CN114173627A

CN114173627A - Inhalation device

Info

Publication number: CN114173627A
Application number: CN202080054895.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 堀部勇; 藤田孝一; 羽田野刚
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-08
Filing date: 2020-07-16
Publication date: 2022-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-16
Also published as: JP7329758B2; CN114173627B; MY196007A; TW202108062A; JP2021023709A; JP2021098039A; WO2021024738A1; JP6876984B2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a suction device mounted on a suction type cleaning apparatus. An inhalation device comprising: a housing that forms an internal space that extends upward from a suction port that opens downward so as to suck dust, and a passage through which air flows from the internal space to the cleaning device; and a rotary cleaning body which is extended transversely in the inner space in a manner of contacting with the floor through the suction port and is tapered towards the front end. The space for removing dust wound around the rotary cleaning body is formed adjacent to the distal end of the rotary cleaning body in the extending direction of the rotary cleaning body or is formed adjacent to the distal end of the rotary cleaning body.

Description

Inhalation device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a suction device mounted on a suction type cleaning apparatus.

Background

Various suction devices mounted on a suction type cleaning apparatus have been developed (see patent document 1). The suction device of patent document 1 includes a housing that forms an internal space that extends upward from a suction port that opens downward, and a passage for air that flows from the internal space to the cleaning device. The suction device further includes a rotary cleaning element rotatably held in the internal space of the housing. The rotary cleaning body is extended from the side of the housing in the width direction of the suction device at a position facing the suction port. The rotary cleaning element is tapered toward a substantially central position in the extending direction of the rotary cleaning element.

When the housing moves forward, the rotary cleaning element in the housing rotates around a central axis extending along the width direction of the housing while contacting the floor. As a result of the rotation of the rotary cleaning element, dust on the floor is scraped off by the rotary cleaning element. In this case, long dust such as hair may be wound around the rotary cleaning element. According to the description of patent document 1, since the rotary cleaning element is tapered toward the substantially center in the extending direction of the rotary cleaning element, long dust is spirally wound around the rotary cleaning element. Since it is possible to prevent long dust from being wound around one position of the rotary cleaning body in the extending direction of the rotary cleaning body, the dust spirally wound around the rotary cleaning body is sucked into the cleaning device by the suction force of the cleaning device.

The technique of patent document 1 can wind long dust spirally around the rotary cleaning element, but cannot ensure that all of the long dust is wound spirally around the rotary cleaning element. For example, a part of the long dust may be wound around the rotary cleaning element so as to intersect with another part. In this case, dust cannot be sucked into the cleaning device. That is, the dust is always wound around the rotary cleaning element. Since the portion of the rotary cleaning element around which dust is entangled is less likely to contact the floor, the cleaning function of the rotary cleaning element is deteriorated. In order to obtain again a good cleaning function of the rotating cleaning body, it is necessary to remove dust which is not sucked into the cleaning device but is wound around the rotating cleaning body. In this case, the user needs to cut off the dust wound around the rotary cleaning element using a cutting tool such as scissors or a cutter.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a suction device which can easily remove long dust wound on a rotary cleaning body.

A suction device according to an aspect of the present invention is a suction device mounted on a suction type cleaning apparatus. The suction device includes a housing which forms an internal space extending upward from a suction port and a passage for allowing air to flow from the internal space to the cleaning device, the suction port being opened downward so as to suck dust; and a rotary cleaning body which is extended transversely in the inner space in a manner of contacting with the floor through the suction port and is tapered towards the front end. The space for removing dust wound around the rotary cleaning body is formed adjacent to the distal end of the rotary cleaning body in the extending direction of the rotary cleaning body or is formed adjacent to the distal end of the rotary cleaning body.

The suction device can easily remove long dust wound on the rotary cleaning body.

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a cleaning apparatus to which a suction device according to a first embodiment is attached.

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the inhalation device.

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the inhalation device.

Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of the inhalation device.

Fig. 5 is a schematic front view of the rotary cleaning element of the suction device.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a scraping portion of the suction device.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the rotary cleaning element.

Fig. 8 is a schematic front view of the rotary cleaning element.

Fig. 9 is a graph showing a relationship between the diameter of the mandrel portion and the amount of protrusion of the scraping portion.

Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of an inhalation device according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the inhalation device.

Detailed Description

First embodiment

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a cleaning apparatus 101 to which a suction device 100 is attached. The cleaning apparatus 101 is explained with reference to fig. 1.

Fig. 1 shows an electric cleaning machine as a cleaning device 101. The cleaning device 101 includes a main body 102 having a suction fan (not shown) and a motor (not shown) for driving the suction fan, and a hose 103 extending from the main body 102. The cleaning device 101 further includes an operation unit 104 provided at an intermediate position of the hose 103. The suction device 100 is connected to the tip of a hose 103. The operation unit 104 is electrically connected to the main body 102 and the suction appliance 100 by a wire provided along the hose 103. The operation unit 104 receives an operation by a user and generates a command signal for operating or stopping the main body unit 102 and a driving unit of the inhalation device 100.

Fig. 2 and 3 are schematic perspective views of the inhalation device 100. Fig. 2 mainly shows the lower part of the inhalation device 100. Fig. 3 mainly shows the upper part of the inhalation device 100. Fig. 4 shows a schematic front view of the inhalation device 100. The inhalation device 100 is explained with reference to fig. 1 to 4.

The suction device 100 includes a housing 120 having a suction port 111 for sucking dust on a floor F, a connecting portion 130 for connecting the housing 120 to a distal end of the hose 103, and two

rotary cleaning bodies

141 and 142 configured to scrape off dust. The inhalation device 100 further includes rollers 151 to 154 for assisting the inhalation device 100 in moving in the front-rear direction. The suction port 111 is a rectangular region that is open downward so as to face the floor F and is long in the left-right direction.

The housing 120 has a hollow box structure that is long in the left-right direction and is configured to form an internal space 112 that extends upward from the suction port 111. The internal space 112 is used as a space for accommodating the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 while allowing air and dust to flow.

The housing 120 includes a front wall 121, a rear portion 122,

side portions

123, 124, an upper wall 125, and a retaining arm 126. The front wall 121, the rear portion 122, the

side portions

123, 124, and the upper wall 125 are portions that form the suction port 111 and the internal space 112. The holding arm 126 is a part holding the

rollers

153, 154.

The front wall 121 is a horizontally long portion that is erected in front of the internal space 112. Three recesses 113 are formed in the lower edge of the front wall 121 so as to be recessed upward. These recesses 113 are formed at positions that approximately equally divide the lower edge of the front wall 121 in the longitudinal direction.

The

side portions

123, 124 are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the suction device 100, and the suction port 111 and the internal space 112 are formed between the

side portions

123, 124. The

side portions

123, 124 each have a hollow structure. Driving mechanisms (e.g., motors and driving belts) for driving the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 are disposed in the

side portions

123 and 124. The driving source of the driving mechanism is electrically connected to the operation portion 104 so as to be operable or stoppable under operation of the operation portion 104. The driving mechanism has a rotating shaft protruding from the inner surface (i.e., the surface facing the internal space 112) of the

side portions

123, 124, and the rotating shaft is connected to the

rotating cleaning bodies

141, 142.

A recess 114 is formed at the rear end of the lower face of each of the

side portions

123, 124. A roller 151 is disposed in the recess 114 of the side portion 123. A roller 152 is disposed in recess 114 of side portion 124. The

side portions

123, 124 rotatably hold the

rollers

151, 152 such that a part of the

rollers

151, 152 protrudes downward from the lower surfaces of the

side portions

123, 124.

The rear portion 122 is a portion that is disposed rearward of the internal space 112 and is long in the left-right direction. The lower face of the rear portion 122 is substantially flush with the lower faces of the

side portions

123, 124. The inner surface of the rear portion 122 (i.e., the surface facing the internal space 112) has a V-shape protruding forward in a bottom view. The distance between the inner surface of the rear portion 122 and the inner surface of the front wall 121 (i.e., the surface facing the interior space 112) becomes the shortest at the substantially center position of the interior space 112 in the left-right direction. The distance between the rear portion 122 and the inner surface of the front wall 121 becomes progressively larger as the

side portions

123, 124 are approached.

A channel 116 is formed in the rear portion 122 extending in the front-rear direction. A generally rectangular open end 115 of the channel 116 emerges from the inner surface of the rear portion 122 and opens forward. The open end 115 is formed at substantially the center of the inner surface of the rear portion 122 in the left-right direction. The duct 116 is connected to a connecting portion 130 extending rearward from the opening 115. The duct 116 is used as a flow path for flowing air and dust from the internal space 112 to the cleaning device 101.

Inside the rear portion 122, two inner spaces isolated from the passage 116 are formed on the right and left sides of the passage 116. These two inner spaces are used to arrange a driving mechanism for driving the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142.

The upper wall 125 is disposed above the internal space 112 and forms an upper surface of the housing 120. The upper surface of the case 120 is upwardly curved.

The connecting portion 130 includes a holding portion 131 protruding rearward from the rear surface of the rear portion 122 (the surface opposite to the inner surface of the rear portion 122) at the substantially central position of the suction device 100 in the left-right direction, and a connecting cylinder 132 held by the holding portion 131 so as to be rotatable up and down. The holding portion 131 has a cylindrical structure with an upper portion thereof notched. The tip of the connecting tube 132 is inserted into the holding portion 131 and held by the holding portion 131 to be rotatable up and down. The rear end of the connecting cylinder 132 is connected to the front end of the hose 103. The inner space of the connecting cylinder 132 communicates with the passage 116 formed at the rear portion 122.

The holding arm 126 is a substantially U-shaped portion extending from the back surface of the rear portion 122 so as to surround the lower portion of the holding portion 131. The lower face of the retaining arm 126 is generally coplanar with the lower faces of the

side portions

123, 124 and the rear portion 122. A recess 117 recessed upward to accommodate the

rollers

153 and 154 is formed at a rear end portion of the lower surface of the holding arm 126. The

rollers

153 and 154 are formed to be rotatable by the holding arm 126, and a part of the

rollers

153 and 154 is housed in the recess 117 so as to protrude downward from the lower surface of the holding arm 126.

The rotary cleaning element 141 includes a core rod portion 161 extending laterally (rightward) from the inner surface of the side portion 123, and a plurality of scraping portions 162 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the core rod portion 161 to scrape dust on the floor F. The core rod portion 161 is shorter than half of the length of the inner space 112 in the left-right direction. The proximal end of the plunger portion 161 is located near the inner surface of the side portion 123 (right side of the side portion 123), and is connected to a rotation shaft of a drive mechanism built in the side portion 123. Therefore, the base end of the rotary cleaning element 141 is supported by the rotary shaft of the drive mechanism and the side portion 123.

The mandrel portion 161 has an elongated truncated cone shape that tapers from the base end toward the tip end. The center axis (i.e., the rotation axis) of the mandrel portion 161 is inclined forward from the base end of the mandrel portion 161 so that a generatrix (i.e., one located on the front side of a pair of intersecting lines between a horizontal plane including the center axis of the mandrel portion 161 and the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel portion 161) of the mandrel portion 161 (truncated cone) defined at a position closest to the front wall 121 is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the front wall 121. As described above, since the inner surface of the rear portion 122 is curved in a V-shape in a bottom view, the generatrix (i.e., the one located on the rear side among the intersection lines) of the mandrel bar portion 161 defined at a position closest to the rear portion 122 is also substantially parallel to the inner surface of the rear portion 122. The center axis of the plug portion 161 is inclined downward from the base end of the plug portion 161 so that a generatrix of the plug portion 161 (i.e., one of a pair of intersecting lines between a vertical plane including the center axis of the

rotating cleaning bodies

141, 142 and the outer peripheral surface of the plug portion 161, which is located on the lower side) defined on the lowermost side is substantially parallel to the lower surfaces of the

side portions

123, 124 and the rear portion 122.

Each of the plurality of scraping portions 162 is a band-shaped portion extending in a section from the base end to the tip end of the mandrel portion 161. The scraping portion 162 is formed of an elastically deformable material. For example, the scraping portion 162 may be formed of a plurality of bristles, a band-shaped elastic body, a band-shaped elastic resin, or a band-shaped cloth.

The scraping portion 162 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the plug portion 161 by a substantially uniform protruding amount in a section from the base end to the tip end of the plug portion 161. The amount of protrusion of the scraping portion 162 is set to a value at which the scraping portion 162 protrudes downward through the suction port 111 and contacts the floor F.

The scraping portion 162 is not parallel with respect to the central axis of the mandrel portion 161. Specifically, the scraping section 162 is extended spirally so as to be capable of intersecting the center axis of the core rod section 161 three-dimensionally. That is, the scraping portions 162 are different from each other in position in the circumferential direction of the base end and the tip end of the mandrel portion 161.

The rotary cleaning element 142 is bilaterally symmetrical to the rotary cleaning element 141. That is, the tip of the rotary cleaning element 142 faces the tip of the rotary cleaning element 141. The rotary cleaning element 142 extends laterally from the distal end of the rotary cleaning element 142 toward the side portion 124. The proximal end of the mandrel portion 161 of the rotary cleaning element 142 is located near the side portion 124, and is connected to a rotary shaft of a drive mechanism incorporated in the side portion 124. Therefore, the base end of the rotary cleaning element 142 is supported by the rotary shaft of the drive mechanism and the side portion 124.

Since the length of the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142 is shorter than half the length of the inner space 112 in the left-right direction, a space 118 is formed between the leading ends of the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142. That is, the space 118 is formed adjacent to the leading ends of the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142 in the extending direction of the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142. The

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 have a bilaterally symmetrical shape with respect to the space 118. The space 118 is used to remove long dust (e.g., hair) wound around the

rotary cleaning bodies

141, 142.

The space 118 is formed at a substantially central position in the left-right direction of the internal space 112, in the vicinity of the open end 115 of the passage 116 (in front of the open end 115). In other words, the space 118 is aligned with the open end 115 in the opening direction of the open end 115.

Hereinafter, the operation of the inhalation device 100 will be described.

The user operates the operation unit 104 to activate the drive mechanism in the main body 102 and the inhalation device 100, and moves the inhalation device 100 forward and backward. As a result of the operation of the main body 102, the air in the internal space 112 is sucked into the main body 102 through the passage 116, the connection portion 130, and the hose 103. Dust on the floor F is sucked into the main body 102 together with air. The

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 are rotated by a drive mechanism in the suction device 100. As a result, the scraping unit 162 wipes the floor F to scrape dust on the floor F. Therefore, dust can be effectively removed from the floor F.

As a result of the rotation of the

rotary cleaning elements

141, 142, long dust may be wound around the

rotary cleaning elements

141, 142. If a part of the long dust overlaps with another part, the long dust is easily kept wound around the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142. In this case, it is difficult to remove long dust from the

rotary cleaning bodies

141, 142 only by the suction force from the cleaning device 101.

If the long dust is wound around the

rotary cleaning elements

141, 142 so that a part of the long dust overlaps with another part of the long dust, the cross section of the dust is aligned substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the

rotary cleaning elements

141, 142 as shown in fig. 5 (schematic front view of the rotary cleaning elements 141, 142). In this case, the dust winding force with respect to the

rotating cleaning elements

141 and 142 acts in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the

rotating cleaning elements

141 and 142.

As described above, since the mandrel portion 161 has a truncated cone shape and the projecting amount of the scraping portion 162 is substantially the same, the overall external shape of the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 is a substantially truncated cone shape that tapers from the base end toward the tip end as shown in fig. 5. In this case, one of the component forces of the winding force acts in a direction toward the leading ends of the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142. Therefore, the dust wound around the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142 moves toward the tips of the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142 by the action of the force.

A space 118 is formed between the tips of the

rotary cleaning elements

141, 142. Therefore, the dust that has moved toward the leading ends of the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142 and reached the space 118 is removed from the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142 through the space 118.

Because the space 118 is located near the open end 115 of the channel 116, the attractive force of the sweeping device 101 acts relatively strongly on the space 118 (and on the leading ends of the rotating sweeping bodies 141, 142). Since the space 118 is aligned with the open end 115 in the opening direction of the open end 115, longer dust removed through the space 118 is directly sucked into the passage 116.

The suction device 100 scrapes dust on the floor F by the

rotary cleaning bodies

141 and 142 arranged in the left-right direction. Therefore, even if the length of each of the

rotary cleaning bodies

141 and 142 is less than half the length of the inner space 112 in the left-right direction, dust on the floor F can be scraped over a wide area.

Since the length of each of the

rotary cleaning bodies

141 and 142 is less than half the length of the internal space 112 in the left-right direction, the suction device 100 has a strong structure compared to a single support structure in which a single rotary cleaning body is provided over the entire length of the internal space 112 in the left-right direction. That is, when a force pushing the leading ends of the

rotating cleaning bodies

141, 142 acts on the

rotating cleaning bodies

141, 142, the load applied to the base ends of the rotating cleaning bodies 141, 142 (i.e., the connection portions with the drive mechanism) becomes relatively small.

The

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 have a bilaterally symmetrical structure. Thus, substantially equal cleaning capabilities are achieved in the left and right halves of the suction device 100.

The center axes of the

rotary cleaning elements

141, 142 are inclined downward from the base ends of the

rotary cleaning elements

141, 142, and the generatrices of the

rotary cleaning elements

141, 142 defined at the lowermost side are substantially parallel to the lower surfaces of the rear portion 122 and the

side portions

123, 124. Therefore, the

rotary cleaning bodies

141 and 142 can contact the floor F with substantially the same force over the entire section from the base end to the tip end of the

rotary cleaning bodies

141 and 142.

The center axes of the

rotary cleaning elements

141, 142 are inclined forward from the base ends of the

rotary cleaning elements

141, 142, and the generatrices of the

rotary cleaning elements

141, 142 defined at the position closest to the front wall 121 are substantially parallel to the inner surface of the front wall 121. Since the gaps between the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142 and the inner surface of the front wall 121 are substantially the same size throughout the entire section from the base end to the tip end of the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142, variation in suction force due to variation in the size of the gap hardly occurs.

The inner surface of the rear portion 122 is bent in a V-shape according to the inclination of the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142. Therefore, the gap between the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 and the inner surface of the rear portion 122 is also substantially the same in size throughout the entire section from the base end to the tip end of the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142. Therefore, variation in suction force due to variation in the size of the gap hardly occurs.

When the scraping portion 162 does not intersect the central axis of the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 in a three-dimensional manner, the dust tends to be entangled as described with reference to fig. 5. For example, when the mandrel bar portion 161, on which the scraping portion 162 is not provided, rotates while dust extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the mandrel bar portion 161 is present thereon, the dust may be wound around the mandrel bar portion 161 at a certain position in the longitudinal direction of the mandrel bar portion 161. If the scraping portion 162 is provided so as to intersect the central axis of the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 in a three-dimensional manner (see fig. 6 (schematic view of the scraping portion 162)), the force in the oblique direction acts on the dust at the portion of the scraping portion 162 in contact with the dust. As a result, the contact portion between the scraper 162 and the dust is likely to gradually change in the longitudinal direction of the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142. As a result of the movement of the contact portion, dust is not wound around one place in the longitudinal direction of the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142, and is easily wound around the outer circumferential surfaces of the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142 in a spiral shape. In this case, even if dust is wound around the

rotating cleaning bodies

141, 142, the dust can be removed from the

rotating cleaning bodies

141, 142 by the suction force of the cleaning device 101.

In the above embodiment, each of the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 has the plurality of scraping portions 162. Alternatively, each of the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 may have only one scraping portion 162. In this case, the scraping portion 162 is preferably formed to spirally surround the outer peripheral surface of the core rod portion 161 (see fig. 7 (schematic view of the rotary cleaning elements 141 and 142)). Even in this case, since the scraping portion 162 extends in a non-parallel manner with respect to the central axis of the core rod portion 161, an effect of gradually moving the contact position with the long dust along the longitudinal direction of the core rod portion 161 can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the space 118 is formed between the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142. That is, the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 are not connected to each other. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 8 (schematic front view of the rotary cleaning elements 141 and 142), the suction device 100 may further include a connecting member 143 for connecting the distal ends of the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 to each other. The coupling member 143 is detachable from the distal ends of the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142. For example, the connection member 143 may be a universal joint (universal joint).

When the dust collected on the connecting member 143 is removed from the distal ends of the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 during use of the suction device 100, the dust is removed together with the connecting member 143. When the connecting member 143 is detached from the leading ends of the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142, a space 118 is formed adjacent to the leading ends of the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142. Dust near the tips of the

rotating cleaning elements

141, 142 can be removed through the space 118.

Since the distal ends of the

rotary cleaning elements

141, 142 are connected to each other by the connecting member 143, the

rotary cleaning elements

141, 142 are supported by the housing 120 at both ends. The connection structure of the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 shown in fig. 8 is stronger than the structure in which the

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142 are supported by one end of the housing 120 (see fig. 2).

With the above embodiment, the plug portion 161 has a tapered shape that tapers from the base end to the tip end. Alternatively, as shown in the graph of fig. 9 (a graph showing a relationship between the diameter of the mandrel portion 161 and the projecting amount of the scraping portion 162), the diameter of the mandrel portion 161 may be substantially constant over the entire section from the base end to the tip end of the mandrel portion 161. In this case, the scraping portion 162 is formed such that the protrusion amount of the scraping portion 162 is reduced from the base end to the tip end of the plug portion 161.

The tip of the mandrel portion 161 is separated from the

side portions

123 and 124, and therefore, is more likely to be displaced upward than the base end of the mandrel portion 161. Since the amount of protrusion of the scraping portion 162 at the tip end of the mandrel portion 161 is relatively small, the scraping portion 162 located at the tip end of the mandrel portion 161 is relatively less likely to be elastically deformed. Although the upward displacement of the tip of the mandrel bar portion 161 serves to weaken the contact of the scraping portion 162 with the floor F, the scraping portion 162 located at the tip of the mandrel bar portion 161 is less likely to deform and strengthens the contact of the scraping portion 162 with the floor F. Therefore, these effects are cancelled out. Since the amount of protrusion of the scraping portion 162 at the base end of the mandrel portion 161 is relatively large, the scraping portion 162 located at the base end of the mandrel portion 161 is relatively easily elastically deformed. The base end of the plunger portion 161 is relatively difficult to displace upward. Although the ease of elastic deformation of the scraping portion 162 impairs the contact of the scraping portion 162 with the floor F, the effect of reinforcing the contact of the scraping portion 162 with the floor F is exerted to such an extent that the core rod portion 161 is not easily displaced upward, and therefore, these effects are offset from each other.

Second embodiment

The suction device 100 of the first embodiment includes two

rotary cleaning elements

141 and 142. Alternatively, the suction device 100 may have one rotary cleaning element 141 (see fig. 10 (schematic perspective view of the suction device 100). the suction device 100 according to the second embodiment having one rotary cleaning element 141 will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 10.

The base end of the rotary cleaning element 141 is located in the vicinity of the inner surface of the side portion 123. The rotary cleaning element 141 extends laterally (to the right), and the tip of the rotary cleaning element 141 is located in the vicinity of the side portion 124. That is, the tip of the rotary cleaning element 141 faces the inner surface of the side part 124. A space 118 is formed between the tip of the rotary cleaning element 141 and the side part 124. A connecting member 143 for connecting the distal end of the rotary cleaning element 141 and the side portion 124 is disposed in the space 118.

The central axis of the rotary cleaning element 141 is inclined downward from the base end so that a generatrix of the mandrel bar portion 161 defined at the lowermost side is substantially parallel to the floor F. The central axis of the cleaning element 141 is rotated such that the generatrix of the mandrel bar portion 161 defined at the position closest to the front wall 121 is inclined forward from the base end so as to be substantially parallel to the inner surface of the front wall 121.

The front wall 121 and the side portions 123 are substantially the same as the front wall 121 and the side portions 123 of the first embodiment. However, the side portions 124 and the rear portion 122 are different from the side portions 124 and the rear portion 122 of the first embodiment.

The side portion 124 is thinner than the side portion 124 of the first embodiment because it does not need to house a driving mechanism for driving the rotary cleaning element 142. The side portion 124 includes a main wall 127 having a through hole formed at a position facing the leading end of the rotary cleaning element 141, and a plug 128 for closing the through hole of the main wall 127 and connecting to one end of the connecting member 143. The latch piece 128 is detachable from the main wall 127 and the coupling part 143.

A recess 119 for accommodating the roller 151 is formed below the rear portion 122. The recess 119 is formed in the substantially center of the lower surface of the rear portion 122 in the left-right direction. The roller 151 is provided in the recess 119, but the inhalation device 100 of the second embodiment does not have the rollers 152 to 154 described in association with the first embodiment. Therefore, the inhalation device 100 of the second embodiment also does not have a portion (i.e., the recess 114 and the holding arm 126) for mounting these rollers 152 to 154. The inner space of the rear portion 122 on the left side of the recess 119 is used for accommodating a driving mechanism for driving the rotary cleaning element 141.

The rear portion 122 also differs from the rear portion 122 of the first embodiment in the location where the channel 116 is formed. That is, in the rear portion 122 of the second embodiment, the tunnel 116 is formed not in the substantial center of the rear portion 122 but in the vicinity closer to the side portion 124 than the center position in the left-right direction. Thus, the open end 115 of the channel 116 is present in the vicinity of the space 118 between the rotating cleaning body 141 and the side portion 124.

The inner surface of the rear portion 122 is inclined forward from the side portion 123 to the side portion 124 so that the gap between the rotary cleaning element 141 and the inner surface of the rear portion 122 is substantially constant in the left-right direction.

The connection portion 130 is provided on the rear surface of the rear portion 122 corresponding to the formation position of the channel 116. That is, the connecting portion 130 extends rearward from the rear surface of the rear portion 122 at a position closer to the side portion 124 than the center position of the rear surface of the rear portion 122 in the left-right direction.

Since the suction device 100 of the second embodiment has the rotary cleaning body 141 tapered from the base end toward the tip end as in the suction device 100 of the first embodiment, it is possible to urge long dust wound around the rotary cleaning body 141 into the space 118. Although the dust is accumulated in the connecting member 143 provided in the space 118, the user can remove the dust from the inhalation device 100 by detaching the plug piece 128 and the connecting member 143 in order.

The base end of the rotary cleaning element 141 is supported by the rotary shaft of the drive mechanism and the side portion 123. The distal end of the rotary cleaning element 141 is supported by the side part 124 via a connecting member 143. That is, the rotary cleaning element 141 is supported at both ends by the

side portions

123 and 124. Therefore, the suction device 100 has a stronger structure than the suction device 100 including the rotary cleaning element 141 supported at one end.

Unlike the suction device 100 of the first embodiment, the suction device 100 of the second embodiment does not have the rotary cleaning element 142. Therefore, the suction device 100 according to the second embodiment does not require a driving mechanism for driving the rotary cleaning element 142. As a result, the inhalation device 100 of the second embodiment can be manufactured with fewer parts than the inhalation device 100 of the first embodiment.

The rotary cleaning element 141 and the driving mechanism may be supported at one end as long as they have a strong structure (see fig. 11 (schematic perspective view of the inhalation device 100). in this case, the inhalation device 100 may not have the connecting member 143. furthermore, a through hole may not be formed in the side portion 124, and the stopper piece 128 for closing the through hole is not required, and therefore, the inhalation device 100 has a simple structure.

In the above embodiment, an electric cleaner that a user moves the suction device 100 by himself/herself is exemplified as the cleaning device 101. However, the suction device 100 may be incorporated into a robot cleaner that automatically moves.

The above embodiment mainly includes the following configurations.

The suction device according to the above embodiment is a suction device attached to a suction type cleaning apparatus. The suction device includes a housing which forms an internal space extending upward from a suction port and a passage for allowing air to flow from the internal space to the cleaning device, the suction port being opened downward so as to suck dust; and a rotary cleaning body which is extended transversely in the inner space in a manner of contacting with the floor through the suction port and is tapered towards the front end. The space for removing dust wound around the rotary cleaning body is formed adjacent to the distal end of the rotary cleaning body in the extending direction of the rotary cleaning body or is formed adjacent to the distal end of the rotary cleaning body.

According to the above configuration, the rotary cleaning element rotates while contacting the floor. Since the rotary cleaning element extends in the lateral direction, dust on the floor is scraped off by the rotary cleaning element within the extension range of the rotary cleaning element. In this case, long dust on the floor may be entangled with the rotary cleaning element. Since the rotating cleaning element is tapered toward the tip, dust wound around the rotating cleaning element moves toward the tip of the rotating cleaning element. Since a space adjacent to the tip of the rotary cleaning element is formed or can be formed in the extending direction of the rotary cleaning element, dust reaching the tip of the rotary cleaning element can be removed through the space.

In the above-described configuration, the space may be formed in the vicinity of an opening end of the passage that opens toward the internal space.

According to the above-described configuration, since the space for removing dust is formed in the vicinity of the opening end of the passage, the suction force from the cleaning device acts relatively strongly on the space for removing dust and the tip of the rotary cleaning body. Therefore, dust reaching the space for removing dust and the tip of the rotary cleaning body is easily sucked into the cleaning device.

In the above configuration, the spaces may be arranged in an opening direction of the opening end.

According to the above configuration, since the spaces for removing dust are arranged in the opening direction of the open end, dust reaching the spaces for removing dust and the tip of the rotary cleaning body is easily sucked into the cleaning device.

In the above configuration, the suction device may further include another rotary cleaning element extending laterally from a distal end of the rotary cleaning element opposite to the distal end of the rotary cleaning element in the space. The other rotary cleaning element may be in contact with the floor through the suction opening and tapered toward the tip of the other rotary cleaning element.

According to the above configuration, since the pair of rotary cleaning bodies are both provided to extend in the lateral direction so as to contact the floor through the suction port, dust on the floor can be scraped over a relatively wide range in accordance with the movement of the suction device. Further, since both the pair of rotary cleaning bodies are tapered toward the leading ends, dust wound around the pair of rotary cleaning bodies moves toward the leading ends of the pair of rotary cleaning bodies during this period. Since a space is formed between the leading ends of the pair of rotary cleaning bodies, dust that has reached the leading ends of the pair of rotary cleaning bodies can be removed through the space.

In the above configuration, the pair of rotary cleaning elements may have a symmetrical shape with respect to the space.

According to the above configuration, since the pair of rotary cleaning bodies has a shape symmetrical with respect to the space, the cleaning capabilities of the pair of rotary cleaning bodies are substantially equalized.

In the above configuration, the suction device may further include a connecting member for connecting the distal ends of the pair of rotary cleaning bodies to each other. The housing may include a pair of side portions that support base ends of the pair of rotary cleaning bodies, respectively, and the connection member may be detachable from the leading ends of the pair of rotary cleaning bodies.

According to the above configuration, since the connecting member is attached to the leading ends of the pair of rotary cleaning bodies, the pair of rotary cleaning bodies are supported as a whole by the pair of side double ends of the housing. Therefore, the suction device can have a stronger structure than a structure in which the pair of rotary cleaning bodies are supported by the respective ends. If the connecting member is detached from the tip ends of the pair of rotary cleaning elements, a space can be formed to remove dust wound around the pair of rotary cleaning elements.

In the above configuration, the housing may further include a side portion interposed between the space and the leading end of the rotary cleaning element.

According to the above configuration, the dust wound around the rotary cleaning element moves toward the distal end of the rotary cleaning element, and can be removed through the space between the distal end of the rotary cleaning element and the side portion of the housing.

In the above configuration, the suction device may further include a connecting member for connecting the distal end of the rotary cleaning element and the side portion. The housing includes a side portion supporting a base end of the rotary cleaning body on a side opposite to the side portion, and the connecting member is detachable from the tip end and the side portion of the rotary cleaning body.

According to the above configuration, since the connecting member connects the tip end and the side portion of the rotary cleaning element, the rotary cleaning element is supported by the pair of side portions of the housing. Therefore, the suction device can have a stronger structure than a structure in which the rotary cleaning body is supported by one end. If the connecting member is detached from the tip and side portion of the rotary cleaning body, a space can be formed to remove dust wound around the rotary cleaning body.

In the above configuration, a central axis of the rotary cleaning element may be inclined downward from the side portion supporting the base end of the rotary cleaning element.

According to the above configuration, since the central axis of the rotary cleaning element is inclined downward from the side portion supporting the base end of the rotary cleaning element, the tip end of the rotary cleaning element can be projected downward from the suction port. Therefore, although the rotary cleaning body is tapered toward the leading end, the leading end portion of the rotary cleaning body can be brought into contact with the floor.

In the above configuration, the housing may include a front wall disposed in front of the internal space, and a central axis of the rotary cleaning element may be inclined forward from the side portion supporting the base end of the rotary cleaning element.

According to the above configuration, since the housing includes the front wall disposed in front of the internal space, the suction force of the cleaning device is less likely to act on the space in front of the housing, and can be concentrated on the suction port. Since the central axis of the rotary cleaning element is inclined forward from the side portion, the distal end portion of the rotary cleaning element can approach the front wall even if the rotary cleaning element is tapered toward the distal end. Since the gap between the leading end portion of the rotary cleaning element and the front wall is not excessively large, a decrease in suction force around the leading end portion of the rotary cleaning element can be suppressed.

In the above configuration, the rotary cleaning element may further include a core bar portion extending in the lateral direction and a scraping portion provided on an outer peripheral surface of the core bar portion so as to scrape dust on the floor. The scraping portion may be provided to extend spirally on the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel portion or may be provided to extend obliquely on the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel portion so as to intersect three-dimensionally with respect to a central axis of the mandrel portion.

According to the above configuration, the scraping section is provided to extend spirally on the outer peripheral surface of the core rod section or to extend obliquely on the outer peripheral surface of the core rod section so as to intersect three-dimensionally with the central axis of the core rod section, so that the scraping section can apply a force to dust on the floor in the direction in which the core rod section extends. When the long dust comes into contact with the scraping portion, the contact position of the dust with the scraping portion is likely to be displaced in the extending direction of the mandrel bar portion, and therefore the long dust can be easily wound around the mandrel bar portion so that a part of the long dust does not overlap with another part.

In the above configuration, the protruding amount of the scraping portion may be the same.

According to the above configuration, since the projecting amount of the scraping portion is the same, the degree of difficulty of deformation of the scraping portion in the projecting direction can be made substantially constant. In this case, the force acting between the scraping section and the floor (force for scraping dust on the floor) is also substantially constant.

In the above-described configuration, the amount of projection of the scraping portion from the outer peripheral surface of the core bar portion may be decreased toward the distal end of the rotary cleaning element.

According to the above configuration, the distal end of the rotary cleaning element is spaced apart from the side portion of the housing, and therefore, the rotary cleaning element is easily displaced from the proximal end of the rotary cleaning element. In this case, a force acting on the floor in the vicinity of the tip of the rotary cleaning element (a force for scraping dust on the floor) tends to be weak. However, since the protruding amount of the wiping portion from the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel bar portion becomes smaller toward the leading end of the rotary cleaning element, the portion of the wiping portion that is deformed in the protruding direction is less likely to be deformed as it approaches the leading end of the rotary cleaning element. As a result, the scraping section near the tip of the rotary cleaning element can apply a strong force (scraping force) to the dust on the floor. Since the base end of the rotary cleaning element is relatively difficult to displace, the scraping part near the base end of the rotary cleaning element can apply a strong force (scraping force) to the dust on the floor.

In the above configuration, the scraping portion may be formed of an elastically deformable material.

According to the above configuration, the scraping portion elastically deforms by bending when contacting the floor, and returns when separating from the floor, thereby efficiently scraping dust on the floor.

Industrial applicability

The principle of the present invention can be preferably applied to a device used for cleaning work.

Claims

1. A suction device to be attached to a suction type cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a housing that forms an internal space that extends upward from a suction port that opens downward so as to suck dust, and a passage through which air flows from the internal space to the cleaning device; and the combination of (a) and (b),

a rotary cleaning body which is arranged in the inner space in a manner of contacting with the floor through the suction opening and transversely extending and is tapered towards the front end,

the space for removing dust wound around the rotary cleaning body is formed adjacent to the distal end of the rotary cleaning body in the extending direction of the rotary cleaning body or is formed adjacent to the distal end of the rotary cleaning body.

2. The inhalation device of claim 1,

the space is formed in the vicinity of an open end of the passage that opens toward the internal space.

3. The inhalation device of claim 2,

the spaces are arranged in the opening direction of the open end.

4. The inhalation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

another rotary cleaning element extending laterally from a tip end of the space opposite to the tip end of the rotary cleaning element,

the other rotary cleaning element is in contact with the floor through the suction opening and is tapered toward the tip of the other rotary cleaning element.

5. The inhalation device of claim 4,

the pair of rotary cleaning bodies has a shape symmetrical with respect to the space.

6. The inhalation apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising:

a connecting member for connecting the leading ends of the pair of rotary cleaning bodies to each other, wherein,

the housing includes a pair of side portions that support base ends of the pair of rotary cleaning bodies,

the connecting member is detachable from the distal ends of the pair of rotary cleaning bodies.

7. The inhalation device of claim 1,

the housing includes a side portion between the space and the tip of the rotary cleaning element.

8. The inhalation apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a connecting member for connecting the tip end of the rotary cleaning body and the side portion, wherein,

the housing includes a side portion supporting a base end of the rotary cleaning element on a side opposite to the side portion,

the connecting member is detachable from the tip end and the side portion of the rotary cleaning body.

9. The inhalation device according to claim 6 or 8,

the central axis of the rotary cleaning element is inclined downward from the side portion supporting the base end of the rotary cleaning element.

10. The inhalation device of claim 9,

the housing includes a front wall disposed forward of the interior space,

the central axis of the rotary cleaning element is inclined forward from the side portion supporting the base end of the rotary cleaning element.

11. The inhalation apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10,

the rotary cleaning body comprises a mandrel part which extends transversely and a scraping part which is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel part in a mode of scraping dust on the floor,

the scraping section is provided to extend spirally on the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel section or to extend obliquely on the outer peripheral surface of the mandrel section so as to intersect three-dimensionally with respect to a center axis of the mandrel section.

12. The inhalation device of claim 11,

the protruding amount of the scraping part is the same.

13. The inhalation device of claim 11,

the amount of protrusion of the scraping portion from the outer peripheral surface of the core rod portion decreases toward the distal end of the rotary cleaning element.

14. The inhalation apparatus of any one of claims 11 to 13,

the scraping portion is formed of an elastically deformable material.