vacuum cleaner

Abstract

To achieve a vacuum cleaner capable of properly performing cleaning with the use of suction force by an electric blower and cleaning with the use of rotation of a rotary brush.SOLUTION: A vacuum cleaner 10 comprises: a cleaner body 20 including an electric blower 22 and a first dust collection part 24; and a suction tool 40 including a suction port 62, a second dust collection part 50, a drive part 48, and a rotary cleaning body 46. The cleaner body 20, an extension pipe 90, and the suction tool 40 are connected to constitute the vacuum cleaner. A plurality of modes include: a first mode for driving a cleaning body drive part 48 while driving of the electric blower 22 is stopped; and a second mode for driving the electric blower 22 and the cleaning body drive part 48.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, there has been provided a vacuum cleaner that includes a rotating brush, an electric motor that drives the rotating brush, a transmission device that transmits the power of the electric motor to the rotating brush, and a dust collection box with a dust inlet on the surface facing the rotating brush, with an opening on the underside of the rotating brush.If the vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured so that the dust collection box is provided inside the main body along with the rotating brush and the electric motor, and no electric blower is provided, there is no sound generated by driving the electric blower, making it possible to reduce noise during cleaning. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Jikko No. 53-134769 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a vacuum cleaner is configured without an electric blower that generates suction power, as in the vacuum cleaner of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that it is difficult to take in dust adhering to a rug or carpet into the main body.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electric vacuum cleaner that can selectively use cleaning by utilizing the suction force of an electric blower and cleaning by rotating a rotary brush. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention provides an electric vacuum cleaner that solves the above-mentioned problems, and comprises an electric blower that generates suction force, a dust collection section that collects dust, an inlet for sucking in dust, and a rotating cleaning body that rotates by driving a drive section, wherein the dust collection section has a first dust collection section and a second dust collection section that is arranged on the inlet side of the first dust collection section in the path connecting the first dust collection section and the inlet, and is characterized in that it is switchable between one of a plurality of operating modes, including a first mode in which the drive section is driven with the electric blower stopped, and a second mode in which the electric blower is driven.

[0007] The vacuum cleaner of the present invention can be used in a first mode by rotating the rotary cleaning body to clean without generating driving noise from the electric blower by driving the drive unit while the electric blower is stopped. The vacuum cleaner of the present invention also has a dust collecting unit that includes a first dust collecting unit and a second dust collecting unit disposed closer to the suction port than the first dust collecting unit. Therefore, when the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is operated in the first mode in which suction force is not generated by the electric blower, dust collected by the rotation of the rotary cleaning body can be collected in the second dust collecting unit.

[0008] On the other hand, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can also perform cleaning using the suction force of the electric blower by driving the electric blower in the second mode. The vacuum cleaner of the present invention also includes a second dust collecting section on the suction port side of the first dust collecting section. Therefore, in the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, dust collected in the second dust collecting section by operation in the first mode can be collected in the first dust collecting section by the suction force of the electric blower in the second mode.

[0009] As described above, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention has a dust collecting section that includes a first dust collecting section and a second dust collecting section, and is operable in a plurality of modes including a first mode and a second mode, thereby enabling the vacuum cleaner of the present invention to selectively use cleaning that utilizes the suction force of the electric blower and cleaning that utilizes the rotation of the rotary brush. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an electric vacuum cleaner that can selectively use cleaning that utilizes the suction force of an electric blower and cleaning that utilizes the rotation of a rotary brush. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a suction tool provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the suction tool of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the suction tool shown in FIG. 2 along the line AA. [Figure 5] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the suction tool shown in FIG. 2, taken along line BB. [Figure 6] 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a second dust collecting section and a dust removing section are removed from the suction tool of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view showing the X portion of the suction tool in the state of FIG. 6 as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 8] 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the suction tool in the state shown in FIG. 3 in an exploded state. [Figure 9] 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the suction tool of FIG. 2 as viewed from the bottom side. FIG. [Figure 10] 3(a) and 3(b) are exploded perspective views showing a rotary cleaning body and a cleaning body drive mechanism provided in the suction tool shown in FIG. 2, respectively. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting structure of the cleaning element drive mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a dust removal unit. [Figure 13] 3 is a perspective view showing the suction tool and the extension pipe of FIG. 2 as viewed from the bottom side. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] 15 is a plan view showing the support device of FIG. 14 as viewed from the Y direction. FIG. [Figure 16] 1 is a perspective view showing the cleaner body as viewed from below; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An electric vacuum cleaner 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the accompanying drawings are a schematic illustration of each part of the electric vacuum cleaner 10, and the sizes are not necessarily drawn to exact proportions. In addition, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals throughout the drawings. Furthermore, in this specification, terms indicating positional relationships such as up / down, left / right, front / back, etc. will be described based on the state in which the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is installed upright, as shown in FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified. In the following description, the configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 will be described first, followed by the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 10.

[0013] <Configuration of the 10-inch vacuum cleaner> As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 10 is an example of a stick-shaped (vertical) vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 10 can be powered by an external power source via a power cord, for example, but in this embodiment, it is a rechargeable vacuum cleaner. As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 10 includes a vacuum cleaner main body 20, a suction tool 40, and an extension tube 90. The vacuum cleaner 10 is combined with a separately provided support device 300 to form a vacuum cleaner system S. The vacuum cleaner 10 can be installed in a state supported by the support device 300. Note that "installation" is not limited to the user's operation of supporting the vacuum cleaner 10 on the support device 10 if the vacuum cleaner 10 is a stick type or canister type. It can also include the operation of the vacuum cleaner 10 traveling independently and connecting to the support device 300 if the vacuum cleaner 10 is a robot vacuum cleaner. The configuration of each component will be described in more detail below.

[0014] <About the vacuum cleaner body 20> The vacuum cleaner main body 20 forms the main body of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 and is the part that exerts suction force and performs the function of collecting dust. Specifically, the vacuum cleaner main body 20 includes a housing (main body) 20a having an electric blower 22 for generating suction force, and a first dust collecting part 24 for collecting dust contained in the sucked air.

[0015] First dust collecting section 24 captures and collects dust that arrives from suction tool 40. First dust collecting section 24 may be provided as part of main body 20a, or may be provided separately and detachably from main body 20a. First dust collecting section 24 may be, for example, a paper bag type or a cyclone type. In this embodiment, first dust collecting section 24 is a cyclone type. In addition to electric blower 22 and first dust collecting section 24, vacuum cleaner main body 20 includes, in main body 20a, for example, a drive circuit that drives electric blower 22 and other electronic components, a control device 32 that controls the operation of vacuum cleaner 10, a battery 34 for supplying power, and other components.

[0016] The vacuum cleaner body 20 is also provided with a grip portion 26 and an operating portion 28 on the handle. The grip portion 26 is a portion provided to enable a user of the vacuum cleaner 10 to grip the vacuum cleaner body 20. That is, the user can hold the vacuum cleaner body 20 by gripping the grip portion 26, for example. The operating portion 28 is provided for operating the vacuum cleaner 10. For example, by providing the operating portion 28 on the grip portion 26 as shown in FIG. 1, the user can operate the operating portion 28 while gripping the grip portion 26.

[0017] Furthermore, vacuum cleaner body 20 has pipe connection portion 22b on main body portion 20a. Pipe connection portion 22b is the portion to which hollow extension pipe 90, which connects vacuum cleaner body 20 and suction tool 40, is connected. Pipe connection portion 22b also communicates with first dust collecting portion 24. Therefore, by connecting joint portion 44 of suction tool 40 to pipe connection portion 22b via extension pipe 90, a path connecting suction tool 40 and first dust collecting portion 24 is formed.

[0018] <About suction tool 40> Suction tool 40 is used to suck in air and dust from the outside. As shown in Fig. 2, suction tool 40 has suction tool main body 42 (main body) and joint 44. As shown in Fig. 3, suction tool 40 has a rotating cleaning body 46, a cleaning body drive unit 48 (drive unit), and a second dust collection unit 50 inside suction tool main body 42. In addition to these, suction tool 40 also has an electric current unit 52 and the like.

[0019] Suction tool main body 42 is the part that is placed on the floor during cleaning, and has a shape that is long in the left-right direction relative to the front-to-rear direction, which is the direction in which the user moves during cleaning. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, suction tool main body 42 has a rotating cleaning element mounting section 60, a suction port 62, a second dust collecting section mounting section 64, and a storage section 66.

[0020] The rotary cleaning body 46 is disposed in the rotary cleaning body mounting portion 60. The rotary cleaning body mounting portion 60 extends in the left-right direction of the suction tool main body 42 and has a hollow space capable of housing the rotary cleaning body 46.

[0021] The suction port 62 is an opening for sucking in dust on the bottom side of the suction tool main body 42. In this embodiment, a rotating cleaning body arrangement part 60 is provided in the suction space in which the suction port 62 is formed.

[0022] 3 to 5, second dust collecting unit mounting section 64 is a section where second dust collecting unit 50, which will be described in detail later, is mounted. Second dust collecting unit mounting section 64 is configured so that second dust collecting unit 50 can be mounted at a position closer to suction port 62 than first dust collecting unit 24 in a dust passage connecting first dust collecting unit 24 and suction port 62.

[0023] As can be seen from FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, the second dust collecting unit mounting portion 64 includes an opening 64a, a cover portion 64b, a biasing member 64c, and a locking portion 64d. The opening 64a is an opening provided to allow the second dust collecting unit 50 to be inserted and removed from the top surface of the suction tool main body 42 for detachable attachment. The opening 64a is a rectangular opening formed to extend in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the suction tool main body 42 along the rotary cleaning body mounting portion 60 (rotary cleaning body 46). The cover portion 64b is a lid-like opening that opens and closes the opening 64a. The cover portion 64b is rotatably supported by a hinge or the like on one side of the short side (front-rear direction) of the opening 64a. The biasing member 64c biases the cover portion 64b in the direction to open the opening 64a. In this embodiment, biasing member 64c is formed of a torsion spring and is disposed on the pivot side of cover portion 64b. Locking portion 64d is for closing cover portion 64b so that it does not open. In this embodiment, locking portion 64d is provided so as to be exposed on the top surface side of suction tool main body 42 on the side opposite to where biasing member 64c is provided (the free end side of cover portion 64b).

[0024] Because second dust collecting unit mounting section 64 is configured as described above, when locking section 64d is released, the biasing force of biasing member 64c biases the free end of cover section 64b so that it springs up. As a result, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, second dust collecting unit mounting section 64 opens opening 64a, allowing second dust collecting unit 50, which will be described in detail later, to be inserted and removed. Furthermore, when the free end of cover section 64b is pressed toward the top surface of suction tool main body 42 against the biasing force of biasing member 64c and opening 64a is blocked by cover section 64b, locking section 64d prevents cover section 64b from springing up, thereby closing opening 64a as shown in Figure 2.

[0025] 3, the accommodation section 66 is for accommodating the driving machine 210 constituting the cleaning body driving section 48, which will be described in detail later, wiring for supplying power to the driving machine 210, and the like. The accommodation section 66 is configured so that the driving machine 210 and wiring can be disposed in a position away from the dust passage path. In this embodiment, the accommodation section 66 is provided at a position on the opposite side of the second dust collecting section 50 from the rotary cleaning body 46 (rearward of the second dust collecting section 50).

[0026] The joint part 44 is provided on the suction tool main body 42 at a position on the rear side of the vacuum cleaner 10 (a position on the opposite side of the rotary cleaning body 46 with respect to the second dust collecting part 50) so as to communicate with the second dust collecting part 50 via the communication part 45. The joint part 44 is attached to the suction tool main body 42 so as to be rotatable within a predetermined rotation range (at least one of the front-rear direction and the left-right direction). The joint part 44 is a part to which the extension tube 90 is connected, similar to the tube connection part 22b of the vacuum cleaner main body 20 described above. The joint part 44 is cylindrical and communicates with the second dust collecting part 50 at its base end.

[0027] 3 and other figures, the rotary cleaning body 46 is a cylindrical member that is housed in and rotatably supported in the rotary cleaning body mounting portion 60 of the suction tool main body 42. The rotary cleaning body 46 receives power from a cleaning body drive portion 48, which will be described in detail later, and is rotatable in the rotary cleaning body mounting portion 60. The rotary cleaning body 46 has a cleaning body main body 200 that extends in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the suction tool main body 42, and an attachment portion 202.

[0028] The mounting parts 202 are parts used to mount the rotating cleaning body 46 to the suction tool main body 42. The mounting parts 202 are attached to the cleaning element main body 200 on one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element main body 200 as separate members from the cleaning element main body 200, but may also be integral with the cleaning element main body 200. The rotating cleaning body 46 is rotatably supported relative to the suction tool main body 42 by attaching the mounting parts 202, 202 provided on both ends (hereinafter, these may be distinguished as "mounting part 202a" and "mounting part 202b" as necessary) to predetermined mounting positions provided within the suction tool main body 42.

[0029] 10(a), the mounting portion 202a has an end portion 205 that is shaped like a rectangular pillar (having a substantially square cross section) at one axial end of the rotary cleaning body 46, and a flange portion 207a that is provided at a position adjacent to the end portion 205 in the axial direction. The end portion 205 is rotatably attached to the cleaning element main body 200 (flange portion 207a).

[0030] 8 and 9, receiving portion 42c of suction tool main body 42, to which mounting portion 202a of rotary cleaning body 46 is attached, is separable into lower receiving portion 42x and upper receiving portion 42y. Lower receiving portion 42x is detachable from the back surface side of suction tool main body 42. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the portion where upper receiving portion 42y is formed is provided with upper engaging portion 42p on the front side (upper side in the illustrated state) of suction tool main body 42 and concave upper engaged portion 42q on the back surface side (lower side in the illustrated state). Furthermore, lower receiving portion 42x is provided with lower engaged portion 42r, engageable with upper engaging portion 42p, at a position corresponding to upper engaging portion 42p on the upper receiving portion 42y side, and with convex lower engaging portion 42s at a position corresponding to upper engaged portion 42q. Lower receiving portion 42x is provided with claw portion 42t, which allows lower engaging portion 42s to be pivoted. This configuration allows lower receiving portion 42x to be attached to upper receiving portion 42y by first engaging lower engaged portion 42r with upper engaging portion 42p and then inserting lower engaging portion 42s into upper engaged portion 42q to engage them. Conversely, to remove lower receiving portion 42x from upper receiving portion 42y, claw portion 42t is operated to first release the engagement between lower engaging portion 42s and upper engaged portion 42q. Thereafter, lower engaged portion 42r is removed from upper engaging portion 42p, allowing lower receiving portion 42x to be removed from upper receiving portion 42y. Upper receiving portion 42y is provided inside suction tool body 42. By attaching the lower receiving portion 42x to the back surface side of the suction tool body 42, the receiving portion 42c can be formed.

[0031] 8, upper receiving portion 42y has upper end fitting portion 42h, upper flange fitting portion 42i, and upper shaft support portion 42j. Upper end fitting portion 42h is a portion that opens toward the bottom surface of suction tool main body 42 so that prismatic end portion 205 described above can be fitted therein. Upper flange fitting portion 42i is a portion that opens toward the bottom surface of suction tool main body 42 so that flange portion 207a can be fitted therein. Upper shaft support portion 42j is a portion that curves in an arc shape along the axis that forms mounting portion 202a.

[0032] 8 and 9, lower receiving portion 42x has lower end abutting portion 42k and lower pivotal portion 42l at positions corresponding to upper end fitting portion 42h and upper shaft support portion 42j, respectively. Lower end abutting portion 42k is block-shaped and formed to abut against the outer circumferential surface (one side) of end portion 205 from the cleaning surface side, and upper end fitting portion 42h abuts against the other outer circumferential surfaces (three sides) of end portion 205, thereby fixing end portion 205 to suction tool main body 42. Similarly to upper shaft support portion 42j, lower pivotal portion 42l is curved to follow the axis that forms mounting portion 202a. The rotating cleaning body 46 can be incorporated into the suction tool main body 42 at the end 205 side by fitting the end 205 and flange portion 207a into the upper end fitting portion 42h and upper flange fitting portion 42i, respectively, and then attaching the lower receiving portion 42x to the upper receiving portion 42y.

[0033] 10, the mounting portion 202b supports the other axial end of the rotary cleaning body 46 (opposite to the mounting portion 202a). The mounting portion 202b is provided with a first mounting body 202x that can be connected to a second mounting body 202y (described later). The first mounting body 202x is fixed to the end of the cleaning body main body 200. The second mounting body 202y is provided on a driven-side pulley 216 (described later) and is disposed on the suction tool main body 42 (lower case 42a) side. The first mounting body 202x and the second mounting body 202y can be connected to and separated from each other in the axial direction.

[0034] The first mounting body 202x includes a mounting recess 202e and a first flange portion 202i. The mounting recess 202e is formed in a concave shape on the end surface of the first mounting body 202x. The mounting recess 202e may have any shape, but in this embodiment, it is cross-shaped. The mounting recess 202e is a portion into which a mounting protrusion 202j of the second mounting body 202y, which will be described later, can be fitted and engaged. The first flange portion 202i is provided at the end (the end on the second mounting body 202y side) of the first mounting body 202x so as to bulge radially outward.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the second mounting body 202y has a mounting protrusion 202j and a shaft 202k. The mounting protrusion 202j protrudes axially from the end of the second mounting body 202y and is engageable with the mounting recess 202e. The mounting protrusion 202j may have any shape, but in this embodiment, it has a cross shape similar to the mounting recess 202e. The shaft 202k is a shaft provided at the axial position of the second mounting body 202y. The shaft 202k is inserted from one side to the other of a plate-shaped holding member 220 provided on the suction tool main body 42. The shaft 202k is inserted through the axial position of a driven pulley 216 of the cleaning body drive unit 48 (described later) and is rotatable integrally with the driven pulley 216. Therefore, the rotary cleaning body 46 is rotatable in conjunction with the driven pulley 216 in a state where the first attachment body 202x provided on one end side is connected to the second attachment body 202y.

[0036] Furthermore, the shaft portion 202k is rotatably supported at its tip by a bearing member 202z (bearing). The bearing member 202z may be rectangular (square in this embodiment) when viewed from the front and held non-rotatably by a plate-shaped holding member 202p, or the outer side (outer ring) may be held non-rotatably by the holding member 202p and the inner side (inner ring) may be rotatable. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the holding member 202p is held relative to the lower case 42a by being inserted into a slit-shaped insertion portion 202m provided in the lower case 42a. This allows for stable support of the rotating cleaning body 46.

[0037] In this embodiment, the suction tool 40 is provided with a cleaning element drive unit 48, and the rotating cleaning element 46 is driven by power output from the cleaning element drive unit 48. As shown in Figures 3 and 10, the cleaning element drive unit 48 includes a driver 210, a power transmission body 212, an output pulley 214, a driven pulley 216, and the like.

[0038] The driver 210 is composed of a motor and the like provided within the suction tool main body 42. The driver 210 is disposed in a housing section 66 provided further rearward than the rotary cleaning body 46 and the second dust collecting section arrangement section 64 (second dust collecting section 50). The power transmission body 212 is formed of a toothed endless belt. The output pulley 214 is a toothed pulley attached to the output shaft of the driver 210.

[0039] The output pulley 214 is rotatably supported at its tip end by a bearing member 214z (bearing). The bearing member 214z has a configuration similar to that of the above-described bearing member 202z. Specifically, the bearing member 214z may be rectangular (square in this embodiment) in front view and held non-rotatably by a plate-shaped holding member 214p, or the outer side (outer ring) may be non-rotatably held by the holding member 214p and the inner side (inner ring) may be rotatable. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the holding member 214p is held relative to the lower case 42a by being inserted into a slit-shaped insertion portion 202n provided in the lower case 42a.

[0040] Driven pulley 216 is a toothed pulley that is integrally provided on mounting portion 202b. Cleaning body drive unit 48 is configured such that power transmission body 212, which is an endless belt, is wound between output pulley 214 and driven pulley 216. Therefore, by operating drive machine 210, rotational power is transmitted to mounting portion 202b, and rotary cleaning body 46 can be rotated within the suction space of suction tool main body 42.

[0041] 10 and other figures, the components of the cleaning element drive unit 48 are held by a holding member 220. The holding member 220 is erected in an area of ​​the suction tool main body 42 on the side where the second attachment body 202y is attached. In other words, the holding member 220 is arranged alongside the rotary cleaning element 46 in the axial direction of the rotary cleaning element 46. The holding member 220 is a plate-like member extending along the direction in which the rotary cleaning element 46 and the driver 210 are aligned. The output pulley 214, the driven pulley 216, and the power transmission element 212 are arranged on the opposite side of the holding member 220 from the rotary cleaning element 46. As shown in FIG. 5, the holding member 220 specifically includes a lower holding member 222 and an upper holding member 224.

[0042] 10 and 11, lower holding member 222 has lower wall portion 222a and fixing portion 222b that fixes lower wall portion 222a to lower case 42a at its lower end. By screwing lower holding member 222 to lower case 42a at fixing portion 222b, holding member 220 is erected so that lower wall portion 222a extends in the front-to-rear direction (direction from the front side to the rear side) of suction tool main body 42. Fixing portion 222b is not an essential component, and any component that can structurally position lower holding member 222 in lower case 42a will suffice.

[0043] Here, the cleaning element driving unit 48 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 11. A shaft insertion hole 216a having a generally oval opening is provided at the axial center position of the driven-side pulley 216. The shaft portion 202k of the second attachment body 202y is a shaft having a generally oval external shape similar to the shaft insertion hole 216a. Furthermore, a shaft support portion 220c that rotatably supports the second attachment body 202y is provided on the lower wall portion 222a of the holding member 220. A bearing 225 that rotatably supports the shaft portion 202k by inserting it therethrough is provided on the shaft support portion 220c. Furthermore, the shaft portion 202k is rotatably supported by a bearing member 202z at the tip end side. Therefore, the second attachment body 202y is fixed to the driven-side pulley 216 with the shaft portion 202k inserted through the bearing 225 provided in the shaft support portion 220c of the lower wall portion 222a, the shaft insertion hole 216a provided in the driven-side pulley 216, and the bearing member 202z. Because of this configuration, by connecting the first attachment body 202x provided on the rotary cleaning body 46 side to the second attachment body 202y, the rotary cleaning body 46 can rotate in conjunction with the driven-side pulley 216. Therefore, the second attachment body 202y can also be expressed as being included as a part of the driven-side pulley 216.

[0044] A shaft support portion 220c is provided on the lower wall portion 222a at a position on the front side of the suction tool main body 42, which rotatably supports (supports) the second attachment body 202y provided at the end of the rotary cleaning body 46. A notched receiving portion 222d is provided on the lower wall portion 222a at a position on the back side of the suction tool main body 42, which is capable of supporting the driver 210. Specifically, the driver 210 has an output shaft provided in a driver main body 210a forming a motor, and includes a driver main body 210a1 forming the majority of the motor, and a bulging portion 210a2 having a smaller diameter than the driver main body 210a1 and bulging in the axial direction. The output shaft is provided in the bulging portion 210a2.

[0045] The receiving portion 222d is formed to extend downward from the upper end of the lower wall portion 222a. Therefore, when assembling the driver 210, the bulging portion 210a2 can be slid along the receiving portion 222d, thereby facilitating assembly. Note that this assembly can be more easily performed if the power transmission body 212 is stretched across the output pulley 214 and the driven pulley 216, without the tension of the power transmission body 212 making it difficult to install. Furthermore, because the holding member 220, driver 210, power transmission body 212, output pulley 214, second mounting body 202y, bearing 225, driven pulley 216, bearing member 202z, holding member 202p, bearing member 214z, and holding member 214p are unitized, assembly of the cleaning element driving unit 48 into the lower case 42a is easy. Also, at a position adjacent to the receiving portion 222d, a screw hole 222e is provided for screwing the end portion of the driving machine main body 210a1.

[0046] 5, upper holding member 224 is a plate-like portion that stands upright from the upper portion (upper case 42b) of suction tool main body 42. Upper holding member 224 is provided in correspondence with the portion of lower holding member 222 where receiving portion 222d is provided. Therefore, when upper case 42b and lower case 42a are joined to form suction tool main body 42, the open portion above receiving portion 222d is closed by upper holding member 224. This prevents driver 210 from unexpectedly falling off receiving portion 222d.

[0047] The second dust collecting unit 50 collects dust introduced through the suction port 62 as the rotary cleaning body 46 rotates. The second dust collecting unit 50, together with the first dust collecting unit 24, constitutes the dust collecting unit 30. The second dust collecting unit 50 is located closer to the suction port 62 than the first dust collecting unit 24 in a dust passage connecting the first dust collecting unit 24 and the suction port 62. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the second dust collecting unit 50 is detachably attached to a second dust collecting unit mounting portion 64, which is located rearward of the rotary cleaning body 46 and forward of a communication portion 45 (described later). As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, the second dust collecting unit 50 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped appearance and is hollow. By disposing the second dust collecting unit 50 in the second dust collecting unit mounting portion 64, a hollow space extending along the axial direction of the rotary cleaning body 46 is formed inside the suction tool main body 42.

[0048] The second dust collecting unit 50 has an intake portion 50a and a discharge portion 50b. The intake portion 50a is provided at the boundary between the second dust collecting unit 50 and the rotary cleaning body mounting portion 60 when the second dust collecting unit 50 is disposed in the second dust collecting unit mounting portion 64. The intake portion 50a is a portion having an opening that allows dust taken in from the suction port 62 to be received by the second dust collecting unit 50. The discharge portion 50b is a portion having an opening that allows dust to be discharged from the second dust collecting unit 50. The discharge portion 50b may be provided at any position on the second dust collecting unit 50, but in this embodiment, it is provided at a position facing the intake portion 50a. The discharge portion 50b is in communication with a communication portion 45 that connects the joint portion 44 and the second dust collecting unit 50, which will be described in detail later, and is connected to an end of the communication portion 45.

[0049] In addition to providing openings in the intake section 50a and the discharge section 50b as in the illustrated example, the second dust collecting section 50 may be provided with a closing member such as a shutter or a valve in either or both of the intake section 50a and the discharge section 50b. If a closing member is provided, the closing member may be in an open state when the second dust collecting section 50 is attached to the second dust collecting section mounting section 64, and in a closed state when the second dust collecting section 50 is detached from the second dust collecting section mounting section 64. The closing member may be electrically openable and closable, but it is preferable that the closing member be mechanically opened and closed in association with the attachment and detachment of the second dust collecting section 50 to and from the second dust collecting section mounting section 64.

[0050] For example, the closing member may be a plate-shaped shutter capable of closing the openings of the intake portion 50a and the discharge portion 50b, and the shutter may be biased in the direction of closing the openings by a biasing member such as a spring, while an abutting member may be provided that abuts against the shutter and pushes the shutter in the opening direction when the second dust collecting unit 50 is inserted into the second dust collecting unit mounting portion 64. With this configuration, the intake portion 50a and the discharge portion 50b may be provided with shutters that open the openings when the second dust collecting unit 50 is inserted into the second dust collecting unit mounting portion 64 and close the openings when the second dust collecting unit 50 is removed from the second dust collecting unit mounting portion 64. This allows the second dust collecting unit 50 to be configured so that the openings of the intake portion 50a and the discharge portion 50b automatically open when the second dust collecting unit 50 is inserted into the second dust collecting unit mounting portion 64 and automatically close when the second dust collecting unit 50 is removed from the second dust collecting unit mounting portion 64.

[0051] The dust removal section 54 is for removing dust adhering to the rotary cleaning body 46. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 , the dust removal section 54 is provided at the boundary between the rotary cleaning body mounting section 60, around which the rotary cleaning body 46 rotates, and the second dust collection section 50. The dust removal section 54 extends toward the rotary cleaning body 46. The dust removal section 54 is provided at a position where it abuts against the cleaning body main body 200 of the rotary cleaning body 46. The dust removal section 54 is also detachable from the suction tool main body 42 as needed. In this embodiment, the dust removal section 54 is provided integrally with the second dust collection section 50. Therefore, the dust removal section 54, together with the second dust collection section 50, is detachable from the suction tool main body 42 as needed.

[0052] The dust removal part 54 can be shaped like a blade, for example, but in this embodiment it is shaped like comb teeth. The dust removal part 54 can efficiently scrape dust off the surface of the rotary cleaning body 46, and is provided in an orientation suitable for scraping the dust off toward the second dust collecting part 50.

[0053] Specifically, the dust removal section 54 has a protrusion group 54g consisting of a plurality of protrusions 54a. When the dust removal section 54 is installed on the suction tool main body 42, the protrusions 54a protrude toward the rotary cleaning body 46. When the dust removal section 54 is installed on the suction tool main body 42, the protrusions 54a of the protrusion group 54g are arranged so that they are aligned along the axial direction of the rotary cleaning body 46. The protrusion group 54g is also arranged so that a plurality of protrusions are aligned along the rotational direction of the rotary cleaning body 46. The protrusion group 54g is located downstream of the opening of the intake section 50a, which serves as the entrance to the second dust collection section 50, in the rotational direction of the rotary cleaning body 46, and is located rearward of the rotary cleaning body 46. Note that, although an example has been shown in which two sets of protrusion groups 54g are provided in the rotational direction of the rotary cleaning body 46, the protrusion amount of one protrusion group 54g may be greater than the protrusion amount of the other protrusion group 54g.

[0054] More specifically, the protrusions 54a constituting the protrusion group 54g are provided in a position above the opening constituting the intake portion 50a in the second dust collecting portion 50. The protrusions 54a are arranged at predetermined intervals across substantially the entire width of the opening of the intake portion 50a, and are also arranged in multiple rows in the vertical direction at predetermined intervals. As a result, the protrusions 54a constituting the protrusion group 54g are arranged downstream in the rotation direction of the rotary cleaning body 46 and rearward relative to the rotary cleaning body 46, along the axial direction of the rotary cleaning body 46 and along the rotation direction of the rotary cleaning body 46.

[0055] 4 and 9, a scraper 56 is provided on the bottom side of the suction tool main body 42. The scraper 56 is provided at the boundary of the suction port 62, extending in the axial direction of the rotary cleaning body 46. The scraper 56 is provided so as to form a gap between itself and the rotary cleaning body 46 and so that its tip protrudes toward the cleaning surface. This allows the scraper 56 to scoop up dust from the cleaning surface and collect the dust in the second dust collecting section 50. The upper surface of the scraper 56 is preferably inclined so that the upper surface approaches the cleaning surface as it approaches the tip, making it easier to transfer the dust.

[0056] The current-carrying unit 52 is a terminal electrically connected to the cleaning element drive unit 48 via wiring arranged in the housing 66. The terminal constituting the current-carrying unit 52 is electrically connected to a terminal provided on the vacuum cleaner body 20 side by connecting the joint unit 44 to the pipe connection part 22b of the vacuum cleaner body 20. This allows power to be supplied from the vacuum cleaner body 20 side to the cleaning element drive unit 48, causing the rotary cleaning element 46 to rotate.

[0057] <About the Extension Pipe 90> The extension pipe 90 is a cylindrical member that is connected to the pipe connection portion 22b of the vacuum cleaner body 20 and the joint portion 44 of the suction tool 40. As shown in Fig. 13, the extension pipe 90 has an engaged portion 310 that engages with a support portion 350 provided on the support device 300, which will be described in detail later.

[0058] 13, engaged portion 310 is a portion that engages with engaging portion 352 provided on support device 300, which will be described in detail later. Engaged portion 310 may be provided integrally with the pipe that constitutes extension pipe 90, but in this modified example, receiving portion 312 is provided on pipe cover 320 (the pipe cover on the suction tool 40 side of extension pipe 90) that is attached to the pipe that constitutes extension pipe 90. Receiving portion 312 is a hollow portion formed on the outer circumferential surface of extension pipe 90 so as to bulge outward in the radial direction.

[0059] Receiving portion 312 has a first opening 314 that opens toward suction tool 40. Receiving portion 312 also has a second opening 316 that is formed to open on the back side. Specifically, second opening 316 is formed to open on the surface (contact surface 318) that faces support portion 350 of stand device 300 when installed in stand device 300, which will be described in detail later. Receiving portion 312 also has a first current-carrying portion, which will be described later, for receiving power supply.

[0060] <Regarding the support device 300> As shown in Fig. 1, the support device 300 supports the vacuum cleaner body 20 with the extension tube 90 and the suction tool 40 attached thereto, and may have a charging function. As shown in Fig. 14, the support device 300 has a placing portion 340, a support portion 350, and a receiving portion 370.

[0061] Mounting portion 340 is a portion that serves as a base for placing suction tool 40. Mounting portion 340 has stopper 342 on the front side. Stopper 342 is formed so as to protrude upward from the top surface side of mounting portion 340. Stopper 342 is also formed so as to extend in the width direction of mounting portion 340. Therefore, stopper 342 can position suction tool 40 placed on the top surface of mounting portion 340 so that it does not move beyond stopper 342 toward the front side.

[0062] The support column 350 is a column-shaped portion erected in the vertical direction on the rear side of the mounting portion 340 (the side opposite to the stopper 342). The support column 350 is a portion that engages with and supports the extension tube 90 connected to the suction tool 40 placed on the mounting portion 340. Specifically, the support column 350 can support the extension tube 90 by engaging the engaged portion 310 of the extension tube 90 with the engaging portion 352 provided on the upper end side. The support column 350 also has a second current-carrying portion that can be electrically connected to the first current-carrying portion provided on the suction tool 40 side of the extension tube 90. This makes it possible to charge the battery 34 via the extension tube 90. To enable such a configuration, the extension tube 90 is provided with wiring for connecting the first current-carrying portion to a third current-carrying portion (the third current-carrying portion electrically connected to the battery 34) on the vacuum cleaner body 20 side. In order to supply power to the suction tool 40, electrical conduction sections (fourth and fifth electrical conduction sections) are provided on both the vacuum cleaner body 20 side and the suction tool 40 side of the extension tube 90, and wiring connecting the fourth electrical conduction section (fourth electrical conduction section electrically connected to the battery 34) and the fifth electrical conduction section is arranged in the extension tube 90.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 15 , the engaging portion 352 has four protrusions: a first protrusion 354, a second protrusion 356, a third protrusion 358, and a fourth protrusion 359. The first protrusion 354 is a protrusion-like portion provided on the front side of the support portion 350 so as to protrude from the lower side toward the upper side. The first protrusion 354 is a portion that is inserted into the receiving portion 312 through the first opening 314 provided in the extension tube 90 described above. The second protrusion 356 is provided on the upper end side of the support portion 350 inside a space 360 ​​that is open toward the front side and the top surface, and is provided so as to face the first protrusion 354 with a predetermined gap therebetween. The third protrusion 358 is a protrusion-like portion that is arranged so as to intersect with the first protrusion 354. Like the second protrusion 356, the third protrusion 358 is arranged inside the space 360. Furthermore, the first protrusion 354 and the third protrusion 358 may be spaced apart, but in this embodiment, the third protrusion 358 is connected to the first protrusion 354 at a widthwise intermediate portion of the first protrusion 354. Therefore, the first protrusion 354 and the third protrusion 358 are formed in a substantially "T" shape in a plan view. Furthermore, the fourth protrusion 359 is provided on the surface of the first protrusion 354 facing the space 360 ​​so as to protrude toward the space 360. The fourth protrusion 359 is provided at a position opposite the second protrusion 356.

[0064] The space 360 ​​is a portion in which the second protrusion 356 and the third protrusion 358 are arranged. The upper edge of the space 360 ​​is provided with a chamfered portion 360a, which is chamfered, for example, in a tapered shape, to facilitate guiding the receiving portion 312 provided on the extension tube 90. The front opening width of the space 360 ​​is equal to or greater than the width of the receiving portion 312 provided on the extension tube 90. The first protrusion 354 described above is formed to rise upward from below at a position that protrudes slightly toward the front side beyond the front opening of the space 360. The width of the third protrusion 358 described above is equal to or less than the width of the second opening 316 formed in the abutting surface 318 of the receiving portion 312 on the extension tube 90. The second protrusions 356 are provided on both widthwise sides of the third protrusion 358. Therefore, by inserting the receiving portion 312 in the extension tube 90 aiming at the space 360, the abutting surface 318 of the receiving portion 312 enters between the first protrusion 354 and the second protrusion 356, and the third protrusion 358 enters the second opening 316 provided in the abutting surface 318. As a result, the engaged portion 310 provided on the extension tube 90 side and the engaging portion 352 provided on the support portion 350 side are engaged with each other.

[0065] In the above modified example, an example is shown in which four protrusions consisting of first protrusion 354, second protrusion 356, third protrusion 358, and fourth protrusion 359 are provided as engaging portion 352, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be one that only has first protrusion 354, or one that does not have one or more of the protrusions other than first protrusion 354 (second protrusion 356, third protrusion 358, and fourth protrusion 359).

[0066] As shown in Fig. 14, the receiving portion 370 receives the first dust collecting portion 24 of the vacuum cleaner 10, thereby supporting the vacuum cleaner 10 in an upright position. The receiving portion 370 is provided on the upper end side of a receiving portion support 372 that is erected on the rear side of the support portion 350 of the support device 300. As shown in Fig. 14, the receiving portion 370 has a first dust collecting portion recess 370a formed so that the lower end portion of the first dust collecting portion 24 fits into it. In addition, an extension pipe recess 370b is provided on the periphery of the receiving portion 370. The extension pipe recess 370b is formed in a concave shape so that it fits into or abuts against part of the periphery of the extension pipe 90 that connects the vacuum cleaner body 20 and the suction tool 40 in the vacuum cleaner 10.

[0067] 1, when first dust collecting unit 24 of vacuum cleaner 10 is fitted into first dust collecting unit recess 370a, receiving portion support 372 is aligned with extension tube 90 fitted into extension pipe recess 370b. Therefore, by fitting first dust collecting unit 24 into receiving portion 370 while suction tool 40 connected to the tip end of extension pipe 90 is placed on mounting portion 340, vacuum cleaner 10 is stably supported by extension pipe 90 and receiving portion support 372 which are aligned side by side. Note that extension pipe recess 370b may be replaced by a pipe connecting portion recess that fits into or abuts against a portion of the periphery of pipe connecting portion 22b.

[0068] A support-side terminal 370c is provided on the receiving portion 370. The support-side terminal 370c is provided to correspond to the body-side terminal 25 provided on the vacuum cleaner 10. By fitting the first dust collecting unit 24 of the vacuum cleaner 10 into the first dust collecting unit recess 370a of the receiving portion 370, the support-side terminal 370c comes into contact with and electrically connected to the body-side terminal 25 provided on the vacuum cleaner body 20 at a position adjacent to the first dust collecting unit 24. Specifically, the body-side terminal 25 is disposed between the suction port of the pipe connection portion 22b and the connection port of the pipe connection portion 22b with the first dust collecting unit 24. Preferably, the body-side terminal 25 is provided on a surface of the support device 300 facing the bottom surface of the receiving portion 370. The body-side terminal 25 is electrically connected to the control device 32, and the control device 32 may detect the flow of electricity. It is also possible to provide the main body side terminal 25 on the extension tube 90, but this poses the problem that it is difficult to run further wiring because the extension tube 90 has the charging wiring described above.By providing the main body side terminal 25 on the vacuum cleaner main body 20, the complication of running further wiring on the extension tube 25 can be avoided.

[0069] <Operation of the vacuum cleaner 10> The vacuum cleaner 10 is capable of operating in a plurality of operation modes, including a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. In this embodiment, the operation unit 28 of the vacuum cleaner 10 functions as a mode selection receiving unit that receives the selection of the operation mode, and the operation mode can be selected intentionally or automatically by performing a switching operation via the operation unit 28. The vacuum cleaner 10 can perform an operation according to the selected operation mode under the control of the control device 32 (processing execution unit).

[0070] The first mode is an operating mode in which the cleaning element drive unit 48 is driven while the electric blower 22 is stopped. In the first mode, the electric blower 22 is stopped, and therefore no suction force is generated by the electric blower 22. On the other hand, in the first mode, the cleaning element drive unit 48 is driven, and the rotary cleaning element 46 rotates to scrape off dust from the cleaning surface. In the first mode, dust is collected in the second dust collecting unit 50 by the rotation of the rotary cleaning element 46. In the first mode, the suction force of the electric blower 22 is not applied, and therefore the dust collected in the second dust collecting unit 50 remains in the second dust collecting unit 50.

[0071] The second mode is an operating mode in which the electric blower 22 is driven. In the second mode, the electric blower 22 is driven to generate suction force. Furthermore, if dust has accumulated in the second dust collecting section 50 through operation in the first mode before operation in the second mode, starting operation in the second mode allows the dust accumulated in the second dust collecting section 50 to be collected into the first dust collecting section 24 by the suction force of the electric blower 22. In addition, the second mode may also drive the cleaning element drive unit 48 along with the electric blower 22. As a result, the rotating cleaning element 46 is rotated by the driving of the cleaning element drive unit 48, and the dust collected by the rotating cleaning element 46 passes through the second dust collecting section 50 and is collected into the first dust collecting section 24 by the suction force. For example, a user can clean in the first mode when noise is undesirable (for example, at night or while children are sleeping) and clean in the second mode at another time, thereby enabling cleaning to be tailored to the situation.

[0072] The third mode is an operation mode in which dust is sucked from the second dust collecting section 50 toward the first dust collecting section 24 by driving the electric blower 22 for a predetermined time. The third mode can be entered by the user intentionally switching the operation mode via the operation section 28. Alternatively or in addition, in this embodiment, operation in the third mode is automatically started when the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported (placed) on the stand device 300, which is a starting condition. As in a modified example described separately below, the operating conditions for operation in the third mode may include other conditions in addition to the vacuum cleaner 10 being supported (placed) on the stand device 300. However, in this embodiment, operation in the third mode is automatically started when the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported (placed) on the stand device 300.

[0073] Detecting that the vacuum cleaner 10 has been supported (placed) on the stand device 300 can be achieved by any appropriate method, such as providing a sensor. In this embodiment, when the first dust collecting part 24 is fitted into the first dust collecting part recess 370a of the receiving part 370, thereby electrically connecting the body-side terminals 25 and the support-side terminals 370c, the vacuum cleaner 10 is deemed to be supported (placed) on the stand device 300, and operation in the third mode is automatically performed. That is, in this embodiment, the body-side terminals 25 and the support-side terminals 370c function as detectors for detecting that the vacuum cleaner 10 has been supported (placed) on the stand device 300, and operation in the third mode is automatically performed on the condition that it is detected that the vacuum cleaner 10 has been supported (placed) on the stand device 300.

[0074] <<Variations>> The above-described vacuum cleaner 10 is merely one example of the present invention, and may be configured as follows, for example.

[0075] Although the above-described electric vacuum cleaner 10 allows mode switching operations to be performed using the operation unit 28, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of or in addition to the operation unit 28, a voice recognition unit that accepts operations by voice recognition may be provided. In such a configuration, it is preferable that the voice recognition unit recognizes a voice indicating one of a plurality of modes and switches to the recognized mode. With such a configuration, mode switching can be easily performed not only in vacuum cleaners that are held by the user, such as the above-described electric vacuum cleaner 10, but also in vacuum cleaners that operate without the user having to touch them, such as so-called robot vacuum cleaners.

[0076] Although the above-described electric vacuum cleaner 10 has been described as being configured to stop electric blower 22 in the first mode and drive electric blower 22 in the second mode, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of or in addition to the first and second modes, a first drive mode in which electric blower 22 is driven with a first parameter and a second drive mode in which electric blower 22 is driven with a second parameter greater than the first parameter may be provided. Note that in the first and second drive modes, cleaning element drive unit 48 may be driven together with electric blower 22. The parameter may be the rotation speed of electric blower 22, a value indicating the suction force of electric blower 22, or a value indicating the negative pressure acting on suction port 62. In addition to controlling electric blower 22 by turning it on and off, as in switching between the first and second modes, electric vacuum cleaner 10 may also change the suction force by adjusting the output of electric blower 22, as in the first and second drive modes. With this configuration, electric vacuum cleaner 10 can perform cleaning with reduced noise associated with the operation of electric blower 22 in a first drive mode in which electric blower 22 operates at a first parameter (e.g., low rotation speed), while in a second drive mode in which electric blower 22 operates at a second parameter (e.g., high rotation speed), cleaning can be performed with sufficient suction force from electric blower 22. For example, by setting electric blower 22 to operate with a parameter at which dust reaches second dust collecting section 50 as the first parameter in the first drive mode and a parameter at which dust reaches first dust collecting section 24 as the second parameter in the second drive mode, it becomes possible to perform cleaning according to the situation.

[0077] While the above-described electric vacuum cleaner 10 is an example of a stick-shaped vacuum cleaner, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a canister-type vacuum cleaner (configured as a vacuum cleaner main body having a main body and a first dust collecting unit, a handle, a suction tool 40 connected to the vacuum cleaner main body via a hose, and the handle and suction tool 40 connected via an extension tube) or a so-called robot vacuum cleaner is also possible. Furthermore, in a vacuum cleaner in which the vacuum cleaner main body 20 and the suction tool 40 are not separate, as in a self-propelled robot vacuum cleaner, it is not necessary to provide the first dust collecting unit 24 on the vacuum cleaner main body 20 and the second dust collecting unit 50 on the suction tool 40 as in the electric vacuum cleaner 10. The first dust collecting unit 24 and the second dust collecting unit 50 may be arranged in the same housing. Even in this case, the second dust collecting unit 50 is arranged between the rotary cleaning body 46 and a communication unit having an outlet 50b at its end that discharges toward the first dust collecting unit 24.

[0078] Furthermore, although the above-described electric vacuum cleaner 10 is a vacuum cleaner having an extension tube 90 that connects the vacuum cleaner main body 20 and the suction tool 40, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to have a vacuum cleaner that does not have an extension tube 90 that connects the vacuum cleaner main body 20 and the suction tool 40.

[0079] In the above-described electric vacuum cleaner 10, the second dust collecting section 50 is formed so that its width is substantially uniform at any point from the intake section 50a side toward the discharge section 50b side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, the second dust collecting section 50 may be formed so that its width along the axial direction of the rotary cleaning body 46 decreases from the intake section 50a side toward the discharge section 50b side. With this configuration, when suction force is applied by the electric blower 22, dust that has flowed into the second dust collecting section 50 can be smoothly sucked from the intake section 50a side toward the discharge section 50b side.

[0080] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported by the stand device 300, and the electric current is applied by contact between the main body-side terminal 25 and the support-side terminal 370c, automatically operating in the third mode. However, a configuration in which whether or not to automatically operate in the third mode when the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported by the stand device 300 can be set is also possible. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 , a third mode setting unit 380 for setting whether or not to operate in the third mode can be provided on the receiving portion 370 or on the placing portion 340 of the stand device 300. In such a configuration, it is preferable that operation in the third mode is performed when the third mode setting unit 380 is set to allow operation in the third mode and when the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported (placed) on the stand device 300, as part or all of the operating conditions. This allows the user to set whether or not to automatically operate in the third mode when the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported by the stand device 300, according to their intention, further improving convenience. The third mode setting unit 380 may be, for example, a switch for switching between enabled (ON) and disabled (OFF). The third mode setting unit 380 may be provided in the electric vacuum cleaner .

[0081] In the above embodiment, the operation in the third mode is performed when the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported by the support device 300. However, other conditions may be set as the operation condition for the third mode. For example, the vacuum cleaner 10 may be configured to operate in the third mode when, in addition to the vacuum cleaner 10 being supported by the support device 300, an operation history of either the first mode or the second mode has been performed after the previous operation in the third mode. This configuration more reliably prevents dust collected by the operation in the first mode or the second mode from remaining in the second dust collecting section 50. The operation history may be stored in the control device 32 of the vacuum cleaner 10 or in a recording medium readable or communicable by the control device 32. Furthermore, the control device 32 may reset the operation history when the third mode is executed based on the operation history.

[0082] Furthermore, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 may have, for example, a timer setting. That is, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 may be provided with a time measuring means for measuring time and a time setting means for setting time, and when the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the stand device 300, the third mode may be performed when the time measured by the time measuring means reaches the time set by the time setting means.

[0083] Note that vacuum cleaner system S may not have any of the setting of third mode setting unit 380, the operation history, and the timer setting, or may have at least one of them as a function. Specifically, when vacuum cleaner 10 is installed on stand device 300, it may be aspect 1 in which it has any of the setting of third mode setting unit 380, the operation history, and the timer setting, or it may be aspect 2 in which it has the setting of third mode setting unit 380 and at least one of the operation history and the timer setting, or it may be aspect 3 in which it has the operation history and the timer setting.

[0084] The above-described embodiment is the same as embodiment 1. In embodiment 2, when the setting of third mode setting unit 380 is in the permitted state, the third mode may be executed in a state where an operating history exists, or when the setting of third mode setting unit 380 is in the permitted state, the third mode may be executed at the time set by the timer, or further when the setting of third mode setting unit 380 is in the permitted state, the third mode may be executed at the time set by the timer in a state where an operating history exists.

[0085] In the third aspect, when the vacuum cleaner 10 is installed on the stand device 300, the third mode may be executed if the timer setting time comes with an operating history. On the other hand, when the vacuum cleaner 10 is not installed on the stand device 300, the third mode may be executed according to the timer setting, or the operating history and the timer setting. In other words, the third mode may be executed if the timer setting time comes with an operating history, or the third mode may be executed if the timer setting time comes regardless of whether the operating history exists.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 executes the third mode in which the electric blower 22 is driven for a predetermined time, but the electric vacuum cleaner 10 may be provided with a dust detection means for detecting dust passing through the air passage communicating with the first dust collecting section 24, and the third mode in which the electric blower 22 is driven may be executed when the dust detection means detects dust.

[0087] In addition, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 of the above embodiment may be configured to execute the third mode before or after charging by the support device 300, and the power supplied to the electric blower 22 while the third mode is being executed may be supplied from both the battery 34 and the support device 300 (commercial power source).

[0088] As explained above, the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention is an invention that solves the problems in the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-134769). That is, Patent Document 1 provides a vacuum cleaner that includes a rotating brush, an electric motor that drives the rotating brush, a transmission device that transmits the power of the electric motor to the rotating brush, and a dust collection box with a dust inlet on the surface facing the rotating brush, with an opening on the underside of the rotating brush. When the vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured such that the dust collection box is provided inside the main body along with the rotating brush and the electric motor, and no electric blower is provided, noise caused by driving the electric blower is not generated, making it possible to reduce noise during cleaning. However, when a vacuum cleaner is configured without an electric blower that generates suction power, as in the vacuum cleaner of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that it is difficult to take in dust adhering to a rug or carpet into the main body. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electric vacuum cleaner that can selectively use cleaning by utilizing the suction force of an electric blower and cleaning by rotating a rotary brush.

[0089] The vacuum cleaner 10 according to the above-described embodiment and modifications embodies the inventions according to the following (1-1) to (1-14). According to the inventions according to the following (1-1) to (1-14), for example, the following effects can be obtained.

[0090] (1-1) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention comprises an electric blower that generates suction force, a dust collection section that collects dust, an inlet for sucking in the dust, and a rotating cleaning body that rotates by driving a drive section, wherein the dust collection section has a first dust collection section and a second dust collection section that is arranged on the inlet side of the first dust collection section in a path connecting the first dust collection section and the inlet, and is characterized in that it can be switched between one of a plurality of operating modes including a first mode in which the drive section is driven with the electric blower stopped, and a second mode in which the electric blower is driven.

[0091] The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention can be used in a first mode by rotating the rotary cleaning body to clean without generating driving noise from the electric blower by driving the cleaning body drive unit while stopping the electric blower. Furthermore, the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention is configured such that the dust collecting unit includes, in addition to the first dust collecting unit, a second dust collecting unit disposed closer to the suction port than the first dust collecting unit. Therefore, when the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention is operated in the first mode in which suction force is not generated by the electric blower, dust collected by the rotation of the rotary cleaning body can be collected in the second dust collecting unit.

[0092] On the other hand, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can perform cleaning using the suction force of the electric blower by driving the electric blower in the second mode. Also, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is provided with a first dust collecting unit located away from the second dust collecting unit in a direction away from the suction port (suction direction). Therefore, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can collect dust collected in the second dust collecting unit by operation in the first mode in the first dust collecting unit by the suction force of the electric blower.

[0093] As described above, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention has a dust collecting section that includes a first dust collecting section and a second dust collecting section, and is operable in a plurality of modes including a first mode and a second mode, thereby enabling the vacuum cleaner of the present invention to selectively use cleaning that utilizes the suction force of the electric blower and cleaning that utilizes the rotation of the rotary brush.

[0094] (1-2) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention is preferably one that can be installed on a support device provided separately from the electric vacuum cleaner, and is characterized in that, when installed on the support device, it operates in a third mode in which the electric blower is driven to suck dust toward the first dust collecting section.

[0095] The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention operates the electric blower when the vacuum cleaner is installed on the support device. Therefore, by operating in the third mode, the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention can keep the second dust collecting section clean. In other words, excessive accumulation of dust in the second dust collecting section can be suppressed.

[0096] (1-3) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention is preferably one that can be installed on a support device provided separately from the electric vacuum cleaner, and is characterized in that, when installed on the support device and meeting one or more other conditions, it operates in a third mode in which the electric blower is driven to suck dust toward the first dust collecting section.

[0097] The vacuum cleaner of the present invention, having the configuration as described above in (1-3), can keep the second dust collecting section clean, in other words, can prevent excessive accumulation of dust in the second dust collecting section.

[0098] (1-4) As in the above-described modified example, the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention is preferably characterized in that the support device or the electric vacuum cleaner is provided with a third mode setting unit that sets whether or not to operate in the third mode, and the electric vacuum cleaner is operated in the third mode with the other condition being that the third mode setting unit is set to allow operation in the third mode.

[0099] By configuring the vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (1-4), when the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the support device 300, the user can set whether or not to automatically operate in the third mode, according to their own intention, thereby further improving convenience.

[0100] (1-5) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention may be characterized in that it operates in the third mode, with the other condition being that there is an operating history in which operation in either the first mode or the second mode has been performed after an operation in the third mode, as in the above-described modified example.

[0101] By being configured as described above in (1-5), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can more reliably prevent dust collected by operating in the first mode or the second mode from remaining trapped in the second dust collecting section 50.

[0102] (1-6) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention may be characterized by including a detection unit that detects that the electric vacuum cleaner is placed on the support device.

[0103] The vacuum cleaner of the present invention can detect that it has been placed on a stand device by being configured as described above in (1-6). Note that, in the above embodiment, the main body-side terminal 25 provided on the vacuum cleaner 10 and the support-side terminal 370c provided on the stand device 300 function as the detection unit, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various sensors, switches, etc. may also function as the detection unit.

[0104] (1-7) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention may preferably be characterized by comprising a vacuum cleaner body having the electric blower and the first dust collecting unit, and a suction tool having the suction port, the second dust collecting unit, the drive unit, and the rotating cleaning body.

[0105] By being configured as described above in (1-7), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can, when operated in the first mode, rotate the rotary cleaning body to clean without generating driving noise from the electric blower, and collect dust in the second dust collecting section of the suction tool.Furthermore, by being configured as described above in (1-7), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can, when operated in the second mode, clean using the suction force of the electric blower, and can also collect dust collected in the second dust collecting section by operation in the first mode into the first dust collecting section.

[0106] (1-8) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention may preferably be characterized in that it comprises a detection unit provided in the vacuum cleaner body that detects that the vacuum cleaner is placed on the support device by electrical connection with the support device, and an extension tube that connects the vacuum cleaner body and the suction tool, and that the battery provided in the vacuum cleaner body can be charged by supplying power from the support device via an electrical connection provided in the extension tube. The vacuum cleaner of the present invention can detect installation on a support device by being configured as described above in (1-8). Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can charge a battery provided in the vacuum cleaner body by supplying power from the support device via a conductive part provided in the extension tube. Furthermore, by providing the detection part in the vacuum cleaner body as described above in (1-8), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention eliminates the need to provide wiring connected to the detection part in the extension tube.

[0107] (1-9) In the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention, it is preferable that the support device comprises a receiving part that supports the first dust collecting part and a detecting part that detects that the electric vacuum cleaner has been installed, and the detecting part is provided on the receiving part and detects that the electric vacuum cleaner has been installed when the first dust collecting part is supported on the receiving part.

[0108] By configuring the vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (1-9), the first dust collecting section is installed in the receiving section, which improves the stability of support relative to the support device, thereby improving detection accuracy.

[0109] (1-10) The vacuum cleaner of the present invention may be installable on a stand device provided separately from the vacuum cleaner, and may include an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to operate in a third mode in which contact with the stand device drives the electric blower to suck dust toward the first dust collecting unit. For example, the instruction receiving unit may be a switch that executes the third mode, and the third mode may be executed by contacting or pressing a part of the stand device (e.g., a protrusion) with or against the switch.

[0110] The vacuum cleaner of the present invention can also be provided with an instruction receiving unit instead of a detection unit consisting of a sensor or the like, as described above (1-10), so that it can be operated in the third mode to clean the second dust collecting unit, provided that the vacuum cleaner is placed on the support device.

[0111] (1-11) The vacuum cleaner of the present invention may preferably be characterized in that it comprises a timing means for timing the time and a time setting means for setting the time, and performs the third mode under the other condition that the time measured by the timing means is the time measured by the time setting means.

[0112] The vacuum cleaner of the present invention can execute the third mode at a timing desired by the user, as described above in (1-11). Note that the clocking means and the time setting means may be applied to the configuration described above in (1-1), so that the third mode is executed in which the time measured by the clocking means becomes the time measured by the time setting means.

[0113] (1-12) In the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention, the third mode may be a mode in which the electric blower is driven for a predetermined time, or a mode in which the electric blower is driven when dust is detected by dust detection means that detects dust passing through an air passage connected to the first dust collecting section.

[0114] The vacuum cleaner of the present invention can improve noise reduction by limiting the time for which the electric blower is driven, as described above in (1-12).

[0115] (1-13) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention preferably has a mode selection receiving unit (operation unit 28) that receives the selection of the operation mode, and a processing execution unit (control device 32) that, when the selection of the operation mode is received by the mode selection receiving unit, executes an operation related to the received operation mode, and is characterized in that the operation modes that can be received for selection by the mode selection receiving unit include a third mode that drives the electric blower to suck dust toward the first dust collecting unit.

[0116] By being configured as described above in (1-13), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can cause the process execution unit to execute operation in the third mode when the third mode is intentionally selected as the operation mode in the mode selection receiving unit. Therefore, by being configured as described above in (1-13), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can operate in the third mode in accordance with the user's intention, and can keep the second dust collecting unit clean.

[0117] (1-14) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention is preferably one that can be installed on a support device having a charging mechanism provided separately from the electric vacuum cleaner, and is characterized by operating in a third mode in which the electric blower is driven by power supplied from a battery and the support device (commercial power source).

[0118] By configuring the vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (1-14), it is possible to drive the electric blower with power supplied from the support device even when the battery is low in charge. Note that the vacuum cleaner may be configured so that power is supplied from the support device when the battery charge is equal to or less than a threshold, and so that power is not supplied from the support device when the battery charge is greater than the threshold.

[0119] Here, the vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-134769) has a dust collection box in the main body along with a rotating brush and an electric motor, and does not have an electric blower, so no noise is generated by driving, making it possible to reduce noise during cleaning. Although this prior art adopts a configuration with a dust remover, there is a problem in that it is difficult to maintain.

[0120] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electric vacuum cleaner with improved maintainability of the dust removal section.

[0121] To achieve this object, the vacuum cleaner 10 according to the above-described embodiment and modifications embodies the following inventions (2-1) to (2-6). According to the following inventions (2-1) to (2-6), for example, the following effects can be obtained.

[0122] (2-1) The vacuum cleaner of the present invention comprises a main body (corresponding to suction tool main body 42 in the above embodiment) having a dust collecting section (corresponding to second dust collecting section 50 in the above embodiment) for collecting dust, a suction port for sucking in dust, and a rotary cleaning body that rotates when driven by a drive unit, and a dust removing section that removes dust adhering to the rotary cleaning body, the dust removing section being detachably provided on the main body. Note that the main body of the vacuum cleaner in this case may be configured to communicate with an electric blower or may be configured not to be connected to a vacuum cleaner main body having an electric blower.

[0123] In the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, as described above in (2-1), the dust removal unit is detachable from the main body, making it easy to perform maintenance on the dust removal unit.

[0124] (2-2) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention is preferably characterized in that the main body comprises an opening that allows the dust collection unit to be attached and detached to the main body, a cover that opens and closes the opening, and a biasing member that biases the cover in the direction of opening the opening.

[0125] By configuring the vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (2-2), the work of opening and closing the cover and attaching and detaching the dust collecting unit can be easily performed.

[0126] (2-3) In the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention, it is preferable that the dust removal section has a plurality of protrusions that protrude toward the rotary cleaning body and a group of protrusions that are aligned along the axial direction of the rotary cleaning body.

[0127] By being configured as described above in (2-3), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can clean each part of the rotary cleaning body in the axial direction by the protrusions that form the protrusion group.

[0128] (2-4) In the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention, it is preferable that the protrusions constituting the protrusion group are arranged in a plurality of rows along the rotation direction of the rotary cleaning body.

[0129] By adopting the configuration as described above in (2-4), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can increase the frequency with which the rotary cleaning body comes into contact with dust adhering to the rotary cleaning body during one rotation by the number of protrusions aligned in the rotation direction of the rotary cleaning body. Therefore, by adopting the configuration as described above in (2-4), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can improve the dust removal ability of the dust removal unit.

[0130] (2-5) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention may be characterized in that the dust collection unit is attached to the rear of the rotary cleaning body, and the dust removal unit is positioned at the entrance of the dust collection unit downstream of the rotary cleaning body in the direction of rotation, and rearward of the rotary cleaning body.

[0131] By being configured as described above in (2-5), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can remove dust from the rotary cleaning body at the entrance side of the dust collecting part and smoothly collect it in the dust collecting part.

[0132] (2-6) In the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention, the main body is preferably a suction tool that communicates with a vacuum cleaner main body having an electric blower.

[0133] By configuring the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (2-6), it is possible to rotate the rotating cleaning body to clean without generating driving noise from the electric blower by driving the drive unit provided in the suction tool while stopping the drive of the electric blower provided in the vacuum cleaner body.

[0134] The vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-134769) has a dust collection box in the main body along with a rotating brush and an electric motor, and does not have an electric blower, so no noise is generated by driving, making it possible to reduce noise during cleaning. However, because this conventional vacuum cleaner does not use the suction of an electric blower, there is a problem in that it is difficult to collect dust that has adhered to, for example, a carpet or rug into the main body.

[0135] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner that can perform cleaning while suppressing noise caused by driving an electric blower.

[0136] To achieve this object, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 according to the above-described embodiment and modified example employs the configuration as described in (3-1), which allows the electric vacuum cleaner 10 to obtain the following effects.

[0137] (3-1) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention comprises an electric blower (electric blower 22) that generates suction force, a dust collection section that collects dust, an inlet for sucking in the dust, and a rotating cleaning body that rotates when driven by a drive section, and the dust collection section has a first dust collection section and a second dust collection section that is arranged closer to the inlet than the first dust collection section in the path connecting the first dust collection section and the inlet, and is characterized in that it is switchable between one of a plurality of operating modes including a first drive mode in which the electric blower is driven with a first parameter and a second drive mode in which the electric blower is driven with a second parameter that is larger than the first parameter.

[0138] The vacuum cleaner 10 having such a configuration can perform cleaning with reduced noise caused by the operation of the electric blower in the first drive mode in which the electric blower operates with the first parameters, while performing cleaning with sufficient suction force of the electric blower in the second drive mode in which the electric blower operates with the second parameters. Therefore, cleaning can be performed with reduced noise caused by the operation of the electric blower.

[0139] Moreover, the above-mentioned configurations (1-2) to (1-14) can be applied to the above-mentioned configuration (3-1).

[0140] The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-described embodiments, and appropriate design modifications and the like are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. The components of the above-described embodiments and variations may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Furthermore, any component of each embodiment or variation may be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the Summary of the Invention, the Detailed Description, etc., or any component embodying any component described in the Summary of the Invention, the Detailed Description, etc. The present invention also intends to obtain rights to these in this application or in divisional applications based on this application. [Industrial Applicability]

[0141] The present invention can be suitably used in electric blowers and electric vacuum cleaners equipped with electric blowers in general. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 10: Vacuum cleaner 20: Vacuum cleaner body 22: Electric blower 25: Terminal on the main unit 30: Dust collection section 32: Control device 34: Battery 40: Suction tool 42: Suction tool body 46: Rotating cleaning body 48: Cleaning body drive unit 50:Second dust collection section 50a: Intake section 50b: Discharge section 54:Dust removal section 54a:Protrusion 54g: Projection group 62: Inlet 64a: Opening 64b: Cover part 64c: biasing member 64d: Lock section 300: Support device 370c: Support side terminal 380: Third mode setting section S: Vacuum cleaner system

Claims

1. an electric blower that generates suction force; a dust collecting unit for collecting dust; an intake port for sucking in dust; a rotary cleaning body that is rotated by the drive unit, the dust collecting section includes a first dust collecting section and a second dust collecting section disposed closer to the suction port than the first dust collecting section in a path connecting the first dust collecting section and the suction port, a vacuum cleaner body having the electric blower and the first dust collecting unit; a suction tool having the suction port, the second dust collecting unit, the drive unit, and the rotary cleaning body; A stick-type vacuum cleaner in which an extension tube is connected to the vacuum cleaner body and the suction tool is connected to the extension tube, In the stick-type configuration, the operation mode can be switched to one of a plurality of operation modes including a first mode in which the drive unit is driven while the drive of the electric blower is stopped, and a second mode in which the electric blower is driven, The vacuum cleaner can be installed on a support device provided separately from the vacuum cleaner, an instruction receiving unit that receives, by contact with the support device, an instruction to operate in a third mode in which the electric blower is driven to suck dust toward the first dust collecting unit; When the vacuum cleaner is placed on the stand device, the instruction receiving unit comes into contact with the stand device and receives an instruction for the operation in the third mode; The electric vacuum cleaner is characterized in that, by operation in the third mode, dust accumulated in the second dust collecting section is sucked and collected in the first dust collecting section.

2. an electric blower that generates suction force; a dust collecting unit for collecting dust; an intake port for sucking in dust; a rotary cleaning body that is rotated by the drive unit, the dust collecting section includes a first dust collecting section and a second dust collecting section disposed closer to the suction port than the first dust collecting section in a path connecting the first dust collecting section and the suction port, a vacuum cleaner body having the electric blower and the first dust collecting unit; a suction tool having the suction port, the second dust collecting unit, the drive unit, and the rotary cleaning body; a stick-type vacuum cleaner having an extension tube connected to the vacuum cleaner body and the suction tool connected to the extension tube; a support device that is provided separately from the vacuum cleaner and on which the vacuum cleaner can be installed, The vacuum cleaner is In the stick-type configuration, the operation mode can be switched to one of a plurality of operation modes including a first mode in which the drive unit is driven while the drive of the electric blower is stopped, and a second mode in which the electric blower is driven, a third mode in which the electric vacuum cleaner is operated to drive the electric blower to suck dust toward the first dust collecting unit, on the condition that the electric vacuum cleaner is placed on the support device; The electric vacuum cleaner system is characterized in that, by operation in the third mode, dust accumulated in the second dust collecting section is sucked in and collected in the first dust collecting section.

3. an electric blower that generates suction force; a dust collecting unit for collecting dust; an intake port for sucking in dust; a rotary cleaning body that is rotated by the drive unit, the dust collecting section includes a first dust collecting section and a second dust collecting section disposed closer to the suction port than the first dust collecting section in a path connecting the first dust collecting section and the suction port, a vacuum cleaner body having the electric blower and the first dust collecting unit; a suction tool having the suction port, the second dust collecting unit, the drive unit, and the rotary cleaning body; a stick-type vacuum cleaner having an extension tube connected to the vacuum cleaner body and the suction tool connected to the extension tube; a support device that is provided separately from the vacuum cleaner and on which the vacuum cleaner can be installed, The vacuum cleaner is In the stick-type configuration, the operation mode can be switched to one of a plurality of operation modes including a first mode in which the drive unit is driven while the drive of the electric blower is stopped, and a second mode in which the electric blower is driven, When the vacuum cleaner is placed on the support device and one or more other conditions are satisfied, the vacuum cleaner operates in a third mode in which the electric blower is driven to suck dust toward the first dust collecting unit, The electric vacuum cleaner system is characterized in that, by operation in the third mode, dust accumulated in the second dust collecting section is sucked in and collected in the first dust collecting section.

4. The support device or the vacuum cleaner is provided with a third mode setting unit that sets whether or not to operate in the third mode, 4. The electric vacuum cleaner system according to claim 3, wherein operation in the third mode is performed under the other condition that the third mode setting unit is set to permit operation in the third mode.

5. 5. The electric vacuum cleaner system according to claim 3, wherein the electric vacuum cleaner system operates in the third mode under the other condition that there is an operating history in which operation in either the first mode or the second mode has been performed after a previous operation in the third mode.

6. 6. The vacuum cleaner system according to claim 2, further comprising a detector that detects that the vacuum cleaner is placed on the support device.

7. a detection unit provided in the vacuum cleaner body that detects that the electric vacuum cleaner is placed on the stand device through an electrical connection with the stand device; The electric vacuum cleaner system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that a battery provided in the vacuum cleaner body can be charged by supplying power from the support device via a conductive part provided in the extension tube.

8. the support device includes a receiving part that supports the first dust collecting part and a detection part that detects that the vacuum cleaner is installed, The vacuum cleaner system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the detection unit is provided on the receiving part and detects the installation of the vacuum cleaner when the first dust collecting unit is supported on the receiving part.

9. A timekeeping means for measuring time; a time setting means for setting the time, 6. The electric vacuum cleaner system according to claim 3, wherein the third mode is performed under the other condition that the time measured by the clocking means becomes the time measured by the time setting means.

10. A timekeeping means for measuring time; a time setting means for setting the time, 2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein when the time measured by the timing means reaches the time measured by the time setting means, the electric blower is driven to perform the third mode of sucking dust toward the first dust collecting section.

11. The electric vacuum cleaner system of any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the third mode is a mode in which the electric blower is driven for a predetermined time, or a mode in which the electric blower is driven in a state in which dust detection means that detects dust passing through an air passage communicating with the first dust collecting section detects dust.

12. a mode selection receiving unit that receives a selection of the operation mode; a processing execution unit that, when the mode selection acceptance unit accepts a selection of an operation mode, executes an operation related to the accepted operation mode, The electric vacuum cleaner system according to any one of claims 2 to 9 and 11, characterized in that the operating modes that can be selected by the mode selection receiving unit include the third mode in which the electric blower is driven to suck dust toward the first dust collecting unit.

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