JP7664196B2 - Cleaning system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning system.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a technique relating to a cleaning system having a cyclone vacuum cleaner and a charging stand with a motorless dust collection function.
A cyclone vacuum cleaner swirls air drawn in through an air inlet of a first dust collecting section of a charging stand around an inner cylinder of the vacuum cleaner, and uses centrifugal force to separate dust outside the filter from the air inside the filter.
The accumulated dust is discharged from a dust outlet at the bottom and collected in a second dust collecting section of the charging stand.

JP 2005-296623 A

However, in the conventional technology, hair and wet dust may get stuck between the first dust collecting part and the inner cylinder.
Dust stuck between the first dust collecting section and the inner cylinder is difficult to remove because access to the stuck dust is limited to the dust outlet cover, making it difficult to apply the external force required to remove the dust to the dust.
Therefore, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a cleaning unit that rotates by sucking in air is installed on the outer peripheral surface of an inner cylinder where dust accumulates.

However, in the conventional technology, the cleaning unit does not slide after it becomes clogged with dust, making it difficult to achieve effective cleaning. Also, since a new cleaning unit must be installed, the number of parts increases, and the assembly process also becomes more labor-intensive, resulting in increased costs.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a cleaning system that can easily clean dust from a vacuum cleaner.

In order to solve the above problem, the cleaning system of the present invention comprises a vacuum cleaner having a blower and a dust collecting section that collects dust by the suction force of the blower, and a charging base on which the vacuum cleaner is placed and which has a communicating tube section through which the dust collected in the dust collecting section passes or is recovered, the dust collecting section has an outer tube which forms its outer periphery, an inner tube which is inside the outer tube and has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the outer tube, an air intake port, and an exhaust port through which dust is discharged, the dust collecting section being located outside the inner tube and at the top of the dust collecting section , an opening which communicates with the inner tube is provided opposite the exhaust port and on the blower side of the air intake port , and the inside of the dust collecting section is cleaned by inserting the opening through it.

The present invention provides a cleaning system that can easily clean dust from a vacuum cleaner.

1 is an external perspective view of a vacuum cleaner placed on a charging stand according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the cleaning system according to the first embodiment. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the automatic cleaning mode of the first dust collecting section by automatic operation of the cleaning system. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a first dust collecting section along the II-II cross-sectional view of FIG. FIG. 5B is an external perspective view of the filter housing chamber and the outer cylinder of FIG. 5A . 5B is an external perspective view of the filter housing chamber and the outer cylinder of FIG. 5A with the cap removed from the third opening. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a filter storage chamber and an outer cylinder taken along line II-II of FIG. 1 according to a first modified example. FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a filter housing chamber and an outer cylinder according to a second modified example. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a cross section taken along line III-III of FIG. 7A according to a second modified example. 13 is an external perspective view of a filter storage chamber and an outer cylinder in which a third opening is formed in a side peripheral portion of the outer cylinder according to Modification 2. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line II-II in FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a cross section taken along line III-III of FIG. 7A according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a filter housing chamber and an outer cylinder of a first dust collecting section according to a modified example. FIG. 9B is an external perspective view of a modified example taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 9A. FIG. 9B is a view of a modified example taken in the direction of an arrow V in FIG. 9A.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The various components of the present invention do not necessarily have to be independent entities, and it is permitted that one component is made up of multiple members, that multiple components are made up of one member, that one component is part of another component, or that part of one component overlaps with part of another component.

<<Embodiment 1>>
1 shows an external perspective view of a vacuum cleaner 10 placed on a charging stand 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment, front, back, left, right, and up and down are defined from the viewpoint of a user performing cleaning.
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG.

As shown in Fig. 1, the cleaning system 1 of the first embodiment includes a stick-type vacuum cleaner 10 and a charging base 20 on which the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported. In the state shown in Fig. 1, the charging base 20 charges the vacuum cleaner 10 and also collects dust inside the vacuum cleaner 10. The vacuum cleaner 10 is a cyclone type vacuum cleaner.
When the vacuum cleaner 10 is not being used for cleaning, the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20 and charged.

The electric vacuum cleaner 10 comprises a vacuum cleaner body 11, an extension tube 12 having one end connected to the vacuum cleaner body 11, and a suction body 13 connected to the other end of the extension tube 12.
The cleaner body 11 includes a motor case 111 that houses a blower 110 (see FIG. 2) that generates suction force, a first dust collecting section 112, a handle section 113 that is gripped by a user, and a storage battery 109.
The first dust collecting section 112 collects dust sucked in through the suction body 13 by the suction force of the blower 110 .

2 supplies power to the blower 110. The handle portion 113 includes an operation portion 115s and a grip portion 113h that is gripped by a user.
1 has an operation control button for selecting the operation of the blower 110, an automatic cleaning control button for executing automatic cleaning, an OFF button for stopping the operation of the blower 110, and a display unit. The display unit displays the remaining charge of the storage battery, filter maintenance, the automatic cleaning status of the dust collection unit, etc.

<Control Unit 118>
FIG. 3 shows a control block diagram of the cleaning system 1 according to the first embodiment.
The vacuum cleaner 10 is controlled by a control unit 118. The storage battery 109 is a power source for the vacuum cleaner 10.
An AC adapter 21 is connected to the charging stand 20. The AC adapter 21 converts alternating current into direct current. A female connector 23 is connected to the AC adapter 21 via a power line 22 in the charging stand 20.
The vacuum cleaner 10 is provided with a male connector 116 that connects with the female connector 23 of the charging stand 20 when placed on the charging stand 20 , and a control unit 118 that is connected to the male connector 116 via a power line 117 .

The control unit 118 has a storage unit in which control programs necessary for operating, charging, and the like of the vacuum cleaner 10 are stored, and a central processing unit that executes the control programs.
The storage battery 109 and the blower 110 are connected to the control unit 118 , and the control unit 118 controls the storage battery 109 and the blower 110 .
When using the vacuum cleaner 10 to clean a floor surface Y (see FIG. 1), the vacuum cleaner 10 is removed from the charging stand 20 .

When the operation control button on the operation unit 115s is pressed, the blower 110 starts operating, and suction force is generated in the suction body 13 (see FIG. 1). The suction body 13 then sucks in dust on the floor surface Y. The dust sucked in by the suction body 13 is collected in the first dust collection unit 112 via the extension tube 12.

2, in the vacuum cleaner 10, dust and air are separated in the first dust collecting section 112 by centrifugal separation due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the blower 110 about the central axis O, and only the air is exhausted from the exhaust port 110h. The dust is stored in the first dust collecting section 112.
After the cleaning is completed, the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20 and charging is started, as shown in Fig. 1. The vacuum cleaner 10 transfers the dust collected in the first dust collecting unit 112 to the dust container 115 of the second dust collecting unit 114 of the charging stand 20.

<First dust collecting section 112 of vacuum cleaner 10>
The configuration of the first dust collecting section 112 of the vacuum cleaner 10 will now be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the first dust collecting section 112 includes an outer cylinder 112a, an inner cylinder 112b, and a cap portion 112c.
A mesh-shaped side mesh filter 112n is provided on the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 112b.

The umbrella portion 112c is provided with a mesh-shaped bottom mesh filter 112m.
The outer cylinder 112a is cylindrical and constitutes the outer shell of the first dust collecting section 112. The inner cylinder 112b is housed inside the outer cylinder 112a. The inner cylinder 112b has a cylindrical shape and is formed in a lattice pattern. The umbrella portion 112c is disposed at the bottom of the inner cylinder 112b and prevents dust from rising up.

A filter storage chamber 112d is formed above the outer cylinder 112a. A first filter 112e is provided at the bottom of the filter storage chamber 112d to filter out dust contained in the air that has passed through the inner cylinder 112b. A second filter 112f is provided above (downstream of) the first filter 112e. The second filter 112f filters out dust contained in the air that has passed through the first filter 112e. Note that a cyclone flow path may be provided instead of the first filter 112e or the second filter 112f.

The blower 110 is disposed above (downstream of) the filter housing chamber 112d. The filter housing chamber 112d communicates with an inlet 110s of the blower 110. The vacuum cleaner body 11 is provided with an exhaust port 110h for exhausting the exhaust air of the blower 110 to the outside.
When the blower 110 is driven, the air containing dust in the space between the outer cylinder 112a and the inner cylinder 112b is sucked into the blower 110, and only the air is exhausted from the exhaust port 110h. Large dust particles are filtered by the inner cylinder 112b, and small dust particles are filtered by the first filter 112e. The even smaller dust particles that pass through the first filter 112e are filtered by the second filter 112f.

The outer cylinder 112a of the first dust collecting section 112 has a lid 112g at its lower part which opens downward.
The lid 112g is rotatably supported on the outer cylinder 112a by a lid hinge 112h. In addition, Fig. 2 shows a state in which the lid 112g is opened downward.
An intake connection port 112i communicating with the extension pipe 12 is formed at the upper portion of the outer cylinder 112a.

In order to make the air flowing in from the intake connection port 112i swirl within the outer cylinder 112a, the intake connection port 112i is positioned offset from the central axis 112o of the outer cylinder 112a.
In the vacuum cleaner 10, the central axis 12o of the extension tube 12, the central axis 112o of the outer cylinder 112a, and the central axis O of the blower 110 are all oriented in the same direction.

<Charging stand 20>
The charging stand 20 shown in FIG. 2 includes a second dust collecting section 114 .
The second dust collecting section 114 includes a communicating tube section 114a, a protruding section 114b, and an inclined plate 114c.
The communicating cylinder portion 114a is formed in a D-shaped or circular cylinder shape as shown in Fig. 1. The lower end portion of the outer cylinder 112a of the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed from above on the upper end portion of the communicating cylinder portion 114a.

The protruding portion 114b shown in FIG. 2 is formed to protrude outward from the communicating cylindrical portion 114a.
The inclined plate 114c is formed to be inclined downward within the protruding portion 114b so that the sucked dust is spread and contained in the dust container 115 (see FIG. 1).
When the communicating cylinder portion 114a is D-shaped, the cover hinge 112h is placed on a flat surface.
A dust container 115 for receiving dust from the first dust collecting section 112 of the vacuum cleaner 10 is provided below the communicating cylinder section 114a.

The communicating tube portion 114 a has a function of passing the dust collected in the first dust collecting portion 112 and sending it to the dust container 115 .
A connection seal member 117 for maintaining airtightness is provided at the connection portion between first dust collecting unit 112 and charging base 20. Connection seal member 117 may be provided on either the charging base 20 side or the first dust collecting unit 112 side.

The first dust collecting section 112 is located directly above the communicating tube section 114 a of the charging base 20 when the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging base 20 .
2, when the first dust collecting unit 112 of the vacuum cleaner 10 is connected to the charging stand 20, a lock (not shown) of the lid 112g is released. Then, the lid 112g opens toward the inner surface 114n of the communication tube 114a with the lid hinge 112h as a fulcrum.
When the cover 112g is opened, the dust accumulated in the first dust collecting section 112 falls into the communicating tube section 114a due to gravity.

Then, the blower 110 is driven (arrow α11 in FIG. 2), outside air is sucked in through the extension tube 12 (arrows α12 and α13 in FIG. 2), and a swirling flow is generated inside the outer cylinder 112a (arrow α14 in FIG. 2). As a result, the dust collected in the first dust collecting section 112 is discharged into the communicating cylinder section 114a of the charging base 20 (arrow α15 in FIG. 2). In this way, dust is discharged to the charging base 20 side using the blower 110 on the vacuum cleaner 10 side.

<Operation of Discharging Dust to the Charging Base 20 Side>
The operation of discharging dust from the vacuum cleaner 10 to the charging stand 20 side will be described.
FIG. 4 shows an operation flowchart of the automatic cleaning mode of first dust collecting unit 112 by automatic operation of cleaning system 1.
In addition, automatic cleaning in embodiment 1 refers to an operation in which the blower 110 is driven while the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging base 20, and dust from the vacuum cleaner 10 is discharged into the dust container 115 (see Figure 1) of the charging base 20.

The automatic cleaning mode is performed under the control of the control unit 118 shown in FIG.
When the user finishes cleaning with the vacuum cleaner 10, he or she places the vacuum cleaner 10 on the charging stand 20 as shown in Fig. 1. Then, the lock of the lid 112g shown in Fig. 2 is released, and the lid 112g opens downward toward the inner surface 114n of the communicating cylinder portion 114a.
Thereafter, the control unit 118 starts the automatic cleaning mode of the first dust collecting unit 112 (step S401 in FIG. 4, start of automatic cleaning).

The control unit 118 executes detection control of charging to the storage battery 109 (see FIG. 2) (step S402), and detects whether charging to the storage battery 109 is being executed (step S403).
When the control unit 118 determines that charging of the storage battery 109 is being performed (Yes in step S403), charging of the storage battery 109 is continued (step S404).
In step S403, when the control unit 118 determines that charging to the storage battery 109 is not being performed (No in step S403), the operations from step S402 to step S403 are repeated.

The control unit 118 determines whether the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20 by determining whether charging of the storage battery 109 is being performed in step S403. In other words, the control unit 118 determines that the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20 if charging of the storage battery 109 is being performed.

Whether the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20 may be determined using a mechanical ground sensor (not shown) provided on the suction body 13 (see FIG. 1) in addition to the charging state of the storage battery 109. The ground sensor is a detection means that prevents the rotating brush (not shown) provided on the suction body 13 from operating when it is separated from the floor. As shown in FIG. 1, when the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20, the suction body 13 is configured to be grounded.

In other words, when the storage battery 109 is being charged and the ground sensor determines that the suction body 13 is grounded, the control unit 118 can determine that the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging base 20. This makes it possible to reliably determine that the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging base 20, even if the power cord 22 and female connector 23 shown in FIG. 3 are removable from the charging base 20.

In step S405 in FIG. 4, the control unit 118 detects the remaining charge of the storage battery 109, and determines whether or not the remaining charge of the storage battery 109 is equal to or greater than a predetermined charge.
If the remaining charge of the storage battery 109 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount (Yes in step S405), the control unit 118 judges whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the vacuum cleaner 10 was placed on the charging base 20 (since the first dust collection unit 112 entered the automatic cleaning start mode) (step S406). The predetermined time is a time set with the intention of, for example, the time required for the vacuum cleaner 10 to be placed on the charging base 20, the lid 112g to open, and dust to fall into the communicating tube 114a, or the time required for the user to leave the charging base 20 after the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging base 20 (noise reduction), as shown in FIG.

If the remaining charge of the storage battery 109 is less than the predetermined amount (No in step S405) and if a predetermined time has not elapsed since the vacuum cleaner 10 was placed on the charging stand 20 (No in step S406), the operations from step S404 to step S406 are repeated.
If it is determined in step S406 that a predetermined time has elapsed since the vacuum cleaner 10 was placed on the charging stand 20 (Yes in step S406), the control unit 118 executes a notification mode for notifying that the first dust collecting unit 112 is performing automatic cleaning (step S407). In the notification mode, a display unit provided on the operation unit 115s (see FIG. 1) of the vacuum cleaner 10 is turned on.
After executing the notification mode (step S407), the control unit 118 drives the blower 110 (step S408) and executes automatic cleaning of the first dust collecting unit 112.

<Automatic cleaning operation>
The automatic cleaning operation of the first dust collecting section 112 is performed as follows.

When the blower 110 shown in FIG. 2 is driven, air is sucked in through the suction body 13 and the extension tube 12 (arrow α12 in FIG. 2). The sucked air flows into the outer cylinder 112a through the intake connection port 112i (arrow α13 in FIG. 2). The air that flows into the outer cylinder 112a becomes a swirling flow (arrow α14 in FIG. 2) when the blower 110 is driven, and the air flows downward along the inner wall of the outer cylinder 112a, that is, from the first dust collecting section 112 toward the communicating cylinder section 114a. In other words, the length of the first dust collecting section 112 in the direction of the swirling flow axis (the central axis 112o of the outer cylinder 1121) is extended by the length of the communicating cylinder section 114a.

With this configuration, the distance the air swirls as a swirling flow, i.e., the number of times it swirls (the number of times for the communicating tube portion 114a), is increased compared to when the air swirls only in the first dust collection portion 112, so dust moving due to centrifugal force is more likely to reach the inner wall surface of the first dust collection portion 112 or the communicating tube portion 114a even if its mass is small. The dust in the first dust collection portion 112 is eventually collected by the swirling flow (arrow α14 in Figure 2) in the dust container 115 (see Figure 1) located below the communicating tube portion 114a.

The air swirling around the outer tube 112a (arrow α14 in FIG. 2) changes direction when it hits the inner surface 115n (see FIG. 2) of the dust container 115, and flows from the communicating tube portion 114a toward the first dust collection portion 112 (arrow γ11 in FIG. 2), passing through the mesh-shaped bottom mesh filter 112m provided in the umbrella portion 112c, and then through the side mesh filter 112n provided on the outer periphery of the inner tube 112b to reach the filter storage chamber 112d. The air that flows into the filter storage chamber 112d passes through the first filter 112e and the second filter 112f, is sucked into the blower 110, and is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 110h. In this way, automatic cleaning of the first dust collection portion 112 is performed.

In step S409 of FIG. 4, the control unit 118 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the blower 110 was driven.
When a predetermined time has elapsed after the blower 110 was driven (Yes in step S409), the operation of the blower 110 is stopped (step S410).
On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not elapsed since the blower 110 was driven (No in step S409), the control unit 118 repeats the operations from step S407 to step S409.

After stopping the operation of the blower 110 (step S410), the control unit 118 cancels the notification mode that notifies the user that automatic cleaning is in progress (step S411), and turns off the display unit provided on the operation unit 115s (see FIG. 1) of the vacuum cleaner 10.
Through the above steps, the automatic cleaning of first dust collecting section 112 is completed.
In the above-described embodiment 1, cleaning of the first dust collecting section 112 is performed automatically when the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20. However, it is also possible for the user to manually clean the first dust collecting section 112 at his/her discretion after or before the automatic cleaning mode of the first dust collecting section 112 by the automatic operation shown in FIG. 4 .

<Manual cleaning of first dust collecting section 112>
FIG. 5A shows the first dust collecting section 112 in a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.
FIG. 5B is an external perspective view of the filter housing chamber 112d and the outer cylinder 112a of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is an external perspective view of the filter storage chamber 112d and the outer cylinder 112a of FIG. 5A with the cap 119 removed from the third opening 112a1.
The outer cylinder 112a has a cylindrical shape.
The outer cylinder 112a is formed with an intake connection port 112i (see FIG. 2) of a first opening portion, which serves as an intake port for air (arrows β11 and β12 in FIG. 5A) when separating dust.
The lower part of the outer cylinder 112a is an opening, and a second opening 112a7 that serves as a dust discharge port is formed.
When the first dust collecting part 112 is removed from the handle part 113, the outside of the inner tube 112b and/or the umbrella part 112c (the surface facing the first dust collecting part) is in a position that can be directly seen from the intake connection port 112i, which is the first opening. When the cover body 112g is opened, the outside of the inner tube 112b and/or the umbrella part 112c (the surface facing the first dust collecting part) is in a position that can be directly seen from the second opening 112a7. Similarly, the outside of the inner tube 112b and/or the umbrella part 112c (the surface facing the first dust collecting part) can be directly seen from the third opening 112a1. On the other hand, the intake port 110s of the blower 110 faces the inside of the inner tube 112b and/or the umbrella part 112c.

2 and 5A, the second opening 112a7 at the bottom of the outer cylinder 112a is opened and closed by the lid 112g. That is, when cleaning the floor surface Y (see FIG. 1) with the vacuum cleaner 10, the second opening 112a7 at the bottom of the outer cylinder 112a is closed by the lid 112g as shown in FIG. 5A.
On the other hand, when cleaning of floor surface Y with vacuum cleaner 10 is finished and vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on charging stand 20 as shown in Fig. 2, lid 112g opens and an automatic cleaning mode of first dust collecting unit 112 is performed by automatic operation as shown in Fig. 4, or cleaning of first dust collecting unit 112 is performed manually at the user's discretion as described below. Note that manual cleaning of first dust collecting unit 112 at the user's discretion may be performed before cleaning of floor surface Y with vacuum cleaner 10, or may be performed after the automatic cleaning mode of first dust collecting unit 112 by automatic operation as shown in Fig. 4.

To allow the user to manually clean the first dust collecting section 112, a third opening 112a1, which is a maintenance hole, is formed in the upper plate 112u (Fig. 5C) of the outer cylinder 112a. In other words, the third opening 112a1 is provided on the surface opposite the lid 112g, allowing access to the surface. The third opening 112a1 is located closer to the blower 110 than the intake connection port 112i of the intake port. The third opening 112a1 is also formed to face the second opening 112a7, which is the dust discharge port. The third opening 112a1 is located in the area surrounded by the outer cylinder 112a and inner cylinder 112b of the first dust collecting section 112.

As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the third opening 112a1 (see Figure 5C) of the upper plate 112u is plugged with a cap 119 made of a soft elastic rubber material. As shown in Figure 5C, a cap fixing part 119k that serves as a container for fixing the cap 119 is formed near the third opening 112a1 of the outer tube 112a.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the third opening 112a1 (see FIG. 5C) can be plugged with a rubber cap 119 to create an airtight space inside the outer cylinder 112a. When cleaning the floor surface Y with the vacuum cleaner 10, the third opening 112a1 (see FIG. 5C) is plugged with the rubber cap 119. Also, when the automatic cleaning mode of the first dust collection section 112 is performed by the automatic operation shown in FIG. 4, the third opening 112a1 (see FIG. 5C) is plugged with the rubber cap 119.

When the user manually cleans the first dust collecting section 112 at his/her will, the user removes the cap 119 from the third opening 112a1 from the state shown in Fig. 5A (see Fig. 5C). Then, a cleaning tool is inserted from the third opening 112a1 to clean the dust including the lint stuck between the outer tube 112a and the inner tube 112b of the first dust collecting section 112. Note that a plurality of third openings 112a1 may be provided.
According to this configuration, while the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the charging stand 20, the inner tube 112b and/or the outside of the umbrella part 112c (the surface facing the first dust collecting part) can be accessed by a cleaning tool or the like, so that dust is less likely to fly away when removing the blockage of dust in the first dust collecting part 112. In addition, since the access is from above the first dust collecting part 112 shown in Fig. 5C, there is no need to access from the second opening 112a7 (see Figs. 5A and 2) in the dust discharge direction, so the user's hands do not get dirty. The third opening 112a1 is closed to prevent air from entering or leaving during cleaning operation or automatic cleaning mode, so that dust scattering from the third opening 112a1 and a decrease in suction power can be prevented.

In addition, because the third opening 112a1 is formed in the upper part (upper plate 112u) (see FIG. 5C) of the first dust collecting section 112, it is less likely to impede the swirling flow of the blower 110. In addition, when cleaning out the dust stuck between the outer tube 112a and the inner tube 112b of the first dust collecting section 112, the third opening 112a1 (see FIG. 5C) is accessed from above, so an external force is applied in the direction of the second opening 112a7 of the dust outlet, making it easier to clear the blockage.

<Multiple Third Openings 112a2 of Modification 1>
FIG. 6 shows a filter storage chamber 112d and an outer cylinder 112a in a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line II-II in FIG.
In the first modified example, two third openings 112a2 of the maintenance holes are formed in the upper plate 112u of the outer cylinder 112a.
When the floor surface Y is cleaned by the vacuum cleaner 10, the two third openings 112a2 are each plugged with a rubber cap 119a made of a soft elastic material. Also, when the automatic cleaning mode of the first dust collecting section 112 is performed by the automatic operation shown in Fig. 4, the third openings 112a2 (see Fig. 6) are each plugged with a rubber cap 119a. A cap fixing portion 119k1 serving as a container for fixing the cap 119a is formed near the third opening 112a2 of the outer cylinder 112a.

When the user wishes to manually clean the first dust collection section 112, the user removes the cap 119a from the third opening 112a2 from the state shown in FIG. 6. Then, insert a cleaning tool through the third opening 112a2 to clean the dust, including lint, that is stuck between the outer tube 112a and the inner tube 112b of the first dust collection section 112.

In this case, since two third openings 112a2 are formed, a cleaning tool can be inserted through one third opening 112a2 for cleaning, or a cleaning tool can be inserted through each of the two third openings 112a2 for cleaning. By providing a plurality of third openings 112a2, cleaning becomes easier.
In the first modification, the case where two third openings 112a2 are provided has been described, but three or more third openings 112a2 may be provided.

<Third opening 112a3 provided in side peripheral portion 112s of outer cylinder 112a of modified example 2>
FIG. 7A is an external perspective view of a filter housing chamber 112d and an outer cylinder 112a according to the second modification.
FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the second modified example taken along line III-III of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 7C shows an external perspective view of a filter storage chamber 112d and an outer cylinder 112a in which a third opening 112a3 of the second modification is formed in a side peripheral portion 112s of the outer cylinder 112a.
In the second modification, as shown in FIG. 7C, a third opening 112a3 is provided in a side peripheral portion 112s of the outer cylinder 112a.

As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the third opening 112a3 of the side periphery 112s of the outer cylinder 112a is plugged with a cap 119b. A cap fixing portion 119k2 for fixing the cap 119b is formed in a case shape near the third opening 112a3 of the outer cylinder 112a.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the third opening 112a3 (see FIG. 7C) can be plugged with a rubber cap 119b made of a soft elastic material to make the inside of the outer cylinder 112a a sealed space. When cleaning the floor surface Y with the vacuum cleaner 10 shown in FIG. 1, the third opening 112a3 (see FIG. 7C) is plugged with the rubber cap 119b (see FIG. 7A). Also, when the automatic cleaning mode of the first dust collection section 112 is performed by the automatic operation shown in FIG. 4, the third opening 112a3 (see FIG. 7C) is plugged with the rubber cap 119b.

When the user manually cleans the first dust collection section 112, the user removes the cap 119b from the third opening 112a3 from the state shown in FIG. 7A (see FIG. 7C). Then, insert a cleaning tool through the third opening 112a3 to clean out the dust, including lint, that is stuck between the outer tube 112a and the inner tube 112b of the first dust collection section 112.

<<Embodiment 2>>
FIG. 8A shows a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment taken along line II-II of FIG.
FIG. 8B is an external perspective view of the second embodiment, taken along line III-III of FIG. 7A.
In the second embodiment, an annular blade 120 is provided to clean dust adhering to a side mesh filter 112n on the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 112b.
A third opening 112a4 (see FIG. 8B) which is a maintenance hole is formed in the upper plate 112u of the outer cylinder 112a of the second embodiment. An operating rod 120s having an operating piece 120s1 is connected to the annular blade 120.

An operating rod 120s integral with the annular blade 120 is inserted through a third opening 112a4 of the upper plate 112u of the outer cylinder 112a.
In the first dust collecting section 112, a hollow case 112j is formed to house the operating rod 120s and a compression spring 121 that urges the operating piece 120s1 of the operating rod 120s upward. As shown in Fig. 8A, the operating piece 120s1 is exposed to the outside from the case 112j. Normally, the annular blade 120 is located at the upper part of the inner cylinder 112b by the operating piece 120s1 of the operating rod 120s being urged upward by the compression spring 121 (white arrow α21 in Fig. 8A).

When cleaning the side mesh filter 112n of the inner tube 112b, the user presses the operating piece 120s1 downward with his/her hand (white arrow α22 in Figure 8A), causing the annular blade 120 to move downward or upward, thereby cleaning dust adhering to the side mesh filter 112n of the inner tube 112b with the annular blade 120.
The third opening 112a4 (see FIG. 8B) is plugged with a cap (not shown) made of a soft elastic rubber. As shown in FIG. 8B, a cap fixing portion 119k3 for fixing a cap (not shown) that closes the third opening 112a4 is formed in a shape that allows a part of the cap (not shown) to fit in the cap fixing portion 119k3.

The third opening 112a4 is closed with a cap (not shown) to seal the inside of the first dust collecting unit 112, and the floor surface Y is cleaned by the vacuum cleaner 10 shown in Fig. 1. Also, the third opening 112a4 is closed with a cap (not shown), and the automatic cleaning mode of the first dust collecting unit 112 is performed by the automatic operation shown in Fig. 4.
When the user manually cleans the first dust collection section 112, the user removes the cap (not shown) and, as shown in FIG. 8A, presses the operating piece 120s1 downward with his/her hand (white arrow α22 in FIG. 8A) or raises it with the compression spring 121 (white arrow α21 in FIG. 8A), thereby moving the annular blade 120 downward or upward to clean dust that has adhered to the side mesh filter 112n of the inner tube 112b.

According to the second embodiment, the provision of the third opening 112a4 allows for easy cleaning.
<Modification>

FIG. 9A is an external perspective view of a filter housing chamber 112d and an outer cylinder 112a of a first dust collecting section 112 of a modified example.
FIG. 9B shows an external perspective view of a modified example taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 9A.

Fig. 9C shows a view of the modified example taken in the direction of the arrow V in Fig. 9A, in which the seal member 119c (see Fig. 9A) attached to the third opening 112a5 has been removed.
In this modification, a third opening 112a5 of the maintenance hole is provided in the side peripheral portion 112s of the outer cylinder 112a. As shown in Fig. 9B, an operating rod 220s fixed to the annular blade 220 is inserted into the third opening 112a5.

As shown in FIG. 9C, a third opening 112a5, which is a vertically long hole serving as a maintenance hole, is formed in a side peripheral portion 112s of the outer cylinder 112a.
As shown in FIG. 9B, an annular blade 220 for cleaning the side mesh filters 112n on the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 112b is provided surrounding the side mesh filters 112n of the inner cylinder 112b.
An operating rod 220s is integrally provided to extend upward from the annular blade 220. The operating rod 220s is bent at the center (see FIG. 9B) and inserted into the third opening 112a5. The operating rod 220s is configured to be deformable.

9A and 9B, the seal member 119c is attached to the third opening 112a5 (see FIG. 9C) with the operating rod 220s inserted through the third opening 112a5. The seal member 119c is made of a soft elastic material.
The seal member 119c maintains airtightness within the first dust collecting section 112 and is configured to allow sliding movement of the operating rod 220s connected to the blade 220.

With this configuration, when the user moves the control rod 220s up and down (arrows α31 and α32 in FIG. 9A), the annular blade 220 moves up and down near the side mesh filter 112n on the outer periphery of the inner tube 112b (arrows β11 and β12 in FIG. 9B), removing dust adhering to the side mesh filter 112n. At this time, the control rod 220s deforms near the third opening 112a5 (see FIG. 9B), allowing it to pass through the third opening 112a5.

According to the modified example, a third opening 112a5 through which the operating rod 220s of the annular blade 220 is inserted is provided in the side peripheral portion 112s of the outer cylinder 112a, so that dust, including cotton dust, that is stuck in the first dust collecting portion 112 can be easily removed.

<<Other embodiments>>
1. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modified configurations, and various modifications and specific forms are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

1 Cleaning system 10 Vacuum cleaner 20 Charging stand 110 Blower
112a Outer cylinder
112i Air intake connection port (air intake port)
112 First dust collecting section (dust collecting section)
114a: communicating cylinder portion 112a1, 112a2, 112a3, 112a4, 112a5: third opening (opening)
112a7 Second opening (exhaust port)
112b Inner cylinder
112u Upper plate (upper part of dust collection section)
119, 119a, 119b Cap (elastic material)
119c Sealing member (elastic material)
120, 220 Blade 120s Control rod (control body)

Claims (4)

A vacuum cleaner having a blower and a dust collecting unit that collects dust by the suction force of the blower;
a charging stand on which the vacuum cleaner is placed and which has a communicating tube through which the dust collected in the dust collecting section passes or is collected,
the dust collecting section has an outer cylinder in which an outer periphery of the dust collecting section is formed, an inner cylinder inside the outer cylinder and having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the outer cylinder, an air intake port, and an exhaust port for discharging dust,
A cleaning system characterized in that an opening communicating with the inner cylinder is provided on the outside of the inner cylinder provided in the dust collecting unit, at an upper portion of the dust collecting unit, facing the exhaust port and closer to the blower than the intake port , and the inside of the dust collecting unit is cleaned by inserting the opening. The cleaning system according to claim 1 ,
A cleaning system comprising a flexible elastic material that closes the opening and can be attached to and detached from the opening. The cleaning system according to claim 1 ,
A cleaning system, characterized in that an operating body formed integrally with a blade for cleaning an outer periphery of the inner cylinder is inserted through the opening. The cleaning system according to claim 1 ,
The cleaning system is characterized in that one or more openings are provided.

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