JPH11346972A - Air circulation type vacuum cleaner and cleaning tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air circulation type vacuum cleaner capable of performing cleaning by sucking dust without blowing out the dust on a surface to be cleaned when a crevice tool is used. SOLUTION: An air circulation type vacuum cleaner 11 is provided for passing air sucked through a connection port 22 to a dust collection bag 34 by a motor-driven blower 41 inside a cleaner body 12 having the connection port 22, to which an inlet port body or a crevice tool 14 having a small opening area is connected instead of this inlet port body, passing the air through the bag 34 and then performing cleaning while circulating and recovering air exhausted from the motor-driven blower 41. An exhaust part 60 for passing all air discharged from the blower 41 during the use of the tool 14 is provided in the cleaner body 12. The crevice tool 14 includes a fitting part 112 fitted to the inner periphery of the connection port 22, which is provided in the outer periphery of a suction cylinder part 111. The fitting part 112 has a wind cutoff chamber 112a for closing a circulation flow chamber (return wind route) reaching the tool 14 of the cleaner body 12 from the motor-driven blower 41.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air circulation type vacuum cleaner and a suction device provided as an accessory thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an air circulation type vacuum cleaner, air is sucked from a suction port provided in a suction port body connected to a connection port of the cleaner body by the operation of an electric blower in the cleaner body. The air is passed through a filter to capture dust, the air that has passed through the filter and discharged from the electric blower is returned to an intake port, and the returned air is collected and circulated for cleaning.

A suction port provided in this type of vacuum cleaner is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 7-44911 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 7-136.
No. 028, etc., the air discharged from the electric blower and returned to the intake port is blown out from a circulating outlet provided in a predetermined direction, and the air sucked into the intake port by the momentum is used to clean the surface to be cleaned. Dust is sucked in, and the circulation type cleaning is realized.

However, as a suction port provided in such an air circulation type vacuum cleaner, a large suction port having a large suction opening area suitable for cleaning a wide surface to be cleaned such as a floor surface has been proposed. Nothing has been proposed yet for cleaning narrow spaces such as window sashes and gaps between walls and furniture.

On the other hand, in a general vacuum cleaner which performs cleaning without circulating the sucked air as described above, a suction tool called a so-called gap nozzle is used as a suction tool suitable for cleaning the gap or the like. Are provided as accessories. The gap nozzle has a suction port having a small suction opening area by narrowing the width at the tip end side, and a portion opposite to the suction port is detachably inserted and connected to a connection port of the cleaner body or this connection port. The used dust suction hose is detachably fitted to the connection cylinder body provided at the tip end thereof. In this use, all of the air sucked in from the suction port of the gap nozzle through the connection port and discharged from the electric blower through the filter is discharged to the outside through an exhaust hole provided at a rear portion of the cleaner body.

[0006]

By the way, the air circulation type vacuum cleaner has a return air path from the electric blower to a connection port for air suction, and a return air path at the connection port or the connection cylinder. Portion and the intake passage portion from the connection port or the connection cylinder to the dust collection chamber surrounded by the air passage portion are configured to be coaxial, so that the gap nozzle conventionally provided is It is mounted directly in communication with the intake passage. However, in the case of using the air circulation type vacuum cleaner with the gap nozzle attached in this way, the air passing through the return air passage is blown out around the gap nozzle. Therefore, when the gap nozzle is brought close to the gap or the like, dust is blown off by the air blown out as described above,
There is a problem that cleaning is not possible.

Further, when a clearance nozzle is fitted and directly attached to the return air passage portion at the connection port or the connection port body, the air passing through the return air passage in the clearance nozzle is allowed to pass through the intake air passage portion. To suck air and dust from the suction port of the gap nozzle. In addition, air circulation type vacuum cleaners generally do not have an exhaust section outside the main body of the vacuum cleaner in order to give priority to air circulation. Since the pressure of the air passing through the air passage is higher, the air passing through the return air passage is blown out through the gap nozzle. Therefore, when the gap nozzle is brought close to the gap or the like, there is a problem that dust is blown away and cleaning cannot be performed.

As described above, the suction port such as a gap nozzle is directly attached to the connection port or connection port of the conventional air circulation type vacuum cleaner instead of the suction port suitable for cleaning the floor or the like. If you try to do so, the high-pressure air that is returned to the suction tool side through the return airway without being discharged out of the cleaner body will cause gaps and the like as in a general vacuum cleaner that does not circulate air. There is a problem that it cannot be cleaned.

In addition, since the suction nozzle side of the gap nozzle is narrow, the air passage resistance is large. Therefore, as described above, when the gap nozzle is fitted and directly attached to the return air passage portion at the connection port or the connection port body to be used, the gap nozzle is likely to be disengaged by air returned to the connection port. Receive pressure. Therefore, there is a possibility that the gap nozzle may be inadvertently blown off.

Accordingly, a first problem to be solved by the present invention is that when a suction tool having a smaller suction opening area than this suction body is used in communication with the connection port instead of the suction mouth body, the cleaning object is not cleaned. An object of the present invention is to provide an air circulation type vacuum cleaner capable of sucking and cleaning dust on a surface without blowing the dust.

A second problem to be solved by the present invention is that
In order to solve the first problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air-circulating vacuum cleaner capable of preventing the suction tool from being inadvertently blown off by the pressure of air returned to the suction tool.

A third problem to be solved by the present invention is as follows.
An object of the present invention is to provide a suction device for an air-circulation vacuum cleaner, which is suitable for sucking and cleaning dust on a surface to be cleaned in a narrow place without blowing it out in cleaning using the air-circulation vacuum cleaner.

A fourth problem to be solved by the present invention is as follows.
In order to solve the third problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide a suction device for an air circulation type vacuum cleaner that can prevent the suction device from being inadvertently blown off by air pressure.

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems The invention of claims 1 to 4 is:
The operation of the electric blower in the main body of the cleaner having a suction port or a connection port through which a suction tool having a smaller suction opening area than the suction port body instead of the suction port body communicates allows suction through the connection port. It is assumed that an air-circulating vacuum cleaner is provided that captures dust by passing air therein through a filter, collects air discharged from the electric blower through the filter, and performs cleaning while circulating.

[0015] In order to solve the first problem, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with an exhaust portion for passing at least a part of air exhausted from the electric blower in the cleaner body and the connection portion. When the suction tool is used in communication with a mouth, a return air passage from the electric blower to the suction tool is closed.

When cleaning a wide surface to be cleaned, such as a floor, with the vacuum cleaner according to the first aspect of the present invention, the suction port is used to communicate with the connection port of the main body of the vacuum cleaner. When cleaning a narrow surface to be cleaned, etc., a suction tool is used instead of the suction port body by communicating with a suction port of the cleaner body. These communication can be performed by fitting a suction tool or the like directly into the connection port and directly attaching the same, or by fitting the dust suction hose inserted and connected to the connection port to the connection cylinder provided at the end thereof, and through the dust suction hose. This can be achieved by indirectly attaching a suction tool to the connection port.

When the suction tool is used in communication with the connection port, the return air passage from the electric blower in the cleaner body to the suction tool is closed. The operation of closing the air path may be performed directly by the communication operation, or
This may be performed by moving the air path closing means provided on the return air path in conjunction with the communication operation, or by manually moving the air path closing means provided on the return air path after the communication operation. Can be. By closing the return air passage in this way, the air discharged from the electric blower is prevented from being blown out around the suction device or blown out from the suction device, and is sucked inside the suction device. Since the suction by the tool is not obstructed, the air outside the cleaner main body can be sucked together with the dust through the suction tool. At the same time, since the exhaust unit is provided in the cleaner body, when cleaning is performed using the suction tool, the exhaust air is discharged from the electric blower even though the return air passage is closed and a circulating air flow is not formed. All of the air is discharged to the outside of the cleaner through the exhaust unit, and dust can be sucked through the suction tool as in a general vacuum cleaner that does not circulate air.

In practicing the first aspect of the present invention, as in the second aspect of the present invention, when the suction tool is used in communication with the connection port, the exhaust of the exhaust portion is performed. The area may be increased. As described above, in the invention in which the exhaust area of the exhaust unit is increased when cleaning is performed using the suction tool, the exhaust side of the electric blower is increased with an increase in the amount of exhaust air to the outside of the cleaner body when the suction tool is used. Pressure can be reduced. Thereby, pressure loss can be reduced and dust can be more easily sucked through the suction tool.

Further, in carrying out the invention of claim 2, as in the invention of claim 3 dependent on the invention of claim 2, the exhaust portion is made to respond to the pressure of the exhaust chamber facing the exhaust portion. Preferably, the air flow control member is formed by an air flow control member that is moved by the air flow control member, an exhaust hole whose exhaust area is varied by the air flow control member, and a spring that biases the air flow control member in a direction in which the exhaust area of the exhaust hole decreases. In the present invention, when performing the air circulation type cleaning, regardless of the pressure of the air discharged from the electric blower, the air flow control member is opened by the urging force of the spring to such an extent that the air circulation is not adversely affected. Although the area is limited to a small value (including a state in which the exhaust hole is completely closed), when cleaning is performed using the suction tool, the opening area of the exhaust hole can be increased. That is, in a state where the return air passage is closed, the pressure of the exhaust chamber from which the air is discharged from the electric blower is higher than when the air is circulated and becomes larger than the urging force of the spring. With this pressure, the air volume control member is moved in a direction to greatly open the exhaust hole against the urging force of the spring, whereby the exhaust area of the exhaust hole can be automatically increased.

In order to solve the second problem, the invention according to claim 4 is dependent on any one of the inventions according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the suction tool is detachable from the connection port or the connection port. A dust suction hose inserted and connected to the connection cylinder is detachably inserted and connected to a connection cylinder body provided at a distal end portion, and is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the connection port or the inner peripheral surface of the connection cylinder body and the outer peripheral surface of the suction tool. A rubber resistance member that is elastically deformed in connection with the insertion connection and closely contacts the other peripheral surface is attached to one of the peripheral surfaces.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the suction tool is fitted and connected to the connection port of the cleaner body or the connection cylinder of the dust suction hose, the rubber resistance members are elastically deformed and fitted together. To be closely sandwiched between
The frictional engagement force of the resistance member is increased, and the attachment strength of the suction tool to the connection port or the connection cylinder is increased. Thus, even when air pressure is applied to the suction device that closes the return air passage to blow it away, the suction device can maintain its attached state withstand the pressure.

In order to solve the third problem, a suction tool for an air circulation type vacuum cleaner according to the invention of claim 5 has a suction port having a narrowed width at the tip end side,
The insertion side portion opposite to the suction port is a connection port of the cleaner main body incorporating the electric blower of the air circulation type vacuum cleaner or a relay air path member detachably inserted and connected to this connection port at the tip. A suction tube portion inserted into the connection tube body having the suction tube portion, provided on the outer periphery of the suction tube portion continuously in the circumferential direction with a diameter larger than the suction tube portion, and provided at the connection port or the connection tube body. A fitting portion that is inserted and fitted to the inner surface of these connection ports or connection cylinders, and has a wind shield that closes a return air path from the electric blower to the connection port.
It is characterized by comprising.

The suction tool according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is used by fitting the fitting portion to a connection port of an air circulation type vacuum cleaner or a connection cylinder of a relay air path member. In this mounting state, the wind shield part of the fitting part closes the return air path from the electric blower of the vacuum cleaner to the connection port, and also has a suction cylinder part that penetrates the fitting part in the axial direction. The suction port communicates with the suction side of the electric blower. Therefore, by operating the electric blower, the same operation as that of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained.

In implementing the invention of claim 5, in order to solve the fourth problem, as in the invention of claim 6 dependent on the invention of claim 5, the connection portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion. It is preferable to attach a rubber resistance member that is elastically deformed in connection with the insertion connection to the port or the connection port body and is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the connection port or the connection port body. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the fitting portion is fitted into the connection port of the cleaner main body or the connection cylinder of the relay air passage member to be inserted and connected, and at the same time, the rubber resistance members are elastically deformed and fitted to each other. Since the resistance member is sandwiched between the mating peripheral surfaces and comes into close contact with each other, the frictional engagement force of the resistance member is increased, and the attachment strength of the suction tool to the connection port or the connection cylinder is increased. Thus, despite the air pressure acting to blow off the suction device acting on the wind shielding portion that closes the return air passage, it is possible to withstand the pressure and maintain the attached state of the suction device.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a hand-held air circulation type vacuum cleaner 11 according to the first embodiment includes a cleaner body 12, a suction opening body 13, and a suction tool as an accessory such as a gap. Nozzle 1
4 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG.
2 has a main body case 21 formed by connecting a pair of left and right synthetic resin case members with screws or the like.
A connection port 22 having one end exposed at the front end face inclined forward is attached to the front part of the first part. The connection port 22 has a cylindrical shape with a step by connecting a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion. This connection port 2
2 is a suction opening 13 or a gap nozzle 14 in place of the suction opening 13
Are removably inserted and attached. A plurality of ventilation holes 22a are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the wall surface of the connection port 22 that defines the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion. A handle 23 is integrally formed on the rear upper side of the main body case 21. By gripping the handle 23, the entire vacuum cleaner 11 can be moved with one hand.

The inner surfaces of the two case members are integrally provided with required partitioning ribs whose tips are brought into contact with each other as the members are connected to each other. Dust collection chamber 24 and rear exhaust chamber 25
And a recirculation chamber 26 provided below the dust collection chamber 24 and the exhaust chamber 25 and forming a return air passage.

The dust collection chamber 24 located in front of the exhaust chamber 25
Is opened, and this opening is hermetically closed by a case lid 27 which is detachably attached to a front upper portion of the main body case 21. The case lid 27 is rotated downward with the claw receiving hole 28 as a fulcrum in a state where the claw 27a at the front end thereof is inserted into the claw receiving hole 28 provided in the main body case 21.
The engagement convex portion 27b provided at the rear end portion is hooked onto the lower side of the hemispherical engagement convex portion receiver 29 provided on the main body case 21 by climbing over the receiver 29 from above, thereby closing the lid. Mounted and held. The case lid 27 has an annular seal 30 for hermetic sealing, and has a handle hole 31 through which a plurality of fingers can be inserted. By pulling up the case lid 27 together with the finger inserted into the handle hole 31, the lid 27 can be pulled upward.

The front wall of the dust collecting chamber 24 has a filter mounting portion 32.
In the vicinity of the upper end of the filter mounting portion 32, a filter holder 33 which is manually rotated against the force of the spring 33a in the direction indicated by an arrow in FIGS. 2 and 3 is mounted. The dust bag 34 made of a paper pack as a filter which is housed in the dust collecting chamber 24 so as to be able to be taken in and out is provided with its mouth frame 3
4a is attached to the filter mounting portion 32 by the filter holder 33.
Is accommodated in the dust collecting chamber 24. A filter support 35 having a large number of elongated ventilation holes is accommodated in the rear portion of the dust collecting chamber 24, and the filter support 35 supports the rear surface of the dust collecting bag 34 expanded with the cleaning operation.

An electric blower 41 is installed in the exhaust chamber 25 with its suction port facing the dust collecting chamber 24 side. In addition, 4
Reference numerals 2 and 43 denote vibration-proof packings fitted around the electric blower 41. The rib located at the boundary between the exhaust chamber 25 and the dust collecting chamber 24 is provided with an opening 44 facing the suction port, so that the air passing through the dust collecting bag 34 in the dust collecting chamber 24 can be removed. It is sucked into the electric blower 41. Further, the exhaust chamber 25 houses a unitized code reel device 45 located behind the electric blower 41. Power is supplied to the electric blower 41 and the like via a power cord drawn out of the cord reel device 45 to the outside of the main body case 21.

As shown partially in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, etc., the electric blower 41 includes a stator, a diffuser screwed to one end surface of an iron core of the stator, and a peripheral portion of the diffuser. A fan cover 50 having the above-mentioned suction port, which is fitted and attached to a bearing, a bearing bracket 51 screwed to the other end face of the stator core, and not shown attached to the bearing bracket 51 and the diffuser, respectively. A rotor rotatably supported over a bearing, a centrifugal fan connected to one end of a rotor shaft 52 of the rotor and covered with the fan cover 50, and a commutator (not shown) of the rotor 52 having elasticity. And a pair of brush devices each having a carbon brush that can be pressed down. The vibration-proof packing 42 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the fan cover 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the bearing bracket 51 includes, for example, four pillars 51a, a bearing support part 51c provided integrally therewith to support the bearing 51b, and a stator provided at the other end of the pillar 51a. The brush device is attached to two pillars 51a of which are attached to an iron core.

During operation of the electric blower 41, the air sucked into the centrifugal fan from the suction port is discharged from the periphery of the fan, and then guided by the inner surface of the fan cover 50 into the diffuser. The gas flows in from the inlet and flows out around the stator while being made static by the diffuser.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the electric blower 4
1, a cylindrical motor cover 53 made of synthetic resin or the like is fitted and attached to the outer peripheral portion of the diffuser so as to cover the stator and the bearing bracket. The bearing support portion 51c of the bracket 51 penetrates through the bottom wall of the motor cover 53, and the anti-vibration packing 43 is fitted on the outer surface of the support portion 51c. A short cylindrical return port 54 is integrally formed on the periphery of the motor cover 53 so as to protrude outward. The return port 54 is a partition rib that forms a boundary between the two chambers 24 and 25 and the return chamber 26. 5
5 is inserted through a hole 56 provided in the hole 5. Therefore, the inside of the motor cover 53 and the reflux chamber 26 are communicated via the reflux port 54. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, a noise reduction member 57 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the motor cover 53, and one or more noise reduction members 57 communicate with the motor cover 53 and the noise reduction member 57. Exhaust holes 53a, 5
7a is open. The inside of the motor cover 53 and the exhaust chamber 25 communicate with each other through the through holes 53a and 57a.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, an exhaust portion 60 is provided on the rear side wall 21a of the main body case 21 facing the exhaust chamber 25. As shown in FIG. 7, the exhaust unit 60 includes an air volume control member 61, an exhaust hole 62, a spring 6
3 is provided. The air volume control member 61 has a piston shape. A cylindrical air volume control chamber 65 is formed between the rear side wall 21a and the partition wall 64 integrally projecting from the inner surface, and the air volume control member 61 is accommodated in the control chamber 65 so as to be movable in the axial direction. Have been. A communication port 64a communicating the exhaust chamber 25 and the air volume control chamber 65 is opened at one end of the partition 64, and a spacer projection 66 is provided on the inner surface of the rear side wall 21a so as to face the communication port 64a. It protrudes integrally. The exhaust holes 62 are opened in the rear side wall 21a at regular intervals, for example, facing the air volume control chamber 65. The exhaust holes 62 may be connected to each other to form one hole.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the air volume control member 61 is in a fully closed position for closing each exhaust hole 62, and in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the air outlet 62 is movable over a fully open position where the exhaust holes 62 are opened, and is held at the fully closed position by a coil spring 63 housed at the other end of the air volume control chamber 65. It is being rushed. The positioning to the fully closed position is performed by bringing the air volume control member 61 into contact with the stopper convex portion 66, and the pressure of the exhaust chamber 25 is applied to the end face of one end of the air volume control member 61 held against the stopper convex portion 66. Has been extended. The biasing force of the spring 63 is set to be higher than the pressure in the exhaust chamber 25 when cleaning using the suction port body 13 and weaker than the pressure in the exhaust chamber 25 when cleaning using the suction tool 14. .

2 to 4 is an electric blower 41.
Switch for turning on / off the power supply to the dust collecting chamber 24
And a leak valve provided in a ventilation path that communicates with the outside of the main body case 21. The valve 68 is used to open when the vacuum pressure in the dust collecting chamber 24 falls below a predetermined value and to introduce outside air into the dust collecting chamber 24. 2 and FIG.
Is an outside air intake which forms a part of the ventilation path on the upstream side of the leak valve 68, and is communicated with the outside of the main body case 21 through the handle hole 31.

Next, the suction port 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. The suction port body 13 includes a connection pipe 71 as a connection portion, a suction port body main portion 72, and a reflux outlet 73.

For example, a connection pipe 71 which is detachably inserted into the connection port 22 and communicates with the cleaner body 12 is provided with an inner connection pipe 75 having both ends opened and an integral and coaxial connection at the tip end side. And an outer connection pipe 76 provided.

The cylindrical inner connecting pipe 75, which is longer than the outer connecting pipe 76, is inserted into the small diameter portion of the connecting port 22, is brought into contact with a seal valve (not shown) of the port frame 34a, and contains dust. The air is guided into the dust bag 34. A pair of upper and lower stopper protruding edges 77 and 78 protrude outward from an opening edge of a front end portion of the inner connecting pipe 75 protruding outside the main body case 21.

An outer connecting pipe 76 having a short cylindrical shape and having a tapered portion whose diameter becomes gradually smaller toward the opening edge side of the front end portion is inserted into a large diameter portion of the connecting port 22, and its shaft is Inner connecting pipe 7 at one end in the direction
5, a return air inlet 76a is formed. A pair of left and right return air outlets 76b are formed at the other end in the axial direction of the outer connection pipe 76 at right angles to the axial direction and open outwardly. The peripheral wall of the return air outlet 76b forms an annular pivot cylinder portion 79. A hermetic sealing material 80 such as a synthetic rubber O-ring is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the outer connection pipe 76 on the side of the return air inlet 76a.

When the connection pipe 71 is inserted into the connection port 22, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer connection pipe 76 is inserted until it hits the wall surface of the connection port 22 where the vent 22a is opened. By insertion, the outer connection pipe 76 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the connection port 22, and airtightness between the outer connection pipe 76 and the inner peripheral surface is secured by the airtight seal member 80, and the outer connection pipe 76 is attached to the main body case 21. The detachment in this mounted state is performed by the frictional engagement force of the rubber hermetic seal member 80. The reflux chamber 26 and the inside of the outer connection pipe 75 are communicated with each other through a return air introduction port 76a of the connection pipe 71 attached to the connection port 22 and a ventilation port 22a which is close to and opposed to the return air introduction port 76a.

The main body 72 of the suction opening is formed by connecting the main upper case 81 and the main lower case 82 by screws. A pair of rib-shaped bearing plates are provided on the inner surfaces of the upper and lower cases 81 and 82 so as to project therefrom. . With this support structure, the suction port main body 72
Is pivotally connected to the connection pipe 71 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction,
By the rotation, the main body 72 of the mouth body can be obtained with a proper posture with respect to the surface to be cleaned. 8, reference numeral 85 denotes an upper stopper which is brought into contact with and separated from the stopper projection 77.
Reference numeral 6 denotes a lower stopper which comes into contact with and separates from the stopper protruding edge 78.
2, the rotation angle is regulated in the up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main upper case 81 and the main lower case 82 are continuously connected to the inner connecting pipe 7.
Partitions 87 and 88 are provided to cover the opening of the end of the partition 5, and the lower surface of the lower partition 88 is open. A collection chamber 89 communicating with the inner connecting pipe 75 is partitioned by partitions 87, 88 and the like inside the suction port main body 72, and a blowing chamber 90 surrounding the collection chamber 89 except for a lower surface opening thereof is defined. Have been. The recovery chamber 89 communicates with an inlet 92 described below, and the outlet chamber 90 communicates with the return air outlet 76b.

The main lower case 82 is provided with an air inlet 92 which is open at the bottom wall 91, and the central portion of the air inlet 92 faces the lower surface opening of the partition wall 88. The lower end portion of the partition wall 88 is thicker than the other portions, and one side of the collection chamber 89 (the front side in the present embodiment) is provided between the lower surface of the thick end portion and the inner surface of the bottom wall 91. Reflux outlet 7 located at
3 are formed. The air returned into the blowing chamber 90 is blown out from the recirculation outlet 73 toward the collection chamber 89. Providing the thick end portion is equivalent to the flow outlet 7
3 is excellent in that the length of the blowing direction can be increased to give directionality to the blown air. In FIG. 8 and the like, reference numeral 95 denotes a rotatable roller serving as a spacer means attached to each of the front and rear outer surfaces of the main part lower case 82, and forms a predetermined narrow suction gap between the surface to be cleaned and the suction port 92. Is formed.

Next, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG.
4 will be described. The gap nozzle 14, which is also called a vine port, includes a suction cylinder portion 111 and a fitting portion 1 integrated therewith.
12 and a resistance member 113.

The suction cylinder 111 inserted into the small-diameter portion of the connection port 22 has a suction port 111a having a narrow width on the tip end side, and a plug-in side portion 111b opposite to the suction port 111a. Have. The suction port 111a is formed as an oblique opening. As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion-side portion 111b is inserted into the connection port 22 until the fitting portion 112 hits a wall surface of the connection port 22 where the ventilation port 22a is opened.

The fitting portion 1 inserted into the large diameter portion of the connection port 22
Reference numeral 12 is provided on the outer periphery of the insertion-side portion 111b so as to be continuous and coaxial in the circumferential direction. The fitting part 112 has a larger diameter than the suction cylinder part 111, and has a wind shield part 112a integrally connected to the outer periphery of the insertion part 111b. The wind shield portion 112a is provided around the circumference continuously in the circumferential direction, and is formed in a tapered shape, for example, at the end on the suction port 111a side. Therefore, the inside space of the fitting portion 112 and the inside of the suction tube 111 are not communicated.

The resistance member 113 is made of rubber, and is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 112 so as to be exposed. A plurality of rubber plates may be attached to the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion 112 at intervals along the circumferential direction of the resistance member 113. In the present embodiment, for example, a rubber O-ring is used. .
The use of the annular resistance member 113 such as an O-ring is excellent in that the attachment is easy, there is little possibility of peeling, and a uniform frictional resistance can be obtained over the entire circumference of the fitting portion 112. ing. When using an O-ring, a plurality of O-rings may be provided in parallel. When the suction tool 14 is directly attached to the connection port 22, the resistance member 113 elastically deforms and comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the connection port 22, so that the airtightness between the fitting portion 112 and the connection port 22 is improved. Not only is secured, but also the mounting strength of the suction tool 14 to the connection port 22 is improved.

Next, the operation in the case of performing the air circulation type cleaning by the vacuum cleaner 11 having the above configuration will be described. In this case, the electric vacuum cleaner 11 is used by operating the electric blower 41 in a state where the connection pipe 71 of the suction port body 13 is inserted and connected to the connection port 22 of the cleaner body 12 as shown in FIG. .

In this use, dust contained in the intake air (indicated by the dotted arrow in FIGS. 3 and 8) flowing into the dust collecting bag 34 through the inner connecting pipe 75 of the suction opening 13 is collected. The air captured by the bag 34 and passed through the dust collection bag 34 further passes through the filter support 35 and is sucked into the electric blower 41, and then is discharged to the reflux chamber 26 through the reflux port 54 of the motor cover 53. At the same time, a part thereof is discharged to the exhaust chamber 25 through the exhaust holes 53a and the holes 57a. In this case, since air is discharged to the recirculation chamber 26, the pressure in the exhaust chamber 25 is reduced by the coil spring 63 of the exhaust unit 60.
Is less than the biasing force. Therefore, the air volume control member 61
7A is not moved from the fully closed position and maintains the state of FIG. 7A, so that all the air discharged from the electric blower 41 flows into the recirculation chamber 26.

The exhaust gas thus flowing into the recirculation chamber 26 flows from the vent 22 a of the connection port 22 to the outside connection pipe 7 of the connection pipe 71.
6, is led out from the return air outlet 76 b of the outer connection pipe 76 to the outlet chamber 90 of the suction port main body 72, and is then blown out from the return outlet 73 to the suction port 92 to be connected to the connection pipe. Vacuum cleaner main body 1 via inner connection pipe 75 of 71
It is sucked into two sides. The flow of the circulating wind is indicated by solid arrows in FIGS. As the air discharged from the electric blower 41 is collected and circulated by the suction port body 13 as described above, external air is sucked into the suction port 92 of the suction port body 13 together with dust by the force, so that air circulation is performed. You can clean the ceremony.

Next, the operation when the vacuum cleaner 11 having the above structure cleans a narrow place such as a sash or a gap will be described. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the electric blower 4 is connected to the electric blower 4 in a state where the gap nozzle 14 is inserted and connected to the connection port 22 of the cleaner body 12 instead of the suction opening body 13 as shown in FIG. 2.
Used by driving one. Crevice nozzle 14
Is inserted into the small-diameter portion of the connection port 22 at the same time as the insertion-side portion 111a of the suction cylinder portion 111, and at the same time, the fitting portion 112 is fitted inside the large-diameter portion of the connection port 22, so that Mounted.

By this attachment, the resistance member 113 of the gap nozzle 14 is elastically deformed and comes into close contact with the inner surface of the large-diameter portion of the connection port 22, so that the space between the connection port 22 and the fitting portion 112 is hermetically sealed. At the same time, the ventilation port 22a of the connection port 22 is closed from the entrance side of the connection port 22 by the wind shield section 112a of the fitting section 112.
A return chamber 26 that forms a return air passage leading to is closed at the connection port 22. In other words, the return air path is the wind shield 11
A dead end is caused by 2a.

In this use, the intake air (FIG. 2) flowing into the dust collection bag 34 through the suction cylinder 111 of the gap nozzle 14
The dust contained in the dust collecting bag 34 is captured by the dust collecting bag 34, and the air passing through the dust collecting bag 34 is further sucked into the electric blower 41 through the filter support 35, It is about to be discharged to the reflux chamber 26 through the reflux port 54 of the motor cover 53.

However, since the reflux chamber 26 is closed at the connection port 22 by the gap nozzle 14 as described above, the air discharged from the electric blower 41 does not flow through the reflux chamber 26. Therefore, all of the air exhausted from the electric blower 41 is exhausted to the exhaust chamber 25 through the exhaust holes 53a and the holes 57a as indicated by the dotted arrows in FIG. In this case, since no air is discharged to the recirculation chamber 26, the pressure P in the exhaust chamber 25 is
3, and the large air pressure acts on the end face of the air volume control member 61 on the spacer convex portion 65 side through the communicating portion 61a of the exhaust portion 60.

Therefore, the air volume control member 61 is pushed from the fully closed position shown in FIG. 7A to the fully opened position shown in FIG. Exhaust holes 62 are opened one after another,
The opening area of the entire exhaust hole group 62 is increased. for that reason,
All of the air discharged from the electric blower 41 is supplied to the recirculation chamber 2.
The air is discharged to the outside of the cleaner body 12 through the exhaust hole 62 opened through the exhaust chamber 25 without flowing into the cleaner body 12. The flow of the exhaust air is indicated by a dotted arrow in FIG.

As described above, the gap nozzle 14 is connected to the connection port 22.
In the case of cleaning by connecting to the air blower, all of the air discharged from the electric blower 41 through the exhaust hole 62 of the exhaust unit 60 can be exhausted to the outside of the cleaner main body 12 without performing the above-described air circulation. Therefore, although the return air passage is closed, the pressure in the exhaust chamber 25 is not greatly increased, and the pressure loss can be reduced, so that suction from the gap nozzle 14 can be easily performed. Therefore, in spite of using the cleaner main body 12 of the air circulation type vacuum cleaner 11, it is possible to suck dust in a narrow place through the gap nozzle 14 as in a general vacuum cleaner which does not circulate air. .

In this case, since the recirculation chamber 26 forming the return air passage is closed, the air discharged from the electric blower 41 is blown around the gap nozzle 14 through the connection port 22, There is no ejection from the nozzle 14. Therefore, the dust in a narrow place to be cleaned is not blown off, and the dust is
Can be cleaned by sucking through the suction port 111a.

Further, as described above, since all the air exhausted from the electric blower 41 is exhausted to the outside of the cleaner body 12, the exhaust area of the exhaust holes 62 provided in the exhaust unit 60 is increased. It is possible to easily obtain an exhaust air volume appropriate for using the gap nozzle 14.

By the way, as another means for obtaining such an exhaust air volume, it is conceivable to always leave the exhaust holes 62 fully open without opening and closing. But,
In this case, it is preferable to use the gap nozzle 14. However, when the suction port 13 is used instead of the nozzle 14, only a very weak circulating air flow is formed, and the air circulation type cleaning is performed. There is a problem that can not be. In the present invention, the exhaust area of the exhaust unit 60 at the time of using the gap nozzle 14 and performing the air circulation cleaning may not be zero (fully closed) as in the present embodiment, but may be at the time of full opening. The exhaust area may be smaller than the exhaust area. In this case, the exhaust area does not necessarily need to be changed, and may be kept open.

In the cleaning using the gap nozzle 14, the circulating air flow is not formed as described above, but the exhaust pressure is applied to the gap nozzle 14 through the return chamber 26 as a return air path. Acting from 22a, the gap nozzle 14
Is about to be blown out. However, in addition to the frictional engagement force at the fitting portion between the suction cylinder portion 111 and the connection port 22, the gap nozzle 14 is connected to the connection port by a rubber resistance member 113 attached to the outer periphery of the fitting portion 112. 22 is securely held.

That is, when the insertion nozzle 14 is inserted and connected to the connection port 22, the rubber resistance member 112 is elastically deformed and is sandwiched between the peripheral surfaces fitted to each other, so that the connection port 22 is inserted.
, The frictional engagement force of the resistance member 113 with respect to the connection port 22 is increased, and the mounting strength of the gap nozzle 14 with respect to the connection port 22 is increased. Therefore, even if air pressure is applied to the gap nozzle 14 to blow it out, the attached state of the gap nozzle 14 can be maintained and the blowout of the gap nozzle 14 can be prevented.

When the gap nozzle 14 is used, the exhaust area of the exhaust section 60 is increased to the maximum as described above, and the exhaust is smoothly performed to the outside of the cleaner body 12, so that the gap nozzle 14 is blown out. The magnitude of the air pressure can also be reduced, and in this regard, it is possible to more reliably prevent the gap nozzle 14 from being accidentally blown off.

In the first embodiment, the gap nozzle 1
4 was communicated with the cleaner body 12 by directly inserting it into the connection port 22 and connecting it, but by interposing a relay air path member such as a cylindrical pipe or a dust suction hose, this member was used. Alternatively, it may be indirectly communicated with the cleaner body 12 side.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of FIG. 11 showing an example thereof will be described. This embodiment has basically the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the configuration and operation will be described. Are omitted, and different portions will be described below.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 121 denotes a dust suction hose as a relay air passage member. The hose 121 includes an inner hose member 122, an outer hose member 123 provided to accommodate the member 122, and both of the hose members 122 and 123.
And a connecting cylinder 125 connected to the other ends of the hose members 122 and 123.
And is formed from

The two hose members 122 arranged concentrically,
123 is made of a bellows tube and has flexibility, and the annular space 126 between them is used as a part of a return air path leading to the gap nozzle 14.

The insertion cylinder 124 detachably inserted and connected to the connection port 22 is connected to the inner insertion cylinder 124 a fitted to the small diameter portion of the connection port 22 and to the large diameter portion of the connection port 22. Outer cylindrical portion 124b, and both cylindrical portions 1
It is composed of a plurality of connecting ribs (not shown) that integrally connect 24a and 124b, and is used as a part of a return air passage that communicates with the ventilation hole 22a and reaches the gap nozzle 14 between the two cylindrical portions 124a and 124b. A plurality of spaces 127 are formed, and a connection port 2 is formed on the outer surface of the outer insertion tube portion 124ab.
An O-ring 128 closely attached to the inner surface of the large diameter portion 2 is attached.

The inner insertion tube portion 1 of the insertion tube 124
The end of 24 a is connected to one end of the inner hose member 122, and the end of the outer insertion tube portion 124 b is connected to one end of the outer hose member 123. By this connection, the annular space 126 and the space 127 are communicated.

The connecting cylinder 125 has an inner cylindrical portion 125a.
And a plurality of connecting ribs (not shown) that integrally connect the outer cylindrical portion 125b and the outer cylindrical portion 125b, and a part of the return air passage reaching the gap nozzle 14 between the two cylindrical portions 125a and 125b. A plurality of spaces 129 to be used are formed. The end of the inner tube 125a is connected to the other end of the inner hose member 122, and the end of the outer tube 125b is similarly connected to the other end of the outer hose 123.
By this connection, the annular space 126 and the space 129 are communicated. The suction port 13 and the gap nozzle 14 are connected to the tip of the connection cylinder 125 in a replaceable manner. The end faces of the connecting rib and the inner cylindrical portion 125a are:
The connection cylinder 125 is provided with the suction port 13 or the gap nozzle 1.
4 is used as a stopper for restricting the insertion depth when detachably fitted. When the gap nozzle 14 is attached to the connection cylinder 125, the resistance member 113 of the nozzle 14 is elastically deformed and comes into close contact with the inner surface of the outer cylinder 125b. The configuration other than the above point is the same as that of the air circulation type vacuum cleaner 11 according to the first embodiment, including portions not shown.

In the configuration of the second embodiment,
When the gap nozzle 14 is connected to the connection cylinder 125 and the nozzle 14 is connected to the connection port 22 for cleaning, the return air path from the exhaust side of the electric blower to the gap nozzle 14 is fitted to the connection cylinder 125. Wind shielding part 11 of combined gap nozzle 14
Blocked by 2a. Therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained to solve the respective problems of the present invention.
In addition, the use of the flexible dust suction hose 121 is advantageous in that a narrow place or the like without the cleaner body 12 can be easily cleaned.

In the case where the suction port is connected to the connecting cylinder 125 for use, the return air flow path inside the cleaner main body 12 and the return air path outside the cleaner main body 12 (that is, the return air path portion) , The spaces 126, 12 communicated with each other
7, 129), the air discharged from the electric blower is returned to the suction port body, and the air collected or sucked into the suction port body is communicated with the inner cylindrical portion 125 which is communicated with each other.
a, inner hose member 122, and inner plug-in tube portion 124
a is sucked into the dust collection chamber.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the present invention is applicable not only to the hand-held air circulation type vacuum cleaner according to each of the above-described embodiments, but also to an upright type, a canister type, and other types of air circulation type vacuum cleaners and suction tools therefor. May be a round brush or the like other than the gap nozzle.

[0074]

The present invention is embodied in the form described above and has the following effects.

According to the air circulation type vacuum cleaner according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, when cleaning is performed using a suction tool having a smaller suction opening area than this suction body instead of the suction mouth body. In addition, since the return air passage from the electric blower in the cleaner body to the suction device is closed and all of the air exhausted from the electric blower is exhausted to the outside of the cleaner body through the exhaust part, the air is discharged from the electric blower. The air to be returned to the suction device does not blow out to the surface to be cleaned and does not blow off the dust on the surface to be cleaned. .

According to the air circulation type vacuum cleaner according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the suction tool with respect to the connection port of the cleaner body or the connection cylinder of the relay air passage member is formed by the frictional engagement force of the rubber resistance member. Since the mounting strength is increased, even if air pressure acts to blow the suction tool to the suction tool, the suction tool can withstand the air pressure and can prevent the suction tool connected to the connection port or the connection cylinder from being accidentally blown off.

According to the suction device for an air circulation type vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, the air which is discharged from the electric blower of the cleaner and is returned to the suction device is blown to the surface to be cleaned. Dust can be sucked through the suction tool in the same manner as a general vacuum cleaner that does not circulate air, so that dust on the surface to be cleaned in a narrow place can be sucked and cleaned without blowing. Suitable.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is dependent on the fifth aspect of the present invention.
According to the suction device for an air circulation type vacuum cleaner according to the invention described in (1), the suction device with respect to the connection port or the relay air passage member by the frictional engagement force of the rubber resistance member attached to the peripheral surface of the fitting portion. Since the mounting strength of the suction tool is increased, even if air pressure acts to blow the suction tool on the suction tool, the suction tool can withstand this and prevent the suction tool from being accidentally blown off.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an air circulation type vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a state in which a cleaner body, a suction opening and a suction tool are separated.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing a configuration of the entire vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1 in a state where a suction tool is connected to a vacuum cleaner main body.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view showing a configuration of the entire electric vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1 in a state where a suction opening is connected to a main body of the electric vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the cleaner main body shown in FIG. 1 with a part thereof removed;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line ZZ in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a rear portion of the cleaner main body shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the exhaust unit when cleaning is performed using the suction port body, taken along line YY in FIG. 6;
FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the exhaust unit when cleaning is performed using the suction tool, taken along line YY in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional side view showing the configuration of the suction port shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a part of the configuration of the suction opening body shown in FIG. 8 in a state in which a main part upper case is removed;

10 is a rear view showing the configuration of the suction port shown in FIG. 8 in a slightly inclined state.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing a configuration of a main part of an air circulation type vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Vacuum cleaner, 12 ... Vacuum cleaner main body, 13 ... Suction port body, 14 ... Gap nozzle (suction implement), 22 ... Connection port, 22a ... Vent hole, 24 ... Dust collection chamber, 25 ... Exhaust chamber, 26 ... Recirculation chamber (return air path), 34: dust collection bag (filter), 41: electric blower, 53: motor cover, 53a, 57a: exhaust hole, 54: recirculation port, 60: exhaust part, 61: air volume control member Reference numeral 61a: communication part, 62: exhaust hole, 63: coil spring, 64: air flow control chamber, 65: spacer convex part, 111: suction cylinder part, 111a: suction port, 111b: insertion side part, 112: fitting part Reference numeral 112a: wind shield portion; 113, resistance member; 121, dust suction hose (relay air passage member); 125, connection cylinder.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. The connection according to the operation of an electric blower in a cleaner body having a suction port or a connection port through which a suction tool having a suction opening area smaller than the suction port is connected instead of the suction port. An air-circulating vacuum cleaner that cleans while collecting and circulating air discharged from the electric blower through the filter by capturing the dust by passing air sucked through a mouth through a filter, An exhaust portion for passing at least a part of the air discharged from the electric blower is provided in the cleaner body, and when the suction device is used by communicating with the connection port, return from the electric blower to the suction device is performed. An air circulation type vacuum cleaner characterized by closing an air passage. 2. The air circulation type vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein an exhaust area of the exhaust unit is increased when the suction tool is used in communication with the connection port. . 3. An air flow control member which is moved in accordance with the pressure of an exhaust chamber facing the exhaust portion, an exhaust hole whose exhaust area is varied by the air flow control member, The air circulation type vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the air circulation type vacuum cleaner is formed by a spring which urges the air volume control member in a direction in which an exhaust area decreases. 4. The air suction device according to claim 1, wherein said suction port or said relay air path member detachably inserted and connected to said connection port is detachably inserted and connected to a connection cylinder body provided at a distal end portion. A rubber resistor that is elastically deformed along with the insertion connection and is in close contact with the other peripheral surface on one of the inner peripheral surface of the connection port or the connection cylindrical body and the outer peripheral surface of the suction tool. The air circulation type vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a member is attached. 5. A suction port having a reduced width on the tip end side, and a plug-in side opposite to the suction port is provided with a connection port of a cleaner main body having a built-in electric blower of an air circulation type vacuum cleaner. A suction cylinder portion inserted into a connection cylinder having a relay air passage member detachably inserted and connected to the connection port at a distal end portion thereof; and the suction cylinder portion circumferentially continuous with an outer periphery of the suction cylinder portion. Is provided with a larger diameter than that, is inserted into the connection port or the connection cylinder, is fitted to the inner surface of the connection port or the connection cylinder, and returns from the electric blower to the connection port. A fitting for air circulation type vacuum cleaner, comprising: a fitting part having a wind shielding part for closing an air passage. 6. A rubber resistor which is elastically deformed on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion along with the connection port or the connection cylinder and is closely connected to the connection port or the inner peripheral surface of the connection cylinder. The suction device for an air circulation type vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, wherein a member is attached.