JP3762359B2 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner provided with a dust separation unit that separates dust from an air current by utilizing inertia of dust in sucked dust-containing air.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a cyclonic vacuum cleaner is known as a vacuum cleaner that separates dust in the air sucked by inertia separation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
This cyclone type vacuum cleaner includes a dust cup (dust box) having an open top, an electric blower that makes the inside of the cup have a negative pressure, and the like. An intake port is formed in the peripheral wall of the dust cup, and the intake port communicates with a suction port body for taking in dust-containing air through an intake passage.
[0004]
The dust-containing air sucked from the suction port body is sucked from the suction port into the dust cup through the suction passage. Due to the swirling flow generated in the dust cup as it is sucked into the cup, dust having a heavier mass than air is centrifuged. On the other hand, the air reverses and rises in the dust cup in the direction opposite to the direction in which the swirl flows, passes through the upper opening of the cup, is sucked into the electric blower, and is discharged to the outside.
[0005]
Furthermore, a filter is attached so as to cover the upper end opening of the dust cup, and dust contained in the airflow that rises and reverses in the dust cup is attached to the filter so that the dust is not sucked into the electric blower. .
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-104223 A (paragraphs 0037, 0045-0047, FIG. 1 to FIG. 5)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 1, the air sucked through the intake passage is changed in direction by 90 degrees and enters the dust cup from the intake port, where it becomes a downward swirling flow, and the peripheral wall of the dust cup After that, the air reverses and rises, flows out of the dust cup, and is sucked into the electric blower. As described above, the air flow direction is changed twice in the dust cup, so that the air path loss is large. Moreover, since air swirls in the dust cup, the air path loss is even greater. Therefore, in the electric vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to sufficiently exhibit the ability of the electric blower.
[0008]
Furthermore, in the electric vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 1, when the filter is clogged, the air path resistance increases and the suction force and the air volume decrease. Along with this, the centrifugal separation action is lowered, so that the cleaning performance is lowered. For this reason, since the user is forced to remove the filter irregularly to eliminate the clogging, it is desired to reduce such trouble.
[0009]
On the other hand, in a normal vacuum cleaner in which a paper pack, which is a filter for filtering, is installed in the dust collection chamber, the air inlet, the paper pack, and the electric blower are substantially linear so that there is no significant change in the air flow direction. The wind path loss does not become large by being lined up. However, since a paper pack filters and collects various kinds of dust ranging from coarse dust to fine dust, if a predetermined amount of dust accumulates in this paper pack, the air volume is extremely likely to decrease.
[0010]
The problem to be solved by the present invention is that the air path loss can be reduced as compared with the one that performs cyclonic separation, the progress of clogging of the filter of the dust separation part can be easily suppressed, and the air volume is reduced. It is in obtaining the vacuum cleaner which is easy to suppress.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:A vacuum cleaner main body having an air inlet and an electric blower attached thereto, and a dust passage provided in the air passage extending from the air inlet to the air inlet of the electric air blower. A separation portion that is formed in a cylindrical shape having one end opening that communicates with the suction port and the other end opening that faces the one end opening. An air passage forming body having an attached filter, and a dust separation portion including a cylindrical guide portion having a wind-applying wall portion facing the other end opening of the air passage forming body; and connected to the guide portion. A dust reservoir that collects dust separated by the dust separator and guided by the guide; and a dust reservoir that is connected to the guide and separated by the dust separator and accumulates the dust guided by the guide; Provided in the air inflow air path to the dust separator An air flow control valve that opens and closes the inflow air passage and returns to a closed position that closes the inflow air passage when the electric blower is stopped, and a predetermined air flow forming body provided on the downstream side of the air flow control valve. The airflow control valve is restrained to close the inflow air passage until the negative pressure reaches the negative pressure, and the air passage formation is provided with a valve receiver for releasing the restraint state after the negative pressure reaches a predetermined value. Airflow control means for controlling the airflow in the body to remove dust adhering to the filter.
[0012]
In the present invention, the dust separation unit refers to a straight flow type inertial separation device that separates dust from air using a difference in inertial force based on the difference in kinetic energy between sucked air and dust, and a cyclone type The inertial separation device is not included.
[0013]
In the present invention, the filter of the dust separation part can be a single layer or a plurality of types of filter media such as paper, cotton, cloth, glass wool, non-woven fabric, and foamed synthetic resin. Moreover, it is not hindered to provide a surface processed layer having a low coefficient of friction that suppresses the adhesion of dust to the surface and facilitates the removal of the adhered dust on the filter surface facing the inner space of the air passage forming body.
[0014]
In the present invention, the air flow control means used by being attached to the air inflow path for the dust separation unit may be used by being installed in advance in the inflow air path, or may be attached to and detached from, for example, the suction port whenever necessary. It may be an attachment that is attached to and detached from the inflow air passage when improving filter clogging. In addition, the inflow air passage may extend inside or outside the vacuum cleaner main body or both, but in order to ensure the effectiveness of the air flow control, it is necessary to attach it as close to one end opening of the air passage formation body as possible. Good.
[0015]
In the present invention, the airflow control means is configured to control the behavior of the airflow with a large fluctuation in the flow state, for example, the entire airway forming body compared to the airflow flowing through the airway forming body during normal use in which straight flow type inertial separation is performed. A means of obtaining a gas flow that functions to remove dust adhering to the filter by generating a turbulent flow that acts on the inner surface of the filter except for the central part in the air passage formation body. ing.
[0016]
In the present invention, since the straight separation type inertial separation is performed in the dust separation portion, the air path loss is small. Furthermore, the dust in the airflow that passes through the separation opening of the dust separation portion and toward the intake port of the electric blower adheres to the filter, but when the airflow control means functions, the dust attached to the filter is removed. In this way, the air flow in the air passage forming body is controlled. Thereby, it is possible to remove the dust attached to the filter without taking out the dust separation part having the filter. Along with the improvement of the clogging, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the air volume of the airflow passing through the air passage formation body.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0018]
One end of a flexible dust suction hose 21 is detachably connected to a vacuum cleaner main body 20 provided in the electric vacuum cleaner denoted by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1, and the hose 21 is provided with a hand operating portion 22 at the other end. ing. A telescopic extension tube 23 is detachably connected to the hand operation unit 22, and a suction port body 24 is detachably connected to a distal end portion of the extension tube 23. The hand operating unit 22 has a handle 22A, and the handle 22A is provided with an operation switch 22B for remote operation.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cleaner main body 20 includes a main body case 30, a dust collection container (dust cup) 50 that is detachably attached to the main body case 30, and a lid body 40. The rear portion of the lid 40 is hinged to the front portion of the main body case 30 so as to be opened and closed in the vertical direction.
[0020]
The main body case 30 includes a rear electric part 34 and a front mounting part 35. As shown in FIG. 2, an electric blower 33 is built in the electric part 34. The mounting portion 35 is integrally projected forward from the lower portion of the electric portion 34 and is formed in a dish shape having a concave shape that opens upward. A dust collecting container 50 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 35. By closing the lid body 40, the lid body 40 and the mounting portion 35 sandwich and fix the dust collecting container 50.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 3B, the front surface of the electric motor 34 is opened, and the opening 34 </ b> A is opposed to and communicates with the air inlet 33 </ b> A of the electric blower 33. The opening 34A is provided with a filter presser 34B having radial ribs for pressing a filter 80 described later from the downstream side.
[0022]
On both side walls in the width direction of the main body case 30, oblique bulging portions 36 (only one is shown) extending from the front upper portion of the main body case 30 to the rear lower portion are integrally formed, and at the lower ends of the bulging portions 36, respectively. A rear wheel 37 is rotatably attached. Exhaust portions 38 each having a plurality of exhaust holes are provided in front portions of both bulged portions 36 and both side walls of the main body case 30. These exhaust portions 38 communicate with an exhaust port 33B (see FIG. 2) of the electric blower 33 through an exhaust air passage (not shown). The air exhausted from the exhaust port 33B of the electric blower 33 is exhausted from the exhaust part 38 through the exhaust air passage. A battery 39 is built in the electric part 34 of the main body case 30, located below the electric blower 33. The electric power of the battery 39 is supplied to the electric blower 33 and the like. It is also possible to arrange a cord reel in the same portion instead of the illustrated battery 39 and supply electric power from a commercial AC power source to the electric blower 33 and the like through this reel.
[0023]
The lid body 40 includes a top plate 41 formed in an approximately elliptical shape in plan view, and a peripheral wall 42 formed integrally around the top plate 41. A connection pipe 44 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) having a suction port 43 for detachably connecting the dust suction hose 21 is attached to the front portion of the peripheral wall 42. The connection pipe 44 extends in the front-rear direction, and one end opening (front end) forms a suction port 43 and the other end (rear end) 45 is open. The connection pipe 44 is directly continuous from the upstream side with respect to the first dust separation portion 61 described later, and the inner space of the connection pipe 44 is a part of the inflow air passage 44a with respect to the first dust separation portion 61 described later. I am doing.
[0024]
4, 5, 8, and 9, the dust collecting container 50 has an opening on substantially the entire rear surface located on the right side in FIG. 4, for example, on the right side in FIG. 4. It has a container case body 53 having an intake port 52 and a handle portion 54 provided in the container case body 53. The handle portion 54 is attached to the wall 50a, for example, below the intake port 52.
[0025]
The container case body 53 includes a first dust storage portion (first dust collection portion) 55 formed at a lower portion of the case body 53, and a negative pressure chamber portion (negative pressure) formed mainly above the first dust storage portion 55. Pressure space) 56, a first dust separation portion 61 provided in the negative pressure chamber portion 56, and a guide portion 63 that guides the dust separated by the dust separation portion 61 to the first dust storage portion 55. is doing.
[0026]
The bottom surface of the first dust reservoir 55 is open. A bottom plate 57 is attached to the bottom of the first dust storage portion 55 so as to be openable and closable around the axis J, and dust accumulated in the first dust storage portion 55 can be discarded by opening the bottom plate 57. . The closed state of the bottom plate 57 is released through a mechanism (not shown) that is interlocked with the pressing of the operation button provided on the handle portion 54.
[0027]
The first dust storage portion 55 and the negative pressure chamber portion 56 are partitioned by a standing wall 60 that is close to the opening 51 and a ceiling wall 58 that is bent from the upper end of the wall 60 and continues to the wall 50a. The ceiling wall 58 of the first dust reservoir 55 is formed with a vent opening 59 that allows the first dust reservoir 55 and the negative pressure chamber 56 to communicate with each other. The ventilation opening 59 is provided to face the substantially central portion of the first dust reservoir 55. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, a coarse dust capturing filter F1 made of, for example, a net is attached to the ventilation opening 59.
[0028]
A connection hole 58A (see FIG. 8) is formed on the ceiling wall 58 on the rising wall 60 side. Below the connection hole 58A, a guide wall 55G (see FIGS. 4 and 11) for generating a swirling flow in the first dust reservoir 55 is provided.
[0029]
The first dust separation unit 61 includes a cylindrical air passage forming body 62 that forms a separation air passage 62 a and a guide portion 63.
[0030]
4, 5, 8, and 9, the air passage forming body 62 has a hollow frustum shape with one end and the other end opened, and a plurality of separation openings 64 are equally spaced over the entire circumference. And a filter F2 for capturing fine dust that closes the separation openings 64.
[0031]
Specifically, the air passage formation body 62 includes a frame configured by a pair of large and small circular frame portions W1 and W2 and a plurality of ribs W3 connecting the frame portions W1 and W2. Each separation opening 64 is formed in a space surrounded by both frame portions W1, W2 and a rib W3. The filter F2 is made of, for example, a net and is attached in a cylindrical shape along the inner peripheral surface of the frame. Therefore, the air passage formation body 62 has a structure in which both ends in the axial direction are opened, and the inner space of the formation body 62 forms a separation air passage 62a.
[0032]
The central axis of the separation air passage 62a extends linearly in the axial direction of the cleaner body 20 (the front-rear direction in this embodiment). The separation air passage 62a is connected to the air inlet 33A of the electric blower 33 through the separation opening 64 of the air passage formation body 62, the negative pressure chamber portion 56 of the container case body 53, and the opening 34A of the electric portion 34 of the main body case 30 sequentially. Communicating with
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 8, and 9, the diameter of the large-diameter one end opening 62 </ b> A of the air passage forming body 62 is formed larger than the diameter of the intake inlet 52 of the container case body 53. The air passage forming body 62 is connected to the container case body 53 so that the intake inlet 52 is positioned inside the one end opening 62A. The diameter of the small-diameter other end opening 62 </ b> B of the air passage forming body 62 is smaller than the diameter of the intake inlet 52. As a result, the diameter of the air passage forming body 62 gradually decreases linearly from one end to the other end.
[0034]
The direction in which the axis of the air passage forming body 62 extends and the direction in which the axis of the connecting pipe 44 of the lid 40 extends are substantially straight, and the intake port 33A of the electric blower 33 faces the extension of these axes. Correspondingly provided. The connection pipe 44 of the lid 40, the intake inlet 52 of the container case body 53, the air passage forming body 62, the opening 51 of the container case body 55, and the intake port 33 </ b> A of the electric blower 33 are connected to the cleaner body 20. They are sequentially arranged along the axial direction (the front-rear direction in this embodiment).
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the guide portion 63 is provided continuously to the other end opening 62 </ b> B of the air passage forming body 62. Specifically, the guide portion 63 is inclined from the upper part of the other end opening 62B of the air passage forming body 62 and extends obliquely downward, and is curved from one end of the inclined wall portion 63A and extends downward and wind. It has an air blowing wall portion 63B facing the other end opening 62B of the path forming body 62, and an inclined wall portion 63A and side wall portions 63C formed on both sides of the air blowing wall portion 63B. The guide portion 63 has an opening 63D joined to the other end opening 62B of the air passage forming body 62.
[0036]
The lower portion of the guide portion 63 has a cylindrical shape and extends in the vertical direction, for example, and covers the connection hole 58A and is connected across the ceiling wall portion 58 and the standing wall 60. By this connection, the guide portion 63 communicates the separation air passage 62a with the first dust storage portion 55.
[0037]
The standing wall 60 is provided slightly inside (front side) of the opening 51 of the container case body 53 to give the opening 51 a predetermined depth H (see FIG. 4). A filter 80 (to be described later) that forms the second dust separation portion is detachably mounted in the opening 51 using this depth H.
[0038]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 7, the connection pipe 44 is provided with air control means 91. The control means 91 restrains the airflow control valve 92 that opens and closes the inflow air passage 44a and the airflow control valve 92 to be closed until the inside of the separation air passage 62a reaches a predetermined negative pressure, and the negative pressure is a predetermined value. And a valve seat for releasing the restraint.
[0039]
The airflow control valve 92 is made of a relatively thick rubber plate integrally molded. The air flow control valve 92 includes an attachment end 94 at its upper end (one end), a valve plate 96 that is integrally connected via a thin self-hinge 95 connected to the lower side, and the valve plate 96. And a projecting convex portion 97 formed at the lower end portion (the other end portion). Both the upper end surface of the attachment end portion 94 and the lower end surface of the valve plate portion 96 have an arc shape corresponding to the inner peripheral surface of the connection pipe 44. The valve plate part 96 has a pair of slits 98 opened at the lower end surface thereof, and an elongated flexible deformation part 99 left between the slits 98. The projecting convex portion 97 is integrally connected to the lower end of the flexible deformation portion 99 at a substantially right angle to the flexible deformation portion 99, and is connected to the downstream side of the valve plate portion 96, for example, the first separation portion 61. It protrudes toward. Further, both side edges 92 a of the airflow control valve 92 are, for example, parallel edges so as not to contact the air passage wall defining the inflow air passage 44 a, that is, the inner peripheral surface of the connection pipe 44.
[0040]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the airflow control valve 92 is fixed to the upper part in the connection pipe 44 through a screw 78 screwed through the presser member 77 having the mounting end 94 overlapped thereon. Yes. FIG. 7 shows a state in which this attachment state is viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 7, between the both side edges 92a of the airflow control valve 92 in the closed position and the inner peripheral surface of the connection pipe 44, a substantially D-shaped gap g elongated in the vertical direction is formed. In other words, the inflow air passage 44 a is throttled by the air flow control valve 92.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the valve receiver 93 is connected to the lower edge of the intake inlet 52, for example, and protrudes from the inner surface of the wall 50a toward the first separation portion 61. That is, the valve seat 93 is provided on the downstream side of the airflow control valve 92. An upward restricting portion 93 a is formed at the protruding end portion of the valve receiver 93. The restraining portion 93a has a restraining surface 93b and a guide slope 93c.
[0042]
In a state where no negative pressure is generated in the separation air passage 62a such as when the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is not used, the air flow control valve 92 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 due to its own weight and the elastic force of the self hinge portion 95. In this manner, the tip of the protruding convex portion 97 is hooked (engaged) with the restraining surface 93b of the restraining portion 93a and restrained at the closed position. This air flow control valve 92 is removed from the restraining portion 93a with the deformation of the projecting convex portion 97 and the flexible deforming portion 99 as the negative pressure of the separation air passage 62a increases due to the start of operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 or the like. Then, the self hinge part 95 is rotated to the open position with the fulcrum as a fulcrum. As the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 is stopped, the airflow control valve 92 is automatically returned to the closed position by its own weight and the elastic force of the self hinge portion 95.
[0043]
In this returning operation, the lower end of the projecting convex portion 97 and the flexible deformation portion 99 are guided to the guide inclined surface 93c and are not caught by the restraining portion 93a, so that the flexible deformation portion 99 engages with the restraining surface 93b. The valve plate portion 96 can be reliably returned to the closed position. Further, since the upper side portion of both side edges 92a does not receive resistance in competition with the inner peripheral surface of the connection pipe 44 in the rotation of the valve plate portion 96, the valve plate portion 96 is smoothly rotated. It can be returned to the closed position.
[0044]
As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, a support wall 71 that integrally supports a filter 80 for capturing fine dust, which will be described later, is integrally provided on the outer side of the lower end portion of the standing wall 60. A second dust reservoir 72 is formed between the lower end and the outside. The second dust storage unit 72 is provided to store dust finer than the dust stored in the first dust storage unit 55 independently of the first dust storage unit 55. Both the upper and lower ends of the second dust reservoir 72 are opened, and the second dust reservoir 72 is partitioned into a plurality of regions by a plurality of support ribs 73. The support rib 73 supports the filter 80 from below.
[0045]
The lower end opening of the second dust storage part 72 is arranged in the lower end opening of the first dust storage part 55 and is closed by the bottom plate 57 that opens and closes the first dust storage part 55. Therefore, by opening one bottom plate 57, the dust accumulated in the first and second dust reservoirs 55 and 72 can be discarded at the same time, which is convenient. By closing the lower end opening of the second dust reservoir 72 with the bottom plate 57, the second dust reservoir 72 is formed in a concave shape so that the airflow passes therethrough and the influence of the turbulent flow hardly affects the dust reservoir 72. Specifically, it becomes a dead end structure.
[0046]
An annular sealing material 74 (see FIG. 4) is fixed to the inner surface of the bottom plate 57, thereby simultaneously air-tightening the lower ends of the dust storage portions 55 and 72 with the bottom plate 57 closed. The entire lower end of the standing wall 60 that partitions the second dust reservoir 72 and the first dust reservoir 55 adjacent thereto is in contact with the inner surface of the closed bottom plate 57.
[0047]
The depth of fitting of the filter 80 into the opening 51 portion of the container case body 53 is determined by the regulating means provided in the container case body 53, for example, the stepped portion 53A formed on the ceiling portion of the container case body 53 and the standing as shown in FIG. The restriction is made by the corner portion 53B formed by the wall 60 and the rib 73, and the restriction allows the filter 80 to be mounted upright, preferably tilted forward at an angle close to vertical, for example.
[0048]
The upper part of the filter 80 attached to the container case body 53 faces the negative pressure chamber part 56, and the lower part is opposed to the upright wall 60 in the vicinity. As a result, a gap G is formed between the lower portion of the filter 80 and the upright wall 60, which is much narrower than the upper negative pressure chamber portion 56 and has a small air passage cross-sectional area. The lower end of the gap G communicates with the second dust reservoir 72 that is located below the gap G.
[0049]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, the filter 80 includes a filter frame 81 and a filter element 82 that is attached by covering the entire inside of the frame 81. The filter element 82 is formed by matting a filter medium. In particular, in the present embodiment, a pleated filter element subjected to pleating processing is used to expand the filtration area. The mesh of the filter element 82 is finer than that of the filters F1 and F2 in the previous stage.
[0050]
At the lower part of the filter frame 81 that supports the filter element 82 from the four sides, an element support 85 having alternately a blocking part 83 and a notch part 84 functioning as a dust discharge part, and a lower frame part 86 on the lower side are provided. Is provided. The closed portions 83 and the cutout portions 84 are alternately formed at a predetermined pitch corresponding to the pleats of the filter element 82, and the cutout portions 84 are formed open to the front side (upstream side) of the filter frame 81. ing. The lower frame portion 86 has an inclined portion 86a that is integrally connected to the rear edge of the element support 85 and protrudes obliquely downward in the front side.
[0051]
In FIG. 12, the lower ends of the grooves 82 a extending in the vertical direction on the back surface of the filter element 82 directed to the front side are all placed on the closing portion 83 and closed by the closing portion 83. This prevents a ventilation path extending from the front and back surfaces of the filter element 82 from being formed in the lower portion of the filter frame 81. Further, in FIG. 12, a slanted portion 86a is opposed to a lower portion of a lower end of a groove 82b extending in the vertical direction on the surface of the filter element 82 directed to the rear side. The space between the element support 85 and the inclined portion 86a communicates with a groove 82b extending in the vertical direction on the surface of the filter element 82 and communicated with the lower second dust reservoir 72. . Accordingly, the dust that has fallen from the surface of the filter element 82 bypasses the inclined portion 86a and is accumulated in the second dust reservoir 72 below.
[0052]
Next, operation | movement of the vacuum cleaner 10 comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated.
[0053]
After the dust collecting container 50 is placed on the placing portion 35 of the main body case 30 as shown in FIG. 3 (A), the lid 40 is closed as shown in FIG. 2, and then the dust suction hose as shown in FIG. 21 is connected to the suction port 43 of the lid 40. A suction port 24 is already connected to the dust suction hose 21 via an extension pipe 23.
[0054]
In this state, since the electric blower 33 is not operated, the airflow control valve 92 is almost perpendicular to the inside of the connection pipe 44 by hooking the tip of the projecting convex portion 97 to the restraining portion 93a of the valve receiver 93. You are constrained to stand at an angle.
[0055]
Under this restrained state, the electric blower 33 is driven by operating the operation switch 22B of the hand operation unit 22A. Thereby, the negative pressure chamber part 56 of the container case body 53 becomes negative pressure through the opening 34 </ b> A of the electric part 34. This negative pressure is generated by the separation opening 64 of the air passage formation body 62, the separation air passage 62a of the air passage formation body 62, the intake inlet 52 of the container case body 53, the connection pipe 44 of the lid body 40, the dust suction hose 21, and the extension pipe 23. , And the suction port body 24 in sequence, dust is sucked together with air from the suction port body 24.
[0056]
The sucked dust and air are sucked into the suction port 43 of the lid body 40 through the extension pipe 23 and the dust suction hose 21. The dust and air sucked into the suction port 43 are sucked into the air passage 62 a of the air passage forming body 62 of the first dust separation unit 61 through the intake inlet 52 of the dust collecting container 50.
[0057]
Part of the air sucked into the air passage 62 a passes through the first filter F 2 of the separation opening 64 of the air passage forming body 62 and is sucked into the negative pressure chamber portion 56 of the container case body 53. The air is sucked into the air inlet 33 </ b> A of the electric blower 33 through the filter 80 attached to the opening 51.
[0058]
In this case, the airflow control valve 92 constrained in the closed position is pushed by the airflow passing through the inflow air passage 44 a, but at the stage immediately after the start of the operation of the electric blower 33, the separation consisting of the inner space of the air passage formation body 62 The negative pressure in the air passage 62a is small. Accordingly, the force by which the airflow pushes the airflow control valve 92 is also small, so that the airflow control valve 92 remains held in the closed position by the engagement of the protruding projection 97 with the valve receiver 93.
[0059]
However, as the negative pressure of the separation air passage 62a gradually increases, the flexible deformation portion 99 and the tension convex portion 97 are greatly elastically deformed, and when the negative pressure reaches a certain value, the tension convex portion 97. Is released from the valve seat 93 and the restraint is released. Accordingly, the airflow control valve 92 is rapidly turned upward with the self hinge portion 95 as a fulcrum, and the inflow air passage 44a is fully opened at once. After this stage, the airflow control valve 92 is held in the open position by the force of the airflow flowing from the inflow air passage 44a into the separation air passage 62a until the operation of the electric blower 33 is stopped.
[0060]
Although air is normally sucked in this way, dust with a mass exceeding a predetermined amount sucked into the separation air passage 62a extending linearly in the front-rear direction of the cleaner body 20 changes its direction suddenly due to its inertia. And cannot pass through the separation opening 64. For this reason, the dust having the mass is separated from the air passing through the separation opening 64, travels straight through the separation air passage 62 a, collides with the air blowing wall portion 63 </ b> B of the guide portion 63, and the first dust along the guide portion 63. It is introduced into the reservoir 55.
[0061]
At the same time, a part of the air is introduced into the first dust reservoir 55 through the guide part 63 in the same manner as the dust having the mass. The air thus introduced becomes a downward swirling flow that rotates along the inner peripheral surface of the first dust reservoir 55 by the guide wall 55G. For this reason, the dust introduced into the first dust reservoir 55 is accumulated while being compressed along the lower inner peripheral surface of the first dust reservoir 55 by the swirl flow. Then, the air that has been introduced into the first dust reservoir 55 and turned into a swirl flow rises and reverses at the center of the first dust reservoir 55, and the ventilation opening of the ceiling wall 58 of the first dust reservoir 55. The liquid is sucked into the negative pressure chamber portion 56 of the container case body 53 through 59.
[0062]
On the other hand, the light dust does not travel straight through the separation air passage 62a in the air passage formation body 62 of the first dust separation portion 61, but passes through the filter F2 of the separation opening 64 by the negative suction pressure of the electric blower 33. And flows to the negative pressure chamber portion 56, and is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the filter F2.
[0063]
As described above, in the first dust separation unit 61, dust having a large mass such as coarse dust goes straight without swirling dust-containing air and centrifuging dust and air while reversing the traveling direction of the swirl flow. Since this dust is separated from the air by utilizing the inertial force to be achieved, the air path loss in the first dust separation unit 61 is small. Moreover, the intake inlet 52, the separation air passage 62a, the opening 51 of the container case body 53, and the intake port 33A of the electric blower 33 are arranged at substantially the same height and sequentially arranged in the front-rear direction. When air is sucked from the separation air passage 62a through the filter F2 into the negative pressure chamber 56 of the container case body 53, the main flow of the air is large as shown by the arrow Q in FIG. It does not change, and flows substantially linearly at substantially the same height position, and is sucked into the electric blower 33.
[0064]
As a result, the air path loss is further reduced, and the function of the electric blower 33 can be fully exhibited. Furthermore, the connection pipe 44 of the lid body 40 and the cylindrical air passage formation body 62 are aligned in a straight line, so that the direction of air introduced toward the intake inlet 52 of the container case body 53 and the air passage formation. Since the extending direction of the body 62 is substantially in a straight line, the air path loss can be further reduced.
[0065]
Since the air in the negative pressure chamber 56 passes through the filter 80 and is sucked by the electric blower 33, the fine dust that has passed through the filters F1 and F2 can be captured by the filter 80, and the air thus purified Can be sucked by the electric blower 33. As described above, the first dust separation unit 61 is provided on the upstream side of the filter 80 forming the second dust separation unit, and coarse dust and the like are separated in advance by the first dust separation unit 61. Large dust adheres to the filter 80 and does not hinder its function.
[0066]
Most of the dust trapped mainly on the upstream surface of the filter 80 falls by its own weight as the operation of the electric blower 33 is stopped. The dust slides down the slanted portion 86 a of the lower frame portion 86 of the filter frame 81 and is stored in a second dust storage portion 72 provided facing the lower portion of the lower frame portion 86. Since the second dust reservoir 72 does not blow through the electric blower 33 every time the operation of the electric blower 33 is restarted, such as when the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is used next time, the fine dust accumulated in the second dust reservoir 72. It is possible to effectively prevent the dust from rising and reattaching to the upstream surface of the filter element 82.
[0067]
For this reason, the performance of actually sucking the dust-containing air into the suction port 43 by the suction force of the electric blower 33 becomes difficult to be reduced, the cleaning performance can be improved, and the filter element 82 is washed and regenerated, or The maintenance interval required by the user, such as replacement with a new filter 80, in other words, the continuous usable period of the filter 80 can be extended.
[0068]
With the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 as described above, dust adheres to the inner peripheral surface of the filter F2 of the first dust separator 61 as described above. When clogging of the filter F2 increases due to such light dust adhesion, the air volume passing through the filter F2 decreases.
[0069]
However, the negative pressure in the negative pressure chamber portion 56 is increased by this reduced amount, and the negative pressure in the first dust storage portion 55 is increased through the vent opening 59 of the ceiling wall 58. As a result, the wind speed and the air volume of the air that travels straight through the separation air passage 62a increase, and it becomes easy for air that travels straight to remove dust adhering to the filter F2. At this time, the diameter of the cylindrical air passage forming body 62 gradually decreases from the upstream opening 62A to the downstream opening 62B, so that the wind straightly traveling through the separation air passage 62a can be applied to the entire surface of the filter F2. And flow while being drawn toward the center of the separation air passage 62a. For this reason, the dust adhering to the inner surface of the filter F2 can be more easily peeled off. The dust thus peeled is introduced into the first dust reservoir 55 through the guide portion 63 in the same manner as dust having a large mass, and is accumulated in the dust reservoir 55 by being centrifuged from the air.
[0070]
As described above, even if the amount of air passing through the filter F2 decreases due to clogging, the amount of air that goes straight through the separation air passage 62a increases, so the amount of air sucked by the electric blower 33 is kept substantially constant. For this reason, it is possible to always suck dust with a predetermined suction force regardless of the clogging of the filter F2.
[0071]
However, since the dust removal on the inner surface of the filter F2 is not complete, when the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 is stopped or interrupted, dust or the like is attached to the filter F2.
[0072]
By the way, whenever the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 is started (including resumption after interruption) as described above, the airflow control valve 92 immediately opens the inflow air passage 44a immediately after that. At this stage, since the negative pressure in the separation air passage 62a of the air passage formation plate 62 is large enough to perform normal cleaning, a large amount of air enters the separation air passage 62a all at once. The entire separation air passage 62a is in a turbulent state. Due to such airflow behavior, dust adhering to the inner surface of the filter F2 can be removed. In this case, the dust adhering to the inner surface of the filter F2 is often in the form of a film and can be removed by peeling off the dust. Since the removed film-like dust has a large mass, it is stored in the first dust receiving portion 55 by the inertial separation action described above.
[0073]
In addition, in the present embodiment, the airflow control valve 92 in the closed position has a predetermined flow between the side edge 92a and the inner peripheral surface of the connection pipe 44 before the above automatic dust removal. A gap g that secures a cross-sectional area of the road is formed, and the inflow air path 44a is narrowed. For this reason, until the airflow control valve 92 is opened at a stroke as described above, the airflow passes through the gap g, and this airflow becomes a high-speed jet flow and circulates in the center of the separation air passage 62a in the axial direction. . Thereby, a part of the jet flow that has reached the first separation portion 55 on the downstream side of the separation air passage 62a is reflected and backflowed into the space between the jet flow in the central portion of the separation air passage 62a and the filter F2, This space is in a turbulent state. It is possible to remove dust adhering to the inner surface of the filter F2 also by such an air flow behavior.
[0074]
  Thus, in the present embodiment, every time the operation of the electric blower 33 is started, it adheres to the inner surface of the filter F2.Against dustSubsequently to the dust removal in the first stage due to the formation of the jet flow, it is possible to perform the dust removal in the second stage due to the air flow control valve 92 being fully opened. Therefore, the dust adhering to the inner surface of the filter F2 can be removed without taking the trouble of removing the first separation part 61 provided with the filter F2.
[0075]
  The present invention is not limited to the one embodiment. For example, the valve plate portion 96 may have a shape that does not create the gap g for creating the jet flow. The air flow control means 91 using the rubber air flow control valve 92 is simple in configuration and can be easily made by integral molding.Are better. In addition,It is preferable to provide the airflow control means 91 immediately before the dust separation unit 61 because a sudden change in the airflow behavior can be quickly and reliably given to the separation airflow path 62a of the airflow path forming body 62. If the design is such that the negative pressure is sufficiently large and the energy of the airflow is not greatly attenuated, it can be provided at one end or the other end of the dust suction hose. In the embodiment, the airflow control valve automatically returns to the closed position by its own elastic force, which is excellent in terms of simple configuration. However, the airflow control valve is attached to the closed position. Providing biasing means such as a biasing spring does not hinder, and therefore the direction of mounting the airflow control valve is not limited to the one embodiment.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the air path loss as compared with the one that performs the cyclonic separation, and it is possible to easily suppress the clogging of the filter of the dust separation unit, and to reduce the air volume. It is possible to provide a vacuum cleaner that is easy to suppress.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a partial cross section of the vacuum cleaner main body of the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG.
3A is a side view showing the cleaner body of FIG. 2 with the lid open. FIG. (B) is a perspective view which shows the cleaner main body of FIG. 2 in the state which opened the cover body and removed the dust collecting container.
4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a filter for fine dust is attached to a dust collecting container included in the electric vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the dust collecting container of FIG. 4 with a part cut away.
6 is a perspective view of the dust collecting container shown in FIG.
7 is a front view showing the periphery of a connection pipe provided in the dust collection container of FIG. 4;
8 is a perspective view showing the dust collecting container of FIG. 4 as seen from the rear side.
9 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the dust collecting container of FIG. 4;
10 is a perspective view showing the lower part of the dust collecting container of FIG. 4 as seen from the rear side.
11 is a bottom view showing the dust collecting container of FIG. 4. FIG.
12 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of a filter for fine dust attached to the dust collecting container of FIG. 4;
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Vacuum cleaner
20 ... Vacuum cleaner body
33 ... Electric blower
33A ... Inlet
43 ... Suction port
44 ... Connection pipe (wind channel wall)
44a ... Inflow air passage
50 ... Dust collection container (dust cup)
55 ... Dust storage
56 ... Negative pressure chamber (negative pressure space)
61 ... Dust separator
62: Air channel formation body
62a ... Separation air passage
62A ... Opening of one end of the air passage forming body
62B ... Opening of the other end of the air passage forming body
F2 ... Filter
63 ... Guide
63A ... Inclined wall
63B ... Breeting wall
64: Separation opening
72. Second dust storage part
91 ... Airflow control means
92 ... Airflow control valve (airflow control means)
92a: Side edge of airflow control valve
g ... Gap
93 ... Valve (airflow control means)
93a ... Restraint part
93b: Restraint surface
93c ... Guide slope
94 ... Mounting end
95 ... Self-hinge part
96 ... Valve plate
97 ... Protruding protrusion
98 ... Slit
99 ... Flexible deformation part

Claims (4)

A vacuum cleaner body having a suction port and an electric blower attached thereto;
A dust separation unit that is provided in an air path from the suction port to the intake port of the electric blower and separates dust-containing air sucked into the suction port from air and dust, and faces the suction port. And an air passage forming body having a filter formed in a cylindrical shape having one end opening communicating with the other end opening and the other end opening facing the one end opening, and having a filter attached to a separation opening opened on the peripheral surface, and the air passage formation A dust separation part comprising a cylindrical guide part having an air blowing wall part facing the other end opening of the body;
A dust reservoir that is connected to the guide and is separated by the dust separator and is guided by the guide;
A dust reservoir that is connected to the guide and is separated by the dust separator and is guided by the guide;
An airflow control valve provided in an air inflow air passage for the dust separation unit, which opens and closes the inflow air passage and returns to a closed position to close the inflow air passage when the electric blower is stopped, and the airflow control valve The airflow control valve is constrained to close the inflow air passage until the air passage forming body reaches a predetermined negative pressure provided on the downstream side, and this constrained state is reached after the negative pressure reaches a predetermined value. Comprises a valve receiver for releasing airflow control means for controlling the airflow in the airflow path forming body so as to remove dust adhering to the filter;
A vacuum cleaner comprising: A vacuum cleaner body having a suction port and an electric blower attached thereto;
A dust separation unit that is provided in an air path from the suction port to the intake port of the electric blower and separates dust-containing air sucked into the suction port from air and dust, and faces the suction port. And an air passage forming body having a filter formed in a cylindrical shape having one end opening communicating with the other end opening and the other end opening facing the one end opening, and having a filter attached to a separation opening opened on the peripheral surface, and the air passage formation A dust separation part comprising a cylindrical guide part having an air blowing wall part facing the other end opening of the body;
A dust reservoir that is connected to the guide and is separated by the dust separator and is guided by the guide;
A dust reservoir that is connected to the guide and is separated by the dust separator and is guided by the guide;
Provided in the air inflow air passage for the dust separation unit, operates to open and close the inflow air passage, and returns to the closed position to close the inflow air passage in accordance with the stop of the operation of the electric blower. An airflow control valve that restricts the inflow air passage, and the airflow control valve that is provided downstream of the airflow control valve and that closes the inflow air passage until the air passage formation body reaches a predetermined negative pressure. And an airflow control means for controlling the airflow in the airflow path forming body to remove dust adhering to the filter, comprising a valve receiver that releases the restraint state after the negative pressure reaches a predetermined value;
A vacuum cleaner comprising: The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the airflow control valve has both side edges that are not in contact with an air passage wall that defines the inflow air passage . The air flow control valve is made of a rubber plate, and the air flow control valve is provided in the inflow air passage so as to rotate about one end thereof, and the air flow control valve is provided at the other end. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a projecting protrusion projecting downstream, wherein a distal end of the projecting projecting part can be engaged with and disengaged from the valve receiver .

Images