JPWO2018158969A1 - Electric vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a vacuum cleaner capable of reducing a load on a user's wrist and arm by mechanically assisting an operation of changing a direction of a suction port body. A vacuum cleaner main body having an air intake port, a suction port body having a connection pipe portion directly or indirectly connected to the air suction port of the vacuum cleaner main body, and a pipe rotation drive unit; Has a suction port main body, and the connection pipe portion connected to the suction port body so as to be able to swing back and forth with respect to the suction port main body and to be rotatable in the left and right directions, and the pipe rotation drive section Is provided between the cleaner body and the suction port body in a direct or indirect connection state, and is directly or indirectly connected to the suction port of the cleaner body at the connection pipe portion. An electric vacuum cleaner characterized by being constituted so that the connection part can be rotated so as to be switchable in one direction or another direction about the axis of the part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner.

  In a conventional stick-type vacuum cleaner having a cleaner body, a suction body, and an extension pipe connecting the cleaner body and the suction body, the suction body has a suction port on a bottom surface. And a connecting pipe portion attached to the suction port body, and the connecting pipe portion is known so as to be swingable about the left and right axes and rotatable about the front and rear axes. For example, see Patent Document 1).

  When using the vacuum cleaner to clean the floor, the user grips the handle and moves the cleaner body back and forth, thereby moving the suction port body in the front-back direction through the extension pipe and moving the wrist and arm to the right. Alternatively, the suction opening body is turned rightward or leftward through an extension pipe by moving the cleaner body in the front-rear direction while twisting it to the left.

JP 2015-159974 A

  However, in the conventional vacuum cleaner, when the user twists the wrist and the arm when changing the direction of the suction port body, the center of gravity of the entire vacuum cleaner including the main body of the vacuum cleaner shifts, and the center of gravity shifts. The load was on the user's wrists and arms. In addition, such a subject is the same also in the canister type vacuum cleaner which connects an extension pipe and a cleaner main body with a flexible hose.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and a vacuum cleaner that can reduce a load on a user's wrist and arm by mechanically assisting an operation of changing a direction of a suction port body. The purpose is to provide.

Thus, a cleaner main body having an air inlet, a suction port body having a connection pipe portion directly or indirectly connected to the air inlet of the cleaner main body, and a pipe rotation drive unit are provided.
The suction port body has a suction port body and the connection pipe portion connected to the suction port body so as to be able to swing back and forth with respect to the suction port body and to be able to rotate left and right,
The pipe rotation drive unit is provided between the cleaner body and the suction port body in a direct or indirect connection state, and is directly connected to the suction port of the cleaner body in the connection pipe unit. There is provided an electric vacuum cleaner configured to rotate the connection part in one direction or the other direction so as to be switchable about an axis of a target or indirect connection part.

  When the connection pipe portion of the suction port body is configured to be swingable in the front-rear direction and rotatable in the left-right direction, the connection pipe portion of the suction port body is directly or through the extension pipe of the cleaner body. The direction of the suction port body can be changed to the right or left direction by connecting the air inlet and turning the wrist and the arm right or left by the user having the cleaner body. At this time, according to the present invention, the user can turn the connection pipe part right or left by the pipe rotation drive unit without turning the wrist and the arm, so that the direction of the suction port body is right or left. It is also possible to change to the left.

  In other words, the present invention has an assist function for mechanically assisting the operation of changing the direction of the suction opening (direction changing operation). The displacement of the center of gravity of the entire vacuum cleaner is almost eliminated. As a result, it is possible to reduce the load on the user's wrist and arm due to the operation of changing the direction of the suction port body.

Further, the pipe rotation drive unit in the present invention can be provided between the cleaner main body and the suction port body in a direct or indirect connection state. That is, it can be configured as follows.
(A) An integrated pipe rotation drive unit can be provided at the intake port of the cleaner body.
(B) An integral pipe rotation drive unit can be provided at the connection part of the connection pipe part of the suction port body.
(C) An integrated pipe rotation drive unit can be provided at a connection portion of the flexible hose connected to the extension pipe.
(D) An integrated pipe rotation drive unit can be provided at a connection portion of the extension pipe with the cleaner body side or a connection portion with the suction opening body side.
(E) The pipe rotation drive unit is of a separate type, between the cleaner body and the suction port, between the flexible hose and the extension pipe, between the cleaner body and the extension pipe, and between the flexible hose and the extension pipe. A pipe rotation drive unit can be detachably connected between the suction port body or between the extension pipe and the suction port body.

It is a perspective view showing Embodiment 1 of a vacuum cleaner provided with a pipe rotation drive part of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the state before assembly of the vacuum cleaner of Embodiment 1. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the pipe rotation drive part in the vacuum cleaner of Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the pipe rotation drive unit of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 4. It is a perspective view which shows the pipe rotation operation part in the vacuum cleaner of Embodiment 1. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pipe rotation operation part of FIG. It is a rear view of the pipe rotation operation part of FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 9 and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 9. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection relationship of the operation direction detection part in a vacuum cleaner of Embodiment 1, a control part, and a pipe rotation drive part. It is a left sectional view of a suction mouth object in a vacuum cleaner of Embodiment 1. It is a figure explaining the state where the direction of the suction opening object in the vacuum cleaner of Embodiment 1 changed, (A) is the left direction and (B) is the right direction. It is a figure explaining the state where the direction of the suction opening object in the vacuum cleaner of Embodiment 2 changed, (A) is the left direction and (B) is the right direction. It is a left view of the cleaner main body in the vacuum cleaner of Embodiment 3. (A) is an explanatory view showing a leftward direction changing operation, (B) is a straight-ahead operation, and (C) is a rightward direction changing operation by a pipe turning operation unit in the vacuum cleaner of the third embodiment. . It is explanatory drawing at the time of changing the direction of the suction opening body in the vacuum cleaner of Embodiment 4, (A) is a direction change operation to the left direction, (B) is the state turned to the left direction. It is explanatory drawing at the time of changing the direction of the suction opening body in the vacuum cleaner of Embodiment 4, (A) is a direction change operation to the right direction, (B) is the state turned to the right direction.

(Embodiment 1)
<Overall configuration of vacuum cleaner>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a vacuum cleaner having a pipe rotation drive unit of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state before assembly of the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, an arrow x indicates a left-right direction, an arrow y indicates a front-rear direction, and an arrow z indicates a vertical direction.

The vacuum cleaner 100 of the present invention includes a cleaner main body 10 having an air inlet 10a, a suction port body 40 having a connection pipe section 42, and a connection pipe section 42 between the suction port 10a of the cleaner body 10 and the suction port body 40. And a pipe rotation drive unit 20 that directly or indirectly connects to the pipe rotation driving unit 20 as a basic configuration.
In the first embodiment, the case where the suction port body 40 is connected to the separation-type pipe rotation drive unit 20 via the extension pipe 30 is illustrated, but the separation-type pipe rotation drive unit 20 is connected to the suction port body. The operation and effect are the same when the terminal 40 is directly connected.

The cleaner main body 10 includes a driving device 11 and a cyclone-type dust cup unit 12 detachably attached to the driving device 11.
The driving device 11 includes a housing 11a having the intake port 10a and an exhaust port (not shown), a handle 11b provided at a rear portion of the housing 11a, an electric blower (not shown) provided in the housing 11a, a battery, A circuit board having the unit 15 and an operation direction detecting unit 14 are provided (see FIG. 11). The details of the control unit 15 and the operation direction detection unit 14 will be described later.

The handle 11b is a part that the user holds the drive device 11 and also a pipe rotation operation unit 13 described later that operates the pipe rotation drive unit 20.
In addition, a driving operation unit 11c having a power switch and a power switch is provided on the back of the handle 11b.

  When cleaning with the vacuum cleaner 100 shown in FIG. 1, when the power switch of the operation unit 11c is turned on, the electric blower is driven, and air containing dust on the floor surface is drawn from the suction port 40 to the extension pipe 30, The air is sucked into the dust cup unit 12 through the pipe rotation mechanism 20 and the front part of the driving device 11, the dust is centrifugally separated in the dust cup unit 12, and the air from which the dust is removed is exhausted to the rear of the driving device 11. It is discharged from the mouth.

<Pipe rotation drive>
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the pipe rotation drive unit in the vacuum cleaner according to Embodiment 1, and FIG. 4 is a rear view of the pipe rotation drive unit of FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the pipe rotation drive unit 20 rotates around the same axis P around the first connection pipe 21 connected to the suction port 10 a of the cleaner body 10. A second connecting pipe portion 22 movably provided and connectable to one end portion 30a of the extension pipe 30 or the connecting pipe portion 42 of the suction port body 40, and a second connecting pipe portion 22 with respect to the first connecting pipe portion 21. And a drive unit main body 23 for rotating the switch unit in one direction or another direction.

  The first connection pipe portion 21 has an open end portion 21a detachably connected to the suction port 10a of the cleaner body 10, and a connection end portion 21b rotatably connected to the second connection pipe portion 22 so as to be relatively rotatable. And a locking recess 21c provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the open end 21a. When the first connection pipe part 21 is inserted into the suction port 10a of the cleaner body 10, the locking recess 21c is locked with a locking claw (not shown) of the lock part 10b provided near the suction port 10a. Then, the lock claw 10b is released to release from the locking claw.

The second connection pipe part 22 is rotatable relative to the first connection pipe part 21 and the open end part 22a detachably connected to one end part 30a of the extension pipe 30 or the connection pipe part 42 of the suction port body 40. And a lock portion 22c provided near the open end 22a. The lock portion 22c is provided near the one end portion 30a or the connection pipe portion 42 when the one end portion 30a of the extension pipe 30 or the connection pipe portion 42 of the suction port body 40 is inserted into the second connection pipe portion 22. It has a locking claw (not shown) for engagement recess 30a ₁ or 42a and the engaging was pawls by releasing the locking portion 22c is disengaged from the locking recess.

  In addition, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second connection pipe portions 21 and 22, the electric power from the battery in the cleaner main body 10 is supplied via the extension pipe 30 with or without the extension pipe 30. Are provided with a plurality of conductive cables (not shown) for supplying the conductive cables and terminals at both ends of each conductive cable, which are covered with a cover member.

  The drive unit main body 23 is attached to the support plate 23a extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis P fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the first connection pipe 21 and to the support plate 23a such that the drive shaft is parallel to the axis P. And a rotational force transmitting portion 23c for transmitting the rotational force of the motor 23b to the second connection pipe portion 22.

In the embodiment 1, the rotational force transmitting section 23c, the axis P parallel to the transmission shaft P ₁ which is rotatably provided on the support plate 23a, first gear fixed to the lower end of the transmission shaft P ₁ has a 23c _1, and a second gear 23c ₂ arcuate provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second connecting tube portion 22 such that the first gear 23c ₁ meshes. Although not shown, the rotational force transmitting portion 23c has an output gear fixed to the output shaft of the motor 23b, and is fixed to an upper end portion of the transmission shaft P ₁ output gear engaged to the transmission gear .

According to the thus constructed driving body 23, through the rotational force of the output shaft of the motor 23b is, output gear, the transmission gear, the transmission shaft P _1, first gear 23c ₁ and a second gear 23c ₂ second The second connection pipe 22 is transmitted to the two connection pipes 22, whereby the second connection pipe 22 rotates in one direction or the other direction (opposite direction) about the axis P with respect to the first connection pipe 21.

The drive unit main body 23 is provided with a rotation amount detection unit 23d that detects the rotation amount of the second connection pipe unit 22. In the embodiment 1, the rotation amount detecting unit 23d, a third gear 23d ₁ which is fixed to the lowermost end of the transmission shaft P _1, a sensor 23d _3, which is fixed to the support plate 23a (e.g., an encoder), the sensor with the axis P and an axis parallel P ₂ which is rotatable to 23d _3, and a fourth gear 23d ₂ of the third gear 23d ₁ and meshing is fixed to the shaft P _2.

According to the rotation amount detection unit 23d, when rotating the second connection pipe portion 22 in one direction or the other, to the third gear 23d ₁ and the third gear 23d ₁ engaged by the transmission shaft P ₁ rotates the fourth gear 23d ₂ also rotates, the rotation of the fourth gear 23c ₄ by the sensor 23d ₃ is detected, whereby the amount of rotation of the second connecting tube portion 22 is detected.

<Pipe rotation operation unit and operation direction detection unit>
7 is a perspective view showing a pipe turning operation unit in the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment, FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pipe turning operation unit in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a pipe turning operation in FIG. It is a rear view of an operation part. FIGS. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of the pipe turning operation section taken along the line II of FIG. 9, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 9.

The pipe rotation operation unit 13 has a pair of shaft portions 11b ₁ and 11b ₂ rotatably connected to the rear portion of the housing 11a of the drive device 11 of the cleaner body 10 at both ends on the same axis. The handle 11b. By applying a force in a direction to rotate the handle 11b gripped by the user to the left or right, the handle 11b is rotated left or right within a predetermined range. The second connection pipe part 22 is rotated left or right.

The operation direction detector 14 includes an arc-shaped first gear 14a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower shaft 11b2, and a second gear 14b rotatably provided so as to mesh with the first gear 14a. , sensor 14c for detecting the rotational direction of the second gear 14b and connected to the second gear 14b (e.g., an encoder) and a pivoting shaft portion 11b ₂ of the handle 11b with respect to the casing 11a of the driving device 11 The rotation direction about the center is detected, and the detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 15 described later.

The operation direction detection unit 14 is built in a portion protruding rearward from the lower rear end of the housing 11a, and the both ends of the first gear 14a contact the left and right side walls of the housing 11a to move the first gear 14a. This restricts the turning of the handle 11b to the left or right within a predetermined range (for example, a center angle of about 70 °).
The handle 11b is configured to return to the original intermediate position by, for example, the urging force of a spring (not shown) when the force of the hand is weakened.

<Control unit>
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical connection relationship among an operation direction detection unit, a control unit, and a pipe rotation drive unit in the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment.
When the control unit 15 provided in the drive device 11 of the cleaner main body 10 receives the detection signal about the turning direction of the handle 11b (the pipe turning operation unit 13) transmitted from the operation direction detection unit 14, The motor 23b (see FIG. 4) of the pipe rotation drive section 20 is rotated in a predetermined direction based on the detection signal, and the second connection pipe section 22 is rotated in a predetermined direction. This will be described later in detail.

<Suction port body>
FIG. 12 is a left side sectional view of the suction port body in the vacuum cleaner of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 12, the suction port body 40 includes a suction port body 41 having a bottom surface provided with a suction port 41 a extending in the left-right direction (arrow x), and a rear portion of the suction port body 41. A connection pipe portion 42 connected to be able to swing back and forth around the axis Q ₁ in the left and right direction and to be able to turn left and right around the axis in the front and back direction (arrow y); and a suction port 41 a in the suction port body 41. A rotating brush 43 rotatably provided around a horizontal axis Q ₂ , a rotating brush motor (not shown) for rotating the rotating brush 43, and a left-right rotating motor provided on the bottom side of the suction port main body 41. comprising a driving roller unit 45 having a drive roller 45a and the driving roller motor 45b rotates the axis Q ₃ around a lifting detecting switch 47, and a rear roller 49.

  The lifting detection switch 47 switches to drive the motor when the suction port body 40 is on the floor, and to stop driving the motor when the suction port body 40 rises from the floor surface. Here, the “motor” includes a rotating brush motor and a driving roller motor 45b provided in the driving roller unit 45.

Connecting pipe section 42 includes a body portion 42a having an inlet 10a or the other end portion 30b and the open end 42a ₁ can be connected to extension pipe 30 of the cleaner body 10, connected to an end portion of the base side of the main body portion 42a And a connection shaft portion 42b.
The outer surface of the end portion of the base side of the main body portion 42a has a convex spherical surface portion 42a _2, whereas, in the connecting shaft portion 42b of the concave spherical surface portion 42b ₁ which receives the convex spherical surface portion 42a ₂ of the main body portion 42a It has, and can swing in the longitudinal direction around the axis to Q ₁ the left-right direction relative to the body portion 42a is connected the shaft portion 42b.

The end of the connection shaft portion 42b opposite to the concave spherical surface portion is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the axis in the front-rear direction (y direction), and the cylindrical end portion of the connection shaft portion 42b is formed. Is held by a rib in the suction port main body 41 so as to be rotatable around a longitudinal axis.
Accordingly, the main body portion 42a of the connecting pipe portion 42 is capable of longitudinal direction swing axis Q ₁ about a horizontal direction, and are about the axis in the longitudinal direction and can lateral direction rotation.

<Operation of vacuum cleaner>
FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the direction of the suction opening body in the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment is changed, wherein FIG. 13A is leftward and FIG. 13B is rightward. FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the direction of the suction port body in the vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment is changed, where FIG. 14A is a leftward direction and FIG. 14B is a rightward direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the vacuum cleaner 100 of the first embodiment, usually, the handle 11 b has the driving operation unit 11 c at a middle position between the left and right, and the extension pipe 30 and the suction port body 40 face the front. In this normal state of the vacuum cleaner 100, when the user moves the handle 11b in the front-rear direction (arrow x), the suction port 40 also moves in the front-rear direction.

Next, a case where the suction opening body 40 of the electric vacuum cleaner 100 is turned in the left-right direction will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the user wants to turn the suction opening body 40 leftward from the front-rear direction, as shown in FIG. 13 (A), the user slightly twists the handle 11b, which is the pipe rotation operation unit 13, to the left (arrow A ₁ ). Rotate.
Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, the first gear 14a of the operation direction detecting unit 14 rotates left (arrow A ₁ ), the second gear 14b rotates right (arrow A ₂ ), The sensor 14c detects the clockwise rotation direction of the second gear 14b and transmits a detection signal to the control unit 15.

After that, the control unit 15 rotates the output shaft of the motor 23b of the pipe rotation drive unit 20 in one direction based on the detection signal from the sensor 14c, and thereby the first and second gears 23c ₁ of the torque transmission unit 23c. , 23c ₂ and the second connecting pipe section 22 rotates by about 90 ° rotation to the left (arrow B _1). At the same time, the third and fourth gears 23d ₁ and 23d ₂ also rotate, the amount of rotation of the fourth gear 23d ₂ is detected by the sensor 23d ₃ , and the detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 15, and 4 the control unit 15 based on a detection signal when the rotation amount of the gear 23d ₂ has reached the predetermined amount stops the motor 23b.

In this way, the second connection pipe portion 22 of the pipe rotation drive section 20 rotates to the left (arrow B ₁ ), so that the suction port body is extended via the extension pipe 30 as shown in FIG. The turning power to the left (arrow B ₁ ) is also transmitted to the main body portion 42a and the connection shaft portion 42b of the connection pipe portion 40 of 40. Then, the main body 42a rotates to the left (arrow B ₁ ), but a force twisted to the left acts on the connection shaft 42b to change the direction to the left (arrow C ₁ ) together with the suction port main body 41. Moving. As a result, the suction port body 40 turns left (arrow C ₁ ). At this time, if the suction port body 40 is turned leftward while moving forward, the suction port body 40 can be smoothly turned to the left.

When the user wants to turn the suction opening body 40 rightward from the front-rear direction, as shown in FIG. 13B, the user slightly twists the handle 11b, which is the pipe rotation operation unit 13, to the right (arrow A ₂ ). When rotated, the pipe rotation drive unit 20 moves in the opposite direction to the case where the pipe is turned left, and the second connection pipe unit 22 turns right (arrow B ₂ ). Then, together with the extension pipe 30, the main body 42a of the connection pipe portion 42 of the suction port body 40 also rotates right (arrow B ₂ ), but a rightward twisting force acts on the connection shaft portion 42b to act on the suction port main body. It moves so as to turn right (arrow C ₂ ) together with 41. As a result, the suction port body 40 turns right (arrow C ₂ ). Also in this case, if the direction of the suction port body 40 is changed to the right while moving forward, the suction port body 40 can be smoothly turned rightward.

The control unit 15 determines when the handle 11b has rotated left (arrow A ₁ ) or right (arrow A ₂ ) by a predetermined amount, for example, when the second gear 14b of the operation direction detection unit 14 has a central angle of 15 °, 30 °. The motor 23b is set in advance so as to start driving when rotated by 45 ° or 45 °, and the motor 23b stops when the suction port body 40 turns left or right by about 90 ° from the front position. It is set in advance.
When the force of the hand holding the handle 11b turned left (arrow A ₁ ) or right (arrow A ₂ ) is released, the handle 11b returns to an intermediate position between the left and right by the force of the spring, and this is detected by the operation direction detecting unit. 14 detects and transmits a detection signal to the control unit 15, whereby the control unit 15 drives the pipe rotation drive unit 20 to move the suction port body 40 toward the front.

  As described above, according to the vacuum cleaner 100 of the first embodiment, by slightly twisting the handle 11b, which is the pipe rotation operation unit 13, to the left or right, the pipe rotation drive unit 20 operates to operate the suction port body 40. Can be automatically turned left or right. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner main body 10 is not largely shaken, and the load on the user is greatly reduced by the assist function of the pipe rotation drive unit 20.

  Note that a switch for switching the assist function of the pipe rotation drive unit 20 between ON and OFF is provided in the drive unit 11 of the cleaner body 10, and the switch is set to OFF, whereby the assist of the pipe rotation drive unit 20 is reduced. It is also possible to change the direction of the suction port body 40 left and right as in the related art without using the function.

(Embodiment 2)
FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the direction of the suction port body in the vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment is changed, where FIG. 14A is leftward and FIG. 14B is rightward. Note that in FIG. 14, the same elements as those in FIG. 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the first embodiment, the case where the pipe turning operation unit 13 is the handle 11b is illustrated. However, in the case of the electric vacuum cleaner 200 according to the second embodiment, the pipe turning operation unit 203 is provided in the driving device 11 of the cleaner main body 10. Joystick 203a. Further, the handle 211b does not rotate like the handle 11b of the first embodiment, but is fixed to the housing 11a.
Other configurations in the second embodiment are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, points different from the first embodiment in the second embodiment will be mainly described.

  In the case of the second embodiment, the joystick 203a is provided, for example, at a position above the handle 211b in the housing 211a of the driving device 211 so as to be easily operated. By disposing the joystick 203a at this position, the user can operate the joystick 203a in the left-right direction with the thumb while holding the handle 211b.

Further, an operation direction detection unit (not shown) for detecting a direction in which the joystick 203a is operated is provided inside the housing 11a, and the operation is performed when the joystick 203a is operated to the left as shown in FIG. A leftward detection signal is transmitted from the direction detection unit to the control unit 15 (see FIG. 11). Then, the control unit 15 drives the motor 23b of the pipe rotation drive unit 20 to rotate the second connection pipe unit 22 to the left (arrow B ₁ ), and thereby the suction opening body 40 moves to the left (arrow C ₁ ). To rotate.

As shown in FIG. 14B, when the joystick 203a is operated to the right, a rightward detection signal is transmitted from the operation direction detection unit to the control unit 15, and the control unit 15 controls the motor of the pipe rotation drive unit 20. By driving 23b, the second connecting pipe portion 22 is turned right (arrow B ₂ ), whereby the suction opening body 40 is turned right (arrow C ₂ ).
When the joystick 203a is released, the joystick 203a returns to the left / right intermediate position, which is detected by an operation direction detection unit (not shown) and transmits a detection signal to the control unit 15, whereby the control unit 15 operates the pipe rotation drive unit. 20 is driven to move the suction port body 40 so as to face the front.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 15 is a left side view of a cleaner main body in the electric vacuum cleaner according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 shows (A) a left-direction changing operation, (B) a straight-ahead operation, and (C) a right-direction changing operation by the pipe turning operation unit in the vacuum cleaner according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 and 16, the same elements as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the case of the electric vacuum cleaner 300 according to the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the pipe rotation operation unit 303 also serves as the handle 311b, but the structure is significantly different.
Other configurations in the third embodiment are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, points different from the first embodiment in the third embodiment will be mainly described.

In the case of the third embodiment, the pipe rotation operation unit 303 is a handle 311b having a left-right axis portion 311c pivotally attached to a housing 311a of a driving device 311 of the cleaner body 310 at one end. .
An operation direction detection unit 314 that detects the direction in which the handle 311b is operated is provided inside the housing 311a, and the operation direction detection unit 314 swings around the shaft 311c of the handle 311b with respect to the housing 311a. It is configured to detect the direction.

In detail, the handle 311b has a lower end portion 311b ₁ having a shaft portion 311 c, an upper end portion 311b ₂ with a convex portion 311 d.
The lower end of the handle 311b 311B1 is mounted swingably in the front-rear direction (arrow D _1, D ₂₎ via a shaft portion 311c to the rear lower projecting rearwardly of the housing 311a.
The upper end portion 311b ₂ of the handle 311b is decoupled from the housing 311a, the convex portion 311d of the hemispherical is provided on its upper end face.

Operation direction detecting unit 314, and three recesses 314a provided before and after a row on the upper end face which faces the upper end 311b ₂ of the handle 311b of the housing 311a, enclosure 311a so as to project into each recess 314a and a first to third switch 314b ₁ ~314b ₃ protruding-retractable provided within, it switched to oN at OFF, in a retracted state, respectively the first to third switch 314b ₁ ~314b ₃ is projected state .

As shown in FIG. 16B, normally, the handle 311b is disposed at the front-rear intermediate position. At this time, the convex portion 311d is fitted into the concave portion 314a at the front-rear intermediate position, and therefore, the second switch 314b at the front-rear intermediate position. ₂ is ON, and the first and third switches 314b ₁ and 314b ₃ before and after are OFF. When the second switch 314b ₂ is in the ON state, the suction port body 40 is directed to the front (see FIG. 1).

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, FIG. 11, FIG. 13 and FIGS.
When the handle 311b at the front / rear intermediate position shown in FIG. 16B is pressed, the convex portion 311d fitted in the concave portion 314a at the front / rear intermediate position moves to the front concave portion 314a as shown in FIG. 16A. while being positioned fits, first switch 314b ₁ is turned ON by the convex portion 311 d. On the other hand, the second switch 314b ₂ is turned OFF to protrude.

When the first switch 314b ₁ is turned on, a detection signal for detecting that the handle 311b has swung to the forward position is transmitted to the control unit 15, and the control unit 15 controls the motor 23b of the pipe rotation drive unit 20 to operate. By driving, the second connection pipe part 22 is rotated about 90 ° to the left (arrow B ₁ ). As a result, the suction port body 40 rotates to the left (arrow C ₁ ) (see FIG. 13A).

In this state, when returned to the intermediate position back and forth by pulling the handle 311b as shown in FIG. 16 (B), the second switch 314b ₂ is turned ON, and the first switch 314b ₁ is turned OFF.
When the second switch 314b ₂ is turned on, a detection signal for detecting that the handle 311b has moved to the front / rear intermediate position is transmitted to the control unit 15, whereby the control unit 15 causes the suction port body 40 to face the front. The pipe rotation drive unit 20 is driven.

When the handle 311b at the front / rear intermediate position shown in FIG. 16B is pulled, the convex portion 311d fitted into the concave portion 314a at the front / rear intermediate position moves to the rear concave portion 314a as shown in FIG. 16C. while being positioned fits in, the third switch 314b ₃ is turned ON by the convex portion 311 d. On the other hand, the second switch 314b ₂ is turned OFF to protrude.

When the third switch 314b ₃ is turned on, a detection signal for detecting that the handle 311b has swung to the rear position is transmitted to the control unit 15, whereby the control unit 15 controls the motor 23b of the pipe rotation driving unit 20. By driving, the second connection pipe part 22 is rotated to the right (arrow B ₂ ) by about 90 °. Thus, the suction port body 40 rotates rightward (arrow C ₂ ) (see FIG. 13B).
The handle 311b may be configured to return to the front / rear intermediate position by the force of the spring when the force of gripping the handle 311b moved forward or backward is reduced.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram when the direction of the suction port body in the vacuum cleaner according to the fourth embodiment is changed. FIG. 17A illustrates a leftward direction change operation, and FIG. 17B illustrates a leftward state. FIGS. 18A and 18B are explanatory diagrams when changing the direction of the suction opening body in the electric vacuum cleaner according to the fourth embodiment, in which FIG. 18A shows an operation for changing the direction to the right, and FIG. is there. 17 and 18, the same elements as those in FIGS. 13 and 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the case of the vacuum cleaner 400 according to the fourth embodiment, the handle 211b is fixed to the housing 11a, and does not have the special pipe rotation operation unit as in the first to third embodiments.
Further, in the case of the fourth embodiment, an inclination detection unit 416 is provided in the main body 442a of the connection pipe 442 of the suction port body 440 instead of the operation direction detection unit in the first to third embodiments.
Other configurations in the fourth embodiment are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, points different from the first embodiment in the fourth embodiment will be mainly described.

Inclination detecting unit 416 has been configured to detect the rotation of the longitudinal axis Q ₄ about the body portion 442a to be connected to the extension pipe 30 in the connecting pipe portion 442 of the suction port body 40, For example, an acceleration sensor can be used.
In the fourth embodiment, the case where the inclination detection unit 416 is provided on the front of the main body 442a of the connection pipe 442 of the suction port body 40 is illustrated, but may be provided on the left and right side surfaces or the back surface.
In the case of the fourth embodiment, a conductive cable that electrically connects the tilt detection unit 416 and the control unit 15 is provided in the suction port 40, the extension pipe 30, and the cleaner body 410.

Next, a case where the suction opening body 440 of the electric vacuum cleaner 400 is turned left and right will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, FIG. 11, FIG. 17 and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 17A, when cleaning the floor F with the vacuum cleaner 400, the main body 442 a of the connection pipe 442 of the suction opening 40 is perpendicular to the floor F. approximately parallel with the line J, for example, tilts to about 5 ° left, tilt detection unit 416 detects that the predetermined amount of rotation to the left direction around the axial center Q ₄ longitudinal direction of the main body portion 442a. Then, a detection signal is transmitted from the inclination detection unit 416 to the control unit 15, and the control unit 15 drives the motor 23b of the pipe rotation drive unit 20 based on the detection signal, as shown in FIG. The second connection pipe part 22 is rotated to the left (arrow B ₁ ) by about 90 °. As a result, the suction port body 440 turns to the left (arrow C ₁ ) and changes its direction.

When the vacuum cleaner 400 is returned from the state of FIG. 17B to be parallel to the vertical line J, the inclination detecting unit 416 detects that the inclination of the main body 442a of the connection pipe 442 of the suction opening body 440 in the left-right direction has been eliminated. Is detected, the detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 15, and the control unit 15 controls the drive of the pipe rotation drive unit 20 so as to move the suction port body 440 to the front.
Then, from this state, as shown in FIG. 18A, the main body 442a of the connection pipe 442 of the suction port body 440 is substantially parallel to the vertical line J perpendicular to the floor surface F, for example, about 5 ° to the right. tilts to the inclination detecting unit 416 detects that the predetermined amount of rotation to the right around the axis Q ₄ longitudinal direction of the main body portion 442a. Then, a detection signal is transmitted from the inclination detection unit 416 to the control unit 15, and based on the detection signal, the control unit 15 drives the motor 23 b of the pipe rotation drive unit 20 to move the second connection pipe unit 22 to the left (arrow Rotate about 90 ° to B ₂ ). As a result, the suction port body 440 turns left (arrow C ₂ ) and changes direction.

Further, the fourth embodiment may be further configured as follows.
(A) The inclination direction of the main body portion 442a of the connection pipe portion 442 of the suction port body 440, that is, the direction of the tilt of the extension pipe 30, and the direction of the suction port body 440 that rotates accordingly may be reversed. (B) The inclination detection unit 416 may be other than the acceleration sensor as long as the inclination direction of the extension pipe 30 can be detected. For example, an infrared sensor or the like may be used.
(C) The amount of inclination of the extension pipe 30 by the user's operation and the amount of rotation of the extension pipe 30 by the pipe rotation drive unit 20 may be independently changeable, and the relationship between them may also be changeable. You may.

(D) The rotation amount of the extension pipe 30 may be specified so that the rotation amount of the suction port body 440 corresponds to the inclination amount of the extension pipe 30. For example, the extension pipe 30 is rotated to the right (arrow B ₂ ) and stopped so that if the extension pipe 30 is tilted to the right as much as possible, the suction opening body 440 will rotate to the right as much as possible. Then, when the extension pipe 30 is returned to the vertical state from this state, the extension pipe 30 is rotated to the left (arrow B ₁ ) and stopped so that the suction port body 440 rotates and returns to the front.
(E) The suction port body 440 may rotate in accordance with a change in the inclination of the extension pipe 30. For example, when the extension pipe 30 is tilted to the right, the extension pipe 30 rotates to the right, and when the tilting operation itself is stopped, the rotation stops.

(F) The rotation speed of the suction port body 440 may be changed in accordance with the amount of change in the inclination of the extension pipe 30. For example, if the extension pipe 30 is tilted to the right quickly, the extension pipe 30 is also quickly rotated to the right, and if the extension pipe 30 is slowly tilted to the right, the extension pipe 30 is also slowly rotated to the right.
(G) The above (d) to (f) may be combined.

(Other embodiments)
1. The form of the pipe rotation operation unit is not limited to the handles of the first and third embodiments and the joystick of the second embodiment, and may be a trackball, a left / right key, a touch panel, or the like.

2. In the first to fourth embodiments, the stick type vacuum cleaner in which the pipe rotation drive unit and the suction port body connected to the cleaner body are connected via the extension pipe is illustrated, but without using the extension pipe. Even in the case of a hand-held vacuum cleaner in which the pipe rotation drive unit and the suction port are directly connected, the same operation and effect as those of the first to fourth embodiments can be obtained.

3. The pipe rotation drive unit of the present invention is also applicable to a canister type vacuum cleaner. That is, a flexible hose connected to the cleaner body and an extension pipe connected to the suction port are connected by a pipe rotating device. In this case, the pipe rotation operation unit, the operation direction detection unit, and the like described in the first to third embodiments are provided near the handle on the distal end side of the flexible hose.

4. In the first to fourth embodiments, the separation type pipe rotation drive unit is illustrated, but the pipe rotation drive unit may be an integral type as described in (A) to (D).

(Summary)
A vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes a cleaner main body having an intake port, a suction port body having a connection pipe portion directly or indirectly connected to the intake port of the cleaner main body, and a pipe rotation driving section. With
The suction port body has a suction port body and the connection pipe portion connected to the suction port body so as to be able to swing back and forth with respect to the suction port body and to be able to rotate left and right,
The pipe rotation drive unit is provided between the cleaner body and the suction port body in a direct or indirect connection state, and is directly connected to the suction port of the cleaner body in the connection pipe unit. The connecting portion is configured to be rotatable so as to be switchable in one direction or the other direction about the axis of the target or indirect connecting portion.

The vacuum cleaner of the present invention may be configured as in the following configurations (1) to (6).
(1) The pipe rotation drive unit is connected to an intake port of the cleaner body directly or indirectly through a flexible hose, and is coaxial with the first connection pipe unit. A second connecting pipe portion rotatably provided around the center and connected directly or indirectly to the connecting pipe portion of the suction port body through an extension pipe; and a second connecting pipe portion with respect to the first connecting pipe portion. And a drive unit main body for rotating the connection pipe portion so as to be switchable in one direction or another direction.
According to this configuration, a detachable pipe rotation drive unit can be detachably mounted between the cleaner body and the suction port body in a direct or indirect connection state. That is, the following usage forms are possible.
(I) Connect the pipe rotation drive unit, extension pipe and suction body to the cleaner body, and use it as a stick type vacuum cleaner.
(II) A flexible hose, a pipe rotation drive unit, an extension pipe and a suction port are connected to the main body of the vacuum cleaner to be used as a canister type vacuum cleaner.
(III) The pipe rotation drive unit and the suction port are connected to the cleaner body, and used as a handy type vacuum cleaner.

(2) The vacuum cleaner main body is configured to control the rotation of the second connection pipe part of the pipe rotation drive unit in one direction or the other direction, and a rotation direction of the pipe rotation operation unit. An operating direction detecting unit for detecting, and the driving unit main body so as to rotate the second connection pipe unit of the pipe turning driving unit in one direction or another direction based on a detection signal from the operating direction detecting unit. And a control unit for controlling.
According to this configuration, the pipe rotation operation unit, the operation direction detection unit, and the control unit, which are the elements necessary to operate and control the drive of the pipe rotation drive unit, are incorporated in the cleaner body. And it is not necessary to make the extension pipe special.

(3) the cleaner body has a housing;
The pipe rotation operation unit is a handle having an end in a vertical direction pivotally attached to the housing at an end,
The operation direction detection unit may be configured to detect a rotation direction of the handle around the shaft with respect to the housing.
According to this configuration, for example, by rotating the handle clockwise or counterclockwise about the shaft portion with a hand holding the handle, the second connection pipe portion of the pipe rotation drive unit is moved in one direction or in another direction. The direction of the suction opening body can be changed to the right or left by rotating in the direction, so that the direction changing operation during cleaning can be easily performed.

(4) the cleaner body has a housing;
The pipe rotation operation unit is a handle having a left-right shaft portion pivotally attached to the housing at one end, and is pivotally attached to the housing.
The operation direction detection unit may be configured to detect a swing direction of the handle around the shaft with respect to the housing.
According to this configuration, for example, by pivoting the handle forward or backward about the shaft portion with a hand holding the handle, the second connection pipe portion of the pipe rotation drive unit is rotated in one direction or the other direction. Since the direction of the suction opening body can be changed rightward or leftward by moving, the direction changing operation during cleaning can be easily performed.

(5) the cleaner body has a housing;
The pipe rotation operation unit is a joystick provided in the housing,
The operation direction detection unit may be configured to detect an operation direction of the joystick.
According to this configuration, for example, by swinging the joystick right or left with the thumb of the hand holding the handle, the second connection pipe portion of the pipe rotation drive unit is rotated in one direction or the other direction. Since the direction of the suction port body can be changed to the right direction or the left direction, the direction changing operation during cleaning can be easily performed.

(6) the suction port body has a tilt detection section provided at a direct or indirect connection portion of the connection pipe portion with the suction port of the cleaner body;
The inclination detection unit is configured to detect left and right rotation of the connection portion of the connection pipe unit,
A control in which the cleaner body controls the drive unit body so as to rotate the second connection pipe unit of the pipe rotation drive unit in one direction or another direction based on a detection signal from the tilt detection unit. It may have a part.
According to this configuration, for example, when the user tries to change the direction of the suction port body to the right and the connection pipe section of the suction port body slightly tilts right or left, the connection pipe section moves to the right or left. The inclination can be detected by the inclination detection unit, and the control unit can rotate the second connection pipe of the pipe rotation drive unit in one direction or the other direction to change the direction of the suction opening body to the right or left. Therefore, the direction changing operation during cleaning can be easily performed.

  The disclosed embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

10,210,310,410 cleaner body 10a air inlet 11a, 211a housing 11b, 311b handle 11b _1, 11b _2, 311c shaft 13,203,303 pipe rotating operation unit 14, 314 the operation direction detecting section 15 control Part 20 Pipe rotation drive part 21 First connection pipe part 22 Second connection pipe part 23 Drive part body 30 Extension pipe 30a One end part 40, 440 Suction port body 41, 441 Suction port body 41a Suction port 42, 442 Connection pipe section 100, 200, 300, 400 vacuum cleaner 203a joystick 416 tilt detecting section _{P, Q 1, Q 2,} Q 3, Q 4 axis

Claims (7)

A vacuum cleaner body having an air inlet, a suction port body having a connection pipe portion directly or indirectly connected to the air inlet of the cleaner body, and a pipe rotation drive unit,
The suction port body has a suction port body and the connection pipe portion connected to the suction port body so as to be able to swing back and forth with respect to the suction port body and to be able to rotate left and right,
The pipe rotation drive unit is provided between the cleaner body and the suction port body in a direct or indirect connection state, and is directly connected to the suction port of the cleaner body in the connection pipe unit. An electric vacuum cleaner characterized in that it is configured to rotate the connection part so as to be switchable in one direction or another direction about the axis of a target or indirect connection part.   The pipe rotation drive unit includes a first connection pipe portion that is directly or indirectly connected to the suction port of the cleaner body through a flexible hose, and the first connection pipe portion around the same axis. A second connecting pipe portion rotatably provided and directly or indirectly connected to the connecting pipe portion of the suction port body via an extension pipe, and a second connecting pipe portion to the first connecting pipe portion The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising: a driving unit main body configured to rotate so as to be switchable in one direction or another direction.   The vacuum cleaner main body detects a pipe rotation operation unit that operates the rotation of the second connection pipe unit of the pipe rotation drive unit in one direction or another direction, and detects an operation direction of the pipe rotation operation unit. An operation direction detection unit, and controlling the drive unit main body to rotate the second connection pipe unit of the pipe rotation drive unit in one direction or another direction based on a detection signal from the operation direction detection unit. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit. The vacuum cleaner body has a housing,
The pipe rotation operation unit is a handle having an end in a vertical direction pivotally attached to the housing at an end,
The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the operation direction detection unit is configured to detect a rotation direction of the handle around the shaft with respect to the housing. The vacuum cleaner body has a housing,
The pipe rotation operation unit is a handle having a left-right shaft portion pivotally attached to the housing at one end, and is pivotally attached to the housing.
The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the operation direction detection unit is configured to detect a swing direction of the handle around the shaft with respect to the housing. The vacuum cleaner body has a housing,
The pipe rotation operation unit is a joystick provided in the housing,
The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the operation direction detection unit is configured to detect an operation direction of the joystick. The suction port body has an inclination detection unit provided at a direct or indirect connection portion of the connection pipe portion with the suction port of the cleaner body,
The inclination detection unit is configured to detect left and right rotation of the connection portion of the connection pipe unit,
A control in which the cleaner body controls the drive unit body so as to rotate the second connection pipe unit of the pipe rotation drive unit in one direction or another direction based on a detection signal from the tilt detection unit. 3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, comprising a part.

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