JP6969898B2 - Dust separator and vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

The embodiment according to the present invention relates to a dust separator and an electric vacuum cleaner.

A dust separating device including a cyclone separation type dust collecting unit, a cover covering the upper part of the dust collecting unit, and a handle provided on the cover is known. Inside the handle, there is a grip groove for inserting a finger.

JP-A-2007-117710

In any of the separation methods including the cyclone separation method and the filtration separation method, air violently flows in the dust collecting portion in order to generate a suction negative pressure. This flow of air produces sounds, such as airflow and wind noise. The sound generated by this air flow is emitted to the surroundings from the outer shell of the dust collecting portion and the cover covering the dust collecting portion.

By the way, even when the handle is integrated with the cover as in the conventional dust separating portion, or when the handle is provided so as to cover the outside of the cover, the fingers are inside the handle. A grip groove is required to insert the. This gripping groove is arranged outside the air passage of the dust collecting portion and in the vicinity of the dust collecting portion in order to prevent the dust separating device from becoming large in size.

The gripping groove arranged in this way reflects and reverberates the sound emitted from the dust collecting portion to amplify the noise.

Therefore, the present invention proposes a dust separating device and an electric vacuum cleaner capable of suppressing the noise emitted from the gripping groove and reducing the operating noise.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the dust separator according to the embodiment of the present invention causes a swirling flow in the air containing dust to separate the dust, and clean air is discharged from the center of the swirling flow vortex. The centrifuge to be discharged, the outer shell covering the centrifuge, the handle portion provided in the outer shell to partition the space into which the fingers can be inserted, and the air passing through the centrifuge. The outer shell is provided with a noise suppressing mechanism for suppressing the reverberation of the generated sound in the space, and the outer shell is recessed in a portion covered by the handle portion in a direction away from the handle portion to partition the space. The handle portion covers the deepest portion of the recess, and the noise suppression mechanism faces the deepest portion of the recess .

Further, the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a vacuum cleaner main body, an electric blower housed in the vacuum cleaner main body to generate a negative pressure, and the dust separation device fluidly connected to the electric blower. And have.

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. Sectional drawing of the 2nd centrifugal separation part of the dust separation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The plan view of the 2nd centrifuge part of the dust separation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example of the dust separating device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Partial side view of another example of the dust separation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The plan view of another example of the dust separation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The plan view of another example of the dust separation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The plan view of another example of the dust separation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

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 10.

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. 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 pipe portion 3 is fluidly connected to the vacuum cleaner main body 2.

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. It includes an electric blower 8 housed in the latter half of 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.

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 electric 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 to the dust separation device 7.

The wheel 6 is a large-diameter traveling wheel that supports the vacuum cleaner main body 2. The vacuum cleaner main body 2 includes casters (not shown) provided on the bottom surface of the main body case 5 in addition to the wheels 6.

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 detachably attached so that the bottom portion is tilted toward the front side of the vacuum cleaner body 2 and the top portion is tilted toward the rear side of the vacuum cleaner body 2, that is, the dust separating device 7 leans against the vacuum cleaner body 2 in a backward tilted posture. There is.

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. The storage device stores a plurality of preset operation modes. The plurality of preset operation modes correspond to the operation of the user who accepts the input in 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 operation mode corresponding to the operation content from a plurality of preset operation modes according to the operation of the user who accepts the input in the pipe unit 3. Further, the main body control unit 9 reads out the setting contents of the selected operation mode from the storage unit, and operates the electric blower 8 according to the read setting contents.

The power cord 11 supplies electric power to the vacuum cleaner main body 2 from a wiring plug-in 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. Further, the pipe portion 3 sends the sucked dust-containing air 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 pipe 22, the grip portion 23 protruding from the hand operation pipe 22, the operation unit 24 provided on the grip portion 23, the extension pipe 25 detachably connected to the hand operation pipe 22, and the extension pipe 25. It includes a suction port 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. The connection pipe 19 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 substantially cylindrical hose. One end of the dust collecting hose 21 (here, the rear end) 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 protrudes 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 that accepts a selection operation of each operation mode. Specifically, the operation unit 24 includes a stop switch 24a for receiving the operation stop operation of the electric blower 8 and a start switch 24b for receiving 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. During the operation of the electric blower 8, the start switch 24b also functions as an operation mode selection switch. During the operation of the electric blower 8, 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. Even if the operation unit 24 includes a plurality of switches, for example, a weak operation switch (not shown), a medium operation switch (not shown), and a strong operation switch (not shown) instead of the single start switch 24b. good.

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 tube 25 (here, the rear end) is provided with a detachable joint structure at the other end of the hand control tube 22 (here, the front end). 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 26 is free to travel or slide on a surface to be cleaned such as a wooden floor or a carpet. The suction port body 26 has a suction port 28 on the bottom surface facing the surface to be cleaned in a running state or a 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 26 (here, the rear end) is provided with a detachable joint structure at the other end of the extension pipe 25 (here, the front end). This joint structure is a universal joint. 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 start switch 24b receives an operation of the user when the electric blower 8 is stopped. For example, in the electric vacuum cleaner 1, when the start switch 24b is operated when 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. The input value for 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 separating device 7 to create a negative pressure (suction negative pressure) inside the electric blower 8.

The negative pressure acting on the dust separating 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 order. .. The electric 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 tilting posture, but the dust separating device 7 is shown upright below for the sake of simplicity.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dust separating device according to the 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.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the second centrifuge portion of the dust separator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the dust separating device 7 of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment is a multi-stage separating device that gradually separates the dust contained in the dust-containing air from the air. The dust separation device 7 separates fine dust from the first separation unit 34 that separates coarse dust from the dust-containing air guided to the dust separation device 7, and the dust-containing air that passes through the first separation unit 34 and contains fine dust. A second separation unit 35 is provided.

Further, the dust separating device 7 includes a top cover 36 that covers the second separating portion 35, a handle portion 38 that is provided on the top cover 36 and divides a space 37 into which a finger can be inserted, and a second separating portion. It is provided with a noise suppression mechanism 39 that suppresses noise in the space 37 of the sound generated by the air passing through the 35.

The first separation portion 34, the second separation portion 35, and the top cover 36 cooperate with each other to arrange the appearance of the dust separation device 7 into a substantially cylindrical shape.

The first separation unit 34 is arranged on one side of the dust separation device 7, specifically, the lower half side. The second separating portion 35 and the top cover 36 are arranged on the other side of the dust separating device 7, specifically, the upper half side. The first separation portion 34 and the second separation portion 35 are arranged and stacked in the height direction of the cylindrical dust separation device 7.

The coarse dust separated by the first separation unit 34 is mainly fibrous dust such as lint and cotton dust and dust having a large mass such as sand grains. The fine dust separated by the second separation unit 35 is dust in the form of particles or powder and has a small mass.

The first separation unit 34 separates dust from dust-containing air by a centrifugal separation method (cyclone method). The first separation unit 34 includes a cup-shaped dust collection container 42 as an outer shell of the first centrifugation chamber 41, a cylindrical first filter unit 43 arranged in the dust collection container 42, and a dust collection container 42. It is provided with a dust trapping cup 45, which is arranged inside and is connected to the first filter unit 43. Further, the first separation portion 34 includes a second handle 46 provided on the outer surface of the side wall of the dust collecting container 42.

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

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 flowing from the intake port 48 of the dust collection container 42 into the first separation unit 34 to centrifuge coarse dust. Separation chamber 41.

The first filter portion 43 is fixed to the second separation portion 35 and protrudes into the dust collecting container 42 and extends toward the bottom wall of the dust collecting container 42. The first filter unit 43 fluidly connects the first centrifuge chamber 41 and the second separation unit 35. The first filter unit 43 includes a cylindrical frame body 55 and a first mesh filter 56 that surrounds the frame body 55. The first opening 57 of the frame 55 allows air to flow out from the first centrifuge chamber 41 to the second separation section 35. The side surface of the first filter unit 43, that is, the first mesh filter 56 faces the intake port 48.

The first mesh filter 56 is naturally 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 or stop transition of the electric blower 8, and even after the swirling flow has developed. It prevents coarse dust from flowing from the separation portion 34 to the second separation portion 35 side.

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 58 in the bottom wall connected to the first filter portion 43.

The space separating the dust trapping cup 45 and the dust collecting container 42 is a dust collecting chamber 47 for accumulating the dust separated by the first separating portion 34. The air in the dust collecting chamber 47 returns to the first centrifuge chamber 41 through the second opening 58.

A second mesh filter 59 is provided in the second opening 58. The second mesh filter 59 may be coarse enough that the coarse (fibrous such as lint and cotton dust) dust that has flowed into the dust collection chamber 47 does not return to the first centrifuge chamber 41.

When the dust collection container 42 is removed from the dust separation device 7, the first filter unit 43 and the dust trapping cup 45 come out of the dust collection container 42 along with the second separation unit 35.

The second separation unit 35 separates fine dust from the dust-containing air passing through the first separation unit 34 by a centrifugal separation method (cyclone method). The second separation unit 35 causes a swirling flow in the air containing dust to separate the dust, and causes clean air to flow out from the center of the swirling flow vortex. The second separation unit 35 includes a relay air passage 61 that guides the air that has passed through the first centrifugation chamber 41, a second centrifuge chamber 63 that separates fine dust from the air flowing from the relay air passage 61, and a second centrifuge. It is provided with an exhaust air passage 64 that guides the clean air flowing out of the chamber 63 to the electric blower 8.

The second separation portion 35 is detachably connected to the dust collection container 42 and closes the open end 42a of the dust collection container 42. Further, the second separation unit 35 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 65 corresponding to the outer shell of the second separation portion 35 has a cylindrical shape. A plurality of second centrifuge chambers 63 are arranged in an annular shape inside the cover 65 on the second separation portion. Further, an annular relay air passage 61 is arranged inside the plurality of second centrifugal separation chambers 63 arranged in an annular shape. Further, the exhaust air passage 64 is arranged inside the annular relay air passage 61 on the extension line of the center line C of the dust collecting container 42 or at the center of the cylindrical second separation portion 35. In other words, the second separation section 35 includes a plurality of second centrifugal separation chambers 63, a ring-shaped relay air passage 61, and an exhaust air passage, which are arranged in a ring shape in order from the radial outer side to the radial inner side of the second separation part 35. It is a triple structure in which 64 is arranged.

The relay air passage 61 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 63.

There are a plurality of second centrifuge chambers 63. The plurality of second centrifuge chambers 63 are arranged substantially in a ring shape along the inner circumference of the cylindrical second separation portion upper cover 65 or surrounding the relay air passage 61. Each second centrifuge chamber 63 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 63 is arranged parallel to the center line C of the cylindrical dust separation device 7. Looking at the entire second centrifuge chamber 63, the center lines of the cylindrical wall 66 and the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 are arranged in a ring shape around the center line C of the dust separation device 7.

The center line of the second centrifuge chamber 63 is closer to the center line C of the dust separation device 7 as it is closer to the first separation section 34, and is farther from the center line C of the dust separation device 7 as it is closer to the top cover 36. It may be tilted. That is, when viewed as a whole of the plurality of second centrifuge chambers 63, the center line of the second centrifuge chamber 63 has a vertex on the first separation portion 34 side and draws a conical surface extending toward the top cover 36 side. , May be tilted radially. Further, the extension line of the center line of the second centrifuge chamber 63 penetrates the top cover 36.

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 separation portion 34, and the lower bottom is arranged on the side closer to the first separation portion 34. The cylindrical wall 66 has substantially the same diameter as the upper base of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67. The cylindrical wall 66 is connected to the upper bottom of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67.

The cylindrical wall 66 is farther from the first separation portion 34 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 arranged on the side surface of the cylindrical wall 66 and on the center side of the dust separating device 7. The introduction port 68 is connected to the relay air passage 61.

Further, the cylindrical wall 66 has a bottom plate at a portion farthest from the first separation portion 34. The bottom plate of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 is provided with a tubular inner cylinder 69 extending into the cylindrical wall 66 along the center line of the second centrifuge chamber 63. The inside of the inner cylinder 69 is an exhaust port 71 for exhausting clean air separated from dust-containing air in the second centrifuge chamber 63. That is, the exhaust port 71 causes clean air to flow out from the center of the swirling vortex generated by the second separation portion 35. The exhaust port 71 is connected to the exhaust air passage 64. The outer surface of the inner cylinder 69 faces the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 66. The annular space separating 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 separation portion 34, and is connected to the opening of the upper bottom of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 at this portion.

The diameter of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 is reduced as it approaches the first separation portion 34. The upper bottom of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 has an opening connected to the inside of the cylindrical wall 66. The truncated cone-shaped wall 67 introduces a swirling flow generated between the cylindrical wall 66 and the inner cylinder 69 to generate a spiral flow. The lower bottom of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67 has a waste port 72 connected to the inside of the dust collecting container 42.

The second centrifuge chamber 63 introduces dust-containing air from the introduction port 68. The dust-containing air flowing from the introduction port 68 into the second centrifuge chamber 63 swirls along the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 66, and further creates a spiral spiral flow toward the waste port 72 along the inner surface of the truncated cone-shaped wall 67. And separate fine dust from the air. The separated fine dust is discharged from the disposal port 72 to the dust collecting container 42 side. The clean air from which the dust has been separated flows on the center line of the second centrifuge chamber 63, that is, the center lines of the cylindrical wall 66 and the truncated cone-shaped wall 67, and then passes through the inner cylinder 69 and the exhaust port 71. Outflows to the exhaust air passage 64. The exhaust port 71 causes air to flow out toward the top cover 36.

A dust trapping umbrella 75 is provided at the tip of the waste port 72 of the second centrifuge chamber 63. The dust trapping umbrella 75 is provided at the base of the first filter portion 43, which also serves as a partition wall for partitioning the first separation portion 34 and the second separation portion 35. The outer diameter of the dust trapping umbrella 75 is smaller than that of the second separation portion 35 and larger than that of the first filter portion 43.

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 collection container 42 partition the fine dust collection chamber 76 for accumulating the dust discharged from the second centrifuge chamber 63. 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 centrifuge chamber 63, that is, the second. It is a ring-shaped space having a substantially wedge-shaped cross section that becomes narrower as the distance from the waste port 72 of the centrifuge chamber 63 increases.

The exhaust air passage 64 is a portion farthest from the first separation portion 34, and is connected to the exhaust port 71 so as to cover the second centrifuge chamber 63. The exhaust air passage 64 faces the central portion side of the second separation portion 35 while reducing the diameter from the outermost peripheral portion connected to the exhaust port 71. The exhaust air passage 64 enters the center of the relay air passage 61 on the center line C of the dust collecting container 42. Then, the exhaust air passage 64 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 63. It reaches the second exhaust port 77 provided on the side wall of the second separation portion 35. The exhaust air passage 64 is provided with a recess 78 recessed toward the first separation portion 34 in a portion adjacent to the top cover 36. The exhaust air passage 64 once directs the air flowing out from the exhaust port 71 of the second centrifuge chamber 63 toward the first separation portion 34 by the recess 78 while collecting the air flowing out toward the center side of the dust separation device 7. The air is exhausted to the second exhaust port 77 by changing the direction of the flow at a substantially right angle.

The second separation portion upper cover 65, the second separation portion lower cover 79, and the top cover 36 are the outer shells of the second separation portion 35. The second separation upper cover 65 and the second separation lower cover 79 cooperate with each other to surround the second centrifuge chamber 63.

The top cover 36 is integrated with the second separation upper cover 65. The top cover 36 is also part of the wall that separates the exhaust air passage 64.

The top cover 36 is provided with a recess 81 that is recessed toward the first separation portion 34. The recess 81 is recessed corresponding to the recess 78 of the exhaust air passage 64. In other words, the top cover 36 is provided with a recess 81 recessed in a portion covered by the handle portion 38 in a direction away from the handle portion 38. The deepest portion 81a of the recess 81 is substantially arranged on the center line of the ring drawn by the plurality of second centrifuge chambers 63, that is, the center line C of the dust separation device 7.

Further, the top cover 36 is provided with a second hinge mechanism 85 that swingably supports the handle portion 38. The second hinge mechanism 85 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the top cover 36. The second hinge mechanism 85 swings the handle portion 38 to increase the opening height of the space 37 between the handle portion 38 and the top cover 36. That is, the second hinge mechanism 85 makes it possible to set the opening height of the space 37 at normal times lower than the average finger thickness. In this case, the second hinge mechanism 85 swings the handle portion 38 with a finger entering the space 37 to increase the opening height of the space 37.

The handle portion 38 is provided on the top of the top cover 36 (that is, the top of the dust separating device 7). The user can firmly grasp the dust separating device 7 by inserting a finger into the space 37 in the handle portion 38. The handle portion 38 cooperates with the recess 81 of the top cover 36 to partition the space 37. The handle portion 38 covers at least the deepest portion 81a of the recess 81. In other words, the handle portion 38 may cover the entire recess 81 or a part of the recess 81 including the deepest portion 81a.

The top cover 36 includes a clamp 86 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 87 for fixing the dust separating device 7 to the vacuum cleaner main body 2 in cooperation with the clamp 86.

The clamp 86 is detached from the lock claw 87 by following the handle portion 38 that swings in the direction of expanding the opening height of the space 37, while the clamp 86 is used alone when the dust separating device 7 is attached to the vacuum cleaner main body 2. It swings and is caught by the lock claw 87.

The clamp 86 connects the dust separating device 7 and the vacuum cleaner main body 2, while disconnecting the vacuum cleaner main body 2 and the dust separating device 7 in conjunction with one operation in which the handle portion 38 swings for cleaning. The dust separating device 7 can be removed from the machine body 2.

The noise suppression mechanism 39 is a plurality of holes 89 provided in the handle portion 38 and connected to the space 37. The hole 89 is arranged so as to face at least the deepest portion 81a.

In addition to the circular holes, the respective holes 89 may be elliptical holes, polygonal holes, linear or curved slits, or may be mixed.

In the process of the dust separating device 7 separating dust from the dust-containing air, the air flow in the first separating portion 34 and the second separating portion 35 generates a sound, for example, an air flow sound or a wind noise. This sound is emitted from the outer shell of the dust separating device 7, that is, the dust collecting container 42, the second separating portion upper cover 65, the second separating portion lower cover 79, and the top cover 36 to the periphery of the vacuum cleaner 1. Then, sound is also emitted from the top cover 36 to the space 37 in the handle portion 38 provided on the top cover 36. At this time, the dust separating device 7 according to the present embodiment allows a part of the sound emitted into the space 37 to be outside the space 37 not only from the inlet 37a for inserting a finger into the space 37 but also from the hole 89 of the noise suppression mechanism 39. Release to. If there is no hole 89 of the noise suppression mechanism 39, the dust separating device 7 repeatedly reflects the sound emitted into the space 37 by the handle portion 38 and the top cover 36, and causes a large reverberation. Therefore, the dust separating device 7 discharges a part of the sound emitted into the space 37 from the hole 89 of the noise suppression mechanism 39 to the outside of the space 37, so that the sound emitted into the space 37 is the handle portion 38 and the top. The cover 36 prevents repeated reflections and suppresses the generation of reverberation. As a result, the dust separating device 7 suppresses noise in the space 37 of the sound emitted into the space 37.

Next, another example of the dust separation device 7 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the dust separation devices 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E described in each example, the same components as those of the dust separation device 7 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example of the dust separating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the dust separation device 7A of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment includes a noise suppression mechanism 39A instead of the noise suppression mechanism 39 of the dust separation device 7 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. .. The noise suppression mechanism 39A is provided on the handle 38 so as to be swingable and closes the space 37 to block the sound emitted from the space 37, while the noise falling into the space 37 when the handle 38 is gripped. It is provided with a blocking lid 91.

In other words, the dust separating device 7A is provided with a noise blocking lid 91 that closes the space 37 instead of providing the hole 89 in the handle portion 38. Even if the sound emitted into the space 37 is repeatedly reflected by the handle 38 and the top cover 36 and reverberates, the noise blocking lid 91 confine the sound emitted to the space 37 so as not to leak out from the entrance 37a of the space 37.

The noise suppression mechanism 39A includes a hinge mechanism 92 that swingably supports the noise blocking lid 91 on the handle portion 38, and a torsion spring 93 that generates a force for closing the noise blocking lid 91.

In the dust separating device 7A, a part of the sound emitted into the space 37 is confined in the space 37 by the noise blocking lid 91 of the noise suppression mechanism 39A, so that the sound emitted into the space 37 is the handle portion 38 and the top cover. It prevents the reverberation caused by the repeated reflection at 36 from being emitted around the electric vacuum cleaner 1. As a result, the dust separating device 7 suppresses noise in the space 37 of the sound emitted into the space 37.

FIG. 7 is a partial side view of another example of the dust separating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, the dust separating device 7B of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment covers a top cover 36B having a flat portion 101 and a top portion covering the flat portion 101 in a portion covered by the handle portion 38B. It is provided with a handle portion 38B that bulges away from the cover 36B.

The handle portion 38B may have a hole 89 (hole 89 indicated by a two-dot chain line) like the noise suppression mechanism 39 of the dust separation device 7, or the noise suppression mechanism 39A of the dust separation device 7A. May have a noise blocking lid 91 (noise blocking lid 91 shown by a broken line).

In the dust separating devices 7 and 7A, in order to prevent the sound emitted from the top cover 36 from concentrating on the focal point of the bowl-shaped recess 81 and the focal point of the handle portion 38, a part of the sound is divided by the noise suppression mechanism 39. It is prevented from being emitted from the hole 89 and the reverberation from leaking out by the noise blocking lid 91. These noise suppression mechanisms 39 and 39A have the effect of suppressing or confining the reverberation even when the top cover 36B has the flat portion 101, in other words, the top cover 36B has no focal point. As a result, the dust separating device 7B suppresses noise in the space 37 of the sound emitted into the space 37.

8 and 9 are plan views of another example of the dust separating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the dust separating devices 7C and D of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment include a top cover 36 having a recess 81, a handle portion 38, and noise suppression mechanisms 39C and 39D. It is equipped with.

As shown in FIG. 8, the noise suppression mechanism 39C is a hole 89a facing the deepest portion 81a of the recess 81. The hole 89C is connected to the space 37 in the handle portion 38. The hole 89C may be an elliptical hole, a polygonal hole, or a linear or curved slit, in addition to the circular hole.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the noise suppression mechanism 39D is a notch 103 facing the deepest portion 81a of the recess 81.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another example of the dust separating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, the dust separating device 7E of the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment includes a top cover 36 having a recess 81, a handle portion 38E, and a noise suppressing mechanism 39E.

The noise suppression mechanism 39E is a handle portion 38E that avoids the deepest portion 81a of the recess 81 in a plan view.

The dust separating devices 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E and the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment suppress noise in the space 37 of the sound generated by the air passing through the second separating portion 35. It is equipped with mechanisms 39, 39A, 39B, 39C, 39D, 39E. for that reason. The dust separating devices 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E and the vacuum cleaner 1 suppress the noise emitted from the space 37 and reduce the operating noise.

Further, the dust separating devices 7 and 7B and the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment are provided with a hole 89 provided in the handle portion 38 and connected to the space 37. Therefore, the dust separating devices 7 and 7B and the vacuum cleaner 1 prevent the sound emitted into the space 37 from being repeatedly reflected by the handle portion 38 and the top cover 36, and suppress the generation of reverberation.

Further, the dust separating devices 7A and 7B and the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment are provided with a noise blocking lid 91 provided on the handle portion 38 to close the space 37. Therefore, even if the dust separating devices 7A and 7B and the vacuum cleaner 1 repeatedly reflect and reverberate the sound emitted into the space 37 by the handle portion 38 and the top cover 36, this is outside the entrance 37a of the space 37. Confine it so that it does not leak into.

Furthermore, the dust separating devices 7 and 7A and the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment are provided with noise suppressing mechanisms 39 and 39A in the handle portion 38 covering the deepest portion 81a of the recess 81. Therefore, the dust separating devices 7 and 7A and the vacuum cleaner 1 are likely to generate reverberations in the space 37, while the noise due to the reverberations can be effectively suppressed by the noise suppression mechanisms 39 and 39A.

Further, the dust separating device 7 and the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment are provided with a hole 89 facing the deepest portion 81a of the recess 81. Therefore, the dust separating device 7 and the vacuum cleaner 1 are likely to generate reverberations in the space 37, while the noise due to the reverberations can be effectively suppressed by the noise suppression mechanism 39.

Further, the dust separating devices 7 and 7A and the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment include the deepest portion 81a of the recess 81 arranged on the center line of the ring drawn by substantially the plurality of second centrifugal separation chambers 63. There is. Therefore, the dust separators 7 and 7A and the vacuum cleaner 1 are likely to generate reverberations in the space 37 where the sounds emitted by the plurality of second centrifuge chambers 63 are concentrated, while the noise due to the reverberations is suppressed by the noise suppression mechanisms 39 and 39A. It can be effectively suppressed.

Therefore, according to the dust separating devices 7, 7A, 7B, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E and the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment, the sound emitted from the space 37 as the gripping groove is suppressed and the operating noise is reduced. Can be made to.

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 ... Electric vacuum cleaner, 2 ... Vacuum cleaner body, 3 ... Pipe part, 5 ... Main body case, 6 ... Wheels, 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E ... Dust separator, 8 ... Electric blower, 9 ... Main body Control unit, 11 ... Power cord, 12 ... Main unit connection port, 14 ... Plug, 19 ... Connection pipe, 21 ... Dust collection hose, 22 ... Hand operation pipe, 23 ... Grip part, 24 ... Operation unit, 25 ... Extension Tube, 26 ... Suction port body, 24a ... Stop switch, 24b ... Start switch, 28 ... Suction port, 29 ... Rotating cleaning body, 31 ... Electric motor, 34 ... First separation part, 35 ... Second separation part, 36 ... Top Cover, 37 ... Space, 37a ... Entrance, 38, 38E ... Handle, 39, 39A, 39C, 39D, 39E ... Noise suppression mechanism, 41 ... First centrifuge chamber, 42 ... Dust collection container, 42a ... Open end, 43 ... 1st filter part, 45 ... Dust trapping cup, 46 ... 2nd handle, 47 ... Dust collection chamber, 48 ... Intake port, 51 ... Large diameter part, 52 ... Inclined part, 53 ... Small diameter part, 55 ... Frame Body, 56 ... 1st mesh filter, 57 ... 1st opening, 58 ... 2nd opening, 59 ... 2nd mesh filter, 61 ... relay air passage, 63 ... second centrifugal separation chamber, 64 ... exhaust air passage, 65 ... Second separation top cover, 66 ... Cylindrical wall, 67 ... Conical trapezoidal wall, 68 ... Introduction port, 69 ... Inner cylinder, 71 ... Exhaust port, 72 ... Disposal port, 75 ... Dust trapping umbrella, 76 ... Dust Dust collection chamber, 75a ... one side, 77 ... second exhaust port, 78 ... recess, 79 ... second separation lower cover, 81 ... recess, 81a ... deepest part, 85 ... second hinge mechanism, 86 ... clamp, 87 ... Lock claw, 89, 89C ... Hole, 91 ... Noise blocking lid, 92 ... Hing mechanism, 93 ... Twist spring, 101 ... Flat part, 103 ... Notch

Claims (5)

A centrifuge that creates a swirling flow in the air containing dust to separate the dust and causes clean air to flow out from the center of the swirling flow vortex.
The outer shell that covers the centrifuge and
A handle portion provided on the outer shell to partition a space into which fingers can be inserted,
It is provided with a noise suppression mechanism that suppresses the echo of the sound generated by the air passing through the centrifuge in the space.
The outer shell has a recess in a portion covered with the handle portion, which is recessed in a direction away from the handle portion to partition the space.
The handle portion covers the deepest portion of the recess and covers the deepest portion.
The noise reduction mechanism, the dust separation device you face the deepest of the recess. The noise reduction mechanism, said provided at handle Ri connected to the space, and dust separating apparatus according to suppress claim 1 echoes in arranged Ru hole as opposed to the deepest portion in said space .. The noise suppression mechanism is provided on the handle portion in a swingable manner to close the space and block the sound emitted from the space, while the noise falling into the space when the handle portion is gripped. The dust separating device according to claim 1, further comprising a blocking lid. The centrifuge section has a plurality of centrifuge chambers arranged in a ring shape .
Deepest portion of the front Symbol recess dust separating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which is disposed in substantially the plurality of centrifugal chamber draws on the center line of the ring to any one of the three. With the vacuum cleaner body,
An electric blower housed in the vacuum cleaner body to generate negative pressure,
A vacuum cleaner comprising the dust separating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , which is fluidly connected to the electric blower.

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