U.S. patent application number 12/042581 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for electric vacuum cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Kiyoshi Ebe, Atsushi Morishita, Masatoshi Tanaka.
Application Number | 20080235901 12/042581 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39544954 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080235901 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tanaka; Masatoshi ; et
al. |
October 2, 2008 |
ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANER
Abstract
In a suctioning state, even if the amount of dust trapped in a
dust collecting unit in a main air passage is increased, air
suctioned from a hose connection port is branched into a first half
passage and reduction in the suction air amount can be suppressed.
When the suctioning state is switched to a dust moving state by
switch means, the dust trapped in a pleated filter is moved to the
dust collecting unit, increase in the air passage resistance at the
first half passage side caused by clogging of the pleated filter
can be suppressed, and reduction in suction power over time can be
suppressed. Since an upper air passage and lower air passage are
provided in the lid body, the dust collecting unit is exposed with
the lid body opened, whereby maintenance performance of the dust
collecting unit is improved.
Inventors: |
Tanaka; Masatoshi;
(Ibaraki-Shi, JP) ; Morishita; Atsushi;
(Ibaraki-Shi, JP) ; Ebe; Kiyoshi; (Ibaraki-Shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DLA PIPER US LLP
P. O. BOX 9271
RESTON
VA
20195
US
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
MINATO - KU
JP
TOSHIBA CONSUMER MARKETING CORPORATION
CHIYODA - KU
JP
TOSHIBA HA PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
IBARAKI - SHI
JP
|
Family ID: |
39544954 |
Appl. No.: |
12/042581 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/377 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/377 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/04 20060101
A47L009/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 30, 2007 |
JP |
2007-095078 |
Claims
1. An electric vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum cleaner main
body including a main body case with an electric blower housed
therein, and a lid body openable and closable to the main body
case; a suction port provided in the lid body; a dust separator
which is provided in the lid body on the downstream side of the
suction port and separates dust from air; a main air passage which
makes communication between the dust separator and a suction side
of the electric blower, and through which the dust separated by the
dust separator passes; a dust collecting unit which is provided in
the main air passage and held by the main body case with the lid
body closed, and collects the dust separated at the main air
passage side by the dust separator; a first air passage which makes
communication between the dust separator and the suction side of
the electric blower separately from the main air passage, and has
at least a part provided in the lid body and a downstream side
joined with the main air passage; a filter which has at least a
part provided in the first air passage and collects fine dust
contained in air; a second air passage which makes communication
between an introduction hole, from which outside air can be
introduced separately from the suction port, and the suction side
of the electric blower passing through the dust collecting unit,
and has at least a part provided in the lid body; and switch means
which makes switching between a suctioning state where dust can be
trapped in the dust collecting unit and the filter with the second
air passage and introduction hole closed, the dust being suctioned
from the suction port by driving the electric blower via the main
air passage and the first air passage, and a dust moving state
where outside air is introduced into the second air passage by
driving the electric blower via the introduction hole, and fine
dust trapped in the filter is moved to the dust collecting unit via
the second air passage.
2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the
switch means includes a valve body which closes the second air
passage in the suctioning state to rectify dust separated into the
main air passage to the dust collecting unit, and opens the second
air passage in the dust moving state to rectify fine dust trapped
in the filter to the dust collecting unit.
3. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the
dust collecting unit is positioned under the lid body and the
second air passage is positioned under the first air passage.
4. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the
introduction hole is provided at the downstream side with respect
to the filter.
5. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the
introduction hole is provided so as to face an upper surface of the
filter.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-095078 filed on
Mar. 30, 2007. The content of the application is incorporation
herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner
including a dust separator for separating dust from air.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventionally, such kinds of electric vacuum cleaners have
a constitution disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication
No. 2005-211285, for example. That is, a conventional electric
vacuum cleaner has a vacuum cleaner main body with an electric
blower housed therein. A dust collecting cup, which is a dust
collecting unit for collecting dust suctioned by driving the
electric blower, is detachably provided in the vacuum cleaner main
body. In the dust collecting cup, a dust separator is provided
which communicates with a suction port and separates dust from air,
rough dust, which is a part of dust separated by the dust
separator, is collected in a dust collecting chamber into which the
dust collecting cup is partitioned, and fine dust, which is the
remaining dust contained in air separated by the dust separator, is
trapped in a filter provided on the downstream side of the dust
collecting cap. The downstream side of the dust collecting chamber
communicates with the upstream side of the filter, the air flowing
into the dust collecting chamber joins with the air separated by
the dust separator on the upstream side of the filter, and the
joined air is suctioned into the electric blower after passing
through the filter.
[0004] However, in the above electric vacuum cleaner, although air
suctioned by driving the electric blower is branched by the dust
separator, the branched air finally passes through a common filter
to be suctioned into the electric blower. Accordingly, the above
electric vacuum cleaner has a problem that, in the case where the
filter is clogged over time, suction power is gradually reduced in
accordance with the degree of the clogging.
[0005] Additionally, even if a mechanism is additionally provided
that prevents the filter from being clogged, there arises a problem
that maintenance becomes difficult.
[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the
above problem, and aims at providing an electric vacuum cleaner in
which maintenance performance of the dust collecting unit is
improved while reduction in suction power over time is
suppressed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention includes: a vacuum cleaner main body
provided with a lid body openable and closable to a main body case
with an electric blower housed therein; a suction port provided in
the lid body; a dust separator which is provided in the lid body on
the downstream side of the suction port to separate dust from air;
a main air passage which makes communication between the dust
separator and a suction side of the electric blower, and through
which dust separated by the dust separator passes; a dust
collecting unit which is provided in the main air passage and held
by the main body case with the lid body closed, and collects the
dust separated at the main air passage side by the dust separator;
a first air passage which makes communication between the dust
separator and the suction side of the electric blower separately
from the main air passage, and has at least a part provided in the
lid body and a downstream side joined with the main air passage; a
filter which has at least a part provided in the first air passage
and collects fine dust contained in the air; a second air passage
which makes communication between an introduction hole, through
which outside air can be introduced separately from the suction
port, and the suction side of the electric blower via the dust
collecting unit, and has at least a part provided in the lid body;
and switch means which makes switching between a suctioning state
where dust suctioned from the suction port by driving the electric
blower via the main air passage and the first air passage to be
collectable in the dust collecting unit and the filter with the
second air passage and the introduction hole closed, and a dust
moving state where outside air is introduced into the second air
passage via the introduction hole by driving the electric blower,
and fine dust trapped in the filter is moved to the dust collecting
unit via the second air passage.
[0008] In the suctioning state, even if the amount of dust trapped
in the dust collecting unit of the main air passage is increased,
air suctioned from the suction port is branched into the first air
passage, and reduction in a suction amount is suppressed. When the
suctioning state is switched to the dust moving state, the dust
trapped in the filter is moved to the dust collecting unit,
increase in the air passage resistance of the first air passage
side caused by clogging of the filter is suppressed, and thus
reduction in suction power over time can be suppressed, and the
dust collecting unit is exposed, with the lid body opened, by
providing at least a part of each of the first and second air
passages in the lid body, whereby maintenance performance of the
dust collecting unit is improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric vacuum
cleaner with an opened lid body of a first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective cross sectional view of an enlarged
part of the electric vacuum cleaner.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective cross sectional view of the electric
vacuum cleanser in a suctioning state.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective cross sectional view of the electric
vacuum cleaner in a dust moving state.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main body case of the
electric vacuum body.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lower side of the lid
body.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a filter of
the electric vacuum cleaner.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the front side of a part of
switch means of the electric vacuum cleaner.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the rear side of a part of
the switch means.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the electric vacuum
cleaner.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a part of an electric
vacuum cleaner in the dust moving state of a second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a main case body of the
electric vacuum cleaner.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the front side of a part of
switch means of the electric vacuum cleaner.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the rear side of a part of
the switch means.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the front side of switch
means of an electric vacuum cleaner of a third embodiment of the
present invention.
[0024] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the rear side of the switch
means shown.
[0025] FIG. 17 is a perspective cross sectional view of the
electric vacuum cleaner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] A first embodiment of the present invention will be
described below with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 10.
[0027] In FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 10, the reference numeral
1 denotes a vacuum cleaner main body, and the vacuum cleaner main
body is a so-called canister type electric vacuum cleaner. The
vacuum cleaner main body 1 has a main body case 2 and an
openable/closable lid body 3 provided on the main body case 2.
[0028] The main body case 2 includes a lower case 5 formed in a
long shape in a front and rear direction, and an upper case 6
provided to the upper side of the lower case 5. An electric blower
chamber 8 with an electric blower 7 housed therein is formed at the
rear portion of the main case body 2, and a recessed mount part 10
is formed at the front portion thereof, the recessed mount part 10
being a dust collecting unit attachment part on which a dust
collecting unit 9 as a dust collecting unit being a main dust
collecting unit is detachably mounted. A space 13, with which a
filter 12 is engaged, is formed between the electric blower chamber
8 and the mount part 10, the filter 12 being an auxiliary dust
collecting unit as a fine dust collecting unit. A partition wall 14
is arranged between the space 13 and the electric blower chamber
8.
[0029] Driven wheels 16 (only one shown) is pivotally and rotatably
supported at both sides of the rear side of the lower case 5
respectively. Additionally, a turn wheel 17 is pivotally and
turnably supported on a lower surface of the mount part 10 of the
lower case 5. Thus, the driven wheels 16 and the turn wheel 17
allow the vacuum cleaner main body 1 to run on a floor as a surface
to be cleaned.
[0030] The upper case 6 includes side face parts 21 (only one
shown) which cover both sides of the rear portion of the lower case
5 and form into both sides of the electric blower chamber 8, a rear
face part 22 for covering the rear portion of the lower case 5, and
an upper face part 23 which covers the upper portion of the lower
case 5 and forms into an upper portion of the electric vacuum
cleaner 8. Additionally, in the upper case 6, a first slant part 24
is formed which is a rear slant part slanted forward and downward
from the front portion of the upper face part 23 at the periphery
of the partition wall 14 positioned at a substantial central region
of the lower case 5 in the front and rear direction, a fine dust
receiver 25 is formed which is a dust receiver as a horizontal part
substantially horizontally in front of the first slant part 24, a
second slant part 26 is formed which is a front slant part forward
and downward slanting under the fine dust receiver 25 and behind
the mount part 10 and extending to an upper surface of the lower
case 5, an extended part 27 is formed which is substantially
horizontally extended to the vicinity of the front end of the lower
case 5 along the upper surface of the lower case 5, and the front
end of the extended part 27 is latched to the lower case 5.
[0031] In each side face part 21, multiple exhaust holes 31 are
provided which make communication between the electric blower
chamber 8 and the outside of the vacuum cleaner main body 1.
[0032] In the rear face part 22, pullout port (not shown) is opened
through which a power source cord can be pulled out, the cord being
wound around a cord reel (not shown) housed in the side of the
electric blower chamber 8.
[0033] A handle 35, with which the vacuum cleaner main body 1 is
gripped, is rotatably attached to the upper face part 23 in the
front and rear direction.
[0034] The first slant part 24 has a ventilation hole 37 which the
upstream side of the partition wall 14 and the downstream side of
the filter 12 face, and is formed in a frame shape so as to
surround the partition wall 14.
[0035] The fine dust receiver 25 is formed so as to communicate
with the lower portion of the filter 12 fitted in the space 13, and
is spaced from the lower portion of the filter 12. Additionally,
the fine dust receiver 25 is spaced upward with respect to the
upper surface of the lower case 5, and a housing space 39 is
provided between a lower surface of the fine dust receiver 25 and
the upper surface of the lower case 5 so as to be laid between the
second slant part 26 and the partition wall 14.
[0036] The second slant part 26 is positioned behind the turn wheel
17 of the lower case 5, and a rectangular hole-shaped lower
communication opening 41 is opened in the second slant part 26.
[0037] The extended part 27 partitions a lower portion of the mount
part 10.
[0038] The electric blower 7, of which the front side is a suction
side and the rear side is an exhaust side, is provided in the
electric vacuum cleaner chamber 8 in the front and rear direction.
Here, a flexible ring-shaped motor packing 43, which is a sealing
member as a holding member, is engaged with the outer peripheral
edge of the front side of the electric vacuum blower 7, and the
electric vacuum blower 7 is engaged with the electric blower
chamber 8 via the motor packing 43. Additionally, the upper side of
the electric blower 7 is covered with a motor cover 44 which is a
covering member. Further, control means (not shown) for controlling
driving of the electric blower 7 and the like is housed above the
motor cover 44 of the electric blower chamber 8.
[0039] The dust collecting unit 9 includes a cup member 51 as a
dust collecting unit main body constituting an outline of the unit
9, and a dust collecting pack, that is, paper pack 52, which is a
filtrating filter as a main filter attached to the cup member
51.
[0040] The cup member 51 includes a peripheral wall 55 extended
from its front portion to its both sides, an upper wall 56 formed
on the upper portion of the peripheral wall 55, and a lateral wall
57 formed continuously to the rear portion of the upper wall 56
between both sides of the peripheral wall 55. An attachment opening
58 is opened in the lower end of the cup member 51.
[0041] The peripheral wall 55 is formed so as to bend from its
front side to its both sides along the shape of the mount part 10,
is extended so that the rear ends of its both sides hold both sides
of the filter 12 with the wall 55 attached to the mount part 10.
Further, a housing recessed part 61 recessed backward is formed at
the center of the front end of the peripheral wall 55 in a lateral
direction so as to continue throughout the upper wall 56, and
covered with a covering member 62 attached to the front portion of
the peripheral wall 55.
[0042] A breakaway preventing mechanism 65 is housed in the housing
recess part 61, the breakaway preventing mechanism 65 being
actuated by the lid body 3 with the lid body 3 closed, and
preventing the dust collecting unit 9 from breaking away from the
mount part 10.
[0043] Here, the breakaway preventing mechanism 65 includes a
latching body 68 at its lower end, the latching body 68 protruding,
in a claw shape, forward from downward the coating member 62 by
being pressed downward by the lid body 3.
[0044] The covering member 62 is bent form the upper wall 56 to the
front portion of the peripheral wall 55, a protrusion 62a, which is
fixed to the upper wall 56 by screw-engagement or the like, is
formed at the upper portion of the covering member 62, and an
exposing opening 62b, from which the upper end of the breakaway
preventing mechanism 65 is exposed, is formed in front of the
protrusion 62a. Additionally, the lower end of the covering member
62 is a notch into which the latching body 68 can be protruded.
[0045] Additionally, the upper wall 56 constitutes an upper surface
of the dust collecting unit 9, and a circular unit suction port 76,
which is a dust collecting unit suction port as a dust suction
port, is opened at the substantially central region of the upper
wall 56 in the lateral direction. A flexible ring-shaped seal
packing 77 as a dust collecting unit sealing member is attached to
the circumferential edge of the unit suction port 76. Further, the
inner circumferential edge of the unit suction port 76 continues,
as an introduction cylinder 78 as a dust collecting unit rectifying
part, toward the inside and lower side of the dust collecting unit
9. Additionally, protrusions to be engaged 79, 79 for being engaged
with the lid body 3 are protruded upward at both sides in front of
the unit suction port 76 of the upper wall 56.
[0046] The introduction cylinder 78 rectifies the flow of dust
suctioned from the unit suction port 76, and is a cylinder to which
the paper pack 52 is attached.
[0047] Additionally, the protrusions to be engaged 79, 79 protrude
in a loop shape with respect to the upper wall 56, and a part of
the lid body 3 can be latched between the protrusions 79, 79 and
the upper wall 56.
[0048] Further, fitting protrusions 81, 81, which are a dust
collecting unit latching part to be fitted with the lid body 3, are
protruded upward on both sides of the unit suction port 76 of the
upper wall 56. A unit handles 82, which is a dust collecting unit
handle for gripping the dust collecting unit, is provided on a rear
side from the lateral sides of the fitting protrusions 81, 81 of
the upper wall 56.
[0049] A flexible holding member 84 protrudes on both sides outward
from the upper portion of each fitting protrusion 81. The holding
members 84 are slightly deformed in a state of being engaged with
the closed lid body 3, and hold the lid body 3 so that the lid body
3 is laterally opened by recovery force of the deformation.
[0050] The lateral wall 57 is substantially vertically formed,
faces the lower portion of the front side of the filter 12 in a
state of being attached to the mount part 10, and regulates a
position of the filter 12.
[0051] The attachment opening 58 is an opening for
attaching/detaching the paper pack 52 to/from the cup member 51,
and the inner edge of the opening 58 is fitted with the mount part
10 with the dust collecting unit 9 mounted on the mount part
10.
[0052] On the other hand, the paper pack 52 includes a mouth frame
88 in which a pack opening 87 is opened as a dust collecting pack
opening into which the introduction cylinder 78 is inserted, and a
pack body 89 attached to the mouth frame 88.
[0053] The mouth frame 88 is formed in a plate shape with thick
paper such as corrugated paper, and latched to the inside of the
cup member 51.
[0054] The pack body 89 is formed in a pack shape by laminating
filtrating materials each having ventilation performance, and can
be folded in an unused state.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, a frame body 91 is provided on
the mount part 10, the frame body 91 being fitted to the attachment
opening 58 of the dust collecting unit 9. The frame body 91 has a
substantially horizontally plate-shaped lattice part 93 in which
lattice openings 92 are opened in a lattice shape, and a wall 94
erected upward from the peripheral edge of the lattice part 93.
[0056] In the lattice part 93, a lattice-shaped rib 95 is formed
each between the lattice openings 92, and some ribs 95 in the front
and rear direction come into contact with an upper surface of the
extended part 27 of the upper case 6. Thus, a plate-shaped lower
surface of the lattice part 93 is spaced from the upper case 6, and
a part therebetween forms into a mount part air passage 96
continuous to the lower communication opening 41.
[0057] Additionally, supporting pieces 97 for supporting the lower
side of the pack body 89 of the paper pack 52 are substantially
horizontally protruded on the inner peripheral side of the wall 94.
Further, a ring-shaped packing 98 is attached to the entire outer
peripheral edge of the wall 94, the packing 98 being a mount part
sealing member in airtight contact with the peripheral edge of the
attachment opening 58 of the dust collecting unit 9.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the filter 12
includes a filter container 101 as a filter main body constituting
an outline of the filter, and a pleated filter body 102 which is
detachably attached to the filter container 101.
[0059] The filter container 101 includes a laterally long front
face part 104 and a frame face part 105 protruded backward from the
entire peripheral edge of the front face part 104.
[0060] The front face part 104 has a slant face 107 positioned at
its upper side, and backward and upward slanted, and an opposite
face 108 continuous to the lower portion of the slant face 107.
Additionally, a duct 109 for forming an air passage in the filter
12 is provided integrally with the rear portion of the front face
part 104.
[0061] The slant face 107 is a face part facing forward and upward
with the filter 12 attached to the space 13, and a laterally long
rectangular filter opening 111 is opened in the slant face 107. The
filter opening 111 is formed so that the duct 109 faces the front
portion of the pleated filter body 102.
[0062] The opposite face 108 is a face part which is opposite to
the lateral wall 57 of the cup member 51 of the dust collecting
unit 9 with the dust collecting unit 9 and the filter 12 attached
to the main body case 2.
[0063] Additionally, the duct 109 is formed in a reverse T-shape,
in a front view, by a duct suctioning part 109a as a duct
suctioning part laterally formed along an upper surface of the
lower side frame face part 105, and a duct lifting part 109b as a
dust moving part extended upward from the substantially central
portion of the duct suctioning part 109a.
[0064] The duct suctioning part 109a is a part for suctioning dust
trapped in the pleated filter body 102 by action of negative
pressure of the electric blower 7, and formed so as to have a
relatively small air passage cross section in a direction crossing
the lateral direction that is an air passing direction. That is,
the duct suctioning part 109a is slightly spaced from the upper
surface of the lower side frame part 105.
[0065] Additionally, the duct lifting part 109b is a part for
further lifting dust suctioned by the duct suctioning part 109a,
and formed so as to have a relatively small air passage cross
section in a direction crossing the vertical direction that is an
air passing direction. Further, the upper end of the duct lifting
part 109b faces forward from the filter opening 111 of the front
face part 104. Accordingly, the upper end of the duct lifting part
109b is aslant opened so as to level with the slant of the front
face part 104, and a seal packing member 113 is attached to the
peripheral edge of the opening, the seal packing member 113 being a
filter sealing member continuous to the peripheral edge of the
filter opening 111.
[0066] The rear portion of the frame face part 105 faces the
ventilation hole 37 of the upper case 6, and the frame face part
105 is formed so that a lower surface thereof is fitted to a
support rib 114 provided at a lower portion in front of the
ventilation hole 37. Additionally, a suction opening 115 is opened
at the lower end of the opposite surface 108 positioned at the
front portion of the lower side frame face part 105, the suction
opening 115 facing the lower end of the duct suctioning part 109a
of the duct 109. Further, positioning protrusions 116, 116 for
positioning and fixing in arranging the filter 12 in the space 13
are protruded downward at the vicinity of both sides of a lower
surface of the lower side frame face part 105. Further, latching
pieces 117, 117 are protruded backward at the vicinity of both
sides of the upper surface of the upper side frame face part 105,
the latching pieces 117, 117 being used for positioning in
arranging the filter 12 in the space 13, and for latching the
filter 12 to the main body case 2.
[0067] A latching hole (not shown) is provided in each latching
piece 117, and latching protrusions 124, 124 are inserted into the
latching holes, the protrusions 124, 124 being protruded upward at
the vicinity of both sides of the upper portion of the first slant
part 24 of the upper case 6, in front of both sides of the handle
35.
[0068] On the other hand, the pleated filter body 102 has a fine
dust filter (auxiliary filter), pleated filter 126, which is a
filtrating filter, and a filter frame 127 surrounding the periphery
of the pleated filter 126.
[0069] The pleated filter 126 is a surface dust collecting filter
made of ethylene tetrafluoride (PTFE) or the like, and can collect,
for example, fine dust capable of penetrating through the paper
pack 52 of the dust collecting unit 9 on its surface, its upstream
side face. Additionally, the pleated filter 126 is formed in a wave
shape, the wave shape alternately having, in the lateral direction,
a plurality of crest portions and valley portions vertically
formed.
[0070] A filter frame 127 is formed in a frame shape so as to be
fitted, from behind, to the edge of the frame face part 105 of the
filter container 101, and a packing (not shown) is engaged with the
entire outer periphery of the filter frame 127, the packing being a
sealing member for holding airtightness between the filter frame
127 and the inside of the frame face part 105. Additionally, a
slant face part 129, which faces the lower portion of the pleated
filter 126 and slanted forward and downward, is formed in the
filter frame 127.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the partition
wall 14 includes: a partition wall body 131 as a front side
partition wall positioned at its front side, space 13 side; a
partition wall main body 133 having a duct body 132 which is an air
passage forming body as a rear side partition wall positioned at
its rear side, electric blower chamber 8 side; a filter plate 134
as a partition wall plate engaged so as to cover the ventilation
hole 37 in front of the partition wall main body 133; a dust
shaking-off part 135 which is a dust removing mechanism for
removing dust trapped in the pleated filter 126 positioned in front
of the partition wall 14; and a driving mechanism 136 for driving
the dust shaking-off part 135 and the like.
[0072] The partition wall body 131 is engaged so as to cover the
entire rear portion of the ventilation hole 37, partitions the
upper portion of the housing space 39, and includes a partition
wall body main body 141 which is a substantially flat main body,
and a partition wall body frame 142 which is a frame protruded
forward throughout the entire peripheral edge of the partition wall
body main body 141.
[0073] A round hole-shaped suction opening 144 is provided at the
substantially central portion of the partition wall body main body
141. Additionally, an outside air communication part 145 is
protruded backward above the suction opening 144 at one side of the
partition wall body main body 141.
[0074] The suction opening 144 can make communication between the
space 13 and the suction side of the electric blower 7.
Additionally, an opening packing 147 as an opening sealing member
is attached to the peripheral edge of the front portion of the
suction opening 144. Further, a joint cylinder 148 as a first joint
part, of which the rear end is joined with the duct body 132, is
protruded on the peripheral edge of the rear portion of the suction
opening 144.
[0075] The outside air connection part 145 can make communication
between the space 13 and outside air, and includes: a protruded
horizontal plate 151 substantially horizontally protruded backward
from the rear portion of the partition wall body main body 141; and
a duct-shaped air passage partition part 154 for providing an
airtight air passage making communication between a rectangular
hole-shaped introduction communication port 152 provided in the
protruded horizontal plate 151 and a rectangular hole-shaped
introduction hole 153 provided in the partition wall body main body
141.
[0076] Moreover, herein, outside air is air located outside of the
air passage, and is not always air located outside of the vacuum
cleaner main body 1.
[0077] The front end of the partition wall body frame 142 is air
tightly connected to the peripheral edge of the rear portion of the
ventilation hole 37 of the upper case 6.
[0078] The duct body 132 has a duct body main body 157 as a
substantially flat plate-shaped air passage forming main body with
which a front surface of the motor packing 43 comes into close
contact, and a duct forming part 158 is provided integrally with
the front portion of the duct body main body 157.
[0079] A round hole-shaped suction communication opening 161
substantially equivalent to the suction opening 144 is provided at
the substantially central portion of the duct body main body 157,
and a cylindrical protrusion cylinder 163 as a second joint part is
protruded on the peripheral edge of the rear portion of the suction
communication opening 161, the front end of the protrusion cylinder
163 being air tightly joined with the joint cylinder 148 via a
packing 162 as a sealing member.
[0080] The duct forming part 158 is positioned in front of the duct
body main body 157, and protruded downward continuously to the
lower portion of the protrusion cylinder 163. Accordingly, a
communication air passage 165 communicating with the inside of the
protrusion cylinder 163 is provided between the duct forming part
158 and the duct body main body 157. A step part 166 is formed, at
a part that is positioned at the upper end of the communication air
passage 165 and communicates with the protrusion cylinder 163, so
that the width of the communication air passage 165 is narrowed in
the front and rear direction. Additionally, an air passage
communication hole 167 communicating with the communication air
passage 165 is provided in the lower portion of the duct forming
part 158, and an air passage partition body 169 is air tightly
connected to the front portion of the air passage communication
hole 167 so that an air ventilation passage 168 is, in the front
and rear direction, formed between the lower communication opening
41 and the air passage communication port 167. That is, the air
passage partition body 169 is housed in the housing space 39, and
makes communication among the air ventilation passage 168,
communication air passage 165 and mount part air passage 96.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 5, the filter plate 134 includes a filter
plate main body 171 for covering the entire ventilation hole 37, a
laterally long protrusion hole 172, through which a part of the
dust shaking-off part 135 protrudes forward, is provided at the
upper side of the filter plate main body 171, a plurality of
ventilation openings 173 are provided in a lattice shape under the
protrusion hole 172, and a mesh filter 174 as a filter member is
provided in the ventilation opening 173.
[0082] As shown in FIG. 8, the dust shaking-off part 135 has a
laterally long dust shaking-off part main body 176 as a dust
removing mechanism main body, and parts to be guided 178, 178 are
cylindrically provided on the left and right sides of the rear
portion of the dust shaking-off part main body 176 respectively,
the parts to be guided 178, 178 into which a pair of guide bodies
177, 177 as guide bodies arranged in substantially horizontally
with each other in the lateral direction respectively is inserted.
Additionally, a rack-shaped gear 179 meshed with the driving
mechanism 136 is provided on the upper side of the rear portion of
the dust shaking-off part main body 176 so as to be continuous in
the lateral direction.
[0083] Thus, the dust shaking-off part 135 is laterally slidably
provided by the driving mechanism 136.
[0084] Further, spaces 180, 180 opened forward are internally
provided at lateral both sides of the front portion of the dust
shaking-off part main body 176 respectively, and dust shaking-out
bodies 181 (only one shown) as a dust removing body are pivotally
and rotatably supported in the spaces 180, 180, respectively in a
substantially horizontal direction.
[0085] Each guide body 177 is made of, for example, a metal rod,
and both ends of the bodies 177 are supported by both sides guide
body receivers 183 provided on the partition wall body frame 142,
respectively.
[0086] The front end of each shaking-out body 181 is protruded
forward and inserted into the protrusion hole 172 of the filter
plate 134 shown in FIG. 5, and is fitted to a valley part of the
pleated filter 126 of the filter 12 attached to the space 13 of the
main body case 2.
[0087] Here, each dust shaking-off part 181 is energized, in either
of left or right direction, by energizing means (not shown) in a
rotation direction, and the front end of the dust shaking-off part
181 is kept directed forward with no load applied thereto.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the driving mechanism 136
includes a motor 185, which is a drive source, at the rear portion
of the duct body 132, and gears 186, 187 are provided on a rotary
shaft protruded forward from the motor 185, the gears being spaced
from and coaxial with each other in the front and rear
direction.
[0089] The gear 186 is positioned behind the gear 187, at the motor
185 side, between the partition wall body 131 and the duct body
132, and a cam 191 is provided so as to rotate integrally with the
rear portion of the gear 186. Additionally, the gear 186 is meshed
with a rotary gear 192 positioned upward.
[0090] The cam 191 switches on or off a switch 194 by coming into
contact with a switch piece 194a of the switch 194, which is
arranged aside of the gear 186, by an approximate one round of the
gear 186, and the switching allows the motor 185 to be switched on
or off.
[0091] The rotary gear 192 is formed in the shape of a fan having a
center angle of 90.degree., and a rotary shaft 192a protruded at
the center of the gear 192 in the front and rear direction is
inserted into the communication air passage 165. The front end of
the rotary shaft 192a is pivotally and rotatably supported on the
partition wall body main body 141 of the partition wall body 131,
and the rear end thereof is pivotally and rotatably supported on
the duct body main body 157, and thus the rotary shaft 192a is
rotatable. Additionally, a regulating plate 196 is attached to the
front portion of the rotary gear 192 coaxially with the rotary gear
192, the regulating plate 196 being formed in the fan shape
approximately the same as that of the rotary gear 192. Further, a
rectangular plate-shaped valve body 197 as an air passage
opening-closing valve is attached to the rotary shaft 192a of the
rotary gear 192, and rotated integrally with the rotary shaft 192a
in the communication air passage 165. An end of an arm 198 is
pivotally supported at the front end of the rotary shaft 192a of
the rotary gear 192, the arm 198 being a joining member formed in a
long shape in front of the partition wall body main body 141.
[0092] In the regulating plate 196, a guiding part 203 is provided
in the vicinity of the upper end of the outer peripheral edge of
the rotary gear 192.
[0093] The guiding part 203 is positioned at the rear portion of
the rotary gear 192, and a groove 203a, which is fitted to an
arc-shaped guide rib (not shown) provided behind the rotary gear
192, is formed at the rear portion of the guiding part 203. A coil
spring (not shown) as gear energizing means is arranged along the
inside of the groove 203a. The coil spring energizes the rotary
gear 192 in a direction reverse to the rotary direction and in a
circumferential direction via the regulating plate 196 by coming
into contact with the protrusions, which are protruded forward at
both ends of the guide rib, by rotation of the rotary gear 192.
[0094] Additionally, an interlock body 205 comes into contact with
the upper portion of the guiding part 203, and an introduction hole
opening-closing valve 206 is joined with the upper portion of the
interlock body 205, the valve 206 indirectly opening-closing the
introduction hole 153 by opening-closing the introduction
communication port 152.
[0095] A long guide hole 205a is vertically provided in the
interlock body 205. A guide protrusion (not shown) is inserted into
the guide hole 205a, and the interlock body 205 is vertically
movable along the guide protrusion. Additionally, a flat contact
face part 205b is laterally formed at the lower end of the
interlock body 205. The lower side of the contact face part 205b is
supported by the guiding part 203, and the interlock body 205
vertically moves in accordance with vertical movement of the
guiding part 203 with rotation of the rotary gear 192.
[0096] The introduction hole opening-closing valve 206 is
positioned above the joint cylinder 148 (protrusion cylinder 163)
between the partition wall body main body 141 of the partition wall
body 131 and the duct body main body 157 of the duct body 132, a
cylindrical rotary shaft 206a pivotally and rotatably supported on
the partition wall body main body 141 in the introduction hole
opening-closing valve 206 in the front and rear direction, and a
part to be joined 206b and an opening-closing valve main body 206c
are protruded on both sides of the rotary shaft 206a respectively,
the part to be joined 206b being jointed with the upper end of the
interlock body 205, and the opening-closing valve main body 206c
opening-closing the introduction communication port 152.
[0097] The part to be joined 206b is aslant provided so that its
top end is slanted downward.
[0098] The opening-closing valve main body 206c is larger than the
introduction communication port 152 and formed in a rectangular
shape, protruded oppositely from the part to be joined 206b with
respect to the rotary shaft 206a, and aslant provided with its top
end directed downward. Accordingly, the introduction hole
opening-closing valve 206 is formed in an approximate inverted
V-shape in the front view. The opening-closing valve main body 206c
is positioned downward of the introduction communication port
152.
[0099] The introduction opening-closing valve 206 can open/close
the introduction communication port 152 in a manner that the part
to be joined 206b vertically moves in accordance with the vertical
movement of the interlock body 205 with rotation of the rotary gear
192 and the opening-closing valve main body 206c positioned
oppositely from the part to be joined 206b with respect to the
rotary shaft 206a vertically moves, in reverse to the joint part
206b, in accordance with vertical movement of the joint part
206b.
[0100] The valve body 197 rotates with rotation of the rotary gear
192 while keeping a predetermined angle with respect to the rotary
gear 192. Additionally, a rectangular air passage hole 208 is
provided at the substantially central region of the valve body 197.
Further, a seal packing 209, which is a frame-shaped
opening-closing valve sealing member, is attached to a surface of
the side, which is opposite from the motor 185, of the valve body
197 throughout the entire peripheral edge of the valve body
197.
[0101] In the embodiment, the valve body 197 opens the
communication air passage 165 along the vertical direction when the
rotary gear 192 rotates upward, and the seal packing 209 is brought
into press-contact with the step part 166 along the lateral
direction when the rotary gear 192 rotates downward.
[0102] On the other hand, the arm 198 is positioned in front of the
partition wall body main body 141 of the partition wall body 131,
and rotates with rotation of the rotary gear 192 while keeping a
predetermined angle with respect to the rotary gear 192.
Additionally, a disc-shaped opening-closing valve body 211 as an
open/close switching valve is rotatably joined with the top end of
the arm 198.
[0103] The opening-closing valve body 211 is larger than the
suction opening 144 and formed in a disc shape, and can open/close
the suction opening 144 by rotating with rotation of the arm
198.
[0104] Additionally, the gear 187 is meshed with a crank gear 214
on the side opposite from the rotary gear 192. A crank gear shaft
214a is protruded at the center of the front portion of the crank
gear 214, the front end of the crank gear shaft 214a being
pivotally and rotatably supported on the partition wall body main
body 141 of the partition wall body 131, and the rear portion in
the vicinity of the circumferential edge of the crank gear 214 is
jointed with a sliding member 216 via a linkage 215. A
reciprocation slider crank mechanism for vertically reciprocating
the sliding member 216 is constituted by the crank gear 214,
linkage 215 and sliding member 216.
[0105] That is, the lower end of the linkage 215 is pivotally and
rotatably supported on the crank gear 214, and the upper end
thereof is pivotally and rotatably supported on the lower end of
the sliding member 216.
[0106] Additionally, guide cylinders 219, each into which a slide
guide member (not shown) for vertically guiding the sliding member
216 is inserted, are protruded at the upper and lower both ends of
the rear portion of the sliding member 216 respectively. Further, a
rack-shaped slide gear 221 is formed at one side of the front
portion of the sliding member 216, and a joint gear 222, which is
positioned on one side above the sliding member 216, is meshed with
the slide gear 221.
[0107] The joint gear 222 is positioned behind the partition wall
body main body 141 of the partition wall body 131, a gear 223
having a large diameter is provided, on the front portion of the
joint gear 222, coaxially and integrally with the gear 222, and the
gear 222 is pivotally and rotatably supported on the partition wall
body main body 141. Additionally, the gear 223 is meshed with a
gear 224 positioned on one side thereof. The gear 224 is pivotally
and rotatably supported on the partition wall body main body 141,
and provided coaxially with a gear 225, which is positioned aside
of the introduction hole 153, on the front portion of the partition
wall body main body 141, and the gear 225 is meshed with the gear
179 of the dust shaking-off part 135.
[0108] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 6,
the lid body 3 includes a lid body main body 231, a lid body joint
part 232 joined with the upper side of the front end of the lid
body main body 231, and an air passage partition part 233 engaged
with the lower portion of the lid body main body 231.
[0109] The lid body main body 231 constitutes an outline of the lid
body 3 and is formed so as to be forward and upward curved, parts
to be pivotally supported 235, 235 are protruded at the rear end of
the lid body main body 3, and a joint attachment part 237 aslant
forward and downward is formed at the front end thereof.
Additionally, holes 241 (only one shown) are provided at both sides
of the lid body main body 231, and an open/close button (not shown)
is provided in each hole 241.
[0110] Each part to be pivotally supported 235 is joined with the
upper case 6 of the main body case 2 via a hinge 243 in front of
the handle 35.
[0111] Additionally, the open/close button is operated in releasing
latching of the lid body 3 onto the main body case 2, joined with a
latching mechanism 245 arranged between the lid body main body 231
and the lid body joint part 232, and makes the latching mechanism
245 movable by being press-operated toward the center side in the
lateral direction from both sides.
[0112] Here, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the latching mechanism
245 includes latching members 247, 247 which are inserted and
latched, from the center to the outside in the lateral direction,
into gaps between the protrusions to be engaged 79, 79 and upper
wall 56 which are positioned on the upper portion of the cup member
51 of the dust collecting unit 9. The latching members 247, 247 are
positioned under the air passage partition part 233, and energized
in a direction of being spaced from each other in the lateral
direction by a coil spring (not shown) or the like as energizing
means. When the latching members 247, 247 are moved so as to
approach each other toward the center side in the lateral direction
against energization according to press-operation of the open/close
button, engagement of the latching members 247, 247 with the gaps
between the protrusions to be engaged 79, 79 and the upper wall 56
is released.
[0113] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, a round
attachment hole 249 is opened in the central portion of the joint
attachment part 237.
[0114] The lid body joint part 232 has a substantially cylindrical
joint part main body 253 rotatable in a circumferential direction,
the joint part main body 253 having a cylindrical connection
cylinder 252, in which a round hose connection port 251 as a
suction port is opened, at its center, and the peripheral edge of
the joint main body 253 is attached to the joint attachment part
237 by a substantially cylindrical joint attachment part 254.
[0115] The hose connection port 251 is opened upward at the front
side of the vacuum cleaner main body 1, and an opening direction of
the hose connection port 251, that is, an axis direction of the
connection cylinder 252, is slanted to approximately 45.degree.
with respect to the horizontal direction (vertical direction).
[0116] Additionally, the connection cylinder 252 has the hose
connection port 251 at its front end, the rear end thereof is
inserted into an eccentric flat linear cylindrical body 256, and
the cylindrical body 256 as a sealing member is air tightly
connected to an attachment hole 249 of the joint attachment part
237 via a packing 257. That is, the hose connection port 251
linearly communicates with the attachment hole 249 via the
connection cylinder 252 and the cylindrical body 256.
[0117] Here, the cylindrical body 256 is provided so as to be
rotatable integrally with the joint attachment part 254 in a
circumferential direction.
[0118] As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 10, in the hose
connection port 251, a joint tube 262 of the base end of a hose
body 261 is detachably inserted into the connection cylinder 252, a
hand operation part 263 is provided at the top end of the hose body
261, a grip part 264 to be griped by an operator is protruded on
the hand operating part 263, a plurality of setting buttons 265
that the operator sets an operation mode and the like of the
electric blower 7 to the control means are provided on the grip
part 264, and a floor brush 267 as a suction port body is
successively communicatively connected to the top end of the hand
operating part 263 via an extension tube 266.
[0119] Accordingly, the joint tube 262 on the base end side of the
hose body 261 is connected to the vacuum cleaner main body 1 (main
body case 2) so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction
by the joint attachment part 254 and the cylindrical body 256
having the connection cylinder 252.
[0120] The air passage partition part 233 has: an air passage lower
plate 275 as a first air passage partition plate positioned at its
lowest part; an air passage front plate 276 as a second air passage
partition plate continuously upward from the front end of the air
passage lower plate 275; an air passage upper plate 277 as a third
air passage partition plate continuously behind the air passage
front plate 276 and above the air passage lower plate 275; an air
passage middle plate 278 as a fourth air passage partition plate
positioned between the air passage upper plate 277 and air passage
lower plate 275; and an air passage rear plate 279 as a fifth air
passage partition plate continuous to the air passage lower plate
275, air passage upper plate 277 and the rear end of the air
passage middle plate 278. A separation space 281 is provided
between the front end of the air passage lower plate 275, the air
passage front plate 276 and the front end of the air passage upper
plate 277, an upper air passage 282 as a first partial air passage
is provided between the air passage upper plate 277 and air passage
middle plate 278, and a lower air passage 283 as a second partial
air passage is provided between the air passage middle plate 278
and air passage lower plate 275.
[0121] The air passage lower plate 275 forms into a lower surface
of the lid body 3 and is formed so as to cover the entire lower
portion of the lid body main body 231. Additionally, a
communication port 285 communicating with the unit suction port 76
of the dust collecting unit 9 is provided at the substantially
central portion of the air passage lower plate 275. As shown in
FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, a circular ring-shaped seal packing 286 is
attached to the outer periphery of the communication port 285, the
ring-shaped seal packing 286 being a lid body lower portion sealing
member air tightly connected to the seal packing 77. Further, in
the air passage lower plate 275, fitting recesses 287, 287, into
which the fitting protrusions 81, 81 of the dust collecting unit 9
fit, are provided on both sides of the communication port 285, and
latch fitting recesses 288, 288, into which the latching members
247, 247 slidably fit, are provided at both sides in front of the
communication port 285. An activation protrusion 289 is protruded
on the central portion of the front end of the air passage lower
plate 275 in the lateral direction, the activation protrusion 289
being inserted in the exposed opening 62b of the dust collecting
unit 9 with the lid body 3 closed and activating the breakaway
preventing mechanism 65. Further, protrusion fitting recess 290,
into which the protrusion 62a of the dust collecting unit 9 fits,
is formed behind the activation protrusion 289 of the air passage
lower plate 275.
[0122] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the air passage front plate
276 is engaged with a lower surface of the joint attachment 237 of
the lid body main body 231. Accordingly, the air passage front
plate 276 is formed so as to be slanted forward and downward. A
round air passage communication opening 293 communicating with the
hose connection port 251 via the connection cylinder 252 is opened
in the air passage front plate 276. The air passage communication
opening 293 is formed so as to have a diameter larger than that of
the attachment hole 249, that is, connection cylinder 252, and the
rear end, which is the end of the downstream side, of the
connection cylinder 252 is fitted into the air passage
communication opening 293 and protruded inward in an opening
direction.
[0123] The air passage upper plate 277 has a front side partition
part 277a which is positioned at its front end and partitions a
separation space 281, and a rear side partition part 277b which is
continuous to the rear end of the front side partition part 277a
and forms the upper air passage 282, and both sides of the air
passage upper plate 277 continue to the air passage lower plate 275
outside of the peripheral edge of the communication port 285.
[0124] The front side partition part 277a substantially
perpendicularly protrudes from the rear end of the air passage
front plate 276, and is provided so that the separation space 281
is diametrically contracted to the rear side partition part
277b.
[0125] The rear side partition part 277b is formed so as to be bent
at a substantially right angle with respect to the rear end of the
front side partition part 277a in a cross sectional view, along the
front and rear direction.
[0126] A first air passage ventilation hole 295 making
communication between the separation space 281 and the upper air
passage 282 is formed between a continuation part of the front side
partition part 277a and rear side partition part 277b, and a
surface of the upper air passage 282 side of the air passage middle
plate 278.
[0127] The air passage middle plate 278 is formed continuously to
the air passage lower plate 275 along the peripheral edge of the
communication port 285, and the front end thereof is positioned
along the inside of the continuation part between the front side
partition part 277a and rear side partition part 277b of the air
passage upper plate 277. Additionally, a second air passage
ventilation hole 297 making communication between the separation
space 281 and the lower air passage 283 is opened at the front end
of the air passage middle plate 278. Further, a latching rib 298 is
protruded on the upper air passage 282 side of the air passage
middle plate 278.
[0128] The second air passage ventilation hole 297 is formed in the
shape of a round hole having a diameter approximately the same as
that of the attachment hole 249, that is, the connection cylinder
252, and so as to have an opening direction along the axis
direction of the connection cylinder 252.
[0129] The air passage rear plate 279 is formed in the shape of a
slant face opposite to the slant face 107 of the filter container
101 of the filter 12, slanted backward and upward, with the lid
body 3 closed. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, in the
air passage rear plate 279, a first communication opening 301 and a
second communication opening 302 are formed, the first
communication opening 301 being a first partial air passage exhaust
hole positioned at the downstream end of the upper air passage 282,
and the second communication opening 302 being a second partial air
passage exhaust hole positioned at the downstream end of the lower
air passage 283, and a seal packing 303 as a lid body rear portion
sealing member is continuously attached to the peripheral edges of
the first communication opening 301 and second communication
opening 302.
[0130] The first communication opening 301 is formed in a shape
approximately the same as that of the filter opening 111 provided
in the slant face 107 of the filter 12.
[0131] The second communication opening 302 is formed in a shape
substantially the same as that of an upper end opening of the duct
lifting part 109b of the filter 12.
[0132] The seal packing 303 comes into contact with the seal
packing 113 of the filter 12 with the lid body 3 closed, and
connects the upper air passage 282 and lower air passage 283 air
tightly to the upstream side of the filter opening 111 of the
filter 12 and the upstream side of the upper end opening of the
duct lifting part 109b respectively.
[0133] The separation space 281 is a space having an axis direction
in the shape of a slant along a direction substantially the same as
the opening direction of the hose connection port 251, that is, an
axis direction of the connection cylinder 252, and houses a dust
separator 311 therein, the dust separator 311 separating dust,
which is suctioned together with air from the hose connection port
251, from the air.
[0134] The dust separator 311 has a separator main body 314 formed
substantially cylindrically, and a mesh filter 315 as a filter
attached to the separator main body 314.
[0135] The front end of the separator main body 314 is air tightly
connected to the rear end of the air passage middle plate 276
around the air passage communication opening 293, the diameter
thereof is contracted to the rear end thereof, and the rear end is
latched to the front end of the air passage middle plate 278 so
that the second air passage ventilation hole 297 is communicatively
connected to the communication port 285. Accordingly, the separator
main body 314 communicates with the communication port 285 to be
slanted with respect to the communication port 285 by, for example,
approximately 45.degree.. Additionally, lattice-shaped
communication holes 318 are provided in an outer peripheral surface
of the separator main body 314, and the communication holes 318 are
air tightly connected to the first air passage ventilation hole
295.
[0136] The mesh filter 315 is mounted so as to cover each of the
communication holes 318 of the separator main body 314, and can
collect dust contained air passing through the communication holes
318.
[0137] The dust separator 311 applies inertia to rough dust, which
has a relatively large specific gravity, in dust suctioned together
with air from the hose connection port 251 by driving the electric
blower 7 and separates the rough dust aslant linearly from the
upstream side to downstream side of the separator main body 314,
and separates the air aslant to the communication hole 318.
[0138] The upper air passage 282 is an air passage, through which
air separated by the dust separator 311 passes to the filter 12,
and substantially horizontally formed, and a first valve body 321
is provided therein.
[0139] The upper end of the first valve body 321 is pivotally and
rotatably supported on the continuation part between the front side
partition part 277a and rear side partition part 277b of the air
passage upper plate 277 in the front and rear direction, and the
rotation allows the upper air passage 282 to open and close. That
is, the first valve body 321 is positioned in the vicinity of the
first air passage ventilation hole 295. Additionally, a notch 321a
is formed to be fitted along a surface of the upper air passage 282
side at the air passage middle plate 278 side of the first valve
body 321, and the edge of the front side of the notch 321a is
latched to the latching rib 298 of the air passage middle plate
278, and thus forward rotation is regulated. Accordingly, the first
valve body 321 is opened against its own weight by the flow from
the front side to the rear side of the air, and closed by its own
weight when the flow of air is stopped, and the flow from the rear
side to the front side of the air cannot open it.
[0140] On the other hand, the lower air passage 283 is an air
passage, through which air from the filter 12 side passes to the
dust collecting unit 9 side, substantially horizontally formed, and
partitioned from the upper air passage 282 by only the air passage
middle plate 278, and a second valve body 323 as a valve body is
provided in the lower air passage 283.
[0141] The second valve 323 has a valve main body 323a and an
attaching frame 323b for attaching the valve main body 323a to the
inside of the lower air passage 283, and is provided on the rear
side of the edge of the communication port 285 arranged in the
vicinity of the second air passage ventilation hole 297.
[0142] The upper end of the valve main body 323a is pivotally and
rotatably supported on the attaching frame 323b, and the rotation
allows the lower air passage 283 to open and close.
[0143] The attaching frame 323b is positioned behind the valve main
body 323a and formed in a frame shape along an inner surface
between the air passage lower plate 275 and the air passage middle
plate 278. Accordingly, in the second valve body 323, the valve
main body 323a is opened against its own weight by the flow of air
from the rear side to the front side, closed by its own weight when
the flow is stopped, and is constituted so that it is not opened,
since it is supported by the attaching frame 323b from behind, even
if receiving the flow of air from the front side to the rear
side.
[0144] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, according to the above
constitution, a main air passage 325 is formed which communicates
with the suction side of the electric blower 7 from the hose
connection port 251, via the connection cylinder 252, the dust
separator 311, the communication port 285, the dust collecting unit
9, the mount part air passage 96, the air ventilation passage 168,
the communication air passage 165, the communication hole 208 and
the joint cylinder 148. Additionally, an auxiliary air passage 328
is formed which has: a first half passage 326 as a first air
passage communicating with the suction side of the electric blower
7 from the hose connection port 251, via the connection cylinder
252, the dust separator 311, the upper air passage 282 (the first
valve body 321), the filter 12 and the joint cylinder 148; and a
second half passage 327 as a second air passage communicating with
the suction side of the electric blower 7 via the introduction
communication port 152, the introduction hole 153, the filter 12,
the duct 109, the lower air passage 283 (the second valve body
323), the dust collecting unit 9, the mount part air passage 96,
the air ventilation passage 168, the communication air passage 165
and the joint cylinder 148.
[0145] Accordingly, the auxiliary air passage 328 is joined with
the main air passage 325 in the communication air passage 165 at
the downstream side, the upper air passage 282 and the lower air
passage 283, which constitute a part of the auxiliary air passage
328, are provided in the lid body 3, and the space 13, in which the
filter 12 is arranged, is a cross position between the first half
passage 326 and second half passage 327.
[0146] The second half passage 327 and the introduction hole 153
are blocked by the driving mechanism 136, the first valve body 321,
the second valve body 323 and the like, and a switch means 329 is
provided that makes switching between a suctioning state (cleaning
state) where dust can be trapped in the duct collecting unit 9 and
the pleated filter 126 of the filter 12, the dust being suctioned
from the hose connection port 251 by driving the electric blower 7
via the main air passage 325 and the first half passage 326, and a
dust moving state (air washing state) where outside air is
introduced into the second half passage 327 by driving the electric
blower 7 via the introduction hole 153 and the dust trapped in the
pleated filter 126 is moved to the dust collecting unit 9 via the
second half passage 327.
[0147] Next, operations of the first embodiment will be
described.
[0148] First, in starting cleaning, the lid body 3 is opened, the
dust collecting unit 9, to which the paper pack 52 is attached, is
attached to the mount part 10, the positioning protrusions 116, 116
are brought into contact with the fine dust receiver 25, the
latching protrusions 124, 124 of the upper case 6 are engaged with
the latching holes of the latching pieces 117, 117, and the filter
12, to which the pleated filter 126 is attached, is fixed in the
space 13.
[0149] Then, when the lid body 3 is closed, the latching members
247, 247 are engaged with the gaps between the protrusions to be
engaged 79, 79 of the dust collecting unit 9 and upper wall 56 of
the dust collecting unit 9, the fitting protrusions 81, 81 of the
dust collecting unit 9 are fitted into the fitting recesses 287,
287, the protrusion 62a of the dust collecting unit 9 is fitted
into the protrusion fitting recess 290, the activation protrusion
289 is inserted into the exposed opening 62b, the breakaway
preventing mechanism 65 is activated, the latching body 68 is
latched to the upper end of the front portion of the mount part 10,
and the dust collecting unit 9 and the filter 12 are held in the
main body case 2 by the lid body 3.
[0150] In this state, the seal packing 286 is brought into
press-contact with the seal packing 77 of the dust collecting unit
9, the seal packing 303 is brought into press-contact with the seal
packing 113 of the filter 12, and the lid body 3 is air tightly
connected to the dust collecting unit 9 and the filter 12.
[0151] Then, an operator inserts and connects the joint tube 262 on
the base end side of the hose body 261 into the hose connection
port 251 of the lid body 3, and successively communicatively
connects the floor brush 267 to the top end side of the hose body
261 via the extension tube 266.
[0152] At this time, the joint tube 262 of the hose body 261 is
linearly inserted into the connection cylinder 252 via the hose
connection port 251, and rotatably connected to the main body case
2.
[0153] Then, when the operator sets the operation mode of the
electric blower 7 with the set buttons 265 and starts operating the
electric vacuum cleaner, the electric blower 7 is driven by the set
operation mode.
[0154] Moreover, in the suctioning state, the opening-closing valve
body 211 is positioned on the right side shown in FIG. 8 and the
suction opening 144 is opened, the valve body 197 is positioned at
the upper side, the seal packing 209 comes into contact with the
step part 166, and the part to be joined 206b of the introduction
hole opening-closing valve 206 is positioned at the lower side,
that is, the opening-closing valve main body 206c is positioned at
the upper side and blocks the introduction communication port 152.
Thus, in the suctioning state, as shown in FIG. 3, the second half
passage 327 and the introduction hole 153 are blocked.
[0155] Dust is suctioned together with air from the top end of the
floor brush 267 with the action of negative pressure generated by
driving the electric blower 7, the suctioned dust is suctioned
together with the air into the hose connection port 251 via the
extension tube 266 and the hose body 261.
[0156] Here, inertia is applied to rough dust in the suctioned dust
by suction air, and the rough dust moves straight forward and then
passes through the second air passage ventilation hole 297 in the
dust separator 311, is rectified by the valve main body 323a of the
second valve body 323 positioned in the vicinity of the second air
passage ventilation hole 297, separated in the substantially
vertical direction, that is, by, for example, 45.degree. with
respect to the axis direction of the connection cylinder 252 that
is the opening direction of the hose connection port 251, and
passes through the communication port 285, and then passes through
the introduction cylinder 78 from the unit suction port 76 and is
suctioned into the paper pack 52 in the dust collecting unit 9 from
the pack opening 87.
[0157] Additionally, when the air suctioned together with the rough
dust into the paper pack 52 passes through the pack body 89 of the
paper pack 52, contained fine dust is collected, the air flows into
the mount part air passage 96 via the lattice openings 92, and then
passes from the lower communication opening 41 to the air
ventilation passage 168, is further suctioned into the suction side
of the electric blower 7 from the air passage communication port
167, via communication air passage 165, air passage hole 208 and
the joint cylinder 148.
[0158] Further, the remaining air suctioned together with the dust
and separated by the dust separator 311 is separated by the dust
separator 311 toward the substantially horizontal direction with an
angle equal to that of the rough dust with respect to the axial
direction of the connecting tube 252 as the opening direction of
the hose connecting port 251, for example, by 45.degree., with
respect to the axial direction of the connecting tube 252 and
passes through the communicating holes 318, and at the time of this
passage, fine dust contained in the air is trapped in the mesh
filter 315, and in passing through the upper air passage 282, the
first valve body 321 is forcibly opened backward, and the dust
flows into the filter portion 12 via the first communication
opening 301 and filter opening 111, and in passing through the
pleated filter 126, the micro dust that is not trapped in the mesh
filter is further trapped in the pleated filter, and after passing
through the pleated filter 126, the dust is trapped in the mesh
filter 174 while passing through the ventilation opening 173 of the
filter plate main body 171, and suctioned from the suction opening
144 via the joint cylinder 148 into the electric blower 7.
[0159] The air suctioned into the electric blower 7 passes through
the electric blower 7 to form into exhaust air, and is exhausted
outside of the main body case 2 from the electric blower 7 via the
exhaust hole 31.
[0160] To finish cleaning, when the operator sets the operation
mode of the electric blower 7 to a stop mode by the set buttons
265, the control means operates the driving mechanism 136 via the
motor 185.
[0161] Specifically, the motor 185 rotates clockwise as shown in
FIG. 8, and thus the gears 186, 187 rotate in the same direction.
At the gear 186 side, the rotary gear 192 meshed with the gear 186
rotates upward, the opening-closing valve body 211 rotates in a
left direction in FIG. 8 via the arm 198 with rotation of the
rotary gear 192 and the suction opening 144 is closed, and the
valve body 197 rotates downward and the seal packing 209 is made to
be spaced from the step part 166. Further, the part to be joined
206b of the introduction opening-closing valve 206 moves upward,
and thus the opening-closing valve main body 206c rotates downward,
the introduction communication port 152 is opened to communicate
with the introduction hole 153.
[0162] Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the main air passage 325 and the
first half passage 326 of the auxiliary air passage 328 are blocked
by the switch means 329, and makes switching to the dust moving
state where only the second half passage 327 of the auxiliary air
passage 328 communicates with the suction side of the electric
blower 7.
[0163] Additionally, at the gear 187 side, the crank gear 214
meshed with the gear 187 rotates, the sliding member 216 vertically
reciprocates along the slide sliding member via the linkage 215,
the joint gear 222 meshed with the slide sear 221 of the sliding
member 216 reciprocally rotates clockwise and counterclockwise in
FIG. 8, the gear 223 rotates integrally with the joint gear 222,
the gear 224 meshed with the gear 223 rotates, the gear 225 rotates
integrally with the gear 224, the dust shaking-off part main body
176, in which the gear 225 is meshed with the gear 179, laterally
reciprocates along the guide bodies 177, 177, and thus the dust
shaking-off part 181 successively gets over the crest parts of the
pleated filter 126 to apply vibration to the pleated filter 126,
dust adhered to the pleated filter 126 is removed, and the removed
dust drops onto the fine dust receiver 25, etc., along the slant
face part 129 of the filter frame 127.
[0164] When the gear 186 rotates substantially once around, the cam
191 pushes in the switch piece 194a of the switch 194, and thus the
control means stops the motor 185 with a signal from the switch
194.
[0165] In the dust moving state, outside air introduced into the
main body case 2 from the introduction hole 153 by driving the
electric blower 7 passes through the pleated filter 126 from the
downstream side to the upstream side, in a reverse-wash direction,
and thus the micro dust trapped in the pleated filter 126 is
removed, the outside air suctions up the micro dust dropped on the
fine dust receiver 25, etc., via the suction opening 115 from the
duct suctioning part 109a, and is suctioned into the lower air
passage 283 via the second communication opening 302 from the duct
lifting part 109b.
[0166] The outside air suctioned into the lower air passage 283
pushes and opens the second valve body 323 forward, passes through
the communication port 285, and then is suctioned into the paper
pack 52 of the dust collecting unit 9, and suctioned into the
suction side of the electric blower 7 via the mount part air
passage 96, the air ventilation passage 168 and the communication
air passage 165.
[0167] In this time, the micro dust passing through the lower air
passage 283 is rectified and collected into the dust collecting
unit 9 by the valve main body 323a of the second valve body
323.
[0168] The control means then stops the electric blower 7 and
rotates the motor 185 in a direction reverse to the above direction
after elapse of a predetermined time, and thus each part operates
reversely to the above operation to return to the position of the
suctioning state, and then the control means stops the motor
185.
[0169] The switch means 329 thus makes switching between the
suctioning state, where the second half passage 327 of the
auxiliary air passage 328 and the introduction hole 153 are blocked
and the dust suctioned from the hose connection port 251 by driving
the electric blower 7 via the main air passage 325 and the first
half passage 326 of the auxiliary air passage 328 can be trapped in
the dust collecting unit 9 and the pleated filter 126 of the filter
12, and the dust moving state where outside air is introduced into
the second half passage 327 by driving the electric blower 7 via
the introduction hole 153 and the dust trapped in the pleated
filter 126 is moved to the dust collecting unit 9 via the second
half passage 327. In the suctioning state, even if the amount of
the dust trapped in the dust collecting unit 9 of the main air
passage 325 is increased, the air suctioned from the hose
connection port 251 is branched into the first half passage 326 of
the auxiliary air passage 328 and reduction in the suctioned air
amount is suppressed. When the suctioning stated is switched to the
dust moving state by the switch means 329, the dust trapped in the
pleated filter 126 is moved to the dust collecting unit 9 and
increase in the air passage resistance at the auxiliary air passage
328 side caused by clogging of the pleated filter 126 is
suppressed, and thus reduction in suction power over time can be
suppressed.
[0170] Additionally, in maintaining the electric blower, the
latching members 247 of the latching mechanism 245 are activated by
operating the open/close button of the lid body 3, the lid body 3
is rotated upward to be opened while engagement of the lid body 3
with the dust collecting unit 9 is released, and then, as shown in
FIG. 1, the dust collecting unit 9 and the filter 12 are exposed
from the main body case 2. Thus, the dust collecting unit 9 and the
filter 12 are taken off from the main body case 2, the paper pack
52 is taken off from the cup member 51 to be scraped, a new paper
pack 52 is mounted on the cup member 51, the pleated filter 126 is
taken off from the filter container 101 and the dust is removed,
the pleated filter 126 is mounted on the filter container 101
again, and the dust collecting unit 9 and the filter 12 are
attached to the main body case 2.
[0171] That is, according to the first embodiment, since the upper
air passage 282 and lower air passage 283 are provided which are a
part of the first half passage 326 and second half passage 327 of
the auxiliary air passage 328 respectively, the dust collecting
unit 9 is exposed with the lid body 3 opened, and thus detachment
performance and maintenance performance of the dust collecting unit
9 are improved.
[0172] Additionally, since the upper air passage 282 and the lower
air passage 283 are provided in the lid body 3, the air passages
282, 283 are easily cleaned from the first communication opening
301 and the second communication opening 302 sides.
[0173] Further, since the pack opening 87 is positioned at the
upper side of the paper pack 52 with the pack 52 attached to the
dust collecting unit 9, no dust drops from the paper pack 52.
[0174] The upper air passage 282 is separated from the lower air
passage 283 by only the air passage middle plate 278, and thus
space-saving in the lid body 3 can be realized and the lid body 3
(electric vacuum cleaner) can be reduced in weight.
[0175] Additionally, since the second valve body 323 is provided at
the communication part between the downstream side of the dust
separator 311 and the dust collecting unit 9, and at the
communication part between the second half passage 327 of the
auxiliary air passage 328 and the dust collecting unit 9, the rough
dust passed through the dust separator 311 can be rectified to the
dust collecting unit 9 by the valve main body 323a of the second
valve body 323 in the suctioning state, and the micro dust passed
through the second air passage 327 can be rectified to the dust
collecting unit 9 by the valve main body 323a in the dust moving
state.
[0176] Further, since the dust collecting unit 9 is arranged under
the lid body 3 and the second half passage 327 is provided under
the first half passage 326 in the auxiliary air passage 328, the
micro dust removed from the pleated filter 126 in the dust moving
state need not be unnecessarily lifted up, and is efficiently moved
to the dust collecting unit 9.
[0177] Since the introduction hole 153 is provided downstream with
respect to the pleated filter 126, that is, at the suction side of
the electric blower 7, in the suctioning state, outside air
introduced from the introduction hole 153 in the dust moving state
passes from the downstream side of the pleated filter 126 and
performs reverse-washing, and thus, in the reverse-washing, the
outside air is made even and spreads all over the entire pleated
filter 126 so as to substantially evenly wash the entire pleated
filter 126, and the pleated filter 126 can be securely prevented
from being clogged.
[0178] Additionally, since the introduction opening-closing valve
206 and the opening-closing valve body 211 are moved in conjunction
with each other and opened/closed by the single motor 185,
switching between the suctioning state and dust moving state is
simply performed, space-saving and weight reduction can be realized
and the electric vacuum cleaner can be downsized, compared with the
case of opening-closing them with use of a plurality of motors.
[0179] Further, since the dust shaking-off part 135 is driven by
the motor 185 for making the introduction opening-closing valve 206
and the opening-closing valve body 211 move in conjunction with
each other and opening-closing them, the constitution thereof is
simplified, the dust trapped in the pleated filter 126 can be
further securely removed, and the pleated filter 126 can be
prevented from being clogged.
[0180] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference
to FIG. 11 to FIG. 14. Moreover, the same reference symbol is
attached to each part having the same operation-effect as that of
the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0181] In the second embodiment, outside air is introduced to the
upstream side of the pleated filter 126 from the introduction hole
153 in the dust moving state, and the dust trapped in the pleated
filter 126 is removed in the first embodiment.
[0182] That is, as shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 14, the duct forming
part 158 is extended to a front of the partition wall body main
body 141, and the outside air communication part 145 is protruded
forward from an opening 331 provided above the protrusion hole 172
of the filter plate main body 171.
[0183] Additionally, a contact wall 333 is protruded, downward to
the pleated filter body 102, on the frame face part 105 of the
filter container 101 of the filter 12, a rectangular communication
hole 334, with which the front end of the duct forming part 158
communicates, is provided in the contact wall 333, and a seal
packing 335 as a sealing member for air tightly connecting the duct
forming part 158 is attached to the edge of the communication hole
334.
[0184] Further, a duct air passage 337 is extended forward on the
front portion of the communication hole 334, the top end of the
duct air passage 337 is bent from upward to downward directed to a
front surface, which is an upstream side surface of the pleated
filter 126, behind the filter opening 111, and the top end opening
of the duct air passage 337 forms into the introduction hole
153.
[0185] In the suctioning state, cleaning is performed in the same
operation as that of the first embodiment. However, when the
suctioning state is switched to the dust moving state, the
introduction communication port 152 is opened, and thus outside air
passes through the inside of the duct forming part 158, is blown
from upward to downward over the upstream side surface, that is,
front surface, of the pleated filter 126 from the introduction hole
153 via the duct air passage 337, and removes the dust trapped in
the pleated filter 126.
[0186] The removed dust is suctioned up to the lower air passage
283 via the duct 109 by air passing through the second half passage
327 by driving the electric blower 7, and moved and collected into
the paper pack 52 in the dust collecting unit 9 similar to the
first embodiment.
[0187] Thus, an operation-effect similar to that of the first
embodiment can be obtained. Additionally, since the pleated filter
126 has a pleated shape along the vertical direction, the dust
collected on the upstream surface of the pleated filter 126 can be
securely removed by blowing outside air along the pleated shape of
the pleated filter 126 from above via the introduction hole
153.
[0188] Specifically, since the pleated filter 126 is a surface dust
collecting filter, the dust hardly enters the inside of the filter
and is adhered to the upstream side surface to be collected, and
thus the dust can be securely removed by blowing air over the
filter from the introduction 153.
[0189] Moreover, in each embodiment, by providing a notch in the
first valve body 321 of the second air passage 327 of the auxiliary
air passage 328, outside air introduced from the introduction hole
153 in the dust moving state may be made to pass through from the
downstream side of the mesh filter 315 of the dust separator 311 so
as to be introduced to the dust collecting unit 9. In this case,
the mesh filter 315 can be also subjected to the reverse-washing in
the dust moving state, and the auxiliary air passage 328 side
thereof can be securely prevented from being clogged.
[0190] Further, instead of providing the ventilation hole 208 in
the valve body 197, the constitution can be made without providing
the valve body 197. In this case, the constitution of interlocking
the valve body 197 can be omitted.
[0191] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to
FIG. 15 to FIG. 17. Moreover, the same reference symbol is attached
to each part having the same constitution and operation as those of
the above embodiments, and so that description thereof is
omitted.
[0192] In the third embodiment, in place of the filter 12, as shown
in FIG. 17, the pleated filter 126 is provided in the lid body
3.
[0193] In the lid body 3, the air passage upper plate 277 is formed
aslant upward from its front end to its rear end, the rear ends of
the air passage lower plate 275 and air passage middle plate 278
are formed aslant downward, and a space 341 housing the pleated
filter 126 therein is provided behind the air passage upper plate
277, the air passage lower plate 275 and the air passage middle
plate 278. The rear portion of the space 341 communicates with the
outside of the lid body 3 via a communication opening 342.
[0194] In the space 341, the upper side of the pleated filter 126
is arranged so as to be slanted forward and downward, has a lower
end arranged at the upper portion of the rear end of the air
passage lower plate 275 and faces the rear ends of the upper air
passage 282 and lower air passage 283. A rear side surface of the
pleated filter 126 is exposed to the outside of the lid body 3 from
the communication opening 342, and faces the front side of the
upper portion of the partition wall 14 with the lid body 3
closed.
[0195] Additionally, in the dust separator 311, the separator main
body 314 is provided integrally with the air passage lower plate
275 and formed in the shape of an approximate cylinder
diametrically contracted from the upper side to lower side,
upstream side to downstream side, and a communication hole 344 is
opened in the peripheral surface of the rear side of the separator
main body 314, the communication hole 344 facing the front ends of
the upper air passage 282 and lower air passage 283. A mesh filter
345 is provided, behind the downstream side of the communication
hole 344, so as to be positioned in front of the upper air passage
282 and the lower air passage 283. The lower end of the separator
main body 314 is air tightly connected to the communication port
285, which is a base end of the introduction cylinder 78 of the
dust collecting unit 9, with the lid body 3 closed.
[0196] Further, as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, in the partition
wall 131, the partition wall main body 141 is vertically formed in
a plate shape, an upper protrusion plate 351 as a partition plate
is forward protruded at a position slightly higher than the middle
part of the partition wall main body 141 in the vertical direction,
a lower protrusion plate 352 is forward protruded at the lower end
of the partition wall main body 141, side continuation plates 353
continue to both sides of the partition wall main body 141, the
upper protrusion plate 351 and the lower protrusion plate 352, an
upper space 355 is provided which is surrounded by the partition
wall main body 141, the upper protrusion plate 351 and side
continuation plates 353, and a lower space 356 is provided which is
surrounded by the partition wall main body 141, the upper
protrusion plate 351, the side continuation plates 353 and the
lower protrusion plate 352.
[0197] The suction opening 144 is provided so as to make
communication between the lower space 356 and the electric blower
chamber 8 under the upper protrusion plate 351, a joint cylinder
361 is protruded at the rear portion of the entire peripheral edge
of the suction opening 144, and the rear end of the joint cylinder
361 is communicatively connected to the suction side of the
electric blower 7.
[0198] Additionally, the introduction hole 153 communicates with
the upper space 355 and the electric blower chamber 8 above the
upper protrusion plate 351 of the partition wall main body 141, a
duct 363 is protruded into the upper space 355 on the front portion
of the edge of the introduction hole 153. The introduction hole 153
can be opened and closed by an introduction opening-closing valve
365.
[0199] The introduction opening-closing valve 365 is formed larger
than the introduction hole 153, and a pivot 367 is protruded on the
rear side of the lower portion of the valve 365. The pivot 367 is
connected to the driving mechanism 136, and the driving mechanism
136 allows the introduction opening-closing valve 365 to be opened
and closed.
[0200] The front end of the upper protrusion plate 351 faces the
upper edge of the rear portion of the dust collecting unit 9.
Additionally, a space communication opening 371 as a passage
opening for making communication between the upper space 355 and
the lower space 356 is vertically provided in the upper protrusion
plate 351, and can be opened and closed by a plate-shaped opening
opening-closing valve 372 attached to the upper portion of the
upper protrusion plate 351.
[0201] The rear end of the opening opening-closing valve 372 is
pivotally and rotatably supported at the front portion of the upper
protrusion plate 351 so that the valve 372 is vertically rotatable
in the upper space 355. Additionally, a joint protrusion 374 is
protruded on the lower portion of the opening opening-closing valve
372, inserted into the space communication opening 371, and jointed
with the driving mechanism 136. Thus, the opening opening-closing
valve 372 is opened and closed by the driving mechanism 136.
[0202] The lower protrusion plate 352 faces the lower edge of the
dust collecting unit 9.
[0203] A seal packing 376 as a sealing member is attached along the
entire front ends of the partition wall main body 141, the upper
protrusion plate 351 and the side continuation plates 353 which
surround the upper space 355. Additionally, a partitioning wall 377
is laterally extended at the upper side of the upper space 355, and
partitions the upper space 355 into the upper space 378 and the
lower space 379. An upper side lattice frame 381 is fitted into the
upper space 378, and a lower side lattice frame 382 is fitted into
the lower space 379.
[0204] The upper space 378 is a space which makes communication
between the introduction hole 15 and the upstream side surface of
the pleated filter 126 via the upper portion of the pleated filter
126 with the lid body closed and serves as a part of the second
half passage 327. The front end of the duct 363 is connected to the
rear portion of the upper side lattice frame 381.
[0205] The lower space 379 is a space which faces the rear side
surface of the pleated filter 126 with the lid body 3 closed and
serves as a part of the first half passage 326, and the dust
shaking-off part 135 is positioned therein.
[0206] In the lower side lattice frame 382, a long hole-shaped
exposure opening 384 is laterally extended into which the front end
of the dust shaking-out body 181 of the dust shaking-off part 135
fits and protrudes forward.
[0207] Additionally, the lower space 356 is a space which
communicates with the downstream side of the dust collecting unit 9
and serves as a part of the first half passage 326. A seal packing
386 as a sealing member is attached to the entire front edges of
the partition wall main body 141, the upper protrusion plate 351,
the side continuation plates 353 and the lower protrusion plate 352
which surround the lower space 356. Additionally, a lower lattice
frame 387 is fitted into the lower space 356, and a front lattice
frame 388 is movably provided in front of the lower lattice frame
387 so that the lower lattice frame 387 can be exposed.
[0208] Further, for example, a plurality of communication holes 389
are provided in the first valve body 321.
[0209] According to the above constitution, the main air passage
325 runs from the hose connection port 251, via the connection
cylinder 252, the dust separator 311, the communication port 285,
the dust collecting unit 9, the lower space 356 and the suction
opening 144, to the suction side of the electric blower 7, the
first half passage 326 runs, with the first valve body 321 opened
and the second valve body 323 closed, from the hose connection port
251, via the connection cylinder 252, the dust separator 311, the
communication hole 344, the mesh filter 345, the upper air passage
282 (the first valve body 321), the space 341, the pleated filter
126, the lower space 379, the space communication opening 371 and
the suction port 144, to the suction side of the electric blower 7,
and the second half passage 327 runs, with the first valve body 321
closed and the second valve body 323 opened, from the introduction
hole 153, via the duct 363, the space 341, the lower air passage
283 (the second valve body 323), the communication hole 344, the
communication port 285, the dust collecting unit 9, the lower space
356 and the suction port 144, to the suction side of the electric
blower 7.
[0210] Further, as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the motor 185 is
attached to the rear portion of the partition wall main body 141,
and a gear 391 is provided on a rotary shaft protruding forward
from the motor 185.
[0211] The gear 391 meshes with a rotary gear 393 at one end of its
front side, and meshes with a circular crank gear 394 at the upper
portion of one side of its rear side.
[0212] The rotary gear 393 is formed in the shape of a fan having,
for example, a center angle of 180.degree., in a half circle shape,
and an arc part of the gear 393 meshes with the gear 391.
Additionally, in the rotary gear 393, the front end of the rotary
shaft 393a is pivotally and rotatably supported at the rear portion
of the partition wall main body 141, and connected to a front
rotary gear (not shown) positioned on the front portion of the
partition wall main body 141. Additionally, an insertion shaft 393b
is protruded at the rear portion of the rotary gear 393
eccentrically to a direction protruding from the rotary gear 393
with respect to the rotary shaft 393a, and inserted into an
opening-closing valve driving body 397 for driving the introduction
hole opening-closing valve 365.
[0213] The front rotary gear is positioned in the lower space 356,
and can be rotated integrally with the rotary gear 393 while
keeping a predetermined angle with respect to the rotary gear 393.
Additionally, the front rotary gear is meshed with a front crank
gear 401 positioned upward.
[0214] The front crank gear 401 is a circular gear, positioned in
the lower space 356, and pivotally and rotatably supported on the
partition wall main body 141. A crank protrusion 401a is protruded
forward in the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the front
crank gear 401, and inserted into a rotating joining member 403 for
rotating the introduction hole opening-closing valve 365.
[0215] The rotating joining 403 is formed in a vertically long
shape, vertically long guide holes 403a, 403a are provided in the
upper side and lower side of the member 403 respectively, and a
crank hole 403b, into which the crank protrusion 401a is inserted,
is provided at the substantially central region of the member 403
in the vertical direction so as to be long in the lateral direction
that is a direction of crossing of the hole 403b and the guide
holes 403a, 403a. Additionally, a joint protrusion 403d is provided
at the upper end of the rotating joining member 403, the protrusion
403d including a long joint hole 403c, into which the joint
protrusion 374 of the opening opening-closing valve 372 is
inserted, in the front and rear direction. Guide protrusions (not
shown) protruded from the partition wall main body 141 are inserted
into the guide holes 403a, 403a, and the rotating joining member
403 is vertically guided with rotation of the front crank gear
401.
[0216] The opening-closing valve driving body 397 includes: a lower
driving body horizontal part 397b having a joint guide hole 397a
into which the insertion shaft 393b of the rotary gear 393 is
inserted; a driving body vertical part 397c extended upward from
the top end of the lower driving body horizontal part 397b; an
upper driving body horizontal part 397d protruded substantially
horizontally and in parallel with the lower driving body horizontal
part 397b from the upper end of the driving body vertical part
397c; and a joint protrusion 397e which is protruded substantially
vertically upward from the tip end of the upper driving body
horizontal part 397d and pivotally and rotatably supported by the
pivot 367. Long guide holes 397f are vertically provided in the
driving body vertical part 397c and the upper driving body
horizontal part 397d respectively.
[0217] The joint guide hole 397a is formed in an approximately
laterally long arc shape, and bent in an inverted V-shape, in the
front view, with respect to the lower driving body horizontal part
397b.
[0218] Each guide protrusion 406 protruded from the partition wall
main body 141 is inserted into each guide hole 397f, and the
opening-closing valve driving body 397 is vertically guided with
rotation of the rotary gear 393.
[0219] On the other hand, a cam 408 is provided integrally with a
cam portion 408 across the rear half periphery of the crank gear
394, and the cam 408 comes into contact with a switch piece of a
switch (not shown) arranged aside of the gear 391 so that the
switch is can be turned on/off. Further, a lower end of a linkage
411, which is long in the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge, is
rotatably joined with the rear portion of the crank gear 394, and
the upper end of the linkage 411 is rotatably joined with the lower
end of a vertically long rack gear 412. The rack gear 412 is
vertically slidably held by a guide member 413 attached to the rear
portion of the partition wall main body 141.
[0220] Accordingly, the rack gear 412 can be vertically
reciprocated by rotation of the crank gear 394 via the linkage
411.
[0221] Further, a gear (not shown) pivotally and rotatably
supported on the guide member 413 is meshed with the rack gear 412,
and a gear 417 is coaxially provided with and rotatable integrally
with the gear, the gear 417 being positioned in front of the guide
member 413 and having a large diameter. Further, the gear 417 is
meshed with an upper gear 418 positioned upward, and the upper gear
418 is provided coaxially with and rotatable integrally with a
front gear 419 which is positioned in front of the partition wall
main body 141 and in the upper space 355, and meshes with the gear
179 of the dust shaking-off part 135.
[0222] Additionally, the switch means 329 can make switching
between the suctioning state (cleaning state) where dust suctioned
from the hose connection port 251 by driving the electric blower 7
via the main air passage 325 and the first half passage 326 can be
trapped in the dust collecting unit 9 and the pleated filter 126
with the introduction hole 153 closed by the driving mechanism 136,
the introduction hole opening-closing valve 365, the opening
opening-closing valve 372 and the like, and the dust moving state
(air cleaning state) where outside air is introduced into the
auxiliary air passage 328 from the downstream side of the pleated
filter 126 in the suctioning state, by driving the electric blower
7 via the introduction hole 153, and the dust trapped in the
pleated filter 126 is moved to the dust collecting unit 9 via the
first half passage 326.
[0223] Next, operations of a third embodiment will be
described.
[0224] In the suctioning state, the front end of the opening
opening-closing valve 372 is positioned at the upper side and the
space communication opening 371 is opened, the opening-closing
valve driving body 397 is positioned at the upper side, and thus
the introduction hole opening-closing valve 365 is positioned at
the upper side and the introduction hole opening-closing valve 365
closes the introduction hole 153. That is, in the suctioning state,
the second half passage 327 and the introduction hole 153 are
blocked.
[0225] Then, dust is suctioned together with air from the top end
of the floor brush 267 by the action of negative pressure generated
by driving the electric blower 7. The suctioned dust is suctioned
into hose connection port 251 together with the air via the
extension tube 266 and the hose body 261.
[0226] Here, inertia is applied to rough dust, which is almost all
suctioned dust, by the air, and the rough dust moves straight
forward through the connection cylinder 252 and the separator main
body 314 to be suctioned into the dust collecting unit 9.
[0227] Additionally, the air suctioned in the dust collecting unit
9 together with the rough dust flows into the lower space 356 from
the rear portion of the dust collecting unit 9, and then is
suctioned into the suction side of the electric blower 7 via the
suction opening 144.
[0228] Further, the remaining air suctioned together with dust and
separated by the separator main body 314 of the dust separator 311
is separated to the communication hole 311, and at the same time,
micro dust contained therein is trapped in the mesh filter 345,
when the air passes through the first half passage 326, micro dust
not trapped in the mesh filter 345 is further trapped in the
pleated filter 126, after passing through the pleated filter 126,
the air flows into the upper space 355 and flows into the lower
space 356 from the space communication opening 371 and while the
air joined with the main air passage 325, the air is suctioned to
the electric blower 7 via the suction opening 144.
[0229] The air suctioned in the electric blower 7 forms into
exhaust air through the electric blower 7, and is exhausted outside
of the main body case 2 via the exhaust hole of the electric blower
7.
[0230] To finish cleaning, when the operator sets the operation
mode of the electric blower 7 to a stop mode by the set buttons
265, the control means operates the driving mechanism 136 via the
motor 185.
[0231] Specifically, the gear 391 rotates clockwise in FIG. 16 with
rotation of the motor 185, the rotary gear 393 meshed with the gear
391 rotates upward at a maximum of about 180.degree., the front
rotary gear rotates upward with rotation of the rotary gear 393,
the rotating joining member 403 moves downward with rotation of the
crank gear 401 meshed with the front rotary gear, the front end of
the opening opening-closing valve 372 joined with the upper end of
the rotating joining member 403 rotates downward, and the space
communication opening 371 is closed.
[0232] Simultaneously, the insertion shaft 393b of the rotary gear
393 moves from the left end to right end in the joint guide hole
397a with rotation of the rotary gear 393 and comes into slidable
contact with the inside of the joint guide hole 397a while moving,
and thus pushes the opening-closing valve driving body 397 downward
and pushes the introduction hole opening-closing valve 365 downward
via the pivot 367 of the introduction opening-closing valve 365,
and the introduction hole opening-closing valve 365 opens the
introduction hole 153.
[0233] Additionally, the crank gear 394 meshed with the gear 391
rotates, and thus the rack gear 412 vertically reciprocates via the
linkage 411, the gear meshed with the rack gear 412 rotates, the
gear 417 rotates coaxially with the gear, the upper gear 418 meshed
with the gear 417 rotates, the front gear 419 rotates integrally
with the upper gear 418, and thus the gear 179, which is meshed
with the front gear 419, of the dust shaking-off part 135 laterally
reciprocates together with the dust shaking-out body 181, the dust
shaking-out body 181 successively flicks the downstream side of the
pleated filter 126 to apply vibration to the pleated filter 126,
and the dust adhered to the pleated filter 126 is removed.
[0234] The removed dust drops on the air passage lower plate 275 in
the space 341.
[0235] When the gear 391 rotates to the maximum point, the switch
piece of the switch pushed in by the cam 408 returns and thus the
control means stops the motor 185.
[0236] In the dust moving state, outside air introduced into the
main body case 2 from the introduction hole 153 by driving the
electric blower 7 passes through from upward to downward at the
upstream side of the pleated filter 126, and thus removes micro
dust trapped in the pleated filter 126, and, in passing through the
lower air passage 283, allows the air, from which the micro dust is
removed, to be suctioned into the suction side of the electric
blower 7 via the lower space 356 and the suction opening 144 after
the micro dust dropped on the air passage lower plate 275 passes
through the communication hole 344 to be suctioned into the dust
collecting unit 9.
[0237] Additionally, a part of the outside air flows into the
separator main body 314 from the front of the pleated filter 126
through the communication hole 389 of the first valve body 321 to
subject the mesh filter 345 to the reverse-washing, and moves the
dust adhered to the mesh filter 345 into the dust collecting unit 9
via the separator main body 314.
[0238] The control means then stops the electric blower 7 and
rotates the motor 185 in a direction reverse to the above direction
after elapse of a predetermined time, and thus each part operates
reversely to the above operation to return to the position of the
suctioning state, and then the control means stops the motor
185.
[0239] Thus, an operation-effect similar to the above embodiment
can be obtained.
[0240] Additionally, since the pleated filter 126 is provided above
the dust collecting unit 9, the micro dust trapped in and removed
from the pleated filter 126 is supported by its own weight (gravity
applied thereto) when being moved to the dust collecting unit 9
with negative pressure of the electric blower 7. Accordingly, the
micro dust trapped in and removed from the pleated filter 126 is
securely moved to the dust collecting unit 9 so that the pleated
filter 126 can be prevented from being clogged, suction air passing
through the first half passage 326 is quantitatively secured in
switching the dust moving state to the suctioning state, and
reduction in suction power over time can be suppressed.
[0241] Moreover, in each above embodiment, the switch means 329 may
be activated at an arbitrary timing, for example, after elapse of a
predetermined time from the start of driving of the electric blower
7, other than the start or end of driving of the electric blower
7.
[0242] The introduction hole 153 may be made to communicate with
air outside of the vacuum cleaner main body 1 via the exhaust hole
31.
[0243] Additionally, a constitution of the switch means 329 is not
limited to the above constitutions.
[0244] Further, the dust shaking-off part 135 may not be
provided.
[0245] A constitution of the electric vacuum cleaner is not limited
to the above constitutions. So long as an electric vacuum cleaner
has a constitution that the dust collecting unit 9 is held by the
lid body 3 from above, not only a canister type but an autonomous
running type (robot type), a handy type and the like are applicable
as the types of the electric vacuum cleaner, and the constitution
of the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention is
applicable to each constitution of those types electric vacuum
cleaners.
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