Dust collection container and vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A dust collection container according to the present disclosure comprises: a cylindrical first separation member that is closed on one side and open on the other side; and a suction pipe that is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the first separation member and communicates with a suction hole provided in a peripheral wall of the first separation member. The dust collection container according to the present disclosure comprises a protruding member that protrudes from the center of the closed portion of the first separation member toward the open portion. The dust collection container according to the present disclosure comprises a cylindrical filter member that extends outward from the open end of the first separation member in a direction of a tube axis from the closed portion toward the open portion. The dust collection container according to the present disclosure comprises a first storage unit that is disposed on the opposite side of the first separation member with respect to the filter member and stores dust that is centrifugally separated from air by a swirling flow of air generated inside the first separation member.

Description

Dust collection container and vacuum cleaner

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dust collection container that separates air and dust using centrifugal force, and a vacuum cleaner that includes the dust collection container.

[0002] Conventionally, there have been vacuum cleaners that can maintain suction power by generating a swirling flow inside a dust collection container to prevent the dust collection container from clogging with dust. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vacuum cleaner that generates a swirling flow containing dust inside a cylindrical dust collection container and separates the air and dust by centrifugal force.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-061307

[0004] However, to realize a compact vacuum cleaner, the dust collection container must also be made smaller, but if the inner diameter of the dust collection container becomes smaller, it becomes difficult to create a swirling flow. For example, to create an appropriate swirling flow in a small dust collection container, the suction port on the peripheral wall of the dust collection container must be made narrower, but there is a risk that the suction port will become clogged when large dust particles are sucked in.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a dust collection container that is small but capable of generating a swirling flow suitable for separating air and dust, and a vacuum cleaner equipped with the dust collection container.

[0006] A dust collection container according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a cylindrical first separating member that is closed at one end and open at the other, and a suction pipe provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first separating member and communicating with a suction hole provided in the peripheral wall of the first separating member. The dust collection container according to one aspect of the present disclosure also includes a protruding member that protrudes from the center of the closed portion of the first separating member toward the opening, and a cylindrical filter member that extends outward from the open end of the first separating member in the direction of the pipe axis from the closed portion toward the opening. The dust collection container according to one aspect of the present disclosure also includes a first storage section that is disposed on the opposite side of the first separating member from the filter member and that stores dust that is centrifuged from the air by a swirling air flow generated inside the first separating member.

[0007] A vacuum cleaner according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a dust collection container. The dust collection container includes a cylindrical first separating member that is closed at one end and open at the other, and a suction pipe provided on the outer surface of the first separating member and communicating with a suction hole provided in the peripheral wall of the first separating member. The dust collection container also includes a protruding member that protrudes from the center of the closed portion of the first separating member toward the opening, and a cylindrical filter member that extends outward from the open end of the first separating member in the direction of the pipe axis from the closed portion toward the opening. The dust collection container also includes a first storage section that is disposed on the opposite side of the first separating member from the filter member and that stores dust that is centrifuged from the air by a swirling air flow generated inside the first separating member. A vacuum cleaner according to another aspect of the present disclosure also includes a suction device that creates a negative pressure inside the first separating member via the filter member.

[0008] A dust collection container according to one aspect of the present disclosure and a vacuum cleaner according to another aspect of the present disclosure are capable of generating a swirling flow suitable for separating air and dust, even though they are small in size.

[0009] 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a vacuum cleaner. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a dust collection container. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the dust collection container. FIG. 8 is a side view of the dust collection container from the outside to the inside in the axial direction of the suction pipe. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the first separating member cut along line II in FIG. 4. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a protruding member. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a dust collection container.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a dust collection container and a vacuum cleaner according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are presented as examples to explain the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, mathematical formulas, the content of each step in a method, and the order of each step shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and may include content not described below. Furthermore, while geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, these expressions do not imply mathematical precision and include substantially acceptable errors, deviations, etc. Furthermore, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include substantially acceptable ranges.

[0011] The drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omission, or adjustment of proportions has been appropriately made to explain the present disclosure, and differ from the actual shapes, positional relationships, and proportions. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in the drawings represent Cartesian coordinates arbitrarily set for the purpose of illustrating the drawings. In other words, the Z-axis is not necessarily an axis along the vertical direction, and the X-axis and Y-axis are not necessarily located within a horizontal plane.

[0012] In the following, multiple aspects of the dust collection container and vacuum cleaner according to the present disclosure may be collectively described as one embodiment, and some of the contents described below are described as optional components related to the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of vacuum cleaner 200. Vacuum cleaner 200 is a device that sucks in air along with dust and separates and retains the dust from the sucked dust-containing air, and includes dust collection container 100 and suction device 210. Here, "dust" is used to include dirt, dust, dirt, mites, and other living organisms that are large enough for vacuum cleaner 200 to suck up. In this embodiment, vacuum cleaner 200 is a so-called stick-type device and includes head 220, pipe 230, and handle 240. Note that, although a stick-type vacuum cleaner 200 is illustrated in this embodiment, vacuum cleaner 200 may also be a canister-type vacuum cleaner or an autonomously traveling robot-type vacuum cleaner.

[0014] Suction device 210 is a device that includes a motor (not shown) and a fan (not shown) and generates suction force by rotating the fan with the motor. In this embodiment, suction device 210 generates suction force by creating a negative pressure inside dust collection container 100, and sucks air containing dust into dust collection container 100.

[0015] The head 220 is a member to which the suction force generated by the suction device 210 is transmitted via the pipe 230, and which comes into contact with a cleaning surface, such as a floor, to suck in dust and air over a wide area. The head 220 is connected in communication with the pipe 230 and is rotatably connected to the pipe 230.

[0016] The pipe 230 is a hard cylindrical member that connects the head 220 and the grip portion 240 together. The pipe 230 forms a transport path that transports the air sucked in from the head 220 together with dust to the dust container 100.

[0017] The grip portion 240 is a portion that is gripped by the user. In the present embodiment, the grip portion 240 houses a battery for driving the suction device 210, a control device for controlling the suction device 210, and the like.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the exterior of dust collection container 100. In FIG. 2, arrows indicate air flow. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of dust collection container 100. Dust collection container 100 is a member that separates dust from air sucked by suction device 210, retains the dust, and discharges the air, and includes first separating member 110, suction pipe 130, protruding member 140, filter member 150, and first storage section 161. In this embodiment, dust collection container 100 further includes second separating member 120, second storage section 162, cover member 170, and outer cylinder 180.

[0019] The first separating member 110 is a cylindrical member that is closed on one side and open on the other side. It swirls dust-laden air and separates the dust from the air by centrifugal force. The shape of the first separating member 110 is not limited, but in this embodiment, the first separating member 110 is cylindrical, with one end (the end on the Z+ side (upper) in the figure) covered by a closed portion 112 and the other end (the end on the Z- side (lower) in the figure) forming an opening 113. The peripheral wall of the first separating member 110 is provided with suction holes 111 through which dust-laden air flows. The cross-sectional shape of the first separating member 110 perpendicular to the tube axis 101 (the Z-axis in the figure), which will be described later, may be D-shaped or the like. When corners exist on the inner surface of the first separating member 110, such as in the case of a first separating member 110 with a D-shaped cross section, it is desirable that the corners be rounded with a smooth curve.

[0020] In this embodiment, the length L1 (see FIG. 3) of the first separating member 110 in the direction of the tube axis 101 of the first separating member 110 (the Z-axis direction in the drawing) is longer than the length L2 of the filter member 150 (described in detail below). This allows the dust-containing air to swirl sufficiently within the first separating member 110, effectively separating the dust from the air.

[0021] 2, the suction pipe 130 is a tubular member provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first separating member 110 and communicating with a suction hole 111 provided to penetrate the peripheral wall of the first separating member 110. In the present embodiment, the suction pipe 130 is connected in communication with a pipe 230 of the vacuum cleaner 200. Dust-containing air sucked by the suction device 210 flows into the suction pipe 130 via the head 220 and the pipe 230.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a side view of the dust collection container 100 viewed from the outside to the inside in the axial direction of the suction pipe 130 (the X-axis direction in the drawing). In FIG. 4, the first separation member 110 is hatched to clearly show the suction holes 111. In FIG. 4, the hatching does not indicate a cross section. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first separation member 110 taken along line II in FIG. 4. The opening area of ​​the suction hole 111 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the suction pipe 130 facing the suction hole 111. The suction hole 111 is biased toward the downstream side of the suction pipe 130 in the swirling air flow. In other words, when viewed in the axial direction of the suction pipe 130, the suction hole 111 is biased away from the axis 101 of the first separation member 110. In this embodiment, the suction hole 111 is rectangular and is disposed so that the tangent surface of the inner circumferential surface of the first separation member 110 coincides with or nearly coincides with one side of the suction hole 111. The inner surface of the suction pipe 130 is also rectangular, and the suction pipe 130 is arranged so that the contact surface of the inner circumferential surface of the first separating member 110 and one surface of the inner surface of the suction pipe 130 coincide or nearly coincide.

[0023] When the inside of the suction pipe 130 is viewed from the axial direction of the suction pipe 130, the peripheral wall of the first separating member 110 protrudes in a direction away from the pipe axis 101, and part of the opening of the suction pipe 130 is covered by the peripheral wall of the first separating member 110. As a result, the dust-laden air flowing from the suction pipe 130 into the inside of the first separating member 110 is forced against the inner peripheral surface of the first separating member 110, making it easier for a swirling flow to occur within the first separating member 110.

[0024] The suction hole 111 is disposed with a predetermined gap from the blocking portion 112. In other words, the edge of the suction hole 111 does not contact the blocking portion 112. This facilitates the generation of an appropriate swirling flow of dust-containing air inside the first separating member 110. The suction hole 111 is large enough to allow, for example, spherical debris with a diameter of approximately 1 cm or rectangular debris with sides of approximately 1 cm to pass through. This prevents the suction hole 111 from clogging even when relatively large debris is sucked in.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3 , the protruding member 140 protrudes from the center of the blocking portion 112 of the first separating member 110 toward the opening 113. The shape of the protruding member 140 is not limited, but is preferably columnar or tapered from the blocking portion 112 toward the opening 113. This is because if the protruding member 140 widens from the blocking portion 112 toward the opening 113, hair, lint, and other particles sucked in as dust are more likely to become tangled and unable to fall. In this embodiment, the protruding member 140 has a shape similar to an upside-down truncated cone. Alternatively, the protruding member 140 may be cylindrical, conical, dome-shaped, semicircular, or other shapes. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the protruding member 140 perpendicular to the tube axis (the axis extending from the blocking portion 112 toward the opening 113) is not limited to a circle and may be a D-shape, polygonal, or similar shape to the cross-sectional shape of the inner circumferential surface of the first separating member 110. When corners are present on the periphery of the protruding member 140, such as the protruding member 140 having a D-shaped cross section, it is desirable that the corners be rounded with smooth curved surfaces.

[0026] In the direction of the tube axis 101 of the first separating member 110 (the Z-axis direction in the figure), the tip of the protruding member 140 is positioned closer to the blocking portion 112 than the suction hole 111. In other words, in the direction of the tube axis 101 of the first separating member 110 (the Z-axis direction in the figure), the portion of the protruding member 140 farthest from the blocking portion 112 is closer to the blocking portion 112 than the portion farthest from the blocking portion 112 on the edge of the suction hole 111. In the case of this embodiment, in the direction of the tube axis 101 of the first separating member 110 (the Z-axis direction in the figure), the position of the tip face, which is the portion of the protruding member 140 farthest from the blocking portion 112, is positioned at or near the center position between the portion closest to the blocking portion 112 on the edge of the suction hole 111 and the portion farthest from the blocking portion 112.

[0027] The filter member 150 is a cylindrical member that allows air to pass through extending outward from the open end of the first separating member 110 in the direction of the tube axis 101 from the closing portion 112 toward the opening 113 of the first separating member 110. The filter member 150 has holes for separating air and dust. The filter member 150 separates, by filtration, dust that was not completely separated by the first separating member 110.

[0028] The shape of the filter member 150 is not limited. In the present embodiment, the filter member 150 has a shape in which the opening widens from the first separating member 110 toward the first storage section 161. Specifically, the filter member 150 has a peripheral shape equivalent to that of a truncated cone. This prevents dust separated by the filter member 150 from remaining on the inner surface of the filter member 150 and makes it easier for the dust to fall into the first storage section 161.

[0029] The first storage section 161 is disposed on the opposite side of the filter member 150 from the first separating member 110, and is a container-like portion that stores dust that is centrifuged from the air by the swirling air flow generated inside the first separating member 110 and that stores dust that is separated by the filter member 150 and falls. In the present embodiment, the first storage section 161 is cylindrical and is open at both ends, one facing the filter member 150 and the other facing the opposite side of the filter member 150. The end facing the opposite side of the filter member 150 is sealed by a cover member 170 in an openable and closable manner. By opening the cover member 170, the dust stored in the first storage section 161 can be discharged to the outside of the dust collection container 100.

[0030] The second separating member 120 is disposed in the suction path between the filter member 150 and the suction device 210, and separates dust from dust-containing air that has passed through the filter member 150. Here, the "suction path" refers to the path through which the suction force generated by the suction device 210 is transmitted, that is, the path from the head 220 to the suction device 210. The type of the second separating member 120 is not limited. The second separating member 120 may be, for example, a filter. In this embodiment, the second separating member 120 generates a swirling air flow and separates dust by centrifugal separation.

[0031] Second storage section 162 is a container-shaped portion that stores the dust separated by second separating member 120. In the present embodiment, second storage section 162 is sealed openably and closably by lid member 170 that also seals first storage section 161.

[0032] In this embodiment, outer cylinder 180 provided in dust collection container 100 is a cylindrical member that surrounds first separating member 110 with a predetermined gap between it and the outer peripheral surface of first separating member 110, and forms a transport path that transports dust-containing air that has passed through filter member 150 to second separating member 120. In addition, outer cylinder 180 is formed integrally with first storage section 161.

[0033] Next, the operation of the vacuum cleaner 200 equipped with the dust container 100 will be described. First, when the vacuum cleaner 200 equipped with the dust container 100 starts operating, a suction airflow is generated by the suction device 210 built into the vacuum cleaner 200, and air containing dust is sucked in through the head 220. The sucked in air containing dust is sucked into the dust container 100 via the pipe 230 and the suction tube 130.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5 , dust-laden air passing through the suction pipe 130 is narrowed by the suction holes 111 and flows into the first separating member 110 along a tangent to the inner surface, forcing it against the inner surface. By arranging the suction pipe 130 and the suction holes 111 in this manner, the dust-laden air turns into a swirling flow within the first separating member 110. Due to the presence of the protruding member 140, the generated swirling flow does not immediately reach the filter member 150, but instead gradually reaches the filter member 150 while swirling multiple times within the first separating member 110. As the dust swirls within the first separating member 110, it is separated from the air and falls into the first storage section 161. Furthermore, even if long, thin pieces of dust, such as hair and lint, become entangled in the protruding member 140, the shape of the protruding member 140 allows them to easily fall into the first storage section 161, and they rarely remain in the protruding member 140.

[0035] The swirling flow then reaches the filter member 150 and flows downward while sliding along the surface of the filter member 150. As the dust-containing air flows over the surface of the filter member 150, the dust remains inside the filter member 150 and the air passes through the filter member 150. The air that passes through the filter member 150 and contains fine dust passes between the first separating member 110 and the outer cylinder 180 and reaches the second separating member 120. In this way, the first separating member 110 and the filter member 150 separate the air containing coarse dust from the air containing fine dust.

[0036] Next, the second separation member 120 separates the fine dust from the air. In this embodiment, the second separation member 120 includes a plurality of conical cyclone members 121 arranged on its circumference, and each cyclone member 121 generates a swirling flow of air containing the fine dust, separating the fine dust from the air. The fine dust separated from the air in the cyclone members 121 falls into the second storage section 162. The air passes through exhaust holes 122 provided at the top of the cyclone members 121 and is returned to the atmosphere. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the second separation member 120 includes eight cyclone members 121, but the number of cyclone members 121 is not limited thereto and may be one, two to seven, or nine or more.

[0037] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the present disclosure may be embodied in another embodiment realized by any combination of the components described in this specification or by excluding some of the components. Furthermore, the present disclosure also includes modifications obtained by applying various modifications to the above-described embodiments that would occur to a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, i.e., the meaning of the wording of the claims.

[0038] For example, there is no limitation on the outer peripheral shape of the protruding member 140. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the protruding member 140. The outer peripheral shape of the protruding member 140 may be a D-shape with a part of a circle cut out as shown in Fig. 6, or the like.

[0039] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the dust collection container 100. As shown in FIG. 7 , the dust collection container 100 may include a guide member 190 that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the first separation member 110 and extends spirally around the tube axis 101. The guide member 190 guides the dust-containing air sucked into the first separation member 110 through the suction holes 111 so that the air becomes a swirling flow toward the filter member 150. In this embodiment, one end of the guide member 190 is disposed between the suction holes 111 in the direction of the tube axis 101 and on the periphery of the suction holes 111, and the other end is disposed on the filter member 150 side. In other words, the guide member 190 winds counterclockwise from the blocking portion 112 toward the opening 113 when viewed from above (Z+ side in the figure).

[0040] The cross-sectional shape of the guide member 190 taken along a plane including the tube axis 101 is not limited. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the guide member 190 is a rectangle that is thinner in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. The number of turns of the spiral guide member 190 is not limited. In this embodiment, the guide member 190 is wound three times from the top to the bottom of the first separation member 110. The portions of the guide member 190 corresponding to the suction holes 111 are cut out. In other words, the guide member 190 does not cross the suction holes 111, and the portions corresponding to the suction holes 111 are discontinued. Note that the guide member 190 may be formed by forming a spiral groove in the thick first separation member 110. In other words, forming the guide member 190 by erecting ribs on the inner circumferential surface of the first separation member 110 is the same as forming the guide member 190 by providing a spiral groove on the inner circumferential surface of the first separation member 110.

[0041] The dust collection container 100 of the first aspect described in the above embodiment includes a cylindrical first separating member 110 that is closed at one end and open at the other, and a suction pipe 130 that is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first separating member 110 and communicates with a suction hole 111 provided in the peripheral wall of the first separating member 110. The dust collection container 100 of the first aspect also includes a protruding member 140 that protrudes from the center of a closing portion 112 of the first separating member 110 toward an opening 113. The dust collection container 100 of the first aspect also includes a cylindrical filter member 150 that extends outward from the open end of the first separating member 110 in the direction of the tube axis 101 that extends from the closing portion 112 toward the opening 113. The dust collection container 100 of the first aspect also includes a first storage section 161 that is disposed on the opposite side of the first separating member 110 from the filter member 150 and that stores dust that is centrifuged from the air by a swirling air flow generated inside the first separating member 110.

[0042] According to the dust collection container 100 of the first aspect, a protruding member 140 is provided inside the first separating member 110. Therefore, even if the first separating member 110 is small enough to be provided in a stick-type vacuum cleaner 200, it is possible to generate a swirling flow of dust-laden air sucked through the suction hole 111, thereby effectively separating the dust from the air. In other words, even though the dust collection container 100 of the first aspect is small, it is possible to generate a swirling flow suitable for separating the air from the dust. Furthermore, the presence of the protruding member 140 allows the size of the suction hole 111 that sucks in the dust-laden air to be relatively large, thereby minimizing clogging of the suction hole 111 with dust.

[0043] The dust collection container 100 of the second embodiment includes the dust collection container of the first embodiment, and the opening area of ​​the suction hole 111 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the suction pipe 130 opposite the suction hole 111, and the suction hole 111 is biased downstream of the swirling air flow relative to the suction pipe 130.

[0044] According to the dust collection container 100 of the second aspect, the dust-laden airflow passing through the suction hole 111 flows in so as to be pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the first separating member 110. Therefore, even with a small first separating member 110, a more effective swirling flow can be generated. Furthermore, due to the presence of the protruding member 140, an effective swirling flow can be generated even when the opening area of ​​the suction hole 111 is set to 70% or more of the opening area of ​​the suction tube 130. This makes it possible to prevent the suction hole 111 from becoming clogged with dust even when large dust particles are sucked in.

[0045] The dust collection container 100 of the third aspect includes either the first aspect or the second aspect, and in the direction of the tube axis 101, the tip of the protruding member 140 is positioned closer to the blocking portion 112 than the suction hole 111.

[0046] According to the dust collection container 100 of the third aspect, the protruding member 140 does not overlap with a part of the suction hole 111 in the direction of the tube axis 101. Therefore, it is possible to suppress pressure loss of the air flowing in from the suction hole 111 due to the protruding member 140, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the suction power of the vacuum cleaner 200.

[0047] The dust collection container 100 of the fourth aspect includes any one of the first to third aspects, and the suction hole 111 is arranged with a predetermined gap from the blocking portion 112 .

[0048] According to the dust collection container 100 of the fourth aspect, the downward force that the swirling flow receives from the blocking portion 112 can be suppressed, and the swirling flow can be effectively contained within the first separating member 110.

[0049] The dust collection container 100 of the fifth aspect includes any of the first to fourth aspects, and the filter member 150 widens toward the first storage portion 161 .

[0050] According to the dust collection container 100 of the fifth aspect, it is possible to easily cause dust adhering to the inner surface of the filter member 150 to fall into the first storage section 161 .

[0051] The dust collection container 100 of the sixth aspect includes any of the first to fifth aspects, and the length L1 of the first separating member 110 in the direction of the tube axis 101 is longer than the length L2 of the filter member 150.

[0052] According to the dust collection container 100 of the sixth aspect, even though it is small, it is possible to effectively separate relatively large dust particles from the air, and it is possible to prevent clogging of the filter member 150.

[0053] The dust collection container 100 of the seventh aspect includes any of the first to sixth aspects, and is provided with a guide member 190 that protrudes inward from the inner surface of the first separating member 110 and extends spirally around the pipe axis 101.

[0054] The dust collection container 100 of the eighth aspect includes the seventh aspect, and one end of the guide member 190 is arranged between the suction holes 111 in the direction of the tube axis 101 and on the periphery of the suction hole 111, and the other end is arranged on the filter member 150 side.

[0055] According to the seventh and eighth aspects of the dust collection container 100, the swirling flow within the first separating member 110 can be stabilized, and even a small dust collection container 100 can more effectively separate dust from air.

[0056] The vacuum cleaner 200 of the ninth aspect described in the above embodiment includes any of the dust collection containers 100 from the first aspect to the eighth aspect, and is equipped with a suction device 210 that creates negative pressure inside the first separating member 110 of the dust collection container 100 via the filter member 150.

[0057] According to the cleaner 200 of the ninth aspect, it is possible to achieve the effects corresponding to the above aspects.

[0058] The vacuum cleaner 200 of the tenth aspect includes the vacuum cleaner of the ninth aspect, and includes a second separating member 120 interposed between the filter member 150 and the suction device 210 in the suction path.

[0059] According to the vacuum cleaner 200 of the tenth aspect, it is possible to separate fine dust particles that cannot be separated by the first separating member 110 .

[0060] The dust collection container of the present disclosure can be used in devices that process sucked air, such as air purifiers and air conditioners, in addition to vacuum cleaners.

[0061] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Dust collection container 101 Tube shaft 110 First separating member 111 Suction hole 112 Closing portion 113 Opening 120 Second separating member 121 Cyclone member 122 Exhaust hole 130 Suction pipe 140 Protruding member 150 Filter member 161 First storage portion 162 Second storage portion 170 Lid member 180 Outer cylinder 190 Guide member 200 Vacuum cleaner 210 Suction device 220 Head 230 Pipe 240 Grip portion L1 Length of first separating member L2 Length of filter member

Claims

1. A dust collection container comprising: a cylindrical first separating member which is closed at one end and open at the other; a suction pipe provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first separating member and communicating with a suction hole provided in the peripheral wall of the first separating member; a protruding member protruding from the center of the closed portion of the first separating member toward an opening; a cylindrical filter member extending outward from the open end of the first separating member in the direction of the pipe axis from the closed portion to the opening; and a first storage portion which is disposed on the opposite side of the first separating member to the filter member and which stores dust which is centrifuged out of the air by a swirling air flow generated inside the first separating member.

2. A dust collecting container as described in claim 1, wherein the opening area of ​​the suction hole is smaller than the opening area of ​​the suction pipe facing the suction hole, and the suction hole is biased toward the downstream side of the swirling air flow relative to the suction pipe.

3. A dust collecting container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the tip of the protruding member is positioned closer to the blocking portion than the suction hole in the direction of the tube axis.

4. A dust collecting container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction hole is disposed at a predetermined gap from the blocking portion.

5. A dust collecting container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter member expands towards the first storage section.

6. A dust collecting container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the first separating member in the direction of the tube axis is longer than the length of the filter member.

7. A dust collecting container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a guide member protruding inwards from the inner circumferential surface of said first separating member and extending spirally around said tube axis.

8. A dust collecting container as claimed in claim 7, wherein one end of the guide member is disposed between the suction holes in the direction of the tube axis and on the periphery of the suction hole, and the other end is disposed on the filter member side.

9. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a dust collection container according to claim 1 or 2; and a suction device which creates a negative pressure inside the first separating member via the filter member.

10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, further comprising a second separating member interposed in the suction path between the filter member and the suction device.

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