JP7390623B2 - brush roller - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a brush roller configured to scrape off dust.

Various brush rollers configured to scrape off dust while rolling on a floor surface have been developed (see Patent Document 1). The brush roller of Patent Document 1 includes a shaft portion and a plurality of brush bodies protruding from an outer peripheral portion of the shaft portion in the radial direction of the shaft portion.

A spiral groove extending spirally is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the shaft portion. The brush body is fixed to the shaft portion along the spiral groove, and forms a spiral brush row.

By forming the spiral brush row, dust that has come into contact with the brush body is encouraged to move in the axial direction of the shaft portion. In Patent Document 1, the spiral direction of the brush row is set so that dust moves toward the center position in the axial direction of the shaft portion.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-188951

Due to various demands on brush rollers, a structure is sometimes adopted in which a spiral brush body is held on the outer circumferential surface of a tapered cylindrical shaft portion that becomes thinner toward the tip. By making the shaft portion tapered, it is possible to enhance the effect of moving long dust particles (for example, hair) wrapped around the brush roller toward the tip of the shaft portion. Further, by making the shaft portion cylindrical, the weight of the shaft portion is reduced compared to a solid shaft structure.

However, creating a structure in which the brush body is held on the outer circumferential surface of the tapered cylindrical shaft portion may be difficult in manufacturing. For example, if a spiral groove is to be formed on the outer circumferential surface of a tapered cylindrical shaft part following Patent Document 1, a mechanism is required to separate the mold part that forms the spiral groove from the shaft part. . If you want to pull out the mold part that forms the spiral groove in the axial direction of the shaft part, you need to rotate this mold part around the axis of the shaft part to match the shape of the spiral groove and to match it to the tapered shape of the shaft part. It is necessary to displace it in the radial direction. Such a mechanism for moving the mold portion complicates the structure of the molding machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a brush roller that has a structure in which a spiral brush body is held on the outer peripheral surface of a tapered cylindrical shaft portion and can be easily molded.

The brush roller according to one aspect of the present invention is configured to scrape off dust while rolling. The brush roller has a shaft portion having an outer circumferential surface that tapers toward the tip, and is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion so as to be adjacent to each other with an interval in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion. a pair of spiral plate-shaped holding pieces forming a spiral groove extending spirally between a pair of mutually opposing side surfaces; and a pair of holding pieces extending spirally along the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion and projecting from the spiral groove A brush body held by the holding body. The pair of holding pieces is a brush roller configured to hold the brush body on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion .

According to the above configuration, the pair of spiral plate-shaped holding pieces that hold the brush body are configured separately from the shaft portion and then attached to the shaft portion. Therefore, there is no need to provide a structure for holding the brush body in the shaft portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the mold for molding the shaft portion from becoming complicated.

When the pair of holding pieces are attached to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion at intervals in the circumferential direction, a spiral groove is formed between these holding pieces on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion. The brush body is arranged along this spiral groove and extends spirally. In this state, the brush body is held on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion by the side surfaces of the pair of holding pieces.

Regarding the above configuration, the brush body may include a baseband and a plurality of brush bristles installed in the longitudinal direction of the baseband. The pair of holding pieces each have an outer circumferential portion forming an outer circumferential side portion of the spiral groove, and an inner circumferential portion forming an inner circumferential side portion wider than the outer circumferential side portion of the spiral groove. may have. The baseband may be wider than the outer circumferential portion of the spiral groove, and may be disposed between the inner circumferential portions. The plurality of brush bristles may protrude from the spiral groove through a gap between the outer peripheral portions.

According to the above configuration, the spiral groove has an inner circumferential portion formed by the inner circumferential portions of the pair of holding pieces that is wider than an outer circumferential side portion formed by the outer circumferential portions of the pair of holding pieces. be. Therefore, both side edge portions of the baseband located on both sides in the width direction of the brush body are sandwiched between the outer circumferential portion and the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion. As a result, the brush part is held by the holding part on the shaft part. On the other hand, since the plurality of brush bristles protrude from the spiral groove through gaps in the outer peripheral portion, dust can be scraped off when the brush roller rolls.

Regarding the above configuration, the inner circumferential portions of the pair of holding pieces are in surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion over the entire longitudinal direction of the pair of holding pieces. may be fixed.

According to the above configuration, the inner circumferential portions of the pair of holding pieces are fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion in a state in which they are in surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion over the entire longitudinal direction of the pair of holding pieces. Therefore, deformation of the pair of holding pieces that would increase the width of the spiral groove is suppressed. Therefore, the baseband is also prevented from slipping out of the spiral groove.

Regarding the above configuration, the brush roller further includes a distal end connecting portion that connects the distal ends of the pair of holding pieces, and a proximal end connecting portion that connects the proximal ends of the pair of holding pieces. You can.

According to the above configuration, since the pair of holding pieces are connected to each other by the distal end connection portion and the proximal end connection portion, these holding pieces can be handled as one member. In addition, since the distal end connecting portion and the proximal end connecting portion maintain the distance between them on the distal and proximal sides of the pair of holding pieces, the width of the helical groove is maintained over the entire length of the helical groove. The body can be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion.

Regarding the above configuration, the pair of holding pieces may have a tapered cylindrical shape having a circular internal space in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the shaft portion. The spiral groove may be formed to communicate with the internal space over a section between the distal end connection portion and the base end connection portion.

According to the above configuration, when a tapered cylindrical shape is formed by the pair of holding pieces , the spiral groove communicates with the internal space of the tapered cylindrical shape over the section between the distal end connection part and the proximal end connection part. It can be formed as follows. In this case, the outer surfaces of the pair of holding pieces can be molded with a female mold, and the spiral grooves and the inner peripheral surfaces of the pair of holding pieces can be molded with a male mold. This male mold can be configured with a main body portion forming a tapered cylindrical internal space and a spiral portion protruding helically from the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion to form a spiral groove. Since the main body portion has a shape complementary to the internal space of the holder, the main body portion has a circular cross section in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the shaft portion, and has a shape that is rotatable around the axis of the main body portion within the holder. Therefore, it is permissible to pull out the male die from the holder in the axial direction of the tapered cylinder while rotating the main body portion around the axis of the shaft portion in accordance with the helical shape of the helical portion.

Regarding the above configuration, the brush roller may further include a convex portion protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion. The pair of holding pieces may be formed with a recess that engages with the projection.

According to the above configuration, the engagement between the convex portion and the concave portion prevents the shaft portion from rotating relative to the pair of holding pieces .

Regarding the above configuration, the shaft portion may be configured such that the taper angle on the proximal end side is smaller than the taper angle on the distal end side.

According to the above configuration, the shaft portion has a relatively small taper angle on the base end side, and in the portion where the taper angle is small, the outer circumferential surface of the brush roller is nearly parallel to the axis of the brush roller. It has become. In this case, compared to a cylindrical body that extends toward the proximal end while maintaining the taper angle on the distal end, the diameter on the proximal end of the brush roller becomes smaller, and the enlargement of the brush roller in the radial direction is suppressed. .

Regarding the above configuration, the pair of holding pieces may be attached to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion without being connected to each other.

According to the above configuration, since the pair of holding pieces are not connected to each other, these holding pieces can be individually molded as plate-shaped members that can be arranged along the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion.

A brush roller according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to scrape off dust while rolling. The brush roller includes a shaft portion having an outer circumferential surface that tapers toward the tip, and a plurality of holding pieces attached to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion in a circumferential direction of the shaft portion without being connected to each other. The holding piece further includes a plurality of plate-shaped brush bodies extending spirally along the outer circumferential surface of the holding piece . A spiral groove extending spirally may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of each of the plurality of holding pieces. The plurality of brush bodies may be arranged along the spiral groove and held by the plurality of holding pieces, respectively.

According to the above configuration, since the plurality of holding pieces are not connected to each other , they can be formed as a plate- like member. Forming a spiral groove in such a plate-like member is easier than forming a spiral groove in the outer circumferential surface of a tapered cylindrical shaft portion.

When a plurality of plate -shaped holding pieces are lined up in the circumferential direction of the shaft section and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft section, and a plurality of brush bodies are respectively arranged along the spiral grooves, each brush body extends in a spiral shape. . In this state, the brush body is held on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion.

The brush roller described above can be easily manufactured, and the spiral brush body can be held on the outer circumferential surface of the tapered cylindrical shaft portion.

It is a schematic side view of a cleaning machine. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a suction tool configured to be attachable to a cleaning machine. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a brush roller. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a brush roller. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the brush roller. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a brush roller. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the force acting on dust when the dust is wrapped around a scraping roller. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a male mold used for molding a brush roller. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a part of a brush roller having a circumferentially divided structure. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of a brush roller having a circumferentially divided structure. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of a brush roller having an axially divided structure. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a portion of a brush roller that does not have a helical groove.

In this embodiment, the brush rollers 131 and 132 are configured as a part of the suction tool 100 attached to the cleaning machine 101. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a cleaning machine 101 to which a suction tool 100 is attached. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the suction tool 100. A cleaning machine 101 and a suction tool 100 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning machine 101 includes a cleaning main body 102 that includes a suction fan (not shown) and a motor (not shown) that drives the suction fan, and a cleaning main body 102 that extends from the cleaning main body 102 to the suction tool 100. A hose 103 is provided, and an operation section 104 is provided on the hose 103. The distal end of the hose 103 is configured to be connectable to the suction tool 100. The operation unit 104 is configured to operate the cleaning main body 102 and the suction tool 100 in response to a user's operation. Electrical wiring from the cleaning main body part 102 and the suction tool 100 to the operating part 104 is conducted along a hose 103.

The suction tool 100 is attached to the tip of the hose 103 in order to obtain a suction area wider than the internal space of the hose 103. The suction tool 100 is configured to suck in dust while scraping it off the floor surface.

In addition to the brush rollers 131 and 132, the suction tool 100 includes a housing 120 configured to hold these brush rollers 131 and 132, and a drive mechanism configured to drive the brush rollers 131 and 132 (see FIG. (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 120 has a shape that is wider in the width direction than in the front-rear direction in order to obtain a suction space 110 that is wider in the width direction. The housing 120 includes a main body 121 having a substantially C-shape that opens forward in a plan view, and a cover member 122 configured to be attached to the main body 121.

The main body part 121 has side parts 123 and 124 provided at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction (that is, the left-right direction) of the suction tool 100, and the rear side of the side parts 123 and 124 (that is, the cleaning main body part 102 side). and a rear portion 125 that connects these side portions 123 and 124. The side parts 123, 124 and the rear part 125 have a hollow structure as a whole. A drive mechanism is housed within the side portions 123, 124 and rear portion 125.

The rear part 125 and the side parts 123 and 124 form a suction space 110 for sucking in dust on the floor. That is, the suction space 110 is defined by the front end of the rear part 125, the right end of the side part 123, and the left end of the side part 124. Brush rollers 131 and 132 are arranged in this suction space 110, and side parts 123 and 124 support these brush rollers 131 and 132, respectively. Specifically, bearings (not shown) that hold the brush rollers 131 and 132 are provided on the inner walls of the side parts 123 and 124 (that is, the walls facing the suction space 110).

The rear portion 125 is configured to be connectable to the hose 103. A flow path (not shown) connecting the flow path formed by the hose 103 and the suction space 110 is formed in the rear portion 125 .

The cover member 122 is configured to close the suction space 110 from above. The left and right end portions of the cover member 122 are configured to be fixed to the side portions 123, 124 while being placed on the side portions 123, 124.

The brush rollers 131 and 132 are configured to scrape off dust while rolling on the floor surface within the suction space 110. The brush roller 131 is cantilever-supported by the left side portion 123 and extends rightward from the side portion 123 within the suction space 110 . The brush roller 132 is cantilevered by the right side portion 124 and extends leftward from the side portion 124 within the suction space 110 . The tips of the brush rollers 131 and 132 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the suction tool 100.

The structure of the brush roller 131 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the brush roller 131. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the brush roller 131 in the axial direction of the brush roller 131. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a portion of the brush roller 131. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the brush roller 131 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the brush roller 131. Note that the structure of the brush roller 132 is the same as that of the brush roller 131. Therefore, the following description regarding the brush roller 131 is also applied to the brush roller 132.

As shown in FIG. 3, the brush roller 131 includes a connecting shaft 250, a shaft portion 210 that is fitted onto the connecting shaft 250, a tip cap 240 that is attached to the tip of the shaft portion 210, and a tip cap 240 that is fitted onto the shaft portion 210. The holding body 220 has a

The connection shaft 250 is provided to transmit the driving force of the drive mechanism housed within the main body 121 of the housing 120 to the shaft portion 210. A proximal end of the connection shaft 250 is disposed within the main body 121 to receive the driving force of the drive mechanism. A pulley (not shown) is attached to the base end of the connection shaft 250. The connection shaft 250 is fitted into a bearing provided on the inner wall of the side portion 123.

The distal end of the connection shaft 250 is inserted into the shaft section 210 in order to transmit the driving force of the drive mechanism to the shaft section 210. The outer peripheral surface of the tip of the connection shaft 250 is knurled to prevent the connection shaft 250 from spinning idly.

The shaft portion 210 has an outer circumferential surface that tapers toward the tip, and the outer shape of the shaft portion 210 is approximately circular over the entire length in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the shaft portion 210.

The shaft portion 210 includes a shaft body 214 and an internal connection portion 270 integrally molded with the shaft body 214.

The shaft body 214 includes a tapered cylindrical portion 212 that extends in the axial direction of the shaft body 214 while gradually becoming thicker from the distal end of the shaft body 214 toward the proximal end, and a proximal ring portion provided on the proximal side of the tapered cylindrical portion 212. 211. The axial length of the tapered cylindrical portion 212 is longer than the axial length of the proximal ring portion 211. The tapered cylindrical portion 212 and the proximal ring portion 211 have a tapered shape that becomes thinner toward the distal end of the shaft body 214, but the taper angle of the proximal ring portion 211 is smaller than the taper angle of the tapered cylindrical portion 212. It's getting smaller. That is, the outer circumferential surface of the proximal ring portion 211 is closer to parallel to the axis of the shaft portion 210 than the outer circumferential surface of the tapered cylinder portion 212 .

As shown in FIG. 4, the internal connection part 270 is provided to connect the connection shaft 250 and the shaft part 210, and is formed into a tapered cylindrical part so as to be connected to the tip (knurled part) of the connection shaft 250. It is molded integrally with the tapered cylindrical portion 212 within the cylindrical portion 212 . The internal connecting portion 270 and the shaft portion 210 may be molded by injecting resin while placing the knurled tip portion of the connecting shaft 250 in a mold for molding them.

A holding body 220 is fitted onto the shaft portion 210 . The holding body 220 is provided to hold a plurality of spirally extending brush bodies 230, and is formed into a tapered cylindrical shape separately from the shaft portion 210, as shown in FIG. The holding body 220 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 210 by being fitted onto the shaft portion 210 . The holding body 220 holds the plurality of brush bodies 230 on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 210 in a state where the holding body 220 is fitted onto the shaft portion 210 .

The holding body 220 has a plurality of holding pieces 222 arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210 so as to be adjacent to each other at intervals in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 210. Further, the holding body 220 includes an annular distal end connecting portion 223 that connects the distal ends of these holding pieces 222 and an annular proximal end connecting portion 224 that connects the proximal ends of these holding pieces 222.

The holding body 220 is configured to have a tapered cylindrical shape that becomes thinner toward the tip, with a plurality of holding pieces 222 arranged in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 210 and attached to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 210. ing. Each of these holding pieces 222 is a thin plate-shaped portion that extends in a spiral manner. In other words, each of the plurality of holding pieces 222 is shaped like a trapezoidal thin plate that tapers toward the tip of the shaft portion 210 and is spirally wound around the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210 . An internal space 318 (see FIG. 5) of the holding body 220 surrounded by a plurality of holding pieces 222 arranged in the circumferential direction is complementary to the shaft portion 210, and in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the holding body 220. It has a circular shape that tapers toward the tip.

Since these holding pieces 222 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 210, a spiral pattern is formed between adjacent holding pieces 222 (that is, between side surfaces 291 of holding pieces 222 facing each other in the circumferential direction). A groove 221 is formed. The spiral groove 221 extends spirally on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210, and the brush body 230 is disposed along the spiral groove 221. The direction of the spiral groove 221 (and thus the shape of the holding piece 222) is such that when the brush roller 131 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. It is set.

As shown in FIG. 6, the holding piece 222 includes an inner circumferential portion 225 having an inner circumferential surface facing the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 210, and an inner circumferential portion 225 located outside of the inner circumferential portion 225 in the radial direction of the shaft portion 210. However, it has an outer circumferential portion 226 wider than the inner circumferential portion 225. The inner circumferential portion 225 constitutes the inner circumferential surface of the holding piece 222 that is in surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 210, while the outer circumferential portion 226 constitutes the inner circumferential surface of the holding piece 222.

The side surface 291 of the holding piece 222 is constituted by the side surface at the side edge 292 of the outer circumferential portion 226 and the side edge surface 229 of the inner circumferential portion 225 . Both side edges 292 of the outer circumferential portion 226 protrude in the width direction of the spiral groove 221 with respect to both side edge surfaces 229 of the inner circumferential portion 225 . That is, both side edges 292 of the outer circumferential portion 226 are configured as protrusions that protrude from both side edge surfaces 229 of the inner circumferential portion 225 . A side edge 292 of the outer peripheral portion 226 and a side edge surface 229 of the inner peripheral portion 225 are configured to hold the brush body 230.

The side surfaces of the side edges 292 of the outer peripheral portions 226 of adjacent holding pieces 222 face each other in the width direction of the spiral groove 221. Similarly, the side edge surfaces 229 of the inner peripheral portions 225 of adjacent holding pieces 222 also face each other in the width direction of the spiral groove 221. The side edge surfaces 229 of the inner circumferential portions 225 of adjacent holding pieces 222 form an inner circumferential portion of the spiral groove 221, and the spiral groove 221 is wide in this inner circumferential portion. The side surfaces of the side edges 292 of the outer circumferential portions 226 of adjacent holding pieces 222 form an outer circumferential portion of the spiral groove 221, and the spiral groove 221 is narrow in this outer circumferential portion. A portion of the brush body 230 is sandwiched in the radial direction of the shaft portion 210 between the side edges 292 of the outer peripheral portions 226 of adjacent holding pieces 222 and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210, so that the brush body 230 is It is held on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210.

The inner circumferential portion 225 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the holding piece 222 so that the side edge 292 of the outer circumferential portion 226 maintains a state of surface contact even when receiving an external force acting in a direction to separate the side edge portion 292 from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 210. The entire portion is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210. For example, the inner circumferential portion 225 may be adhered to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 210 with an adhesive, or may be ultrasonically welded to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 210.

The distal ends of the plurality of holding pieces 222 are connected to an annular distal end connecting portion 223 . The base end portions of the plurality of holding pieces 222 are connected to an annular base end connection portion 224 . Therefore, the distance between adjacent holding pieces 222 is maintained by the distal end connecting portion 223 on the distal end side, and by the proximal end connecting portion 224 on the proximal end side. Therefore, the width of the spiral groove 221 is maintained over the entire length. The spiral groove 221 communicates with the above-mentioned internal space 318 of the holder 220 between the distal end connecting portion 223 and the proximal end connecting portion 224 . Since the plurality of holding pieces 222 are connected to the distal end connection part 223 and the proximal end connection part 224, the holding body 220 is configured as one tapered cylindrical body.

The tips of the plurality of holding pieces 222 are connected to the outer peripheral edge of the annular tip connection part 223. That is, the outer circumferential surface of the tip connecting portion 223 is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the plurality of holding pieces 222, and the tip of the spiral groove 221 is located on the outer circumferential edge of the tip connecting portion 223. Therefore, the tip of the spiral groove 221 can be used as an insertion port for the brush body 230.

The base ends of the plurality of holding pieces 222 are connected to the inner peripheral edge of the annular base end connection part 224, so the base end of the spiral groove 221 is connected to the recess 227 (see FIG. 5) with a closed outer surface. It has become. That is, a plurality of recesses 227 are formed at intervals along the inner peripheral edge of the proximal end connecting portion 224. These recesses 227 can be used to pull out the mold part (the spiral part 282 shown in FIG. 8) used to form the spiral groove 221.

The recess 227 is also used to prevent relative rotation of the holder 220 with respect to the shaft portion 210. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to prevent relative rotation between the holder 220 and the shaft portion 210, the shaft portion 210 is arranged such that the plurality of convex portions 260 engage with the plurality of concave portions 227, respectively. It protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the proximal ring portion 211. These convex portions 260 have shapes complementary to the plurality of concave portions 227, and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 210 in accordance with the positions of these concave portions 227. The convex portion 260 fits into the concave portion 227 when the holder 220 is fitted onto the shaft portion 210 .

The plurality of brush bodies 230 each include an elongated rectangular baseband 231 configured to be insertable into the spiral groove 221 and a plurality of brush bristles 232 implanted in the baseband 231. The baseband 231 is a portion used for holding by the holding body 220. The plurality of brush bristles 232 are provided to scrape off dust.

The baseband 231 has a width approximately equal to the width between the side edge surfaces 229 of the inner peripheral portions 225 of adjacent holding pieces 222, and is disposed in the space between the side edge surfaces 229. The baseband 231 is wider than the gap between the side edges 292 of the outer peripheral portions 226 of adjacent holding pieces 222. Therefore, when the baseband 231 is placed in the wide space of the spiral groove 221, the side edges 233 of the baseband 231 are connected to the side edges 292 of the outer peripheral portion 226 of the adjacent holding pieces 222 and the shaft portion 210. The shaft portion 210 is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface and the shaft portion 210 in the radial direction.

The baseband 231 has flexibility to the extent that it is curved and deformed along the spiral groove 221 when inserted from the tip of the spiral groove 221. It has enough rigidity to maintain its condition.

The plurality of brush bristles 232 are planted in the longitudinal direction of the baseband 231 in the central region in the width direction of the baseband 231 (that is, the region between both side edges 233), and form a brush row extending in the longitudinal direction of the baseband 231. is formed. When the brush body 230 is inserted into the spiral groove 221, this brush row protrudes from the gap between the side edges 292 of the outer peripheral portions 226 of adjacent holding pieces 222 (i.e., the narrow portion of the spiral groove 221). .

When the brush body 230 is inserted into the spiral groove 221 from the tip of the spiral groove 221 until the brush row contacts the proximal end connection portion 224, the brush row of the brush body 230 spirals on the outer peripheral surface of the holder 220. It is held by the holding body 220 in the extended state. At this time, since the brush row is caught by the proximal end connecting portion 224, displacement of the brush body 230 in the proximal direction is prevented by the proximal end connecting portion 224. On the other hand, a tip cap 240 is provided to prevent displacement of the brush body 230 in the tip direction.

The opening on the tip side of the spiral groove 221 is closed by the tip cap 240. That is, the tip cap 240 includes a disc-shaped holding plate 241 having a diameter that closes this opening, and a fitting portion that is fitted into the tip portion of the shaft portion 210 through the opening of the annular tip connection portion 223 of the holder 220. 242. Since the holding plate 241 closes the opening on the tip side of the spiral groove 221, the tip of the base band 231 is caught on the holding plate 241, and displacement of the brush body 230 in the direction of the tip is prevented.

The operation of suction tool 100 and cleaner 101 will be explained below.

When the operating part 104 is operated, the cleaner 101 is activated and suction force is applied to the suction space 110 through the hose 103 and the flow path formed in the rear part 125 of the suction tool 100 . As a result, dust on the floor flows into the suction space 110 through the downward opening of the suction space 110. Thereafter, the dust is collected into the cleaner 101 through the flow path in the rear part 125 and the hose 103.

During this time, the drive mechanism built into the suction tool 100 operates, and the driving force of the drive mechanism is transmitted to the shaft section 210, the holder 220, and the plurality of brush bodies 230 through the connection shaft 250 and the internal connection section 270. At this time, the brush body 230 scrapes off dust on the floor while rolling on the floor.

In the above embodiment, the taper angle of the proximal ring portion 211 of the shaft portion 210 is smaller than the taper angle of the tapered cylinder portion 212 on the distal side, and the outer circumferential surface of the proximal ring portion 211 is is almost parallel to the axis of Therefore, the outer diameter of the base end of the shaft portion 210 is smaller than that of a tapered tube that is extended while maintaining the taper angle of the tapered tube portion 212. Therefore, the brush rollers 131, 132 are prevented from increasing in size in the radial direction, and the housing 120 to which the brush rollers 131, 132 are attached is also prevented from increasing in size.

As described above, the spiral direction of the spiral groove 221 in which the brush body 230 is disposed is set so that when the brush rollers 131, 132 rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2, dust is sent out toward the tip. . Therefore, the brush body 230 can encourage the movement of dust toward the tip of the brush body 230 (that is, the direction toward the center position in the width direction of the suction space 110).

When the brush rollers 131, 132 are scraping dust off the floor surface, long pieces of dust (for example, hair) may wrap around the brush rollers 131, 132 (see FIG. 7). Since the brush rollers 131 and 132 have a tapered shape that becomes thinner toward the tips, the component force of the winding force of long dust tends to be directed toward the tips of the brush rollers 131 and 132. Therefore, long pieces of dust wrapped around the brush rollers 131, 132 can be moved toward the tips of the brush rollers 131, 132.

Since the spiral grooves 221 in which the brush bodies 230 are disposed are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the brush rollers 131 and 132, the brush rows constituted by the plurality of brush bristles 232 also extend around the circumference of the brush rollers 131 and 132. They are formed at intervals in the direction. Since the brush bristles 232 are not provided over the entire circumference of the brush rollers 131 and 132, the load on the drive mechanism does not become excessively large.

Although the shaft portion 210 and the holding body 220 are formed separately from each other, the recessed portion 227 of the holding body 220 engages with the convex portion 260 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210, so that the shaft portion 210 and the holding body 220 are formed separately from each other. An integral rotation of the holder 220 is ensured.

Since the shaft portion 210 is formed separately from the holder 220, the molding machine used to mold the shaft portion 210 does not need to have a mechanism for forming the spiral groove 221. Therefore, the molding machine for molding the shaft portion 210 does not need to have an overly complicated structure.

The spiral groove 221 of the holder 220 communicates with the internal space 318 of the holder 220 over a section between the distal end connection part 223 and the proximal end connection part 224. In this case, the spiral groove 221 and the inner surface of the holder 220 can be formed using a male mold 280 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the male mold 280 includes a truncated conical main body portion 281 having approximately the same shape as the outer shape of the shaft portion 210, and a plurality of spiral portions 282 that protrude spirally from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 281. have. The main body portion 281 is a portion that forms the inner surface of the holder 220, and the spiral portion 282 is a portion that forms the spiral groove 221.

The holder 220 can be molded by inserting the male mold 280 into a female mold (not shown) that molds the outer surface of the holder 220, and injecting resin into a cavity between the two. After molding the holder 220, the male mold 280 is pulled out of the female mold that molds the outer surface of the holder 220. Thereafter, by pulling out the holding body 220 from the male die 280 while relatively rotating it around the axis of the male die 280, the holding body 220 is separated from the male die 280. Since the spiral portion 282 is not provided in the female mold, the problem that the holder 220 remains in the female mold while being caught on the spiral portion 282 is unlikely to occur.

After the holder 220 and the shaft portion 210 are molded, the holder 220 and the shaft portion 210 are fitted together. Thereafter, the base band 231 of the brush body 230 is inserted into the spiral groove 221. Since the base band 231 has flexibility, the brush body 230 can be inserted up to the proximal connection portion 224 while curving along the spiral groove 221 . At this time, both side edges 233 of the base band 231 are sandwiched in the radial direction of the shaft portion 210 by the side edges 292 of the outer peripheral portions 226 of the adjacent holding pieces 222 and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210. Therefore, the brush body 230 is held on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 210 by the holding body 220 in a spirally extending state.

At this time, since the brush row formed by the plurality of brush bristles 232 protrudes from the spiral groove 221, it hits the proximal end connecting portion 224 and prevents the brush body 230 from moving toward the proximal end side. Thereafter, the tip cap 240 is attached to the tip of the holding body 220 and the shaft portion 210, thereby preventing the brush body 230 from moving toward the tip side.

When the brush bristles 232 rub against the floor surface, the brush bristles 232 receive external force from the floor surface. This external force is transmitted to the base band 231 on which the brush bristles 232 are implanted. This external force may act to tilt the baseband 231 around the axis of the baseband 231. In this case, one side edge 233 of the base band 231 is pressed against the side edge 292 of the outer peripheral portion 226 of the holding piece 222. At this time, since the inner circumferential portion 225 of the holding piece 222 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 210, the side edge portion 292 of the outer circumferential portion 226 of the holding piece 222 does not turn up from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 210. . That is, the side edge portion 233 of the base band 231 is maintained sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210 and the outer peripheral portion 226 of the holding piece 222, and the base band 231 is prevented from slipping out from the spiral groove 221.

Regarding the embodiment described above, the holding body 220 is configured using six holding pieces 222, but the holding body 220 may be formed from two or more holding pieces 222.

Regarding the embodiments described above, the brush body 230 is arranged in the helical groove 221. Alternatively, the brush body 230 may be fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the holding body 220 with an adhesive or the like.

Regarding the above embodiment, the holding body 220 has a cylindrical structure in which the plurality of holding pieces 222 are integrated by the distal end connecting portion 223 and the proximal end connecting portion 224. That is, in the above embodiment, the plurality of holding pieces 222 can be integrally attached to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210. Alternatively, the distal end connecting portion 223 and the proximal end connecting portion 224 may be omitted, and the holding pieces 222 may be configured to be individually attachable to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 210 (see FIG. 9).

The shaft portion 210 shown in FIG. 9 is formed into a tapered cylindrical shape that becomes thinner toward the tip at a constant taper angle. A plurality of engagement recesses 213 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210 in accordance with the arrangement positions of the plurality of holding pieces 222 . These engagement recesses 213 are used for attaching the plurality of holding pieces 222.

The plurality of holding pieces 222 are not connected to each other, and each of the plurality of holding pieces 222 is formed into a spiral plate shape elongated in the axial direction of the shaft portion 210. These holding pieces 222 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 210 and have a tapered cylindrical shape that becomes thinner toward the tip. It extends in a spiral shape so that it is arranged in a straight line.

The holding piece 222 has an engaging protrusion 228 that protrudes from the inner surface of the holding piece 222 (that is, the surface that comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 210). The engagement protrusion 228 is configured to be able to engage with the engagement recess 213 of the shaft portion 210.

The shape of the side surface 291 of the holding piece 222 is similar to that shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. A helical groove 221 (see FIG. 5) is formed between the side surfaces 291.

The plurality of holding pieces 222 may form a tapered cylindrical shape after being attached to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 210, and each of these holding pieces 222 has a plate shape when molded. . Therefore, the holding piece 222 can be easily molded.

When the split structure of the holding piece 222 as shown in FIG. ). In this case, the plurality of holding pieces 222 may be arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 210.

The spiral groove 221 has the same shape as the spiral groove 221 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. That is, the spiral groove 221 extends in a spiral shape. Further, in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the shaft portion 210, the spiral groove 221 forms a narrow groove width near the outer surface of the holding piece 222, and a wide groove on the shaft portion 210 side with respect to this narrow groove width portion. configured to form a width.

If the spiral groove 221 is formed in this way, when the base band 231 of the brush body 230 is inserted into the wide space, both side edges 233 of the base band 231 will be caught by the holding pieces 222 in the spiral groove 221. That is, the brush body 230 is held by the holding piece 222.

The holding body 220 in FIGS. 9 and 10 has a structure that can be divided into holding pieces 222 that are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 210 (that is, a circumferential dividing structure). Alternatively, the holding body 220 may have a structure in which the shaft portion 210 is divided in the axial direction (see FIG. 11).

The holder 220 shown in FIG. 11 includes holding cylinders 311 and 312 and a base end cylinder 313. The holding tubes 311, 312 and the proximal tube 313 are configured to be able to be fitted onto the shaft portion 210 shown in FIG. 5. That is, the holding cylinders 311 and 312 and the base end cylinder 313 are fitted onto the shaft part 210 in a state where they are connected in the axial direction of the shaft part 210.

The proximal tube 313 has a substantially cylindrical shape. On the other hand, the holding tubes 311 and 312 are formed into a tapered tube shape that becomes thinner toward the tip. The holding cylinders 311 and 312 are configured so that there is no step between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface, and when they are connected to and fitted onto the shaft portion 210, the entire holding cylinder has a tapered shape. is formed.

A plurality of straight grooves 314 to 316 extending linearly in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the shaft portion 210 are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the holding tubes 311, 312 and the proximal tube 313, respectively. The plurality of straight grooves 314 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the holding cylinder 311. The plurality of straight grooves 315 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the holding cylinder 312. The plurality of straight grooves 315 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the proximal tube 313. These straight grooves 314 to 316 have the same shape as the spiral groove 221 shown in FIG. 10 in a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the straight grooves 314 to 316.

Although the straight grooves 314 to 316 extend linearly, their extending angles are different from each other. Specifically, the straight grooves 314 to 316 are configured to be spirally connected when the holding cylinders 311, 312 and the base end cylinder 313 are connected in the axial direction of the shaft portion 210. Although these straight grooves 314 to 316 form curved groove spaces between the holding tubes 311 and 312 and between the holding tube 312 and the proximal tube 313, the base band 231 of the brush body 230 has flexibility. Therefore, it can be inserted along the bending groove portion 317. Therefore, the brush body 230 is disposed along the linear grooves 314 to 316 that are connected in a spiral manner and is held by the holding cylinders 311 and 312 and the base end cylinder 313.

Since the straight grooves 314 to 316 extend linearly, a mold part (not shown) used to form the straight grooves 314 to 316 when molding the holding tubes 311, 312 and the proximal tube 313 is used to form the straight grooves 314 to 316. can be pulled out linearly in the extending direction of the straight grooves 314 to 316. Therefore, the holding tubes 311, 312 and the proximal tube 313 can be easily molded.

Since the proximal tube 313 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is not tapered, even if it is molded integrally with the shaft portion 210, the molding machine used to mold the proximal tube 313 and the shaft portion 210 may not be used excessively. Don't complicate things. Therefore, the proximal tube 313 may be integrally molded with the shaft portion 210.

An additional holding tube may be used in place of the proximal tube 313. In this case, the additional holding cylinder is configured so that there is no step difference with respect to the holding cylinder 312 on the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface. The additional holding cylinders may be configured so that when they are connected to the holding cylinders 311 and 312 and fitted onto the outside of the shaft portion 210, they form a tapered cylinder as a whole.

The shaft portion 210 may be configured to position the holding tubes 311, 312 and the proximal tube 313 in the circumferential direction at positions where the straight grooves 314 to 316 are connected in a spiral manner. For example, the shaft portion 210 may have a cross-sectional shape like a spline shaft. In this case, the holding tubes 311 and 312 and the proximal tube 313 only need to have an inner peripheral shape complementary to the shaft portion 210.

Regarding the above embodiment, the holder 220 is a resin molded product. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12, the holding body 220 may be made of a sheet-like material formed in a substantially fan shape so as to be wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210. The sheet material has flexibility so that it can be deformed from a flat state to a curved shape wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210. The brush body 230 can be formed by planting a plurality of brush bristles 232 in a band shape on the flat holding body 220. The area where the plurality of brush bristles 232 are planted may be determined so that when the holder 220 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210, a spirally extending brush row is obtained.

When the holding body 220 is in a flat state, the brush bristles 232 can be easily planted on the holding body 220. Therefore, the holding body 220 holding the brush body 230 is easily formed. The brush roller 131 is easily created by wrapping the holding body 220 around the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 210.

The principle of this embodiment is suitably utilized in a device used for cleaning work.

131... Brush roller 132... Brush roller 210... Shaft portion 220... Holding body 221... Spiral groove 222... Holding piece 223. ...Tip connection part 224...Base end connection part 225...Inner circumference part 226...Outer circumference part 227...Recessed part 230...Brush body 231 ...Base band 232...Brush bristles 233...Side edge portion 260...Convex portion 291...Side surface 292...Side edge portion 311. ...Holding cylinder 312 ... Holding cylinder 314 ... Straight groove 315 ... Straight groove 316 ... Straight groove 318 ... Internal space

Claims (9)

A brush roller configured to scrape off dust while rolling,
a shaft portion having an outer circumferential surface that tapers toward the tip;
By being attached to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion so as to be adjacent to each other at intervals in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion, a helical groove extending spirally between a pair of side surfaces facing each other in the circumferential direction is formed. a pair of spiral plate-shaped holding pieces ;
a brush body extending spirally along the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and protruding from the spiral groove ;
The pair of holding pieces is a brush roller configured to hold the brush body on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion . The brush body includes a baseband and a plurality of brush bristles planted in the longitudinal direction of the baseband,
The pair of holding pieces each have an outer circumferential portion forming an outer circumferential side portion of the spiral groove, and an inner circumferential portion forming an inner circumferential side portion wider than the outer circumferential side portion of the spiral groove. have,
The baseband is wider than the outer circumferential portion of the spiral groove and is disposed between the inner circumferential portions,
The brush roller according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of brush bristles protrude from the spiral groove through a gap between the outer peripheral portions. The inner circumferential portions of the pair of holding pieces are fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion while being in surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion over the entire longitudinal direction of the pair of holding pieces. , The brush roller according to claim 2 . 1 . The brush roller further includes a distal end connecting portion that connects the distal end portions of the pair of holding pieces, and a proximal end connecting portion that connects proximal end portions of the pair of holding pieces. The brush roller according to any one of items 3 to 3 . The pair of holding pieces has a tapered cylindrical shape having a circular internal space in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the shaft portion,
The brush roller according to claim 4 , wherein the spiral groove is formed to communicate with the internal space over a section between the distal end connecting portion and the proximal end connecting portion. further comprising a convex portion protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion,
The brush roller according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the pair of holding pieces is formed with a recess that engages with the projection. The brush roller according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the shaft portion is configured such that a taper angle on a proximal end side is smaller than a taper angle on a distal end side. The brush roller according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the pair of holding pieces are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft part in a state where they are not connected to each other. A brush roller configured to scrape off dust while rolling,
a shaft portion having an outer circumferential surface that tapers toward the tip;
a plurality of plate-shaped holding pieces attached to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft part in a circumferential direction of the shaft part in a state where they are not connected to each other;
a plurality of brush bodies extending spirally along the outer peripheral surface of the holding piece ;
A spiral groove extending spirally is formed on the outer peripheral surface of each of the plurality of holding pieces,
A brush roller, wherein the plurality of brush bodies are arranged along the spiral groove and held by the plurality of holding pieces , respectively.

Images