JP6848747B2 - Suction device and vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a suction tool and a vacuum cleaner.

Patent Document 1 describes an example of a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner described in Patent Document 1 includes a suction tool facing the surface to be cleaned. The suction tool has a first nozzle and a second nozzle that can be attached to and detached from the first nozzle. The first nozzle is a floor nozzle. The second nozzle is a small nozzle. The floor nozzle and the small nozzle each have a light emitting body. The light emitter is a device for illuminating the surface to be cleaned. When the small nozzle is attached to the floor nozzle, the light emitter of the small nozzle is turned off and the light emitter of the floor nozzle is turned on. When the small nozzle is removed from the floor nozzle, the light emitter of the small nozzle lights up.

Japanese Patent No. 5879492

However, in the suction tool described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to switch the lighting and extinguishing of the light emitters of the first nozzle and the second nozzle, respectively. Therefore, a device for detecting the state of attachment / detachment of the second nozzle from the first nozzle is required, and there is a problem that the suction tool has a complicated configuration.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. An object of the present invention is to provide a suction tool having a device for illuminating a surface to be cleaned on both a first nozzle and a second nozzle with a simple structure. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner equipped with such a suction device.

The suction tool according to the present invention has a first suction port having a first suction port, a first nozzle having a light guide body, and a light emitting body that emits light that illuminates the surface to be cleaned , and has a second suction port at an end. The second nozzle has a detachable end rearward from the first suction port of the first nozzle. The light guide has an incident surface that receives the light emitted by the light emitting body and an exit surface that emits the light that the incident surface has passed through the inside of the light guide. The incident surface is arranged at a position facing the light emitter with the end of the second nozzle mounted on the first nozzle. The exit surface is arranged in front of the entrance surface. The first suction port is arranged on the lower surface of the first nozzle. At least a part of the exit surface forms the upper surface of the first nozzle. The left and right width of the exit surface is larger than the left and right width of the second nozzle.

The vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned suction tool, a blower that generates suction air, and a dust collecting unit that collects dust sucked from the suction tool by the suction air.

The suction tool according to the present invention includes a first nozzle and a second nozzle. The first nozzle has a first suction port. The first nozzle has a light guide. The second nozzle has a second suction port at the end. The second nozzle has a light emitter. The end of the second nozzle is removable behind the first suction port of the first nozzle. The light guide has an incident surface and an exit surface. The incident surface receives the light emitted by the illuminant. The exit surface emits light that the incident surface receives and passes through the inside of the light guide. The incident surface is arranged at a position facing the light emitter with the end of the second nozzle mounted on the first nozzle. The exit surface is arranged in front of the entrance surface. The suction tool according to the present invention has a device for illuminating the surface to be cleaned with both the first nozzle and the second nozzle with a simple structure.

It is a perspective view of the electric vacuum cleaner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the state in which the small nozzle of the suction tool which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is attached. It is a perspective view of the state in which the small nozzle of the suction tool which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is released. It is a perspective view of the small nozzle of the suction tool which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a side view of the suction tool which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the suction tool which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the suction tool which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention in the state which the small nozzle is attached and the upper case is removed. It is a perspective view of the suction tool which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention in the state which the pedal is pushed down in the state which the small nozzle is attached and the upper case is removed. It is an enlarged sectional view of the suction tool which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the small nozzle which concerns on another example of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the small nozzle which concerns on another example of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the suction tool which concerns on another example of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a rear view of the suction tool which concerns on another example of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a rear view of the floor nozzle which concerns on another example of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an enlarged rear view of the floor nozzle which concerns on another example of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an enlarged sectional view of the suction tool which concerns on another example of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the suction tool which concerns on another example of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the suction tool which concerns on another example of Embodiment 1 of this invention.

A mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be appropriately simplified or omitted. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the following description, "dust" includes dust, dust and other vacuum-cleanable debris.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum cleaner 1 includes a main body 2, a hose 3, a hand handle body 4, a pipe 5, and a suction tool 6. The user cleans the surface to be cleaned using the vacuum cleaner 1. The surface to be cleaned is the surface to be cleaned by removing dust on the floor, tatami mats, rugs and other surfaces.

The main body 2 includes an electric blower 9 and a dust collector 10 inside. The electric blower 9 generates suction air. The suction air is an air flow that sucks dust from the surface to be cleaned. The dust collecting unit 10 collects dust sucked from the suction tool 6. The dust collecting unit 10 collects dust by a bag-shaped filter. That is, a paper pack type dust collecting method is adopted for the dust collecting unit 10. The method of collecting dust by the dust collecting unit 10 is not limited to a specific method. The dust collecting unit 10 may collect the dust separated by the swirling flow. That is, a cyclone type dust collecting method may be adopted for the dust collecting unit 10.

The main body 2 is provided with wheels 11a on the side surface. The main body 2 is provided with wheels 11b on the lower surface. The wheel 11b is smaller than the wheel 11a. The direction of the rotation axis of the wheel 11b is variable. Therefore, the orientation of the main body 2 can be easily changed with the wheels 11a and 11b in contact with the surface to be cleaned. Therefore, the main body 2 can be easily moved on the surface to be cleaned.

The hose 3 is a hollow member. The hose 3 has a bellows shape and is flexible. The hose 3 includes a rigid connecting portion 3a at the end. The connection portion 3a is connected to the main body 2. The connection portion 3a and the main body 2 can be attached and detached.

The hand handle body 4 is for handling the vacuum cleaner 1. The hand handle body 4 is provided with a power switch for starting the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1. One end of the hand handle body 4 is connected to the hose 3. The other end of the hand handle body 4 is connected to the pipe 5. The hand handle body 4 and the pipe 5 can be attached and detached. The hand handle body 4 has a release button 4a. By operating the release button 4a, the connection between the hand handle body 4 and the pipe 5 is released.

The pipe 5 is a hollow member having a straight cylindrical shape. The pipe 5 has a telescopic structure. The pipe 5 has a telescopic button 5b at the end. By operating the telescopic button 5b, the pipe 5 expands and contracts. One end of the pipe 5 is connected to the hand handle body 4. The other end of the pipe 5 is connected to the suction tool 6. The pipe 5 and the suction tool 6 can be attached and detached. The pipe 5 has a release button 5a. By operating the release button 5a, the connection between the pipe 5 and the suction tool 6 is released.

The suction tool 6 and the pipe 5 communicate with each other in an internal space. The internal space is communicated between the pipe 5 and the hand handle body 4. The internal space is communicated between the hand handle body 4 and the hose 3. The hose 3 and the main body 2 communicate with each other in an internal space.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the suction tool 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When cleaning the surface to be cleaned, the user advances the suction tool 6 in the traveling direction S. In the present embodiment, the traveling direction S is the front. Further, the direction T perpendicular to the traveling direction S in the plane parallel to the surface to be cleaned is defined as the left-right direction. The suction tool 6 has a floor nozzle 8 and a small nozzle 7. The floor nozzle 8 is an example of the first nozzle in the present embodiment. The small nozzle 7 is an example of the second nozzle in the present embodiment. The end portion 7b of the small nozzle 7 can be attached to and detached from the floor nozzle 8.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the suction tool 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the small nozzle 7 is removed from the floor nozzle 8. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a small nozzle 7 of the suction tool 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The small nozzle 7 has a suction port 14 at the end 7b. The suction port 14 of the small nozzle 7 is the second suction port in the present embodiment. The suction port 14 is arranged on the end surface 7c of the end portion 7b. The small nozzle 7 has an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 12 on an end surface 7c in which the suction port 14 is arranged. The LED 12 is an example of a light emitting body in the present embodiment. The small nozzle 7 has a connecting portion 7a at an end opposite to the suction port 14. The small nozzle 7 is connected to the pipe 5 at the connecting portion 7a.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the suction tool 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When the floor nozzle 8 is placed on the surface to be cleaned, the surface facing the surface to be cleaned is defined as the lower surface of the floor nozzle 8. The floor nozzle 8 has a case 25. The case 25 is formed of an upper case 26 and a lower case 27.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the suction tool 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a vertical plane including a center in the left-right direction. The floor nozzle 8 has a suction port 16 on the lower surface. The suction port 16 of the floor nozzle 8 is the first suction port in the present embodiment. The floor nozzle 8 has a suction chamber 15 above the suction port 16. The suction chamber 15 leads to the suction port 16. The suction chamber 15 is a space inside the floor nozzle 8.

The end portion 7b of the small nozzle 7 is mounted behind the suction port 16 of the floor nozzle 8. When the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8, the suction chamber 15 and the suction port 14 of the small nozzle 7 communicate with each other.

7 and 8 are perspective views in a state where the upper case 26 of the suction tool 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is removed. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8. The small nozzle 7 has a holding recess 29 at the end 7b. The floor nozzle 8 has a holder 17. The holder 17 has a pedal 18 and a stopper 19. In the state where the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8, the stopper 19 is fitted in the holding recess 29. When the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8, the end portion 7b of the small nozzle 7 is arranged so as to be surrounded by the floor nozzle 8 in both the left and right directions, below and in front. The holder 17 is configured to tilt when the pedal 18 is pushed down. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the pedal 18 of the holder 17 is pressed down. When the pedal 18 is pushed down, the stopper 19 is disengaged from the holding recess 29 by tilting the holder 17.

The floor nozzle 8 includes a drive unit 21. The drive unit 21 is supported by the lower case 27. The drive unit 21 includes a motor, a pulley, a belt, a shaft, and a drive board. The drive unit 21 is a member for driving the rotary brush 20. The motor generates the driving force. The shaft transmits the driving force to the pulley and belt. The pulley and belt transmit the driving force to the rotating brush. The drive board controls the drive of the motor. The device that generates the driving force of the driving unit 21 is not limited to the motor. For example, an air turbine that is rotated by suction air may be used.

The floor nozzle 8 includes a rotating brush 20. The rotating brush 20 is arranged in the suction chamber 15. The rotary brush 20 is a member for cleaning by scraping dust from the surface to be cleaned by rotation.

As shown in FIG. 6, the floor nozzle 8 has a light guide body 22. The light guide body 22 is supported by the upper case 26. A transparent member is used for the light guide body 22. For example, acrylic resin is used for the light guide 22. The light guide body 22 has a rod shape that is long in one direction. The light guide body 22 has an intermediate portion 22c between both end portions. Both ends of the light guide body 22 have a shape having a larger cross-sectional area than the intermediate portion 22c. In the light guide body 22, the intermediate portion 22c may be bent in an arc shape along the shape of the floor nozzle 8. The light guide body 22 has an incident surface 22a and an exit surface 22b. The incident surface 22a is arranged at one end of the light guide 22. The exit surface 22b is arranged at the other end of the light guide 22.

The exit surface 22b is arranged in front of the entrance surface 22a. When the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8, a part of the surface of the light guide 22 is exposed to the outside of the floor nozzle 8. The entire surface of the light guide body 22 exposed to the outside of the suction tool 6 forms a part of the exit surface 22b. That is, when the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8, the portion of the light guide body 22 other than the exit surface 22b is not exposed to the outside of the suction tool 6. A part of the surface of the light guide body 22 exposed to the outside of the floor nozzle 8 may form at least a part of the exit surface 22b. That is, a portion that does not form the exit surface 22b, such as a part of the end portion of the light guide body 22 on which the exit surface 22b is arranged, may be included.

A part of the exit surface 22b is exposed from the upper case 26 to the outside of the suction tool 6. A part of the exit surface 22b exposed from the upper case 26 faces forward. That is, the exit surface 22b is arranged at a position where the exit surface 22b can be seen when the floor nozzle 8 is viewed from the front surface. The exit surface 22b may be exposed to the front surface of the floor nozzle 8. A part of the exit surface 22b exposed from the upper case 26 forms an end surface of the end portion of the light guide body 22. The other part of the exit surface 22b is exposed to the suction chamber 15. A part of the exit surface 22b exposed to the suction chamber 15 forms a side surface of an end portion of the light guide body 22.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the suction tool 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows an enlarged portion of the incident surface 22a in the cross section shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8. The LED 12 of the small nozzle 7 faces the incident surface 22a in a state where the end portion 7b of the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8.

Subsequently, the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. When cleaning the surface to be cleaned, the user starts the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 by turning on the power switch. When the user cleans the surface to be cleaned wider than the floor nozzle 8, the user attaches the small nozzle 7 to the floor nozzle 8 for cleaning. The user holds the hand handle body 4 and moves the suction tool 6 on the surface to be cleaned for cleaning.

When the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is started, the electric blower 9 generates a suction air. The suction air flows into the suction chamber 15 from above the surface to be cleaned through the suction port 16 of the floor nozzle 8. The suction air flows from the suction chamber 15 through the suction port 14 of the small nozzle and inside the connection portion 7a. The suction air passes through the inside of the connecting portion 7a and flows inside the pipe 5. The suction air passes through the inside of the pipe 5 and flows inside the hand handle body 4. The suction air passes through the inside of the hand handle body 4 and flows inside the hose 3. The suction air passes through the inside of the hose 3 and reaches the main body 2.

The dust on the surface to be cleaned flows in from the suction port 16 together with the suction air and reaches the inside of the main body 2. Dust is collected by the dust collecting unit 10 from the suction air containing dust and flowing into the main body 2. That is, the dust collecting unit 10 removes the dust from the suction air. The air from which dust has been removed from the suction air is discharged from the exhaust port that opens at the rear of the main body 2. The dust removed by the dust collecting unit 10 is collected inside the main body 2.

When the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8, the incident surface 22a receives the light emitted by the LED 12. The light received by the incident surface 22a enters the inside of the light guide 22 through the incident surface 22a. The light that has entered the inside of the light guide 22 passes through the inside while being reflected by the surface of the light guide 22. The light that has passed through the inside of the light guide 22 is emitted from the exit surface 22b to the outside of the light guide 22. Since the exit surface 22b is arranged in front of the entrance surface 22a, light is emitted forward. Therefore, it is possible to illuminate the traveling direction S of the suction tool 6. This makes it easier to see the dust on the surface to be cleaned.

When cleaning a surface to be cleaned that is narrower than the longitudinal dimension of the floor nozzle 8, the user removes the small nozzle 7 from the floor nozzle 8. In a state where the small nozzle 7 is removed from the floor nozzle 8, the suction air flows from the surface to be cleaned through the suction port 14 and inside the connection portion 7a together with dust. The suction air flowing inside the connecting portion 7a reaches the main body 2. Dust is collected by the dust collecting unit 10 from the suction air that contains dust and reaches the main body 2.

Since the small nozzle 7 is removed from the floor nozzle 8, it becomes easy to clean the surface to be cleaned that is narrower than the longitudinal dimension of the floor nozzle 8. Further, since the LED 12 is arranged on the end surface 7c of the small nozzle 7, the surface to be cleaned can be illuminated. This makes it easier to see the dust on the surface to be cleaned.

When the small nozzle 7 is removed from the floor nozzle 8, the LED 12 can directly illuminate the surface to be cleaned. When the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8, the LED 12 can illuminate the surface to be cleaned through the light guide 22. That is, in any state, the LED 12 can illuminate the surface to be cleaned. Therefore, a device for illuminating the surface to be cleaned can be provided on both the floor nozzle 8 and the small nozzle 7 with a simple configuration.

Since the surface to be cleaned can be illuminated by the LED 12 regardless of the state of attachment / detachment of the small nozzle 7 from the floor nozzle 8, it is necessary to detect the attachment / detachment of the small nozzle 7 from the floor nozzle 8 and switch the LED 12 on and off. There is no. Therefore, a component for detecting the state of attachment / detachment of the small nozzle 7 from the floor nozzle 8 is not required. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of assembled parts and the number of steps of the suction tool 6. In addition, it is possible to suppress an increase in the weight of the suction tool 6.

When the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8, the portion of the light guide body 22 other than the exit surface 22b is not exposed to the outside of the suction tool 6. Therefore, the light leaking from the portion other than the exit surface 22b of the light guide body 22 does not illuminate the surface to be cleaned. Since the light illuminating the surface to be cleaned from the suction tool 6 is limited to the light emitted from the exit surface 22b, the shadow of dust appears more clearly. Therefore, the dust becomes easy to see.

Since the end portion of the light guide body 22 has a shape having a larger cross-sectional area than the intermediate portion 22c, the incident surface 22a and the exit surface 22b become wider. As the incident surface 22a becomes wider, the solid angle of the LED 12 facing the incident surface 22a increases. That is, the amount of light incident on the light guide 22 increases. Therefore, the surface to be cleaned can be illuminated more efficiently. As the exit surface 22b becomes wider, the surface to be cleaned that can be illuminated becomes wider. The surface on which the incident surface 22a and the exit surface 22b are arranged is not limited to the end surface of the light guide body 22. The entrance surface 22a and the exit surface 22b may be arranged on the side surface of the light guide body 22.

A part of the exit surface 22b of the light guide 22 is exposed to the suction chamber 15. The suction chamber 15 is a space communicating with the suction port 16 facing the surface to be cleaned. Therefore, the light emitted from the exit surface 22b can illuminate the surface to be cleaned from the suction port 16 that sucks dust. Therefore, the dust to be sucked becomes easy to see.

A reflector that reflects the light emitted from the exit surface 22b may be provided inside the suction chamber 15. As a result, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the exit surface 22b from being absorbed by the inner wall of the suction chamber 15. Therefore, the surface to be cleaned can be efficiently illuminated. As the reflector, a sheet of a reflector that reflects visible light may be attached.

Suction air flows on the surface of the end surface 7c on which the suction port 14 of the small nozzle 7 is arranged. By providing the LED 12 on the end surface 7c of the small nozzle 7, the dust adhering to the LED 12 is removed by the suction air. This prevents the light emitted from the LED 12 from being blocked by dust. Therefore, the surface to be cleaned can be illuminated more efficiently. The LED 12 may not be arranged on the end face 7c of the small nozzle 7 due to design conditions or other restrictions. The LED 12 may be arranged on the side surface of the end portion 7b of the small nozzle 7.

In the present embodiment, the stopper 19 is released from the attachment by the pedal 18 of the holder 17. In the state where the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8, the stopper 19 is fitted in the holding recess 29. When the end portion 7b of the small nozzle 7 is attached to the floor nozzle 8, the small nozzle 7 is arranged so as to be surrounded by the floor nozzle 8 in both the left and right directions, below and in front. By fitting the stopper 19 into the holding recess 29, the movement of the small nozzle in the vertical direction and the front-back direction is restricted. As a result, the small nozzle 7 is held by the floor nozzle 8. That is, the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8.

A user who performs cleaning work while standing can push down the pedal 18 by stepping on it with his / her foot. When the pedal 18 is pushed down, the stopper 19 comes off from the holding recess 29. When the pedal 18 is pressed down, the movement of lifting the small nozzle 7 upward is not restricted. Therefore, the small nozzle 7 can be removed from the floor nozzle 8 by stepping on the pedal 18 with a foot and lifting the small nozzle 7 upward.

When mounting the small nozzle 7 on the floor nozzle 8, the user puts the small nozzle 7 from above the stopper 19 and presses it. When the stopper 19 is pressed from above, the holder 17 tilts in the direction opposite to the state shown in FIG. 8, and the stopper 19 fits into the holding recess 29. As a result, the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8.

The user can perform the operation of attaching / detaching the small nozzle 7 from the floor nozzle 8 while standing. That is, it is not necessary to bend down for the work of attaching and detaching the small nozzle 7 from the floor nozzle 8, and the burden on the user when cleaning can be reduced.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the small nozzle 7 according to another example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the small nozzle 7 shown in FIG. 10 in a vertical plane passing through a center in the left-right direction. The small nozzle 7 has a recess 13 in the end surface 7c. The LED 12 is arranged in the recess 13. By arranging the LED 12 in the recess 13, the LED 12 does not protrude from the end face 7c. As a result, when the surface to be cleaned is cleaned with the small nozzle 7 removed from the floor nozzle 8, the LED 12 is prevented from colliding with furniture or the like. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the LED 12 from being damaged during cleaning. In addition, in order to efficiently use the light emitted from the LED 12, a sheet of a reflector that reflects visible light may be arranged on the surface of the recess 13.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the suction tool 6 according to another example of the first embodiment of the present invention in a vertical plane passing through the center in the left-right direction. The exit surface 22b is exposed from the upper case 26 to the outside of the suction tool 6. The exit surface 22b exposed from the upper case 26 faces forward. The floor nozzle 8 is provided with a shield 24 so as to cover the periphery of the light guide 22. The shield 24 is arranged so as to face the side surface of the intermediate portion 22c of the light guide 22.

When the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8, a part of the surface of the light guide 22 is exposed to the outside of the suction tool 6. The entire surface of the light guide body 22 exposed to the outside of the suction tool 6 forms the entire exit surface 22b. That is, when the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8, the portion of the light guide body 22 other than the exit surface 22b is not exposed to the outside of the suction tool 6. Further, by being covered with the shield body 24, the intermediate portion 22c of the light guide body 22 is not exposed to the suction chamber 15. Therefore, the light leaking from other than the exit surface 22b of the light guide body 22 does not illuminate the surface to be cleaned. Since the light illuminating the surface to be cleaned from the suction tool 6 is limited to the light emitted from the exit surface 22b, the shadow of dust appears more clearly. Therefore, the dust becomes easy to see.

Further, the shielding body 24 is subjected to a reflection process on the surface facing the light guide body 22. The surface of the shield 24 may be reflected, for example, by attaching a sheet of a reflector that reflects visible light. As a result, the light leaked from the surface of the light guide body 22 can be reflected by the surface of the shield body 24 and returned to the inside of the light guide body 22. Therefore, the light does not leak to the outside of the light guide 22 from other than the exit surface 22b and is not wasted. Therefore, the surface to be cleaned can be efficiently illuminated, and dust can be easily seen.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the suction tool 6 according to another example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a rear view of the floor nozzle 8 of the suction tool 6 shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is an enlarged rear view of the floor nozzle 8 shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the suction tool 6 shown in FIG. The floor nozzle 8 has a reflecting wall 23 that reflects the light emitted by the LED 12 and guides it to the incident surface 22a. The reflective wall 23 projects in a direction closer to the LED 12 than the plane P including the incident surface 22a. The reflective wall 23 is arranged around the incident surface 22a. The surface of the reflective wall 23 reflects visible light. A sheet of a reflector that reflects visible light may be arranged on the surface of the reflecting wall 23.

The reflective wall 23 is arranged around the incident surface 22a and projects in a direction close to the LED 12. Therefore, a part of the light emitted by the LED 12 and not directly incident on the incident surface 22a is incident on the reflecting wall 23. The light incident on the reflection wall 23 is reflected and a part of the light is guided to the incident surface 22a. Therefore, the light emitted by the LED 12 is effectively used to illuminate the surface to be cleaned.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the suction tool 6 according to another example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the suction tool 6 shown in FIG. 17 in a vertical plane passing through the center in the left-right direction. The left and right width of the floor nozzle 8 is larger than the left and right width of the small nozzle 7. The upper case 26 has an upper lid 28.

The upper lid 28 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is an example of a light guide body. The upper lid 28 is made of a transparent member. For example, acrylic resin is used for the top lid 28. The upper lid 28 forms a part of the upper surface of the floor nozzle 8. The left and right width of the upper lid 28 is larger than the left and right width of the small nozzle 7. The upper lid 28 has an exit surface 22b on the upper surface. The left and right width of the exit surface 22b is larger than the left and right width of the small nozzle 7. The upper lid 28 has an incident surface 22a at a position facing the LED 12 in a state where the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8.

The entire upper surface of the upper lid 28 exposed to the outside of the suction tool 6 may form a part of the exit surface 22b. The other part of the exit surface 22b may be exposed to, for example, the suction chamber 15. All or part of the upper surface of the upper lid 28 exposed to the outside of the suction tool 6 may form the entire exit surface 22b.

Since the upper surface of the floor nozzle 8 forms the exit surface 22b, it is possible to illuminate the surrounding area including the upper part of the suction tool 6. Further, since the left and right width of the exit surface 22b is larger than the left and right width of the small nozzle 7, when the small nozzle 7 is mounted on the floor nozzle 8, the light is emitted in a wider range than when the small nozzle 7 is removed. Light is emitted from the surface 22b. As a result, not only the surface to be cleaned but also the dust around the suction tool 6 can be easily seen. Therefore, it becomes easier to work when cleaning a narrow gap such as under furniture.

Further, the suction tool 6 may have a suction port on the upper surface for sucking dust floating in the air above the suction tool 6. By illuminating the surrounding area including the upper part of the suction tool 6, the dust floating in the air above the suction tool 6 becomes easy to see. As a result, it is possible to clean while checking the state of dust floating in the air.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a sheet of a reflector that reflects visible light may be attached to at least a part of the surface of the light guide 22. When the light that reflects and passes through the inside of the light guide body 22 leaks from the light guide body 22, the sheet of the reflector reflects the light and returns it to the inside of the light guide body 22. Therefore, the light passing through the inside of the light guide body 22 does not leak to the outside from other than the exit surface 22b and is not wasted. Therefore, the surface to be cleaned can be efficiently illuminated, and dust can be easily seen.

As the sheet of the reflector that reflects visible light, for example, a sheet based on polyethylene on which a metal such as aluminum or silver is vapor-deposited is used. The sheet may be formed by thin film lamination instead of thin film deposition. Polyethylene terephthalate may be used as the base material.

The material or shape of the light guide body 22 is selected so that light is efficiently guided from the incident surface 22a to the exit surface 22b. A material having a refractive index different from that of the light guide 22 may be arranged on the surface of the light guide 22. A single light guide 22 may be formed by combining a plurality of materials having different refractive indexes.

The light emitter is not limited to a light source that generates light by itself. For example, a light source that generates light by itself is arranged other than the end of the second nozzle. A rod-shaped light guide body made of acrylic resin is provided in the second nozzle. One end of the rod-shaped acrylic resin faces the light source. In this case, the other end of the acrylic resin may be a light emitting body having the second nozzle. As a result, the arrangement of the light sources can be given a degree of freedom. Further, for example, by using an extension pipe having a light guide body made of acrylic resin, it is possible to extend the suction tool having a light emitting body without adding a component for detecting attachment / detachment.

A light source that generates light by itself may be used as the light emitting body. As the light source, for example, an LED or a light bulb is used. When the light source is not directly used for the light emitting body, for example, the light source is opposed to one end of the light guide body made of acrylic resin, and the light is passed through the inside of the acrylic resin, so that the other end portion of the acrylic resin is used as the light emitting body. be able to. In this case, the light passing through the acrylic resin has a loss due to reflection, absorption, scattering, or the like. On the other hand, if a light source that generates light by itself is directly used for the light emitting body, the light from the light source can be directly used. Therefore, the surface to be cleaned can be efficiently illuminated.

The suction tool according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of sets of a light emitting body and a light guide body. By providing a set of a plurality of light emitters and a light guide body, it is possible to illuminate a plurality of areas of the surface to be cleaned. The light emitter and the light guide can be individually selected according to the plurality of areas of the surface to be cleaned to be illuminated. Further, one light guide body may have a plurality of incident surfaces. The suction tool may include a plurality of light emitters facing each of the plurality of incident surfaces. By using a plurality of light emitters, it is possible to illuminate the surface to be cleaned with stronger light. The plurality of light emitters may be LEDs or light bulbs. Further, the plurality of light emitters may be a combination of an LED and a light bulb.

Although the above description has been made with reference to an example in which the first nozzle is the floor nozzle 8 and the second nozzle is the small nozzle 7, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this.

The hand handle body 4 may form the second nozzle. That is, the hand handle body 4 may be used as a suction tool with the pipe 5 removed. The hand handle body 4 is provided with a suction brush at the end on the side to which the pipe 5 is connected. With the pipe 5 removed, the surface to be cleaned can be cleaned by using the end of the hand handle body 4 as a suction tool. Since cleaning can be performed at a position close to the user's hand, the user can easily handle the suction tool. The light emitter is arranged at the end of the hand handle body 4 to which the pipe 5 is connected.

The first nozzle may be a suction tool having a shape with a narrowed tip. The narrow tip allows it to be inserted into narrow gaps. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily suck in the dust in the narrow portion. Further, the first nozzle may be a suction tool in which a linear member is flocked around the suction port. By using a suction tool with a narrowed tip or a suction tool with linear members planted around the suction port, the surface to be cleaned is used when cleaning narrow spaces such as between furniture and window frames. Becomes easier to see.

An optical fiber may be used as the light guide. By using an optical fiber for the light guide, the first nozzle can be deformed. For example, the first nozzle can be provided with a joint portion having a variable angle. Further, a hose-shaped suction tool that can be deformed according to the shape of the gap can be used as the first nozzle.

1 Vacuum cleaner 2 Main body 3 Hose 3a Connection part 4 Hand handle body 4a Release button 5 Pipe 5a Release button 5b Telescopic button 6 Suction tool 7 Small nozzle 7a Connection part 7b End part 7c End face 8 Floor nozzle 9 Electric blower 10 Dust collector 11a Wheel 11b Wheel 12 LED 13 Recess 14 Suction port 15 Suction chamber 16 Suction port 17 Holder 18 Pedal 19 Stopper 20 Rotating brush 21 Drive unit 22 Light guide 22a Incident surface 22b Exit surface 22c Intermediate part 23 Reflection wall 24 Case 26 Upper case 27 Lower case 28 Upper lid 29 Holding recess

Claims (9)

A first nozzle having a first suction port and a light guide,
A second light emitter that emits light to illuminate the surface to be cleaned , has a second suction port at the end, and the end can be attached and detached behind the first suction port of the first nozzle. With a nozzle,
The light guide has an incident surface that receives the light emitted by the light emitting body and an exit surface that receives the light emitted by the incident surface and emits light that has passed through the inside of the light guide.
The incident surface is arranged at a position facing the light emitting body in a state where the end portion of the second nozzle is mounted on the first nozzle.
The exit surface is arranged in front of the entrance surface .
The first suction port is arranged on the lower surface of the first nozzle.
At least a part of the exit surface forms the upper surface of the first nozzle,
The left and right width of the exit surface is larger than the left and right width of the second nozzle.
Suction tool. A part of the surface of the light guide body is exposed to the outside of the first nozzle in a state where the end portion of the second nozzle is attached to the first nozzle.
The suction tool according to claim 1, wherein the part of the surface of the light guide body forms at least a part of the exit surface. The suction tool according to claim 2, wherein the entire surface of the light guide body forms at least a part of the exit surface. The suction tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light guide has a part of the surface covered with a reflector. The first nozzle has a suction chamber leading to the first suction port.
The suction tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein a part of the exit surface is exposed to the suction chamber. The first nozzle has a reflective wall that reflects the light emitted by the illuminant and guides it to the incident surface.
The suction tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the reflective wall projects from a plane including the incident surface in a direction closer to the light emitting body. The suction tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the light emitting body is a light source that generates light. The first nozzle includes a stopper for mounting the end of the second nozzle, and
The suction tool according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , further comprising a pedal for releasing the attachment of the stopper. The suction tool according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
An electric blower that generates suction air and
An electric vacuum cleaner including a dust collecting unit that collects dust sucked from the suction tool by the suction air.

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