JP4896793B2 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner provided with a first dust collecting part and a second dust collecting part provided in a cleaner body.

  Conventionally, this type of vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum cleaner body that houses an electric blower. The vacuum cleaner main body is provided with a dust collecting portion in communication with the suction side of the electric blower. In addition, a main body suction port that communicates with the upstream side of the dust collecting portion is formed in the front portion of the cleaner body, and a hose body, an extension pipe, a floor brush, and the like are sequentially connected to the main body suction port. .

As a dust collection part of such a vacuum cleaner, for example, a cyclone separation type that separates dust from air by centrifugation is known. The dust collection unit includes a separation unit that centrifuges the sucked dust from the air, and a part of the suction air swirled by the separation unit flows into the first air passage together with the separated dust, The other part of the suction air flows from the central part of the separation part into the second air path. The suction air flowing into the dust collection chamber passes through the filter disposed in the dust collection chamber and merges with the suction air in the second air passage, and then the filter provided on the downstream side of the second air passage. And is sucked into the electric blower (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-265376 A (page 3-5, FIG. 1)

  However, in the above-described electric vacuum cleaner, although the suction air generated by the driving of the electric blower is branched by the separation unit, it finally passes through the common filter and is sucked into the electric blower. As a result, there is a problem that the suction force sequentially decreases in accordance with the degree of clogging.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a point, and it aims at providing the vacuum cleaner which can suppress the time-dependent fall of suction force.

  The present invention is located on the downstream side of the first dust collecting portion provided in the cleaner main body, the first filter capable of communicating with the suction side of the electric blower on the downstream side, and the cleaner main body separately from the first dust collecting portion. A dust amount detecting means for detecting the dust amount of the second dust collecting portion provided in the second dust collecting portion, a second filter located downstream of the second dust collecting portion, the downstream side being capable of communicating with the suction side of the electric blower, A third filter that is provided separately from the first filter and the second filter, and whose downstream side communicates with the suction side of the electric blower on the downstream side of the first filter and the second filter; and the upstream side of the third filter and the second dust collection A first air passage communicating with the first air passage and a second air passage communicating with the upstream side of the third filter separately from the first air passage, via the first dust collecting portion and the first filter Electricity passes through the main air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower, the second dust collecting section, and the second filter. A first state forming a secondary air passage communicating with the suction side of the blower, and a dust moving air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower via the first dust collecting portion, the second dust collecting portion and the second filter. The 2nd state to form, the 1st dust collection part, the 1st washing air passage which is connected to the suction side of an electric blower via the 3rd filter's upstream and the 3rd filter, the 2nd dust collection part, the 2nd filter The third state of forming a second cleaning air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower via the upstream side of the first air filter and the third filter, and the amount of dust detected by the dust amount detection means are A return air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower is formed via the second air passage, the upstream side of the third filter, the first air passage, the second dust collecting portion, and the second filter when the amount is equal to or greater than the fixed amount. The fourth state can be switched.

  According to the present invention, even if the amount of dust collected by the first dust collecting unit and the first filter in the first state increases and the air path resistance of the main air path increases, when switching to the second state, When the dust collected in the first dust collecting part is moved to the second dust collecting part side by the dust moving air passage and switched to the third state, the dust collected in each of the first filter and the second filter is changed to the first dust collecting part. The first filter and the second filter are cleaned by moving to the third filter via the first cleaning air path and the second cleaning air path, and the dust amount of the second dust collecting unit detected by the dust amount detection means is preset. If it is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, the dust collected in the third filter is returned to the second dust collecting section via the return air passage when the state is switched to the fourth state. It can be secured to prevent the suction force from decreasing over time, and in the fourth state, the second dust collection Since the accumulated more than a predetermined amount of dust, the dust returned from the third filter and the second dust collection section can be reliably collected twine into dust in the second dust collection section.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

  1 to 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a vacuum cleaner main body, and the vacuum cleaner main body 1 is a so-called canister type vacuum cleaner that can run on a floor surface. The vacuum cleaner main body 1 includes a main body case 4 having a lower case 2 whose upper side is opened to be inclined downward from the rear to the front, and a lid 3 that covers an upper portion of the lower case 2. In the case 4, an electric blower chamber that houses the electric blower 5 is located on the rear side, and a dust collection chamber in which an upper part is opened and closed by the lid body 3 and a dust collection unit 7 as a dust collection unit is detachably disposed. Each is divided into sections. The electric blower chamber accommodates control means 9 for controlling the operation of the electric blower 5 and the like.

  A main body suction port 11 that can communicate with the suction side of the electric blower 5 through the dust collecting unit 7 is formed at the front end of the main body case 4. A hose body 12 is attached to and detached from the main body suction port 11. A hand operating part 13 is provided at the tip of the hose body 12, and a gripping part 14 is provided on the hand operating part 13 to be gripped by an operator. A plurality of setting buttons 15 for setting an operation mode and the like of the electric blower 5 are provided by an operator. The extension pipe 16 and a floor brush 17 as a suction port body are sequentially connected to the distal end portion of the hand operation unit 13 in communication.

  Further, a cord reel around which a power cord (not shown) for supplying power to the electric blower 5 is wound is disposed in the main body case 4 so that the power cord can be taken in and out of the main body case 4.

  The electric blower 5 is disposed along a substantially central position in the left-right direction of the cleaner body 1, that is, along the central axis of the main body suction port 11 with the suction side as the front side and the exhaust side as the rear side. The electric blower 5 is operated according to the operation mode set in the control means 9 by the setting button 15. Further, the electric blower 5 has a current value detected by a current sensor 19 as pressure detecting means, and the suction pressure of the electric blower 5 is indirectly detected by the control means 9 based on the detected current value. Yes.

  The dust collection unit 7 includes a cylindrical communication pipe 21 that communicates with the downstream side of the main body suction port 11, and a main collection as a first dust collection section is provided at the rear end portion on the downstream side of the communication pipe 21. A dust chamber 22 is provided in communication, and a sub dust collection chamber 23 as a second dust collection section is branched to the side of the main dust collection chamber 22. Further, a first fine dust chamber 24 is defined on the downstream side of the main dust collecting chamber 22, and a first fine dust filter 25 as a first filter is disposed in the first fine dust chamber 24. Similarly, a second fine dust chamber 26 is defined on the downstream side of the sub dust collection chamber 23, and a second fine dust filter 27 as a second filter is disposed in the second fine dust chamber 26. In addition to these filters 25 and 27, a third fine dust filter 28 as a third filter is provided. Further, on the upstream side of the third fine dust filter 28, there are a first air passage 31 communicating with the upstream side of the sub dust collection chamber 23 and a second air passage 32 communicating with the exhaust side of the electric blower 5. It is partitioned.

  The main dust collection chamber 22 is used mainly for cleaning, and is connected to the communication pipe 21 linearly along the same axis as the communication pipe 21, that is, along the central axis of the main body suction port 11. . In the main dust collecting chamber 22, a first mesh filter 35 as a first dust collecting part filter is movably provided.

  Here, the first mesh filter 35 collects relatively large weight of coarse dust D1 contained in the suction air in the main dust collecting chamber 22, and allows the suction air to pass through to the suction air. It is a filtration separator that collects the contained dust. One end of the filter is pivotally supported on the side opposite to the sub dust collection chamber 23 and the other end is a free end. Further, the other end side of the first mesh filter 35 is bent with respect to the base end side, and the tip end portion is configured to be in sliding contact with the partition wall portion 36 disposed in the main dust collecting chamber 22. .

  On the other hand, the sub dust collection chamber 23 is used as an auxiliary to the main dust collection chamber 22 during cleaning, and forms a bypass air passage that prevents instantaneous clogging of the dust collection unit 7, and each filter 25, 27 , 28, and 35, and finally collects dust, communicates with the main dust collection chamber 22 via the communication port 37, and has a second mesh filter 38 as a second dust collection portion filter inside. Is provided. Further, the sub dust collection chamber 23 is provided with a dust amount sensor 39 as a dust amount detection means for detecting the dust amount of the sub dust collection chamber 23.

  The second mesh filter 38 collects coarse dust D1 having a relatively large weight among the dust contained in the suction air in the sub dust collection chamber 23, and allows the suction air to pass through to remove the dust contained in the suction air. It is a filtration separation body to collect.

  The dust amount sensor 39 includes a light emitting unit 41 that emits light on one side of the sub dust collecting chamber 23, and a light receiving unit 42 that receives light from the light emitting unit 41 on the other side of the sub dust collecting chamber 23. A light sensor 41 and a light receiving part 42 at a position upstream of the second mesh filter 38, for example, in a direction parallel to the surface direction of the second mesh filter 38, that is, in the left-right direction of the cleaner body 1. Are arranged so as to face each other.

  The first fine dust filter 25 is a finer filter than the first mesh filter 35, the downstream side can communicate with the suction side of the electric blower 5, and dust contained in the suction air that has passed through the first mesh filter 35. Among them, relatively large dust is collected in the first fine dust chamber 24, and dust contained in the passing suction air is collected.

  Between the second fine dust chamber 26 and the first fine dust chamber 24, a partition valve 45 as a filter separating means for partitioning the fine dust chambers 24, 26 is provided so as to be opened and closed by the control means 9, By opening and closing the partition valve 45, the first fine dust chamber 24 and the second fine dust chamber 26 are configured to communicate or be blocked. Further, the second fine dust chamber 26 communicates with the first air passage 31, and a fine dust chamber separation valve 47 as a communication portion opening / closing valve is provided at the communication portion so as to be opened and closed by the control means 9. Yes.

  In the present embodiment, the second fine dust filter 27 is provided integrally with the first fine dust filter 25. That is, the first fine dust filter 25 and the second fine dust filter 27 are formed by dividing one fine dust filter by the partition valve 45. The second fine dust filter 27 is a finer filter than the second mesh filter 38, and the downstream side can communicate with the suction side of the electric blower 5. Among the contained dust, relatively large dust is collected in the second fine dust chamber 26, and dust contained in the passing suction air is collected.

  The third fine dust filter 28 is a finer filter than the first fine dust filter 25 and the second fine dust filter 27, and is disposed on the opposite side of the second fine dust filter 27 from the first fine dust filter 25. ing. Further, the downstream side of the third fine dust filter 28 can communicate with the suction side of the electric blower 5.

  Here, each fine dust filter 25, 27, 28 is opened / closed by the control means 9 by an electric blower switching valve 51 disposed between the fine dust filters 25, 27, 28 and the suction side of the electric blower 5. Thus, at least one of them is configured to selectively communicate with the suction side of the electric blower 5.

  Here, the electric blower switching valve 51 closes the downstream side of the third fine dust filter 28 and opens the downstream side of the third fine dust filter 28 in a state where at least the downstream side of the second fine dust filter 27 is opened. In the state, the opening / closing control is performed so that both the downstream side of the first fine dust filter 25 and the downstream side of the second fine dust filter 27 are closed.

  The first air passage 31 is provided with a suction port switching valve 54 as a dust collecting portion switching valve at a communicating portion with the upstream side of the sub dust collecting chamber 23. The suction port switching valve 54 selectively closes one of the upstream side of the main dust collection chamber 22 and the upstream side of the sub dust collection chamber 23, and its opening / closing is controlled by the control means 9.

  In the second air passage 32, an air passage opening / closing valve 56 is provided at a communicating portion with the first air passage 31 so that it can be opened and closed by the control means 9. Further, in the second air passage 32, a deodorizing / disinfecting device 57 for disposing, for example, plasma deodorizing or disinfecting the passing air is disposed. Further, the second air passage 32 is formed with an opening 58 through which exhaust air from the electric blower 5 is discarded to the outside of the cleaner body 1.

  The control means 9 is electrically connected to each of the current sensor 19 and the dust amount sensor 39. And the control means 9 controls the opening and closing of each valve 45, 47, 51, 54, 56, and the 1st state (suction mode) which forms the main wind path W1 and the subwind path W2 shown in FIG. And a second state (dust movement mode) in which the dust movement air passage W3 shown in FIG. 2 is formed, and a third state (second state) in which the first washing air passage W4 and the second washing air passage W5 shown in FIG. 3 are formed. 1 air cleaning mode) and a fourth state (second air cleaning mode) forming the return air passage W6 shown in FIG. 4 can be switched at a predetermined timing.

  Here, in the main air passage W1, the negative pressure of the electric blower 5 is the floor brush 17, the extension pipe 16, the hose body 12, the main body suction port 11, the communication pipe 21, the main dust collecting chamber 22, the first mesh filter 35, the first It is an air path that works with the one fine dust chamber 24 and the first fine dust filter 25.

  Further, the auxiliary air passage W2 has a negative pressure of the electric blower 5 such as a floor brush 17, an extension pipe 16, a hose body 12, a main body suction port 11, a communication pipe 21, a main dust collection chamber 22, a communication port 37, a sub dust collection chamber. Reference numeral 23 denotes an air passage that acts on the second mesh filter 38, the second fine dust chamber 26, and the second fine dust filter 27.

  Further, in the dust moving air passage W3, the negative pressure of the electric blower 5 is the floor brush 17, the extension pipe 16, the hose body 12, the main body suction port 11, the communication pipe 21, the main dust collecting chamber 22 as in the auxiliary air passage W2. These are air passages that act on the communication port 37, the sub dust collection chamber 23, the second mesh filter 38, the second fine dust chamber 26, and the second fine dust filter 27.

  In the first cleaning air passage W4, the negative pressure of the electric blower 5 is the extension pipe 16, the hose body 12, the main body suction port 11, the communication pipe 21, the main dust collecting chamber 22, the first mesh filter 35, the first fine dust. It is an air passage acting with the chamber 24, the second fine dust chamber 26 and the third fine dust filter 28.

  In addition, the second cleaning air passage W5 has a negative pressure of the electric blower 5 such as a floor brush 17, an extension pipe 16, a hose body 12, a main body suction port 11, a communication pipe 21, a main dust collecting chamber 22, a communication port 37, a sub-collection. This air path acts with the dust chamber 23, the second mesh filter 38, the second fine dust chamber 26 and the third fine dust filter 28.

  Further, in the return air passage W6, the negative pressure of the electric blower 5 is such that the second air passage 32, the first air passage 31, the sub dust collection chamber 23, the second mesh filter 38, the second fine dust chamber 26, and the second fine dust. It is an air path through which exhaust air circulates by acting with the filter 27.

  Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

  First, the hose body 12, the extension pipe 16 and the floor brush 17 are sequentially connected to the main body suction port 11, the lid body 3 of the main body case 4 is opened, the dust collecting unit 7 is attached, and the lid body 3 is closed.

  Then, the power cord is pulled out from the main body case 4 and connected to an outlet such as a wall surface. When the operator grips the grip portion 14 and operates a predetermined setting button 15, the control means 9 drives the electric blower 5.

  At the same time, as shown in FIG. 1, the control means 9 opens the upstream side of the main dust collecting chamber 22 by the suction port switching valve 54, closes the valves 45, 47, 56, and the third by the electric blower switching valve 51. The downstream side of the fine dust filter 28 is blocked from the suction side of the electric blower 5, and only the downstream side of the first fine dust filter 25 and the second fine dust filter 27 is connected to the suction side of the electric blower 5. The first state is selected.

  As a result, by driving the electric blower 5, dust is sucked into the main air passage W1 and the sub air passage W2 together with the air that serves as the suction air.

  Of the dust contained in this suction air, most of the relatively heavy dust such as cotton dust D1 travels straight through the communication pipe 21 along the suction air passing through the main air passage W1, and is in the main dust collection chamber. The first dust filter 22 is accommodated in the main dust collecting chamber 22. At this time, the remainder of the coarse dust D1 proceeds to the sub dust collection chamber 23 through the communication port 37 along the suction air passing through the sub air passage W2, and is moved into the sub dust collection chamber 23 by the second mesh filter 38. May be accommodated.

  The coarse dust D1 collected in the dust collection chambers 22, 23 is compressed by the suction air passing through the air passages W1, W2.

  Further, among the dust contained in the suction air, the fine dust D2 having a relatively small weight passes through the first mesh filter 35 or the second mesh filter 38, adheres to the fine dust filters 25 and 27, and is captured. Or collected in each fine dust chamber 24, 26.

  The suction air on the side of each air passage W1, W2 that has passed through each fine dust filter 25, 27 merges and is sucked into the electric blower 5 and passes through this electric blower 5 to become exhaust air. It is exhausted to the outside of the cleaner body 1.

  In addition, when the coarse dust D1 gradually accumulates in the main dust collection chamber 22 during cleaning, or when the setting button 15 is operated to end cleaning, a predetermined timing during cleaning or at the end of cleaning Thus, the control means 9 switches from the first state shown in FIG. 1 to the second state shown in FIG. That is, the control means 9 uses the electric blower switching valve 51 to block the downstream side of the first fine dust filter 25 from the suction side of the electric blower 5 and only the downstream side of the second fine dust filter 27 is the electric blower. 5 is connected to the suction side.

  As a result, the coarse dust D1 collected in the main dust collecting chamber 22 is moved to the sub dust collecting chamber 23 side and accumulated in the sub dust collecting chamber 23 by the dust moving air passage W3.

  At this time, the tip side of the first mesh filter 35 is drawn toward the communication port 37 side by the pressure of the suction air passing through the dust moving air passage W3, and the coarse dust D1 adhering to the first mesh filter 35 is also sucked by the suction air. It is cleaned and moves to the sub dust collection chamber 23.

  When control is performed to switch from the first state to the second state during cleaning, for example, the second state is continued for a predetermined time and then returned to the first state, and the setting button 15 is pressed to end the cleaning. When control is performed to switch from the first state to the second state when the operation is performed, switching from the first state to the third state can be arbitrarily set, for example, switching to the next third state.

  That is, when the setting button 15 is operated to finish the cleaning, or when the second state that has continued for a predetermined time is finished, during the cleaning or when the cleaning is finished, which is different from the timing of switching to the second state. The control means 9 switches to the third state shown in FIG.

  The control means 9 opens the valves 45 and 47, and the electric blower switching valve 51 blocks the downstream side of the fine dust filters 25 and 27 from the suction side of the electric blower 5. Only the downstream side is connected to the suction side of the electric blower 5.

  As a result, in the first washing air passage W4 and the second washing air passage W5, the fine dust D2 collected in each fine dust filter 25, 27 moves to the third fine dust filter 28 by the suction air, The fine dust filters 25 and 27 are washed by being collected by the third fine dust filter 28.

  In the same way as the second state, for example, when the third state is switched during cleaning, the third state is continued for a predetermined time and then returned to the first state. Switch to the next fourth state.

  At this time, the control means 9 determines that the amount of dust in the sub dust collection chamber 23 detected by the dust amount sensor 39 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, and the current value of the electric blower 5 detected by the current sensor 19 is Switching to the fourth state is permitted only when the predetermined value is larger than the predetermined value, that is, when the suction pressure of the electric blower 5 is larger than the predetermined value.

  In the fourth state shown in FIG. 4, the control means 9 shuts off the main body suction port 11 and the main dust collection chamber 22 by the suction port switching valve 54 and upstream of the first air passage 31 and the sub dust collection chamber 23. Are connected to each other, the valves 45 and 47 are closed, the air passage opening and closing valve 56 is opened, and the downstream side of each fine dust filter 25 and 28 is connected to the suction side of the electric blower 5 by the electric blower switching valve 51. Only the downstream side of the second fine dust filter 27 is communicated with the suction side of the electric blower 5 by blocking.

  At the same time, the control means 9 operates the deodorizing / sterilizing device 57.

  As a result, the exhaust air circulates in the return air passage W6, and the fine dust D2 collected in the third fine dust filter 28 moves to the sub dust collection chamber 23 by the suction air, and this sub dust collection chamber 23 The third fine dust filter 28 is washed by being entangled and collected by the coarse dust D1 such as cotton dust collected in the container.

  The circulating air is deodorized and sterilized by driving the deodorizing / sterilizing device 57.

  And if this 4th state continues for the predetermined time, the control means 9 will return to a 1st state, for example, will stop the electric blower 5, and will complete | finish cleaning.

  Further, the control means 9 detects fine dust collected by the third fine dust filter 28 when the amount of dust in the sub dust collection chamber 23 detected by the dust amount sensor 39 is less than a predetermined amount set in advance. Even if D2 is returned to the sub-dust collection chamber 23, it is determined that it passes through the sub-dust collection chamber 23 and adheres to the second fine dust filter 27, and switching to the fourth state is not permitted. Returning to the 1 state or stopping the electric blower 5 to finish the cleaning.

  Further, when the current value of the electric blower 5 detected by the current sensor 19 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, that is, the suction pressure of the electric blower 5 is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, the control means 9 The second fine dust filter 27 and the like are clogged almost completely, and the dust collected in the third fine dust filter 28 without the negative pressure of the electric blower 5 acting on the sub dust collecting chamber 23. It is determined that the state cannot be moved to, and switching to the fourth state is not permitted. For example, the electric blower 5 is stopped and the cleaning is finished.

  At this time, the control means 9 may be configured to notify the operator of clogging of the sub dust collection chamber 23 or the second fine dust filter 27 by a notifying means (not shown).

  When dust of a predetermined amount or more accumulates in the sub dust collection chamber 23, the lid 3 is opened after the cleaning is completed, and the dust is discarded from the sub dust collection chamber 23.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the amount of dust collected by the main dust collection chamber 22 and the first fine dust filter 25 in the first state is increased, and the air path resistance of the main air path W1 is reduced. Even if it becomes larger, when switching to the second state, when the coarse dust D1 collected in the main dust collecting chamber 22 is moved to the sub dust collecting chamber 23 side by the dust moving air passage W3, The fine dust D2 collected in each of the fine dust filters 25 and 27 is moved to the third fine dust filter 28 through the respective cleaning air passages W4 and W5 to wash the fine dust filters 25 and 27. When the dust amount in the sub dust collection chamber 23 detected by the dust amount sensor 39 is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount set in advance, when the state is switched to the fourth state, the third fine dust filter 28 is set via the return air passage W6. Since the fine dust D2 collected in the air is returned to the sub-dust collection chamber 23, it is possible to secure the air permeability of the main air passage W1 and to suppress the temporal decrease in the suction force.

  In the fourth state, since a predetermined amount or more of dust is accumulated in the sub dust collection chamber 23, the dust returned from the third fine dust filter 28 to the sub dust collection chamber 23 is stored in the sub dust collection chamber 23. It is possible to reliably collect entangled with the coarse dust D1, and to prevent the dust collected by the third fine dust filter 28 from passing through the sub dust collecting chamber 23 and adhering to the second fine dust filter 27.

  Further, by making the second air passage 32 communicate with the exhaust side of the electric blower 5, the dust collected by the third fine filter 28 is effectively utilized by using the exhaust air of the electric blower 5. It is possible to easily form the return air passage W6 that returns to the front.

  When the suction pressure of the electric blower 5 detected via the current sensor 19 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value set in advance, the control means 9 does not allow the switching to the fourth state, so that the sub dust collection chamber 23 Alternatively, it is possible to prevent the dust attached to the third fine dust filter 28 from being moved to the sub dust collecting chamber 23 in a state where the second fine dust filter 27 is almost completely clogged.

  Further, the dust amount sensor 39 is an optical sensor composed of the light emitting portion 41 and the light receiving portion 42, so that the dust amount in the sub dust collection chamber 23 can be reliably detected.

  Further, by providing the first mesh filter 35 movably to the communication port 37 side, the first mesh filter 35 is connected to the communication port 37 by the pressure of the suction air passing through the communication port 37 when switching to the second state. The dust adhering to the first mesh filter 35 can be washed and reliably moved to the sub dust collection chamber 23.

  In the above embodiment, the pressure detection means may be a pressure sensor that directly detects the suction pressure of the electric blower 5 other than the current sensor 19.

  The dust amount sensor 39 can be any one other than the optical sensor.

  Further, the first fine dust filter 25 and the second fine dust filter 27 are configured as separate filters, or the fine dust filters 25, 27, and 28 are formed as integral filters, and each is partitioned by a partition or the like. Or you may.

  The first mesh filter 35 may not be movable in the main dust collection chamber 22.

  Moreover, in the 3rd state and the 4th state, since the hose body 12, the extension pipe 16, and the floor brush 17 connected to the main body suction port 11 are air path resistances, the suction port switching valve 54 is Even if it is not closed, air does not flow backward from the main body suction port 11 to the upstream side which is the hose body 12 side, so even if it is configured not to include the suction port switching valve 54, the same effect as the above embodiment is achieved. It is possible to play. In this case, the configuration and the control by the control means 9 can be simplified.

  Further, even if the second air passage 32 is configured to communicate with the outside air instead of communicating with the exhaust side of the electric blower 5, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be achieved. In this case, the outside air refers not only to the air outside the cleaner body 1 but also to the air outside the second air passage 32.

  Then, the determination of switching to the fourth state may be performed only by the dust amount sensor 39. In this case, the configuration and the control by the control means 9 can be simplified.

  The timing for switching between the first state, the second state, and the third state can be arbitrarily set. Similarly, the switching timing of the fourth state can be arbitrarily set as long as the amount of dust in the sub dust collection chamber 23 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount set in advance.

  Furthermore, each of the above states is automatically switched by opening and closing each of the valves 45, 47, 51, 54, and 56 by the control means 9. For example, when the operator inputs an operation at a predetermined timing, 45, 47, 51, 54, 56 may be interlocked so that each state is mechanically switched.

  The first mesh filter 35 and the second mesh filter 38 may each be a dust collection bag, that is, a paper pack.

  The details of the vacuum cleaner are not limited to the above configuration, and the vacuum cleaner is not limited to the canister type, for example, self-propelled (running assist type) or autonomous running type (robot type) electric For example, a vacuum cleaner or the like may be used. For example, the floor brush 17 may be an upright type or a handy type directly formed on the lower surface of the vacuum cleaner body 1.

It is an explanatory top view showing the 1st state of the vacuum cleaner of one embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory top view which shows the 2nd state of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is an explanatory top view showing the 3rd state of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is an explanatory top view showing the 4th state of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows a vacuum cleaner same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

1 Vacuum cleaner body 5 Electric blower
19 Current sensor as pressure sensing means
22 Main dust collection chamber as the first dust collection unit
23 Sub-dust collection chamber as second dust collection section
25 The first fine dust filter as the first filter
27 Second fine dust filter as second filter
28 Third dust filter as the third filter
31 First air passage
32 Second air passage
39 Dust quantity sensor as dust quantity detection means
41 Light emitter
42 Receiver
W1 Main wind path
W2 secondary air passage
W3 Dust movement air passage
W4 First washing air channel
W5 Second wash air channel
W6 Return air path

Claims (4)

A vacuum cleaner body containing an electric blower,
A first dust collecting part provided in the vacuum cleaner body;
A first filter located on the downstream side of the first dust collecting portion, the downstream side being capable of communicating with the suction side of the electric blower;
A second dust collecting portion provided in the vacuum cleaner body separately from the first dust collecting portion;
Dust amount detecting means for detecting the amount of dust in the second dust collecting portion;
A second filter located on the downstream side of the second dust collecting portion, the downstream side being capable of communicating with the suction side of the electric blower;
A third filter provided separately from the first filter and the second filter, the downstream side communicating with the suction side of the electric blower on the downstream side of the first filter and the second filter;
A first air passage communicating the upstream side of the third filter and the second dust collecting portion;
A second air passage communicating with the upstream side of the third filter separately from the first air passage;
A main air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower via the first dust collection portion and the first filter, and a suction side of the electric blower via the second dust collection portion and the second filter A first state that forms a communicating secondary air passage, and a dust moving air passage that communicates with the suction side of the electric blower via the first dust collecting portion, the second dust collecting portion, and the second filter are formed. A second cleaning state, a first cleaning air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower via the first dust collecting portion, the upstream side of the first filter and the third filter, and the second dust collecting portion A third state forming a second washing air passage communicating with the upstream side of the second filter and the suction side of the electric blower via the third filter, and the first state detected by the dust amount detecting means. 2 When the amount of dust in the dust collecting portion is a predetermined amount or more, A fourth state forming an upstream side of the third filter, a first air passage, a second dust collecting portion, and a return air passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower via the second filter. A vacuum cleaner characterized by being switchable. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the second air passage communicates with an exhaust side of the electric blower. Comprising pressure detecting means for detecting the suction pressure of the electric blower,
The electric cleaning according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the suction pressure of the electric blower detected by the pressure detection means is not more than a predetermined value set in advance, switching to the fourth state is not permitted. Machine. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dust amount detection means is an optical sensor including a light emitting unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that receives light from the light emitting unit.

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