Filter member

Abstract

A filter member according to the present disclosure comprises a first filter, a second filter that is finer than the first filter, and a holding body. The holding body holds the first filter and the second filter in a state of separation from each other, thereby forming a retention space for retaining foreign matter between the first filter and the second filter. The holding body is configured to be attachable to a device in a posture in which the second filter is positioned on the downstream side of the first filter in the flow direction of a fluid in the device. The filter member according to a first embodiment is provided with a discharge passage provided in the holding body so that the foreign matter accumulated in the retention space can be discharged to the outside of the retention space, and an opening / closing valve for opening / closing the discharge passage.

Description

Filter material

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a filter element having two filters.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a stick-type vacuum cleaner 300 as shown in Figure 13. The vacuum cleaner 300 has a handle 310 that forms the base end of the vacuum cleaner 300, and this handle 310 is formed so that it can be held by a user. In addition, the tip of the vacuum cleaner 300 is provided with a suction nozzle 320 that can be moved on the floor surface by the user.

[0003] Between the grip part 310 and the suction nozzle 320, there are provided a vacuum cleaner main body 330 incorporating a suction source that generates a suction force for sucking dust on the floor surface through the suction nozzle 320, and a dust storage part 340 that stores the dust sucked by the suction force of the suction source. This dust storage part 340 is attached to the vacuum cleaner main body 330.

[0004] 14, the dust storage unit 340 has a dust storage container 341 that opens upward, and a lid 342 for opening and closing the opening at the top end of the dust storage container 341. A filter unit 343 is disposed on the top of the dust storage container 341 to prevent dust in the dust storage container 341 from flowing into the vacuum cleaner body 330. The filter unit 343 has a primary filter 344 and a secondary filter 345 that has finer mesh than the primary filter 344.

[0005] The primary filter 344 can retain most of the dust in the dust storage container 341 within the dust storage container 341, but some dust can pass through the primary filter 344. However, the dust that passes through the primary filter 344 is captured by the secondary filter 345 and stored between the primary filter 344 and the secondary filter 345.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-42332

[0007] To discard the dust between the primary filter 344 and the secondary filter 345, the user removes the dust storage unit 340 from the vacuum cleaner body 330. Then, the user operates the lid 342 to open the opening at the top of the dust storage container 341 and removes the filter unit 343 from the dust storage container 341. The user then disassembles the filter unit 343 into the primary filter 344 and the secondary filter 345 and discards the dust between them. In this way, to discard the dust between the primary filter 344 and the secondary filter 345, the user needs to separate the primary filter 344 and the secondary filter 345.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a filter member that can make it relatively easy to remove dust that has accumulated between two filters.

[0009] A filter element according to one aspect of the present disclosure is configured to be attached to an apparatus through which a fluid flows and to remove foreign matter contained in the fluid. The filter element includes a first filter having a mesh size large enough to capture some of the foreign matter contained in the fluid flowing through the apparatus, and a second filter having a mesh size finer than the first filter. The filter element also includes a holder configured to hold the first filter and the second filter spaced apart from each other to form a storage space for storing foreign matter between the first and second filters, and to be attachable to the apparatus in a position where the second filter is located downstream of the first filter in the direction of fluid flow through the apparatus. The filter element also includes a discharge path provided in the holder to allow foreign matter accumulated in the storage space to be discharged out of the storage space, and an on-off valve for opening and closing the discharge path.

[0010] A filter member according to one aspect of the present disclosure can make it relatively easy to remove dust that has accumulated between the two filters.

[0011] 1. A perspective view of a vacuum cleaner incorporating a filter member (first embodiment); 2. A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner; 3. A developed perspective view of a filter member; 4. A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner around the filter member; 5. A cross-sectional view of another filter member; 6. A longitudinal cross-sectional view of another vacuum cleaner around the filter member; 7. A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner and a collection device (second embodiment); 8. A cross-sectional view of the collection device; 9. A rear view of the collection device; 10. A cross-sectional view of a filter member provided in a pipe of a washing machine (third embodiment); 11. A cross-sectional view of a filter member provided in a pipe of another washing machine; 12. A perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner;

[0012] Hereinafter, first to third embodiments of the filter member 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.

[0013] (First embodiment) The filter member of the present disclosure can be used in various devices through which a fluid flows. A filter member 115 ( FIG. 2 ) of the present embodiment, which is an example of a filter member of the present disclosure, is used in a vacuum cleaner 100 ( FIG. 1 ), which is an example of a device of the present disclosure, and is disposed inside the vacuum cleaner 100. Air, which is an example of a fluid of the present disclosure, flows inside the vacuum cleaner 100. The filter member 115 is configured to remove dust contained in the air, which is an example of foreign matter of the present disclosure.

[0014] (Overall Structure of Vacuum Cleaner) The vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a suction nozzle 130 that sucks up dust on the floor, a substantially cylindrical housing 111 that stands upright relative to the suction nozzle 130, and a grip 140 that extends upward from the upper end 112 of the housing 111. The housing 111 and grip 140 shown in Figure 1 are in an upright position relative to the suction nozzle 130. When using the vacuum cleaner 100, the user holds the housing 111 and grip 140 in a position tilted backward relative to the suction nozzle 130. Note that the housing 111 and grip 140 may also be tilted forward relative to the suction nozzle 130.

[0015] The suction nozzle 130 is provided with a nozzle case 132 that is wider than the housing 111. As shown in Figure 2, a wide suction space 131 for sucking in dust is formed within this nozzle case 132. This suction space 131 opens toward the floor at the front portion of the nozzle case 132. Behind this opening, the suction space 131 is closed by a bottom 134 of the nozzle case 132. A rotary scraping brush 133 is disposed in the suction space 131, and the scraping brush 133 is exposed from the nozzle case 132 through the opening of the suction space 131 so as to be able to come into contact with the floor.

[0016] The upper portion of the housing 111 tapers toward the upper end 112 of the housing 111, and a grip portion 140 extends upward from the upper end 112. The grip portion 140 is a rod-shaped portion having a thickness that allows it to be gripped by a user. As shown in FIG. 1 , the grip portion 140 is provided with an operating portion 141 that is operated by the user.

[0017] The housing 111 is configured to house various components for sucking up dust on the floor surface and storing the sucked up dust. More specifically, a suction pipe 113 extending in the vertical direction is disposed inside the lower part of the housing 111, as shown in Fig. 2. The internal space of the housing 111 above the suction pipe 113 is divided into upper and lower parts by a filter member 115.

[0018] In the following description, the space above the filter member 115 will be referred to as the "drive chamber 153," and the space below the filter member 115 will be referred to as the "dust storage chamber 152." The drive chamber 153 houses a suction source 116 that generates a suction force to suck up dust on the floor surface and create an upward suction airflow, and a power storage unit 117 that stores power for operating the suction source 116. Dust sucked up from the floor surface by the suction force of the suction source 116 flows into the dust storage chamber 152 through the suction nozzle 130 and the suction pipe 113.

[0019] 3, the filter member 115 has a first filter 171, a second filter 172, and a holder 190 that holds the first filter 171 and the second filter 172 so that they face each other with a gap between them. As will be described later, the holder 190 is attached inside the housing 111 so that the first filter 171 is located upstream of the second filter 172 in the flow direction of the suction airflow.

[0020] The holder 190 has a first frame portion 191 having a generally rectangular frame shape to which the first filter 171 is attached, and a second frame portion 192 having a generally rectangular frame shape to which the second filter 172 is attached, and the first frame portion 191 and the second frame portion 192 are elongated in the vertical direction. An upper end portion 193 of the first frame portion 191 is bent backward with respect to a main portion 194 below this upper end portion 193. In addition, an upper end portion 195 of the second frame portion 192 is also bent backward with respect to a main portion 196 below this upper end portion 195.

[0021] The first frame 191 has a certain thickness in the front-to-rear direction, and the first filter 171 is attached to the first frame 191 so as to fit along the rear surface of the first frame 191. Therefore, the first frame 191 and the first filter 171 form a recess that opens forward. The second frame 192 is placed on the first frame 191 so that the second filter 172 attached to the second frame 192 closes the opening of this recess. When the second frame 192 is placed on the first frame 191, a space is formed between the first filter 171 and the second filter 172, as shown in FIG. 4 . This space will be referred to as the “storage space 173” in the following description. The storage space 173 is used to store finer dust particles than those stored in the dust storage chamber 152. That is, the holder 190 holds the first filter 171 and the second filter 172 spaced apart from each other, thereby forming a storage space 173 for storing dust between the first filter 171 and the second filter 172.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the first frame 191 has a boss 197 that protrudes rearward from the rear surface of its upper end portion 193. The second frame 192 also has a boss 198 that protrudes rearward from the rear surface of its upper end portion 195. Recesses into which the bosses 197, 198 fit are provided on the inner surface of the rear wall of the housing 111. By fitting the bosses 197, 198 into these recesses, the upper end portions 193, 195 of the first frame 191 and the second frame 192 are fixed to the rear wall of the housing 111. In this state, the storage space 173 between the first filter 171 and the second filter 172 extends obliquely downward and forward from the rear ends of the upper end portions 193, 195.

[0023] To discharge dust from the storage space 173, a discharge path 180 communicating with the lower end of the storage space 173 is formed in the lower end portion of the first frame portion 191, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . The holder 190 is attached to the vacuum cleaner 100 in a position such that dust in the storage space 173 falls toward the discharge path 180 due to gravity. In this state, the discharge path 180 extends diagonally downward from the storage space 173, and the lower end of the discharge path 180 opens downward. An opening / closing valve 181 for opening and closing the opening at the lower end of the discharge path 180 is attached to the lower end of the first frame portion 191. Note that the opening / closing valve 181 shown in FIG. 4 is in a closed state that closes the discharge path 180. The opening / closing valve 181 can rotate downward from the position shown in FIG. 4 due to its own weight, thereby becoming an open state that opens the discharge path 180. Furthermore, the discharge path 180 may extend downward, i.e., the extension direction of the discharge path 180 may include a downward component. In the example of Fig. 4, the discharge path 180 extends obliquely downward from the storage space 173, but it may also extend vertically downward from the storage space 173. Note that the discharge path 180 may be configured such that a portion of the storage space 173 also serves as at least a portion of the discharge path 180.

[0024] 4, the first frame portion 191 has a boss 199 that protrudes forward from the front surface of the lower end portion of the first frame portion 191. The second frame portion 192 has a half-ring-shaped fixing plate 160 that protrudes downward from the lower end of the main portion 196, and this fixing plate 160 has a through-hole formed therein that is complementary to the boss 199 of the first frame portion 191. The boss 199 is fitted into this through-hole, thereby fixing the first frame portion 191 and the second frame portion 192 to each other.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, a recessed groove 161 extending in the width direction is formed on the front surface of the lower end portion of second frame 192. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4, a protrusion 163 protrudes rearward from the inner surface of the front wall portion of housing 111. By inserting this protrusion 163 into recessed groove 161 of second frame 192, the lower end portion of holder 190 is fixed to the front wall portion of housing 111.

[0026] The mesh of the first filter 171 attached to the first frame 191 is larger than the mesh of the second filter 172 attached to the second frame 192. Therefore, some of the dust flowing upward on the suction airflow is captured by the first filter 171 and retained in the dust storage chamber 152, but dust smaller than the mesh of the first filter 171 passes through the first filter 171 and flows into the storage space 173. However, this small dust is captured by the second filter 172, which has relatively small meshes, and retained in the storage space 173.

[0027] The first filter 171 is in the form of a flat sheet, whereas the second filter 172 is bent to form a plurality of vertically extending ridges 178. This allows the second filter 172 to have a larger area than the first filter 171.

[0028] 1, the housing 111 is formed with an exhaust port 122 consisting of a number of through holes that communicate with the drive chamber 153 above the second filter 172, and a substantially rectangular dust discharge port 124 that communicates with the dust storage chamber 152 below the first filter 171. The suction airflow flowing through the housing 111 is discharged through the exhaust port 122.

[0029] The dust outlet 124 is provided to discharge dust inside the dust storage chamber 152. To open and close the dust outlet 124, a substantially rectangular lid 121 is attached to the housing 111 so as to be able to rotate up and down. The lid 121 shown in FIG. 1 is in an open state in which the dust outlet 124 is open, and the lid 121 shown in FIG. 2 is in a closed state in which the dust outlet 124 is closed. The lid 121 is biased to the closed state so as to close the dust outlet 124 when no external force is acting on the lid 121.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 2, the upper end of dust storage chamber 152 is defined by filter member 115, while the lower end of dust storage chamber 152 is defined by check valve 114 attached to the upper end of suction pipe 113. Check valve 114 shown in Fig. 1 is in a closed state, closing the opening at the upper end of suction pipe 113. When suction source 116 generates an upward suction force, check valve 114 rotates upward from the position shown in Fig. 1 and enters an open state, opening the opening at the upper end of suction pipe 113.

[0031] The suction tube 113 extends in the vertical direction, and the lower end of the suction tube 113 is attached to the suction nozzle 130. The connection between the suction tube 113 and the suction nozzle 130 is configured to allow the suction tube 113, the housing 111, and the grip part 140 to tilt backward from the upright position shown in Fig. 1. Note that this connection may also be configured to allow the housing 111 and the grip part 140 to tilt forward.

[0032] When the suction tube 113, the housing 111, and the grip portion 140 are in the upright position shown in Figure 2, the lower end of the suction tube 113 abuts against the bottom 134 of the nozzle case 132. That is, when the housing 111 is in the upright position, the lower end of the suction tube 113 is closed by the bottom 134 of the nozzle case 132. When the housing 111 is tilted backward from the upright position, the lower end of the suction tube 113 moves in the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 2. As a result, the flow path of the suction tube 113 is in communication with the suction space 131 of the nozzle case 132.

[0033] (Explanation of Vacuum Cleaner Operation) During cleaning work, the user holds the vacuum cleaner 100 in a position where the housing 111 and the grip 140 are tilted backward relative to the suction nozzle 130. By tilting the housing 111 and the grip 140 backward relative to the suction nozzle 130, it becomes easier to move the suction nozzle 130 forward while pushing it. In this state, the flow path of the suction tube 113 is in communication with the suction space 131 of the suction nozzle 130.

[0034] When the user then operates the operating unit 141 to activate the suction source 116, an upward suction force is generated, causing a suction airflow to flow from the dust storage chamber 152 to the drive chamber 153. At this time, the on-off valve 181 of the filter member 115 is sucked upward by the pressure of the suction airflow, and enters a closed state that closes the discharge path 180. In addition, the check valve 114 attached to the upper end of the suction tube 113 is also sucked upward by the suction force of the suction source 116, opening the upper end of the suction tube 113.

[0035] When the upper end of the suction pipe 113 is opened, the suction force of the suction source 116 acts on the suction space 131 of the suction nozzle 130 through the filter member 115, the dust storage chamber 152, and the flow path of the suction pipe 113. As a result, air near the opening of the suction space 131 flows into the dust storage chamber 152 through the suction space 131 and the suction pipe 113. Dust on the floor near the opening of the suction space 131 also flows into the dust storage chamber 152 on this air flow (i.e., suction airflow).

[0036] At this time, because the discharge path 180 is closed by the on-off valve 181, the suction airflow that has flowed into the dust storage chamber 152 does not flow into the discharge path 180, but flows into the storage space 173 through the first filter 171. Dust contained in this suction airflow that is larger than the mesh of the first filter 171 cannot pass through the first filter 171 and is retained in the dust storage chamber 152. On the other hand, dust that is smaller than the mesh of the first filter 171 flows into the storage space 173 together with the suction airflow that passes through the first filter 171.

[0037] The mesh of second filter 172 defining the upper end of storage space 173 is smaller than the mesh of first filter 171, so while the suction airflow can pass through second filter 172, dust cannot pass through second filter 172 and can be retained in storage space 173. As a result, relatively large dust particles are stored in dust storage chamber 152 below first filter 171, and relatively small dust particles are stored in storage space 173 between first filter 171 and second filter 172.

[0038] While suction source 116 is operating, dust remains adsorbed to the undersides of first filter 171 and second filter 172. On the other hand, when the user operates operation unit 141 to stop suction source 116, the suction force of suction source 116 is lost, causing the dust adsorbed to the underside of first filter 171 to fall to the bottom of dust storage chamber 152. At this time, check valve 114 has returned to the position where it closes the upper end of suction pipe 113 as suction source 116 has stopped, so the dust that has fallen from first filter 171 is caught by check valve 114.

[0039] When suction source 116 is stopped, the suction airflow ceases, and so on-off valve 181 rotates downward by its own weight, entering an open state that opens discharge path 180. Furthermore, dust that has been adsorbed on the lower surface of second filter 172 falls within storage space 173, which is inclined downward toward discharge path 180, and reaches discharge path 180. This dust then falls from storage space 173 through discharge path 180 into dust storage chamber 152.

[0040] After stopping suction source 116, the user may operate lid 121 to open dust outlet 124 in order to remove dust from dust storage chamber 152. In this state, the user may insert a rod-shaped tool into dust outlet 124 to scrape out the dust inside dust storage chamber 152. Alternatively, the user may hold housing 111 in a position where dust outlet 124 opens downward, causing the dust inside dust storage chamber 152 to fall.

[0041] 2, dust can be discharged from the storage space 173 between the first filter 171 and the second filter 172 without disassembling the filter member 115. Therefore, dust can be removed from the storage space 173 relatively easily.

[0042] In the vacuum cleaner 100 shown in Fig. 2 , the second filter 172 has a finer mesh than the first filter 171, and is therefore more susceptible to clogging than the first filter 171. However, as shown in Fig. 3 , the second filter 172 has a bent shape to form a plurality of ridges 178, and the area of ​​the second filter 172 is larger than the area of ​​the first filter 171 by the amount of these ridges 178. This prevents the entire second filter 172 from becoming clogged. Note that the ridges 178 in Fig. 3 are elongated in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the up-down direction) of the second filter 172, but the second filter 172 may also be bent to form ridges 178 that are elongated in the width direction of the second filter 172.

[0043] It is also possible to increase the area of ​​the second filter 172 by a method other than forming the protrusions 178. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the second filter 172 may be curved so as to be convex in a direction away from the first filter 171 (i.e., toward the drive chamber 153). In this case, the area of ​​the second filter 172 increases by the amount of curvature of the second filter 172. Furthermore, the storage space 173 between the first filter 171 and the second filter 172 becomes larger, and more dust can be stored in the storage space 173 while the suction source 116 is operating. Note that, to further increase the storage space 173, the first filter 171 may be curved so as to be convex in a direction away from the second filter 172 (i.e., toward the dust storage chamber 152), as shown in FIG. 6 . Also, in Figure 6, the first filter 171 and the second filter 172 have a curved shape that separates them from the other filter, but it is also possible for only the first filter 171 to have a curved shape that separates them from the second filter 172.

[0044] If there is little risk of clogging of the second filter 172, the area of ​​the second filter 172 may be equal to the area of ​​the first filter 171. In this case, sheet-like filters may be used as the second filter 172 and the first filter 171. By using sheet-like filters, the filter member 115 can be constructed inexpensively.

[0045] In the vacuum cleaner 100 shown in FIG. 4 , the storage space 173 extends diagonally downward toward the discharge path 180. This allows dust to fall within the storage space 173 and move toward the discharge path 180. To avoid impeding the movement of dust within the storage space 173 toward the discharge path 180, the holder 190 may be configured to hold the first filter 171 and the second filter 172, as shown in FIG. 7 . In FIG. 7 , the distance between the first filter 171 and the second filter 172 increases toward the discharge path 180, so that dust falling toward the discharge path 180 is less likely to be pinched between the first filter 171 and the second filter 172. Furthermore, because the lower end portion of the storage space 173 is wider, dust is less likely to accumulate in this lower end portion in an excessively dense state. This prevents dust from clogging the upper end portion of the discharge path 180 connected to this lower end portion.

[0046] The on-off valve 181 shown in FIG. 4 rotates downward due to its own weight. However, if the on-off valve 181 is lightweight, it is conceivable that the lower end of the discharge path 180 may not be sufficiently opened simply by the on-off valve 181 rotating downward due to its own weight. To avoid such a situation, the on-off valve 181 may be configured to be biased to an open state. In this case, the on-off valve 181 may be configured, for example, of a thin sheet-like elastic member. The on-off valve 181 may be attached to the first frame portion 191 so as to open the lower end of the discharge path 180 when the suction source 116 is not activated. In this case, when the suction source 116 is activated, the on-off valve 181 may be elastically bent and deformed to a closed state due to the pressure of the suction airflow, thereby closing the discharge path 180.

[0047] The shapes of the first frame portion 191 and the second frame portion 192 are determined according to the internal shape of the housing 111 to which the filter member 115 is fixed. Therefore, the shapes of the first frame portion 191 and the second frame portion 192 are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0048] Second Embodiment In the vacuum cleaner 100 of the first embodiment, the on-off valve 181 is opened by its own weight or its own biasing force, and when an upward suction airflow (flow in the first direction) is flowing within the housing 111 of the vacuum cleaner 100, the on-off valve 181 is closed by the pressure of the suction airflow. However, when an exhaust airflow (flow in the second direction) is flowing in the opposite direction to the first directional flow within the housing 111 of the vacuum cleaner 100, the on-off valve 181 may be opened by the pressure of the exhaust airflow. In this case, the on-off valve 181 may be biased to be closed. The exhaust airflow may be generated, for example, by a collection device 200 shown in FIG. 8 .

[0049] As shown in Fig. 8, the collection device 200 is configured to be connectable to the vacuum cleaner 100, and when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected, the collection device 200 generates a suction force that sucks dust from the dust storage chamber 152 of the vacuum cleaner 100 and collects the dust. In detail, the collection device 200 has a base plate 220 on which the vacuum cleaner 100 is placed, a support part 217 that stands upright from the base plate 220, and a housing 210 that is supported by the support part 217 at a position spaced above the base plate 220. The support part 217 is smaller than the housing 210 and the base plate 220 in the front-to-rear direction, and a recess is formed that is surrounded by the base plate 220, the support part 217, and the housing 210. The front portion of the suction nozzle 130 placed on the base plate 220 is inserted into this recess.

[0050] The housing 210 is a generally rectangular box-shaped portion, and a recessed groove 215 into which the front wall portion of the housing 111 is fitted is formed on the rear wall of the housing 210, as shown in Fig. 9. The recessed groove 215 extends in the vertical direction, as shown in Fig. 10.

[0051] 10, a collection port 216 is formed in the recessed groove portion 215, through which dust in the dust storage chamber 152 of the vacuum cleaner 100 flows in. The collection port 216 is formed at a height position opposite the lid body 121 of the vacuum cleaner 100 placed on the base plate 220. The collection port 216 has a size that allows the lid body 121 of the vacuum cleaner 100 in the open state to enter.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 8 , a dust suction source 250 that generates a suction force for sucking dust out of the dust storage chamber 152 of the vacuum cleaner 100, and a dust storage box 240 that stores the dust sucked by the dust suction source 250 are disposed within the housing 210 of the collection device 200. The dust storage box 240 is disposed above the dust suction source 250, and a filter 247 is disposed between the dust storage box 240 and the dust suction source 250. The filter 247 is configured to capture dust while allowing air to pass through. The dust suction source 250 sucks the air in the dust storage box 240 downward through the filter 247. At this time, the dust in the dust storage box 240 is trapped within the dust storage box 240 by the filter 247.

[0053] A collection duct 230 extends from the dust storage box 240, and the tip of the collection duct 230 is connected to the collection port 216. The collection duct 230 forms a flow path for dust to flow from the collection port 216 to the dust storage box 240.

[0054] (Explanation of the operation of the collection device when collecting dust) The user attaches the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200 to collect dust accumulated in the dust storage chamber 152. In detail, the user places the vacuum cleaner 100 on the base plate 220 of the collection device 200, and places the housing 111 and the grip portion 140 in an upright position. When the upright housing 111 is fitted into the recessed groove portion 215 of the collection device 200, the lid body 121 of the vacuum cleaner 100 faces the collection port 216 of the collection device 200 in the front-rear direction.

[0055] When the dust suction source 250 is activated in this state, the suction force of the dust suction source 250 acts on the lid 121 facing the collection port 216 through the dust storage box 240 and the collection duct 230. In response to the suction force of the dust suction source 250, the lid 121 changes from a closed state in which the dust discharge port 124 is closed to an open state in which the dust discharge port 124 is opened.

[0056] When the dust discharge port 124 is opened, the dust storage chamber 152 of the vacuum cleaner 100 is in communication with the internal space of the dust storage box 240 through the collection duct 230. In this state, the suction force of the dust suction source 250 of the collection device 200 acts on the dust in the dust storage chamber 152 of the vacuum cleaner 100 through the dust storage box 240 and the collection duct 230. Then, the dust in the dust storage chamber 152 flows into the dust storage box 240 through the collection duct 230.

[0057] While dust is being collected from dust storage chamber 152 to collection duct 230, a downward exhaust airflow is generated within housing 111 from drive chamber 153 toward dust storage chamber 152, as shown in Fig. 8. Furthermore, the pressure of the exhaust airflow causes on-off valve 181 shown in Fig. 4 to rotate toward dust storage chamber 152 and enter an open state. As a result, the opening at the bottom end of discharge path 180 is opened.

[0058] A portion of the exhaust airflow passes through the second filter 172 and the first filter 171 in this order. The remaining exhaust airflow passes through the second filter 172, flows through the storage space 173, and then flows out into the dust storage chamber 152 through the exhaust path 180 of the filter member 115 shown in FIG. 4.

[0059] When the exhaust airflow passes through the second filter 172, dust adhering to the lower surface of the second filter 172 can be torn off from the second filter 172 by the exhaust airflow. The dust is discharged from the storage space 173 together with the exhaust airflow that flows through the storage space 173 and is discharged from the discharge path 180 to the dust storage chamber 152.

[0060] When the exhaust airflow passes through the first filter 171, dust adhering to the underside of the first filter 171 can be peeled off from the first filter 171 by the exhaust airflow. The dust peeled off from the first filter 171 and the second filter 172 is then collected into the dust storage box 240 of the collection device 200 through the dust outlet 124 of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the collection outlet 216 and collection duct 230 of the collection device 200.

[0061] In the vacuum cleaner 100 of the second embodiment, the on-off valve 181 can be opened by the pressure of the exhaust airflow inside the housing 111. Therefore, the on-off valve 181 may be biased to be closed. In this case, the sealing performance between the on-off valve 181 and the lower end portion of the exhaust passage 180 is improved. Therefore, during cleaning work using the vacuum cleaner 100, the suction airflow is prevented from flowing into the exhaust passage 180 through the gap between the on-off valve 181 and the first frame portion 191 that forms the exhaust passage 180.

[0062] The vacuum cleaner 100 and collection device 200 of the second embodiment are configured to be connectable to each other, and an exhaust airflow for exhausting dust from the dust storage chamber 152 is generated by the dust suction source 250 of the collection device 200. Alternatively, the suction source 116 of the vacuum cleaner 100 may be configured to generate not only a suction airflow but also an exhaust airflow. In this case, dust from the dust storage chamber 152 can be exhausted through the dust outlet 124 even without the collection device 200, and the collection device 200 can be omitted.

[0063] In the vacuum cleaner 100 of the first and second embodiments, the housing 111 and the grip portion 140 do not tilt forward from the upright position. However, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be configured so that the housing 111 and the grip portion 140 can tilt forward from the upright position.

[0064] In the vacuum cleaner 100 of the first and second embodiments, the lid 121 is configured to be rotatable in the vertical direction relative to the housing 111. Alternatively, the lid 121 may be configured to be rotatable in the horizontal direction relative to the housing 111, or may be configured to slide on the housing 111 to open the dust outlet 124.

[0065] The filter member 115 in the first and second embodiments is housed in the stick-type vacuum cleaner 100. However, the filter member 115 may also be housed in an upright-type vacuum cleaner, a canister-type vacuum cleaner, or a handheld vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, the filter member 115 may also be housed in a self-propelled robot vacuum cleaner.

[0066] In the vacuum cleaner 100 of the first and second embodiments, when the housing 111 is in the upright position, the lower end of the suction tube 113 is closed by the bottom 134 of the nozzle case 132. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be configured such that when the housing 111 is in the upright position, the lower end of the suction tube 113 does not come into contact with the bottom 134 of the nozzle case 132 and remains open.

[0067] (Third embodiment) The filter member 115 of the first and second embodiments can remove dust particles as foreign matter in the air flowing inside the housing 111 of the vacuum cleaner 100. Alternatively, the filter member 115 may be attached to a device through which a liquid flows. For example, the filter member 115 may be attached to a washing machine to remove dirt components contained in water after washing clothes.

[0068] If the washing machine has a horizontally extending conduit as shown in FIG. 11 , filter element 115 may be configured to be disposed midway along the conduit. That is, holder 190 for filter element 115 includes a holding tube 154 that holds first filter 171 and second filter 172 spaced apart horizontally, and a discharge pipe 155 connected to holding tube 154. Both ends of holding tube 154 are configured to be connectable to washing machine pipe members 261, 262 that extend horizontally upstream and downstream of filter element 115. Discharge pipe 155 is connected to discharge pipe 155 at a position that communicates with storage space 173 between first filter 171 and second filter 172, forming a discharge path 180 extending downward from storage space 173. Furthermore, discharge pipe 155 is equipped with an on-off valve 181. This on-off valve 181 may be an electromagnetic valve configured to open and close in response to commands from a control unit that controls the operation of the washing machine.

[0069] When the on-off valve 181 is in a closed state, closing the discharge pipe 155, and the water after washing the clothes passes through the pipe shown in Fig. 11, large foreign matter (for example, lint) contained in the water is captured by the first filter 171. On the other hand, foreign matter smaller than the mesh size of the first filter 171 is captured by the second filter 172 and retained in the storage space 173. Therefore, water with reduced foreign matter can flow downstream of the filter member 115. This water may be reused for washing clothes.

[0070] When dust is removed from storage space 173, the washing machine's pipeline can be closed downstream of filter member 115. Then, on-off valve 181 is set to an open state in which discharge pipe 155 is opened in response to a command from the control unit of the washing machine. When water is flowed through the pipeline in this state, the water passes through first filter 171, then through storage space 173 and discharge path 180 in this order. Then, foreign matter in storage space 173 can be discharged through discharge path 180 by riding on this water flow.

[0071] 12 , in a washing machine configured to not only cause water to flow in a first direction when washing clothes but also cause water to flow in a second direction opposite to the first direction when washing filter member 115, filter member 115 may be configured as follows: That is, an additional discharge pipe 156 may be provided upstream of first filter 171 in the water flow in the first direction, and an additional on-off valve 157 may be attached to this discharge pipe 156.

[0072] In this case, when washing clothes, the washing machine closes on-off valves 181 and 157. When washing filter member 115, the washing machine closes the conduit upstream of filter member 115 and opens on-off valves 181 and 157. When the washing machine flows water in the second direction in this state, some of the water passes through second filter 172 and first filter 171 in this order and is discharged through discharge pipe 156. The remaining water passes through second filter 172 and then is discharged through discharge pipe 155.

[0073] When the water passes through the second filter 172, foreign matter adhering to the second filter 172 can be peeled off from the second filter 172 by the water. The foreign matter is then discharged from the storage space 173 through the discharge pipe 155.

[0074] When the water passes through the first filter 171, foreign matter adhering to the first filter 171 can be peeled off from the first filter 171 by the water. The foreign matter is then discharged through the discharge pipe 156.

[0075] (Effects, etc.) The filter member 115 according to the above-described embodiment has the following characteristics and provides the following effects.

[0076] A filter element according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment is configured to be attached to an apparatus through which a fluid flows and to remove foreign matter contained in the fluid. The filter element includes a first filter having a mesh size large enough to capture some of the foreign matter contained in the fluid flowing through the apparatus, and a second filter having a mesh size finer than the first filter. The filter element also includes a holder configured to hold the first filter and the second filter spaced apart from each other to form a storage space for storing foreign matter between the first filter and the second filter, and to be attachable to the apparatus in a position where the second filter is located downstream of the first filter in the direction of fluid flow through the apparatus. The filter element also includes a discharge path provided in the holder to allow foreign matter accumulated in the storage space to be discharged out of the storage space, and an on-off valve for opening and closing the discharge path.

[0077] In the above-described configuration, fluid in the device passes through the first filter and the second filter sequentially. Some of the foreign matter contained in the fluid is captured by the first filter, but foreign matter smaller than the mesh size of the first filter passes through the first filter. However, these foreign matter can be captured by the second filter, which has mesh sizes smaller than the mesh size of the first filter. If the on-off valve closes the discharge passage formed in the holder, the foreign matter captured by the second filter is retained in the storage space between the first and second filters. If the on-off valve then opens the discharge passage, the foreign matter accumulated in the storage space can be discharged out of the storage space through the discharge passage, eliminating the need to separate the first and second filters. In other words, the filter member makes it relatively easy to remove dust accumulated between the two filters.

[0078] In the above-described configuration, the discharge path may be formed so as to extend downward or diagonally downward from the storage space and open downward, when the holder is attached to the device in a position that allows foreign matter in the storage space to fall toward the discharge path due to gravity.

[0079] In the above-described configuration, the foreign matter in the storage space can move toward the discharge path due to gravity. At this time, if the on-off valve opens the discharge path, the foreign matter in the storage space can be discharged out of the storage space through the discharge path due to the action of gravity.

[0080] In the above-described configuration, the holder may be configured to hold the first filter and the second filter such that the distance between the first filter and the second filter increases toward the discharge passage.

[0081] In the above-described configuration, the distance between the first filter and the second filter increases as the filter approaches the discharge passage, making it difficult for foreign matter moving toward the discharge passage to be pinched between the first filter and the second filter. That is, the foreign matter in the storage space can reach the discharge passage without being obstructed by the first filter and the second filter.

[0082] In the above-described configuration, the on-off valve may be configured to be in a closed state in which the discharge path is closed by the pressure of the fluid flowing within the device, and to be in an open state in which the discharge path is opened by the weight of the on-off valve when this pressure is removed.

[0083] In the above-described configuration, while the fluid is flowing through the device, the pressure of the fluid causes the on-off valve to close and close the discharge path, thereby preventing the fluid from flowing into the storage space through the discharge path without passing through the first filter.

[0084] When the fluid flow stops, the fluid pressure disappears. In this state, the on-off valve opens due to its own weight, opening the drain path. As a result, foreign matter in the storage space is discharged out of the storage space through the drain path due to the action of gravity.

[0085] In the above-described configuration, the on-off valve may be biased to an open state that opens the discharge passage, or may be configured to be biased to a closed state that closes the discharge passage by pressure of the fluid flowing through the device.

[0086] In the above-described configuration, when no fluid is flowing through the device, the on-off valve can open the drain path. Then, when fluid flows through the device, the pressure of the fluid causes the on-off valve to close the drain path. This prevents fluid from flowing into the storage space through the drain path without passing through the first filter. During this time, foreign matter that has passed through the first filter is stored in the storage space. Then, when the fluid flow stops again, the on-off valve opens, opening the drain path. Then, the foreign matter in the storage space is discharged out of the storage space through the drain path.

[0087] In the above-described configuration, the device may be configured to allow the fluid to flow in a first direction in which the fluid passes through the first filter and the second filter sequentially, or in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The on-off valve may be configured to be in a closed state in which the discharge path is closed by the pressure of the fluid when the fluid is flowing in the first direction, and to be in an open state in which the discharge path is opened by the pressure of the fluid when the fluid is flowing in the second direction.

[0088] In the above-described configuration, when a fluid flows in a first direction, the pressure of the fluid causes the on-off valve to close the discharge path, thereby preventing the fluid flowing in the first direction from flowing into the storage space through the discharge path without passing through the first filter.

[0089] When the fluid flows in the second direction, the pressure of the fluid causes the on-off valve to open the discharge path, allowing foreign matter in the storage space to be discharged through the discharge path. At this time, a portion of the fluid flowing in the second direction passes through the second filter and the first filter in sequence, while the remaining fluid flows through the storage space and is discharged through the discharge path. Foreign matter in the storage space can ride on the flow of the fluid and be discharged out of the storage space through the discharge path.

[0090] In the above-described configuration, the second filter may have an area larger than an area of ​​the first filter.

[0091] In the above-described configuration, the second filter has finer mesh than the first filter, and is therefore more susceptible to clogging than the first filter, but the area of ​​the second filter is larger than the area of ​​the first filter, which prevents the entire second filter from becoming clogged.

[0092] In the above-described configuration, the second filter may be bent so that a ridge is formed on the surface of the second filter.

[0093] In the above-described configuration, the second filter is bent to form ridges on its surface, which allows the second filter to have a larger area by the amount of the ridges than when the second filter is flat and unbent. Therefore, even if the mesh of the second filter is relatively fine, clogging of the entire second filter is suppressed.

[0094] In the above-described configuration, at least one of the first filter and the second filter may have a curved shape so as to be spaced apart from the other filter.

[0095] In the above-described configuration, at least one of the first filter and the second filter has a curved shape that is spaced apart from the other filter, thereby increasing the storage space, and therefore allowing more foreign matter to be stored in the storage space.

[0096] The filter member of the above-described embodiment is suitable for use in various devices that require the removal of foreign matter from a fluid (for example, a vacuum cleaner, a washing machine, a dishwasher, or an air purifier).

[0097] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 vacuum cleaner 111 housing 112 upper end 113 suction pipe 114 check valve 115 filter member 116 suction source 117 power storage unit 121 lid body 122 exhaust port 124 dust discharge port 130 suction nozzle 131 suction space 132 nozzle case 133 scraping brush 134 bottom 140 grip portion 141 operation unit 152 dust storage chamber 153 drive chamber 154 holding tube 155 discharge pipe 156 discharge pipe 157 on-off valve 160 fixing plate 161 concave groove portion 163 convex portion 171 first filter 172 second filter 173 storage space 178 ridge 180 discharge path 181 on-off valve 190 Holder 191 First frame 192 Second frame 193 Upper end portion 194 Main portion 195 Upper end portion 196 Main portion 197 Boss 198 Boss 199 Boss 200 Collection device 210 Housing 215 Groove portion 216 Collection port 217 Support portion 220 Base plate 230 Collection duct 240 Dust collection box 247 Filter 250 Dust suction source 261 Pipe member 262 Pipe member 300 Cleaner 310 Grip portion 320 Suction nozzle 330 Cleaner body 340 Dust collection portion 341 Dust collection container 342 Lid portion 343 Filter portion 344 Primary filter 345 Secondary filter

Claims

1. A filter member that is attached to a device through which a fluid flows and removes foreign matter contained in the fluid, comprising: a first filter having a mesh size that can capture some of the foreign matter contained in the fluid flowing through the device; a second filter having a mesh size finer than the first filter; a holder that holds the first filter and the second filter apart from each other to form a storage space for storing foreign matter between the first filter and the second filter, and is configured to be attachable to the device in an orientation such that the second filter is located downstream of the first filter in the flow direction of the fluid in the device; a discharge path provided in the holder so that foreign matter that has accumulated in the storage space can be discharged to the outside of the storage space; and an on-off valve for opening and closing the discharge path.

2. A filter member as described in claim 1, wherein the discharge path is formed so as to extend downward or diagonally downward from the storage space and open downward when the holder is attached to the device in a position that allows foreign matter in the storage space to fall toward the discharge path due to gravity.

3. A filter element as described in claim 2, wherein the holder is configured to hold the first filter and the second filter so that the distance between the first filter and the second filter increases as they approach the discharge path.

4. A filter element as described in claim 2, wherein the on-off valve is configured to close the discharge path due to the pressure of the fluid flowing within the device, and to open the discharge path due to the weight of the on-off valve when this pressure is removed.

5. A filter element as described in claim 2, wherein the on-off valve is biased to an open state that opens the discharge path, and the on-off valve is configured to be biased to a closed state that closes the discharge path due to the pressure of the fluid flowing within the device.

6. The filter member of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to allow the fluid to flow in a first direction passing through the first filter and the second filter sequentially, or in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the on-off valve is configured to be in a closed state where the discharge path is closed by the pressure of the fluid when the fluid is flowing in the first direction, and to be in an open state where the discharge path is opened by the pressure of the fluid when the fluid is flowing in the second direction.

7. A filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second filter has an area larger than an area of ​​the first filter.

8. A filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second filter is bent so that ridges are formed on the surface of the second filter.

9. A filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the first filter and the second filter has a curved shape so as to be spaced apart from the other filter.

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