JP3179736B2 - Vacuum cleaner suction tube - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 12, in a vacuum cleaner 80, an outer pipe 85 and an outer pipe 8 are used as a suction pipe 83 connected between a suction head section 81 and a flexible hose 82.
5 has an inner pipe 86 which is slidably inserted into the inner pipe 86, and an input / output amount operation section 87 for holding and adjusting the degree of input / output of the inner pipe 86 with respect to one end of the outer pipe 85.
Is known.

[0003] In this kind of suction pipe 83, the in-out operation section 8
In order to secure and simplify the adjustment of the inner pipe 86 by the 7, engagement recesses 88 are usually provided at predetermined intervals in the axial direction on the outer surface of the inner pipe 86.
Since the inner pipe 86 generally has a hollow circular cross section, a structure for preventing relative rotation between the outer pipe 85 and the inner pipe 86 is required. It has been.

Conventionally, as a structure for preventing the relative rotation,
As shown in FIG. 13, a detent rail 89 is provided along the axial direction on the side of the inner pipe 86 opposite to the engagement recess 88.
And an inward projection 90 is provided on the outer pipe 85 so as to be engageable with the detent rail 89. The projection 90 is formed by inserting a separate small component 91 from the outside of the outer pipe 85 or integrally formed in a dowel shape on the inner surface of the outer pipe 85 (not shown).

[0005]

In the conventional inner pipe 86, the formation row of the engaging recesses 88 and the detent rails 89 are provided separately on both side surfaces on the outer periphery, so that both are positioned in the manufacturing process. In addition, various considerations were required regarding demolding. Therefore, it takes a lot of time and costs.

The projection 90 (particularly a dowel) provided on the outer pipe 85 is small, and the outer pipe 85 and the inner pipe 8
When it was forcibly twisted, it sometimes broke or collapsed. Small part 9 separate to outer pipe 85
Even when the part 1 is fitted, not only care must be taken to prevent loss or the like when the part 91 is handled, but also, when assembling to the outer pipe 85, the fixing work using an adhesive or various welding methods is troublesome or impossible. The fitting work was troublesome, and these were sometimes troublesome.

In addition, since a part of the part 91 remains exposed to the outside of the outer pipe 85, it cannot be said that it is preferable in appearance, and the part 91 is frequently touched. In some cases, the fixed portion of the component 91 may come off or rattle. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can reliably and firmly stop the rotation of the outer pipe and the inner pipe, can be easily assembled and have a good appearance, and further reduce manufacturing costs. It is another object of the present invention to provide a suction pipe for a vacuum cleaner capable of achieving the above-mentioned purpose.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the following technical measures have been taken in order to achieve the above object. That is, in the suction pipe for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, a plurality of engaging recesses that can be engaged with the locking pieces of the in-out / out operation unit are provided at predetermined intervals in the axial direction on the outer surface of the inner pipe. In addition, a detent rail for preventing relative rotation with the outer pipe is provided in proximity to the formation row of the engagement concave portions.

With such a configuration, regarding the production of the inner pipe, the positioning of the engagement concave portion and the detent rail can be easily performed, and the shape becomes easy to cope with removal from the mold. This facilitates production, reduces costs, and the like. In addition, the degree of proximity between the formation row of the engagement recesses and the detent rail can be brought close to each other within a range that does not adversely affect the shape and strength of both, and when the formation row of the engagement recesses is viewed in a plan view. The detent rail can be moved away as far as the viewing angle is.

If two locking rails are provided so as to sandwich both sides of the row in which the engaging concave portions are formed, there is an advantage that the locking effect can be strengthened accordingly. In addition, since the detent rails are symmetrically arranged around the formation row of the engagement recesses, there is an advantage that a sense of stability in appearance and design can be obtained. In the outer pipe, a cover for covering the input / output operation unit is detachably provided.
A detent piece that penetrates the peripheral wall of the outer pipe and can be engaged with the detent rail of the inner pipe may be provided.

In this case, the detent piece can be formed in a plate shape having a sufficient size in the radial direction and the axial direction of the outer pipe, and its rigidity can be increased. Therefore, it is difficult to break. In addition, since the detent piece is not exposed to the outside of the cover, the appearance does not deteriorate. This cover can give a sense of unity to the entire outer pipe, including the in-and-out operation part, and has the advantage of not only improving the appearance but also simplifying the assembly and mutual positioning of the outer pipe and the inner pipe. Also have.

In the inner pipe, an intermediate recess may be provided between the respective engagement recesses in order to suppress occurrence of a defect phenomenon such as sink during resin molding. In this case, it is preferable that the intermediate concave portion is formed so that its planar shape becomes a medium swelling shape. That is, in the case of the middle swelling shape, the adjacent distance in the axial direction between the circumferentially intermediate position of the engaging concave portion and the intermediate concave portion becomes narrower, and the adjacent distance in the axial direction becomes wider at the positions on both circumferential sides.

For this reason, when the engaging piece of the operating portion is engaged with the engaging concave portion, the engaging area is smaller (thinner) at both circumferential positions on the circumferential side than at the intermediate position in the circumferential direction of the engaging concave portion. (Details will be described later), it is possible to prevent the strength against the load acting in the axial direction from being reduced at both circumferential positions. That is, if the intermediate concave portion is formed to have a middle swelling shape, the adjacent interval between the engaging concave portion and the intermediate concave portion can be increased at both circumferential positions where the engagement area is small (thin) as described above. That is, the strength can be increased with respect to the applied load.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a suction pipe 1 according to the present invention has an outer pipe 2 and an inner pipe 3 slidably inserted into the outer pipe 2. 2 is provided with an in / out operation unit 4 for maintaining the degree of in / out of the inner pipe 3 and making it adjustable with respect to an end on the side where the inner pipe 3 enters and exits.

The input / output operation unit 4 is covered by a cover 6. A structure for preventing relative rotation between the outer pipe 2 and the inner pipe 3 is incorporated in the cover 6. A seal ring 8 is fitted to the end of the inner pipe 3 on the side inserted into the outer pipe 2 so that air leakage or the like does not occur between the two pipes 2 and 3.

In such a suction pipe 1, for example, a flexible hose 82 (see FIG. 12) is connected to the end 1a on the outer pipe 2 side, and the suction head 81 is connected to the end 1b on the inner pipe 3 side. To be used. Therefore, the end 1a on the outer pipe 2 side is used as the insertion pipe end 9, and the end 1b on the inner pipe 3 side is used as the hook operating part 10, so that engagement and disengagement with the connection partner can be performed. Further, a hook 11 used for leaning on the cleaner body is provided at the end 1b on the inner pipe 3 side.

First, the in / out operation unit 4 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the inflow / outflow amount operation unit 4 is supported by a fulcrum table 12 provided on the outer surface of the outer pipe 2 and a center fulcrum shaft 13 fitted on the fulcrum table 12 so as to be swingable. It has a lever 14 and an urging tool 15 for urging the operation lever 14 to one tilted state. A central fulcrum shaft 13 fitted on a fulcrum stand 12 is provided on the back surface of the cover 6.
A shaft retainer 16 is provided to prevent the arm from being escaped.

One end of the operating lever 14 has an outer pipe 2
A hook piece 18 is provided which is bent into a hook shape so as to be inserted into an opening 17 provided on the peripheral wall of the lock piece 1.
Reference numeral 8 allows the operation lever 14 to swing in and out of the opening 17 together with the swing of the operation lever 14. At the other end of the operation lever 14 is provided a button-type push operation unit 21 that protrudes outside through an operation port 20 opened in the cover 6.

On the other hand, a plurality of engaging recesses 24 are formed on the outer surface of the inner pipe 3 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction thereof (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Therefore, the operation lever 1
The inner pipe 3 is slid in the outgoing or incoming direction while pressing the push operating portion 21 of FIG. 4 to adjust its length. Then, the push operating portion 21 is released to engage the locking piece 18 with the engaging recess 24. By doing so, the sliding of the inner pipe 3 can be reliably stopped.

Next, a structure for preventing relative rotation provided inside the cover 6 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the structure for preventing relative rotation is provided so as to be close to the formation row of the engagement recesses 24 provided on the outer surface of the inner pipe 3 and sandwich both sides of the formation row. 1 and 3, and a locking piece 27 protruding from the inner surface of the cover 6 radially inward from the inner surface of the cover 6 so as to correspond to each locking rail 26. I have.

The detent rail 26 has a stepped shape formed by cutting the outer surface of the inner pipe 3 into an L-shaped cross section. Needless to say, it may be formed as a groove having a certain depth. On the other hand, the detent piece 27 has a long plate shape in the axial direction, and is reinforced by the reinforcing rib 30. The reinforcing rib 30 passes through the through hole 31 formed in the peripheral wall of the outer pipe 2. It reaches the detent rail 26 of the inner pipe 3 and can be engaged therewith.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cover 6 is provided with an inwardly bent hook portion 33 at one axial end and a screw insertion portion 34 at the other upper surface. On the other hand, the outer pipe 2 is provided with positioning projections 35 and 36 for holding both ends of the cover 6, and one of the positioning projections 35 has a hook hole 37 into which the hook 33 is fitted.
The other positioning protrusion 36 is provided with the screw insertion portion 3.
4 is provided with a female screw portion 38.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, insertion edges 40 are provided on both sides of the cover 6. On the other hand, the outer pipe 2 is provided with a swelling base 41 for supporting and continuously integrating both side portions of the cover 6, and the swelling base 41 is provided with a positioning port for receiving the insertion edge 40. 43 are provided. For this reason, the inner pipe 3 is fitted into the outer pipe 2, and the engaging piece 18 of the in-out / out operation unit 4 and the engaging recess 24 of the inner pipe 3 are matched, and then the positioning of the outer pipe 2 is performed. Just by assembling the cover 6 in a predetermined manner according to the projections 35 and 36 and the positioning port 43, the detent piece 27 necessarily engages with the detent rail 26 of the inner pipe 3 via the through-hole 31 of the outer pipe 2 ( A structure for preventing relative rotation is configured).

For this reason, in the suction pipe 1, the relative sliding of the outer pipe 2 and the inner pipe 3 in and out is kept in a detented state. By the way, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, in the inner pipe 3, an intermediate recess 45 is provided between the respective engagement recesses 24 in order to suppress occurrence of a defect phenomenon such as sink during resin molding. Can be considered.

In this case, the planar shape of the intermediate concave portion 45 is such that the axially adjacent distance V between the engaging concave portion 24 and the intermediate concave portion 45 at the intermediate position in the circumferential direction is narrow, and the axially adjacent distance V at both circumferential positions is small. It is preferable to form a middle swelling shape in which the interval W is widened. The intermediate recess 45 of the present embodiment includes:
Central rib 4 having a semicircular shape provided along the axial direction
6 on both sides.

That is, since the inner pipe 3 has a hollow circular cross section and the engagement recess 24 has a flat bottom surface, the engagement recess 24 is deep at an intermediate position in the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. It is shallow on both sides. Therefore, when the locking piece 18 of the insertion / removal amount operation unit 4 is engaged with the engagement concave portion 24, the engagement area is large (thick) at the intermediate position in the circumferential direction of the engagement concave portion 24, and is large at the both side positions in the circumferential direction. Narrow (thin)
It means becoming.

Therefore, for example, the engagement recess 24 and the intermediate recess 4
Assuming that the circumferential position on both sides in the axial direction is also narrowed at the adjacent interval in the axial direction with respect to 5, and the same as the intermediate position in the circumferential direction (that is, both have V dimensions), the engagement area is small (thin). ), There is a possibility that the strength decreases with respect to the load acting in the axial direction at the positions on both sides in the circumferential direction. Eventually, in order to prevent such a decrease in strength, the plane shape of the intermediate concave portion 45 is formed to be a medium inflated shape.

That is, if the intermediate concave portion 45 is formed to have a middle swelling shape, the adjacent space W between the positions in the circumferential direction where the engagement area becomes small (thin) can be increased, and accordingly the strength against the load acting in the axial direction can be increased. Can be increased. The middle swelling shape of the intermediate recess 45 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7A, it is possible to arrange the central rib 46 on both sides in a triangular shape or in a trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. 7B. Also, as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to form a diamond as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the inner pipe 3, a seal ring 8 provided at an end to be inserted into the outer pipe 2 is fitted into an annular recess 48 formed in the inner pipe 3. The seal ring 8 has a plurality of pressure contact portions 50 in the axial direction. The annular concave portion 48 of the inner pipe 3 is provided with an inclined concave portion 51 by reducing the diameter on both sides in the axial direction corresponding to each press contact portion 43 of the seal ring 8. A flexure allowable space is formed on the back side of the ring 8.

In the inner pipe 3, the annular recess 48
The outer diameter of the (non-inclined concave portion 51) seal ring 8
Is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the seal ring 8 so that the fitting strength is increased with the seal ring 8 slightly extended in the circumferential direction. The axial length of the annular concave portion 48 can be appropriately changed from the viewpoint of making the fitting strength equal to or more than a predetermined value. However, if necessary, the seal ring 8 is adhered to the annular concave portion 48 (the portion other than the inclined concave portion 51). You may.

With such a structure, when the outer pipe 2 and the inner pipe 3 are relatively slid, the seal ring 8 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe 2 by its own elasticity. In addition to the above, a deformation occurs such that the press contact portion 50 itself is bent in accordance with the sliding direction and is pushed into the allowable space, and this deformation causes the press contact portion 50 to press against the inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe 2. It will work favorably so that it is always maintained.

Accordingly, the sealing performance between the outer pipe 2 and the inner pipe 3 is improved. Moreover, the press contact portion 50
By deforming with bending, an appropriate pressure contact state is automatically maintained so that an overload does not occur in the sliding resistance, so that the elasticity of the seal ring 8 can be increased (hardened) to some extent. Will be possible. Therefore, there is an advantage that the sliding resistance between the outer pipe 2 and the inner pipe 3 can be reduced accordingly (expansion and contraction operation as the suction pipe 1 can be performed lightly) and wear of the seal ring 8 can be suppressed. In the present embodiment, the rubber hardness of the seal ring 8 is set to 70 °. In this case, the sliding resistance was 2.0 to 0.5 kg.

Further, since the press contact portion 50 is deformed with bending as described above, the accuracy of the inner diameter of the outer pipe 2 and the outer diameter of the inner pipe 3 (particularly in the annular concave portion 48), and the accuracy of the outer diameter of the outer pipe 2 and the inner pipe 3 (particularly in the annular concave portion 48). -Regarding roundness and smoothness on the outer peripheral surface,
This means that some tolerance can be given. This, of course, leads to lower production costs. In addition,
In order to form a permissible deflection space on the back side of the seal ring 8, as shown in FIG.
May be reduced in diameter, and a ridge 54 may be provided at the central portion in the axial direction, or a ridge 55 may be provided on the back of the seal ring 8 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the hook member 11 provided on the inner pipe 3 integrally has a tightening ring portion 57 having such a flexibility that it can be wound around and removed from the inner pipe 3. ing. The fastening portion 5 which can be fitted to the side surface of the hook 11 at the eccentric position of the inner pipe 3 is attached to the fastening ring 57.
8 are provided, and a screw 60 is
Is screwed into the inner pipe 3.

The side surface shape of the fastening portion 58 is formed straight along the axial direction of the inner pipe 3. Incidentally, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the cover 6, it is not limited that the rotation-stopping pieces 27 are integrally formed, but may be formed separately.

The material of the outer pipe 2, the inner pipe 3, the cover 6, and the like is not particularly limited, and may be a metal material such as aluminum. The in-out / out operation unit 4 is not limited to the lever system as described above, but may employ a button system or the like. The present invention is applicable whether the suction head unit 81 (see FIG. 5) includes a power brush or not. In the case of a power brush, a structure in which a power supply line, a signal line, and the like are buried in the outer wall of the outer pipe 2 and the inner pipe 3 or the like may be used.

[0037]

As is apparent from the above description, the suction pipe for a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention has an outer surface of an inner pipe,
Since the detent rails are provided in close proximity to the formation row of the engagement recesses, the positioning of the engagement recesses and the detent rails can be easily performed with respect to the production of the inner pipe, and the mold can be removed. The shape becomes easy to cope with, and as a general tendency, simplification of production, cost reduction, and the like can be achieved.

If two locking rails are provided so as to sandwich both sides of the row in which the engaging concave portions are formed, there is an advantage that the locking effect can be strengthened accordingly. In addition, there is an advantage that a sense of stability in appearance and design can be obtained. A cover for the in / out operation unit that can be attached to and detached from the outer pipe,
By providing a detent piece that penetrates the peripheral wall of the outer pipe and can be engaged with the detent rail of the inner pipe, the detent piece can be formed in a plate shape having a sufficient size as the detent piece and hardly damaged. . In addition, since the detent pieces become invisible, the appearance is improved.

The cover can give a sense of unity to the entire outer pipe, and not only has a good appearance, but also has an advantage that assembly and mutual positioning of the outer pipe and the inner pipe can be simplified. . In the case of providing an intermediate concave portion between the engaging concave portions in the inner pipe, if the planar shape is set to be a medium bulging shape, the axial direction when the locking piece of the input / output amount operation portion is engaged with the engaging concave portion There is an advantage that the strength of the portion between the engagement concave portion and the intermediate concave portion can be prevented from being reduced with respect to the load.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a main part (an operation portion of an outer pipe) of a suction pipe according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the suction tube according to the present invention.

3 is an exploded front view showing an outer pipe and a cover (FIG. 1)
(Corresponding to the line AA of FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of an inner pipe.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the intermediate concave portion.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view showing a half section of an end of the inner pipe on the side inserted into the outer pipe.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a principal part showing another embodiment of the seal ring.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a main part showing still another embodiment of the seal ring.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state of use in a conventional suction tube.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a rotation stopping structure of a conventional suction pipe in a partially crushed state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vacuum cleaner suction pipe 2 Outer pipe 3 Inner pipe 4 In / out operation part 6 Cover 18 Engagement piece 24 Engagement recess 26 Twist stop rail 27 Twice stop piece 45 Intermediate recess

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-8-322772 (JP, A) JP-A-9-47410 (JP, A) JP-A-10-201686 (JP, A) JP-A-10-2016 52387 (JP, A) JP-A-5-95876 (JP, A) JP-A-5-184501 (JP, A) JP-A-3-49051 (JP, U) Registered utility model 3018764 (JP, U) (58) ) Surveyed field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A47L 9/24

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An outer pipe (2), and an inner pipe (3) having a hollow circular cross section inserted slidably into the outer pipe (2). and out amount operation section engaging piece toward the inner pipe (3) (18) projecting and retracting freely is held (4) is provided, et al is, on the outer surface of the inner pipe (3), and out quantity operation unit (4 A plurality of engaging recesses (24) engageable with the locking pieces (18) are provided at predetermined intervals in the axial direction, and the plurality of engaging recesses (24) are provided close to the formation row of the engaging recesses (24). A detent rail (26) for preventing relative rotation with the pipe (2) is provided, and the outer pipe (2) is provided with a cover for covering the input / output operation unit (4).
(6) is detachably provided, and the cover (6) has an outer
Stop the inner pipe (3) by penetrating the peripheral wall of the pipe (2)
A detent piece (27) that can be engaged with the rail (26) is provided.
A suction pipe for a vacuum cleaner, wherein the suction pipe is provided. 2. In the inner pipe (3), two detent rails (26) are provided on both sides of a row formed in the engaging recess (24) , and detent pieces (27) are provided on each of the detent rails.
The suction tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the suction tube is provided corresponding to (26) . 3. The inner pipe (3) has an engagement recess (24).
And an intermediate recess (45) is provided between the
The plane shape of the recess (45) is in the circumferential direction of the engagement recess (24).
At the intermediate position, between the adjacent portion in the axial direction with the intermediate concave portion (45)
The distance (V) becomes narrower, and between both adjacent positions in the circumferential direction
The suction pipe for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction pipe is formed in a middle swelling shape such that the gap (W) is widened .