JP2008173329A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner in which the decline of suction force with time is suppressed. <P>SOLUTION: A paper pack 31 is provided on the upstream side of a suction airflow duct 25 which is a junction position of a first airflow duct 39 and a second airflow duct 42 and a third airflow duct 52, and an auxiliary pleated filter 43 is provided in the second airflow duct 42 on the upstream side of the junction position. A fine dust filter 53 having a mesh finer than that of the pleated filter 43 is provided in the third airflow duct 52. A first state of forming a main airflow duct W1 and a sub airflow duct W2 and a second state of forming a filter cleaning airflow duct can be switched. In the first state, when the amount of dust caught in the paper pack 31 in the first airflow duct 39 increases and the resistance of the airflow duct of the first airflow duct 39 is increased, dust is branched from the second airflow duct 42 to the pleated filter 43 together with suction air. In the second state, the pleated filter 43 is back-washed with outdoor air sucked from a first outdoor air take-in port 61 and the amount of ventilation of the second airflow duct 42 is secured. Thus, the decline of the suction force with time is suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner including a dust collecting portion provided in a vacuum cleaner body.

  Conventionally, this type of vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum cleaner body that houses an electric blower. The vacuum cleaner main body is provided with a dust collecting portion in communication with the suction side of the electric blower. In addition, a main body suction port that communicates with the upstream side of the dust collecting portion is formed in the front portion of the cleaner body, and a hose body, an extension pipe, a floor brush, and the like are sequentially connected to the main body suction port. .

As a dust collection part of such a vacuum cleaner, for example, a cyclone separation type that separates dust from air by centrifugation is known. The dust collection unit includes a separation unit that centrifuges the sucked dust from the air, and a part of the suction air swirled by the separation unit flows into the first air passage together with the separated dust. The other part of the suction air flows from the central part of the separation part into the second air path. The suction air flowing into the dust collection chamber passes through the filter disposed in the dust collection chamber and merges with the suction air in the second air passage, and then the filter provided on the downstream side of the second air passage. And is sucked into the electric blower (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-135994 A (page 4, FIG. 7)

  However, in the above-described electric vacuum cleaner, although the suction air generated by the driving of the electric blower is branched by the separation unit, it finally passes through the common filter and is sucked into the electric blower. As a result, there is a problem that the suction force sequentially decreases in accordance with the degree of clogging.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a point, and it aims at providing the vacuum cleaner which suppressed the time-dependent fall of suction power.

  In the present invention, the dust collecting part provided in the vacuum cleaner main body sucks in through the main body suction port by driving the first air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower from the downstream side of the main body suction port. A second air passage branched from the first air passage on the downstream side of the main body inlet so as to inertially separate dust contained in the air, merged with the first air passage, and communicated with the suction side of the electric blower; A third air passage that is branched separately from the second air passage with respect to one air passage, the downstream side merges with the first air passage and communicates with the suction side of the electric blower, a second air passage of the first air passage, and A main filter that is provided upstream of the merging position with the third air passage and collects dust; an auxiliary filter that is provided upstream of the merging position of the second air passage and collects dust; It is provided in three air passages, and has a finer dust collection filter than the auxiliary filter, and is provided downstream of the auxiliary filter. The second air passage is provided with an opening that communicates with the outside air, and the main air passage communicating from the main body suction port to the suction side of the electric blower via the first air passage and the main air suction port via the second air passage. The first state forming a secondary air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower and the third air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower from the opening via the second air passage and the third air passage Thus, the second state in which the filter cleaning air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower is formed can be switched.

  According to the present invention, the main filter is provided upstream of the merging position of the first air passage with the second air passage and the third air passage, and the auxiliary filter is provided upstream of the merging position of the second air passage. In addition, a dust collecting filter having a finer mesh than the auxiliary filter is provided in the third air passage, and the main air passage and the main body inlet opening communicated from the main body inlet port to the suction side of the electric blower via the first air passage. The first state forming a secondary air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower from the first air passage through the second air passage, and the suction side of the electric blower from the opening via the second air passage and the third air passage In the first state, the amount of dust collected in the first air passage is increased and the air passage resistance of the first air passage is increased. Becomes larger, the dust is diverted from the second air passage to the auxiliary filter along with the sucked air, During two-state, since washing the auxiliary filter by the outside air sucked from the opening to ensure ventilation of the second air passage and collected in the dust collection filter, it is possible to suppress the reduction in suction power over time.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

  1 to 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a cleaner body, and the cleaner body 1 is a so-called canister-type vacuum cleaner that can run on a floor surface. The vacuum cleaner main body 1 includes a main body case 4 having a lower case 2 whose upper side is opened to be inclined downward from the rear to the front, and a lid 3 that covers an upper portion of the lower case 2. In the case 4, an electric blower chamber 6 that houses the electric blower 5 is located on the rear side, and a dust collection chamber 8 in which an upper part is opened and closed by the lid 3 and a dust collection unit 7 as a dust collection unit is detachably disposed. Are partitioned by a partition wall P on the front side. Further, the electric blower chamber 6 accommodates a control means 9 for controlling the operation of the electric blower 5 and the like.

  A main body suction port 11 that can communicate with the suction side of the electric blower 5 through the dust collecting unit 7 is formed at the front end of the main body case 4. A hose body 12 is attached to and detached from the main body suction port 11. A hand operating part 13 is provided at the tip of the hose body 12, and a gripping part 14 is provided on the hand operating part 13 to be gripped by an operator. A plurality of setting buttons 15 for setting an operation mode and the like of the electric blower 5 are provided by an operator. The extension pipe 16 and a floor brush 17 as a suction port body are sequentially connected to the distal end portion of the hand operation unit 13 in communication.

  Further, a cord reel around which a power cord (not shown) for supplying power to the electric blower 5 is wound is disposed in the main body case 4 so that the power cord can be taken in and out of the main body case 4.

  The electric blower 5 is disposed along a substantially central position in the left-right direction of the cleaner body 1, that is, along the central axis of the main body suction port 11 with the suction side as the front side and the exhaust side as the rear side. Further, the electric blower 5 is operated according to the operation mode set in the control means 9 by the setting button 15.

  The dust collection unit 7 includes a cylindrical communication pipe 21 that communicates with the downstream side of the main body suction port 11, and a main collection as a first dust collection section is provided at the rear end portion on the downstream side of the communication pipe 21. A dust chamber 22 is provided in communication with each other, and a first branch pipe 23 and a second branch pipe 24 are branched at a side portion of the communication pipe 21. In addition, the downstream side of the dust collection unit 7 is connected to the suction side of the electric blower 5 through the suction air passage 25.

  The communication pipe 21 is a pipe having a central axis along the opening direction of the main body suction port 11, and is opened and closed by, for example, the control means 9 between the main body suction port 11 and the downstream side of the main body suction port 11. An opening / closing valve 26 for opening / closing communication with the dust collection chamber 22 is provided. Further, on the downstream side of the communication pipe 21, a first branch opening 27 that is a branch part of the first branch pipe 23 and a second branch opening 28 that is a branch part of the second branch pipe 24 are disposed in the main dust collecting chamber 22. An opening is formed on the upstream side of each, and mesh filters 29 and 30 as branch filters are attached to the branch openings 27 and 28, respectively.

  The main dust collection chamber 22 is used mainly when cleaning the electric vacuum cleaner, and is coaxial with the communication pipe 21, that is, along the central axis of the main body suction port 11, and linear with respect to the communication pipe 21. It is connected. In the main dust collection chamber 22, a paper pack 31 as a dust collection bag as a main filter is detachably provided.

  The paper pack 31 is a filter separator that contains coarse dust D1 that is relatively heavy among the dust contained in the suction air and that collects the dust contained in the suction air through the suction air. A mouth frame 33 fixed to the dust collection chamber 22 and a bag body 34 attached to the mouth frame 33 are provided. The paper pack 31 can detect the amount of coarse dust D1 accommodated therein by a dust sensor (not shown) such as a current sensor that outputs the amount of dust inside the controller 9 or a pressure sensor. Yes.

  The mouth frame 33 is formed of cardboard or the like, and an opening 36 into which the downstream end of the communication pipe 21 is inserted is formed at a substantially central portion.

  The bag body 34 is formed in a bag shape by laminating a plurality of layers of air permeable materials (not shown), and is folded in an unused state and configured to swell throughout the main dust collecting chamber 22 when used. Further, the bag body 34 is integrated with the mouth frame 33 by attaching the opening side to the peripheral edge portion of the opening 36 of the mouth frame 33. Further, the bag 34 has a fineness of the mesh filter 29 or more.

  The main dust collection chamber 22 has a communication opening 38 formed at the downstream end thereof and communicates with the suction air passage 25, and the suction of the electric blower 5 from the main body suction port 11 together with the communication pipe 21 and the suction air passage 25. A straight first air passage 39 communicating with the side is defined. The communication opening 38 may be provided with a filter that is about the same as a urethane filter.

  The first branch pipe 23 is partitioned along, for example, the outer wall portion of the main dust collection chamber 22, and the upstream end is connected to the first branch opening 27 of the communication pipe 21 via the mesh filter 29, and the downstream end The downstream opening 41 communicates with the suction air passage 25. For this reason, the first branch pipe 23, together with the communication pipe 21 and the suction air passage 25, is branched from the first air passage 39 to the side on the upstream side of the paper pack 31, and the first air passage is formed along the suction air passage 25. A second air passage 42 merging with 39 is defined. Therefore, the second air passage 42 has an inertia separation part that separates the dust sucked from the main body suction port 11 into the straight direction and the radial direction of the communication pipe 21 by the communication pipe 21 and the first branch pipe 23. It is composed. The downstream opening 41 of the first branch pipe 23 is provided with a pleated filter 43 as an auxiliary filter having a finer mesh than the paper pack 31.

  The pleated filter 43 collects fine dust D2, which is fine dust contained in the suction air that passes through, and collects the fine pleat D2 that is formed by a fold along the vertical direction. It is formed over. Further, on the downstream side of the pleated filter 43, dust removing means 45, which is a dust drop body for removing dust attached to the pleated filter 43, is attached.

  The dust removing means 45 is provided so as to be movable in the left-right direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) of the cleaner body 1 with the tip portion fitted to the pleat portion on the downstream side of the pleat filter 43. As the portion repeatedly climbs over the peak portion of the pleated portion, vibration is applied to the pleated filter 43 and dust attached to the pleated filter 43 is dropped.

  The dust removing means 45 may be configured to be automatically operated by the control means 9 or the like at an arbitrary timing such as when the electric blower 5 is turned on or off, or may be manually operated by an operator. Is possible.

  The second branch pipe 24 is partitioned along, for example, the outer wall portion of the main dust collection chamber 22 opposite to the first branch pipe 23, and the upstream end is connected to the second branch opening 28 of the communication pipe 21. The downstream opening 51 at the downstream end communicates with the suction air passage 25. For this reason, the second branch pipe 24 is branched from the first air path 39 to the side separately from the second air path 42 together with the communication pipe 21 and the suction air path 25, and the first air flows in the suction air path 25. A third air passage 52 that merges with the passage 39 is defined. Therefore, the third air passage 52 is a dust collecting portion that is completely isolated from the first air passage 39 and the second air passage 42 used for normal cleaning by the communication pipe 21 and the second branch pipe 24. It is composed. Further, on the downstream side of the second branch pipe 24, a fine dust filter 53 is provided as a dust collecting filter having a finer mesh than the pleated filter 43. The downstream opening 51 of the second branch pipe 24 is provided with a first air path switching valve 55 that selectively opens and closes one of the communication opening 38 of the main dust collecting chamber 22.

  The fine dust filter 53 attaches and collects fine dust D2 removed from the pleated filter 43. The fine dust filter 53 can detect the clogging state by, for example, dust detection means.

  The first air path switching valve 55 is controlled to open and close by, for example, the control means 9, and selectively selects one of the first air path 39 and the third air path 52 with respect to the suction side of the electric blower 5. It is a thing to interrupt.

  The suction air passage 25 is downstream of the main dust collection chamber 22 (first air passage 39) and downstream of the first branch pipe 23 (second air passage 42) and the second branch pipe 24 (third air passage 52). And are the parts where they merge. Therefore, the paper pack 31, the pleat filter 43, and the fine dust filter 53 are located upstream of the joining position of the first air passage 39, the second air passage 42, and the third air passage 52, respectively. Further, on the upper side of the suction air passage 25 in FIG. 1, that is, on the second air passage 42 side, a first outside air intake 61 as an opening communicating the electric blower chamber 6 and the suction air passage 25 is opened. Is formed. Accordingly, the first outside air intake 61 communicates the second air passage 42 with the outside air and is located on the suction side of the electric blower 5 that is downstream of the pleated filter 43 of the second air passage 42. . And in the suction air path 25 which comprises a part of 2nd air path 42, the 2nd air path switching valve 62 opened and closed by the control means 9, for example is provided.

  Further, on the lower side of the suction air passage 25 in FIG. 1, that is, on the third air passage 52 side, a second outside air intake port 64 as a communication opening communicating the electric blower chamber 6 and the suction air passage 25 is provided. Is formed as an opening. Therefore, the second outside air intake 64 communicates the third air passage 52 with the outside air and is located on the suction side of the electric blower 5 that is downstream of the fine dust filter 53 of the third air passage 52. Yes. And in the suction air path 25 which comprises a part of 3rd air path 52, the 3rd air path switching valve 65 opened and closed by the control means 9, for example is provided.

  The first outside air intake 61 is an opening for taking in the outside air for backwashing the pleat filter 43, and is formed at a side portion near the downstream side surface so as to face the downstream side surface of the pleat filter 43, for example.

  The second air path switching valve 62 opens and closes communication between the first valve body 62a that opens and closes the first outside air intake 61, and the suction air path 25 from the second air path 42 side and the suction side of the electric blower 5. Second valve body 62b, and one of these valve bodies 62a, 62b is selectively closed, in other words, when one of the valve bodies 62a, 62b is in the open state, the other For example, the opening / closing operation is controlled by the control means 9 so that is closed.

  Similarly, the second outside air intake 64 is an opening for taking in the outside air for back washing of the fine dust filter 53. For example, the second outside air inlet 64 is formed on a side portion near the downstream side so as to face the downstream side of the fine dust filter 53. Is formed.

  The third air path switching valve 65 opens and closes communication between the first valve body 65a that opens and closes the second outside air intake port 64, and the suction air path 25 from the third air path 52 side and the suction side of the electric blower 5. Second valve body 65b, and one of these valve bodies 65a, 65b is selectively closed, in other words, when one of the valve bodies 65a, 65b is in the open state, the other For example, the opening / closing operation is controlled by the control means 9 so that is closed.

  In addition, outside air means the air outside the dust collection unit 7, and does not necessarily mean the air outside the cleaner body 1.

  The control means 9 operates the valve bodies 62a and 62b of the on-off valve 26, the first air path switching valve 55, the second air path switching valve 62, and the valve bodies 65a and 65b of the third air path switching valve 65. By controlling the main air passage W1 communicating with the suction side of the electric blower 5 from the main body suction port 11 via the first air passage 39 and the electric blower via the second air passage 42 from the main body suction port 11 Electric blower 5 via a pleated filter 43, a second air passage 42 and a third air passage 52 from the first outside air inlet 61 and a first state forming a sub air passage W 2 communicating with the suction side of the air 5. Communicating from the second outside air inlet 64 to the suction side of the electric blower 5 via the third air passage 52 and the first air passage 39 from the second state in which the filter cleaning air passage W3 communicating with the air suction side is formed. The third state in which the return air passage W4 is formed can be switched at a predetermined timing. For example, the control means 9 selects the first state at the time of normal cleaning, selects the second state at the end of the cleaning, and determines the amount of dust in the paper pack 31 detected by the dust detection means, or the details. The third state is set to be selected when the amount of fine dust D2 collected by the dust filter 53 is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount set in advance.

  Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

  First, the hose body 12, the extension pipe 16 and the floor brush 17 are sequentially connected to the main body suction port 11, the lid body 3 of the main body case 4 is opened, the dust collecting unit 7 is attached, and the lid body 3 is closed.

  Then, the power cord is pulled out from the main body case 4 and connected to an outlet such as a wall surface. When the operator grips the grip portion 14 and operates a predetermined setting button 15, the control means 9 drives the electric blower 5.

  At the same time, the control means 9 opens the on-off valve 26, and the first air passage switching valve 55 shuts off the third air passage 52 side from the suction side of the electric blower 5, and the first air passage 39 side of the electric blower. 5, the first valve body 62a of the second air path switching valve 62 is closed, the second valve body 62b is opened, and the first state is selected.

  As a result, when the electric blower 5 is driven, negative pressure acts on the floor brush 17, the extension pipe 16, the hose body 12, the main body suction port 11, and the first air passage 39 in the main air passage W1, and the auxiliary air passage. At W2, the negative pressure acts on the floor brush 17, the extension pipe 16, the hose body 12, the main body suction port 11 and the second air passage 42, and dust is sucked together with the air serving as the suction air.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, in the state where the coarse dust D1 is not accumulated in the bag body 34 of the paper pack 31, most of the suction air passes through the main air passage W1 via the first air passage 39. Then, the remainder of the suction air passes through the secondary air passage W2 via the second air passage 42.

  Of the dust contained in the suction air, the relatively heavy coarse dust D1 travels straight through the communication pipe 21 along the suction air passing through the main air passage W1, and the bag of the paper pack 31 in the main dust collection chamber 22 Housed in 34. The coarse dust D1 collected in the bag body 34 of the paper pack 31 is compressed by the suction air passing through the main air passage W1.

  Further, among the dust contained in the suction air, the fine dust D2 having a relatively small weight passes through the mesh filter 29 along the suction air that branches into the auxiliary air passage W2 through the first branch opening 27, and further It proceeds through the one branch pipe 23 and is collected by the pleated filter 43.

  The suction air on the main air passage W1 side that has passed through the paper pack 31 and the suction air on the sub air passage W2 side that has passed through the pleat filter 43 are merged in the suction air passage 25 and sucked into the electric blower 5. It passes through the electric blower 5 to become exhaust air, and is exhausted from the exhaust hole (not shown) to the outside of the cleaner body 1.

  Furthermore, as the coarse dust D1 gradually accumulates in the bag 34 of the paper pack 31, the air path resistance of the first air path 39 gradually increases, and as shown in FIG. The air volume of the suction air passing through is relatively reduced.

  At this time, since the air volume of the suction air passing through the second air path 42 is relatively increased, the total amount of the suction air passing through both the air paths 39 and 42 hardly changes.

  Next, when the operator operates the setting button 15 when cleaning is finished, the control means 9 operates the dust removal means 45 for a predetermined time, for example, to drop the fine dust D2 collected by the pleat filter 43, and 3, the on-off valve 26 is closed, the first air passage switching valve 55 closes the first air passage 39 side with respect to the suction side of the electric blower 5, and the third air passage 52 is connected to the electric blower 5. The first valve body 62a of the second air path switching valve 62 is opened, the second valve body 62b is closed, the first valve body 65a of the third air path switching valve 65 is closed, and the second valve body is communicated with the suction side. 65b is opened to switch to the second state, and the negative pressure of the electric blower 5 acts on the first outside air inlet 61, the first branch pipe 23, the second branch pipe 24, and the suction air passage 25 in order, and the filter washing air Form road W3. The electric blower 5 may be stopped while the dust removing means 45 is being driven.

  At this time, the air from the second air passage 42 side does not directly pass through the mesh filters 29 and 30 of the communication pipe 21, but passes from below the mesh filters 29 and 30 into the third air passage 52. .

  As a result, the pleat filter 43 is backwashed by the air passing through the pleat filter 43 from the downstream side to the upstream side, and is removed from the pleat filter 43 by the fine dust D2 removed from the pleat filter 43 and the dust removing means 45. The fine dust D2 is moved to the fine dust filter 53 via the first branch pipe 23 and the second branch pipe 24 and collected by the fine dust filter 53.

  Further, when the amount of dust collected by the paper pack 31 or the fine dust filter 53 by the dust detection means is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount set in advance, the control means 9, as shown in FIG. Both the first air passage 39 side and the third air passage 52 side are communicated with the suction side of the electric blower 5 by a passage switching valve 55 (not shown), and the first valve body 62a of the second air passage switching valve 62 is connected. Close, open the second valve body 62b, open the first valve body 65a of the third air path switching valve 65, close the second valve body 65b, switch to the third state, the negative pressure of the electric blower 5 is (2) A return air passage W4 that sequentially acts with the outside air intake 64, the second branch pipe 24, the main dust collecting chamber 22, and the suction air passage 25 is formed.

  As a result, the fine dust filter 53 is backwashed by the air passing through the fine dust filter 53 from the downstream side to the upstream side, and the fine dust D2 removed from the fine dust filter 53 is converted into the second branch pipe 24 and the mesh filter. It is moved to a paper pack 31 in the main dust collection chamber 22 via 30 and is collected in a bag 34 of this paper pack 31.

  Thereafter, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the control means 9 stops the electric blower 5 and stops the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner.

  If a predetermined amount or more of dust accumulates in the paper pack 31, the lid 3 is opened, the paper pack 31 is removed from the main dust collection chamber 22 and discarded together with the dust, and a new paper pack 31 is collected. Install in chamber 22.

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, the paper pack 31 is provided on the upstream side of the suction air passage 25 that is the joining position of the second air passage 42 and the third air passage 52 of the first air passage 39. An auxiliary pleat filter 43 is provided in the second air passage 42 upstream of the suction air passage 25, and a fine dust filter 53 having a finer mesh than the pleat filter 43 is provided in the third air passage 52. The main air passage W1 communicates with the suction side of the electric blower 5 from the suction port 11 via the first air passage 39 and the main air passage 11 communicates with the suction side of the electric blower 5 via the second air passage 42. A filter communicating with the suction side of the electric blower 5 from the first state forming the auxiliary air passage W2 and the first outside air inlet 61 through the pleated filter 43, the second air passage 42 and the third air passage 52 The configuration is such that the second state in which the cleaning air passage W3 is formed can be switched.

  For this reason, in the first state, when the amount of dust collected in the paper pack 31 in the first air passage 39 increases and the air passage resistance of the first air passage 39 increases, the dust and the suction air flow in the second air passage. The branching from 42 to the pleated filter 43 is suppressed, and the decrease in the total amount of the suction air is suppressed. In the second state, the pleated filter 43 is back-washed by the outside air sucked from the first outside air intake 61, By collecting the collected fine dust D2 in the fine dust filter 53, the clogging of the pleat filter 43 is prevented, the air permeability of the second air passage 42 is ensured, and the first state is resumed. By securing the air volume of the suction air that is bypassed to the second air passage 42, it is possible to suppress a temporal decrease in the suction force corresponding to the degree of clogging of the paper pack 31.

  That is, in the conventional case, even if the air passage is divided into a plurality of air passages, there is only one filter that finally passes when sucked into the electric blower 5, so if this filter is clogged, the suction force is reduced. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the first air passage 39 and the second air passage 42 are divided and divided in the first state, and the merging position of the air passages 39 and 42 is reduced. By providing the paper pack 31 and the pleat filter 43 on the upstream side, the suction air is bypassed to the second air passage 42 side even if the paper pack 31 of the first air passage 39 used in the main is gradually clogged. Further, not only the reduction in the total amount of suction air is suppressed, but also the reduction in suction force over time can be suppressed by ensuring the air flow rate of the second air passage 42 in the second state.

  In other words, according to the above-described embodiment, the fine air dust D2 collected by the pleated filter 43 in the first state is used for the normal air cleaning, the first air passage 39 and the second air passage 42. Continue to collect fine dust D2 in the first air passage 39 and the second air passage 42 by completely isolating it from inside and collecting it in the third air passage 52 that is not used for normal cleaning. Therefore, it is possible to reliably suppress a decrease in suction force over time.

  In addition, the second outside air intake 64 can be switched to the third state that forms the return air passage W4 that communicates with the suction side of the electric blower 5 via the third air passage 52 and the first air passage 39. In this third state, the fine dust filter 53 is back-washed by the outside air sucked from the second outside air intake port 64, and the fine dust D2 of the pleated filter 43 collected in the fine dust filter 53 is transferred to the paper pack 31. By moving, the fine dust filter 53 is prevented from being clogged, and the fine dust D2 moved from the pleated filter 43 in the second state can be reliably collected by the fine dust filter 53.

  Furthermore, the first air passage 39 is provided in a straight line from the main body suction port 11, and the second air passage 42 is branched from the first air passage 39 to the side, so that the paper pack 31 is accumulated in the first state. Even if the amount of dust is increased and the air volume of the suction air passing through the first air passage 39 is reduced, the coarse dust D1 travels straight through the communication pipe 21 due to inertia and is collected from the opening 36 into the paper pack 31. , Can prevent the reduction of dust collection efficiency.

  Further, by providing a mesh filter 29 having a coarser mesh than the bag body 34 of the paper pack 31 at the branch portion between the first air passage 39 and the second air passage 42, the coarse dust D1 is generated in the second state in the first state. The mesh filter 29 prevents the air from being sucked into the road 42, and dust can be reliably inertially separated.

  In addition, by using a paper pack 31 that is detachable with respect to the main dust collection chamber 22 constituting the first air passage 39 as the main filter, the paper pack 31 is discarded when the coarse dust D1 is fully accumulated. By attaching a new paper pack 31 to the main dust collection chamber 22, the amount of the suction air passing through the first air passage 39 in the first state can be maintained.

  Furthermore, since the fine dust D2 collected by the pleat filter 43 is removed by the dust removing means 45 before switching to the second state, clogging of the pleat filter 43 can be more reliably suppressed.

  Moreover, after the fine dust D2 collected by the pleat filter 43 is removed by the dust removing means 45, the pleat filter 43 is back-washed by switching to the second state, so that the outside air efficiently flows downstream in the second state. The cleaning efficiency of the pleated filter 43 is further improved.

  The air volumes of the main air passage W1 and the sub air passage W2 are automatically distributed in response to the clogging of the paper pack 31, and the first state is set by the control means 9 according to the cleaning operation of the operator. By automatically switching between the second state and the third state, it is possible to easily maintain the suction force by performing a normal cleaning operation without the operator being particularly conscious, and the frequency of replacement of the paper pack 31. In addition, the maintenance frequency of the pleated filter 43 and the like is reduced, and usability is improved.

  In the above embodiment, the dust removing means 45 may be configured not to be provided in order to simplify the configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner.

  Further, any filter separator other than the paper pack 31 can be used as the main filter.

  The mesh filters 29 and 30 are not necessarily provided.

  Further, a plurality of second air passages 42 and third air passages 52 may be provided.

  Further, the timing of switching to the second state by the control means 9 is not provided at the start and end of cleaning, for example, a clogging state detection means (not shown) such as a current sensor or a pressure sensor is provided in the suction air passage 25 or the like. The clogging state detection means switches when the clogging of the pleat filter 43 is detected, or the switching is performed when the operator inputs a predetermined manual input, or a predetermined time has elapsed in the cleaning state. It can be arbitrarily set, such as a configuration for switching in some cases.

  Similarly, the timing of switching to the third state by the control means 9 can be arbitrarily set, for example, when the clogging state of the paper pack 31 detected by the clogging detection means is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

  Each air passage switching valve 62, 65 includes a first valve body 62a, 65a and a second valve body 62b, 65b. However, the first air intake of the second air passage 42 in the first state. The downstream side of the electric blower 5 and the electric blower 5 communicate with each other from the port 61, and the first outside air intake 61 and the second air passage 42 communicate with each other in the second state, and the second state with the second The downstream side of the electric blower 5 and the electric blower 5 communicate with each other than the second outside air intake 64 of the three air passages 52, and the second outside air intake 64 and the third air passage 52 communicate with each other in the second state. The configuration can be arbitrarily set as long as it is to be performed.

  Each valve 26, 55, 62, 65 is configured to be automatically opened and closed by the control means 9, but may be configured such that the operator manually switches the opening and closing at an arbitrary timing.

  Further, in the second state, the hose body 12, the extension pipe 16, and the floor brush 17 connected to the main body suction port 11 have air path resistance. Since the outside air taken in from the inlet 61 does not flow backward from the main body inlet 11 to the upstream side which is the hose body 12 side, the same effect as each of the above embodiments can be achieved even if the on-off valve 26 is not provided. It is possible to play. In this case, the configuration and the control by the control means 9 can be simplified.

  The first outside air intake 61 is provided on the upstream side of the pleated filter 43 so that outside air is sucked along the upstream side surface of the pleated filter 43 in the second state, and the upstream surface of the pleated filter 43 is washed. It may be configured. In this case, it is preferable to set the opening direction of the first outside air intake port 61 along the fold direction of the pleat filter 43, and the first air passage switching valve 55 is connected to the first air passage 39 and the third air passage 39. One of the air passages 52 is configured to selectively communicate with the suction side of the electric blower 5, and the first air passage 39 is communicated with the suction side of the electric blower 5 in the first state and the third state. In the second state, the third air passage 52 is communicated with the suction side of the electric blower 5.

  Similarly, the second outside air intake port 64 is provided on the upstream side of the fine dust filter 53, and sucks outside air along the upstream side surface of the fine dust filter 53 in the third state. You may comprise so that it may wash | clean.

  Further, the first air path switching valve 55 can be configured to close, for example, the upstream side of the paper pack 31 when the first air path 39 is shut off from the suction side of the electric blower 5. is there.

  Further, the fine dust filter 53 may be a disposable filter that can be attached to and detached from the third air passage 52. In this case, when the fine dust filter 53 is clogged, the fine dust filter 53 is discarded and a new fine dust filter 53 is attached, so that the air flow rate on the third air passage 52 side can be secured.

  And the control means 9 can also be set not to select the third state.

  The details of the vacuum cleaner are not limited to the above configuration, and the vacuum cleaner is not limited to the canister type, for example, self-propelled (running assist type) or autonomous running type (robot type) electric For example, a vacuum cleaner or the like may be used. For example, the floor brush 17 may be an upright type or a handy type directly formed on the lower surface of the vacuum cleaner body 1.

It is an explanatory top view showing the 1st state of the vacuum cleaner of one embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory top view showing the state where dust was collected by the main filter of the 1st state of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is an explanatory top view which shows the 2nd state of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is an explanatory top view showing the 3rd state of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows a vacuum cleaner same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

1 Vacuum Cleaner Body 5 Electric Blower 7 Dust Collection Unit as Dust Collection Unit
11 Main unit inlet
26 On-off valve
31 Paper pack as main filter
39 First airway
42 Second wind path
43 Pleated filter as auxiliary filter
52 3rd wind path
53 Fine dust filter as dust collecting filter
55 1st airway switching valve
61 First outside air intake as an opening
62 Second airway switching valve
64 Second outside air intake as a communication opening
W1 Main wind path
W2 secondary air passage
W3 Filter cleaning air passage
W4 return air passage

Claims (6)

A vacuum cleaner body containing an electric blower,
A dust collector provided in the vacuum cleaner body;
A main body suction port provided in the vacuum cleaner main body in communication with the upstream side of the dust collecting portion,
The dust collecting part is
A first air passage communicating from the downstream side of the main body suction port to the suction side of the electric blower;
Branching from the first air path downstream of the main body suction port so as to inertially separate dust contained in the air sucked through the main body suction port by driving the electric blower, A second air passage joining and communicating with the suction side of the electric blower;
A third air passage branched separately from the second air passage with respect to the first air passage, the downstream side joining the first air passage and communicating with the suction side of the electric blower;
A main filter that is provided on the upstream side of the merging position of the first air passage with the second air passage and the third air passage, and that collects dust;
An auxiliary filter provided on the upstream side of the merging position of the second air passage, and collecting dust;
A dust collecting filter that is provided in the third air path and has a finer mesh than the auxiliary filter;
An opening provided downstream of the auxiliary filter and communicating with the outside air through the second air passage;
A main air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower from the main body suction port via the first air passage, and a main air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower from the main body suction port via the second air passage. A first state that forms a secondary air passage, and the third air passage communicated with the suction side of the electric blower through the second air passage and the third air passage from the opening. A vacuum cleaner characterized in that it can be switched between a second state that forms a filter cleaning air passage communicating with the suction side of the blower. A first air passage switching valve that communicates the first air passage with the suction side of the electric blower in the first state, and communicates the third air passage with the suction side of the electric blower in the second state;
A second air passage switching valve that communicates the downstream side of the second air passage with the suction side of the electric blower in the first state, and communicates the opening and the second air passage in the second state. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein: The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an on-off valve that opens the communication between the main body suction port and the dust collecting portion in the first state and closes the communication in the second state. The dust collecting portion includes a communication opening that communicates the third air passage with the outside air,
A return air that blocks the downstream side of the third air passage with respect to the suction side of the electric blower and communicates with the suction side of the electric blower from the communication opening via the third air passage and the first air passage. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the third state forming the path is switchable. 5. A clogging state detecting means for detecting a clogging state of the main filter and indicating a timing of switching to the third state when the detected clogging state is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The vacuum cleaner described. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dust collection filter is disposable.

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