JP2017060892A - Cyclone separator and vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cyclone separator and a vacuum cleaner capable of enhancing a dust catch performance.SOLUTION: A cyclone separator (dust collection unit 13) includes: a revolution chamber 29 for separating dust from dust-containing air by revolving dust-containing air that has flown in from a main flow-in port 42 and at least one sub-flow-in port 45; a discharge part 51 projected toward an inside of the revolution chamber 29 from an axial end surface of the revolution chamber 29 so as to discharge air inside the revolution chamber 29; a main flow-in air passage 27 for allowing dust-containing air to flow into the revolution chamber 29 via the main flow-in port 42; and a sub-flow-in air passage 28 for allowing dust-containing air to flow into the revolution chamber 29 via at least one sub-flow-in port 45. At least a part of the sub-flow-in air passage 28 is formed along an end surface spiral part having a spiral surface shape to move in the projecting direction of the discharge part 51 while revolving in the same direction of the dust-containing air inside the revolution chamber 29.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 23

Description

  The present invention relates to a cyclone separator and a vacuum cleaner.

  Patent document 1 discloses the vacuum cleaner provided with the cyclone separator. In the cyclone separation device, the dust-containing air flows from the inlet. The dust-containing air swirls along the side wall of the swirl chamber. In the dust-containing air, the dust is separated from the air by centrifugal force. The air is discharged from the discharge port.

  The discharge port is formed at a position lower than the inflow port. For this reason, in the swirl chamber, the dust-containing air has a lower speed with respect to the direction of the axis of the swirl chamber. As a result, the dust-containing air descends while turning.

JP 2013-179959 A

  However, in the thing of patent document 1, in the area | region of the height equivalent to the height of the discharge port in the inside of a turning chamber, dust-containing air receives to the influence of the suction force from a discharge port. At this time, dust may be discharged from the discharge port. As a result, in the cyclone separator, there is a possibility that the dust capturing performance is lowered.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cyclone separation device and a vacuum cleaner that can improve dust capturing performance.

  A cyclone separator according to the present invention includes a swirling chamber that separates dust from dust-containing air by swirling dust-containing air flowing in from a main inlet and at least one sub-inlet, and an axial end surface of the swirling chamber. A discharge section that protrudes toward the inside of the swirl chamber and discharges air inside the swirl chamber, a main inflow air passage that allows dust-containing air to flow into the swirl chamber through the main flow inlet, and at least one secondary flow inlet. A sub-inflow air passage for allowing dust-containing air to flow into the swirl chamber, and at least a part of the sub-inlet air passage is swirled in the same direction as the dust-containing air inside the swirl chamber in the protruding direction of the discharge section. It is along the end surface spiral portion exhibiting the transitional spiral surface shape.

  The vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes a blower that generates suction air and the cyclone separation device that separates dust from dust-containing air sucked by the suction air.

  According to the present invention, the airflow from the auxiliary inlet is introduced into the swirl chamber with a velocity component in the protruding direction of the discharge portion. Thereby, the swirl flow in the swirl chamber has a sufficient speed component in the protruding direction of the discharge portion, and passes through a region having a height equivalent to the height of the discharge port of the discharge portion in a short time. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the dust from being discharged from the discharge port and to improve the dust capturing performance.

It is a perspective view which shows the vacuum cleaner provided with the cyclone separation apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the cleaner body shown in FIG. It is a top view of the cleaner body shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the accommodating unit of a cleaner body. It is a top view which shows the accommodating unit of a cleaner body. It is AA sectional drawing of the accommodation unit shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the dust collection unit of a cleaner body. It is a front view which shows the dust collection unit of a cleaner body. It is a left view which shows the dust collection unit of a cleaner body. It is a rear view which shows the dust collection unit of a vacuum cleaner main body. It is a right view which shows the dust collection unit of a cleaner body. It is a top view which shows the dust collection unit of a cleaner body. It is a disassembled perspective view of the dust collection unit of a cleaner body. It is a top view which shows the inflow part case of a dust collection unit. It is a front view which shows the end surface case of a dust collection unit. It is a left view which shows the end surface case of a dust collection unit. It is a rear view which shows the end surface case of a dust collection unit. It is a right view which shows the end surface case of a dust collection unit. It is a top view which shows the end surface case of a dust collection unit. It is a bottom view which shows the end surface case of a dust collection unit. It is BB sectional drawing of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. It is CC sectional drawing of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. It is DD sectional drawing of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. It is EE sectional drawing of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. It is FF sectional drawing of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. It is GG sectional drawing of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. It is HH sectional drawing of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. It is II sectional drawing of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. It is JJ sectional drawing of the cleaner body shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the mass capture | acquisition rate of the cyclone separation apparatus (dust collection unit) in Embodiment 1 of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element which is common in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner provided with a cyclone separator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 of this Embodiment 1 is provided with the suction inlet body 2, the suction pipe 3, the connection pipe 4, the suction hose 5, and the cleaner main body 6, for example.

  A downward opening is formed in the suction port body 2. The suction port body 2 includes a cylindrical connection portion at the center in the longitudinal direction. The opening and the connection portion communicate with each other inside the suction port body 2.

  The suction pipe 3 is made of a cylindrical straight member. The suction pipe 3 has a telescopic structure. One end of the suction pipe 3 is connected to the connection portion of the suction port body 2. The suction port body 2 is detachably attached to the suction pipe 3.

  The connection pipe 4 is made of a cylindrical member that is bent halfway. One end of the connection pipe 4 is connected to the other end of the suction pipe 3. The suction pipe 3 is detachable from the connection pipe 4. A handle 7 is provided on the connection pipe 4. The handle 7 is a part held by a person who performs cleaning. An operation switch 8 is provided on the handle 7. The operation switch 8 includes a plurality of buttons for controlling the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1.

  The suction hose 5 is made of a bellows-like elongated member. Since the suction hose 5 has a bellows shape, it bends in any direction. One end of the suction hose 5 is connected to the other end of the connection pipe 4. A hose connection port 9 is formed at the front end of the cleaner body 6. The other end of the suction hose 5 is connected to the hose connection port 9 of the cleaner body 6.

  The cleaner body 6 includes an electric blower 10 (not shown in FIG. 1) and a power cord 11. The power cord 11 is wound around a cord reel portion (not shown) provided inside the cleaner body 6. When the power cord 11 is connected to an external power source, devices such as the electric blower 10 are energized. When the power cord 11 is connected to the power source, the electric blower 10 performs a suction operation set in advance according to the operation on the operation switch 8.

  The suction port body 2, the suction pipe 3, the connection pipe 4, and the suction hose 5 are continuously formed inside. When the electric blower 10 performs a suction operation, dust such as dust on the floor is sucked into the suction port body 2 together with air. Air containing dust and other dust that has flowed into the suction port body 2 is sent to the cleaner body 6 through the suction pipe 3, the connection pipe 4, and the suction hose 5. The suction inlet 2, the suction pipe 3, the connection pipe 4 and the suction hose 5 form an air passage for allowing air containing dust and other dust to flow into the cleaner body 6 from the outside. In the present invention, dust is a concept including not only dust but also fibers, wool, fluff, earth and sand, powder, powder and the like. In the present invention, air containing dust (a mixture of dust and air) is referred to as dust-containing air.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the cleaner body 6 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cleaner body 6 shown in FIG. The cleaner body 6 includes a storage unit 12 and a dust collection unit 13. The dust collection unit 13 is detachably mounted on the storage unit 12. In the following description, the left and right are specified on the basis of the traveling direction when the cleaner body 6 advances straight forward. That is, the top in FIG. 3 is the right, and the bottom in FIG. 3 is the left.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the housing unit 12 of the cleaner body 6. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the housing unit 12 of the cleaner body 6. 4 and 5 show a state in which the dust collection unit 13 is removed from the storage unit 12. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the storage unit 12 taken along the line AA in FIG.

  The housing unit 12 includes the electric blower 10 and the power cord 11 described above. In addition, the housing unit 12 includes, for example, housing bodies 14 and 15, an intake air passage forming portion 16, an exhaust air passage forming portion 17, and wheels 18. The electric blower 10 and the power cord 11 are accommodated in the accommodating body 14. The container 15 forms a container 15a. The accommodating portion 15 a is a space for accommodating the dust collection unit 13. The containers 14 and 15 are, for example, molded products.

  The intake air passage forming unit 16 forms an intake air passage 19. The intake air passage 19 is an air passage formed in the accommodation unit 12. The intake air passage 19 is an air passage for guiding the dust-containing air that has passed through the suction hose 5 to the dust collection unit 13. One end of the intake air passage forming portion 16 opens at the front surface of the housing unit 12. This one end of the intake air passage forming portion 16 forms a hose connection port 9. The other end of the intake air passage forming portion 16 is opened by the container 15. This other end of the intake air passage forming portion 16 forms a connection port 20 with the dust collection unit 13.

  The dust collection unit 13 has a function of separating dust from the dust-containing air flowing from the intake air passage 19. The dust collection unit 13 separates dust by centrifugal force by rotating dust-containing air at a high speed. That is, the dust collection unit 13 has a cyclone separation function. The dust collection unit 13 has a function of collecting and temporarily storing the separated dust. The specific configuration and function of the dust collection unit 13 will be described later.

  The exhaust air passage forming unit 17 forms the exhaust air passage 21. The exhaust air passage 21 is an air passage formed in the housing unit 12. The exhaust air passage 21 is an air passage for guiding air from which dust has been removed in the dust collection unit 13 to an exhaust port (not shown). That is, clean air flows from the dust collection unit 13 into the exhaust air passage 21. An opening at one end of the exhaust air passage forming unit 17 forms a connection port 22 with the dust collection unit 13. The connection port 22 is disposed at the center in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the housing unit 12. The other end of the exhaust air passage forming portion 17 opens toward the outside of the housing unit 12. The other end of the exhaust air passage forming unit 17 forms an exhaust port.

  The electric blower 10 generates an airflow in the air passage formed in the vacuum cleaner 1. The air passage formed in the vacuum cleaner 1 includes, for example, an air passage for allowing dust-containing air to flow into the cleaner body 6 from the outside, an intake air passage 19, an air passage formed in the dust collection unit 13, and an exhaust. An air passage 21 is included. The electric blower 10 is disposed in the exhaust air passage 21.

  When the electric blower 10 performs a suction operation, an air flow is generated in the air passage formed in the vacuum cleaner 1. Dust is sucked into the suction port body 2 by the air flow generated by the electric blower 10. The dust-containing air sucked into the suction port body 2 is taken into the cleaner body 6 from the hose connection port 9. The dust-containing air that has flowed into the cleaner body 6 is sent to the dust collection unit 13 from the connection port 20 through the intake air passage 19. The airflow generated inside the dust collection unit 13 will be described later. The air discharged from the dust collection unit 13 is sent to the exhaust air passage 21 through the connection port 22. The air discharged from the dust collection unit 13 passes through the electric blower 10 through the exhaust air passage 21. The air that has passed through the electric blower 10 further travels through the exhaust air passage 21 and is discharged from the exhaust port to the outside of the cleaner body 6. For example, the air that has passed through the electric blower 10 is returned from the exhaust port to the room being cleaned.

  Next, the dust collection unit 13 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the dust collection unit 13 of the cleaner body 6. FIG. 8 is a front view showing the dust collection unit 13 of the cleaner body 6. FIG. 9 is a left side view showing the dust collection unit 13 of the cleaner body 6. FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the dust collection unit 13 of the cleaner body 6. FIG. 11 is a right side view showing the dust collection unit 13 of the cleaner body 6. FIG. 12 is a top view showing the dust collection unit 13 of the cleaner body 6. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the dust collection unit 13 of the cleaner body 6.

  The dust collection unit 13 has a generally cylindrical shape as a whole. The dust collection unit 13 includes, for example, an outflow portion case 23, an end surface case 24, an inflow portion case 25, and a dust collection portion case 26. The outflow part case 23, the end surface case 24, the inflow part case 25, and the dust collecting part case 26 are, for example, molded products. The outflow part case 23, the end face case 24, the inflow part case 25, and the dust collecting part case 26 are disassembled into the state shown in FIG. 13 or assembled into the state shown in FIG. 7 by performing preset operations. Can do. For example, it can be disassembled into the state shown in FIG. For example, only the dust collector case 26 can be removed from the state shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a top view showing the inflow portion case 25 of the dust collection unit 13. FIG. 15 is a front view showing the end surface case 24 of the dust collection unit 13. FIG. 16 is a left side view showing the end surface case 24 of the dust collection unit 13. FIG. 17 is a rear view showing the end surface case 24 of the dust collection unit 13. FIG. 18 is a right side view showing the end surface case 24 of the dust collection unit 13. FIG. 19 is a top view showing the end surface case 24 of the dust collection unit 13. FIG. 20 is a bottom view showing the end surface case 24 of the dust collection unit 13.

  FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the dust collection unit 13 shown in FIG. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the dust collection unit 13 shown in FIG. 23 is a DD cross-sectional view of the dust collection unit 13 shown in FIG. 24 is an EE cross-sectional view of the dust collection unit 13 shown in FIG. 25 is an FF cross-sectional view of the dust collection unit 13 shown in FIG. 26 is a GG cross-sectional view of the dust collection unit 13 shown in FIG. 27 is an HH cross-sectional view of the dust collection unit 13 shown in FIG. Any one or a combination of the outflow part case 23, the end face case 24, the inflow part case 25, and the dust collection part case 26, or a combination of them, the main inflow air path 27, the sub inflow air path 28, the swivel A chamber 29, a zero-order dust collection chamber 30, a primary dust collection chamber 31, and an outflow air passage 32 are formed. In the following description of the structure, function, and operation of the dust collection unit 13, in principle, the position when the axis of the swirl chamber 29 is oriented in the vertical direction (directions shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 and FIGS. 21 to 23). This will be explained based on the relationship.

  As shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 21 to 23, the inflow portion case 25 includes, for example, a cylindrical portion 33, a conical portion 34, a partition wall portion 35, a main inflow pipe 36, a sub inflow air passage forming portion 37, and a connection portion. 38, a primary opening 39, a zero-order opening 40, a rising portion 43, and a bypass opening 56.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the cylindrical portion 33 has a hollow cylindrical shape. The cylindrical portion 33 is disposed so that the central axis faces the vertical direction. The conical portion 34 has a hollow conical shape with a tip portion cut off. The conical portion 34 is arranged so that the central axis faces the vertical direction. For example, the central axis of the conical part 34 is arranged in a straight line with the central axis of the cylindrical part 33. The conical portion 34 has an upper end connected to the lower end of the cylindrical portion 33. The diameter of the conical portion 34 decreases as it goes downward from the upper end portion. The conical portion 34 opens with the lower end portion facing downward. This opening formed at the lower end of the conical portion 34 is a primary opening 39.

  A zero-order opening 40 is formed in the side wall forming the swirl chamber 29. For example, the zero-order opening 40 is formed from a position near the lower end of the cylindrical portion 33 to the upper end of the conical portion 34. The zero-order opening 40 is formed at a position higher than the primary opening 39, that is, on the upstream side. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the zero-order opening 40 has a downstream edge with respect to a direction in which the dust-containing air inside the swirl chamber 29 swirls (hereinafter referred to as “air swirl direction”) goes downward. Curve to approach the upstream side.

  The main inflow pipe 36 is connected to the upper part of the cylindrical portion 33. A space formed inside the main inflow pipe 36 is the main inflow air passage 27. One end of the main inflow pipe 36 opens outward. This one end of the main inflow pipe 36 forms a unit inlet 41. The unit inlet 41 is an opening for taking dust-containing air into the dust collection unit 13. The other end of the main inflow pipe 36 is connected to the cylindrical portion 33. The main inflow pipe 36 opens at the wall surface with the other end facing the inside of the cylindrical portion 33. This other end of the main inlet pipe 36 forms a main inlet 42. Dust-containing air from the intake air passage 19 passes through the main inflow air passage 27 and flows into the swirl chamber 29 through the main inlet 42. The main inlet 42 is formed at a position higher than the zero-order opening 40, that is, on the upstream side. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 23, the upper wall of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) is provided with a bypass opening 56 that opens the wall surface with a large number of pores.

  The main inflow pipe 36 has, for example, a rectangular cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 24, the main inflow pipe 36 is connected from the side of the swirl chamber 29 so that the dust-containing air from the main inflow air passage 27 flows into the swirl chamber 29 from its tangential direction. The left side wall of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) is in contact with a rib 49 formed in the end surface case 24. As shown in FIG. 20, when viewed from the axial direction of the swirl chamber 29, the rib 49 has an arc shape concentric with the cylindrical portion 33. The downstream end of the upper wall of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) has an arc shape that is cut by a virtual cylindrical surface that extends the cylindrical portion 33 upward. As shown in FIG. 24, in the middle of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36), there is a portion where the width gradually decreases from the unit inflow port 41 side toward the main inflow port 42 side. Thereby, the capture performance is improved by bringing the airflow on the right side (upper side in FIG. 24) toward the left side (lower side in FIG. 24) and introducing the airflow from the outside of the swirl chamber 29.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the center line of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the swirl chamber 29. The center line of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) is inclined so that the downstream side of the airflow is higher than the upstream side. The center line of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) is a line connecting the centers of the cross sections perpendicular to the airflow direction of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36). An angle between the center line of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) and a plane perpendicular to the axis of the swirl chamber 29 is defined as θ. This angle θ is, for example, about 157 degrees.

  As shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 11, FIG. 14, and FIG. 21 to FIG. 27, the auxiliary inflow air passage formation portion 37 surrounds the periphery of the swirl chamber 29 along the air swirl direction from the left side of the main inflow pipe 36. It is formed to the right side of the main inflow pipe 36. As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the auxiliary inflow air passage forming portion 37 is provided on the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 33. The cross-sectional shape of the sub inflow air passage forming portion 37 is, for example, L-shaped. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 and 14, the bottom surface portion of the auxiliary inflow air passage forming portion 37 includes a bottom surface vertical portion 37 b and a bottom surface spiral portion 37 c. The bottom surface vertical portion 37 b has a surface shape perpendicular to the axis of the swirl chamber 29. The bottom spiral portion 37c is located downstream of the bottom vertical portion 37b in the air swirling direction. The bottom spiral portion 37 c has a spiral surface shape that descends along the axial direction of the swirl chamber 29. The bottom surface vertical portion 37b and the bottom surface spiral portion 37c form a continuous surface. As shown in FIG. 21, a continuous plane is formed between the downstream end portion of the bottom spiral portion 37 c and the lower surface of the main inflow pipe 36.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the bottom vertical portion 37 b of the sub inflow air passage forming portion 37 is formed in the circumferential direction along the air swirling direction, for example, over a range of about 90 degrees. The bottom spiral portion 37c of the auxiliary inflow air passage forming portion 37 is formed in the circumferential direction along the air swirling direction, for example, over a range of about 180 degrees.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 24, the auxiliary inlet air passage termination rib 59 is formed at the downstream end of the bottom spiral portion 37 c of the auxiliary inlet air passage forming portion 37 so as to contact the side wall of the swirl chamber 29. The sub inflow air passage terminating rib 59 is formed as a rib erected upward from the upper surface of the bottom spiral portion 37c. The end portion of the sub inflow air passage terminating rib 59 is connected to the side wall of the sub inflow air passage formation portion 37. As shown in FIG. 13, a rising portion 43 is provided at the upper end portion of the auxiliary inflow air passage forming portion 37. The edge of the rising portion 43 determines the mounting direction of the end face case 24.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the partition wall portion 35 has a hollow cylindrical shape. The diameter of the partition wall portion 35 is smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 33. The conical part 34 and the partition part 35 are disposed so that the conical part 34 is inserted into the space formed inside the partition part 35 from above. The upper end portion of the partition wall portion 35 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the conical portion 34. For example, the central axis of the partition wall portion 35 is arranged to coincide with the central axis of the conical portion 34.

  The connecting portion 38 is provided so as to protrude outward from the cylindrical portion 33. The connecting portion 38 has an elliptical ring shape as a whole. The central axis of the connecting portion 38 is shifted from the axis of the swirl chamber 29 to the left. The connecting portion 38 is disposed at a substantially intermediate height of the cylindrical portion 33. The zero-order opening 40 is formed at a position slightly lower than the connection portion 38, that is, on the downstream side.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the end surface case 24 is placed on the inflow portion case 25 from above. The end surface case 24 is in close contact with the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 33 and the upper end portion (rise portion 43) of the auxiliary inflow air passage forming portion 37. The end surface case 24 includes a swirl chamber end surface portion 48, a secondary inflow air passage end surface portion 44, a rib 49, a bypass side wall portion 58, a bypass arc wall portion 52, and a discharge portion 51.

  The swirl chamber end surface portion 48 has a plate shape. The swirl chamber end surface portion 48 forms an end surface on the upper side in the axial direction of the swirl chamber 29. As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the swirl chamber end surface portion 48 includes an end surface inclined portion 48 a that is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the swirl chamber 29. The end surface inclined portion 48a forms a surface substantially continuous with the upper wall of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36). The inclination angle of the end surface inclined portion 48a with respect to the plane perpendicular to the axis of the swirl chamber 29 is the inclination angle (angle θ) of the center line of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) with respect to the plane perpendicular to the axis of the swirl chamber 29. It is desirable that they are equivalent.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the swirl chamber end surface portion 48 includes an end surface vertical portion 48b at a position downstream of the end surface inclined portion 48a in the air swirl direction. The end surface vertical portion 48 b has a surface shape perpendicular to the axis of the swirl chamber 29. The swirl chamber end surface portion 48 includes an end surface spiral portion 48c at a position downstream of the end surface vertical portion 48b in the air swirl direction. The end surface spiral portion 48 c has a spiral surface shape that descends along the axial direction of the swirl chamber 29. The end surface inclined portion 48a, the end surface vertical portion 48b, and the end surface spiral portion 48c of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48 form a continuous surface.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the end surface inclined portion 48a is formed in the circumferential direction along the air turning direction, for example, over a range of about 90 degrees. The end surface vertical portion 48b is formed in the circumferential direction along the air swirl direction, for example, over a range of about 90 degrees. The end surface spiral portion 48c is formed in the circumferential direction along the air swirl direction, for example, over a range of about 180 degrees.

  The circumferential position of the end surface vertical portion 48b of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48 and the circumferential position of the bottom surface vertical portion 37b of the sub inflow air passage forming portion 37 are arranged to substantially coincide with each other. The circumferential position of the end surface spiral portion 48 c and the circumferential position of the bottom surface spiral portion 37 c of the sub inflow air passage forming portion 37 are arranged to substantially coincide with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the auxiliary inlet air passage end surface portion 44 has a plate shape. The sub inflow air passage end surface portion 44 is provided on the radially outer side (that is, the outer peripheral side) of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48. When the end surface case 24 is appropriately attached to the inflow portion case 25, the sub inflow air passage end surface portion 44 is disposed so as to face the bottom surface of the sub inflow air passage formation portion 37. The auxiliary inlet air passage end surface portion 44 substantially forms the upper wall of the auxiliary inlet air passage 28.

  The sub inflow air passage end surface portion 44 includes an end surface vertical portion 44b. The end surface vertical portion 44 b has a surface shape perpendicular to the axis of the swirl chamber 29. The sub inflow air passage end surface portion 44 includes an end surface spiral portion 44c at a position downstream of the end surface vertical portion 44b in the air swirling direction. The end surface spiral portion 44 c has a spiral surface shape that descends along the axial direction of the swirl chamber 29. As shown in FIGS. 15, 19, and 22, the auxiliary inflow air passage end surface portion 44 includes an end surface inclined portion 44 d at a position downstream of the end surface spiral portion 44 c in the air swirling direction. The end surface inclined portion 44 d of the auxiliary inlet air passage end surface portion 44 has a surface parallel to the end surface inclined portion 48 a of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48. The end surface vertical portion 44b, the end surface spiral portion 44c, and the end surface inclined portion 44d of the auxiliary inlet air passage end surface portion 44 form a continuous surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 19, the end surface vertical portion 44 b of the sub inflow air passage end surface portion 44 extends from the upper part of the main inflow pipe 36 in the circumferential direction along the air swirl direction over a range of less than 180 degrees. It is formed. The upstream end of the end surface vertical portion 44b is disposed so as to substantially coincide with the side wall surface of the right side surface of the main inflow pipe 36 in a top view. The downstream end of the end surface inclined portion 44d of the sub inflow air passage end surface portion 44 is connected to the boundary between the upper wall of the main inflow pipe 36 and the right side wall.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 to 19, the end surface spiral portion 44 c of the sub inflow air passage end surface portion 44 is formed in the circumferential direction along the air swirl direction, for example, over a range of about 180 degrees. The circumferential position of the end surface spiral portion 44c of the auxiliary inflow air passage end surface portion 44 and the circumferential position of the bottom surface spiral portion 37c of the auxiliary inflow air passage formation portion 37 are arranged to substantially coincide with each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 13, 15, 16, and 20, the bypass side wall portion 58 connects the upstream end of the end surface vertical portion 44 b of the sub inflow air passage end surface portion 44 and the downstream end of the end surface inclined portion 44 d. It is a wall surface. The bypass side wall portion 58 is formed so as to stand downward from the lower surface of the end surface vertical portion 44b. The upstream end of the end surface vertical portion 44 b is a ridge line perpendicular to the axis of the swirl chamber 29. The downstream end of the end surface inclined portion 44 d is a ridge line that is inclined with respect to the axis of the swirl chamber 29. By these ridgelines, the bypass side wall portion 58 is formed as a trapezoidal surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the bypass arcuate wall portion 52 has a downstream end of the upper wall of the main inflow pipe 36 and an end surface of the auxiliary inflow air passage when the end surface case 24 is appropriately attached to the inflow portion case 25. The wall surface connecting the end surface vertical portion 44b of the portion 44 is formed so as to stand downward from the lower surface of the end surface vertical portion 44b. The downstream end of the upper wall of the main inflow pipe 36 has an arc shape along a virtual cylindrical surface that extends the cylindrical portion 33 upward. The bypass arc wall 52 has an arc shape similar to that in the top view. The inner wall surface of the bypass arc wall 52 functions as a part of the side wall of the swirl chamber 29. The bypass arc wall 52 and the bypass side wall 58 are formed as an integral wall surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 to 18 and 20, the rib 49 is provided so as to protrude downward from the lower surface of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48. Three ribs 49 are formed at different positions in the circumferential direction along the cylindrical surface having the same diameter and the same center as the cylindrical portion 33. As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, when the end surface case 24 is appropriately attached to the inflow portion case 25, the lower end of the rib 49 comes into contact with the upper end of the cylindrical portion 33. As shown in FIGS. 24 to 27, of the three ribs 49, the upstream end of the rib 49 on the most upstream side in the air swirling direction is configured to be continuous with the left side wall of the main inflow pipe 36. Is done.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the inner surface of the rib 49 and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 33 form a virtual cylindrical surface that is continuous in the vertical direction. Therefore, the space inside the rib 49 substantially forms the upper part of the swirl chamber 29. A continuous space composed of a space formed inside the cylindrical portion 33 and the rib 49 and a space formed inside the conical portion 34 is the entire swirl chamber 29. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the central axis of the swirl chamber 29 is oriented in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 and 20, on the virtual cylindrical surface formed by the inner surface of the rib 49, the portion where the rib 49 is not formed is in a state where the side wall of the swirl chamber 29 is opened. These parts form a secondary inlet 45. In the present embodiment, the sub-inlet 45 includes a sub-inlet 45a disposed at the most upstream position, a sub-inlet 45b disposed at the middle position, and a sub-inlet 45c disposed at the most downstream position. Including. In the present specification, when the sub-inlets are distinguished from each other, they are referred to as a sub-inlet 45a, a sub-inlet 45b, or a sub-inlet 45c. Is written. As shown in FIG. 27, the auxiliary inlet 45a arranged at the most upstream position is arranged at a position advanced by 90 degrees, for example, in the air swirling direction with respect to the main inlet 42. The sub-inlet 45b arranged at the midstream position is arranged at a position advanced, for example, 180 degrees in the air swirling direction with respect to the main inlet 42. The sub inlet 45c arranged at the most downstream position is arranged at a position advanced by, for example, 270 degrees in the air swirling direction with respect to the main inlet 42. The opening area of each secondary inlet 45 is preferably smaller than the opening area of the main inlet 42.

  The secondary inlet 45 a arranged at the most upstream position is arranged at a position higher than the main inlet 42. The sub-inlet 45b arranged at the midstream position and the sub-inlet 45c arranged at the most downstream position are arranged at positions lower than the main inlet 42. The 0th-order opening 40 described above is formed at a position lower than the sub-inflow port 45c arranged at the most downstream position, that is, at the downstream side.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 to 27, the upper wall of the main inflow pipe 36 (main inflow air path 27), the left side wall of the main inflow pipe 36, the sub inflow air path forming portion 37, and the sub inflow air path end rib 59. And the auxiliary inflow air passage 28 is formed by a space surrounded by the auxiliary inflow air passage end surface portion 44, the bypass side wall portion 58, the bypass arc wall portion 52, and the virtual cylinder formed by the inner surface of the rib 49. Is done. As shown in FIGS. 23, 25, and 26, a bypass opening 56 is formed in the upper wall of the main inflow pipe 36 (main inflow air passage 27). The bypass opening 56 allows the main inflow air passage 27 and the sub inflow air passage 28 to communicate with each other. The secondary inlet air passage 28 connects between the bypass opening 56 and the secondary inlet 45. The main inlet air passage 27 and the swirl chamber 29 communicate with each other through the bypass opening 56, the auxiliary inlet air passage 28 and the auxiliary inlet 45.

  The discharge part 51 is a member for discharging the air in the swirl chamber 29 to the outside of the swirl chamber 29. As shown in FIGS. 15 to 23, the discharge portion 51 protrudes downward from the central portion of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48. That is, the protruding direction of the discharge unit 51 is the downward direction. The discharge part 51 has a hollow part. The hollow part of the discharge part 51 opens on the upper surface side of the swirl chamber end surface part 48. As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, when the end surface case 24 is appropriately disposed with respect to the inflow portion case 25, the discharge portion 51 is separated from the axial end surface of the swirl chamber 29 (the upper wall of the swirl chamber 29). It arrange | positions so that it may protrude toward the inside of the rotation chamber 29. FIG. A part of the swirl chamber 29 surrounds the periphery of the discharge unit 51. The auxiliary inflow air passage 28 is formed so as to surround the periphery of the swirl chamber 29 of the portion surrounding the discharge portion 51.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, in the discharge unit 51, for example, a portion above a preset intermediate position has a cylindrical shape. The portion below the intermediate position of the discharge portion 51 has a hollow conical shape with a diameter that decreases downward. The space formed inside the discharge portion 51 forms the first half of the outflow air passage 32. The outflow air passage 32 is an air passage through which the air in the swirl chamber 29 flows out of the dust collection unit 13. The discharge part 51 is arranged so that the central axis coincides with the central axis of the cylindrical part 33. For this reason, the swirl chamber 29, the zero-order dust collection chamber 30, the primary dust collection chamber 31, and the front half of the outflow air passage 32 are arranged substantially concentrically in the dust collection unit 13. The lower end of the discharge part 51 is arrange | positioned at the same height as a part of 0th-order opening 40, for example.

  A discharge port 53 is formed in the discharge unit 51. The discharge port 53 is an opening for discharging the air in the swirl chamber 29 to the outside of the swirl chamber 29. Air in the swirl chamber 29 is taken into the outflow air passage 32 through the discharge port 53. In the present embodiment, the case where the discharge port 53 is formed by a large number of pores is shown as an example. The discharge port 53 is formed at a position lower than the main flow inlet 42, for example. The discharge port 53 is formed at a position lower than, for example, the auxiliary inlet 45. For example, a part of the discharge port 53 is arranged at the same height as the zero-order opening 40. In the present embodiment, the case where the discharge port 53 is formed at a position higher than the 0th-order opening 40 and the discharge port 53 is not formed at a position lower than the 0th-order opening 40 is shown as an example. Moreover, the case where the discharge port 53 is not formed is shown as an example in the portion of the discharge portion 51 that has a cylindrical shape and is directly below the portion that the main inlet 42 directly faces. A discharge port 53 is formed in a portion of the discharge portion 51 that has a cylindrical shape and is directly below a portion that the sub-inlet 45 directly faces.

  The dust collector case 26 includes, for example, a bottom 46 and an outer wall 47. The bottom 46 has an oval plate shape as a whole. The outer wall portion 47 has an elliptical cylindrical shape larger than that of the cylindrical portion 33. The outer wall 47 is provided so as to stand upright from the edge of the bottom 46. The bottom 46 and the outer wall 47 form an elliptical cylindrical member closed at the bottom.

  The central axis of the dust collecting unit case 26 is shifted from the axis of the swirl chamber 29 to the left. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 24, the angle formed between the center line of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) and the center line of the intake air passage 19 can be configured to be gentle, thereby reducing pressure loss. effective.

  When the dust collecting unit case 26 is appropriately disposed with respect to the inflow portion case 25, the partition wall portion 35 is disposed in a space formed inside the outer wall portion 47. As for the partition part 35, a lower end part contacts the bottom part 46. FIG. The outer wall 47 is in contact with the edge of the connecting portion 38 at the upper end. When the dust collection unit case 26 is appropriately disposed with respect to the inflow unit case 25, two spaces separated by the partition wall 35 are formed inside the dust collection unit case 26.

  Of the space formed inside the partition wall portion 35, a portion excluding the space formed inside the conical portion 34 is the primary dust collection chamber 31. The primary dust collection chamber 31 communicates with the swirl chamber 29 through the primary opening 39. The primary dust collection chamber 31 is formed so as to cover the lower part of the conical part 34 and surround the periphery.

  Of the space formed inside the outer wall 47, the portion excluding the swirl chamber 29 and the primary dust collection chamber 31 is the zero-order dust collection chamber 30. Specifically, a continuous space having a cylindrical shape formed between the outer wall portion 47 and the partition wall portion 35 and between the outer wall portion 47 and part of the cylindrical portion 33 and part of the conical portion 34. Is the zero-order dust collection chamber 30. The continuous space is closed by the connecting portion 38 at the top. Further, the bottom of this continuous space is closed by the bottom 46. The zero-order dust collection chamber 30 is disposed so as to surround most of the swirl chamber 29. The zero-order dust collection chamber 30 is disposed so as to surround the primary dust collection chamber 31. The zero-order dust collection chamber 30 communicates with the swirl chamber 29 through the zero-order opening 40. The zero-order opening 40 is formed at a position close to the connection portion 38 so as to open at the top of the zero-order dust collection chamber 30. For this reason, the zero-order dust collection chamber 30 is provided so as to extend downward from the zero-order opening 40.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the outflow portion case 23 is disposed on the uppermost portion of the dust collection unit 13. The outflow part case 23 has a double structure of an inner member and an outer member. The outer member of the outflow portion case 23 is plated. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the outflow portion case 23 includes an outflow portion 55. The direction in which the outflow portion case 23 is attached is determined in one direction with respect to the end surface case 24 and the inflow portion case 25.

  The outflow portion 55 is a member for discharging the air that has passed through the inside of the discharge portion 51 to the outside of the dust collection unit 13. For example, the outflow portion 55 has a cylindrical shape bent into an L shape. One end of the outflow portion 55 opens downward. The outflow portion 55 opens with the other end facing sideways. When the outflow part case 23 is appropriately disposed on the uppermost part of the dust collecting unit 13, one end of the outflow part 55 is connected to the upper end of the discharge part 51.

  The space formed inside the outflow portion 55 forms the latter half of the outflow air passage 32. In the present embodiment, the case where the outflow air passage 32 is configured by two members of the discharge portion 51 of the end face case 24 and the outflow portion 55 of the outflow portion case 23 is shown as an example. The other end of the outflow portion 55 forms a unit outlet 57 through which air flows out from the dust collection unit 13. The unit outlet 57 is disposed at a position higher than the unit inlet 41.

  FIG. 29 is a JJ cross-sectional view of the cleaner body 6 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 29 shows a state in which the dust collection unit 13 is appropriately attached to the storage unit 12. When the dust collection unit 13 is properly attached to the storage unit 12, the unit inlet 41 is connected to the connection port 20. Further, the unit outlet 57 is connected to the connection port 22.

  When the dust collection unit 13 is appropriately attached to the storage unit 12, as shown in FIG. 29, when the storage unit 12 is placed on a horizontal plane, the axis of the swirl chamber 29 or the like is arranged to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction. The In this case, the inclination angle φ with respect to the vertical direction of the axis of the swirl chamber 29 or the like is expressed as φ = 180 degrees−θ using the angle θ described above. This inclination angle φ is 23 degrees in the present embodiment. Thereby, in the side view (FIG. 29), the center line of the main inflow air path 27 is arrange | positioned horizontally.

  When the dust collection unit 13 is appropriately attached to the storage unit 12, the shaft of the dust collection unit case 26 is disposed on the left and right symmetry planes of the cleaner body 6 (storage unit 12). The axis of the swirl chamber 29 is shifted to the right with respect to the symmetry plane. Thereby, the center line of the main inflow air passage 27 is disposed close to the center line of the intake air passage 19 in a top view.

  Next, the function and operation of the dust collection unit 13 will be specifically described. When the electric blower 10 starts a suction operation, the dust-containing air sucked into the suction port body 2 passes through the intake air passage 19 and reaches the connection port 20 as described above. This dust-containing air passes through the unit inlet 41 from the connection port 20 and flows into the main inflow air passage 27. The dust-containing air that has flowed into the main inflow air passage 27 travels obliquely upward through the main inflow air passage 27. The dust-containing air passes through the main inlet 42 and flows into the swirl chamber 29. The dust-containing air flows obliquely upward along the end surface inclined portion 48 a of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48 inside the swirl chamber 29. The path of the dust-containing air is indicated by a solid arrow as a path a in FIGS.

  The dust-containing air that has passed through the main inlet 42 flows with an upward force along the side wall of the swirl chamber 29 and the end surface inclined portion 48 a of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48. The dust-containing air rises toward the end surface vertical portion 48b of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48 while swirling in a preset direction, and then collides with the end surface vertical portion 48b. Receive power. Further, the dust-containing air swirls and descends below the swirl chamber 29 while further receiving a downward force along the end surface spiral portion 48 c of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48. Such a flow in the swirl chamber 29 is referred to as a main swirl airflow.

  On the other hand, part of the dust-containing air flowing into the main inflow air passage 27 passes through the bypass opening 56 and flows into the sub inflow air passage 28. The path of the dust-containing air is indicated by a dashed arrow as a path b in FIGS.

  The dust-containing air that has flowed into the sub-inflow air passage 28 swirls in the same direction as the dust-containing air in the swirl chamber 29 along the internal shape of the sub-inflow air passage 28 and descends in a spiral manner. 28, and flows into the swirl chamber 29 from the auxiliary inlet 45. The dust-containing air that has not flowed into the swirl chamber 29 from the upstream side secondary inlet 45a goes to the downstream side secondary inlet 45b. The dust-containing air that has not flowed into the swirl chamber 29 from the sub-inlet 45b goes to the sub-inlet 45c at the most downstream position and flows into the swirl chamber 29 from the sub-inlet 45c. The dust-containing air in the auxiliary inlet air passage 28 flows from the auxiliary inlet 45 into the swirl chamber 29 along the tangential direction of the side wall of the swirl chamber 29. The airflow flowing into the swirl chamber 29 from the auxiliary inlet 45 has a downward velocity component (momentum component).

  The dust-containing air introduced into the swirl chamber 29 from the side inlet 45 joins the main swirl airflow so as to push the main swirl airflow sequentially from the rear. Thereby, the main whirling airflow decelerated by the friction with the wall surface and the centripetal force from the discharge part 51 can be accelerated. As a result, a swirling airflow that generates a strong centrifugal force and a strong downward force can be formed in the entire swirl chamber 29.

  The powerful swirling airflow generated by the combination of the dust-containing air from the main inlet 42 and the dust-containing air from the auxiliary inlet 45 has a sufficient downward velocity component. The airflow flows downward due to the path structure and gravity while forming a forced vortex region near the central axis and a free vortex region outside the central vortex region. At this time, centrifugal force acts on the dust due to the flow in the swiveling direction, and the centripetal force from the discharge portion 51 is received. In the present embodiment, since a strong downward force can be obtained, it passes through a region having a height equivalent to the height of the discharge port 53 inside the swirl chamber 29 in a short time.

  For example, relatively bulky waste α such as fiber waste and hair falls while being pressed against the side wall of the swirl chamber 29 by centrifugal force. For this reason, when the waste α reaches the height of the zeroth-order opening 40, it is separated from the swirling airflow and passes through the zeroth-order opening 40. Garbage α that has passed through the zero-order opening 40 is sent to the zero-order dust collection chamber 30. The dust α that has entered the zero-order dust collection chamber 30 from the zero-order opening 40 falls while moving in the same direction as the swirling direction of the air in the swirl chamber 29. And the garbage α reaches the lowermost part of the zero-order dust collection chamber 30 and is collected.

  Garbage that has not entered the zero-order dust collection chamber 30 from the zero-order opening 40 moves downward while swirling in a swirling airflow. Relatively small wastes β such as sand and fine fiber waste pass through the primary opening 39. And garbage (beta) falls in the primary dust collection chamber 31, and is collected.

  When the swirling airflow in the swirl chamber 29 reaches the lowermost part of the swirl chamber 29, the traveling direction is changed upward, and the swirl airflow rises along the central axis of the swirl chamber 29. Garbage α and dust β are removed from the air forming the updraft. The clean air from which the waste α and the waste β have been removed passes through the discharge port 53 and is discharged from the swirl chamber 29. The air that has passed through the outlet 53 passes through the outlet air passage 32 and reaches the unit outlet 57. Then, the clean air passes through the unit outlet 57 and the connection port 22 and is sent to the exhaust air passage 21.

  Next, the mass capture rate of the cyclone separator (dust collection unit 13) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the mass capture rate of the cyclone separator (dust collection unit 13) in the first embodiment of the present invention. The horizontal axis in FIG. 30 is an angle θ between the center line of the main inflow air passage 27 and a plane perpendicular to the axis of the swirl chamber 29. The vertical axis in FIG. 30 represents the mass trapping rate of nine types of JIS test powder (talc). The white plot shows the case where the secondary inlet air passage 28 is present (the first embodiment). The filled plot shows the case where there is no auxiliary inflow air passage 28 (comparative example). In the cyclone separation device (dust collection unit 13) of the first embodiment, it is shown that the capture rate is improved by the auxiliary inlet air passage 28.

  Further, as the angle θ decreases from 180 degrees, the mass capture rate increases. When the angle θ is less than 150 degrees, the dust-containing air may be adversely affected by the flow in the swirl direction when it collides with the swirl chamber end surface portion 48. For this reason, a mass capture rate may fall. In the fluid analysis, the same tendency as the above tendency can be obtained. For these reasons, the angle θ is desirably 150 degrees or more and less than 180 degrees. The angle θ is more preferably 175 degrees or less, and further preferably 170 degrees or less.

  According to the first embodiment described above, the dust-containing air inside the swirl chamber 29 passes through a region having a height equivalent to the height of the discharge port 53 in a short time. For this reason, it can suppress that dust is discharged | emitted from the discharge port 53. FIG. In particular, a region having a height equivalent to the height of the discharge port 53 is more susceptible to the suction force from the discharge port 53 to dust than other regions. For this reason, it can suppress more effectively that dust is discharged | emitted from the discharge port 53. FIG. As a result, dust capturing performance can be enhanced. The dust α can be efficiently captured in the zero-order dust collection chamber 30. The dust β can be efficiently captured in the primary dust collection chamber 31.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the three auxiliary inlets 45 are formed at different positions in the circumferential direction on the side wall forming the swirl chamber 29 has been described. The sub inflow air passage 28 is formed so that the air taken in from the bypass opening 56 flows into the swirl chamber 29 from each of the three sub inflow ports 45. With such a configuration, the main swirling airflow in the swirl chamber 29 can be accelerated from a plurality of locations having different positions in the circumferential direction, and a swirling airflow having a stronger centrifugal force can be formed. In addition, the speed of the swirling airflow can be made constant by setting the distance between the main inlet 42 and the auxiliary inlet 45 and the distance between the plurality of auxiliary inlets 45 to be approximately the same. Note that the number of sub-inflow ports 45 is not limited to the above. For example, the effect can be expected even if only one auxiliary inlet 45 is formed.

  When only one sub-inlet 45 is formed, the sub-inlet 45 is located at a position advanced from the main inlet 42 by a half circumference (about 180 degrees) in the air swirl direction when viewed from the axial direction of the swirl chamber 29. It is desirable to be arranged. The dust-containing air flowing in from the main inlet 42 swirls in the swirl chamber 29 while gradually decelerating from the inflow position due to friction with the inner wall of the swirl chamber 29 and centripetal force (inward suction force) from the discharge port 53. Will be. When viewed from the axial direction of the swirl chamber 29, the position advanced from the main flow inlet 42 by one round (about 360 degrees) in the air swirl direction is the same position as the main flow inlet 42. That is, the position advanced one round (about 360 degrees) in the air swirling direction from the main inlet 42 is decelerated around the swirl chamber 29 by introducing dust-containing air before being decelerated from the main inlet 42. It has the effect of accelerating airflow. For this reason, the location that most requires the effect of accelerating the decelerated airflow around the swirl chamber 29 is a position advanced from the main flow inlet 42 by a half turn (about 180 degrees) in the air swirl direction. Therefore, when only one sub-inlet 45 is formed, it is possible to increase the turning force with better efficiency by forming the sub-inlet 45 at the above position.

  As shown in FIG. 27, in the present embodiment, when viewed from the axial direction of the swirl chamber 29, the secondary inlet 45b is disposed at a position advanced from the main inlet 42 by a half circumference (about 180 degrees) in the air swirling direction. The secondary inlet 45c is arranged at a position advanced from the main inlet 42 by 3/4 round (about 270 degrees) in the air swirling direction. In the present embodiment, among the plurality of secondary inlets 45, the secondary inlets 45b and 45c located at least half a circumference in the air turning direction from the main inlet 42 are included, so that the turning force can be increased with higher efficiency. It becomes possible.

  In the present embodiment, the center line of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the swirl chamber 29. As a result, the airflow flowing into the swirl chamber 29 from the main flow inlet 42 receives a downward force as a reaction force when it collides with the swirl chamber end surface portion 48. For this reason, the dust-containing air in the swirl chamber 29 passes through a region having a height equivalent to the height of the discharge port 53 in a shorter time. As a result, the dust can be more effectively prevented from being discharged from the discharge port 53, and the dust capturing performance is improved.

  In the present embodiment, a part of the auxiliary inlet air passage 28 (the portion along the bottom spiral portion 37c of the auxiliary inlet air passage formation portion 37 and the end surface spiral portion 44c of the auxiliary inlet air passage end surface portion 44) is swirled by air. It exhibits a spiral shape that moves downward (in the protruding direction of the discharge portion 51) while turning in the same direction as the direction. Thereby, the dust-containing air supplied from the auxiliary inlet air passage 28 to the auxiliary inlet 45 flows into the swirl chamber 29 with a downward velocity component. The main swirling airflow is pushed further downward by the airflow flowing into the swirl chamber 29 from the auxiliary inlet 45 with a downward velocity component. In this way, the dust-containing air in the swirl chamber 29 is added to the sub-inlet 45 in addition to the downward force due to the reaction force that the airflow flowing in from the main inlet 42 collides with the end surface vertical portion 48b of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48. The downward velocity component is further increased by further receiving the downward force due to the airflow flowing in from. Thereby, the dust-containing air in the swirl chamber 29 passes through a region having a height equivalent to the height of the discharge port 53 in a shorter time. As a result, the dust can be more effectively prevented from being discharged from the discharge port 53, and the dust capturing performance is improved. In the present embodiment, the spiral-shaped portion of the secondary inlet air passage 28 (the portion along the bottom spiral portion 37c of the secondary inlet air passage formation portion 37 and the end surface spiral portion 44c of the secondary inlet air passage end surface portion 44). It is formed over the range of, for example, about 180 degrees in the circumferential direction along the air swirling direction. As shown in FIG. 17, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary inlets 45 b and 45 c are arranged in a spiral portion of the auxiliary inlet air passage 28. In addition, you may comprise so that the whole sub inflow air path 28 may exhibit the spiral shape which moves below (the protrusion direction of the discharge part 51), turning in the same direction as an air turning direction.

  In the present embodiment, a bypass opening 56 for communicating the main inflow air passage 27 and the sub inflow air passage 28 is provided, and a part of the dust-containing air in the main inflow air passage 27 is bypassed to the sub inflow air passage 28. did. Thereby, since the main whirling airflow can be accelerated without using another power source, the structure can be simplified and the power consumption can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 23, in the present embodiment, a part of the auxiliary inflow air passage 28 (portion close to the upstream end) includes the upper wall of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) and the axis of the swirl chamber 29. It is located in the range of the height between the highest part of the direction end face (the end face vertical part 48b of the swirl chamber end face part 48). The center line of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the swirl chamber 29 so that the downstream side is higher than the upstream side. A space is generated in the range of the height between the upper wall of the main inflow pipe 36) and the highest portion of the axial end surface of the swirl chamber 29 (the end surface vertical portion 48b of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48). In the present embodiment, the dust collection unit 13 can be reduced in size by forming a part of the auxiliary inlet air passage 28 (portion close to the upstream end) using the space. It should be noted that the entire sub inflow air passage 28 is located in a range of height between the upper wall of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) and the highest portion of the axial end surface of the swirl chamber 29. You may comprise. In the present embodiment, almost the entire sub-inflow air passage 28 is at a height equal to or less than the height of the highest portion of the end surface in the axial direction of the swirl chamber 29 (the end surface vertical portion 48b of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48). Thereby, the dust collection unit 13 can be further reduced in size.

  In the present embodiment, by forming the bypass opening 56 on the upper wall of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow tube 36), the main inflow air is used using the space above the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow tube 36). The auxiliary inlet air passage 28 can be branched from the passage 27. For this reason, the said space can be utilized effectively and the dust collection unit 13 can be reduced in size.

  In the present embodiment, a part of the axial end surface of the swirl chamber 29 (end surface spiral portion 48c of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48) is swung in the same direction as the air swirl direction (downward direction of the discharge portion 51). It exhibits a spiral shape that transitions to The dust-containing air in the swirl chamber 29 further receives a downward force from the end surface spiral portion 48c in addition to the downward force due to the reaction force of the collision with the end surface vertical portion 48b of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48, so The velocity component is further increased. For this reason, the dust-containing air in the swirl chamber 29 passes through a region having a height equivalent to the height of the discharge port 53 in a shorter time. As a result, the dust can be more effectively prevented from being discharged from the discharge port 53, and the dust capturing performance is improved. A portion (end surface spiral portion 48c of the swirl chamber end surface portion 48) having a spiral shape in the axial direction of the swirl chamber 29 is formed in the circumferential direction along the air swirl direction, for example, over a range of about 180 degrees. The As shown in FIG. 17, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary inlets 45 b and 45 c are portions (swirl chamber end surface portions) that are spiral in the axial end surface of the swirl chamber 29 with respect to the circumferential position of the swirl chamber 29. 48 end face spirals 48c). In addition, you may comprise so that the whole end surface of the axial direction of the swirl | vortex chamber 29 may exhibit the spiral shape which shifts below (projection direction of the discharge part 51), turning in the same direction as an air swirl direction.

  When the dust-containing air flowing in from the main inlet 42 collides with the swirl chamber end surface portion 48 and receives an inward force, the dust is likely to approach the discharge portion 51, which may impair the separation efficiency. In the present embodiment, by providing the end surface vertical portion 48 b at a position where the dust-containing air flowing in from the main inlet 42 collides with the swirl chamber end surface portion 48, the dust-containing air flows from the main inflow port 42 to the swirl chamber end surface portion 48. It is possible to reliably suppress the impinging dusty air from receiving an inward force. Further, the provision of the end surface vertical portion 48b also exhibits an effect of smoothly shifting the flow to the end surface spiral portion 48c, and also has an effect of reducing pressure loss. If the position where the dust-containing air flowing in from the main inlet 42 collides with the swirl chamber end surface portion 48 is spiral like the end surface spiral portion 48c, the direction in which the air flow rebounds may become somewhat unstable. , The air flow may receive inward force.

  In the present embodiment, the bypass opening 56 is provided on the upper wall of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36). Thereby, since the flow branched from the main inflow air passage 27 to the sub inflow air passage 28 is directed upward, there is an effect of suppressing the entry of relatively large dust into the sub inflow air passage 28 by the action of gravity.

  In the present embodiment, the opening area of the auxiliary inlet 45 is formed smaller than the opening area of the main inlet 42. Thereby, there is an effect of suppressing relatively large dust introduced from the main inlet 42 from entering the auxiliary inlet air passage 28 from the swirl chamber 29.

  In the present embodiment, the axis of the swirl chamber 29 is shifted to the right with respect to the axis of the dust collector case 26. The shaft of the dust collecting unit case 26 and the shaft of the hose connection port 9 are both arranged on the left and right symmetrical surfaces of the cleaner body 6 (accommodating unit 12). Therefore, the position of the axis of the swirl chamber 29 is shifted from the position of the axis of the hose connection port 9. This suppresses bending in the air passage from the intake air passage 19 to the main inflow air passage 27, and has the effect of smoothly introducing dust-containing air into the swirl chamber 29 and improving the trapping performance. There is also an effect of suppressing pressure loss.

  In the present embodiment, the center line of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) is inclined by an angle θ (for example, 157 degrees) with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the swirl chamber 29, and the cleaner body When 6 is placed on a horizontal plane, the dust collecting unit 13 is inclined and attached to the containing unit 12 so that the axis of the swirl chamber 29 is inclined by an angle φ (φ = 180 degrees−θ) with respect to the vertical direction (see FIG. 29). ). The angle φ is, for example, 23 degrees. Thus, the center line of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) is arranged in the horizontal direction. As a result, the height from the floor surface of the hose connection port 9 where the operating force from the handle 7 is transmitted to the cleaner body 6 can be suppressed, and the distance between the hose connection port 9 and the wheel 18 can be reduced. Thereby, while improving the routing property of the cleaner body 6, it has the effect | action which suppresses a fall. In order to obtain such an effect, the center line of the main inflow air passage 27 (main inflow pipe 36) in a state where the cleaner body 6 (accommodating unit 12) is placed on a horizontal plane may not be completely horizontal. The center line of the main inflow air passage 27 when the cleaner body 6 (accommodating unit 12) is placed on a horizontal plane is compared with the center line of the main inflow air passage 27 when the axis of the swirl chamber 29 is oriented in the vertical direction. By configuring so as to be nearly horizontal, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the electric blower 10 performs a suction operation, whereby the dust α is accumulated in the zero-order dust collection chamber 30. In addition, garbage β accumulates in the primary dust collection chamber 31. The dust collected in the zero-order dust collection chamber 30 and the primary dust collection chamber 31 can be easily discarded by removing the dust collection unit case 26.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which part of the dust-containing air in the main inflow air passage 27 is branched to the sub inflow air passage 28 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the flow of the airflow in the auxiliary inlet air passage 28 may be realized by introducing outside air. For example, the flow of the airflow in the auxiliary inlet air passage 28 may be realized using another power source such as a compressor.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the zero-order opening 40 and the primary opening 39 are provided as communication ports between the swirl chamber 29 and the dust collection chamber has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. . A configuration that further includes a communication port other than the 0th order opening 40 and the primary opening 39, a configuration that does not include the 0th order opening 40, a configuration that does not include the primary opening 39, a configuration that does not include both the 0th order opening 40 and the primary opening 39, etc. But it ’s okay. Also in these cases, the effect of suppressing the centripetal force from the discharge port 53 can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration provided with one swirl chamber 29 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, another swirl chamber may be provided on the downstream side of the swirl chamber 29. For example, another swirl chamber may be provided on the upstream side of the swirl chamber 29.

  In the present embodiment, the dust collection unit 13 is shown as an example of a cyclone separator. The details of the cyclone separator are not limited to the configuration of the dust collection unit 13. In the present embodiment, the case where the cyclone separating device (dust collecting unit 13) is applied to a vacuum cleaner has been described. However, the cyclone separating device of the present invention separates devices other than the vacuum cleaner (for example, powders). It is also possible to apply to a powder separation device.

  In this Embodiment, the suction inlet 2 was shown as an example of a suction tool. The vacuum cleaner 1 may include a suction tool having another shape. Although the canister type vacuum cleaner 1 has been described in the present embodiment, the type of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may be applied to a so-called electric vacuum cleaner called a robot cleaner. In such a case, the suction tool is provided integrally with the cleaner body at the lower portion of the cleaner body.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vacuum cleaner, 2 suction inlet body, 3 suction pipe, 4 connection pipe, 5 suction hose, 6 vacuum cleaner main body, 7 handle, 8 operation switch, 9 hose connection port, 10 electric blower, 11 power cord, 12 accommodation unit , 13 Dust collecting unit, 14, 15 housing, 15a housing, 16 intake air passage forming portion, 17 exhaust air passage forming portion, 18 wheels, 19 intake air passage, 20 connection port, 21 exhaust air passage, 22 connection port 23 Outlet part case, 24 End face case, 25 Inlet part case, 26 Dust collection part case, 27 Main inflow air path, 28 Sub inflow air path, 29 Swirl chamber, 300 Zero dust collection room, 31 Primary dust collection room, 32 Outflow air passage, 33 Cylindrical portion, 34 Conical portion, 35 Bulkhead portion, 36 Main inflow pipe, 37 Sub inflow air passage formation portion, 37b Bottom vertical portion, 37c Bottom spiral portion, 38 connection portion, 9 Primary opening, 400 0th order opening, 41 Unit inlet, 42 Main inlet, 43 Standing part, 44 Secondary inlet air channel end face part, 44b End face vertical part, 44c End face spiral part, 44d End face inclined part, 45 Secondary inlet, 45a side inlet, 45b side inlet, 45c side inlet, 46 bottom part, 47 outer wall part, 48 swirl chamber end face part, 48a end face inclined part, 48b end face vertical part, 48c end face spiral part, 49 rib, 51 discharge part, 52 Bypass arc wall, 53 outlet, 55 outflow, 56 bypass opening, 57 unit outlet, 58 bypass side wall, 59 auxiliary inflow air passage end rib

Claims (6)

A swirl chamber that separates dust from dust-containing air by swirling dust-containing air flowing from the main inlet and at least one sub-inlet;
A discharge part that protrudes from the axial end face of the swirl chamber toward the inside of the swirl chamber, and discharges air inside the swirl chamber;
A main inflow air passage for allowing dust-containing air to flow into the swirl chamber through the main inflow port;
A sub-inflow air passage for allowing dust-containing air to flow into the swirl chamber via the at least one sub-inlet;
With
At least a part of the sub-inflow air passage is separated by a cyclone along the end surface spiral portion that exhibits a spiral surface shape that moves in the protruding direction of the discharge portion while swirling in the same direction as the dust-containing air inside the swirl chamber apparatus.   The at least one sub-inlet includes a sub-inlet located at a position advanced from the main inflow port by a half or more in the swirling direction of the dust-containing air inside the swirl chamber when viewed from the axial direction of the swirl chamber. Item 2. A cyclone separator according to Item 1.   The cyclone separator according to claim 1, further comprising a bypass opening that allows the main inflow air path and the sub inflow air path to communicate with each other.   The center line of the main inflow air passage is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the swirl chamber so that the downstream side is higher than the upstream side when the swirl chamber axis is oriented vertically. The cyclone separator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The at least part of the axial end surface of the swirl chamber has a spiral shape that swirls in the same direction as the dust-containing air inside the swirl chamber and moves in the protruding direction of the discharge portion. The cyclone separator according to any one of the above. A blower that generates suction air;
The cyclone separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein dust is separated from the dust-containing air sucked by the suction air;
Electric vacuum cleaner.

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