U.S. patent application number 14/916009 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-21 for self-propelled vacuum cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Yasuhiro OKA.
Application Number | 20160206161 14/916009 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53041218 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160206161 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OKA; Yasuhiro |
July 21, 2016 |
SELF-PROPELLED VACUUM CLEANER
Abstract
A self-propelled vacuum cleaner comprising: a self-propellable
case having a suction opening provided on a bottom surface and an
exhaust opening provided at a rear part; and a dust-collecting part
provided between the suction opening and the exhaust opening
through a ventilation channel, wherein the dust-collecting part
includes a dust box disposed at the suction-opening side and an
electric fan disposed at the exhaust-opening side, and the dust box
and the electric fan are configured to be separable.
Inventors: |
OKA; Yasuhiro; (Osaka-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Osaka-shi, Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Osaka-shi, Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
53041218 |
Appl. No.: |
14/916009 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
July 22, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2014/069334 |
371 Date: |
March 2, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 2201/00 20130101;
A47L 9/22 20130101; A47L 5/22 20130101; A47L 9/1409 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 5/22 20060101
A47L005/22; A47L 9/14 20060101 A47L009/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 11, 2013 |
JP |
2013-233121 |
Claims
1. A self-propelled vacuum cleaner comprising: a self-propellable
case having a suction opening provided on a bottom surface and an
exhaust opening provided at a rear part; and a dust-collecting part
provided between the suction opening and the exhaust opening
through a ventilation channel, wherein the dust-collecting part
includes a dust box disposed at the suction-opening side and an
electric fan disposed at the exhaust-opening side, and the dust box
and the electric fan are configured to be separable.
2. The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein
the electric fan is disposed in the case, and the dust box is
detachably mounted to the rear part of the case in the dust
collecting part.
3. The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein
the case includes a rear opening into which the dust box is fitted,
an upstream ventilation channel that allows the suction opening and
the rear opening to communicate with each other, a downstream
ventilation channel that allows the exhaust opening and the rear
opening to communicate with each other, a first packing provided
around a first connection opening of the upstream ventilation
channel at the rear-opening side, and a second packing provided
around a second connection opening of the downstream ventilation
channel at the rear-opening side, the electric fan is disposed in
the downstream ventilation channel, and the dust box includes an
inflow opening connectable to the first connection opening through
the first packing, a discharge opening connectable to the second
connection opening through the second packing, a filter provided
between the inflow opening and the discharge opening, and a dust
collecting chamber provided between the inflow opening and the
filter.
4. The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein
the case has a tilt lower surface tilting downward toward a front
side at the portion where the second packing is provided, and the
dust box has a tilt upper surface tilting downward toward a front
side at the portion where the discharge opening is formed.
5. The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein
the dust box has a dust fall prevention member provided at the
inflow opening for preventing dust in the dust box from leaking and
falling from the inflow opening.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a self-propelled vacuum
cleaner.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] As a self-propelled vacuum cleaner for cleaning dust on a
floor surface, Patent Document 1 proposes a self-propelled vacuum
cleaner including a housing that can be self-propelled and has a
suction opening on its lower surface, a main brush mounted to the
suction opening so as to be rotatable, and a side brush rotatably
mounted anterior to the main brush on the lower surface of the
housing.
[0003] The self-propelled vacuum cleaner described above includes a
rechargeable battery incorporated in the housing and a start/stop
switch provided on its top surface. A dust collection unit is
detachably mounted at the rear part of the housing.
[0004] The dust collection unit includes a dust case having an
inflow opening, an exhaust opening, a partition wall separating a
space into an inflow side and an exhaust side, and a ventilation
hole formed on a part of the partition wall; a filter provided to
the ventilation hole; and an electric blower provided in the space
of the dust case at the exhaust side.
[0005] A pair of positive and negative terminals electrically
connected to the rechargeable battery through a lead line is
provided at the rear part of the housing, and a pair of metal
terminals electrically connected to the electric blower through a
lead line is provided to the dust case of the dust collection unit.
The positive and negative terminals and the pair of metal terminals
are electrically connected to each other in the state in which the
dust collection unit is attached to the rear part of the
housing.
[0006] During driving of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner, dust on
a floor surface is flown into the space in the dust case at the
inflow side from the suction opening to be collected; and air
passes through the filter, whereby the air from which dust is
removed is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust opening
through the electric blower.
[0007] To discard the dust collected in a dust collection space in
the dust collection unit, a user removes the dust collection unit
from the housing, and throws the dust inside into a dust bin with
the inflow opening facing downward. In this case, the dust
collection space can be cleaned by use of an accessory brush.
CITATION LIST
Patent Document
[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
No. 2012-75932
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0009] However, in the self-propelled vacuum cleaner described in
Patent Document 1, the electric blower and a pair of metal
terminals are provided in the dust collection unit, so that the
dust case cannot be washed with water. Therefore, fine dust
deposited on the dust case cannot completely be removed only with
the brush, and it is impossible to sufficiently and perfectly clean
the dust case. Since dust is likely to be deposited on the pair of
metal terminals as well, there is concern that contact failure
between the respective metal terminals and the positive and
negative terminals at the housing occurs.
[0010] In addition, the self-propelled vacuum cleaner in Patent
Document 1 has the structure in which, when the dust case is
removed from the housing on a floor surface, the dust in the dust
case is likely to be scattered on the floor surface from the inflow
opening. This might cause the cleaned floor surface dirty.
[0011] The present invention is accomplished in view of the above
circumstances, and aims to provide a self-propelled vacuum cleaner
provided with a dust collecting part that can be washed with water
and is difficult to cause electrical failure.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0012] Accordingly, the present invention provides a
self-propellable case having a suction opening provided on a bottom
surface and an exhaust opening provided at a rear part; and a
dust-collecting part provided between the suction opening and the
exhaust opening through a ventilation channel, wherein
[0013] the dust-collecting part includes a dust box disposed at the
suction-opening side and an electric fan disposed at the
exhaust-opening side, and
[0014] the dust box and the electric fan are configured to be
separable.
Effect of the Invention
[0015] In the self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to the
present invention, the dust box and the electric fan in the dust
collecting part is configured to be separable. With this, after the
dust box is removed from the case and dust inside is thrown out,
the dust box can be washed with water to completely remove fine
dust. That is, the dust box can sufficiently be cleaned.
[0016] In the configuration in which metal terminals at the dust
box are connected to or separated from positive and negative
terminals at the case as in the conventional case, dust is likely
to be deposited on each terminal, and therefore, there is concern
that contact failure between the metal terminals and the positive
and negative terminals might occur. However, in the present
invention, the configuration for electrically connecting the
electric fan to a battery through a lead line can be provided in
the case, whereby the above concern can be resolved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a self-propelled vacuum
cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner
according to the first embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view illustrating a dust
collecting part in the self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to
the first embodiment, wherein (A) illustrates a state in which a
dust box is mounted, and (B) illustrates a state in which the dust
box is removed.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dust box in the
self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to the first
embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a back view of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner
in the state in which the dust box is removed according to the
first embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the dust box in the
self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to the first
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view illustrating a dust
collecting part in a self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to a
second embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a side sectional view illustrating a dust
collecting part in a self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to a
third embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a side sectional view illustrating a dust
collecting part in a self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to a
fourth embodiment.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
<Overall Configuration of Self-Propelled Vacuum Cleaner>
[0026] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a self-propelled vacuum
cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner
according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view
illustrating a dust collecting part in the self-propelled vacuum
cleaner according to the first embodiment, wherein (A) illustrates
a state in which a dust box is mounted, and (B) illustrates a state
in which the dust box is removed. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of
the dust box in the self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to the
first embodiment, FIG. 5 is a back view of the self-propelled
vacuum cleaner in the state in which the dust box is removed
according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an exploded view
of the dust box in the self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to
the first embodiment.
[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, a self-propelled electronic
device according to the first embodiment of the present invention
is a self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1 that sucks air including dust
on a floor surface in a region where the cleaner is placed, while
autonomously traveling on the floor surface, and exhausts air from
which the dust is removed to thereby clean the floor surface.
[0028] The self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1 has a disc-like case 2
provided with a suction opening 6 on its lower surface and storing
inside a battery E serving as a power source. Components, such as a
rotary brush 9, side brushes 10, a dust collecting part 30
including a dust box 31 and an electric fan 32, a pair of drive
wheel units U each including a drive wheel 29, a turnable front
wheel 27, various sensors including a floor surface detection
sensor 11, and a control board S electrically connected to various
sensors, are provided inside and outside of the case 2.
[0029] With the self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1, the weight of the
self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1 is distributed in front-back
direction with respect to the case 2 in order that the weight can
be supported by a pair of drive wheels 29, which is mounted to the
case 2 at the middle position in the front-back direction, and the
front wheel 27.
[0030] The case 2 has a bottom plate 2a that is approximately
circular in a plan view and has a suction opening 6 formed at the
position backward from the middle position in the front-back
direction, a top plate 2b having a start/stop button 3 on a central
position, and a side plate 2c that is annular in a plan view and
formed along outer peripheries of the bottom plate 2a and the top
plate 2b. The bottom plate 2a is provided with a plurality of holes
from which a pair of drive wheels 29 projects to the outside from
the case 2, and an exhaust opening 7 is formed at the rear part of
the side plate 2c. Notably, the side plate 2c is split into two
which are a front part and a rear part, and the front part of the
side plate functions as a bumper.
[0031] The suction opening 6 is a recessed open surface formed on
the bottom surface (lower surface of the bottom plate 2a) of the
case 2 so as to face a floor surface K. The rotary brush 9 rotating
about a shaft center parallel to the bottom surface of the case 2
is provided in the suction opening 6. Side brushes 10 rotating
about a perpendicular rotation shaft center are provided at both of
left and right sides of the suction opening 6. The rotary brush 9
is formed such that brushes are helically implanted on an outer
peripheral surface of a roller serving as the rotation shaft. Each
of the side brushes 10 is formed such that a brush bundle is
radially provided at a lower end of the rotation shaft. The
rotation shaft of the rotary brush 9 and the rotation shafts of a
pair of side brushes 10 are pivoted to a part of the bottom plate
2a of the case 2, and coupled with a drive motor provided in the
vicinity thereof through a power transmission mechanism including a
pulley and a belt.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 2, floor surface detection sensors 11
are disposed in front of the front wheel 27 and at a front side at
the side of left and right drive wheels 29 on the bottom surface of
the case 2. When the floor surface detection sensors 11 sense
descending stairs, the sensing signals from the sensors 11 are
transmitted to a control unit, and the control unit provided to the
control board S controls to stop both drive wheels 29.
[0033] The control board S includes a control circuit that controls
each of the components such as the drive wheels 29, the rotary
brush 9, the side brushes 10, and the electric fan 32 in the
self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1.
[0034] The self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward by forward
rotations of the left and right drive wheels 29 in the same
direction, moves backward by reverse rotations in the same
direction, and turns with the rotations in the opposite direction.
For example, the self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1 stops the drive
wheels 29, and changes its direction by rotating the left and right
drive wheels 29 in the opposite direction, in the case where the
self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1 reaches an edge of an area to be
cleaned and in the case where the self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1
collides against an obstacle on a traveling route. In this way, the
self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1 autonomously travels, while
avoiding obstacles throughout the entire region where the
self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1 is placed or the entire desired
range.
[0035] <Dust Collecting Part>
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 3(A), the dust collecting part 30 is
provided between the suction opening 6 and the exhaust opening 7
through a ventilation channel in the case 2. It is to be noted that
FIGS. 3(A) and (B) do not illustrate the structure anterior to the
dust collecting part 30.
[0037] The dust collecting part 30 includes a dust box 31 disposed
at the side of the suction opening 6 and an electric fan 32
disposed at the side of the exhaust opening 7, the dust box 31 and
the electric fan 32 being configured to be separable. Specifically,
the electric fan 32 is disposed in the case 2, and the dust box 31
is detachably disposed at the rear part of the case 2.
[0038] The structure of the dust collecting part 30 and the
ventilation channel will be specifically described. Firstly, the
case 2 has a rear opening 5 formed by cutting a lower half of the
rear part of the side plate 2c. The rear opening 5 is an opening
into which the dust box 31 is fitted, and the detail thereof will
be described later.
[0039] The case 2 also includes an upstream ventilation channel 6a
which allows the suction opening 6 and the rear opening 5 to
communicate with each other, a downstream ventilation channel 7a
which allows the exhaust opening 7 and the rear opening 5 to
communicate with each other, a first packing 8a provided around a
first connection opening 5a of the upstream ventilation channel 6a
at the side of the rear opening 5, and a second packing 8b provided
around a second connection opening 5b of the downstream ventilation
channel 7a at the side of the rear opening 5.
[0040] The first packing 8a is made of a rubber ring. For example,
it is attached around the first connection opening 5a with bonding
by way of an adhesive agent, or with fitting around an annular
projection part formed around the first connection opening 5a.
[0041] The second packing 8b is also made of a rubber ring. For
example, it is also attached around the second connection opening
5b by way of an adhesive agent, or with fitting around an annular
projection part formed around the second connection opening 5b.
[0042] The electric fan 32 is fixed in the downstream ventilation
channel 7a which defines an upper space of the rear opening 5 in
the case 2. An inlet opening of the electric fan 32 is disposed
close to the second connection opening 5b, and a discharge opening
of the electric fan 32 is disposed close to the exhaust opening
7.
[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the dust box 31 includes a lower
case 31A, a filter case 31B, a filter 31C, and an upper case 31D,
wherein the filter case 31B storing the filter 31C is sandwiched
between the upper case 31D and the lower case 31A.
[0044] The lower case 31A is open at the top, and has a bottom wall
31Aa in which one of a pair of long sides of a rectangle expands
outward and a surrounding wall 31Ab stands along an outer
peripheral edge of the bottom wall 31Aa. An inner step part
31Ab.sub.1 exposed at the top side is provided on the inner
peripheral surface of the surrounding wall 31Ab, an outer step part
31Ab.sub.2 (see FIG. 3(B)) exposed at the bottom side is provided
on the outer peripheral surface of the surrounding wall 31Ab, and
an inflow opening 31Ab.sub.3 connectable to the first connection
opening 5a through the first packing 8a is formed on the front
surface of the surrounding wall 31Ab below the outer step part
31Ab.sub.2.
[0045] The filter case 31B includes a frame part 31Ba that is
supported by the inner step part 31Ab.sub.1 when the filter case
31B is stored in the lower case 31A, and a lattice part 31Bb
provided in the frame part 31Ba to support the filter 31C.
[0046] The filter 31C is formed to have a size by which the filter
31C is tightly fitted into the frame part 31Ba of the filter case
31B. For example, an HEPA filter can be used for the filter 31C.
Notably, the filter 31C may be integrally formed with the filter
case 31B.
[0047] The upper case 31D is a lid covering an upper opening of the
lower case 31A, and includes an upper wall 31Da, a surrounding wall
31 Db, and an engagement member 31Dc provided at the rear part of
the upper wall 31Da.
[0048] The middle part of the upper wall 31Da in the horizontal
direction tilts downward from the rear side to the front side to be
recessed, and a discharge opening 31Da.sub.2 connectable to the
second connection opening 5b through the second packing 8b is
formed on a recessed tilt part 31Da.sub.1. The top surface of the
tilt part 31Da.sub.1 defines a tilt upper surface 31Da.sub.11.
[0049] The engagement member 31Dc is an elastically deformable
member projecting to bend rearward from the rear part of the upper
wall 31Da. An engagement projection 31Dc.sub.1 with a triangular
cross-section is formed on its top surface.
[0050] In the dust box 31 thus configured, the filter 31C is
disposed between the inflow opening 31Ab.sub.3 and the discharge
opening 31Da.sub.2, and a dust collecting chamber 31Ac is formed
between the inflow opening 31Ab.sub.3 and the filter 31C.
[0051] The rear opening 5 is configured as described below in order
to attach the dust box 31 to the rear opening 5 of the case 2
without falling off.
[0052] The rear opening 5 has a tilt lower surface 2d which tilts
downward toward the front side and is formed on the ceiling part of
the rear opening 5, that is, on the part where the second packing 8
is provided; and horizontal lower surfaces 2e at both sides of the
tilt lower surface 2d.
[0053] The rear opening 5 also has an inner wall 2f where the first
packing 8a is provided, and left and right side walls 2g at the
left and right of the inner wall 2f. Left and right step parts
2g.sub.1 supporting the outer step part 31Ab.sub.2 of the dust box
31 are formed on the left and right side walls 2g. In addition, a
space into which the engagement member 31Dc of the dust box 31 is
stored is formed at the back of the tilt lower surface 2d of the
rear opening 5, and an engagement recess 2d.sub.1 is formed on the
ceiling part of the space, wherein the engagement projection
31Dc.sub.1 of the engagement member 31Dc can be engaged with or
disengaged from the engagement recess 2d.sub.1.
[0054] When the dust box 31 removed from the case 2 (see FIG. 3(B))
is attached to the rear opening 5, the left and right outer step
parts 31Ab.sub.2 of the dust box 31 slide on the left and right
step parts 2g.sub.1 of the rear opening 5. When the dust box 31 is
pushed all the way into the rear opening 5, the front surface of
the surrounding wall 31Ab of the dust box 31 is in close contact
with the first packing 8a (see FIG. 3(A)).
[0055] Also in this case, the tilt upper surface 31Da.sub.11 of the
dust box 31 is in close contact with the second packing 8b, and the
engagement projection 31Dc.sub.1 rides over the side plate 2c of
the case 2 to be engaged with the engagement recess 2d.sub.1 due to
the elastic deformation of the engagement member 31Dc. With this,
the dust box 31 is mounted into the rear opening 5 of the case 2
without falling off.
[0056] In the self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1 to which the dust box
31 is mounted, the electric fan 32, the drive wheels 29, the rotary
brush 9, and the side brushes 10 are driven according to an
instruction of a cleaning operation. With this, the self-propelled
vacuum cleaner 1 sucks air containing dust on the floor surface K
from the suction opening 6 with the state in which the rotary brush
9, the side brushes 10, the drive wheels 29, and the front wheel 27
are in contact with the floor surface K, while the case 2
autonomously travels within a predetermined range. In this case,
dust on the floor surface K is swirled up with the rotation of the
rotary brush 9, and guided to the suction opening 6. Further, dust
at the side of the suction opening 6 is guided to the suction
opening 6 with the rotation of the side brushes 10.
[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 3(A), air containing dust D sucked
into the case 2 through the suction opening 6 passes through the
upstream ventilation channel 6a in the case 2 to flow into the dust
collecting chamber 31Ac of the dust collecting part 30. Air flow
going into the dust collecting chamber 31Ac passes through the
filter 31c and the electric fan 32, and then, is discharged to the
outside from the exhaust opening 7 through the downstream
ventilation channel 7a. In this case, the dust D contained in the
air flow in the dust collecting chamber 31Ac is caught by the
filter 31C, whereby the dust D is accumulated in the dust
collecting chamber 31Ac.
[0058] To discard the dust D in the dust box 31, the user draws the
dust box 31 backward, while releasing the engagement projection
31Dc.sub.1 from the engagement recess 2d.sub.1 by pressing the
engagement member 31Dc.sub.1. Then, the user removes the upper case
31D and the filter case 31B storing the filter 31C from the lower
case 31A of the dust box 31, and throws away the dust D in the
lower case 31A into a dust bin.
[0059] According to the self-propelled vacuum cleaner of the
present invention, the electric fan 32 in the dust collecting part
30 is separated from the dust box 31 in this case, whereby the dust
box 31 can be washed with water. Notably, the filter 31C may be
cleaned with a brush, and further be washed with water in this
case.
Second Embodiment
[0060] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view illustrating a dust
collecting part of a self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to a
second embodiment. In FIG. 7, the components same as those in FIGS.
1 to 6 are identified by the same reference numerals.
[0061] The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to the second
embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except for the
configuration of a dust collecting part 130.
[0062] The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment
in that a dust box 131 has a dust leak prevention member
131Ab.sub.4 that is provided at the inflow opening 31Ab.sub.3 for
preventing the dust D in the dust collecting chamber 31Ac of the
dust box 131 from leaking and falling from the inflow opening
31Ab.sub.3. In the second embodiment, the dust leak prevention
member 131Ab.sub.4 projecting obliquely upward from the lower end
of the inflow opening 31Ab.sub.3 to the inner side is provided.
[0063] Since the dust leak prevention member 131Ab.sub.4 is
provided, the dust D accumulated in the dust collecting chamber
31Ac is difficult to leak and fall from the inflow opening
31Ab.sub.3 to the outside when the dust box 131 is removed from the
case 2. Therefore, mistake of causing the cleaned room dirty with
scattering dust D can be reduced.
Third Embodiment
[0064] FIG. 8 is a side sectional view illustrating a dust
collecting part of a self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to a
third embodiment. In FIG. 8, the components same as those in FIG. 7
are identified by the same reference numerals.
[0065] The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to the third
embodiment is similar to the first and second embodiments except
for the configuration of a dust collecting part 230.
[0066] In the third embodiment, a dust leak prevention member
231Ab.sub.4 different from the dust leak prevention member
131Ab.sub.4 in the second embodiment is provided to the inflow
opening 31Ab.sub.3. The dust leak prevention member 231Ab.sub.4
horizontally projects from the upper end of the inflow opening
31Ab.sub.3 toward the inner side, and extends downward to form an
inverted L shape.
[0067] With the formation of the dust leak prevention member
231Ab.sub.4 as well, leakage and falling of the dust D from the
inflow opening 31Ab.sub.3 upon removing the dust box 131 from the
case 2 can be prevented as in the second embodiment.
Fourth Embodiment
[0068] FIG. 9 is a side sectional view illustrating a dust
collecting part of a self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to a
fourth embodiment. In FIG. 9, the components same as those in FIG.
7 are identified by the same reference numerals.
[0069] The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to the fourth
embodiment is similar to the first to third embodiments except for
the configuration of a dust collecting part 330.
[0070] In the fourth embodiment, a dust leak prevention member
331Ab.sub.4 corresponding to the dust leak prevention member
131Ab.sub.4 in the second embodiment is provided at the lower end
of the inflow opening 31Ab.sub.3, and a dust leak prevention member
331Ab.sub.5 corresponding to the dust leak prevention member
231Ab.sub.4 is provided at the upper end of the inflow opening
31Ab.sub.3.
[0071] As in the second and third embodiments, the fourth
embodiment can also prevent the dust D from leaking and falling
from the inflow opening 31Ab.sub.3 upon removing the dust box 131
from the case 2.
Fifth Embodiment
[0072] In the self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to the
present invention, the rotary brush 9 and the side brushes 10
described in the first embodiment are not required components, so
that they may be eliminated.
[0073] (Summary)
[0074] A self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to the present
invention includes a self-propellable case having a suction opening
provided on a bottom surface and an exhaust opening provided at a
rear part; and a dust-collecting part provided between the suction
opening and the exhaust opening through a ventilation channel,
wherein
[0075] the dust-collecting part includes a dust box disposed at the
suction-opening side and an electric fan disposed at the
exhaust-opening side, and
[0076] the dust box and the electric fan are configured to be
separable.
[0077] The self-propelled vacuum cleaner according to the present
invention may be configured as described below.
[0078] (1) In the dust collecting part, the electric fan may be
disposed in the case, and the dust box may be detachably mounted to
the rear part of the case.
[0079] With this configuration, a battery that is a heavy load can
be disposed at a front part of the case, whereby the center of
gravity can be placed on the front part of the case. This results
in supporting the case with a pair of left and right drive wheels
and a front wheel, whereby a rear wheel can be eliminated.
[0080] (2) The case may include a rear opening into which the dust
box is fitted, an upstream ventilation channel that allows the
suction opening and the rear opening to communicate with each
other, a downstream ventilation channel that allows the exhaust
opening and the rear opening to communicate with each other, a
first packing provided around a first connection opening of the
upstream ventilation channel at the rear-opening side, and a second
packing provided around a second connection opening of the
downstream ventilation channel at the rear-opening side,
[0081] the electric fan may be disposed in the downstream
ventilation channel, and
[0082] the dust box may include an inflow opening connectable to
the first connection opening through the first packing, a discharge
opening connectable to the second connection opening through the
second packing, a filter provided between the inflow opening and
the discharge opening, and a dust collecting chamber provided
between the inflow opening and the filter.
[0083] With this configuration, the ventilation channel from the
suction opening to the exhaust opening can be shortened, which is
advantageous for suppressing a load on the electric fan.
[0084] (3) The case may have a tilt lower surface tilting downward
toward a front side at the portion where the second packing is
provided, and
[0085] the dust box may have a tilt upper surface tilting downward
toward a front side at the portion where the discharge opening is
formed.
[0086] With this configuration, the surrounding of the discharge
opening on the tilt upper surface of the dust box can easily be
brought into close contact with the second packing upon mounting
the dust box. In this case, with the configuration in which the
tilt lower surface is formed on the case and the tilt upper surface
is formed on the dust box, a problem of abrasion or falling of the
second packing due to scrape of the other parts of the dust box
with the second packing can be avoided.
[0087] (4) The dust box may have a dust fall prevention member
provided at the inflow opening for preventing dust in the dust box
from leaking and falling from the inflow opening.
[0088] With this configuration, dust in the dust box is difficult
to leak and fall from the inflow opening onto a floor surface upon
removing the dust box from the case on the floor surface. This can
prevent mistake of causing the cleaned floor surface dirty.
[0089] The embodiments of the present invention described above
should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not
restrictive of the present invention. The scope of the present
invention is not limited to the above description, but the
accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover
such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and
spirit of the invention.
EXPLANATION OF NUMERALS
[0090] 2 Case [0091] 2d Tilt lower surface [0092] 5 Rear opening
[0093] 5a First connection opening [0094] 5b Second connection
opening [0095] 6 Suction opening [0096] 6a Upstream ventilation
channel [0097] 7 Exhaust opening [0098] 7a Downstream ventilation
channel [0099] 8a First packing [0100] 8b Second packing [0101] 30,
130, 230, 330 Dust collecting part [0102] 31, 131, 231, 331 Dust
box [0103] 31Ab.sub.3 Inflow opening [0104] 31Ac Dust collecting
chamber [0105] 31C Filter [0106] 31Da.sub.11 Tilt upper surface
[0107] 31Da.sub.2 Discharge opening [0108] 32 Electric fan [0109]
131Ab.sub.4, 231Ab.sub.4, 331Ab.sub.4, 331Ab.sub.5 Dust fall
prevention member
* * * * *