Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a suction device that suctions air; and a circulation part (120) that forms a flow path (121) through which the air suctioned by the suction device flows. The vacuum cleaner is also provided with a suction part (130) that forms a suction space (133) having a flow opening (131) that is an end portion of the flow path (121) and having a suction port (132) that faces a surface to be cleaned. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner comprises: a first electrode (141) disposed in the suction part (130); and a second electrode (142) disposed in the suction part (130), in a state of being separated from the first electrode (141). Moreover, the vacuum cleaner includes a through-type take-in hole (150) disposed so that some of the air suctioned by the suction device is taken in from the outside of the suction part (130) and circulated between the first electrode (141) and the second electrode (142).

Description

vacuum cleaner

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vacuum cleaners.

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technology in which a device for generating plasma is provided in the head of a vacuum cleaner, and the plasma is used to break down oil and other substances adhering to the surface to be cleaned. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which a plasma generator for generating active species that are sent to the surface to be cleaned, such as a carpet, and a gas supply unit for supplying gas to the plasma generator are provided in the head of the vacuum cleaner. Patent Document 2 describes a technology in which a suction hole for supplying air to the plasma generator and an exhaust hole for exhausting the plasma are provided in the head of the vacuum cleaner.

[0003] JP 2005-137417 A JP 2012-513261 A

[0004] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 requires the installation of a plasma generator and a gas supply unit in the head, and also requires a device to stop the plasma generator and the gas supply unit when cleaning is stopped, which increases the size and weight of the head. Also, the technology described in Patent Document 2 has the problem that ozone gas generated by the plasma leaks from the exhaust hole.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a vacuum cleaner that can stop the supply of plasma gas when air suction for the vacuum cleaner stops without providing any special device, and that can suppress an increase in the size and weight of the head.

[0006] A vacuum cleaner according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a suction device that sucks air, a flow passage that forms a flow path through which the air sucked by the suction device flows, a suction section that forms a suction space having a flow opening at the end of the flow passage and a suction port facing a surface to be cleaned. The vacuum cleaner according to one aspect of the present disclosure also includes a first electrode disposed within the suction section and a second electrode disposed within the suction section and spaced apart from the first electrode. The vacuum cleaner according to one aspect of the present disclosure also includes a through-hole that is arranged to take in a portion of the air sucked by the suction device from outside the suction section and allow it to flow between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0007] According to one aspect of the vacuum cleaner of the present disclosure, when the suction of air for the vacuum cleaner stops, the supply of plasma gas can also be stopped without providing any special device, and an increase in the size and weight of the head can be suppressed.

[0008] Fig. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a suction unit of the vacuum cleaner of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the suction unit is cut along line A-A in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a diagram simply showing the configuration of a dust storage unit and a suction device of the vacuum cleaner of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a vacuum cleaner of modified example 1. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a vacuum cleaner of modified example 2. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between electrodes and a power supply device. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between electrodes and a power supply device of a modified example.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of a vacuum cleaner according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are presented as examples to explain the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, mathematical formulas, the content of each step in a method, and the order of each step shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and may include content not described below. Furthermore, while geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, these expressions do not indicate mathematical precision and include substantially acceptable errors, deviations, etc. Furthermore, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include substantially acceptable ranges.

[0010] The drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omission, or adjustment of proportions has been appropriately made to explain the present disclosure, and differ from the actual shapes, positional relationships, and proportions. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in the drawings represent Cartesian coordinates arbitrarily set for the purpose of illustrating the drawings. In other words, the Z-axis is not necessarily an axis along the vertical direction, and the X-axis and Y-axis are not necessarily located within a horizontal plane.

[0011] In addition, in the following, a plurality of disclosures may be collectively described as one embodiment, and some of the contents described below may be described as optional components related to the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of a canister-type vacuum cleaner 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a suction unit 130 of the vacuum cleaner 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the suction unit 130 cut along line A-A in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dust storage unit 160 and a suction device 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100 of FIG. 1 in a simplified manner. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a stick-type vacuum cleaner 100 of Modified Example 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a robot-type vacuum cleaner 100 of Modified Example 2. The vacuum cleaner 100 is a device that sucks in dust along with air and retains the dust separated from the air within the vacuum cleaner body 101. The type of vacuum cleaner 100 is not limited, but the canister-type vacuum cleaner 100 shown in FIG. 1 is shown as an example. The vacuum cleaner 100 includes a suction device 110, a flow section 120, a suction section 130, a first electrode 141, a second electrode 142, and an intake hole 150. In the present embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a collection filter 163 (details of which will be described later) as shown in FIG.

[0013] The suction device 110 is a device that sucks air from the suction section 130 through the flow section 120, and is housed within the vacuum cleaner body 101. The type of suction device 110 is not limited, but an example is the suction device 110 shown in FIG. 4. This suction device 110 includes a fan 111 that sucks air from the flow section 120 through a dust storage section 160 having a dust collection filter 161, and an electric motor 112 that rotates the fan 111. Note that although the dust collection filter 161 is exemplified as a device that separates dust and air, dust and air may also be separated by a cyclone-type particle separator 162 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0014] The circulating portion 120 is a portion that forms a flow passage 121 through which the air sucked by the suction device 110 flows. The structure of the circulating portion 120 is not limited, but in the case of a canister-type vacuum cleaner 100, as shown in FIG. 1, the circulating portion 120 includes a flexible hose 122 and a hard pipe 124. Note that the circulating portion 120 does not have to include the hose 122 as in the stick-type vacuum cleaner 100 shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the circulating portion 120 may be provided inside the vacuum cleaner body 101 as in the robot-type vacuum cleaner 100 shown in FIG. 6.

[0015] The suction unit 130 is a part that comes into contact with or approaches the surface to be cleaned during cleaning, and sucks in dust along with air. The suction unit 130 forms a suction space 133 having a flow opening 131 (shown by a dashed line in FIG. 3 ) at the end of the flow passage 121 and a suction port 132 (shown by a dashed line in FIG. 3 ) that faces the surface to be cleaned during cleaning. In the case of a canister-type vacuum cleaner 100 as shown in FIG. 1 or a stick-type vacuum cleaner 100 as shown in FIG. 5 , the suction unit 130 is an independent head. In the case of a robot-type vacuum cleaner 100 as shown in FIG. 6 , the suction unit 130 is incorporated into the vacuum cleaner body 101. The suction port 132 has a rectangular or rectangular-like shape. In this embodiment, the suction port 132 is rectangular, and the opening area of ​​the suction port 132 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow portion 120. An example of a shape similar to a rectangle is a quadrilateral shape in which at least some of the four corners are rounded or chamfered with straight lines.

[0016] In this embodiment, the suction section 130 is a hollow rectangular box with an opening, the suction port 132, located on the underside, and the flow opening 131 is located at the center in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction in the figure) and at a position offset in the lateral direction (X-axis direction in the figure).

[0017] 3, a rotating member 134 may be provided inside the suction unit 130. The rotating member 134 is a member that has a friction body (not shown) attached to its surface that comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned and that rotates at the suction port 132. The rotating member 134 is a cylindrical, conical, or rod-shaped member that is disposed inside the suction unit 130 so that at least a portion of the friction body protrudes outward from the suction port 132. The rotating member 134 is disposed so that its tube axis (central axis) is aligned with an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the suction unit 130 (the Y-axis direction in the figure). By rotating around the tube axis, the friction body scrapes off dust present on the surface to be cleaned and the dust is sucked into the suction unit 130.

[0018] There is no limitation on the driving force that rotates the rotating member 134. For example, the rotating member 134 may be rotated by a motor provided in the suction unit 130 or the like, or may be rotated by friction between a friction body and the surface to be cleaned caused by the movement of the suction unit 130.

[0019] The friction body rotates together with the rotating member 134, comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned, and sweeps the dust into the suction port 132. The type of friction body is not limited, and examples include a strip-shaped nonwoven fabric, a bore-shaped woven sponge-like member, a flexible fringe-like member made of rubber or the like, and resin brush bristles.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 and the power supply 149. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 and the power supply 149 in an example different from that shown in FIG. 7 . The first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are conductors arranged at a predetermined interval within the suction unit 130. That is, the second electrode 142 is arranged within the suction unit 130, separated from the first electrode 141. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are each electrically connected to a power supply 149 arranged in the vacuum cleaner body 101. By applying a DC voltage or an AC voltage (including a pulse output) between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 from the power supply 149, plasma is formed between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142. In this embodiment, at least one of the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 is covered with a dielectric film (insulating film). The power supply 149 then applies an AC voltage between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142, thereby generating a dielectric barrier discharge between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142, and generating local plasma in at least a portion of the second electrode 142. The plasma generated in the air generates active species such as radicals, high-energy ions, and electrons. The dielectric barrier discharge makes it possible to generate plasma while suppressing sparks between the electrodes and increasing safety.

[0021] The shapes of the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are not limited. For example, in the present embodiment, the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are shaped like rectangular plates (strips) as shown in Figures 3 and 7, and both the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 extend continuously in the longitudinal direction of the rectangular suction port 132. At least one of the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 may be separated into multiple pieces, as shown in Figure 8, and each may be arranged discontinuously at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the suction port 132. Furthermore, the mutually opposing portions of the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 may be pointed or dome-shaped.

[0022] In this embodiment, first electrode 141 and second electrode 142 are disposed inside suction part 130 at positions farthest from flow opening 131 formed by suction part 130. Depending on the extending direction and arrangement of first electrode 141 and second electrode 142, a long plasma extending in the longitudinal direction of suction port 132 can be generated inside suction part 130, and active species generated by the plasma can act widely on the surface to be cleaned.

[0023] 3 , the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are respectively held by a first holding part 143 and a second holding part 144 fixed to the suction part 130. An intake flow path 145 communicating with an intake hole 150 (described in detail later) is formed between the first holding part 143 and the second holding part 144. The opening of the intake flow path 145 on the opposite side to the intake hole 150 is disposed near the suction port 132 and along the suction port 132. This allows active species generated between the electrodes to pass through the intake flow path 145 and be discharged near the suction port 132.

[0024] Intake hole 150 is a hole provided through suction unit 130, and is arranged so as to take in a portion of the air sucked by suction device 110 from outside suction unit 130 and circulate it between first electrode 141 and second electrode 142. The shape of intake hole 150 is not limited, but in the present embodiment, it is a slit that penetrates suction unit 130 in the vertical direction (axial direction in the figure), and is arranged directly above (on the Z+ side in the figure) between first electrode 141 and second electrode 142. At least one of the opening area and cross-sectional area of ​​intake hole 150 is smaller than the opening area of ​​suction port 132 and smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​circulation unit 120.

[0025] 4, the collection filter 163 is a filter disposed downstream of the dust storage section 160 in the flow of air generated by the suction device 110, and collects harmful gases such as ozone generated by discharge between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142. The type of collection filter 163 is not limited, but an activated carbon filter or the like can be exemplified. The dust storage section 160 has a dust collection filter 161, which separates and stores dust from the harmful gases and dust sucked together with the air sucked by the suction device 110 via the suction section 130 and the circulation section 120.

[0026] Next, an example of the operation of vacuum cleaner 100 will be described. By driving suction device 110 of vacuum cleaner 100, air is sucked from inside circulating portion 120, and dust is sucked in together with the air from suction port 132 of suction portion 130, as shown by the outline arrow in Fig. 3. Meanwhile, air is also sucked in from intake hole 150 by the suction force of suction device 110, and the sucked air flows between first electrode 141 and second electrode 142, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 3.

[0027] The power supply 149 applies a voltage between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 to generate plasma. The active species generated by the plasma are carried to the vicinity of the suction port 132 together with the air sucked in through the intake hole 150, and act on the surface to be cleaned. This allows the active species to decompose oils and grease adhering to the surface to be cleaned.

[0028] Dust adhering to the surface to be cleaned, oil and fat components decomposed by the active species, remaining active species, and the like flow through the circulation opening 131 and the circulation path 121 in the circulation part 120 together with the air sucked through the suction port 132. Furthermore, harmful gases generated by the plasma also flow through the circulation path 121 in the circulation part 120 together with the air sucked through the suction port 132, via the circulation opening 131.

[0029] The dust and air that have passed through the flow section 120 and reached the dust storage section 160 are separated by the dust collection filter 161, and the dust is stored in the dust storage section 160. In addition, the active species and harmful gases that have reached the dust storage section 160 may inactivate bacteria and the like that are generated within the dust storage section 160.

[0030] The air and harmful gases that have passed through the dust collection filter 161 reach the collection filter 163 , where the harmful gases are collected by the collection filter 163 and the air is released outside the vacuum cleaner 100 .

[0031] If the air cannot be sucked through the suction port 132 due to an unintended situation such as when the flow path 121 is blocked by large debris or when the suction device 110 stops, the structure of the suction part 130 will prevent air from being sucked through the intake hole 150. Therefore, even if plasma is generated between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142, harmful gases can be prevented from being carried away by the air flow and diffusing.

[0032] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be realized, for example, by arbitrarily combining the components described in this specification or by excluding some of the components. Furthermore, the present disclosure also includes modifications obtained by applying various modifications to the above-described embodiments that would occur to a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, i.e., the meaning of the wording of the claims.

[0033] For example, although the intake hole 150 has been described as a slit-shaped hole, the intake hole 150 may also be a plurality of circular through holes arranged in the longitudinal direction of the suction section 130, or the opening may be covered by a lattice-shaped member.

[0034] (Summary) The vacuum cleaner 100 according to the first aspect includes a suction device 110 that sucks air and a flow section 120 that forms a flow passage 121 through which the air sucked by the suction device 110 flows. The vacuum cleaner 100 according to the first aspect also includes a suction section 130 that forms a suction space 133 having a flow opening 131 at the end of the flow passage 121 and a suction port 132 that faces the surface to be cleaned. The vacuum cleaner 100 according to the first aspect also includes a first electrode 141 that is disposed within the suction section 130, and a second electrode 142 that is disposed within the suction section 130 and separate from the first electrode 141. The vacuum cleaner 100 according to the first aspect also includes a through-hole 150 that is disposed to take in a portion of the air sucked by the suction device 110 from outside the suction section 130 and allow the air to flow between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142.

[0035] According to the first aspect, activated species generated by plasma generated between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 can be carried to the suction port 132 by the airflow generated by the suction device 110. This allows for rapid decomposition and removal of highly viscous oil and other contaminants from the surface to be cleaned while using the vacuum cleaner 100. Furthermore, the activated species can deodorize and sterilize the interior of the vacuum cleaner 100, including the inside of the suction unit 130, the inside of the flow unit 120, and the inside of the dust storage unit 160, thereby reducing the amount of contaminants adhering to the surface. Furthermore, the plasma generated between the electrodes passes through the relatively long flow path 121 along with dust and other contaminants without being exhausted through a dedicated exhaust port, thereby solving the problem of harmful gases such as ozone leaking from the exhaust port. Furthermore, when the suction of air from the suction device 110 is stopped, air is no longer sucked from the intake port 150. This prevents harmful gases from being carried by the airflow and diffusing, even if plasma is generated between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142. In other words, according to the first aspect, when the suction of air for the vacuum cleaner 100 stops, the supply of plasma gas can also be stopped without providing any special device, and an increase in the size and weight of the head can be suppressed.

[0036] The vacuum cleaner 100 of the second embodiment includes the vacuum cleaner 100 of the first embodiment, in which the suction port 132 has a rectangular or rectangular-like shape, the first electrodes 141 extend continuously or are arranged intermittently in the longitudinal direction of the suction port 132, and the second electrodes 142 extend continuously or are arranged intermittently in the longitudinal direction of the suction port 132.

[0037] According to the second aspect, plasma can be generated from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the suction part 130, and active species can act on the surface to be cleaned over a wide range.

[0038] The vacuum cleaner 100 of the third embodiment includes the vacuum cleaner 100 of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are arranged at positions farthest from the flow opening 131 .

[0039] According to the third aspect, it is possible to allow the active species generated between the electrodes to act on the surface to be cleaned for a long period of time.

[0040] The vacuum cleaner 100 of the fourth aspect includes any of the first to third aspects, and includes a collection filter 163 that collects harmful gases generated by discharge between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142. The vacuum cleaner 100 of the fourth aspect also includes a dust storage section 160 that separates and stores dust from the harmful gases and dust sucked in together with the air sucked in by the suction device 110. The collection filter 163 is disposed downstream of the dust storage section 160 in the flow of air sucked in by the suction device 110.

[0041] According to this, if the concentration of harmful gas cannot be reduced sufficiently before it reaches the dust storage section 160, the collection filter 163 can reduce the concentration of harmful gas to a safe level before exhausting it.

[0042] The present disclosure is applicable to vacuum cleaners that collect dust by suction, whether for home or commercial use.

[0043] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Vacuum cleaner 101 Vacuum cleaner body 110 Suction device 111 Fan 112 Electric motor 120 Flow section 121 Flow passage 122 Hose 124 Pipe 130 Suction section 131 Flow opening 132 Suction port 133 Suction space 134 Rotating member 141 First electrode 142 Second electrode 143 First holding section 144 Second holding section 145 Suction flow path 149 Power supply device 150 Intake hole 160 Dust storage section 161 Dust collection filter 162 Sorting device 163 Collection filter

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction device that sucks in air; a circulation section that forms a circulation path through which the air sucked by the suction device circulates; a suction section that forms a suction space having a circulation opening that is the end of the circulation path and a suction port that faces the surface to be cleaned; a first electrode that is arranged within the suction section; a second electrode that is arranged within the suction section and separate from the first electrode; and a through-hole that is arranged to take in a portion of the air sucked by the suction device from outside the suction section and circulate it between the first electrode and the second electrode.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the suction port is rectangular or similar in shape, the first electrodes extend continuously in the longitudinal direction of the suction port or are arranged discontinuously next to each other, and the second electrodes extend continuously in the longitudinal direction of the suction port or are arranged discontinuously next to each other.

3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed at positions farthest from the flow opening.

4. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising: a collection filter that collects harmful gases generated by discharge between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a dust storage section that separates and stores the dust from the harmful gases and dust sucked in together with the air sucked in by the suction device, wherein the collection filter is positioned downstream of the dust storage section in the flow of the air sucked in by the suction device.

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