WO2020213653A1 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a vacuum cleaner that makes it easy to perform operations such as the sliding of a suction head.　A vacuum cleaner 100 comprises: a pair of rotary brushes 27, 28 for collecting dust on a surface CS being cleaned, said rotary brushes including a first rotary brush 27 which is attached to a first rotary shaft 24A1 that rotates in a first direction, and a second rotary brush 28 which is attached to a second rotary shaft 24A2 that rotates in the inverse direction from the first direction; a first frictional force reduction member 22 that is attached to the first rotary shaft; and a second frictional force reduction member 23 that is attached to the second rotary shaft. The position of the bottom end of the first frictional force reduction member is below the position of the bottom end of the first rotary brush. The position of the bottom end of the second frictional force reduction member is below the position of the bottom end of the second rotary brush.

Description

Vacuum cleaner

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner.

Conventionally, a vacuum cleaner equipped with a plurality of rotating brushes on a suction head that sucks dust on the cleaning surface is known. For example, the vacuum cleaner (floor surface cleaning device) disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a pair of rotating brushes arranged in front of and behind the nozzle body. These rotating brushes rotate in directions opposite to each other by the driving force of the motor, and are displaced up and down in response to the user's operation of moving the nozzle body in the front-rear direction. That is, when the nozzle body is pushed forward, the rear rotating brush that gives a positive force to this pushing force bites into and contacts the carpet, which is the cleaning surface, and also gives a reaction force to this pushing force. The rotating brush floats away from the carpet. On the other hand, when the nozzle body is pulled backward, the front rotating brush that gives a positive force to this pulling force bites into the carpet and makes contact, and the rear rotating brush that gives a reaction force to this pulling force It floats away from the carpet. In this way, in response to the operation of moving the nozzle body in the front-rear direction, one of the front-rear rotating nozzles comes into contact with the carpet, and the other rotating brush separates from the carpet. As a result, the vacuum cleaner moves in the front-rear direction with little resistance from the cleaning surface to the nozzle body.

Further, the vacuum cleaner (vacuum cleaner head) disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a pair of rotating brushes (first roller, second roller) arranged in the front-rear direction. The first roller is rotatable when the vacuum cleaner is moved over the cleaning surface in the first direction, and the vacuum cleaner is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Sometimes rotation is prevented. The second roller can rotate when the vacuum cleaner is moved on the cleaning surface in the second direction, and is prevented from rotating when the vacuum cleaner is moved in the first direction.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-225932 Special Table 2018-534040

An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner that realizes a light operability such as slipping of a suction head.

In order to solve such a problem, the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention has a suction head, a first rotating brush, a second rotating brush, and a drive mechanism. The suction head sucks dust on the cleaning surface. The first rotating brush is arranged parallel to the cleaning surface in the suction head. The second rotating brush is arranged parallel to the cleaning surface and alongside the first rotating brush in the suction head, is in contact with the cleaning surface together with the first rotating brush, and rotates in the direction opposite to that of the first rotating brush. To do. The drive mechanism drives the first rotary brush and the second rotary brush.

Here, the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention may be provided with a caster portion. This caster portion is provided at the lower part of the suction head so as to be rollable, and keeps the contact height of the first rotating brush and the contact height of the second rotating brush with respect to the cleaning surface constant. In this case, it is preferable that the caster portion is provided between the first rotating brush and the second rotating brush. Further, the caster portion may have a first caster portion provided on the right side portion of the suction head and a second caster portion provided on the left side portion of the suction head.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the first force generated by the rotation of the first rotating brush and the second force generated by the rotation of the second rotating brush cancel each other out. In this case, the magnitude of the first force (T1 / r1 if the torque of the first rotating brush is T1 and the radius thereof is r1) and the second force (the torque of the second rotating brush is T2, Assuming that the radius is r2, the magnitude of T2 / r2) is the same as the absolute value of the magnitude, and the direction of rotation of the first rotating brush and the direction of rotation of the second rotating brush are opposite. Good. In this case, the first force is the product of the coefficient of friction μ between the first rotating brush and the cleaning surface, the dispersed mass m1 of the first rotating brush, and the gravitational acceleration g (μ *). The second force, which is larger than m1 * g), is the coefficient of friction μ between the second rotating brush and the cleaning surface, the dispersed mass m2 of the second rotating brush, and the gravitational acceleration g. It is desirable that it is larger than the multiplication value (μ * m2 * g).

In the present invention, the first rotating brush and the second rotating brush may be arranged before and after the suction head.

The present invention realizes a light operability such that the suction head slides.

It is an external perspective view which shows the embodiment of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this invention. It is external perspective view of the suction head provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. It is a schematic bottom view which shows typically the suction head provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. It is a developed perspective view of the suction head provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the suction head included in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the mechanical action in a rotating brush alone. It is explanatory drawing of the mechanical action in a pair of rotary brushes provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. It is a front view which shows another embodiment of the suction head provided in the vacuum cleaner which concerns on this invention. It is a bottom view of the suction head of FIG. It is sectional drawing in line AA of FIG. It is sectional drawing in BB line of FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the suction head of FIG. 8 is placed on a cleaning surface.

● Vacuum cleaner (1) ●
● Configuration of Vacuum Cleaner (1) FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment (first embodiment) of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

The vacuum cleaner 1 is a stick-type vacuum cleaner, and is mainly composed of a suction head 2, a main body portion 3, a handle rod portion 4, and a universal joint portion 5.

The suction head 2 sucks dust on the cleaning surface (ground). The suction head 2 is a member or structure that sucks dust facing the cleaning surface during use. The "head" of the suction head 2 means a place such as a head or a tip. The shape of the "head" is not particularly limited, including the size relationship with the stick body described later. The suction head 2 includes a suction port 2a. The suction port 2a is provided substantially in the center of the suction head 2 and penetrates the suction head 2 up and down. The specific configuration of the suction head 2 will be described later.

Note that the suction head 2 may or may not be equipped with a suction motor (not shown) which is a suction source.

The main body 3 internally houses a dust storage unit (not shown), a rechargeable battery (not shown), and the like. The main body 3 has a tubular shape. The weight of the main body 3 is heavier than the weight of the handle bar 4.

If the suction head does not have a suction motor, the main body accommodates the suction motor.

The handle bar 4 is held by the user during use. That is, the user operates the vacuum cleaner 1 by grasping the handle bar portion 4 with his / her hand. The "user" is a user (operator) of the vacuum cleaner 1. The handle bar portion 4 is attached to the upper end of the main body portion 3 (the upper end of the paper surface in FIG. 1). The handle bar portion 4 extends upward from the upper end of the main body portion 3 (in the direction of the upper side of the paper surface in FIG. 1). Operation buttons such as an on / off switch for the power supply of the vacuum cleaner 1 are arranged at appropriate locations on the upper portion of the handle bar portion 4.

The handle bar portion 4 is removable from the main body portion 3. When the handle rod portion 4 is connected to the main body portion 3 and the main body portion 3 and the handle rod portion 4 are integrated, the main body portion 3 and the handle rod portion 4 are connected to the suction head 2 as a whole. It constitutes a stick body that extends upward in a rod shape.

In this way, by arranging the heavy main body portion 3 below the suction head 2 (in the direction of the lower side of the paper surface in FIG. 1), the feeling of weight of the entire vacuum cleaner 1 given to the user is reduced.

The universal joint portion 5 connects the suction head 2 and the main body portion 3 (stick body). That is, the suction head 2 is connected to the main body portion 3 (stick body) via the universal joint portion 5. In other words, the main body 3 (stick body) is connected to the suction head 2 via the universal joint 5. The universal joint portion 5 enables the main body portion 3 (stick body) to freely tilt at an arbitrary angle with respect to the suction head 2.

One end (lower end) of the universal joint portion 5 is attached to approximately the center of the upper part of the suction head 2. That is, one end of the universal joint portion 5 corresponds in position to the suction port 2a. That is, the axis (axis) of the suction port 2a coincides with the axis of the universal joint portion 5. As a result, the suction port 2a plays a role as a flow path for dust sucked by the suction head 2 and a role as a mounting portion of the universal joint portion 5.

The other end (upper end) of the universal joint portion 5 is attached to the lower end of the main body portion 3 (stick body). The axis of the universal joint portion 5 coincides with the axis of the main body portion 3 (stick body). That is, the axial center of the universal joint portion 5 is located on the axial center of the main body portion 3 (stick body). As a result, the stick body in which the main body portion 3 and the handle rod portion 4 are integrated is located on the axis (axis line) of the suction port 2a and is arbitrary with respect to the suction head 2 in all directions. Tilt freely at an angle.

The universal joint portion 5 includes a covering member (not shown) of a flexible material such as a resin material that covers the outer circumference or the inner circumference. That is, the outer circumference or the inner circumference of the universal joint portion 5 is covered with a covering member. The covering member prevents the dust flow path from the suction port 2a on the suction head 2 side to the main body 3 to leak out.

● Configuration of the suction head (1) FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the suction head 2.

The suction head 2 drives a suction port 2a, a cover body 6, a rotary brush 7 (first rotary brush), a rotary brush 8 (second rotary brush), a rotary shaft A1, a rotary shaft A2, and the like. It includes a mechanism 9, a caster portion 10 (see FIG. 3), and a suction portion 11 (see FIG. 4). The rotary brush 7 and the rotary brush 8 form a pair of rotary brushes.

The cover body 6 houses a pair of rotating brushes 7 and 8 inside. The cover body 6 is formed by assembling cover members (upper cover 6a, side cover 6b, side cover 6c, roller cover 6d, roller cover 6e) composed of a plurality of members. The cover member (see FIG. 4) will be described later.

Each of the pair of rotating brushes 7 and 8 partially abuts (grounds / contacts) with the cleaning surface while rotating, and when dust on the cleaning surface or the cleaning surface is the surface of a long-haired carpet. The dust that has entered the inside of the hair is scraped off and collected in the suction unit 11. Each of the pair of rotary brushes 7 and 8 is rotationally driven by the drive mechanism 9.

The rotary brush 7 is rotatably attached to the rotary shaft A1 and is housed inside the cover body 6. The rotary brush 7 is arranged in front of the suction head 2. Specifically, the rotating brush 7 is arranged in front of the suction port 2a. The rotary brush 7 is configured by attaching a soft brush to the outer circumference thereof.

"Front" is one of the suction heads 2 in the lateral direction (the lower left direction of the paper in FIG. 2). That is, the rotating brush 7 is the rotating brush on the left side of the paper surface among the two rotating brushes shown in FIG.

The rotation shaft A1 is housed in the cover body 6 and rotates the rotation brush 7. The rotation shaft A1 extends in the width direction of the suction head 2.

The "width direction" is the longitudinal direction of the suction head 2.

The rotary brush 8 is rotatably attached to the rotary shaft A2 and is housed inside the cover body 6. The rotary brush 8 is arranged behind the suction head 2. Specifically, the rotating brush 8 is arranged behind the suction port 2a. The rotary brush 8 is configured by attaching a soft brush to the outer circumference thereof.

The "rear" is the direction opposite to the front, that is, the other side of the suction head 2 in the lateral direction (the upper right direction of the paper surface in FIG. 2). That is, the rotating brush 8 is the rotating brush on the right side of the paper surface among the two rotating brushes shown in FIG.

The rotation shaft A2 is housed in the cover body 6 and rotates the rotation brush 8. The rotation shaft A2 extends in the width direction of the suction head 2. The axial direction of the rotating shaft A2 is parallel to the axial direction of the rotating shaft A1.

That is, the suction head 2 includes a rotation shaft A1 and a rotation shaft A2.

As described above, in the present embodiment (first embodiment), the pair of rotating brushes 7 and 8 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the suction head 2, more specifically, in the front-rear direction with the suction port 2a interposed therebetween. There is.

The drive mechanism 9 rotationally drives each of the rotary brush 7 and the rotary brush 8. The drive mechanism 9 is built in each of the rotary brush 7 and the rotary brush 8, or is housed inside the cover body 6 (for example, a side portion of the cover body 6). The drive mechanism 9 includes, for example, a drive source such as a motor.

Here, the feature of the present invention is that the rotating brush 7 and the rotating brush 8 rotate in opposite directions to each other. That is, for example, the front rotating brush 7 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the rear rotating brush 8 rotates in the clockwise direction.

The rotational drive of the pair of rotating brushes is realized by various methods. That is, for example, in the rotary drive of a pair of rotary brushes, the power generated by a single drive source may be distributed to each rotary brush by a plurality of power transmission mechanisms. Alternatively, in the rotational drive of the pair of rotary brushes, each of the plurality of drive sources may be individually assigned to each rotary brush.

FIG. 3 is a schematic bottom view schematically showing the suction head 2.
The three alternate long and short dash lines shown in the figure are virtual lines for explaining the position where the caster portion 10 is arranged. That is, for example, among the three alternate long and short dash lines shown in the figure, the upper and lower alternate long and short dash lines indicate the position of the rotation axis A1 and the position of the rotation axis A2. Of the three alternate long and short dash lines shown in the figure, the middle alternate long and short dash line indicates a position intermediate between the position of the rotation axis A1 and the position of the rotation axis A2 in the front-rear direction.

The caster portion 10 can freely roll on the cleaning surface in all directions. The caster portion 10 keeps the contact height position of the rotary brush 7 with respect to the cleaning surface and the contact height position of the rotary brush 8 with respect to the cleaning surface constant. The caster portion 10 rolls on the cleaning surface when the vacuum cleaner 1 is used, thereby reducing the wear of the caster portion 10 itself. The caster portion 10 is provided below the suction head 2. The caster portion 10 is, for example, a ball type caster or a wheel type caster.

Here, the caster portion 10 is arranged between the rotating brush 7 and the rotating brush 8 in the front-rear direction. That is, the caster portion 10 is arranged equidistantly from each of the rotating brush 7 and the rotating brush 8. More preferably, the caster portion 10 is arranged at the center (on the center line) of the rotation shaft A1 and the rotation shaft A2. That is, the caster portion 10 is between the line indicating the position of the rotating shaft A1 (dotted chain line) and the line indicating the position of the rotating shaft A2 (dotted chain line) among the three alternate long and short dash lines shown in FIG. It is placed on the central line of the (ie, the alternate long and short dash line). The reason why the caster portion 10 is arranged in the center is that when the vacuum cleaner is operated, one of the rotating brushes 7 and 8 is grounded to the cleaning surface with the caster portion 10 as a fulcrum to improve the efficiency of scraping out dust. ..

The caster section 10 includes a first caster section 10R and a second caster section 10L. The first caster portion 10R is provided on the right side portion (lower part of the side cover 6c described later) in the width direction of the suction head 2. The second caster portion 10L is provided on the left side portion (lower part of the side cover 6b described later) in the width direction of the suction head 2.

The "left side" is the left side with respect to the front when using the vacuum cleaner 1, that is, the right side of the paper in FIG. The “right side” is the right side with respect to the front when the vacuum cleaner 1 is used, that is, the left side of the paper in FIG.

In the following description, when the first caster portion 10R and the second caster portion 10L are generically referred to without distinction, they are collectively referred to as the caster portion 10.

FIG. 4 is a developed perspective view of the suction head 2.

The plurality of cover members constituting the cover body 6 include an upper cover 6a, a side cover 6b, a side cover 6c, a roller cover 6d, and a roller cover 6e. The side cover 6b and the side cover 6c form a pair of side covers. The roller cover 6d and the roller cover 6e form a pair of roller covers.

The upper cover 6a is provided with a suction port 2a in the substantially center of a plan view, and a suction portion 11 is attached to the lower part. The shape of the upper cover 6a is a plate shape extending in the width direction of the suction head 2. The suction unit 11 partitions a space for the vacuum cleaner 1 to suck dust on the cleaning surface by the suction force of the suction motor.

The caster portion 10 (second caster portion 10L) is attached to the substantially center of the lower surface of the side cover 6b. The side cover 6b is attached to the left end of the upper cover 6a in the width direction. A caster portion 10 (first caster portion 10R) is attached to the substantially center of the lower surface of the side cover 6c. The side cover 6c is attached to the right end of the upper cover 6a in the width direction. That is, the pair of side covers 6b and 6c are attached to both ends (left and right ends) of the upper cover 6a.

The roller cover 6d rotatably accommodates the front rotating brush 7. The roller cover 6d is sandwiched and fixed between the side cover 6b and the side cover 6c. The roller cover 6e rotatably accommodates the rear rotating brush 8. The roller cover 6e is sandwiched and fixed between the side cover 6b and the side cover 6c.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the suction head 2.

As described above, the caster portion 10 maintains the ground contact height position of the rotary brush 7 with respect to the cleaning surface and the ground contact height position of the rotary brush 8 with respect to the cleaning surface to be constant. The ground plane of the caster portion 10 with respect to the cleaning surface is flush with the ground plane of the pair of rotating brushes 7 and 8. Alternatively, the ground contact surface of the pair of rotating brushes 7 and 8 with respect to the cleaning surface is slightly lower than the ground contact surface of the caster portion 10 with respect to the cleaning surface. “Low” means that the contact patch of the pair of rotating brushes 7 and 8 with respect to the cleaning surface is located above the contact patch of the caster portion 10 with respect to the cleaning surface (above the paper surface in FIG. 5). The caster portion 10 and the rotating brushes 7 and 8 are arranged on the suction head 2 so that their respective ground planes are on the same plane or the installation surface of the rotating brushes 7 and 8 is slightly lower.

As described above, each of the rotary brush 7 and the rotary brush 8 is configured by attaching a brush to the outer circumference thereof. Therefore, when the suction head 2 does not include the caster portion 10, the pair of rotating brushes 7 and 8 (particularly the outer peripheral edge) are pressed against the cleaning surface by the weight of the suction head 2 (vacuum cleaner 1). When the pair of rotating brushes 7 and 8 are pressed against the cleaning surface, the cleaning surface can be damaged by the rotating brushes. Further, when the pair of rotating brushes 7 and 8 are pressed against the cleaning surface, the operability of the suction head 2 may deteriorate (the suction head 2 may not slip easily on the cleaning surface). The caster portion 10 reduces the risk that the cleaning surface will be damaged by the pair of rotating brushes 7 and 8 and the risk that the operability of the suction head 2 will deteriorate.

● Explanation of mechanical action FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of mechanical action of a rotating brush (roller) alone.

Assuming that the mass of the rotating brush is "m", the radius is "r", and the torque generated when the rotating brush is in contact with the cleaning surface (ground) is "T", the cleaning surface is created by the rotational movement of the rotating brush. The force F generated on the other hand is F = T / r. Further, assuming that the coefficient of friction between the cleaning surface and the rotating brush is "μ", the rotating brush advances under the condition of "T / r <μmg" as a reaction to the fact that the cleaning surface is fixed. This phenomenon occurs when the environment is simplified. This principle is similar to the principle that a car runs and that the roller is not affected by the weight of the object when carrying the object with the roller.

On the other hand, under the condition of "T / r> μmg", the rotating brush slips and does not move on the cleaning surface, and the rotating brush slides on the cleaning surface as if it were rotated and floated on the spot. The condition of "T / r> μmg" is, for example, a case where the torque T is sufficiently large or a case where the friction coefficient μ between the rotating brush and the cleaning surface is sufficiently small. In the present embodiment (first embodiment), such a phenomenon is utilized in the rotating brush 7 and the rotating brush 8.

Here, in the present embodiment (first embodiment), the torque of the rotary brush 7 is "T1", the radius of the rotary brush 7 is "r1", and the friction coefficient between the rotary brush 7 and the cleaning surface is "μ". Assuming that the dispersed mass of the rotating brush 7 is "m1" and the gravitational acceleration is "g", the force (T1 / r1) generated by the rotation of the rotating brush 7 is the friction coefficient μ between the rotating brush 7 and the cleaning surface. , It is larger than the product (μ * m1 * g) of the dispersed mass m1 of the rotating brush 7 and the gravitational acceleration g. The force generated by the rotation of the rotating brush 7 is the first force in the present invention.

Further, in the present embodiment (first embodiment), the torque of the rotary brush 8 is "T2", the radius of the rotary brush 8 is "r2", the friction coefficient between the rotary brush 8 and the cleaning surface is "μ", and so on. Assuming that the dispersed mass of the rotating brush 8 is "m2" and the gravitational acceleration is "g", the force (T2 / r2) generated by the rotation of the rotating brush 8 is the friction coefficient μ between the rotating brush 8 and the cleaning surface. It is larger than the multiplication value (μ * m2 * g) of the dispersed mass m2 of the rotating brush 8 and the gravitational acceleration g. The force generated by the rotation of the rotating brush 8 is the second force in the present invention.

Here, assuming that the total weight of the suction head 2 is "Mg", the "dispersion mass m1" is the mass in which the total weight Mg of the suction head 2 is dispersed in the rotating brush 7, and the "dispersion mass m2" is The total weight Mg of the suction head 2 is the mass dispersed in the rotating brush 8. The sum (m1 + m2) of the "dispersed mass m1" and the "dispersed mass m2" is the total weight Mg of the suction head 2.

From the above viewpoint, it is preferable that the friction coefficient μ is small. A desirable method for reducing the coefficient of friction μ is, for example, to make the materials of the rotating brush 7 and the rotating brush 8 a material having a lower friction coefficient μ.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the mechanical action of the pair of rotating brushes 7 and 8.

When the rotary brush 7 and the rotary brush 8 are arranged to face each other and the rotation of the rotary brush 7 and the rotation of the rotary brush 8 are rotated in opposite directions with the same torque, the magnitude of the first force When the absolute value is the same as the magnitude of the second force, the force that the rotary brush 7 advances forward is offset by the force that the rotary brush 8 advances backward. Here, "offset" is not only when the difference between the magnitude of the first force and the magnitude of the second force completely disappears, but also when the difference between the first force and the second force becomes small. Including. "When the difference between the magnitude of the first force and the magnitude of the second force becomes small" is a difference to the extent that the user of the vacuum cleaner 1 can operate the vacuum cleaner 1 lightly.

Further, in the vacuum cleaner 1 in the present embodiment (first embodiment), the caster portion 10 acts as a fulcrum. When the caster portion 10 acts as a fulcrum, the contact surface between the rotating brush 7 and the rotating brush 8 with respect to the cleaning surface is reduced. Therefore, the instantaneous friction coefficient of the suction head 2 is reduced, and the rotary brush 7 and the rotary brush 8 rotate while the suction head 2 stays in place.

Furthermore, the coefficient of friction of the suction head 2 decreases. Therefore, the suction head 2 is in a floating state. The force of the rotary brush 7 moving forward is offset by the force of the rotary brush 8 moving backward. As a result, the user (operator) can smoothly move the suction head 2 in a desired direction, particularly in the front-rear direction.

Furthermore, the caster portion 10 can roll freely in all directions. Therefore, the caster portion 10 does not interfere with the operability of moving the suction head 2 by the user. As a result, the user can smoothly move the suction head 2 in the left-right direction, which has been difficult in the past.

● Summary (1) ●
As described above, according to the vacuum cleaner 1 in the present embodiment (first embodiment), the vacuum cleaner 1 rotates the rotary brush 7 and the rotary brush 8 included in the suction head 2 in opposite directions to each other, and the rotary brush 7 The advancing force of the rotating brush 8 is offset by the advancing force of the rotating brush 8. As a result, the vacuum cleaner 1 realizes a light and slippery operability of the suction head 2.

Further, according to the vacuum cleaner 1 in the present embodiment (first embodiment), the vacuum cleaner 1 is provided with a caster portion 10 under the suction head 2. As a result, even if the rotary brush 7 and the rotary brush 8 are soft, the ground contact height position of the rotary brush 7 and the ground contact height position of the rotary brush 8 with respect to the cleaning surface are kept constant. As a result, the vacuum cleaner 1 realizes a light and slippery operability of the suction head 2 at a higher level.

Further, according to the vacuum cleaner 1 in the present embodiment (first embodiment), the rod-shaped member (stick body) in which the main body portion 3 and the handle rod portion 4 are integrated is located on the axis of the suction port 2a. At the same time, due to the function of the universal joint portion 5, it can be freely tilted at an arbitrary angle in all directions. As a result, when operating the vacuum cleaner 1, the user can freely move the suction head 2 in any direction without being aware of the front-back direction.

In the first embodiment described above, an example in which the vacuum cleaner mounts two rotating brushes on the suction head has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, the vacuum cleaner may mount a larger number of rotating brushes as long as the mounting space of the suction head allows.

● Vacuum cleaner (2) ●
Next, another embodiment of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "second embodiment") will be described focusing on a portion different from the above-described embodiment (first embodiment). The vacuum cleaner in the present embodiment has a different suction head configuration from the first embodiment.

● Configuration of Vacuum Cleaner (2) FIG. 8 is a front view of the suction head 20 included in the vacuum cleaner 100 of the second embodiment.
The figure is for explaining the suction head 20, and shows only the suction head 20 among the members constituting the vacuum cleaner 100.

The vacuum cleaner 100 includes a suction head 20, a main body portion (not shown), a handle rod portion (not shown), and a universal joint portion (not shown). The functions and configurations of the main body portion, the handle rod portion, and the universal joint portion in the second embodiment are the same as the functions and configurations of the main body portion 3, the handle rod portion 4, and the universal joint portion 5 in the first embodiment. is there. Therefore, specific description of each of the main body portion, the handle rod portion, and the universal joint portion in the second embodiment will be omitted.

● Configuration of the suction head (2) FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the suction head 20.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.
Hereinafter, the configuration of the suction head 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. Note that FIGS. 8 and 10 show a state in which the suction head 20 is separated from the cleaning surface CS (see FIG. 12) (hereinafter referred to as “separated state”).

The suction head 20 includes a suction port 20a, a suction portion 20b, a caster portion 21, a first hover brush 22, a second hover brush 23, a first rotation shaft 24A1, a second rotation shaft 24A2, and the like. A safety caster 25, a cover body 26, a first rotating brush 27, a second rotating brush 28, a first motor (not shown), and a second motor (not shown) are provided. The first rotating brush 27 and the second rotating brush 28 form a pair of rotating brushes.

The suction port 20a is a passage through which dust collected by the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 passes through the suction portion 20b. The suction port 20a is provided substantially in the center of the suction head 20 and penetrates the suction head 20 in the vertical direction. The suction unit 20b partitions a space on the cleaning surface CS where dust is collected. The collected dust is stored in the dust storage portion in the main body portion via the suction port 20a by the suction force of the motor (not shown).

The cover body 26 houses a pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 inside. The cover body 26 includes an upper cover 26a, a side cover 26b, a side cover 26c, a roller cover 26d, and a roller cover 26e, which are cover members. The configuration and function of the cover member in the second embodiment are the same as the configuration and function of the cover member in the first embodiment.

Each of the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 partially abuts (grounds / contacts) with the cleaning surface CS while rotating, and dust on the cleaning surface CS and the surface of the carpet on which the cleaning surface CS has long hairs. In the case of, the dust that has entered the inside of the hair legs is scraped out and collected in the suction unit 20b. The shape, size, and mass of the first rotating brush 27 are the same as the shape, size, and mass of the second rotating brush 28, respectively.

The first rotating brush 27 is attached to the first rotating shaft 24A1 and is housed inside the cover body 6 (roller cover 26d). The first rotary brush 27 rotates with the rotation of the first rotary shaft 24A1 by the rotary drive of the first motor. The first rotating brush 27 is arranged in front of the suction head 20. Specifically, the first rotating brush 27 is arranged in front of the suction port 20a.

"Front" is one of the suction heads 20 in the lateral direction (the direction on the paper in FIG. 9).

The first rotating brush 27 includes a first rotating body 271 and a first brush portion 272 attached to the outer periphery of the first rotating body 271.

The first rotating body 271 is attached to the first rotating shaft 24A1. The first rotating body 271 is made of a synthetic resin such as plastic or ABS resin, for example.

The first brush portion 272 includes a base cloth 273 attached to the outer periphery of the first rotating body 271 and a cleaning portion 274 woven into the base cloth 273 so as to protrude from the base cloth 273.

The cleaning unit 274 is an aggregate of a plurality of types of hair woven into the base cloth 273. The type of hair constituting the cleaning portion is, for example, hair made of any material such as hair made of polyamide or hair made of acrylic resin. The cleaning unit 274 is composed of two types of hair having different hardness and material. The entire or tip portion of the cleaning portion 274 is an example of the "outer edge portion of the first rotating brush 27" in the present invention.

The number of types of hair that make up the cleaning unit is not limited to "2". That is, for example, the number of hair types may be "1" or "3 or more".

The first rotation shaft 24A1 rotates the first rotation brush 27 by the rotation drive of the first motor. The first rotation shaft 24A1 rotates in the counterclockwise direction on the paper surface of FIG. The first rotating brush 27 rotates in the counterclockwise direction with the rotation of the first rotating shaft 24A1. As the first rotating brush 27 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the dust on the cleaning surface CS scraped out by the first rotating brush 27 is collected by the suction unit 20b. The direction in which the first rotation shaft 24A1 rotates, that is, the counterclockwise direction on the paper surface of FIG. 10, is the first direction in the present invention.

The first rotating shaft 24A1 is housed in the cover body 26. The first rotation shaft 24A1 extends in the width direction of the suction head 20.

The "width direction" is the longitudinal direction of the suction head 20.

The second rotating brush 28 is attached to the second rotating shaft 24A2 and is housed inside the cover body 6 (roller cover 26e). The second rotating brush 28 rotates with the rotation of the second rotating shaft 24A2 by the rotational drive of the second motor. The second rotating brush 28 is arranged behind the suction head 20. Specifically, the second rotating brush 28 is arranged behind the suction port 20a.

"Rear" is the direction opposite to the front, that is, the other side of the suction head 20 in the lateral direction (downward of the paper in FIG. 9).

The second rotating brush 28 includes a second rotating body 281 and a second brush portion 282 attached to the outer periphery of the second rotating body 281.

The configurations of the second rotating body 281 and the second brush portion 282 are the same as the configurations of the first rotating body 271 and the first brush portion 272, respectively.

Note that all or the tip portion of the cleaning portion 284 included in the second brush portion 282 is an example of the "outer edge portion of the second rotating brush 28" in the present invention.

The second rotation shaft 24A2 rotates the second rotation brush 28 by the rotation drive of the second motor. The second rotation shaft 24A2 rotates in the clockwise direction of the paper in FIG. 10. As a result, the second rotating brush 28 rotates in the clockwise direction with the rotation of the second rotating shaft 24A2. That is, the second rotation shaft 24A2 and the second rotation brush 28 rotate in the direction opposite to the direction in which the first rotation shaft 24A1 rotates (first direction) (second direction). As the second rotating brush 28 rotates in the clockwise direction, the dust on the cleaning surface CS scraped out by the second rotating brush 28 is collected by the suction unit 20b.

The second rotating shaft 24A2 is housed in the cover body 26. The second rotation shaft 24A2 extends in the width direction of the suction head 20. That is, the axial direction of the second rotating shaft 24A2 is parallel to the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 24A1.

The first hover brush 22 is attached to the first rotating shaft 24A1 and is housed inside the cover body 6 (roller cover 26d). The first hover brush 22 includes a first right hover brush 22R and a first left hover brush 22L.

The first hover brush 22 (first right hover brush 22R, first left hover brush 22L) rotates as the first rotation shaft 24A1 is rotated by the rotation drive of the first motor. The first hover brush 22 reduces the frictional force between the first rotating brush 27 and the cleaning surface CS. As shown in FIG. 8, the height position of the lower end of the first hover brush 22 is lower than the height position of the lower end of the first rotating brush 27 (in the direction of the lower side of the paper surface in FIG. 8). That is, the outer diameter of the first hover brush 22 is larger than the outer diameter of the first rotating brush 27.

The relationship between the outer diameter of the second hover brush 23 and the outer diameter of the second rotating brush 28 is the relationship between the outer diameter of the first hover brush 22 and the outer diameter of the first rotating brush 27 described above. The same is true.

Further, the shape, size, and mass of the first hover brush 22 are the same as the shape, size, and mass of the second hover brush 23, respectively.

Here, the first hover brush 22 is an example of the first frictional force reducing member in the present invention. The first right hover brush 22R is an example of the first right friction force reducing member in the present invention. The first left hover brush 22L is an example of the first left friction force reducing member in the present invention.

Further, the second hover brush 23 is an example of the second friction force reducing member in the present invention. The second right hover brush 23R is an example of the second right friction force reducing member in the present invention. The second left hover brush 23L is an example of the second left friction force reducing member in the present invention.

The first right hover brush 22R is arranged on one end side (left side of the paper surface in FIG. 9) in the longitudinal direction of the first rotation shaft 24A1. Specifically, the first right hover brush 22R is arranged outside (right side) of one end of the first rotating brush 27 (the right end of the first rotating body 271). The configuration of the first right hover brush 22R will be described later.

The first left hover brush 22L is arranged on the other end side (right side of the paper surface in FIG. 9) of the first rotation shaft 24A1 in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the first left hover brush 22L is arranged outside (left) from the other end of the first rotating brush 27 (the left end of the first rotating body 271). The configuration of the first left hover brush 22L will be described later.

In this way, the first rotating brush 27 is arranged between the first right hover brush 22R and the first left hover brush 22L.

The distance from the first center point (not shown) in the axial direction of the first rotation shaft 24A1 to the first right hover brush 22R is the distance from the first center point to the first left hover brush 22L. equal.

The second hover brush 23 is attached to the second rotating shaft 24A2 and is housed inside the cover body 6 (roller cover 26e). The second hover brush 23 rotates with the rotation of the second rotation shaft 24A2 driven by the rotation of the second motor. The second hover brush 23 reduces the frictional force between the second rotating brush 28 and the cleaning surface CS. The second hover brush 23 includes a second right hover brush 23R and a second left hover brush 23L.

The second right hover brush 23R is arranged on one end side of the second rotation shaft 24A2 in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the second right hover brush 23R is arranged outside (right side) of one end of the second rotating brush 28 (the right end of the second rotating brush 28). The configuration of the second right hover brush 23R will be described later.

The second left hover brush 23L is arranged on the other end side of the second rotation shaft 24A2 in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the second left hover brush 23L is arranged outside (left) from the other end of the second rotating brush 28 (the left end of the second rotating brush 28). The configuration of the second left hover brush 23L will be described later.

In this way, the second rotating brush 28 is arranged between the second right hover brush 23R and the second left hover brush 23L.

The distance from the second center point (not shown) in the axial direction of the second rotation shaft 24A2 to the second right hover brush 23R is the distance from the second center point to the second left hover brush 23L. equal.

As described above, in the suction head 20, each of the first right hover brush 22R and the second right hover brush 23R is centered on a line (virtual line) connecting the first center point and the second center point. , The first left hover brush 22L and the second left hover brush 23L are line-symmetrical.

Further, in the suction head 20, the first right hover brush 22R and the first left hover brush 22L each draw a line (virtual line) equidistant from each of the first rotation shaft 24A1 and the second rotation shaft 24A2. As the center, it is line-symmetrical with each of the second right hover brush 23R and the second left hover brush 23L.

The configuration of the first right hover brush 22R is the same as the configuration of the first left hover brush 22L, the configuration of the second right hover brush 23R, and the configuration of the second left hover brush 23L. is there. Therefore, the configuration of each of the left and right hover brushes will be described by taking the first right hover brush 22R as an example.

The first right hover brush 22R includes a first right rotating body (not shown) and a first right brush portion 222R attached to the outer edge of the first right rotating body.

The first right-handed rotating body is attached to the first rotating shaft 24A1. The first right-handed rotating body is made of a synthetic resin such as plastic or ABS resin. The outer diameter of the first right rotating body is the same as the outer diameter of the first rotating body 271. The first right-handed rotating body is formed continuously and integrally with the first rotating body 271. That is, the first right-handed rotating body is an integral body formed of the same member as the first rotating body 271.

The first right brush portion 222R includes a first right base cloth (not shown) attached to the outer periphery of the first right rotating body and a first right base cloth so as to project from the first right base cloth. It includes a first right pile portion 224R woven into a cloth. The first right pile portion 224R is an aggregate of a plurality of types of hair woven into the first right base fabric. The type of hair constituting the first right pile portion is, for example, hair made of any material such as hair made of polyamide or hair made of acrylic resin.

The length of the hair constituting the first right pile portion 224R is longer than the length of the hair constituting the cleaning portion 274. As a result, the outer diameter of the first right hover brush 22R (first hover brush 22) is larger than the outer diameter of the first rotating brush 27.

The outer diameter of the first right-handed rotating body may be different from the outer diameter of the first rotating body. In this case, the outer diameter of the first right hover brush 22R (first hover brush 22) is larger than the outer diameter of the first rotating brush 27, so that the bristles constituting the first right pile portion are formed. The length and the length of the hairs constituting the cleaning portion are set.

As described above, the configuration of the first right hover brush 22R includes the configuration of the first left hover brush 22L, the configuration of the second right hover brush 23R, and the configuration of the second left hover brush 23L. And the same. That is, the first left hover brush 22L includes a first left rotating body (not shown) and a first left brush portion (not shown). The first left brush portion includes a first left base cloth (not shown) and a first left pile portion (not shown).

Further, the second right hover brush 23R includes a second right rotating body (not shown) and a second right brush portion 232R (see FIG. 10). The second right brush portion 232R includes a second right base cloth (not shown) and a second right pile portion 234R (see FIG. 10). Further, the second left hover brush 23L includes a second left rotating body (not shown) and a second left brush portion (not shown). The second left brush portion includes a second left base cloth (not shown) and a second left pile portion (not shown).

The entire or tip portion of the first right pile portion 224R and the entire or tip portion of the first left pile portion are examples of the "first outer edge portion of the first friction force reducing member" in the present invention. That is, the first hover brush 22 includes a first outer edge portion.

The entire or tip portion of the second right pile portion 234R and the entire or tip portion of the second left pile portion are examples of the "second outer edge portion of the second friction force reducing member" in the present invention. That is, the second hover brush 23 includes a second outer edge portion.

The caster portion 21 is attached to the suction head 20 and rotates along the traveling direction of the suction head 20. The caster portion 21 is rotatable in all directions on the cleaning surface CS. The height position of the lower end of the caster portion 21 is the same as the height position of the lower end of the first rotating brush 27 and the height position of the lower end of the second rotating brush 28. The caster portion 21 keeps the ground contact height of the first rotating brush 27 with respect to the cleaning surface CS and the ground contact height of the second rotating brush 28 with respect to the cleaning surface CS constant. That is, the ground plane of the caster portion 21 with respect to the cleaning surface CS is substantially flush with the ground plane of the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28.

Further, the height position of the lower end of the caster portion 21 is higher than the height position of the lower end of the first hover brush 22 and the height position of the lower end of the second hover brush 23.

The caster portion 21 is arranged on a line (virtual line) equidistant from each of the first rotating shaft 24A1 and the second rotating shaft 24A2. The caster section 21 includes a first caster section 21R and a second caster section 21L. The shape, size, and mass of the first caster portion 21R are the same as the shape, size, and mass of the second caster portion 21L, respectively.

The first caster portion 21R is arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 on a line (virtual line) equidistant from each of the first rotating shaft 24A1 and the second rotating shaft 24A2. The configuration of the first caster portion 21R will be described later.

The second caster portion 21L is arranged on the other end side of the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 in the longitudinal direction on a line (virtual line) equidistant from each of the first rotating shaft 24A1 and the second rotating shaft 24A2. The configuration of the second caster portion 21L will be described later.

The line (virtual line) connecting the first caster portion 21R and the second caster portion 21L coincides with a line (virtual line) equidistant from each of the first rotating shaft 24A1 and the second rotating shaft 24A2. That is, the direction of the line (virtual line) connecting the first caster portion 21R and the second caster portion 21L is parallel to the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 24A1 and the axial direction of the second rotating shaft 24A2. That is, the direction of the line (virtual line) connecting the first caster portion 21R and the second caster portion 21L is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28.

The configuration of the second caster portion 21L is the same as the configuration of the first caster portion 21R. Therefore, the configuration of the caster portion 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 11 by taking the configuration of the first caster portion 21R as an example.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

The first caster portion 21R includes a wheel 211R, a rotating portion 212R, a wheel shaft AX1, and a rotating shaft AX2.

The wheel 211R is attached to the wheel shaft AX1. The wheel 211R rotates about the wheel shaft AX1 as shown by the solid arrow in FIG. The wheel shaft AX1 is attached to the rotating portion 212R.

The rotating portion 212R is attached to the rotating shaft AX2. The rotating portion 212R rotates about the rotating shaft AX2 as shown by the alternate long and short dash arrow in FIG. The rotating portion 212R includes a wheel shaft AX1 and accommodates substantially an upper half of the wheel 211R.

The operation of the first caster unit 21R will be described with reference to FIG.

When the suction head 20 moves in the front-rear direction, the rotating portion 212R rotates about the rotating shaft AX2 (see FIG. 11) so that the wheel shaft AX1 is parallel to the left-right direction. After the rotating portion 212R rotates to this position, the wheel 211R rotates about the wheel shaft AX1. As a result, the suction head 20 smoothly moves in the front-rear direction.

When the suction head 20 moves in the left-right direction, the rotating portion 212R rotates about the rotating shaft AX2 so that the wheel shaft AX1 is parallel to the front-rear direction. After the rotating portion 212R rotates to this position, the wheel 211R rotates about the wheel shaft AX1. As a result, the suction head 20 smoothly moves in the left-right direction.

As described above, the configuration of the second caster portion 21L is the same as the configuration of the first caster portion 21R. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the second caster portion 21L includes a wheel 211L, a rotating portion 212L, a wheel shaft AX1, and a rotating shaft (not shown). When the suction head 20 moves in an arbitrary direction, the second caster portion 21L performs the same operation as the above-described operation of the first caster portion 21R.

Return to FIGS. 8 and 10.
The safety caster 25 is attached to the suction portion 20b. The safety caster 25 can move forward and backward with respect to the suction portion 20b in the vertical direction (the vertical direction of the paper surface in FIG. 8). The safety caster 25 includes wheels 251 that can rotate in the front-rear direction.

The safety caster 25 retracts upward when the suction head 20 is placed on the cleaning surface CS (hereinafter referred to as "placed state"). The first motor and the second motor are energized when they are mounted. The first motor and the second motor in the energized state drive a pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28. The pair of driven rotating brushes 27, 28 rotate. The ground contact height position of the safety caster 25 with respect to the cleaning surface CS (the height position of the lower end of the safety caster 25) is the ground contact height position of the caster portion 21 with respect to the cleaning surface CS (the lower end of the caster portion 21) in the mounted state. It becomes the same height position as (height position) (see FIG. 12).

On the other hand, the safety caster 25 advances downward when it is in a separated state. When the first motor and the second motor are separated from each other, the energized state is released (non-energized state). The first motor and the second motor in the non-energized state do not drive the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28. The pair of rotating brushes 27, 28 that are not driven do not rotate. That is, the rotation of the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 that were driven and rotated in the energized state stops in the non-energized state. The height position of the lower end of the safety caster 25 is located below the height position of the lower end of the caster portion 21 in the separated state.

The first motor rotationally drives the first rotating shaft 24A1. The first motor is arranged on the other end side of the pair of rotating brushes 27, 28 in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the first motor is arranged on the other end side of the suction port 20a.

The second motor rotationally drives the second rotating shaft 24A2. The second motor is arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28. Specifically, the first motor is arranged on one end side of the suction port 20a.

As described above, the first motor and the second motor are arranged on both sides of the suction port 20a in the longitudinal direction of the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28. In other words, the suction port 20a is arranged between the first motor and the second motor.

● Configuration of the suction head (2) in a mounted state FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the suction head 20 is mounted on the cleaning surface CS.
In the figure, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is used, the suction head 20 is placed on the cleaning surface CS, so that the first caster portion 21R, the safety caster 25, the first rotating brush 27, and the first right hover It is shown that the brush 22R for cleaning, the second rotating brush 28, and the brush 23R for the second right hover are in contact with the cleaning surface CS.

As mentioned above, the safety caster 25 retracts upward when it is in the mounted state. At this time, the contact patch of the safety caster 25 with respect to the cleaning surface CS is substantially the same plane as the contact patch of the caster portion 21 with respect to the cleaning surface CS.

The outer diameter of the first hover brush 22 (first right hover brush 22R, first left hover brush 22L (see FIG. 9)) is larger than the outer diameter of the first rotating brush 27. Therefore, when the suction head 20 is placed on the cleaning surface CS, the first hover brush 22 comes into contact with the cleaning surface CS before the first rotating brush 27 and the caster portion 21.

The first outer edge of the first right hover brush 22R is composed of a plurality of types of hair aggregates. Therefore, when the first rotating brush 27 (the outer edge portion of the first rotating brush 27) and the caster portion 21 come into contact with the cleaning surface CS, the first outer edge portion of the first right hover brush 22R is deformed ( (Fall down) and place it on the cleaning surface CS.

Similarly, when the first rotating brush 27 and the caster portion 21 come into contact with the cleaning surface CS, the first left hover brush 22L is placed on the cleaning surface CS with the first outer edge portion deformed.

That is, when the first rotating brush 27 (the outer edge portion of the first rotating brush 27) and the caster portion 21 come into contact with the cleaning surface CS, the first hover brush 22 deforms the first outer edge portion and the cleaning surface. Placed on CS.

The outer diameter of the second hover brush 23 (second right hover brush 23R, second left hover brush 23L (see FIG. 9)) is larger than the outer diameter of the second rotating brush 28. Therefore, when the suction head 20 is placed on the cleaning surface CS, the second hover brush 23 comes into contact with the cleaning surface CS before the second rotating brush 28 and the caster portion 21.

The second outer edge of the second right hover brush 23R is composed of a plurality of types of hair aggregates. Therefore, when the second rotating brush 28 (the outer edge portion of the second rotating brush 28) and the caster portion 21 come into contact with the cleaning surface CS, the second outer edge portion of the second right hover brush 23R is deformed ( (Fall down) and place it on the cleaning surface CS.

Similarly, when the second rotating brush 28 and the caster portion 21 come into contact with the cleaning surface CS, the second outer edge portion of the second left hover brush 23L is deformed and placed on the cleaning surface CS.

That is, when the second rotating brush 28 (the outer edge portion of the second rotating brush 28) and the caster portion 21 come into contact with the cleaning surface CS, the second hover brush 23 deforms the second outer edge portion and the cleaning surface. Placed on CS.

The height position of the lower end of the caster portion 21 is the same as the height position of the lower end of the first rotating brush 27 and the height position of the lower end of the second rotating brush 28. Therefore, in the mounted state, the caster portion 21 and the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 come into contact with the cleaning surface CS. In other words, when the cleaning portions 274 and 284 of the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 are in contact with the cleaning surface CS in the mounted state, the caster portion 21 is in contact with the cleaning surface CS.

Here, if the tip portions of the bristles constituting the cleaning portions 274 and 284 of the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 that come into contact with the cleaning surface CS fall down more than necessary, even if the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 rotate, each The cleaning units 274 and 284 only stroke the cleaning surface CS and cannot scrape out dust.

Therefore, the state in which the outer edge of the first rotating brush 27 is in contact with the cleaning surface is such that the outer edge of the first rotating brush 27 is in contact with the cleaning surface CS. That is, the state in which the outer edge portion of the first rotating brush 27 is in contact with the cleaning surface is such that the tip portion of the bristles constituting the cleaning portion 274 (see FIG. 10) is in contact with the cleaning surface CS. That is, in the state where the outer edge portion of the first rotating brush 27 is in contact with the cleaning surface, the tip portion of the bristles constituting the cleaning portion 274 hardly falls (does not deform) or falls slightly.

Similarly, the state in which the outer edge of the second rotating brush 28 is in contact with the cleaning surface is such that the outer edge of the second rotating brush 28 is in contact with the cleaning surface CS. That is, the state in which the outer edge portion of the second rotating brush 28 is in contact with the cleaning surface is such that the tip portion of the bristles constituting the cleaning portion 284 (see FIG. 10) is in contact with the cleaning surface CS. That is, in the state where the outer edge portion of the second rotating brush 28 is in contact with the cleaning surface, the tip portion of the bristles constituting the cleaning portion 284 hardly falls, or it falls slightly.

● Operation of the suction head (2) As described above, the rotation direction of the first rotation brush 27 is opposite to the rotation direction of the second rotation brush 28. The torque of the first rotating brush 27 is the same as the torque of the second rotating brush 28. Further, the absolute value of the magnitude of the force generated on the cleaning surface CS by the rotational movement of the first rotating brush 27 is the magnitude of the force generated on the cleaning surface CS by the rotational movement of the second rotating brush 28. It is the same as the absolute value. As a result, the force generated by the rotation of the first rotating brush 27 for the first rotating brush 27 to move forward is offset by the force generated by the rotation of the second rotating brush 28 for the second rotating brush 28 to move backward. In other words, the forward force (traction) generated by the rotation of the first rotating brush 27 is offset by the backward force (traction) generated by the rotation of the second rotating brush 28.

Similarly, the torque of the first hover brush 22 is the same as the torque of the second hover brush 23. Further, the absolute value of the magnitude of the force generated on the cleaning surface CS by the rotational movement of the first hover brush 22 is the magnitude of the force generated on the cleaning surface CS by the rotational movement of the second hover brush 23. Is the same as the absolute value of. As a result, the force generated by the rotation of the first hover brush 22 to move the first hover brush 22 forward becomes the force generated by the rotation of the second hover brush 23 to move the second hover brush 23 backward. It will be offset.

Further, when the outer edge portion of the first rotating brush 27 and the caster portion 21 come into contact with the cleaning surface CS, the outer edge portion of the first hover brush 22 is deformed (falls down) and comes into contact with the cleaning surface CS. .. The direction in which the outer edge portion (first outer edge portion) of the first hover brush 22 is deformed is opposite to the rotation direction of the first rotating brush 27, that is, in the clockwise direction. When the outer edge portion of the second rotating brush 28 and the caster portion 21 come into contact with the cleaning surface CS, the outer edge portion of the second hover brush 23 is deformed (falls down) and comes into contact with the cleaning surface CS. The direction in which the outer edge portion (second outer edge portion) of the second hover brush 23 is deformed is opposite to the rotation direction of the second rotating brush 28, that is, in the counterclockwise direction. Therefore, the first hover brush 22, the second hover brush 23, and the caster portion 21 act as fulcrums of the suction head 20 with respect to the cleaning surface CS when the suction head 20 is placed.

The first hover brush 22, the second hover brush 23, and the caster portion 21 act as fulcrums, so that the ground contact surface of the first rotating brush 27 and the second rotating brush 28 with respect to the cleaning surface CS becomes. Decrease. In particular, since the first outer edge portion of the first hover brush 22 and the second outer edge portion of the second hover brush 23 are deformed (fallen down) and come into contact with the cleaning surface CS, the frictional force is reduced. As a result, the instantaneous friction coefficient of the suction head 20 is reduced, and the first rotation brush 27 and the second rotation brush 28 rotate while the suction head 20 stays in place.

In this way, the friction coefficient of the suction head 20 is reduced, so that the suction head 20 is in a state of floating from the cleaning surface CS. Further, the force of the first rotating brush 27 moving forward is offset by the force of the second rotating brush 28 moving backward. Therefore, the user of the vacuum cleaner 100 can smoothly move and operate the suction head 20 in a desired direction.

Further, the caster portion 21 (first caster portion 21R, second caster portion 21L) can be rotated in all directions by the wheel shaft AX1 and the rotation shaft AX2. Therefore, the caster portion 21 does not hinder the comfort of operation when the user moves the suction head 20. As a result, the user can smoothly move the suction head 20 in a desired direction.

● Summary (2) ●
According to the vacuum cleaner 100 in the second embodiment described above, the force generated by the rotation of the first rotating brush 27 for the first rotating brush 27 to move forward is the second rotation generated by the rotation of the second rotating brush 28. The brush 28 is offset by the backward force. That is, the coefficient of friction of the suction head 20 decreases. As a result, the vacuum cleaner 100 realizes a light and slippery operability of the suction head 20.

Further, by reducing the friction coefficient of the suction head 20, the load applied to each of the first motor and the second motor for driving the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 becomes smaller. The reduction of the load applied to each of the first motor and the second motor contributes to the miniaturization and cost reduction of each motor.

Further, as the friction coefficient of the suction head 20 decreases, the numerical value (absolute value) of the force generated by the rotation of the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 becomes smaller. Therefore, even if one or both of the first motor and the second motor have variations in rotation speed and the like, the difference in force generated by the rotation of the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 becomes small. As a result, each of the first motor and the second motor does not require complicated control such as rotation speed control.

Furthermore, as described above, the uses and functions of the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 are different from the uses and functions of the first hover brush 22 and the second hover brush 23. Further, the vacuum cleaner 100 separately includes a pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28, a first hover brush 22 and a second hover brush 23. Therefore, the pair of rotating brushes 27 and 28 and the first hover brush 22 and the second hover brush 23 are optimally designed according to their uses and functions, respectively.

Furthermore, according to the vacuum cleaner 100 in the second embodiment, when the suction head 20 is in the mounted state, the first hover brush 22, the second hover brush 23, and the caster portion 21 are on the cleaning surface CS. Acts as a fulcrum of the suction head 20. Therefore, the contact surface of the first rotating brush 27 and the second rotating brush 28 with respect to the cleaning surface CS is reduced. As a result, the instantaneous friction coefficient of the suction head 20 is reduced. As a result, the first rotating brush 27 and the second rotating brush 28 rotate while the suction head 20 stays in place. Therefore, the user of the vacuum cleaner 100 can smoothly move and operate the suction head 20 in a desired direction.

In the second embodiment described above, the suction head 20 is provided with a safety caster 25. However, in the present invention, the suction head does not have to be provided with safety casters.

Further, in the second embodiment described above, the first hover brush 22 is arranged outside the first rotating brush 27 in the longitudinal direction of the first rotating brush 27. However, the arrangement position of the first hover brush is not limited to this. That is, the first right hover brush and the first left hover brush constituting the first hover brush are lines centered on a line (virtual line) connecting the first center point and the second center point. It suffices if it is arranged in a symmetrical position.

Similarly, the second hover brush 23 was arranged outside the second rotating brush 28 in the longitudinal direction of the second rotating brush 28. However, the arrangement position of the second hover brush is not limited to this. That is, the second right hover brush and the second left hover brush constituting the second hover brush are lines centered on a line (virtual line) connecting the first center point and the second center point. It suffices if it is arranged in a symmetrical position.

In other words, the first right hover brush and the second right hover brush are the first left hover brush centered on the line (virtual line) connecting the first center point and the second center point. And the second left hover brush may be arranged at a position that is line-symmetrical. Similarly, the first right hover brush and the first left hover brush are for the second right hover centering on a line (virtual line) equidistant from each of the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis. It may be arranged at a position that is line-symmetrical between the brush and the second left hover brush.

In the present invention, the number of brushes constituting the first hover brush is not limited to two, that is, for example, the number of brushes constituting the first hover brush is "1" or "3 or more". It may be. That is, when the first hover brush is composed of one brush, the brush is arranged at the first center point. Further, for example, when the first hover brush is composed of three brushes, one brush is arranged at the first center point, and the remaining two brushes are equidistant from the first center point on the first rotation axis. Is placed in.

Similarly, in the present invention, the number of brushes constituting the second hover brush is not limited to two, that is, for example, the number of brushes constituting the second hover brush is "1" or "3 or more". May be. That is, when the hover brush is composed of one brush, the brush is arranged at the position of the second center point. Further, for example, when the second hover brush is composed of three brushes, one brush is arranged at the second center point, and the remaining two brushes are equidistant from the second center point on the second rotation axis. Is placed in.

1 Vacuum cleaner 2 Suction head 2a Suction port 3 Main body 4 Handle rod 5 Flexible joint 6 Cover 6a Top cover 6b, 6c Side cover 6d, 6e Roller cover 7, 8 Rotating brush 9 Drive mechanism 10 Caster 10R No. 1 Caster part 10L 2nd caster part 11 Suction part 100 Vacuum cleaner 20 Suction head 20a Suction port 21 Caster part 21R 1st caster part 21L 2nd caster part 22 Brush for 1st hover (1st friction force reducing member)
22R 1st right hover brush (1st right friction force reducing member)
22L 1st left hover brush (1st left friction force reducing member)
23 2nd hover brush (2nd friction force reducing member)
23R 2nd right hover brush (2nd right friction force reducing member)
23L 2nd left hover brush (2nd left friction force reducing member)
24A1 1st rotation shaft 24A2 2nd rotation shaft 27 1st rotation brush 28 2nd rotation brush CS cleaning surface

Claims (18)

1. The first rotating brush attached to the first rotating shaft that rotates in the first direction,
   A second rotating brush attached to a second rotating shaft that rotates in the direction opposite to the first direction,
   With a pair of rotating brushes that collect dust on the cleaning surface,
   The first friction force reducing member attached to the first rotating shaft and
   The second friction force reducing member attached to the second rotating shaft and
   Have
   The position of the lower end of the first friction force reducing member is lower than the position of the lower end of the first rotating brush.
   The position of the lower end of the second friction force reducing member is lower than the position of the lower end of the second rotating brush.
   A vacuum cleaner that features that.
2. The first friction force reducing member is
   A first right friction force reducing member arranged on one end side of the first rotating shaft,
   A first left friction force reducing member arranged on the other end side of the first rotating shaft,
   With
   The second friction force reducing member is
   A second right friction force reducing member arranged on one end side of the second rotating shaft,
   A second left frictional force reducing member arranged on the other end side of the second rotating shaft,
   To prepare
   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.
3. The first rotating brush is arranged between the first right friction force reducing member and the first left friction force reducing member.
   The second rotating brush is arranged between the second right friction force reducing member and the second left friction force reducing member.
   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2.
4. The axial direction of the first rotation axis is parallel to the axial direction of the second rotation axis.
   The distance from the first center point in the axial direction of the first rotation axis to the first left friction force reducing member is equal to the distance from the first center point to the first right friction force reducing member.
   The distance from the second center point in the axial direction of the second rotation axis to the second left friction force reducing member is equal to the distance from the second center point to the second right friction force reducing member.
   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2.
5. The first friction force reducing member includes a deformable first outer edge portion.
   The second friction force reducing member includes a deformable second outer edge portion.
   When the first friction force reducing member is placed on the cleaning surface, the first outer edge portion is deformed, and the outer edge portion of the first rotating brush comes into contact with the cleaning surface.
   When the second friction force reducing member is placed on the cleaning surface, the second outer edge portion is deformed, and the outer edge portion of the second rotating brush comes into contact with the cleaning surface.
   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.
6. A suction head that holds the first rotating brush, the second rotating brush, the first friction force reducing member, and the second friction force reducing member.
   Have
   The suction head is a caster portion that can rotate along the traveling direction of the suction head.
   With
   The caster portion is attached to the suction head so as to be rotatable in all directions.
   When the pair of rotating brushes are in contact with the cleaning surface, the caster portion is in contact with the cleaning surface.
   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.
7. The caster portion is arranged on a line equidistant from each of the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis.
   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6.
8. The caster part
   A first caster portion arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the pair of rotating brushes,
   A second caster portion arranged on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the pair of rotating brushes,
   With
   The direction of the line connecting the first caster portion and the second caster portion is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pair of rotating brushes.
   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6.
9. A suction head that holds the first rotating brush, the second rotating brush, the first friction force reducing member, and the second friction force reducing member.
   Have
   The suction head
   The first motor that rotationally drives the first rotating shaft and
   A second motor that rotationally drives the second rotating shaft,
   With
   The first motor is arranged on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the pair of rotating brushes.
   The second motor is arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the pair of rotating brushes.
   The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.
10. The suction head
    A suction port for dust collected by the pair of rotating brushes,
    With
    The suction port is arranged between the first motor and the second motor in the longitudinal direction of the pair of rotating brushes.
    The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9.
11. In the vacuum cleaner
    With a suction head that sucks dust on the cleaning surface,
    In the suction head, a first rotating brush arranged parallel to the cleaning surface, and
    In the suction head, it is arranged parallel to the cleaning surface and side by side with the first rotating brush, touches the cleaning surface together with the first rotating brush, and rotates in a direction opposite to that of the first rotating brush. With the second rotating brush,
    A drive mechanism for driving the first rotating brush and the second rotating brush,
    A vacuum cleaner characterized by having.
12. It is characterized by further having a caster portion which is provided on the lower part of the suction head so as to be rollable and keeps the ground contact height of the first rotating brush and the ground contact height of the second rotating brush constant with respect to the cleaning surface. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 11.
13. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, wherein the caster portion is provided between the first rotating brush and the second rotating brush.
14. 13. The thirteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the caster portion has a first caster portion provided on the right side portion of the suction head and a second caster portion provided on the left side portion of the suction head. Vacuum cleaner.
15. The cleaning according to claim 11, wherein the first force generated by the rotation of the first rotating brush and the second force generated by the rotation of the second rotating brush cancel each other out. Machine.
16. The first force (T1 / r1 if the torque of the first rotating brush is T1 and its radius is r1) and the second force (T2 of the torque of the second rotating brush and its radius) The vacuum cleaner according to claim 15, wherein the r2 is T2 / r2) and the absolute values are the same and the directions are opposite to each other.
17. The first force is a product (μ * m1) of the coefficient of friction μ between the first rotating brush and the cleaning surface, the dispersed mass m1 applied to the first rotating brush, and the gravitational acceleration g. The second force, which is larger than * g), is the coefficient of friction μ between the second rotating brush and the cleaning surface, the dispersed mass m2 applied to the second rotating brush, and the gravitational acceleration. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, characterized in that it is larger than a multiplication value with g (μ * m2 * g).
18. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, wherein the first rotating brush and the second rotating brush are arranged in front of and behind the suction head.

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