Cleaning tool set having plurality of vacuum cleaners

Abstract

A cleaning tool set according to the present disclosure comprises: a first cleaner having a power cable for transferring electrical power from an external power supply, a first housing that has a built-in first suction source for generating a suction force for suctioning dust, and an output terminal for outputting electrical power transferred through the power cable; a second vacuum cleaner having a second suction source for generating a suction force for suctioning dust, a storage battery for storing electrical power for the second suction source, and an input terminal to which electrical power for charging the storage battery is input; and a support body configured to be capable of supporting the first vacuum cleaner and the second vacuum cleaner.

Description

Cleaning tool set with multiple vacuum cleaners

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning tool set including multiple vacuum cleaners.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a canister-type vacuum cleaner 310 shown in Fig. 18 and an upright-type vacuum cleaner 320 shown in Fig. 19. The canister-type vacuum cleaner 310 includes a substantially rectangular box-shaped housing 311 and a suction pipe 313 connected to an inlet 312 formed in the front wall of the housing 311. A suction nozzle 316 is attached to the tip of the suction pipe 313. The base end of the suction pipe 313 is formed so as to be detachable from the inlet 312.

[0003] Inside the housing 311, there are arranged a breathable dust storage bag 314 that stores dust that has flowed in from the inlet 312, and a suction source 315 that sucks air out of the dust storage bag 314. In addition, a power cable 317 that transmits power to operate the suction source 315 is extended outward from the housing 311.

[0004] As shown in Figure 19, the upright vacuum cleaner 320 comprises a suction nozzle 321, a handle 322 extending upright from the suction nozzle 321, and a vacuum cleaner body 323 formed so as to be attachable to the rear side of the handle 322. As shown in Figure 19, the suction nozzle 321 forms a suction space 324 that opens downward, and a flow path 325 that communicates with this suction space 324 is formed in the lower part of the handle 322. The upper end of this flow path 325 opens rearward.

[0005] Cleaner body 323 has a housing 326, and as shown in Fig. 20, a recessed groove 327 extending in the vertical direction is formed in the front portion of housing 326 so that the rear portion of handle 322 can be fitted into it. An inlet 328 that opens forward is formed in the lower portion of groove 327. Cleaner body 323 is attached to handle 322 at a height where inlet 328 overlaps with the opening of the upper end portion of flow path 325 in the front-to-rear direction, as shown in Fig. 19.

[0006] 19, the lower part of the housing 326 forms a dust storage section 329 that stores dust that has flowed in through the inlet 328. Above the dust storage section 329 are disposed a suction source 341 that generates a suction force to suck in dust, and a storage battery 342 that stores power for the suction source 341. An input terminal 343 that inputs power to charge the storage battery 342 is fixed to the rear surface of the housing 326.

[0007] The user activates the suction source 341 and moves the suction nozzle 321 over the floor surface. The suction force of the suction source 341 acts on the dust storage section 329, the flow path 325, and the suction space 324. As a result, dust on the floor surface passes through the suction space 324 and the flow path 325 in this order, and flows into the dust storage section 329.

[0008] As the suction source 341 operates, the amount of electricity stored in the storage battery 342 decreases, so a charging station 330 shown in FIG.

[0009] Charging station 330 is configured to be able to support canister-type vacuum cleaner 310 and upright-type vacuum cleaner 320. That is, charging station 330 includes flat holding plate 331 installed on the floor surface, and holding column 332 erected on holding plate 331.

[0010] The canister vacuum cleaner 310 and the upright vacuum cleaner 320 are placed on a holding plate 331 with the upright vacuum cleaner 320 placed on the housing 311 of the canister vacuum cleaner 320. In this state, not only can the storage battery 342 of the upright vacuum cleaner 320 be charged through the charging station 330, but dust can also be collected from the upright vacuum cleaner 320 to the canister vacuum cleaner 310.

[0011] Specifically, the canister vacuum cleaner 310 and the upright vacuum cleaner 320 are attached to the charging station 330 as follows: Before the canister vacuum cleaner 310 is placed on the charging station 330, the suction tube 313 is removed from the inlet 312 of the housing 311 so that the upright vacuum cleaner 320 can be placed on the housing 311 of the canister vacuum cleaner 310. The suction tube 313 is then hung on a holding post 332 of the charging station 330. The housing 311 is placed on the holding plate 331 with the inlet 312 facing upward.

[0012] An upright vacuum cleaner 320 is placed on this housing 311. In this state, the dust storage section 329 of the upright vacuum cleaner 320 is in communication with the dust storage bag 314 of the canister vacuum cleaner 310 through the flow path 325 and suction space 324 of the upright vacuum cleaner 320 and the inlet 312 of the canister vacuum cleaner 310. When the suction source 315 of the canister vacuum cleaner 310 is activated in this state, dust in the dust storage section 329 of the upright vacuum cleaner 320 is sucked out into the dust storage bag 314 of the canister vacuum cleaner 310.

[0013] The charging station 330 further includes an output terminal 335 and a power cable 333 so as to charge the storage battery 342 of the upright vacuum cleaner 320 placed on the housing 311 of the canister vacuum cleaner 310. The output terminal 335 is provided on the holding column 332 at a height position where it contacts an input terminal 343 of the upright vacuum cleaner 320 on the housing 311 of the canister vacuum cleaner 310. The power cable 333 extends from the holding plate 331 and is configured to be connectable to an external power source. The power cable 333 is also electrically connected to the output terminal 335 so that power from the external power source is transmitted to the output terminal 335. The power transmitted from the external power source through the power cable 333 is input to the input terminal 343 of the upright vacuum cleaner 320, which is in contact with the output terminal 335, and is used to charge the storage battery 342.

[0014] In Patent Document 1, two power cables 317, 333 extend from the canister-type vacuum cleaner 310 and the charging station 330. In this case, it is expected that a user may easily trip over these power cables 317, 333.

[0015] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1-310622

[0016] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cleaning tool set with an improved configuration for charging the storage battery of a vacuum cleaner.

[0017] The cleaning tool set disclosed herein includes a first vacuum cleaner having a power cable for transmitting power from an external power source, a first housing incorporating a first suction source that operates using the power transmitted through the power cable and generates suction for sucking dust, and an output terminal for outputting the power transmitted through the power cable, a support having a first relay terminal configured to be connectable to the output terminal so as to receive the power output from the output terminal of the first vacuum cleaner, a relay line for transmitting the power input to the first relay terminal, and a second relay terminal for outputting the power transmitted through the relay line, and a second vacuum cleaner having a second suction source that generates suction for sucking dust, a storage battery that stores power for the second suction source, and an input terminal for receiving power for charging the storage battery. The support is configured to support the first housing with the output terminal in contact with the first relay terminal and to support the second vacuum cleaner with the input terminal in contact with the second relay terminal.

[0018] The cleaning tool set of the present disclosure allows for fewer power cables to be used to charge the vacuum cleaner's battery.

[0019] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[0020] 1. Perspective view of a cleaning tool set (first embodiment) 2. Perspective view of a first vacuum cleaner of the cleaning tool set 3. Cross-sectional view of the first vacuum cleaner 4. Cross-sectional view of the first vacuum cleaner placed on the support of the cleaning tool set 5. Cross-sectional view of a second vacuum cleaner of the cleaning tool set 6. Bottom view of the second vacuum cleaner 7. Perspective view of the support 8. Cross-sectional view of the first vacuum cleaner placed on the support 9. Cross-sectional view of the first vacuum cleaner placed on the support 10. Perspective view of a cleaning tool set (second embodiment) 11. Cross-sectional view of the second vacuum cleaner of the cleaning tool set 12. Perspective view of the second vacuum cleaner 13. Bottom view of a suction nozzle of the second vacuum cleaner 14. Perspective view of the support of the cleaning tool set 15. Cross-sectional view of the first vacuum cleaner placed on the support 16. Perspective view of the first vacuum cleaner placed on the support 17. Cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner of a conventional cleaning tool set 18. Cross-sectional view of a conventional cleaning tool set 19. Exploded perspective view of a conventional cleaning tool set

[0021] Hereinafter, first and second 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 recited in the claims.

[0022] 1 , the cleaning tool set 100 is made up of a first vacuum cleaner 110, a second vacuum cleaner 120, and a support 130 configured to be able to support the first vacuum cleaner 110 and the second vacuum cleaner 120. The support 130 can be used to store the first vacuum cleaner 110 and the second vacuum cleaner 120, and is configured to allow charging from the first vacuum cleaner 110 to the second vacuum cleaner 120 and collection of dust from the second vacuum cleaner 120 to the first vacuum cleaner 110 during storage. In this embodiment, the first vacuum cleaner 110 is a canister-type vacuum cleaner, and the second vacuum cleaner 120 is a self-propelled robot vacuum cleaner.

[0023] (Configuration of First Vacuum Cleaner) During cleaning work, the first vacuum cleaner 110 is placed on the floor in the position shown in Fig. 2. The first vacuum cleaner 110 has a first housing 111 in the shape of a substantially rectangular box, which has a front wall 112 that faces forward during cleaning work. A suction pipe 113 that forms a flow path for dust is attached to the front wall 112. After cleaning work is completed, the suction pipe 113 is removed from the first housing 111, and the first housing 111 can be placed on the support 130 with the front wall 112 facing downward, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0024] 2, a substantially rectangular recess 115 is formed in the front wall 112 of the first housing 111, and when the first housing 111 is placed on the support 130, a part of the support 130 is fitted into this recess 115. In this way, the first housing 111 is positioned on the support 130.

[0025] A first inlet 116 is formed in the recess 115 of the front wall 112, and when a cleaning operation using the first vacuum cleaner 110 begins, the base end of the suction tube 113 is fitted into the first inlet 116. During this cleaning operation, dust that has passed through the suction tube 113 flows into the first housing 111 through the first inlet 116. When the cleaning operation is completed and the first vacuum cleaner 110 is placed on the support 130, the suction tube 113 is removed from the first inlet 116. In this state, the first inlet 116 is open to the outside, as shown in FIG. 3 .

[0026] The suction tube 113 is a flexible tube extending forward from the front wall portion 112, and a suction nozzle 114 is attached to the tip of the suction tube 113. The suction nozzle 114 is configured to form a suction space into which dust on the floor surface is sucked, and the dust sucked into this suction space can be sucked into the first housing 111 through the suction tube 113.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2 , output terminals 117 and 118 are provided above the first inlet 116 in the recess 115 of the front wall 112. The output terminals 117 and 118 are electrically connected to a power cable 179 housed in a cable housing 175 recessed in the left wall of the first housing 111. The power cable 179 can be pulled out of the cable housing 175 and connected to an external power source (e.g., a power strip). Power from the external power source is transmitted through the power cable 179 and can be output from the output terminals 117 and 118.

[0028] 3, a first suction source 141 is disposed within the first housing 111, and the power cable 179 is also electrically connected to the first suction source 141. When an operation unit 146 provided on an upper wall portion 147 of the first housing 111 is operated, the first suction source 141 receives power transmitted through the power cable 179 and generates suction force for sucking in dust. This suction force causes dust on the floor surface to enter the suction pipe 113 through the suction space of the suction nozzle 114 and then flow into the first housing 111.

[0029] 3, a first dust storage section 142 for storing dust that has flowed into first housing 111 is disposed behind first suction source 141, and a filter 143 is disposed between first suction source 141 and first dust storage section 142. First suction source 141 is configured to suck out air from first dust storage section 142 in a forward direction. At this time, the air from first dust storage section 142 is sucked out of first dust storage section 142 through filter 143, while dust contained in this air is retained in first dust storage section 142 by filter 143.

[0030] First suction source 141 is heavier than first dust storage section 142, and when first housing 111 is placed on support 130 with first inlet 116 facing downward, as shown in Figure 4, first suction source 141 is located below first dust storage section 142. As a result, the center of gravity of first vacuum cleaner 110 placed on support 130 is located at a low position.

[0031] A connection duct 144 extends within the first housing 111, forming a flow path for dust flowing from the first inlet 116 to the first dust storage section 142. The connection duct 144 has a first duct section 148 and a second duct section 149 that are connected to each other at a substantially right angle. The first duct section 148 is a pipe section that extends in a substantially horizontal direction above the first dust storage section 142 and the first suction source 141 when the first housing 111 is in the position shown in FIG. 3. The second duct section 149 is a pipe section that extends downward from the tip of the first duct section 148 between the first suction source 141 and the front wall section 112 of the first housing 111 when the first housing 111 is in the position shown in FIG. 3 and is connected to the first inlet 116. 4, when first housing 111 is placed on support 130 with first inlet 116 facing downward, first duct portion 148 extends downward from first dust storage portion 142. At this time, second duct portion 149 extends substantially horizontally from the connection portion with first duct portion 148.

[0032] 2 and 3, a pair of left and right wheels 171, 172 and an auxiliary wheel 173 are attached to the first housing 111 to assist the first housing 111 in moving on the floor. The wheel 171 is rotatably attached to the right wall of the first housing 111. The wheel 172 is rotatably attached to the left wall of the first housing 111. The auxiliary wheel 173 is attached to the bottom wall of the first housing 111 behind the wheels 171, 172.

[0033] (Configuration of Second Vacuum Cleaner) As shown in FIG. 5 , the second vacuum cleaner 120 has a second housing 121, which contains a storage battery 122, a second suction source 123, a second dust storage unit 124, and a filter 150. The second suction source 123 is powered by power from the storage battery 122 and is configured to generate a rearward suction force for sucking in dust. The second dust storage unit 124 is provided in front of the second suction source 123 to store the dust sucked by this suction force, and a filter 150 is disposed between the second suction source 123 and the second dust storage unit 124. The filter 150 is configured to allow air in the second dust storage unit 124 to flow rearward due to the suction force of the second suction source 123, while retaining the dust in the second dust storage unit 124.

[0034] Adjacent to second dust storage section 124 is provided suction space 125 into which dust on the floor flows in. As shown in Fig. 6, suction space 125 opens downward at the front of the bottom surface of second housing 121. In the following description, this opening will be referred to as "second inlet 181." When second suction source 123 is activated, the suction force of second suction source 123 causes dust on the floor to enter second housing 121 through second inlet 181 and be stored in second dust storage section 124.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 6, input terminals 126, 127 into which power used to charge storage battery 122 is input are disposed in front of second inlet 181. Drive wheels 128, 129 are rotatably attached to second housing 121 diagonally to the rear right and rear left of second inlet 181, and drive sources 151, 152 that drive drive wheels 128, 129 are disposed within second housing 121. The power of storage battery 122 is used not only to operate second suction source 123 but also to cause drive wheels 128, 129 to roll. The drive wheels 128, 129 roll on the floor surface, allowing second vacuum cleaner 120 to travel on the floor surface.

[0036] A drive control unit 153 that controls the drive sources 151 and 152 and the second suction source 123 is also disposed in the second housing 121. The drive control unit 153 may be configured to activate the drive sources 151 and 152 and the second suction source 123, for example, at a predetermined time. The drive control unit 153 may then control the drive sources 151 and 152 so that the second vacuum cleaner 120 moves along a predetermined path while the second suction source 123 remains activated. The drive control unit 153 may also control the drive sources 151 and 152 so that the second vacuum cleaner 120 returns to the position shown in FIG. 1 after completing the removal of dust along this path. When the second vacuum cleaner 120 returns to the position shown in FIG. 1, the drive control unit 153 may stop the second suction source 123 and the drive sources 151 and 152.

[0037] (Configuration of Support Body) As shown in Fig. 4, support body 130 has a substantially rectangular box-shaped base 131 on which first housing 111 is placed, and a holding plate 132 that protrudes rearward along the floor surface from the lower end of base 131. Holding plate 132 gradually becomes thicker from the rear end of holding plate 132 toward the front, and the upper surface of holding plate 132 has a gentle slope that allows second vacuum cleaner 120 to climb up. At the end of cleaning work, second vacuum cleaner 120 climbs up onto holding plate 132 and stops at the position shown in Fig. 1.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 7, the base 131 has a support column 139 standing upright on the holding plate 132, and an upper plate 138 provided at the upper end of the support column 139. In a plan view, the upper plate 138 has an area larger than the cross section of the support column 139, and the rear portion of the upper plate 138 protrudes rearward relative to the support column 139. A recess that is open rearward and surrounded by the upper plate 138, the support column 139, and the holding plate 132 is formed on the rear side of the support column 139. The front portion of the second vacuum cleaner 120 fits into this recess when the second vacuum cleaner 120 is in the position shown in Fig. 1.

[0039] 4, the area of ​​the upper plate portion 138 is approximately equal to the area of ​​the front wall portion 112 of the first vacuum cleaner 110, and a convex portion 133 complementary to the concave portion 115 of the front wall portion 112 of the first vacuum cleaner 110 is provided on the upper surface of the base portion 131. When the first vacuum cleaner 110 is placed on the base portion 131 with the front wall portion 112 of the first vacuum cleaner 110 facing downward, the convex portion 133 of the base portion 131 fits into the concave portion 115 of the first vacuum cleaner 110. As a result, the first vacuum cleaner 110 is positioned on the base portion 131.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 4 , a dust flow path 134 is formed within the support body 130, and when dust is collected from the second dust storage section 124 of the second cleaner 120 to the first dust storage section 142 of the first cleaner 110, the dust flows through the dust flow path 134. As shown in Fig. 7 , one end of the dust flow path 134 opens upward on the upper surface of the holding plate 132, and the other end of the dust flow path 134 opens upward on the upper surface of the base 131. In the following description, the opening (end) of the dust flow path 134 on the upper surface of the holding plate 132 will be referred to as the "upstream port 135." Furthermore, the opening (end) of the dust flow path 134 on the upper surface of the base 131 will be referred to as the "downstream port 136."

[0041] 1 , the upstream port 135 faces vertically the second inlet 181 of the second cleaner 120. Furthermore, when the first cleaner 110 is placed on the base 131 with the front wall 112 of the first cleaner 110 facing downward, the downstream port 136 faces vertically the first inlet 116 of the first cleaner 110. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 1 , the second dust storage section 124 of the second cleaner 120 is in communication with the first dust storage section 142 of the first cleaner 110 through the suction space 125 of the second cleaner 120, the dust flow path 134 of the support 130, and the connection duct 144 of the first cleaner 110.

[0042] Support body 130 is configured not only to enable dust collection from second vacuum cleaner 120 to first vacuum cleaner 110, but also to enable charging from first vacuum cleaner 110 to second vacuum cleaner 120. That is, as shown in Fig. 7, first relay terminals 161 and 162 are provided on the upper surface of base portion 131 of support body 130, and second relay terminals 163 and 164 are provided on the upper surface of holding plate 132 of support body 130.

[0043] The first relay terminals 161, 162 are arranged in positions that make contact with output terminals 117, 118 provided on the front wall 112 of the first vacuum cleaner 110 when the first vacuum cleaner 110 is placed on the base 131 with the front wall 112 of the first vacuum cleaner 110 facing downward. The second relay terminals 163, 164 are arranged in positions that make contact with input terminals 126, 127 provided on the underside of the second housing 121 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 when the second vacuum cleaner 120 is in the position shown in Fig. 1. The first relay terminals 161, 162 are electrically connected to the second relay terminals 163, 164 by relay wires 165, 166 that extend within the support body 130.

[0044] (Operation of the First Vacuum Cleaner During Cleaning) When performing cleaning using the first vacuum cleaner 110, the user removes the first housing 111 from the support 130 and places it on the floor in the position shown in FIG. 2 . The base end of the suction tube 113 is then attached to the first inlet 116 of the first housing 111, and the suction nozzle 114 is attached to the tip of the suction tube 113. The user also pulls out the power cable 179 from the cable housing 175 and connects it to an external power source. In this state, when the user operates the operation unit 146 provided on the upper wall 147 of the first housing 111, the first suction source 141 built into the first housing 111 is activated, generating suction force. This suction force acts on the suction space within the suction nozzle 114 through the first dust storage unit 142, the connection duct 144, and the suction tube 113. Then, the dust on the floor surface flows into the first dust storage section 142 through the suction space in the suction nozzle 114, the suction pipe 113, and the connecting duct 144. At this time, the air in the first dust storage section 142 is sucked forward by the first suction source 141, but the dust that has flowed into the first dust storage section 142 is retained within the first dust storage section 142 by the filter 143.

[0045] The user can move the suction nozzle 114 together with the first housing 111 within the range allowed by the power cable 179. The first housing 111 is provided with wheels 171, 172 and auxiliary wheels 173, which roll on the floor, allowing the user to move the first housing 111 with little force.

[0046] When the cleaning work is finished, the user operates the operating unit 146 to stop the first suction source 141. Then, the user removes the suction tube 113 from the first housing 111. After that, the user can hold the first housing 111 in an orientation where the first inlet 116 to which the suction tube 113 was attached faces downward, and place it on the base 131 of the support body 130. At this time, the user may leave the power cable 179 connected to the external power source.

[0047] When a user places the first housing 111 on the base 131, the orientation of the first duct portion 148 of the connection duct 144 changes from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . At this time, it is expected that dust in the first dust storage portion 142 will leak into the first duct portion 148 and fall down the first duct portion 148. However, as shown in FIG. 4 , the second duct portion 149 of the connection duct 144 extends from the connection portion with the first inlet 116 in a substantially horizontal orientation, and the dust that has fallen down the first duct portion 148 can remain at the connection portion between the first duct portion 148 and the second duct portion 149. In other words, when the first housing 111 is attached to the base 131, dust is prevented from falling out of the first housing 111 from the first inlet 116.

[0048] (Operation of the second vacuum cleaner during cleaning work) For example, at a predetermined time, the drive control unit 153 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 controls the drive sources 151 and 152 so that the second vacuum cleaner 120 moves backward from the position shown in Fig. 1. As a result, the second vacuum cleaner 120 is placed in a state of being removed from the holding plate 132.

[0049] Thereafter, the drive control unit 153 activates the second suction source 123 and controls the drive sources 151 and 152 so that the second vacuum cleaner 120 follows a predetermined movement path. Because the second vacuum cleaner 120 operates on power from the storage battery 122 built into the second housing 121, the movement path of the second vacuum cleaner 120 can be set without being limited by the length of the power cable 179. For example, the movement path of the second vacuum cleaner 120 may be set so that the second vacuum cleaner 120 passes through a location that is far from an external power source and cannot be cleaned by the first vacuum cleaner 110. In other words, the second vacuum cleaner 120 can clean not only places close to an external power source, but also places that are far from an external power source and cannot be cleaned by the first vacuum cleaner 110. The second vacuum cleaner 120 stops when the power of the storage battery 122 runs out. On the other hand, the first vacuum cleaner 110 can receive power from an external power source via the power cable 179, making it suitable for long-term cleaning work. The user can choose between the first vacuum cleaner 110 and the second vacuum cleaner 120 by taking these characteristics of the first vacuum cleaner 110 and the second vacuum cleaner 120 into consideration.

[0050] The second vacuum cleaner 120 moves along a predetermined path and sucks up dust along the path. The dust flows into the suction space 125 through the second inlet 181. The dust then enters the second dust storage section 124, which is provided adjacent to the suction space 125, and is trapped in the second dust storage section 124 by the filter 150. After the second vacuum cleaner 120 has sucked up the dust along the predetermined path, the drive control section 153 controls the drive sources 151 and 152 so that the second vacuum cleaner 120 moves toward the support body 130. When the second vacuum cleaner 120 climbs onto the holding plate 132 and reaches the position shown in FIG. 1 , the drive control section 153 stops the drive sources 151 and 152 and the second suction source 123. In this position, the input terminals 126 and 127 of the second cleaner 120 contact the second relay terminals 163 and 164 of the support body 130, and the second inlet 181 of the second cleaner 120 faces the downstream port 136 of the support body 130 in the vertical direction.

[0051] (Charging Operation from First Cleaner to Second Cleaner) When the cleaning work using the first cleaner 110 is completed, the first housing 111 of the first cleaner 110 is placed on the base 131 of the support body 130 as described above. Furthermore, when the cleaning work using the second cleaner 120 is completed, the second cleaner 120 stops in a state where it is mounted on the holding plate 132 of the support body 130 as described above. Therefore, when the first cleaner 110 and the second cleaner 120 are not in use, the first housing 111 of the first cleaner 110 and the second cleaner 120 are supported by the support body 130. In other words, the support body 130 can be used to store the first cleaner 110 and the second cleaner 120. In this state, first suction source 141 built into first housing 111 of first vacuum cleaner 110 is located below first dust storage section 142, which is lighter than first suction source 141, and the center of gravity of first vacuum cleaner 110 is located at a relatively low position in first housing 111. Therefore, even if an external force in the left-right or front-back direction is applied to first housing 111 placed on support body 130, first housing 111 is unlikely to tip over from support body 130.

[0052] When storing the first vacuum cleaner 110, the first vacuum cleaner 110 is placed on the base 131 with the front wall 112 of the first housing 111 of the first vacuum cleaner 110 facing downward. At this time, the output terminals 117 and 118 provided on the front wall 112 contact the first relay terminals 161 and 162 provided on the upper surface of the base 131. In addition, the second relay terminals 163 and 164 provided on the upper surface of the holding plate 132 contact the input terminals 126 and 127 provided on the lower surface of the second housing 121 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 that is placed on the holding plate 132. At this time, if the power cable 179 of the first vacuum cleaner 110 is connected to an external power source, power from the external power source is output from the output terminals 117 and 118 of the first vacuum cleaner 110 via the power cable 179. This power is then input to the first relay terminals 161 and 162 that are in contact with the output terminals 117 and 118 .

[0053] The first relay terminals 161, 162 are electrically connected to the second relay terminals 163, 164 by relay wires 165, 166, and therefore power input to the first relay terminals 161, 162 is output from the second relay terminals 163, 164. The second relay terminals 163, 164 are in contact with the input terminals 126, 127 of the second vacuum cleaner 120, and therefore power output from the second relay terminals 163, 164 is input to the input terminals 126, 127 and supplied to the storage battery 122 of the second vacuum cleaner 120. As a result, while the first vacuum cleaner 110 and the second vacuum cleaner 120 are stored on the support body 130, the storage battery 122 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 is charged by the first vacuum cleaner 110.

[0054] Power for charging the storage battery 122 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 is supplied through the power cable 179 of the first vacuum cleaner 110. Therefore, there is no need to extend another power cable from the support 130. In this case, a single power cable 179 is extended on the floor, and a user is less likely to trip over the power cable 179 than when multiple power cables are extended on the floor. Furthermore, if a power strip is used as the external power source to which the power cable 179 is connected, the storage battery 122 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 can be charged even if only one outlet on the power strip is available.

[0055] (Dust Collection Operation from Second Vacuum Cleaner to First Vacuum Cleaner) With first vacuum cleaner 110 and second vacuum cleaner 120 connected to support body 130 as shown in FIG. 1 , a user may operate operation unit 146 of first vacuum cleaner 110 to activate first suction source 141. In this case, the suction force of first suction source 141 acts on dust in second dust storage section 124 of second vacuum cleaner 120 through first dust storage section 142 and connection duct 144 of first vacuum cleaner 110, dust flow path 134 of support body 130, and suction space 125 of second vacuum cleaner 120. This dust is sucked out of second dust storage section 124 of second vacuum cleaner 120 into suction space 125 by the suction force of first suction source 141 of first vacuum cleaner 110. The dust then flows into the dust flow path 134 of the support 130 through the second inlet 181, which is an opening of the suction space 125. The dust then passes through the dust flow path 134 and the connecting duct 144 of the first cleaner 110, and is collected in the first dust storage unit 142. After the dust collection operation has been completed, the second cleaner 120 can start cleaning with the second dust storage unit 124 being substantially empty.

[0056] In the above-described embodiment, the dust flow path 134 is formed in the support 130 to collect dust from the second cleaner 120 to the first cleaner 110. However, if collection of dust from the second cleaner 120 to the first cleaner 110 is not necessary, the dust flow path 134 does not need to be formed.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, when first housing 111 of first vacuum cleaner 110 is placed on support 130, dust leaking from first dust storage section 142 is caught at the connection between first duct section 148 and second duct section 149, thereby preventing the dust from falling through first inlet 116. However, if first housing 111 is held in an orientation in which second duct section 149 extends diagonally downward toward first inlet 116, the dust caught at the connection between first duct section 148 and second duct section 149 may move diagonally downward within second duct section 149. This dust may then fall through first inlet 116. To prevent such dust from falling, second duct section 149 may extend diagonally upward from the connection with first duct section 148, as shown in FIG. 8 . In this case, when the first housing 111 of the first vacuum cleaner 110 is placed on the support 130, even if the first housing 111 is tilted to some extent, dust can remain at the connection portion between the first duct portion 148 and the second duct portion 149.

[0058] In order to suppress dust from entering through the first inlet 116 when the first housing 111 of the first vacuum cleaner 110 is placed on the support 130, the first vacuum cleaner 110 may have an opening / closing unit 174 that opens and closes the first inlet 116, as shown in Fig. 9 . When no external force is applied to the opening / closing unit 174, the opening / closing unit 174 is biased to a closed position (a position rotated downward from the position shown in Fig. 9 ) that closes the first inlet 116. When the first suction source 141 is activated, the opening / closing unit 174 is configured to rotate upward from the closed position by the suction force of the first suction source 141 and to an open position (a position rotated upward from the position shown in Fig. 9 ) that opens the first inlet 116. In this case, when the user holds first housing 111 so that first inlet 116 faces downward, if first suction source 141 is stopped, opening / closing unit 174 can prevent dust from falling from first inlet 116. Then, if the user places first housing 111 on support 130 and activates first suction source 141 while maintaining this holding position, opening / closing unit 174 will assume the open position due to the suction force of first suction source 141. In this state, dust is collected from second dust storage unit 124 of second vacuum cleaner 120 to first dust storage unit 142 of first vacuum cleaner 110.

[0059] Second Embodiment As shown in Fig. 10 , the cleaning tool set 100 may include a stick-type vacuum cleaner as the second vacuum cleaner 120. This second vacuum cleaner 120 has a suction nozzle 154 and a substantially cylindrical second housing 121. The second housing 121 shown in Fig. 10 is in an upright position standing upright relative to the suction nozzle 154, and a round rod-shaped grip portion 155 that is thinner than the second housing 121 extends upward from the top end of the second housing 121. When a user grips the grip portion 155 and pulls it rearward, the grip portion 155 and the second housing 121 tilt rearward.

[0060] As shown in Figure 11, a suction pipe 156 that is long in the vertical direction is housed in the lower part of the second housing 121. The lower end portion of the suction pipe 156 protrudes downward from the lower end of the second housing 121 and enters the rear part of the suction nozzle 154. The suction pipe 156 is connected to the suction nozzle 154 so as to be tiltable rearward relative to the suction nozzle 154 from the position shown in Figures 10 and 11. Note that the lower end of the suction pipe 156 contacts the bottom wall 185 of the suction nozzle 154 when the suction pipe 156 is in the position shown in Figures 10 and 11.

[0061] A check valve 157 is attached to the upper end of the suction pipe 156, and in Fig. 11, the upper end of the suction pipe 156 is closed by the check valve 157. When an upward external force is applied to this check valve 157, the check valve 157 rotates in the direction of arrow B shown in Fig. 11, and the upper end of the suction pipe 156 can be opened.

[0062] The internal space of second housing 121 above suction pipe 156 is divided into upper and lower sections by filter 158. The space between filter 158 and check valve 157 is used as second dust storage section 124 for storing dust. The space above filter 158 is used as drive chamber 159 that houses second suction source 123 and storage battery 122.

[0063] An operating unit 182 for activating and deactivating second suction source 123 is provided on grip portion 155. When a user operates operating unit 182 to activate second suction source 123, second suction source 123 generates an upward suction force, which causes air in second dust storage portion 124 to flow into drive chamber 159 through filter 158. At this time, dust in second dust storage portion 124 is retained within second dust storage portion 124 by filter 158.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 12 , a dust discharge port 183 used to discharge dust from the second dust storage section 124 is formed in the front wall of the second housing 121 at a height position corresponding to the lower part of the second dust storage section 124. A lid 184 for opening and closing the dust discharge port 183 is attached to the second housing 121. The lid 184 shown in FIG. 12 is in an open position that opens the dust discharge port 183 and protrudes forward relative to the second housing 121. In this state, dust from the second dust storage section 124 can be discharged through the dust discharge port 183. The lid 184 can be rotated upward from the open position shown in FIG. 12 to close the dust discharge port 183. The lid 184 shown in FIG. 11 closes the dust discharge port 183.

[0065] When the suction tube 156 tilts backward from the upright position shown in Fig. 11 , the second dust storage section 124 communicates with the suction space 186 formed in the suction nozzle 154. That is, when the suction tube 156 tilts backward from the upright position shown in Fig. 11 , the lower end of the suction tube 156 moves in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 11 , and the flow path of the suction tube 156 communicates with the suction space 186. When the second suction source 123 is activated in this state, the suction force of the second suction source 123 moves the check valve 157 in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 11 , opening the upper end of the suction tube 156. The second dust storage section 124 then communicates with the suction space 186 via the flow path of the suction tube 156.

[0066] 13, suction space 186 opens downward in front of bottom wall 185 of suction nozzle 154. Dust on the floor surface can flow into suction space 186 through this opening. The dust is then sucked up into second dust storage section 124 through the flow path of suction pipe 156 by the suction force of second suction source 123.

[0067] Input terminals 126 and 127 are fixed to the underside of the bottom wall 185 of the suction nozzle 154. The input terminals 126 and 127 are electrically connected to the storage battery 122 housed in the drive chamber 159, and when power is input to the input terminals 126 and 127, the power is supplied to the storage battery 122.

[0068] Electric power is input to the input terminals 126, 127 when the suction nozzle 154 is placed on the holding plate 132 of the support body 130 as shown in Fig. 10. Second relay terminals 163, 164 are fixed to the upper surface of the holding plate 132 as shown in Fig. 14. These second relay terminals 163, 164 are positioned so as to come into contact with the input terminals 126, 127 of the suction nozzle 154 when the suction nozzle 154 is placed on the holding plate 132.

[0069] A recess 167 is formed at the rear end of the upper plate portion 138 of the support body 130 in order to hold the second housing 121 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 while positioning the second vacuum cleaner 120 at a position where the input terminals 126, 127 contact the second relay terminals 163, 164. This recess 167 has a shape complementary to the front portion of the second housing 121, and the second housing 121 is fitted into the recess 167 and held by the support body 130.

[0070] The upper end of the base portion 131 of the support body 130 is located lower than the dust outlet 183 of the second cleaner 120 placed on the holding plate 132, and the dust outlet 183 opens above the base portion 131. For this reason, in this embodiment, dust is not collected through the support body 130. Therefore, the support body 130 in Fig. 14 does not have the dust flow path 134 provided in the support body 130 shown in Fig. 3.

[0071] 15, the first housing 111 of the first vacuum cleaner 110 is placed on the upper plate 138 of the base 131. At this time, the first housing 111 is attached to the support 130 in an orientation in which the front wall 112, which faces forward during cleaning work using the first vacuum cleaner 110, faces downward.

[0072] 3 except that the front wall 112 does not have an opening in the connection duct 144. Therefore, when the front wall 112 is placed on the support body 130 with the front wall 112 facing downward, the output terminals 117 and 118 fixed to the front wall 112 come into contact with the first relay terminals 161 and 162 fixed to the upper surface of the upper plate 138 of the support body 130.

[0073] The upper wall portion 147 of the first housing 111, which faces upward during cleaning work using the first vacuum cleaner 110, faces backward when the first housing 111 is placed on the support body 130, as shown in Fig. 15 . A groove 176 is formed in the upper wall portion 147, as shown in Fig. 16 . The groove 176 extends in the vertical direction when the first housing 111 is placed on the support body 130 with the front wall portion 112 facing downward. The groove 176 has a shape complementary to the front portion of the second housing 121 of the second vacuum cleaner 120, and the second housing 121 is fitted into the groove 176 and held by the first housing 111.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 16, first inlet 116 used to collect dust from second dust storage section 124 of second cleaner 120 is formed in recessed groove 176 of first housing 111. As shown in Fig. 15, the tip of connection duct 144 extended from first dust storage section 142 is connected to first inlet 116.

[0075] The first inlet 116 is formed so that the height of the first inlet 116 when the first housing 111 is placed on the base portion 131 of the support body 130 is approximately equal to the height of the dust outlet 183 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 placed on the holding plate 132. Therefore, when the first vacuum cleaner 110 and the second vacuum cleaner 120 are both placed on the support body 130, the first inlet 116 of the first vacuum cleaner 110 faces the lid 184 that closes the dust outlet 183 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 in the front-rear direction.

[0076] Furthermore, first inlet 116 has a size that allows lid 184 of second cleaner 120 in the open position to enter through it. Therefore, lid 184 can be rotated from the closed position to the open position without being obstructed by first housing 111 of first cleaner 110.

[0077] When the first vacuum cleaner 110 is used for cleaning work, the first housing 111 is placed on the floor with the upper wall 147 of the first housing 111 facing upward, as shown in Figure 17. The suction tube 113 and the suction nozzle 114 are attached to the first housing 111 via the attachment tube 177.

[0078] The attachment tube 177 has a shape complementary to the recessed groove 176 of the first housing 111. An opening 178 is formed in the peripheral wall of the attachment tube 177, and the attachment tube 177 is fitted into the recessed groove 176 of the first housing 111 so that the opening 178 overlaps the first inlet 116 of the first housing 111 in the vertical direction.

[0079] 17, the suction force of the first suction source 141 causes dust on the floor to flow sequentially through the suction nozzle 114, the suction tube 113, and the attachment tube 177. The dust then flows into the connecting duct 144 through the opening 178 of the attachment tube 177 and the first inlet 116 of the first housing 111, and is then collected in the first dust storage section 142.

[0080] When the user has finished cleaning using the first vacuum cleaner 110, he or she removes the attachment tube 177 from the first housing 111. Then, the user holds the first housing 111 with the front wall 112 of the first housing 111 facing downward, and places it on the base 131 as shown in FIG. 15 . In this state, the output terminals 117 and 118 provided on the front wall 112 of the first housing 111 contact the first relay terminals 161 and 162 provided on the upper surface of the base 131. At this time, if the power cable 179 is connected to an external power source, power from the external power source is transmitted to the output terminals 117 and 118 through the power cable 179, and is input from the output terminals 117 and 118 to the first relay terminals 161 and 162.

[0081] The power input to the first relay terminals 161, 162 is transmitted to the second relay terminals 163, 164 via the relay wires 165, 166. At this time, if the second vacuum cleaner 120 is placed on the holding plate 132 on which the second relay terminals 163, 164 are provided, the input terminals 126, 127 provided on the suction nozzle 114 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 are in contact with the second relay terminals 163, 164. Therefore, the power transmitted to the second relay terminals 163, 164 is input to the input terminals 126, 127 and then supplied to the storage battery 122 of the second vacuum cleaner 120. Therefore, the user can perform cleaning work using the second vacuum cleaner 120 with the storage battery 122 fully charged.

[0082] When a user uses the second vacuum cleaner 120 to perform cleaning work, the user grasps the grip portion 155 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 on the holding plate 132 and pulls it backward. This causes the second housing 121 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 to lean backward relative to the suction nozzle 114, and the second housing 121 comes out of the recessed groove 176 of the first housing 111 and the recess 167 of the base portion 131. When the user further pulls the grip portion 155 backward, the suction nozzle 114 moves backward and is lowered from the holding plate 132. As the second housing 121 leans backward relative to the suction nozzle 114, the suction tube 156 also leans backward relative to the suction nozzle 114. In this state, the flow path of the suction tube 156 communicates with the suction space 186 of the suction nozzle 114.

[0083] The user then operates the operating unit 182 provided on the grip 155 to activate the second suction source 123 of the second vacuum cleaner 120. The suction force of the second suction source 123 causes the check valve 157 at the upper end of the suction tube 113 to rotate upward, opening the upper end of the suction tube 156. As a result, the second dust collection unit 124 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 communicates with the suction space 186 of the suction nozzle 114, and the suction force of the second suction source 123 acts on the suction space 186.

[0084] In this state, when the user moves suction nozzle 114 over a desired floor area, dust on that floor area is collected in second dust collection section 124 via suction nozzle 114 and suction pipe 156. After that, when the user finishes cleaning that floor area, he or she operates operation section 182 to stop second suction source 123. As second suction source 123 stops, the suction force of second suction source 123 disappears, and check valve 157 closes the upper end of suction pipe 156. As a result, the dust in second dust collection section 124 is retained in second dust collection section 124 without falling into suction pipe 156.

[0085] 10 , the user places the second vacuum cleaner 120 on the holding plate 132. Then, the user places the second housing 121 in an upright position relative to the suction nozzle 154, and fits the upright second housing 121 into the groove 176 of the first housing 111 of the first vacuum cleaner 110 and the recess 167 of the base part 131.

[0086] In this way, after connecting the second vacuum cleaner 120 to the first housing 111 and support body 130 of the first vacuum cleaner 110, the user may collect dust from the second dust storage section 124 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 to the first dust storage section 142 of the first vacuum cleaner 110. That is, the user may operate the operating section 146 of the first vacuum cleaner 110 to activate the first suction source 141 of the first vacuum cleaner 110 in order to collect dust from the second dust storage section 124 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 to the first dust storage section 142 of the first vacuum cleaner 110.

[0087] The suction force of the first suction source 141 acts on the lid 184, which is located behind the first inlet 116 and closes the dust outlet 183 of the second cleaner 120. The suction force of the first suction source 141 causes the lid 184 to tilt forward from the closed position to the open position. In this state, the second dust storage section 124 of the second cleaner 120 is connected to the first dust storage section 142 of the first cleaner 110 via the connecting duct 144. The suction force of the first suction source 141 then sucks dust out of the second dust storage section 124 through the dust outlet 183 and flows into the first dust storage section 142 via the connecting duct 144. As a result, the second dust storage section 124 becomes substantially empty.

[0088] In the cleaning tool set 100 of the second embodiment, power for charging the storage battery 122 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 is also supplied through the power cable 179 of the first vacuum cleaner 110. Therefore, there is no need to extend another power cable from the support body 130. In this case, a single power cable 179 is extended on the floor surface, and a user is less likely to trip over the power cable 179 than when multiple power cables are extended on the floor surface. Furthermore, when a power strip is used as the external power source to which the power cable 179 is connected, the storage battery 122 of the second vacuum cleaner 120 can be charged even if only one port on the power strip is available.

[0089] In the cleaning tool set 100 of the second embodiment, the second vacuum cleaner 120 is a stick vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, the second vacuum cleaner 120 may be an upright vacuum cleaner.

[0090] (Effects, etc.) The cleaning tool set 100 according to the above-described embodiment has the following features and provides the following effects.

[0091] A cleaning tool set according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment includes a first vacuum cleaner having a power cable for transmitting power from an external power source, a first housing incorporating a first suction source that operates using power transmitted through the power cable and generates suction for sucking dust, and an output terminal for outputting the power transmitted through the power cable, a support having a first relay terminal configured to be connectable to the output terminal to receive the power output from the output terminal of the first vacuum cleaner, a relay line for transmitting the power input to the first relay terminal, and a second relay terminal for outputting the power transmitted through the relay line, and a second vacuum cleaner having a second suction source that generates suction for sucking dust, a storage battery that stores power for the second suction source, and an input terminal for receiving power to charge the storage battery. The support is configured to support the first housing with the output terminal in contact with the first relay terminal and to support the second vacuum cleaner with the input terminal in contact with the second relay terminal.

[0092] In the above-described configuration, the suction source of the first vacuum cleaner operates using power transmitted from an external power source via a power cable, generating suction force for sucking up dust. This power can be supplied not only to the first suction source but also to the output terminal. When the first housing of the first vacuum cleaner is supported on the support, the output terminal contacts the first relay terminal of the support, and power output from the output terminal is input to the first relay terminal. The power input to the first relay terminal is output from the second relay terminal via the relay wire. When the second vacuum cleaner is supported on the support, the second relay terminal contacts the input terminal of the second vacuum cleaner. Therefore, power output from the output terminal of the first vacuum cleaner can be input to the input terminal of the second vacuum cleaner via the first relay terminal, the relay wire, and the second relay terminal of the support. This power is then used to charge the storage battery. In this way, the storage battery of the second vacuum cleaner can be charged using power transmitted via the power cable of the first vacuum cleaner, so the support itself does not need to have a power cable connected to an external power source. Therefore, fewer power cables are laid on the floor surface around the cleaning tool set, and the risk of a user tripping over a power cable is reduced compared to when multiple power cables are laid on the floor surface.

[0093] In the above-described configuration, the first housing may incorporate a first dust storage unit for storing dust sucked by the first suction source and may be formed with a first inlet through which dust sucked by the first suction source flows in. The second cleaner may have a second housing that houses the second suction source, a storage battery, and a second dust storage unit for storing dust sucked by the second suction source. The second housing may be formed with a second inlet through which dust sucked by the second suction source flows in. The support may be formed with a dust flow path that communicates with the first inlet of the first cleaner and the second inlet of the second cleaner when the first housing and the second cleaner are supported by the support, and that allows dust flowing out from the second inlet to flow into the first inlet as the first suction source is operated.

[0094] In the above-described configuration, dust collection from the second vacuum cleaner to the first housing is permitted in a supported state in which the first housing and the second vacuum cleaner are supported by the support. That is, in this supported state, the dust flow path of the support communicates with the first inlet of the first vacuum cleaner and the second inlet of the second vacuum cleaner. When the first suction source of the first vacuum cleaner is activated in this state, the suction force of the first suction source can act on dust in the second dust storage section through the first inlet, the dust flow path, and the second inlet. The dust can then be sucked out of the second dust storage section by the suction force of the first suction source and collected into the first dust storage section through the second inlet, the dust flow path, and the first inlet.

[0095] In the above-described configuration, the support may have a base that supports the first housing placed from above with the first inlet opening downward, and the dust flow path may have an end that opens upward on the upper surface of the base.

[0096] With the above-described configuration, a user can place the first housing on the base of the support from above. In this state, the first housing and the base are aligned vertically, so the installation area of ​​the cleaning tool set does not become excessively large. With the first housing and the base aligned vertically, the first inlet opens downward and the end of the dust flow path opens upward. This allows the user to place the first housing on the base so that the first inlet and the dust flow path are in communication with each other. As a result, dust flowing through the dust flow path can be collected in the first dust collection section through the first inlet.

[0097] In the above-described configuration, the first cleaner may have an opening / closing unit that closes the first inlet. The opening / closing unit may be configured to be changeable in position from a closed position that closes the first inlet to an open position that opens the first inlet by the suction force of the first suction source.

[0098] In the above-described configuration, even if a user holds the first housing with the first inlet facing downward, if the first suction source is stopped, the first suction source is closed by the opening / closing unit, so dust in the first dust collection unit will not fall through the first inlet. Then, when a user places the first housing on the base and activates the first suction source, the suction force of the first suction source opens the opening / closing unit. As a result, the first inlet communicates with the dust flow path of the base, and dust flowing through the dust flow path can flow into the first dust collection unit through the first inlet.

[0099] In the above-described configuration, the first vacuum cleaner may be configured such that the first suction source is located below the first dust collection unit when the first inlet is in a position where it opens downward. The first suction source may be heavier than the first dust collection unit.

[0100] In the above-described configuration, when the first inlet is in a downward-facing open position, the first suction source, which is heavier than the first dust collection unit, is located below the first dust collection unit, preventing the center of gravity of the first housing placed on the base from becoming excessively high. Therefore, even if a lateral external force is applied to the first housing on the base, the first housing is less likely to fall off the base.

[0101] In the above-described configuration, the first vacuum cleaner may have a connecting duct connecting the first inlet and the first dust storage unit to form a flow path for dust flowing from the first inlet to the first dust storage unit. The connecting duct may have a first duct section extending downward from the first dust storage unit when the first inlet is in an orientation in which it opens downward, and a second duct section connected to the first inlet and the first duct section. The second duct section may have a section extending horizontally or diagonally upward from the connection with the first duct section when the orientation of the first housing is changed to an orientation in which the first inlet faces downward.

[0102] In the above-described configuration, when the first housing is placed on the base with the first inlet facing downward, the first dust storage section is located at a relatively high position. In other words, the first dust storage section is located above and spaced apart from the base. Meanwhile, the first inlet is connected to the dust storage flow path of the base and therefore opens at a lower position than the first dust storage section. In this way, to connect the first dust storage section and the first inlet, which are located at different heights, the connecting duct has a first duct section that extends downward from the first dust storage section when the first inlet is in a downward-opening position.

[0103] When the first housing is repositioned so that the first inlet faces downward, it is expected that dust will leak from the first dust storage section and fall into the first duct section. If the lower end of the first duct section were connected to the first inlet, this dust could fall out of the first housing through the first inlet when the first housing is repositioned. To prevent such dust from falling, the second duct section connected to the first duct section and the first inlet has a section that extends horizontally or diagonally upward from the connection with the first duct section when the first housing is repositioned so that the first inlet faces downward. In this case, dust that falls down the first duct section is caught at the connection between the first duct section and the second duct section, thereby preventing dust from falling through the first inlet.

[0104] In the above-described configuration, the first relay terminal may be provided on an upper surface of the base, and the output terminal may be formed on a surface of the first housing on which the first inlet is formed.

[0105] In the above-described configuration, a user can place the first housing on the base with the first inlet facing downward, thereby connecting the first inlet to the dust flow path. At this time, the output terminal provided on the surface where the first inlet is formed can come into contact with the first relay terminal provided on the upper surface of the base.

[0106] In the above-described configuration, the second cleaner may have a drive wheel rotatably attached to the second housing to allow the second housing to travel on a floor surface, a drive unit that drives the drive wheel, and a drive control unit that controls the drive unit. The second inlet may open at the bottom surface of the second housing. The support may have a holding plate formed so that the second cleaner can climb up onto it. The dust flow path may have an end that opens at the top surface of the holding plate. The drive control unit may be configured to control the drive unit so that the second cleaner stops at a position where the second inlet is vertically opposite the end of the dust flow path.

[0107] In the above-described configuration, when the drive wheels are driven by the drive unit while the second suction source is activated, the second housing can travel along the floor while sucking in dust on the floor through the second inlet opening in the underside of the second housing. The second vacuum cleaner can then ride up onto the support plate of the support and be supported by the support. At this time, the drive control unit controls the drive unit so that the second vacuum cleaner stops at a position where the second inlet vertically faces the end of the dust flow path opening in the upper surface of the support plate. Therefore, the second vacuum cleaner is supported by the support plate with the dust flow path and the second inlet communicating with each other. In this state, when the first suction source of the first vacuum cleaner is activated, dust in the second dust storage compartment can be collected into the first dust storage compartment of the first vacuum cleaner through the second inlet, the dust flow path, and the first inlet.

[0108] In the above-described configuration, the second relay terminal may be provided on an upper surface of the holding plate, and the input terminal may be provided on a lower surface of the second housing so as to come into contact with the second relay terminal when the second vacuum cleaner is stopped at a position where the second inlet is vertically opposed to an end of the dust flow path.

[0109] In the above-described configuration, when the second vacuum cleaner stops at a position where the second inlet is vertically opposed to the end of the dust flow path opened on the upper surface of the holding plate, the input terminal provided on the lower surface of the second housing of the second vacuum cleaner can come into contact with the second relay terminal provided on the upper surface of the holding plate.

[0110] In the above-described configuration, the first housing may incorporate a first dust storage section for storing dust sucked by the first suction source and may be formed with a first inlet for allowing dust sucked by the first suction source to flow in. The second vacuum cleaner may have a second housing containing a suction nozzle configured to allow dust on a floor surface to flow in by the suction force of the second suction source, a second suction source, a storage battery, and a second dust storage section for storing dust sucked through the suction nozzle by the second suction source. The second housing may be configured to be connected to the support in an upright position relative to the suction nozzle. The second housing may be formed with a dust discharge port that opens at a position higher than the support supporting the second vacuum cleaner and is configured to allow dust in the second dust storage section to be discharged. The support may be configured to support the first housing so that the first housing of the first vacuum cleaner contacts the second housing of the second vacuum cleaner. The first inlet may be formed at a height position opposite the dust outlet when the first housing is supported by the support body.

[0111] In the above-described configuration, a user can move the suction nozzle across the floor while activating the second suction source, causing dust on the floor to flow into the second dust collection compartment through the suction nozzle. After the cleaning operation, the user can support the second housing on the support in an upright position with the suction nozzle facing upright. In this case, the dust outlet for discharging dust from the second dust collection compartment is open on the second housing at a position higher than the base.

[0112] In this state, when the first housing of the first vacuum cleaner is supported on the support, the first housing comes into contact with the second housing of the second vacuum cleaner. At this time, the first inlet formed in the first housing faces the dust outlet of the second vacuum cleaner. Then, when a user activates the first suction source of the first vacuum cleaner, the suction force of the first suction source can act on dust in the second dust storage section of the second vacuum cleaner through the first inlet and the dust outlet. Therefore, the dust can be collected in the first dust storage section of the first vacuum cleaner through the dust outlet and the first inlet.

[0113] In the above-described configuration, the support may have a base on which the first housing is placed from above, and a holding plate protruding from the base along the floor surface so as to allow the second vacuum cleaner to be placed thereon. The first relay terminal may be provided on an upper surface of the base. The second relay terminal may be provided on an upper surface of the holding plate. The input terminal may be provided on a lower surface of the suction nozzle so as to contact the second relay terminal when the second vacuum cleaner is placed on the holding plate. The output terminal may be provided on an outer surface of the first housing so as to contact the first relay terminal when the first housing is placed on the base so that the first inlet communicates with the dust outlet of the second vacuum cleaner placed on the holding plate.

[0114] In the above-described configuration, when a user places the second vacuum cleaner on the holding plate, the input terminal on the underside of the suction nozzle comes into contact with the second relay terminal on the upper surface of the holding plate. Then, when the user places the first housing on the base so that the first inlet is connected to the dust outlet of the second vacuum cleaner, the first relay terminal comes into contact with the output terminal. When this contact state is achieved, power from the external power source can be supplied to the storage battery of the second vacuum cleaner through the power cable, the output terminal, the first relay terminal, the relay line, the second relay terminal, and the input terminal.

[0115] In the above-described configuration, the base may be formed with a recess into which the second housing of the second cleaner placed on the holding plate is fitted.

[0116] In the above-described configuration, a user can place the second vacuum cleaner on the holding plate and fit the second housing of the second vacuum cleaner into the recess of the base part, so that the second vacuum cleaner can be supported not only by the holding plate but also by the base part.

[0117] In the above-described configuration, the first housing of the first vacuum cleaner may have a recessed groove formed therein into which the second housing of the second vacuum cleaner placed on the holding plate is fitted when the first housing is placed on the base portion.

[0118] In the above-described configuration, a user can place the second cleaner on the holding plate and fit the second housing of the second cleaner into the groove formed in the first housing placed on the base, so that the second cleaner can be supported not only by the holding plate but also by the first housing placed on the base.

[0119] The cleaning tool set of the above-described embodiment is suitably used in an apparatus used for cleaning work.

Claims

1. A cleaning tool set comprising: a first vacuum cleaner having a power cable that transmits power from an external power source, a first housing that incorporates a first suction source that operates using power transmitted through the power cable and generates suction force for sucking in dust, and an output terminal that outputs the power transmitted through the power cable; a support having a first relay terminal configured to be connectable to the output terminal of the first vacuum cleaner to receive power output from the output terminal, a relay line that transmits power input to the first relay terminal, and a second relay terminal to which the power transmitted through the relay line is output; and a second vacuum cleaner having a second suction source that generates suction force for sucking in dust, a storage battery that stores power for the second suction source, and an input terminal to which power for charging the storage battery is input, wherein the support is configured to support the first housing with the output terminal in contact with the first relay terminal, and to support the second vacuum cleaner with the input terminal in contact with the second relay terminal.

2. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 1, wherein the first housing incorporates a first dust storage section for storing dust sucked by the first suction source and is formed with a first inlet that allows the dust sucked by the first suction source to flow in; the second vacuum cleaner has a second housing that houses the second suction source, the storage battery, and a second dust storage section for storing dust sucked by the second suction source; the second housing is formed with a second inlet that allows the dust sucked by the second suction source to flow in; and the support body is formed with a dust flow path that communicates with the first inlet of the first vacuum cleaner and the second inlet of the second vacuum cleaner when the first housing and the second vacuum cleaner are supported by the support body, and that allows dust that flows out from the second inlet to flow into the first inlet when the first suction source is operated.

3. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 2, wherein the support body has a base portion that supports the first housing placed from above with the first inlet opening downward, and the dust flow path has an end portion that opens upward on the upper surface of the base portion.

4. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 3, wherein the first vacuum cleaner has an opening / closing part that closes the first inlet, and the opening / closing part is configured to be able to change its position from a closed position that closes the first inlet to an open position that opens the first inlet by the suction force of the first suction source.

5. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 3, wherein the first vacuum cleaner is configured so that the first suction source is positioned below the first dust storage section when the first inlet is in a position that opens downward, and the first suction source is heavier than the first dust storage section.

6. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 5, wherein the first vacuum cleaner has a connecting duct connecting the first inlet and the first dust storage section so as to form a flow path for dust to flow from the first inlet to the first dust storage section, the connecting duct having a first duct section extending downward from the first dust storage section when the first inlet is in a position where it opens downward, and a second duct section connected to the first inlet and the first duct section, and the second duct section has a section extending horizontally or diagonally upward from the connection with the first duct section when the position of the first housing is changed to a position where the first inlet is facing downward.

7. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 3, wherein the first relay terminal is provided on the upper surface of the base portion, and the output terminal is formed on the surface of the first housing on which the first inlet is formed.

8. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 2, wherein the second vacuum cleaner has a drive wheel rotatably attached to the second housing to allow the second housing to travel on a floor surface, a drive unit that drives the drive wheel, and a drive control unit that controls the drive unit, the second inlet opens at the bottom surface of the second housing, the support has a holding plate formed so that the second vacuum cleaner can climb up, the dust flow path has an end that opens at the top surface of the holding plate, and the drive control unit is configured to control the drive unit so that the second vacuum cleaner stops at a position where the second inlet is vertically opposite the end of the dust flow path.

9. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 8, wherein the second relay terminal is provided on the upper surface of the holding plate, and the input terminal is provided on the lower surface of the second housing so as to come into contact with the second relay terminal when the second vacuum cleaner is stopped with the second inlet at a position vertically opposite the end of the dust flow path.

10. The first housing incorporates a first dust storage section for storing dust sucked by the first suction source, and is formed with a first inlet that allows the dust sucked by the first suction source to flow in; the second vacuum cleaner has a suction nozzle configured to allow dust on the floor surface to flow in by the suction force of the second suction source, and a second housing that houses the second suction source, the storage battery, and a second dust storage section for storing dust sucked through the suction nozzle by the second suction source; the second housing is configured to be connected to the support in an upright position relative to the suction nozzle; the second housing is formed with a dust discharge port that opens at a position higher than the support that supports the second vacuum cleaner and is configured to allow the dust in the second dust storage section to be discharged; and the support is configured to support the first housing so that the first housing of the first vacuum cleaner comes into contact with the second housing of the second vacuum cleaner. The cleaning tool set according to claim 1 , wherein the first inlet is formed at a height position facing the dust outlet when the first housing is supported by the support body.

11. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 10, wherein the support body has a base portion on which the first housing is placed from above, and a holding plate protruding from the base portion along the floor surface so as to allow the second vacuum cleaner to be placed thereon, the first relay terminal being provided on the upper surface of the base portion, the second relay terminal being provided on the upper surface of the holding plate, the input terminal being provided on the underside of the suction nozzle so as to come into contact with the second relay terminal when the second vacuum cleaner is placed on the holding plate, and the output terminal being provided on the outer surface of the first housing so as to come into contact with the first relay terminal when the first housing is placed on the base portion so that the first inlet is connected to the dust outlet of the second vacuum cleaner placed on the holding plate.

12. The cleaning tool set according to claim 11, wherein the base portion has a recess formed therein into which the second housing of the second vacuum cleaner placed on the holding plate is fitted.

13. A cleaning tool set as described in claim 11, wherein the first housing of the first vacuum cleaner has a recessed groove formed therein into which the second housing of the second vacuum cleaner placed on the holding plate is fitted when the first housing is placed on the base portion.

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