JPH04122338A - Dust collecting amount indicator of vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a drop in the suction pressure even when a pointer changes its position corresponding to the displacement of a valve protrusion, bring the displacement starting pressure of the pointer close the atmospheric pressure, and allow the pointer to move and change its position in nearly proportion to the accumulated amount of dust by isolating a vacuum pressure part on a dust collecting chamber side from an atmospheric pressure part by a painter valve. CONSTITUTION:When a vacuum cleaner is used and dust is accumulated in a paper bag, the incoming air flow rate of an electric fan decreases and the pressure in a dust collecting chamber drops below the atmospheric pressure. When the vacuum pressure drops below a specified pressure with an increase in the accumulated amount of dust, a suction port which acts on a pointer valve 34 is enlarged by the force of a pointer spring 35, the base part of a valve protrusion 39 is deformed into a U-shaped section between a pointer protrusion 38 and an inner wall 36, the tip of the valve protrusion 39 moves a little toward a communication pipe 32, causing a pointer 31 to move toward the communication pipe 32. The vacuum pressure increases with an increase in the accumulated amount of dust, and the position of the U-shaped deformation of the valve protrusion 39 gradually moves toward the communication pipe 32, causing the pointer 31 to gradually move toward the communication pipe 32 and change its position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dust collection amount display device for a vacuum cleaner.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a mechanical display device of this type has been constructed as shown in FIG. That is, the display device 1 is
A pointer 2, a pointer spring 3 that biases the pointer backward, a pointer lid 5 located behind the pointer 2 and having a through hole 4, a transparent cylindrical pointer barrel 6 that holds these, and a pointer barrel. A recess 1 in the front main body 10 that covers the dust collecting chamber 7 of the vacuum cleaner main body 9 from above, and a communication pipe 8 that communicates the tip of the vacuum cleaner 6 with the dust collecting chamber 7.
1, a communication pipe 8 communicates with the dust collection chamber 7, and the pointer 2 can be seen from the outside through a display window 13 provided on the cover plate 12.

When the vacuum cleaner body 9 is used and dust accumulates in the dust collection bag 14, the pressure inside the dust collection chamber 7 gradually decreases below atmospheric pressure, and when the pressure falls further below a predetermined pressure, it acts on the pointer 2. The pointer 2 moves toward the communication tube 8 against the spring biasing force of the pointer spring 3 due to the vacuum pressure.

At this time, the position of the pointer 2 visible through the display window 13 changes,
This allows the user to recognize when it is time to dispose of dust.

Problem to be Solved by the Invention However, in the above-mentioned display device 1, when the pointer 2 is even slightly displaced toward the communication pipe 8, air flows into the dust collection chamber 7 through the through hole 4, so that the vacuum cleaner's original function is The suction force from the suction port decreases.

Therefore, it is necessary to set the displacement start pressure of the pointer 2 so that the pointer 2 is displaced when the dust has accumulated in the dust collection bag 14 almost to its full capacity. It had the disadvantage that it did not. Furthermore, if the dust is mainly fibrous, the pressure inside the dust collection chamber 7 will not drop below the predetermined pressure even if the dust collection bag 14 is full, and the pointer 2 will not operate, making it impossible to know when it is time to dispose of the dust. It was also causing problems.

However, in recent vacuum cleaners, it is possible to change the amount of power supplied to the electric blower 15 using slide volume and phase control, and change the rotation speed of the electric blower 15 to change the suction force depending on the cleaning place. I have to. In this one,
Due to the above configuration, the pointer must be operated in a state where the strongest suction force is exerted, and the pointer does not operate when used in other suction force conditions, making it impossible to recognize when it is time to dispose of dust. was.

It is an object of the present invention to solve these problems and to provide an easy-to-use dust collection amount display device for a vacuum cleaner at a low cost.

Means for Solving the Problems The technical means of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a thin-walled, approximately hat-shaped valve protruding toward the atmospheric pressure side that isolates the vacuum pressure generated during operation of an electric blower from atmospheric pressure. A pointer valve having a protrusion whose valve protrusion deforms into a substantially U-shaped cross-section due to the differential pressure; a pointer that is displaced in response to displacement of the tip of the valve leaflet due to deformation of the pointer valve; a pointer spring that biases the pointer toward atmospheric pressure so that the pointer starts to be displaced at a predetermined vacuum pressure or higher; A pressure detection device consisting of a pointer tube, which is a substantially transparent cylinder that slidably holds a pointer and a pointer spring inside, and a display that covers the pressure detection device and makes the top of the pointer tube visible from the outside. It is equipped with a cover plate having a window hole and a suction force adjustment device that controls the rotation speed of an electric blower to vary the suction force, and the display window displays the usable pointer position range for each suction force. It is something to do.

Function: This function uses the pointer valve to shut off the vacuum pressure section on the dust collection chamber side and the atmospheric pressure section, so even if the pointer is displaced in accordance with the displacement of the valve protrusion, air leakage, i.e., a decrease in suction force, will occur. First, the displacement start pressure of the pointer valve is brought closer to atmospheric pressure than in the past, and the pointer can be displaced approximately in proportion to the amount of accumulated dust. moreover,
Depending on the suction power state, the time to dispose of dust can be confirmed in any suction power state by checking the position of the pointer relative to the usable range displayed on the lid plate.

Example Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, the main body 21 of the vacuum cleaner has a dust collection chamber 23 at the front that accommodates a paper bag 22 that filters and collects dust sucked in through a floor suction tool, an extension pipe, and a hose. An electric blower 24, a cord winding device, etc. are built into the rear. A control switch is provided on the handle of the hose to change the rotation speed of the electric blower 24 by operating a slide volume and change the suction force.
The suction force is displayed in three levels: "Weak".

Above the dust collection chamber 23, an upper lid 27 whose rear part engages with the upper body 25 and whose front part is attached to the main body 21 by the action of a buckle claw 26 covers the dust collection chamber 23 so as to be openable and closable. A recess 28 is formed in the center and accommodates a pressure detection device 29.

The pressure detection device 29 includes a transparent, cylindrical pointer tube 3o, a pointer 31 that slides within the pointer tube 3o, and a dust collection chamber 2.
3 and the pointer tube 30, a pointer valve 34 disposed on the opposite side of the communicating tube 32 to the pointer 31 and sandwiched between the pointer tube 30 and the pointer lid 33, and the communicating tube 32 and the pointer 31.
A pointer spring 35 is disposed between the pointer spring 35 and spring-biases the pointer 31 in the direction of the pointer valve 34.

An inner wall 36 is formed in a double cylindrical shape inside the pointer tube 30 on the side where the pointer lid 33 is attached, and the initial position of the pointer 31 is regulated at the tip of the inner wall 36 on the communication tube 32 side. It has a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 37 and a pointer protrusion 38. This pointer protrusion 38 protrudes in the direction of the pointer cover 33, and is connected to a valve protrusion 39 that protrudes in a substantially cylindrical cap shape in the direction opposite to the direction of the communication tube 32, which is integrally formed with the pointer valve 34, which is thin and has rubber elasticity. It is inserted so that it fits tightly. The pointer cover 33 has a substantially cylindrical shape and covers the valve protrusion 39 from the outer circumferential side, and the central part thereof is open and communicates with the outside of the main body 21, while one end of the communication pipe 32 has a through hole provided on the lower surface of the recess 28. 4o and dust collection chamber 23
Since the pointer valve 34 is in communication with the inside, atmospheric pressure acts on the pointer lid 33 side of the pointer valve 34, and vacuum pressure generated by the operation of the electric blower 24 acts on the pointer 31 side.

A cover plate 41 is attached to the upper cover 25 and covers the pressure detection device 29 from above, and a display window hole 4 is provided above the pointer tube 3Q.
2, the display window hole 42 is a substantially rectangular long hole,
As shown in Figure 1, the hose selected is "1""Standard" 1
A display is formed that indicates the usable range by the position of the pointer according to the suction force of "weak". In other words, when the suction force "Strong" is selected at the hose hand and the pointer 31 is within the range of "1 strong" in Figure 3, the amount of dust collected and accumulated in the dust collection chamber 23 is sufficient to the dust collection capacity. First, it indicates that the main body 21 can be used further. The same is true when the suction force "Standard" and "1 Weak" are selected at the hose hand and the pointer 31 is within the range of "Standard" and "Weak" in FIG. 3, respectively.

On the other hand, when the pointer 31 is located outside the range corresponding to the suction force state selected at the hose hand, the dust collection chamber 23
This indicates that the vacuum pressure within the dust collection chamber 23 has exceeded a predetermined value, that is, the amount of accumulated dust within the dust collection chamber 23 has exceeded a predetermined amount.

Next, the operation and effects of the above configuration will be explained.

When the vacuum cleaner body 21 is used and dust accumulates in the paper bag 22, the flow rate of air flowing into the electric blower 24 decreases, and the pressure in the dust collection chamber 23 drops below atmospheric pressure. When the amount of accumulated dust increases and this vacuum pressure becomes lower than a predetermined pressure, the suction force acting on the pointer valve 34 becomes larger than the spring biasing force of the pointer spring 35, and the root portion of the valve protrusion 39 is moved to the pointer protrusion 38.
The valve leaflet 39 is deformed into a U-shaped cross section between the inner wall 36 and the valve leaflet 39, and the tip of the valve leaflet 39 moves slightly in the direction of the communicating tube 32, and the pointer 31 is moved toward the communicating tube 3.
Move in two directions. As the accumulation of dust increases, the vacuum pressure also increases, and the position of the U-shaped cross-sectional deformation of the valve protrusion 39 moves toward the communicating tube 32, and at the same time, the pointer 31 gradually moves toward the communicating tube 32. do.

By the way, users of vacuum cleaners need to use a suction power of 1 or more when cleaning carpets, and 1 or more suction power when cleaning wooden floors or tatami surfaces, depending on the area they are cleaning. ”
The suction force is stronger than the "standard" suction force) by operating the control switch on the handle of the hose and selecting it yourself. Then, check whether the position of the pointer 31 is within the usable range for the suction force state ("Strong", "Standard", or "Weak") displayed on the cover plate 41, and if it is outside the range. Understand that the amount of accumulated dust in the dust collection chamber 23 is almost full, take out the paper bag 22, replace it with a new paper bag 22, and start reusing it with the suction force restored to its initial state.

In other words, it is possible to easily confirm when to dispose of dust regardless of the state of the suction force being used. In particular, the pointer valve 34 completely blocks off the vacuum pressure section and the atmospheric pressure section, so even if the pointer valve 34 or pointer 31 is displaced, atmospheric air will not flow into the dust collection chamber 23 through the communication pipe 32. First, since no decrease in suction force occurs, the spring biasing force of the pointer spring 35 in its initial state is reduced, and the movement of the pointer 31 within the display window hole 42 is gradually carried out approximately in proportion to the decrease in pressure. It is possible,
This allows the user to recognize the amount of accumulated dust more accurately than before.

Furthermore, even if dust, mainly fibrous dust, is inhaled, the pointer 31 can be reliably displaced to the range that prompts the user to replace the paper bag 22. Effects of the Invention As explained above, the present invention has the following advantages: It has a thin-walled, approximately cap-shaped valve leaflet that protrudes toward the atmospheric pressure side to cut off the vacuum pressure generated by the operation of an electric blower and atmospheric pressure, and the valve leaflet has a roughly U-shaped cross section due to the above differential pressure. It has a pointer valve that deforms, and a pointer protrusion that is disposed on the vacuum pressure side with respect to the pointer valve and that fits into the valve leaflet of the pointer valve, and is displaced in response to the displacement of the tip of the valve protrusion due to deformation of the pointer valve. A pointer, a pointer spring that biases the pointer toward the atmospheric pressure side so that the pointer starts to be displaced at a predetermined vacuum pressure or higher; A pressure sensing device comprising a tube, a cover plate that covers the pressure sensing device and has a display window hole that makes the pointer tube visible from the outside, and a suction force that can be varied by controlling the rotational speed of an electric blower. A suction force adjustment device is provided to adjust the dust disposal point, and by displaying the dust disposal pointer position range for each suction force in the display window hole, the pointer can be displaced approximately in proportion to the amount of accumulated dust. It is possible to confirm when to dispose of dust in any suction force state.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1A and 1B are a cross-sectional view and a plan view from above of a dust collection amount display device showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway sectional view of the same vacuum cleaner, and FIG. Diagram a. FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view and a plan view showing the dust collection amount display device in a state where the suction force is "strong", and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a conventional vacuum cleaner. 29...Pressure detection device, 30...Pointer barrel, 31...Pointer, 32...Communication pipe, 3
3... Pointer lid, 34... Pointer valve, 35
... Pointer spring, 41 ... Lid plate, 42.
...Display window hole. Name of agent: Patent attorney Akira Okaji and 2 others yq-
-h force/Bo4A1 301. -One-needle fable 31--One finger system- 34-Feeling of catty 3s---Banja Yabane diagram

Claims (1)

[Claims] It has a thin, almost cap-shaped valve protrusion that protrudes toward the atmospheric pressure side, which cuts off the vacuum pressure generated when the electric blower operates and the atmospheric pressure.
A pointer valve whose valve protrusion deforms into a substantially U-shaped cross section due to the differential pressure, which is disposed on the vacuum pressure side with respect to the pointer valve and has a pointer protrusion that fits into the valve protrusion of the pointer valve; A pointer that displaces in response to the displacement of the tip of the valve protrusion due to deformation, a pointer spring that biases the pointer toward the atmospheric pressure side so that the pointer starts to be displaced at a predetermined vacuum pressure or higher, and a pointer that moves these points and the pointer spring inside. a pressure sensing device consisting of a substantially transparent pointer barrel that is slidably held in the body; and a cover plate that covers the pressure sensing device and has a display window hole that makes the top surface of the pointer barrel visible from the outside. and a suction force adjustment device that controls the rotational speed of an electric blower to vary the suction force, the display window displaying a usable pointer position range for each suction force. Dust collection amount display device.