JP5197627B2 - Electric vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having a dust separation case that separates dust contained in air using centrifugal force, and a dust collection case that collects dust separated from air in the dust separation case. More specifically, the present invention relates to a structure for removing dust adhering to a filter accommodated in a dust separation case by using a removal operation and an attachment operation of the dust collection case with respect to the dust separation case.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an electric vacuum cleaner that separates dust contained in air sucked by an electric blower using an inertial force and does not require a bag-like pack filter. An example of this type of vacuum cleaner is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3999791, for example.

  The electric vacuum cleaner disclosed in this patent publication includes dust separation means for separating dust in the air sucked by the electric blower, and a pleat filter for capturing dust that has passed through the dust separation means. The pleated filter is disposed between the dust separating means and the electric blower.

  The dust separating means includes a dust separating case and a dust collecting case. The dust separation case has an air flow inlet into which air is sucked, a separation chamber communicating with the air flow inlet, and an air flow passage port located downstream of the separation chamber along the air flow direction. The separation chamber includes a cylindrical wall surface, and an intake cylinder is disposed at the center of the separation chamber surrounded by the wall surface. The intake cylinder has a large number of ventilation holes. The airflow passage opening faces the pleat filter and communicates with the inside of the intake cylinder. Further, a dust outlet is formed at the upper end of the dust separation case. The dust outlet communicates with the separation chamber.

  The dust collecting case is removably assembled to the dust separating case from above the dust separating case. The dust collection case has a dust inlet and a ventilation window. The dust inlet is connected to the dust outlet of the dust separation case. The ventilation window is covered with a filter and connected to the airflow passage opening of the dust separation case through a ventilation opening opened in the dust separation case.

  In such a vacuum cleaner, when the electric blower starts operation, air containing dust is sucked into the separation chamber from the airflow inlet. The air sucked into the separation chamber flows so as to swirl along the wall surface. Due to this flow, centrifugal force is applied to the air, so that dust heavier than air is guided to the dust outlet via the wall surface due to inertia.

  On the other hand, a part of the air sucked into the separation chamber is filtered in the process of passing through the vent hole of the intake cylinder and then guided to the airflow passage through the inside of the intake cylinder. Therefore, dust contained in the air is separated in the process in which the air sucked into the dust separation case passes through the separation chamber.

  In the conventional vacuum cleaner, when air passes through the separation chamber, it is inevitable that fine dust adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the intake cylinder exposed to the separation chamber. When dust attached to the intake cylinder grows, the amount of air passing through the intake cylinder decreases.

  Further, the air guided from the separation chamber to the dust collection case together with the dust flows into the airflow passage opening of the dust separation case through the ventilation window of the dust collection case and the ventilation port of the dust separation case. Therefore, the air that has passed through the intake cylinder merges with the air that returns from the dust collection case to the dust separation case at the airflow passage port.

  At this time, if the dust collection case ventilating window is blocked by the dust accumulated inside the dust collection case, the flow of air from the dust collection case toward the airflow passage port is significantly limited. Therefore, the air in the separation chamber is exclusively sucked into the electric blower through the intake cylinder, and dust is more likely to adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the intake cylinder.

  As a result, the intake cylinder is clogged, and dust in the air cannot be efficiently separated in the separation chamber. However, the vacuum cleaner disclosed in the above-mentioned patent publication does not assume that dust adhering to the intake cylinder is removed, and it cannot be denied that the dust suction force of the vacuum cleaner is reduced.

  On the other hand, in this type of vacuum cleaner, if the vacuum cleaner has a sensor for detecting the amount or pressure of air sucked into the dust separation case, the amount of air or pressure sucked into the dust separation case is predetermined. It can be detected by the sensor that the value is below the predetermined level. At the same time, based on the detection result of the sensor, it can be notified that the intake cylinder needs to be cleaned.

  However, an operator who uses a vacuum cleaner is forced to disassemble the dust separation case and remove the dust adhering to the intake cylinder every time notification is made. Therefore, a great amount of labor and labor are required for the cleaning work of the intake cylinder, and improvement thereof is demanded.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electric vacuum cleaner that can easily remove dust attached to a filter in a separation chamber by using a dust collection case removing operation and an attaching operation, and can easily maintain the filter. It is in.

In order to achieve the above object, a vacuum cleaner according to one aspect of the present invention includes:
(1) A vacuum cleaner body having a dust suction port, (2) an electric blower housed in the vacuum cleaner body and sucking air from the dust suction port, and (3) housed in the vacuum cleaner body and sucked from the dust suction port. A dust separation case having a separation chamber that separates dust contained in the air by centrifugal force, and a ventilation chamber located downstream of the separation chamber along the air flow direction, and (4) the separation A filter that is provided in the dust separation case so as to communicate between the chamber and the ventilation chamber, and that allows air to pass from the separation chamber to the ventilation chamber, and (5) is detachably attached to the dust separation case. A dust collecting case that communicates with the separation chamber and collects the dust separated in the separation chamber and that communicates with the ventilation chamber .

The dust separation case is provided with cleaning means for removing dust adhering to the filter by contacting the filter in the separation chamber . The filter and the cleaning means are relatively rotated via a driving means so as to be interlocked with the removal operation and the attachment operation of the dust collection case with respect to the dust separation case. By this rotation, the dust adhering to the filter is removed by the cleaning means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the dust adhering to a filter can be automatically removed using the removal operation | movement and attachment operation | movement of a dust collection case. Therefore, the troublesome work of disassembling the dust separation case and cleaning the filter by human work becomes unnecessary, and the filter maintenance becomes easy.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner showing a state in which a vacuum cleaner body, a dust separation case, and a dust collection case are separated from each other in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the dust separation case and the dust collection case are separated from each other in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a dust collection case is attached to a dust separation case in the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F4-F4 of FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line F5-F5 in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F5-F5 in FIG. 3, showing a state in which the dust collection case is pushed up from the dust separation case in the first embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F7-F7 in FIG. 3, showing a state where the dust collection case is separated from the dust separation case in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a dust collection case is attached to a dust separation case in the second embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F9-F9 in FIG. FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a state in which a dust collection case is attached to a dust separation case in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 shows a vacuum cleaner 1 which can be moved along the floor surface to be cleaned, for example. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes a vacuum cleaner body 2, a dust separation unit 11, and a known suction unit (not shown). The suction unit includes a suction head having a dust suction port, a dust suction hose, and an extension pipe. The extension pipe connects between the suction head and the dust suction hose.

  The vacuum cleaner body 2 has a pair of wheels 3 (only one is shown) in contact with the floor, a caster (not shown), and a unit housing chamber 2a. The unit storage chamber 2a is opened upward of the cleaner body 2. An upper lid 4 is supported on the cleaner body 2. The upper lid 4 is rotatable between a closed position that covers the unit storage chamber 2a from above and an open position that retreats behind the unit storage chamber 2a and opens the unit storage chamber 2a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a dust suction port 5 is formed in the front end wall of the cleaner body 2. The dust suction port 5 is for connecting the dust suction hose and communicates with the unit housing chamber 2a.

  The electric blower 6 shown in FIG. 7 is accommodated in the rear part of the cleaner body 2. The electric blower 6 has a suction port 6a for sucking air. The suction port 6a is located behind the unit storage chamber 2a and opens toward the unit storage chamber 2a. Air discharged from the electric blower 6 is discharged out of the cleaner body 2 through an exhaust port (not shown) opened at the rear end of the cleaner body 2.

  Furthermore, the cleaner body 2 includes a sensor that detects the pressure of the air sucked into the electric blower 6 and a display member that notifies the clogging of dust. In the present embodiment, when the sensor detects that a state in which the pressure of the air sucked into the electric blower 6 is lower than a predetermined value continues for a predetermined time, the display device is regarded as dust clogging. It is operating.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the dust separation unit 11 is detachably accommodated in the unit accommodation chamber 2 a of the cleaner body 2. The dust separation unit 11 includes a dust separation case 12, a filter 31, a filter drive mechanism 41, first and second cleaning tools 51 a and 51 b, a holding means 61, a release means 65, and a dust collection case 71.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dust separation case 12 has a case body 12a and a filter case 12b. The filter case 12b has a substantially cylindrical shape and is provided continuously at the rear part of the case body 12a. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, the case body 12 a includes an air flow inlet 13, an air flow outlet 14, a separation chamber 15, a dust outlet 19, a first vent chamber 22, and a second vent chamber 23. ing.

  The air flow inlet 13 is opened in the front wall of the case main body 12a. The air flow inlet 13 is connected to the rear end portion of the dust suction port 5 of the cleaner body 2 when the dust separation unit 11 is accommodated in the unit accommodating chamber 2a.

  The air flow outlet 14 is opened in the rear wall of the case body 12a and communicates with the inside of the filter case 12b. The airflow outlet 14 is located downstream of the airflow inlet 13 with reference to the air flow direction inside the case body 12a.

  The filter case 12b houses a pleated filter 69 as shown in FIG. The pleated filter 69 is located between the suction port 6 a of the electric blower 6 and the airflow outlet 14. The filter case 12 b has an outlet (not shown) located downstream from the pleated filter 69. The outlet of the filter case 12 b communicates with the suction port 6 a of the electric blower 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the case main body 12 a includes a first side wall 16 and a guide wall 17 that protrudes sideways from the first side wall 16. The guide wall 17 has a substantially cylindrical shape and has an opening 17 a facing the first side wall 16. The opening 17 a of the guide wall 17 is closed with a removable lid 18. The first side wall 16, the guide wall 17, and the lid 18 cooperate with each other to define the separation chamber 15 in the case body 12a. The first side wall 16 faces the lid 18 and is located in the back of the separation chamber 15.

  As best shown in FIG. 4, the first side wall 16 is formed with an inlet 20 that opens into the separation chamber 15. When the separation chamber 15 is viewed from the direction of the lid 18, the inlet 20 is located at the rear portion of the case body 12 a and is shifted rearward from the central portion of the separation chamber 15.

  The dust outlet 19 is formed at the upper end of the case body 12a. The dust outlet 19 opens toward the upper side of the case main body 12 a and communicates with the separation chamber 15. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the dust outlet 19 is located at the front of the case body 12 a and at the upper end of the separation chamber 15 when the separation chamber 15 is viewed from the direction of the lid 18. An annular sealing material 21 capable of elastic deformation is provided at the upper end of the case body 12a. The sealing material 21 surrounds the dust outlet 19 so as to seal the dust outlet 19.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the first ventilation chamber 22 is formed in the case body 12 a so as to connect the airflow inlet 13 and the inlet 20 of the separation chamber 15. The first ventilation chamber 22 extends in the front-rear direction of the case main body 12 a at the same height as the upper portion of the separation chamber 15. The front end of the first ventilation chamber 22 is continuous with the air flow inlet 13. As shown in FIG. 7, the rear portion of the first ventilation chamber 22 is bent so as to guide the air passing through the first ventilation chamber 22 obliquely downward with respect to the inlet 20. Accordingly, the bottom wall of the rear portion of the first ventilation chamber 22 is inclined so as to gradually become lower in the direction toward the separation chamber 15.

  As best shown in FIG. 4, the inlet 20 that opens into the separation chamber 15 has first to fourth opening edges 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d. The first opening edge 20 a coincides with the lowest position in the bottom wall of the first ventilation chamber 22. The second opening edge 20b is positioned above the first opening edge 20a so as to be closer to the air flow inlet 13 than the first opening edge 20a. Further, the second opening edge portion 20 b is shifted rearward of the separation chamber 15 from the dust outlet 19. The third opening edge portion 20 c connects between one end of the first opening edge portion 20 a and one end of the second opening edge portion 20 b and is curved in an arc shape along the guide wall 17. The fourth opening edge 20d is curved in an arc shape so as to connect the other end of the first opening edge 20a and the other end of the second opening edge 20b. The fourth opening edge portion 20d faces the third opening edge portion 20c. Therefore, the second opening edge 20 b of the inlet 20 is located at the upstream end along the flow direction of the air flowing from the inlet 20 into the separation chamber 15.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the second ventilation chamber 23 is located below the first ventilation chamber 22. The 1st ventilation chamber 22 and the 2nd ventilation chamber 23 are partitioned off by the partition 24 which the case main body 12a has. The separation chamber 15, the first ventilation chamber 22, and the second ventilation chamber 23 cooperate with each other to form a passage that communicates between the airflow inlet 13 and the airflow outlet 14. In other words, the separation chamber 15 is located between the airflow inlet 13 and the airflow outlet 14.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the case body 12 a has a second side wall 25. The second side wall 25 is parallel to the first side wall 16 and is located on the opposite side of the separation chamber 15 with respect to the first side wall 16. The second side wall 25 defines the second vent chamber 23 in cooperation with the partition wall 24. A vent hole 26 is formed in the second side wall 25. The vent 26 opens into the second vent chamber 23. An annular sealing material 27 that can be elastically deformed is provided on the outer surface of the second side wall 25. The sealing material 27 surrounds the vent hole 26 so as to seal the vent hole 26.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the filter 31 includes a filter frame 31a and a filter member 31b made of synthetic resin. The filter frame 31a has a hollow cylindrical shape similar to a cone as a preferable example in order to ensure a sufficient filtration area of the filter 31. The filter frame 31a has a large diameter portion at one end along the axial direction. A base portion 31c is formed integrally with the large diameter portion of the filter frame 31a. The base portion 31c is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape coaxial with the filter frame 31a.

  The filter member 31b is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material formed in a mesh shape or a metal material such as stainless steel in which a large number of small holes are formed, and has air permeability. The filter member 31b is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the filter frame 31 by means such as adhesion. Therefore, the filter member 31b has a conical appearance shape that covers the filter frame 31a.

  If the filter member 31b is made of stainless steel, the durability will be higher in comparison with the case where the filter member 31b is made of synthetic resin. In addition, it is difficult for dust to adhere to the filter member 31b, and even if dust adheres to the filter member 31b, there is an advantage that the dust is easily separated from the filter member 31b.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the filter 31 is rotatably supported by the case body 12 a so as to be positioned at the center of the separation chamber 15. More specifically, a support wall 32 is provided inside the case body 12a. The support wall 32 faces the first side wall 16 on the opposite side of the separation chamber 15, and forms a drive chamber 35 between the first side wall 16. The drive chamber 35 is partitioned from the separation chamber 15 by the first side wall 16. Similarly, the drive chamber 35 is partitioned from the first and second ventilation chambers 22 and 23 by the support wall 32. Furthermore, the drive chamber 35 is formed so as not to hinder the flow of air from the first ventilation chamber 22 toward the separation chamber 15.

  The base portion 31 c of the filter frame 31 a straddles between the first side wall 16 and the support wall 32. The base portion 31 c penetrates the drive chamber 35 and opens to the second ventilation chamber 23. The first side wall 16 and the support wall 32 each have a filter support portion 33. The filter support part 33 surrounds the base part 31c of the filter frame 31a from the outside, thereby supporting the base part 31c rotatably.

  An O-ring 34 is fixed to each filter support portion 33. The O-ring 34 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 31c so as to allow the filter 31 to rotate. The O-ring 34 blocks communication between the drive chamber 35 and the separation chamber 15 and blocks communication between the drive chamber 35 and the second ventilation chamber 23.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the filter frame 31 a covered with the filter member 31 b protrudes from the first side wall 16 toward the center of the separation chamber 15. The diameter of the filter frame 31a is reduced as it advances from the first side wall 16 toward the lid 18. Therefore, the tip of the filter frame 31a facing the lid 18 has the smallest diameter in the filter frame 31a.

  Since the base portion 31 c of the filter frame 31 a is open to the second ventilation chamber 23, the separation chamber 15 and the second ventilation chamber 23 are communicated with each other via the filter 31. In other words, the inside of the filter 31 can be regarded as an upstream portion of the second ventilation chamber 23. Therefore, the filter member 31 b of the filter 31 is located at the boundary between the separation chamber 15 and the second ventilation chamber 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a recess 36 is formed at the upper end of the case body 12 a of the dust separation case 12. The concave portion 36 is opened toward the upper side of the case main body 12a. The bottom wall 32 a of the recess 36 is formed by a part of the support wall 32 that defines the drive chamber 35.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the filter drive mechanism 41 includes an elevating rod 42, a compression coil spring 43, and a gear 44. The lifting rod 42 passes through a square hole 32 b formed in the bottom wall 32 a of the recess 36. Therefore, the lifting rod 42 is restricted from freely rotating around its axis by the square hole 32b. A disc-shaped head 42 a is formed at the upper end of the elevating rod 42. The head 42 a has a larger diameter than the lifting rod 42. The lower part of the lifting rod 42 is inserted into the drive chamber 35. A rack 45 is formed on the side surface of the lifting rod 42 located in the drive chamber 35. The rack 45 moves linearly following the up-and-down movement of the up-and-down rod 42.

  The compression coil spring 43 is stretched between the bottom wall 32 a of the recess 36 and the head 42 a of the lifting rod 42 to push up the lifting rod 42. Thereby, when the lifting rod 42 is in a free state, the head 42a at the upper end of the lifting rod 42 projects upward from the upper surface of the case body 12a.

  The gear 44 is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 31c of the filter frame 31a. The gear 44 is coaxial with the base portion 31 c and meshes with the rack 45 in the drive chamber 35. By this meshing, the gear 44 and the rack 45 convert the linear motion of the lifting rod 42 into a rotational motion and transmit it to the filter 31 when the lifting rod 42 moves up and down.

  Specifically, when the lifting rod 42 is pushed down against the urging force of the compression coil spring 43, the filter 31 rotates in the first direction as indicated by an arrow in FIG. The first direction corresponds to the clockwise direction. On the contrary, when the elevating rod 42 is pushed up by the compression coil spring 43, the filter 31 rotates in the second direction as indicated by an arrow in FIG. The second direction is a direction opposite to the first direction and corresponds to a counterclockwise direction. The filter 31 preferably rotates one or more times, but the number of rotations of the filter 31 may be less than one.

  The first and second cleaning tools 51a and 51b are examples of cleaning means. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first and second cleaning tools 51 a and 51 b are fixed to the first side wall 16 of the case body 12 a and exposed to the separation chamber 15. The first cleaning tool 51 a is located on the upper side of the filter 31 and is adjacent to the second opening edge 20 b of the inlet 20 that opens into the separation chamber 15. The second cleaning tool 51b is disposed on the lower side of the filter 31 that is 180 degrees away from the first cleaning tool 51a in the circumferential direction of the filter 31. Therefore, the first cleaning tool 51 a and the second cleaning tool 51 b face each other in the radial direction of the filter 31.

  The first and second cleaning tools 51 a and 51 b each have a base 52 and a filter contact member 53. The base 52 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material. The base 52 has a plate shape extending in the axial direction of the filter frame 31 a, and one end along the longitudinal direction is fixed to the first side wall 16.

Further, the base 52 has an edge portion 52 a that faces the guide wall 17 of the separation chamber 15. The edge 52a extends in the axial direction of the filter frame 31a. At the same time , the edge 52a is pointed in a triangular shape so as to decrease in width as it goes outward along the radial direction of the filter frame 31a. As a result, it is possible to suppress the edge 52 a of the base 52 from disturbing the air flow passing through the separation chamber 15.

  The filter contact member 53 is for removing the dust adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b by contacting the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b. The filter contact member 53 is made of a soft material such as a brush in which a plurality of hairs are bundled or a cloth. The soft filter contact member 53 is deformed so as to follow the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b when the filter 31 rotates. Therefore, the soft filter contact member 53 can remove dust adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b without damaging the filter member 31b.

  In particular, when a brush is used as the filter contact member 53, the tip of the brush hair enters the mesh of the filter member 31b. Therefore, the brush is preferable in that dust attached to the filter member 31b can be surely removed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dust collection case 71 is detachably attached to the case body 12 a of the dust separation case 12 from above. The dust collection case 71 includes an upper case 72 and a side case 73. The upper case 72 is placed on the case body 12a so as to cover the upper surface of the case body 12a. The upper case 72 has a handle 71 a that is gripped by hand when the dust collection case 71 is removed from the dust separation case 12.

  The side case 73 extends downward from one end of the upper case 72 and covers the second side wall 25 of the case body 12a from the side. The side case 73 has a side cover 73b. The side cover 73b is rotatable between a closed position and an open position with its upper end as a fulcrum. In the closed position, the side cover 73 b stands up along the side case 73 and seals the inside of the side case 73. In the open position, the side cover 73b is detached from the side case 73 so that dust accumulated in the side case 73 can be discarded.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper case 72 has a lower wall 72a facing the upper surface of the case body 12a. A dust inlet 74 is formed in the lower wall 72a. The dust inlet 74 is located at the end of the upper case 72 opposite to the side case 73. The dust inlet 74 coincides with the dust outlet 19 of the case body 12a when the dust collection case 71 is attached to the case body 12a of the dust separation case 12. A connecting portion between the dust outlet 19 and the dust inlet 74 is sealed by the sealing material 21.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a hook 75 and a convex portion 76 are integrally formed on the lower wall 72 a of the upper case 72. The hook 75 protrudes downward from the lower wall 72a. Similarly, the convex portion 76 has a plate shape protruding downward from the lower wall 72 a and is adjacent to the hook 75.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the side case 73 has an inner side wall 73a that faces the second side wall 25 of the case body 12a. A vent hole 77 is formed in the inner wall 73a. The ventilation hole 77 is covered with a net-like filter 78. The ventilation hole 77 matches the ventilation hole 26 of the second side wall 25 when the dust collection case 71 is attached to the case body 12 a of the dust separation case 12. A connection portion between the vent hole 77 and the vent hole 26 is sealed with a sealing material 27.

  The holding means 61 is for holding the dust collection case 71 attached to the dust separation case 12, and is incorporated in the upper part of the case body 12a. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the holding means 61 has a hook receiver 62. The hook receiver 62 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the case body 12a. The hook receiver 62 is movable in the front-rear direction of the case body 12a between the engagement position and the engagement release position, as indicated by arrows in FIG. In the engaged position, the hook receiver 62 engages with the hook 75 of the dust collecting case 71. In the disengagement position, the hook receiver 62 is detached from the hook 75. The hook receiver 62 is urged forward of the case main body 12a by a spring (not shown) and is held at the engagement position.

  The release means 65 is for detaching the dust collection case 71 from the dust separation case 12, and is incorporated in the upper part of the case body 12a. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the release means 65 includes a slide plate 65a. The slide plate 65a is supported on the upper portion of the case body 12a so as to be linearly slidable in the front-rear direction of the case body 12a. The slide range of the slide plate 65a is defined by a restriction unit (not shown).

  The front end of the slide plate 65a projects forward from the front wall of the case body 12a directly above the airflow inlet 13. The rear end of the slide plate 65a is in contact with the front end of the hook receiver 62 so as not to hinder the engagement and release of the hook receiver 62 and the hook 75. Therefore, the slide plate 65a is always pressed forward by the spring of the holding means 61.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an operation piece 66 is rotatably supported on the front end wall of the cleaner body 2. The operation piece 66 is an example of an operation unit that artificially operates the release means 65. The operation piece 66 is located immediately above the dust suction port 5 and is in contact with the front end of the slide plate 65a. When the operation piece 66 is pressed with the fingertip of the hand, the slide plate 65a is slid toward the rear hook receiver 62 against the biasing force of the spring. Thereby, the hook receiver 62 is forcibly moved from the engagement position to the engagement release position, and the engagement between the hook receiver 62 and the hook 75 is released.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the case main body 12 a includes a guide portion 67. The guide portion 67 protrudes upward from the case body 12a. A groove 67 a is formed in the guide portion 67. In the groove 67 a, the convex portion 76 of the dust collecting case 71 is inserted from above, and is open to the upper end surface and the side surface of the guide portion 67.

  Further, a receiving plate and a pop-up spring (both not shown) are accommodated in the groove 67a. The receiving plate is for receiving the tip of the convex portion 76 and is supported by the guide portion 67 so as to be movable up and down along the groove 67a. The pop-up spring always pushes up the backing plate.

  The dust collection case 71 can be attached to the dust separation case 12 by the following procedure. First, the upper case 72 of the dust collecting case 71 is opposed to the case body 12a from above, and the positions of the tips of the convex portions 76 of the upper case 72 and the upper ends of the grooves 67a of the guide portion 67 are aligned.

  In this state, the dust collecting case 71 is lowered toward the case main body 12a, and the convex portion 76 is inserted into the groove 67a. As the dust collecting case 71 is lowered, the dust inlet 74 of the dust collecting case 71 is connected to the dust outlet 19 of the case main body 12a, and the vent hole 77 of the dust collecting case 71 is connected to the vent 26 of the case main body 12a. The Further, the hook 75 of the dust collecting case 71 engages with the hook receiver 62. By this engagement, the dust collecting case 71 is held at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the case main body 12a.

  When the dust collecting case 71 is lowered toward the case main body 12a, the tip of the convex portion 76 comes into contact with the receiving plate inside the groove 67a. As a result, the receiving plate is pushed down against the urging force of the pop-up spring. At the same time, the lower wall 72a of the upper case 72 of the dust collecting case 71 abuts against the head 42a of the lifting rod 42 protruding from the case body 12a. Therefore, the lifting rod 42 is pushed down against the urging force of the compression coil spring 43.

  Therefore, in a state where the dust collection case 71 is held by the dust separation case 12 via the hook 75 and the hook receiver 62, the dust collection case 71 is urged upward by the pop-up spring and the compression coil spring 43. As a result, in a state where the hook 75 of the dust collecting case 71 is engaged with the hook receiver 62, the hook 75 is always biased in a direction to maintain the engagement with the hook receiver 62.

  On the other hand, in order to remove the dust collection case 71 from the dust separation case 12, the operation piece 66 of the cleaner body 2 is pressed with the fingertip of the hand. By this pressing, the slide plate 65a slides toward the hook receiver 62 and moves the hook receiver 62 from the engagement position toward the engagement release position. As a result, the hook receiver 62 is detached from the hook 75, and the holding of the dust collection case 71 with respect to the dust separation case 12 is released.

  When the hook receiver 62 is detached from the hook 75, the dust collection case 71 is pushed up by the pop-up spring and the compression coil spring 43 and jumps out onto the dust separation case 12. Therefore, the dust collection case 71 can be removed from the dust separation case 12 by the operator grasping and lifting the handle 71 a of the dust collection case 71 by hand.

  Next, operation | movement of the vacuum cleaner 1 is demonstrated.

  When the electric blower 6 starts operation, the air in the dust separation case 12 is sucked through the pleated filter 69, and the separation chamber 15, the first ventilation chamber 22, and the second ventilation chamber 23 become negative pressure. For this reason, for example, dust on the floor to be cleaned is sucked together with air from the suction head. The air containing the dust is sucked into the separation chamber 15 from the inlet 20 after passing through the dust suction port 5, the airflow inlet 13 and the first ventilation chamber 22.

  The air sucked into the separation chamber 15 flows so as to swirl along the cylindrical guide wall 17. Thereby, centrifugal force acts on the dust contained in the air. As a result, coarse dust having a large mass is attracted to the guide wall 17 and moves to the dust outlet 19 along the inner peripheral surface of the guide wall 17. Dust having a large mass flows together with air from the dust outlet 19 through the dust inlet 74 into the upper case 73 of the dust collecting case 71.

  On the other hand, a part of fine dust and air in the separation chamber 15 passes through the filter member 31b at the central portion of the separation chamber 15, and then is sucked into the second ventilation chamber 23 through the base portion 31c of the filter frame 31a. It is. For this reason, dust having a large mass is removed from the air in the separation chamber 15.

  The air containing dust with a large mass that has flowed into the upper case 72 of the dust collecting case 17 reaches the side case 73 as a dust reservoir. Further, the air in the side case 73 passes through the net-like filter 78 and is sucked into the second ventilation chamber 23 from the vent 26 and merges with the air that has passed through the filter member 31 b in the second ventilation chamber 23. To do. Dust with a large mass introduced into the side case 73 is captured by the net-like filter 78 and stops inside the side case 73. Therefore, air from which dust having a large mass has been removed is sucked from the dust collection case 71 into the second ventilation chamber 23 of the dust separation case 12.

  The air sucked into the second ventilation chamber 23 through the filter 31 and the air sucked into the second ventilation chamber 23 via the side case 73 merge with each other in the second ventilation chamber 23. Then, the air is sucked into the filter case 12b through the air flow outlet 14. Further, the air sucked into the filter case 12 b passes through the pleated filter 69. Thus, fine dust that has passed through the filter 31 and the dust collecting case 71 is captured by the pleated filter 69.

  The air filtered by the pleat filter 69 is sucked into the suction port 6a of the electric blower 6 from the outlet of the filter case 12b. The air sucked into the suction port 6 a passes through the electric blower 6 and is discharged out of the vacuum cleaner 1 from the exhaust port at the rear end of the cleaner body 2.

  When the current value input to the electric blower 6 is set low and the operation mode of the vacuum cleaner 1 is weak, the flow rate of the air passing through the separation chamber 15 is slow. Therefore, dust may adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b of the filter 31. At this time, when the operation mode of the vacuum cleaner 1 is switched from weak to strong and the current value input to the electric blower 6 is increased, the negative pressure acting on the separation chamber 15 is increased and the separation chamber 15 passes. The air flow rate increases.

  As a result, the dust adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31 b is blown off by the pressure of the air passing through the separation chamber 15 and guided from the dust outlet 19 to the dust collecting case 71. However, since the dust removing action has no certainty, the dust attached to the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b may grow as the usage time of the vacuum cleaner 1 elapses.

  Furthermore, when the inside of the dust collecting case 71 is filled with dust, the dust accumulated in the dust collecting case 71 becomes a resistance, and the flow of air in the dust collecting case 71 is hindered. For this reason, the amount of air sucked into the second ventilation chamber 23 from the dust collection case 71 is reduced. Along with this, the amount of air that passes through the filter 31 from the separation chamber 15 and is sucked into the second ventilation chamber 23 increases. As a result, dust is more likely to adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b of the filter 31, and it is unavoidable that the filter member 31b is clogged. Therefore, since the amount of air sucked into the electric blower 6 decreases, the display device that notifies the clogging of dust may operate.

  When the display device operates, an operator who uses the vacuum cleaner 1 opens the upper lid 4 to expose the dust separation unit 11. Next, the dust collection case 71 is removed from the dust separation case 12, and the side cover 73b is opened to discard the dust in the dust collection case 71.

  After discarding the dust in the dust collection case 71, the worker performs an operation of attaching the dust collection case 71 to the dust separation case 12. According to the present embodiment, the filter member is used by using the first and second cleaning tools 51a and 51b at the time of removing the dust collecting case 71 and attaching the dust collecting case 71 which are inevitably performed at the time of dust disposal. The dust adhering to 31b can be removed automatically.

  More specifically, when the operation piece 66 of the cleaner body 2 is pressed with the fingertip of the hand and the slide plate 65 a is slid toward the hook receiver 62, the hook receiver 62 is detached from the hook 75. Thereby, holding | maintenance of the dust collection case 71 with respect to the dust separation case 12 is cancelled | released. Along with this, the dust collecting case 71 receives the urging force of the pop-up spring and the compression coil spring 43, and shifts from the holding state shown in FIG. 5 to the pushed-up state shown in FIG. A two-dot chain line in FIGS. 3 and 4 shows a state in which the dust collection case 71 is pushed up from the dust separation case 12.

  When the dust collection case 71 is pushed up from the dust separation case 12, the elevating rod 42 rises linearly as shown in FIG. The linear motion of the lifting rod 42 is converted into rotational motion by the meshing of the rack 45 and the gear 44. As a result, the filter 31 is rotated in the second direction together with the gear 44.

  In other words, the filter 31 and the first and second cleaning tools 51a and 51b rotate relatively following the ascending operation of the elevating rod 42 that pushes up the dust collecting case 71. As a result, the filter contact member 53 of the first and second cleaning tools 51a and 51b moves along the outer peripheral surface while contacting the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b. Therefore, the dust adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31 b is removed by the filter contact member 53. The removed dust is collected on the side surface of the filter contact member 53.

  On the other hand, when attaching the dust collection case 71 to the dust separation case 12, the lifting rod 42 is linearly pushed down by the dust collection case 71 as shown in FIG. 5. The linear motion of the elevating rod 42 is converted into rotational motion by the meshing of the rack 45 and the gear 44 and is transmitted to the filter 31. Thereby, the filter 31 is rotated in the first direction which is the opposite direction to that when the dust collecting case 71 is removed. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b is again cleaned by the filter contact member 53 of the first and second cleaning tools 51a and 51b.

  Thus, the dust adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b can be automatically removed with the removal operation | movement and attachment operation | movement of the dust collection case 71 with respect to the dust separation case 12. FIG.

  The dust removed from the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b and collected on the side surface of the filter contact member 53 falls as a lump to the bottom of the separation chamber 13 from the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b. Even if the dust removed from the filter member 31b does not fall from the filter member 31b, the dust is collected on the side surface of the filter contact member 53, so that it is easy to receive the pressure of the air passing through the separation chamber 15. It is kept in a state.

  When the electric blower 6 resumes operation after the dust collection case 71 is attached to the dust separation case 12, the dust that has fallen from the filter member 31 b to the bottom of the separation chamber 15 or the dust collected on the side surface of the filter contact member 53 is collected. The air flow passing through the separation chamber 15 is carried away from the dust outlet 19 to the dust collecting case 71.

  According to the present embodiment, the filter frame 31a to which the filter member 31b is fixed has a conical shape with a diameter that decreases from the first side wall 16 toward the lid 18. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b is inclined with respect to the axis of the filter frame 31a. Therefore, when the filter contact member 53 removes the dust on the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b, the removed dust is easily moved along with the inclination of the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b.

  In particular, at the upper part of the filter member 31b, the removed dust gathers at the small-diameter tip of the filter frame 31a. Therefore, the dust removed from the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b is easily dropped as a lump on the bottom of the separation chamber 15.

  In addition, the air flowing through the first ventilation chamber 22 is sucked into the separation chamber 15 from the inlet 20 opened in the first side wall 16. Therefore, the main flow of air passing through the separation chamber 15 toward the dust outlet 19 concentrates and passes near the lid 18 rather than the first side wall 16. Since the small-diameter tip of the filter frame 31a is adjacent to the lid 18, the dust collected at the small-diameter tip of the filter frame 31a can be reliably carried away into the dust collection case 71 using the air flow. it can.

  From the above, according to the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment, the dust adhering to the filter 31 inside the separation chamber 15 using the removal operation and attachment operation of the dust collection case 71 with respect to the dust separation case 12. Can be removed automatically. For this reason, after removing the dust separation unit 11 from the cleaner body 2, the cover 18 is removed from the case body 12 a to expose the filter 31 in the separation chamber 15, and the hand from the opening 17 a to the inside of the separation chamber 15. Therefore, it is unnecessary to manually remove dust adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b. Therefore, the maintenance of the filter 31 can be easily performed without requiring time and effort for cleaning the filter 31.

  According to the present embodiment, when a brush is used as the filter contact member 53, dust removed from the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b may be entangled with the hair of the brush. Thus, the filter 31 rotates in the opposite direction to the time when the dust collection case 71 is removed from the dust separation case 12 when the dust collection case 71 is attached to the dust separation case 12. For this reason, the dust adhering to the bristles of the brush with the inversion of the filter 31 is easily peeled off from the brush.

  At the same time, since the brush is directly exposed to the flow of air passing through the separation chamber 15, much of the dust adhering to the bristles is blown away under the pressure of the air passing through the separation chamber 15. As a result, it is possible to prevent dust from remaining on the bristles of the brush or from growing up.

  The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  8 and 9 disclose a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the filter 31 is cleaned using a single cleaning tool 51. Other configurations of the dust separation case 12 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cleaning tool 51 is located above the filter 31 and is adjacent to the second opening edge 20 b of the inlet 20 that opens into the separation chamber 15. The filter contact member 53 of the cleaning tool 51 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b from above the filter 31.

  Furthermore, when cleaning the outer peripheral surface of the conical filter member 31 with one cleaning tool 51, it is desirable to set the number of teeth of the gear 44 and the rack 45 so that the filter 31 can be rotated at least once. .

  According to the second embodiment, when the dust collection case 71 is removed from the dust separation case 12 or the dust collection case 71 is attached to the dust separation case 12, the filter 31 rotates in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the dust adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31 b can be removed by the filter contact member 53.

  As a result, the cleaning operation of the filter 31 can be easily performed using the removal operation and attachment operation of the dust collection case 71. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the operation of exposing the filter 31 in the separation chamber 15 and removing the dust adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b by hand can be omitted. Maintenance of the filter 31 is facilitated.

  In addition, according to the above configuration, the single cleaning tool 51 is disposed adjacent to the second opening edge 20b of the inlet 20 that opens to the separation chamber 15, so that the cleaning tool 51 has a function of separating dust. It can prevent adverse effects.

  That is, the main flow of air passing through the separation chamber 15 from the inlet 20 toward the dust outlet 19 flows along the guide wall 17 so as to bypass the cleaning tool 55. Therefore, although the cleaning tool 51 protrudes outward in the radial direction of the filter 31, it is possible to suppress the turbulence of the air flow passing through the separation chamber 15 by the cleaning tool 51. As a result, the flow velocity of the air passing through the separation chamber 15 is difficult to decrease, and the dust contained in the air can be efficiently separated in the separation chamber 15.

  Further, the filter 31 rotates at least once when the dust collecting case 71 is detached from and attached to the dust separation case 12. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b can be cleaned over the entire circumference with one cleaning tool 51 located in the vicinity of the inlet 20.

  FIG. 10 discloses a third embodiment of the present invention.

  The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the way of attaching the first and second cleaning tools 51a and 51b to the case body 12a. Other configurations of the dust separation case 12 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the bases 52 of the first and second cleaning tools 51 a and 51 b are supported on the first side wall 16 of the case body 12 a via hinges 81, respectively. Therefore, the first and second cleaning tools 51a and 51b include a first position where the filter contact member 53 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b, and a first position where the filter contact member 53 separates from the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b. It can be rotated between two positions.

  Further, the hinge 81 includes a spring (not shown). The spring always urges the first and second cleaning tools 51a and 51b toward the first position. Accordingly, the filter contact member 53 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b with an appropriate elasticity. The force that presses the filter contact member 53 against the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31 b is desirably set to a magnitude that does not give excessive resistance to the rotation of the filter 31.

  Also in the third embodiment, the filter 31 rotates in the circumferential direction following the removal operation of the dust collection case 71 and the attachment operation of the dust collection case 17. Therefore, the cleaning operation of the filter 31 can be easily performed using the removal operation and the attachment operation of the dust collection case 71.

  Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the operation of exposing the filter 31 in the separation chamber 15 and removing the dust adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b by hand can be omitted. Maintenance of the filter 31 is facilitated.

  Furthermore, the 1st and 2nd cleaning tools 51a and 51b can move to the 2nd position which leaves | separates from the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b. Thereby, for example, even if hard dust enters between the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b and the filter contact member 53, the cleaning operation of the filter 31 is not adversely affected.

  That is, in the process of rotating the filter 31 following the removal operation of the dust collecting case 71, when hard dust adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b hits the filter contact member 53, the filter contact member 53 is pushed by the dust. It is. Thereby, the 1st and 2nd cleaning tools 51a and 51b rotate toward the 2nd position from the 1st position by using hinge 81 as a fulcrum. In other words, the filter contact member 53 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b so as to avoid hard dust.

  Therefore, hard dust is not caught between the filter contact member 53 and the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b. Therefore, the rotation of the filter 31 can be continued, and damage to the filter member 31b due to hard dust can be prevented.

  Furthermore, hard dust falls from the filter member 31 b after passing through the filter contact member 53 as the filter 31 rotates. Therefore, hard dust is not sandwiched again between the filter contact member 53 and the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 31b.

  At the same time, the first and second cleaning tools 51a and 51b are again held in the first position by the spring when the hard dust passes through the filter contact member 53. Therefore, the cleaning operation of the rotating filter 31 can be continuously executed.

  In the third embodiment, the filter frame 31a to which the filter member 31b is fixed and the base portion 31c may be connected so as to be separable from each other.

  According to this configuration, for example, the filter frame 31a to which the filter member 31b is fixed is separated from the separation chamber by manually rotating the first and second cleaning tools 51a and 51b from the first position to the second position. 15 can be taken out. Therefore, the filter frame 31a and the filter member 31b can be washed and repaired, and workability in maintaining the filter 31 is improved.

  In the first to third embodiments, the cleaning tool and the filter member are relatively moved by rotating the filter following the removal operation and the attachment operation of the dust collection case. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the filter may be fixed to the first side wall, and the cleaning tool may be rotated following the operation of removing and attaching the dust collecting case. Even if it does in this way, since a filter and a cleaning tool rotate relatively, the dust adhering to a filter can be removed with a cleaning tool.

  Furthermore, the filter frame to which the filter member is fixed is not limited to a conical shape, and may be a cylindrical shape.

  In addition, in the first embodiment, the dust collection case is pushed up by the pop-up spring included in the holding means and the compression coil spring included in the filter drive mechanism. You may make it push up a dust case.

  According to the present invention, in the vacuum cleaner that separates dust contained in the air using the centrifugal force generated in the separation chamber, the dust attached to the filter in the separation chamber can be easily removed, and the filter is maintained. Can be easily performed.

Claims (14)

A vacuum cleaner body having a dust suction port;
An electric blower that is housed in the vacuum cleaner body and sucks air from the dust inlet;
A separation chamber that is housed in the vacuum cleaner body and separates dust contained in the air sucked from the dust suction port by centrifugal force; and a ventilation chamber that is positioned downstream of the separation chamber along the air flow direction; A dust separation case having,
A filter provided in the dust separation case so as to communicate between the separation chamber and the ventilation chamber, and a filter through which air from the separation chamber toward the ventilation chamber passes ;
A dust collection case that is detachably attached to the dust separation case, collects the dust separated in the separation chamber and communicated with the separation chamber, and communicates with the ventilation chamber;
A cleaning means provided in the dust separation case and removing dust adhering to the filter by contacting the filter in the separation chamber;
A vacuum cleaner comprising: driving means for relatively rotating the filter and the cleaning means in conjunction with an operation of removing and attaching the dust collecting case to the dust separation case. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the dust separating case is provided in the dust separating case and holds the dust collecting case in the dust separating case by engaging with the dust collecting case;
Release means for releasing engagement between the holding means and the dust collecting case;
An electric vacuum cleaner further comprising urging means for urging the dust collection case in a direction of separating from the dust separation case. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 , wherein the main body of the vacuum cleaner has an operation unit for artificially operating the release means. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 1, said filter, as well as a hollow cylindrical projecting the separation chamber, the cleaning means, electric vacuum having at least one cleaning tool in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the filter Machine. A vacuum cleaner body having a dust suction port;
An electric blower that is housed in the vacuum cleaner body and sucks air from the dust inlet;
A separation chamber that is contained in the vacuum cleaner body and separates dust contained in the air sucked from the dust suction port by centrifugal force; and a ventilation chamber that is located downstream of the separation chamber along the air flow direction; A dust separation case having,
A filter rotatably supported by the dust separation case so as to communicate between the separation chamber and the ventilation chamber, and a filter through which air from the separation chamber to the ventilation chamber passes ;
A dust collection case that is detachably attached to the dust separation case, collects the dust separated in the separation chamber and communicated with the separation chamber, and communicates with the ventilation chamber;
A drive mechanism for rotating the filter in conjunction with the removal operation and attachment operation of the dust collection case with respect to the dust separation case;
A vacuum cleaner comprising: a cleaning unit that contacts the filter in the separation chamber and removes dust adhering to the filter when the filter rotates. 6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5 , wherein the filter rotates in a first direction when the dust collection case is removed from the dust separation case, and the first filter is attached when the dust collection case is attached to the dust separation case. A vacuum cleaner configured to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6 , wherein the drive mechanism includes (1) a gear that rotates together with the filter, and (2) an operation of removing and attaching the dust collection case supported by the dust separation case. vacuum cleaner equipped with a rod having a rack meshing with the gear as well as linear motion so as to follow the. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 7 , provided in the dust separation case, holding means for holding the dust collection case in the dust separation case by engaging with the dust collection case,
Release means for releasing engagement between the holding means and the dust collecting case;
An electric vacuum cleaner further comprising urging means for urging the dust collection case in a direction of separating from the dust separation case. 6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5 , wherein the filter has a hollow cylindrical shape protruding into the separation chamber, and the cleaning means has a pair of cleaning tools in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the filter. The tool extends in the axial direction of the filter at a position facing the radial direction of the filter, and has a sharp edge so as to decrease in width as it goes outward along the radial direction of the filter. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9 , wherein the dust separation case includes an inlet opening to the separation chamber, and the inlet is an opening edge located at an upstream end along a flow direction of the air flowing into the separation chamber. A vacuum cleaner, wherein one of the pair of cleaning tools is positioned in the vicinity of the opening edge. The vacuum cleaner of Claim 9 WHEREIN : The said cleaning tool is the vacuum cleaner supported by the said dust separation case so that rotation was possible in the direction away from the outer peripheral surface of the said filter. 6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5 , wherein the filter has a hollow cylindrical shape protruding into the separation chamber, and the cleaning means has a single cleaning tool in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the filter. The cleaning tool has an edge portion that extends in the axial direction of the filter and has a sharp edge so as to decrease in width as it proceeds outward along the radial direction of the filter. 13. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 12 , wherein the dust separation case includes an inlet opening into the separation chamber, and the inlet is an opening edge located at an upstream end along a flow direction of air flowing into the separation chamber. And the single cleaning tool is located in a neighborhood of the opening edge. A vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 12, said single cleaning tool is a vacuum cleaner for at least one revolution in the circumferential direction of the filter.

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