JP7765099B2 - vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner.

As disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, a conventional vacuum cleaner includes a rotating brush, an electric motor that drives the rotating brush, a transmission device that transmits the power of the electric motor to the rotating brush, and a dust collection box with a dust inlet on the surface facing the rotating brush, with an opening on the underside of the rotating brush. When the vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured so that the dust collection box is included in the main body along with the rotating brush and electric motor, and no electric blower is provided, noise caused by driving the electric blower is eliminated, making it possible to reduce noise during cleaning.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-134769

However, when a vacuum cleaner is configured without an electric blower to generate suction power, as in the vacuum cleaner of Patent Document 1, there is a problem in that it is difficult to capture dust adhering to carpets and rugs, for example, into the main body.

The present invention aims to create an electric vacuum cleaner that can be used to clean using the suction power of an electric blower or by cleaning using the rotation of a rotating brush.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an electric vacuum cleaner that solves the above-mentioned problems. The electric vacuum cleaner comprises an electric blower that generates suction force, a dust collection unit that collects dust, an inlet for sucking in dust, and a rotating cleaning body that rotates when driven by a drive unit. The dust collection unit has a first dust collection unit and a second dust collection unit that is arranged closer to the inlet than the first dust collection unit in a path connecting the first dust collection unit and the inlet. The electric vacuum cleaner is switchable between multiple operating modes, including a first mode in which the drive unit is driven while the electric blower is stopped, and a second mode in which the electric blower is driven.

When the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is operated in the first mode, it can be used to rotate the rotary cleaning body to clean without generating the driving noise of the electric blower by driving the drive unit while the electric blower is stopped. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is configured such that the dust collecting unit includes not only a first dust collecting unit but also a second dust collecting unit located on the suction port side of the first dust collecting unit. Therefore, when the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is operated in the first mode in which no suction force is generated by the electric blower, dust collected by the rotation of the rotary cleaning body can be collected in the second dust collecting unit.

On the other hand, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can also perform cleaning using the suction force of the electric blower by driving the electric blower in the second mode. The vacuum cleaner of the present invention also has a second dust collecting section on the suction port side of the first dust collecting section. Therefore, in the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, dust that was collected in the second dust collecting section by operation in the first mode can be collected in the first dust collecting section by the suction force of the electric blower in the second mode.

As described above, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention has a dust collection section that includes a first dust collection section and a second dust collection section, and is capable of operating in multiple modes, including a first mode and a second mode. This allows the vacuum cleaner of the present invention to selectively use cleaning that utilizes the suction force of the electric blower, or cleaning that uses the rotation of the rotating brush.

This invention makes it possible to realize an electric vacuum cleaner that can be used to clean using the suction power of an electric blower or by cleaning using the rotation of a rotating brush.

1 is a side view showing a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a suction tool provided in the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the suction tool of FIG. 2 . 3 is a cross-sectional view of the suction tool of FIG. 2 taken along line AA. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the suction tool taken along line BB in FIG. 2. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a second dust collecting section and a dust removing section are removed from the suction tool of FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the X portion of the suction tool in the state of FIG. 6 as viewed from the rear side. FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the suction tool in the state shown in FIG. 3 in an exploded state. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the suction tool of FIG. 2 as viewed from the bottom side. FIG. 3A and 3B are exploded perspective views showing a rotary cleaning body and a cleaning body drive mechanism provided in the suction tool shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting structure of the cleaning element drive mechanism. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a dust removal unit. 3 is a perspective view showing the suction tool and the extension pipe of FIG. 2 as viewed from the bottom side. FIG. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the support device of FIG. 14 as viewed from the Y direction. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the cleaner body as viewed from below;

The following describes in detail an electric vacuum cleaner 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the accompanying drawings are a schematic illustration of each part of the electric vacuum cleaner 10, and the sizes are not necessarily drawn to exact proportions. In addition, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals throughout the drawings. Furthermore, in this specification, terms indicating positional relationships such as up/down, left/right, front/back, etc. are described based on the state in which the electric vacuum cleaner 10 is installed upright, as shown in Figure 1, unless otherwise specified. In the following description, the configuration of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 will be described first, followed by a description of the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 10.

<Configuration of electric vacuum cleaner 10>
As shown in FIG. 1 , the vacuum cleaner 10 is an example of a stick-shaped (vertical) vacuum cleaner. While the vacuum cleaner 10 can be powered by an external power source via a power cord, for example, in this embodiment, it is a rechargeable vacuum cleaner. As shown in FIG. 1 , the vacuum cleaner 10 includes a vacuum cleaner main body 20, a suction tool 40, and an extension tube 90. The vacuum cleaner 10 is combined with a separately provided support device 300 to form a vacuum cleaner system S. The vacuum cleaner 10 can be installed in a state supported by the support device 300. Note that "installation" does not necessarily mean an action in which the user supports the vacuum cleaner 10 on the support device 10 if the vacuum cleaner 10 is a stick or canister type. It may also include an action in which the vacuum cleaner 10 travels independently and connects to the support device 300 if the vacuum cleaner 10 is a robot vacuum cleaner. The configuration of each component will be described in more detail below.

<<About the vacuum cleaner body 20>>
The vacuum cleaner main body 20 forms the main body of the electric vacuum cleaner 10 and is the part that exerts suction force and performs the function of collecting dust. Specifically, the vacuum cleaner main body 20 includes a housing (main body) 20a having an electric blower 22 for generating suction force, and a first dust collecting section 24 for collecting dust contained in the sucked air.

The first dust collection section 24 captures and collects dust that arrives from the suction tool 40 side. The first dust collection section 24 may be provided as part of the main body section 20a, or may be provided separately and detachably from the main body section 20a. The first dust collection section 24 may be, for example, a paper bag type or a cyclone type. In this embodiment, the first dust collection section 24 is a cyclone type. In addition to the electric blower 22 and first dust collection section 24, the vacuum cleaner main body 20 includes, in the main body section 20a, for example, a drive circuit that drives the electric blower 22 and other electronic components, a control device 32 that controls the operation of the vacuum cleaner 10, a battery 34 for supplying power, and other components.

The vacuum cleaner body 20 also has a handle equipped with a grip 26 and an operating unit 28. The grip 26 is a part provided for the user of the vacuum cleaner 10 to grip the vacuum cleaner body 20. In other words, the user can hold the vacuum cleaner body 20 by gripping the grip 26, for example. The operating unit 28 is provided for operating the vacuum cleaner 10. For example, by providing the operating unit 28 on the grip 26 as shown in Figure 1, the user can operate it while holding the grip 26.

The vacuum cleaner body 20 also has a pipe connection portion 22b on the main body portion 20a. The pipe connection portion 22b is the portion to which a hollow extension pipe 90, which connects the vacuum cleaner body 20 and the suction tool 40, is connected. The pipe connection portion 22b also communicates with the first dust collection portion 24. Therefore, by connecting the joint portion 44 of the suction tool 40 to the pipe connection portion 22b via the extension pipe 90, a path is formed connecting the suction tool 40 side and the first dust collection portion 24.

<About the suction tool 40>
The suction tool 40 is used to suck in air and dust from the outside. As shown in Fig. 2, the suction tool 40 has a suction tool main body 42 (main body) and a joint 44. As shown in Fig. 3, the suction tool 40 has a rotating cleaning body 46, a cleaning body drive unit 48 (drive unit), and a second dust collection unit 50 inside the suction tool main body 42. In addition to these, the suction tool 40 also has an electric current unit 52 and the like.

The suction tool main body 42 is the part that is placed on the floor during cleaning, and has a shape that is elongated in the left-right direction relative to the front-to-back direction, which is the direction in which the user operates the device during cleaning. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the suction tool main body 42 has a rotating cleaning element mounting section 60, a suction port 62, a second dust collection section mounting section 64, and a storage section 66.

The rotary cleaning body mounting section 60 is the section where the rotary cleaning body 46 is mounted. The rotary cleaning body mounting section 60 extends in the left-right direction of the suction tool main body 42 and has a hollow space capable of housing the rotary cleaning body 46.

The suction port 62 is an opening on the bottom side of the suction tool main body 42 for sucking in dust. In this embodiment, the rotating cleaning element placement section 60 is located in the suction space where the suction port 62 is formed.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the second dust collection unit mounting section 64 is the section in which the second dust collection unit 50, which will be described in detail later, is mounted. The second dust collection unit mounting section 64 is designed to allow the second dust collection unit 50 to be mounted at a position closer to the suction port 62 than the first dust collection unit 24 in the dust passage connecting the first dust collection unit 24 and the suction port 62.

As can be seen from Figures 4, 6, and 7, the second dust collecting unit mounting section 64 includes an opening 64a, a cover section 64b, a biasing member 64c, and a locking member 64d. The opening 64a is an opening provided to allow the second dust collecting unit 50 to be inserted and removed from the top surface of the suction tool main body 42 for detachable installation. The opening 64a is a rectangular opening formed to extend in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the suction tool main body 42 along the rotating cleaning body mounting section 60 (rotating cleaning body 46). The cover section 64b is a lid-like opening that opens and closes the opening 64a. The cover section 64b is rotatably supported by a hinge or the like on one side of the short side (front-rear direction) of the opening 64a. The biasing member 64c biases the cover section 64b in the direction to open the opening 64a. In this embodiment, the biasing member 64c is a torsion spring and is positioned on the pivot side of the cover portion 64b. The locking portion 64d is used to close the cover portion 64b so that it does not open. In this embodiment, the locking portion 64d is located on the opposite side from where the biasing member 64c is located (the free end side of the cover portion 64b) and is exposed on the top surface of the suction tool main body 42.

Since the second dust collection unit mounting section 64 is configured as described above, releasing the locking section 64d causes the biasing force of the biasing member 64c to bias the free end of the cover section 64b so that it springs up. As a result, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the opening 64a of the second dust collection unit mounting section 64 is open, allowing the second dust collection unit 50, described in detail below, to be inserted and removed. Furthermore, by pushing the free end of the cover section 64b toward the top surface of the suction tool main body 42 against the biasing force of the biasing member 64c and blocking the opening 64a with the cover section 64b, the locking section 64d prevents the cover section 64b from springing up, thereby closing the opening 64a as shown in Figure 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the storage section 66 is intended to house the driver 210 that constitutes the cleaning body drive unit 48, which will be described in detail later, as well as wiring for supplying power to the driver 210. The storage section 66 allows the driver 210 and wiring to be positioned away from the dust passage path. In this embodiment, the storage section 66 is located on the opposite side of the second dust collecting unit 50 from the rotating cleaning body 46 (rearward of the second dust collecting unit 50).

The coupling part 44 is located on the suction tool main body 42 at a position on the rear side of the vacuum cleaner 10 (the opposite side of the rotary cleaning body 46 with respect to the second dust collecting part 50), and is connected to the second dust collecting part 50 via the communication part 45. The coupling part 44 is attached to the suction tool main body 42 so that it can rotate within a predetermined range of rotation (at least one of the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions). Similar to the pipe connection part 22b of the vacuum cleaner main body 20 described above, the coupling part 44 is the part to which the extension pipe 90 is connected. The coupling part 44 is cylindrical, and its base end is connected to the second dust collecting part 50.

As shown in Figure 3 and other figures, the rotating cleaning body 46 is a cylindrical member housed in and rotatably supported by the rotating cleaning body mounting portion 60 of the suction tool main body 42. The rotating cleaning body 46 receives power from the cleaning body drive portion 48, which will be described in detail later, and is rotatable in the rotating cleaning body mounting portion 60. The rotating cleaning body 46 has a cleaning body main body 200 that extends in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the suction tool main body 42, and an attachment portion 202.

The mounting portions 202 are used to attach the rotating cleaning body 46 to the suction tool main body 42. The mounting portions 202 are attached to the cleaning body 200 on one longitudinal side and the other longitudinal side of the cleaning body 200 as separate members, but may also be integral with the cleaning body 200. The rotating cleaning body 46 is rotatably supported relative to the suction tool main body 42 by attaching the mounting portions 202, 202 provided on both ends (hereinafter, these may be distinguished as "mounting portion 202a" and "mounting portion 202b" as necessary) to predetermined mounting positions provided within the suction tool main body 42.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 10(a), the mounting portion 202a has an end portion 205 that is prismatically shaped (with a substantially square cross-section) at one axial end of the rotating cleaning body 46, and a flange portion 207a located adjacent to the end portion 205 in the axial direction. The end portion 205 is rotatably attached to the cleaning body main body 200 (flange portion 207a).

8 and 9, the receiving portion 42c of the suction tool main body 42 to which the mounting portion 202a of the rotary cleaning body 46 is attached is separable into a lower receiving portion 42x and an upper receiving portion 42y. The lower receiving portion 42x is detachable from the back surface of the suction tool main body 42. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the portion where the upper receiving portion 42y is formed has an upper engaging portion 42p on the front side (upper side in the illustrated state) of the suction tool main body 42 and a concave upper engaged portion 42q on the back surface (lower side in the illustrated state). Furthermore, the lower receiving portion 42x has a lower engaged portion 42r that can engage with the upper engaged portion 42p at a position corresponding to the upper engaging portion 42p on the upper receiving portion 42y side, and a convex lower engaged portion 42s at a position corresponding to the upper engaged portion 42q. The lower receiving portion 42x is provided with a claw portion 42t, which allows the lower engaging portion 42s to be pivoted. With this configuration, the lower receiving portion 42x can be attached to the upper receiving portion 42y by first engaging the lower engaged portion 42r with the upper engaging portion 42p and then inserting the lower engaging portion 42s into the upper engaged portion 42q to engage them. Conversely, to remove the lower receiving portion 42x from the upper receiving portion 42y, the claw portion 42t is operated to first release the engagement between the lower engaging portion 42s and the upper engaged portion 42q. Then, the lower engaged portion 42r is removed from the upper engaging portion 42p, allowing the lower receiving portion 42x to be removed from the upper receiving portion 42y. The upper receiving portion 42y is provided inside the suction tool main body 42. The receiver 42c can be formed by attaching the lower receiver 42x to the back side of the suction tool main body 42.

As shown in FIG. 8, the upper receiving portion 42y has an upper end fitting portion 42h, an upper flange fitting portion 42i, and an upper shaft support portion 42j. The upper end fitting portion 42h is a portion that opens toward the bottom surface of the suction tool main body 42 so that the above-mentioned rectangular column-shaped end portion 205 can be fitted therein. The upper flange fitting portion 42i is a portion that opens toward the bottom surface of the suction tool main body 42 so that the flange portion 207a can be fitted therein. The upper shaft support portion 42j is a portion that curves in an arc along the axis that forms the mounting portion 202a.

8 and 9, the lower receiving portion 42x has a lower end abutment portion 42k and a lower shaft support portion 42l at positions corresponding to the upper end fitting portion 42h and upper shaft support portion 42j described above, respectively. The lower end abutment portion 42k is block-shaped and formed to abut against the outer peripheral surface (one side) of the end portion 205 from the cleaning surface side, and the upper end fitting portion 42h abuts against the other outer peripheral surfaces (three sides) of the end portion 205, thereby fixing the end portion 205 to the suction tool main body 42. Furthermore, the lower shaft support portion 42l, like the upper shaft support portion 42j, is curved to follow the axis that forms the mounting portion 202a. The end 205 side of the rotating cleaning body 46 can be assembled into the suction tool main body 42 by fitting the end 205 and flange portion 207a into the upper end fitting portion 42h and upper flange fitting portion 42i, respectively, and then attaching the lower receiving portion 42x to the upper receiving portion 42y.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, the mounting portion 202b supports the other axial end of the rotating cleaning body 46 (opposite the mounting portion 202a). The mounting portion 202b is equipped with a first mounting body 202x that can be connected to a second mounting body 202y (described below). The first mounting body 202x is fixed to the end of the cleaning body main body 200. The second mounting body 202y is provided on the driven pulley 216 (described below) and is disposed on the suction tool main body 42 (lower case 42a) side. The first mounting body 202x and the second mounting body 202y can be connected and separated in the axial direction.

The first mounting body 202x has a mounting recess 202e and a first flange portion 202i. The mounting recess 202e is formed in a concave shape on the end surface of the first mounting body 202x. The mounting recess 202e may have any shape, but in this embodiment it is cross-shaped. The mounting recess 202e is a portion into which the mounting protrusion 202j of the second mounting body 202y (described below) can be fitted and engaged. The first flange portion 202i is formed at the end of the first mounting body 202x (the end on the second mounting body 202y side) so as to bulge radially outward.

10 and 11, the second mounting body 202y has a mounting protrusion 202j and a shaft 202k. The mounting protrusion 202j protrudes axially from the end of the second mounting body 202y and is capable of engaging with the above-mentioned mounting recess 202e. The mounting protrusion 202j may have any shape, but in this embodiment it has a cross shape, similar to the mounting recess 202e. The shaft 202k is a shaft provided at the axial position of the second mounting body 202y. The shaft 202k is inserted from one side to the other of a plate-shaped holding member 220 provided on the suction tool main body 42. The shaft 202k is inserted through the axial position of the driven pulley 216 of the cleaning body drive unit 48 (described later) and is capable of rotating integrally with the driven pulley 216. Therefore, when the first attachment body 202x provided on one end side is connected to the second attachment body 202y, the rotary cleaning body 46 is rotatable in conjunction with the driven pulley 216.

The shaft portion 202k is rotatably supported at its tip by a bearing member 202z (bearing). The bearing member 202z may be rectangular (square in this embodiment) when viewed from the front and held non-rotatably by the plate-shaped holding member 202p, or the outer side (outer ring) may be held non-rotatably by the holding member 202p and the inner side (inner ring) may be rotatable. As shown in Figures 3 and 8, the holding member 202p is held relative to the lower case 42a by being inserted into a slit-shaped insertion portion 202m provided in the lower case 42a. This allows for stable support of the rotating cleaning body 46.

In this embodiment, the suction tool 40 is provided with a cleaning element drive unit 48, and the rotating cleaning element 46 is driven by power output from the cleaning element drive unit 48. As shown in Figures 3 and 10, the cleaning element drive unit 48 includes a driver 210, a power transmission element 212, an output pulley 214, and a driven pulley 216.

The driver 210 is composed of a motor and other components located within the suction tool main body 42. The driver 210 is located in the storage section 66, which is located further back than the rotating cleaning body 46 and the second dust collection section placement section 64 (second dust collection section 50). The power transmission body 212 is composed of a toothed endless belt. The output pulley 214 is a toothed pulley attached to the output shaft of the driver 210.

The output pulley 214 is rotatably supported at its tip by a bearing member 214z (bearing). The bearing member 214z has a configuration similar to that of the bearing member 202z described above. Specifically, the bearing member 214z may be rectangular (square in this embodiment) when viewed from the front and held non-rotatably by a plate-shaped holding member 214p, or the outer side (outer ring) may be non-rotatably held by the holding member 214p and the inner side (inner ring) may be rotatable. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 8, the holding member 214p is held relative to the lower case 42a by being inserted into a slit-shaped insertion portion 202n provided in the lower case 42a.

The driven pulley 216 is a toothed pulley that is integrally provided on the mounting portion 202b. The cleaning body drive unit 48 is configured with a power transmission body 212 made of an endless belt that is wound between the output pulley 214 and the driven pulley 216. Therefore, by operating the drive machine 210, rotational power is transmitted to the mounting portion 202b side, and the rotating cleaning body 46 can be rotated within the suction space of the suction tool main body 42.

As shown in FIG. 10 and other figures, the components of the cleaning body drive unit 48 are held by a holding member 220. The holding member 220 is erected in the area of the suction tool main body 42 on the side where the second attachment body 202y is attached. In other words, the holding member 220 is arranged alongside the rotary cleaning body 46 in the axial direction of the rotary cleaning body 46. The holding member 220 is a plate-like member that extends along the alignment direction of the rotary cleaning body 46 and the driver 210. The output pulley 214, driven pulley 216, and power transmission body 212 are arranged on the opposite side of the holding member 220 from the rotary cleaning body 46. As shown in FIG. 5, the holding member 220 specifically includes a lower holding member 222 and an upper holding member 224.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the lower holding member 222 has a lower wall portion 222a and a fixing portion 222b that fixes the lower end of the lower wall portion 222a to the lower case 42a. The holding member 220 is erected so that the lower wall portion 222a extends in the front-to-rear direction (direction from the front side to the rear side) of the suction tool main body 42 by screwing the lower holding member 222 to the lower case 42a at the fixing portion 222b. Note that the fixing portion 222b is not a required component; it is sufficient that the lower holding member 222 can be structurally positioned in the lower case 42a.

Now, the cleaning element drive unit 48 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 11. A generally oval shaft insertion hole 216a is provided at the axial center of the driven pulley 216. The shaft portion 202k of the second attachment body 202y is a shaft having a generally oval external shape similar to the shaft insertion hole 216a. Furthermore, the lower wall portion 222a of the holding member 220 is provided with a shaft support portion 220c that rotatably supports the second attachment body 202y. A bearing 225 that rotatably supports the shaft portion 202k by inserting it into the shaft support portion 220c is provided in the shaft support portion 220c. Furthermore, the shaft portion 202k is rotatably supported at its tip by a bearing member 202z. Therefore, the second attachment body 202y is fixed to the driven pulley 216 with the shaft portion 202k inserted through the bearing 225 provided in the shaft support portion 220c of the lower wall portion 222a, the shaft insertion hole 216a provided in the driven pulley 216, and the bearing member 202z. Because of this configuration, by connecting the first attachment body 202x provided on the rotary cleaning body 46 side to the second attachment body 202y, the rotary cleaning body 46 can rotate in conjunction with the driven pulley 216. Therefore, the second attachment body 202y can also be described as being included as part of the driven pulley 216.

A shaft support portion 220c is provided on the lower wall portion 222a at a position on the front side of the suction tool main body 42, which rotatably supports (supports) the second attachment body 202y attached to the end of the rotary cleaning body 46. Furthermore, a notched receiving portion 222d is provided on the lower wall portion 222a at a position on the rear side of the suction tool main body 42, which is capable of supporting the driver 210. Specifically, the driver 210 has an output shaft attached to the driver main body 210a, which forms the motor, and includes a driver main body 210a1, which forms the majority of the motor, and a bulging portion 210a2, which has a smaller diameter than the driver main body 210a1 and bulges in the axial direction. The output shaft is provided in the bulging portion 210a2.

The receiving portion 222d extends downward from the upper end of the lower wall portion 222a. Therefore, when installing the driver 210, the bulge 210a2 can be easily slid along the receiving portion 222d. This installation can be performed more easily if the power transmission body 212 is stretched across the output pulley 214 and the driven pulley 216, avoiding the tension of the power transmission body 212, which makes installation difficult. Furthermore, because the retaining member 220, driver 210, power transmission body 212, output pulley 214, second mounting body 202y, bearing 225, driven pulley 216, bearing member 202z, retaining member 202p, bearing member 214z, and retaining member 214p are integrated into a single unit, the cleaning body drive unit 48 can be easily installed into the lower case 42a. Additionally, a screw hole 222e is provided adjacent to the receiving portion 222d for screwing the end of the drive unit main body 210a1.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper holding member 224 is a plate-shaped portion that stands upright from the upper portion (upper case 42b) of the suction tool main body 42. The upper holding member 224 is provided in a position corresponding to the portion of the lower holding member 222 where the receiving portion 222d is provided. Therefore, when the upper case 42b and the lower case 42a are joined to form the suction tool main body 42, the open portion above the receiving portion 222d is closed by the upper holding member 224. This prevents the driver 210 from unexpectedly falling off the receiving portion 222d.

The second dust collection unit 50 collects dust introduced through the suction port 62 as the rotary cleaning body 46 rotates. The second dust collection unit 50, together with the first dust collection unit 24, constitutes the dust collection unit 30. The second dust collection unit 50 is located closer to the suction port 62 than the first dust collection unit 24 in the dust passage connecting the first dust collection unit 24 and the suction port 62. As shown in Figures 3 and 8, the second dust collection unit 50 is detachably attached to a second dust collection unit mounting portion 64, which is located rearward of the rotary cleaning body 46 and forward of the communication portion 45 (described below). As shown in Figures 8 and 12, the second dust collection unit 50 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped exterior and is hollow. By placing the second dust collection unit 50 in the second dust collection unit mounting portion 64, a hollow space extending along the axial direction of the rotary cleaning body 46 is formed inside the suction tool main body 42.

The second dust collection unit 50 has an intake unit 50a and a discharge unit 50b. The intake unit 50a is located at the boundary between the second dust collection unit 50 and the rotary cleaning body arrangement unit 60 when the second dust collection unit 50 is arranged in the second dust collection unit arrangement unit 64. The intake unit 50a is a unit with an opening that allows dust taken in through the suction port 62 to be received by the second dust collection unit 50. The discharge unit 50b is a unit with an opening that allows dust to be discharged from the second dust collection unit 50. The discharge unit 50b may be located anywhere on the second dust collection unit 50, but in this embodiment it is located opposite the intake unit 50a. The discharge unit 50b is connected to a communication unit 45 that connects the joint unit 44 and the second dust collection unit 50, as described in detail below, and is connected to the end of the communication unit 45.

In addition to providing openings in the intake section 50a and discharge section 50b as shown in the example, the second dust collection section 50 may be provided with a closing member such as a shutter or valve in either or both of the intake section 50a and discharge section 50b. If a closing member is provided, it is preferable that the closing member be in an open state when the second dust collection section 50 is attached to the second dust collection section mounting section 64, and in a closed state when the second dust collection section 50 is removed from the second dust collection section mounting section 64. The closing member may be electrically openable and closable, but it is preferable that it be mechanically opened and closed in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the second dust collection section 50 to and from the second dust collection section mounting section 64.

For example, the closing member may be a plate-shaped shutter capable of closing the openings of the intake section 50a and the discharge section 50b, with the shutter biased in the direction of closing the opening by a biasing member such as a spring, and an abutting member provided that abuts against the shutter and pushes the shutter in the opening direction when the second dust collecting section 50 is inserted into the second dust collecting section mounting section 64. This configuration allows the intake section 50a and the discharge section 50b to be provided with shutters that open the openings when the second dust collecting section 50 is inserted into the second dust collecting section mounting section 64, and close the openings when the second dust collecting section 50 is removed from the second dust collecting section mounting section 64. This allows the second dust collecting section 50 to be configured so that the openings of the intake section 50a and the discharge section 50b automatically open when the second dust collecting section 50 is inserted into the second dust collecting section mounting section 64, and automatically close when the second dust collecting section 50 is removed from the second dust collecting section mounting section 64.

The dust removal section 54 is used to remove dust adhering to the rotary cleaning body 46. As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the dust removal section 54 is provided at the boundary between the rotary cleaning body mounting section 60, around which the rotary cleaning body 46 rotates, and the second dust collection section 50. The dust removal section 54 extends toward the rotary cleaning body 46. The dust removal section 54 is provided at a position where it abuts against the cleaning body main body 200 of the rotary cleaning body 46. The dust removal section 54 is also detachable from the suction tool main body 42 as needed. In this embodiment, the dust removal section 54 is provided integrally with the second dust collection section 50 described above. Therefore, the dust removal section 54, together with the second dust collection section 50, is detachable from the suction tool main body 42 as needed.

The dust removal section 54 can be shaped like a blade, for example, but in this embodiment it is shaped like comb teeth. The dust removal section 54 can efficiently scrape dust off the surface of the rotating cleaning body 46 and is positioned in a position suitable for scraping the dust towards the second dust collection section 50.

Specifically, the dust removal section 54 has a protrusion group 54g consisting of multiple protrusions 54a. When installed on the suction tool main body 42, the protrusions 54a protrude toward the rotary cleaning body 46. When installed on the suction tool main body 42, the protrusion group 54g is arranged so that the multiple protrusions 54a are aligned along the axial direction of the rotary cleaning body 46. The protrusion group 54g is also aligned along the rotational direction of the rotary cleaning body 46. Furthermore, the protrusion group 54g is positioned downstream of the opening of the intake section 50a, which serves as the entrance to the second dust collection section 50, in the rotational direction of the rotary cleaning body 46, and is positioned rearward of the rotary cleaning body 46. Note that, while an example is shown in which two sets of protrusion groups 54g are provided in the rotational direction of the rotary cleaning body 46, one protrusion group 54g may protrude more than the other protrusion group 54g.

More specifically, the protrusions 54a that make up the protrusion group 54g are located above the opening that forms the intake section 50a in the second dust collection section 50. The protrusions 54a are also arranged at predetermined intervals across substantially the entire width of the opening of the intake section 50a, and are also arranged in multiple rows in the vertical direction at predetermined intervals. As a result, the protrusions 54a that make up the protrusion group 54g are arranged downstream in the rotational direction of the rotary cleaning body 46 and rearward relative to the rotary cleaning body 46, aligned along the axial direction of the rotary cleaning body 46 and aligned along the rotational direction of the rotary cleaning body 46.

As shown in Figures 4 and 9, a scraper 56 is provided on the bottom side of the suction tool main body 42. The scraper 56 is provided at the boundary of the suction port 62, extending in the axial direction of the rotary cleaning body 46. The scraper 56 forms a gap with the rotary cleaning body 46 and is provided with its tip protruding toward the cleaning surface. This allows the scraper 56 to scoop up dust from the cleaning surface and collect the dust in the second dust collection section 50. The upper surface of the scraper 56 is preferably sloped so that the upper surface approaches the cleaning surface as it approaches the tip, making it easier to transfer the dust.

The electrical connection unit 52 is a terminal electrically connected to the cleaning element drive unit 48 via wiring routed through the housing 66. The terminal of the electrical connection unit 52 is electrically connected to a terminal provided on the vacuum cleaner body 20 by connecting the coupling unit 44 to the pipe connection unit 22b of the vacuum cleaner body 20. This allows power to be supplied from the vacuum cleaner body 20 to the cleaning element drive unit 48, causing the rotating cleaning element 46 to rotate.

<About the extension tube 90>
The extension pipe 90 is a cylindrical member that is connected to the pipe connection portion 22b of the vacuum cleaner body 20 and the joint portion 44 of the suction tool 40. As shown in Figure 13, the extension pipe 90 has an engaged portion 310 that engages with a support portion 350 provided on the support device 300, which will be described in detail later.

As shown in Figure 13, the engaged portion 310 is a portion that engages with an engaging portion 352 provided on the support device 300, which will be described in detail later. The engaged portion 310 may be provided integrally with the pipe that constitutes the extension pipe 90, but in this modified example, a receiving portion 312 is provided on a pipe cover 320 (the pipe cover on the suction tool 40 side of the extension pipe 90) that is attached to the pipe that constitutes the extension pipe 90. The receiving portion 312 is a hollow portion formed so as to bulge radially outward on the outer circumferential surface of the extension pipe 90.

The receiving portion 312 has a first opening 314 that opens toward the suction tool 40. The receiving portion 312 also has a second opening 316 that opens on the back side. Specifically, the second opening 316 is formed so as to open on the surface (contact surface 318) that faces the support column 350 of the support device 300 when the receiving portion 312 is installed on the support device 300, which will be described in detail later. The receiving portion 312 also has a first current-carrying portion, which will be described later, for receiving power.

<Regarding the support device 300>
As shown in Fig. 1, the support device 300 supports the vacuum cleaner body 20 with the extension tube 90 and the suction tool 40 attached thereto, and may have a charging function. As shown in Fig. 14, the support device 300 has a mounting portion 340, a support portion 350, and a receiving portion 370.

The mounting portion 340 serves as a base for placing the suction tool 40. The mounting portion 340 has a stopper 342 on the front side. The stopper 342 is formed to protrude upward from the top surface of the mounting portion 340. The stopper 342 is also formed to extend in the width direction of the mounting portion 340. Therefore, the stopper 342 can position the suction tool 40 placed on the top surface of the mounting portion 340 so that it does not move beyond the stopper 342 toward the front side.

The support column 350 is a column-shaped portion erected vertically on the rear side of the mounting portion 340 (the side opposite the stopper 342). The support column 350 engages with and supports the extension tube 90 connected to the suction tool 40 placed on the mounting portion 340. Specifically, the support column 350 can support the extension tube 90 by engaging the engaging portion 310 of the extension tube 90 with the engaging portion 352 provided on the upper end side. The support column 350 also has a second current-carrying portion that can be electrically connected to the first current-carrying portion provided on the suction tool 40 side of the extension tube 90. This makes it possible to charge the battery 34 via the extension tube 90. To enable this configuration, the extension tube 90 is provided with wiring for connecting the first current-carrying portion to the third current-carrying portion (the third current-carrying portion electrically connected to the battery 34) on the vacuum cleaner main body 20 side. To supply power to the suction tool 40, electrical conduction sections (fourth and fifth electrical conduction sections) are provided on both the vacuum cleaner body 20 side and the suction tool 40 side of the extension tube 90, and wiring connecting the fourth electrical conduction section (fourth electrical conduction section electrically connected to the battery 34) and the fifth electrical conduction section is arranged in the extension tube 90.

As shown in FIG. 15 , the engagement portion 352 has four protrusions: a first protrusion 354, a second protrusion 356, a third protrusion 358, and a fourth protrusion 359. The first protrusion 354 is a protrusion-like portion provided on the front side of the support portion 350 so as to protrude from the lower side toward the upper side. The first protrusion 354 is a portion that is inserted into the receiving portion 312 through the first opening 314 provided in the extension tube 90 described above. The second protrusion 356 is provided inside a space 360 that is open toward the front side and the ceiling side at the upper end of the support portion 350, facing the first protrusion 354 with a predetermined gap between them. The third protrusion 358 is a protrusion-like portion that is arranged to intersect with the first protrusion 354. Like the second protrusion 356, the third protrusion 358 is arranged inside the space 360. Furthermore, the first protrusion 354 and the third protrusion 358 may be spaced apart, but in this embodiment, the third protrusion 358 is connected to the first protrusion 354 at the middle of the first protrusion 354 in the width direction. Therefore, the first protrusion 354 and the third protrusion 358 are formed in a substantially "T" shape in a plan view. Furthermore, the fourth protrusion 359 is provided on the surface of the first protrusion 354 facing the space 360 so as to protrude toward the space 360. The fourth protrusion 359 is provided in a position opposite the second protrusion 356.

The space 360 is the portion in which the second protrusion 356 and the third protrusion 358 are located. The upper edge of the space 360 is provided with a chamfered portion 360a, for example, a tapered shape, to facilitate guiding the receiving portion 312 provided on the extension tube 90. The front opening width of the space 360 is equal to or greater than the width of the receiving portion 312 provided on the extension tube 90. The first protrusion 354 described above is formed to rise upward from below at a position that protrudes slightly toward the front side of the front opening of the space 360. The width of the third protrusion 358 described above is equal to or less than the width of the second opening 316 formed in the abutment surface 318 of the receiving portion 312 on the extension tube 90. The second protrusions 356 are provided on both widthwise sides of the third protrusion 358. Therefore, by inserting the receiving portion 312 on the extension tube 90 toward the space 360, the abutment surface 318 of the receiving portion 312 enters between the first protrusion 354 and the second protrusion 356, and the third protrusion 358 enters the second opening 316 provided in the abutment surface 318. This causes the engaged portion 310 provided on the extension tube 90 side to engage with the engaging portion 352 provided on the support portion 350 side.

In the above modified example, an example was shown in which the engaging portion 352 is provided with four protrusions, namely, the first protrusion 354, the second protrusion 356, the third protrusion 358, and the fourth protrusion 359. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be provided with only the first protrusion 354, or may not have one or more of the protrusions other than the first protrusion 354 (the second protrusion 356, the third protrusion 358, and the fourth protrusion 359).

As shown in FIG. 14, the receiving portion 370 receives the first dust collecting portion 24 of the vacuum cleaner 10, thereby supporting the vacuum cleaner 10 in an upright position. The receiving portion 370 is provided on the upper end of a receiving support pillar 372 that is erected rearward of the support pillar 350 of the support device 300. As shown in FIG. 14, the receiving portion 370 has a first dust collecting portion recess 370a formed to fit into the lower end portion of the first dust collecting portion 24. In addition, an extension tube recess 370b is provided on the periphery of the receiving portion 370. The extension tube recess 370b is formed in a concave shape so as to fit into or abut against part of the periphery of the extension tube 90 that connects the vacuum cleaner body 20 and the suction tool 40 in the vacuum cleaner 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the first dust collecting unit 24 of the vacuum cleaner 10 is fitted into the first dust collecting unit recess 370a, the receiving support 372 is aligned with the extension tube 90 fitted into the extension tube recess 370b. Therefore, by fitting the first dust collecting unit 24 into the receiving unit 370 while placing the suction tool 40 connected to the tip of the extension tube 90 on the mounting portion 340, the vacuum cleaner 10 is stably supported by the extension tube 90 and receiving support 372, which are arranged side by side. The extension tube recess 370b may be replaced with a pipe connection recess that fits into or abuts against a portion of the periphery of the pipe connection portion 22b.

A support-side terminal 370c is provided on the receiving portion 370. The support-side terminal 370c is provided to correspond to the body-side terminal 25 provided on the vacuum cleaner 10. By fitting the first dust collecting portion 24 of the vacuum cleaner 10 into the first dust collecting portion recess 370a of the receiving portion 370, the support-side terminal 370c comes into contact with and electrically connected to the body-side terminal 25 provided in the vacuum cleaner body 20 at a position adjacent to the first dust collecting portion 24. Specifically, the body-side terminal 25 is disposed between the suction port of the pipe connection portion 22b and the connection port of the pipe connection portion 22b with the first dust collecting portion 24. Preferably, the body-side terminal 25 is provided on a surface of the support device 300 facing the bottom surface of the receiving portion 370. The body-side terminal 25 is electrically connected to the control device 32, and the control device 32 may detect the flow of electricity.
It is also possible to consider a configuration in which the main body side terminal 25 is provided on the extension tube 90, but this poses the problem that it is difficult to run further wiring because the extension tube 90 has the charging wiring described above.By providing the main body side terminal 25 on the vacuum cleaner main body 20, the complication of running further wiring on the extension tube 25 can be avoided.

<Operation of the vacuum cleaner 10>
The vacuum cleaner 10 is capable of operating in a plurality of operation modes, including a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. In this embodiment, the operation unit 28 of the vacuum cleaner 10 functions as a mode selection receiving unit that receives a selection of an operation mode, and the operation mode can be selected intentionally or automatically by, for example, switching the operation via the operation unit 28. The vacuum cleaner 10 can perform an operation according to the selected operation mode under the control of the control device 32 (processing execution unit).

The first mode is an operating mode in which the cleaning body drive unit 48 is driven while the electric blower 22 is stopped. In the first mode, the electric blower 22 is stopped, so no suction force is generated by the electric blower 22. On the other hand, in the first mode, the cleaning body drive unit 48 is driven, so the rotating cleaning body 46 rotates and scrapes off dust from the cleaning surface. In the first mode, the rotation of the rotating cleaning body 46 causes dust to be collected in the second dust collection unit 50. In the first mode, no suction force is generated by the electric blower 22, so the dust collected in the second dust collection unit 50 remains in the second dust collection unit 50.

The second mode is an operating mode in which the electric blower 22 is driven. In the second mode, the electric blower 22 is driven, generating suction. Furthermore, if dust has accumulated in the second dust collection section 50 due to operation in the first mode before operation in the second mode, starting operation in the second mode allows the dust accumulated in the second dust collection section 50 to be collected into the first dust collection section 24 by the suction force of the electric blower 22. The second mode may also drive the cleaning element drive unit 48 along with the electric blower 22. As a result, the rotating cleaning element 46 is rotated by the driving of the cleaning element drive unit 48, and dust collected by the rotating cleaning element 46 passes through the second dust collection section 50 and is collected into the first dust collection section 24 by the suction force. For example, a user can clean in the first mode when noise is undesirable (such as at night or while children are sleeping), and clean in the second mode at other times, allowing cleaning to be tailored to the situation.

The third mode is an operating mode in which dust is sucked from the second dust collection unit 50 toward the first dust collection unit 24 by driving the electric blower 22 for a predetermined time. The third mode can be entered by the user intentionally switching the mode via the operation unit 28. Alternatively, or in addition, in this embodiment, operation in the third mode is automatically initiated when the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported (placed) on the support device 300, which serves as a starting condition. The operating conditions for operation in the third mode may include other conditions in addition to the vacuum cleaner 10 being supported (placed) on the support device 300, as in a modified example described separately below. However, in this embodiment, operation in the third mode is automatically initiated when the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported (placed) on the support device 300.

Detecting that the vacuum cleaner 10 has been supported (placed) on the stand device 300 can be achieved by any suitable method, such as by providing a sensor. In this embodiment, when the first dust collection unit 24 is fitted into the first dust collection unit recess 370a of the receiving portion 370, thereby electrically connecting the body-side terminal 25 and the support-side terminal 370c, the vacuum cleaner 10 is deemed to be supported (placed) on the stand device 300, and operation in the third mode is automatically initiated. In other words, in this embodiment, the body-side terminal 25 and the support-side terminal 370c function as detectors for detecting that the vacuum cleaner 10 has been supported (placed) on the stand device 300, and operation in the third mode is automatically initiated on the condition that it is detected that the vacuum cleaner 10 has been supported (placed) on the stand device 300.

<<Variations>>
The above-described electric vacuum cleaner 10 is merely an example of the present invention, and may be configured as shown below, for example.

The above-described vacuum cleaner 10 allows mode switching using the operation unit 28, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of or in addition to the operation unit 28, a voice recognition unit that accepts operations via voice recognition may be provided. In such a configuration, it is preferable that the voice recognition unit recognizes a voice indicating one of multiple modes and switches to the recognized mode. With such a configuration, mode switching becomes easy not only in vacuum cleaners that are held by the user, such as the above-described vacuum cleaner 10, but also in vacuum cleaners that operate without the user having to touch them, such as so-called robot vacuum cleaners.

While the above-described electric vacuum cleaner 10 has been illustrated as being configured to stop the electric blower 22 in the first mode and drive the electric blower 22 in the second mode, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of or in addition to the first and second modes, a first drive mode in which the electric blower 22 is driven with a first parameter and a second drive mode in which the electric blower 22 is driven with a second parameter greater than the first parameter may be provided. Note that in the first and second drive modes, the cleaning element drive unit 48 may be driven along with the electric blower 22. The parameter here may be the rotation speed of the electric blower 22, a value indicating the suction force of the electric blower 22, or a value indicating the negative pressure acting on the suction port 62. The electric vacuum cleaner 10 may not only control the electric blower 22 by turning it on and off, as in switching between the first and second modes, but may also change the suction force by adjusting the output of the electric blower 22, as in the first and second drive modes. With this configuration, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 can perform cleaning with reduced noise associated with the operation of the electric blower 22 in a first drive mode in which the electric blower 22 operates at a first parameter (e.g., low rotation speed), while performing cleaning with sufficient suction force from the electric blower 22 in a second drive mode in which the electric blower 22 operates at a second parameter (e.g., high rotation speed). For example, by setting the electric blower 22 to operate with a parameter at which dust reaches the second dust collecting section 50 as the first parameter in the first drive mode and a parameter at which dust reaches the first dust collecting section 24 as the second parameter in the second drive mode, cleaning can be tailored to the situation.

While the above-described electric vacuum cleaner 10 is an example of a stick-shaped vacuum cleaner, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to use a canister-type vacuum cleaner (a vacuum cleaner main body having a main body and a first dust collection unit, a handle, a suction tool 40 connected to the vacuum cleaner main body via a hose, and the handle and suction tool 40 connected via an extension tube) or a so-called robot vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, in cases where the vacuum cleaner main body 20 and the suction tool 40 are not separate, such as in a self-propelled robot vacuum cleaner, it is not necessary to provide the first dust collection unit 24 on the vacuum cleaner main body 20 and the second dust collection unit 50 on the suction tool 40 as in the electric vacuum cleaner 10. The first dust collection unit 24 and the second dust collection unit 50 may be located within the same housing. Even in this case, the second dust collection unit 50 is located between the rotating cleaning body 46 and a communication unit having an outlet 50b at its end that discharges toward the first dust collection unit 24.

Furthermore, while the electric vacuum cleaner 10 described above is a vacuum cleaner equipped with an extension tube 90 connecting the vacuum cleaner main body 20 and the suction tool 40, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to make a vacuum cleaner that does not have an extension tube 90 connecting the vacuum cleaner main body 20 and the suction tool 40.

In the above-described electric vacuum cleaner 10, the second dust collection section 50 is formed so that its width is substantially the same at all points from the intake section 50a side to the discharge section 50b side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the second dust collection section 50 may be formed so that its width along the axial direction of the rotating cleaning body 46 decreases as it moves from the intake section 50a side to the discharge section 50b side. With this configuration, when suction force is applied by the electric blower 22, dust that has flowed into the second dust collection section 50 can be smoothly sucked from the intake section 50a side to the discharge section 50b side.

In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported on the support device 300, and operation in the third mode is automatically initiated by contact between the main body terminal 25 and the support terminal 370c, thereby passing electricity. However, a configuration in which whether or not operation in the third mode is automatically initiated when the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported on the support device 300 can be set. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 , a third mode setting unit 380 for setting whether or not operation in the third mode is enabled can be provided on the receiving portion 370 or on the mounting portion 340 of the support device 300. In such a configuration, operation in the third mode can be initiated, with the third mode setting unit 380 being set to allow operation in the third mode and the vacuum cleaner 10 being supported (placed) on the support device 300 as part or all of the operating conditions. This allows the user to set whether or not operation in the third mode is automatically initiated when the vacuum cleaner 10 is supported on the support device 300, thereby further improving convenience. The third mode setting unit 380 is, for example, a switch for switching between enabled (ON) and disabled (OFF). The third mode setting unit 380 may also be provided in the vacuum cleaner 10.

In the above embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 10 is operated in the third mode when supported by the support device 300. However, other conditions may be set as operating conditions for the third mode. For example, the vacuum cleaner 10 may be configured to operate in the third mode when, in addition to being supported by the support device 300, there is an operating history of operation in either the first or second mode after a previous operation in the third mode. This configuration more reliably prevents dust collected by operation in the first or second mode from remaining in the second dust collection unit 50. The operating history may be stored in the control device 32 of the vacuum cleaner 10 or in a recording medium readable or communicable by the control device 32. The control device 32 may also reset the operating history when the third mode is executed based on the operating history.

The vacuum cleaner 10 may also have a timer setting, for example. That is, the vacuum cleaner 10 may be equipped with a timekeeping means for measuring time and a time setting means for setting time, and when the vacuum cleaner 10 is placed on the support device 300, the third mode may be performed when the time measured by the timekeeping means reaches the time set by the time setting means.

The vacuum cleaner system S may not have any of the settings in the third mode setting unit 380, the operation history, or the timer setting, or may have at least one of these functions. Specifically, when the vacuum cleaner 10 is installed on the support device 300, it may be in Mode 1, which has the settings in the third mode setting unit 380, the operation history, or the timer setting; Mode 2, which has the settings in the third mode setting unit 380 and at least one of the operation history or the timer setting; or Mode 3, which has the operation history and the timer setting.

Aspect 1 is as described above. In aspect 2, when the setting of the third mode setting unit 380 is in an allowed state, the third mode may be executed in a state where an operating history exists, or when the setting of the third mode setting unit 380 is in an allowed state, the third mode may be executed when the set timer time arrives, or further, when the setting of the third mode setting unit 380 is in an allowed state, the third mode may be executed when the set timer time arrives in a state where an operating history exists.

In aspect 3, when the vacuum cleaner 10 is installed on the support device 300, the third mode can be executed when the timer setting time is reached and there is an operating history. On the other hand, when the vacuum cleaner 10 is not installed on the support device 300, the third mode can be executed according to the timer setting, or the operating history and the timer setting. In other words, the third mode can be executed when the timer setting time is reached and there is an operating history, or the third mode can be executed when the timer setting time is reached regardless of whether there is an operating history.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 10 executes the third mode in which the electric blower 22 is driven for a predetermined period of time. However, the vacuum cleaner 10 may be provided with a dust detection means that detects dust passing through the air passage that communicates with the first dust collection section 24, and the third mode in which the electric blower 22 is driven may be executed when the dust detection means detects dust.

Furthermore, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 of the above embodiment may be configured to operate in the third mode before or after charging by the support device 300, and the power supplied to the electric blower 22 while the third mode is being operated may be supplied from both the battery 34 and the support device 300 (commercial power source).

As described above, the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention is an invention that solves the problems of the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-134769). That is, Patent Document 1 provides a vacuum cleaner that includes a rotating brush, an electric motor that drives the rotating brush, a transmission device that transmits the power of the electric motor to the rotating brush, and a dust collection box with a dust inlet on the surface facing the rotating brush, with an opening on the underside of the rotating brush. When the vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes the dust collection box along with the rotating brush and the electric motor inside the main body and does not include an electric blower, noise caused by the operation of the electric blower is eliminated, thereby reducing noise during cleaning.
However, when a vacuum cleaner is configured without an electric blower as a source of suction force, as in the vacuum cleaner of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that it is difficult to draw dust adhering to a carpet or rug into the main body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electric vacuum cleaner that can selectively use cleaning by utilizing the suction force of an electric blower and cleaning by rotating a rotary brush.

The electric vacuum cleaner 10 according to the above-described embodiment and modified examples embodies the inventions according to (1-1) to (1-14) below. According to the inventions according to (1-1) to (1-14) below, the following effects can be obtained, for example.

(1-1) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention comprises an electric blower that generates suction force, a dust collection unit that collects dust, an inlet for sucking in dust, and a rotating cleaning body that rotates when driven by a drive unit, and the dust collection unit has a first dust collection unit and a second dust collection unit that is arranged closer to the inlet than the first dust collection unit in a path connecting the first dust collection unit and the inlet, and is characterized in that it is switchable between one of a plurality of operating modes, including a first mode in which the drive unit is driven with the electric blower stopped, and a second mode in which the electric blower is driven.

When the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention is operated in the first mode, the electric blower is stopped while the cleaning body drive unit is driven, allowing the rotary cleaning body to rotate and clean without generating drive noise from the electric blower. Furthermore, the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention is configured such that the dust collection unit includes not only a first dust collection unit but also a second dust collection unit located on the suction port side of the first dust collection unit. Therefore, when the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention is operated in the first mode in which suction force is not generated by the electric blower, dust collected by the rotation of the rotary cleaning body can be collected in the second dust collection unit.

On the other hand, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can perform cleaning using the suction force of the electric blower by driving the electric blower in the second mode. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is provided with a first dust collecting section located away from the second dust collecting section in the direction away from the suction port (suction direction). Therefore, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can collect dust collected in the second dust collecting section by operation in the first mode in the first dust collecting section using the suction force of the electric blower.

As described above, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention has a dust collection section that includes a first dust collection section and a second dust collection section, and is capable of operating in multiple modes, including a first mode and a second mode. This allows the vacuum cleaner of the present invention to selectively use cleaning that utilizes the suction force of the electric blower, or cleaning that utilizes the rotation of the rotating brush.

(1-2) The vacuum cleaner of the present invention may be capable of being installed on a support device provided separately from the vacuum cleaner, and, provided that the vacuum cleaner is installed on the support device, may be characterized by operating in a third mode in which the electric blower is driven to suck dust toward the first dust collecting section.

The electric blower of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is driven when the vacuum cleaner is installed on a support device. Therefore, by operating in the third mode, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can keep the second dust collection section clean. In other words, excessive accumulation of dust in the second dust collection section can be prevented.

(1-3) The vacuum cleaner of the present invention may be capable of being installed on a support device provided separately from the vacuum cleaner, and may be characterized in that, when installed on the support device and meeting one or more other conditions, it operates in a third mode in which the electric blower is driven to suck dust toward the first dust collecting section.

By adopting the configuration described above in (1-3), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can keep the second dust collection section clean. In other words, it is possible to prevent excessive accumulation of dust in the second dust collection section.

(1-4) As in the above-described variant, the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention may be characterized in that the support device or the electric vacuum cleaner is provided with a third mode setting unit that sets whether or not operation in the third mode is permitted, and the third mode setting unit is set to permit operation in the third mode, with the third mode being operated under the other condition.

By configuring the vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (1-4), when the vacuum cleaner 10 is installed on the support device 300, the user can set whether or not to automatically operate in the third mode, further improving convenience.

(1-5) As in the above-described variant, the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention may be characterized in that it operates in the third mode under the other condition that there is an operating history in which operation in either the first mode or the second mode was performed after an operation in the third mode.

By being configured as described above in (1-5), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can more reliably prevent dust collected by operating in the first mode or second mode from remaining trapped in the second dust collection section 50.

(1-6) The vacuum cleaner of the present invention may preferably be characterized by including a detection unit that detects that the vacuum cleaner has been placed on the support device.

By configuring the vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (1-6), it is possible to detect that it has been placed on a support device. In the above embodiment, the main body terminal 25 provided on the vacuum cleaner 10 and the support terminal 370c provided on the support device 300 function as the detection unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various sensors, switches, etc. may also be used as the detection unit.

(1-7) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention may preferably be characterized by comprising a vacuum cleaner body having the electric blower and the first dust collecting unit, and a suction tool having the suction port, the second dust collecting unit, the drive unit, and the rotary cleaning body.

By configuring the vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (1-7), when it is operated in the first mode, it can rotate the rotary cleaning body to clean and collect dust in the second dust collecting section of the suction tool without generating driving noise from the electric blower. Furthermore, by configuring the vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (1-7), when it is operated in the second mode, it can clean using the suction force of the electric blower and collect dust collected in the second dust collecting section by operation in the first mode in the first dust collecting section.

(1-8) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention may preferably be characterized in that it comprises a detection unit provided in the vacuum cleaner body that detects that the vacuum cleaner has been placed on the support device by electrical connection with the support device, and an extension tube that connects the vacuum cleaner body and the suction tool, and that the battery provided in the vacuum cleaner body can be charged by supplying power from the support device via an electrical connection provided in the extension tube.
The vacuum cleaner of the present invention can detect installation on a support device by being configured as described above in (1-8). Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can charge a battery provided in the vacuum cleaner body by supplying power from the support device via a conductive unit provided in the extension tube. Furthermore, by providing the detection unit in the vacuum cleaner body as described above in (1-8), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention eliminates the need to provide wiring connected to the detection unit in the extension tube.

(1-9) In the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, it is preferable that the support device includes a receiving portion that supports the first dust collecting portion and a detecting portion that detects that the vacuum cleaner has been installed, and that the detecting portion is provided on the receiving portion and detects that the vacuum cleaner has been installed when the first dust collecting portion is supported on the receiving portion.

By configuring the vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (1-9), the first dust collection unit is installed in the receiving section, improving the stability of support relative to the support device and thereby improving detection accuracy.

(1-10) The vacuum cleaner of the present invention may be installable on a support device provided separately from the vacuum cleaner, and may include an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to operate in a third mode in which contact with the support device activates the electric blower to suck dust toward the first dust collecting unit. For example, the instruction receiving unit may be a switch that activates the third mode, and the third mode may be activated by contacting or pressing a part of the support device (e.g., a protrusion) against the switch.

As described above in (1-10), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can also be configured to operate in the third mode and clean the second dust collection section when the vacuum cleaner is placed on the support device by providing an instruction receiving unit instead of a detection unit consisting of a sensor or the like.

(1-11) The vacuum cleaner of the present invention may preferably be equipped with a time measuring device for measuring time and a time setting device for setting time, and be characterized in that the third mode is performed when the time measured by the time measuring device matches the time measured by the time setting device, with the other condition being that the third mode is performed.

As described above in (1-11), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can execute the third mode at a timing desired by the user. The clocking means and time setting means may also be applied to the configuration described above in (1-1), so that the third mode is executed in which the time measured by the clocking means becomes the time measured by the time setting means.

(1-12) In the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention, the third mode may be a mode in which the electric blower is driven for a predetermined period of time, or a mode in which the electric blower is driven while dust is detected by dust detection means that detects dust passing through an air passage communicating with the first dust collecting section.

The vacuum cleaner of the present invention can improve quietness by limiting the time the electric blower is driven, as described above in (1-12).

(1-13) The vacuum cleaner of the present invention preferably has a mode selection receiving unit (operation unit 28) that receives the selection of the operation mode, and a processing execution unit (control device 32) that, when the mode selection receiving unit receives the selection of the operation mode, executes an operation related to the received operation mode, and is characterized in that the operation modes that can be selected and accepted by the mode selection receiving unit include a third mode in which the electric blower is driven to suck dust toward the first dust collecting unit.

By configuring the vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (1-13), when the third mode is intentionally selected as the operating mode in the mode selection receiving unit, the processing unit can execute operation in the third mode. Therefore, by configuring the vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (1-13), it is possible to operate in the third mode in accordance with the user's intentions and keep the second dust collecting unit clean.

(1-14) The vacuum cleaner of the present invention may be capable of being installed on a support device having a charging mechanism provided separately from the vacuum cleaner, and may be characterized by operating in a third mode in which the electric blower is driven by power supplied from a battery and the support device (commercial power source).

By configuring the vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (1-14), it is possible to drive the electric blower with power supplied from the support device even when the battery is low in charge. The vacuum cleaner may also be configured to supply power from the support device when the battery charge is below a threshold, and not supply power when the battery charge is above the threshold.

The vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-134769) has a dust collection box inside the main body along with a rotating brush and an electric motor. Because it does not have an electric blower, no noise is generated when it is driven, making it possible to reduce noise during cleaning. While this prior art device uses a dust removal body, it has the problem of being difficult to maintain.

The present invention therefore aims to create an electric vacuum cleaner with improved maintenance of the dust removal section.

To achieve this objective, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 according to the above-described embodiment and modified examples embodies the following inventions (2-1) to (2-6). According to the following inventions (2-1) to (2-6), the following effects can be obtained, for example.

(2-1) The vacuum cleaner of the present invention comprises a main body (corresponding to suction tool main body 42 in the above embodiment) that includes a dust collection section (corresponding to second dust collection section 50 in the above embodiment) that collects dust, a suction port for sucking in dust, and a rotating cleaning body that rotates when driven by a drive unit, and a dust removal section that removes dust that has adhered to the rotating cleaning body, the dust removal section being detachably provided on the main body. Note that in this case, the main body of the vacuum cleaner may be configured to communicate with an electric blower, or may be configured not to be connected to a vacuum cleaner main body that has an electric blower.

As described above in (2-1), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention has a dust removal unit that is detachable from the main body, making maintenance of the dust removal unit easy.

(2-2) The vacuum cleaner of the present invention may preferably be characterized in that the main body includes an opening that allows the dust collection unit to be attached and detached to the main body, a cover that opens and closes the opening, and a biasing member that biases the cover in a direction that opens the opening.

By configuring the vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (2-2), the cover can be opened and closed to easily attach and detach the dust collection unit.

(2-3) In the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, it is preferable that the dust removal section has a plurality of protrusions that protrude toward the rotary cleaning body and a group of protrusions that are aligned along the axial direction of the rotary cleaning body.

By adopting the configuration described above in (2-3), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is able to clean all parts of the rotary cleaning body in the axial direction using the protrusions that make up the protrusion group.

(2-4) The vacuum cleaner of the present invention may preferably be characterized in that the protrusions constituting the protrusion group are arranged in multiple rows along the rotation direction of the rotary cleaning body.

By adopting the configuration described above in (2-4), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can increase the frequency with which the rotary cleaning body comes into contact with dust adhering to the rotary cleaning body during one rotation by the number of protrusions aligned in the rotational direction of the rotary cleaning body. Therefore, by adopting the configuration described above in (2-4), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can improve the dust removal ability of the dust removal unit.

(2-5) The vacuum cleaner of the present invention may preferably be characterized in that the dust collection unit is attached to the rear of the rotary cleaning body, and the dust removal unit is located downstream of the entrance of the dust collection unit in the direction of rotation of the rotary cleaning body, and rearward of the rotary cleaning body.

By adopting the configuration described above in (2-5), the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can remove dust from the rotating cleaning body at the entrance side of the dust collection section and smoothly collect it in the dust collection section.

(2-6) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention may preferably be characterized in that the main body is a suction tool that communicates with a vacuum cleaner main body having an electric blower.

By configuring the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention as described above in (2-6), the electric blower mounted on the vacuum cleaner body can be stopped while the drive unit mounted on the suction tool is driven, allowing the rotating cleaning body to rotate and clean without generating driving noise from the electric blower.

The vacuum cleaner disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-134769) has a dust collection box inside the main body along with a rotating brush and an electric motor, and because it does not have an electric blower, no noise is generated when it is driven, making it possible to reduce noise during cleaning. However, because this prior art vacuum cleaner does not use the suction of an electric blower, it has the problem of making it difficult to capture dust that has adhered to carpets and rugs, for example, into the main body.

The objective of this invention is to create a vacuum cleaner that can clean while suppressing noise caused by driving the electric blower.

To achieve this objective, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 according to the above-described embodiment and modified example employs the configuration described in (3-1). As a result, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 achieves the following effects.

(3-1) The electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention comprises an electric blower (electric blower 22) that generates suction force, a dust collection unit that collects dust, an inlet for sucking in dust, and a rotating cleaning body that rotates when driven by a drive unit. The dust collection unit has a first dust collection unit and a second dust collection unit that is arranged closer to the inlet than the first dust collection unit in a path connecting the first dust collection unit and the inlet. The vacuum cleaner is characterized by being switchable between one of a plurality of operating modes, including a first drive mode in which the electric blower is driven with a first parameter, and a second drive mode in which the electric blower is driven with a second parameter that is greater than the first parameter.

With this configuration, the electric vacuum cleaner 10 can clean with reduced noise caused by the electric blower in the first drive mode, in which the electric blower operates at first parameters, while cleaning with sufficient suction power from the electric blower in the second drive mode, in which the electric blower operates at second parameters. This allows for cleaning with reduced noise caused by the electric blower.

Furthermore, the configurations (1-2) to (1-14) described above can be applied to the configuration (3-1) above.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-described embodiments, and design modifications and other changes may be made as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. The components of the above-described embodiments and variations may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Furthermore, any component of each embodiment or variation may be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the means for solving the problem, the detailed description, etc., or any component that embodies any component described in the means for solving the problem, the detailed description, etc. The Company intends to obtain rights to these as well through this application or divisional applications based on this application.

The present invention can be suitably used in electric blowers and electric vacuum cleaners equipped with electric blowers in general.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Electric vacuum cleaner 20: Vacuum cleaner main body 22: Electric blower 25: Main body side terminal 30: Dust collection section 32: Control device 34: Battery 40: Suction tool 42: Suction tool main body 46: Rotating cleaning body 48: Cleaning body drive section 50: Second dust collection section 50a: Intake section 50b: Discharge section 54: Dust removal section 54a: Projection section 54g: Projection section group 62: Suction port 64a: Opening 64b: Cover section 64c: Urging member 64d: Lock section 300: Support device 370c: Support side terminal 380: Third mode setting section S: Electric vacuum cleaner system

Claims (12)

an electric blower that generates suction force;
a dust collecting unit for collecting dust;
a suction port for sucking in dust;
a rotary cleaning body that is rotated by the drive unit,
the dust collecting section includes a first dust collecting section and a second dust collecting section disposed closer to the suction port than the first dust collecting section in a path connecting the first dust collecting section and the suction port,
a vacuum cleaner body having the electric blower and the first dust collecting unit;
a suction tool having the suction port, the second dust collecting unit, the drive unit, and the rotary cleaning body;
A stick-type vacuum cleaner in which an extension tube is connected to the vacuum cleaner body and the suction tool is connected to the extension tube,
In the stick-type configuration, the operation mode can be switched to one of a plurality of operation modes including a first mode in which the drive unit is driven while the drive of the electric blower is stopped, and a second mode in which the electric blower is driven,
The vacuum cleaner can be installed on a support device provided separately from the vacuum cleaner,
an instruction receiving unit that receives, by contact with the support device, an instruction to operate in a third mode in which the electric blower is driven to suck dust toward the first dust collecting unit;
When the vacuum cleaner is placed on the stand device, the instruction receiving unit comes into contact with the stand device and receives an instruction for the operation in the third mode;
The electric vacuum cleaner is characterized in that, by operation in the third mode, dust accumulated in the second dust collecting section is sucked and collected in the first dust collecting section. an electric blower that generates suction force;
a dust collecting unit for collecting dust;
a suction port for sucking in dust;
a rotary cleaning body that is rotated by the drive unit,
the dust collecting section includes a first dust collecting section and a second dust collecting section disposed closer to the suction port than the first dust collecting section in a path connecting the first dust collecting section and the suction port,
a vacuum cleaner body having the electric blower and the first dust collecting unit;
a suction tool having the suction port, the second dust collecting unit, the drive unit, and the rotary cleaning body;
a stick-type vacuum cleaner having an extension tube connected to the vacuum cleaner body and the suction tool connected to the extension tube;
a support device that is provided separately from the vacuum cleaner and on which the vacuum cleaner can be installed ,
The vacuum cleaner is
In the stick-type configuration, the operation mode can be switched to one of a plurality of operation modes including a first mode in which the drive unit is driven while the drive of the electric blower is stopped, and a second mode in which the electric blower is driven ,
a third mode in which the electric vacuum cleaner is operated to drive the electric blower to suck dust toward the first dust collecting unit, on the condition that the electric vacuum cleaner is placed on the support device;
The electric vacuum cleaner system is characterized in that, by operation in the third mode, dust accumulated in the second dust collecting section is sucked in and collected in the first dust collecting section. an electric blower that generates suction force;
a dust collecting unit for collecting dust;
an intake port for sucking in dust;
a rotary cleaning body that is rotated by the drive unit,
the dust collecting section includes a first dust collecting section and a second dust collecting section disposed closer to the suction port than the first dust collecting section in a path connecting the first dust collecting section and the suction port,
a vacuum cleaner body having the electric blower and the first dust collecting unit;
a suction tool having the suction port, the second dust collecting unit, the drive unit, and the rotary cleaning body;
a stick-type vacuum cleaner having an extension tube connected to the vacuum cleaner body and the suction tool connected to the extension tube;
a support device that is provided separately from the vacuum cleaner and on which the vacuum cleaner can be installed ,
The vacuum cleaner is
In the stick-type configuration, the operation mode can be switched to one of a plurality of operation modes including a first mode in which the drive unit is driven while the drive of the electric blower is stopped, and a second mode in which the electric blower is driven ,
When the electric vacuum cleaner is placed on the support device and one or more other conditions are satisfied, the electric vacuum cleaner operates in a third mode in which the electric blower is driven to suck dust toward the first dust collecting unit,
The electric vacuum cleaner system is characterized in that, by operation in the third mode, dust accumulated in the second dust collecting section is sucked and collected in the first dust collecting section. The support device or the vacuum cleaner is provided with a third mode setting unit that sets whether or not to operate in the third mode,
4. The electric vacuum cleaner system according to claim 3, wherein operation in the third mode is performed under the other condition that the third mode setting unit has been set to permit operation in the third mode. 5. The electric vacuum cleaner system according to claim 3, wherein the electric vacuum cleaner system operates in the third mode under the other condition that there is an operating history in which operation in either the first mode or the second mode has been performed after a previous operation in the third mode. 6. The vacuum cleaner system according to claim 2, further comprising a detector that detects that the vacuum cleaner is placed on the support device. a detection unit provided in the vacuum cleaner body that detects that the electric vacuum cleaner is placed on the stand device through an electrical connection with the stand device;
The electric vacuum cleaner system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that a battery provided in the vacuum cleaner body can be charged by supplying power from the support device via a conductive part provided in the extension tube. the support device includes a receiving part that supports the first dust collecting part and a detection part that detects that the vacuum cleaner is installed,
The vacuum cleaner system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the detection unit is provided on the receiving part and detects the installation of the vacuum cleaner when the first dust collecting unit is supported on the receiving part. A time measuring means for measuring time;
a time setting means for setting the time,
6. The electric vacuum cleaner system according to claim 3, wherein the third mode is performed under the other condition that the time measured by the clocking means becomes the time measured by the time setting means. A time measuring means for measuring time;
a time setting means for setting the time,
2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein when the time measured by the timing means reaches the time measured by the time setting means, the electric blower is driven to perform the third mode of sucking dust toward the first dust collecting section. The electric vacuum cleaner system according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the third mode is a mode in which the electric blower is driven for a predetermined time, or a mode in which the electric blower is driven in a state in which dust detection means that detects dust passing through an air passage communicating with the first dust collecting section detects dust. a mode selection receiving unit that receives a selection of the operation mode;
a processing execution unit that, when the mode selection acceptance unit accepts a selection of an operation mode, executes an operation related to the accepted operation mode,
The vacuum cleaner system according to any one of claims 2 to 9 and 11, characterized in that the operating modes for which selection can be accepted by the mode selection accepting unit include the third mode in which the electric blower is driven to suck dust toward the first dust collecting unit.