Dust unit and vacuum cleaner

Abstract

The present invention suppresses air discharged from an intake path from passing through a filter before a swirling flow is formed.　A dust unit 500 of a cleaner 1, which comprises a head body 11 placed on a cleaning surface, has: an intake pipe 521 constituting an intake path P1 through which air including dust collected from the head body passes; a dust case 511 to which the air that has passed through the intake pipe is discharged; a separation unit 520 which forms, with the dust case, a swirling path SP through which the air discharged from the dust case swirls, and separates first dust from among the dust included in the air swirling through the swirling path; a filter F1 which collects second dust from among the dust included in the air swirling through the swirling path; and an inhibiting member 532 which inhibits the air discharged to the dust case from passing through the filter. The intake pipe comprises a discharge part 522 which discharges, to the dust case, the air that has passed through the intake path. The inhibiting member is a member different from the discharge part and is disposed inside the filter.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] There are known vacuum cleaners that have a rotating brush mounted on a vacuum cleaner head (nozzle head) that sucks up dirt such as dust from a cleaning surface. When the user moves the nozzle head back and forth, the rotating brush rotates to scrape off the dirt and then sucks up the scraped dirt.

[0003] One type of such vacuum cleaner is a so-called cyclone vacuum cleaner. A cyclone vacuum cleaner includes a dust box (dust collection device) that separates dust from the air containing the dust that is sucked in. The dust box includes a cylindrical dust case (external cylinder) and a separation unit (inner cylinder). The dust-containing air passes through an intake passage located inside the dust box. After passing through the intake passage, the dust-containing air is discharged from an outlet of the intake passage toward the inner circumferential surface of the dust case. The air discharged from the intake passage swirls along the inner circumferential surface of the dust case in a swirl path formed between the inner surface of the dust case and the outer surface of the separation unit, becoming a swirling flow. Due to the centrifugal force caused by this swirl, the dust is separated from the air and collected inside the dust case. The air from which the dust has been separated passes through a filter (intake section) of the separation unit and is finally discharged to the outside (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-118813 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, the air discharged from the intake passage swirls as it passes around the filter. However, if the force of the filter trying to suck in the air is greater than the centrifugal force that moves outward from the center of the dust case when the air discharged from the intake passage passes around the filter, the air is likely to be sucked into the filter before a swirling flow is formed. When the air passes through the filter before a swirling flow is formed, the dust contained in the air is captured by the filter. If the amount of dust captured by the filter continues to increase, the filter will become clogged.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a dust unit and a vacuum cleaner that can prevent air discharged from an intake passage from passing through a filter before a swirling flow is formed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The dust unit of the present invention is a dust unit of a vacuum cleaner having a head body placed on a cleaning surface, and comprises an intake pipe that forms an intake path through which air containing dust collected from the head body passes, a dust case through which the air that has passed through the intake pipe is discharged, a separation unit that, together with the dust case, forms a swirling path through which the air discharged into the dust case swirls, and separates first dust from the dust contained in the air swirling in the swirling path, a filter that captures second dust from the dust contained in the air swirling in the swirling path, and an obstruction member that obstructs the air discharged into the dust case from passing through the filter, and is characterized in that the intake pipe has an exhaust section that exhausts the air that has passed through the intake path into the dust case, and the obstruction member is a member different from the exhaust section and is positioned inside the filter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent air discharged from the intake passage from passing through the filter before a swirling flow is formed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front perspective view showing an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a cleaner head provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the cleaner head of FIG. 2; [Figure 4] 2 is a rear view of the cleaner main body included in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a side view of the cleaner body of FIG. 4 as viewed from the arrow A. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is an exploded side view of a main body and a dust box that constitute the vacuum cleaner main body of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 7] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaner body taken along line BB in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a side view of the dust box of FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the dust box of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 9 is a cross-sectional view of the dust box of FIG. 8 taken along line CC. [Figure 11] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the dust box of FIG. 8 taken along line DD. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a dust unit and a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] ●Vacuum cleaner● ● Vacuum cleaner configuration FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

[0012] The vacuum cleaner 1 sucks up dust (dirt) such as lint and hair on a cleaning surface. The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a cleaner head 10, a universal joint part 20, a cleaner body 30, and a handle 40.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the cleaner head 10. The figure shows a perspective view of the cleaner head 10 from the front, top, and left side. FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the cleaner head 10. The figure shows a perspective view of the cleaner head 10 from the rear, bottom and right side.

[0014] The cleaner head 10 sucks in air containing dust from a cleaning surface. The cleaner head 10 is connected to a cleaner body 30 via a universal joint part 20. The cleaner head 10 comprises a head body 11.

[0015] The head body 11 houses rotating brushes (first rotating brush 114, second rotating brush 115) that scrape off dust from the cleaning surface. The head body 11 is placed on the cleaning surface when the vacuum cleaner 1 is in use. The head body 11 includes a suction port 110, an attachment port 111, a suction unit 112, a cover body 113, the rotating brushes (first rotating brush 114, second rotating brush 115), a first hover brush 116, a second hover brush 117, casters (first caster 118a, second caster 118b), and a safety caster 119.

[0016] The suction port 110 is a passage (flow path) through which dust passes that is scraped off by the first rotating brush 114 and the second rotating brush 115 and collected in the suction section 112. The suction port 110 is disposed in approximately the center of the head main body 11 at a position overlapping with the attachment port 111.

[0017] The mounting opening 111 is a hole to which the universal joint portion 20 is attached. The mounting opening 111 is disposed substantially in the center of the head body 11. Inside the mounting opening 111, the suction port 110 is disposed.

[0018] Suction section 112 is a space where dust scraped off by first rotating brush 114 and second rotating brush 115 is collected. The dust collected in suction section 112 is stored in dust box 32 (see FIG. 4) of vacuum cleaner main body 30 through suction port 110 by suction force generated by operation of an intake fan driven by a suction motor (not shown) described below.

[0019] Cover body 113 accommodates therein first rotating brush 114 and second rotating brush 115. Cover body 113 includes upper cover 113a, side cover 113b, and side cover 113c.

[0020] Upper cover 113a has suction port 110 at approximately the center in a plan view. Upper cover 113a covers first rotating brush 114 and second rotating brush 115 from above.

[0021] The side cover 113b is attached to the right end of the top cover 113a. A first caster 118a is attached to the approximate center of the bottom surface of the side cover 113b.

[0022] The side cover 113c is attached to the left end of the top cover 113a. A second caster 118b is attached to the approximate center of the bottom surface of the side cover 113c.

[0023] The rotating brush is housed in cover body 113. The rotating brush extends in the left-right direction (the longitudinal direction in a plan view of cleaner head 10). The rotating brush comprises a first rotating brush 114 and a second rotating brush 115. Each of first rotating brush 114 and second rotating brush 115 partially abuts (comes into contact with) the cleaning surface while rotating, scraping out dust such as lint on the cleaning surface, and, if the cleaning surface is a carpet with a long pile, hair and food debris that has gotten into the pile, and collecting the dust in suction part 112. The shape, size, and mass of first rotating brush 114 are the same as those of second rotating brush 115, respectively.

[0024] The first rotating brush 114 is attached to a first rotating shaft (not shown) and housed inside the cover body 113 (upper cover 113a). The first rotating brush 114 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the first rotating shaft caused by the rotation drive of a drive motor (not shown). The first rotating brush 114 is disposed on the front side of the head main body 11.

[0025] The second rotating brush 115 is attached to a second rotating shaft (not shown) and is housed inside the cover body 113 (upper cover 113a). The second rotating brush 115 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the second rotating shaft caused by the rotation drive of a drive motor (not shown). The second rotating brush 115 is disposed on the back side of the head main body 11. The second rotating brush 115 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the first rotating brush 114.

[0026] The first hover brushes 116 are disposed on both the left and right ends of the first rotating brush 114 and rotate together with the first rotating brush 114. The first hover brushes 116 reduce the frictional force between the first rotating brush 114 and the cleaning surface.

[0027] The second hover brush 117 is disposed on both the left and right ends of the second rotating brush 115 and rotates together with the second rotating brush 115. The second hover brush 117 reduces the frictional force between the second rotating brush 115 and the cleaning surface.

[0028] The first caster 118a is attached to the head body 11 and rotates along the moving direction of the head body 11. The first caster 118a is rotatable in all directions on the cleaning surface. The first caster 118a is disposed at the bottom of the side cover 113b. The first caster 118a is, for example, a wheel-type caster. The first caster 118a is disposed at an intermediate position between the first rotating brush 114 and the second rotating brush 115. In other words, the first caster 118a is disposed at a position equidistant from both the first rotating brush 114 and the second rotating brush 115.

[0029] The second caster 118b is attached to the head body 11 and rotates along the moving direction of the head body 11. The second caster 118b is rotatable in all directions on the cleaning surface. The second caster 118b is disposed at the bottom of the side cover 113c. The second caster 118b is, for example, a wheel-type caster. The second caster 118b is disposed at an intermediate position between the first rotating brush 114 and the second rotating brush 115. In other words, the second caster 118b is disposed at a position equidistant from both the first rotating brush 114 and the second rotating brush 115.

[0030] The shape, size, and mass of first caster 118a are the same as those of second caster 118b, respectively. The direction of the line (imaginary line) connecting first caster 118a and second caster 118b is parallel to the extension direction of first rotating brush 114 and the extension direction of second rotating brush 115.

[0031] The safety caster 119 is attached to the lower part of the head main body 11. The safety caster 119 can move back and forth in the vertical direction. The safety caster 119 is a wheel-type caster and can rotate in the front-to-rear direction.

[0032] The safety casters 119 retract (retract) upward (in the direction opposite to the cleaning surface) when the cleaner head 10 is placed on the cleaning surface (hereinafter referred to as the "placed state"). The drive motor (not shown) is in an energized state (hereinafter referred to as the "energized state") when the cleaner head 10 is placed on the cleaning surface. The energized drive motor drives the first rotating brush 114 and the second rotating brush 115. The driven first rotating brush 114 and second rotating brush 115 rotate.

[0033] On the other hand, the safety casters 119 move forward (progress) downward (toward the cleaning surface) when the cleaner head 10 is away from the cleaning surface (hereinafter referred to as the "away state"). The drive motor is in a de-energized state (de-energized state) when in the away state. The de-energized drive motor does not drive the first rotating brush 114 and the second rotating brush 115. The first rotating brush 114 and the second rotating brush 115 that are not driven do not rotate. In other words, the rotation of the first rotating brush 114 and the second rotating brush 115, which were driven and rotated in the energized state, stops in the de-energized state.

[0034] The universal joint 20 (see Figure 1) connects the cleaner head 10 and the cleaner body 30 (see Figure 1). The universal joint 20 allows the cleaner body 30 to be freely tilted at any angle relative to the cleaner head 10 in all directions.

[0035] One end of the universal joint part 20 (the lower end of the paper in FIG. 1) is attached to the attachment port 111. That is, the universal joint part 20 is attached to approximately the center of the top of the cleaner head 10. One end of the universal joint part 20 is positioned so as to overlap with the suction port 110 in a plan view. The axis (axial line) of the suction port 110 coincides with the axis of the universal joint part 20.

[0036] The other end of the universal joint part 20 (the upper end on the paper in FIG. 1 ) is attached to the lower end of the vacuum cleaner main body 30. The axis of the universal joint part 20 coincides with the axis of the vacuum cleaner main body 30. In other words, the axis of the universal joint part 20 is located on the axis of the vacuum cleaner main body 30. As a result, the vacuum cleaner main body 30 is located on the axis (axial line) of the suction port 110, and can be freely tilted at any angle in all directions relative to the vacuum cleaner head 10.

[0037] The universal joint 20 accommodates a flexible member (not shown), such as a bellows-shaped hose, inside. The flexible member is connected to the suction port 110 and the lower end of the vacuum cleaner main body 30. The flexible member forms a passage (flow path) through which dust that has passed through the suction port 110 (head main body 11) passes toward the vacuum cleaner main body 30.

[0038] The other end of the universal joint portion 20 and the flexible member are detachably attached to the lower end of the vacuum cleaner main body 30 .

[0039] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the cleaner main body 30. FIG. 5 is a side view of the cleaner body 30 of FIG. 4 as viewed from the arrow A. FIG.

[0040] The vacuum cleaner main body 30 comprises a main body 31 and a dust box 32. The vacuum cleaner main body 30 is detachable from a handle 40 (see FIG. 1). One end (the lower end of the paper in FIG. 4) of the vacuum cleaner main body 30 is connected to the universal joint 20 (see FIG. 1). The other end (the upper end of the paper in FIG. 4) of the vacuum cleaner main body 30 is connected to the handle 40. The vacuum cleaner main body 30 is substantially cylindrical. The main body 31 comprises a dust box housing portion 311, a fixing portion 312 (see FIG. 6), a handle attachment / detachment portion 313, a handle attachment portion 314, an exhaust port 315, a suction motor (not shown), and a battery (not shown).

[0041] FIG. 6 is an exploded side view of the main body 31 and the dust box 32. As shown in FIG. This figure shows the state in which the dust box 32 is removed from the main body 31. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaner body 30 taken along line BB in FIG. This figure shows a state in which the dust box 32 is attached to the main body 31. In this figure, the internal structure of the main body 31 is not shown.

[0042] The following description of the main body 31 and the dust box 32 will also refer to FIGS. The main body 31 houses the dust box 32, the suction motor, and the battery. One end of the main body 31 (the lower end of the paper in FIG. 7) is connected to the universal joint 20 (see FIG. 1).

[0043] The dust box 32 is detachable from the main body 31. As will be described later, some of the components that make up the dust box 32 are made of transparent or semi-transparent materials. Therefore, the internal structure of the dust box 32 can be seen from the outside of the dust box 32 (see, for example, Figures 8 and 9). The specific configuration of the dust box 32 will be described later.

[0044] The dust box housing section 311 is a cut-out space that is U-shaped in side view (see FIG. 7) and that houses the dust box 32. The dust box 32 is placed inside this cut-out. A bottom 513 (see FIG. 8), which will be described later, of the dust box housing section 311 is a tapered surface that slopes downward from the front side of the main body section 31 (the left side of the paper in FIG. 7) to the rear side of the main body section 31 (the right side of the paper in FIG. 7). On the other hand, the upper part of the dust box housing section 311 is a tapered surface that slopes upward from the front side of the main body section 31 to the rear side of the main body section 31.

[0045] The fixing portion 312 fixes the dust box 32 to the main body 31. The fixing portion 312 is a portion to which a hook 511C (described later) of the dust box 32 is fastened when the dust box 32 is housed in the dust box housing portion 311 (main body 31).

[0046] When the dust box 32 is housed in the main body 31, the shape formed by the main body 31 and the dust box 32 is substantially cylindrical.

[0047] The handle attachment / detachment part 313 is attachable to and detachable from the handle 40 (see FIG. 1). The handle attachment / detachment part 313 is arranged at the other end of the main body part 31 (the upper end of the paper in FIG. 7). The handle attachment / detachment part 313 has an insertion opening 313h. The insertion opening 313h is an opening into which the insertion part (not shown) of the handle 40 is inserted.

[0048] The handle attachment portion 314 is used when the user removes the handle 40 attached to the handle attachment / detachment portion 313. The handle attachment portion 314 is, for example, a push-button. The handle attachment portion 314 is attached to the handle attachment / detachment portion 313, for example.

[0049] The "user" is the user (operator) of the vacuum cleaner 1.

[0050] The exhaust port 315 is configured to exhaust air that has been sucked in by the suction motor and passed through the dust box 32 (air inside the main body 31) to the outside of the main body 31. The exhaust port 315 is a plurality of openings arranged on the outer periphery of the main body 31. The exhaust port 315 connects the inside and outside of the main body 31.

[0051] The suction motor drives an intake fan (not shown) that generates an airflow in the flow path from the suction unit 112 to the exhaust port 315. The intake fan driven by the suction motor sucks in air. The suction motor and the intake fan are housed in the main body 31.

[0052] The battery is a power source that drives the drive motor and the suction motor, and is housed in (attached to) the main body 31.

[0053] The dust box 32 separates dust that has been scraped off by the first rotating brush 114 (see FIG. 3) and the second rotating brush 115 (see FIG. 3) and sucked in together with the air. The dust separated from the air inside the dust box 32 is collected inside the dust box 32. The air from which the dust has been separated passes from the dust box 32 through the inside of the main body 31 and is discharged to the outside of the main body 31 through the exhaust port 315. The dust collected inside the dust box 32 is discarded outside the dust box 32 by the user. To do this, first, the user removes the dust box 32 from the main body 31. Next, the user removes some components of the dust box 32 (a separation unit 520 and a filter unit 530, which will be described later) from a component that collects dust (a dust case 510, which will be described later). Next, the user tilts the component that collects dust to discharge the dust from an opening in the component. A specific configuration of the dust box 32 will be described later. The dust box 32 is housed in the dust box housing portion 311 (main body portion 31) from the side of the dust box housing portion 311.

[0054] The following description of the handle 40 also refers to FIG. The handle 40 is held by the user during use. That is, the user grips the handle 40 to operate the vacuum cleaner 1. The handle 40 is rod-shaped and approximately cylindrical. The handle 40 is detachably attached (mounted) to the handle attachment / detachment part 313. When the handle 40 is attached (mounted) to the handle attachment / detachment part 313 (vacuum cleaner main body 30), it extends upward from the handle attachment / detachment part 313 (vacuum cleaner main body 30). The axis (axial line) of the handle 40 when attached to the handle attachment / detachment part 313 coincides with the axis of the universal joint part 20. The handle 40 comprises a grip part 41, an operation part 42, and an insertion part (not shown).

[0055] The shape of the handle is not limited to a rod shape, and may be, for example, a shape with a ring-shaped grip.

[0056] The user holds the grip portion 41. The grip portion 41 is a portion between the operation portion 42 and the insertion portion.

[0057] The operation unit 42 switches the power of the vacuum cleaner 1 on and off. In other words, the operation unit 42 controls the operation of the drive motor and the suction motor. The operation unit 42 is, for example, a push-button. The operation unit 42 is arranged on the other end (upper end) of the handle 40. The operation unit 42 is operated by the user when starting cleaning (when resuming cleaning that has been temporarily suspended) and when ending cleaning (when temporarily suspending cleaning).

[0058] The insertion part is inserted into the insertion opening 313h of the handle attachment / detachment part 313. The insertion part is arranged on one end side (lower end side) of the handle 40. By inserting the insertion part into the insertion opening 313h, the handle 40 is attached (mounted) to the handle attachment / detachment part 313 (vacuum cleaner main body 30).

[0059] With the handle 40 attached to the handle attachment / detachment part 313, the user can remove the handle 40 from the handle attachment / detachment part 313 (vacuum cleaner main body 30) by pressing the handle attachment part 314 (see Figure 4) and pulling the handle 40 in a direction away from the vacuum cleaner main body 30.

[0060] Dust box configuration FIG. 8 is a side view of the dust box 32. FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the dust box 32. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the dust box 32 taken along line CC in FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the dust box 32 taken along line DD in FIG.

[0061] The dust box 32 includes a dust unit 500 and a cover unit 500C.

[0062] The dust unit 500 separates dust from dust-containing air that has passed through the suction port 110 (see FIG. 2) into air from which the dust has been removed. The dust unit 500 includes a dust case 510, a separation unit 520, and a filter unit 530.

[0063] The dust case 510 accommodates the separation unit 520 inside. A filter unit 530 is disposed on top of the dust case 510 (upper side of the paper in FIG. 8 ). Air that has passed through the separation unit 520 (through an intake pipe 521, described later) is discharged into the dust case 510. The dust case 510 collects dust separated from the air discharged (sucked air) inside. The dust case 510 is made of, for example, transparent or translucent plastic. When the dust box 32 is accommodated in the main body 31, the dust case 510 is visible from outside the main body 31. That is, dust collected inside the dust case 510 is visible from outside the vacuum cleaner main body 30. The dust case 510 includes an outer peripheral wall 511, an inner peripheral wall 512, a bottom 513, and feet 514. Dust case 510 extends in the vertical direction (the vertical direction on the paper surface in FIG. 10) and has a generally hollow cylindrical shape with an open top and a closed bottom.

[0064] The outer peripheral wall 511 is an outer frame of the dust case 510, and is a wall that swirls the air discharged from the separation unit 520. The outer peripheral wall 511 is cylindrical. A filter unit 530 is disposed on the upper part of the outer peripheral wall 511.

[0065] The inner circumferential wall 512 is disposed inside the outer circumferential wall 511 and approximately parallel to the outer circumferential wall 511. The inner circumferential wall 512 protrudes upward from the bottom 513. An internal space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the inner circumferential wall 512 (hereinafter referred to as the "internal space of the inner circumferential wall 512"), together with an intake pipe 521 (described later) of the separation unit 520, constitutes an intake passage P1. That is, the internal space of the inner circumferential wall 512 is a part of the intake passage P1. The inner circumferential wall 512, together with the outer circumferential wall 511 and the bottom 513, constitutes a dust collection space DS. The height of the inner circumferential wall 512 from the bottom 513 is approximately half the height of the outer circumferential wall 511 from the bottom 513. An upper part of the inner circumferential wall 512 is connected to the separation unit 520. The intake passage P1 and the dust collection space DS will be described in detail later.

[0066] Bottom 513 is the bottom of dust case 510. Dust separated inside dust case 510 is collected (accumulated) in bottom 513. Bottom 513 is a tapered surface that slopes upward from the front side (right side of the paper in FIG. 8) to the rear side (left side of the paper in FIG. 8) of dust case 510. That is, the height position of bottom 513 on the rear side (the vertical position on the paper in FIG. 10) of bottom 513 is higher than the height position of bottom 513 on the front side.

[0067] The feet 514 keep the dust case 510 horizontal. The feet 514 are arranged on the underside of the bottom 513. As shown in FIG. 8, the feet 514 are plate-shaped members that extend from the front side of the dust case 510 (the right side of the paper in FIG. 8) to the rear side (the left side of the paper in FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 10, the feet 514 are arranged on the left and right sides of the bottom 513.

[0068] Dust case 510 is formed integrally with outer peripheral wall 511, inner peripheral wall 512, and bottom 513. The upper end of dust case 510 is horizontal in cross section as shown in Fig. 10. That is, due to the inclination of bottom 513, which is a tapered surface, the length from bottom 513 on outer peripheral wall 511 on the rear side to the upper end of dust case 510 is shorter than the length from bottom 513 on outer peripheral wall 511 on the front side to the upper end of dust case 510.

[0069] Separation unit 520 forms (generates) a swirling flow of air containing dust together with dust case 510. Separation unit 520 is detachably attached to filter unit 530. Separation unit 520 includes intake pipe 521, exhaust section 522, peripheral wall 523, and umbrella section 524.

[0070] The intake pipe 521 has a space inside. The longitudinal direction of the intake pipe 521 (the vertical direction on the paper in FIG. 10) is a direction along the extension direction (longitudinal direction) of the dust case 510. In other words, the intake pipe 521 is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the intake pipe 521 is along the extension direction of the dust case 510. The internal space of the intake pipe 521 communicates with the internal space of the inner circumferential wall 512 of the dust case 510. As described above, the internal space of the intake pipe 521, together with the internal space of the inner circumferential wall 512, constitutes the intake path P1. In other words, the internal space of the intake pipe 521 is a part of the intake path P1.

[0071] The intake passage P1 is a flow path through which air containing dust collected from the head main body 11 (dust that has passed through the suction port 110) passes. The intake passage P1 is composed of an internal space of the inner circumferential wall 512 and an internal space of the intake pipe 521.

[0072] Discharge section 522 is a part of intake pipe 521, and protrudes toward outer peripheral wall 511 from a portion of intake pipe 521 that constitutes intake path P1. Discharge section 522 is a portion that discharges air containing dust that has passed through intake path P1. Discharge section 522 includes discharge port 5221. Discharge section 522 discharges the air containing dust that has passed through intake path P1 toward outer peripheral wall 511 via discharge port 5221. That is, discharge port 5221 discharges the air containing dust that has passed through intake path P1 toward outer peripheral wall 511. The air discharged from discharge port 5221 (discharge section 522) swirls along the inner peripheral surface of outer peripheral wall 511. Discharge port 5221 is arranged on the upper side of intake pipe 521 in the longitudinal direction of intake pipe 521 (upper side of the paper in FIG. 10 ).

[0073] The peripheral wall 523 is disposed around the discharge portion 522 and on the outer peripheral side of the intake pipe 521. The peripheral wall 523 swirls the air discharged from the discharge port 5221 (discharge portion 522) in cooperation with the outer peripheral wall 511 (dust case 510). That is, the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 523, together with the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 511, forms the swirl path SP. In other words, the separation unit 520, together with the dust case 510, forms the swirl path SP. The inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 523, together with the outer peripheral surface of the intake pipe 521, forms the exhaust path P2. The swirl path SP and the exhaust path P2 will be described in detail later. The peripheral wall 523 includes a filter mounting frame 5231 and a first filter F1.

[0074] The swirling path SP is a flow path through which dust-containing air discharged from the discharge section 522 (discharge port 5221) swirls. The dust-containing air swirling in the swirling path SP is centrifuged by the centrifugal force of the swirling flow into large dust particles (first dust particles) such as lint and hair, and air from which the first dust particles have been removed. That is, the swirling path SP is a cyclone space. In this embodiment, the swirling direction of the dust-containing air swirling in the swirling path SP is clockwise in the plan view shown in FIG. 11. The first dust particles swirling in the swirling path SP and centrifuged are pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall 511. The swirling force from the swirling flow on the first dust particles pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall 511 weakens. As a result, the first dust particles fall from the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall 511 and are collected (accumulated) in the dust collection space DS. That is, the separation unit 520, together with the dust case 510, separates the first dust from the dust contained in the air swirling around the swirling path SP.

[0075] On the other hand, the air after circulating around the circulating path SP and after the first dust has been separated by centrifugal separation flows toward the first filter F1. The air after the first dust has been separated by centrifugal separation contains dust particles finer than the first dust.

[0076] The dust collecting space DS collects (accumulates) the dust that has been centrifuged by swirling around the swirl path SP. The dust collecting space DS is configured with an inner peripheral surface of an outer peripheral wall 511, an outer peripheral surface of an inner peripheral wall 512, and a bottom 513.

[0077] The filter mounting frame 5231 is a frame body to which the first filter F1 is attached. The filter mounting frame 5231 is disposed around the exhaust portion 522 and on the outer circumferential side of the intake pipe 521.

[0078] The first filter F1 filters the dust-containing air after the first dust has been centrifuged by centrifugation as the air swirls around the swirl path SP. In other words, the first filter F1 captures the dust contained in the air swirls around the swirl path SP. The dust contained in the air after the first dust has been centrifuged includes second dust and third dust. The first filter F1 captures the second dust of the second and third dust. In other words, the first filter F1 allows air containing the third dust to pass through.

[0079] The first filter F1 is attached (placed) on the filter mounting frame 5231 (peripheral wall 523). The first filter F1 is placed around the entire periphery of the filter mounting frame 5231 except for the discharge portion 522. The first filter F1 is, for example, a mesh filter made of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). The first filter F1 is an example of a filter defined in the present invention. The air that has passed through the first filter F1 (air containing third dust particles from which the first dust particles and the second dust particles have been removed) enters the exhaust path P2.

[0080] The second dust is finer than the first dust and coarser than the third dust. The third dust is finer than both the first dust and the second dust. That is, the second dust is coarser than the third dust, and the first dust is coarser than the second dust.

[0081] The exhaust path P2 sends the air that has passed through the first filter F1 (air that contains the third dust particles) to the filter unit 530. The exhaust path P2 is a flow path formed between the first filter F1 and a second filter F2, which will be described later. The exhaust path P2 includes a gap between the first filter F1 (peripheral wall 523) and a rib 532, which will be described later, and a gap between the rib 532 and the outer peripheral surface of the intake pipe 521. In other words, the exhaust path P2 is formed by the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 523 and the outer peripheral surface of the intake pipe 521.

[0082] Umbrella portion 524 prevents dust (first dust) collected in dust collection space DS from flying up and returning to swirl path SP. Umbrella portion 524 is disposed in the lower part of intake pipe 521 and connects separation unit 520 and inner circumferential wall 512. Umbrella portion 524 is detachable from inner circumferential wall 512. Umbrella portion 524 has opening 524h in its upper part (the upper part of the paper in FIG. 10).

[0083] The opening 524h allows the air of the swirling flow that has reached the lower side of the dust case 510 (part of the air discharged from the discharge portion 522) to enter the exhaust path P2. The opening 524h is equipped with a third filter (not shown). The third filter captures and compresses dust contained in the air passing through the opening 524h and dust accumulated in the dust collection space DS. Therefore, the volume of dust with a large volume, such as cotton dust, is compressed. As a result, the amount of dust collected in the dust case 510 increases.

[0084] The filter unit 530 captures third dust particles contained in the air that has passed through the exhaust path P2, i.e., the air from which the first and second dust particles that have passed through the first filter F1 have been removed. The filter unit 530 is disposed above the dust case 510. The filter unit 530 includes a filter case 531, a rib 532, and a second filter F2.

[0085] The filter case 531 accommodates the second filter F2. The filter case 531 is connected to the upper end of the outer peripheral wall 511 and the upper part of the separation unit 520.

[0086] The ribs 532 suppress (hinder) the air discharged from the discharge port 5221 (discharge portion 522) to the dust case 510 from passing through the first filter F1 before forming a swirling flow. That is, the ribs 532 encourage the air discharged from the discharge port 5221 (discharge portion 522) to the dust case 510 to form a swirling flow. In other words, the ribs 532 make the force with which the first filter F1 tries to draw air smaller than the force acting from the center of the dust case outward due to centrifugal force. As a result, the air is suppressed (hindered) from passing through the first filter F1 before forming a swirling flow.

[0087] The rib 532 is disposed on the filter case 531. The rib 532 is molded integrally with the filter case 531 and protrudes downward. That is, the rib 532 is a member different from the discharge portion 522. When the filter unit 530 is attached to the separation unit 520, the rib 532 is disposed inside the first filter F1 (toward the radial center of the dust case 510) in a plan view, as shown in FIG. 11 . The rib 532 is disposed around substantially the entire circumference of the intake pipe 521 excluding the discharge portion 522.

[0088] The location of the ribs is not limited to approximately the entire circumference of the intake pipe excluding the discharge portion. That is, for example, the ribs may be located at least on the rear side of the discharge port in the swirling direction of the swirling flow. Generally, the swirling flow tends to weaken on the rear side of the discharge port. That is, the force with which the first filter F1 draws in air can be greater on the rear side of the discharge port than the centrifugal force acting from the center of the dust case outward. However, by locating the ribs at least on the rear side of the discharge port, the force with which the first filter F1 draws in air becomes smaller on the rear side of the discharge port.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 10, the rib 532 is disposed at least at the same height as the exhaust port 5221 in the longitudinal direction of the intake pipe 521. Also, as shown in Fig. 10, the longitudinal length of the rib 532 is shorter than the longitudinal length of the first filter F1. As shown in Fig. 10, the rib 532 forms a gap between the first filter F1 and the rib 532. The gap between the rib 532 and the first filter F1 forms part of the exhaust path P2. The rib 532 is an example of an obstructing member defined in the present invention.

[0090] The second filter F2 filters the dust contained in the air that has passed through the first filter F1 (air from which the first dust and second dust have been removed) and is sent to the exhaust path P2. In other words, the second filter F2 captures the third dust contained in the air that has passed through the first filter F1 and from which the first dust and second dust have been removed. The second filter F2 is attached to the filter case 531. The second filter F2 is made of a fluororesin such as PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene). The second filter F2 has a pleated shape that is folded up and down. The air that has passed through the second filter F2 is discharged to the outside of the dust unit 500. The air discharged to the outside of the dust unit 500 enters a flow path (not shown) inside the main body 31 and is then discharged from the exhaust port 315.

[0091] The mesh size of the second filter F2 is finer than that of the first filter F1, so the second filter F2 can capture fine dust particles (third dust particles) that cannot be captured by the first filter F1.

[0092] The air discharged from exhaust port 315 is air that meets the BFE (Bacterial Filtration Efficiency) standard. More preferably, the air discharged from exhaust port 315 is air that meets the VFE (Viral Filtration Efficiency) standard. Even more preferably, the air discharged from exhaust port 315 is air that meets the PFE (Particle Filtration Efficiency) standard.

[0093] The cover unit 500C covers the dust unit 500. The cover unit 500C is attached so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the front side of the dust unit 500. When the dust box 32 is housed in the main body 31, the outer surface of the cover unit 500C is flush with the outer surface of the main body 31. When the dust box 32 is housed in the main body 31, the cover unit 500C is exposed to the outside of the main body 31. The cover unit 500C includes a dust case cover 510C and a filter unit cover 530C.

[0094] The dust case cover 510C covers the outer peripheral surface on the front side of the dust case 510. The dust case cover 510C is a transparent member. Therefore, dust collected inside the dust case 510 can be seen from the outside of the dust case cover 510C. When the dust box 32 is housed in the main body 31, the dust case cover 510C is exposed to the outside of the main body 31 (see FIG. 5). Furthermore, when the dust box 32 is housed in the main body 31, the outer surface of the dust case cover 510C is flush with the outer surface of the main body 31 (see FIG. 5). The dust case cover 510C is provided with a hook 511C.

[0095] The hook 511C fixes the dust box 32 to the fixing part 312 of the main body part 31 when the dust box 32 is housed in the main body part 31.

[0096] The filter unit cover 530C covers the outer peripheral surface on the front side of the filter unit 530. When the dust box 32 is housed in the main body 31, the filter unit cover 530C is exposed to the outside of the main body 31. When the dust box 32 is housed in the main body 31, the outer surface of the filter unit cover 530C is flush with the outer surface of the main body 31.

[0097] ●Summary● According to the embodiment described above, the dust unit 500 includes a separation unit 520 and a filter unit 530. The separation unit 520 includes an intake pipe 521, a discharge portion 522, a discharge port 5221, and a first filter F1. The filter unit 530 includes ribs 532. The ribs 532 are different from the discharge portion 522 and are disposed more inward than the filter (toward the radial center of the dust case 510). The ribs 532 inhibit (hinder) the air discharged from the discharge port 5221 (discharge portion 522) to the dust case 510 from passing through the first filter F1 before forming a swirling flow. In other words, the ribs 532 encourage the air discharged from the discharge port 5221 (discharge portion 522) to the dust case 510 to form a swirling flow. In other words, the ribs 532 make the force with which the first filter F1 tries to draw in air smaller than the centrifugal force acting outward from the center of the dust case. As a result, before the swirling flow is formed, the air discharged into the dust case 510 is prevented from passing through the first filter F1. In other words, the air discharged into the dust case 510 is centrifuged to separate large dust particles (first dust particles) such as cotton dust and hair from the air from which the first dust particles have been removed.

[0098] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, in the dust unit 500, the centrifugal force of the swirling flow in the swirling path SP separates the air discharged from the discharge portion 522 into the first dust and air from which the first dust has been removed. Next, the air from which the first dust has been removed passes through the first filter F1, where the second dust is removed (collected). The air from which the first dust and second dust have been removed after passing through the first filter F1 passes through the second filter F2, where the third dust is removed (collected). As a result, the air subsequently discharged to the outside of the dust unit 500 contains almost no dust.

[0099] It should be noted that while the vacuum cleaner 1 is in operation, the swirling flow inside the dust case also occurs in the dust collection space DS. For this reason, the dust case may be provided with a shielding member in the dust collection space DS that is connected to the inner circumferential wall and the bottom and stands in the radial direction of the dust case. The shielding member prevents dust that has been collected in the dust collection space DS and accumulated at the bottom of the dust case from continuing to swirl.

[0100] In the above-described embodiment, the intake pipe is housed inside the dust case. That is, the air discharged from the discharge portion is air that has passed through the intake passage arranged inside the dust case. However, the intake pipe of the present invention may be arranged around the dust case or on the outer peripheral wall thereof, and may discharge air from the radially outer side of the dust case toward the inside of the dust case. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1 vacuum cleaner 10 vacuum cleaner heads 11 Head body 110 Suction port 111 Mounting port 112 Suction part 113 Cover body 113a Top cover 113b Side cover 113c side cover 114 First rotating brush 115 Second rotating brush 116 1st Hover Brush 117 Second Hover Brush 118a 1st Caster 118b 2nd Caster 119 Safety Caster 20 Universal joint 30 Vacuum cleaner body 31 Main body 311 Dust box storage area 312 Fixed part 313 Handle detachment part 313h insertion slot 314 Handle attachment 315 Exhaust port 32 Dustbin 40 Handle 41 Gripping part 42 Operation section 500 dust unit 510 dust case 511 Peripheral wall 512 Inner wall 513 Bottom 514 Foot 520 Separation Unit 521 Intake pipe 522 Discharge section 5221 Outlet 523 Peripheral wall 5231 Filter mounting frame 524 Umbrella section 524h aperture 530 Filter Unit 531 Filter Case 532 Rib (obstructing member) 500C Cover Unit 510C Dust Case Cover 511C Hook 530C Filter Unit Cover P1 intake passage P2 exhaust duct F1 First filter (filter) F2 Second filter SP swing circuit DS dust collection space

Claims

1. A dust unit of a vacuum cleaner having a head body placed on a cleaning surface, an intake pipe that forms an intake path through which air containing dust collected from the head body passes; a dust case into which the air that has passed through the intake pipe is discharged; a separation unit that, together with the dust case, forms a swirling path along which the air discharged into the dust case swirls, and separates first dust particles from the dust particles contained in the air swirling along the swirling path; a filter that captures second dust particles contained in the air circulating around the swirl path; an obstructing member that obstructs the air discharged into the dust case from passing through the filter; a second filter configured to capture third dust particles among the dust particles contained in the air from which the first dust particles and the second dust particles that have passed through the filter have been removed; and The intake pipe is a discharge section that discharges the air that has passed through the intake passage into the dust case; Equipped with The obstructing member is a member different from the discharge portion, and is disposed inside the filter and spaced apart from the filter, The air from which the first dust and the second dust have been removed passes through an exhaust path formed by the filter and the second filter and is sent to the second filter, The gap formed between the filter and the obstructing member constitutes a part of the exhaust path, A gap formed between the obstructing member and the intake pipe constitutes another part of the exhaust passage. A dust unit characterized by:

2. The separation unit comprises: a peripheral wall that cooperates with the dust case to swirl the air discharged from the discharge portion; Equipped with The dust case is an outer peripheral wall that swirls the air discharged from the discharge portion in cooperation with the outer peripheral wall; Equipped with The filter is disposed on the peripheral wall, The turning path is formed by the peripheral wall and the outer circumferential wall, The air that has swirled around the swirling path passes through the filter. The dust unit according to claim 1.

3. The intake pipe is housed in the dust case, The peripheral wall is disposed around the discharge portion and on the outer circumferential side of the intake pipe. The dust unit according to claim 2.

4. The discharge section is an outlet for the air that has passed through the intake passage; Equipped with The obstructing member is disposed inside at least one of the filters that is disposed rearward of the exhaust port in the swirling direction of the air swirling through the swirling path. The dust unit according to claim 3.

5. the intake pipe is arranged such that a longitudinal direction of the intake pipe is aligned with an extending direction of the dust case, the obstructing member is disposed inside at least one of the filters that is disposed at the same position as the exhaust port in the longitudinal direction of the intake pipe.

5. The dust unit according to claim 4.

6. a filter case that houses the second filter; and The obstructing member is disposed in the filter case. The dust unit according to claim 1.

7. In the direction in which the intake pipe extends, The length of the obstruction member is shorter than the length of the filter. The dust unit according to claim 1.

8. A vacuum cleaner having a dust unit, The dust unit is the dust unit according to claim 1. A vacuum cleaner characterized by:

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