JP4906806B2 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having a function of simultaneously sucking dust floating around a cleaner body during a cleaning operation of a surface to be cleaned such as a floor surface or a carpet.

  Conventionally, an electric vacuum cleaner is required to efficiently remove dust such as pollen, allergen, and dust present on a surface to be cleaned such as a floor surface or a carpet. On the other hand, little consideration has been given to the removal of dust present in the air on the surface to be cleaned. Such dust is the dust on the surface to be re-scattered into the air by the walking operation of the person who operates the vacuum cleaner when using the vacuum cleaner or the cleaning operation such as exhaust from the vacuum cleaner. Often derived from. And such dust was supposed to continue floating in the air on the surface to be cleaned for a long time without being collected by the vacuum cleaner.

  Dust floating in the air is one factor that adversely affects the health of occupants existing on the surface to be cleaned. It is known that inhaling such dust into the body causes allergic symptoms such as hay fever and atopic dermatitis. It has also been found that much dust continues to float in the air close to the surface to be cleaned. Therefore, in particular, infants and the like whose body organs are not developed and whose mouth and nose are lower than adults have more opportunities to inhale dust, and are susceptible to health effects. As one of measures for preventing such a situation, there exists a vacuum cleaner that can remove dust simultaneously with the cleaning operation of the surface to be cleaned.

  As such, “separate the dust from the cleaning electric blower in the main body of the vacuum cleaner connected to the suction port, the dust collecting chamber that separates the dust sucked from the suction port by the suction force of this cleaning electric blower. The main body exhaust port for exhausting the air after cleaning to the outside of the cleaner body, the cleaning fan installed with the cleaning electric fan in the cleaner body, and the outside air provided in the cleaner body by the suction force of this cleaning fan It has an outside air filter that removes dust sucked from the air intake and an outside air exhaust port that exhausts air after dust is removed by the outside air filter, and the electric blower for cleaning and the blower for cleaning can be driven simultaneously An electric vacuum cleaner ”has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-113468 (5th page, FIG. 2)

  The above-mentioned electric vacuum cleaner is equipped with a cleaning power (cleaning electric blower) for cleaning the surface to be cleaned and an air cleaning power (cleaning blower) for cleaning the space separately. It was a thing. In such a configuration, the weight of the vacuum cleaner increases, and the usability of the person who operates the vacuum cleaner (hereinafter simply referred to as a user) is impaired. Moreover, when the power source is increased, vibration and noise generated from the vacuum cleaner are also increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can efficiently perform cleaning of a surface to be cleaned and removal of dust re-scattered in the air at the same time, thereby impairing the user's feeling of use. The object is to provide a vacuum cleaner without any.

The vacuum cleaner according to the present invention is sucked by the first suction port that sucks air near the floor, the suction power unit that sucks external air through the first suction port, and the suction power unit. A dust collecting unit that collects dust contained in the air, a first exhaust port that discharges air sucked by the suction power unit to the outside, the first intake port, the dust collecting unit, the suction power unit, and A first air passage that sequentially communicates the first exhaust port, a second air intake port that sucks air in the air in which dust floats, and a second exhaust port that discharges air sucked from the second air intake port to the outside A filter that removes dust contained in the air sucked from the second air inlet, and the second air inlet, the filter, and the second air outlet are sequentially communicated , and an air passage cross-sectional area is defined as the second air inlet. towards the mouth to the second exhaust port is gradually decreased formation, the second exhaust port A second ventilation path adjacent to the first exhaust port of the first ventilation path, and attracts air in the second ventilation path by an induced airflow flowing through the first ventilation path; It is characterized by obtaining the suction force of the intake port.

The vacuum cleaner which concerns on this invention is a vacuum cleaner provided with the vacuum cleaner main body and the suction tool connected to the said vacuum cleaner main body via a hose, The 1st for sucking in air around the said suction tool An intake port, a suction power unit that sucks outside air through the first suction port, a dust collection unit that collects dust contained in the air sucked by the suction power unit, and the suction power unit A first exhaust port for discharging the sucked air to the outside; a first air passage in which the first intake port, the dust collecting unit, the suction power unit, and the first exhaust port are communicated in order; and the cleaner body A second air inlet for sucking in ambient air, a second air outlet for discharging the air sucked from the second air inlet, and dust contained in the air sucked from the second air inlet are removed. Filter, the second air inlet, the filter and the front Turn communicates the second outlet, towards the Kazerodan area to said second outlet from said second air inlet is gradually decreased formation, the first exhaust of the second outlet the first air passage A second ventilation path adjacent to the mouth, and attracts air in the second ventilation path by an induced airflow flowing through the first ventilation path to obtain a suction force of the second air inlet. And

  According to the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, due to the attraction effect of the exhaust discharged from the first exhaust port, the suction power unit removes dust on the surface to be cleaned and floats around the cleaner body. The removal of the dust that is present can be performed simultaneously. Therefore, according to the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this invention, weight reduction and size reduction can be implement | achieved, without reducing the cleaning power with respect to a to-be-cleaned surface.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a vacuum cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the sectional configuration of the cleaner body 3 is viewed from the side. Based on FIG.1 and FIG.2, the structure and operation | movement of the vacuum cleaner 100 are demonstrated. In addition, in the following drawings including FIG. 1, the relationship of the size of each component may be different from the actual one. FIG. 2 also shows the flow of air sucked into the cleaner body 3 (arrow A and arrow B).

  The vacuum cleaner 100 according to this embodiment is capable of sucking dust such as pollen, allergens, and dust existing on the surface to be cleaned such as a floor surface and a carpet, and simultaneously sucking dust floating in the air. It is. As shown in FIG. 1, the electric vacuum cleaner 100 sucks dust on the surface to be cleaned 3 into the cleaner main body 3 in which a dust collecting unit 8 and a suction power unit 9 described later are accommodated. A suction tool 2 having a first air inlet 1, a pipe 4 detachably connected to the suction tool 2, and for sending dust and air sucked from the first air inlet 1 to the cleaner body 3, A bellows-like hose 5 that removably connects the vacuum cleaner body 3, a hand handle 6 that is provided at one end of the pipe 4 and that is operated by the user to operate the suction tool 2, and a part of the hand handle 6 And an operation unit 7 for operating a power source of the vacuum cleaner 100 and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaner body 3 includes a hose connection port 25 for detachably connecting the hose 5, and a dust collecting unit 8 that collects large dust out of the dust sucked through the hose 5. A suction power unit 9 that generates a suction force for inhaling air, and a first exhaust port 10 that discharges air sucked by the suction power unit 9 to the outside of the cleaner body 3 as exhaust gas, The 1st ventilation path 11 comprised by these is provided. The vacuum cleaner body 3 includes a second exhaust port 12 provided adjacent to the first exhaust port 10, a second intake port 13 disposed so as to have a predetermined angle with the second exhaust port 12, 2 and a filter 14 installed between the second exhaust port 12 and the second intake port 13, and a second ventilation path 15 composed of these is provided.

  The 1st ventilation path 11 and the 2nd ventilation path 15 are each independent, and the air which flows through an inside in a ventilation path does not cross. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second air inlet 13 communicating with the second ventilation path 15 is formed with an opening toward the upper direction of the cleaner body 3. The second air passage 15 is formed such that the air passage cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the second air inlet 13 side corresponding to the inlet toward the second air outlet 12. By adopting such a shape, not only a wider range of outside air can be sucked, but also the generation of fluid noise when passing through the second air inlet 13 can be reduced.

  In addition, each opening of the second air inlet 13 may be configured to gradually reduce the diameter along the air flow direction. If it does so, generation | occurrence | production of the fluid noise at the time of passing through the 2nd inlet 13 can further be relieved. Furthermore, the first exhaust port 10 and the second exhaust port 12 may be configured in a mesh shape, for example. By adopting such a shape, the effect of rectifying the flow of wind near the exhaust can be obtained, and the flow of air discharged from the first exhaust port 10 and the second exhaust port 12 can be made laminar. This is because an attracting effect as described later can be generated with high efficiency.

  The hose connection port 25 is formed in front of the cleaner body 3, communicates with the first intake port 1 of the suction tool 2 via the hose 5 and the pipe 4, and removes dust and air sucked by the suction tool 2. It is conducted inside the main body 3. In the following description, the first intake port 1 also includes the hose connection port 25. The dust collection part 8 is comprised by the paper pack etc., and is accommodated in the cleaner main body 3 so that attachment or detachment is possible. The suction power unit 9 is configured by an electric blower or the like, and is disposed on the downstream side of the dust collection unit 8, and is for sucking air from the first air inlet 1. The first exhaust port 10 is formed on the downstream side of the suction power unit 9 and behind the cleaner body 3. The first exhaust port 10 is sucked by the suction power unit 9 and the air flowing through the first ventilation path 11 is removed from the cleaner body 3. Are discharged to the outside.

  The second exhaust port 12 is provided at a position adjacent to the first exhaust port 10, and discharges the air flowing through the second ventilation path 15 to the outside of the cleaner body 3. In FIG. 2, the case where the second exhaust port 12 is provided at a position adjacent to the upper side of the first exhaust port 10 is shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this position. The second air inlet 13 is formed so as to open upward from the cleaner body 3 and sucks dust floating above the cleaner body 3 into the cleaner body 3. In addition, although the case where the 2nd ventilation path 15 is provided in the cleaner main body 3 is shown as an example, the 2nd ventilation path 15 is made detachable from the cleaner main body 3, and is separate from the cleaner main body 3. You may make it provide. Moreover, you may make it make the 2nd ventilation path 15 serve as the cover which covers the upper part of the cleaner body 3 so that opening and closing is possible.

Here, the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 100 will be described.
In the vacuum cleaner 100, a power cord (not shown) provided in the vacuum cleaner body 3 is connected to a commercial power source, a power switch (not shown) provided in the operation unit 7 of the hand handle 6 is turned on, and suction power The cleaning operation is started when the unit 9 is driven. When the suction power unit 9 is driven, a suction force for sucking dust into the cleaner body 3 is generated. Thereby, dust on the surface to be cleaned is sucked together with air from the first air inlet 1 of the suction tool 2 (arrow A). Dust and air sucked from the first air inlet 1 are sucked into the cleaner body 3 via the pipe 4 and the hose 5.

  In the cleaner body 3, dust sucked into the cleaner body 3 together with air is separated and collected by the dust collecting unit 8. The air that has passed through the dust collecting unit 8 is removed from the dust, becomes clean air, and is discharged from the first exhaust port 10 that is formed in the rear side of the cleaner body 3 through the suction power unit 9. It has come to be. At this time, a pressure difference is generated between the exhausted air and the air around the cleaner body 3 at the rear of the cleaner body 3, that is, in the vicinity of the second exhaust port 10. The dust collection unit 8 may be a paper pack or a dust collection box including a dust collection filter.

  On the other hand, dust floating around the cleaner body 3 is also sucked together with air from the second air inlet 13 (arrow B). The dust and air sucked from the second air inlet 13 flows through the second ventilation path 15 and passes through the filter 14 installed in the second ventilation path 15. Fine dust contained in the air flowing through the second ventilation path 15 is collected when passing through the filter 14. Fine air is removed from the air that has passed through the filter 14 to form clean air, which is discharged from the second exhaust port 12 adjacent to the first exhaust port 10. A second filter may be provided between the filter 14 and the second exhaust port 12.

The flow of air in the second ventilation path 15 will be described in detail.
During the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100, the high-speed exhaust gas is discharged from the first exhaust port 10, so that the air existing around the first exhaust port 10 and the air discharged from the first exhaust port 10 are There will be a pressure difference between the two. This pressure difference causes an attraction effect. From the second air inlet 13 in the second air passage 15 communicating with the second air outlet 12 adjacent to the first air outlet 10 by the air current flowing through the first air passage 11 that generates the attraction effect, that is, the air current induced. An airflow that escapes to the second exhaust port 12 is generated. This airflow is filtered when passing through the filter 14 installed in the second ventilation path 15, becomes clean air, and is exhausted from the second exhaust port 12.

  In addition, although the case where the 2nd exhaust port 12 is made to adjoin the 1st exhaust port 10 and an air flow is generated in the 2nd ventilation path 15 is shown as an example, it is not limited to this. That is, it is only necessary that the air in the second ventilation path 15 is attracted by the induced airflow flowing through the first ventilation path 11 and the suction force of the second intake port 13 can be obtained, so that a part of the second ventilation path 15 ( The portion other than the second exhaust port 12) may be close to the first ventilation path 11. For example, a part of the second ventilation path 15 may be communicated with the first ventilation path 11, and an airflow may be generated in the second ventilation path 15 by an induced airflow flowing through the first ventilation path 11.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the influence of the angle a of the second intake port 13 with respect to the second exhaust port 12 on the wind speed of the air flowing in the second ventilation path 15. Based on FIG. 3, the inside of the second ventilation path 15 depends on the angle a of the second air inlet 13 with respect to the second air outlet 12, that is, the angle a between the opening direction of the second air outlet 12 and the opening direction of the second air inlet 13. How the wind speed of the air flowing through the air changes will be described. FIG. 3A shows a partial cross-sectional view showing the angle a in an enlarged manner, and FIG. 3B shows a graph showing the effect of the angle a on the wind speed of the air flowing in the second ventilation path 15. . Moreover, in FIG.3 (b), the vertical axis | shaft represents the wind speed and the horizontal axis represents the angle a.

  The air flowing in the second ventilation path 15 depends on the pressure difference generated in the vicinity of the first exhaust port 10 when the air flowing in the first ventilation path 11 is discharged from the first exhaust port 10, that is, the induced air flow. ing. Therefore, it is desirable to determine the opening direction of the second exhaust port 12 and the opening direction of the second intake port 13 so that a sufficient wind speed can be obtained in the second ventilation path 15. In other words, it is desirable that the second exhaust port 12 is formed so as to face the same direction as the opening direction of the first exhaust port 10. This is because the exhaust from the second exhaust port 12 and the first exhaust port 10 can be made into a laminar flow, and the attraction effect can be generated with high efficiency.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), as the angle a in the opening direction of the second intake port 13 changes from a right angle to an acute angle with respect to the opening direction of the second exhaust port 12, the attraction effect is greatly reduced. It can be confirmed that the airflow in the two air passages 15 hardly occurs. On the other hand, as the angle of the opening direction of the second intake port 13 approaches 180 ° from the obtuse angle with respect to the opening direction of the second exhaust port 12, it can be confirmed that the wind speed tends to increase. Accordingly, the second intake port 13 is required to be formed so that the angle a with the opening direction of the second exhaust port 12 has an obtuse angle. That is, it is preferable that the first ventilation path 15 has a shape that allows the air to conduct in a form that is closer to straight. Since the second exhaust port 12 is restricted to be installed at a position adjacent to the first exhaust port 10, the angle may be adjusted by forming the opening of the second intake port 13.

Next, the effect of fine dust floating in the air on the human body will be described.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the average height of infants (reference: “2000 Infant Body Growth Survey”, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Employment Equal and Child and Family Bureau, 2000, p82). FIG. 5 is a graph showing the time it takes for an infant to stand and walk (reference: “2000 Infant Body Growth Survey”, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Employment Equal and Child and Family Bureau, 2000, p89). Based on FIG.4 and FIG.5, the influence which a fine dust has on an infant is demonstrated with the growth process of the infant first.

  In general, mite allergens and pollen contained in fine dust of 2 μm or more are known to be one of the causes of congenital diseases such as atopic dermatitis, hay fever and dust allergy. Yes. There is a report that such fine dust easily re-scatters due to the surrounding convection, and the scattering concentration is larger in the vicinity of the height of 30 cm and in the vicinity of the height of 30 cm. Reference: Environmental management "Study on the behavior of house dust particles in the air by indoor activities" Naori Yamamoto, Kazuyoshi Kumagai, Yukio Yanagisawa, 2004 (pp. 240-243).

  From FIG. 5, it can be seen that the majority of infants younger than one year old are still standing up and down. For this reason, the high-infant infant is breathing at a position of about 10 to 40 cm in height from the surface to be cleaned. In other words, there is a high concentration of fine dust that causes congenital diseases at heights near the infant's mouth and nose, and re-dispersing fine dust during cleaning may adversely affect the infant. It will be expensive. Therefore, in the vacuum cleaner 100, the fine dust that has re-scattered near the surface to be cleaned is provided by providing the second air inlet 13 near the position of 10 cm to 40 cm where the concentration of fine dust increases during the cleaning operation. Can be removed efficiently. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 100 can effectively improve the surrounding environment of the cleaner body 3 during cleaning.

  One of the major factors that cause fine dust to re-scatter during cleaning is a walking action by the user. Therefore, in the vacuum cleaner 100, if the second air inlet 13 is formed to open toward the user, it is possible to effectively suck fine dust that should actually re-scatter to a high position. In this way, if the second intake port 13 is formed so that the second intake port 13 faces the user, the angle with respect to the second exhaust port 12 becomes nearly parallel, and the wind speed of the air flowing in the second ventilation path 15 is increased. Can be made faster.

  FIG. 6 is a graph showing how the dust concentration changes depending on whether or not the second air inlet 13 is open. Based on FIG. 6, how the dust concentration at a position of about 30 cm on the floor surface changes depending on the presence or absence of the opening of the second air inlet 13 provided at a height of about 20 cm from the surface to be cleaned will be described. In FIG. 6, the vertical axis represents the dust concentration and the horizontal axis represents the time. In FIG. 6, the line (a) indicates the case where the second air inlet 13 is provided, and the line (b) indicates the case where the second air inlet 13 is not provided. In addition, the case where there is no 2nd inlet port 13 assumes the case where the 2nd inlet port 13 is not formed, the case where the 2nd inlet port 13 is formed, but is interrupted | blocked.

  From line (b), when there is no second air inlet 13, the dust on the surface to be cleaned is re-sprayed around the cleaner body 3 at the same time as the cleaning operation is started, and can be re-scattered. It can be seen that when all the fine dust is scattered, a stable concentration is reached. On the other hand, when there is the second air inlet 13 from the line (a), there is no dust scattered during the cleaning operation by sucking outside air around the cleaner body 3 from the second air inlet 13. I understand that. That is, in addition to the first intake port 1 placed in the vicinity of the surface to be cleaned, the second intake port 13 is provided at a slightly higher position (for example, a height position of about 20 cm from the surface to be cleaned). The dust around the main body 3 can be efficiently removed.

  Therefore, in the vacuum cleaner 100, the second air passage 15 that is independent from the first air passage 11 through which the air and dust sucked from the first air inlet 1 of the suction tool 2 flow is provided. The surrounding dust is effectively removed. In addition, the second ventilation path is adjusted by adjusting the angle between the opening direction of the second intake port 13 that is the inlet of the second ventilation path 15 and the opening direction of the second exhaust port 12 that is the outlet of the second ventilation path 15. The airflow is effectively flowed in the inside 15. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 100 does not require a special power source for generating an air flow in the second ventilation path 15, can be reduced in size and weight, and does not impair the user's feeling of use. .

Next, the optimal opening direction of the second air inlet 13 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing the results of measuring the amount of dust scattered around the cleaner body 3 at each site during the cleaning operation. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between the vacuum cleaner 100 and the user 16 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is actually used. Based on FIG.7 and FIG.8, the optimal installation position of the 2nd inlet 13 which attracts | sucks the dust which floats around the cleaner body 3 is demonstrated. In FIG. 7, the vertical axis represents the dust concentration, and the horizontal axis represents the positional relationship of the entire vacuum cleaner 100.

  From FIG. 7, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is not moving ((a) shown in the figure), the case where it is moving ((b) shown in the figure) floats around the vacuum cleaner body 3. It can be seen that the amount of dust is increasing. In addition, when the cleaner body 3 is moving, the vicinity of the user (in the figure (b3)) and the vicinity of the user (in the figure (b3)) and the vicinity of the cleaner head 3 (in the figure (b3)). It can be seen that (b2)) shows the largest amount of dust. This is because the user who operates the vacuum cleaner 100 moves best, so that the dust is often re-scattered from the surface to be cleaned, and the clothes are rubbed to generate new dust. Therefore, it is desirable that the second air inlet 13 is formed to open toward the user.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, when using the vacuum cleaner 100, the user 16 usually performs cleaning with the hand handle 6. Further, since the front portion of the cleaner body 3 and the hand handle 6 are connected via the hose 5, the cleaner body 3 faces the hand handle 6. That is, when actually cleaning using the electric vacuum cleaner 100, the suction tool 2 is usually located at the head (vacuum cleaner head), the cleaner body 3 is located at the rear, and the user 16 is located therebetween. It becomes like this arrangement. Note that b1 to b3 shown in FIG. 8 correspond to b1 to b3 shown in FIG.

  Therefore, it can be seen from FIG. 8 that the second air inlet 13 is preferably installed in the direction of the hand handle 6 during the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100, that is, in the front direction and the upward direction of the cleaner body 3. . This is because if the second air inlet 13 is installed at such a position, the second air inlet 13 can always be opened toward the user 16. The air flow is also generated in the second ventilation path 15, and the dust that re-scatters near the user 16 whose amount increases most among the dust that re-scatters during the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 is supplied to the second air intake port. 13 can be effectively sucked, and a comfortable cleaning environment can be maintained.

  In the first embodiment, the desirable opening direction of the second intake port 13 has been described. However, the opening direction of the second intake port 13 is not limited to that described. For example, you may make it have the function which can adjust the height of the 2nd inlet 13 according to a user's request, and the function which can change the suction angle of the 2nd inlet 13 by a louver etc. according to a use. . Further, it is possible to sense the unevenness of dust around the cleaner body 3 and to have a function of automatically adjusting the opening direction and height of the second air inlet 13 for a place where the amount of dust is large. .

Next, the effect regarding the filter 14 installed in the 2nd ventilation path 15 is demonstrated.
The filter 14 collects fine dust that flows in from the second air inlet 13 together with ambient air. Therefore, the filter 14 may be configured with a particularly high dust collection performance. However, if the filter 14 is configured with a high pressure loss, no airflow is generated in the second ventilation path 15. That is, it is desirable that the filter 14 is configured with a low pressure loss and a high dust collection efficiency. Further, when the second filter is provided, it is desirable that the second filter is also configured with a low pressure loss and high dust collection efficiency.

  Therefore, for example, the filter 14 is a filter that uses electret fibers to improve the collection performance by electrostatic force, a filter that has a honeycomb or corrugated shape, a filter that is formed of a balanced plate to which a high-voltage electric field is applied, or these filters. It is good to configure with a combined filter. Similarly, the second filter is also a filter that uses electret fibers to improve the collection performance by electrostatic force, a filter that has a honeycomb or corrugated shape, a filter that is formed of a balanced plate to which a high-voltage electric field is applied, or It is good to configure with a combined filter.

  In addition, a device capable of agglomerating dust may be provided in the second ventilation path 15. For example, by releasing ions, mist, ultrasonic waves, etc. from the second exhaust port 12, the fine dust floating around the cleaner body 3 is aggregated and coarsened to easily settle on the surface to be cleaned. The dust suction rate sucked through the first air inlet 1 can be improved. In addition, by generating ions, mist, ultrasonic waves, etc. in the second ventilation path 15, the fine dust flowing in the second ventilation path 15 is aggregated and coarsened to improve the collection efficiency of the filter 14. Can be made. With such a configuration, the collection performance of the filter 14 in the second ventilation path 15 can be supplemented.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration for improving the dust collection effect of the filter 14. Based on FIG. 9, one structural example for improving the dust collection effect of the filter 14 in the 2nd ventilation path 15 is demonstrated. In FIG. 9, the periphery of the first exhaust port 10 of the first ventilation path 11 and the second exhaust port 12 of the second ventilation path 15 is shown in an enlarged manner. Further, the exhaust from the first exhaust port 10 is indicated by an arrow A, and the circulation of the air exhausted from the second exhaust port 12 and sucked into the second ventilation path 15 from the second intake port 13 is indicated by an arrow B, respectively. .

  In FIG. 9, a discharge electrode 17 is installed as an ion generator connected to a high voltage power source (not shown) between the filter 14 installed in the second ventilation passage 15 and the second exhaust port 12, and cleaning is performed. An exhaust form in which ions (negative ions) are generated outside the machine body 3 is shown. First, a high voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 17 to generate ions. The generated ions are put on the airflow discharged from the second exhaust port 12 and released to the outside of the cleaner body 3 ((a) shown in the figure). On the other hand, dust is floating around the cleaner body 3 ((b) shown in the figure). The ions released from the second exhaust port 12 are charged with dust floating around the cleaner body 3 sucked from the second intake port 13 to the second ventilation path 15 ((c) shown in the figure). ).

  Therefore, if the filter 14 having an electric field is used, the dust having the charge sucked from the second air inlet 13 can be efficiently collected by the filter 14. In this way, since the collection efficiency of the filter 14 is improved, it is possible to obtain a high collection efficiency even with a low pressure loss. In this case, the filter 14 is an electret filter that has been subjected to a melt blown process in which a high voltage is applied to the nonwoven fabric to give static electricity, or an insulator such as glass fiber sandwiched between conductive meshes, and a high voltage is applied. It is good to apply what applied the high voltage to the flat plate.

  However, if the filter 14 is continuously used, it will be clogged with the collected dust, so that the pressure loss increases and the suction force of the outside air decreases. Therefore, in order to maintain the performance of the second ventilation path 15, maintenance such as replacement and cleaning of the filter 14 may be performed periodically. Specifically, it is preferable to perform maintenance by removing the filter 14 or by driving a mechanism that automatically drops dust. In consideration of user convenience, a mechanism that automatically drops dust, for example, a mechanism that drops dust attached by vibrating the filter 14, a mechanism that rotates the filter 14 to drop dust by centrifugal force, a filter 14 may be provided with a mechanism or the like that blows dust off by applying wind.

  The dust collected by the filter 14 contains bacteria and has a smell. Such bacteria and odors cannot be completely removed even if the filter 14 is automatically cleaned, and remain in the filter 14. Therefore, it is preferable that the user does not feel uncomfortable when the user removes the filter 14 for maintenance. Specifically, a deodorizing material or an antibacterial agent may be added to the filter 14 so that the filter 14 has the performance of suppressing the release of odor and the growth of bacteria on the filter 14.

  As the deodorizing material, for example, an adsorbing material such as a chemical additive, activated carbon, zeolite, or silica gel, or a catalyst such as a metal oxide or a noble metal can be used. As the antibacterial agent, for example, an inorganic substance such as silver or zeolite, a naturally derived substance such as ginkgo biloba or tea leaf, or a chemical such as PHMG (polyhexamethylene phosphate guanidine) can be used. Such a deodorizing material or antibacterial material may be combined and applied to the filter 14.

  An ozone generating part and an ion generating part are provided in the second ventilation path 15, ozone and ions are generated from the ozone generating part and the ion generating part, and ozone and ions are guided to the filter 14 for deodorization and sterilization. Also good. In addition, a photocatalyst is applied to the filter 14, a lamp radiating portion is provided in the second ventilation path 15, and ultraviolet light or visible light is emitted so that the filter 14 is deodorized and disinfected by the photocatalyst of the filter 14. May be. The above-described deodorization / sterilization (antibacterial) may be arbitrarily combined and applied to the filter 14. In addition, although embodiment was demonstrated to the illustrated vacuum cleaner 100 as an example, it is applicable also to the vacuum cleaner of another structure.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the first ventilation path 11a and the second ventilation path 15 of the electric vacuum cleaner 100a according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic enlarged view for explaining the exhaust port area adjusting means 22. Based on FIG.10 and FIG.11, the structure and effect | action of the vacuum cleaner 100a are demonstrated. In the vacuum cleaner 100a according to the second embodiment, the configuration of the first ventilation path 11a is different from the first ventilation path 11 of the vacuum cleaner 100 according to the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  In FIG. 10, the air flow at the first exhaust port 10 is indicated by arrow A, the air flow at the second exhaust port 12 is indicated by arrow B, the operation of the exhaust door 20 is indicated by arrow C, and the door operation power unit 21. Are respectively represented by arrows D. Further, in FIG. 11, the operation of the exhaust port door 20 is represented by an arrow C ′, and the rotation operation of the door operation power unit 21 is represented by an arrow D ′. As shown in FIG. 10, the vacuum cleaner 100 a covers the suction power unit 9 with a motor case (case) 19 including an exhaust rectification unit 18, and exhausts air from the first ventilation path 11 a to the first exhaust port 10. It is the composition which discharges all from. In other words, the outer casing of the first ventilation path 11 a is formed by the motor case 19, thereby eliminating air leakage from the first ventilation path 11 a and exhausting all of the air sucked from the first intake port 1 from the first exhaust port 10. Like to do.

  Further, the vacuum cleaner 100a is provided with exhaust port area adjusting means 22 which is exhaust air speed control means. The exhaust port area adjusting means 22 includes an exhaust port door 20 and a door operation power unit 21. The door operation power unit 21 and the exhaust door 20 are in contact with each other, and the exhaust door 20 operates up and down (arrow C shown in FIG. 10) when the door operation power unit 21 rotates (arrow D shown in FIG. 10). ). That is, the vacuum cleaner 100 a has a configuration in which the opening area of the first exhaust port 10 can be controlled by the exhaust port area adjusting means 22 configured by the exhaust port door 20 and the door operation power unit 21. The exhaust rectification unit 18 has a function of rectifying the air exhausted from the first exhaust port 10 inside the first ventilation path 11a.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a gear 23 a is formed in the door operation power unit 21, and a gear 23 b is formed in the exhaust door 20, and the power of the door operation power unit 21 is engaged with the gear 23 a and the gear 23 b. Is transmitted to the exhaust door 20. That is, when the door operation power unit 21 rotates, the power is transmitted to the exhaust door 20, and the exhaust door 20 moves up and down. When moving the exhaust port door 20 upward, the exhaust port area adjusting means 22 rotates the door operation power unit 21 counterclockwise (arrow D ′ shown in FIG. 11) to move the exhaust port door 20 upward ( It can be moved to the arrow C ′) shown in FIG.

  Here, the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 100a will be described. The suction operation of the dust on the surface to be cleaned and the dust floating around the cleaner body 3 performed by the vacuum cleaner 100a is the same as that of the vacuum cleaner 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 100a will be described focusing on the air flow in the first ventilation path 11a and the second ventilation path 15. As described above, the opening area of the first exhaust port 10 of the electric vacuum cleaner 100 a can be changed by the exhaust port door 20. That is, in the vacuum cleaner 100a, the exhaust air speed from the first exhaust port 10 can be adjusted by controlling the opening area of the first exhaust port 10.

  The vacuum cleaner 100 a determines the wind speed when exhausting from the first exhaust port 10, opens the first exhaust port 10 with a predetermined area by the exhaust port area adjusting means 22, and drives the suction power unit 9. It has become. The exhaust port area adjusting means 22 is an operation in which the first exhaust port 10 is opened with a large area and the air is to be sucked into the second ventilation passage 15 in an operation situation where the second ventilation passage 15 does not suck much air. In the situation, the first exhaust port 10 is opened with a small area. Further, the exhaust port area adjusting means 22 may automatically determine the opening area of the first exhaust port 10 based on the operation setting designated by the user, and according to the instruction from the user, the first exhaust port 10. The opening area may be determined.

  Therefore, as the exhaust air speed at the first exhaust port 10 increases, the intake air speed from the second air inlet 12 also increases. That is, by increasing the exhaust air velocity at the first exhaust port 10, the air cleaning speed in the vicinity of the cleaner body 3 increases. However, as the exhaust air speed at the first exhaust port 10 increases, the noise value in the first ventilation path 11a also increases. In other words, an increase in the exhaust wind speed prompts an increase in the air cleaning speed in the vicinity of the cleaner body 3, but increases the noise. In consideration of this point, it is desirable that the user can select the opening area of the first exhaust port 10 by the exhaust port area adjusting means 22.

  As described above, the exhaust power from the first exhaust port 10 is controlled by covering the suction power unit 9 with the motor case 19 provided with the exhaust rectification unit 18 and controlling the opening area of the first exhaust port 10. Concentrate and variably adjust wind speed. In addition, in the vacuum cleaner 100a, the exhaust rectification unit 18 is provided in the first ventilation path 11a, and the air reaching the first exhaust port 10 is rectified by the exhaust rectification unit 18. In addition, the shape of the first ventilation path 11a between the exhaust rectification unit 18 and the first exhaust port 10 is preferably a cylindrical shape, and is preferably linearly spaced as much as possible. This is because the attractive effect occurs when the airflow is laminar.

  By configuring the vacuum cleaner 100a as described above, in addition to the effects of the vacuum cleaner 100 according to Embodiment 1, the attraction effect from the second air inlet 13 can be further enhanced, and the user Usability can be further improved. The exhaust rectification unit 18 flows through the first ventilation path 11a on the downstream side of the motor case 19 and rectifies the air exhausted from the first exhaust port 10, so that pressure loss is taken into consideration. There is a need to. Therefore, it is desirable that the exhaust air rectification unit 18 be composed of a honeycomb-like, corrugated, net-like (mesh) member, punching metal, or the like in order to enhance the rectification effect. Further, when the exhaust rectification unit 18 is also provided with a dust collection function, it is preferable to supplement the dust collection effect by charging the member with static electricity or applying a high voltage.

It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which looked at the cross-sectional structure of the cleaner body from the side surface. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the influence which the angle a of the 2nd inlet port with respect to a 2nd exhaust port has on the wind speed of the air which flows through the inside of a 2nd ventilation path. It is a graph which shows the average value of the infant's height. It is a graph which shows the time taken until an infant stands and walks. It is a graph which shows how a dust concentration changes with the presence or absence of the opening of a 2nd inlet port over time. It is a graph which shows the result of having measured the quantity of the dust scattered around the cleaner body in the case of cleaning operation in each part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship of the vacuum cleaner 100 at the time of actually using a vacuum cleaner and a user. It is an expanded sectional view showing an example of the composition for improving the dust collection effect of a filter. It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows the 1st ventilation path and 2nd ventilation path of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a schematic enlarged view for demonstrating an exhaust port area adjustment means.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st inlet port, 2 suction tool, 3 vacuum cleaner main body, 4 pipe, 5 hose, 6 hand handle, 7 operation part, 8 dust collecting part, 9 suction power part, 10 1st exhaust port, 11 1st ventilation path 11a 1st ventilation path, 12 2nd exhaust port, 13 2nd intake port, 14 filter, 15 2nd ventilation path, 16 user, 17 discharge electrode, 18 exhaust rectification part, 19 motor case, 20 exhaust port door, 21 door operation power unit, 22 exhaust port area adjusting means, 23a gear, 23b gear, 100 vacuum cleaner, 100a vacuum cleaner.

Claims (17)

A first air inlet for sucking air near the floor;
A suction power unit for sucking outside air through the first air inlet;
A dust collecting unit for collecting dust contained in the air sucked by the suction power unit;
A first exhaust port for discharging the air sucked by the suction power unit to the outside;
A first ventilation path in which the first intake port, the dust collection unit, the suction power unit, and the first exhaust port communicate with each other in order;
A second air inlet for sucking air in the air where dust is floating;
A second exhaust port for discharging air sucked from the second intake port to the outside;
A filter for removing dust contained in the air sucked from the second air inlet;
The second intake port, the filter, and the second exhaust port are sequentially communicated , and an air passage cross-sectional area is gradually reduced from the second intake port toward the second exhaust port, and the second exhaust port is A second ventilation path adjacent to the first exhaust port of the first ventilation path,
The vacuum cleaner characterized by attracting the air in said 2nd ventilation path by the induced airflow which flows through said 1st ventilation path, and obtaining the suction power of said 2nd inlet. In a vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner body and a suction tool connected to the vacuum cleaner body via a hose,
A first air inlet for sucking in air around the suction tool;
A suction power unit for sucking outside air through the first air inlet;
A dust collecting unit for collecting dust contained in the air sucked by the suction power unit;
A first exhaust port for discharging the air sucked by the suction power unit to the outside;
A first ventilation path in which the first intake port, the dust collection unit, the suction power unit, and the first exhaust port communicate with each other in order;
A second air inlet for sucking air around the vacuum cleaner body;
A second exhaust port for discharging air sucked from the second intake port to the outside;
A filter for removing dust contained in the air sucked from the second air inlet;
The second intake port, the filter, and the second exhaust port are sequentially communicated , and an air passage cross-sectional area is gradually reduced from the second intake port toward the second exhaust port, and the second exhaust port is A second ventilation path adjacent to the first exhaust port of the first ventilation path,
The vacuum cleaner characterized by attracting the air in said 2nd ventilation path by the induced airflow which flows through said 1st ventilation path, and obtaining the suction power of said 2nd inlet. The second exhaust port is
The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vacuum cleaner is formed at a position adjacent to the first exhaust port so as to face the same direction as the first exhaust port. The said 1st ventilation path is formed so that the opening direction of the said 2nd inlet port and the opening direction of the said 2nd exhaust port may have an obtuse angle. The any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The vacuum cleaner described. Place the suction power unit in a case,
The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the case forms an outline of the first ventilation path. In the case,
The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, wherein an exhaust rectification unit that rectifies the exhaust from the first exhaust port is provided between the suction power unit and the first exhaust port. The exhaust rectification unit,
The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the vacuum cleaner is formed of a honeycomb-like, corrugated-like, or net-like member. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the exhaust rectification unit is also provided with a dust collecting function. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 5 to 8, further comprising exhaust air speed control means for variably controlling the air speed of the exhaust gas from the first exhaust port. The exhaust air speed control means includes
The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the wind speed of the exhaust from the first exhaust port is controlled by variably adjusting the opening area of the first exhaust port. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein an ion generation unit that generates ions discharged to the outside from the second exhaust port is provided in the second ventilation path. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, wherein static electricity is charged in the filter provided in the second ventilation path. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, wherein a high voltage can be applied to the filter provided in the second ventilation path. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 12 or 13, wherein an ozone generation unit that generates ozone toward the filter or an ion generation unit that generates ions is provided in the second ventilation path. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the filter is detachable. The filter
The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the vacuum cleaner is configured in a honeycomb shape, a corrugated shape, or a mesh shape. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein a second filter configured in a honeycomb shape, a corrugated shape, or a mesh shape is provided between the filter and the second exhaust port. .

Images