JP6496569B2 - Auxiliary brush for self-propelled vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an auxiliary brush for a self-propelled cleaner.

As a conventional self-propelled cleaner, Patent Document 1 includes a travelable housing having an electric blower and a dust collection box inside, and a suction port having a rotating brush on the lower surface of the housing, and a suction port Further, a self-propelled cleaner provided with a pair of auxiliary brushes (side brushes) disposed in front of and on both right and left sides is disclosed.
The auxiliary brush of this self-propelled cleaner has a brush base attached to a rotating shaft that protrudes vertically from the lower surface of the housing, and a plurality of brush bristles planted on the brush base. .

  When cleaning the self-propelled cleaner, the electric blower in the housing is driven to suck the dust on the floor together with the air into the dust collection box. At this time, the rotating brush rotates to scrape dust on the floor surface into the suction port, and the auxiliary brush also rotates to scrape dust on the left and right sides of the housing toward the suction port.

JP 2014-97235 A

  In the auxiliary brush of the self-propelled cleaner described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of brush hair bundles having the same length are used, and the brush base has the same inclination angle with respect to the axis of the rotation shaft. Projecting radially. In addition, the brush base is arranged at a height away from the floor surface to some extent so that fibrous dust such as hair and lint is not easily entangled with the auxiliary brush. With this configuration, each bristle bundle can not sweep directly under the brush base and the vicinity thereof, and it is easy for the auxiliary brush to be left behind on the floor surface.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a subject, and it aims at providing the auxiliary brush for self-propelled cleaners which can reduce the sweep residue on the floor surface by a bristle bundle.

Thus, according to the present invention, the brush base attached to the rotary shaft exposed vertically from the bottom surface of the housing of the self-propelled cleaner, and the same brush planted on the brush base so as to contact the floor surface A plurality of bristles having a length ,
The plurality of brush bristle bundles each have a distal end portion contacting the floor surface and a proximal end portion implanted in the brush base.
The brush base has a plurality of accommodating portions for accommodating the proximal end portion of the front Symbol plurality of bristle bundles,
The plurality of storage portions are configured such that the plurality of brush bristle bundles protrude at different inclination angles with respect to the axis of the rotation shaft and are in contact with the floor surface from the tip ends of the plurality of brush bristle bundles. There is provided an auxiliary brush for a self-propelled cleaner that houses the base ends of the plurality of brush hair bundles so that the distances to the intersections with the floor surface are different .

  According to the auxiliary brush for a self-propelled cleaner of the present invention, when cleaning, the tips of the plurality of brush bristles slide and rotate in different areas on the floor surface. It is possible to sweep a wide range from the vicinity region to the outer peripheral region. For this reason, it is difficult for the auxiliary brush to be left behind on the floor surface.

It is a perspective view which shows the self-propelled cleaner provided with the auxiliary brush of Embodiment 1 which concerns on this invention. It is AA arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is a bottom view of the self-propelled cleaner of Embodiment 1. It is a perspective view which shows the auxiliary brush of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a bottom view of the auxiliary brush of FIG. (A)-(C) are sectional drawings in the position of each bristle bundle in the auxiliary brush of FIG. It is a figure explaining the cleaning range of each bristle bundle of the auxiliary brush of FIG. It is a bottom view which shows the auxiliary brush of Embodiment 2. It is a figure explaining the cleaning range of each bristle bundle of the auxiliary brush of Embodiment 2. It is a side view which shows the auxiliary brush of Embodiment 3. It is a figure explaining the cleaning range of each bristle bundle of the auxiliary brush of Embodiment 3. It is a bottom view which shows the self-propelled cleaner provided with the auxiliary brush of Embodiment 4. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the auxiliary brush vicinity in the self-propelled cleaner of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows another structure of the auxiliary brush vicinity in the self-propelled cleaner of FIG.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a perspective view showing a self-propelled cleaner provided with an auxiliary brush according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the auxiliary brush of the first embodiment.
The self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present invention sucks air containing dust on the floor surface while self-propelling the floor surface where it is installed, and exhausts the air from which the dust has been removed to exhaust the air on the floor surface. It is a self-propelled vacuum cleaner that cleans.

The self-propelled cleaner 1 includes a disk-shaped housing 2, and a rotating brush 9, an auxiliary brush 10, a dust collection box 30, an electric blower 22, and a pair of left and right drive wheels inside and outside the housing 2. 29, rear wheel 26 and front wheel 27, and a control unit including various sensors are provided.
In this self-propelled cleaner 1, the part where the front wheel 27 is arranged is the front part, the part where the rear wheel 26 is arranged is the rear part, and the part where the dust collection box 30 is arranged is the intermediate part, Normally, the housing 2 is supported by a pair of left and right drive wheels 29 and a rear wheel 26.

  The housing 2 opens and closes when the dust collection box 30 is taken in and out of the housing 2 and the bottom plate 2a having a suction port 6 formed at a position near the boundary with the intermediate portion in the front portion. A top plate 2b having a lid portion 3 at an intermediate portion, and a bottom plate 2a and a side plate 2c having an annular shape in plan view provided along the outer periphery of the top plate 2b are provided. The bottom plate 2a is formed with a plurality of holes for projecting the lower portions of the front wheel 27, the pair of drive wheels 29 and the rear wheel 26 from the inside of the housing 2 to the outside, and the boundary between the front portion and the middle portion of the top plate 2b. An exhaust port 7 is formed in the vicinity. In addition, the side plate 2c is divided into two in the front and rear directions, and the front side portion of the side plate functions as a bumper.

  In addition, inside the housing 2, the front portion has a front storage chamber K1 for storing the motor unit 20, the electric blower 22, an ion generator (not shown) and the like, and an intermediate portion for storing the dust collection box 30 in the intermediate portion. It has a storage chamber K2, a rear storage chamber K3 for storing the control board 15, battery 14, charging terminal 4 and the like of the control unit in the rear part, and a suction path 11 and an exhaust near the boundary between the front part and the intermediate part. It has a path 12. The suction passage 11 communicates the suction port 6 and the intermediate storage chamber K2, and the exhaust passage 12 communicates the intermediate storage chamber K2 and the front storage chamber K1. Each of the storage chambers K1, K2, and K3, the suction path 11 and the exhaust path 12 is provided inside the housing 2 and is partitioned by partition walls that form these spaces.

  The suction port 6 is an open surface of the concave portion 8 formed on the bottom surface of the housing 2 (the lower surface of the bottom plate 2a) so as to face the floor surface F. A rotating brush 9 that rotates about a first axis parallel to the bottom surface of the housing 2 is provided in the recessed portion 8, and a second rotation perpendicular to the bottom surface of the housing 2 is provided on the left and right sides of the recessed portion 8. A pair of auxiliary brushes 10 are provided that rotate about the axis. The rotating brush 9 is formed by implanting a brush spirally on the outer peripheral surface of a roller that is a rotating shaft.

As shown in FIG. 4, the auxiliary brush 10 includes a brush base 10 a attached to a rotating shaft 5 (see FIG. 6) that protrudes vertically from the bottom surface of the housing 2 of the self-propelled cleaner 1, and a brush base. A plurality of straight bristle bundles 10b ₁ , 10b ₂ , 10b ₃ implanted in 10a.

  The rotating shaft of the rotating brush 9 and the rotating shaft 5 of the pair of auxiliary brushes 10 are pivotally attached to a part of the bottom plate 2a of the housing 2, and include a motor unit 20, a pulley, a belt, and the like provided in the vicinity thereof. It is connected independently through a power transmission mechanism. The auxiliary brush 10 will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the bottom surface of the housing 2, a floor surface detection sensor 13 that detects the floor surface F is disposed in front of the front wheel 27, and a similar floor surface detection sensor is disposed in front of the left and right drive wheels 29. 19 is arranged. When the downstairs are detected by the floor surface detection sensor 13, the detection signal is transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit controls the drive wheels 29 to stop. In addition, when the floor detection sensor 13 breaks down, the floor detection sensor 19 can detect the descending stair and stop both driving wheels 29, so that the self-propelled cleaner 1 is prevented from falling to the descending stair. Has been. Further, when the floor surface detection sensor 19 detects the descending staircase, the detection signal may be transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit may control the drive wheel 29 to travel avoiding the descending staircase.

The control board 15 is provided with a control circuit for controlling each element such as the drive wheel 29, the rotating brush 9, the auxiliary brush 10, and the electric blower 22 in the self-propelled cleaner 1.
A charging terminal 4 for charging the battery 14 is provided at the rear end of the side plate 2 c of the housing 2. The self-propelled cleaner 1 that cleans the room while self-propelled returns to the charging stand 40 installed indoors. Thereby, the charging terminal 4 contacts the terminal part 41 provided in the charging stand 40, and the battery 14 is charged. The charging stand 40 connected to a commercial power source (outlet) is usually installed along the side wall S in the room.
The battery 14 is charged from the charging stand 40 via the charging terminal 4 and supplies power to each element such as the control board 15, the drive wheel 29, the rotating brush 9, the auxiliary brush 10, the electric blower 22, and various sensors.

The dust collection box 30 is usually housed in the intermediate storage chamber K2 above the axis of the rotation shaft of the drive wheels 29 in the housing 2, and the dust collected in the dust collection box 30 is collected. When discarding, the lid 3 of the housing 2 can be opened and the dust collection box 30 can be taken in and out.
The dust collection box 30 includes a dust collection container 31 having an opening, a filter unit 33 that covers the opening of the dust collection container 31, and a cover unit 32 that covers the filter 33 and the opening of the dust collection container 31. ing. The cover part 32 and the filter part 33 are pivotally supported by the opening edge of the front side of the dust collecting container 31 so that rotation is possible.
In the state where the dust collection box 30 is housed in the intermediate housing chamber K2 of the housing 2, the inflow passage 34 communicating with the suction passage 11 of the housing 2 and the housing 2 are disposed at the front portion of the side wall of the dust collecting container 31. An exhaust passage 35 communicating with the exhaust passage 12 is provided.

  In the self-propelled cleaner 1 configured as described above, the electric blower 22, the ion generator, the driving wheel 29, the rotating brush 9, and the auxiliary brush 10 are driven by a cleaning operation command. As a result, the housing 2 is allowed to remove dust on the floor surface F from the suction port 6 while self-propelled in a predetermined range while the rotating brush 9, auxiliary brush 10, drive wheel 29 and rear wheel 26 are in contact with the floor surface F. Inhale air containing. At this time, the dust on the floor surface F is scraped up by the rotation of the rotating brush 9 and guided to the suction port 6. Further, the dust on the side of the suction port 6 is guided to the suction port 6 by the rotation of the auxiliary brush 10.

  Air containing dust sucked into the housing 2 from the suction port 6 passes through the suction passage 11 of the housing 2 and the inflow passage 34 of the dust collection box 30 as indicated by an arrow A1 in FIG. It flows into the dust collecting container 31. The airflow that has flowed into the dust collecting container 31 passes through the filter portion 33, flows into the space between the filter portion 33 and the cover portion 32, and is discharged to the exhaust passage 12 of the housing 2 through the discharge passage 35. The At this time, the dust contained in the airflow in the dust collecting container 31 is captured by the filter unit 33, so that the dust accumulates in the dust collecting container 31.

The airflow flowing from the dust collection box 30 into the exhaust passage 12 of the housing 2 flows into the front storage chamber K1 as shown by the arrow A2 in FIG. 2, and flows through the first exhaust passage and the second exhaust passage (not shown). . The airflow flowing through the first exhaust path includes ions released by the ion generator. Then, as shown by an arrow A3 in FIG. 2, an airflow containing ions is exhausted obliquely upward at the rear from the exhaust port 7 provided on the upper surface of the housing 2. Thereby, cleaning on the floor surface F is performed, and indoor sterilization and deodorization are performed by ions contained in the exhaust of the self-propelled cleaner 1. At this time, exhaust is performed obliquely upward from the exhaust port 7 to the rear, so that the dust on the floor surface F is prevented from being rolled up, and the cleanliness of the room can be improved.
Although not shown, a part of the airflow flowing through the first exhaust path may be guided to the recess 8. In this way, since ions are included in the airflow guided from the suction port 6 to the suction path 11, the inside of the dust collection container 31 of the dust collection box 30 and the filter unit 33 can be sterilized and deodorized.

  Further, the self-propelled cleaner 1 has the left and right drive wheels 29 forwardly rotated in the same direction and moved forward, moved backward in the same direction and moved backward, and rotated in the opposite directions, thereby centering on the center line C. Turn. For example, when the self-propelled cleaner 1 reaches the periphery of the cleaning area or collides with an obstacle on the course, the driving wheel 29 stops and the left and right driving wheels 29 rotate in opposite directions to each other. change. Thereby, the self-propelled cleaner 1 can be self-propelled while avoiding obstacles in the entire installation place or the entire desired range.

<Auxiliary brush and its mounting structure>
5 is a bottom view of the auxiliary brush of FIG. 4, FIGS. 6A to 6C are cross-sectional views at the positions of the respective bristle bundles in the auxiliary brush of FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is an auxiliary of FIG. It is a figure explaining the cleaning range of each brush hair bundle of a brush. 4 to 7 illustrate the left auxiliary brush 10L of the auxiliary brushes 10L and 10R provided on the left and right sides of the housing 2.

In the auxiliary brush 10 having the brush base 10a and the plurality of brush bristle bundles 10b ₁ , 10b ₂ , 10b ₃ , the plurality of brush bristle bundles 10b ₁ , 10b ₂ , 10b ₃ are front end portions 10b in contact with the floor surface F. ₁₁ , 10 b ₂₁ , 10 b ₃₁ and base end portions 10 b ₁₂ , 10 b ₂₂ , 10 b ₃₂ implanted in the brush base 10 a, respectively. In the first embodiment, the case where the number of bristles is three is illustrated.

Brush base 10a includes a ring portion 10a ₁ having a central through-hole 10a ₁₁ that the tapping screw 16 is inserted, is provided at the lower end of the annular portion 10a ₁ more bristle bundle 10b _1, 10b _2, 10b _And a plurality of storage portions 10a ₂₁ , 10a ₂₂ , 10a ₂₃ for individually storing the _three base end portions 10b ₁₂ , 10b ₂₂ , 10b ₃₂ . As the diameter of the annular portion 10a _1, for example, about 20 to 25 mm.

The annular portion 10a ₁ has a concave portion 10a ₁₂ into which the lower end of the rotating shaft 5 is fitted and a concave portion 10a ₁₃ that accommodates the head portion of the tapping screw 16 on both upper and lower sides, and between these concave portions 10a ₁₂ and 10a ₁₃ . the central through hole 10a ₁₁ in the partition wall is formed. The cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axis of the rotating shaft 5 and the shape of the recess 10a ₁₂ are shapes in which a part of the circle is cut out, and thereby the rotating shaft 5 rotates integrally with the brush base 10a without spinning. .

An annular groove 10a ₁₄ is formed around the recess 10a _{12 on} the upper surface of the annular portion 10a ₁ . By screwing from below of the brush base 10a in the axial hole 5a provided in the axial center P of the rotary shaft 5 is inserted in the center through-hole 10a ₁₁ tapping screws 16, attaching the auxiliary brush 10 to the rotary shaft 10. At this time, an annular rib (not shown) provided on the bottom surface of the housing 2 is fitted into the annular groove 10a ₁₄ of the brush base 10a with a slight gap. Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent the entanglement of the fibrous dust to the rotating shaft 5.

The plurality of storage portions 10a ₂₁ , 10a ₂₂ , and 10a ₂₃ have the insertion ports into which the base end portions 10b ₁₂ , 10b ₂₂ , and 10b ₃₂ of the plurality of bristle bundles 10b ₁ , 10b ₂ , and 10b ₃ are inserted obliquely downward. And is provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the lower surface of the brush base 10a. In the case of the first embodiment, the three storage portions 10a ₂₁ , 10a ₂₂ , and 10a ₂₃ are provided on the lower surface of the brush base portion 10a at equal intervals at a central angle of 120 ° in the circumferential direction. The adhesive in each housing section 10a _21, 10a _22, 10a ₂₃ each bristle bundle 10b plugged into _1, 10b _2, 10b ₃ of the base end portion 10b _12, 10b _22, 10b ₃₂ are not to come out adhesive Is done.

Further, these storage portions 10a ₂₁ , 10a ₂₂ , 10a ₂₃ are connected to the axis P of the rotating shaft 5 from the tip portions 10b ₁₁ , 10b ₂₁ , 10b ₃₁ of the plurality of bristle bundles 10b ₁ , 10b ₂ , 10b _3. The base end portions 10b ₁₂ , 10b ₂₂ , 10b ₃₂ of the plurality of bristle bundles 10b ₁ , 10b ₂ , 10b ₃ are accommodated so that the distances L1, L2, L3 to the intersection point Q with the floor surface F are different. It is configured as follows.

More specifically, in the case of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the plurality of storage portions 10 a ₂₁ , 10 a ₂₂ , and 10 a ₂₃ have the plurality of brush hair bundles 10 b ₁ , 10 b ₂ , and 10 b ₃ as shafts. The base ends 10b ₁₂ , 10b ₂₂ , 10b ₃₂ of the respective bristle bundles 10b ₁ , 10b ₂ , 10b ₃ are accommodated so as to protrude at different inclination angles θ ₁ , θ ₂ , θ ₃ with respect to the center P. Yes. For example, the inclination angle theta ₁ of the bristle bundle 10b ₁ is about 25 to 35 °, the inclination angle theta ₂ of the bristle bundle 10b ₂ is about 40 to 50 °, the inclination angle theta ₃ bristle bundle 10b ₃ Is about 55-65 °.

Further, the length to a plurality of bristle bundles 10b _1, 10b _2, the tip portion 10b _11, 10b _21, from 10b ₃₁ multiple storage portion 10a ₂₁ at 10b _3, 10a _22, 10a ₂₃ are different respectively. That is, in the case of Embodiment 1, three types of brush hair bundles 10b ₁ , 10b ₂ , and 10b ₃ having different lengths are used. For example, the length of the shortest bristle bundle 10b ₁ is about 10 to ₁₅ mm, the length of the intermediate bristle bundle 10b ₂ is about 25 to 35 mm, and the length of the longest bristle bundle 10b ₃ Is about 45-55 mm.

When the self-propelled cleaner 1 having the auxiliary brush 10 configured as described above is placed on the floor surface F, the tip portions 10b ₁₁ , 10b ₂₁ , 10b of the brush hair bundles 10b ₁ , 10b ₂ , 10b ₃ are placed. ₃₁ contacts along the floor F. At this time, the contact ranges R1, R2, and R3 in the radial direction with the floor surface F of the respective tip portions 10b ₁₁ , 10b ₂₁ , and 10b ₃₁ are, for example, about 5 to 10 mm, respectively, and the respective contact ranges R1, R2, and R3 The distances L1, L2, and L3 from the shaft center P are different from each other.

At this time, the distance L1 is, for example, about 15 to 20 mm, the distance L2 is, for example, about 20 to 30 mm, and the distance L3 is, for example, about 25 to 40 mm. Accordingly, when the auxiliary brush rotates during cleaning, the contact ranges R1, R2, and R3 on the floor surface F can be swept by the three bristle bundles 10b ₁ , 10b ₂ , and 10b ₃ , respectively. A wide cleaning range R combining the ranges R1 to R3 can be swept. That is, since it is possible to sweep a wide cleaning range R from the vicinity immediately below the brush base 10a to the outer peripheral area thereof, it is difficult for the auxiliary brush 10 to leave the floor surface F uncleaned. Note that the adjacent contact regions R1 and R2 and the adjacent contact ranges R2 and R3 may overlap, for example, by about 1 to 3 mm.

As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 2 is provided with a pair of left and right auxiliary brushes 10L and 10R, and the left and right auxiliary brushes 10L and 10R are respectively connected to the brush hair bundles 10b ₁ , 10b ₂ , and 10b ₃ from the front. 6 reversely rotate in the directions of arrows G ₁ and G ₂ , respectively. At this time, in the left and right auxiliary brushes 10L and 10R, the short brush hair bundle 10b ₁ , the intermediate length brush hair bundle 10b _2, and the long brush hair bundle 10b ₃ are arranged in this order from the front toward the suction port 6. bristle bundle 10b _1, 10b _2, 10b ₃ are arranged.

By arranging the bristles 10b ₁ , 10b ₂ , 10b ₃ of the left and right auxiliary brushes 10L, 10R in this way, the dust near the brush base 10a is reduced to a short bristles 10b ₁ , an intermediate length. Since the bristles 10b ₂ and the long bristles 10b ₃ are swept in order and moved outward, the bristles 10b ₂ are easily sent to the suction port 6.

(Modification 1 of Embodiment 1)
The lengths of the shortest bristle bundle 10b ₁ and the intermediate bristle bundle 10b ₂ may be the same as the longest bristle bundle 10b _3, and in this case, the floor of the bristle bundle 10b ₁ , 10b ₂ The contact ranges R1 and R2 with the surface F are widened, and it is possible to make it more difficult to generate unsweeping on the floor surface F. However, the motor by increasing the frictional resistance of the bristles 10b ₁ and 10b _{2 with} the floor surface F It is preferable to consider the increase in load.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing the auxiliary brush of the second embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the cleaning range of each bristles of the auxiliary brush of the second embodiment. 8 and 9, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as those in FIGS. 1 to 7.

Similarly to the auxiliary brush 10 of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, the auxiliary brush 110 of the second embodiment also has a rotating shaft 5 that protrudes vertically from the bottom surface of the housing 2 of the self-propelled cleaner 1. A brush base 110a to be attached and a plurality of bristles 110b ₁ , 110b ₂ , 110b ₃ planted on the brush base 110a are provided, but the structure of the brush base 110a is different from that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, points different from the first embodiment in the second embodiment will be described.

The brush base 110a of the auxiliary brush 110 is formed in a frame shape having a reverse tapered surface 110a ₁₄ approaching toward the axis P, and a plurality of bristles 110b ₁ , 110b are formed on the reverse tapered surface 110a _{14. 2} and 110b ₃ are provided with a plurality of storage portions 110a ₂₁ , 110a ₂₂ and 110a ₂₃ for storing the respective base end portions 110b ₁₂ , 110b ₂₂ and 110b ₃₂ .

Specifically, the plurality of storage portions 110a ₂₁ , 110a ₂₂ , 110a ₂₃ are concave portions into which the base end portions 110b ₁₂ , 110b ₂₂ , 110b ₃₂ of the respective bristle bundles 110b ₁ , 110b ₂ , 110b ₃ are inserted, Are respectively disposed on different concentric circles O ₁ , O ₂ , and O ₃ indicated by dotted lines in the reverse tapered surface 110a ₁₄ . In the case of the second embodiment, _three storage portions 110a ₂₁ , 110a ₂₂ , and 110a ₂₃ are provided on the different concentric circles O ₁ , O ₂ , and O _{3 of} the reverse tapered surface 110a ₁₄ at different positions at a central angle of 120 °. . Further, the recesses forming the storage portions 110a ₂₁ , 110a ₂₂ , 110a ₂₃ are formed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reverse tapered surface 110a ₁₄ .

When the self-propelled cleaner provided with the auxiliary brush 110 is placed on the floor surface F, the tips 110b ₁₁ , 110b ₂₁ , 110b ₃₁ of the bristles 110b ₁ , 110b ₂ , 110b ₃ have the same degree. contact area R1, R2, so as to form a R3, shortest bristle bundle 110b ₁ is closest housing portion 110a ₂₁ the axis P, the next closest housing portion 110a ₂₂ of the intermediate length bristle bundle 110b _2, the longest bristle bundle 110b ₃ are implanted in the farthest storage unit 110a _23.

According to the auxiliary brush 110 configured in this manner, the inclination angles θ ₁ , θ ₂ , θ ₃ (about 40 ° in the second embodiment) of the plurality of bristles 110b ₁ , 110b ₂ , 110b ₃ are unified. The distances L1, L2, and L3 from the tips 110b ₁₁ , 110b ₂₁ , and 110b _{31 of the} brush hair bundles 110b ₁ , 110b ₂ , and 110b ₃ to the intersection point Q can be varied.

(Modification 1 of Embodiment 2)
The inclination angles θ ₁ , θ ₂ , and θ ₃ can be freely set, and the floor surface F closer to the brush base 110a can be swept by reducing the inclination angle.

(Modification 2 of Embodiment 2)
Shortest bristle bundle 110b ₁ and the intermediate length of the bristle bundle 110b may be the same length as the longest bristle bundle 110b ₃ of the length of _2, further less likely to generate a sweep left on the floor surface F However, it is preferable to consider an increase in motor load due to an increase in frictional resistance between the bristles 110b ₁ and 110b _{2 and} the floor surface F.

(Modification 3 of Embodiment 2)
In the auxiliary brush 110 of the second embodiment, the reverse tapered surface 110a ₁₄ may be changed to a hemispherical surface.

(Modification 4 of Embodiment 2)
In the reverse tapered surface 110a ₁₄ or the hemispherical surface, a recess may be formed in the portion where the plurality of storage portions 110a ₂₁ , 110a ₂₂ , 110a ₂₃ are not provided for thinning.

(Modification 5 of Embodiment 2)
In the reverse tapered surface 110a ₁₄ or the hemispherical surface, the inclination angle θ ₁ of the brush bristle bundle 110b ₁ closest to the axis P is the smallest, and the inclination angle θ ₃ of the brush bristle bundle 110b ₃ farthest from the axis P is the largest. May be.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 10 is a side view showing the auxiliary brush of the third embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the cleaning range of each bristle bundle of the auxiliary brush of the third embodiment. 10 and 11, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as those in FIGS. 1 to 7.

The third embodiment is substantially the same except that the directions of the three storage portions 10a ₂₁ , 10a ₂₂ , and 10a ₂₃ in the brush base 10a of the auxiliary brush 10 (see FIGS. 5 to 7) of the first embodiment are different. An auxiliary brush 210 is configured. Hereinafter, differences of the third embodiment from the first embodiment will be described.

The auxiliary brush 210 according to the third embodiment includes an annular portion 210a ₁ similar to that of the first embodiment and a brush base 210a having three storage portions 210a ₂₁ , 210a ₂₂ , and 210a ₂₃ provided on the lower surface thereof, and each storage portion. 210a ₂₁ , 210a ₂₂ , and 210a ₂₃ are provided with _three brush bristle bundles 210b ₁ , 210b ₂ , and 210b ₃ . In this case, the lengths of the _three brush bristle bundles 210b ₁ , 210b ₂ , 210b ₃ are the same.

In the brush base 210a, the three storage portions 210a ₂₁ , 210a ₂₂ , and 210a ₂₃ are insertion ports for projecting the _three bristle bundles 210b ₁ , 210b ₂ , and 210b ₃ at different projecting angles with respect to the radial direction. 210a ₂₁₁ , 210a ₂₂₁ and 210a ₂₃₁ are included. In the case of Embodiment 3, when viewed from the direction of the axis P, the bristle bundle 210b ₁ where the tip 210b ₁₁ is located in the contact range R ₁ closest to the axis P projects at a projection angle α ₁ (for example, 90 °). The brush bristle bundle 210b ₂ in which the tip portion 210b ₂₁ is located in the contact range R ₂ next to the axis P next protrudes at a projection angle α ₂ (for example, 75 °), and the tip portion 210b ₃₁ is the most axial center P. The brush bristle bundle 210b ₃ located in the contact range R ₃ far from the center protrudes at a protrusion angle of 0 ° that coincides with the radial direction.

According to the auxiliary brush 210 of the third embodiment, the same length of a plurality of bristle bundles 210b _1, 210b _2, 210b ₃ each bristle bundle 210 b ₁ while using, 210 b _2, 210 b ₃ of the distal end portion 210 b _11, 210 b The distances L1, L2, and L3 from the point ₂₁ and 210b ₃₁ to the intersection point Q between the axis P and the floor surface F can be made different.

(Modification 1 of Embodiment 3)
The length of the bristle bundle 210b ₁ whose tip 210b ₁₁ is closest to the axis P is set to be the shortest, and the length of the bristle bundle 210b ₂ whose tip 210b ₁₂ is next closest to the axis P is the intermediate length. Accordingly, the protrusion angles α ₁ and α ₂ of the brush bristle bundles 210b ₁ and 210b ₂ can be reduced, respectively.

(Embodiment 4)
12 is a bottom view showing a self-propelled cleaner provided with an auxiliary brush according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure near the auxiliary brush in the self-propelled cleaner shown in FIG. 12 and 13, elements similar to those in FIGS. 1 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  Self-propelled cleaner 301 in Embodiment 4 is configured in substantially the same manner except that the configuration and position of left and right auxiliary brushes 310 and the position of left and right floor surface detection sensors 319 are different from those in Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, differences of the fourth embodiment from the first embodiment will be described.

In the case of the fourth embodiment, the left and right auxiliary brushes 310 and the left and right floor surface detection sensors 319 are at the same position on the bottom plate 2a of the housing 2, specifically, in front of the left and right drive wheels 29 and outside them. Is provided. Note that the outside of the left and right drive wheels 29 means outside the left and right dotted lines XL and XR in FIG.
The auxiliary brush 310 according to the fourth embodiment and the surrounding structure will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the auxiliary brush 310 includes a cylindrical brush base 310 a having a through hole 88 and four brushes having different lengths extending radially from a flange on the lower end outer periphery of the brush base 310 a. The hair bundles 310b _{1 to} 310b ₄ are provided.
The brush base 310a has two elastic locking claws 310c which are cut in two places in the vertical direction and project from the outer peripheral surface of the brush base 310a, and 4 provided at equal intervals on the flange at a central angle of 90 °. And two storage portions 310a ₂ .

In the left and right auxiliary brushes 310L and 310R, the bristle bundles 310b _{1 to} 310b ₄ rotate in the directions of arrows G ₁ and G ₂ from the front toward the suction port 6, respectively. At this time, similarly to the first embodiment, in the left and right auxiliary brushes 310L and 310R, the shortest bristle bundle 310b ₁ , the second shortest bristle bundle 10b ₂ , the third shortest bristle bundle 10b ₃ and the longest brush Each of the bristle bundles 310b _{1 to} 310b ₄ is arranged so as to go from the front toward the suction port 6 in the order of the bristle bundle 310b ₄ .

Furthermore, each of the bristle bundles 310b _{1 to} 310b ₄ protrudes from the respective storage portions 310a _{2 at} different inclination angles as in the first embodiment. That is, the shortest bristle bundle 310b ₁ has the smallest protrusion angle so that the vicinity of the brush base 310a can be swept, and the second shortest bristle bundle 10b ₂ has the second smallest protrusion angle θ ₂ . third short brush tufts 10b ₃ is projected angle is small in the third, the longest bristle bundle 310b ₄ is the largest projected angle theta _4.

Since the auxiliary brush 310 can sweep a wide cleaning range on the floor surface by the _four brush bristle bundles 310b _{1 to} 310b ₄ , it is difficult for the auxiliary brush 310 to leave the floor surface.

  On the upper surface of the bottom plate 302a of the housing, a cylindrical portion 71 is erected on the periphery of a hole 91 formed in the bottom plate 302a, and a motor support plate 81, a motor fixing column 82, and a fixing member fixing column (not shown) are provided. Standing up. A metal washer 72 as a bearing that rotatably supports the rotating shaft 74 of the worm wheel 73 is fitted into the upper end of the cylindrical portion 71. The worm wheel 73 and its rotating shaft 74 have a longitudinal through-hole 89 formed coaxially, and elastically receive and elastically receive the two elastic locking claws 10c of the auxiliary brush 310, respectively. The two locking windows 75 are provided on the side surface.

A rotating shaft 74 of the worm wheel 73 is fitted to the metal washer 72, and a metal washer 76 as a bearing is attached to the worm wheel 73.
An assembly fixing member 78 is fitted into the metal washer 76 from above, and the assembly fixing member 78 is fixed to a fixing member fixing column (not shown) using screws. The auxiliary brush 310 has a brush base 310a inserted into the through-hole 89 of the rotating shaft 74 from below the bottom plate 2a through the hole 91, and the elastic locking claw 310c is removably locked to the locking window 75 and attached. Is done.

  On the other hand, the drive motor 70 for driving the auxiliary brush 310 is supported by a motor support plate 81, covered with a motor cover 80, and fixed to a motor fixing column (not shown) using screws. The worm 77 coupled to the output shaft of the drive motor 70 meshes with the worm wheel 73 to form a pair of worm gears, and the rotational force of the drive motor 70 is transmitted to the brush base 310a of the auxiliary brush 310. ing.

  A sensor module 79 is incorporated into the assembly fixing member 78 from above. The sensor module 79 includes a light emitting element (infrared light emitting diode) 319a and a light receiving element (phototransistor) 319b constituting the floor surface detection sensor 319 in a translucent case. The emitted light from the light emitting element 319a irradiates the object (floor surface) through the through holes 89 and 88, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving element 319b through the through holes 88 and 89, thereby detecting the floor surface. The sensor 319 can detect the presence or absence of a floor surface, that is, the presence of a large step (cliff) such as a normal floor surface and a staircase.

  According to the fourth embodiment, since the unit in which the auxiliary brush 310 and the floor surface detection sensor 319 are integrated is disposed outside the driving wheel 29, it is possible to prevent the wheel from being removed and improve the cleaning performance at the wall. it can. This configuration is particularly suitable for a self-propelled cleaner having a large housing size.

(Modification 1 of Embodiment 4)
14 is a cross-sectional view showing another structure near the auxiliary brush in the self-propelled cleaner of FIG. In FIG. 14, the same elements as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the brush base 310 a of the auxiliary brush 310 and the output shaft of the drive motor 70 are orthogonal to each other and are coupled via a worm gear including a worm wheel 73 and a worm 77. The case was illustrated. In the first modification of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the worm wheel 73, the worm 77, and the drive motor 70 are replaced with spur gears (spur gears) 73 a and 77 a and the drive motor 70 a, respectively. The brush base 310a and the output shaft of the drive motor 70a are coupled in parallel. This improves the torque transmission efficiency of the drive motor as compared with the case where the worm gear is used, but if the reduction ratio is insufficient, a motor with a speed reducer (geared motor) may be used as the drive motor 70a. The drive motor 70a is fixed to the bottom plate 2a using an appropriate fastening component (such as a screw or a spring washer).

(Summary)
The auxiliary brush for a self-propelled cleaner of the present invention is configured as described in the following (1) to (3).
( 1 ) A brush base attached to a rotating shaft that is vertically exposed from the bottom surface of the housing of the self-propelled cleaner, and a plurality of the same length planted on the brush base so as to be in contact with the floor surface With a brush hair bundle,
The plurality of brush bristle bundles each have a distal end portion contacting the floor surface and a proximal end portion implanted in the brush base.
The brush base has a plurality of storage portions for storing the base end portions of the plurality of brush bristle bundles,
The plurality of storage portions are configured such that the plurality of brush bristle bundles protrude at different inclination angles with respect to the axis of the rotation shaft and are in contact with the floor surface from the tip ends of the plurality of brush bristle bundles. The base ends of the plurality of brush hair bundles are housed so that the distances to the intersections with the floor surface are different.
In this way, if the inclination angle is increased, the tip of the brush bristle bundle can be arranged far from the brush base, and if the inclination angle is reduced, the tip of the brush bristle bundle can be arranged near the brush base.

( 2 ) A brush base attached to a rotating shaft that is vertically exposed from the bottom surface of the housing of the self-propelled cleaner, and a plurality of different lengths planted on the brush base so as to be in contact with the floor surface. With a brush hair bundle,
The plurality of brush bristle bundles each have a distal end portion contacting the floor surface and a proximal end portion implanted in the brush base.
The brush base has a reverse taper surface and a plurality of storage portions for storing the base end portions of the plurality of brush bristle bundles,
The plurality of storage portions are respectively disposed on different concentric circles around the axis of the rotation shaft on the reverse tapered surface,
The plurality of brush bristle bundles far away from the axis so that the distances from the respective tip portions of the plurality of brush bristle bundles contacting the floor surface to the intersections of the shaft center and the floor surface are different from each other. The length of the bristles in the storage section becomes longer.
If it does in this way, the distance from the front-end | tip part of each brush hair bundle to the said intersection can be varied, unifying the inclination-angle of several brush hair bundle.

( 3 ) A brush base attached to a rotating shaft that is vertically exposed from the bottom surface of the housing of the self-propelled cleaner, and a plurality of brush hair bundles that are implanted in the brush base so as to be in contact with the floor surface With
The plurality of brush bristle bundles each have a distal end portion contacting the floor surface and a proximal end portion implanted in the brush base.
The brush base includes an annular portion centered on the axis of the rotating shaft, and a plurality of storage portions that are provided at a lower end of the annular portion and store the base end portions of the plurality of brush bristle bundles. Have
The plurality of storage portions have insertion ports that project the plurality of brush bristle bundles at different projecting angles as viewed from the axial direction with respect to a radial direction centered on the axial center, and a floor surface. The base ends of the plurality of brush bristle bundles are housed so that the distances from the respective tip ends of the plurality of brush bristle bundles in contact with the intersections of the shaft center and the floor surface are different from each other.

  The disclosed embodiments should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 self-propelled cleaner 2 housing 5 rotary shaft 10a, 110a, 210a, 310a brush base _{10a 21 ~10a 23, 110a 21 ~110a} 23, 210a 21 ~210a 23, 310a 2 storage section 10b, 10b ₁ ~10b ₃ , 110b _{1 to} 110b ₃ , 210b _{1 to} 210b ₃ , 310b _{1 to} 310b ₄ Brush bristle bundles 10b _{11 to} 10b ₃₁ , 110b _{11 to} 110b ₃₁ , 210b _{11 to} 210b ₃₁ Tip 10b _{12 to} 10b ₃₂ , 110b ₁₂ to 110b ₃₂ proximal end 110a ₁₄ opposite tapered surface F floor L1~L3 distance O ₁ ~ O ₃ concentric P axis Q intersection alpha _1, alpha ₂ projecting angle theta ₁ through? ₄ inclination angle

Claims (3)

A brush base attached to a rotary shaft that is vertically exposed from the bottom surface of the housing of the self-propelled cleaner, and a plurality of brush hairs having the same length planted on the brush base so as to contact the floor surface With a bundle,
The plurality of brush bristle bundles each have a distal end portion contacting the floor surface and a proximal end portion implanted in the brush base.
The brush base has a plurality of storage portions for storing the base end portions of the plurality of brush bristle bundles,
The plurality of storage portions are configured such that the plurality of brush bristle bundles protrude at different inclination angles with respect to the axis of the rotation shaft and are in contact with the floor surface from the tip ends of the plurality of brush bristle bundles. An auxiliary brush for a self-propelled cleaner, characterized in that the base ends of the plurality of brush hair bundles are housed so that the distances to the intersections with the floor surface are different. A brush base attached to a rotary shaft that is vertically exposed from the bottom surface of the housing of the self-propelled cleaner, and a plurality of brush hairs having different lengths planted on the brush base so as to contact the floor surface With a bundle,
The plurality of brush bristle bundles each have a distal end portion contacting the floor surface and a proximal end portion implanted in the brush base.
The brush base has a reverse taper surface and a plurality of storage portions for storing the base end portions of the plurality of brush bristle bundles,
The plurality of storage portions are respectively disposed on different concentric circles around the axis of the rotation shaft on the reverse tapered surface,
The plurality of brush bristle bundles far away from the axis so that the distances from the respective tip portions of the plurality of brush bristle bundles contacting the floor surface to the intersections of the shaft center and the floor surface are different from each other. An auxiliary brush for a self-propelled cleaner, characterized in that the length of the brush bristles in the storage portion becomes longer. A brush base attached to a rotating shaft that is vertically exposed from the bottom of the housing of the self-propelled cleaner, and a plurality of brush hair bundles planted on the brush base so as to contact the floor surface;
The plurality of brush bristle bundles each have a distal end portion contacting the floor surface and a proximal end portion implanted in the brush base.
The brush base includes an annular portion centered on the axis of the rotating shaft, and a plurality of storage portions that are provided at a lower end of the annular portion and store the base end portions of the plurality of brush bristle bundles. Have
The plurality of storage portions have insertion ports that project the plurality of brush bristle bundles at different projecting angles as viewed from the axial direction with respect to a radial direction centered on the axial center, and a floor surface. The base ends of the plurality of brush bristle bundles are housed so that the distances from the respective tip ends of the plurality of brush bristle bundles in contact with the intersections of the shaft center and the floor surface are different from each other. Auxiliary brush for self-propelled vacuum cleaner.