JP2011143048A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner capable of effectively executing sterilization and deodorization. <P>SOLUTION: The vacuum cleaner is provided with a circulation air path 45 for circulating exhaust of an electric blower 51 from the exhaust side of the electric blower 51 to the side of a dust collecting chamber 34. A mist generation means 53 for generating radical-containing mist is arranged inside the circulation air path 45. The radical-containing mist generated in the mist generation means 53 is circulated to the dust collecting chamber 34 and is repeatedly made to act on dust or the like inside the dust collecting chamber 34, and sterilization and deodorization are effectively executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner provided with mist generating means for generating mist.

  Conventionally, this type of vacuum cleaner has a hollow body case. Inside this main body case, a dust collection chamber to which a dust bag or a dust collection device can be attached and detached is formed at the front, and a blower chamber that houses an electric blower that communicates with the dust collection chamber on the suction side is formed at the rear. Has been. In addition, a main body suction port that communicates with the dust collection chamber and from which the hose body and the like are attached and detached is formed in the front portion of the main body case. Further, the main body case is formed with an opening for discharging the exhaust air from the electric blower to the outside. In the main body case, mist generating means for generating mist is disposed at a part of the exhaust port. This mist generating means scatters the mist into the air to drop the dust scattered or floating in the air onto the floor surface as the surface to be cleaned, or the dust falling on the floor surface to the air It is prevented from being scattered inside (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-185414 (page 4-5, FIG. 1)

  However, in the above vacuum cleaner, the mist only acts on dust in the air or on the floor, or the mist acts on the exhaust air. Therefore, there is a problem that mist cannot be effectively sterilized or deodorized.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a point, and it aims at providing the vacuum cleaner which can disinfect and deodorize effectively.

  The present invention includes a dust collection chamber, a main body case including a blower chamber communicating with the dust collection chamber, an electric blower having a suction side communicating with the dust collection chamber and housed in the blower chamber, and the electric blower. A circulation air passage that circulates the exhaust of the electric blower from the exhaust side to the dust collection chamber side, and a mist generating means that is disposed in the circulation air passage and generates mist containing radicals.

  According to the present invention, by disposing the mist generating means in the circulation air passage, the mist containing radicals generated by the mist generating means is circulated to the dust collecting chamber to repeatedly act on dust or the like in the dust collecting chamber. Can be sterilized and deodorized effectively.

It is explanatory sectional drawing which shows typically the inside of the main body case of the vacuum cleaner of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory sectional drawing which shows typically a part of circulation air path of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is explanatory longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows typically a part of circulating air path same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically a part of mist generating means of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is explanatory sectional drawing which shows typically a part of circulation air path of the vacuum cleaner of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

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

  In FIG. 5, 11 indicates a so-called canister-type vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 11 includes a pipe portion 12 that is a suction air passage body, and a vacuum cleaner body 13 to which the pipe portion 12 is detachably connected. have.

  The pipe part 12 is provided on the distal end side of the hose body 16, the connecting pipe part 15 connected to the cleaner body 13, the flexible hose body 16 communicating with the distal end side of the connecting pipe part 15. The hand operating section 17, the extension pipe 18 that is detachably connected to the distal end side of the hand operating section 17, and the detachable connection selectively connected to the distal end side of the extension pipe 18 or the distal end side of the hose body 16. And a floor brush 19 as a suction port body.

  On the hand operating portion 17, a gripping portion 21 protrudes toward the hose body 16, and the gripping portion 21 is provided with a plurality of setting buttons 22 for operation.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the vacuum cleaner main body 13 includes a main body case 25 formed in a hollow shape by a synthetic resin or the like, and inside the main body case 25, from the front portion to the rear portion, A first partition wall 26, a second partition wall 27, a third partition wall 28, and a fourth partition wall 29 are sequentially formed, and a primary dust separation means is provided between the first partition wall 26 and the second partition wall 27. A filter 31 is disposed, and a secondary filter 32 as a second dust separating means is disposed between the second partition wall 27 and the third partition wall 28. For this reason, a dust collection chamber 34 is defined in the main body case 25 between the first partition wall 26 and the primary filter 31, and the first intake chamber 35 is defined between the primary filter 31 and the second partition wall 27. , A second intake chamber 36 is defined between the second partition wall 27 and the secondary filter 32, a third intake chamber 37 is defined between the secondary filter 32 and the third partition wall 28, and a third A fourth intake chamber 38 is defined between the partition wall 28 and the fourth partition wall 29, and a blower chamber 39 is defined between the fourth partition wall 29 and the rear portion of the main body case 25. Further, a first ventilation air passage 41 as a connection air passage that connects the second intake chamber 36 and the dust collecting chamber 34 in an airtight manner is formed inside the main body case 25, and the first intake chamber 35 and the fourth intake air are connected. A second ventilation air passage 42 is formed as a connection air passage portion that hermetically connects the chamber 38, and a third ventilation air passage 43 is formed as a communication air passage connecting the blower chamber 39 and the second intake chamber 36. Is formed. Therefore, a circulation air passage 45 that circulates from the blower chamber 39 toward the dust collection chamber 34 is formed by the third ventilation air passage 43, the second intake chamber 36, and the first ventilation air passage 41. Further, a main body suction port 47 to which the connecting pipe portion 15 of the pipe portion 12 is connected is formed in the front portion of the main body case 25, and a main body exhaust that communicates the blower chamber 39 and the outside air is formed in the rear portion of the main body case 25. A plurality of ports 48 are formed. In the blower chamber 39, an electric blower 51 is disposed, and a control means 52 as a main body control unit for controlling the driving of the electric blower 51 is disposed below the electric blower 51, and a third ventilation air passage is provided. 43, that is, a mist generating means 53, which is an electrostatic atomizer, is disposed in the circulation air passage 45. The main body case 25 includes a lid 55 that opens and closes the dust collection chamber 34. Further, the main body case 25 is configured such that traveling wheels 56 (only one is shown) are rotatably attached to both sides so that the cleaner body 13 can travel on the floor surface as a surface to be cleaned.

  The first partition wall 26 is positioned to face the rear part of the main body suction port 47. The first partition wall 26 is provided with a normally open first on-off valve 61 such as an electromagnetic valve as a first on-off means for switching between communication between the main body suction port 47 and the dust collection chamber 34. Yes. Further, a first ventilation air passage 41 communicates with the first partition wall 26 and is connected to the dust collection chamber 34 in an airtight manner.

  The second partition wall 27 is provided with a normally open second opening / closing valve 63 such as an electromagnetic valve as second opening / closing means for switching between communication and blocking between the first intake chamber 35 and the second intake chamber 36. .

  A normally open third opening / closing valve 65 such as an electromagnetic valve is attached to the third partition wall 28 as third opening / closing means for switching between communication and blocking between the third intake chamber 37 and the blower chamber 39.

  The fourth partition wall 29 includes a facing portion 67 that constitutes a lower portion facing the third partition wall 28, a protruding portion 68 that protrudes horizontally from the upper end portion of the facing portion 67, and an upward direction from the protruding portion 68. And an extending portion 69 that extends.

  The opposed portion 67 is formed with an intake cylinder portion 71 that protrudes forward toward the third partition wall 28. The intake cylinder portion 71 has a front end portion (upstream end portion) that abuts against the rear surface of the third partition wall 28 via a seal member (not shown) and the inside thereof is connected to the third on-off valve 65 in an airtight manner. ing. An opening 73 that communicates with the fourth intake chamber 38 is formed in the lower portion of the intake cylinder portion 71.

  The protruding portion 68 is a portion that constitutes a part of the lower side of the third ventilation air passage 43, and a part of the mist generating means 53 is placed thereon. Further, the secondary filter 32 is disposed below the projecting portion 68.

  Further, the primary filter 31 filters dust in the dust-containing air, for example, to separate it from air. Accordingly, the dust collection chamber 34 is configured to collect dust.

  The secondary filter 32 functions as a final filter, for example. That is, the secondary filter 32 can collect dust (fine dust) that could not be collected by the primary filter 31, and for example, surface dust collection such as a pleated filter having pleats (soot) along the vertical direction. A filter is used. Further, a dust removing means 75 is attached to the rear portion of the secondary filter 32 to remove dust collected by the secondary filter 32 by applying vibrations to the secondary filter 32, for example.

  The first ventilation air passage 41 extends downward from the position of the front part of the secondary filter 32 of the second intake chamber 36, and passes through the lower sides of the first intake chamber 35 and the dust collection chamber 34. It communicates with the front end of the dust collection chamber 34. Further, in the first ventilation air passage 41, a normally closed fourth on-off valve 76 such as an electromagnetic valve as a fourth on-off means for switching the communication between the second intake chamber 36 and the dust collecting chamber 34 is cut off. Is attached.

  The second ventilation air passage 42 extends downward from the position of the rear portion of the primary filter 31 of the first intake chamber 35, passes through the lower portions of the second intake chamber 36 and the third intake chamber 37, and enters the fourth intake chamber. It communicates with the bottom of 38. Further, in the second ventilation air passage 42, a normally closed fifth on-off valve such as an electromagnetic valve serving as a fifth on-off means for switching between communication between the first intake chamber 35 and the fourth intake chamber 38 is cut off. 78 is installed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the third ventilation air passage 43 is formed along the protruding portion 68 of the fourth partition wall 29 so as to extend from the upper portion of the blower chamber 39 to the front portion. Further, in the third ventilation air passage 43, an exhaust heat duct portion 81 formed continuously at the upper portion of the electric blower 51 and an outside air wind formed continuously at the front end portion of the exhaust heat duct portion 81. Road 82 is arranged. Further, the third ventilation air passage 43 has a normally closed sixth opening / closing member such as an electromagnetic valve as sixth opening / closing means for switching communication between the third ventilation air passage 43 and the second intake chamber 36. A valve 84 is attached to the extension 69 of the fourth partition wall 29.

  In the exhaust heat duct portion 81, an exhaust communication port 86 that connects the blower chamber 39 and the inside is formed at a connection portion with the electric blower 51.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the outside air air passage 82 extends upward from the exhaust heat duct portion 81 and continues to the outside air communication port 88 formed in the upper part of the body case 25, and is connected to the outside of the body case 25. Communicate. An outside air filter 89 for preventing intrusion of dust and the like into the outside air passage 82 is attached to the outside air communication port 88.

  It should be noted that exhaust gas from the blower chamber 39 can pass through both sides outside the exhaust heat duct portion 81 and the outside air passage 82.

  In addition, the electric blower 51 includes an intake port 91 at the front end and an exhaust port 92 on the outer periphery on the rear end side. In the electric blower 51, an intake port 91 is airtightly connected to a rear end portion of the intake cylinder portion of the fourth partition wall 29 via a seal member (not shown).

  The control means 52 is supplied with power from, for example, a commercial AC power supply or a secondary battery, the setting button 22, the electric blower 51, each on-off valve 61, 63, 65, 76, 78, 84, the dust removing means 75, and It is electrically connected to the mist generating means 53 and the like. The control means 52 controls, for example, the phase angle of the driving of the electric blower 51 in response to the setting operation of the operator by the setting button 22, and opens and closes the on-off valves 61, 63, 65, 76, 78, 84. , And driving of the mist generating means 53 are controlled.

  The mist generating means 53 can be of any configuration as long as it generates a fine mist M having a picosize or nanosize containing radicals such as OH radicals, but preferably has the following configuration.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the mist generating means 53 includes a water supply unit 94 that obtains moisture in the circulation air passage 45, and a mist that mists (mists) the water obtained by the water supply unit 94. Part 95.

  The water supply unit 94 includes a solid adsorbent 96 that adsorbs moisture contained in the air in the circulation air passage 45 (third ventilation air passage 43), that is, in the heat exhaust duct 81, and heat transfer attached to the electric blower 51. A heat transfer plate 97 as a member, a cooling plate 98 as a cooling member for condensing moisture in the exhaust heat duct portion 81, and a water storage member 99 attached to the lower portion of the cooling plate 98 are provided.

  The solid adsorbent 96 is formed in a granular shape, for example, with silica gel or the like, and is spread and held in a mesh-like wire netting 101 or the like as holding means. The wire mesh rod 101 is supported via a support means 102 at a position above the exhaust communication port 86 in the exhaust heat duct 81 (on the downstream side of the air circulating in the circulation air passage 45). The solid adsorbent 96 adsorbs and holds moisture contained in the air in the exhaust heat duct portion 81 when the electric blower 51 is stopped, in other words, when the electric vacuum cleaner 11 is not operated (stored). .

  The heat transfer plate 97 is formed of, for example, a metal having excellent heat transfer properties, and the lower end that is one end contacts the outer periphery of the electric blower 51, and the upper end that is the other end is inserted into the wire mesh rod 101. In contact with the solid adsorbent 96. For this reason, the heat transfer plate 97 transmits the heat exhausted during the drive (operation) of the electric blower 51 to the solid adsorbent 96, so that the moisture held in the solid adsorbent 96 is released by evaporation or the like. It is configured. Therefore, the heat transfer plate 97 has both the heat dissipation function of the electric blower 51 and the release of moisture from the solid adsorbent 96, that is, the regeneration function of the solid adsorbent 96.

  The cooling plate 98 is made of, for example, a metal having excellent heat conductivity, and is located at a connection portion between the exhaust heat duct portion 81 and the outside air passage 82. That is, the cooling plate 98 has one surface 98a facing the heat exhaust duct 81 and the other surface 98b facing the outside air passage 82. Further, the cooling plate 98 is arranged such that a lower end portion, which is one end portion, is connected to the mist forming portion 95, and an upper end side is inclined rearward (upstream side of the air circulating in the circulation air passage 45). That is, the cooling plate 98 is inclined such that one surface 98a faces the lower protrusion 68 (water storage member 99).

  The water storage member 99 is located at the lower part of the cooling plate 98 on the protrusion 68, and gradually increases in height from the front side to the rear side, that is, from the side away from the mist forming unit 95 side. It is inclined to. That is, the water storage member 99 collects the water W condensed on one surface 98a of the cooling plate 98 to the end of the mist forming unit 95, and the condensed water W1 collected is on the exhaust heat duct 81 side. It has a function to retain water so that it does not flow into the water.

  The mist forming unit 95 includes a power supply unit 104, a conductive sheet 105 that is a conductor electrically connected to the power supply unit 104, and a plurality of pins as discharge members that protrude from the conductive sheet 105. The mist generating electrode 106 and a water retaining member 107 covering the conductive sheet 105 are provided, and the conductive sheet 105 and the water retaining member 107 are covered with a case body 108.

  The power supply unit 104 is a commercial AC power supply that supplies power to the electric blower 51 or the like, or a DC power supply unit that generates a negative voltage of, for example, about −10 to −4 kV, preferably about −6 kV from a secondary battery or the like. Further, the power supply unit 104 includes a discharge pin 109 that is a negative electrode, and the discharge pin 109 protrudes rearward and is inserted into the case body 108 and is electrically connected to the conductive sheet 105. Therefore, the power supply unit 104 negatively charges each mist generating electrode 106 via the conductive sheet 105.

  Each mist generating electrode 106 has water absorption, water retention, and moisture absorption characteristics, and is, for example, a rod-shaped body formed of a porous molded body or a fiber body. Therefore, each mist generating electrode 106 is configured to be kept in a wet state. In addition, each mist generating electrode 106 is preferably formed such that the upper end, which is the distal end, is thinner than the lower end, which is the proximal end. Therefore, each mist generating electrode 106 is configured to generate pico-sized or nano-sized fine mist M containing OH radicals by natural discharge from the upper end. In other words, no counter electrode is disposed in the vicinity of each mist generating electrode 106.

  The water retaining member 107 covers the entire conductive sheet 105, and the rear end protrudes rearward and faces the water storage member 99 of the water supply unit 94, and absorbs the condensed water W1 collected by the water storage member 99. It is held in a state that is spread throughout.

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

  For example, a normal cleaning mode used for cleaning the surface to be cleaned and a dust removal mode for cleaning the filters 31 and 32 are set in the control means 52. Hereinafter, the dust removal mode is performed, for example, immediately after the end of the cleaning mode.For example, a configuration performed immediately before the start of the cleaning mode, a configuration performed immediately before the start of the cleaning mode, and immediately after the end of the cleaning mode, or a cleaning operation is performed. You may comprise so that it may be performed at arbitrary timings, such as a structure performed when interrupted more than predetermined time.

  In the cleaning mode, for example, the control means 52 first prepares the first opening / closing as a preparation in a state where power can be supplied from a commercial AC power source connected via a power cord (not shown) or a secondary battery incorporated in the main body case 25. Each of the valve 61, the second on-off valve 63, and the third on-off valve 65 is kept open, and each of the fourth on-off valve 76, the fifth on-off valve 78, and the sixth on-off valve 84 is closed. Maintain state.

  In this state, the control means 52 drives the electric blower 51 in the operator's desired operation mode input via the setting button 22 shown in FIG.

  Here, heat is generated from the electric blower 51 by driving the electric blower 51. As shown in FIG. 2, this heat is transmitted to the solid adsorbent 96 through the heat transfer plate 97 to heat the solid adsorbent 96. As a result, the moisture previously adsorbed on the solid adsorbent 96 when the vacuum cleaner 11 is not in operation is evaporated and released. Further, the exhaust heat from the electric blower 51 acts on one surface 98a of the cooling plate 98. On the other hand, the outside air of the main body case 25 acts on the other surface 98b of the cooling plate 98 via the outside air communication port 88. Since the outside air has a relatively lower temperature than the air in the exhaust heat duct portion 81, the other surface 98b of the cooling plate 98 is in a relatively lower temperature than the one surface 98a. As a result, moisture contained in the air in the exhaust heat duct 81 is condensed on one surface 98a of the cooling plate 98 (moisture W). Further, since the cooling plate 98 is inclined, the moisture W condensed on one surface 98a of the cooling plate 98 flows downward according to the inclination of the cooling plate 98 and is condensed near the continuous portion with the water storage member 99. Accumulate as water W1. The accumulated condensed water W1 is absorbed by the water retention member 107 shown in FIG. 4 and is retained in the state of being sucked up by the mist generating electrodes 106 via the water retention member 107.

  Then, the operator grips the gripping portion 21 shown in FIG. 5, moves the floor brush 19 on the surface to be cleaned, and sucks dust together with air.

  At this time, the dust-containing air is sucked into the main body case 25 from the main body suction port 47 after moving the tube portion 12 from the distal end side to the proximal end side. As shown in FIG. 1, the dust-containing air first reaches the dust collection chamber 34 through the open first on-off valve 61, and then the relatively large dust, that is, coarse dust and the like by the primary filter 31. Separated into air. For this reason, the separated coarse dust is collected in the dust collection chamber 34.

  In addition, the air that has passed through the primary filter 31 and has flowed into the first intake chamber 35 flows into the second intake chamber 36 through the open second on-off valve 63 and is relatively small dust by the secondary filter 32. That is, it is separated into fine dust and air. For this reason, while the fine dust is captured on the upstream surface 32a of the secondary filter 32, the air that has passed through the secondary filter 32 and flows into the third intake chamber 37 is opened. The air passes through 65 and further passes through the intake cylinder 71 and is sucked into the electric blower 51 from the intake port 91. Then, the exhaust gas flowing out from the exhaust port 92 of the electric blower 51 into the blower chamber 39 is discharged to the outside of the main body case 25 (the vacuum cleaner main body 13) through the main body exhaust port 48. The air flow is indicated by a solid line A1 in FIG.

  On the other hand, in the dust removal mode, when the operator operates the predetermined setting button 22 to finish cleaning, the control means 52 first prepares the first on-off valve 61, the second on-off valve 63, and the first Each of the three on-off valves 65 is maintained in a closed state, and each of the fourth on-off valve 76, the fifth on-off valve 78, and the sixth on-off valve 84 is maintained in an open state.

  Thereafter, the control means 52 conducts input control for energizing the mist generation means 53 (mist generation means 53 ON) and driving the electric blower 51. The input of the electric blower 51 in this case is assumed to be lower than the maximum input given to the electric blower 51 in the cleaning mode, for example.

  Here, in the mist generating means 53, a DC negative voltage is generated by the power supply unit 104, and this negative voltage is supplied to the conductive sheet 105 via the discharge pin 109. For this reason, each mist generating electrode 106 is negatively charged and current flows to the upper end of each mist generating electrode 106 that is most likely to be discharged, and electric field concentration occurs at the upper end of these mist generating electrodes 106, resulting in spontaneous discharge. The invisible mist M having a pico-size or nano-size is split and scattered by an electric action exceeding the surface tension of water held by these mist generating electrodes 106 and is released into the circulation air passage 45.

  As the electric blower 51 is driven, the intake negative pressure is changed into the intake cylinder portion 71, the opening 73, the fourth intake chamber 38, the second ventilation air passage 42, the first intake chamber 35, the dust collection chamber 34, By sequentially acting on the first ventilation air passage 41, the second intake air passage 36, and the third ventilation air passage 43, the exhaust discharged from the exhaust port 92 of the electric blower 51 to the blower chamber 39 is transferred to the third ventilation air passage. It flows into the second intake chamber 36 through 43. As a result, as indicated by a broken line A2 in FIG. 1, the exhaust of the electric blower 51 circulates to the dust collection chamber 34 side via the circulation air passage 45, and the mist M is circulated through the circulation air passage 45, the dust collection chamber 34, The first intake chamber 35, the second ventilation air passage 42, the fourth intake chamber 38 and the intake cylinder portion 71 are scattered all over the corner.

  Since the exhaust gas circulating as described above is supplied with the fine mist M containing OH radicals generated by the mist generating means 53, the mist M moves the secondary filter 32 in the thickness direction during the circulation process. Without passing, it flows from the upper side to the lower side along the surface 32a on the upstream side (upstream side in the cleaning mode) of the secondary filter 32, and further flows into the dust collecting chamber 34 via the first ventilation air passage 41. Inflow. At this time, the exhaust from the electric blower 51 is blown against the upstream surface 32a of the secondary filter 32, and the fine dust collected on the surface 32a is blown downward.

  Further, the control means 52 drives the dust removing means 75 to apply vibration to the secondary filter 32, and removes fine dust collected by the secondary filter 32 from the secondary filter 32. The removed fine dust floats in the second air intake chamber 36, and the mist M acts on the fine dust that has floated.

  Further, the circulated exhaust gas passes through the second intake air passage 42 from the dust collection chamber 34, bypasses the secondary filter 32, and passes through the fourth intake chamber 38 and the opening 73 of the intake cylinder portion 71. It is sucked into the air inlet 91 of the electric blower 51 and does not pass through the secondary filter 32 in the thickness direction. In other words, the intake negative pressure of the electric blower 51 acts on the secondary filter 32 from the rear side (downstream side), and fine dust is attracted to the upstream surface 32a of the secondary filter 32. Absent. For this reason, the secondary filter 32 is easily dust-removed by the dust removing means 75, and the removed fine dust moves to the dust collecting chamber 34 along the flow of exhaust gas passing through the second intake chamber 36.

  As described above, the mist generation means 53 removes the suspended dust (fine dust) removed from the secondary filter 32 and moved to the dust collection chamber 34 and the coarse dust collected in the dust collection chamber 34. The OH radicals contained in the generated mist M act repeatedly, so that various bacteria are decomposed, that is, sterilized (sterilized) and deodorized effectively. These sterilizing action and deodorizing action are also given to the secondary filter 32 itself.

  When the control means 52 determines that a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds has elapsed since the start of the dust removal mode, the control means 52 stops the dust removal means 75. At the stage immediately after the end of cleaning when the dust removal mode is started, the fine dust collected by the secondary filter 32 has not yet solidified and does not exhibit strong adhesive force. The fine dust collected by the secondary filter 32 can be sufficiently removed by driving.

  Further, when the control means 52 determines that a predetermined time, for example, about 20 to 30 seconds has elapsed since the start of the dust removal mode, the control means 52 stops driving the mist generation means 53 and the electric blower 51, and ends the dust removal mode. To do.

  Therefore, by disposing the mist generating means 53 in the circulation air passage 45 as described above, the mist M containing radicals generated by the mist generating means 53 is circulated to the dust collecting chamber 34 to be inside the dust collecting chamber 34. It is possible to repeatedly act on the dust and the filters 31 and 32, that is, to increase the chance of contact, and to effectively sterilize and deodorize.

  In particular, in the above configuration in which the dust (fine dust) collected on the upstream surface 32a of the secondary filter 32 is blown off by the exhaust gas circulating in the circulation air passage 45, the chance that the mist M acts on the dust is further increased. Therefore, the efficiency of deodorization and sterilization can be further improved.

  Further, the dust removal mode described above prevents dust from being attracted to the secondary filter 32 by the circulating exhaust flow, so that the fine dust collected by the secondary filter 32 can be easily removed by driving the dust removal means 75. At the same time, fine dust removed from the secondary filter 32 during dust removal can be sterilized and deodorized by the mist M. In addition, since the driving of the dust removing means 75 is stopped before the driving of the mist generating means 53 is stopped, noise generation due to the vibration applied to the secondary filter 32 by the dust removing means 75 is eliminated after this point, and quietly. In addition, deodorization can be continued and power consumption can be reduced. Further, even after the dust removing means 75 is stopped, the exhaust gas is circulated and the driving of the mist generating means 53 is continued, so that the coarse dust collected in the dust collecting chamber 34 by the mist M reaching the dust collecting chamber 34. Can be sterilized and deodorized.

  Further, the mist generating means 53 generates a mist M by mist-generating moisture absorbed in each mist generating electrode 106 by natural discharge of each negatively charged mist generating electrode 106. Compared with the mist generating means for generating mist, the generation of ozone can be suppressed and the leakage of ozone from the main body case 25 can be cut off from the beginning.

  In addition, a water supply unit 94 for obtaining moisture and a mist generation unit for misting the water obtained by the water supply unit 94 by generating the mist M by converting the water absorbed in the mist generation electrode 106 into a mist. It is possible to separate the roles of the water supply unit 95 and improve the efficiency of securing water in the water supply unit 94 and the mist generation in the mist generation unit 95, and the water supply unit 94 and the mist generation unit 95 And the configuration specialized for each role can be simplified.

  In addition, since the water supply unit 94 that aggregates moisture in the circulation air passage 45, in other words, moisture in the atmosphere and supplies it to each mist generating electrode 106, the vacuum cleaner 11 can be used without selecting a place. In addition, since water supply is not required, that is, a water supply-free (maintenance-free) configuration can be achieved, it is possible to reduce the time and labor for an operator to supply water, and the use range is widened, thereby improving usability.

  Further, moisture is adsorbed by the solid adsorbent 96 from at least a part of the air in the circulation air passage 45, the adsorbed moisture is released by the exhaust heat of the electric blower 51, and the released moisture is condensed. By obtaining moisture to be supplied to the mist generating electrode 106, the structure of the water supply unit 94 can be simplified by separating the roles of moisture adsorption and condensation, and the mist generating means 53 and the vacuum cleaner 11 can be reduced in size. it can.

  In addition, since the solid adsorbent 96 can be regenerated by releasing moisture using the electric vacuum cleaner 11, the water absorption is not reduced.

  Further, by transferring the exhaust heat from the electric blower 51 to the solid adsorbent 96 by the heat transfer plate 97 that contacts the electric blower 51, the solid adsorbent 96 is regenerated by releasing the moisture adsorbed on the solid adsorbent 96. Heat amount can be secured, and heat can be transferred to the solid adsorbent 96 reliably and promptly.

  In addition, since the exhaust heat of the electric blower 51 can be used for the release of moisture from the solid adsorbent 96 and the condensation of moisture, energy efficiency can be improved.

  Then, it is possible to take outside air into the circulation air passage 45 by the outside air passage 82, and the exhaust heat from the electric blower 51 and the outside air taken into the circulation air passage 45 are used for one surface 98a and the other surface 98b of the cooling plate 98. By causing the water to condense on the cooling plate 98, the temperature difference between the exhaust heat of the electric blower 51 and the outside air can be used effectively, and the overall size can be reduced.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 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, a humidity control sheet 111 as a humidity control member is used in place of the solid adsorbent 96 of the water supply unit 94 of the mist generating means 53 of the first embodiment.

  That is, the humidity control sheet 111 is attached to the inner surface of the exhaust heat duct 81 in the circulating air passage 45, preferably the upstream side of the mist forming portion 95 in the circulating air passage 45. The humidity control sheet 111 retains moisture contained in the air in the exhaust heat duct 81 and maintains the humidity of the air in the exhaust heat duct 81 in a high humidity state equal to or higher than a predetermined humidity.

  The exhaust heat of the electric blower 51 acts on one surface 98a of the cooling plate 98 inside the exhaust heat duct portion 81 maintained in a high humidity state by the humidity control sheet 111, and the outside air is passed through the outside air passage 82. Acts on the other surface 98 b of the cooling plate 98, moisture W condenses on one surface 98 a of the cooling plate 98, and this moisture W flows downward along the inclination of the cooling plate 98, Condensed water W1 accumulates in the vicinity of the continuous portion, is absorbed by the water retention member 107, is held in the state of being sucked up by the mist generation electrodes 106 via the water retention member 107, and becomes a source of mist M in the dust removal mode.

  As described above, by arranging the mist generating means 53 including the humidity control sheet 111 in the circulation air passage 45, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

  Further, by controlling (managing) the humidity in the exhaust heat duct portion 81 (circulation air passage 45) by the humidity control sheet 111, a sufficient amount of moisture for forming the mist M can be secured.

  Furthermore, the humidity control sheet 111 can be conditioned only by placing it in the exhaust heat duct section 81 (circulation air passage 45), so the configuration of the water supply section 94 is simplified. Can be

  In each of the above embodiments, details such as the circulation air passage 45 are not limited to the above configuration. That is, in the normal cleaning mode, each air intake chamber, as long as it is configured to suck air through the dust collection chamber 34 and circulate the exhaust of the electric blower 51 to the dust collection chamber 34 in the dust removal mode, Arrangement and number of each ventilation air passage, each on-off valve, etc. can be arbitrarily set.

  Further, as the vacuum cleaner 11, for example, an upright type in which a floor brush 19 is connected to the lower part of the vacuum cleaner body 13, or an arbitrary type such as a handy type can be used. The configuration is not limited.

11 Vacuum cleaner
25 Main unit case
34 Dust collection chamber
39 Blower room
45 Circulating air passage
51 Electric blower
53 Mist generation means
94 Water supply section
96 Solid adsorbent
97 Heat transfer plate as heat transfer member
98 Cooling plate as a cooling member
106 Mist generating electrode as discharge member
111 Humidity control sheet as humidity control material

Claims (7)

A main body case including a dust collection chamber and a fan chamber communicating with the dust collection chamber;
An electric blower having a suction side communicating with the dust collection chamber and housed in the blower chamber;
A circulation air passage for circulating the exhaust of the electric blower from the exhaust side of the electric blower to the dust collecting chamber side;
A vacuum cleaner comprising: a mist generating means disposed in the circulation air passage to generate mist containing radicals. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the mist generating means includes a discharge member that mists negatively charged water absorbed by natural discharge. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the mist generating means includes a water supply unit that aggregates water in the circulation air passage and supplies the condensed water to the discharge member. The water supply unit has a solid adsorbent that adsorbs moisture from at least a part of the air in the circulation air passage, releases the moisture adsorbed on the solid adsorbent by the exhaust heat of the electric blower, and releases the released moisture. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein moisture is supplied by dew condensation to be supplied to the discharge member. 5. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the water supply unit includes a heat transfer member that contacts the electric blower and transmits waste heat from the electric blower to the solid adsorbent. The water supply unit has a humidity control member that adjusts humidity in at least a part of the circulation air passage to a predetermined humidity or higher, and moisture in the circulation air passage adjusted by the humidity adjustment member is condensed by exhaust heat of the electric blower. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein water is supplied to the discharge member. The circulation air path can take in outside air,
The water supply unit has a cooling member that condenses moisture supplied to the heat radiating member due to a temperature difference between outside air taken into the circulation air passage and exhaust heat from the electric blower. 6. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of 6.

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