Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A dust collection device according to the present disclosure is configured to be attached to a vacuum cleaner with a suction source that generates suction force for suctioning dust. The dust collection device comprises: a dust storage container having a peripheral wall part in which an inflow port is formed through which air containing dust flows in when the suction source is activated, the dust storage container being configured to produce a swirl flow when the air that has flowed in through the inflow port flows along an inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall part; and an acceleration flow path along a part of the inner peripheral surface. In the acceleration flow path, the cross-sectional area of the downstream end in the flow direction of the swirl flow is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the upstream end in the flow direction of the swirl flow.

Description

vacuum cleaner

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dust collecting device that generates a swirling flow inside to separate and collect dust, and a vacuum cleaner equipped with this dust collecting device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vacuum cleaner 300 shown in Fig. 10. This vacuum cleaner 300 includes a vacuum cleaner body 310 incorporating a suction source that generates suction force to suck in dust, and a dust collector 320 disposed below the vacuum cleaner body 310. A suction pipe 330 that forms a flow path for dust to flow is disposed in front of the dust collector 320.

[0003] 11 , the dust collector 320 has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall portion 321 and a filter portion 322 arranged substantially coaxially with the peripheral wall portion 321. The peripheral wall portion 321 is formed with an inlet 323 that opens in a tangential direction to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 321. The dust collector 320 is connected to the suction pipe 330 via the inlet 323 so that the internal space of the dust collector 320 communicates with the flow path of the suction pipe 330.

[0004] The outer diameter of the filter portion 322 is smaller than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall portion 321, and an annular space is formed between the filter portion 322 and the peripheral wall portion 321. The outer periphery and upper end portion of the filter portion 322 are configured to allow air to pass through while capturing dust contained in the air.

[0005] When the suction source in the vacuum cleaner body 310 is activated, air in the dust collecting device 320 is sucked into the vacuum cleaner body 310 through the filter portion 322. At this time, air in the suction pipe 330 flows into the dust collecting device 320 through the inlet 323. Because the inlet 323 is open tangentially to the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 321, the air flowing into the dust collecting device 320 flows along the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 321, forming a swirling flow. The swirling flow flows through the annular space between the filter portion 322 and the peripheral wall portion 321, during which time air near the filter portion 322 flows into the filter portion 322. At this time, dust contained in the swirling flow is subjected to centrifugal force by the generation of the swirling flow and is centrifuged. As a result, the dust flows near the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 321 rather than near the filter portion 322. Therefore, adhesion of dust to the filter portion 322 is suppressed.

[0006] The effect of centrifugal separation on dust particles increases as the speed of the swirling flow increases, so there is a need for technology to increase the speed of the swirling flow.

[0007] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-42477

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for increasing the speed of a swirling flow flowing inside a dust collection container.

[0009] The dust collecting device of the present disclosure is configured to be attached to a vacuum cleaner having a suction source that generates suction force to suck in dust. The dust collecting device includes a dust storage container having a peripheral wall portion formed with an inlet through which dust-laden air flows when the suction source is activated, and configured so that the air flowing in through the inlet flows along the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion, thereby generating a swirling flow, and a speed-up flow passage along a part of the inner peripheral surface. The speed-up flow passage has a cross-sectional area of ​​a downstream end in the flow direction of the swirling flow that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of ​​an upstream end in the flow direction of the swirling flow.

[0010] The vacuum cleaner of the present disclosure includes the above-described dust collecting device and a suction source that generates a suction force to suck air from within the dust container.

[0011] The above-described technique makes it possible to increase the speed of the swirling flow through the dust collection container.

[0012] Side view of a vacuum cleaner (first embodiment) Perspective view of a dust collector of a vacuum cleaner Cross-sectional view of a dust collector Side view of a dust collector Perspective view of a dust collector Development view of an outer periphery of a filter section of a dust collector (second embodiment) Side view of a dust collector Side view of a dust collector Perspective view of a dust collector Perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner Perspective view of a dust collector of a conventional vacuum cleaner

[0013] Hereinafter, first and second embodiments of the vacuum cleaner will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, for example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0014] <First embodiment> Fig. 1 is a side view of a stick-type vacuum cleaner 100. The vacuum cleaner 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 .

[0015] (Overall Structure of Vacuum Cleaner) Vacuum cleaner 100 includes vacuum cleaner body 110 incorporating suction source 111 that generates suction force to suck in dust, and dust collector 200 attached to the underside of vacuum cleaner body 110. Suction source 111 is configured to suck air from within dust collector 200, and may include, for example, a motor that generates rotational force and rotating blades configured to generate an upward airflow when rotated by the motor.

[0016] A filter 112 that allows air to pass through while capturing dust contained in the air is disposed between the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the dust collecting device 200. Also, a grip portion 113 formed so that the user can hold it, and a suction tube 120 that forms a flow path 123 through which dust flows are disposed on the front sides of the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the dust collecting device 200.

[0017] The suction tube 120 extends in the vertical direction below the grip part 113. More specifically, the suction tube 120 has a base end pipe part 121 formed integrally with the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip part 113, and an extension pipe part 122 extending downward from the base end pipe part 121. Within the base end pipe part 121, a flow path 123 is bent toward the dust collector 200. The extension pipe part 122 is detachable from the base end pipe part 121. A suction nozzle 130 is attached to the lower end of the extension pipe part 122, and the suction force of the suction source 111 is used to suck in dust on the floor surface.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the dust collecting device 200 has a dust container 210 that opens upward, and an upper lid 220 that closes the opening at the top end of the dust container 210. The upper part of the upper lid 220 is configured so that the filter 112 shown in Fig. 1 can be placed on it. The upper lid 220 has a plurality of through-holes 221 that penetrate the upper lid 220 in the vertical direction, and when the suction source 111 shown in Fig. 1 is activated, the air inside the dust container 210 flows out through these through-holes 221.

[0019] 2 and 3, the dust container 210 has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall portion 211 and a bottom portion 212 that closes the opening at the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 211. An inlet 239 that is connected to the flow path 123 of the base end pipe portion 121 shown in FIG. 1 is formed in the peripheral wall portion 211. The inlet 239 opens in the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface 217 of the peripheral wall portion 211. Therefore, air that flows into the dust container 210 through the inlet 239 flows along the inner peripheral surface 217 and becomes a swirling flow.

[0020] The bottom portion 212 is connected to the peripheral wall portion 211 via a pivot shaft portion 213 shown in Fig. 3. When a user applies a downward external force to the bottom portion 212, the bottom portion 212 can pivot downward around the pivot shaft portion 213. A torsion spring 214 is attached to the pivot shaft portion 213, and the torsion spring 214 biases the bottom portion 212 in a direction that closes the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 211.

[0021] An engaging claw 219 formed to be engageable with the outer peripheral edge of the bottom 212 is provided on the side opposite the pivot shaft 213. The engaging claw 219 is attached to the peripheral wall 211 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3. When a user rotates the engaging claw 219 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3, the engagement of the engaging claw 219 with the bottom 212 is released. The engaging claw 219 is biased by a coil spring 215 in a direction in which it engages with the bottom 212 (the opposite direction of the arrow in Figure 3).

[0022] 2, a housing recess 216 for housing the engaging claw 219 is formed in the lower part of the peripheral wall 211. When the engaging claw 219 and the bottom 212 are engaged with each other, the engaging claw 219 is recessed in the housing recess 216.

[0023] The dust container 210 accommodates a substantially cylindrical filter unit 230 that tapers toward the bottom 212. A through-hole 221 formed in the upper lid 220 communicates with the internal space of the filter unit 230, as shown in FIG.

[0024] The filter unit 230 is disposed approximately coaxially with the dust container 210, and an annular space 232 is formed between the filter unit 230 and the peripheral wall 211 of the dust container 210. The above-mentioned swirling flow flows through this annular space 232.

[0025] The filter unit 230 has numerous vent holes (not shown) large enough to allow air to pass through while capturing dust. For example, the filter unit 230 may be made of a filter mesh. When the suction source 111 shown in FIG. 1 is activated, air flows in through the inlet 239 and becomes a swirling flow through the annular space 232 within the dust container 210. Due to the centrifugal force of the swirling flow, dust contained in the air flowing into the dust container 210 flows near the inner circumferential surface 217 of the peripheral wall 211 of the dust container 210 rather than near the filter unit 230, making it less likely that the vent holes in the filter unit 230 will become clogged. The air flowing near the filter unit 230 passes through the vent holes in the filter unit 230 and enters the interior of the filter unit 230. The air can then flow upward through the through-holes 221 in the top cover 220.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2 , the filter unit 230 is provided with a partition plate 233. The partition plate 233 extends from the lower edge of the inlet 239 toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the swirling flow over approximately half the circumference of the annular space 232. The partition plate 233 is provided spaced above the bottom 212 and approximately parallel to the bottom 212, dividing the annular space 232 into upper and lower sections. In the following description, the space below the partition plate 233 (the bottom 212 side) will be referred to as the "dust storage space 234." The dust storage space 234 is a space for collecting dust, and the partition plate 233 prevents dust collected in the dust storage space 234 from floating up into the space above the partition plate 233.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 2, the speed-increasing section 235 is attached to the filter section 230 above the partition plate 233. As shown in Fig. 4, the speed-increasing section 235 is a plate-like member provided in the annular space 232, and has a lower surface that extends in the direction of the swirling flow while sloping downward from the upper end of the annular space 232. In the following description, this lower surface will be referred to as a "speed-increasing surface 244."

[0028] Between the speed-increasing surface 244 of the speed-increasing section 235 and the upper surface of the partition plate 233, a space that gradually narrows toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the swirling air is formed along the inner circumferential surface 217 of the peripheral wall portion 211 of the dust container 210. In the following description, this space will be referred to as the "speed-increasing flow path 236." The cross-sectional area of ​​the speed-increasing flow path 236 at its downstream end is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the speed-increasing flow path 236 at its upstream end, so that the speed of the air that flows into the speed-increasing flow path 236 from the inlet 239 is increased.

[0029] The upper end of the speed-increasing flow path 236 is defined by the speed-increasing surface 244 of the speed-increasing section 235, and the lower end of the speed-increasing flow path 236 is defined by the upper surface of the partition plate 233. The speed-increasing flow path 236 is separated from the dust storage space 234 below the partition plate 233 by the partition plate 233, and dust in the dust storage space 234 is prevented from flying up into the speed-increasing flow path 236.

[0030] The speed-increasing flow path 236 is provided at a position close to the inlet 239, and when viewed from the opening direction of the inlet 239 (i.e., the tangential direction of the peripheral wall portion 211), a part of the upstream end of the speed-increasing flow path 236 overlaps with the inlet 239. Therefore, the air can flow through the speed-increasing flow path 236 immediately after flowing into the dust container 210 from the inlet 239.

[0031] 5, a guide section 237 is attached to the filter section 230 on a side of the filter section 230 substantially opposite the speed-increasing section 235 (downstream of the speed-increasing flow path 236 in the flow direction of the swirling flow). The guide section 237 is substantially in the shape of a thin plate, and an upstream end 238 of the guide section 237 in the flow direction of the swirling flow is located substantially directly above a downstream end 241 of the partition plate 233 in the flow direction of the swirling flow. The swirling flow accelerated in the speed-increasing flow path 236 flows into the region between the upstream end 238 of the guide section 237 and the downstream end 241 of the partition plate 233.

[0032] The guide portion 237 extends circumferentially around the filter portion 230 while sloping downward (toward the bottom portion 212) from the upstream end 238, and is connected to the partition plate 233. That is, the partition plate 233 extends circumferentially from the downstream end of the guide portion 237 in the flow direction of the swirling flow. The swirling flow is guided obliquely downward in accordance with the slope of the lower surface of the guide portion 237. In the following description, the lower surface of the guide portion 237 will be referred to as the "guide surface 242."

[0033] The space below the guide surface 242 is a space for guiding the swirling flow toward the bottom portion 212, and in the following description, this space will be referred to as a "guide space 243." The guide surface 242 defines the upper end of the guide space 243. The guide space 243 communicates with the dust storage space 234 below the partition plate 233.

[0034] (Operation of the Vacuum Cleaner) When suction source 111 is activated, the suction force of suction source 111 acts on dust on the floor surface through dust collector 200, flow path 123 of suction pipe 120, and suction nozzle 130. Therefore, dust on the floor surface flows into suction nozzle 130 together with air and flows through flow path 123 of suction pipe 120. Then, the air and dust flow into dust storage container 210 through inlet 239 of dust collector 200.

[0035] Because the inlet 239 opens in the tangential direction of the inner circumferential surface 217 of the peripheral wall portion 211 of the dust container 210, the air that flows into the dust container 210 from the inlet 239 flows along the inner circumferential surface 217 of the peripheral wall portion 211 and becomes a swirling flow. The air (swirling flow) flows into the speed-increasing flow path 236 immediately after passing through the inlet 239. Because the speed-increasing flow path 236 gradually narrows toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the swirling flow, the speed of the swirling flow is increased while passing through the speed-increasing flow path 236. Therefore, the swirling flow flows at a high speed after passing through the speed-increasing flow path 236.

[0036] As a result of the increased velocity of the swirling flow, the centrifugal force acting on the dust contained in the swirling flow becomes stronger. Therefore, the dust flows near the inner circumferential surface 217 of the peripheral wall portion 211 of the dust storage container 210 rather than near the filter portion 230, and less dust is adsorbed to the filter portion 230. Therefore, the air flowing near the filter portion 230 is easily able to flow into the filter portion 230 through the numerous air vents provided in the filter portion 230 without being obstructed by the dust. The air that flows into the filter portion 230 flows out of the dust collecting device 200 through the through-holes 221 formed in the top cover portion 220. Note that even if the air that passes through these through-holes 221 contains fine dust, this dust is captured by the filter 112 installed on the top cover portion 220.

[0037] The swirling flow accelerated in the acceleration flow path 236 flows into the guide space 243. In the guide space 243, the swirling flow is urged toward the bottom 212 according to the inclination of the guide surface 242 of the guide portion 237. That is, the swirling flow flows obliquely downward in the guide space 243. Because the guide space 243 is connected to the dust accumulation space 234 below the partition plate 233, the swirling flow that has passed through the guide space 243 flows into the dust accumulation space 234.

[0038] The swirling flow in the dust storage space 234 is obstructed by the partition plate 233, making it difficult for the swirling flow to flow into the space above the partition plate 233. Furthermore, after the swirling flow passes through the dust storage space 234, it flows back into the guide space 243, where the air that has newly flowed into the dust storage container 210 forms a swirling flow that flows obliquely downward. Therefore, the swirling flow that has passed through the dust storage space 234 is prevented from flowing upward by the swirling flow that has newly flowed into the dust storage container 210 that flows obliquely downward. Therefore, the dust contained in the swirling flow continues to circulate below the partition plate 233.

[0039] Thereafter, when suction source 111 is stopped, the swirling flow in dust container 210 disappears, and dust accumulates on bottom 212. To discard the dust in dust container 210, the user can operate engaging claw 219 to disengage engaging claw 219 from bottom 212. In this state, when the user applies a downward external force to bottom 212, bottom 212 rotates downward about pivot shaft 213, causing the dust in dust container 210 to fall.

[0040] In the above-described embodiment, the swirling flow in the dust container 210 is accelerated by the acceleration flow path 236, thereby obtaining a high-speed swirling flow. As a result, a strong centrifugal force is applied to the dust contained in the swirling flow, thereby enhancing the centrifugal separation effect on the dust. In other words, the strong centrifugal force causes the dust to be attracted toward the peripheral wall 211 of the dust container 210, so that less dust is adsorbed by the filter 230.

[0041] Second Embodiment The speed-increasing flow passage 236 narrows toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the swirling air, and therefore it is expected that dust will clog the speed-increasing flow passage 236 before the speed is increased in the speed-increasing flow passage 236. In order to prevent dust from clogging the speed-increasing flow passage 236, the filter unit 230 may have multiple regions 251 to 254 with different intake air volumes, as shown in FIG.

[0042] The region 251 defines the speed-increasing flow passage 236 and the inner circumferential portion of the annular space 232 upstream of the speed-increasing flow passage 236. Air within the annular space 232 is drawn into the region 251 in a circumferential section from the inlet 239 to the downstream end of the speed-increasing flow passage 236 in the flow direction of the swirling flow.

[0043] The region 252 defines the inner periphery of a suction space 262 (see FIG. 2 ) formed over a circumferential section from the downstream end 261 of the speed increasing section 235 to the downstream end 241 of the partition plate 233, the inner periphery of the guide space 243, and the inner periphery of the dust storage space 234. Air within the annular space 232 is sucked into the region 252 in the suction space 262, the guide space 243, and the dust storage space 234.

[0044] Region 253 is a region above speed increasing section 235. Region 254 is a region formed over a circumferential section from an opposite surface 263, which is the surface opposite to guide surface 242 of guide portion 237, to the position where inlet 239 is formed.

[0045] Although region 251 is formed so that a certain amount of air is drawn from speed-increasing flow path 236, the amount of air drawn in region 251 is smaller than the amount of air drawn in region 252. For example, the relationship in the amount of air drawn in between regions 251 and 252 may be set by making the density of the air holes formed in region 251 sparser than the density of the air holes formed in region 252. In other words, the amount of air drawn into filter unit 230 in speed-increasing flow path 236 is set to be smaller than the amount of air drawn into filter unit 230 in the space downstream thereof (including guide space 243).

[0046] No ventilation holes are formed in the regions 253 and 254. Therefore, the air in the space above the speed-increasing section 235 and the air in the annular space 232 in the circumferential section from the opposite surface 263 to the inlet 239 are not sucked into the filter section 230.

[0047] The amount of intake air in region 251 is not as large as the amount of intake air in region 252, so dust is less likely to be adsorbed to region 251. That is, region 251 corresponds to the circumferential section from inlet 239 to the downstream end of speed-increasing flow path 236, and in this region, dust is less likely to be adsorbed to filter portion 230. Therefore, in region 251, dust is prevented from adhering to the region, making it difficult for the air and dust flowing in from inlet 239 to flow into suction space 262.

[0048] The inner periphery of the suction space 262 is partitioned by an area 252 in which air is sucked in at a relatively high intake rate. As a result of the high intake rate in the suction space 262, dust may be attracted to the area 252. However, the suction space 262 is wider in the height direction (axial direction of the dust container 210) than the downstream end of the speed-increasing flow path 236, so dust is unlikely to adhere to the entire area 252. Therefore, although dust may adhere to a portion of the area 252, the suction space 262 is likely to maintain a space through which air can flow downstream. In this case, the swirling air is allowed to flow downstream, avoiding the dust adhering to a portion of the area 252.

[0049] Furthermore, the air in the suction space 262 is sucked into the filter unit 230 at a high intake rate, so that the air and dust in the speed-increasing flow path 236 can be drawn with great force into the suction space 262. As a result, clogging of the speed-increasing flow path 236 with dust can be suppressed.

[0050] Air is not sucked in the region 253 above the speed-increasing section 235. This prevents the air that has flowed into the suction space 262 from flowing against the flow of the swirling flow into the space above the speed-increasing section 235. This allows the swirling flow to flow into the guide space 243 without being disturbed.

[0051] The guide space 243 gradually narrows toward the dust storage space 234, which can easily become clogged with dust. However, because the dust storage space 234 is a space used to store dust, clogging with dust in the dust storage space 234 is not a problem. In other words, when enough dust has accumulated in the dust storage container 210 to cause clogging in the dust storage space 234, the user can simply open the bottom 212 and discard the dust in the dust storage container 210.

[0052] In region 254, which is separated from region 252 by guide portion 237, air is not sucked in. Therefore, the space facing region 254 is a non-intake space 264 (see FIG. 5 ) into which air is not sucked. Non-intake space 264 is separated from guide space 243 by guide portion 237, and is separated vertically from dust storage space 234 by partition plate 233. Because air is not sucked in region 254, the amount of air and dust that flows into non-intake space 264 beyond guide portion 237 is reduced. Therefore, the amount of dust that returns to inlet 239 through non-intake space 264 is also reduced, and clogging of inlet 239 with dust is suppressed.

[0053] In the first and second embodiments, the thin plate-shaped speed-increasing section 235 is used to form the speed-increasing flow path 236. In this case, a space that can cause turbulence in the swirling flow (i.e., a space corresponding to the region 253) is formed above the speed-increasing section 235. To prevent this space from being formed, the speed-increasing section 235 may be formed in a block shape, as shown in FIG.

[0054] In the first and second embodiments, the speed-increasing section 235 has a speed-increasing surface 244 that is inclined downward in the flow direction of the swirling flow. In this case, the speed-increasing section 235 does not have a step on the surface facing the speed-increasing flow path 236, and dust will not be trapped in such a step. However, if dust trapping is not a problem, the speed-increasing section 235 may have a step as shown in FIG. 8.

[0055] In the first and second embodiments, the guide portion 237 has a thin plate shape. Alternatively, the guide portion 237 may have a block shape as shown in Fig. 9. This guide portion 237 does not form the non-intake space 264 shown in Fig. 5, so that the amount of dust that passes over the guide portion 237 and returns to the inlet 239 can be further reduced.

[0056] In the first and second embodiments, the suction space 262 is formed between the speed-increasing flow path 236 and the guide space 243, but the suction space 262 may be omitted. In this case, the swirling air that has passed through the speed-increasing flow path 236 flows directly into the guide space 243. By omitting the suction space 262, the dust collecting device 200 can be made slimmer. On the other hand, if the suction space 262 is provided, the diameter of the dust collecting device 200 becomes larger, and the volume capable of storing dust increases.

[0057] In the first and second embodiments, the provision of the speed-increasing flow path 236 increases the speed of the swirling flow in the dust container 210, thereby enhancing the centrifugal separation effect on the dust contained in the swirling flow. This centrifugal separation effect suppresses the adsorption of dust to the filter unit 230 disposed in the dust container 210. However, this centrifugal separation effect is also useful for dust collectors 200 having the following structure.

[0058] That is, the dust collecting device 200 does not need to have the filter unit 230. Instead, the dust collecting device 200 may have a filter in the center of the top cover 220. In this case, the air inside the dust storage container 210 is sucked up through the filter in the center of the top cover 220. At this time, if the centrifugal separation effect on dust is enhanced by the speed-increasing flow path 236, more dust will flow near the inner circumferential surface 217 of the peripheral wall 211 of the dust storage container 210, while less dust will flow near the center of the dust storage container 210. As a result, less dust will be captured by the filter in the center of the top cover 220, and clogging of the filter will be suppressed. Note that if the dust collecting device 200 does not have the filter unit 230, the partition plate 233, the guide unit 237, and the speed-increasing unit 235 may be provided on the peripheral wall 211 side of the dust storage container 210.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, a partition plate 233 is provided to define the upper end of the dust storage space 234. However, if the dust storage space 234 is not required, the partition plate 233 does not have to be provided. In this case, the guide portion 237 for guiding air and dust into the dust storage space 234 is also not required.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the speed-increasing flow path 236 is formed by the partition plate 233 and the speed-increasing portion 235. However, the speed-increasing flow path 236 may be formed by other means.

[0061] In the first and second embodiments, the bottom 212 of the dust container 210 is rotatable downward around the rotation shaft 213. Alternatively, the bottom 212 may be configured to be detachable from the peripheral wall 211 of the dust container 210. In this case, when a user separates the bottom 212 from the peripheral wall 211, the dust storage space 234 is opened and the dust in the dust storage space 234 can be disposed of.

[0062] In the first and second embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 100 is a stick type. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be a self-propelled vacuum cleaner (a so-called robot vacuum cleaner), a canister type vacuum cleaner, or a handheld type vacuum cleaner.

[0063] (Effects, etc.) The dust collecting device 200 and the vacuum cleaner 100 according to the above-described embodiment have the following characteristics and provide the following effects.

[0064] A dust collecting device according to one aspect of the above-described embodiments is configured to be attached to a vacuum cleaner having a suction source that generates a suction force to suck in dust. The dust collecting device includes a dust storage container having a peripheral wall portion formed with an inlet through which dust-laden air flows when the suction source is activated, and configured so that the air flowing in through the inlet flows along the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion, thereby generating a swirling flow, and a speed-up flow passage along a part of the inner peripheral surface. The speed-up flow passage has a cross-sectional area at a downstream end in the flow direction of the swirling flow that is smaller than a cross-sectional area at an upstream end in the flow direction of the swirling flow.

[0065] In the above-described configuration, dust-laden air flows into the dust container through an inlet formed in the peripheral wall of the dust container. The air flows along the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall, creating a swirling flow. As a result of the swirling flow, the dust contained in the air is centrifuged within the dust container.

[0066] The higher the velocity of the swirling flow, the stronger the centrifugal force acting on the dust, improving the centrifugal separation effect on the dust. In the above-described configuration, a speed-up flow passage is provided along a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the dust storage container to enhance the centrifugal separation effect. The cross-sectional area of ​​the speed-up flow passage at its downstream end in the flow direction of the swirling flow is smaller than that of its upstream end in the flow direction of the swirling flow. Therefore, the velocity of the swirling flow at the downstream end of the speed-up flow passage is higher than the velocity of the swirling flow at its upstream end. The swirling flow that passes through the speed-up flow passage flows at a high velocity, and during this time, the dust contained in the swirling flow is subjected to a strong centrifugal force and flows toward the inner circumferential surface of the dust storage container. In other words, by providing the speed-up flow passage, a high-speed swirling flow can be obtained, enhancing the centrifugal separation effect on the dust.

[0067] In the above-described configuration, the speed-increasing flow passage may be formed without a step portion so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the speed-increasing flow passage gradually narrows toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the swirling flow.

[0068] In the above-described configuration, the speed-increasing flow passage is formed so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the speed-increasing flow passage gradually narrows toward the downstream in the flow direction of the swirling flow, and does not have a step, which prevents high air flow resistance and ensures a smooth air flow.

[0069] In the above-described configuration, the inlet may be open in a tangential direction of the inner circumferential surface, and the speed-increasing flow passage may be formed such that a part of an upstream end of the speed-increasing flow passage overlaps with the inlet in a tangential direction.

[0070] In the above-described configuration, the inlet is open in the tangential direction of the inner circumferential surface, so that the air passing through the inlet flows along the inner circumferential surface and becomes a swirling flow. At this time, the speed-up flow passage is formed so that a portion of the upstream end of the speed-up flow passage overlaps with the inlet in the tangential direction, so that the upstream end of the speed-up flow passage is located close to the inlet. Therefore, the air flows into the speed-up flow passage immediately after passing through the inlet. Then, this air becomes a swirling flow at an increased speed in the speed-up flow passage.

[0071] In the above-described configuration, the dust collecting device may further include a filter unit configured to capture dust in the dust storage container while sucking in air from the dust storage container when the suction source is activated. The filter unit and the inner circumferential surface may include a speed-increasing flow path and form an annular space through which the swirling flow flows.

[0072] In the above-described configuration, when the suction source is activated, air in the annular space flows into the filter unit. At this time, air flows in through the inlet in an amount equal to the amount of air that has flowed into the filter unit, generating a swirling flow that flows through the annular space. This swirling flow is accelerated by passing through the acceleration flow path formed in the annular space.

[0073] In the above-described configuration, the annular space may include a suction space into which air that has passed through the speed-increasing passage flows. The suction space may be wider in the axial direction of the dust container than the downstream end of the speed-increasing passage in the flow direction of the swirling air. The filter unit may be configured so that the amount of air sucked in through the speed-increasing passage is smaller than the amount of air sucked in through the suction space.

[0074] In the above-described configuration, the filter unit has an area facing the speed-increasing flow path, and reducing the amount of intake air in this area suppresses dust clogging in the speed-increasing flow path. That is, the downstream end of the speed-increasing flow path is narrowed. If dust adheres to the filter unit in the speed-increasing flow path as air passes through the filter unit, the dust further narrows the speed-increasing flow path. This can result in dust clogging in the speed-increasing flow path. To suppress this dust clogging, the filter unit in the above-described configuration is configured so that the amount of intake air in the speed-increasing flow path is less than the amount of intake air in the suction space. As a result, dust is suppressed from adhering to the filter unit at the downstream end of the speed-increasing flow path, making dust clogging in the speed-increasing flow path less likely to occur.

[0075] On the other hand, the filter portion is capable of drawing in a relatively large amount of air into the suction space. By increasing the amount of air suctioned into the suction space, the air and dust in the speed-increasing flow path can be drawn into the suction space with a strong force. As a result, the dust can flow into the suction space without clogging the speed-increasing flow path. Note that the increased amount of air suctioned into the suction space may cause dust to become adsorbed to the filter portion in the suction space. However, because the suction space is wider in the axial direction of the dust container than the downstream end of the speed-increasing flow path, dust is unlikely to clog the entire suction space. Even if dust clogs part of the suction space, the following air and dust can flow downstream, avoiding the dust clogging that part of the suction space.

[0076] In the above-described configuration, the dust collecting device may further include a partition plate provided below the inlet and extending from the inlet to divide the annular space into upper and lower sections over a predetermined circumferential distance, and a guide portion provided to change the direction of the swirling flow that has passed through the speed-increasing flow path diagonally downward and guide the swirling flow to the dust storage space, which is the space below the partition plate.

[0077] In the above-described configuration, the dust collecting device may further include a partition plate provided below the inlet and extending from the inlet to divide the annular space into upper and lower sections over a predetermined circumferential distance, and a guide portion provided to change the direction of the swirling flow that has passed through the suction space diagonally downward and guide the swirling flow to the dust storage space, which is the space below the partition plate.

[0078] In the above-described configuration, when the swirling air passes through the speed-increasing flow path or the suction space, the direction of the swirling air is changed by the guide portion to a diagonally downward direction. The swirling air then flows into the dust storage space, which is the space below the partition plate. Although air flows in through the inlet above the partition plate, the dust storage space is separated from the space above the partition plate by the partition plate, so that dust that flows into the dust storage space is prevented from floating up into the space above the partition plate.

[0079] In the above-described configuration, the dust storage container may have a bottom that closes the lower end of the peripheral wall. The bottom may be configured to be able to open the dust storage space by rotating downward from a closed position in which the bottom closes the lower end of the peripheral wall, or by being detached from the lower end of the peripheral wall.

[0080] In the above-described configuration, a user can open the dust storage space by rotating the bottom portion downward or by removing the bottom portion from the lower end of the peripheral wall portion, thereby allowing the dust accumulated in the dust storage space to be discarded from the dust storage container.

[0081] In the above-described configuration, the guide portion may include a plate-like member having a guide surface that changes the direction of the swirling flow obliquely downward and an opposite surface that is the surface opposite to the guide surface. The filter portion may be configured not to suck in air in a circumferential section from the opposite surface to the inlet, and a non-intake space may be formed in the circumferential section from the opposite surface to the inlet.

[0082] It is possible to use a block-shaped member as the guide portion, which blocks an annular space extending circumferentially in the flow direction of the swirling flow from the guide surface to the inlet. However, this increases the weight of the dust collector. To reduce the weight of the dust collector, the above-described configuration uses a plate-shaped member as the guide portion instead of a block-shaped member. In this case, the guide portion has an opposite surface that is opposite the guide surface that changes the direction of the swirling flow diagonally downward. The filter portion does not suck air in the circumferential section from this opposite surface to the inlet, thereby forming a non-intake space in this circumferential section. Because air is not sucked in the non-intake space, it is possible to reduce dust that flows over the guide portion into the non-intake space, but it increases the amount of dust that flows into the dust storage space.

[0083] In the above-described configuration, the partition plate may be configured to separate the dust storage space and the non-intake space into upper and lower spaces.

[0084] In the above-described configuration, the dust storage space is separated from the non-intake space by the partition plate, so that dust in the dust storage space is prevented from floating up into the non-intake space.

[0085] In the above-described configuration, the partition plate may be configured to define the lower end of the speed-increasing flow path and to separate the speed-increasing flow path and the dust storage space into upper and lower sections.

[0086] In the above-described configuration, the lower end of the speed-increasing flow passage can be partitioned using a partition plate. In this case, the speed-increasing flow passage is partitioned from the dust storage space, and dust in the dust storage space is prevented from being blown up into the speed-increasing flow passage.

[0087] In the above-described configuration, the dust collecting device may further include a speed-increasing section provided above the partition plate so as to define an upper end of the speed-increasing passage. The speed-increasing section may have a speed-increasing surface extending in the circumferential direction at an inclination such that the speed-increasing passage narrows toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the swirling flow.

[0088] In the above-described configuration, the lower end of the speed-increasing passage is partitioned by a partition plate, so that the speed-increasing passage can be formed simply by providing a speed-increasing section above the partition plate. By providing the speed-increasing surface of the speed-increasing section at an inclined position, the speed-increasing passage can be formed so as to narrow downstream in the flow direction of the swirling flow.

[0089] A vacuum cleaner according to another aspect of the above-described embodiments includes the above-described dust collecting device and a suction source that generates a suction force to suck air from within the dust container.

[0090] The dust collecting device and the vacuum cleaner of the above-described embodiment are suitably used as devices for cleaning work.

Claims

1. A dust collection device attached to a vacuum cleaner having a suction source that generates a suction force to suck in dust, comprising: a dust storage container having a peripheral wall portion formed with an inlet through which dust-laden air flows when the suction source is activated, and configured so that a swirling flow is obtained when the air flowing in through the inlet flows along the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion; and a speed-up flow passage along part of the inner surface, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the speed-up flow passage at the downstream end in the flow direction of the swirling flow is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the upstream end in the flow direction of the swirling flow.

2. A dust collecting device as described in claim 1, wherein the speed-increasing passage is formed without a step so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the speed-increasing passage gradually narrows toward the downstream in the flow direction of the swirling flow.

3. A dust collecting device as described in claim 1, wherein the inlet opens in a tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface, and the speed-up passage is formed such that a portion of an upstream end of the speed-up passage overlaps with the inlet in the tangential direction.

4. A dust collecting device as described in claim 1, further comprising a filter section configured to capture dust in the dust storage container while sucking in air within the dust storage container when the suction source is activated, wherein the filter section and the inner circumferential surface include the speed-increasing flow path and form an annular space through which the swirling flow flows.

5. A dust collecting device as described in claim 4, wherein the annular space includes a suction space into which air that has passed through the speed-up passage flows, the suction space is wider in the axial direction of the dust storage container than the downstream end of the speed-up passage in the flow direction of the swirling flow, and the filter section is configured so that the amount of air sucked in the speed-up passage is less than the amount of air sucked in the suction space.

6. A dust collecting device as described in claim 4, further comprising: a partition plate provided below the inlet and extending so as to divide the annular space into upper and lower parts over a predetermined circumferential section from the inlet; and a guide portion provided to change the direction of the swirling flow that has passed through the speed-up flow passage obliquely downward and guide the swirling flow to a dust storage space which is the space below the partition plate.

7. A dust collecting device as described in claim 5, further comprising: a partition plate provided below the inlet and extending so as to divide the annular space into upper and lower parts over a predetermined circumferential range from the inlet; and a guide portion provided to change the direction of the swirling flow that has passed through the suction space obliquely downward and guide the swirling flow to a dust storage space which is the space below the partition plate.

8. A dust collection device as described in claim 6 or 7, wherein the dust storage container has a bottom that closes the lower end of the peripheral wall portion, and the bottom is configured to be able to open the dust storage space by rotating downward from a closed position that closes the lower end of the peripheral wall portion, or by being detached from the lower end of the peripheral wall portion.

9. A dust collecting device as described in claim 6 or 7, wherein the guide portion includes a plate-shaped member having a guide surface that changes the direction of the swirling flow diagonally downward and an opposite surface that is the surface opposite to the guide surface, and the filter portion is configured not to suck in air in a circumferential section from the opposite surface to the inlet, and a non-intake space is formed in the circumferential section from the opposite surface to the inlet.

10. The dust collecting device according to claim 9, wherein the partition plate is configured to separate the dust storage space and the non-intake space into upper and lower spaces.

11. The dust collecting device according to claim 10, wherein the partition plate is configured to define a lower end of the speed-increasing passage and to separate the speed-increasing passage and the dust storage space into upper and lower sections.

12. A dust collecting device as described in claim 11, further comprising a speed-increasing section provided above the partition plate so as to partition an upper end of the speed-increasing passage, the speed-increasing section having a speed-increasing surface extending circumferentially at an inclined attitude so that the speed-increasing passage narrows as it moves downstream in the flow direction of the swirling flow.

13. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a dust collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and a suction source that generates a suction force to suck air from within the dust storage container.

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