JP2017104334A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner where suction force almost uniformly acts over an opening width of a suction port and dust in a cleaner can be efficiently removed.SOLUTION: A vacuum cleaner 1 includes: a second body case 27 provided with a second suction port 26 having a width along a setting surface and a normal direction height of the setting surface; a suction chamber 66 set in the second body case 27 and having an inflow side edge part 66a connected to the second suction port 26 and an outflow side edge part 66b having a width narrower than that of the second suction port 26; a second dust-collection container 28 fluidly connected to the second suction port 26 via the suction chamber 66; a second motor fan 29 applying negative pressure on the second suction port 26 via the second dust-collection container 28 and the suction chamber 66; and a partition wall 75 partitioning the suction chamber 66 in its width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  Embodiments according to the present invention relate to a vacuum cleaner.

  There is known an electric vacuum cleaner that sucks and accumulates dust collected by a cleaning tool such as a mop, a broom, or a floor cleaning tool.

  A conventional vacuum cleaner includes a plurality of shafts that hang down from the upper part of the suction port and are arranged in a comb shape in order to remove dust such as hair entangled with the cleaning tool. Dust entangled with the cleaning tool is scraped off by a comb-shaped shaft. A gap for inserting the cleaning tool into the comb is secured between the lower end of the comb, that is, the lower end of the shaft and the installation surface of the vacuum cleaner.

JP 2012-245318 A

  A conventional electric vacuum cleaner separates dust from air with, for example, a paper pack, and accumulates the separated dust.

  Incidentally, while the paper pack has a circular inlet smaller than the suction port, the suction port of the vacuum cleaner has a corresponding opening width to efficiently remove dust from a wide cleaning tool. It is preferable. That is, the vacuum cleaner sucks air from a wide suction port and causes air to flow into the entrance of the paper pack smaller than the suction port.

  This dimensional difference between the suction port and the entrance of the paper pack causes non-uniformity in the negative pressure acting on the suction port. For example, when the inlet of the paper pack is arranged on the center line of the suction port, the suction negative pressure acts greatly on the center portion of the suction port, and the suction negative pressure decreases at the left and right ends of the suction port. To do. That is, the vacuum cleaner causes non-uniform suction negative pressure in the width direction of the suction port.

  This non-uniform suction negative pressure at the suction port or a partial decrease in the suction negative pressure at the suction port weakens the force to remove dust adhering to the cleaning tool.

  Therefore, the present invention proposes an electric cleaning device in which the suction force acts substantially uniformly over the opening width of the suction port and can efficiently remove dust from the cleaning tool.

  In order to solve the above problems, a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body case having a suction port having a width along the installation surface and a height in the normal direction of the installation surface, and the main body case. An inflow side end portion provided and connected to the suction port, an air passage having an outflow side end portion narrower than the suction port, and fluidly connected to the suction port via the air passage A dust collecting container; an electric blower that applies a negative pressure to the suction port via the dust collecting container and the air path; and a dividing wall that divides the air path in the width direction.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the bottom face of the autonomous cleaning unit of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the station unit of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The cross-sectional view which shows the station unit of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which expands and shows the suction chamber of the station unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a plane sectional view showing the suction room of the station unit concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The plane sectional view showing other examples of the 2nd inlet of the station unit concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The plane sectional view showing other examples of the 2nd inlet of the station unit concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The plane sectional view showing other examples of the 2nd inlet of the station unit concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The plane sectional view showing other examples of the suction room of the station unit concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The plane sectional view showing other examples of the suction room of the station unit concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The plane sectional view showing other examples of the suction room of the station unit concerning the embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the 2nd centrifugation part of the 2nd dust collecting container of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the connection part of the autonomous cleaning unit and station unit of the electric vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the connection part of the autonomous cleaning unit and station unit of the electric vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  An embodiment of an electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same or equivalent structure in several drawing.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment includes dust collected by a means other than the autonomous cleaning unit 2, such as a mop, a broom, and a floor cleaning tool. Alternatively, dust adhering to a cleaning tool such as a mop, broom, or floor cleaning tool can be directly sucked by the station unit 5.

  The electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes an autonomous cleaning unit 2 that autonomously moves the surface to be cleaned and collects dust on the surface to be cleaned, a station unit 5 having the charging electrode 3 of the autonomous cleaning unit 2, It has. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 autonomously moves the autonomous cleaning unit 2 across the entire surface to be cleaned in the living room to collect dust, and thereafter returns the autonomous cleaning unit 2 to the station unit 5. The dust collected by the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is transferred to the station unit 5 side and collected.

  The position where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3 of the station unit 5 is the home position of the autonomous cleaning unit 2 that returns to the station unit 5. The autonomous cleaning unit 2 returns to this homing position when charging is necessary or cleaning of the living room is completed. In addition, the position where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3 of the station unit 5 is relative between the autonomous cleaning unit 2 that moves autonomously and the station unit 5 that can be installed at any place. It is determined by various positional relationships.

  Moreover, the arrow A in FIG. 1 is the forward direction of the autonomous cleaning unit 2, and the arrow B is the backward direction of the autonomous cleaning unit 2. The width direction of the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is a direction orthogonal to the arrows A and B.

  The autonomous cleaning unit 2 moves forward and leaves the station unit 5 and travels autonomously in the living room. On the other hand, when returning to the station unit 5, the autonomous cleaning unit 2 moves backward and connects to the station unit 5.

  First, the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is a so-called robot cleaner, and autonomously moves on the surface to be cleaned to collect dust. The autonomous cleaning unit 2 includes a hollow first main body case 11, a first dust collecting container 12 that is detachably provided at the rear part of the first main body case 11, and a first main body case 11 that is accommodated in the first main body case 11. The first electric blower 13 connected to the dust container 12, the moving unit 15 for moving the autonomous cleaning unit 2 on the surface to be cleaned, the driving unit 16 for driving the moving unit 15, and the driving unit 16 to control the target A robot control unit 17 that autonomously moves the first main body case 11 on the cleaning surface and a secondary battery 18 as a power source are provided.

  The station unit 5 is installed at an arbitrary location on the surface to be cleaned. That is, the surface to be cleaned of the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is also the installation surface of the station unit 5. The station unit 5 includes a pedestal 19 on which the autonomous cleaning unit 2 heads to a position (homing position) electrically connected to the charging electrode 3, a dust collection unit 21 provided integrally with the pedestal 19, an autonomous cleaning In a positional relationship (home position) where the unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3, a dust transfer pipe 22 that is airtightly connected to the first dust collecting container 12 of the autonomous cleaning unit 2, and the dust transfer pipe 22 And a power cord 25 for guiding power from a commercial AC power source.

  The dust collecting unit 21 is connected to the first dust collecting container 12 through the second body case 27 having a second suction port 26 for sucking in other dust different from the dust collected by the autonomous cleaning unit 2 and the dust transfer pipe 22. A second dust collecting container 28 that accumulates discarded dust and a second electric blower 29 that is accommodated in the second main body case 27 and connected to the second dust collecting container 28 are provided.

  The second dust collecting container 28 is connected to the second suction port 26 in addition to the dust transfer pipe 22. The station unit 5 applies a suction negative pressure generated by the second electric blower 29 to the second suction port 26 via the second dust collecting container 28, so that a mop, a broom, a floor cleaning tool, etc. Dust collected by the cleaning tool or dust adhering to the cleaning tool itself such as a mop, broom, or floor cleaning tool is directly sucked by the station unit 5.

  Next, the autonomous cleaning unit 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface of the autonomous cleaning unit of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the autonomous cleaning unit 2 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a center brush 31 provided on the bottom surface 11 a of the first main body case 11 and a center brush that drives the center brush 31. Drive unit 32, a pair of left and right side brushes 33 provided on the bottom surface 11 a of the first main body case 11, and a pair of left and right side brush drive units 35 that drive each of the side brushes 33.

  The disc-shaped first main body case 11 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and can easily turn the surface to be cleaned. A horizontally long first suction port 36 is provided at the center in the width direction of the rear half of the bottom surface 11a.

  The first suction port 36 has a width dimension of the first main body case 11, that is, a width dimension of about two-thirds of the diameter dimension. The first suction port 36 is fluidly connected to the first electric blower 13 through the first dust collecting container 12.

  The first main body case 11 has a dust container opening 37 on the bottom surface 11a. The dust container port 37 is disposed behind the first suction port 36 and covers the lower part of the first dust container 12. The dust container opening 37 is opened in a rounded rectangular shape to partially expose the first dust collecting container 12 attached to the first main body case 11.

  The first dust collecting container 12 accumulates the dust sucked from the first suction port 36 by the suction negative pressure generated by the first electric blower 13. A filter for collecting and collecting dust from the air, a separation device for separating and accumulating dust from the air by inertial separation such as centrifugal separation (cyclonic separation) and straight separation, and the like are applied to the first dust collecting container 12. . The first dust collecting container 12 is disposed behind the first suction port 36 and at the rear part of the first main body case 11. The first dust collecting container 12 is detachably provided in the first main body case 11, and the container main body 38 that accumulates dust collected by the autonomous cleaning unit 2, and the dust in the state attached to the first main body case 11. A connection part 39 exposed from the container port 37, a disposal port 41 provided at the connection unit 39 for discarding the dust in the container body 38, and a disposal lid 42 for opening and closing the disposal port 41 are provided.

  The moving unit 15 includes a pair of left and right drive wheels 45 disposed on the bottom surface 11 a of the first main body case 11 and a swivel wheel 46 disposed on the bottom surface 11 a of the first main body case 11.

  The pair of drive wheels 45 protrudes from the bottom surface 11a of the first main body case 11, and is grounded to the surface to be cleaned with the autonomous cleaning unit 2 placed on the surface to be cleaned. Further, the pair of drive wheels 45 is disposed at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the first main body case 11, and approaches the left and right side portions of the first main body case 11 while avoiding the front of the first suction port 36. Is arranged. The rotation shafts of the pair of drive wheels 45 are arranged on a straight line extending along the width direction of the first main body case 11. The autonomous cleaning unit 2 moves forward or backward by rotating the left and right drive wheels 45 in the same direction, and turns clockwise or counterclockwise by rotating the left and right drive wheels 45 in opposite directions. .

  The turning wheel 46 is a driven wheel that can turn freely. The first main body case 11 is disposed at a substantially central portion in the width direction and at the front portion.

  The drive unit 16 is a pair of electric motors connected to each of the pair of drive wheels 45. The drive unit 16 drives the left and right drive wheels 45 independently of each other.

  The robot control unit 17 includes a microprocessor (not shown) and a storage device (not shown) that stores various arithmetic programs executed by the microprocessor, parameters, and the like. The robot control unit 17 is electrically connected to the first electric blower 13, the center brush drive unit 32, the drive unit 16, and the side brush drive unit 35.

  The secondary battery 18 supplies power to the first electric blower 13, the center brush drive unit 32, the drive unit 16, the side brush drive unit 35, and the robot control unit 17. The secondary battery 18 is disposed, for example, between the turning wheel 46 and the first suction port 36. The secondary battery 18 is electrically connected to a pair of charging terminals 47 arranged on the bottom surface 11 a of the first main body case 11. The secondary battery 18 is charged by connecting a charging terminal 47 to the charging electrode 3 of the station unit 5.

  The center brush 31 is provided in the first suction port 36. The center brush 31 is an axial brush that can rotate around a rotation center line extending in the width direction of the first main body case 11. The center brush 31 includes, for example, a long shaft portion (not shown) and a plurality of brushes (not shown) extending in the radial direction of the shaft portion and arranged in a spiral shape in the longitudinal direction of the shaft portion. . The center brush 31 protrudes below the bottom surface 11a of the first main body case 11 from the first suction port 36, and brings the brush into contact with the surface to be cleaned with the autonomous cleaning unit 2 placed on the surface to be cleaned.

  The center brush drive section 32 is accommodated in the first main body case 11.

  The pair of side brushes 33 are auxiliary cleaning bodies, and are disposed on the left and right sides of the front portion of the bottom surface 11 a of the first main body case 11, avoiding the front of the center brush 31. The pair of side brushes 33 scrapes dust on the surface to be cleaned near the wall where the center brush 31 does not reach and guides it to the first suction port 36. Each of the side brushes 33 includes a brush base 48 having a center of rotation that slightly tilts forward with respect to the normal to the surface to be cleaned, and, for example, three linear cleaning bodies 49 that protrude radially in the radial direction of the brush base 48. It is equipped with.

  The left and right brush bases 48 are disposed in front of the first suction port 36 and the left and right drive wheels 45 and rearward of the swivel wheel 46 and closer to the left and right sides of the first suction port 36. Has been. Further, the rotation center line of each brush base 48 is slightly inclined forward with respect to the normal of the surface to be cleaned. For this reason, the linear cleaning body 49 turns along a surface inclined forward with respect to the surface to be cleaned. The linear cleaning body 49 that pivots in front of the brush base 48 is pressed against the surface to be cleaned toward the tip side, and the linear cleaning body 49 that rotates in the rear side of the brush base 48 from the surface to be cleaned in the tip side. I will leave.

  The plurality of linear cleaning bodies 49 are arranged radially from the brush base 48, for example, at equal intervals in three directions. The side brush 33 may include four or more linear cleaning bodies 49 for each brush base 48. Each linear cleaning body 49 includes a plurality of brush hairs as cleaning members on the tip side. Further, the brush bristles swirl along a trajectory that extends outward from the outer peripheral edge of the first main body case 11.

  Each side brush drive unit 35 includes a rotating shaft (not shown) that protrudes downward and is connected to the brush base 48 of the side brush 33. Each side brush drive unit 35 rotates the side brush 33 so as to scrape dust on the surface to be cleaned to the first suction port 36.

  Next, the station unit 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a station unit of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a station unit of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the suction chamber of the station unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the pedestal 19 of the station unit 5 according to the present embodiment projects to the front side of the station unit 5 and expands in a rectangular shape. The pedestal 19 includes a high floor portion 51 connected to the bottom of the dust collection portion 21 and a low floor portion 52 that projects from the high floor portion 51. The low floor portion 52 and the high floor portion 51 extend in a band shape in the width direction of the station unit 5. In the high floor portion 51, the charging electrode 3 and the entrance of the dust transfer pipe 22 are arranged.

  The autonomous cleaning unit 2 rides the pair of drive wheels 45 on the low floor portion 52 and reaches the homing position in a posture in which the first dust collecting container 12 is disposed above the high floor portion 51.

  The pedestal 19 includes an uneven running surface 53 that reduces the ground contact area of each of the pair of drive wheels 45 when the autonomous cleaning unit 2 goes to a position (homing position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3. Yes. The running surface 53 is a plurality of linear irregularities, lattice-shaped irregularities, or a plurality of hemispherical irregularities provided on a part of the pedestal 19.

  The dust collecting unit 21 is connected to the first dust collecting container 12 through the second body case 27 having a second suction port 26 for sucking in other dust different from the dust collected by the autonomous cleaning unit 2 and the dust transfer pipe 22. A second dust collecting container 28 that separates and accumulates discarded dust, a second electric blower 29 that is accommodated in the second main body case 27 and connected to the second dust collecting container 28, and a commercial AC power supply And a power cord 25 for guiding power to the two electric blowers 29 and the charging electrode 3.

  The second main body case 27 is a box having an appropriate shape that is disposed at the rear of the station unit 5 and extends upward from the pedestal 19 and can be placed on the surface to be cleaned of the living room. A wall surface 27a having a thickness is included. The wall surface 27 a corresponds to the right side surface of the second main body case 27. The second body case 27 has an appropriate shape that does not interfere even when the autonomous cleaning unit 2 returns.

  The 2nd main body case 27 is short in the depth direction (direction which advances when the autonomous cleaning unit 2 homes), and is long in the width direction. The second main body case 27 has a second dust collecting container 28 disposed in one half in the width direction, specifically, the right half, and the second half case, specifically in the left half. Two electric blowers 29 are accommodated.

  The front wall of the second main body case 27 includes an arcuate recess 56 corresponding to the rear end of the autonomous cleaning unit 2. The entrance of the dust transfer pipe 22 extends from the raised floor portion 51 of the pedestal 19 to the recessed portion 56. The recessed portion 56 is provided with a homing confirmation detecting portion 57 that detects whether or not the autonomous cleaning unit 2 has reached a position (homing position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3.

  The homing confirmation detection unit 57 is a so-called objective sensor that detects a relative distance from the autonomous cleaning unit 2 using visible light or infrared light. The homing confirmation detection unit 57 includes a first sensor unit 58 that detects a relative distance from the autonomous cleaning unit 2 in the front direction of the dust collection unit 21, and the autonomous cleaning unit 2 in the height direction of the second main body case 27. And a second sensor unit 59 for detecting the relative distance.

  The second suction port 26 sucks in dust other than the autonomous cleaning unit 2, for example, dust collected by a mop, broom, or floor cleaning tool, or dust attached to the mop, broom, or floor cleaning tool itself. Applicable for use. The 2nd suction inlet 26 is provided in the lower part of the right wall surface of the 2nd main body case 27 as the wall surface 27a which has height with respect to an installation surface. The second suction port 26 has an appropriate width along the installation surface and an appropriate height in the normal direction of the surface to be cleaned.

  The pair of charging electrodes 3 are arranged with the entrance of the dust transfer tube 22 in between. Each charging electrode 3 is arranged in front of the left and right edges of the recessed portion 56.

  In the second main body case 27, in addition to the dust transfer pipe 22, a suction air passage 61 that fluidly connects the second suction port 26 and the second dust collecting container 28, and the second dust collecting container 28 and the second dust collecting pipe 28. A downstream air duct 62 that fluidly connects the two electric blowers 29 is provided.

  Both the dust transfer pipe 22 and the suction air passage 61 are connected to the suction side (upstream side of the air flow) of the second dust collecting container 28. That is, the negative pressure generated by the second electric blower 29 acts on both the dust transfer pipe 22 and the suction air passage 61 via the second dust collecting container 28. Therefore, the station unit 5 establishes a fluid connection between the dust transfer tube 22 and the second dust collecting container 28 when transferring dust from the autonomous cleaning unit 2, while the suction air passage 61 and the second dust collecting container 28. While the fluid connection with the dust container 28 is cut off, and when the negative pressure is applied to the second suction port 26, the fluid connection between the dust transfer pipe 22 and the second dust collection container 28 is cut off. The air path switching mechanism 63 that establishes fluid connection between the suction air path 61 and the second dust collecting container 28 is provided.

  The dust transfer tube 22 is a relay air passage that detachably connects the autonomous cleaning unit 2 and the second dust collecting container 28. The dust transfer tube 22 is disposed in contact with the connecting portion 39 of the first dust collecting container 12 of the autonomous cleaning unit 2 in a position (homing position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3. Connected to the mouth 41.

  The lever 23 disposed at the entrance of the dust transfer tube 22 includes a hook 65 extending in the front direction and upward of the dust collection unit 21.

  The suction air passage 61 is provided in the second main body case 27. The suction air passage 61 is a rising portion that fluidly connects the suction chamber 66 and the second dust collecting container 28 via the air passage switching mechanism 63 and a suction chamber 66 that is connected to the second suction port 26. An air duct 67.

  The suction chamber 66 is disposed below the second dust collection container 28 and extends transversely below the second dust collection container 28. The suction chamber 66 has an inflow side end 66 a connected to the second suction port 26 and an outflow side end 66 b connected to the rising air duct 67. The suction chamber 66 fluidly connects the second suction port 26 and the second dust collecting container 28 via a rising air duct 67.

  The suction chamber 66 has a lower air passage height at the inflow side end 66a than at the outflow side end 66b. Specifically, the station unit 5 includes a rib 68 that makes the opening height of the second suction port 26 lower than the height of the suction chamber 66. In the station unit 5 according to the present embodiment, the height of the suction chamber 66 is discontinuously changed at the second suction port 26 by the rib 68, but the top surface inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the suction chamber 66, The height of the air passage in the suction chamber 66 may be changed continuously or discontinuously by a top surface approaching a step shape, a curved top surface, or the like.

  Further, the station unit 5 includes an inclined surface 69 that continues to the bottom of the second suction port 26 and descends toward the installation surface. The inclined surface 69 plays a role of smoothly introducing dust on the surface to be cleaned (installation surface) into the second suction port 26, and may be projected outward from the second suction port 26, or the second suction port 26. You may have reached the inside.

  The depth of the air passage of the suction chamber 66 (the length of the air passage), that is, the distance between the outflow side end portion 66b and the inflow side end portion 66a is longer than the diameter D of the second dust collecting container 28.

  The rising air duct 67 is connected to the outflow side end 66 b of the suction chamber 66 and rises upward along the second dust collecting container 28. The rising air duct 67 includes a lower end 67 a connected to the outflow side end 66 b of the suction chamber 66 and an upper end 67 b connected to the air path switching mechanism 63.

  The second dust collecting container 28 is detachably mounted on the right side of the dust collecting unit 21 and exposed. The second dust collecting container 28 is fluidly connected to the dust transfer pipe 22 and fluidly connected to the second suction port 26. The second dust collecting container 28 is fluidly connected to the second suction port 26 through the air path switching mechanism 63, the rising air path pipe 67, and the suction chamber 66 in order. The second dust collecting container 28 is disposed above the suction chamber 66.

  The second electric blower 29 applies a suction negative pressure to the dust transfer pipe 22 or the second suction port 26 via the downstream air duct 62 and the second dust collecting container 28. The suction negative pressure generated by the second electric blower 29 acts on the dust transfer pipe 22 or the second suction port 26 by the air path switching mechanism 63.

  FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view showing the suction chamber of the station unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view showing another example of the second suction port of the station unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 8 is a plan sectional view showing another example of the second suction port of the station unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 9 is a plan sectional view showing another example of the second suction port of the station unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In addition to FIG. 5, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the wall surface 27 a of the second body case 27 of the station unit 5 according to the present embodiment includes a substantially flat first wall surface 78, a first wall surface 78, Has a deformed second wall surface 79. The second suction port 26 includes a first opening 81 provided in the first wall surface 78 and a second opening 82 provided in the second wall surface 79.

  Here, the “irregular shape” refers to a shape that is continuous with the first wall surface 78 and excludes the same plane, and is, for example, a plane that forms an angle greater than zero with respect to the first wall surface 78. And a curved surface continuous from the first wall surface 78 and a discontinuous curved surface.

  Specifically, the second wall surface 79 has an arcuate outer shape in plan view (FIG. 6). The second wall surface 79 may have a stepped outer shape in plan view (FIG. 7). The second wall surface 79 may have a planar outer shape that forms an angle with the first wall surface 78 in plan view (FIG. 8).

  The wall surface 27a may include a boundary wall 83 that divides the first opening 81 and the second opening 82 (FIG. 9). In this case, the station unit 5 may include an on-off valve 85 that opens the second opening 82 by negative pressure when the first opening 81 is closed (FIG. 9). When the air flow through the first opening 81 is smooth, the on-off valve 85 closes the second opening 82 by an elastic body (not shown) such as a spring and efficiently draws suction negative pressure into the first opening 81. On the other hand, when the negative pressure in the suction chamber 66 rises above a predetermined threshold, for example, when the first opening 81 is closed, the second opening 82 is opened against the elastic body, and the suction chamber Air is allowed to flow into 66. The on-off valve 85 itself may be deformed using an elastic body such as rubber.

  The second suction port 26 is a means other than the autonomous cleaning unit 2, for example, dust collected by a cleaning tool such as a mop, broom, or floor cleaning tool, or cleaning of a mop, broom, or floor cleaning tool. Since the dust adhering to the tool itself is directly sucked, if the cleaning tool is larger than the width of the second suction port 26, the cleaning tool sucks with negative pressure and the second suction port 26 is closed. There is a fear. If the second suction port 26 is blocked, the air flow (swirl flow) in the second dust collection container 28 is weakened or disappears, and the dust separation performance of the second dust collection container 28 is degraded. Further, if the second suction port 26 is blocked, the second electric blower 29 may be in an overload state due to idling, which is not preferable. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment avoids the blocking of the second suction port 26 by the suction tool by providing the second opening 82 on the second wall surface 79 which is deformed from the first wall surface 78. The separation performance of the two dust collecting containers 28 is ensured, and the soundness of the second electric blower 29 is ensured.

  Moreover, when the vacuum cleaner 1 is provided with the on-off valve 85, and the circulation of the air of the 1st opening part 81 is ensured, the 2nd opening part 82 is block | closed with the on-off valve 85, and suction negative pressure is reduced. By concentrating on the first opening 81, the performance of removing dust from the cleaning tool can be enhanced.

  The suction chamber 66 has an inflow side end portion 66 a connected to the second suction port 26 and an outflow side end portion 66 b that is narrower than the second suction port 26. The suction chamber 66 is a funnel-shaped or fan-shaped air passage having a wide inflow side end 66a and a narrow width at the outflow side end 66b.

  The outflow side end 66b of the suction chamber 66 is biased to one side (here, the back surface 5a side of the station unit 5) from the center of the second suction port 26 in the width direction of the second suction port 26. In particular, the outflow side end 66b of the suction chamber 66 according to the present embodiment is located on either side of the center C1 of the second suction port 26 in the width direction of the second suction port 26 (here, the back surface 5a of the station unit 5). Side) area.

  The outflow side end portion 66b and the inflow side end portion 66a of the suction chamber 66 are arranged with the second dust collection container 28 interposed therebetween in a plan view.

  Further, the station unit 5 includes a dividing wall 75 that divides the suction chamber 66 in the width direction (direction intersecting a line connecting the inflow side end portion 66a and the outflow side end portion 66b).

  The dividing wall 75 is stretched over the suction chamber 66 and extends linearly from the inflow side end 66a to the outflow side end 66b. The dividing wall 75 may reach from the inflow side end portion 66a of the suction chamber 66 to the outflow side end portion 66b, or may be separated from the respective end portions 66a and 66b. That is, the dividing wall 75 may be interrupted halfway from the inflow side end 66a of the suction chamber 66 to the outflow side end 66b and may not reach the outflow side end 66b. Further, the dividing wall 75 may reach the outflow side end 66b at a distance from the inflow side end 66a of the suction chamber 66. Further, the dividing wall 75 may be separated from both the inflow side end portion 66 a and the outflow side end portion 66 b of the suction chamber 66 and may be disposed at an intermediate portion in the suction chamber 66.

  There are a plurality of, for example, two dividing walls 75, and the inside of the suction chamber 66 is divided into a plurality of, for example, three divided air passages 77a, 77b, 77c. These divided air passages 77 a, 77 b, 77 c are arranged in the width direction of the suction chamber 66. The divided air passage 77a is close to the back side of the station unit 5, and the divided air passage 77c is close to the front side of the station unit 5, that is, the base 19 to which the autonomous cleaning unit 2 returns and is connected. The divided air passage 77b is sandwiched between the divided air passages 77a and 77c, and is partitioned by a dividing wall 75 on both sides.

  In the case where the interval between the outflow side end portion 66b of the adjacent dividing walls 75, 75, or the interval between the outflow side end portion 66b of the dividing wall 75 and the edge (side wall) of the suction chamber 66, or when the dividing wall 75 is single, The distance between the outflow side end 66 b of the dividing wall 75 and the edge of the suction chamber 66 (side wall) is narrower than the width of the outflow side end 66 b of the suction chamber 66. The “interval between the outflow side end 66b of the dividing wall 75 and the edge (side wall) of the suction chamber 66” is the shortest distance between the outflow side end 66b of the dividing wall 75 and the edge (side wall) of the suction chamber 66. It is.

  The dividing wall 75 equalizes the negative pressure near the outside of the second suction port 26. Specifically, the dividing wall 75 is set such that the pressure loss in the central divided air passage 77b is higher than the pressure loss in the divided air passages 77a and 77c on the end side.

  Since the vacuum cleaner 1 has the outflow side end part 66b whose width is narrower than that of the second suction port 26, the central portion (region A) of the second suction port 26 that is in front of the outflow side end part 66b. However, the suction negative pressure is more likely to act than other portions (region B deviated from the front surface of the outflow side end portion 66b). In other words, in the vacuum cleaner 1, the suction negative pressure is likely to act on the central portion (region A) of the second suction port 26, and the suction negative pressure acts on the end side (region B) of the second suction port 26. Hateful. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 sets the pressure loss of the split air passage 77b on the center side higher than the pressure loss of the split air passages 77a and 77c on the end side, so that the central portion ( The suction negative pressure acting on the region A) is suppressed, the suction negative pressure acting on the end side (region B) of the second suction port 26 is increased, and the negative pressure near the outside of the second suction port 26 is substantially reduced. Equalize.

  Further, there are a plurality of dividing walls 75. At the outflow side end 66b of the suction chamber 66, the air passage cross-sectional areas AaOut and AcOut of the divided air passages 77a and 77c on the end side are the air passage breaks of the divided air passage 77b on the center side. The area is set larger than AbOut.

  The vacuum cleaner 1 sets the air passage cross-sectional areas AaOut and AcOut of the split air passages 77a and 77c on the end side to be larger than the air passage cross-sectional area AbOut of the split air passage 77b on the center side, so that the second suction port 26, the negative suction pressure acting on the central portion (region A) of the second suction port 26 is suppressed, the negative suction pressure acting on the end portion side (second region B) of the second suction port 26 is increased, and the negative pressure near the outside of the second suction port 26 The pressure is substantially equalized.

  In addition, although the vacuum cleaner 1 which concerns on this embodiment has divided | segmented the suction chamber 66 into the three division | segmentation air paths 77a, 77b, 77c, the suction chamber 66 is divided into four or more division | segmentation air paths (illustration omitted). In the case of division, in the range where the negative pressure in the vicinity of the outside of the second suction port 26 is substantially equalized, the air passage cross-sectional area of the split air passage located at the end is the wind of the split air passage on the center side. It is not necessarily required to be set larger than the road cross-sectional area. The vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment has a wind smaller than the air passage cross-sectional area of the split air passage on the center side within a range that does not affect the substantial equalization of the negative pressure in the vicinity of the outside of the second suction port 26. The provision of a divided air passage having a cross-sectional area at the end of the suction chamber 66 is not excluded.

  The plurality of divided air passages 77a, 77b, 77c divided by the dividing wall 75 have an air passage cross-sectional area ratio at the outflow side end 66b (air passage cross-sectional area AaOut: air passage cross-sectional area AbOut: air passage cross-sectional area AcOut). The airway cross-sectional area ratio (airway cross-sectional area AaIn: airway cross-sectional area AbIn: airway cross-sectional area AcIn) at the inflow side end 66a is set to be substantially the same.

  The vacuum cleaner 1 sets the shape of the divided air passages 77a, 77b, and 77c by setting the air passage cross-sectional area ratio of the outflow side end portion 66b and the air passage cross-sectional area ratio of the inflow side end portion 66a substantially the same. The suction chamber 66 can be divided by the straight dividing wall 75 in a simple manner, and the prediction accuracy of analysis and the like is improved.

  Next, another example of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, in the vacuum cleaner 1A, 1B, and 1C demonstrated in each example, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as the vacuum cleaner 1, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view showing another example of the suction chamber of the station unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the electric vacuum cleaner 1A according to the present embodiment includes a suction chamber 66A.

  The partition wall 75A of the suction chamber 66A is separated from the first opening 81 with a gap 86 communicating with the second opening 82, and the suction side (that is, the outflow side end 66b) of the first opening 81 is separated. It extends toward.

  When the suction tool is sucked into the first opening 81, the vacuum cleaner 1 has a gap 86 between the front edge of the dividing wall 75A and the first opening 81 leading to the second opening 82. Then, air is circulated from the second opening 82 to the gap 86 (the flow indicated by the broken line arrow in FIG. 10), the negative pressure acting between the first opening 81 and the suction tool is relieved, and the negative pressure causes the first to flow. The cleaning tool sucked on the opening 81 can be easily removed.

  FIG. 11 is a plan sectional view showing another example of the suction chamber of the station unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the electric vacuum cleaner 1B according to this embodiment includes a suction chamber 66B.

  At the outflow side end 66b of the suction chamber 66B, the air passage cross-sectional area AcOut of the other divided air passage 77c is set larger than the air passage cross-sectional area AaOut of the one divided air passage 77a. . That is, there is a relationship of (airway cross-sectional area AcOut of the divided airway 77c)> (airway cross-sectional area AaOut)> (airway cross-sectional area AbOut).

  The vacuum cleaner 1B has an outflow side end 66b of the suction chamber 66 on either side (here, the back surface 5a side of the station unit 5) from the center of the second suction port 26 in the width direction of the second suction port 26. Since it is biased, the divided air passage 77c on the other end side has a longer air passage length than the other divided air passages 77a and 77b. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1B sets the air passage cross-sectional area AcOut of the divided air passage 77c on the other end side to be larger than the air passage cross-sectional area AaOut of the divided air passage 77a on the other end side. The negative pressure acting on the outer side of the second suction port 26 is substantially equalized by making the negative pressure acting on the second air inlet 77a stronger than the negative pressure acting on the divided air passage 77a.

  FIG. 12 is a plan sectional view showing another example of the suction chamber of the station unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the vacuum cleaner 1C according to the present embodiment includes a suction chamber 66C.

  In the suction chamber 66C, the dividing wall 75b that divides the divided air passage 77c on the other end side is closer to the outflow side end portion 66b of the suction chamber 66 than the dividing wall 75a that divides the divided air passage 77a on the one end side. It extends to. In this case, the divided air passage 77c reaches closer to the outflow side end portion 66b than the divided air passage 77a, and is more susceptible to negative pressure.

  In these electric vacuum cleaners 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, and 1 </ b> C, the arrangement relationship of the divided air passages 77 a, 77 b, 77 c and the divided walls 75 a, 75 b is the outflow side end with respect to the center of the second suction port 26. It depends on whether 66b is biased in the width direction of the second suction port 26 or not. That is, if the outflow side end 66b is biased to the other side (here, the front side of the station unit 5) from the center of the second suction port 26 in the width direction of the second suction port 26, it is divided. The arrangement relationship between the air passages 77a, 77b, 77c and the dividing walls 75a, 75b is reversed.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the second centrifugal separation portion of the second dust collecting container of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In addition to FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 13, the second dust collecting container 28 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment is a centrifuge that centrifuges dust flowing from the dust transfer pipe 22 or the second suction port 26 from the air. A separation unit 91 is provided. The centrifuge 91 is a multistage type, and a first centrifuge 92 that centrifuges dust flowing from the dust transfer tube 22 or the second suction port 26 from the air, and dust that passes through the first centrifuge 92 from the air. A second centrifuge 93 for separation.

  The first centrifugal separator 92 centrifuges coarse dust from the air guided to the second dust collecting container 28. The second centrifuge 93 centrifuges fine dust from the air passing through the first centrifuge 92. Note that coarse dust is dust with a large mass such as fibrous dust such as lint and cotton dust or sand particles, and fine dust is dust with a small particle mass or powder and low mass.

  The second dust collecting container 28 includes an exhaust air passage 95 that sends air passing through the second centrifugal separator 93 to the second electric blower 29, and a top cover 96 that covers the exhaust air passage 95.

  The first centrifugal separator 92 is disposed on one side of the second dust collecting container 28, specifically on the lower half side. The second centrifugal separator 93, the second separator upper cover 97, the exhaust air passage 95, and the top cover 96 are arranged on the other side of the second dust collecting container 28, specifically, the upper half side. The first centrifuge unit 92 and the second centrifuge unit 93 are arranged adjacent to each other in the height direction of the cylindrical second dust collecting container 28 and stacked.

  The first centrifugal separator 92, the second separator upper cover 97, and the top cover 96 cooperate to adjust the appearance of the second dust collecting container 28 into a substantially cylindrical shape.

  The 1st centrifugation part 92 isolate | separates dust from dust-containing air with a centrifugal separation system (cyclone system). The first centrifugal separation unit 92 includes a cup-shaped dust collecting container 102 as an outer shell of the first centrifugal separation chamber 101, a cylindrical first filter unit 103 disposed in the dust collecting container 102, and a dust collecting container. And a dust trapping cup 105 disposed in 102 and connected to the first filter portion 103.

  The dust collection container 102 is an outer shell of the lower half portion of the second dust collection container 28 and also serves as an outer shell of the first centrifugal separation chamber 101 and the dust collection chamber 107. An intake port 108 is provided on the side wall of the dust collecting container 102. The air inlet 108 is fluidly connected to the dust transfer pipe 22 and the suction air passage 61.

  Further, the dust collecting container 102 includes a large-diameter portion 111 disposed at the open end, an inclined portion 112 connected to the large-diameter portion 111 and narrowed to a small diameter, and connected to the inclined portion 112 to be substantially uniform. A small-diameter portion 113 that reaches the bottom wall in a radial dimension.

  The connecting portion of the large diameter portion 111 and the small diameter portion 113, that is, the inclined portion 112 has an inclined surface that narrows from the large diameter portion 111 toward the small diameter portion 113 inside the dust collecting container 102.

  The small diameter portion 113 is connected to the bottom wall of the dust collecting container 102.

  The first filter unit 103 is accommodated in the dust collecting container 102 and is disposed substantially concentrically. An annular space that separates the first filter unit 103 and the dust collecting container 102 is a first unit that centrifugally separates coarse dust by swirling dust-containing air flowing into the first centrifugal separating unit 92 from the air inlet 108 of the dust collecting container 102. The centrifuge chamber 101.

  The first filter unit 103 is fixed to the second centrifugal separation unit 93, protrudes into the dust container 102, and extends toward the bottom wall of the dust container 102. The first filter unit 103 relays the first centrifuge chamber 101 and the second centrifuge unit 93 fluidly connected to each other. The first filter unit 103 includes a frame body 117 having a plurality of bones that are spaced apart from each other and arranged in a cylindrical shape, and a first mesh filter 118 that surrounds the frame body 117 in a cylindrical shape. The openings between the bones of the frame body 117 allow air to flow out from the first centrifuge chamber 101 to the second centrifuge unit 93. A side surface of the first filter unit 103, specifically, the first mesh filter 118 faces the air inlet 108.

  Naturally, the first mesh filter 118 is in a period in which the swirl flow in the first centrifugal separation chamber 101 is not sufficiently developed, such as immediately after the start of the second electric blower 29 or a stop transition, and even after the swirl flow has developed. Coarse dust is prevented from flowing from the first centrifugal separator 92 to the second centrifugal separator 93 side.

  The first filter unit 103 does not necessarily require the first mesh filter 118 to the extent that coarse dust can be prevented from flowing downstream. For example, when the frame body 117 of the first filter unit 103 has a lattice shape that is fine enough to prevent the passage of coarse dust or has holes that are small enough to prevent the passage of coarse dust. Does not necessarily require the first mesh filter 118.

  The dust trapping cup 105 is provided at an end portion of the first filter portion 103 close to the bottom wall of the dust collecting container 102, that is, a protruding end portion or a lower end portion. The bottomed cylindrical dust trapping cup 105 has a bottom wall connected to the first filter portion 103 and a side wall extending toward the bottom wall of the dust collecting container 102. That is, the dust catching cup 105 is opened toward the bottom wall of the dust collecting container 102. The side wall of the dust catching cup 105 faces the inner peripheral surface of the dust collecting container 102 with a gap. The dust trapping cup 105 has a larger diameter than the first filter portion 103 and has an opening 121 on the bottom wall connected to the first filter portion 103.

  A space separating the dust capturing cup 105 and the dust collecting container 102 is a dust collecting chamber 107 that accumulates the dust separated by the first centrifugal separator 92. The air in the dust collection chamber 107 returns to the first centrifuge chamber 101 through the opening 121.

  A second mesh filter 122 is provided in the opening 121. The second mesh filter 122 may be coarse enough to prevent coarse dust (fibrous such as lint and cotton dust) flowing into the dust collection chamber 107 from returning to the first centrifugal separation chamber 101.

  When the dust collection container 102 is removed from the second dust collection container 28, the first filter unit 103 and the dust trapping cup 105 come out of the dust collection container 102 along with the second centrifugal separation unit 93.

  The second centrifugal separator 93 separates fine dust from the dust-containing air that passes through the first centrifugal separator 92. The second centrifugal separation unit 93 includes a relay air passage 123 that guides the air that has passed through the first centrifugal separation chamber 101, a second centrifugal separation chamber 125 that separates fine dust from the air flowing from the relay air passage 123, and fine dust. And an exhaust air passage 95 for guiding the air flowing out from the second centrifugal chamber 125 to the second electric blower 29 after being decomposed.

  The second centrifugal separator 93 is detachably connected to the dust container 102 and closes the open end 102 a of the dust container 102. Further, the second centrifugal separation unit 93 supports the first filter unit 103 and the dust capturing cup 105 on the center line C of the dust collecting container 102.

  The second separation unit upper cover 97 corresponding to the outer shell of the second centrifugal separation unit 93 has a cylindrical shape. A plurality of second centrifuge chambers 125 are arranged in a ring shape inside the second separation unit upper cover 97. An annular relay air passage 123 is arranged inside the plurality of second centrifugal separation chambers 125 arranged in an annular shape. Further, an exhaust air passage 95 is disposed inside the annular relay air passage 123 on the extended line of the center line C of the dust collecting container 102 or in the central portion of the cylindrical second centrifugal separator 93. . In other words, in the second centrifugal separator 93, the second centrifugal chamber 125, the annular relay air passage 123, and the exhaust air passage 95 that are annularly arranged are arranged in order from the second separation portion upper cover 97 side. It is a heavy structure.

  The relay air passage 123 guides the air (dust-containing air) flowing in from the first filter unit 103 in a direction away from the dust collecting container 102 and guides it to the second centrifugal separation chamber 125.

  There are a plurality of second centrifugal separation chambers 125, which are arranged in a substantially annular shape along the inner periphery of the cylindrical second separation portion upper cover 97 or surrounding the relay air passage 123. Each of the second centrifuge chambers 125 includes a cylindrical wall 126 that generates a swirl flow and a frustoconical wall 127 that generates a spiral flow.

  Cylindrical wall 126 and frustoconical wall 127 have centerlines that are substantially collinear. This center line, that is, the center line of the second centrifuge chamber 125 is arranged in parallel to the center line C of the cylindrical second dust collecting container 28. The center line of the second centrifuge chamber 125 may be inclined radially so as to draw a conical surface that gathers on the first centrifuge unit 92 side and expands in the second centrifuge unit 93. Further, when viewed in the entirety of the plurality of second centrifuge chambers 125, the center lines of the cylindrical wall 126 and the truncated cone-shaped wall 127 are arranged in a circle around the center line C of the second dust collecting container 28.

  The frustoconical wall 127 has an upper base having a large diameter and a lower base having a smaller diameter than the upper base. The upper base of the truncated cone-shaped wall 127 is disposed on the side far from the first centrifugal separator 92, and the lower base is disposed on the side near the first centrifugal separator 92. The cylindrical wall 126 has substantially the same diameter as the upper base of the frustoconical wall 127 and is connected to the upper base of the frustoconical wall 127.

  The cylindrical wall 126 is disposed on the side farther from the first centrifuge 92 than the truncated cone-shaped wall 127. A dust-containing air inlet 128 is provided on the side wall of the cylindrical wall 126. The introduction port 128 is a side surface of the cylindrical wall 126, is disposed on the center side of the second dust collecting container 28, and is connected to the relay air passage 123.

  In addition, the cylindrical wall 126 has a bottom plate at a portion farthest from the first centrifugal separator 92. The bottom plate of the frustoconical wall 127 is provided with a tubular inner cylinder 139 extending along the center line in the cylindrical wall 126. Inside the inner cylinder 139 is an exhaust port 131 that exhausts clean air separated from the dust-containing air in the second centrifuge chamber 125. The exhaust port 131 is connected to the exhaust air passage 95. The outside of the inner cylinder 139 faces the introduction port 128. The annular space that separates the inner cylinder 139 and the cylindrical wall 126 swirls the flow of dust-containing air that flows from the inlet 128.

  Further, the cylindrical wall 126 is open at a position closest to the first centrifugal separator 92 and is connected to the opening at the upper bottom of the truncated cone-shaped wall 127.

  The frustoconical wall 127 is reduced in diameter toward the first centrifugal separator 92. The upper base of the frustoconical wall 127 has an opening connected to the cylindrical wall 126, and a swirl flow generated between the cylindrical wall 126 and the inner cylinder 139 is introduced into the frustoconical wall 127. A spiral flow is generated. The bottom bottom of the truncated cone-shaped wall 127 has a disposal port 132 connected to the dust collecting container 102.

  The second centrifuge chamber 125 introduces dust-containing air from the inlet 128. The dust-containing air flowing into the second centrifuge chamber 125 from the inlet port 128 swirls along the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 126 and generates a spiral spiral flow toward the waste port 132 along the inner surface of the frustoconical wall 127. Separating fine dust from the air. The separated fine dust is discharged from the disposal port 132 to the dust collecting container 102 side. The clean air from which the dust has been separated flows on the center line of the second centrifuge chamber 125, that is, the center lines of the cylindrical wall 126 and the truncated cone wall 127, passes through the inner cylinder 139, and is exhausted from the exhaust port 131. It flows out to the air passage 95.

  A dust trap umbrella 135 is provided at the tip of the disposal port 132 of the second centrifuge chamber 125. The dust trap umbrella 135 is provided at the base of the first filter unit 103 so as to serve as a partition wall that partitions the first centrifuge unit 92 and the second centrifuge unit 93. The outer diameter of the dust trap umbrella 135 is smaller than that of the second centrifuge unit 93 and larger than that of the first filter unit 103. The dust trap umbrella 135 has one surface 135a for guiding fine dust discharged from the disposal port 132 of the second centrifuge chamber 125 to the dust collection container 102 and the other surface 135b that extends and inclines toward the dust collection container 102. And having.

  In addition, the dust trap umbrella 135 abuts against the inclined portion 112 of the dust container 102 and closes the dust container 102. The large-diameter portion 111, the inclined portion 112, and the dust trap umbrella 135 of the dust collection container 102 partition the fine dust collection chamber 136 that accumulates dust discharged from the second centrifugal separation chamber 125. The fine dust collecting chamber 136 is sandwiched between the inner surface of the large-diameter portion 111, the inclined surface of the inclined portion 112, and one surface 135a of the dust trapping umbrella 135, that is, as the second dust collecting chamber 136 moves away from the second centrifugal separation chamber 125, This is a substantially wedge-shaped space that becomes narrower as the distance from the waste outlet 132 of the centrifuge chamber 125 increases.

  The other surface 135 b of the dust trapping umbrella 135 is larger in diameter than the first filter portion 103 and the dust trapping cup 105 and is expanded toward the first filter portion 103 and the dust trapping cup 105.

  The exhaust air passage 95 is reduced in diameter from the outermost peripheral portion connected to the exhaust port 131 so as to cover the second centrifugal separation chamber 125 and toward the center of the second centrifugal separation portion 93, and the dust collecting container 102. Enters the center of the relay air passage 123 on the center line C. The exhaust air passage 95 extends in a direction intersecting with an extension line of the center line C of the dust collection container 102 (center line of the second dust collection container 28) from a portion surrounded by the plurality of second centrifugal separation chambers 125. It bends and reaches the second exhaust port 137 provided on the side wall of the second centrifugal separator 93. The exhaust air passage 95 is a portion farthest from the first centrifuge 92 and includes a recess 138 that is recessed toward the first centrifuge 92 at a portion adjacent to the top cover 96. The exhaust air passage 95 is once directed to the first centrifugal separator 92 by the recess 138 while concentrating the air flowing out from the exhaust port 131 of the second centrifugal chamber 125 toward the center of the second dust collecting container 28. Then, the flow direction is changed at a substantially right angle, and the air is exhausted to the second exhaust port 137. The second exhaust port 137 is connected to the downstream air duct 62.

  The exhaust air passage 95 is provided with a filter 139 such as a HEPA filter or a pleat filter.

  When the autonomous cleaning unit 2 returns to the home position of the station unit 5, the charging terminal 47 of the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3 of the station unit 5. At this time, the dust transfer tube 22 of the station unit 5 is connected to the connecting portion 39 of the first dust collecting container 12. Thereafter, the station unit 5 drives the second electric blower 29 to suck in air and moves the dust from the first dust collecting container 12 to the second dust collecting container 28. The second dust collecting container 28 separates coarse coarse dust from the air by the first centrifugal separator 92 and accumulates it in the dust collecting chamber 107. The second dust collecting container 28 separates fine dust from the air that has passed through the first centrifugal separator 92 by the second centrifugal separator 93 and accumulates the fine dust in the fine dust collecting chamber 136.

  Further, the station unit 5 can be used for direct commands, mops, brooms, and floor cleaning tools for the second suction port 26 regardless of whether the autonomous cleaning unit 2 has returned to the home position or not. The second electric blower 29 is operated by the action of a sensor (not shown) that senses that it is approaching itself. The negative pressure generated by the operation of the second electric blower 29 acts on the second suction port 26 of the station unit 5 through the second dust collecting container 28 and sucks dust from the second suction port 26. Dust sucked from the second suction port 26 adheres to means other than the autonomous cleaning unit 2, for example, dust collected by a mop, broom, or floor cleaning tool, or mop, broom, or floor cleaning tool itself. Dust.

  FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are longitudinal cross-sectional views showing a connecting portion of the autonomous cleaning unit and the station unit of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  14 and 15 show a state in which the autonomous cleaning unit 2 approaches the position where it is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3, that is, the homing position. Further, when the autonomous cleaning unit 2 moves away from the station unit 5, the situation is reversed from FIG. 15 to FIG. 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the first dust collecting container 12 of the autonomous cleaning unit 2 according to this embodiment is detachably provided in the first main body case 11 and is collected by the autonomous cleaning unit 2. A container body 38 for accumulating dust, a connecting part 39 exposed from the dust container port 37 when attached to the first body case 11, and a disposal port provided at the connecting part 39 for discarding dust in the container body 38 41 and a disposal lid 42 that opens and closes the disposal port 41.

  The connecting portion 39 is integrally formed with the container main body 38. The connecting portion 39 protrudes in a rounded rectangular shape corresponding to the dust container opening 37. When the first dust collecting container 12 is attached to the first main body case 11, the connecting portion 39 fits into the dust container opening 37. The connecting portion 39 has an outer peripheral edge that is flush with the outer surface of the first main body case 11, and has a recessed portion at the peripheral edge of the disposal port 41. A disposal port 41 is disposed in the center of the recessed portion. A disposal lid 42 is disposed in the recessed portion.

  In addition, the connection part 39 may be arrange | positioned in the location which faces the dust container port 37 in the state in which the 1st dust container 12 was attached to the 1st main body case 11. FIG. In this case, the connecting portion 39 is disposed inside the first main body case 11 at a place where it can be seen from the dust container port 37. The dust transfer tube 22 preferably has a protruding length that can reach the connecting portion 39 through the dust container port 37.

  The disposal port 41 is opened downward of the autonomous cleaning unit 2 in a state where the first dust collecting container 12 is attached to the first main body case 11.

  The disposal port 41 is disposed closer to the station unit 5 than the center of the autonomous cleaning unit 2 in the position (homing position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3. That is, the disposal port 41 approaches the dust collection unit 21 of the station unit 5 when the autonomous cleaning unit 2 moves backward and approaches the station unit 5 and rides the pair of drive wheels 45 on the base 19 of the station unit 5.

  The disposal lid 42 is exposed to the external appearance of the autonomous cleaning unit 2 and is flush with the outer surface of the first main body case 11. The disposal lid 42 includes a lever receiver 141 that hooks the lever 23 of the station unit 5. The disposal lid 42 may also be disposed at a location facing the dust container port 37 in a state of being attached to the first main body case 11 like the connecting portion 39. In this case, the disposal lid 42 is disposed inside the first main body case 11 and in a place where it can be seen from the dust container port 37.

  On the other hand, the lever 23 of the station unit 5 according to the present embodiment is attached to the disposal lid 42 of the autonomous cleaning unit 2 on the way to the position (homing position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3. When the autonomous cleaning unit 2 reaches the position where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3 (homing position), the disposal lid 42 is opened to fluidly connect the disposal port 41 and the dust transfer pipe 22 (FIG. 15). ).

  The waste cover 42 of the autonomous cleaning unit 2 and the lever 23 of the station unit 5 swing around a rotation center line C3 that intersects the direction toward the position where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3. To do. The rotation center line C4 of the disposal lid 42 and the rotation center line C3 of the lever 23 are orthogonal to the direction toward the position (home position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3. It is desirable.

  The rotation center line C3 of the lever 23 indicates that the autonomous cleaning unit 2 in the opening edge portion of the dust transfer tube 22 has a direction toward the position (homing position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3. It is arranged at the edge that reaches first, that is, the front end of the opening edge of the dust transfer tube 22.

  The rotation center line C3 of the lever 23 is supported so as to be movable in a direction toward a position (homing position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3. That is, the hook 65 moves the rotation center line C3 of the lever 23 in the direction toward the position (homing position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3. The lever receiver 141 can be hooked without being affected by variations in position accuracy in homing control.

  Furthermore, the rotation center line C3 of the lever 23 is an autonomous cleaning unit of the opening edge of the dust transfer tube 22 in the direction toward the position (homing position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3. 2 is covered by a shaft cover 142 provided at the edge where it first reaches, that is, the front end of the opening edge of the dust transfer tube 22.

  The rotation center line C4 of the waste lid 42 is disposed on the far side of the waste lid 42 in the direction toward the position (home position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3. Further, the rotation center line C4 of the disposal lid 42 is disposed farther than the lever receiver 141 in the direction toward the position (home position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3. Further, the rotation center line C4 of the disposal lid 42 is in contact with or away from the disposal port 41 of the disposal lid 42 in the direction toward the position (homing position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3. The lid body 143 is arranged on the far side.

  By disposing the rotation center line C3 of the lever 23 and the rotation center line C4 of the waste lid 42, the waste lid 42 guides dust from the container body 38 of the autonomous cleaning unit 2 to the dust transfer tube 22 when opened by the lever 23. An inclined surface is formed (FIG. 15).

  The waste lid 42 receives the spring force of the coil spring 145 in the closing direction. The disposal lid 42 is opened when the propulsive force toward the position (home position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3 exceeds the spring force of the coil spring 145. When the waste lid 42 is opened by the lever 23, the coil spring 145 is crushed and accumulates energy. On the other hand, when the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is detached from the station unit 5 and the lever 23 comes out from the lever receiver 141, the energy is released. Then, the waste lid 42 is closed.

  The lever 23 receives a spring force of a coil spring (not shown) in a direction to stand (FIG. 14). The lever 23 is pushed down when the propulsive force toward the position (home position) where the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrode 3 exceeds the spring force of the coil spring. When the waste lid 42 is opened by the lever 23, the coil spring is crushed and accumulates energy. On the other hand, when the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is detached from the station unit 5 and the lever 23 comes out from the lever receiver 141, the coil spring releases energy. To raise the lever 23.

  The vacuum cleaners 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, and 1 </ b> C according to the present embodiment configured as described above are provided with the dividing wall 75 that divides the air passage in the width direction, so that the negative in the vicinity of the outside of the second suction port 26. The pressure non-uniformity can be reduced, and dust collected by the cleaning tool and dust adhering to the cleaning tool can be efficiently sucked in the entire opening width of the second suction port 26.

  Further, the electric vacuum cleaners 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, and 1 </ b> C according to the present embodiment include a plurality of dividing walls 75 and sweeps with a cleaning tool by equalizing the negative pressure in the vicinity of the outside of the second suction port 26. The collected dust and the dust adhering to the cleaning tool can be sucked more efficiently and reliably over the entire opening width of the second suction port 26.

  Furthermore, the vacuum cleaners 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, and 1 </ b> C according to the present embodiment divide the suction chamber 66 by a plurality of dividing walls 75, and are located closer to the center than the pressure loss of the divided air passages 77 a and 77 c on the end side. By increasing the pressure loss of the divided air passage 77b, the dust collected by the cleaning tool and the dust adhering to the cleaning tool are more efficiently and reliably distributed over the entire opening width of the second suction port 26. Can be inhaled.

  Furthermore, the electric vacuum cleaners 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, and 1 </ b> C according to the present embodiment have the air passage cross-sectional areas AaOut and AcOut of the divided air passages 77 a and 77 c on the end side at the outflow side end 66 b of the suction chamber 66. By setting it larger than the air passage cross-sectional area AbOut of the divided air passage 77b on the center side, dust collected by the cleaning tool and dust adhering to the cleaning tool are more spread over the entire opening width of the second suction port 26. Efficient and reliable inhalation.

  Further, the electric vacuum cleaners 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C according to the present embodiment are configured so that the air passage cross-sectional area ratio at the outflow side end portion 66b of the plurality of divided air passages 77a, 77b, and 77c and the wind at the inflow side end portion 66a. Since the road cross-sectional area ratio is set to be substantially the same, the shape of the divided air passages 77a, 77b, 77c is simplified, the suction chamber 66 can be divided by the linear dividing wall 75, and the prediction accuracy of analysis and the like Can be increased.

  Furthermore, the vacuum cleaners 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, and 1 </ b> C according to the present embodiment draw in suction by biasing the outflow side end 66 b of the suction chamber 66 to either side of the center of the second suction port 26. The degree of freedom in the arrangement of the air path from the chamber 66 to the second dust collecting container 28 can be increased.

  Furthermore, in the electric vacuum cleaner 1B according to the present embodiment, the air passage sectional area AcOut of the other divided air passage 77c is set larger than the air passage sectional area AaOut of the one divided air passage 77a. Accordingly, even in the suction chamber 66 in which the outflow side end portion 66b is biased to either side of the center of the second suction port 26, more efficiently in the entire opening width of the second suction port 26, and Suction negative pressure can be applied reliably.

  Further, the vacuum cleaners 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, and 1 </ b> C according to the present embodiment set the air path height of the inflow side end portion 66 a to be lower than the outflow side end portion 66 b of the suction chamber 66. A decrease in suction negative pressure in the second suction port 26 wider than the end portion 66b can be suppressed. Further, the vacuum cleaners 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C pass through the second suction port 26 by setting the air path height of the inflow side end portion 66a lower than the outflow side end portion 66b of the suction chamber 66. Therefore, it is possible to prevent clogging of dust in the size of the suction chamber 66 and maintain the suction performance.

  Furthermore, the vacuum cleaners 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, and 1 </ b> C according to the present embodiment have a simple configuration by including the rib 68 that makes the opening height of the second suction port 26 lower than the height of the suction chamber 66. A decrease in the suction negative pressure in the second suction port 26 wider than the outflow side end 66b can be suppressed. Further, the electric vacuum cleaners 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, and 1 </ b> C have a rib 68 that makes the opening height of the second suction port 26 lower than the height of the suction chamber 66, thereby passing the second suction port 26. This prevents the dust from being clogged in the suction chamber 66 and maintains the suction performance.

  Furthermore, the electric vacuum cleaners 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, and 1 </ b> C according to the present embodiment include the rising air duct 67 so that the opening has a corresponding opening width below the second dust collecting container 28 with respect to the cleaning tool. The second suction port 26 can be secured.

  Furthermore, since the vacuum cleaners 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C according to the present embodiment can be applied to the station unit 5 of the autonomous cleaning unit 2, when it is desired to locally clean a part of the living room, For example, when cleaning dust such as confectionery scraps spilled by a child, the room is locally cleaned with a means other than the autonomous cleaning unit 2, such as a mop, broom, or floor cleaning tool. Dust can be swept up in units of several tens of seconds to several minutes and immediately sucked and accumulated from the second suction port 26. On the other hand, when the room is absent in time units, the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is operated autonomously. In addition, the entire living room is cleaned, and the dust collected by the autonomous cleaning unit 2 is transferred to the station unit 5, so that it is possible to save the trouble of throwing away the dust for a long period of time.

  Therefore, according to the electric vacuum cleaners 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C according to the present embodiment, the suction force acts substantially uniformly over the opening width of the second suction port 26, and the dust of the cleaning tool is efficiently collected. Can be removed.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electric vacuum cleaner, 2 ... Autonomous cleaning unit, 3 ... Charging electrode, 5 ... Station unit, 5a ... Back surface, 11 ... First main body case, 11a ... Bottom surface, 12 ... First dust collecting container, 13 ... First Electric blower, 15 ... moving part, 16 ... driving part, 17 ... robot control part, 18 ... secondary battery, 19 ... pedestal, 21 ... dust collecting part, 22 ... dust transfer pipe, 23 ... lever, 25 ... power cord, 26 ... second suction port, 27 ... second body case, 27a ... wall surface, 28 ... second dust collecting container, 29 ... second electric blower, 31 ... center brush, 32 ... center brush drive, 33 ... side brush 35 ... side brush drive unit, 36 ... first suction port, 37 ... dust container port, 38 ... container body, 39 ... connecting part, 41 ... waste port, 42 ... waste lid, 45 ... drive wheel, 46 ... swivel Ring, 47 ... charging terminal, 48 ... brush base 49 ... Linear cleaning body, 51 ... High floor portion, 52 ... Low floor portion, 53 ... Running surface, 56 ... Recessed portion, 57 ... Home return detection detection portion, 58 ... First sensor portion, 59 ... Second sensor portion , 61 ... Suction air passage, 62 ... Downstream air passage pipe, 63 ... Air passage switching mechanism, 65 ... Hook, 66, 66A, 66B, 66C ... Suction chamber, 66a ... Inflow side end, 66b ... Outflow side end, 67 ... Rising air duct, 67a ... Lower end, 67b ... Upper end, 68 ... Rib, 69 ... Inclined surface, 75, 75A, 75a, 75b ... Split wall, 77a, 75b, 77c ... Split air path, 78 ... No. One wall surface, 79 ... second wall surface, 81 ... first opening, 82 ... second opening, 83 ... boundary wall, 85 ... open / close valve, 86 ... gap, 91 ... centrifugation part, 92 ... first centrifuge part 93 ... Second centrifugal separator, 95 ... Exhaust air passage, 96 ... Top cover, 97 ... Second separator upper cover DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... 1st centrifuge chamber 102 ... Dust collection container, 102a ... Open end, 103 ... 1st filter part, 105 ... Dust collection cup, 107 ... Dust collection chamber, 108 ... Inlet, 111 ... Large diameter part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 112 ... Inclined part, 113 ... Small diameter part, 117 ... Frame, 118 ... First mesh filter, 121 ... Opening, 122 ... Second mesh filter, 123 ... Relay air passage, 125 ... Second centrifuge chamber, 126 ... Cylindrical Shape wall, 127 ... frustoconical wall, 128 ... introduction port, 139 ... inner cylinder, 131 ... exhaust port, 132 ... waste port, 135 ... dust trap, 135a ... one surface, 135b ... other surface, 136 ... Fine dust collecting chamber, 137, second exhaust port, 138, recess, 139, filter, 141, lever receiver, 142, shaft cover, 143, lid body, 145, coil spring.

Claims (11)

A body case having a suction port having a width along the installation surface and a height in the normal direction of the installation surface;
An inflow side end provided in the main body case and connected to the suction port; and an air passage having an outflow side end narrower than the suction port;
A dust collecting container fluidly connected to the inlet through the air passage;
An electric blower that applies a negative pressure to the suction port via the dust collecting container and the air passage;
A vacuum cleaner comprising: a dividing wall that divides the air passage in the width direction. The electric cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of the dividing walls, and the negative pressure in the vicinity of the outside of the suction port is substantially equalized. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of the dividing walls, and the pressure loss of the central divided air passage is higher than the pressure loss of the divided air passage on the end side. 2. The air passage cross-sectional area of the split air passage on the end side is larger than the air passage cross-sectional area of the split air passage on the center side at the outflow side end of the air passage. Electric vacuum cleaner. 5. The air passage cross-sectional area ratio at the outflow side end portion and the air passage cross-sectional area ratio at the inflow side end portion of the plurality of divided air passages divided by the dividing wall are substantially the same. The electric vacuum cleaner of Claim 1. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an outflow side end portion of the air passage is biased to either side of a center of the suction port in a width direction of the suction port. A plurality of the dividing walls are provided, and at the end portion on the outflow side of the air passage, the air passage cross-sectional area of the air passage on the other end side is larger than the air passage cross-sectional area of the air passage on one end side. The electric vacuum cleaner of any one of 1 to 6. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the air passage has a lower air passage height at the inflow side end than at the outflow side end. An inclined surface that continues to the bottom of the suction port and goes down toward the installation surface;
The vacuum cleaner of any one of Claim 1 to 8 provided with the rib which makes the opening height of the said suction inlet lower than the height of the said air path. The dust container is disposed above the air passage;
The outflow side end and the inflow side end of the air passage are arranged across the dust collecting container in a plan view,
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rising air duct pipe connected to an outflow side end of the air passage, rising upward along the dust collecting container, and fluidly connecting the air passage and the dust collecting container. The electric vacuum cleaner of any one of Claims. An autonomous cleaning unit that autonomously moves and collects dust,
The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a relay air passage that detachably connects the autonomous cleaning unit and the dust collecting container.

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