Dust collectors and vacuum cleaners

Abstract

To provide a dust collection device capable of keeping a compressive force on dust, and having good maintainability, and a vacuum cleaner comprising the same.SOLUTION: An umbrella-shaped part 302 is located on one end side of a first cylindrical part 300 located in a central part of a first separation part 5 that is a centrifugal separation part while leaving a gap G between itself and the first cylindrical part 300. A ventilation opening 3022 has a filtration function, communicates with the gap G, and is formed in the umbrella-shaped part 302. An interposed part 303 is located in an outside part of the gap G, and extends between the first cylindrical part 300 and the umbrella-shaped part 302. A vent 305 is located in the outside part of the gap G, and communicates with the ventilation opening 3022 via the gap G. A guide part 304 can guide dust entangled with an outside part of the first cylindrical part 300, to the side opposite to first cylindrical part 300 with respect to the umbrella-shaped part 302.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a dust collector having a centrifugal separation section and a vacuum cleaner equipped with the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a dust collector used in a vacuum cleaner or the like, there is known one including a first separation section that centrifugally separates coarse dust, i.e., coarse particles, from dust-containing air, and a second separation section that centrifugally separates fine dust, i.e., fine particles, from the air that has passed through the first separation section. The coarse dust separated in the first separation section is preferably compressed so that as much as possible is accumulated in a coarse dust accumulation section having a limited size. Therefore, there is known a dust collector that compresses coarse dust using an air flow passing from the first separation section to the second separation section.

[0003] For example, an opening is formed in the top surface of an enlarged umbrella-shaped member at the lower end of a cylindrical ventilation section that connects the first separation section and the second separation section, this opening is covered with a filter, and the coarse dust is pressed against the filter by an air flow that refluxes from the coarse dust accumulation section to the first separation section through this opening to compress the umbrella-shaped member. In this case, during maintenance, dust entangled around the ventilation section cannot be removed by being directly moved downward and being caught by the umbrella-shaped member, so the maintainability deteriorates.

[0004] Also, an opening that communicates with the inside of the ventilation section is formed at the lower end of the ventilation section, this opening is covered with a filter, and the coarse dust is pressed against the filter by an air flow passing from the first separation section to the second separation section through this opening to compress it. In this case, since the air flow passing through the opening is the main air flow flowing from the first separation section to the second separation section, the filter clogs early and the compression force does not last.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a dust collection device that can maintain dust compression force and has good maintainability, as well as a vacuum cleaner equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The dust collector of this embodiment comprises a centrifugal separator, a cylindrical section, an umbrella-shaped section, a ventilation opening, an intervening section, a ventilation port, and a guide section. The centrifugal separator centrifuges dust from dust-containing air. The cylindrical section is located in the center of the centrifugal separator. The umbrella-shaped section is located on one end of the cylindrical section, with a gap between them. The ventilation opening has a filtering function and is formed in the umbrella-shaped section, communicating with the gap. The intervening section is located on the outside of the gap and extends between the cylindrical section and the umbrella-shaped section. The ventilation port is located on the outside of the gap and communicates with the ventilation opening through the gap. The guide section allows dust entangled on the outside of the cylindrical section to be guided to the opposite side of the umbrella-shaped section from the cylindrical section. The guide portion has a shape that does not have a stepped expansion from the cylindrical side to the umbrella side, extending from the outer part of the cylindrical portion to the outer part of the intervening portion and the outer part of the umbrella-shaped portion. . [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the centrifugal separation section of the dust collector of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the dust collector shown above. [Figure 3] This is a side view showing a part of the dust collector shown above. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing a part of the dust collection device shown above. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the umbrella-shaped part of the dust collector shown above. [Figure 6] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the dust collector shown above. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing the dust collector shown above. [Figure 8]This is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner equipped with the same dust collection device. [Figure 9] This is a side view showing a part of the dust collector according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In Figures 6 and 7, 1 represents a dust collector. The dust collector 1, also called a dust collection cup, separates and collects dust from dust-containing air. The dust collector 1 has a cylindrical, preferably cylindrical, appearance, with its axial direction as the longitudinal direction. The dust collector 1 can be applied to various electrical devices at various angles, but in this embodiment, for the sake of clarity, the direction of arrow D shown in the figures, that is, one end or side in the longitudinal direction of the dust collector 1, will be described as downwards, and the direction of arrow U, that is, the other end or side in the longitudinal direction of the dust collector 1, will be described as upwards. In other words, the up and down directions in this embodiment are merely for explanatory purposes and do not limit the up and down directions in the usage state or orientation of the dust collector 1 in electrical devices.

[0011] The dust collector 1 consists of multiple components. Preferably, the dust collector 1 consists of multiple components that are detachable from one another. Hereafter, the term "detachable" basically means that a standard user can attach and detach the components manually without using tools or damaging any part with excessive external force. In this embodiment, the dust collector 1 consists of multiple components that are detachable from one another in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] In the illustrated example, the dust collector 1 consists of a first member 2, a second member 3, and a third member 4. The first member 2, the second member 3, and the third member 4 may each be further broken down into smaller components, but in the assembled state of the dust collector 1 of this embodiment, the first member 2, the second member 3, and the third member 4 will basically be described as components used as a single unit. In this embodiment, the dust collector 1 is assembled with the third member 4 sandwiched between the first member 2 and the second member 3. Hereinafter, the assembled state or usage state of the dust collector 1 refers to the state in which the first member 2, the second member 3, and the third member 4 are assembled integrally with each other.

[0013] Furthermore, the dust collector 1 has at least one centrifugal separator. In this embodiment, the dust collector 1 has a plurality of separation stages. In the illustrated example, the dust collector 1 has a first separation section 5, which is a centrifugal separator that is a first stage or upstream stage for separating coarse dust D1, which is coarse dust, from dust-containing air, and a second separation section 6, which is a second stage or downstream stage for further separating fine dust D2, which is fine dust, from the air that has passed through the first separation section 5. Furthermore, the dust collector 1 has a first accumulation section 7 where the coarse dust D1 separated in the first separation section 5 is accumulated, and a second accumulation section 8 where the fine dust D2 separated in the second separation section 6 is accumulated. In the illustrated example, the first separation section 5 and the second separation section 6 are centrifugal separators that separate dust from air by centrifugal separator. In this embodiment, with the dust collector 1 assembled, the first collection unit 7 is located below the first separation unit 5, on one side in the axial direction of the first separation unit 5, while the second separation unit 6 and the second collection unit 8 are located above the first separation unit 5, on the opposite side in the axial direction of the first separation unit 5, with the second collection unit 8 located below the second separation unit 6. The axial direction of the first separation unit 5 is defined as the direction of the pivot axis of centrifugal separation in the first separation unit 5 or a direction parallel thereto. Hereafter, the term "parallel" is not limited to perfectly parallel, but also includes substantially parallel and substantially parallel within the tolerance or error range. Furthermore, coarse dust D1 mainly refers to fibrous dust such as lint, hair, and cotton dust, and dust with a large mass such as sand particles, while fine dust D2 mainly refers to particulate or powdery dust with a small mass.

[0014] The first member 2 is also called a cup portion, a first dust collection cup, or a dust collection container, etc. The first member 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape. In the illustrated example, the first member 2 is formed in a circular cylindrical shape. A first separation portion 5 and a first accumulation portion 7 are arranged inside the first member 2. In the present embodiment, the first member 2 is a member that constitutes the first separation portion 5 and the first accumulation portion 7. In the assembled state of the dust collection device 1, the central axis of the first member 2 coincides with the central axis of the dust collection device 1. Hereinafter, the term "coincide" shall include not only those that completely coincide, but also those that substantially coincide within the range of tolerance or error, etc.

[0015] For example, the first member 2 is a bottomed cylindrical shape having a circular bottom portion 20 and a side wall portion 21 that rises from the outer edge portion of the bottom portion 20.

[0016] The bottom portion 20 constitutes the lowermost portion of the dust collection device 1. The bottom portion 20 serves as a support portion of the dust collection device 1 in a state where the dust collection device 1 is placed on a horizontal plane. The bottom portion 20 is formed in a circular flat plate shape.

[0017] The side wall portion 21 constitutes the outer shell at the lower end portion, that is, the lower end side of the dust collection device 1. The side wall portion 21 has an elongated shape in the vertical direction where the vertical dimension is larger than the diameter dimension. The first separation portion 5 and the first accumulation portion 7 are surrounded by the side wall portion 21. That is, the side wall portion 21 constitutes the outer wall of the first separation portion 5 and the first accumulation portion 7. The central axis of the side wall portion 21, that is, the central axis of the first member 2, coincides with the central axis of the centrifugal separation of the first separation portion 5. Preferably, the side wall portion 21 is formed so that the diameter gradually increases as it moves away from the bottom portion 20, that is, from the bottom to the top.

[0018] Further, in the first member 2, an inlet 22 is formed in the side wall portion 21. The inlet 22 is an opening for introducing the dust-containing air into the first separation portion 5 located inside the first member 2. The inlet 22 is located at the most upstream of the air flow in the dust collection device 1 and the first separation portion 5. The inlet 22 is formed so as to introduce the dust-containing air in the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the side wall portion 21. In the present embodiment, the inlet 22 is formed in a duct shape extending in the tangential direction of the side wall portion 21. The inlet 22 is located at the intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the side wall portion 21. In the illustrated example, the inlet 22 is located closer to the upper part of the side wall portion 21.

[0019] Also, in the present embodiment, a member support portion 24 for supporting the third member 4 is formed in the first member 2. The member support portion 24 is a portion that supports the third member 4 so as not to fall into the first separation portion 5 and the first accumulation portion 7 inside the first member 2. The member support portion 24 is formed in a dish shape with a further enlarged diameter in a stepped manner with respect to the upper end portion, that is, the upper end portion of the side wall portion 21. In the present embodiment, the member support portion 24 constitutes the upper end portion of the first member 2. In the illustrated example, the member support portion 24 is formed over the entire circumference of the side wall portion 21. The upper end portion of the member support portion 24 is an end opening 25. In the present embodiment, the end opening 25 functions as a dust discharge port for discharging the coarse dust D1 accumulated in the first accumulation portion 7. Note that the dust discharge port may be formed at the lower end portion of the first member 2 and may be opened and closed by the bottom portion 20.

[0020] A holding portion 26 for positioning and preventing the third member 4 from rotating with respect to the first member 2 in the circumferential direction is formed in the member support portion 24. The holding portion 26 is formed as a protruding portion that protrudes inward of the first member 2 in a direction intersecting or orthogonal to the axial direction of the first member 2.

[0021] Preferably, the first member 2 is formed of a transparent member, and at least a part of the inside from the outside, that is, the first separation portion 5 and the first accumulation portion 7 is visible.

[0022] The second member 3 shown in Figures 1 and 6 is also called the second separation assembly or separation body. The second separation 6 is positioned inside the second member 3. The second member 3 has an insertion portion 30, at least its lower end, which is inserted into the first member 2 through the third member 4, and a member body portion 31 which is located above and outside the first member 2 and the third member 4.

[0023] The insertion portion 30 protrudes downward from the lower end of the member body portion 31. The insertion portion 30, inserted into the first member 2, is positioned coaxially with the first member 2 or the side wall portion 21, and is spaced inward from the side wall portion 21 of the first member 2. The insertion portion 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The insertion portion 30 is inserted into the first separation portion 5, and the space inside the insertion portion 30 is the exhaust portion from the first separation portion 5 and functions as part of the communication portion that connects the first separation portion 5 and the second separation portion 6. In this embodiment, the insertion portion 30 is located in the center of the first separation portion 5 when the dust collector 1 is assembled, and auxiliaryly constitutes the pivot center of the centrifugal separation of the first separation portion 5. The central axis of the insertion portion 30 coincides with the central axis of centrifugal separation of the first separation portion 5.

[0024] The insertion section 30 has a first cylindrical section 300, which is a cylindrical tubular section. The first cylindrical section 300 is also called a ventilation section. The first cylindrical section 300 is the downstream portion of the airflow in the first separation section 5. The first cylindrical section 300 is positioned so that at least a portion of it overlaps with the inlet 22 in the vertical direction. The central axis of the first cylindrical section 300 coincides with the central axis of the insertion section 30.

[0025] The first cylindrical portion 300 is formed such that the outer circumference 3000, which is the side surface, has a diameter at least at the lower end that is less than or equal to that of the upper end. In this embodiment, the outer circumference 3000 is cylindrical in shape, gradually increasing in diameter from the lower end to the upper end.

[0026] The outer periphery 3000 has a smooth shape with no stepped protrusions on its outermost surface. The outermost surface of the outer periphery 3000 may be a curved surface along a circle centered on the central axis of the first cylindrical portion 300, or it may be a flat surface along the sides of a polygon centered on the central axis of the first cylindrical portion 300. An opening 3001 is formed in the outer periphery 3000. Air flows out from the first separation portion 5 through the opening 3001 and flows to the downstream side, the second separation portion 6. The opening 3001 has a filtering function. In this embodiment, the opening 3001 is covered by a filter 3002. However, it is not limited to this, and the device may be configured so that a large number of small-area openings 3001 are formed so that the openings 3001 themselves function as filters.

[0027] An opposing portion 3003, which forms the bottom surface, is formed at the lower end of the outer peripheral portion 3000. The opposing portion 3003 is formed in a plate shape that extends in a direction intersecting or perpendicular to the axial direction of the first cylindrical portion 300.

[0028] Furthermore, the internal part 30 has a connecting part 301. The connecting part 301 airtightly connects the first separation part 5 and the first accumulation part 7 with the second accumulation part 8 and / or the second separation part 6 when the dust collector 1 is assembled. The connecting part 301 is located on the upper end side of the first cylindrical part 300. The connecting part 301 is located above the opening 3001. The connecting part 301 protrudes outward in a flange-like manner from the outer peripheral wall of the first cylindrical part 300. The connecting part 301 is formed in an annular shape that extends around the entire circumference of the first cylindrical part 300 and is arranged coaxially with the first cylindrical part 300.

[0029] Furthermore, the internal part 30 has an umbrella-shaped part 302. The umbrella-shaped part 302 is also called a shade part. The umbrella-shaped part 302 is a compression part that compresses the coarse dust D1 accumulated in the first accumulation part 7 into the interior using the airflow from the first separation part 5. The umbrella-shaped part 302 also serves as a partition that roughly divides the interior of the first member 2 into the first separation part 5 and the first accumulation part 7 vertically. The umbrella-shaped part 302 is positioned with a gap G in the vertical direction relative to the opposing part 3003 of the first cylindrical part 300. In the assembled state of the dust collector 1, the umbrella-shaped part 302 is positioned vertically opposite the bottom part 20, which is the lower part of the first member 2, and is located above the bottom part 20. The umbrella-shaped part 302 is coaxial with the first cylindrical part 300 and is formed in the shape of a covered cylindrical shape, i.e., an umbrella shape, with the bottom open. In other words, the umbrella-shaped portion 302 integrally includes a ceiling portion 3020 located on the upper side, which is the side of the first cylindrical portion 300, and a cylindrical outer wall portion 3021 extending downward from the outer edge of the ceiling portion 3020.

[0030] The ceiling portion 3020 is formed in a plate shape extending in a direction intersecting or perpendicular to the axial direction of the umbrella-shaped portion 302. The upper part of the ceiling portion 3020 faces the gap G, and through this gap G, it faces the opposing portion 3003 of the first cylindrical portion 300. The ceiling portion 3020 is formed in a circular shape. The diameter of the ceiling portion 3020 is set to be smaller than or equal to the opposing portion 3003 of the first cylindrical portion 300. In this embodiment, the diameter of the ceiling portion 3020 is set to be smaller than the opposing portion 3003.

[0031] The ceiling portion 3020 has a ventilation opening 3022 that penetrates the ceiling portion 3020 in the thickness direction and communicates with the gap G. The ventilation opening 3022 has a filtering function, and at least a portion of the coarse dust D1 accumulated in the first accumulation portion 7 is pressed against it by the airflow. In this embodiment, the ventilation opening 3022 is formed extending in the circumferential direction of the umbrella-shaped portion 302 or the ceiling portion 3020 and is covered by a filter 3023. However, it is not limited to this, and a number of small-area ventilation openings 3022 may be formed so that the ventilation openings 3022 themselves function as filters. For example, as shown in Figure 5, multiple ventilation openings 3022 are formed in the circumferential direction of the umbrella-shaped portion 302 or the ceiling portion 3020, spaced apart from each other. In the illustrated example, four ventilation openings 3022 are formed in the circumferential direction of the umbrella-shaped portion 302 or the ceiling portion 3020.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, a communication portion 3024 is further formed in the ceiling portion 3020. The communication portion 3024 is a portion that connects the inside of the umbrella-shaped portion 302 and the inside of the first cylindrical portion 300. The communication portion 3024 is formed in a cylindrical shape and protrudes upward from the ceiling portion 3020 toward the first cylindrical portion 300. The upper end of the communication portion 3024 is inserted from below into the opening 30030 which is opened in the opposing portion 3003 and is located inside the first cylindrical portion 300. A gap G is located around the communication portion 3024. That is, there is a gap G between the outer circumferential surface of the communication portion 3024, the opposing portion 3003 of the first cylindrical portion 300, and the ceiling portion 3020 of the umbrella-shaped portion 302. In this embodiment, there is a gap G between the outer circumferential surface of the communication portion 3024, the opposing portion 3003 of the first cylindrical portion 300, the ceiling portion 3020 of the umbrella-shaped portion 302, and the intervening portion 303. The communication portion 3024 is formed coaxially with the ceiling portion 3020, i.e., the umbrella-shaped portion 302. A ventilation opening 3022 is located around the communication portion 3024. That is, the ventilation opening 3022 is formed near the outer edge of the ceiling portion 3020. In addition, the outer circumferential surface of the communication portion 3024 is inclined so as to gradually decrease in diameter towards the top.

[0033] The connecting section 3024, like the first cylindrical section 300, is the downstream portion of the airflow in the first separation section 5. The interior of the connecting section 3024 is a connecting opening 3025 that connects the interior of the umbrella-shaped section 302 and the interior of the first cylindrical section 300 from the first accumulation section 7 to the second separation section 6. Through the connecting opening 3025, air flows out from the first separation section 5 or the first accumulation section 7 and flows to the downstream side, the second separation section 6. The connecting opening 3025 has a filtering function. In this embodiment, the connecting opening 3025 is covered by a filter 3026. However, it is not limited to this, and the system may be configured so that the connecting openings 3025 themselves function as filters by forming a large number of small-area connecting openings 3025. In the illustrated example, the connecting opening 3025 is located on the same plane as the ventilation opening 3022, and the filter 3026 is integrally constructed with the same filter body as the filter 3023.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the communication portion 3024 is a central connecting portion that connects the umbrella-shaped portion 302 and the first cylindrical portion 300. As shown in Figure 5, a locking portion 30240 is formed at the upper end of the communication portion 3024. The locking portion 30240 protrudes in a flange-like manner from opposite sides of the communication portion 3024, for example, at the upper end of the communication portion 3024, with respect to the central axis of the communication portion 3024. The locking portion 30240 is locked to the upper part of the edge of the opening 30030 of the opposing portion 3003 of the first cylindrical portion 300 shown in Figure 1, thereby connecting the first cylindrical portion 300 and the umbrella-shaped portion 302. In the example shown in Figure 5, a communication opening 3025 is formed around the communication portion 3024 of the ceiling portion 3020 at a position excluding the locking portion 30240.

[0035] The outer wall portion 3021 defines the outer part of the umbrella-shaped portion 302. The outer wall portion 3021 is formed in a cylindrical shape. At least the outer surface of the outer wall portion 3021 is formed in a smooth shape without stepped protrusions. In this embodiment, the outer surface of the outer wall portion 3021 is cylindrical. The outer wall portion 3021 is formed with the smallest diameter at the upper end and, in this embodiment, is cylindrical in shape that gradually widens in diameter towards the bottom.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the intervening portion 303 is located on the outer side of the gap G between the umbrella-shaped portion 302 and the first cylindrical portion 300. The intervening portion 303 is a guard portion that prevents coarse dust D1 from entering the gap G. The intervening portion 303 is formed across the first cylindrical portion 300 and the umbrella-shaped portion 302. The intervening portion 303 may be formed integrally with at least one of the first cylindrical portion 300 and the umbrella-shaped portion 302, or it may be a separate part from the first cylindrical portion 300 and the umbrella-shaped portion 302. For example, the intervening portion 303 may protrude downward from the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 300, or protrude upward from the upper end of the outer wall portion 3021 of the umbrella-shaped portion 302, or protrude separately from the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 300 and the upper end of the umbrella-shaped portion 302, or the tips of the portions protruding from the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 300 and the upper end of the umbrella-shaped portion 302 may abut each other or overlap in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the intervening portion 303 is integrally formed with the lower end of the outer peripheral portion 3000 of the first cylindrical portion 300. In the illustrated example, the intervening portion 303 is formed so that the lower end of the outer peripheral portion 3000 of the first cylindrical portion 300 extends downward from the opposing portion 3003.

[0037] The intervening portion 303 may have any shape as long as its outer surface is smooth and does not have stepped protrusions. In this embodiment, the intervening portion 303 is formed in the shape of a wall that covers the outer part of the gap G. In the illustrated example, the intervening portion 303 is arranged coaxially with the first cylindrical portion 300 and the umbrella-shaped portion 302. For example, the intervening portion 303 is connected to the outer wall portion 3021 at the position of the receiving portion 30200 formed on the outer edge of the ceiling portion 3020. The receiving portion 30200 is a recess that is recessed downward at the position of the outer edge of the ceiling portion 3020. The receiving portion 30200 is not an essential component.

[0038] Furthermore, a guide portion 304 (shown by a thick dashed line in Figure 1) is formed in the insertion portion 30. The guide portion 304 allows coarse dust D1, such as hair and other thread-like debris that has become entangled in the insertion portion 30, particularly the outer portion of the first cylindrical portion 300, i.e., the outer circumference 3000, to be guided downwards to the umbrella-shaped portion 302 when the dust collection device 1 is not in use, for example during maintenance. In this embodiment, the diameter L1 at the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 300 and the diameter L2 at the upper end of the intervening portion 303 are the same, and the diameter L3 at the lower end of the intervening portion 303 and the diameter L4 at the upper end of the umbrella-shaped portion 302 are set to be the same or substantially the same. Therefore, as shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the guide portion 304 is a portion that extends vertically from the outer part of the first cylindrical portion 300 to the outer part of the intervening portion 303 and the outer part of the umbrella-shaped portion 302, and is continuous without substantially having a stepped protrusion. It has a shape that does not have a stepped enlargement portion from the first cylindrical portion 300 toward the umbrella-shaped portion 302, i.e., a portion where the curvature changes sharply in the vertical direction. Hereafter, the term "flush" is not limited to perfectly flush surfaces, but also includes surfaces that are substantially flush within tolerances or error limits, and surfaces that are substantially flush.

[0039] The guide portion 304 may be planar in part or entirely, or linear in part or entirely. Preferably, the guide portion 304 is formed at multiple locations in the circumferential direction, and more preferably, it is equally spaced in the circumferential direction.

[0040] The guide portion 304 may consist of at least a part of the outer portion of the first cylindrical portion 300, at least a part of the outer portion of the intervening portion 303, and at least a part of the outer portion of the umbrella-shaped portion 302, or it may be formed from a separate member.

[0041] Furthermore, a ventilation opening 305 is formed on the outer side of the gap G, communicating with the ventilation opening 3022 through this gap G. One or more ventilation openings 305 are formed. Preferably, multiple ventilation openings 305 are equally spaced in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, a pair of ventilation openings 305 are formed and are located on opposite sides of each other with respect to the central axis of the insertion portion 30. That is, they are located 180° apart in the circumferential direction. Also, the ventilation openings 305 are located in a position that does not face the inlet 22. In this embodiment, the ventilation openings 305 are located in a position that does not face the inlet 22 in both the vertical and circumferential directions. In the illustrated example, the vents 305 are located below the lower end of the inlet 22, and as shown in Figure 2, one vent 305 is on the opposite side of the inlet 22 with respect to the central axis of the insertion part 30, while the other vent 305 is located near the downstream end of the swirling airflow of the first separation part 5, with the inlet 22 as the upstream end.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the upper end of the vent 305 is close to the opposing portion 3003 of the first cylindrical portion 300, and the lower end is close to the upper end of the outer wall portion 3021 of the umbrella-shaped portion 302. In this embodiment, the vent 305 opens into the intervening portion 303. The portion of the intervening portion 303 excluding the vent 305 constitutes part of the guide portion 304. In the illustrated example, the vent 305 is formed by cutting out the lower end of the intervening portion 303, that is, the portion in contact with the outer wall portion 3021 of the umbrella-shaped portion 302, upward. The vent 305 is formed to become narrower in the circumferential direction towards the top.

[0043] Furthermore, the main body portion 31 functions as a lid for the first member 2 and the third member 4, or as a lid for the first accumulation portion 7 and the second accumulation portion 8. The main body portion 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape coaxial with the insertion portion 30. The diameter of the main body portion 31 is set to be equal to or slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the first member 2.

[0044] In this embodiment, the main body portion 31 of the member has a bottom surface portion 310 formed in conjunction with the upper end of the insertion portion 30. As shown in Figure 3, the bottom surface portion 310 is formed in a circular plate shape and extends outward in a flange-like manner from the entire circumference of the upper end of the insertion portion 30. Near the outer edge of the bottom surface portion 310, a cylindrical side portion 311 is formed rising upward from the bottom surface portion 310, and a flange portion 312 extends further outward from the entire circumference of the upper end of the side portion 311. A seal portion 313 is positioned below the flange portion 312. The seal portion 313 is an annular shape that extends around the entire circumference of the flange portion 312, and in the assembled state of the dust collector 1 shown in Figures 1 and 6, it is pressed vertically against the third member 4 to airtightly seal the second member 3 and the third member 4, or the second accumulation portion 8 and the outside of the third member 4. The seal portion 313 is formed of, for example, an elastic elastomer or silicone rubber.

[0045] Furthermore, the main body portion 31 has a cover portion 314 outside the flange portion 312. The cover portion 314 constitutes the outer shell of the main body portion 31 and the outer shell on the upper end side of the dust collector 1. The cover portion 314 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The upper end of the cover portion 314 extends above the flange portion 312.

[0046] Furthermore, the main body portion 31 has a top surface portion 315 located near the upper end of the cover portion 314. The top surface portion 315 covers the upper end side of the cover portion 314. The top surface portion 315 constitutes the upper end of the dust collector 1. The top surface portion 315 is formed in a circular shape. A projection portion 3150 is formed on the top surface portion 315. The projection portion 3150 is an annular rib located near the outer edge of the top surface portion 315. The upper surface of the top surface portion 315 and the projection portion 3150 surround the space downstream of the dust collector 1.

[0047] Furthermore, within the main body portion 31 of the member, the second cylindrical portion 316, which constitutes the second separation portion 6, is arranged in the space surrounded by the bottom portion 310, the cover portion 314, and the top portion 315, that is, inside the main body portion 31. In other words, in the assembled state of the dust collector 1, the second separation portion 6 is located above the first separation portion 5. In this embodiment, multiple second cylindrical portions 316 are arranged in an annular shape, for example, surrounding the central axis of the second member 3 or the cover portion 314. The central axis of the second member 3 or the cover portion 314 coincides with the central axis of the first member 2 and / or the central axis of the first separation portion 5 and / or the central axis of the dust collector 1. The space inside the main body portion 31 surrounded by the multiple second cylindrical portions 316 forms an air passage portion 317 that communicates with the space inside the insertion portion 30. The air passage portion 317, together with the space inside the insertion portion 30, functions as part of a communication portion that connects the first separation portion 5 and the second separation portion 6.

[0048] The second cylindrical portion 316 is also called a separation cylinder or the like. The second cylindrical portion 316 is formed in a cylindrical shape, preferably a cylindrical shape. In the illustrated example, the second cylindrical portion 316 is formed in a truncated cone or frustoconical shape with a small diameter at the lower end and a large diameter at the upper end.

[0049] The second cylindrical section 316 has an inlet opening 3160 formed therein for introducing dust-laden air that has passed through the first separation section 5 into the second separation section 6. The inlet opening 3160 is a distribution opening that distributes air from the air passage section 317 into each of the second cylindrical sections 316. The inlet opening 3160 is located at the uppermost reaches of the airflow in the second separation section 6. The inlet opening 3160 is formed to introduce dust-laden air in a tangential direction to the inner circumferential surface of the second cylindrical section 316.

[0050] Furthermore, the second cylindrical portion 316 discharges dust separated inside, i.e., fine dust, from its lower end. In other words, the lower end of the second cylindrical portion 316 serves as a dust discharge port for discharging fine dust to the second accumulation portion 8. Since the lower end of the second cylindrical portion 316 is inserted from above into the opening 3100 (shown in Figure 4) which is opened in the bottom portion 310, the dust discharge port is exposed at the bottom of the bottom portion 310. In the assembled state of the dust collector 1, the dust discharge port is located above and opposite the second accumulation portion 8.

[0051] Furthermore, the second cylindrical section 316 discharges clean air, which is air from which fine dust has been separated, from its upper end. That is, an exhaust port 3162 for discharging clean air is formed inside the upper end of the second cylindrical section 316, as shown in Figure 7. The exhaust port 3162 is located at the downstream end of the airflow in the dust collector 1 and the second separation section 6 (shown in Figure 6). The exhaust port 3162 opens into the top surface section 315. The exhaust port 3162 is formed as the upper end of the exhaust pipe section 3163, which is arranged coaxially with the second cylindrical section 316 shown in Figure 6. The exhaust pipe section 3163 is formed in a cylindrical shape, preferably a cylindrical shape.

[0052] Furthermore, a filter or the like may be placed downstream of the exhaust port 3162 shown in Figure 7 to collect any fine dust particles that remain in the air discharged from the exhaust port 3162.

[0053] Furthermore, the second member 3 is provided with an attachment portion 318 on its outer surface, for example, on the outer surface of the cover portion 314, which is a separation locking means for detachably assembling the second member 3 to the first member 2 or the third member 4. The attachment portion 318 may have any configuration, but in this embodiment, the attachment portion 318 is configured as a locking portion that locks the second member 3 to the first member 2, spanning the third member 4 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, a pair of attachment portions 318 are set up and are positioned on opposite sides of each other with respect to the central axis of the dust collector 1.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second member 3 is provided with a mounting portion 319 for attaching the dust collector 1 to electrical equipment. The mounting portion 319 is formed on the cover portion 314, and its upper end protrudes above the upper end of the cover portion 314. The mounting portion 319 is located on the opposite side of the inlet 22 with respect to the central axis of the dust collector 1.

[0055] The third member 4 shown in Figures 1 and 6 is also called a dust collector, second dust collection cup, etc. The second accumulation section 8 is located inside the third member 4. The third member 4 is detachably attached to the end opening 25 of the first member 2. The third member 4 is formed in a generally cylindrical or annular shape. The central axis of the third member 4 coincides with the central axis of the dust collector 1 when the dust collector 1 is assembled. In other words, the first member 2, the second member 3, and the third member 4 have central axes that coincide with each other when the dust collector 1 is assembled. In the illustrated example, the third member 4 is shorter in the vertical direction than the first member 2 and the second member 3.

[0056] The third member 4 has a receiving portion 40 formed inside which the second accumulation portion 8 is partitioned. The second accumulation portion 8 inside the receiving portion 40 is annular or arc-shaped, and is a pocket-like concave portion with an open upper part and a closed lower part. In the assembled state of the dust collector 1, the upper opening of the receiving portion 40, i.e., the second accumulation portion 8, is positioned below the second separation portion 6 and is vertically opposed to the dust discharge port. The inner wall of the receiving portion 40 surrounds the insertion opening 41 into which the insertion portion 30 of the second member 3 is inserted into the first member 2.

[0057] A sealing portion 42 is positioned on the inner wall of the receiving portion 40, that is, on the edge of the insertion opening 41. The sealing portion 42 is an annular shape that extends around the entire circumference of the inner wall of the receiving portion 40, and in the assembled state of the dust collector 1, it is pressed vertically against the lower part of the connecting portion 301 of the second member 3, and airtightly seals the gap between the third member 4 and the second member 3. The sealing portion 42 is formed of, for example, an elastic elastomer or silicone rubber.

[0058] Furthermore, a holding support portion 43 is formed on the outer wall of the receiving portion 40. The holding support portion 43 receives the holding portion 26 of the first member 2 and holds the third member 4 circumferentially relative to the first member 2. The same number of holding support portions 43 as the holding portion 26 are set and are recessed in the outer wall of the receiving portion 40. In this embodiment, the holding portion 26 and the holding support portion 43 constitute a dust collector locking means for locking the third member 4 to the first member 2.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third member 4 has a peripheral wall portion 44 that extends around the entire circumference of the upper end of the receiving portion 40. The peripheral wall portion 44 is formed in a cylindrical shape and, in the assembled state of the dust collector 1, is located between the member support portion 24 of the first member 2 and the cover portion 314 of the second member 3 in the vertical direction, forming part of the outer shell of the intermediate portion of the dust collector 1 in the vertical direction. In the assembled state of the dust collector 1, the seal portion 313 is pressed against the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 44 in the vertical direction. For example, the peripheral wall portion 44 has an outer diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the member support portion 24 of the first member 2 and is extended in a stepped manner relative to the upper end of the outer wall of the receiving portion 40. The seal portion 45 is arranged in the stepped portion between the peripheral wall portion 44 and the outer wall of the receiving portion 40. The sealing portion 45 is an annular shape that extends around the entire circumference of the peripheral wall portion 44 and the receiving portion 40. In the assembled state of the dust collector 1, it is pressed vertically against the upper end of the member support portion 24 of the first member 2, and airtightly seals the gap between the third member 4 and the first member 2, or between the first collection portion 7 and the outside of the first member 2. The sealing portion 45 is formed of, for example, an elastic elastomer or silicone rubber.

[0060] In this embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 9 shown in Figure 8 is given as an example of an electrical device in which the dust collection device 1 described above is used. Figure 8 shows a stick-type vacuum cleaner 9 that is operated by gripping the main body 90. In the vacuum cleaner 9 of this embodiment, the assembled dust collection device 1 is detachably attached to the main body 90 by the mounting portion 319 of the second member 3.

[0061] The main body 90 is equipped with a suction source 91, such as an electric blower, which generates suction force by negative pressure. A connection port 900 is formed in the main body 90, communicating with the suction side of the suction source 91, i.e., the upstream side of the intake airflow. The connection port 900 is airtightly connected to the exhaust port 3162 of the dust collector 1 attached to the main body 90. In addition, the main body 90 has a communication port 901, located at a distance from the connection port 900, which is airtightly connected to the inlet port 22 of the dust collector 1 attached to the main body 90. Furthermore, the main body 90 has a suction port 902 that communicates with the communication port 901. Therefore, the suction force of the suction source 91 acts on the suction port 902 via the communication port 901, the dust collector 1, and the connection port 900. A straight pipe section 92, such as an extension pipe which is an air passage, or a cleaning head 93, such as a suction port which is an air passage, is connected to the suction port 902.

[0062] Furthermore, the main body 90 has a main body exhaust port 903 for exhausting air sucked in by the suction source 91 from the main body 90. The main body 90 also has a gripping section 904 for the user to hold and operate the vacuum cleaner. Setting means 94, such as a switch for setting the operation of the suction source 91, is arranged on the gripping section 904. Furthermore, the main body 90 also has a power supply unit 95 that serves as a drive source for the suction source 91, and a control unit 96 that controls the operation of the suction source 91 according to the settings made by the setting means 94. The power supply unit 95 is preferably a battery such as a secondary battery to make the vacuum cleaner 9 cordless, but a cord reel device that draws power from a commercial power source may also be used.

[0063] In the illustrated example, the main body 90 is formed in a longitudinal shape, with a suction port 902 located at one end in the longitudinal direction, and a main body exhaust port 903, a gripping part 904, and a power supply unit 95 located at the other end in the longitudinal direction. The dust collector 1 is mounted on the main body 90 so that it is positioned between these parts along the longitudinal direction of the main body 90.

[0064] The electric vacuum cleaner 9 is not limited to this; it may also be a floor-climbing type, canister type, upright type, or self-propelled cleaning robot. Furthermore, the dust collection device 1 may be used as an electrical device such as a charging device or dust station for a self-propelled cleaning robot.

[0065] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

[0066] When assembling the dust collector 1, first, the third member 4 is attached to the end opening 25 of the first member 2. In this embodiment, the third member 4 is placed on the member support portion 24 of the first member 2 while aligning the holding receiving portion 43 with the holding portion 26 of the first member 2. Next, the insertion portion 30 of the second member 3 is inserted into the insertion opening 41 of the third member 4, and the second member 3 is locked to the first member 2 by the mounting portion 318. In this state, the sealing portion 45 of the third member 4 is pressed against the upper end of the first member 2, and the sealing portion 42 of the third member 4 is pressed against the lower part of the connecting portion 301 of the second member 3.

[0067] When the assembled dust collector 1 is attached to the main body 90, the inlet 22 of the dust collector 1 is airtightly connected to the communication port 901 of the main body 90, and the exhaust port 3162 of the dust collector 1 is airtightly connected to the connection port 900 of the main body 90. Thus, an air passage is formed extending from the suction source 91 to the dust collector 1 and the suction port 902.

[0068] In the vacuum cleaner 9, when a user gripping the gripping part 904 operates the setting means 94 to set the operation of the suction source 91, the control unit 96 controls the suction source 91 according to the setting, and negative pressure is generated. The user places the cleaning head 93 on the floor or other surface to be cleaned in the air passage connected to the suction port 902, and moves the entire vacuum cleaner 9 back and forth with the gripping part 904, using the negative pressure to suck up dust and dirt along with air from the cleaning head 93 and the air passage such as the straight pipe section 92.

[0069] Dust-laden air sucked in from the cleaning head 93, etc., is introduced from the suction port 902 through the communication port 901 and into the inlet port 22 to the first separation section 5 of the dust collector 1. This introduced dust-laden air swirls along the inner circumferential surface of the side wall portion 21 of the first member 2. Due to this swirling, coarse dust D1, which is particularly heavy dust, is centrifuged in the first separation section 5. The separated coarse dust D1 falls along the inner circumferential surface of the side wall portion 21 and is collected in the first accumulation section 7 located at the bottom of the interior of the first member 2.

[0070] In this embodiment, as schematically shown by the arrows in Figure 6, dust-laden air swirls up to the bottom of the umbrella-shaped portion 302 and is then sucked in from the bottom of the umbrella-shaped portion 302 to the ventilation opening 3022, compressing the coarse dust D1 and pushing it to the bottom of the filter 3023 at the bottom 20 of the first member 2 or inside the umbrella-shaped portion 302.

[0071] A portion of the dust-laden air swirling around the first separation unit 5 passes through the opening 3001 of the first cylindrical section 300 located at the center of the swirl, and at this time, some of the dust is collected by the filter 3002. Furthermore, the dust-laden air that flows out of the first separation unit 5 after passing through the opening 3001 and the communication opening 3025 passes upward through the air passage section 317 and is distributed from the introduction opening 3160 into the interior of each second cylindrical section 316 that constitutes the second separation unit 6.

[0072] The dust-laden air introduced into the second cylindrical section 316 through the introduction opening 3160 swirls along the inner circumferential surface of the second cylindrical section 316. This swirling motion causes the light dust particles D2 remaining in the dust-laden air to be centrifuged in the second separation section 6 and fall along the inner circumferential surface of the second cylindrical section 316. These particles are then discharged from the dust discharge port at the lower end of the second cylindrical section 316 to the second separation section 6 or to the outside of the second cylindrical section 316, and fall and accumulate in the second accumulation section 8, which is partitioned inside the receiving section 40 located below the dust discharge port.

[0073] The air swirling inside the second cylindrical section 316 of the second separation section 6 becomes clean air as the fine dust D2 is separated, and is discharged from the second separation section 6 and the dust collector 1 through the exhaust port 3162 from the exhaust pipe section 3163 located at the center of the swirling motion.

[0074] The clean air discharged from the dust collector 1 is drawn into the suction source 91 shown in Figure 8, and after cooling the various parts of the suction source 91, it is exhausted to the outside of the main body 90 through the main body exhaust port 903.

[0075] When cleaning is complete and the user operates the setting means 94 to stop the suction source 91, the control unit 96 stops the suction source 91. If necessary, the user removes the dust collector 1 from the main unit 90.

[0076] Then, the removed dust collector 1 is first released from the first member 2 by operating the mounting portion 318, and the second member 3 is moved upward relative to the first member 2 and the third member 4, and the insertion portion 30 is pulled out from the first member 2 to remove it. At this point, the third member 4 remains on the upper end of the first member 2, and in this state, the receiving portion 40 and the upper part of the second accumulation portion 8 are opened and exposed. In other words, by moving the second member 3 at least relative to the first member 2 and the third member 4, the second separation portion 6 is separated and the second accumulation portion 8 is opened. Note that separation of the second separation portion 6 also includes changing the relative position or orientation of the second member 3 constituting the second separation portion 6 with respect to at least one of the first separation portion 5, the first accumulation portion 7, the second accumulation portion 8, the first member 2, and the third member 4 by moving or rotating the second member 3 constituting the second separation portion 6, and / or separating the second member 3 constituting the second separation portion 6 by removing it from the first member 2 and / or the third member 4.

[0077] Then, by lifting the third member 4 upward relative to the first member 2, the third member 4 is removed from the first member 2. With the removal of the third member 4, the end opening 25 of the first member 2 opens, and the first separation section 5 and the first accumulation section 7 are opened, respectively.

[0078] Coarse dust D1 accumulated on the bottom 20 of the first member 2 is discarded from the first accumulation section 7 of the first member 2 through the end opening 25 by turning the first member 2 upside down in a designated location such as a trash can. Fine dust D2 is discarded from the second accumulation section 8 of the third member 4 by turning the third member 4, which has been removed from the first member 2, upside down in a designated location such as a trash can.

[0079] Furthermore, thread-like debris D1a, such as hair, which is coarse dust that is entangled in an annular shape around the first cylindrical portion 300 of the insertion portion 30, can be easily removed while maintaining its annular shape by sliding it downward along the guide portion 304, as shown in Figure 1. This allows it to pass through the intervening portion 303 and the umbrella-shaped portion 302 from the first cylindrical portion 300.

[0080] As described above, according to the first embodiment, a gap G is created between the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 300 and the upper end of the umbrella-shaped portion 302, a ventilation opening 3022 with a filtering function is formed in the ceiling portion 3020 of the umbrella-shaped portion 302 on the side of the first cylindrical portion 300, and a ventilation port 305 is formed on the outside of the gap G, communicating with the ventilation opening 3022 through the gap G. By utilizing the fact that the swirling airflow circulating around the first separation portion 5 enters the interior of the umbrella-shaped portion 302 from the lower end of the umbrella-shaped portion 302 and returns to the first separation portion 5 side through the ventilation opening 3022, the gap G and the ventilation port 305, the coarse dust D1 is pressed against the ceiling portion 3020 side of the umbrella-shaped portion 302 by this returning airflow and compressed. Therefore, the coarse dust D1 can be compressed without obstructing the main airflow that flows downstream from the first separation section 5 through the opening 3001 of the first cylindrical section 300 and the connecting section 3024 of the umbrella-shaped section 302. This makes clogging of the opening 3001 and the connecting section 3024 less likely, allowing the dust compression force to be maintained and suppressing a decrease in suction force caused by clogging of the opening 3001 and the connecting section 3024.

[0081] Furthermore, by providing a guide section 304 that can guide thread-like debris D1a and other dust entangled on the outer surface of the first cylindrical section 300 downwards on the opposite side of the umbrella-shaped section 302 from the first cylindrical section 300, when not being cleaned, the dust entangled on the outer surface of the first cylindrical section 300 can be easily removed by using the guide section 304 to slide it downwards. This improves maintainability and is hygienic as the user does not need to come into excessive contact with the dust.

[0082] By designing the guide portion 304 so that it does not have a stepped portion that expands from the first cylindrical portion 300 side to the umbrella portion 302 side, extending across the outer portion of the first cylindrical portion 300, the outer portion of the intervening portion 303, and the outer portion of the umbrella portion 302, dust and debris that have become entangled on the outer portion of the first cylindrical portion 300 can be easily removed by shifting it downwards to the opposite side of the umbrella portion 302 from the first cylindrical portion 300.

[0083] Since the intervening portion 303 is formed in a cylindrical shape that covers the outer part of the gap G, and the ventilation opening 305 is opened in the intervening portion 303, the intervening portion 303 can prevent coarse dust contained in the swirling dust-laden air from entering the gap G and becoming entangled.

[0084] Furthermore, since the vent 305 is located in a position that does not face the inlet 22 that introduces dust-laden air into the first separation section 5, dust in the dust-laden air introduced into the first separation section 5 from the inlet 22 is less likely to directly enter the vent 305 or become entangled in the gap G.

[0085] Because the interior of the first cylindrical section 300 and the interior of the umbrella-shaped section 302 are connected by the connecting section 3024, a portion of the swirling airflow that enters the interior of the umbrella-shaped section 302 mainly flows from the connecting section 3024 into the interior of the first cylindrical section 300. As a result, the coarse dust D1 compressed inside the umbrella-shaped section 302 gathers towards the connecting section 3024 and is less likely to accumulate at the outer edge of the interior of the umbrella-shaped section 302. Therefore, the ventilation opening 3022 located near the outer edge of the ceiling section 3020 of the umbrella-shaped section 302 is less likely to be blocked by the coarse dust D1, and the compressive force can be sustained.

[0086] The guide portion 304 can be simply constructed using at least a part of the outer portion of the first cylindrical portion 300, at least a part of the outer portion of the intervening portion 303, and at least a part of the outer portion of the umbrella-shaped portion 302.

[0087] Furthermore, by providing the dust collection device 1 described above, it is possible to provide a vacuum cleaner 9 that can efficiently collect coarse dust D1, is easy to maintain, and is hygienic.

[0088] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 9. Note that components and operations similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0089] In this embodiment, the intervening portion 303 and the umbrella-shaped portion 302 are each formed with a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical portion 300, so the guide portion 304 has a portion that narrows from the first cylindrical portion 300 toward the umbrella-shaped portion 302. In the illustrated example, the diameter dimension L2 at the upper end of the intervening portion 303 is smaller than the diameter dimension L1 at the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 300, and the diameter dimension L4 at the upper end of the umbrella-shaped portion 302 is smaller than the diameter dimension L3 at the lower end of the intervening portion 303, so that the outer portion narrows in a stepped manner from the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 300 toward the upper end of the intervening portion 303, and from the lower end of the intervening portion 303 toward the upper end of the umbrella-shaped portion 302. In the illustrated example, the overall diameter of the intervening portion 303 is smaller than the diameter L1 of the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 300, and the overall diameter of the umbrella-shaped portion 302 is smaller than the diameter L2 of the upper end and the diameter L3 of the lower end of the intervening portion 303.

[0090] Even in this case, since the guide portion 304 is formed in such a way that it does not have a stepped portion that expands from the first cylindrical portion 300 side to the umbrella portion 302 side, extending from the outer portion of the first cylindrical portion 300 to the outer portion of the intervening portion 303 and the outer portion of the umbrella portion 302, dust and debris that have become entangled in the outer portion of the first cylindrical portion 300 can be easily removed by sliding it downwards, thus providing the same advantages and effects as the first embodiment, such as improved maintainability.

[0091] In each of the above embodiments, the intervening portion 303 and the umbrella-shaped portion 302 may, for example, gradually decrease in diameter in a frustoconical shape toward the bottom.

[0092] Alternatively, the intervening portion 303 may be formed in a columnar shape on the outer side of the gap G, and the space between the intervening portions 303 may form a ventilation opening 305.

[0093] Furthermore, although the dust collector 1 uses centrifugal separators for both the first separation section 5 and the second separation section 6, it is not limited to this configuration; the second separation section 6 may be a filtration separation section or the like. In other words, the configuration of the second separation section 6 is arbitrary.

[0094] Furthermore, although the dust collector 1 is configured to include a first separation unit 5 and a second separation unit 6, which are centrifugal separation units, a configuration with multiple separation units is not essential as long as there is at least one centrifugal separation unit.

[0095] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these embodiments. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0096] 1. Dust collector 5. First separation unit as a centrifugal separator 9. Electric vacuum cleaner 22 Inlet 300 The first cylindrical part is a cylindrical section. 302 Umbrella 303 Interposition part 304 Information Department 305 Ventilation opening 3022 Ventilation opening 3024 Communication part G Gap

Claims

1. A centrifugal separator that separates dust from dust-containing air, A cylindrical portion located in the central part of the centrifugal separator, An umbrella-shaped portion is positioned at one end of the cylindrical portion, with a gap between it and the cylindrical portion. It has a filtering function, and a ventilation opening formed in the umbrella-shaped part that communicates with the gap, An intervening portion located on the outer side of the gap, extending between the cylindrical portion and the umbrella-shaped portion, A ventilation opening located on the outer side of the gap and communicating with the ventilation opening through the gap, The umbrella-shaped portion includes a guide portion that allows dust and debris entangled on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion to be guided to the opposite side of the cylindrical portion. The guide portion has a shape that does not have a portion that expands in a stepped manner from the cylindrical portion side to the umbrella portion side, extending from the outer portion of the cylindrical portion to the outer portion of the intervening portion and the outer portion of the umbrella portion. A dust collection device characterized by the following features.

2. The intervening portion is formed in a cylindrical shape that covers the outer part of the gap, The ventilation opening is open to the intervening portion. The dust collector according to feature 1.

3. The centrifugal separator is equipped with an inlet for introducing dust-containing air, The aforementioned vent is located in a position not facing the aforementioned inlet. The dust collector according to feature 1.

4. It includes a communication section that connects the inside of the cylindrical section and the inside of the umbrella-shaped section. The dust collector according to feature 1.

5. The guide portion comprises at least a part of the outer portion of the cylindrical portion, at least a part of the outer portion of the intervening portion, and at least a part of the outer portion of the umbrella-shaped portion. The dust collector according to feature 1.

6. The dust collection device is provided according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A vacuum cleaner characterized by the following features.

Images