JPH1156691A - Cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaner by which dust such as the dead body, excrements, fine powder or the like of charged mite can be suction-removed efficiently. SOLUTION: A cleaner 10 is so constructed that a housing 12 for storing a rotary brush 11 for scraping out the dust, a dust collecting bag 14 for accumulating the sucked dust, and a suction hose 16 for transporting the dust from the housing 12 to the dust collecting bag 14 are accomodated in an enclosure 18. Two X-ray sources (front X-ray source 30 and rear X-ray source 32) for radiating X-rays to the rotary brush 11 are fixed to the inner wall of the housing 12, and the outer wall of the housing 12 is covered with a shielding plate 34 formed of polyvinylchloride. The suction hose 16 is provided with an X-ray source 38 for the hose, which is adapted to apply X-rays to the inner wall of the suction hose 16, and the outer wall of the suction hose 16 is covered with an X-ray shielding member 39.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a feeling that the pursuit of convenience in home electric appliances has already been achieved, and recently, the added value of plus α has been regarded as important. Above all, the words environment and hygiene are a kind of keyword, and are particularly attracting attention.

[0003] The vacuum cleaner is not an exception, and has not only the function of sucking conventional cotton dust and paper dust, but also the cleaning of sucking and removing dead carcasses, feces, fine particles represented by pollen, etc. nesting inside carpets. Machine needs are growing.
Since dead mites, feces, and fine powder act as allergens, they have become an important problem particularly in places where strict hygiene needs to be considered, such as hotels, hospitals, and public facilities.

[0004] However, dead mites, feces, fine powder, and the like are charged by static electricity, and thus it is difficult to efficiently remove them from the interior of the carpet using a normal vacuum cleaner. Therefore, there have been disclosed various types of vacuum cleaners designed to solve this problem.

[0005] For example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-29648 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-157648 disclose a vacuum cleaner having a function of blowing ion wind onto a floor surface. In this vacuum cleaner, the ion wind removes the charge of dust attached to the floor surface, and can suck and remove dead mites, feces, fine powder, and the like.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 49-28167 discloses a vacuum cleaner in which fine metal wires are mixed in the bristle material of a rotating brush. This vacuum cleaner can remove the charge of the dust attached to the rotating brush by contacting the fine metal wire which is a good conductor with the floor, and can suck and remove dead mites, feces, fine powder, and the like.

Further, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 60-18745 discloses a vacuum cleaner having a function of irradiating a floor surface with ultraviolet rays. By irradiating the ultraviolet rays, it is possible to remove the charge of the dust attached to the floor surface, and to remove the dead body, feces, fine powder and the like of the mites by suction.

[0008]

The use of a vacuum cleaner as in the above-mentioned prior art makes it possible to aspirate and remove dead mites, feces, fine powder, etc., which are charged and adhere to the carpet. Each of the prior arts has the following problems. In other words, a vacuum cleaner that blows ionic wind onto the floor can remove dead mites, feces, and fine powder from the floor, but the surface potential of the rotating brush that rotates at high speed is several Because it is charged to kV or more,
The dust removed from the floor easily adheres to the rotating brush, the inner wall of the brush housing, the inner wall of the suction hose, and the like.
As a result, dead bodies, feces, and fine powder of mites cannot be efficiently sucked into the dust collection bag.

Further, in a vacuum cleaner in which fine metal wires are mixed in a brush material, the brush material is limited and the fine metal wires are in contact with the floor surface, so that the floor surface is damaged.

Furthermore, in a vacuum cleaner that irradiates the floor with ultraviolet rays, the ultraviolet rays cause the air to be ozonized, and this ozone causes corrosion of metal parts inside the vacuum cleaner.

The present invention solves the above problems and efficiently removes dust such as dead carcasses of mites, feces, and fine powder without damaging the floor and promoting corrosion of the cleaner body. An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner capable of performing the same.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention has an opening facing a floor surface and a rotary accommodating portion for accommodating a rotary brush so as to partially expose the opening. A first X-ray source provided in the brush housing and irradiating the rotating brush with X-rays; and an X-ray provided in the brush housing and radiated from the first X-ray source from the brush housing. And an X-ray shielding member disposed at a position where the light is transmitted to the outside.

[0013] Further, a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention has an opening facing a floor surface, and a brush accommodating portion for accommodating a rotating brush so that a part thereof is exposed from the opening. A first X-ray source for irradiating X-rays to the X-ray shielding member, wherein at least a portion of the brush housing where X-rays emitted from the first X-ray source are transmitted from the brush housing to the outside of the brush housing. It may be characterized by being formed by.

With the vacuum cleaner having the above-described structure, it is possible to remove the charge of the rotating brush, and the dust such as dead mites, feces, and fine powder is efficiently captured without being caught by the rotating brush. Can be removed by suction.

Further, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention irradiates X-rays to a dust transport section having a passage for sending dust sucked from the brush accommodating section to the dust collecting section, and an inner wall provided in the dust transport section to form the passage. A second X-ray source to be provided, and an X-ray shielding member provided in the dust transport unit and disposed at a position where X-rays emitted from the second X-ray source pass from the dust transport unit to the outside. It may be characterized by having.

[0016] With the above configuration of the vacuum cleaner, it is possible to remove the charge on the inner wall of the passage forming the garbage transporting unit, and dust such as dead mites, feces, and fine powder is captured on the inner wall of the passage. Without waste, these dusts can be more efficiently removed by suction.

Further, the cleaner according to the present invention has a detecting means for detecting that the edge of the opening of the brush accommodating part has moved away from the floor surface, and at least a detecting signal output from the detecting means. Preferably, a control unit for stopping irradiation of X-rays from the first X-ray source is provided.

[0018] With the above construction of the vacuum cleaner, it is possible to prevent unnecessary X-rays from leaking to the outside when the opening of the brush accommodating section is separated from the floor, and to use the vacuum cleaner in a safe state. Can be.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a vacuum cleaner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum cleaner 10 mainly includes a housing 12 (brush accommodating portion) for accommodating a rotary brush 11 for scraping dust from a floor surface such as a carpet, a dust collecting bag 14 (dust collecting portion) for collecting sucked dust, and a housing 12. The suction hose 16 (dust transport unit) for transporting dust to the dust collection bag 14 is housed in the housing 18 and is mainly used for business use.

The housing 18 is provided with a lock-type wheel 20 so that the cleaner 10 can be moved and fixed at a predetermined position. An operation handle 22 is provided on the upper part of the housing 18.
Thus, the operation of starting or ending suction can be performed. Further, the air sucked into the dust collection bag 14 is effectively discharged to the outside of the housing 18 through the discharge port 24, and only the sucked dust is contained in the dust collection bag 14. Is stored.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the vicinity of the housing 12. The housing 12 is connected to one end of the suction hose 16 and has an opening 12a facing the floor. A rotating brush 11 is provided inside the housing 12 so that a part thereof is exposed from the opening 12a of the housing 12, and the rotating brush 11 is rotated as necessary to effectively scrape dust accumulated inside the carpet 100. I can do it.

The rotating brush 1 is provided on the inner wall of the housing 12.
Two first X-ray sources that irradiate X-rays 1, that is, a front X-ray source 30 and a rear X-ray source 32 are fixed. Front side X
The radiation source 30 is located on the front side with respect to the traveling direction of the cleaner 10,
X-rays can be mainly irradiated near the contact portion of the rotating brush 11 with the floor, and the rear X-ray source 32 is
X-rays can be irradiated to a position facing the front X-ray source 30, that is, a portion of the rotating brush 11 which is mainly close to the suction hose 16 from the rear side. Also, the X-rays emitted from the front X-ray source 30 and the rear X-ray source 32 do not pass through the wall of the housing 12 and leak to the outside.
The outer wall of the housing 12 is covered with a shielding plate 34 made of polyvinyl chloride. Ground plates 36 are provided directly below the front X-ray source 30 and the rear X-ray source 32, respectively. The housing 18 is grounded, and X-rays are transmitted from the edge of the opening 12a of the housing 12. It prevents leakage.

Also, as shown in FIG.
Is provided with a hose X-ray source 38, which is a second X-ray source, so that the inner wall of the suction hose 16 can be irradiated with X-rays. Here, the hose X-ray source 3
The outer wall of the suction hose 16 is covered with an X-ray shielding member 39 made of polyvinyl chloride so that the X-ray generated from 8 does not leak through the side wall of the suction hose 16 to the outside.

Further, when the opening 12a of the housing 12 moves away from the floor, more specifically, when the edge of the opening 12a moves away from the floor, An interlock mechanism for stopping irradiation of X-rays from the front X-ray source 30 and the rear X-ray source 32 provided in the
The wire is prevented from leaking out of the cleaner 10.

Here, since the housing 12 is fixed to the housing 18, for example, the cleaner 10 is turned over and the end of the opening 12 a of the housing 12 moves in a direction away from the floor. In order to detect, the case 18
It is sufficient to detect that at least one of the wheels 20 provided on the vehicle has left the floor. Therefore, the interlock mechanism of the vacuum cleaner 10 includes a detection unit including a closed circuit in which limit switches 44 that are operated by the vertical movement of a wheel support unit 40 provided on each wheel 20 are connected in series as shown in FIG. And a control unit 46 that receives signals from the detection unit and controls whether or not X-ray irradiation from the front X-ray source 30 and the rear X-ray source 32 can be performed.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a mechanism for detecting that the wheel 20 has left the floor. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the wheel 20 is in contact with the floor, the wheel 20 and the wheel support 40 are pushed upward by the reaction force of the floor, and the operation piece 48 fixed to the wheel support is moved. Then, the limit switch 44 fixed to the housing 18 is energized. When all the wheels 20 come into contact with the floor, all the limit switches 44 constituting the closed circuit are energized, and the control unit 46 detects an energization signal. Upon detecting the energization signal, the control unit 46 controls the front X-ray source 30.
In addition, the interlock of the rear X-ray source 32 is released, and as a result, X-rays can be emitted from the front X-ray source 30 and the rear X-ray source 32.

On the contrary, as shown in FIG.
When the wheel 20 is not in contact with the floor, the wheel 20 and the wheel support 40 are lowered by their own weight and the elastic force of the spring 42, and the limit switch 44 is turned off.
Therefore, if there is at least one wheel 20 that is not in contact with the floor, the above-described closed circuit is cut off, and the control unit 46
The radiation source 30 and the rear X-ray source 32 are in an interlock state, and X-rays are not irradiated. For example, in a case where the vacuum cleaner 10 falls down, and as a result, the brush accommodating portion 12 separates from the floor, one of the wheels 20 is lowered by its own weight and the elastic force of the spring 42, and the limit switch 44 is turned off. Since it is turned off, the interlock mechanism is activated, and the irradiation of X-rays is stopped. For this reason, unnecessary X-rays do not leak to the outside, and the structure can ensure safety.

Next, the operation of the vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, dust such as dead mites, feces, and fine powder are usually mixed into the carpet 100 and the like, and it is difficult to pull out the inside of the carpet 100 to the outermost surface of the carpet. Therefore, these dusts are removed from the carpet 10 using the rotating brush 11.
Scrape to the surface of 0.

Here, the dust that is usually scraped off on the surface of the carpet 100 is greatly charged (A in FIG. 2) due to friction between the rotating brush 11 and the floor. It will be very difficult to do. For example, when a carpet is rubbed with a rotating brush, a carpet made of nylon fiber is -0.3 to-
0.5kV, nylon fiber 20% and acrylic fiber 80%
It has been confirmed by an experiment that a large surface potential such as -1.5 to -4.0 kV appears in a carpet made of synthetic fiber.

Similarly to the carpet 100, the rotating brush 11, the housing 12, the housing 18, and the like are also charged to several hundreds to several thousand volts. Even if dusts such as fine powder are removed, these dusts immediately adhere to the rotating brush 11, the inner wall of the housing 12, or the housing 18, and it is extremely difficult to suck up the dust collection bag 14. .

However, in the vacuum cleaner 10 according to the present embodiment, the front X-ray source 30 mainly irradiates the vicinity of the contact portion of the rotating brush 11 with the floor with X-rays, so that the X-ray adheres to the surface of the carpet 100. It neutralizes dust (such as B in FIG. 2) such as dead carcasses, feces, and fine powder, and the contact between the rotating brush 11 and the carpet 100. The neutralization of dust such as dead mites, feces, fine powder and the like attached to the surface of the carpet 100 and the contact between the rotating brush 11 and the carpet 100 neutralizes the carpet 1.
Dust on the surface of the carpet 1
00 and is not caught by the rotating brush 11.

Further, a portion of the rotating brush 11 near the suction hose 16 is irradiated with X-rays from a rear X-ray source 32 installed at a position facing the front X-ray source 30 so that the rotating brush 11 And the X-rays radiated from the front X-ray source 30 to neutralize the charge of dust that has not been sufficiently neutralized.

In addition, the X-rays emitted from the front X-ray source 30
The X-rays emitted from the X-ray source and the rear X-ray source 32 can also efficiently remove the charge on the inner wall of the housing 12 and the housing 18 and the like, so that dead mites, feces, fine powder, and the like sucked into the housing 12 can be removed. The dust is not trapped on the inner wall of the housing 12, the housing 18, or the like.

By irradiating the inner wall of the suction hose 16 with X-rays from the hose X-ray source 38 provided on the suction hose 16, the charge on the inner wall of the suction hose 16 can be neutralized. Dirt such as dead mites, feces, and fine powder sucked into the hose 16 is not captured on the inner wall of the suction hose 16.

The vacuum cleaner 10 of this embodiment uses X-rays to neutralize the dust, the rotating brush 11 and the like, but as described in detail in the above description of the structure, X
A portion to be irradiated with the rays is covered with a shielding plate 34, a shielding member 39, and the like, and an interlock mechanism is provided so that X-rays are not emitted when the opening 12a of the housing 12 moves away from the floor. As a result, the X-ray does not leak to the outside of the vacuum cleaner 10 and is safe.

Next, the effects of the vacuum cleaner according to this embodiment will be described. The vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment irradiates the rotating brush 11 with X-rays from the front X-ray source 30 and the rear X-ray source 32 to remove dust, the rotating brush 11, the inner wall of the housing 12 and the housing 18. Charging can be neutralized. According to an experiment, by irradiating a contact portion between the rotating brush 11 and the carpet 100 with X-rays for about 3 seconds, a carpet made of nylon fiber is used for about -0.0.
The absolute value of the surface potential can be reduced to about -0.1 kV with a carpet made of a composite fiber of 5 kV, 20% nylon fiber and 80% acrylic fiber. Similarly, the absolute value of the surface potential of the rotating brush 11 and the like can be significantly reduced. Therefore, even charged dust such as dead mites, feces, and fine powder adhering to the carpet 100 and the like can be efficiently removed and suctioned. Further, by irradiating the inside of the suction hose 16 with X-rays, these dusts are not captured on the inner wall of the suction hose 16, and the dust sucked by the suction hose 16 is efficiently collected in the dust collection bag 14. It becomes possible.

Further, since no dust adheres to the inside of the suction hose 16, mites eating the dust do not nest inside the suction hose 16, which is very sanitary.

Furthermore, since the charging of the housing 12 and the housing 18 can be neutralized, the housing 12 and the housing 1 can be neutralized.
When the user touches the hand 8, the user does not feel discomfort when discharging through the hand, and the effect of shortening the working time by improving the collection efficiency can be expected.

In the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment, the outer wall of the housing 12 is covered with a shielding plate 34 so that X-rays do not leak outside.
However, instead of covering the outer wall of the housing 12 with the shielding plate 34, the housing 12 itself may be formed of an X-ray shielding material. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to effectively prevent leakage of X-rays to the outside.

In the vacuum cleaner according to the present embodiment,
Although polyvinyl chloride is used as the material of the shielding plate 34 and the shielding member 39, it may be stainless steel, aluminum, or the like.

[0041]

According to the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, by irradiating the rotating brush of the brush accommodating section with X-rays, it is possible to efficiently remove dust such as dead charged dead mites, feces, and fine powder. . In addition, since it is not necessary to use metal as a material for the rotating brush, it does not damage the floor and does not generate ozone as in the case of irradiating ultraviolet rays. There is no.

In the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, by irradiating X-rays also in the passage of the dust conveying section in addition to the rotating brush, the charge on the inner wall of the passage of the dust conveying section can be removed. Is not caught by the inner wall of the passage of the dust transport section, and the dust can be suctioned and removed more efficiently.

Further, by detecting that the edge of the opening of the brush housing has moved away from the floor and providing an interlock mechanism for stopping the irradiation of X-rays, unnecessary X-rays are provided.
The wire does not leak to the outside, and safety can be ensured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view around a housing of the vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an interlock mechanism of the vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a mechanism for detecting that a wheel has left the floor.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... vacuum cleaner, 11 ... rotating brush, 12 ... housing,
12a: opening, 14: dust collection bag, 16: suction hose,
18 ... housing, 20 ... wheels, 22 ... handle, 24 ... outlet, 30 ... front X-ray source, 32 ... rear X-ray source, 34 ... shielding plate, 36 ... ground plate, 38 ... hose X-ray source , 34 ... shielding member, 40 ... wheel support, 42 ... spring, 44 ...
Limit switch, 46: control unit, 48: operating piece

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A vacuum cleaner having a rotating brush that rotates and rubs a floor surface, the brush housing having an opening facing the floor surface and housing the rotating brush so as to partially expose the opening. A first X-ray source provided in the brush housing and irradiating the rotating brush with X-rays; an X-ray provided in the brush housing and irradiated from the first X-ray source is An X-ray shielding member disposed at a position where light is transmitted from the brush housing portion to the outside thereof. 2. A vacuum cleaner having a rotary brush that rotates and rubs a floor surface, wherein the brush housing portion has an opening facing the floor surface and houses the rotary brush so as to partially expose the opening. And a first X-ray source provided in the brush housing unit and irradiating the rotating brush with X-rays. In the brush housing unit, at least X-rays emitted from the first X-ray source Wherein a portion which transmits from the brush housing portion to the outside thereof is formed of an X-ray shielding material. 3. A dust transport unit having a passage for sending dust sucked from the brush storage unit to a dust collecting unit; and a second dust transfer unit provided in the dust transport unit and irradiating an inner wall forming the passage with X-rays. An X-ray source, and an X-ray shielding member provided in the dust transport unit and arranged at a position where X-rays emitted from the second X-ray source pass from the dust transport unit to the outside. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. A detecting means for detecting that an edge of the opening of the brush accommodating part has moved away from a floor, and at least the first signal based on a detection signal output from the detecting means. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising control means for stopping irradiation of X-rays from the X-ray source.