JP2013085591A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner including a dust collecting chamber capable of improving compressibility of dust and preventing the dust from scattering.SOLUTION: The vacuum cleaner includes: a humidification port 22 opened on a dust collecting chamber 15 which separates dust from air containing the dust sucked by an electric blower 10 and accumulates the dust; a moisture absorption and desorption body 30 of a roughly honeycomb structure carrying a moisture absorption and desorption material 29; and a humidification means 27 communicated with the humidification port 22 and provided with the moisture absorption and desorption body 30. The humidification means 27 is arranged near the electric blower 10, heat generated from the electric blower 10 is transmitted to the moisture absorption and desorption body 30 and air of high humidity is generated. Thus, since the dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber 15 absorbs wet steam, coarse dust becomes soft, expands and gets entangled, and fine dust increases in weight, is connected with each other and becomes large. As a result, when disposing the dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber 15, scattering of the dust is suppressed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a dust collection chamber of a vacuum cleaner.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a so-called cyclonic vacuum cleaner, which has a swirling component in sucked air and separates and removes dust from an air stream by centrifugal force, has attracted attention. In this type of vacuum cleaner, an intake passage for allowing dust-containing air to flow into the interior from the outside, an electric blower that generates intake air in the intake passage, and air containing dust that has passed through the intake passage are swirled into dust. Some have a dust collection chamber that separates into air and accumulates at the bottom, and a water particle supply unit that supplies water particles having an average particle diameter of 50 μm or less to the intake passage in the form of mist. For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2). Further, there is a compressor provided with a compressing means for compressing dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  In such a cyclonic vacuum cleaner, the sucked air and dust passing through the intake passage are supplied with water particles from the water particle supply unit and flow into the dust collecting chamber, so that water particles are added to the dust. can do. As a result, fine dust easily adheres to each other, and the effect of agglomeration of fine dust is enhanced, so that the performance of separating dust and air can be improved.

  Note that water particles having an average particle size of 50 μm or less have a large surface area relative to the weight of the water particles, and thus are easily evaporated. Therefore, even when the water particles supplied from the water particle supply unit adhere to the dust collection chamber, the adhered water particles are evaporated and removed by the swirling air, so that water treatment in the dust collection chamber is not necessary. Moreover, since the compression means compresses the dust accumulated in the dust collection chamber, the dust collection chamber can be reduced in size.

JP 2009-39253 A JP 2006-175043 A JP 2002-51950 A

  However, in the dust collection chambers of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the speed of the swirled air is as high as 50 to 100 m / s, so that most of the water particles supplied in an instant evaporate and the dust collection chamber Fine dust (such as sand and mud) that is exhausted to the outside and difficult to be swept by swirling air accumulates at the bottom, and coarse dust (cotton dust) that is easily swept by swirled air is separated and collected on the fine dust. And the compression means of patent document 3 compresses the dust collected in the dust collecting chamber, but there is a problem that coarse dust has a lot of space, and particularly cotton dust has a strong repulsive force and is difficult to be compressed. As a result, when the compression means is released when cleaning is started, there is a problem that the dust collection chamber cannot be sufficiently miniaturized because the volume of the accumulated dust is increased by about 2 to 3 times.

  Further, when the collected dust is discarded by opening the bottom cover (not shown) of the dust collection chamber, there is a problem that dust, particularly fine dust, is caught in the air flow caused by the bottom cover and is scattered. In other words, the supplied water particles are useful for improving the separation performance of dust and air, but do not contribute to prevention of dust scattering when the accumulated dust is discarded.

The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a vacuum cleaner provided with a dust collection chamber capable of improving dust compressibility and preventing dust from being scattered.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vacuum cleaner of the present invention is installed on the upstream side of an electric blower that generates suction force, and a dust collection chamber that separates dust containing air sucked by the electric blower and accumulates dust. A humidifying opening that opens in the dust collecting chamber, a moisture absorbing / releasing body having a substantially honeycomb structure carrying a moisture absorbing / releasing material, and a humidifying means that communicates with the humidifying opening and has the moisture absorbing / releasing body. The means is arranged in the vicinity of the electric blower, and heat generated from the electric blower is transmitted to the moisture absorption / release body to generate high humidity air.

  According to such an invention, the air containing dust separates the dust by the suction force generated by the electric blower, the dust is collected in the dust collection chamber, and clean air is exhausted from the dust collection chamber. Then, the humidifying means is heated by the heat generated by the electric blower, the temperature of the internal space of the humidifying means rises, and the relative humidity decreases. Since the moisture absorbing / releasing material carried on the moisture absorbing / releasing body releases moisture according to the lowered relative humidity, the humidifying means supplies high-humidity air from the humidification opening to the dust collection chamber. Next, the dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber absorbs moisture, so that coarse dust is soft and entangled, fine dust increases in weight, and further increases in combination with each other.

  In the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention, dust scattering is suppressed when the accumulated dust is discarded.

External view of the electric vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention Same as above, a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part configuration during operation of the vacuum cleaner The longitudinal cross-sectional view which showed the principal part structure after completion | finish of cleaning of a vacuum cleaner Sectional drawing which showed the structure of the humidification means of a vacuum cleaner Same as above, correlation diagram of time and temperature showing temperature change of electric blower of vacuum cleaner Same as above, relationship diagram between relative humidity and moisture absorption rate of hygroscopic material when vacuum cleaner is in equilibrium The longitudinal cross-sectional view which showed the principal part structure immediately after completion | finish of cleaning of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 2. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which showed the principal part structure in the state accommodated in the stand after completion | finish of cleaning of a vacuum cleaner Sectional drawing which showed the structure of the humidification means of a vacuum cleaner The elements on larger scale which looked at the humidification means of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 3 from the side The elements on larger scale which looked at the humidification means of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 4 from the side Sectional drawing which showed the structure of the humidification means of a vacuum cleaner

  1st invention is installed in the upstream of the electric blower which generate | occur | produces a suction force, the dust collection chamber which isolate | separates dust containing the air attracted | sucked by the said electric blower, and accumulates dust, The humidification opened to the said dust collection chamber A moisture absorbing / releasing body having a substantially honeycomb structure carrying a moisture absorbing / releasing material, and a humidifying means having the moisture absorbing / releasing body in communication with the humidifying opening, wherein the humidifying means is disposed in the vicinity of the electric blower. The heat generated from the electric blower is transmitted to the moisture absorption / release body to generate air with high humidity.

  According to such an invention, the air containing dust separates the dust by the suction force generated by the electric blower, the dust is collected in the dust collection chamber, and clean air is exhausted from the dust collection chamber. Then, the humidifying means is heated to the heat generated by the electric blower, and then the moisture absorption / release body rises in temperature due to the heat conduction from the inner wall surface of the humidifying means and the temperature rise in the internal space, so Relative humidity decreases.

  The moisture absorbing / releasing material carried on the moisture absorbing / releasing body releases moisture vapor according to the lowered relative humidity and diffuses from the open end of the moisture absorbing / releasing body to the internal space of the humidifying means. The space forms humid air. Subsequently, air with high humidity flows into the dust collection chamber from the humidification port by natural convection due to a temperature difference between the humidification means and the dust collection chamber and mass transfer due to the humidity difference.

  Next, the dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber absorbs the moist vapor, so that the coarse dust is soft and stretched and entangled, and the fine dust increases in weight and further increases by combining with each other. As a result, there is an effect that dust scattering can be suppressed when the dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber is discarded. When 2 to 4 hours or more have elapsed after the cleaning is completed, the temperature of the electric blower and the humidifying means is lowered to near room temperature due to heat radiation to the atmosphere. At that time, the moisture absorbing / releasing material switches from the moisture releasing action to the moisture absorbing action that takes moisture away from the dust collection chamber, the air in the swirl chamber and the dust accumulated in the dust collection chamber, and recovers to the original moisture absorption state over time. Therefore, a water tank for moisture release is unnecessary. Since the dust accumulated in the dust collection chamber is dried, the coarse dust is hardened while being entangled, and the fine dust is hardened in a state of being coupled to each other.

  In the second invention, in particular, the dust collecting chamber of the first invention is provided with a compression means for compressing the accumulated dust. The compression means compresses the dust accumulated in the dust collection chamber, and the humidification means supplies high humidity air from the humidification opening to the dust collection chamber before and after the compression. The dust collected and compressed in the dust collection chamber absorbs moisture from the high humidity air over time, and coarse dust such as cotton dust is soft and easily deformed, and the compressibility is improved, and the deformed, stretched and entangled.

  On the other hand, fine dust increases in weight and softens when it absorbs moisture, and is combined with each other and intertwined with deformed coarse dust, so that fine dust becomes large and heavy. When 2 to 4 hours or more have elapsed after the cleaning is completed, the temperature of the electric blower and the humidifying means is lowered to near room temperature due to heat radiation to the atmosphere. At that time, the moisture absorbing / releasing material switches from the moisture releasing action to the moisture absorbing action that takes moisture away from the dust collection chamber, the air in the swirl chamber and the dust accumulated in the dust collection chamber, and recovers to the original moisture absorption state over time. .

  Since the dust accumulated in the dust collection chamber is dried, the coarse dust is solidified while being entangled, and the fine dust is solidified by being coupled with each other and entangled with the deformed coarse dust. As a result, even if the compression means is released, it does not almost return to its original state, so that the dust collection chamber can be greatly reduced in size by maintaining the space in the dust collection chamber. Also, when the compressed dust collected in the dust collection chamber is discarded, the large and heavy fine dust collected at the bottom falls straight, and the compressed coarse dust falls on it, so that the dust is scattered. Is effective.

  In particular, according to a third invention, in the first or second invention, the plurality of moisture absorption / release bodies having a substantially honeycomb structure has a plurality of moisture absorption / release bodies having a substantially honeycomb structure. By forming a space between the open end of the moisture-releasing body and arranging it vertically, the tube resistance of the substantially honeycomb structure of the moisture-absorbing / releasing body is reduced, and the passage resistance is reduced, and the moisture-absorbing / releasing body Since the open end of the moisture increases, the wet steam released from the moisture absorbing / releasing material immediately diffuses from the open end of the moisture absorbing / releasing body into the internal space of the humidifying means. Increase in relative humidity is suppressed.

  In addition, since the tube length of the substantially honeycomb structure of the moisture absorption / release body is short, the temperature distribution in the cylinder of the approximately honeycomb structure of the moisture absorption / release body is almost uniform, so that the moisture vapor that has been dehumidified absorbs moisture at a low temperature position. The moisture-absorbing material will not absorb moisture again. Furthermore, since the heat receiving surface heated from the inner wall surface of the humidifying means is increased by dividing the moisture absorbing / releasing body, the temperature of the inside of the substantially honeycomb structure of the moisture absorbing / releasing body is increased, and the relative humidity is further decreased. As a result, a large amount of wet steam can be released from the moisture absorbing / releasing material for a long period of time, and the moisture absorbing / releasing material can effectively release the moisture vapor.

In the fourth invention, in particular, the moisture absorbing / releasing body of any one of the first to third inventions has a gap between the open end and the inner wall surface of the humidifying means. Since air easily flows from the open end to the substantially honeycomb structure cylinder of the moisture absorbing / releasing body, the wet vapor released from the moisture absorbing / releasing material easily diffuses from the other open end to the internal space of the humidifying means. As a result, an increase in the relative humidity in the substantially honeycomb structure of the moisture absorbing / releasing body can be suppressed, so that wet steam can be released from the moisture absorbing / releasing material carried on the moisture absorbing / releasing body for a long period of time. Note that the wet steam released from the moisture absorbing / releasing material flows in the opposite direction, and may easily diffuse through the gap from the open end to the internal space of the humidifying means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the heat absorbing / releasing body is generated by the electric blower by inserting the heat transfer portion protruding from the inner wall surface of the humidifying means into the moisture absorbing / releasing body. The heat is efficiently received from the heat transfer section to increase the temperature, and the relative humidity in the cylinder of the substantially honeycomb structure of the moisture absorbing / releasing body is lowered. As a result, the moisture absorbing / releasing material carried on the moisture absorbing / releasing body can release a large amount of wet steam.

  In the sixth invention, in particular, the moisture absorbing / releasing body of the first or second invention has one open end close to the outer surface of the electric blower and the other open end between the inner wall surface of the humidifying means. Since the open end of the moisture absorbing / releasing body is close to the electric blower that is a heating source by providing the space, the relative humidity decreases as the temperature increases. As a result, a large amount of wet steam from all the substantially honeycomb-structured tubes can diffuse from the other open end to the space between the open end and the inner wall surface of the humidifying means.

(Embodiment 1)
The vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated using FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a vacuum cleaner showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part configuration during operation of the vacuum cleaner, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view of the humidifying means of the vacuum cleaner, and FIG. 5 is a time and temperature showing the temperature change of the electric blower of the vacuum cleaner. FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the relative humidity of the moisture absorbent and the moisture absorption rate when the vacuum cleaner is in equilibrium.

  As shown in FIG. 1, wheels 2 and casters 3 are attached to the outside of the cleaner body 1, and the cleaner body 1 can freely move on the floor surface. A suction hose 6 and an extension pipe 8 having a handle 7 are sequentially connected to the suction port 5 provided below the dust collection case 4 installation portion, and a suction tool 9 is attached to the tip of the extension pipe 8. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dust collection case 4 is detachably installed on the cleaner body 1 with the electric blower 10 built-in, and is attached to the cleaner body 1 in the dust collection case 4 inlet side. The intake port 11 communicates with the suction path 12 that opens the suction port 5, and the vent port 13 on the other side of the dust collection case 4 communicates with the electric blower 10. The dust collection case 4 includes a cylindrical swirl chamber 14 that takes in air containing dust and generates a swirling airflow, and a substantially cylindrical dust collection chamber 15 that collects dust.

  The swirl chamber 14 is provided with an intake port 11 opened so as to be tangential to the inner peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical outer shape, and a substantially cylindrical exhaust tube 16 communicating with the vent hole 13 at the approximate center. ing. A ventilation portion 17 is formed on the outer peripheral side surface of the exhaust pipe 16 by a filtration filter such as a mesh filter or an etching filter so that coarse dust does not pass through the exhaust pipe 16. In addition, a non-woven fabric filter folded in a pleat shape is disposed as the second dust separating means 18 between the exhaust pipe 16 and the vent hole 13.

The dust collection chamber 15 is a substantially cylindrical cylindrical body having an inner diameter substantially equal to that of the swirl chamber 14, and is arranged below the swirl chamber 14 at a position where each central axis is displaced in parallel in the horizontal direction. In addition, a part of the upper end of the dust collection chamber 15 enters the inside of the swirl chamber 14 in the height direction. That is, the partition wall 19 having a substantially cylindrical shape is provided at a portion where the swirl chamber 14 and the dust collection chamber 15 overlap. The partition wall 19 has an inlet 20 through which air and dust swirling in the swirl chamber 14 flow into the dust collection chamber 15. The bottom portion of the dust collection chamber 15 is open, and the bottom lid 21 that is pivotally supported by the dust collection chamber 15 is closed while ensuring air tightness. The top surface of the dust collection chamber 15 has a humidification opening 22 open. .

  The compressing means 23 is provided with a flat plate-like compression plate 24 that moves up and down in the dust collecting chamber 15, is manually lowered, and is raised by a spring (not shown). The compression plate 24 does not rub against the dust collection chamber 15, and sets a gap (for example, 1 to 3 mm) with the dust collection chamber 15 where dust accumulated during compression does not escape, and also has a hole (diameter of about 1 mm in diameter). A large number of communicating portions 25 each having a size of 1 to 10 mm are opened, and an opening / closing means 26 protruding in a trapezoidal shape is formed on the upper surface.

  The communicating portion 25 has a diameter of about 1 to 3 mm because dust cannot be compressed if the hole is large. When the compression plate 24 is raised and stored in the upper part of the dust collection chamber 15, the opening / closing means 26 closes the humidification opening 22.

  The humidifying means 27 includes a substantially ring-shaped moisture absorbing / releasing body 30 having a honeycomb structure, and a substantially ring-shaped humidifying container 28 for storing the moisture absorbing / releasing body 30. The moisture absorbing / releasing body 30 has a substantially honeycomb structure in which a paper made of non-combustible inorganic fibers such as ceramic fibers is processed into a corrugated shape (corrugated) and wound or laminated to form a large number of cylindrical holes. The surface layer surface of the substantially honeycomb structure is applied with a liquefied moisture absorbing / releasing material 29 and dried.

  The humidifying container 28 has a hollow ring shape, is disposed so as to be in contact with and surrounds the periphery of the cylindrical portion of the electric blower 10, and is disposed substantially horizontally with respect to the upper portion of the dust collection chamber 15. The hygroscopic material 29 is powdery, for example, 5 g of tuftic HU made by Nippon Exlan Kogyo Co., Ltd. having an average particle diameter of 1 μm (having higher moisture absorption than silica gel as shown in FIG. 6). Has a substantially directly proportional characteristic.

  The moisture absorbing / releasing body 30 having a substantially honeycomb structure in which a large number of cylindrical holes are formed has open ends on the front and back where a large number of cylindrical holes are exposed, and one open end is provided on the ring-shaped inner wall surface of the humidifying container 28. The other open end faces the internal space of the humidifying container 28.

  Further, the inner outer wall surface of the moisture absorption / release body 30 is brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the humidifying container 28 on the electric blower 10 side. On the other hand, the humidification passage 31 communicates the upper part of the space of the humidification container 28 and the humidification opening 22 substantially horizontally.

Operation | movement of the vacuum cleaner comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated.
Due to the suction action generated by the driven electric blower 10, dust on the floor of the house (3 g / day at standard home, 7 g / day at overload) is sucked from the suction tool 9, and the dust collecting case 4 is a suction hose. 6. Air containing dust that has passed through the extension pipe 8 is introduced, the dust is centrifuged, and fine dust is filtered and stored. The filtered air is exhausted from an exhaust outlet (not shown) downstream of the electric blower 10 (a cyclonic vacuum cleaner).

  In particular, the operation of the dust collection case 4 will be described in detail with reference to experimental results. First, the spring of the compression means 23 raises the compression plate 24 and stores it in the upper part of the dust collecting chamber 15, and the opening / closing means 26 enters the humidification port 22 and closes the humidification passage 31. The air containing dust flowing in from the air inlet 11 due to the suction action of the electric blower 10 enters the inlet 20 while turning the swirl chamber 14 obliquely downward from the air inlet 11, and then passes through the approximate center of the swirl chamber 14. It flows to the passage ventilation part 17. That is, although the swirl chamber 14 and the dust collection chamber 15 are shifted in parallel, a centrifugal swirl airflow that draws an elliptical orbit similar to a general cyclone airflow can be formed.

At that time, the dust flows into the dust collecting chamber 15 from the inlet 20 due to the centrifugal force generated by the swirling, and the bottom surface of the dust collecting chamber 15 is usually fine dust (such as earth and sand) and coarse dust (cotton) from the bottom due to the apparent specific gravity. It collects in the order of garbage. On the other hand, the dust that has not jumped into the dust collecting chamber 15 is blocked by the ventilation portion 17, and again gets into the centrifugal swirl airflow, eventually jumps into the dust collecting chamber 15 from the inlet 20, and accumulates on the bottom surface of the dust collecting chamber 15. Air containing fine dust such as lint passes through the ventilation portion 17, but fine dust is filtered by the second dust separation means 18, and the clean air passes through the second dust separation means 18. Then, the electric blower 10 is guided.

  At the same time, as shown in FIG. 5, the electric blower 10 is deducted from room temperature by a temperature of about 18 K due to a cooling action by the passing air and a heating action by a temperature rise of a built-in motor (not shown). And the humidification container 28 is heated from the outer wall surface of the electric blower 10, and temperature rises.

  When cleaning is completed, the electric blower 10 is stopped, and as shown in FIG. 3, the compression means 23 manually lowers the compression plate 24 to compress the dust accumulated in the dust collection chamber 15 to be compact. At the same time, the opening / closing means 26 opens the humidification opening 22. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the electric blower 10 is not cooled by the passing air, and further rises in temperature by about 9 K due to the residual heat (heat capacity) of the motor built in the electric blower 10.

  That is, the electric blower 10 continues to rise in temperature by about 18K or more for about one hour after the cleaning is completed. At the same time, the outer wall surface inside the humidifying container 28 is heated from the electric blower 10, the temperature rises, and the temperature near the inner wall surface of the inner space of the humidifying container 28 rises from about 24 ° C to about 50 ° C. Relative humidity decreases from 60% to 14%.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the moisture absorbing / releasing material 29 can dehumidify 2 g (5 g × 40%) of wet steam with a difference of 40% from 47% to 7% in accordance with the reduced relative humidity. (In the case of taking time and opening to the atmosphere) Actually, the wet steam released from the moisture absorbing / releasing material 29 is substantially the honeycomb structure of the moisture absorbing / releasing body 30, that is, the passage resistance of the narrow cylinder, Since the diffusion to the internal space is suppressed, the relative humidity in the substantially honeycomb structure of the moisture absorbing / releasing body 30 cannot be maintained at about 14%, but immediately increases.

  On the other hand, at the open end of the moisture absorbing / releasing body 30 located at a position away from the inner wall surface of the humidifying container 28, the moisture absorbing / releasing material 29 absorbs wet steam again. As a result, the humidifying means 27 releases about 0.2 to 0.4 g of wet steam.

  In particular, since the inner outer wall surface of the moisture absorbing / releasing body 30 is close to the electric blower 10 that is a heating source, the relative humidity is lowered as the temperature is relatively increased. As a result, the moisture absorbing / releasing material 29 carried on the moisture absorbing / releasing body 30 close to the electric blower 10 can release a large amount of wet steam.

  Subsequently, high-humidity, high-humidity air containing wet steam released from the moisture-absorbing / releasing body 30 (maximum temperature of about 50 ° C., maximum humidity of about 90%) is supplied to the humidification container 28 and the dust collection chamber 15. The humidity difference (mass transfer of vapor molecules) and the natural heat convection due to the temperature difference pass through the humidification passage 31 and flow into the upper portion of the dust collection chamber 15 from the humidification port 22.

  In particular, since the humidifying means 27 is disposed between the electric blower 10 and the dust collection chamber 15, the passage resistance is small because the humidification passage 31 can be disposed short, and the upper portion of the dust collection chamber 15 and the humidification container 28 are substantially disposed. Since it is connected horizontally, the wet steam released from the moisture absorbing / releasing material 29 can be easily moved, the increase in the relative humidity in the cylinder of the substantially honeycomb structure of the moisture absorbing / releasing material 30 can be suppressed, and the moisture absorbing / releasing material 29 It is possible to release wet steam for a long time.

As a result, the temperature of the dust collection chamber 15 slightly increases from 24 ° C. to 25-30 ° C., and the relative humidity increases from 60% to a maximum of 85-95%. Next, air with high humidity is collected in the dust collection chamber 15 and the compression plate 24.
From the ring-shaped gap and the communication part 25, the dust 3g (standard daily dust) collected in the dust collecting chamber 15 and compressed by the compression plate 24 is humidified.

  As a result, the dust absorbs about 0.1 g to 0.3 g over time from the high humidity air that permeates through the gap between the dust itself, so that the coarse dust (cotton dust etc.) is soft and easily deformed and has compressibility. The improved, deformed and elongated coarse dust is entangled with each other. Moreover, even if the compression means 23 is released, the volume of the compressed dust is hardly restored. On the other hand, fine dust (mud, sand, etc.) increases in weight and softens when it absorbs moisture, bonds with each other, and becomes entangled with the deformed coarse dust.

  In addition, once high-humidity air enters the dust collection chamber 15, a part of the air escapes from the inlet 20 to the swirl chamber 14, but the amount of wet steam that escapes is small. The compressed dust can absorb moisture sufficiently.

  Then, when 2 to 4 hours or more have elapsed after the cleaning is finished, the temperature of the electric blower 10 and the humidifying means 27 is lowered to near room temperature due to heat radiation to the atmosphere. At that time, the moisture absorbing / releasing material 29 is switched from the moisture releasing action to the moisture absorbing action for removing moisture from the air in the dust collecting chamber 15 and the swirl chamber 14, and recovers to the original moisture absorbing state over time (approximately one day). Therefore, a water tank for moisture release is unnecessary. At that time, the compressed dust is also deprived of moisture and dried, so once the coarse dust is deformed, it is difficult to return like ironing, and the fine dust is tightened as hard as mud.

  As a result, when the compression plate 24 is stored in the upper part of the dust collecting chamber 15, a large space is maintained in the upper part of the dust collecting chamber 15, and a large amount of dust is stored in the dust collecting chamber 15 (the compacting of the dust collecting chamber 15 is reduced). When the compressed dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber 15 is discarded by opening the bottom lid 21, it is possible to suppress the scattering of dust.

  In addition, since the compressed dust is repeatedly absorbed and dehumidified every time it is cleaned, the moisture content of the dust is not significantly increased, the growth of bacteria, mold, etc. is suppressed, and the generation of odors can be prevented. Dust hardly adheres to the dust collection chamber 15.

  In addition, since the powdery moisture absorbing / releasing material 29 has a very large surface area and a small heat capacity compared to particles like silica gel, the moisture absorption amount and moisture releasing amount are large, and the rate of moisture absorption and moisture releasing is high. . As a result, even if the cleaning frequency is high, moisture can be released and absorbed in a short time, so that the powdery moisture absorbing / releasing material 29 can be restored to the original moisture absorbing state.

  On the other hand, there is a method of supplying water droplets to the compressed dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber 15 by an atomizing means such as a spray. However, since the atomizing means atomizes water droplets of about 1 g or more at a time, the dust is locally And the dust collection chamber 15 also gets wet. As a result, there arises a problem that dust adheres to the dust collecting chamber 15 and bacteria and molds propagate. In other words, the atomization means cannot supply fine water droplets in a small amount, and this problem must be generated. Further, the atomizing means requires a water tank and a pump for atomization, which is harmful to housing the vacuum cleaner body in a small and compact size and reducing the weight and weight.

  As described above, with such a configuration, the internal space of the humidifying means 27 rises in temperature due to the heat of the electric blower 10 and the relative humidity decreases, and the moisture absorbing / releasing material 29 releases wet steam according to the relative humidity. Air with high temperature and humidity is formed in the internal space of the humidifying means 27. Subsequently, air with high humidity flows into the dust collection chamber 15 from the humidification port 22 due to natural heat convection due to a temperature difference between the humidifying means 27 and the dust collection chamber 15 and mass transfer of water vapor molecules due to the humidity difference. As a result, the dust accumulated in the dust collection chamber 15 absorbs moisture and hardens, so that dust scattering can be suppressed when the dust is discarded.

(Embodiment 2)
The electric vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 2 of this invention is demonstrated.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part configuration during operation of the electric vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 8 shows the main part configuration in a state in which the stand is stored after cleaning of the electric vacuum cleaner. The longitudinal sectional view shown in FIG. 9 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration of the humidifying means of the electric vacuum cleaner.

  Hereinafter, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that the humidifying means 32 is made up of a frame 33 on the ceiling that closes one open end, and a moisture absorbing / releasing material 35 having a substantially honeycomb structure in which a moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 is supported and divided into two. It is a point that was configured.

  The frame body 33 seals the open end in contact with the outer wall surface of the electric blower 10. As the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34, powdery, for example, 5g of Tossa Kogyo's clay is used, and the relative humidity and moisture absorption rate are approximately in direct proportion. The moisture absorbing / releasing bodies 35 are arranged with their open ends in contact with the upper and lower ring-shaped inner wall surfaces of the frame 33 and the outer wall surfaces in contact with the outer wall surfaces of the electric blower to form a space between the moisture absorbing / releasing bodies 35. doing. Moreover, the moisture absorption / release body 35 has a substantially honeycomb structure in which a large number of rectangular tube holes are arranged in parallel.

Operation | movement of the vacuum cleaner comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated.
Air containing dust is separated by the suction force generated by the electric blower 10, the dust is collected in the dust collection chamber 15, and clean air is exhausted from the dust collection chamber 15. And since the internal space of the frame 33 is directly heated from the outer wall surface of the electric blower 10 covered with the frame 33, the internal space of the frame 33 rises in temperature, and the relative humidity decreases. The moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 carried on 35 starts to release wet steam.

  At that time, the moisture absorption / release body 35 is divided into two parts, so that the tube hole length of the substantially honeycomb structure of the moisture absorption / release body 35 is shortened, and the passage resistance is reduced. Since the moisture area released from the moisture absorbing / releasing material 29 is immediately diffused into the interior space of the humidifying means 32 by the amount that the communication area with the internal space of the humidifying means 32 is doubled, the substantially honeycomb structure of the moisture absorbing / releasing body 35 Increase in relative humidity is suppressed.

  Further, since the tube length of the substantially honeycomb structure of the moisture absorbing / releasing body 35 is short, the temperature distribution in the tube of the approximately honeycomb structure of the moisture absorbing / releasing body 35 is substantially uniform. The moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 does not absorb moisture again. Further, since the moisture absorbing / releasing body 35 is divided into two parts, the heat receiving surface heated from the inner wall surface of the frame body 33 is increased approximately twice, so that the temperature of the inside of the substantially honeycomb structure of the moisture absorbing / releasing body 35 is increased. , Relative humidity is lower.

  As a result, a large amount of wet steam can be released from the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 for a long period of time, and the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 can effectively release the moisture vapor. According to the experimental results, the humidifying means 32 releases about 0.6 to 1.0 g of wet steam. From Embodiment 1, 0.2 g or more of wet steam is obtained.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 8, after the cleaning is completed, the main body 1 of the cleaner is rotated by a quarter and stored in the stand storage state, so that the internal space of the frame 33, the humidifying passage 31, and the dust collecting chamber 15 are moved up and down. Are lined up. For this reason, natural convection due to a temperature difference from the dust collection chamber 15 is stronger than that in the first embodiment.

As a result, the high-humidity air in the humidifying means 32 rises in a large amount from the humidifying port 22 to the dust collecting chamber 15 due to natural convection due to a temperature difference from the dust collecting chamber 15 and mass transfer due to the humidity difference. In other words, the wet steam released from the moisture absorbing / releasing body 35 quickly moves upward (diffuses), so that an increase in relative humidity in the vicinity of the moisture absorbing / releasing body 35 can be sufficiently suppressed. As a result, the moisture absorbing / releasing body 35 can release wet steam for a long time, and the relative humidity of the dust collecting chamber 15 can be maintained at 90% for about 1 to 2 hours.

  Next, the dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber 15 absorbs the moist vapor, so that the coarse dust is soft and stretched and entangled, and the fine dust increases in weight and further increases in combination with each other. As a result, there is an effect that dust scattering can be suppressed when the dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber 15 is discarded. And if 2-4 hours or more pass after completion | finish of cleaning, the electric blower 10 and the humidification means 32 will drop in temperature to room temperature vicinity by heat dissipation. At that time, the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 is switched from the moisture releasing action to the moisture absorbing action for removing moisture from the air in the dust collecting chamber 15 and the swirl chamber 14, and recovers to the original moisture absorbing state over time (approximately one day). Therefore, a water tank for moisture release is unnecessary.

(Embodiment 3)
The electric vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 3 of this invention is demonstrated.
FIG. 10 shows a partially enlarged view of the humidifying means showing Embodiment 3 of the present invention as viewed from the side. Hereinafter, the same parts as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  A difference from the second embodiment is that a plurality of heat transfer portions 37 that protrude from the upper and lower ring-shaped inner wall surfaces of the frame body 36, have thin tips, and have thick original portions have a substantially honeycomb structure of moisture absorbing and discharging bodies 38A and 38B. The gap 39A, 39B is provided between the open ends of the moisture absorbing / releasing bodies 38A, 38B and the upper and lower ring-shaped inner walls of the frame 36. The moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 is inserted into the moisture absorbing / releasing bodies 38A, 38B.

  And the moisture absorption / release bodies 38A, 38B efficiently receive the heat generated by the electric blower 10 from the upper and lower ring-shaped inner wall surfaces of the frame body 36 via the heat transfer section 37, and in particular, the moisture absorption / release bodies 38A, 38B. The temperature inside increases, and the relative humidity of the substantially honeycomb structure cylinders of the moisture absorbing / releasing bodies 38A, 38B decreases. As a result, the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 can release a large amount of wet steam.

  In addition, since air easily flows from the open end of the moisture absorption / release body 38A to the tube having the substantially honeycomb structure through the gap 39A, the wet steam released from the moisture absorption / release material 34 is in the other moisture absorption / release body 38A. It diffuses easily from the open end to the internal space of the humidifying means 32. On the other hand, the wet steam released from the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 of the moisture absorbing / releasing body 38B flows in the opposite direction to that described above depending on the direction of natural convection and easily passes through the gap 39B from the open end to the internal space of the humidifying means 32. Spread. As a result, an increase in the relative humidity in the substantially honeycomb structure of the moisture absorbing / releasing bodies 38A, 38B can be suppressed, so that the wet vapor can be released from the moisture absorbing / releasing material 34 for a long period of time.

  In addition, if the heat-transfer part of Embodiment 3 protrudes and forms from the outer wall surface of the electric blower 10 which is a heat source, the heat of the electric blower 10 can be utilized very efficiently.

(Embodiment 4)
A vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 10 shows a partially enlarged view of the humidifying means showing Embodiment 4 of the present invention as viewed from the side. Hereinafter, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The difference from the first embodiment is that the moisture absorbing / releasing body 40 has an open end directed toward the electric blower 10 and a space 42 provided between the other open end and the inner wall surface of the humidifying container 41. . (Shape like shampoo hat for infants)
And since the open end of the moisture absorption / desorption body 40 is adjoining to the electric blower 10 which is a heating source, relative humidity becomes very low by the part where temperature becomes high. As a result, a large amount of wet steam diffuses into the space 42 from all the substantially honeycomb-structured tubes of the moisture absorption / release body 40. That is, the moisture absorbing / releasing material 29 can release a large amount of wet steam.

  As described above, the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention is provided with the moisture absorbing / releasing material carrying the moisture absorbing / releasing material on the inner wall surface of the humidifying / humidifying means, so that it is possible to suppress the scattering of dust when the dust is discarded. Therefore, since it is possible to provide a clean and easy-to-use vacuum cleaner that is easy to throw away in a trash can, it can be applied to dust collectors for business use as well as home use.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electric blower 15 Dust collection chamber 22 Humidification opening 23 Compression means 27, 32 Humidification means 29, 34 Moisture absorption / release material 30, 35, 38A, 38B, 40 Moisture absorption / release body 33, 36 Frame 37 Heat transfer part 39A, 39B Gap 42 space

Claims (6)

A dust collection chamber that is installed upstream of an electric blower that generates suction force, separates dust containing air sucked by the electric blower and collects dust, a humidification opening that opens to the dust collection chamber, and moisture absorption and release A moisture-absorbing / releasing body having a substantially honeycomb structure supporting the material, and a humidifying means having the moisture-absorbing / releasing body in communication with the humidifying opening, and the humidifying means is disposed in the vicinity of the electric blower and is generated from the electric blower A vacuum cleaner configured to transmit heat to the moisture absorption / release body to generate high humidity air. 2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the dust collecting chamber is provided with a compressing means for compressing the accumulated dust. A plurality of moisture absorbing / releasing bodies having a substantially honeycomb structure, wherein the plurality of moisture absorbing / releasing bodies having the substantially honeycomb structure form a space between the open ends of the moisture absorbing / releasing bodies facing each other, and The vacuum cleaner of Claim 1 or 2 arrange | positioned. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the moisture absorbing / releasing body is provided with a gap between the open end and the inner wall surface of the humidifying means. The vacuum cleaner of Claim 3 or 4 which inserted the heat-transfer part which protruded from the inner wall face of the humidification means into the moisture absorption / release body. The electric moisture absorption / release body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one end of the moisture absorbing / releasing body is disposed close to the outer surface of the electric blower, and the other end is disposed with a space between the inner wall surface of the humidifying means. Vacuum cleaner.

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