U.S. patent application number 15/591128 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-16 for suction nozzle and electric vacuum cleaner including the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nidec Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Nidec Corporation. Invention is credited to Hiroyuki ICHIZAKI, Bo-Yi LI, Chun-Hsien LIU.
Application Number | 20170325645 15/591128 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58672481 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170325645 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LIU; Chun-Hsien ; et
al. |
November 16, 2017 |
SUCTION NOZZLE AND ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANER INCLUDING THE SAME
Abstract
A suction nozzle of an electric vacuum cleaner including an
electric blower, includes a suction inlet; an outlet; a suction
passage extending along a center line joining a middle of the
suction inlet in the longitudinal direction and a middle of the
outlet in the longitudinal direction to connect the suction inlet
and the outlet; and partition walls arranged in the suction passage
to extend from the suction inlet side to the outlet side. The
suction passage includes a main passage and division passages
arranged on both outer sides of the main passage. The main passage
and the division passages are divided in the longitudinal direction
of the suction inlet by the partition walls. A width of the main
passage at the suction inlet measured in the longitudinal direction
is arranged to be greater than a width of the main passage at the
outlet measured in the longitudinal direction.
Inventors: |
LIU; Chun-Hsien; (Kyoto,
JP) ; ICHIZAKI; Hiroyuki; (Kyoto, JP) ; LI;
Bo-Yi; (Kyoto, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nidec Corporation |
Kyoto |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Nidec Corporation
Kyoto
JP
|
Family ID: |
58672481 |
Appl. No.: |
15/591128 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/2852 20130101;
A47L 5/24 20130101; A47L 9/2842 20130101; A47L 9/1409 20130101;
A47L 9/2894 20130101; A47L 2201/04 20130101; A47L 9/02 20130101;
A47L 5/362 20130101; A47L 9/2857 20130101; A47L 9/2805
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/02 20060101
A47L009/02; A47L 9/28 20060101 A47L009/28; A47L 9/28 20060101
A47L009/28; A47L 5/36 20060101 A47L005/36; A47L 5/24 20060101
A47L005/24; A47L 9/28 20060101 A47L009/28; A47L 9/14 20060101
A47L009/14; A47L 9/28 20060101 A47L009/28; A47L 9/28 20060101
A47L009/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 10, 2016 |
JP |
2016-094466 |
Claims
1. A suction nozzle to be provided in an electric vacuum cleaner
including an electric blower, the suction nozzle comprising: a
suction inlet arranged to extend in a longitudinal direction that
is predetermined, and arranged opposite to a surface to be cleaned;
an outlet to be connected to the electric blower; a suction passage
arranged to extend along a center line joining a middle of the
suction inlet in the longitudinal direction and a middle of the
outlet in the longitudinal direction to connect the suction inlet
and the outlet; and a plurality of partition walls each of which is
arranged in the suction passage to extend from a side on which the
suction inlet is defined to a side on which the outlet is defined;
wherein the suction passage includes: a main passage having the
center line of the suction passage passing therethrough; and a
plurality of division passages arranged on both outer sides of the
main passage with respect to the longitudinal direction with one of
the plurality of partition walls being arranged between the main
passage and an adjacent one of the plurality of division passages
on either side of the main passage, the main passage and the
plurality of division passages being divided from one another in
the longitudinal direction of the suction inlet by the plurality of
partition walls; and a width of the main passage at the suction
inlet measured in the longitudinal direction is arranged to be
greater than a width of the main passage at the outlet measured in
the longitudinal direction.
2. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein each partition
wall includes, at an upstream end thereof, an upstream vertical
portion arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction.
3. The suction nozzle according to claim 2, wherein each partition
wall further includes a first curved portion defined continuously
with a downstream side of the upstream vertical portion, and
arranged to curve so as to be convex away from the center line.
4. The suction nozzle according to claim 3, wherein each partition
wall further includes a second curved portion defined continuously
with a downstream side of the first curved portion, and arranged to
curve so as to be convex toward the center line.
5. The suction nozzle according to claim 4, wherein each partition
wall further includes, at a downstream end thereof, a downstream
vertical portion defined continuously with the second curved
portion, and arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction.
6. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein each partition
wall includes, at a downstream end thereof, a downstream vertical
portion arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction.
7. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein each partition
wall is in a shape of a plate, and is arranged to extend in a
straight line from the side on which the suction inlet is defined
to the side on which the outlet is defined.
8. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein a width of the
outlet measured in the longitudinal direction is arranged to be
smaller than a width of the suction inlet measured in the
longitudinal direction; and downstream ends of the partition walls
are arranged within a range of the width of the outlet measured in
the longitudinal direction.
9. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the width of
the main passage at the suction inlet measured in the longitudinal
direction is arranged to be greater than a width of each division
passage at the suction inlet measured in the longitudinal
direction.
10. An electric vacuum cleaner comprising: the suction nozzle of
claim 1; a dust collection portion arranged downstream of the
suction nozzle; and the electric blower arranged downstream of the
dust collection portion.
11. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the
suction passage is arranged to extend upward from the suction
inlet, and is connected to an upper portion of the dust collection
portion, and an upper side of a portion of the dust collection
portion is covered with the suction nozzle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Japan
application serial no. 2016-094466, filed on May 10, 2016. The
entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby
incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this
specification.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
1. Field of the Disclosure
[0002] The disclosure relates to a suction nozzle for sucking air,
and an electric vacuum cleaner including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] A known electric vacuum cleaner is disclosed in JP-A
2015-70960. This electric vacuum cleaner includes a case including
an air inlet and a discharge outlet for air, and an air passage
that connects the air inlet and the discharge outlet is defined in
the case. In the air passage, an electric blower that produces an
air flow is arranged, and a dust collection portion that collects
waste flowing in the air passage, such as, for example, dust, is
arranged on the upstream side of the electric blower. Left and
right wheels are attached to both side surfaces of the case. The
case is thus able to travel on a floor in a room.
[0004] A hose is connected to the air inlet of the case, and a
connection pipe is connected to an upstream end of the hose. A
handle and an operation switch are arranged in the connection pipe.
The operation switch is operated to, for example, turn on or off
the electric vacuum cleaner, and change the rotation rate of the
electric blower. An extension pipe is attached to an upstream end
of the connection pipe. A suction head is attached to an upstream
end of the extension pipe such that the suction head is detachable
from the extension pipe. The suction head includes a housing
extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction
in which the extension pipe extends.
[0005] In a bottom portion of the housing of the suction head, a
suction opening portion extending in a longitudinal direction of
the housing is open and is arranged opposite to the floor. A
substantially circular outlet which is in communication with the
extension pipe is open in an upper portion of a longitudinal middle
portion of the housing of the suction head. The suction opening
portion is arranged to extend between both longitudinal end
portions of the housing, while a dimension of the outlet measured
in the longitudinal direction of the housing is arranged to be
smaller than that of the suction opening portion. A suction chamber
that connects the suction opening portion and the outlet is defined
in the housing.
[0006] If the operation switch of the electric vacuum cleaner
having the above-described structure is operated to drive the
electric blower, air including waste, such as, for example, dust,
is sucked into the suction chamber through the suction opening
portion of the suction head. After being sucked into the suction
head, the air flows in the suction chamber, and flows into the
extension pipe through the outlet. After flowing into the extension
pipe, the air flows into the case through the hose, and the waste
in the air is collected in the dust collection portion in the case.
The floor is thus cleaned.
[0007] However, in the suction head (i.e., a suction nozzle) of the
above-described known electric vacuum cleaner, the outlet is open
in the longitudinal middle portion of the housing. Therefore,
portions of air flows sucked in through both end portions of the
suction opening portion (i.e., a suction inlet) with respect to the
longitudinal direction abruptly bend toward a longitudinal middle
immediately after entering into the suction chamber (i.e., a
suction passage), and join an air flow sucked in through a
longitudinal middle portion of the suction opening portion. This
may cause a turbulence in the suction chamber, resulting in reduced
suction efficiency of the suction head.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] A suction nozzle according to a preferred embodiment of the
disclosure is a suction nozzle to be provided in an electric vacuum
cleaner including an electric blower, the suction nozzle including
a suction inlet arranged to extend in a longitudinal direction that
is predetermined, and arranged opposite to a surface to be cleaned;
an outlet to be connected to the electric blower; a suction passage
arranged to extend along a center line joining a middle of the
suction inlet in the longitudinal direction and a middle of the
outlet in the longitudinal direction to connect the suction inlet
and the outlet; and a plurality of partition walls each of which is
arranged in the suction passage to extend from a side on which the
suction inlet is defined to a side on which the outlet is defined.
The suction passage includes a main passage having the center line
of the suction passage passing therethrough; and a plurality of
division passages arranged on both outer sides of the main passage
with respect to the longitudinal direction with one of the
partition walls being arranged between the main passage and an
adjacent one of the division passages on either side of the main
passage. The main passage and the division passages are divided
from one another in the longitudinal direction of the suction inlet
by the partition walls. A width of the main passage at the suction
inlet measured in the longitudinal direction is arranged to be
greater than a width of the main passage at the outlet measured in
the longitudinal direction.
[0009] An electric vacuum cleaner according to a preferred
embodiment of the disclosure includes the above suction nozzle, a
dust collection portion arranged downstream of the suction nozzle,
and an electric blower arranged downstream of the dust collection
portion.
[0010] The suction nozzle according to the above preferred
embodiment of the disclosure is able to achieve improved suction
efficiency. In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the
disclosure, an electric vacuum cleaner including the above suction
nozzle is provided.
[0011] The above and other elements, features, steps,
characteristics and advantages of the disclosure will become more
apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric vacuum cleaner
according to a first preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the electric vacuum cleaner
according to the first preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the electric vacuum
cleaner according to the first preferred embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of an air passage
on the suction side including a suction nozzle of the electric
vacuum cleaner according to the first preferred embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a sectional front view of the suction nozzle of
the electric vacuum cleaner according to the first preferred
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a result of a
simulation of flows of air in the portion of the air passage on the
suction side of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the first
preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the result of the
simulation of the flows of air in the portion of the air passage on
the suction side of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the
first preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating a result of a simulation
of an air velocity distribution in the portion of the air passage
on the suction side of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the
first preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a result of a simulation
of an air pressure distribution in the portion of the air passage
on the suction side of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the
first preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of an air passage
on the suction side including a suction nozzle of an electric
vacuum cleaner according to a second preferred embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a sectional front view of the suction nozzle of
the electric vacuum cleaner according to the second preferred
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of an air passage
on the suction side including a suction nozzle of an electric
vacuum cleaner according to a third preferred embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a sectional front view of the suction nozzle of
the electric vacuum cleaner according to the third preferred
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an electric vacuum cleaner
according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a sectional front view of a suction nozzle of the
electric vacuum cleaner according to the fourth preferred
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the suction nozzle of
the electric vacuum cleaner according to the fourth preferred
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an electric vacuum cleaner
according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an electric vacuum cleaner
according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It
is assumed herein that a direction toward a floor F (i.e., a
surface to be cleaned) illustrated in FIG. 3 is a downward
direction, while a direction away from the floor F is an upward
direction. It is also assumed herein that, with respect to a
front-rear direction, a direction leading from an electric blower 7
to a suction inlet 4 is a forward direction, while a direction
leading from the suction inlet 4 to the electric blower 7 is a
rearward direction. It is also assumed herein that a direction
perpendicular to the front-rear direction and parallel to the floor
F is a right-left direction (i.e., a longitudinal direction). It is
also assumed herein that a surface parallel to the front-rear
direction and perpendicular to the right-left direction is referred
to as a "side surface". It is also assumed herein that an upstream
side and a downstream side are defined with respect to a direction
in which air sucked in through the suction inlet 4 when the
electric blower 7 is in operation flows. It is also assumed herein
that the wording "the suction inlet 4 arranged opposite to the
floor F (i.e., the surface to be cleaned)" and the like can refer
to a situation in which the suction inlet 4 and the floor F face
each other with another member (e.g., a rotary brush, etc.)
arranged therebetween, in addition to a situation in which the
suction inlet 4 and the floor F face each other directly with no
other member arranged between the suction inlet 4 and the floor
F.
[0031] An electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to a first preferred
embodiment of the disclosure will be described below. FIGS. 1, 2,
and 3 are a perspective view, a bottom view, and a side sectional
view, respectively, of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 according to
the first preferred embodiment. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 is a
so-called robot-type electric vacuum cleaner, and includes a case 2
which is substantially circular in a horizontal section (i.e., a
section parallel to the floor F).
[0032] A display portion 15 and an operation portion 16 are
arranged in an upper surface of the case 2. The operation portion
16 includes a plurality of buttons (not shown). By operating the
operation portion 16, a user can, for example, issue an instruction
to turn on or off the electric vacuum cleaner 1, issue an
instruction to change the rotation rate of the electric blower 7,
which will be described below, or enter a condition, such as, for
example, a time at which the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is to start
cleaning. The display portion 15 includes, for example, a liquid
crystal display panel or the like, and displays, for example, the
condition entered with the operation portion 16.
[0033] In addition, a position sensor (not shown) is arranged in
the upper surface of the case 2. The position sensor is used to
detect the position of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 in a room, for
example.
[0034] The suction inlet 4, which is arranged to extend in the
right-left direction (i.e., a longitudinal direction A), is defined
in a bottom surface (i.e., a lower surface) of the case 2, and a
discharge outlet 5, which is arranged to extend in the right-left
direction, is defined in a rear portion of the case 2. The suction
inlet 4 is arranged opposite to the floor F (i.e., the surface to
be cleaned) inside the room, and the discharge outlet 5 is arranged
to face obliquely rearward and upward from the case 2. A rotary
brush (not shown) is arranged in the vicinity of the suction inlet
4 in a bottom portion of the case 2. Note that the rotary brush may
alternatively be arranged in the suction inlet 4.
[0035] An air passage 6, which connects the suction inlet 4 and the
discharge outlet 5, is arranged inside of the case 2. The electric
blower 7, which is arranged to produce an air flow, is arranged in
the air passage 6. Once the electric blower 7 is driven, air in the
room flows into the air passage 6 through the suction inlet 4 as
indicated by arrows S, and is sent out into the room through the
discharge outlet 5. A centrifugal fan is preferably used as the
electric blower 7, but other types of electric blowers, such as,
for example, an axial flow fan, may alternatively be used.
[0036] In the air passage 6, a dust collection portion 8 and a
filter 9 are arranged in the order named from the upstream side to
the downstream side with respect to the direction in which the air
flows between the suction inlet 4 and the electric blower 7. Dust
included in the air flowing in the air passage 6 is blocked by the
filter 9, and is collected in the dust collection portion 8, which
is defined in the shape of a container. Each of the dust collection
portion 8 and the filter 9 is detachably fitted in the case 2. On
the downstream side of the filter 9, the air passage 6 is arranged
to decrease in a channel width (i.e., width in the longitudinal
direction A) toward an air inlet (not shown) of the electric blower
7.
[0037] A suction nozzle 20 in the shape of a nozzle is detachably
fitted in the case 2 on the upstream side of the dust collection
portion 8 in the air passage 6. The suction nozzle 20 includes the
suction inlet 4 and an outlet 22 at an upstream end and a
downstream end, respectively, and a suction passage 21 which
connects the suction inlet 4 and the outlet 22 is defined in the
suction nozzle 20. The suction inlet 4 is arranged to extend in the
predetermined longitudinal direction A, and is arranged opposite to
the floor F (i.e., the surface to be cleaned). The outlet 22 is
connected to the electric blower 7. The width of the outlet 22
measured in the longitudinal direction A is arranged to be
substantially equal to the width of the suction inlet 4 measured in
the longitudinal direction A.
[0038] The suction passage 21 is arranged to extend upward from the
suction inlet 4 and curve rearward, and is connected to an upper
portion of the dust collection portion 8 through the outlet 22. The
upper side of a portion of the dust collection portion 8 is covered
with the suction nozzle 20. That is, the suction passage 21 is
arranged to extend upward from the suction inlet 4, and is
connected to the upper portion of the dust collection portion 8,
and the upper side of a portion of the dust collection portion 8 is
covered with the suction nozzle 20. The details of the suction
nozzle 20 will be described below.
[0039] Left and right drive wheels 19a are arranged at left and
right end portions of the bottom surface of the case 2. A trailer
wheel 19b, which is defined by a caster, is arranged at a front end
portion of the bottom surface of the case 2. Each drive wheel 19a
is connected to a drive motor (not shown). The case 2 is thus able
to travel on the floor F.
[0040] In addition, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes a
control portion (not shown) which controls various portions of the
electric vacuum cleaner 1. The electric blower 7, the display
portion 15, the operation portion 16, the drive motor, the position
sensor, a storage portion, and so on are connected to the control
portion. The storage portion is arranged to store a control program
for the electric vacuum cleaner 1 and, in addition, the condition
entered with the operation portion 16 and so on.
[0041] A power supply portion 11 including a secondary battery and
so on is arranged in a front portion of the case 2. The power
supply portion 11 is arranged to supply power to the electric
blower 7, the control portion, the drive motor, and so on, and
includes a case-side contact point (not shown) exposed in the
bottom surface of the case 2. The case-side contact point is
arranged to make contact with a charger stand-side contact point of
a charger stand (not shown) connected to a commercial power supply
(not shown). The secondary battery of the power supply portion 11
is thus charged through the charger stand. Before a cleaning
operation is started, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is placed on
the charger stand.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the air passage
6 on the suction side including the suction nozzle 20, and FIG. 5
is a sectional front view of the suction nozzle 20. The suction
nozzle 20 includes the suction inlet 4, the outlet 22, the suction
passage 21, and a plurality of partition walls 25. The suction
passage 21 is arranged to extend along a center line CT, which
joins a middle of the suction inlet 4 in the longitudinal direction
A and a middle of the outlet 22 in the longitudinal direction A, to
connect the suction inlet 4 and the outlet 22. Upper and lower
surfaces of the suction passage 21 are defined by an upper wall 28a
and a lower wall 28b, respectively, and left and right surfaces of
the suction passage 21 are defined by a side wall 28c and a side
wall 28d, respectively. Each of the upper wall 28a and the lower
wall 28b is arranged to slant in such a manner as to increase in
height as the upper wall 28a or the lower wall 28b extends
rearward, and the suction passage 21 is arranged to slant and guide
an air flow to the outlet 22.
[0043] In the suction passage 21, the plurality of (two in the
present preferred embodiment) partition walls 25 are arranged side
by side in the longitudinal direction A. Each of the partition
walls 25 is arranged in the suction passage 21, and is arranged to
extend from a side on which the suction inlet 4 is defined to a
side on which the outlet 22 is defined. The partition walls 25 are
arranged to extend from the suction inlet 4 to the outlet 22 to
divide the suction passage 21 into a main passage 21a and a
plurality of (two in the present preferred embodiment) division
passages 21b and 21c, which are divided from one another in the
longitudinal direction A. The main passage 21a has the center line
CT of the suction passage 21 passing therethrough. The division
passages 21b and 21c are arranged on both outer sides of the main
passage 21a with respect to the longitudinal direction A with one
of the partition walls 25 being arranged between the main passage
21a and an adjacent one of the division passages 21b and 21c on
either side of the main passage 21a. The main passage 21a and the
division passages 21b and 21c are divided from one another in the
longitudinal direction A of the suction inlet 4 by the partition
walls 25. That is, the main passage 21a is arranged on the center
line CT, and the division passages 21b and 21c are arranged on both
outer sides of the main passage 21a with respect to the
longitudinal direction A.
[0044] In addition, the suction inlet 4 is divided by the partition
walls 25 into suction inlets 4a, 4b, and 4c. The suction inlets 4a,
4b, and 4c are arranged at upstream ends of the main passage 21a,
the division passage 21b, and the division passage 21c,
respectively. Each of the suction inlets 4b and 4c is arranged
adjacent to the suction inlet 4a.
[0045] Each partition wall 25 includes an upstream vertical portion
25a, a first curved portion 25b, a second curved portion 25c, and a
downstream vertical portion 25d arranged in the order named from
the upstream side to the downstream side with respect to the
direction in which the air flows. The upstream vertical portion 25a
is arranged at an upstream end of the partition wall 25, and is
arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction A. That is, each partition wall 25 includes the upstream
vertical portion 25a, which is substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction A, at the upstream end thereof. The first
curved portion 25b is defined continuously with a downstream side
of the upstream vertical portion 25a, and is arranged to curve so
as to be convex away from the center line CT (i.e., outward in the
longitudinal direction A). That is, each partition wall 25 includes
the first curved portion 25b, which is defined continuously with
the downstream side of the upstream vertical portion 25a and is
arranged to curve so as to be convex away from the center line CT.
The second curved portion 25c is defined continuously with a
downstream side of the first curved portion 25b, and is arranged to
curve so as to be convex toward the center line CT (i.e., inward in
the longitudinal direction A). That is, each partition wall 25
includes the second curved portion 25c, which is defined
continuously with the downstream side of the first curved portion
25b and is arranged to curve so as to be convex toward the center
line CT. The downstream vertical portion 25d is defined
continuously with the second curved portion 25c at a downstream
end, and is arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction A. That is, each partition wall 25 includes,
at the downstream end thereof, the downstream vertical portion 25d,
which is defined continuously with the second curved portion 25c
and is arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction A.
[0046] Thus, the upstream end of each partition wall 25 is arranged
outward of the downstream end thereof with respect to the
longitudinal direction A, so that a width W1 of the main passage
21a at the suction inlet 4a measured in the longitudinal direction
A is greater than a width W2 of the main passage 21a at the outlet
22 measured in the longitudinal direction A. A width W3 of the
suction inlet 4b measured in the longitudinal direction A is
smaller than a width W4 of the division passage 21b at the outlet
22 measured in the longitudinal direction A. A width W5 of the
suction inlet 4c measured in the longitudinal direction A is
smaller than a width W6 of the division passage 21c at the outlet
22 measured in the longitudinal direction A.
[0047] The width W3 of the suction inlet 4b and the width W5 of the
suction inlet 4c are arranged to be substantially equal to each
other, and the width W1 of the suction inlet 4a is arranged to be
greater than the width W3 of the suction inlet 4b and the width W5
of the suction inlet 4c. The width W4 of the division passage 21b
at the outlet 22 and the width W6 of the division passage 21c at
the outlet 22 are arranged to be substantially equal to each other.
In addition, since each of the division passages 21b and 21c
becomes wider on the downstream side, each of the width W4 of the
division passage 21b at the outlet 22 and the width W6 of the
division passage 21c at the outlet 22 approaches the width W2 of
the main passage 21a at the outlet 22. In the present preferred
embodiment, the width W2 of the main passage 21a at the outlet 22,
the width W4 of the division passage 21b at the outlet 22, and the
width W6 of the division passage 21c at the outlet 22 are arranged
to be substantially equal to one another. Note that the width W3 of
the suction inlet 4b and the width W5 of the suction inlet 4c may
be different from each other.
[0048] Note that the number of partition walls 25 is not limited to
two, but may alternatively be an even number equal to or greater
than four. In this case, the suction passage 21 is divided into one
main passage and an even number of division passages, the even
number being equal to or greater than four.
[0049] If a cleaning start time previously stored in the storage
portion of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 having the above-described
structure comes, the case 2 leaves the charger stand and
automatically travels on the floor F. At this time, the electric
blower 7 is driven, and the rotary brush is caused to rotate. The
cleaning operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is thus
started. Air flows including dust on the floor F enter into the
main passage 21a and the division passages 21b and 21c through the
suction inlets 4a, 4b, and 4c, respectively, as indicated by arrows
S (see FIG. 5).
[0050] At this time, the upstream vertical portion 25a of each
partition wall 25 contributes to reducing turbulence in the
vicinity of the upstream end of the partition wall 25. Thus, the
air flow smoothly enters into each of the main passage 21a and the
division passages 21b and 21c. After entering into each of the main
passage 21a and the division passages 21b and 21c, the air flows
along the first curved portion 25b and then the second curved
portion 25c. Thus, the air which has flowed into each of the
division passages 21b and 21c is smoothly guided toward the center
line CT. This contributes to reducing turbulence of the air in each
of the division passages 21b and 21c, and causing the air to flow
more smoothly therein.
[0051] In addition, because the widths W4 and W6 of the division
passages 21b and 21c, respectively, at the outlet 22 approach the
width W2 of the main passage 21a at the outlet 22, suction forces
of equivalent magnitude act in the main passage 21a and the
division passages 21b and 21c. Thus, suction forces are
substantially evenly distributed in the longitudinal direction A of
the suction inlet 4.
[0052] In addition, the width W1 of the suction inlet 4a of the
main passage 21a, where turbulence does not easily occur, is
arranged to be greater than the widths W3 and W5 of the suction
inlets 4b and 4c, respectively, and this leads to improved suction
efficiency of the suction nozzle 20.
[0053] In addition, the downstream vertical portion 25d of each
partition wall 25 contributes to causing air which has reached a
downstream portion of each of the main passage 21a and the division
passages 21b and 21c to be smoothly guided downstream of the outlet
22.
[0054] After passing in the main passage 21a and the division
passages 21b and 21c, the air flows enter into the dust collection
portion 8 through the outlet 22. At this time, dust D in the air is
blocked by the filter 9, and is collected in the dust collection
portion 8. After passing through the filter 9, the air flows in a
portion of the air passage 6 on the downstream side of the filter
9, and is then sent out of the case 2 through the discharge outlet
5. The floor F is cleaned in the above-described manner.
[0055] After traveling over the entire floor F while keeping the
electric blower 7 in operation, the electric vacuum cleaner 1
returns to the charger stand, and the electric blower 7 is stopped.
The cleaning operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is thus
completed.
[0056] FIGS. 6 and 7 are a perspective view and a side view,
respectively, illustrating a result of a simulation of flows of air
in the portion of the air passage 6 on the suction side. In these
figures, almost no turbulence can be observed in any of the main
passage 21a and the division passages 21b and 21c, and air flows in
a laminar state in each of the main passage 21a and the division
passages 21b and 21c. In addition, a turbulent flow that is so
large as to rescatter the accumulated dust cannot be observed in
the dust collection portion 8.
[0057] For a comparative example, a similar simulation was
performed with the partition walls 25 being omitted, and the result
was that large turbulent flows were observed in the dust collection
portion 8 and both end portions of the suction passage 21 with
respect to the longitudinal direction A.
[0058] FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating a result of a simulation
of an air velocity distribution in the portion of the air passage 6
on the suction side. The result shows that, in the suction passage
21, air flows at a substantially uniform velocity at about 25 m/s,
and in the dust collection portion 8, air flows at a substantially
uniform velocity at about 0.041 m/s. In contrast, in the
aforementioned comparative example, the air velocity varied widely
in both the suction nozzle 20 and the dust collection portion
8.
[0059] FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a result of a simulation
of an air pressure distribution in the portion of the air passage 6
on the suction side. This figure shows that air pressure is
substantially uniform in the suction nozzle 20 and the dust
collection portion 8 at about -230 Pa. In contrast, in the
aforementioned comparative example, the air pressure varied widely
in the suction nozzle 20 and the dust collection portion 8.
[0060] The above results show that the suction nozzle 20 according
to the present preferred embodiment is able to reduce turbulence in
both the suction passage 21 and the dust collection portion 8.
[0061] In the present preferred embodiment, the plurality of
partition walls 25, which are arranged to divide the suction
passage 21 into the main passage 21a and the division passages 21b
and 21c which are divided from one another in the longitudinal
direction A of the suction inlet 4, are provided in the suction
nozzle 20. This prevents a narrowing of a channel on a side closer
to an air inlet of the electric blower 7 from causing flows of air
sucked in through both end portions of the suction inlet 4 with
respect to the longitudinal direction A to abruptly bend toward the
center line CT immediately after entering into the suction passage
21, and thus contributes to reducing turbulence of the air.
[0062] In addition, the width W1 of the main passage 21a at the
suction inlet 4 measured in the longitudinal direction A is greater
than the width W2 of the main passage 21a at the outlet 22 measured
in the longitudinal direction A. This causes each of the widths W4
and W6 of the division passages 21b and 21c, respectively, at the
outlet 22 to approach the width W2 of the main passage 21a at the
outlet 22, resulting in an increase in the suction force that acts
in each of the division passages 21b and 21c. Thus, the suction
forces are substantially evenly distributed over the suction inlet
4 in the longitudinal direction A. This leads to improved suction
efficiency of the suction nozzle 20.
[0063] In addition, each partition wall 25 includes the upstream
vertical portion 25a, which is substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction A, at an upstream end of the suction passage
21. This contributes to further reducing turbulence in the vicinity
of the upstream end of the partition wall 25.
[0064] In addition, each partition wall 25 includes the first
curved portion 25b, which is defined continuously with the
downstream side of the upstream vertical portion 25a and is
arranged to curve so as to be convex away from the center line CT.
This contributes to causing air sucked in through the suction
inlets 4b and 4c at both end portions with respect to the
longitudinal direction A to smoothly flow in the division passages
21b and 21c.
[0065] In addition, each partition wall 25 includes the second
curved portion 25c, which is defined continuously with the
downstream side of the first curved portion 25b and is arranged to
curve so as to be convex toward the center line CT. This
contributes to causing the air sucked in through the suction inlets
4b and 4c at both end portions with respect to the longitudinal
direction A to be smoothly guided to a downstream portion of the
suction passage 21.
[0066] In addition, each partition wall 25 includes, at the
downstream end thereof, the downstream vertical portion 25d, which
is defined continuously with the second curved portion 25c and is
arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction A. This contributes to causing the air flowing in each of
the main passage 21a and the division passages 21b and 21c to be
smoothly guided to the outlet 22.
[0067] In addition, the width W1 of the main passage 21a at the
suction inlet 4 measured in the longitudinal direction A is
arranged to be greater than each of the widths W3 and W5 of the
division passages 21b and 21c, respectively, at the suction inlet 4
measured in the longitudinal direction A. Arranging air to be
sucked in through three separate suction inlets as described above
contributes to reducing the likelihood of an occurrence of
turbulence in the suction nozzle 20, and increasing the amount of
air sucked in by the suction nozzle 20. Further, arranging each of
the division passages 21b and 21c, which are relatively narrow, on
the outer side with respect to the longitudinal direction A of the
suction inlet 4 contributes to further improving suction efficiency
at end portions of the suction nozzle 20 with respect to the
longitudinal direction A, at which weak suction forces tend to be
observed most often in related art.
[0068] In addition, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes the
suction nozzle 20, the dust collection portion 8 arranged
downstream of the suction nozzle 20, and the electric blower 7
arranged downstream of the dust collection portion 8. The electric
vacuum cleaner 1 is thus able to easily achieve improved suction
efficiency and cleaning efficiency. In addition, because air flows
in the laminar state in each of the main passage 21a and the
division passages 21b and 21c, the dust D can be smoothly sucked in
through even the suction inlets 4b and 4c at both end portions with
respect to the longitudinal direction A without an increase in the
rotation rate of the electric blower 7. This contributes to
reducing the turbulence in the dust collection portion 8, and
preventing the dust D accumulated in the dust collection portion 8
from being rescattered.
[0069] In addition, the suction passage 21 is arranged to extend
upward from the suction inlet 4, and is connected to the upper
portion of the dust collection portion 8, and the upper side of a
portion of the dust collection portion 8 is covered with the
suction nozzle 20. This contributes to reducing the size of the
electric vacuum cleaner 1.
[0070] Note that, in the present preferred embodiment, the first
curved portion 25b may alternatively be arranged to extend from a
downstream end of the upstream vertical portion 25a to the outlet
22 with the second curved portion 25c and the downstream vertical
portion 25d being omitted.
[0071] Next, a second preferred embodiment of the disclosure will
now be described below. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion
of an air passage on the suction side including a suction nozzle of
an electric vacuum cleaner according to the second preferred
embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sectional front view of the suction nozzle
of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the second preferred
embodiment. For the sake of convenience in description, members or
portions that have their equivalents in the above-described first
preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9 are denoted by the
same reference numerals as those of their equivalents in the first
preferred embodiment. The second preferred embodiment is different
from the first preferred embodiment in the shape of partition walls
25. The second preferred embodiment is otherwise similar to the
first preferred embodiment.
[0072] In a suction passage 21, a plurality of plate-shaped
partition walls 25 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal
direction A. Each partition wall 25 is defined by a plate
perpendicular to a lower wall 28b, and is arranged to extend in a
straight line from a side on which a suction inlet 4 is defined to
a side on which an outlet 22 is defined. That is, the partition
wall 25 is in the shape of a plate, and is arranged to extend in a
straight line from the side on which the suction inlet 4 is defined
to the side on which the outlet 22 is defined. In a front view, two
of the partition walls 25 are arranged to incline toward each other
as they extend from the suction inlet 4 toward the outlet 22.
[0073] The present preferred embodiment is able to achieve
beneficial effects similar to those of the first preferred
embodiment. In addition, each partition wall 25 is in the shape of
a plate, and is arranged to extend in a straight line from the side
on which the suction inlet 4 is defined to the side on which the
outlet 22 is defined. This contributes to easily preventing a
separation of an air flow passing in each of a main passage 21a and
division passages 21b and 21c from any partition wall 25, and
further reducing the likelihood of an occurrence of turbulence.
[0074] Next, a third preferred embodiment of the disclosure will
now be described below. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion
of an air passage on the suction side including a suction nozzle of
an electric vacuum cleaner according to the third preferred
embodiment. FIG. 13 is a sectional front view of the suction nozzle
of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the third preferred
embodiment. For the sake of convenience in description, members or
portions that have their equivalents in the above-described first
preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9 are denoted by the
same reference numerals as those of their equivalents in the first
preferred embodiment. The third preferred embodiment is different
from the first preferred embodiment in the shape of partition walls
25. The third preferred embodiment is otherwise similar to the
first preferred embodiment.
[0075] Each partition wall 25 includes an upstream vertical portion
25a, a straight portion 25e, and a downstream vertical portion 25d
arranged in the order named from the upstream side to the
downstream side with respect to the direction in which air flows.
The third preferred embodiment is different from the second
preferred embodiment in that each partition wall 25 includes the
downstream vertical portion 25d, which is arranged to be
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction A, at a
downstream end thereof. This causes air which has reached a
downstream portion of each of a main passage 21a and division
passages 21b and 21c to be smoothly guided downstream of an outlet
22. The straight portion 25e is defined continuously with each of a
downstream end of the upstream vertical portion 25a and an upstream
end of the downstream vertical portion 25d, and is arranged to
extend in a straight line.
[0076] The present preferred embodiment is also able to achieve
beneficial effects similar to those of the first preferred
embodiment. Note that the upstream vertical portion 25a or the
downstream vertical portion 25d may alternatively be omitted in the
present preferred embodiment.
[0077] Next, a fourth preferred embodiment of the disclosure will
now be described below. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an
electric vacuum cleaner according to the fourth preferred
embodiment. FIGS. 15 and 16 are a sectional front view and a side
sectional view, respectively, of a suction nozzle of the electric
vacuum cleaner according to the fourth preferred embodiment. For
the sake of convenience in description, members or portions that
have their equivalents in the above-described first preferred
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9 are denoted by the same
reference numerals as those of their equivalents in the first
preferred embodiment. The fourth preferred embodiment is different
from the first preferred embodiment in that a so-called
canister-type electric vacuum cleaner 30 is used instead of the
robot-type electric vacuum cleaner 1. The fourth preferred
embodiment is otherwise similar to the first preferred
embodiment.
[0078] The electric vacuum cleaner 30 includes an air inlet 31 and
a discharge outlet 5 in a front surface and a rear surface,
respectively, of a case 2 thereof. An air passage 6, which is
arranged to connect the air inlet 31 and the discharge outlet 5, is
defined in the case 2. In the air passage 6, a dust collection
portion 8, a filter 9, and an electric blower 7 are arranged in the
order named from the upstream side to the downstream side. Left and
right wheels 39 are attached to side surfaces of the case 2. In
addition, the electric vacuum cleaner 30 is provided with a power
supply cord (not shown) which is capable of being connected to a
commercial power supply (not shown).
[0079] A hose 32 is connected to the air inlet 31 of the case 2,
and a connection pipe 34 is connected to an upstream end of the
hose 32. A handle portion 35 and an operation portion 16 are
arranged in the connection pipe 34. The operation portion 16 is
operated to issue an instruction to turn on or off the electric
vacuum cleaner 30, an instruction to change the rotation rate of
the electric blower 7, or the like. An extension pipe 33 is
attached to an upstream end of the connection pipe 34. A suction
nozzle 20 is attached to an upstream end of the extension pipe 33
such that the suction nozzle 20 is detachable from the extension
pipe 33.
[0080] The suction nozzle 20 includes a joint pipe 27 connected to
the extension pipe 33 at the rear of a housing 26 thereof, and an
outlet 22 is open at a downstream end of the joint pipe 27. A width
W7 of the outlet 22 measured in the longitudinal direction A is
arranged to be smaller than a width W8 of a suction inlet 4
measured in the longitudinal direction A. A width of an opening
portion 29 at an upstream end of the joint pipe 27 measured in the
longitudinal direction A is arranged to be substantially equal to
the width W7 of the outlet 22. In addition, downstream ends of
partition walls 25 are arranged within the range of the width W7 of
the outlet 22 measured in the longitudinal direction A.
[0081] If a user of the electric vacuum cleaner 30 having the
above-described structure inserts a plug of the power supply cord
into a socket (not shown), and operates the operation portion 16,
the electric blower 7 is driven. As a result, air including dust D
flows into each of a main passage 21a and division passages 21b and
21c through the suction inlet 4 of the suction nozzle 20. At this
time, because the downstream ends of the partition walls 25 are
arranged within the range of the width W7 of the outlet 22 measured
in the longitudinal direction A, air flowing in each of the main
passage 21a and the division passages 21b and 21c is smoothly
guided to the outlet 22.
[0082] After flowing through each of the main passage 21a and the
division passages 21b and 21c, the air flows through the extension
pipe 33, the connection pipe 34, and the hose 32 in the order
named, and then flows into the case 2 through the air inlet 31. The
dust D in the air which has flowed into the case 2 is collected in
the dust collection portion 8. A floor F is thus cleaned.
[0083] The present preferred embodiment is also able to achieve
beneficial effects similar to those of the first preferred
embodiment. In addition, the canister-type electric vacuum cleaner
30 is also able to achieve improved suction efficiency and cleaning
efficiency.
[0084] Next, a fifth preferred embodiment of the disclosure will
now be described below. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an
electric vacuum cleaner according to the fifth preferred
embodiment. For the sake of convenience in description, members or
portions that have their equivalents in the above-described first
preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9 are denoted by the
same reference numerals as those of their equivalents in the first
preferred embodiment. The fifth preferred embodiment is different
from the first preferred embodiment in that a so-called stick-type
electric vacuum cleaner 40 is used instead of the robot-type
electric vacuum cleaner 1. The fifth preferred embodiment is
otherwise similar to the first preferred embodiment.
[0085] The electric vacuum cleaner 40 includes a case 2 including
an air inlet 41 and a discharge outlet 5 in a lower surface and an
upper surface, respectively, thereof. An air passage 6, which is
arranged to connect the air inlet 41 and the discharge outlet 5, is
defined in the case 2. In the air passage 6, a dust collection
portion 8, a filter 9, and an electric blower 7 are arranged in the
order named from the upstream side to the downstream side. In
addition, the electric vacuum cleaner 40 is provided with a power
supply cord (not shown) similar to that of the fourth preferred
embodiment.
[0086] A handle portion 35 and an operation portion 16 are arranged
at an upper portion of the case 2. A suction pipe 47 in the shape
of a stick is connected to the air inlet 41 of the case 2. A
suction nozzle 20 is attached to an upstream end of the suction
pipe 47 such that the suction nozzle 20 is detachable from the
suction pipe 47. The suction nozzle 20 according to the present
preferred embodiment is similar in structure to the suction nozzle
20 according to the fourth preferred embodiment.
[0087] The present preferred embodiment is also able to achieve
beneficial effects similar to those of the first preferred
embodiment. In addition, the stick-type electric vacuum cleaner 40
is also able to achieve improved suction efficiency and cleaning
efficiency.
[0088] Next, a sixth preferred embodiment of the disclosure will
now be described below. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an
electric vacuum cleaner according to the sixth preferred
embodiment. For the sake of convenience in description, members or
portions that have their equivalents in the above-described first
preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9 are denoted by the
same reference numerals as those of their equivalents in the first
preferred embodiment. The sixth preferred embodiment is different
from the first preferred embodiment in that a so-called handy-type
electric vacuum cleaner 50 is used instead of the robot-type
electric vacuum cleaner 1. The sixth preferred embodiment is
otherwise similar to the first preferred embodiment.
[0089] The electric vacuum cleaner 50 is similar in structure to
the electric vacuum cleaner 40 according to the fifth preferred
embodiment with the suction pipe 47 being omitted. A user can clean
a floor F, a desktop (i.e., a surface to be cleaned), or the like
with the electric vacuum cleaner 50 while holding a handle portion
35.
[0090] The present preferred embodiment is also able to achieve
beneficial effects similar to those of the first preferred
embodiment. In addition, the handy-type electric vacuum cleaner 50
is also able to achieve improved suction efficiency and cleaning
efficiency.
[0091] Note that, instead of the partition walls 25 according to
the first preferred embodiment, partition walls similar to the
partition walls 25 according to one of the second and third
preferred embodiments may alternatively be arranged in the suction
nozzle 20 according to each of the fourth to sixth preferred
embodiments.
[0092] Also note that a rotary brush may be arranged in the suction
inlet 4 of the suction nozzle 20 according to each of the fourth to
sixth preferred embodiments.
[0093] Preferred embodiments of the disclosure are applicable to
suction nozzles and electric vacuum cleaners including suction
nozzles.
[0094] Features of the above-described preferred embodiments and
the modifications thereof may be combined appropriately as long as
no conflict arises.
[0095] While preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been
described above, it is to be understood that variations and
modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The scope of
the disclosure, therefore, is to be determined solely by the
following claims.
* * * * *