CN117794430A

CN117794430A - Recovery device for recovering dust from dust collector and dust collector capable of being connected with recovery device

Info

Publication number: CN117794430A
Application number: CN202280055310.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 伊藤幸一; 水野阳章; 堀部勇; 大高弘之
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-16
Filing date: 2022-02-18
Publication date: 2024-03-29
Also published as: TW202308549A; JP7178578B1; WO2023021733A1; JP2023026975A

Abstract

The recovery device is configured to recover dust from a dust collector having a filter unit and a dust storage chamber, and includes a dust flow path, a suction source, and a control unit. The control unit sequentially executes: 1 st suction control for controlling suction force of the suction source so that at least a part of the dust trapped by the filter unit flows into the dust flow path; a2 nd suction control for changing a state of deformation of the filter unit based on the suction force by reducing the suction force of the suction source, thereby changing a state of clogging of dust clogging the mesh in the filter unit; and 3 rd suction control for increasing suction force of the suction source and making at least a part of the dust whose blocking state is changed in the mesh flow into the dust flow path.

Description

Recovery device for recovering dust from dust collector and dust collector capable of being connected with recovery device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a dust collection device that collects dust from a dust collector, and a dust collector that can be connected to the dust collection device.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a stick cleaner 300 shown in fig. 13. The cleaner 300 includes a cleaner body 310, a suction pipe 320 extending downward from the cleaner body 310, and a suction nozzle 330 connected to a lower end of the suction pipe 320. The cleaner body 310 is configured to suck dust through the suction nozzle 330 and store the sucked dust.

The cleaner body 310 includes a rectangular box-shaped frame 311. The housing 311 includes a fan chamber 315 that houses a dust suction source 312 that generates a suction force for sucking dust, and a dust storage chamber 317 that is partitioned from the fan chamber 315 by a filter 313 and stores dust captured by the filter 313. The housing 311 is formed with a dust discharge port 319 for discharging dust accumulated in the dust reservoir 317.

In patent document 1, a recovery device 400 shown in fig. 14 is used to recover dust stored in a dust storage chamber 317 of a dust collector 300. The recovery device 400 includes a rectangular box-shaped casing 410, and is disposed inside the casing 410: a suction source 420 for generating a suction force for sucking out dust in the dust storage chamber 317 of the cleaner 300; a collection chamber 440 for storing dust collected from the cleaner 300 based on the suction force of the suction source 420; dust flow passage 430 extending from recovery chamber 440.

The distal end of the dust flow path 430 is formed to be connectable with the dust discharge port 319 of the dust collector 300. When the suction source 420 of the recovery device 400 is operated in a state where the distal end of the dust flow path 430 is connected to the dust discharge port 319, the suction force of the suction source 420 acts on the dust in the dust storage chamber 317. The dust in the dust storage chamber 317 is discharged from the dust discharge port 319 of the dust collector 300 based on the suction force, and flows into the recovery chamber 440 through the dust flow path 430 of the recovery device 400.

After the dust in the dust storage chamber 317 of the cleaner 300 is collected by the collecting device 400, the dust may remain in the filter 313. If the cleaner 300 is detached from the recovery apparatus 400 in this state and used for cleaning work, clogging of the filter holes of the filter part 313 may be deteriorated.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. Hei 3-267032

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a technology as follows: dust remaining in the filter unit of the dust collector after the dust is recovered in the recovery device 400 is reduced, and clogging of the filter holes of the filter unit of the dust collector is suppressed.

The recovery device of the present invention recovers dust from a dust collector having a dust storage chamber which houses a filter unit formed with a mesh allowing air to pass therethrough and collecting the dust and a dust discharge port for discharging the dust collected by the filter unit, the recovery device comprising: a dust flow passage which communicates with the dust storage chamber through a dust discharge port when the dust collector is connected to the recovery device; a suction source for generating a suction force for sucking dust in the dust storage chamber through a dust flow passage communicating with the dust storage chamber; and a control unit for controlling the suction source. The control unit sequentially executes: 1 st suction control for controlling suction force of the suction source so that at least a part of the dust trapped by the filter unit flows into the dust flow path; a2 nd suction control for changing a state of deformation of the filter unit based on the suction force by reducing the suction force of the suction source, thereby changing a state of clogging of dust clogging the mesh in the filter unit; and 3 rd suction control for increasing the suction force of the suction source to flow at least a part of the dust whose clogging state has changed in the mesh into the dust flow path.

The dust collector of the invention comprises: a filter unit having a mesh for allowing air to pass therethrough and collecting dust; a dust storage chamber for accommodating the filter unit. The dust storage chamber is formed with a dust discharge port which communicates the dust storage chamber with a dust flow passage of the recovery device when the cleaner is connected to the recovery device. The filter unit is configured to be elastically deformable based on a suction force acting on the dust storage chamber through the dust flow path and the dust discharge port when the recovery device performs suction control.

According to the above-described technique, dust remaining in the filter unit of the dust collector after the dust is collected in the collecting device can be reduced, and clogging of the filter holes of the filter unit of the dust collector can be suppressed.

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner.

Figure 2 is a front view of the cleaner.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the filter unit and the mesh filter.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaner and the recovery apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaner and the recovery apparatus as viewed from above.

Fig. 6 is a front view of the recovery device.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaner and the recovery apparatus around the dust storage chamber.

Fig. 8 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of a detection circuit provided in the vacuum cleaner and the recovery apparatus.

Fig. 9 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of a detection circuit provided in the vacuum cleaner and the recovery apparatus.

Fig. 10 is a graph of suction force versus elapsed time in suction control.

Fig. 11 is a partial enlarged view of the mesh filter.

Fig. 12 is a graph of suction force versus elapsed time in suction control.

Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional vacuum cleaner.

Fig. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner and a recovery apparatus.

Detailed Description

The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, but for the sake of easy understanding by those skilled in the art, for example, detailed descriptions of already known matters or repeated descriptions of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. Furthermore, the figures and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present invention, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the scope of the present invention.

(integral Structure of vacuum cleaner)

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stick cleaner 100. Fig. 2 is a front view of the cleaner 100. The cleaner 100 will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 2.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes: a suction nozzle 130 for sucking dust on the floor; a cleaner body 110 mounted to the suction nozzle 130; a grip 140 extending upward from the upper end 112 of the cleaner body 110. The cleaner body 110 and the grip 140 are attached so as to be tiltable with respect to the suction nozzle 130 in the front-rear direction. In fig. 1 and 2, the cleaner body 110 and the grip 140 are in an upright posture with respect to the suction nozzle 130, and do not tilt forward from the upright posture. In use of the cleaner 100, the cleaner body 110 and the grip 140 are held by a user in a posture of tilting backward with respect to the nozzle 130.

The suction nozzle 130 includes a nozzle housing 132 having a width wider than that of the cleaner body 110 so as to form a wide suction space 131 for sucking dust. The suction space 131 is opened toward the floor at a front side portion of the suction nozzle housing 132. On the rear side of the opening portion, the suction space 131 is closed based on the bottom 134 of the suction nozzle housing 132. A rotary brush 133 is disposed in the suction space 131, and the brush 133 is exposed from the nozzle housing 132 through an opening of the suction space 131 so as to be contactable with the floor.

The cleaner body 110 has a cylindrical frame 111 elongated in the vertical direction. The lower end of the frame 111 is attached to the rear of the nozzle housing 132 so as to allow the cleaner body 110 to tilt in the front-rear direction. The upper portion of the housing 111 is narrower toward the upper end 112 of the housing 111, and the grip 140 extends upward from the upper end 112. The grip 140 is a thick and thin rod-shaped portion that is gripped by a user. As shown in fig. 2, the grip 140 is provided with an operation portion 141 (operation button) that is operated by a user.

The housing 111 is configured to house various members for sucking up dust on the floor and storing the sucked dust. Specifically, the housing 111 is provided with: a fan chamber 153 disposed at an upper portion of the housing 111; a dust storage chamber 152 disposed at a lower side of the fan chamber 153; a suction pipe 113 disposed at the lower side of the dust storage chamber 152 and extending in the up-down direction. The fan chamber 153, the dust storage chamber 152, and the suction pipe 113 communicate with each other.

A suction fan 116 that generates a suction force to suck up dust on the floor and generates an upward suction air flow is disposed in the fan chamber 153. The fan chamber 153 is further provided with a battery 117 that supplies electric power to the suction fan 116 and a circuit portion 170 that is a charging circuit for charging the battery 117. The suction fan 116 is operated or stopped based on the operation of the operation portion 141.

The front wall of the housing 111 is provided with: an exhaust port 151 formed to communicate with the fan chamber 153; a pair of electrical contacts 171 disposed on the upper side of the exhaust port 151; magnetic plate 173. The suction air flow generated based on the suction force of the suction fan 116 is discharged from the fan chamber 153 to the outside of the cleaner 100 through the exhaust port 151.

The electrical contact 171 is electrically connected to the circuit portion 170, and is formed so as to protrude to contact a contact portion 280 of the recovery device 200 described later. The magnetic plate 173 is formed to abut against a holding portion 297 of the recovery device 200 described later.

A container-like filter unit 115 that is open downward is disposed in the dust chamber 152. As shown in fig. 3, the filter unit 115 includes a mesh filter 118 forming the peripheral surface and the upper side surface of the filter unit 115, and a holding frame 119 for holding the mesh filter 118. The mesh filter 118 is formed of a material that allows air to pass therethrough on the one hand and traps dust contained in the passing air on the other hand. For example, a nonwoven fabric is used as the material of the mesh filter 118. The mesh filter 118 is formed of fibers 161 arranged to be wound around each other. A mesh 162 is formed between the fibers 161 wound around each other in the mesh filter 118. Dust sucked from the ground through the suction pipe 113 based on the suction force of the suction fan 116 is stored in a space inside the filter unit 115.

If the suction force of the suction fan 116 acts on the mesh filter 118, the mesh filter 118 is elastically deformed corresponding to the magnitude of the suction force. If the suction force does not act on the mesh filter 118, the elastically deformed mesh filter 118 is restored to a shape substantially before the suction force acts. At this time, the shape or size of the mesh 162 of the mesh filter 118 can be changed based on the elastic deformation of the mesh filter 118.

As shown in fig. 4, the dust storage chamber 152 is provided with: a dust discharge port 124 opened in a front wall of the housing 111; a cover 121 for opening and closing the dust discharge port 124, which is formed to be swingable. When the cover 121 is disposed upright, the dust discharge port 124 is in a closed position. On the other hand, when the cover 121 swings downward by a predetermined angle (a swing angle of 90 ° or less) from the closed position, the dust discharge port 124 is opened. Dust stored in the filter unit 115 is discharged to the outside of the filter unit 115 through the dust discharge port 124.

The suction pipe 113 incorporated in the lower portion of the housing 111 is fixed to the housing 111, and when the cleaner body 110 is tilted rearward from the upright posture (posture shown in fig. 1), it is tilted rearward together with the housing 111. When the cleaner body 110 is in the upright posture, the lower end of the suction pipe 113 is brought into contact with the bottom 134 of the nozzle housing 132. That is, when the cleaner body 110 is in the upright posture, the lower end of the suction pipe 113 is closed based on the bottom 134 of the suction nozzle housing 132. When the cleaner body 110 is tilted rearward from the upright posture, the lower end of the suction pipe 113 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow a in fig. 1. As a result, the internal space of the suction pipe 113 is in communication with the suction space 131 of the nozzle housing 132.

A check valve 114 closing the upper end of the suction pipe 113 when the suction fan 116 is not operated is installed at the upper end of the suction pipe 113. The check valve 114 is configured to be deformed based on the upward suction force of the suction fan 116 to open the opening of the upper end of the suction tube 113.

(integral Structure of recovery device)

The dust stored in the dust storage chamber 152 can be recovered by the recovery device 200 shown in fig. 4. The recovery device 200 is configured to be connectable to the cleaner 100. Specifically, the recovery device 200 includes: a frame 210; a base plate 220; a dust flow path 230; a recovery chamber 240; a suction source 250; and a control unit 260. The frame 210 is attached to the front of the base plate 220, and the cleaner 100 is placed on the rear.

A dust flow path 230 having one end opened to the outside of the housing 210 as a recovery port 216 is provided in the housing 210 so as to allow dust in the dust storage chamber 152 of the dust collector 100 to flow in. The other end of the dust flow path 230 is connected to the rear surface of the collection chamber 240 that stores dust collected from the cleaner 100. A suction source 250 is disposed at the lower side of the recovery chamber 240. The suction source 250 is electrically connected to the control unit 260, and is configured to generate a suction force under the control of the control unit 260, and to generate a recovery airflow for flowing dust in the dust storage chamber 152 of the dust collector 100 into the recovery chamber 240 of the recovery device 200.

An air inlet 234 for allowing air to flow into the housing 210 from the outside and an air outlet 235 for allowing air to flow out of the housing 210 from the inside are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the housing 210. The air inlet 234 and the air outlet 235 are formed by a plurality of small holes.

As shown in fig. 5, a connection wall 214 formed to be connectable to the cleaner body 110 is formed on the rear side surface of the housing 210. As shown in fig. 4, a receiving space 213 for receiving the suction nozzle 130 is formed at a lower portion of the housing 210 so as not to interfere with the housing 210 when the cleaner 100 is connected to the recovery apparatus 200.

As shown in fig. 6, the connection wall 214 of the housing 210 is formed with: a groove portion 215 extending in the up-down direction; a contact part 280 for detecting a connection state with the cleaner body 110; a holding portion 297; a vent 236; and a recovery port 216.

As shown in fig. 5, the groove 215 is formed complementary to the front portion of the cleaner body 110, and allows the front portion of the cleaner body 110 in the upright posture to be fitted. The cleaner body 110 is positioned with respect to the recovery apparatus 200 in the left-right direction based on the front portion of the cleaner body 110 being fitted into the groove portion 215.

As shown in fig. 6, the contact portion 280 includes a pair of conductive contact pieces 283 and a protruding piece 299. The contact piece 283 faces the pair of electrical contacts 171 of the cleaner 100 when the cleaner body 110 is fitted into the recess 215, and is configured to be capable of being moved into and out of a hole formed in the connection wall 214. The contact piece 283 is brought into contact with the electric contact 171 of the cleaner body 110 in a state where the cleaner body 110 is fitted into the recess 215 by a force in a direction protruding from the hole, whereby the contact piece 283 is electrically connected to the electric contact 171. On the other hand, in a state where the cleaner body 110 is not fitted in the recess 215, the contact piece 283 and the electrical contact 171 are insulated from each other.

The protruding piece 299 is configured to be capable of being moved in and out of the hole portion formed in the connection wall 214. The protruding piece 299 is applied with a force in a direction protruding from the hole portion. The protruding piece 299 is pressed into the hole portion by abutting against the front wall of the cleaner body 110 in a state where the cleaner body 110 is fitted into the groove portion 215, and protrudes from the hole portion in a state where the cleaner body 110 is not fitted into the groove portion 215.

The holding portion 297 is formed at a position facing the magnetic plate 173 of the cleaner body 110 when the cleaner body 110 is fitted into the groove portion 215. The holding portion 297 is formed of, for example, a magnet plate that magnetically attracts the magnetic plate 173. The cleaner body 110 is positioned with respect to the recovery apparatus 200 in the up-down direction and the left-right direction based on the magnetic force acting between the holding portion 297 and the magnetic plate 173. The magnetic force also becomes a holding force for holding the connected state of the cleaner body 110 connected to the recovery apparatus 200. Thus, the position and posture of the cleaner 100 with respect to the recovery apparatus 200 are maintained in a state where the cleaner body 110 is fitted into the recess 215.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the air vent 236 is formed so as to face the air outlet 151 in a state where the cleaner 100 is connected to the collection device 200, and the housing 210 and the fan chamber 153 communicate with each other through the air vent 236 and the air outlet 151. An intake runner 246 shown by an arrow in fig. 5 is formed between the recovery chamber 240 and the peripheral wall portion 271 of the housing 210. Accordingly, the casing 210 is configured such that air from the air inlet 234 flows into the fan chamber 153 through the air inlet passage 246.

As shown in fig. 7, the recovery port 216 is formed so as to face the dust discharge port 124 in a state where the cleaner 100 is connected to the recovery device 200, so that air in the dust storage chamber 152 flows into the dust flow path 230 through the dust discharge port 124 and the recovery port 216. The recovery port 216 is sized to allow the cover 121 of the cleaner 100 to enter the recovery port 216 when the cover 121 is in the open position shown by the arrow in fig. 7.

As shown in fig. 4, a space for collecting dust collected from the cleaner 100 is formed in the collection chamber 240. A circular communication port for communicating the space in the recovery chamber 240 with the suction source 250 is formed in the bottom wall 245 of the recovery chamber 240. As shown in fig. 5, a dust removal filter 247 that allows air to pass therethrough and that captures dust contained in the passed air is attached to the communication port.

The suction source 250 is configured to suck air in the recovery chamber 240 through the dust removing filter 247. In a state where the cleaner 100 is connected to the collecting device 200, the suction force of the suction source 250 acts on the cover 121 of the cleaner 100 through the collecting chamber 240 and the dust flow path 230. The suction source 250 is configured to be capable of obtaining a suction force of a magnitude that tilts the cover 121 from the closed posture to the open posture and sucks dust in the dust storage chamber 152. The suction source 250 is provided with a fan and a motor, for example.

The air sucked by the suction source 250 flows into the space formed between the suction source 250 and the peripheral wall portion 271, and is discharged to the outside of the frame 210 through the air outlet 235. That is, in the dust collector 100 and the recovery device 200, a flow path connecting the fan chamber 153, the dust storage chamber 152, the dust flow path 230, the recovery chamber 240, and the suction source 250 is formed with the air inlet 234 as an upstream end and the air outlet 235 as a downstream end. The cleaner 100 and the recovery apparatus 200 are configured to generate a recovery airflow in the flow path as indicated by the arrows in fig. 4 when a suction force is generated by the suction source 250.

(constitution of detection Circuit)

A detection circuit 290 for detecting the contact state of the contact piece 283 and the protruding piece 299 with respect to the cleaner body 110 is provided in the housing 210. The detection circuit 290 includes a1 st detection circuit 201 shown in fig. 8 and a2 nd detection circuit 202 shown in fig. 9. The 1 st detection circuit 201 is configured corresponding to the pair of contact pieces 283 of the recovery device 200. The 2 nd detection circuit 202 is configured corresponding to the protruding piece 299 of the recovery device 200. The 1 st detection circuit 201 and the 2 nd detection circuit 202 are provided with a contact detection portion 286 that detects a contact state with respect to the contact piece 283 and the protruding piece 299 of the cleaner body 110. The contact detecting portion 286 is electrically connected to the control portion 260.

As shown in fig. 8, the 1 st detection circuit 201 is provided with a power supply unit 285 in addition to the contact detection unit 286. The power supply unit 285 is electrically connected to the pair of contact pieces 283, and is configured to generate a predetermined potential difference between the contact pieces 283. The power supply unit 285 includes, for example, a converter that is electrically connected to an external power source and converts an ac voltage of the external power source into a dc voltage. In a state where the contact piece 283 is in contact with the electric contact 171, a1 st power-on path 288 is formed that connects the power supply portion 285, the contact piece 283, the electric contact 171, and the circuit portion 170. Current from power supply unit 285 flows through 1 st power path 288. The current flowing in the 1 st power path 288 is detected based on the contact detection portion 286.

As shown in fig. 9, the 2 nd detection circuit 202 includes: a switch piece 294 having conductivity, mounted to the protruding piece 299 so as to be displaced together with the protruding piece 299; and a battery 295. The switch piece 294 is elastically supported by a biasing portion 292 (e.g., a spring), and the biasing portion 292 biases the switch piece 294 and the protruding piece 299 in a direction in which the switch piece 294 protrudes from the hole. When the cleaner body 110 is fitted into the recess 215, the protruding piece 299 is not inserted into the hole, and the switch piece 294 is changed from the open state to the closed state. Thereby, the 2 nd power-on path 289 connecting the switch sheet 294 with the battery 295 is formed. Current from the battery 295 flows in the 2 nd energizing path 289. The current flowing in the 2 nd energizing path 289 is also detected based on the contact detecting section 286.

The contact detection unit 286 detects the current flowing through the 1 st power-on path 288 and the current flowing through the 2 nd power-on path 289, and thereby determines whether or not the contact piece 283 and the protruding piece 299 contact the outer surface of the cleaner body 110. When the contact piece 283 and the protruding piece 299 contact the outer surface of the cleaner body 110, a detection signal indicating that the cleaner body 110 is connected to the recovery device 200 is transmitted from the contact detection unit 286 to the control unit 260. The suction source 250 operates based on the control unit 260 that receives the detection signal from the contact detection unit 286.

(description of operation of cleaner during cleaning operation)

The cleaner 100 is held by a user in a posture in which the cleaner body 110 and the grip 140 are inclined rearward with respect to the nozzle 130 during a cleaning operation. By making the cleaner body 110 and the grip 140 in a posture inclined backward with respect to the suction nozzle 130, it is easy to move the suction nozzle 130 forward while pushing it. In this state, the inner space of the suction pipe 113 communicates with the suction space 131 of the suction nozzle 130.

When the user operates the operation unit 141 to operate the suction fan 116, the suction fan 116 generates an upward suction force. Based on the suction force, the check valve 114 opens the upper end of the suction pipe 113. If the upper end of the suction pipe 113 is opened, the suction force of the suction fan 116 generates a suction air flow that sucks dust through the suction space 131 of the suction nozzle 130. The suction airflow flows into the dust storage chamber 152 through the suction nozzle 130 and the suction pipe 113. Dust on the floor surface flows into the dust storage chamber 152 by the suction air flow, and is trapped by the filter unit 115 disposed in the dust storage chamber 152. The dust trapped by the filter unit 115 is stored in the dust storage chamber 152.

When the cleaning operation is completed, the user operates the operation unit 141 to stop the suction fan 116. As a result, the suction force of the suction fan 116 disappears, and the check valve 114 closes the upper end of the suction pipe 113. Therefore, dust trapped by the filter unit 115 does not fall into the suction pipe 113 and remains in the dust storage chamber 152.

(description of operation and control method of the recovery device during dust recovery)

The user attaches the cleaner 100 to the collection device 200 in order to collect dust stored in the dust storage chamber 152. Specifically, the user places the cleaner 100 on the base plate 220 of the recovery apparatus 200, and sets the cleaner body 110 and the grip 140 in an upright position. When the cleaner body 110 in the upright posture is fitted into the recess 215 of the recovery device 200, the lid 121 of the cleaner 100 faces the recovery port 216 of the recovery device 200 in the front-rear direction. Further, the fan chamber 153 of the cleaner 100 communicates with the intake runner 246 of the recovery device 200 via the exhaust port 151. In this state, the contact piece 283 and the protruding piece 299 of the recovery device 200 are pressed forward by the cleaner body 110, and the contact piece 283 and the protruding piece 299 are immersed in the hole of the connecting wall 214.

At this time, the contact piece 283 contacts the electrical contact 171 of the cleaner body 110 to form the 1 st power path 288 shown in fig. 8, and the current flows through the 1 st power path 288. Meanwhile, the 2 nd energizing path 289 shown in fig. 9 is formed based on the projection piece 299 being immersed in the hole portion. Current flows in the 2 nd energizing path 289. In the control unit 260, the suction control for generating the suction force in the suction source 250 is started by receiving a detection signal from the contact detection unit 286 that detects the current of the 1 st and 2 nd power paths 288 and 289.

Fig. 10 shows a relationship between the suction force of the suction source 250 in suction control and the elapsed time. In fig. 10, the vertical axis shows the suction force of the suction source 250, and the horizontal axis shows the elapsed time from the start of suction control. When the suction control starts, the control unit 260 controls the suction source 250 (1 st suction control) so that the suction force is increased to 1 st suction force a10 and the state in which the 1 st suction force a10 is generated is maintained for a predetermined 1 st suction time T10 as shown in fig. 10. The 1 st suction force a10 is a suction force of a magnitude capable of allowing dust stored in the filter unit 115 of the dust storage chamber 152 to flow into the recovery chamber 240 through the dust flow path 230.

When the 1 st suction control is started, the suction force of the suction source 250 acts on the cover 121 provided at the dust discharge port 124 through the collection chamber 240 and the dust flow path 230. Accordingly, the cover 121 is tilted from the closed position to the open position shown in fig. 7, and the dust discharge port 124 is opened, so that the collection chamber 240, the dust flow path 230, the dust storage chamber 152, the fan chamber 153, and the air intake path 246 are in communication.

The suction force of the suction source 250 further acts on the air inlet 234 of the air intake runner 246 through the recovery chamber 240, the dust runner 230, the dust storage chamber 152, the fan chamber 153, and the air intake runner 246. Accordingly, as shown by arrows in fig. 4, air outside the housing 210 flows as a recovered air flow from the air inlet 234 into the air inlet flow passage 246, and flows into the air vent 236, the air outlet 151, the fan chamber 153, and the dust storage chamber 152 in this order. When the recovered air flows through the dust storage chamber 152, dust stored in the filter portion 115 of the dust storage chamber 152 is discharged outside the dust storage chamber 152.

The dust flowing out of the dust discharge port 124 rides on the recovery airflow and flows into the recovery chamber 240 via the recovery port 216 and the dust flow path 230. In the recovery chamber 240, dust is collected by the dust removal filter 247 and stored in the recovery chamber 240. On the other hand, the recovered air flow is discharged from the air outlet 235 of the housing 210 to the outside of the housing 210 through the dust removing filter 247 and the suction source 250.

At the time of execution of the 1 st suction control, the recovered air flow sweeps not only the dust stored in the filter unit 115 but also the dust clogged in the mesh 162 of the mesh filter 118 away from the mesh 162 and out of the dust storage chamber 152. That is, the cleaner 100 is configured to remove dust clogged in the mesh 162 based on the suction force from the recovery device 200, and to suppress clogging of the filter holes of the mesh filter 118. However, although the 1 st suction control is performed, some dust may not be removed from the mesh filter 118 and may clog the mesh 162. Fig. 11 (a) schematically shows dust in a state of clogging the mesh 162. In a state where the mesh 162 is clogged with dust, if the cleaner 100 is detached from the recovery apparatus 200 and used for cleaning work, clogging of the filter holes of the mesh filter 118 is further deteriorated.

As shown in fig. 10, after the 1 st suction control is performed, the control unit 260 controls the suction source 250 so that the suction force is reduced to the 2 nd suction force a20 and the state in which the 2 nd suction force a20 is generated is maintained for a specified 2 nd suction time T20 (2 nd suction control). The 2 nd suction force a20 is smaller than the 1 st suction force a10, and is a suction force of a magnitude capable of generating a recovery airflow in the cleaner 100 and the recovery apparatus 200 and elastically deforming the mesh filter 118. The 2 nd pumping time T20 is a time shorter than the 1 st pumping time T10, but it may be a time longer than the 1 st pumping time T10.

At the time of execution of the 2 nd suction control, a recovered airflow different in flow rate from the time of execution of the 1 st suction control flows into the dust storage chamber 152. Therefore, the mesh filter 118 of the filter portion 115 is elastically deformed based on the recovered air flow (suction force from the suction source 250), and changes to a deformed state different from that at the time of execution of the 1 st suction control. That is, when switching from the 1 st suction control to the 2 nd suction control, the shape and size of the mesh 162 in the mesh filter 118 can be changed because the deformed state of the mesh filter 118 is changed.

Fig. 11 (b) schematically shows the state of dust in the mesh 162 after switching from the 1 st suction control to the 2 nd suction control. In the 1 st suction control, the mesh filter 118 in the state of the dust clogging mesh 162 is changed to a deformed state in which the dust clogging can be resolved by performing the 2 nd suction control. Based on the 2 nd suction control, the dust that has clogged the mesh 162 is swept away from the mesh 162 by the recovered airflow, and can leave the mesh 162 as indicated by the arrow in fig. 11 (b). That is, the dust collector 100 and the recovery device 200 are configured to prevent clogging of the filter holes of the mesh filter 118 by separating dust remaining after clogging the mesh 162 in the 1 st suction control from the mesh 162 by the 2 nd suction control.

After the suction control of the 2 nd stage, the control unit 260 controls the suction source 250 so that the suction force increases to the 1 st suction force a10 and the designated 3 rd suction time T30 is maintained (3 rd suction control). The 3 rd suction time T30 is a time shorter than the 1 st suction time T10, but may be a time longer than the 1 st suction time T10.

In the execution of the 3 rd suction control, the dust in the dust storage chamber 152 scanned from the mesh 162 by the 2 nd suction control flows into the recovery chamber 240 by the recovery airflow, and is trapped by the dust removal filter 247 in the recovery chamber 240 and stored in the recovery chamber 240. Further, in the 3 rd suction control, since the recovered air flow having a different flow rate from that of the 2 nd suction control flows into the dust storage chamber 152, the deformed state of the mesh filter 118 can be further changed. Thus, in the 2 nd suction control, the dust that has clogged the mesh 162 and remains can be separated from the mesh 162, and the separated dust can be discharged to the outside of the dust storage chamber 152.

After the 3 rd suction control is performed, the control unit 260 stops the operation of the suction source 250, and ends the suction control of the recovery device 200.

In the thus configured dust collector 100 and recovery device 200, the dust in the filter unit 115 of the dust collector 100 is sucked into the dust flow path 230 of the recovery device 200 under the 1 st suction control. At this time, a part of the dust in the filter unit 115 may clog the mesh 162 of the mesh filter 118 and may not be sucked into the dust flow path 230. However, the deformation state of the mesh filter 118 is changed based on the 2 nd suction control, which is different from the 1 st suction control, so that the clogging state of the dust clogging the mesh 162 of the mesh filter 118 is changed, and it is possible to easily be sucked.

After the state of clogging of the dust clogging the mesh 162 is changed, if the operation for cleaning is performed without performing the operation for collecting dust, air flows from the dust storage chamber 152 toward the fan chamber 153 by the suction fan 116. In this case, the mesh 162 of the mesh filter 118 may be clogged again with dust that becomes easily sucked by the 2 nd suction control. However, since the 3 rd suction control is performed in the recovery device 200, dust that becomes easily sucked based on the 2 nd suction control is swept away from the mesh filter 118 by the recovery airflow, and flows out of the dust storage chamber 152. As a result, after the dust is recovered by the recovery device 200, dust remaining in the filter unit 115 of the dust collector 100 is reduced, and therefore clogging of the filter holes of the filter unit 115 of the dust collector 100 is suppressed.

Further, the 2 nd suction force a20 in the 2 nd suction control may be a suction force of the following magnitude: the dust stored in the dust storage chamber 152 can be discharged to the outside of the dust storage chamber 152 by generating the recovery airflow in the dust collector 100 and the recovery device 200 and elastically deforming the mesh filter 118. In this case, in the 2 nd suction control, the dust that has blocked the mesh 162 in the 1 st suction control can be swept away from the mesh 162 based on the recovered air flow, and the dust that has been easily sucked by the sweeping away can be discharged to the outside of the dust storage chamber 152.

In the above embodiment, during the 2 nd suction control, a suction force of a certain magnitude is applied to the mesh filter 118. Alternatively, the suction source 250 of the recovery device 200 may be stopped in the 2 nd suction control. In this case, the mesh filter 118, which is elastically deformed in the 1 st suction control, is restored, whereby the shape of the mesh 162 can be changed. Based on this shape change, dust trapped in the mesh 162 can be dropped in the 1 st suction control. The falling dust can be sucked into the recovery device 200 in the 3 rd suction control thereafter.

(effects etc.)

The recovery device 200 and the cleaner 100 according to the above embodiment have the following features and the following effects.

In one aspect of the above embodiment, the recovery device is configured to recover dust from a dust collector having a dust storage chamber, the dust storage chamber housing a filter unit formed with a dust discharge port for discharging the dust trapped by the filter unit, the filter unit formed with a mesh allowing air to pass therethrough and trapping the dust. The recovery device comprises: a dust flow passage which communicates with the dust storage chamber through a dust discharge port when the dust collector is connected to the recovery device; a suction source for generating a suction force for sucking dust in the dust storage chamber through a dust flow passage communicating with the dust storage chamber; and a control unit for controlling the suction source. The control unit sequentially executes: 1 st suction control for controlling suction force of the suction source so that at least a part of the dust trapped by the filter unit flows into the dust flow path; a2 nd suction control for changing a state of deformation of the filter unit based on the suction force by reducing the suction force of the suction source, thereby changing a state of clogging of dust clogging the mesh in the filter unit; and 3 rd suction control for increasing suction force of the suction source and making at least a part of the dust whose blocking state is changed in the mesh flow into the dust flow path.

According to the above configuration, when the cleaner is connected to the recovery device, the dust flow path of the recovery device communicates with the dust storage chamber of the cleaner. At this time, if the suction source generates a suction force, the suction force acts on the filter unit accommodated in the dust chamber through the dust flow path. In the 1 st suction control, dust in the dust storage chamber is recovered to the recovery device based on the suction force of the suction source. However, even after the 1 st suction control, dust in a state of clogging the mesh of the filter unit may remain in the dust storage chamber. In order to remove such dust, in the 2 nd suction control, the suction force of the suction source is reduced. The deformation state of the filter unit changes based on the result of reducing the suction force acting on the filter unit, and the shape of the mesh can change accordingly. If the shape of the mesh is changed, dust can be easily removed from the filter unit. If the 3 rd suction control in which the suction force is increased compared to the 2 nd suction control is performed in this state, dust is removed from the filter portion based on the suction force at the time of the execution of the 3 rd suction control, and thereafter can be recovered to the recovery device.

In the above configuration, the control unit may control the suction force of the suction source so that at least a part of the dust trapped by the filter unit flows into the dust flow path in the 2 nd suction control.

According to the above configuration, since the suction source generates the suction force of a certain magnitude at the time of execution of the 2 nd suction control, the dust can be recovered to the recovery device even during the 2 nd suction control. Further, since the length of time from the start of the 3 rd suction control to the time when the suction source is stopped in the 3 rd suction control becomes shorter than in the case of stopping the suction source in the 2 nd suction control, the operation time of the recovery device is allowed to be shortened.

In the above configuration, the control unit may stop the suction source in the 2 nd suction control.

According to the above configuration, in the 2 nd suction control, since the suction source is stopped, the suction force applied to the filter unit varies greatly between the 1 st suction control and the 2 nd suction control. In this case, the deformation state of the filter unit also changes greatly, and the shape of the mesh can also change greatly. As a result, the amount of dust collected in the collection device in the 3 rd suction control can be increased.

A dust collector according to another aspect of the above embodiment is configured to be connectable to the above recovery device. The dust collector comprises: a filter unit having a mesh for allowing air to pass therethrough and collecting dust; a dust storage chamber for accommodating the filter unit. A dust discharge port is formed in the dust storage chamber, and communicates the dust storage chamber with a dust flow passage of the recovery device when the cleaner is connected to the recovery device. The filter unit is configured to be elastically deformable based on a suction force acting on the dust storage chamber through the dust flow path and the dust discharge port when the recovery device performs the 1 st suction control to the 3 rd suction control.

According to the above configuration, when the cleaner is connected to the recovery device, the dust flow path of the recovery device communicates with the dust storage chamber of the cleaner. At this time, if the 1 st suction control to the 3 rd suction control are executed, the suction force generated by the suction source of the recovery device acts on the filter unit. At this time, the filter portion is elastically deformed based on the suction force. When the suction control from the 1 st suction control to the 3 rd suction control is sequentially executed, the suction force is sequentially changed, and thus the deformation state of the filter unit can be sequentially changed. Therefore, the shape of the mesh of the filter unit is changed, and dust blocking the mesh can be easily removed.

In the above configuration, the filter unit may include a nonwoven fabric filter.

According to the above configuration, if a nonwoven fabric filter is used as the filter unit, the mesh of the filter unit can be changed based on the fluctuation of the suction force.

Industrial applicability

The recovery device according to the above embodiment can be suitably applied to a device used for cleaning work.

Claims

1. A recycling device is characterized in that,

recovering dust from a dust collector having a dust storage chamber which houses a filter portion formed with a mesh allowing air to pass therethrough and collecting the dust and a dust discharge port for discharging the dust collected by the filter portion,

the recovery device includes:

a dust flow path which communicates with the dust storage chamber through the dust discharge port when the dust collector is connected to the recovery device;

a suction source that generates a suction force that sucks dust in the dust storage chamber through the dust flow path that communicates with the dust storage chamber; the method comprises the steps of,

a control unit that controls the suction source; wherein,

the control unit sequentially executes:

a1 st suction control that controls the suction force of the suction source so that at least a part of the dust trapped by the filter unit flows into the dust flow path;

a2 nd suction control that changes a state of deformation of the filter unit based on the suction force by reducing the suction force of the suction source, thereby changing a state of clogging of dust clogging the mesh in the filter unit; the method comprises the steps of,

and 3 rd suction control for increasing the suction force of the suction source to flow at least a part of the dust whose clogging state has changed in the mesh into the dust flow path.

2. The recycling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

the control unit controls the suction force of the suction source so that at least a part of the dust trapped by the filter unit flows into the dust flow path in the 2 nd suction control.

3. The recycling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

the control unit stops the suction source in the 2 nd suction control.

4. A dust collector is characterized in that,

is configured to be connectable to the recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and comprises:

a filter unit having a mesh for allowing air to pass therethrough and collecting dust;

a dust storage chamber accommodating the filter unit; wherein,

a dust discharge port is formed in the dust storage chamber, the dust discharge port communicating the dust storage chamber with the dust flow passage of the recovery device when the dust collector is connected to the recovery device,

the filter unit is configured to be elastically deformable based on the suction force acting on the dust storage chamber through the dust flow passage and the dust discharge port when the recovery device performs the suction control from the 1 st suction control to the 3 rd suction control.

5. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein,

the filter unit includes a nonwoven fabric filter.