external force is applied. Unlike a structure in which a locking member engages with the distal end surface of the tip tube, a structure in which the base end tube and the tip tube are engaged does not have the design constraint of needing to form a locking member so as not to block the opening of the tip tube. Therefore, by increasing the engagement length between the base end tube and the tip tube, a structure can be obtained that makes it easier to maintain the engaged state between the base end tube and the tip tube even when an external force is applied to the tubular member. Therefore, when a user moves the vacuum cleaner body with the base end tube and the tip tube engaged with each other, the tubular member maintains the engaged state between the base end tube and the tip tube and is not unintentionally bent by an external force.

[0056] The engagement between the base tube and the tip tube is released when the extension tube is extended. Because the extension tube is flexible, the user can bend the telescopic tube to change the direction of the tip tube while keeping the vacuum cleaner body in place.

[0057] In the above-described configuration, the telescopic tube may be accommodated in a contracted state within the distal tube and proximal tube that are fitted together.

[0058] In the above-described configuration, the telescopic tube is stretchable and flexible, and therefore tends to be weaker than the distal and proximal tubes, which have the rigidity to maintain a predetermined shape against external forces. However, since the telescopic tube is housed in a contracted state within the distal and proximal tubes, which are fitted together, the telescopic tube can be protected by the distal and proximal tubes.

[0059] In the above-described configuration, the telescopic tube may be configured to deform so as to twist about its axis when changing from an extended state to a retracted state, and to deform so as to release the twist when returning from the retracted state to the extended state. The tube member may further include a connecting member disposed between the telescopic tube and the tip tube. The connecting member may be configured to connect the telescopic tube and the tip tube in a state allowing the tip tube to rotate about its axis relative to the telescopic tube.

[0060] In the above-described configuration, the telescopic tube extends while deforming around its axis to eliminate twisting in the contracted state. However, the connecting member allows the tip tube to rotate around its axis relative to the telescopic tube, so even if the user grips the tip tube tightly, deformation of the telescopic tube around its axis is allowed. Therefore, the telescopic tube can extend and retract smoothly.

[0061] In the above-described configuration, the expandable tube may include a spiral coil core material and a covering tube portion that covers the coil core material to form a flow path for dust and that expands and contracts together with the coil core material. The connecting member may connect the covering tube portion and the tip tube in a state that allows the tip tube to rotate about an axis relative to the expandable tube.

[0062] In the above-described configuration, the telescopic tube is configured by covering a spirally extending coil core with a covering tube portion. Telescopic tubes with this structure are easy to manufacture. On the other hand, since spiral members generally undergo torsional deformation when they extend or retract, telescopic tubes configured by covering a spirally extending coil core with a covering tube portion can extend or retract while undergoing torsional deformation. Even if the telescopic tube has such telescopic characteristics, the connecting member connects the covering tube portion and the tip tube in a state that allows the tip tube to rotate relative to the telescopic tube about its axis, so torsional deformation of the telescopic tube is permitted even if the user tightly grips the tip tube.

[0063] A vacuum cleaner according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment includes a vacuum cleaner body having a built-in dust suction unit that generates suction force to suck in dust, the above-described tubular member, and a nozzle member that forms a suction port through which dust flows in. The nozzle member is attached to the tip tube of the tubular member so as to be movable axially relative to the tip tube.

[0064] In the above-described configuration, the nozzle member is movable in the axial direction relative to the distal tube, so that the position of the nozzle member in the axial direction of the tubular member can be changed even when the distal tube is fitted to the proximal tube.

[0065] A vacuum cleaner according to another aspect of the above-described embodiments includes a vacuum cleaner body incorporating a dust suction unit that generates suction force to suck up dust, and the above-described tubular member. The base tube of the tubular member is connected to the vacuum cleaner body. The vacuum cleaner body is provided with a holding part configured to hold the tip tube that is bent back toward the vacuum cleaner body when it is disengaged from the base tube.

[0066] In the above-described configuration, the distal tube can be folded back toward the vacuum cleaner body by disengaging the distal tube from the proximal tube and bending the telescopic tube. In this state, when the distal tube is held by the holder, the tubular member is connected to the vacuum cleaner body at the proximal tube and distal tube. Therefore, the tubular member can maintain the distal tube folded back toward the vacuum cleaner body, and the vacuum cleaner can be stored without requiring a large space when not in use.

[0067] Another vacuum cleaner according to yet another aspect of the above-described embodiments includes a vacuum cleaner body incorporating a dust suction unit that generates suction power to suck up dust and the above-described tubular member. The vacuum cleaner body has a connecting tubular member formed so that the base end tube of the tubular member can be attached and detached. The vacuum cleaner further includes a nozzle unit that can be attached to the connecting tubular member in place of the tubular member. The nozzle unit has a holding part that holds the tubular member when removed from the connecting tubular member.

[0068] In the above-described configuration, the nozzle unit is provided with a holding portion, so that when the tubular member is detached from the vacuum cleaner body, the tubular member can be held by the holding portion. When the vacuum cleaner is being used with the nozzle unit connected to the vacuum cleaner body, the user can hold the tubular member in the holding portion of the nozzle unit. In this state, the tubular member moves with the vacuum cleaner, so that when cleaning using the tubular member is required in the cleaning area, the nozzle unit can be quickly replaced with the tubular member. [Industrial Applicability]

[0069] The technology according to the above-described embodiment is suitably used in an apparatus used for cleaning work. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 100...Vacuum cleaner 110·····Vacuum cleaner body 111...Dust suction section 113 Connecting pipe section 120...Pipe member 121...Proximal tube 122...Tip tube 127... Telescopic tube 129.....connecting member 130 Nozzle member 141 Coil core material 142...Claying tube section 150...Holding part 160 Nozzle unit 163...Holding part

Claims

1. A pipe member that forms a flow path for dust sucked by the suction force of a dust suction unit built into a vacuum cleaner body, a base end pipe formed so as to be connectable to the vacuum cleaner main body; a flexible telescopic tube connected to the base end tube so as to be positioned on the distal end side of the base end tube and configured to be telescopic; a tip tube connected to the telescopic tube; a connecting member disposed between the telescopic tube and the tip tube, the distal end tube and the proximal end tube have rigidity that allows them to maintain a predetermined shape against an external force, and are configured to fit together when the telescopic tube is contracted, and to release the fitting between the distal end tube and the proximal end tube when the telescopic tube is extended, The telescopic tube is accommodated in a contracted state within the distal tube and the proximal tube that are fitted together while deforming so as to twist about an axis when changing from an extended state to a contracted state, and is configured to deform about an axis so as to release the twist when returning from the contracted state to the extended state, The connecting member is configured to connect the telescopic tube and the tip tube while allowing the tip tube to rotate relative to the telescopic tube about its axis.

2. the expandable tube includes a spiral coil core material and a covering tube portion that covers the coil core material to form a flow path for dust to flow and that expands and contracts together with the coil core material, 2. The tubular member according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member connects the covering tube portion and the tip tube in a state in which the tip tube is allowed to rotate about its axis relative to the expandable tube.

3. A vacuum cleaner body with a built-in dust suction unit that generates suction power to suck up dust, The tubular member according to claim 1 or 2; a nozzle member forming a suction port through which dust flows in, The nozzle member is attached to the tip tube of the pipe member so as to be movable relative to the tip tube in the axial direction.

4. A vacuum cleaner body with a built-in dust suction unit that generates suction power to suck up dust, The pipe member according to claim 1 or 2, The base end pipe of the pipe member is connected to the vacuum cleaner body, The vacuum cleaner body is provided with a holding portion configured to hold the tip tube folded back toward the vacuum cleaner body when the engagement with the base tube is released.

5. A vacuum cleaner body with a built-in dust suction unit that generates suction power to suck up dust, a tubular member that forms a flow path for dust sucked by the suction force of the dust suction unit, The tubular member is a base end pipe formed so as to be connectable to the vacuum cleaner main body; a flexible telescopic tube connected to the base end tube so as to be positioned on the distal end side of the base end tube and configured to be telescopic; a tip tube connected to the telescopic tube, the distal end tube and the proximal end tube have rigidity that allows them to maintain a predetermined shape against an external force, and are configured to fit together when the telescopic tube is contracted, and to release the fitting between the distal end tube and the proximal end tube when the telescopic tube is extended, the vacuum cleaner body has a connecting pipe portion formed so that the base end pipe of the pipe member can be attached and detached; The vacuum cleaner further includes a nozzle unit that can be attached to the connecting pipe portion in place of the pipe member, The nozzle unit is provided with a holding portion that holds the pipe member detached from the connecting pipe portion.

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