JP2007075319A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rechargeable vacuum cleaner of which usability is improved without shortening an operable time. <P>SOLUTION: The vacuum cleaner is provided with: a vacuum cleaner main body 6; a chargeable first storage battery 8 which is a cleaning driving source provided to the main body 6; a floor suction tool 7 connected detachably to the main body 6; and a chargeable second storage battery 9 which is a cleaning driving source provided to the floor suction tool 7. Thus, a storage battery is divided into the first and second storage batteries 8 and 9, and the weight of the first storage battery arranged at the main body 6 can be reduced without shortening the operable time. Consequently, cleaning work of a clearance or the top of a shelf performed by detaching the suction tool 7 and lifting the main body 6 becomes easy, and usability of the vacuum cleaner is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a rechargeable electric vacuum cleaner that performs cleaning by holding a vacuum cleaner body with one hand.

Conventionally, various types of electric vacuum cleaners are known. However, in all cases, a storage battery serving as a cleaning drive source is provided in the main body of the vacuum cleaner (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-87180 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, in order to lift the cleaner body and clean the gaps and the shelves, the storage body is equipped with a storage battery, so the weight is large and the usability is poor. In addition, if the amount of storage battery is reduced and the weight is reduced to improve usability, there is a problem that the operable time is shortened.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vacuum cleaner that is improved in usability without reducing the operable time.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is detachable from the main body of the vacuum cleaner, the first rechargeable storage battery which is a cleaning drive source equipped in the main body of the vacuum cleaner, and the main body of the vacuum cleaner. A floor suction tool to be connected, and a rechargeable second storage battery as a cleaning drive source provided in the floor suction tool.

  Thereby, by dividing the storage battery into the first and second storage batteries, the weight of the first storage battery disposed in the cleaner body can be reduced without shortening the operable time. Therefore, it becomes easy to remove the floor suction tool, lift the vacuum cleaner body, and clean the gaps and the shelves, improving usability.

  The vacuum cleaner of the present invention can easily lift the vacuum cleaner main body and clean the gaps and the shelves without reducing the operable time, and can improve usability.

  1st invention is a vacuum cleaner main body, the chargeable 1st storage battery which is the cleaning drive source with which the vacuum cleaner main body was equipped, the floor suction tool detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner main body, and the floor suction By making the vacuum cleaner provided with a rechargeable second storage battery that is a cleaning drive source mounted on the tool, the operation time can be shortened by dividing the storage battery into the first and second storage batteries. Without reducing the weight of the first storage battery arranged in the cleaner body. Therefore, it becomes easy to remove the floor suction tool, lift the vacuum cleaner body, and clean the gaps and the shelves, improving usability.

  According to a second invention, in particular, in the first invention, the floor suction tool enables the floor surface to be cleaned by a single operation of the second storage battery in a non-connected state with the cleaner body. Since it is possible to clean while sitting or cleaning near the hand, usability can be improved.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the first storage battery and the second storage battery can be charged by being connected to the charging device when the cleaner body and the floor suction tool are not connected. As a result, it is possible to charge the storage battery installed on the other side of the vacuum cleaner body and the floor suction tool, so that the time that the vacuum cleaner body can operate is lengthened. Can do.

  In particular, according to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, the second storage battery includes a power management device, and charging to the first storage battery and / or charging from the first storage battery. Because it can be used without leaving the power charged in the first storage battery and the second storage battery, the frequency of connecting the cleaner body to the charging device can be reduced, and the usability is improved. Can be improved.

  According to a fifth invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the second storage battery is constituted by a storage battery of a different type from the first storage battery. For example, the first storage battery is The first storage battery and the second storage battery have a high dust collection performance while reducing the weight of the vacuum cleaner body as a storage battery giving priority to weight energy density and the second storage battery giving priority to high output. Characteristics such as the weight and output of the storage battery can be changed more greatly. For this reason, it becomes possible to use a battery that is more suitable for cleaning work, and the usability can be improved.

  According to a sixth invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fifth inventions, the second storage battery has a larger charge capacity than the first storage battery, so that the weight of the cleaner body is greater. It reduces and improves usability, and the weight of the floor suction tool increases, so the pressing force against the floor surface increases and the dust collection performance can be improved.

  In the seventh invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fifth inventions, the second storage battery has a smaller charge capacity than the first storage battery, so that the size of the floor suction tool is reduced. Makes it easier to clean low places such as under a desk.

  In an eighth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the first storage battery and / or the second storage battery has a battery attachment / detachment device, and changes the type and / or charge capacity of the battery. By making it possible, it becomes possible for the user to select the weight and dust collection capacity in accordance with the situation of the cleaning work, so that the usability can be improved.

  In a ninth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to eighth aspects of the invention, the floor suction tool is configured to be separable into a main floor suction tool and a plurality of sub-floor suction tools. Equipped with a storage battery makes it possible to select the weight and dust collection capacity according to the situation, so that the usability can be improved.

  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 and 2 show a vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the cleaner main body 6 incorporates an electric blower (not shown), and a floor suction tool 7 having a rotating brush or the like is detachably connected to the air inlet 6a. The floor suction tool 5 has a wide configuration so that dust can be collected from a wide range of the floor surface, and is larger than the width of the cleaner body 6. The vacuum cleaner body 6 is equipped with a rechargeable first storage battery 8 as a cleaning drive source, and the floor suction tool 7 has a rechargeable second storage battery 9 as a cleaning drive source. Equipped. An operation handle 6b that can operate the cleaner body 6 with one hand is provided on the opposite side of the cleaner body 6 from the air inlet 6a.

  Here, FIG. 2 (a) shows that the floor suction tool 7 is disconnected from the cleaner body 6, and the cleaner body 6 is put in a gap c narrower than the width of the floor suction tool 7, and dust is collected at the air inlet 6a. It shows the state of sucking in and cleaning. In FIG. 2B, the cleaner body 6 and the floor suction tool 7 are disconnected, and the cleaner body 6 is lifted and cleaned while avoiding the object e placed on the shelf d. It shows the state.

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

  First, when the electric vacuum cleaner is activated, the electric blower in the cleaner main body 6 is operated by obtaining outputs from the first storage battery 8 and the second storage battery 9. As a result, air flows from the floor suction tool 7 to the cleaner main body 6, and dust on the floor surface is collected accordingly.

  Subsequently, when the user wants to clean the gap or the shelf, the user disconnects the cleaner body 6 from the floor suction tool 7. Since the width of the vacuum cleaner body 6 is narrower than the width of the floor suction tool 7, it can be cleaned by entering the gap, and the cleaning on the shelf can be performed while avoiding what is placed on the shelf. . At this time, since only the first storage battery 8, which is a part of the entire storage battery, is disposed in the cleaner body 6, the weight is greater than when both the first storage battery 8 and the second storage battery 9 are disposed. Is small and easy to use.

  Moreover, by removing the connection between the cleaner main body 6 and the floor suction tool 7, the cleaner main body 6 operates using only the first storage battery 8 as a drive source. If the vacuum cleaner body 6 is operated without changing the power consumption so as not to reduce the dust collection performance, the time that the second storage battery 9 can be operated is shortened, but the time for cleaning the gap and the shelf is Since it is shorter than the total cleaning time including the cleaning of the floor surface, it is possible to cover the power with only the first storage battery 8.

  Next, when the cleaning of the gaps and the shelves is completed, the user connects the cleaner body 6 and the floor suction tool 7 again, and cleans the floor surface.

  In the present embodiment, the vacuum cleaner body 6 is configured to operate by simultaneously obtaining outputs from the first storage battery 8 and the second storage battery 9 during normal cleaning work. If it is obtained and consumed, the other storage battery may be used.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 shows a vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the floor suction tool 7 that is detachably connected to the cleaner body 6 includes a rotary brush 10 that is operated by a first storage battery 8 and a second storage battery 9, and An auxiliary dust collection chamber 11 is provided for collecting dust that has been lifted up by the rotary brush 10 together with the dust in the air that has been sucked in. The auxiliary dust collection chamber 11 is disposed on the intake passage 12 for flowing air from the floor suction tool 7 to the cleaner body 6. Further, the connecting portion of the floor suction tool 6 with the cleaner body 6 has a switching valve 13 that operates to naturally close the intake passage 12 when no force is applied. As shown in FIG. 3A, in the state where the floor suction tool 7 is connected to the cleaner body 6, the switching valve 13 is pushed in by the switching pin 14 disposed in the intake port 6 a, and the intake passage 12 is passed through. is open. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the state where the cleaner body 6 and the floor suction tool 7 are disconnected and the cleaner body 6 is connected to the charging stand 16a which is the charging device 16, the switching valve Since 13 is not pushed in by the switching pin 14, the intake passage 12 is closed.

  Here, a lithium ion battery is used for the first storage battery 8, and a nickel hydride battery is used for the second storage battery 9. The first storage battery 8 and the second storage battery 9 are composed of the vacuum cleaner body 6. Are connected through a power management device 15a disposed in the floor and a power management device 15b disposed in the floor suction tool. The charging capacity of the second storage battery 9 is larger than the charging capacity of the first storage battery 8.

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

  First, when the electric vacuum cleaner is activated, the electric blower inside the cleaner main body 6 is operated and air flows from the floor to the cleaner main body 6. At the same time, the rotating brush 10 disposed on the floor suction tool 7 is operated to sweep up dust from the floor surface, and the dust is collected together with air into the cleaner body 5.

  During normal cleaning work, the vacuum cleaner is mainly operated by the second storage battery 9. The second storage battery 9 has a large charge capacity, and a nickel hydride battery used as the second storage battery 9 can generally obtain a high output per hour, so that a high dust collection performance can be obtained. . Moreover, since many batteries are stacked on the floor suction tool 7 so that the charging capacity of the second storage battery 9 is increased, the floor suction tool 7 is heavy and pressed against the floor surface with a stronger force. As a result, the vacuum pressure in the floor suction tool 7 increases, and at the same time, the rotary brush 10 is pressed against the floor surface with a stronger force, so that high dust collection performance is obtained.

  Subsequently, when the user wants to clean the gap or the shelf, the user disconnects the cleaner main body 6 from the floor suction tool 7 and performs the cleaning using only the cleaner main body 6. At this time, only the second storage battery 9 can be charged by connecting only the floor suction tool 7 to the charging device 16. Since the lithium ion battery used for the first storage battery 8 generally has a high weight energy density, the vacuum cleaner body 6 can be configured to be lighter without changing the charging capacity of the first storage battery. It can be improved further.

  In addition, when the user wants to sit and clean, the user disconnects the cleaner body 6 from the floor suction tool 7, and in this case, the cleaning is performed with the rotary brush 10 using only the floor suction tool 7. At this time, only the first storage battery 8 can be charged by connecting only the cleaner body 6 to the charging stand 12. In the floor suction tool 7, the rotating brush 10 is operated by the second storage battery 9 to sweep up dust from the floor surface. The dust that has been lifted up is collected in the auxiliary dust collection chamber 11 because the switching valve 13 closes the intake passage 12.

  Next, the user again connects the cleaner body 6 and the floor suction tool 7 to clean the floor surface. When the vacuum cleaner main body 6 and the floor suction tool 7 are connected, the switching pin 14 of the vacuum cleaner main body 6 pushes the switching valve 13 and the intake passage 12 is opened, so that the dust collected in the auxiliary dust collection chamber 11 is cleaned. It is sucked into the machine body 6. Moreover, since the 1st storage battery 8 and the 2nd storage battery 9 are each performing the output and charge separately, since the nickel hydride battery also has the characteristic that quick charge is generally possible, the 1st storage battery 8 and the 1st The relationship of the power consumption with the storage battery 2 is different from the case where the cleaner main body 6 and the floor suction tool 7 are kept connected. For this reason, if the floor cleaning operation is continued as it is, one of the batteries will be consumed first, and the storage battery will be consumed when the vacuum cleaner body 6 and the floor suction tool 7 are disconnected. There is a possibility that the person who is loaded will not work. In order to avoid this situation, the power management device 15 checks the power consumption of the first storage battery 8 and the second storage battery 9 at the same time as the vacuum cleaner main body 6 and the floor suction tool 7 are connected. Control is performed to charge the other storage battery. When the relationship between the power consumption of the first storage battery 8 and the second storage battery 9 becomes equal to the case where the cleaner main body 6 and the floor suction tool 7 are kept connected, the power management device 11 is charged. finish.

  In the present embodiment, the first storage battery 8 is a lithium ion battery and the second storage battery 9 is a nickel metal hydride battery, but a different type of storage battery may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the floor suction tool 7 is provided with the rotating brush 10 and the auxiliary dust collection chamber 11 to collect the dust on the floor surface. However, the floor suction tool 7 is equipped with an electric blower. The floor surface dust may be collected by sucking air from the floor surface.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the floor suction tool 7 is provided with the rotary brush 10 and the auxiliary dust collection chamber 11 to collect the dust on the floor surface. A non-woven fabric may be disposed on the surface in contact with the floor surface and wiped off to collect the dust on the floor surface.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the floor suction tool 7 is provided with the rotary brush 10 and the auxiliary dust collection chamber 11 to collect the dust on the floor surface. An adhesive material may be arranged on the surface in contact with the floor surface, and dust on the floor surface may be attached to collect the dust.

  Further, in this embodiment, the floor suction tool 7 is provided with the rotary brush 10 and the auxiliary dust collection chamber 11 to collect the dust on the floor surface. Instead of this, the generation of static electricity that generates static electricity. An apparatus may be arranged so that dust on the floor surface is adsorbed and collected by static electricity.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, in order to adjust the relationship of the power consumption of the 1st storage battery 8 and the 2nd storage battery 9, it charged from one storage battery to the other storage battery, but the vacuum cleaner main body The power used for the operation when 6 and the floor suction tool 7 are connected may be consumed more quickly by obtaining more power from a storage battery with less power consumption, and the relationship between the power consumption may be adjusted.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 shows a vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the vacuum cleaner body 6 is equipped with a first storage battery 8 and the floor suction tool 7 is equipped with a second storage battery 9. The charging capacity is smaller than the charging capacity of the first storage battery 8, and the size of the outer shape is also small.

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

  First, when the electric vacuum cleaner is activated, the electric blower inside the cleaner main body 6 is operated. As a result, air flows from the floor suction tool 7 to the cleaner main body 6, and dust on the floor surface is collected accordingly. This is the same as in the first embodiment.

  Subsequently, when cleaning a low space such as under a desk, the floor suction tool 4 is caused to enter the space while the cleaner body 6 is tilted. Since the second storage battery 9 is small in size, the floor suction tool 7 can be made small in size, and the floor suction tool 4 can be put into a space having a lower height.

  Next, when the user wants to clean the gap or the shelf, the user disconnects the cleaner body 6 from the floor suction tool 7. Since only the 1st storage battery 8 which is a part of the whole storage battery is arrange | positioned at the vacuum cleaner main body 6, compared with the case where the 1st storage battery 8 and the 2nd storage battery 9 are arrange | positioned, it becomes lightweight and is convenient.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 5 shows a vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the floor suction tool 7 detachably connected to the cleaner body 6 includes a main floor suction tool 17, a sub floor suction tool 18a, and a sub floor suction tool. Separation is possible in three of the suction tools 18b. The main floor suction tool 17 is equipped with a second storage battery 9, and the subfloor suction tool 18a and the subfloor suction tool 18b are equipped with a third storage battery 19a and a fourth storage battery 19b, respectively. Yes. The sub floor suction tool 18a is detachable from the cleaner body 6 and the main floor suction tool 17, and the main floor suction tool 17 is detachable from the sub floor suction tool 18a and the sub floor suction tool 18b. .

  The main floor suction tool 17 and the sub floor suction tool 18a are provided with the intake flow path 12 through which intake air flows. The sub floor suction tool 18b does not have the intake flow path 12. The suction area of the suction port 20a connected to the main floor suction tool 17 of the sub floor suction tool 18a is smaller than the suction area of the suction port 20b facing the floor surface of the main floor suction tool 17, and cleaning is performed. It is larger than the air inlet 6a of the machine body 6.

  The vacuum cleaner body 6 and the sub-floor suction tool 18b each have a battery attaching / detaching device 21, and the first storage battery 8 and the third storage battery 19b are detachably connected via the battery attaching / detaching device 21.

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

  First, when the vacuum cleaner is activated, outputs are obtained from the first to fourth storage batteries 8, 9, 19a, 19b, and the electric blower inside the cleaner body 6 is operated. As a result, air flows from the floor surface to the cleaner body 6 through the main floor suction tool 17 and the sub floor suction tool 18a, and the dust on the floor surface is collected accordingly. Since the main floor suction tool 17 has an intake port 20b having a large intake area, dust can be collected from a wide area of the floor surface, and the main floor suction tool 17 is used for normal floor cleaning. Clean the work.

  Subsequently, when the electric power charged in the first storage battery 8 or the third storage battery 19b is used up or when it is desired to change the characteristics of the storage battery such as weight and charge capacity, the first storage battery 8 and / or Alternatively, the third storage battery 19b is replaced. Since the 1st storage battery 8 and the 3rd storage battery 19b are connected so that attachment or detachment is possible by the battery attachment or detachment apparatus 21, the storage battery to replace | exchange is removed and another storage battery is attached.

  Next, when the type of the floor surface changes, or when it is desired to change characteristics such as the weight and charge capacity of the entire storage battery installed in the floor suction tool 7 together with the second storage battery 9 and the third storage battery 19a. The parts of the floor suction section 7 are separated. When the sub floor suction tool 18b is separated from the main floor suction tool 17, the operating time is shortened because the fourth storage battery 19b is eliminated, but the weight is reduced and the usability is improved. When the main floor suction tool 17 is separated from the sub floor suction tool 18a, the use time is shortened but the weight is reduced and the usability is improved because the second storage battery 9 is eliminated. Since it is performed at the intake port 20a having a small intake area, the air flow rate is increased and the dust collection performance is improved. When the sub-floor suction tool 18a is separated from the cleaner body 6, the usage time is shortened by the amount of the third storage battery 19a being eliminated, but the weight is reduced and the usability is improved. Increases the flow velocity of dust and improves the dust collection performance.

  In the present embodiment, the suction port of the cleaner body 6, the main floor suction tool 17, and the sub floor suction tool 18 a is the smallest in the suction port 6 a of the cleaner body 6, and the main floor suction tool 17. Although the intake port 20b is configured to be the largest, it may be configured by changing the size order.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first battery 7 and the fourth battery 19b are configured to be replaceable. However, the first battery 7 and the fourth battery 19b may be configured to be operable using another storage battery without being replaced.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the storage battery was arrange | positioned to all the floor suction tools 7 to isolate | separate, it is good also as a structure which does not arrange a storage battery in a part of floor suction tools 7 to isolate | separate.

  The configuration in each of the first to fourth embodiments described above can be used in appropriate combination as necessary, and is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment itself.

  As described above, the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention can easily lift the vacuum cleaner main body and clean the gaps and the shelves without reducing the operable time, thereby improving usability. It can be used as a rechargeable electric vacuum cleaner that can be cleaned by holding the vacuum cleaner body with one hand.

The side view which shows the whole structure of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. (A) Plan view when cleaning the gap of the vacuum cleaner (b) Side view when cleaning the shelf of the vacuum cleaner (A) Sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 2 of this invention (b) Sectional drawing which shows the whole structure at the time of the vacuum cleaner main body of the same vacuum cleaner The side view which shows the whole structure of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 3 of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

6 Vacuum Cleaner Body 7 Floor Suction Tool 8 First Storage Battery 9 Second Storage Battery 15 Power Management Device 16 Charging Device 17 Main Floor Suction Tool 18a, 18b Subfloor Suction Tool 21 Battery Detachment Device

Claims (9)

A vacuum cleaner body, a rechargeable first storage battery as a cleaning drive source equipped in the vacuum cleaner body, a floor suction tool detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner body, and a cleaning drive equipped in the floor suction tool The vacuum cleaner provided with the 2nd rechargeable storage battery which is a source. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the floor suction tool enables the floor surface to be cleaned by a single operation of the second storage battery in a non-connected state with the vacuum cleaner body. 3. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the first storage battery and the second storage battery can be charged by being connected to a charging device when the vacuum cleaner main body and the floor suction tool are not connected. The electric cleaning according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second storage battery has a power management device, and is configured to be able to charge the first storage battery and / or to charge from the first storage battery. Machine. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second storage battery is configured by a storage battery of a different type from the first storage battery. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second storage battery is configured to have a larger charging capacity than the first storage battery. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second storage battery has a smaller charge capacity than the first storage battery. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first storage battery and / or the second storage battery includes a battery attaching / detaching device, and the type and / or charging capacity of the battery can be changed. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the floor suction tool is configured to be separable into a main floor suction tool and a plurality of sub-floor suction tools, and each is equipped with a storage battery.