cleaning machine

Abstract

To provide a cleaner the nozzle and the suction tube of which are connected with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A cleaner includes: a cleaner body incorporating a suction source generating suction force for sucking dust; a suction tube having a flow passage formation part extending from the cleaner body so as to form a flow passage though which the dust sucked by the suction force of the suction source flows, and an engagement body provided on the tip end of the flow passage formation part; and a suction nozzle having a nozzle case forming a suction space into which the dust on a floor surface is flown by the suction force of the suction source, and a tilt center body capable of being engaged with the engagement body so as to allow the flow passage formation part to tilt while maintaining the suction space to be connected to the flow passage formation part. The engagement body air-tightly contacts the outer peripheral surface of the tilt center body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner that sucks dust on the floor.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vacuum cleaner 900 shown in FIG. 26. This vacuum cleaner 900 has a vacuum cleaner body 910 incorporating a suction source that generates a suction force. In order to enable the suction of dust on the floor by the suction force of the suction source, a suction nozzle 930 elongated in the left - right direction and a suction pipe 920 with its tip connected to the suction nozzle 930 and its base end connected to the vacuum cleaner body 910 are provided.

[0003] The suction nozzle 930 has a box - shaped nozzle case 940 elongated in the left - right direction. The nozzle case 940 forms a suction space 931 that opens toward the floor as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. When the suction source of the vacuum cleaner body 910 operates with the suction nozzle 930 connected to the suction pipe 920, dust on the floor flows into the suction space 931 due to the suction force of the suction source.

[0004] At the rear of the nozzle case 940, a substantially semi - cylindrical engaging body 941 is provided to enable the connection of the tip portion of the suction pipe 920 to the nozzle case 940. The engaging body 941 is configured to allow the suction pipe 920 to tilt from the upright posture shown in FIG. 27 to the lying posture shown in FIG. 28. Specifically, the engaging body 941 has a lower curved wall portion 942 located below the upright suction pipe 920 and an upper curved wall portion 943 provided at a position spaced above the lower curved wall portion 942. The lower curved wall portion 942 and the upper curved wall portion 943 are thin plate portions having an arcuate cross - section.

[0005] The suction tube 920 has a tilting center body 950 which is the tilting center when the suction tube 920 tilts between an upright position and a reclining position, and a cylindrical flow path forming part 953 which forms a flow path through which dust sucked in by the suction force of the suction source flows. The flow path forming part 953 extends from the vacuum cleaner body 910 and is connected to the tilting center body 950.

[0006] The tilting central body 950 has a substantially cylindrical shape such that it combines with the engaging body 941 to form a communication space 954 with a substantially circular cross-section, and is composed of a first curved wall portion 951 and a second curved wall portion 952 having an arc-shaped cross-section. The suction space 931 communicates with the flow path in the flow path forming portion 953 via the communication space 954.

[0007] As shown in Figure 28, the outer surface of the first curved wall portion 951 is in airtight contact with the inner surface of the lower curved wall portion 942 when the suction pipe 920 is in a horizontal position. On the other hand, at this time, the second curved wall portion 952 and the upper curved wall portion 943 are spaced apart from each other for the following reasons. That is, if the arc length of the cross-section of the second curved wall portion 952 is extended forward, the outer surface of the second curved wall portion 952 can come into contact with the inner surface of the upper curved wall portion 943. However, in this state, if the suction pipe 920 is in an upright position, the second curved wall portion 952 can enter between the communication space 954 and the suction space 931, preventing dust from flowing from the suction space 931 to the flow path forming portion 953. Alternatively, by extending the arc length of the cross-section of the upper curved wall portion 943 to the rear, an airtight contact state between the second curved wall portion 952 and the upper curved wall portion 943 can be obtained when the suction pipe 920 is in a lateral position. However, in this case, the rear end of the upper curved wall portion 943 comes into contact with the flow path forming portion 953 before the suction pipe 920 becomes upright, and the suction pipe 920 cannot become upright.

[0008] For similar reasons, when the suction tube 920 is in the upright position shown in Figure 27, the second curved wall portion 952 and the upper curved wall portion 943 are in airtight contact, while the first curved wall portion 951 and the lower curved wall portion 942 are separated from each other.

[0009] A shutter member 944 is provided in the communication space 954 to close the gap between the second curved wall portion 952 and the upper curved wall portion 943 when the suction tube 920 is in a lateral position, and the gap between the first curved wall portion 951 and the lower curved wall portion 942 when the suction tube 920 is in an upright position.

[0010] The shutter member 944 has a semi-cylindrical wall 945 and a pair of seal ribs 946 and 947 provided on the edges of the semi-cylindrical wall 945. The semi-cylindrical wall 945 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the engaging body 941, and a gap is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the semi-cylindrical wall 945 and the inner circumferential surface of the engaging body 941 into which the first curved wall portion 951 and the second curved wall portion 952 fit. The seal ribs 946 and 947 abut the inner circumferential surface of the engaging body 941 in order to obtain an airtight contact state between the shutter member 944 and the engaging body 941. The seal ribs 946 and 947 remain in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the engaging body 941 whether the suction pipe 920 is in an upright or reclined position.

[0011] When the user changes the suction tube 920 from an upright position to a reclining position, the first curved wall portion 951 enters the gap between the semi-cylindrical wall 945 and the lower curved wall portion 942, pressing against the seal rib 946 of the shutter member 944. As a result, the shutter member 944 rotates clockwise from the position shown in Figure 27 to the position shown in Figure 28. At this time, the second curved wall portion 952 separates from the upper curved wall portion 943, but the gap formed between them is closed by the shutter member 944. Also, the seal ribs 946 and 947 maintain contact with the inner circumferential surface of the engaging body 941 while the shutter member 944 is moving from the position shown in Figure 27 to the position shown in Figure 28. In the state shown in Figure 28, the semi-cylindrical wall 945 and the first curved wall portion 951 are overlapping radially, and the shutter member 944 does not enter between the communication space 954 and the suction space 931. Therefore, the shutter member 944 does not obstruct the flow of dust from the suction space 931 towards the flow path forming section 953.

[0012] Furthermore, when the user returns the suction tube 920 from a reclining position to an upright position, the second curved wall portion 952 enters the gap between the semi-cylindrical wall 945 and the upper curved wall portion 943, pressing against the seal rib 947. In this case, the shutter member 944 rotates counterclockwise to the position shown in Figure 27. At this time, the first curved wall portion 951 separates from the lower curved wall portion 942, but the gap formed between them is closed by the shutter member 944. Also, the seal ribs 946 and 947 maintain contact with the inner circumferential surface of the engaging body 941 until the suction tube 920 returns to an upright position. In the state shown in Figure 27, the semi-cylindrical wall 945 and the second curved wall portion 952 are overlapping radially, and the shutter member 944 does not enter the space between the communication space 954 and the suction space 931. Therefore, even when the suction pipe 920 is in an upright position, the shutter member 944 does not obstruct the flow of dust from the suction space 931 towards the flow path forming section 953. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-149283 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0014] In the vacuum cleaner 900 described above, a shutter member 944 is required to connect the suction pipe 920 and the suction nozzle 930. However, the connection structure between the suction pipe 920 and the suction nozzle 930 becomes more complex due to the presence of the shutter member 944.

[0015] This disclosure aims to provide a technology that enables the connection of a suction nozzle and a suction tube with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] A vacuum cleaner according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a vacuum cleaner body incorporating a suction source that generates a suction force for sucking dust, a flow path forming portion extending from the vacuum cleaner body so as to form a flow path through which the dust sucked by the suction force of the suction source flows, and provided at the tip of the flow path forming portion semi-cylindrical shape a coupling body, a suction pipe having the same, a nozzle case that forms a suction space into which dust on the floor flows by the suction force of the suction source, and a tilt center body that can be engaged with the coupling body so as to allow the flow path forming portion to tilt while maintaining a state in which the suction space communicates with the flow path of the flow path forming portion Cylindrical a suction nozzle having the same, and is provided. The coupling body The stepped portion formed by the ends of the engaging members in the circumferential direction of the tilting center body appears on the outer surface of the tilting center body, is in airtight contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tilt center body.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] The above technology enables the connection between the suction nozzle and the suction pipe with a simple structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment [Figure 2] Developed perspective view of the suction nozzle [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the suction nozzle [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of the suction nozzle [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of the suction nozzle (second embodiment) [Figure 6] Plan view of the vacuum cleaner body of the vacuum cleaner [Figure 7] Plan view of the vacuum cleaner body of the vacuum cleaner [Figure 8] Perspective view of the vacuum cleaner having a grip portion having a bent shape [Figure 9] Perspective view of the vacuum cleaner having a grip portion having a bent shape [Figure 10] Perspective view of the vacuum cleaner having a grip portion connected to the vacuum cleaner body in an inclined posture [Figure 11] Perspective view of the vacuum cleaner provided with a vacuum cleaner body having a bent shape [Figure 12]Cross-sectional view of the suction nozzle [Figure 13] Perspective view of a vacuum cleaner equipped with a vacuum cleaner body having a curved shape. [Figure 14] Perspective view of the vacuum cleaner according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] Enlarged perspective view of the connection between the suction nozzle and the suction tube. [Figure 16] Cross-sectional view of the connection between the suction nozzle and the suction tube. [Figure 17] Perspective view of the connection and retention section between the suction nozzle and the suction tube. [Figure 18] Perspective view of a vacuum cleaner [Figure 19] Perspective view of a vacuum cleaner [Figure 20] Cross-sectional view of the suction pipe of the vacuum cleaner according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 21] Front view of the suction tube [Figure 22] Front view of the suction tube [Figure 23] Cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner suction tube equipped with a bending restriction section. [Figure 24] Side view of the bending restriction section [Figure 25] Side view of the bending restriction section [Figure 26] Perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner [Figure 27] Cross-sectional view of a conventional vacuum cleaner suction nozzle. [Figure 28] Cross-sectional view of a conventional vacuum cleaner suction nozzle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] The first to fourth embodiments of the vacuum cleaner will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings and the following explanation are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0020] <First Embodiment> (Overall configuration of the vacuum cleaner) Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a suction-type vacuum cleaner 100. The vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a vacuum cleaner body 110 and a box-shaped suction nozzle 120 that is elongated horizontally and opens downwards to allow dust from the floor surface to flow in.

[0021] The vacuum cleaner body 110 comprises a housing 111, a suction source 112 and a dust collection section 113 built into the housing 111. The suction source 112 is configured to generate a suction force to suck up dust. For example, the suction source 112 may consist of a fan motor 114 and a rotating blade 115 configured to generate an upward airflow when rotated by the fan motor 114. The dust collection section 113 is located upstream of the suction source 112 in the direction of this upward airflow. The dust collection section 113 is configured to capture and store dust that flows with the airflow. Therefore, most of the dust sucked up by the suction source 112 is retained in the dust collection section 113 and does not reach the suction source 112.

[0022] A rod-shaped gripping section 130 extends from the upper end of the housing 111. The gripping section 130 is thick enough for a user to grip. The gripping section 130 is equipped with an operating section 131 that is operated by the user. Electrical wiring is provided within the gripping section 130 and the housing 111 so that when the user operates the operating section 131, the suction source 112 is activated or deactivated in response to this operation.

[0023] The housing 111 extends downward to near the suction nozzle 120, and a suction pipe 140 is built into the lower part of the housing 111. This suction pipe 140 extends from the vacuum cleaner body 110 toward the suction nozzle 120. Dust that passes through the suction pipe 140 is captured by the dust collection section 113 described above. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the suction pipe 140 has a straight tubular flow path forming section 143 that forms a flow path for dust sucked in by the suction force of the suction source 112, and a substantially semi-cylindrical engaging body 161 provided at the tip of the flow path forming section 143.

[0024] The vacuum cleaner body 110 is connected to the base end of the flow path forming section 143, and the flow path forming section 143 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 are aligned in the axial direction of the flow path forming section 143, as shown in Figure 1. In addition, a support plate 166 for supporting the housing 111 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the flow path forming section 143. The support plate 166 is connected to the front end (lower end) of the housing 111.

[0025] The engaging body 161 is a substantially semi-cylindrical portion used to connect the suction pipe 140 and the suction nozzle 120. The suction nozzle 120 is provided with a substantially cylindrical tilting center body 153 that engages with the engaging body 161. The inner diameter of the engaging body 161 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the tilting center body 153. The central axis of the tilting center body 153 is the tilting axis shown in Figure 1, and the engaging body 161 is capable of circumferential movement around the tilting axis between the position shown in Figure 3 and the position shown in Figure 4. The axial direction of this tilting axis is in the left-right direction and is perpendicular to the axis of the flow path forming section 143.

[0026] As the engaging body 161 rotates around the tilting axis, the flow path forming section 143 tilts in the front-rear direction together with the vacuum cleaner body 110. Specifically, when the engaging body 161 is in the position shown in Figure 3, the flow path forming section 143 is in a horizontal position along the floor surface. When the engaging body 161 rotates around the tilting axis at an angle of approximately 90° in the direction indicated by arrow A from the state shown in Figure 3 and reaches the position shown in Figure 4, the flow path forming section 143 becomes an upright position on the suction nozzle 120.

[0027] The engaging body 161 has a first shell portion 163 and a second shell portion 164. When the engaging body 161 is in the position shown in Figure 3, the first shell portion 163 is on the upper side of the tilting axis and the second shell portion 164 is on the lower side of the tilting axis.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the suction nozzle 120 has a rectangular box-shaped nozzle case 121 that is elongated in the left-right direction, and a nozzle cover 122 that is attached to the nozzle case 121 from above.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, a downward-opening suction space 123 is formed inside the nozzle case 121. When the suction source 112 is activated, the suction force of the suction source 112 causes dust from the floor surface to flow into the suction space 123. The suction space 123 is elongated in the left-right direction, and scraping brushes 124 are positioned inside the suction space 123, rotatably held at the left and right ends of the nozzle case 121.

[0030] The nozzle case 121 has an upper partition wall 125 that partitions the upper side of the suction space 123 and a rear partition wall 126 that partitions the rear side of the suction space 123. As shown in Figure 3, the rear partition wall 126 abuts against the tip of the second shell portion 164 of the engaging body 161 when the flow path forming section 143 is in a horizontal position. As a result, the flow path forming section 143 is prevented from tilting further downward. As shown in Figure 4, the upper partition wall 125 abuts against the tip of the first shell portion 163 of the engaging body 161 when the flow path forming section 143 is in an upright position. As a result, the flow path forming section 143 is prevented from tilting further forward.

[0031] A brush motor (not shown) for rotating a scraping brush 124 and a control board (not shown) for controlling this brush motor may be mounted on the top surface of the nozzle case 121. The scraping brush 124 is configured to scrape dust from the floor surface when rotated by the brush motor. To protect the brush motor and the control board, a nozzle cover 122 is attached to the nozzle case 121 so as to cover the brush motor and the control board.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, a pair of restricting plates 151 and 152 are provided at the center of the nozzle case 121 in the left-right direction, spaced apart in the left-right direction. The tilting central body 153 is positioned between these restricting plates 151 and 152, and both ends of the tilting central body 153 are integrated with the restricting plates 151 and 152. A communication space 158 is formed inside the tilting central body 153, and this communication space 158 is provided to connect the suction space 123 with the flow path of the suction pipe 140. Regardless of whether the flow path forming section 143 is in the reclining position shown in Figure 3 or the upright position shown in Figure 4, the communication space 158 maintains communication between the suction space 123 and the flow path of the flow path forming section 143. In the tilting central body 153, the upper portion 167 that partitions the upper side of the communication space 158 is integrally formed with the upper partition wall 125 described above, and the lower portion 168 that partitions the lower side of the communication space 158 is integrally formed with the rear partition wall 126 described above.

[0033] The restricting plates 151 and 152 are roughly disc-shaped portions arranged coaxially with the tilting center body 153, and are configured to restrict the lateral displacement of the engaging body 161 attached to the tilting center body 153 while holding the engaging body 161. A notch 154 is formed at the center of the nozzle cover 122 in the lateral direction to avoid interference between the restricting plates 151 and 152 and the tilting center body 153.

[0034] The right-side regulating plate 151 has a disc portion 155 and an annular rib 156 that protrudes to the left from the outer edge of the disc portion 155. The left-side regulating plates 151 and 152 have a structure that is symmetrical to that of regulating plate 151.

[0035] The outer diameter of the disc portion 155 is larger than the outer diameter of the tilting center body 153, and an arc-shaped groove 157 is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the tilting center body 153 and the annular rib 156. The width of the arc-shaped groove 157 is approximately equal to the thickness of the engaging body 161, and both ends of the engaging body 161 are inserted into the arc-shaped groove 157 of the regulating plates 151 and 152. That is, the engaging body 161 is held in a state where both ends are sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the tilting center body 153 and the annular rib 156. The ends of the arc-shaped groove 157 are formed by the upper partition wall 125 and the rear partition wall 126 described above.

[0036] When the suction source 112 is operating, if air flows in through the space between the outer surface of the tilting center body 153 and the inner surface of the engaging body 161, the suction force in the suction space 123 decreases. To prevent such a decrease in suction force, the outer diameter of the tilting center body 153 is designed to be approximately equal to the inner diameter of the engaging body 161, thereby achieving an airtight contact state between the tilting center body 153 and the engaging body 161. The size of the tilting center body 153 is set so that an airtight contact state between the tilting center body 153 and the engaging body 161 is maintained regardless of whether the flow path forming section 143 is in a reclining or upright position.

[0037] In detail, when the engaging body 161 is in the position shown in Figure 3, only the tip of the inner circumferential surface of the first shell portion 163 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the tilting center body 153, and the tip of the first shell portion 163 is away from the upper compartment wall 125. At this time, the entire inner circumferential surface of the second shell portion 164 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the tilting center body 153, and the tip of the second shell portion 164 is in contact with the rear compartment wall 126. In this way, since the first shell portion 163 and the second shell portion 164 are in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the tilting center body 153, airtightness is maintained between the engaging body 161 and the tilting center body 153. For this reason, even when the suction source 112 is activated, the suction force of the suction source 112 prevents air from outside the suction nozzle 120 from flowing into the communication space 158 through the space between the engaging body 161 and the tilting center body 153.

[0038] When the engaging body 161 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow A from the state shown in Figure 3, the contact area between the first shell portion 163 and the tilting center body 153 increases, while the contact area between the second shell portion 164 and the tilting center body 153 decreases. When the engaging body 161 reaches the position shown in Figure 4, the tip of the first shell portion 163 abuts against the upper compartment wall 125. At this time, the entire inner circumferential surface of the first shell portion 163 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the tilting center body 153. On the other hand, the tip of the second shell portion 164 moves away from the rear compartment wall 126, but a state is ensured in which only the tip portion of the second shell portion 164 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the tilting center body 153. Therefore, even when the engaging body 161 reaches the position shown in Figure 4, the first shell portion 163 and the second shell portion 164 are in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the tilting center body 153, and airtightness between the engaging body 161 and the tilting center body 153 is maintained. Therefore, even if the engaging body 161 is angularly displaced from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4, the airtightness between the engaging body 161 and the tilting center body 153 is maintained.

[0039] When the engaging body 161 reaches the position shown in Figure 4 and the flow path forming section 143 is in an upright position, the suction pipe 140 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 are aligned vertically above the tilting center body 153. The tilting center body 153 is positioned so that the upright suction pipe 140 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 overlap vertically with the nozzle case 121, and supports the suction pipe 140 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 in this position.

[0040] (Vacuum cleaner operation) The user grips the handle 130 and tilts the suction tube 140, the vacuum cleaner body 110, and the handle 130 backward relative to the suction nozzle 120, as shown in Figure 1. Once the vacuum cleaner 100 is held by the user in this backward-tilted position, the user can move the suction nozzle 120 to a position away from the user's standing position.

[0041] In this state, when the user operates the control unit 131 and activates the suction source 112, the suction force of the suction source 112 causes dust on the floor surface located in front of the user's standing position to flow into the suction space 123 of the suction nozzle 120. Subsequently, the dust flows into the suction pipe 140 through the communication space 158 within the tilting center body 153, is captured by the dust storage section 113, and is stored within the dust storage section 113.

[0042] If the vacuum cleaner 100 moves from the position shown in Figure 1 to the reclining position shown in Figure 3, the user can move the suction nozzle 120 to a position further forward from the user's standing position. Conversely, if the vacuum cleaner 100 moves from the position shown in Figure 1 to the upright position shown in Figure 4, the user can move the suction nozzle 120 backward, bringing it closer to the user's standing position, without having to move backward themselves. In this way, the user can move the suction nozzle 120 in the forward and backward directions simply by changing the tilting position of the vacuum cleaner 100, without having to move themselves.

[0043] While the user changes the tilting position of the vacuum cleaner 100 as described above, the engaging body 161 rotates around the tilting axis along the outer surface of the tilting center body 153 while sliding against the outer surface of the tilting center body 153. During this time, the communication between the communication space 158 and the flow path of the flow path forming part 143 is maintained, so dust suction continues. In addition, since the airtight contact state between the engaging body 161 and the tilting center body 153 is maintained, a decrease in suction force in the suction space 123 is unlikely to occur.

[0044] Since the engaging body 161 is located outside the tilting center body 153, the communication space 158 within the tilting center body 153 is not blocked by the engaging body 161, and the communication between the suction space 123 and the suction pipe 140 is maintained. Furthermore, since the flow path forming part 143 moves outside the tilting center body 153, it does not get caught on the tilting center body 153. For this reason, whether the flow path forming part 143 is in a horizontal or upright position, the tilting center body 153 can be made large enough to maintain airtight contact between the tilting center body 153 and the engaging body 161. Consequently, even without a conventional shutter member, airtight contact between the tilting center body 153 and the engaging body 161 is maintained, and the connection structure between the suction nozzle 120 and the suction pipe 140 is simplified.

[0045] Furthermore, as a result of the engaging body 161 being positioned outside the tilting center body 153, the stepped portion formed by the end of the engaging body 161 appears outside the communication space 158 (i.e., on the outer circumferential surface of the tilting center body 153). Dust may accumulate in this stepped portion, but since this stepped portion appears on the outer circumferential surface of the tilting center body 153, the accumulated dust can be easily removed.

[0046] In this embodiment, the tilting center 153 is substantially cylindrical, but it may have other shapes as long as the flow path forming portion 143 can tilt in the front-rear direction. For example, the tilting center 153 may be spherical. In this case, the flow path forming portion 143 is allowed to tilt in the left-right direction. However, if the flow path forming portion 143 is capable of tilting in the left-right direction, it is conceivable that even if the user tries to move the suction nozzle 120 in the left-right direction, the flow path forming portion 143, the vacuum cleaner body 110, and the grip portion 130 will tilt in the left-right direction, resulting in the suction nozzle 120 hardly moving at all. To avoid such a situation, in this embodiment, the tilting center 153 is substantially cylindrical, and in this case, the engaging body 161 is allowed to rotate relative to the tilting center 153 only around the tilting axis shown in Figure 1. Therefore, the only direction in which the flow path forming portion 143 can tilt is in the front-rear direction, and the flow path forming portion 143 does not tilt when the user tries to move the suction nozzle 120 in the left-right direction. At this time, the lateral relative displacement of the engaging body 161 with respect to the tilting center body 153 is restricted by the regulating plates 151 and 152, so the engaging body 161 and the tilting center body 153 move together in the lateral direction. In other words, the user can move the suction nozzle 120 in the lateral direction as intended.

[0047] The user may position the suction tube 140 upright after completing the cleaning work. In this position, the size of the vacuum cleaner 100 in the front-to-back direction is smaller compared to when the suction tube 140 is tilted backward. Therefore, the user can position the suction tube 140 upright and store the vacuum cleaner 100 in a narrow storage space.

[0048] When the suction tube 140 is in an upright position, the suction tube 140 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 are aligned vertically on the tilting center 153. Therefore, the weight of the vacuum cleaner body 110 does not easily act to tilt the suction tube 140 around the tilting center 153. For this reason, even if the user does not support the vacuum cleaner 100, the vacuum cleaner 100 can maintain the posture shown in Figure 4. Consequently, after the vacuum cleaner 100 is stored in the storage space, it is unlikely that the suction tube 140, the vacuum cleaner body 110, and the grip 130 will fall backward and hit furniture around the storage space.

[0049] <Second Embodiment> In the vacuum cleaner 100 of the first embodiment, when the user tries to change the direction of the suction nozzle 120 by rotating the suction nozzle 120 around the axis of the suction pipe 140, the user needs to move the entire vacuum cleaner 100, which may be perceived as cumbersome. For this reason, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be configured to allow the suction nozzle 120 to rotate relative to the vacuum cleaner body 110. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the flow path forming section 143 may have a base pipe section 141 extending from the vacuum cleaner body 110 and a tip pipe section 162 extending from the engaging body 161 and connected to the base pipe section 141 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the base pipe section 141. The base portion of the tip pipe section 162 is fitted into the base pipe section 141, while the tip portion of the tip pipe section 162 protrudes from the base pipe section 141.

[0050] When the tip tube section 162 rotates around the axis of the base tube section 141, the suction nozzle 120 (nozzle case 121) also rotates around the axis of the base tube section 141. As a result, the suction nozzle 120 (nozzle case 121) can change its orientation between the orientation shown in Figure 6 and the orientation shown in Figure 7. In the state shown in Figure 6, the nozzle case 121 is elongated in the left-right direction, and in the state shown in Figure 7, the nozzle case 121 is elongated in the front-back direction.

[0051] In Figures 6 and 7, the vacuum cleaner 100 is in an upright position. In this state, the vacuum cleaner body 110 has an elongated elliptical shape in the front-to-back direction when viewed from above. The size of the vacuum cleaner body 110 in the front-to-back direction is larger than the size of the nozzle case 121 shown in Figure 6. The size of the vacuum cleaner body 110 in the left-to-right direction is less than or equal to the size of the nozzle case 121 shown in Figure 7.

[0052] Similar to the first embodiment, the user can position the suction tube 140 upright and store the vacuum cleaner 100 in a predetermined storage space. At this time, the vacuum cleaner body 110 is positioned to overlap the nozzle case 121 in the vertical direction, so as shown in Figure 6, the amount of the vacuum cleaner body 110 protruding from the nozzle case 121 in a plan view is small. In the state shown in Figure 6, if there is a space wider than the front-to-back dimensions of the vacuum cleaner body 110, the user can store the vacuum cleaner 100 in that space.

[0053] If the user wishes to store the vacuum cleaner 100 in an even narrower space, they can rotate the nozzle case 121 around the axis of the flow path forming section 143 to the state shown in Figure 7. In this state, the vacuum cleaner body 110 does not protrude from the nozzle case 121 in a plan view, and if there is a space wider than the left-right dimensions of the nozzle case 121 in Figure 7, the user can store the vacuum cleaner 100 in that space.

[0054] Thus, the vacuum cleaner body 110 is small in the left-right direction in order to store the vacuum cleaner 100 in a narrow space. However, the vacuum cleaner body 110 is relatively large in the front-to-back direction and has a volume large enough to accommodate the suction source 112 and the dust collection section 113.

[0055] In the vacuum cleaner 100 shown in Figures 1 to 7, when the suction tube 140 is in an upright position, the vacuum cleaner body 110 is positioned so as to overlap the nozzle case 121 in the vertical direction. In this case, as described above, the vacuum cleaner 100 can be stored in a narrow space, but if there is no such need, the nozzle case 121 may be located in front of the vacuum cleaner body 110 when the suction tube 140 is in an upright position.

[0056] In the vacuum cleaner 100 shown in Figures 1 to 7, the upper part of the suction nozzle 120 is generally a straight rod shape. With this structure, it may be difficult for the user to determine the front and back direction of the vacuum cleaner 100. To make it easier to determine the front and back direction of the vacuum cleaner 100, the grip portion 130 may have a curved shape, as shown in Figure 8.

[0057] The grip portion 130 shown in Figure 8 has a rod-shaped fixing portion 132 fixed to the upper end of the vacuum cleaner body 110, and a bent portion 133 connected to the upper end of the fixing portion 132 in a bent position relative to the fixing portion 132. In Figure 8, the vacuum cleaner body 110 is in an upright position, in which case the fixing portion 132 extends in the vertical direction. In contrast, the bent portion 133 is in a position that is inclined backward relative to the fixing portion 132. Therefore, the user can grasp the front-to-back direction of the vacuum cleaner 100 based on the bending direction of the bent portion 133.

[0058] When storing the vacuum cleaner 100, the orientation of the suction nozzle 120 should be changed from an orientation where the axis of the tilting shaft is in the left-right direction (state in Figure 8) to an orientation where the axis of the tilting shaft is in the front-back direction (state in Figure 9). In other words, in the state shown in Figure 8, the bent portion 133 protrudes from the suction nozzle 120 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the tilting shaft, so the bent portion 133 may get in the way of storing the vacuum cleaner 100. In this case, as shown in Figure 9, the user can change the orientation of the suction nozzle 120. In this state, the bent portion 133 is bent in a direction along the axis of the tilting shaft where the suction nozzle 120 is longer, and the amount of protrusion from the suction nozzle 120 is reduced. Therefore, the user can store the vacuum cleaner 100 in a narrow space without being obstructed by the bent portion 133.

[0059] The bending angle of the bending portion 133 relative to the fixing portion 132 may be constant or variable. If the bending angle of the bending portion 133 relative to the fixing portion 132 is variable, the user may set the bending angle to a desired value and fix the bending portion 133 to the fixing portion 132. As a result, the user can set the position of the bending portion 133 to an angle that is easy to grip when cleaning.

[0060] As shown in Figure 10, the grip portion 130 does not have a bent structure and may be connected to the vacuum cleaner body 110 in a position that is generally tilted backward. In this case as well, the connection angle of the grip portion 130 to the vacuum cleaner body 110 may be constant or variable. If the connection angle of the grip portion 130 to the vacuum cleaner body 110 is variable, the user may set the connection angle to a desired value and fix the grip portion 130 to the vacuum cleaner body 110. As a result, the user can set the position of the grip portion 130 to an angle that is easy to grip when cleaning.

[0061] In the vacuum cleaner 100 shown in Figures 8 to 10, the grip portion 130 is configured such that at least a part of it is tilted backward, allowing the user to easily identify the front-to-back direction of the vacuum cleaner 100. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 11, the lower part of the housing 111 may have a shape that is bent backward. If the lower part of the housing 111 is bent backward, the suction tube 140 (base tube portion 141) located inside the lower part of the housing 111 also has a shape that is bent backward, as shown in Figure 12.

[0062] In the state shown in Figure 12, the tip tube 162 is in an upright position, but the upper parts of the housing 111 and the base tube 141 are tilted backward, so the user does not need to pull the vacuum cleaner 100 far backward when cleaning. For this reason, the range of motion of the suction tube 140 may be smaller than that of the suction tube 140 of the vacuum cleaner 100 shown in Figures 1 to 10.

[0063] Furthermore, it is preferable that the bending angles of the housing 111 and the suction pipe 140 be set so that the vacuum cleaner 100 does not tip over when the user stores it in the desired storage space. When storing the vacuum cleaner 100, as shown in Figure 13, the user can change the orientation of the suction nozzle 120 so that it becomes elongated in the front-to-back direction. In this state, the bending angles of the housing 111 and the suction pipe 140 and the length of the suction nozzle 120 in the axial direction of the tilt axis can be set so that the vacuum cleaner 100 does not tip over backward. In other words, if the housing 111 and the suction pipe 140 are bent significantly backward, the tipping of the vacuum cleaner 100 can be suppressed by lengthening the suction nozzle 120.

[0064] <Third Embodiment> In the first and second embodiments, the suction tube 140 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 can tilt in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tilting axis, but cannot tilt in the axial direction of the tilting axis. For example, when the orientation of the suction nozzle 120 is set so that the axial direction of the tilting axis is in the front-to-back direction as viewed from the user, the suction tube 140 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 can tilt in the left-to-right direction, but cannot tilt in the front-to-back direction. In the third embodiment, a structure is described that allows a part of the suction tube 140 and the vacuum cleaner body 110 to tilt in the axial direction of the tilting axis.

[0065] As shown in Figure 14, the suction pipe 140 of the third embodiment is provided with a hinge portion 170 that allows the flow path forming portion 143 to bend only in the axial direction of the tilting axis. Except for the hinge portion 170, the vacuum cleaner 100 of the third embodiment has the same structure as the vacuum cleaner 100 of the first embodiment.

[0066] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the flow path forming section 143 has a first section 144 on the suction nozzle 120 side relative to the hinge section 170, and a second section 145 on the vacuum cleaner body 110 side relative to the hinge section 170. The hinge section 170 constitutes the connection section between the first section 144 and the second section 145, and has a substantially cylindrical hinge shaft 171 that bulges out from the outer circumferential surface of the first section 144, and a pair of closing plate sections 172 and 173 that close both ends of the hinge shaft 171. The orientation of the hinge shaft 171 is set so that the central axis of the hinge shaft 171 (i.e., the hinge axis) is substantially perpendicular to both the axis and the tilt axis of the flow path forming section 143. The closing plate sections 172 and 173 are arranged opposite each other with a gap between them in the axial direction of the hinge shaft. Furthermore, the closing plate portions 172 and 173 have symmetrical shapes in the axial direction of the hinge axis. More specifically, the closing plate portions 172 and 173 each have a disc portion 174 and an annular rib 175 that protrudes outward from the outer edge of the disc portion 174 in the axial direction of the hinge axis.

[0067] The hinge portion 170 further includes an engaging body 176 provided at the tip (lower end) of the second portion 145. The engaging body 176 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape that forms a space into which approximately the upper half of the hinge shaft 171 fits, and the inner circumferential surface of the engaging body 176 abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 171 to ensure airtightness between the engaging body 176 and the hinge shaft 171. The length of the engaging body 176 in the axial direction of the hinge shaft is set so that both ends of the engaging body 176 overlap the annular ribs 175 of the closing plate portions 172 and 173.

[0068] To maintain the connection between the engaging body 176 and the hinge shaft 171, a pair of connecting and holding parts 177 are fixed to the closing plate parts 172 and 173. As shown in Figure 17, the connecting and holding parts 177 have a fixed disc 178 formed to be fixable to the closing plate parts 172 and 173, and an outer annular rib 179 and an inner annular rib 180 protrude from the inner surface of the fixed disc 178.

[0069] The outer annular rib 179 and the inner annular rib 180 are formed at a distance from each other in the radial direction of the fixed disc 178, and an annular groove 181 is formed between the outer annular rib 179 and the inner annular rib 180. The annular rib 175 of the closing plate portions 172 and 173 and one end of the engaging body 176 fit into the annular groove 181.

[0070] The inner diameter of the outer annular rib 179 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the engaging body 176. The outer diameter of the inner annular rib 180 is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the annular rib 175 of the closing plate portions 172 and 173. Therefore, the outer annular rib 179 and the inner annular rib 180 sandwich the annular rib 175 and the engaging body 176, which are inserted into the annular groove portion 181, in the radial direction of the fixed disc 178.

[0071] The cleaning operation in the state shown in Figure 14 can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, the user tilts the flow path forming section 143, the vacuum cleaner body 110, and the grip section 130 backward and moves the suction nozzle 120 in the forward and backward direction. As shown in Figure 14, the orientation of the suction nozzle 120 is set so that the axial direction of the tilt axis is in the left-right direction, and the nozzle case 121 is elongated in the left-right direction. In this state, if the user moves the suction nozzle 120 in the forward and backward direction, dust can be removed from a wide area in the left-right direction. After this cleaning operation is completed, the user can return the vacuum cleaner 100 to an upright position, as shown in Figure 18, in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In the state shown in Figure 18, the vacuum cleaner 100 can be stored in a narrow space.

[0072] When cleaning a narrow space, the user moves to a position aligned with the tilt axis in the axial direction relative to the suction nozzle 120 and stands behind the suction nozzle 120. At this time, the axial direction of the tilt axis is in the front-to-back direction, as shown in Figure 19, and the axial direction of the hinge axis is in the left-to-right direction. In this state, the user can bend the flow path forming section 143 toward the user (i.e., backward) using the hinge section 170 as the axis. This bending operation causes the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip section 130 to tilt backward around the hinge axis. At this time, the suction nozzle 120 is narrower in the left-to-right direction, so the user can push the suction nozzle 120 forward and insert it into a narrow space to remove dust from that space.

[0073] In Figures 14 to 19, the nozzle case 121 (and suction space 123) is elongated in the axial direction of the tilt axis. Alternatively, the nozzle case 121 (and suction space 123) may be elongated in a direction perpendicular to the tilt axis in a plan view (i.e., in the axial direction of the hinge axis). In this case, if the user stands behind the suction nozzle 120, which is oriented with the tilt axis in the left-right direction from the user's perspective, the suction nozzle 120 becomes narrower in the left-right direction from the user's perspective. In this state, the user can tilt the flow path forming section 143, the vacuum cleaner body 110, and the grip section 130 towards the user (i.e., rearward) around the tilt axis, and insert the suction nozzle 120 into the narrow space located in front of the user.

[0074] On the other hand, if the user stands in a position aligned with the suction nozzle 120 in the axial direction of the tilt axis and holds the vacuum cleaner 100 so that the suction nozzle 120 is positioned in front of the user, the nozzle case 121 becomes wider in the left-right direction as viewed from the user. In this state, the user can bend the flow path forming section 143 toward the user around the hinge section 170, and the user-side portion (i.e., the vacuum cleaner body 110 and grip section 130) can be tilted backward relative to the hinge section 170. Even in this state, the suction nozzle 120 can reach a position away from the user, making it possible to remove dust from a wide area in the left-right direction at a position away from the user.

[0075] <Fourth Embodiment> In the third embodiment, the hinge portion 170 allows the vacuum cleaner body 110 to tilt around a hinge axis perpendicular to the tilt axis. Alternatively, by making a portion of the suction tube 140 flexible, the vacuum cleaner body 110 may be able to tilt in directions other than perpendicular to the tilt axis. The suction tube 140 shown in Figure 20 differs from the suction tube 140 shown in Figure 5 only in that its base tube portion 141 is flexible and is exposed below the housing 111.

[0076] The base tube section 141 is flexible but has a certain degree of rigidity. That is, the base tube section 141 does not bend under the magnitude of the force applied to the suction tube 140 when the user attempts to tilt the suction tube 140 backward around the tilting center body 153 and when the user attempts to move the suction nozzle 120 in the left-right direction (i.e., in the axial direction of the tilting axis). On the other hand, as shown in Figure 21, if a force F greater than the force required by the user to move the suction nozzle 120 in the left-right direction is applied to the base tube section 141, the base tube section 141 bends from the straight tubular shape shown in Figure 21 and deforms into the curved shape shown in Figure 22. As a result, the part of the base tube section 141 above the bent portion (i.e., the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip section 130) tilts in the axial direction of the tilting axis.

[0077] As shown in Figures 20 to 22, if the base tube portion 141 can maintain a certain level of rigidity, the user can distinguish between moving the suction nozzle 120 in the axial direction of the tilting axis and bending the base tube portion 141. However, if the rigidity of the base tube portion 141 decreases over time, it is expected that the base tube portion 141 will bend even if the user tries to move the suction nozzle 120 in the axial direction of the tilting axis. In this case, the suction nozzle 120 will not move in the axial direction of the tilting axis as the user intends, and the user may find the vacuum cleaner 100 difficult to use. To prevent such a situation, it is preferable that the vacuum cleaner 100 further includes a bending restricting portion 190 that restricts the bending direction of the base tube portion 141 to the rear (i.e., towards the user), as shown in Figure 23.

[0078] In Figure 23, the bending restricting section 190 has a pair of bending legs 191 and 192 that are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, and these bending legs 191 and 192 have a left-right symmetrical structure. In Figure 23, the suction nozzle 120 is elongated in the left-right direction, but by rotating the tip pipe section 162 around the axis of the base pipe section 141, it is possible to change the orientation of the suction nozzle 120 so that it is elongated in the front-back direction, as shown in Figure 24.

[0079] Each of the bent legs 191 and 192 has an upper leg 194 that protrudes from the lower end of the housing 111 toward the support plate 166, and a lower leg 193 that protrudes from the support plate 166 fixed to the flow path forming section 143 toward the housing 111. The lower leg 193 and the upper leg 194 are elongated plate-shaped members, and their ends overlap in the left-right direction. The ends of the lower leg 193 and the upper leg 194 are connected by a connecting member 195, which is configured to allow the upper leg 194 to bend backward relative to the lower leg 193, but not to bend in other directions.

[0080] Furthermore, since the bendable legs 191 and 192 are connected to the support plate 166 attached to the flow path forming section 143 and the housing 111, the bend restricting section 190 can tilt together with the flow path forming section 143 and the housing 111 around the tilt axis. During this tilting motion, the bend restricting section 190 is configured such that the force required to bend the bend restricting section 190 is greater than the force required to tilt the flow path forming section 143 around the tilt axis, so that the flow path forming section 143 does not bend unnecessarily. For this reason, as shown in Figure 23, when the axial direction of the tilt axis is in the left-right direction, the bend restricting section 190 can tilt together with the flow path forming section 143 around the tilt axis while restricting the bending of the flow path forming section 143.

[0081] In the state shown in Figure 24, the flow path forming section 143 and the bending restricting section 190 are not bent and are in an upright position. In this state, if the flow path forming section 143 has high rigidity, as in the first embodiment, the flow path forming section 143 can support the vacuum cleaner body 110 which is aligned vertically with the flow path forming section 143 on the tilting center body 153. However, in this embodiment, the base pipe section 141 is flexible, and it is assumed that the flow path forming section 143 alone cannot support the vacuum cleaner body 110. For this reason, the bending restricting section 190 has sufficient rigidity to support the vacuum cleaner body 110 which is located above the tilting center body 153 when it is not bent.

[0082] As shown in Figure 23, when the tilt axis is in the left-right direction, the user can tilt the suction tube 140 and the housing 111 backward with almost no bending of the suction tube 140. On the other hand, in the state shown in Figure 23, even if the user applies force in the left-right direction (i.e., in the axial direction of the tilt axis), the tilt center body 153 is not configured to allow tilting in the left-right direction, and bending of the base tube portion 141 in the left-right direction is prevented by the bending restricting portion 190. Therefore, the user can move the suction nozzle 120 in the left-right direction as intended.

[0083] In the state shown in Figure 24 (where the tilt axis is in the front-rear direction), the tilting center body 153 does not allow the suction tube 140 and housing 111 to tilt backward, while the upper leg portion 194 of the bending restricting portion 190 can bend backward relative to the lower leg portion 193. Therefore, when a user applies a backward force to the housing 111 as shown in Figure 24, the bending restricting portion 190 bends as shown in Figure 25. That is, the upper leg portion 194 tilts backward around the connecting member 195. Following the bending movement of the bending restricting portion 190, the base tube portion 141 bends backward. Due to the backward bending of the base tube portion 141 and the bending restricting portion 190, the housing 111 and grip portion 130 are in a backward-tilted position. In this state, if the user moves the suction nozzle 120 forward, the suction nozzle 120 becomes narrower in the left-right direction, allowing the user to insert the suction nozzle 120 into the narrow space and remove dust from that space.

[0084] The suction nozzle 120 of the vacuum cleaner 100 shown in Figures 20 to 25 is elongated in the axial direction of the tilt axis. Alternatively, the suction nozzle 120 may be short in the axial direction of the tilt axis and long in the direction perpendicular to the tilt axis in a plan view. In this case, if the user stands in a position aligned with the suction nozzle 120 in the axial direction of the tilt axis so that the suction nozzle 120 is positioned in front of the user, the suction nozzle 120 will be elongated in the left-right direction as viewed from the user. In this standing position, the user can move the suction nozzle 120 to a position further in front of the user by bending the base tube portion 141 and the bending restricting portion 190 backward. If the user rotates the suction nozzle 120 by 90° around the axis of the base tube portion 141 from this state, the suction nozzle 120 will become narrower in the left-right direction as viewed from the user. At this time, the user can tilt the suction tube 140, the vacuum cleaner body 110, and the grip 130 backward around the tilt axis, moving the suction nozzle 120 to a position away from the user.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 100 is a stick-type vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, the connection structure between the suction nozzle 120 and the suction tube 140 using the tilting center body 153 and the engaging body 161 may be applied to a canister-type vacuum cleaner.

[0086] (Effects, etc.) The vacuum cleaner 100 according to the above embodiment has the following features and provides the following effects.

[0087] A vacuum cleaner according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment includes: a vacuum cleaner body having a built-in suction source that generates a suction force for sucking up dust; a suction pipe having a flow path forming section extending from the vacuum cleaner body to form a flow path for dust sucked in by the suction force of the suction source, and an engaging body provided at the tip of the flow path forming section; a nozzle case that forms a suction space into which dust from the floor surface flows in due to the suction force of the suction source; and a tilting center body that can engage with the engaging body to allow the flow path forming section to tilt while maintaining a state in which the suction space communicates with the flow path of the flow path forming section. The engaging body is in airtight contact with the outer circumferential surface of the tilting center body.

[0088] In the above configuration, the engaging body provided at the tip of the flow path forming section engages with the tilting center body while in contact with the outer surface of the tilting center body, and is therefore located outside the tilting center body. For this reason, the flow path forming section of the suction tube tilts around the tilting center body outside the tilting center body, and this tilting is not hindered by the tilting center body. Therefore, even if the tilting center body is made larger to some extent to obtain an airtight contact state between the tilting center body and the engaging body within the required tilting range of the suction tube, the tilting of the flow path forming section is not restricted by the tilting center body. In other words, an airtight connection state between the suction tube and the suction nozzle can be obtained simply by increasing the size of the tilting center body, without the need to provide a separate sealing member. Therefore, the suction tube and the suction nozzle can be connected with a simple structure.

[0089] In the above configuration, the tilting center body may be configured to allow the engaging body to rotate relative to the tilting center body only around a predetermined tilting axis.

[0090] If the tilting center is, for example, spherical, the engaging body can rotate relative to the tilting center in various directions. In this case, even if the user tries to move the suction nozzle to the left, for example, the suction nozzle itself will hardly move in that direction, and only the flow path forming part will tilt to the left. To prevent this from happening, the above configuration is designed to allow the engaging body to rotate relative to the tilting center only around a predetermined tilting axis. In this case, the user can stand behind the suction nozzle, with the tilting axis extending in the left-right direction from the user's perspective, and tilt the flow path forming part toward the user. In this state, the flow path forming part is laid flat along the floor surface compared to when it is in an upright position, so the user can move the suction nozzle to a position further in front of the user than when the flow path forming part is in an upright position. That is, the user can remove dust at a position far in front of them without having to move forward themselves. Furthermore, if the user moves the suction nozzle from this position to the left or right (i.e., in the axial direction of the tilting axis), the tilting center body does not allow the engaging body to rotate, and instead of the flow path forming part tilting, the suction nozzle moves from side to side.

[0091] In the above configuration, the tilting center body may have a cylindrical shape.

[0092] According to the above configuration, since the tilting center has a cylindrical shape, the engaging body is allowed to orbit only around the central axis of the tilting center, but not around any other axis.

[0093] In the above configuration, the flow path forming section may have a base tube section extending from the vacuum cleaner body and a tip tube section extending from the engaging body and connected to the base tube section so as to be rotatable around the axis of the base tube section. The nozzle case may have an elongated shape and be rotatable together with the tip tube section around the axis of the base tube section as the tip tube section rotates around the axis of the base tube section.

[0094] In the above configuration, the tip tube extending from the engaging body connected to the suction nozzle is rotatably connected to the base tube extending from the vacuum cleaner body, so that the user can rotate the suction nozzle around the axis of the base tube without moving the vacuum cleaner body. When the suction nozzle is rotated in this way, the orientation of the nozzle case changes. Therefore, the user can perform cleaning work as follows, for example: If the user moves the nozzle case forward with the nozzle case oriented so that it is longer in the left-right direction as viewed from the user, dust can be removed from a wide area in the left-right direction. Then, if the user rotates the nozzle case by 90° around the axis of the base tube, the nozzle case becomes narrower as viewed from the user. If the user moves the nozzle case forward in this state, the nozzle case can be inserted into the narrow space in front of the user, and dust can be removed from that space.

[0095] In the above configuration, the flow path forming section may be formed in the shape of a straight tube. The vacuum cleaner body may be connected to the base end of the flow path forming section so as to be aligned with the flow path forming section in the axial direction of the flow path forming section. The tilting center body may be configured to allow the flow path forming section to be in an upright position on the tilting center body, and may be able to support the suction pipe and the vacuum cleaner body which are aligned vertically on the upper side of the tilting center body.

[0096] In the above configuration, the user can tilt the flow path forming section and the vacuum cleaner body integrally around the tilting center. Since the vacuum cleaner body is connected to the base end of the flow path forming section so as to be aligned with the flow path forming section in the axial direction of the straight tubular flow path forming section, when the flow path forming section is in an upright position on the tilting center, the vacuum cleaner body and the flow path forming section are aligned vertically above the tilting center. In this state, the weight of the vacuum cleaner body does not easily act to tilt the flow path forming section around the tilting center, so the vacuum cleaner can maintain an upright position with the flow path forming section on the tilting center even without the user supporting it. If the flow path forming section is inclined, the size of the vacuum cleaner increases in the direction of inclination, but if the flow path forming section is in an upright position, the size of the vacuum cleaner in this direction is reduced. For this reason, the user can store the vacuum cleaner in a narrow space with the flow path forming section in an upright position.

[0097] In the above configuration, the tilting center body may be positioned so that when the flow path forming section is in an upright position, the flow path forming section and the vacuum cleaner body overlap the nozzle case in the vertical direction.

[0098] As mentioned above, by positioning the suction tube and the vacuum cleaner body upright, it becomes possible to store the vacuum cleaner in a narrow storage space. However, if the nozzle case is located in front of the vacuum cleaner body, the vacuum cleaner will have a combined size of the nozzle case and the vacuum cleaner body in the front-to-back direction, requiring a relatively large storage space to accommodate it.

[0099] In the above configuration, when the flow path forming unit is in an upright position, the flow path forming unit and the vacuum cleaner body overlap the nozzle case in the vertical direction, so the amount of protrusion of the flow path forming unit and the vacuum cleaner body from the nozzle case in a plan view is small. Therefore, if there is a space wide enough to insert the nozzle case, the user can store the vacuum cleaner in that space.

[0100] In the above configuration, the nozzle case may have an elongated shape. The suction nozzle may be connectable to the suction tube when the nozzle case is oriented to be elongated in the front-to-back direction. The size of the vacuum cleaner body in the left-to-right direction may be less than or equal to the size of the nozzle case in the left-to-right direction.

[0101] According to the above configuration, the size of the vacuum cleaner body in the left-right direction is less than or equal to the size of the nozzle case in the left-right direction, which is elongated in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, in a plan view, the vacuum cleaner body does not protrude from the nozzle case in the left-right direction. For this reason, if there is a narrow space large enough to insert the nozzle case, the user can store the vacuum cleaner in that space.

[0102] In the above configuration, the size of the vacuum cleaner body in the front-to-back direction may be larger than the size of the vacuum cleaner body in the left-to-right direction.

[0103] According to the above configuration, the size of the vacuum cleaner body in the left-right direction is small, as described above, in order to allow the vacuum cleaner to be stored in a narrow storage space, but the size of the vacuum cleaner body in the front-to-back direction is larger than the size in the left-right direction. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner body can have a relatively large volume, and the suction source built into the vacuum cleaner body can be made relatively large.

[0104] In the above configuration, the flow path forming section may have a flexible base tube section extending from the vacuum cleaner body and a tip tube section extending from the engaging body and connected to the base tube section so as to be rotatable around the axis of the base tube section. The nozzle case may have an elongated shape in the axial direction of the tilting axis or in a direction perpendicular to the tilting axis in a plan view, and may be rotatable together with the tip tube section around the axis of the base tube section as the tip tube section rotates around the axis of the base tube section. The vacuum cleaner may further include a bending restricting section configured to allow the base tube section to bend backward while restricting bending of the base tube section in other directions.

[0105] In the above configuration, since the nozzle case has an elongated shape, the orientation of the suction nozzle can be set to a direction suitable for inserting the suction nozzle into a narrow space or a direction suitable for removing dust from a wide area by rotating the tip tube around the axis of the base tube. For example, if the nozzle case has an elongated shape in the axial direction of the tilting axis, setting the orientation of the suction nozzle so that the axial direction of the tilting axis is in the left-right direction allows the user to remove dust from a wide area in the left-right direction. If the tip tube is rotated 90° around the axis of the base tube from this orientation, the axial direction of the tilting axis becomes the front-back direction, and the nozzle case becomes narrower as seen from the user's perspective. Therefore, the user can insert the nozzle case into a narrow space in front of them. Conversely, if the nozzle case has an elongated shape perpendicular to the tilting axis in a plan view, the user can insert the nozzle case into a narrow space if the suction nozzle is oriented so that the tilting axis is in the front-back direction. Furthermore, if the suction nozzle is oriented so that its tilt axis is in the left-right direction, the user can remove dust from a wide area in the left-right direction.

[0106] When the tilting axis is oriented in the left-right direction, if the user attempts to tilt the flow path forming section backward, the engaging body can rotate relative to the tilting center, thus allowing such tilting of the flow path forming section. On the other hand, if the user attempts to move the suction nozzle in the left-right direction, relative rotation of the engaging body in this direction is not permitted. Therefore, the user's force may act to bend the flexible base tube in the left-right direction, but this bending of the base tube in this direction is restricted by the bending restrictor. Consequently, the base tube does not bend, and the user can move the suction nozzle left and right as intended.

[0107] When the axial direction of the tilting axis is in the front-to-back direction, even if the user attempts to tilt the flow path forming section backward, the engaging body is not permitted to rotate relative to the tilting center. However, the bending restriction section allows the base pipe section to bend backward (i.e., towards the user), so the portion of the base pipe section closer to the user than the bent portion can be tilted backward. Therefore, even when the axial direction of the tilting axis is in the front-to-back direction, the user can move the suction nozzle to a position far in front of the user.

[0108] In the above configuration, the vacuum cleaner body may be connected to the base end of the flow path forming section and may be configured to tilt together with the flow path forming section around the tilting center from a position above the tilting center. The bending restricting section may be configured to support the vacuum cleaner body at a position above the tilting center.

[0109] If the vacuum cleaner body is positioned above the tilting center, the weight of the vacuum cleaner body is unlikely to cause the flow path forming section to tilt around the tilting center. However, since the base tube section is flexible, it is assumed that the flow path forming section cannot support the vacuum cleaner body. Therefore, in the above configuration, the vacuum cleaner body is supported by the bending restricting section when it is positioned above the tilting center.

[0110] In the above configuration, the nozzle case may have an elongated shape in the axial direction of the tilting axis. The flow path forming section may be configured to bend only in the axial direction of the tilting axis.

[0111] According to the above configuration, if the user stands behind the suction nozzle, where the tilt axis extends in the left-right direction from the user's perspective, the nozzle case becomes wider in the left-right direction from the user's perspective. If the user tilts the flow path forming section toward the user around the tilt axis from this standing position, the nozzle case can reach a position further forward from the user. In this state, if the user moves the nozzle case in the forward and backward directions, dust can be removed from a wide area in the left-right direction that is further forward from the user. In this operation, the user's force acts perpendicular to the tilt axis, not in the axial direction of the tilt axis, so the flow path forming section does not bend unnecessarily.

[0112] When cleaning a narrow space, the user should move to a position where the tilt axis extends in the front-to-back direction relative to the user, and hold the vacuum cleaner so that the suction nozzle is in front of the user. In this standing position, the flow path forming part is not allowed to tilt towards the user around the tilting center, but the user can bend the flow path forming part toward the user. If the flow path forming part is bent toward the user, the suction nozzle can be moved to a position further forward without the user having to move forward.

[0113] In the above configuration, the nozzle case may have an elongated shape in a direction perpendicular to the tilt axis when viewed from above. The flow path forming portion may be configured to bend only in the axial direction of the tilt axis.

[0114] According to the above configuration, if the user stands behind the suction nozzle, where the tilt axis extends in the left-right direction from the user's perspective, the nozzle case becomes narrower in the left-right direction from the user's perspective. If the user tilts the flow path forming section toward the user around the tilt axis from this standing position, the suction nozzle can reach a position further in front of the user. Therefore, if there is a narrow gap in front of the user, the user can stand behind the gap and insert the suction nozzle into it. If the user moves from this standing position to a position where the tilt axis extends in the front-rear direction and holds the vacuum cleaner so that the suction nozzle is in front of the user, the nozzle case becomes wider in the left-right direction from the user's perspective. In this state, if the flow path forming section is bent toward the user, the user can reach a position further in front of them without having to move forward themselves.

[0115] In the above configuration, the vacuum cleaner may further include a gripping section extending from the vacuum cleaner body, having a thickness that allows the user to grasp it. The gripping section may be connected to the vacuum cleaner body in a way that allows the connection angle to the vacuum cleaner body to be changed.

[0116] According to the above configuration, the connection angle of the grip to the vacuum cleaner body can be changed, allowing the user to adjust the grip to a comfortable angle.

[0117] In the above configuration, the vacuum cleaner may further include a gripping portion extending from the vacuum cleaner body, having a thickness that allows the user to grasp it. The gripping portion may have a fixed portion fixed to the vacuum cleaner body and a bendable portion that can be bent relative to the fixed portion. The bending angle of the bendable portion relative to the fixed portion may be variable.

[0118] According to the above configuration, the bending angle of the bending part relative to the fixed part attached to the vacuum cleaner body is variable, so the user can adjust the bending part to an angle that is easy to grip. [Industrial applicability]

[0119] The technology of this embodiment is suitably used in devices used for cleaning work. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0120] 100...Vacuum cleaner 110...Vacuum cleaner body 112...Suction source 120·····Suction nozzle 121·····Nozzle Case 123... Intake space 130...Grip part 132...Fixed part 133·····Bend 140...Suction tube 141... Proximal tube section 143....Flow channel forming section 153...Tilting central body 161·····Engaging body 162·····Tip tube section 176·····Engaging body 190·····Bending restriction section

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner body with a built-in suction source that generates suction force to suck up dust, A suction tube having a flow path forming section extending from the vacuum cleaner body to form a flow path for dust sucked in by the suction force of the suction source, and a semi-cylindrical engaging body provided at the tip of the flow path forming section, The suction nozzle comprises a nozzle case that forms a suction space into which dust from the floor surface flows due to the suction force of the suction source, and a cylindrical tilting center body that can engage with the engaging body so as to allow the flow path forming part to tilt while maintaining a state in which the suction space communicates with the flow path forming part, A vacuum cleaner in which the engaging body is in airtight contact with the outer surface of the tilting center such that a stepped portion formed by the end of the engaging body in the circumferential direction of the tilting center appears on the outer surface of the tilting center.

2. Further comprising a restricting plate that restricts the displacement of the engaging body in the axial direction of the tilting central body, The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the regulating plate has an arc-shaped groove formed therein into which the end of the engaging body in the axial direction of the tilting center body fits.

3. The flow path forming section comprises a base pipe section extending from the vacuum cleaner body and a tip pipe section extending from the engaging body and connected to the base pipe section so as to be rotatable around the axis of the base pipe section. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nozzle case has an elongated shape, and the tip tube portion is rotatable together with the base tube portion around the axis of the base tube portion by the tip tube portion being rotated around the axis of the base tube portion.

4. The aforementioned flow channel forming section is formed in the shape of a straight tube, The vacuum cleaner body is connected to the base end of the flow path forming section so as to be aligned with the flow path forming section in the axial direction of the flow path forming section. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tilting central body is configured to allow the flow path forming portion to be in an upright position on the tilting central body, and is capable of supporting the suction pipe and the vacuum cleaner body which are arranged vertically on the upper side of the tilting central body.

5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the tilting central body is positioned such that when the flow path forming portion is in the upright position, the flow path forming portion and the vacuum cleaner body overlap the nozzle case in the vertical direction.

6. The nozzle case has an elongated shape, The suction nozzle can be connected to the suction tube in a state in which the nozzle case is oriented so that it is elongated in the front-to-back direction. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the size of the vacuum cleaner body in the left-right direction is less than or equal to the size of the nozzle case in the left-right direction.

7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the size of the vacuum cleaner body in the front-to-back direction is larger than the size of the vacuum cleaner body in the left-to-right direction.

8. The flow path forming section comprises a flexible base tube portion extending from the vacuum cleaner body and a tip tube portion extending from the engaging body and connected to the base tube portion so as to be rotatable around the axis of the base tube portion. The nozzle case has an elongated shape in the axial direction of the tilting center body or perpendicular to the axial direction of the tilting center body in a plan view, and the tip tube portion is rotatable together with the tip tube portion around the axis of the base tube portion as the tip tube portion rotates around the axis of the base tube portion. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a bending restricting portion configured to allow the base end tube portion to bend backward while restricting bending of the base end tube portion in other directions.

9. The vacuum cleaner body is connected to the base end of the flow path forming section and is configured to be tiltable together with the flow path forming section around the tilting center body from a position above the tilting center body. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein the bending restricting portion is configured to support the vacuum cleaner body located above the tilting center body.

10. The nozzle case has an elongated shape in the axial direction of the tilting center body, The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the flow path forming portion is configured to bend only in the axial direction of the tilting central body.

11. The nozzle case has an elongated shape in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tilting center body when viewed from above. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the flow path forming portion is configured to bend only in the axial direction of the tilting central body.

12. It further comprises a gripping portion extending from the vacuum cleaner body, which is thick enough for the user to hold, The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the gripping portion is connected to the vacuum cleaner body so as to be able to change the connection angle with respect to the vacuum cleaner body.

13. It further includes a gripping section extending from the vacuum cleaner body, which is thick enough for the user to hold, The gripping portion has a fixed portion that is fixed to the vacuum cleaner body and a bendable portion that can be bent relative to the fixed portion. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the bending angle of the bent portion with respect to the fixed portion is variable.

Images