JP2004180760A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner in which air path loss is small compared to cyclone type separation, clogging of a dust separation part is easily suppressed and an air capacity decline is easily suppressed as well. <P>SOLUTION: The vacuum cleaner is provided with an air flow control means 91, an air path forming body 62 is provided in an air path from the suction port of a cleaner body to the intake port 33A of a motor-driven blower 33, and the dust separation part 61 for inertially separating air and dust flowing in the inside is provided. The air path forming body is provided with a separation opening 64 between an opening 62A at one end communicated with the suction port and the opening 62B at the other end communicated with the dust separation part and a filter F2 covering the opening. The air flow control means 91 controls an air flow inside the air path forming body 62 so as to remove the dust stuck to the filter F2 and is provided in an inflow air path 44a of air to the dust separation part 61. By turbulence generated in the means 91, the dust stuck to the filter F2 is removed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner provided with a dust separating unit that separates dust from an airflow by using inertia of dust in sucked dust-containing air.
[0002]
[Prior art]
BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a cyclone-type vacuum cleaner has been known as a vacuum cleaner that separates dust in air sucked by an inertia separating action (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
The cyclone-type vacuum cleaner includes a dust cup (dust box) having an open top, an electric blower for reducing the pressure in the cup, and the like. An intake port is formed in a peripheral wall of the dust cup, and the intake port communicates with an intake port for taking in dust-containing air through an intake passage.
[0004]
The dust-containing air sucked from the suction port body is sucked from the suction port into the dust cup through the suction passage. Due to the swirling flow generated in the dust cup due to the suction into the cup, dust having a mass higher than that of air is centrifuged. On the other hand, the air reverses and rises in the dust cup in a direction opposite to the direction in which the swirling flow proceeds, passes through the upper opening of the cup, is sucked by the electric blower, and is discharged to the outside.
[0005]
Further, a filter is attached so as to cover an upper end opening of the dust cup, and dust contained in an airflow that reverses and ascends in the dust cup adheres to the filter so that the dust is not sucked into the electric blower. .
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-104223 A (paragraphs 0037, 0045-0047, FIGS. 1 to 5)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the vacuum cleaner described in Patent Literature 1, the air sucked through the intake passage is turned by 90 degrees and enters the dust cup from the intake port, where it forms a downward swirling flow and becomes a peripheral wall of the dust cup. After that, the air is turned upside down, flows out of the dust cup, and is sucked into the electric blower. By changing the flow direction of the air twice in the dust cup in this way, the air path loss is large. In addition, since the air turns in the dust cup, the air path loss is further increased. Therefore, it is difficult for the electric vacuum cleaner described in Patent Literature 1 to sufficiently exert the capability of the electric blower.
[0008]
Furthermore, in the vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 1, when the filter is clogged, the air path resistance increases, and the suction force and the air volume decrease. As a result, the centrifugal separation effect is reduced, so that the cleaning performance is reduced. For this reason, the user is forced to remove the filter irregularly to eliminate the clogging, and it is desired to reduce such trouble.
[0009]
On the other hand, in a normal vacuum cleaner in which a paper pack, which is a filter for performing filtration, is mounted in a dust collection chamber, an intake port, a paper pack, and an electric blower are arranged substantially linearly so that there is no large change in the direction of air flow. , The wind path loss does not increase. However, since the paper pack filters and accumulates various dusts ranging from coarse dust to fine dust, when a predetermined amount of dust accumulates in the paper pack, the air volume tends to extremely decrease.
[0010]
The problem to be solved by the present invention is that it is possible to reduce the air path loss as compared with the one performing the cyclone type separation, and it is possible to easily suppress the progress of the clogging of the filter included in the dust separation portion, and to reduce the air volume. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner which is easy to suppress.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention includes an airflow control unit, and further includes an airflow path forming body in an airflow path from a suction port of a cleaner body to an air suction port of an electric blower. And a dust separation unit for separating dust and air flowing through the air. The airflow path forming body has a separation opening between one end opening communicating with the suction opening and the other end opening communicating with the dust separating portion, and a filter that covers the separation opening is attached. Further, the airflow control means controls the airflow in the airflow path forming body so as to remove the dust adhering to the filter, and is provided in the airflow path of the air to the dust separating section.
[0012]
In the present invention, the dust separation unit refers to a straight-flow type inertial separation device that separates dust from air by using a difference in inertial force based on a difference in kinetic energy between sucked air and dust, and is a cyclone type. Does not include the inertial separation device.
[0013]
In the present invention, as the filter of the dust separating portion, a filter material such as paper, cotton, cloth, glass wool, non-woven fabric, foamed synthetic resin, or the like, in which a single layer or a plurality of layers are laminated, and a net can be suitably used. In addition, it is not impeded that the filter surface facing the inner space of the airflow path forming body is provided with a surface-treated layer having a low friction coefficient that suppresses dust from adhering to the surface and makes the adhered dust easily peel off.
[0014]
In the present invention, the air flow control means used by being attached to the air inflow path for the dust separation unit may be one which is installed and used in the inflow air path in advance, or may be attached to and detached from the suction port whenever necessary. It may be an attachment that is attached to and detached from the inflow air passage when the clogging of the filter is improved, such as when the filter is used. In addition, the inflow air passage may extend inside or outside the cleaner main body or both.However, in order to further ensure the effectiveness of the air flow control, it is preferable that the inflow air passage be mounted as close to one end opening of the air passage formation as possible. Good.
[0015]
In the present invention, the airflow control means is compared with the airflow flowing through the airflow path forming body during normal use in which a straight flow type inertia separation is performed, and the behavior of the airflow with a large variation in the flow state, for example, the entire airflow path forming body Means for generating a turbulent flow or generating a turbulent flow acting on the inner surface of a filter except for a central portion in a wind path forming body, thereby obtaining an air flow that functions to remove dust adhering to the filter. ing.
[0016]
In the present invention, since the straight-flow type inertial separation is performed in the dust separating section, the air path loss is small. Furthermore, dust in the airflow passing through the separation opening of the dust separation unit toward the intake port of the electric blower adheres to the filter, but when the airflow control means functions, the dust adhering to the filter is removed. Thus, the airflow in the airflow path forming body is controlled. Thus, it is possible to remove the dust adhering to the filter without taking out the dust separating portion having the filter. With the improvement of the clogging, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the airflow of the airflow passing through the airflow path forming body.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0018]
One end of a flexible dust suction hose 21 is detachably connected to a cleaner main body 20 provided in the electric vacuum cleaner indicated by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1, and the hose 21 has a hand operation unit 22 at the other end. ing. An extendable extension tube 23 is detachably connected to the hand operation unit 22, and a suction port 24 is detachably connected to a distal end of the extension tube 23. The hand operation unit 22 has a handle 22A, and the handle 22A is provided with an operation switch 22B for remote control.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cleaner main body 20 includes a main body case 30, a dust container (dust cup) 50 detachably attached to the main body case 30, and a lid 40. The lid 40 has a rear portion hinged to a front portion of the main body case 30 and is provided so as to be openable and closable in a vertical direction.
[0020]
The main body case 30 includes a rear electric section 34 and a front mounting section 35. As shown in FIG. 2, the electric blower 33 is built in the electric unit 34. The mounting portion 35 is integrally formed so as to protrude forward from a lower portion of the electric portion 34 and is formed in a concave dish shape opening upward. A dust container 50 is removably mounted on the mounting portion 35. When the lid 40 is closed, the lid 40 and the mounting portion 35 sandwich and fix the dust collection container 50.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 3B, the front surface of the electric unit 34 is opened, and the opening 34A faces and communicates with the intake port 33A of the electric blower 33. The opening 34A is provided with a filter holder 34B having radial ribs for holding a filter 80 described below from the downstream side.
[0022]
On both side walls in the width direction of the main body case 30, oblique bulging portions 36 (only one is shown) extending from a front upper portion to a rear lower portion of the main body case 30 are integrally formed. A rear wheel 37 is rotatably mounted. An exhaust portion 38 including a plurality of exhaust holes is provided at the front portions of both the bulging portions 36 and both side walls of the main body case 30. These exhaust portions 38 communicate with exhaust ports 33B (see FIG. 2) of the electric blower 33 via an exhaust air path (not shown). The air exhausted from the exhaust port 33B of the electric blower 33 is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust part 38 via the exhaust air path. A battery 39 is built in the electric unit 34 of the main body case 30 at a position below the electric blower 33. The electric power of the battery 39 is supplied to the electric blower 33 and the like. In addition, it is also possible to arrange a code reel in the same part instead of the battery 39 shown, and supply electric power of a commercial AC power supply to the electric blower 33 and the like via this reel.
[0023]
The lid 40 has a top plate 41 formed in a substantially elliptical shape in plan view, and a peripheral wall 42 integrally formed around the top plate 41. A connection pipe 44 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) having a suction port 43 for detachably connecting the dust suction hose 21 is attached to a front portion of the peripheral wall 42. The connection pipe 44 extends in the front-rear direction, and one end opening (front end) forms a suction port 43 and the other end (rear end) 45 is open. The connection pipe 44 is directly continuous from the upstream with respect to a first dust separation unit 61 described later, and a space inside the connection pipe 44 is a part of an inflow air passage 44a for the first dust separation unit 61 described later. Has made.
[0024]
4, 5, 8, and 9, the dust container 50 has an opening on one surface, for example, substantially the entire rear surface located on the right side in FIG. 4. It has a container case body 53 having an inlet 52 and a handle 54 provided on the container case body 53. The handle 54 is attached to the wall 50a, for example, below the intake port 52.
[0025]
The container case body 53 includes a first dust reservoir portion (first dust collecting portion) 55 formed at a lower portion of the case body 53 and a negative pressure chamber portion (negative pressure chamber) mainly formed above the first dust reservoir portion 55. Pressure space) 56, a first dust separating portion 61 provided in the negative pressure chamber portion 56, and a guide portion 63 for guiding the dust separated by the dust separating portion 61 to the first dust storage portion 55. are doing.
[0026]
The bottom surface of the first dust reservoir 55 is open. A bottom plate 57 is attached to the bottom of the first dust reservoir 55 so as to be openable and closable around the axis J. By opening the bottom plate 57, dust accumulated in the first dust reservoir 55 can be discarded. . The closed state of the bottom plate 57 is released via a mechanism (not shown) that is interlocked with the pressing of an operation button provided on the handle portion 54.
[0027]
The first dust reservoir 55 and the negative pressure chamber 56 are defined by an upright wall 60 approaching the opening 51 and a ceiling wall 58 bent from the upper end of the wall 60 and connected to the wall 50a. A ventilation opening 59 that connects the first dust reservoir 55 and the negative pressure chamber 56 is formed in a ceiling wall 58 of the first dust reservoir 55. The ventilation opening 59 is provided to face substantially the center of the first dust reservoir 55. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, a filter F1 made of, for example, a net for capturing coarse dust is attached to the ventilation opening 59.
[0028]
A connection hole 58 </ b> A (see FIG. 8) is formed on the upright wall 60 side of the ceiling wall 58. A guide wall 55G (see FIGS. 4 and 11) for generating a swirling flow in the first dust reservoir 55 is provided below the connection hole 58A.
[0029]
The first dust separation unit 61 includes a tubular airflow path forming body 62 that forms a separation airflow path 62a, and a guide unit 63.
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 8, and 9, the air path forming body 62 has a shape of a hollow truncated cone with one end and the other end open, and a plurality of separation openings 64 are formed at equal intervals around the entire circumference. And a filter F2 for capturing fine dust that closes the separation openings 64.
[0031]
More specifically, the air path forming member 62 includes a frame including a pair of large and small circular frames W1 and W2 and a plurality of ribs W3 connecting the frames W1 and W2. Each separation opening 64 is formed in a space surrounded by both frame portions W1, W2 and rib W3. The filter F2 is made of, for example, a net, and is attached in a cylindrical shape along the inner peripheral surface of the frame. Therefore, the air path forming body 62 has a structure in which both ends in the axial direction are open, and the inner space of the forming body 62 forms a separation air path 62a.
[0032]
The central axis of the separation air passage 62a extends linearly in the axial direction of the cleaner main body 20 (the front-back direction in the present embodiment). The separation air passage 62a is formed through the separation opening 64 of the air passage forming body 62, the negative pressure chamber 56 of the container case body 53, and the opening 34A of the motorized portion 34 of the main body case 30 in order, and the intake port 33A of the electric blower 33 is sequentially provided. Is in communication with
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 8, and 9, the diameter of the large-diameter one-end opening 62 </ b> A of the airflow path forming body 62 is formed to be larger than the diameter of the intake port 52 of the container case body 53. The air path forming body 62 is connected to the container case body 53 so that the air inlet 52 is located inside the one end opening 62A. The diameter of the small-diameter other end opening 62 </ b> B of the airflow path forming body 62 is smaller than the diameter of the intake port 52. As a result, the diameter of the air path forming body 62 linearly gradually decreases from one end to the other end.
[0034]
The direction in which the axis of the air path forming body 62 extends and the direction in which the axis of the connection pipe 44 of the lid 40 extends are substantially linearly continuous, and the intake port 33A of the electric blower 33 faces the extension of these axes. It is provided correspondingly. The connection pipe 44 of the lid 40, the air inlet 52 of the container case 53, the air path forming body 62, the opening 51 of the container case 55, and the air inlet 33 A of the electric blower 33 are They are sequentially arranged along the axial direction (the front-back direction in the present embodiment).
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the guide portion 63 is provided continuously to the other end opening 62 </ b> B of the airflow path forming body 62. Specifically, the guide portion 63 includes an inclined wall portion 63A extending obliquely downward from an upper portion of the other end opening 62B of the air path forming body 62, and a curved portion extending from one end of the inclined wall portion 63A and extending downward. The path forming body 62 has a wind-applied wall 63B facing the other end opening 62B, and side walls 63C formed on both sides of the inclined wall 63A and the air-applied wall 63B. The guide portion 63 has an opening 63D joined to the other end opening 62B of the air path forming body 62.
[0036]
The lower portion of the guide portion 63 has a tubular shape and extends, for example, in the vertical direction, and is connected to the ceiling wall portion 58 and the upright wall 60 so as to cover the connection hole 58A. With this connection, the guide 63 communicates the separation air passage 62 a with the first dust reservoir 55.
[0037]
The upright wall 60 is provided slightly inside (front side) of the opening 51 of the container case body 53 to give the opening 51 a predetermined depth H (see FIG. 4). Utilizing this depth H, a filter 80, which will be described later, forming a second dust separating portion is detachably mounted in the opening 51.
[0038]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 to 7, the connection pipe 44 is provided with air control means 91. The control means 91 restricts the air flow control valve 92 to open and close the inflow air passage 44a and the air flow control valve 92 until the inside of the separation air passage 62a reaches a predetermined negative pressure. And a valve receiver for releasing the restraint after the pressure has reached.
[0039]
The airflow control valve 92 is made of a relatively thick rubber plate integrally molded. The airflow control valve 92 has a mounting end 94 at the upper end (one end), a valve plate 96 connected integrally via a thin self-hinged portion 95 connected to the lower side, and a valve plate 96. And a projecting projection 97 formed at the lower end (the other end). Both the upper end surface of the mounting end 94 and the lower end surface of the valve plate 96 are formed in an arc shape corresponding to the inner peripheral surface of the connection pipe 44. The valve plate portion 96 has a pair of slits 98 opened to the lower end surface thereof, and an elongated flexible deformation portion 99 left between the slits 98. The strut projection 97 is integrally connected to the lower end of the flexible deformable portion 99 at substantially a right angle to the flexible deformable portion 99, and is connected to the downstream side of the valve plate portion 96, for example, to the first separating portion 61. It is projected toward. Further, both side edges 92a of the airflow control valve 92 are, for example, parallel edges so as not to be in contact with the air path wall defining the inflow air path 44a, that is, the inner peripheral surface of the connection pipe 44.
[0040]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the air flow control valve 92 has its mounting end 94 fixed to the upper part in the connection pipe 44 via a screw 78 which is screwed through a holding member 77 overlaid thereon. I have. FIG. 7 shows a state in which this mounting state is viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 7, a substantially elongated D-shaped gap g is formed between the side edges 92 a of the airflow control valve 92 at the closed position and the inner peripheral surface of the connection pipe 44. In other words, the inflow air passage 44 a is restricted by the airflow control valve 92.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the valve receiver 93 is, for example, connected to the lower edge of the intake port 52 and protrudes from the inner surface of the wall 50a toward the first separating portion 61. That is, the valve receiver 93 is provided downstream of the airflow control valve 92. An upwardly facing restraining portion 93 a is formed at the protruding end of the valve receiver 93. The restricting portion 93a has a restricting surface 93b and a guide inclined surface 93c.
[0042]
In a state where no negative pressure is generated in the separation air passage 62a such as a non-use state of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, the airflow control valve 92 is shown in FIGS. Thus, the tip of the projecting protrusion 97 is hooked (engaged) on the restraining surface 93b of the restraining portion 93a, and is restrained at the closed position. The airflow control valve 92 is moved out of the restraining portion 93a with the elastic deformation of the tension convex portion 97 and the flexible deforming portion 99 as the negative pressure of the separation air passage 62a increases due to the start of operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 and the like. Then, the self-hinge part 95 is pivoted to the open position about the fulcrum. When the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 is stopped, the airflow control valve 92 automatically returns to the closed position by its own weight and the elastic force of the self-hinge part 95.
[0043]
In this return operation, the lower end of the projecting protrusion 97 and the flexible deformable portion 99 are guided by the guide inclined surface 93c and do not catch on the restraining portion 93a, so that the flexible deformable portion 99 engages with the restraining surface 93b. The valve plate 96 can be reliably returned to the closed position. Furthermore, since the upper portion of the side edges 92a, especially the upper side portion, does not compete with the inner peripheral surface of the connection pipe 44 during rotation of the valve plate portion 96, the valve plate portion 96 is smoothly rotated. It can be returned to the closed position.
[0044]
As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, a support wall 71 that supports a fine dust capturing filter 80 described below from below is integrally provided outside a lower end portion of the upright wall 60. A second dust reservoir 72 is formed between the lower portion and the outside. The second dust reservoir 72 is provided to accumulate dust finer than the dust accumulated in the first dust reservoir 55 independently of the first dust reservoir 55. Both upper and lower ends of the second dust reservoir 72 are opened, and the second dust reservoir 72 is divided into a plurality of regions by a plurality of support ribs 73. The support rib 73 supports the filter 80 from below.
[0045]
The lower end opening of the second dust reservoir 72 is arranged at the lower end opening of the first dust reservoir 55 and closed by the bottom plate 57 that opens and closes the first dust reservoir 55. Therefore, by opening one bottom plate 57, the dust accumulated in the first and second dust accumulation portions 55 and 72 can be discarded at the same time, which is convenient. By closing the lower end opening of the second dust reservoir 72 with the bottom plate 57, the second dust reservoir 72 is formed in a concave shape such that an airflow passes through and the influence of the turbulent flow hardly affects the dust reservoir 72. In particular, a dead end structure is obtained.
[0046]
An annular seal member 74 (see FIG. 4) is fixed to the inner surface of the bottom plate 57, thereby simultaneously sealing the lower ends of the dust reservoirs 55 and 72 with the bottom plate 57 closed. Note that the entire lower end of the upright wall 60 that partitions the second dust reservoir 72 and the first dust reservoir 55 adjacent thereto comes into contact with the inner surface of the closed bottom plate 57.
[0047]
The fitting depth of the filter 80 into the opening 51 of the container case body 53 depends on the regulating means provided on the container case body 53, for example, the stepped portion 53A formed on the ceiling portion of the container case body 53 as shown in FIG. The filter 80 is regulated by a corner 53B formed by the wall 60 and the rib 73, so that the filter 80 is mounted upright, preferably at an angle close to vertical, for example.
[0048]
The upper portion of the filter 80 attached to the container case body 53 faces the negative pressure chamber 56, and the lower portion is close to and opposed to the upright wall 60. As a result, a gap G is formed between the lower part of the filter 80 and the upright wall 60, which is much narrower than the upper negative pressure chamber part 56 and has a smaller air passage cross-sectional area. The lower end of the gap G communicates with the second dust reservoir 72 located below the gap G.
[0049]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, the filter 80 includes a filter frame 81 and a filter element 82 mounted so as to cover the entire inside of the frame 81. The filter element 82 has a filter material in the form of a mat. In the present embodiment, in particular, a pleated filter element subjected to pleating in order to expand the filtration area is used. The mesh of the filter element 82 is finer than the meshes of the filters F1 and F2 at the preceding stage.
[0050]
An element support 85 having alternately closed portions 83 and cutout portions 84 functioning as dust discharge portions, and a lower lower frame portion 86 are provided below the filter frame 81 that supports the filter element 82 from four sides. Is provided. The closing portions 83 and the cutout portions 84 are alternately formed at a predetermined pitch in correspondence with the pleats of the filter element 82, and the cutout portions 84 are formed open to the front side (upstream side) of the filter frame 81. ing. The lower frame portion 86 has a slanted portion 86a that is integrally connected to the rear edge of the element support 85 and protrudes obliquely downward on the front side.
[0051]
In FIG. 12, the lower ends of the vertically extending grooves 82 a on the back surface of the filter element 82 pointing to the front side are all placed on the closing portion 83 and closed by the closing portion 83. As a result, it is possible to prevent a ventilation path extending over the front and back surfaces of the filter element 82 from being formed below the filter frame 81. Further, an oblique portion 86a is opposed to a lower portion of a lower end of a vertically extending groove 82b on the surface of the filter element 82 pointing rearward in FIG. The space between the element support 85 and the inclined portion 86a is communicated with a groove 82b extending vertically above the surface of the filter element 82 above the space, and is also communicated with the second dust reservoir 72 below. . Therefore, the dust that has fallen from the surface of the filter element 82 bypasses the inclined portion 86a and is stored in the lower second dust storage portion 72.
[0052]
Next, the operation of the vacuum cleaner 10 configured as described above will be described.
[0053]
After the dust collection container 50 is placed on the placement portion 35 of the main body case 30 as shown in FIG. 3A, the lid 40 is closed as shown in FIG. 2, and then the dust suction hose as shown in FIG. 21 is connected to the suction port 43 of the lid 40. A suction port 24 is already connected to the dust suction hose 21 via an extension pipe 23.
[0054]
In this state, since the electric blower 33 is not operated, the airflow control valve 92 hooks the tip of the projecting protrusion 97 on the restraining portion 93a of the valve receiver 93, and is almost vertically inside the connection pipe 44. He is restrained to a standing posture at an angle.
[0055]
In this restrained state, the operation switch 22B of the hand operation unit 22A is operated to drive the electric blower 33. Thereby, the negative pressure chamber 56 of the container case body 53 has a negative pressure through the opening 34 </ b> A of the electric unit 34. This negative pressure is applied to the separation opening 64 of the air passage forming body 62, the separation air passage 62 a of the air passage forming body 62, the intake inlet 52 of the container case 53, the connection pipe 44 of the lid 40, the dust suction hose 21, and the extension pipe 23. , And the suction port 24, so that dust is sucked from the suction port 24 together with air.
[0056]
The sucked dust and air are sucked into the suction port 43 of the lid 40 via the extension pipe 23 and the dust suction hose 21. The dust and air sucked into the suction port 43 pass through the air inlet 52 of the dust collection container 50 and are sucked into the air passage 62 a of the air passage forming body 62 of the first dust separation unit 61.
[0057]
Part of the air sucked into the air passage 62a is sucked into the negative pressure chamber 56 of the container case body 53 through the first filter F2 of the separation opening 64 of the air path forming body 62, The air is sucked into the air inlet 33A of the electric blower 33 through the filter 80 attached to the opening 51.
[0058]
In this case, the airflow control valve 92 constrained at the closed position is pushed by the airflow passing through the inflow air passage 44a. The negative pressure in the air passage 62a is small. Accordingly, the force of the airflow pushing the airflow control valve 92 is also small, so that the airflow control valve 92 is kept in the closed position by the engagement of the projecting protrusion 97 with the valve receiver 93.
[0059]
However, as the negative pressure of the separation air passage 62a gradually increases, the flexible deformable portion 99 and the strut convex portion 97 become largely elastically deformed. When the negative pressure reaches a certain value, the strut convex portion 97 becomes large. Is released from the valve receiver 93, and the restraint is released. Therefore, the airflow control valve 92 is rapidly rotated upward about the self-hinge portion 95 as a fulcrum, and opens the inflow air passage 44a at a stretch. After this stage, until the operation of the electric blower 33 is stopped, the airflow control valve 92 is held at the open position by the force of the airflow flowing from the inflow airflow passage 44a to the separation airflow passage 62a.
[0060]
In this manner, air is normally sucked, but dust having a predetermined mass or more sucked into the separation air passage 62a extending linearly in the front-rear direction of the cleaner body 20 rapidly changes its direction due to its inertia. And cannot pass through the separation opening 64. For this reason, the heavy dust is separated from the air passing through the separation opening 64, goes straight through the separation air passage 62 a, collides with the wind contact wall 63 B of the guide 63, and the first dust along the guide 63. It is introduced into the reservoir 55.
[0061]
At the same time, a part of the air is introduced into the first dust reservoir 55 through the guide 63 in the same manner as the heavy dust. The air thus introduced becomes a downward swirling flow that rotates along the inner peripheral surface of the first dust reservoir 55 by the guide wall 55G. Therefore, the dust introduced into the first dust reservoir 55 is accumulated while being compressed along the lower inner peripheral surface of the first dust reservoir 55 by the swirling flow. Then, the air that has been introduced into the first dust reservoir 55 and turned into a swirling flow rises and reverses at the central portion in the first dust reservoir 55, and the ventilation opening of the ceiling wall 58 of the first dust reservoir 55. It is sucked into the negative pressure chamber 56 of the container case body 53 through 59.
[0062]
On the other hand, the light dust passes through the filter F2 of the separation opening 64 by the negative pressure of the intake air of the electric blower 33 without going straight through the separation air passage 62a in the air passage forming body 62 of the first dust separation part 61. , And flows to the negative pressure chamber 56, so that it is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the filter F2.
[0063]
As described above, in the first dust separation unit 61, dust having a large mass such as coarse dust goes straight without rotating the dust-containing air and reversing the traveling direction of the swirling flow without centrifuging the dust and air. Since the dust is separated from the air by using the inertia force to be obtained, the wind path loss in the first dust separation unit 61 is small. In addition, the intake port 52, the separation air path 62a, the opening 51 of the container case body 53, and the intake port 33A of the electric blower 33 are located at substantially the same height position and are sequentially arranged in the front-rear direction. When air is sucked from the separation air passage 62a through the filter F2 into the negative pressure chamber 56 of the container case body 53, the main flow of the air is large as shown by the arrow Q in FIG. It does not change, flows almost linearly at almost the same height position, and is sucked into the electric blower 33.
[0064]
Thereby, the air path loss is further reduced, and the function of the electric blower 33 can be sufficiently exhibited. Furthermore, since the connection pipe 44 of the lid 40 and the cylindrical air path forming body 62 are arranged in a straight line, the direction of air introduced toward the air inlet 52 of the container case body 53 and the air path forming Since the direction in which the body 62 extends is substantially linear, the air path loss can be further reduced.
[0065]
Since the air in the negative pressure chamber 56 passes through the filter 80 and is sucked into the electric blower 33, fine dust passing through the filters F1 and F2 can be captured by the filter 80, and the air thus cleaned becomes clean. Can be sucked by the electric blower 33. As described above, the first dust separation unit 61 is provided on the upstream side of the filter 80 forming the second dust separation unit, and coarse dust and the like are separated in advance by the first dust separation unit 61. Large dust does not adhere to the filter 80 and does not hinder its function.
[0066]
Most of the dust mainly captured by the filter 80 on its upstream surface falls under its own weight as the operation of the electric blower 33 is stopped. This dust slides down the inclined portion 86 a of the lower frame portion 86 of the filter frame 81 and is stored in the second dust storage portion 72 provided below and opposed to the lower frame portion 86. Since the wind does not blow out every time the operation of the electric blower 33 is restarted, such as when the vacuum cleaner 10 is used next time, the second dust reservoir 72 is provided with the fine dust accumulated in the second dust reservoir 72. It is possible to effectively prevent the soot from rising and re-adhering to the upstream surface of the filter element 82.
[0067]
For this reason, the performance of actually sucking the dust-containing air into the suction port 43 by the suction force of the electric blower 33 is unlikely to decrease, so that the cleaning performance can be improved, and the filter element 82 is washed with water for regeneration, or The interval of maintenance required by the user, such as replacement with a new filter 80, in other words, the continuous usable period of the filter 80 can be lengthened.
[0068]
With the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 described above, dust adheres to the inner peripheral surface of the filter F2 of the first dust separation unit 61 as described above. When the clogging of the filter F2 increases due to the adhesion of such light dust, the air volume passing through the filter F2 decreases.
[0069]
However, the negative pressure in the negative pressure chamber 56 increases by the reduced amount, and the negative pressure in the first dust reservoir 55 also increases through the ventilation opening 59 in the ceiling wall 58. This increases the wind speed and air volume of the air traveling straight through the separation air passage 62a, so that the air traveling straight can easily remove dust adhering to the filter F2. At this time, since the diameter of the cylindrical air path forming body 62 gradually decreases from the upstream opening 62A to the downstream opening 62B, the wind that goes straight through the separation air path 62a can be applied to the entire surface of the filter F2. , And flows while being brought to the center of the separation air passage 62a. Therefore, dust adhering to the inner surface of the filter F2 can be more easily peeled off. The dust thus stripped off is introduced into the first dust reservoir 55 through the guide 63 in the same manner as the dust having a large mass, and is centrifugally separated from the air in the dust reservoir 55 to be accumulated.
[0070]
As described above, even if the amount of air passing through the filter F2 decreases due to clogging, the amount of air flowing straight through the separation air passage 62a increases, so that the amount of air sucked by the electric blower 33 is kept substantially constant. For this reason, it is possible to always suck dust with a predetermined suction force regardless of clogging of the filter F2.
[0071]
However, since the dust removal on the inner surface of the filter F2 is not complete, when the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 is stopped or stopped, dust or the like is attached to the filter F2.
[0072]
By the way, every time the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is started (including restart after interruption) as described above, the airflow control valve 92 immediately opens the inflow air passage 44a at once. At this stage, since the negative pressure in the separation air passage 62a of the air passage formation plate 62 is large enough to perform normal cleaning, a large amount of air rushes into the separation air passage 62a at once. Thus, the entire inside of the separation air passage 62a is in a turbulent state. By such an airflow behavior, dust adhering to the inner surface of the filter F2 can be removed. In this case, since the dust adhering to the inner surface of the filter F2 is often in the form of a film, it can be removed by peeling off the dust. Then, since the removed film-shaped dust has a large mass, it is stored in the first dust receiving portion 55 by the above-described inertia separating action.
[0073]
Further, in the present embodiment, before the above-described automatic dust removal, the airflow control valve 92 in the closed position is moved between the side edge 92a and the inner peripheral surface of the connection pipe 44 by a predetermined flow rate. The inflow air passage 44a is narrowed by forming a gap g for securing a road cross-sectional area. For this reason, until the airflow control valve 92 is opened at once as described above, the airflow passes through the gap g, and this airflow becomes a high-speed jet flow and flows axially through the center of the separation air passage 62a. . As a result, a part of the jet flow reaching the first separation portion 55 on the downstream side of the separation air passage 62a is reflected, and flows back to the space between the jet flow at the center of the separation air passage 62a and the filter F2, This space is in a turbulent state. The dust attached to the inner surface of the filter F2 can also be removed by such an airflow behavior.
[0074]
As described above, in the present embodiment, every time the operation of the electric blower 33 is started, the dust attached to the inner surface of the filter F2 is changed to dust attached to the inner surface of the filter F2. It is possible to perform dust removal in the second stage due to the full opening of the valve 92. Therefore, dust adhering to the inner surface of the filter F2 can be removed without requiring any trouble such as removing the first separating portion 61 provided with the filter F2.
[0075]
The present invention is not limited to the one embodiment. For example, the valve plate portion 96 may be shaped so as not to form the gap g for producing the jet flow. The airflow control means 91 using a rubber airflow control valve 92 is excellent in that its configuration is simple and can be easily made by integral molding. It is also possible to configure the airflow control means 91 with an airflow control valve. Further, it is preferable to provide the airflow control means 91 immediately before the dust separating portion 61, since a sudden change in the behavior of the airflow can be quickly and surely given to the separation airflow passage 62a of the airflow path forming body 62. When the negative pressure until the valve is fully opened is designed to be sufficiently large and the energy of the airflow is not greatly attenuated, it may be provided at one end or the other end of the dust suction hose. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the airflow control valve is automatically returned to the closed position by its own elastic force, which is advantageous in that the configuration is simple. Providing a biasing means such as a biasing spring does not hinder, and therefore, the mounting direction of the airflow control valve is not limited to the one embodiment.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the air path loss as compared with the one performing the cyclone separation, and it is possible to easily suppress the clogging of the filter included in the dust separation unit, and to reduce the air volume. Thus, it is possible to provide a vacuum cleaner that can easily suppress the occurrence of the vacuum.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a partially sectioned main body of the vacuum cleaner of the electric vacuum cleaner in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3A is a side view showing the cleaner body of FIG. 2 with a lid opened.
FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the cleaner body of FIG. 2 in a state where a lid is opened and a dust collection container is removed.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a filter for fine dust is attached to a dust collection container provided in the electric vacuum cleaner in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the dust collection container of FIG. 4 with a part cut away.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dust collection container of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a front view showing around a connection pipe provided in the dust container of FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the dust container of FIG. 4 as viewed from the rear side.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the dust container of FIG. 4;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a lower portion of the dust container of FIG. 4 as viewed from the rear side.
FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing the dust container of FIG. 4;
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of a fine dust filter attached to the dust collecting container of FIG. 4;
[Explanation of symbols]
10 vacuum cleaner 20 vacuum cleaner body 33 electric blower 33A intake port 43 suction port 44 connection pipe (airway wall)
44a: Inflow air passage 50: Dust collection container (dust cup)
55: dust reservoir 56: negative pressure chamber (negative pressure space)
Reference numeral 61 denotes a dust separating portion 62. An air passage forming member 62a. A separating air passage 62A. One end opening 62B of the air passage forming member. Another end opening F2 of the air passage forming member. Filter 63. Guide portion 63A. Abutting wall portion 64 separation opening 72 second dust reservoir 91 air flow control means 92 air flow control valve (air flow control means)
92a: Side edge of the airflow control valve g: Gap 93: Valve receiver (airflow control means)
93a: restraining portion 93b: restraining surface 93c: guide slope 94: mounting end portion 95: self-hinge portion 96: valve plate portion 97: projecting protrusion 98: slit 99: flexible deformation portion

Claims (4)

A vacuum cleaner body having a suction port and an electric blower attached thereto,
An air path forming body provided in an air path from the suction port to the air suction port of the electric blower, one end opening communicating with the suction port, and a separation opening provided between the one end opening and the other end opening; And a dust separation unit that includes a filter attached to the airflow path forming body so as to cover the separation opening, and separates air and dust flowing through the airflow path forming body,
A dust storage unit provided in communication with the other end opening of the dust separation unit and configured to store dust separated by the dust separation unit;
Airflow control means provided in the airflow path of air to the dust separation unit, for controlling the airflow in the airflow path forming body to remove dust attached to the filter,
Vacuum cleaner comprising: An airflow control valve that opens and closes the inflow airflow path, and a valve receiver that restrains the airflow control valve in a state in which the inflow airflow path is closed until the airflow path forming body reaches a predetermined negative pressure. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising: The air flow control valve is made of a rubber plate, and the air flow control valve is provided in the inflow air passage so as to rotate around one end thereof, and the air flow control valve is provided at the other end. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, further comprising a projecting protrusion protruding downstream, wherein the valve receiver is provided on the downstream side of the airflow control valve so as to be detachable from a tip of the projecting protrusion. . The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the airflow control valve has both side edges that are not in contact with an airflow path wall that defines the inflow airflow path.

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