Dust removal device

Abstract

A dust removal device according to the present disclosure comprises: an insertion tube configured such that a mop can be inserted from above; a dust storage unit for storing dust; a recovery duct for communicating the dust storage unit with the insertion tube; and a suction source for causing suction force for sucking dust from the mop in the insertion tube to act on the mop in the insertion tube through the dust storage unit and the recovery duct. On a peripheral wall of the insertion tube, an outflow port is formed which allows dust separated from the mop in the insertion tube to flow out to the recovery duct. The dust storage unit is formed so that dust separated from the mop in the insertion tube flows in and that an inflow port having an opening area larger than that of the outflow port faces the outflow port. The recovery duct extends straight from the outflow port to the inflow port, and has a larger flow path cross-sectional area on the inflow port side than on the outflow port side.

Description

Dust removal equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dust removal device for removing dust from a mop.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a dust removing device 300 shown in Fig. 24. This dust removing device 300 is configured to remove dust from a mop 330 shown in Fig. 25.

[0003] The mop 330 has a dust cloth portion 331 for wiping off dust from the floor surface, and a handle portion 332 extending from the dust cloth portion 331. The dust cloth portion 331 is a rectangular plate-shaped member that is elongated in the left-right direction and is configured so that dust on the floor surface adheres to the dust cloth portion 331. The lower end of the handle portion 332 is attached to the upper surface of the dust cloth portion 331 at a position that is central to the left-right direction and near the rear edge of the dust cloth portion 331. The handle portion 332 shown in Figure 25 extends upward from the dust cloth portion 331 in an upright position, but is tiltable left-right.

[0004] The handle 332 has a lower portion 333 attached to the dust cloth portion 331 and a rod-shaped upper portion 334 formed to a thickness that is easy for a user to grip. The upper portion 334 is detachable from the lower portion 333. As shown in Figure 24, the mop 330 is attached to the dust removal device 300 with the upper portion 334 and the lower portion 333 separated.

[0005] The dust removal device 300 includes a housing 310 and a dust storage container 320 mounted on the housing 310. The housing 310 is formed with a handle storage section 312 for storing an upper part 334 of the handle 332, and a dust removal chamber 313 for storing a lower part 333 of the handle 332 together with the dust cloth part 331. The handle storage section 312 and the dust removal chamber 313 are open upward so that a user can insert the upper part 334 and lower part 333 of the handle 332 from above.

[0006] 26 , a recovery duct 315 is fixed to the inner wall 314 of the dust removal chamber 313 on the dust storage container 320 side. The recovery duct 315 forms a flow path that narrows toward the dust storage container 320. A plurality of slits 316 are formed in the inner wall 314 to allow air and dust to flow from the dust removal chamber 313 to the recovery duct 315. These slits 316 extend horizontally at different height positions.

[0007] The dust storage container 320 has a container portion 321 for storing dust, and a connecting tube 322 that protrudes from the peripheral wall of the container portion 321 and is connected to the tip of the recovery duct 315. The air and dust that flow out of the dust removal chamber 313 can flow into the container portion 321 through the recovery duct 315 and the connecting tube 322.

[0008] A suction source that generates suction force to suck out air from inside the dust container 320 is built into the housing 310. An operation button 311 that is operated to activate or stop the suction source is exposed on the top surface of the housing 310.

[0009] A user can place the wiping cloth portion 331 of the mop 330 together with the lower portion 333 of the handle 332 in the dust chamber 313 and operate the operation button 311. This operation activates the suction source, and the suction force of the suction source acts on the dust chamber 313 through the dust storage container 320 and the collection duct 315. This suction force pulls dust from the wiping cloth portion 331, and the dust, along with the air in the dust storage chamber 313, flows into the collection duct 315 through the multiple slits 316. At this time, because the collection duct 315 forms a flow path that narrows toward the connecting tube 322 of the dust storage container 320, the air and dust flowing out from these slits 316 are guided by the inner wall surface of the collection duct 315 and flow toward the connecting tube 322. The air and dust then flow into the container 321 through the connecting tube 322.

[0010] The air flowing out from the plurality of slits 316 collides with the inner wall surface of the recovery duct 315. Therefore, sound caused by this collision may leak out from the housing 310. The user then perceives this sound as the operating sound of the dust removal device 300.

[0011] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-14802

[0012] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a dust removal device that operates with low noise.

[0013] The dust removal device disclosed herein is configured to remove dust adhering to a mop from the mop. The dust removal device includes an insertion tube configured to allow the mop to be inserted from above through an insertion opening that opens upward, a dust storage section for storing dust, a collection duct that connects the dust storage section to the insertion tube, and a suction source that generates suction force to suck in dust so that the dust adhering to the mop in the insertion tube flows into the dust storage section together with the air in the insertion tube through the collection duct. The peripheral wall of the insertion tube is formed with an outlet that allows dust detached from the mop in the insertion tube to flow into the collection duct. The dust storage section is formed with an inlet facing the outlet, through which dust detached from the mop in the insertion tube flows and which has an opening area larger than that of the outlet. The collection duct extends straight from the outlet to the inlet, and has a flow path cross-sectional area larger on the inlet side than on the outlet side.

[0014] The dust removal device of the present disclosure produces less operating noise.

[0015] The objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[0016] 1. Perspective view of a dust removal device (first embodiment) Longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dust removal device Schematic view of a mop Schematic view of a mop Cross-sectional view of a collection duct of the dust removal device Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dust removal device Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper part of the dust removal device Perspective view of the dust removal device Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dust removal device Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dust removal device (second embodiment) Longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dust removal device Longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dust removal device Flowchart of control of the dust removal device Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dust removal device Flowchart of control of the dust removal device Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dust removal device Flowchart of control of the dust removal device Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dust removal device (third embodiment) Exploded perspective view of a part of the dust removal device (fourth embodiment) Perspective view of the dust removal device Perspective view of the dust removal device Perspective view of the dust removal device Perspective view of a conventional dust removal device Front view of a mop from which dust is removed by a conventional dust removal device Perspective view of a conventional dust removal device

[0017] Hereinafter, first to fourth embodiments of the dust removal device 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.

[0018] First Embodiment A dust removal device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is used to remove dust adhering to a mop used in cleaning work.

[0019] 1, the dust remover 100 includes a housing 110 having a generally rectangular box shape and an insertion tube 120 having a generally square cylindrical shape that extends vertically within the housing 110. The upper end of the insertion tube 120 opens upward on the top surface of the housing 110, and this opening will be referred to as an "insertion opening 121" in the following description. A user can insert a mop into the insertion tube 120 from above through the insertion opening 121.

[0020] 2, an outlet 123 is provided at the upper part of the peripheral wall of the insertion tube 120. This outlet 123 is formed to allow dust detached from the mop to flow out of the insertion tube 120.

[0021] At a position away from the insertion tube 120 in the opening direction of the outlet 123, there are disposed a suction source 130 that generates a suction force to suck in dust, and a dust storage unit 140 that is a container for storing the dust sucked by the suction source 130. To operate or stop the suction source 130, an operation unit 131 that is operated by the user is provided on the top surface of the housing 110, as shown in FIG.

[0022] Suction source 130 is disposed below dust storage section 140, and the air inside dust storage section 140 is sucked downward by the suction force of suction source 130. At this time, dust inside dust storage section 140 is sucked downward by the suction force of suction source 130, but this dust is retained inside dust storage section 140 by filter 141 provided at the bottom of dust storage section 140.

[0023] An inlet 142 through which dust flows in is formed in the peripheral wall of the dust storage section 140. This inlet 142 is formed at a height position approximately equal to that of the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120, and the inlet 142 and the outlet 123 face each other in the left-right direction. The opening area of ​​the inlet 142 is larger than the opening area of ​​the outlet 123, and when viewed in the opening direction of the inlet 142, the outlet 123 is contained within the inlet 142.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2 , a collection duct 150 extends within the housing 110 to form a flow path for dust flowing from the insertion tube 120 to the dust storage section 140. One end (right end) of the collection duct 150 is connected to the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120, and the other end (left end) of the collection duct 150 is connected to the inlet 142 of the dust storage section 140. The collection duct 150 extends straight from the outlet 123 to the inlet 142, connecting the internal spaces of the insertion tube 120 and the dust storage section 140 to each other. Because the opening area of ​​the inlet 142 is larger than the opening area of ​​the outlet 123, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the collection duct 150 gradually increases from the outlet 123 toward the inlet 142. In other words, at an axial intermediate position of the collection duct 150, the flow path cross-sectional area on the inlet 142 side is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area on the outlet 123 side.

[0025] (Operation of Dust Removal Device) A user can clean a floor surface using, for example, the mop 200 shown in FIG. 3. The mop 200 has a dusting cloth portion 210 and a handle portion 220 extending from the dusting cloth portion 210. The dusting cloth portion 210 can be moved from the position shown in FIG. 3 to a position along the handle portion 220 as shown in FIG. 4. A user can perform cleaning work with the dusting cloth portion 210 in the position shown in FIG. 3. After cleaning work, dust adheres to the dusting cloth portion 210 of the mop 200. To remove this dust, a user can insert the dusting cloth portion 210 into the insertion tube 120 with the position shown in FIG. 4.

[0026] That is, the user inserts the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120 from above through the insertion opening 121 while placing a portion of the wiping cloth section 210 against the upper surface of the housing 110. During this operation, the wiping cloth section 210 receives an upward force from the housing 110, causing it to change from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4 within the insertion tube 120. The user then operates the operating unit 131 to activate the suction source 130. As a result, the air within the dust storage section 140 is sucked downward through the filter 141 by the suction force of the suction source 130. At this time, the air within the insertion tube 120 is sucked into the collection duct 150 through the outlet 123 and flows through the collection duct 150. This air then flows into the dust storage section 140 through the inlet 142 of the dust storage section 140.

[0027] As described above, when air is flowing from the insertion tube 120 to the dust storage section 140, if the user presses the dust cloth section 210 against the inner wall surface 125 of the insertion tube 120 around the outlet 123, the air passes through the dust cloth section 210 and flows into the collection duct 150. At this time, dust is torn off from the dust cloth section 210 and flows into the collection duct 150 together with the air. Thereafter, this dust is carried by the air flow and flows into the dust storage section 140.

[0028] In the dust remover 100 of the first embodiment, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the collection duct 150 gradually increases from the outlet 123 toward the inlet 142, so that the air flowing out from the outlet 123 is less likely to collide with a strong force against the inner wall surface of the collection duct 150. Therefore, the generation of noise caused by the collision of the air flowing out from the outlet 123 with the inner wall surface of the collection duct 150 is suppressed.

[0029] If the air flowing through the collection duct 150 becomes turbulent, it is expected that the noise emitted from the collection duct 150 will increase. The dust removal device 100 may be improved to suppress the occurrence of such turbulence.

[0030] For example, as shown in Fig. 5 , the dust removal device 100 may include a rectifying unit 132 that rectifies the air flowing through the collection duct 150. The rectifying unit 132 shown in Fig. 5 is configured with a single rectifying plate that is provided to divide the flow path cross section of the collection duct 150 into two regions, but the rectifying unit 132 may be configured with multiple rectifying plates as long as the problem of dust clogging within the collection duct 150 does not occur. The rectifying unit 132 shown in Fig. 5 is disposed in an upright position within the collection duct 150, but it may also be disposed in a horizontal position within the collection duct 150 so as to divide the flow path cross section of the collection duct 150 into upper and lower sections, or it may be disposed in another position within the collection duct 150.

[0031] The farther the wiping cloth part 210 is from the outlet 123, the weaker the suction force acting on the wiping cloth part 210. For this reason, the dust remover 100 may be configured to encourage the wiping cloth part 210 to be positioned close to the outlet 123 when the user inserts the wiping cloth part 210 into the insertion tube 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the dust remover 100 may have a guide part 124 that guides the wiping cloth part 210 inserted into the insertion tube 120 so that it approaches the outlet 123.

[0032] The guide portion 124 is formed so as to protrude from an inner wall surface 126 of the peripheral wall of the insertion tube 120, which faces the inner wall surface 125 on which the outlet 123 is provided, toward the inner wall surface 125. The guide portion 124 extends downward from a middle position in the height direction of the insertion tube 120 so as not to narrow the insertion port 121. The upper end surface of the guide portion 124 is inclined downward.

[0033] When the user inserts the wiping cloth part 210 deeply into the insertion tube 120 through the insertion port 121, the wiping cloth part 210 comes into contact with the upper end surface of the guide part 124 and moves toward the inner wall surface 125 according to the inclination of the upper end surface of the guide part 124. As a result, the wiping cloth part 210 approaches the inner wall surface 125 and can receive a strong suction force through the outlet 123 formed in this inner wall surface 125.

[0034] When the wiping section 210 moves up and down within the insertion tube 120, the area of ​​the wiping section 210 facing the outlet 123 changes, and dust can be removed from a wide area of ​​the wiping section 210. The dust remover 100 may be configured so that dust adhering to the wiping section 210 is scraped off as the wiping section 210 moves up and down within the insertion tube 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , the dust remover 100 may have a scraping section 160 fixed above the outlet 123. The scraping section 160 is a thin plate-like member, and the tip of the scraping section 160 may be formed in a comb-like shape as shown in FIG. 8 .

[0035] While the user is lowering or raising the wiping cloth portion 210 within the insertion tube 120, the wiping cloth portion 210 comes into contact with the scraping portion 160 protruding within the insertion tube 120. Due to this contact, some of the dust adhering to the wiping cloth portion 210 is scraped off by the scraping portion 160 and detached from the wiping cloth portion 210. The dust detached from the wiping cloth portion 210 then falls due to gravity and can flow into the collection duct 150 through the outlet 123.

[0036] In the dust remover 100 shown in FIG. 1 , the suction source 130 is activated by a user operating the operating unit 131. Alternatively, the dust remover 100 may be configured so that the suction source 130 is automatically activated when the user inserts the wiping cloth part 210 into the insertion tube 120. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the dust remover 100 may have a mop detection unit 230 that detects the insertion and removal of the wiping cloth part 210 into the insertion tube 120. The mop detection unit 230 may be a transmission-type optical sensor that forms an optical path extending substantially horizontally at a position lower than the outlet 123, and is configured to output a signal of a first potential when this optical path is interrupted. Furthermore, when this optical path is not interrupted, the mop detection unit 230 is configured to output a signal of a second potential that is higher or lower than the first potential.

[0037] The mop detection unit 230 is electrically connected to a suction control unit 232 that controls the suction source 130. The suction control unit 232 is configured to control the suction source 130 based on a change in the potential of the signal from the mop detection unit 230.

[0038] Before the wiping unit 210 is inserted into the insertion tube 120, the optical path of the mop detection unit 230 is not blocked, and a signal of the second potential is output from the mop detection unit 230. Then, when the wiping unit 210 is inserted to a depth position where it blocks the optical path of the mop detection unit 230, the potential of the signal from the mop detection unit 230 changes from the second potential to the first potential. In response to this change in potential, the suction control unit 232 activates the suction source 130.

[0039] When the removal of dust from the wiping cloth unit 210 is completed and the wiping cloth unit 210 is pulled out of the insertion tube 120, the light path of the mop detection unit 230 is restored. In response to this restoration of the light path, the potential of the signal from the mop detection unit 230 changes from the first potential to the second potential. In response to this change in potential, the suction control unit 232 stops the suction source 130. In this way, the suction source 130 is activated and deactivated in response to the insertion and removal of the wiping cloth unit 210 into and from the insertion tube 120, so the operation unit 131 that is operated to activate and deactivate the suction source 130 can be omitted.

[0040] Second Embodiment Some of the dust adhering to the wiping cloth portion 210 of the mop 200 may fall due to gravity. It is assumed that some of the dust that falls from the wiping cloth portion 210 will accumulate at the bottom of the insertion tube 120 without being sucked into the collection duct 150. As shown in FIG. 10 , the dust remover 100 of the second embodiment is configured so that the dust that falls from the wiping cloth portion 210 can also be collected in the dust storage portion 140 due to gravity.

[0041] 10 shows a dust removal device 100 having an insertion tube 120 with a drop port 122 that opens downward at its bottom. The insertion tube 120 also has a tapered portion 128 that narrows toward the drop port 122 and an upper portion 129 above the tapered portion 128. The cross-sectional area of ​​the tapered portion 128 decreases as it approaches the drop port 122, whereas the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper portion 129 is approximately constant in the longitudinal direction of the upper portion 129.

[0042] A plurality of scraping portions 160 are provided within the insertion tube 120 so that more dust falls from the wiping cloth portion 210 of the mop 200 within the insertion tube 120. These scraping portions 160 may include one that protrudes rearward from the inner surface of the front wall of the insertion tube 120 and one that protrudes forward from the inner surface of the rear wall of the insertion tube 120. Additionally or alternatively, these scraping portions 160 may include one that protrudes rightward from the inner surface of the left wall (inner wall surface 125) of the insertion tube 120 and one that protrudes leftward from the inner surface of the right wall (inner wall surface 126) of the insertion tube 120. Furthermore, these scraping portions 160 may be arranged at different heights with intervals between them.

[0043] The dust removal device 100 shown in Fig. 10 not only has a recovery duct that extends straight from the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120 to the inlet 142 of the dust storage section 140, but also another recovery duct connected to the drop port 122. In the following description, the recovery duct that extends straight from the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120 to the inlet 142 of the dust storage section 140 will be referred to as a "first duct 155." In addition, the other recovery duct connected to the drop port 122 will be referred to as a "second duct 156 (second recovery duct)."

[0044] The second duct 156 has a connecting pipe section 152 extending substantially horizontally from the drop port 122, and a main pipe section 151 extending upward from the tip of the connecting pipe section 152. The upper end of the main pipe section 151 is connected to the first duct 155 at a substantially midpoint in the axial direction of the first duct 155. To facilitate the flow of air from the main pipe section 151 into the first duct 155, it is preferable that the main pipe section 151 have a curved inner wall surface at the connection portion with the first duct 155.

[0045] The first duct 155 has the same configuration as the recovery duct 150 of the dust removal device 100 of the first embodiment, except that the first duct 155 is connected to the main pipe portion 151 of the second duct 156. The flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first duct 155 on the outlet 123 (insertion tube 120) side with respect to the connection portion between the first duct 155 and the second duct 156 is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first duct 155 on the inlet 142 (dust storage portion 140) side.

[0046] Similarly to the inlet 142 of the dust removal device 100 of the first embodiment, the opening area of ​​the inlet 142 of the dust storage section 140 is larger than the opening area of ​​the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120. More preferably, the inlet 142 can be formed so that its opening area is larger than the sum of the opening area of ​​the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120 and the opening area of ​​the drop port 122.

[0047] When a user activates suction source 130, suction source 130 sucks air downward from dust storage section 140. At this time, air in insertion tube 120 flows out not only from outlet 123 but also from drop port 122. The air flowing out from outlet 123 flows into dust storage section 140 through first duct 155. At this time, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​first duct 155 is smaller on the outlet 123 side and larger on the inlet 142 side. This prevents the air flowing out from outlet 123 from colliding with the inner surface of first duct 155 with great force, thereby preventing noise caused by this collision. The air sucked out from drop port 122 passes through connecting pipe section 152 and main pipe section 151 in this order. This air then merges with air flowing from outlet 123 toward inlet 142 and flows into dust storage section 140 through inlet 142.

[0048] When the user inserts the wiping cloth portion 210 of the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120 while this air flow is occurring, dust adhering to the area of ​​the wiping cloth portion 210 near the outlet 123 is collected in the dust storage portion 140 through the first duct 155. Other dust can be separated from the wiping cloth portion 210 by rubbing against the scraping portion 160 when the user pushes the wiping cloth portion 210 downward. This dust then falls to the bottom of the insertion tube 120 by gravity. The dust that falls to the bottom of the insertion tube 120 is guided to the drop port 122 by the tapered portion 128 at the bottom of the dust storage portion 140 and falls through the drop port 122 into the connecting tube 152 of the second duct 156. The dust that falls into the connecting tube 152 is carried by the air flowing through the second duct 156 and flows into the dust storage portion 140.

[0049] 10, dust that has fallen from the dust cloth section 210 inside the insertion tube 120 is also collected in the dust storage section 140. Therefore, accumulation of dust inside the insertion tube 120 is unlikely to occur.

[0050] If the opening area of ​​the inlet 142 of the dust storage unit 140 is larger than the sum of the opening area of ​​the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120 and the opening area of ​​the drop port 122, an increase in resistance to air passing through the inlet 142 is suppressed. Therefore, a strong suction force can act on the outlet 123 and the drop port 122.

[0051] Various modifications may be made to the dust remover 100 shown in Fig. 10. For example, the flow straightening unit 132 shown in Fig. 5 may be provided in the first duct 155. Furthermore, the guide unit 124 shown in Fig. 6 may be provided in the insertion tube 120.

[0052] In the dust removal device 100 shown in FIG. 10 , horizontally flowing air and upwardly flowing air meet at the connection between the first duct 155 and the second duct 156. The collision of air flows in different directions can cause turbulence around this connection. This turbulence can potentially cause noise or hinder the flow of dust into the dust storage section 140. To avoid this, as shown in FIG. 11 , a direction changer 157 that changes the direction of air flowing through the second duct 156 may be provided at the connection between the first duct 155 and the second duct 156.

[0053] Direction changing section 157 is a thin plate-like member formed to collide with air flowing upward in main pipe section 151 and guide this air toward inlet 142 of dust storage section 140. The base end portion of direction changing section 157 is connected to the connection between the part of first duct 155 on the outlet 123 side and the upper end of main pipe section 151. The tip portion of direction changing section 157 enters the flow path of first duct 155 on the inlet 142 side of the connection part between first duct 155 and second duct 156, and divides this flow path into upper and lower sections.

[0054] The direction of the air flowing upward in main pipe portion 151 is made substantially horizontal near inlet 142 by direction change portion 157. This direction substantially coincides with the flow direction of air from outlet 123 toward inlet 142 through first duct 155, thereby suppressing turbulence caused by the merging of the air flowing through first duct 155 and the air flowing through second duct 156, and thus the generation of noise caused by this turbulence. Furthermore, this air can pass smoothly through inlet 142, which can suppress clogging of inlet 142 with dust.

[0055] In order to suppress the generation of turbulence at the connection portion between the first duct 155 and the second duct 156, the dust remover 100 may be configured so that the air flowing through the first duct 155 and the air flowing through the second duct 156 do not merge. To prevent this merging, for example, the dust remover 100 may have an opening / closing section 158 as shown in FIG. 12 .

[0056] The opening / closing unit 158 ​​is provided at the connection between the first duct 155 and the second duct 156, and is configured to be rotatable in the direction of arrow A or the direction of arrow B shown in Fig. 12. When the opening / closing unit 158 ​​is rotated in the direction of arrow A, the flow path of the first duct 155 is closed, while the flow path of the second duct 156 is opened. Conversely, when the opening / closing unit 158 ​​is rotated in the direction of arrow B, the flow path of the first duct 155 is opened, while the flow path of the second duct 156 is closed.

[0057] The dust remover 100 has an opening / closing control unit 159 to control the operation of the opening / closing unit 158. The dust remover 100 also has a mop detection unit 230 and a suction control unit 232. The opening / closing control unit 159 and the suction control unit 232 may be configured in a control circuit (not shown) disposed in the housing 110. The mop detection unit 230 forms an optical path at a position lower than the outlet 123 and higher than the midpoint in the axial direction of the insertion tube 120.

[0058] The dust remover 100 operates as shown in Fig. 13. That is, when a user inserts the dust cloth part 210 of the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120, the dust cloth part 210 blocks the optical path of the mop detection unit 230. This causes the mop detection unit 230 to detect the insertion of the dust cloth part 210 into the insertion tube 120 (step S110). As a result, the potential of the signal from the mop detection unit 230 changes from the second potential to the first potential.

[0059] In response to this change in potential, the suction control unit 232 activates the suction source 130 (step S120). Furthermore, the opening / closing control unit 159 controls the opening / closing unit 158 ​​so that the flow path of the first duct 155 is opened while the flow path of the second duct 156 is closed (step S120). As a result, the air inside the insertion tube 120 can flow through the first duct 155 to the dust storage unit 140. At this time, because no airflow is generated through the second duct 156, there is no merging of the air flows at the connection between the first duct 155 and the second duct 156, and thus no turbulence resulting from this merging occurs.

[0060] Thereafter, the user may move the wiping cloth unit 210 up and down while keeping it in the insertion tube 120 (step S130: No). During this time, the wiping cloth unit 210 rubs against the scraping unit 160, and dust adhering to the wiping cloth unit 210 is scraped off. Dust scraped off near the outlet 123 enters the first duct 155 from the outlet 123 and flows into the dust storage unit 140 through the first duct 155. Other dust falls due to gravity and falls into the connecting pipe unit 152 through the drop port 122. At this time, because no airflow is generated in the second duct 156, the dust remains in the connecting pipe unit 152.

[0061] When the user has finished removing dust from the wiping cloth unit 210, he or she removes the mop 200 from the insertion tube 120. This restores the optical path of the mop detection unit 230, and the removal of the mop 200 from the insertion tube 120 is detected (Step S130: Yes). In response to the restoration of the optical path of the mop detection unit 230, the potential of the signal from the mop detection unit 230 changes from the first potential to the second potential. In response to this change in potential, the opening / closing control unit 159 controls the opening / closing unit 158 ​​so that the flow path of the first duct 155 is closed and the flow path of the second duct 156 is opened (Step S140). The suction control unit 232 also starts timing while the suction source 130 remains activated.

[0062] In this state, an airflow is generated from the insertion tube 120 through the second duct 156 toward the dust storage unit 140, while the airflow through the first duct 155 disappears. The suction control unit 232 continues to operate the suction source 130 so that this state is maintained for a predetermined period of time (step S150: No). During this period, dust accumulated in the connecting tube 152 is carried by the air flowing through the second duct 156 and flows into the dust storage unit 140. When this period ends (step S150: Yes), the suction control unit 232 stops the suction source 130 (step S160).

[0063] In the control shown in FIG. 13 , even after removal of the mop 200 from the insertion tube 120 is detected (step S130: Yes), the suction source 130 continues to operate for a predetermined period of time (step S150: No). At this time, it is expected that the operating noise of the suction source 130 and the noise caused by the airflow generated by the suction force of the suction source 130 will leak out of the dust remover 100 through the insertion opening 121 of the insertion tube 120. To suppress such noise, the dust remover 100 may have a lid 127 provided on the top of the housing 110 so as to be able to open and close the insertion opening 121, as shown in FIG. 14 . In this case, after removing the mop 200 from the insertion tube 120, the user can close the insertion opening 121 with the lid 127 to suppress noise leaking from the dust remover 100.

[0064] 13 , the flow path of the first duct 155 is opened (step S120), and then the flow path of the second duct 156 is opened (step S140). Conversely, the flow path of the first duct 155 may be opened after the flow path of the second duct 156 is opened.

[0065] In the control shown in Fig. 13, the flow path is switched in response to the removal of the mop 200 from the insertion tube 120. Alternatively, the flow path may be switched while the mop 200 is inserted into the insertion tube 120, as shown in Fig. 15. Note that in the control shown in Fig. 15, the mop detection unit 230 only needs to detect the insertion of the wiping unit 210 into the insertion tube 120, and does not need to detect the removal of the wiping unit 210 from the insertion tube 120. For this reason, the mop detection unit 230 may be configured to output a signal in response to the blocking of the light path by the wiping unit 210, and not output a signal when the light path is not blocked.

[0066] 15, when a user inserts the dustpan part 210 of the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120, the dustpan part 210 blocks the optical path of the mop detection unit 230, and therefore the insertion of the dustpan part 210 into the insertion tube 120 is detected (step S110). The mop detection unit 230 outputs a signal in response to the blocking of the optical path.

[0067] In response to the signal from the mop detection unit 230, the suction control unit 232 activates the suction source 130 (step S120). The suction control unit 232 also sets an operating period for the suction source 130 based on the time the signal from the mop detection unit 230 is received. At this time, the opening / closing control unit 159 controls the opening / closing unit 158 ​​so that the flow path of the first duct 155 is opened and the flow path of the second duct 156 is closed (step S120). The opening / closing control unit 159 also sets a switching time for switching the air flow path based on the time the signal from the mop detection unit 230 is received. The length of time from the reception time to the switching time is shorter than the operating period for the suction source 130 set by the suction control unit 232.

[0068] Until the switching time set by the opening / closing control unit 159 has elapsed (step S132: No), the first flow path state in which the flow path of the first duct 155 is open and the flow path of the second duct 156 is closed is maintained. During this time, dust adhering to the wiping unit 210 is sucked into the first duct 155 by the suction force acting on the outlet 123 of the insertion tube 120, and then flows into the dust storage unit 140 through the first duct 155.

[0069] Then, when the switching time arrives (step S132: Yes), the opening / closing control unit 159 controls the opening / closing unit 158 ​​to close the flow path of the first duct 155 and open the flow path of the second duct 156 (step S140). In the second flow path state in which the flow path of the first duct 155 is closed and the flow path of the second duct 156 is open, dust that has fallen from the wiping unit 210 inside the insertion tube 120 flows into the dust storage unit 140 through the second duct 156. Collection of dust through the second duct 156 continues until the operating period set by the suction control unit 232 in step S120 has elapsed (step S152: No). When this operating period has elapsed, the suction control unit 232 stops the suction source 130 (step S160).

[0070] 15 , the switching time may be set so that the period during which dust and air flow into the dust storage section 140 through the first duct 155 is longer than the period during which dust and air flow into the dust storage section 140 through the second duct 156, for the following reason. That is, most of the dust collected through the second duct 156 has already been separated from the wiping section 210, and no time is required to separate the dust from the wiping section 210. On the other hand, when dust is collected through the first duct 155, time is required for the suction force of the suction source 130 to separate the dust from the wiping section 210. For this reason, by setting the period during which dust and air flow into the dust storage section 140 through the first duct 155 to be relatively long, the separation of dust from the wiping section 210 is more likely to be promoted.

[0071] 15 , the period during which dust and air flow into dust storage section 140 through first duct 155 is set before the period during which dust and air flow into dust storage section 140 through second duct 156. Conversely, the period during which dust and air flow into dust storage section 140 through first duct 155 may be set after the period during which dust and air flow into dust storage section 140 through second duct 156.

[0072] The dust remover 100 may be configured to switch the flow path depending on the insertion depth of the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120. For example, in order to detect the insertion depth of the mop 200, the dust remover 100 may have a first mop detector 234 and a second mop detector 235 that form light paths at different height positions, as shown in FIG.

[0073] The first mop detection unit 234 is fixed to the insertion tube 120 so that an optical path is formed at a position lower than the outlet 123 and higher than the midpoint in the axial direction of the insertion tube 120. In the following description, this position where the optical path is formed is referred to as the "first depth position." The first mop detection unit 234 is configured to output a signal when the optical path formed at the first depth position is blocked by the mop cloth part 210 of the mop 200. In this state, a portion of the mop cloth part 210 faces the outlet 123.

[0074] The second mop detection unit 235 forms an optical path at a second depth position below the optical path of the first mop detection unit 234, and is configured to output a signal when this optical path is blocked by the dustpan unit 210. When the user inserts the mop 200 deeply into the insertion tube 120 to a certain extent, the optical paths of both the first mop detection unit 234 and the second mop detection unit 235 are blocked.

[0075] The dust removal device 100 shown in FIG. 16 can operate as shown in FIG. 17 . That is, when a user inserts the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120 and the dusting section 210 of the mop 200 reaches the first depth position, the dusting section 210 blocks the optical path of the first mop detection unit 234. This allows the first mop detection unit 234 to detect that the mop 200 has been inserted to the first depth position (step S210: Yes). At this time, the first mop detection unit 234 outputs a signal. Note that in this state, the optical path of the second mop detection unit 235 is not blocked, and no signal is output from the second mop detection unit 235.

[0076] The suction control unit 232 activates the suction source 130 while receiving a signal from the first mop detection unit 234 (step S220). Then, while receiving a signal from the first mop detection unit 234 but not receiving a signal from the second mop detection unit 235, the opening / closing control unit 159 controls the opening / closing unit 158 ​​to open the flow path of the first duct 155 (step S220). At this time, the flow path of the second duct 156 is closed by the opening / closing unit 158, so the suction force acting on the outlet 123 to which the first duct 155 is connected is stronger than when both the flow paths of the first duct 155 and the second duct 156 are open. At this time, a portion of the wiping cloth unit 210 faces the outlet 123, so dust adhering to this portion is sucked with a strong force and can be separated from the wiping cloth unit 210. The dust then flows into the dust storage unit 140 through the first duct 155.

[0077] During the period until the wiping section 210 is displaced from the first depth position to the second depth position (step S230: No), the flow path of the first duct 155 is opened, while the flow path of the second duct 156 is kept closed. That is, the processing loop of steps S210 to S230 in FIG. 17 is repeated.

[0078] When the mop unit 210 reaches the second depth position, the light path of the second mop detection unit 235 is blocked by the mop unit 210. This allows the second mop detection unit 235 to detect that the mop 200 has been inserted to the second depth position (step S230: Yes). At this time, the second mop detection unit 235 outputs a signal. When the light path of the second mop detection unit 235 is blocked, the light path of the first mop detection unit 234 is also blocked by the mop unit 210, and a signal is also output from the first mop detection unit 234.

[0079] In response to receiving the signal from the second mop detection unit 235, the opening / closing control unit 159 controls the opening / closing unit 158 ​​so that the flow path of the first duct 155 is closed and the flow path of the second duct 156 is open (step S240). At this time, the flow path of the first duct 155 is closed by the opening / closing unit 158, so the suction force acting on the drop opening 122 to which the first duct 155 is connected is stronger than when the flow paths of both the first duct 155 and the second duct 156 are open. At this time, a portion of the wiping unit 210 is located close to the drop opening 122, so dust adhering to this portion is sucked with a strong force and can be separated from the wiping unit 210. The dust then flows into the dust storage unit 140 through the second duct 156.

[0080] The dust collection continues through the second duct 156 until the user subsequently moves the mop 200 upward and the dust cloth portion 210 reaches a position higher than the second depth position. That is, the processing loop of steps S230 and S240 in FIG. 17 is repeated.

[0081] When the wiping unit 210 reaches a position higher than the second depth position, the optical path of the second mop detection unit 235 is restored. At this time, the optical path of the first mop detection unit 234 is blocked by the wiping unit 210 (step S210). Therefore, the open / close control unit 159 receives a signal from the first mop detection unit 234 but does not receive a signal from the second mop detection unit 235. In this signal reception state, the open / close control unit 159 controls the open / close unit 158 ​​so that the flow path of the first duct 155 is open while the flow path of the second duct 156 is closed (step S220). As long as this signal reception state continues, dust collection through the first duct 155 is performed. That is, the processing loop of steps S210 to S230 in FIG. 17 is repeated again.

[0082] When the user further pulls up the mop 200 and the wiping unit 210 reaches a position higher than the first depth position, the light path of the first mop detection unit 234 is restored. In response to this restoration of the light path, the first mop detection unit 234 stops outputting signals (step S210: No). As a result, the suction control unit 232 no longer receives signals from the first mop detection unit 234, and therefore stops the suction source 130 (step S250).

[0083] 16 , while dust is being collected through the second duct 156, the flow path of the first duct 155 is closed, and dust is not collected through the first duct 155. Alternatively, the dust remover 100 may be configured so that while dust is being collected through the second duct 156, dust is also collected through the first duct 155. In this case, the dust remover 100 may be configured as shown in FIG. 18 .

[0084] 18 has a first on-off valve 178 that opens and closes the flow path of the first duct 155, and a second on-off valve 179 that opens and closes the flow path of the second duct 156. The on-off control unit 159 is configured to control the first on-off valve 178 and the second on-off valve 179 in response to signals from the first mop detection unit 234 and the second mop detection unit 235.

[0085] The dust removal device 100 is controlled as shown in FIG. 19 . The control shown in FIG. 19 differs from the control shown in FIG. 17 only in the operation after the wiping section 210 of the mop 200 reaches the second depth position. That is, in the control shown in FIG. 17 , when the second mop detection unit 235 detects that the wiping section 210 has reached the second depth position, the flow path of the first duct 155 is closed and the flow path of the second duct 156 is opened (step S240). On the other hand, in FIG. 19 , the opening / closing control unit 159 controls the opening / closing unit 158 ​​so that both the flow paths of the first duct 155 and the second duct 156 are opened (step S242). That is, the position of the second opening / closing valve 179 is changed from the closed position to the open position while the first opening / closing valve 178 is maintained in the open position.

[0086] When the control shown in Fig. 19 is performed, the period during which the flow path of first duct 155 is open is longer than when the control shown in Fig. 17 is performed. Therefore, the amount of dust collected in dust storage section 140 through first duct 155 may be greater when the control shown in Fig. 19 is performed than when the control shown in Fig. 17 is performed.

[0087] In the dust remover 100 of the second embodiment, the insertion and removal of the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120 is optically detected. Alternatively, the insertion and removal of the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120 may be detected by an electromagnetic method.

[0088] Third Embodiment In the dust remover 100 of the second embodiment, the second duct 156 is connected to the first duct 155. In this case, turbulence caused by the confluence of air flowing through the first duct 155 and air flowing through the second duct 156 can be a problem. To suppress the generation of turbulence, the dust remover 100 shown in FIG. 11 has a direction changer 157. Furthermore, the dust remover 100 shown in FIGS. 14 and 16 has an opening / closing unit 158 ​​that opens only one of the flow paths of the first duct 155 and the second duct 156 and closes the other. The generation of turbulence can also be suppressed by methods other than these. That is, as shown in FIG. 20, the dust remover 100 of the third embodiment is configured so that there is no connection between the first duct 155 and the second duct 156, thereby preventing the confluence of air flowing through the first duct 155 and the second duct 156.

[0089] 20 has the same configuration as the recovery duct 150. The peripheral wall of the dust storage section 140 is formed with not only the inlet 142 to which the first duct 155 is connected, but also another inlet 143 (second inlet), and dust can flow into the dust storage section 140 through these inlets 142, 143. The second duct 156 is connected to this inlet 143, but is not connected to the first duct 155.

[0090] Various modifications may be made to the dust remover 100 shown in Fig. 20. For example, the flow straightening unit 132 shown in Fig. 5 may be provided in the first duct 155. Furthermore, the guide unit 124 shown in Fig. 6 may be provided in the insertion tube 120.

[0091] The piping structure of the first duct 155 and the second duct 156 of the dust remover 100 shown in Fig. 20 may be applied to the dust remover 100 of Fig. 18. In this case, the flow paths of the first duct 155 and the second duct 156 can be opened and closed by a first on-off valve 178 and a second on-off valve 179 provided in the first duct 155 and the second duct 156, respectively. The control shown in Fig. 13, 15, 17 or 19 may be applied to such a dust remover 100.

[0092] <Fourth Embodiment> The dust remover 100 of the first to third embodiments can collect dust from the mop 200 inserted into the insertion tube 120. However, when a user lifts the mop 200 from the floor to insert the mop 200 into the insertion tube 120, it is expected that dust will fall from the dust cloth portion 210 of the mop 200 and scatter on the floor. In order to collect such dust in the dust storage portion 140, the dust remover 100 shown in Figure 21 is configured to collect not only dust from the mop 200 inserted into the insertion tube 120, but also dust scattered on the floor around the dust remover 100.

[0093] The second duct 156 of the dust removal device 100 in Figure 21 includes not only a main pipe 151 and a connecting pipe 152, but also a dust pipe 153. The dust pipe 153 extends from the connection between the main pipe 151 and the connecting pipe 152 in a direction (front-to-back direction) perpendicular to the extension direction (up-down direction) of the main pipe 151 and the extension direction (left-right direction) of the connecting pipe 152. The dust pipe 153 gradually widens toward its front (rear end), and a dust suction port 154 is formed at the front (rear end) of the dust pipe 153, through which dust scattered on the floor flows in. The top of the dust suction port 154 is closed by a fixed cover 177 in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate, and the dust suction port 154 is open below the fixed cover 177. As shown in FIG. 22, the fixed cover 177 is exposed to the outside through a substantially rectangular notch 112 formed in the lower end portion of the rear wall of the housing 110 .

[0094] When a user finishes cleaning work and approaches the dust removal device 100 from behind with the mop 200, the user lifts the mop cloth portion 210 off the floor to insert it into the insertion tube 120. This may cause dust to fall from the mop cloth portion 210 and scatter behind the housing 110. In this state, when the user operates the operating unit 131 to activate the suction source 130, the suction force of the suction source 130 acts on the insertion tube 120 through the first duct 155 and the second duct 156. This suction force also acts on the dust suction port 154 through the dust collection tube 153 of the second duct 156.

[0095] Because the top of dust suction port 154 is closed by fixed lid 177, a fairly strong suction force acts on the opening of dust suction port 154 below fixed lid 177. This strong suction force causes dust scattered on the floor surface to flow into dust pipe 153. This dust passes through dust pipe 153 and main pipe section 151 in this order, and flows into dust storage section 140.

[0096] 21 and 22 is narrowed in the height direction by the fixed cover 177. Therefore, when collecting dust through the dust pipe 153, it is expected that large dust particles will get caught on the lower end of the fixed cover 177. To avoid this situation, as shown in FIG. 23, the fixed cover 177 may be formed with a notch 176 recessed upward from the lower edge of the fixed cover 177. In this case, large dust particles can flow into the dust removal device 100 through the notch 176.

[0097] The control shown in Figures 13, 15, 17 or 19 may be applied to the dust remover 100 shown in Figures 21 to 23. Since the dust remover 100 shown in Figures 21 to 23 is formed with a dust suction port 154, it is preferable to perform control (the control shown in Figures 13, 15 and 17) to close the flow path of the first duct 155 while the flow path of the second duct 156 is open. When such control is performed, it becomes possible to increase the suction force at the dust suction port 154 to some extent.

[0098] Various modifications may be made to the dust remover 100 shown in Figures 21 to 23. For example, the flow straightening unit 132 shown in Figure 5 may be provided in the first duct 155. Furthermore, the guide unit 124 shown in Figure 6 may be provided in the insertion tube 120.

[0099] The upper end of the main pipe portion 151 of the second duct 156 shown in Fig. 21 is connected to the first duct 155. Alternatively, similar to the second duct 156 in Fig. 20 , the second duct 156 may be connected to the dust storage section 140 without being connected to the first duct 155.

[0100] (Effects, etc.) The dust remover 100 according to the above-described embodiment has the following features and provides the following effects.

[0101] A dust remover according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment is configured to remove dust adhering to a mop from the mop. The dust remover includes an insertion tube configured to allow the mop to be inserted from above through an insertion opening that opens upward, a dust storage section for storing dust, a collection duct that connects the dust storage section to the insertion tube, and a suction source that generates suction force to suck in dust so that the dust adhering to the mop in the insertion tube flows into the dust storage section together with air inside the insertion tube through the collection duct. The peripheral wall of the insertion tube is formed with an outlet port that allows dust detached from the mop in the insertion tube to flow into the collection duct. The dust storage section is formed with an inlet port facing the outlet port, through which dust detached from the mop in the insertion tube flows and which has an opening area larger than that of the outlet port. The collection duct extends straight from the outlet port to the inlet port, and has a flow path cross-sectional area larger on the inlet side than on the outlet side.

[0102] In the above-described configuration, the dust storage section is connected to the insertion tube via the collection duct, so that when the suction source draws air from the dust storage section, the suction force of the suction source acts on the insertion tube through the dust storage section and the collection duct. Therefore, when a user inserts a mop into the insertion tube, the suction force of the suction source can pull dust off the mop.

[0103] Dust removed from the mop flows through the collection duct, along with the air in the insertion tube, toward the inlet of the dust storage unit. Because the inlet is positioned opposite the outlet, the collection duct extends in a straight line from the outlet to the inlet. If the collection duct were curved, the air flowing out of the outlet at the bent portion of the collection duct would collide with the inner wall surface of the collection duct. However, in the above-described configuration, the collection duct extends in a straight line from the outlet to the inlet, making such collisions less likely to occur. Furthermore, because the collection duct has a larger cross-sectional flow area on the inlet side than on the outlet side, collisions between the air and the inner wall surface of the collection duct, and thus noise caused by such collisions, are suppressed.

[0104] In the above-described configuration, a drop opening that opens downward may be formed at the bottom of the insertion tube. The dust removal device may further include a second recovery duct that extends from the drop opening and is connected to the recovery duct.

[0105] In the above-described configuration, when a user inserts a mop into the insertion tube, some of the dust adhering to the mop can fall inside the insertion tube. A drop opening is formed at the bottom of the insertion tube, and a second collection duct extends from this drop opening, so that the dust that falls from the mop can enter the second collection duct. Because the second collection duct is connected to the collection duct, the dust that falls into the drop opening can flow into the dust storage section together with the dust flowing from the outlet to the inlet.

[0106] Since the second collection duct is connected to the collection duct and not to the dust storage unit, the dust storage unit does not need to be provided with a second inlet connected to the second collection duct, and therefore the structure of the dust storage unit does not become excessively complicated.

[0107] In the above-described configuration, the opening area of ​​the inlet may be larger than the sum of the opening area of ​​the outlet and the opening area of ​​the drop port.

[0108] In the above-described configuration, the opening area of ​​the inlet is larger than the sum of the opening area of ​​the outlet and the opening area of ​​the drop port, so resistance to the flow of air flowing into the dust storage section through the inlet is reduced.

[0109] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may further include a direction changer at the connection between the collection duct and the second collection duct, which changes the direction of the air flowing through the second collection duct toward the inlet.

[0110] In the above-described configuration, when the air flowing through the second collection duct reaches the connection between the first and second collection ducts, the direction of the air is changed by the direction changer to a direction toward the inlet. This direction is substantially the same as the direction of the air flowing through the outlet toward the inlet, so that turbulence caused by the confluence of the air flowing through the second collection duct and the air flowing through the collection duct can be suppressed.

[0111] In the above-described configuration, the dust storage section may be formed with a second inlet through which dust detached from the mop in the insertion tube flows in. A drop port that opens downward may be formed at the bottom of the insertion tube. The dust removal device may further include a second collection duct that extends from the drop port and is connected to the second inlet without being connected to the collection duct.

[0112] In the above-described configuration, when a user inserts a mop into the insertion tube, some of the dust adhering to the mop may fall inside the insertion tube. A drop opening is formed at the bottom of the insertion tube, and a second collection duct extends from this drop opening. This dust can then enter the second collection duct and the second inlet connected to the second collection duct into the dust storage section. Because the second collection duct is not connected to the collection duct, the air flowing through the second collection duct and the air flowing through the collection duct do not merge. This suppresses the generation of turbulence caused by this merger.

[0113] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may include a mop detection unit that detects insertion and removal of a mop into the insertion tube, an opening / closing unit configured to open one of the flow paths of the collection duct and the second collection duct and close the other flow path, and an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening / closing unit. The opening / closing control unit may control the opening / closing unit so that the flow path of the collection duct is opened and the flow path of the second collection duct is closed, on the condition that the mop detection unit detects insertion of a mop into the insertion tube, and may control the opening / closing unit so that the flow path of the collection duct is closed and the flow path of the second collection duct is opened, on the condition that the mop detection unit detects removal of a mop from the insertion tube.

[0114] In the above-described configuration, when the mop detector detects that a mop is inserted into the insertion tube, the flow path of the collection duct is opened and the flow path of the second collection duct is closed. When the suction source is activated in this state, the suction force acting on the inlet of the suction source is stronger than the suction force acting on the inlet when the suction source is activated with both flow paths open. This promotes the separation of dust from the mop near the inlet.

[0115] As described above, while dust is being sucked in through the inlet, some dust may fall from the mop. This dust may fall into the second collection duct through the drop port. To collect the dust that has fallen into the second collection duct, the flow path of the second collection duct is opened when the mop detection unit detects that the mop has been removed from the insertion tube. At this time, the flow path of the collection duct is closed, so the dust that has fallen into the second collection duct can be sucked in with strong suction force.

[0116] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may further include a suction control unit that activates the suction source on condition that the mop detection unit detects that a mop has been inserted into the insertion tube.

[0117] In the above configuration, the suction source may be automatically activated when the user inserts the insertion tube.

[0118] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may further include a suction control unit that continues to operate the suction source for a predetermined period of time after the mop detection unit detects the removal of the mop from the insertion tube, and stops the suction source when the predetermined period has elapsed.

[0119] In the above configuration, the suction source continues to operate for a predetermined period of time after the mop detection unit detects the removal of the mop from the insertion tube, so that during this period, dust that has fallen into the second collection duct through the drop opening can be collected in the dust storage unit. Then, when this period has elapsed, the suction source can automatically stop.

[0120] In the above-described configuration, the dust remover may further include a cover that is provided so as to be able to open and close the insertion opening.

[0121] In the above-described configuration, a user can insert a mop into the insertion tube with the lid opening. After the user removes the mop from the insertion tube, the suction source continues to operate for a predetermined period of time to collect dust that has fallen into the second collection duct through the drop opening into the dust storage section. If the insertion opening is open at this time, some of the operating noise caused by the suction source and the air flow through the insertion tube and the second collection duct may leak through the insertion opening. To prevent this noise from leaking, the user can close the insertion opening with the lid after removing the mop from the insertion tube.

[0122] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device includes a mop detection unit that detects insertion and removal of a mop into the insertion tube, an opening / closing unit configured to open one of the flow paths of the collection duct and the second collection duct and close the other flow path, and an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening / closing unit, and the opening / closing control unit may, on condition that the mop detection unit detects insertion of a mop into the insertion tube, control the opening / closing unit to achieve a first flow path state in which one of the flow paths of the collection duct and the second collection duct is open and the other is closed, and may control the opening / closing unit to achieve a second flow path state in which one flow path is closed and the other flow path is open after the first flow path state has been maintained for a predetermined period of time.

[0123] In the above-described configuration, when the mop detector detects that a mop is inserted into the insertion tube, one of the collection duct flow path and the second collection duct flow path is opened and the other flow path is closed, resulting in a first flow path state. In this state, the suction force of the suction source acting on one flow path is higher than the suction force of the suction source acting on the other flow path when both flow paths are open. This promotes the removal of dust from the mop.

[0124] After the first flow path state is maintained for a predetermined period, one of the flow paths of the collection duct and the second collection duct is closed and the other flow path is opened to obtain a second flow path state. In this state, the suction force of the suction source acting on the other flow path is higher than the suction force of the suction source acting on the other flow path when both flow paths are open. Therefore, in this state as well, dust removal from the mop is promoted.

[0125] In the above-described configuration, the opening / closing control unit may control the opening / closing unit so that the period during which the flow path of the collection duct is open is longer than the period during which the second collection duct is open.

[0126] In the above-described configuration, the period during which the flow path of the collection duct connected to the outlet is open is relatively long, so that a large amount of dust may be sucked in through the outlet.

[0127] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may include a first mop detection unit that detects a mop inserted into the insertion tube to a first depth position below the outlet, a second mop detection unit that detects a mop inserted into the insertion tube to a second depth position below the first depth position, an opening / closing unit configured to open one of the flow paths of the collection duct and the second collection duct and close the other flow path, and an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening / closing unit. The opening / closing control unit may control the opening / closing unit to open the flow path of the collection duct and close the flow path of the second collection duct when the first mop detection unit detects a mop but the second mop detection unit does not detect a mop, and may control the opening / closing unit to close the flow path of the collection duct and open the flow path of the second collection duct when both the first mop detection unit and the second mop detection unit detect a mop.

[0128] In the above-described configuration, if the first mop detection unit detects a mop but the second mop detection unit does not detect a mop, the mop is near the outlet but away from the drop outlet. Even if suction force is applied to the drop outlet in this state, dust from the mop will not be sucked very efficiently, so the flow path of the second collection duct is closed. As a result, the suction force acting on the outlet connected to the collection duct is stronger than when the flow paths of both the collection duct and the second collection duct are open, allowing dust to be sucked efficiently through the outlet.

[0129] When both the first mop detection unit and the second mop detection unit detect a mop, the mop is inserted deeply into the insertion tube and is located near the drop opening. In this case, the flow path of the second collection duct is open, so dust from the mop is sucked through the drop opening. At this time, the flow path of the collection duct is closed, so the suction force acting on the drop opening connected to the second collection duct is stronger than when the flow paths of both the collection duct and the second collection duct are open, allowing dust to be sucked through the drop opening efficiently.

[0130] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may include a first mop detection unit that detects a mop inserted into the insertion tube to a first depth position below the outlet, a second mop detection unit that detects a mop inserted into the insertion tube to a second depth position below the first depth position, a first on-off valve that opens and closes the flow path of the collection duct, a second on-off valve that opens and closes the flow path of the second collection duct, and an on-off control unit that controls the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve. When the first mop detection unit detects a mop but the second mop detection unit does not detect a mop, the on-off control unit may control the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve so that the flow path of the collection duct is open and the flow path of the second collection duct is closed, and when both the first mop detection unit and the second mop detection unit detect a mop, the on-off control unit may control the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve so that both the flow paths of the collection duct and the second collection duct are open.

[0131] In the above-described configuration, if the first mop detection unit detects a mop but the second mop detection unit does not detect a mop, the mop is near the outlet but far from the drop outlet. Even if suction force is applied to the drop outlet in this state, dust from the mop will not be sucked very efficiently, so the flow path of the second collection duct is closed. As a result, the suction force acting on the outlet connected to the collection duct is stronger than when the flow paths of both the collection duct and the second collection duct are open, allowing dust to be sucked efficiently through the outlet.

[0132] When both the first mop detector and the second mop detector detect a mop, the mop is inserted deeply into the insertion tube and is positioned near the drop opening. In this case, the flow path of the second collection duct is open, so dust from the mop is sucked through the drop opening. At this time, the flow path of the collection duct is also open, so dust can also be sucked through the outlet connected to the collection duct.

[0133] In the above-described configuration, the second collection duct may be formed with a dust suction port that is open to allow dust on the floor surface to flow in.

[0134] In the above-described configuration, a user can place a mop close to the dust suction port after cleaning and then insert it into the insertion tube. When the user lifts the mop to insert it into the insertion tube, dust may fall from the mop and scatter on the floor near the dust suction port. When the suction source is activated in this state, the dust scattered on the floor near the dust suction port flows through the dust suction port into the second collection duct and is collected in the dust storage section.

[0135] In the above-described configuration, the insertion tube may have a tapered portion that narrows downward toward the drop opening.

[0136] In the above-described configuration, dust that has fallen from the mop onto the tapered portion can be guided to the drop opening by the tapered portion.

[0137] In the above-described configuration, the dust remover may further include a flow straightening unit that straightens the air flowing from the outlet toward the inlet.

[0138] In the above-described configuration, the air flowing from the outlet toward the inlet is rectified by the rectifying section, so that dust can flow smoothly through the collection duct and into the dust storage section.

[0139] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may further include a guide portion provided in the insertion tube so as to come into contact with the mop inserted into the insertion tube and bring the mop closer to the outlet.

[0140] In the above-described configuration, when a user inserts a mop into the insertion tube, the mop comes into contact with a guide provided inside the insertion tube. The guide then guides the mop toward the outlet formed on the peripheral wall of the insertion tube. As a result, the mop approaches the outlet, increasing the suction force of the suction source acting on the mop.

[0141] In the above-described configuration, the dust removal device may further include a scraping section that is provided within the insertion tube so as to come into contact with the mop within the insertion tube, and is configured to scrape off dust adhering to the mop within the insertion tube as the mop moves up and down.

[0142] In the above-described configuration, when the user moves the mop up and down inside the insertion tube, the mop rubs against the scraping part provided inside the insertion tube, and the scraping part scrapes off the dust adhering to the mop, thereby facilitating the removal of dust from the mop.

[0143] The dust removal device of the above-described embodiment is suitably used as a device for cleaning work.

Claims

1. A dust removal device for removing dust adhering to a mop from the mop, comprising: an insertion tube configured to allow the mop to be inserted from above through an insertion opening that opens upward; a dust storage section for storing dust; a recovery duct that connects the dust storage section to the insertion tube; and a suction source that generates a suction force to suck in dust so that the dust adhering to the mop inside the insertion tube flows into the dust storage section together with the air inside the insertion tube through the recovery duct; an outlet formed in the peripheral wall of the insertion tube to allow dust that has detached from the mop inside the insertion tube to flow out into the recovery duct; and an inlet formed in the dust storage section, facing the outlet, through which dust that has detached from the mop inside the insertion tube flows and which has an opening area larger than that of the outlet, and the recovery duct extends in a straight line from the outlet to the inlet, and has a flow path cross-sectional area larger on the inlet side than on the outlet side.

2. A dust removal device as described in claim 1, wherein a drop opening facing downward is formed at the bottom of the insertion tube, and the dust removal device further comprises a second recovery duct extending from the drop opening and connected to the recovery duct.

3. A dust removal device according to claim 2, wherein the opening area of ​​the inlet is greater than the sum of the opening area of ​​the outlet and the opening area of ​​the drop port.

4. A dust removal device as described in claim 2, further comprising a direction change section at the connection between the recovery duct and the second recovery duct, which changes the direction of air flowing through the second recovery duct toward the inlet.

5. A dust removal device as described in claim 1, wherein the dust storage section is formed with a second inlet through which dust detached from the mop in the insertion tube flows in, the bottom of the insertion tube is formed with a drop port that opens downward, and the dust removal device further has a second recovery duct that extends from the drop port and is connected to the second inlet without being connected to the recovery duct.

6. A dust removal device as described in claim 2 or 5, comprising: a mop detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of the mop into the insertion tube; an opening / closing unit configured to open one of the flow paths of the recovery duct and the second recovery duct and close the other flow path; and an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening / closing unit, wherein the opening / closing control unit controls the opening / closing unit so that the flow path of the recovery duct is opened while the flow path of the second recovery duct is closed, on the condition that the mop detection unit detects the insertion of the mop into the insertion tube, and controls the opening / closing unit so that the flow path of the recovery duct is closed while the flow path of the second recovery duct is opened, on the condition that the mop detection unit detects the removal of the mop from the insertion tube.

7. The dust removal device according to claim 6, further comprising a suction control unit that activates the suction source on condition that the mop detection unit detects the insertion of the mop into the insertion tube.

8. A dust removal device as described in claim 6, further comprising a suction control unit that continues to operate the suction source for a predetermined period of time after the mop detection unit detects the removal of the mop from the insertion tube, and stops the suction source when the predetermined period has elapsed.

9. The dust remover according to claim 8, further comprising a cover that can open and close the insertion opening.

10. A dust removal device as described in claim 2 or 5, comprising: a mop detection unit that detects the insertion and removal of the mop into the insertion tube; an opening / closing unit configured to open one of the flow paths of the recovery duct and the second recovery duct and close the other flow path; and an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening / closing unit, wherein the opening / closing control unit controls the opening / closing unit to obtain a first flow path state in which one of the flow paths of the recovery duct and the second recovery duct is opened and the other flow path is closed, on the condition that the insertion of the mop into the insertion tube is detected by the mop detection unit, and controls the opening / closing unit to obtain a second flow path state in which one of the flow paths of the recovery duct and the second recovery duct is closed, after the first flow path state has been maintained for a predetermined period of time.

11. The dust removal device according to claim 10, wherein the opening / closing control unit controls the opening / closing unit so that the period during which the flow path of the recovery duct is open is longer than the period during which the second recovery duct is open.

12. A dust removal device as described in claim 2 or 5, comprising: a first mop detection unit that detects the mop inserted into the insertion tube to a first depth position below the outlet; a second mop detection unit that detects the mop inserted into the insertion tube to a second depth position that is lower than the first depth position; an opening / closing unit configured to open one of the flow paths of the recovery duct and the second recovery duct and close the other flow path; and an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening / closing unit, wherein the opening / closing control unit controls the opening / closing unit so that the flow path of the recovery duct is opened while the flow path of the second recovery duct is closed when the first mop detection unit detects the mop but the second mop detection unit does not detect the mop; and controls the opening / closing unit so that the flow path of the recovery duct is closed while the flow path of the second recovery duct is opened when both the first mop detection unit and the second mop detection unit detect the mop.

13. A dust removal device as described in claim 2 or 5, comprising: a first mop detection unit that detects the mop inserted into the insertion tube to a first depth position below the outlet; a second mop detection unit that detects the mop inserted into the insertion tube to a second depth position below the first depth position; a first on-off valve that opens and closes the flow path of the recovery duct; a second on-off valve that opens and closes the flow path of the second recovery duct; and an on-off control unit that controls the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve, wherein when the first mop detection unit detects the mop but the second mop detection unit does not detect the mop, the on-off control unit controls the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve so that the flow path of the recovery duct is open while the flow path of the second recovery duct is closed, and when both the first mop detection unit and the second mop detection unit detect the mop, the dust removal device as described in claim 2 or 5, comprising: a first mop detection unit that detects the mop inserted into the insertion tube to a first depth position below the outlet; a second mop detection unit that detects the mop inserted into the insertion tube to a second depth position below the first depth position; a first on-off valve that opens and closes the flow path of the recovery duct; a second on-off valve that opens and closes the flow path of the second recovery duct; 14. A dust removal device as described in claim 2 or 5, wherein the second recovery duct is formed with a dust suction port that is open to allow dust on the floor surface to flow in.

15. A dust removal device according to claim 2 or 5, wherein the insertion tube has a tapered portion that narrows downward toward the drop opening.

16. The dust remover according to claim 1, further comprising a flow straightening section that straightens the air flowing from the outlet toward the inlet.

17. The dust removal device according to claim 1, further comprising a guide portion provided within the insertion tube to come into contact with the mop inserted into the insertion tube and bring the mop closer to the outlet.

18. A dust removal device as described in claim 1, further comprising a scraping section provided within the insertion tube so as to come into contact with the mop within the insertion tube, and configured to scrape off dust adhering to the mop within the insertion tube as the mop moves up and down.

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