JP5024478B1 - Cyclone separation device and vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

In a cyclone separator, noise generated from the vicinity of a discharge port of a swirl chamber is reduced without affecting swirl airflow in the swirl chamber.
A secondary swirl chamber 42 that swirls dust-containing air flowing in from a secondary inlet 41 to separate dust from the dust-containing air, and dust separated in the secondary swirl chamber 42 is collected. A secondary dust collection chamber 44 and a secondary discharge pipe 29 provided so as to protrude into the secondary swirl chamber 42 are provided. A secondary discharge port 45 for discharging air in the secondary swirl chamber 42 is formed in the secondary discharge pipe 29. At least a part of the wall surface of the secondary discharge pipe 29 is composed of a predetermined soft member 29b.
[Selection] Figure 13

Description

  The present invention relates to a cyclone separator and a vacuum cleaner equipped with a cyclone separator.

  The cyclone separator takes in air containing dust (dust) (hereinafter also referred to as “dusty air”) from the inlet to the swirl chamber. Then, by swirling the dust-containing air in the swirl chamber, the dust-containing air is separated into dust and clean air by centrifugal force. Garbage separated from the air in the swirl chamber is captured in the dust collection chamber. Air (clean air) from which dust has been removed in the swirl chamber is sent from the discharge port to the discharge pipe, and is discharged out of the cyclone separation device.

  The cyclone separator has a problem in that noise is generated when the flow of clean air passing through the inside of the discharge pipe is disturbed. In addition, the cyclone separator has a problem in that dust collected in the dust collecting chamber comes into contact with the inner wall of the dust collecting chamber, and noise is generated due to the friction.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 below disclose techniques for reducing noise in a cyclone separator.

JP 2006-55620 A JP 2003-70699 A

  In the cyclone separation device described in Patent Document 1, the flow of air inside the discharge pipe is laminarized by providing the discharge pipe with a guide member. In the thing of patent document 1, since the guide member is provided, the turning speed (airflow speed) of the air in a turning chamber will fall. For this reason, the thing of patent document 1 had the problem that the function (henceforth a "cyclone separation function") which isolate | separates refuse from air falls.

  In the cyclone separation device described in Patent Document 2, a soft material is provided on the inner wall of the dust collection chamber (and the swirl chamber). If it is a thing of patent document 2, the noise which generate | occur | produces when garbage contacts the inner wall of a dust collection chamber can be prevented. However, in the thing of patent document 2, the annoying airflow sound which generate | occur | produces regularly (for example, when garbage does not flow into a swirl | vortex chamber) was not able to be reduced.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to reduce noise generated from the vicinity of the swirl chamber outlet without affecting the swirl airflow in the swirl chamber. It is providing the cyclone separation device which can perform, and a vacuum cleaner provided with such a cyclone separation device.

The cyclone separator according to the present invention includes a swirling chamber that swirls dust-containing air flowing from an inlet and separates dust from the dust-containing air, and a dust collection chamber that collects dust separated in the swirling chamber. A discharge pipe provided so as to protrude into the swirl chamber and having a discharge port for discharging the air in the swirl chamber formed on the end surface of the tip portion protruding into the swirl chamber . at least a portion of the wall surface, Ri Do from a predetermined soft member, the soft member is shall be formed an outer wall surface of the distal end portion of the discharge pipe.

Vacuum cleaner according to the present invention are those having the above-described cyclone separator, and a blower for generating a predetermined airflow into the cyclone separator.
Further, the cyclone separation device according to the present invention comprises a swirling chamber for separating dust from the dust-containing air by swirling the dust-containing air flowing in from the inlet, and dust collection for collecting the dust separated in the swirling chamber. And a discharge pipe provided so as to protrude into the swirl chamber and formed with a discharge port for discharging the air in the swirl chamber, and at least a part of the wall surface has a predetermined wall surface. The discharge pipe includes a cylindrical hard member provided on a member forming the wall surface of the swirl chamber. The soft member has a cylindrical shape and further extends from the tip of the hard member to the inside of the swirl chamber. Thus, it is provided on the hard member.
Further, the cyclone separation device according to the present invention comprises a swirling chamber for separating dust from the dust-containing air by swirling the dust-containing air flowing in from the inlet, and dust collection for collecting the dust separated in the swirling chamber. And a discharge pipe provided so as to protrude into the swirl chamber and formed with a discharge port for discharging the air in the swirl chamber, and at least a part of the wall surface has a predetermined wall surface. It consists of a soft member, and a soft member forms the opening edge part by the side of the turning chamber of a discharge port.
Further, the cyclone separation device according to the present invention comprises a swirling chamber for separating dust from the dust-containing air by swirling the dust-containing air flowing in from the inlet, and dust collection for collecting the dust separated in the swirling chamber. And a discharge pipe provided so as to protrude into the swirl chamber and formed with a discharge port for discharging the air in the swirl chamber, and at least a part of the wall surface has a predetermined wall surface. It consists of a soft member, and the soft member is held by a predetermined hard resin by insert molding.

  According to this invention, in a vacuum cleaner equipped with a cyclone separator or a cyclone separator, noise generated from the vicinity of the outlet of the swirl chamber can be reduced without affecting the swirl airflow in the swirl chamber. Will be able to.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the vacuum cleaner main body of the electric vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view which shows the cleaner body of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the AA cross section of the cleaner body shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the BB cross section of the cleaner body shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the state which removed the dust collection unit from the cleaner body shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the dust collection unit of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a front view which shows the dust collection unit of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a right view which shows the dust collection unit of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view which shows the dust collection unit of the vacuum cleaner in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows CC cross section of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows DD cross section of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the EE cross section of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the FF cross section of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the GG cross section of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the HH cross section of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the analysis result of the flow velocity vector in the secondary cyclone separation apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the J section shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the analysis result of the turbulent energy in the J section of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the secondary cyclone separation apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the primary cyclone separation apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a top view which shows the principal part of the primary cyclone separation apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention.

  The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The overlapping description is simplified or omitted as appropriate.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the main part of the vacuum cleaner 1 includes a suction port body 2, a suction pipe 3, a handle 4, a connection pipe 5, a suction hose 6, and a cleaner body 7.

The suction port body 2 is for sucking dust (dust) on the floor surface together with air from an opening formed downward.
The suction pipe 3 is made of a straight member having a cylindrical shape. An intake side end portion of the suction pipe 3 is connected to an exhaust side connection portion of the suction port body 2.

The handle 4 is used by a person who performs cleaning. The handle 4 is provided at the exhaust side end of the suction pipe 3. The handle 4 is provided with an operation switch for controlling (operating) the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 1.
The connection pipe 5 is made of a cylindrical member. One end of the connection pipe 5 is connected to the handle 4. The connection pipe 5 is connected to the handle 4 so as to be disposed obliquely with respect to the suction pipe 3.

The suction hose 6 is made of a member having a bellows shape with flexibility. One end of the suction hose 6 is connected to the other end of the connection pipe 5.
The vacuum cleaner body 7 separates the dust from the air containing dust (dust-containing air), and returns (discharges) the clean air into the room. The cleaner body 7 is provided with an electric blower 13 (not shown in FIG. 1) and a power cord 8. By connecting the power cord 8 to an external power source, the internal devices such as the electric blower 13 are energized. The electric blower 13 is driven by energization and performs a predetermined suction operation.

  The suction port body 2, the suction pipe 3, the connection pipe 5, and the suction hose 6 are continuously formed inside. That is, when the electric blower 13 performs a suction operation, dust (dust) on the floor surface is sucked into the suction port body 2 together with air, and the suction port body 2, the suction pipe 3, the connection pipe 5, and the suction hose 6 It is sent to the cleaner body 7 through each interior. Thus, the suction inlet body 2, the suction pipe 3, the connection pipe 5, and the suction hose 6 form an air passage for allowing dust-containing air to flow into the cleaner body 7 from the outside.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the vacuum cleaner body of the electric vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a vacuum cleaner body of the electric vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 4 is a view showing a cross section AA of the cleaner body shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a view showing a BB section of the cleaner body shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the cleaner body 7 includes an intake air passage forming unit 10, a dust collecting unit 20, an exhaust air passage forming unit 11, a filter 12, an electric blower 13, and a cord reel (not shown). The wheel 14 is provided. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the dust collection unit is removed from the cleaner body shown in FIG.

  The intake air passage forming unit 10 forms an intake air passage 10 a for guiding dust-containing air to the dust collecting unit 20 in the cleaner body 7. Specifically, one end of the intake air passage forming unit 10 opens to the outside on the front side of the cleaner body 7. The intake air passage forming unit 10 forms an intake air passage 10a along one side of the cleaner body 7, and the other end is opened at the upper rear side of the cleaner body 7 toward the dust collection unit 20 side. . That is, one end of the intake air passage forming portion 10 constitutes a connection port 10 b for connecting the other end portion of the suction hose 6 to the cleaner body 7. The other end of the intake air passage forming unit 10 constitutes a connection port 10 c with the dust collection unit 20.

  The dust collection unit 20 is for separating dust from dust-containing air and temporarily storing the separated dust. The dust collection unit 20 separates the dust from the air by centrifugal force by rotating the dust-containing air inside. The dust collection unit 20 includes a primary cyclone separator 30 and a secondary cyclone separator 40. A function (cyclonic separation function) for rotating dust-containing air to separate dust from the air is provided in both the primary cyclone separation device 30 and the secondary cyclone separation device 40.

The primary cyclone separator 30 is provided on the upstream side of the secondary cyclone separator 40. The primary cyclone separating apparatus 30 is for separating relatively large dust from dust-containing air and collecting it. The primary cyclone separator 30 includes a primary inlet 31 (not shown in FIGS. 2 to 6), a primary swirl chamber 32, a zeroth opening 33, a primary opening 34, a zeroth dust collection chamber 35, and a primary dust collection chamber. 36, a primary discharge port 37 is formed.
The specific configuration and function of the primary cyclone separator 30 will be described later.

  The secondary cyclone separator 40 is provided in parallel with the primary cyclone separator 30 and is provided downstream of the primary cyclone separator 30. The secondary cyclone separating apparatus 40 is for separating (collecting) small dust that could not be collected by the primary cyclone separating apparatus 30 from the dust-containing air and collecting it. By configuring the cyclone type separation device in two stages, the dust collection performance as the dust collection unit 20 can be improved, and the air discharged from the cleaner body 7 can be further purified.

The secondary cyclone separator 40 includes a secondary inlet 41 (not shown in FIGS. 2 to 6), a secondary swirl chamber 42, a secondary opening 43, a secondary dust collection chamber 44, and a secondary discharge port 45. Is formed.
A specific configuration of the secondary cyclone separator 40 will be described later.

The exhaust air path forming unit 11 is an exhaust air path 11b for guiding the air discharged from the dust collection unit 20 (clean air from which dust is removed in the dust collection unit 20) in the cleaner body 7 to the exhaust port 11a. Form.
Specifically, one end of the exhaust air passage forming part 11 opens at the upper surface of the rear part of the cleaner body 7. This one end of the exhaust air passage forming part 11 constitutes a connection port 11 c with the dust collection unit 20. The exhaust air passage forming unit 11 forms the exhaust air passage 11 b in the rear part of the cleaner body 7, and then forms the exhaust air passage 11 b along the other side of the cleaner body 7. The exhaust port 11a for discharging clean air to the outside of the cleaner body 7 is provided outward in a portion of the exhaust air passage forming portion 11 that is disposed along the other side of the cleaner body 7. Yes.

The electric blower 13 includes an air passage formed in the vacuum cleaner 1 (an air passage for allowing dust-containing air to flow into the cleaner body 7, an intake air passage 10a, an air passage in the dust collecting unit 20, and an exhaust air) This is for generating an air flow in the path 11b). The electric blower 13 is disposed in the exhaust air passage 11 b at the rear part of the cleaner body 7.
The filter 12 is provided on the upstream side of the electric blower 13 in the exhaust air passage 11b.

When the electric blower 13 is energized through the power cord 8, the electric blower 13 starts a suction operation, and airflow is generated in each air passage formed in the vacuum cleaner 1.
Specifically, the dust-containing air sucked into the suction port body 2 is taken into the cleaner body 7 from the connection port 10b. The dust-containing air that has flowed into the cleaner body 7 is sent to the primary cyclone separator 30 from the connection port 10c through the intake air passage 10a. In the primary cyclone separator 30, the dust-containing air passes through the primary inlet 31, the primary swirl chamber 32, and the primary outlet 37 in this order, and is sent to the secondary cyclone separator 40. The dust-containing air passes through the secondary inlet 41, the secondary swirl chamber 42, and the secondary outlet 45 in the secondary cyclone separator 40 in this order, and is discharged from the dust collection unit 20. The air (clean air) discharged from the dust collection unit 20 flows into the exhaust air passage 11b, passes through the filter 12 and the electric blower 13 in the exhaust air passage 11b, and passes through the exhaust port 11a to the cleaner body 7 (electricity). It is discharged outside the vacuum cleaner 1).

Next, the detailed structure of the dust collection unit 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the dust collection unit of the electric vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 8 is a front view showing the dust collection unit of the electric vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a right side view thereof, and FIG. 10 is a plan view thereof. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a CC cross section of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a DD cross section. 13 is a diagram showing an EE cross section of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. 14 is a view showing the FF section of the dust collection unit shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 15 is a view showing the GG section, and FIG. 16 is a view showing the HH section.

The dust collecting unit 20 includes a primary cylindrical portion 21, a primary conical portion 22, a dust collecting case 23, a primary discharge pipe 24, a secondary introduction portion 25, a secondary cylindrical portion 26, a secondary conical portion 27, a dust collecting cylindrical portion 28, A secondary discharge pipe 29 is provided.
In the following description of the dust collection unit 20, the upper and lower sides are specified on the basis of the directions shown in FIGS.

  The primary cyclone separator 30 is configured by a primary cylindrical portion 21, a primary conical portion 22, a dust collection case 23 (a part thereof), a primary discharge pipe 24, and a secondary introduction portion 25.

  The primary cylindrical portion 21 has a cylindrical shape, and is arranged so that its central axis faces the vertical direction. The primary conical part 22 is arranged so that the central axis thereof coincides with the central axis of the primary cylindrical part 21. The primary conical part 22 is provided so that the upper end part is connected to the lower end part of the primary cylindrical part 21 and extends downward from the lower end part of the primary cylindrical part 21 so that the diameter decreases as it goes downward. The lower end portion of the primary conical portion 22 opens downward. The opening formed in the lower end portion of the primary cone portion 22 is the primary opening 34.

  The primary inlet 31 is formed on the upper side wall of the primary cylindrical portion 21. The primary inlet 31 is an opening through which the dust-containing air that has passed through the inside of the intake air passage formation unit 10 (intake air passage 10 a) is taken into the primary swirl chamber 32. The primary inflow port 31 is connected to the connection port 10 c of the intake air passage forming unit 10 when the dust collection unit 20 is appropriately attached to the cleaner body 7.

  The primary swirl chamber 32 is a space for swirling dust-containing air taken inside through the primary inflow port 31. The primary swirl chamber 32 is configured by the internal space of the primary cylindrical portion 21 and the internal space of the primary conical portion 22. The primary inlet 31 is formed obliquely with respect to the primary cylindrical portion 21 so that dust-containing air flows into the primary cylindrical portion 21 from the tangential direction (see, for example, FIG. 14).

  The dust collection case 23 is provided with a partition wall 23a inside. In the dust collecting case 23, two spaces separated by a partition wall 23a are formed. One space partitioned by the partition wall 23 a forms the primary dust collection chamber 36, and the other space forms a part of the zero-order dust collection chamber 35. The dust collection case 23 is arranged such that the primary conical portion 22 is inserted into the primary dust collection chamber 36 from above. In the dust collection case 23, the edge forming the upper opening of the primary dust collection chamber 36 is connected to the side wall (or member provided on the side wall) of the primary conical part 22. That is, the primary dust collection chamber 36 communicates with the primary swirl chamber 32 through the primary opening 34. The dust separated from the dust-containing air in the primary swirl chamber 32 falls through the primary opening 34 to the primary dust collection chamber 36.

  In the dust collection case 23, the remaining portion adjacent to the primary dust collection chamber 36 is connected to members provided on the side walls of the primary cone portion 22 and the secondary cone portion 27, and the zero-order collection by this connected portion. A dust chamber 35 is formed.

  The zero-order opening 33 is an opening formed across the primary cylindrical portion 21 and the primary conical portion 22. The zero-order opening 33 is formed at a position (downward) lower than the primary inlet 31. The primary swirl chamber 32 communicates with the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 through the zero-order opening 33. The zero-order opening 33 is formed so as to communicate with the upper part of the zero-order dust collection chamber 35. The zero-order dust collection chamber 35 is provided so as to extend downward from the position where the zero-order opening 33 is formed. The zero-order dust collection chamber 35 is a space for collecting relatively bulky dust contained in the dust-containing air. In order to collect bulky dust in the zero-order dust collection chamber 35, the zero-order opening 33 is formed so that the opening area is larger than the opening area of the primary opening 34.

  An opening (hereinafter, also referred to as “partition opening 23b”) is formed in the partition wall 23a that partitions the primary dust collection chamber 36 and the zero-order dust collection chamber 35, and the primary dust collection chamber 36 includes the partition opening 23b. To the zero-order dust collecting chamber 35. The partition opening 23b is covered with the mesh member 23c on the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 side. For example, the mesh member 23c is sandwiched between the edge of the partition wall 23a that forms the partition wall opening 23b and the frame body 23d, and is fixed to the partition wall 23a. A large number of fine holes are formed in the mesh member 23c. The fine holes of the mesh member 23 c are formed so that the opening area thereof is smaller than the opening area of the zero-order opening 33. The fine holes of the mesh member 23c have an opening diameter of 1 mm or less in order to prevent the dust trapped in the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 from passing through the partition opening 23b and moving to the primary dust collection chamber 36. It is preferable. The partition wall opening 23 b is formed in the lower part of the partition wall 23 a so that the distance from the zeroth-order opening 33 is longer than the distance between the vertical center position of the partition wall 23 a and the zero-order opening 33.

The primary discharge pipe 24 and the secondary introduction part 25 are for guiding the air in the primary swirl chamber 32 to the secondary cyclone separator 40 (secondary swirl chamber 42 thereof).
The primary discharge pipe 24 extends downward from the upper wall of the primary cylindrical portion 21 and is disposed so as to protrude into the internal space of the primary cylindrical portion 21 (that is, in the primary swirl chamber 32). The lower end of the primary discharge pipe 24 is disposed at a position higher than the upper end of the primary cone portion 22.

  The primary discharge pipe 24 includes a cylindrical body 24a having an upper cylindrical shape and a conical body 24b having a lower conical shape. The central axes of the cylindrical body 24 a and the conical body 24 b are arranged on the same straight line as the central axes of the primary cylindrical section 21 and the primary conical section 22. The upper end portion of the cylindrical body 24a is fixed to the upper wall of the primary cylindrical portion 21 (the resin member forming the cylindrical body 24a). The cone 24b is provided so that the upper end is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical body 24a and extends downward from the lower end of the cylindrical body 24a so that the diameter decreases as it goes downward.

  The cylindrical body 24a and the cone body 24b are formed with fine holes over the entire circumference. The fine holes formed in the cylindrical body 24 a and the cone body 24 b are the primary discharge ports 37. That is, the dust-containing air in the primary swirl chamber 32 enters the primary discharge pipe 24 through the primary discharge port 37 and is sent to the secondary introduction unit 25. The secondary introduction unit 25 changes the traveling direction of the dust-containing air sent from the primary discharge pipe 24 and flows it into the secondary swirl chamber 42.

The outline | summary is demonstrated about the function of the primary cyclone separator 30 which has the said structure.
The dust-containing air that has passed through the intake air passage 10 a is sent from the primary inlet 31 to the primary swirl chamber 32. Since the dust-containing air flows into the primary cylindrical portion 21 along the inner wall of the primary cylindrical portion 21 (side wall forming the primary swirling chamber 32), a swirling airflow is formed in the primary swirling chamber 32. This whirling airflow flows downward due to its path structure and gravity while forming a forced vortex region near the central axis and a quasi-free vortex region outside the central vortex region.

  Centrifugal force acts on the dust contained in the swirling airflow (dust-containing air). For example, relatively bulky waste such as fiber waste or hair (hereinafter such waste is referred to as “garbage α”) is pressed against the inner wall of the primary cylindrical portion 21 by the centrifugal force, and the primary swirl chamber 32. Fall inside. When the waste α reaches the height of the zeroth-order opening 33, it is separated from the swirling airflow, passes through the zeroth-order opening 33, and is sent to the zeroth-order dust collection chamber 35.

  A part of the air flow in the primary swirl chamber 32 flows into the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 through the zero-order opening 33. The air flowing into the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 passes through the partition opening 23b formed in the partition wall 23a and flows from the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 into the primary dust collection chamber 36. Garbage α that has entered the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 from the zero-order opening 33 descends inside the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 due to its own weight and the above-described airflow that passes from the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 to the primary dust collection chamber 36. . Thereafter, the dust α is pressed against the partition wall 23a and the mesh member 23c around the partition wall opening 23b and compressed. This function of compressing the dust α can be realized by forming the opening area of the fine holes formed in the mesh member 23 c smaller than the opening area of the zero-order opening 33. By having the above-described configuration, the dust α can be prevented from flowing into the primary dust collection chamber 36 while the air flow that has entered the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 flows into the primary dust collection chamber 36. The airflow that has entered the primary dust collection chamber 36 from the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 flows again into the primary swirl chamber 32 through the primary opening 34.

  Garbage that has not entered the zero-order dust collecting chamber 35 from the zero-order opening 33 rides on the air current in the primary swirl chamber 32 and travels below the primary swirl chamber 32. Garbage with relatively small volume such as sand litter and fine fiber litter (hereinafter such litter is referred to as “garbage β”) falls into the primary dust collection chamber 36 via the primary opening 34 and is captured. When the airflow swirling in the primary swirl chamber 32 reaches the lowermost part of the primary swirl chamber 32, the traveling direction is changed upward, and the airflow rises along the central axis of the primary swirl chamber 32. Garbage α and dust β are removed from the air forming the updraft. The airflow from which the waste α and the waste β are removed is discharged from the primary discharge port 37 to the outside of the primary swirl chamber 32. The air discharged from the primary swirl chamber 32 passes through the primary discharge pipe 24 and the secondary introduction part 25 and is sent to the secondary cyclone separator 40.

  If it is the primary cyclone separation apparatus 30 which has the said structure, the waste (alpha) can be accommodated in the state compressed in the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 with the force and dead weight of air. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the rising when the waste α in the zero-order dust collecting chamber 35 is discarded. Further, a large amount of dust α can be captured in the volume of the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 which is a limited space, and the frequency of waste disposal can be reduced.

In the zero-order dust collection chamber 35, waste α (fiber waste, hair, etc.) whose volume is greatly reduced when compressed is captured. For this reason, the volume of the dust contained in dust-containing air can be reduced efficiently, and the frequency of garbage disposal can be reduced.
Further, since the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 is formed so as to extend below the zero-order opening 33 and the partition opening 23b is formed below the partition 23a, the compression effect is obtained by utilizing the dead weight of the waste α. It can be further increased.

Further, since the partition opening 23b is formed in the lower part of the partition wall 23a, the dust α is accumulated in the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 from below. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the dust α captured in the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 from entering the primary swirl chamber 32 again via the zero-order opening 33.
Further, the partition wall opening 23b is covered with a mesh member 23c in which fine holes are formed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the waste α from flowing into the primary dust collection chamber 36 from the zero-order dust collection chamber 35.

  Since the waste α trapped in the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 is mainly composed of fiber dust and hair, even if a certain amount of dust α accumulates in the zero-order dust collection chamber 35, the air permeability of the partition wall opening 23b is maintained. It will not be damaged. For this reason, even if a certain amount of garbage α is accumulated in the zero-order dust collection chamber 35, the dust compression function can be maintained continuously thereafter.

  In the primary cyclone separator 30, the dust compression function of the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 is realized without providing a movable part. For this reason, the primary cyclone separator 30 does not have a problem regarding reliability such as the strength and life of the movable part. Moreover, since dust can be compressed by the air flowing into the primary dust collection chamber 36 from the zero-order dust collection chamber 35, it is possible to prevent all the dust trapped in the zero-order dust collection chamber 35 and the primary dust collection chamber 36. A predetermined compressive force can be applied.

Next, the secondary cyclone separator 40 will be described.
The secondary cyclone separating apparatus 40 is configured by a secondary cylindrical portion 26, a secondary conical portion 27, a dust collecting cylindrical portion 28, a dust collecting case 23 (part thereof), and a secondary discharge pipe 29. .

  The secondary cylindrical portion 26 has a cylindrical shape and is disposed adjacent to the secondary introduction portion 25 so that the central axis thereof is directed in the vertical direction. The secondary conical portion 27 is arranged so that the central axis thereof coincides with the central axis of the secondary cylindrical portion 26. The secondary cone part 27 is provided so that the upper end part is connected to the lower end part of the secondary cylindrical part 26 and extends downward from the lower end part of the secondary cylindrical part 26 so that the diameter decreases toward the lower side. Yes. The dust collecting cylindrical portion 28 has a cylindrical shape that is thinner than the secondary cylindrical portion 26. The dust collecting cylindrical portion 28 is arranged so that the central axis thereof coincides with the central axes of the secondary cylindrical portion 26 and the secondary conical portion 27. The dust collecting cylindrical portion 28 is provided so that the upper end portion contacts the lower end portion of the secondary cone portion 27 and extends downward from the lower end portion of the secondary cone portion 27.

  The secondary inlet 41 is formed on the side wall of the secondary cylindrical portion 26. The secondary inlet 41 is an opening for taking the dust-containing air that has passed through the primary cyclone separator 30 into the secondary swirl chamber 42. The air passing through the secondary inlet 41 contains fine dust that could not be separated by the primary cyclone separator 30.

  The secondary swirl chamber 42 is a space for swirling the dust-containing air taken in through the secondary inlet 41. The secondary swirl chamber 42 is configured by the internal space of the secondary cylindrical portion 26 and the internal space of the secondary conical portion 27. The secondary inlet 41 is formed obliquely with respect to the secondary cylindrical portion 26 so that the dust-containing air flows into the secondary cylindrical portion 26 from the tangential direction (see, for example, FIG. 16).

  The lower end of the secondary cone portion 27 is a secondary opening 43. The lower end portion of the secondary conical portion 27 and the dust collecting cylindrical portion 28 are arranged so as to be inserted from above into the internal space of the dust collecting case 23 forming the zero-order dust collecting chamber 35. Fine dust separated from the dust-containing air in the secondary swirl chamber 42 passes through the secondary opening 43 and falls into the dust collecting cylindrical portion 28, and in the recess 23 e provided in the bottom surface of the dust collecting case 23 (and In the hollow portion of the dust collecting cylindrical portion 28). That is, the secondary dust collection chamber 44 is formed by the internal space of the dust collection cylindrical portion 28 and the space in the recess 23e.

  The secondary discharge pipe 29 is for guiding the air in the secondary swirl chamber 42 to the outside of the secondary cyclone separator 40 (that is, the exhaust air passage 11b). The secondary discharge pipe 29 extends downward from the upper wall of the secondary cylindrical portion 26 and is disposed so as to protrude into the internal space of the secondary cylindrical portion 26 (that is, inside the secondary swirl chamber 42). For example, the lower end of the secondary discharge pipe 29 is disposed at the same height as the lower end of the secondary cylindrical portion 26. The secondary discharge pipe 29 opens with its lower end facing downward. This opening formed at the lower end of the secondary discharge pipe 29 is a secondary discharge port 45.

  At least a part of the wall surface of the secondary discharge pipe 29 is constituted by a member that is softer than a member that constitutes a main part of the secondary discharge pipe 29 (or a main part of the dust collection unit 20). The main part of the secondary discharge pipe 29 (or the main part of the dust collection unit 20) is composed of a member (for example, a plastic member) having an appropriate hardness.

  The secondary discharge pipe 29 in the present embodiment includes an upper hard member 29a and a lower soft member 29b. The hard member 29a and the soft member 29b have a cylindrical shape with the same diameter, and each central axis is arranged on the same straight line as each central axis of the secondary cylindrical portion 26 and the secondary conical portion 27. The upper end of the hard member 29a is fixed to the upper wall of the secondary cylindrical portion 26 (the resin member forming the same). 29c is a vibration isolating rib protruding from the inner wall of the hard member 29a. The anti-vibration ribs 29c are arranged in the axial direction of the hard member 29a (the direction in which air flows). The soft member 29b is provided on the hard member 29a so that its upper end is connected to the lower end of the hard member 29a and further extends from the lower end edge of the hard member 29a to the inside of the secondary swirl chamber 42.

  A downward opening formed at the lower end of the soft member 29 b is a secondary discharge port 45. That is, the air in the secondary swirl chamber 42 enters the secondary discharge pipe 29 via the secondary discharge port 45 and is sent to the exhaust part 29 d disposed outside the secondary cylindrical part 26. The exhaust part 29d changes the traveling direction of the air sent from the secondary exhaust pipe 29, and causes clean air to flow into the exhaust air passage 11b.

The secondary discharge pipe 29 in the present embodiment includes an outer wall surface (outer peripheral surface) at the lower end, an edge forming the secondary discharge port 45 (including an opening edge on the secondary swirl chamber 42 side), and a lower end portion. The inner wall surface (inner peripheral surface) is formed by the soft member 29b.
The effect of providing the secondary discharge pipe 29 with the soft member 29b will be described later.

The outline | summary is demonstrated about the function of the secondary cyclone separator 40 which has the said structure.
The dust-containing air that has passed through the secondary introduction part 25 is taken into the secondary swirl chamber 42 from the secondary inlet 41. Since the dust-containing air flows into the secondary cylindrical portion 26 along the inner wall of the secondary cylindrical portion 26 (side wall forming the secondary swirl chamber 42), a swirling airflow is formed in the secondary swirl chamber 42. This whirling airflow flows downward due to its path structure and gravity while forming a forced vortex region near the central axis and a quasi-free vortex region outside the central vortex region.

  Centrifugal force acts on the dust contained in the swirling airflow (dust-containing air). Fine dust (hereinafter referred to as “garbage γ”) that could not be separated by the primary cyclone separating device 30 is caused by the centrifugal force to the inner walls of the secondary cylindrical portion 26 and the secondary conical portion 27. Pressed and separated from the intake air.

  The garbage γ rides on the swirling airflow in the descending secondary swirl chamber 42, travels below the secondary swirl chamber 42, falls into the secondary dust collection chamber 44 through the secondary opening 43, and is captured. The air from which the dust γ has been removed (clean air) rises along the central axis of the secondary swirl chamber 42. Then, the clean air is discharged out of the secondary swirl chamber 42 from the secondary discharge port 45. The air discharged from the secondary swirl chamber 42 passes through the secondary discharge pipe 29 and the discharge portion 29d and is sent to the exhaust air passage 11b.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the analysis result of the flow velocity vector in the secondary cyclone separator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a portion J shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the analysis result of the turbulent energy in the J part of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the air flowing into the secondary swirl chamber 42 from the secondary inlet 41 forms a swirling airflow in the secondary swirl chamber 42. A part of the swirling airflow descends to the height of the secondary discharge port 45 and then rapidly changes its traveling direction around the secondary discharge port 45 (considering only the vertical direction, it suddenly changes from the downward direction to the upward direction. Invert). The other part of the swirling airflow descends to the lower region of the secondary swirl chamber 42 and then changes its traveling direction (reversing from the downward direction to the upward direction when considering only the vertical direction). As a result, the vicinity of the central axis of the secondary swirl chamber 42 rises.

  The air flow whose traveling direction has changed rapidly around the secondary discharge port 45 and the updraft rising near the central axis of the secondary swirl chamber 42 merge in the vicinity of the secondary discharge port 45. For this reason, in the vicinity of the secondary discharge port 45, the flow becomes very turbulent due to the merging, and the turbulent energy becomes high as shown in FIG. Turbulent energy is an index indicating a change in flow velocity vector. That is, a high turbulent energy means a large pressure fluctuation.

  As can be seen from the analysis result shown in FIG. 19, pressure fluctuation occurs in the vicinity of the secondary discharge port 45 and the solid wall constituting the vicinity thereof (that is, the wall surface forming the lower end of the secondary discharge pipe 29). Makes it easy to generate sound (hereinafter referred to as “solid interference sound”). However, in the dust collecting unit 20 having the above-described configuration, the lower end portion of the secondary discharge pipe 29 is configured by the soft member 29b, so that the pressure fluctuation on the wall surface of the secondary discharge pipe 29 is reduced (absorbed). And generation | occurrence | production of a solid interference sound can be suppressed.

  In the dust collection unit 20 having the above-described configuration, the pressure fluctuation is suppressed only on the wall surface of the secondary discharge pipe 29. Therefore, by providing the soft member 29b, the swirling air flow in the secondary swirl chamber 42 and the second The airflow in the next discharge pipe 29 is not affected. That is, even if a part of the secondary discharge pipe 29 is configured by the soft member 29b, the cyclone separation function of the secondary cyclone separation device 40 is not impaired.

  If it is the vacuum cleaner 1 in which the dust collection unit 20 of the said structure was mounted, the noise in use can be reduced and a user can clean comfortably. Thereby, a user's satisfaction can be raised.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the secondary cyclone separator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 20 is a diagram corresponding to the main part of the DD cross section shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, the configuration of the secondary discharge pipe 29 of the secondary cyclone separator 40 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other configurations relating to the vacuum cleaner 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The secondary discharge pipe 29 in the present embodiment includes a hard member 29e having a cylindrical shape and a soft member 29f having a similar cylindrical shape. The central axes of the hard member 29e and the soft member 29f are arranged on the same straight line as the central axes of the secondary cylindrical portion 26 and the secondary conical portion 27, respectively. The upper end of the hard member 29e is fixed to the upper wall of the secondary cylindrical portion 26 (the resin member forming the same). The hard member 29e is formed so that the outer peripheral portion of its lower end is one step lower than the other outer peripheral portions. The soft member 29f is disposed at the step portion formed at the lower end of the hard member 29e, and forms one cylindrical member with the hard member 29e.

  In the secondary discharge pipe 29 in the present embodiment, the inner wall surface (inner peripheral surface) of the lower end portion and the edge portion forming the secondary discharge port 45 are formed by the hard member 29e. Only the outer wall surface (outer peripheral surface) of the lower end portion of the secondary discharge pipe 29 is formed by the soft member 29f.

  With the dust collection unit 20 having the above configuration, pressure fluctuation on the outer wall surface (the surface on the secondary swirl chamber 42 side) of the secondary discharge pipe 29 is relaxed (absorbed), and the generation of solid interference noise is suppressed. be able to. In addition, it is possible to reduce the collision noise when the dust flowing into the secondary swirl chamber 42 from the secondary inlet 41 collides with the secondary discharge pipe 29 and the friction noise when contacting.

  With the dust collection unit 20 having the above configuration, the soft member 29f can be held by the hard member 29e by insert molding. If it is insert molding, the soft member 29f can be fixed to the hard member 29e without using an adhesive or a fastener, and the number of parts and assembly man-hours can be reduced. For example, by configuring the hard member 29e with a hard resin (for example, ABS resin), the rigidity of the entire secondary discharge pipe 29 (particularly, the lower end portion) is secured, and pressure fluctuation on the outer wall surface is absorbed. be able to.

  The soft member 29f may be disposed on the inner wall surface side of the lower end portion of the secondary discharge pipe 29. In such a case, the outer wall surface of the secondary discharge pipe 29 is configured by the hard member 29e. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to absorb the pressure fluctuation on the wall surface while ensuring the rigidity of the entire secondary discharge pipe 29 (particularly, the lower end portion).

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing the main part of the primary cyclone separator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is a plan view thereof. FIG. 21 is a diagram corresponding to the main part of the CC cross section shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 22 is a diagram corresponding to the main part of the FF cross section shown in FIG. 13.
In the present embodiment, the configuration of the primary discharge pipe 24 of the primary cyclone separator 30 is different from that of the first or second embodiment. Other configurations relating to the vacuum cleaner 1 are the same as those in the first or second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the secondary discharge pipe may not be provided with a soft member.

  In the present embodiment, at least a part of the wall surface of the primary discharge pipe 24 is configured by a member that is softer than a member that configures a main part of the primary discharge pipe 24 (or a main part of the dust collection unit 20). The primary discharge pipe 24 includes, for example, a cylindrical body 24c having a cylindrical shape, a conical body 24d having a conical shape, and a soft member 24e.

  The central axes of the cylindrical body 24 c and the conical body 24 d are arranged on the same straight line as the central axes of the primary cylindrical section 21 and the primary conical section 22. The upper end portion of the cylindrical body 24c is fixed to the upper wall of the primary cylindrical portion 21 (the resin member forming the cylindrical body 24c). The upper end portion of the cone body 24d is connected to the lower end portion of the cylindrical body 24c, and is provided so as to extend downward from the lower end portion of the cylindrical body 24c so that its diameter decreases as it goes downward. The cylindrical body 24c and the conical body 24d are made of a member (for example, a plastic member) having an appropriate hardness.

  The soft member 24e is provided on each outer side of the cylindrical body 24c and the conical body 24d so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 24c and the inclined outer peripheral surface of the conical body 24d.

  In the primary discharge pipe 24, fine holes are formed over the entire circumference. The fine hole penetrates the cylindrical body 24c and the soft member 24e on the upper side of the primary discharge pipe 24, and penetrates the cone body 24d and the soft member 24e on the lower side of the primary discharge pipe 24. Thus, it is formed over the entire outer wall of the primary discharge pipe 24. The fine holes formed in the primary discharge pipe 24 constitute a primary discharge port 37.

  As for the primary discharge pipe 24 in this Embodiment, the whole outer wall surface (outer peripheral surface) is formed of the soft member 24e. For this reason, in the primary discharge pipe 24, the opening edge part by the side of the primary revolving chamber 32 of each primary discharge port 37 is also formed of the soft member 24e.

  In the dust collection unit 20 having the above-described configuration, pressure fluctuation is reduced (absorbed) on the outer wall surface of the primary discharge pipe 24 where the turbulent energy tends to be high in the primary cyclone separator 30, and solid interference sound is generated. It becomes possible to suppress.

As the material of the soft members 29b, 29f, and 24e described in the first to third embodiments, for example, rubber or elastomer is suitable. If mica or the like having damping action is contained in rubber or elastomer, the vibration of the secondary discharge pipe 29 or the primary discharge pipe 24 itself is suppressed to reduce the vibration radiation sound, and the noise can be reduced more efficiently. Can be planned.
A material having a sound absorbing action such as a fur material may be used for the soft members 29b, 29f, and 24e. In such a case, it is preferable to use a fur material or the like as long as it does not affect the swirling airflow in the secondary swirl chamber 42 or the primary swirl chamber 32.
Furthermore, assuming that the dust collection unit 20 is washed with water, it is preferable to use a material that is water-resistant and quick-drying as the material of the soft members 29b, 29f, and 24e.

In the first to third embodiments, the configuration in which two cyclone separators are connected in series has been described. Even when the dust collecting unit is provided with only a single cyclone separator, the same effect can be achieved by configuring the discharge pipe of the cyclone separator to be similar to the above. Even if the dust collection unit is equipped with three or more cyclone separators (for example, a primary cyclone separator, a secondary cyclone separator, a tertiary cyclone separator, etc.), the cyclone separator The same effect can be obtained by making the discharge pipe of the same configuration as described above.
In the first to third embodiments, the canister type vacuum cleaner 1 has been described. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to other types of vacuum cleaners.

  In the first to third embodiments, the seal structure and the lock structure between the components are not mentioned. However, in the dust collection unit 20, the seal structure and the lock structure between the components do not disturb the internal airflow. It is preferable to be installed as described above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vacuum cleaner 2 Suction port body, 3 Suction pipe, 4 Handle, 5 Connection pipe, 6 Suction hose, 7 Vacuum cleaner body, 8 Power cord 10 Intake air path formation part, 10a Intake air path, 10b Connection port, 10c Connection 11, 11 exhaust port, 11 b exhaust port, 11 c connection port, 12 filter, 13 electric blower, 14 wheel 20 dust collecting unit, 21 primary cylindrical part, 22 primary conical part, 23 dust collecting case 23a partition, 23b partition opening, 23c mesh member, 23d frame, 23e recess, 24 primary discharge pipe, 24a cylinder, 24b cone, 24c cylinder, 24d cone, 24e soft member, 25 secondary introduction part, 26 Secondary cylinder part, 27 Secondary cone part, 28 Dust collection cylinder part, 29 Secondary discharge pipe, 29a Hard member, 29b Soft member 29c antivibration rib, 29d exhaust unit, 29e rigid member, 29f soft member,
30 primary cyclone separator, 31 primary inlet, 32 primary swirl chamber, 33 zero order opening, 34 primary opening, 35 zero primary dust collection chamber, 36 primary dust collection chamber, 37 primary discharge port 40 secondary cyclone separator, 41 Secondary inlet, 42 Secondary swirl chamber, 43 Secondary opening, 44 Secondary dust collection chamber, 45 Secondary discharge port

Claims (10)

A swirl chamber for swirling the dust-containing air flowing in from the inlet and separating the dust from the dust-containing air;
A dust collection chamber in which garbage separated in the swirl chamber is collected;
A discharge pipe provided so as to protrude into the swirl chamber, and an exhaust port for discharging air in the swirl chamber formed on an end surface of a tip portion protruding into the swirl chamber;
With
The discharge tube, at least a portion of the wall face, Ri Do from a predetermined soft member,
The soft member, a cyclone separating apparatus that form a outer wall surface of the tip portion of the discharge pipe. The discharge pipe is
A cylindrical rigid member provided on a member forming the wall surface of the swirl chamber;
With
The cyclone separator according to claim 1 , wherein the soft member has a cylindrical shape and is provided on the hard member so as to further extend from the tip of the hard member into the swirl chamber. The soft member is Cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 to form an opening edge portion of the whirling chamber side of the discharge port. The discharge pipe is formed with a plurality of discharge ports that open to the outer wall surface,
The cyclone separator according to claim 3 , wherein the soft member forms an opening edge portion of each of the discharge ports on the swirl chamber side. The cyclone separator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the soft member is held in a predetermined hard resin by insert molding. A cyclone separator according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
A blower for generating a predetermined airflow into the cyclone separator in the apparatus,
Vacuum cleaner with A swirl chamber for swirling the dust-containing air flowing in from the inlet and separating the dust from the dust-containing air;
A dust collection chamber in which garbage separated in the swirl chamber is collected;
A discharge pipe provided so as to protrude into the swirl chamber, and formed with a discharge port for discharging air in the swirl chamber;
With
The discharge tube, at least a portion of the wall face, Ri Do from a predetermined soft member,
The discharge pipe includes a cylindrical hard member provided on a member forming a wall surface of the swirl chamber,
The cyclone separation device provided on the hard member so that the soft member has a cylindrical shape and extends further from the tip of the hard member into the swirl chamber . A swirl chamber for swirling the dust-containing air flowing in from the inlet and separating the dust from the dust-containing air;
A dust collection chamber in which garbage separated in the swirl chamber is collected;
A discharge pipe provided so as to protrude into the swirl chamber, and formed with a discharge port for discharging air in the swirl chamber;
With
The discharge tube, at least a portion of the wall face, Ri Do from a predetermined soft member,
The soft member, cyclone separator form an opening edge portion of the whirling chamber side of the discharge port. The discharge pipe is formed with a plurality of discharge ports that open to the outer wall surface,
The cyclone separator according to claim 8 , wherein the soft member forms an opening edge portion of each of the discharge ports on the swirl chamber side. A swirl chamber for swirling the dust-containing air flowing in from the inlet and separating the dust from the dust-containing air;
A dust collection chamber in which garbage separated in the swirl chamber is collected;
A discharge pipe provided so as to protrude into the swirl chamber, and formed with a discharge port for discharging air in the swirl chamber;
With
The discharge tube, at least a portion of the wall face, Ri Do from a predetermined soft member,
The cyclone separation device , wherein the soft member is held in a predetermined hard resin by insert molding .

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