JPH0148767B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more specifically, to switching between a distributed exhaust flow path and a centralized exhaust flow path that constitute the exhaust system of a vacuum cleaner. Regarding the mechanism.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, vacuum cleaner exhaust systems have been provided with two systems: a distributed exhaust system and a centralized exhaust system. During normal use, dispersed exhaust is selected to avoid lowering exhaust noise and the discomfort of direct contact with the human body, and concentrated exhaust is selected when blowing away dust or the like.

Conventionally, various methods have been adopted for switching between distributed exhaust and concentrated exhaust.

For example, the method shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-46030 is
A central exhaust port is formed outside the main body case, and when a hose, extension pipe, etc. with a tapered insertion joint is inserted into the central exhaust port, the central exhaust cover provided on the central exhaust port rotates, and at the same time, The concentrated exhaust cover closes the distributed exhaust flow path, and concentrated exhaust is performed via a hose or the like.

Furthermore, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-23624 employs a method in which all the exhaust air is passed through a centralized exhaust passage and the centralized exhaust port is surrounded by a distributed exhaust cover. When central exhaust is to be performed, the distributed exhaust cover is removed and a hose or the like is fitted to the central exhaust port.

Furthermore, as other methods,
As disclosed in No. 20916 and Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 50-25357, a rotating cylinder having a central exhaust hole and a distributed exhaust hole is incorporated inside the case body of a vacuum cleaner, and by rotating the rotating cylinder, In some vacuum cleaners that switch between distributed exhaust and centralized exhaust, and as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 56-35355, a cylinder that forms an electric blower chamber inside the vacuum cleaner case body has a central exhaust port and There is one in which a centralized exhaust communication hole and a distributed exhaust communication hole are provided, which communicate with the distributed exhaust ports, respectively, and these communication holes are selectively opened and closed by a rotary plate fitted inside the cylindrical body.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The various conventional techniques described above cannot be said to satisfy all the demands of manufacturers and users, and improvements in the following points are desired.

First, in the conventional method mentioned at the beginning, the central exhaust cover is rotated by the insertion force of the central exhaust hose, and the central exhaust port is normally biased by a spring so as to constantly block it. Parts for the moving shaft and spring are required, and the work of assembling the spring and shaft in a biased state is a complicated work, which causes an increase in price.

In addition, by inserting the hose treadle part for centralized exhaust, the structure allows you to simultaneously fit the hose etc. to the centralized exhaust port and rotate the centralized exhaust cover to shut off the distributed exhaust flow path. Due to variations in component dimensions, misalignment during assembly, etc., the insertion dimensions and central exhaust cover mounting position when fitting and installing hoses, etc., sometimes differed. Therefore, due to variations in the rotation angle of the central exhaust cover, there are cases where the distributed exhaust flow path cannot be completely blocked, resulting in a decrease in the performance of the central exhaust exhaust.

Furthermore, from a design perspective, the shape of the central exhaust port is placed in a position that is visible from the outside, and the central exhaust cover is rotatably attached to the back of the central exhaust port, so there are many restrictions. However, it was difficult to create a design that met customer needs.

Next, in the second conventional method, a distributed exhaust cover is removably attached to the central exhaust port, but in this structure, all exhaust air passes through the central exhaust port during operation. , the exhaust was constantly being throttled, and the high exhaust pressure affected the electric blower, which could cause thermal deformation of the main body case due to suction performance and high-temperature exhaust.

In addition, as in the prior art described in the third point, a rotary cylinder body having a centralized exhaust hole and a distributed exhaust hole is incorporated into the case body of the vacuum cleaner, and a rotating cylinder body having a concentrated exhaust hole and a distributed exhaust hole is installed in the electric blower room. In the case of a method that incorporates a rotating plate, etc., there are problems such as the fact that the rotating cylinder used for switching between concentrated exhaust and distributed exhaust takes up a relatively large proportion of the space, and that the rotating plate fits inside the electric blower room. Due to the necessity of the above, there are significant restrictions on the mounting position of these exhaust switching mechanisms, which is a factor that limits the degree of freedom in designing the vacuum cleaner.

Furthermore, such rotating cylinders and rotating plates tend to vibrate under the influence of exhaust gas, which can cause so-called chatter noise, or cause the rotating cylinders and rotating plates to vibrate on their own. There was a risk that the position would change inadvertently due to vibration.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to simplify the structure of the switching mechanism for distributed exhaust/centralized exhaust, thereby increasing the ease of assembly and design freedom of the entire vacuum cleaner. Aiming to improve, and
Compared to conventional vacuum cleaners, switching between centralized exhaust and distributed exhaust is performed more reliably, improving the performance of centralized exhaust, and preventing the distributed exhaust/centralized exhaust switching mechanism from vibrating due to exhaust. The aim is to reduce noise and increase the reliability of exhaust switching operation.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention takes the following measures to achieve the above object.

Below, in order to facilitate understanding of the content of the present invention,
The embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 will be described with reference to the drawing symbols. Although these figures will be described in detail in the Examples, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the exhaust flow path switching mechanism in the vacuum cleaner main body as seen from above, and FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view thereof.

That is, the present invention provides main body cases 1 and 2 of a vacuum cleaner.
A cylindrical electric blower chamber 4 is formed inside the electric blower chamber 4, and an exhaust passage opening 18 is provided on the peripheral wall of the electric blower chamber 4.
A dispersion exhaust port 5 (shown in FIG. 3) is provided for dispersing and exhausting the exhaust gas sent out from 8 to the outside, and an exhaust flow is formed between the inner and outer peripheries of the main body cases 1 and 2 and the electric blower chamber 4. In the passage F, along the peripheral wall of the electric blower chamber 4, an exhaust flow passage switching chamber 17 having a concentrated exhaust port 16a opening toward the outside of the main body case and a distributed exhaust intermediate port 19 communicating with the distributed exhaust port 5 is provided. A central exhaust port 16a is formed at a position facing the exhaust passage opening 18, and is provided between the surface of the exhaust flow switching chamber 17 where the central exhaust port 16a opens and the outside of the main body case for opening and closing the central exhaust port 16a. The exhaust cover 13 is attached so as to be slidable in the circumferential direction of the electric blower chamber 4, and the central exhaust cover 13 has a flow path switching device perpendicular to the sliding surface at one end in the sliding direction. A shielding plate 13c is formed integrally with the centralized exhaust cover 13, and the distributed exhaust intermediate port 19 is located at a position on the enclosing wall of the flow path switching chamber 17 facing the shielding plate 13c. With the integrated sliding of 13c,
The central exhaust cover 13 is opened and closed with respect to the central exhaust port 16a, and the shield plate 13c is selectively opened and closed with respect to the distributed exhaust intermediate port 19.

[Effect]

With this configuration, when the central exhaust cover 13 is slid along the peripheral wall of the electric blower chamber 4 by an external operation, the shielding plate 13c also slides together with the central exhaust cover 13. By the sliding motion of these elements, opening and closing of the central exhaust cover 13 with respect to the central exhaust port 16a and opening and closing of the shielding plate 13c with respect to the distributed exhaust intermediate port 19 are performed in the exhaust flow path switching chamber 17. . Therefore, the central exhaust cover 13
When the central exhaust port 16a is closed, the shielding plate 1
3c opens the dispersion exhaust intermediate port 19. In this case, the exhaust air from the electric blower is discharged to the outside of the vacuum cleaner through the exhaust passage port 18, the distributed exhaust port 19, the exhaust flow path F between the inner and outer peripheries of the main body case and the electric blower chamber, and the distributed exhaust port 5. . Further, when the central exhaust cover 13 is slid to the position where the central exhaust port 16a is opened, the shielding plate 13c closes the distributed exhaust intermediate port 19. In this case, since the central exhaust port 16a opens to the outside, a hose can be connected to the central exhaust port 16a, and the exhaust from the electric blower is carried out through the exhaust passage port 16a.
8. It is discharged to the outside of the vacuum cleaner through the central exhaust port 16a and a hose.

According to the present invention, in the case of centralized exhaust, if the central exhaust cover 13 does not completely open the opening of the central exhaust port 16a, it is structurally difficult to insert and connect the hose for exhaust. In addition, in the case of centralized exhaust, it is necessary to completely slide the central exhaust cover 13 to a predetermined position (the position where the central exhaust port 16a is in the fully open position). The shielding plate 13c can be set to a position that closes the dispersion exhaust intermediate port 19.

In the present invention, the shielding plate 13c is formed integrally with the central exhaust cover 13 so as to be perpendicular to the sliding surface at one end of the central exhaust cover 13 in the sliding direction. action is taken.

That is, in the case of concentrated exhaust, the exhaust pressure of the exhaust gas flowing from the electric blower chamber 4 through the exhaust passage port 18 into the flow path switching chamber 17 moves the shielding plate 13c to the distributed exhaust intermediate port as shown by the arrow in FIG. Press 19 closed. As a result, the distributed exhaust intermediate port 19
is completely closed by the shielding plate 13c, which prevents exhaust leakage from the dispersed exhaust flow path during concentrated exhaust and improves the concentrated exhaust performance. In addition, in this case, the pressure of the exhaust pressure on the shielding plate 13c is determined by pressing the lid body (central exhaust lid 1
3. Since the shielding plate 13a) is biased to maintain its position,
This prevents the central exhaust cover 13 and the shielding plate 13c from being unintentionally moved, eliminates the vibration of the shielding plate 13c and the central exhaust cover 13, and prevents the occurrence of chattering noise of the central exhaust cover 13, etc., thereby improving the vacuum cleaner's performance. It is possible to reduce noise.

In the case of distributed exhaust, the central exhaust cover 13 closes the central exhaust port 16a and the shielding plate 13c opens the intermediate exhaust port 19, but in this case as well, the exhaust flow path switching chamber 17 Since the atmospheric pressure acts on the shielding plate 13c to maintain this state, in this case as well, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of chattering noise of the central exhaust cover 13 and the shielding plate 13c, and also to prevent accidental fluctuations of the central exhaust cover, etc. prevent.

Furthermore, according to such a centralized decentralized switching system, the exhaust flow path switching chamber 17, the centralized exhaust cover 13, etc., which are the elements of exhaust switching, are connected to the exhaust passage F between the inner and outer peripheries of the vacuum cleaner main body case and the peripheral wall of the electric blower chamber. If so, it can be installed anywhere, and there are few restrictions on its installation position.Moreover, the exhaust flow path switching chamber 17 does not require much space due to its shape, and the central exhaust cover 13 with a shielding plate can also be installed. Since there is no need to provide centralized exhaust holes or distributed exhaust holes on the lid itself like in conventional rotating cylinder systems, the shape can be made smaller and the overall design freedom of the vacuum cleaner can be increased accordingly. can. In addition, the flow path switching chamber 17 has a shape that can be integrally molded with the electric blower chamber, and the only part to be assembled there is the central exhaust cover 13 that is integrated with the shielding plate, so the number of parts to be assembled is small and the structure is simple. It is possible to improve work efficiency.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, and FIGS. 3 to 5 are sectional views of main parts of the concentrated/distributed exhaust switching mechanism. be.

In these figures, 1 is the lower case of the main body, 1a
is the rib, 2 is the main body upper case, 3 is the electric blower, 4
is an electric blower room, 5 is a distributed exhaust flow path, 6 is a handle, 7 is a dust case, 8 is an inlet, 9 is a caster, 10 is a wheel, 11 is a gasket, 12 is a filter, 13 is a central exhaust cover, 13a is Lid surface, 13b
13c is the opening/closing knob, 13c is the shielding plate, 14 is the power switch, 15 is the clamp, 16 is the central exhaust lid holder, 16a is the central exhaust port, 16b is the lid holder sliding surface, 16c is the wall surface, 16d is the hose locking part , 16
e is an enclosing wall, 17 is a flow path switching chamber, 18 is an exhaust passage opening, and 19 is a distributed exhaust intermediate opening.

That is, the vacuum cleaner main body case of this embodiment is vertical, and is composed of a main body lower case 1 and a main body upper case 2, as shown in FIG. is formed, and an electric blower 3 is fixedly arranged within the electric blower chamber 4. An exhaust flow path space F (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) is formed between the vacuum cleaner main body cases 1 and 2 and the inner and outer peripheries of the electric blower chamber 4. A path switching chamber 17 is formed. Further, a distributed exhaust port 5 is provided at the outer periphery of the lower case 1 and the upper case 2.

A handle 6 used for carrying the vacuum cleaner is attached to the upper surface of the main body upper case 2.

A dust case 7 is detachably attached to the lower part of the main body case, and a suction port 8 for connecting a hose (not shown), casters 9 for running, and wheels 10 are attached to the dust case 7. It is being Filter 1 also filters and collects dust.
2 is provided with a gasket 11 interposed between the dust case 7 and the lower case 1 to maintain airtightness.

On the upper surface of the main body upper case 2, as shown in FIG. .

As mentioned above, the electric blower chamber 4 formed in the center inside the main body case is composed of a substantially cylindrical wall,
As shown in Fig. 4, there is an exhaust passage opening 1 in a part of this wall.
8 is provided. Outer wall (outer periphery) of electric blower room 4
A centralized exhaust/distributed exhaust flow path switching chamber 17 is formed along the electric blower peripheral wall between and the inner wall (inner periphery) of the main body case. will be placed in In this embodiment, the flow path switching chamber 17 is formed on the outer wall of the electric blower room, and as shown in FIG. We are trying to Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the flow path switching chamber 17 is composed of a rib 1a integrally provided on the lower case 1 of the main body and a central exhaust cover holder 16 provided on the upper case 2 of the main body. As shown in FIG. 4, a distributed exhaust intermediate port 19 is provided.

The central exhaust lid holder 16 includes a central exhaust port 16a for connecting a hose, a locking portion 16d for locking the hose, and an enclosing wall 16 forming a flow path switching chamber 17.
e etc. are integrally formed. The central exhaust port 16a is
The opening direction is the exhaust opening 2a on the top surface of the main body case.
On the other hand, the distributed exhaust intermediate port 19 is arranged at one end of the flow path switching chamber 17 so that the flow path direction is perpendicular to the concentrated exhaust port 16a.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the central exhaust cover 13 is slidably assembled between the main body upper case 2 and the central exhaust cover holder 16, and the main body upper case 2 shown in FIG. The exhaust lid guide rib 2b and the lid holding sliding surface 16 provided integrally with the exhaust lid guide rib 2b and the lid holding sliding surface 16 allow the exhaust lid to be smoothly slid and guided along the peripheral wall of the motor chamber. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the central exhaust cover 13 is provided with a shielding plate 13c that is perpendicular to the cover surface 13a that closes the central exhaust cover 16a and perpendicular to the sliding surface of the central exhaust cover 13. are integrally formed. This shielding plate 13c opens and closes the distributed exhaust intermediate port 19 of the flow path switching chamber 17 by sliding integrally with the central exhaust lid 16a, and the upper surface of the central exhaust lid 13 is provided with a cover that can be opened and closed (sliding). Knob 1 for operating
3b is arranged. The opening/closing operation of the central exhaust cover 13 with respect to the central exhaust port 16a and the opening/closing operation of the shielding plate 13c with respect to the distributed exhaust intermediate port 19 are set to be performed by switching between the respective opening and closing operations.

With the above configuration, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 4, when the central exhaust cover 13 is opened, the central exhaust port 16a
opens, and the shielding plate 13c abuts against the wall surface 16c around the distributed exhaust intermediate port 19 of the flow path switching chamber 17, thereby closing the distributed exhaust gas intermediate port 19. and,
If the hose is inserted into the central exhaust port 16a in this state, a portion of the hose will be locked in the locking portion 16d. Therefore, the exhaust air from the electric blower 3 is
8. It is discharged to the outside of the vacuum cleaner through the central exhaust port 16a and a hose. Furthermore, when the central exhaust cover 13 is slid to the position where the central exhaust port 16a is closed, the shielding plate 13c opens the distributed exhaust intermediate port 19.
In this case, the exhaust air from the electric blower 3 is exhausted to the outside of the vacuum cleaner through the exhaust passage port 18, the distributed exhaust intermediate port 19, the exhaust flow path F between the inner and outer peripheries of the main body case and the electric blower chamber, and the distributed exhaust port 5. be done.

According to this embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

(a) In the case of centralized exhaust, it is structurally difficult to insert and connect the hose for exhaust unless the central exhaust cover 13 opens the central exhaust port 16a completely, so avoid incomplete connection of the hose. It can be prevented.

(b) Since the shielding plate 13c is formed integrally with the central exhaust cover 13 so as to be perpendicular to the sliding surface at one end of the central exhaust cover 13 in the sliding direction, this is also explained in detail in the section of the operation of the invention. As described above, in the case of the concentrated exhaust mode, the flow path switching chamber 1 is opened so that the concentrated exhaust cover 13 opens the concentrated exhaust port 16a and the shielding plate 13c keeps the distributed exhaust intermediate port 19 closed.
7 energizes the shield plate 13c, and in the case of the distributed exhaust mode, conversely, the concentrated exhaust cover 13 closes the concentrated exhaust port 16a, and the shield plate 13c keeps the distributed exhaust intermediate port 19 open. Then, the exhaust gas inside the flow path switching chamber 17 energizes the shielding plate 13c. Therefore, in the case of centralized exhaust, it is possible to effectively prevent exhaust leakage and improve the performance of the centralized exhaust, and also to stabilize the operation of either centralized exhaust or distributed exhaust by eliminating fluctuations in the lid body such as the centralized exhaust cover. By doing so and suppressing the vibration of the lid, it is possible to reduce the noise of the vacuum cleaner.

(c) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the exhaust flow path switching chamber 17 can be compactly shaped into a fan shape along the peripheral wall of the electric blower, and its installation position is around the peripheral wall of the electric blower chamber. If there is one, it can be installed anywhere, there are no major restrictions on the installation location, and the central exhaust port to which hoses are connected is surrounded by a central exhaust cover, making it possible to create a design that meets customer needs.

(d) Furthermore, the exhaust flow switching mechanism of the present embodiment has a simple structure because the lid, which is an integral part of the central exhaust lid and shielding plate, is simply slidably incorporated into the flow path switching chamber 17. It is possible to reduce the number of parts and improve assembly workability.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the centralized/distributed exhaust switching mechanism has a simple structure, improves the assembly workability and design freedom of the entire vacuum cleaner, and centralizes the exhaust pressure in the exhaust flow path switching chamber. By effectively acting on the exhaust lid/shielding plate integrated lid body, the vacuum cleaner can switch between centralized exhaust and distributed exhaust more reliably than before, improving the performance of centralized exhaust, and switching between centralized and distributed exhaust. By preventing the mechanism from vibrating due to exhaust air, it is possible to reduce the noise of the cleaner and increase the reliability of the exhaust switching operation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, and FIGS. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main parts of the distributed exhaust gas switching mechanism viewed from various directions. 1... Main body lower case, 1a... Rib, 2... Main body upper case, 2a... Central exhaust opening, 2b... Guide rib, 3
...Electric blower, 4...Electric blower room, 5...Distributed exhaust port, 6...Handle, 7...Dust case, 8...Suction port, 9...Casters, 10...Wheels, 11...Packskin, 12...Filter, 13...Common exhaust Lid, 13
a... Lid surface, 13b... Opening/closing knob, 14... Power switch, 15... Clamp, 16... Central exhaust lid holder, 16a... Central exhaust port, 16b... Lid holder sliding surface, 16c... Wall surface, 16d... Locking part , 16e... Enclosing wall, 17... Flow path switching chamber, 18... Exhaust passage port, 1
9... Distributed exhaust intermediate port.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical electric blower chamber is formed in the main body case of the vacuum cleaner, and an exhaust passage opening is provided on the peripheral wall of the electric blower chamber, and the exhaust air sent out from the exhaust passage opening of the electric blower chamber is provided in the main body case. A distributed exhaust port is provided for distributing and exhausting the air to the outside, and a centralized exhaust port that opens toward the outside of the main body case is provided in the exhaust flow path formed between the inner and outer peripheries of the main body case and the electric blower chamber. and a distributed exhaust intermediate port communicating with the distributed exhaust port is formed at a position facing the exhaust passage opening along the peripheral wall of the electric blower chamber, A central exhaust cover for opening and closing the central exhaust port is installed between the surface where the central exhaust port opens and the outer shell of the main body case, and is slidable in the circumferential direction of the electric blower chamber. A shielding plate for flow path switching is formed integrally with the central exhaust cover so as to be perpendicular to the sliding surface at one end in the sliding direction, and the flow path opposite to the shielding plate is formed on the central exhaust cover. The distributed exhaust intermediate port is located at the position of the enclosing wall of the road switching room, and the integrated sliding movement of the centralized exhaust cover and the shielding plate opens and closes the centralized exhaust cover with respect to the centralized exhaust port, and the shielding plate opens and closes. A vacuum cleaner characterized in that the vacuum cleaner is configured to switchably open and close the dispersion exhaust intermediate port.