JP6800566B2 - Dust separator and vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to dust separators and vacuum cleaners.

Conventionally, an electric vacuum cleaner provided with a cyclone type dust separating device for generating dust in a cylindrical dust collecting container to separate dust from air has been known.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-14654

A conventional dust separator has a first centrifuge that separates and collects coarse dust, and a second centrifuge that separates and collects dust from air containing dust that passes through the first centrifuge. , Is equipped.

This type of dust separator includes a cup-shaped transparent resin dust container as the outer shell of the first centrifuge. Since the amount of accumulated dust can be visually confirmed from the outside of the transparent dust container, it is easy to see when to dispose of the dust. In addition, the cup-shaped dust container can be easily washed with water when dirt is conspicuous. Moreover, the dry state of the transparent dust container can be easily confirmed.

On the other hand, since the dust separated by the second centrifuge is powdery and fine, it easily adheres to the inner wall surface of the separation chamber due to humidity and static electricity. If the adhering dust absorbs moisture and sticks to the inner wall surface, the separation performance of the second centrifuge may be deteriorated, which is not preferable in terms of hygiene. Therefore, it is preferable that the second centrifuge can also be washed by a method such as washing with water.

By the way, the second centrifuge generally has a more complicated structure than the first centrifuge because it separates powdery dust finer than the first centrifuge. In addition, some dust separators have a separation chamber of a second centrifuge arranged inside a cylindrical cover to cover the dust separator. A conventional dust separating device having such a complicated structure and a cover that covers the separation chamber tends to retain moisture during cleaning between the wall of the separation chamber and the cover, and can be dried even after a sufficient time. It may be insufficient and moisture may remain. If the dust separation device is used with the moisture remaining, the residual moisture is sucked into the air passage, which promotes the adhesion of fine dust to the inner wall surface of the separation chamber.

Further, if the cover as the outer shell is opaque, it is difficult to see between the separation chamber and the cover, and it is difficult to determine whether or not water remains in the portion.

Therefore, the present invention proposes a dust separating device and an electric vacuum cleaner that can be easily dried even if the second centrifuge is washed with water and the internal dry state can be easily confirmed.

In order to solve the above problems, the dust separator according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a first centrifuge that separates coarse dust from air containing dust, and air containing fine dust that passes through the first centrifuge. The second centrifuge is provided with a second centrifuge that centrifuges the fine dust from the centrifuge and a transparent or translucent cover that detachably covers at least a part of the second centrifuge. A separation chamber side wall that partitions the centrifuge chamber that separates the fine dust, and a separation chamber lid that has an exhaust port for allowing air to flow out of the centrifuge and closes the separation chamber side wall so that it can be opened and closed. a, and remove the cover from the second centrifugation, Ri further said possible der washable said centrifugal separation chamber in the separation chamber with open lid, wherein the first centrifugal separation unit, and the cover The cover and the dust collecting container are different parts and have a dust collecting container which is detachably connected to the second centrifuge to which the cover is attached and collects the separated dust. each Ru removable der separately and independently.

Further, the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a vacuum cleaner main body, the dust separating device detachably provided on the vacuum cleaner main body, and the dust separating device accommodated in the vacuum cleaner main body and fluidized in the dust separating device. It is equipped with an electric blower that is connected to.

The perspective view of the vacuum cleaner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The perspective view of the dust separation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the dust separation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The cross-sectional view of the second centrifuge part of the dust separation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The cross-sectional view which shows the disassembled state of the dust separating apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The cross-sectional view which shows the disassembled state of the dust separating apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The cross-sectional view which shows the disassembled state of the dust separating apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The cross-sectional view which shows the disassembled state of the dust separating apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

An embodiment of the dust separating device and the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

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

As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called canister type vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 1 includes a vacuum cleaner main body 2 that can travel on the surface to be cleaned, and a pipe portion 3 that can be attached to and detached from the vacuum cleaner main body 2. The vacuum cleaner main body 2 and the pipe portion 3 are fluidly connected.

The vacuum cleaner main body 2 includes a main body case 5, a pair of wheels 6 provided on the left and right sides of the main body case 5, a removable dust separating device 7 arranged in the front half of the main body case 5, and a main body case. The electric blower 8 housed in the latter half of the fifth portion 5, a main body control unit 9 that mainly controls the electric blower 8, and a power cord 11 that guides electric power to the electric blower 8 are provided.

The vacuum cleaner main body 2 drives the electric blower 8 with the electric power supplied through the power cord 11, and causes the negative pressure generated by the drive of the electric blower 8 to act on the pipe portion 3. The vacuum cleaner 1 sucks dust-containing air (hereinafter referred to as "dust-containing air") from the surface to be cleaned through the pipe portion 3, separates the dust from the dust-containing air, and collects the separated dust. It accumulates and exhausts clean air from which dust has been removed.

A main body connection port 12 is provided on the front portion of the main body case 5. The main body connection port 12 is a fluid inlet of the vacuum cleaner main body 2. The main body connection port 12 fluidly connects the pipe portion 3 and the dust separation device 7.

The wheel 6 is a large-diameter traveling wheel and supports the vacuum cleaner main body 2.

The dust separating device 7 separates dust from the dust-containing air flowing into the vacuum cleaner main body 2, collects and accumulates the dust, and sends clean air from which the dust has been removed to the electric blower 8.

Further, the dust separating device 7 has a substantially cylindrical appearance as a whole. The dust separating device 7 is mounted so as to lean against the vacuum cleaner main body 2 in a posture in which the bottom is moved forward and the top is moved backward with respect to the vacuum cleaner main body 2. The dust separating device 7 is detachably fixed to the vacuum cleaner main body 2.

The electric blower 8 sucks air from the dust separating device 7 to generate a negative pressure (suction negative pressure).

The main body control unit 9 includes a microprocessor (not shown) and a storage device (not shown) that stores various arithmetic programs and parameters executed by the microprocessor. A plurality of preset operation modes are stored in the storage device. The plurality of preset operation modes correspond to the user's operation input to the pipe unit 3. Different input values (input values of the electric blower 8) are set for each operation mode. The main body control unit 9 selectively selects an arbitrary operation mode corresponding to the operation content from a plurality of preset operation modes according to the user's operation input to the pipe unit 3, and is a storage unit. The operation of the electric blower 8 is controlled according to the read operation mode.

The power cord 11 supplies electric power to the vacuum cleaner main body 2 from a wiring plug connector (not shown, so-called outlet). A plug 14 is provided at the free end of the power cord 11.

The pipe portion 3 sucks dust-containing air from the surface to be cleaned by the negative pressure acting from the vacuum cleaner main body 2 and guides it to the vacuum cleaner main body 2. The pipe portion 3 is fluidly connected to a connecting pipe 19 as a joint that is detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner main body 2, a dust collecting hose 21 that is fluidly connected to the connecting pipe 19, and a dust collecting hose 21. The hand operation tube 22, the grip portion 23 protruding from the hand operation tube 22, the operation unit 24 provided on the grip portion 23, the extension tube 25 detachably connected to the hand operation tube 22, and the extension tube 25. It includes a suction port body 26 that is detachably connected.

The connection pipe 19 is a joint that can be attached to and detached from the main body connection port 12, and is fluidly connected to the dust separation device 7 through the main body connection port 12.

The dust collecting hose 21 is a long and flexible hose having a substantially cylindrical shape. One end (here, the rear end) of the dust collecting hose 21 is fluidly connected to the connecting pipe 19. The dust collecting hose 21 is fluidly connected to the dust separating device 7 through the connecting pipe 19.

The hand operation pipe 22 relays the dust collecting hose 21 and the extension pipe 25. One end of the hand control tube 22 (here, the rear end) is fluidly connected to the other end of the dust collection hose 21 (here, the front end). The hand operation pipe 22 is fluidly connected to the dust separation device 7 through the dust collection hose 21 and the connection pipe 19 in sequence.

The grip portion 23 is a portion that the user grips by hand in order to operate the vacuum cleaner 1. The grip portion 23 projects from the hand operation tube 22 in an appropriate shape that can be easily gripped by the user's hand.

The operation unit 24 includes a switch associated with each operation mode. Specifically, the operation unit 24 includes a stop switch 24a associated with the operation stop operation of the electric blower 8 and an start switch 24b associated with the operation start operation of the electric blower 8. The stop switch 24a and the start switch 24b are electrically connected to the main body control unit 9. The user of the vacuum cleaner 1 can selectively select the operation mode of the electric blower 8 by operating the operation unit 24. The start switch 24b also functions as an operation mode selection switch during the operation of the electric blower 8. In this case, the main body control unit 9 switches the operation mode in the order of strong → medium → weak → strong → ... each time the operation signal is received from the start switch 24b. The operation unit 24 may individually include a weak operation switch (not shown), a medium operation switch (not shown), and a strong operation switch (not shown) instead of the start switch 24b.

The extension tube 25 having a telescopic structure in which a plurality of tubular bodies are superposed is an elongated and substantially cylindrical tube that can be expanded and contracted. One end of the extension pipe 25 (here, the rear end) is provided with a detachable joint structure at the other end (here, the front end) of the hand operating pipe 22. The extension pipe 25 is fluidly connected to the dust separation device 7 through the hand operation pipe 22, the dust collection hose 21, and the connection pipe 19.

The suction port body 26 is movable or slidable on a surface to be cleaned such as a wooden floor or a carpet, and has a suction port 28 on the bottom surface facing the surface to be cleaned in the running state or the sliding state. Further, the suction port body 26 includes a rotatable rotary cleaning body 29 arranged at the suction port 28 and an electric motor 31 for driving the rotary cleaning body 29. One end of the suction port body 26 (here, the rear end) is provided with a detachable joint structure at the other end (here, the front end) of the extension pipe 25. The suction port body 26 is fluidly connected to the dust separation device 7 through an extension pipe 25, a hand operation pipe 22, a dust collection hose 21, and a connection pipe 19. That is, the suction port body 26, the extension pipe 25, the hand operation pipe 22, the dust collecting hose 21, the connecting pipe 19, and the dust separating device 7 are suction air passages leading from the electric blower 8 to the suction port 28.

The vacuum cleaner 1 starts the electric blower 8 when the user's operation on the start switch 24b is received. For example, in the vacuum cleaner 1, when the start switch 24b is operated while the electric blower 8 is stopped, the electric blower 8 is first operated in the strong operation mode, and when the start switch 24b is operated again, the electric blower 1 is operated. 8 is operated in the medium operation mode, and when the start switch 24b is operated three times, the electric blower 8 is operated in the weak operation mode, and so on. The strong operation mode, the medium operation mode, and the weak operation mode are a plurality of preset operation modes, and the input value to the electric blower 8 is smaller in the order of the strong operation mode, the medium operation mode, and the weak operation mode. The started electric blower 8 exhausts air from the dust separator 7 to create a negative pressure (suction negative pressure) inside the air blower 8.

The negative pressure of the dust separation device 7 acts on the suction port 28 through the main body connection port 12, the connection pipe 19, the dust collection hose 21, the hand operation pipe 22, the extension pipe 25, and the suction port body 26 in this order. The vacuum cleaner 1 cleans the surface to be cleaned by sucking dust on the surface to be cleaned together with air by the negative pressure acting on the suction port 28. The dust separating device 7 separates and accumulates dust from the dust-containing air sucked into the vacuum cleaner 1, while sending clean air after separating the dust to the electric blower 8. The electric blower 8 exhausts the air sucked from the dust separating device 7 to the outside of the vacuum cleaner main body 2.
Next, the dust separating device 7 will be described in detail.

The dust separating device 7 shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the vacuum cleaner main body 2 in a backward tilted posture, but the dust separating device 7 is shown upright below for the sake of simplicity.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dust separating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dust separating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second centrifuge portion of the dust separator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the dust separating device 7 of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first centrifuge section 35 that separates coarse dust from the dust-containing air guided to the dust separating device 7. A transparent or translucent second that detachably covers the second centrifuge 36 and the second centrifuge 36 that centrifuges fine dust from the dust-containing air that passes through the first centrifuge 35. A cover 37 on the separation portion is provided.

Further, the dust separation device 7 includes an exhaust air passage 38 that sends air passing through the second centrifugal separation unit 36 to the electric blower 8, and a top cover 39 that covers the exhaust air passage 38.

The first centrifuge 35 is arranged on one side of the dust separator 7, specifically, the lower half side. The second centrifuge portion 36, the second separation portion upper cover 37, the exhaust air passage 38, and the top cover 39 are arranged on the other side, specifically, the upper half side of the dust separation device 7. The first centrifuge 35 and the second centrifuge 36 are arranged and stacked adjacent to each other in the height direction of the cylindrical dust separator 7.

The first centrifuge section 35, the second separation section upper cover 37, and the top cover 39 work together to arrange the appearance of the dust separating device 7 into a substantially cylindrical shape.

The coarse dust is mainly fibrous dust such as lint and cotton dust and dust having a large mass such as sand grains, and the fine dust is dust in the form of particles or powder and having a small mass.

The first centrifuge unit 35 separates dust from dust-containing air by a centrifugal separation method (cyclone type). The first centrifuge section 35 includes a cup-shaped dust collecting container 42 as an outer shell of the first centrifuge chamber 41, a cylindrical first filter section 43 arranged in the dust collecting container 42, and a dust collecting container. A dust catching cup 45, which is arranged in the 42 and is connected to the first filter unit 43, is provided. Further, the first centrifuge 35 includes a second handle 46 provided on the outer surface of the side wall of the dust collecting container 42.

The dust collection container 42 is an outer shell of the lower half of the dust separation device 7, and also serves as an outer shell of the first centrifugal separation chamber 41 and the dust collection chamber 47. An intake port 48 is provided on the side wall of the dust collecting container 42. The dust collecting container 42 has a large diameter portion 51 arranged at an open end, an inclined portion 52 connected to the large diameter portion 51 and narrowed to a small diameter, and a substantially uniform diameter dimension connected to the inclined portion 52. It is provided with a small diameter portion 53 that reaches the bottom wall.

The connecting portion between the large diameter portion 51 and the small diameter portion 53, that is, the inclined portion 52, has an inclined surface 55 narrowing from the large diameter portion 51 toward the small diameter portion 53 inside the dust collecting container 42.

The small diameter portion 53 is connected to the bottom wall of the dust collecting container 42.

The first filter unit 43 is housed in the dust collecting container 42 and is arranged substantially concentrically. The annular space that separates the first filter unit 43 and the dust collection container 42 swirls the dust-containing air that flows from the intake port 48 of the dust collection container 42 into the first centrifugal separation unit 35 to centrifuge coarse dust. The centrifuge chamber 41.

The first filter unit 43 is fixed to the second centrifuge unit 36, projects inside the dust collection container 42, and extends toward the bottom wall of the dust collection container 42. The first filter unit 43 fluidly connects the first centrifuge chamber 41 and the second centrifuge unit 36 and relays them. The first filter unit 43 includes a frame body 57 having a plurality of bones 56 arranged in a cylindrical shape separated from each other, and a first mesh filter 58 that surrounds the frame body 57 in a cylindrical shape. The first opening 59 between the bones 56 of the frame 57 allows air to flow out of the first centrifuge chamber 41 to the second centrifuge 36. The side surface of the first filter unit 43, specifically, the first mesh filter 58 faces the intake port 48.

The first mesh filter 58 is naturally the first during a period in which the swirling flow in the first centrifuge chamber 41 is not sufficiently developed, such as immediately after the start of the electric blower 8 or a stop transient, and even after the swirling flow has developed. It prevents coarse dust from flowing from the centrifuge 35 to the second centrifuge 36 side.

The first filter unit 43 does not necessarily require the first mesh filter 58 to the extent that coarse dust can be prevented from flowing to the downstream side. For example, when the frame 57 of the first filter unit 43 has a fine grid pattern that can block the passage of coarse dust, or has holes that are small enough to prevent the passage of coarse dust. Does not necessarily require the first mesh filter 58.

The dust trapping cup 45 is provided at an end portion of the first filter portion 43 near the bottom wall of the dust collecting container 42, that is, a protruding end portion or a lower end portion. The bottomed cylindrical dust trapping cup 45 has a bottom wall connected to the first filter portion 43 and a side wall extending toward the bottom wall of the dust collecting container 42. That is, the dust trapping cup 45 is opened toward the bottom wall of the dust collecting container 42. The side wall of the dust trapping cup 45 faces the inner peripheral surface of the dust collecting container 42 with a gap. The dust trapping cup 45 has a larger diameter than the first filter portion 43, and has a second opening 61 in the bottom wall connected to the first filter portion 43.

The space that separates the dust trapping cup 45 and the dust collecting container 42 is a dust collecting chamber 47 that collects the dust separated by the first centrifuge section 35. The air in the dust collecting chamber 47 returns to the first centrifuge chamber 41 through the second opening 61.

A second mesh filter 62 is provided in the second opening 61. The second mesh filter 62 may be coarse so that coarse (fibrous such as lint and cotton dust) dust that has flowed into the dust collection chamber 47 does not return to the first centrifugation chamber 41.

When the dust collecting container 42 is removed from the dust separating device 7, the first filter unit 43 and the dust trapping cup 45 come out of the dust collecting container 42 along with the second centrifuge unit 36.

The second centrifuge 36 separates fine dust from the dust-containing air passing through the first centrifuge 35. The second centrifuge 36 includes a relay air passage 63 that guides the air that has passed through the first centrifuge chamber 41, a second centrifuge chamber 65 that separates fine dust from the air flowing from the relay air passage 63, and fine dust. It includes an exhaust air passage 38 that guides the air flowing out of the second centrifuge chamber 65 after being decomposed to the electric blower 8.

The second centrifuge 36 is detachably connected to the dust collecting container 42 and closes the open end 42a of the dust collecting container 42. Further, the second centrifuge unit 36 supports the first filter unit 43 and the dust trapping cup 45 on the center line C of the dust collection container 42.

The second separation portion upper cover 37 corresponding to the outer shell of the second centrifugation portion 36 has a cylindrical shape. A plurality of second centrifuge chambers 65 are arranged in an annular shape inside the upper cover 37 of the second separation portion. Further, an annular relay air passage 63 is arranged inside the plurality of second centrifugal separation chambers 65 arranged in an annular shape. Further, the exhaust air passage 38 is arranged inside the annular relay air passage 63 on the extension line of the center line C of the dust collecting container 42 or at the center of the cylindrical second centrifuge portion 36. .. In other words, in the second centrifuge 36, the second centrifuge chamber 65, the annular relay air passage 63, and the exhaust air passage 38, which are arranged in an annular shape, are arranged in this order from the side of the cover 37 on the second separation unit 3. It is a heavy structure.

The relay air passage 63 guides the air (dust-containing air) flowing in from the first filter unit 43 in a direction away from the dust collecting container 42, and guides the air to the second centrifugal separation chamber 65.

There are a plurality of second centrifugal separation chambers 65, which are arranged in a substantially annular shape along the inner circumference of the cylindrical second separation portion upper cover 37 or around the relay air passage 63. Each second centrifuge chamber 65 includes a cylindrical wall 66 that produces a swirling flow and a truncated cone-shaped wall 67 that produces a spiral flow.

The cylindrical wall 66 and the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 have center lines that are substantially aligned on the same line. This center line, that is, the center line of the second centrifuge chamber 65 is arranged parallel to the center line C of the cylindrical dust separator 7. The center line of the second centrifuge chamber 65 may be inclined radially so as to draw a conical surface that gathers on the side of the first centrifuge 35 and expands in the second centrifuge 36. Further, when viewed as a whole of the plurality of second centrifuge chambers 65, the center lines of the cylindrical wall 66 and the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 are arranged in a circle around the center line C of the dust separation device 7.

Further, the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 has an upper base having a large diameter and a lower base having a diameter smaller than that of the upper base. The upper bottom of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 is arranged on the side far from the first centrifuge 35, and the lower bottom is arranged on the side closer to the first centrifuge 35. The cylindrical wall 66 has substantially the same diameter as the upper bottom of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67, and is connected to the upper bottom of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67.

The cylindrical wall 66 is arranged on the side farther from the first centrifuge 35 than the truncated cone-shaped wall 67. A dust-containing air inlet 68 is provided on the side wall of the cylindrical wall 66. The introduction port 68 is a side surface of the cylindrical wall 66, is arranged on the central side of the dust separation device 7, and is connected to the relay air passage 63.

Further, the cylindrical wall 66 has a bottom plate at a portion farthest from the first centrifuge portion 35. The bottom plate of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 is provided with a tubular inner cylinder 69 extending along the center line inside the cylindrical wall 66. The inside of the inner cylinder 69 is an exhaust port 71 that exhausts clean air separated from dust-containing air in the second centrifuge chamber 65. The exhaust port 71 is connected to the exhaust air passage 38. The outside of the inner cylinder 69 faces the introduction port 68. The annular space that separates the inner cylinder 69 and the cylindrical wall 66 swirls the flow of dust-containing air flowing from the introduction port 68.

Further, the cylindrical wall 66 has an open portion closest to the first centrifuge 35, and is connected to an opening at the upper bottom of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67.

The truncated cone-shaped wall 67 is reduced in diameter as it approaches the first centrifuge 35. The upper bottom of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 has an opening connected to the inside of the truncated cone-shaped wall 66, and a swirling flow generated between the cylindrical wall 66 and the inner cylinder 69 is introduced into the truncated cone-shaped wall 67. Creates a spiral flow. The lower bottom of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 has a disposal port 72 connected to the inside of the dust collecting container 42.

The second centrifuge chamber 65 introduces dust-containing air from the introduction port 68. The dust-containing air flowing from the introduction port 68 into the second centrifuge chamber 65 swirls along the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 66, and further generates a spiral spiral flow toward the disposal port 72 along the inner surface of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67. To separate fine dust from the air. The separated fine dust is discharged from the waste port 72 to the dust collection container 42 side. The clean air from which the dust has been separated flows on the center line of the second centrifuge chamber 65, that is, the center line of the cylindrical wall 66 and the truncated cone-shaped wall 67, passes through the inner cylinder 69, and is exhausted from the exhaust port 71. It flows out to the air passage 38.

A dust trapping umbrella 75 is provided at the tip of the waste port 72 of the second centrifuge chamber 65. The dust trapping umbrella 75 is provided at the base of the first filter unit 43, which also serves as a partition wall for partitioning the first centrifuge unit 35 and the second centrifuge unit 36. The outer diameter of the dust trapping umbrella 75 is smaller than that of the second centrifuge portion 36 and larger than that of the first filter portion 43. The dust trapping umbrella 75 has one surface 75a that guides fine dust discharged from the disposal port 72 of the second centrifuge chamber 65 to the dust collection container 42 and the other surface 75b that spreads and inclines toward the inside of the dust collection container 42. And have.

Further, the dust trapping umbrella 75 abuts on the inclined portion 52 of the dust collecting container 42 and closes the dust collecting container 42. The large-diameter portion 51, the inclined portion 52, and the dust trapping umbrella 75 of the dust collecting container 42 partition the fine dust collecting chamber 76 for accumulating the dust discharged from the second centrifuge chamber 65. The fine dust collecting chamber 76 is sandwiched between the inner surface of the large diameter portion 51, the inclined surface of the inclined portion 52, and one surface 75a of the dust trapping umbrella 75, and is moved away from the second centrifugation chamber 65, that is, the second. It is a substantially wedge-shaped space that becomes narrower as the distance from the disposal port 72 of the centrifuge chamber 65 increases.

The other surface 75b of the dust trapping umbrella 75 has a larger diameter than the first filter section 43 and the dust catching cup 45, and has a diameter increased toward the first filter section 43 and the dust catching cup 45.

The exhaust air passage 38 faces the central portion side of the second centrifugal separation portion 36 while reducing the diameter from the outermost peripheral portion connected to the exhaust port 71 so as to cover the second centrifugal separation chamber 65, and the dust collection container 42 Enter the center of the relay air passage 63 on the center line C of. Then, the exhaust air passage 38 is bent in a direction intersecting the extension line of the center line C of the dust collecting container 42 (the center line of the dust separating device 7) from the portion surrounded by the plurality of second centrifugal separation chambers 65. It reaches the second exhaust port 77 provided on the side wall of the second centrifuge 36. The exhaust air passage 38 is a portion farthest from the first centrifuge portion 35, and has a recess 78 recessed toward the first centrifuge portion 35 in a portion adjacent to the top cover 39. The exhaust air passage 38 collects the air flowing out from the exhaust port 71 of the second centrifuge chamber 65 toward the center side of the dust separator 7, and once directs it toward the first centrifuge 35 by the recess 78. After that, the direction of the flow is changed at a substantially right angle to exhaust the air to the second exhaust port 77.

Here, the members constituting the second centrifuge 36 will be described.

In the second centrifuge 36, in addition to the second centrifuge top cover 37, the second centrifuge lid 81 including the cylindrical wall 66 of the second centrifuge 65 and the second centrifuge 65 A second separation chamber side wall 82 including a truncated cone-shaped wall 67, a second separation lower cover 83 as an outer shell of the second separation chamber side wall 82, and a relay wind that guides dust-containing air to the second centrifuge chamber 65. It is provided with a common partition 85 for partitioning the road 63 and the exhaust air passage 38 for guiding the air flowing out from the second centrifugal separation chamber 65 side by side.

The side wall portion 82 of the second separation chamber partitions most of the second centrifuge chamber 65 for separating fine dust. The side wall portion 82 of the second separation chamber includes a plurality of truncated cone-shaped walls 67 arranged in an annular shape.

The second separation chamber lid 81 has an exhaust port 71 for letting air flow out from the second centrifugal separation chamber 65, and closes the second separation chamber side wall 82 so as to be openable and closable. The second separation chamber lid portion 81 includes a plurality of cylindrical walls 66 arranged in an annular shape, and has a shape and dimensions that match the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 of the side wall portion 82 of the second separation chamber with the cylindrical wall 66. ..

The side wall portion of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 having the introduction port 68 may be provided on the side wall portion 82 side of the second separation chamber. In this case, the second separation chamber lid 81 preferably includes a bottom plate portion of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 having an exhaust port 71, and an inner cylinder 69 integrated with the bottom plate portion.

Further, the walls defining the second centrifuge chamber 65, that is, the cylindrical wall 66 and the truncated cone-shaped wall 67, and thus the second separation chamber lid 81 and the second separation chamber side wall 82 are at least covered on the second separation portion. The portion of the 37 facing the inner surface, in the present embodiment, the second separation chamber lid 81 may be transparent or translucent.

The second separation chamber lid 81 is provided in the second centrifuge 36 via a hinge mechanism 86. The hinge mechanism 86 supports the second separation chamber lid portion 81 as the separation chamber lid portion on the side wall portion 82 of the second separation chamber so as to be openable and closable. Further, the hinge mechanism 86 is provided on the side of the side wall of the second separation chamber 82 and the bearing 87 on the side of the lid of the separation chamber. When the lid 81 of the second separation chamber is opened by a predetermined angle or more, the bearing 87 is provided. It is provided with a shaft portion 88 that separates the second separation chamber lid portion 81 from the side wall portion 82 side of the second separation chamber. A pair of the bearing 87 and the shaft portion 88 are arranged coaxially. A notch (not shown) is provided at the tip of the shaft portion 88. Further, the bearing 87 is provided at the tip of an arm portion (not shown) that elastically deforms. When the second separation chamber lid 81 is opened by a predetermined angle or more, the notch of the shaft portion 88 is propelled in a direction in which the shaft portion 88 comes out of the bearing 87 by a force trying to open the second separation chamber lid 81. While generating a force, the arm portion is elastically deformed by this propulsive force, so that the shaft portion 88 comes out from the bearing 87.

Further, the second separation chamber lid portion 81 is fixed to the second separation chamber side wall portion 82 via the lock mechanism 91. When the second separation chamber lid 81 is closed around the hinge mechanism 86, the lock mechanism 91 fixes the second separation chamber lid 81 to the second centrifuge chamber 65. The lock mechanism 91 is provided on the claw portion 92 provided on the second separation chamber lid portion 81 and the side wall portion 82 of the second separation chamber, and when the second separation chamber lid portion 81 is closed around the hinge mechanism 86, the claw portion 92 is provided. It is provided with a claw receiving recess 93 that is hooked on the hook.

The second separation portion upper cover 37 is a transparent or translucent resin molded product that surrounds the second separation chamber lid portion 81 in an annular shape.

The second separation portion lower cover 83 surrounds the side wall portion 82 of the second separation chamber in an annular shape. The second separation subordinate cover 83 may be colored, transparent, or translucent.

The second separation part upper cover 37 and the second separation part lower cover 83 are covers that jointly surround the second centrifugation chamber 65, and if at least one of them is transparent or translucent, the second centrifugation chamber Either the second separation chamber lid 81 or the second separation chamber side wall 82 defining 65 can be seen through.

A packing 95 sandwiched between the side wall portion 82 of the second separation chamber and the lid portion 81 of the second separation chamber is provided between the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 and the cylindrical wall 66. The packing 95 closes the gap between the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 and the cylindrical wall 66, and at the same time closes the seam of the relay air passage 63.

The common partition wall 85 is fitted into the inner edge portion of the second separation chamber lid portion 81, and separates the relay air passage 63 and the exhaust air passage 38. The common partition wall 85 is fixed to the top cover 39 side.

The top cover 39 is integrated with the second separation upper cover 37. The top cover 39 includes a top plate 97 that closes the top of the second centrifuge 36, and a swingable handle 98 provided on the top plate 97.

The top plate 97 is provided with a recess 99 that is recessed toward the second centrifuge 36 side. The recess 99 is recessed corresponding to the recess 78 of the exhaust air passage 38.

Further, the top plate 97 is provided with a second hinge mechanism 101 that swingably supports the handle 98. The second hinge mechanism 101 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the top plate 97. The second hinge mechanism 101 swings the handle 98 to increase the opening height of the gap 102 between the handle 98 and the top plate 97. That is, the second hinge mechanism 101 makes it possible to set the opening height of the gap 102 at the normal time to be lower than the average finger thickness. In this case, the second hinge mechanism 101 swings the handle 98 with a finger entering the gap 102 to increase the opening height of the gap 102.

The handle 98 is provided on the top of the top cover 39 (that is, the top of the dust separating device 7). The user can firmly hold the dust separating device 7 by inserting a finger into the handle 98. The handle 98 cooperates with the recess 99 of the top plate 97 to partition a gap 102 that allows fingers to be inserted and removed.

The top cover 39 is provided with a clamp 103 that connects the dust separating device 7 and the vacuum cleaner main body 2. The vacuum cleaner main body 2 is provided with a lock claw 105 for fixing the dust separating device 7 to the vacuum cleaner main body 2 in cooperation with the clamp 103.

The clamp 103 disengages from the lock claw 105 following the handle 98 that swings in the direction of expanding the opening height of the gap 102, while the clamp 103 swings independently when the dust separating device 7 is attached to the vacuum cleaner main body 2. It moves and gets caught on the lock claw 105.

While the clamp 103 connects the dust separating device 7 and the vacuum cleaner main body 2, the clamp 103 releases the connection between the vacuum cleaner main body 2 and the dust separating device 7 in conjunction with one operation in which the handle 98 swings, and the vacuum cleaner The dust separating device 7 can be removed from the main body 2.

The top cover 39 is provided on a third lock mechanism 107 provided on the outer surface of the second centrifuge 36, a claw (not shown) provided on the back surface of the top cover 39, and a second separation chamber lid 81. It is detachably fixed by a claw receiving recess (not shown) for hooking a claw.

5 to 8 are cross-sectional views showing a disassembled state of the dust separating device according to the present embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, the dust separator 7 according to the present embodiment discards the dust collected by the first centrifuge 35 and the second centrifuge 36 by removing the dust collection container 42. Can be done. When the dust collecting container 42 is removed, the dust separating device 7 has coarse dust accumulated in the dust collecting chamber 47 by the first centrifuge 35 and fine dust accumulated in the fine dust collecting chamber 76 by the second centrifuge 36. Dust collects in the dust collecting container 42 and can be disposed of all at once. When the dust collecting container 42 becomes dirty, the dust collecting container 42 can be cleaned by washing with water or the like.

The dust collection container 42 is detachably fixed to the second centrifuge 36 by a second lock mechanism 106 provided on the second handle 46.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the dust separation device 7 according to the present embodiment exposes the second separation chamber lid 81 defining the second centrifugation chamber 65 by removing the top cover 39. Since the second separation portion upper cover 37 is integrated with the top cover 39, when the top cover 39 is removed, the second separation chamber lid portion 81 is exposed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the dust separation device 7 according to the present embodiment opens the second centrifugal separation chamber 65 when the lock mechanism 91 is released and the second separation chamber lid 81 is swung.

By opening the lid 81 of the second separation chamber, the inside of the cylindrical wall 66 and the inside of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 of the second centrifuge chamber 65 are exposed so that they can be directly cleaned. In addition, the cleaning state can be visually confirmed in every corner.

At this time, in the dust separation device 7, since the second separation chamber lid portion 81 is connected to the second separation chamber side wall portion 82 via the hinge mechanism 86, both are not separated.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, in the dust separation device 7 according to the present embodiment, when the second separation chamber lid portion 81 is opened at a predetermined angle or more, the shaft portion 88 is pulled out from the bearing 87 of the hinge mechanism 86 and is second. The lid portion 81 of the second separation chamber and the side wall portion 82 of the second separation chamber are separated and separated. In this state, the second centrifuge 36 is divided into a plurality of parts, which increases the complexity of handling, but the ease of cleaning both parts is increased, and both parts are independently separated during drying. Since it can be dried, for example, it is possible to take a posture that facilitates ventilation separately.

The dust separating device 7 can be easily assembled in the reverse procedure after cleaning and drying are completed.

The dust separator 7 and the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment are provided with a transparent or translucent second separator top cover 37 that detachably covers at least a part of the second centrifuge 36. (Ii) Of the walls defining the centrifuge chamber 65, it is possible to prevent water from remaining during cleaning at least between the second separation chamber lid 81 and the second separation upper cover 37.

Further, the dust separating device 7 and the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment are provided with a transparent or semi-transparent second separating portion upper cover 37 that detachably covers at least a part of the second centrifugal separating portion 36. Even if water remains between the lid portion 81 of the second separation chamber and the upper cover 37 of the second separation portion, the residual water can be visually confirmed.

Further, in the dust separating device 7 and the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of second centrifuge chambers 65 are arranged in an annular shape inside the cylindrical second separating portion upper cover 37. Each of the centrifuge chambers 65 can be individually confirmed.

Furthermore, the dust separator 7 and the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment are the walls defining the second centrifuge chamber 65, that is, the cylindrical wall 66 and the truncated cone-shaped wall 67, and the second separation chamber lid 81. If at least the portion of the side wall portion 82 of the second separation chamber facing the inner surface of the upper cover 37 of the second separation portion is transparent or translucent, it is possible to confirm the degree of adhesion of fine dust in the second centrifuge chamber 65. It can be done, and by extension, the washing time can be easily seen.

Therefore, according to the dust separator 7 and the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment, the second centrifuge 36 can be easily dried even if it is washed with water, and the internal dry state can be confirmed.

The vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the canister type, but may be an upright type, a stick type, a handy type, or the like.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 Vacuum cleaner 2 Vacuum cleaner body 3 Pipe 5 Body case 6 Wheels 7 Dust separator 8 Electric blower 9 Body control 11 Power cord 12 Body connection port 14 Plug 19 Connection pipe 21 Dust collection hose 22 Hand operation pipe 23 Grip part 24 Operation part 24a Stop switch 24b Start switch 25 Extension pipe 26 Suction port body 28 Suction port 29 Rotating cleaner 31 Electric motor 35 First centrifugal separation part 36 Second centrifugal separation part 37 Second separation part Top cover 38 Exhaust air passage 39 Top cover 41 First centrifuge chamber 42 Dust collection container 42a Open end 43 First filter section 45 Dust capture cup 46 Second handle 47 Dust collection chamber 48 Intake port 51 Large diameter part 52 Inclination 53 Small diameter 55 Inclination surface 56 Bone 57 Frame 58 First mesh filter 59 First opening 61 Second opening 62 Second mesh filter 63 Relay air passage 65 Second centrifuge chamber 66 Cylindrical wall 67 Conical trapezoidal wall 68 Introductory port 69 Inner cylinder 71 Exhaust port 72 Disposal port 75 Dust trap 75a One side 75b The other side 76 Dust collection chamber 77 Second exhaust port 78 Recess 81 Second separation chamber lid 82 Second separation chamber side wall 83 Second separation bottom cover 85 Common Partition 86 Hing mechanism 87 Bearing 88 Shaft 91 Lock mechanism 92 Claw 93 Claw receiving recess 95 Packing 97 Top plate 98 Handle 99 Recess 101 Second hinge mechanism 102 Gap 103 Clamp 105 Lock claw 106 Second lock mechanism 107 Third lock mechanism

Claims (4)

A first centrifuge that separates coarse dust from air containing dust,
A second centrifuge that centrifuges the fine dust from air containing fine dust that passes through the first centrifuge.
A transparent or translucent cover that detachably covers at least a part of the second centrifuge is provided.
The second centrifuge
A separation chamber side wall that partitions the centrifuge chamber that separates the fine dust, and a separation chamber lid that has an exhaust port for allowing air to flow out of the centrifuge and closes the separation chamber side wall so as to be openable and closable. Have and
And remove the cover from the second centrifugation, Ri can der washable said centrifuge chamber in a state of further opening the separation chamber lid,
The first centrifuge is a component different from the cover, and is detachably connected to the second centrifuge to which the cover is attached to collect the separated dust. Have and
The cover and the dust collection container, each removable der Ru dust separating apparatus separately and independently. The cover has a cylindrical shape and houses at least a part of the second centrifuge inside.
The dust separation device according to claim 1, wherein the second centrifuge portion has a plurality of separation chambers arranged along the inner circumference of the cover, and a part of a wall defining the separation chamber faces the inner surface of the cover. .. The dust separation device according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the wall defining the separation chamber facing the inner surface of the cover is transparent or translucent. With the vacuum cleaner body
The dust separating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is detachably provided on the vacuum cleaner body.
An electric vacuum cleaner including an electric blower housed in the vacuum cleaner main body and fluidly connected to the dust separating device.

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