JP7522457B2 - Vacuum cleaner extension tube and vacuum cleaner unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an extension tube for a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner unit.

Conventionally, a vacuum cleaner system similar to that disclosed in Patent Document 1 below has been provided. This vacuum cleaner system is said to include a vacuum cleaner and a support device for supporting the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner included in this vacuum cleaner system includes a main body having a handle, a suction tool for sucking up dirt, and a tube connecting the main body and the suction tool, and the support device is said to include a support. This vacuum cleaner system is configured such that when the vacuum cleaner is supported by the support device, the front side of the suction tool is positioned closer to the support than the rear side.

JP 2019-162232 A

Here, as in the vacuum cleaner of Patent Document 1, there is provided a vacuum cleaner that allows the battery provided in the vacuum cleaner body to be charged by connecting to a power source via an electrical current-carrying part, such as an electrical terminal or jack, provided on the vacuum cleaner body. However, with such a configuration, there is a problem that static electricity may be generated by providing an electrical current-carrying part on the vacuum cleaner body, which is easy for the user to hold or touch, and consideration must be given to the positioning of the electrical current-carrying part and other components, and separate measures must be taken against static electricity (hereinafter, for convenience, referred to as the "first problem").

Meanwhile, the vacuum cleaner system of Patent Document 1 is configured to charge the vacuum cleaner using a support device for supporting the vacuum cleaner. Because a connection terminal is provided on the vacuum cleaner body, the support device must be designed so that the height of the power supply terminal for connecting to the connection terminal matches the height at which the connection terminal is located. In this way, when charging the vacuum cleaner using a support device, there is an issue that the support device becomes larger (hereinafter, for convenience, referred to as the "second issue").

The present invention aims to provide an extension tube for a vacuum cleaner that allows power to be supplied from a position other than the vacuum cleaner body. The present invention also aims to provide a vacuum cleaner unit that allows the charging stand to be made smaller.

The extension tube of a vacuum cleaner in an embodiment of the present invention, which is provided to solve the first problem described above, is an extension tube of a vacuum cleaner for connecting a suction tool having a suction port for sucking in dust at one end in the axial direction of the tube and connecting a vacuum cleaner main body at the other end in the axial direction of the tube, and has a power receiving unit that receives and supplies power to be fed to a battery provided on the vacuum cleaner main body side, and is characterized in that the power receiving unit includes, at the other end in the axial direction of the tube, a first current conducting unit connected to the vacuum cleaner main body, a second current conducting unit provided closer to the one end in the axial direction of the tube than the first current conducting unit, and a power receiving wire that electrically connects the first current conducting unit and the second current conducting unit.

The extension tube of the electric vacuum cleaner in the embodiment of the present invention includes a power receiving section that receives and supplies power to a battery provided on the vacuum cleaner main body. In addition, the extension tube of the electric vacuum cleaner in the embodiment of the present invention has a first current conducting section connected to the vacuum cleaner main body at the other end in the tube axis direction, and a second current conducting section is provided on the one end side of the tube axis direction from the first current conducting section, so that power can be supplied to the battery via the power receiving line. Therefore, the extension tube of the electric vacuum cleaner in the embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to supply power to the battery from the second current conducting section located at a position separate from the vacuum cleaner main body.

The electric vacuum cleaner unit in an embodiment of the present invention includes a vacuum cleaner body having a battery, a suction tool having a suction port for sucking in dust, the above-mentioned extension tube, a third current conducting unit, and a charging stand having a charging mechanism for charging the battery, and the charging stand has a mounting section for mounting the suction tool, and a support section for supporting the extension tube and engaging with the extension tube, and is characterized in that, when the support section supports the extension tube and engages with the extension tube, the third current conducting unit and the second current conducting unit are electrically connected, and the charging mechanism supplies power from the third current conducting unit to the second current conducting unit to charge the battery.

The vacuum cleaner unit in the embodiment of the present invention is provided to primarily solve a second problem different from the first problem. That is, in the vacuum cleaner system of Patent Document 1, a connection terminal is provided on the vacuum cleaner body, and therefore the height of the power supply terminal for connecting to the connection terminal must be designed to match the height at which the connection terminal is located. This causes a problem of the charging base becoming larger.

The electric vacuum cleaner unit in the embodiment of the present invention, which is provided to solve the second problem, comprises a vacuum cleaner body having a battery, a suction tool having a suction port for sucking in dust, the extension tube, the third current conducting part, and a charging stand having a charging mechanism for charging the battery, the charging stand having a mounting part for mounting the suction tool and a support part for supporting the extension tube and engaging with the extension tube, the third current conducting part and the second current conducting part are electrically connected when the support part supports the extension tube and is engaged with the extension tube, and the charging mechanism supplies power from the third current conducting part to the second current conducting part to charge the battery.

In this way, by supporting and engaging the extension tube with the support pole of the charging stand, the second current-carrying part on the extension tube and the third current-carrying part on the charging stand can be electrically connected, and the battery can be charged by supplying power via the charging mechanism. Therefore, in the vacuum cleaner unit of the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide the third current-carrying part on the charging stand in accordance with the second current-carrying part, which is provided at a lower position than the vacuum cleaner body. This allows the charging stand to be made compact.

The present invention provides an extension tube for a vacuum cleaner that allows power to be supplied from a position other than the vacuum cleaner body. The present invention also provides a vacuum cleaner unit that allows the charging stand to be made smaller.

1 is a side view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view showing a suction tool included in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 with the top surface side of the case body removed. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a charging stand provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an extension tube provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 . 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the other end side in the pipe axis direction of an extension pipe provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one end side in the tube axial direction of an extension tube provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 with a front cover part removed; FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which a front cover portion of an extension tube included in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 is removed. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an enlarged view of one end side in the tube axis direction of an extension tube provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an extension pipe provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in the vicinity of a cross-direction wiring portion. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an extension tube provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 is viewed from one end side in a tube axis direction. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the vicinity of an installation portion at one end side in the pipe axis direction of an extension pipe provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a power receiving unit and a power supply unit provided on an extension tube included in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 . 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a support column of a charging stand provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 . 2 is an enlarged plan view of a support column of the charging stand included in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 . 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the configuration of an extension tube including a second electric current conducting portion according to a modified example, and a charging stand including a third electric current conducting portion according to a modified example.

The following describes in detail the vacuum cleaner unit 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the overall configuration of the vacuum cleaner unit 1 is first outlined, and then the main parts are described in more detail. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationships in the vertical and width directions are described based on the vacuum cleaner unit 1 being erected as shown in FIG. 1.

<Overall configuration of the vacuum cleaner unit 1>
As shown in Fig. 1, the vacuum cleaner unit 1 is a vacuum cleaner having a stick-shaped (vertical) appearance. The vacuum cleaner unit 1 can be, for example, a rechargeable type or a type that obtains power from an external power source via a power cord. The vacuum cleaner unit 1 includes a vacuum cleaner main body 10, a dust collection section 20 (dust collection device), an extension tube 30 (tube section), a suction tool 70, and a charging stand 90.

The vacuum cleaner main body 10 forms the main body of the vacuum cleaner unit 1 and is the part that exerts suction power and performs the function of collecting dust. Specifically, the vacuum cleaner main body 10 includes, inside the main body case 12 that forms the housing, an electric blower 14 for sucking in air and generating an airflow, a drive circuit for driving other electronic components, and other components.

The vacuum cleaner body 10 also includes a grip portion 16. The grip portion 16 is a portion provided for a user of the vacuum cleaner unit 1 to grip the vacuum cleaner body 10. That is, the vacuum cleaner unit 1 is configured so that the user can grip the vacuum cleaner body 10, for example, by passing the user's fingers, excluding the thumb, through an opening portion formed by the grip portion 16. More specifically, a battery section 17 in which a battery 17a is disposed is provided on one end side of the vacuum cleaner body 10, one end of the grip portion 16 is connected to the battery section 17 and extends away from the battery section 17, and the other end of the grip portion 16 is connected forward of the electric blower 14.

The dust collection section 20 is a section where dust sucked by the vacuum cleaner unit 1 is collected. The dust collection section 20 may be of the cyclone type or the paper bag type. The dust collection section 20 is provided so as to be continuous with the vacuum cleaner body 10. An extension tube 30 or a suction tool 70 can be connected to the lower end side along the dust collection section 20.

The extension tube 30 is a cylindrical member that detachably connects the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the suction tool 70. One end of the extension tube 30 is shaped so that it can be inserted into the tube connection part 22, and the other end is shaped so that it can be connected to the suction tool 70. By connecting the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the suction tool 70 via the extension tube 30, a continuous path (air passage) can be formed from the suction tool 70 to the vacuum cleaner body 10. The extension tube 30 is a distinctive part of the vacuum cleaner unit 1, and the configuration of each part will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the suction tool 70 includes a case body 72 and a joint part 74. The suction tool 70 has an inlet 73 at the bottom of the case body 72, and includes components such as a rotating cleaning body 76, a rotating body drive device 77, and a cleaning body drive mechanism 78 inside the case body 72. The suction tool 70 can be driven by supplying power supplied from the battery 17a to a rotating body drive device 77 consisting of a motor or the like via the suction tool connection terminals 75a and 75b. The power generated in the rotating body drive device 77 is transmitted to the rotating cleaning body 76 via the cleaning body drive mechanism 78. This causes the rotating cleaning body 76 to rotate. The case body 72 is a part that is placed on the floor during cleaning, and has a shape that is long in the left-right direction compared to the front-back direction, which is the direction in which the user operates the device during cleaning. Inside the case body 72, an suction space is formed with the floor side as the open end, for sucking in air and dust from the outside. The joint part 74 is attached to the case body 72 so as to be rotatable within a predetermined range of rotation (front-back and left-right directions). The joint part 74 is the part to which the end of the extension tube 30 described above is connected. The joint part 74 is cylindrical, and its internal space is connected to the suction space. The joint part 74 is designed to be fitted into the case body 72 by being in an upright position.

The charging stand 90 allows the battery 17a to be charged by placing the vacuum cleaner main body 10 with the extension tube 30 and suction tool 70 attached thereto. The charging stand 90 has a placement section 94 on which the suction tool 70 is placed, and a support section 96 that supports the extension tube 30. The charging stand 90 is a distinctive part of the vacuum cleaner unit 1, and the configuration of each part will be described in detail later.

The vacuum cleaner unit 1 is generally configured as described above. The vacuum cleaner unit 1 is characterized by the extension tube 30 and the charging stand 90. The structure of each part of the vacuum cleaner unit 1 will be described in more detail below.

<About the extension tube 30>
As described above, the extension tube 30 is a tube for an electric vacuum cleaner for connecting the suction tool 70 to one end in the axial direction of the tube and connecting the vacuum cleaner main body 10 to the other end in the axial direction of the tube. The extension tube 30 has an overall view as shown in Fig. 4, and each part has a characteristic configuration as shown in each of Figs. 5 to 12. As shown in each of Figs. 4 to 12, the extension tube 30 includes a tube part 32, a cover part 34, a power receiving part 36 (see Fig. 12), a power supply part 38 (see Fig. 12), and an installation part 40.

The tube section 32 is a tube that forms an air passage from the suction tool 70 to the vacuum cleaner body 10. The tube section 32 is composed of a hollow tube that extends in a substantially straight line from one end side in the tube axis direction (the side connected to the suction tool 70) to the other end side in the tube axis direction (the side connected to the vacuum cleaner body 10). As shown in FIG. 6, the tube section 32 has an expanded diameter section 32a that is expanded in diameter via a step section 32b on the one end side in the tube axis direction. This allows the fitting section 74 of the suction tool 70 to be inserted into the expanded diameter section 32a.

4 and 5, the cover portion 34 has a front cover portion 34a and a rear cover portion 34b. The front cover portion 34a is attached to the portion of the tube portion 32 that is the front side when the tube portion 32 is connected to the vacuum cleaner body 10. The front cover portion 34a is attached from one end side in the tube axis direction to the other end side in the tube axis direction. The rear cover portion 34b is the portion of the tube portion 32 that is the rear side when the tube portion 32 is connected to the vacuum cleaner body 10. The rear cover portion 34b is the portion of the extension tube 30 at one end side in the tube axis direction (the connection side of the suction tool 70). In this embodiment, the rear cover portion 34b is a part of the tube portion 32 (an integrated part), but it may be configured to be attached to the tube portion 32 and integrated by combining with the front cover portion 34a.

In addition, a wiring section 33 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tube section 32 and the inner peripheral surface of the cover section 34. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the wiring section 33 is a space used for wiring the power receiving wire 46 and the power supply line 56, which will be described in detail later. The wiring section 33 has a tube axis direction wiring section 33a and a cross direction wiring section 33b (communicating section). The tube axis direction wiring section 33a is a space for arranging the power receiving wire 46 and the power supply line 56 along the tube axis direction of the tube section 32 between the tube section 32 and the front cover section 34a. In addition, the cross direction wiring section 33b is a space that communicates in a direction crossing the tube axis direction to arrange the power receiving wire 46. The cross-direction wiring portion 33b may be formed by providing a through hole or a groove in at least one of the pipe portion 32 or the cover portion 34, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 6, 7, and 9, the space formed between the pipe portion 32 and the cover portion 34 at the other end side in the pipe axis direction (the vacuum cleaner body 10 side) of the portion where the step portion 32b is provided in the pipe portion 32 is the cross-direction wiring portion 33b. In addition, the cross-direction wiring portion 33b is formed so as to be continuous or communicated with the pipe axis direction wiring portion 33a. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 to 9, the cross-direction wiring portion 33b and the communication hole 33c are provided in the rear cover portion 34b. This allows the power receiving wire 46 to be routed from the front side of the pipe portion 32 to the rear side (the side of the arrangement portion 40). It can also be expressed that the communication hole 33c is provided in the rear cover portion 34b at a position facing the arrangement portion 40 described in detail.

The power receiving unit 36 is provided to receive power for charging the battery 17a provided in the vacuum cleaner body 10 described above. As shown in FIG. 12, the power receiving unit 36 has a first current conducting unit 42, a second current conducting unit 44, and a power receiving wire 46.

5 and 7, the first conductive part 42 is provided on the other end side of the extension tube 30 in the tube axis direction (the connection side of the vacuum cleaner body 10). The first conductive part 42 has first terminals 42a and 42b. The first terminals 42a and 42b are held or covered between the tube part 32 and the front cover part 34a. The first terminals 42a and 42b are provided corresponding to a connection terminal (not shown) electrically connected to the battery 17a on the vacuum cleaner body 10 side. The first terminals 42a and 42b can be electrically connected to the connection terminal on the vacuum cleaner body 10 side by connecting the extension tube 30 to the vacuum cleaner body 10. The first terminals 42a and 42b may be any terminals that can be electrically connected to the terminal on the vacuum cleaner body 10 side. In this embodiment, male terminals are used as the first terminals 42a and 42b, and female terminals are used as the connection terminal on the vacuum cleaner body 10 side.

8 and 11, the second current-carrying portion 44 is provided on the one end side of the tube axis direction of the extension tube 30 (the connection side of the suction tool 70) from the first current-carrying portion 42. The second current-carrying portion 44 is connected to a third current-carrying portion 98 provided on the charging base 90 side, which will be described in detail later. The second current-carrying portion 44 has second terminals 44a and 44b. The second terminals 44a and 44b are provided corresponding to the first terminals 42a and 42b, respectively. As shown in FIG. 8, the second terminals 44a and 44b are provided on the receiving wire 46 that is drawn out to the outside of the cover portion 34 through the communication hole 33c provided in the rear cover portion 34b. Also, as shown in FIG. 8 and 11, the second terminals 44a and 44b are arranged inside the arrangement portion 40, which will be described in detail later. The second terminals 44a, 44b may be any terminal that can be electrically connected to a terminal on the third current-carrying section 98 side provided on the charging base 90 side, which will be described in detail later. In this embodiment, a male terminal is used as the connection terminal on the charging base 90 side, so the second terminals 44a, 44b are female terminals.

12, the receiving wire 46 is a wiring that electrically connects the first current-carrying portion 42 and the second current-carrying portion 44. In this embodiment, the receiving wires 46a and 46b are provided in correspondence with the first terminals 42a and 42b provided as the first current-carrying portion 42 and the second terminals 44a and 44b provided as the second current-carrying portion 44. The receiving wire 46a connects the first terminal 42a to the second terminal 44a, and the receiving wire 46b connects the first terminal 42b to the second terminal 44b. The receiving wires 46 (46a and 46b) are arranged in the wiring section 33. Specifically, the receiving wire 46 is arranged from the first current-carrying portion 42 along the tube axis direction in the tube axis direction wiring section 33a, and is arranged in a direction intersecting the tube axis direction in the intersecting direction wiring section 33b.

The power supply unit 38 is provided to supply power to the suction tool 70 from the battery 17a provided in the vacuum cleaner body 10. The power supply unit 38 has a configuration generally similar to that of the power receiving unit 36. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the power supply unit 38 has a fourth current conducting unit 52, a fifth current conducting unit 54, and a power supply line 56.

5 and 7, the fourth current-carrying part 52 is provided on the other end side of the extension tube 30 in the tube axis direction (the connection side of the vacuum cleaner body 10) in the same manner as the first current-carrying part 42 described above. The fourth current-carrying part 52 has fourth terminals 52a and 52b. The fourth terminals 52a and 52b are held or covered between the tube part 32 and the front cover part 34a. The fourth terminals 52a and 52b are provided in correspondence with a connection terminal (not shown) for power supply (power output) electrically connected to the battery 17a on the vacuum cleaner body 10 side. The fourth terminals 52a and 52b can be electrically connected to the connection terminal on the vacuum cleaner body 10 side by connecting the extension tube 30 to the vacuum cleaner body 10. The fourth terminals 52a and 52b may be any terminal that can be electrically connected to the terminal on the vacuum cleaner body 10 side. In this embodiment, male terminals are used as the fourth terminals 52a and 52b, and a female terminal is used as the connection terminal on the vacuum cleaner body 10 side.

6, 7, and 10, the fifth current conducting part 54 is provided on the one end side of the extension tube 30 in the tube axis direction (the connection side of the suction tool 70) from the fourth current conducting part 52. The fifth current conducting part 54 is connected to a connection terminal provided on the suction tool 70 to supply power to the electrical components of the suction tool 70. Such electrical components are, for example, the rotor drive device 77 and a control part (control board) for controlling the rotor drive device 77. The fifth current conducting part 54 has fifth terminals 54a and 54b. The fifth terminals 54a and 54b are fixed to groove-shaped arrangement parts provided on the front side of the tube part 32. The fifth terminals 54a and 54b are provided corresponding to the fourth terminals 52a and 52b, respectively. The fifth terminals 54a, 54b are different from the second terminals 44a, 44b described above, and are provided at positions that allow electrical connection to the connection terminals (suction tool connection terminals 75a, 75b) on the suction tool 70 side by connecting the suction tool 70 to the extension tube 30. In this embodiment, the connection terminals provided on the suction tool 70 are male, so the fifth terminals 54a, 54b are female terminals.

12, the power supply line 56 is a wiring that electrically connects the fourth current supply portion 52 and the fifth current supply portion 54. In this embodiment, the power supply lines 56a and 56b are provided in correspondence with the fourth terminals 52a and 52b provided as the fourth current supply portion 52 and the fifth terminals 54a and 54b provided as the fifth current supply portion 54. The power supply line 56a connects the fourth terminal 52a to the fifth terminal 54a, and the power supply line 56b connects the fourth terminal 52b to the fifth terminal 54b. The power supply lines 56 (56a and 56b) are arranged in the wiring section 33. Specifically, the power supply line 56 is arranged so as to extend from the fourth current supply portion 52 along the tube axis in the tube axis direction wiring section 33a and reach the fifth current supply portion 54.

As shown in Figures 4, 6, 10, etc., the mounting portion 40 is provided on the back side of the extension tube 30. The mounting portion 40 is provided with the second terminals 44a, 44b of the second current-carrying portion 44 described above. Therefore, the mounting portion 40 is provided at a position corresponding to the communication hole 33c provided on the back side of the extension tube 30. In other words, the mounting portion 40 is provided at one end side of the extension tube 30 in the tube axis direction (the side connected to the suction tool 70). The mounting portion 40 is also capable of engaging with the support portion 96 of the charging stand 90, which will be described in detail later, to form an engagement structure.

The arrangement portion 40 has a receiving portion 60 that is provided so as to bulge toward the back side of the extension tube 30. The arrangement portion 40 is configured to have second terminals 44a, 44b arranged inside the receiving portion 60. The receiving portion 60 is hollow and has a first opening 62 that is open toward one side in the tube axis direction (the side connected to the suction tool 70). Therefore, the arrangement portion 40 can engage the extension tube 30 with the support portion 96 of the charging base 90 by inserting the first protrusion portion 110 provided on the support portion 96 of the charging base 90 into the receiving portion 60 through the first opening 62. That is, the arrangement portion 40 has a function of arranging the second current-carrying portion 44, as well as a function as an engaged portion for engaging the extension tube 30 with the support portion 96.

When the mounting portion 40 is engaged with the support portion 96 of the charging base 90, the mounting portion 40 has a second opening 64 on the contact surface 60a on the side facing the support portion 96. The second opening 64 is an opening that allows the third current-carrying portion 98 provided on the charging base 90 to be connected to the second current-carrying portion 44 arranged inside the receiving portion 60.

The mounting portion 40 has a terminal opening 66 on the surface on the rear side of the extension tube 30 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the second opening 64 is provided). The terminal opening 66 is an opening for allowing the third terminals 98a, 98b of the third current-carrying portion 98, which will be described later, to be inserted into and removed from the second terminals 44a, 44b of the second current-carrying portion 44. The terminal opening 66 is open toward one side in the tube axis direction (the side connected to the suction tool 70) and toward the second opening 64 side. As a result, the third terminals 98a, 98b are inserted into one side of the terminal opening 66 in the tube axis direction, and the third terminals 98a, 98b are fixed to the second opening 64 side of the terminal opening 66.

<About the charging station 90>
The vacuum cleaner unit 1 also has a characteristic configuration for the charging base 90 in correspondence with the above-mentioned extension tube 30. As shown in Fig. 3, the charging base 90 has a mounting portion 94 and a support portion 96 that constitute a charging base main body 92, and is provided with a third current-carrying portion 98 and a charging mechanism 100 on the mounting portion 94 and a support portion 96.

The mounting portion 94 is a base for mounting the suction tool 70. The mounting portion 94 has a stopper 102 on the front side. The stopper 102 is formed so as to protrude upward from the top surface side of the mounting portion 94. The stopper 102 is also formed so as to extend in the width direction of the mounting portion 94. Therefore, the stopper 102 can be positioned so that the suction tool 70 placed on the top surface of the mounting portion 94 does not move beyond the stopper 102 to the front side.

The support portion 96 is a support-shaped portion that is erected in the vertical direction on the back side of the mounting portion 94 (the side opposite the stopper 102). The support portion 96 is a portion that engages with and supports the extension tube 30 connected to the suction tool 70 placed on the mounting portion 94. Specifically, the support portion 96 can support the extension tube 30 by engaging the receiving portion 60 that forms the installation portion 40 of the extension tube 30 with the engagement portion 104 provided on the upper end side.

13 and 14, the engagement portion 104 has four protrusions consisting of a first protrusion 110, a second protrusion 112, a third protrusion 114, and a fourth protrusion 116. The first protrusion 110 is a protrusion-like portion formed to extend in the width direction on the front side of the support portion 96. The first protrusion 110 is a portion that is inserted into the receiving portion 60 through the first opening 62 provided in the extension tube 30 described above. The second protrusion 112 is provided so as to face the first protrusion 110 at a predetermined interval inside the space 120 that is open toward the front side and the top surface side at the upper end side of the support portion 96. The third protrusion 114 is a protrusion-like portion that is arranged to intersect with the first protrusion 110. The third protrusion 114 is arranged inside the space 120, similar to the second protrusion 112. In addition, the first protrusion 110 and the third protrusion 114 may be spaced apart, but in this embodiment, the third protrusion 114 is connected to the first protrusion 110 at the middle of the width direction of the first protrusion 110. Therefore, the first protrusion 110 and the third protrusion 114 are formed in a substantially "T" shape in a plan view. In addition, the fourth protrusion 116 is provided on the surface of the first protrusion 110 facing the space 120 so as to protrude toward the inside of the space 120. The fourth protrusion 116 is provided at a position opposite the second protrusion 112.

The space 120 is a portion in which the second protrusion 112 and the third protrusion 114 are arranged. The upper edge of the space 120 is provided with a chamfered portion 120a, for example, in a tapered shape, in order to easily guide the receiving portion 60 provided on the extension tube 30. The opening width on the front side of the space 120 is equal to or greater than the width of the receiving portion 60 provided on the extension tube 30. The width of the third protrusion 114 described above is equal to or less than the width of the second opening 64 formed in the receiving portion 60 in the extension tube 30. The second protrusion 112 is provided on both sides of the third protrusion 114 in the width direction. Therefore, by inserting the receiving portion 60 in the extension tube 30 aiming at the space 120, the abutment surface 60a of the receiving portion 60 enters between the first protrusion 110 and the second protrusion 112, and the third protrusion 114 enters the second opening 64 provided in the abutment surface 60a. This causes the receiving portion 60 provided on the extension tube 30 side to engage with the engagement portion 104 provided on the support portion 96 side.

The third current-carrying portion 98 has third terminals 98a and 98b. The third terminals 98a and 98b are blade-shaped terminals. The third terminals 98a and 98b are arranged to intersect with the first protrusion 110 and protrude forward from the first protrusion 110. The third terminals 98a and 98b are arranged to be symmetrical with respect to the third protrusion 114 when the first protrusion 110 is viewed from the front. The third terminals 98a and 98b are arranged closer to the center in the width direction (the third protrusion 114 side) than the second protrusion 112 and the fourth protrusion 116. The third terminals 98a and 98b are each connected to the charging mechanism 100.

The charging mechanism 100 supplies power to the third current-carrying unit 98 using power supplied from an external power source. The control board and other components of the charging mechanism 100 are built into the charging stand main body 92 (e.g., the mounting portion 94, the support portion 96, etc.) that constitutes the charging stand 90.

<Characteristic configurations and effects of the vacuum cleaner unit 1 and the extension tube 30>
Next, the characteristic configurations of the above-mentioned vacuum cleaner unit 1 and extension tube 30 and the effects of these configurations will be described.

(1) The extension tube 30 of this embodiment is for connecting a suction tool 70 having a suction port 73 for sucking in dust at one end in the axial direction of the tube, and for connecting a vacuum cleaner main body 10 at the other end in the axial direction of the tube, and has a power receiving unit 36 that receives and supplies power to be supplied to a battery 17a provided in the vacuum cleaner main body 10, and is characterized in that, at the other end in the axial direction of the tube, the power receiving unit 36 is provided with a first current receiving unit 42 for supplying power to the battery 17a provided in the vacuum cleaner main body 10, a second current receiving unit 44 provided on the other side of the one end in the axial direction of the tube, and a power receiving wire 46 that electrically connects the first current receiving unit 42 and the second current receiving unit 44.

The extension tube 30 described above includes a power receiving section 36 that receives and supplies power for supplying power to the battery 17a provided on the side of the vacuum cleaner main body 10. In addition, by connecting the first current conducting section 42 at the other end side in the tube axis direction to the battery 17a provided on the side of the vacuum cleaner main body 10, the extension tube 30 is in a state in which power can be supplied to the battery 17a via the power receiving wire 46 from the second current conducting section 44 provided on the one end side in the tube axis direction from the first current conducting section 42. Therefore, according to the extension tube 30 described above, it is possible to supply power to the battery 17a from the second current conducting section 44 located at a position separate from the vacuum cleaner main body 10.
Furthermore, with this configuration, it is possible to prevent the generation of static electricity by avoiding the need to provide a conductive part on the vacuum cleaner body, which is easily gripped or touched by the user.

(2) The extension tube 30 of this embodiment comprises a tube section 32 that forms an air passage, and a cover section 34 for arranging a power receiving wire 46 between the tube section 32, and has a cross-direction routing section 33b (connecting section) that communicates in a direction intersecting the tube axis direction between the tube section 32, the cover section 34, or between the tube section 32 and the cover section 34, and is characterized in that the power receiving wire 46 is routed through the cross-direction routing section 33b to electrically connect the first current conducting section 42 and the second current conducting section 44.

With this configuration, it is possible to route the power receiving wire 46 not only along the tube axis direction of the extension tube 30, but also in a direction intersecting the tube axis direction via the intersecting direction routing section 33b. Therefore, with the above-mentioned configuration, the degree of freedom in arranging the second current conducting section 44 relative to the first current conducting section 42 is improved. In addition, for example, when the second current conducting section 44 is provided on the rear cover section 34b, the second current conducting section 44 can be hidden by the tube section 32 when viewed from the front side, thereby improving the design.

In this embodiment, the cross-direction routing section 33b passes between the tube section 32 and the cover section 34 and communicates in a direction crossing the tube axis direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the extension tube 30 may be configured such that the power receiving wire 46 can be routed in a direction crossing the tube axis direction by providing a through hole or groove in at least one of the tube section 32 or the cover section 34. Also, for example, in cases where it is not necessary to route the power receiving wire 46 in a direction crossing the tube axis direction, the extension tube 30 may not have the cross-direction routing section 33b.

(3) Here, the problem solved by the extension tube 30 of this embodiment is, for example, that a current-carrying part must be provided on the vacuum cleaner main body, which may generate static electricity when the user grips or touches it, and this requires consideration of the placement of the current-carrying part and other components, and requires separate measures against static electricity. On the other hand, the vacuum cleaner unit 1 of this embodiment can solve a problem completely different from the problem solved by the extension tube 30 of this embodiment. Specifically, in the vacuum cleaner system of Patent Document 1, a connection terminal is provided on the vacuum cleaner main body, and therefore the height of the power supply terminal for connecting to the connection terminal must be designed to match the height at which the connection terminal is located. This causes the charging stand to become larger.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem of the charging stand becoming larger, the vacuum cleaner unit 1 of this embodiment includes a vacuum cleaner body 10 having a battery 17a, a suction tool 70 having an inlet 73 for sucking in dust, the above-mentioned extension tube 30, a third current-carrying part 98, and a charging stand 90 having a charging mechanism 100 for charging the battery 17a. The charging stand 90 has a mounting part 94 for placing the suction tool 70, and a support part 96 that supports the extension tube 30 and engages with the extension tube 30. When the support part 96 supports the extension tube 30 and engages with the extension tube 30, the third current-carrying part 98 and the second current-carrying part 44 are electrically connected, and the charging mechanism 100 supplies power from the third current-carrying part 98 to the second current-carrying part 44 to charge the battery 17a.

In the vacuum cleaner unit 1 exemplified in this embodiment, the extension tube 30 is supported and engaged with the support column 96 of the charging base 90, thereby electrically connecting the second current-carrying part 44 on the extension tube 30 to the third current-carrying part 98 of the charging base 90, and power is supplied by the charging mechanism 100 to charge the battery 17a. Therefore, in the vacuum cleaner unit 1 in this embodiment, the third current-carrying part 98 can be provided on the charging base 90 in accordance with the second current-carrying part 44, which is provided at a lower position than the vacuum cleaner body 10. This allows the charging base 90 to be made compact.
The vacuum cleaner unit 1 exemplified in this embodiment is equipped with the above-mentioned extension tube 30. Therefore, the above-mentioned vacuum cleaner unit 1 can be electrically connected to the charging mechanism 100 at a position separate from the vacuum cleaner body 10 to supply power to the battery 17a.

(4) The vacuum cleaner unit 1 of this embodiment is characterized in that it includes an installation portion 40 for installing the second conductive portion 44, and the installation portion 40 forms an engagement structure that engages with the support portion 96.

With this configuration, the engagement structure formed by the mounting portion 40 and the support portion 96 ensures that the second current-carrying portion 44 is securely connected to the third current-carrying portion 98, allowing the battery 17a to be charged.

In this embodiment, an example (receiving portion 60) is shown in which the arrangement portion 40 in which the second electric current portion 44 is arranged is used as a structure for engaging with the support portion 96, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the arrangement portion 40 in which the second electric current portion 44 is arranged may not be provided with the receiving portion 60, and one of the engagement structures for engaging with the support portion 96 may be provided on the extension tube 30. For example, a housing portion that clamps the extension tube 30 so as to cover a part of it from the radial direction may be provided on the support portion 96, and the housing portion may be provided with an engagement structure that engages with the extension tube 30 from the radial direction, and a third electric current portion 98 that is connected to the second electric current portion 44 in the arrangement portion 40 may be provided.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example is described in which an arrangement portion 40 is provided in which the second current-carrying portion 44 is arranged, but the second current-carrying portion 44 may be arranged between the tube portion 32 and the rear cover portion 34b. In such a case, the second current-carrying portion 44 may be exposed on the outer surface of the rear cover portion 34b, or may have a terminal opening for inserting the third current-carrying portion 98.

(5) The vacuum cleaner unit 1 of this embodiment is characterized in that the mounting portion 40 has a hollow receiving portion 60 in which a first opening 62 is arranged so as to face one side in the pipe axis direction, and the support portion 96 has a first protrusion portion 110 (protrusion portion) that is inserted into the receiving portion 60 through the first opening 62.

According to this configuration, the extension tube 30 can be engaged with the support section 96 by positioning the extension tube 30 relative to the support section 96 so that the first protrusion 110 provided on the support section 96 side is inserted into the receiving section 60 that constitutes the installation section 40 of the extension tube 30.

(6) The vacuum cleaner unit 1 of this embodiment is characterized in that a third conductive part 98 is provided on the first protrusion 110.

With this configuration, it is possible to connect the second current-carrying part 44 and the third current-carrying part 98 provided in the installation part 40 by engaging the extension tube 30 with the support part 96. This makes it possible to easily and reliably connect the second current-carrying part 44 and the third current-carrying part 98.

(7) The vacuum cleaner unit 1 of this embodiment is characterized in that the receiving portion 60 has a second opening 64 on the side facing the support portion 96, and the third conductive portion 98 is connected to the second conductive portion 44 via the second opening 64.

This configuration allows the second current-carrying part 44 and the third current-carrying part 98 to be connected inside the receiving part 60. This further improves the safety of the connection work between the second current-carrying part 44 and the third current-carrying part 98.

The configuration of the vacuum cleaner unit 1 and the extension tube 30 described above merely shows one embodiment of the present invention and a modified example, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the modified example, an example was shown in which the engagement portion 104 is provided with four protrusions consisting of the first protrusion 110, the second protrusion 112, the third protrusion 114, and the fourth protrusion 116, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, it may be one that only has the first protrusion 110, or one that does not have any one or more of the protrusions other than the first protrusion 110 (the second protrusion 112, the third protrusion 114, and the fourth protrusion 116).

In the above embodiment, the first current-carrying portion 42, the second current-carrying portion 44, the third current-carrying portion 98, the fourth current-carrying portion 52, and the fifth current-carrying portion 54 are shown as male terminals or female terminals, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, some or all of these may be of a type that conducts electricity by contacting metal terminals with each other, or may be capable of conducting electricity wirelessly. Furthermore, some or all of these current-carrying portions may be of a conventionally known jack or plug. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, a jack 44x may be provided as the second current-carrying portion 44, and a plug 98x may be provided as the third current-carrying portion 98 at a position that can be connected to the jack 44x that constitutes the second current-carrying portion 44 when the extension tube 30 is engaged with the support portion 96. In the configuration shown in FIG. 15, the jack 44x may be provided on the support portion 96, and the plug 98x may be provided on the extension tube 30.

In the above embodiment, the first terminals 42a, 42b constituting the first current-carrying portion 42 and the fourth terminals 52a, 52b constituting the fourth current-carrying portion 52 are provided at the other end side of the extension tube 30 in the tube axis direction, and the position in the circumferential direction of the tube portion 30 that intersects with the imaginary cross section passing through the tube axis is set as the reference position. The first terminal 42a and the fourth terminal 52a are arranged in this order on one side of the reference position (one side in the direction intersecting with the tube axis when viewed from the front cover portion 34a), and the fourth terminal 52b and the first terminal 42b are arranged in this order on the other side opposite to the one side of the reference position (the other side in the direction intersecting with the tube axis when viewed from the front cover portion 34a). However, the order is not limited to this. It is sufficient to arrange the first terminal 42a and the fourth terminal 52a on one side of the reference position, and the first terminal 42b and the fourth terminal 52b on the other side of the reference position. The reason for this configuration is to prevent short circuits between the terminals as much as possible when the terminals are bent or dust accumulates between the terminals by separating the first terminals 42a and 42b and the fourth terminals 52a and 52b, but the distance between these terminals can be changed as appropriate. Alternatively, for example, the pair of first terminals 42a and 42b that constitute the first current-carrying portion 42 may be arranged side by side on one side of the reference position, and the pair of fourth terminals 52a and 52b that constitute the fourth current-carrying portion 52 may be arranged side by side on the other side of the reference position.

In the above embodiment, the first electric current section 42, the fourth electric current section 52, and the fifth electric current section 54 are arranged on the front side of the tube section 32, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Modifications 1 to 7 can be considered by changing the positions of the first electric current section 42, the fourth electric current section 52, and the fifth electric current section 54. Here, a configuration in which the first electric current section 42 and the fourth electric current section 52 are arranged on the front side of the tube section 32 at the other end in the tube axis direction is called configuration A, a configuration in which one of the first electric current section 42 and the fourth electric current section 52 is arranged on the front side of the tube section 32 and the other is arranged on the back side of the tube section 32 at the other end in the tube axis direction is called configuration B, and a configuration in which the first electric current section 42 and the fourth electric current section 52 are arranged on the back side of the tube section 32 at the other end in the tube axis direction is called configuration C. In configurations A to C, when at least one of the first current conducting section 42 or the fourth current conducting section 52 is arranged on the back side of the tube section 32, the back cover sections 34b1 to 34b6 are provided so that at least one of the power supply line 56 or the power receiving line 46 is arranged between the tube section 32. A configuration in which the fifth current conducting section 54 is arranged on the front side of the tube section 32 at one end in the tube axis direction is configuration D, and a configuration in which the fifth current conducting section 54 is arranged on the back side of the tube section 32 at one end in the tube axis direction is configuration E.

In variant 1, configurations A and E are combined. In this configuration, the power supply line 56 together with the power receiving line 46 can be routed from the front side to the back side of the pipe section 32 using the cross-direction routing section 33b.

Modifications 2 to 5 are combinations of configuration B with configurations D and E. In modification 2, which is a combination of configurations B and D in which the first current conducting portion 42 is arranged on the front side of the pipe portion 32 and the fourth current conducting portion 52 is arranged on the back side of the pipe portion 32, a back side cover portion 34b1 that holds or covers the fourth current conducting portion 52 on the back side of the pipe portion 32 may be provided. Then, the cross direction routing portion 33b may be used to route the power supply line 56 from the back side to the front side of the pipe portion 32.

In addition, in variant example 3, which is a combination of configurations B and E in which the first current conducting portion 42 is disposed on the front side of the tube portion 32 and the fourth current conducting portion 52 is disposed on the rear side of the tube portion 32, a rear cover portion 34b2 may be provided on the rear side of the tube portion 32 to hold or cover the fourth current conducting portion 52 and the fifth current conducting portion 54.

In addition, in Modification Example 4, which is a combination of Configurations B and D in which the fourth current conducting portion 52 is disposed on the front side of the pipe portion 32 and the first current conducting portion 42 is disposed on the back side of the pipe portion 32, a back cover portion 34b3 may be provided to hold or cover the first current conducting portion 42 on the back side of the pipe portion 32. In this form, there is no need to route the power receiving wire 46 from the front side to the back side of the pipe portion 32, so the cross-direction routing portion 33b is unnecessary.

In addition, in variant example 5, which is a combination of configurations B and E in which the fourth current conducting portion 52 is arranged on the front side of the pipe portion 32 and the first current conducting portion 42 is arranged on the back side of the pipe portion 32, a back cover portion 34b4 that holds or covers the first current conducting portion 42 on the back side of the pipe portion 32 may be provided. In that case, it is no longer necessary to route the power receiving line 46 from the front side to the back side of the pipe portion 32. Then, the power supply line 56 can be routed from the front side to the back side of the pipe portion 32 using the cross-direction routing portion 33b.

In variant 6, configurations C and D are combined. In this configuration, a rear cover portion 34b5 may be provided on the rear side of the pipe portion 32 to hold or cover the first current conducting portion 42 and the fourth current conducting portion 52. In this case, the power supply line 56 may be routed from the rear side to the front side of the pipe portion 32 using the cross-direction routing portion 33b.

Modification 7 is a combination of configurations C and E. In this embodiment, instead of the front cover portion 34a, a rear cover portion 34b6 that holds or covers the first current-carrying portion 42 and the fourth current-carrying portion 52 on the rear side of the pipe portion 32 may be provided. In this case, the cross-direction wiring portion 33b can be eliminated.

When the positions of the first conductive part 42, the fourth conductive part 46, and the fifth conductive part 54 are changed from those of the embodiment in accordance with Modifications 1 to 7, the positions of the terminals of the vacuum cleaner body 10 and the terminal 75a of the suction tool 70 may also be changed accordingly.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and variations, and other embodiments may be possible within the scope of the claims, based on the teachings and spirit of the invention. The components of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Any component of the embodiment may also be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the means for solving the invention or any component that embodies any component described in the means for solving the invention. We intend to obtain rights to these as well through amendments to this application or divisional applications, etc.

The present invention can be suitably used in vacuum cleaner extension tubes and vacuum cleaner units equipped with the same in general.

1: Vacuum cleaner unit 10: Vacuum cleaner body 17a: Battery 30: Extension tube 32: Tube section 33c: Communication section 34: Cover section 36: Power receiving section 40: Mounting section 42: First current conducting section 44: Second current conducting section 46: Power receiving wire 60: Receiving section 62: First opening 64: Second opening 70: Suction tool 73: Suction port 90: Charging base 94: Placement section 96: Support section 98: Third current conducting section 100: Charging mechanism 110: First protrusion

Claims (10)

an extension tube for connecting a suction tool having a suction port for sucking in dust to one end of the tube in the axial direction and for connecting a vacuum cleaner main body to the other end of the tube in the axial direction, the other end of the extension tube being inserted into a tube connection part at the lower end of the vacuum cleaner main body when the extension tube is connected to the lower side in the up- down direction of the vacuum cleaner main body;
a power receiving unit that receives and supplies power to a battery provided on the vacuum cleaner body side;
The power receiving unit,
A first current conducting portion connected to the vacuum cleaner body at the other end side in the tube axis direction;
A second current conducting portion provided closer to one end in the tube axis direction than the first current conducting portion;
a power receiving wire electrically connecting the first current conducting portion and the second current conducting portion,
a mounting portion for mounting the second current-carrying portion on a rear side of the extension tube;
the mounting portion constitutes an engagement structure that engages with an upper end side of a support column of a charging stand for charging the battery,
When the extension tube and the charging base are engaged with each other by the engagement structure, the support column and the rear side of the extension tube face each other,
the engagement structure is located on one end side of the extension tube in the tube axis direction,
An extension tube of an electric vacuum cleaner, characterized in that in the engaged state, when the extension tube is connected to the vacuum cleaner body and the suction tool, the second conductive part is connected to the third conductive part of the charging stand. a power supply unit for supplying power from the battery to the suction tool,
The power supply unit,
A fourth current conducting unit connected to the vacuum cleaner body at the other end side in the tube axis direction;
A fifth current conducting portion connected to the suction tool at one end side in the tube axis direction;
The extension tube of the vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , further comprising: a power supply line electrically connecting the fourth current conducting portion and the fifth current conducting portion. A communication portion is provided between the pipe portion, the cover portion, or between the pipe portion and the cover portion, the communication portion being provided in a direction intersecting with a pipe axis direction,
3. The extension tube of claim 1, wherein the power receiving wire is routed through the communication portion and electrically connects the first current conducting portion and the second current conducting portion. The extension tube of the vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the mounting part is provided so as to bulge toward the rear side, with the surface facing the charging base when engaged with the charging base being the rear side, and has a receiving part that engages with the charging base by the engagement structure. A vacuum cleaner body having a battery;
A suction tool having a suction port for sucking in dust;
An extension tube according to any one of claims 1 to 4;
a third current-carrying unit and a charging stand having a charging mechanism for charging the battery,
The charging stand,
A mounting portion for mounting the suction tool;
a support portion that supports the extension pipe and engages with the extension pipe,
a support portion supporting the extension tube and electrically connecting the third conductive portion to the second conductive portion when engaged with the extension tube, and the charging mechanism supplies power from the third conductive portion to the second conductive portion to charge the battery, the vacuum cleaner unit characterized in that the mounting portion has a hollow receiving portion in which a first opening portion is arranged, the first opening portion being open so as to face one side in the tube axis direction,
A vacuum cleaner unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the post has a projection adapted to be inserted into the receiving portion through the first opening. The vacuum cleaner unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the third current-carrying part is provided on the protrusion. The receiving portion has a second opening on a side facing the support portion,
The vacuum cleaner unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the third electric current conducting part is connected to the second electric current conducting part through the second opening. The vacuum cleaner unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the second current-carrying part is a jack or a plug. The support portion has a housing portion that clamps the extension tube so as to cover a part of the extension tube from a radial direction,
The vacuum cleaner unit according to claim 5 , wherein the housing portion is provided with an engagement structure for engaging with the extension tube and the third current-carrying portion.

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