Cleaning tool set

Abstract

A cleaning tool set according to the present disclosure comprises: a vacuum cleaner; and a collection device which generates a dust suction force for suctioning dust in a dust storage chamber of the vacuum cleaner to collect dust from the dust storage chamber. The vacuum cleaner includes a filter part disposed in a housing so as to partition the housing into a drive source chamber which accommodates a suction source and the dust storage chamber which stores the dust suctioned by the suction force of the suction source. The filter part includes a primary filter, a secondary filter which is finer than the primary filter, and a dust discharge part. The dust discharge part forms a dust discharge path which communicates the dust storage chamber with a dust storage space so as to allow the dust accumulated in the dust storage space between the primary filter and the secondary filter to be suctioned into the dust storage chamber by the dust suction force of the collection device in a state where the vacuum cleaner is connected to the collection device.

Description

Cleaning tool set

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning tool set, and more particularly to a cleaning tool set including a vacuum cleaner and a collection device that collects dust from the vacuum cleaner.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a stick-type vacuum cleaner 300 as shown in Figure 15. 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] 16, 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 must perform various disassembly procedures.

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

[0009] A cleaning tool set according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a vacuum cleaner and a collection device. The vacuum cleaner has a housing forming a drive chamber housing a suction source that generates suction force to suck in dust, a dust storage chamber that stores dust sucked by the suction force of the suction source, and a filter unit arranged within the housing to separate the dust storage chamber from the drive chamber. The vacuum cleaner also has a dust outlet communicating with the dust storage chamber to allow dust to be discharged from the dust storage chamber. The collection device is configured to be connectable to the vacuum cleaner, and when connected to the collection device, generates a suction force to suck out dust from the dust storage chamber and collects dust from the dust storage chamber through the dust outlet. The filter unit has a primary filter configured to allow air sucked by the suction force of the suction source to pass through while retaining a portion of the dust contained in the air in the dust storage chamber. The filter unit also has a secondary filter located downstream of the primary filter in the flow direction of air sucked by the suction force of the suction source and having finer mesh than the primary filter. The filter section also has a dust discharge section that forms a dust discharge path that connects the dust storage chamber and the dust storage space so that, when the vacuum cleaner is connected to the collection device, the suction force of the collection device allows dust accumulated in the dust storage space between the primary filter and the secondary filter to be sucked out into the dust storage chamber.

[0010] The cleaning tool set according to one aspect of the present disclosure can make it relatively easy to remove dust that has accumulated between the two filters.

[0011] Cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner (first embodiment) Perspective view of a vacuum cleaner Cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner around the filter section of the vacuum cleaner Perspective view of the secondary filter of the filter section Longitudinal cross-sectional view of a cleaning tool set Cross-sectional view of a cleaning tool set Rear view of a collection device of a cleaning tool set Cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner around the filter section of another vacuum cleaner Perspective view of another vacuum cleaner (second embodiment) Cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner around the filter section of another vacuum cleaner Cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner around the filter section of another vacuum cleaner Cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner around the filter section of another vacuum cleaner (third embodiment) Cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner around the filter section of another vacuum cleaner Cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner around the filter section of another vacuum cleaner Perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner Perspective view of a dust storage section of a conventional vacuum cleaner

[0012] Hereinafter, first to third embodiments of the cleaning tool set 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 A cleaning tool set 101 according to a first embodiment is made up of a suction-type vacuum cleaner 100 used for cleaning work, and a collection device 200 that collects dust from the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0014] (Overall Structure of Vacuum Cleaner) Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stick-type vacuum cleaner 100. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner 100. The vacuum cleaner 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0015] The vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a suction nozzle 130 that sucks up dust on the floor, a vacuum cleaner body 110 that stands upright relative to the suction nozzle 130, and a grip part 140 that extends upward from the upper end 112 of the vacuum cleaner body 110. The vacuum cleaner body 110 and grip part 140 shown in Figures 1 and 2 are in an upright position relative to the suction nozzle 130 and do not tilt forward from this upright position. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is in use, the user holds the vacuum cleaner body 110 and grip part 140 in a position tilted backward relative to the suction nozzle 130.

[0016] Suction nozzle 130 is provided with nozzle case 132 that is wider than vacuum cleaner body 110 so as to form wide suction space 131 for sucking in dust. Suction space 131 opens toward the floor at the front portion of nozzle case 132. Behind this opening, suction space 131 is closed by bottom 134 of nozzle case 132. A rotary scraping brush 133 is disposed in suction space 131, and scraping brush 133 is exposed from nozzle case 132 so as to be able to contact the floor through the opening of suction space 131.

[0017] The vacuum cleaner body 110 has a housing 111 that is elongated in the vertical direction. The upper part of the housing 111 tapers toward an upper end 112 of the housing 111, and a grip part 140 extends upward from the upper end 112. The grip part 140 is a rod-shaped part that is thick enough to be gripped by a user. As shown in FIG. 2 , the grip part 140 is provided with an operating part 141 that is operated by the user.

[0018] The housing 111 is configured to house various components for sucking up dust on the floor surface and storing the sucked up dust. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , a suction pipe 113 extending in the vertical direction is disposed inside the lower portion of the housing 111. A dust storage chamber 152 for storing dust is provided above the suction pipe 113. A drive chamber 153 is formed above the dust storage chamber 152. This drive chamber 153 contains a suction source 116 that generates a suction force to suck up dust on the floor surface and generate an upward suction airflow, and a power storage unit 117 that stores power for operating the suction source 116. The drive chamber 153 and the dust storage chamber 152 are vertically aligned and adjacent to each other, and are separated by a filter unit 115. The filter unit 115 is configured to capture dust while allowing air to pass through.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2 , an exhaust port 122 for exhausting air sucked by the suction source 116 is formed in the portion of the housing 111 that forms the drive chamber 153, and the exhaust port 122 is in communication with the drive chamber 153. The exhaust port 122 is formed of a number of through-holes. Furthermore, a dust discharge port 124 for discharging dust accumulated in the dust storage chamber 152 is formed in the portion of the housing 111 that forms the dust storage chamber 152, and the dust discharge port 124 is in communication with the dust storage chamber 152. A substantially rectangular lid 121 is attached to the housing 111 so as to be rotatable up and down to open and close the dust discharge port 124. The lid 121 shown in FIG. 2 is in an open position that opens the dust discharge port 124, while the lid 121 shown in FIG. 1 is in a closed position that closes the dust discharge port 124. The lid 121 is biased to the closed position so as to close the dust discharge port 124 when no external force is acting on the lid 121.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1 , the filter unit 115 is a thin plate-like member extending obliquely upward from a position above the cover 121 and the dust discharge port 124 and below the exhaust port 122. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the filter unit 115 has a primary filter 171 and a secondary filter 172 arranged facing each other at a distance in the vertical direction. The primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 are configured to allow air to flow between the dust storage chamber 152 and the drive chamber 153. The primary filter 171 has larger meshes than the secondary filter 172 and is configured to capture larger dust particles. The dust captured by the primary filter 171 is stored in the dust storage chamber 152. In other words, the primary filter 171 is configured to allow air sucked in by the suction force of the suction source 116 to pass through while retaining some of the dust contained in the air in the dust storage chamber 152.

[0021] Dust particles smaller than the mesh size of primary filter 171 can pass through primary filter 171, but this small dust particle can be captured by secondary filter 172, which is disposed downstream of primary filter 171 in the flow direction of air sucked by suction source 116. The dust captured by secondary filter 172 is stored in the space between primary filter 171 and secondary filter 172. In the following description, this space will be referred to as "dust storage space 173."

[0022] The primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 have a curved shape in side view. As shown in Fig. 1 , the primary filter 171 has an inclined portion 174 that is provided above the lid 121 and the dust discharge port 124 and extends obliquely upward from a position below the exhaust port 122, and has a bent portion 175 that is bent relative to the inclined portion 174. The secondary filter 172 has an inclined portion 176 that is provided in a position approximately parallel to the inclined portion 174 of the primary filter 171, and a bent portion 177 that is provided in a position approximately parallel to the bent portion 175 of the primary filter 171.

[0023] The inclined portions 174, 176 are provided to ensure a large area for the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 within the housing 111. If the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 are arranged in a right-angled position (i.e., a horizontal position) perpendicular to the alignment direction of the dust storage chamber 152 and the drive chamber 153, their areas will be equal to the area of ​​the cross section of the internal space of the housing 111. On the other hand, if the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 have the inclined portions 174, 176, the areas of the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 may be larger than the area of ​​the cross section of the internal space of the housing 111.

[0024] The bent portion 175 of the primary filter 171 is provided to enlarge the corner formed between the primary filter 171 and the rear wall of the housing 111 on the dust storage chamber 152 side to some extent. If the entire primary filter 171 were inclined at the same angle as the inclined portion 174, the corner of the dust storage chamber 152 between the primary filter 171 and the front wall of the housing 111 would be an obtuse angle, but the corner of the dust storage chamber 152 between the primary filter 171 and the rear wall of the housing 111 would be an acute angle. The smaller the angle of this corner, the more difficult it may be to remove dust trapped in this corner. On the other hand, if the primary filter 171 has the bent portion 175, the angle of the corner formed between the primary filter 171 and the rear wall of the housing 111 may be enlarged to some extent.

[0025] The bent portion 177 of the secondary filter 172 is provided to facilitate the removal of dust from the secondary filter 172. The process of removing dust from the secondary filter 172 will be described later. In this manner, the inclined portion 174 of the primary filter 171 is inclined from a right-angle position that is a right angle relative to the alignment direction of the dust storage chamber 152 and the drive chamber 153 so that the corner formed by the housing 111 and the primary filter 171 on the dust storage chamber 152 side has an obtuse angle. In addition, the bent portion 175 of the primary filter 171 is bent with respect to the inclined portion 174 so that it assumes an orientation closer to the right-angle position than the inclined portion 174.

[0026] Additionally, the inclined portion 176 of the secondary filter 172 is inclined from a right-angle position that is perpendicular to the alignment direction of the dust storage chamber 152 and the drive chamber 153. Additionally, the bent portion 177 of the secondary filter 172 is provided at a position farther from the dust discharge port 124 than the inclined portion 176, and is bent relative to the inclined portion 176, so that the bent portion 177 is in a position closer to a right-angle position than the inclined portion 176.

[0027] The secondary filter 172 has small meshes and is therefore prone to clogging. Therefore, to prevent the entire secondary filter 172 from becoming clogged, the area of ​​the secondary filter 172 is made larger than that of the primary filter 171. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 , the secondary filter 172 is bent so that a plurality of ridges 178 extending in the longitudinal direction of the secondary filter 172 (i.e., in the direction from a position close to the dust outlet 124 to a position away from the dust outlet 124) are formed on the surface of the secondary filter 172. On the other hand, the primary filter 171 has large meshes and is therefore less prone to clogging than the secondary filter 172. Therefore, the primary filter 171 has a flat sheet shape, as shown in FIG. 3 . In this case, a relatively inexpensive filter material can be used for the primary filter 171.

[0028] 3, in order to discharge dust accumulated in the dust storage space 173 between the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172, a dust discharge unit 179 is attached to the lower ends of the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172. The dust discharge unit 179 is fixed to the front wall portion of the housing 111 where the dust discharge port 124 is formed, and forms a dust discharge path 180 that extends vertically so that dust falls when it is discharged from the dust storage space 173. The upper end of the dust discharge path 180 faces the dust storage space 173, and the lower end of the dust discharge path 180 opens downward.

[0029] The filter unit 115 has an on-off valve 181. As shown in FIG. 3 , the on-off valve 181 is attached to the lower end of the dust discharge path 180 to open and close the opening at the lower end of the dust discharge path 180. The on-off valve 181 is placed in a closed position, closing the dust discharge path 180, as shown in FIG. 3 by the upward suction force of the suction source 116 in the drive chamber 153 above the filter unit 115. When the suction source 116 stops and the suction force is eliminated, the on-off valve 181 rotates downward by its own weight, and can be placed in an open position, opening the dust discharge path 180. When the dust discharge path 180 is in the open position, dust accumulated in the dust storage space 173 falls through the dust discharge path 180 into the dust storage chamber 152.

[0030] 1, the upper end of dust storage chamber 152 is defined by filter portion 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 position that closes 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 to an open position that opens 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.

[0032] When the suction tube 113, the housing 111, and the grip portion 140 are in the upright position shown in Fig. 1, the lower end of the suction tube 113 is in contact with the bottom 134 of the nozzle case 132. That is, when the vacuum cleaner body 110 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 vacuum cleaner body 110 is tilted backward from the upright position, the lower end of the suction tube 113 moves in the direction shown by arrow A in Fig. 1. 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] (Overall Structure of the Collection Device) Dust stored in the dust storage chamber 152 of the vacuum cleaner 100 can be collected by a collection device 200 shown in Fig. 5. The vacuum cleaner 100 and the collection device 200 constitute a cleaning tool set 101.

[0034] The collection device 200 is configured to be connectable to the vacuum cleaner 100, and when connected to the vacuum cleaner 100, generates a suction force that sucks dust from the dust storage chamber 152 of the vacuum cleaner 100 and collects the dust. As will be described later, the collection device 200 is configured to generate a suction force large enough to suck air through the exhaust port 122 when connected to the dust outlet 124 of the vacuum cleaner 100. In detail, the collection device 200 has a base plate 220 on which the vacuum cleaner 100 is placed, a support portion 217 that stands upright from the base plate 220, and a housing 210 that is supported by the support portion 217 at a position spaced above the base plate 220. The support portion 217 is smaller than the housing 210 and the base plate 220 in the front-to-rear direction, and a recess surrounded by the base plate 220, the support portion 217, and the housing 210 is formed. The front portion of the suction nozzle 130 placed on the base plate 220 is inserted into this recess.

[0035] The housing 210 is a generally rectangular box-shaped portion, and a recessed groove 215 into which the vacuum cleaner body 110 is fitted is formed on the rear wall of the housing 210, as shown in Fig. 6. The recessed groove 215 extends in the vertical direction, as shown in Fig. 7.

[0036] 7, 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 position to enter.

[0037] An opening region 236 is formed in the recessed groove portion 215 above the collection port 216. The opening region 236 is formed in a position facing the exhaust port 122 of the vacuum cleaner 100 placed on the base plate 220. Therefore, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the collection device 200, the exhaust port 122 of the vacuum cleaner 100 is prevented from being blocked by the housing 210 of the collection device 200.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 5 , 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 member 247 is disposed between the dust storage box 240 and the dust suction source 250. The filter member 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 member 247. At this time, the dust in the dust storage box 240 is retained within the dust storage box 240 by the filter member 247.

[0039] 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.

[0040] (Explanation of the operation of the vacuum cleaner during cleaning work) During cleaning work, the user holds the vacuum cleaner 100 in a position where the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip part 140 are tilted backward relative to the suction nozzle 130. By tilting the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip part 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.

[0041] When the user then operates the operating unit 141 to activate the suction source 116, the suction source 116 generates an upward suction force. This suction force causes the check valve 114 to bend upward, opening the upper end of the suction tube 113. Meanwhile, this suction force causes the on-off valve 181 of the filter unit 115 to close, thereby closing the dust discharge path 180 of the dust discharge unit 179.

[0042] When the upper end of the suction pipe 113 is opened, the suction force of the suction source 116 generates a suction airflow that sucks in dust through the suction space 131 of the suction nozzle 130. The suction airflow passes through the suction nozzle 130 and the suction pipe 113 and flows into the dust storage chamber 152. Dust on the floor surface is carried by this suction airflow and flows into the dust storage chamber 152. Larger dust particles among this dust are captured by the primary filter 171 and retained in the dust storage chamber 152. Meanwhile, smaller dust particles pass through the primary filter 171 and flow into the dust storage space 173 between the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172. This dust is then captured by the secondary filter 172, which has finer mesh than the primary filter 171, and retained in the dust storage space 173. At this time, the dust exhaust path 180 of the dust exhaust section 179 is closed by the opening / closing valve 181, so that air and dust are prevented from flowing into the dust storage space 173 through the dust exhaust path 180 without passing through the primary filter 171.

[0043] When the cleaning work is completed, the user operates the operating unit 141 to stop the suction source 116. As a result, the suction force of the suction source 116 is lost, and the check valve 114 returns to its original position, closing the upper end of the suction tube 113. Therefore, dust in the dust storage chamber 152 does not fall into the suction tube 113.

[0044] Meanwhile, due to the loss of suction force, the on-off valve 181 of the filter unit 115 rotates downward under its own weight, opening the dust discharge path 180 of the dust discharge unit 179. As a result, the dust in the dust storage space 173 falls toward the dust discharge unit 179 according to the inclination of the filter unit 115, and flows into the dust storage chamber 152 through the dust discharge path 180 of the dust discharge unit 179. Because the dust discharge unit 179 is located above the lid body 121 and the dust discharge port 124, the dust in the dust storage space 173 falls near the lid body 121.

[0045] As the dust in the lower part of dust storage space 173 is discharged through dust discharge unit 179, the dust in the upper part of dust storage space 173 moves to the lower part of dust storage space 173 according to the inclination of filter unit 115. This dust then falls through dust discharge unit 179 into dust storage chamber 152. In this way, the dust accumulated in dust storage space 173 can be discharged to a certain extent into dust storage chamber 152 by stopping suction source 116.

[0046] When the suction source 116 is stopped, some of the dust adhering to the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 may fall from the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 due to the action of gravity. Specifically, a component of gravity acting in the normal direction of the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 acts to pull the dust off the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172. This component of force becomes smaller the more the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 are inclined relative to the alignment direction of the dust storage chamber 152 and the drive chamber 153. Therefore, the component of force acting on the bent portions 175 and 177 of the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 is greater than the component of force acting on the inclined portions 174 and 176. Therefore, dust adhering to the bent portions 175 and 177 is more likely to fall due to gravity than dust adhering to the inclined portions 174 and 176.

[0047] When suction source 116 is operating, there is nothing to block the dust flowing from the upper end of suction tube 113 toward primary filter 171, so the dust can forcefully enter a corner formed on the dust storage chamber 152 side between primary filter 171 and housing 111. However, because this corner has an obtuse angle, the dust can fall from this corner when suction source 116 is stopped. In addition, because the angle of the corner formed on the dust storage chamber 152 side between bent portion 175 of primary filter 171 and the rear wall portion of housing 111 is also somewhat large, dust can also fall from this corner.

[0048] (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 vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip part 140 in an upright position. When the vacuum cleaner body 110 in the upright position is fitted into the recessed groove part 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.

[0049] When the dust suction source 250 is activated in this state, the suction force of the dust suction source 250 acts on the lid body 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 body 121 changes from a closed position in which the dust discharge port 124 is closed to an open position in which the dust discharge port 124 is opened.

[0050] 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.

[0051] At this time, the suction force of the dust suction source 250 of the collection device 200 is stronger in the vicinity of the dust discharge port 124 within the dust storage chamber 152, and may become weaker the further away from the dust discharge port 124. Since the inclined portions 174 of the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 are provided at positions relatively close to the dust discharge port 124, dust adhering to the inclined portions 174, 176 is subjected to a fairly strong suction force and can be pulled off from the inclined portions 174, 176.

[0052] On the other hand, because bent portions 175, 177 are provided at positions relatively far from dust outlet 124, the suction force acting on bent portions 175, 177 may be weaker than the suction force acting on inclined portions 174, 176. However, because bent portions 175, 177 are provided at an angle closer to a right angle to the alignment direction of dust storage chamber 152 and drive chamber 153 than inclined portions 174, 176, dust adhering to bent portions 175, 177 can be removed as follows.

[0053] That is, because dust outlet 124 is provided below filter section 115, the suction force of dust suction source 250 acts downward on bent sections 175, 177. Furthermore, because bent sections 175, 177 are provided at an angle nearly perpendicular to the alignment direction of dust storage chamber 152 and drive chamber 153, the component of the suction force of dust suction source 250 in the normal direction of bent sections 175, 177 can become somewhat large. Therefore, dust remaining in bent sections 175, 177 even after suction source 116 of vacuum cleaner 100 has stopped can be pulled away from bent sections 175, 177 by the suction force of dust suction source 250. In other words, by arranging the bent portions 175, 177 at an angle nearly perpendicular to the alignment direction of the dust storage chamber 152 and the drive chamber 153, it becomes possible to efficiently remove dust from the bent portions 175, 177 even if the bent portions 175, 177 are relatively far from the dust discharge port 124.

[0054] The discharge of dust from the dust storage space 173 between the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 is also promoted by the airflow generated inside the vacuum cleaner 100 when the dust is collected from the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200. In other words, the exhaust port 122 of the vacuum cleaner 100 is not blocked by the housing 210 of the collection device 200 even when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the collection device 200. In other words, the drive chamber 153 communicates with the internal space of the housing 210 of the collection device 200 through the exhaust port 122 of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the opening area 236 of the collection device 200.

[0055] Then, due to the suction force of the dust suction source 250, the air in the dust storage chamber 152 flows out into the collection duct 230 together with the dust, and the air in the internal space of the housing 210 of the collection device 200 flows into the drive chamber 153 through the opening region 236 and the exhaust port 122. This air flows downward through the drive chamber 153. Then, this air passes through the secondary filter 172 and flows into the dust storage space 173. Dust adhering to the secondary filter 172 can be peeled off from the secondary filter 172 by the air passing through the secondary filter 172.

[0056] A portion of the air that flows into the dust storage space 173 passes through the primary filter 171 and flows into the dust storage chamber 152. At this time, dust adhering to the primary filter 171 can be peeled off from the primary filter 171 by the air passing through the primary filter 171.

[0057] The air flows toward the dust discharge section 179 in the dust storage space 173 between the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172. Then, the dust remaining in the dust storage space 173 flows with this air flow toward the dust discharge section 179 and flows into the dust storage chamber 152 through the dust discharge path 180 of the dust discharge section 179. The dust can then be sucked out of the dust storage chamber 152 into the dust storage box 240 through the dust discharge port 124.

[0058] At this time, the protrusions 178 of the secondary filter 172 extend in the direction of the air flow toward the dust discharge section 179 within the dust storage space 173, so that dust flowing with this air flow is less likely to get caught on the protrusions 178 of the secondary filter 172.

[0059] 5, dust accumulated in filter unit 115 can be removed from filter unit 115 without removing filter unit 115 from vacuum cleaner 100. In other words, a user can relatively easily remove not only dust in dust storage chamber 152 of vacuum cleaner 100 but also dust accumulated between primary filter 171 and secondary filter 172, simply by attaching vacuum cleaner 100 to collection device 200 and operating collection device 200.

[0060] In the filter unit 115 shown in FIG. 3 , the on-off valve 181 is closed by the suction force of the suction source 116 of the vacuum cleaner 100. This prevents air and dust that have flowed into the dust storage chamber 152 by the suction force of the suction source 116 of the vacuum cleaner 100 from flowing into the dust storage space 173 without passing through the primary filter 171. To achieve a similar effect, the on-off valve 181 may be biased toward the closed position by a biasing member (e.g., a torsion spring). The biasing force of this biasing member may be set so that the on-off valve 181 is opened by the suction force of the dust suction source 250 of the collection device 200. In this case, the on-off valve 181 is prevented from unintentionally opening due to a decrease in the suction force of the suction source 116 of the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0061] 3, the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 each have an inclined portion 174, 176. However, if there is no risk of the primary filter 171 becoming clogged as a whole, the primary filter 171 does not need to have the inclined portion 174. Furthermore, if there is no risk of the secondary filter 172 becoming clogged as a whole, the secondary filter 172 does not need to have the inclined portion 176.

[0062] 3 , the primary filter 171 is formed in a flat sheet shape. Alternatively, in order to increase the area of ​​the primary filter 171, the primary filter 171 may have a folded shape so that multiple ridges are formed, similar to the secondary filter 172. In this case, even if a portion of the primary filter 171 becomes clogged, air can flow into the dust storage space 173 through other portions of the primary filter 171.

[0063] The secondary filter 172 shown in Fig. 4 has a folded shape to form multiple ridges 178. In this case, the area of ​​the secondary filter 172 is increased by the amount that the secondary filter 172 is folded, and even if a portion of the secondary filter 172 becomes clogged, air in the dust storage space 173 can flow out of the dust storage space 173 through other portions of the secondary filter 172. However, if the internal space of the vacuum cleaner 100 is large, a large area of ​​the secondary filter 172 can be obtained even if the secondary filter 172 does not have a folded shape. Therefore, in such a case, the secondary filter 172 may have a flat sheet shape similar to the primary filter 171 shown in Fig. 3.

[0064] In the filter unit 115 shown in Fig. 3, the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 are arranged to be substantially parallel to each other. Alternatively, the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 may be arranged so that the distance between the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 increases as the distance approaches the dust discharge port 124, as shown in Fig. 8. In this case, dust flowing in the dust storage space 173 toward the dust discharge path 180 can be prevented from being pinched between the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 and becoming trapped in the dust storage space 173 before being discharged through the dust discharge path 180.

[0065] Second Embodiment In the cleaning tool set 101 of the first embodiment, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the collection device 200, the exhaust port 122 of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the opening area 236 of the housing 210 of the collection device 200 are connected. Therefore, when dust is collected from the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200, air inside the housing 210 of the collection device 200 flows into the drive chamber 153 of the vacuum cleaner 100 through the opening area 236 of the collection device 200 and the exhaust port 122 of the vacuum cleaner 100. Some of this air then flows through the dust storage space 173 and promotes the discharge of dust from the dust storage space 173. However, the suction source 116 is present in the path of the air flowing from the exhaust port 122 to the dust storage space 173, and this suction source 116 can act as a resistance to the flow of air from the exhaust port 122 to the dust storage space 173.

[0066] To reduce such air resistance, vacuum cleaner 100 may be formed with inlet 182, which allows air to flow into drive chamber 153 by the suction force of collection device 200 when vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to collection device 200. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 , inlet 182 may be formed to communicate with drive chamber 153 at a position closer to dust discharge port 124 than to exhaust port 122 in the alignment direction of dust storage chamber 152 and drive chamber 153. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 10 , inlet 182 may open at a position higher than filter unit 115 and lower than suction source 116. In this case, when collecting dust from vacuum cleaner 100 to collection device 200, air flowing into drive chamber 153 from inlet 182 can flow into dust storage space 173 without being obstructed by suction source 116.

[0067] Also, as shown in Figure 9, the inlet 182 may be formed in the side wall portion of the housing 111 of the vacuum cleaner 100 so that it is not blocked by the housing 210 of the collection device 200 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is fitted into the groove portion 215 of the collection device 200.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 9 , an opening / closing lid 183 that is operated to open and close the inlet 182 is attached to the housing 111 of the vacuum cleaner 100. The opening / closing lid 183 shown in Fig. 9 is in an open position that opens the inlet 182, and when collecting dust from the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200, the user can operate the opening / closing lid 183 so that the opening / closing lid 183 is in the open position. On the other hand, when performing cleaning work using the vacuum cleaner 100, the user can rotate the opening / closing lid 183 upward from the position shown in Fig. 9 to close the inlet 182. In this state, even if the suction source 116 is activated, no air flows in through the inlet 182, and a decrease in suction power at the suction nozzle 130 is suppressed.

[0069] The air inlet 182 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is formed in a sidewall portion of the housing 111 of the vacuum cleaner 100. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11 , the air inlet 182 may be formed in a surface (i.e., a rear wall portion of the housing 111 of the vacuum cleaner 100) opposite to the surface (i.e., a front wall portion of the housing 111 of the vacuum cleaner 100) on which the dust outlet 124 is formed. In this case, air flowing into the housing 111 through the air inlet 182 may traverse the interior space of the housing 111 and flow out of the dust outlet 124. If the filter unit 115 is positioned at an angle similar to this air flow, the amount of air that enters the dust storage space 173 through the secondary filter 172 and passes through the dust storage space 173 and is discharged from the dust discharge path 180 may increase. This air flow may push the air in the dust storage space 173 toward the dust discharge unit 179. As a result, the discharge of dust from the dust storage space 173 may be promoted. 11 , the dust discharge path 180 may be provided at a position closer to the dust discharge port 124 than the inlet 182. This can promote the discharge of dust collected at a position close to the dust discharge port 124 from the dust storage space 173.

[0070] The open-close lid 183 shown in Figures 9 to 11 is operated by the user to be in an open position or a closed position. Alternatively, the open-close lid 183 may be biased to be in the open position and configured to be in the closed position by the suction force of the suction source 116. In this case, if the biasing force on the open-close lid 183 is set to maintain the open position against the suction force of the dust suction source 250 acting on the inlet 182, the user does not need to operate the open-close lid 183. In other words, even without the user operating the open-close lid 183, the open-close lid 183 can be in the closed position by the suction force of the suction source 116 when performing cleaning work using the vacuum cleaner 100, and in the open position by the biasing force of the open-close lid 183 when collecting dust from the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200.

[0071] Third Embodiment During cleaning using the vacuum cleaner 100, air flows from the dust storage chamber 152 to the drive chamber 153 within the housing 111 of the vacuum cleaner 100. As this air passes through the filter unit 115, it tends to bend and deform the primary filter 171 upward (i.e., toward the secondary filter 172). Furthermore, during collection of dust from the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200, air flows from the drive chamber 153 to the dust storage chamber 152 within the housing 111 of the vacuum cleaner 100. As this air passes through the filter unit 115, it tends to bend and deform the secondary filter 172 downward (i.e., toward the primary filter 171). As a result of the upward bending and deformation of the primary filter 171 and the downward bending and deformation of the secondary filter 172, the dust storage space 173 may become narrower. To suppress these bending and deformation, deformation suppressors 184, 185 may be provided within the dust storage space 173, as shown in FIG. 12 .

[0072] The deformation suppression section 184 is provided to suppress upward bending deformation of the primary filter 171 due to the suction force of the suction source 116, and is composed of a plurality of rod-shaped members 186 arranged to abut against the inner surface (the surface facing the secondary filter 172) of the primary filter 171. These rod-shaped members 186 extend in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 12 ) and are arranged at intervals from one another.

[0073] The deformation suppression section 185 is provided to suppress downward bending deformation of the secondary filter 172 due to the dust suction force of the collection device 200, and is composed of a plurality of rod-shaped members 187 arranged to abut against the inner surface (the surface facing the primary filter 171) of the secondary filter 172. These rod-shaped members 187 extend in the width direction and are arranged at intervals from one another.

[0074] During cleaning operations using the vacuum cleaner 100, the primary filter 171 is subjected to an upward force from the air flowing from the dust storage chamber 152 to the drive chamber 153, but the upward bending deformation of the primary filter 171 is suppressed by the deformation suppression portion 184. The primary filter 171 may bend between adjacent rod-shaped members 186 in the deformation suppression portion 184, but the smaller the spacing between these rod-shaped members 186, the more the bending deformation of the primary filter 171 is suppressed. On the other hand, if a large number of rod-shaped members 186 are arranged so that the spacing between them is narrow, the area in the primary filter 171 that allows air to pass through becomes smaller. For this reason, it is preferable that the spacing and number of rod-shaped members 186 be determined in consideration of the amount of bending deformation of the primary filter 171 and the size of the area in the primary filter 171 that allows air to pass through.

[0075] When dust is collected from the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200, the secondary filter 172 receives a downward force from the air flowing from the drive chamber 153 to the dust storage chamber 152, but the downward bending deformation of the secondary filter 172 is suppressed by the deformation suppression unit 185. The secondary filter 172 may bend between adjacent rod-shaped members 187 in the deformation suppression unit 185, but the smaller the spacing between these rod-shaped members 187, the more the bending deformation of the secondary filter 172 is suppressed. On the other hand, if a large number of rod-shaped members 187 are arranged so that the spacing between them is narrow, the area in the secondary filter 172 that allows air to pass through becomes smaller. For this reason, it is preferable to determine the spacing and number of rod-shaped members 187 in consideration of the amount of bending deformation of the secondary filter 172 and the size of the area in the secondary filter 172 that allows air to pass through.

[0076] If the deformation suppression units 184, 185 are provided in the dust storage space 173, the dust storage space 173 will be locally narrowed at the positions where the rod-shaped members 186, 187 are arranged. Furthermore, when collecting dust from the vacuum cleaner 100 to the collection device 200, it is expected that dust flowing toward the dust discharge path 180 within the dust storage space 173 will be caught on the rod-shaped members 186, 187. To reduce this disadvantage, one of the deformation suppression units 184, 185 may be omitted. Alternatively, the deformation suppression units 184, 185 may be provided so as to abut the outer surfaces of the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172. If the deformation suppression units 184, 185 are fixed to the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172, the deformation of the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172 will be suppressed even if the deformation suppression units 184, 185 are provided on the outer surfaces of the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172.

[0077] 13 , through holes 188 may be formed in the rod-shaped members 186, 187 of the deformation suppression portions 184, 185. These through holes 188 are drilled in the rod-shaped members 186, 187 so as to allow the passage of air flowing toward the dust discharge path 180 (dust discharge port 124) within the dust storage space 173. The flow path of the air flowing within the dust storage space 173 is expanded by the amount of the through holes 188.

[0078] In the vacuum cleaner 100 of the cleaning tool set 101 of the first to third embodiments, the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip part 140 do not tilt forward from the upright position. However, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be configured so that the vacuum cleaner body 110 and the grip part 140 can tilt forward from the upright position.

[0079] In the vacuum cleaner 100 of the cleaning tool set 101 of the first to third 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.

[0080] The filter unit 115 of the cleaning tool set 101 of the first to third embodiments is housed in the stick-type vacuum cleaner 100. However, the filter unit 115 may also be housed in an upright-type vacuum cleaner, a canister-type vacuum cleaner, or a handheld vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, the filter unit 115 may also be housed in a self-propelled robot vacuum cleaner.

[0081] In the cleaning tool sets 101 of the first to third embodiments, the dust removal unit 179 is attached to the lower ends of the primary filter 171 and the secondary filter 172. Alternatively, the dust removal unit 179 may be provided in another location. For example, if the primary filter 171 has a shape that is lowest at the center of the primary filter 171 and slopes upward from the center toward the front and rear ends, as shown in FIG. 14 , the dust removal unit 179 may be provided in this center position.

[0082] In the cleaning tool sets 101 of the first to third embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the collection device 200 by fitting the vacuum cleaner 100 into the recessed groove portion 215 of the collection device 200. Alternatively, the collection duct 230 of the collection device 200 may extend outward from the housing 210, and the collection duct 230 may be inserted into the dust outlet 124 of the vacuum cleaner 100.

[0083] (Effects, etc.) The cleaning tool set 101 according to the above-described embodiment has the following features and provides the following effects.

[0084] A cleaning tool set according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment includes a vacuum cleaner and a collection device. The vacuum cleaner includes a housing forming a drive chamber housing a suction source that generates suction force to suck in dust, a dust storage chamber that stores dust sucked by the suction force of the suction source, and a filter unit disposed within the housing to separate the drive chamber from the dust storage chamber. The vacuum cleaner also includes a dust outlet communicating with the dust storage chamber to allow dust to be discharged from the dust storage chamber. The collection device is configured to be connectable to the vacuum cleaner, and when connected to the collection device, generates a suction force to suck out dust from the dust storage chamber and collects the dust from the dust storage chamber through the dust outlet. The filter unit includes a primary filter configured to allow air sucked by the suction force of the suction source to pass through while retaining a portion of the dust contained in the air in the dust storage chamber. The filter unit also includes a secondary filter located downstream of the primary filter in the flow direction of air sucked by the suction force of the suction source and having finer mesh than the primary filter. The filter section also has a dust discharge section that forms a dust discharge path that connects the dust storage chamber and the dust storage space so that, when the vacuum cleaner is connected to the collection device, the suction force of the collection device allows dust accumulated in the dust storage space between the primary filter and the secondary filter to be sucked out into the dust storage chamber.

[0085] In the above-described configuration, when the suction source of the vacuum cleaner is activated, the suction force of the suction source generates a flow of air from the dust storage chamber toward the drive chamber. This air passes through the primary filter, but some of the dust contained in this air is captured by the primary filter and retained in the dust storage chamber. The remaining dust passes through the primary filter, but the dust that passes through the primary filter can be captured by the secondary filter, which has a finer mesh than the primary filter. The dust captured by the secondary filter can be stored in the dust storage space between the primary and secondary filters.

[0086] To collect dust from the dust storage chamber into the collection device, a user can connect the vacuum cleaner to the collection device. When the collection device is activated in this state, the dust from the dust storage chamber is sucked out through a dust outlet formed in communication with the dust storage chamber by the suction force of the collection device and collected into the collection device. At this time, dust accumulated in the dust storage space between the primary filter and the secondary filter is sucked into the dust storage chamber through the dust outlet path of the dust outlet unit. This dust is then also sucked out through the dust outlet and collected into the collection device. In this way, disassembly of the filter unit is not required when collecting dust from the vacuum cleaner to the collection device. Therefore, dust in the dust storage space can be removed relatively easily from the dust storage space. In other words, the cleaning tool set makes it relatively easy to remove dust accumulated between the two filters of the vacuum cleaner.

[0087] In the above-described configuration, the filter section may have an on-off valve that opens and closes the dust discharge path.

[0088] In the above-described configuration, when the suction source of the vacuum cleaner is operated with the on-off valve closing the dust exhaust path, the air in the dust storage chamber is prevented from flowing into the dust storage space through the dust exhaust path, i.e., the air in the dust storage chamber is prevented from flowing into the dust storage space without passing through the primary filter.

[0089] When the vacuum cleaner is connected to the collection device and the collection device is activated, the suction force of the collection device sucks out the dust in the dust storage chamber through the dust discharge port. At this time, when the on-off valve opens the dust discharge path, the dust storage space communicates with the dust storage chamber through the dust discharge path, and the suction force of the collection device also acts on the dust storage space. As a result, the dust in the dust storage space is sucked out through the dust discharge path into the dust storage chamber. The dust is then collected by the collection device through the dust discharge port.

[0090] In the above-described configuration, the on-off valve may be configured to be in a closed position to close the dust discharge path by the suction force of the suction source of the vacuum cleaner, and to be in an open position to open the dust discharge path by the weight of the on-off valve itself.

[0091] In the above-described configuration, when a user uses the vacuum cleaner for cleaning, the user activates the suction source of the vacuum cleaner. At this time, the suction force of the suction source causes the on-off valve to assume a closed position, closing the dust exhaust path. In this state, air from the dust storage chamber is prevented from flowing into the dust storage space without passing through the primary filter.

[0092] When the user finishes cleaning, he or she turns off the vacuum cleaner's suction source. At this time, the on-off valve assumes an open position, opening the dust discharge path, due to its own weight. In this state, when the user connects the vacuum cleaner to the collection device and activates the device, the dust in the dust storage space is collected into the collection device through the dust discharge port, along with the dust in the dust storage chamber, due to the dust suction force of the collection device.

[0093] In the above-described configuration, the dust discharge path may be open at the lower end of the dust storage space so as to allow dust in the dust storage space to fall into the dust storage chamber through the dust discharge path when the on-off valve is in the open position.

[0094] In the above-described configuration, when the on-off valve is in the open position to open the dust discharge path under its own weight, some of the dust in the dust storage space falls by gravity through the dust discharge path into the dust storage chamber. When the user connects the vacuum cleaner to the collection device and operates the collection device, the dust remaining in the dust storage space is collected into the collection device through the dust discharge port together with the dust in the dust storage chamber by the dust suction force of the collection device.

[0095] In the above-described configuration, the on-off valve may be biased to a closed position that closes the dust discharge path, and may be configured to be configured to move to an open position that opens the dust discharge path by the dust suction force of a collection device connected to the dust discharge port.

[0096] In the above-described configuration, when a user uses the vacuum cleaner for cleaning, the user activates the suction source of the vacuum cleaner. At this time, the on-off valve is biased to the closed position, so the dust exhaust path is closed. This prevents air from entering the dust storage space without passing through the primary filter.

[0097] When the user then connects the vacuum cleaner to the collection device and activates it, the suction force of the collection device causes the on-off valve to open, opening the dust discharge path. As a result, the dust in the dust storage space is collected into the collection device through the dust discharge port, along with the dust in the dust storage chamber, by the suction force of the collection device.

[0098] In the above-described configuration, the vacuum cleaner may be configured so that an exhaust port through which air sucked by the suction force of the suction source is discharged is formed to communicate with the drive chamber. The collection device may be configured to generate a dust suction force sufficient to suck air through the exhaust port when connected to the dust discharge port.

[0099] In the above-described configuration, when the suction source of the vacuum cleaner is operating, air sucked in by the suction source is discharged to the outside through the exhaust port. When a user connects the vacuum cleaner to the collection device and operates the collection device, the suction force of the collection device causes air to flow into the drive chamber of the vacuum cleaner through the exhaust port. This air then passes through the dust storage space and the dust storage chamber and flows out through the dust discharge port. At this time, dust in the dust storage space and the dust storage chamber can be carried by this air flow and flow out through the dust discharge port.

[0100] In the above-described configuration, the vacuum cleaner may have an exhaust port through which air sucked by the suction source is discharged, and an inlet through which air flows into the drive chamber by the suction force of the dust collection device when the vacuum cleaner is connected to the dust collection device, both of which are formed to communicate with the drive chamber. The inlet may be located closer to the dust discharge port than the exhaust port. The vacuum cleaner may have an opening / closing lid for opening and closing the inlet.

[0101] With the above-described configuration, a user can perform cleaning work using the vacuum cleaner with the inlet closed with the open-close lid. During this time, air sucked in by the suction source is discharged to the outside through the exhaust port. The user can then connect the vacuum cleaner to the collection device to collect dust from the vacuum cleaner into the collection device. The user can then operate the open-close lid to open the inlet and activate the collection device. Because the inlet is located closer to the dust discharge port than the exhaust port, the suction force of the collection device can be stronger at the inlet than at the exhaust port. This allows more air to flow into the drive chamber through the inlet, and this large amount of air passes through the dust storage space and dust storage chamber before flowing out the dust discharge port. This air can thus promote the discharge of dust from the dust storage space and dust storage chamber.

[0102] In the above-described configuration, the vacuum cleaner may have an inlet formed on a surface opposite to the surface on which the dust outlet is formed, through which air flows into the drive chamber by the suction force of the collection device when the vacuum cleaner is connected to the collection device. The dust exhaust path may be located closer to the inlet than the dust outlet.

[0103] In the above-described configuration, when a user connects the vacuum cleaner to the collection device and activates the collection device, the suction force of the dust suction source causes air to flow into the drive chamber through the inlet and out through the dust outlet formed to communicate with the dust storage chamber. A portion of this air flows through the dust storage space within the filter unit that separates the drive chamber from the dust storage chamber. This air flow within the dust storage space pushes dust in the direction toward the dust outlet, collecting it near the dust outlet. The dust outlet path is located closer to the dust outlet than the inlet so that the dust collected near the dust outlet can be discharged from the dust storage space.

[0104] In the above-described configuration, at least one of the primary filter and the secondary filter may have an inclined portion that is inclined from a right-angled position perpendicular to the alignment direction of the dust storage chamber and the drive chamber.

[0105] If at least one of the primary and secondary filters were to separate the dust storage chamber and the drive chamber in an orientation perpendicular to the alignment direction of the dust storage chamber and the drive chamber, the area of ​​the filter would be small, and it is expected that the entire filter would become clogged. To avoid this situation, at least one of the primary and secondary filters has an inclined portion that is inclined from the perpendicular orientation perpendicular to the alignment direction of the dust storage chamber and the drive chamber. In this case, the area of ​​the filter can be increased as the inclination angle of the inclined portion from the perpendicular orientation increases.

[0106] In the above-described configuration, the primary filter may have an inclined portion inclined from a right-angle position perpendicular to the alignment direction of the dust storage chamber and the drive chamber so that a corner formed by the housing and the primary filter on the dust storage chamber side has an obtuse angle. The primary filter may also have a bent portion bent relative to the inclined portion so that the primary filter assumes an attitude closer to the right-angle position than the inclined portion.

[0107] If the entire primary filter is positioned at an angle relative to a right angle, the corners between the primary filter and the housing on the dust storage chamber side may have some obtuse angles and some acute angles. If the angle of inclination of the primary filter is increased to increase the area of ​​the primary filter, the acute-angled corners become narrower, and dust in the dust storage chamber may become trapped in these narrow corners. Such dust is strongly clamped between the primary filter and the housing, and even when the dust collection device's suction force acts on it, it may remain in the corners without escaping.

[0108] To avoid this situation, the primary filter has a bent portion that is bent relative to the inclined portion. Because the bent portion is positioned at a nearly right angle, the angle of the corner formed between the bent portion and the housing on the dust storage chamber side can be somewhat large. As a result, even when the dust collection device's suction force acts, the amount of dust that remains in the corner between the primary filter and the dust storage chamber can be reduced.

[0109] In the above-described configuration, the secondary filter may have an inclined portion inclined from a right-angle position perpendicular to the alignment direction of the dust storage chamber and the drive chamber. The secondary filter may also be provided at a position farther from the dust outlet than the inclined portion, and may have a bent portion bent relative to the inclined portion and in a position closer to the right-angle position than the inclined portion.

[0110] When the secondary filter is in a right-angle position, the suction force acting on the dust storage chamber through the dust outlet acts in a direction normal to the secondary filter. This normal force acts to remove dust adhering to the secondary filter from the secondary filter. Meanwhile, the more the secondary filter is tilted from the right-angle position, the smaller the component of the suction force acting in the normal direction of the secondary filter becomes. Since the dust exhaust force acting on the secondary filter is relatively large at a position close to the dust outlet, even if the secondary filter is tilted from the right-angle position to increase the area of ​​the secondary filter, a component of the suction force large enough to remove dust from the secondary filter can be obtained. However, since the suction force is weaker at a position farther from the dust outlet, it is expected that a component of the suction force large enough to remove dust from the secondary filter cannot be obtained when the secondary filter is tilted significantly from the right-angle position. To avoid such a situation, in the above-mentioned configuration, an inclined portion is provided near the dust outlet to increase the area of ​​the secondary filter, while a bent portion is provided at a position away from the dust outlet, which is bent relative to the inclined portion so that the secondary filter assumes an orientation closer to a right angle than the inclined portion.

[0111] In the above-described configuration, at least one of the primary filter and the secondary filter may be bent so that a ridge is formed on a surface of the at least one filter.

[0112] In the above-described configuration, at least one of the primary filter and the secondary filter is bent to form ridges on its surface, so the area of ​​this filter is larger than that of a filter with a flat surface by the amount of the ridges. Therefore, even if part of this filter becomes clogged, the airflow generated by the suction force of the suction source can flow into the drive chamber through other parts. In other words, this filter can maintain its filtering function for a long period of time.

[0113] In the above-described configuration, the protrusion may extend from a position close to the dust discharge port in a direction away from the dust discharge port.

[0114] In the above-described configuration, when a user connects the vacuum cleaner to the collection device and activates the collection device, the suction force of the collection device causes air to flow within the dust storage space from a position far from the dust outlet to a position close to the dust outlet. The protrusions extend from a position close to the dust outlet in a direction away from the dust outlet, and this extension direction can be aligned with the air flow direction within the dust storage space. Therefore, dust flowing with the air within the dust storage space can flow along the protrusions without being caught on the protrusions.

[0115] In the above-described configuration, the primary filter and the secondary filter may be formed so that the gap between the primary filter and the secondary filter increases as they approach the dust outlet.

[0116] In the above-described configuration, when a user connects the vacuum cleaner to the collection device and activates the collection device, the suction force of the collection device causes air to flow within the dust storage space from a position farther from the dust outlet to a position closer to the dust outlet. This airflow also carries dust within the dust storage space from a position farther from the dust outlet to a position closer to the dust outlet. Because the gap between the primary filter and the secondary filter increases from a position farther from the dust outlet to a position closer to the dust outlet, dust flowing from a position farther from the dust outlet to a position closer to the dust outlet is less likely to become trapped between the primary filter and the secondary filter.

[0117] In the above-described configuration, the filter portion may have a deformation suppressing portion that suppresses the secondary filter from being curved and deformed toward the primary filter due to the dust suction force of the collection device.

[0118] In the above-described configuration, when a user connects the vacuum cleaner to the collection device and activates the collection device, the suction force of the collection device acts to draw the secondary filter toward the primary filter. This suction force causes the secondary filter to bend toward the primary filter, but this bending deformation is suppressed by the deformation suppression unit.

[0119] In the above-described configuration, the filter section may have a deformation suppressing section that suppresses the primary filter from being curved and deformed toward the secondary filter due to the suction force of the suction source.

[0120] In the above-described configuration, the suction force of the suction source acts to draw the primary filter toward the secondary filter. The primary filter then attempts to bend toward the secondary filter due to this dust suction force, but this bending deformation is suppressed by the deformation suppression section.

[0121] In the above-described configuration, the deformation suppression portion may be disposed within the dust storage space. The deformation suppression portion may be formed with a through hole that allows passage of air flowing through the dust storage space toward the dust discharge port.

[0122] In the above-described configuration, because the deformation suppression unit is disposed within the dust storage space, even if the secondary filter attempts to bend toward the primary filter due to the suction force of the collection device, this bending deformation is prevented by the deformation suppression unit. Furthermore, even if the primary filter attempts to bend toward the secondary filter due to the suction force of the suction source, this bending deformation is also prevented by the deformation suppression unit. In this case, the flow path of air flowing through the dust storage space may be narrowed by the deformation suppression unit, but because the deformation suppression unit has a through hole, even if the deformation suppression unit is disposed within the dust storage space, a relatively large flow path for air flowing through the dust storage space can be ensured.

[0123] The cleaning tool set of the above-described embodiment is suitably used in an apparatus used for cleaning work.

[0124] 100 Vacuum cleaner 101 Cleaning tool set 110 Vacuum cleaner body 111 Housing 112 Upper end 113 Suction pipe 114 Check valve 115 Filter section 116 Suction source 117 Power storage section 121 Lid body 122 Exhaust port 124 Dust discharge port 130 Suction nozzle 131 Suction space 132 Nozzle case 133 Scraping brush 134 Bottom section 140 Grip section 141 Operation section 152 Dust storage chamber 153 Drive chamber 171 Primary filter 172 Secondary filter 173 Dust storage space 174 Inclined section 175 Bent section 176 Inclined section 177 Bent section 178 Protrusion 179 Dust discharge section 180 Dust discharge path 181 Opening / closing valve 182 Inlet 183 Opening / closing lid 184 Deformation suppression section 185 Deformation suppression section 186 Rod-shaped member 187 Rod-shaped member 188 Through-hole 200 Collection device 210 Housing 215 Groove section 216 Collection port 217 Support section 220 Base plate 230 Collection duct 236 Opening area 240 Dust collection box 247 Filter member 250 Dust suction source 300 Cleaner 310 Grip section 320 Suction nozzle 330 Cleaner body 340 Dust collection section 341 Dust collection container 342 Lid section 343 Filter section 344 Primary filter 345 Secondary filter

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner having a housing forming a drive chamber accommodating a suction source that generates a suction force to suck in dust, and a dust storage chamber that stores dust sucked in by the suction force of the suction source, and a filter section arranged within the housing to separate the dust storage chamber from the drive chamber, and having a dust outlet formed in communication with the dust storage chamber to allow dust to be discharged from the dust storage chamber; and a recovery device formed to be connectable to the vacuum cleaner, and which, when the vacuum cleaner is connected, generates a suction force to suck out dust in the dust storage chamber and recovers the dust from the dust storage chamber through the dust outlet, the filter section comprising: a primary filter configured to allow air sucked in by the suction force of the suction source to pass through, while retaining some of the dust contained in this air in the dust storage chamber; and a secondary filter located downstream of the primary filter in the flow direction of the air sucked in by the suction force of the suction source and having finer mesh than the primary filter. a dust discharge section that forms a dust discharge path that connects the dust storage chamber with the dust storage space, so that when the vacuum cleaner is connected to the collection device, the suction force of the collection device allows dust that has accumulated in the dust storage space between the primary filter and the secondary filter to be sucked out into the dust storage chamber.

2. The cleaning tool set according to claim 1, wherein the filter section has an on-off valve that opens and closes the dust discharge path.

3. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 2, wherein the on-off valve is configured to be in a closed position to close the dust discharge path by the suction force of the suction source of the vacuum cleaner, and to be in an open position to open the dust discharge path by the weight of the on-off valve.

4. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 3, wherein the dust discharge path is open at the lower end of the dust storage space so as to allow dust in the dust storage space to fall into the dust storage chamber through the dust discharge path when the on-off valve is in the open position.

5. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 2, wherein the on-off valve is biased to a closed position that closes the dust discharge path, and is configured to be biased to an open position that opens the dust discharge path by the suction force of the collection device connected to the dust discharge port.

6. The cleaning tool set according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner has an exhaust port that communicates with the drive chamber and through which the air sucked in by the suction force of the suction source is released, and the collection device is configured to generate a suction force large enough to suck in the air through the exhaust port when connected to the dust outlet.

7. The cleaning tool set of claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner is formed with an exhaust port through which the air sucked by the suction source is released, and an inlet through which the air flows into the drive chamber by the suction force of the collection device when the vacuum cleaner is connected to the collection device, the inlet being located closer to the dust outlet than the exhaust port, and the vacuum cleaner has an opening / closing lid for opening and closing the inlet.

8. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 2, wherein an inlet is formed on the surface of the vacuum cleaner opposite to the surface on which the dust outlet is formed, and which allows air to flow into the drive chamber by the suction force of the collection device when the vacuum cleaner is connected to the collection device, and the dust outlet path is located closer to the dust outlet than the inlet.

9. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the primary filter and the secondary filter has an inclined portion inclined from a perpendicular position perpendicular to the alignment direction of the dust storage chamber and the drive chamber.

10. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 1, wherein the primary filter has an inclined portion inclined from a right-angle position perpendicular to the alignment direction of the dust storage chamber and the drive chamber so that the corner formed by the housing and the primary filter on the dust storage chamber side is an obtuse angle, and a bent portion bent relative to the inclined portion so that the position is closer to the right-angle position than the inclined portion.

11. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 1, wherein the secondary filter has an inclined portion inclined from a right-angle position perpendicular to the alignment direction of the dust storage chamber and the drive chamber, and a bent portion that is located farther from the dust outlet than the inclined portion and is bent relative to the inclined portion and is in a position closer to the right-angle position than the inclined portion.

12. The cleaning tool set according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the primary filter and the secondary filter is bent so that ridges are formed on the surface of the at least one filter.

13. The cleaning tool set according to claim 12, wherein the protrusion extends from a position close to the dust outlet in a direction away from the dust outlet.

14. The cleaning tool set according to claim 1, wherein the primary filter and the secondary filter are formed so that the distance between the primary filter and the secondary filter increases as they approach the dust outlet.

15. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 1, wherein the filter section has a deformation suppression section that suppresses the secondary filter from being curved and deformed toward the primary filter due to the dust suction force of the collection device.

16. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 1, wherein the filter section has a deformation suppression section that suppresses the primary filter from being curved and deformed toward the secondary filter due to the suction force of the suction source.

17. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 15 or 16, wherein the deformation suppression section is arranged within the dust storage space, and the deformation suppression section has a through hole formed therein that allows the air flowing through the dust storage space toward the dust discharge port to pass through.

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