U.S. patent application number 10/594216 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-06 for dust collecting apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Tatsuya Hirose, Tatsuyuki Nakagawa.
Application Number | 20070204426 10/594216 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35055930 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070204426 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakagawa; Tatsuyuki ; et
al. |
September 6, 2007 |
Dust Collecting Apparatus
Abstract
A dust collecting apparatus is provided for conveying dusts with
the use of a smaller force thus to minimize the size of a conveying
means, the consumption of power, and the noise generated by the
conveying means. The apparatus includes a dust receiving unit
equipped with a rotary brush 3 and a dust collecting unit 5 for
collecting the dusts received from the dust receiving unit. The
dust collecting unit 5 includes a primary chamber 51 for storing
the dusts splashed up by the rotating action of the rotary brush 3
and a secondary chamber 53 connecting via a connection passage with
the primary chamber 51. The dusts are intermittently conveyed from
the primary chamber 51 to the secondary chamber 53 by the action of
an electric fan 9.
Inventors: |
Nakagawa; Tatsuyuki; (Osaka,
JP) ; Hirose; Tatsuya; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NDQ&M WATCHSTONE LLP
1300 EYE STREET, NW
SUITE 1000 WEST TOWER
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
Moriguchi
JP
570-8677
|
Family ID: |
35055930 |
Appl. No.: |
10/594216 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
March 22, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP05/05157 |
371 Date: |
September 26, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/348 ;
15/340.1; 15/383; 15/422.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 11/4041 20130101;
A47L 11/4013 20130101; A47L 11/33 20130101; A47L 11/4077 20130101;
A47L 9/106 20130101; A47L 7/02 20130101; A47L 11/4019 20130101;
A47L 11/4044 20130101; A47L 2201/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/348 ;
015/340.1; 015/383; 015/422.2 |
International
Class: |
A47L 5/10 20060101
A47L005/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 29, 2004 |
JP |
2004-096187 |
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. A dust collecting apparatus comprising: a dust receiving unit
for receiving dusts, having a rotary brush; and a dust collecting
unit for collecting the dusts received by the dust receiving unit,
wherein the dust collecting unit includes: a primary chamber for
storing the dusts splashed up by rotating action of the rotary
brush; a secondary chamber connecting through a connection passage
with the primary chamber; and a fan for intermittently feeding the
dusts from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber.
20. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the
rotary brush generates an air flow for feeding the dusts received
by the dust receiving unit to the dust collecting unit.
21. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 20, further
comprising: an intake passage provided in periphery of the rotary
brush for connecting the dust receiving unit with the primary
chamber; and a leak inhibiting wall provided in vicinity of the
rotary brush for inhibiting the air flow generated by the rotary
brush from leaking out from the intake passage in a direction of
rotation of the rotary brush.
22. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the
intake passage is substantially equal to the rotary brush in
width.
23. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 21, further
comprising: a subsidiary fan for generating a subsidiary air flow
to assist the air flow generated by the rotary brush so as to feed
the dusts received by the dust receiving unit to the dust
collecting unit.
24. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the
connection passage is located flush with or lower than a bottom of
the primary chamber.
25. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 19, further
comprising: a chassis supported by wheels, to which the dust
receiving unit and the dust collecting unit are mounted, wherein a
bottom of the primary chamber is located higher than a rotation
center of the rotary brush.
26. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 21, wherein a
bottom of the primary chamber is located lower at a side of the
connection passage than at a dust collection opening which connects
with the intake passage.
27. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 21, wherein a
bottom of the primary chamber has a group of ribs provided thereon
for guiding the dusts stored in the primary chamber to the
connection passage while inhibiting a backward flow to the intake
passage.
28. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the
secondary chamber is greater than the primary chamber in
volume.
29. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the
secondary chamber is lower at a connection passage side than
another side opposite to the connection passage and has a slope
thereof inclined from the connection passage side to the another
side.
30. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the
connection passage is open to a side opposite to the primary
chamber and a portion of the secondary chamber opposite to the
connection passage is located upward on the primary chamber.
31. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the
secondary chamber has a vent opening therein provided at a side
opposite to the connection passage. the fan is disposed in vicinity
of the vent opening at the outer side of the secondary chamber.
32. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 31, further
comprising a controller for driving the fan intermittently.
33. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 19, further
comprising a check valve for inhibiting the dusts from returning
back from the secondary chamber to the primary chamber.
34. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the
rotary brush is rotatably linked to an electric motor which is
located above the rotary brush.
35. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a
housing detachably mounted and arranged to define the secondary
chamber.
36. A dust collecting apparatus according to claim 35, further
comprising: an operating member having retaining portions thereof
for retaining the housing to the dust collecting apparatus and
arranged movable upwardly and downwardly for conducting the action
of retaining the housing with the retaining portions.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a dust collecting apparatus
provided with a rotary brush at its dust inlet.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Dust collecting apparatuses are generally classified into a
manual type which has a floor suction tube held and moved manually
for cleaning and a self-running type which has a vehicle driven
with an electric motor. Such a manual type of dust collecting
apparatus includes a floor suction tube and a base having a dust
collecting unit and an electric motor for driving the dust
collecting unit and arranged for connection with the floor suction
tube, in which a suction air flow is generated by the action of the
electric motor in the dust collecting unit and the floor suction
tube for absorbing dusts from the floor through the suction opening
of the floor suction tube.
[0003] Some self-running type dust collecting apparatuses are
disclosed in Patent Citations 1, 2, and 3. The apparatus disclosed
in Patent Citation 1 includes a dust receiving unit provided
beneath a vehicle and equipped with a rotary brush, a first dust
collecting unit provided at one side of the dust receiving unit, a
second dust collecting unit provided on the vehicle for connection
via a connection tube to the first dust collecting unit, a third
dust collecting unit for connection via a connection passage to the
second dust collecting unit, and an electric motor for conducting
an action of collecting dusts, in which when dusts have been taken
in the dust receiving unit by the action of the electric motor,
large particles, medium particles, and small particles of the dusts
are stored in the first dust collecting unit, the second dust
collecting unit, and the third dust collecting unit
respectively.
[0004] The apparatus disclosed in Patent Citation 2 includes a dust
receiving unit provided beneath a vehicle and equipped with a
rotary brush, a dust collecting unit provided on the vehicle for
connection via a connection tube to the dust receiving unit, and an
electric motor for conducting an action of collecting dusts, in
which dusts brushed and collected by the action of the rotary brush
are conveyed to the dust conductor unit by intermittently
energizing the electric motor.
[0005] The apparatus disclosed in Patent Citation 3 includes a dust
receiving unit provided beneath a vehicle and equipped with a
rotary brush, a pickup roller provided at one side of the dust
receiving unit, a blower provided on the vehicle for collecting
dusts, and a dust collecting unit provided across a connection
passage from the blower and the dust receiving unit, in which the
dusts can be collected by the action of the rotary brush and picked
up to the dust collecting unit by the action of the pickup roller
when the blower, the pickup roller, and the rotary brush are in the
rotating action.
Patent Citation 1: JP Patent Publication No. (Heisei) 8-89451.
Patent Citation 2: JP Patent Publication No. 2003-10076.
Patent Citation 3: JP Patent Publication No. (Heisei)
10-317338.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be solved by the Invention
[0006] However in the manual type dust collecting apparatus, the
distance between the suction opening of the floor suction tube and
the base is relatively long, thus requiring a greater level of the
suction force and increasing the size of the electric motor for
conducting the action of collecting the dusts.
[0007] The apparatuses disclosed in Patent Citations 1 and 3 allow
the electric motor for collecting the dusts to remain energized
continuously and thus create a significant magnitude of noise as
well as increasing the power consumption, while the action of the
electric motor is continued even if the dust receiving unit
receives a smaller amount of the dusts hence declining the
efficiency of the dust collecting action. Also, the apparatus
disclosed in Patent Citation 2 permits the dusts brushed and
collected on the floor by the action of the rotary brush to be
conveyed directly to the dust collecting unit with the use of a
relatively large size of the electric motor which will hence
increase both the noise and the power consumption.
[0008] The present invention has been developed in view of the
foregoing aspects and its object is to provide a dust collecting
apparatus which includes a dust collecting unit having a primary
chamber for storing dusts collected by the rotating action of a
rotary brush and a secondary chamber connecting with the primary
chamber via a connection passage and a conveying means for
intermittently conveying the dusts from the primary chamber to the
secondary chamber, whereby the force necessary for conveying the
dusts can be minimized.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a dust
collecting apparatus wherein the rotary brush is arranged to
generate a air flow for conveying the dusts received from the dust
receiving unit to the dust collecting unit, whereby the dusts can
be conveyed to the dust collecting unit with no use of a large size
fan which is commonly employed in a conventional electric cleaner
for being continuously driven in order to generate a suction
force.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
dust collecting apparatus wherein the rotary brush is surrounded by
an intake passage which communicates with the primary chamber and a
leak inhibiting wall is provided for inhibiting the air flow
generated by the rotating action of the rotary brush from leaking
out from the intake passage in a direction of rotation of the
rotary brush, whereby the efficiency of collecting the dusts can be
improved.
[0011] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein the intake passage is
arranged substantially equal in the width to the rotary brush,
whereby the resistance along the intake passage can be lowered and
the suction of the dusts can be eased.
[0012] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein a subsidiary air flow
generating means is additionally provided for generating a
subsidiary air flow to assist the air flow generated by the
rotating action of the rotary brush for conveying the dusts
received from the dust receiving unit to the dust collecting unit,
whereby the dusts at relatively greater levels of the specific
gravity splashed up by the rotary brush can be suctioned with
ease.
[0013] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein the connection passage
is arranged flush with or lower than the bottom of the primary
chamber, whereby the force necessary for conveying the dusts from
the primary chamber to the secondary chamber can be minimized.
[0014] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein the bottom of the
primary chamber is located higher than the center of rotation of
the rotary brush, whereby the connection passage is located at a
relatively lower position and the conveying of the dusts from the
primary chamber to the secondary chamber can be conducted with the
use of a small output electric fan.
[0015] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein the bottom of the
primary chamber is arranged lower at the connection passage side
than at its dust collection opening connecting with the intake
passage, whereby the force necessary for conveying the dusts from
the primary chamber to the secondary chamber can be minimized and
even if the dust collecting apparatus is lifted up or during the
cleaning action, the dusts in the primary chamber can hardly return
back to the dust collection opening.
[0016] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein the bottom of the
primary chamber has a group of ribs provided thereon for guiding
the dusts received by the primary chamber to the connection passage
while inhibiting a backward flow to the intake passage, whereby the
dusts can easily be conveyed from the primary chamber to the
secondary chamber.
[0017] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein the secondary chamber
is arranged greater than the primary chamber, whereby the collected
amount of the dusts in the secondary chamber can be increased.
[0018] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein the secondary chamber
is arranged lower at the connection passage side than at the other
side opposite to the connection passage, as having a slope thereof
inclined from the connection passage side to the other side,
whereby the collected amount of the dusts in the secondary chamber
can be increased.
[0019] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein the connection passage
is arranged open to the side opposite to the dust collection
opening of the primary chamber which communicates with the intake
passage and the secondary chamber is located higher at the other
side opposite to the connection passage than the primary chamber,
whereby the overall size in the plan view of the dust collecting
apparatus can be minimized and whereby the air flow generated by
the rotating action of the rotary brush and/or the air flow
generated by the subsidiary air flow generating means can be
minimized in loss, thus allowing the dusts to be conveyed from the
primary chamber to the secondary chamber by a relatively smaller
magnitude of the air flow.
[0020] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein the secondary chamber
has a vent opening therein provided at the other side opposite to
the connection passage and the conveying means is an electric fan
disposed at the outer side of the vent opening, whereby the overall
size in the plan view of the dust collecting apparatus can be
minimized.
[0021] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein a means is provided for
driving the electric fan automatically and intermittently, whereby
the dusts can be conveyed intermittently and certainly from the
primary chamber to the secondary chamber without being stalled in
the primary chamber.
[0022] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein a check valve is
provided for inhibiting the dusts from returning back from the
secondary chamber to the primary chamber, whereby the dusts can be
prevented from over-accumulating in the primary chamber.
[0023] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein the rotary brush is
rotatably linked to an electric motor which is located above the
rotary brush, whereby the intake passage connecting with the
primary chamber can be widened and, still, the overall dimensions
of the dust collecting apparatus can be minimized in the plan
view.
[0024] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein a housing is detachably
mounted and arranged to define the secondary chamber, whereby the
dusts in the secondary chamber can easily be disposed to the
outside.
[0025] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a dust collecting apparatus wherein an operating member
having retaining portions thereof for retaining the housing is
arranged movable upwardly and downwardly, whereby the housing can
easily be detached.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS
[0026] A dust collecting apparatus according to the first feature
of the present invention having a dust receiving unit equipped with
a rotary brush and a collector unit for collecting dusts received
from the dust receiving unit is characterized in that the dust
collecting unit includes a primary chamber for storing the dusts
splashed up by the rotating action of the rotary brush and a
secondary chamber connecting with the primary chamber via a
connection passage and that a conveying means is provided for
intermittently conveying the dusts from the primary chamber to the
secondary chamber.
[0027] The first feature of the present invention allows the dusts
to be splashed up by the rotary brush, collected in the primary
chamber, and conveyed intermittently from the primary chamber to
the secondary chamber, whereby the force necessary for conveying
the dusts can be minimized and the conveying means can thus be
decreased in size with a minimum of the power consumption. Also,
the noise generated by the conveying means will be declined.
[0028] The dust collecting apparatus according to the second
feature of the present invention is characterized in that the
rotary brush is arranged to generate a air flow for conveying the
dusts received from the dust receiving unit to the dust collecting
unit.
[0029] The second feature of the present invention allows the
rotating action of the rotary brush to generate a air flow for
conveying the dusts received from the dust receiving unit to the
dust collecting unit, whereby the dusts can be conveyed to the dust
collecting unit with no use of a large size fan which is commonly
employed in a conventional electric cleaner for being continuously
driven in order to generate a suction force.
[0030] The dust collecting apparatus according to the third feature
of the present invention, is characterized in that the rotary brush
is surrounded by an intake passage which communicates with the
primary chamber and a leak inhibiting wall is provided for
inhibiting the air flow generated by the rotating action of the
rotary brush from leaking out from the intake passage in a
direction of rotation of the rotary brush.
[0031] The third feature of the present invention allows the air
flow to be increased in the pressure along the intake passage,
whereby the efficiency of collecting the dusts can be improved.
[0032] The dust collecting apparatus according to the fourth
feature of the present invention, is characterized in that the
intake passage is arranged substantially equal in width to the
rotary brush.
[0033] The fourth feature of the present invention allows the dusts
to be lifted up from the sweeping location by the rotating action
of the rotary brush, whereby the resistance along the intake
passage can be lowered and the suction of the dusts can be
eased.
[0034] The dust collecting apparatus according to the fifth feature
of the present invention, is characterized in that a subsidiary air
flow generating means is additionally provided for generating a
subsidiary air flow to assist the air flow generated by the
rotating action of the rotary brush for conveying the dusts
received from the dust receiving unit to the dust collecting
unit.
[0035] The fifth feature of the present invention allows the air
flow which is faster than that generated by the rotating action of
the rotary brush to be produced along the intake passage, whereby
the dusts at relatively greater levels of the specific gravity
splashed up by the rotary brush can be suctioned with ease.
[0036] The dust collecting apparatus according to the sixth feature
of the present invention, is characterized in that the connection
passage is arranged flush with or lower than the bottom of the
primary chamber.
[0037] The sixth feature of the present invention allows the
resistance during the action of conveying the dusts from the
primary chamber to the secondary chamber to be reduced, whereby the
force necessary for conveying the dusts from the primary chamber to
the secondary chamber can be minimized.
[0038] The dust collecting apparatus according to the seventh
feature of the present invention, is characterized in that it is
supported by running wheel and includes a vehicle on which both the
dust receiving unit and the dust collecting unit are mounted and
that the bottom of the primary chamber is located higher than the
center of rotation of the rotary brush.
[0039] The seventh feature of the present invention allows an extra
space to be provided beneath the primary chamber, whereby the
connection passage is located at a relatively lower position and
the conveying of the dusts from the primary chamber to the
secondary chamber can be conducted with the use of a small output
electric fan.
[0040] The dust collecting apparatus according to the eighth
feature of the present invention is characterized in that the
bottom of the primary chamber is arranged lower at the connection
passage side than at its dust collection opening connecting with
the intake passage.
[0041] The eighth feature of the present invention allows the
resistance to be reduced during the movement of the dusts in the
primary chamber, whereby the force necessary for conveying the
dusts from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber can be
minimized hence decreasing the overall size of the conveying means
and increasing the freedom of the design. Also, even if the dust
collecting apparatus is lifted up or during the cleaning action,
the dusts in the primary chamber can hardly return back to the dust
collection opening.
[0042] The dust collecting apparatus according to the ninth feature
of the present invention, is characterized in that the bottom of
the primary chamber has a group of ribs provided thereon for
guiding the dusts received by the primary chamber to the connection
passage while inhibiting a backward flow to the intake passage.
[0043] The ninth feature of the present invention allows the dusts
to hardly move back in the primary chamber but be guided along the
ribs towards the connection passage, whereby the dusts can easily
be conveyed from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber.
[0044] The dust collecting apparatus according to the tenth feature
of the present invention is characterized in that the secondary
chamber is arranged greater in size than the primary chamber.
[0045] The tenth feature of the present invention allows the dusts
to be easily conveyed from the primary chamber to the secondary
chamber, whereby the collected amount of the dusts in the secondary
chamber can be increased and its disposal after the dust collecting
action will be conducted in bulk.
[0046] The dust collecting apparatus according to the eleventh
feature of the present invention is characterized in that the
secondary chamber is arranged lower at the connection passage side
than at the other side opposite to the connection passage as having
a slope thereof inclined from the connection passage side to the
other side.
[0047] The eleventh feature of the present invention allows the
dusts at relatively smaller levels of the specific gravity to be
easily conveyed from the connection passage side to the other side
in the secondary chamber while the dusts at relatively greater
levels of the specific gravity remain kept at the connection
passage side, whereby the collected amount of the dusts in the
secondary chamber can be increased.
[0048] The dust collecting apparatus according to the twelfth
feature of the present invention, is characterized in that the
connection passage is arranged open to the side opposite to the
dust collection opening of the primary chamber which communicates
with the intake passage and the secondary chamber is located higher
at the other side opposite to the connection passage than the
primary chamber.
[0049] The twelfth feature of the present invention allows the
primary chamber and the secondary chamber to be located upper and
lower, whereby the overall size in the plan view of the dust
collecting apparatus can be minimized and whereby the air flow
generated by the rotating action of the rotary brush and/or the air
flow generated by the subsidiary air flow generating means can be
minimized in loss, thus allowing the dusts to be conveyed from the
primary chamber to the secondary chamber by a relatively smaller
magnitude of the air flow.
[0050] The dust collecting apparatus according to the thirteenth
feature of the present invention is characterized in that the
secondary chamber has a vent opening therein provided at the other
side opposite to the connection passage and the conveying means is
an electric fan disposed at the outer side of the vent opening.
[0051] The thirteenth feature of the present invention allows both
the secondary chamber and the electric fan to be located side by
side over the primary chamber, whereby the overall size in the plan
view of the dust collecting apparatus can be minimized.
[0052] The dust collecting apparatus according to the fourteenth
feature of the present invention is characterized in that a means
is provided for driving the electric fan automatically and
intermittently.
[0053] The fourteenth feature of the present invention allows the
dusts to be conveyed intermittently and certainly from the primary
chamber to the secondary chamber without being stalled in the
primary chamber.
[0054] The dust collecting apparatus according to the fifteenth
feature of the present invention is characterized in that a check
valve is provided for inhibiting the dusts from returning back from
the secondary chamber to the primary chamber.
[0055] The fifteenth feature of the present invention allows the
dusts to be prevented from over-accumulating in the primary chamber
while being conveyed smoothly from the primary chamber to the
secondary chamber without being stalled in the connection
passage.
[0056] The dust collecting apparatus according to the sixteenth
feature of the present invention is characterized in that the
rotary brush is rotatably linked to an electric motor which is
located above the rotary brush.
[0057] The sixteenth feature of the present invention allows the
primary chamber to be sized corresponding to the length along the
axial direction of the rotary brush and located between the rotary
brush and the electric motor, whereby the intake passage connecting
with the primary chamber can be widened and minimized in the
resistance of the dusts to be conveyed and, still, the primary
chamber can be positioned without being disturbed by the electric
motor and the overall dimensions of the dust collecting apparatus
can be minimized in the plan view.
[0058] The dust collecting apparatus according to the seventeenth
feature of the present invention is characterized in that a housing
is provided for being detachably mounted and arranged to define the
secondary chamber.
[0059] The seventeenth feature of the present invention allows the
housing to be easily detached, whereby the dusts in the secondary
chamber can easily be disposed to the outside.
[0060] The dust collecting apparatus according to the eighteenth
feature of the present invention is characterized in that an
operating member arranged movable upwardly and downwardly and
having retaining portions thereof for retaining the housing is
provided.
[0061] The eighteenth feature of the present invention allows the
operating member to be pressed down for disengaging the housing
from the dust collecting apparatus which remains on the floor,
whereby the housing can easily be detached.
[0062] According to the first feature of the present invention, the
force necessary for conveying the dusts can be minimized while the
conveying means is thus decreased in size with a minimum of the
power consumption. Also, the noise generated by the conveying means
can be reduced.
[0063] According to the second feature of the present invention,
the dusts can be conveyed to the dust collecting unit with no use
of a large size fan which is commonly employed in a conventional
electric cleaner for being continuously driven in order to generate
a suction force.
[0064] According to the third feature of the present invention, the
efficiency of collecting the dusts can be improved since the air
flow is increased in pressure along the intake passage.
[0065] According to the fourth feature of the present invention,
the resistance along the intake passage can be lowered and the
suction of the dusts can be eased.
[0066] According to the fifth feature of the present invention, the
dusts at relatively greater levels of the specific gravity splashed
up by the rotary brush can be suctioned with ease.
[0067] According to the sixth and eighth features of the present
invention, the force necessary for conveying the dusts from the
primary chamber to the secondary chamber can be minimized, hence
further decreasing the overall size of the conveying means. Also,
when the dust collecting apparatus is lifted up or during the
cleaning action, the dusts can hardly be moved back to the dust
collection opening side of the primary chamber.
[0068] According to the seventh feature of the present invention,
with the connection passage located at a relatively lower position,
the conveying of the dusts from the primary chamber to the
secondary chamber can be conducted with the use of a small output
electric fan.
[0069] According to the ninth feature of the present invention, the
dusts can easily be conveyed from the primary chamber to the
secondary chamber.
[0070] According to the tenth feature of the present invention, the
collected amount of the dusts in the secondary chamber can be
increased and its disposal after the dust collecting action will be
conducted in bulk.
[0071] According to the eleventh feature of the present invention,
the dusts at relatively smaller levels of the specific gravity can
easily be conveyed from the connection passage side to the other
side in the secondary chamber while the dusts at relatively greater
levels of the specific gravity remain kept at the connection
passage side and hence the collected amount of the dusts in the
secondary chamber can be increased.
[0072] According to the twelfth feature of the present invention,
with the primary chamber and the secondary chamber located upper
and lower, the overall size in the plan view of the dust collecting
apparatus can be minimized and also, the air flow generated by the
rotating action of the rotary brush and/or the air flow generated
by the subsidiary air flow generating means can be minimized in
loss, thus allowing the dusts to be conveyed from the primary
chamber to the secondary chamber by a relatively smaller magnitude
of the air flow.
[0073] According to the thirteenth feature of the present
invention, with both the secondary chamber and the electric fan
located side by side over the primary chamber, the overall size in
the plan view of the dust collecting apparatus can be
minimized.
[0074] According to the fourteenth feature of the present
invention, the dusts can be conveyed intermittently and certainly
from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber without being
stalled in the primary chamber.
[0075] According to the fifteenth feature of the present invention,
the dusts can be prevented from over-accumulating in the primary
chamber while being conveyed smoothly from the primary chamber to
the secondary chamber without being stalled in the connection
passage.
[0076] According to the sixteenth feature of the present invention,
the intake passage connecting with the primary chamber can be
minimized in the resistance of the dusts to be conveyed and
simultaneously the overall dimensions of the dust collecting
apparatus can be minimized in the plan view.
[0077] According to the seventeenth feature of the present
invention, the housing can easily be detached, hence permitting the
dusts in the secondary chamber to be easily disposed to the
outside.
[0078] According to the eighteenth feature of the present
invention, the operating member can be pressed down for disengaging
the housing from the dust collecting apparatus which remains on the
floor, hence permitting the dusts in the secondary chamber to be
more easily disposed to the outside.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0079] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dust collecting apparatus
according to the present invention showing the arrangement of
Embodiment 1;
[0080] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same where the secondary
chamber is removed from a dust collecting unit;
[0081] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the
line III-III of FIG. 1;
[0082] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the
line IV-IV of FIG. 1;
[0083] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the
line V-V of FIG. 1;
[0084] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the
line VI-VI of FIG. 1;
[0085] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the same having some parts
removed;
[0086] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an arrangement of the dust
collecting unit;
[0087] FIG. 9 is a back view of the dust collecting apparatus
showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
[0088] FIG. 10 is a side view of the dust collecting apparatus
showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
[0089] FIG. 11 is a transverse plan view of a dust collecting
apparatus showing Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
[0090] FIG. 12 is a longitudinally cross sectional view showing a
primary part of the dust collecting apparatus according to
Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
[0091] FIG. 13 is a transverse plan view showing a primary part of
the dust collecting apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the
present invention;
[0092] FIG. 14 is a longitudinally cross sectional view showing a
primary part of the dust collecting apparatus according to
Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
[0093] FIG. 15 is a plan view of the dust collecting apparatus
according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention where some
regions are eliminated; and
[0094] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing the primary
part of the dust collecting apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of
the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NUMERALS
[0095] 3. Rotary brush [0096] 4. Dust receiving unit [0097] 41.
Intake passage [0098] 42. Leak inhibiting wall [0099] 5. Dust
collecting unit [0100] 51. Primary chamber [0101] 51a. Dust
collection opening [0102] 51d. Bottom [0103] 51e. Ribs, [0104] 52.
Connection passage [0105] 53. Secondary chamber [0106] 53b. Slope
[0107] 53d. Vent opening [0108] 56. Check valve [0109] 57.
Connection passage [0110] 57a. Opening [0111] 58. Housing [0112] 6.
Electric motor [0113] 9. Electric fan (conveying means) [0114] 11.
Operating member [0115] 11d. Engaging holes (engaging means).
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0116] The present invention will be described in more detail
referring to the relevant drawings of its embodiments.
Embodiment 1
[0117] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of the
dust collecting apparatus according to the present invention, FIG.
2 is a perspective view showing a secondary chamber of its dust
collecting unit removed off, FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional
view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is an enlarged
cross sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1, FIG. 5
is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line V-V of
FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the
line VI-VI of FIG. 1, FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a part removed
off, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an arrangement of the dust
collecting unit, FIG. 9 is a back view of the arrangement of
Embodiment 1, and FIG. 10 is a side view showing the arrangement of
Embodiment 1.
[0118] The dust collecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a
self-running type cleaning robot which comprises a vehicle 2
supported by a group of running wheels 1, a dust receiving unit 4
having a rotary brush 3 rotatably supported by the vehicle 2, a
dust collecting unit 5 provided above the rotary brush 3 for
collecting dusts taken in from the dust receiving unit 4, an
electric motor 6 provided above a region of the dust collecting
unit 5 for driving the brush, and an electric motor (not shown) for
driving the running wheels. The rotary brush 3 is provided for
generating a air flow to convey the dusts received from the dust
receiving unit 4 to the dust collecting unit 5. In the preset
invention, since the air flow is generated by the rotary brush 3
for conveying the dusts from the dust receiving unit 4 to the dust
collecting unit 5, it allows the dusts to be received by the dust
collecting unit 5 with no use of any large size fan provided in a
common electric vacuum cleaner for normally being driven to
generate a force of suction.
[0119] The dust collecting apparatus according to the present
invention is entirely arranged of a flat, substantially circular
shape and FIG. 1 illustrates a rear half of the dust collector
apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the rightward direction is a running
direction and the dust receiving unit 4 is located adjacent to and
rearwardly of the running wheels 1 along the running direction. As
the dust receiving unit 4 is at the proximity of the running wheels
1, its width can be increased enough to minimize the remaining of
dusts during the cleaning action of the dust collector
apparatus.
[0120] The dust receiving unit 4 includes the rotary brush 3
arranged horizontally on the lower side of the vehicle 2, a dust
intake passage 41 communicated from the circumferential side of the
rotary brush 3 to the primary chamber of the dust collecting unit
5, which will be explained later, for directing the air flow
generated by the rotating action of the rotary brush 3 into the
primary chamber, a leak inhibiting wall 42 disposed at a very small
distance from the circumferential side of the rotary brush 3 for
inhibiting the air flow from leaking out from the intake passage 41
as moving in the rotating direction of the rotary brush 3, and a
swirl inhibiting member 44 provided to extend downwardly from the
leak inhibiting wall 42 for inhibiting the outside air from
swirling in. The intake passage 41 is defined by an arcuate wall 43
which is disposed at a relatively greater distance from the
circumferential side of the rotary brush 3 and arranged
substantially equal in the width to the rotary brush 3. The
trailing end of the intake passage 41 extends from the upper end of
the rotary brush 3 in parallel to the axial center of the rotary
brush 3. Also, the intake passage 41 and the swirl inhibiting
member 44 are so sized as to correspond to the width of the rotary
brush 3. The swirl inhibiting member 44 is located at the proximity
of the rotary brush 3 to extend in a reverse of the running
direction of the vehicle 2 from the rotary brush 3 to a length for
coming into substantially direct contact with the floor, whereby,
when the rotary brush 3 rotates, the outside air can be inhibited
from swirling in between the dust receiving unit 4 and the floor to
blow up dusts on the floor along the running direction.
[0121] The rotary brush 3 has a set of bristles or rubber blades
mounted to the peripheral side of an axial body thereof made of a
light metal material such as aluminum and is horizontally supported
at both ends by a pair of roller bearings 7 and 7 on the vehicle 2.
The rotary brush 3 is linked at one end via a transmission belt 8
to the output shaft of the electric motor 6 for rotation in a
reverse of the rotating direction of the running wheels 1 or, in
other words, in a reverse of the running direction of the vehicle
2.
[0122] The dust collecting unit 5 is arranged of a flat shape
extending in parallel to the axial center of the rotary brush 3 and
includes the primary chamber 51 provided for storage of the dusts
collected by the rotating action of the rotary brush 3 and a
secondary chamber 53 connecting via a connection passage 52 with
the primary chamber 51 as adapted greater in size than the primary
chamber 51, whereby the air flow for running from the primary
chamber 51 to the secondary chamber 53 can be generated by a power
fan 9 disposed outwardly of the secondary chamber 53. The primary
chamber 51 has a length corresponding to the rotary brush 3 and is
defined by a first housing 54 which is arranged of a flat shape
having a dust collection opening 51a connecting with the intake
passage 41 and an arcuate wall 51b extending between both ends of
the dust collection opening 51a, the arcuate wall 51b having an
opening 52a provided in one circumferential end thereof for
connection with the connection passage 52. As the primary chamber
51 is positioned to be substantially equal in height to the upper
side of the rotary brush 3, its dust collection opening 51a is
communicated with the trailing end 41a of the intake passage 41.
The primary chamber 51 is arranged higher at the bottom than at the
rotation center of the rotary brush 3. The bottom 51d of the
primary chamber 51 is lower at the opening 52a of the connection
passage 52 than at the dust collection opening 51a. The bottom 51d
also has a number of arcuately extending ribs 51e provided at equal
intervals thereon. The ribs 51e are so shaped that the dusts
collected in the primary chamber 51 are advanced towards the
connection passage 52 while being prevented from moving back to the
intake passage 41 and its height is comparatively low. The
connection passage 52 is arranged flush with or lower than the
bottom 51d of the primary chamber 51.
[0123] The secondary chamber 53 has a lower bottom 53a thereof
located lower than an opening 52b opposite to the opening 52a and a
higher bottom 53c thereof located higher than the lower bottom 53a
and the opening 52b and connecting by a slope 53b with the lower
bottom 53a and is defined by a second housing 55 which is arranged
of substantially a 1/4 circular shape in the plan view, where the
lower bottom 53a (at the opening 52b side) is at one side of the
opening 52a of the primary chamber 51 while the higher bottom 53c
(at the side opposite to the connection passage 52) is above the
primary chamber 51. The lower bottom 53a is arranged of
substantially an L shape in the plan view having a connection
opening 52b provided at one leg thereof and the slope 53b provided
at the other leg thereof. The higher bottom 53c has a vent opening
53d provided in the side opposite to the connection passage thereof
to extend from the outside to the side opposite to the connection
passage.
[0124] A check valve 56 for inhibiting the dusts from moving back
from the secondary chamber 53 via the connection passage 52 to the
primary chamber 51 is provided at the lower bottom 53a of the
secondary chamber 53. The check valve 56 remains urged by a
relatively smaller force in a direction for shutting up the
connection passage 52 and is arranged for being opened by the
action of a air flow generated by the electric fan 9. Also, both
the first housing 54 and the second housing 55 are arranged
detachable.
[0125] The electric fan 9 is located above the side opposite to the
connection passage of the primary chamber 51 and at one side of the
secondary chamber 53 while a filter 10 is provided between the
electric fan 9 and the vent opening 53d of the secondary chamber 53
for absorbing the air from the secondary chamber 53 through the
action of the electric fan 9 to produce a air flow for conveying
the dusts from the primary chamber 51 to the secondary chamber 53.
The electric fan 9 is a turbo fan driven intermittently as a
conveying means for conveying intermittently the dusts from the
primary chamber 51 to the secondary chamber 53.
[0126] The self-running type dust collecting apparatus having the
foregoing arrangement is hence operable with its vehicle 2 running
and its rotary brush 3 rotated in a reverse of the running
direction of the vehicle 2. As the rotary brush 3 is rotated, it
produces a air flow across the intake passage 41 thus to sweep up
the dusts from the floor. Sweeping up and the air flow produced by
the rotary brush 3 convey the dusts from the intake passage 41
directly to the primary passage 51. More particularly, while the
dusts at relatively smaller levels of the specific gravity are
absorbed by the air flow, those at relatively greater levels of the
specific gravity are brushed by the rotating action of the rotary
brush 3, thus increasing the efficiency of cleaning. Also, as the
leak inhibiting wall 42 is spaced by a very small distance from the
circumferential side of the rotary brush 3, its boundary 42a to the
intake passage 41 allows the dusts to be removed from the
circumferential side of the rotary brush 3, thus reducing the
accumulation of dusts.
[0127] At the beginning of the cleaning action, the electric fan 9
remains not energized and the dusts received from the intake
passage 41 is temporarily stored in the primary chamber 51. After a
predetermined length of time, the electric fan 9 starts being
driven thus to generate a flow of conveying air from the primary
chamber 51 to the secondary chamber 53 by which the dusts stored
temporarily in the primary chamber 51 are conveyed from the
connection passage 52 to the secondary chamber 53. Since the lower
bottom 53a at the opening 52b of the connection passage 52 is
connected by the slope 53b to the higher bottom 53c of the
secondary chamber 53, the dusts at relatively smaller levels of the
specific gravity can easily be moved from the connection passage 52
to the opposite connection passage side while the dusts at
relatively greater levels of the specific gravity remain stored in
the connection passage side of the secondary chamber 53. As the
bottom of the primary chamber 51 is arranged higher than the
rotation center of the rotary brush 3, there is more space
available beneath the primary chamber 51. This permits the
connection passage 52 to be located lower, whereby the dusts can be
moved from the primary chamber 51 to the secondary chamber 52 with
the use of a small output type of the electric fan 9. After a
predetermined period of time, the electric fan 9 is turned off but
the rotary brush 3 remains rotating during both the activated and
deactivated periods of the electric fan 9 thus allowing the dusts
received from the intake unit 4 to be stored in the primary chamber
51. The electric fan 9 may be turned on and off by manually
pressing a switch or automatically activating at predetermined
intervals of time. In the latter case, for example, the period of
deactivating the electric fan 9 and the period of activating the
electric fan 9 are measured by a time measuring means installed in
a controller which comprises a microprocessor, so that the action
of the electric fan 9 can automatically be controlled with a
command signal released from the controller. Moreover, a subsidiary
air flow generating means such as a small power fan driven
constantly may be provided for assisting the air flow produced by
the rotary brush 3 conveying the dusts. The subsidiary air flow
generating means is located between the electric fan 9 and the
secondary chamber 53 or across the intake passage 41, for example.
The subsidiary air flow generating means such as a small power fan
may be replaced by a specific action of the electric fan 9
remaining activated constantly at lower power and driven at higher
power from time to time for quickly conveying the dusts stored in
the primary chamber 51 to the secondary chamber 52.
Embodiment 2
[0128] FIG. 11 is a transverse cross sectional view showing a dust
collecting apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present
invention, FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a
primary part of the same, FIG. 13 is a transverse cross sectional
view of the primary part of the same, FIG. 14 is a longitudinal
cross sectional view of a primary part of the same, FIG. 15 is a
plan view of the same omitting partially, and FIG. 16 is a
schematic perspective view of the primary part of the same.
[0129] The dust collecting apparatus of this embodiment is
fundamentally identical in the arrangement to that of Embodiment 1
but differentiated by the fact that the primary chamber 51
communicates at the side opposite with the dust collection opening
51a along the lengthwise direction to a connection passage 57 which
replaces the connection passage 52 provided at the dust collection
opening side of the primary chamber 51 while the housing 53 of the
secondary chamber 53 is arranged detachable and retained by an
operating member 11.
[0130] The primary chamber 51 has a length corresponding to the
rotary brush 3 and is defined by a first housing 54 which is
arranged of a flat shape having a dust collection opening 51a
connecting with the intake passage 41 and an arcuate wall 51b
extending between both ends of the dust collection opening 51a, the
arcuate wall 51b having an opening 57a provided in the
circumferential center thereof at the side opposite to the dust
collection opening 51a for connection with the connection passage
57. The bottom of the primary chamber 51 is arranged lower at the
connection passage 57 side than at the dust collection opening 51a
side as its dust collection opening 51a side curves upwardly.
[0131] The secondary chamber 53 is defined by a housing 58 which
has a fan-like shape in the plan view or, in other words,
substantially a 1/4 circular shape and is detachably mounted to the
upper side at one lengthwise side of the primary chamber 51. The
housing 58 has a lower extending portion 58a provided integrally on
the bottom thereof which has a cavity as connection passage 57 and
an air flow guide 12 is detachably installed in the lower extending
portion 58a. The housing 58 also has a vent opening 53d provided in
one side thereof, a pair of engaging claws 58b and 58b inside
projected in the position spaced laterally, and a holding frame 58c
protruded thereon between the two engaging claws 58b and 58b to
accommodate an urging member 13 in.
[0132] The housing 58 has an opening 58d provided in an inner side
of the lower extending portion 58a thereof to communicate with the
opening 57a of the connection passage 57 and its lower extending
portion 58a has a slope 58e provided to tilt from the bottom of the
secondary chamber 53 towards one side opposite to the side where
the opening 58d and the vent opening 53d are located.
[0133] The air flow guide 12 covers entirely the upper side of the
lower extending portion 58a for guiding the dusts received from the
primary chamber 51 to the one side opposite to the side where the
opening 58d and the vent opening 53d are located as is composed of
an upper wall 12a facing the slope 58e, a side wall 12b connected
with the upper wall 12a, and an engaging portion 12c which is
fitted into the lower extending portion 58a, whereby the dusts
received from the opening 57a can be conveyed to the secondary
chamber 53 along the connection passage 57 between the slope 58e of
the lower extending portion 58a and the upper wall 12a of the guide
12.
[0134] The urging member 13 is arranged to urge housing 58 in a
detaching direction to the vehicle 2, and when its engagement by
the operating member 11 has been released, to automatically move
the housing 18 in a detaching direction. It is accommodated in a
shifter member 14 which has a hat-like shape in the cross section
and remains held in the holding frame 58c where it can transversely
be moved.
[0135] The operating member 11 is mounted to the vehicle 2 for
upward and downward movements an remains urged upwardly by an
urging spring 15. The operating member 11 comprises a head portion
11a having an arcuate sheet form in the plan view, a square shaft
portion 11c having a pin hole 11b provided therein, and a pair of
leg portions 11e and 11e extending from both sides of the lower end
of the square shaft portion 11c, each leg portion 11e having an
engaging hole 11d provided therein for engagement with the engaging
claw 58b, whereby the operating member 11 is movably mounted to the
vehicle 2 by a pin 16 inserted into the pin hole 11b in the square
shaft portion 11c. The leg portions 11e and 11e are slidably
movable along the vertical in the holding frame 58c at a square
shape of the housing 58 so that the jerky movement of the operating
member 11 against both the vehicle 2 and the housing 58 will be
eliminated. As the urging spring 15 is provided between the head
portion 11a and the vehicle 2, its yielding force urges the
operating member 11 upwardly thus to ensure the engagement between
the engaging claws 58b and 58b and their corresponding engaging
holes 11d and 11d.
[0136] The dust collecting apparatus of this embodiment having the
foregoing arrangement is hence equal in the function to that of
Embodiment 1 and will be explained in no more detail. In brief, the
dusts conveyed from the intake passage 41 to the primary chamber 51
by the sweeping action of the rotary brush 3 and the air flow
generated by the rotating action of the rotary brush 3 can be
received by the opening 57a of the connection passage 57 and
further conveyed along the slope 58e of the connection passage 57
in the air flow guide 12 to the secondary chamber 53. Since the
primary chamber 51 curves upwardly at the dust collection opening
51a side and its bottom becomes lower at the connection passage 57
side than the duct collection opening 51a, the dusts can hardly
return back from the primary chamber 51 to the intake passage 41
during the cleaning action or even if the dust collecting apparatus
is lifted up. Also, the opening 57a of the connection passage 57 is
communicated through at the side opposite to the dust collection
opening 51a of the primary chamber 51 and can minimize the loss of
the air flow generated by the action of the rotary brush 3 hence
allowing the dusts to be conveyed from the primary chamber 51 to
the secondary chamber 53 by the air flow at relatively smaller
magnitudes. In addition, since the connection passage 57 between
the primary chamber 51 and the secondary chamber 53 slopes down
towards the bottom of the secondary chamber 53, the air flow
required for conveying the dusts from the primary chamber 51 to the
secondary chamber 53 can be minimized in the magnitude. Moreover,
the upper end of the connection passage 57 connecting between the
primary chamber 51 at the lower side and the secondary chamber 53
at the upper side is shut up with the air flow guide 12 and can
thus inhibit the dusts received by the secondary chamber 53 from
dropping down to or returning back along the connection passage
57.
[0137] For disposing the dusts received by the secondary chamber
53, the housing 58 is removed by pressing down the head portion 11a
of the operating member 11 before its secondary chamber 53 can be
exhausted with ease. When its head portion 11a is pressed down, the
operating member 11 moves downwardly as resisting against the
yielding force of the urging spring 15 until the engagement between
their engaging holes 11d and 11d and the corresponding engaging
claws 58b and 58b is canceled thus to shift the housing 58 in the
direction of detaching due to the yielding force of the urging
member 13. Accordingly, when the dust collecting apparatus is
placed on the floor, its housing 58 can easily be detached. Also,
after the dusts are disposed from the secondary chamber 53, the
housing 58 is joined back at the lower extending portion 58a with
the vehicle 2 and its engaging claws 58b and 58b are then engaged
with their corresponding engaging holes 11d and 11d by the head
portion 11a of the operating member 11 being pressed down. This is
followed by the operating member 11 being lifted up by the yielding
force of the urging spring 15, thus ensuring the engagement between
the engaging claws 58b and 58b and the engaging holes 11d and 11d
as well as the attachment of the housing 58.
[0138] While its embodiments are described in the form of a
self-running type dust collecting apparatus, the present invention
may be implemented by a manually operating type of the dust
collecting apparatus.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0139] The present invention is applicable to any cleaning robot
which includes sensors for detecting obstacles and a controller for
controlling the action of running wheels in order to automatically
sweep at the inside and the outside.
* * * * *