JP2010187941A - Suction opening body and electric vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a floor brush which the deterioration of operability during the driving operation by the friction resistance between driving wheels and a floor surface is restrained. <P>SOLUTION: Clutches 55a, 55b connect a rotating brush 22 and driving wheels 23a, 23b only when the rotating brush 22 rotates along the driving direction of a case body and the rotating speed of the rotating brush 22 is by a predetermined speed or higher than the rotating speed of the driving wheels 23a, 23b. The driving wheels 23a, 23b spin free against the rotating brush 22 when the driving operation is started or the driving direction of the case body is switched so that the deterioration of the operability during the driving operation by the friction resistance between the driving wheels 23a, 23b and the floor surface is restrained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a suction port body having a rotatable rotary cleaning body and a vacuum cleaner including the same.

  Conventionally, a floor brush as a suction port used in a vacuum cleaner has a connecting pipe that can be connected to the tip of an extension pipe connected to the rear part of a horizontally long case body. A horizontally long suction port is formed in an opening on the lower surface facing the surface. A rotary brush as a rotary cleaning body is rotatably supported at the suction port, and the rotary brush is rotationally driven by a motor as drive means housed in the case body. In addition, auxiliary brushes that come into contact with the floor surface and scrape dust are rotatably arranged on the sides of the suction port, and these auxiliary brushes are connected to the shaft portion of the rotating brush and rotate integrally. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-253656 (page 8-10, FIG. 6)

  In the case of the configuration as described above, for example, the traveling direction of the floor brush may be detected by a sensor, and the rotational direction of the rotating brush may be controlled according to the detected traveling direction of the floor brush.

  However, in such a configuration, there is a time difference between the timing at which the actual floor brush starts to move and the timing at which the rotation direction of the rotating brush is switched by the sensor, so when the traveling direction of the floor brush is switched. Alternatively, when the floor brush starts to move, the auxiliary brush may become a resistance to running the floor brush, and the cleaning operator may feel uncomfortable with the running operation of the floor brush.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and provides a suction port body that suppresses a decrease in operability during a traveling operation due to frictional resistance between a traveling wheel and a surface to be cleaned, and a vacuum cleaner including the same. The purpose is to do.

  The present invention includes a traveling direction detection unit that detects a traveling direction of the case body, a control unit that rotates the rotating cleaning body along the traveling direction detected by the traveling direction detection unit, and an end portion of the rotating cleaning body. And only when the traveling assisting traveling member provided rotatably and the rotary cleaning body rotate along the traveling direction of the case body, and the rotational speed thereof is larger than the rotational speed of the traveling member by a predetermined amount or more. The clutch which connects the edge part of a rotary cleaning body, and a driving | running | working member was comprised.

  According to the present invention, only when the rotational cleaning body rotates along the traveling direction of the case body and the rotational speed is greater than the rotational speed of the traveling member by a predetermined amount or more, the clutch removes the rotational cleaning body and the traveling member. By connecting, at the time of starting the running operation or switching the running direction of the case body, the running member is idle with respect to the rotary cleaning body, and during the running operation due to the frictional resistance between the running member and the surface to be cleaned. It is possible to suppress a decrease in operability.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the principal part of the suction inlet body of one embodiment of this invention. The clutches of the same suction port body are shown, (a) is a front view with a part cut away, and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view. It is a top view which shows the part except the case body of the suction inlet body same as the above. It is a bottom view which shows a suction inlet same as the above. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows a part of suction port body same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the principal part of a suction inlet body same as the above in order of (a) thru | or (c). It is a perspective view which shows the vacuum cleaner provided with the suction inlet same as the above.

  The configuration of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 7, C shows a vacuum cleaner, and this vacuum cleaner C captures the dust sucked together with the intake air generated by driving the electric blower 2 housed in the vacuum cleaner body 1 in the dust collector. To collect.

  The vacuum cleaner main body 1 houses a main body control circuit (not shown) as a main body control means for controlling the operation of the electric blower 2, and a main body suction port 3 for sucking air from the outside is opened at the front. ing. An elongated substantially cylindrical hose body 4 that is flexible and can be bent is connected to the main body suction port 3. At the tip of the hose body 4, a hand operation unit 5 that can select an operation mode of the electric blower 2 is provided. The hand operating section 5 is provided with a gripping portion 6 that is gripped by an operator when cleaning, and projects a predetermined signal to the main body control circuit to clean the gripping portion 6. A plurality of setting buttons 7 for setting the electric blower 2 and the like in the machine main body 1 to a plurality of operation modes are provided.

  Further, an elongated, substantially cylindrical extension tube 8 that can be extended and retracted is detachably connected to the distal end of the hand operation unit 5. That is, the extension pipe 8 is connected to the suction side of the electric blower 2 through the hose body 4. In addition, the extension brush 8 is detachably mounted on the floor brush 9 as a suction port that is placed on, for example, a floor carpet as an indoor surface to be cleaned and sucks dust on the carpet. It is connected in communication. Therefore, the floor brush 9 is connected to the suction side of the electric blower 2 through the extension pipe 8, the hose body 4, and the main body suction port 3.

  The floor brush 9 includes a horizontally long case body 11 as a suction port body and a connecting pipe 12 provided at the rear portion of the case body 11.

  The case body 11 includes a lower case 16 whose upper side is open, an upper case 17 that covers the rear side of the upper portion of the lower case 16 and rotatably holds the connection pipe 12 between the lower case 16 and an upper case 17 A front cover 19 as a lid attached to the front part of the case 17 is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the case body 11 includes a drive source that is an electric part as drive means, that is, a motor 21, a rotating brush 22 as a rotary cleaning body that is rotated by the motor 21, Traveling driving wheels 23a and 23b for traveling assistance, which are traveling wheels as traveling members positioned at both ends of the rotating brush 22 and rotatable integrally with the rotating brush 22, and traveling of the case body 11 (floor brush 9). A safety device 24 that is a safety switch for the rotating brush 22 as a traveling direction detecting means for detecting the direction and a control circuit 25 as a control means for controlling the rotation of the rotating brush 22 are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower case 16 is formed with a horizontally elongated suction port 31 into which the rotating brush 22 and the drive wheels 23a and 23b are fitted at the front end portion. Has been. In addition, a rectangular hole 32 where a part of the safety device 24 is exposed is formed at a position near the rear side of the lower case 16. Further, a wall portion 33 is formed at the rear portion of the suction port 31 of the lower case 16 so as to rise substantially vertically toward the upper case 17 side. The lower case 16 has shaft support wall portions 34a and 34b as shaft support portions for supporting the rotating brush 22 by supporting the drive wheels 23a and 23b at the positions on both sides of the suction port 31. 33 is formed continuously. Further, cover bodies 35 and 36 are detachably attached to the lower case 16 on the lower surface side facing the floor surface.

  In the wall 33, a notch 38, into which the connecting pipe 12 is fitted, is formed in a concave shape from the upper end side at a substantially central portion in the width direction of the lower case 16. In addition, a cover 39 that protrudes into the suction port 31 is formed on the wall 33 at an upper portion near the one side in the width direction. Therefore, by this cover portion 39, the suction port 31 is fitted with the wide suction portion 31a into which the rotary brush 22 and one drive wheel 23a are fitted, and the other drive wheel 23b is narrower than the suction portion 31a. And a suction portion 31b.

  One suction portion 31a is located between the cover portion 39 and one shaft support wall portion 34a, and is the center in the width direction of the lower case 16 (suction port 31), which is a line orthogonal to the rotation center of the rotating brush 22. With respect to the line L, it is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape whose center position is biased toward the other side.

  The other suction part 31b is located between the cover part 39 and the other shaft support wall part 34b, and is formed closer to one side of the lower case 16.

  One cover body 35 opens and closes one shaft support wall portion 34a and a rear portion thereof at an end portion of the suction port 31 on the one suction portion 31a side.

  The other cover body 36 opens and closes the lower part of the cover part 39 and the rear part thereof from the end of the suction port 31 on the other suction part 31b side. In the other cover body 36, a communication groove portion 41 that communicates the suction portion 31a and the suction portion 31b is formed along the width direction at a position below the cover portion 39.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a front side suction port 43 having a horizontally long rectangular shape is cut out at the front end portion of the upper case 17. The front suction port 43 communicates with the suction port 31 shown in FIG. 4 and is fitted with the front cover 19 shown in FIG.

  The front cover 19 is formed in a horizontally long shape extending across both ends of the front suction port 43, and is curved in an arc shape along the outer periphery of the rotary brush 22 in a cross-sectional view. A portion of the driving wheels 23a, 23b on the rotating brush 22 side is covered. That is, the front cover 19 does not cover a portion opposite to the rotating brush 22 which is the remaining other portion of the drive wheels 23a and 23b. The upper end of the front cover 19 is pivotally supported by the upper end of the front suction port 43 so as to be rotatable.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the motor 21 is arranged in the width direction behind the wall portion 33 (FIG. 5) and at a position between one side of the connecting pipe 12 and the cover portion 39. ing. Further, the motor 21 can be rotated forward and backward, and its drive is controlled by the control circuit 25.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the rotating brush 22 has a plurality of cleaning members 46 attached around a substantially cylindrical rotating brush assembly 45 which is a shaft portion as an attaching member.

  The rotating brush assembly 45 is made of, for example, metal or synthetic resin. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating brush assembly 45, a groove portion 48 that holds the proximal end side of each cleaning member 46 is formed in a spiral shape substantially uniformly in the circumferential direction.

  The cleaning member 46 is, for example, a blade that is a wiping member, brush hair that is a scraping member, or a combination thereof, and the base end side is held in the groove portion 48 of the rotating brush assembly 45, respectively. With respect to the outer peripheral surface of 45, the front end side protrudes in the radial direction of the rotating brush assembly 45 in the shape of a spiral wall along the axial direction of the rotating brush assembly 45.

  The drive wheels 23a and 23b are configured by sandwiching a bristle brush portion 53a (bristle brush portion 53b) as a cleaning portion between the wheel main body portions 51a and 52a (wheel main body portions 51b and 52b) as a pair of sandwiching bodies, respectively. The one drive wheel 23a is connected to a connecting shaft 54 connected to one end of the rotary brush assembly 45 via a clutch 55a, and the other drive wheel 23b is connected to a connecting member. The coupling receiver 56 is connected to the other end of the rotary brush assembly 45 via a coupling 58 as a connecting member. The drive wheels 23a and 23b are pivotally supported by the shaft support wall portions 34a and 34b via bearings 59a and 59b.

  The wheel main body 51a corresponding to one drive wheel 23a includes a substantially cylindrical main body 61a, and a clutch housing in which a part of the clutch 55a is fitted on the opposite side of the main body 61a from the axial rotating brush assembly 45. A portion 62a is recessed, and a connecting portion 63 attached to the other end of the rotating brush assembly 45 is formed on the axially rotating brush assembly 45 side of the main body 61a.

  Further, the wheel main body 51b corresponding to the other drive wheel 23b includes a substantially cylindrical main body 61b, and a part of the clutch 55b is fitted to the opposite side of the main body 61b from the rotary brush assembly 45 in the axial direction. The clutch housing part 62b is recessed.

  The main bodies 61a and 61b are formed in a cylindrical surface shape with a flat outer peripheral surface, and raised fabrics 64a and 64b are attached to the outer peripheral surface. In addition, these main bodies 61a and 61b are formed with inclined end surfaces on the opposite side to the rotating brush assembly 45, and inclined groove portions 66a and 66b into which part of the bristle brush portions 53a and 53b are fitted, respectively. Is formed.

  The connecting portion 63 is formed substantially coaxially with the main body 61a, and a plurality of claw portions 68 are formed so as to protrude. These claw portions 68 are inserted into the groove portion 48 of the rotating brush assembly 45 of the rotating brush 22 on the other end side of the rotating brush assembly 45. For this reason, the connecting portion 63 is used to prevent the cleaning member 46 from coming off.

  The inclined groove portions 66a and 66b are formed to be inclined with respect to the axial direction of the rotating brush 22 (drive wheels 23a and 23b).

  Further, the wheel main bodies 52a and 52b corresponding to the drive wheels 23a and 23b include substantially cylindrical main bodies 71a and 71b, and the clutches 55a and 55b are provided on the main bodies 61a and 61b in the axial direction of the main bodies 71a and 71b. The clutch housing portions 72a and 72b into which the remaining other portions are fitted are recessed, and the fitting is a fitting portion into which the bearings 59a and 59b are fitted on the opposite side to the axial main bodies 61a and 61b. Recesses 73a and 73b are formed.

  The main bodies 71a and 71b are formed in a cylindrical surface shape having a flat outer peripheral surface, and raised cloths 74a and 74b are attached to the outer peripheral surface. Further, these main bodies 71a and 71b are formed so that the end faces facing the main bodies 61a and 61b are inclined so as to face the main bodies 61a and 61b, and the remaining portions of the bristle brush parts 53a and 53b are formed on the end faces. The inclined groove portions 77a and 77b to be fitted are formed.

  The inclined groove portions 77a and 77b are formed to be inclined with respect to the axial direction of the rotating brush 22 (drive wheels 23a and 23b), and are continuous with the inclined groove portions 66a and 66b of the wheel main body portions 51a and 51b.

  The clutch housing portions 72a and 72b are continuous with the clutch housing portions 62a and 62b of the wheel main body portions 51a and 51b.

  The fitting recesses 73a and 73b are formed in a circular shape when viewed from the front, and are recessed substantially coaxially with respect to the main bodies 71a and 71b.

  The bristle brush parts 53a and 53b are substantially cylindrical base bodies 78a and 78b, and a cleaning part body comprising a plurality of bristle brushes 79a and 79b planted so as to protrude radially on the outer peripheral surfaces of the base bodies 78a and 78b. Brush portion main bodies 80a and 80b are provided. Accordingly, the bristle brush portions 53a and 53b have a substantially disc shape (substantially cylindrical shape) in which the protruding directions of all the bristle brushes 79a and 79b are formed along a predetermined plane. In other words, the bristle brush portions 53a and 53b are formed so as to spread in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction.

  The base bodies 78a and 78b are inserted into the central portions of the wheel main body portions 51a and 51b and the wheel main body portions 52a and 52b connected to each other. That is, the base body 78a (base body 78b) is disposed in an inclined manner between the wheel main body parts 51a and 51b and the wheel main body parts 52a and 52b, and accordingly, the bristle brush parts 53a and 53b are axially disposed on the drive wheels 23a and 23b. It is arranged in an inclined manner with respect to (the rotation axis direction of the rotating brush 22). In other words, the bristle brush portions 53a and 53b are arranged along a plane that intersects with the axis direction of the drive wheels 23a and 23b (the rotation axis direction of the rotary brush 22) in an inclined manner.

  The bristle brushes 79a and 79b are formed of a flexible synthetic resin or the like.

  The brush portion main bodies 80a and 80b extend to a position where the tips of some of the bristle brushes 79a and 79b protrude outward from the axial ends of the drive wheels 23a and 23b and overlap the shaft support wall portions 34a and 34b. ing. In the present embodiment, one brush portion main body 80a corresponding to one drive wheel 23a and the other brush portion main body 80b corresponding to the other drive wheel 23b are center line L in the width direction of case body 11 Are connected to the rotating brush 22 so as to be symmetrical with respect to each other. In other words, the brush part main body 80a and the brush part main body 80b are out of phase with each other by 180 ° with respect to the rotation direction of the drive wheels 23a and 23b. That is, the brush portion main bodies 80a and 80b are configured to vibrate (reciprocate) in the left-right direction symmetrically with respect to the center line L while being synchronized with each other as the drive wheels 23a and 23b rotate.

  The connecting shaft 54 is formed of, for example, metal or synthetic resin, and is connected to the end of the rotating brush assembly 45 coaxially with the central axis (rotating shaft) of the rotating brush assembly 45, and is inserted into one drive wheel 23a. Then, it is inserted into a bearing 59a corresponding to this one drive wheel 23a and pivotally supported.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the clutches 55a and 55b are substantially cylindrical clutch bodies 81a and 81b, and are attached to one end side in the axial direction of the clutch bodies 81a and 81b. It has an annular clutch cover 82a, 82b, and has an insertion hole 83a, 83b formed in the center, which is substantially cylindrical.

  At one end portions of the clutch bodies 81a and 81b, a plurality of recesses 85a and 85b covered with the clutch covers 82a and 82b are formed in the circumferential direction in communication with the insertion holes 83a and 83b. These recesses 85a and 85b The substantially cylindrical engaging bodies 86a and 86b are accommodated in a state of being biased in the circumferential direction of the clutch bodies 81a and 81b by a biasing means (not shown). In addition, a plurality of anti-rotation recesses 87a and 87b, which are anti-rotation parts for preventing rotation of the clutch main bodies 81a and 81b (clutch 55a and 55b), are formed in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral part of the clutch main body parts 81a and 81b. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the connecting shaft 54 is inserted into the insertion hole 83a, and the connection shaft 91 protruding from the coupling receiver 56 is inserted into the insertion hole 83b.

  Each engagement body 86a shown in FIG. 2 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 54 and holds the connecting shaft 54. Similarly, each engagement body 86b is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connection shaft 91 and holds the connection shaft 91. Further, the engaging body 86a (engaging body 86b) can move in this rotational direction in the recess 85a (recess 85b) by the rotation of the connecting shaft 54 (connection shaft 91) accompanying the rotation of the rotary brush 2. Yes. Then, the engagement body 86a (engagement body 86b) shown in FIG. 2 comes into contact with the inner walls 92a and 92b of the recess 85a (recess 85b) by the rotation of the connecting shaft 54 (connection shaft 91) in one direction D1, whereby the clutch 55a (clutch 55b) rotates together with the drive wheel 23a (drive wheel 23b) shown in FIG. 1 in the direction of rotation of the connecting shaft 54 (connection shaft 91), that is, the direction of rotation of the rotary brush 22, as shown in FIG. The combined body 86a (engagement body 86b) moves in a direction away from the inner walls 92a, 92b of the recess 85a (recess 85b) as indicated by an imaginary line by rotation of the connecting shaft 54 (connection shaft 91) in the other direction D2. As a result, the clutch 55a (clutch 55b) rotates together with the drive wheel 23a (drive wheel 23b) shown in FIG. 1 in the rotation direction of the connecting shaft 54 (connection shaft 91), that is, the rotation direction of the rotary brush 22. It is configured. In other words, in the clutches 55a and 55b, the rotating brush 22 rotates along a predetermined direction, in this embodiment, along the advancing direction of the case body 11 (floor brush 9), and the rotational speed thereof is the driving wheels 23a and 23b. Only when the rotational speed of the rotating brush 22 is greater than the predetermined speed by connecting the end of the rotating brush 22 and the drive wheels 23a, 23b, the rotating brush 22 rotates in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction, that is, in the reverse direction. This is a one-way clutch in which the drive wheels 23a and 23b are idled relative to the rotating brush 22.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the coupling receiver 56 is formed by coaxially projecting the connecting shaft 91 at one end of a substantially cylindrical gear portion 94 having a plurality of gear teeth 93 on the outer peripheral surface. In addition, a connecting convex portion 95 as the other connecting member connecting portion that fits in a connecting concave portion as one connecting member connecting portion (not shown) provided in the coupling 58 is provided at the other end portion of the gear portion 94. Is formed. It should be noted that the connection between the coupling receiver 56 and the coupling 58 is not limited to the uneven fitting.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the gear portion 94 is wound around a pulley 98 serving as a transmission portion between a pulley 97 serving as a rotating body attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 21. The rotational force of the motor 21 is transmitted to the rotating brush 22 and the drive wheels 23a and 23b through the pulley 97 and the belt 98, respectively. Further, the gear portion 94 is covered with a belt 98 and an upper portion by a cover portion 39 that is a belt cover of the lower case 16.

  The front end side of the brush portion main body 80b of the bristle brush portion 53b of the other drive wheel 23b can contact the belt 98 depending on the rotational position of the other drive wheel 23b.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the connecting shaft 91 is inserted into the other driving wheel 23b from the wheel body 51b side corresponding to the other driving wheel 23b, and is connected to the bearing 59b corresponding to the other driving wheel 23b. Inserted and rotatably supported. The connection shaft 91 is pivotally supported by a bearing portion 101 located in the cover portion 39 so as to be rotatable.

  A plurality of connecting projections 95 shown in FIG. 5 are formed radially from the central axis side of the coupling receiver 56 along the radial direction and at substantially equal angles to each other in the circumferential direction. By fitting, the coupling receiver 56 (the other driving wheel 23b) is prevented from rotating with respect to the coupling 58 (the rotating brush 22).

  Further, the coupling 58 shown in FIG. 1 includes a coupling body 103 as a frustoconical connecting member body, and is connected to one end side of the rotary brush assembly 45 at the reduced diameter end of the coupling body 103. A plurality of coupling claw portions 104 as projecting insertion portions to be inserted into the groove portion 48 are formed to protrude. Therefore, this coupling 58 is used to prevent the cleaning member 46 from coming off. In addition, a plurality of connection recesses (not shown) are formed on the end of the coupling body 103 whose diameter has been increased.

  The bearings 59a and 59b are loosely fitted in the fitting recesses 73a and 73b, and support the rotary brush 22 and the drive wheels 23a and 23b. The connecting shaft 54 is inserted into one bearing 59a, and the connecting shaft 91 of the coupling receiver 56 is inserted into the other bearing 59b.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the safety device 24 is rotatably provided with a wheel 107 that is a rotating member as a contact member that can come into contact with the floor surface. Exposed to 16 below. The safety device 24 is electrically connected to the control circuit 25, and allows the motor 21 to be driven by the control circuit 25 when the wheel 107 contacts the floor surface, and the wheel 107 is separated from the floor surface. Then, the driving of the motor 21 by the control circuit 25 is not permitted. Further, the safety device 24 includes an optical sensor (not shown) inside, and the case body 11 (floor brush 9) travels by detecting the rotation direction of the wheel 107 in contact with the floor surface by the optical sensor. A direction can be detected, and a signal can be output to the control circuit 25 so as to switch the rotation direction of the rotary brush 22 in accordance with the traveling direction.

  The control circuit 25 can switch the rotation direction of the rotary brush 22 by switching the rotation direction of the motor 21 according to the signal output from the safety device 24. Specifically, when the safety device 24 detects advance of the case body 11 (floor brush 9), the control circuit 25 rotates the rotating brush 22 in the forward direction, and the safety device 24 causes the case body 11 (floor brush 11) to move forward. 9) When reverse movement is detected, control is performed to rotate the rotating brush 22 in the reverse direction.

  The connecting pipe 12 communicates with the suction port 31, and an end projecting rearward from the case body 11 is detachably connected to the distal end side of the extension pipe 8.

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

  In cleaning, first, as shown in FIG. 7, the operator sequentially connects the hose body 4, the extension pipe 8, and the floor brush 9 to the main body suction port 3 of the cleaner body 1.

  Further, when the operator pulls out the power cord from the cleaner body 1 and connects it to an outlet (not shown), and then operates the predetermined setting button 7 by holding the holding portion 6, the operation mode set by the setting button 7 is set. Accordingly, the electric blower 2 is driven.

  Then, the operator grips the grip portion 6 and runs the floor brush 9 back and forth on the floor surface, and sucks dust together with air from the suction port 31 (FIG. 4) and the front suction port 43.

  At this time, when the wheel 107 (FIG. 4) contacts the floor surface, the rotating brush 22 can be rotated by the function of the safety device 24 (FIG. 3), and the rotation direction of the wheel 107 (FIG. 4) can be changed. By detecting the optical sensor 24 (FIG. 3), the traveling direction of the floor brush 9 can be detected by the safety device 24 (FIG. 3). Specifically, the optical sensor can detect the traveling direction of the floor brush 9 when the wheel 107 (FIG. 4) rotates by the amount that the floor brush 9 moves by a predetermined distance, for example, about 2.5 cm.

  For example, when the floor brush 9 travels forward, that is, moves forward, the wheel 107 (FIG. 4) rotates forward (forward), and when the floor brush 9 travels backward, that is, reverses. Since the wheel 107 (FIG. 4) rotates backward (reversely), the control circuit 25 (FIG. 3) changes the rotation direction of the motor 21 (FIG. 3) according to the rotation direction of the wheel 107 (FIG. 4). Control is performed so that the rotation direction of 107 (FIG. 4), in other words, the traveling direction of the floor brush 9 is the same.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotation of the motor 21 is transmitted to the gear portion 94 via the pulley 97 and the belt 98, whereby the coupling connected to the coupling receiver 56 having the gear portion 94. The rotating brush 22 to which the 58 is fixed rotates along the traveling direction of the floor brush 9, the connecting shaft 54 connected to the rotating brush 22, and the coupling 58 connected to the coupling receiver 56. The connecting shaft 91 also rotates in the same direction as the rotating brush 22.

  When the floor brush 9 shown in FIG. 3 moves forward, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, the engaging body 86a of the clutch 55a that contacts the outer periphery of the connecting shaft 54 moves toward the inner wall 92a and engages with the inner wall 92a. At the same time, the engaging body 86b of the clutch 55a that contacts the outer periphery of the connecting shaft 91 moves toward the inner wall 92b and engages with the inner wall 92b. That is, until the engaging bodies 86a and 86b are engaged with the inner walls 92a and 92b, the clutches 55a and 55b idle relatively with respect to the connecting shaft 54 and the connecting shaft 91, and the drive wheels 23a and 23b shown in FIG. Rotates following the roller shape. After that, when the rotational speed of the rotary brush 22 becomes greater than the rotational speed of the drive wheels 23a and 23b by a predetermined amount or more and the engaging bodies 86a and 86b shown in FIG. 2 engage with the inner walls 92a and 92b, the clutches 55a and 55b It rotates (co-rotates) in the same direction with respect to the connecting shaft 54 and the connecting shaft 91. Accordingly, the drive wheels 23a and 23b shown in FIG. 1 also rotate at a high speed integrally with the rotating brush 22 in the same direction as the rotating brush 22.

  On the other hand, when the floor brush 9 shown in FIG. 3 moves backward, as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 2, the engaging body 86a of the clutch 55a contacting the outer periphery of the connecting shaft 54 resists the urging force of the urging means. The engagement body 86b of the clutch 55a that contacts the outer periphery of the connecting shaft 91 moves against the urging force of the urging means while the engagement with the inner wall 92a is released by moving in a direction away from the 92a. The clutches 55a and 55b are idled relative to the connecting shaft 54 and the connecting shaft 91 by moving in a direction away from the inner wall 92b and releasing the engagement with the inner wall 92b. Accordingly, the driving force of the motor 21 shown in FIG. 3 is transmitted only to the rotating brush 22, in other words, the connection between the rotating brush 22 and the driving wheels 23a and 23b is cut off, and the rotating brush 22 rotates at a high speed in the reverse direction. On the other hand, the drive wheels 23a, 23b are driven in a roller shape at a speed lower than the rotational speed of the rotary brush 22 in the backward direction, which is the traveling direction of the floor brush 9, only by contact resistance with the floor surface. Rotate.

  As the rotary brush 22 rotates, each cleaning member 46 (FIG. 1) scrapes off the dust on the floor surface and carries it to the suction port 31 (FIG. 4), as well as FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (c). As shown in FIG. 4, since the bristle brush portions 53a and 53b continuously change the phase with the rotation of the drive wheels 23a and 23b, the drive wheels 23a and 23b are driven from the shaft support wall portions 34a and 34b that are both ends of the suction port 31. The bristle brush portions 53a and 53b scrape off dust on a wide range of floor surface over the end of the rotary brush 22 and the belt 98 (FIG. 3), and the bristle brush 79a of the bristle brush portion 53a sucks in the suction port. The bristle brush 79b of the bristle brush portion 53b is carried to the suction port 31 through the communication groove portion 41.

  Thereafter, the dust carried to the suction port 31 is sucked into the connection pipe 12 together with air by the negative pressure generated by driving the electric blower 2 (FIG. 7) acting via the connection pipe 12. Is sucked into the dust collecting part in the cleaner main body 1 (FIG. 7) through the extension pipe 8 (FIG. 7), the hose body 4 (FIG. 7) and the main body suction port 3 (FIG. 7).

  Further, the sucked dust is collected in the dust collecting portion, and the air in which the dust is collected is discharged from the exhaust hole (not shown) to the outside of the cleaner body 1 (FIG. 7) via the electric blower 2 (FIG. 7). Is exhausted.

  As described above, in the floor brush 9 that detects the traveling direction of the case body 11 (floor brush 9) by the safety device 24 shown in FIG. 3, if the wheel 107 (FIG. 4) in contact with the floor surface does not rotate a predetermined amount, That is, if the case body 11 (floor brush 9) does not travel a predetermined distance, the traveling direction cannot be detected by the safety device 24. Therefore, the timing at which the case body 11 (floor brush 9) actually starts traveling and the safety device 24 There is a time difference between the detection of the traveling direction and the timing of rotating the rotary brush 22 along the traveling direction. For this reason, in the conventional configuration in which the driving wheel rotates together with the rotating brush, the driving wheel is started when the traveling operation of the floor brush 9 is started or when the traveling direction of the case body 11 (floor brush 9) is switched (reversed). The rotation direction of the case is opposite to the traveling direction of the case body 11 (floor brush 9), and the operator feels a catch due to the contact resistance between the driving wheel and the floor surface, and the operability is not good.

  Therefore, in the above embodiment, when the rotating brush 22 rotates along the traveling direction of the case body 11 (floor brush 9) and the rotational speed is higher than the rotational speed of the drive wheels 23a, 23b by a predetermined amount or more. Only, the clutches 55a and 55b shown in FIG. 1 connect the rotary brush 22 and the drive wheels 23a and 23b.

  For this reason, when the rotating brush 22 is in a stop state immediately before starting to rotate, such as when starting the traveling operation, or when switching the traveling direction of the case body 11 (floor brush 9) shown in FIG. When the rotating direction of the rotating brush 22 is in a reverse state immediately before switching to the direction along the traveling direction of the case body 11 (floor brush 9), the driving wheels 23a and 23b are roller-shaped with respect to the rotating brush 22. Since the wheel rotates idly and rotates freely, the frictional resistance between the driving wheels 23a and 23b and the floor surface does not cause the above-mentioned catch, and the operability during traveling operation due to the frictional resistance can be suppressed. .

  In particular, when the floor brush 9 is moved back and forth alternately during the cleaning operation, the floor brush 9 is moved forward as compared with the case where the grip portion 6 (FIG. 7) is pulled and operated so as to move the floor brush 9 backward. As described above, when the grip portion 6 (FIG. 7) is pushed and operated, more travel assistance of the floor brush 9 is required. Therefore, the clutch 55a, 55b shown in FIG. 1 is rotated only when the rotary brush 22 rotates in the forward direction and the rotational speed is higher than the rotational speed of the drive wheels 23a, 23b by a predetermined amount or more. And the driving wheels 23a and 23b are connected to each other so that when the gripping portion 6 (FIG. 7) is pushed and the floor brush 9 (FIG. 7) is advanced, the rotation of the rotating brush 22 causes the driving wheels 23a and 23b to rotate forward. 23b can be made to follow, and the driving of the floor brush 9 (FIG. 7) can be assisted by the drive wheels 23a and 23b, the traveling operability of the floor brush 9 (FIG. 7) can be secured, and the gripping portion 6 (FIG. 7) can be secured. ) To reverse the floor brush 9 (FIG. 7), the drive wheels 23a and 23b are idled with respect to the rotating brush 22, and the floor caused by the frictional resistance between the drive wheels 23a and 23b and the floor surface. A decrease in travel operability of the brush 9 (FIG. 7) can be suppressed.

  Further, the front cover 19 (FIG. 7) positioned in front of the rotating brush 22 is not positioned in front of the entire drive wheels 23a and 23b, and a part of the drive wheels 23a and 23b is in the front suction port 43 ( Exposed from Fig. 7). For this reason, the driving wheels 23a and 23b are not connected to the rotating brush 22 when the floor brush 9 (FIG. 7) is moved backward by the clutches 55a and 55b, which are one-way clutches, so that the drive is performed when the floor brush 9 (FIG. 7) is moved backward. Since the wheels 23a and 23b are only driven to rotate in a roller shape and do not rotate at a high speed integrally with the rotating brush 22, the bristle brush portions 53a and 53b jump up the dust on the floor surface, and the front suction port 43 (FIG. 7) from the case body 11 (floor brush 9) to the front of the case.

  In the above embodiment, the configurations of the clutches 55a and 55b are not limited to the above configuration.

  Further, the clutch is not a one-way clutch, and the rotating brush 22 rotates along the forward direction or the backward direction of the case body 11 (floor brush 9), and the rotational speed is higher than the rotational speed of the traveling wheels. A clutch that connects the rotating brush 22 and the drive wheels 23a and 23b when the value is larger may be used. In this case, the above-described effects can be achieved each time the floor brush 9 moves forward and backward.

  Further, as the cleaning unit, other than the bristle brush portions 53a and 53b, for example, a blade or a combination of the blade and the bristle brush portions 53a and 53b can be arbitrarily configured, and the bristle brush portion 53a, 53b or the raised cloths 64a, 64b, 74a, and 74b may be omitted.

  The drive wheels 23a and 23b may be in contact with only a soft floor surface such as a carpet in which the floor brush 9 sinks without contacting a hard and flat floor surface such as flooring. Regardless of the type, it may always be in contact with the floor.

  Furthermore, the traveling member is not limited to a wheel that contacts the floor surface, such as the drive wheels 23a and 23b, and may be a wheel-like member having a brushed cloth on the outer peripheral surface, for example.

  Further, as a drive source for rotating the rotary brush 22, for example, an arbitrary one such as an air turbine is possible, and a transmission unit for transmitting a driving force from the drive source is also configured other than the belt 98, such as a gear train, for example. It is good.

  Furthermore, the details of the vacuum cleaner C and the details of the suction port are not limited to the above configuration.

  And as a vacuum cleaner, not only a canister type but an upright type, a handy type, an autonomous running type, etc. can be used corresponding to the said structure.

C Vacuum Cleaner 1 Vacuum Cleaner Body 2 Electric Blower 9 Floor Brush as Suction Port
11 Case body
22 Rotating brush as rotating cleaning body
23a, 23b Driving wheel as a running member
24 Safety devices as means for detecting the direction of travel
25 Control circuit as control means
55a, 55b clutch

Claims (3)

The case body,
A rotating cleaning body rotatably provided on the case body;
Traveling direction detection means for detecting the traveling direction of the case body;
Control means for rotating the rotary cleaning body along the running direction detected by the running direction detecting means;
A traveling member for assisting traveling located at the end of the rotary cleaning body and rotatably provided;
A clutch that connects the rotary cleaning body and the traveling member only when the rotational cleaning body rotates along the traveling direction of the case body and the rotational speed is greater than the rotational speed of the traveling member by a predetermined amount or more. And a suction port body characterized by comprising: The clutch connects the rotary cleaning body and the traveling member only when the rotary cleaning body rotates along the forward direction of the case body and the rotational speed is higher than the rotational speed of the traveling member by a predetermined amount or more. It is a one-way clutch. The suction inlet body of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. A vacuum cleaner body containing an electric blower,
A vacuum cleaner comprising: the suction port body according to claim 1, wherein the suction port body communicates with a suction side of the electric blower and is connected to the vacuum cleaner body.

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