JP6574111B2 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner used for cleaning work and the like, and more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner in which an object to be sucked is separated and collected according to weight.

  A conventional example of this type of vacuum cleaner is shown in FIG. The vacuum cleaner 1 ′ of the illustrated conventional example includes a main body 2 having an air-cooled two-cycle internal combustion engine 3 as a prime mover and a blower 5 driven by the internal combustion engine 3, and is an output shaft of the internal combustion engine 3. A centrifugal fan in the blower 5 is attached to one end side of the crankshaft. The blower 5 includes a fan case 20 having a two-part configuration including a front side case portion 21 and a rear side case portion 22 that form a spiral volute 4, and a fan accommodated inside the volute 4 in the fan case 20. A main body cover 23 that covers the cylinder of the internal combustion engine 3 and the like is integrally provided on the back side of the rear side case portion 22. Further, an upper handle 7 is provided at an upper portion of the main body 2 so as to be orthogonal to the crankshaft, and a rear handle 8 is provided on the back side of the internal combustion engine 3 in the main body 2 so as to be orthogonal to the upper handle 7. Is provided. A cylindrical suction opening 25 is provided at the center of the front surface side (front case portion 21) of the fan case 20, and an air outlet 24 is provided on one side of the fan case 20.

  In the suction opening 25, a base end portion of a suction pipe 10 made of a long cylindrical pipe made of a synthetic resin material such as vinyl chloride by blow molding or the like is inserted, for example, an outer periphery of the suction opening 25 It is detachably fixed by a tightening band or the like hung on the side. The vacuum cleaner 1 ′ of the illustrated conventional example can selectively perform a suction operation for sucking fallen leaves, dust and the like and a blowing operation for blowing them (details will be described later). A suction opening cover 15 that can cover the suction opening cover 15 is attached so as to be openable and closable via a hinge member and is always biased in a closing direction by a spring (not shown). In a state where suction work such as fallen leaves and dust is performed, in other words, when used as a vacuum cleaner for cleaning, the suction pipe 10 is connected to the suction opening 25 with the suction opening cover 15 opened. .

  On the other hand, a substantially L-shaped outlet pipe 31 is detachably attached to the outlet 24, and a dust collection bag 32 having appropriate air permeability is attached to the downstream end of the outlet pipe 31. The worker performs the above-described operation while carrying the dust collection bag 32 by putting the portable band 33 attached to the dust collection bag 32 on the shoulder.

  When the vacuum cleaner 1 ′ having such a configuration is used, normally, the internal combustion engine 3 is started by operating a recoil starter (not shown), the upper handle 7 and the rear handle 8 are gripped with the left and right hands, and the suction is performed. The tip opening (suction port) 10a of the pipe 10 is brought close to an object to be sucked such as fallen leaves or dust. The sucked object sucked into the suction pipe 10 from the suction port 10a by the rotation of the fan is shredded in the main body 2 by a cutting blade that rotates integrally with the fan, and is formed around the fan. Then, the air is discharged from the outlet pipe 31 through the volute 4 together with the suction airflow (the airflow generated by the rotation of the fan) and accommodated in the dust collection bag 32.

  When the vacuum cleaner 1 ′ is used as a cleaning blower that blows leaves, dust, etc., the suction pipe 10 is removed, the suction opening cover 15 is closed, and the blowout pipe 31 and dust collection Instead of the bag 32, for example, an outlet pipe (not shown) whose tip is constricted in a flat shape is attached to the outlet 24, the tip opening of the outlet pipe is directed to the ground, and the fan is rotated from the tip opening. The fallen leaves and the like are blown away by the blown air (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3670854

  By the way, the vacuum cleaner as described above is primarily intended to inhale relatively light and soft things such as fallen leaves and mowing grass by the rotation of the fan and collect them in a dust collection bag. A relatively heavy and hard object such as a stone or a piece of wood is also inhaled, which may damage the fan or fan case. In order to prevent such damage to the fan and fan case, conventionally, the suction pipe has been enlarged to prevent it from sucking heavy objects up to the fan, reducing the number of fan blades, and the fan and fan case. Measures have been proposed, such as making a material with high impact resistance.

  However, if the pipe diameter of the suction pipe is increased or the number of fan blades is reduced, the suction force decreases. In particular, as described above, the vacuum cleaner is also used as a blower machine that performs a blowing operation that blows leaves, dust, etc. When it does, ventilation performance will fall. Further, if a fan or the like is made of a material having high impact resistance, the manufacturing cost will inevitably increase.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to achieve a vacuum that can effectively prevent the fan and fan case from being damaged without significantly reducing the suction force. To provide a cleaner.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention is provided with a suction portion, a centrifugal separation portion, and a first recovery portion on the upstream side of a fan accommodated in a fan case, and downstream of the fan. A second recovery unit is provided on the side, and by the rotation of the fan, a part of the air introduced into the centrifuge unit via the suction unit is separated into the first recovery unit side and included in the air The suction object to be sucked is collected in the first recovery part, the other part of the air introduced into the centrifugal separation part is separated to the fan side, and the suction object contained in the air is recovered in the second recovery part It is characterized by doing so.

  In a preferred embodiment, a suction pipe including the suction part and the centrifugal separation part is connected to a suction opening provided in the fan case.

  In another preferred aspect, the centrifugal separation part includes an inner pipe whose base end part is connected to a suction opening provided in the fan case, and a front end side opening which is closer to the front side than the front end side opening of the inner pipe. An outer pipe arranged on the outer periphery of the inner pipe so as to protrude to the inner pipe, and the suction portion communicates with a space formed between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, One recovery part is provided in the front end side opening of the outer pipe.

  In another preferred aspect, an adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting the axial position of the opening on the distal end side of the inner pipe relative to the outer pipe.

  In a further preferred aspect, the adjustment mechanism includes a slide structure that relatively moves the inner pipe and the outer pipe in the axial direction, and at least one of the inner pipe and the outer pipe is configured by a plurality of members, Is configured to be at least one of a slide structure that relatively moves in the axial direction, and a bellows structure that is formed on at least one of the inner pipe and the outer pipe and is extendable in the axial direction.

  In another preferred aspect, the proximal end portion of the inner pipe protrudes from the proximal end portion of the outer pipe toward the proximal end side, and the proximal end portion of the outer pipe around the inner pipe is closed.

  In a further preferred aspect, the suction portion is connected to the base end portion of the outer pipe.

  In another preferred aspect, an opening / closing member biased to close the distal end side opening of the outer pipe is provided at the distal end side opening of the first recovery portion or the outer pipe.

  Preferably, the first collection unit can automatically or manually discard the collected suction object.

  Moreover, the first recovery part is preferably made visible inside.

  In another preferred aspect, the second recovery portion is provided in a downstream opening of a blow pipe that communicates with a volute formed around the fan in the fan case.

  According to the present invention, the suction portion, the centrifugal separation portion, and the first recovery portion are provided on the upstream side of the fan accommodated in the fan case, and the second recovery portion is provided on the downstream side of the fan, By rotation of the fan, a part of the air introduced into the centrifugal separator through the suction part is separated to the first recovery part, and the suction object contained in the air is recovered in the first recovery part and centrifuged The other part of the air introduced into the part is separated to the fan side, and the suction object contained in the air is recovered in the second recovery part.

  More specifically, the centrifugal separation portion includes an inner pipe whose base end portion is connected to a suction opening provided in the fan case, and a front end side opening that protrudes to the front end side from the front end opening of the inner pipe. The outer pipe arranged on the outer periphery of the inner pipe, the suction part is communicated with the space formed between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, and the first recovery part is connected to the tip of the outer pipe. Arranged in the side opening. Then, by the rotation of the fan, air containing sucked objects such as fallen leaves sucked into the suction part is introduced into the space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe in the centrifugal separation part, and to the tip side in the space A portion of the air swirling in the space while being swirled toward the front (air that swirls relatively on the outer peripheral side and contains a relatively heavy object to be sucked) is directed toward the opening on the front end side of the outer pipe. The suction object contained in the air that was discharged was recovered in the first recovery part. On the other hand, the other part of the air swirling in the space (the air swirling on the inner peripheral side and including the relatively light object to be sucked) passes through the inner pipe from the opening on the tip side of the inner pipe. The suction object contained in the air is sucked into the fan case through the suction opening to which the base end portion of the inner pipe is connected, and passes through the fan case containing the fan. It was made to collect. In this way, only air containing a relatively light object to be sucked, such as fallen leaves and mowing grass, is separated from the air sucked into the suction portion by the centrifugal separation portion provided on the upstream side of the fan and sucked into the fan case. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the fan and the fan case from being damaged without significantly reducing the suction force.

The cross-sectional view which shows typically one Embodiment of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this invention. (A)-(C) is a partial expanded cross-sectional view which shows typically an example (slide structure) of the adjustment mechanism in the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this invention, respectively. (A), (B) is a partial expanded sectional view which shows typically an example (accordion structure) of the adjustment mechanism in the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this invention, respectively. The partially expanded cross-sectional view which shows typically the other example of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which shows the conventional vacuum cleaner.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The example shown below is a hand-held type equipped with a handle to be gripped by an operator, but the present invention is provided with a band or the like for performing a cleaning operation while the operator carries the main body including the blower on his back. Needless to say, it can also be applied to a backpack type.

  Further, regarding the vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment shown below, portions corresponding to the respective portions of the above-described conventional vacuum cleaner 1 ′ shown in FIG. In the following, differences will be explained mainly.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present invention. In the vacuum cleaner 1 of the illustrated embodiment, the rear handle 8 is provided parallel to the upper handle (that is, orthogonal to the crankshaft 3a of the internal combustion engine 3), but the main body 2 other than the suction pipe 10, the blowout pipe 31, etc. The basic portion has the same configuration as the vacuum cleaner 1 ′ of the conventional example shown in FIG.

  The suction pipe 10 in the vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes a suction part 11 made of a substantially L-shaped pipe, and a double-pipe structure centrifugal separation part 14 made of an inner pipe 12 and an outer pipe 13.

  The inner pipe 12 has a cylindrical shape with the same diameter as the suction opening 25 of the fan case 20, and the outer pipe 13 has a cylindrical portion 13 a having a diameter larger than that of the inner pipe 12 from the base end side (main body portion 2 side). And a truncated cone part 13b whose diameter decreases from the cylindrical part 13a toward the distal end side. The distal end side opening 13c of the outer pipe 13 (the truncated cone part 13b) is larger than the distal end side opening 12c of the inner pipe 12. The outer pipe 13 is protruded toward the distal end side, and the outer pipe 13 is protruded from the proximal end portion 13d of the outer pipe 13 (the cylindrical portion 13a thereof) toward the proximal end side. It is distributed and fixed on the outer periphery of the pipe 12. In the illustrated example, the distal end side opening 12c of the inner pipe 12 is located on the proximal end side with respect to the boundary portion between the cylindrical portion 13a and the truncated cone portion 13b of the outer pipe 13, but the distal end with respect to the boundary portion. It may be located on the side. Further, the base end portion 13d of the outer pipe 13 around the inner pipe 12 is closed, and at the outer peripheral portion (in other words, the most proximal end portion of the outer pipe 13) in the base end portion 13d of the outer pipe 13. An inlet 13e that opens from the side is formed in a space (a swirl space) 19 formed between the inner pipe 12 and the outer pipe 13 (the cylindrical portion 13a thereof). The inlet 13e A downstream opening is provided continuously. Here, the suction unit 11 is configured to move the air sucked into the suction unit 11 smoothly from the axis L of the centrifugal separator 14 in order to smoothly swirl the air in the space 19 (that is, with respect to the axis L). The space 19 communicates with the space 19 so as to be introduced at a position where the torsional relationship is caused. In the illustrated example, the introduction direction of the suction part 11 and the direction of the axis L of the centrifugal separator 14 are orthogonal to each other in plan view, but the introduction direction of the suction part 11 and the direction of the axis L are orthogonal. You don't have to.

  A recovery box (first recovery portion) 16 is detachably attached to the distal end side opening 13 c of the outer pipe 13, and a base end portion 12 d of the inner pipe 12 is detachably attached to the suction opening 25 of the fan case 20. Yes. The attachment structure of the collection box 16 to the outer pipe 13 and the attachment structure of the inner pipe 12 to the fan case 20 are not limited to the illustrated example, and an appropriate attachment structure can be adopted.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, a crankshaft 3a rotatably supported in a crankcase of the internal combustion engine 3, a fan 6 attached to the crankshaft 3a, and a fan case 20 in which the fan 6 is accommodated. The provided suction opening 25, the inner pipe 12 connected to the suction opening 25, the outer pipe 13 externally attached to the inner pipe 12, and the like are arranged concentrically on the same axis L, and the crankshaft 3 a is connected to the fan 6. A cutting blade 6 a that rotates together with the fan 6 is attached.

  In the vacuum cleaner 1 having such a configuration, when the internal combustion engine 3 is started by operating the recoil starter 9 and the fan 6 and the cutting blade 6a are rotated, the suction air flows into the suction pipe 10 by the rotation of the fan 6. Occur. The air including the sucked object such as fallen leaves sucked into the suction portion 11 in the suction pipe 10 passes between the inner pipe 12 and the outer pipe 13 in the centrifugal separation portion 14 through the inlet 13e formed in the outer pipe 13. It is introduced into the space 19 between them and swivels toward the front end side (lower side in a normal use form) in the space 19, but at the time of swiveling, a relatively heavy covering contained in the intake air is caused by centrifugal force. A suction object is guided to the outer peripheral side, and a relatively light suction target contained in the intake air is guided to the inner peripheral side. Then, a part of the air swirling in the space 19 (air that swirls relatively on the outer peripheral side and includes a relatively heavy object to be sucked) is discharged toward the distal end side opening 13c of the outer pipe 13. Then, the suction object contained in the air is recovered in the recovery box 16. On the other hand, the other part of the air swirling in the space 19 (the air swirling relatively on the inner peripheral side and including the relatively light object to be sucked) passes through the front end side opening 12 c of the inner pipe 12. It passes through the inner pipe 12 (passes upward in a normal use form), and is sucked by the fan 6 in the fan case 20 through the suction opening 25 to which the base end portion 12d of the inner pipe 12 is connected. An object to be suctioned is shredded by a cutting blade 6 a that rotates integrally with the fan 6, is discharged along with the intake air from the blowing pipe 31 through the volute 4 formed around the fan 6, and the blowing pipe 31. Is collected in a dust collection bag (second recovery part) 32 provided in the downstream side opening.

  As described above, in the vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment, only the air containing relatively light objects to be sucked such as fallen leaves and cut grass is separated from the air sucked into the suction part 11 by the centrifugal separation part 14 in the suction pipe 10. Thus, the fan 6 and the fan case 20 can be effectively prevented from being damaged without causing a significant decrease in the suction force.

  In the above embodiment, the inner pipe 12, particularly the distal end side opening 12 c is arranged at a position fixed to the outer pipe 13. For example, according to the preference of the worker, the work environment, the work object, etc. In order to enable appropriate suction setting, the relative position of the distal end opening 12c of the inner pipe 12 with respect to the outer pipe 13 (in particular, the inner wall surface of the truncated cone portion 13b of the outer pipe 13 and the distal end opening of the inner pipe 12). An adjustment mechanism that adjusts the distance to 12c may be provided. As such an adjusting mechanism, for example, a slide structure 17A (see FIG. 2A) for relatively moving the inner pipe 12 and the outer pipe 13 in the direction of the axis L, or a cylinder of the inner pipe 12 or the outer pipe 13 ( And a slide structure 17B that adjusts the relative position of the distal end side opening 12c of the inner pipe 12 with respect to the outer pipe 13 by moving the members relative to each other in the axis L direction. 17C (refer to FIGS. 2B and 2C), bellows structure (also referred to as bellows) 18A, 18B (also referred to as bellows) made of a flexible member or the like formed on the tip of the inner pipe 12 or the outer pipe 13. A) and (B)). In the case where such an adjustment mechanism is provided, the distal end side opening 12c of the inner pipe 12 is surely avoided from sucking a relatively heavy suction object such as a stone or a piece of wood into the fan 6. It is preferable to attach a stopper mechanism that regulates the amount of movement of the outer pipe 13 relative to the outer pipe 13.

  Further, in order to increase the suction force by the fan 6 or to prevent the backflow of the suction object accommodated in the recovery box 16 into the outer pipe 13, as shown in FIG. An opening / closing member 13A biased by a spring or the like may be provided in the distal end side opening 13c so as to close the distal end side opening 13c of the outer pipe 13. In this case, for example, the urging force for the opening / closing member 13A is normally closed by a suction force generated by the rotation of the fan 6, but a heavy suction object such as a stone or a piece of wood rides on the air current and is discharged to the distal end side opening 13c. Then, it is preferable to set so that it may open by the collision with the to-be-sucked object. Further, when the opening / closing member 13A as described above is provided, the collection box 16 is omitted, and a biasing force to the opening / closing member 13A is applied when a predetermined amount of suction object accumulates on or near the opening / closing member 13A. You may set it to open.

  The collection box 16 is preferably configured so that the collected suction object can be discarded automatically or manually at an appropriate time. For example, a transparent material is used as a material, or a confirmation window is provided. For example, it is desirable that the inside be visible.

  In the above embodiment, the internal combustion engine 3 is used as the drive source of the fan 6, but it is natural that an electric motor or the like may be adopted as the drive source. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the suction pipe 10 (the inner pipe 12) and the fan case 20 (the front side case part 21) are made into a different body, when the combined use with a blower machine is not required, Of course, the suction pipe 10 and the fan case 20 may be integrally formed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vacuum cleaner 2 Main body part 3 Internal combustion engine 3a Crankshaft 4 Volute 5 Blower 6 Fan 6a Cutting blade 10 Suction pipe 11 Suction part 12 Inner pipe 12c Inner pipe front end side opening 12d Inner pipe base end part 13 Outer pipe 13a Cylindrical part 13b Frustum portion 13c Outer pipe distal end side opening 13d Outer pipe base end portion 13e Inlet 13A Opening / closing member 14 Centrifugal separation portion 15 Suction opening cover 16 Collection box (first collection portion)
17A-17C Slide structure 18A, 18B Bellows structure 19 Space (swivel space)
20 fan case 21 front side case part 22 rear side case part 23 main body cover 24 outlet 25 suction opening 31 outlet pipe 32 dust collecting bag (second recovery part)

Claims (11)

A suction part, a centrifugal separator, and a first recovery part are provided on the upstream side of the fan accommodated in the fan case, and a second recovery part is provided on the downstream side of the fan,
The centrifugal separator is disposed along the rotational axis of the fan,
The centrifugal separation unit includes an inner pipe having a base end connected to a suction opening provided in the fan case, and a front end side opening that protrudes to a front end side from a front end side opening of the inner pipe. It is composed of an outer pipe arranged on the outer circumference of the inner pipe,
The suction portion communicates with a space formed between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, and the first recovery portion is provided in the outer pipe;
Due to the rotation of the fan, a part of the air introduced into the centrifugal separation unit through the suction unit is separated to the first recovery unit side, and the suction object contained in the air is transferred to the first recovery unit. A vacuum cleaner that collects and separates the other part of the air introduced into the centrifugal separation part to the fan side and collects the suction object contained in the air to the second recovery part .   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a suction pipe including the suction portion and the centrifugal separation portion is connected to a suction opening provided in the fan case. Before Symbol first recovery unit, the vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that provided at the tip side opening of the outer pipe. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an adjustment mechanism that adjusts an axial position of the opening on the distal end side of the inner pipe with respect to the outer pipe.   The adjustment mechanism includes a slide structure that relatively moves the inner pipe and the outer pipe in the axial direction, and at least one of the inner pipe and the outer pipe is composed of a plurality of members, and the members are relatively relative to each other in the axial direction. And a slide structure that is moved in a moving manner, and at least one of a bellows structure that is formed on at least one of the inner pipe and the outer pipe and is extendable in an axial direction. 4. A vacuum cleaner according to 4. Claim 1 proximal end of the inner pipe with projecting proximally from the proximal end of said outer pipe, a base end portion of the outer pipe at about the inner pipe is characterized in that it is closed The vacuum cleaner as described in any one of 5 to 5.   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the suction portion is connected to a base end portion of the outer pipe. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3 , wherein an opening / closing member biased to close the front end opening of the outer pipe is provided at the front end opening of the first recovery portion or the outer pipe. . The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first collection unit can automatically or manually discard the collected suction object. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inside of the first recovery unit is visible. According to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second recovery unit on the downstream side opening of the blow pipe which communicates with the volute formed around the fan in the fan case is provided Vacuum cleaner.

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