vacuum cleaner

Abstract

To realize a cleaning tool of a vacuum cleaner capable of suppressing deterioration of rotation performance of a rotor.SOLUTION: A cleaning tool 40 includes: an inlet opening 62 to be an inlet of dust; a rotation cleaning body 46 having a cleaning body 200; a drive part 210 where an output-side pulley 214 is provided in a rotation shaft of a motor 210a; a driven-side pulley 216 to which a belt 212 is wound around together with the output-side pulley 214; a first drive-side bearing part 202z comprising a ball bearing for receiving a shaft part 202k which supports the driven-side pulley 216; and a drive-side bearing holding part 202p for holding the first drive-side bearing part 202z.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-51711, in the head of a vacuum cleaner having a rotating body with a plurality of brushes, a motor for rotating the rotating body, and a belt for transmitting the rotation of the motor to the rotating body, a head is disclosed in which a belt is wound around a roller provided on the shaft of the motor and a rotary support.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the prior art as described above, since the brush bearing that rotatably supports the rotary support rotates with respect to the rotation axis, dust is likely to adhere to the gap between the brush bearing and the rotation axis, which may affect the rotation performance of the rotating body.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a cleaning tool for a vacuum cleaner that can suppress a decrease in the rotation performance of a rotating body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The cleaning tool provided to solve the above-mentioned problems is characterized by comprising: an inlet opening that serves as an entry point for dust; a rotating cleaning body having a cleaning element; a drive unit on which an output pulley is provided on the rotating shaft of a motor; a driven pulley on which a belt is passed together with the output pulley; a first driven bearing unit consisting of a ball bearing that receives the shaft portion on which the driven pulley is supported; and a driven bearing holding unit that holds the first driven bearing unit.

[0007] The cleaning tool of the present invention uses a support structure for rotatably supporting a driven pulley, in which the first driven bearing portion for receiving the shaft portion to which the driven pulley is fixed is held in place by a driven bearing holding portion. As a result, the cleaning tool can reduce the possibility of the rotational performance of the cleaning body deteriorating due to dust accumulation in the support structure that rotatably supports the cleaning body, compared to the conventional technology. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a cleaning tool for an electric vacuum cleaner that can suppress the deterioration of the rotational performance of the rotating body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an electric vacuum cleaner, cleaning tool, vacuum cleaner support device, and electric vacuum cleaner system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main parts of the vacuum cleaner shown. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the electric vacuum cleaner shown, with its key parts magnified and viewed from the front. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is an enlarged right side view of the main parts of the vacuum cleaner shown. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner with the lid removed, showing a magnified view of the main parts from the rear. [Figure 6] This is a plan view showing the cleaning tool in Figure 1 with the upper case removed. [Figure 7]This is a plan view showing the cleaning tool in Figure 1 with the upper case removed. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 7. [Figure 9] (a) and (b) are exploded perspective views showing the rotating cleaning body and cleaning body drive mechanism of the cleaning tool shown in Figure 1, respectively. [Figure 10] (a) and (b) are exploded perspective views showing the cleaning body drive mechanism of the cleaning tool shown in Figure 1, respectively. [Figure 11] (a) and (b) are plan views showing the rotating cleaning body and cleaning body drive mechanism of the cleaning tool shown in Figure 1, respectively. [Figure 12] Figure 1 is an enlarged right side view of the main components of the vacuum cleaner system shown. [Figure 13] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a magnified front view of the main components of the vacuum cleaner system. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner support device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, an electric vacuum cleaner 1 and an electric vacuum cleaner system S equipped therewith, according to one embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the overall configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 and the electric vacuum cleaner system S will be described in general terms, and then the main parts will be described in more detail. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, positional relationships in the vertical, front-to-back, and width directions will be described based on the state in which the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is erected, as shown in Figure 1.

[0011] ≪Regarding the overall configuration of vacuum cleaner 1 and vacuum cleaner system S≫ As shown in Figure 1, the electric vacuum cleaner system S comprises an electric vacuum cleaner 1 and a vacuum cleaner support device 120. While this embodiment exemplifies the electric vacuum cleaner system S as having a vacuum cleaner support device 120, it may also be a system without the vacuum cleaner support device 120.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 is a cleaner having a stick-shaped (vertical) appearance. The vacuum cleaner 1 can be, for example, a cleaner that obtains power from an external power source via a power cord, but in this embodiment, it is a rechargeable type. As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 includes a cleaner main body 10, a dust collection unit 20, a tube unit 30, and a cleaning tool 40 (suction tool).

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaner main body 10 forms the main body of the vacuum cleaner 1 and is a part that exhibits the function of generating a suction force for dust collection. Specifically, as will be described in detail later, inside the main body portion 12 (main body case) that forms the housing, the cleaner main body 10 includes an electric blower 70, a battery 80, a control unit 90, and other components. Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the cleaner main body 10 includes a handle portion 100 outside the main body portion 12. Further, the cleaner main body 10 has a suction port 14 on the lower side in the vertical direction. The suction port 14 is capable of connecting the tube unit 30 and the cleaning tool 40.

[0014] The electric blower 70 is for sucking air to generate an air flow. Also, the battery 80 is electrically connected to the electric blower 70. The battery 80 is for supplying power to the electric blower 70 and other electrical components provided in the vacuum cleaner 1. The control unit 90 is for controlling the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1. The control unit 90 controls the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 by controlling the power supply to electrical components such as the electric blower 70.

[0015] The handle portion 100 is for the user of the vacuum cleaner 1 to grip. The handle portion 100 is a rod-shaped portion provided on the upper side in the vertical direction of the main body portion 12 so as to continue in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the cleaner main body 10. Also, an operation unit 106 is provided near the handle portion 100. The operation unit 106 is for operating the vacuum cleaner 1 and is, for example, for performing operations such as turning on and off the power.

[0016] The dust collection unit 20 is the part that collects dust and debris sucked up by the vacuum cleaner 1. The dust collection unit 20 is provided so as to be continuous with the vacuum cleaner body 10. The dust collection unit 20 communicates with the inside and outside of the vacuum cleaner body 10 through a suction port 14 provided on the lower end side of the vacuum cleaner body 10.

[0017] The vacuum cleaner 1 and vacuum cleaner system S of this embodiment are generally configured as described above. The vacuum cleaner 1 and vacuum cleaner system S have various features, including the configuration of the handle 100, the layout of the handle 100, the configuration of the cleaning tool 40, the configuration of the vacuum cleaner support device 120, and the operation control by the control unit 90. The characteristic configurations of the vacuum cleaner 1 and vacuum cleaner system S will be described in more detail below.

[0018] ≪Regarding the composition of the handle section 100≫ As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the handle portion 100 is provided on the upper side of the main body portion 12 in the vertical direction. The handle portion 100 is rod-shaped. One end (base end) of the handle portion 100 is continuous with the main body portion 12, and the other end (tip end) is a free end. The handle portion 100 is formed to extend from a position on the front side of the main body portion 12 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the handle portion 100 is bent at a bending position 102 located midway between the base end and the tip end. The handle portion 100 extends from the bending position 102 toward the rear side of the main body portion 12.

[0019] The handle portion 100 has a rear portion 100a that forms the rear side in the front-rear direction and a front portion 100b that forms the front side. In the rear portion 100a and the front portion 100b, a rear bent portion 102a and a front bent portion 102b are provided at positions corresponding to the bending position 102. The rear bent portion 102a and the front bent portion 102b are each curved with a predetermined curvature and are in an offset positional relationship in the direction of the radius of curvature. In addition, in the front portion 100b, the portion that is positioned opposite (offset) to the rear bent portion 102a in the front-rear direction is a flat surface 104. The flat surface 104 is a plane that extends along the vertical direction. An operating section 106 is provided on the flat surface 104. The operating section 106 is equipped with buttons for operating the power of the vacuum cleaner 1 and switching operating modes.

[0020] Regarding the layout of the handle section 100: Next, the layout of the handle section 100 will be described. The handle section 100 also has distinctive features in its layout relative to the electric blower 70 and battery 80 located inside the vacuum cleaner body 10. Below, the internal structure of the vacuum cleaner body 10 will be briefly described, followed by a description of the layout of the handle section 100.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the vacuum cleaner body 10 houses an electric blower 70, a battery 80, a control unit 90, etc., in a hollow main body 12 that forms the casing. The main body 12 has an electric blower housing 22, a battery housing 24, a dust collection unit component 26, and a circuit board housing 28. The battery housing 24 may be provided separately from the main body 12.

[0022] The electric blower housing 22 is located above the vacuum cleaner body 10 relative to the dust collection component 26. An electric blower 70 is assembled in the electric blower housing 22 so as to be able to generate an airflow that flows into the dust collection component 26 from the suction port 14 located on the lower end of the vacuum cleaner body 10. The battery housing 24 is located adjacent to the electric blower housing 22 in the rearward direction.

[0023] The battery compartment 24 has an opening 24a on the top side of the vacuum cleaner body 10, which can be opened and closed by a cover 24b. By removing the cover 24b, the battery 80 can be inserted and removed vertically through the opening 24a. The opening 24a is located opposite the handle 100 in the vertical direction. The opening surface 24c forming the opening 24a is formed substantially horizontally in the front-to-back direction, as shown in Figure 5, etc. It is also possible to make the opening surface 24c inclined so that it moves away from the handle 100 as it goes from the front to the rear in the front-to-back direction. This reduces interference with the handle 100 when removing the battery 80.

[0024] The dust collection unit component 26 is a part that constitutes the dust collection unit 20. The dust collection unit component 26 is located adjacent to the electric blower storage unit 22 in the vertical direction, on the lower side. The dust collection unit component 26 is in communication with the suction port 14. Here, the dust collection unit 20 can be constructed by a so-called cyclone-type dust collection device (a configuration in which a pipe having the suction port 14 and the dust collection unit component 26 are arranged in the front-to-back direction of the vacuum cleaner body 10), but in this embodiment, it is a so-called paper bag type. Therefore, the dust collection unit component 26 is provided so that a connection part 26a for attaching a paper bag is in communication with the suction port 14. Therefore, the dust collection unit 20 can be formed by housing the paper bag connected to the connection part 26a in the dust collection unit component 26.

[0025] The circuit board housing section 28 is the part that houses the circuit boards that constitute the control unit 90. In this embodiment, the space above the electric blower housing section 22 is designated as the circuit board housing section 28. The circuit boards that constitute the control unit 90 are arranged along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the electric blower 70. The operation control unit that controls the operation section 106 is arranged along the portion of the front section 100b that constitutes the handle section 100 that forms a flat surface 104.

[0026] The handle portion 100 is arranged in the layout shown in Figure 2, based on the electric blower 70, battery 80, and control unit 90, etc., which are assembled to the main body portion 12 as described above. Specifically, the handle portion 100 is positioned so as to overlap with the battery 80 in at least part when viewed from above. In this embodiment, when the vacuum cleaner 1 is viewed from above, the tip side (free end side) of the handle portion 100 is laid out to overlap with the battery 80 (battery housing portion 24). Also, when the vacuum cleaner 1 is viewed from above, one end of the handle portion 100 that is connected to the main body portion 12 (base end side) is laid out to overlap with the electric blower 70. Furthermore, one end of the handle portion 100 that is connected to the main body portion 12 (base end side) is located in front of the central axis L of the electric blower 70 in the front-to-back direction. The other end (free end) of the handle portion 100 is located behind the central axis L of the electric blower 70 in the front-rear direction.

[0027] ≪Regarding the composition of cleaning equipment 40≫ Next, the configuration of the cleaning tool 40 will be explained in detail with reference to Figures 6 to 11, etc. The cleaning tool 40 is for taking in dust from the outside, and the suction force of the electric blower 70 makes it possible to suck in air and dust from the outside. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the cleaning tool 40 has a cleaning tool body 42 (body part) and a joint part 44. The cleaning tool 40 also has a rotating cleaning body 46 and a cleaning body drive unit 48 (drive unit) inside the cleaning tool body 42.

[0028] The cleaning tool body 42 is the part that is placed on the floor during cleaning, and has a shape that is elongated in the left-right direction relative to the front-back direction, which is the direction in which the user moves during cleaning. As shown in Figure 6, the cleaning tool body 42 has a rotating cleaning body placement section 60, an entrance opening 62, and a storage section 66.

[0029] The rotating cleaning body placement section 60 is the part where the rotating cleaning body 46 is positioned. The rotating cleaning body placement section 60 extends in the left-right direction from the cleaning tool body section 42 and has a hollow space capable of accommodating the rotating cleaning body 46.

[0030] The intake opening 62 is a portion on the bottom side of the cleaning tool body 42 that is opened to take in dust and debris. In this embodiment, the space in which the intake opening 62 is formed has a rotating cleaning body placement section 60.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the housing section 66 is for housing the drive unit 210, which forms the cleaning body drive unit 48 (described in detail later), and wiring for supplying power to the drive unit 210. The housing section 66 is designed so that the drive unit 210 and wiring can be positioned away from the dust passage path. In this embodiment, the housing section 66 is provided so as to be aligned with the rotating cleaning body placement section 60 in the front-rear direction (rear to the rotating cleaning body placement section 60).

[0032] The joint portion 44 is provided in a position on the rear side (rear side) of the cleaning tool body portion 42 described above, and is in communication with the communication portion 45. The joint portion 44 is attached to the cleaning tool body portion 42 so as to be rotatable within a predetermined range of rotation (at least one of the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction). The joint portion 44 is the part to which the pipe portion 30 is connected. The joint portion 44 is cylindrical and communicates with the communication portion 45 at its base end. Furthermore, the negative pressure of the electric blower 70 acts on the small hole in the communication portion 45, so that the air taken in by the cleaning tool body portion 42 from the intake port passes through the inside of the drive unit 210 and flows into the small hole in the communication portion 45.

[0033] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the rotating cleaning body 46 is a cylindrical member housed in the rotating cleaning body placement section 60 and supported so as to be rotatable. The rotating cleaning body 46 is powered by the cleaning body drive section 48, which will be described in detail later, and is made rotatable in the rotating cleaning body placement section 60. The rotating cleaning body 46 has a cleaning body 200 that extends in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the cleaning tool body section 42 and a mounting section 202.

[0034] The mounting portion 202 is used to attach the rotating cleaning body 46 to the cleaning tool body 42. The rotating cleaning body 46 is rotatably supported on the cleaning tool body 42 by attaching the mounting portions 202, 202 (hereinafter, these may be distinguished as "mounting portion 202a" and "mounting portion 202b" as needed) provided at both ends to predetermined mounting positions provided within the cleaning tool body 42.

[0035] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9, the mounting portion 202b supports the other axial end (opposite to the mounting portion 202a) of the rotating cleaning body 46. The mounting portion 202b includes a first mounting portion 202x that can be connected to a second mounting portion 202y, which will be described later. The first mounting portion 202x is fixed to the end of the cleaning body 200. The second mounting portion 202y is connected to the driven pulley 216, which will be described later, and is located on the cleaning tool body portion 42 (lower case 42a) side. The first mounting portion 202x and the second mounting portion 202y are connectable and detachable in the axial direction.

[0036] The first mounting body 202x comprises an engaged portion 202e and a first flange portion 202i. The engaged portion 202e is formed in a concave shape on the end face of the first mounting body 202x. The shape of the engaged portion 202e can be any as long as it is configured to lock in the rotational direction, but in this embodiment it is cross-shaped. The engaged portion 202e is the part into which the engaging portion 202j of the second mounting body 202y, described later, can be fitted and engaged. The first flange portion 202i is provided so as to bulge radially outward at the end of the first mounting body 202x (the end on the second mounting body 202y side).

[0037] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the second mounting body 202y has an engaging portion 202j and a shaft portion 202k. The engaging portion 202j protrudes axially from the end of the second mounting body 202y and is capable of engaging with the engaged portion 202e described above. The shape of the engaging portion 202j can be anything, but in this embodiment it is cross-shaped, similar to the engaged portion 202e. The shaft portion 202k is a shaft provided at the axial center of the second mounting body 202y. The shaft portion 202k is inserted from one side to the other of a plate-shaped support portion 220 provided on the cleaning tool body 42. The shaft portion 202k is the shaft to which the driven pulley 216 is fixed. The shaft portion 202k is configured as part of the second mounting body 202y, but the portion constituting the shaft portion 202k may be configured as a separate member from the second mounting body 202y which has the engaging portion 202j, etc. The shaft portion 202k extends in the direction of the rotation axis with the portion where the engaging portion 202j is provided as the base end, and the driven pulley 216 is fixed to the middle portion in the axial direction. Therefore, with respect to the driven pulley 216, the engaging portion 202j forming the second mounting body 202y is located on one side (base end side) in the axial direction. The shaft portion 202k is inserted through the axial position of the driven pulley 216 of the cleaning body drive unit 48, which will be described later, and is capable of rotating integrally with the driven pulley 216. Therefore, the rotating cleaning body 46 is capable of rotating in conjunction with the driven pulley 216 when the first mounting body 202x provided on one end is connected to the second mounting body 202y.

[0038] Furthermore, the shaft portion 202k is rotatably supported at its tip by the first bearing portion 202z (first driven bearing portion). The first bearing portion 202z is composed of a ball bearing. The shaft portion 202k, together with the inner ring of the first bearing portion 202z, is rotatable relative to the outer ring of the first bearing portion 202z. The first bearing portion 202z is fitted into a hole provided in a plate-shaped driven bearing holder portion 202p (driven bearing holder portion) which has a rectangular (square in this embodiment) front view, and the outer ring is held non-rotatably relative to the driven bearing holder portion 202p. Also, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, the driven bearing holder portion 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. Therefore, the rotating cleaning body 46 can be stably supported.

[0039] The cleaning tool 40 is equipped with a cleaning body drive unit 48, and the rotating cleaning body 46 is driven by power output from the cleaning body drive unit 48. As shown in Figures 6 to 10, the cleaning body drive unit 48 includes a drive unit 210, a belt 212, an output side structure DM including an output side pulley 214, a driven side structure DS including a driven side pulley 216, and the like.

[0040] The driven-side structure DS transmits power from the drive unit 210 to the rotating body. The driven-side structure DS includes a shaft portion 202k, a driven-side pulley 216, a guide portion 250 (driven-side guide portions 270, 272), an engaging portion 202j, a retaining member 282, a first bearing portion 202z (first driven-side bearing portion), a driven-side bearing holding portion 202p, a second bearing portion 225 (second driven-side bearing portion), and a support portion 220. The driven-side structure DS is arranged in the order of engaging portion 202j, driven-side pulley 216, and guide portion 250 (driven-side guide portions 270, 272). Alternatively, the driven-side structure DS may be configured with the engaging portion 202j, driven-side pulley 216, and first bearing portion 202z arranged in that order. Furthermore, the driven-side structure DS is configured such that a driven-side pulley 216 and a guide portion 250 (driven-side guide portions 270, 272) are positioned between the second bearing portion 225 and the first bearing portion 202z.

[0041] The drive unit 210 consists of a motor 210a and an output pulley 214, etc., located within the cleaning tool body 42. The drive unit 210 has the output pulley 214 mounted on the rotating shaft of the motor 210a. The drive unit 210 is located in a housing 66, which is further back than the rotating cleaning body 46. The belt 212 is made of a toothed endless belt. The belt 212 is stretched between the output pulley 214 and the driven pulley 216.

[0042] The output pulley 214 is a pulley connected to the output shaft (rotating shaft) of the drive unit 210. The output pulley 214 is a toothed pulley with teeth extending axially on the circumference over which the belt 212 is stretched. The output pulley 214 is rotatably supported at its tip by the output bearing portion 214z. The output bearing portion 214z has the same configuration as the first bearing portion 202z described above. The output bearing portion 214z is made of ball bearings. The output shaft of the drive unit 210 is rotatable relative to the outer ring of the output bearing portion 214z, together with the inner ring of the output bearing portion 214z. Furthermore, the output bearing portion 214z is fitted into a hole provided in a plate-shaped output bearing holder portion 214p, which has a rectangular (square in this embodiment) front view, and the outer ring is held non-rotatably relative to the output bearing holder portion 214p. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, the output-side bearing retaining portion 214p is held in place by the lower case 42a by being inserted into a slit-shaped insertion portion 202n provided in the lower case 42a.

[0043] The driven pulley 216 is a toothed pulley that constitutes the mounting portion 202b. The driven pulley 216 is a pulley that is rotatable integrally with the shaft portion 202k of the second mounting body 202y described above. The driven pulley 216 is composed of a toothed pulley with teeth extending in the axial direction on the circumferential portion over which the belt 212 is passed.

[0044] The cleaning body drive unit 48 is configured with a belt 212, which is an endless belt, wrapped between the output side structure DM and the driven side structure DS. Therefore, by operating the drive unit 210, rotational power is transmitted to the mounting part 202b, and the rotating cleaning body 46 can be rotated within the space of the cleaning tool body 42.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 to 9, each component of the cleaning body drive unit 48 is supported by a support unit 220. The support unit 220 is erected in the area of ​​the cleaning tool body 42 on the side where the second mounting body 202y is attached. In other words, the support unit 220 is positioned alongside the rotating cleaning body 46 in the axial direction of the rotating cleaning body 46. The support unit 220 is a plate-shaped member that extends along the direction in which the rotating cleaning body 46 and the drive unit 210 are aligned. On the side of the support unit 220 opposite to the rotating cleaning body 46, the output pulley 214, the driven pulley 216, and the belt 212 are positioned.

[0046] Furthermore, the cleaning body drive unit 48 is equipped with guide sections 250. The output side structure DM has guide sections 250 formed so as to protrude radially from the circumferential portion on both sides in the direction of the rotation axis, and the driven side structure DS has guide sections 250 formed so as to protrude radially from the circumferential portion on both sides in the direction of the rotation axis. Hereinafter, the guide sections 250 that are present in the output side structure DM will also be referred to as output side guide sections 260 and 262, and the guide sections that are present in the driven side structure DS will also be referred to as driven side guide sections 270 and 272.

[0047] The output-side guide portions 260 and 262 are positioned on one and the other sides of the output-side pulley 214 in the direction of its rotation axis, respectively. Of the output-side guide portions 260 and 262, at least one side is made of a separate component from the output-side pulley 214. In this embodiment, the output-side guide portion 260, positioned on the side of the output-side pulley 214 that is on the base end side (motor 210a side) of the output shaft of the drive unit 210, is integrally formed with the output-side pulley 214. On the other hand, the output-side guide portion 262, positioned on the side of the output-side pulley 214 that is on the tip side (output-side bearing portion 214z side) of the output shaft of the drive unit 210, is made of a separate component (separate body) from the output-side pulley 214. The output-side guide portion 262 is a disc-shaped member with a larger diameter than the circumference of the output-side pulley 214.

[0048] The output-side guide portion 262 has an insertion hole 264 in its approximate center through which the output shaft of the drive unit 210 can be inserted. Therefore, by inserting the output shaft of the drive unit 210 through both the insertion hole 264 formed across the output-side guide portion 260 and the output-side pulley 214 at the axial position of the output-side pulley 214, and through the insertion hole 266 formed in the center of the output-side guide portion 262, the output-side guide portions 260 and 262 are pivotally supported together with the output-side pulley 214 with respect to the output shaft of the drive unit 210.

[0049] The driven-side guide portions 270 and 272 are positioned on one and the other sides of the driven-side pulley 216 in the direction of its rotation axis, respectively. Of the driven-side guide portions 270 and 272, at least one side is made of a separate component from the driven-side pulley 216. In this embodiment, the driven-side guide portion 270, positioned on the side of the driven-side pulley 216 near the base end (rotating cleaning body 46 side) of the shaft portion 202k of the second mounting body 202y, is integrally formed with the driven-side pulley 216. On the other hand, the driven-side guide portion 272, positioned on the side of the driven-side pulley 216 near the tip (first bearing portion 202z side) of the shaft portion 202k, is made of a separate component (separate body) from the driven-side pulley 216. The driven-side guide portion 272 is a disc-shaped member with a larger diameter than the circumferential portion of the driven-side pulley 216.

[0050] The driven-side guide portion 272 has an insertion hole 274 approximately in the center through which the shaft portion 202k can be inserted. Therefore, by inserting the shaft portion 202k through both the insertion hole 274 formed in the driven-side pulley 216 and the insertion hole 276 formed in the center of the driven-side guide portion 272 at the axial position of the driven-side pulley 216, the driven-side guide portions 270 and 272 are pivotally supported on the shaft portion 202k together with the driven-side pulley 216. In this way, the driven-side guide portion 272 supports the driven-side pulley 216 from the side, thereby improving the rotational stability of the driven-side pulley 216. In addition, since the driven-side guide portion 272 supports the belt 212 from the side, it is possible to prevent the belt 212 from coming off.

[0051] Here, the overall configuration of the cleaning body drive unit 48, which is formed by combining the above-described components, will be explained in more detail. An insertion hole 274, which opens in a roughly oval shape, is provided at the axial center of the driven pulley 216. Similarly, an insertion hole 276, which opens in a roughly oval shape, is provided in the center of the driven guide portion 272. The shaft portion 202k of the second mounting body 202y is a shaft body having a roughly oval external shape, similar to the insertion holes 274 and 276. The support portion 220 is provided with a shaft support portion 220c that rotatably supports the second mounting body 202y. The shaft support portion 220c is provided with a second bearing portion 225 (second driven side bearing portion) that rotatably supports the shaft portion 202k by inserting it through it. That is, the second bearing portion 225 is supported by the support portion 220. The second bearing portion 225 is positioned on the opposite side from the driven-side guide portions 270 and 272 with respect to the driven-side pulley 216. Furthermore, the shaft portion 202k is rotatably supported at its tip by the first bearing portion 202z. Therefore, the second mounting body 202y is fixed to the driven-side pulley 216 with the shaft portion 202k inserted through the second bearing portion 225 provided on the shaft support portion 220c of the support portion 220, through holes 274 and 276 provided in the driven-side pulley 216 and the driven-side guide portion 272, and the first bearing portion 202z. The shaft portion 202k is prevented from coming off the first bearing portion 202z by fixing a disc-shaped retaining member, which has a larger diameter than the inner ring of the first bearing portion 202z, to the end of the shaft portion 202k inserted into the first bearing portion 202z with a screw 280. With this configuration, by connecting the first mounting body 202x, which is provided on the rotating cleaning body 46 side, to the second mounting body 202y, the rotating cleaning body 46 can rotate in conjunction with the driven pulley 216. For this reason, the second mounting body 202y can also be described as being part of the driven pulley 216.

[0052] In the support section 220, a shaft support section 220c is provided at the front side of the cleaning tool body 42 to rotatably support the second mounting body 202y provided at the end of the rotating cleaning body 46. In addition, in the support section 220, a receiving section 220d is provided at the rear side of the cleaning tool body 42, which is cut out to support the drive unit 210. Specifically, the drive unit 210 has a motor 210a with an output shaft, a drive unit body 210a1 which makes up the majority of the motor, and a bulging section 210a2 which has a smaller diameter than the drive unit body 210a1 and bulges in the axial direction. The output shaft is provided in the bulging section 210a2.

[0053] The receiving portion 220d is formed to extend downward from the upper end of the support portion 220. Therefore, when assembling the drive unit 210, in which the output shaft is inserted through the output pulley 214, the output guide portion 262, and the output bearing portion 214z, the bulging portion 210a2 is slid along the receiving portion 220d. As a result, the output pulley 214, the output guide portion 262, and the output bearing portion 214z are axially supported on the output shaft of the drive unit 210 in this order. Furthermore, the output shaft of the drive unit 210 is prevented from coming loose from the output bearing portion 214z by fixing a disc-shaped retaining member 290, which has a larger diameter than the inner ring of the output bearing portion 214z, to the end of the output shaft of the drive unit 210 inserted through the output bearing portion 214z with a screw 292.

[0054] Furthermore, the assembly work described above can be performed more easily if the belt 212 is stretched over the output pulley 214 and the driven pulley 216, as the tension of the belt 212 will not make it difficult to stretch. In addition, the support part 220, drive part 210, belt 212, output pulley 214, second mounting body 202y, second bearing part 225, driven pulley 216, first bearing part 202z, driven bearing retaining part 202p, output bearing part 214z, output bearing retaining part 214p, output guide part 262, and driven guide part 272 are unitized and integrally configured, making it easy to assemble the cleaning body drive unit 48 into the lower case 42a. Also, as shown in Figure 10(a), a screw hole 222e is provided on the receiving part 220d side of the support part 220 for screwing the end of the drive unit body 210a1. Furthermore, it is preferable that the second mounting body 202y has a flat contact surface facing the support portion 220. This improves the rotational stability of the driven pulley 216. The output side guide portion 260 may be a separate component (separate body) from the output side pulley 214, and the driven side guide portion 270 may be a separate component (separate body) from the driven pulley 216.

[0055] <<Regarding the configuration of the vacuum cleaner support device 120>> As shown in Figures 1 and 12-14, the vacuum cleaner support device 120 supports the electric vacuum cleaner 1 with the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40 connected via the pipe section 30. As shown in Figure 13, the vacuum cleaner support device 120 has a mounting section 130 and a support column section 140.

[0056] The mounting section 130 is a base for mounting the cleaning tool 40 and has a mounting surface that slopes downward from the support column 140 (described later) toward the front. The mounting section 130 also has a stopper 132 on its front side. The stopper 132 is formed to protrude upward from the top surface of the mounting section 130. The stopper 132 is also formed to extend in the width direction of the mounting section 130. Therefore, the stopper 132 can be positioned so that the cleaning tool 40, which is placed on the top surface of the mounting section 130, does not move toward the front side beyond the stopper 132.

[0057] The support column 140 is a columnar portion erected vertically on the rear side of the mounting section 130 (opposite the stopper 132). The support column 140 engages with and supports the pipe section 30 connected to the cleaning tool 40 placed on the mounting section 130. Specifically, the support column 140 can support the pipe section 30 by engaging a receiving portion 32 provided on the pipe section 30 with an engaging portion 142 provided on the upper end of the support column 140.

[0058] Specifically, the receiving portion 32 is a part provided to bulge out on the rear side of the pipe portion 30. The receiving portion 32 is designed to engage with the support column portion 140 of the vacuum cleaner support device 120 to form an engagement structure. The receiving portion 32 is hollow and has an opening 32a that is open toward one side in the pipe axis direction (the side connected to the cleaning tool 40) and toward the rear side. On the other hand, the engaging portion 142 of the support column portion 140 has a recess formed so that it can be inserted from above into the opening 32a of the receiving portion 32 of the pipe portion 30. In addition, the support column portion 140 is provided with a projection 144 that protrudes inside the recess of the engaging portion 142, and by inserting the receiving portion 32 toward the engaging portion 142 from above toward downward, an engagement structure can be formed between the receiving portion 32 and the engaging portion 142. As a result, the support column portion 140 can support the pipe portion 30 in an engaged state. In this embodiment, a configuration in which a receiving portion 32 is provided on the pipe portion 30 has been described as an example. However, the pipe portion 30 may have an engaging structure that hooks onto the pipe portion 30 from above the engaging structure of the support column 140. For example, the pipe portion 30 may be provided with a hook extending downward (towards the cleaning tool 40), and this hook may be inserted into a recess in the engaging portion 142 of the support column 140.

[0059] Furthermore, the support column 140 has a first support column component 150, a second support column component 152, and a third support column component 154. The first support column component 150, the second support column component 152, and the third support column component 154 are each arranged separately in the vertical direction of the support column 140.

[0060] Specifically, the first support column component 150 is the portion that forms the upper and lower upper end of the support column 140. The first support column component 150 is provided with the engagement portion 142 described above. Therefore, the first support column component 150 functions as a portion that forms an engagement structure with the pipe portion 30.

[0061] The second support column component 152 is the portion that forms the area on the lower end side (mounting portion 130 side) of the support column 140. The front surface 152a of the second support column component 152 is located further back in the front-rear direction than the front surface 152a of the first support column component 150 and the surface of the first support column component.

[0062] The third support column component 154 is located between the first support column component 150 and the second support column component 152 in the vertical direction. The third support column component 154 has a recess 156 on its front surface 154a side. The recess 156 is formed to be concave towards the rear of the front surface 150a of the first support column component 150 and the front surface 152a of the second support column component 152.

[0063] Specifically, the front surface 154a of the third support component 154 has three surfaces: a first connecting surface 154b, a second connecting surface 154c, and a flat surface 154d. The first connecting surface 154b is a curved surface, a bent surface, or an inclined surface (a curved surface in this embodiment) formed to continue from the front surface 150a of the first support component 150. The second connecting surface 154c is a curved surface, a bent surface, or an inclined surface (a curved surface in this embodiment) formed to continue from the front surface 152a of the second support component 152. The flat surface 154d is a flat surface provided between the first connecting surface 154b and the second connecting surface 154c in the vertical direction. The first connecting surface 154b and the second connecting surface 154c can be curved with the same curvature, but in this embodiment, the curvature of the second connecting surface 154c is smaller than that of the first connecting surface 154b. This prevents the rear end 47 of the cleaning tool 40 from getting caught on the second connecting surface 154c, allowing the cleaning tool 40 to be placed on the mounting surface of the mounting section 130.

[0064] <Operation control by the control unit 90> The control unit 90 can perform operation control (duty cycle control) of the electric blower 70 based on the duty cycle. The control unit 90 can set the duty cycle according to the communication status between the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40. Specifically, the control unit 90 can set the duty cycle depending on whether the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40 are directly or indirectly connected. Here, the control unit 90 can determine the connection status between the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40 by electrically detecting whether the connection between the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40 is direct or indirect, by allowing the user to set it as appropriate using various switches, by providing a switch that can be physically turned on and off when the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40 are directly or indirectly connected via the pipe section 30, and by providing sensors to detect the connection.

[0065] The control unit 90 sets the duty cycle (communication duty cycle D1), which is set on the condition that the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40 are in communication, to be higher than the duty cycle (non-communication duty cycle D2), which is set on the condition that they are not in communication (D1 > D2). This allows the output of the electric blower 70 to be increased when the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40 are in communication and high suction power is required.

[0066] Furthermore, if the vacuum cleaner 1 allows the user to select from multiple operating modes with different suction power, it is preferable that the control unit 90 controls the output of the electric blower 70 so that it can exert appropriate suction power according to the selected operating mode. Specifically, for example, the vacuum cleaner 1 can be operated in a manner that allows the user to select from multiple operating modes, such as an operating mode for cleaning with standard suction power (standard mode), an operating mode that reduces power consumption by lowering the suction power compared to the standard mode (save mode), and an operating mode for cleaning with higher suction power than the standard mode (turbo mode). In this case, the control unit 90 controls the output of the electric blower 70 so that it can exert appropriate suction power according to the selected operating mode.

[0067] Here, as described above, when operation is possible in multiple operating modes with different suction power, it is desirable to set the duty cycle according to the communication state between the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40, while maintaining the relative magnitude of the suction power when the first operating mode is selected and when the second operating mode, which has a higher suction power, is selected. Specifically, for example, when comparing operation in the save mode described above with operation in the standard mode, it is desirable to control the system so that the duty cycle D1 when operating in standard mode is greater than the duty cycle D1 when operating in save mode. Also, it is desirable to control the system so that the duty cycle D2 when operating in standard mode is greater than the duty cycle D2 when operating in save mode. Similarly, when comparing operation in standard mode and operation in turbo mode, it is desirable to control the system so that the duty cycle D1 in connected mode is greater than the duty cycle D1 in connected mode when operating in standard mode, and the duty cycle D2 in disconnected mode is greater than the duty cycle D2 in disconnected mode when operating in standard mode.

[0068] The control unit 90 is preferably equipped with an operating unit for setting the operating mode of the vacuum cleaner 1. Specifically, it is preferable to have a first operating unit 92 for setting a first operating mode and a second operating unit 94 for setting a second operating mode.

[0069] Regarding the effects obtained from the electric vacuum cleaner 1, cleaning tool 40, vacuum cleaner support device 120, and electric vacuum cleaner system S: The effects obtained by the electric vacuum cleaner 1, cleaning tool 40, and electric vacuum cleaner system S described above will be explained below for each aspect of the present invention.

[0070] [Regarding the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the first aspect of the present invention] Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-27063, an electric vacuum cleaner has been provided in which the vacuum cleaner body has a detachable tip opening for the suction port and a fan motor for generating suction force, and a rod-shaped handle with a built-in battery is provided.

[0071] The conventional vacuum cleaners described above have a handle that extends straight backward from the main body. As a result, conventional vacuum cleaners have problems such as being difficult to grip when applying the nozzle or suction body to the floor surface, and thus having poor operability.

[0072] Therefore, the present invention aims to realize an electric vacuum cleaner that is easy to grip and highly operable.

[0073] (1-1) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 provided to solve the above-mentioned problems comprises an electric blower 70 that generates suction force, a main body 12 having a suction port 14 on the lower side in the vertical direction, a dust collection section 20 for collecting dust, and a handle section 100 provided on the upper side in the vertical direction of the main body 12, wherein the handle section 100 is a rod shape that is bent at a bending position 102 provided in the middle, extends from the front side of the main body 12 in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and extends from the bending position 102 toward the rear side of the main body 12.

[0074] The vacuum cleaner 1 has a rod-shaped handle 100 located on the upper side of the main body 12. The handle extends from the front of the main body 12, bends at a bending position 102, and extends toward the rear of the main body 12. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 is easy for the user to grip the handle 100 when cleaning, resulting in high operability.

[0075] (1-2) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 described above has an operating unit 106 for controlling the operation of the electric blower 70 located on the side of the handle 100 that is connected to the main body 12.

[0076] This makes it easier for the user to change the position in which they hold the handle 100 when operating the control unit 106 and moving the vacuum cleaner 1 by holding the handle 100. In addition, by configuring the vacuum cleaner 1 as shown in (1-2), it is possible to suppress accidental operation of the control unit 106 when moving the vacuum cleaner 1 by holding the handle 100.

[0077] (1-3) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 described in (1-2) above is characterized in that the handle portion 100 has a flat surface 104 that extends along the vertical direction, and the operating portion 106 is arranged on the flat surface 104.

[0078] By configuring the vacuum cleaner 1 as shown in (1-3), the control unit 106 becomes even easier to operate.

[0079] (1-4) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 described in (1-2) above has a handle portion 100 which has a front portion 100b that constitutes the front surface in the front-rear direction and a rear portion 100a that constitutes the rear surface in the front-rear direction, the rear portion 100a which has a rear bent portion 102a that is bent at the bending position 102, and the front portion 100b which has a flat surface 104 at a position facing the rear bent portion 102a in the front-rear direction and has an operating portion 106 on the flat surface 104.

[0080] By configuring the vacuum cleaner 1 as described in (1-4) above, it becomes easier for the user to change the position in which they hold the handle 100 when operating the control unit 106 and when moving the vacuum cleaner 1 by holding the handle 100. Furthermore, by configuring the vacuum cleaner 1 as described in (1-4), it becomes even more reliable to prevent accidental operation of the control unit 106 when moving the vacuum cleaner 1 by holding the handle 100.

[0081] (1-5) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 described above in (1-1) to (1-4) is characterized in that the main body 12 has a battery 80 on the rear side in the front-to-back direction.

[0082] By adopting the configuration shown in (1-5), the electric vacuum cleaner 1 has a lower position for the heavy battery 80 compared to, for example, a configuration where the battery 80 is located inside the handle 100. Therefore, by adopting the configuration shown in (1-5), the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can have its center of gravity set lower. This makes the electric vacuum cleaner 1 easier to maneuver when moving it for cleaning.

[0083] (1-6) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 described in (1-5) above is characterized in that, when viewed from above, the battery 80 and the handle portion 100 overlap in at least a part.

[0084] By configuring the electric vacuum cleaner 1 as described in (1-6) above, it is possible to grip the battery 80, which is a heavy object, at a position above its center of gravity. This makes it easier to maneuver the electric vacuum cleaner 1 when moving it for cleaning.

[0085] (1-7) In the electric vacuum cleaner 1 described in (1-5) or (1-6) above, the battery 80 is detachably housed in a battery housing 24 provided in the main body 12, the battery housing 24 has an opening 24a into which the battery 80 can be inserted, positioned vertically opposite to the handle 100, and the opening 24a has an opening surface 24c that slopes away from the handle 100 as it moves from the front to the rear in the front-rear direction.

[0086] By configuring the vacuum cleaner 1 as described in (1-7) above, it becomes easier to attach and detach the battery 80 from the battery housing 24.

[0087] (1-8) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 described in (1-1) to (1-7) above is characterized in that one end of the handle portion 100 that is connected to the main body portion 12 overlaps with the electric blower 70 when viewed from above.

[0088] By configuring the electric vacuum cleaner 1 as described in (1-8) above, it can be gripped at a position above the center of gravity of the heavy electric blower 70. This makes it easier to maneuver the electric vacuum cleaner 1 when moving it for cleaning.

[0089] (1-9) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 described in (1-1) to (1-8) above is characterized in that one end of the handle portion 100 that is connected to the main body portion 12 is located in front of the central axis of the electric blower 70 in the front-rear direction.

[0090] By configuring the electric vacuum cleaner 1 as described in (1-9) above, it can be gripped directly above the heavy electric blower 70. This makes it easier to maneuver the electric vacuum cleaner 1 when moving it for cleaning.

[0091] [Regarding the cleaning tool 40 according to a second aspect of the present invention] Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-51711, a vacuum cleaner head has been provided that includes a rotating body having multiple brushes, a motor that rotates the rotating body, and a belt that transmits the rotation of the motor to the rotating body, wherein the belt is attached to a roller provided on the motor shaft and a rotating support.

[0092] However, the conventional technology described above had the problem that the belt could come off the roller or rotating support.

[0093] Therefore, the present invention aims to realize a cleaning tool for an electric vacuum cleaner that can prevent the belt from coming off the pulley.

[0094] (2-1) The cleaning tool 40 provided to solve the above-mentioned problems comprises an inlet opening 62 that serves as an entry point for dust, a rotating cleaning body 46 having a cleaning body 200, a drive unit 210 on which an output pulley 214 is provided on the rotating shaft of a motor 210a, and a driven structure DS that transmits the power of the drive unit 210 to the rotating cleaning body 46, wherein a belt 212 is stretched over a driven pulley 216 provided on the driven structure DS and an output pulley 214, and the driven structure DS has a circumferential portion on the driven pulley 216 over which the belt 212 is stretched, and is characterized in that it has a guide portion 250 (driven guide portion 270, 272) on at least one side in the axial direction of the driven pulley 216 that protrudes radially from the circumferential portion.

[0095] The cleaning tool 40 has guide portions 250 (driven-side guide portions 270, 272) that protrude radially from the circumference on at least one side in the axial direction relative to the driven-side pulley 216 provided on the driven-side structure DS. Furthermore, the guide portions 250 are designed to protrude radially from the circumference of the driven-side pulley 216. As a result, the belt 212 that is wrapped around the circumference of the driven-side pulley 216 is less likely to come off the cleaning tool 40.

[0096] (2-2) The cleaning tool 40 described above is characterized in that the guide portion 250 is a separate component from the driven pulley 216.

[0097] The cleaning tool 40 of the vacuum cleaner 1 in this embodiment, with this configuration, allows the user to place the driven-side guide portion 272, which is a separate component, after the belt 212 has been placed on the driven-side pulley 216. Furthermore, when removing the belt 212 from the driven-side pulley 216, the cleaning tool 40 of the vacuum cleaner 1 in this embodiment allows the user to remove the belt 212 with the driven-side guide portion 272, which is a separate component, removed, in the reverse order of when the belt 212 was placed on it. Thus, the cleaning tool 40 of the vacuum cleaner 1 in this embodiment has a configuration in which the guide portion 250 protrudes radially from the circumference on one side in the direction of the rotation axis relative to the circumference, while still allowing for easy attachment and detachment of the belt 212 to the driven-side pulley 216.

[0098] (2-3) In the cleaning tool 40 described in (2-1) or (2-2) above, the guide portion 250 is characterized in that it is supported on the shaft portion 202k on which the driven pulley 216 is supported.

[0099] In this embodiment, the cleaning tool 40 of the vacuum cleaner 1 can be configured such that the guide portion 250 (driven guide portion 272 in this embodiment) is positioned in the axial direction of the shaft portion 202k to which the driven pulley 216 is fixed. This allows the cleaning tool 40 of the vacuum cleaner 1 of this embodiment to position the driven guide portion 272 with high positional accuracy relative to the driven pulley 216. Therefore, the cleaning tool 40 of the vacuum cleaner 1 of this embodiment can reliably position the driven guide portion 272 in an appropriate position to prevent the belt 212 from coming off the pulley. If the driven guide portion 270 is a separate component from the driven pulley 216, the driven guide portion 270 may be fixed to the shaft portion 202k.

[0100] (2-4) In the cleaning tool 40 described in (2-3) above, the driven pulley 216 and the guide portion 250 are characterized in that they are prevented from coming off the shaft portion 202k.

[0101] The cleaning tool 40, with the configuration described above, is positioned so that the driven pulley 216 and the guide portion 250 do not move in the axial direction of the shaft portion 202k. Therefore, the cleaning tool 40 is less prone to displacement of the driven pulley 216 and the guide portion 250 in either the axial direction of the shaft portion 202k or in directions intersecting the axial direction, and the driven pulley 216 is less likely to tilt. As a result, the belt 212 is less likely to come off the driven pulley 216 of the cleaning tool 40.

[0102] (2-5) The cleaning tool 40 described in (2-3) or (2-4) above is characterized in that the retaining member 282 is fixed to the end of the shaft portion 202k on the guide portion 250 side, with reference to the driven pulley 216.

[0103] With the configuration described above, the cleaning tool 40 can be positioned by the retaining member 282 so that the driven pulley 216 and the guide portion 250 do not move in the axial direction of the shaft portion 202k. Therefore, the cleaning tool 40 is less prone to displacement of the driven pulley 216 and the guide portion 250 in either the axial direction of the shaft portion 202k or in directions intersecting the axial direction, and the driven pulley 216 is less likely to tilt. As a result, the belt 212 is less likely to come off the driven pulley 216 with the cleaning tool 40.

[0104] (2-6) In the cleaning tool 40 described in (2-1) to (2-5) above, the driven side structure DS has an engaging portion 202j that detachably engages with the axial end of the rotating cleaning body 46, and is characterized in that the engaging portion 202j, the driven side pulley 216, and the guide portion 250 (driven side guide portion 272) are arranged in that order.

[0105] The cleaning tool 40, with the configuration described above, allows for easy engagement and disengagement of the rotating cleaning body 46. Furthermore, the cleaning tool 40, with the configuration described above, can prevent the rotating cleaning body 46 from disengaging from the guide portion 250 (driven guide portion 272) on the opposite side of the engagement portion 202j, via the driven pulley 216.

[0106] (2-7) In the cleaning tool 40 described in (2-3) to (2-5) above, the driven side structure DS is characterized by having a first bearing portion 202z located on the guide portion 250 side of the shaft portion 202k with respect to the driven side pulley 216, and a driven side bearing holding portion 202p that supports the first bearing portion 202z.

[0107] The cleaning tool 40 has a support structure for rotatably supporting the driven pulley 216, in which a first bearing portion 202z for receiving the shaft portion 202k to which the driven pulley 216 is fixed is held by a driven bearing holding portion 202p. As a result, the cleaning tool 40 can smoothly support the shaft portion 202k.

[0108] (2-8) In the cleaning tool 40 described in (2-7) above, the driven side structure DS has a second bearing portion 225 that is positioned on the opposite side of the guide portion 250 with respect to the driven side pulley 216, and is equipped with a support portion 220 that supports the driven side structure DS with the second bearing portion 225, and the driven side pulley 216 and the guide portion 250 are positioned between the second bearing portion 225 and the first bearing portion 202z.

[0109] The cleaning tool 40, with the configuration described above, can support the shaft portion 202k so that it does not tilt between the second bearing portion 225 and the first bearing portion 202z. Furthermore, the cleaning tool 40 has a driven pulley 216 and a guide portion 250 between the second bearing portion 225 and the first bearing portion 202z. Therefore, the belt 212 is less likely to come off the driven pulley 216 of the cleaning tool 40.

[0110] [Regarding the cleaning tool 40 according to a third aspect of the present invention] Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-51711, a vacuum cleaner head is disclosed comprising a rotating body having multiple brushes, a motor that rotates the rotating body, and a belt that transmits the rotation of the motor to the rotating body, wherein the head has a belt that is attached to a roller and a rotating support provided on the shaft of the motor.

[0111] However, in the conventional technology described above, the brush bearing that rotatably supports the rotating support rotates relative to the rotating shaft, which means that dust and debris can easily accumulate in the gap between the brush bearing and the rotating shaft, potentially affecting the rotational performance of the rotating body.

[0112] Therefore, the present invention aims to realize a cleaning tool for an electric vacuum cleaner that can suppress the deterioration of the rotational performance of the rotating body.

[0113] (3-1) The cleaning tool 40 provided to solve the above-mentioned problems is characterized by comprising: an inlet opening 62 that serves as an entrance for dust; a rotating cleaning body 46 having a cleaning body 200; a drive unit 210 on which an output pulley 214 is provided on the rotating shaft of a motor 210a; a driven pulley 216 on which a belt 212 is carried together with the output pulley 214; a first driven bearing portion 202z consisting of a ball bearing that receives a shaft portion 202k on which the driven pulley 216 is supported; and a driven bearing holding portion 202p that holds the first driven bearing portion 202z.

[0114] The cleaning tool 40 uses a support structure for rotatably supporting the driven pulley 216, in which the first driven bearing portion 202z for receiving the shaft portion 202k to which the driven pulley 216 is fixed is held in the driven bearing holding portion 202p. As a result, the cleaning tool 40 can reduce the possibility of the rotational performance of the cleaning body 200 deteriorating due to dust accumulation in the support structure that rotatably supports the cleaning body 200, compared to the conventional technology.

[0115] (3-2) The cleaning tool 40 described above is characterized by having an engaging portion 202j that detachably engages with the axial end of the rotating cleaning body 46, and being arranged in the order of engaging portion 202j, driven pulley 216, and first driven bearing portion 202z.

[0116] The cleaning tool 40, with the configuration described above, allows for easy engagement and disengagement of the rotating cleaning body 46 at the engagement portion 202j. Furthermore, with the configuration described above, the cleaning tool 40 has the first driven-side bearing portion 202z located on the opposite side of the engagement portion 202j where the rotating cleaning body 46 engages and disengages, via the driven-side pulley 216. This reduces the possibility of dust accumulating on the first driven-side bearing portion 202z, which could potentially degrade the rotational performance of the cleaning body 200, compared to the conventional technology.

[0117] (3-3) The cleaning tool 40 described in (3-1) or (3-2) above is characterized by having a second driven bearing portion 225 that receives the shaft portion 202k, and a support portion 220 that supports the second driven bearing portion 225.

[0118] Because the cleaning tool 40 is configured in this way, the second driven bearing portion 225 is supported by the support portion 220, and the inner ring of the second driven bearing portion 225 rotates together with the shaft portion 202k. Therefore, the cleaning tool 40 can reduce the possibility of the rotational performance of the cleaning body 200 deteriorating due to dust accumulation in the support structure that rotatably supports the cleaning body 200, compared to the conventional technology.

[0119] (3-4) The cleaning tools 40 described in (3-1) to (3-3) above are characterized in that they are retained at the end of the shaft portion 202k on the first driven bearing portion 202z side, with reference to the driven pulley 216.

[0120] The cleaning tool 40 is positioned such that the driven pulley 216 does not move toward the first driven bearing portion 202z along the axial direction of the shaft portion 202k. Therefore, the cleaning tool 40 is less prone to displacement of the driven pulley 216 in either the axial direction of the shaft portion 202k or in directions intersecting the axial direction, and tilting of the driven pulley 216 is also less likely to occur. As a result, the belt 212 is less likely to come off the driven pulley 216 in the cleaning tool 40 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of this embodiment.

[0121] (3-5) The cleaning tool 40 described in (3-1) to (3-4) above comprises an output-side bearing portion 214z that receives the rotating shaft of the motor 210a and an output-side bearing retaining portion 214p that holds the output-side bearing portion 214z, and is characterized in that the driven-side bearing retaining portion 202p and the output-side bearing retaining portion 214p are integrally formed.

[0122] By adopting the above-described configuration, the cleaning tool 40 allows the motor 210a, the output side bearing section 214z, and the output side bearing retaining section 214p to be assembled integrally with the driven side bearing retaining section 202p.

[0123] [Regarding the vacuum cleaner support device 120 according to the fourth aspect of the present invention] Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-107004, there is a vacuum cleaner support device that supports an electric vacuum cleaner to which a vacuum cleaner body, extension pipe, and suction attachment are connected. The support column of this vacuum cleaner support device is designed to support the electric vacuum cleaner by engaging with the extension pipe.

[0124] In the conventional technology described above, the rear end of the suction device sometimes interferes with the front of the support column. Therefore, there has been a need for a vacuum cleaner support device with a configuration that makes it easier to engage the extension pipe with the vacuum cleaner support device.

[0125] Therefore, the present invention aims to realize a vacuum cleaner support device and a vacuum cleaner set that can easily engage the pipe portion of an electric vacuum cleaner.

[0126] (4-1) The vacuum cleaner support device 120 provided to solve the above-mentioned problems supports an electric vacuum cleaner 1, which comprises a vacuum cleaner body 10 having an electric blower 70, a cleaning tool 40 having a suction port 14 for sucking up dust, and a pipe section 30 connecting the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40, with the vacuum cleaner body 10, the pipe section 30 and the cleaning tool 40 connected, and comprises a mounting section 130 for placing the cleaning tool 40, and a support column 140 erected on the mounting section 130 and engaging with the pipe section 30, wherein the support column 140 is positioned behind the pipe section 30. The support column comprises a first support column component 150 located on one side and having an engagement structure with the pipe portion 30, a second support column component 152 located on the lower end side of the support column portion 140, and a third support column component 154 located between the first support column component 150 and the second support column component 152 in the vertical direction of the support column portion 140. The third support column component 154 is characterized by having a recess 156 on its front surface 154a that is concave toward the rearward side than the front surface 150a of the first support column component 150 and the front surface 152a of the second support column component 152.

[0127] The vacuum cleaner support device 120 is configured such that the first support component 150, which constitutes the support column 140, can form an engagement structure with the pipe portion 30, and a recess 156 is provided on the front surface 154a of the third support component 154, which is located between the second support component 152, which forms the lower end of the support column 140, and the first support component 150. Furthermore, the front surface 154a of the third support component 154 is formed to be concave towards the rear in the recess 156, compared to the front surface 150a of the first support component 150 and the front surface 152a of the second support component 152. Therefore, when attempting to engage the pipe portion 30 with the first support component 150 of the vacuum cleaner support device 120, the presence of the recess 156 makes it difficult for the rear end 47 of the cleaning tool 40 to interfere with the support column 140. Therefore, with the vacuum cleaner support device 120, the user can easily engage the pipe portion 30 with the first support column component 150.

[0128] (4-2) In the vacuum cleaner support device 120 described above, the support column 140 is characterized in that the front surface of the second support column component 152 is located behind the front surface of the first support column component 150.

[0129] With the vacuum cleaner support device 120 configured as described above, when the pipe portion 30 is engaged with the first support column component 150, the cleaning tool 40 passes through the recess 156 of the third support column component 154 and reaches the second support column component 152, allowing the cleaning tool 40 to be smoothly pushed forward at the second support column component 152. Therefore, with the vacuum cleaner support device 120, the user can perform the task of engaging the pipe portion 30 with the support column component 140 even more smoothly.

[0130] (4-3) In the vacuum cleaner support device 120 described in (4-1) or (4-2) above, the front surface 154a of the third support column component 154 is characterized in that it has a first connecting surface 154b that is continuous with the front surface 150a of the first support column component 150 and a second connecting surface 154c that is continuous with the front surface 152a of the second support column component 152.

[0131] In the vacuum cleaner support device 120, during the process of engaging the pipe section 30 with the support column section 140, the cleaning tool 40 is guided by the first connection surface 154b and the second connection surface 154c and moves smoothly. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner support device 120 makes the process of engaging the pipe section 30 with the support column section 140 even smoother.

[0132] (4-4) In the vacuum cleaner support device 120 described above in (4-1) to (4-3), the recess 156 is characterized in that it has a flat surface 104 between the first connecting surface 154b and the second connecting surface 154c.

[0133] The vacuum cleaner support device 120, with the configuration described above, allows the cleaning tool 40, which has been guided by the first connecting surface 154b, to move smoothly downward along the flat surface 104 and be guided toward the second connecting surface 154c during the process of engaging the pipe section 30 with the support column section 140. Therefore, with the vacuum cleaner support device 120, the user can perform the task of engaging the pipe section 30 with the support column section 140 even more smoothly.

[0134] (4-5) The vacuum cleaner support device 120 described in (4-1) to (4-4) above is characterized in that the curvature of the second connection surface 154c is smaller than the curvature of the first connection surface 154b.

[0135] The vacuum cleaner support device 120, with the configuration described above, prevents the cleaning tool 40 from obstructing the support column 140 in the process of engaging the pipe section 30 with the support column 140, while simultaneously guiding the cleaning tool 40 smoothly forward as it passes through the area where the second connection surface 154c is provided, allowing the cleaning tool 40 to be placed. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner support device 120 allows the user to smoothly engage the pipe section 30 with the support column 140.

[0136] (4-6) The electric vacuum cleaner system S described above is characterized by comprising the vacuum cleaner support device 120 described in any of (4-1) to (4-5) above, and an electric vacuum cleaner 1.

[0137] Since the electric vacuum cleaner system S is equipped with a vacuum cleaner support device 120, the user can easily engage the pipe section 30 with the first support column component 150.

[0138] [Regarding the fifth aspect of the present invention: electric vacuum cleaner 1] Conventionally, there are electric vacuum cleaners, such as the one disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-10743, which comprises a vacuum cleaner body housing an electric blower, a control means for selectively operating the electric blower in one of a plurality of operating modes with mutually different inputs, a non-volatile storage means capable of storing the operating modes of the electric blower, and a floor cleaning determination means for determining whether or not the floor surface is being cleaned. The control means is characterized in that, if the floor cleaning determination means determines that the floor surface is being cleaned after the electric blower has been restarted, it drives the electric blower in the operating mode stored in the storage means when the electric blower was previously cleaning the floor. In this electric vacuum cleaner, if the floor cleaning determination means determines that the floor surface is being cleaned after the electric blower has been restarted, the control means drives the electric blower in the operating mode stored in the storage means when the electric blower was previously cleaning the floor. As a result, when the floor surface is being cleaned, the electric blower is driven in the operating mode stored when the floor surface was previously cleaning without the operator having to operate the operating mode.

[0139] However, conventional technology requires pre-storing multiple normal operating modes that can be operated when the floor cleaning determination means determines that the floor surface is being cleaned, and multiple special operating modes that can be operated when the floor cleaning determination means determines that the floor surface is not being cleaned, resulting in the selection of from many modes.

[0140] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an electric vacuum cleaner in which the suction power of the electric blower can be easily changed.

[0141] (5-1) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 provided to solve the above-mentioned problems comprises a vacuum cleaner body 10 having an electric blower 70 and a control unit 90 that controls the operation of the electric blower 70, and a cleaning tool 40 that takes in dust, wherein the control unit 90 can control the operation of the electric blower 70 based on the duty cycle, and is characterized in that the duty cycle set on the condition that the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40 are in communication is higher than the duty cycle set on the condition that the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40 are not in communication.

[0142] By adopting the above-described configuration, the vacuum cleaner 1 can easily change the suction power of the electric blower compared to, for example, conventional technology which involves storing multiple operating modes separately for when the floor is being cleaned and when it is not.

[0143] (5-2) To solve the above-mentioned problems, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 provided comprises a vacuum cleaner body 10 having an electric blower 70 and a control unit 90 that controls the operation of the electric blower 70, and a cleaning tool 40 for taking in dust, wherein the control unit 90 is characterized in that it sets a duty cycle that is set on the condition that the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40 are directly or indirectly connected to each other, to be higher than the duty cycle that is set on the condition that the direct or indirect connection between the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40 is disconnected.

[0144] By adopting the above-described configuration, the vacuum cleaner 1 can easily change the suction power of the electric blower compared to, for example, conventional technology which involves storing multiple operating modes separately for when the floor is being cleaned and when it is not.

[0145] (5-3) In the electric vacuum cleaner 1 described in (5-1) or (5-2) above, the control unit 90 is configured to set a duty cycle that is set on the condition that an electrical connection between the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40 is detected to be higher than the duty cycle that is set on the condition that an electrical connection between the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40 is not detected.

[0146] By adopting the configuration described above, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 changes its duty cycle according to the electrical connection state between the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40, thus allowing for easy adjustment of the suction power of the electric blower.

[0147] (5-4) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 described in (5-1) to (5-3) above is characterized by being equipped with a battery 80 that supplies power to the electric blower 70.

[0148] By having the configuration described above, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can drive the electric blower 70 with an appropriate output depending on the connection state between the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40, thereby optimizing the power consumption associated with driving the electric blower 70. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is suitable when the electric blower 70 is driven by the battery 80 as described in (5-4) above.

[0149] (5-5) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 described in (5-1) to (5-4) above has a selectable first operating mode and a second operating mode which has greater suction power than the first operating mode, and the suction power of the first operating mode and the second operating mode are changed by changing the duty cycle, while maintaining the relationship that the suction power of the second operating mode is greater than that of the first operating mode.

[0150] By adopting the configuration described above, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can have two or more operating modes with different suction power, while also being able to drive the electric blower 70 with an appropriate output depending on the connection state between the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 does not need to further define operating modes with different outputs depending on the connection state between the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the cleaning tool 40 for each of the two or more operating modes with different suction power, thereby improving user convenience and simplifying the control configuration.

[0151] (5-6) The electric vacuum cleaner 1 described in (5-5) above is characterized by comprising a first operating unit 92 for setting a first operating mode and a second operating unit 94 for setting a second operating mode.

[0152] By having the configuration described above, the user can easily select whether to operate the vacuum cleaner 1 in the first operating mode or the second operating mode.

[0153] The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiments above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. The components of each embodiment and modified example described above can be arbitrarily selected and combined. Furthermore, any component of each embodiment and modified example can be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the means for solving the invention, the form for carrying out the invention, etc., or any component that embodies any component described in the means for solving the invention, the form for carrying out the invention, etc. The present application or a divisional application based thereon also intends to obtain rights for these as well. [Industrial applicability]

[0154] The present invention can be suitably used in electric vacuum cleaners in general. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0155] 1: Electric vacuum cleaner 10: Vacuum cleaner body 12: Main body 14: Suction port 20: Dust collection unit 24: Battery compartment 24a: Opening 24c: Opening surface 30: Pipe part 40: Cleaning tools 46: Rotating cleaning unit 62: Entrance / Opening 70: Electric blower 80: Battery 90: Control Unit 92:First operation section 94:Second operation section 100: Handle section 100a: Rear part 100b: Front part 102:Bending position 102a: Rear bend part 104 :Flat surface 106:Operation unit 120: Vacuum cleaner support device 130: Mounting section 140: Strut part 150: First pillar component 150a: Front 152:Second pillar component 152a:Front 154:Third pillar component 154a:Front 154b: First connection surface 154c: Second connection surface 156: Recess 200: Cleaning Unit 202j: Engagement part 202k:Shaft 202p: Driven side bearing holding part 202z: First bearing part (first driven side bearing part) 210: Drive unit 210a: Motor 212: Belt 214: Output pulley 214p: Output side bearing holding part 214z:Output side bearing part 216: Driven pulley 220: Support part 225: Second bearing part (second driven side bearing part) 250: Guide section 270: Driven side guide section 272: Driven side guide section 282: Retaining member DS: Driven side structure S: Electric Vacuum Cleaner System

Claims

1. A cleaning tool body having an inlet / outlet that serves as an entry point for dust, A rotating cleaning body having a cleaning body, A drive unit in which an output pulley is attached to the motor's rotating shaft, A driven pulley on which a belt is placed together with the output pulley, The first driven-side bearing portion consists of a ball bearing that receives the shaft portion on which the driven-side pulley is supported, A driven bearing retaining portion that holds the first driven bearing portion, The rotating cleaning body comprises an engaging portion that detachably engages with the axial end of the rotating cleaning body, The engagement portion, the driven pulley, and the first driven bearing portion are arranged in that order. It has a second driven bearing portion that receives the shaft portion, and a support portion that supports the second driven bearing portion, extends along the direction in which the rotating cleaning body and the drive unit are aligned, and supports the drive unit, The output pulley and the driven pulley are positioned on the opposite side of the support portion from the rotating cleaning body. The output pulley and the output bearing are axially supported in this order with respect to the output shaft of the drive unit. The driven pulley is positioned between the second driven bearing portion and the first driven bearing portion. The output side bearing portion that receives the rotating shaft of the motor, It comprises an output-side bearing retaining portion that holds the output-side bearing portion, A cleaning tool characterized in that the driven bearing holder and the output bearing holder are each held by the cleaning tool body by being inserted into insertion parts provided on the cleaning tool body.

2. The cleaning tool according to claim 1, characterized in that it is prevented from coming off at the end of the shaft portion on the side of the first driven bearing portion, with reference to the driven pulley.

3. The cleaning tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the driven side bearing holder and the output side bearing holder are integrally configured.

4. The output pulley comprises a first output guide portion disposed on one side in the direction of the rotation axis and a second output guide portion disposed on the other side in the direction of the rotation axis, The cleaning tool according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the first output-side guide portion or the second output-side guide portion is formed integrally with the output-side pulley, and the other of the first output-side guide portion or the second output-side guide portion is made of a separate component from the output-side pulley.

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