JP7799728B2 - vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner.

For example, when cleaning with an electric vacuum cleaner, the user visually checks the surface to be cleaned, such as the floor or shelf, and collects dust and other debris. If the visibility of the debris is low from the user's perspective, some areas may be left uncleaned, or cleaning may be less efficient due to areas that do not contain any debris. Therefore, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is known as a technology for improving the visibility of debris on the surface to be cleaned.

Patent Document 1 describes an electric vacuum cleaner that includes a suction body with a suction port that sucks in gas containing dust, and a light-emitting diode that is placed on the suction body. When the light-emitting diode is placed in contact with the suction body or approximately parallel to the floor surface, the irradiation range of the light emitted from the light-emitting diode and irradiated to the outside of the suction body expands downward from a direction extending approximately parallel to the floor surface.

International Publication No. 2008/035478

The technology described in Patent Document 1 did not take into consideration the range of light emitted by the light-emitting diode on the floor surface. As a result, the emitted light did not reach the surface being cleaned sufficiently, resulting in the problem of dust being overlooked.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a vacuum cleaner that can improve the range of light illumination on the surface to be cleaned and improve the visibility of dirt.

The vacuum cleaner of the present invention is an electric vacuum cleaner comprising a fan motor that generates suction force, a suction body that sucks up dirt sucked by the fan motor, and a dust collection unit that communicates with the suction body and collects the sucked up dirt, wherein the suction body comprises an illumination unit that illuminates the surface to be cleaned, the illumination unit comprising lenses including a central lens and an outer lens that is positioned outward in the left-right direction from the central lens, the outer lens being inclined so as to face outward in the left-right direction relative to the front of the suction body, and the illumination unit illuminates the floor surface with a mixture of green and white light .

The present invention provides an electric vacuum cleaner that can improve dust recognition.

1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a top view of an operation unit provided in the electric vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suction mouthpiece according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suction mouthpiece according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from below. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the suction mouth body from above with the upper case and lens fixing member removed. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the suction mouthpiece in FIG. 5 with the lens fixing member attached. FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of the front part of the suction mouth body with the upper case and bumper removed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper case as seen from the rear side. This is a color wheel of the Munsell color system that describes the hue of the light that is emitted. 1 is a block diagram of an electric vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the lens fixing member according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the lens fixing member according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the lens fixing member according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from below. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 12. FIG. 10 is a front view of a lens fixing member according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lens fixing member according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear. FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a lens fixing member according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lens fixing member according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX in FIG. 18. FIG. 10 is a front view of a lens fixing member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Similar components will be designated by similar reference numerals, and similar descriptions will not be repeated.

The various components of the present invention do not necessarily have to be independent entities; it is acceptable for one component to be made up of multiple members, for multiple components to be made up of one member, for one component to be part of another component, or for part of one component to overlap with part of another component.

Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a vacuum cleaner 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum cleaner 100 can be used in a variety of forms, such as a handheld or stick form, and can clean surfaces (not shown) such as floors and shelf tops. In the following example, the surface to be cleaned is assumed to be flooring, for example. The vacuum cleaner 100 is not limited to the example shown in the figure, and may also be a robot vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 100 may also be a canister type, a paper bag type, or a cyclone type.

The support base 70 on which the vacuum cleaner 100 is stored stores the vacuum cleaner 100 in a stick-like state with the extension tube 300 (accessory) and standard suction head 200 (accessory) connected to it, and is comprised of a base 71 and a stand 72. Two electrical systems 261, 261 (Fig. 10) are located inside the peripheral wall of the extension tube 300, connecting the control device 500 (Fig. 10) and the irradiation unit 202 (Fig. 3). The vacuum cleaner 100 can be used by connecting a small suction head (accessory), a broom-type suction head (accessory), an extension hose (accessory), or other accessories, all of which are not shown. The suction head 200 is a power brush type in which the rotating brush 201 (Fig. 4) is rotated by a brush motor 233 (Fig. 5).

The electric vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a vacuum cleaner main body 1, a suction body 200, a dust case 2 (dust collection section), and a storage battery 3 that stores DC power. The vacuum cleaner main body 1 comprises a main body 10, a motor case 11, and a handle 12. The main body 10 is connected to the suction body 200 via an extension tube 300, and dust on the floor is sucked up through the suction body 200 by the suction force generated by a fan motor (not shown) housed in the motor case 11. The sucked up dust is collected in the dust case 2 that is connected to the suction body 200. Power used by the motor is supplied by the storage battery 3. The control device 500 (Figure 10), described below, is provided in the vacuum cleaner main body 1 (specifically, the main body 10). A user can clean the floor by gripping the handle 12 and moving the suction body 200 in the desired direction. The vacuum cleaner body 1 has an operating unit 121 including buttons 124 and 125 (first operating unit; Figure 2) installed on the front side of the handle 12 (Figure 1).

Figure 2 is a top view of the operating unit 121 provided on the electric vacuum cleaner 100 according to Example 1 of the present invention. The operating unit 121 includes buttons 124 and 125 that change the operating mode by controlling the rotation speed of the fan motor housed in the motor case 11 (Figure 1) to vary the suction force through the suction port 203 (Figure 4). Button 124 drives the motor to achieve a predetermined suction force. Button 125 drives the motor to achieve a suction force stronger than the suction force when button 124 is pressed.

When both the motor housed in the motor case 11 (Figure 1) and the rotating brush 201 (Figure 4) are stopped, pressing buttons 124 and 125 drives the motor to provide the corresponding suction force. The rotating brush 201 rotates at the same rotational speed in either case. Furthermore, while the vacuum cleaner 100 is operating, pressing buttons 124 and 125 for a predetermined period of time or longer (e.g., for one second or longer) within a predetermined period of time (e.g., within five seconds) increases the driving force of each button for a predetermined period of time.

Operation unit 121 includes lamp 122, which flashes to indicate a low battery level in storage battery 3 (Figure 1), and lamp 123, which flashes to indicate a clogged filter (not shown) housed in dust case 2 upon detecting a decrease in suction power. Furthermore, operation unit 121 includes button 126, which stops operation of vacuum cleaner 100 by stopping the drive of both the motor housed in motor case 11 (Figure 1) and the rotating brush 201 (Figure 4).

As will be described in more detail below, the suction mouth body 200 (Figure 3) is equipped with an illuminating unit 202 (Figure 3) that can emit light toward the surface to be cleaned, and the illuminating unit 202 emits light when the button 124, 125 corresponding to the current operating mode is pressed. When the button 124, 125 is pressed and the motor and rotating brush 201 are operating, the illuminating unit 202 emits light and illuminates the floor surface, making it easier to recognize dirt on the floor surface and improving the operability of the vacuum cleaner 100.

Next, the configuration of the suction body 200 will be described. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the suction body according to Example 1 of the present invention, viewed from above, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the suction body according to Example 1 of the present invention, viewed from below. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the suction body according to Example 1 of the present invention, viewed from above, with the upper case and lens fixing member removed. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the suction body shown in Figure 5 with the lens fixing member attached. Figure 7 is an enlarged side view of the front of the suction body with the upper case and bumper removed, and Figure 8 is a perspective view of the upper case, viewed from the back side.

The suction body 200 comprises a lower case 241 with a suction port 203 that opens toward the surface to be cleaned, an upper case 242 positioned above the lower case 241, and a connecting pipe 205 positioned behind the lower case 241 and upper case 242. An air passage 204 that communicates with the suction port 203 is formed inside the connecting pipe 205. A bumper 248 is provided between the lower case 241 and the upper case 242 to keep the lower case 241 and the upper case 242 airtight and to absorb impact when the suction body 200 collides with furniture or the like.

The suction port 203 of the lower case 241 is equipped with a rotating brush 201 that is driven to rotate by a brush motor 233. Below the lower case 241 are wheels 206 and 207 for moving the suction body 200 in contact with the surface to be cleaned, and a floor switch 234 for stopping the rotation of the rotating brush 201 when the suction body 200 leaves the surface to be cleaned.

The front of the suction mouth body 200 is provided with an irradiation unit 202 that is configured to irradiate light toward the front. The irradiation unit 202 is composed of a plurality of LEDs 221 (LEDs 2211a, 2211b, 2212a, 2212b) as light-emitting units, and a plurality of lenses 223 (lenses 2231a, 2231b, 2232a, 2232b) that are arranged in front of the plurality of LEDs 221 and correspond to each of the plurality of LEDs 221. The plurality of lenses 223 (lenses 2231a, 2231b, 2232a, 2232b) are fixed to a lens fixing member 220. This lens fixing member 220 constitutes part of the irradiation unit 202.

Multiple LEDs 221 (LEDs 2211a, 2211b, 2212a, 2212b) are mounted on a substrate 222. The substrate 222 is supported by a support 231 so that the flat surface of the substrate 222 stands upright in the vertical direction. The support 231 is formed on the lower case 241 so as to sandwich both longitudinal ends of the substrate 222 from the front and back. As shown in FIG. 7, the support 231 is positioned so that its upper portion is inclined at a predetermined angle θ1 relative to its lower portion so that it is positioned in front of the suction body 200. Similarly, the substrate 222 attached to the support 231 is positioned so that its upper portion is inclined at a predetermined angle θ1 relative to its lower portion so that it is positioned in front of the suction body 200.

In Example 1, the flat surface of the substrate 222 is erected in the vertical direction, allowing the multiple LEDs 221 to face forward. Furthermore, the substrate 222 does not extend across the entire width of the suction body 200 in the left-right direction, but is positioned in the center. Air flows through the center of the suction body 200 toward the air passage 204 inside the connecting pipe 205.

Multiple recesses 243 are formed on the upper end surface of the substrate 222.

The lens fixing member 220 is positioned so that its front flat surface stands upright in the vertical direction. A plurality of extensions 2201 extending toward the rear of the suction body 200 are formed above the lens fixing member 220, and each of the extensions 2201 has a plurality of protrusions 2202 extending from the center of the extension 2201 toward the rear of the suction body 200. Shoulders 2203 are formed on both the left and right sides of the protrusions 2202. A protrusion 2204 protruding downward is formed below the lens fixing member 220.

When fixing the lens fixing member 220 to the lower case 241 of the suction mouth body 200, first, the protrusion 2204 of the lens fixing member 220 is inserted into the groove 244 formed in the lower case 241. This supports the lens fixing member 220 on the lower case 241. The convex portion 2202 of the lens fixing member 220 is then inserted into the recess 243 of the substrate 222. After that, the upper case 242 is attached from above the lower case 241. As shown in Figure 8, the back surface of the upper case 242 is formed with a groove 245 recessed upward, multiple substrate restricting ribs 246 protruding downward from the top of the back surface of the upper case 242 behind the groove 245, and multiple lens fixing member restricting ribs 247 protruding downward from the top of the back surface of the upper case 242 in front of the groove 245.

When the convex portion 2202 of the lens fixing member 220 is inserted into the concave portion 243 of the substrate 222, left-right movement of the lens fixing member 220 is restricted. Furthermore, shoulders 2203 formed on both the left and right sides of the convex portion 2202 come into contact with the front flat portion of the substrate 222, thereby restricting rearward movement of the lens fixing member 220. Furthermore, when the upper case 242 is attached to the lower case 241, the upper end of the substrate 222 is inserted into the groove 245, and multiple substrate restriction ribs 246 are positioned behind the flat portion of the substrate 222, restricting rearward movement of the substrate 222. Furthermore, when the upper case 242 is attached to the lower case 241, the lens fixing member 220 is covered by the upper case 242, restricting upward movement of the lens fixing member 220, and multiple lens fixing member restriction ribs 247 are positioned behind the flat portion of the lens fixing member 220, restricting rearward movement of the substrate 222. When the suction body 200 is moved to clean the surface to be cleaned, the lens fixing member 220 may collide with furniture or the like, and the impact force may be transmitted to the base plate 222 via the extension portion 2201 and shoulder portion 2203, potentially damaging the base plate 222. However, in Example 1, the rear surface of the upper case 242 is provided with multiple lens fixing member restricting ribs 247, so that the lens fixing member restricting ribs 247 can absorb the impact force received by the lens fixing member 220, preventing the impact force from being transmitted to the base plate 222 and damaging the base plate 222.

As described above, with the configuration of Example 1, the positions of the multiple LEDs 221 (LEDs 2211a, 2211b, 2212a, 2212b) and the multiple lenses 223 (lenses 2231a, 2231b, 2232a, 2232b) are fixed and a predetermined distance is maintained, thereby reducing variation in the light from the LEDs 221 (LEDs 2211a, 2211b, 2212a, 2212b) incident on the lenses 223 and stabilizing the irradiation range on the surface to be cleaned. Furthermore, even if the lens fixing member 220 receives an impact force, the lens fixing member restricting rib 247 can absorb the impact, thereby preventing changes in the distance between the multiple LEDs 221 (LEDs 2211a, 2211b, 2212a, 2212b) and the multiple lenses 223 (lenses 2231a, 2231b, 2232a, 2232b).

In Example 1, as described above, the substrate 222 is positioned so that its upper portion is inclined at a predetermined angle θ1 relative to its lower portion so that it is positioned in front of the suction body 200. Accordingly, the center line L1 of the lens 2232b is inclined at a predetermined angle θ2 relative to the horizontal so that its front portion faces downward relative to its rear portion, as shown in Figure 7. This configuration allows the light from the LED 2212b to be emitted through the lens 2232b toward the surface to be cleaned in Example 1. Although not shown, the center lines of the lenses 2231a, 2231b, and 2232a are similarly inclined so that they face the surface to be cleaned.

In Example 1, multiple LEDs 2211a, 2211b and LEDs 2212a, 2212b are provided, and these are arranged alternately. In Example 1, white LEDs are used for LEDs 2211a, 2211b, and green LEDs are used for LEDs 2212a, 2212b. In other words, from left to right in the left-right direction (width direction) of the suction body 200, the LEDs are arranged in the following order: green, white, green, white, green, white, green. In other words, the LEDs arranged on the suction body 200 are arranged in a green, white, green combination, with white in the center and green on either side.

In Example 1, multiple green and white LEDs are turned on simultaneously, and the floor surface is illuminated with a mixture of multiple colored LEDs. The reason for selecting multiple green and white LEDs is explained below.

Figure 9 shows the Munsell color system hue wheel (hereinafter referred to as the Munsell color wheel, where appropriate) which describes the hue of the emitted light. The Munsell color wheel is a circular Munsell color chart with a center P0, and in the example shown, there are 20 hues, with the circumference divided into 20 equal parts. The symbols on the circumference represent hues (synonymous with "color"), with R representing red, Y representing yellow, G representing green, B representing blue, and P representing purple.

For example, if the illumination unit 202 emits light of an absorption color that is easily absorbed by the surface to be cleaned, the surface to be cleaned will absorb the light, making it easier for the user to see the light reflected by the dirt and confirm the location of the dirt. Therefore, for example, the illumination unit 202 emits light of a non-similar color, which has a hue that belongs to a region of the 20 hues on the Munsell color wheel shown in Figure 9, other than the region between the two hues adjacent to the hue corresponding to the color of the surface to be cleaned, as the light of the absorption color of the surface to be cleaned. By emitting light of a non-similar color, the surface to be cleaned can more easily absorb light, suppressing reflection and making the dirt more noticeable, thereby improving the visibility of the dirt.

For example, for the hue C1 of the surface to be cleaned, the 20 hues adjacent to hue C1 are hue 5YR and hue 10YR. If the area between hue 5YR and hue 10YR, including hue C1, is defined as being similar in color to the hue C1 of the surface to be cleaned, then the irradiation unit 202 will irradiate light of a non-similar color, which is a hue that belongs to the area other than the similar color. Note that when monochromatic light is irradiated, any one color can be selected from the non-similar colors, and when light L of multiple colors is irradiated, any two or more colors can be selected.

In Example 1, the illumination unit 202 simultaneously lights up multiple color LEDs, including green (5G) and white, and illuminates the floor surface with a mixture of light from the multiple color LEDs.

For example, if the surface to be cleaned is wooden flooring, the color is generally close to the color of wood, between yellow (5Y) and purple (5P). Therefore, by irradiating light with a hue outside the range between hues 5Y and 5P, specifically light with a hue between yellow-green (7.5GY) and blue (5B), for example, the color difference between the dirt and the surface to be cleaned can be increased, making the dirt more noticeable. Therefore, in Example 1, a green LED is provided as the irradiating unit 202.

Figure 10 is a block diagram of an electric vacuum cleaner according to Example 1 of the present invention. The control device 500 of the vacuum cleaner main body 1 is connected to the buttons 124, 125 of the operation unit 121 and the storage battery 3. When the buttons 124, 125 of the operation unit 121 are pressed, the control device 500 receives power from the storage battery 3 and supplies power to the suction body 200 through two power supply systems 261, 261 wired to the extension tube 300. The suction body 200 receives power at the connection terminal 251 and supplies power to the circuit board 222. The LED 2212 emits green light using the power supplied to the circuit board 222. On the other hand, the LEDs 2211a, 2211b emit white light using power adjusted by the input adjustment unit 2215. LEDs 2212a and 2212b emit green light when the board 222 receives the maximum power, while LEDs 2211a and 2211b emit white light when the power is reduced from the maximum power. Simultaneously activating the white LEDs 2211a and 2211b and the green LEDs 2212a and 2212b at maximum power results in color unevenness, reducing the visibility of dust. Therefore, in Example 1, the input adjustment unit 2215 adjusts the power supplied to the white LEDs 2211a and 2211b to suppress color unevenness. Because the white LEDs 2211a and 2211b and the green LEDs 2212a and 2212b vary in the amount of light emitted, the input adjustment unit 2215 changes the resistance value to individually adjust the power supplied to the white LEDs 2211a and 2211b. This configuration allows Example 1 to obtain light with suppressed color unevenness.

Next, the configuration of the lens fixing member 220, which constitutes part of the irradiation unit 202, will be described. Figure 11 is a front view of the lens fixing member according to Example 1 of the present invention, as seen from the front, and Figure 12 is a rear view of the lens fixing member according to Example 1 of the present invention, as seen from the rear. Figure 13 is a bottom view of the lens fixing member according to Example 1 of the present invention, as seen from below, and Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in Figure 12.

As described above, in Example 1, white light is emitted from lenses 2231a and 2231b, and green light is emitted from lenses 2232a and 2232b. Lenses 2231a and 2231b and lenses 2232a and 2232b are formed in a conical shape so that their diameter increases from the light incident side (rear side) to the light emission side (front side). Lenses 2231a and 2231b and lenses 2232a and 2232b also have different lens diameters on the light emission side (front side). That is, diameter D1 on the emission side (front side) of lenses 2231a and 2231b is larger than diameter D2 on the emission side (front side) of lenses 2232a and 2232b (D1 > D2). Furthermore, lenses 2231a, 2231b and lenses 2232a, 2232b are concave from the irradiation side (front side) toward the incident side (rear side), and the radii of curvature 2231aR, 2231bR on the irradiation side (front side) of lenses 2231a, 2231b that emit white light are larger than the radii of curvature 2232aR, 2232bR on the irradiation side (front side) of lenses 2232a, 2232b that emit green light (2231aR > 2232aR, 2231bR > 2232bR).

As a result, the lenses 2231a and 2231b that emit white light have a lower refractive index and therefore a higher degree of light concentration. On the other hand, the lenses 2232a and 2232b that emit green light have a smaller radius of curvature than the lenses 2231a and 2231b that emit white light, resulting in a higher refractive index and a lower degree of light concentration. In other words, the lenses 2232a and 2232b that emit green light have a wider angle of view than the lenses 2231a and 2231b that emit white light. In Example 1, lenses with different angles of view are used in combination to diffuse the green light absorbed by the surface to be cleaned and narrow the white light, thereby improving the visibility of dust. As mentioned above, the power supplied to the white LEDs 2211a and 2211b is adjusted by the input adjustment unit 2215, so the green LEDs 2212a and 2212b are not over-irradiated, thereby suppressing color unevenness.

As described above, according to Example 1, the white LEDs 2211a, 2211b and the green LEDs 2212a, 2212b are turned on simultaneously to illuminate the surface to be cleaned. For example, on wooden floors, the light from the green LEDs 2212a, 2212b is more likely to be absorbed by the flooring, reducing reflection, and the light from the white LEDs 2211a, 2211b makes dirt more noticeable, making it possible to provide a vacuum cleaner with improved dirt visibility.

Example 2 of the present invention will be described using Figures 15 and 16. Components similar to those in Example 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Figure 15 is a front view of a lens fixing member according to Example 2 of the present invention, and Figure 16 is a perspective view of the lens fixing member according to Example 2 of the present invention as seen from the rear. Example 2 differs from Example 1 in the shape of the lenses arranged in the left-right direction.

In Example 1, all of the lenses placed on the lens fixing member 220 were formed in a conical shape, but in Example 2, the lens in the center of the suction mouth body 200 is formed in a conical shape, and the lenses on both sides of the conical lens are formed in a horizontally elongated shape that extends in the left-right direction of the suction mouth body 200.

Landscape lenses 2233 are formed on both the left and right sides of the cone-shaped lenses 2231a and 2232a. Incident recesses 2233d extending in the left-right direction are formed behind (on the back surface of) the landscape lenses 2233. Multiple LEDs (white LED 2211b, green LED 2212b) other than LEDs 2211a and 2212a facing lenses 2231a and 2232a face the incident recesses 2233d. The white and green light incident from the landscape lenses 2233 is combined and irradiated from the front of the lens fixing member 220 across the entire width of the landscape lenses 2233, irradiating the vicinity of the suction mouthpiece 200. Meanwhile, the light irradiated from lenses 2231a and 2232a, located in the center of the lens fixing member 220, irradiates a position farther away than the light irradiated by the landscape lenses 2233.

In Example 2, conical lenses 2231a and 2232a are arranged in the center of the lens fixing member 220, and horizontally elongated lenses 2233 extending in the left-right direction are arranged on both the left and right sides of the lens fixing member 220, thereby improving the visibility of debris located near the suction body 200 and debris located far from the suction body 200.

Furthermore, according to Example 2, by arranging horizontally elongated lenses 2233 on both the left and right sides of the lens fixing member 220, light can be irradiated across the entire width of the lens fixing member 220, making it easier to recognize the width of the suction mouthpiece 200.

Example 3 of the present invention will be described using Figures 17 and 18. Components similar to those in Example 1 are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Figure 17 is a perspective view of a lens fixing member according to Example 3 of the present invention as seen from the front, Figure 18 is a perspective view of a lens fixing member according to Example 3 of the present invention as seen from the rear, and Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX in Figure 18. Example 3 differs from Example 1 in the shape of the lenses arranged on both the left and right sides of lens fixing member 220.

Of the multiple lenses, the center lines of the radii of curvature 2231aR, 2232aR on the irradiation side (front side) of lens 2231a and lens 2232a, which are located in the center of suction body 200, face forward of suction body 200.

The center lines of the radii of curvature 2231cR, 2232cR on the irradiation side (front side) of lenses 2231c and 2232c, which are arranged on both the left and right sides of the lenses (lenses 2231a and 2232a) arranged in the center of suction body 200, are inclined by predetermined angles θ3 and θ4, respectively, relative to the front of suction body 200 so that they face outward in the left and right directions of suction body 200. In Example 3, angles θ3 and θ4 are set to 15 degrees. White LED light is emitted from lens 2231c, and green LED light is emitted from lens 2232c.

In Example 3, the center lines of the radii of curvature 2231cR, 2232cR on the illumination side (front side) of lenses 2231c and 2232c are inclined by angles θ3 and θ4, respectively, relative to the front of suction body 200 so that they point outward in the left and right directions of suction body 200, and white LED 2211b and green LED 2212b are lit simultaneously to illuminate the surface to be cleaned. This improves the visibility of dirt on the left and right ends of suction body 200, and provides an electric vacuum cleaner that reduces the amount of dirt left behind on the left and right ends of suction body 200.

Example 4 of the present invention will be described using Figure 20. Components similar to those in Example 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Figure 20 is a front view of a lens fixing member according to Example 4 of the present invention, as viewed from the front. Example 4 differs from Example 1 in that the surface of the lens fixing member 220 is textured.

In Figure 20, at least the surface of the lens fixing member 220 on the irradiation side is textured to form fine irregularities, giving the surface of the lens fixing member 220 a cloudy appearance. In Example 3, as in Example 1, white LED light and green LED light are emitted simultaneously, and the power supplied to the white LED light is adjusted to suppress color unevenness. However, when white LED light and green LED light are incident on the textured lens fixing member 220, the light is diffused by the finely formed irregularities, causing the white LED light and green LED light to mix.

In Example 4, when texturing the surface of the lens fixing member 220, the texturing is strengthened at the central portion 220a of the lens fixing member 220, and weakened from the central portion 220a toward the outer portions 220b located on the left-right outer sides of the suction mouth body 200.

In Example 4, the surface of the lens fixing member 220 is textured, allowing light with less color unevenness to be irradiated onto the surface to be cleaned.

If embossing is applied, it may be applied uniformly over the entire surface of the lens fixing member 220.

In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, white and green LED lights are used, but it is also possible to use white LEDs for all of the LEDs 221 and green lenses for some of the lenses 2232a, 2232b, and 2232c, for example.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and includes various modifications. The above-described embodiment has been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to an embodiment having all of the described configurations.

1...vacuum cleaner body, 2...dust case, 3...storage battery, 10...main body, 11...motor case, 12...handle, 70...support stand, 71...base, 72...stand, 100...electric vacuum cleaner, 121...operation unit, 122, 123...lamp, 124, 125, 126...button, 200...suction nozzle body, 201...rotating brush, 202...irradiation unit, 203...suction port, 204...air duct, 205...connecting pipe, 206, 207...wheels, 220...lens fixing member, 220a...center portion, 220b...outer portion, 2201...extension portion, 2202...convex portion, 2203...shoulder portion, 2204...protrusion portion, 221, 2211a, 2211b, 2212a, 2212b ...LED, 2215...input adjustment unit, 222...board, 223, 2231a, 2231b, 2231c, 2232a, 2232b...lenses, 2231aR, 2231bR, 2231cR, 2232aR, 2232bR, 2232cR...radius of curvature, 2233...horizontal lens, 2233d...incident recess, 231...support, 233...brush motor, 234...floor switch, 241...lower case, 242...upper case, 243...recess, 244, 245...groove, 246...board restraining rib, 247...lens fixing member restraining rib, 248...bumper, 251...connection terminal, 261...electrical system, 300...extension tube, 500...control device

Claims (7)

An electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a fan motor that generates suction force; a suction body that sucks up dust sucked by the fan motor; and a dust collecting unit that communicates with the suction body and collects the sucked up dust,
The suction body includes an illumination unit that illuminates the surface to be cleaned,
the irradiation unit includes a lens including a central lens and an outer lens disposed outward in the left-right direction from the central lens,
The outer lens is inclined so as to face outward in the left-right direction with respect to the front of the suction mouth body,
The vacuum cleaner is characterized in that the irradiating unit irradiates a floor surface with a mixture of green and white light. In claim 1,
the irradiation unit includes a plurality of light-emitting units that emit green and white light,
The vacuum cleaner is characterized in that the plurality of light-emitting elements include a green light-emitting element and a white light-emitting element arranged adjacent to each other. An electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a fan motor that generates suction force; a suction body that sucks up dust sucked by the fan motor; and a dust collecting unit that communicates with the suction body and collects the sucked up dust,
The suction body includes an illumination unit that illuminates the surface to be cleaned,
the irradiation unit includes a plurality of light-emitting units that emit green and white light,
the irradiation unit includes a lens including a central lens and an outer lens disposed outward in the left-right direction from the central lens,
The outer lens is inclined so as to face outward in the left-right direction with respect to the front of the suction mouth body,
The vacuum cleaner is characterized in that the irradiation unit has a green light-emitting unit and a white light-emitting unit arranged adjacent to each other. In claim 2 or 3,
The plurality of light-emitting units are configured to simultaneously light up LEDs of a plurality of colors, including green and white. In claim 2 or 3,
The plurality of light emitting parts are arranged in white at the center and in green on both sides of the center. In claim 2 or 3,
The vacuum cleaner is characterized in that the plurality of light emitting units are arranged such that LEDs that emit green light and LEDs that emit white light are alternately arranged. In claim 2 or 3,
The lens receives light from the light-emitting unit and irradiates it from the front of the suction body toward the surface to be cleaned.