JP2009112434A - Electric vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric vacuum cleaner which can eliminate soil on the sensing surface by a normal cleaning without requiring any separate cleaning work for the sensing surface. <P>SOLUTION: A wiping body 195, which is located on the upstream side of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208, is biased to the upstream side by a coil spring 216. When an electric blower is driven, the wiping body 195 slides along the inside of an insertion cylinder section 84 by resisting the urging by the coil spring 216 with a negative pressure, and removes dust and dirt adhered to the sensing surfaces 207 and 208. When the electric blower is stopped, the wiping body 195 returns to the position on the upstream side of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 by the bias of the coil spring 216. No separate cleaning work for the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 is required, and soil on the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 can be eliminated by the normal cleaning. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner that detects the amount of dust collected in a dust collecting unit by receiving light from a light emitting unit by a light receiving unit.

Conventionally, this type of vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum cleaner body that houses an electric blower. A disposable paper pack, which is a dust collection bag as a dust collection portion communicating with the suction side of the electric blower, is provided in the cleaner body. This paper pack separates and collects dust sucked together with air by driving an electric blower. If a predetermined amount or more of dust accumulates in the paper pack, the paper pack is discarded together with the dust. Therefore, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are placed facing each other at the communicating part of the vacuum cleaner body with the paper pack. The infrared rays from the light emitting part are received by the light receiving part to detect whether dust has accumulated. However, since the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are disposed in a portion where the dust passes to the paper pack, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit may be gradually soiled by the dust and may not operate normally. There is known a vacuum cleaner that detects dirt on a light receiving unit and notifies a user of the contamination (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-4-279131 (page 2-3, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3)

  However, in the above-described electric vacuum cleaner, although the contamination of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is informed, this contamination has a problem that it must be cleaned by the operator himself and is complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a vacuum cleaner that can eliminate contamination of the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface by ordinary cleaning without requiring separate cleaning work of the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface. For the purpose.

  The present invention relates to a pipe part communicating with the upstream side of the air flow by driving of the electric blower with respect to a dust collecting part for collecting dust contained in the air sucked by the drive of the electric blower, and light is emitted in this pipe part. A light-emitting unit having a light-emitting surface, and a light-receiving unit having a light-receiving surface facing the light-emitting surface in the tube and receiving light from the light-emitting surface, and collecting dust by transmitting and receiving light between the light-emitting surface and the light-receiving surface A dust amount detection means for detecting the amount of dust collected in the part, a removal body positioned upstream from the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface, and a biasing means for biasing the removal body upstream. When the electric blower is driven, the removal body moves toward the dust collecting part along the inside of the pipe part against the urging force of the urging means due to the negative pressure to remove the dust adhering to the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface. However, when the electric blower is stopped, the removal body is moved inside the pipe portion by the urging of the urging means. In and it is to return to the upstream side of the position of the light-emitting surface and the light-receiving surface.

  Further, the present invention provides a pipe portion communicating with the upstream side of the air flow by driving the electric blower with respect to a dust collecting portion for collecting dust contained in the air sucked by the driving of the electric blower, A light-emitting unit having a light-emitting surface, and a light-receiving unit having a light-receiving surface facing the light-emitting surface in the tube and receiving light from the light-emitting surface, and transmitting and receiving light between the light-emitting surface and the light-receiving surface Dust amount detecting means for detecting the amount of dust collected in the dust collecting unit, and a tube that is positioned on the dust collecting unit side with respect to the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface and is pressed by the dust collected in the dust collecting unit. And a removal body that moves upstream along the inside of the unit to remove dust adhering to the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface.

  According to the present invention, the removal body located on the upstream side of the air flow by driving the electric blower is urged to the upstream side by the urging means with respect to the light emitting surface of the light emitting unit and the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit. The removal body moves along the inside of the tube portion against the bias of the biasing means by the negative pressure when the electric blower is driven, and removes dust adhering to the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface. At the time of stopping, by returning to the upstream position of the light emitting surface of the light emitting unit and the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit by the urging of the urging means, a normal cleaning operation of the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface is not required. By cleaning, dirt on the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface can be eliminated.

  Further, according to the present invention, the removal body located on the dust collecting side with respect to the light emitting surface of the light emitting unit and the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit is pressed upstream by the dust collected in the dust collecting unit. By moving along the inside of the tube part and removing the dust adhering to the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface, the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface can be cleaned by ordinary cleaning without requiring separate cleaning work of the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface. Can remove dirt.

  Hereinafter, the structure of the vacuum cleaner of the 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 1 thru | or FIG.

  4 to 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a vacuum cleaner main body, and the vacuum cleaner main body 1 is a so-called canister type electric vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner main body 1 has a main body case 2 and a lid 3 provided on the upper portion of the main body case 2 so as to be opened and closed.

  The main body case 2 includes a lower case 5 formed in a longitudinal shape in the front-rear direction and an upper case 6 attached to the upper side of the lower case 5, and an electric blower chamber 8 that houses the electric blower 7 is a rear portion. And a dust collection chamber 10 in which a dust collection unit 9 as a main dust collection unit is detachably mounted is formed at the front, and a partition wall portion is provided between the electric blower chamber 8 and the dust collection chamber 10. 14 is arranged.

  A large-diameter driven wheel 16 (only one is shown) is rotatably supported on both sides on the rear side of the lower case 5. A swivel wheel 17 is pivotally supported on the lower surface of the lower case 5 below the dust collection chamber 10 so as to be swivelable. As a result, the cleaner main body 1 can travel on the floor surface to be cleaned by the driven wheel 16 and the swivel wheel 17.

  An electric blower 7 is disposed in the electric blower chamber 8 in the front-rear direction, with the suction side as the front side and the exhaust side as the rear side. Further, a control means (not shown) for controlling the driving of the electric blower 7 and the like is accommodated above the electric blower 7 in the electric blower chamber 8. Further, the electric blower chamber 8 has a plurality of exhaust holes 18 formed therein.

  The dust collection unit 9 includes a paper pack 21 that is a dust collection bag as a dust collection unit, and a paper pack holder 22 as a dust collection bag holder that is detachably held in the dust collection chamber 10 by holding the paper pack 21 in a removable manner. And have.

  The paper pack 21 includes a mouth frame 25 in which a pack opening 24 as an opening is formed, and a bag body 26 attached to the mouth frame 25.

  The mouth frame 25 is formed in a plate shape with thick paper such as cardboard.

  The bag body 26 is formed, for example, by laminating a plurality of filter media, which are air permeable materials, into a bag shape, folded in an unused state, and spreads below the paper pack holder 22 in the dust collecting chamber 10 in the used state. It is configured as follows.

  On the other hand, the paper pack holder 22 has a holder main body 28 that holds the mouth frame 25 of the paper pack 21, and a handle 29 that protrudes from one main surface side of the holder main body 28. It can be attached to the edge.

  The holder body 28 is formed in a substantially plate shape, and an opening 31 that communicates with the pack opening 24 of the paper pack 21 is formed in the center. Further, on the main surface of the holder main body 28 opposite to the handle 29, a groove portion (not shown) is formed which is inserted and slid or slid.

  The handle 29 is composed of base portions 45 and 45 that are pivotally supported on both sides of the opening 31 of the holder main body 28, and a connection portion 46 that connects the base portions 45 and 45, respectively. A button 47 as an operation unit for operating a part of the groove and removing the paper pack 21 from the holder main body 28 is provided at a connection position between the base 45 and the base 45. The handle 29 is attached with a torsion spring (not shown) at the base end of the base portion 45 and is biased in a direction in which the connection portion 46 is separated from the holder main body 28, and is acute with respect to the holder main body 28, that is, less than 90 °. It is comprised so that the angle of may be made.

  The partition wall portion 14 includes a partition wall body 51 and a drive mechanism 52 provided on the partition wall body 51.

  The bulkhead body 51 is a wall-like member that partitions the electric blower chamber 8 and the dust collection chamber 10 and is connected to the suction side of the electric blower 7 so that the suction side of the electric blower 7 and the dust collection chamber 10 communicate with each other. A communicating tube portion 54 is formed at a position closer to the lower side. In addition, an outside air introduction port 55 that is an air introduction port that communicates the electric blower chamber 8 and the lid 3 side is formed at a position near the upper side of the partition wall main body 51. Further, at a position between the communication cylinder portion 54 and the outside air introduction port 55 in the vertical direction, a partition wall portion 57 is projected substantially horizontally toward the front side which is the dust collection chamber 10 side. A lower space 57 serves as a lower space 58, and an upper side of the partition wall 57 serves as an upper space 59.

  The partition wall 57 is formed with a space communication port 61 that allows the lower space 58 and the upper space 59 to communicate with each other.

  In the lower space 58, a filter 63 facing the downstream side of the paper pack 21 is disposed.

  The upper space 59 is provided with a dust removing mechanism 65 for removing dust on the lid 3 side. The dust removing mechanism 65 reciprocates along the left-right direction by the drive mechanism 52 to remove dust.

  The drive mechanism 52 switches between opening and closing of the outside air introduction port 55 and the space communication port 61, and includes a motor 71 rotated by a control means (not shown) and a gear portion 72 driven by the rotation of the motor 71. And an inlet opening / closing valve 73 that opens and closes the outside air inlet 55 driven by the gear portion 72, and a communication opening / closing valve 74 that opens and closes the space communication opening 61.

  The motor 71 is located in the electric blower chamber 8.

  The gear portion 72 is a gear train in which various gears pivotally supported on the electric blower chamber 8 side or the dust collection chamber 10 side of the partition wall main body 51 are engaged with each other, and are connected to the inlet opening / closing valve 73 and the communication port. The on-off valve 74 is connected to each via a crank mechanism, and the on-off valves 73 and 74 are configured to operate in the vertical direction in conjunction with each other.

  The inlet opening / closing valve 73 is located on the rear side of the outside air inlet 55.

  The communication port opening / closing valve 74 is formed in a horizontally long plate shape, and one long side is pivotally supported on the upper part of the base end side of the partition wall portion 57 so as to be rotatable.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the lid 3 opens and closes the upper side of the dust collection chamber 10 and is pivotally supported by the upper case 6 so that the rear part can be rotated in the vertical direction. . The lid 3 includes a lid lower plate 81 that forms a lower surface, a lid upper plate 82 that forms an upper surface, and a partition plate 83 attached to the inside of the lid lower plate 81. An insertion tube portion 84 as a tube portion is attached to a substantially central portion of the plate 81. In addition, a mounting recess 86 is formed in an inclined manner toward the front upper side on the front side of the lid upper plate 82, and an annular suction port member 88 that opens the main body suction port 87 rotates in the mounting recess 86. A ring 89 is attached as a holding member that is attached in a possible manner and holds the outer peripheral edge portion of the suction port member 88 with the attachment recess 86.

  The lid lower plate 81 is formed with a cylindrical lower plate cylinder portion 91 that forms a dust separation portion in the center region in the front-rear direction, and the lower end portion of the lower plate cylinder portion 91 is airtight to the upper portion of the insertion cylinder portion 84. It is connected to the. Further, a ventilation opening 92 is formed in the rear portion of the lower plate cylinder portion 91, and a mesh filter 93 is attached to the ventilation opening 92. Further, the lid lower plate 81 is formed with an upper inclined portion 94 inclined upward and a lower plate portion 95 spaced apart and positioned below the upper inclined portion 94 at the rear of the lower plate cylinder portion 91. A space portion 96 communicating with the ventilation opening 92 is formed between the upper inclined portion 94 and the lower plate portion 95, a lid body opening portion 97 is opened at the rear portion of the space portion 96, and the lid body. A mounting plate 98 is attached to the opening 97. In addition, the attachment plate 98 has a lid air vent 101 formed on the lower side, and an introduction opening 102 formed above the lid air vent 101. A packing 103 as a seal member for airtight connection with the dust collection chamber 10 is attached to the lower edge portion of the lid lower plate 81.

  A pleated filter 104, which is a surface dust collection filter as a filter, is attached to the lid vent 101 and is located in the space 96. The pleated filter 104 has a plurality of groove portions (not shown) that are recessed from the upstream side to the downstream side of the air flow driven by the electric blower 7, and that are not shown along the vertical direction. It has a so-called pleated shape. In addition, the pleated filter 104 is disposed such that the upper side is inclined forward so that the upstream surface faces downward.

  In the following, upstream and downstream refer to upstream and downstream of the air flow by driving the electric blower 7.

  An introduction opening on-off valve 106 is attached to the introduction opening 102 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction. The introduction opening on / off valve 106 is configured to open only by air passing from the rear to the front of the introduction opening 102. The introduction opening 102, together with the outside air introduction port 55, the open / close valves 73 and 106, and the like, allows outside air to flow to the upstream side surface of the pleat filter 104 when predetermined conditions are satisfied, for example, when cleaning is stopped and the operation of the vacuum cleaner is stopped. This constitutes an outside air introduction mechanism that is an air introduction mechanism for collecting dust adhering to the upstream side surface of the pleated filter 104. Hereinafter, the outside air refers to air located outside the air passage, and does not necessarily mean air outside the cleaner body 1.

  Further, the lid upper plate 82 has an insertion hole 121 formed substantially at the center of the mounting recess 86, and a plurality of contact plates 122, for example, three main body side contacts are attached around the insertion hole 121. It has been. In addition, an insertion tube portion 123 that communicates with the main body suction port 87 and protrudes from the suction port member 88 is inserted into the insertion hole 121 in an airtight manner, and this introduction tube portion 123 is connected to the lower plate tube portion 91 in an airtight manner. Has been.

  Further, a connecting pipe 141a, which is a downstream end portion of the hose body 141, is inserted into and connected to the main body suction port 87, and a cylindrical hand operating portion 142 is integrally provided on the distal end side of the hose body 141. In addition, an extendable extension pipe 143 and a floor brush 144 serving as a suction port body are sequentially connected to the distal end portion of the hand operation unit 142. In addition, the hand operating unit 142 is provided with a gripping part 145 for gripping at the time of cleaning, and the gripping part 145 includes a driving state of the electric blower or an electric part (not shown) provided in the floor brush 144. A plurality of setting buttons 146 for setting the driving state and the like are provided. The floor brush 144, the extension pipe 143, and the hose body 141 constitute a pipe portion 147 for sucking dust from the floor surface by driving the electric blower 7.

  The suction port member 88 is configured to rotate integrally following the rotation of the pipe portion 147 connected to the main body suction port 87. In addition, a plurality of, for example, three slip rings 164, which are sliding contacts serving as suction port member side contacts corresponding to the contact plate 122, are formed concentrically on the portion of the suction port member 88 facing the mounting recess 86. ing.

  Here, the slip ring 164 is for connecting the electric part in the floor brush 144, which is an electric part on the hand operation part 142 and the pipe part 147 side, and the cleaner body 1 side, and is a conductive metal. Etc., and is configured to be in contact with the tip of the contact plate 122 and electrically connected to each other.

  The partition plate 83 includes an upper plate 171 and a lower plate 172 spaced downward with respect to the upper plate 171. The partition plate 83 is attached in the space 96 and is located between the upper plate 171 and the lower plate 172. In addition, an upper air passage 173 as a first air passage is defined, and a lower air passage 174 as a second air passage is defined between the lower plate 172 and the lower plate portion 95 of the lid lower plate 81. ing. Further, the partition plate 83 has a square hole shape as a first air passage opening that communicates with the upper air passage 173 and that faces the front side that is the upstream side of the pleated filter 104 at the center in the left-right direction at the rear end. An upper opening 175 is formed, and below the upper opening 175, a second wind is formed as a square hole-shaped opening that communicates with the lower air passage 174 and faces the front side that is the upstream side of the pleated filter 104. A lower opening 176 that is a road opening is formed.

  Further, an upper air passage opening / closing valve 181 as a first air passage opening / closing valve that opens and closes the upper air passage 173 is attached to the partition plate 83 below the upper plate 171 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction. A lower air passage opening / closing valve 182 as a second air passage opening / closing valve for opening / closing the lower air passage 174 is attached to the lower portion of the lower plate 172 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction.

  The upper air passage opening / closing valve 181 is configured to open only by air passing through the upper air passage 173 from the front to the rear, and the lower air passage opening / closing valve 182 passes through the lower air passage 174 from the rear to the front. It is configured to open only by the air that does.

  The insertion tube portion 84 includes a cylindrical tube portion main body 185 formed along the vertical direction, and a flange portion 186 that protrudes outward from the upper end portion that is the base end side of the tube portion main body 185. I have. Further, on the outside of the cylinder body 185 above the flange portion 186, a light emitting portion constituting a dust amount detection unit 187 as dust amount detection means for detecting the amount of dust accumulated in the paper pack 21 A light emission control unit 189 which is a substrate including a light emitter 188 as a main body and a light reception control unit 191 which is a substrate including a light receiver 190 as a light receiving unit main body are arranged on the left and right. The insertion tube portion 84 includes a light-emitting portion light transmission member 193 and a light-receiving portion light transmission member 194 (hereinafter referred to simply as “light-receiving portion light transmission member 194”) that are bent over the cylinder portion main body 185 and the flange portion 186. Light transmission members 193 and 194) are attached. Further, a wiping body 195 that is a dust removing body as a removing body is attached in the insertion tube portion 84.

  The cylinder main body 185 protrudes from the contact portion between the lid 3 and the dust collecting chamber 10 and is inserted into the bag 26 from the pack opening 24 of the paper pack 21 with the lid 3 closed. Thus, the lower end portion of the lower plate cylinder portion 91 of the lid lower plate 81 is airtightly connected. In addition, at the positions of the inner peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion main body 185 facing each other, the accommodating portions 196 and 197 in which the light transmission member 193 and the light transmission member 194 are disposed are arranged along the axial direction and A window portion that is formed so as to protrude toward the central axis side relative to other portions of the inner peripheral surface of the main body 185, and forms a pair facing the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical main body 185 at the distal end side of the housing portions 196, 197 Openings 198 and 199 are formed.

  The flange portion 186 is formed in a circular shape, and flange portion accommodating portions 201 and 202 continuous with the accommodating portions 196 and 197 are formed along the radial direction, respectively. Further, the outer peripheral edge of the flange 186 is pressed against the peripheral edge of the pack opening 24 of the mouth frame 25 of the paper pack 21 exposed from the opening 31 of the paper pack holder 22 with the lid 3 closed. A packing 204 as a member is attached.

  The light emission control unit 189 controls light emission such as infrared rays from a light emitter 188 such as a photodiode.

  The light reception control unit 191 receives the infrared light emitted from the light emission control unit 189 by the light receiving body 190 via the light transmission members 193 and 194, and detects the amount of dust in the paper pack 21 by this light reception. This can be detected by the unit 187.

  The light transmission member 193 is formed of, for example, a transparent resin, and the proximal end protrudes upward from the flange portion 186 to face the light emitter 188, and an intermediate portion is formed in the flange portion accommodating portion 201 of the flange portion 186. The sensing surface 207 that is fitted and positioned along the axial direction of the insertion tube portion 84, the distal end side is housed in the housing portion 196, and serves as a sensing portion as a light emitting surface, is opened from the opening 198 to the tubular portion. It faces the inner peripheral side of the main body 185. The sensing surface 207 is substantially flush with the inner peripheral surface of the housing portion 196 that is the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion main body 185.

  Similarly, the light transmission member 194 is formed of, for example, transparent resin, and the base end side protrudes upward from the flange portion 186 to face the light receiving body 190, and the intermediate portion accommodates the flange portion of the flange portion 186. It is fitted in the portion 202 and positioned along the axial direction of the insertion tube portion 84, and the distal end side is housed in the housing portion 197. Further, in this light transmission member 194, the sensing surface 208, which is a tip portion serving as a sensing portion as a light receiving surface, faces the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion main body 185 from the opening 199, and the wind in the sensing surface 207 and the insertion cylindrical portion 84 In other words, the passages face each other in the direction intersecting the axial direction of the insertion cylinder part 84 in the insertion cylinder part 84. The sensing surface 208 is substantially flush with the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion 197 that is the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion main body 185.

  Further, the light emission control unit 189 and the light transmission member 193 constitute a light emission unit 211, and the light reception control unit 191 and the light transmission member 194 constitute a light reception unit 212.

  In the dust amount detection unit 187, the light emission control unit 189 of the light emission unit 211 and the light reception control unit 191 of the light reception unit 212 are electrically connected to control means, respectively.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 (a), 1 (b), and 2, the wiping body 195 is formed in a substantially annular shape with, for example, a synthetic resin having rigidity, and the inside of the insertion tube portion 84 is axially formed. It is formed to slide. That is, the wiping body 195 has an outer diameter that is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the insertion tube portion 84, and the accommodating portions 196 and 197 that protrude in the central axis direction in the tube portion main body 185 have no gaps. The fitting recesses 215 and 215 are formed at positions facing each other. Further, the wiping body 195 is set such that the thickness dimension is smaller than the length dimension of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208, that is, the dimension along the axial direction of the insertion tube portion 84, in other words, the dimension in the suction air flow direction. ing. A coil spring 216 as an urging means is attached to the upstream side surface 195a of the wiping body 195, and the wiping body 195 is urged upstream by the coil spring 216.

  Each recess 215 is provided with a wiping portion 218 such as a brushed cloth or brush hair on the outer peripheral surface 215a. The wiping portion 218 is a portion that comes into sliding contact with the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 as the wiping body 195 slides, and is configured to wipe off dirt on the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 by the sliding contact. The recesses 215 serve as guides for guiding the wiping body 195 along the cylinder main body 185 of the insertion cylinder part 84 by fitting with the accommodating parts 196 and 197.

  Note that the wiping body 195 itself may be formed of a raised cloth or the like.

  On the other hand, the upstream end of the coil spring 216 is fixed to the upstream end of the cylindrical body 185. Further, the coil spring 216 has a biasing force that is greater than the suction force of the electric blower 7 in a predetermined length in which the wiping body 195 is extended to a length located downstream of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208. It is set to be large.

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

  First, when cleaning is started, the lid 3 is opened, the mouth frame 25 of the paper pack 21 is inserted between the groove portions of the holder main body 28 of the paper pack holder 22, and the paper pack 21 is attached to the paper pack holder 22.

  Thereafter, the paper pack holder 22 is mounted in the dust collection chamber 10 and the lid 3 is closed.

  At this time, the lower surface of the lid lower plate 81 of the lid 3 pushes down the handle 29 of the paper pack holder 22 against the bias, and the handle 29 becomes substantially parallel along the holder body 28. The packing 204 of the insertion cylinder 84 is pressed against the mouth frame 25 of the paper pack 21, the cylinder body 185 of the insertion cylinder 84 is inserted into the pack opening 24 of the paper pack 21, and the groove of the pleat filter 104 The downstream side of this is fitted with the dust removing mechanism 65, and the outside air inlet 55 and the inlet opening 102 are connected in an airtight manner. At the same time, the packing 103 at the bottom of the lid 3 is brought into pressure contact with the peripheral edge of the dust collection chamber 10 to close the dust collection chamber 10 in an airtight state.

  Then, the operator inserts and connects the connecting pipe 141a of the hose body 141 to the main body suction port 87 of the lid 3 and sequentially connects the extension pipe 143 and the floor brush 144 to the distal end side of the hose body 141. .

  In this state, the wiping body 195 is positioned on the upstream side of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 by the urging force of the coil spring 216 as shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, when the operator grips the grip portion 145 and sets the operation mode of the electric blower 7 by the setting button 146 and starts the operation of the vacuum cleaner, the electric blower 7 is driven in the set operation mode, and the floor brush 144 is moved back and forth on the floor surface, and dust on the floor surface is sucked from the front end side of the floor brush 144.

  At this time, the wiping body 195 is against the biasing force of the coil spring 216 by the negative pressure (suction force) of the electric blower 7, as shown in FIG. After the wiping portion 218 has passed through the downstream side while wiping the sensing surfaces 207 and 208, the urging force of the coil spring 216 suspends the negative pressure of the electric blower 7. Retained.

  In this suction state, the introduction opening / closing valve 73 is closed by the drive mechanism 52 and the communication opening / closing valve 74 is opened.

  For this reason, the air sucked from the front end side of the floor brush 144 by the action of the negative pressure by driving the electric blower 7 is sucked into the main body suction port 87 through the extension pipe 143 and the hose body 141, and the lower plate cylinder portion 91 Is branched to the paper pack 21 side and the pleated filter 104 side via the upper air passage 173, and the branched air merges at the space communication port 61 and then from the communication tube portion 54 to the electric blower 7. The air is sucked, passes through the electric blower 7 and becomes exhaust air, and is exhausted from the exhaust hole 18.

  Specifically, of the dust contained in the air, coarse dust travels straight through the lower plate cylinder portion 91 due to inertia and is collected into the paper pack 21 via the cylinder body 185 of the insertion cylinder portion 84. Fine dust contained in the air that has passed through the paper pack 21 is collected by the filter 63, and the air in which the dust is collected is sucked into the electric blower 7 from the lower space 58 through the communication cylinder portion 54. On the other hand, among the dust contained in the air, fine dust is branched to the ventilation opening 92 side by the lower plate cylinder portion 91 and collected by the mesh filter 93, and the fine dust that has passed through the mesh filter 93 is collected. Flows into the space portion 96 from the upper air passage 173 and the upper opening 175, and is collected by the pleated filter 104, and the air in which the dust is collected flows downward from the upper space portion 59 through the space communication port 61. It flows into the space 58 and is sucked into the electric blower 7 from the communication tube 54.

  When the cleaning is finished, when the operator stops the operation mode of the electric blower 7 with the setting button 146, the control unit operates the drive mechanism 52 via the motor 71 to drive the dust removal mechanism 65. Then, the pleat filter 104 is flipped left and right, the inlet opening / closing valve 73 is opened, and the communication opening / closing valve 74 is closed.

  For this reason, the fine dust collected by the pleat filter 104 falls on the lid lower plate 81 by the operation of the dust removing mechanism 65, and the air in the electric blower chamber 8 passes through the introduction opening 102 from the outside air introduction port 55. After passing the upstream side surface of the pleated filter 104 from the upper side to the lower side, it passes through the lower air passage 174, the insertion cylinder part 84, the paper pack 21, the lower space part 58, and the communication cylinder part 54 to the electric blower 7. By being sucked in, the fine dust collected on the pleat filter 104 and the dust removed from the pleat filter 104 by the dust removing mechanism 65 are collected in the paper pack 21.

  At the same time, the urging force of the coil spring 216 becomes larger than the negative pressure by the electric blower 7, so that the coil spring 216 contracts and the wiping body 195 returns to the position shown in FIG. At this time, the wiping unit 218 wipes again the dirt on the sensing surfaces 207 and 208.

  Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit stops the electric blower 7 and further emits light such as infrared rays from the light emitter 188 of the light emission control unit 189.

  The light enters the light transmission member 193, passes through the light transmission member 193, and exits from the opening 198 through the sensing surface 207 in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the insertion tube portion 84.

  When dust is not accumulated in the paper pack 21 to a predetermined amount or more, that is, not more than a plane position including the sensing surfaces 207 and 208, the light emitted from the opening 198 is not blocked and is directly emitted from the opening 199. The light enters the sensing surface 208 of the transmission member 194, passes through the light transmission member 194, enters the light receiving body 190, and is recognized by the light receiving body 190. Therefore, when this light reception is detected, the dust amount detection unit 187 determines that the dust does not accumulate more than a predetermined amount, stops the operation of the dust amount detection unit 187, and completes the operation of the vacuum cleaner. To stop.

  On the other hand, when a predetermined amount or more of dust has accumulated in the paper pack 21, a part of the dust is positioned so as to block between the sensing surfaces 207 and 208, so that the light from the light emitter 188 is transmitted to the sensing surface 207. After being emitted from the light source, it is blocked before reaching the sensing surface 208 and does not recognize the light by the photoreceptor 190, so that the dust amount detection unit 187 determines that dust is accumulated in a predetermined amount or more, and the control means, for example, The user is notified through sound means such as a buzzer or light emitting means such as an LED.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the wiping body 195 located on the upstream side of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 is biased to the upstream side by the coil spring 216, and when the electric blower 7 is driven. The wiping body 195 slides toward the paper pack 21 along the inside of the insertion tube portion 84 against this bias by negative pressure, and removes dust adhering to the sensing surfaces 207 and 208, and the electric blower 7, the wiping body 195 is returned to the upstream position of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 by the biasing force of the coil spring 216, so that the normal cleaning operation of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 is not required. The dirt on the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 can be eliminated by the cleaning operation.

  Since the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 are cleaned by the wiping unit 218 of the wiping body 195 every time the electric blower 7 is driven in this way, the sensitivity of the dust amount detection unit 187 is ensured and the dust amount is erroneously detected. Can be reliably prevented.

  In addition, when the electric blower 7 is stopped, dust does not pass through the insertion tube portion 84, so that the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 can be more efficiently cleaned by cleaning the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 at this timing.

  Moreover, since the dust amount detection unit 187 detects the amount of dust emitted from the light emitting unit after the electric blower 7 is stopped, the wiping body 195 cleans the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 when the electric blower 7 is stopped. The sensing surfaces 207 and 208 can be used in a state with little dirt just cleaned, and the amount of dust can be detected more reliably.

  Furthermore, by making the thickness dimension of the wiping body 195 smaller than the length dimension of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208, even if the wiping body 195 is wiping the sensing surfaces 207 and 208, it is possible to Infrared rays can be transmitted and received, and the wiping body 195 does not interfere with sensing in the dust amount detection unit 187.

  Then, the accommodating portions 196 and 197 are projected in the central axis direction within the tubular portion main body 185 of the insertion tubular portion 84, and the concave portions 215 and 215 are provided in the wiping body 195, whereby the accommodating portions 196 and 197 and the concave portions 215 and 215 are provided. Wiping body 195 is guided when sliding, and rotation of wiping body 195 in cylindrical body 185 can also be prevented. Sensing surface 207, 208 can be wiped off reliably.

  Further, when the wiping unit 218 is formed of a member having a long bristle, for example, it removes not only dust adhering to the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 but also dust entering the openings 198 and 199. In the case where the bristle is formed of a member having a short hair or the like, it is possible to remove dust stuck to the sensing surfaces 207 and 208.

  If the wiping body 195 is positioned upstream of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 and is configured to slide in the cylinder body 185 of the insertion cylinder part 84 by the negative pressure of the electric blower 7, the coil spring 216 is provided. In the natural length state (stopped state of the electric blower 7), it does not necessarily have to be located in the cylindrical body 185.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the structure and effect | action similar to the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the second embodiment, instead of the wiping body 195 of the first embodiment, a wiping body 221 as a removing body is provided in the insertion tube portion 84.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 (a), 7 (b), and 8, the wiping body 221 has a plurality of, for example, three, removal portions 223 formed in a substantially annular shape with, for example, a rigid synthetic resin. The most upstream removal section 223 is positioned downstream of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208. In addition, a coil spring 224 as a holding means is connected to the upstream side surface of the most upstream removal portion 223.

  Each removal part 223 has an outer diameter dimension substantially equal to the inner diameter dimension of the insertion cylinder part 84 and is spaced apart from each other in the axial direction at substantially equal intervals, and the connection part between the removal parts 223 and 223 extends in the axial direction. 226 is closed and connected. In addition, in each removing portion 223, concave portions 227 and 227 are formed at positions facing each other, into which the accommodating portions 196 and 197 protruding in the central axis direction in the cylindrical portion main body 185 are fitted without gaps. Further, each removing portion 223 is set such that the thickness dimension is smaller than the length dimension of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208, that is, the dimension along the axial direction of the insertion cylinder part 84, in other words, the dimension in the suction air flow direction. Yes.

  Further, the recesses 227 and 227 of each removal part 223 serve as guides for guiding the wiping body 221 along the cylinder body 185 of the insertion cylinder part 84 by fitting with the storage parts 196 and 197, In each recess 227, a wiping portion 228 such as a raised cloth or brush hair is attached to the outer peripheral surface 227a. The wiping portion 228 is a portion that comes into sliding contact with the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 as the wiping body 221 slides, and is configured to wipe off dirt on the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 by this sliding contact.

  As the wiping unit 228 of each removing unit 223, for example, the removing unit 223 located on the most upstream side and the removing unit 223 located on the most downstream side have a relatively soft wiping unit 228 in each of the recesses 227, 227. , 228, and the recesses 227, 227 of the intermediate removal unit 223 may be provided with different materials and lengths for each removal unit 223, such as relatively hard wiping units 228, 228. Further, each removing portion 223 itself may be formed of a raised cloth or the like.

  Further, the coil spring 224 is held so that the wiping body 221 is not sucked into the paper pack 21 due to the negative pressure of the electric blower 7, in other words, at least partly located in the insertion tube portion 84. To do.

  And the electric blower 7 is driven like the said 1st Embodiment, and dust is collected.

  Coarse dust D that is dust collected in the paper pack 21 is compressed by the negative pressure of the electric blower 7. When the amount of the coarse dust D is relatively small, as shown in FIG. 7A, the wiping body 221 is located downstream of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208, but the coarse dust D is a predetermined amount. When accumulated, the coarse dust D comes into contact with the downstream side of the most downstream removal portion 223.

  Accordingly, when the electric blower 7 is stopped, the coarse dust D that has been compressed by the negative pressure is slightly restored, so that the coarse dust D pushes up the wiping body 221 upstream as shown in FIG. 7B. The upstream removal unit 223 wipes off dirt adhering to the sensing surfaces 207 and 208.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the wiping body 221 positioned on the downstream side of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 is pressed upstream by the coarse dust D collected in the paper pack 21. By removing the dust adhering to the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 by sliding along the inside of the insertion cylinder 84, the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 are collected by normal cleaning without requiring separate cleaning work. The dirt on the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 can be eliminated by the coarse dust D.

  Since the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 are cleaned by the wiping unit 228 of each removal unit 223 of the wiping body 221 in this way, the sensitivity of the dust amount detection unit 187 is ensured, and erroneous detection of the dust amount is ensured. Can be prevented.

  In general, when the coarse dust D is not collected in the paper pack 21, the amount of the dust of the coarse dust D is not erroneously detected, and when the coarse dust D collects in the paper pack 21, the dust is not detected. Since the amount of misdetection is increased, the wiping body 221 cleans the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 when the coarse dust D accumulates in the paper pack 21 by a predetermined amount or more. It is possible to reliably prevent erroneous detection of the dust amount in the dust amount detection unit 187 in the accumulated state.

  Furthermore, by making the thickness dimension of each removal part 223 smaller than the length dimension of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208, sensing can be performed even when any of the removal parts 223 is in a position facing the sensing surfaces 207 and 208. Infrared rays can be transmitted and received between the surfaces 207 and 208, and the wiping body 221 does not interfere with sensing in the dust amount detection unit 187.

  Then, the accommodating portions 196, 197 are protruded in the central axis direction in the cylindrical portion main body 185 of the insertion cylindrical portion 84, and the concave portions 227, 227 are provided in the respective removing portions 223 of the wiping body 221, thereby accommodating the accommodating portions 196, 197. By fitting the recesses 227 and 227 with each other, the removal portions 223 are guided when sliding, and the rotation of the wiping body 221 in the cylindrical body 185 can be prevented, and the wiping portions 228 and 228 of the wiping body 221 are prevented. Thus, the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 can be reliably wiped off.

  In addition, when the wiping portion 228 is formed of, for example, a member having a long bristle, it removes not only dust attached to the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 but also dust that has entered the openings 198 and 199. In the case where the bristle is formed of a member having a short hair or the like, it is possible to remove dust stuck to the sensing surfaces 207 and 208.

  In the second embodiment, an arbitrary number of removal units 223 can be provided.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. In addition, about the structure and effect | action similar to said each embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  This third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the wiping body 221 has a plurality of, for example, two removing sections as shown in FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (c) and FIG. 223, and a blocking portion 229 having a thickness dimension larger than that of the removal portion 223 at the most downstream side of the removal portion 223.

  The blocking part 229 has basically the same shape as each removing part 223. That is, the closing part 229 has an outer diameter dimension substantially equal to the inner diameter dimension of the insertion cylinder part 84 and is separated from the most downstream removal part 223, and the most downstream removal part 223 and the connecting part 226 are separated. It is connected by. Further, in the closing portion 229, concave portions 230 and 230 into which the accommodating portions 196 and 197 projecting in the central axis direction in the cylindrical portion main body 185 are respectively fitted without gaps are formed at positions facing each other. Further, the closed portion 229 is set to have a thickness dimension larger than the length dimension of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208, that is, the dimension along the axial direction of the insertion tube portion 84, in other words, the dimension in the suction air flow direction. .

  Each concave portion 230 serves as a guide for guiding the closing portion 229 along the cylindrical portion main body 185 of the insertion cylindrical portion 84 by fitting with the accommodating portions 196 and 197. In addition, an arbitrary wiping portion may be provided in each recess 230 similarly to the wiping portion 228, and the closing portion 229 itself may be formed of a raised cloth or the like.

  And the electric blower 7 is driven similarly to each said embodiment, and dust is collected.

  The coarse dust D collected in the paper pack 21 is compressed by the negative pressure of the electric blower 7. When the amount of the coarse dust D is relatively small, as shown in FIG. 9A, the wiping body 221 is located on the downstream side of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208, but the coarse dust D is a predetermined amount. When accumulated, the coarse dust D comes into contact with the downstream side of the most downstream removal portion 223.

  Accordingly, when the electric blower 7 is stopped, the coarse dust D that has been compressed by the negative pressure is slightly restored, so that the coarse dust D pushes up the wiping body 221 upstream as shown in FIG. 9B. The upstream removal unit 223 wipes off dirt adhering to the sensing surfaces 207 and 208.

  Further, when the coarse dust D accumulates in the paper pack 21, as shown in FIG. 9 (c), all of the removing portions 223 of the wiping body 221 pushed up by the coarse dust D are the sensing surfaces 207, 208. , And the blocking portion 229 is positioned opposite the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 to close the sensing surfaces 207 and 208.

  That is, according to the third embodiment, the wiping body 221 located on the downstream side of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 is inserted by being pushed upstream by the coarse dust D collected in the paper pack 21. It has the same configuration as that of the second embodiment, such as removing dust adhering to the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 by sliding along the inside of the cylindrical portion 84. The same effect can be obtained, and when the dust amount of the coarse dust D is further increased from the state in which the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 are cleaned by the removing unit 223, the blocking unit 229 causes the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 to By blocking, infrared transmission / reception between the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 is interrupted, and the dust amount detection unit 187 can reliably detect that the coarse dust D has sufficiently accumulated in the paper pack 21, thereby preventing erroneous detection. .

  When the wiping portion is provided in the concave portion 230, for example, if it is formed of a member having a long bristle, etc., not only dust adhering to the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 but also dust entering the openings 198 and 199, etc. If it is formed of a member having a short hair or the like, it is possible to remove dust stuck to the sensing surfaces 207 and 208.

  In the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the wiping body 221 is held by the coil spring 224. For example, the wiping body 221 is removed at the downstream end of the cylindrical portion main body 185 of the insertion cylindrical portion 84. Even if a protrusion or the like for locking the outer peripheral edge of the portion 223 is provided, the same effect can be obtained.

  Further, if the wiping body 221 is positioned on the downstream side of the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 and is configured to slide in the cylinder body 185 of the insertion cylinder portion 84 to the upstream side by dust D, the wiping body 221 is not necessarily a cylinder in advance. It does not have to be located in the main part 185.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the wiping body 195, the removing unit 223, or the closing unit 229 can have any shape as long as dust attached to the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 can be removed.

  The sensing surfaces 207 and 208 of the light transmission members 193 and 194 are directly exposed in the insertion tube portion 84. For example, a light-transmitting member is attached to the openings 198 and 199 of the insertion tube portion 84, for example. , 199 are closed, and the sensing surfaces 207, 208 face the openings 198, 199, the translucent members attached to the openings 198, 199 are the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface, respectively. It can be configured in the same manner as the above embodiments.

  Further, the housing parts 196, 197 are protruded in the central axis direction in the tube body 185 of the insertion tube part 84, and the recesses 215, 215 are formed in the wiping body 195 so as to be fitted to the housing parts 196, 197. The removal part 223 of the wiping body 221 is provided with recesses 227 and 227, and the closure part 229 is provided with recesses 230 and 230. The storage parts 196 and 197 are substantially flush with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 185. In addition, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the recesses 215, 227, and 230 are not provided. In this case, when the wiping bodies 195 and 221 slide in the cylindrical body 185 in the circumferential direction, the sensing surfaces 207 and 208 are always different in the wiping bodies 195 and 221. Can be cleaned.

  Furthermore, 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, an autonomously traveling (robot type) vacuum cleaner, a floor brush 144 is vacuum cleaner. An upright type vacuum cleaner directly connected to the lower part of the main body 1 or a handy type can also be used.

(a) is explanatory drawing which shows the position of the removal body in the stop state of the electric blower of the electric vacuum cleaner of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, (b) is the drive state of the electric blower of an electric vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows the position of a removal body. It is a perspective view which shows a part of removal body same as the above. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the cover body of a vacuum cleaner same as the above from the front. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a vacuum cleaner same as the above from the side. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the cover body same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows a vacuum cleaner same as the above. (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the position of the removal body in the state in which the dust collecting part of the vacuum cleaner of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention has not accumulated more than predetermined amount, (b) is a vacuum cleaner same as the above It is explanatory drawing which shows the position of the removal body in the state where the dust collected in the dust collection part more than predetermined amount. It is a perspective view which shows a removal body same as the above. (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the position of the removal body in the state in which the dust collecting part of the vacuum cleaner of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention has not accumulated more than predetermined amount, (b) is a vacuum cleaner same as the above. The explanatory view showing the position of the removed body in a state where dust is accumulated in a predetermined amount or more in the dust collecting section, (c) is the position of the removed body in the state where dust is further accumulated in the dust collecting section of the same vacuum cleaner. It is explanatory drawing shown. It is a perspective view which shows a removal body same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

1 Vacuum cleaner body 7 Electric blower
21 Paper pack as a dust collector
84 Insertion tube as tube
187 Dust amount detection unit as dust amount detection means
195,221 Wiping body as removal body
207 Sensing surface as light emitting surface
208 Sensing surface as light receiving surface
211 Light emitter
212 Receiver
216 Coil spring as biasing means
223 Removal section
229 Blockage

Claims (3)

A vacuum cleaner body containing an electric blower,
A dust collecting part for collecting dust contained in the air sucked by the driving of the electric blower;
A pipe portion communicating with the upstream side of the air flow by driving the electric blower with respect to the dust collecting portion;
A light emitting portion having a light emitting surface that emits light in the tube portion; and a light receiving portion having a light receiving surface that faces the light emitting surface in the tube portion and receives light from the light emitting surface, the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface Dust amount detection means for detecting the amount of dust collected in the dust collection unit by transmitting and receiving light between
A removal body positioned on the upstream side with respect to the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface;
Biasing means for biasing the removal body toward the upstream side,
When the electric blower is driven, the removal body moves toward the dust collecting portion along the inside of the tube portion against the urging force of the urging means due to negative pressure, and moves to the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface. Remove the adhering dust,
The vacuum cleaner is characterized in that when the electric blower is stopped, the removal body returns to the upstream side of the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface inside the tube portion by the biasing of the biasing means. . A vacuum cleaner body containing an electric blower,
A dust collecting part for collecting dust contained in the air sucked by the driving of the electric blower;
A pipe portion communicating with the upstream side of the air flow by driving the electric blower with respect to the dust collecting portion;
A light emitting portion having a light emitting surface that emits light in the tube portion; and a light receiving portion having a light receiving surface that faces the light emitting surface in the tube portion and receives light from the light emitting surface, the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface Dust amount detection means for detecting the amount of dust collected in the dust collection unit by transmitting and receiving light between
It is located on the dust collecting unit side with respect to the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface, and moves to the upstream side along the inside of the tube portion by being pressed by dust collected by the dust collecting unit. An electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a removing body that removes dust adhering to the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface. The removal body is
A removal portion having a thickness dimension smaller than the length dimension of the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface;
It has a thickness dimension that is equal to or greater than the length dimension of the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface, and includes a closing portion that is positioned on the downstream side of the flow of air by driving an electric blower with respect to the removal portion. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2.

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