JP2006141595A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly usable vacuum cleaner preventing the collision of a cleaner body with a user, when the user strongly and quickly moves an operation handle in pulling the cleaner body close. <P>SOLUTION: This vacuum cleaner is provided with a mass part 41 deflecting the left/right directional gravity center of the cleaner body 21 in either of the left or the right direction when the cleaner body 21 advances, and the eccentricity of the mass part 41 is so constituted as to increase more as the cleaner body 21 is strongly pulled. This constitution, even if the user strongly and quickly moves the operation handle 28 when pulling the cleaner body 21 close, the left/right directional gravity center of the cleaner body 21 is deflected in either of the left or the right direction when the cleaner body advances, and the advancing direction of the cleaner body 21 is changed in either of the left or the right direction to automatically avoid the collision with the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner used in a general home.

Conventionally, this type of vacuum cleaner moves the suction tool for floor substantially back and forth along the floor surface while grasping the operation handle provided in the vicinity of the joint between the flexible hose and the extension pipe during the cleaning work. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-5-285072

  However, in the conventional configuration, when the cleaning operation is continued, the distance between the operation handle and the cleaner main body is increased, and the flexible hose is stretched. When the operation handle is pushed forward in this state, the cleaner body is also pulled at the same time, the operation resistance is increased, and the operability is extremely lowered. In order to avoid this, the user moves the operation handle more powerfully and quickly than in a normal cleaning operation, and draws the cleaner body through the flexible hose. When performing this pulling operation, the user often does not keep observing the vacuum cleaner main body or not. If the operating handle is moved strongly and quickly when pulling the vacuum cleaner main body, the main body of the vacuum cleaner goes straight toward the user holding the operating handle. .

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and is easy to use so that the cleaner main body does not collide with the user even when the operation handle is moved strongly and quickly when the cleaner main body is drawn, and the cleaning operation can be performed quickly. It aims at providing the vacuum cleaner which improved the.

  In order to solve the conventional problem, the vacuum cleaner main body has a mass part that decenters the center of gravity in the left-right direction of the vacuum cleaner body in either the left or right direction when the vacuum cleaner body moves forward. The configuration increases as the wire is pulled strongly.

  As a result, even if the operating handle is moved strongly and quickly when pulling the vacuum cleaner main body, when the vacuum cleaner main body moves forward, the horizontal center of gravity of the vacuum cleaner body is decentered in either the left or right direction, and the vacuum cleaner main body is either left or right The direction of travel is changed to the direction of, and collision with the user is automatically avoided.

  The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention can quickly perform the cleaning operation without impairing the cleaning operation because the main body of the vacuum cleaner collides with the user, and the usability can be improved.

  The first invention includes a cleaner body, a flexible hose having one end connected to the cleaner body and the other end connected to an extension pipe, a floor suction tool connected to one end of the extension pipe, A driven wheel for traveling of the cleaner body, and a mass part that decenters the center of gravity of the cleaner body in the left-right direction when the cleaner body moves forward, and the degree of eccentricity of the mass part is The vacuum cleaner is configured to increase as the vacuum cleaner body is pulled strongly. The center of gravity in the left-right direction is decentered in either the left or right direction, and the cleaner main body changes the direction of travel in either the left or right direction to automatically avoid a collision with the user. Therefore, the cleaning work can be quickly performed without impeding the cleaning work by the main body of the cleaner, and the usability can be improved.

  In the second invention, in particular, in the first invention, the mass part is detachable from the main body of the cleaner, so that the mass part is attached at the time of cleaning work in a place having a small frictional resistance with the floor surface such as flooring. On the contrary, when cleaning work in a place where the frictional resistance against the floor surface such as carpet is large, even if the vacuum cleaner body is pulled strongly, the possibility that the vacuum cleaner body will collide with the user is low. By removing, the mass of the vacuum cleaner body can be reduced.

  In a third aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, the mass portion is an electric blower built in the cleaner body, so that the center of gravity in the left-right direction of the cleaner body is eccentric without increasing the mass of the cleaner body. Can be made.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, the mass portion is the entire cleaner body other than the driven wheel, and the driven wheel is included in the frame portion that supports the cleaner body. The mass as the mass part can be maximized without adding the mass part, and as a result, the degree of eccentricity can be increased.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the driven wheel is configured to change the direction of the driven wheel in the eccentric direction of the mass portion in conjunction with the operation of the mass portion. As a result, the traveling direction of the cleaner body can be changed even with a small amount of eccentricity.

  In particular, the sixth invention includes, in any one of the first to fifth inventions, a deterring portion in which the mass portion is eccentric only in one of the left and right directions, and a switching portion that enables the deterring portion. Thus, the traveling direction can always be limited to one of the left and right directions.

  In particular, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the depressing portion in which the mass portion is eccentric only in any one of the left and right directions, the operation handle provided on the extension pipe, and the operation A grip detection unit provided on the handle, wherein the grip detection unit detects whether the operation handle is gripped by either the left or right hand, and automatically controls the operation of the suppression unit according to the detection result As a result, the user can automatically always limit the traveling direction to either the left or right direction by simply holding the operation handle and performing the cleaning work.

  In an eighth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to seventh aspects of the invention, by having an adjustment unit that increases or decreases the degree of eccentricity of the mass unit and an adjustment operation unit that operates the adjustment unit, By operating the adjustment operation unit arbitrarily, the degree of eccentricity can be increased or decreased according to the user's pulling force, frictional resistance with the floor, and the amount of obstacles in the cleaning work environment.

  The ninth invention has a collision detection unit provided on the left and right side surfaces of the cleaner body, particularly in any one of the first to fifth inventions, and the mass of the mass unit according to the detection result of the collision detection unit. By adopting a configuration that changes the degree of eccentricity, the degree of eccentricity in the direction in which collision is likely to occur is reduced, and conversely, the degree of eccentricity in the direction in which collision is difficult to occur is increased. In particular, the cleaner body can be operated without colliding with a user or an obstacle.

  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.

(Embodiment 1)
1 to 3 show a vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaner body 21 includes an electric blower 22 and a dust collection chamber 23. Further, the floor suction tool 24 incorporates a rotating brush (not shown), and a rotating part 26 is provided on the extension pipe 25 side of the floor suction tool 24, and is extended through this rotating part 26. The tube 25 is rotatably connected. The extension pipe 25 and the cleaner body 21 are connected by a flexible hose 27. Further, an operation handle 28 is provided at one end of the extension pipe 25, and an operation switch 29 is disposed in the vicinity of the operation handle 28. In addition, the extension pipe | tube 25 is made into a telescopic type and can adjust length freely according to a user's height.

  In addition, a pair of main driven wheels 31 is provided on the lower side of the cleaner body 21 on the rear side with respect to the traveling direction, and one auxiliary driven wheel 32 is provided on the front side of the driven wheel 31. Reference numeral 32 denotes an outer peripheral end portion of a rotatable pedestal 33.

  Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner main body 21 has various built-in components arranged so that the left and right center of gravity with respect to the traveling direction are on the center line of the vacuum cleaner main body 21. In addition, a metal mass 41 having a spherical shape on the center line inside the cleaner body 21 and on the front side of the driven wheel 31 is built in, so that the guide rail 42 can be moved smoothly.

  Here, the shape of the guide rail 42 will be described in detail. When viewed from above, the guide rail 42 has a V-shape that places the apex portion 43 on the center line of the cleaner body 21, and is arranged so as to extend rearward in the direction of travel of the cleaner body 21. It is said. Further, when viewed from the side, the V-shaped apex portion 43 is low and becomes higher toward the rear side. Further, a cushioning material 45 such as foamed urethane is disposed on each of the V-shaped apex portion 43 and the two rear end portions 44.

  About the vacuum cleaner comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  In order to perform the cleaning work, when the operation handle 28 is held and the operation switch 29 is operated, the electric blower 22 and the rotating brush operate to generate a suction force and suck up the dust on the floor surface. At this time, the floor suction tool 24 is moved substantially back and forth along the floor surface while grasping the operation handle 28, and the dust on the floor surface is gradually sucked.

  If the cleaning operation is continued, the distance between the operation handle 28 and the cleaner body 21 is increased, and the flexible hose 27 is stretched. When the operation handle 28 is pushed forward in this state, the cleaner body 21 is also pulled at the same time, the operation resistance is increased, and the operability is extremely lowered. In order to avoid this, the user moves the operation handle 28 more powerfully and quickly than the normal cleaning operation (arrow C), and pulls the cleaner main body 21 through the flexible hose 27 (arrow D).

  When the operation handle 28 is moved strongly and quickly when the vacuum cleaner body 21 is pulled, kinetic energy is applied to the vacuum cleaner body 21, and the mass portion 41 sitting on the apex portion 43 of the guide rail 42 receives this kinetic energy. Roll toward one of the left and right rear end portions 44 (arrow E, arrow F, mass portion 41a → mass portion 41b). Then, the center of gravity in the left-right direction of the cleaner main body 21 is decentered in either the left or right direction, the cleaner main body 21 changes the traveling direction in either the left or right direction (arrow G), and is used on the original traveling direction straight line. It automatically avoids collisions with people.

  Here, since the guide rail 42 is V-shaped when viewed from the plane, and the apex portion 43 is low and the rear end portion 44 is high when viewed from the side, the mass portion 41 is pulled when the cleaner body 21 is pulled weakly and slowly. Moves only a small amount, and the degree of eccentricity of the cleaner body 21 is small, and the cleaner body 21 hardly changes the direction of travel, but conversely, when pulled strongly and quickly, the mass part 41 moves in a large amount and the degree of eccentricity of the cleaner body 21 As a result, the main body 21 of the vacuum cleaner can greatly change the traveling direction.

  That is, the cleaner body 21 can change the direction of travel as the cleaner body 21 is pulled strongly and quickly to cause a collision with the user.

  Further, since the cushioning material 45 is provided at the apex portion 43 and the rear end portion 44 of the guide rail 42, no noise is generated even if the mass portion 41 collides with the apex portion 43 or the rear end portion 44, and the guide rail 42 is damaged. There is no fear of.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the cleaner main body 21 moves forward, it has the mass portion 41 that decenters the horizontal center of gravity of the cleaner main body 21 in either the left or right direction. By adopting a configuration that increases as the cleaner body 21 is pulled strongly, even if the operating handle 28 is moved strongly and quickly when the cleaner body 21 is pulled, the left and right directions of the cleaner body 21 are advanced when the cleaner body 21 moves forward. The center of gravity is decentered in either the left or right direction, and the cleaner main body 21 changes the traveling direction in either the left or right direction to automatically avoid a collision with the user. Therefore, the cleaning work can be quickly performed without impeding the cleaning work by the cleaner body 21 colliding with the user, and the usability can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the guide rail 42 is provided. However, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the mass portion 41 is interposed via an elastic body 51 such as a small elastic leaf spring. By connecting to the fulcrum 52, the same effect can be obtained. That is, the traveling direction can be changed (arrow G) by moving from the mass portion 41a to the mass portion 41b (arrow H).

  Note that the elastic coefficient of the leaf spring, which is the elastic body 51, can be adjusted so that the width gradually changes from the fulcrum 52 to the mass portion 41. Further, even if the elastic body 51 is a coil spring in addition to the leaf spring, the same effect can be obtained.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, in addition to the structure of the cleaner main body 21, although the mass part 41 was provided, let the mass part 41 be the electric blower 22 incorporated in the cleaner main body 21, and the vacuum cleaner main body 21 of the left-right direction is provided. By decentering the center of gravity in either the left or right direction, the center of gravity in the left-right direction of the cleaner body 21 can be decentered without increasing the mass of the cleaner body 21.

  In addition to the electric blower 22, the mass part 41 can be a circuit part built in the cleaner body 21, a cord reel part in a cord cleaner, or a battery pack part in a rechargeable cleaner. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine these.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 shows a vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Since the configuration other than the mass portion 41 and the guide rail 42 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the mass portion 41 and the guide rail 42 are not built in the cleaner body 21 but are built in the newly provided gravity center eccentric unit 61. The center-of-gravity eccentric unit 61 can be mounted between the vacuum cleaner main body 21 and the flexible hose 27 that were originally separable.

  In other words, the mass unit 41 is configured to be detachable from the cleaner body 21, so that the mass unit 41 remains attached during cleaning work in a place where the frictional resistance with the floor surface such as flooring is small, and on the contrary, the carpet. When cleaning work in a place where the frictional resistance with the floor surface is large, even if the cleaner body 21 is pulled strongly, the possibility that the cleaner body 21 will collide with the user is low. The mass of the cleaner body 21 can be reduced.

  The center-of-gravity eccentric unit 61 can be a compact vacuum cleaner main body 21 by being mounted in the dust collection chamber 23.

(Embodiment 3)
5 (a) and 5 (b) show an electric vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the mass portion 41 is not separately provided, and the cleaner body 21 is placed on the frame portion 71. The frame portion 71 has a driven wheel 31 and a driven wheel 32 arranged in the cleaner body 21, and the flexible hose 27 is also first fixed to the frame portion 71, and a hose connection portion 72 capable of flexible movement is provided. The flexible hose 27 and the cleaner body 21 communicate with each other. The frame portion 71 is provided with a guide rail 42 having a V-shaped planar shape, and a guide pin 73 protruding downward from the cleaner body 21 moves together with the cleaner body 21 on the guide rail 42.

  That is, the mass portion 41 is the entire cleaner body 21 other than the driven wheel 31 and the driven wheel 32, the frame portion 71 that supports the cleaner body 21 is provided, and the frame portion 71 has the driven wheels 31 and 32. Thus, the mass as the mass part can be maximized without adding an additional mass part, and as a result, the degree of eccentricity can be increased.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 6 shows a vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the mass portion 41 is connected to the rotating shaft 82 via the support rod 81, and the support rod 81 is connected to the driven wheel 31 via the first crankshaft 83. The operation is transmitted to the crankshaft 84.

  That is, the driven wheel 31 is linked with the operation of the mass part 41 (arrow I, mass part 41a → mass part 41b), and the direction of the driven wheel 31 changes in the eccentric direction of the mass part 41 (arrow J). As a result, even if the eccentricity is small, the direction of the driven wheel 31 changes and the traveling direction of the cleaner body 21 can be changed.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 7 shows a vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, two plate-like suppression portions 91 are provided in the vicinity of the apex portion 43 of the guide rail 42 with the mass portion 41 interposed therebetween, and the suppression is performed by operating the switching portion 92 protruding from the upper surface of the cleaner body 21. By moving the portion 91, it is possible to switch between the case where only one of the restraining portions 91 protrudes on the guide rail 42 and the case where neither of the restraining portions 91 protrudes.

  In other words, the mass part 41 is decentered only in either the left direction or the right direction (arrow K, mass part 41a → mass part 41b), and the switching part 92 that enables the suppression part 91 is provided. Thus, by operating the switching unit 92 arbitrarily by the user, the traveling direction can always be limited to either the left or right direction (in the present embodiment, the direction of the arrow L).

(Embodiment 6)
8 (a) and 8 (b) show the configuration of the operation handle of the electric vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, left and right grip detection units 101 and 102 with built-in micro switches are provided on the left and right of the operation handle 28, respectively, and if the right hand is gripped, the signal detected by the grip detection unit 102 is transmitted to the cleaner body 21, The switching portion 92 provided with an actuator for automatic operation instead of for manual operation automatically causes the left-side deterrent portion 91 of the mass portion 41 to protrude on the guide rail 42, and the mass portion 41 is only on the right side with respect to the traveling direction. By making it movable, the cleaner main body 21 is also eccentric and moves forward only on the right side. In addition, when it is grasped with the left hand, the operation is reversed.

  That is, the deterring part 91 in which the mass part 41 is eccentric only in either the left direction or the right direction, the operation handle 28 provided on the extension pipe 25, and the grip detection parts 101 and 102 provided on the operation handle 28, By detecting whether the operation handle 28 is grasped by the left or right hand by the grip detection units 101 and 102, and the operation of the suppression unit 91 is automatically controlled according to the detection result, the user can By simply grasping the operation handle 28 and performing a cleaning operation, the traveling direction can be automatically limited to one of the left and right directions. In addition, the function of detecting whether the hand is grasped with either the left hand or the right hand can be used in a manner that is convenient for right-handed and left-handed people.

(Embodiment 7)
FIG. 9 shows a vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, an adjustment portion 111 such as a gear is provided in the vicinity of the apex portion 43 so that the inclination of the guide rail 42 as viewed from the side can be changed, and the adjustment operation portion 112 that protrudes from the upper surface of the cleaner main body 21 is provided. By operation, the inclination of the guide rail 42 can be arbitrarily changed (guide rail 42a → guide rail 42b).

  That is, by having the adjustment unit 111 that increases or decreases the eccentricity of the mass unit 41 and the adjustment operation unit 112 that operates the adjustment unit 111, the user can arbitrarily operate the adjustment operation unit 112 to pull the user. The degree of eccentricity can be increased or decreased according to the force, the frictional resistance with the floor, and the amount of obstacles in the cleaning work environment.

(Embodiment 8)
10 (a) and 10 (b) show an electric vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the collision detection units 121 and 122 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the cleaner body 21, and the collision result is transmitted to the tilt mechanism unit 124 provided near the apex 43 of the guide rail 42 via the transmission shaft 123. introduce. At this time, if an obstacle comes into contact with the left collision detection unit 121, the result is transmitted to the tilt mechanism unit 124 via the transmission shaft 123. In response to the result, the tilt mechanism 124 lowers the right side of the guide rail 42 with respect to the traveling direction of the cleaner body 21 and raises the left side (arrow in FIG. 10B). The tilt mechanism portion 124 has a damper structure including a viscous material, and the tilt amount is slight by one contact, but the tilt is accumulated up to a certain amount. Further, when an obstacle comes into contact with the collision detection unit 122 on the right side, the operation is reversed.

  That is, the collision detection units 121 and 122 provided on the left and right side surfaces of the vacuum cleaner main body 21 and the degree of eccentricity of the mass unit 41 are changed according to the detection results of the collision detection units 121 and 122, so that the collision easily occurs. By reducing the degree of eccentricity in the direction and increasing the degree of eccentricity in the direction that makes it difficult to collide, the user can automatically collide the vacuum cleaner main body 21 with the user or an obstacle just by performing a cleaning operation. It can be operated with difficulty.

  As described above, the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention can quickly perform the cleaning operation without impairing the cleaning operation because the main body of the vacuum cleaner collides with the user, and as a result, the usability can be improved. It is useful as a vacuum cleaner used in general households.

The top view of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention (A) Plan sectional view showing the operation of the mass part in the same vacuum cleaner (b) Side view showing the same part broken (A) Plan sectional view showing operation of another mass part in the same vacuum cleaner (b) Side view showing the same part broken The top view which shows the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 2 of this invention by making a principal part structure into a cross section. (A) The top view of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 3 of this invention (b) The side view The top view which shows the lower surface structure of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 4 of this invention Plan sectional drawing of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 5 of this invention (A) Side view showing the operation handle of the electric vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention (b) Same side cross-sectional view Side view which shows a partially broken electric vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 7 of the present invention (A) Plane sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention (b) Same side sectional view

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Vacuum cleaner main body 22 Electric blower 24 Floor suction tool 25 Extension pipe 27 Flexible hose 28 Operation handle 31, 32 Main and auxiliary driven wheels 41 Mass part 71 Frame part 91 Suppression part 92 Switching part 101, 102 Grip detection part 103 Adjustment unit 104 Adjustment operation unit 121, 122 Collision detection unit

Claims (9)

A vacuum cleaner main body, a flexible hose having one end connected to the vacuum cleaner main body and the other end connected to an extension pipe, a floor suction tool connected to one end of the extension pipe, and the cleaner main body for traveling And a mass part that decenters the center of gravity of the vacuum cleaner body in the left or right direction when the vacuum cleaner body moves forward, and the degree of eccentricity of the mass part is determined by the vacuum cleaner body. A vacuum cleaner configured to increase as it is pulled strongly. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the mass portion is detachable from the vacuum cleaner body. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the mass portion is an electric blower built in the vacuum cleaner body. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the mass portion is the entire vacuum cleaner main body other than the driven wheel, and the driven wheel is provided in a frame portion that supports the vacuum cleaner main body. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the driven wheel is configured to change a direction of the driven wheel in an eccentric direction of the mass portion in conjunction with an operation of the mass portion. The vacuum cleaner of any one of Claims 1-5 provided with the suppression part which a mass part decenters only in any one of the left-right direction, and the switching part which makes the said suppression part effective. A depressing part in which the mass part is eccentric only in one of the left and right directions, an operation handle provided on the extension pipe, and a grip detection part provided on the operation handle. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein it is configured to detect whether the operation handle is grasped by a hand and to automatically control the operation of the suppression unit according to the detection result. The vacuum cleaner of any one of Claims 1-7 which has an adjustment part which increases / decreases the eccentricity degree of a mass part, and an adjustment operation part which operates the said adjustment part. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a collision detection unit provided on the left and right side surfaces of the cleaner body, wherein the degree of eccentricity of the mass unit is changed according to a detection result of the collision detection unit. Electric vacuum cleaner.

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