JPH0354684Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Purpose of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a dust indicator for a vacuum cleaner, and in particular, the present invention relates to a dust indicator for a vacuum cleaner, and in particular, a first display section that indicates a usable state and a state where dust disposal is required. The second display section shown in FIG.

(Prior Art) Vacuum cleaners equipped with a dust indicator that indicates the amount of collected dust are conventionally known. In addition, the dust indicator generally also serves as a safety valve to prevent burnout of the electric blower for dust collection and deformation of the vacuum cleaner body due to heating of the electric blower when the dust collection filter becomes clogged.

Here, an example of a conventional dust indicator of this type will be explained with reference to FIG.

In this conventional dust indicator, one end of a transparent indicator pipe 1 is connected via a connecting pipe 2 to an air space between an electric blower and a dust collection filter in a vacuum cleaner main body. Further, a valve seat 4 having a valve port 3 communicating with the atmosphere is formed at the other end of the indicator pipe 1. A pointer 5 for opening and closing the valve port 3 is slidably housed in the indicator pipe 1, and a spring 6 urges the pointer 5 in the direction of the valve port 3 (to the right in the figure). is stored.

When the dust collection filter becomes clogged due to accumulation of dust, the pressure in the space inside the vacuum cleaner body decreases, causing the pointer 5 to move to the left, allowing the user to collect a predetermined amount of dust and discard the dust. Let me know when you need it. Also, when the pointer 5 moves and the valve port 3 opens, the air flowing in from the valve port 3 flows into the pointer 5.
The air flows into the electric blower through the groove 7 and the communication hole 8 formed in the holder 5, and further through the inside of the pointer 5, thereby preventing the electric blower from heating.

In addition, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 53-34271, the pointer is color-coded, and a display window hole formed on the top surface of the vacuum cleaner body that covers the dust indicator indicates when it is ready for normal use and when dust is required. A dust indicator is also known that has a structure in which a display part of a different color can be seen when discarded and when it is discarded. Paint, tape, nameplates, etc. are used as color-coding means, but when paint or tape is used in this way, the tape is likely to peel off or fade, and when applying the tape, Since it is necessary to pay attention to the misalignment of the parts, there is a problem that the number of assembly steps increases.

Therefore, as shown in Figures 6 to 10,
The pointer 5 is divided into two pointer members 9 of different colors,
A structure in which 10 parts are joined together has also been adopted. As a means for joining the pointer members 9 and 10, an adhesive structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 or a fitting structure shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 is used. However, the adhesive structure has the problem of increasing man-hours and costs, and in the case of the fitting structure, if the fitting dimensions are too tight, there will be a gap between the pointer members 9 and 10, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. 11 occurs, and there is a problem in that the set load of the spring 6 and the display by the pointer 5 become incorrect. On the other hand, if the fitting dimensions are too loose, the air flowing in through the valve port 3 and spring 6 may cause the pointer 5 to tilt with both pointer members 9 and 10 beginning to come off, as shown in FIG. However, there is a problem in that both the pointer members 9 and 10 tend to fall off and get stuck.

By the way, in the dust indicator having the structure shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the air flowing into the indicator pipe 1 from the valve port 3 passes through the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the indicator pipe 1 and the outer peripheral surface of the pointer 5. Then, the structure is such that the air passes through the spring 6 and reaches the inside of the vacuum cleaner body, but when the atmosphere is structured to pass through the spring 6 in this way, the joining means of the pointer members 9 and 10 is an adhesive structure. Regardless of whether it is a fitting structure or a fitting structure, there is a problem that the pointer 5 tends to tilt as shown in FIG.

Further, in the dust indicators shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the valve seat 4 to which the pointer 5 is in close contact is integrally molded with the indicator pipe, but the indicator pipe 1 is made of hard synthetic resin or the like. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, a short molded portion 12 or the like may be formed on the valve seat 4, so that the close contact between the valve seat 4 and the pointer 5 tends to deteriorate.

As mentioned above, if the pointer 5 tends to tilt, or if the valve seat 4 and the pointer 5 have poor adhesion, air may flow in before the pressure inside the vacuum cleaner body reaches the set value, resulting in poor suction performance. The movement of the pointer 5 tends to vary as the pointer 5 falls to the bottom.
In other words, the air volume Q and the degree of vacuum H originally have a fourth
The relationship shown in the solid line graph (Q-H curve) in the figure is set, and the pointer 5 must operate at point _A1 , but if the contact between the valve seat 4 and the pointer 5 is poor, etc. , this pointer 5 may operate at point _A2 , and the relationship between the air volume Q and the degree of vacuum H may deviate from that shown in the broken line graph.

Therefore, in order to improve the adhesion between the valve seat 4 and the pointer 5, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13,
A structure is also adopted in which a cover body 13 made of a soft material and having a valve seat 4 is fitted onto the indicator pipe 1. However, this structure has the problem of increasing the number of parts, increasing the number of assembly steps, and increasing costs.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) As mentioned above, in the conventional vacuum cleaner dust indicator, when the pointer is constructed by fitting a pair of pointer members, a gap is created between the two pointer members. However, since both pointer members tend to come off, there are problems in that the display becomes distorted and stable operability is impaired. In addition, if the valve seat is integrally molded on the indicator pipe, the adhesion between the valve seat and the pointer tends to deteriorate, which similarly impairs stable operability and causes problems such as a decrease in suction performance. Ta. Furthermore, when the lid body made of a soft material and having a valve seat is fitted onto the indicator pipe, the number of parts increases, resulting in an increase in cost.

The present invention is an attempt to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the pair of pointer members constituting the pointer are reliably connected, and the valve seat and pointer have good adhesion, thus ensuring reliable operation. In addition, the present invention provides an inexpensive dust indicator for a vacuum cleaner that does not cause a decrease in suction performance.

[Structure of the idea]

(Means for solving the problem) The dust indicator of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention has one end communicating with the suction side of the electric blower inside the vacuum cleaner body and the dust collection chamber, and also communicating with the atmosphere side. A transparent indicator pipe having a valve seat at the other end with a valve port in the center, and a transparent indicator pipe that is slidably housed in the indicator pipe in the axial direction and opens and closes the valve port of the valve seat and indicates a usable state. A first display section and a second display section indicating a state in which dust is required to be discarded are provided with a color-coded pointer, and a spring that biases the pointer toward the valve seat. It has a communication port near the tip on the inside side of the vacuum cleaner main body through which the air flowing into the vacuum cleaner body passes, and forms a first display section indicating the usable state, and a fitting protrusion on the valve seat side of the first display section. A first pointer member having a protruding shape formed thereon, and a second pointer member that forms a second display section indicating a state in which dust is required to be discarded and is fitted over the fitting protrusion of the first pointer member. The second pointer member is made of a soft material.

(Function) In the vacuum cleaner dust indicator of the present invention, when a certain amount of dust accumulates in the dust collection chamber of the vacuum cleaner body and the pressure between the electric blower and the dust collection chamber drops to a predetermined value, the dust indicator resists the bias of the spring. For example, the pointer moves due to the pressure on the atmospheric side, and for example, the display section facing the display window changes from the first display section indicating the usable state made of the first pointer member to the pointer made of the second pointer member. The display changes to a second display section indicating the dust disposal state to inform the user that dust has accumulated. Also,
As the pointer moves, the valve port that was blocked by the pointer is opened, and the air that has flowed into the indicator pipe from this valve port is placed between the outer circumferential surface of the pointer and the inner circumferential surface of the indicator pipe. It flows into the vacuum cleaner body through the formed gap, the communication port of the pointer, and the inside of the pointer, thereby preventing the electric blower from heating. Since the second pointer member made of a soft material is fitted to cover the fitting protrusion of the first pointer member, the second pointer member made of a soft material has shape retention properties, When the mouth is closed, the second pointer member is firmly in close contact with the valve seat having the valve opening, so that the valve opening is reliably closed until the set pressure is reached. Therefore, deterioration in suction performance due to unnecessary air leakage is prevented, and the pointer operates reliably when the set pressure is reached.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the dust indicator for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

First, the configuration of a vacuum cleaner equipped with this dust indicator will be explained with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a vacuum cleaner body, which is composed of a main body case 23 having an opening 22 formed on the front side of the upper part, and a lid 24 for opening and closing the opening 22. The rear end of the lid body 24 is rotatably supported by the main body case 23, and a clamp 25 pivotally attached to the main body case 23 is removably engaged with the front end, so that the lid body 24 is in a closed state. It is starting to be retained.

Furthermore, the inside of the main body case 23 has a communication port 2.
It is partitioned into the front and rear by a partition wall 27 having an opening 6, and an electric blower 28 is supported and fixed behind the partition wall 27 by rubber supports 29 and 30. A suction side and an exhaust side of the electric blower 28 are airtightly partitioned by a front support 29, and the suction side is communicated with the communication port 26 via a space 31. Further, an exhaust port 32 communicating with the exhaust side of the electric blower 28 is formed on the rear surface of the main body case 23 .

On the other hand, the front side of the partition wall 27 in the main body case 23 is a dust collection chamber 3 having the opening 22 on the upper surface.
It has become 3. A substantially cylindrical suction port 34 is provided at the front of the main body case 23 facing the dust collection chamber 33, and a packing 35 is attached to the peripheral edge of the rear end of the suction port 34.

Further, a dust collecting filter 36 is removably installed in the dust collecting chamber 33 and is inserted into and taken out through the opening 22 of the dust collecting chamber 33. That is, this dust collection filter 36 is made of a filter material 3 made of a paper bag or the like.
7 and a mouth frame 39 having a dust collection port 38, a locking body 40 pivotally attached to the main body case 23 is removably engaged with the mouth frame 39, and the dust collection chamber 3
A dust collection filter 36 is held within the housing 3. In addition, in this state, the dust collection port 38 is connected to the mouth frame 39.
The packing 35 is tightly attached to surround the dust collection port 38 so that the dust collection port 38 faces and communicates with the suction port 34.

Further, an auxiliary filter 41 is detachably attached to the surface of the partition wall 27 on the dust collection chamber 33 side, covering the communication port 26.

Next, the structure of the dust indicator will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Reference numeral 51 denotes an indicator pipe, which is made of a transparent material and has a substantially cylindrical shape. One end surface of the indicator pipe 51 is open, and a valve port 52 is formed in the center of the other end surface of the indicator pipe 51. An annular valve seat 53 protruding inward is integrally formed.

Further, one end of a connecting pipe 54 bent approximately vertically is fitted onto the inner circumferential surface of one end of the indicator pipe 51 in an airtight manner. Note that a step-shaped and annular receiving portion 55 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the tip of one end of this connecting pipe 54 located inside the indicator pipe 51 .

As shown in FIG. 3, the indicator pipe 51 and the connecting pipe 54 are supported and fixed within a recess 56 formed in the upper part of the main body case 21. Further, the connecting pipe 5 is connected to one end of the communication pipe 57 that communicates with the space 31 on the suction side of the electric blower 28 between the electric blower 28 and the dust collection chamber 33.
The other end of 4 is connected. That is, one end of the indicator pipe 51 is communicated with the space 31 via a connecting pipe 54 and a communicating pipe 57. Further, the upper surface of the recess 56 is covered with an opaque cover body 58, and a display window hole 59 facing the indicator pipe 51 is formed in the cover body 58. Further, the valve port 52 of the indicator pipe 51 is communicated with the atmosphere.

Reference numeral 61 indicates a first pointer, which is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape from materials of different colors and connected in the axial direction.
It consists of a pointer member 62 and a second pointer member 63, and in particular, the second pointer member 63 is made of a soft member such as soft vinyl chloride resin. The pointer 61 is slidably fitted in the indicator pipe 51 in the axial direction, and the first pointer member 62 is located on the space 31 side (left side in FIGS. 1 and 2). The second indicator member 63 is located on the valve port 52 side (on the right side in the figure) to form a first display section indicating a usable state, and a second display section indicating a state in which dust is required to be disposed of. is formed.

The left end face of the first pointer member 62 is open, and the right end face of the first pointer member 62 has a fitting projection whose outer diameter is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the second pointer member 63. 64 is formed protrudingly. On the other hand, the left end surface of the second pointer member 63 is also opened, and the second pointer member 63 is fitted over the fitting protrusion 64 of the first pointer member 62 through this opening. , both pointer members 62 and 63 are coupled. Furthermore, the right end surface of the second pointer member 63 serves as a closing surface 65 that is brought into contact with and separated from the valve seat 53 to open and close the valve port 52 . An annular locking convex portion 66 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting projection 64 of the first pointer member 62, and an annular locking recess is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second pointer member 63. 67 are formed, and these locking protrusions 66 and locking recesses 6
7 prevents the pointer members 62, 63 from shifting in position, particularly in the axial direction.

Further, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first pointer member 62 and the second pointer member 63, these pointer members 62,
A plurality of ribs 68 and 69 are respectively formed to protrude radially and parallel to the central axis of 63.
The diameter of a circle passing through the outer edges of these ribs 68 and 69 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the indicator pipe 51. That is, the guideline 61
A gap 70 is formed in the radial direction between the outer peripheral surface of the indicator pipe 51 and the inner peripheral surface of the indicator pipe 51.
Note that a positioning protrusion 71 extending in the axial direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 64 of the first pointer member 62, and the second pointer member 63
A positioning groove 72 extending in the axial direction on the inner peripheral surface of the
are formed, and these protrusions 71 and grooves 7
2 while engaging the fitting protrusions 64 with the second
When the first pointer member 63 is fitted, the rib 68 of the first pointer member 62 and the corresponding rib 69 of the second pointer member 63 are linearly joined.

Furthermore, a communication port 73 is formed at the left end of the first pointer member 62, that is, near the tip on the side of the space 31 in the cleaner body 21. Further, a flange portion 7 is located on the outer circumferential surface of the first pointer member 62 and is located further toward the space portion 31 side than the communication port 73.
4 is formed protrudingly.

Further, a coiled spring 76 is positioned within the indicator pipe 51 and supported between the receiving portion 55 of the connecting tube 54 and the flange portion 74 of the first pointer member 62.
6, the pointer 61 is always urged toward the valve seat 53.

Further, the position and size of the display window hole 59 are such that when the pointer 61 is located at the right or left limit of the movement range, either one of the pointer members 62, 63 can be seen through the display window hole 59. is set to .

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained.

During cleaning, the electric blower 28 is driven, and the dust sucked in from the suction port 34 along with the airflow is stored in the dust collection filter 36, while the airflow that has passed through the filter material 37 of this dust collection filter 36 is used as an auxiliary airflow. The air is discharged from the exhaust port 32 via the filter 41, the space 31, and the electric blower 28.

By the way, when the amount of dust accumulated in the dust collection filter 36 is still small and the dust collection filter 36 or the auxiliary filter 41 is not clogged, the space 31 between the dust collection chamber 33 and the electric blower 28 pressure is relatively large. Since the resultant force of this pressure and the spring 76 exceeds atmospheric pressure,
As shown in FIG. 1, the pointer 61 is located at the right limit of the moving range in the indicator pipe 51 in the illustration, and is brought into contact with the valve seat 53 to close the valve port 52. At this time, the first pointer member 62 is connected to the display window hole 5.
9, the first display section informs the user that dust can still be collected, that is, that the device is ready for use.

When a large amount of dust accumulates in the dust collection filter 36 and the filter material 37 is clogged, or when the auxiliary filter 41 is clogged with fine dust, the pressure in the space 31 decreases, but it decreases to the set pressure. Then, the atmospheric pressure becomes dominant, so the pointer 61 moves to the left and the valve seat 53
The valve port 52 is opened. At this time, the second pointer member 63 is opposed to the display window hole 59,
As the color visible through the display window hole 59 changes,
The user can know from the second display section that a large amount of dust has accumulated in the dust collecting filter 36, or that the dust collecting filter 36 has become clogged and needs to be discarded.

In addition, the atmosphere flowing into the indicator pipe 51 from the opened valve port 52 is transmitted to the space 70 between the indicator pipe 51 and the pointer 61, the communication port 73 of the first pointer member 62, and the first pointer member 62.
Inside, inside the spring 76, connecting pipe 54, communicating pipe 57
The cooling air flows into the electric blower 28 as cooling air through the space 31 and prevents burnout of the electric blower 28 or deformation of the cleaner body 21 due to heating of the electric blower 28.

Since the second pointer member 63 fitted into the fitting protrusion 64 of the first pointer member 62 is made of a soft material, both pointer members 62 and 63 are elastically and reliably connected and assembled. There is no possibility that positional deviation occurs between the two pointer members, or that the pointer members 62, 63 come off or are about to come off and tilt during use. Therefore, the indication by the pointer 61 made up of both pointer members 62 and 63 will not be distorted, the set load of the spring 76 will not be distorted, and the pointer 61 will operate reliably.

Furthermore, since the second pointer member 63 on the valve seat 53 side of the pointer 61 is made of a soft material, the pointer 61 comes into close contact with the valve seat 53 when the amount of collected dust is still small and can be used. Since the pointer member 63 is fitted into the fitting protrusion 64 of the first pointer member 62, the second pointer member 63 has shape retention,
It stably contacts the valve seat 53 without being deformed, improving sealing performance, preventing air leakage from the valve port 52, and reliably preventing deterioration in suction performance.

In addition, a communication port 73 is provided in the first pointer member 62, and the atmosphere flowing into the indicator pipe 51 from the valve port 52 is configured to pass through the spring 76 through the communication port 73, so that the air flow is prevented. By not crossing the spring 76, the pointer 61
tilting is more reliably prevented.

In addition, as described above, both the pointer members 62 and 63 constituting the pointer 61 are securely connected, and the adhesion between the pointer 61 and the valve seat 53 is good, so the air volume Q and the degree of vacuum H are The dust indicator operates stably so that the relationship is as shown by the solid line graph in FIG.

Furthermore, since both pointer members 62 and 63 are provided with a locking protrusion 66 and a locking recess 67 that are engaged with each other, it is possible to more reliably prevent the positional displacement of both pointer members 66 and 67, and to assemble the pointer members 66 and 67. It also becomes easier.

In addition, in order to color code the pointer 61, a pair of pointer members 62 and 63 made of different colored materials are joined by fitting, so it is possible to color code the pointer 61 with tape or the like, or to glue the pair of pointer members together. Compared to the case where the structure is joined, the number of man-hours can be reduced and costs can be lowered, and the color separation can be ensured.

Furthermore, since the second pointer member 63 that is in close contact with the valve seat 53 is made of a soft material, the valve seat 53 and the pointer 6 can be connected to each other without being made of a soft material separate from the indicator pipe 51.
Since the adhesion of 1 can be improved, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

[Effect of idea]

According to the present invention, the first pointer member forms the first display section indicating the usable state and the second pointer member forms the second display section indicating the dust disposal state. A second pointer member is fitted to a fitting protrusion formed protrudingly on the pointer member to cover the fitting protrusion to form a pointer, and the second pointer member on the valve seat side is formed of a soft material. Therefore, the two pointer members are securely connected, and there is no gap between the two pointer members or the two pointer members come off.Therefore, the display will not be distorted, and the pointer will be reliable and stable. In addition, even though the second pointer member is made of a soft material, it fits over the fitting protrusion of the first pointer member, so it retains its shape and does not deform. It is stably and securely attached to the valve seat with the valve opening, improving sealing performance.Therefore, there is no deterioration in suction performance, and the operability of the pointer is further improved. It can be integrally molded with the indicator pipe, so it can be made at low cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of the dust indicator of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the same, Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the same vacuum cleaner, and Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the air volume and A graph showing the relationship with the degree of vacuum, Figures 5 to 8 are cross-sectional views showing three examples of conventional dust indicators, and Figure 9 is a perspective view of a pointer showing another example of the conventional dust indicator. , FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the same as above, FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the vicinity of the valve seat of a conventional dust indicator, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing still another example of the conventional dust indicator. 13
The figure is an exploded perspective view of the same as above. 21...Vacuum cleaner body, 28...Electric blower, 3
3...dust collection chamber, 51...indicator pipe,
52...Valve port, 53...Valve seat, 61...Pointer, 6
2...First pointer member, 63...Second pointer member, 64...Fitting protrusion, 73...Communication port, 76...
…spring.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] One end communicates between the suction side of the electric blower and the dust collection chamber inside the vacuum cleaner body, and the other end has a valve seat that has a valve opening in the center that communicates with the atmosphere side. A transparent indicator pipe is provided, and a first display part which is slidably housed in the indicator pipe in the axial direction and which opens and closes the valve opening of the valve seat and shows a usable state and a second display part which shows a state where dust disposal is required. 2
The indicator includes a color-coded indicator and a spring that biases the indicator toward the valve seat, and the indicator connects a communication port inside the vacuum cleaner body through which the atmosphere flowing into the indicator pipe from the valve port passes. A first display section is provided near the tip of the side and forms a first display section indicating a usable state, and a fitting protrusion is formed protrudingly on the valve seat side of the first display section.
a pointer member, and a second pointer member that forms a second display section indicating a state in which dust disposal is required and is fitted over the fitting protrusion of the first pointer member; A dust indicator for a vacuum cleaner, characterized in that the pointer member is made of a soft material.