JP2003190052A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a position change between a using position and a storing position to be easier in a vacuum cleaner equipped with wheels having a diameter larger than the size of a side projection of the vacuum cleaner body on either side of the vacuum cleaner body containing an electric fan. <P>SOLUTION: The wheels 11 having the diameter larger than the size of the side projection of the vacuum cleaner body 10 are equipped on either side of the vacuum cleaner body 10 containing the electric fan 12. A suction port 20 to be connected with a suction hose 21 is provided on the front side of the vacuum cleaner body 10. A stand 30 projecting outside the side projection of the wheels 11 is provided on the back side and energized by a compression coil spring 32 to project outside the side projection of the wheels 11. When the stand 30 hits against a floor F, it withdraws inside the side projection of the wheels 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner that travels on a floor by wheels.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Vacuum cleaners can be classified into handy type, stick type, upright type, canister type, etc. by focusing on their carrying form. The canister type, in which a suction hose is connected to the cleaner body and the cleaner body is routed by this suction hose, is widely used.

Wheels are attached to the main body of a canister-type electric vacuum cleaner. As a wheel, two large-diameter wheels and one free wheel (caster) are often combined to provide three-point support, but there is also an example as shown in FIG.

Vacuum cleaner body 1 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 0 is a tubular shape, and both end surfaces of the tube are left and right side surfaces. Wheels 11 are attached to the left and right side surfaces thereof. The diameter of the wheel 11 is larger than the side projection of the cleaner body 10, and when viewed from the side, the cleaner body 10 is made with the exception of the suction port described later.
Completely cover up.

The cleaner body 10 has a built-in electric blower (not shown) and has a suction port 20 on the front side. One end of a suction hose 21 is connected to the suction port 20. An intake pipe 22 is connected to the other end of the suction hose 21. The intake pipe 22 has a handle 23 at the end connected to the suction hose 21, and has a suction port 24 connected at the other end.
A dust collector 25 is attached to the middle of the intake pipe 22. The dust collector 25 is a Japanese Patent Application No. 2001 filed by the applicant.
-37004 and the same type as the dust collector described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-86790, which separates and accumulates dust from the air flow by a cyclone method.

The operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 will be described. When the electric blower in the cleaner body 10 is driven, the airflow is sucked from the suction port body 24. The airflow enters the dust collector 25 from the intake pipe 22, and swirls at high speed there to centrifuge the dust.
The airflow from which dust has been separated is sucked into the electric blower through the suction hose 21 and discharged from an exhaust port (not shown) provided in the cleaner body 10.

The cleaner body 10 is drawn around by a suction hose 21. Since the cleaner body 10 is supported by the two large-diameter wheels 11, the cleaner body 10 changes direction in the horizontal plane (movement indicated by arrow A in FIG. 11) and moves up and down in the vertical plane (in the same figure). The movement of arrow B) can be performed very lightly. Since the diameter of the wheel 11 is large, it is easy to climb over a step.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

As described above, the vacuum cleaner 1 shown in FIG. 11 has a very good mobility of the cleaner body 10, but this is also a drawback. That is, if the cleaner body 10 is left as it is when not in use, there is a risk that the cleaner body 10 may roll and move on its own, so as shown in FIG.
The vacuum cleaner body 10 must be stood upright.
It is necessary to use both hands to perform the work of raising the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the work of returning the vacuum cleaner body 10 to the movable state, which is troublesome and difficult to carry out when both hands cannot be used due to an injury. It was

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is an electric vacuum cleaner in which wheels having a diameter larger than a side projection of the cleaner body are mounted on both sides of the cleaner body with a built-in electric blower. , It is intended to facilitate the posture change between the use posture and the storage posture.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a wheel having a diameter larger than a side projection of the cleaner body is mounted on both sides of the cleaner body having a built-in electric blower. A suction port for connecting a suction hose is provided on the front side of the cleaner body, and a stand is provided on the back side of the cleaner body so as to project outside the side projection of the wheel.

According to the above construction, when the suction hose is held and the cleaner body is raised so that the suction port faces upward, the stand supports the cleaner body so as not to roll.

Further, according to the present invention, the stand is retractable inside the side projection of the wheel. According to this configuration, the angle of the cleaner body can be changed while the stand is retracted inside the side projection of the wheel, and the stand can be projected outside the side projection of the wheel when the suction port faces upward. This makes it easy to change the posture of the vacuum cleaner body.

Further, in the present invention, the stand is retracted inside the side projection of the wheel by contact with the floor surface. With this configuration, when the cleaner body is tilted to bring the stand into contact with the floor surface, the stand retracts inside the side projection of the wheels, and thus the posture of the cleaner body can be smoothly changed.

Further, in the present invention, the stand is biased by a biasing means such as a spring so as to project to the outside of the side projection of the wheel. According to this configuration, the stand spontaneously projects to the outside of the side projection of the wheel, and no special operation is required to project the stand.

Further, in the present invention, the stand is provided with a delay means for the operation of projecting to the outside of the side projection of the wheel.
With this configuration, it is possible to reduce damage to the floor surface caused by the stand in a situation where the orientation of the cleaner body is frequently changed.

Further, in the present invention, an actuator for retracting the stand to the inside of the side projection of the wheel is provided in the cleaner body. According to this configuration, the stand can be arbitrarily retracted at any time.

Further, according to the present invention, the stand is retracted inside the side projection of the wheel when the cleaner body is at an angle other than the upward direction of the suction port. According to this configuration, the stand retracts inside the side projection of the wheel except when the cleaner body is in the storage posture, that is, when the stand function is required, so that the stand hits an object and causes an obstacle. It never happens.

Further, according to the present invention, wheels having a diameter larger than the side projection of the cleaner body are mounted on both sides of the cleaner body containing the electric blower, and a suction port is provided on the front side of the cleaner body. , A stand formed of a plurality of stand members arranged so as to face each other across the diameter line of the wheel and projecting to the outside of the side projection of the wheel.

According to the above construction, when the suction hose is held and the cleaner body is raised so that the suction port faces upward, the stand constituted by a plurality of stand members is stabilized so as not to roll the cleaner body. Support.

Further, in the present invention, among the plurality of stand members, at least the stand member located on one side of the diameter line of the wheel can be retracted inside the side projection of the wheel. According to this configuration, while the retractable stand member is retracted inside the side surface projection of the wheel, the angle of the cleaner body is changed, and the retractable stand member is moved to the side surface of the wheel when the suction port faces upward. It can be projected to the outside of the projection, and the posture of the cleaner body can be easily changed.

Further, in the present invention, the retractable stand member is retracted inside the side projection of the wheel by contact with the floor surface. According to this configuration, when the cleaner body is tilted and the retractable stand member is brought into contact with the floor surface, the stand member retracts inside the side projection of the wheel, and the posture of the cleaner body can be smoothly changed. You can

Further, in the present invention, the retractable stand member is biased by a biasing means such as a spring so as to project to the outside of the side projection of the wheel. According to this structure, the retractable stand member spontaneously protrudes to the outside of the side surface projection of the wheel, and no special operation is required to cause it to protrude.

Further, in the present invention, the retractable stand member is provided with a delay means for the operation of projecting to the outside of the side projection of the wheel. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the damage to the floor surface caused by the stand member that can be retracted under the situation where the orientation of the cleaner body is frequently changed.

Further, in the present invention, an actuator for retracting the retractable stand member inside the side projection of the wheel is provided in the cleaner body. According to this configuration,
The retractable stand member can be arbitrarily retracted at any time.

Further, according to the present invention, the retractable stand member is retracted inside the side projection of the wheel when the cleaner body is at an angle other than the upward direction of the suction port. According to this structure, the stand member that can be retracted is retracted inside the side projection of the wheel and hits an object except when the cleaner body is in the storage posture, that is, except when the stand function is required. It does not cause any trouble.

Further, in the present invention, all of the plurality of stand members facing each other with the diameter line of the wheel sandwiched therebetween can be retracted inside the side projection of the wheel, and these stand members synchronize the same movement. Interlocked to do. With this configuration, when one of the stand members is retracted, the other stand member is also retracted, so that the posture of the cleaner main body can be easily inverted. Further, the biasing means can be shared by a plurality of stand members.

Further, according to the present invention, the pinion is arranged between a plurality of stand members facing each other with the diameter line of the wheel sandwiched therebetween, and a rack engaging with the pinion is provided on each of the stand members. With this configuration, the one of the plurality of stand members that hits the floor surface can be quickly retracted, and the impact on the floor surface is small. Also, the vacuum cleaner body can be stably supported even on an uneven floor surface.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The structure of a first embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Since this vacuum cleaner is common in many parts to the vacuum cleaner 1 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in order to avoid duplication of description, common components are given the same reference numerals as previously used,
The description will be omitted. The same principle is applied to the description of the second and subsequent embodiments, and the description of the components already described will be omitted unless there is a problem.

In explaining the structure of the electric vacuum cleaner 1,
The side where the suction port 20 is present is defined as the front surface of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, and the opposite side is defined as the rear surface of the electric vacuum cleaner 1. Regarding the left and right, when the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is viewed from the front, the left hand side of the observer is defined as the left side of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, and the opposite side is defined as the right side of the electric vacuum cleaner 1.

The cleaner body 10 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 has a built-in electric blower 12. The suction side of the electric blower 12 is the suction port 2
Connect to 0. Further, an exhaust port for exhausting the exhaust air from the electric blower 12 is provided at an appropriate location of the cleaner body 10.

A stand 30 is provided on the rear side of the cleaner body 10.
Are placed. To attach the stand 30, first, an opening 13 is provided on the back surface of the cleaner body 10, and the lid 1 is attached to the opening 13.
Wear 4. The lid 14 is formed to have the same curvature as that of the cleaner body 10, and if the opening 13 is covered with the lid 14, one continuous tubular body is formed.

The stand 30 is mounted in a tubular opening 15 formed in the lid 14 so as to be able to move in and out. A flange 31 is provided at one end of the stand 30, and the place where the flange 31 contacts the edge of the opening 15 is the protrusion limit of the stand 30. The biasing means presses the stand 30 to the limit of protrusion. In the first embodiment, the compression coil spring 32 arranged between the partition wall 16 inside the cleaner body 10 and the stand 30 constitutes a biasing means.

At the protrusion limit, the tip of the stand 30, or more precisely the corner portion thereof, protrudes outside the side projection of the wheel 11. When this portion hits the floor surface F, the cleaner body 10 is prevented from rolling.

The operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the cleaner body 10 is drawn around by the suction hose 21. Although the stand 30 projects to the outside of the side projection of the wheel 11, when the adult of ordinary size is holding the handle 23, that is, when the handle 23 is at a height of 60 to 80 cm above the floor, the stand 30 is placed on the floor. There is no contact with the surface.

When cleaning is completed and the cleaner body 10 is in the storage posture, the suction hose 21 is pulled upward. Then, the cleaner body 10 rotates in the direction of arrow C.

In the process of rotating as shown by arrow C, FIG.
As shown in (b), one corner of the stand 30 is on the floor F.
(A table for storing the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is provided, and if the table is rotated on the table, the table comes into contact. Then, the stand 30 resists the biasing force of the compression coil spring 17 and retracts to the inside of the side projection of the wheel 11. Therefore, a large impact is not applied to the cleaner body 10.

When the cleaner body 10 is further rotated in the direction of arrow C, the suction port 20 faces upward as shown in FIG. 2 (c).
Now let go of the suction hose 21. After that, even if the cleaner body 10 is rotated in either the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction, the stand 30 hits the floor surface F and blocks it.

When the use of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is resumed, the vacuum cleaner body 10 is rotated while holding the suction hose 21. Although it may be rotated in the direction opposite to that in the storage posture, that is, in the direction opposite to the arrow C, FIG.
As described above, the rotation may be continued in the arrow C direction. By doing so, it is possible to quickly shift to a posture of cleaning the floor surface F located on the right side of the cleaner body 10 in the drawing.

2D, the stand 30 withdraws to the inside of the side projection of the wheel 11 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 17 even during the rotation of the cleaner body 10 as shown in FIG. No big shock is applied to.

As far as the stand 30 projects to the outside of the side projection of the wheel 11, the wheel 1 will be described first.
1 can be completely lifted from the floor surface F, and the cleaner body 10 can be supported only by the stand 30.
Alternatively, the degree of protrusion may be reduced so that the wheel 11 contacts the floor surface F, and the cleaner body 10 may be supported at three points by either corner of the wheel 11 and the stand 30. Even in the latter case, the cleaner body 10 does not roll freely, and the object of the invention is achieved.

Speaking of the front width of the stand 30 ("depth" in FIGS. 1 and 2), this is
The width of the cleaner body 10 can be set so that the cleaner body 10 can be supported so that the cleaner body 10 does not lean to the left or right when viewed from the front. In order to secure such a width, one wide stand that is continuous from the left to the right may be used, or two narrow stands may be arranged on the left and right at intervals and combined with the left and right wheels 11. The cleaner body 10 may be supported at four points.

Alternatively, a narrow stand 30
You may make it provide only one piece, inclining the cleaner body 10 to right or left, and making one wheel 11 contact the floor surface F, and supporting the cleaner body 10 with this wheel 11 and the stand 30. In this case, the stand 30 may be arranged in the central portion of the cleaner body 10 so that the cleaner body 10 can be tilted to the left or right, or it can be arranged at a position biased to the left or right to remove the cleaner body 10 from the cleaner body 10. The tilt direction may be constant.

The arrangement angle of the stand 30 is the suction port 20.
The angle is not limited to 180 °. If necessary, an angle other than 180 ° can be selected. The point is that the support by the stand 30 may be performed when the suction port 20 is oriented substantially upward.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show a second embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention. In the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the second embodiment, the stand 30 is arranged by the stand members 30a and 30b arranged so as to face each other with the diameter line of the wheel 11 (a virtual line including the diameter of the wheel 11 and its extension) sandwiched therebetween. Is configured.

A lid block 1 is provided in the opening 13 of the cleaner body 10.
4a is mounted, and stand members 30a and 30b are attached to the lid block 14a by a support shaft 33 so as to be rotatable in a vertical plane. Stand member 3
0a and 30b are rotationally biased by the biasing means so as to project from the opening 15a of the lid block 14a. Stand member 30
The tension coil springs 34 arranged on each of a and 30b constitute a biasing means.

The tension coil spring 34 is a stand member 30a.
And the lid block 14a and between the stand member 30b and the lid block 14a.
0a is biased clockwise in the figure, and the stand member 30b is biased counterclockwise in the figure. Opening 1
The edge of 5a is the rotation limit of the stand members 30a and 30b.

When the rotation limit is reached, the stand member 30
The tips of a and 30b respectively project outside the side projection of the wheel 11. When the tip portion hits the floor surface F, the cleaner body 10 is prevented from rolling.

The operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A shows a state in which the cleaner body 10 is drawn around by the suction hose 21. Stand member 3
0a and 30b are projected to the outside of the side projection of the wheel 11, but when an adult of ordinary body is holding the handle 23, that is, when the handle 23 is at a height of 60 to 80 cm above the floor, the stand member 30a is provided. , 30b do not contact the floor surface.

When cleaning is completed and the cleaner body 10 is in the storage posture, the suction hose 21 is pulled upward. Then, the cleaner body 10 rotates in the direction of arrow C.

In the process of rotating as shown by the arrow C, FIG.
As shown in (b), the stand member 30a contacts the floor surface F. Then, the stand 30 member 30a retracts inside the side projection of the wheel 11 against the biasing force of the tension coil spring 34. Therefore, a large impact is not applied to the cleaner body 10.

When the cleaner body 10 is further rotated in the direction of arrow C, the suction port 20 faces upward as shown in FIG. 4 (c).
Now let go of the suction hose 21. After that, the stand members 30a and 30b come into contact with the floor surface F and prevent it from rotating in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction of the cleaner body 10.

When the use of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is resumed, the vacuum cleaner body 10 is rotated while holding the suction hose 21. Although it may be rotated in the direction opposite to that in the storage posture, that is, in the direction opposite to arrow C, it may be continuously rotated in the direction of arrow C. By doing so, it is possible to quickly shift to a posture of cleaning the floor surface F located on the right side of the cleaner body 10 in the drawing.

The vacuum cleaner 1 according to the second embodiment has wheels 11.
Stand member 30a so as to face each other across the diameter line of
Since 30b is arranged, it is possible to widen the support width of the stand 30 when viewed from the side as compared with the stand 30 of the first embodiment, and the posture during storage is stabilized accordingly. In particular, by supporting the stand members 30a and 30b so as to be rotatable in a vertical plane and preventing the cleaner body 10 from rolling in a state of being rotated to the outermost side,
The distance between the tip ends of the stand members 30a and 30b further expands,
Resistance to rolling is enhanced.

The stand members 30a, 30b are supported so as to be rotatable in a vertical plane, and the rolls of the cleaner body 10 are prevented in a state of being rotated to the outermost side. The movement of 30b becomes asymmetrical depending on the rotation direction. That is, the stand 30a,
When the posture of the cleaner body 10 is changed from the use state to the storage state, both 30b easily retract inside the side projection of the wheel 11 and do not prevent the cleaner body 10 from rolling. However, when rotating the cleaner body 10 from the storage state to the use state, the stand members 30a and 30b do not retract inside the side projection of the wheel 11. Therefore, it takes a force to tilt the cleaner body 10. This is the vacuum cleaner body 10
Means that it does not fall over, that is, the storage condition is stable.

The stand members 30a, 30b need not be equidistant with respect to the diameter line of the wheel 11. It is also possible to have a configuration in which any one of the stand members is closer (more distant) to the diameter line.

Regarding the stand 30 of the second embodiment as well,
For each of the following matters, it is possible to pay the same design consideration as in the first embodiment or make a design choice. (A) The extent to which the stand 30 projects outside the side projection of the wheel 11 (b) The front width of the stand 30 (c) The arrangement angle of the stand 30 with respect to the suction port 20

The design considerations or design choices described above can be applied in common to the third and subsequent embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention. The third embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the stand member 30a,
30b are connected by a link 35. Link 35
The stand member 30a is connected to a portion located outside the spindle 33 when viewed from the center of the cleaner body 10, and the stand member 30b is located inside the spindle 33 when viewed from the center of the cleaner body 10. Connect to. For this reason,
The stand members 30a and 30b perform the same movement in synchronization. That is, if the stand member 30a rotates in the direction of protruding from the lid block 14a, the stand member 30b also rotates in the direction of protruding from the lid block 14a, and if the stand member 30a rotates in the direction of retracting into the lid block 14a. The stand member 30b also rotates in the direction of retracting into the lid block 14a.

The tension coil spring 34 for urging the stand members 30a, 30b to project from the opening 15a of the lid block 14a is provided only for the stand member 30a. Since the stand members 30a and 30b move in an interlocking manner, one tension coil spring 34 is sufficient.

A tube 36 made of an elastic material such as rubber is covered on the outside of the tension coil spring 34. Due to the friction between the tube 36 and the tube 36, the tension coil spring 34
Expansion and contraction will be slow. The decrease in the expansion / contraction rate occurs asymmetrically depending on whether the direction of expansion or contraction.

Since the movement to extend the tension coil spring 34, that is, the movement to push the stand members 30a and 30b into the retracted position is caused by a stronger force applied from the outside, the tension coil spring 34 extends relatively quickly. And follow. On the other hand, the stand members 30a, 30
Since the tension coil spring 34 contracts in order to protrude b by the energy of the tension coil spring 34 itself without receiving a forcing force from the outside, friction by the tube 36 works sufficiently. Therefore, the stand members 30a and 30b
Slowly protrudes. That is, the tube 36 functions as a means for delaying the operation of the stand 30 protruding outside the side projection of the wheel 11.

As described above, the structure in which the stand 30 once pushed into the retracted position does not easily return to the projected position brings the following advantages. That is, the cleaner body 10
If you frequently invert the front side and the back side of the
Normally, the number of times the stand 30 hits the floor surface F each time it is inverted can be reduced. As a result, unpleasant vibrations and noise are reduced, and damage to the cleaner body 10 and the floor surface F can be reduced.

Further, since the stand members 30a and 30b are interlocked to perform the same movement in synchronization, if one stand member is retracted, the other stand member is also retracted at the same time. Therefore, as in the case of reversing the front side and the back side of the cleaner body 10, both stand members 30
When it is necessary to get over a and 30b, it is not necessary to apply the other stand member interlocking with one stand member to the floor,
The posture of the cleaner body 10 can be smoothly inverted.

As in the third embodiment, the stand member 3
0a, 30b are rotatably supported in a vertical plane, and when the cleaner main body 10 is prevented from rolling in a state of being rotated to the outermost side, as described above, the stand members 30a, 30b are not supported. Since the movement becomes asymmetrical depending on the rotation direction, interlocking the stand members 30a and 30b to perform the same movement in synchronization plays a great role in facilitating the posture reversing operation of the cleaner body 10.

When means for delaying the projecting operation is provided for the stand members 30a and 30b which are in the interlocking relationship as described above, when one stand member is pushed to the retracted position, the stand member is easily projected. Just as it does not return to the position, the other stand member does not easily return to the projected position. Therefore, the posture of the cleaner body 10 can be reversed without any resistance during the period in which both stand members remain in the retracted position.

The stand projecting operation delay means used in the third embodiment can be applied to the vacuum cleaner 1 of the second embodiment. Further, the compression coil spring 32 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the first embodiment is covered with a tube similar to the tube 36,
It is also possible to delay the protruding operation of the stand 30.

The stand projecting operation delay means can be realized by means other than the elastic material tube. For example, it is possible to adopt a method in which a gear train including a plurality of gears is connected to the stand 30 and the protrusion speed of the stand 30 is slowed by the rotation resistance of the gear train.

FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the solenoid 37 is attached to the partition wall 16. The plunger 38 of the solenoid 37 is connected to the stand 30. Solenoid 37
Functions as an actuator that retracts the stand 30 inside the side projection of the wheel.

When the solenoid 37 is not energized, the plunger 38 is in the advanced position, and the stand 30 is pushed out to the projecting position by the compression coil spring 32. When the electric blower 12 is energized, the solenoid 37 is energized and the plunger 38 is pulled into the solenoid 37. As a result, the stand 30 has a compression coil spring 32.
The wheel 11 is retracted inside the side projection of the wheel 11 against the biasing force.

The stand 30 is in the retracted position while the electric blower 12 is being driven, that is, while cleaning is being performed. Therefore, no matter how much the front side and the back side of the cleaner body 10 are reversed, the stand 30 does not hit the floor surface F. Therefore, there is no unpleasant vibration or noise, and the cleaner body 10 and the floor surface F are not damaged. Further, when the cleaner body 10 is pulled around, the stand 30 does not hit furniture or the like, and the furniture or the like is not damaged or the stand 30 itself is not damaged.

The electric blower 12 is used to energize the solenoid 37.
Not limited to the driving period, the energization of the solenoid 37 may be continued while the power cord is connected to the power source. By doing this, the electric blower 1
Even when 2 is stopped, the front side and the back side of the cleaner body 10 can be reversed without touching the floor 30 with the stand 30. Further, the cleaner body 10 can be pulled around without the stand 30 being applied to furniture or the like.

Instead of the solenoid, a motor may be used as an actuator. Not limited to the motor, any actuator can be used as long as it can be operated by energization.

The actuator as described above can be added to the second and third embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention. The fifth embodiment is obtained by adding the following elements to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section without the stand 30. 39 is an attitude sensor. The attitude sensor is a reflective optical sensor and detects the presence of the floor surface F through the transparent window 40 provided in the lid 14.

The fact that the posture sensor 39 detects the floor surface F means that the suction port 20 is facing upward, that is, the cleaner body 10 is in a posture suitable for being supported by the stand 30 in the storage posture. That is. At this time, even if the conditions for energizing the actuator (eg, the solenoid 37) (the electric blower 12 is driven, the power cord is connected to the power source, etc.) are satisfied, the actuator is not energized. Therefore, the stand 30 remains protruding.

When the vacuum cleaner body 10 is at an angle other than the upward direction of the suction port 20, the posture sensor 39 does not detect the floor surface F. As a result, the command for stopping energization of the actuator is released, and if the conditions for energizing the actuator are satisfied, the actuator is energized. As a result, the stand 30 is retracted. After that, attitude sensor 3
As long as the cleaner body 10 is not tilted to an angle where the floor surface F is detected by 9, the stand 30 is in the retracted position and does not hinder the cleaning.

The optical sensor is not the only one that can be used as the attitude sensor 39. A general means capable of detecting the levelness, such as a mercury switch, can also be adopted.

The attitude sensor 39 as described above may be paired with the actuator and added to the second and third embodiments.

8 to 10 show a sixth embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention. In the sixth embodiment, the stand members 3 are arranged so as to face each other across the diameter line of the wheel 11.
The stand 30 is composed of 0c and 30d.

The stand members 30c and 30d do not rotate about the support shafts as in the stand members 30a and 30b of the second and third embodiments, but slide so as to slide parallel to the diameter line of the wheel 11. It is supported by the block 14a. A flange 41 is formed at one end of each of the stand members 30c and 30d.
This is the limit of sliding of c and 30d in the protruding direction.

Racks 42 are formed on the surfaces of the stand members 30c and 30d which face each other. The pinion 43 is arranged between the racks 42 facing each other. Pinion 4
3 meshes with the racks 42 on both sides.

The pinion 43 is rotatably supported by the floating shaft 44. The floating shaft 44 slidably engages with a guide groove 45 formed in the lid block 14a. The guide groove 45 extends parallel to the diameter line of the wheel 11. 9 is provided between the end of the floating shaft 44 protruding outside the guide groove 45 and the lid block 14a.
A tension coil spring 46 is stretched over as shown in FIG. By the tension of the tension coil spring 46, the floating shaft 44, the pinion 43, and the stand members 30c and 30d are pulled out to the protruding positions of the stand members 30c and 30d.

FIG. 10 shows the posture changing operation of the electric vacuum cleaner of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 10A shows a state in which the cleaner body 10 is changed from the posture in use to the posture in storage, and the cleaner body 10 is about to rotate in the direction of arrow C. The stand member 30c is in contact with the floor surface F and retracts in the direction of arrow P.

When the stand member 30c slides in the direction of arrow P, the pinion 43 tries to rotate in the direction of arrow Q in FIG. 8 and exerts a force in the direction opposite to arrow P on the stand member 30d. If the flange 41 of the stand member 30d does not reach the slide limit, that is, if it does not contact the lid block 14a, the stand member 30d slides in the direction opposite to the arrow P to the slide limit.

Even when the stand member 30d reaches the slide limit and stops moving, the pinion 43 is not prevented from rolling on the rack 42 and rotating in the arrow Q direction. The movement of the stand member 30c sliding in the direction of the arrow P is not hindered.

When the pinion 43 rotates in the direction of arrow Q while the stand member 30d is stopped, the pinion 43 moves in the direction of arrow P. The stand member 30c moves in the direction of arrow P at twice the speed of the pinion 43. That is, when the stand member 30c hits the floor surface F, the stand member 30c is retreated very quickly, and the impact on the floor surface F is small.

After the step of being pushed deeply into the cleaner body 10 by the floor surface F, the stand member 30c is pulled out by the tension of the tension coil spring 46. Pinion 4
3 now rotates in the opposite direction of arrow Q. When the cleaner body 10 is at the angle shown in FIG.
The protrusions of c and 30d are even, and the cleaner body 10 is held at this angle.

When the floor surface F is not flat, the stand member 3
Either 0c or 30d retracts into the cleaner body 10. Even if the projections of the stand members 30c and 30d are irregular as described above, the tension of the tension coil spring 46 is evenly applied to the stand members 30c and 30d.
Therefore, the stand 30 stably supports the cleaner body 10 even when the floor surface F is not flat.

When the cleaner body 10 is further rotated in the direction of arrow C as shown in FIG. 10C, the stand member 30d
Touches the floor surface F and slides in the direction of arrow P. This allows the posture of the cleaner body 10 to be reversed.

Although the first to sixth embodiments have been described above, the present invention can be implemented in the following modes.

The stand 30 may not always be retractable inside the side projection of the wheel 11, but may be always projected outside the side projection of the wheel 11. That is, the stand 30 may be fixed. If the stand 30 has an appropriate shape, the stand 30 does not come into contact with the floor surface F during use.

When the stand 30 is fixed, the stand 30 can be integrally molded with the outer shell of the cleaner body 10.

Wheel 1 as in the second, third and fifth embodiments
In the case where the stand 30 is configured by arranging a plurality of stand members so as to face each other across the diameter line of 1, the stand member located on one side of the diameter line of the wheel 11 can be retracted, and the other is fixed. It may be an expression.

A cushioning material made of soft rubber or the like is attached to a portion of the stand 30 (or a stand member constituting the stand) that comes into contact with the floor surface F to absorb vibrations and noise when the floor surface F is hit, and The F may be protected from being scratched.

In addition to the above, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0099]

The present invention has the following effects.

According to the present invention, wheels having a diameter larger than the side projection of the cleaner body are mounted on both sides of the cleaner body incorporating the electric blower, and a suction hose is connected to the front side of the cleaner body. Because the suction port is provided, and the rear side is provided with a stand projecting to the outside of the side projection of the wheel, if the suction hose is held and the vacuum cleaner body is raised, , The stand supports the main body of the vacuum cleaner so that it does not roll. Therefore, it is easy to change the posture to the storage posture. On the contrary, the posture can be easily changed from the storage state to the use state by using the suction hose.

Further, in the present invention, since the stand is retractable inside the side projection of the wheel, the angle of the cleaner body is changed while the stand is retracting inside the side projection of the wheel. The stand can be projected outside the side projection of the wheel when the suction port faces upward, and the posture of the cleaner body can be easily changed. The impact when changing posture is also small.

Further, in the present invention, since the stand is retracted to the inside of the side projection of the wheel due to contact with the floor surface, the side surface of the wheel is slanted if the cleaner body is tilted to bring the stand into contact with the floor surface. Since the stand retracts inside the projection, the posture of the vacuum cleaner body can be smoothly changed, which is convenient.

Further, in the present invention, since the stand is biased by the biasing means such as a spring so as to project to the outside of the side projection of the wheel, the stand spontaneously moves outside the side projection of the wheel. No special operation is required to project the stand and project the stand. Therefore, it takes no effort to put the vacuum cleaner body into a storage position.

Further, in the present invention, since the stand is provided with the delay means for the operation of projecting to the outside of the side projection of the wheel, the stand is put on the floor one by one under the condition that the direction of the cleaner body is frequently changed. This can be done without any damage, and the damage done to the floor by the stand can be reduced.

In the present invention, since the actuator for retracting the stand to the inside of the side projection of the wheel is provided in the cleaner body, the stand can be arbitrarily retracted at any time without waiting for the stand to hit the floor surface. be able to.

Further, according to the present invention, when the cleaner main body is at an angle other than the upward direction of the suction port, the stand is retracted inside the side projection of the wheel, so that the cleaner main body is stored. Except when you are in the time position
That is, the stand is retracted inside the side projection of the wheel except when the stand function is required. Therefore, even if the posture of the cleaner body is reversed, the stand does not hit the floor surface, there is no unpleasant vibration or noise, and the cleaner body or the floor surface is not damaged. Further, when the cleaner body is pulled around, the stand does not hit the furniture or the like, and the furniture or the like is not damaged or the stand itself is not damaged.

Further, according to the present invention, wheels having a diameter larger than the side projection of the cleaner body are mounted on both sides of the cleaner body containing the electric blower, and a suction port is provided on the front side of the cleaner body. , A suction hose is provided on the back side, since the stands are arranged so as to face each other across the diameter line of the wheel, and each stand is formed by a plurality of stand members projecting outside the side projection of the wheel. When the vacuum cleaner body is raised so that the suction port faces upward, a stand composed of a plurality of stand members stably supports the vacuum cleaner body so as not to roll. At the same time, the posture can be easily changed from the use state to the storage state and from the storage state to the use state by using the suction hose.

Further, in the present invention, among the plurality of stand members, at least the stand member located on one side of the diameter line of the wheel can be retracted inside the side projection of the wheel. The angle of the cleaner body can be changed while the stand member is retracting inside the side projection of the wheel, and the retractable stand member can be projected outside the side projection of the wheel when the suction port is facing upward. , It is easy to change the posture of the cleaner body. The impact when changing posture is also small.

Further, in the present invention, since the retractable stand member is retracted to the inside of the side projection of the wheel by contact with the floor surface, the cleaner body is tilted to move the retractable stand member to the floor surface. This stand member is retracted inside the side projection of the wheel when it comes into contact with, and the posture of the cleaner body can be smoothly changed, which is convenient.

Further, in the present invention, since the retractable stand member is biased by the biasing means such as a spring so as to project to the outside of the side projection of the wheel, the retractable stand member is spontaneously driven. The projection is made to project outside the side projection of the wheel, and no special operation is required to project it. Therefore, it takes no effort to put the vacuum cleaner body into a storage position.

Further, according to the present invention, since the retractable stand member is provided with the delay means for the operation of projecting to the outside of the side projection of the wheel, the stand member can be used under the condition that the direction of the cleaner body is frequently changed. It is not necessary to hit the floor one by one, and the damage that the stand member gives to the floor can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, since the actuator for retracting the retractable stand member inside the side projection of the wheel is provided in the cleaner body, it is not necessary to wait until the retractable stand member hits the floor surface. The stand member can be retracted arbitrarily at any time.

Further, according to the present invention, when the cleaner main body is at an angle other than the upward direction of the suction port, the retractable stand member is retracted inside the side projection of the wheel. The stand member is retracted inside the side projection of the wheel except when the machine body is in the storage posture, that is, when the stand function is required. Therefore, even if the posture of the cleaner body is reversed, the stand member does not contact the floor surface, and there is no unpleasant vibration or noise, and the cleaner body or the floor surface is not damaged. Further, when the cleaner body is pulled around, the stand member does not hit the furniture or the like, and the furniture or the like is not damaged or the stand member itself is not damaged.

Further, in the present invention, all of the plurality of stand members facing each other across the diameter line of the wheel can be retracted inside the side projection of the wheel, and these stand members can synchronize the same movement. Since they are interlocked with each other, if one of the stand members retracts, the other stand member also retracts, so that the posture of the cleaner body can be easily inverted. Further, the biasing means can be shared by a plurality of stand members.

Further, in the present invention, the pinion is arranged between a plurality of stand members facing each other across the diameter line of the wheel, and a rack engaging with the pinion is provided in each of the stand members. Among them, the one that hits the floor surface can be quickly evacuated, and the impact on the floor surface is small. Also, the vacuum cleaner body can be stably supported even on an uneven floor surface.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a cleaner body of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a series of vertical cross-sectional views illustrating posture change of the electric vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a cleaner body of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a series of vertical cross-sectional views explaining the posture change of the vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view of a cleaner body of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a cleaner body of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a cleaner body of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial vertical sectional view of a cleaner body of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a cleaner body of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, which is taken perpendicularly to FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a series of vertical sectional views for explaining the posture change of the electric vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional electric vacuum cleaner in use.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the electric vacuum cleaner in a stored state.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 vacuum cleaner 10 Vacuum cleaner body 11 wheels 12 Electric blower 20 Suction port 21 Suction hose 22 Intake pipe 23 handle 24 Suction mouth 25 Dust collector 30 stand 32 compression coil spring 34 tension coil spring 35 links 36 tube (stand protrusion operation delay means) 37 Solenoid (actuator) 39 Attitude sensor 42 racks 43 Pinion 46 tension coil spring

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kei Ota             22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka             Inside the company (72) Inventor Yu Shindo             22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka             Inside the company F-term (reference) 3B006 KA04

Claims (16)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A cleaner body having a built-in electric blower is provided with wheels having a diameter larger than a side projection of the cleaner body on both sides, and a suction hose is connected to a front side of the cleaner body. An electric vacuum cleaner, characterized in that a mouth is provided on the back side thereof and a stand projecting to the outside of the side projection of the wheel is provided. 2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the stand is retractable inside a side projection of the wheel. 3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the stand is retracted to the inside of the side projection of the wheel by contact with the floor surface. 4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the stand is biased by a biasing means such as a spring so as to project to the outside of the side projection of the wheel. 5. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the stand is provided with a delay means for the operation of projecting to the outside of the side projection of the wheel. 6. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein an actuator for retracting the stand inside the side projection of the wheel is provided in the cleaner main body. 7. The stand is retracted inside the side projection of the wheel when the cleaner body is at an angle other than the suction port facing upward.
Vacuum cleaner as described in. 8. A suction body for mounting a wheel having a diameter larger than a side projection of the cleaner body on both sides of a cleaner body having a built-in electric blower, and connecting a suction hose to the front side of the cleaner body. The mouth is provided on the back side so as to face each other across the diameter line of the wheel, and each stand is formed by a plurality of stand members projecting to the outside of the side projection of the wheel. A characteristic vacuum cleaner. 9. The stand member located at least on one side of the diameter line of the wheel among the plurality of stand members can be retracted inside the side projection of the wheel. Vacuum cleaner as described in. 10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the retractable stand member retracts inside a side projection of the wheel by contact with a floor surface. 11. The retractable stand member is urged by an urging means such as a spring so as to project to the outside of the side projection of the wheel, as claimed in claim 9 or 10. Vacuum cleaner. 12. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the retractable stand member is provided with a delay means for the operation of projecting to the outside of the side projection of the wheel. . 13. The electric machine according to claim 9, wherein an actuator for retracting the retractable stand member inside a side projection of the wheel is provided in the cleaner body. Vacuum cleaner. 14. The retreatable stand member is retracted inside a side projection of the wheel when the cleaner body is at an angle other than the upward direction of the suction port. Vacuum cleaner as described. 15. A plurality of stand members facing each other across a diameter line of the wheel can be retracted inside a side projection of the wheel, and the stand members are interlocked to perform the same movement in synchronization. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the electric vacuum cleaner is provided. 16. A pinion is arranged between a plurality of stand members facing each other across the diameter line of the wheel, and
The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein a rack that engages with the pinion is provided on each of the stand members.