Dust collection device, cleaner provided with dust collection device, recovery device for recovering dust from dust collection device, and cleaning tool set provided with dust collection device and recovery device

Abstract

A dust collection device according to the present disclosure is attached to a cleaner having a suction source that generates suction force for suctioning dust. The dust collection device comprises: a dust storage container having an inflow port into which dust-containing air flows when a suction source is operated, the dust storage container being configured to store dust; and a filter part in which first ventilation holes and second ventilation holes are formed at mutually different height positions, the filter part being configured to be capable of capturing dust within the dust storage container while allowing air within the dust storage container to flow in by means of suction force from the suction source. The dust storage container has a bottom part for opening and closing an opening at the lower end of the dust storage container. The second ventilation holes are formed at positions closer to the bottom part than the first ventilation holes and are larger than the first ventilation holes.

Description

Dust collecting device, vacuum cleaner equipped with dust collecting device, collection device for collecting dust from dust collecting device, and cleaning tool set equipped with dust collecting device and collection device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dust collecting device that collects dust, a vacuum cleaner equipped with the dust collecting device, a recovery device that recovers dust from the dust collecting device, and a cleaning tool set equipped with the dust collecting device and the recovery device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vacuum cleaner 300 shown in Fig. 19. This vacuum cleaner 300 comprises a vacuum cleaner main body 310 incorporating a suction source that generates suction force to suck in dust, and a dust collecting device 320 attached to the underside of the vacuum cleaner main body 310. A suction pipe 330 that forms a flow path for dust to flow is arranged in front of the dust collecting device 320.

[0003] 20 , the dust collecting device 320 has a dust container 321 that opens upward and a filter plate 322 that is provided to close the opening at the upper end of the dust container 321. The dust container 321 has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall portion 324 and a bottom portion 325 that is configured to be able to open and close the opening at the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 324. The peripheral wall portion 324 has an inlet port 323 that opens in the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 324. The dust collecting device 320 is connected to the suction pipe 330 via the inlet port 323 so that the internal space of the dust container 321 communicates with the flow path of the suction pipe 330.

[0004] Dust is contained in the air that flows into the dust storage container 321 from the suction pipe 330 through the inlet 323. Because the inlet 323 opens in the tangential direction of the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 324, the air flows along the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 324, forming a swirling flow. At this time, the dust contained in the air is centrifuged by the centrifugal force of the swirling flow and accumulates on the bottom 325 while flowing near the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 324. The bottom 325 is configured so that it can tilt downward from a closed position in which it closes the opening at the bottom end of the peripheral wall 324, as shown by the arrow in Figure 21, to open the opening at the bottom end of the peripheral wall 324.

[0005] A cylindrical filter portion 326 that tapers downward is housed inside the dust storage container 321. The filter portion 326 is disposed below the filter plate 322, and receives the suction force of the suction source through the filter plate 322.

[0006] An annular space is formed between the filter portion 326 and the peripheral wall portion 324 of the dust container 321, and the swirling air flows through this annular space. As shown in FIG. 22 , the filter portion 326 has a large number of air vents 327 formed therein. When the suction force of the suction source acts on the inside of the filter portion 326, the air in this annular space is drawn into the filter portion 326 through the air vents 327. Meanwhile, due to the centrifugal force of the swirling air, dust contained in the air flows near the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 324 of the dust container 321 rather than near the filter portion 326. This makes it difficult for dust to clog the air vents 327 of the filter portion 326.

[0007] The filter unit 326 is equipped with a guide unit 328 that guides dust contained in the swirling flow downward (i.e., toward the bottom unit 325), and a thin plate-like partition unit 329 that extends from the guide unit 328 in the direction of the swirling flow. The guide unit 328 extends circumferentially and tilts downward in the direction of the swirling flow. The space below the partition unit 329 serves as a dust storage space for collecting dust. The partition unit 329 prevents dust in the dust storage space from floating up. Note that the above-mentioned air vent 327 is not formed below the partition unit 329, but is formed above the partition unit 329.

[0008] When the swirling flow reaches the guide portion 328, it flows diagonally downward according to the inclination of the guide portion 328 and flows into the dust storage space. The dust contained in the swirling flow is then accumulated in the dust storage space. The dust accumulated in the dust storage space can be discarded from the dust storage container 321 by opening the bottom portion 325.

[0009] If the air vent 327 is formed below the partition 329, more air can be drawn into the dust collector 320 through the inlet 323, thereby improving the suction performance of the vacuum cleaner. However, in this case, the following problems may occur.

[0010] The dust may include thin, elongated particles such as hair. It is expected that such thin, elongated particles may become caught in the air vent 327. If the suction source is stopped in this state, the thin, elongated particles will hang down from the air vent 327.

[0011] When thin and long dust particles are caught in the vent hole 327 above the partition 329, this vent hole 327 is far from the bottom 325, so even if a user opens the bottom 325, the thin and long dust particles are unlikely to hang down beyond the opening at the bottom end of the dust container 321. On the other hand, when thin and long dust particles are caught in the vent hole 327 below the partition 329, this vent hole 327 is close to the bottom 325, so the thin and long dust particles are likely to hang down beyond the opening at the bottom end of the dust container 321.

[0012] If a user closes the bottom of the dust container 321 while the long, thin dust particles hang down beyond the opening at the bottom end of the dust container 321, the dust particles may hang down from the outer edge of the bottom 325 and protrude outside the dust container 321. A user may find the long, thin dust particles protruding from the dust container 321 unsanitary.

[0013] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-42477

[0014] The present disclosure aims to provide a technique that makes it easier to remove dust trapped in a filter portion.

[0015] The dust collecting device disclosed herein is attached to a vacuum cleaner having a suction source that generates suction force to suck in dust. The dust collecting device includes a dust container having an inlet for allowing dust-laden air to flow in by the suction force of the suction source and configured to store dust, and a filter unit having first and second air vents formed at different heights and configured to capture dust in the dust container while allowing air to flow in from the dust container by the suction force of the suction source. The dust container has a bottom that opens and closes an opening at the lower end of the dust container. The second air vent is formed closer to the bottom than the first air vent and is larger than the first air vent.

[0016] The vacuum cleaner of the present disclosure includes a suction source that generates a suction force for sucking in dust, the above-mentioned dust collecting device, and a suction pipe that forms a flow path through which dust-laden air flows by the suction force of the suction source. The flow path of the suction pipe is in communication with an inlet of the dust collecting device.

[0017] The collection device of the present disclosure includes a support portion configured to be able to support the above-mentioned dust collecting device, and a collection source that applies a downward suction force to the bottom of the dust storage container of the dust collecting device supported by the support portion to open the opening of the dust storage container and suck out the dust inside the dust storage container.

[0018] The cleaning tool set according to the present disclosure includes the above-described dust collecting device and a collection device that collects dust from the dust collecting device. The collection device has a support configured to support the dust collecting device, and a collection source that applies a downward suction force to the bottom of a dust storage container of the dust collecting device supported by the support, thereby opening the opening of the dust storage container and sucking out the dust from the dust storage container.

[0019] The above-described technique makes it possible to easily remove dust trapped in the filter portion.

[0020] 1. Side view of a vacuum cleaner (first embodiment) 2. Perspective view of a dust collecting device of a vacuum cleaner 3. Cross-sectional view of the dust collecting device 4. Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dust collecting device around the first air vent and the second air vent 5. Perspective view of the dust collecting device 6. Rear view of the filter section of the dust collecting device 7. Cross-sectional view of a dust collecting device 8. Cross-sectional view of another dust collecting device 9. Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dust collecting device around the second air vent 10. Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dust collecting device around the second air vent 11. Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dust collecting device around the second air vent 12. Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dust collecting device around the second air vent 13. Cross-sectional view of the dust collecting device around the first air vent 14. Perspective view of a cleaning tool set (second embodiment) 15. Cross-sectional view of the cleaning tool set 16. Perspective view of a collection device of the cleaning tool set 17. Cross-sectional view of a part of the collection device 18. Perspective view of a dust collecting device (third embodiment) 19. Perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner 20. Perspective view of a dust collecting device of a conventional vacuum cleaner 21. Cross-sectional view of a conventional dust collecting device 22. Perspective view of a filter section of a conventional dust collecting device

[0021] Hereinafter, first to third embodiments 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 described in the claims.

[0022] <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 .

[0023] (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.

[0024] 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-laden air flows by the suction force of the suction source 111 are disposed on the front side of the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the dust collecting device 200.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the dust container 210 has a generally cylindrical peripheral wall 211 and a bottom 212 that closes the opening at the lower end of the peripheral wall 211. The peripheral wall 211 and the bottom 212 are made of an opaque plastic material. The peripheral wall 211 has an inlet 239 that connects to the flow path 123 of the base end pipe 121 shown in FIG. 1 . When the suction source 111 is activated, dust-laden air flows into the inlet 239 through the flow path 123. The inlet 239 opens tangentially to the inner circumferential surface 217 of the peripheral wall 211. Therefore, the air that flows into the dust container 210 through the inlet 239 flows along the inner circumferential surface 217, forming a swirling flow. Due to the centrifugal force of the swirling flow, most of the dust contained in the air flows near the inner circumferential surface 217 of the peripheral wall 211.

[0028] The bottom 212 is connected to the peripheral wall 211 via a pivot shaft 213 shown in Fig. 3. When a user applies a downward external force to the bottom 212, the bottom 212 pivots downward about the pivot shaft 213, opening the opening at the lower end of the peripheral wall 211. A torsion spring 214 is attached to the pivot shaft 213, and the torsion spring 214 biases the bottom 212 in a direction that closes the opening at the lower end of the peripheral wall 211.

[0029] An engagement claw 219 formed to be able to engage with the outer peripheral edge of the bottom 212 is provided at a position facing the rotation shaft 213 in the radial direction of the dust container 210. The engagement claw 219 is attached to the peripheral wall 211 so as to be able to rotate in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3. When a user rotates the engagement claw 219 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3, the engagement of the engagement claw 219 with the bottom 212 is released. The engagement claw 219 is biased by a coil spring 215 in the direction in which it engages with the bottom 212 (the opposite direction of the arrow in Figure 3).

[0030] 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 is engaged with the bottom 212, the engaging claw 219 is recessed in the housing recess 216.

[0031] Dust container 210 contains a cylindrical filter unit 230 that tapers toward bottom 212. A through-hole 221 formed in top lid 220 communicates with the internal space of filter unit 230, as shown in FIG.

[0032] 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.

[0033] A thin plate-like partition 233 is attached to the filter unit 230 so as to separate a portion of the annular space 232 into upper and lower parts. The partition 233 is disposed below the inlet 239 and above the bottom 212, and extends from the lower edge of the inlet 239 in the direction of the swirling flow in a substantially horizontal position, separating the annular space 232 into upper and lower parts over a range of approximately half the circumference of the annular space 232.

[0034] In the following description, the space below the partition 233 (i.e., between the partition 233 and the bottom 212) will be referred to as the "dust storage space 234." The dust storage space 234 is used to store dust. To promote dust storage in the dust storage space 234, a dust stopper 244 protrudes downward from the downstream end 241 of the partition 233, as shown in FIG. 2 . The lower end of the dust stopper 244 is spaced upward from the bottom 212.

[0035] In the following description, the space above the partition 233, extending circumferentially from the inlet 239 to the downstream end 241 of the partition 233 in the flow direction of the swirling air, will be referred to as the "upstream space 271." The upstream space 271 is in communication with the inlet 239 and has a circumferential length long enough to cause the air flowing in from the inlet 239 to become a swirling air. The partition 233 separates the upstream space 271 and the dust storage space 234 into upper and lower spaces, and prevents dust accumulated in the dust storage space 234 from floating up into the upstream space 271.

[0036] The filter unit 230 is formed with a large number of vent holes that are large enough to allow air to pass through while capturing dust. In the following description, those vent holes that are located higher than the partition unit 233 are referred to as "first vent holes 245." In the following description, those vent holes that are located lower than the partition unit 233 and higher than the lower end of the dust stopper 244 are referred to as "second vent holes 246." In this embodiment, the first vent holes 245 and the second vent holes 246 are drilled in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the tapered cylindrical filter unit 230, which narrows downward, and open obliquely downward on the outer surface of the filter unit 230, as shown in FIG. 4 .

[0037] The first air vents 245 and the second air vents 246 have a substantially constant size from the outer surface to the inner surface of the filter unit 230. The first air vents 245 are preferably as small as possible to prevent dust from entering the filter unit 230. For example, the diameter of the first air vents 245 may be 0.20 mm to 0.30 mm. Meanwhile, each second air vent 246 is larger than each first air vent 245 and has a size that allows a certain amount of dust to enter the filter unit 230. Specifically, the size of the second air vents 246 is set so that when thin dust particles such as hair become caught in the second air vents 246, the force required to remove the dust particles from the second air vents 246 is not excessively large. For example, the diameter of the second air vents 246 may be 0.30 mm to 0.50 mm.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5 , a thin-plate guide portion 237 is disposed in the annular space 232 downstream of the upstream space 271. The guide portion 237 is provided to change the direction of the swirling flow that has passed through the upstream space 271 obliquely downward and guide the swirling flow from the upstream space 271 to the dust storage space 234. In the following description, the space into which the swirling flow is guided obliquely downward by the guide portion 237 is referred to as a "guide space 243." The guide portion 237 defines the upper end of the guide space 243.

[0039] An upstream end 238 of the guide portion 237 in the flow direction of the swirling flow is located approximately directly above a downstream end 241 of the partition portion 233 in the flow direction of the swirling flow. The swirling flow generated in the upstream space 271 flows into the region between the upstream end 238 of the guide portion 237 and the downstream end 241 of the partition portion 233.

[0040] The guide portion 237 extends circumferentially around the filter portion 230 while slanting downward (toward the bottom portion 212) from the upstream end 238, and is connected to the partition portion 233 as shown in Fig. 6. That is, the partition portion 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 (i.e., toward the bottom portion 212) by the guide portion 237.

[0041] Note that no swirling air flows in the space above the guide portion 237. For this reason, the first air vent 245 is not formed above the guide portion 237, as shown in FIG.

[0042] (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.

[0043] Because the inlet 239 opens in the tangential direction of the inner circumferential surface 217 of the peripheral wall 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 211. This air then becomes a swirling flow while flowing through the upstream space 271. Due to the centrifugal force of the swirling flow, dust contained in the swirling flow flows near the inner circumferential surface 217 of the peripheral wall 211 of the dust container 210 rather than near the filter unit 230, and less dust is adsorbed to the filter unit 230. Therefore, even if the first air vent 245 has a relatively small area, clogging of the first air vent 245 is suppressed.

[0044] In the upstream space 271, a portion of the air flowing near the filter unit 230 flows into the filter unit 230 through the first air vent 245. The air that has flowed into the filter unit 230 flows out of the dust collecting device 200 through the through-hole 221 formed in the top cover 220. Even if the air that has passed through the through-hole 221 contains fine dust, the dust is captured by the filter 112 installed on the top cover 220.

[0045] After passing through upstream space 271, the swirling flow flows into guide space 243. When the swirling flow reaches the vicinity of guide portion 237, it is guided by guide portion 237 toward bottom portion 212 of dust storage container 210. Because guide space 243 is in communication with dust storage space 234, the swirling flow flows from guide space 243 into dust storage space 234. At this time, air within dust storage space 234 is sucked into filter portion 230 through second air vent 246, so the swirling flow can flow into dust storage space 234 with almost no decrease in flow velocity.

[0046] The swirling flow that has flowed into the dust storage space 234 reaches the dust stopper 244 that protrudes downward from the downstream end 241 of the partition 233. This swirling flow passes over the dust stopper 244 through the gap between the dust stopper 244 and the bottom 212, but at least a portion of the dust contained in the swirling flow is retained in the dust storage space 234 by the dust stopper 244. For this reason, dust is likely to accumulate in the dust storage space 234.

[0047] Some of the dust accumulated in the dust storage space 234 can flow downstream of the dust stopper 244, i.e., into the lower part of the guide space 243, through the gap between the dust stopper 244 and the bottom 212. In the guide space 243, the air that has newly flowed into the dust storage container 210 forms a swirling flow that flows diagonally downward due to the guide portion 237. This prevents dust that has flowed over the dust stopper 244 into the guide space 243 from flowing upward. Therefore, the dust that has flowed over the dust stopper 244 into the guide space 243 passes through the guide space 243 and re-flows into the dust storage space 234.

[0048] As described above, the swirling flow flows not only through spaces formed higher than the partition portion 233 (the upstream space 271 and the upper part of the guide space 243) but also through spaces formed lower than the partition portion 233 (the dust storage space 234 and the lower part of the guide space 243). Therefore, even in spaces formed lower than the partition portion 233, much of the dust flows near the inner circumferential surface 217 of the peripheral wall portion 211 due to the centrifugal force of the swirling flow. At positions lower than the partition portion 233, the filter portion 230 is narrower than at positions higher than the partition portion 233. Therefore, at positions lower than the partition portion 233, the filter portion 230 is relatively far from the inner circumferential surface 217 of the peripheral wall portion 211. Therefore, even if the second air vent 246 formed lower than the partition portion 233 is relatively large, the inflow of dust into the filter portion 230 is suppressed to some extent.

[0049] Thereafter, when the suction source 111 is stopped, the swirling flow in the dust container 210 disappears, and dust accumulates on the bottom 212. To discard the dust in the dust container 210, the user can operate the engaging claw 219 to disengage the engaging claw 219 from the bottom 212. In this state, when the user applies a downward external force to the bottom 212, the bottom 212 rotates downward about the rotating shaft 213, as shown in FIG. 7, and the dust storage space 234 is opened. As a result, the dust accumulated in the dust storage space 234 falls.

[0050] As described above, even after the dust has been disposed of, it is expected that thin, elongated particles of dust (e.g., hair) will remain caught in the first vent hole 245 and / or the second vent hole 246. The first vent hole 245 is formed at a position higher than the partition 233 and is away from the opening at the bottom of the dust container 210. Therefore, thin, elongated particles of dust caught in the first vent hole 245 are unlikely to hang down below the opening at the bottom of the dust container 210. In particular, the partition 233 prevents thin, elongated particles of dust caught in the first vent hole 245 located above the partition 233 from hanging down below the opening at the bottom of the dust container 210. Furthermore, because the dust container 210 is opaque and the user cannot see inside the dust container 210, thin, elongated particles of dust remaining stuck in the first vent hole 245 do not give the user a sense of unsanitary conditions.

[0051] On the other hand, the second vent hole 246 is formed in a position relatively close to the opening at the bottom of the dust container 210. Therefore, thin dust particles caught in the second vent hole 246 tend to hang down below the opening at the bottom of the dust container 210. This dust is visible to the user and may give the user a sense of unsanitary conditions. The user may then want to remove this dust.

[0052] Because the second air vent 246 is relatively large, when a user pulls downward a long, thin piece of dust that has protruded downward from the dust container 210, the dust can be removed from the filter unit 230 with little force. In this case, because the second air vent 246 opens diagonally downward on the outer surface of the filter unit 230, when a user pulls the dust downward, the dust can be pulled out without rubbing excessively hard against the filter unit 230. Therefore, the user can easily clean the filter unit 230.

[0053] 7, a thin piece of dust is caught in the first air vent 245. However, the size of the first air vent 245 may be set so that this situation does not occur. For example, the size of the first air vent 245 may be set to be sufficiently smaller than the thickness of a hair.

[0054] The second air vents 246 shown in Fig. 7 open obliquely downward on the outer surface of the filter unit 230. Additionally or alternatively, as shown in Fig. 8, second air vents 246 that open downward may be provided on the outer surface of the filter unit 230.

[0055] The size of the second air vent 246 shown in Fig. 4(b) is constant over the entire length of the second air vent 246. Alternatively, the second air vent 246 may narrow from the outer surface to the inner surface of the filter unit 230, as shown in Fig. 9. Alternatively, the second air vent 246 may be narrowest at a middle position in the axial length direction of the second air vent 246 and widen as it approaches the outer surface and inner surface of the filter unit 230, as shown in Fig. 10. The size of the narrowest part of the second air vent 246 is larger than that of the first air vent 245, and is set so that elongated dust particles caught in the second air vent 246 can be easily pulled out.

[0056] When elongated dust particles become caught in the second air vent 246 shown in Figures 9 and 10 , the dust particles may come into contact with the filter unit 230 in the narrow portions of the second air vent 246. However, the dust particles may not come into contact with the filter unit 230 in the wide portions of the second air vent 246. Therefore, the contact area between the elongated dust particles caught in the second air vent 246 shown in Figures 9 and 10 and the filter unit 230 may be smaller than the contact area between the elongated dust particles caught in the second air vent 246 shown in Figure 4( b) and the filter unit 230. Therefore, the elongated dust particles caught in the second air vent 246 shown in Figures 9 and 10 can be pulled out with less force.

[0057] When the second air vent 246 is formed as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , at least a portion of the second air vent 246 has a shape that widens as it approaches the outer surface of the filter unit 230. With this shape, dust that flows into the second air vent 246 is likely to remain in the second air vent 246 without being sucked into the interior of the filter unit 230. That is, clogging of the second air vent 246 may be accelerated. To prevent such clogging of the second air vent 246, the second air vent 246 may be formed so that it is narrowest on the outer surface of the filter unit 230 and widens as it approaches the inner surface of the filter unit 230, as shown in FIG. 11 . In this case, dust that enters the second air vent 246 is likely to be sucked into the interior of the filter unit 230 without remaining in the second air vent 246. Therefore, clogging of the second air vent 246 can be suppressed, and the contact area between the filter portion 230 and elongated dust particles caught in the second air vent 246 can be reduced.

[0058] In order to enable the smooth removal of elongated dust particles caught in the second air vent 246, the opening edge of the second air vent 246 on the outer surface side of the filter unit 230 may be formed as shown in Fig. 12. The opening edge of the second air vent 246 in Fig. 12 is curved so as to widen as the second air vent 246 approaches the outer surface of the filter unit 230.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first air vents 245 open obliquely downward on the outer surface of the filter unit 230, but may open in other directions. For example, the first air vents 245 may be drilled horizontally. In this case, the first air vents 245 may be drilled in a direction in which air flows back from the direction of the swirling flow. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 , the first air vents 245 may be formed with an inner hole 248 drilled from the inner surface of the filter unit 230 and an outer hole 249 drilled from the outer surface of the filter unit 230. By forming the outer hole 249 at a position offset from the flow direction of the swirling flow relative to the inner hole 248, air flowing near the outer surface of the filter unit 230 can be sucked in the direction of the dotted arrow in FIG. 13 . However, dust contained in the swirling flow may be subjected to a larger inertial force than air. If the inertial force acting on the dust overcomes the suction force through the first vent hole 245 , the dust will flow downstream without being sucked into the first vent hole 245 .

[0060] 13 is narrowest at the connection between the inner hole portion 248 and the outer hole portion 249. In this case, the second air hole 246 is formed to open larger than the smallest portion of the first air hole 245.

[0061] In this embodiment, the filter portion 230 has a tapered cylindrical shape that narrows downward. Alternatively, the filter portion 230 may have a cylindrical shape that has a substantially constant diameter over the entire axial length of the filter portion 230.

[0062] In this embodiment, a plurality of first air vents 245 and a plurality of second air vents 246 are formed in the filter portion 230. Alternatively, if the suction capacity of the suction source 111 is high enough to generate a swirling flow in the upstream space 271 and allow this swirling flow to flow into the dust storage space 234, a single first air vent 245 and a single second air vent 246 may be formed in the filter portion 230.

[0063] Second Embodiment A collection device 400 shown in Fig. 14 may be used to enable a user to discharge dust from the dust collecting device 200 without touching the dust. The collection device 400 is configured to allow the vacuum cleaner 100 to be attached, and the collection device 400 supports the dust collecting device 200 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is attached to the collection device 400. The collection device 400 and the dust collecting device 200 constitute a cleaning tool set 500.

[0064] (Overall Structure of the Collection Device) The collection device 400 has a support plate 410 that is substantially rectangular in plan view, a housing 420 provided on the support plate 410, a cylindrical support portion 430 that extends upward from the top surface of the housing 420, and a pipe holder 440 provided on the front portion of the support portion 430. The upper end of the support portion 430 is configured to allow attachment of the dust container 210 of the dust collecting device 200, and the support portion 430 supports the dust container 210 when collecting dust from the dust collecting device 200 to the collection device 400. In addition, as shown in FIG. 15 , the support portion 430 has a flow path 431 that extends vertically to allow dust discharged from an opening at the bottom of the dust container 210 to fall.

[0065] 16 , the tube holding portion 440 is formed with a holding groove 441 that opens forward and extends in the vertical direction. The holding groove 441 has a shape complementary to the rear portion of the base end tube portion 121 of the vacuum cleaner 100. The provision of the tube holding portion 440 urges the user to position the suction tube 120 of the vacuum cleaner 100 in front of the housing 420 and support portion 430 of the collection device 400 and fit the base end tube portion 121 into the holding groove 441. In other words, the user is urged to attach the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 400 in a predetermined orientation.

[0066] Inside the housing 420, there are arranged a collection source 421 that generates a suction force for sucking dust out of the dust container 210 of the vacuum cleaner 100, and a collection unit 422 that stores the dust sucked out of the dust container 210. The collection unit 422 is arranged above the collection source 421, and a filter 423 that captures dust while allowing air to pass through is arranged between the collection unit 422 and the collection source 421. The collection source 421 is connected to the collection unit 422 via the filter 423.

[0067] The recovery source 421 and the recovery unit 422 are disposed within the housing 420 at a position rearward of the support unit 430. A connecting tube 424 is provided, extending forward from the front surface of the recovery unit 422 in a substantially horizontal position, to connect the internal space of the recovery unit 422 with the flow path 431 of the support unit 430. While the support unit 430 extends in the vertical direction, the connecting tube 424 is provided in a substantially horizontal position, so that a connection portion 425 between the support unit 430 and the connecting tube 424 has a curved shape. The axial length of the connecting tube 424 is shorter than the axial length of the support unit 430, preventing the housing 420 from becoming larger in the front-to-rear direction.

[0068] 3 and disengaged from the bottom portion 212, the collection source 421 is configured to generate a downward dust suction force sufficient to tilt the bottom portion 212 downward against the biasing force of the torsion spring 214. The collection source 421 is configured to suck out dust from the dust storage container 210 while maintaining the downwardly tilted attitude of the bottom portion 212. The collection source 421 may be configured, for example, by a motor that generates a rotational force and a rotating blade configured to generate a downward airflow when rotated by the motor.

[0069] The support part 430 has an outer cylinder 432 extending in the vertical direction, and an inner cylinder 433 extending in the vertical direction within the outer cylinder 432 so as to form the above-mentioned flow path 431. The inner cylinder 433 is arranged so that the upper end of the inner cylinder 433 is located lower than the upper end of the outer cylinder 432. More specifically, the inner cylinder 433 is provided within the outer cylinder 432 so that a tilting space 434 is formed between the upper end of the inner cylinder 433 and the upper end of the outer cylinder 432, allowing the bottom part 212 to tilt downward. The lower end part of the dust container 210 is fitted into the upper end part of the tilting space 434, as shown in FIG. 17 .

[0070] The outer cylinder 432 has a step 435 at a position facing the engaging claw 219 of the dust container 210 fitted into the tilting space 434, and a thin plate-like release portion 436 extends upward from the step 435. This release portion 436 is configured to come into contact with the engaging claw 219 and displace the engaging claw 219 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3 when the user fits the lower end portion of the dust container 210 into the tilting space 434 while holding the suction tube 120 in the tube holding portion 440. As a result, the engaging claw 219 changes from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 17, and the engagement between the engaging claw 219 and the bottom 212 is released.

[0071] (Operation of the Collection Device) After completing cleaning, the user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 400. That is, the user places the suction tube 120 of the vacuum cleaner 100 in front of the housing 420 and support portion 430 of the collection device 400. In this state, the user fits the base end tube portion 121 of the suction tube 120 into the holding groove 441 of the tube holding portion 440, while fitting the lower end portion of the dust container 210 into the upper end portion of the support portion 430. When the user presses the lower end portion of the dust container 210 down into the tilting space 434 at the upper end portion of the support portion 430, the release portion 436 comes into contact with the engaging claw portion 219, and the engaging claw portion 219 assumes the position shown in FIG. 17 . As a result, the engagement between the engaging claw portion 219 and the bottom portion 212 is released. In this state, the bottom 212 of the dust container 210 is held by the torsion spring 214 in a position that closes the opening at the lower end of the peripheral wall 211 .

[0072] Thereafter, when the collection source 421 is activated, the suction force of the collection source 421 acts on the bottom 212 of the dust container 210 through the collection portion 422, the connecting tube 424, and the support portion 430. The suction force of the collection source 421 causes the bottom 212 to tilt downward against the biasing force of the torsion spring 214, and the opening at the bottom end of the dust container 210 is opened. The suction force of the collection source 421 maintains this state, sucking out the dust from the dust container 210. The dust flows into the collection portion 422 through the support portion 430 and the connecting tube 424, and is accumulated in the collection portion 422.

[0073] 7 , when thin dust particles are caught in the second air vent 246 of the filter unit 230, the suction force of the collection source 421 acts to pull the thin dust particles downward. Because the second air vent 246 is relatively large, the thin dust particles can be easily pulled downward from the second air vent 246 by the suction force of the collection source 421.

[0074] Third Embodiment In the dust collecting device 200 of the first embodiment, the partition 233 divides a part of the annular space 232 into upper and lower spaces. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 18 , the partition 233 may divide the entire circumference of the annular space 232 into upper and lower spaces. In this case, the guide 237 and the dust stopper 244 may be omitted from the dust collecting device 200.

[0075] 18 is provided at the same height as the partition 233 of the first embodiment. The space below the partition 233 is used to store dust, as in the first embodiment, and will be referred to as a "dust storage space 234" in the following description. On the other hand, the space above the partition 233 is used to separate the dust by centrifugal separation, and will be referred to as a "separation space 272" in the following description.

[0076] 18 is smaller than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall portion 211, and an annular gap 247 is formed between the outer edge of the partition portion 233 and the inner peripheral surface 217 of the peripheral wall portion 211. This annular gap 247 is provided to allow dust separated by centrifugal force in the separation space 272 to fall into the dust storage space 234 by gravity.

[0077] The dust collecting device 200 shown in FIG. 18 can be attached to the vacuum cleaner 100 shown in FIG. 1 . When the suction source 111 shown in FIG. 1 is activated, dust-laden air flows into the separation space 272 through the inlet 239. This air then becomes a swirling flow that flows through the separation space 272. Due to the centrifugal force of the swirling flow, the dust contained in this air is separated by centrifugation and flows near the inner circumferential surface 217 of the peripheral wall portion 211. This dust circulates within the dust storage container 210 on the swirling flow and gradually descends due to gravity. This dust then falls into the dust storage space 234 through the annular gap 247. At this time, the air in the dust storage space 234 is sucked into the filter portion 230 through the second air vent 246, so that some of the air in the separation space 272 can flow into the dust storage space 234 through the annular gap 247. The flow of air from the separation space 272 to the dust storage space 234 through the annular gap 247 further promotes the inflow of dust into the dust storage space 234 .

[0078] The dust storage space 234 is separated from the separation space 272 by the partition 233 along its entire periphery, and the swirling air flow in this dust storage space 234 is not as strong as in the dust storage space 234 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the centrifugal force acting on the dust that falls into the dust storage space 234 is small, and the dust is attracted to the filter portion 230 together with the air flowing into the second air vent 246. As a result, the dust in the dust storage space 234 is adsorbed to the filter portion 230. In other words, the dust is pressed against the filter portion 230 and compressed. At this time, elongated dust may become caught in the second air vent 246, but because the second air vent 246 is relatively large, the dust can be easily pulled out through the second air vent 246.

[0079] In the third embodiment, the second ventilation holes 246 may have various shapes. That is, the shapes shown in Fig. 4(b) and Fig. 9 to Fig. 12 may be adopted for the second ventilation holes 246. Furthermore, the shapes shown in Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 13 may be adopted for the first ventilation holes 245.

[0080] In the third embodiment, the second air vents 246 may also be formed so that the opening direction of the second air vents 246 on the outer surface of the filter unit 230 faces downward.

[0081] The dust collected in the dust collecting device 200 of the third embodiment may be disposed of by the user himself / herself, or the recovery device 400 of the second embodiment may be used to dispose of this dust.

[0082] In the third embodiment, a plurality of first air vents 245 and a plurality of second air vents 246 are formed in the filter unit 230. Alternatively, if the suction capacity of the suction source 111 is high, a single first air vent 245 and a single second air vent 246 may be formed in the filter unit 230. If the suction source 111 has high suction capacity, a swirling flow can be generated in the separation space 272 and dust can be compressed in the dust storage space 234.

[0083] In the first and third 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.

[0084] The dust collecting device 200 of the first and third embodiments has the partition 233. Alternatively, the partition 233 may be omitted. In this case, the function of the partition 233 to prevent dust from flying up from the dust storage space 234 is lost. However, even without the partition 233, dust can accumulate on the bottom 212 when the suction source 111 is stopped.

[0085] A swirling flow is generated in the dust collecting device 200 of the first and third embodiments. Alternatively, the dust collecting device 200 may be configured to store dust without generating a swirling flow. The first air vent 245 and the second air vent 246 may be formed in the filter unit 230 of this dust collecting device 200, which can suppress the inflow of air into the filter unit 230 and facilitate the removal of elongated dust hanging below the dust collecting device 200.

[0086] In the first to third 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.

[0087] (Effects, etc.) The technology according to the above-described embodiment has the following features and provides the following effects.

[0088] A dust collecting device according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment is attached to a vacuum cleaner having a suction source that generates suction force to suck in dust. The dust collecting device includes a dust container having an inlet for allowing dust-laden air to flow in by the suction force of the suction source and configured to store dust, and a filter unit having first and second air vents formed at different heights and configured to capture dust in the dust container while allowing air to flow in from the dust container by the suction force of the suction source. The dust container has a bottom that opens and closes an opening at the lower end of the dust container. The second air vent is formed closer to the bottom than the first air vent and is larger than the first air vent.

[0089] In the above-described configuration, when the suction source is activated, air containing dust flows into the dust container through the inlet, and then the air in the dust container flows into the filter unit through the first and second air holes of the filter unit.

[0090] The smaller the first and second air holes are, the more fine dust particles the filter can capture. However, when thin dust particles such as hair get caught in the first and second air holes, it takes a lot of force to pull the thin dust particles out of the first and second air holes.

[0091] The first vent hole is farther from the bottom than the second vent hole. Therefore, even if the bottom opens the opening at the bottom of the dust container, the elongated dust particles caught in the first vent hole are less likely to leak out of the dust container through the opening. On the other hand, the elongated dust particles caught in the second vent hole, which is located relatively close to the bottom, are more likely to leak out of the dust container through the opening.

[0092] A user may wish to remove any elongated dust particles that have protruded from the dust container, and in the above configuration, the second vent is relatively large, allowing the user to easily remove the elongated dust particles through the second vent.

[0093] In the above-described configuration, the second air hole may open downward or obliquely downward on the outer surface of the filter portion.

[0094] In the above-described configuration, a user may attempt to pull out thin particles of dust that have protruded from the opening at the lower end of the peripheral wall portion downward. At this time, because the second air vent opens downward or diagonally downward, the direction of the force exerted by the user and the opening direction of the second air vent are substantially aligned, and the thin particles of dust can be pulled out downward without rubbing against the filter portion with excessive force.

[0095] In the above-described configuration, the filter unit may be housed within the dust container so as to form an annular space between itself and a peripheral wall of the dust container. The dust container may be configured so that air flowing into the annular space through the inlet becomes a swirling flow.

[0096] In the above-described configuration, air flowing into the dust container through the inlet becomes a swirling flow that flows through the annular space formed between the filter unit and the peripheral wall of the dust container. Due to the centrifugal force of the swirling flow, dust contained in this air tends to flow near the peripheral wall of the dust container rather than near the filter unit. Therefore, clogging of the first and second air holes in the filter unit is less likely to occur.

[0097] In the above-described configuration, the filter portion may have a shape that narrows downward.

[0098] In the above-described configuration, the filter portion has a shape that narrows downward, so the distance from the peripheral wall of the dust container to the filter portion increases downward, which prevents dust flowing near the peripheral wall of the dust container from entering the second vent hole, which is formed at a relatively low position.

[0099] In the above-described configuration, the dust collecting device may further include a partition section provided at a position lower than the inlet so as to separate a portion of the annular space into upper and lower sections, a guide section that guides the swirling flow that has passed through the upstream space that is the space above the partition section and communicates with the inlet to the dust storage space that is the space below the partition section, and a dust stopper that retains the dust that has flowed into the dust storage space while allowing the air that has flowed into the dust storage space to escape from the dust storage space.

[0100] In the above-described configuration, air flowing in through the inlet becomes a swirling flow and passes through the upstream space, which is the space above the partition. This swirling flow is then guided by the guide portion into the dust storage space, which is the space below the partition. The air flowing into the dust storage space can flow downstream past the dust stopper, but the dust contained in this air is retained in the dust storage space by the dust stopper. As a result, the dust accumulates in the dust storage space. Because the dust storage space is separated from the upstream space by the partition, dust accumulated in the dust storage space is prevented from floating up into the upstream space.

[0101] In the above-described configuration, the second air hole may be open toward the dust storage space below the partition.

[0102] In the above-described configuration, the second air vent opens toward the dust storage space below the partition, so even if thin dust particles get caught in this second air vent, the dust particles can be pulled downward without being obstructed by the partition.

[0103] In the above-described configuration, the dust collecting device may further include a partition provided at a position lower than the inlet so as to divide the annular space into upper and lower spaces. The partition is radially spaced apart from the peripheral wall of the dust storage container so as to allow dust contained in the swirling flow to fall by gravity into the dust storage space, which is the space below the partition.

[0104] In the above-described configuration, air flowing into the dust container through the inlet becomes a swirling flow that flows through the space above the partition. Due to the centrifugal force of the swirling flow, dust contained in this swirling flow flows near the peripheral wall of the dust container rather than near the filter. Because the partition is radially spaced from the peripheral wall of the dust container, dust flowing near the peripheral wall of the dust container falls by gravity through the gap between the peripheral wall of the dust container and the partition into the dust storage space below the partition. As a result, the dust is accumulated in the dust storage space.

[0105] In the above-described configuration, the second air hole may be open toward the dust storage space below the partition.

[0106] In the above-described configuration, air from the dust storage space is sucked in through the second air vent, encouraging dust in the space above the partition to flow into the dust storage space through the space between the partition and the peripheral wall. Because the dust storage space is separated from the space above the partition by the partition, the swirling air above the partition is prevented from flowing into the dust storage space. When the air from the dust storage space is sucked into the second air vent by the suction force of the suction source, the dust in the dust storage space is attracted to the filter and may become adsorbed to the outer surface of the filter. While thin, elongated dust particles may become caught in the second air vent, the large opening area of ​​the second air vent allows the user to easily remove the thin, elongated dust particles.

[0107] In the above-described configuration, the first air hole may be formed on the upper side of the partition portion.

[0108] In the above-described configuration, even if thin dust particles become caught in the first air vent, the partition portion is provided below the first air vent, so the thin dust particles are unlikely to hang down beyond the partition portion.

[0109] In the above-described configuration, the filter portion may have a shape that narrows downward.

[0110] In the above-described configuration, the filter portion has a shape that narrows downward, so the dust storage space below the partition portion is wide, and therefore a large amount of dust can be stored in the dust storage space.

[0111] A vacuum cleaner according to another aspect of the above-described embodiments includes a suction source that generates a suction force for sucking in dust, the above-described dust collecting device, and a suction pipe that forms a flow path through which dust-laden air flows by the suction force of the suction source. The flow path of the suction pipe communicates with an inlet of the dust collecting device.

[0112] In the above-described configuration, when the suction source is activated, air containing dust flows through the flow path of the suction pipe, and then flows into the dust collector through the inlet of the dust collector.

[0113] A collection device according to another aspect of the above-described embodiment includes a support portion configured to support the above-described dust collecting device, and a collection source that applies a downward suction force to the bottom of the dust storage container of the dust collecting device supported by the support portion to open the opening of the dust storage container and suck out the dust inside the dust storage container.

[0114] In the above-described configuration, the dust collection source applies a downward suction force to the bottom of the dust container to open the opening of the dust container. In this state, dust inside the dust container is sucked downward by the suction force of the collection source. At this time, because the second air hole is relatively large, elongated dust particles caught in the second air hole can be pulled downward through the second air hole by the suction force of the collection source.

[0115] A cleaning tool set according to another aspect of the above-described embodiment includes the above-described dust collecting device and a collection device that collects dust from the dust collecting device. The collection device has a support configured to support the dust collecting device, and a collection source that applies a downward suction force to a bottom of a dust storage container of the dust collecting device supported by the support, opening the opening of the dust storage container and sucking out the dust inside the dust storage container.

[0116] The techniques of the above-described embodiments are suitably used in devices used 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 an inlet for allowing dust-laden air to flow in by the suction force of the suction source and configured to store dust; and a filter section having first and second air vents formed at different heights and configured to capture dust in the dust storage container while allowing air in the dust storage container to flow in by the suction force of the suction source, wherein the dust storage container has a bottom that opens and closes an opening at the lower end of the dust storage container, and the second air vent is formed at a position closer to the bottom than the first air vent and is larger than the first air vent.

2. A dust collecting device as described in claim 1, wherein the second air hole opens downward or obliquely downward on the outer surface of the filter portion.

3. A dust collecting device as described in claim 1, wherein the filter portion is accommodated within the dust storage container so as to form an annular space between itself and a peripheral wall portion of the dust storage container, and the dust storage container is configured so that air flowing into the annular space through the inlet becomes a swirling flow.

4. The dust collecting device according to claim 3, wherein the filter portion has a shape that narrows downward.

5. A dust collecting device as described in claim 3, further comprising: a partition portion provided at a position lower than the inlet so as to separate a portion of the annular space into upper and lower portions; a guide portion that guides the swirling flow that has passed through an upstream space that is above the partition portion and communicates with the inlet, to a dust storage space that is a space below the partition portion; and a dust stopper that retains dust that has flowed into the dust storage space while allowing air that has flowed into the dust storage space to escape from the dust storage space.

6. A dust collecting device as described in claim 5, wherein the second air hole opens toward the dust storage space below the partition.

7. A dust collecting device as described in claim 3, further comprising a partition portion provided at a position lower than the inlet so as to divide the annular space into upper and lower portions, the partition portion being radially spaced from the peripheral wall portion of the dust storage container so as to allow dust contained in the swirling flow to fall by gravity into the dust storage space, which is the space below the partition portion.

8. A dust collecting device as described in claim 7, wherein the second air hole opens toward the dust storage space below the partition.

9. A dust collecting device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the first air vent is formed on the upper side of the partition.

10. A dust collecting device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the filter portion has a shape that narrows downward.

11. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction source that generates a suction force to suck up dust; a dust collecting device as described in claim 1 or 2; and a suction pipe that forms a flow path through which air containing dust flows by the suction force of the suction source, the flow path of the suction pipe being connected to the inlet of the dust collecting device.

12. A collection device comprising: a support portion configured to be capable of supporting the dust collecting device described in claim 1 or 2; and a collection source that applies a downward suction force to the bottom of the dust storage container of the dust collecting device supported by the support portion to open the opening of the dust storage container and suck out dust within the dust storage container.

13. A cleaning tool set comprising: a dust collecting device as defined in claim 1 or 2; and a recovery device which recovers dust from the dust collecting device, wherein the recovery device has a support part configured to support the dust collecting device; and a recovery source which applies a downward suction force to the bottom of the dust storage container of the dust collecting device supported by the support part to open the opening of the dust storage container and suck out the dust within the dust storage container.

Images