Articulated vacuum cleaner

Abstract

To provide a connection type vacuum cleaner capable of reducing a load on a worker.SOLUTION: A connection type vacuum cleaner comprises a cleaner main body including: a housing; a suction part having a suction port arranged in the housing; an exhaust port arranged in the housing; a ventilation passage communicating between the suction port and the exhaust port; an electric blower arranged in the ventilation passage; a dust collection part arranged between the suction port and the electric blower in the ventilation passage; and a connection part for removably connecting the housing at a rear position of a mobile body to be moved by power.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A known example of a commercial electric vacuum cleaner is the floor cleaning machine described in Patent Document 1. This floor cleaning machine is a push-type cleaner that the operator pushes a handle located at the rear end to move it and clean the floor. A pair of left and right side brushes located at the front rotate in opposite directions to scrape dust under the main body of the floor cleaning machine, which is then sucked up and collected in an internal dust box. At this time, the floor cleaning machine also sprays cleaning liquid onto the floor surface and rotates a pad to clean the floor, and scrapes up dirty water on the floor surface with a squeegee, sucks it up, and collects it in an internal dirty water tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-268828 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned hand-pushed cleaning machines are large and heavy, and handling them in a large cleaning space places a heavy burden on the worker. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an articulated electric vacuum cleaner that has been made in consideration of the above circumstances. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention provides an articulated electric vacuum cleaner characterized by comprising a vacuum cleaner body including a housing, a suction unit having a suction port provided in the housing, an exhaust port provided in the housing, a ventilation path connecting the suction port and the exhaust port, an electric blower provided in the ventilation path, a dust collecting unit provided in the ventilation path between the suction port and the electric blower, and a connecting part that detachably connects the housing to a rear position of a movable body that can be moved by power. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The articulated vacuum cleaner according to the present invention can clean a floor surface while being towed by a mobile body on which an operator rides. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an articulated electric vacuum cleaner (first embodiment) according to the present invention is connected to a moving body. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic left-side cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of an articulated electric vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic plan view showing a connecting portion of the connecting-type electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic left-side cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion of the connecting-type electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration and operation of a second modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic left-side cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of an articulated electric vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8A] 10 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the switching valve in the articulated electric vacuum cleaner of the second embodiment opens the ventilation passage upstream of the connection port. FIG. [Figure 8B] 10 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the air passage upstream of the connection port is closed by the switching valve in the articulated electric vacuum cleaner of the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a schematic left-side cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration and operation of a first modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which the articulated electric vacuum cleaner of the third embodiment is connected to a moving body. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a schematic left-side cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion of a third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a schematic left-side cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion of a first modified example of the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a view showing a second modified example of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0009] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the state in which an articulated vacuum cleaner (first embodiment) according to the present invention is connected to a movable body, and Fig. 2 is a schematic left-side cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the articulated vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment. In Figs. 1 and 2, arrows indicate the front, rear, left, right, up and down directions when using the movable body and the articulated vacuum cleaner, and the configurations of the movable body and the articulated vacuum cleaner will be explained based on these front, rear, left, right, up and down directions.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the articulated vacuum cleaner 1 (hereinafter referred to as the vacuum cleaner 1) of the first embodiment is connected to a moving body 90 called a balance scooter, and sucks up and cleans dust on a floor surface F while being pulled by the moving body 90. Here, the moving body 90 is a small vehicle equipped with a rotating body (including wheels, crawlers, etc.) for moving that rolls by power on a floor surface F, and on which a user rides in a standing or seated position. Specific examples of the moving body 90 include a balance scooter, a bicycle (including an electric bicycle), an electric scooter, and an electric kickboard.

[0011] In this embodiment, the vehicle 90 is a balance scooter equipped with a running unit 91, a support unit 92 having a lower end connected to the upper surface of a base 91a of the running unit 91, a handle 93 provided at the upper end of the support unit 92, and a display unit 94. The user rides the vehicle in an upright position and can move forward, turn, and stop the vehicle by shifting their own center of gravity. More specifically, the running unit 91 includes a base 91a having a battery and a pair of drive motors (not shown), and a pair of left and right wheels 91b provided on the left and right ends of the base 91a so as to rotate independently by the pair of drive motors. The display unit 94 is a display device that can display the remaining battery charge, speed, etc. Note that the vehicle 90 is not limited to the one shown in FIG. 1 and may be a vehicle with crawler-type rotors, a vehicle with multiple wheels arranged front and rear, a vehicle ridden in a seated position, a vehicle with three or more rotors, etc.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a vacuum cleaner main body 10 including a box-shaped housing 11, a suction unit 12 having a suction port 12a provided in the housing 11, an exhaust port 13 provided in the housing 11, an air duct (unreferenced) connecting the suction port 12a and the exhaust port 13, an electric blower 15 provided in the air duct, a dust collecting unit 16 provided in the air duct between the suction port 12a and the electric blower 15, a control unit (circuit board) 17 capable of controlling the driving and stopping of the electric blower 15, a connecting unit 18 that detachably connects the housing 11 to a rear position of the moving body 90, a pair of left and right wheels 19 rotatably provided on the left and right side surfaces of the housing 11, and a battery 20 that supplies power to the electric blower 15.

[0013] Housing 11 has therein a front space in which suction unit 12 is provided, a rear space in which electric blower 15, control unit 17, and battery 20 are arranged in this order from top to bottom, and an intermediate space in which dust collection unit 16 is provided. Battery 20 may be fixed inside housing 11 or may be detachably attached to housing 11. The intermediate space is open upward so that the dust collecting part 16 can be attached and detached. A front partition wall 11x is provided between the front space and the intermediate space of the housing 11, and a rear partition wall 11y is provided between the intermediate space and the rear space of the housing 11. In addition, an exhaust port 13 is provided in a position facing the electric blower 15 on the rear wall 11g of the housing 11.

[0014] The bottom 11a located in the front space of the housing 11 is provided with a recess 11b for accommodating the upper part of a rotary brush 12b that is rotatable about an axis in the left-right direction. A drive motor (not shown) that rotates and drives the rotary brush 12b, and a power transmission mechanism that transmits power from the drive motor to the rotary brush 12b are provided in the front space of the housing 11. In this embodiment, a pulley and belt mechanism (see FIG. 5) is used as the power transmission mechanism, but it may also be configured with multiple gears.

[0015] In the bottom 11a of the housing 11, a suction port 12a is provided at a position rearward and adjacent to the recess 11b and the rotary brush 12b, and a blade 12c is provided at the rear end of the suction port 12a. In this embodiment, the rotary brush 12b and the blade 12c are components of the suction unit 12 provided to assist in the suction of dust.

[0016] A front communication hole 11xa is provided in the lower part of the front partition wall 11x of the housing 11, and a rear communication hole 11ya is provided in the upper part of the rear partition wall 11y. The rear communication hole 11ya is located in front of the electric blower 15. The suction port 12a and the front communication hole 11xa are connected by a communication pipe 12d, which is one of the components of the suction part 12.

[0017] The ventilation passage is configured to include the inside of the communication pipe 12d, an intermediate space of the housing 11 in which the dust collecting section 16 is provided, and a rear space in which the electric blower 15 is provided. The dust collection unit 16 has a dust collection container 16a having an upper opening, and a filter unit 16b that is detachably attached to the upper opening of the dust collection container 16a.

[0018] An inlet hole 16ax communicating with the front communication hole 11xa of the housing 11 is provided in the peripheral wall of the dust collection container 16a. The filter section 16b has a filter case 16ba having a downward opening, and a filter body 16bb that is detachably housed in the filter case 16a. A discharge hole 16bx communicating with the rear communication hole 11ya of the housing 11 is provided in the peripheral wall of the filter case 16ba, and a handle 16by is provided on the top surface of the filter case 16ba.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a connecting portion of the articulated electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a schematic left sectional view showing the connecting portion of the articulated electric vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the connecting portion 18 has a straight arm portion 18a having a rear end connected to the upper front end of the housing 11, a gripping portion 18b that detachably grips the support portion 92 of the movable body 90, and a horizontal adjustment portion 18c that connects the front end of the arm portion 18a to the gripping portion 18b.

[0020] The gripping portion 18b has an axis portion 18ba extending in the vertical direction, a block portion 18bb ​​provided at the upper end of the axis portion 18ba, a shaft portion 18bc penetrating the block portion 18bb ​​in the left-right direction, and a pair of clamping pieces 18bd attached to both the left and right ends of the shaft portion 18bc. The shaft portion 18bc has an intermediate portion rotatably held by the block portion 18bb, and a pair of male screw portions formed in opposite directions on both the left and right sides of the intermediate portion. The pair of clamping pieces 18bd have screw holes at their rear ends that are screwed into the pair of male screw portions of the shaft portion 18bc. When the shaft portion 18bc is rotated in one direction, the pair of clamping pieces 18bd move closer to each other while remaining substantially parallel, and when the shaft portion 18bc is rotated in the other direction, the pair of clamping pieces 18bd move apart while remaining substantially parallel to each other. This allows the pair of clamping pieces 18bd to grip the support portion 92. Note that anti-slip pads may be provided on the inner surfaces of the front ends of the pair of clamping pieces 18bd that come into contact with the support portion 92.

[0021] A vertical hole 18aa is provided at the front end of the arm portion 18a, and a horizontal adjustment portion 18c is provided on the underside of the front end of the arm portion 18a. The horizontal adjustment portion 18c is connected to the lower part of the shaft portion 18ba of the grip portion 18b, which is inserted from above through the hole 18aa at the front end of the arm portion 18a. This horizontal adjustment portion 18c has, for example, an outer member fixed to the front end of the arm portion 18a and a spherical inner member rotatably provided inside the outer member so as to be connected to the lower part of the shaft portion 18ba, and the outer member and inner member are provided with insertion holes through which the shaft portion 18ba is inserted. Furthermore, the inner member is rotatable in all directions relative to the outer member.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pair of left and right wheels 19 that propel the housing 11 in response to the movement of the moving body 90 in the front-rear and turning directions are arranged on the same axis P in the left-right direction. Furthermore, axis P1 is arranged on the front-rear center of gravity axis P2 of the housing 11, which includes the weight of the connecting portion 18. In this embodiment, the front-rear center of gravity axis P2 is located slightly behind the rear partition wall 11y of the housing 11. This configuration makes it easier for the vacuum cleaner body 10 to maintain horizontal balance when connected to the moving body 90, allowing the rotating brush 12b to contact the floor surface F with an appropriate pressing force. At this time, the connecting portion 18 of the vacuum cleaner body 10 is connected to the support portion 92 of the moving body 90 at a height that allows it to be horizontal. The pair of left and right wheels 19 may be connected to a single axis, and each wheel 19 may rotate independently or in conjunction with each other. Alternatively, each wheel 19 may be connected to a separate axis and rotate independently.

[0023] 4, the present embodiment is provided with a communication unit 30 capable of transmitting cleaner information from the cleaner main body 10 to the mobile object 90. The cleaner information includes information on whether the dust collection unit 16 is full of dust, information on the remaining charge of the battery 20, and information on whether the rotating brush 12b has locked. The full-dust state can be detected by a dust full-state detection sensor provided in the dust collection unit 16, the remaining charge of the battery 20 can be detected by a remaining charge IC, and the locking of the rotating brush 12b can be detected by an increase in the current value of the drive motor.

[0024] The communication unit 30 has a communication cable 31 having one end electrically connected to the control unit 17 in the housing 11, and a vacuum cleaner side connector 32 provided at the other end of the communication cable 31 wired along the connecting portion 18. On the other hand, a mobile body side connector 95 that is electrically and detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner side connector 32 of the communication unit 30 is provided on the support part 92 of the mobile body 90, and the vacuum cleaner information output from the control unit 17 is transmitted to the display part 94 of the mobile body 90 via the communication unit 30 and the mobile body side connector 95, etc., and displayed (see Figure 1).

[0025] Because two-way information communication is possible between vacuum cleaner main body 10 and mobile body 90, control unit 17 can control the driving and stopping of electric blower 15 in the following manner. For example, control unit 17 can control the driving and stopping of electric blower 15 based on detection signals from an acceleration sensor provided on housing 11 or mobile body 90, an encoder on wheels 19 of housing 11 or wheels 91b of mobile body 90, a floor detection sensor provided on bottom 11a of housing 11 or the bottom of base 91a of mobile body 90, etc. Alternatively, the on / off switching of electric blower 15 may be linked to the on / off switching of mobile body 90.

[0026] 1 and 2, with this vacuum cleaner main body 10, when the moving body 90 starts moving, the electric blower 15 of the vacuum cleaner main body 10 and the drive motor (not shown) of the rotating brush 12b are driven, and the vacuum cleaner main body 10 moves along with the moving body 90 while cleaning the floor surface F. At this time, the rotating rotating brush 12b sweeps dust on the floor surface F into the suction port 12a, and the air containing the dust is sucked into the dust collection container 16a of the dust collection unit 16. The air, from which the dust has been removed by passing through the filter main body 16bb, then passes through the electric blower 15 and is discharged to the outside through the exhaust port 13.

[0027] When the mobile body 90 turns left or right or goes over a step, the gripping portion 18b of the connecting portion 18 that connects to the support portion 92 may be displaced or tilted in the vertical direction, but such movement of the gripping portion 18b is absorbed by the horizontal adjustment portion 18c, and the arm portion 18a is maintained horizontal. In addition, the axis P1 of the pair of wheels 19 is located on the front-to-back center of gravity axis P2 of the housing 11, thereby maintaining a balance between the front and back of the housing 11. Therefore, an appropriate load (pressure against the floor surface F) is applied to the rotating brush 12b that slides against the floor surface F. When the moving body 90 stops, the drive motor (not shown) of the electric blower 15 and the rotating brush 12b also stops, which saves energy on the battery 20 and eliminates the operating noise associated with the operation of the electric blower 15, making it easier to perform security duties.

[0028] (Modification 1 of the first embodiment) Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of Modified Example 1 of the first embodiment. The upper diagram in Fig. 5 is a plan view of the state in which the cleaner body 110 of Modified Example 1 is connected to the moving body 90, and the lower diagram in Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the upper diagram. In Fig. 5, elements that are the same as those in Figs. 1 to 4 are given the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 5, the first modification of the first embodiment is generally similar to the first embodiment, except that the configuration of the suction part 112 of the cleaner body 110 is different. In this case, the suction unit 112 includes a pair of left and right suction ports 112a each extending in the left-right direction, a pair of rotating brushes 112b rotatably mounted on the pair of left and right suction ports 112a, a pair of drive motors 112c that rotate and drive the pair of rotating brushes 112b individually, and a pair of power transmission mechanisms 112d that transmit the power of each drive motor 112c to each rotating brush 112b.

[0029] In the first modification, the ventilation path includes a left-side ventilation path section 114a that connects the left suction port 112a of the pair of left and right suction ports 112a with the dust collecting unit 16 (see FIG. 2), and a right-side ventilation path section 114b that connects the right suction port 112a of the pair of left and right suction ports 112a with the dust collecting unit 16. A junction section 114c is provided downstream of the left-side ventilation path section 114a and the right-side ventilation path section 114b where they join together, and the junction section 114c is connected to the dust collecting unit 16. In this case, the cross-sectional area CS1 of the left-side ventilation path section 114a and the cross-sectional area CS2 of the right-side ventilation path section 114b are approximately equal, and the cross-sectional area CS3 of the junction section 114c is approximately equal to the sum of the cross-sectional areas CS1 and CS2. It is preferable that CS3≧CS1+CS2.

[0030] According to this modification 1, the suction port extending in the left-right direction is divided into two, and a rotating brush 112b and a drive motor 112c are provided to correspond to each suction port 112a, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of each rotating brush 112b and each drive motor 112d. As shown by the dotted arrows in the upper diagram of FIG. 5, when the moving body 90 moves forward, dust between the pair of wheels 91b of the moving body 90 is sucked into the pair of suction ports 112a of the moving vacuum cleaner body 110. At this time, dust at the left end of the left suction port 112a is more likely to be sucked in by the suction force from the left ventilation path 114a, and dust at the right end of the right suction port 112a is more likely to be sucked in by the suction force from the right ventilation path 114b. This reduces the likelihood of dust at both ends of each suction port 112a being missed. Dust near the center of each suction port 112a is sucked into either the left ventilation path 114a or the right ventilation path 114b. In the lower diagram of FIG. 5, the arrows indicate the direction in which dust moves as it is sucked into the suction port 112.

[0031] (Modification 2 of the first embodiment) Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration and operation of Modification 2 of the first embodiment. In Fig. 6, the same elements as those in Figs. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 6, the articulated vacuum cleaner according to the second modification of the first embodiment is similar to the first embodiment and its first modification, except that it further includes a wiping attachment 40. The wiping attachment 40 has a plate portion 41 that detachably holds the wiping sheet material S, and an arm portion 42 that connects the plate portion 41 to the rear end of the housing 11. In this case, for example, the wiping sheet material S is attached to one surface of the plate portion 41, and one end of the arm portion 42 is connected to the other surface of the plate portion 41. The wiping sheet material S may be a disposable sheet made of nonwoven fabric, a mop-like sheet that can be washed and reused, a dustcloth, or the like. These sheet materials S are detachably attached by, for example, a plurality of clip-like ribs provided on the outer periphery of the plate portion 41.

[0032] The other end of arm 42 is swingably connected to the rear end surface of housing 11. Therefore, as shown in the upper left drawing in Fig. 6, wiping attachment 40 is configured to be in an unfolded state during wiping so that sheet material S comes into contact with the floor surface, and to be in a folded state during non-wiping so that sheet material S is separated from the floor surface, as shown in the upper right drawing in Fig. 6. The other end of arm 42 is detachably connected to the rear end surface of housing 11. Therefore, as shown in the lower left drawing in Fig. 6, wiping attachment 40 can be removed from housing 11 and the used sheet material S can be replaced with a new sheet material from plate 41. In this way, according to Modification 2, the floor surface from which dust has been sucked and removed can be wiped clean with sheet material S.

[0033] (Modification 3 of the first embodiment) In a third modification of the first embodiment, the vacuum cleaner main body 10 has a power receiving unit for receiving power from the mobile object 90. In this case, the communication unit 30 shown in FIG. 4 may be configured to be able to receive power from the mobile object 90. This configuration makes it possible to obtain a lightweight articulated vacuum cleaner that does not include the battery 20. It is also possible to reduce the cost of the articulated vacuum cleaner. The battery 20 may be provided inside the housing 11. In this case, the power of the battery 20 may be used preferentially, and when the remaining charge of the battery 20 falls below a predetermined value, the power from the mobile object 90 may be used to charge the battery 20 and / or operate the vacuum cleaner main body 10.

[0034] (Second embodiment) Fig. 7 is a schematic left-side cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of an articulated vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment. Fig. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the switching valve in the articulated vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment has opened the ventilation duct upstream of the connection port, and Fig. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the switching valve in the articulated vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment has closed the ventilation duct upstream of the connection port. In Fig. 7, elements that are the same as those in Figs. 1 to 4 are designated by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 7, an articulated vacuum cleaner 201A of the second embodiment is generally similar to that of the first embodiment, except that the following configuration is added to the cleaner body 10 of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the vacuum cleaner main body 210 further includes a connection port 14a provided in the ventilation passage 14 between the suction port 12a and the dust collection section 16, a switching valve 50 for opening and closing the connection port 14a, a handy pipe nozzle section 51 having a base end 51x connected to the connection port 14a, and a nozzle storage section 52 for detachably storing the tip 51y of the handy pipe nozzle section 51.

[0035] The connection port 14a is provided in the vicinity of the dust collecting section 16 on the upper surface of the communication pipe 12d that constitutes the ventilation passage 14. The handy pipe nozzle portion 51 has a connecting pipe portion 51a that extends vertically upward and has a base end 51x connected to the connection port 14a, a flexible hose portion 51b that has a base end connected to the tip (upper end) of the connecting pipe portion 51a, a straight cylindrical nozzle portion 51c that has a base end connected to the tip of the flexible hose portion 51b, a handle 51d provided at the base end of the nozzle portion 51c, and an operation switch portion 51e provided on the handle 51d. The nozzle storage section 52 is a sheath-shaped member with an upward opening, located in the housing 11 at a position forward of the connection pipe section 51a. Its lower end is located near the front of the connection port 14a and is inclined forward from the base end to the upper end. The nozzle storage section 52 is not in communication with the communication pipe 12d. The tip 51y of the handy pipe nozzle section 51 is stored in the nozzle storage section 52 so that the handle 51d faces forward. This makes it easy for the user to grasp the handle 51d when turning around while riding in the vehicle 90.

[0036] 7 to 8B, the switching valve 50 has a left-right shaft 50a rotatably provided on the bottom of the nozzle storage section 52, a valve body 50b that can rotate integrally with the shaft 50a, a swing piece 50c that can rotate integrally with the shaft 50a, and a biasing member (not shown). In this embodiment, a torsion coil spring attached to the shaft 50a is used as the biasing member. 8B, when the tip 51y of the handy pipe nozzle part 51 is pulled out from the nozzle storage part 52, the swinging piece 50c of the switching valve 50 protrudes at an angle within the nozzle storage part 52. At this time, the valve body 50b of the switching valve 50 is biased by the biasing member in a direction that blocks the upstream side of the connection port 14a of the ventilation passage 14 (communicating pipe 12d) in the airflow direction.

[0037] 7 and 8A, when the tip 51y of the handy pipe nozzle part 51 is stored in the nozzle storage part 52, the tip 51y of the handy pipe nozzle part 51 presses the oscillating piece 50c of the switching valve 50 against the bottom of the nozzle storage part 52 against the biasing force of the biasing member. At this time, the valve body 50b of the switching valve 50 blocks the connection port 14a from below within the ventilation passage 14. In this way, the switching valve 50 operates by inserting or removing the tip 51y of the handy pipe nozzle part 51 into or from the nozzle storage part 52. In other words, the articulated electric vacuum cleaner 201A of the second embodiment is configured so that when the tip 51y of the handy pipe nozzle part 51 is removed from the nozzle storage part 52, the connection port 14a is opened and the ventilation passage 14 upstream of the connection port 14a is closed, and when the tip 51y of the handy pipe nozzle part 51 is stored in the nozzle storage part 52, the connection port 14a is closed and the ventilation passage 14 upstream of the connection port 14a is opened.

[0038] The operation switch section 51e has a push button switch (not shown) that switches between ON and OFF each time it is pressed, and is electrically connected to the control section 17 via a signal line (not shown). In the second embodiment, control unit 17 drives or stops electric blower 15 and the drive motor (not shown) of rotating brush 12b in accordance with the driving or stopping of moving body 90 (see FIG. 1), as in the first embodiment. In addition, in the second embodiment, when electric blower 15 is stopped, control unit 17 can drive electric blower 15 by turning on operation switch unit 51e.

[0039] Therefore, when cleaning a corner or narrow space that the vacuum cleaner body 110 cannot reach while moving the movable body 90 and the vacuum cleaner body 110, the user stops the movable body 90 and temporarily halts the operation of the vacuum cleaner body 110. Next, the user holds the handy pipe nozzle unit 51 and removes the tip 51y from the nozzle storage unit 52 (see FIG. 8B), turns on the operation switch unit 51e, and drives the electric blower 15. Then, by bringing the nozzle opening 51ca of the tip 51y of the handy pipe nozzle unit 51 close to the corner or narrow space, dust is sent to the dust collecting unit 16 through the handy pipe nozzle unit 51, the connection port 14a, and the communicating pipe 12d and captured there. Thereafter, the operation switch unit 51e is turned off, and the tip 51y of the handy pipe nozzle unit 51 is returned to the nozzle storage unit 52 (see FIGS. 7 and 8A), and the user cleans the floor surface F while moving the movable body 90 and the vacuum cleaner body 110.

[0040] (Modification 1 of the second embodiment) Fig. 9 is a schematic left-side cross-sectional view showing Modification 1 of the second embodiment, and Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration and operation of Modification 1 of the second embodiment. In Figs. 9 and 10, elements similar to those in Fig. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. 9 and 10, articulated vacuum cleaner 201B of modified example 1 of the second embodiment has, in addition to the configuration of articulated vacuum cleaner 201A of the second embodiment, a handy pipe nozzle section 251 that further includes suction attachment 53 that is slidable along the longitudinal direction of the outer periphery of nozzle section 51c and that is detachably attached to nozzle opening 51ca of nozzle section 51c, and a collection collection box (not shown) that is attached to housing 11. Note that collection box is fixed, for example, to a position behind dust collection section 16 on the top surface of housing 11 (a position above electric blower 15).

[0041] The suction attachment 53 has a cylindrical attachment body 53a, a filter 53b provided at the suction port of the attachment body 53a, and a pair of protrusions 53c provided on the side of the attachment body 53a opposite the suction port (filter 53b). The filter 53b may be made of a sponge, nonwoven fabric, mesh, lattice, or the like. A soft rubber rib may be provided around the filter 53b made of the sponge, nonwoven fabric, mesh, lattice, or the like. The attachment body 53a has a bifurcated portion on the side opposite to the suction port (filter 53b), and a pair of protrusions 53c is provided on the inner surface of the bifurcated portion. Additionally, a groove (not shown) is provided on the outer periphery of the nozzle portion 51c along the longitudinal direction. This groove receives the pair of protrusions 53c so that the pair can slide longitudinally. Therefore, the nozzle portion 51c is sandwiched between the forked portions of the attachment body 53a.

[0042] According to the handy pipe nozzle portion 251 of variant example 1, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the nozzle portion 51c is stored in the nozzle storage portion 52, the suction attachment 53 is positioned above the housing 11 of the nozzle portion 51c. The suction attachment 53 is used to adsorb solid objects Q (for example, dropped items such as handkerchiefs or gloves) on the floor surface F to prevent them from being sucked into the nozzle portion 51c, and can be set as follows: First, the nozzle portion 51c is pulled out of the nozzle storage portion 52, and then the suction attachment 53 is slid toward the nozzle opening 51ca of the nozzle portion 51c, and the attachment body 53a is rotated around the pair of protrusions 53c as an axis to attach it to the nozzle opening 51ca.

[0043] When the operation switch 51e is turned on, a negative pressure is created inside the nozzle 51c, and when the filter 53b of the suction attachment 53 is brought close to the solid object Q, the solid object Q is adsorbed to the filter 53b by suction. In this adsorbed state, the solid object Q can be picked up, peeled off from the filter 53b, and collected in a collection box (not shown), so the user does not need to continue working while holding the solid object Q in their hand.

[0044] (Modification 2 of the second embodiment) The operation switch unit 51e of the handy pipe nozzle unit 51, 251 in the second embodiment and its first modified example may be omitted, and, for example, the operation of the switching valve 50 may be detected by a microswitch, and the ON / OFF control of the electric blower 15 may be performed by the control unit 17. In this case, as shown in Fig. 8B, when the valve body 50b closes the ventilation passage 14 upstream of the connection port 14a and opens the connection port 14a, the electric blower 15, which is in a stopped state, is driven (turned ON), and thereafter, when the valve body 50b closes the connection port 14a and opens the ventilation passage 14, the electric blower 15 is stopped (turned OFF).

[0045] (Third embodiment) Fig. 11 is a plan view showing the state in which the articulated electric vacuum cleaner of the third embodiment is connected to the movable body, and Fig. 12 is a schematic left sectional view showing the connecting portion of the third embodiment. In Figs. 11 and 12, the same elements as those in Figs. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals. 11 and 12, the articulated electric vacuum cleaner 301 of the third embodiment includes a vacuum cleaner main body and a brush unit 60. The vacuum cleaner main body can be selected from the first embodiment, the second embodiment, or modifications thereof, and FIG. 11 illustrates the vacuum cleaner main body 10 of the first embodiment.

[0046] The brush unit 60 is connected to the connecting portion 18 of the vacuum cleaner body 10 and is disposed in a position forward of the wheels 91b of the movable body 90. In the present embodiment, the brush unit 60 includes a brush base 61 disposed in front of a base 91a of the movable body 90, a pair of side brushes 62 provided on the left and right ends of the brush base 61, a drive motor (not shown) provided within the brush base 61 to drive and rotate the pair of side brushes 62, a power transmission mechanism (not shown) that transmits the power of the drive motor to the pair of side brushes 62, a connecting portion 63 that connects the brush base 61 to the vacuum cleaner body 10, and a power receiving portion 64 that receives power from the movable body 90.

[0047] Each side brush 62 has a vertical shaft portion rotatably held on the brush base 61 and a disk-shaped brush provided at the lower end of the shaft portion protruding from the brush base 61. At this time, the brush of the left side brush 62 is positioned in front of the left wheel 91b of the movable body 90, and the brush of the right side brush 62 is positioned in front of the right wheel 91b of the movable body 90. The pair of side brushes 62 may be powered by two corresponding drive motors, or may be driven by a single drive motor. However, in a plan view, the left side brush 62 rotates clockwise and the right side brush 62 rotates counterclockwise (see FIG. 11). The power transmission mechanism can be configured with a pulley and belt mechanism or multiple gears.

[0048] The connecting portion 63 has an arm portion 63a swingably connected to the brush base 61, and a connecting shaft 63b that connects the arm portion 63a to a pair of clamping pieces 18bd of the connecting portion 18 of the vacuum cleaner body 10. Note that the brush base 61 may be suspended by adjusting the angle of the arm portion 63a, thereby allowing each side brush 62 to slide on the floor surface with an appropriate pressure. The power receiving unit 64 has a power receiving cable 64a having one end electrically connected to the drive motor in the brush base 61, and a brush unit side connector 64b provided at the other end of the power receiving cable 64a wired along the arm portion 63a. In this case, a mobile body side connector 95 is provided on the front surface of the support portion 92 of the mobile body 90, and the brush unit side connector 64b is electrically connected to the mobile body side connector 95. This allows power to be supplied from a battery (not shown) of the mobile body 90 to the drive motor of the brush unit 60. Note that a control unit may be provided in the brush unit 60, and operation information from the mobile body 90 may be sent to the control unit via the power receiving unit 64, and the control unit may control the driving and stopping of the drive motor in accordance with the driving and stopping of the mobile body 90.

[0049] According to the articulated electric vacuum cleaner 301 of the third embodiment, the left and right side brushes 62 of the brush unit 60 collect dust in front of the left and right wheels 91b of the moving body 90 toward the space between them. This makes it possible to collect dust from a wide area equal to or greater than the left-right width of the moving body 90, and also prevents the left and right wheels 91b from stepping on dust and causing it to stick to the floor surface, allowing the collected dust to be efficiently collected by the vacuum cleaner body 10.

[0050] (Modification 1 of the third embodiment) Fig. 13 is a schematic left-side cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion of Modification 1 of Embodiment 3. In Fig. 13, the same elements as those in Fig. 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in variant 1 of the third embodiment in Figure 13, the brush unit side connector 64b may be electrically connected to the vacuum cleaner side connector 18x of the power transmission unit provided in the vacuum cleaner main body, and power may be received from the battery 20 (see Figure 2) of the vacuum cleaner main body 10 to drive the drive motor of the brush unit 60.

[0051] (Modification 2 of the third embodiment) Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the third embodiment, which corresponds to Fig. 11. In Fig. 14, the same elements as those in Fig. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in Fig. 14, the brush unit 160 of the second modification has an obstacle detection sensor 65 that is provided at the front end of the brush base 61 and detects obstacles. Fig. 14 shows an example in which three obstacle detection sensors 65 are provided in the left and right directions. The obstacle detection sensors 65 may be ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors, or the like. According to the second modification, when obstacle detection sensor 65 detects an obstacle ahead, it outputs an obstacle detection signal. Therefore, by transmitting the obstacle detection signal to moving body 90, moving body 90 and articulated vacuum cleaner 401 can be slowed down or stopped, thereby ensuring safety.

[0052] (Modification 3 of the third embodiment) The pair of side brushes 62 may be roller brushes that rotate around a horizontal axis. In this case, the horizontal axis of each side brush faces the front-to-rear direction in a plan view, and the distance between their rear ends is narrower than the distance between their front ends. This also prevents the left and right wheels 91b from stepping on dust and sticking it to the floor.

[0053] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment and the modifications thereof may be configured as follows. If the vacuum cleaner is configured to be operated by power supplied from a mobile object, the power supply to the vacuum cleaner may be stopped at will by operating the mobile object. In this case, the control unit on the vacuum cleaner that controls the start and stop of the electric blower may be omitted. Communication between the vacuum cleaner body and the mobile object may be performed wirelessly. The dust collection section may be a paper bag type or a cyclone type. A mobile terminal such as a smartphone may be used instead of the display unit of the mobile object, and communication may be performed between the mobile terminal and the vacuum cleaner. In this case, the mobile terminal may be attached to the mobile object. In a vacuum cleaner body equipped with a handy pipe nozzle (see FIGS. 7 and 9), the switching valve 50 may be omitted. In this case, when the tip 51y of the nozzle portion 51c is stored in the nozzle storage portion 52, the tip opening of the nozzle portion 51c is blocked by the bottom of the nozzle storage portion 52, so the suction force of the suction port 12a is maintained. Also, when the tip 51y of the nozzle portion 51c is removed from the nozzle storage portion 52, suction force can be obtained from both the tip opening of the nozzle portion 51c and the suction port 12a. Instead of a pair of wheels on the left and right sides of the vacuum cleaner body, a sliding member such as a raised cloth that is less likely to scratch the floor surface may be provided on the bottom of the casing.

[0054] (summary) As mentioned above, (1) The articulated electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a vacuum cleaner body including a housing, a suction unit having a suction port provided in the housing, an exhaust port provided in the housing, an air passage connecting the suction port and the exhaust port, an electric blower provided in the air passage, a dust collecting unit provided in the air passage between the suction port and the electric blower, and a connecting part that detachably connects the housing to a rear position of a movable body that can be moved by power.

[0055] According to this configuration, for example, by connecting the articulated vacuum cleaner of the present invention to a mobile vehicle (a so-called balance scooter) used for security at airports, large shopping malls, etc., it can be used as a riding-type vacuum cleaner or for cleaning while performing security duties. In this case, the worker can clean while towing the articulated vacuum cleaner from the mobile vehicle on which he or she is riding, thereby reducing the burden of the cleaning work on the worker. Furthermore, compared to conventional large, push-type cleaning machines (see, for example, Patent Document 1), the introduction cost can be reduced and the machine can be made more maneuverable and highly mobile, enabling cleaning of a wide area. Furthermore, by detaching the articulated vacuum cleaner from the mobile unit, the mobile unit can be used alone, and by combining the mobile unit with the articulated vacuum cleaner, the range of use of the mobile unit is expanded and the operating rate is increased.

[0056] Furthermore, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. (2) When the housing in a traveling state stops, the electric blower in a driving state may be switched to a stopped state. With this configuration, for example, when the mobile unit is parked or when the worker temporarily stops the mobile unit, the articulated vacuum cleaner is not required to operate and can be automatically stopped. This saves energy on the battery that supplies power to the electric blower, and also makes it easier to perform security duties since there is no operating noise associated with the operation of the electric blower. Detection of the stoppage of the housing in a moving state can be achieved, for example, by an acceleration sensor provided on the housing or the moving body, an encoder provided on the wheels of the housing or the moving body, interlocking the ON / OFF of the moving body when the control unit is electrically connected to the moving body, etc. In these cases, it is also possible to detect the movement of the housing from a stopped state.

[0057] (3) The housing may have a communication unit for transmitting cleaner information to the mobile body that can be displayed on a display unit provided on the mobile body. With this configuration, vacuum cleaner information including, for example, information on whether the dust collection section is full of dust, information on the remaining battery charge, and information on whether the rotating brush is locked if a rotating brush is provided, can be displayed in a timely manner on the display section of the mobile body, allowing the operator to quickly perform the necessary work based on the vacuum cleaner information.

[0058] (4) The cleaner body may include a power receiving unit for receiving power from the moving object. This configuration makes it possible to obtain a lightweight articulated vacuum cleaner that does not have a battery installed, and also reduces the cost of the articulated vacuum cleaner.

[0059] (5) The vacuum cleaner body further includes a pair of left and right wheels that move the housing in accordance with the forward and backward and turning movements of the moving body, The pair of left and right wheels are arranged on the same axis in the left-right direction, The axis may be located on the front-to-rear center of gravity axis of the housing. This configuration makes it easier to maintain the horizontal balance of the vacuum cleaner body connected to the moving body, so that when a rotating brush is provided at the bottom of the housing, the rotating brush can be brought into contact with the floor surface with an appropriate pressing force.

[0060] (6) The vacuum cleaner body may further include a wiping attachment provided at the rear end of the housing to detachably hold a wiping sheet material. With this configuration, the floor surface can be continuously wiped clean after the dust has been sucked in through the suction port.

[0061] (7) The wiping attachment may be configured to be in an unfolded state during wiping so that the wiping sheet material comes into contact with the floor surface, and to be in a folded state during non-wiping so that the wiping sheet material is spaced away from the floor surface. With this configuration, the wiping attachment provided at the rear end of the housing can be easily switched between the unfolded state and the folded state, allowing the worker to easily set up wiping.

[0062] (8) The suction unit may include a pair of left and right suction ports extending in the left-right direction, a pair of rotating brushes rotatably mounted on the pair of left and right suction ports, and a pair of drive motors that individually correspond to and rotate the pair of rotating brushes. According to this configuration, the suction port extending in the left-right direction is divided into two, and a rotating brush and a drive motor are provided corresponding to each suction port, so that each rotating brush and each drive motor can be made smaller.

[0063] (9) The ventilation passage may have a left-side ventilation passage section that connects the left suction port of the pair of left and right suction ports to the dust collection section, and a right-side ventilation passage section that connects the right suction port of the pair of left and right suction ports to the dust collection section. With this configuration, dust at the left end of the left suction port is more likely to be sucked in by the suction force from the left ventilation duct, and dust at the right end of the right suction port is more likely to be sucked in by the suction force from the right ventilation duct, thereby reducing the amount of dust left behind at both ends of each suction port.

[0064] (10) The vacuum cleaner body further includes a connection port provided in a portion of the ventilation passage between the suction port and the dust collecting unit, a switching valve for opening and closing the connection port, a handy pipe nozzle unit having a base end connected to the connection port, and a nozzle storage unit for detachably storing the tip of the handy pipe nozzle unit, The switching valve may be configured to open the connection port and close the ventilation passage upstream of the connection port when the tip of the handy pipe nozzle portion is removed from the nozzle storage portion, and to close the connection port and open the ventilation passage upstream of the connection port when the tip of the handy pipe nozzle portion is stored in the nozzle storage portion. With this configuration, when the electric blower is running, the operator can remove the tip of the handy pipe nozzle from the nozzle storage compartment and use it to vacuum up dust on the floor. This allows the handy pipe nozzle to clean narrow corners that the housing cannot reach. In this case, the ventilation passage upstream of the connection port is closed, so the suction power of the handy pipe nozzle does not decrease. Furthermore, when the tip of the handy pipe nozzle is stored in the nozzle storage compartment, the suction power of the handy pipe nozzle decreases and the suction power of the suction port returns, allowing the blower to return to moving the housing for cleaning.

[0065] (11) The handy pipe nozzle part has a cylindrical nozzle part provided at the tip, and a suction attachment that is slidable along the longitudinal direction of the outer periphery of the nozzle part and is detachably provided at the nozzle opening of the nozzle part, The suction attachment attached to the nozzle opening may be configured to be able to suck solid objects on a floor surface by suction force. With this configuration, when an object is found dropped on the floor, the worker can bring the suction attachment attached to the nozzle of the handy pipe nozzle close to the object and pick it up.

[0066] (12) The vacuum cleaner body may further include a collection box provided in the housing. According to this configuration, when an item is found on the floor, the worker can pick it up by hand or pick it up by suction with the suction attachment attached to the nozzle part of the handy pipe nozzle part, and store it in the collection box.

[0067] (13) The moving body may further include a brush unit that is connected to the connecting portion and disposed in front of a rotating body for movement that rolls on the floor surface of the moving body. With this configuration, the brush unit can scrape up dust in front of the rotating body (e.g., wheel) of the moving body and guide it to the suction port. This prevents the rotating body of the moving body from trampling on the dust, causing it to stick to the floor surface and making it impossible to remove by suction, allowing for neat and efficient cleaning.

[0068] (14) The brush unit may have an obstacle detection sensor provided at the front end thereof for detecting an obstacle. With this configuration, when the obstacle detection sensor detects an obstacle ahead, it outputs an obstacle detection signal. Therefore, by transmitting the obstacle detection signal to the mobile body, the mobile body and the articulated vacuum cleaner can be slowed down or stopped, thereby ensuring safety.

[0069] (15) The brush unit may further include a power receiving unit for receiving power from the cleaner body or the moving object. This configuration makes it possible to obtain a lightweight brush unit that does not include a battery, and also reduces the cost of the brush unit.

[0070] (16) The connecting portion may have an arm portion having a rear end connected to the housing, a gripping portion that detachably grips a support portion provided on the movable body, and a horizontal adjustment portion that connects the front end of the arm portion to the gripping portion. According to this configuration, the articulated vacuum cleaner can be applied to any moving object having a support column.

[0071] Preferred aspects of the present invention also include combinations of any of the above-mentioned aspects. In addition to the above-described embodiment, various modifications of the present invention are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as not falling within the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include all modifications within the scope of the claims and the equivalent meanings thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1, 201A, 201B, 301, 401: linked electric vacuum cleaner, 10, 110, 210: vacuum cleaner body, 11: housing, 11a: bottom, 11b: recess, 11x: front partition, 11xa: front communicating hole, 11y: rear partition, 11ya: rear communicating hole, 12, 112: suction part, 12a, 112a: suction port, 12b, 112b: rotating brush, 12c: blade, 12d: communicating pipe, 13: exhaust port, 14: ventilation duct, 14a: connection port, 15: electric blower, 16: dust collecting part, 16a: dust collecting container, 16ax: inlet hole, 16b: filter part, 16ba: filter case, 16bb: filter body, 16bx: discharge hole, 16by: handle, 17: control unit (circuit board), 18: connecting portion, 18a: arm portion, 18aa: hole portion, 18b: grip portion, 18ba: shaft portion, 18bb: block portion, 18bc: shaft portion, 18bd: clamping piece, 18c: level adjustment portion, 18x: vacuum cleaner side connector, 19: wheels, 20: battery, 30: communication portion, 31: communication cable, 32: vacuum cleaner side connector, 40: wiping attachment, 41: plate portion, 42: arm portion, 50: switching valve, 50a: shaft portion, 50b: valve body, 50c: swing piece, 51, 251: handy pipe nozzle portion, 51a: connecting pipe portion, 51b: flexible hose portion, 51c: nozzle portion, 51ca: nozzle opening, 51d: Handle, 51e: Operation switch section, 51x: Base end, 52: Nozzle storage section, 53: Suction attachment, 53a: Attachment body, 53b: Filter, 53c: Convex section, 60, 160: Brush unit, 61: Brush base, 62: Side brush, 63: Connection section, 63a: Arm section, 63b: Connection shaft, 64: Power receiving section, 64a: Power receiving cable, 64b: Brush unit side connector, 65: Obstacle detection sensor, 90: Moving body, 91: Travel section, 91a: Base, 91b: Wheels, 92: Support section, 93: Handle, 94: Display section, 95: Moving body side connector, 112c: Drive motor, 112d: Power transmission mechanism, 114a: Left side ventilation duct section, 114b: Right side ventilation tract, 114c: Merging section, CS1, CS2, CS3: Cross-sectional area, F: Floor surface, P1: Axial center, P2: Front and rear center of gravity axis, Q: Solid object, S: Wiping sheet material

Claims

1. a vacuum cleaner body including a housing, a suction unit having a suction port provided in the housing, an exhaust port provided in the housing, a ventilation path connecting the suction port and the exhaust port, an electric blower provided in the ventilation path, a dust collecting unit provided in the ventilation path between the suction port and the electric blower, and a connecting part that detachably connects the housing to a rear position of a movable body that can be moved by power, The vacuum cleaner body further includes a pair of left and right wheels that move the housing in accordance with the forward and backward movement and the turning movement of the moving body, The pair of left and right wheels are arranged on the same axis in the left-right direction, The articulated vacuum cleaner is characterized in that the axis is disposed on the front-to-rear center of gravity axis of the housing.

2. The articulated electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the electric blower is switched from a driven state to a stopped state when the housing is stopped in a traveling state.

3. 3. The articulated electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a communication section for transmitting to the mobile body vacuum cleaner information that can be displayed on a display section provided on the mobile body.

4. 4. The articulated electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner body has a power receiving section for receiving power from the moving object.

5. 5. The articulated vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner body further comprises a wiping attachment provided at a rear end of the housing for removably holding a wiping sheet material.

6. 6. The articulated vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the wiping attachment is configured to be in an unfolded state during wiping so as to bring the wiping sheet into contact with the floor surface, and to be in a folded state during non-wiping so as to separate the wiping sheet from the floor surface.

7. The articulated electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the suction unit comprises a pair of left and right suction ports each extending in the left-right direction, a pair of rotating brushes rotatably provided in the pair of left and right suction ports, and a pair of drive motors that individually correspond to and drive the pair of rotating brushes.

8. 8. The articulated electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, wherein the ventilation passage has a left-side ventilation passage section that connects the left suction port of the pair of left and right suction ports to the dust collecting unit, and a right-side ventilation passage section that connects the right suction port of the pair of left and right suction ports to the dust collecting unit.

9. The vacuum cleaner body further includes a connection port provided in a portion of the ventilation passage between the suction port and the dust collecting unit, a switching valve for opening and closing the connection port, a handy pipe nozzle unit having a base end connected to the connection port, and a nozzle storage unit for detachably storing a tip of the handy pipe nozzle unit, The articulated electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the switching valve is configured to open the connection port and close the ventilation passage upstream of the connection port when the tip of the handy pipe nozzle part is removed from the nozzle storage part, and to close the connection port and open the ventilation passage upstream of the connection port when the tip of the handy pipe nozzle part is stored in the nozzle storage part.

10. The handy pipe nozzle portion has a cylindrical nozzle portion provided at the tip, and a suction attachment that is slidable along the longitudinal direction of the outer periphery of the nozzle portion and is detachably provided at the nozzle opening of the nozzle portion, 10. The articulated vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the suction attachment attached to the nozzle opening is capable of suctioning solid objects on a floor surface by suction force.

11. The articulated vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the vacuum cleaner body further comprises a collection box provided in the housing.

12. The articulated electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a brush unit that is connected to the connecting portion and is arranged in a position forward of a rotating body for movement that rolls on the floor surface of the moving body.

13. 13. The articulated vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, wherein the brush unit has an obstacle detection sensor provided at a front end thereof for detecting an obstacle.

14. The articulated vacuum cleaner according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the brush unit further comprises a power receiving section for receiving power from the vacuum cleaner body or the moving object.

15. The articulated electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the connecting portion has an arm portion having a rear end connected to the housing, a grip portion that detachably grips a support portion provided on the movable body, and a horizontal adjustment portion that connects the front end of the arm portion and the grip portion.

16. A vacuum cleaner body including a housing, a suction unit having a suction port provided in the housing, an exhaust port provided in the housing, a ventilation path connecting the suction port and the exhaust port, an electric blower provided in the ventilation path, a dust collecting unit provided between the suction port and the electric blower in the ventilation path, and a connecting part for detachably connecting the housing to a rear position of a mobile body that can be moved by power, The articulated electric vacuum cleaner, wherein the housing has a communication unit for transmitting vacuum cleaner information to the mobile body that can be displayed on a display unit provided on the mobile body.

17. A vacuum cleaner body including a housing, a suction unit having a suction port provided in the housing, an exhaust port provided in the housing, a ventilation path connecting the suction port and the exhaust port, an electric blower provided in the ventilation path, a dust collection unit provided between the suction port and the electric blower in the ventilation path, and a connecting part for detachably connecting the housing to a rear position of a mobile body that can be moved by power, an articulated electric vacuum cleaner, characterized in that the suction unit comprises a pair of left and right suction ports extending in the left-right direction, a pair of rotating brushes rotatably provided in the pair of left and right suction ports, and a pair of drive motors that individually correspond to and rotate the pair of rotating brushes.

18. A vacuum cleaner body including a housing, a suction unit having a suction port provided in the housing, an exhaust port provided in the housing, a ventilation path connecting the suction port and the exhaust port, an electric blower provided in the ventilation path, a dust collecting unit provided between the suction port and the electric blower in the ventilation path, and a connecting part for detachably connecting the housing to a rear position of a mobile body that can be moved by power, The vacuum cleaner body further includes a connection port provided in a portion of the ventilation passage between the suction port and the dust collecting unit, a switching valve for opening and closing the connection port, a handy pipe nozzle unit having a base end connected to the connection port, and a nozzle storage unit for detachably storing a tip of the handy pipe nozzle unit, The switching valve is configured to open the connection port and close the ventilation passage upstream of the connection port when the tip of the handy pipe nozzle part is removed from the nozzle storage part, and to close the connection port and open the ventilation passage upstream of the connection port when the tip of the handy pipe nozzle part is stored in the nozzle storage part.

19. A vacuum cleaner body including a housing, a suction unit having a suction port provided in the housing, an exhaust port provided in the housing, a ventilation path connecting the suction port and the exhaust port, an electric blower provided in the ventilation path, a dust collection unit provided between the suction port and the electric blower in the ventilation path, and a connecting part for detachably connecting the housing to a rear position of a mobile body that can be moved by power, The articulated vacuum cleaner, wherein the vacuum cleaner body further comprises a collection box provided in the housing.

20. A vacuum cleaner body including a housing, a suction unit having a suction port provided in the housing, an exhaust port provided in the housing, a ventilation path connecting the suction port and the exhaust port, an electric blower provided in the ventilation path, a dust collecting unit provided between the suction port and the electric blower in the ventilation path, and a connecting part for detachably connecting the housing to a rear position of a mobile body that can be moved by power, The articulated electric vacuum cleaner further comprises a brush unit connected to the connecting portion and disposed in front of a rotating body for moving the moving body and rolling on a floor surface.

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