JP2005279505A - Filter and vacuum cleaner using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner which maintains strong sucking force for a long period of time and reduces a load on the maintenance of a dust-collecting filter which is a dust-collecting means. <P>SOLUTION: The vacuum cleaner is provided with a filter part 5 which collects dust sucked by a motor-driven blower 2 and a dust-removing means 12 which removes the dust sticking to the filter part 5. In this case, a porous membrane 26 comprising polytetrafluoroethylene is arranged on the air-intake upstream side of the filter part 5. The dust is collected on the surface of the microporous membrane comprising polytetrafluoroethylene. The polytetrafluoroethylene very easily releases the dust, and consequently the stuck dust can almost sufficiently be removed only by giving oscillation to the filter by using a dust-proofing means, and the sucking force can be maintained for a long period of time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a filter with good dust removal and a vacuum cleaner capable of maintaining good suction performance for a long time.

  Generally, a vacuum cleaner collects dust that has been absorbed by a dust collecting filter provided in the dust collecting part and deposits it on the dust collecting part. The dust attached to the dust collecting filter is manually removed. The device was configured to remove dust.

An example of a filter used in such a vacuum cleaner is a polytetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter referred to as PTFE) porous membrane sandwiched with a breathable support member made of a nonwoven fabric (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
JP 2002-273126 A

  However, in the above-mentioned filter, the dust deposited on the breathable support member on the surface side of the PTFE porous membrane is poorly peeled, the ventilation pressure loss becomes high in a short time, and the user cleans using a brush or the like. Or it was necessary to clean by washing with water.

  Further, when the filter portion of the filter is formed in a pleat shape, it is necessary to clean each folded surface of the filter, and there is a problem that cleaning work, that is, maintenance is very troublesome. Furthermore, at the innermost part of the pleated valley, it is difficult to reach the cleaning brush, etc., and it is difficult to remove the adhering dust sufficiently, and dust accumulates on the surface of the dust collecting filter and becomes clogged. There was a problem that the airflow pressure loss increased at an early stage and the suction performance of the vacuum cleaner deteriorated.

  The present invention solves the above problems, and provides a filter that can maintain good dust separation and air permeability over a long period of time and at the same time reduce maintenance such as cleaning with water, and a vacuum cleaner that maintains good suction performance over a long period of time. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the present invention provides a porous film made of polytetrafluoroethylene on the suction upstream side surface of a base material, the base material and the porous film are pleated, and the pleated shape It has a filter configuration in which the crest on the porous membrane side is covered with resin. By arranging a porous membrane made of polytetrafluoroethylene on the intake upstream side of the filter part, dust is very fine made of polytetrafluoroethylene. Because it is collected on the surface of a porous membrane and the dust separation of this polytetrafluoroethylene is very good, it is possible to remove the attached dust to a satisfactory level by simply applying vibration to the filter using dust removal means. It is possible to maintain the suction force for a long time. In addition, since the peak portion that is most likely to be rubbed and damaged when the user cleans using a brush or the like is covered with a resin, the porous membrane made of polytetrafluoroethylene can be protected, Good collection performance can be maintained over a long period of time and dust removal performance can be maintained well.

  According to the present invention, good dust separation can be maintained over a long period of time, air permeability can be maintained well, and maintenance such as washing with water can be easily maintained and a strong suction force can be maintained over a long period of time. It is possible to provide a vacuum cleaner that can be operated.

  1st invention arrange | positions the porous film which consists of polytetrafluoroethylene in the inhalation | air_intake upstream side surface of a base material, makes the said base material and the said porous film into a pleat shape, and the peak part by the side of the said pleat-shaped porous membrane The filter structure is covered with resin, and by placing a porous film made of polytetrafluoroethylene on the intake upstream side of the filter part, dust is collected on the surface of a very fine porous film made of polytetrafluoroethylene. Since the collected tetratetrafluoroethylene has very good dust separation, it is possible to remove the adhering dust to a satisfactory level just by applying vibration to the filter using dust removing means. It is possible to maintain power. In addition, since the peak portion that is most likely to be rubbed and damaged when the user cleans using a brush or the like is covered with a resin, the porous membrane made of polytetrafluoroethylene can be protected, Good collection performance can be maintained over a long period of time, and dust removal performance can be maintained well.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention described above, the surface area of the filter portion is reduced by suppressing the width and height of the resin covering the peak portion on the pleated porous membrane side to 0.5 mm to 3 mm. The porous membrane made of polytetrafluoroethylene can be protected from damage due to rubbing without suppressing the air pressure loss of the filter.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a porous film made of polytetrafluoroethylene is disposed on the intake upstream side surface of the base material, the base material and the porous film are formed in a pleated shape, and a flat portion is formed in the valley portion of the pleated shape. The filter configuration provided is such that the depth of the pleated trough is shallow and dust is not deeply pressed, and dust attached to the back of the trough can be easily removed simply by applying vibration to the filter. As a result, the dust removal effect is enhanced and the suction force can be maintained. Further, since the depth of the valley portion becomes shallow, it becomes easy for a brush or the like to reach, and it is possible to sufficiently remove the attached dust.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, a flat portion of at least 2 mm or more is provided in the pleated valley portion, and the same effect as the third aspect can be expected.

  The fifth invention is the above-described third and fourth inventions, wherein a flat portion is provided with resin at the valley portion of the pleat shape, and suction air does not pass through the valley portion, so that dust is behind the valley portion. It is not pressed deeply and the dust removal performance is improved by that amount, the flat part can be easily formed, and the strength of the filter itself can be improved. For example, by hitting this part with dust removing means Filter damage due to dust removal can be prevented, and the life can be improved.

  In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the base material provided on the intake downstream side of the porous membrane is a nonwoven fabric, and the strength of the filter itself can be improved.

  The seventh aspect of the invention is a vacuum cleaner that uses the filter according to any of the first to sixth aspects of the invention as a filter that collects the dust sucked by the electric blower, thereby maintaining a strong suction force over a long period of time. The vacuum cleaner which can reduce the maintenance of the dust collection filter which is dust collection means can be provided.

  In an eighth aspect based on the seventh aspect, the filter is inclined forward so that the upper part is positioned on the intake upstream side from the lower part, so that the dust adhering to the filter part is easily peeled off and peeled off. Since dust falls forward, there is no reattachment to the filter, the dust removal effect is enhanced, and the suction force can be maintained.

  According to a ninth invention, in the seventh and eighth inventions, since the dust removal means for removing dust adhering to the filter is provided, the polytetrafluoroethylene film is very well separated. It is possible to remove the adhering dust to a level that can be substantially satisfied by simply applying vibration to the nozzle, and it is possible to maintain the suction force for a long time.

  According to a tenth aspect of the ninth aspect of the invention, the dust removing means is configured to remove the dust by striking the side opposite to the porous membrane of the filter, so that the dust adhering to the filter part peels off and falls forward, Dust removal effect is enhanced without reattachment to the filter. In addition, since the side opposite to the porous membrane of the filter is struck by the dust removing means, dust is removed, so that the porous membrane made of polytetrafluoroethylene is not damaged by dust removal by the dust removing means, and good collection over a long period of time. The performance can be maintained and the dust removal performance can be maintained well.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 1 of the vacuum cleaner has an electric blower 2 that emits suction air and a detachable dust collector 3, and the dust collector 3 collects the sucked dust. The filter unit 5 is a dust collecting unit, and the dust accumulation unit 4 accumulates dust. Reference numeral 6 denotes dust removing means for removing dust collected and adhered by the filter unit 5, and 7 is a cord reel for storing a power cord. Reference numeral 8 denotes a suction tool for sucking dust, which is attached to the extension pipe 9, and the extension pipe 9 is connected to the main body 1 via a handle portion 10 and a hose 11.

  Dust and suction air sucked from the suction tool 8 are conveyed to the dust collecting part 3 of the main body 1 through the extension tube 9, the handle part 10, and the hose 11 and collected by the filter part 5. And this dust gradually accumulates, causing the filter unit 5 to be clogged, and the suction air volume will be reduced, but because the dust removal means 6 operates by detecting the regular or clogged state of the dust, The dust adhering to the filter unit 5 is efficiently removed and cleaned by vibration, impact, scraping or wiping means, and the dust removed and cleaned is accumulated in the dust accumulation unit 4. As a result, the suction air volume is recovered and the initial suction force is secured.

  As shown in FIG. 2, this vacuum cleaner is provided with a coarse net 14 on the intake upstream side of the filter unit 5, and the dust sucked into the dust collecting unit 3 is first separated by the coarse net 14. The dust collected and separated and collected is accumulated in the dust accumulation unit 4. The dust removing means 12 is provided on the downstream side of the intake side of the filter unit 5 and substantially at the upper part thereof. When the clogged state of the filter unit 5 is detected regularly or when the filter unit 5 is clogged, the dust removing unit 12 detects the filter unit 5 or the coarse net 14. Operates to clean the filter surface. Since the coarse net 14 is provided on the upstream side of the intake air of the filter unit 5, the coarse dust falls into the dust accumulation unit 4 and the fine dust falls into the fine dust chamber 13. That is, when the dust attached to the filter unit 5 is removed by the dust removing means 12, the dust removed from the surface where the suction air does not pass through the dust removing means 12, that is, from the intake downstream side surface, The dust removed by the dust removing means 12 can be easily removed from the surface through which the suction air does not pass, and the dust removing effect of the filter unit 5 can be enhanced.

  Further, since the dust removing means 12 is provided on the downstream side of the intake side of the filter unit 5 and substantially above the dust part, even if the dust removed is separated from the filter part 5, it does not fall on the dust removing means 12, and dust removal Since the influence of dust on the means 12 does not occur, the reliability is improved.

  Further, the dust removing means 12 and the filter unit 5 are joined by a connecting body A15 connected to the dust removing means 12 and a connecting body B 16 that vibrates by hitting the filter part 5 or the like. Is removed from the main body 1 and attached to the main body 1 again, the connecting body A15 and the connecting body B16 are connected. The air tightness of the dust collecting part 3 is performed on the outer peripheral surface of the connected body, and the tight surfaces of the vacuum cleaner main body 1 and the dust collecting part 3 are provided with a taper angle. Even if only the dust collection unit 3 is subjected to maintenance such as washing with water, the dust removing means 12 is not affected and a highly reliable configuration can be realized.

  The operation of the dust removing means 12 and the electric blower 2 is controlled by the control means 17. That is, the control means 17 operates / stops the dust removal means 12 and the electric blower 2 by operating the operation means 18 and operates the dust removal means 12 for a predetermined time during the start or stop of the operation of the electric blower 2 or during the operation. It is configured to do.

  FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the dust removing means 12, and the dust removing means 12 has a certain space in the magnetic path of the iron core part 19, the coil part 20 as an electric drive source, and the iron core part 19. The magnet 21 is integrally formed with a coupling body A15 that is a vibration transmission body, and the coupling body A15 is supported by a spring body 22 that is an elastic body, and is supported so as to be operable. Has been. When a commercial power supply or a DC pulse power supply is energized to the coil part 20, a magnetic field is generated in the iron core part 19, whereby a magnetic force acts on the magnet 21, and the coupling body A15 vibrates in the vertical direction. The vibration component is transmitted to the filter unit 5 via the connecting body B16, and the filter unit 5 is vibrated in the vertical direction, so that the dust adhered to the filter unit 5 is separated.

  FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the dust removing means 12. The dust removing means 12 is composed of a solenoid coil portion 23 that is an electric drive source, a shaft 24 that is a moving body, and a spring body 25 that is an elastic body. The connecting body A15 which is configured and connected to the tip of the shaft 24 is connected via a spring body 25. When the solenoid coil unit 23 is energized with a commercial power supply or a DC pulse power supply, the shaft 24 vibrates in the front-rear direction. The vibration component is transmitted to the filter unit 5 via the spring body 25, the coupling body A15, and the coupling body B16, and the filter unit 5 is vibrated in the front-rear direction, so that dust attached to the filter unit 5 is separated. It works.

  And the excitation part 16a of the coupling body B16 which vibrates the said filter part 5 is provided in the intake downstream of the filter part 5, and this excitation part 16a is comprised so that the filter part 5 may be hit.

  In the above description, the case where the dust removing means 12 is operated by an electric drive source has been described as an example. However, the dust removing means 12 is mechanically interlocked with the cord reel that houses the power cord 7 and is manually operated. Needless to say, the same effect can be obtained even when the power source 7 is operated using the force for pulling out the power cord 7 as a drive source.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration of the filter unit 5. The filter unit 5 is composed of a plurality of layers, and a polytetrafluoroethylene porous film 26 is provided on the front surface layer portion on the intake upstream side of the filter unit 5. In the second layer, a single material such as polyester, rayon, polypropylene, or the like, or a non-woven fabric 27 that is a mixture of these materials is arranged, and the polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane 26 and the non-woven fabric 27 are formed into a pleated shape. The crest portion on the side of the polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane 26 is covered with a resin 28. And since dust is collected on the surface of the very fine polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane 26 and the polytetrafluoroethylene is very well separated, the filter unit 5 is vibrated using the dust removing means 12. Dust that has adhered to it can be removed and cleaned by simply applying it to maintain the suction force.

  At that time, the polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane 26 is weak and fragile, so that it is damaged when an external force is directly applied. In this embodiment, however, the exciting portion 16a of the connector B16 is located on the intake downstream side, that is, the polytetrafluoroethylene. Since the side opposite to the ethylene porous membrane 26 is hit, the polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane 26 is not damaged, such as peeling off, and exhibits its function over a long period of time.

  In addition, when the user cleans the polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane 26 side with a cleaning brush or the like, the peak portion that is most likely to be rubbed and damaged is covered with resin. The material film 26 can be protected, good collection performance can be maintained over a long period of time, and dust removal performance can be maintained well.

  Further, by suppressing the width a29 and height b30 of the resin covering the peak portion on the pleat-shaped polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane 26 side as small as 0.5 mm to 3 mm, the surface area of the filter part 5 is suppressed, and the filter The polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane 26 can be protected from damage due to rubbing without increasing the ventilation pressure loss of the portion 5.

  Moreover, the nonwoven fabric 27 used as a base material is provided in the lower layer on the downstream side of the intake air, and the material of the nonwoven fabric 27 is made of polyester fiber, polypropylene fiber, or the like, so that the rigidity and strength of the filter unit 5 are improved and suction pressure is applied. In addition, deformation such as undulation of the filter unit 5 is suppressed, dust separation on the surface of the filter unit 5 when vibration is applied increases, the dust removal effect is improved, and the suction force can be maintained.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 shows another example of the filter unit 5. In the filter unit 5 of this embodiment, the filter unit 5 has a pleated shape, and the dimension between the peak portions is at least 2 mm in the valley portion of the filter unit 5. 2/3, preferably 1/2 or less flat portion c31 is provided.

  As a result, the depth of the trough is shallow and the dust is not deeply pressed, and the dust collection performance and dust removal performance described so far can be obtained. Further, the depth of the valley portion becomes shallow, and a cleaning brush or the like can be easily reached, so that the attached dust can be sufficiently removed.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 7 shows another example of the filter unit 5, and the filter unit 5 of this embodiment has a configuration in which a resin flat surface part d <b> 32 is provided in a valley portion of the filter unit 5.

  By adopting such a configuration, the suction air does not pass through the troughs, so that the dust is not pressed deeply into the back of the troughs, the dust removal performance is improved correspondingly, and the flat part can be easily formed. In addition, the strength of the filter itself can be improved. For example, the filter can be prevented from being damaged by removing dust by hitting this portion with dust removing means, and the life can be improved. Moreover, the dust collection performance and dust removal performance described so far can be obtained. And since the depth of a trough becomes shallow, it becomes easy to reach the brush for cleaning etc. like the above, and it becomes possible to fully remove the adhering dust. Similarly to the plane portion of the third embodiment, the plane portion in this embodiment is 2 mm or more and 2/3, preferably 1/2 or less, of the dimension between the peak portions.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the dust on the filter can be easily peeled off, maintenance can be reduced by greatly increasing the dust removing effect of the dust removing means, and the strong suction force can be maintained. It is particularly useful to maintain the vacuuming performance of the vacuum cleaner.

External view of the vacuum cleaner which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention Side sectional view of the dust collector Side sectional view of the dust removal means Side sectional view of other dust removal means (A) Front view of filter in the first embodiment (b) AA sectional view (c) Enlarged sectional view (A) Front view of filter in the second embodiment (b) BB sectional view (A) Front view of filter in the third embodiment (b) CC sectional view

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Electric blower 3 Dust collection part 4 Dust storage part 5 Filter part 6 Dust removal means 12 Dust removal means 13 Fine dust chamber 14 Coarse net 26 Polytetrafluoroethylene porous film 27 Nonwoven fabric 28 Resin 29 Width a
30 height b
31 plane part c
32 resin flat part d

Claims (10)

A filter in which a porous film made of polytetrafluoroethylene is arranged on the intake upstream side of a base material, the base material and the porous film are made into a pleated shape, and a peak portion on the porous film side of the pleated shape is covered with a resin . The filter according to claim 1, wherein the width and height of the resin covering the peak portion on the pleated porous membrane side is 0.5 mm to 3 mm. A filter in which a porous film made of polytetrafluoroethylene is disposed on the intake upstream side surface of a base material, the base material and the porous film are formed in a pleat shape, and a flat portion is provided in a valley portion of the pleat shape. The filter according to claim 3, wherein a flat portion of at least 2 mm or more is provided in a pleated valley portion. The filter according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a flat portion is provided with a resin in a pleated valley portion. The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the substrate provided on the intake downstream side of the porous membrane is a nonwoven fabric. The vacuum cleaner using the filter of any one of Claims 1-6 as a filter which collects the dust attracted | sucked with the electric blower. 8. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, wherein the filter is tilted forward so that the upper portion thereof is positioned on the upstream side of the intake air from the lower portion. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising dust removing means for removing dust adhering to the filter. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the dust removing means is configured to remove dust by hitting a side surface of the filter opposite to the porous membrane.

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