JP4523028B2 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly to a main body connecting portion provided in a hose unit in order to connect the hose unit to a vacuum cleaner main body.

  In a conventional vacuum cleaner, a vacuum cleaner body incorporating a dust collection chamber and an electric blower, a hose unit detachably connected to the main body from the front, an extension pipe connected to the hose unit, A main body connecting portion of the hose unit includes a tubular tube, a hose wrapped around the tube from the front, and an integral hose cover covering the wrapped portion. And a handle integrally formed above the hose cover (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3006600 (page 2-3, FIG. 2, FIG. 5)

In conventional vacuum cleaners, the hose unit body connection is formed in a tubular shape (cylindrical shape), and this body connection is connected to the cleaner body at right angles to the front surface. There is a step (L-shaped corner) between both sides of the outer periphery of the part and the front surface of the cleaner body.
For this reason, when the cleaner body travels during cleaning, for example, if an obstacle such as furniture or a wall of the room entrance hits this step (see 40a in FIG. 8), the cleaner body can stop and travel. Since it must be moved by hand each time, the cleaning workability is significantly reduced.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and when the main body of the cleaner comes into contact with an obstacle while traveling, it is less likely to be caught by the obstacle than in the past, and can be easily performed with slight operation and operation force. It aims at providing the vacuum cleaner provided with the main-body connection part of the hose unit which can avoid an obstruction.

The vacuum cleaner according to the present invention has a vacuum cleaner body having a dust collection chamber and an electric blower inside, and a main body connection portion that is detachably attached to a front portion of the vacuum cleaner body at one end and is operated at the other end. and hose assemblies having a part, and a suction device which is detachably connected to the extension tube and said extension tube is detachably connected to the operating portion of the hose unit, the main body connecting portion or body of the hose unit connection And a guide part that covers at least a part of the hose , and the guide part is a flat and substantially trapezoidal connection part cover that is narrow on the hose side and has a width substantially equal to the width of the front part of the cleaner body. It is formed and disposed at the front surface position of the front surface portion, and handles are provided on the inner side from both side surfaces of the upper surface of the guide portion.

  The present invention provides a guide part that covers a part or the whole of a main body connection part that is provided in a hose unit and is connected to a vacuum cleaner main body, and is formed into a taper shape whose side surface is enlarged to the rear side. And the front surface of the vacuum cleaner body is eliminated, so even if it touches an obstacle while the cleaner body is running, it is difficult to get caught and the obstacle can be easily removed with minimal operation and operating force. Since it can be avoided, it is possible to improve the workability of cleaning and to obtain an easy-to-use vacuum cleaner.

[Embodiment 1]
1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main body connecting portion of the vacuum cleaner main body and the hose unit of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 4 and 4 are side views of FIG.
A connecting port 2 to which the hose unit 10 is connected is provided on the front side of the electric vacuum cleaner main body 1 (hereinafter referred to as a vacuum cleaner main body). ) Is the front and the right side is the rear) is provided with a dust collection chamber 3 for separating the sucked air and dust and collecting the dust. Further, a backup filter 4 for collecting dust that could not be collected in the dust collection chamber 3 is provided behind the dust collection chamber 3, and an electric blower 5 is installed behind the filter. Reference numeral 6 denotes an exhaust port provided in the rear wall of the cleaner body 1. And the front wheel 7 is attached to the bottom face of the cleaner body 1 so as to be rotatable with respect to the traveling direction, and rear wheels 8 are provided on both side faces.

  A main body connection portion 12 connected to the connection port 2 of the cleaner main body 1 is provided at one end of the hose 11 of the hose unit 10, and an operation portion 13 is provided at the other end. An extension tube 14 is detachably connected to the operation unit 13, and a suction tool 15 is detachably connected to a distal end portion of the extension tube 14.

The structure of the main body connection part 12 is shown in FIGS.
The main body connection part 12 is inserted into the connection port 2 of the cleaner body 1 on the rear side, and the connection pipe 16 is provided with an insertion pipe 17 projecting into the dust collecting chamber 3, and the engagement part 20 is provided on the rear side. A rotating tube 19 is provided and is connected to the connecting tube 16 so as to be rotatable and immovable in the axial direction. The hose 11 is joined to the rotating tube 19. Reference numeral 18 denotes a detent provided on the outer periphery of the base of the insertion tube 17. When the insertion tube 17 is inserted into the connection port 2, it is locked in a groove or the like (not shown) provided in the connection port 2 to connect the body. The portion 12 is prevented from rotating.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes a substantially triangular guide portion integrally extending from both sides of the connection pipe 16 and extending almost horizontally to the vicinity of the front end portion of the rotary tube 19 with a gap between the connection tube 16 and the front end portion being thin and rearward. Accordingly, the width of the vacuum cleaner body 1 is increased to a width substantially equal to the front side width, the outer edge portion is formed in a linear or gentle arcuate taper shape, and the rear end is the front side of the vacuum cleaner body 1. It is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape. A bumper 22 is attached to the side edge of the guide portion 21 and is made of, for example, an elastic rubber material. The surface is coated with a fluorine material having a low frictional resistance and subjected to a high-sliding surface treatment. ing. The opening angle θ of the guide portions 21 provided on both sides of the connecting pipe 16 is 90 ° or less. Reference numeral 23 denotes a substantially U-shaped handle provided on the upper surface of the guide portion 21 and has a shape that does not protrude from the side surface of the guide portion 21.

Next, the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment will be described.
First, holding the handle 23 of the main body connection portion 12 of the hose unit 10, the insertion tube 17 is inserted into the connection port 2 of the cleaner body 1, and a groove (not shown) provided on the outer periphery of the connection port 2. )) And connect it so that it cannot rotate. At this time, the main body insertion tube 17 opens into the dust collection chamber 3 of the cleaner body 1 (or the dust collector provided in the dust collection chamber 3), and the rear end portion of the guide portion 21 of the main body connection portion 12 is cleaned. It is in contact with or close to the front side of the machine body 1. Moreover, the side surface of the bumper 22 of the guide part 21 and the side wall of the cleaner body 1 are smoothly continuous. Next, the cord (not shown) of the cleaner body 1 is connected to the power source.

  Then, when the power switch provided in the operation unit 13 is turned on, the electric blower 5 is driven, and dust such as floor is sucked from the suction tool 15 together with air by the suction airflow generated thereby, and the extension pipe 14 and the hose unit 10 are Then, it is sent into the cleaner body 1. The dust sent to the cleaner body 1 is separated into air and dust in the dust collection chamber 3, and the dust is collected in the dust collection chamber 3. The air separated from the dust is further filtered by the backup filter 4 to become clean air, and is discharged from the exhaust port 6 through the electric blower 5.

The cleaning operation is performed by the operator holding the operation unit 13 in his / her hand. However, as the operator moves while holding the operation unit 13, the cleaner body 1 is pulled (moved) by the hose 11.
When the cleaner body 1 moves, if there is an obstacle 40 such as a leg of a chair in front of the running direction, the obstacle 40 is connected to the side surface of the guide portion 21 of the main body connecting portion 12 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the front surface of the cleaner body 1 is not caught by the obstacle 40 and the handle 23 is not caught.

  That is, when the obstacle 40 comes into contact with the guide part 21, the side surface of the guide part 21 moves along the obstacle 40 by continuously moving the cleaner body 1, so that a rotational force acts on the cleaner body 1, The orientation of the front wheel 7 changes, the posture of the cleaner body 1 changes, and the running direction changes. In this case, since the opening angle θ of the guide portion 21 is 90 ° or less, the efficiency of changing the pulling force of the hose 11 to the turning force is increased, and the turning is performed with a light operating force. Further, since the surface of the bumper 22 provided on the side surface of the guide portion 21 is subjected to a surface treatment with high slidability, a large frictional resistance does not occur when contacting the obstacle 40.

  Thus, the cleaner body 1 moves while avoiding the obstacle 40 while changing the posture while the obstacle 40 is in contact with the guide portion 21. And when the obstacle 40 comes off from the guide part 21, it will contact the side surface of the cleaner body 1, but the side surface of the guide part 21 and the side surface of the cleaner body 1 have a shape that is smoothly continuous. The obstacle 40 does not get caught at the change of.

  As described above, in the conventional vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 1, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 8, when the obstacle 40 a contacts the front surface of the cleaner body 1, it is difficult to turn. Since the main body 1 is caught by the obstacle 40a and the traveling stops, the cleaning workability is remarkably deteriorated. In the present embodiment, since the guide portion 21 is provided in the main body connecting portion 12 of the hose unit 10 as described above, such a problem does not occur.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the present embodiment, the main body connection portion 12 of the hose unit 10 is provided with the guide portion 21, so that the cleaner body 1 is caught by the front obstacle 40 during traveling. Since the handle 23 is not protruded from the side surface of the guide portion 21, it does not get caught by the obstacle 40 during traveling. Furthermore, by making the opening angle θ of the guide portion 21 90 ° or less, the turning force of the cleaner body 1 can be increased, the obstacle 40 can be avoided with a light operating force, and the side of the guide portion 21 can be avoided. Since the provided bumper 22 is subjected to a surface treatment with high slidability, it can be operated with a light operating force. Moreover, since the side surface of the guide portion 21 and the side surface of the vacuum cleaner main body 1 are smoothly connected, the obstacle 40 is not caught at the change of the surface. Can greatly improve the performance.

[Embodiment 2]
9 is a perspective view of the main body connecting portion of the vacuum cleaner main body and hose unit of the electric vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a plan view of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a side view of FIG. In addition, the same part as Embodiment 1 attaches | subjects the same code | symbol as this, and abbreviate | omits description.
The configuration of the vacuum cleaner main body 1 according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the vacuum cleaner main body 1 of the first embodiment, but a recess 9 is provided on the front side of the upper surface, and rear wheels on both side walls. A plate-like bumper 22 a is attached to the front side of the 8. The bumper 22a is formed of a rubber-based material having elasticity, and the surface thereof is coated with a fluorine-based coating having a low frictional resistance and subjected to a highly slidable surface treatment.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the main body connecting portion 12 includes an insertion portion 17, a connecting tube 16 having a rotation stopper 18, and a rotating tube 19 that is rotatably fitted in the connecting tube 16 and to which the hose 11 is joined. Although provided, the triangular guide portion 21 is not provided (FIGS. 14 and 15).
Reference numeral 25 denotes a connection part cover that constitutes a guide part that covers a part of the connection pipe 16, the rotary pipe 19 and the hose 11, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, and is a flat surface with a narrow front side and a wide rear side. A bottom plate 26 having a shape, a side plate 27 standing on both sides of the bottom plate 26 and bulging outwardly into a linear or gentle arc shape, and formed into a tapered shape, a front plate 28, and the cleaner body 1 A rear plate 29 having a shape corresponding to the front surface shape (in the figure, a straight line is shown), and a concave portion 31 corresponding to and continuous with the concave portion 9 provided in the cleaner body 1 on the rear side. The top plate 30 is formed in a box-like quadrangular pyramid-like box shape, and the opening angle θ of the side plates 27 is 90 ° or less.

  At the center of the front plate 28 and the rear plate 29, insertion holes 32 and 33 are provided through which the connecting pipe 16, the rotating portion 19 and the like are inserted. A handle 23 a is provided between the side plates 27 on the rear side of the recess 31. Although the handle 23a is shown in the case where it is provided in the recess 23a, the handle 23a may protrude from the top plate 30 as long as it is inside the side plates 27. Further, a bumper 22a, which is made of the same material as the bumper 22a provided on the side wall of the cleaner body 1 and subjected to a highly slidable surface treatment, is mounted on the outer surface of the side plates 27 and the lower portion of the insertion hole 32 of the front plate 28. ing.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
First, a hand is put in from the concave portion 31 provided in the connection portion cover 25 of the main body connection portion 12, the handle 23 a is held, and the insertion tube 17 protruding from the rear plate 29 of the connection portion cover 25 is connected to the connection port 2 of the cleaner body 1. Insert and connect to. As a result, the rear plate 29 of the connecting portion cover 25 is positioned in contact with or close to the front surface of the cleaner body 1 to cover the front surface side, and the rear side of the bumper 22a attached to the both side plates 27 is Smoothly connected to the bumper 22a mounted on the side wall.

The avoiding action of the cleaner main body 1 on the obstacle 40 according to the present embodiment is the same as in the case of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the side plate 27 of the connecting portion cover 25 is attached to the cleaner main body 1. For example, even when the obstacle 40 is low, the cleaner body 1 can reliably turn around. Moreover, since the bumper 22a smoothly connected to the bumper 22a provided on the connection portion cover 25 is provided on the side wall of the cleaner body 1, the head can be turned more smoothly.
Also in this embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Embodiment 3]
16 is a perspective view of a connection portion between a vacuum cleaner body and a hose unit of a vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, FIG. 17 is a plan view of FIG. 16, and FIG. 18 is a side view of FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to this same part as Embodiment 1, 2, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
The vacuum cleaner main body 1 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the vacuum cleaner main body 1 according to the second embodiment, but the upper surface is not provided with the recess 9, and the side wall is provided with a bumper 22a. It has not been. However, the entire surface of the vacuum cleaner main body 1 or at least the surfaces of the left and right side walls in front of the rear wheel 8 are subjected to a highly slidable surface treatment with a self-lubricating PTFE-based coating having a low frictional resistance.

As in the case of the second embodiment, the main body connecting portion 12 includes a connecting tube 16, a rotating tube 19 to which the hose 11 is joined, and a connecting portion cover 25a which is a guide portion for covering them (FIG. 21).
As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the connection portion cover 25 a has substantially the same shape as the connection cover 25 of the second embodiment, but is made of a material that absorbs an impact (for example, a foam material or a rubber material). As in the case of the cleaner body 1, the entire surface or at least the surfaces of the left and right side plates 27 are subjected to a highly slidable surface treatment.
Further, the upper surface plate 30 is not provided with the concave portion 31, and one or more suction nozzle storage portions 34 for storing or engaging the replacement suction nozzle 35 are provided on the rear side of the upper surface plate 30. ing. Also in the present embodiment, a handle may be provided on the upper surface of the connection portion cover 25a on the inner side of the side plates 27 of the connection portion cover 25a at a position where it does not interfere with the suction nozzle storage portion 34.

The avoidance action of the obstacle 40 according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment.
The effect of the present embodiment is almost the same as that of the second embodiment. However, since the suction nozzle storage portion 34 is further provided on the upper surface of the connection cover 25a, the replacement suction nozzle 35 is provided during the cleaning operation. When used, it is convenient because the replacement suction nozzle 35 is taken out from the suction nozzle storage portion 34 and used, and the suction nozzle used so far is stored in the suction nozzle storage portion 34.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the main-body connection part of the cleaner main body and hose unit of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 2. It is a perspective view of the main-body connection part of FIG. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the main body connection portion of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view of FIG. 5. FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment. It is a perspective view of the main-body connection part of the vacuum cleaner main body and hose unit of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 10 is a plan view of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a side view of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the main body connection portion of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the main body connection portion of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 9. It is a perspective view of the main-body connection part of the vacuum cleaner main body and hose unit of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. FIG. 17 is a plan view of FIG. 16. FIG. 17 is a side view of FIG. 16. It is a perspective view of the main-body connection part of FIG. FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the main body connection portion of FIG. 16. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vacuum cleaner main body, 2 Connection port, 3 Dust collection chamber, 5 Electric blower, 7 Front wheel, 8 Rear wheel, 10 Hose unit, 11 Hose, 12 Main body connection part, 13 Operation part, 14 Extension pipe, 15 Suction tool, 16 Connection pipe, 19 Rotating pipe, 21 Guide part, 22, 22a Bumper, 23, 23a Handle, 25, 25a Connection part cover (guide part), 31 Recess, 34 Suction nozzle storage part, 35 Suction nozzle.

Claims (6)

A vacuum cleaner body with a dust collection chamber and an electric blower inside,
A hose unit having a main body connecting part detachably attached to the front part of the vacuum cleaner main body at one end and an operating part at the other end;
An extension pipe detachably connected to the operation portion of the hose unit, and a suction tool detachably connected to the extension pipe,
A guide part that covers at least a part of the hose unit main body connection part or the main body connection part and the hose is provided,
The guide part is
The hose side is thin and the vacuum cleaner body side is formed with a plane substantially trapezoidal connection portion cover having a width substantially equal to the width of the front surface portion of the vacuum cleaner body and disposed at the front surface position of the front surface portion ,
A vacuum cleaner characterized in that a handle is provided inside both side surfaces of the upper surface of the guide portion. Wherein the guide portion, the electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterized by forming a material to absorb the impact. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an opening angle of a side surface of the guide portion is set to be within 90 °. Side surface of the guide portion, or at least a portion of the surface of the side wall of the cleaner body, more of claims 1-3, characterized in that the high slidability member was coated by mounting or high slidability materials A vacuum cleaner according to crab. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein a side surface of the guide portion on a cleaner body side is formed so as to be substantially smoothly continuous with a side wall of the cleaner body. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the guide portion is provided with a storage portion or a locking portion for a suction nozzle.

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