JP2008048799A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner capable of sucking water and preventing water from reaching an air intake of an electric blower. <P>SOLUTION: The vacuum cleaner is provided with a main filter 23 which allows air to flow into the air intake 20 of the electric blower 7 but prevents water stored in a dust collection container 12 from flowing into the air intake 20. Accordingly, accession of water to the air intake 20 can be prevented. A float 28 is pushed up along a guide projection 27 by the bottom face of the main filter 23 which is moved upward as the buoyancy is applied by water stored in the dust collection container 12. When water is stored to a prescribed level in the dust collection container 12, the air intake 20 is closed by the pushed-up float 28, and therefore, arrival of water to the air intake 20 can be securely prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner.

A so-called wet and dry vacuum cleaner capable of sucking water in addition to dust is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In the electric vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 1, among dust and water sucked by the electric blower, the dust is captured by a filter device provided on the upstream side of the electric blower when viewed in the direction sucked by the electric blower. After that, water is stored in a dust collecting container provided in the cleaner body, and water is stored in the dust collecting container by its own weight.

And when water is collected in the dust collecting container to the extent that it is sucked from the intake port of the electric blower, the float that can be moved up and down below the intake port floats, and the intake port is blocked by the float This prevents water from entering the electric blower.
JP-A-7-39480

  In the electric vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 1, even if the intake port is not blocked by the float, if vibration is generated in the main body of the vacuum cleaner when overcoming a step, water stored in the dust collecting container is discharged. There is a possibility that the scattered water may pass through the filter device and reach the intake port. When the water reaches the intake port and is sucked, there is a problem that the components of the electric blower are corroded or the water is discharged from the exhaust port of the electric blower to the outside.

  The present invention has been made based on such a background, and provides a vacuum cleaner that can prevent water from reaching an intake port of an electric blower in a vacuum cleaner that can suck in water. Main purpose.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an electric blower having an intake port facing downward, a dust collection container located below the intake port of the electric blower for collecting dust and water, and communicating with the dust collection container And a dust collection port for introducing air, dust and water into the dust collection container by the operation of the electric blower, and an air which is provided in the dust collection container and enters from the dust collection port to the intake port. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a gas / liquid separation filter that allows flow but prevents water collected in the dust collecting container from flowing to the intake port.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the gas / liquid separation filter has flexibility and is positioned at least below the intake port, and an opposing portion of the gas / liquid separation filter that faces the intake port is , Which can move up and down, and moves upward according to the water level of the water collected in the dust collecting container. The intake port has the gas / liquid separation filter with the water level rising. 2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a float is provided for closing the intake port by being pushed up by the facing portion when the facing portion moves to a predetermined position above.

A third aspect of the present invention is the electric vacuum cleaner according to the second aspect, wherein a part of the float is connected to the gas / liquid separation filter.
The invention according to claim 4 is the electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a guide member for guiding the vertical movement of the float with respect to the intake port is provided.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric blower having an air inlet that faces downward, a dust collecting container that is located below the air inlet of the electric blower and collects dust and water, and communicates with the dust collecting container. And a dust collecting port for introducing air, dust and water into the dust collecting container when the electric blower operates, and a water level accumulated in the dust collecting container reaching a predetermined water level. A float that is pushed up by water to close the intake port, an intake channel above the intake port, and an intake passage for guiding the air that has entered the dust collecting container to the intake port, It is a vacuum cleaner characterized by having.

6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, further comprising a dust removal filter provided at the inlet of the intake flow path for preventing passage of dust mixed with air. It is.
The invention according to claim 7 is the electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the intake flow path also serves as a guide member for guiding the vertical movement of the float with respect to the intake port. .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the gas / liquid separation filter, the water accumulated in the dust collecting container is prevented from flowing to the intake port of the electric blower, so that the water does not reach the intake port. be able to. On the other hand, in the gas / liquid separation filter, since air is allowed to flow to the intake port, a smooth suction operation by the electric blower can be ensured.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the facing portion of the gas / liquid separation filter that faces the intake port moves upward according to the water level of the water accumulated in the dust collecting container. When the facing portion moves to a predetermined upper position as the water level in the dust collecting container rises, the air inlet of the electric blower is blocked by the float pushed up by the facing portion. It is possible to reliably prevent the water from reaching.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the float and the gas / liquid separation filter can be integrally formed by connecting a part of the float to the gas / liquid separation filter. The number of processes related to assembly of the machine can be reduced.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the vertical movement of the float with respect to the intake port is guided by the guide member. Therefore, when the float is pushed up to the above-described facing portion of the gas / liquid separation filter, the float is surely guided to the position where the intake port is blocked, so that it is possible to reliably prevent water from reaching the intake port. . Further, when descending, the float can be reliably returned to a predetermined position before being pushed up.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the water level accumulated in the dust collecting container reaches a predetermined water level, the air inlet of the electric blower is blocked by the float pushed up by the water. The arrival of water can be prevented.
In addition, since the intake channel for guiding air to the intake port has an inlet above the intake port, there is a risk that water accumulated in the dust collecting container reaches the inlet and enters the intake channel. Absent. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent water from reaching the intake port.

  According to the invention of claim 6, since the dust removal filter is provided at the inlet of the intake passage, the passage of the dust is prevented, and even if the water accumulated in the dust collecting container is scattered, The water is prevented from entering the intake channel through the inlet. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent water from reaching the intake port. In addition, the dust removal filter is located above the intake port, similarly to the inlet of the intake passage, so that it does not immerse in the water accumulated in the dust collecting container and prevents the generation of mold in the dust removal filter. be able to.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the vertical movement of the float relative to the intake port is guided by the guide member. Therefore, when the float is pushed up by water, the float is reliably guided to the position where the intake port is blocked, so that it is possible to reliably prevent water from reaching the intake port. Further, when descending, the float can be reliably returned to a predetermined position before being pushed up.

  And since an intake flow path serves as a guide member, the number of parts can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a right side sectional view of a vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state in which a float 28 is in a lowered position. FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a state where the float 28 is in the floating position in FIG.
<Example>
As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 includes a vacuum cleaner body 2, a hose 3 having one end connected to the vacuum cleaner body 2, and a pipe 4 having one end connected to the other end of the hose 3. And a suction tool 5 connected to the other end of the pipe 4.

The vacuum cleaner body 2 includes a housing 6 that forms an outer shell thereof, and an electric blower 7 that is accommodated in the housing 6.
The casing 6 closes the opening 8 from above with respect to the lower casing 9 having a substantially cylindrical hook shape having an opening 8 that is circularly opened upward. And a lid-shaped upper housing 10 attached in this manner.

A handle 11 is attached to the upper surface of the upper housing 10 with screws or the like, and the electric vacuum cleaner main body 2 can be moved by grasping the handle 11. Further, the rear end of the upper housing 10 is engaged with the engaged portion 30 provided in the pipe 4 so as to store the pipe 4 and the suction tool 5 in the main body 2 of the vacuum cleaner. A part 31 is provided.
As described above, the lower housing 9 is formed in a hook shape. Hereinafter, the hollow portion inside the lower housing 9 is referred to as a dust collecting container 12. A dust collecting port 13 for communicating the inside of the dust collecting container 12 with the outside is formed at a substantially central position in the vertical direction of the front side portion of the lower housing 9. The dust collecting port 13 has the above-described hose. One end of 3 is connected. A swirl flow path 14 is provided in a portion of the dust collection container 12 near the dust collection port 13.

  The swirl flow path 14 is formed in a tubular shape that curves along the inner peripheral surface of the lower housing 9, and the left side with the dust collection port 13 as an opening on one end side (back side in the paper thickness direction in FIG. 1). It extends to. Specifically, the swirl flow path 14 extends in a direction (circumferential direction of the lower housing 9) that intersects the opening direction of the dust collection port 13 (the radial direction of the lower housing 9). Note that an opening on the other end side corresponding to the dust collection port 13 which is an opening on one end side is provided at the left end of the swirl flow path 14, and the opening on the other end side is provided inside the dust collecting container 12. Communicating with Thereby, the dust collection port 13 and the inside of the dust collection container 12 communicate.

Four casters 15 are arranged at equal intervals on the peripheral edge of the bottom surface of the lower housing 9, and these casters 15 make it easy to move the vacuum cleaner main body 2.
The electric blower 7 is attached to the lower surface of the upper housing 10, and includes a casing 16, a motor (not shown) accommodated in the casing 16, and a blower fan (not shown) provided below the motor (not shown). And a cooling fan 17 provided above a motor (not shown).

The casing 16 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and an upper opening 19 is formed on the upper surface (top surface), and an intake port 20 facing downward is formed on the lower surface (bottom surface). A plurality of exhaust ports 21 are formed on the same circumference at a position corresponding to (not shown).
The blower fan (not shown) and the cooling fan 17 are provided coaxially with the rotation shaft of a motor (not shown), and are rotated together when the motor (not shown) is driven.

The cooling fan 17 communicates with the outside through a cooling hole 18 and an upper opening 19 formed in the upper housing 10. When the cooling fan 17 is rotated, it takes in external air along the broken arrow in the figure to By supplying to (not shown), overheating of a motor (not shown) is prevented.
A blower fan (not shown) communicates with the inside of the dust collecting container 12 through the air inlet 20 and, when rotated, along the solid line arrow in the drawing, the suction tool 5 → pipe 4 → hose 3 → dust collection. External air is sucked in the order of the opening 13 → the swirling flow path 14 → the dust collecting container 12 → the intake opening 20. When the suction port 32 of the suction tool 5 faces dust and water on the floor surface during suction, these dust and water are also sucked into the dust collecting container 12 together with air. The direction of the flow is changed from the dust collection port 13 so that the sucked dust and water flow along the inner peripheral surface of the lower housing 9 by passing through the swirl flow path 14, and the inside of the dust collection container 12. , Swirl while swirling. As a result, centrifugal force is applied to the sucked dust and water, so that most of the dust and water is separated from the air, and then falls by its own weight and is stored in the dust collecting container 12. Then, after passing through the intake port 20, the air is sucked by a blower fan (not shown) and then sent out, thereby passing through the exhaust port 21 and the exhaust hole 22 formed in the upper housing 10. The air is exhausted outside (see the solid line arrow in the figure).

Here, in the dust collecting container 12, a main filter 23 and a pre-filter 24 are provided as gas / liquid separation filters.
The main filter 23 is made of a non-permeable material having flexibility, is formed in a hollow truncated cone shape having a small diameter downward, and an opening is formed on the upper surface thereof. The main filter 23 restricts the passage of water but allows the passage of air. A main-side mounting ring 25 formed in an annular shape having substantially the same size as the peripheral edge of the opening 8 of the lower housing 9 is integrally provided on the peripheral edge of the above-described opening of the main filter 23. By fitting the main side mounting ring 25 into the opening 8 from above, the main filter 23 is positioned at a predetermined position in the dust collecting container 12, and at this predetermined position, the inside of the dust collecting container 12 is placed inside the dust collecting container 12. The inner space and the outer space are partitioned to keep the inner space liquid-tight. The electric blower 7 described above is disposed in the inner space of the main filter 23. Specifically, the air inlet 20 of the electric blower 7 is opposed to the bottom surface of the main filter 23 in the vertical direction above the bottom surface of the main filter 23. (In other words, the bottom surface of the main filter 23 is a facing portion facing the air inlet 20 in the main filter 23). In addition, the dust collecting container 12 is located below the intake port 20. Note that, in the main filter 23, a portion facing the swirl flow path 14 is recessed in a direction away from the swirl flow path 14. Further, in FIG. 1, the main filter 23 is not bent (deformed) and maintains the original shape.

  The pre-filter 24 is formed in a substantially similar shape that is slightly larger than the main filter 23, and an opening is formed on the upper surface thereof. The prefilter 24 allows passage of water and air. A pre-side attachment ring 26 having a size substantially equal to that of the main-side attachment ring 25 is integrally provided at the periphery of the opening. When the pre-side mounting ring 26 is fitted into the opening 8 from above, the pre-filter 24 is positioned at a predetermined position in the dust collecting container 12, and at this predetermined position, the inside of the dust collecting container 12 is placed inside the dust collecting container 12. It is divided into an inner space and an outer space. The main filter 23 described above is disposed in the inner space of the pre-filter 24. In the prefilter 24, the portion facing the swirl flow path 14 is recessed in a direction away from the swirl flow path 14. Further, the provision of the swirl passage 14 prevents the dust and water introduced into the dust collecting container 12 by the dust collecting port 13 from directly hitting the prefilter 24, thereby preventing the prefilter 24 from being damaged. It is illustrated.

  As for the air traveling from the inside of the dust collecting container 12 to the air inlet 20, first, dust (relatively large material such as paper scraps) is captured by the pre-filter 24, and then minute dust and water are collected by the main filter 23. By being captured, the air is sucked into the air inlet 20 in a state where dust and water are completely removed. That is, in the main filter 23, the water accumulated in the dust collecting container 12 is prevented from flowing to the intake port 20 of the electric blower 7, so that the water can be prevented from reaching the intake port 20. On the other hand, in the main filter 23, since air is allowed to flow to the intake port 20, a smooth suction operation by the electric blower 7 can be ensured.

  In addition, the electric blower 7 is integrally provided with a guide projection 27 as a guide member having a columnar shape extending downward from the vicinity of the air inlet 20 on the bottom surface of the casing 16. The vertical dimension of the guide protrusion 27 is set to be approximately half of the vertical distance from the bottom surface of the casing 16 to the bottom surface of the main filter 23 maintaining the original shape. A float 28 is attached to the guide protrusion 27.

  The float 28 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and its vertical dimension is set to be substantially equal to the vertical dimension of the guide protrusion 27. The float 28 is formed with a guide hole 29 that is recessed in the vertical direction from the top surface to the bottom surface. By inserting the guide protrusion 27 into the guide hole 29, the float 28 is supported so as to be slidable in the vertical direction along the guide protrusion 27. In addition, the float 28 is placed on the bottom surface of the main filter 23. In the following, as shown in FIG. 1, the vertical position of the float 28 when the main filter 23 maintains the original shape is lowered. Position.

  Referring to FIG. 2, when water is stored in dust collecting container 12 and the water level reaches the bottom surface of main filter 23, buoyancy is applied to the bottom surface of main filter 23. As a result, the bottom surface of the main filter 23 moves upward, and the float 28 is pushed up along the guide protrusion 27 by the bottom surface of the main filter 23. Note that the circumferential surface of the main filter 23 bends (deforms) as the bottom surface of the main filter 23 moves upward. Then, when water is collected in the dust collecting container 12 up to a predetermined water level (see arrow X shown in FIG. 3), the upper surface of the float 28 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the casing 16 of the electric blower 7 and closes the intake port 20. Here, the vertical position of the float 28 when the air inlet 20 is blocked is defined as a floating position.

  Since the air inlet 20 is blocked by the float 28 that has risen to the ascending position in this way, it is possible to reliably prevent water from reaching the air inlet 20. Since the float 28 is arranged on the bottom surface of the main filter 23, the gravity of the float 28 acts on the bottom surface of the main filter 23. Blocking is prevented.

Further, the guide protrusion 27 guides the vertical movement of the float 28 with respect to the air inlet 20. Therefore, when the float 28 is pushed up to the bottom surface of the main filter 23, the float 28 is surely guided to a position (the floating position shown in FIG. 3) that closes the intake port 20, and thus reliably prevents water from reaching the intake port 20. can do. Further, at the time of lowering, the float 28 can be reliably returned to a predetermined position (the lowered position shown in FIG. 2) before ascending. As the float 28 descends, the bottom surface of the main filter 23 also moves downward.
<Modification 1>
FIG. 4 is obtained by applying Modification 1 in FIG.

In the above-described embodiment, the float 28 and the main filter 23 are configured separately by placing the float 28 on the bottom surface of the main filter 23, but may be configured integrally. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the float 28 and the main filter 23 are integrally configured by connecting the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the float 28 to the corresponding portion on the bottom surface of the main filter 23. Since the float 28 and the main filter 23 are integrally formed, the number of processes related to the assembly of the vacuum cleaner 1 can be reduced.
<Modification 2>
FIG. 5 is obtained by applying the modification 2 in FIG. FIG. 6 is obtained by applying Modification 2 in FIG.

In the said Example and the modification 1, the main filter 23 is comprised with the non-permeable material which has a softness | flexibility, and it prevents that the water in the dust collecting container 12 reaches | attains the inlet 20 of the electric blower 7. However, instead of this, in order to achieve the same effect, an intake passage 35 described below and an annular filter 37 as a dust removal filter may be used.
The intake passage 35 is formed in a hollow and bottomed substantially cylindrical shape, and is attached to the lower portion of the casing 16 of the electric blower 7 so that the intake port 20 is exposed in the hollow portion. In the hollow portion (inside the intake flow path 35), the float 28 described above is placed on the bottom surface of the intake flow path 35 at a position facing the intake port 20 in the vertical direction. Note that the float 28 according to the modification 2 may not include the guide hole 29.

  A water passage hole 38 penetrating the bottom wall of the intake passage 35 is formed only in a portion of the bottom surface of the intake passage 35 where the float 28 is placed. In the hollow portion of the intake flow path 35, the bottom surface of the intake flow path 35 has a tubular shape extending upward toward the bottom surface of the casing 16 so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the float 28 placed from the outside in the radial direction. A guide wall 36 as a guide member is integrally formed. A slight gap is provided between the upper end edge of the guide wall 36 and the bottom surface of the casing 16 in the vertical direction. On the same circumference of the guide wall 36, a plurality of slits 39 cut out downward from the upper end edge of the guide wall 36 are formed at equal intervals. Here, the above-described lowered position is the vertical position of the float 28 when placed on the bottom surface of the intake flow path 35. When the water level accumulated in the dust collecting container 12 reaches the water passage hole 38, the water enters the space surrounded by the guide wall 36 through the water passage hole 38, and this water causes the float to float. The buoyancy is applied to 28. Accordingly, the float 28 is pushed up along the inner peripheral surface of the guide wall 36. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when water is collected in the dust collecting container 12 up to a predetermined water level (see the arrow X in the figure), the upper surface of the float 28 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the electric blower 7, and the air inlet 20 and the slit 39. Block. The vertical position of the float 28 at this time is the above-described floating position. The gap between the outer peripheral surface of the float 28 and the inner peripheral surface of the guide wall 36 is set to such an extent that water cannot enter.

  The intake flow path 35 is formed such that a portion above the float 28 at the floating position (specifically, a portion above the float 28 in the up-down direction substantially central position) is expanded in diameter. An annular inlet 34 is formed at a position above the intake port 20 on the outer peripheral surface of the. As shown in FIG. 5, the inside of the intake passage 35 (the portion above the float 28 in the space surrounded by the guide wall 36) and the intake port 20 communicate with the inside of the dust collecting container 12 through the inlet 34. is doing. The inlet 34 is provided with an annular filter (referred to as an annular filter 37) corresponding to the shape of the inlet 34 so as to close the inlet 34. As a result, the air (from the dust collection container 12 to the intake port 20) is first captured by the pre-filter 24, and dust (relatively large paper dust or the like) is captured by the pre-filter 24. (The main filter 23 according to the modified example 2 may not have a function of restricting the passage of water.) Further, even in the annular filter 37, dust mixed in air is captured. Even if the water passes through the pre-filter 24 and the main filter 23, the water is captured by the annular filter 37, thereby preventing water from entering the intake passage 35. Therefore, air from which dust and water have been completely removed is guided to the intake port 20.

  That is, the intake flow path 35 for guiding the air to the intake port 20 has the inlet 34 above the intake port 20, so that water accumulated in the dust collecting container 12 reaches the inlet 34 and reaches the intake flow path. There is no risk of entering the inside 35. Further, since the inlet 34 is provided with an annular filter 37, the passage of dust is prevented, and even if the water accumulated in the dust collecting container 12 is scattered, the water flows through the inlet 34 through the inlet 34. Intrusion into the path 35 is prevented. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent water from reaching the intake port 20. Also, the annular filter 37 is located above the intake port 20, similarly to the inlet 34 of the intake flow path 35, so that it does not immerse in the water accumulated in the dust collecting container 12, so Occurrence can be prevented.

Further, like the guide protrusion 27 described above, the guide wall 36 of the intake passage 35 also serves as a guide member for guiding the vertical movement of the float 28 relative to the intake port 20, thereby reducing the number of parts. it can.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

It is right sectional drawing of the vacuum cleaner 1 which concerns on the Example of this invention, Comprising: The state which has the float 28 in a lowered position is shown. It is a front sectional view of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a state where the float 28 is in the floating position. In FIG. 2, Modification 1 is applied. In FIG. 2, the modified example 2 is applied. In FIG. 3, Modification 2 is applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric vacuum cleaner 7 Electric blower 12 Dust collection container 13 Dust collection opening 20 Inlet 23 Main filter 27 Guide protrusion 28 Float 34 Inlet 35 Intake flow path 36 Guide wall 37 Annular filter

Claims (7)

An electric blower having an intake port facing downward;
A dust collection container located below the intake port of the electric blower for storing dust and water;
A dust collection port that communicates with the dust collection container and guides air, dust, and water into the dust collection container by operating the electric blower;
A gas / liquid that is provided in the dust collection container and allows air that has entered from the dust collection port to flow to the intake port, but prevents water accumulated in the dust collection container from flowing to the intake port. A separation filter;
A vacuum cleaner characterized by comprising: The gas / liquid separation filter has flexibility and is positioned at least below the intake port, and a facing portion facing the intake port in the gas / liquid separation filter is vertically movable, It moves upward according to the water level of the water collected in the dust collection container.
As the water level rises, the intake port has a float that is pushed up by the opposed portion and closes the intake port when the opposed portion of the gas / liquid separation filter moves to a predetermined upper position. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner is provided.   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein a part of the float is connected to the gas / liquid separation filter.   The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a guide member for guiding the vertical movement of the float with respect to the intake port is provided. An electric blower having an intake port facing downward;
A dust collection container located below the intake port of the electric blower for storing dust and water;
A dust collection port that communicates with the dust collection container and guides air, dust, and water into the dust collection container by operating the electric blower;
A float that is provided at the air inlet and when the water level accumulated in the dust collecting container reaches a predetermined water level, is pushed up by water to close the air inlet;
An inlet channel above the intake port, and an intake channel for guiding the air that has entered the dust collection container to the intake port;
A vacuum cleaner characterized by comprising:   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, further comprising a dust removal filter that is provided at the inlet of the intake flow path and prevents passage of dust mixed in air.   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the intake flow path also serves as a guide member for guiding the vertical movement of the float with respect to the intake port.

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