JP2019025146A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

To propose a vacuum cleaner that can store a movable handle in a position so as to refrain from interfering even when a cleaner body is raised vertically or inverted.SOLUTION: A vacuum cleaner includes: a body case 11 having a handle storage recess part 11a; a body handle 14 movable between a storage position that is provided in the body case 11 and entering the handle storage recess part 11a and a use position detached from the handle storage recess part 11a; and a handle retention mechanism 61 for retaining the body handle 14 positioned in the storage position to the handle storage recess part 11a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

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

  There is known a canister type electric vacuum cleaner having a rotatable main body handle at a front end portion of a vacuum cleaner main body.

JP 2014-204773 A

  By the way, when the vacuum cleaner body is stood up and stored, or when the vacuum cleaner body is inverted (turned over and turned over) with respect to the wheels that support the vacuum cleaner body, the handle of the vacuum cleaner body may hang down. May interfere with storage or hinder travel.

  Therefore, the present invention proposes an electric vacuum cleaner that can store a movable handle in a position that does not get in the way even when the main body of the vacuum cleaner is erected or inverted.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body case having a handle storing recess, a storing position provided in the main body case and entering the handle storing recess, and the handle storing recess. A handle movable between the detached use position and a handle holding mechanism for holding the handle in the storage position in the handle storage recess.

The perspective view which shows the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and a station. The perspective view which shows the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and a station. The perspective view of the state which pulled out the main body handle of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the handle holding mechanism of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the handle holding mechanism of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the handle holding mechanism of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  An embodiment of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

  1 and 2 are perspective views showing a vacuum cleaner and a station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment can be connected to and stored in a stationary station 2 (FIG. 1) while being separated from the station 2. It can be used (FIG. 2).

  FIG. 1 shows a form in which the vacuum cleaner 1 is connected to the station 2. This form is called the storage form of the vacuum cleaner 1. FIG. 2 shows a form in which the vacuum cleaner 1 is separated from the station 2. This form is called a usage pattern of the vacuum cleaner 1.

  The vacuum cleaner 1 is a so-called cordless type. The vacuum cleaner 1 is a so-called canister type, but is not limited thereto, and may be an upright type, a stick type, or a handy type.

  The station 2 has both a charging function of the vacuum cleaner 1 and a function of collecting and accumulating dust collected by the vacuum cleaner 1. Station 2 is arranged at an appropriate location in the room.

  The user disconnects the vacuum cleaner body 7 of the vacuum cleaner 1 connected to the station 2 from the station 2 (FIG. 2), runs the vacuum cleaner 1 on the surface to be cleaned of the living room, or manually operates the vacuum cleaner 1. Move it to clean the surface to be cleaned. Thereafter, the user returns (connects) the vacuum cleaner body 7 to the station 2 and stores it (FIG. 1). When the cleaner body 7 is connected, the station 2 charges the cleaner body 7 while collecting the dust accumulated in the vacuum cleaner 1 in a timely manner. That is, each time the vacuum cleaner 1 used for cleaning is connected, the station 2 collects the dust collected by the vacuum cleaner 1 and empties the vacuum cleaner 1.

  Note that the frequency of collecting dust from the vacuum cleaner 1 to the station 2 may not be every time the vacuum cleaner 1 is connected to the station 2. The frequency of collecting dust is the number of times dust is collected every week on the assumption that the vacuum cleaner 1 is used once a day, for example, every time the vacuum cleaner 1 is connected to the station 2 multiple times, that is, every 7 times. It may be.

  The electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes a cleaner body 7 that can travel on a surface to be cleaned, and a pipe portion 8 that is detachable from the cleaner body 7. The tube portion 8 is fluidly connected to the cleaner body 7.

  The vacuum cleaner main body 7 is provided in the main body case 11, a pair of wheels 12 provided on the left and right sides of the main body case 11, a primary dust container 13 detachably attached to the main body case 11, and the main body case 11. Main body handle 14, primary electric blower 15 accommodated in main body case 11, cleaner control unit 16 that mainly controls primary electric blower 15, and secondary battery 17 that stores electric power supplied to primary electric blower 15. And.

  The vacuum cleaner body 7 drives the primary electric blower 15 with the electric power stored in the secondary battery 17. The vacuum cleaner body 7 causes the negative pressure generated by the primary electric blower 15 to act on the pipe portion 8. The vacuum cleaner 1 sucks in air containing dust (hereinafter referred to as “dusty air”) from the surface to be cleaned through the pipe portion 8, separates the dust from the dusty air, and collects the separated dust. , Accumulate and exhaust the clean air after separating the dust.

  A main body connection port 18 corresponding to the suction port of the cleaner body 7 is provided in the front portion of the main body case 11. The main body connection port 18 is a joint to which the pipe portion 8 can be attached and detached. The main body connection port 18 fluidly connects the pipe portion 8 and the primary dust container 13. In addition, the main body connection port 18 may be provided on the side surface or the top surface other than the front portion of the main body case 11.

  The vacuum cleaner main body 7 according to the present embodiment is connected to the station 2 in a posture in which the front surface of the main body case 11 faces upward. The posture with the front surface of the main body case 11 facing upward is referred to as the storage posture of the cleaner body 7 or the storage posture of the electric vacuum cleaner 1. The vacuum cleaner body 7 is lowered (lowered) from above and connected to the station 2. The vacuum cleaner main body 7 connected to the station 2 is pulled up (raised) and leaves the station 2. The posture with the main body connection port 18 facing upward is also referred to as the standing posture of the cleaner body 7.

  And in the usage form of the vacuum cleaner 1, the vacuum cleaner main body 7 has turned the front of the main body case 11 to the advancing direction, ie, the advancing direction. In this way, the posture in which the surface of the surface to be cleaned can be moved is referred to as the usage posture of the cleaner body 7 (FIG. 2). The vacuum cleaner main body 7 in the use posture supports the main body case 11 by running the wheels 12 on the surface to be cleaned.

  The wheel 12 supports the cleaner body 7 so that it can run. The cleaner body 7 is supported by casters (not shown) in addition to the pair of wheels 12.

  The primary dust container 13 accumulates dust sucked into the electric vacuum cleaner 1. The primary dust container 13 separates, collects, and accumulates dust from the dust-containing air flowing into the cleaner body 7, and sends clean air from which dust has been removed to the primary electric blower 15.

  The main body handle 14 is used when carrying the cleaner main body 7. The main body handle 14 is bridged in an arch shape in the width direction of the main body case 11.

  The primary electric blower 15 sucks air from the primary dust container 13 and generates negative pressure (suction negative pressure).

  The cleaner control unit 16 includes a microprocessor (not shown) and a storage device (not shown) that stores various calculation programs, parameters, and the like executed by the microprocessor. The storage device stores various settings (arguments) related to a plurality of preset operation modes. The plurality of operation modes are associated with the output of the primary electric blower 15. Different operation values (input values of the primary electric blower 15 and current values flowing through the primary electric blower 15) are set in the respective operation modes. Each operation mode is associated with an input accepted by the pipe section 8. The vacuum cleaner control unit 16 selectively selects an arbitrary operation mode corresponding to the input to the pipe unit 8 from a plurality of preset operation modes, reads it from the storage unit, and sets the read operation mode. Therefore, the primary electric blower 15 is operated.

  The secondary battery 17 supplies power to the primary electric blower 15 and the cleaner control unit 16. The secondary battery 17 is electrically connected to a pair of charging electrodes 19 provided in the cleaner body 7.

  The tube portion 8 sucks dust-containing air from the surface to be cleaned by the negative pressure acting from the cleaner body 7 and guides it to the cleaner body 7. The pipe portion 8 includes a connection pipe 21 as a joint that can be attached to and detached from the cleaner body 7, a dust collection hose 22 that is fluidly connected to the connection pipe 21, and a hand operation that is fluidly connected to the dust collection hose 22. A tube 23, a grip portion 25 protruding from the hand operation tube 23, an operation portion 26 provided in the grip portion 25, an extension tube 27 detachably connected to the hand operation tube 23, and a detachable attachment to the extension tube 27 A suction port body 28 to be connected.

  The connection pipe 21 is a joint that can be attached to and detached from the main body connection port 18. The connection pipe 21 is fluidly connected to the primary dust container 13 through the main body connection port 18.

  The dust collection hose 22 is a long and flexible substantially cylindrical hose. One end of the dust collection hose 22 (here, the rear end) is fluidly connected to the connection pipe 21. The dust collection hose 22 is fluidly connected to the primary dust container 13 through the connection pipe 21.

  The hand operation tube 23 relays the dust collection hose 22 and the extension tube 27. One end portion (here, the rear end portion) of the hand operation tube 23 is fluidly connected to the other end portion (here, the front end portion) of the dust collecting hose 22. The hand operation tube 23 is fluidly connected to the primary dust container 13 through the dust collection hose 22 and the connection tube 21.

  The grip portion 25 is a portion that the user grips with his / her hand to operate the vacuum cleaner 1. The grip portion 25 protrudes from the hand operation tube 23 in an appropriate shape that can be easily gripped by the user.

  The operation unit 26 includes a switch associated with each operation mode. For example, the operation unit 26 supplies power to the stop switch 26 a associated with the operation stop operation of the primary electric blower 15, the start switch 26 b associated with the operation start operation of the primary electric blower 15, and the suction port body 28. And a corresponding brush switch 26c. The stop switch 26 a and the start switch 26 b are electrically connected to the cleaner control unit 16. The user of the vacuum cleaner 1 can alternatively select the operation mode of the primary electric blower 15 by operating the operation unit 26. The start switch 26 b also functions as an operation mode selection switch during the operation of the primary electric blower 15. The vacuum cleaner control unit 16 switches the operation mode in the order of strong → medium → weak → strong → medium → weak →... Every time an operation signal is received from the activation switch 26b. Note that the operation unit 26 may include a strong operation switch (not shown), a medium operation switch (not shown), and a weak operation switch (not shown) instead of the start switch 26b.

  The telescopic structure extension tube 27 in which a plurality of cylinders are superposed is extendable and contractible. One end portion (here, the rear end portion) of the extension pipe 27 is provided with a detachable joint at the other end portion (here, the front end portion) of the hand operation tube 23. The extension pipe 27 is fluidly connected to the primary dust container 13 through the hand operation pipe 23, the dust collection hose 22 and the connection pipe 21.

  The suction port body 28 can travel or slide on a surface to be cleaned such as a wooden floor or a carpet, and has a suction port 31 on the bottom surface facing the surface to be cleaned in the traveling state or the sliding state. The suction port body 28 includes a rotatable rotary cleaning body 32 disposed in the suction port 31 and an electric motor 33 that drives the rotary cleaning body 32. One end portion (here, the rear end portion) of the suction port body 28 is provided with a detachable joint at the other end portion (here, the front end portion) of the extension pipe 27. The suction port body 28 is fluidly connected to the primary dust container 13 through the extension pipe 27, the hand operation pipe 23, the dust collection hose 22, and the connection pipe 21. That is, the suction port body 28, the extension tube 27, the hand operation tube 23, the dust collection hose 22, the connection tube 21, and the primary dust container 13 are suction air paths from the suction port 31 to the primary electric blower 15. The electric motor 33 alternately repeats start and stop of operation every time an operation signal is received from the brush switch 26c.

  The vacuum cleaner 1 starts the primary electric blower 15 when the start switch 26b is operated. For example, in the vacuum cleaner 1, when the start switch 26b is operated in a state where the primary electric blower 15 is stopped, the primary electric blower 15 is first started in the strong operation mode, and then the start switch 26b is operated again. The primary electric blower 15 is operated in the medium operation mode, and when the start switch 26b is operated three times, the primary electric blower 15 is operated in the weak operation mode, and the same is repeated thereafter. The strong operation mode, the medium operation mode, and the weak operation mode are a plurality of operation modes set in advance. The input value set in the strong operation mode is the largest, and the input value set in the weak operation mode is the smallest. The started primary electric blower 15 sucks air from the primary dust container 13 and creates a negative pressure in the primary dust container 13.

  The negative pressure in the primary dust container 13 acts on the suction port 31 through the main body connection port 18, the connection tube 21, the dust collection hose 22, the hand operation tube 23, the extension tube 27, and the suction port body 28 in order. The vacuum cleaner 1 sucks dust on the surface to be cleaned together with air by the negative pressure acting on the suction port 31. The primary dust container 13 separates, collects and accumulates dust from the sucked dust-containing air, and sends the air separated from the dust-containing air to the primary electric blower 15. The primary electric blower 15 exhausts the air sucked from the primary dust container 13 to the outside of the cleaner body 7.

  The station 2 is installed at an arbitrary location on the surface to be cleaned. The station 2 includes a pedestal 41 to which the cleaner body 7 can be connected, and a dust collecting unit 42 provided integrally with the pedestal 41. Further, the station 2 includes a dust transfer pipe 43 connected to the primary dust container 13 of the vacuum cleaner 1 in the storage form of the vacuum cleaner 1.

  The pedestal 41 has a width dimension comparable to that of the dust collection part 42, and projects to the front side of the dust collection part 42 and expands into a rectangular shape. The pedestal 41 has a shape and dimensions that can accommodate the cleaner body 7 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 in plan view.

  The pedestal 41 includes a charging terminal 45 that can be connected to the cleaner body 7. When the vacuum cleaner 1 is connected to the station 2, the charging terminal 45 contacts the charging electrode 19 of the cleaner body 17 and is electrically connected.

  The pedestal 41 has a bulging portion 46 arranged so as to snuggle up to the side surface of the cleaner body 7 in the storage form of the electric vacuum cleaner 1.

  The dust collection unit 42 is disposed behind the pedestal 41. The dust collecting unit 42 is a box having an appropriate shape that can be placed on the surface to be cleaned integrally with the pedestal 41. The dust collection part 42 extends upward from the pedestal 41. The dust collection part 42 has an appropriate shape that does not interfere with the cleaner body 7 connected to the pedestal 41.

  The dust collection unit 42 collects dust discarded from the primary dust container 13 through the case 47 and the dust transfer pipe 43, and is stored in the dust collection unit 42 and the secondary dust container 48 that accumulates the collected dust. A secondary electric blower 49 fluidly connected to the secondary dust container 48, a station control unit 51 mainly controlling the secondary electric blower 49, and a power cord 52 for leading power from a commercial AC power source to the dust collection unit 42 It is equipped with.

  The top plate of the case 47 and the base 41 is an integrally molded product of resin.

  The secondary dust container 48 is fluidly connected to the dust transfer pipe 43. The secondary dust container 48 separates, collects, and accumulates dust from the air containing dust flowing in from the dust transfer pipe 43, and sends clean air from which dust has been removed to the secondary electric blower 49. The secondary dust container 48 is detachably mounted on the left side (right side when viewed from the front) of the dust collection unit 42 and is exposed to the appearance of the station 2.

  The secondary electric blower 49 sucks air from the secondary dust container 48 to generate a negative pressure (suction negative pressure), and moves the dust from the primary dust container 13 to the secondary dust container 48. The secondary electric blower 49 is accommodated on the right side (left side as viewed from the front) of the dust collection unit 42.

  The station control unit 51 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 station control unit 51 performs operability control of the secondary electric blower 49 and charging control of the secondary battery 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1.

  The dust transfer tube 43 is connected to the primary dust container 13 in the storage form of the vacuum cleaner 1. The dust transfer tube 43 is an air passage that moves the dust collected by the vacuum cleaner 1 to the secondary dust container 48. When the vacuum cleaner 1 is connected to the station 2, the dust transfer pipe 43 is connected to the primary dust container 13 and fluidly connects the primary dust container 13 and the secondary dust container 48.

  The dust transfer tube 43 is connected to the suction side of the secondary dust container 48. The negative pressure generated by the secondary electric blower 49 acts on the dust transfer pipe 43 via the secondary dust container 48.

  The dust transfer tube 43 has an inlet connected to the primary dust container 13 of the vacuum cleaner 1 and an outlet connected to the secondary dust container 48. The dust transfer pipe 43 extends rearward from the entrance disposed in the base 41 to reach the dust collection unit 42, and is bent upward in the dust collection unit 42 and extends upward to be disposed on the side of the secondary dust container 48. To the exit.

  The charging terminal 45 and the entrance of the dust transfer pipe 43 are provided on the pedestal 41.

  When the vacuum cleaner 1 is connected to the station 2 (returned), the charging electrode 19 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is electrically connected to the charging terminal 45 of the station 2 and the dust transfer tube 43 of the station 2 is Connected to the dust container 13. Thereafter, the station 2 starts charging the secondary battery 17 of the vacuum cleaner 1. Further, the station 2 starts the secondary electric blower 49 in a timely manner. The secondary electric blower 49 that has been started sucks air from the secondary dust container 48 and creates a negative pressure in the secondary dust container 48.

  The negative pressure in the secondary dust container 48 acts on the primary dust container 13 through the dust transfer pipe 43. The station 2 sucks the dust accumulated in the primary dust container 13 together with air by the negative pressure acting on the primary dust container 13. The secondary dust container 48 separates, collects and accumulates dust from the sucked air, and sends the air from which the dust is separated to the secondary electric blower 49. The secondary electric blower 49 exhausts clean air sucked from the secondary dust container 48 out of the station 2.

  The station 2 may be a simple storage base that does not have a function of charging the secondary battery 17 or a function of collecting dust from the primary dust container 13. The station 2 may be a charging stand having only a charging function for the secondary battery 17. Further, the station 2 may be a dust station having only a function of collecting dust from the primary dust container 13.

  Next, the main body handle 14 of the cleaner body 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention with the main body handle pulled out.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the vacuum cleaner body 7 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to this embodiment includes a pair of wheels 12.

  Each wheel 12 is arranged at each of the left and right ends of the cylindrical rear half of the main body case 11 and is concentrically arranged at the cylindrical rear half of the main body case 11. The diameter of the wheel 12 is larger than the height in the vertical direction of the main body case 11 (corresponding to the diameter of the latter half of the cylindrical shape). Further, the wheel 12 covers the rear end portion of the main body case 11 in a side view of the cleaner body 7, that is, in a direction of the rotation center line of the wheel 12. For this reason, the cleaner body 7 can ground the wheel 12 on the surface to be cleaned even when the upper and lower sides (front and back) of the main body case 11 are reversed. The main body case 11 can reverse the upper and lower sides (front and back) of the main body case 11 around the rotation center line of the wheel 12 without causing the rear end portion to interfere with the surface to be cleaned. The vacuum cleaner body 7 is provided with a first auxiliary wheel (not shown) that supports the vacuum cleaner body 7 together with the wheels 12 with the front side (back side) facing upward. The connecting pipe 21 is provided with a second auxiliary wheel (not shown) that supports the cleaner body 7 with the wheels 12 with the back side (abdominal side) facing upward.

  Note that FIG. 3 shows the cleaner body 7 in a posture in which the front side (back side) is directed upward.

  The vacuum cleaner body 7 includes a main body case 11 having a handle housing recess 11a, a storage position (FIG. 2) provided in the main body case 11 and entering the handle storage recess 11a, and a use position removed from the handle storage recess 11a ( 3) and a handle holding mechanism 61 that holds the main handle 14 in the storage position in the handle storage recess 11a.

  The handle housing recess 11 a is provided on the front edge of the back side of the main body case 11. The handle housing recess 11 a extends following the shape of the front edge on the back side of the main body case 11.

  Here, in the use posture (recumbent position) of the vacuum cleaner main body 7, the use posture in which the handle housing recess 11a of the main body case 11 faces upward is referred to as a first use posture (prone position, prone position). The use posture in which the handle housing recess 11a of the main body case 11 is directed downward is referred to as a second use posture (reverse posture, supine position, supine position). In the first posture, the vacuum cleaner main body 7 supports the main body case 11 with a first auxiliary wheel (not shown) together with the wheels 12 with the back side (top) facing upward. In the second posture, the cleaner body 7 supports the body case 11 with a second auxiliary wheel (not shown) that supports the wheel 12 with the abdomen (bottom surface) facing upward.

  The main body handle 14 is bridged in an arch shape between the left and right wheels 12. The main body handle 14 is stored in the handle storage recess 11a of the main body case 11 when not in use (FIG. 2). The main body handle 14 is pulled out from the handle housing recess 11a during use (FIG. 3).

  The main body handle 14 is swingably provided on the main body case 11. The swing center line of the main body handle 14 extends in the width direction (left-right direction) of the cleaner main body 7 or the main body case 11. In other words, the main body handle 14 moves around the swing center line extending in the width direction of the main body case 11 so as to be raised from the handle housing recess 11a.

  The main body handle 14 is adapted to the front edge of the arcuate front half of the main body case 11. The main body handle 14 reaches the rear end of the cleaner body 7 when it is pulled out most.

  In the first use posture in which the main body handle 14 is arranged with the vacuum cleaner main body 7 on a horizontal plane and the handle housing recess 11a is directed upward, the main body handle 14 is substantially behind the vacuum cleaner main body 7 and directly above the cleaner main body 7. Move to.

  The main body handle 14 moves linearly in a direction approaching or moving away from the main body case 11, for example, in a vertical direction in the first use posture (a direction passing through the back side and the abdomen side, a direction passing through the top surface and the bottom surface). It may be provided. In other words, the main body handle 14 may be slid and moved in a direction toward or away from the main body case 11. In this case, the main body handle 14 is pulled out from or inserted into the handle housing recess 11a.

  By the way, while the vacuum cleaner main body 7 takes the storage posture (stand-up posture) in the storage form of the vacuum cleaner 1, in the usage form of the vacuum cleaner 1, from the first use posture in which the handle storage recess 11a is directed upward. Through the standing posture, the handle housing recess 11a is turned over to the second usage posture with the downward direction, or from the second usage posture to the first usage posture through the standing posture. Such behavior (posture change) of the vacuum cleaner main body 7 causes the main body handle 14 to be detached from the handle storage recess 11a or stored if no restraining force is applied to the main body handle 14. For example, when the vacuum cleaner main body 7 behaves from the first use posture with the handle housing concave portion 11a facing upward to the standing posture, if no restraining force is applied to the main body handle 14, the main body handle 14 is Due to the inertial force due to this behavior and its own weight, the handle is separated from the handle housing recess 11a and hangs down to the back side of the cleaner body 7, which obstructs the movement or running of the cleaner body 7. Further, when the vacuum cleaner main body 7 is housed in the station 2 in the standing posture (FIG. 1), if no restraining force is applied to the main body handle 14, the main body handle 14 is pulled by its own weight. It leaves | separates from the storage recessed part 11a, and hangs down to the back side of the vacuum cleaner main body 7, and a beauty | look is impaired. Furthermore, in the second use posture (reverse posture) with the handle housing recess 11a directed downward, if no restraining force is applied to the body handle 14, the body handle 14 is detached from the handle housing recess 11a. As a result, it hangs down toward the surface to be cleaned and hinders the movement or running of the cleaner body 7. For example, when the main body handle 14 hangs down so as to worship in the traveling direction (forward direction) in the second use posture turned upside down, the main body handle 14 can collide so as to hit against a step in the traveling direction. Sex will occur. If the main body handle 14 hits a step in the traveling direction, the cleaner body 7 is naturally obstructed from traveling.

  Therefore, the cleaner body 7 includes a handle holding mechanism 61. The handle holding mechanism 61 holds the main body handle 14 in the storage position in the handle storage recess 11a when the main body case 11 is in the standing posture. Further, the handle holding mechanism 61 holds the main body handle 14 in the storage position in the handle storage recess 11a when the main body case 11 is in the inverted posture.

  The handle holding mechanism 61 includes an elastic member 62 that generates a force for moving the main body handle 14 from the use position to the storage position, an unevenness 63 provided in and fitted to the main body handle 14 and the handle storage concave portion 11a, and the main body handle 14. And a hook portion 64 that swings by its own weight so as to be caught by the main body handle 14 before being removed from the handle housing recess 11a by its own weight.

  4 to 6 are cross-sectional views of the handle holding mechanism of the vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the handle holding mechanism 61 of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment includes an unevenness 63 and a flange portion 64 in addition to the elastic member 62.

  FIG. 4 illustrates the relationship between the main body handle 14 and the handle holding mechanism 61 in the cleaner body 7 in the first posture. FIG. 5 illustrates the relationship between the main body handle 14 and the handle holding mechanism 61 in the cleaner body 7 in the standing posture. FIG. 6 illustrates the relationship between the main body handle 14 and the handle holding mechanism 61 in the cleaner body 7 in the second posture.

  The main body handle 14 is supported by the main body case 11 of the cleaner body 7 through a handle shaft 14a so as to be swingable.

  The elastic member 62 is a torsion spring (torsion spring), for example. When the main body handle 14 moves away from the storage position and moves to the use position, the elastic member 62 is deformed by the movement and stores elastic energy. When the force acting on the main body handle 14 (force to move the main body handle 14 from the storage position to the use position) is reduced or lost, the elastic member 62 consumes the stored elastic energy and causes the main body handle 14 to move to the use position. Generates a force to move from the storage position to the storage position.

  The elastic member 62 may be provided directly on the handle shaft 14 a having the swing center line of the main body handle 14, or indirectly receives a force from the main body handle 14 via the power transmission mechanism 66. It may be what you do. The power transmission mechanism 66 is, for example, a speed reduction mechanism, a link mechanism, or a cam mechanism that meshes a plurality of gears (not shown). The elastic member 62 may be a coil spring or a rubber elastic body according to the power transmission mechanism 66.

  One of the irregularities 63 is provided in the handle housing recess 11 a, and the other of the irregularities 63 is provided in the main body handle 14. The unevenness 63 according to the present embodiment includes a convex portion 67 provided in the handle housing concave portion 11 a and a concave portion 68 provided in the main body handle 14. When the main body handle 14 enters the handle storage concave portion 11a and reaches the storage position, the concave portion 68 and the convex portion 67 are fitted to each other and prevent the main body handle 14 from moving. Any one of the irregularities 63, for example, the convex portion 67 may be provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the concave portion 68. In this case, the handle holding mechanism 61 preferably includes a coil spring (not shown) that generates a spring force in a direction in which the convex portion 67 is fitted into the concave portion 68, for example. In other words, the convex portion 67 is provided so as to be able to protrude from the inner wall surface of the handle housing concave portion 11a. It is preferable that the protruding direction of the convex portion 67 intersects the moving direction of the main body handle 14.

  The collar portion 64 is provided in the handle housing recess 11a. A base 69 that supports the flange 64 is provided in the handle housing recess 11a. The main body handle 14 includes a collar receiving portion 71 that is caught by the collar portion 64. The collar portion 64 is provided so as to be movable, and always hangs down in a state where the collar is opened upward by its own weight. While the collar part 64 can be hooked on the collar receiving part 71, when the cleaner body 7 is in the first posture, the collar part 64 hangs down due to its own weight and moves away from the collar receiving part 71 or moves away. Moreover, the collar part 64 is caught by the collar receiving part 71 in the process from which the cleaner body 7 goes from a 1st attitude | position to a standing attitude. The main body handle 14 is held in the handle housing recess 11 a by the hook portion 64 being caught by the hook receiving portion 71. Furthermore, the collar part 64 maintains the state in which the cleaner body 7 was caught by the collar receiving part 71 when the cleaner body 7 is in the second posture and the cleaner body 7 is in the second posture. The collar portion 64 is supported by the base 69 and can rotate at least 180 degrees around the collar receiving portion 71. In FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the gravitational acceleration acting on the collar portion 64 is indicated by a solid line arrow G.

  The collar portion 64 may include a weight portion 72 for increasing its own weight. Moreover, the collar part 64 may have what is called a fishhook-like hook shape. In this case, the collar portion 64 includes a plurality of hooks including a first handle (not shown) that supports the main body handle 14 in a standing posture and a second handle (not shown) that supports the main body handle 14 in an inverted posture. Also good.

  Note that the handle holding mechanism 61 only needs to include at least one of the elastic member 62, the unevenness 63, and the flange portion 64. If the main body handle 14 can be held in the handle housing recess 11 a against the weight of the main body handle 14, the handle holding mechanism 61 does not have to include all of the elastic member 62, the unevenness 63, and the collar portion 64. Any one or a combination of the plurality may be provided.

  As described above, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment includes the handle holding mechanism 61 that holds the main body handle 14 in the storage position in the handle storage recess 11a. Therefore, even if the vacuum cleaner 1 stands up (upright posture) or is turned upside down (turned upside down) and used in an inverted posture, the main body handle 14 is not connected to the handle storage recess. It is possible to prevent escape from 11a. That is, in the vacuum cleaner 1, the main body handle 14 does not hang down and obstruct storage, and the main body handle 14 is not caught by a step on the surface to be cleaned and does not hinder travel.

  Moreover, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment includes an elastic member 62 that generates a force for moving the main body handle 14 to the storage position. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 automatically stores the main body handle 14 by the restoring force of the elastic member 62 without intentionally moving the main body handle 14 to the handle storage recess 11a when the main body handle 14 is stored. Can do.

  Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with unevenness 63 that is provided in the main body handle 14 and the handle housing recess 11a and fits. The unevenness 63 has a very simple structure and prevents the main body handle 14 from being detached from the handle housing recess 11a. That is, in the vacuum cleaner 1, the main body handle 14 does not hang down and obstruct storage, and does not hinder traveling.

  Furthermore, in the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment, either one of the concave portion 68 and the convex portion 67 can be disposed in the handle housing concave portion 11 a and the other can be disposed in the main body handle 14. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 can improve the holding force of the main body handle 14 without impairing manufacturability.

  Moreover, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment includes a collar portion 64 that moves by its own weight so as to be caught by the main body handle 14. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 1 can reliably hold the main body handle 14 in accordance with the posture change of the cleaner main body 7. That is, in the vacuum cleaner 1, the main body handle 14 does not hang down and obstruct storage, and does not hinder traveling.

  Therefore, according to the vacuum cleaner 1 which concerns on this embodiment, even if the vacuum cleaner main body 7 is stood up or reversed, the movable main body handle 14 can be stored in a position that does not get in the way. .

  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 ... Vacuum cleaner, 2 ... Station, 7 ... Vacuum cleaner main body, 8 ... Pipe part, 11 ... Main body case, 11a ... Handle storing recessed part, 12 ... Wheel, 13 ... Primary dust container, 14 ... Main body handle, 14a ... Handle Axis, 15 ... primary electric blower, 16 ... vacuum cleaner controller, 17 ... secondary battery, 18 ... main body connection port, 19 ... charging electrode, 21 ... connection pipe, 22 ... dust collecting hose, 23 ... hand control pipe, 25 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Grasping part, 26 ... Operation part, 26a ... Stop switch, 26b ... Start switch, 26c ... Brush switch, 27 ... Extension pipe, 28 ... Suction port body, 31 ... Suction port, 32 ... Rotary cleaning body, 33 ... Electric motor, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 41 ... Base, 42 ... Dust collection part, 43 ... Dust transfer pipe, 45 ... Charging terminal, 46 ... Expansion part, 47 ... Case, 48 ... Secondary dust container, 49 ... Secondary electric blower, 51 ... Station control part 52 ... Power cord 61 ... Handle Lifting mechanism, 62 ... elastic member, 63 ... unevenness, 64 ... hook, 66 ... power transmission mechanism, 67 ... protruding portion, 68 ... recess, 69 ... base, 71 ... hook receiving portion, 72 ... weight portion.

Claims (10)

A main body case having a handle housing recess;
A handle movable between a storage position provided in the main body case and entering the handle storage recess and a use position removed from the handle storage recess;
An electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a handle holding mechanism that holds the handle in the storage position in the handle storage recess. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the handle holding mechanism can hold the handle in the storage position in the handle storage recess even when the main body case is in a standing posture. 3. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the handle holding mechanism can hold the handle in the storage position in the handle storage recess even when the main body case is in an inverted posture. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the handle is swingably provided on the main body case. 4. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the handle is provided so as to be linearly movable in a direction approaching or moving away from the main body case. 5. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the handle holding mechanism includes an elastic member that generates a force that moves the handle to the storage position. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the handle holding mechanism includes irregularities provided and fitted in the handle and the handle housing recess. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, wherein any one of the irregularities is provided in the handle housing recess. 9. The electric cleaning according to claim 1, wherein the handle holding mechanism includes a flange portion that moves by its own weight so as to be caught by the handle before the handle is removed from the handle housing recess by its own weight. Machine. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the flange is provided in the handle housing recess.

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