JP3542286B2 - Suction port body and vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air circulation type vacuum cleaner and a suction port provided in the vacuum cleaner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The air-circulating vacuum cleaner draws air from the suction port of the suction opening body by operating an electric blower in the cleaner body, passes the sucked air through a filter to capture dust, and passes through the filter to move the electric blower. Is returned to the air inlet, and the returned air is collected and circulated for cleaning.
[0003]
Even when the suction port body is brought close to the surface to be cleaned during this air circulation type cleaning, or when the suction port body is separated from the surface to be cleaned, the balance of the circulating air flow may be lost. In addition, it is necessary to prevent light dust and the like on the surface to be cleaned from being blown off by air blown out from the air inlet. A technique for that purpose is known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-23999.
[0004]
That is, in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the above publication, an opening / closing valve which is “open” when it is in close contact with the floor surface and is “closed” when it is separated from the floor surface, that is, an intake port of a suction tool is inserted into both ends. Vacuum cleaner suction device with a projection and an open / close valve that is always urged in the closing direction by a spring. A suction device for a vacuum cleaner having a mechanism linked to a motor is described.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the technology that turns off the motor when the suction body is separated from the floor (surface to be cleaned), the rotor continues to rotate due to inertia even after the motor is turned off, so the circulating air is instantaneously released. It cannot be stopped. Therefore, immediately after the suction port body is separated from the surface to be cleaned, the balance of the circulating air is lost and air is blown out through the air inlet, so that light dust on the surface to be cleaned is easily blown off by this air, Not very effective.
[0006]
Further, in the technique of blowing air that is recirculated by opening and closing an on-off valve provided on the suction port body from the suction port of the suction port body or stopping this blowing, since the projection of the on-off valve is hard, for example, When trying to clean a surface to be cleaned having steps or projections such as a sash or the like, a hard projection may hit the steps or the like as the suction body approaches the surface. In this case, the opening / closing valve is pushed and the intake port is opened before the bottom wall outer surface of the suction port body facing the surface to be cleaned having a step or the like is sufficiently close to the surface to be cleaned. If the balance of the flow of air is lost, a part of the circulating air may blow out from the air inlet, and may cause light dust on the surface to be cleaned to be blown off to the surroundings.
[0007]
Since the projection of the on-off valve is provided only at the longitudinal ends of the suction port extending in the width direction of the suction port body, the protrusion between the surface to be cleaned and the outer surface of the bottom wall of the suction port body opposed thereto is provided. Almost no function can be expected to partition the suction gap. Therefore, the degree of vacuum in the suction gap cannot be increased by the protrusion of the on-off valve, and there is a problem that it is difficult to suck relatively heavy dust and the like. Further, when the posture of the suction port body with respect to the surface to be cleaned changes or the amount of circulating air changes, a part of the circulating air may be blown out from the suction port due to an imbalance in air circulation. However, in this case, since the blown air cannot be blocked by the projections, the blown air may pass through the suction gap and blow off light dust in and around the gap.
[0008]
Therefore, the first problem to be solved by the present invention is to suppress blowing off dust and the like on the surface to be cleaned regardless of the steps or protrusions of the surface to be cleaned when approaching or separating from the surface to be cleaned.At the same time, even if air is blown out from the air inlet, the dust on the surface to be cleaned is less likely to be blown off.The purpose is to obtain a suction port body.
[0010]
The present invention seeks to solveSecondThe challenge isFirstAn object of the present invention is to provide an air circulation type vacuum cleaner capable of solving the problem.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The suction opening according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the air sucked by the electric blower built in the cleaner body passes through a filter to capture dust, and the air discharged from the electric blower through the filter. A suction port body provided in a vacuum cleaner for cleaning while collecting and circulating the suction port body, having a connection portion connected to the cleaner body side and a suction port arranged near the surface to be cleaned and suctioning air. It is assumed.
[0012]
In order to solve the first problem, the suction port body according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a suction port body main portion having the suction port opened on an outer surface facing the surface to be cleaned,In this main part of the suction bodyA recirculation outlet for discharging the circulated air to the intake port side, and a cleaning surface detection unit made of a flexible material and protruding from the outer surface, wherein the cleaning unit detects the cleaning target. The suction port body is attached to the main body of the suction port so as to move between the first control position and the second control position in accordance with contact with and separation from the surface, and blows out from the return air outlet when moved to the first control position. And a dust-absorbing force control unit that reduces or eliminates the dust-absorbing force when moved to the second control position, while generating a dust-absorbing force based on the air that is performed.Wherein the surface-to-be-cleaned detecting unit is disposed outside the air inlet and extends continuously in the width direction of the main body of the air inlet. .
[0013]
In the present invention, the air returned from the cleaner body side to the suction port body is blown out from the reflux outlet to the suction port side, and this air is sucked into the cleaner body side and collected. Due to the dust suction generated in the intake port due to the air circulation, the air in the suction gap between the surface to be cleaned and the outer surface of the main body of the suction port opposite to the surface to be cleaned is sucked into the intake port facing this gap. So you can do air circulation cleaning.
[0014]
The dust-absorbing force at the suction port in this cleaning is automatically controlled by the dust-absorbing force control means having the surface-to-be-cleaned detecting unit that comes into contact with and separate from the surface to be cleaned, as the surface-to-be-cleaned detecting unit comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned. Is switched to That is, when the surface-to-be-cleaned detector comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned and is pushed and moved on this surface, the dust-absorbing force control means is moved to the first control position, and the dust-absorbing force is controlled based on the air blown out from the recirculation outlet. Force is generated at the inlet. In a state where the dust-absorbing force control unit does not substantially receive the pressing force from the surface to be cleaned, such as when the surface-to-be-cleaned detector is not in contact with the surface to be cleaned, the dust-absorbing force control unit moves to the second control position. This reduces or eliminates the dust-absorbing power.
[0015]
In addition, since the surface-to-be-cleaned detector has flexibility, there is a step or a projection on the surface to be cleaned, and in a situation where a part of the surface-to-be-cleaned detection unit comes into contact with the step or the like, the Only the contact portion is flexibly deformed so as to escape a step or the like. Therefore, even if the surface-to-be-cleaned detecting portion comes into contact locally with a step or the like, the dust-absorbing force control means is not pushed to the first control position regardless of the fact. When the main body of the suction opening body is pressed against the surface to be cleaned further than the height of the step or the like, the entire surface to be cleaned is pressed in contact with the surface to be cleaned. Pushed to control position.
[0016]
Until a suction gap of an appropriate size is formed between the surface to be cleaned and the outer surface of the suction port main body opposed thereto, the dust suction force control means is held at the second control position. No large dust-absorbing power is generated at the intake port. In other words, even if the balance of the circulating air that comes into contact with and separates from the suction port main body on the surface to be cleaned is disrupted, part of the circulating air blows out of the suction port main body through the suction port. Can be prevented.
[0018]
in addition,The surface to be cleaned detector, which is configured to extend continuously in the width direction of the main body of the suction port body, has a wall shape on one side of the suction port. When a part of the air is blown out of the main body of the suction port through the air inlet, the wall-shaped surface-to-be-cleaned detection unit interrupts the flow of the blown air in a certain direction. Dust on the surface to be cleaned in the direction can be prevented from being blown off. In this case, in particular, if the cleaning surface detection unit is located on the front side of the main part of the suction port body and provided on one side of the suction port, the direction of pushing the suction port body, that is, the side from which dust is to be sucked To prevent the blowing of dust and the like in the pushing and moving direction.
[0019]
or,Claim 1In carrying out the invention, it depends on itClaim 2As in the present invention, it is preferable that the surface-to-be-cleaned detecting unit is provided on the side opposite to the recirculation outlet with the air inlet interposed therebetween.
[0020]
In the present invention, when a part of the circulating air is blown out of the main body of the suction port through the intake port due to the imbalance of the air circulating during use, the blown air flow is mainly blown out of the recirculation blow port. Pass through the intake port toward the downstream side in the direction. However, a surface-to-be-cleaned detector is provided on the downstream side in the blowing direction, and the detector has a wall shape extending continuously in the width direction of the main portion of the suction opening body as described above. The detection unit can block the flow of the blown air that has passed through the intake port, and can prevent dust or the like from being blown off on the surface to be cleaned on the downstream side in the blowing direction of the recirculation blow port.
[0021]
Claim 3The electric vacuum cleaner according to the invention of the present invention, by the operation of the electric blower in the cleaner body, sucks air on the surface to be cleaned from the suction port of the suction port body, captures dust by passing the sucked air through the filter, It is assumed that an electric vacuum cleaner is configured to return the air discharged from the electric blower through the filter to the intake port, collect the returned air, and perform cleaning while circulating the collected air.
[0022]
And saidSecondTo solve the problem,Claim 3In the vacuum cleaner according to the invention, the suction port body isClaim 1 or 2A suction port body as described in the above.
[0023]
Therefore, in this air circulation type vacuum cleaner,Claim 1 or 2By providing the suction port body according to the invention,Claim 1 or 2The effect of the invention can be obtained as described above,FirstAn air circulation type vacuum cleaner that can solve the problem can be provided.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a hand-held air-circulation-type vacuum cleaner 11 according to the first embodiment includes a cleaner body 12 and a suction opening 13.
[0025]
The cleaner body 12 having the handle 12a on the rear upper surface is formed by connecting a pair of upper and lower or left and right synthetic resin body cases 21 by screws or the like. A connection port 22 whose one end is exposed at the front end face inclined forward is attached to the front portion of the main body case 21. The suction port body 13 is detachably inserted into and attached to the connection port 22. The connection port 22 has a cylindrical shape with a step formed by connecting a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, and a plurality of ventilation holes 22a are circumferentially provided on a wall surface which borders the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion. Is provided.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2, required partition ribs whose tips are brought into contact with each other are integrally provided on the inner surfaces of both body cases 21, and the inside of the body case 21 is provided by these ribs. A dust collection chamber 23 at the front, an exhaust chamber 24 at the middle, an reel housing 25 at the rear, and a recirculation chamber 26 at the bottom of the main body case 21 forming a return air passage extending below the dust collection chamber 23 and the exhaust chamber 24. And is divided into. The upper surface of the dust collection chamber 23 located on the front side of the exhaust chamber 24 is opened, and this opening is airtightly closed by a case lid 27 which is detachably attached to the upper front part of the main body case 21.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 2, the front wall of the dust collecting chamber 23 is formed as a filter mounting portion 28, and the upper end of the filter mounting portion 28 is manually pivotally pivoted in the direction of the arrow in FIG. A filter holder 30 that is rotated around the center 30a is attached. The dust-collecting bag 31 made of a paper pack as a filter accommodated in the dust-collecting chamber 23 is housed in the dust-collecting chamber 23 by attaching the flat frame 31a to the filter attaching portion 28 by the filter holder 30. Have been. A filter support 32 having a large number of elongated ventilation holes is accommodated in a rear portion of the dust collection chamber 23, and the filter support 32 supports a rear surface of the dust collection bag 31 that has expanded with a cleaning operation.
[0028]
An electric blower 35 is provided in the exhaust chamber 24 with its suction port facing the dust collection chamber 23 side. Reference numerals 36 and 37 denote motor supporting rubbers for vibration isolation fitted to both front and rear ends of the electric blower 35. The partitioning rib 38 located at the boundary between the exhaust chamber 24 and the dust collecting chamber 23 has an opening 38a facing the suction port, thereby passing through the dust collecting bag 31 in the dust collecting chamber 23. Air is sucked into the electric blower 35.
[0029]
The electric blower 35 includes an electric blower and a motor cover 39 described later attached to the blower. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the electric blower includes a stator 35a, a diffuser 35c screwed to a bearing bracket 35b fixed to one end surface of an iron core of the stator 35a, and a peripheral portion of the diffuser 35c. A fan cover 35d fitted and fitted and having the suction port, a bearing bracket 35e screwed to the other end surface of the stator core, and a rotation rotatably supported over bearings respectively attached to the bracket 35b. A rotor 35f, a centrifugal fan 35g connected to one end of the rotor shaft of the rotor 35f and covered by a fan cover 35d, and a carbon brush elastically pressed against a commutator 35h of the rotor 35f. It has a pair of brush devices (not shown).
[0030]
Therefore, in the electric blower, a motor unit including components other than the blower, such as the stator 35a and the rotor 35f, is provided downstream of the blower in which the diffuser 35c and the centrifugal fan 35g are accommodated inside the fan cover 35d. It has a protruding configuration. The motor support rubber 36 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the fan cover 35d. A portion other than the bearing mounting portion 35i of the bearing bracket 35e has, for example, a four-column structure, and the brush device is mounted on two of the columns.
[0031]
During operation of the electric blower 35, the air in the dust collection chamber 23 sucked into the centrifugal fan 35g from the suction port is discharged from around the fan 35g, and then guided inside the diffuser 35c by the inner surface of the fan cover 35d. From the inlet of the outer peripheral portion, and flows out toward the periphery of the stator 35a of the motor portion while being made static by the diffuser 35c.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 2, the motor cover 39 of the electric blower 35 is formed of a synthetic resin into a cup shape, and covers a portion of the electric blower downstream of the diffuser 35c on the downstream side. The cover 39 has its opening edge fitted to the outer periphery of the fan cover 35d. An end of the motor support rubber 36 on the diffuser 35c side is sandwiched between the two covers 35d and 39 to hermetically seal the gap therebetween. On the peripheral wall of the motor cover 39, for example, a thermostat (not shown) for preventing an excessive rise in temperature is attached as a temperature sensor for thermally protecting the cleaner body 12 against exhaust air from the electric blower 35. In addition, a plurality of exhaust holes 41 (only one is shown) communicating the inside of the motor cover 39 and the exhaust chamber 24 are opened, and at least a part of the exhaust holes 41 is a lead wire connected to the electric blower 35. It is also used as a passage (not shown).
[0033]
The bearing mounting portion 35i of the bracket 35e penetrates a hole provided at the center of the bottom wall of the motor cover 39, and the motor support rubber 37 is fitted to the outer surface of the mounting portion 35i. The electric blower 35 having the motor cover 39 has a partition rib 45 and a partition rib 45 which form a boundary between the exhaust chamber 24 and the reel housing 25 in a state where motor support rubbers 36 and 37 are respectively fitted to both front and rear ends thereof. 38 and installed. Note that such support is provided for each of the pair of main body cases 21 as the vacuum cleaner main body 12 is assembled.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 2, a cord reel 51 for supplying power to the electric blower 35 is accommodated in the reel accommodating portion 25. A plurality of exhaust ports 52 are provided on the rear wall of the cleaner body 12. A portion of the exhaust port 52 located on the rear wall 21a of the cleaner body 12 is used as a leg when the cleaner body 12 is placed on the floor with the rear wall 21a down. Is opened to the leg projection 53 projecting from the outer surface of the leg. The exhaust port 52 and the exhaust chamber 24 communicate with each other via a tunnel-shaped exhaust path (not shown) formed along the outer surface of the cord reel 51. This exhaust path is effective to prevent the exhaust of air from the cord passage portion (not shown) of the main body case 21 through which the power cord of the cord reel 51 passes. In the air circulation type vacuum cleaner in which the exhaust chamber 24 and the reel accommodating chamber 25 are completely separated by ribs or the like, the air can be exhausted from the cleaner body 12 to the outside. Can be omitted.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 2, a rectangular cylindrical air outlet 55 having a much larger opening area than that of the exhaust through hole 41 is integrally formed on the periphery of the motor cover 39, and projects downward. Is fitted with a rubber packing 56. The air outlet 55 is airtightly connected to a hole 58 provided in a partition rib 57 for partitioning the reflux chamber 26. Therefore, the inside of the motor cover 39 and the rear end of the cleaner body 12 in the recirculation chamber 26 are communicated via the air outlet 55.
[0036]
Reference numeral 59 in FIGS. 1 and 2 denotes a switch for turning on / off the energization of the electric blower 35. Reference numeral 60 denotes a leak valve that opens when the vacuum pressure in the dust collection chamber 23 located on the suction side of the electric blower 35 falls below a predetermined value to introduce outside air into the dust collection chamber 23.
[0037]
Next, the suction port 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. The suction port body 13 includes a connection pipe 101 as a connection portion communicating with the cleaner body 12 side, a suction port body main portion 102, a recirculation outlet 103, and a blowout control body 104 as dust suction force control means. Each component other than the spring, which will be described later, is a synthetic resin molded product.
[0038]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a connection pipe 101 which is detachably inserted into the connection port 22 and communicated with the cleaner body 12 side includes an inner connection pipe 105 having both ends opened, And an outer connecting pipe 106 provided integrally and coaxially with the outer connecting pipe 106.
[0039]
The cylindrical inner connection pipe 105 longer than the outer connection pipe 106 is inserted into the small diameter portion of the connection port 22 and is made of a rubber seal valve (not shown) of the port frame 31 a or the dust collection chamber 23 of the connection port 22. A rubber seal valve (not shown) fitted to the side end is pushed open to guide air containing dust into the dust bag 31. A pair of upper and lower stopper protruding edges 107 and 108 protrude outward from an opening edge of a distal end portion of the inner connecting pipe 105 protruding outside the main body case 21.
[0040]
The outer connection pipe 106 is inserted into the large diameter portion of the connection port 22, and forms a return air introduction port 106 a between the outer connection pipe 106 and the inner connection pipe 105 at one axial end. A pair of left and right return air outlets 106b are formed at the other end in the axial direction of the outer connection pipe 106 at right angles to the axial direction and open toward each other outward. The peripheral wall of these return air outlets 106b forms an annular pivot cylinder portion 109, and a flange 110 that is continuous in the circumferential direction is integrally protruded from the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 109. An airtight seal member 111 such as an O-ring made of synthetic rubber is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the outer connection pipe 106 on the side of the return air introduction port 106a. In addition, in FIG. 7, reference numeral 112 denotes a claw integrally protruded from the outer connection pipe 106.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 2, the connection pipe 101 is inserted until the outer connection pipe 106 hits a wall surface of the connection port 22 where the ventilation hole 22 a is opened. The airtight seal 111 secures airtightness between the inner surface and the inner peripheral surface, and is rotated in the circumferential direction in this state. It is attached to the main body case 21 by being hooked on the wall surface having the pores 22a. The hook 112 prevents the suction port 13 from coming off the connection port 22, and the return chamber 26 and the inside of the outer connection pipe 105 are connected to the return air introduction port 106 a and the air flow port that is close to and opposed to the return air introduction port 106 a. It is communicated through the pore 22a.
[0042]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the suction port main part 102 is formed by fitting the main part upper case 121 and the main part lower case 122 to each other and connecting them with screws 120. A pair of bearing plates 123 and 124 made of ribs having semicircular recesses are integrally formed on the inner surfaces of the upper and lower cases 121 and 122, and the pivot tube portions 109 are respectively moved up and down. And is supported rotatably. With this support structure, the suction port main body 102 is pivotally attached to the connecting pipe 101 so as to be vertically rotatable, and the rotation allows the suction port main body 102 to obtain an appropriate posture with respect to the surface to be cleaned. It is supposed to be. The vertical rotation of the suction port main body 102 with respect to the connection pipe 101 is regulated by the stopper projections 107 and 108, and at this time, the mating surfaces of the flange 110 and the bearing plates 123 and 124 are formed. Are slid in contact.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 7, inside the suction port main body 102, a collection chamber 127 communicating with the inner connecting pipe 105 by partitions 125 and 126 that are continuous with each other, and a blowing chamber surrounding the collection chamber 127 except for an opening on the lower surface thereof. 128. As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the partition 125 is formed of a rib integrally projecting over a pair of left and right bearing plates 123 at the center in the width direction of the inner surface of the main upper case 121. (Entrance end). The recovery chamber 127 is communicated with an intake port 129, and the outlet chamber 128 is communicated with the return air outlet port 106b. The air inlet 129 is provided in the bottom wall 122 a of the main lower case 122 facing the surface to be cleaned.
[0044]
The partition 126 is made of a synthetic resin plate molded separately from the upper and lower cases 121 and 122, and is disposed over substantially the entire width of the front part of the suction port main part 102 in the width direction. The upward rear edge formed at the center of the partition 126 is fitted into the lower edge of the partition 125 asperities, and the downward rear edges on both sides of the upward rear edge are formed in the main lower case 121. Asperities are fitted to the partition edges from above.
[0045]
The use of a separate partition 126 to separate the two chambers 127 and 128 requires that a portion corresponding to the partition 126 be integrally formed on one of the main upper and lower cases 121 and 122. Therefore, the structure of these molds can be simplified and the molding thereof can be facilitated, and the mold is formed between the lower edge of the partition 126 and the inner surface of the front edge portion 122b of the bottom wall 122a. When the size or the like of the recirculation outlet 103 needs to be changed in a minor change or the like, it is excellent in that it can be easily dealt with by exchanging the partition 126. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 121a denotes a boss integrally protruded from the inner surface of the upper case 121 to press and fix the partition 126 from above.
[0046]
The reflux outlet 103 is formed at one side (the front side in the present embodiment) of the recovery chamber 127, and is returned from the outlet 103 into the outlet chamber 128 to guide the partition 126 and the main upper case 121. Is discharged toward the collection chamber 127 side. In FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, reference numeral 131 denotes a first downward brush bristle that is implanted as a spacer means around the bottom wall 122a except for a front edge portion 122b thereof at intervals. Is flexible and forms a predetermined narrow suction gap between the surface to be cleaned and the air inlet 129.
[0047]
At the bottom of the main body of the suction port body 102, the blowout control for controlling the magnitude of the dust suction force or the negative pressure generated at the suction port 129 by, for example, changing the blowing direction of the air blown from the recirculation blowout port 103. Body 104 is attached.
[0048]
That is, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 and the like, the blowing control body 104 forms the wind direction control plate 142 by the front frame of the control body 141 formed of a synthetic resin in a frame shape, and the rear frame The second brush bristles 143 as a detection unit for detecting the surface to be cleaned are formed to protrude downward. The second brush bristles 143 having flexibility are provided densely and continuously in the width direction of the suction port main body 102, and the first brush bristles 143 are provided.131It has a longer projecting length downward and is softer. Pivot parts 144 are integrally formed on both side frame parts of the control body 141, respectively.
[0049]
Second brush bristles143Is attached directly below the inlet end side of the connection pipe 101, and the length of the suction opening main body 102 extending in the width direction is longer than the maximum opening width of the inlet end in the left-right direction. In particular, in the present embodiment, the length is slightly longer than the distance between the tips of the pair of pivot cylinder portions 109, and thereby the second brush bristles are formed.143Is provided across the expected path of the air that is going to blow through to the rear of the suction port main body 102. The second brush bristles arranged as described above143When there is no suction port body 13, since the suction port body 13 has a pair of pivot cylinder portions 109 forming the return air outlet port 106 b, the air blowing from the suction port 129 is limited to the central portion in the width direction of the suction port body main portion 102. In the suction gap, and the air blows through directly below the inlet end of the connection pipe 101.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 7, the wind direction control plate portion 142 has a relatively steep wind direction changing slope portion which inclines obliquely rearward toward the lower side at the front end thereof. And a wind guide portion protruding rearward from the lower end of the slope. In particular, the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the wind guide portion, that is, the portion of the inner connecting pipe 105 facing the inlet end facing the air inlet 129 is protruded toward the inlet end, and the rear end is arc-shaped. It is curving upward. Providing such a wind guide portion is excellent in that air blown out from the recirculation outlet 103 can be smoothly guided toward the inlet end, and wind loss due to vortices can be reduced.
[0051]
On the other hand, on the outer surface of the bottom wall 122a of the main part lower case 122, as shown in FIG. 6, at the both ends in the width direction of the main part lower case 122, recesses 151 communicating with the intake ports 129 are formed. The recess 151 is formed of a groove having a shape slightly larger than the shape of the control body 141 excluding the front frame portion. A pair of bearing portions 153 each having a bearing hole 152 in the bottom wall 122a facing the recess 151 are provided. Each is formed. The blow-out control body 104 is rotatably mounted around the pivot 144 by fitting the pair of pivots 144 into the bearing holes 152 of the bearing 153, respectively.
[0052]
When the blow-out control body 104 is attached to the main part lower case 122, the second brush bristles 143 always project from the outer surface of the bottom wall 122a. A pair of left and right springs 154 as urging members are interposed between the rear frame portion of the blow-out control body 104 and the bottom wall 122a, and the second brush hairs are urged downward by the springs 154. In a state where 143 is not in contact with the surface to be cleaned, the blowing control body 104 is inclined and held at the second control position shown in FIG.
[0053]
In FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, reference numeral 155 denotes a third brush bristle having flexibility, which is close to the rear side of the second bristles 143 and is implanted on the outer surface of the bottom wall 122a. 155 is provided with the same protruding height and strength as the first brush bristles 131. The provision of the brush bristles 155 is such that when the suction opening 13 is brought into contact with the surface to be cleaned, the pressing force of the suction opening 13 against the surface to be cleaned is received together with the first brush bristles 131, and the second brush bristles 143 are received. It is excellent in that it can prevent excessive deformation. Reference numeral 156 shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 and the like denotes a velvet-shaped flat cleaning body brushed obliquely toward the front side, and is located just behind the intake port 129 and attached to the outer surface of the bottom wall 122a. The cleaning body 156 captures dust when the suction port body 13 advances, and removes the already captured dust when retracting.
[0054]
Next, the operation of the air circulation type vacuum cleaner 11 having the suction port 13 having the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the vacuum cleaner 11 is connected to the connection port 22 of the cleaner body 12 with the connection pipe 101 of the suction opening body 13 inserted thereinto. Power is supplied to the electric blower 35 via the power cord unwound from the code reel 51 while the user is holding the air blower 35 to operate the blower 35.
[0055]
In this use, the dust contained in the suction air (indicated by the dotted arrow in FIGS. 2 and 7) flowing into the dust collection bag 31 through the inner connection pipe 105 of the suction opening body 13 is transferred to the dust collection bag 31. The air that has been captured and passed through the dust bag 31 is further passed through the filter support 32 and is sucked into the electric blower 35, and then discharged through the air outlet 55 of the motor cover 39 to the reflux chamber 26. Some of them are discharged to the exhaust chamber 24 through the exhaust holes 41.
[0056]
The exhaust gas thus flowing into the recirculation chamber 26 is introduced into the outer connection pipe 106 of the connection pipe 101 from the ventilation hole 22 a of the connection port 22, and is discharged from the pair of return air outlets 106 b of the outer connection pipe 106 to the suction port body. After being led out to the outlet chamber 128 of the section 102, the air is blown from the recirculation outlet 103 to the suction port 129 side, in other words, to the collection chamber 127 where the inlet end of the inner connecting pipe 105 of the connecting pipe 101 faces, and is connected to the inner side. It is sucked into the cleaner body 12 through the pipe 105. Such an air flow is indicated by solid arrows in FIGS. As the air discharged from the electric blower 35 is collected and circulated by the suction port body 13 as described above, the dust between the bottom wall 122a of the suction port body 13 and the surface to be cleaned is forced to generate air in the suction gap. Together with the suction port 129, so that air-circulation cleaning can be performed.
[0057]
During such cleaning, a part of the air in the motor cover 39 passes through the exhaust holes 41 as described above, so that the exhaust chamber 24 is filled with exhaust gas. The exhaust gas thus filled in the exhaust chamber 24 is discharged to the outside of the cleaner main body 12 from an exhaust port 52 formed in the rear wall 21a of the cleaner main body 12 through an exhaust path (not shown).
[0058]
Next, the operation of the blowing control body 104 during cleaning will be described.
[0059]
When the suction opening 13 is separated from the surface to be cleaned, the blowing control body 104 is held at the second control position shown in FIG. At this second control position, the wind direction control plate 142 of the blow control body 104 is located above the reflux outlet 103 in the collection chamber 127, so that the air blown backward from the reflux outlet 103 is controlled by the wind direction. The air is blown rearward in a direction other than the surface to be cleaned, for example, substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned, without blowing against the slope portion forming the front end of the plate portion 142. In other words, the air is blown out from the intake port 129 toward the inlet end of the connection pipe 101 without going downward, and is sucked into the inner connection pipe 105.
[0060]
In this manner, the air blown out and collected substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned flows while spreading somewhat, but does not blow out to the outside through the air inlet 129. The dust-absorbing force generated in the intake port 129 by the force of the air collected in the inner connection pipe 105 is smaller than that in a case where the blowout control body 104 is arranged at a first control position described later. In addition, since the momentum of the collected air is lower than that in the case where the blowout control body 104 is disposed at the first control position, which will be described later, the sound accompanying the air blowout is small and low. Driving with noise.
[0061]
Further, when the suction opening 13 is pressed against the surface to be cleaned, the second brush bristles 143 as the surface to be cleaned detection portion of the blow-out control body 104 come into contact with the surface to be cleaned and receive a pushing force. The blowing control body 104 is turned around the pivot 144 against the urging force of the104Is arranged at the first control position shown in FIG. Although the second brush bristles 143 are flexible, they are dense and provided in a belt-like shape, so that the second brush bristles 143 can transmit the pushing force of the surface to be cleaned.
[0062]
Blow-out control body in first control position104The wind direction control plate part 142 is disposed with the inclined portion thereof facing the recirculation outlet 103 near the intake port 129 side. Therefore, the air blown backward from the return outlet 103 blows against the inclined portion of the wind direction control plate 142 and is guided obliquely downward, and is blown downward from the inlet 129 and reflected on the surface to be cleaned. Then, the air is sucked into the collection chamber 127 together with the air in the suction gap between the bottom wall 122a and the surface to be cleaned from the air inlet 129, and is subsequently sucked into the inner connection pipe 105.
[0063]
In this case, the gap between the inclined portion of the wind direction control plate portion 142 and the recirculation outlet 103 is narrowed, so that the flow velocity of the air that is blown toward the surface to be cleaned through the intake port 129 increases. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an effect of digging dust from a surface to be cleaned such as a carpet, and to blow up relatively heavy dust on the surface to be cleaned. In other words, due to the good momentum of the air collected from the recirculation outlet 103 to the inner connection pipe 105, the dust-absorbing force generated at the inlet 129 is blown to the second control position shown in FIG. It is larger than the case where the control body 104 is arranged.
[0064]
In a state in which the suction port main body 102 is lightly pressed against the surface to be cleaned, the first and third brush bristles 131 and 155 serve as stoppers, and the suction gap equal to the protruding length is formed. When the suction port main body 102 is pressed more strongly against the surface to be cleaned as necessary from this stage, the brush bristles 131 and 155 are accompanied by flexible deformation. The suction gap can be made smaller. Even in this case, it can be considered that the blowing control body 104 is still substantially provided at the first control position. However, the degree of vacuum in the suction gap is improved, and the dust suction force can be further increased.
[0065]
As described above, the dust-absorbing force at the air inlet 129 in the air-circulation type cleaning is applied to the surface to be cleaned by the rotatable blowing control body 104 having the second brush bristles 143 that come into contact with and separate from the surface to be cleaned. It is automatically switched with the contact and separation. Therefore, when trying to bring the main part 102 of the suction opening body of the suction opening body 13 close to the surface to be cleaned and when trying to keep the main part 102 of the suction opening body away from the surface to be cleaned, the balance of the circulating air is lost. Even if there is, it is possible to prevent the air from being blown out from the intake port 129 with it.
[0066]
In addition, as described above, the second brush bristles 143 that extend continuously in the width direction of the suction port main body 102 in a dense state, for example, have flexibility. In a situation where a step or a projection on the surface to be cleaned partially contacts, only that part can be flexibly deformed so as to escape the step or the like. Therefore, regardless of the contact of the second brush bristles 143 with a step or the like protruding from the surface to be cleaned, the entire brush bristles 143 are not pushed and moved. Is not pushed or moved to the first control position due to the step or the like. When the main body of the suction opening body 102 is further pressed against the surface to be cleaned beyond the height of a step or the like, the entire second brush bristles 143 are pressed in contact with the surface to be cleaned. Against the spring 154 to the first control position as described above.
[0067]
Until a suction gap of an appropriate size is formed between the surface to be cleaned and the outer surface of the bottom wall 122a of the suction port main body 102 opposed thereto, even if the surface to be cleaned has a step or the like. The blow-out control body 104 can be held at the second control position, and accordingly, a large dust-absorbing force is not generated at the intake port 129. Therefore, even if the balance of the circulating air is lost, a part of the circulating air is not blown out of the main body 102 through the air inlet 129.
[0068]
In other words, according to the configuration of the suction port body 13, regardless of whether there is a step or the like on the surface to be cleaned, the case where the suction port main portion 102 is to be brought close to the surface to be cleaned, and the suction port from the surface to be cleaned. When trying to keep the main body part 102 away, it is possible to prevent air from being blown out from the air inlet 129 due to the above-mentioned imbalance, and therefore, it is possible to suppress blowing off dust and the like on the surface to be cleaned. it can.
[0069]
Further, the second brush bristles 143 are provided to extend continuously in the width direction of the suction port main body 102, and have a wall shape on one side of the suction port 129. Therefore, when a part of the circulating air is blown out of the suction port body main part 102 through the air inlet 129 due to the imbalance of the air circulating during cleaning, the wall-shaped second brush bristles 143 cause the air to flow. The brush bristles 143 block the flow of the blown air toward one side of the intake port 129 (rearward in the drawing), so that dust and the like on the surface to be cleaned in the same direction can be prevented from being blown off.
[0070]
By the way, when the balance of the air circulating during cleaning is lost and a part of the circulating air is blown out of the inlet main body 102 through the air inlet 129, the blown air flow is mainly generated by the return air outlet 103. It passes through the intake port 129 toward the downstream side in the blowing direction. However, the second brush bristles 143 are provided on the side opposite to the recirculation outlet 103 with the air inlet 129 therebetween, and extend continuously in the width direction of the inlet main body 102 as described above. Since the second brush bristles 143 have a wall shape, the flow of the blown air passing through the air inlet 129 can be blocked. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust and the like on the surface to be cleaned on the downstream side in the blowing direction of the recirculation outlet 103 from being blown off.
[0071]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the cleaning surface detection unit 143 having flexibility is not limited to brush bristles, and may be a lip formed of a soft synthetic resin, or may be a sponge-shaped one. Although it is good, it is preferable to use brush hairs as in the first embodiment in terms of excellent durability. Further, the cleaning surface detectors may be provided discontinuously, or may be provided in a plurality of rows so as to extend continuously in the front-rear direction on the bottom wall 122a. .
[0072]
Further, the dust-absorbing force control means of the first embodiment controls the dust-absorbing force at the intake port 129 to be stronger or weaker by changing the direction of the air blown out from the circulation outlet 103. Alternatively, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-23999, by opening / closing the intake port with an opening / closing valve interlocking with the surface-to-be-cleaned detecting unit, the dust suction force or suction negative pressure at the intake port is reduced. May be increased when in the first control position, and disappear or minimized when in the second control position.
[0073]
The present invention can also be applied to a canister-type air circulation type vacuum cleaner.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is implemented in the form described above, and has the following effects.
[0075]
Claims 1 and 2According to the suction port body according to the described invention, the dust suction force control unit having the cleaning surface detection unit that flexibly deforms so as to locally escape the bump or the like on the surface to be cleaned when it hits the surface. Provided, the dust suction force of the suction port is automatically controlled in accordance with the contact and separation with the surface to be cleaned, whereby the main body of the suction port is brought closer to the surface to be cleaned and the main body of the suction port from the surface to be cleaned. When the air inlet is kept away from the surface, even if the balance of the circulating air is lost, the air is prevented from being blown out from the air inlet. Irrespective of whether there is a step or a projection on the surface, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from being blown off on the surface to be cleaned.
[0076]
in addition,Even if air is blown out from the air inlet due to the imbalance of the air circulating during use due to the windbreak effect at the surface-to-be-cleaned detector, which is a structure for detecting the surface to be cleaned, The dust on the cleaning surface is less likely to be blown off.
[0077]
Claim 3According to the air circulation type vacuum cleaner according to the invention,Claim 1 or 2Since the suction port body of the description is provided,FirstThere is an effect that the problem can be solved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entirety of a hand-held air circulation type vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a cleaner body and a suction port are separated.
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view showing the entire vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1 in a state where a suction opening is connected to a vacuum cleaner main body.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a suction opening of the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from a lower surface side;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the suction port shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the suction opening shown in FIG. 3 with its main part upper case removed and a part cut away.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a main case lower case of the suction opening body shown in FIG. 3 and a blow-out control body pivotally attached thereto.
FIG. 7A is a vertical sectional side view showing the configuration of the suction port shown in FIG. 3 in a state separated from a surface to be cleaned.
FIG. 4B is a longitudinal sectional side view showing a configuration of the suction port body shown in FIG.
FIG. 8A is a side view showing a configuration of a connection pipe provided in the suction port shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line WW in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 ... vacuum cleaner,
12 ... vacuum cleaner body,
13 ... suction body,
21 ... body case,
31 ... Dust collection bag (filter),
35 ... Electric blower,
101 ... connection pipe (connection part),
102: main part of the suction body
103 ... reflux outlet,
104: blow-out control body (dust-absorption control means),
122a ... bottom wall,
127 ... collection room,
128 ... blowing room,
129 ... inlet,
141: control body,
142 wind direction control plate part
143: second brush bristles (cleaning surface detection unit)
144: Axis
153 ... bearing part,
154: Spring (biasing body).

Claims (3)

Vacuum cleaner that cleans while sucking dust sucked by an electric blower built into the cleaner body through a filter, collecting air discharged from the electric blower through the filter and circulating the air The suction port body having a suction port that is provided in the vicinity of the connection portion and the surface to be cleaned that is communicated with the cleaner body side and suctions air.
A suction port main body in which the suction port is opened on an outer surface facing the surface to be cleaned;
A recirculation outlet that blows out the circulated air provided in the main body of the intake port toward the intake port,
A cleaning surface detection unit that is made of a flexible material and protrudes from the outer surface, and extends between the first control position and the second control position as the detection unit approaches and separates from the cleaning surface; The suction port body is attached to the main body of the suction port so as to move, and when the suction port body is moved to the first control position, generates a dust suction force based on air blown out from the return outlet at the suction port. Dust-absorbing force control means for reducing or eliminating the dust-absorbing force when moved to the control position,
Equipped with a,
The suction port body, wherein the surface-to-be-cleaned detecting unit is arranged outside the air suction port and is provided continuously extending in a width direction of the main body of the suction port body. 2. The suction port body according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning surface detection unit is provided on a side opposite to the recirculation outlet with the suction port interposed therebetween . 3. The operation of the electric blower in the cleaner body sucks air on the surface to be cleaned from the suction opening of the suction opening body, passes the sucked air through a filter to capture dust, passes through the filter, and from the electric blower. In a vacuum cleaner that returns discharged air to the intake port and performs cleaning while collecting and circulating the returned air,
A vacuum cleaner, wherein the suction opening is the suction opening according to claim 1.

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