Dust collection device, cleaner comprising dust collection device, recovery device for collecting dust from dust collection device, and cleaning tool set comprising dust collection device and recovery device

Abstract

A dust collection device according to the present disclosure comprises: a dust storage container which has an inflow port into which dust-containing air flows when a suction source is operated, and which is configured so that the air flowing in through the inflow port becomes a swirling flow; and a filter part which is housed in the dust storage container so as to form an annular space in which the swirling flow flows between the filter part and a peripheral wall part of the dust storage container, and which captures dust while sucking in the air in the annular space by means of a suction force of the suction source. The dust storage container may have a bottom part that opens and closes an opening at the lower end of the dust storage container. A first vent hole for sucking in air in a direction which is the reverse of the direction in which the swirling flow flows and a second vent hole provided in a position closer to the bottom part than the first vent hole may be formed in the filter part. The axial length of the second vent hole is shorter than the axial length of the first vent hole.

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. 18. 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] 19 , 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 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 20, 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 above-mentioned swirling air flows through this annular space. As shown in FIG. 21 , 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 through which dust-laden air flows by the suction force of the suction source, and a filter unit housed within the dust container so as to form an annular space between the dust container and a peripheral wall thereof through which the swirl flow flows, and which captures dust while sucking in the air within the annular space 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 filter unit is formed with a first air vent hole obliquely formed on the outer surface of the filter unit so as to draw in air in a direction that turns back from the direction of the swirl flow, and a second air vent hole located closer to the bottom than the first air vent hole. The axial length of the second air vent hole is shorter than that of the first air vent hole.

[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. 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 the dust collecting device around the first air vent and the second air vent 8. Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dust collecting device around the second air vent 9. Longitudinal cross-sectional view of another dust collecting device 10. Cross-sectional view of the dust collecting device around the second air vent 11. Cross-sectional view of the dust collecting device around the first air vent 12. Perspective view of a cleaning tool set (second embodiment) 13. Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cleaning tool set 14. Perspective view of a collection device of the cleaning tool set 15. Longitudinal cross-sectional view of a part of the collection device 16. Perspective view of a dust collecting device (third embodiment) 17. Perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner 18. Perspective view of a dust collecting device of a conventional vacuum cleaner 19. Cross-sectional view of a conventional dust collecting device 20. 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 portion 230 is formed with a large number of ventilation holes that are large enough to allow air to pass through while capturing dust. In the following description, those ventilation holes that are located higher than the partition portion 233 are referred to as "first ventilation holes 245." In the following description, those ventilation holes that are located lower than the partition portion 233 and higher than the lower end of the dust stopper 244 are referred to as "second ventilation holes 246." In this embodiment, the first ventilation holes 245 and the second ventilation holes 246 are drilled in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0037] 4( a), the first air vents 245 are formed in a direction in which air flows in a direction that turns back from the direction in which the swirling flow flows. That is, the first air vents 245 are formed so that the opening positions of the first air vents 245 on the outer surface of the filter unit 230 are shifted in the direction in which the swirling flow flows from the opening positions of the first air vents 245 on the inner surface of the filter unit 230. In other words, in a plan view, the first air vents 245 extend in an oblique direction relative to the outer surface of the filter unit 230.

[0038] When the first air vent 245 is formed as shown in Fig. 4(a), air flowing near the outer surface of the filter unit 230 can be sucked in the direction of the dotted arrow in Fig. 4(a). On the other hand, when dust flows near the outer surface of the filter unit 230, a larger inertial force can act on the dust compared to air. If the inertial force acting on the dust overcomes the suction force acting through the first air vent 245, the dust flows downstream without being sucked into the first air vent 245.

[0039] 4(b), the second air vents 246 are formed so that the opening positions of the second air vents 246 on the outer surface of the filter unit 230 are not shifted in the flow direction of the swirling flow relative to the opening positions of the second air vents 246 on the inner surface of the filter unit 230. In other words, in a plan view, the second air vents 246 extend in a direction approximately perpendicular to the outer surface of the filter unit 230. Therefore, the axial length of the second air vents 246 is shorter than the axial length of the first air vents 245. The axial lengths of the first air vents 245 and the second air vents 246 can be defined as the length of a line segment connecting the center of the opening area on the inner surface of the filter unit 230 and the center of the opening area on the outer surface of the filter unit 230.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] Note that no swirling flow 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.

[0044] (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.

[0045] 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 portion 230, and less dust is adsorbed to the filter portion 230.

[0046] When the swirling flow is flowing through the upstream space 271, air near the filter unit 230 is subjected to the suction force of the suction source 111 through the first air vent 245. As shown in FIG. 4( a), the first air vent 245 is formed so that air flows in a direction that turns back from the direction of the swirling flow. However, because the inertial force acting on the air is small, the air can turn back from the direction of the swirling flow and flow into the first air vent 245. In other words, the suction force acting on the air through the first air vent 245 overcomes the inertial force of the air, allowing the air to pass through the first air vent 245 and flow into the filter unit 230. 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 upper cover unit 220.

[0047] When dust is contained in the air flowing into the first air vent 245, the inertial force acting on the dust is greater than the inertial force acting on the air. Therefore, the inertial force acting on the dust is likely to be greater than the suction force acting on the dust through the first air vent 245. In this case, the dust can flow downstream on the swirling flow without being sucked into the first air vent 245. In other words, dust is less likely to flow into the first air vent 245, and clogging of the first air vent 245 is less likely to occur. Although fine dust may flow into the filter unit 230 through the first air vent 245, such dust is captured by the filter 112 installed on the top cover unit 220.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] As described above, the swirling flow flows not only through spaces formed at a higher position than the partition portion 233 (the upstream space 271 and the upper part of the guide space 243), but also through spaces formed at a lower position than the partition portion 233 (the dust storage space 234 and the lower part of the guide space 243). Therefore, even in spaces formed at a lower position 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, the inflow of dust into the filter portion 230 through the second air vent 246 is suppressed to some extent.

[0052] 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.

[0053] As described above, even after the dust has been disposed of, it is expected that thin, elongated particles of dust (e.g., hair) may 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 caught in the first vent hole 245 do not give the user a sense of unsanitary conditions.

[0054] 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.

[0055] If the second vent hole 246 were formed at an angle similar to the first vent hole 245 in FIG. 4( a), the inflow of dust into the second vent hole 246 would be suppressed, but the contact area between the elongated dust particles caught in the second vent hole 246 and the filter unit 230 would be increased. On the other hand, if the second vent hole 246 were formed as shown in FIG. 4( b), the axial length of the second vent hole 246 would be shortened, and the contact area between the elongated dust particles caught in the second vent hole 246 and the filter unit 230 would be reduced. This reduction in contact area reduces the force required to remove the elongated dust particles from the second vent hole 246. Therefore, if a user pulls the elongated dust particles protruding downward from the dust container 210, the dust particles can be easily removed through the second vent hole 246.

[0056] The thickness of the filter unit 230 shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b) is approximately equal in the portion where the first air vent 245 is formed and in the portion where the second air vent 246 is formed. Alternatively, in order to reduce the contact area between the filter unit 230 and elongated dust particles caught in the second air vent 246, the thickness of the filter unit 230 may be set to a smaller value in the portion where the second air vent 246 is formed, as shown in Figure 8. That is, in the filter unit 230 of Figure 8, the thickness in the portion where the second air vent 246 is formed is smaller than the thickness in the portion where the first air vent 245 is formed. Note that in this case, the second air vent 246 may be formed in the same direction as the first air vent 245. Even if the second air vents 246 are formed obliquely like the first air vents 245, the axial length of the second air vents 246 can be shorter than the axial length of the first air vents 245 by the amount of the reduction in the thickness of the filter portion 230. Furthermore, by forming the second air vents 246 in the same direction as the first air vents 245, the same effect of suppressing the inflow of dust into the first air vents 245 can be obtained.

[0057] The second air vents 246 shown in Fig. 4(b) are drilled in a substantially horizontal direction. However, because the filter unit 230 has a tapered shape that narrows toward the bottom, the second air vents 246 are drilled at an angle to the outer surface of the filter unit 230 in a vertical cross section of the filter unit 230, as shown in Fig. 9(a). By drilling the second air vents 246 perpendicular to the outer surface of the filter unit 230, as shown in Fig. 9(b), the axial length of the second air vents 246 can be further reduced.

[0058] 9(b) opens obliquely downward on the outer surface of the filter part 230. Therefore, when a user pulls dust downward, the dust can be pulled out without being rubbed against the filter part 230 too strongly.

[0059] The second air vents 246 shown in Fig. 9 open horizontally or diagonally downward on the outer surface of the filter unit 230. Additionally or alternatively, as shown in Fig. 10, second air vents 246 that open downward may be provided on the outer surface of the filter unit 230.

[0060] 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. 11. The opening edge of the second air vent 246 in Fig. 11 is curved so as to widen as the second air vent 246 approaches the outer surface of the filter unit 230.

[0061] The first vent hole 245 shown in FIG. 4( a) has a substantially constant size throughout the axial length of the first vent hole 245. Alternatively, the first vent hole 245 may be formed as shown in FIG. 12. The first vent hole 245 shown in FIG. 12 may be configured with an inner hole 248 drilled from the inner surface side of the filter unit 230 and an outer hole 249 drilled from the outer surface side of the filter unit 230. Because the outer hole 249 is formed at a position offset from the inner hole 248 in the flow direction of the swirling flow, air flowing near the outer surface of the filter unit 230 can be sucked in in the direction of the dotted arrow in FIG. 12. The axial length of the first vent hole 245 shown in FIG. 12 may be defined as the length of a line segment connecting the center of the opening area of ​​the inner hole 248 on the inner surface of the filter unit 230 and the center of the opening area of ​​the outer hole 249 on the outer surface of the filter unit 230. The second vent hole 246 is formed so that the axial length of the second vent hole 246 is shorter than the length of this line segment.

[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. 13 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. 14 , 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] 15, 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 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. 16 .

[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. 16, 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. 16 . 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 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] When thin, elongated dust particles become caught in the second air vent 246 of the filter unit 230 as shown in Figure 7, the suction force of the collection source 421 acts to pull the thin, elongated dust particles downward. Because the axial length of the second air vent 246 is relatively short, the frictional force acting on the thin, elongated dust particles when they are pulled out is small. Therefore, the suction force of the collection source 421 allows the thin, elongated dust particles to be easily pulled downward through the second air vent 246.

[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. 17 , 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] 17 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] 17 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. 17 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 the action of 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 dust that falls into the dust storage space 234 is small, and the dust is attracted to the filter unit 230 along 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 unit 230. In other words, the dust is pressed against the filter unit 230 and compressed. At this time, thin, elongated dust particles may become caught in the second air vent 246, but because the axial length of the second air vent 246 is relatively short, the frictional force acting on the dust particles is small. Therefore, the dust particles can be easily removed 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), Fig. 9(b), and Fig. 11 may be adopted for the second ventilation holes 246. Furthermore, the shapes shown in Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 12 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 portion 230 faces diagonally downward or downward.

[0081] In the third embodiment, the thickness of the filter portion 230 may be smaller in the portion where the second air vent 246 is formed than in the portion where the first air vent 245 is formed.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] In the first to 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.

[0085] In the first to third embodiments, 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.

[0086] The dust collecting device 200 of the first to third embodiments has a partition 233. Alternatively, the partition 233 may be omitted. In this case, the first air vent 245 is formed at a position high enough that even if long, thin dust particles are caught in the first air vent 245, the dust particles will not protrude from the opening at the bottom end of the dust storage container 210. The second air vent 246 is formed at a position lower than this height position.

[0087] 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.

[0088] (Effects, etc.) The technology according to the above-described embodiment has the following features and provides the following effects.

[0089] 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 through which dust-laden air flows by the suction force of the suction source, and configured to cause the air flowing in through the inlet to become a swirling flow. The dust container has a filter unit housed within the dust container so as to form an annular space between itself and a peripheral wall of the dust container and through which the swirling flow flows, and the filter unit captures dust while sucking in the air within the annular space by the suction force of the suction source. The dust container has a bottom that opens and closes an opening at the bottom of the dust container. The filter unit is formed with a first air vent hole obliquely formed on the outer surface of the filter unit so as to draw in air in a direction turning back from the direction of the swirling flow, and a second air vent hole located closer to the bottom than the first air vent hole. The axial length of the second air vent hole is shorter than that of the first air vent hole.

[0090] In the above-described configuration, when the suction source is activated, dust-laden air flows into the dust container through the inlet. This air becomes a swirling flow that flows through the annular space formed between the peripheral wall of the dust container and the filter. At this time, the centrifugal force of the swirling flow causes the dust contained in the swirling flow to flow near the peripheral wall of the dust container rather than near the filter. This prevents dust from clogging the first and second air vents.

[0091] To further prevent the first vent from becoming clogged with dust, the first vent is configured to draw air in a direction that turns back from the direction of the swirling flow. In this case, a larger inertial force acts on the dust flowing with the swirling flow than on the air, so even if air is drawn into the first vent, the dust can flow downstream without being drawn into the first vent.

[0092] If the first air vent were provided in the filter unit near the bottom of the dust container, the effect of preventing dust clogging at the bottom of the filter unit would be achieved, but the following problem could arise: If long, thin dust particles such as hair become caught in the first air vent near the bottom, when the bottom opens the opening at the bottom of the dust container, the dust could hang down to the bottom of the dust container through the opening. It is expected that a user would want to remove the long, thin dust particles that have protruded from the dust container, but removing this dust is difficult for the following reasons.

[0093] That is, the first air vents are formed obliquely relative to the outer surface of the filter unit so as to draw air in a direction that turns back from the direction of the swirling airflow, resulting in a long axial length of the first air vents. If elongated dust particles become trapped in such first air vents, the contact area between the dust particles and the filter unit increases. As a result, the force required to remove the elongated dust particles through the first air vents increases. To solve this problem, the above-described configuration provides second air vents that have an axial length shorter than that of the first air vents at a position relatively close to the bottom. Even if elongated dust particles become trapped in the second air vents, the short axial length of the second air vents prevents the contact area between the dust particles and the filter unit from becoming excessively large. Therefore, the force required to remove elongated dust particles trapped in the second air vents does not become too large, allowing the user to easily remove the dust particles through the second air vents.

[0094] In the above-described configuration, the filter portion may have a shape that narrows downward.

[0095] 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 air hole formed at a relatively low position.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] In the above-described configuration, the second air hole may be open toward the dust storage space below the partition.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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 may be spaced radially 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 below the partition.

[0101] 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.

[0102] In the above-described configuration, the second air hole may be open toward the dust storage space below the partition.

[0103] In the above-described configuration, air from the dust storage space is sucked 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 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 elongated dust particles may become trapped in the second air vent, the short axial length of the second air vent reduces the contact area between the dust particles and the filter. This reduces the force required to remove the dust particles, allowing the user to easily remove the elongated dust particles.

[0104] In the above-described configuration, the first air hole may be formed on the upper side of the partition portion.

[0105] 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.

[0106] In the above-described configuration, the filter portion may have a shape that narrows downward.

[0107] 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.

[0108] A vacuum cleaner according to another aspect of the above-described embodiments may include 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 may be in communication with an inlet of the dust collecting device.

[0109] 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.

[0110] A collection device according to another aspect of the above-described embodiment may include 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.

[0111] In the above-described configuration, the collection source applies a downward suction force to the bottom of the dust container, opening 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 axial length of the second air hole is relatively short, the frictional force acting on the elongated dust particles caught in the second air hole when pulling out the dust particles is small. Therefore, the dust particles can be pulled downward through the second air hole by the suction force of the collection source.

[0112] A cleaning tool set according to another aspect of the above-described embodiment may include the above-described dust collecting device and a recovery device that recovers dust from the dust collecting device. The recovery device may have a support configured to support the dust collecting device, and a recovery 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.

[0113] 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 through which dust-laden air flows in due to the suction force of the suction source, and configured so that the air flowing in through the inlet becomes a swirling flow; and a filter section that is contained within the dust storage container so as to form an annular space between itself and a peripheral wall of the dust storage container and through which the swirling flow flows, and that captures dust while sucking in the air within the annular space with the suction force of the suction source; the dust storage container has a bottom that opens and closes an opening at the lower end of the dust storage container, and the filter section is formed with a first air vent hole that is obliquely drilled with respect to the outer surface of the filter section so as to suck in air in a direction turning back from the direction in which the swirling flow flows, and a second air vent hole that is provided at a position closer to the bottom than the first air vent hole, and the axial length of the second air vent hole is shorter than the axial length of the first air vent hole.

2. The dust collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the filter portion has a shape that narrows downward.

3. A dust collecting device as described in claim 1, further comprising: 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 an upstream space that is above the partition section and communicates with the inlet, to a dust storage space that is a space below the partition section; 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.

4. A dust collecting device as described in claim 3, wherein the second air hole opens toward the dust storage space below the partition.

5. A dust collecting device as described in claim 1, 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.

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 or 4, wherein the first air hole is formed on the upper side of the partition portion.

8. A dust collecting device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the filter portion has a shape that narrows downward.

9. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction source that generates a suction force to suck up dust; a dust collecting device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6; 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.

10. A collection device comprising: a support portion configured to support a dust collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; 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.

11. A cleaning tool set comprising: a dust collecting device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6; 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.

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